Novels online

The Player Who Eats Steel - Episode 55

55fury. 

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1Before time…….

“......yes? Does that make sense? The world boss is appearing now.?”

Kang Seo-yoon couldn’t help but be surprised..

A ‘full notice’ announcing the appearance of a world boss monster was displayed in the sky of the wave zone. Naturally, this was the first place I heard the news outside of the wave zone..

"Yes, that's right! This happened just about 2 minutes ago."

"No, that has never happened before! It's solid information.?”

"Within the erosion area, the same reports came in from different areas at the same time..”

Reports came in from all over the wave zone about seeing a full notice floating in the sky..

Then there was little chance of it being fabricated or fraudulent..

"Nonsense. What on earth is this?……."

The terrible being called the World Boss Monster always appears around the 4th day of the wave..

But now it was day 2, not day 3..

In other words, it appeared twice as early as compared to other countries..

But it was foolish to assume that just a few precedents were all there was to it..

Because this game always hits the player in the back.…….

"shit! Immediately identify the location of the world boss monster and issue an evacuation order.!”

"—yes!”

“If something like that appears, the shelter and everything else is useless! It's all over, so just get out of the area! If we are a little late, tens of thousands of people could die per hour! Hurry up!”

Kang Seo-yoon immediately deployed all personnel to deliver a warning message into the wave zone..

‘What the hell is going on in there?!’

It was frustrating because there was no way to check in detail other than mana communication..

But just 5 minutes later…….

"Me—Director!”

“yes? What's happening again??”

“Just now, that world boss monster……."

"ah! Did you finally show up? Damn, where is it??”

Kang Seo-yoon jumped up from her seat and asked..

But the emergency communications officer shook his head..

"No, that's not it... … They say he was just killed..”

Treatment?.......

Kang Seo-yoon tilted her head, wondering if she had heard wrong..

“……yes? What did you just say??”

"I can't believe it either... … In the Wave Zone sky, news is coming in one after another that the entire notice was modified in just 5 minutes. Yes, it means that the world boss monster has been defeated..”

Kang Seo-yoon was so dumbfounded that she laughed. She can't even believe that the world boss monster appeared on day 2, and that she was defeated in just 5 minutes.........

it was impossible.

Could it be that the world boss monster is not just a wild boar, but suddenly appears and is instantly defeated??

‘Either someone is planning to scam me, or I'm just dreaming.…….'

Even if you were an S-rank player who had experienced all kinds of hardships, it was a situation you couldn't understand..

But not long after, another ridiculous news came in..

"Bo, Director!”

"......."

What does it mean this time?…….

She didn't answer anymore, she just turned her head away..

I was prepared not to be surprised by any news..

But she had no choice but to stand up once again.

"just now… … It is said that the second erosion factor has been exploited.!”

crazy…….

"I beg your pardon-! Uh, where? Who is it??”

I couldn't quite believe it because of the repeated shock, but I shouted that in the hope that it was true..

"This time it's the Steel Company! It is said that they are the ones who dealt with the world boss monster.!”

The moment Kang Seo-yoon heard those words, she smiled with a sense of disappointment..

As amazing hopes arose one after another, it felt unrealistic rather than just overwhelming..

‘No, the Steel Company… … What on earth are they??’

Now I was starting to wonder.

The organization I've never heard of saved half of Seoul..

this… … Is it worth it??

After ordering to check more accurately, Kang Seo-yoon sank into the chair..

And I sipped the coffee I brewed an hour ago. It was so cold that it couldn't cool down..

At that time, a commotion was heard from the entrance..

“Oh, what else?……”

When Kang Seo-yoon turned her head, men in black suits were attempting to enter..

"who are you? Uh, you can't come in here without permission.!”

"Get out of the way, we're government agents..”

"This is a government facility, so what is this…? … Please show me your entry permit.!”

Those so-called government agents were even armed with submachine guns..

But the player guards didn't give in to those guns and blocked the road..

"Oh, you can move out of the way. These are people I know.”

The guards retreated left and right at Kang Seo-yoon’s words..

A middle-aged man with a slim build appeared among the suit agents..

"I'm sorry. I wasn't allowed to come in, so I just came in..”

Sharp eyes and tiger eyebrows that stand out even when wearing glasses,

It was an impression that made the person facing it instinctively cringe..

Of course it wasn't Kang Seo-yoon..

She looked at the man disapprovingly..

“……Manager, what's going on? In this situation, you didn't delegate full authority to me.?”

Seongmoon Woo, Director of the Office of the President,

It was a grade A play of the 9th ranked Korean player..

As the highest-ranking government player, he was one of the most powerful people in South Korea..

“We have brought you the news that the second erosion factor has been successfully targeted..”

"Well, that information just came in and wasn't even shared internally, so how did you already know? haha……."

Well, no matter how much authority was delegated to Kang Seo-yoon, there was no way these gentlemen were not collecting information..

Even among the professionals here, someone might be connected to them..

"By the way, when did you leave Seoul, and what brought you here? We're busy.”

It was blatantly sarcastic, the man sitting in front of her was one of the most powerful men in Korea, but Kang Seo-yoon was an S-rank player who could care less about such titles..

“Throwing it away is going too far. We just decided to prepare for after the erosion..”

“Oh yeah? Even if the VIP was in there, would you have prepared for the ‘after’ like that??”

A 10 km radius from Seoul Station, which also included the Blue House. However, because the president and other key figures were away for an external event, they were able to avoid the wave..

But Woo Seong-moon nodded as if it was natural..

"Sure. The Blue House shelter is very sturdy. Even if the VIP was inside, he would have given the same orders and lasted 5 days. That's the most realistic way. Government is not blind.”

Kang Seo-yoon sighed and nodded..

Maybe, it really was..

They weren't stupid or cold-blooded.

just… … I thought too realistically, so sometimes I just avoided miracles..

"But something unrealistic just happened… … Yes, a variable happened and it came like this.."

To put it simply, I was lucky enough to see a possibility of stopping the wave, so I decided to get involved..

Kang Seo-yoon felt bad about that, but it was good news because it meant that she would help anyway..

"Yes, say it.”

“Steel company... … I have a message for those friends. Please connect me.”

Kang Seo-yoon shook her head..

"under… … I also want to hear the voices of those great friends, but I'm sorry, but I can't..”

"Um, what's the reason??”

"It's not that I refuse, they just don't accept communication..”

Kang Seo-yoon was in contact with Kim Kang-seok, commander of the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Port Horse Brigade.,

A direct connection could not be made with Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, the commander of the Steel Company..

This was because they strongly demanded that they move independently without external pressure..

It was truly a feat of courage, but it was untouchable as it actually produced tremendous results..

"Is that so? But this time you will get it.”

Seongmoon Woo spoke with confidence..

Kang Seo-yoon frowned, wondering what the basis was..

Woo Seong-moon smiled and continued speaking..

"Lee Hyun-wook, the commander of the Steel Company, I intend to provide great support to my friend..”

He even knew the name, so it seemed like he had gotten very detailed information about the Steel Company..

Now that I think about it, there was a man wearing an AMT combat uniform standing next to Woo Seong-moon..

‘Cheon Myeong-ho…….'

He was an officer in the Black Tiger Unit and Agent Black of the AMT Secret Intelligence Unit..

Because of this, it was not widely known, but he was the best assassin player..

"So, great support, what is it? You won't be able to put something in from outside.……."

“I'm thinking of telling you about the government in the Wave Zone and the portal leading there..”

Kang Seo-yoon I was a little surprised when I heard that..

Yes, the fastest way to strengthen a player's power was, of course, 'items'..

"Damn, I wish it had come out like this a long time ago. Because if you save it, you end up with shit.?”

At those words, Woo Seong-moon stretched out his arms and made a gesture of being unfair..

“haha… … What do you do if you have a weapon? There has to be a warrior to wield it..”

The government decided that a warrior who could save Seoul had appeared..

***

As the sun was setting, a line of vehicles entered the playground of O Elementary School..

Citizens of the shelter gathered at the window and watched the scene..

“……come!”

“There are 4 buses! I think I got almost everything.!”

"under… … Thank goodness, really.……."

Lee Jeong-jun and his companions who remained here came out and guarded the surroundings.,

About 100 people got off the bus and entered the shelter safely..

At that moment, the tension seemed to have eased and several people began to burst into tears..

"Hmm… … lived……."

"Uh, Mom, don't cry... … Ugh—”

Before I knew it, the school was full of tears..

"thank you so much!”

"Really, I thought I was going to die together with my daughter.……."

They shed tears and thanked the Steel Company over and over again..

Kidnapping, confinement, sacrifice… … It was an indescribably horrible experience, so it was natural..

"Everything is okay now……."

"If you stay here, you won't get caught again..”

Citizens inside the shelter came out and comforted them. Since they were also trembled with fear after being attacked by monsters, I could empathize to some extent with how afraid the kidnapped people must have been..

and.......

“……Jiho!”

"uh? Hope!”

Hope and Jiho, two little friends reunited.

"Hope it's true that you asked these soldiers to save me?”

“huh! that's right!”

"thank you! you are my real friend!”

At first, this was a heartwarming scene.…….

"These guys are real heroes! So I asked for something special! Well done?”

"huh! But hope, honestly, I know better.!”

“……huh? why?”

Hope’s face hardened at Jiho’s declaration that ‘I know better’..

“Hope, you haven’t seen soldiers fighting, right? I saw it right in front of you!”

"Uh, I, I……."

"Right? Didn't you see it? Hehe, should I tell you how cool it was?”

"hey! Shin Ji-ho! Anyway, these military guys, I knew about it first.!"

Who is closer, who knows better, who knew first, etc.…….

Like kids, they started complaining about trivial things..

'After all, kids…….'

While Lee Hyun-wook was thinking like that, Park Jun-mo approached them..

"Come on, you can't fight with people on the same side..”

He placed his hands on the heads of the two children and smiled kindly..

"Honestly, it's because of Hope that the guys came out, right? yes?"

"yes that's right!”

"And Jiho held on courageously until the men arrived.?"

“yes I was really scared, but I endured it well.!”

"Hey—so, they’re both great? If at least one person wasn't there, it would have been a big problem.!”

That guy seemed to be quite good at calming kids down..

And in fact, those words differed depending on who said it..

If it is done by an unreliable person, even children tend to ignore it..

Park Jun-mo, an F-class soldier who was once endlessly ignored,

This guy looked like an undeniable hero right now..

As the people in the shelter slowly began to find stability, night fell..

“Well, I'm really taking a break today..”

Lee Hyun-wook ordered a break from a rather early hour..

Because there was going to be an even more hellish battle tomorrow..

‘Tomorrow afternoon, the Anyang duo will attack the third erosion factor..’

Thus, only one source of erosion remains in the wave zone..

‘If that happens... … It happens again this time.’

Additional events, that was one of the most hated words by players.

Whenever there is unexpected success, the system's back tackle comes without fail.…….

From Lee Hyun-wook's experience, when three erosion factors are targeted, the last remaining erosion factor grows rapidly. Thus, it becomes a ‘complete body’ and welcomes the players..

'The last remaining erosion factor is the ironclad poisonous beetle of Mt. Cheongryong..’

Ironclad poisonous insect)

If Helet was like a wave sweeping over the earth, they were like a storm covering the sky..

A disaster that eats away even concrete buildings and completely erases all traces of human existence.…….

Like the 'armored poisonous spider' we encountered earlier at the Seoul Station Unlucky event, its outer shell is made of iron armor.,

There were so many of them that Lee Hyun-wook's metal control would not have been able to dominate the battlefield..

‘And Chu Kyo-yong… … He will cleverly interfere with the operation..’

I already had a plan in place to deal with that guy, but I couldn't help but be nervous..

Chu Kyo-yong is a grade A player. Currently, the ranking is higher than Kim Kang-seok or Seo Eun-ha..

If I let my guard down, everything would be in vain in an instant..

At that time, the communications squad leader came and presented a large capacity mana messenger..

"Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, this is a message from the battalion commander..”

“......huh?”

We already reported once about 2 hours ago, right after the erosion factors were removed..

But if you suddenly got a call like this, it definitely meant something had happened..

"Loyalty, this is Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook..”

- Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, I’m sorry.…….

Kim Kang-seok's voice was full of embarrassment..

"yes please say.”

- The government is making a strong demand to know your Mana Messenger pattern. I've been blocking it over and over again, but this time, a significant higher-up appeared.…….

Here, the ‘Mana Messenger Pattern’ was a kind of phone number..

In other words, they pressured me to give them my contact information..

"hmm… … Yes, I will contact you then..”

Honestly, it was annoying.

Even if you maintain contact with high-ranking government officials, you will receive little support at this point and are more likely to give useless advice..

'However, if Kim Kang-seok is so desperate, he is quite high up among his superiors..’

Although Lee Hyun-wook is making a huge contribution right now,,

A ball that falls outside the eyes of those in power could actually become poisonous..

There is no choice but to combine it to some extent.…….

Soon an unfamiliar voice came through the Mana Messenger..

- Chic—I am Woo Seong-moon, head of the National Gate Response Strategy Office..

‘A big guy, a big guy..’

If it was Woo Seong-moon, he could be considered the number one player among government players..

There were public officials ranked higher than him, but he was by far the best in terms of breath..

- There is no need to introduce yourself, so can we get straight to the point??

"yes please say.”

- I will give you the address and access to the government portal entrance. I hope that we can use that to successfully attack all erosion factors... and save Seoul..

It was a short and concise request..

‘It is the government's second arsenal, i.e. the second largest and most important arsenal belonging to the state..’

The actual location is unknown, and even Lee Hyun-wook did not know..

At first glance, it is said that it is a space with no physical entrance in the first place, and can only be entered through a portal hidden in a secret location..

‘Even if the battalion armory was used alone, it was a considerable force, but it was a government armory rather than a brigade armory.…….'

If used well, the scope of firepower could be increased several times..

- Chick - Is that possible? I wish I could tell you it's possible.

"I've been lucky twice so far. I hope that I will continue to be lucky and I will continue to work hard..”

After that, Woo Seong-moon revealed the location where the secret portal was hidden..

- However, there is one problem.

"yes please say.”

- According to the portal manager's report, I don't know why, but there seem to be an unusually large number of undead, including zombie trolls, lurking nearby. Based on my experience, I predict that it will be difficult to break through with your troops alone... … Troop support will come from the 3rd Port Horse Brigade..

Honestly, I didn't need any support..

Especially if you are an executive, you may experience some discomfort during the operation..

But there was no need to complain here..

- ……Join them tomorrow and proceed with the operation. What do you think, is it okay??

"Yes, I understand. But just in case, I want to check one thing..”

- yes, say.

"Of course I think so, but Armory 2 will have a lot of expensive weapons. Even if they are lost in battle... … It's not our responsibility, right??”

The reason I ask this is because I felt like I was going to lose quite a bit in many ways..

It pours down like rain and sometimes you get a taste of it.…….

- Of course. However, I want soldiers to be aware that loss and embezzlement are different.

'But embezzlement and absorption are two different things... … hmm…….'

There must have been a lot of very high quality metal in the armory..

There must be quite a few material items, but I didn't even know there might be adamant or orihalcon..

It is not even a raw stone, but is processed and refined, making it much purer.…….

gulp—

At that moment, Lee Hyun-wook felt his mouth watering and was quite embarrassed..

Even so, I can't help but swallow my saliva while thinking about the piece of iron... … I felt ashamed.

'Damn, I'm seriously ill too..'

***

next morning.

Three armored reconnaissance vehicles escaped from the 3rd Port Horse Brigade Headquarters in Yongsan..

There were 12 members of the brigade headquarters attack company on board..

They were ordered to join the 'Steel Company' and actively support their operations..

But that was very hurtful to their pride..

“Damn it, is it true that the commanding officer of that proud steel company is a soldier??”

In the lead car, a muscular man in the back seat, Sergeant Kim Dong-hoon asked:.

"No, our youngest is a sergeant with the 5th rank, but really, the soldier is the company commander? Wow—that’s ridiculous… … No, a soldier is a soldier for nothing? Aren’t they surplus workers, left behind without any choice due to lack of ability??”

If you look at it simply based on rank, it would be undesirable to support a unit that only had soldiers..

At those words, the man in the passenger seat, the platoon leader, and Captain Go Jin-han chuckled..

"Hey Kim Dong-hoon, but weren’t you a soldier too??”

"Platoon leader, haven't I become fully mature as time has passed??”

"It seems like time flowed in the wrong direction........"

Kim Dong-hoon crumpled his scary face here and there and showed an expression of extreme injustice..

"Anyway, I honestly find it hard to believe! Do you think it makes sense, everyone??”

"Hey, what are you going to do? They are the heroes of the wave recognized by the government, so if you criticize them, they will criticize you.."

"Ah-oh! Is there any proof of that? Are those bastards playing around?……."

"......."

“What would you do if you were the operational commander and treated you poorly and made you do something dangerous??”

As Kim Dong-hoon continued to whine, Go Jin-han seemed a little annoyed..

"Oh, it's loud! Hey, then, why don’t you show some discipline when you say hello! Discipline is your specialty.?”

"oh! Is that okay? As expected, you pretend not to be a platoon leader, but don’t you feel the same way as me??”

Go Jin-han smiled bitterly at those words..

It was a bit of a hit on the spot..

"No, it's not similar to you... … I write when I think of a soldier giving me orders, it's a bit like that?”

The atmosphere in an organization called the military was like that..

No matter how the situation is, the ‘class’ exists as an absolute law..

It was especially difficult to tolerate a soldier commanding an officer..

"Then, as soon as we make eye contact, I'll start by cracking a joint.!”

"Ha—please……."

Meanwhile, we arrived at our destination..

It was a residential area on the outskirts of Seoul..

"Now, let's get off and move on from here..”

The 3rd platoon was equipped with weapons and entered the alley, keeping guard in all directions..

I couldn't help but be nervous because I received reports that all kinds of undead were lurking around here..

"Sergeant Lee, radio in to see where they are..”

It was then.

- Chic—This is the Steel Company, currently in combat, do not approach.!

It was a pretty urgent warning message..

Kim Dong-hoon was even offended by those words..

"Huh—no shit, who is warning whom now and telling them not to approach??"

And soon, the noise of the battle began to be heard..

Thump—thump—thump—thud—

The sound of earth-shaking footsteps was very close..

They tensed and raised their weapons..

at that very moment…….

Kwa——ang——!

The wall on the side collapsed and a green giant popped out..

“shit! It's a zombie troll! ready for battle!"

The guy must have been pushed back by something he didn't say, so he stepped back and trampled everything..

"In front of the tank, prepare a freezing spell to tie the legs.!”

They were very nervous because they knew very well how dangerous the zombie troll was..

But then, something strange caught their eyes..

A huge sword much larger than a human body flew towards the troll..

fur——seok——!

With that blow, the zombie troll's head was cut off and thrown onto the roof of the house across the street..

The headless body fell backwards helplessly and crushed a building..

coo coo coo coo coo coo coo.......

The house collapsed, thick smoke billowed out, and blood was gushing like a fountain from the troll's severed neck..

And in the background, a huge black sword stood tall in the air..

yes——

“……Hey, what is that??”

Kim Dong-hoon muttered that with a blank expression..

It was a scene I had never seen before in my short career as a player..

At that time, someone walked out of the hazy smoke on the side of the collapsed wall..

It was a man wearing an AMT combat uniform. His left hand was pointing toward the large sword..

And the moment his left hand falls,

Shut up——!

The giant sword fell and became embedded in the asphalt..

Soon the hazy smoke cleared, and the scenery between the collapsed building behind the man came into view..

In a ruined residential area, there were two zombie trolls lying around like cattle in a slaughterhouse..

"crazy......."

Yes. A total of 3 zombie trolls were hunted in this area alone..

And no matter how I looked at it, the person who did it seemed to be just that guy..

In front of that scene, the members of the 3rd Strategy Platoon at the brigade headquarters were unable to say anything for some reason..

- Chic—This is the Steel Company, the battle is over, you may approach now. more—

“Platoon leader, that person… … Do you know where you belong? I don't think it's a joke……."

Kim Dong-hoon whispered like that..

With that level of skill, it was at a high level even within AMT..

In other words, it was bound to be quite famous..

However, it was the first time I had seen this face even as Go Jinhan..

“I… … Who are you there??”

Go Jinhan asked cautiously, and the man looked this way... … I saluted.

“ah?"

Kim Dong-hoon, who was standing next to Go Jin-han, saluted without realizing it, then hesitatingly lowered his arm..

"My name is Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, and I am the steel company commander..”

"ah……."

"Is this the 2nd Strategy Platoon from the Brigade Headquarters that came to support our operation??”

When I came face to face with him, I didn't dare think of anything like discipline..