Chapter 26
After Psychers appeared, many people became interested in them, and the biggest question was, naturally:
“How do you become a Psycher?”
There was no clear answer to that. More precisely, the cases varied.
“They say if you shed Black Tears, you’re a Psycher?”
Among them, the most representative sign was Black Tears.
However, not all Psychers shed Black Tears, and some went through different processes.
In Major Lee Hyena’s case, she didn't cry tears; she vomited.
Black vomit.
Non-stop.
Of course, black vomit could have been blood, but the moment Major Lee Hyena saw Private First Class Park Boseop’s condition, she felt it.
“What Private First Class Park Boseop vomited doesn’t feel like blood. An investigation is needed.”
Somehow, it didn't feel like an infection.
“Please check the vomit.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Immediately, a Staff from Poland Headquarters began the investigation.
They entered Private First Class Park Boseop’s room, which had been placed under Closure Measure, and after checking the vomit, they reported back.
“It’s pitch black!”
Later, a photo was sent, and the moment Kim Seojun received it, he also knew it wasn't just ordinary vomit.
It felt less like a clot of blood and more like something very sticky, like tar.
“Major Lee Hyena.”
“It’s similar to mine.”
The moment he heard that answer, Kim Seojun somewhat guessed.
What had come to Private First Class Park Boseop was not a disease, but an opportunity—a tremendous opportunity.
“What happened after that?”
“I fainted and then slept for 16 hours. When I woke up, I was in the hospital and immediately underwent a Psycher Test.”
Just then.
*Thump!*
No sooner had she finished speaking than Private First Class Park Boseop collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
The Medic who was on standby immediately went in, checked his condition, and said,
“He’s asleep! His heart rate and brainwaves are normal!”
Seeing this, Kim Seojun said,
“Private First Class Park Boseop is lucky.”
Private First Class Park Boseop woke up after sleeping for 22 hours.
“I’m a Psycher?”
After being briefed on the situation, Private First Class Park Boseop slapped himself across the cheek.
*Smack!*
“Ugh!”
Even after hitting himself hard enough to turn his cheek bright red, seeing that the world hadn't changed, Private First Class Park Boseop blinked his eyes dozens more times before finally speaking.
“I’m a Psycher, no, what is this? I...”
He reacted as if he’d lost his mind, and Kim Seojun didn't find his reaction particularly strange.
On the contrary, Private First Class Park Boseop’s reaction was perfectly normal.
It would be strange *not* to be overwhelmed by this situation.
“Private First Class Park Boseop.”
“Yes?”
“Yes? Your reply was short. Are you already expecting Major Status?”
“Ah, no, Staff Sergeant.”
To Private First Class Park Boseop, Kim Seojun said,
“First, congratulations. You’ll face many hardships in life, but at least you won’t have to join the Military for money.”
“Ah.”
At those words, Private First Class Park Boseop looked blank for a moment.
It made sense, as his reason for becoming a Space Marine was nothing other than money.
Now that he was a Psycher, he wouldn't have to struggle financially anymore.
Kim Seojun understood Private First Class Park Boseop’s feelings better than anyone, and so he said the words he most wanted to hear right now.
“Of course, it won’t be easy. Most importantly, we need to return to Earth. Therefore, you must follow my command until the rescue ship arrives.”
He also spoke of reality, and the moment he heard those words, Private First Class Park Boseop nodded without hesitation.
“Yes, Staff Sergeant!”
Private First Class Park Boseop knew, naturally, that to survive here, he had to follow Kim Seojun above all else.
“Again, congratulations.”
Then, Kim Seojun handed Private First Class Park Boseop something he had prepared.
“It’s a gift.”
“What is this?”
When he opened the box he received, there were three fingernail-sized gems. Seeing them, Private First Class Park Boseop tilted his head, and Kim Seojun explained.
“These are Prophet’s Relics extracted from a Chinese Psycher. Private First Class Park Boseop, you can use them for now.”
The moment he heard that, Private First Class Park Boseop’s eyes widened.
Could such a valuable item really be given as a mere gift?
From Kim Seojun’s perspective, it wasn't something to ponder.
After all, for a Regular Space Marine, they were useless gems, and they were difficult to dispose of. Even if he could dispose of them, it would only be possible after returning to Earth.
“Major Lee Hyena confirmed that the red one is Strength Enhancement, and the yellow one is Recovery Enhancement.”
Moreover, two of these three gems were Strength Enhancement and Recovery Enhancement, which all Psychers used as essential abilities.
“The remaining black one couldn’t be identified due to compatibility issues. It’s highly likely to be a Special Ability.”
“I-is that so? But how do I use them?”
“Just touch them to your skin. Usually, to avoid the risk of loss, they are implanted under the skin or inside the body, but merely touching them is enough for the effect.”
“Ah, like this?”
As Private First Class Park Boseop touched the black gem, that was the moment.
“Ugh!”
Suddenly, Private First Class Park Boseop winced and let out a groan. Seeing this, Kim Seojun asked,
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah, well, it’s...”
Private First Class Park Boseop replied to Kim Seojun,
“I-I can suddenly hear t-too well, Staff Sergeant.”
The moment he heard that answer, Kim Seojun understood.
“Extrasensory Perception.”
That the black gem’s ability was Extrasensory Perception, specifically related to hearing.
*So that’s why he acted alone.*
Only then did he understand why the Chinese Psycher had moved alone.
Having extremely developed hearing, being able to hear even what humans couldn't, was an enormous advantage.
Especially for crisis detection, there was no more helpful ability. While sight lost its value at night, hearing became even more valuable in the dark.
Of course, the most important thing right now was this:
*Good.*
That Private First Class Park Boseop could use this Prophet’s Relic.
“Then, prepare now.”
“Prepare for what, Staff Sergeant?”
“We’re going to get the gift.”
And from now on, that ability would be a great help to Kim Seojun’s group.
Ten minutes later, Kim Seojun’s group moved out.
As soon as Private First Class Park Boseop regained his senses, Kim Seojun’s group immediately moved again.
The coordinates Hawkeye had given were quite far from Poland Headquarters.
It was a place that would take 22 hours to reach by Military Truck.
Of course, they could go faster by taking Uryong, but Kim Seojun spoke about that point.
“If three people ride Uryong, it’s too unstable.”
Uryong was fundamentally a single-seater, and at most, two people could ride it in a pinch. The moment three people got on, there was virtually no point in riding it.
“Parts are also hard to come by.”
Another reason was that advanced Hoverbikes like Uryong had a fast parts replacement cycle, and certain parts could only be obtained from China.
It wasn't smart to use Uryong, which could be a Hidden Card in a crucial moment, for simple travel.
“Combat is also difficult on Uryong.”
There was also the disadvantage that they couldn't immediately engage in combat during an emergency while moving.
“So, we’ll take it out when we need it.”
Of course, the biggest reason for this decision was the ability to keep Uryong as an option.
From Kim Seojun’s perspective, being able to carry Uryong in his Inventory meant there was no reason to hesitate.
Private First Class Park Boseop and Major Lee Hyena didn't question that fact.
“Then, let’s go.”
*Vrooom!*
Kim Seojun gave the order, and Private First Class Park Boseop immediately pressed hard on the Military Truck’s Accelerator.
“Ah.”
And the moment the Charge began, Private First Class Park Boseop spoke.
“Staff Sergeant Kim.”
“Speak.”
“I can hear everything, Staff Sergeant.”
Private First Class Park Boseop’s eyes were filled with wonder as he spoke.
And Kim Seojun didn't show any particular surprise or question at Private First Class Park Boseop’s appearance.
Because he knew.
That the world perceived by Psychers was literally on a different dimension than that of Regular Space Marines.
So, there was only one thing to say here.
“I’m counting on you.”
“Leave it to me!”
At those words, Private First Class Park Boseop gave a more confident answer than ever before, and he showed it with results.
*Vrooom!*
Private First Class Park Boseop showed a more reckless Charge than ever.
There was nothing to fear.
His ears could now hear more sounds, sounds from afar, than ever before, and naturally, he didn't miss the sounds made by Mogdogs or thorn-snakes.
And when he caught those sounds, he could avoid danger in advance by lightly steering the wheel.
“I’ll push it harder.”
*Vroooooom!*
The moment Private First Class Park Boseop realized there was no danger, he began to Overdrive beyond a mere Charge.
As a result, Private First Class Park Boseop covered a distance that would have taken 22 hours in a mere 16 hours.
“We’ve arrived.”
Kim Seojun also let out an exclamation of admiration at the astonishing result, and at the same time, he could see it.
“There it is.”
A vast Wasteland stretching as far as the eye could see, and a large box placed upon it.
Kim Seojun’s group immediately approached the box, and Kim Seojun first checked the Lock.
*It’s a Dial Lock.*
The moment he saw it, Kim Seojun immediately began to work on the combination for the Password.
It wasn’t difficult.
*Click!*
Kim Seojun unlocked it in less than a minute.
*At the same time, the first thing that came into view was ammunition.*
The supply box was so densely packed with magazines full of ammunition that there was hardly a gap to be found.
“It seems to be only ammunition.”
Seeing that, a hint of disappointment flickered in Private First Class Park Boseop’s eyes.
He had expected some magnificent weapon as Hawkeye’s gift, but to think it was only ammunition?
However, Kim Seojun was different.
“It’s too good for a tip.”
“Excuse me?”
“These aren’t bait like last time; these are items Hawkeye genuinely intended to use.”
In Kim Seojun’s view, Hawkeye’s previous supplies were closer to bait to observe the situation on China’s side.
But what was before them now was different.
These abundant ammunition supplies were like a lifeline for Hawkeye.
No matter how powerful a gun or Psycher ability, it was useless without ammunition.
And the same was true for Kim Seojun.
“And it’s even harder to get Gauss Gun Ammunition in a place like this.”
“Ah!”
The Gauss Gun was a difficult item to acquire, only issued to Psychers, and its ammunition was on a different level from that used in ordinary guns.
There wasn't even a speck of Gauss Gun Ammunition at Poland Headquarters.
But now, they had more than enough ammunition.
It was reassuring in many ways.
Of course, Kim Seojun thought at this point.
*The fact that Hawkeye intended to resupply here means there’s a high probability that Hawkeye is targeting something in this vicinity.*
It was obvious that such ammunition resupply would take place near an Operation Area.
And Kim Seojun knew.
*China or the Queen.*
What Hawkeye was targeting right now.
That’s why.
“Conduct a perimeter search.”
“A perimeter search, Staff Sergeant?”
The moment Private First Class Park Boseop questioned that fact, that was the moment.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, Private First Class Park Boseop turned his head.
“I hear something.”
Then he closed his eyes and listened more intently before speaking.
“From that direction, from that direction, I hear mechanical sounds. The sounds seem to be from Military Trucks.”
The moment they heard that, Kim Seojun’s group immediately moved cautiously in the direction of the sound.
And about 1 kilometer away from the supply box, they saw three Military Trucks entering what appeared to be an abandoned Mining Site.
There, Kim Seojun picked up his binoculars and watched the moving Military Trucks.
There were no particular external features to distinguish them.
But it didn't matter.
Kim Seojun knew now.
“It’s China.”
Even just by looking at the Wheel Tracks, he could tell where those Military Trucks belonged.
“It seems to be a Multi of the Chinese Headquarters.”
And what China was now using the abandoned Mining Site for, after all the mining was done.
“A Multi, Staff Sergeant? Like that place where they stored stolen goods last time?”
“No, it’s completely different.”
Furthermore, Kim Seojun knew that the importance of this place was on a different level from the previous Hongwon Mining Site.
Because the fact that Hawkeye was planning to receive ammunition resupply near here meant one thing.
“It’s one of Hawkeye’s targets. It’s definitely not just a warehouse for stolen goods.”
At that explanation, both their expressions hardened.
In other words, didn't it mean this was a place that only Hawkeye could handle?
Meaning, it was very dangerous.
“It’s dangerous.”
Kim Seojun also knew that well.
“So, we deal with it while we can.”
“Excuse me?”
“Leaving them alone won’t make them weaker.”
So he came to that conclusion, and at that conclusion, Private First Class Park Boseop and Major Lee Hyena were startled.
“We’re not planning an all-out war.”
Kim Seojun easily persuaded the two of them.
“We’ll go in Stealth State and just throw a few bombs.”
At those words, both were immediately convinced.
Indeed, if it was like that, the risk wasn't great.
But even so, risk was still risk.
“Is there a reason to take the risk?”
Major Lee Hyena questioned the merit, and Kim Seojun answered her question.
“Whatever China is secretly doing right now, none of it is good for us. We should mess it up while we can. And that place was originally Hawkeye’s target.”
“If we leave it, Hawkeye will deal with it, so why should we take the risk?”
“We can earn a tip from Hawkeye.”
At that answer, Major Lee Hyena pondered for a moment, then nodded.
Earning Hawkeye’s favor—that was an immense merit that couldn't possibly be bought with money.
Just then.
“Oh, wait a minute, Staff Sergeant.”
Private First Class Park Boseop said, closing his eyes as he spoke.
“Something’s coming. Something big is coming.”
“Something big?”
“A large truck... a trailer? Something quite big is coming. Doesn’t seem ordinary.”
Then he opened his eyes and turned his head, and Kim Seojun also turned his head in that direction.
Soon, Kim Seojun could see it.
“It’s a Tank Transport Vehicle, isn’t it?”
A huge transport vehicle carrying heavy equipment was heading towards China’s Multi.
And under a tarp on that transport vehicle, something was visible.
Anyone could tell it was a Battle Tank, and Private First Class Park Boseop, seeing it from afar, said,
“It looks like a Battle Tank, but what kind?”
To that question, Kim Seojun replied,
“Uroe.”
“Excuse me?”
“Uroe.”
At those words, Private First Class Park Boseop exclaimed in shock,
“You mean Uroe, that Battle Tank known as China’s biggest mistake, the one that defeated America’s strongest Battle Tank, the Jackson Tank?”
Kim Seojun didn't answer that explanation.
This was no longer a situation that required an answer.
“Change of Plans.”
Because there was only one thing to do now.
“Destroy Uroe.”