Novels online

The Player Who Eats Steel - Episode 101

101fury. 

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‘This is honestly... … Amazing, Great.’

Hyunwook Lee thought so as he looked at the system message in front of him..

Just now, I finally absorbed the ‘Magnetar Crust Piece’.

As a result, two major skills were ‘ranked up’ at the same time..

He visited Gangjeongdu Workshop to test those skills..

"Director, how many AD-1s do you have ready??”

"Oh, I was just developing a second model.!”

The AD-2, the successor to the AD-1, was being prepared..

"I'm going to test it out. Would you please prepare it for me??”

"Yes, we do..”

After a while, I encountered AD-2 in the warehouse..

Perhaps because it is still a prototype, there has been no significant progress in core functions..

However, durability has been definitely improved with adamant alloy..

‘During the last battle, many AD-1s easily fell due to the attacks of Molech's incarnation and the Shadow Baron... … By chance, that scene was broadcast..’

In the future, enemies targeting Lee Hyeon-wook would most likely target the airdrop device first. So, we requested to improve durability as a top priority, and the adamant sent from Redhall Village became the material..

'......Anyway, let's test your skills.?’

The first skill upgraded this time was.

[Skill information]

- Name: Ether Engine

- Grade: B

- effect

1) Mana Heart: Mana total increases. (+150,000) Increases mana recovery. (+1,500%)

2) Mana Transfer: ‘Mana’ can be granted to the player or a ‘controllable target’.

3) Mana Connection: Mana transfer can be 'synchronized' with the target's magic circuit..

* When you meet hidden conditions, your skill level improves..

‘Okay, originally it was D grade, but it went up to B grade at once..’

The Magnetar Crust Piece was a nearly infinite mass of mana and was a top-quality mana engine material. So, of course, it had an effect on, and the effect of the skill increased to a surprising degree..

‘Total mana increased from 50,000 to 150,000, mana recovery increased from 500% to 1,500%... … This level is truly ridiculous..’

- mana：185,459/185,459

* Mana regeneration rate per second : 631

Even if three or four top level wizard players were connected together, it would not be possible to achieve this level of mana management power..

‘It's literally a walking mana power plant..’

Accordingly, the armament that could be operated was scheduled to increase significantly. Until now, only 12 AD-1s were operated simultaneously, and the reason was that the sustainment power was insufficient when used together with the 'Hugin'..

‘But not anymore.’

This AD-2's mana consumption per second was 35, and Lee Hyun-wook's mana recovery amount was 631 per second. In other words, up to 18 vehicles can be moved for free..

Lee Hyun-wook closed his eyes and released mana..

Soon, blue lights appeared throughout the dark warehouse..

Wooooow——!

Then, 19 AD-1s and 11 AD-2s were put into operation. The mana circuits engraved on their surfaces glowed and created a sense of mystery..

‘Total 30 vehicles.......'

And they all rose at the same speed.

'You can maintain these 30s at the same time for quite some time..’

Each airdrop device stores 30 weapons.,

70 iron balls are also mounted on the magic ejection port at the bottom..

You can handle 100 weapons each, for a total of 3,000 weapons..

Hyunwook Lee felt satisfied and slowly put them down..

The second skill that improved was.

The magnetar crust piece is also called the ‘heart of the star.’.

And the star was also a kind of 'furnace'..

[Skill information]

- Name: Breath Room (Flame)

- Grade: B

- effect

1) The body's furnace: faster absorption of metals. (+100% ~ 500%), the pain inflicted on your body increases as the furnace efficiency increases..

2) Fire Breath: You can fire 'breath (strengthening)' by storing some of the metal in the breath room. (1 time per 1kg)

* When you meet hidden conditions, your skill level improves..

The most encouraging change here was that the efficiency of the 'body furnace' increased by a whopping two-fold, from a maximum of 250% to 500%..

‘Okay, now we go back to metal absorption..’

As always, metal absorption had to be done non-stop..

If you feel a little upset now, the fight to come will be easier. And the high-quality metal to be absorbed for that work is.......

'……I guess I'll have to ask Redhall Village to speed up mining..’

There was plenty prepared so you could eat as much as you wanted..

In this way, from metal supply to item manufacturing to perfect operation methods,,

The ‘system’ created by Lee Hyun-wook was operating normally..

***

“……Oh, I think there's more this time than last time.?”

Kim Se-hee said that while looking down at a black iron box..

Inside was a lumpy silver mineral..

All of them were adamant mined in the 'mine' of Redhall Village..

"Maybe it's faster because mining technology has improved..”

"Oh, now that I think about it, I sent mining items there.?”

"that's right. Whether hunting or mining, equipment must be provided..”

Two days ago, Gangjeongdu Workshop and the Dwarves worked together to produce and send an 'Adamant Mana Power Drill', and the mining volume increased significantly..

On the first day of mine development, the daily mining amount was limited to 1 kg, but as soon as various mining items were mobilized, it increased significantly to a whopping 5 kg..

Lee Hyun-wook expected this ‘virtuous cycle’..

‘And it will get faster and faster in the future.’

If so, 'adamant rain' would fall someday..

Lee Hyun-wook packed a box containing adamant separately..

"But what are you going to make with it this time??”

“……Well, let me think about it..”

Lee Hyun-wook gave a vague answer to Kim Se-hee’s question. because…….

'……This time I eat everything..’

Lee Hyun-wook swallowed Adamant like he was eating popcorn, which was half exaggerated..

Then the number of metal controls soared steeply in real time..

- Metal absorption is complete. : Adamant

* Steerable metal weight increased: 9,411g

- Metal hop count is complete. : Adamant

* Steerable metal weight increased: 8,544g

- Metal absorption is complete. : Adamant

* Steerable metal weight increased. : 6,544g

I gained a whopping 29kg of 'weight' in one day. also. 'Strong body', influenced by high-hardness magic metal, has also been strengthened..

So Hyunwook Lee focused on absorbing metal for several days..

Meanwhile, the Okinawa situation progressed according to the history he knew..

- ……The map you are looking at right now is a satellite photo of the Unlucky event area that occurred in Okinawa. From here to here, the area of ​​the dome alone is said to be a whopping 8km in diameter..

A satellite image of the main island of Okinawa appeared on the news screen..

The southern part of the place seemed to be covered with a black circle..

- As the diameter of the last 4th wave zone in Seoul was 10km, experts say that this incident is actually a disaster similar to the wave..

In fact, it was somewhat difficult to compare this situation to the wave..

But it was true that it was such a terrible disaster..

‘Tens of thousands of civilians stranded there lose their lives..’

- News just arrived! It's a rescue team led by the Japan Players Association, right? It is said that three S-rank players appeared 23 hours after the unlock event began! Additionally, an on-site official explains that entry into the dome is scheduled to begin soon. out in the field—

A total of 43 players were gathered, led by 3 S-rank players and up to 40 players below level 65..

The world, especially the Japanese archipelago, began to get excited..

An operation in which as many as three S-rank members were deployed........

I had no doubt that this would be historic..

- Ah, now the rescue team leader, Guild Master Kodo Koshiro, is standing in front of the microphone. Let’s listen to the interview together..

The man ranked second in Japan stood in front of the reporters with a somewhat tired expression. And he opened his mouth when the reporter asked him to say something..

- Let me just say one thing. … … Japan is safe.

As he said that, he chuckled and shook his head..

- How about it, was it kind of cool? Like who.

There was a strange ridicule in that situation for some reason..

‘But that… … It's a somewhat familiar line.?’

And the newscaster seemed to notice that too..

- Kodo Koshiro, the interview ended very briefly. But somehow, weren't those words reminiscent of Lee Hyun-wook from a while ago??

- Yes, not long ago, Lee Hyun-wook’s “Seoul is Safe.” That was similar to what you said. Maybe it's an homage or something? Anyway, from now on…….

Lee Hyun-wook didn't know it, but his first official words in front of reporters, "Seoul is safe," were becoming a meme on the Internet, as it was a symbolic line from the hottest person at the moment..

And just now, Kodo Koshiro followed suit..

Regarding those words, there was a mix of positive reactions, saying that it was an homage to Lee Hyun-wook, and negative reactions, saying that it was a joke..

However, the majority opinion was that it was most likely the latter..

Since Kodo Koshiro was close with Okita Kaito, there was a high possibility that he would not like Lee Hyun-wook's performance..

‘What are you doing?…….'

Anyway, after the interview with that declaration, the operation began..

- Now, the Okinawa rescue team has entered the ‘dome’! Reporter Park, from now on there’s nothing we can know, right? You just have to wait anxiously for the results to come out.?

- Yes, once you enter there, you cannot come out until you meet special conditions. However, the Japanese side is confident that the capture will be a great success..

- Well, as many as three S-rank players were mobilized..

Also, the Japanese side had secret expectations about this incident..

Just as Korea won the 4th wave not long ago and obtained a fraudulent object called 'Laputa', attention was paid to the rewards that would be given when conquering the largest 'unlucky event' in history..

Accordingly, the media also reported on that point every day..

- Vice President of the Japan Hunter Association, there is an opportunity hidden in this disaster! Focus on strategy rather than “minimize sacrifice, maximize reward” structure?

- Okinawa colored pink instead of blood red? Japanese analyst players continue to post analyzes predicting the size of compensation for this incident

- Rather good! Japanese guild stock prices rise for two days in a row due to expectations of compensation for unexpectedly good news from the Okinawa Unlucky Event…….

In this way, even though it was a disaster situation with hundreds of thousands of lives at stake, there were many cases where explicit expectations were expressed..

This was the era now..

When a disaster passes, money pours in..

That's the rule of the game.

Therefore, the Japanese player community was filled with anticipation..

however—

All those expectations disappear completely after just two days..

- This is breaking news!

……It was because I heard news of a disastrous failure..

- There is news that one of the 43 players who entered the dome to participate in the Okinawa Unlucky Event came out of the dome.!

Of those elite rescuers, only one emerges after two days..

No, it was a narrow escape..

- He is a rescue worker named Koga Shizuoka, and after securing an item called an 'emergency exit key', which is a condition for escaping from the unlock event area, he said that he escaped alone to deliver a message to the world..

And the ‘message’ he delivered… … It was truly hopeless..

- Ugh, huh… … Rescue operation completely failed!

He continued his explanation with tears in his eyes at the press conference..

- ……As soon as I entered, everyone got a debuff that reduced their stats due to the 'cold' that I couldn't handle. Then, huge snowball-like monsters came from all directions, so we resisted with the rescue team leader Kodo Koshiro at the center, but in the end we were scattered.…….

So, at the start, 12 people died... … Even S-rank player Mayu Kanezao, ranked 8th in Japan, was one of them..

It was natural for the Japanese archipelago to be shocked by this..

Even though 3 S-rank players were mobilized, it failed. One of them was even an Indian mercenary, hired for a large sum of money. In other words, he actually invested ‘excess power’. As a result, the Japan Players Association was put on alert. Is it really possible to form a secondary rescue team??

- Despite Japan's additional force recruitment, Japan's largest force 'Tengu' Kenjiro Negi remains steadfast in his residence... … Are we ignoring the national crisis again??

Kenjiro Negi, the No. 1 player in Japanese player rankings, was famous for staying out of the world as much as possible. It would be like that this time too. therefore…….

- Japan Players Association requests urgent assistance from World Players Association!

Japan had no choice but to request an SOS from the international player community..

'……It's as planned.’

Only then did Hyunwook Lee turn off the furnace in his body and start moving..

Okinawa Unlucky Event has gone according to history so far..

But it was going to be a little different from now on..

"This is Team Leader Kyojun Lee. Yes, there is something I would like you to tell Director Seongmoon Woo. Well... I'm planning to go to Japan..

His declaration of war began to increase the volume of this incident..

- [Breaking News] The savior of Seoul, this time he goes to save Okinawa!

However, the news was not welcomed in Japan..

***

“……You have to be careful this time.”

That’s what team leader Lee Gyo-jun said when he came to the Hope Guild office..

When Lee Hyun-wook said he would support the Okinawa Unlucky event strategy, Woo Seong-moon's side showed a very shocked reaction..

'Well, it has to be that way..’

In recent years, there have been several groups against whom Lee Hyun-wook held grudges..

'In other words, there is a high possibility that someone is targeting me this time..’

And, of course, it is an ‘unlucky event’..

You don't know what's going on inside, outside..

Even if Lee Hyun-wook was in crisis, they had no way of knowing..

"and… … The reaction from Japan is also very cold..”

"yes, i know.”

The scene of Okita Kaito and Lee Hyun-wook beating him miserably was revealed to the world. He was a criminal 'Red Player', but he was also a very popular star player..

‘And because he earned the title of swordsman by cutting down the sentai swordsman Kukpyoseong, he was a character that Japanese people could not help but be enthusiastic about..’

Therefore, there were bound to be many reactions cursing Lee Hyun-wook..

As a result, feelings between the two countries began to deepen on the Internet..

- Is Lee Hyun-wook the vice of the archipelago? Japanese netizens react harshly……

- Hyunwook Lee: Upon hearing the news of Okinawa’s support for the second rescue team, a Korean netizen said, “Korea’s honor depends on it!” Focus on emotional competition rather than joint attack?

- Lee Hyun-wook's trip to Okinawa intensifies the conflict between Korean and Japanese netizens, and cultural critic Lee Dong-ho says, "We must not forget that Raid's common goal is 'love for humanity.'.”

Unknowingly, this second attack operation was turning into a war between Korea and Japan..

***

A school playground in Kiwanno City, Okinawa,

That place was 5km away in a straight line from the unlock event area, where was installed..

The so-called ‘second rescue team’ gathered there..

25 Japanese players,

14 EU support troops,

11 Taiwanese support troops,

However, Korea's supporting troops consisted of only three people, including Lee Hyun-wook..

And that member again… … It was Park Jun-mo and Kim Se-hee..

“……I know you're all staring here?”

Kim Se-hoe frowned and said that..

As she said, everyone was glancing at the Korean team..

As expected, their interest was Lee Hyun-wook..

“……That guy over there is Hyunwook Lee.?”

"That's right! Did you come here on that white airship??”

"Oh, come to think of it, there was something like that too.?”

I even heard a whispering sound like that..

But then, another team appeared..

"Hey—all the heroes gathered together? Hello everyone?”

A very noisy appearance, 19 villagers, they were American support troops, a strategy team belonging to the American guild..

However, they were unfamiliar faces that Lee Hyun-wook did not remember..

'……They shouldn't be here in the first place..’

As it is, people who do not exist in this secondary rescue team…….

'……And there are 4 snipers, that's a lot.?’

It wasn't difficult for Lee Hyun-wook to figure out their identities..

‘ The Guild is Gordon Price's limbs..’

In other words, their goal was not to attack the unlock event..

It was then.

"Now, pay attention.!”

Someone came in shouting like that..

"My name is Nagano Tai, the second rescue team leader..”

Although she is level 63, she is already one of Japan's most promising players in the third tier of A class, and excluding S class, she could be called the best force that could be mobilized for this operation..

"Based on the testimony of the first rescuers who escaped from the previously unlocked event, we identified the environment inside the dome and prepared a plan..”

Behind her, a picture of an item appeared on the screen..

- Ice Troll Leather 3-Ply Snowsuit (High-Quality))

- Salamander Crystal Hotpack (Rare)

"And as you may have already heard, our goal is not ‘strategy’ or ‘battle’. Many of the elite 1st rescue team that entered earlier are still alive, and there are two S-rank players among them, but they are unable to use their strength due to the debuff. That is, if only they would normalize… … You will be successful in your attack..”

She pointed to the pictures that appeared on the screen..

"So we're providing first responders with items to help them overcome that terrible cold. That's our mission.”

2The first rescue team was inevitably weaker than the first rescue team. Therefore, an operation was established to support survivors of the first rescue team..

"And one more thing—they say that when you go inside, the stage name will be displayed in front of you... … I don't know what it is yet, but I think it's a hint for a future strategy..”

“……If you’re Loki, isn’t he the god of Norse mythology??”

"Yes, Loki is famous as a ‘trickster’ in Norse mythology. So, you need to be careful because there are all kinds of traps lurking around..”

Meanwhile, Nagano Tai's gaze landed on Lee Hyun-wook..

"But, there… … It's a Korean team.?”

She called the Korean team in a voice full of wonder..

"yes, that's right.”

Hyunwook Lee answered.

"I understand that all of this information was provided in advance, isn’t it??”

"Yes, that's right. Everything has been informed.”

Her eyebrows twitched twice..

"however… … I think you dressed very comfortably.."

As she said, everyone was armed with thick ‘cold weather’ items. They were to be prepared by each supporting force, but it was agreed that the Japanese government would later pay the cost of the items as compensation..

However, the three of them, including Lee Hyun-wook, were currently wearing thin clothes..

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Everything is ready.”

"hmm… … We don't have much time. Please recover quickly..”

She looked at Lee Hyun-wook with a stern expression..

In this way, whether knowingly or unknowingly, there was an emotional rift between the two countries..

But after a while, it was time to move near the dome..

“……Korean team! Did you not hear me? That can't be possible! Even if I speak Japanese, the system automatically translates it.!”

Tai Nagano shouted in a somewhat excited voice. This was because Lee Hyun-wook's clothes were still not thick winter clothes..

"Oh, this is also clothing with cold resistance. As I said before, you don't have to worry. Because the preparation is thorough..”

But Tai Nagano shook his head..

"That item can't stand the cold inside! You need at least an advanced level or higher, especially this 'Ice Troll's 3-layer Snowsuit' as we recommended in advance! Do you know how long it takes to wear this once? I don't have time to go inside and put it on.!”

“……Ty, don't worry. You won't freeze to death.”

Lee Hyun-wook did not give up his will and her expression turned cold..

Soon she nodded vigorously, as if telling her to take care of it..

"Mr. Lee Hyun-wook… … I want to emphasize one more thing..”

"yes?”

"Don't forget that this operation is not a strategy, but support..”

"......."

"They're building a huge reputation these days and I know it's real. Still, please follow my orders. Compared to the S-rank player inside... … You're still just a little hero.”

Lee Hyun-wook nodded without saying anything..

She turned and walked away nervously..

"I… … Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, are you really okay??”

"Iknow, right. Everyone but us was very heavily armed.?"

To my surprise, Park Jun-mo and Kim Se-hee who were next to me asked..

Well, while these people were wearing early winter fashion, the others were wearing thick ‘triple-layer’ winter clothing as if they were going to climb the Himalayas..

"What we're wearing is enough and……."

Lee Hyun-wook swallowed his words..

'……That's actually poison.’

And soon, the entrance to the dome began..

"—Enter!”

2The car rescue team entered in staggered groups, leaving behind flash lights pouring in from all directions. The Korean team was second in order..

- You have entered an outbreak area.!

* You can enter the area, but you cannot leave it..

* Entry level restrictions are imposed on the area. (LV. 65)

* To escape you must achieve certain goals.

1) Obtain the ‘Emergency Exit Key’ hidden in the map

2) 240survive for time

3) Defeat boss monsters

With that guidance message, the scenery inside the dome unfolded..

"uh… … It's not cold.?”

someone in the lead said so.

Yes, the internal environment was not as 'cold' as preliminary information suggested..

"—Wow! It's hot!”

“Ugh! I'm suffocating!”

Rather, it was a very intense ‘heat’. The air inside was boiling to the point where I couldn't breathe properly even if I stood still..

- caution! are exposed to the 'hell heat wave' of!

* ‘Status abnormalities’ and ‘status reduction’ begin rapidly.!

"—what?”

But, as it turned out, my whole body was covered in all kinds of heat-generating items. That's why the heat of this hell was constricting my body even faster..

"Oh, I need to take my clothes off right away.!”

“Wow! Crazy, what is going on?!

However, the thick ice troll leather three-layer winter clothing that they ambitiously prepared was as difficult to take off as it was to wear..

- caution! Fall into ‘exhaustion (stage 1)’.

* All abilities are reduced. (-10%)

* Skill preparation time increases significantly.

* Mana continues to decrease.

- caution! You fall into ‘heat stroke (stage 1)’.

* All abilities are reduced. (-10%)

* Skill cooldown time increases significantly.

* Feeling intensely dizzy and disoriented.

"Ugh......."

Thus, a ‘debuff’ began to occur..

‘What is this—!’

Rescue leader Tai Nagano felt like he had been scammed..

No, didn't you say it was the worst kind of cold??

But then, one piece of information crossed my mind..

'Loki's prank... … trickster…….'

It was then.

Wow——!

To make matters worse, screaming began to sound from all directions..

"omg! monsters are coming!”

"Damn, move fast!”

They had to stop taking off their clothes and get ready for battle..

however.......

"Ugh, the strength in my body… … It doesn't go in……."

As the debuff caused by the heat overlapped, my body gradually slowed down..

Meanwhile, large monsters appeared between buildings. They were 8m tall giants with black bodies and four arms..

Thump—thump—thump—thud—

They came stomping their feet and holding clubs in both hands..

At first glance, these monsters are level 60 or higher.…….

"Phew, po, position—make it.!”

The rescue leader, Nagano Tai, shouted like that..

However, due to the debuff, my body did not move properly..

"Shit— Wow, it’s going to be hard to retreat at this rate.!”

If things continued like this, everyone would die in vain..

at that time—

fur—seok——!

—With a bloody roar, the leading giant was cut in half..

"uh?”

With his eyes somewhat blurred by the sweat forming on his eyebrows, Tai Nagano let out a hot breath and looked at this blazing space..

thud--! thud——!

With a roar, the giants who were running here fell one by one..

and,

bang——!

I saw a huge sword flying swiftly..

"Take a step back and change out of those cumbersome clothes first..”

It was Lee Hyun-wook and the Korean team..

A blue protective shield was fluttering around their bodies..

It seemed like the heat of this hell couldn't penetrate into it..

"All, you—how do you……."

Lee Hyun-wook smiled..

"How many times have I told you? Don't worry about me."

"I said I was thoroughly prepared... … Those weren't empty words.."

Hyunwook Lee said and grabbed the giant sword Moglei..

And looking back at Nagano Tai, he left one more word..

"This operation will be an ‘attack’, not ‘support’..”