Chapter 81: Crisis in Russia (3)
Jin-young stared at the massive crater gouged into the ground.
The danger level 1st-grade Black Tiger had been completely obliterated, leaving not even a fragment of its body behind.
Naturally, the brain and heart—the core materials for mana stones—were gone as well.
He felt a twinge of regret at losing two 1st-grade mana stones, but he quickly shook it off.
After all, he was planning to extract twenty 1st-grade mana stones from Russia anyway.
‘Even though I didn’t use that much energy, the explosive power is impressive.’
The devastated zone, looking as if a meteor had struck, no longer surprised him.
In the meantime, the Creepers and toxic fog had vanished completely.
The Black Tiger, annihilated by the energy explosion, had indeed been the boss monster of this area.
The thought of the lost mana stones crossed his mind again, but he brushed it aside.
What Jin-young focused on now was the lingering afterimage of his psionic energy.
Thanks to the explosion, the energy had spread quite far.
And the sensations transmitted through that energy were still reaching him clearly.
‘If I can control the explosion more precisely, I might be able to spread it even wider while using less energy.’
He decided he needed to research Cyclic energy control more thoroughly in the future.
But first, he had to find a way for Cyclic energy to recover naturally, just like psionic energy or mana.
Since it had been forcibly transplanted by draining someone else’s energy, once consumed, it didn’t regenerate on its own.
『Is the experiment over?』
Jin-young immediately sensed the hidden intent behind the tentacle’s question.
It was clearly eager for him to draw the Demonic Sword as soon as possible.
He had originally planned to pull it out after finishing his sister’s training, but he figured a short while wouldn’t hurt.
Shuuut—
The Demonic Sword emerged from subspace. By now, its characteristic demonic aura had almost completely faded, to the point where it could hardly be called a Demonic Sword anymore.
―I am the great sword of the Heavenly Thunder Sect, one of the three great sects of the world’s foremost sword faction… the supreme sword among famous blades, the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword…
The moment it appeared in the outside world, the Demonic Sword began spouting its self-introduction again. It seemed either deeply narcissistic or perhaps harbored a grudge from dying without its name being known.
―Wandering swordsman, the destruction of the world draws near. Our meeting is fate itself. It can be said that we were bound together to stand against the great evil that would plunge the world into chaos.
Jin-young listened quietly to its words before speaking.
“Heavenly Sword. Are you an AI?”
―I don’t quite understand what you mean. And my true name is not Heavenly Sword, but Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword.
Since it kept repeating the same lines, Jin-young wondered if it might actually be some kind of artificial intelligence.
Perhaps someone had implanted a personality into an AI and embedded it in the sword.
He figured more conversation would reveal the truth.
Given how it kept talking about the end of the world, it might know something about the Demon King as well.
“Do you know anything about the Demon King?”
―I, as the 17th sect leader of the Heavenly Thunder Sect, fought alongside the last supreme swordsman, Jo Jin, against the Heavenly Demon Cult. But because of that battle, the Heavenly Thunder Sect was annihilated, and the decline of the Martial Alliance began. All because of a single being called the Heavenly Demon.
When asked about the Demon King, the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword suddenly launched into its past history.
Jin-young thought it might be worth hearing more.
“Was this Heavenly Demon really that strong?”
―As I said, I lost my will and was reduced to a slave by the Heavenly Demon. I remember almost nothing from that time, but there is one thing I recall clearly.
The Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword paused for a moment before continuing.
―The Heavenly Demon wielded me, and as a result, the mortal realm was destroyed.
“One person did all that?”
―A person… I’m not even sure if that being can be called a person anymore. Regardless, after bringing an end to the mortal realm, the Heavenly Demon ascended to the immortal realm. Leaving me behind in a ruined world.
After that, the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword had been abandoned in the empty mortal realm for a countless span of time.
Since its memories from that period were nearly gone, it could have been just a few years—or perhaps thousands.
―Then one day, when I came to my senses, I met you, the wandering swordsman, and the hermit daoist.
“The hermit daoist—you mean Shin Soo-jeong?”
―So that beautiful lady’s name is Shin Soo-jeong. When I meet her again, I must express my gratitude once more. Preferably while being held in her embrace…
Ignoring the sword’s words, Jin-young sank into thought.
He hadn’t gained any information about the Demon King, but the being called the Heavenly Demon that it mentioned was hard to overlook.
A level of power capable of destroying an entire world. And the story of ascending to the immortal realm afterward.
It wasn’t clear if it had any connection to the Demon King, but it might be related to the existence known as a “deity.”
―You must stand with me to protect the world from the Heavenly Demon! In all my existence, only two humans have ever perfectly controlled me. The third sect leader of the Heavenly Thunder Sect and sword god Jo Yeon. And you, the wandering swordsman.
“You said the Heavenly Demon wielded you too.”
―The Heavenly Demon did not control me. He merely forced me into submission.
“I’m doing the same thing.”
Jin-young was also forcibly holding the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword in place with his psychokinesis.
―You are different from the Heavenly Demon. I can guarantee it.
“You only say what you want to say.”
For a moment, Jin-young suddenly doubted whether the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword’s story was even true.
『So. Why isn’t the reinforcement coming undone?』
‘I wouldn’t know. You’d have to ask Shin Soo-jeong.’
Since Jin-young had business with Shin Soo-jeong anyway, he was already planning to meet her.
Pazijik—
At that moment, he heard a sound like something snapping.
The connection to the psionic energy that had been pressing down on his sister Chae So-young had been severed.
She must have succeeded in breaking through the pressure of the energy.
He turned his head toward Chae So-young.
Thanks to the contaminated zone being purified and the toxic fog completely cleared away, it wasn’t hard to check on his sister’s condition.
Tz-tz-tz-tz—
Blue and red energies swirled around Chae So-young.
Just as Jin-young was about to break into a satisfied smile at the sight of her finally shedding her beginner aura—
“Oppa.”
“Hm?”
Her serious tone made him tense up instinctively.
Chae So-young gathered the psionic energy enveloping her body toward her head, then, in an instant, unleashed an explosive shout.
“Aaaaaaaaah!”
Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa!
A destructive sonic attack swept through the surroundings.
***
“What’s all this about?”
“It says exactly what’s written there. The Korean Awakener Association, the National Monster Research Institute (NMRI), SDDC, and the Guardian Guild are entering into a cooperative relationship—and Crystal Guild is joining them too.”
When Shin Soo-jeong asked while looking at an electronic document on her tablet, Jeong Yeon-jun answered.
“SDDC—that’s a Shin Young Group affiliate, right?”
“Correct. It’s the new name for Shin Young Dungeon Development. They changed it to align with the global market.”
“An association, a national agency, a private company, and now guilds too… Just what kind of picture is Yoon Soo-ho trying to paint here?”
Shin Soo-jeong recalled the brief time she had entered Korea not long ago.
Yoon Soo-ho had suddenly requested a meeting back then, and she had squeezed out time from her busy schedule to return.
Normally she would have made an excuse and avoided it, but she couldn’t help feeling curious.
Word had reached even her that the usually lethargic, politically scheming Yoon Soo-ho had defeated a 1st-grade villain from GODS.
So she had been intrigued.
What exactly would he say?
At the time, it had all sounded like vague talk—secret agents, the threat of GODS, collaboration between the state, corporations, and guilds.
It felt like empty clouds, and she had been somewhat disappointed.
But seeing how things were gradually becoming more concrete, it seemed it hadn’t been mere illusion after all.
As she read through the document, Shin Soo-jeong narrowed her eyes, furrowing her brow.
“What’s this? ‘Unconditionally accept any cooperation request from the Awakener Intelligence Department’?”
“That’s exactly why I couldn’t handle it on my own. I thought it would be better for the Master to decide personally.”
While Shin Soo-jeong, the Guild Master, had been away, Vice Guild Master Jeong Yeon-jun had stayed in Korea and handled most matters.
But this issue was beyond what he could decide alone.
Jeong Yeon-jun continued.
“It’s not like Yoon Soo-ho has never contacted the Intelligence Department Director, but they don’t meet frequently. I have no idea why such a clause would be included.”
“…I have a rough guess.”
Shin Soo-jeong had momentarily forgotten, but now she recalled the secret agent she had met not long ago.
Considering his connection to Yoon Soo-ho, no one else came to mind.
She did feel grateful to the agent for his help, but signing off so readily still felt uncomfortable.
There were many ways to repay a favor.
“You don’t have to sign it. It’s true that Korea’s overall situation has improved since Yoon Soo-ho got serious and started taking action. But there’s no reason to accept unfair conditions just because.”
Jeong Yeon-jun had already been forcibly saddled with the role of team leader for the rapid response team organized by the association.
Thanks to that, villain crime rates had dropped significantly.
Still, there was no need for Shin Soo-jeong—who was already busy with federation duties—to take on even more burden.
“I’ll need to think about this one carefully.”
Just as Shin Soo-jeong set the tablet down—
Knock knock.
“Who is it? Come in.”
At her words, a man in a black suit opened the door and entered.
Jeong Yeon-jun furrowed his brow and asked her quietly.
“Did you schedule a meeting with a civil servant hunter?”
When it was just the two of them, they spoke casually, but in front of others, he used polite speech.
“Not exactly… It’s an important guest. The benefactor I mentioned—the one I met in Egypt.”
“I see.”
Jeong Yeon-jun withdrew his hostility, but the wariness in his eyes remained.
The memory of the 9th-grade civil servant hunter he had met a few months ago suddenly came to mind, making the situation feel even more awkward.
“What brings you all the way here…?”
“I have a few things I’d like to ask. For starters, I’d appreciate it if your friend could step out.”
At the secret agent’s words, Jeong Yeon-jun glanced at Shin Soo-jeong.
When she gave a small nod indicating it was fine, Jeong Yeon-jun reluctantly left the office.
Once they were alone, the agent immediately summoned a single sword.
It was the Demonic Sword she had seen before.
―Greetings, my lady. I trust you’ve been well?
The moment the Demonic Sword saw Shin Soo-jeong, it spoke in an unusually gentle and soft tone—completely different from its usual manner.
“As you can see, the reinforcement doesn’t seem to be coming undone. Take a look.”
“Understood.”
Shin Soo-jeong approached the Demonic Sword without hesitation.
―If a beauty such as yourself were to join us, we could create an even more splendid world together.
Ignoring the sword’s persistent flattery and interruptions, Shin Soo-jeong carefully inspected it from various angles.
Then she tilted her head and said,
“The reinforcement has already been released.”
“Already released?”
“Yes. Most likely, during the reinforcement process, it absorbed my mana and awakened its ego… and now that ego is simply persisting independently, unrelated to the reinforcement anymore. I’m no expert, so I can’t say for sure.”
“Hm.”
At Shin Soo-jeong’s explanation, the secret agent stroked his chin and looked at the Demonic Sword.
―What do you say? Won’t you come with me to save this world in crisis? For your sake, I would…
Shuuut—
Before it could finish its sentence, the Demonic Sword was sucked back into subspace and vanished.
The secret agent turned to Shin Soo-jeong and got straight to the point.
“I’m heading to Russia’s Volgograd Contaminated Zone tomorrow.”
“The Volgograd Contaminated Zone… that’s where the Red Knight is, right?”
“Correct. And you’re coming with me.”
“Me?”
“You still haven’t signed? Here.”
A tablet floated smoothly toward Shin Soo-jeong.
***
At a surveillance outpost on the outskirts of Volgograd, Russia.
One of the numerous outposts encircling the Volgograd Contaminated Zone.
When a hunter in Russian military uniform appeared, the soldiers on guard duty snapped to attention and saluted.
“On duty. All clear.”
The hunter returned their salute, passed by them, and climbed up to the low observation tower.
He raised a pair of binoculars and scanned the direction of the contaminated zone.
‘Definitely more monster activity than usual. Is a wave about to happen here, just like in the North Korean contaminated zone?’
His true identity was none other than the Awakener Intelligence Department’s secret agent—Imposter.
After wrapping up his espionage activities in China, he had come to Russia and infiltrated the contaminated zone.
By possessing a Russian federal army hunter, he had slipped in without raising the slightest suspicion.
“Anything unusual today?”
When Imposter asked, the officer standing beside him replied.
“Other outposts reported eliminating a few Creepers that had strayed from the zone. Also, several high-risk monsters from deep inside appeared near the boundary of the contaminated zone.”
“Hm.”
Imposter’s expression hardened at the unexpectedly serious situation.
If an anomaly suddenly occurred in a contaminated zone, there was usually only one cause.
GODS.
It seemed he should leave the observation post and contact the Intelligence Department Director immediately.
Just as he was about to step down from the tower—
Shwaaaaaak—
“……?”
A sudden deafening roar made Imposter whip his head toward the contaminated zone.
Shuuuuuu— Kwaaaang!
A massive missile launched from deep within the zone streaked through the air and instantly obliterated a nearby outpost in a violent explosion.
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