Episode 186
What are the odds that the front pages of newspapers around the world are the same?
It was a time when all kinds of incidents and accidents occurred.
The seemingly impossible was happening now.
Dawn in Earth time.
The depths of the Abyss.
A place where ordinary players cannot enter, and where great powers compete to obtain new knowledge.
It was due to an incident that occurred in that unknown territory.
‘About 200 Abyss safety zones destroyed.’
‘Luckily the casualties were limited to about 100.’
‘Abyss expert says this is the first time thousands of monsters are moving in groups.’
‘The cause of the safety zone attack was Kim Tae-hyun and Cody Cruz.’
‘Association President Ji Jin-hee, Association President Kevin Lee. Announcement of intention to hold joint press conference.’
‘Kim Tae-hyun and Cody Cruz. ‘Their Secret Deep Life.’
‘New Korea and the United States. Did they touch the evil of the Abyss?’
When the Abyss exploration began, it was an unprecedented situation.
In particular, the deep area is where players from various countries and guilds are active, and as competition is fierce, numerous interests are intertwined.
As all kinds of information is generated, it is natural that each safety zone is important.
200 deep safety zones have fallen to monsters.
Information circulated that it was Taehyun and Cody Cruz who had touched the evil spirits, and the blame was soon focused on the two.
It was an attitude that was contrary to what was held up as the hope of humanity not long ago.
The country and guild affected by this incident demanded an explanation from both countries.
Due to continued media coverage, the World Players’ Association stepped in to intervene.
New Korea and the United States of America.
Although they are allies, a rivalry is currently formed.
so that.
Association President Ji Jin-hee and Association President Kevin Lee.
Numerous reporters flocked to the news that the two were holding a joint press conference.
* * *
An outdoor press conference room held by the World Players’ Association.
Two men appeared there.
They were Ji Jin-hee, president of the New Korea Players Association, and Kevin Lee, president of the American Players Association.
Hundreds of camera shutters exploded.
The two association presidents sat down with stern expressions.
“Then, I will be on time and take your questions.”
An employee from the association emphasized the order.
This was to prevent any accidents.
The American reporter was the first to be allowed to ask questions.
“I would like to ask a common question to the two association presidents. A ‘runaway’ of monsters that took place in the depths. “There is a rumor that Cody Cruz and Kim Tae-hyun are the cause. Is this true?”
An unstoppable fastball.
However, it was an expected question.
The two association presidents made eye contact.
When Ji Jin-hee nodded, Kevin Lee put his mouth to the microphone.
“It’s true.”
These were reporters who expected that there would be some excuse.
However, as the two association presidents agreed, a series of questions began.
“Numerous safety zones were destroyed due to the monsters’ ‘rage’. “What do you plan to do about the damage caused by this?”
Ji Jin-hee took the microphone.
“We are currently seeking a solution through the World Players’ Association. “As this happened during an operation, the three associations will do their best to resolve it.”
“Operation? Are you saying that the cause of this uproar was ‘operation’? What kind of operation is this specifically?”
“It was a lifesaving operation. “The monsters’ rampage happened during that process.”
“Lifesaving?”
The reporters looked sharply at Ji Jin-hee.
Ji Jin-hee sighed and looked at Kevin Lee.
Although the words were set in advance, this is a question that Kevin Lee must answer from now on.
Kevin Lee nodded and took the microphone again.
“lately. “Five SS-rank players went missing.”
“what? “SS grade?”
“What kind of nonsense is that… .”
Kevin Lee’s words immediately made the press conference room noisy.
11 SS-rank players.
Regardless of nationality, they were called the world’s greatest force.
Five of those people are missing?
It was natural for reporters to be dumbfounded.
Kevin Lee sighed once and began to explain.
The first person to go missing is Ricky Harlis.
and the disappearance of Allied players Alex Watson, Daniel Grint, Dominic Garbrandt and Uriah Simon.
Next, the second investigation team in question with Cody Cruz and Taehyun was mentioned.
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The explanation of Archduke Orgal could not be left out.
Although the reporters were shocked, their typing speed became faster.
“Then that archduke…” Are you saying that even Kim Tae-hyun and Cody Cruise can’t handle it?”
“That’s right.”
“Then all the monsters that destroyed the Safety Zone… .”
“I am a subordinate of someone called Orgal. “If you include the number of monsters that have not been identified, I think it will be tens of thousands.”
“oh my god… .”
“crazy… .”
“God dem… .”
Everyone who heard Kevin Lee’s explanation had the same thought.
The world’s No. 1 and No. 2 are not enough opponents to run away from.
The number of monsters that one Archduke commands is tens of thousands, and many of them are monsters that live in the deep.
It was a reality I wanted to deny.
“Well, then what happened to the remaining SS-rank players who went missing?!!”
“Ricky Harlis, Dominic Garbrandt and Juraiya Simone of the United States. Alex Watson of France. Daniel Grint from England. “All five people were confirmed dead by the secondary investigation team.”
Sighs erupted and the press conference room became noisy once again.
I expected that most of the gathered reporters would belittle the two association presidents and get carried away.
However, the deaths of five SS-rank players were confirmed.
Only then did I realize the weight of this press conference.
“Well, then is it possible that the monster called Archduke could invade Earth?!!”
“Are the recent frequent gate breaks related to the anti-aircraft attack?!!”
“Is the World Players Association taking action?!!”
From responsibility for the deep safety zone to responding to monster invasions.
In an instant, the direction of the press conference changed.
“I’m not sure about anything at this point. However, we, the United States of America and New Korea, have reaffirmed our strong alliance and will work together to ensure the safety of humanity and the subjugation of monsters, which is the Association’s original duty.”
First Alliance.
That was the same as acknowledging it as a country with power equal to that of the United States.
“The defense ministers of New Korea and the United States have agreed to meet as soon as possible. “The new ROK-U.S. joint alliance will be concluded at that location.”
After a few more questions, the press conference ended.
At the same time, an unknown entity.
Special articles about Archduke Orgal poured out.
Numerous people, online and offline, regardless of country, denied that fact.
Rumors circulated that this was false information created by New Korea and the United States to avoid responsibility.
at that time.
SS-rank player who was a member of the 1st investigation team.
Dominic Garbrandt, Urijah Simon, Alex Watson, Daniel Grint.
Four people’s heads were found.
Those who claimed it was false information bowed their heads.
Conversely, the new Korea and the United States gained justification.
* * *
New Korea Alchemist headquarters.
“Is this the last time?”
Taehyun just drank the potion delivered to the VVIP room.
It was a special potion created by Seo Sang-ik himself.
The response came immediately.
Tiring.
[Stamina has increased by 1.]
‘It’s worth the money.’
Taehyun opened the status window.
Name: Taehyun Kim
Age: 20
Grade: S
Strength: 289 Stamina: 290 Speed: 289 Horsepower: 405 Charisma: 220
Fatigue: 30%
Remaining horsepower: 405/405
[Unique skill]
Predation (S) – You can prey on the desired target. Horsepower: 100
[General skills]
Complete Hypnosis (S) – Specifies an opponent and hypnotizes them. Horsepower: 100
Blood Rush (S) – Activates physical abilities. Horsepower: 200
Eyes of a higher species (S) – See through the opponent. Magic power: 10
Apocalypse (S) – Forms an infinite field. Horsepower: 200
Dragon’s Rage (S) – Releases a spirit strengthened by magical power. Horsepower: 100
Masuhwa (S) – Mimics the body. Horsepower: 200
Energy Compose (S) – Materializes energy consisting of magical power. Horsepower: 60
Energy Drain (S) – Absorbs the opponent’s magical power. Horsepower: 60
[Summoning skill]
Rosaria (S) – Summons Rosaria, the queen of nightmares. Horsepower: 300
Hazard (S) – Summons Dragon Lord Hazard. Horsepower: 11000
Igmun (S) – Summons Vampire Lord Igmun. Horsepower: 7700
Orgal (S) – Summons the Demon King Orgal. Horsepower: 8000
Beelzebub (S) – Summons the Demon King Beelzebub. Horsepower: 10000
Jormungand (S) – Summons the Demon King Jormungand. Horsepower: 9000
It was an absurd increase in abilities, but looking at his recent actions, it was understandable.
This is because there are quite a few SS-rank monsters that preyed on Orgal’s castle.
It wasn’t just the stats that changed.
New skills, ‘Energy Compose’ and ‘Energy Drain’ were registered.
The reason I preyed on her was to free her from Orgal’s magic.
For some reason, two of her three skills were registered.
‘Is the effect of predation becoming stronger?’
Recently, they have preyed on quite a few species that call themselves higher species.
Each time, the stats rose significantly, and the power of the predator was also growing in proportion to the mana that could be used.
Taehyun closed the status window.
Ji Jin-hee and Kevin Lee’s press conference was shown on the screen installed in the VVIP room.
Taehyun’s gaze fell on Jinhee Ji, who had a stern expression.
There seemed to be a mountain of things I wanted to ask him.
Nevertheless, now that he has recovered from his injury.
The reason I wasn’t looking for him first was because I had more important things to do.
Memories Ring, a legendary item owned by Ricky Harlis.
The ring had the effect of increasing physical abilities just by wearing it.
It is a legendary grade item.
‘There’s no way it only has that much functionality.’
I personally requested a ring from Seo Sang-ik, and today was the day the results came out.
The press conference that was being rebroadcast on the screen became noisy.
This was because Association President Kevin Lee revealed the existence of the Archduke.
‘It’s a situation that never happened in my previous life.’
In the world before Taehyun’s return, the United States and China were competing and focused on strengthening their armaments and exploring the Abyss.
Gate breaks and dungeon breaks occurred frequently, but the existence of the Archduke was never made public.
Rather, the SSS level monsters were only revealed much later than now.
‘If the current atmosphere continues, New Korea will have no choice but to be dragged into the United States.’
The first ally and equal partner country of the world’s most powerful country, the United States.
That alone would make other countries envious, but Ji Jin-hee and Tae-hyun were not satisfied with that.
To become a completely neutral country.
New Korea needed its own weapons that could counter the scale of the United States.
Legendary grade items would be a clue to that end.
At that time, Seo Sang-ik’s face appeared on the screen.
[Kim Tae-hyun player. The results are in.]
Seo Sang-ik’s face looked haggard.
“What happened?”
[Really… You brought a scary item… .]
“… … ?”
Seo Sang-ik sighed.
[Legendary grade item ‘Memory Ring’. If this ring fell into someone else’s hands… Many people would have died.]
