◈ Episode 219

As if to herald the end of an era, the cracks appeared with utmost noise.

The location is in the center of the Shalem territory, the former capital.

The once most prosperous city of Shalem was suddenly contaminated. Thick and thin tentacles covered the old city like tree roots. The entire city seemed to have entered the stomach of a monster.

The rifts so far have been, so to speak, 'nests'. Nests that pollute the surrounding environment, mutate organisms, and produce eggs. It takes at least a few days to build a swarm.

But this time, the nature was fundamentally different.

The large crack served as a 'passage'. Parasites of all shapes poured out like a swarm of ants. They appeared as if they had a clear purpose and immediately dispersed in all directions.

Not long after the rift opened, an army of monsters pounded the defenses.

Boom!

Mines laid along the defensive line exploded without stopping.

"Don't give in! Kill at least one more!"

Someone's scream, a piercing scream, an explosion and a gunshot.

The air is filled with the unidentifiable smell of blood and gunpowder.

Beyond the barricade, dust rose and rocks were scattered. The soldier held his breath, his gun pointed. As he watched beyond the smoke, glass broke on the side.

A parasite that had approached by climbing the wall of the building fell down.

"Crazy, when…!"

The parasite that fell crushed the soldier. The tentacles that had spread out like flower buds closed. Countless teeth revealed their presence through the gaping hole in the center.

Just before the parasite's head devours the soldier,

─Pfft!

The sleek body flew off and crashed into the wall. The soldier turned his head, gasping for breath. Before he knew it, the parasite's torso had been crushed, convulsed, and then fell limp.

The corpse gradually turned into particles and was carried away by the wind.

"Are there any wounds?"

"Okay, okay, ugh!"

"It doesn't look okay."

Kim Yi-hyeon checked the soldier's condition and clicked his tongue.

"Your right arm has been hit. Retreat to the rear."

"No, I haven't yet..."

"Okay, just follow the instructions. There's enough time to replace the one with a healthy one. When the people behind you get both their arms ripped off, they'll come back even if they don't want to."

He laid his mace on the rubble and picked up the rifle the soldier had dropped.

I poured bullets at the parasites crawling at my feet. I continued shooting until my magazine was empty. It wasn't an efficient method, but it was impossible to identify each individual's vital points and shoot them.

Fortunately, the enemies that came from the cracks were less threatening than those born from the eggs. Depending on the opponent, they could be dealt with by a single infantryman.

What this means is that these guys are also commoners.

They are twice as agile as humans and can even pierce concrete with their tentacles.

'But is it still bearable?'

Kim Yi-Hyeon picked up his mace again and quickly scanned the battlefield.

Explosives and snipers placed throughout slowed down the enemy's advance. Agents, including Kim I-Hyeon, focused on dealing with enemies who were climbing over the barricade.

Oh, this feels particularly disgusting.

Senior Edwin! Are you okay?

Yes, it got better.

What did I say, that person is the one who loses by worrying?

The front was more stable than expected. Even though soldiers were dying every time they took a breath, if you look at it objectively, the flow wasn't so bad.

'At least it's a lot better than the game.'

Shiran's army currently has the largest number of troops. However, in the game, Shiran's situation was extremely tight.

Harrenhal's national power was also greatly reduced by the great disaster. It goes without saying that Cilicia and Bastite were torn apart by the Legion's debauchery.

In an instant, many parasites were breached through the defense line and flowed outside. Even after the final episode ended, events called "parasite cluster elimination" continued to appear periodically.

On the other hand, things are different now.

Explosions are heard not only nearby but also from afar. Attack helicopters equipped with machine guns and various firearms sweep the ground. After eliminating the danger of being shot down, drones loaded with explosives are deployed.

"It seems like things are getting sorted out."

- The measured pollution level is 211p. It is gradually increasing, but it is not at a level where it will go down yet. It will be able to hold out in this area for a while.

Kim Hyun nodded at Leila's opinion.

"Okay. I guess we can say we've blocked the first attack."

The first hurdle has been overcome without a hitch. Now that bombs are being fired near the rift, the number of individuals advancing to the defense line will be significantly reduced.

'That will only last for a little while, though.'

You can't maintain your firepower forever. Above all, the parasites will start to 'adapt'. The moment the offensive intensifies again, the success rate of the operation will drop exponentially.

"If you're aiming for it, now is the time."

- Yes. We will head to the meeting point.

It was originally a plan designed for a short-term battle.

We need to end this quickly before the situation changes.

* * *

The special forces boarded the transport plane prepared in the rear.

The personnel were basically composed of spellcasters or pecatums who could withstand the contamination. They were then selected based on their individual combat ability and the usefulness of their spells.

It wasn't just agents from Cellbrox Labs and Dustborne.

Carmen, who had become a full member of the Bastet, the knights who had fought alongside the Godmother, members of Albatross, and even Shiran's volunteer enforcers were included in the number of people.

Shiran and Harrenhal's helicopters preceded the three transports carrying the commandos. They were the vanguard that cleared the way for the transports to get as close to the rift as possible.

Yoo Da-hee, who was on the helicopter with Chelsea, looked down at the ground.

"This is crazy, how many are there…."

A horde of parasites traverses the ghost town. Some have had parts of their bodies torn off by the bombing. There have even been sightings of them melting into collapsed walls and becoming one with the building.

Looking down at this hell from above, a chill ran down my spine.

If the operation fails, they will trample on the human land. People who have actually exchanged emotions, not game data, will die screaming in agony.

The fact that she had even a small part to play in preventing destruction was more of a burden to Yudahee than a sense of elation. She was still just a petit bourgeois.

However, until now, 'Polaris' has never taken Yoo Da-hee's circumstances into consideration.

"Don't lose your mind and look straight ahead."

Chelsea said, her eyes fixed on the scope of her sniper rifle.

"My junior holds my life in his hands. Please don't let him get shot down while he's dazed. I don't want my junior to die a dog's death either."

If it had been a normal day, he would have added a word of encouragement, but this time he was extremely blunt. Yoo Da-hee noticed beads of sweat forming on Chelsea's forehead.

Chelsea was no different from Yoo Da-hee. The pilot who volunteered for a role similar to bait was the same. The soldiers guarding the defense line must also be feeling an unbearable burden.

"Yes, I know."

Yudahee let out a trembling breath. She recalled the role she had been given. She had to find a threat while trembling at the sight of the monster's buttocks that had already passed by.

So that the special forces can get 1m closer to the crack.

That one moment, shortened like that, can determine the next few decades of someone's life. Every minute and every second is so dense that it takes your breath away. There was no room for distracting thoughts to get in the way.

Soon, Yoo Da-hee's gaze turned to the top of the transmission tower.

It had a three-pronged head and a parasite with a spike in the center like a lightning rod. The direction of the head turned according to the movement of the helicopter.

"...45 degree direction! Aim for the transmission tower!"

Yudahee immediately activated the spell. The spell was strengthened by administering AP-116. In terms of the game, it had the added function of 'pause' as well as 'slow play'.

Free vision, reduced perception of time.

Its performance is optimized for use as a human radar.

─Taang!

Chelsea quickly aimed and pulled the trigger. Despite the high-level shooting, there was no mistake. The bullet hit the head that was wrapping around the awl as if preparing to shoot.

The surface of the skin becomes bumpy and swollen for a moment.

A cloud of steam rose and the parasite fell from the transmission tower.

It was the result of just one bullet.

Chelsea Thorne herself showed the most bewildered reaction.

"I'm really surprised. I don't know what the principle is, but it makes no sense."

-Of course. How much does a gun cost?

"How much is it?"

-870,000 won in Korean currency.

"Korean Won? What currency is it?"

Yudahee flinched at the voice she heard.

'I used it a lot... ... .'

Suddenly, an old memory came to mind. I remember a time when I was in a community with the phrase 'born in 1998' and got a key. I posted something like, 'I got this for 50,000 won. Is it good? ㅠㅠ' and got a lot of hate.

It's a story from when we were both immature.

-Now get ready to go down.

* * *

Kwajik!

The drones that were flying low and acting as bait were shot down one by one.

There were limits to the efforts of attack helicopters and snipers. As they advanced, the number of units with anti-aircraft capabilities increased, as they began to respond to aircraft.

'Because it's the final stage, I put in all kinds of different types of troops.'

The risks of flying have become incredibly high.

As soon as I reached a conclusion, I gave instructions via radio.

"Let's land here. There's about 8km left until the crack. We've come a long way. Now that we're at a level where we can move by vehicle, look for something usable on the ground."

Cars are scattered throughout the city, although they are old and worn-out. I brought my own fuel. I used the spell of the member who had shrunk the Albatross's equipment when I went to Howland the other day.

"Be careful coming down."

After confirming the safety of the area, Kim Yi-hyeon took the lead and descended. The agents on the same transport plane followed immediately. In the building next door, rappels were also being carried out skillfully.

"The contamination level is 388p. If we go any further, the measuring device will become useless."

Already at this level, it's already similar to a small crack.

"Let's hurry. Team 2 and Team 3, search the parking lot of the building we landed on."

-What are you going to do with Team 1?

At Leila's question, Kim Hyun-i turned his gaze down the building.

"The parasites are gathering. They seem to be quite excited by the sound of the helicopter."

There were numbers that easily exceeded three digits. Some had already entered the building, and some were even running up the wall. They were so blind that it was almost like a jingle.

"I don't want to waste time, but I can't help it."

A mace was formed in Kim Lee-Hyeon's right hand.

"I'm in charge of annihilation in Team 1."

I hooked myself onto the rusty railing and jumped down from the roof.

Jeeeeing!

The wires were pulled out like tails. The parasites that were rushing into the building raised their heads. The helicopter pilots and Shiran's first executive officer who were watching opened their mouths.

As he was falling, a golden light shone on the iron ball of the mace he was holding in one hand.

─Kwaaaaang!

It was a shock that shook the axis.

Before long, a deep pit had been dug under the building. Parasite's blood splattered onto streetlights and apartment walls. The crushed chunks of meat were belatedly transformed into particles.

All the surrounding parasites' eyes were focused on Kim I-Hyeon.

"What are you doing instead of coming down?"

He put a modified version of Helixivir into his neck.