Steel-Eating Player - Chapter 193
Episode 193 [Preparation for the apocalypse, all-out war – 1]
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Only the player can protect this world.
This mysterious game was designed that way from the beginning.
However, not all players could be ‘heroes’.
No matter how strong a player you are, if you do not have altruism or a sense of duty, you will end up sacrificing yourself.
Until now, many players participated in war events such as [Invasion of the Black Orc Kingdom] or [Titanomachia], but many more players remained silent and watched across the river.
But this incident… I couldn’t ignore the [World Quest]…
“…If I just watch a fire break out next door, it’s going to spread to my house, right?”
This was what Fernando Velazquez, the No. 1 Mexican player, said just before leaving the country about two days ago.
He has so far remained silent no matter what requests are made regarding events taking place outside of Latin America. The fact that he traveled such a long way proved the meaning of this world quest.
In other words, it is a crisis that touches everyone around the world…
– Top players gathering in Zurich, Switzerland, including 111 guild masters and 21 S-rank players…
– Brown Jackson, chairman of the largest player conference in human history. “We will find the answer to save the world from destruction.”
The power of the whole world was gathering in one place.
Two-two-two-two-
Numerous helicopters and cars were coming one by one in front of the large marble building on a hill.
There were many people there . A magic shield was in place, and hundreds of security forces were on guard in all directions.
Click! Click! Click! Click!
And outside the no-access line, reporters from all over the world were gathered together, burning up the excitement of reporting.
“Ah, this place I’m in is Zurich, Switzerland . Ro….”
“—The whole world is cheering to see if they can protect the world…”
Their voices were intertwined, making the situation urgent and strangely lively.
“Now, the world’s biggest names are coming here . Players are flocking!”
And the reporters introduced the players by listing their names one by one.
“Ah—it’s Li Jingtao! I’ve never been seen in an official capacity before…” “
DS Edward Woods and other British heroes have arrived!”
And…
“Uh-uh—it looks like the two groups over there are having a war of nerves, and there might be bloodshed!”
As the strongest people from each region gathered in one place, the atmosphere seemed to be heating up, knowingly or unknowingly.
“Oh, what, are you here too? This is a bit unexpected…”
“What? why? “Did you think I wouldn’t be invited?”
These two people I’m talking to now were key players in Spain’s two major guilds.
They stood facing each other, glaring at each other, ignoring the cameras surrounding them.
“Ugh—no, don’t get me wrong. That’s not what I meant. Who would doubt your skills?”
Then he shook my hand with a friendly smile and started talking about various things.
“I don’t mean to argue. Anyway, it’s been a while. Is this the first time since we conquered the Forest of Ents two years ago?”
Click! Click!
The scene where the players enter under the spotlight, wearing flashy items, and exchange greetings and chats with each other… It felt a bit out of place for the purpose of preparing for battle. Some people watched this scene and thought that the
Earth It was true that it seemed a bit loose, to the point of sarcasm that it was not a meeting to protect, but an item fashion show or a player of the year award ceremony. However, it could
not be said that the players did not have a sense of crisis. They knew that fighting at the risk of their lives was a daily routine, so it was a big disaster. Even though they were facing a disaster, they knew how to keep their composure.
So, even though it was a moment where laughter could not be accompanied by civilians, they were able to be cheerful.
But didn’t the atmosphere that was so noisy at that time stop as if cold water had been poured on it?
“…….”
The players’ voices disappeared as if they had paused.
They craned their heads and looked somewhere like meerkats that heard the cries of a wild beast.
“—Huh?”
Accordingly, the cameras also naturally moved their focus to follow the line of sight.
An Asian man dressed in black was slowly coming up the stairs.
“…he came.”
At the moment, it was the strongest player, ‘Steelrain’, who is said to be the most likely ‘hero candidate’.
And after that, Emilia Müller, Donald Harris, Woo Seong-moon, etc. appeared together.
Everyone recalled in their minds the achievements they had achieved together so far.
At this point, it was by far the most powerful force and the most supported force.
Step by step—step by step—
they broke through the silence, moved through the players… and disappeared into the white building.
“…….”
Perhaps because of the effect that scene had, the players who were enjoying leisurely gossip also began to enter the building one by one. In response, a reporter spoke through the awkward silence.
“Does Steelein now have influence just by existing? It feels like a certain… power.”
The world’s expectation was that the representative ‘warrior’ who will stand against the Demon King will be decided here today.
***
– …The target of this world quest is the ‘Demon King’ and many people are asking for help in tracking down that unidentified being. However, what we need to pay more attention to is the battle to come. The reason we are gathered here is because we need to strengthen our resolve and unite our strength before a big battle. Hundreds of people gathered in a large hall reminiscent of the main conference hall of the National Assembly building
. The player was sitting.
– …That’s why we need all-out support from all of you gathered here.
And on the podium, a tall old man was speaking using loudspeaker magic.
He was none other than Brown, the chairman of the World Players’ Association (WPA). It was Jackson.
Lee Hyun-wook was also sitting in his seat and looking at him.
– Player (LV：43)
‘…Your level is much lower than I thought?’
Brown Jackson He was a first-generation player, one of the first awakened people, and he must have been at a fairly low level. However, players did not doubt his judgment or ignore his claims. Because… ‘His
true
ability ‘ is demonstrated not as a player but as an intellectual.’
As a sociologist who studies how the world coexists with games, he was accepted as the highest authority in that field. He was also the most outstanding dungeon strategy designer. ‘His strategy has a whopping 98% success rate as of now
. ‘I have it.’
So when he convened and invited the strongest people in each region, they followed without hesitation.
Believing that he would come up with the insight to prevent the global catastrophe called [World Quest]… ‘
But… we can’t expect his talent this time. ‘The enemy is too strong.’
No matter how much he did, he would have less insight than Lee Hyun-wook, who had personally fought the necromancer. In
the first place, players at this time did not even have a way to attack the ‘wave erosion area’.
‘In the end, I have to control them. That is the only answer. ‘
Lee Hyun-wook raised his head and slowly looked around at the strongest players around him.
– Player (LV：89)
– Player (LV：84)
– Player (LV：78)
‘Tsk— Was this all it was like at this time? With this. ‘ is a no-no.’
Wasn’t the enemy a necromancer who dominated the world eight years later and evolved even further?
‘And there’s even a demon lord… he’ll be stronger than I expected.’
As Lee Hyun-wook was thinking about such things, a voice came into his ears.
– …Can I say something first?
– Yes, respected Master Heinrich.
– Loud— I formally request Steelein.
This soft The strong voice while crying… was a leading German player named Heinrich Volkov.
He was also a member of [Fouture], which has been attacking Lee Hyun-wook following in the footsteps of Alain Giam.
– Please refrain from taking arbitrary actions this time.
And Fouture . It seemed like the powers that be were conspiring to keep Lee Hyun-wook in the dark even at this very moment.
‘It’s just a stupid move to get their share…’
Looking at the information on that person, it turns out that he wasn’t a ‘villain’. If that’s the case, then it was for a completely different purpose. He must have been interfering with Lee Hyun-wook… His purpose was so anachronistic and selfish that it was disgusting.
‘That kind of loach-like person existed even in his past life until the very last moment.’
Even while the whole world is being swallowed up by villains, people who put their own interests and pride first… Lee Hyun-wook did not look at him, but slowly raised his head and looked at Chairman Brown Jackson. Then he opened his mouth, pointing at Lee Hyun-wook
.
– …Would you like to say something?
But before that, Heinrich Volkov’s voice came out of the speakers.
– Hero haha – This obvious and childish title can only go to one person.
He stood up as if making a speech and everyone ‘s gaze landed on him.
He was also a first-generation player and as a guild master, he was skilled in handling crowds.
– Chairman, I will say a few more words.
– …Yes, you will.
Then Heinrich Volkov slowly turned around and said to himself, He greeted players he knew. He was a well-known old man with good manners and a reputation for taking good care of people. In other words, his words
had enough influence.
– I, Heinrich Volkov… This old coachman. There is one thing that I have realized while going through all kinds of struggles to pull out the carriage called humanity that has fallen into the mud called this game. That is….
He took a moment to catch his breath, turned his head, glanced at Hyunwook Lee, and continued speaking. –
. ..You shouldn’t rein in only one powerful horse and have it pull the carriage in only one direction. Of course, it may be shallow mud, but that’s not the place we’re in. So, if only one horse pulls. The carriage would rather wobble and fall deeper.
He spread out both hands and pointed at all the players.
– Isn’t strength the most basic science? In order to support a large weight, you need to understand the center of gravity, not just a strong pillar. It is like distributing the force as much as possible to be able to withstand a greater weight. In other words, to get a carriage out of the mud, the answer is to use many horses and pull it in various directions and push it. Therefore, I argue that it is right to distribute the force. In this situation. It’s the same. Power and authority concentrated in just one person… it can actually become poisonous.
Then, several people who appeared to be guild masters belonging to Puture shouted, “That’s right!”
Additionally, several players unrelated to him also nodded their heads in agreement.
– This is a very poor analogy, but please… gather your wits to pull the carriage out.
After saying that, he looked at Lee Hyun-wook once and sat down.
The option for the achievement, which was awarded to only one hero, was a 3-fold increase in all abilities.
And after research by analyst players, it was revealed that it was the only power that could kill the Demon King.
In other words, the entire world was entrusted to the player who was selected as the hero.
And those who are the strongest in a region are reluctant to give power to just one person.
It was as if the feudal lords did not want the birth of an absolute centralized system.
Soon, demands and questions for Lee Hyeon-wook poured in from all over, as if it were a public hearing.
– Well, I also think that in order for Steele Lane to receive the hero’s privileges, he has to give something commensurate. For example… sharing the Laputa technology that many people are talking about… Yeah, things like that.
– I do not deny that Steele Rain is needed, but I agree that distribution of power is necessary.
Lee Hyun-wook needed to break Heinrich Volkov’s logic and persuade them here and now.
In addition to increasing all abilities by a whopping 3x, the hero’s special option is the only one that can kill the Demon King…
In order to get that, you had to gain the popular vote, and these people were the backbone of the vote.
If, by chance, they harbored animosity toward Lee Hyun-wook and expressed it in a statement, the ripple effect would be quite large.
Lee Hyun-wook slowly looked at their faces while listening to their cries.
And I realized that there was an emotion deeper than wariness curling up inside them.
‘…those great players are already scared.’
Although they are the strongest people who have ever ruled this world, they become weak in the face of incomprehensible phenomena.
Fear of the unknown… because it is the oldest and most powerful emotion possessed by humans.
And the being called the Demon King was a fearsome enemy that players could hardly fathom.
‘In other words, rather than seeing me as an object of caution… they expect some kind of proof from me.’
As they were no different from feudal lords, it was a natural instinct to be wary of the centralized system.
However, if an irresistible invasion comes from outside, the king’s decision is expected.
‘In other words, what they want from me is not the distribution of power.’
Rather….
‘…it is a clear proof of power.’
Lee Hyun-wook felt the gazes on him and chose what to say.
But then—
– Huh?
Brown Jackson held my ear and muttered something.
It seemed like an emergency radio call had come in from someone.
– Everyone…
His expression became even darker, as if he had heard some news.
– This is news that just came in. Well… they say the Demon King’s location has been identified.
Then the intestines began to stir.
– Well, let’s take a look first.
He turned his back and gave mana to the ‘Crystal Projector’, a circular object hanging on the wall.
Huh,
then a hologram erupted from there and a video appeared.
Huuuu——
What a snowy field… I saw a coniferous forest with a blizzard raging.
“……That’s Siberia, right?”
A man, probably the master of an influential Russian guild, said that.
It seemed to be a very familiar sight to him, and it was a tundra forest area in East Siberia.
– That place is the 3rd Observation Station in East Siberia. It has been monitoring a group of ice trolls for two years. A long time ago ,
a number of high-level gates appeared in Siberia. However, due to the nature of Siberia’s rough terrain, the gates had to be discovered very late, and the monster’s power took root in the meantime. However, the area was uninhabited and there was no significant damage
. There was no need to force an attack.
The group of ice trolls that were left unattended gradually grew, and a blizzard began to rage in the area.
‘That was because of the legendary grade item called the Heart of Winter.’
Because of that, the cold of Siberia gradually expanded its power, and the ice troll attack began belatedly.
‘But the ice trolls at that time evolved into a completely different level of monster.’
Thump—thump—
“Oh, is that an ice troll?”
In the video, large beings appear among the coniferous forests.
“…It’s bigger than what’s known, right?”
“It looks like it’s twice as big. What is it?”
They had evolved to a higher level and knelt down and bowed their heads towards someone.
The target was a figure floating in the air… no, it was a necromancer, or a demon lord. As
Lee Hyun-wook watched that scene, he became convinced of one thing about the demon lord.
‘. ..As expected, it has the ability to subjugate monsters.’
Previously, a scene of holding hands with the titans had been captured.
At the time, it was only a guess, but it became clear with that scene.
– And that scene was taking place not only here, but also in the Sahara Desert, Amazon, etc.
Immediately after, the video ended and Chairman Brown Jackson He continued this explanation.
– The devil is gathering monsters from the rough terrain that we have not been able to easily deal with until now.
Then, lamentations erupted from all over.
At that time, Brian Thiel took the microphone and opened his mouth.
– Everyone, this is It’s a very serious matter!
Everyone turned their heads to look at him as he shouted like a scream.
He was the best analyst player on par with Brown Jackson.
That’s why they clearly saw the meaning of that one scene.
– Until now, we have not seen any monsters . What was the reason they had a comparative advantage against him?
He got up from his seat and began to argue
– It was because there was only one group in one place, like a game stage! But if they banded together and responded… . It becomes the worst problem on a completely different level! It’s like how you can control a single river, but you can’t control the ocean where all the water is gathered. Brown Jackson also nodded as if he sympathized with those words
.
At this, the murmur spread again, and a strange sense of despair began to fill the air. And the fact that this place was stained with bewilderment and despair… meant that the whole world was bound to be in even more chaos. At that time, a voice came through the speaker
.
– …So, an army of monsters is being created.
That voice was none other than Lee Hyun-wook.
It was his first statement at this event.
At this, the hall fell silent for a moment.
“…….”
And all eyes were on him. I was sucked in by him.
He held the microphone and opened his mouth with a very calm expression.
“Then we also need an army.”
Heinrich Volkov hurriedly turned on the microphone and added a word.
– In order to create that corps, dogmatism and dictatorship must be excluded.
Lee Hyun-wook slowly turned his head towards him. And he smiled brightly.
“Well… I already have an army.”
– …yes? What does that mean all of a sudden?
At that moment, Hyunwook Lee stretched out his left hand and Heinrich Volkov flinched without realizing it.
Jaw—
A round object flew into his grasp and landed lightly.
It was a crystal projector on the podium.
“Now the scene I’m going to show you is from just 30 minutes ago.”
Hyun-wook Lee said that and plugged in the USB he had prepared in advance into the crystal projector.
And when he gave mana, a hologram soared above his hand and a video played.
Woo-woo—
The one that the video projected was none other than Laputa.
It had already become the sky of Seoul . Instead, it was floating in the mountains of Gangwon-do.
“Huh? Why are you showing me that all of a sudden?”
“…Shhh, be quiet. “There must be a reason for everything.”
Immediately after, something began to emerge from the upper and lower parts of Laputa.
It was like bees flying out of a beehive….
Whoosh… Whoosh… Whoosh…
Those were all airships, and even at first glance, they were a huge number.
About a hundred…
“What is it? Is that the Iron Fleet?”
“…No, the Steel Fleet is here.”
“Then where on earth did that come from…”
In other words, it meant that they had mass-produced airships several times the size of the Steel Fleet.
That was not all.
The moment the screen turned, players could not help but believe their eyes.
“Wow—all of that . Are they all those metal giants?”
“Just one crazy one would have been that strong…”
Inside one factory, giant soldiers in the shape of the Orihalcon giant Talos were lined up in a row.
It was moving along a conveyor belt, as if tanks were being mass-produced ahead of war.
Of course, it is nothing compared to Talos-Battle Mode, which was made with ancient gnome technology….
‘Still, they are combat weapons made with adamant material with technology from the Colossus Research Institute.’
Then, the screen changed again to show the ‘Arsenal’ in Gangwon-do.
Now that it was completed and busy, there were a lot of AD-3s floating in the sky, not AD-2s, but the higher model. And even then, there were only two War Boxes in flight.
“Wow…”
Lee Hyun-wook was talking about these three scenes. They still have more shows to show….
They began to imagine what kind of power they would have if they were placed under Lee Hyun-wook’s control.
In this way, the ‘magical engineering’ in which Lee Hyun-wook had so far invested heavily showed its full potential.
‘Even when I couldn’t pay attention, the factory I built ran day and night.’
He received a huge amount of materials from the Adamant Mine in ‘Red Hall Village’ and the Dungeon Steel Mine in ‘Central African Republic’, and secured special materials from ‘Yggdrasil’ and ‘Shindansu’.
Other accessories were generously supported by the government of the Republic of Korea, led by Woo Seong-moon.
With that support, the best blacksmith players and the Gray Dwarf race worked day and night.
Based on the best technology called ‘Laputa’, using an item called the Hephaestus Hammer…
“Master Heinrich, you said it takes several horses to pull the chariot, right?”
At his words, Heinrich Volkov could only make a blank expression.
In his silence, Lee Hyun-wook’s words echoed throughout the hall.
“…I already have a cavalry. So, you don’t have to worry about the number of words.”
Hyunwook Lee turned off the hologram and sent a crystal projector to return to its original position on the podium. Meanwhile, everyone’s eyes were fixed on Lee Hyun-wook, not following the moving object.
He opened his mouth.
“And what I’ve shown you is… only a small part of it.”
Currently, the production of the ‘Mechanical Dragon’ is underway in Laputa.
In addition, many special weapons that cannot be revealed hastily have been prepared.
“So, everyone…invest in me.”
He was not appealing for support, but was offering an opportunity for investment.
“I will mobilize all the world’s resources and prepare for an all-out war against the Demon King.”