"Hoo…"
This place was the Operations Headquarters of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Alone in the operations room, Operations Commander Yoo Seong-cheol let out a deep sigh.
At the end of his gaze, the statuses and results of various operations carried out by the military over the past few days were displayed without omission.
He muttered to himself.
"…It's dark. Very dark."
The results displayed on the status board were grim.
In the truest sense, nothing was visible.
There were countless units across the country where communication had suddenly been cut off.
In other words, this meant that these units had been completely swallowed by monsters.
Of course, such things can happen.
Given the situation, which was comparable to war, small-scale defeats were inevitable.
"But…"
The real problem was that hope was gradually disappearing.
He had issued orders to higher command units across the country to form new troop organizations.
In a situation where all sorts of monsters were appearing simultaneously everywhere, establishing a central command was the most urgent priority.
They had tried to add awakened individuals to the existing military structure and consolidate them by city and county units, but even that consolidation was not progressing properly.
"Gwacheon, Anyang… it seems they've been wiped out too… and the 56th Division as well… The only place that's gathered properly is the 1st Corps."
As he organized the situation board while talking to himself, he mumbled something irreverent.
This Operations Headquarters of the Joint Chiefs was, after all, the center of power that controlled military operations.
"With things in this state… can we even say that the government still exists?"
A nation was a concept, not a tangible entity, but it exerted influence through systems and military power.
However, that was crumbling.
Bitterly, he brushed the collar of his military uniform.
Three stars felt beneath his fingertips.
The black embroidery on those stars had already lost its luster.
Just then, someone entered the conference room.
It was Yoo Seong-cheol's personal aide.
"Commander, there's someone here to see you… I think you should meet them."
"Who is it?"
"It's the commander of the 50th Information and Communications Battalion from the Defense Communication Command. He says he's been carrying out a communication support mission at the government's Gwacheon complex. He has urgent news for you…"
"…Gwacheon? Is that true?"
Yu Seong-cheol's face brightened at the news of a survivor from the government complex troops, which he had assumed were completely wiped out.
"Bring him in immediately."
The darkness that had filled his vision was finally broken by a glimmer of hope.
.
.
.
"…A coup?"
Yoo Seong-cheol asked again with a stunned expression.
In his hand were several classified documents that had been handed to him by Han Kyung-ho, the Communications Battalion Commander.
Some of them were drafted according to directives from this very Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters.
But a few others…
Han Kyung-ho added.
"Yes, it's from the 1st Corps, Commander."
The documents contained orders transmitted from the 1st Corps.
Although not official documents, their contents were certain.
It ordered the cutting of communications and support for the gathering locations of troops being organized into the Capital Defense Forces.
And it instructed them to report any failure in troop organization as if it were caused by monster attacks.
'Are these bastards out of their minds?'
There was circumstantial evidence as well.
Across the country, the only places where troop formations were properly reorganizing were the 1st Corps, a few divisions on the front lines, and some higher rear units.
The one place where the gathering had been delayed most disastrously was, none other than, the Capital Defense Forces.
At last, all the pieces seemed to be falling into place.
But there was one puzzling aspect.
"How on earth did you obtain these documents? No offense, but given your position, these are not papers you should even be able to touch. It's also strange that you returned from Gwacheon alive…"
"That would have been the case normally. That's why, Commander, there's someone I need you to meet."
Han Kyung-ho briefly explained what had happened to him over the past few days.
A man named Kim Jeong-gyeom had saved him, and not only did this man possessed a subspace containing the Defense Communication Command but also had overwhelming combat power.
An utterly unbelievable ability, but…
"If that's true…"
Operations Commander Yoo Seong-cheol could only nod in agreement.
***
Operations Commander Yoo Seong-cheol personally came down to the parking lot to meet me.
As soon as I got out of the car with Lee Yong-su, I began negotiations with him.
As requested beforehand, Han Kyung-ho must have already explained my abilities to the commander.
"My family is currently beyond that wall. So, I would like to borrow a helicopter… If you provide it, I can offer resources in return—water, food, or even military supplies."
"I've heard about your abilities from the Communications Battalion Commander. It's truly unbelievable. The helicopter is a highly important strategic asset, but… it's not entirely impossible to provide it."
"Really?"
I brightened up.
I hadn't expected him to agree so easily.
However…
"But there's a condition. I would like you to become an awakened member of the military. As you know, the government is struggling to bring this situation under control. But if you join us, it could provide a key to solving this crisis."
"I'm sorry, but that won't be possible."
Once again, I flatly refused.
And I added.
"I understand the situation of the government. But right now, I can't prioritize anything other than rescuing my family."
I didn't bother to say it, but even after finding my family, it would be the same.
Whether it was monsters tearing humans apart or the power-hungry bastards from the 1st Corps in this mess, they all seemed equally unpleasant to me. Besides, I wasn't even sure if this government could survive.
The commander responded.
"That's… unfortunate. Then, I'm afraid I can't give you the helicopter."
"I understand. I won't ask any further then."
Thunk!
I immediately got back into the passenger seat.
It had become difficult to get the helicopter… but in any case, I hadn't even properly checked out the wall.
I wondered if thousands of grenades would blow a hole through it somehow.
As I was thinking that, there was a knock.
Knock, knock.
I lowered the window.
Whirr.
Yoo Seong-cheol cleared his throat as he stood outside.
"Then I have another request. If you help with this, I will give you the helicopter."
***
Vroooom.
We were inside the running Korando.
Whoosh.
A dry hand popped out of a portal that opened between Lee Yong-su and me.
It felt like a scene from the movie The Ring, but the hand was holding a lunch wrapped in a cloth.
It was, of course, Oh Ji-su's hand.
"Thank you."
I expressed my gratitude, and the hand gave me a thumbs-up before slowly retreating back into the portal.
This time, it felt like a scene from Terminator.
Opening the cloth, I found thick, homemade sandwiches inside.
It was a thoughtful gesture for me and Lee Yong-su, who had been skipping meals while running around outside.
Though there were plenty of pre-made sandwiches available at the Fresh Center, she had taken the time to roast ham and melt cheese for these high-quality, handmade sandwiches.
"…!"
Naturally, the taste was incredible as well.
Lee Yong-su, too, while busily turning the steering wheel, bit into the sandwich with one hand.
This guy must have saved a country in his past life.
While chewing on the bread, meat, and vegetables in my mouth, I recalled the conversation I had with Operations Commander Yoo Seong-cheol earlier.
Yoo Seong-cheol had said this.
"The master of the fortress is the 'Knight King'. Of course, it's not human."
"The Knight King…?"
It was a name that immediately brought to mind mythology or game characters.
But what really caught my attention was that these monsters had such an honorable title.
"It's not a name humans gave them. Occasionally, an elite monster called a 'Skeleton Knight' appears, and they chant, 'For the honor of the Knight King.'"
The fact that monsters could speak was also astonishing.
As I stood there, puzzled, Yoo Seong-cheol added a warning.
"If you happen to encounter a Skeleton Knight during the operation, avoid fighting it at all costs. Even if you have to endure some damage, retreat no matter what. Our attacks don't work on them."
Communications Battalion Commander Han Kyung-ho had said something similar.
Enemies that modern firearms, including guns, couldn't penetrate.
This place was no exception.
"Except for the Skeleton Knights, the rest are just Skeletons. Their combat ability isn't particularly threatening, but… surprisingly, it's hard to kill them with guns."
"Why is that?"
"For one, since their bodies are full of holes, bullets tend to pass right through. And unless you break the 'core' made of mana stone, their bones regenerate and reassemble."
"Where exactly is this core located?"
"It would've been great if it were in their heads… but it's actually in the middle of the last rib on the lower right side. If the mana stone is separated, they lose their power and collapse."
After sharing this basic information about the enemies, he finally got to the main point.
He had originally asked me to help with the operation.
"They're expanding their influence under Namsan, into Huam-dong, Namyeong-dong, and Cheongpa-dong. And the place where we recently gathered reserve awakened individuals was Seoul Station. Thankfully, communication with that area is still functioning, but the roads are blocked by Skeletons. Since these are early-stage awakened individuals, their combat strength is not much to speak of. Even if we mount a rescue operation, we'd be risking heavy casualties on our side."
"In simple terms, you want me to bring those people out, right?"
"Exactly. Can you do it?"
"Yes. That's fine."
Though I found the delay bothersome, fortunately, Seoul Station wasn't far.
Moreover, if I could get a helicopter out of this, it would greatly speed up my journey over the wall and on to Euljiro.
However, I added one more condition.
"But I'll take all the mana stones we collect during the rescue."
It wasn't going to be a solo rescue mission.
A few transport trucks and support troops were going to enter along with me, and it would be troublesome if they tried to contest ownership of the mana stones after assisting to that extent.
Up until now, I had collected a total of 617 mana stones.
It was an enormous amount, but it was still not enough to reach Level 3 of my subspace ability.
Surprisingly, the commander agreed to my condition of taking all the mana stones without much resistance.
"Very well. Since the primary objective of this operation is to rescue people… But please don't waste time collecting mana stones. Once the rescue is complete, return immediately to this headquarters."
"Understood. You don't need to worry about that."
With that, we shook hands.
It was a temporary deal where both parties exchanged what they needed.
True to his role as Operations Commander, he offered a creative suggestion.
"I've heard that you can summon any item stored in your subspace. How about using a 2.5-ton truck to sweep away the Skeletons as you move forward? They may regenerate, but it'll at least buy you some time to maneuver."
"Ah… yes, I'll keep that in mind. Then."
With that, our conversation concluded.
Looking out the window of the moving car, I watched the slowly setting sun and organized my thoughts.
The commander's plan of summoning a truck.
It wasn't a bad idea, but somehow, it didn't fully satisfy me.
After all, ever since reaching Level 2 of my subspace ability, I still had an unopened skill at my disposal.
PAX brought up a notification window.
—-[Unlockable Options]—-
[Cost: 50]
◈ Tracking Delivery
– The shipped item will automatically track the set destination.
————————-
It was beyond
The target: the last lower right rib of the Skeletons.
With Tracking Delivery, I planned to shatter those ribs perfectly.
****
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