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[Chapter 175]

[Cocoon Retrieval]

The next day at dawn.

As the dim night was passing.

Eunha, who had finished preparing to leave for Uijeongbu, left the clan hall.

"Did everyone remember everything?"

"If anyone forgot something after you announced it like that yesterday, they should just go out and die. Why are you asking such things?"

"Hey! I didn't forget anything!"

"If the foolish hyung says he didn't forget anything, then we must have everything."

Bringing back the cocoon in Uijeongbu.

But it was unknown whether the operation would succeed or fail.

If it failed, the disappointment the public would feel was immeasurable.

So Eunha decided to carry out the operation in utmost secrecy following the Fairy's orders.

That's why they left the clan hall when people hadn't come out on the streets yet.

Uijeongbu is the monsters' territory.

If we move in large numbers, there's a risk of being detected by monsters. We have to consider that if even one battle breaks out, monsters will swarm in succession.

From the start, it's better to organize a small number of people to increase mobility.

So we form a small party.

While doing so, we compose it of personnel who are mobile, skilled at concealing their presence, and have combat ability.

Bae Subin, Jin Parang, Han Changjin, Kaede.

Eunha looked over the clan members he had carefully selected the night before.

"If no one forgot anything, let's go."

"Ah, Eunha. Wait a moment."

The party members who had flinched yesterday when they heard they were going to Uijeongbu.

Whether they had steeled their hearts overnight, they now had faces no different from usual.

To this, Eunha was about to leave the clan hall and head to the meeting place.

At that moment, Jeong Hayang held him back.

"You have to come back without getting hurt. Be careful since commander-level monsters are roaming around Uijeongbu too. Don't go on main roads, use paths that are less noticeable."

"That's the fourth time you've said that. I got it. I'll listen carefully."

Jeong Hayang worried.

Eunha hugged her tightly.

He saw several clan members who had come to see them off behind her.

Eunha exchanged glances with them.

Finally, Eunha's gaze lingered on Han Seohyun leaning against a pillar.

She mouthed words.

Be careful and come back.

Eunha nodded.

Then Eunha released his hands that were hugging Jeong Hayang.

"Please take care of the clan while I'm gone. Seohyun will handle administrative work, but you're the only one I can comfortably entrust the meetings at the Mana Management Organization to, Hayang."

"Don't worry. I'll do well. So don't worry about here and focus only on your mission. Please, please be careful."

"I got it. I'll be going now."

We can't waste time like this.

Eunha said goodbye to her and turned to the party members.

Leaving behind the clan members seeing them off.

Eunha's party headed to Dobong Station.

☆

Dobong Station is humanity's frontline.

It was also the limit of how far the cocoon's power reached.

Above all, after the <End of Century Destruction> occurred, people joined forces to build a huge barrier at Dobong Station.

"The barrier is really high."

"It seems they've repaired it many times. As a result, the wall has become this high without realizing it."

When they arrived at Dobong Station, the sun had risen and it was fully morning.

Jin Parang tilted his head back and exclaimed in admiration at the wall whose top couldn't be seen.

Han Changjin calmly explained.

The other party members also listened to his words.

Where are the other people?

Meanwhile, Eunha looked for the people participating in the secret mission.

Soon, the Blaze Clan revealed themselves.

"It's another strong and firm morning today. Hey, Pandora Clan Lord. Did you sleep well?"

"I slept well?"

"Is that so? I couldn't sleep well because I was so excited about going to Uijeongbu. You have strong nerves? I like that."

"I'll say it again, we're not going there to fight."

"Who doesn't know that? I know too. Don't worry."

Can we really not worry?

Will this battle maniac really not cause trouble in Uijeongbu?

Eunha sighed softly while looking at the crazy squid's appearance.

On the other hand, Eunha greeted the players Kang Hyeonchul had brought for this mission.

"Hello, Pandora Clan Lord. We're carrying out a mission together again?"

"How's Hwang Seokha player's body? Is it okay?"

"He's hospitalized at Galaxy Hospital taking absolute rest. He's very depressed saying he can't throw a single punch until he's fully recovered."

"That's good enough."

Eight Jade <Destroyer > Lim Chaeseong, and three other named members of the Blaze Clan.

Eunha assessed Kang Hyeonchul's party and inwardly felt relieved.

Fortunately, it was composed of relatively normal and skilled forces.

"─Hello. Am I late?"

"No. You arrived just in time."

Not long after that.

Twelve Seats <Time Witch> Priscis Memory appeared with Mana Management Organization staff.

She, wearing a pointed hat reminiscent of a witch, greeted on behalf of them.

The people she brought were not combat forces but a Maestro to examine the cocoon's condition and a guide to safely lead the way to Uijeongbu.

And the last person was─.

"─Thank you for your hard work so early in the morning. I'm Seon Wuharyeong, newly appointed as the Director of the Surveillance Bureau."

"..."

Facing the other person.

Eunha flinched for a moment.

Regardless, the old man extended his hand to Eunha.

☆

<Abyss > Seon Wuharyeong.

<Abyss > was the alias he used while active in the darkness.

Then he caught Baek Seojin's eye, and up until now, he had been playing the role of managing the darkness together with Baek Seojin.

And─.

─He gained Teacher Baek Seojin's trust and succeeded him as the head of the Twelve Seats.

Head of the 3rd generation Twelve Seats.

After the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture Battle ended, Baek Seojin stepped down from his position as his health deteriorated and he admitted his own lack of ability.

And he recommended <Abyss > as someone who could play the role of connecting the government and darkness.

At that time, <Abyss > was bound to be considered the most likely candidate. His skills were proven by the alias <Abyss >, and he had quite high seniority in the Mana Management Organization, making it convenient to control subordinates.

The head of the Twelve Seats didn't simply mean the leader of the Twelve Seats.

It was also a person with the authority to wield the Mana Management Organization freely.

As a result, the head of the Twelve Seats had to be selected from the Mana Management Organization, not from other clans.

That was a way to increase the Fairy's power.

However─.

─Making <Abyss > the head of the Twelve Seats was a huge mistake by Teacher Baek Seojin and Lim Gaeul.

Lim Gaeul's wishes at that time went astray.

Because the sword that should have protected the Fairy joined hands with other forces and pressured her.

In the end, <Abyss > led public opinion and government officials to lead to Lim Gaeul's impeachment and Ha Baekryeon's inauguration.

Therefore─.

"─Why did the Director of the Surveillance Bureau come here instead of working?"

""""...."""

<Abyss > is my enemy.

Eunha stared at his hand and responded curtly.

At this, the people around all swallowed their breath.

Nevertheless, <Abyss > didn't bother to rebuke Eunha's rudeness.

Rather, he laughed heartily.

"Hoho, your nerves seem quite on edge, whether it's because it's morning or because you're about to go to Uijeongbu soon. I just came out to see off those who are rightfully dedicating themselves for the country. In a situation where we're practically sending you to your deaths... Shouldn't the government give a proper send-off?"

The Mana Management Organization was composed of seven bureaus.

Recently, except for Minji-a, the Special Operations Bureau Director, all the bureau directors were completely replaced.

So Baek Seojin became the Minister, and Seon Wuharyeong took the position of Surveillance Bureau Director that he had held.

I don't know if <Abyss > is great or if Lim Gaeul is incompetent.

If she was going to replace the organization anyway, she should have obviously removed this guy too.

Eunha knew this too but.

Seeing Seon Wuharyeong in person, he was feeling quite angry.

At the current point in time, <Abyss > would be very obedient to the Fairy.

As a result, Lim Gaeul must not have been able to see through his inner thoughts.

Eunha clicked his tongue inwardly and reluctantly shook his hand.

"If you're done with your business, please leave then. I'm sorry, but I'm very on edge because I couldn't sleep much."

"Alright. I can't upset your mood because of me."

""""...."""

He was an opponent I didn't want to get involved with.

And an enemy to be wary of.

Eunha tried to drive him away as politely as possible.

Unexpectedly, <Abyss > didn't show it and agreed to withdraw quietly.

"─Then I'll pray for your safe return."

Soon the old man bowed his head politely and retreated to his place.

Eunha sighed watching him walk away.

That <Abyss > is a snake that's been through thick and thin, probably hundreds of years old.

Although <Abyss > won't be able to be very active since Lim Gaeul overhauled the organization differently from before the regression.

Nevertheless, he couldn't let his guard down.

It won't be easy to remove him either.

Because <Abyss > is deeply connected to the darkness.

When Eunha was thinking that─.

"─Hey, you're even worse than me. Even if my head goes crazy, I don't touch the old officials of the Mana Management Organization... Well, I guess I should strive harder from now on. I should learn from you."

"Don't curse."

While people were clicking their tongues.

Kang Hyeonchul alone praised Eunha for being bold with shining eyes.

Eunha frowned.

☆

"Then let's depart now. Monsters become ferocious at night, so it's better to walk as much as possible while the sun is up."

Eunha told the people.

People didn't express any objections.

Although <Yama > and <Time Witch> were there, Eunha was the one who had proposed this operation.

From the start, <Yama > lacked the capacity to think intelligently enough for all Blaze Clan members to acknowledge.

<Time Witch> hardly expressed her own opinions and just smiled and agreed to whatever was said.

"There is no gate in the Dobong-gu barrier. When it was first built, people who felt fear towards monsters coming down from the north gathered and piled it up without any plan."

""""...."""

"Even after several repairs later, no one suggested making a gate. At that time, people had learned how to fight using mana, so they could just walk up the wall. Also... It's said they didn't make a gate out of the psychological manifestation that they would rather give up the world beyond the barrier and continue to be confined like this."

The guide was talkative.

The guide, who said he was born in Dobong-gu with a grandfather from Uijeongbu, spoke while climbing the barrier.

Other people started wall-walking following behind him.

The guide said that if they cross the wall at this location, their exposure can be minimized as they'll be hidden by trees.

So people silently followed the guide's instructions.

Meanwhile, Hoshimiya Kaede didn't wall-walk.

Kaede threw arrows at the wall and climbed the wall first.

Then she reduced her presence and surveyed the world spread out beyond the barrier.

She was trying to fulfill her role as a ranger.

"There are no monsters down here. The wind is blowing towards us, so there's no risk of being detected by monsters with developed sense of smell."

"Well done."

"Don't touch my head. It's getting messy."

"Then I'll touch it so it doesn't get messy."

"No, don't touch it."

"Then why are you crouching down showing me your head?"

"Don't touch it. I'm not a dog."

"If you were a dog, I would have stroked your chin instead of your head."

"I'm not joking around."

"Okay, I won't do it. I won't touch it from now on."

"Hah, save this joking for after we're done. We're about to enter Uijeongbu, how can you be in the mood to joke around?"

"Alright. Then I'll do it after we're done."

"Huh?"

"What? What is it?"

"...Nothing."

When everyone finally climbed the barrier.

Kaede spoke with her hair fluttering in the wind blowing from the direction of Uijeongbu.

Eunha was very proud of her and stroked her head.

She reacted angrily to this.

Eunha giggled, finding her reaction amusing.

Meanwhile, other people's gazes were directed towards the world spread out far beyond the barrier.

"Every time I see this, I can't believe such a scene is spread out beyond Dobong-gu."

Kang Hyeonchul uttered.

Others agreed.

What was spread out below the barrier were traces of a city covered in densely growing trees and undergrowth.

And glimpses of straight roads and railways could be seen.

"Remember the roads and railways well. Even if you get lost, you should be able to return if you follow those railways."

"...I saw it on the map yesterday. I know. Don't worry."

"Then let's go down."

After exchanging a few words with Kaede.

Eunha instructed the people.

Kaede and the Blaze Clan's ranger jumped down first to check if there was any danger below the barrier.

They sent a signal that it was safe.

Eunha also jumped down.

There won't be many monsters near Dobong Station.

The players patrolling this barrier would have killed them on sight.

As Eunha expected, there wasn't much sense of monsters.

Eunha looked for the guide.

"─This way. It would be convenient to move on the main road, but it's an environment where it's easy to be detected. Even if they say there are no monsters nearby, let's go this way in case."

The guide led the way.

An apartment complex covered in undergrowth.

From then on, a long march began.

They had to take detours after discovering monster colonies along the way.

The undergrowth areas gradually increased after passing Dobongsan Station.

But that was only for a while.

Hyowon Overpass and Pyeonghwa-ro.

The scene that unfolded before their eyes at the point where the two roads met was not undergrowth but a gray city.

""""...."""

A city abandoned and decades old.

They decided to have lunch in a nearby building.

There was nothing around.

If anything, there were only piles of stones.

The city without people evoked an inexplicable eeriness.

"─My guidance ends here. From here on, even the Mana Management Organization hasn't properly grasped the situation."

Time passed and they reached Manwolsa Station.

The guide spoke, confirming the location from a fallen sign on the road.

"There weren't many monsters we encountered up to here, and even the ones we did meet weren't strong individuals, but from now on we really need to be careful. From here on, it's an area not under the influence of the Mana Management Organization."

The guide advised.

Then he distributed all the equipment and food he had to the people.

"Is it okay for us to take all this?"

"There's one quick way back. It's a dangerous path to go with all of you, but alone I should be able to manage somehow."

Priscis Memory asked.

The guide answered cheerfully.

Then he gave a thumbs up to Eunha.

He smiled, showing his pure white teeth.

"Then I'll look forward to good results. Be careful."

"You be careful too."

The guide left immediately.

The people saw him off.

Then Eunha called Kaede to confirm their current location.

"From now on, we have to move considering the possibility of encountering high-tier monsters. Kaede, can you do it?"

"Don't worry about me."

"Parang hyung, move with Kaede and be in charge of communication."

"Okay, got it."

Now they had to find their own way.

Eunha gave instructions to Kaede and Parang.

The two who received his instructions immediately moved forward.

"You give instructions well?"

"Of course, I'm the Clan Lord."

"No, I mean you don't seem scared for your first time in Uijeongbu."

"What's there to be scared of? We have to take down monsters anyway. What's the use of being scared?"

"That's true, but people who aren't scared like you are really rare. You'll definitely live long. In my experience, people with that kind of mindset..."

"I'm going to live long anyway."

"In that sense, when this operation is over, how about a sparring match with me..."

"Let's focus on the operation."

At that time, Kang Hyeonchul who was watching Eunha.

He giggled and spoke.

Eunha answered curtly.

☆

"The city is completely different from what I imagined."

"It's because nature has reclaimed it. Plants grow fast when there are no people."

Kang Hyeonchul muttered.

Han Changjin explained calmly.

The group continued moving forward, avoiding the main roads.

Occasionally, they had to take detours to avoid monster colonies.

"We're almost at Uijeongbu Station."

After a while, Kaede who was scouting ahead returned and reported.

Eunha nodded and instructed the group to take a break.

They entered a nearby building to rest and eat.

While eating, Eunha discussed the next steps with the others.

"According to the information we have, the Arts Center should be about 2 kilometers northwest of Uijeongbu Station. We'll head there after resting."

The others agreed with Eunha's plan.

After resting for about 30 minutes, they set out again.

As they got closer to Uijeongbu Station, signs of monsters increased.

Kaede and the Blaze Clan ranger had to be extra careful scouting ahead.

Finally, they reached Uijeongbu Station.

The station was in ruins, overgrown with vegetation.

"The Arts Center should be in that direction."

Eunha pointed northwest.

They carefully made their way through the ruined city.

After about an hour of tense walking, they finally saw the Arts Center in the distance.

"There it is. Let's approach carefully."

The group slowly advanced towards the Arts Center.

As they got closer, they could see that the building was surprisingly intact compared to its surroundings.

"It seems the protection magic is still working."

Priscis Memory observed.

They reached the entrance of the Arts Center.

"Kaede, check if there are any monsters inside."

Kaede nodded and used her skills to scan the building.

"I don't sense any monsters inside. But there's a strange energy coming from deeper inside."

"That must be the cocoon. Let's go in."

Eunha led the way into the Arts Center.

They carefully made their way through the dark hallways.

Finally, they reached a large hall.

In the center was a glowing cocoon, about 3 meters tall.

"We found it. Priscis, please check its condition."

Priscis Memory approached the cocoon and began examining it.

After a few minutes, she turned to the group.

"The cocoon is stable and in good condition. We should be able to transport it safely."

Eunha nodded, relieved.

"Alright, let's prepare to move it. We need to be extra careful on the way back."

As they began preparations to transport the cocoon, Eunha felt a sense of accomplishment.

Their mission was almost complete. Now they just had to make it back safely.