Episode 180:
Before Taehyun returns.
An incident occurred where an SS-rank player went missing in the depths.
As America is famous for not abandoning its comrades, a party was immediately formed and an investigation was conducted.
France and England secretly supported SS-rank players.
As the location of disappearance was deep in the depths.
Daniel Grint from England.
Alex Watson of France.
and Cody Cruz, Dominic Garbrandt and Juraiya Simon of the United States.
The party consisted of five players.
3 days like that.
Surprisingly, the only one who returned was Cody Cruz.
The World Players’ Association announced that the disappearance occurred during an exploration of the deepest level.
Afterwards, the supply and demand of missing SS-rank players was discovered, and the whole world was shocked.
‘If Britain and France are intertwined… has the first investigation already failed?’
Taehyun summarized the flow of events.
This also happened in my past life around the age of thirty.
However, I was already aware that time did not pass the same way as before.
‘I didn’t hear that there was a second investigation…’
While Taehyun was thinking that.
Michael Gore spoke again.
“Kevin Lee, the president of the association, said he would listen to any requirements.”
Michael Gore spoke calmly, but Taehyun did not take the bait.
“Five SS-rank players are missing. “That’s something I really don’t like.”
“….”
A look of disappointment appeared on Michael Gore’s face.
In fact, Taehyun is evaluated as having the same power as Cody Cruise.
I knew better than anyone else that there would be no gain even if we formed a second investigation team without him.
‘I didn’t expect you to reject me so sharply…’
Kim Tae-hyun is understood by Michael Gore.
He was a person who did not hesitate to take risks as long as he could gain sufficient benefits.
‘I wonder if he sensed something…’
That was why he threw the bait from the beginning, saying he would meet all the demands.
Nevertheless, the answer is no.
In this way, even the basic conditions for negotiations were not established.
But unexpectedly.
‘It’s a proposal with a lot to gain.’
Taehyun was thinking of something else in his mind.
“Player Kim Tae-hyun. It’s not my place to ask for a favor, but… how about thinking a little more globally? If you step up, Cody Cruise will also join you. “If we do this investigation together…”
“What if we do this together?”
“We, the United States, will treat New Korea as our first ally.”
“Hmm….”
Ji Jin-hee cleared her throat.
The fact that the United States will treat it as a first ally means that it will join us as a partner leading the world.
It was no longer a request from one individual to another.
It is a pressure card that even invokes national interests.
It was natural for Ji Jin-hee to show discomfort.
On the other hand, Taehyun, the person involved, remained calm.
‘The numbers are clearly visible.’
The corners of Taehyun’s mouth quirked up.
“I know Cody Cruise is great. “Haven’t he already failed once?”
“…!!”
Michael Gore’s eyes twitched at the unexpected answer.
All they said was that five SS-rank players were missing.
Nothing special was said about Cody Cruz.
‘But how…’
Ji Jin-hee also looked surprised.
Although he has not heard anything else, Taehyun immediately grasps the situation and is putting pressure on Michael Gore.
“Isn’t America a proud country? “There’s no way they could ask for something like this that can be resolved on their own.”
“….”
Michael Gore’s face hardened at the thought of the number being read.
Taehyun admired that expression and smiled.
“But it’s good. “Let’s take action on a humanitarian level.”
“…Thank you.”
“instead. “Can I tell you the conditions here first?”
“Please speak.”
The initiative had already completely passed to Taehyun.
“A legendary grade item owned by the United States. “I will take it in return for joining this investigation.”
‘her. How could that be…’
Michael Gore swallowed his breath without realizing it as unexpected information leaked out one after another.
He thought for a moment and sighed.
“Sigh… those conditions are difficult to accept.”
‘Hmm… Should I be satisfied with being the first ally?’
It wasn’t a surprising answer.
Legendary grade items have value that is difficult to put a price on.
It was only a glimpse of what the United States possessed.
But Michael Gore refused.
It was for a different reason than Taehyun thought.
“Obviously, the United States got its hands on a legendary item not long ago.”
‘this. Was it real?’
I laughed out loud at this unexpected surprise.
Michael Gore continued.
“However, along with the currently missing player, the whereabouts of the item remain unknown.”
“Who is that player?”
He must have been quite strong enough to be entrusted with a legendary grade item.
Unless you count Cody Cruz in the US.
“This is Ricky Harlis.”
“….”
For an instant, silence fell.
“Ricky Harlis…is missing?”
“yes. “It seems that player Kim Tae-hyun didn’t even know that.”
Of course I couldn’t have known.
“Let me explain again from the beginning.”
Michael Gore began to tell the full story of the incident.
* * *
There was only one person who had previously gone missing.
Ricky Harlis.
After being granted a legendary item, she suddenly disappeared, leaving behind a trace during an exploration mission.
‘It’s Ricky Hallis…’
Taehyun knows her skills well.
Although he couldn’t hunt down an SS+ grade monster on his own, his skill was sufficient to escape unless there were special circumstances.
The United States Players Association seemed to have made a similar decision.
They hurriedly dispatched five SS-rank players.
The first search party was dispatched and the only one who came back was Cody Cruz.
Ricky Harlis’ survival was confirmed, but the whereabouts of the other four people were unknown.
“And yet you’re saying you’re going to send a search party again?”
“yes. Ricky Harlis. “She is important to our America.”
“So important… that you have to lose another SS-rank player?”
“That’s right.”
Michael Gore’s position was firm.
“What is Cody Cruz’s position?”
“For the second exploration, we need player Kim Tae-hyun. Association President Kevin Lee and Cody. “They both feel the same way.”
Taehyun would probably have presented similar requirements.
“You’re not telling me what’s more important than that.”
“…What is.”
“Ricky Harlis’ mission. And for putting other SS-level players and Cody Cruz in danger.”
“….”
“You can’t work with people who have something to hide.”
Taehyun stared at him quietly.
Now it was time to hear the truth.
Michael Gore sighed in resignation.
Originally it would have been confidential, but it was no longer a situation where it could be hidden.
“Ricky Harlis’ mission is to investigate the deepest part of the Abyss. And I suspect that the monster behind it is… Archduke Orgal.”
“grandee…!!”
Unlike Ji Jin-hee, who is surprised.
“That’s a really fascinating story.”
Taehyun’s eyes changed.
* * *
Michael Gore’s second explanation continued.
grandee. Demon Beast King Orgal.
It was a name I had heard before through Centamion.
It was also the name registered as a skill in the status window.
‘He’s the same Grand Duke as Rosaria Igmun… It’s definitely a miracle that Cody Cruz came back alive.’
It was a judgment I could make because I experienced their power firsthand.
“Taehyun. Honestly, I wish I had declined this request. “It’s too dangerous.”
Ji Jin-hee opened her mouth late.
He also doesn’t know much about the Archduke.
But the estimated level is SSS level or higher.
Additionally, if Cody Cruz suffered a serious injury, it also meant that it would be difficult for Taehyun to remain safe as well.
It was natural for Ji Jin-hee to worry about Tae-hyeon.
‘Isn’t this like a moth jumping to death?’
But contrary to Ji Jin-hee’s thoughts.
From the moment Michael Gore came to visit, Taehyun’s mind was made up.
“Please tell me the date and time.”
Information about legendary items and anti-aircraft.
Killing two birds with one stone.
It would be a fruitful exploration.
* * *
The schedule was set in less than an hour.
After receiving supplies, Taehyun immediately stood in front of the warp gate.
“Taehyun. “Never overdo it.”
“You don’t have to worry too much.”
Go Tae-wook, as is his habit, comforted Ji Jin-hee, and Tae-hyun waved his hand.
“I’ll be back.”
Taehyun crossed the warp gate heading to the depths of the Abyss.
The red sky came into view.
Hehehe.
It was an embarrassing place to even call it a safety zone.
It is just a temporary warp gate protected by barrier stones and hiding stones.
‘Is the United States already exploring this place?’
Even in the deep area, it was quite deep.
The power of the United States was felt once again.
at that time.
Pajijijik.
The warp gate activated and Cody Cruz appeared.
“Long time no see.”
“I never thought we would meet again like this.”
“I agree.”
“What is the explanation?”
“I heard it from Michael Gore.”
Cody Cruz nodded.
“The place where Ricky Harlis went missing is about five hours further from here.”
Dry yet clear.
The two conveyed their intentions.
“There is no time. Please speed up.”
“Sure.”
It was literally an instant.
Cody Cruz disappeared from the safety zone.
‘Be quick too.’
Taehyun followed behind him without difficulty.
* * *
In the depths of the Abyss, it is not uncommon to see S-class monsters.
In that respect, Taehyun and Cody Cruz were almost slaughtering S-class monsters.
Both of them had brought all kinds of potions and scrolls in their infinite backpacks.
Rather, what was more important was fatigue rather than horsepower.
In a long-term mission like this, it was important to control mental fatigue that could not be filled with potions.
Is it because we have used each other’s skills before?
The two had no hesitation in using their skills.
Quaaaaaaaaa.
Cody Cruz radiated brilliance in Taehyun’s ‘Apocalypse’.
The current two people are not enemies but colleagues.
That’s why we officially formed a party.
Cody Cruz in Apocalypse was receiving a buff, not a debuff.
The harmony of darkness and light seemed quite plausible.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Kugugugugugung.
Suddenly. Suddenly. Suddenly.
Quagwagwagwagwang.
Amidst all the skills, thirty S-class monsters lost their lives.
About five hours had passed.
“It’s here.”
When Cody Cruz removed the hiding stone, the warp gate appeared.
“This is the gate made by Ricky Harlis.”
“That means…”
“That means she’s still alive.”
“We should hurry.”
Taehyun was about to pass through the warp gate.
“Kim Tae-hyun.”
He called Taehyun over and stopped him.
“…?”
“You may know this from Michael. Beyond here is Archduke Orgal.”
“I know.”
“It was difficult for me to barely survive.”
“I know that too.”
He seemed cautious, uncharacteristic of Cody Cruise.
“So, were you scared?”
“….”
Cody Cruz closed his mouth in response to the bold question.
