Chapter 85: Chapter 85

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 85: Training or Discipline (5)

At dusk, as the sun dipped below the horizon,

I soared above the Han River, reflecting the crimson light as it fragmented on the water’s surface.

Bam Island.

An uninhabited island formed by sediment deposits in the Han River.

A wetland in the heart of the city, and a designated "ecological landscape conservation area."

"Shit, was there really a place like this in Seoul?"

“Have you never noticed it while riding the bus? You must’ve seen it at least once while crossing the Han River.”

The foul-mouthed guy asked in genuine surprise, so I answered kindly.

He shrugged as he replied,

"I don’t ride buses."

Jieun, standing nearby, widened her eyes in curiosity.

"If you don’t ride the bus, how do you get around? The subway?"

“…I don’t know. Fuck. Don’t ask.”

"Jieun! Don’t talk to that guy! Every time you ask him something, all he does is curse!"

"And what’s your problem now, huh?!"

Sigh.

Before Yeji and the foul-mouthed guy could escalate into a second round of bickering, I quickly stepped in to block them.

"If you curse one more time, I’ll drop you right here!"

"What did you say? You f—"

"That’s enough."

They’re relentless.

They were never exactly on good terms, but it’s gotten worse.

"It's really strange."

According to her, after being dropped off together at Mapo Station, the guy had been muttering curses all night long, keeping her from getting any sleep.

Judging by her heightened irritability, it seemed to be true.

Hmm, but what’s odd is—

"Why were you cursing all night?"

"What?"

"She said you were cursing all night. Why? There weren’t any monsters around, were there?"

Even for a guy with a foul mouth, there had to be a reason.

He’s human too; there’s no way he’d deprive himself of sleep just to swear for no reason.

When I asked casually, he avoided my gaze.

"…It sucked."

"What was that?"

When I asked again, barely hearing his whisper, he shouted in frustration.

"It fucking sucked, okay?!"

"What… sucked?"

"It was dark as hell, no one was around, the ground was cold and hard! And you feel like you’re dead… Don’t you think that’s enough to make anyone curse?!"

Then he let out a deep sigh.

"Why the hell don’t I have any skills? I can’t do shit, like some useless idiot…"

Hmm… So, in the end,

it’s just that his harsh words were an outlet for his frustration at his own helplessness.

It seemed silly to criticize him for it in this situation, so I debated how to respond—

Squish!

Something soft and jelly-like pressed against my face.

From the empty air where there had been nothing—

"……?!"

It was cold.

Cold and squishy, enveloping my nose, face, head, and body.

It felt like I was being sucked into a giant droplet of water.

An invisible force squeezed my entire body.

And then, a moment later—

Whoosh!

The oppressive sensation suddenly disappeared.

It was like being submerged in water and finally breaking through the surface.

Gasp!

Everyone around me was pale as a sheet, panting for air.

"I-I couldn’t breathe all of a sudden!"

"What was that just now?!"

Even Jieun, scanning the area frantically, seemed clueless about what had happened.

Before we could make sense of the situation, a deafening roar shook our surroundings.

Wooooooooooong!

I recognized the sound.

If I hadn’t heard it countless times before, I might’ve mistaken it for the hum of a generator.

"Ugh! It’s so loud!"

"What is that sound?"

"Isn’t it a motor?"

No, this—

"Wings flapping…"

"……?!"

Buzz-buzz-buzz-buzz-buzz!

With occasional sharp clacks mixed in, the droning noise was eerily similar to the sound of giant insects’ wings—something I’d heard to exhaustion in basic swordsmanship training.

And then, we finally saw it.

The uninhabited island of Seoul revealed itself.

"What… is that?!"

"Oh, my God…!"

The Bam Island we once knew no longer existed.

* * *

Bam Island being an ecological conservation area was true.

But no one could’ve anticipated this kind of “ecology.”

[Entering special zone: ‘Colony of Giant Insects!’]

A colony of giant insects.

I’d never heard the term before, but no one needed to ask what it meant.

As soon as we saw the scene before us, we understood instantly.

"Hey! Over here! Over heeeere!"

A bloodied security guard was running for his life, leaning on an equally bloodied cleaning lady for support.

Chasing after them were insects of similar size—or even larger.

"By the willow tree, quickly!"

"Landing now!"

"Got it!"

[Eliminate the king and restore the ecosystem!]

What “king” they were referring to was anyone’s guess, but we didn’t have time to dwell on it.

The number of creatures surrounding and closing in on us left no room for hesitation.

Crawling, walking, flying—

[Eliminate the 'One-Horned Dragonfly'!]

[Eliminate the 'Red Spotted Lanternfly'!]

[Eliminate the 'Chainsaw Stag Beetle'!]

[Eliminate the 'Multipurpose Earwig'!]

[Eliminate the 'Mandible Tiger Beetle'!]

…

"H-h-help me!"

"Over here!"

"Kim, keep your head straight!"

The cleaning lady hoisted the foaming-at-the-mouth security guard onto her back and bolted toward us.

It seemed he had injured his leg.

Clutching his bleeding leg, his eyes rolled back in terror.

"Sola, please!"

"Got it!"

"Dad! I'm scared! Waaahhh…!"

While Sola was getting ready, Yura, startled, burst into tears.

Wooooooong—!

The sound of countless insects' wings drowned out everything else, making it hard to hear clearly.

"Yura, don’t cry. Would you go over there and hold Sola unnie’s hand?"

"Sniff… Uncle…."

"Yura, you’ll be helping unnie hide the injured people. Okay?"

"Okay…."

I herded the sniffling Yura, Sola, and two elders to the back, where there were fewer insects.

Slowly, the outlines of Yura and the others began to blur as they moved with Sola.

"Hanul, Yeojin, protect the people while they’re being treated."

"Understood, sir!"

"Yes!"

After sending the injured away, I turned back.

The human-sized insects had already closed the distance.

From the sky, the ground, and underground, pincers and horns came hurtling toward us.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeng!

Ah… and saws, too.

"!!"

A stag beetle with two horns like electric saws embedded in its forehead stood before me.

The thing was as large as a compact car, its shiny black carapace glistening.

[Eliminate the 'Chainsaw Stag Beetle'!]

So…'Chainsaw’ wasn’t just a metaphor.

Seeing it up close, it might actually be true.

The saw-like metal blades on its head spun with a horrifying screech.

First, I needed to gauge its strength.

"Sword Wind!"

Slaaash— Crack!

The wind slash from my Skybreaker Sword struck the stag beetle's saw.

It didn’t cut through instantly, but the wind ground down the saw blade as if shaving it.

Wheeeng—

The vibration abruptly ceased, and fragments of the broken blade rained down in front of the stag beetle's eyes.

Enraged, the creature clashed its two saws together with a loud clang, trembling furiously.

It looked like a dying insect spasming in its final moments.

"Eek… Eeeek!"

Next to me, Jaehyuk let out a horrified scream.

Crunch!

I drove my sword between the beetle's two horns, forcing it in with sheer strength.

The beetle twitched momentarily before its body went limp.

[You have defeated the ‘Chainsaw Stag Beetle’!]

[100 Welfare Points acquired!]

It was tough, but not as dangerous as it looked.

"Just watch out for the saws."

"Hyung…!"

After taking down one, I stepped aside.

Normally, I’d handle them all myself, but there were too many this time.

Besides, this battle had a purpose: training.

"Jaehyuk! You’re strong enough to handle this. Don’t be afraid, just fight!"

"Ah, yes…."

"If you can’t, throw your mace and retrieve it!"

"O-okay! Yes, I’ll do it, hyung-nim!"

Finally, Jaehyuk’s eyes steadied.

He’d become less of a coward after several missions, but the creepy appearance of these bugs still seemed to rattle him.

Well, I couldn’t blame him.

"Ugh, these things are so gross…!"

Humans have an instinctive aversion to insects.

And these ones weren’t just disgusting—they were enormous, larger than humans, with scale-like wings and vividly detailed antennae bristling with hairs.

[Eliminate the 'Mandible Tiger Beetle'!]

Thud!

Even Yeji collapsed to the ground in fear.

I understood, but—

"Get up! Pick up your sword!"

"Kyaaaaah!"

"Yeji! If you don’t look straight at it, you’ll die!"

Despite understanding, I couldn’t just let it go.

Even as a giant insect’s antennae, as thick as human arms, approached her face, Yeji kept her eyes shut, trembling in terror.

"Straighten your back! Stretch out your arms and stab!"

"Sniff… I’m too scared…"

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Buzz-buzz-buzz!

A yellow mandible swung forward as another insect scurried rapidly toward her on six legs, closing the distance in an instant.

Slice!

With her eyes closed, Yeji somehow managed to swing her sword, cutting the insect.

Crunch!

Its antennae and front legs were severed and fell to the ground.

…Impressive in its own way.

But at this rate, she’d fend them off but wouldn’t finish them.

As another insect lunged at her, I shouted a suggestion.

"Think of that bug as a loudmouthed jerk! Pretend you’re shutting it up!"

"!!"

Finally, Yeji opened her eyes.

"Okay, I’ll try!"

"What, you little—?!"

Maybe I should’ve suggested this earlier.

The man seemed annoyed but was too busy to argue.

"Fine! We’ll settle this later!"

"Your form is decent. Just swing harder!"

Buzzzzzz!

Slash! Crunch!

Overhead, the battle raged on. Blood—or rather, insect guts—flew everywhere.

[Eliminate the 'One-Horned Dragonfly'!]

[Eliminate the 'Red Spotted Lanternfly'!]

Jieun’s dagger shredded the wings of dragonflies and lanternflies with precision.

No one had asked her, but she fulfilled her role perfectly.

‘Reliable as ever.’

Finally, I approached Hanul, who was locked in a fierce struggle with a massive, pincer-wielding bug.

"Pant… Are you okay?"

Just as I was about to assist with my sword—

"Yaaah! So gross!"

Yejin charged in with her spear, stealing the opportunity.

Thunk!

"Eek! Get away!"

Thwack!

Wielding her massive spear, Min Yeojin stabbed wildly at the bug.

…Surprisingly effective.

"You're quite good at this."

As I felt satisfied, thinking I might have discovered a budding excellent fighter, the elders, now treated, made their appearance.

"Y-young man... thank you...!"

"You saved our lives!"

Although they'd received treatment, their exhaustion was evident.

"You don't look well. Are you alright?"

"Oh, it's just lack of sleep. I'm fine!"

Could it be that they'd been running away from those things all night?

If that were the case, it was no wonder they were tired.

They probably hadn’t had a moment to rest, let alone sleep.

"You can rest a bit longer."

"No, no! You came all the way here because of us. We can’t just sit idly by!"

However, the cleaning lady waved her hands dismissively.

She seemed uncomfortable with the idea of sitting still after having her life saved by younger people.

Understanding her sentiment, I didn’t push the matter further.

Meanwhile, as more bugs flipped over and died, the incessant buzzing began to subside.

"It's almost over."

Or so I thought.

[Conditions fulfilled.]

[The King of the Colony, 'Great Cockroach,' has appeared!]

… Until a cockroach the size of a house appeared.

* * *

It’s said there are two kinds of fear.

One is the terror you feel when facing a lion or tiger — the fear of danger.

The other is the revulsion you feel when facing bugs or filthy pigeons — the fear of disgust.

What my companions and I were feeling in our bones right now was undoubtedly the latter.

Extreme disgust.

"Ah, fuck it really…."

"Ugh!"

For the first time, I realized cockroaches have eyes.

Two compound eyes, similar to a fly’s.

‘...Not that I wanted to know.’

But they didn’t seem to see well.

They rolled around aimlessly while vigorously moving their antennae like radars.

Just looking down at a cockroach was unpleasant enough.

Looking up at one towering over me was far worse.

Sssk! Sssssk!

Two antennae, long and stringy like clotheslines, swung about in all directions.

It was searching for its prey.

If that’s the case, I’d better deal with those first.

Swish!

I slashed at its antennae, causing it to wobble as if it had lost its sense of direction.

Thud!

Not missing the opportunity, I leapt up.

Using its hairy legs as steps, I climbed up to its head.

‘I’ll finish this quickly.’

Dragging this out wasn’t an option.

That had always been my approach to battles, but this time, even more so.

I placed both feet firmly on the two vertical lines drawn across its head.

Then, I drove my sword straight into the center with a crunch.

And then—

Click!

I pressed the crimson jewel embedded in my Flame Skybreaker Sword.

Immediately, a tremendous vibration coursed through the sword and beneath my feet.

The sword trembled, the cockroach trembled.

I trembled.

Grind! Grind! Grrrrind….

Standing atop the shivering beast, I desperately held my ground to avoid falling.

"Huwaaah! Dad, I’m scared!"

"Don’t look, Yura-ah. Don’t look."

And then, after what felt like an eternity—

Fwoooosh-!

Flames erupted as if setting the ground ablaze.

Crunch!

Trembling violently one last time, the creature finally stopped moving.

"Is it dead?!"

"Probably."

I responded uncertainly to the uncertain question, waiting for confirmation.

And then came the satisfying alert.

— Ding!

[Congratulations!]

[You’ve defeated the 'Great Cockroach,' a symbol of astonishing adaptability and tenacity, in record time!]

[You’ve earned 500 Welfare Points!]

[Additional Welfare Points granted for fastest elimination.]

[An additional 500 Welfare Points earned!]

1,000 points wasn’t an overwhelming reward.

But given that the Great Cockroach wasn’t as strong as its revolting appearance suggested, this reward was reasonable.

"It’s over…."

Or so I thought as I stood up.

— Ding!

Another notification followed.

[Subject 'Lee Eunho.' You have overcome primal disgust!]

[Endurance stat increased (+1).]

That’s right.

I did overcome my primal disgust.

I didn’t expect to gain a stat from it, though.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Even more—

— Ding!

[Subject 'Lee Eunho.' You have absorbed part of the cockroach’s remarkable adaptability!]

[Would you like to review the effects?]

‘Cockroach’s adaptability?’

The idea was unsettling, but since it was a reward, I figured I might as well accept it.

As I was about to ask for an explanation—

Tap!

I heard a sound like something snapping.

"What was that noise?"

"It’s coming from the cockroach’s body!"

"Don’t tell me…."

Fwoosh-!

Like a burst pipe, eggs started pouring out endlessly.

"Are you fucking kidding me?! Damn it…."

A chilling sensation ran down my spine.

For the first time, I wanted to join the foul-mouthed man in shouting profanities.

"Everyone, grab your weapons!"

We had to burn it all.

Before anything hatched from those eggs.

With that thought, I raised my sword.

"Eek! I can’t take this anymore! Somebody save me!"

The cleaning lady let out a bizarre scream and, startled, swung the spear she was holding.

Whoosh! Whoosh—!

"No! If you do that, the eggs might break...!"

I shouted urgently, but the lady's spear had already struck the surface of the eggs, piercing through and making contact.

I instinctively shut my eyes tight.

Srrrrrrrrrrr—!

Hearing a strange sound, I opened my eyes again.

"...?!"

The eggs had disappeared.

Not just one or two—all the eggs that the spear's tip had touched were gone.

Vrrrrrrrrrrr—!

Accompanied by a strange motor-like noise.

"W-what is this?! Just now...!"

Thud!

The shocked cleaning lady dropped to her knees, still holding the spear.

Because of that, the tip of the spear brushed against the shirt of the person next to her, the one who swore a lot.

And then—

Vrrrrrrrrrrr—!

This time, the shirt started getting sucked in.

...Almost as if it were being pulled into a vacuum cleaner.

"What the hell?! What is this?!"

"Stop it! Stop it now!"

"How do I... Oh, it stopped?"

Wait, could it be...?

"Uh, that... They said something about unlocking a skill...?"

Is it what I think it is...?

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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