Chapter 80

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

Chapter 80: Let Them See Gwanak (4)

“Huh!”

“Oh…!”

The young men in jackets, as well as Yeongwoo himself, shifted their gaze to the sky as if mesmerized.

Swoosh!

The columns of light descending from the sky, tearing through the air, were none other than monster marks.

Spat!

Soon, a timer appeared in front of everyone who was looking up at the sky.

[00:06:11]

6 minutes and 11 seconds.

The time remaining until monsters and mutants appear on this land.

‘The timing of the timer’s appearance is different every day.’

Yeongwoo recalled the monster timer he had seen in the past.

On the first day, it was 25 minutes in Gumi, the second day, a mere 10 seconds in Sangju, and today, the third day… 6 minutes.

‘What’s the difference? Is it purely random?’

As Yeongwoo pondered while looking at the timer, the young men in jackets, who had been murmuring, began to focus their attention on the giant riding the iron horse, one by one.

“Um….”

Someone finally spoke up.

When Yeongwoo turned his head towards the sound, he saw a sturdy young man standing there, his facial muscles tense.

“Yes. Please, go on.”

As he encouraged the other person who had stopped speaking to finish the sentence, the whole area was in a state of commotion again.

“Huh?”

“He’s a real person.”

“Then what’s that…?”

In the crowd, someone referred to the iron horse rider as “that thing.”

Given the heavily equipped appearance of Yeongwoo, not to mention the Negwig he was riding, everyone had trouble gauging his identity, especially because of the Negwig, which looked like it didn’t belong in this world.

“I am Kim Daewon from Seoul National University. I’m here to prevent monsters from appearing in the area. Excuse me, but may I ask why you’re here, sir?”

The sturdy young man carefully chose his words as he looked up at Yeongwoo, who was elevated due to being on the Negwig.

But the situation was the same for the inaction.

The young men in the audience seemed to sense that as well.

“… … …”

Despite outnumbering them by far and knowing that monsters would pour in from all directions in 6 minutes, no one drew a sword.

‘As expected of Seoul National University.’

Yeongwoo nodded as he looked at the jackets worn by the young men in front of him.

As expected, everyone here was wearing “Seoul National University Club Jackets.”

“So, does Seoul National University monopolize the monsters in Gwanak? I heard that Seoul has to both permit and catch monsters.”

Based on the information he had heard from the previous encounter, when Yeongwoo asked, Kim Daewon’s stiff expression relaxed slightly.

‘He’s not from Seoul… but at least he’s heard about the guidance.’

Daewon’s eyes quickly scanned the two knives tucked into the outsider’s waist.

Luckily, there was no blood on them.

Unless he deliberately cleaned the knives, it meant he hadn’t killed any guards on the way here.

“We only handle monsters near our school, and the monster business is entrusted to the Gwanak Police Station.”

monster business.

It seemed to refer to the monster business mentioned by the guards.

“So, if I were to intervene with the monsters in Gwanak, it could cause trouble.”

The other party was so polite that Yeongwoo tried to speak as politely as possible, but Daewon and the Seoul National University students couldn’t help but feel tense.

Isn’t the opponent a stranger who just arrived from outside?

‘Knowing our rules and accepting them are two separate issues. Moreover, seeing him loaded with equipment like that….’

Daewon’s gaze left the Negwig and landed on all the equipment Yeongwoo was wearing.

Starting from the rugged helmet worn backward on his head, to the hands protected by golden gloves, and even the live snake wrapped around his wrist, anyone who had some knowledge of this world could only think this way when they saw this giant.

‘He must have killed everything, monsters or mutants, that got in his way to get here. It seems like he encountered many merchants too.’

Therefore, it was natural that Yeongwoo’s question about intervening with the monsters here sounded like a kind of threat.

“Um, well… for now, I can cooperate with the monsters in this area on my own terms.”

“…Ah.”

But Yeongwoo didn’t actually intend to take away the young men’s livelihoods.

“I didn’t ask about fighting over monsters. Then, does Gwanak’s Strongest Sword handle mutants alone?”

…!

Mutants, and Gwanak’s Strongest Sword.

As the two words came out of Yeongwoo’s mouth, the atmosphere suddenly became chilly.

“Is the reason you came here to deal with mutants?”

A much sharper tone than before.

Yeongwoo looked at the other person blankly.

“Yes, but… It looks like Gwanak’s Strongest Sword is affiliated with Seoul National University.”

He thought the blade might come flying at any moment.

That’s because most of the areas Yeongwoo has been through so far were like that.

However, Seoul National University students, including Kim Daewon, showed no intent to kill until the end.

Because the Golden Flash of sensory deprivation did not go off.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Daewon said this and bowed his head towards Yeongwoo.

“Although I don’t have the authority to represent the school, I still request that you leave. Please leave Gwanak.”

“….”

Another change.

Yeongwoo lost his words as he looked at Daewon’s expression.

In fact, it was almost like saying “get lost from our area,” but this polite “get lost” was the first since the reset.

‘Seoul National University….’

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

According to the guard who guided him, Seoul National University devised the Seoul rotation, and this school also played a role as the government’s brain.

So if this place turned into a battlefield with outsiders, it would be troublesome in many ways.

But.

[00:04:11]

There were only 4 minutes left.

It was somewhat late to go to another area, and Yeongwoo needed to deal with mutants today.

[Golden Flood]

Summon the Golden Rain in five or more areas. (4/5)

[Dogo] “Strong Tiger’s Early Appearance”

[Mission] Engage in 0/2 duels with targets with a total ability score of 3,000 or higher.

[Reward] 5 million karma

[Special] You must disclose the fact of Dogo’s support in this duel.

With the “Golden Flood” and “Strong Tiger’s Early Appearance” about to be cleared, postponing the mutant extermination in this situation where he didn’t know when he would encounter the Gangnam’s Strongest Sword driven by revenge would be suicidal.

“I’m sorry. If I give up on the mutants, I’ll be in trouble. But I have no intention of harming others, so let me talk directly with Gwanak’s Strongest Sword.”

When Yeongwoo ultimately declined the offer, the faces of the Seoul National University side turned pale.

“Fighting between Strongest Swords in the city center is strictly prohibited. If you violate this, you will be pursued by other Strongest Swords.”

“…?”

Pursued by other Strongest Swords.

Once again, Yeongwoo felt “Seoul” from Daewon’s words.

“It’s already happening.”

“What do you mean…?”

Ignoring Daewon’s dazed expression, Yeongwoo looked towards the tunnel direction.

Inside the dim tunnel, something gradually brightened.

It was Taeyoung and Jongsu finally emerging from the tunnel.

“Hyung!”

Jongsu leaned out of the patrol car that arrived at the scene with the sound of the engine.

Then, seeing the Seoul National University students lined up in front of Yeongwoo, he widened his eyes.

Of course, the Seoul National University side was equally surprised.

Taeyoung, driving the patrol car, looked unmistakably like a real police officer.

[00:03:21]

Meanwhile, the remaining time had decreased to 3 minutes.

“Are the police in Gwanak also public security personnel? I’m asking if my group might be attacked by people first.”

At this, Daewon shook his head with a troubled expression.

“At least in Gwanak, that won’t happen.”

A strange answer.

But for now, that was enough, so Yeongwoo tightened the reins again.

* * *

It wasn’t until after the confrontation with the Seoul National University students that they realized the end of Bongcheon Tunnel was adjacent to the main gate of Seoul National University.

As they left the scene and looked back, they could see the landmark of Seoul National University’s main gate in the distance.

And beyond that, there was a much larger crowd bustling busily than the students they had seen in club jackets earlier.

‘What the.. there must be hundreds of them.’

Perhaps that was the main force of Seoul National University.

However, there was no time to confirm it firsthand.

[00:02:42]

Time remaining until the appearance of mutants, 2 minutes and 42 seconds.

During this time, Yeongwoo bid farewell to Taeyoung and Jongsu, who had narrowed the distance considerably.

“I think I should head towards the mutants first. At this rate, I won’t arrive on time.”

Upon hearing this, Jongsu in the passenger seat pointed towards the distant red pillars of light and said.

“Don’t worry, just go ahead. We’ll follow slowly!”

“Yes. Please try to avoid any conflicts with the people here if possible.”

Although Jongsu had a somewhat challenging personality, with Taeyoung, a police officer to the core, everything should be fine.

Yeongwoo conveyed through his eyes to Taeyoung that he was counting on him, then immediately nudged the Negwig’s side.

-Vvweeeeek!

Responding to Yeongwoo’s signal, the Negwig lowered its head momentarily before accelerating.

Clang!

As the steel hooves struck the asphalt road forcefully, fragments flew in all directions, and the scenery Yeongwoo had been watching began to recede rapidly.

‘Incredible. How much faster can it go?’

Yeongwoo looked at the distant red pillars of light, still quite far away.

[00:02:20]

“Now we only have 2 minutes left. Can we get to that red spot as quickly as possible?”

In response to Yeongwoo’s words, the Negwig seemed to turn back for the first time.

-Vviek.

It was as if rather than asking if it was possible, but whether it was okay.

So instead of answering, Yeongwoo tightened the reins of the Negwig firmly.

And then.

Vweeek!

Steam gushed out fiercely from the Negwig’s body, just like when it first appeared.

“Uh, wait…!”

Feeling uneasy for some reason, Yeongwoo tried to pull the reins, but it was too late.

-Kwieeeek…!

The Negwig had already started to sprint at full speed.

Boom!

The noise was so loud that it felt like a bomb had exploded.

It would be some time before everyone in the area heard that sound.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]