Chapter 56

===========================

The 2nd Government Armory, a top-secret area, had been entered by the Steel Company.

The space, five times larger than a battalion armory, spanned 3700 square meters, with ceilings that seemed to be over 10 meters high.

"…It feels like a giant warehouse in North America."

However, there wasn't a single hole in that space. There were no doors, windows, or even ventilation ducts.

All the walls were thick concrete with magical defense barriers, and the internal air circulation was managed by magic, making it a truly perfect sealed room.

"Really, can I… use these?"

Kim Sehee held up two daggers and asked.

At first glance, they were clearly more sophisticated than the weapons she had used before.

The approximately 30cm-long, azure blades curved and shimmered, and it seemed that even a slight touch would tear flesh.

Both daggers were of the 'Skilled' grade, 'Player-Crafted Items.'

Regular items were graded as Common—Rare—Heroic—Legendary—Mythic, in five stages,

while crafted items were graded as Common—Advanced—Skilled—Master—Grandmaster, in five stages.

In a direct comparison, they were equivalent to 'Heroic' grade items.

'But they can't be the same as Heroic grade in every aspect.'

The price might be similar to or even lower than 'Rare' grade items.

This was because player-crafted items did not have 'skills' attached to them.

Of course, there were ways to imbue skills into crafted items, but it required a high-level blacksmith and a senior mage to work together for over half a year from the design stage, making it economically unviable.

Even so, each item was worth several billion won, so it wasn't something an AMT soldier could handle.

"Um, it feels like borrowing someone's luxury bag for a mountain trip… this…"

Kim Sehee still looked burdened by the expensive weapons.

"Kim, why are you hesitating so much? It doesn't suit you."

Lee Hyun-wook's words made Kim Sehee frown.

"What doesn't suit me? Then, would it suit me to laugh greedily?"

"Hmm, turning around and laughing secretly would be the best."

"But since we have to return them anyway, don't get too excited."

"Ah, yes—"

Lee Hyun-wook turned his head and scanned the armory.

Steel Company members were scattered around, collecting items.

"—There are a lot of high-grade shields here, so tankers, take one each!"

"Wow, look at this…"

"Wow, I never thought I'd get to use adamantite-coated arrowheads…"

The entire Steel Company was arming themselves with powerful items they had never seen before.

They seemed to forget they were about to go into battle and were enjoying it like shopping.

Of course, they would have to return all the items once the situation was over.

'And… we will receive even better rewards than these items.'

After the wave, the value of every member of the Steel Company would skyrocket.

Lee Hyun-wook wandered to a deeper area where rings and bracelets were stored.

He picked up a few ring items made of orihalcon.

Swallow—

Of course, he didn't put them in his pocket.

'Honestly, this is part of the price for saving Seoul.'

He rationalized it to himself and looked for the next item to consume.

'Oh, this…'

He was interested in a ring.

– Name: Small Flash (Rare)

– Effect: Emits an electric current when mana is injected. (Cooldown: 5 minutes)

A blue gem was embedded in a ring made of adamantite.

'It's celestial iron.'

It was a magical metal with the ability to produce electricity.

This was also a very expensive special material, though less versatile, it was much rarer.

'Yeah, this has quite a useful ability.'

Swallow—

– Caution! You are already absorbing multiple 'metals.' The absorption delay will significantly increase.

The absorption time for the 'Dwarf-made Great Mountain Engine' was 'unknown,' and he had already consumed orihalcon from a zombie troll he had killed nearby. His stomach was in a state of saturation.

'But if I use the furnace properly, I can digest them one by one quickly.'

Metal digestion doesn't proceed in the order they were consumed but simultaneously.

Thus, the ones that take less time to digest are processed first.

At that moment, someone approached Lee Hyun-wook.

"Excuse me, Commander of the Steel Company?"

They were the administrators of the 2nd Armory, government officials.

'Please, they didn't see anything, right?'

Lee Hyun-wook, without showing any panic, crossed his arms and nodded.

"…Yes?"

"If it's not too much trouble, I have a piece of advice."

"Please, go ahead."

Seeing that he wasn't being suspicious, it seemed he hadn't been caught.

"…The soldiers are equipping new items, but I would advise against using items with skills. Using unfamiliar skills recklessly can lead to accidents, especially in a densely packed large-scale force."

"Yes, I understand. Thank you."

When a large number of soldiers move as one, personal skills can become a hindrance.

Lee Hyun-wook was aware of this and had already instructed them not to choose weapons with skills.

"Ah, and I have something to give you. Park, bring that over."

At the administrator's command, a subordinate brought a very long metal case.

Clank—

Inside was a long glass tube, and inside the tube was a branch.

"Please touch it. It's a special glass coated with magic, so you don't have to worry about it breaking."

Lee Hyun-wook used his metal control to lift the metal case and placed his hand on it.

– 'Leaf of the World Tree (Special)' acquired.

– Name: Leaf of the World Tree (Special)

– Effect:

1. Emits holy light when dark monsters approach. (Continuous)

2. Grants 'Sanctuary' effect within 500m. (Continuous)

'This is…'

He was genuinely surprised.

"Is this… a Chad Mountain World Tree item?"

"Yes, that's right. There are only 15 of these very special items in the country."

"Chad Republic sells each one for 400 billion, the most expensive specialty item in the world…"

"Haha, that's right. They make 20 trillion a year just from this."

This game had turned the world into a hell.

But some lands were blessed.

Chad Republic was a prime example of a land that received such blessings.

Three years ago, the World Tree, a divine tree, was born in Lake Chad, right in the center of the African continent.

'Thus, Chad Republic, once the poorest country in Africa, became the most important place on Earth.'

The infinite life force emitted by the World Tree transformed the desert into fertile forests and grasslands, and the stable mana covering the area led to the establishment of numerous 'Magic Towers,' research institutions for mages.

Based on all these advantages, it was emerging as the center of 'Magical Engineering,' a cutting-edge industry.

"Commander, is there anything else you need?"

"Yes, I have one more request."

"Please, anything. You're here to save Seoul."

"Then, do you have a weapon that can cast lightning magic?"

"Hmm… there is something incredible."

Indeed, the government's armory provided whatever was asked for.

Soon, two staff members brought something on a cart.

This time, it was a metal case, an incredibly large metal case.

"Here, this is a support weapon called 'Thunder God's Mace.'"

It looked like an anti-tank weapon, but instead of a barrel, there was a spear.

However, the spear seemed to be firmly fixed, suggesting it wasn't a projectile.

Lee Hyun-wook placed his hand on it.

– Name: Thunder God's Mace (Master)

– Effect: Emits a powerful lightning for 1 minute when mana is injected. (Cooldown: 10 minutes)

"It's a Master-grade crafted item made by modifying a Heroic-grade spear called 'Indra's Blessing.' How about it? It's a bit heavy, but you can mount it on a vehicle and use it like a magic tank."

He said proudly, and Lee Hyun-wook nodded.

"Yes, it's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you."

Thus, the Steel Company's combat power was greatly enhanced in every aspect.

'Just before the final battle, we had a stroke of incredible luck.'

***

After completing all the tasks, Lee Hyun-wook passed through the portal and came out of the armory.

In front of him was the living room of an ordinary house.

No one would have thought that a portal to a government armory existed in such a standalone house.

In the garden, the 2nd Assault Team of the Brigade Headquarters was gathered.

"Ah, is the company commander ready to go?"

Their commander, Captain Ko Jin-han, asked.

He didn't treat him like a mere soldier but called him by his rank, company commander.

This was probably due to Lee Hyun-wook unintentionally showing his abilities during their first meeting.

'Good. I won't have to deal with the fatigue of dealing with officers.'

If they treated him like this, Lee Hyun-wook was willing to give them proper officer treatment.

"Yes, we need to move. Can you prepare?"

"Okay—"

"Ah, and by the way, is it okay if I command this operation?"

At this, Ko Jin-han smiled and nodded.

"Well, we were here to support the Steel Company, and I've already seen how amazing this company commander is, so I'm not interested in taking command… but that guy over there is a bit sensitive about such things."

The muscular giant, Sergeant Kim Dong-hoon, glanced at him.

"…Yes? Me?"

"You, didn't you have something to say to the company commander? Hahaha—"

"Ah, yes? No, really…."

Lee Hyun-wook looked at Kim Dong-hoon, wondering what was going on.

For some reason, he averted his gaze and looked at the ground.

'What…'

"…Well, anyway, I'll prepare for departure."

As Lee Hyun-wook stepped out of the house, Ko Jin-han subtly approached him.

"Sorry to ask, but how are you so strong despite being F-grade?"

"Ah… I achieved a few achievements."

"Oh, achievements? Well, you did break the Erosion Factor and defeat the monthly boss monster…."

Indeed, the lie about achievements was now partly true.

1) Purifier

– Condition: Destroy an object that declares the Realm of Death.

– Effect: Form darkness resistance (Level 1), increase total mana (+200), increase holy power (+20%)

2) World Boss Monster Slayer

– Condition: Hunt a world boss monster.

– Effect: Increase all abilities (+5%)

After defeating Chimera, he had achieved two achievements.

These were very useful, as the increase in all abilities included 'metal control.'

– Current controllable 'metal' weight: 91,958g

* Transcendent Sense (+30%) is applied.

* Strong Bones (+10%) is applied.

* World Boss Monster Slayer (+5%) is applied.

'Good… I'm almost at 100kg.'

However, Ko Jin-han still seemed curious.

"And how do you find the Erosion Factor? Weren't we unable to find and stop it during previous waves? How are you finding one every day?"

"It's simple. Just dive into areas with a lot of monsters."

Ko Jin-han tilted his head at this.

"Isn't that the basic of basic for gate searches?"

If that was all it took, the 1st to 3rd wave responses wouldn't have failed so miserably. The wave zones always opened in vast urban areas with countless gates.

In other words, the risk of missing a gate was too high. It was an inefficient method.

To this, Lee Hyun-wook added a few more points.

"It's not just about chasing monsters, but also tracking event elements. It was a multi-race black magic ritual where they kidnapped people instead of killing them, indicating they were planning something special."

"Ah…."

This made sense, so he nodded, but Ko Jin-han still didn't look entirely convinced.

Honestly, at this point, lying had its limits.

"And actually… I've been lucky in many ways."

When in doubt, attribute it to luck…

"Hmm? So we have to ransack all of Seoul hoping for continued good luck?"

"Seems so."

"Haha, this is…."

But that wasn't necessary.

'The Anyang Duo is about to tackle the third Erosion Factor.'

This would trigger an 'Additional Event,' and 'Ironclad Bugs' would spew out from Cheongryong Mountain.

Anyone would recognize that as the Erosion Factor, eliminating the need for further searches.

'It's time for the sky to change…'

Lee Hyun-wook checked his watch and looked up at the sky.

There were no signs yet.

However, about five minutes later, the communication soldiers started to get busy.

Lee Hyun-wook noticed the strange atmosphere,

and soon the communication team leader ran up to him breathlessly.

"Lee Hyun-wook, sir—!"

"…Yes?"

"A third Erosion Factor has been discovered and just cleared in Yeonsinnae!"

At this, everyone except Lee Hyun-wook was startled and cheered.

"Wow! There are other people fighting properly besides us!"

"I was worried about finding the other two, but this is a stroke of luck."

"Ha… I really think we can save Seoul."

But this wasn't entirely a good omen.

'…It's starting.'

He slowly raised his head.

At that moment—

Rumble—Rumble—Rumble—Rumble—!

A sound like the sky was collapsing began to fill the world.

"What! What is that?"

This sound was a kind of 'bell.'

It was meant to draw people's attention…

In other words, to convey a message,

which meant it was a prelude to a public announcement.

Everyone looked up at the purple sky.

There, words appeared.

– Attention! Due to the players' remarkable achievements, a bonus is granted!

Indeed, it was that message.

"Damn!"

Ko Jin-han also realized the implications and cursed.

"Looks like something bad is about to happen…."

Soon, the specific details of the event appeared.

– Attention! The remaining Erosion Factor will undergo a 'Final' stage 'Rapid Change'!

"Final stage, what does that mean? Company commander, do you have any idea?"

"I also think something bad is about to happen."

"Ah, I wasn't wrong?"

Lee Hyun-wook immediately instructed the communication soldier to connect a mana communication with Kim Gang-seok.

"…Captain, we need to find the point where monsters will explosively increase."

– Yes, I was just thinking the same thing.

"And… we need to gather all allied forces in Seoul. Not just our AMT forces, but all guilds… all player forces need to come together to root it out completely."

The final battle had begun.

***

Take shelter in the nearest shelter when a gate appears!

This was the most important sentence that every citizen of the Republic of Korea knew.

In these uncertain times, there was no safer place than a 'shelter.'

With excellent 'magical protection barriers,' shelters could withstand monster attacks for a long time,

and if you waited a little, player rescue teams would arrive and eliminate all threats.

The Republic of Korea had the most shelters per capita and per area.

In other words, this land was the safest in the world. That was the belief of the people living here.

However….

One of the shelters in this land was now collapsing in a terrible way.

Immediately after the public announcement, a 'black fog' began to pour down from Cheongryong Mountain.

It quickly engulfed a shelter in an elementary school at the foot of the mountain.

As it approached, the people inside the shelter could see what it was.

It wasn't a black fog.

It was….

Squawk—Squawk—Squawk—Squawk—!

…insects, countless insects the size of human heads.

Squawk—Squawk—Squawk—Squawk—!

The sound of their wings filled the air.

In that noise, even their own voices couldn't be heard.

Squawk—Squawk—Squawk—Squawk—!

They began to stick to the windows, revealing their terrifying appearance.

Straight, angular heads the size of human fists…

Monstrous flies with scythe-like legs and saw-like teeth…

"Oh my God…."

They stuck to the windows and, in just a few seconds, the magical protection barrier was breached.

Then, the school building began to melt away.

The concrete turned to dust, and the rebar disappeared as if it were shrinking.

"…We need to get out of here!"

Someone shouted.

People scattered, running