Radioactive Leak (5)
According to Kim Minho's report, there's a monster called "Ratman" in the basement of the apartment complex where the Kellican swarm had made their
nest.
True to its name, it essentially has the appearance of a mouse, so there was a possibility that Seo Yejin's ability could work on it.
[Its average level is estimated to be around 16.]
Considering that the rats tamed by Seo Yejin and evolved into giant rodents were only in the early level 10s, this was a much higher starting point.
If they could tame these creatures and use them as part of their fighting force, their overall power level would increase by at least 2 to 3 levels. And if zombification was added on top, that power could go up by another two levels.
"Not bad!"
If they could enhance them with Seo Yejin's buff skills up to around level 20, they might be able to hold out until they reached the Wolsong base.
[Also, there appears to be a boss-level monster among them.]
[A boss?]
[Yes. I don't know the exact level since we didn't fight it, but based on its size and the aura it gave off, it's definitely not a low-level one.]
[Can you give me more details?]
[Sure.]
According to Kim Minho, who had directly encountered it, the giant mutant rat was around 5 meters tall and had a terrifying, muscular physique.
"Even Minho felt that threatened?"
Since preparing for the Vampire War, all of his lieutenants had been set at a minimum level of 45.
Plus, their star powers had all been upgraded to 3 stars. For someone like
Kim Minho's party to feel threatened, that meant the monster must be close to that level.
"Could it be over level 40?"
Given that its minions were only in their mid-10s, it probably wasn't quite that high, but even surpassing level 30 would be a huge deal.
"If Yejin can actually tame it, we might be able to solve this situation much easier than expected."
As long as they could withstand the radiation, using Hadonggeon's spear to take out the radioactive monsters would become a real option.
"Gotta hurry!"
The Kellican's nest was located at the edge of the current territory.
Which meant if they leveled up even once, they would be consumed by the territory and instantly turned into experience points.
"We have to tame them before they level up!"
Thanks to the radiation leak, the civilians had already been gathered into the safe zone, so there was no immediate need to worry about accidental level-ups.
"The goblin dungeon doesn't give much experience anyway, so it should be fine."
In reality, only the retainers had the ability to hunt high-level monsters that would affect level progression. As long as they were properly controlled, the timing of any level-ups could be delayed at will.
Having collected my thoughts, I called out to Seo Yejin, who was searching with her eyes closed for the next rodent to connect with.
"Yejin."
"Yeah?"
"There's something I need you to do."
"What is it?"
After hearing about the Ratmen, Seo Yejin nodded with a nervous look.
"I'll give it a try."
Her nervousness wasn't surprising.
After all, this would be her first time stepping outside the safe zone since joining the team.
Despite her vast experience from linking senses with the mice, she had very little direct contact with monsters.
|
gave a small chuckle and said,
"Don't worry."
"But..."
There really was no reason for her to worry.
"My dad's going to help."
"...Your father?"
The strongest force in their group would be personally escorting her.
But then-
"Damn it."
A small problem arose.
Kim Geon, who had arrived at the Hanul Nuclear Headquarters to assess the situation, called out to Kim Jaehyun with a hardened expression.
"...Jaehyun, are you there?"
[...Yes. I saw it too.]
The Hanul Nuclear Headquarters had long since become a monster habitat.
Surrounded by the Taebaek Mountains, it was nearly impossible to receive support, and the entire area had become infested with monsters.
Even so, there appeared to be survivors.
That is, if one could call being penned in a corner of a monster-infested village like livestock "surviving."
""
Kim Geon was seething with anger at the sight.
Ironically, the monster that had taken over the area was a familiar presence to him.
Squelch.
The monster occupying the area was none other than a Black Orc.
They were the same species as the ones that had previously taken over the apartment complex where Ha Dong-gun, Kang Deok-soo, and Kim Geon's families had lived.
Though the network was eventually restored and he was able to find his parents, the despair he had felt back then-and his hostility toward the Black Orcs had never left his heart.
What made it even worse was seeing how these creatures were treating humans like livestock.
Still, he was able to keep his composure and locate Kim Jae-hyun first, for the sake of Ha Dong-gun and Kang Deok-soo, whose hatred for the orcs surely ran even deeper than his own.
"...What should we do?"
[... Wipe them out.]
The moment Kim Jae-hyun gave the order, Kim Geon plunged straight down toward the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant.
At that very moment, one of the Black Orcs had entered a human pen and was about to beat a man with a club.
Without slowing down, Kim Geon stomped directly on the orc's head as he landed.
BOOM!
The Black Orc, who had been about to swing its club, collapsed with its head buried in the ground.
[You have hunted a Black Orc (Lv. 31).]
[You have gained experience points.]
[#233,872,992 has been deposited into citizen Kim Geon's wallet.]
Over 200 million won was rewarded for slaying just one, but more than the money, it was the sheer satisfaction of killing a Black Orc that mattered most to him.
"H-Haa... Hahhh..."
The man who had been trembling in fear, cowering to avoid being hit by the club, began shaking even harder at the sight of Kim Geon.
It made sense-Kim Geon didn't look quite human himself.
To the man,
it was as if another monster had appeared-one that could kill a Black Orc in a single blow.
But then-
'...Did you use to work at the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant?"
The moment this "monster" spoke in human language, the man froze completely.
"Who's managing the facility? How is it not blowing up?"
"U-Uh? W-We've temporarily shut it down. It's only a stopgap measure, but..."
"I see."
And then-
Whirrr-
Boxes filled with water bottles, chocolate bars, and other light food supplies began materializing beside the man.
"Gasp!"
Even witnessing this, the people didn't dare move.
They were starving, but the fear of the black-clad man in front of them left them frozen in place.
"...Please eat."
Even though they'd watched their comrades get devoured one by one by the Black Orcs, and had lived with fear etched into their bones, they couldn't bring themselves to move.
All except for the man who had just spoken with Kim Geon.
Though he trembled, he still moved.
He only needed to reach out-food was right in front of him.
More than anything, his throat was parched.
With his frail hands, he grabbed a 500ml bottle of water and began chugging it down.
"Guh, haa..."
Most of it spilled from his weak grip, but it didn't matter.
There was more water right in front of him.
But then he couldn't reach for it.
"Uwaaaaah..."
Bursting into tears, the man turned around and cried out:
"It's okay! Everyone, come over here...! Hic!"
People in rags cautiously took steps forward.
Soon, all those who had been caged like livestock scrambled for the supplies, stuffing their mouths while sobbing in anguish.
But their relief didn't last long.
"KRRREEEK-!"
With a sudden explosion, dozens of Black Orcs swarmed toward the livestock
pens.
"Eek!"
Upon seeing them, the people trembled in horror.
Some people fainted on the spot at the sudden appearance of dozens of Black Orcs.
Kim Geon, scanning the scene with a hardened expression, glared at the Black Orcs with an even stiffer face.
And at that moment-
Ziiing-
The North Gate opened, and Ha Dong-geon along with his party members walked out.
***
The Black Orcs, who looked ready to charge at the humans at any moment, were overwhelmed by the ominous aura of Ha Dong-geon's party and couldn't even move properly.
Ha Dong-geon, who had been silently staring at them, opened his mouth.
"Kill them all."
And with his words-
"Rise!"
Puh-buh-buh-boom!
Steel Knights led by Kang Deok-soo appeared from all directions, piercing the hearts of dozens of Black Orcs.
***
A peculiar trait of Orcs is the incredibly wide range of their levels.
Among all the Orcs encountered so far, the strongest were, without a doubt, the Black Orcs.
What made them even more unusual was that they weren't just ordinary Orcs they had distinct classes like Black Orc Warrior and Black Orc Archer. Their average level hovered in the mid to high 30s.
Thanks to that—
[You have hunted a Black Orc Warrior (Lv. 35).]
[You gained experience points.]
[#1,371,009,777 has been deposited into the wallet of 'The Household Absolute'.]
Each kill brought in not just hefty experience but also a payout of over a billion
won.
'At this rate...'
He felt like he might level up.
However, that didn't mean he could ignore the presence of Black Orcs treating humans like livestock right before his eyes.
He couldn't pretend not to see people dying right in front of him.
'Well, it's not like there's no way around it!'
Ideally, he wouldn't level up, allowing Seo Ye-jin to tame the Ratmen. But even if he was unlucky and leveled up, he still had a plan.
'...It should work, right?'
He wasn't fully convinced yet, but he believed he could pull it off.
[You have hunted a Black Orc Archer (Lv. 36).]
[You gained experience points.]
[#1,709,654,711 has been deposited into the wallet of 'The Household Absolute'.]
Ha Dong-geon's party had grown far stronger than ever before, thanks to everything they had gone through.
Among them, the rampaging Kang Deok-soo and Ha Dong-geon stood out with the most impressive feats.
It didn't take long before the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, once swarming with Black Orcs, was completely emptied.
[You have hunted a Black Orc Warrior (Lv. 37).]
[You have hunted a Black Orc (Lv. 32).]
[You have hunted a Black Orc Archer (Lv. 35).]
'If this keeps up, I might make it through without leveling up.'
But then-
"Ah!"
Why do ominous premonitions never turn out to be wrong?
He shook his head as he saw a boss-one a full head taller than the rest-blocking Ha Dong-geon's path.
And then-
[You have hunted the Black Orc Boss (Lv. 41).]
[You gained a large amount of experience points.]
[#2,799,355,120 has been deposited into the wallet of 'The Household Absolute'.]
[Citizen Ha Dong-geon has defeated the boss of 'Hanul Nuclear Power Plant'.]
[Construction of an outpost at 'Hanul Nuclear Power Plant' is now possible.]
And finally-
[Your skill level has increased.]
His skill level had risen.
'I can do this. I can do this!'
With the expansion of his domain came the expected pain-
"Hup!"
[Clear Mind (BK) activates.]
His mind sharpened once again.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]