Chapter 29 (1/2)

Jung Minji walked at a quick pace. A meeting with the allied forces was held that night.

“… Your motive is good… but do we have the time?”

The one who replied was the one who led the Alliance of Comrades in Arms, General Cha Taes.h.i.+k.

No one else said anything but they all had the same thought. No one could say, “I don’t care if those children die or not.”

However, there were still 7 portals left. 55,000 monsters poured in every day. Even though they went on an expedition every day, the number of monsters were slowly approaching the number of humans. At this rate, they may not be able to reduce the portals to less than five by the final day.

It was because the locations of the portals weren’t specified. Even though Lee Jinhee heroically went out for reconnaissance, there were days when she couldn’t find a single one. Also, perhaps it was because he wasn’t in immediate danger but Baek Seoin couldn’t locate the portals with his Intuition.

If there were 5 portals remaining on the final day, there would be almost 100,000 monsters pouring in.

However, if monsters appeared by the ‘ma.s.ses’, they couldn’t even imagine how difficult of a fight it would be. Also, that word was vague. Ma.s.ses. Just how many were there it to be called ma.s.ses?

As leaders of their respective groups, they couldn’t help but become pa.s.sive facing these conditions.

Jung Minji said.

“… This might not be the end.”

At those words, everyone directed their gazes at Jung Minji.

“The fact that the police and the military have disappeared, everyone is aware of this, correct?”

That was right. Right after the game started, for some reason, the reserve force and the police stations were empty.

“Do you remember the fact that games vary depending on their target? Then the police and the military. What kind of game would they have to play? Where are these people who seem to have evaporated from Kangdong District?”

The mood turned solemn at Jung Minji’s words. It was already the 24th day. While living with their lives on the line every day, they didn’t have the time to look at things in a broader perspective.

A new, but obvious, question came across their minds.

‘What was it like outside of Kangdong District?’

“Everyone should know how the guardian Bae Jinman awakened as a guardian.”

At Jung Minji’s words, everyone’s gazes turned to Bae Jinman. He had his eyes closed, deep in thought.

“What we learned from this was that these games are much more complicated than we initially thought. At first glance, it might seem like we only need to kill and survive but that is not everything. It’s the same with the issue regarding children. Why did they give them a separate rule and make them live in hiding? Why is it that they are able to send rescue signals on the final day? Are these children really discardable?”

Jung Minji made a slight pause before continuing.

“If the guardian disregarded the patients like other doctors and if because of this, we didn’t have a healer in Kangdong District, do you think we would have been able to retaliate against the monsters as united as we are now? Like I said before. There is a high chance that it won’t end with us just escaping Kangdong District. In fact, couldn’t these children actually be a key to survival?”

Hmmm…

Silence fell.

“We have to save the children. Not simply to survive this place but they will definitely be useful in the long run. Getting out of Kangdong District isn’t everything.”

However, they weren’t able to decide so easily. The cause became more resolute but it wasn’t concrete enough. It could be but wasn’t there also a chance it wasn’t?

This time, Jung Minji called out to specific people.

“Leader Kang Dongsoo. Aren’t there a lot of parents under your command who have lost their children?”

“…”

“I also heard that the whereabouts of Leader Seon Jisoo is also unknown.”

“Ah…”

There weren’t many survivors who worked and lived in Kangdong District with children less than 14 years old. As there was an increase of dual-income families and younger couples who worked away from home, a lot of the parents were outside of Kangdong District.

However, that didn’t mean that they could ignore the number of parents in Kangdong District who hoped to find their children. As there was no way, they gave up and fell into despair, living in a world without their children.

Jung Minji provided specific motives to them with her comments. Of course, she had some bait prepared for General Cha Taes.h.i.+k of the Alliance of Comrades in Arms who had an aloof expression and the Knight Captain of the Korean National Sport University, Ryu Hyunsung, who was deep in thought.

For this, Jung Minji had to take a loss. She bit her lips and decisively announced.

“And my troops will spearhead the operation.”

The heads of these leaders instinctively raised. They looked at Jung Minji with surprised expressions. She had just volunteered for the most dangerous mission.

“And I will not forget the people who help me.”

As soon as she said that, the guardian Bae Jinman opened his eyes and stood up. He nodded his head.

“I will stand next to you. I, too, will not forget those who help us.”

Choi Hyuk raised his hand.

“I agree.”

Jung Minji was known, even among the allied forces, to be domineering. With one move, she had gained the support of the strongest fighting power, Choi Hyuk, and the only healer, the greatly influential Bae Jinman.

These two had lowered their heads. (Of course, Choi Hyuk was different.) And she declared she would take the most dangerous role. They calculated. They wouldn’t take any losses from helping them. It was also for a good cause.

“Since you are all so determined, of course, I need to partake in this. Wouldn’t this also be patriotism? Huhuhu!”

“I am ashamed. We will go with you.”

Starting with General Cha Taes.h.i.+k and the Knight Captain Ryu Hyunsung, everyone declared they would partic.i.p.ate in rescuing the children.

‘Like expected, it was good to persuade Jung Minji.’

Baek Seoin who stood behind Choi Hyuk exclaimed to himself. Choi Hyuk turned around to look at Baek Seoin and nodded once.

Afterwards, another discussion ensued.

“But isn’t there another issue? The 1-person escape code.”

This problem was a headache to the leaders who had gathered here. Since, in the perspective of these leaders, it was better for their groups to remain as they are than disperse. There also weren’t many 1-person escape codes either.

“It’s a problem. However, there isn’t a suitable method to handle it. There is no way to know who obtained an escape code… it seems like the only way is to brand those who use the escape code as traitors.”

Everyone nodded their heads at Leader Kang Dongsoo’s words.

“Still, it looks like a sense of camaraderie is forming.”

They fought together and had always won. And they couldn’t ignore the impact of Bae Jinman’s blessings that were akin to large concerts. They had no choice but to use this to crackdown down on traitors.

“Okay. Everyone, make sure to do a roll call every day as well.”

Everyone agreed to General Cha Taes.h.i.+k’s suggestion.

That was the conclusion of important discussions. While the situation was becoming slightly disorderly, General Cha Taes.h.i.+k asked Choi Hyuk.

“But what do we do about the Wyvern of Destruction? The King without Subjects was supposed to handle it but if we try to rescue others as well, it will take a lot of time. Is it possible to keep it up for that long? Though we will try to clear out as many monsters as we can…”

Baek Seoin replied in Choi Hyuk’s place.

“There’s no problem! If there’s a chance, we’re planning on just killing it. Isn’t that right, boss?”

Choi Hyuk gave a short nod.

“Wahaha! As expected, the young are spirited!”

He laughed loudly, throwing his head back.