The Player Who Eats Steel - Episode 196
196fury.
============================
Hyunwook Lee was sitting at the Order Tower in Laputa..
On the large table where his gaze rested, a map of the Indian Ocean was spread out as a hologram, and on it, the location of the ship was indicated with a red dot... … There was not a single red dot floating on the sea..
Currently, dozens of ships coming to the Korean Peninsula carrying all kinds of material items from all over the world were stranded at the port..
A few hours ago, as many as three ships and three frigates sank in succession under an unidentified attack, and there was not a single survivor..
With such a terrifying thing happening, what captain would want to traverse the vast ocean? Even if there was a man with such stubbornness, the crew would have thrown him overboard and turned the ship around..
In other words, supply was paralyzed ahead of the war..
This incident became a big issue in less than a day, and as influential media outlets around the world reported on it, it began to spread as if there was a setback in preparations for the war against the devil..
- War materials on their way to Korea are stranded... … Have you been outwitted even before the war started?…….
- One ominous sign after another… … Can humanity survive??
Even so, anxiety was growing as news came that the Demon King was appearing all over the world and subjugating monsters..
Although the fact that preparations were being made to deal with the devil, led by Lee Hyun-wook, was widely publicized, on the surface things were not going well, so doubts and concerns could not be raised..
It was a feeling similar to the instinct of a protected person..
‘But soon the mood will turn around.’
Lee Hyun-wook had a clear understanding of the enemy's cards..
In his eyes, this seemed like an opportunity, not a crisis..
He looked at the holographic map again and said.
"Team leader Lee, if we mobilize a large number of high-ranking mages to measure the mana concentration on the sea surface, certain aspects will be completely different. And that part will continue like a road..”
- That was an unidentified attacker... … So, are you saying this is a way to track down a crocodile monster called Leviathan??
Team leader Kyojun Lee's voice came out of Mana Messenger..
"Yes, that means you can see the path it takes. And if you sprinkle 'troll blood' around it, you can attract Leviathan... … You should have at least 100,000 liters..”
- But troll blood... … I don't know where you got this information, but is it really reliable??
There was a question in his voice..
That is to say, this ship attack incident happened suddenly and without anyone expecting it..
But isn't Lee Hyun-wook coming up with a solution as if he already knows everything??
Even though it was Lee Hyun-wook's opinion that he had always been able to see through the situation like Solomon and pull out all kinds of items at the right time like a gadget detective, I couldn't help but want to know the source of such a serious incident..
And Lee Hyun-wook had a cheat-like excuse for times like this..
"Yes, Leviathan, we can know because information about that monster is recorded in Laputa..”
- ah… … As expected, it is like that. Wow, where on earth is Laputa… … Yes, this is a long story..
Of course this wasn't true.
But it was a story everyone could believe..
The reason Lee Hyun-wook knew the entire process was because the New Zealand guild that discovered and hunted Leviathan in his past life produced a four-part documentary about their achievements..
And it was one of the must-watch Kyobo system for a strategy team leader who plans a strategy..
- Then we'll save as much troll blood as possible..
"Yes, please. That will be the bait to attract him..”
The 'bait' would soon be ready..
The next thing needed was a ‘net’.
- We also maintain contact with Lee Seong-yoon's side and the King's side. For both sides to arrive... … About 7 hours left.
That's right, the Water Spirit King and the Gravity Wizard Lee Seong-yoon. These two would act as the ‘net’.
"Yes, I will use 'World Bridge' and go in that direction, so please pass it on to the two of you as well..”
- Yes, I will prepare then..
The so-called operation has begun.
‘Now the last thing I need is a way to suffocate.’
In other words, a ‘harpoon’ was needed..
But that wasn't properly secured yet..
‘Still, it's actually in my hands..’
Lee Hyun-wook cut off communication with team leader Lee Kyo-jun and checked his watch..
‘11 minutes now…….'
Finally, after 11 minutes, a hero is elected..
A harpoon would be secured with him..
Lee Hyun-wook turned his head and looked at the TV..
- Now, after about ten minutes, it will be decided who the hero is.!
The anchor of one broadcast was raising his voice. Just like during the presidential election, each broadcasting station was broadcasting a special program related to the 'election of warriors'..
- Now, no matter what anyone says, the strongest candidate for the hero is Steele Rain and Lee Hyun-wook! However, while many players have debated his qualifications, there have been quite a few unexpected answers.?
- Yes that's right! With just ten minutes left until the selection of the hero, we have collected interviews with players who made unexpected choices. Now, let's watch it together.!
Soon the screen changed, and Alain Giam appeared..
- I support Stillane. And now everyone knows, we are helping more than anyone else. I guess you could say I'm fueling the train called Steele Lane..
He was making continuous statements in support of Lee Hyun-wook as if he had now completely become Lee Hyun-wook's person..
'Okay, I'm looking forward to seeing what else you'll ask me this time..’
To Lee Hyun-wook, Alain Giam was the goose that laid the golden egg, or the goblin..
Before I cut open the stomach of such a being, I contacted Alain Giam several times a day and pretended to trust him..
And yesterday, he invited me to Laputa and even sprinkled some good food on it, saying that he would treat me to food, but since Laputa is a place that has been shrouded in mystery until now, he couldn't hide his good feelings..
'If you pull it slowly like this, it will bring you more and more golden eggs..’
The person who appeared on screen next was none other than DS, Edward Woods..
- I also think that Steelaine is the perfect owner of the hero perk. If so… … I'm sure you'll do well.
He said the other man standing next to him was Japan's 'Hurricane' Kodo Koshiro..
The two seemed to be preparing their own response in Tokyo, and Kodo Koshiro also nodded..
- Well, I don't really trust Lee Hyun-wook, but I think he's the only one at the moment. … … No matter what, conquering the world quest is the top priority..
Unlike Edward Woods, who maintains a poker face, he was unable to hide his shocked expression, but he still seemed to have made a rational decision..
'Still, it's clear that they are not villains, so it would be a great help if they were together..’
In his opinion, the problem was that we both had too much pride..
But now, it seemed like the rankings were perfectly organized and I wouldn't be hanging around my pants like I did before..
Even influential players who were in direct conflict with the name Steele Lane insisted that he should become a ‘warrior’..
That much, if you think rationally, you can see that he is a unique candidate..
Next, a few more interviews appeared, and then the screen shifted back to the studio..
- Okay, now you have 60 seconds left.!
It was a tense moment, as if it were just before the exit polls for the presidential election were announced..
- oh! buy! three! this! Day! Now 1!
At that moment, a line of system messages appeared before the eyes of players around the world..
- (!) A hero has been elected to fight against the devil!
***
Hyunwook Lee checked the system message that appeared before his eyes..
- congratulations! You have been appointed as a ‘warrior’, the only one who will stand against the devil..
At that moment, I felt a strange energy surround my whole body..
"after......."
This was power. Indescribably powerful power... … I had a strange and intense feeling, as if a hot snake was climbing up a coil and seeping through my entire body..
- Event buff ‘Championship Perk’ is being applied.
1) All abilities increase significantly. (+200%)
2) Resistance to all status ailments increases. (+100%)
3) Can ignore the Demon King's special barrier.
The options for this hero’s special ‘event buff’ were truly enormous. As far as Lee Hyun-wook knows, there is no single buff or achievement more powerful than this..
'……200% If it is an increase, it is a whopping 3 times increase..’
In addition, the achievement effect was applied because the Demon King's invasion was also classified as a war event..
With that another 50% increase applies..
'……This is a 250% increase in ability, which is 3.5 times the total. And it all overlaps.’
therefore…….
- Current steerable metal weight: 308,441 kg
The total was 308 tons..
Lee Hyun-wook took out AD-2 from his wrist imprint and summoned four Moglei one after another within it..
Hung— Hung— Hung— Hung—
He granted metal control to four Mogley at the same time..
‘Previously, due to lack of metal control, the mass liberation of the remaining 3 pieces, excluding Mowglai No. 1, had to be maintained at level 3..’
Also known as No. 1 Moglai, the strongest one is 100t. And No. 2 Mogley I, the original, was 50 tons, and the remaining 3 to 4 replicas were 25 tons each..
In other words, 200 tons of metal control was needed to handle these 4 pieces at the same time in 4 stages, so for a while, only one piece of Mogley had to be operated..
‘Now I can swing it to my heart's content.’
In front of Lee Hyun-wook, four Moghlays were lined up side by side..
Just by moving a short distance, the wind blew, perhaps due to the enormous mass..
'……This makes 4 harpoons..’
No matter what weapon was used, there would be no harpoon better suited to catching a giant sea monster..
‘But since this alone may not be enough, I have prepared something special. I was going to use it to shoot down the Flower of Death... … I guess I'll have to try it out now..’
Hyunwook Lee raised his head and snapped his fingers at the Talos ‘speaker’ hanging from the ceiling..
「Master, do you have any instructions??」
“Contact the research institute now and tell them that they will be mobilizing for the project..”
We were also researching ways to better utilize this Mowglai through 'magical engineering'..
The goal is to shoot down the flower of death.…….
The prototype of that terrifying project was completed..
「Yes, I understand! And Director Woo Seong-moon's Mana communication is waiting. Shall we connect right away??」
"hmm? Why did Director Woo… … Okay, connect..”
Lee Hyun-wook nodded, and Woo Seong-moon's voice came out of the speaker..
- My name is Woo Seong-moon..
"Yes, manager, what's going on??”
- First of all, the hero’s perk… … I don't know if I should congratulate you on that. It's packaged well in many ways, so it's actually a VIP seat for Saji, isn't it??
"Haha—but you still have a good weapon..”
- I will do my best to collect ammunition for that weapon. however… … Intelligence has just arrived, and it is said that an item has been delivered to top players in each country..
"yes?"
- however… … The name of the item is ‘The Devil’s Invitation’..
About 30 minutes later, Lee Hyun-wook was able to receive an invitation from the devil, secured by Director Woo Seong-moon..
[Item information]
- Name: Demon King's Invitation (Special)
- Effect: When you infuse mana into this place, you will be moved to a secret space. (However, it may be rejected.)
‘What on earth is the intention of this?…….'
Lee Hyun-wook looked at the item for a while, but could not find any additional information..
At that time, additional information could be obtained through TV..
- Ah, the news just came in! An unspecified number of media outlets around the world are revealing that they have received messages from the devil. That's the same with our MBS..
Lee Hyun-wook frowned and approached the TV..
- To summarize, he is a player from another dimension and has no intention of destroying this world, but rather has been improving it in the right direction.!
“……What kind of trick are you trying to pull??”
- And they say they are recruiting players to follow them... … He emphasized that special privileges called ‘titles’ can be granted. I don't know what this is, but
Lee Hyun-wook realized what the devil's trick was..
‘……It's about causing division..’
Centered around Lee Hyun-wook, the entire planet went into battle mode, and it was a psychological operation to shake things up even a little..
And it seemed to work to some extent..
- A merciful devil? Can we trust the game's system messages? Radical skepticism rises…….
- If the Demon King is a player, controlling monsters is revolutionary. “We must negotiate rather than antagonize.”.”
- Some raid experts say the tables have already been turned. “As long as shipping is blocked, war preparations will be greatly disrupted.””
- One pessimistic view after another that humanity cannot withstand the power of the Devil's monster army.......
Once again, negative articles began to pour in..
Lee Hyun-wook's war preparations went very smoothly, but there was no way the whole world would know that..
But that doesn't mean he's any kind of businessman, and even though the world's expectations are dropping, he couldn't hold a promotional event to show that they're alive and well and reveal the secret weapons they're preparing..
In contrast, the devil's actions were clear, and due to the nature of the news, negative information was highlighted more... … It was perhaps natural for the scales of the world to slowly tilt towards confusion and despair rather than fighting spirit or hope..
However, just because the world turned negative did not mean the battle was lost. That's why he tried not to pay attention…….
'……The part about giving that title is annoying..’
Since the Demon King is also a player, there is a high possibility that he received something called the ‘Demon King Perk’ during this World Quest..
In that case, it was reasonable to assume that the ‘job’ was also one of the quest goals..
‘Every time you charm more players, you might get some kind of buff, so you can't just watch in vain..’
Of course, the vast majority of players wouldn't make such a foolish choice. But aren't there sometimes people who are social misfits or dark-hearted??
Long ago, when the terrorist organization called IS was at its peak, crazy people appeared from all over the world who wanted to join IS..
And just in time, an amazing promotion was being prepared..
About thirty minutes later, a mana message was received from team leader Kyojun Lee..
- Chik: Now, Leviathan's location has been discovered. And the two, the Water Spirit King and the Gravity Wizard, are on the scene, preparing to cast a net..
"Yes, I'll be right there.”
And then, Kang Hui-seol sent a mana message..
- Now I have another masterpiece project prototype of mine mounted on Prydwen! Since this draws mana from Pridwen's engine, activating it will cause Pridwen to pause for a moment. And since the projectile needs to be loaded in advance, please tell me when loading the Mowgley.!
“Okay, I'm going now..”
I was planning to send out a public service advertisement that would raise awareness around the world about what would happen if they fell for the devil's whispers..
Comments