Chapter 20

20. Seoul Station, Unlucky Event - 2

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About 10 minutes before the gate appeared.

Yongsan, 3rd Anti-Monster Brigade Headquarters, Brigade Commander's Office.

"......What? Captain Kim, what are you saying? That doesn't even make sense!"

Captain Kim Gang-seok was being scolded by someone.

The person shouting at him was Colonel Goo Jin-tae, the chief of staff of the 3rd Anti-Monster Brigade.

"Chief, I'm speaking seriously after careful consideration."

"No, this isn't something that can be taken seriously, man!"

Kim Gang-seok had just reported on three recent incidents to the brigade commander and the chief of staff.

The goblin gate incident inside the base, the cobalt gate incident in Itaewon 2-dong, and the orc gate incident on Namsan.

He didn't fail to mention that F-rank player Lee Hyun-wook was at the center of these incidents.

Up to that point, the reaction was quite positive.

The soldiers were even praised for being well-trained.

However, ...

When he hinted at wanting to cultivate Lee Hyun-wook as an officer, the atmosphere turned cold.

"Who would think it's right to make a soldier, especially an F-rank, an officer?"

"......"

"Ha...... Do you really think this makes sense?"

Amidst the chief of staff's reprimand, Kim Gang-seok looked at Brigadier General Choi Jung-chul, the 3rd Anti-Monster Brigade commander.

"......"

He sat with his legs crossed, saying nothing.

However, his silence in not stopping Goo Jin-tae's harsh words indicated that he somewhat agreed.

But Kim Gang-seok didn't back down.

"Chief, I don't believe the qualities of an AMT officer are randomly given by the game's ability."

"What?"

"......Rather, I firmly believe that the soldier has the will to overcome this entire system and fight in any situation."

"Hey, Kim Gang-seok! We're not digging up soldiers to fight. Even the player training graduates are all joining civilian guilds. If an F-rank becomes an officer, who will apply to be an AMT officer? This could lead to the abolition of AMT, you know that, right?"

Goo Jin-tae believed that if an F-rank became an officer, it would tarnish the honor of AMT.

'Unfortunately, he has a point.'

Kim Gang-seok also acknowledged this.

Now, the war against monsters wasn't driven by a mission to save humanity.

Powerful players wanted fame and money.

Creating an environment to satisfy them was one of AMT's major tasks.

But if he suggested that F-rank players stand alongside officer candidates...

'......They wouldn't be pleased.'

At that moment, Choi Jung-chul raised his left hand slightly.

"......Chief, just hold on a moment."

"Brigade Commander, this is really not......"

Goo Jin-tae tried to protest but stopped short when he saw Choi Jung-chul's smile.

It was a friendly smile, but it felt different to them.

"Chief, I also want to say something."

"Ah! I'm sorry. Please speak, Brigade Commander."

Goo Jin-tae, who had been furious, bowed his head.

Brigadier General Choi Jung-chul, the 3rd Anti-Monster Brigade commander.

Short and stocky, with a receding hairline and a cute appearance reminiscent of an old bulldog, he looked particularly small next to the bear-like Kim Gang-seok, but no matter how skilled a player, no one dared to ignore him.

The reason was simple.

He was a grade A player ranked 31st in South Korea, capable of casting large-scale area magic, a rare 'tactical weapon'-level force. Those who knew that he had burned an entire island off the southern coast, roasting hundreds of mermaids, would understand...

"Hmm, interesting. To see commanders so enthusiastic about an F-rank, hehe......"

One could read the fear hidden behind his gentle face.

Even Kim Gang-seok, feeling the man's authority, was unconsciously tense.

"Well, I think the battalion commander has his reasons. But, it seems he's already seen something in this guy...... I think it would be better if he took a few more tests, would that be okay?"

"Yes, of course."

"Good. Becoming an officer isn't like a police officer's badge, which can be easily given and taken away. I need to be sure. Do you understand my point?"

He laughed heartily.

Despite receiving a somewhat positive response, Kim Gang-seok wasn't entirely at ease.

'If it's the brigade commander's test, it's practically impossible.'

While Kim Gang-seok prioritized a soldier's mindset, Choi Jung-chul valued only results. If he didn't produce perfect results, he wouldn't be satisfied.

At that moment,

Knock-knock

Someone knocked on the door of the brigade commander's office and cautiously entered.

It was the brigade commander's adjutant.

His expression wasn't good.

"Brigade Commander, there's a call for the battalion commander. It seems urgent."

An urgent call... Kim Gang-seok instinctively stood up.

"Alright, go ahead and take it, battalion commander."

"Yes!"

Kim Gang-seok hurried out.

A short while later, when he returned to the brigade commander's office, his expression was grim.

He spoke without sitting down.

"Brigade Commander, there's news of a gate appearing in the 1st Battalion's area of responsibility. But the location is......"

He paused and swallowed hard.

"......Seoul Station."

"Seoul Station? That's not good at all."

"And for some reason......"

Kim Gang-seok handed a tablet PC to the brigade commander, which began to play a video.

It was a live feed from a drone camera, but Seoul Station wasn't visible.

To be precise, Seoul Station was obscured by something.

"A dome?"

It was a black dome.

A massive black dome had sealed off Seoul Station.

"Yes. The entire Seoul Station is enveloped by this black dome."

Choi Jung-chul's expression darkened.

"This is serious. This is bad. There seem to be various restrictions...... It's estimated that at least a thousand civilians are trapped inside."

The basic characteristic of an Unlucky Event is to 'isolate' a certain area.

"Damn, there's probably a level restriction for entering the event area. If so, the station guards alone won't be able to hold out......"

"We need to confirm the exact information, but it's likely that such conditions are in place. I'll report back with the details."

Choi Jung-chul nodded and stood up.

"Ah, by the way, that F-rank guy, he's not level 15 yet...... How about assigning him to the rescue mission? It could be the test we talked about."

"......"

Choi Jung-chul proposed the test sooner than expected, but Kim Gang-seok couldn't help but look troubled.

"Why, what's wrong?"

"Brigade Commander, he's already...... inside the dome."

"......What?"

"During his leave, he arrived at Seoul Station with a female officer. Shortly after, the Unlucky Event occurred at Seoul Station."

Choi Jung-chul nodded.

"Well, what can you do...... Anyway, it could still be a test. If he can survive in there, that's enough."

"......"

"Battalion commander, go quickly. This isn't a normal situation. Many people will inevitably be sacrificed, but we need to save as many as possible."

"Yes, I understand!"

Ironically, after proposing a 'test' that risked someone's life, he now spoke of a 'mission' to save lives.

But this was the realistic mindset a soldier must have, to protect other lives—the citizens' lives—even at the cost of sacrificing and taking lives.

***

Boom!

With a loud explosion, pieces of the spider's skin burst and scattered in all directions.

First the back, then the abdomen, followed by the legs, they burst one after another.

In the blink of an eye, the spider, stripped of its skin, looked like a lobster that had just molted. Even the broken skin fragments pierced into the soft flesh, oozing green pus.

Squish! Squish! Squish! Squish!

No matter how large it was, the pain was unbearable, and the creature could only emit weak cries and retreat.

At that moment,

Thud-thud-thud-thud!

The ground shook,

It was on Lee Hyun-wook's side.

Turning his head, he saw another spider with eight legs rolling towards him.

"Ah! It's dangerous!"

Someone shouted.

But Lee Hyun-wook didn't move an inch.

Hum-

He simply raised his left hand.

'Toxic Armor Spider, this is probably its first appearance.'

This was the first monster to appear at this point.

However, Lee Hyun-wook already knew everything about this terrifying creature.

'It contains toxic gas in its metallic body. If it bursts, it will be a disaster.'

He concentrated his metal control in the direction of his outstretched left hand.

He could sense metal without extending his hand, but it acts as an antenna.

This allows him to focus his power more accurately.

He detected the heavy metal mass—the spider's hard skin.

"......You have no choice but to be in my hands."

Lee Hyun-wook murmured softly.

To a metal-based monster, no matter how strong, Lee Hyun-wook was merely easy prey.

He could not only manipulate their bodies freely but also crush them.

'In essence, I can control them.'

Lee Hyun-wook gripped and shook the spider's skin as if tearing it off.

Squish! Squish! Squish! Squish!

Even this small gesture made the creature writhe in pain.

This was just the beginning.

'......Shatter!'

- Mana (131/159)

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Once again, the spider's hard shell shattered into pieces and scattered.

"Huh, huh! What, what is this?"

The team leader of the Seoul Station security team, standing awkwardly behind Lee Hyun-wook, gasped in amazement.

"Crazy......"

To him, it was an unbelievable scene.

An AMT player, just a regular soldier, could subdue such a massive monster so easily......

'And that, that's definitely...... the ability of an S-rank player!'

From E-rank to A-rank, players don't really display overwhelming 'mysteries' as they level up.

Of course, they might eventually give off a 'superhuman' vibe as they grow, but......

'......Power!'

It wasn't something that could be described as a 'miracle' or 'power' that transcends humans.

However, S-rank players were different.

Their abilities were more like 'powers' than 'skills'.

Beyond just being an outstanding warrior, they could control the battlefield with a single gesture, possessing the strength to be treated as tactical or strategic weapons.

'Two years ago, I remember Inferno burning a contaminated building in Busan.'

Of course, the power this man was showing wasn't on the same scale as Inferno's S-rank power. If compared closely, it would be like a drop in the ocean.

But the impression was unmistakably similar.

A mysterious power that transcended superhuman abilities was evident.

At that moment,

The man slowly raised both hands.

Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss