◈ Episode 090

Car camping!

Metunap, torn apart by the wind, melted away. Losing its form, it returned to the swamp. No matter how many times it was struck and cut, the enemies that had been fine died one by one.

"Haa, haa…! I did it…!"

"Good job. Thank you for your hard work."

"No, thank you for your protection!"

Four-star agent Keita shouted with the aforementioned face.

A character with a very simple spell that causes a cold wind. Like Turkam, he is not very well-received. His extremely low attack power is his flaw.

This is a particularly noticeable tendency in reality. Rather than using a spell with poor fuel efficiency, it's better to just use a sword or a gun.

But there are times when it is necessary.

"There's no guarantee that this will end. Stay alert."

"Yes. Don't worry. I'll keep my eyes open and watch."

He was a pretty good-looking young man. Kim Yi-hyeon patted him on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement. The guy who had been a reserve agent until recently was very disciplined.

'Somehow, the characters that were once considered trash are now playing small roles.'

In a way, it might have been an inevitable result. Five-star and six-star agents with distinct personalities. There were also many who didn't fit together like oil and water.

An organization cannot be sustained by only people with strong egos. The reason rap has been able to survive until now is because of the support of many people behind the scenes.

'Is everything sorted out for now?'

The commotion at the command center had almost died down. There weren't many Metunaps who had shown up here in the first place. They were just confused and didn't know how to deal with it.

It seemed like it was time to leave it to them.

'The problem is over there.'

The battlefield was currently divided into three.

The command post in the rear. The front line where the Bastitera and Legion soldiers fight in a mixed manner. While the agents of Lab were trying to attack the enemy leaders from the side, they were tied up by Metunaf who appeared in large numbers.

The balance could collapse at any moment. We need to join in quickly.

"I'm also joining the operations team."

"Are you okay? You don't look well…."

The professor looked up and down at Kim Yi-Hyeon. His face was pale and tired, blood was stuck to his hair. Although he didn't see any wounds, his clothes were covered in marks that looked like they had been scratched by an animal.

Everyone could tell that they had been in a fierce battle. It was time for a rest. It wasn't impossible, but it seemed impossible to fight continuously.

"What needs to be done must be done."

Kim Yi-hyeon dismissed it in one word. He did say, "If I can do it, you can do it too," but that was only a story about conducting.

His role as an agent is separate.

There are things that are possible because you have the knowledge of the game and the spells to create special weapons. Isn't that how this battle itself came to be?

At the end, you can't just throw it away.

As he had said, Kim Hyun-hyun headed straight to the battlefield. The professor followed the vehicle leaving the barracks with his eyes, then looked down at his hands.

The trembling had stopped before I knew it.

'How could that be possible?'

In times of crisis, in moments of turmoil, he always appears to keep us centered. Without displaying any great and inimitable abilities, he just uses a few words and simple actions.

Although his attitude is cold and his methods are somewhat violent, Kim Lee Hyun has always proven his own worth. If this battle is over, he will have an unrivaled position in rap.

Also, personally, Hyun was a mysterious person.

'I can do it... ... .'

Even though he doesn't trust his own judgment, he still trusts me.

The expectations that the Lab agents had for the professor were different. They knew the professor before he lost his memories, so they were just hoping that he would be the same as before.

On the other hand, Kim Yi-hyeon's faith was straight toward the current professor. It was something that warmed his heart and gave him confidence rather than a burden.

He raised his head and puffed out his chest.

A bright light shone into his eyes.

"Yeah. What can't you do?"

The professor took a step forward. He couldn't be at the mercy of the enemy forever.

* * *

- Beloved.....!

A shield suddenly appeared in front of Metunap as he rushed towards Leila. He staggered back from the impact of his head hitting the iron plate.

Attacks on surfaces, not points or lines, were definitely effective.

"Ah, Mr. Hyun!"

"Let's finish it up first."

"네!"

Blue electricity shot out from Leila's fingertips. Metunap, who was hit directly, screamed. After writhing in pain, his body collapsed and flowed away like mud.

Both were the results of spells. It was a phenomenon that could be called magic. Thinking back now, it was a very confusing world where supernatural powers and mutations were rampant.

"Okay. Where are you hurt?"

"I'm fine. But…."

Leila, whose tail was trailing off, shifted her gaze.

Kim Yi-hyeon also checked that side. There were a few wounded, but they were noticeable. They were running wild, making the battle more chaotic.

"The injured person is becoming delirious. It's a troublesome spell."

The ghost who had been guarding Leila stood next to Kim Yi-hyeon. A sense of defeat was evident in the usually calm and cool-headed man's voice.

"Still, it's better than before."

It was just as he said.

Rosetta, guide the five in front. I don't know how their sensory organs work, but they seem to react to movement. The sorcerers, minimize your movements as much as possible.

Me? … Ha, I can't help it. If it's not me, then who else can do it!

Please. Spriggan, I'll count down. When Botticelli steps back, shoot. 3, 2, 1.

Botticelli, who had been standing like a wall, jumped sideways. A shock wave flew towards the Metunaps who were collapsing. Three bodies collapsed at once.

Okay. Switch with Team 3.

Phew, phew! Got it!

The professor's command has become sharper than before. It is impressive to see him actively using spells. It seems that he has properly memorized the characteristics of each agent.

In terms of games, it makes good use of 'turns'. It's a strategy that organically links multiple teams to buy waiting time so that the sorcerers don't run out.

'Is the downside that it's too detailed?'

Personnel assignments and individual action instructions. Even the timing is determined. The instructions are bound to be long. Depending on the level of importance, there will naturally be teams that are left with empty hands.

It's something that can be covered by anyone who can.

"Professor. Can I write for Team 5?"

What do you plan to do?

"We also need to take care of the wounded."

It seems like it would be better not to touch it rashly… Is there a way?

"If it's just to help you come to your senses. But the wounds need to be treated separately."

That's enough. I'll leave it to you.

After finishing the communication, he turned away.

The location had already been confirmed. Operation Team 5 was fighting in a corner of the line, as they were not receiving any instructions.

Bam!

Kim Yi-hyeon ran in one stride and struck Metunap with his shield. As he trampled on the sprawling body, the creature extended its tentacles. Before the tentacles pierced his leg, a blunt weapon appeared in his right hand.

A club with a light on the top like a streetlight. Kim Yi-Hyeon thrust the club into Metunap's perforated face. Soon, sparks appeared from the head of the club.

───!

Metunap, who was shivering with a roar, turned into mucus. [ZX1 Prototype]. It is the only weapon among the equipment up to 3 stars that has magic damage compensation.

It's pretty much useless. It's just a piece of garbage that's weak and runs out of power after two uses.

"Oh, thank you."

Hedwig, a five-star elite agent, let out a sigh of relief. He wiped the mucus from his nose with the back of his hand. He held a pistol in each hand.

"No matter how many times I shoot it, it won't fall. Damn it, what a pitiful piece of shit."

"It's not something to be pessimistic about. The roles are different."

It's just a question of compatibility.

Hedwig has a spell that accelerates bullets the moment they are fired. A physical dealer with an unconventional penetration power even with 7mm bullets.

If you touch the equipment, the weaknesses will be somewhat improved. However, in the current situation where Kim I-Hyeon is at 3 stars, it is impossible.

"I've relayed the message to the professor. Team 5 will be under your command. Give instructions."

"Leave those to the other teams and bring in the injured."

"Injured?"

Hedwig looked around and made a sour face. Agents were sitting and crying, agents were screaming and swinging their knives in all directions. The comrades who had been with her were going crazy.

"I don't think he'll come quietly."

"Either break his limbs or beat him up."

"...Hmm. Okay, I understand for now."

Hedwig relayed orders to her team members. The five teams formed pairs of two and headed toward the rampaging injured person. Soon, a familiar figure was dragged in front of Kim Yi-hyun.

"Ah, ah. Lord Shamah, why have you abandoned us…."

It was Ismail.

It looked like his thigh had been pierced by a tentacle. The guy who had once expressed his determination to die in his homeland was sobbing, squeezing out tears and a runny nose.

"Why did this kid come all the way here and fall down like this?"

Kim Yi-hyeon let out a hollow laugh and emptied both his hands. Then, a pair of pure white cloth gloves appeared on his palms. He roughly took off the gloves he was wearing and threw them away, then put them back on.

"Hold it straight."

"What are you trying to do?"

"You'll know it when you see it."

"I see. Sorry for disturbing you."

Hedwig, who had her mouth shut, grabbed Ismail's arm tightly. It was just the right position. Kim Yi-hyun muttered as he clenched and unclenched his hand.

"Don't think badly of it. It's all for your own good."

Crack!

He slapped Ismail's cheek without mercy.

"Hey, you crazy bastard! What the hell did you do…!"

Hedwig's eyes widened at the sudden violence. There was no sign of him touching it. It was because he was holding it himself that she could tell how sincere he was in hitting it.

Hedwig quickly checked Ismail's condition. The cheek where he had been hit was red. As his face was rapidly swelling, a strange phenomenon occurred.

Ismail's eyes came into focus again. He turned his head frantically from side to side and took a deep breath, as if he had just woken up from a nightmare.

"Whew, whoosh! Yes, I'm in Bastetera...."

It seemed like he had completely regained his senses.

Hedwig couldn't understand the situation at all. It wasn't even an appliance, so how could someone who had lost their mind come back to their senses after being hit once?

Actually, it wasn't that great of a thing.

[Compassionate Hands]

[Rating: ★★★]

[Category: Auxiliary Equipment]

[Description: Ceremonial gloves blessed by the saint of St. Lucia. Although the power has weakened over the years while on display in the museum, the blessing has not disappeared.]

[Effect: When attacking, there is a 30% chance to remove 1 status effect from the target.]

Rather, it is closer to an entertainment item.

You have to attack your allies, and the probability is only 30%. In the game, there was a way to use it by equipping it on a special character that can attack allies… … .

'Reality is a little different.'

People die from friendly fire. It also hurts when you get punched. You can be considerate and hit them with less force, but if it's not judged as an 'attack', it's meaningless.

So I hit it with all my might.

Ismail was lucky, because 30% of the money went to waste.

'Well, this is the kind of equipment that can be used in times like this.'

Kim Yi-hyeon spoke to Hedwig, who was blankly looking up at him.

"next."