According to Kim Min-ho’s report, a monster called "Ratman" was inhabiting the basent of the apartnt complex where the Kellican flock had nested.
As its na suggested, the creature resembled a rat in appearance, which led to believe Seo Ye-jin’s ability might work on it.
[Their average level is estimated to be around 16.]
Considering that Seo Ye-jin’s tad, evolved giant mice were only in the low level-10 range, this was a much higher starting point.
If we could ta them and add them to our forces, we’d gain a power boost of at least two or three levels. If we added zombification on top of that, their level would rise by another two stages.
‘Not bad!’
If they reached level 20 and were enhanced with Seo Ye-jin’s Enhance skill, they might even survive long enough to reach the Wolseong base.
[Additionally, there appears to be a monster acting as their leader.]
[A leader?]
[Yes. Since we haven’t hunted it yet, we don’t know its exact level, but judging by its size and the aura it exudes, it’s unlikely to be at a low level.]
[Can you describe it in more detail?]
[Certainly.]
According to Kim Min-ho, who had directly encountered it, the massive rat monster was about 5 ters tall, with an imposing and muscular physique.
‘If even Kim Min-ho found it intimidating…’
Ever since we prepared for the Vampire War, all the retainers had been trained to a minimum level of 45.
Moreover, they were all boosted with the three-star power of the stars. If Kim Min-ho’s team—trained to this level—felt threatened by the creature, it was likely at least close to their level.
‘It might even exceed level 40.’
Considering the Ratn underlings were only in their mid-teens in level, it was unlikely the leader surpassed level 40. However, even exceeding level 30 would be significant.
‘If Seo Ye-jin can ta it, this crisis might be easier to resolve than I thought.’
If the creatures could endure the radiation, Ha Dong-geon’s spears could be used to eliminate the radiation monsters.
‘I need to act fast!’
The Kellican’s nest was located at the edge of our current territory.
This ant that if any of them leveled up, they would be consud by the territory and turned into experience points.
‘I need to ta them before they level up!’
With the radiation leak forcing civilians into the safe zone, I didn’t have to worry about anyone leveling up for the ti being.
‘Experience gained from the Goblin Dungeon isn’t significant, so it should be fine!’
Only the retainers had the power to hunt high-level monsters capable of significantly affecting leveling. As long as they were carefully managed, we could delay the timing of their level-ups.
With my thoughts sorted, I called Seo Ye-jin, who was searching for the next mouse to send while keeping her eyes closed.
“Ye-jin.”
“Yes?”
“There’s sothing I need you to do.”
“What is it?”
After hearing my explanation about the Ratn, Seo Ye-jin nodded with a nervous expression.
“I’ll try.”
Her nervousness was understandable.
Since joining us, this was her first ti stepping outside the safe zone.
While she had gained extensive indirect experience through sensory links with her mice, she had almost no experience directly confronting monsters.
I chuckled and reassured her.
“You don’t need to worry.”
“But…”
There really was no need for her to be concerned.
“My dad will be helping you.”
“…Your father?”
As one of our strongest assets, he would personally escort her.
However.
‘Damn.’
A minor issue arose.
Kim Geon, who had arrived at the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant to assess the situation, wore a grim expression as he contacted .
"…Jae-hyun-nim, are you there?"
[…Yes. I see it too.]
The Hanul Nuclear Power Plant had already turned into a monster habitat.
Surrounded by the Taebaek Mountains, it was difficult to receive external support, and the area was overrun with monsters.
Even so, there appeared to be survivors in the area.
Though calling it “survival” seed generous, as the humans were being kept like livestock in a corner of the village that had turned into a monster nest.
“……”
Kim Geon was visibly enraged by the sight.
It wasn’t just the situation itself that upset him.
The monsters occupying the area were familiar to him.
Crack.
They were Black Orcs—the sa type that had overrun the apartnt complex where Ha Dong-geon, Kang Deok-su, and Kim Geon’s families had once lived.
Although the restoration of the network had allowed him to confirm the safety of his parents, the despair and hatred he’d felt toward the Black Orcs remained deeply rooted in his heart.
Now, seeing them treat humans like livestock only fueled his anger further.
Even so, he managed to maintain his composure and contacted first, knowing that Ha Dong-geon and Kang Deok-su harbored even deeper grudges.
“…What should we do?”
[…Wipe them out.]
The mont I gave my approval, Kim Geon descended vertically toward the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant.
Just as a Black Orc was entering the pen of humans, preparing to beat a man with its club, Kim Geon landed on the orc’s head without slowing down.
BOOM!
The Black Orc, ready to swing its club, collapsed with its head buried into the ground.
[You have hunted 「Black Orc (Lv. 31)」.]
[You have gained experience points.]
[₩233,872,992 has been deposited into Citizen Kim Geon’s Wallet.]
The satisfaction of killing a Black Orc far outweighed the monetary reward of over 200 million won.
“Haah, haah.”
The man, who had been cowering in fear to avoid the Black Orc’s club, trembled even more as he looked at Kim Geon.
It wasn’t surprising.
Kim Geon’s appearance made it hard to believe he was human.
To the man, Kim Geon was just another monster who had killed a Black Orc in a single blow.
But then…
"…Were you an employee at the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant?"
The mont human language erged from the monster’s mouth, everyone froze in place.
"Who’s in charge of maintenance? How has the plant not exploded yet?"
"Uh, w-we’ve temporarily shut it down. It’s only a stopgap asure, though…"
"I see."
And then—
Ziiiing—
Boxes of food, including water and chocolate bars, began materializing beside the man.
"Gasp!"
Even as they saw this, the people couldn’t move easily.
Their hunger was overwhelming, but fear of the crow-like man before them rendered them immobile.
"…Please, help yourselves."
Having witnessed their companions being devoured one by one by the Black Orcs, the people had been paralyzed by fear. Even with his words, they couldn’t muster the courage to move.
However, the man who had been speaking with Kim Geon, trembling all the while, managed to act.
The food was within arm’s reach, and his throat was unbearably dry.
With his emaciated hand, he grabbed a 500ml bottle of water and began to drink greedily.
"Gah, haa…"
He spilled more than half of it due to his weak grip, but it didn’t matter—there was more water right in front of him.
Yet, he hesitated to reach out again.
"Huaaagh…"
Breaking into loud sobs, the man turned back and cried out to the others, "It’s okay! Everyone, co here…! Hic!"
Cautiously, the ragged people began to shuffle forward.
Soon, all those who had been confined in the pen started grabbing food and water in a frenzy, tears of sorrow streaming down their faces.
However, this mont didn’t last long.
Shriek—!
The sudden sound of an explosion caused dozens of Black Orcs to swarm toward the pen.
"Eek!"
The sight of the approaching Black Orcs sent the people into a panic. So even fainted on the spot.
As Kim Geon surveyed the scene, his face grew even grimr. His gaze sharpened as he stared at the Black Orcs.
At that mont—
Ziiiing—
The North Gate opened, and Ha Dong-geon and his party stepped out.
The Black Orcs, who had seed ready to storm the pen and slaughter the humans, froze in place, overwheld by the formidable aura emanating from Ha Dong-geon’s party.
Ha Dong-geon, who had been silently glaring at them, finally spoke.
"Kill them all."
At his command—
"Arise!"
Fwoosh!
Led by Kang Deok-su, knights of steel materialized from all directions, piercing the hearts of dozens of Black Orcs.
***
One peculiar thing about the Orcs was the wide range of their levels.
Among all the Orcs encountered so far, the strongest were undoubtedly the Black Orcs.
Unusually, these weren’t just ordinary Orcs—they were categorized into classes like Black Orc Warriors and Black Orc Archers. Their average level was in the mid-to-high 30s.
As a result:
[You have hunted 「Black Orc Warrior (Lv. 35)」.]
[You have gained experience points.]
[₩1,371,009,777 has been deposited into the Absolute Dweller’s Wallet.]
Each kill brought in over 1 billion won and a substantial amount of experience.
‘At this rate…’
It seed inevitable that soone would level up.
Still, allowing the Black Orcs to keep treating humans like livestock was unacceptable.
Ignoring the suffering and death right in front of us wasn’t an option.
‘Well, at least there’s a way around this!’
The best outco would be for Seo Ye-jin to ta the Ratn before anyone leveled up, but even if leveling up occurred, there was a backup plan.
‘…I can make it work, can’t I?’
Though I wasn’t entirely confident, I believed we could manage.
[You have hunted 「Black Orc Archer (Lv. 36)」.]
[You have gained experience points.]
[₩1,709,654,711 has been deposited into the Absolute Dweller’s Wallet.]
Having overco nurous challenges, Ha Dong-geon’s party was now far stronger than before.
Among them, the standout performances of Kang Deok-su and Ha Dong-geon were particularly remarkable.
It didn’t take long for the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, once teeming with Black Orcs, to beco completely deserted.
[You have hunted 「Black Orc Warrior (Lv. 37)」.]
[You have hunted 「Black Orc (Lv. 32)」.]
[You have hunted 「Black Orc Archer (Lv. 35)」.]
‘Maybe we can finish this without anyone leveling up?’
However—
‘Ah!’
Why do bad premonitions always co true?
A leader, one head taller and more imposing than the other Black Orcs, appeared in front of Ha Dong-geon. I shook my head at the sight.
And then—
[You have hunted 「Black Orc Leader (Lv. 41)」.]
[You have gained a large amount of experience points.]
[₩2,799,355,120 has been deposited into the Absolute Dweller’s Wallet.]
[Citizen Ha Dong-geon has defeated the leader of the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant.]
[You can now establish a forward base at the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant.]
In the end—
[Skill level has increased.]
The skill level had gone up.
‘We can do this. We can do this!’
As the territory expanded, the promised pain followed.
"Ugh!"
[Calm Reflection has been activated.]
My mind beca clear.
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