Chapter 47

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Lee Hyun-wook messed up the sanctuary office appropriately.

It was staged to look as if a physical struggle had taken place.

Immediately afterward, he called Ahn Min-tae and Kim Se-hee over the radio.

“What, what is this...”

As soon as they entered the sanctuary, they were startled.

The sanctuary manager was dead, his head on the desk, which left them no choice but to be shocked.

“Doctor Lee Hyun-wook, what, what happened here?”

Lee Hyun-wook recited the scenario he had prepared in advance.

When the coffee this man had served accidentally spilled onto a holy steel ball, black smoke rose. Suspecting something, he was attacked with a knife.

Thus, he had no choice but to kill the man immediately.

The two seemed to believe his words without any doubt...

“No! What the hell are you doing?”

Kim Se-hee burst out in anger.

“Huh?”

“Why are you sitting here alone? Didn’t I tell you not to go around by yourself earlier?”

“Ha ha...”

“Are you laughing? If something happens to you, the commander, what are we supposed to do...”

Since he couldn’t reveal that it was all planned, he could only look embarrassed at her reprimand...

“By the way, could this possibly be related to the terrorists who attacked our unit?”

As Ahn Min-tae suggested, they had been on guard against ‘terrorists’ as well as monsters before they set out.

However, they probably didn’t expect something similar to actually happen.

Instead of answering, Lee Hyun-wook held out a black box.

It was the item ‘Bell of the Devil,’ which attracts hell-born beings to the area.

“It’s not certain, but he was trying to manipulate monsters to massacre the refugees in the shelter.”

“Mad...”

Considering that over 3,000 civilians were gathered in this shelter, the thought was terrifying.

“However, don’t tell anyone about this fact yet.”

“Yes, if this gets out, it will cause real chaos, given that people are already anxious.”

“Right, and... there’s another problem.”

Lee Hyun-wook lifted a coffee cup.

“Quite a few people have already drunk this strange coffee.”

At this, the two frowned simultaneously.

“Ah! Then, something could happen to anyone at any moment, right?”

“It could be a poison. Someone might die suddenly, and it might not end there.”

“Here—”

Lee Hyun-wook took a brown liquid-filled bottle from the cabinet and handed it to them.

The moment they held it, the item information appeared before their eyes.

– You have obtained Beastification Potion No. 3. (Player-made item)

In other words, those who drank this coffee will undergo beastification and transform into ‘werewolves.’

“This symptom is kindly written here, but the problem is that we don’t know who drank it.”

At this, Kim Se-hee seemed to recall something and spoke.

“Fortunately... there’s someone who has a skill to analyze such ‘curses.’”

Kim Se-hee called Private Choi Yu-jin, a priest from the 2nd Battalion, who hurried over.

“Yu-jin, can you figure out who among the people in the shelter drank this potion?”

When Choi Yu-jin examined the Beastification Potion, she looked troubled.

“Yes, but I’ll have to use my ‘Scan Skill’ on each person individually. However, it would be difficult to examine over 3,000 people without explaining the reason.”

Indeed, a full-scale investigation would be difficult without revealing this terrifying fact to the people.

If they could reveal the truth, they could simply ask those who drank the coffee to come forward.

“Then, when do you think the transformation into monsters will start?”

“That... I’m not sure if it’s fortunate or not, but the curse requires the incantator to recite a spell. Since the incantator is dead, it’s unlikely to manifest immediately.”

“So, we don’t have to worry right now?”

“There might be other factors set by the incantator, but yes, not immediately.”

Having heard this, Lee Hyun-wook summarized the situation.

“Alright. Let’s keep this fact under wraps for now... Ahn Min-tae, bring the security chief and Jeong Jun.”

“Huh? Uh, is it okay to show this scene to them?”

“It’s necessary. We need their help to control the situation.”

There were several player factions in the shelter besides the Steel Battalion.

Among them, the former security team and Jeong Jun’s group were friendly to the Steel Battalion.

To control the shelter, they needed to use these groups.

Soon, the security chief and Jeong Jun arrived at the sanctuary, and Lee Hyun-wook explained the current situation to them.

“Unbelievable... Why would he...”

The security chief, looking at Gong Hyun-jun’s body, had an uneasy and nauseous expression. He said that he and a few of his subordinates had been served and had drunk the coffee that morning.

In other words, they were also in a state where they could transform into beasts at any time.

“I don’t understand. He seemed like a decent person on the surface.”

“Yes, I almost fell for it too.”

Lee Hyun-wook took out a secret notebook from Gong Hyun-jun’s drawer and opened it.

“This is the true nature of the man. He enjoyed unethical experiments.”

“Mad...”

The contents of the secret notebook were horrifying.

It was filled with photos of dissected and dismembered dogs and cats. In another notebook, there were records of experiments conducted on homeless people, which he didn’t bring out.

This was a log of biological experiments related to ‘black magic.’

“There are many people in the world who are not in their right minds. For such people, the Wave situation is an opportunity to reveal their hidden desires. We shouldn’t judge by appearances.”

“Ah...”

In fact, an analysis of the ‘victim types’ in the areas where the Wave opened showed that a significant proportion of the killings were committed by players.

In other words, in a lawless area, someone who appeared to be an ordinary citizen could suddenly turn into a robber and target others’ property and lives.

In certain situations, trust can lead to complacency.

“And, Chief, Jeong Jun, I have a request for both of you.”

The two looked at Lee Hyun-wook.

“From now on, our unit will go underground to exterminate monsters.”

“...What?”

“As I mentioned earlier, our mission is to search for the ‘erosion factor,’ which is inevitably found in areas with many monsters. There are a lot of monsters underground, so we need to check.”

“No matter what, it’s too dangerous. The underground and the surface are different environments...”

The security chief’s skepticism was evident in response to Lee Hyun-wook’s declaration.

They also underestimated the AMT’s capabilities and considered it impossible.

However, Jeong Jun supported Lee Hyun-wook.

“I’ve seen it. These people are not to be underestimated. Judging by appearance can lead to a big mistake.”

“Hmm...”

“Really. I guarantee it.”

“Hmm...”

Despite Jeong Jun’s emphasis, the security chief remained skeptical.

He seemed to think that Jeong Jun, who was also vouching for someone, was not at a level to do so.

To this, Lee Hyun-wook added.

“When we go underground, please reactivate the magic barrier in the tunnel. And even if we are in danger of being wiped out, do not open it. If you do this, there will be no damage to the shelter.”

“Uh, that’s a bit...”

“Please.”

The security chief nodded, seemingly resigned.

“Alright. I hope this is the right decision.”

However, Jeong Jun’s expression was completely opposite to the security chief’s.

He looked at Lee Hyun-wook with a determined expression and nodded.

“We will help, even if it’s a small contribution.”

Jeong Jun’s group consisted of 18 people.

Including Lee Hyun-wook, the Steel Battalion had 40 members, making them a significant force.

In this situation, it would be foolish to refuse their help.

“Thank you. But, this might also be a good opportunity for you.”

“Huh? What...”

Lee Hyun-wook smiled.

“Yes, an opportunity to level up very quickly.”

***

The subway platform was pitch black, with only the faint green light from the emergency lights providing a dim glow, creating a desolate atmosphere like a deep limestone cave.

There...

Ding—Ding—

A strange sound, like a grandfather clock or a temple bell, echoed through the area.

“...It’s starting.”

The ‘Bell of the Devil’ set up in the center of the platform had activated.

Ding—Ding—

The heavy, low sound spread through the tunnel, reaching deep inside.

Squeak—Squeak—

Loud squeals began to emerge from the darkness.

Rumble—Rumble—

A massive vibration, unlike that of an incoming subway, surged from the ground.

The AMT forces lined up on the wide stairs connecting the underground platform and the first-floor station, feeling the bizarre phenomenon. Their eyes were fixed on the tunnel, but they couldn’t see through the darkness.

The only sense they had was sound.

The squeals and vibrations were now right in front of them...

Thud—Thud—Thud—Thud—

A series of thuds echoed from the darkness.

But they couldn’t see what was happening.

At that moment, a red flare fell onto the tracks, dispelling the darkness.

Flash—

The horrific scene came into view.

“Good heavens...”

A horde of Hell Rats emerged from the tunnel, surging onto the tracks. They trampled each other, clawed, and tangled, pouring into the open screen doors.

Splat—Splat—Splat—Splat—

It was disgusting. It felt like a sticky liquid was pouring in, not a horde of beasts.

At the same time, an indescribable stench filled the subway.

Fortunately, all the AMT forces were wearing gas masks, so they were not exposed to the stench.

They held their breath, standing on the stairs, waiting for Lee Hyun-wook’s command.

“...Stand by.”

Squeak—Squeak—

The horde of Hell Rats swarmed around the Bell of the Devil.

It was impossible to count how many there were.

At least several hundred, perhaps even a thousand.

Right then—

“—Now!”

Lee Hyun-wook’s shout echoed through the platform.

Simultaneously, five ice spells were fired, exploding at the tunnel entrance where the rats had entered, instantly forming a wall of ice several centimeters thick, completely blocking the large opening.

“Now they can’t escape! Advance!”

They were like rats trapped in a bag.

Thud—Thud—Thud—Thud—

The Steel Battalion, maintaining a solid formation, descended the stairs and moved toward the horde.

“Second row, fire fireballs!”

When Sergeant Son Hye-min, the senior mage of the 2nd Battalion, gave the order, the mages behind the tanks cast fire spells and then moved back, while the third row moved forward to prepare for the next attack.

It was like the movement of ‘line infantry.’

Boom—Boom—Boom—Boom—Boom—

A pillar of red fire shot up from the center of the horde of Hell Rats.

Sizzle—

Dozens of rats burned instantly, black smoke rising.

The sprinklers had been turned off in advance, so there was no water damage from the ceiling.

Meanwhile...

“...Please, just this once, close your eyes, shut your mouth, and do as I say, okay!”

In the center of the formation, Kim Se-hee muttered to herself, barely holding back a torrent of curses.

Then, a wind spirit emerged from the tip of her dagger.

“Ah—Thank you, thank you!”

The spirit looked like a small girl, with a face full of annoyance.

And... she raised her middle finger at Kim Se-hee.

Kim Se-hee laughed in disbelief. She couldn’t believe how things had turned out.

“Alright... Phew—At least, since you’ve come, you’ll do your job, right? Okay?”

The wind spirit nodded with a generous expression and shot forward.

She moved through the air like a dance, stirring the already raging flames into waves that engulfed the horde of Hell Rats.

Whoosh—

Fire and wind, a simple but powerful synergy.

However, even with this, the horde of disgusting rats was still enormous.

And, as the saying goes, a cornered rat will bite a cat...

Squeak—Squeak—

They began to charge at the Steel Battalion’s shield formation.

“...Here they come!”

The tanks, lined up in a row, collided with the horde of rats, their shields pressed together.

Large rats, the size of dogs, leaped onto the shields, baring their sharp teeth and claws.

Boom—

“Hold your ground! Don’t let them push you back!”

At that moment