Chapter 943

EP.943 Part 2 Chapter 8 Section 27 – Battle Preparations

[July 3rd, 9:10 PM, Somewhere Underground in Seoul]

“The absence of Light Blade. Recapturing Seoul is just a futile hope.”

“Excessive political attacks on the government. Is the opposition party behind this?”

“Revisiting the danger of monsters in Seoul. Are we truly safe?”

“Will it really succeed…?”

Sun Gyeoul sighed deeply at all the negative perspectives circulating in the media.

“It will definitely succeed. Didn’t you see it yourself, Princess? Their power.”

“Yes, I saw it up close. But…”

“Trust me.”

Master Tentacle, with a serious expression, pointed to the many people behind him.

“There’s no stopping them now. By tomorrow morning, all they’ll be thinking about is seeing sunlight again, and more importantly, reuniting with their families and friends.”

Thanks to the commander’s help, those underground in Seoul were finally able to reconnect with their loved ones.

“Until now, communication between Sun Icheol and Yu-Sung has been blocked, but even if connections are made now through Pine Unit, most were reported killed by charcoal remnants. Things are different now. It’s time to overcome the sorrow of being separated for 13 years, despite being only 200km apart.”

“It sounds like a family reunification program.”

“Hehe, not an inaccurate comparison, right? Separated for 13 years, some thought dead and had funerals, others remarried and had children. But even so…”

“Just wanting to see faces and meet once more is human nature.”

Sun Gyeoul clenched her fists.

“…It’s time to sweep away the tens of thousands of monsters above Seoul and reclaim our lives as humans.”

Currently…

Estimated around thirty thousand worm-like creatures derived from snake entities at City Hall alone, along with various other monsters throughout Seoul.

With E-Rank monsters occupying each room of studio apartments, D-Rank monsters taking over individual units in apartment buildings, C-Rank monsters controlling entire floors, B-Rank monsters owning whole buildings, and A-Rank monsters claiming entire apartment complexes, Seoul had become densely packed with monsters in a bizarre pyramid structure.

“Are you alright, Princess? After this battle, you’ll be known as the daughter of a political prisoner and face endless criticism.”

“I’ve already been criticized. Besides…”

Sun Gyeoul gestured to her magical gear.

“With full awareness of breaking taboos and making tough decisions, I’d rather be remembered as a hero who saved Seoul citizens alongside the commander.”

“Do you mean that sincerely?”

“Of course. Even under Confucian values, wouldn’t everyone agree? Between being remembered as a hero who helped the commander and…”

Sun Gyeoul shook her head regretfully.

“If given the choice between being the three centimeters tall daughter or a taboo breaker, I choose the latter.”

“…”

Master Tentacle silently gave Sun Gyeoul a thumbs up.

“And Sun Gyeoul dies, to be reborn as someone new. Face-off.”

“What?”

“That’s what I mean. After this battle, I plan to undergo plastic surgery.”

Sun Gyeoul pointed to her face.

“After transforming into the female version of Commander’s appearance, I’ll be reborn anew.”

This is Seoul.

Under Gangnam Station.

* * *

[July 3rd, 11:45 PM, Top of Gwanaksan Mountain]

The time is approaching.

I picked up an object quite out of place in this 21st-century megacity era.

“Ah, transmitting.”

Using a radio for command is a first for me.

Never having seen one used in the 20-year Earth timeline, I certainly haven’t used one before.

‘But I understand the principle.’

If what I say can be intercepted, anyone can hear it.

“All units underground, do you copy?”

Not expecting a response,

I simply broadcast unilaterally, my voice spreading outward in all directions from where I stand.

‘Honestly, I don’t need to do this.’

The commander doesn’t need to boost morale.

Seoul will inevitably be recaptured, and the magical girls will save it.

However…

‘Tera comes to mind.’

That moment fighting against the entire world.

Beings of equal stature fell into corruption, becoming monsters that killed spirits below, and every day we survived by checking who was still alive.

A hellish life.

An endlessly repeating cycle of death.

Do these people truly understand the relief of knowing there’s a way out of that hell?

They likely don’t yet.

Since they’ve never experienced the liberation of victory, everyone still harbors anxiety.

‘I know exactly how that feels.’

So, I must instill hope.

“It’s been about six months since I came to this country.”

Simple calculations show 180 days.

During which, calculating the number of times magic supply was provided in-game…no, simply calculating the number of times magic supply was provided shows it reached approximately 180.

Maintaining a perfect 24-hour cooldown without error means collectively, our allies have leveled up 180 times.

If ten allies each received 1/N of the magic supply, they would have each leveled up approximately 18 times.

Considering not everyone started at level one—some began at ten, others at ninety—it’s natural there are differences in power.

“During this time, I’ve discovered S-Rank heroes. Uncovered S-Rank heroes. Created S-Rank heroes.”

But people in this world are especially sensitive to S-Rank.

“Trust the commander. Dangerous monsters will be handled by me and my team members. You must take back Seoul using your own strength.”

Everyone underground has been assigned specific roles.

Three hundred thousand Seoul underground citizens have taken up arms to reclaim their city.

“If you follow my orders, no one will die. I guarantee it. If you feel you might die, retreat. If you think you might lose, drop your weapon and flee.”

Though it may lower morale, that’s how ‘I’ have fought.

“Someone stronger than you will kill the monsters. People more powerful than you will rescue you. We have always called such individuals heroes.”

Now, the time is 11:48 PM.

“Trust the S-Ranks. All you need to do is perform your best possible role. You may pray for the recapture, or fight alongside us. However, there is one thing I must mention beforehand.”

I shouted into the radio.

“If you miss this opportunity, you will never earn the title of ‘One Who Reclaimed Seoul.'”

Medals.

Honor.

Titles.

When it comes to things related to ‘time,’ which even gods cannot easily manipulate, humans change their minds.

11:50 PM.

“Commander! Information released!”

“Now, we’ll be observing Seoul from New Seoul.”

Already, all attention in New Seoul and the nation is focused on Seoul.

Without Light Blade or Princess Seok Harang, how will the S-Rank raid proceed?

“Helicopters are flying overhead, and cameras from Gyeonggi Province are filming Seoul. Our battle starting at midnight will be live-streamed worldwide and recorded for posterity.”

Humans cannot act recklessly when they know someone is watching.

“No second chances. The opportunity to protect Seoul comes only once. Now, to all of you underground…”

Beeep.

Time has come.

I pressed my magical gear, and soon the magic power flowing from it spread before me.

“It will also be transmitted to those underground through old relay screens.”

Even though the country labeled Seoul residents as rioters.

Even though it’s known that Princess Seok Harang and Light Blade Hyeon Hwa won’t participate.

Even though the existence of S-Ranks remains unknown.

“From A-Rank to E-Rank. And even non-ability users who’ve shown up with core weapons. The number of people gathered to reclaim Seoul reaches ten thousand.”

There aren’t ten thousand ability users.

In reality, the number of those who’ve awakened abilities is far fewer than a thousand, but over 90% of the ten thousand possess means to kill monsters.

As long as they hold core weapons, they’re equivalent to ability users until the core weapon’s magic power runs out.

“Do you hear me? Those waiting outside Seoul. To protect your families, to recover assets left in Seoul, to reclaim the land of Seoul, and to drive out the tiresome monsters from this country. Congratulations. You are comrades fighting alongside the commander.”

Fighting alongside the commander?

Especially when it’s a war to reclaim Seoul?

It’s a story worth retelling over drinks for a lifetime.

Especially when it’s a battle where you risk your life, but I won’t die or get injured?

“Think about surviving. Don’t push yourselves.”

When fighting in Tera, that’s what I thought.

Those who engage in life-risking battles should focus on survival.

Same applies here.

Until victory, those who survive win.

Remaining unharmed would be ideal.

“Do you know? They called it ‘Sun Icheol’ if he didn’t come, right? Those who didn’t come just now, they must be shocked reading the announcement. The commander just announced the Seoul raid order.”

Shouts of astonishment erupted everywhere.

Perhaps those among those inspired by Seoul who didn’t know I was the commander realized it upon hearing my voice.

“Come to think of it, it’s the first official raid I’m commanding this year.”

Or maybe those who couldn’t believe my words regardless of how much I spoke finally understood the truth upon seeing the guild’s official statement.

“Pleased to meet you. Then, let’s start slowly, everyone.”

Only ten seconds remain.

“Let’s become participating warriors who reclaimed Seoul.”

Time.

00 hours 00 minutes.

“Commence battle (開戰).”

Waahh!!

Roars echo from all sides.

I raised my hand high to the sky.

“Princess Seok Harang, dissolve the ice wall.”

Snap.

‘Worms, cut.’

The moment I flicked my finger, the ice wall dividing the Han River instantly dissipated like mist.

And…

Sizzle, sizzle.

All monsters in the Han River froze solid.

The ice wall scattered like butterfly powder, turning everything it touched into ice statues.

“Good job, Seok Harang.”

Everyone will surely be surprised.

The ice wall dissolved the moment I issued the order.

“Our first S-Rank teammate, Snowflower Princess. I instructed her to dissolve the ice wall when the time came, from Busan to Seoul.”

I waved to her cheering from Busan.

“She’s SS+ Rank now.”

Before everyone’s eyes, I revealed that I had sex with Seok Harang (27 years old).

‘Are you watching, Light Blade?’

Your daughter has been eaten by me.

‘If you’re upset, come to Seoul.’

July 4th.

We will reclaim Seoul.