Chapter 167
Chapter 167. The Ambush
After Jerry left Yeosu Airport, the expeditionary force quickly finished getting ready to depart.
They parted ways again with the heroes who had briefly joined at the airport through a strategic consensus.
They moved towards Yeosu City Hall using different routes.
‘Is this really Korea?’
Yoo Ji-han, hidden, observed the monsters passing by on the road.
The deeper they went into Yeosu, the more the monsters roamed around as if it were their home rather than the animals.
“We’ll arrive in about 10 more minutes.”
The group moved in a direction to avoid confrontation with the monsters as much as possible.
Eventually, when they reached near the city hall, they could see the party that had arrived first.
“Vice Guild Master, it’s good to see you safe!”
“When did you get here?”
“I arrived 15 minutes ago.”
“Why aren’t you going inside?”
“I was waiting for the others.”
Yoo Ji-han looked around at the people.
Including him, there were about 40 people who had arrived in front of the city hall.
Considering the time spent at the airport, it should have been enough time for the scattered expeditionary force to already gather at the city hall, yet only less than half of them were present here.
It was likely that only those who hadn’t been tracked arrived first.
“Let’s go in.”
Yeosu City Hall was empty.
The space felt as hollow as the vacant parking lot.
Aside from its role in overseeing municipal administration, it had little use.
However, there was a reason for coming to this place.
Because Yeosu City Hall had a hidden function that was only accessible to certain officials.
[Mayor’s Office]
As they entered the office provided for the mayor, a vintage-style office appeared.
Park Jae-kyung was fixated on a bookshelf located on one side of the wall.
She stepped closer and gently pulled out a black book that had no title.
Creeeak!
With the sound of cogs meshing together, the previously intact bookshelf began to slide apart.
“Oooh!”
“I never knew this was here!”
“I couldn’t tell you beforehand due to security reasons.”
Entering the secret space, Park Jae-kyung opened the zipper of a bag placed on a small desk.
Inside that bag was a mobile phone the size of a brick.
A direct phone from the Hero Department that operated on 100% magic without using any signals, usable only from a fixed location.
“This is Park Jae-kyung from Dice. Hero Department, respond.”
—…Park Jae-kyung?! Is that you?!
The speaker of the phone crackled for a few seconds before connecting with the Hero Department.
They must have been waiting on the other side as well.
Park Jae-kyung, relieved, spoke up.
“I’m calling through the hotline at Yeosu City Hall. Please share the current status.”
—More than half of the expeditionary force that left Seoul is currently unreachable!
The Hero Department official briefed them on the situation.
Most of those who headed south by train or personal vehicle had lost contact.
The only ones they had managed to contact first were the Shadow Guild, who had been staying near Nonsan.
Thanks to the reinforcements sent from Dice, they were able to break through the space distortion and escape.
“How about the rear guard?”
—We’re still waiting as there’s been no news from the advance party.
“Please tell them to depart within two hours at the latest.”
—Understood. And I must inform you of one more thing…
“What is it?”
—A spy planted by the enemy has been identified among our executives.
“…”
Park Jae-kyung wasn’t particularly surprised by the news of a spy.
She had suspected that ever since the incident on the train set up by the Hero Department.
Thus, she spoke in a cold tone.
“When this situation is resolved, the Hero Department will certainly have to pay the price.”
—…Understood.
After finishing the call that lasted a few minutes, Park Jae-kyung sighed.
She had already conveyed the locations they needed to avoid while arriving in Yeosu, so the rear guard should be able to come down more easily.
But just as she was thinking that…
Boom!
A loud tremor echoed from outside the building.
Everyone, startled, ran to the window of the mayor’s office.
Monsters and humans were fighting in front of the city hall.
“Huh?”
Yoo Ji-han, keeping an eye outside, soon recognized who they were.
It was Jung Gi-jun’s party from Red Hole, whom they had parted ways with in Jeonju.
*
It didn’t take long to finish the battle that unfolded at the city hall.
Park Jae-kyung and Jung Gi-jun greeted each other with joy at their survival.
“What the heck happened?”
“…We fell into a trap again.”
Jung Gi-jun, who lowered his shield, wore a very frustrated expression.
Their group had not been long separated from Jeonju when they fell into another trap.
An illusion so intricately designed that it was indistinguishable from reality.
It took them longer than expected to realize the illusion and break free from the spatial distortion.
“Fortunately, we had been on high alert. If we weren’t, we would have likely been wandering for days.”
“Regardless, I’m glad you’re safe.”
While talking with Park Jae-kyung, Jung Gi-jun relayed everything that had happened to her.
From the incidents in Jeonju and Imsil to capturing people from another world hiding among the citizens.
And that Yoo Ji-han was involved in all of it.
“That’s quite impressive.”
“Indeed.”
Jung Gi-jun looked at Yoo Ji-han, who was with his party members.
Feeling his gaze, Yoo Ji-han slightly bowed his head towards Jung Gi-jun.
Receiving the greeting, Jung Gi-jun felt a bit complicated.
‘If it hadn’t been for him… it would have been absolutely impossible to reach Yeosu at this time.’
It was only after falling into traps a few times that he recognized Yoo Ji-han’s true worth.
In fact, the reason the expeditionary force could come here so quickly was entirely thanks to him.
Jung Gi-jun realized this more deeply than Park Jae-kyung.
“Jae-kyung.”
“Yes?”
“I have a proposal.”
“What kind of…?”
Upon hearing his brief suggestion, Park Jae-kyung’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really? Are you serious?”
“It’s a decision for everyone.”
Jung Gi-jun, a party member of the best mage in Korea, Baek Kang-cheon, could easily have created his own guild.
His expression was more serious than ever.
Park Jae-kyung shook her head as if she’d run out of options.
“Everyone, gather around!”
Park Jae-kyung called the people assembled at the city hall into the mayor’s office.
During the resumed call with the Hero Department, Jung Gi-jun spoke up.
“I will step down from the position of leader of the expeditionary force.”
—What?!
Jung Gi-jun announced that he would voluntarily step down from leading the expeditionary force.
The Hero Department officials and the heroes waiting behind were shocked, but Jung Gi-jun didn’t seem to care about that.
“I’ve reached an agreement with Park Jae-kyung. However, I’d like to see someone else take over.”
—Who would that be?
“Yoo Ji-han from Sweet Fun.”
Jung Gi-jun turned to look at Yoo Ji-han.
Suddenly pointed out, Yoo Ji-han was wide-eyed, covering his face with his hands.
He never imagined his name would come up here.
“I’ve recognized his excellent judgment and his ability to see through the enemy’s traps first.”
—But Yoo Ji-han doesn’t have a long experience and is a Rank 3 Hero…
“The rank prescribed by society or affiliations doesn’t matter. Yoo Ji-han, who is currently vulnerable to illusions or spatial magic, can provide a breakthrough for the expeditionary force. He also possesses the necessary self-sacrifice that a leader needs.”
The incident in Imsil, where he lured a herd of cattle alone to the field.
His actions even when a thorn-laden train was running towards him in a narrow tunnel.
All those decisions were for the sake of others rather than himself.
Jung Gi-jun believed it would be far better for a person with both capability and the will to sacrifice herself to take on the leadership.
Pointed out by him, Yoo Ji-han scratched his head and said,
“You’re flattering me.”
“Did that sound like excessive praise?”
“…”
“Underestimating your own level isn’t a good attitude.”
Jung Gi-jun showed no signs of changing his mind.
Despite having numerous outstanding heroes, suggesting the role of expedition leader to an outsider like him was not typical.
Yoo Ji-han thought that Jung Gi-jun was no ordinary man.
“As of this moment, the leaders of the expeditionary force are heroes Park Jae-kyung and Yoo Ji-han. Anyone who has objections can come find me later.”
“Or you can come find me as well.”
With the heavy declaration from Jung Gi-jun and Park Jae-kyung, the heroes who were listening slowly nodded.
Since this was a matter endorsed by the vice guild masters of Dice and Red Hole, no one outright opposed it.
Having unexpectedly become the expedition leader, Yoo Ji-han glanced at his party members.
‘I should definitely capture this moment on camera.’
Min Yu-ri wore a very satisfied expression.
‘Your brother is becoming the expedition leader, huh?’
Guild Master Kim Si-hu looked at him with eyes full of anticipation.
Even the Sylph was spinning around excitedly, showing signs of excitement.
Finally, Yoo Ji-han shrugged and said,
“Sure, let’s give it a shot.”
*
“Finally free.”
The expeditionary force that had been caught in space distortion on the way to Haenam was.
Thanks to the help of heroes who sensed the distortion from outside, they could return to reality.
“Damn, that took forever…”
Kim Hyun-tae grumbled while looking down at the tracks.
In the distorted space, they couldn’t do anything and just wasted time.
If it weren’t for the snacks they had packed beforehand, they would have had to graze like livestock.
“Hey, you’re the leader! Explain this!”
“How am I supposed to explain it…?”
Faced with complaints from those around him, the vice guild master of Snowball, who had taken on the role of leader for the expedition to Haenam, wore a perplexed expression.
He had no idea regarding such situations either.
Even the heroes who had helped from outside only knew vague information, and phones weren’t working.
Everyone was floundering, unable to make a proper decision.
‘This could be useful…’
While observing the reactions around him, Kim Hyun-tae cleared his throat and shouted.
“Attention for a moment!”
“…?”
“I demand a change of leaders for the expeditionary force as a member of the expedition!”
“Suddenly, what does that mean?”
“Shouldn’t someone take responsibility for not responding swiftly in this emergency? Especially that person over there was too busy keeping up with the situation and didn’t suggest any solutions at all!”
Kim Hyun-tae was attempting to oust someone from the leadership position.
The vice guild master of Snowball, who had already found his role burdensome, nodded.
“If someone is willing to lead the expedition in my place, I’m happy to hand it over.”
“I’ll take that position.”
“Kim Hyun-tae?”
“We don’t have time to waste here. We need to help the suffering citizens as quickly as possible! I, Kim Hyun-tae, will take the lead in that.”
After a brief exchange of dialogue.
In the end, the position of expedition leader was handed over to Kim Hyun-tae, who had spoken first.
Thanks to his high recognition, there were no objections raised.
‘Finally, a perfect stage prepared for me!’
Having instantly become the expedition leader, Kim Hyun-tae wore a very satisfied expression.
Representing the people from the most spotlighted position.
Kim Hyun-tae imagined his heroic image reflected in an epic hero movie while smirking.
The cameraman hired by Keroes captured each pose Kim Hyun-tae struck on video.
‘So this is the kind of person Kim Hyun-tae is…’
But the cameraman, knowing Kim Hyun-tae’s true character,
Couldn’t help but feel just as little impressed by his words as Lee Mi-a, who stayed silent by his side.
