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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Steel Company - 3
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Unmistakably, the night sky over Seoul had turned violet.
But few noticed.
And so, it was a night like any other.
Gates had opened simultaneously across Seoul, but as they were concentrated around military bases, the civilian areas remained peaceful. No official predicted a 'Wave' based on these incidents.
No, someone must have raised the question. But… it was a terrifying prospect, like predicting a nuclear war, so the decision-makers were skeptical. And above all…
It was the dead of night.
"Hey! What kind of nonsense is this, calling me at two in the morning? Are you sure about that?"
The response was inevitably delayed.
Soon, stories began to spread of people traveling in and out of Seoul encountering a translucent wall.
Finally, at 4 a.m….
With all broadcasts in Seoul cut off, the start of the 4th Wave was revealed to the world.
From that moment, Seoul was thrown into chaos.
- Citizens, this is the National Gate Response Headquarters. We are now issuing a gate alert for all areas of Seoul. This is a real situation. I repeat…
In Mullae-dong, Yeongdeungpo District, a static-filled voice echoed through the blacksmiths' alley.
The sound wasn't coming from an ordinary loudspeaker, but from a 'Mana Alarm.'
Its activation meant a gate had opened nearby.
"...My goodness! What in the world is going on!"
The blacksmiths' alley had a sizable resident population.
To meet guild orders, they had to work day and night, tanning hides without rest.
Three shifts, like a factory that never sleeps—that was the culture here.
So at this very moment, a good number of blacksmiths were listening to the emergency broadcast.
"Boss, they're saying this isn't just a gate, but a, uh, what was it, a Wave?"
"Don't be ridiculous, you fool! You think a Wave is some American rock star's concert tour?"
"I wish it wasn't, but… anyway, we should get to the shelter, quickly."
And Kang Jeong-du was also out on that street.
"What do we do…?"
He was a light sleeper, and the commotion outside had drawn him out.
After grasping the situation, he rushed back to the small room in his workshop.
"Hee-seol! You brat! Get up, now!"
"Ugh… what time is it? Why are you making such a fuss…?"
"It is a fuss! All hell's broken loose!"
"-Ack!"
Kang Jeong-du kicked his granddaughter, who was trying to hide under the covers, and pulled a travel bag from the wardrobe.
"Ugh, what kind of fuss warrants kicking your only granddaughter… Huh? A g-gate?"
Hee-seol heard the alarm blaring from outside and finally understood.
"Yes! That! Grab the stuff on that shelf!"
"Hmm… I'm not dreaming, am I? If so, I'd like to awaken as a mage, not a blacksmith."
"Shut your mouth and get up, you brat!"
The two of them hurriedly prepared to evacuate and went outside.
- …All citizens, please evacuate to the nearest shelter immediately.
A shelter was a refuge equipped with a magical barrier in preparation for gate situations.
The nearest state-run shelter was at Yeongdeungpo Station.
However, the blacksmiths' union operated a private shelter in the basement of their office.
Naturally, Kang Jeong-du and Kang Hee-seol headed there.
But at the shelter entrance, they were met with a devastating blow.
"Whoa, no more entries. The shelter's at capacity."
"…Excuse me? What do you mean?"
It was absurd.
"I don't understand how the shelter can be full. Let us in."
It was a large shelter with a capacity of over 500. The union had always boasted that in case of an emergency, all members could take refuge and stay for at least a few weeks.
"Tsk, can't you hear, old man? I said it's full, we're not taking any more."
"Then what are we supposed to do? Me and this girl?"
"How the hell should I know? Go die somewhere for all I care."
Kang Jeong-du realized why they were acting this way.
This disaster, this was no ordinary gate incident.
The union leadership, having figured that out, decided to reduce the number of occupants to hold out for as long as possible.
They had started by culling those who weren't subservient to the union, like Kang Jeong-du.
"Kang, let's just go to the Yeongdeungpo shelter. It might be a bit risky, but this is just disgusting! Ptooey!"
As another blacksmith tried to calm Kang Jeong-du, a guard snickered.
"Yeah, hurry up and scram. And watch out for goblins on the way, don't want to get shivved."
At those words, Kang Jeong-du's eyebrow twitched.
He may be a frail old man, but he still had a temper.
"You son of a—"
"You goddamn sons of bitches!"
But before he could finish, a shout erupted from elsewhere.
It was his granddaughter, Kang Hee-seol.
She shrieked and charged at the guard.
"Move! We have a right to go in too!"
"Whoa, has she lost her mind?"
"Don't discriminate! We're union members who pay our dues on time!"
"I don't know about that, but you're supposed to go to the Yeongdeungpo Station shelter. Hey—you bitch!"
"-Ack!"
The guard swung his arm, and Kang Hee-seol fell backward.
As a blacksmith Player, she was no match for the guard's strength.
Kang Jeong-du helped his granddaughter up and glared at the guards.
But that was all he could do.
"*Sob*… Why! Why are all the people with a little power so selfish?"
As Kang Hee-seol cried out, the guard sneered.
"Tsk, tsk, being powerless is the real crime. Who are you whining to?"
At this, Kang Hee-seol let out another stream of curses.
But her tirade was drowned out by a tremendous roar.
*Thrum-thrum-thrum-thrum—*
A gust of wind blew as a beam of light shone down from the sky.
It was a helicopter.
"…Huh?"
"Oh! It's the A.M.T!"
The guards looked up and cheered.
"Ha, guess paying our taxes was worth it! They came to rescue us this early!"
At that, Kang Hee-seol bared her teeth.
"Bullshit! We paid our dues on time, so why are you guys acting like this?"
"What, what? That little brat is really…"
The guard couldn't hold back any longer and rolled up his sleeves.
"Some people really need a beating to learn how scary the world is…"
At that moment, three ropes dropped from the helicopter, and A.M.T soldiers in black combat uniforms landed. One immediately reached out and shoved the shoulder of the guard who was threatening Kang Hee-seol.
"...Wh-what is this?"
"Step back. This is a warning."
Meanwhile, the helicopter landed on the helipad atop the union office.
A union official rushed out from the shelter to greet them.
"Ah! Welcome! I'm so moved that you've come to help us so quickly."
"Ahem, I'm sorry, but that's not the case. Civilian rescue operations have not yet begun."
A female soldier, who appeared to be the team leader with sergeant's stripes, shook her head and said.
"Pardon? Then…"
"For now, you will be safe if you stay in the shelter. We are here to find someone."
"...Who are you looking for?"
"We've already found them."
The sergeant was holding a photograph and looking in a certain direction.
Towards the blacksmiths who had been turned away.
Surveying the scene, the sergeant frowned.
"Don't tell me those people are being denied entry to the shelter?"
"What? Oh, no, of course not!"
"What do you mean, 'of course not'? We saw everything from above."
"Well, that is… Tsk."
"You are aware that this is a violation of regulations and an illegal act punishable by law, correct?"
"Ah, yes, well…"
In this day and age, shelters were directly linked to the people's right to survive.
As such, they were a major factor affecting real estate prices, and operating a private shelter required meeting government-mandated conditions and undergoing continuous supervision by related ministries.
One of those conditions was the 'unconditional accommodation' of nearby evacuees.
"If further violations are found, your shelter operating license will be revoked."
"…"
With that final word, the sergeant approached Kang Jeong-du.
"Are you Mr. Kang Jeong-du? Someone is looking for you, and we've come to escort you."
"Yes, I'm Kang Jeong-du, but… who is looking for me?"
"I was told you would understand if I said Lee Hyun-wook sent us. Would you be able to accompany us?"
Kang Jeong-du's eyes widened.
And a smirk spread across Kang Hee-seol's lips.
"What? Was President Lee… a general in the army?"
Kang Jeong-du said it, knowing full well it was absurd.
But to send a military helicopter to pick him up…
If not a general, he had to be in a position with considerable influence in the A.M.T.
And in truth, he'd said it loud enough for those union officials to hear.
***
And so, Kang Jeong-du, Kang Hee-seol, and a few other blacksmiths arrived at the 1st Battalion's base.
Lee Hyun-wook was there to greet them.
"Master Kang, thank you for coming."
Kang Jeong-du bowed deeply to Lee Hyun-wook, simultaneously glancing at the rank insignia on his combat uniform.
"My goodness, how can I ever repay this kindness, General Lee…"
The crafty old man, a former Navy sergeant himself, had definitely just seen the rank but was pretending not to know, calling him 'General.' It was clearly intentional flattery.
*'But he's a good person.'*
This kind of fawning to get ahead was an understandable trick for an old man raising his granddaughter alone. Yet, he was also a man of integrity who would call out wrongdoing when he saw it.
"Not at all. I'm not a general, just a soldier. I apologize for not telling you sooner."
"Well, does that matter? This old man knows you're someone of great importance."
Indeed, it was unheard of for an ordinary soldier to dispatch a helicopter to fetch a simple blacksmith.
He must be thinking that Lee Hyun-wook had some incredible backing.
Lee Hyun-wook led the blacksmiths to the parade ground.
There, 21 'Living Armors' were lined up at regular intervals.
"These are Living Armors. Most are damaged. Would it be possible for you to repair them?"
Kang Jeong-du looked them over with his hands behind his back, a troubled expression on his face.
"Hmm, restoring the magic circuits, to be honest… that requires a high-level mage. Of course, I can make an attempt, but I can't guarantee they'll be restored to full functionality."
"As long as they can be activated, they don't need to be perfectly restored."
The Living Armor's operating principle, the 'magic circuit,' was engraved like a tattoo on the armor's surface.
Thus, if the 'outer shell' was broken and the circuit was severed, it would lose its function.
However, the most crucial circuits were in the 'helmet,' so as long as that part was intact, it could operate without issue. The circuits on the 'torso' were mostly for additional defensive spells.
"Thank you for your trouble in coming here. You will be properly compensated after this situation is resolved."
"Oh, not at all. I'll work hard, thinking of it as payment for my granddaughter's life."
"It won't be my money, but the government's. Think of it as your reward for saving the country."
At those words, Kang Jeong-du's expression turned solemn.
"I… will be saving the country?"
"Yes. You will be contributing to a great cause."
Kang Jeong-du had once served as a Navy sergeant.
The story Lee Hyun-wook knew was that he'd been forced to retire due to a back injury.
Therefore, he must still harbor a desire to serve his country as a soldier.
Especially in a terrible era like this…
Lee Hyun-wook played on that to get Kang Jeong-du more invested in the work.
*'But in truth, Kang Hee-seol will be more useful than him.'*
Lee Hyun-wook glanced at Kang Hee-seol.
She was darting about like a puppy, inspecting the Living Armor with fascination.
She even kicked one, only to grab her foot and hop around in pain.
"Good grief, that child…"
Kang Jeong-du clutched his head.
She was just an immature girl now, but…
*'Of course, that personality never changes…'*
Snow White.
The first 'Elder Smith' chosen by seven dwarf masters.
And the greatest drunkard acknowledged by the dwarves…
*'That's how Kang Hee-seol will grow.'*
She would go on to create the first 'Master' grade item.
But Kang Hee-seol's true talent lay not in blacksmithing, but in 'Magical Engineering.'
Despite encountering the field late, she quickly mastered it and became the best.
*'The Magical Machine Corps she created was the best.'*
Though a non-combatant blacksmith, she commanded the magical machine forces she built and was a force on the battlefield.
*'If Kang Hee-seol gets involved in magical engineering early on, she'll become much greater.'*
And so…
He planned to have her design and build the Steel Legion, an army that would wield holy power as its weapon.
***
At 3 p.m., with the clearance of the gate at the main post, the conquest of the three gates that had opened within the base was complete.
It had taken eight hours, with only four casualties—an incredible achievement.
But the real work was just beginning.
"Message from the battalion commander! Ten-minute break, then we move out on the next operation!"
"Ah…"
There wasn't even time for a proper rest.
Four days left.
After that, half of Seoul would be gone.
They couldn't stop, even if it meant collapsing from exhaustion and dying on the spot.
"Alright! Time's up! Move it!"
Since it was effectively wartime, all the 'reserve supplies' were taken from the battalion depot.
Among them were healing potions, stamina potions, and mana potions, which were distributed to the exhausted soldiers. Of course, overusing potions wasn't good for ability growth, but…
"…Who has the luxury to worry about that? Drink up and move!"
Soon, trucks were lined up at the motor pool. Seven K-511s, commonly known as deuce-and-a-halfs.
And behind them, three K-153 armored reconnaissance vehicles plated with magic metal were also ready.
"Start loading the weapons onto the trucks! You have ten minutes, move fast!"
As per Lee Hyun-wook's request for half of the battalion armory, the entire armory was being moved.
Meanwhile, Lee Hyun-wook called Sergeant Kim Se-hee, Corporal Ahn Min-tae, and Private First Class Choi Tae-yong aside.
He had a separate mission for them in this operation.
"Sergeant Kim Se-hee, would you take on the role of 1st Platoon Leader?"
"…"
"I'm sorry, but this is effectively an order."
Kim Se-hee scowled openly at the word 'order.'
It was true. Lee Hyun-wook's words were now as good as the battalion commander's orders.
But she nodded without another word.
"…Fine."
Her expression and tone were full of annoyance.
But despite that cynical attitude, there was a reason the female soldiers of the 2nd Company looked up to her like a big sister. She was competent and took care of everyone, regardless of who they were.
*'In other words, she's trusted in every respect.'*
She had a strange charisma that didn't match her small 155cm frame.
And Ahn Min-tae and Choi Tae-yong were staring blankly at this very Kim Se-hee.
Yes, she was beautiful enough for the men of the 1st Company to call her a goddess, but…
It was quite a pathetic sight.
"Ahn Min-tae, aren't you going to snap out of it?"
"Ah, um, yes!"
"Ahn Min-tae, you will be the 2nd Platoon Leader."
"W-wait… me, a platoon leader? Ah, yes!"
Finally, he looked at Choi Tae-yong.
"You will be the lead scout. Keep your eyes peeled and watch everything."
"Yes! Understood!"
"If I catch you looking at anything you shouldn't be, you'll answer to me."
"Y-yes, sir…"
When he'd proposed forming the operation's key positions entirely with enlisted soldiers, Kim Kang-seok had expressed his doubts.
Of course, with most of the officers unable to return, it was true that there was a shortage of capable personnel.
However…
*'They are capable, they can follow my lead, and I can make use of them in the future.'*
Kim Se-hee was the most promising Player in the 2nd Company. It was necessary to maintain a connection with her.
And Ahn Min-tae and Choi Tae-yong were the most loyal to him and understood his intentions well.
More importantly, they had now grown to be among the best in the company.
Ahn Min-tae's level was now 24.
*'It seems lending him a holy weapon paid off. He must have killed a lot of zombies.'*
His one-handed sword had broken, of course, but Lee Hyun-wook had lent him the KG19.
"Alright, we'll be departing in twenty minutes. Be ready by then."
Lee Hyun-wook also headed to the barracks for a moment to prepare for the operation.
It was time to arm himself.
He put on a utility vest, equipping the Cloud Sword and the KG19 on his back.
On his belt, he attached Failnaught, a mithril dagger, and a pouch of steel balls.
And in the heavy pack he'd prepared earlier were ten steel stakes.
*Click—*
He even picked up a K2C1 rifle. Of course, a rifle wasn't very useful anymore, but there was nothing like a firearm for suppressing multiple enemies with sustained fire. It was worth bringing, whether he used it or not.
*Shhk—*
Finally, he rolled up the left sleeve of his combat uniform to check.
A spear-shaped tattoo, his trump card: the Spear of Achilles.
In total, he was equipped with dozens of items all over his body.
And that wasn't all.
The seven trucks currently being prepared—everything in them was also his weapon.
The battalion's top fighting force, as acknowledged by Kim Kang-seok—that was no exaggeration.
"Excuse me."
A voice from behind him. It was Seo Eun-ha.
She seemed to be taking a short break after numerous battles, wearing only the lower half of her armor.
"...Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?"
Seo Eun-ha and Choi Young-jun, the company's top talents, were assigned to the follow-up unit.
Since the operational company led by Lee Hyun-wook was tasked with entering dangerous areas, a support force was needed for rescue in case of trouble, and the base's defenses couldn't be left thin.
"If something happens, you'll come running as always, won't you?"
"...You're planning to complain that I was late again, aren't you?"
"I'd be lucky if I could. At least it would mean I wasn't already dead because you were too late."
"What? Ha… you're surprisingly good at talking nonsense, you know that?"
Lee Hyun-wook smiled and nodded.
"If you think about it, they're all just harsh truths."
Though Lee Hyun-wook had started talking back to her regularly, Seo Eun-ha didn't find it particularly offensive.
She had begun to acknowledge him beyond the ranks of officer and soldier.
"In that case, I hope we don't have to meet outside the base."
"Right. That last one was unlucky, but I guess it's a harsh truth too."
As Lee Hyun-wook, now fully prepared, was about to leave the barracks, Seo Eun-ha held out her palm.
"Here."
"More chocolate?"
"...You're honestly trying to piss me off, aren't you?"
Seo Eun-ha opened her hand.
A single bracelet lay in her palm.
It was clearly an item imbued with holy power.
"You know this wave is related to the undead. If you infuse mana into this, it will form a holy protective barrier in a three-meter radius. I'm lending it to you. It should be helpful."
"I'll take it, provided you won't hold me responsible if I lose it."
"...Don't lose it."
Losing it, in other words, could also mean eating it.
Lee Hyun-wook walked out to the parade ground.
Lined up there were seven trucks, three tactical vehicles, and twelve Living Armors.
And assembled before them were 39 soldiers.
This was the elite unit that would venture outside the base under Lee Hyun-wook's command to carry out the Seoul defense operation.
As Lee Hyun-wook emerged from the barracks, all eyes turned to him.
He stood on the reviewing stand, side-by-side with the battalion commander, and looked down at the newly formed company-sized force.
The battalion commander had given them a name.
"...Steel Company, the fate of Seoul rests on you."
Steel Great Emperor, now Steel Company…
Lee Hyun-wook thought to himself that the nicknames that had followed him since his past life were far too childish.
And saying the fate of Seoul rested on them… was a very cliché speech.
But in this moment, all those words sounded different, heavier.
Because they were all true.
*'Right. I'll protect Seoul. And beyond that, everything…'*
Lee Hyun-wook saluted the battalion commander and boarded the K-153 command vehicle.
"Move out."
The Steel Company's first mission,
the Seoul Defense Operation, had begun.
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