SWNOVELXO Chapter 184
Chapter 184. Who Will Be the Master of the World?
The People’s Liberation Army Special Forces, ‘Golden Rooster.’
A unit specially created to fight supernatural phenomena, composed entirely of genetically engineered humans.
While ordinary humans would tremble in fear before cosmic horrors, these soldiers were different. They were prepared to fight to the death.
Alongside the ‘Golden Rooster,’ a special forces unit tasked with protecting the capital from supernatural phenomena, the ‘Yellow Dragon,’ a unit that actively utilizes supernatural phenomena in combat, was deployed to defend the Peacekeeping Force facility.
Their goal was singular.
It was something presumed to be Dr. Kim, a high-ranking Foundation executive and combatant. Even though an ancient god had spread its wings over the city and a blizzard raged, signaling impending defeat, it was too early to give up.
The scale was indeed different.
The Foundation Headquarters had sent four special forces squads to Seoul. If things had gone slightly awry, that number could have been enough to occupy the city.
This time, our adversaries had sent the ‘Golden Rooster,’ a special forces unit (likely) belonging to the People’s Liberation Army, to defend the city.
At a glance, there were hundreds of them, and they didn’t seem like ordinary infantry. Equipped with chemical, biological, and radiological protection gear, they were operating smoothly even in the harsh blizzard conditions.
And they didn’t seem human. No ordinary human could be like this.
Their dark gray military gear. Their gas mask-helmets were pointed like bird beaks. Their weapons varied, but many wielded greatswords.
Many soldiers also carried strange rifles with long bayonets. Modernized Mosin rifles, perhaps…
Our side was struggling. The Hero was surrounded by multiple greatsword-wielders in close combat, and Hasti was pinned down by recoilless rifle fire.
As for me… I was walking through the main gate. The blizzard still limited visibility.
Small-caliber bullets flying from all directions bounced off my brass wings, and the greatsword-wielding soldiers who tried to approach fell to musket fire.
The enemy’s resistance was fiercer than expected.
I took cover behind a small structure, hidden by my wings. Thanks to the wings, it seemed no one could tell where I was.
Ugh. Should’ve worn the invisibility cloak.
Bang! I confirmed a hit and lowered my gun. Since I didn’t hit the head, they probably weren’t dead. The battle wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped.
Even with metal wings that blocked bullets, the ability to command ancient gods like hunting dogs, and the power to control the weather, the essence of combat remained unchanged.
Strength and weakness were merely tactical traits.
Even elephants fear mice, dragons hide their reverse scales, and I couldn’t guarantee survival if a lead bullet pierced my skull.
Bang! Bang! Tear gas exploded beside me. I used my wings as a shield and took down another enemy. Still, I made it to the facility’s door alive.
[Dr. Kim! Over here!]
Hasti swung her staff, shattering concrete and creating a circular passage. With this, we successfully entered the facility alive.
“Miss Hasti! Retrieve the Hero and enter the facility. If not, retreat.”
[Understood!]
With this, we successfully reached the target point.
I folded my wings and draped the invisibility cloak over myself. There was no way to know what guarded the facility’s interior, but…
The Peacekeeping Force facility’s interior would be heavily guarded. They must have prepared and trained for situations like this.
[Dr. Kim. Corner of the corridor.]
The crystal clock at my waist ticked.
Something was approaching from beyond the corridor. The sound of footsteps suggested it was human, or at least something bipedal. What was that?
“……”
Disgusting.
These humans, if only they had a shred of hypocrisy. Evil naturally takes the form of evil. Some try to disguise it, while others show it unfiltered.
Outside the facility. The ‘Golden Rooster,’ a special forces unit of clones, was scaling the building’s walls to subdue me.
What appeared in the corridor ahead was something humanoid in a lab coat and restraints. Why would they create such a horrifying thing…?
I reloaded my weapon and reassessed my opponent. Several humanoid test subjects in prisoner-like clothing and restraint helmets.
Why were they chained up?
No need to overthink. I aimed my gun and blew one’s head off. The fallen humanoid supernatural phenomenon got back up shortly after.
It’s a regenerator.
Having fired, my position was exposed. I resumed moving. There was no immediate way to kill it… but I’d wait for Hasti and the Hero to regroup.
I wouldn’t engage recklessly. I didn’t know how many test subjects were chasing me or what abilities they had.
As expected, there was more than one.
Several massive humanoid supernatural phenomena were wandering the facility. They might be chasing me under someone’s control, but I didn’t sense such intelligence in their actions so far.
It was unsettling. The Foundation, while showing fear, disliked appearing unprofessional.
An army of clones, mindless twisted monsters—they wouldn’t deploy such things on the battlefield. Above all, it looked messy.
They didn’t even seem human.
“Dr. Kim! You’re surrounded!”
Test subjects and Golden Rooster members appeared at both ends of the corridor. Well, the building’s interior was terrain more familiar to the enemy.
Terrain disadvantage was unavoidable.
I spread my wings again, and bullets flying from both ends ricocheted in all directions. It was about time for those two to arrive…
Kaboom!
One side of the corridor wall collapsed. Through the smoke, the golden glow of a holy sword and its wielder emerged. For a brief moment, everyone turned their heads. I ran in the opposite direction.
“Salvation to the guilty and suffering souls.”
“Dr. Kim! We’ll handle this!”
Meanwhile.
Peacekeeping Force Beijing Branch Command Center. The facility’s commander was tearing his hair out.
The Beijing Branch’s situation was dire, and the atmosphere was equally grim. Fortunately for those inside the command center…
They didn’t know the specifics of the situation outside. The authorities had cut most civilian communications, and Beijing’s military and police, meant to coordinate, were paralyzed by mimics.
To top it off, thanks to the black deity scattering information degradation across the sky, the Beijing Branch’s command center was left completely in the dark.
“What’s going on? How did things turn out like this?”
“The Foundation launched a surprise attack without warning. Most civilian communications in Beijing are down, and even if they weren’t, they’re overloaded…”
“The authorities?”
“Unknown. They seem paralyzed.”
“Peacekeeping Force Headquarters?”
“Civilian communications inside and outside Beijing were cut earlier, so contact isn’t smooth—”
“You idiot, do you work for Peacekeeping Co., Ltd.? Is this a civilian facility? If communications are down, you should restore them!”
“My apologies.”
“Where are the intruders?”
“They’re currently engaged in combat. We’ve pinned them down, and the authorities’ special forces are continuously being deployed. The intruders should be dealt with soon.”
“Good. Handle the intruders first, then use every means to deal with those responsible—”
Tap tap. The Peacekeeping Force Beijing Branch commander turned to see who had just tapped his shoulder. Who dared—
A gas mask?
Thud! The commander was knocked to the ground as if punched, and a figure appeared out of thin air. Something in black Foundation military gear.
Dark gray wings spread from its back. The suddenly appearing figure took a shooting stance with a futuristic-looking gun.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Before anyone could react, the high-powered gun fired several times. The commander, hit at point-blank range, lost his upper body.
The torso, hit four times, was obliterated, leaving only bloodstains everywhere.
The monster leisurely reloaded its gun, sweeping the command center with the gun’s laser pointer.
“Move, and you die.”
No one in the command center needed the warning. A primal fear, ingrained in their genes, filled their minds. They absolutely could not defy this being before them.
The black figure nodded, and an animal that suddenly appeared from somewhere placed a briefcase on the command center’s central desk.
“You. Blue tie.”
“Ah, yes.”
The monster aimed the gun at the man with the blue tie. His hands trembling like aspen leaves, he slowly rose from his seat.
“There are vitamin shots in the briefcase. Give one to everyone here. If you don’t know how to find a vein, inject it in the thigh.”
“Uh…”
“If you don’t. You’ll end up like him.”
What was in the briefcase? Why not kill them and just give shots? The blue-tied man slowly opened the briefcase with one hand.