Falling into a Trap (1)

1.

Just as Doctor Space had been astonished, Psycher abilities were overflowing with things that ignored the laws of the universe.

There were those that granted the Ability to Pass Through Matter, those that made a Person's body astonishingly fast, ignoring physical laws, and there was even the Ability to Transcend the Body enough to breathe and walk around bare-bodied in Space.

"So you're saying the ability of this Prophet's Relic is Mind Reading?"

In such a world of Psychers, something like the Mind Reading Ability to read a Person's mind was an incredibly common-sense and realistic ability.

Of course, finding a Prophet's Relic with that ability was a truly absurdly difficult task.

To exaggerate a little, it was as hard as finding a one-kilogram pure gold bar while playing on an elementary school playground.

"And Jo I-Hyeon has the Mind Reading Ability?"

Furthermore, a Psycher with an aptitude for such a Mind Reading Ability was also incredibly rare.

"My god."

For those two things to appear at the same time was truly a miracle, and it was no wonder they were surprised.

"Excuse me, Staff Sergeant Kim, this is..."

"Yeah, that's right."

However, the reason Kim Seojun's Group was surprised at this moment wasn't just because of the aforementioned reasons.

"Thanks to Jo I-Hyeon, the situation has changed significantly. An opportunity has come."

At this point in time, the Mind Reading Ability was the key that would perfectly solve the dilemma Kim Seojun's Group had been facing.

It made sense, as what was currently troubling Kim Seojun was hijacking the Chinese Headquarters's spaceship.

It went without saying, but the Chinese Headquarters side currently only had the elite of the elite remaining, and there was no chance they would reveal the location of the spaceship just because they were caught and tortured a little.

Furthermore, in this situation where spaceships were more precious than ever, there was no way they would have stored the spaceship in a place that could be found with a good search.

But now they had Mind Reading.

"Now we just need to catch them. Capture them alive, we just need to catch them alive."

It meant that if they just caught someone from the Chinese Headquarters, someone who was currently surviving, they would be able to get the answer!

That was why everyone was surprised.

Jo I-Hyeon was the same.

"I never imagined I would be an Apt User for Mind Reading."

She thought she was incompetent, but to think she actually possessed a very special talent instead?

"Interesting. Usually, they do every Aptitude Test. Among them, they can test for Mind Reading aptitude as much as they want."

In fact, this was a case with a very low probability.

First of all, the value of a Psycher was very precious, and when a Psycher Talent was discovered, the Nation possessing that Psycher would conduct every Aptitude Test possible.

An Aptitude Examination for a Special Ability like Mind Reading was actually done first.

It wasn't even difficult, as the Aptitude Test simply involved bringing a Prophet's Relic into contact with them.

Of course, underdeveloped countries at a dismal level, countries without the conditions to conduct such aptitude tests, were in a different situation.

Because a Prophet's Relic with the Mind Reading Ability was a National Asset, something that was difficult to trade with money even if it was the size of a fingernail.

"It's not easy for a Psycher with American citizenship to be like this..."

However, in Jo I-Hyeon's case, she was a citizen of America, a Nation that could be called the greatest superpower in that regard.

"A Genius on a different scale is certainly different."

Even so, the reason she could live without knowing was because she possessed enough genius that she didn't necessarily need to be a Psycher.

Rather, a clumsy Psycher Talent could have been a blemish on the genius she possessed.

"I'm sorry."

"It's nothing to be sorry about. It's actually a relief. If you had known you had an aptitude for Mind Reading, you definitely wouldn't have come to Planet Amotia."

Of course, from Kim Kim Kim Seojun's Group's perspective, this was a heaven-sent connection.

"Well, then the answer has become obvious now."

And in the face of that connection, there was only one thing Kim Seojun's Group had to do.

"Still, the Commander should be the one to say it first, right? What should we do?"

"We move to the Poland Headquarters. After that, we move to catch the remaining forces of the Chinese Headquarters."

The moment that goal was established, Kim Seojun's Group headed for the Poland Headquarters without hesitation.

- This is the Poland Headquarters.

While they were moving like that, a radio transmission came from the Poland Headquarters as if they had been waiting.

- We just received a Conference Proposal.

"A Conference Proposal? What kind of conference?"

- They said they want to do a Queen Hunt together.

"Which Nation is it?"

To the subsequent question, Major Jan Zabłocki answered.

- It's England.

2.

Early on, Space was an object of fear for Humans.

It was the same even after Science and Technology had developed to a certain extent.

Space was still an object of fear, and it couldn't be helped.

"Going out into Space, where you can't survive for even a second without a suit, is a Crazy Act."

Space was a place that Human Survival Instinct could not tolerate.

Nevertheless, in the Space Age, quite a few people became Space Adventurers, and there was only one thing that made it possible.

"We can return! As long as there is a Gate!"

The belief and hope that they could return home at any time became the driving force to go further into Space.

If so, that question naturally arose.

What would they do if the Gate, the symbol of that hope, stopped?

No one knew the answer to that.

Because ever since Doctor Space created Gate No. 1, there had never been a problem with the 33 Gates across the entire universe.

But that very thing happened.

Gate No. 9 was destroyed, and Humanity on Planet Amotia, which lay within the territory of that Gate, was engulfed in an indescribable sense of fear.

A significant number reached a Panic State.

Furthermore, the situation on Planet Amotia was even worse than expected.

"Why the hell is there no Communication!"

In a normal situation, a rescue ship should have naturally come from a Space Battleship on standby in Space, but let alone a rescue ship, there wasn't even any Communication.

Was that all?

"Why are the Mog bastards acting up!"

Rescue Requests asking for help, saying they had suffered a Mog Attack, began to surge from all over.

Even the American Headquarters was among them.

"Why are the Chinese bastards acting like that!"

In the midst of all that, the Chinese Headquarters even issued a Declaration of War against every Nation on Planet Amotia.

"They're using nukes?"

The decisive blow was nuclear weapons.

The moment that came out, the Survivors on Planet Amotia received an indescribable Mental Blow.

They ended up losing their minds.

But not everyone was like that.

There were also those who actually came to their senses due to their Survival Instinct being stimulated by this Extreme Situation.

Colonel Ian Haig, the Commander of the British Headquarters Base on Planet Amotia, was one of them.

He was actually not a very competent figure.

Far from being competent, he was from an English noble family, meaning he was someone who had risen to his current position through his background.

He was a figure who valued his own interests and his own life more than National Interest or a greater cause.

So Colonel Ian Haig came up with the best answer to survive in the worst situation.

"China and Poland are fighting right now. To survive, we have to stick to one side now."

If they just stayed still like this, they would really die.

"Here, no matter who looks at it, we have to stick to China."

And Colonel Ian Haig didn't deliberate for long.

It wasn't a matter to deliberate over.

"There's no way something like Poland can rub shoulders with China, right?"

When a tiger and a dog were fighting, there was no reason to take time deliberating which side to bet on.

Furthermore, what they were betting here wasn't something like money, but their own lives.

"That's right!"

"I also agree with your thoughts, Colonel."

The other Officers thought the same.

So, gathered together, they deliberated on only one thing.

"So what should we do to stick to the Chinese side?"

"How about handing over the Poland side?"

"Poland?"

"Yes. Right now, the only place hostile to China is Poland. We hand over the Commander of that Poland to China."

"You right now!"

And the moment he heard that answer, Colonel Ian Haig spoke in astonishment.

"That's absolutely brilliant!"

He let out an astonished exclamation of admiration for the Officer who had found such a brilliant answer in this Urgent Situation.

Of course, this was something that made no sense from a common-sense perspective.

To think they would sell out Poland for China?

However, England was a Nation that had naturally done such nonsensical things since a very long time ago.

Even now, the culprit behind many of the problems occurring on Earth was often England, and there wasn't much difference between the England of that time and the England of the Space Age.

*Above all, Colonel Ian Haig was someone who considered the value of his own life to be the most important thing.*

"Let's do it right away!"

There was no hesitation, and the action was fast.

"Deliver a message to the Poland Headquarters. Tell them we want to hold a conference."

They immediately dug a trap.

"When an answer comes from Poland, contact the Chinese side. Tell them we will hand over the Commander of the Poland Headquarters."

And not long after, an answer came.

3.

"What did you say?"

Mad Demon Lin Zhihan, she laughed like a maniac the moment she heard the news Major Lin Jia'ai brought.

"So England is handing Poland over to us? In exchange for letting them live?"

"Yes."

"I often hear that I'm crazy too, but this sounds even crazier. Who is the Commander of the England Headquarters?"

"It's Colonel Ian Haig."

"An unfamiliar name. Must be a nobody?"

"That is correct."

After that, she stopped laughing and spoke.

"They're saying they'll host a teatime for us, right? With a gift included. There's no reason to refuse. Tell them we'll go."

That they would accept the England Headquarters's proposal.

At those words, Major Lin Jia'ai didn't say anything in particular.

Of course, she knew this wasn't as easy as it sounded.

First of all, the possibility that this was a trap set by the Poland Headquarters and the England Headquarters joining hands to catch the Chinese side couldn't be ruled out.

It meant that if they rashly entered the England Headquarters, they could end up being captured there instead!

"You're not worrying or anything, are you?"

"No, I am not."

However, Major Lin Jia'ai only kept that part in mind and wasn't expressing any concern.

The reason was simple.

"Right, there's no reason to worry. Major Lin Jia'ai can just find out with Mind Reading, right? Whether they're lying or not."

Major Lin Jia'ai, she was a Psycher with an aptitude for Mind Reading, and the moment she looked at someone from the England Headquarters, she would be able to tell whether they were lying or not.

"If it's a lie, we just have to kill everyone in the England Headquarters."

*Above all, the person speaking to her right now was Mad Demon Lin Zhihan.*

"If it's true, we just have to kill them all together with the Poland kids."

She was confident that no matter what kind of trap they dug, she could not only avoid it but trample it entirely.

And she had a reason to have such confidence.

"In the end, there won't be anyone faster than me."

4.

‘It's a trap.’

When they heard about the conference from the Poland Headquarters, Kim Seojun and everyone else thought it was a trap.

‘There's no reason for England to suddenly act this friendly.’

The people who hadn't said a single word to the suggestion of doing a Queen Hunt together until a few days ago were suddenly saying they wanted to join the Queen Hunt now, and inviting Major Jan Zabłocki to the England Headquarters to have the Commanders talk?

Their ulterior motives were too obvious.

‘Still, seeing them do everything they can, they're not ordinary.’

Apart from that, Kim Seojun somewhat acknowledged the England Headquarters's choice.

It made sense, as from the perspective of Kim Seojun, who had gone through all sorts of hardships as a Space Marine, the worst Commanders were those who did nothing.

Because even if they did nothing, the Mogs acting up was exactly the same.

Because they had to do something to get an answer.

“It is funny for them to join hands with the Poland Headquarters here, though.”

Furthermore, if one were a person of common sense, choosing to join hands with China was the right move.

Rather, from the perspective of the Soldiers and Staff at the England Headquarters, the Commander's choice was a welcome one.

Because the Commander had, at any rate, devised what he considered the best method for everyone to survive.

Anyway, it was something they wouldn't have agreed to in the past, but the situation was different now.

“When the prey gets caught in a trap, the Hunter comes to retrieve it.”

It was an opportunity to meet the Hunter, and right now, if they could just capture that Hunter alive, many parts of their problems could be solved.

So for now, Kim Seojun's Group told Major Jan Zabłocki.

To tell them he would participate in the conference.

Since they could just cancel the conference later by putting forward all sorts of reasons if they felt it wasn't right, there was no reason to back out.

In other words, there was only one dilemma now.

“Can we catch the Hunter?”

There, Kim Seojun couldn't hastily give a 'yes' as an answer.

The Chinese Headquarters had unhesitatingly made the choice to abandon their Headquarters Base, and that meant they had the conviction that the force they would add was stronger than the entire force of the Chinese Headquarters Base.

It meant a very powerful Psycher had appeared.

Moreover, in this case, the condition was attached that they couldn't just kill them, but had to capture one alive somehow.

The difficulty level was bound to be different.

Amidst such thoughts, a warning light caught the eye of Kim Seojun as he was driving the Uryong.

[Battery is at 10 percent.]

At the warning that fuel was low, Kim Seojun immediately stopped the Uryong and opened his Inventory.

He took the Uryong inside it.

"Staff Sergeant Kim! Please give it to me!"

Then, Private First Class Park Boseop, who was on standby, quickly received the Uryong and set to work for the Battery Replacement.

"Oh, you're here?"

And Noah Winston, who had been waiting inside the Air Tent, smiled brightly and waved her hand in greeting.

Major Lee Hyena, who was waiting next to her, also gave a light nod the moment their eyes met.

*Meanwhile, Jo I-Hyeon, forgetting even Kim Seojun's arrival, was diligently making something with the Aitenium Shards she had obtained last time.*

"What are you doing? Come in and have a glass of cola at least. It's not like the Battery Replacement happens in an instant, right?"

At Noah Winston's suggestion that came around then, Kim Seojun shook his head.

"I'm fine."

"Hey, it's not like an answer will come out just because you deliberate more here, right? The cards in your hand don't change just because you deliberate, right?"

The moment he heard her words, at that moment, Kim Seojun's eyes changed.

“Wait.”

Only then did Kim Seojun remember.

‘How stupid! To think I haven't used my points!’

That he hadn't used the 15,550 points he obtained from hunting as many as 255 Antlions, which, added to the points he already had, amounted to a whopping 20,553 points.

It was because he had been too frantic.

Anyway, the moment he realized that, Kim Seojun immediately used his points.

"Purchase 2 Gold Tickets."

He muttered in a very small voice.

It was then.

"Huh?"

Noah Winston, who had been observing Kim Seojun from the Air Tent, suddenly stood up from her seat and spoke.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

Hawk Eye, fitting her nickname, she who had better eyes than anyone else could tell at that moment.

"Seojun, what's going on?"

That Kim Seojun's pupils had violently shaken just a moment ago.

At her words, Kim Seojun answered.

"It's nothing."

However, that answer was not the truth.

Kim Seojun, he was greatly surprised right now, and he couldn't help but be.

Because he had heard it.

[Congratulations! A Diamond Rank reward has appeared.]

[A Skill Upgrade Ticket (A) has appeared.]