◈ Episode 050

There is a time when Atlanta is highlighted. In the event story added around the middle of the game, it is destroyed due to the appearance of disasters and dangerous beasts.

But until then, it was a peaceful country.

It was not caught up in the fire of war brought by the Legion. No power intervened in the destruction of Atlanta.

But then suddenly, the Legion swallowed Atlanta. I was really confused.

"Cilicia, yes. It was the perfect base. It was wealthy and geographically accessible. There were various races and goods from all over the place."

It is not a target that was roughly chosen by rolling the dice. It is a location that is perfect for exerting influence on the continent. It is a point that will become a bridgehead for future activities.

So, Kim Yi-hyeon also tried hard to protect it. He knew that it was an important point that he could not give up.

"On the other hand, I don't understand Atlanta. Isn't it stuck in the southeastern corner? The shipping industry isn't doing well at all because of the monsters."

It's too far from the center of the continent. It's not very conducive to using it as a base. I can't read the intention at all.

"I think the same, but I don't know."

Kushan let out a sigh of anguish.

"This may also be a diversionary operation. The real target is the Salare Republic, and there is a high probability that it is communist."

"Or perhaps they were moving to reap something. Perhaps the failure in Cilicia had a greater impact on the Legion, perhaps even more so than we expected."

Ghost's guess also had some merit.

The deaths of Shadow and Snowfield. The invasion that had been painstakingly planned had also failed. Perhaps they needed some results to silence the noise within the organization.

"It's not something we need to worry about right now. Now is the time to discuss how to deal with it."

Kushan dismissed it like that. It was the right thing to say, so Kim Yi-hyeon nodded obediently.

"At this point, there are only four teams that can be operated, or at most five. It's burdensome to split up the work and dispatch them."

"Wouldn't it be better to rule out one side?"

If you follow Pathfinder's advice, you will naturally exclude Atlanta. It goes without saying which is more important.

'Considering the operational risk, it is reasonable.'

But Kim Lee-hyun knew very well that the CellbroLogics Lab was not a group that followed rationality.

"That can't be."

At the center of it all is Leila.

"The Legion is a cruel group that does not treat the incompetent as human beings. Even at this very moment, civilians in Atlanta are suffering. I… cannot turn a blind eye to them."

… … This is not a good flow. I could already imagine what Leila was going to say.

"I'm going to Atlanta."

I knew this would happen.

Kim Yi-hyeon let out a deep sigh inwardly. In a good way or a bad way, Leila was Leila.

'This idiot-like quality is also a strength.'

There are many agents who have been inspired by Leila's ideas and joined the lab, even if her goodness often holds her back.

This nonsense is the true identity of rap.

'But you still can't do it.'

The Atlanta occupation is an event that would not have happened originally. In the game, Cellbrox Lab naturally focuses on the Republic of Salares.

In other words, this is not the time to look away from other situations. The professors and their group must focus on getting through the main episode.

therefore.

The person who could solve this problem was decided from the beginning. The foreign substance in Polaris and the one who caused the distortion in the scenario.

"Give me an elite agent."

"...Mr. Hyun?"

Leila looked at him with a questioning look. Kim Ihyeon exchanged glances and then spoke to Kushan.

"Atlanta is ours."

You have to clean up your own shit.

We'll have to wait and see if it's shit or not.

* * *

A helipad near the research center. A medium-sized transport helicopter was in the center. The thick blades attached to the rotor were impressive.

'I've ridden a helicopter in my life.'

It's already been half a year since I started living in Polaris. I've been through all sorts of things during that time, and now I'm having a new experience. No matter how I look at it, it's a strange fate.

'I don't hate it, though.'

Rather, I even feel anticipation. I wonder if my courage has grown. If it were before, I would have been scared, but now I feel like I am about to see an attraction.

But people can't all think the same. Kim Yi-hyeon looked at the two people trying to get on the helicopter.

"I don't like it! Aaaah!"

"Think of it as life experience and endure it!"

Asterique is holding Chelsea's hand and dragging her with her right foot in the doorway. Chelsea struggled and resisted, but there was no way she could hold out.

"You pig! Don't just use your strength…!"

I ended up getting dragged inside.

Now it was the next person's turn to board. Kim Yi-hyeon patted the back of the reserve agent standing next to him like a stone statue.

"What are you doing? You're not going in."

"Why was I drafted?"

"Didn't I tell you in advance?"

There are five members in total. Three are from Dustborne and two are from Lab. Of course, when the team was formed, information was also conveyed to me.

"I saw you driving well before."

Turkam looked at Kim Yi-hyeon with a shit-eating expression. Kim Yi-hyeon shrugged his shoulders as if to ask what the problem was, and gestured to the helicopter with his chin.

It meant to tell you to keep your mouth shut and go.

"Damn. How did I…."

Turkam sighed and walked away. He couldn't help but think of it as retribution. Revenge for gossiping about Kim I-hyeon.

The last member of the team, West Creek, had already taken the passenger seat. He was seen through the window, talking to the pilot.

'This lineup would be the best.'

I was debating which of the elite agents to bring, but I ended up choosing Westcreek. There are two reasons. One is that they are specialized in combat.

and,

"Take care on your way, Hyun."

The professor spoke from nearby. In addition to the members of this operation team, the professor and his party were there to see them off at the airport.

"You too."

The main episode is something they have to digest themselves. Even if West Creek is missing, it won't be a problem.

'Because there's a ghost.'

I believe that Ghost and Leila will be of more help than Westcreek, who is a pure combatant.

'I think this situation might be better for me.'

Kim Yi-Hyeon was already hesitant about taking on the main episode himself, as he was afraid it might hinder the professor's growth.

'It's not just the professor.'

Other agents, including Leila, must also go through the scenario to develop their talents.

Just as we saved Ghost, we plan to prevent future tragedies. However, we need to distinguish between areas where we should intervene and areas where we should leave things alone.

'This episode is okay.'

This is a part that doesn't really matter if you leave it alone. For a while, Rap clashes with the Legion, and his reputation grows by saving several countries.

Of course, there are tragedies here and there. Civilians are killed, or the security forces of the sending country are weakened by Legion air raids.

'It's mostly Leila who's having a hard time...'

Every time you fight, you awaken and solve everything. That kind of hopeful development is not prepared for Polaris. The agents grow through pain.

It was necessary. That was all Kim I-Hyeon could say to them.

"Please take care of it. Don't make any mistakes."

"I'll try as hard as I can."

"Do well, do well. Don't work too hard."

When I said that with 90% sincerity and 10% joking, the professor chuckled. The corners of his eyes furrowed gently.

It's still unfamiliar, Kim Yi-hyeon thought.

"Mr. Hyun, please come back safely."

We boarded the helicopter after receiving a few words of farewell. The team members I saw inside looked like a complete mess.

"Look at this! I don't know what button this is... but it's really cool. Can I press it?"

Asterike came out to play.

"I wasn't gossiping back then. Damn it…."

Turkam muttered to himself darkly.

"Hook, hoot! Hooowook!"

Even Chelsea is showing signs of hyperventilation.

"...Can't you all just stay quiet?"

My interest in the helicopter had disappeared and my bones were starting to ache. I had clearly explained the operation outline, but did he even understand it?

"Chelsea. What's been wrong with you since earlier?"

"I, I'm going to say something. Are you guys crazy?"

"what."

"A person, phew! How can you fly in the sky…! In the old dramas, they first crashed the plane in the introduction. And then you get trapped on a deserted island. Natives with cannibalistic habits show up, and we have a battle royale among ourselves…!"

What a great imagination. Kim Yi-hyeon whistled in admiration.

"Wow. This drama is a breeze."

"If you understand! Get down!"

Chelsea screamed, "Pfft!" It seemed like she had a fear of heights. It was a secret that wasn't revealed in the game.

It wasn't a part-time job.

Kim Yi-hyeon looked back. For the last time, his eyes met the professor's. After a brief, silent exchange, the rear hatch closed.

Doo doo doo doo!

Soon the transport helicopter began to emit a loud rotor noise all around. Amid the deafening noise, Leila glanced at the professor.

The professor still didn't take her eyes off the hatch. Her face was extremely serious. It was as if she had made up her mind to do something.

'I think something has changed.'

The professor's condition has changed recently. He asked the director to read through the personnel files of the agents and looked through all the operational videos he could find.

It wasn't a bad change.

The professor seemed to have a clear purpose. Unlike when he had just apologized to the agents and asked them to do the work for him.

'Just like the professor from before…'

Little by little, the appearance before losing his memory was returning. It was obvious without asking who had influenced him.

"I only receive help from Mr. Hyun."

"Huh? Leila, what did you say?"

The sound of the rotor was so loud that it was almost inaudible. Leila smiled brightly as she listened to the professor.

"I told you I would take good care of you, this time too."

Just as Kim Yi-hyun had his own role, they also had to carry out their responsibilities.

* * *

"It wasn't as bad as I thought."

"You're amazing too. Are you tired of it?"

"Well, you've been riding it for two days."

Asterike, who got off the helicopter, stretched out. He took a few deep breaths. The air outside was incredibly refreshing.

"It smells like the sea."

"It's probably a mistake."

The landing point was the primary destination.

This is the safe house of the CellbroLogics Lab in the ruined city. You will transfer to a vehicle and travel to Atlanta.

'It's a hassle, but there's nothing we can do.'

Unlike the time of Cilicia, this side is in an invading position. It is not possible for a helicopter to confidently enter.

If there was a suitable operation, it would have already been planned.

"I said it once, but I'll say it again."

After finishing maintenance at the safe house, I gathered the team members again and started briefing them on the details of the operation.

"We'll go undercover disguised as merchants. Keep the 'setting' in mind."

Fake identity. Products to be distributed in Atlanta. I discussed everything with Kushan and prepared everything. Thanks to what I've done so far, I'm starting to gain confidence in acting.

"And… I didn't tell you this in advance. There's one problem with leaving like this."

"What?"

Asterike asked. Kim Ihyeon nodded to her as she tilted her head.

"It's you, Asterike."

"...uh?"

My face suddenly became blank. West Creek took over the conversation on my behalf.

"Hyeon. What does it mean?"

"Think about it. Asterike was likely known to the Legion. She stood out so much during the defense of Cilicia. She was also a famous athlete."

It's not suitable for infiltration. The reason I brought it with me was because I didn't want to give the professor an asterisk.

'There are too many variables.'

Without Kim Yi-Hyeon, Asterike would not be able to fully control her spells. If [Fire of Regeneration] were to be activated, things would get messed up.

It's like a bomb. A bomb that could blow up even the professor and Leila.

That's why I dropped it from the rap for now.

'Because Kushan might just put me on the professor's team.'

Even if the problem you were worried about doesn't occur, it won't help their growth at all if Asterike runs wild on his own.

Up to this point, everything is as planned.

"I'm not telling you to rest. Chelsea and Asterique, you two need to take care of other things."

Kim Yi-hyeon looked around at the faces and said.

"Infiltration is carried out by three people."