Chapter 57
Scar.
Now that the enemy had been identified, the course of action was clear.
“Let’s dig through the data.”
The Korean military was also participating in this Castle Defense. Even though they were no longer at the forefront of the battlefield, the army still held onto the efficiency that had been built up over thousands of years.
“Let’s look through the data from this operation.”
Just as the battle data from the past had been recorded, every wave of this battle was also documented.
“First, what we need to find is… the second Scar.”
Had there been any instances of enemies surviving the Castle’s traps and returning?
The three of them each grabbed a monitor and meticulously searched, their eyes glued to the screens.
“There’s nothing.”
That was fortunate, at least.
“Then, what is Scar doing now?”
This was the most crucial question.
“Let’s check the reconnaissance satellite data first.”
“That’s classified military information.”
From this point onward, the information was classified.
“We can’t even see it?”
“It’s not that you can’t, but we need authorization from the person in charge.”
It wasn’t that they couldn’t see it, but classified information in the sense that they needed permission from the person in charge.
“Then, let’s meet with the person in charge.”
It was already late, and it was break time.
Captain Oh Junghee would be in the room assigned to her.
Mason and his companions knocked on the door.
Oh Junghee cautiously opened the door.
“What’s going on?”
She was wearing comfortable sportswear and holding a thick book in her hand.
“The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire…?”
“I’m trying to take an interest in history as a hobby.”
“Oh…”
Mason wore an intrigued expression. He was also very interested in past history, specifically the 21st century.
But that wasn’t important right now.
“What brings you here?”
“We want to see the satellite images.”
“That’s classified military information. Do you have a reason?”
Mason briefly explained about Scar.
Oh Junghee furrowed her brow.
“You want to track a specific monster that you believe could be a threat to the operation?”
“That’s right.”
“And the basis for considering this specific monster a threat is solely your gut feeling?”
“That’s right.”
Oh Junghee closed the door.
“…”
Just as Mason was making a disconcerted expression,
Oh Junghee stepped out, putting on her military uniform.
“Let’s go.”
Mason made an interested face.
“Do you believe us?”
“The worst that could happen is I lose about an hour of my personal time. The potential benefits of trusting you outweigh the potential losses of not trusting you.”
Arriving at her office, Oh Junghee provided the satellite images.
However, even after changing the resolution and searching the surroundings, no entity resembling a Centaur was detected.
Mason asked,
“…Is it not there?”
“It’s hard to say for sure. It could be operating outside the satellite’s imaging area, or it could be concealed.”
“Can monsters detect the presence of satellites?”
“I don’t think so.”
Oh Junghee calmly responded.
“But if it’s entered a building or the subway, there’s no way to detect it.”
Seo Yeonhee and Ronan looked at Mason.
Mason was lost in thought.
There were three possibilities he could think of.
First, it was outside the satellite’s imaging area.
Second, it was within the area but in a blind spot.
Third, it was already dead.
If it was already dead, there was no need for further discussion. He had to rule out that possibility.
Then there were two options left.
Monitor a wider area, and monitor for a longer duration.
“Can we monitor a wider area?”
“It’s difficult due to the nature of the satellite.”
“Is it impossible?”
“That means it’s impossible with the satellites owned by the Korean military.”
Mason understood what she meant.
“What about satellites from other countries?”
“If we could use the US military satellites, it would be entirely possible. But…”
“It would be difficult?”
“Yes, it would shorten the lifespan of the military satellites, and all military satellites are assigned missions. It would be a political issue as well as a financial one.”
Money and politics.
If these words came up, it was already decided who he needed to discuss it with.
“I’ll make a phone call.”
Mason entered an empty office and took out his phone.
“Kacha.”
“Something that might become a problem has come up.”
Mason explained everything that had happened so far.
“It’s just a feeling, though.”
“However?”
“…”
If Yekaterina was saying this much, it wouldn’t be a simple financial issue. A political debt. It meant a debt that would come with responsibility in some form.
Mason pondered for a moment.
No matter how sharp or accurate it might be, it was just a feeling. A simple intuition, a hunch.
How much could he pay for a mere hunch?
Mason thought it over once more and opened his mouth.
“It’s absolutely necessary.”
At the very least, it was a matter concerning Castle, and on a larger scale, it was a matter concerning everyone gathered here.
People.
That’s right.
It was a matter concerning the people who protect people.
And Mason had no intention of compromising when it came to the people.
No matter the cost…
The call ended, and Mason returned to the conference room.
People asked with their eyes, and Mason shrugged in response.
“She said to wait.”
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Two hours had passed.
Oh Junghee flinched as Mason’s phone rang.
Yekaterina spoke in a tired voice.
Oh Junghee nodded.
Mason spoke,
“Thank you.”
“It was. Even if this turns out to be nothing… my gratitude towards you won’t change.”
<…Hehe.>
Yekaterina’s gentle laughter came through the phone.
“I’m glad you take them that way.”
As soon as Yekaterina’s call ended, Oh Junghee started accessing the data.
“I found it.”
The image she zoomed in on showed a Centaur walking into a subway station.
“Sinyongsan Station…?”
It was always the subway.
Mason crossed his arms.
“Is that guy definitely Scar?”
“I don’t have a front view, so I can’t be sure. But the fact that there’s a Centaur still around this area…”
“…It’s certainly a strange situation.”
Castle Defense had taken place numerous times. The monsters in this vicinity should have been wiped out. Conversely, the mere presence of a living monster in this area was suspicious enough.
“Alright. Then… let’s start the meeting.”
Mason called a meeting of the leadership.
With Sung Kijun, Liza, and Masika present, Mason shared the events so far and the data they had obtained.
Liza remained silent, while Sung Kijun and Masika nodded without any particular objections.
“Yeah, that Scar guy seems like he’ll be a pain.”
Sung Kijun and Masika had experienced firsthand how accurate Mason’s intuition was.
The problem lay in the next step.
“So, how are we going to deal with this?”
“That’s…”
Should they send a large-scale force? Or a small kill team consisting of a few parties?
This question led to another question.
“Mason, what do you estimate their scale and strength to be?”
It was the same question, with the same answer.
“…I don’t know.”
All Mason had was the knowledge that there was a threatening presence somewhere outside Castle.
How strong it was, how many subordinates it had, etc.
He had no information necessary for a fight, and there was no way to obtain more information.
“I think we have no choice but to scout directly.”
Seo Yeonhee, who had been silent, spoke up.
“I’ll go.”
“Will you be alright?”
“If it’s not a dangerous place, there shouldn’t be any problem. And if it’s dangerous, I’ll need to be even more stealthy. I think it’s best for me to infiltrate alone.”
“Alright.”
“But I’d like you to prepare an extraction team in case something goes wrong.”
Mason nodded.
“We can probably spare a party of close-combat fighters and one mage, excluding the ranged dealers. The members will be…”
As Mason looked around, Ronan quietly raised his hand.
“Weren’t you on bad terms with Seo Yeonhee?”
“Personal feelings should be put aside when dealing with important matters.”
Liza spoke in a calm voice.
“I’ll participate as well.”
Ronan with his two-handed sword and Liza with her long spear. Both were the best swordsman and spearwoman in Korea.
Mason looked at Masika.
“I’ll take Deroa as the teleport agent. Is that okay?”
Masika nodded.
“You’re the commander-in-chief, Mason.”
And so the party was formed.
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The next steps proceeded smoothly.
They encountered no monsters on their way to Sinyongsan Station. Not even up to the point where the station entrance came into view.
“We’re good up to here.”
Seo Yeonhee had the others wait.
“Now then…”
Whirr…
The tingling taste of ions was felt from the inside of her molars. It meant the stealth field was activated.
‘Phew…’
Seo Yeonhee remained vigilant, moving cautiously.
Just because the invisible stealth field was activated didn’t mean she wouldn’t be detected.
The stealth field only allowed light to pass through; sounds and scents spread without any reduction.
One would be surprised to learn how many monsters relied on hearing and smell rather than sight.
Underneath the thin veil that only provided visual deception, Seo Yeonhee’s body remained exposed.
Only caution and luck could protect her in the monster’s lair…
‘Careful, careful…’
Seo Yeonhee moved, focusing on where she placed her feet.
Stepping into a puddle would make a splashing sound and create ripples. Any monster with sharp eyes would immediately notice something was amiss.
She even held her breath, slowly creeping into the station.
‘Ugh…’
Even though she had only descended the stairs to the concourse level, a damp and foul odor permeated the air.
It wasn’t the kind of smell that would be left behind by one or two monsters passing through.
It was a thick, stagnant stench that could only be produced by at least dozens of monsters residing there.
‘They’re here. There are a lot of monsters here.’
Seo Yeonhee moved forward, aghast.
Her heart was pounding. A sense of foreboding and unease washed over her.
As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, the scene on the first basement level slowly came into view.
There, countless monsters were huddled together.
At a glance, there were nearly hundreds of them.
‘How could we not have noticed this until now?’
