◈ Episode 076

The tunnel was more complicated than expected. It was structured so that if you pass a fork in the road, there is another fork in the road. From the intruder's perspective, there was no maze, but there didn't seem to be any traps.

'It was originally a place where people lived.'

It was necessary to bring in supplies from outside. Whether it was a mine cart or something else, there had to be traces of its passage. There would have been no time to hide it so that it would not be noticed.

The problem is that the traces are haphazardly placed here and there. Rather than being fake, they all look like passages used on a regular basis. One or two lights that brighten up the darkness are also visible.

"It looks like there isn't just one path leading to the center."

"I see. The soldiers are coming from different directions."

Rocco agreed with Westcreek's opinion. He crouched down near the soldier's body, wiping the blood and fat off the blade.

"It will be difficult to completely eradicate it this way."

That means there are many escape routes. This was a headache in the game. The enemy's specs were low, but there were many passages to block, so you had to be careful about your placement.

But this time the purpose was different.

"It's a shame, but there's nothing I can do about it. As I said at the beginning, I didn't come here with the intention of killing everyone."

"Well, it looks like there's something there. I'm still not sure what kind of facility it is, though."

widely!

Rocco grabbed the dog tag hanging from the soldier's neck and ripped it off. Kim I-hyeon said with a half-sick look on his face as he took the loot.

"Are you going to collect it?"

"Hey, don't have any such annoying hobbies. You never know where they might come in handy."

"I understand, but take them in moderation. What are you going to do with 10 or 20 of them?"

"We haven't had a proper fight with these guys yet. If possible, bring me something small, sir."

"What if I say that…!"

Daisy of Redwood looked at Kim Hyun-ah. In stark contrast to her hesitant attitude, Rocco shrugged his shoulders and asked, "What's the problem?"

"Why? I'm not saying I'm going to hit you in the back of the head. Right?"

"I don't care as long as you do your job well."

"Look, it's so refreshing."

He was giggling like a mischievous child. Daisy was also timid by nature, but she didn't show any signs of shrinking. Considering that she was in the middle of the enemy territory, she seemed quite relaxed.

'Rather, are we the ones who are nervous?'

Chelsea and Asterique's movements were stiffer than usual. It was not strange. Asterique's combat experience was mostly from league matches. They could not have been used to such tactics.

'Chelsea used to be a bounty hunter, so it wouldn't be too awkward...'

It seems like he hasn't gotten over his last failure yet. It bothers me, but I don't have any advice to give him. It's not like it's going to interfere with the operation.

Ultimately, it's a problem that only time will solve.

'If you keep rolling, you'll gain confidence.'

This mine is just one of many points. You need to take control of as many points as possible before you get word of the raid and run away.

'Carmen will be watching over Ainoa well.'

Now is the time to strike. There are few opportunities to deal such a one-sided blow to the Legion.

As we went inside, the fighting became more intense and the lights became more visible. The sound of an unspecified number of people moving busily could be heard.

Within, I discovered a steel structure. The ceiling was covered with iron pipes and bundles of wires. Guide rails and stainless steel chains were hanging in a hollow passageway below.

"Is it an elevator?"

Kim Yi-hyeon peeked his head out to check the bottom. The floor wasn't that far away. When he listened, he heard various sounds coming up the wall.

It was easy to imagine the scene of soldiers and non-combatants moving equipment in a chaotic manner, with shouts of urgency and wheels rolling on the stone floor.

"The direction is correct. What are you going to do?"

"This looks hopeless."

Rocco tapped the switch with the back of his hand. Before he could press the button, it was already smashed. There was no way to move the elevator that was stuck below.

Then, one by one, the lights began to go out from behind. It seemed that they had given up on fighting on their own and decided to buy time. If it was effective, it was a valid response.

"Let's find the way down first, brother."

It was when Rocco clicked his tongue as if he was annoyed.

"Why are you looking for me? It's annoying."

"Huh? Well..."

"There's a road here too."

A [Tactical Hook] appeared in Kim Yi-Hyeon's hand. There were many places where he could hang the hook. He held the equipment and checked the durability of the steel frame. Looking at him, Rocco let out a sigh of relief.

"It's just so versatile. What can't it make?"

"Everything except what is possible."

I finished preparing by answering appropriately. Normally, I would have sent them down one by one while retrieving the rope. But that would take too much time.

There is now a more efficient way.

"West Creek. Take Navy and go down first. Can you do it?"

"Yes, that will be no problem."

"You take this."

Kim Hyun-hyun made a smoke grenade and handed it over to Navy. After briefly explaining to West Creek how to use the [Tactical Hook], he gave detailed instructions.

"There's a good chance we'll have a fight as soon as we land. Navy, you cast your spell while Westcreek distracts. When you're ready, signal with smoke."

"Confirmed."

Navy answered calmly, but was secretly impressed.

'You remembered it well in this short moment.'

Dustbone, who suddenly became a collaborator in the rap a few months ago. At first, there were many voices of doubt, but all three quickly proved their skills. Their performances were famous even in the rap world.

'I heard it was excellent…'

The two of them didn't have a proper place to show off their skills, but Kim Lee-hyun was definitely as rumored. Should I say that he has a different perspective than others when it comes to certain situations?

There are many spellcasters in the Cellbrox Lab. It is an environment where you can employ various strategies depending on how you organize your team.

But it's not as easy as it sounds. Especially since it's usually impossible to actively use the spells of an agent you're working with for the first time.

'Is there always a reason for being favored?'

There were many agents who tried to gauge Kim Yi-Hyeon's true worth on this occasion. Navy was one of them. And judging by the results so far, there were hardly any shortcomings.

"Get started."

As soon as the order was given, the two immediately descended.

As the handle was pulled, a long wire attached to the hook was pulled out. West Creek did not lose stability even in a position where he was carrying Navy.

Two agents from Redwood watched the sequence of events.

"Oh, what kind of operation is this?"

"It's simple. When the signal comes, jump down."

"...Jump? With your bare body?"

"You won't die. If you fall head first, your neck might break."

It was difficult for Kim Yi-hyun to explain any further. It was a matter of trust. Since he was not affiliated with the lab, he could not help but be reluctant to reveal the agent's spell information without permission.

― ...! …, ...!

The noise coming from the passage grew louder. It seemed as if a battle had begun. There was no need to act hastily, since West Creek could probably handle it on his own.

After a while, smoke began to rise from below.

"I'll go first. Asterique, bring Chelsea."

"히끅!"

Kim Hyun-ah snickered at Chelsea's hiccup. Even so, it's improved compared to when she first got on the helicopter. Her growth is remarkable.

'When I have time, should I let you practice separately?'

I threw myself into the water, thinking to myself.

Diving without any equipment. My muscles tensed up in anticipation of a collision. I pretended like nothing happened, but I couldn't help but feel scared.

It was a needless worry.

The artificially generated air current caught my falling body. The acceleration quickly died down, along with the sensation of digging into a soft mat.

[Airbag]. A spell that creates an air layer in a designated location. In the game, Navy is a support class, and is mainly used to reduce damage from long-range attacks.

'The performance is solid. It would be good to use it here and there.'

Kim Yi-hyeon landed safely inside the elevator without a lid. The elevator's lattice door was already half-broken. It was clear that West Creek had torn it off and left.

I walked through the smoke, pulling up the neck of my jacket and covering my mouth and nose. Beyond the smokescreen, a wide open space came into view.

This was a hidden laboratory. It was filled with research facilities that did not match the level of civilization of Bastitera. The smell of formalin hung in the air.

The number of people that can be seen at a glance is roughly 50. Some of them are wearing hazmat suits. They are believed to be resident researchers. There are probably about 30 armed soldiers.

"It's the enemy, surround us!"

"Ahhhhhhhhh!"

Even that was cut down by West Creek in one stroke. All eyes were on him. He had ordered the disturbance, but if left alone, he seemed ready to take care of it on his own.

It was a 6-star mess.

"Is this a three-star product that I can't live without?"

If it were just a bunch of miscellaneous items, it would be this simple. But if you forget, the named items will pop up and reverse the situation, so it's quite a headache.

I swallowed back the sigh that was about to burst out. It was pointless to just grumble while my colleagues were fighting. I couldn't just pass on all the work that would be easier if we shared it.

We advanced on the outskirts, avoiding eye contact as much as possible. A cart and a crane filled with minerals. A large test tube filled with an unknown green liquid. Cover was everywhere.

"What, when...!"

Bam!

Kim Lee-hyun, who jumped out from behind the test tube, swung his sword. The blade, sharpened by the dwarf technician, pierced the enemy soldier's chest without much resistance.

The researcher hurriedly picked up the gun that the soldier had dropped as he fell. He sat down and raised the gun towards the intruder. His arms were shaking like crazy and his aim was unstable.

The researcher's neck was cut off before he could even fire the gun he had worked so hard to find.

"Ugh, ugh, gurgling…."

The researcher dropped the gun and covered his throat with both hands. Blood gushed out. His panicked eyes stared at the intruder's back as he walked away, as if he had nothing more to do.

While West Creek was running wild across the battlefield, Kim I-Hyeon quietly reduced the number. And at the point where he had dealt with the sixth person.

I encountered a Pecatum.

"What a coward!"

I filtered the nonsense in my head. Pecatum's attire was different from that of a researcher or a soldier. It was the clothing of the poor commonly seen in Bastitera.

'A bodyguard?'

Kim Yi-hyeon looked at his opponent's gaze. He was staring at the tip of the sword. It was obvious that he was trying to counter. However, it was literally just visible.

Even if you win a fight with Pecatum, it's meaningless. Their physical athletic ability is different. They're a crazy race that can even compete with a 3-star melee agent if you're a neighborhood punk who knows how to use his fists.

This means that only the basic specifications are like that.

Kim Yi-Hyeon lowered the tip of his sword to attract attention, then slowly removed his left hand from the hilt. Immediately afterwards, the [Webbly Mark] appeared on his empty hand.

Crunch.

"this…!"

As soon as the hammer was lifted, Pecatum dodged the gun and flew away. Kim I-Hyun immediately dug in and swung his sword down. The sword was stuck in his exposed back.

"Ugh, aaaahhhhh!"

bang!

Pecatum, who had his temple pierced by a bullet, fell to the side helplessly. A sergeant was a sergeant. Kim I-hyeon pulled out his sword with force and began to advance again.

Rocco, who arrived late and was about to join, swallowed dry saliva.

'Why are you fighting like that?'

I ran a simulation in my brain. Assuming that we didn't know each other's spells or skills. If it were me, would I be able to deal with that attack?

'I don't know... ... .'

At least one arm will fly away.

Although I was familiar with West Creek's skills, Kim I-Hyeon was unexpected. I had heard that he was excellent as a commander, so I thought he would be unstable in battle.

"It's scary, it's scary."

The cold face of the research institute director came to mind. What on earth are they planning to do with all this power? As an outsider, I was worried about the actions of CellbroLogics Lab.