Chapter 4

4. Namsan, Camp Gate Incident - 1

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At 3:30 AM, someone approached Lee Hyun-wook's bed.

"…Private Lee Hyun-wook, you need to get up."

It was the guard on duty.

"Ah, I'm up."

"Yes."

Lee Hyun-wook was on the third watch of the night and had been awake for about 10 minutes.

Every night, he would swallow metal before going to sleep and wake up when the absorption was complete to swallow another piece.

He was controlling his sleep to grow as quickly as possible in the given environment.

'As a result, I now wake up naturally around this time.'

– Metal absorption complete. (Common Metal)

* Controllable metal weight increased: 61g

– Current controllable 'metal' weight: 1,358g

The lock he swallowed before bed increased his controllable metal weight by 61g.

'To lift a sword or a spear, I need at least 3kg.'

Moving multiple daggers simultaneously to attack enemies from all sides would be quite useful, but to deal with large monsters like orcs, a powerful single strike was necessary.

This was difficult with just daggers, and the best option was to manipulate a greatsword or a spear to pierce a vital spot. To make a significant impact on the battlefield, he needed to reach this level as quickly as possible.

He rummaged through a drawer and took something out.

It was, as expected, a broken lock, which he swallowed.

*Crunch*

'…Hmm, now I have six left.'

On the first day of his regression, he gathered as many broken locks and metal hinges as possible from the battalion's recycling area, but they were almost all gone.

Indeed, it was difficult to obtain high-quality metal within the military. Revealing his method of power enhancement and officially requesting 'supplies' was not a good choice.

'It's not time to reveal this to the world yet.'

The fact that F-rank individuals can grow will only be revealed a few years from now.

There was no need to hasten this revelation, as it would inevitably lead to unforeseen problems.

'If this fact becomes known… that guy will grow even faster.'

There was one worst villain he hoped would grow as slowly as possible.

The best player from Busan, 'Inferno,' and his team, who had killed 'Inferno' and his comrades and captured the fortified city of Busan in just three hours… a disaster-like being… perhaps with even more potential than Lee Hyun-wook…

The Death Legion Commander, Necromancer.

If possible, it would be best to eliminate him before he grows.

For the future, it was necessary to be cautious about revealing information, as hastily disclosed information often becomes a hint for the enemy.

'And tonight, that incident will happen… I need to take leave in about three days.'

He put on his combat uniform and equipment, commonly known as 'armor.'

The combat uniform of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Anti-Monster Brigade, to which Lee Hyun-wook belonged, was black. Since their area of operation was Seoul, they primarily engaged in urban warfare, and the appropriate camouflage color was naturally black.

"…Private Lee Hyun-wook, are you ready?"

In the darkness, a low whisper came from a corner of the dormitory.

It was the voice of Park Jun-mo, the assistant for tonight's guard duty. He seemed to have completed his preparations quickly, as befitting a junior.

Lee Hyun-wook silently got up and walked towards the door, with Park Jun-mo following behind.

Upon entering the administrative office, the duty officer, Kwak Jin-cheol, glared at him openly.

'Oh, look at that face.'

It was truly a sight to behold.

He still seemed to be harboring resentment, filled with spite.

Normally, he would have thrown out a remark, but he seemed to be holding back due to the presence of the duty officer, Lieutenant Seo Eun-ha.

Well, how much must that noble paladin care to be wide awake at 4 AM? A person who usually dozed off…

"…Ah, Duty Officer, the guards are here."

At Kwak Jin-cheol's report, Seo Eun-ha, who was reading a book, looked up. Despite being a typical FM, her eyes were half-closed, struggling to stay awake.

"So, this is the third watch?"

"Yes, it is."

The duty officer and the duty assistant used their respective keys to open the 'Subspace Weapon Locker.'

Whirr—

The weapon locker, shaped like a small safe, emitted a mysterious light, as if connected to another world. All AMT weapons were stored in subspace, not physically.

"Alright, each of you, take your weapons."

Lee Hyun-wook reached into the Subspace Weapon Locker.

A message appeared before his eyes.

– Authorization confirmed.

* K2C1 Rifle (289007-B)

* M9 Greatsword (Enchanted)

Unlike regular military units, AMT allows the use of 'personal weapons.' Since each soldier has different characteristics, they can use weapons that suit their abilities.

However, in Lee Hyun-wook's case, he only had an 'enchanted' dagger. Aside from his F-rank, he lacked the clear ability to handle specific weapons.

"Hmm, Private, is that all you have?"

Lieutenant Seo Eun-ha, looking curious, asked cautiously.

"Yes."

"…I see."

Most AMT scenes feature greatswords or spears as 'items.' Even Park Jun-mo, standing next to him, held a small wooden 'wand' as a mage… making Lee Hyun-wook look rather pitiful.

With such weak firepower, he had no choice but to use the standard K2C1 rifle as his primary weapon.

Of course, conventional weapons were not effective against monsters, but they could deal significant damage to small monsters like 'goblins' or 'kobolds.'

The two guards, led by Lieutenant Seo Eun-ha, received ammunition at the 'ammunition depot' at the entrance of the barracks.

"30 rounds of armor-piercing bullets, no problem."

"30 rounds of armor-piercing bullets, no problem."

The two guards checked and loaded their magazines. A total of 30 live rounds.

"Alright, be careful with the safety and the direction of the muzzle. Gates can appear not only in nearby areas but also within the camp, so always be vigilant to protect your comrades."

Seo Eun-ha's overly serious words… Lee Hyun-wook couldn't help but chuckle at her expression. She was quite different from the Seo Eun-ha he remembered from the distant future, who would come to despise the rigid military system.

At that moment, their eyes met.

"…Huh? Private, what's so funny?"

Seo Eun-ha's eyebrows twisted.

"Nothing."

"…Alright, focus and do your duty."

"Yes, I understand."

She walked back into the barracks, wearing her beret with a stiff brim and walking rigidly.

At 176cm tall, she looked quite imposing, almost comically so. Of course, to others, she would appear as a proper soldier.

'Now that I think about it, this was when Seo Eun-ha was particularly devout.'

It was amusing to realize how boring she was back then.

Well, newly commissioned officers are often like that…

'It's quite entertaining to see the embarrassing past of someone I know well.'

Of course, at this time, they barely knew each other.

Thinking about it, a private and a lieutenant, an F-rank and a B-rank… the rank gap made it impossible for them to become close.

However, a few years later, after Lee Hyun-wook discovered his method of power growth and became the leader of a guild's 'gate raid team,' Seo Eun-ha surprisingly joined the team as a new member.

By then, she had a somewhat nervous personality and seemed somewhat clumsy, like a newcomer to the guild.

Even during drinking parties, she would complain about the difficulties, sobbing…

'Hey, Lee Hyun-wook! Listen! Sister… *hic* Sister! Do you think I should be treated like this? When I was a lieutenant! *hic* You were just a private! Do you understand? You can't treat me like this! *sob*…'

She had taken a very aggressive position in battles, and after being reprimanded multiple times, she finally snapped.

'Well, we became closer after that incident.'

But the memory of Seo Eun-ha in his mind, her comical appearance… started to spread to other memories.

Lee Hyun-wook tried to shake off the memory but failed.

'Damn.'

The ruins of Seoul's Dongdaemun district.

She was crying then too.

'Lee Hyun-wook… you must… live… and protect…'

Only… not from alcohol, but from her own blood.

"…"

Lee Hyun-wook felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

She had died at the hands of villains.

As the main tank, she had died protecting Lee Hyun-wook, who was the main dealer.

***

The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Anti-Monster Brigade, to which Lee Hyun-wook belonged, was stationed on the slopes of Namsan.

The 'gate,' an unknown phenomenon, could open anywhere at any time. Therefore, AMT units were deployed throughout the city to respond immediately when a gate opened.

'But today, the gate will open not in the nearby city but right here, inside Namsan.'

Gates opening within military bases were not uncommon.

And it was better this way.

There would be no civilian casualties, and the gate's byproducts could be exclusively claimed by the military without sharing with civilian guilds.

After arriving at the guard post and completing the shift change, Lee Hyun-wook checked his watch.

– 4:05 AM

'The gate will open in about 10 minutes, right?'

Lee Hyun-wook reached for his waist and left the scabbard of his greatsword open.

"…Private Lee Hyun-wook?"

At that moment, Park Jun-mo spoke to him.

When Lee Hyun-wook looked at Park Jun-mo, he hesitated, as if trying to say something.

"I, I, I overheard something…"

It was clear that the story would be long.

But there was no time for a serious conversation now.

"Just a moment, shh."

"…"

The incident was about to happen.

"Did you hear something just now?"

"…Yes?"

Park Jun-mo turned his head to look at the fence.

In the darkness, only occasional orange lights flickered.

"I, I didn't hear anything…"

Of course, there was no sound yet.

But Lee Hyun-wook started shining his flashlight on the hill as if something was really there.

"No, not the fence. From the hill behind the camp."

"Then it must be… a pheasant or something, right?"

Lee Hyun-wook shook his head and pressed the walkie-talkie on his shoulder.

Beep—

"Command Center, this is Post 5. I detected a suspicious sound. Please check the nearby CCTV."

The walkie-talkie shared the same frequency with all guard posts and the command center.

After a moment…

Beep—

– Static— This is the Command Center. CCTV check shows no issues, but to be safe, we will inform all guard posts. Stay vigilant and do not let your guard down.

Beep—

– Static— If there is another unusual detection, we will use the 'Anomaly Detector'… Please stay alert and do not leave your post until the cause is identified.

The 'Anomaly Detector' was a 'player-made item' created through magic engineering. When activated, it could detect mana fluctuations within a certain area, identifying the opening of a gate. However, it required a significant amount of 'mana stones' to use, so it couldn't be used carelessly.

After a brief pause, Lee Hyun-wook made another call.

"Post 5 here. I continue to detect movement from the direction of Post 6. It's multiple movements. I request a recheck of the CCTV. It doesn't seem to be the movement of ordinary wildlife."

As he spoke, he pulled the bolt.

Click—

The sound of the chamber loading a bullet was ominous.

"…"

Park Jun-mo's face turned pale, which was understandable.

"…Private Lee Hyun-wook?"

The sound of a bullet being loaded is something soldiers fear the most.

Lee Hyun-wook even put on his body armor.

'The timing is right.'

In fact, Lee Hyun-wook had not detected anything.

However, the series of reports to the command center were a kind of 'bait' to move one step ahead.

If he moved to the area after the gate fully opened and the chaos began, it would be too late.

Lee Hyun-wook gestured for Park Jun-mo to follow as he descended the stairs of the guard post.

"Private Lee Hyun-wook? Is, is this okay?"

Park Jun-mo was bewildered but had no choice but to follow.

Just then…

Beep—

– Static— Ah! This is Post 6! There's a problem! Multiple unidentified life forms are approaching!

An urgent call came in as if on cue.

"Ah! Private Lee Hyun-wook! Post 6…"

It was the place Lee Hyun-wook had just mentioned, and it was only about 800 meters away from Post 5.

Park Jun-mo looked at Lee Hyun-wook.

Was what he saw real?

Lee Hyun-wook stared into the darkness.

'It's starting.'

In the distance, a purple glow appeared in the darkness.

Right in front of Post 6.

"Ah! A, a gate!"

Park Jun-mo also noticed it and involuntarily cried out.

Soon, a horde of goblins would pour out of the gate and occupy Post 6. The guards would fight back, but the post would be overrun, and they would suffer severe injuries.

'Fortunately, Seo Eun-ha arrived just in time, and the guards survived.'

For her quick response, Seo Eun-ha received a commendation from the battalion commander.

'Sorry, but I'll take that credit this time.'

Lee Hyun-wook raised his rifle.

At the same time, a greatsword slowly rose from his waist, floating in the air.