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chapter 212
When Kim Min-jung and her group arrived at the Palmyra ruins, they were able to meet several familiar faces.
“Min-jung! Over here, over here!”
“Everyone’s here? I was worried since the radio wasn’t working…!”
“There were Samahoe guys around constantly. We couldn’t get a chance to use the radio.”
Many of the missing team members had already reached the ruins early and set up an emergency camp. Fortunately, there were no deaths, and most had no injuries. Even those who were injured were only lightly hurt—a huge relief.
“So, the remaining people are…?”
“The team leader and Assistant Um. Only the two of them are left.”
“The team leader just got through on the radio! He’s meeting Team Leader Kang Yoon-soo and Assistant Um and coming over with X Team!”
“…Phew. That’s a relief. Really.”
Kim Min-jung let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Um Gi-seon, whom she had worried about, was safe with Lee Hyun. She also secretly felt thankful for Lee Hyun, realizing that the sudden contact on the radio was thanks to his efforts.
“Heh heh heh.”
“…Why is everyone looking at me like that?”
Then Kim Min-jung realized something. The way her teammates were looking at her was mischievous.
“Heh heh heh heh!”
“Uh-huh-huh-huh.”
“Why are you all laughing like that?!”
“See? As soon as her boyfriend is safe, she’s immediately happy.”
“When I said I had a little injury earlier, they only asked if I took my medicine. Now look at this.”
“Oh dear! How can singles live without such things!”
“No, I mean… the team leader is safe, that’s all!”
Kim Min-jung’s face turned bright red. Observing quietly, Oh Soo-heon clicked his tongue.
“When I go home, I have someone on my side… I’m jealous of anyone with an ally at work too.”
This life is ruined.
Kim Min-jung pressed her hand to her forehead. These people never let go of a weakness once they found it.
“…Senior Jang. I think we really need to have a proper talk about this.”
At that moment, while teasing Lee Hyun in absentia,
“Hey!? Tch—”
Smack!
“I’ve told you several times not to say that, you brat.”
“Ugh…”
“Everyone’s here! That’s a relief!”
There were even more people at the ruins—Astra’s squad.
When Donovan Black saw them, he tried to greet with a bright smile but got lightly smacked on the back of his head by a colleague. A small episode.
Michael Shepherd welcomed Z Team with a bright face. He looked quite thin, likely from struggling to gather scattered teammates while holding a radio that rarely worked.
“It’s really great to meet you all on the surface, Michael.”
“Haha. Isn’t this all thanks to divine protection? Luckily, none of you seem seriously hurt. But what about Jet?”
“They joined X Team and reached the vicinity of the ruins. Probably the fittest among us.”
Michael nodded lightly with a smile.
“Jet… I had a feeling he would be.”
Thankfully, despite the sudden emergency, everyone was gathering without major issues.
Kim Min-jung only began to notice the ruins after confirming Astra was safe.
“But these columns…”
“Aren’t they magnificent? From the triumphal arch in the east to the far end of the western city.”
Michael Shepherd continued with a smile.
“Palmyra was originally an ancient city inhabited since the Neolithic period, and during the Silk Road era, it flourished as a trade city and empire.”
“So many cultures must have intersected there.”
“Indeed. The Bel Temple combines Greco-Roman architecture and, after Islamic influence, served as a mosque. East and West styles mix.”
“Really?”
“The gods worshiped over thousands of years were different. Bel, Baal, Marduk, Agribol, Alat, Semseh, Ragmen, various archangels…”
Kim Min-jung and Michael’s eyes followed the long row of columns leading to the Bel Temple.
The reddish columns, likely made from desert sand, had surfaces covered with depictions of gods from different origins, appearing to ‘move’ actively—like a shadow play. These were the sacred murals of their respective mythologies.
“Because of this, many different dungeons have been discovered around Palmyra, and more are expected. That’s also why it became a major battleground on the Near Eastern front.”
The reason the murals on other columns moved was simple: the Bel Temple itself served as a [Door] connecting to countless dungeons. The faint divine power seeping from various [Doors] activated the columns.
“But the competition for ownership of this place became so intense, it was almost closed off.”
“Yes. To properly study such a mystical place, someone must establish control—but that was no easy task.”
Michael nodded gravely.
“The powers trying to claim this area include the U.S., Russia, and countries like Britain and France who think they have a stake. Groups like Babel Tower or the 13th Legion even consider this their territory. How could proper research happen?”
As multiple nations and forces clashed, the Palmyra ruins remained abandoned for decades. There were other strategic locations in the vast Near Eastern front, after all.
“But suddenly, the U.C.O. appeared, and the Samahoe began targeting the ruins.”
Michael pointed to the outside of the ruins.
Thud… thud…
A black giant loomed at the periphery, ghostlike. Just its gaze was enough to make one’s legs numb. Fortunately, it didn’t pay them much attention. Was it searching for something?
“That’s why players on the Near Eastern front got complicated—wondering if we missed something at the ruins. Such a being couldn’t just appear; there must be a hidden secret.”
Kim Min-jung silently nodded.
‘Senior Jang must have chosen this place for some reason.’
Ever since entering the ruins, her attention kept drifting to the columns and temple.
‘Umasal… keeps reacting to that place.’
Specifically, the murals on the columns and temple continued to stimulate her senses.
Additionally, the U.C.O., which seemed indifferent to them.
‘Does the owner of Umasal have a connection to this ruins? Or the U.C.O.? Or the hidden secret…?’
She considered the U.C.O. might be Umasal’s master but dismissed the idea. The exact secret would likely only be revealed when Lee Hyun arrived.
So, she changed the topic.
“Is that also why the rescue team hasn’t arrived yet?”
“Ah, they’ve already left their base, but—”
Before Michael could finish,
Peeng-
He suddenly grabbed Kim Min-jung’s arm, and white wings sprouted from his shoulder blades, forming a protective shield.
[Transmission, “Servant of Revelation” attempts to protect with wings!]
Something bounced off the thick wings.
“Are you okay!?”
“I’m fine, thanks. But this…!”
Kim Min-jung quickly drew her pistol and pulled the slide.
Kaak! Kaak!
In the sky, humanoid bird monsters with wings flew. One wielding a trident screamed in frustration, as its ambush had failed. Clearly a formidable opponent.
“All units, prepare for combat! The mobs have exited the dungeon. Repeat: All units, prepare for combat. The mobs have exited the dungeon! They appear to be 2–3 star dungeon bosses.”
Kim Min-jung shouted into her radio device.
Crackle.
‘Bolt 1, orders received. Combat ready!’
‘Cloud 2, orders received. Combat ready!’
Responses came in swiftly. The response was too organized to be from people who had just been resting. Like Z Team, Astra quickly armed themselves. Snipers moved to cover, tanks and damage dealers drew weapons and ran forward.
Crack.
‘2–3 star? Are you sure? Why now… Did a dungeon break occur!?’
‘Could it be because of U.C.O.?’
‘Damn it! This is Cloud 3. Something’s wrong! Similar mobs to what Cloud 1 saw are coming! 3 o’clock direction!!’
The 3 o’clock direction was where the Bel Temple stood. Kim Min-jung and Michael turned and stiffened.
The creatures looked exactly like the one they had just fought, swarming like migrating birds.
[“Anzû” group detected!]
[Caution! Dungeon break progressing. Retreat to safe area.]
[Caution! Current area…]
[Anzû]
A hybrid bird from ancient Mesopotamian mythology, famous for stealing the tablet containing the fate of gods.
-Origin: Clay tablet “Ninurta Temple relief”
‘Oh, my Jesus!!’
Donovan’s curse escaped through Michael’s radio.
And that wasn’t all.
Partszzzt!
Murals on other columns wriggled violently, releasing mobs of various types. They were just as formidable as Anzû.
Also,
‘My head… feels like it’s going to explode.’
The more the monsters multiplied, the more Kim Min-jung’s head throbbed.
[Umasal reacts to external stimuli for unknown reasons.]
[Umasal begins reflux.]
Umasal began rampaging, disregarding her commands. Her magical circuits overheated.
“Twin Shot! Are you okay?”
“I’m… fine. Looks like we can’t stay here, so let’s get out quickly.”
“Agreed. We’ll tell Jet’s group to head to the next destination.”
It seemed the Samahoe hadn’t approached the ruins simply because of the U.C.O.
‘Someone… is artificially using Umasal to pull these mobs out of the dungeon.’
Even with a splitting headache, Kim Min-jung deduced the situation.
‘Perhaps that U.C.O. was originally sealed somewhere here and was released because of Umasal…!’
She quickly scanned the perimeter to secure a retreat route.
But,
Kaak! Kaak!!
The Anzû she had fought screamed, and the swarm dove toward them.
Monster wave.
In the disaster that only occurs after a dungeon break, Kim Min-jung and Michael tried to shout warnings.
Then,
Flash!
“Twin Shot!!”
“…!!”
The apparent leader of the Anzû spread its wings and in a blink reached Kim Min-jung, thrusting its trident. She aimed her pistol but was half a beat late. Michael ran but couldn’t control the trident.
When the leader’s cruel smile appeared, Kim Min-jung thought of two people:
Lee Hyun.
And…
‘Gi-seon!!’
The image of her dependable boyfriend holding her in his strong arms flashed before her.
[Transmission, “Infant General Uturi” roars fiercely!]
“Zzagiyaaa!!”
Boom!!
With a violent explosion, the leader screamed and was repelled.
Kim Min-jung’s eyes widened.
‘It wasn’t an illusion…!’
Um Gi-seon stood with a broad back, furious, wielding a half-sword with a fully prepared Aura Blade.
“I’ll protect my Zzagi!!”
He charged the returning leader, roaring fiercely.
Boom-
From then on, a brutal battle ensued. The leader’s wings were cut off, feathers scattering. Um Gi-seon’s white wings expanded, enveloping his entire body like armor.
He looked like a medieval knight rushing across the land to save his lady.
Chiiik.
‘Ohhh!’
‘Our Zzagi is the best!’
‘Zzagi fighting!!’
…Even the team shouted encouragement, mixing laughter with support.
Finally returning from emotion to reality, Kim Min-jung pressed her forehead with her hand.
‘This life… is ruined.’
And…
‘Wait! If Assistant Um is here…’
Far away,
[Transmission, “Day Goblin Dance” descends!]
A blue-white lightning bolt cut through the sky filled with Anzû.
‘As expected!!’
Crash-rumble!!
Lightning struck. Lee Hyun stood there, trailing blue-white electricity. Cheers erupted.
Chiiiik.
‘The team leader is back!’
‘Cool! Look at that! We knew it…!’
‘Those monsters and Samahoe are all dead!!’
‘Counterattack, you bastards!’
Z Team, previously scattered, finally gathered in one place.
