Chapter 66

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

Author's Note: To address the somewhat coincidental elements in the content of chapters 63-65, I have made the following revisions. I apologize for any confusion.

1) Hell's Grip: The plant-type monster that appeared in the underground parking lot is not just a simple security measure, but a result of the 'Hellification' occurring across Seoul as part of the demon summoning ritual of Abaddon.

2) Accordingly, the government was aware of the 'Hellification' phenomenon happening across Seoul, and when Lee Hyun-wook contacted Woo Sung-moon, they were already somewhat aware of the situation.

3) However, the government had not discovered the 'event map' and thus did not realize that this incident was about summoning Abaddon.

Taesang Guild's master, Gi Baek-jun, was on a call with someone.

"The summoning of Abaddon will proceed without a hitch. Yes, the current quest progress is 61%."

The content was about the demon summoning currently taking place in Seoul.

"As you might have heard, the South Korean government has been continuously requesting aid from 'Saint Dome' even before this. Despite blocking the 4th Wave, undead monsters are still rampant. Now, with the awareness of the demon summoning... it's strange that the Holy Maiden hasn't appeared."

Saint Dome is the world's largest 'sanctuary' located directly below the World Tree trunk in Chad Republic.

The priests and paladins residing there are of the highest caliber in the world.

Thus, for villains who wield dark powers, they are the top priority to eliminate.

"Most importantly... we can't just let Seoul, where La Puta appeared, be destroyed any further. This is not only a concern for the government of this country but also for the entire world... so various interests will inevitably call forth the Holy Maiden to use large-scale purification skills."

Indeed, the key keyword for this incident is not 'demon summoning' but 'Holy Maiden summoning.'

"There is no way to stop the summoning of the demon Abaddon without the power of the Holy Maiden. In 36 hours, the required fragments for the disaster will be fully gathered. Finding the 20 secret locations hidden across Seoul within that time... is practically impossible, right? Haha—"

He seemed to have heard something from the other end of the phone and shook his head with a sardonic smile.

"…And as a precaution, I have prepared the next plan. You don't need to worry."

***

"And... I would like you to grant me access to the government's facilities."

Lee Hyun-wook's bold request left Woo Sung-moon feeling puzzled.

"Armory No. 1...?"

During the Wave, they had provided the Steel Battalion with equipment.

It was a timely decision, as it ultimately contributed to saving Seoul.

Of course, a considerable number of items were lost due to that operation, but it was for the sake of saving Seoul, so a few dozen items were not worth worrying about.

However, what puzzled him was... why this was needed at this moment, and he couldn't understand it.

What needed to be done now was to track the hidden 'event map.'

In other words, they needed to move quickly, and a large amount of equipment would only be a burden.

"Is there really a need for a lot of weapons in this situation?"

To this question, Lee Hyun-wook shook his head.

"No, you misunderstood. I don't need a lot of weapons like last time."

He held up his index finger.

"I only need one thing."

"Hmm, what is it...?"

"I need 'Huginn,' which is stored in Armory No. 1."

Huginn is one of the two ravens of the supreme god Odin in Norse mythology, known for gathering information from the world and reporting it to Odin.

Based on this myth, the item Huginn was implemented as a legendary item specialized in 'information acquisition.' It is currently owned by the South Korean government through various channels.

When used, Huginn can expand all senses—or specific senses—up to 50 times.

If this ability were applied to Lee Hyun-wook, his detection range would increase 50 times, making it highly efficient for tracking the 'event map.'

'To think of Huginn in this situation...'

Woo Sung-moon marveled anew.

Lee Hyun-wook was truly impressive, more so the more he saw him.

Especially, he possessed a mature insight despite his young age.

However... he was not perfect in every aspect.

'Of course, no one can know everything... even if they know a lot.'

Lee Hyun-wook knew about Huginn's existence and function and instantly thought of how to use it, but he couldn't know about the hidden critical flaw of the item.

For a moment, he had pinned his hopes on this man, but it seemed he couldn't entrust everything to him.

Woo Sung-moon shook his head with a bitter expression.

"Corporal Lee Hyun-wook, I'm sorry, but Huginn is currently practically unusable."

"Can you tell me why?"

"Huginn, of course, is a legendary item with a tremendous effect, as famous as its reputation... but..."

Huginn has a hidden, fatal flaw.

"...This item consumes an enormous amount of mana just to function."

While skills embedded in items typically do not consume mana, there are exceptions.

"Unless you are a high-level archmage with a mana pool of over 10,000, even with the best 'mana tank' equipped, it cannot last more than 5 minutes. That's why it's practically unusable."

If it were easy to use, it wouldn't have been locked away in the armory.

Such items are called 'overhandicapped.' They have incredible functions but are practically unusable due to absurd penalties.

However, at this point, Lee Hyun-wook smiled slightly.

"Mr. Woo, I can use it."

"Really?"

Woo Sung-moon wondered how many times he had said "Really?" today.

Every time they faced a challenge, Lee Hyun-wook would step forward, saying he could do it.

It was almost as if he was teasing him.

"Could it be that your total mana is over 10,000?"

"Yes, let's just say that."

"Wow—what kind of achievement did you accomplish...?"

Lee Hyun-wook's current mana is 59,441, and his 'recovery speed' is also overwhelming.

The 'Aether Engine' created from the Great Mountain Engine of the dwarves is now his heart, a mana powerhouse.

Woo Sung-moon, unaware of this, looked completely baffled.

"Let me reiterate. I hope you can trust me."

Woo Sung-moon looked intently at Lee Hyun-wook's face.

"Clearly... he is filled with firm confidence. There must be a reason."

Woo Sung-moon slowly nodded.

"Alright. Let's test Huginn first."

As Woo Sung-moon signaled, the mage assistants opened a portal to the armory.

A moment later, a government agent emerged with a large hard case.

"Here, this is Huginn."

A high-ranking mage in charge of security removed the multiple security spells and opened the case.

Click—

Inside was a black sphere the size of a bowling ball.

Lee Hyun-wook carefully picked it up.

- You have obtained 'Huginn (Legend) in Sleep Mode.'

- Name: Huginn (Legend) in Sleep Mode

- Effect: It activates when infused with mana.

Lee Hyun-wook held the item in both hands and infused it with mana.

Whirr—

The sphere slowly unfolded and transformed into a black raven.

Of course, it was not an ordinary raven.

Its body, covered in scales—no, looking like metal—emitted a brilliant blue light. Its eyes slowly glowed with a piercing blue light, creating an eerie atmosphere.

'In fact, this is a mechanical life form created by ancient magical engineering.'

Later, Kang Hee-sul and the seven dwarves used this as a basis to create 'Imitations,' launching dozens of cloned Huginns and Munins into the sky as the eyes of the mechanical army.

Of course, even so, they could not match the original.

- Huginn is activated, and all senses are expanded up to 50 times.

* Mana consumption per second: 24~120

If the item's effect is maximized, it consumes 120 mana per second.

However, Lee Hyun-wook's heart can produce about 98 mana per second.

'In the end, 22 per second... good, I can maintain it for almost an hour.'

He closed his eyes and felt the 'sensory explosion' from Huginn.

- Your senses are synchronized with Huginn.

He felt his senses explode and extend in all directions.

The sound of insects chirping from a distant corner...

The smell rising from discarded trash on the ground...

The sound of an airplane passing overhead, all were clearly perceived.

"Hmm..."

It felt like becoming a wild beast.

With his eyes closed, Lee Hyun-wook sent Huginn out of the underground parking lot.

Whoosh—!

"Ah—"

As the legendary item disappeared from sight, the government agents let out surprised voices.

However, Woo Sung-moon calmly observed Lee Hyun-wook's reaction.

Lee Hyun-wook, now synchronized with Huginn, was soaring into the sky.

Whirr—

How high did it go...

'...I can see it.'

Lee Hyun-wook's vision now encompassed the landscape of Seoul.

And within it, he felt the presence of some dark energies.

- Quest target 'Demon's Secret Altar' detected.

- Quest target 'Demon's Secret Altar' detected.

The buff functioned, indicating the 'quest target.'

Lee Hyun-wook couldn't help but laugh.

'If this is the case, it will be found too quickly, won't it?'

He had only sent Huginn out as a test, yet he had already found two.

The synergy between the skill obtained from digesting legendary material items and the legendary information item naturally produced such a powerful effect.

Meanwhile, Woo Sung-moon and his assistants were staring at him in amazement.

He was closed-eyed, smiling as if seeing something.

"Wow, it's already been 5 minutes..."

"How much mana does he have...?"

At that moment, Huginn returned and perched on Lee Hyun-wook's shoulder, and he opened his eyes.

Kee—ing—

A mechanical sound from inside Huginn reached his ears.

This proved that he could use Huginn without any issues.

Lee Hyun-wook folded Huginn back into a sphere—sleep mode—and looked at Woo Sung-moon.

"Mr. Woo, I think I can use it effectively."

"Wow, Corporal Lee Hyun-wook, how much total mana do you have...?"

Woo Sung-moon asked this without thinking, then stopped.

"Um..."

He realized it wasn't the time to ask about the detailed information of this S-rank player.

Moreover, asking about another player's abilities is a significant faux pas.

What was certain was that there were only a few players in the world who could handle Huginn like this.

"Mr. Woo, will you follow my plan now?"

Woo Sung-moon nodded without hesitation.

Now, this response operation would be centered around Lee Hyun-wook.

"So, how do you plan to use Huginn? Please tell me what you need."

Woo Sung-moon gestured, and the assistants from various fields prepared to act.

"First, please mobilize as many mage players as possible."

"Um, it would be helpful if you could specify what kind of mages are needed."

It was hard to gauge what he planned to do with the mages.

"Yes, enough mages to open dozens of portals in the skyscrapers across Seoul."

Lee Hyun-wook added one more thing.

"Perhaps it will be over much faster than expected."

***

"—All teams will be on standby in 5 minutes!"

Lee Hyun-wook stood on the rooftop of a building in Yeouido