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The Player Who Eats Steel - Episode 193

193fury. 

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Only the player can protect this world.

This mysterious game was designed that way from the beginning..

But not all players could be 'heroes'.

No matter how strong a player you are, if you don't have altruism or a sense of duty, you will end up sacrificing yourself..

Until now, numerous players participated in every war event like Ina, but many more players remained silent and watched across the river..

But this incident… … Because I couldn't ignore it…….

“……If you just watch a fire break out next door, the fire will spread to your house.?”

This was what Fernando Velazquez, the No. 1 player in Mexico's ranking, said just before leaving the country about two days ago..

He has so far remained silent no matter what requests are made regarding events taking place outside of Latin America. The fact that he traveled such a long way proves the meaning of this world quest..

In other words, it is a crisis that affects everyone around the world.…….

- Top players gather in Zurich, Switzerland, with 111 guild masters and 21 S-rank players.……

- The largest player conference in human history, Chairman Brown Jackson said, “We will find the answer to save the world from destruction.””

The power of the whole world was gathering in one place..

Two—two—two—two—

On a hill, in front of a large marble building, numerous helicopters and cars were arriving one after another..

There were multiple magic shields erected there, and hundreds of security forces standing guard in all directions..

click! click! click! click!

And outside the no-access line, reporters from all over the world were gathered together, burning up the enthusiasm for reporting..

"Ah, I am here in Zurich, Switzerland.……."

"—Will they be able to protect the world? Support from all over the world.……."

Their voices were intertwined, making the situation urgent and strangely lively..

"Big players from all over the world are flocking here now.!”

And the reporters introduced the players by listing their names one by one..

"Ah—it’s Li Jingtao! So far, I have never made an official appearance.……."

“DS, Edward Woods and other British heroes have arrived!”

and…….

"Uh, it looks like the two groups over there are having a war of nerves, and there might be bloodshed.!”

With the strongest players from each region gathered in one place, the atmosphere seemed to be heating up, knowingly or unknowingly..

"Uh, what, are you here too? This is a bit surprising……."

"what? why? I thought I wouldn't be invited?”

These two people I'm talking to right now were key players in Spain's two major guilds..

They stood facing each other, ignoring the cameras surrounding them..

“Ugh—no, don’t get me wrong. That's not what I meant. Who would doubt your skills??”

Then he shook my hand with a friendly smile and started talking about various things..

"I don't mean to argue either. Anyway, it's been a while. Is this the first time since conquering the Forest of Ents two years ago??”

click! click!

Like this, the scene where players enter under the spotlight, wearing flashy items, and greet and chat with each other... … The purpose was to prepare for battle, but it felt somewhat disjointed..

It was true that some people, watching this scene, seemed a bit loose, to the point where they sarcastically wondered if it was something like an item fashion show or the Player of the Year award ceremony, rather than a meeting to protect the Earth..

However, it could not be said that the players had no sense of crisis. Battles risking their lives were their daily routine, and they knew how to remain calm even when facing a major disaster..

Therefore, even though it was a moment that could not be accompanied by laughter as a civilian, they were able to be cheerful..

But at that time, the noisy atmosphere suddenly stopped as if cold water had been poured on it.?

"......."

The players' voices had completely disappeared, as if there had been a pause..

They put their heads out and looked somewhere like meerkats that heard the cry of a wild beast..

"—uh?”

Accordingly, the cameras also naturally moved their focus to follow the line of sight..

There, an Asian man dressed in black was slowly coming up the stairs..

“……he came.”

The strongest player, ‘Steelrain’, is said to be the most likely ‘hero candidate’ at the moment..

And after that, Emilia Müller, Donald Harris, Woo Seong-moon, etc. appeared together..

Everyone recalled in their minds the achievements they had achieved together so far..

At this point, it was by far the most powerful and most supported force..

Jeopuk- Jeobok—

They break through the silence and move among the players... … disappeared into the white building.

"......."

The players who were enjoying leisurely gossip also began to enter the building one by one. In response, a reporter spoke through the awkward silence..

"Does Steelein now have influence just by existing? which… … I feel like it's worth it.”

The public expected that the representative ‘hero’ who would stand against the devil would be decided here today..

***

- ……The target of this world quest is the 'Demon King', and many people are helping us track down that unidentified being. But what we need to pay more attention to is the battle ahead. The reason we are gathered here is because we need to strengthen our resolve and unite our forces before a big battle..

Hundreds of players were sitting in a large hall reminiscent of the main conference hall of the National Assembly building..

- ……That is why we need all-out support from all of you gathered here..

And a tall old man standing on the podium was speaking using loudspeaker magic.,

He was Brown Jackson, chairman of the World Players Association (WPA)..

Lee Hyun-wook was also sitting in his seat and looking at him..

- Player (LV：43)

‘……The level was much lower than I thought.?’

Brown Jackson, he was a first-generation player, one of the first awakened players, but he must have been at a fairly low level. But players did not doubt his judgment or ignore his claims..

because.......

'His true abilities are demonstrated not as a player but as an intellectual..’

As a sociologist who studies how the world coexists with games, he was accepted as the highest authority in that field. And he was also the most outstanding dungeon strategy designer..

'His strategy currently has a 98% success rate..’

So when he convened and invited the strongest people in each region, they followed without a word..

I believe that he will come up with the insight to prevent a global catastrophe.…….

‘but… … The enemy is too strong this time to expect his talents..’

Even if it was him, he would have less insight than Lee Hyun-wook, who fought the necromancer himself..

In the first place, players of this period did not have a way to even attack the 'wave erosion area'..

‘In the end, I have to control them. that's the only answer.’

Lee Hyun-wook raised his head and slowly looked around at the players around him, the strongest players from all over..

- Player (LV：89)

- Player (LV：84)

- Player (LV：78)

‘Tsk—was this all it was like during this time? This will never work.’

Wasn't the enemy a necromancer who dominated the world eight years later and evolved even further??

'And there is even a demon lord... … It will be stronger than I expected..’

While Lee Hyun-wook was thinking about such things, a voice entered his ears..

- ……Can I say something first??

- Yes, Venerable Master Heinrich, you speak..

- Large—I formally request Stillane.

This soft yet confident voice... … Heinrich Volkov was a leading German player..

He was also a member of who has been attacking Lee Hyun-wook, following in the footsteps of Alain Giam..

- Please, refrain from being arbitrary this time..

And it seemed like the Puture faction was plotting to keep Lee Hyun-wook in its clutches until this very moment..

‘It's a stupid move to get my share even at this moment.…….'

After looking at the information about that person, I found that he was not a ‘villain’. If so, it would mean that they are interfering with Lee Hyun-wook for a completely different purpose... … The purpose was so anachronistic and selfish that it was disgusting..

'Such a loach-like type of person existed even in his past life until the very last moment..’

Even while the whole world is being swallowed up by villains, those who put their own interests and pride first... … Hyunwook Lee did not look at him, but slowly raised his head and looked at Chairman Brown Jackson..

Then he opened his mouth, pointing to Lee Hyun-wook..

- ……Stillane, would you like to say something??

But before that, Heinrich Volkov's voice came out of the speakers..

- Hero, haha—this obvious and childish title can only go to one person..

He stood up as if giving a speech, and everyone's eyes were on him..

As a first-generation player, he was also skilled at handling crowds as a guild master..

- Mr. Chairman, let me just say a few more words..

- ……Yes, you do..

Then Heinrich Volkov slowly turned around and greeted the players who were familiar with him. He was a well-liked old man who was known for his good manners and for taking good care of people..

In other words, his words had enough influence..

- I, Heinrich Volkov... … There is one thing that this old coachman realized as he went through all sorts of struggles to pull out the carriage called humanity that had fallen into the mud of this game. that…….

He took a moment to catch his breath, turned his head, glanced at Hyunwook Lee, and continued speaking..

- ……This means that you should not rein in only one strong horse and have it pull the carriage in only one direction. Of course, it may be shallow mud, but that's not the place we're in. Therefore, if one horse pulls, the carriage will wobble and fall deeper..

He spread both hands and pointed at all the players..

- Isn’t force the most basic science? In order to support a large weight, you must understand the center of gravity and distribute the force as much as possible, rather than just using a single strong pillar. In other words, the answer to getting a carriage out of the mud is to use many horses, pull it in various directions, and push it. Therefore, we argue that it is right to distribute power. This situation is the same. Power and authority concentrated in just one person... … Rather, it will become poisonous..

Then, some who appeared to be guild masters belonging to Puture shouted, “That’s right!”.

Additionally, several players unrelated to him also nodded their heads in agreement..

- This is a very poor analogy, but please… … Gather your wits to pull the carriage out..

After saying that, he looked at Lee Hyun-wook once and sat down..

The so-called hero perk, the option for the achievement that will be given to only one person, is a whopping 3-fold increase in ‘all abilities’..

And after research by analyst players, it was discovered that it was the only power that could kill the Demon Lord..

In other words, the entire world was entrusted to the player who was selected as the hero..

And those who are the most powerful in a region are reluctant to give power to just one person..

It was as if the feudal lords did not want the birth of an absolute centralized system..

Soon, demands and questions for Lee Hyun-wook poured in from all over, as if it were a public hearing..

- Well, I also think that in order for Steelaine to receive the hero's perk, he has to give something commensurate. chamberlain… … Sharing the Laputa technology that many people are talking about... … Yeah, something like that..

- I don't deny that steelane is needed, but I agree that power distribution is needed..

Lee Hyun-wook needed to break Heinrich Volkov's logic and persuade them here and now..

A hero's special option that increases all abilities by a whopping 3x and is the only hero that can kill the Demon King.…….

In order to get that, you had to win the popular vote, and these people were the backbone of the vote..

If, by chance, they harbored animosity towards Lee Hyun-wook and expressed it in a statement, the ripple effect would have been quite large..

Lee Hyun-wook slowly looked at their faces while listening to their cries..

And I realized that there was an emotion deeper than wariness curled up inside them..

‘……Those good players are already scared..’

Although they are the strongest people who have ever ruled this world, they become weak in the face of incomprehensible phenomena..

Fear of the unknown... … Because it is the oldest and most powerful emotion humans have..

And the being called the Demon King was a fearsome enemy that players could hardly fathom..

'In other words, rather than seeing myself as an object of caution… … What kind of proof do you want from me?.’

As they were no different from feudal lords, it was a natural instinct to be wary of the centralized system..

However, if an irresistible invasion comes from outside, the king's decision is expected..

‘In other words, what they want from me is not the distribution of power..’

rather…….

'……It is a clear proof of strength..’

Lee Hyun-wook felt the gazes on him and chose what to say..

But then—

- huh?

Brown Jackson held my ear and muttered something..

It was probably an emergency radio call from someone..

- Great, everyone.......

He looked even darker, wondering what news he had heard..

- This is news that just came in. that is… … It is said that the location of the Demon King has been identified..

Then the intestines began to stir..

- Well, let's take a look first..

He turned his back and gave mana to the 'Crystal Projector', a circular object hanging on the wall..

yes—

Then, a hologram erupted from there and a video emerged..

Whoa whoa——

What a snowy field… … I saw a coniferous forest in a snowstorm..

"......That's Siberia?”

A man, probably a master of a powerful Russian guild, said so..

It seemed to be a very familiar sight to him; it was the tundra forest area of ​​Eastern Siberia..

- That place is the 3rd East Siberian Observatory. I've been watching a group of ice trolls for two years now..

Quite a long time ago, a number of high-ranking gates arose in Siberia. However, due to the rough nature of Siberia, the gate had to be discovered very late, and in the meantime, the monster's power took hold..

However, since the area was uninhabited and there was no significant damage, there was no need to force an attack..

The group of ice trolls left unattended gradually grew, and a blizzard began to rage in the area..

‘That was because of a legendary grade item called the Heart of Winter..’

Because of this, the cold in Siberia gradually expanded its influence, and the ice troll attack began belatedly..

‘However, the ice troll at that time evolved into a completely different monster..’

Thump—thud—

"Uh, that's an ice troll?”

Now, in the video, large beings have appeared among the coniferous forests..

“……Well, it's bigger than it's known?”

"It looks like it's twice as big, what is it??”

They have evolved to a higher level, kneeling towards someone and bowing their heads..

The target is a human figure floating in the air... … He was a necromancer, no, he was a demon lord..

As Lee Hyun-wook watched that scene, he became convinced of one thing about the devil..

'……As expected, it has the ability to subjugate monsters..’

Previously, a scene of joining hands with the titans had been captured..

At the time, I was only guessing, but that scene made it clear..

- And that scene takes place not only here, but also in the Sahara Desert, the Amazon, etc..

Immediately after, the video ended, and Chairman Brown Jackson continued his explanation..

- Monsters in rough terrain that we have not been able to easily deal with so far... … The devil is collecting it..

Then laments erupted from everywhere..

At that time, Brian Thiel took the microphone and opened his mouth..

- Guys, this is very serious.!

Everyone turned their heads to look at him at his screaming shout..

He was the best analyst player on par with Brown Jackson..

That's why I saw clearly the meaning of that scene..

- So far, what is the reason why we have had a comparative advantage when dealing with monsters??

He got up from his seat and began to argue..

- That's because, like a game stage, they only had one group in one place! But if we come together as one and respond... … It becomes a completely different and worst problem! It's like how you can control a single river, but you can't control the ocean where all the water is gathered together..

Hearing those words, Brown Jackson also nodded as if he sympathized..

At this, murmurs spread again, and a strange feeling of despair began to fill the air. And the fact that this place is filled with bewilderment and despair... … This meant that further chaos was bound to come to the world..

At that time, a voice came through the speaker..

- ……So, an army of monsters is being created..

That voice was none other than Lee Hyun-wook..

This was his first statement at this event..

At this, the hall fell silent for a moment..

"......."

And all eyes were drawn to him..

He held the microphone and opened his mouth with a very calm expression..

"Then, we also need an army..”

Heinrich Volkov hurriedly turned on the microphone and added a word..

- In order to create that corps, dogmatism and dictatorship must be excluded..

Lee Hyun-wook slowly turned his head towards him. And he smiled brightly.

“hmm… … I already have a legion.”

- ……yes? What does that mean all of a sudden?

At that moment, Lee Hyun-wook stretched out his left hand, and Heinrich Volkov flinched without realizing it..

chin—

A round object flew into his grasp and landed lightly..

It was a crystal projector on the podium..

"Now, the scene I'm going to show you is from just 30 minutes ago..”

Hyunwook Lee said that and inserted the USB he had prepared in advance into the crystal projector..

And when he gave mana, a hologram soared above his hand and a video played..

Wooooow——

What the video showed was none other than Laputa..

Before I knew it, it was floating not in the sky of Seoul, but in the mountains of Gangwon-do..

"huh? Why are you showing me that all of a sudden??”

“……Shhh, be quiet. There must be a reason for everything.”

Immediately after, something began to emerge from the upper and lower parts of Laputa..

It was like bees flying out of a beehive.…….

Hung— Hung— Hung— Hung—

that… … They were all airships, and at first glance it was a huge number..

About a hundred cars.......

"What, what—that's the Iron Fleet.?”

“……No, the Iron Fleet is here..”

"Then, where on earth is that?……."

In other words, it meant that they mass-produced airships that were several times the size of the steel fleet..

That wasn't all.

The moment the screen turned, players could not help but believe their eyes..

“Wow— those are all metal giants.?”

“Crazy, just one was that strong.……."

Inside a factory, giant soldiers in the shape of the Orichalcon giant Talos were lined up..

It was moving along a conveyor belt, as if tanks were being mass produced ahead of war..

Of course, it is nothing compared to Talos-Battle Mode, which was created with ancient gnome technology.…….

‘Still, they are combat weapons made of adamant material using the technology of the Giant God Research Institute..’

Then, the screen changed again, showing the ‘arsenal’ in Gangwon-do..

In the sky of the now completed and busy place, there were a lot of AD-2s, or even the higher model AD-3s. And even though there was only one War Box so far, two were in flight..

"and......."

Hyunwook Lee was talking about these three scenes. He still has more shows to show…….

They began to imagine what kind of power they would have if they were placed under Lee Hyun-wook's control..

In this way, the 'magical engineering' in which Lee Hyun-wook had so far invested heavily showed its true power..

‘Even when I couldn't pay attention, the factory I built ran day and night..’

He received a huge amount of materials from the Adamant Mine in 'Red Hall Village' and the Dungeon Steel Mine in 'Central African Republic', and secured special materials from 'Yggdrasil' and 'Shindansu'..

Other accessories were generously supported by the government of the Republic of Korea, led by Woo Seong-moon..

With that support, the best blacksmith players and the Gray Dwarf race worked day and night..

Based on the best technology called ‘Laputa’, using an item called the Hephaestus Hammer,…….

"Master Heinrich, you said it takes several horses to pull the carriage.?”

Heinrich Volkov just had a blank expression on his face..

In his silence, Lee Hyun-wook's words echoed throughout the hall..

"……I already have a cavalry. So you don't have to worry about the number of words..”

Hyunwook Lee turned off the hologram, sent a crystal projector, and placed it back on the podium. Meanwhile, everyone's eyes were not following the moving object, but were fixed on Lee Hyun-wook..

he opened his mouth.

"And what I showed you... … It's only a small part.”

Currently, production of the ‘Mechanical Dragon’ is taking place in Laputa..

In addition, many special weapons that cannot be revealed hastily have been prepared..

"So you... … invest in me.”

He was now offering an opportunity for investment rather than appealing for support..

"I will mobilize all the world's resources and prepare for an all-out war against the devil..”