Chapter 90

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In any situation, there is something called 'atmosphere.'

For example, in a situation on the verge of conflict, there is bound to be a tension like the calm before a storm.

And sensing this and acting preemptively is a crucial skill in life.

This is commonly known as 'intuition.'

'But damn it, was there such a thing in that conversation just now?'

In the dark corridor, there was no trace of doubt in Lee Hyun-wook's voice.

He maintained a moderate level of caution while approaching and calming the terrified female researcher.

This was not the attitude of a warrior who had come to massacre.

Thus, as he looked down at his subordinates who had fallen with a small tearing sound, ...

'Goddamn, this is ridiculous...'

Choi Tae-jun was having such absurd thoughts. It was a scene that made no sense at all.

Yet, perhaps it was because he had been so firmly denying it.

'No one knows what this group is doing here!'

Access to this 'Silver Line' research facility was strictly controlled until the incident occurred.

Additionally, the researchers had all made a contract with a demon, and if they revealed any related information, they would 'die.'

'That is, our information cannot leak out. Even the Koo Kwang Group, which provides the funding, does not know...'

Because of this firm belief, he did not anticipate an attack,

and thus, he failed to realize that he was being deceived.

“D-Doctor! Cough—”

The second tearing sound, and two people standing near the security door were pierced and fell.

Thud— Thud—

From beyond the wall, footsteps slowly approached. Soon, he appeared in front of the security door.

Black combat uniform, metallic armor protruding from his skin, a sword and a shotgun on his back.

And on his right shoulder, a single silver arrow was slowly rotating.

At the tip of the arrow, a fierce hunting dog seemed ready to pounce.

Choi Tae-jun looked at the man, Lee Hyun-wook.

“...”

His eyes were unwavering and clear.

That is, there was not a hint of anxiety or doubt.

'Sure enough, this guy knows our true identity and is attacking with a firm resolve.'

Thus, Choi Tae-jun instinctively knew that there was no way to persuade this man.

Thud— Thud—

He entered the laboratory without hesitation, and the eight researchers took a step back.

Seeing his confident demeanor, Choi Tae-jun retreated, inwardly gloating.

'Good, come in further...'

And the moment Lee Hyun-wook stood in the center of the laboratory, he pressed the remote control in his hand.

Bang—!

The security door behind Lee Hyun-wook closed automatically, and something descended from the ceiling.

It was two automatic turrets. This secret facility was equipped with such brute force.

And with another press of the button, ruthless machine gun fire began.

Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat—!

However, the turret's barrel rotated and instead scratched a few researchers.

“Ah!”

“Ah—!”

But Choi Tae-jun had anticipated this.

“Listen well! I will now receive the power of ‘Master’ and kill this guy here!”

He shouted and pulled out a 'smoke grenade' hidden behind his back, throwing it on the floor.

Boom—!

With a small explosion, gray smoke billowed up.

Choi Tae-jun hid in the smoke and ran to the woman tied to a chair and unconscious.

“Roar—!”

“Scream—!”

Immediately after, the researchers' voices began to twist grotesquely.

The demon 'Moloch' had granted them power in exchange for human sacrifices... They were the spawn of demons, alchemist players who now possessed strength surpassing even warrior players.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

They charged at Lee Hyun-wook, their feet stomping viciously.

“Die—!”

At that moment,

Crash—!

Suddenly, the ceiling panels were torn off, and a bundle of cables and wires poured down.

The 'copper wires' forming the cables, being metallic, were manipulated by Lee Hyun-wook to entangle the researchers.

“Grrr—”

However, it seemed they could not be held for long, even with the tough cables.

Rip—!

With immense strength, the researchers tore the dozens of cables like a spider's web.

Their eyes had lost focus, and horns had sprouted from their heads.

Roar—!

Lee Hyun-wook knew they were no longer human.

– Fallen Child: Stage 1 (LV 43)

The information appearing in the 'Insight Lens' indicated that they had 'monstered.'

One strange thing was that their levels were gradually increasing.

– Fallen Child: Stage 2 (LV 49)

'Their power increases over time as they receive more of the demon's power.'

Lee Hyun-wook threw a Pale Note at the nearest one.

Thud—!

However, the Pale Note did not pierce the creature's head, and it caught it with its hand.

Lee Hyun-wook tried to retrieve the Pale Note but could not break free from the researcher's grip.

'Sure enough...'

Weapons without 'divine power' were not very effective against those blessed by demons.

“Lee Hyun-wook, a player who manipulates steel... There doesn't seem to be anything here that can be your weapon?”

Choi Tae-jun said from beyond the smoke, already carrying a woman.

“To kill these guys, you need a lot of enchanted metal, but there's only stainless steel here.”

Lee Hyun-wook, seemingly uninterested in such talk, pointed to the woman Choi Tae-jun was carrying.

“That woman, is she Koo Hyo-min, the granddaughter of the Koo Kwang Group chairman?”

“You bastard, how much do you know... Who sent you?”

Lee Hyun-wook took a step forward without a word.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to die here because of your arrogance for coming in without a weapon.”

At that, Lee Hyun-wook smirked.

“Sorry, but I think you’re mistaken... I didn’t come empty-handed.”

“Hey, whatever you brought, you won’t be able to break that security door. The security here is top-notch.”

He chuckled. The security door was not made of metal but of 'Babel Tower stone,' a material item. It was a specially made object to secure the facility, not easily penetrable.

“But that security is meant to stop people, right?”

“What?”

“Places where people can’t pass through... have a lot of holes.”

The researchers, who had torn out the cables, began to charge at Lee Hyun-wook,

and at that moment, a loud noise began to ring above their heads.

Crash—!

It was the sound of countless metals colliding.

“What, what is this!”

The countless metal fragments he had used to deal with the demons,

some of which he had brought through the building's ventilation system.

He had used 'Transformation' inside the ceiling to entangle them in spiral spikes. Like stalactites in a cave, the metal spikes rapidly grew from the ceiling and struck the researchers.

Thud—! Thud—! Thud—! Thud—!

They were pierced by long spikes and pinned to the ground.

Roar—!

The spikes finished off the struggling creatures by driving stakes into their heads.

These stakes, enchanted with 'divine power,' were fatal to the creatures.

“...”

Alone, Choi Tae-jun could only stand there in shock.

“Damn it! Don’t come any closer! This woman will die!”

“...”

“Don’t even think about moving those metal pieces! She’ll die instantly if I exert any force!”

Choi Tae-jun, holding the unconscious woman in front of him, took a step back and pulled something from his pocket.

It was a small ampoule.

He pulled off the cap with his teeth and swallowed the contents.

Then...

“Roar—!”

With a pained scream, his body turned red and began to swell like a balloon.

Crack— Crack—

His bones deformed, his skin stretched, and fur began to grow.

Soon, he transformed into a massive bull-like creature, a Minotaur.

“Grr— You bastard... I’ll kill you someday!”

With that, he charged into the wall and easily broke through it.

Thud—! Thud—! Thud—! Thud—!

He continued to break through walls, running somewhere.

Watching this reckless escape, Lee Hyun-wook took no action.

“Go ahead, run as hard as you can. I’ll follow soon...”

The drink he had just consumed was an awakening potion made using the 'Nectar,' a divine beverage.

It would temporarily grant immense power, making it difficult to confront him now.

Of course, he could try to catch him, but Lee Hyun-wook did not bother.

Or rather, he intentionally let him go.

‘If he goes outside and creates a commotion, I’ll ultimately benefit more.’

The gains from pursuing and capturing Choi Tae-jun, Lee Hyun-wook was aiming for that.

Koo Hyo-min, the woman Choi Tae-jun had carried off, was the granddaughter of the chairman of the Koo Kwang Group. She was likely taken as insurance during the escape process, a kind of hostage.

‘Certainly, the Koo Kwang Group will ask me to rescue her.’

Normally, the Koo Kwang Group would negotiate directly with Choi Tae-jun to assist in his escape.

But this time, with Lee Hyun-wook’s heroic actions, there was a high possibility they would rely on him.

Given his status as the second-largest conglomerate in Korea, there was a lot to gain.

That was not all.

‘I know the benefits at every point along his escape route.’

The people behind this incident could not have acted without any backing.

Devil worshippers around the world were connected, and a foreign devil worshipper group had entered the country and was waiting nearby.

In other words, Choi Tae-jun was to serve as a massive bait to clean them all out at once.

“Anyway, I’ve already obtained what I can from here...”

He picked up a card key. It was Choi Tae-jun’s ID card.

Just now, amidst the chaos, he had used metal fragments to retrieve it.

Lee Hyun-wook entered the laboratory and faced a locked door.

He placed Choi Tae-jun’s ID card on it.

– Beep— Authentication successful.

The door opened, and the lights turned on. In the sterilization room, various equipment was present.

At the center, in a glass box, a red glow was spreading.

Goo—oo—oo—oo—

Just existing was causing a disturbance...

“The divine beverage Nectar, one cup per set, so about half remains?”

After obtaining it, it seemed to have gone through various experiments, leaving about half.

The volume appeared to be around 150mL.

Lee Hyun-wook placed his ID card on the device attached to the glass box, and it opened.

He carefully lifted the small bottle inside.

– Obtained the divine beverage ‘Nectar’.

– Name: Nectar (Legendary)

– Effect: Unknown

An item inspired by the divine beverage from Greek mythology,

there is a legend that humans who drink it can become immortal or even gods.

‘However, if you believe the legend and drink it, you will surely die.’

This consumable