Chapter 19
7. When the Space Era arrived, many people were filled with dreams and hope. Many welcomed the Space Era.
“The End of Humanity has come!”
Among them, the ones who welcomed it most were the Doomsayers. With most doomsday prophecies having gone extinct, and with no more fear-mongering about demon lords, Nostradamus's prophecies, world wars, or great earthquakes to spread their doomsday theories for more than a few pennies in donations, the dawn of the Space Era was like a gold rush for the Doomsayers. Countless Doomsayers began to proclaim all sorts of dooms in their own ways.
“Space Monsters will bring about the End of Humanity!” “An Alien Civilization with insurmountable, great technology will enslave Humanity!” “An Unknown Disease from Space will cause the extinction of Humanity!”
What was surprising was that similar situations actually occurred. The Space Monster Mog appeared, and the Prophet's Relic, inexplicable by Humanity's civilization, emerged. However, the Doomsayers didn't gain much traction from these appearances. The reason was simple: these threats weren't particularly dangerous to Humanity residing on Earth and the 11 Planets undergoing Terraforming.
Just as the Doomsayers were growing discontent, a third threat emerged. A Space Disease appeared. The disease originated in China. Having succeeded in a Queen Hunt of a Mog, China secured the Queen's carcass and, disregarding space laws, began researching it in a Secret Laboratory. In the process, Researchers were exposed to a virus within the Queen's body, and those exposed Researchers exhibited the following Infection Symptoms.
“An Infected individual's Life Activity ceases. The heart stops beating, and organ function disappears. Instead, muscle strength, skin, and bone density are enhanced, and the individual exhibits powerful aggression towards humans. The individual does not die from typical injuries and only stops moving when its head is destroyed. Furthermore, if the Infected's Body Fluid enters the skin, infection occurs, and if no special measures are taken, the individual becomes an Infected within one minute.”
In other words, it exhibited symptoms identical to the Zombie Virus everyone knew. So, when this disease emerged, the fear was immense, and Doomsayers excitedly proclaimed that Earth would soon be overrun by the Zombie Virus. Of course, that didn't happen. This Zombie Virus, officially named Mog Virus, quickly died out once its host perished. Moreover, during the Space Era, crossing through Gates involved extremely thorough Quarantine Inspection. For Humanity on Earth or other Planets, the high-fructose drinks they consumed posed a greater danger than the Mog Virus. The Space Marines were no different. The Mog Virus primarily occurred through infection by the Queen's Body Fluid, and from the Space Marines' perspective, there was no concern like, "It's the Queen! Watch out for the Mog Virus! You might turn into a zombie!" They just yelled, "We're screwed!"
Of course, accidents did happen. Incidents involving the Mog Virus occurred on several Planets, and the most significant among them took place at the Headquarters—a place where a large number of unarmed humans gathered. The Countermeasure taken then was simple: to completely wipe out the Headquarters along with the Mog Virus.
“...Infected.”
That was why Staff Sergeant Kim Seojun's group's expressions hardened upon hearing the Infection News from Poland Headquarters. Major Jan Zabłocki, for one, was in a state of mental collapse.
“Ah, ah...”
He froze, still clutching the radio. Could the Mog Virus really have spread to the Headquarters he had risked his life to save? Given his feelings, no one could say a word to Major Jan Zabłocki.
“Staff Sergeant Kim, what do we do?”
In that silence, Private First Class Park Boseop asked in a very small voice. Of course, it wasn't a question born of not knowing the answer. The Mog Virus had spread throughout Poland Headquarters, which meant it was teeming with Infected individuals. To enter such a place? It was a Crazy Act.
So, the immediate answer was for Private First Class Park Boseop to step on the Accelerator of the Military Truck to get as far away as possible. Major Lee Hyena's thoughts were the same. Kim Seojun replied to the two of them.
“Private First Class Park Boseop, we're moving for now.”
“Yes, understood.”
Private First Class Park Boseop immediately stepped on the Accelerator.
“Where should we go?”
He asked.
“We're going towards the Poland Headquarters.”
“Huh?”
The moment he heard the answer, Private First Class Park Boseop's expression changed.
“There? To where the Infected are?”
To his surprise, Kim Seojun spoke.
“If we lose Poland Headquarters at this point, the situation will become too dire. We must secure the Headquarters somehow. Most importantly, there are still Survivors.”
At his words, Major Lee Hyena replied.
“Understood. I'll go in and clear them out.”
“Ah!”
At that reply, Private First Class Park Boseop's face brightened.
“That's right, Major! If you go in, there won't be any problems!”
Come to think of it, no matter how powerful the Infected were, the chances of them overcoming an Agent Suit were not high. On the other hand, Major Lee Hyena could, to exaggerate a little, tear the Infected apart with her bare hands. Infected Cleanup would be a trivial matter.
“It's dangerous.”
Of course, Kim Seojun knew.
“Exposure to the infected body fluid carries significant risks in any form.”
For Major Lee Hyena, who engaged in Melee Combat, each Infected was no different from a bomb.
“Furthermore, the Infected are more troublesome than you think. While not as strong as Mogdogs, they are very powerful, and crucially, they also use weapons.”
Most importantly, the Infected were not beings who lost all reason and moved like beasts, like zombies in movies.
“The Infected are like Fanatics who worship the Mog. I can say that much with certainty.”
Kim Seojun knew that fact better than anyone.
“I have experienced it firsthand.”
Major Lee Hyena didn't question Kim Seojun's words. In fact, Major Lee Hyena was well aware of the dangers of the Infected. One of the Warning Protocols given to Psycher Agents was not to contact the Infected without the Government's permission. Even for a Psycher Agent, contact with the Infected was dangerous, no matter how well-equipped their Agent Suit.
“Crucially, if a Psycher becomes Infected, it's a huge problem. It is far more than you can imagine.”
And if a problem did arise, it could escalate into something truly absurd. In any case, Major Lee Hyena had to stand by, and Private First Class Park Boseop had a question at that point.
“Then how do we clear out the Infected?”
Kim Seojun replied to that question.
“The person who can penetrate an Infected's head from a distance without contact should clear them out.”
The moment they heard that answer, no one raised any further questions.
Vrooom!
Only the sound of the Military Truck driving could be heard.
8. The most certain way to gauge a Nation's power on that Planet was to observe the size of its Headquarters. In the case of Poland Headquarters, its scale was immense. First, the number of buildings deployed was on a different level. The largest among them was the Central Headquarters, where not only soldiers but also Researchers and all General Staff resided and worked. The Land Area occupied by the Central Headquarters alone exceeded 3,000 pyeong, and the usable area for Residents within it was three times that. The number of soldiers and Staff working there amounted to a staggering 7,000 people! All these figures were a source of pride and self-esteem for the Staff and soldiers working at Planet Amotia's Poland Headquarters. But now, things were different.
After the Mog Virus spread, all these numbers became a nightmare instead of a source of pride. Gathered in Shelter No. 19 within the Central Headquarters, the Poland Headquarters Staff was struggling against that nightmare.
“We're all gonna die, all, all, all gonna die.”
Most of the Survivors already had an abnormal Mental State. The one who was still somewhat sane was Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski. In truth, Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski wasn't entirely normal either. After all, he was one of the Hover Riders who participated in the Suicide Operation. He was the one who, relying solely on a Hoverbike, charged towards that absurd Mog Group, including three Tank Beetles—a Crazy Act. Although he was lucky enough to return to Headquarters with his life, his Physical Condition was at its worst. In particular, due to Stimpack Side Effects, he couldn't even properly drink water from a cup. Nevertheless, he spoke.
“Everyone, pull yourselves together. It's not over yet.”
He encouraged the Survivors in this desperate situation. That wasn't something possible with just Strong Will.
“The Major certainly didn't sacrifice herself for us to despair in a situation like this!”
So, Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski had a mission.
“We must survive, if only for her sake.”
It was a mission to protect what was left by the descendant of that great cavalryman, who had willingly charged towards the Mog Group to defend Poland Headquarters. In other words, Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski was convinced that Major Jan Zabłocki was dead. That was why.
“Major Jan Zabłocki?”
When the radio call came from Major Jan Zabłocki, Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski thought he was hearing hallucinations due to Stimpack Side Effects. And the moment he confirmed it wasn't a hallucination, Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski felt intense joy. Could the Major, who he thought was dead, really be alive and returning?
'Ah!'
At the same time, Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski knew what he had to do here.
“You absolutely, absolutely must not come here!”
Somehow, to make Major Jan Zabłocki escape to another place! So Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski repeatedly spoke into the radio, telling him to run, that this place was Infected, a paradise for the Infected. After sending that transmission, no further reply came, and in that silence, Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski smiled.
'Major, thank goodness that you're not here.'
Of course, that joy didn't last long. After the transmission ended, silence and terror once again filled the Shelter. Everyone held their breath. And for good reason: Infected individuals, countless Infected individuals, were lurking beyond the door of the Shelter they were in.
“We're all gonna die, all!”
Thump!
“Quiet, quiet!”
And the moment a sound came from the Shelter, the Infected violently pounded on the Shelter's door.
Muffled sounds!
Thump, thump, thump, thump!
The pounding finally subsided long after the Survivors had fallen silent. When quiet returned, the Survivors wore expressions even more steeped in despair and terror. Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski was no different. Even he, who had charged at Tank Beetles, found his Strong Will eroded by this repeated terror. It was then.
“We're all dead anyway, all of us.”
One of the Survivors said.
“That door will open.”
Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski asserted his will and spoke at that one person's words.
“The Shelter's door is sturdy. Even if the Infected's bodies are enhanced, they cannot destroy it.”
Those weren't words meant to persuade others, but to prevent the surrounding Survivors from faltering. At the same time, they were words he spoke to himself.
“They don't even need to open the door! If an Administrator-level enters the Unique ID, the door will open!”
Then, once again, a Survivor blurted out his or her fear. Of course, that wasn't wrong. The Shelter naturally had several measures in place to allow for rescue from the outside, and as stated, if Administrator-level personnel stepped forward, any Shelter could be opened immediately. Nevertheless, Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski countered.
“There's no way an Infected could do something like that.”
Beep-beep-beep-beep!
Just then, the sound of a Password being entered came suddenly from outside the Shelter's door, and everyone fell silent at the sound. In that quiet, everyone's eyes began to tremble like a small boat facing a fierce storm. Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski was no different.
'H-how?'
The Infected were actually entering the Password and coming into the Shelter? That was the moment everyone was horrified.
Pshhh!
The sturdy door of Shelter No. 19 began to open, and the moment it did, everyone froze. They couldn't even show any will to resist. Only one person did.
“L-let's fight!”
Only Sergeant First Class Viktor Lewandowski burned with the will to fight. And that will was soon broken.
“This is Staff Sergeant Kim Seojun from Korean Headquarters.”
The one who appeared said.
“I've come to rescue you.”
9. When Kim Seojun heard that word, Infected, his expression hardened.
'This is the worst.'
Kim Seojun had experienced the Infected before, so he knew how troublesome this situation was. For one, Poland Headquarters, which he had expected to be a safe haven, had largely lost its functionality. And that wasn't all.
'The appearance of the Infected means a Queen's unit has formed.'
Mog Virus Infected usually appeared when a Mog had contact with the Queen, or was attacked by such a Mog. What was important here was that contact between the Queen and a Mog meant the Queen was already on the move.
'Right now, the Queen is probably in the process of assimilating the Mogs, the Special Individuals, on Planet Amotia.'
And the moment that Queen assimilated most of the Mogs on Planet Amotia, a war of annihilation against all humans would begin from that moment on. From Kim Seojun's perspective, his expression couldn't help but harden in many ways. In other words, that was all there was to it. Dealing with the Infected was not a particular concern for Kim Seojun, and it couldn't be otherwise. For him, who even possessed the Clairvoyance Skill, clearing out the Infected in Poland Central Headquarters was an incredibly easy task.
Tat-tat!
[You have defeated an Infected. Points Awarded: None.]
He was momentarily surprised the moment that notification appeared during his first engagement with the Infected, which had just begun.
'So the Infected are also considered Mogs. I should have known.'
But that surprise didn't last long.
'Not giving points... that makes sense.'
He also understood why no Points Awarded were given.
'If points accumulated from this, they would reach an absurd level.'
If even 1 point were awarded for catching an Infected, Kim Seojun could immediately go to Earth and acquire at least 10 billion points, if he were determined to become a devil.
In any case, after a brief moment of surprise, Kim Seojun moved through Poland Central Headquarters with relentless gunfire. It was less a movement and more a Charge.
Tat-tat!
Before Kim Seojun's repeated gunshots, the Infected fell without exception, their heads riddled with holes. As he dealt with the Infected, he searched for the Shelters.
'This place is finished.'
At the first Shelter he reached, Shelter No. 4, the Survivors had already become Infected.
'Here too.'
Shelter No. 11 was the same.
'Here.'
And Kim Seojun could see Survivors at the third, Shelter No. 19. He entered the Emergency Number Major Jan Zabłocki had given him and opened the Shelter's door. Immediately, he saw someone charging at him, but Kim Seojun wasn't surprised. Instead, he was slightly impressed by the person showing a will to resist rather than despair in this situation, and he spoke.
“This is Staff Sergeant Kim Seojun from Korean Headquarters. I've come to rescue you.”
As he spoke, Kim Seojun inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
'31 Survivors. Thank goodness.'
While the number of Survivors wasn't large compared to the total personnel of this Headquarters, they were enough to utilize some of its functions.
'Lucky.'
So, that was the moment, just as Kim Seojun was pleased that he could save this many people amidst the catastrophe.
[A Powerful Infected Human has appeared.]
[An Event Mission has occurred.]
[Points acquired in this battle will be tripled.]
[If you hunt a Powerful Mog Individual in this battle, a Platinum Ticket will be awarded as a special bonus.]
A notification sounded, and the moment he heard it, Kim Seojun was certain.
'...It's a Psycher.'