NOVEL NEXT Chapter 207
Chapter 207 – Resistance (7)
“I’ve seen firsthand how far the Bugs can go, so I can’t relax until I confirm things. It’s not strange if the Emperor or the high-ranking nobles around him are infested with parasites.”
As I stared blankly at the screen, I buried my face in my hands.
From the moment I activated the Descent and summoned Riena, until I returned home and turned on the screen to observe, my mind was still in a daze.
I don’t know what emotions Riena felt as she prepared to fight again the moment I got back, but at least the moment I offered my body to summon her, I experienced an intense power like nothing I had ever felt before, making it hard to think straight.
All I could do was trust her and watch.
In reality, she was my hope, my guiding light, effortlessly cutting down the massive enemy that seemed impossible to defeat and purifying it.
“I can’t help but worship her.”
A bitter smile escaped me. She trusts me and follows me. That sentiment reached me as well.
However, in return, I too watched her and grew to believe in and worship her. Riena was not only the saintess of the residents but also mine.
“Are you inside!? L-Look at this?! Did you see?! It’s from today!”
And the fallout from the decision I made today was still ongoing.
My younger sister burst into the room, flinging the door open and shoving her phone in my face. The video playing on it was a recording someone shot on their phone, showcasing a horrifying monster and an angel with radiant wings descending.
It was somewhat expected. The sight of me calling forth Riena had overshadowed my own contributions.
“She killed that giant Bug and saved countless people. Doesn’t look like a guardian; it really is an angel!?”
“Don’t ask me; I wouldn’t know.”
My excited sister shoved the phone so close I could practically feel the screen on my nose, but I simply chuckled and didn’t provide an answer.
After all, Riena is not of this world. There’s no reason or meaning to tell her; she can just remain a mysterious angel.
“Will she appear again? Where will she show up? The quality of the videos is terrible, so I can’t make heads or tails of it. I want to see her in person…”
My sister, who had instantly become Riena’s biggest fan over such a low-quality video, muttered as she left the room.
Surprisingly, my sister was not the only one reacting this way. The reality was chaotic, and the internet was even more so.
– The reactions are incredible. I expected the National Intelligence Service to react once you started your activities, but given their silence, it must mean they’re panicking.
“Honestly, that’s not what’s important.”
– The reward of the Descent seems greater than expected. It’s enough of a consideration to choose.
It wasn’t just my ordinary sister; Lee So-Yeon, who collaborated with me to gather information, also sent me a message.
Since I’d already spread the information about the Descent among users, it was certain that Riena’s true identity would become known soon.
That’s a good thing. Since I had even demonstrated it myself, users would likely aim to wipe out their respective Bug Swarms to obtain rewards.
“Please convey that. It’s been proven as a fact that they have been implanting Parasite Bugs into people, controlling them without their knowledge.”
– I’m already aware of that. Don’t worry about that part.
They were already on my tail. It was only natural for them to know since the information was originally provided by them. And they had witnessed the truth alongside me.
If they had a brain, they’d surely take this matter seriously.
The manipulations of those implanting parasites are cunning and disgusting, but if everyone is made aware and develops vigilance, it would be easier to root out the spies.
*
“Control is impossible. It’s already spreading like wildfire…”
“There’s no need to control it forcibly. It might actually be better to spread it even more. Hah.”
At that moment, while Jun-Young was conversing with Lee So-Yeon, serious discussions regarding the same topic were occurring elsewhere.
Their statements held more influence than the chatter of ordinary citizens because they were the intelligence agency of a nation that could directly meet with the President.
“Did you achieve something remarkable?”
“I apologize.”
The director chuckled as he saw Ash’s face on the screen. Ash, realizing the director’s mental state had deteriorated significantly, immediately attempted to apologize with a serious face.
“No, I’m being sincere. Although it started with defiance, look at the results. This is immense.”
Shaking his head, the director reviewed the materials. The eradication of the troublesome armed group, saving countless civilians, and the miraculous appearance of the angel at the last moment.
The world had changed a lot, but this angel’s descent marked a significant event in that change.
“The power to unify people. A true angel who has invoked a miracle that seemed utterly impossible.”
The reactions of those who saw her were sheer ecstasy. Regardless of religion, nationality, or background, everyone showed the same reaction under her wings directed at the public enemy.
The seasoned director sensed that this transcended factions or ideologies.
“This nameless angel’s descent is bound to have an even greater impact going forward. But right now, the most important thing is different.”
“Indeed. Upon following up, it was confirmed that Omar was already infected with a Parasite Bug and leading the group.”
“I’m a bit concerned. Can we really find them? I don’t think taking deworming medicine will kill them.”
The parasite issue was not something to take lightly. From their perspective, which primarily prioritized national interests, if leaders of rival nations or internal personnel were infected in such a manner, any resistance would be rendered meaningless.
“Honestly, it seems straightforward to distinguish them.”
However, Ash, a mere field agent, easily provided an answer. This was something that everyone, including the director, already knew.
“Those looking to aid the Bugs should be treated with suspicion. Yes, this actually works to our advantage.”
It was also an opportunity to end the conflicts that had continued since the Cold War, World War, or perhaps even before.
If we publicly expose the existence of Parasite Bugs and corner those impeding unity as infected individuals, the forces leading the Allied Forces would gain overwhelming support in this power struggle.
“I’ll report this directly to the President.”
“Sir Director, what about that person?”
“Let’s hold off on the plan. He is someone beneficial to us. Didn’t we see? He’s a hero.”
The director waved his hand with a smirk.
The person they referred to was Jun-Young. He was the one they had tried various tactics to uncover the identity of.
However, after receiving Ash’s request, Jun-Young fought to protect the people instead of fleeing, an achievement that could not go unacknowledged by anyone.
“The rot must be excised. Before the remaining parts start to decay further.”
He had dedicated his life to suspicion and investigation. The director sensed that without preparation, even an angel couldn’t stop the impending doom.
*
“A secret weapon to counterattack the Elves?”
“It’s a provision personally arranged by the Emperor. You don’t need to worry, Commander.”
This was the forward base of the Imperial Army set up at the entrance to the Land of the Elves in the western part of the Empire. Commander Royce flinched at the words of the palace steward sent directly by the Emperor.
Not only was he anxious about not having achieved results, but there was also something about the condition of the individuals the steward had brought that seemed off.
They all wore black hoods, obscuring their appearances, and the low growling of their breaths sounded far from ordinary.
“There’s no choice. Winning this battle is paramount.”
Royce had no options left. In the Empire, where the concerns of Jun-Young and the intelligence agency had come to fruition, escaping from the intentions of the Bugs entrenched in the upper echelons was impossible.
“Prepare for another advance. This time we will surely crush the Elves and occupy that place.”
With Royce’s command, the expeditionary forces prepared for combat once more. The secret weapons the Emperor had arranged stood at the forefront, readying themselves against the Elves’ guerrilla tactics.
“Commander, they’re coming again.”
“I’m tired of this. Do they plan to retreat again while incurring only losses?”
Of course, such scenes were also observed by the Elves. Eve, who had been conducting guerrilla operations, utilizing firearms and the rugged terrain to thwart enemy approaches, sighed upon hearing the report.
“I’ll kill the commander this time for sure.”
Eve, having begun to move personally, navigated the forest paths skillfully while grinding her teeth. She was convinced that to extinguish the enemy’s resolve, targeting the commander rather than the foot soldiers was essential.
“Huh?”
However, at that moment, upon reaching a vantage point and aiming her sniper rifle at the enemy visible in the distant valley, she froze in surprise.
Some figures in the black hoods at the forefront of the enemy had literally soared into the sky.
“W-What is this?!”
Eve gasped in shock as she witnessed the enemies take flight, their transparent wings unfolded.
They swiftly flew through the air and descended upon the Elves’ ambush area, causing the bewildered Elves to fire guns and arrows at them in defense.
“Those are the Black Monsters.”
As she watched an enemy summon a defense barrier to block her bullets, Eve’s eyes trembled.
She had no idea how this was possible, nor why they emerged among the Imperial troops.
But one thing was clear: humans and Bugs had fused into one.
“Ugh!”
Eve leaped to evade an enemy assault. With wings folded, an attack from the enemy caused the massive tree she was standing on to splinter and collapse beneath her.
“They’ve returned.”
Drawing her shotgun, she unleashed a rapid series of shots, forcing the enemy back. The defense barrier shattered quickly, and the enemy’s body was reduced to a mess from the shotgun blasts.
However, the problem was that such enemies were not singular.
The already limited Elf Guerrilla was forced to face the assaulting foes, and in the meantime, the main force of the Imperial Army began to penetrate the dense forest without interference.
“Commander, who are they…?”
“Do, don’t doubt! Are you suspecting the imperial family now!?”
“Yikes! I didn’t mean to!”
Though some among them felt uneasy, it was meaningless.
At least for now, they were in a situation that benefited them.
“It’s the Evil God’s attack!”
“Mages, get prepared!”
Now they only had to be wary of the divine retribution raining down from the sky. The power was impossible to fully block, and losses mounted, but they would meet the same fate even in rebellion.
“Damn it.”
The person watching the scene through the screen grimaced.
His suspicion had turned into certainty, and at that moment he would have to start the tiresome competition with those things again, which was an instinctive reaction.