I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 294 : Star of Hope (4)

[The Great Overlord Andromalius is dead.]

[The one who slew Andromalius is Jeong Su-hyeon, who killed the Great Overlord Malek with former Commander Ju Taeyang, the "Dragon Spear," a year ago.]

[Having survived the massive explosion himself and grown even stronger, Jeong Su-hyeon killed Andromalius, rose to become the Special Operations Captain, and declared war against the demons.]

[Those who seek revenge, come to the Human Fortress.]

The message, along with the coordinates of the Human Fortress, was successfully delivered to the few shelters still remaining in the country.

However, people's reactions varied.

"Andromalius is dead? Is it true?"

"Actually, demons haven't been seen in the past few days."

"Jeong Su-hyeon is famous, of course. But did he really become that strong?"

"No, how did he even survive an explosion powerful enough to kill a Great Overlord in the first place?"

"Is he even human?"

People who were surprised.

"Bullshit. This must be another deception by the demons."

"Not even funny."

"A Great Overlord is dead? And Jeong Su-hyeon returned alive?"

"Not a very amusing joke."

"Who's spreading such absurd nonsense?"

"But still, whoever can broadcast such a message must be no ordinary force."

People who were skeptical.

"The content itself is probably true."

"Then should we...?"

"Why should I?"

"Excuse me?"

"This is my kingdom. Things are fine as they are. Why should I pick up scraps by following the dragon's tail?"

"...!"

People who believed the message but refused to follow it.

"That's ridiculous. Taking the elderly and civilians all the way there? As if demons, Ma-in, and demonic beasts would just let us pass."

"Exactly. We'd be annihilated on the way."

"You never know. Maybe they'll come to get us."

"There's still one more Great Overlord left. If he's also killed by Jeong Su-hyeon, we can decide then. It's not too late."

"That's right."

And finally, people who reserved judgment while waiting for the right time.

In the end, the first to take action was someone else entirely.

"Jeong Su-hyeon has returned?"

"That's what they say. Whether it's true or not, we still don't know, but..."

"It's a plausible story."

Park Jong-tae.

In the world before destruction, he was one of only five S-rank hunters in the country.

Known by the alias "Flash," he was always the fastest and most agile man on the battlefield.

With his distinctive charging power and agility, he boasted a reputation comparable to the Sword God's, and he also had the business acumen to build his guild into one of the best.

After the Door to Nastrond opened, he demonstrated remarkable leadership and capability amid the chaos, successfully creating one of the top three strongest shelters in the country.

After stabilizing his forces, he even took in awakened survivors from the Execution Force, incorporating their expertise to create a powerful yet disciplined group.

To hide the location of his shelter built in a naturally defensible position, he created decoy outposts and fake shelters, using them in a cell organization structure to gather food and supplies.

Thanks to this, despite its large size, the shelter had remained undetected by demons.

His shelter was even more peaceful and had a higher survival rate than the [Human Fortress], which had become a major target for demons and had to fight a long battle.

However.

He knew well that this kind of survival was ultimately no different from walking a tightrope—one misstep and they would fall to their deaths.

"What will you do?"

"This is an opportunity."

Park Jong-tae said.

"An opportunity worth betting on."

"But..."

Jang Yun-su, a former 7th Unit Squad Leader, expressed concern.

"This is a Great Overlord's domain. Our shelter has survived only because it's in an exquisitely hidden location, utilizing underground caves."

"You're saying we'd be completely wiped out if we left?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Of course, I understand. The only way for all of us to safely escape this place is for the Great Overlord controlling this area and his demon subordinates to die."

Therefore, Park Jong-tae continued.

"If it's true that Jeong Su-hyeon killed Andromalius... then he could surely kill Crosell, the Great Overlord who controls this area."

"Is that really possible?"

Jang Yun-su shuddered as he recalled the nightmarish power of Great Overlord Crosell.

"Just seeing that being from a distance was enough to make me wet myself with tears and urine, trembling in fear. Can a mere human really defeat such a being?"

"...I can hardly imagine it myself."

Park Jong-tae sighed.

"But don't we have to bet on it now?"

"To deliver a message to them without exposing our shelter's existence, we'll need a very capable messenger."

Jang Yun-su knew well why Park Jong-tae had called him to discuss this.

"I'll go."

"I'm sorry about this."

"It can't be helped."

Jang Yun-su heaved a deep sigh.

"Please prepare sufficient food, spare shoes, a compass, and a map."

"I'll make arrangements so you can depart at any time."

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Former 7th Unit Squad Leader Jang Yun-su.

He ran through pathless terrain, traveled under cover of night, avoided the most treacherous landscapes and the most cunning demonic beasts' ambushes, and after 4 days of running, finally reached the Human Fortress.

"...This is."

It was truly an enormous fortress.

Large buildings, modern structures, thick walls and barriers.

Civilization had magnificently survived here.

"Truly impressive."

Seeing this fortress with his own eyes was a first for him.

Yet it was completely different from the photographs he had seen a year ago, filling him with an indescribable sense of awe.

"...If it's this place."

If his former comrades who were excellently protecting this place.

'Perhaps really.'

For once, his heart began to beat with hope.

After going through identity verification procedures, Jang Yun-su was granted an opportunity to meet with Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom in private.

"You must be tired from the long journey."

"It's fine. Fortunately, I was able to arrive without major difficulties."

"To avoid all those dangers, you must have needed both exceptional skill and intelligence."

Heo Sung-gyeom smiled, saying there was no need for modesty, and stared at Jang Yun-su's face before asking.

"You said you're from the 7th Unit?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Your face seems familiar."

"You know me?"

Jang Yun-su asked in surprise.

"7th Unit E Squad Leader Jang Yun-su. A capable Squad Leader who successfully completed numerous missions for the 7th Unit with your ability to find paths in any adverse conditions, persistent surveillance skills, and practical survival techniques."

"...!"

Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom smiled.

"Did you go AWOL during an operation?"

"Yes. To save my subordinates..."

"You must have endured tremendous trials to survive until now. Thank you for staying alive."

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks. I'm the one who's grateful to meet you here again."

"I was lucky."

"I'm curious how you've managed to hold out all this time."

"The shelter's location in a naturally defensible position was our greatest fortune, and secondly, our strategy of operating decoy outposts in a cell organization structure to minimize conflicts while resupplying proved effective."

"This isn't an era where luck alone is enough to survive. I knew Hunter Park Jong-tae was reputed to be an outstanding individual, but I didn't realize his abilities were this impressive."

Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom nodded and said with a serious look.

"I imagine you still have many concerns and questions."

"I'm sorry, but yes, I do."

"I think it's appropriate to explain the details to someone like you."

Heo Sung-gyeom gave a signal to Kim Cheol-han, who was standing beside him.

"Before we begin our discussion in earnest, the Special Operations Captain who devised this operation will join us."

"Jeong Su-hyeon."

"Let him in."

When Su-hyeon entered the office after finishing a sparring session, the atmosphere instantly changed.

'What an impossible presence.'

Jang Yun-su unconsciously gulped.

'I've seen this man fight a few times, but he never had this kind of aura before.'

Since Su-hyeon hadn't been at the Captain level for very long.

Jang Yun-su, who only remembered Su-hyeon's previous appearance, couldn't help but be surprised by his presence that created a heavy sense of pressure throughout the office without exuding any intentional aura.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jeong Su-hyeon, who recently became the Special Operations Captain."

"Impressive."

After shaking hands with Su-hyeon, Jang Yun-su said.

"How much stronger did you become in such a short time..."

"A lot has happened."

Su-hyeon chuckled and sat down in an empty seat.

"I heard you were a Squad Leader in the Execution Force."

"Yes, that's right."

"That makes you my senior, so there's no need to be so tense."

Su-hyeon said.

"Before we begin our discussion, I'd like to ask you one question."

"I'll answer whatever I can."

"Could you tell me the approximate location of the shelter where you've been staying?"

"...The coastal cliffs in the archipelago between Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeollanam-do. The shelter was created by digging artificial caves inside them."

"I see."

Su-hyeon nodded, acknowledging it was an excellent location, and then said.

"So you've been surviving within Great Overlord Crosell's domain."

"That's right."

Great Overlord Crosell.

Crosell, a female-form demon, had claimed the southern part of Korea, the Japanese archipelago, and the southern coastal areas of China as her domain.

"Our message has probably reached Crosell's ears as well."

It was inevitable because it wasn't the kind of message that could be selectively delivered.

"And having heard the message, they've likely been carefully observing which shelters might try to join our fortress."

In other words.

"The demons probably know that Jang Yun-su came here."

"...!"

"Then why was I able to arrive safely? Could it be..."

"Yes. They knew but let you through."

"Hmm."

"And if we send troops to bring your people here, they'll be waiting to devour them whole."

"Good Lord."

"Their ultimate target is this place. Now that Andromalius, who ruled eastern China, Manchuria, and most of the Korean peninsula, is gone, they want to claim his vacant position as well."

"...Hmm."

"Judging by the behavior of the Great Overlords, it's clear they keep each other in check."

"The fact that you proceeded with this plan knowing all this means..."

"Yes. We intend to wage a full-scale war against them."

"My goodness."

Jang Yun-su, whose expression had darkened at the grim news, regained his composure upon seeing Su-hyeon and Heo Sung-gyeom maintain their calm despite knowing all these facts.

"Do you have some kind of plan?"

"Of course."

Su-hyeon nodded.

"First, I want to make them curious."

"Make them curious?"

"So I'm sorry, but I'd like you to return as if you gained nothing from your visit."

"What?"

"I plan to use you as bait for a big trap."

"!"

"I apologize for assigning you such a dangerous mission. Of course, I'll guarantee your safety."

"Haha."

It was a proposal that some might find offensive, and it would have been understandable if he refused.

"I'd like to hear the details of your plan."

But Jang Yun-su was no ordinary person.

"Thank you. Then let me explain my plan in detail."

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After the conversation.

"I'll take my leave first."

Su-hyeon left the office.

"Whew."

Seeing Jang Yun-su slump back in his chair with a tired face, Heo Sung-gyeom said.

"Thank you for understanding."

"Haha. You're putting in so much effort to save the residents of our shelter—what's so difficult about risking my life as the ante?"

Jang Yun-su said jovially.

"Besides, the more I hear about the operation, the less I think there'll be any real danger to me, so it's actually an opportunity to make myself look good."

"Hearing you say that lightens my heart considerably."

Heo Sung-gyeom smiled.

"May I ask you one question?"

"Of course."

"If your shelter successfully joins our fortress, would you be willing to return to duty as a Squad Leader in the 7th Unit?"

"...If there's a role for me there."

Jang Yun-su nodded.

"Of course."

"I see."

Heo Sung-gyeom smiled.

"Then make sure you succeed in this mission and return."