BRDM 214

chapter 214

“Phew… I thought I was going to die from exhaustion.”

Shwaaah!

Thud—

[Boss monster, ‘King of Anju,’ has been defeated.]

As Eom Gi-seon swung his half-sword, the leader of Anju was cleaved in two and collapsed.

Fsshh—

The battle, which had erupted with the intervention of Lee Hyun and Team Leader Kang Yoon-su, ended in a decisive victory for their side.

With Kim Min-jung providing cover and the X-Team joining the ruins, the tide of the battle had completely turned.

“Ugh…”

“Finally, we can really take a break now, right?”

“See? When the team leader returns, things get resolved quickly, huh?”

The rest of Z-Team sank into their seats with relief, letting out deep sighs.

After surviving sudden missile bombardments, emergency drops, and breaking through the encirclement to regroup, they could finally loosen their tension just a bit. Fatigue washed over them.

Of course, they couldn’t completely relax until the rescue team arrived, but just having people to rely on brought considerable comfort.

Seeing everyone smile like this makes me feel more at ease too.

Michael Shepard felt the same way. These were the people who had come all the way from Korea at his request.

Yet, he felt guilty for putting them through all this hardship instead of being able to help more effectively.

Moreover,

“Our communication network hasn’t been working for a long time… What happened at the base? Could it be that we were attacked by Sama Association…?”

A shadow of concern passed over Michael’s eyes, but he shook it off. Logan Redsky, one of the Nine Heavens, was stationed at the base. It was hard to imagine that they could have been defeated by the Sama Association. There had to be another explanation.

Besides, they hadn’t been completely out of contact.

“Just wait a little longer, OverZero (Michael’s codename). As soon as the situation here is resolved…”

The other side must have had urgent matters too.

At that moment,

“…You’re saying you’ve located the missing personnel?”

Michael’s eyes widened at Lee Hyun’s sudden words.

He claimed to have found traces of the Desert Eagle Team—the team that had gone missing near the Palmyra Desert and had asked Z-Team for help with the search.

“Yes. It’s not just the Desert Eagle Team. We’ve also discovered traces of other units previously reported missing or presumed dead.”

“…!!”

“All of them led to dungeons connected to the Bell Temple.”

“…That means…”

“Since it seems it will take time for the rescue team to arrive, we should complete the search ourselves first.”

“…!!!”

Michael clenched his fist instinctively at the thought that they could save other allies as well.

Moreover, if this was true, Z-Team and the others would gain worldwide recognition.

To Michael, who had nearly tainted his career with a mission failure, Lee Hyun now appeared like a divine angel descending from the heavens.

“Thank you… truly, thank you. Z-Team probably doesn’t even have the time to worry about anyone else right now…”

“We all help each other out, don’t we?”

Lee Hyun smiled as he shook Michael’s hand.

I should be the one thanking you, Michael.

It was a smile whose depth was impossible to read.

At Bell Temple, Lee Hyun discovered the movements of various units heading toward Sama Association’s research lab.

And…

just as he was about to examine them more closely,

[‘Sacred Artifact: Brain Purification Eye’ has integrated with Hwa-An Geum-Jeong, upgrading some of its functions.]

[‘Object Memory Reading’ function has been added.]

Through these two sacred artifacts, Lee Hyun could read the residual thoughts left in Bell Temple: Astra Team and Desert Eagle, being pursued by enemies, were desperate.

• “Damn… what do we do now…?”

• “We have to avoid them. Where do we go?”

• “Maybe we should enter a dungeon?”

• “Are you insane!? There are 21 reported dungeons in Bell Temple alone! Who knows which one we’d end up in!”

• “We can’t just die out here! I don’t want to die here!”

• “Captain! Stop this guy!”

• “No, Captain! This is the only choice we have right now!”

The Desert Eagle Team, cornered at Bell Temple, could only watch the Sama Association’s armored units approaching, raising clouds of dust.

The unit, Shawing (Sand Shadow), previously thought wiped out by U.C.O., was actually hiding near the Palmyra ruins, preserving its strength. As soon as prey appeared, it attacked fiercely.

The problem was that Desert Eagle was not the only one being pursued by Shawing.

• “The Babel Tower units, the 13th Legion we encountered yesterday… all of them are in the same situation! Either Shawing will tear them apart, or they’ll vanish in the sandstorm. With no contact to the main force, what can we do!?”

The biggest issue was that no matter what, they could not directly communicate with their base.

Even the surviving units of Babel Tower, under a truce, and the 13th Legion were in the same situation. Shawing apparently used some U.C.O.-related technology to generate strong magical interference. There was no way to confirm.

For Desert Eagle, each day felt like a slow agony.

Ultimately, their leader had to make a decision.

• “We….”

The team chose to enter a dungeon for survival. Though the dungeon’s difficulty was unknown, it was safer than being annihilated by Shawing.

Later, Desert Eagle realized something:

• “Wh-why are you here?”

• “That’s for us to say…!”

• “…The dungeon assigned when passing [the Gate] should be random. How could three units end up in the same place?”

Already, two—or more—pre-existing forces occupied the dungeon:

• Babel Tower’s ‘Divine Language Corps’

• The 13th Legion’s 10th Division, ‘Scarab’

• Survivors from organizations of evil, as well as soldiers from UN multinational support units previously presumed dead

• “…How is this possible?”

As everyone was stunned, Shawing followed and entered the dungeon—again, the same one.

[Object memory reading has ended.]

“…So all the forces targeting the Palmyra ruins ended up in one dungeon.”

Lee Hyun rubbed his face thoughtfully.

“I don’t want to share Satawang’s lab with anyone… but there’s no other choice.”

Entering alone would be dangerous; Desert Eagle, Divine Language Corps, and Scarab could all react unpredictably. Moreover, Shawing seemed to have another motive for reclaiming the long-abandoned lab.

There may still be items that must be recovered in that lab.

Going alone would only complicate things.

Lee Hyun decided to involve X-Team and Astra in the search. It would be easier to approach the lab under the guise of a search party.

“…This is maddening.”

Michael wiped his face.

“All this military rations here were meant for Astra. Looks like they didn’t have time to clear them out.”

Traces of Desert Eagle were scattered throughout Bell Temple. Other Astra members investigating had similar reactions:

• “Gatshal’s watch is here too. Foolish guy, he said it was precious because his fiancée bought it for him, and he just leaves it?”

• “We found traces of Babel Tower and the 13th Legion here as well!”

• “Scarab? Really?”

• “Unfortunately, yes.”

• “As you know, Scarab specializes in exploring archaeological ruins. They may have learned something here.”

Lee Hyun didn’t need to explain his psychometry ability.

• “Donovan, who went for an external search, has returned.”

The situation was intense.

• “Michael, Sama Association’s pursuit units have established an encirclement outside the ruins. Looks like Anwi’s Shae-yeongki.”

• “We’ll need to retreat into the dungeon until the rescue team arrives… understood.”

The Shae-yeongki was part of Sama Association’s main force. Anwi had been classified as a dangerous figure since the Central Hero Committee era.

Michael sighed and had to consult Lee Hyun.

• “We’ll follow your recommendation, Jet. Also,”

Michael pulled out a silver trumpet-shaped device from his inventory.

• “This signal device picks up the signals of survivors.”

Three wing patterns adorned its end, with Hebrew inscriptions below:

―קול אלהים מדבר

Meaning: “The voice of God speaks.”

Vrrrrr—

A small but deep resonance emerged.

[Gabriel’s Silver Trumpet]
A sacred artifact. When blown by the archangel Gabriel to awaken the dead and announce God’s judgment, it reacts to the soul and thoughts of the target.

• Type: Sacred artifact, signal device

• Origin: Bible, Numbers

Lee Hyun’s eyes glinted slightly at the artifact.

“Then we need to hurry. Once preparations are complete, we’ll move. We’ll get ready as well.”

Michael left, trusting him, while Kim Min-jung approached Lee Hyun with a serious expression.

She had many questions. Lee Hyun nodded.

“What you’re thinking is probably right.”

“…I haven’t said anything yet.”

“You came here because of Umasal, right?”

“….”

“The owner of this place is here. U.C.O., the anomalies in Bell Temple—all of it is because of them.”

“…!”

Kim Min-jung clenched her fist. Lee Hyun did not hide the truth from her. Once she learned Umasal, she would inevitably discover this. Informing her early softened the shock.

Whatever decisions arise, Min-jung will make a wise choice. She’s trustworthy and discreet.

“From now on, a world very different from what you know will unfold. But always think with your own standards. Don’t be swayed. Understand?”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Good. Then there won’t be any major problems.”

Lee Hyun tapped her shoulder lightly, and her expression brightened slightly.

Soon after:

“All units, move out!”

Z-Team, X-Team, and Astra prepared and headed toward Bell Temple.

The dungeon previously entered by surviving units is in the desert city with the Sun God Yarhibol’s temple… Umawang is also there.

Lee Hyun’s eyes glowed cold as he passed through the gate.

This is where all ties of fate will end.

Whoosh!

[Entering the dungeon!]

A glow welcomed the party.