TDWAD 24

Chapter 24

The road was eerily empty, like something out of a lie.
Gimcheon City in North Gyeongsang Province was a quiet place with a population of 140,000.
But the view outside the car window gave off a bleakness that couldn’t be explained by that one fact alone.

“Stop right there.”
Soldiers stepped out from behind a barricade and blocked the vehicle.

[Transaction complete.]
[Transaction result]
– Transferred: Axe of Waves (Hero)
– Received: 200,000P

[Current Points: 361,144P]

He had already recovered nearly half of the points he had dumped into random boxes.
Closing his status window after sealing a big deal, Do-yoon pulled a baseball cap—bought from the last rest stop—low over his eyes.

Ziiik.
A heavily armed soldier knocked, and the driver’s side window rolled down slowly.

“What’s the matter?”
“Oh—”
The soldier faltered when he saw Han Yeon-ha.
She had a young, harmless-looking face and demeanor, with not a shred of intimidation in her presence.

“This is a civilian-controlled area.”
Despite his stiff tone, his eyes and posture had already relaxed.

“You can’t proceed any further. Please turn back.”
“Ah, it’s just that…”
“…?”
“I’m not exactly a civilian.”
“Are you… a Player?”

The soldier’s expression was more baffled than disdainful—less about looking down on her, more about the situation itself.

A Player diving into the Gimcheon Gate? Are they trying to get themselves killed?

Yeon-ha shook her head, recalling Do-yoon’s warning not to stand out.
“I-I’m not a Player.”
“Then there are no exceptions. Please reverse your vehicle and leave the city limits.”

The soldier’s tone grew more cautious.
“I’m saying this for your safety, driver.”
“What’s going on in there?”
“That’s classified.”
“Doesn’t that just make people more curious? What’s inside?”

Leaning toward Yeon-ha, the Siren looked up into the soldier’s eyes.
“Tell us.”

“I-I really don’t know the details. Just that it’s a top-class Gate—uh?!”
The soldier slapped a hand over his own mouth.

“Y-you’ve got to be kidding me! What the hell?”
“Haa… The fact that I’m not even surprised anymore is what’s really shocking. What happened to the world?”

The Siren sighed, then turned to the soldier again.
“Stop being startled. Call your comrades, open the barricade.”

The question marks vanished from his face.
Unless one had a certain level of mental resistance, there was no resisting the Siren’s mind control.

“No reporting to your superiors. No special measures.”

Repeating the same orders to the other soldiers, the Siren turned to Do-yoon.
“This should block any further interference, right? Want me to add anything else…?”

“That’s enough. You can head back now.”
“Head back? Where? I’m coming with you. I can help.”
“I’d be happy if you didn’t become a burden.”
“What do you mean ‘burden’?”

Her eyes flashed.
“I did my research, you know? Some monsters can think, even make tactical decisions, depending on their type. My abilities could come in handy.”
“That’s not the issue.”
“Then what? Is it because I’m an NPC?”
“Siren—”
“Oh, I get it. You’re a special, amazing Player who’s immune to mind control and blood pacts and all that. You just operate on a whole different level than NPCs.”
“Hey, that’s not—”
“Then say it isn’t.”
“It isn’t.”
“Don’t think I can’t tell when you’re lying.”

…So it’s one of those “you’ve-already-decided-the-answer” situations.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.

“I should make this clear.”
Do-yoon continued,
“Whether NPC or Player—or your term, ‘New Humanity’—that’s the same. But there’s a decisive difference.”

Only Players could fully exploit the system’s intent.

“A decisive difference…?”

When Do-yoon brushed the air, the Siren blurted as if realizing,
“Status window!”
“Correct. Unfortunately, NPCs can’t even recognize when they receive rewards.”
“Ah, I get it now. You’re saying not to pine for a tree I can’t climb.”

Her brow furrowed slightly, her voice trembling as if holding back emotions.
“Then why drag me along in the tunnel? Was I useful then, but now I’m just a piece of chewed-up gum?”
“Iren-unnie, that’s not fair!”

Like a child caught between bickering parents, Yeon-ha raised her voice.
“Do-yoon-nim trusts and relies on you more than you think!”

Did I?
The Siren turned to stare at Yeon-ha.
“You’re the same. Players just stick together.”
“That’s not true! I’d never—”
“Forget it. This lowly NPC will get out of your way. Good luck.”
“U-unnie!”

Bang!
The Siren stormed off into the distance.

Do-yoon stuck his head out the window.
“Head straight to Seoul. Meet Chiron first when you arrive.”

Infusing his voice with internal energy, he sent the words to the back of her head, then turned away.
“Let’s move.”
“T-that’s it?”
“What else do you need?”
“…You’re not going after her?”
“What for? The whole city’s under an evacuation order. We can floor it.”

Yeon-ha looked like she might cry, but eventually put her hands back on the wheel.

Vroooom.
The car passed the checkpoint and entered the road leading into the city center.

“….”
Yeon-ha kept glancing at the rearview mirror, sighing each time she looked forward again.

“If you’ve got something to say, say it.”
“I don’t. What could I say?”
“Really? Then bury it and move on.”
“D-do you have to be so cold…?”
“Am I a sticker?”
“Eh?”
“What?”
“…I know that’s not how you really feel about her. One warm word would’ve been enough.”

“My true feelings, huh.” Do-yoon tilted his chin.
“Then guess. What are they?”
“Uh… well…”
“We’ll talk later.”

His gaze shifted outside.
The streets were desolate, no sign of human life.
In stark contrast to the bright sky beyond, the inner city was shrouded in thick black clouds, forming a sharp boundary.

Under that darkness—
On the rooftops of buildings at every intersection—
Something was perched in dense clusters.

[‘Qi’ 11 → 15]
[‘Perception’ 5 → 15]
[Spend 27,000P to enhance? Y/N]

Enhance.

[Enhancement successful.]
[Current Points: 334,144P]

Both stats jumped—Qi by 4 levels, Perception by 10.
His senses sharpened rapidly, the distant view snapping into focus.
His sensory nerves realigned, flooding his mind with clearer, faster information.

Those are…

Hooked beaks.
Muscular wings and jet-black feathers.
Predatory eyes shooting murderous intent like laser beams.

They were a flock of beasts shaped like birds of prey.
Hundreds of crimson eyes glared down at the city, talons digging into the rooftop ledges.

Flash!

[Mission has begun.]
[Mission: “Flock Purification”]
[Description: The Phantom Crow Flock entrenched in central Gimcheon is expanding its territory throughout the city. Destroy all nests within the city and halt the flock’s advance.]
[Remaining nests: 20]
[Warning: High-difficulty mission. Current Player survival rate: 3%]

“You see it too, right?”
“So this is what a Gate raid is…”

Yeon-ha’s eyes froze on the “survival rate.”
“While we were trapped… other Hunters were fighting life-and-death battles.”
“Not everyone. Gate difficulty varies.”

There were currently 46 Gates scattered across Korea—
The Gimcheon Gate’s crow swarm ranked among the top three threats.

After his press conference, Do-yoon had learned plenty about the Phantom Crows:

1. Gimcheon Gate Survival: A Record of Escape from Hell – Survivor K

2. NB.15 ‘Red Eyes, Black Wings’ – Phantom Crow – Beast Observer

3. Phantom Crow Analysis Report: Specs, Patterns, Ecology & Hierarchy – Gimcheon Research Lead

4. Smash the Nests: Nests Are Our Enemy – Gimcheon Raid Team Member

Thanks to the Library of Memories, he’d crammed the essentials in time.
And all accounts from those who had faced and hunted Phantom Crows agreed:

“Their organization is terrifying.”
“They aren’t mere instinct-driven beasts.”
“It feels like fighting soldiers bound by discipline—elite, battle-hardened soldiers.”
“This isn’t a hunt. It’s war.”

Tap… tap… tap-tap-tap.
An odd noise came from the car roof—like a beak pecking the surface.

Scout crows.

Do-yoon already knew, from secondhand experience, what would follow.
“Stop the car.”
“Huh?”
“I said, get out. Now.”

Before Yeon-ha could process, Do-yoon had flung his door open, ignoring the jolt, and stepped onto the road.

Shadows surged from all directions before he could even look up—
The scouts’ signal had brought the combat crows.

The noose tightened instantly.
Signs, power lines, traffic lights—everywhere he looked, crows.

Swarming.

Kraaak!
A piercing cry split the air.

And then—

Shhhk!

Black shapes dove from every direction.
Dozens of Phantom Crows hurtled toward Do-yoon’s head.

He bent low, ready to spring—
“Ah…!”
—but every path was already blocked.

In desperation, his eyes flicked to Yeon-ha.
“H-help me!”

…!?

It was strange.
Unbelievable.
An alien feeling wrapped her skin—Do-yoon’s eyes, usually unwavering in any crisis, were dim and swallowed by despair.

I… I have to do something!

Yeon-ha fumbled open her status window, tapping the skill tab.

[Blessing of Radiance (S)]
└ [Healing Touch]
└ [Shield of Light]

Activate.

[Select a skill.]

The only thing that might help—
Activate Shield of Light.

Nothing happened.
Why isn’t it working?! Activate! Activate!

[Select a target.]

Realizing her mistake, she looked at Do-yoon—
But he was already buried in feathers.

[Target: Combat Phantom Crow]

“No… no…!”

She didn’t want to hear it.
Didn’t want to hear the wingbeats, the sound of beaks stabbing into flesh, the dull crunch of bones breaking.

Yeon-ha’s world shattered.

“A-ah…”

Her empty eyes pictured only one thing—
Do-yoon’s body, bloodied beyond recognition… or perhaps not even a body left at all.

Han Yeon-ha.

A voice echoed in her ears.

An auditory hallucination?

And then—

KWWAARRRRK!

A devastating burst of power.
Black waves split apart.
Crows with broken beaks were flung in all directions—slamming into walls, toppling street trees, tumbling along the road.

At the center of it all stood Do-yoon.
“Do-yoon-nim…!”

Not a scratch on him—his entire body radiating a shimmering azure light.

“H-how…?”

He glanced at his status window.

[Activating Cheonhwa Jingyeong (Epic).]
[Harmony Qi circulation initiated.]
[Intrusion detected. Defensive Qi barrier generated.]
[Rebound Force in effect.]

This was the power of his newly chosen exclusive martial art, Cheonhwa Jingyeong.
Combined with his existing internal energy, it had started at four-star proficiency—enough to make him an impregnable fortress against the crows.

But instead of explaining—
“What do you think makes a good healer?” he asked Yeon-ha.

“Huh? What’s with that question—”
“Answer.”
“I… I don’t know.”
“High, wide healing output? Variety of support skills? Which?”
“B-both?”
“Wrong. No matter what—”

His face hardened.

“—never let the party fall apart. S-rank skills don’t matter if you lose the one you’re supposed to heal.”
“I-I’m sorry.”

She bowed her head low.
Even if it was a test, she had frozen completely in the moment.
There was no excuse.

“Why so down?”
“I just wanted to be helpful this time… but I stood there like an idiot.”

Her voice shrank smaller and smaller, her eyes dampening.
“I guess that’s a failing grade. I’m useless.”
“Oh, come on.”

Tap.
Do-yoon reached out and lightly touched her head.

“Is this something to bury yourself over? You can’t fail a class you haven’t even taken.”
“…Huh?”

“You haven’t even taken your first step yet. Now—lesson one on becoming a healer beyond compare starts here.”