Episode 140:
United States Players Association President’s Office.
A man who can only meet the president by making a separate appointment.
Kevin Lee, President of the Players Association of America.
He was serving guests in his office.
The name of the man who boasts a huge physique is Ian Harkes.
He was the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
He took a sip of coffee and then opened his mouth.
“I’m running in the next presidential election.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. “I would like you to take charge of my next position, as I said before.”
Ian Hawkes spoke in a soft tone.
This was the reason why the Minister of National Defense personally visited this place.
“There is still much work to be done. “There are many talented people who can replace you.”
“I know what you think. ‘The power of the players’ association symbolizes the national power of the country.’ You probably still believe that. is not it?”
“….”
Ian Hawkes didn’t back down easily this time, as if he had come prepared.
“But the strongest deterrent is still military power. “It is the soldiers who carry out the war, not the players.”
“I know.”
Association President Kevin Lee answered calmly.
Player was originally a term for an explorer.
A group of people with special abilities who explore the Abyss and deal with monsters.
At some point, the group expanded in size and formed the group we have today.
Invoking each country’s war prevention laws.
Although there were regulations that said, ‘those who have acquired a player license cannot serve in the military’ and ‘those who have been awakened to Grade A or higher cannot serve in the military’.
A law that cannot be enforced is a law that is meaningless.
It has been protected somehow until now.
It was decisive that China fought the unification war not long ago as a player.
In particular, countries that have lost a significant number of players, such as Russia and Japan, have already shown moves to integrate their military forces and players.
The stage to seize the world’s next hegemony is now beginning.
That is why Ian Hawkes recommended Kevin Lee as the next Secretary of Defense.
The United States is currently the world’s number one superpower in terms of military and player power.
Integration was essential to maintain the hegemony currently held in the next era.
What if you, the current Secretary of Defense, become President and Kevin Lee, the head of the Players Association, becomes the next Secretary of Defense?
No one will challenge America’s hegemony.
‘Even if the so-called world powers join forces.’
Thinking about that, a smile appeared on Ian Hawkes’ face.
This was a future that could be achieved if only Association President Kevin Lee could be persuaded.
“Like I said. “I’ll think about it some more.”
Association President Kevin Lee postponed his immediate response.
He is also a man who has lived his life as a player to his core.
He was aware of the impact his actions had.
“I understand. “I will wait for a good answer.”
“….”
“Now that I think about it, what is the situation in Asia? “I’ve been listening, too… but I’ve been hearing disturbing reports from China.”
“Are you talking about Guangzhou?”
“It’s unfortunate that the president is too weak-hearted. “You think you can stop their greed with economic sanctions?”
Ian Hawkes was a radical who argued that the current government’s sanctions were weak.
“We’ve currently dispatched Ricky Harlis.”
“She might know something.”
“I hope so.”
“I guess I’ll just go.”
It was the moment when he got up from his seat and Kevin Lee was about to see him off.
“President of the Association. “We’re in big trouble!!”
The two people’s eyes turned to the man who came in without knocking.
He was the man in charge of the dungeons and gates that occurred in the United States.
He belatedly realized that Ian Hawkes was there and looked embarrassed.
“It’s okay. “What’s going on?”
“Well… a magic wave the size of a dungeon break was detected in Guangzhou, China.”
“If it’s Guangzhou… is it an unexplored dungeon?”
“That’s right. But the strange thing is… Even though it is broken, there is no trace of the monster in the observer.”
“You mean…?”
“It appears to be a new kind of brake. “I presume it is a ‘dungeon expansion’ that has not been reported yet.”
Association President Kevin Lee immediately tried to call Ricky Harlis.
There was no connection.
He immediately contacted the secretary’s office.
“Who is the national power company closest to Guangzhou now?”
[This is Montel Jackson.]
A man who is a national powerhouse in the United States and is ranked 5th.
It has been reported that he is conducting espionage activities in Shanghai.
“Send Montel Jackson to Guangzhou. “Detailed instructions will be issued soon.”
[I understand.]
He hung up the receiver and shook his head at the Minister of National Defense who was looking at him.
“I won’t be able to see you off.”
“Hmm… sure.”
Ian Hawkes, realizing the seriousness of the situation, left the association president’s office.
Association President Kevin Lee looked back and sighed.
Now was the time to deal with monsters, not humans.
* * *
Taehyun frowned at the voice he heard in his head.
The language of monsters.
It’s not the first time a monster has spoken to me, though.
‘Where are you talking about?’
It was difficult to determine the location of this guy at all.
This is Taehyun’s first time hearing something like this.
“what’s the matter? Let’s get out quickly. “It’s okay because I have one more warp scroll.”
“It’s late. “If it had become a dungeon, the exit would have been different from before.”
“….”
Ricky Hallis had not yet realized the reality.
She thought the message that came up a moment ago was an error.
But Taehyun thought differently.
‘Dungeon expansion. Could it be that there were such signs here?’
In my previous life, the unexplored dungeon in Guangzhou was eventually broken.
However, at that time, China’s power was not as weak as it is now, so it was possible to control the media.
A lot of false information was released, and it was difficult for people around the world to discern what was true.
‘Uncontrolled variables can threaten vested interests. The concept of dungeon expansion is also a phenomenon that will appear several years later.’
Once again, I was struck by the tenacity of Chairman Jeong Zhi.
The potion Taehyun threw at the gate only lured the monster.
It did not have enough power to break or expand the dungeon.
It can only be assumed that Chairman Jeong Zhi operated a separate device to create the current situation.
‘I can’t believe you did something like this, even giving up your life. ‘Is that why they hated us so much?’
Taehyun once again realized how high his pride was.
at that time.
Quang.
Ricky Harlis punched the wall.
It is a regular wall, not a barrier wall.
Originally, it would have to crack or break.
“puck. Why is this so hard?”
The walls of the building appeared unscathed.
‘There’s not enough time to explain.’
Taehyun decided to show it with his body.
That they had now entered an unexplored dungeon.
Tiring.
[Skill Blood Rush (AA) has been activated. The body becomes activated.]
Quaaaaa.
Blood-red magic bloomed.
Quang. Quang. Quang.
As Taehyun, who had gained 250 strength, continued to swing his fists, the wall could not stand it and collapsed.
and.
Ssssssut.
With gray magic, the broken wall began to be restored.
It was the effect of a dungeon containing enormous magical power.
“….”
Only then did Ricky Hallis realize the reality.
The first dungeon expansion.
I even stepped into an unexplored dungeon without proper preparation.
“Let’s start by looking for the entrance.”
Taehyun took the lead and said without further explanation.
At that time, the monster’s voice was heard once again.
[come here. Archduke Contractor. You can’t escape from me.]
“What’s wrong?”
“…it’s nothing.”
Ignoring the words in my head, the two of us went back down the path we had taken together.
* * *
Two people were wandering around the Guangzhou research institute.
It was Taehyun and Ricky Harlis.
“It was built unnecessarily large.”
“I once heard it was a great facility.”
“joy. “It was just a greeting.”
I burst into laughter as I looked at Ricky Harlis, who had a gloomy expression on his face for his age.
“How about we exchange information instead of that?”
She didn’t know that what Taehyun was talking about was about skills.
It was usually an essential action before entering a dungeon.
“Well, okay. “You know it’s forbidden to reveal this to others, right?”
“I agree.”
“Do you want to go first?”
“Lady first.”
Ricky Harlis chuckled and took out his card first.
It was the moment when her skills, which had been kept secret until now, were revealed.
There were three skills in total, and unbelievably, all three were S-rank.
S-rank skill canceler.
S-rank skill Energy Compose.
S-rank skill energy drain.
All Taehyun wanted was the first skill, ‘Canceler’.
The other two skills were also incredible.
‘Is Energy Compose the technology that blew off Chairman Jeong’s head a little while ago? It’s probably a technique that changes the form of magical power and manipulates it as you wish.’
Likewise, ‘Energy Drain’ would have been a skill that left hundreds of Chinese players and researchers helpless.
A skill whose power can be maximized depending on the user’s skill level.
Ricky Harlis seemed to have already reached that level.
“Incredible. “He truly deserves to be considered the best magician.”
“Now it’s your turn.”
Ricky Harlis asked, his eyes sparkling.
Taehyun’s abilities that even Michael Gore couldn’t fully understand.
This is an opportunity to hear those skills firsthand.
However, Taehyun had no intention of teaching him all the skills right away.
“Currently, I only have two skills I can use.”
Taehyun told me about the ‘monster’s eyes’ and ‘blood rush’.
“Are they both buff types?”
“Unfortunately, the remaining skills are sealed.”
She remembered that there were seven skills that Taehyun had asked her to unlock.
“So there are a total of… nine skills? Jesus….”
There was no need to ask about the grade.
This is because we have already seen enough of its power through friendly warfare and battles with Centamion.
‘You said it’s a growth type… but this isn’t at a level where you can make a conclusion like that, right?’
Although she was originally very interested in Taehyun.
Nine skills.
Now that I know that each and every one of them corresponds to an S-rank skill.
‘We have to get on the same side somehow.’
She instinctively felt that way.
After running around like that for about another minute.
The two people stopped at the same time.
“this.”
“wow.”
What stands in her way are the Chinese players and Guangzhou research lab employees she had defeated.
Although it is not a monster. However, he could no longer be considered human.
“I kept him alive, but for no reason I made him more miserable.”
She clicked her tongue and stared at the enemies approaching at a slow pace.
Even though it was clearly put in a state where recovery was impossible due to ‘energy drain’.
They were approaching the two people with gray spots sticking out.
“It’s terrible.”
“There is some compatibility. I will take care of it.”
She activated the skill without any hesitation.
