Chapter 25
1.
Psychers used the Prophet's Relic to unleash abilities beyond human capacity.
But possessing the Prophet's Relic wasn't enough on its own.
In the world of Psychers, there were concepts of compatibility and capacity.
Compatibility referred to the degree one could use an ability. The higher the compatibility, the better one could utilize the power of the Prophet's Relic.
Capacity, as the name suggested, was the amount one could use.
And among Psychers, this difference was far greater than one might imagine.
“There are Ability Differences even among Psychers.”
Doctor Space, who coined this concept, said:
“The difference is as vast as, or even greater than, that between a mouse and an elephant in the wild.”
As such, the Ability Difference among Psychers was immense, and those who reached the Highest Class were entirely different beings.
It wasn't just about raw power; the very level of abilities they could manifest was different.
Hawk Eye was one such individual.
Hawk Eye, one of America's leading Psychers, stood out from the start with their unique weaponry.
Thanks to their Superhuman Strength, they fired weapons that were more like cannons than guns, as casually as one would an Assault Rifle.
Furthermore, Hawk Eye, who used a Gauss Gun, could freely use special rounds—rounds so expensive that a single one cost more than most missiles. This was because America sponsored Hawk Eye.
But two abilities made Hawk Eye truly special.
One was Vision Enhancement. Hawk Eye's vision was 10.0, surpassing the 7.0 vision of a hawk, their namesake.
But the truly terrifying one was their Penetration Ability.
“Hawk Eye’s gun can penetrate anything. More precisely, it can pass through anything. Absolutely anything.”
The effect of this Penetration Ability, which only a select few Psychers could possess, was exactly as described.
It granted Penetration Ability to a specific target.
It temporarily disrupted the natural laws that matter should obey.
The principle behind it was unknown, but the Prophet's Relic made it possible, and its power on the Battlefield effortlessly defied common sense.
Simply put, if Hawk Eye imbued a bullet with Penetration Ability, that bullet could effortlessly pass through even the thickest armor and reach the vulnerable flesh within.
And the result of that power was now unfolding before Kim Seojun's group.
“My god.”
The fearsome Mog Legion had been utterly annihilated.
“A Tank Beetle, so easily...”
Among them, the most fearsome Tank Beetle was in the most gruesome state.
It was crushed beyond recognition, as if a human had stomped on a small insect.
It was the result of Hawk Eye's special round penetrating the Tank Beetle's armor and then exploding inside.
*Gulp!*
Before that overwhelming sight, Major Lee Hyena and Private First Class Park Boseop couldn't even react properly.
Kim Seojun was also surprised.
However, he wasn't as surprised as the other two.
It wasn't that he underestimated this ability.
*“I saw it when we caught the Behemoth, but this is insane.”*
He had already witnessed Hawk Eye's astonishing power up close.
*“Even Hawk Eye, with all that power, took several days to catch the Behemoth.”*
What was even more astonishing was that it took Hawk Eye and other Psychers of similar caliber to barely capture the Behemoth.
In any case, Hawk Eye had, as promised, dealt with the Mog Legion in an instant.
Before that sight, Kim Seojun felt it.
*‘There's no comparing.’*
Even with the Status Window and the immense power he had gained, it still wasn't enough.
Of course, he didn't feel any inferiority.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
At this moment, Kim Seojun knew.
- Alright, thanks for waiting.
That he now had to converse with the being who had made the Mog Legion seem insignificant.
- I'll send you the coordinates. Come there.
Naturally, Kim Seojun's group had no choice here.
“Moving out.”
2.
At the coordinates Hawk Eye sent, there was a single Air Tent.
That was all.
There was nothing else.
Then, Hawk Eye's voice came through.
- Sorry, I'm a bit shy when it comes to talking face-to-face.
Kim Seojun's group didn't particularly question that statement.
It wasn't because they actually believed Hawk Eye was shy.
Hawk Eye was one of America's top Psychers, and their identity was, naturally, top secret.
It would have been strange to expect such a being to meet them face-to-face for a conversation.
Even the voice they heard, though female, had a high probability of being fake.
Of course, whether it was a woman or a man didn't matter.
Only one thing mattered.
- Alright, have a seat. Let's talk.
Depending on this conversation, Kim Seojun's group could end up like the Tank Beetles at any moment.
In fact, from Hawk Eye's perspective, shooting Kim Seojun's group right then would have been perfectly acceptable.
Was Hawk Eye seeing people who had brazenly stolen their supplies and just letting them go?
Moreover, considering the current situation, there would be no suspicion if Hawk Eye killed Kim Seojun's group.
Or even if there was suspicion, it wouldn't be an issue. America would step in to protect Hawk Eye.
If they hadn't attacked despite all this, the reason would have been simple.
*“If they were going to kill us, they would have done it before talking.”*
They had a favorable impression of Kim Seojun's group.
Therefore, Kim Seojun took control of the situation.
“First, thank you for sparing our lives.”
He made it clear that this was an opportunity given by Hawk Eye.
“The circumstances under which we acquired your supplies are as follows.”
He then briefly reported the situation in which they had obtained Hawk Eye's supplies.
“If necessary, we will pay for your supplies and their usage.”
When he finished speaking, Hawk Eye replied.
- Then I'll tell you something too. First, I'll give you a heads-up. Talking to me in Space is never a good thing. It's no exaggeration to say that most Soldiers who meet me in Space end up discharged, whether by their own will, as a Volunteer Soldier, or with a Two-rank Special Promotion. They rarely see me again.
At those words, Kim Seojun managed a wry smile.
- And the reason I'm here is because of those bastards. Just know that for now.
Upon hearing the subsequent words, Kim Seojun understood the reason Hawk Eye had spared them: that they needed someone else's help to stop China.
At that fact, Private First Class Park Boseop and Major Lee Hyena let out sighs of relief: they wouldn't die immediately.
Kim Seojun, however, was different.
*“This is crazy.”*
To him, this was a desperate declaration.
*‘Even Hawk Eye can't handle it?’*
If even Hawk Eye, with its absurd power, couldn't immediately deal with the Chinese Headquarters, it meant there was something undisclosed on China's side.
- Alright, that's all for now. It was a fun chat.
Here, Hawk Eye stopped the conversation.
“We will hand over all the supplies we secured.”
Kim Seojun immediately tried to give them what he had.
- Oh, keep those.
“Excuse me?”
- I just asked for them. For fun.
Upon hearing that reply, Kim Seojun immediately realized.
*“It was bait.”*
These supplies were deliberately scattered, intended as bait for China's thievery from the start.
- But it looks like what you have might help catch even one more Mog than I could.
At those words, Kim Seojun immediately nodded.
Since they were being offered, there was no reason to refuse.
“Thank you.”
The conversation ended there.
Kim Seojun's group immediately exited the Air Tent, and the three boarded Uryong, driven by Private First Class Park Boseop.
While fast movement was impossible with three people aboard, that wasn't their concern at the moment.
Nor was there any need to rush.
The Mog Legion targeting the Poland Headquarters had all been hunted down.
For now, they could simply look forward to peace.
“Phew, I feel like I can breathe again. I thought I was going to suffocate.”
As soon as they boarded Uryong, Private First Class Park Boseop finally caught his breath.
Major Lee Hyena was the same.
She tried not to show it, but her ragged breathing was audible.
“Hawk Eye, seriously, it was terrifying. I really don’t want to experience that again.”
- Hey, hold on a second.
Just then, a transmission suddenly came from Hawk Eye again, and Private First Class Park Boseop and Major Lee Hyena tensed up.
Kim Seojun, on the other hand, was different.
- I told you to take everything, but you left this behind.
Because he knew there was a gift that would appeal to Hawk Eye.
“I heard you like cola.”
- Absolutely crazy for it.
So, Kim Seojun had left a cola behind when they exited.
- You know, in America, there's this damn culture called tipping. And I'm American. So, I feel like I should give you a tip here. I'll give you some coordinates. Write them down carefully.
And then Hawk Eye gave them the coordinates.
- Go check out what's there. It's a surprise. And it's been a long time since a Korean person entertained me this much.
“It’s an honor.”
- Then I hope there'll be a day when we can meet face-to-face. Though seeing my face might not be such a good thing.
*Click!*
With those words, the transmission ended, and the moment it did, Kim Seojun spoke.
“We’re returning to the Polish Headquarters.”
3.
When Kim Seojun's group arrived at the Poland Headquarters, the atmosphere there was not filled with joy.
Major Jan Zabłocki was the same.
Far from joyful, he spoke with a more astonished expression than ever.
“What happened? You annihilated the Mog Legion?”
To him, Kim Seojun replied.
“Hawk Eye appeared and helped us.”
“What did you say?”
“Hawk Eye provided us with support.”
“Ah.”
The moment he heard those words, Major Jan Zabłocki, surprisingly, understood instantly.
Such was the name of Hawk Eye.
There had never been a Battlefield where humans failed to achieve victory once that name appeared.
“H-Hawk Eye is really here?”
And without exception, every place where Hawk Eye announced victory had been a hellish one.
In other words, Planet Amotia is currently hell.
“Major Jan Zabłocki, there’s only one thing to think about right now.”
To Major Jan Zabłocki, who was feeling confused by that fact, Kim Seojun stated the most important thing.
“Survival. Keep only that in mind.”
At those words, Major Jan Zabłocki's gaze changed.
It was true.
They had known the situation was dire from the start anyway.
“And the current situation is quite good. First, the Poland Headquarters is safe from immediate threat. The Mogs, having lost a massive force, won’t launch any additional offensives.”
Separately, it was a time for the Polish Headquarters to rejoice.
“Our conversation with Hawk Eye also went amicably. There won’t be any immediate hostility with Hawk Eye.”
They had even received a gift from Hawk Eye.
While friendly relations in Space could change overnight, a good thing was still a good thing.
“Whatever Hawk Eye does here is none of our concern. We just need to defend the Poland Headquarters until a rescue ship arrives from Space.”
Crucially, the objective of the Poland Headquarters or Kim Seojun's group wasn't something grand like restoring peace to Planet Amotia, eliminating the Queen, or judging China.
When he heard that explanation, Major Jan Zabłocki's gaze no longer wavered.
“Thank you.”
Far from wavering, he spoke with a more resolute gaze than ever.
“Staff Sergeant Kim Seojun, we are always receiving great help from you.”
“On the contrary, I thank the Poland Headquarters for its active support. Let’s work together until we leave this place.”
Kim Seojun's eyes, as he spoke those words, were also filled with more determination than ever.
It couldn't be helped.
Honestly, Kim Seojun had no desire to get involved in whatever happened here.
The reason he re-enlisted was to earn money and live happily with his family, and he had already earned that money.
Now, all that remained was to return to Earth, and nothing else.
*“I have to endure here, no matter what.”*
And to do that now, he had to protect the Polish Headquarters, and in that process, Kim Seojun had no intention of being picky about the means or methods.
And that was why.
“Private First Class Park Boseop.”
“Private First Class Park Boseop!”
“It’ll be tough, but I have a favor to ask. We move after 8 hours of rest.”
“Where to, Sir?”
“If someone gives you a gift, it’s only polite to go pick it up.”
Kim Seojun intended to retrieve what Hawk Eye had given as a tip as quickly as possible.
“Understood!”
Private First Class Park Boseop, understanding the meaning of those words, replied immediately without hesitation.
In any case, the situation was temporarily resolved.
Peace had returned to the Poland Headquarters, and Kim Seojun's group could finally rest in a proper Headquarters, not a Bunker, after a long time.
Kim Seojun, too, was able to sleep deeply for the first time in a while.
But he couldn't sleep for long.
“Staff Sergeant Kim Seojun!”
A Soldier from the Poland Headquarters urgently sought out Kim Seojun, waking him and speaking.
“It’s an Emergency Situation.”
“What’s happening?”
Kim Seojun, replying, was surprisingly not startled.
During his Space Marine days, there were more days he didn't get to sleep on time than days he did, a continuous string of Emergency Situations.
And someone coming to wake him like this was proof that the situation was actually quite good.
Because in a *real* Emergency Situation, it wasn't a person who woke him, but a Mog.
In any case, as soon as Kim Seojun opened his eyes, he immediately adopted a Combat Stance.
“Private First Class Park Boseop’s condition is unusual.”
“...Where is he?”
However, the moment he heard the next words, Kim Seojun's expression changed.
He followed the Soldier to the Quarantined Infirmary with more urgency than ever, and there he saw it.
“*Ugh-waaaah!*”
Private First Class Park Boseop was lying on a sealed bed beyond the reinforced glass, vomiting everything up.
Kim Seojun's expression, seeing that, hardened further.
That was all.
“You mustn’t go in.”
With Private First Class Park Boseop's illness unknown, all Kim Seojun could do was watch the scene unfold.
*“Was there any chance of infection?”*
As he did, Kim Seojun racked his brain.
*‘Could it be the Mog Virus? But the Mog Virus doesn't have symptoms like this. Did China use another Biochemical Weapon? Was there some unknown security measure on Uryong?’*
And the more he thought, the more only bad scenarios piled up.
Just then.
“What’s Private First Class Park Boseop’s condition?”
Major Lee Hyena, who had also received the report, appeared, and like Kim Seojun, she looked at Private First Class Park Boseop through the reinforced glass.
“*Ugh, ugh, ugh-uhh.*”
Around that time, Private First Class Park Boseop, having vomited everything he could, seemed to briefly regain consciousness.
“S-Staff Sergeant Kim, M-Major Lee.”
Then he said.
“I-I think this is the e-end for me.”
Private First Class Park Boseop, realizing he wouldn't survive, left his last words.
“I-It was an h-honor to serve with you.”
Kim Seojun stared at that sight.
He etched it into his memory.
Because he knew that all he could do for someone facing death and speaking their resolve was to engrave that resolve in his heart.
*Click!*
Then, picking up a phone that could connect to the sealed room, he said.
“Private First Class Park Boseop, it was an honor for me too.”
“S-Staff Sergeant Kim!”
Just then.
“Wait.”
Major Lee Hyena, who had been observing the situation, suddenly snatched the phone from Kim Seojun and spoke.
“Private First Class Park Boseop.”
“M-Major! Th-Thank you for everything!”
“I have a question. What color was your vomit when you first started throwing up?”
“Excuse me?”
“Was it Black Vomit, by any chance?”
“Uh, uh, uh. I-I don’t know, Sir. B-But is the c-color of vomit important?”
“It is important.”
Major Lee Hyena replied to the follow-up question.
“Because I also had Black Vomit.”