I Became an Illegal Cheat User

30 – Hidden World (6)

Flashes shooting from the four directions: north, south, east, and west.

Confirmation of the destruction of the four sub-cores.

Now, only the task of destroying the main core somewhere in the center remains.

The method to find the main core is the same as the sub-cores.

Finding the densest magical energy.

However, there’s no need to search carefully this time.

With all the sub-cores destroyed, the main core is revealing its own location.

The mist of magic was visible when the distance was somewhat close to the sub-core.

In contrast, the main core, true to its name, emitted an enormous amount of magical energy, creating a widespread magical mist in the central area.

The radius is a staggering 1km.

As you enter the fog, the radius of 1km is very wide, given the increasing concentration of magical energy.

We need to enter that place, but aside from the main characters and Park Garam, everyone is still inexperienced in coating their bodies with magic power.

And due to my lack of magic power, I cannot coat my body with it.

But there’s no problem.

Here, Noah, the inquisitor and saint, is present.

“Now that everyone is gathered, let’s start the mission briefing.”

Fifteen individuals stand before me.

Currently, we are outside the magical range of the main core.

Originally, the plan was to destroy all the sub-cores and regroup at the initial meeting point.

However, because that place happened to be within the range of the magical fog, we had no choice but to shoot flares again to gather.

Anyway, I began explaining the strategy to attack the main core that is in my mind.

“First, the range of this magical fog surrounding the main core is about a radius of 1km. And just like with the sub-cores, the deeper you go into the mist, the thicker the concentration of magical energy.”

So, adding to that, I looked at Noah.

“We need the priest’s protection.”

Noah smiled as if relieved at the mention of the need for protection.

“Good news. The defensive spell I’ve mastered happens to be protection.”

…But that’s not the only thing he knows.

In truth, Noah has mastered most spells.

However, he lies not only to avoid exposing his position as a Saint and an Inquisitor but also to appear like a regular Academy student.

Yet, that ship has already sailed.

If he wanted to keep a low profile, he shouldn’t have shown strength during the sparring match with Pak Garam and Arthur yesterday.

Thanks to the genuine prayer punch and the brief but equal fight with Arthur, everyone in Class 1-A now perceives Noah as an extraordinary priest with some mysterious secret – something Noah himself remains oblivious to.

Anyway, with Noah’s buffs and protection spells, infiltrating the magical core should pose no problem.

“Alright, I’ll brief you on the creatures you’ll encounter inside.”

Once you enter the magical mist, you’ll first encounter zombies and ghouls, easy to dispatch, so let’s move on.

“About 500 meters in, the concentration of magic will rapidly increase, and new creatures will start appearing.”

“New creatures? You mean the ghoul that mimicked our appearance?”

“Exactly. It’s called a mimic ghoul. It hides in the darkness and transforms into the likeness of the group when they disperse, then attacks.”

Mimic ghoul.

Encountering it for the first time might be as disconcerting as it was for Pak Garam and Im Dahee, but dealing with it is quite simple.

Like a magical being, it can’t use magic.

That’s why Noah demonstrated his abilities.

“With Noah’s protection this time, it’ll be easy to distinguish. No magical shield inside the mist? It’s 100% a mimic ghoul.”

“Next is 300 meters. There, super ghouls, humans transformed into ghouls, will start appearing, but there’s no need to worry too much.”

Although they are ghouls, since they’ve transformed into superhumans, they use abilities they had in their previous lives.

But the reason Noah isn’t overly concerned is that the power of the abilities they use is only 30% of what it was when they were alive.

“And finally, 100 meters. Be cautious here.”

As you get closer to the main core, the magical concentration is at its highest.

It’s like the depths of the sea, for example.

“And there will be a horrifying creature called ‘Abomination.'”

Abomination.

A kind of golem made of corpses.

As a member of the golem family, it won’t die unless the core inside its body is removed.

And because it can absorb zombies and ghouls in its vicinity for self-recovery, it’s a formidable opponent.

But I’m not worried.

Whether it recovers or not.

I can just blow it up.

“That concludes the explanation of the monster. Now, let’s take out the equipment we’ll use inside, so everyone, make sure to grab something.”

I said that and began pulling various items from the inventory.

“…From the first time I saw you, I thought so, but Youjin-nim, your preparedness is impeccable.”

Noah exclaimed as he looked at the equipment scattered on the floor.

“I’m just a bit like that.”

I responded with a sly smile to Noah’s reaction.

“If everyone’s ready, start putting on the gear.”

Following my instructions, everyone started putting on the equipment.

Tactical vests, lanterns (ordinary), light sticks, grenade belts (5 concussion grenades, 5 flashbangs).

With everyone in full gear, they looked like a special forces unit.

No, they weren’t carrying guns, as they all wanted to become heroes, they might as well be a reserve special forces unit.

“Ah, these are truly pleasing sights.”

I thought so, nodding proudly.

“Now that the preparations are done.”

I slung the rifle over my shoulder.

Noah raised his voice, casting buffs and protection on everyone.

Weapons were raised in everyone’s hands.

Watching those figures, I pulled the trigger of the rifle.

Click.

“Let’s head back to the academy.”

With that statement, we entered the depths of the magical fog.

In the murky darkness composed of magic, 16 beams of light cut through.

– Kkiyeeek─!

Creatures lurking in the shadows rushed towards the sources of light.

But before they could reach, heads exploded or were thrown back by bullets that had flown.

Tadadadadang─!

The echoing gunfire filled the space.

Quick! Quazizik!

Clang! Kwaang! Kwaaang!

Following that, slashing, splitting, and exploding sounds echoed continuously.

Now, we are pushing through the zombies swarming from all directions, racing at full speed towards the main core.

Of course, the standard for full speed is my own.

If we were really running at full speed, Im Dahee and the main characters would have already reached the main core.

However, since it’s not just them here and we can’t afford to split up, everyone is adjusting their speed.

Continuing to run like that.

“Why were we running again?”

“We’re chasing the copycat ghoul!”

“Confirmed!”

Tadadadadang─!

– Kkiyeeek?!

We reached the 500m point where the copycat ghoul appears.

– Let’s… become…

“It’s a super ghoul!”

“Oh, light!”

Whaaah!

– One is…, Kwaah!

At the 300m mark where the super ghoul appears.

The number of regular zombies and ghouls decreases.

Instead, at the end of the run through the increasingly dense magical darkness filled with variant creatures and an uncomfortable atmosphere.

A giant main core, identical to the sub-core but of a different size, started to come into view.

At that moment.

– Krrraaah─!!

An abomination, the guardian of the main core, blocked our path.

But… not just one.

– Kkkeeek─!!

– Kkrrraaah─!!

– Crrraaah─!!

There were three more.

“What the hell, variables?”

Normally, there’s only one abomination guarding the main core here.

But having three more like this is nothing but a variable that occasionally happened in the game.

And that variable was one of the main reasons for the early retries.

But now, well.

Variables are nothing.

“Gather with the team you formed earlier!”

As my words dropped ominously, Park Garam and Im Dahee stuck close to me, and the others around quickly scattered, forming each team.

And without saying a word, they each began to take on one abomination.

– Crrraaah─!

What Park Garam, Im Dahee, and I took on was the leftmost abomination.

Its grotesque form, boasting a hulking mass of about 5 meters, showed how much it had absorbed the corpses.

“Ugh, disgusting!”

Grimacing at the repulsive creature, Park Garam threw a fiery sphere from her hand.

Boom, kwang!

The shock from the exploding fireball caused some parts of the creature’s body to fall off.

But only the external parts seemed to fall off, and there appeared to be no significant damage.

Still, it was okay.

The fireball was slowing down the creature’s charging speed.

And Park Garam wasn’t throwing the fireball with the intention of killing it.

“…Sub, Sub-leader! The, the left shoulder!”

“Confirmed!”

It was to find the bastard’s core.

“Im Da-hee, throw!”

“……Ugh!”

Simultaneously with the signal for her to throw, Im Da-hee hurled the spear with all her might.

The target was the abomination’s core.

Thunk!

The spear embedded itself in the core.

– Krrraaah!

The creature howled as if in agony.

But that was all; it didn’t crumble.

However, the creature wouldn’t know.

Normally, electricity should have been coursing through Im Da-hee’s spear blade.

But at this moment, something else was wrapped around the spear blade embedded in the creature’s core.

Clank.

That was my grenade belt.

Bang!

Flames erupted from the muzzle.

And a bullet hit one of the pins on the grenade belt.

Ping…!

The clear sound of the pin being pulled echoed.

Then, in succession.

Kwaaang──!

With a massive shockwave, the abomination shattered into pieces.

Of course, Im Da-hee’s spear did too.

“It was just a cheap spear anyway, it’s okay.”

Despite saying that, Im Da-hee’s face looked disappointed.

…I should get her a good spear later.

While thinking that, other teams were also dealing with abominations.

The abomination assigned to Lee Seo-yeon and Arthur was split in half along with its core.

The one assigned to Noah’s team… disappeared with a flash of light. Without a trace.

“All clear!”

…It wasn’t me who shouted.

I don’t have the audacity to shout something like that when the situation hasn’t even concluded yet.

Nevertheless, since it’s true that it all ends if we break the main core, I decided to let it slide this time.

“It’s almost over! Just need to break the main core!”

As I said that, running towards the main core, everyone started running alongside me.

The distance to the main core was at most 100m.

The distance closed in an instant.

Thump! Thump!

Pshh…, pshh…

With the intense sound, reminiscent of a heartbeat, a massive amount of magic burst out from the core.

Just watching it was extremely unpleasant.

As if urging to get rid of this dreadful thing immediately, the magical power inside my body reacted strongly.

It was to be expected.

After instructing the others to wait, I scattered all the grenades and mines I had around the core.

After emptying my inventory of all grenades and mines, I led the others to a safe distance.

Clank.

And just as I was about to pull the trigger of the rocket launcher.

Me-e-e-e-e-e!!

“…What, what is it?”

“Something is coming down from above!”

Suddenly, everyone’s heads turned upwards at the scream coming from above.

I was no exception.

This time, it was bewildering to see what variable was appearing at the last moment.

But that bewilderment was only momentary.

I was left astonished for a different reason.

“Instructor…?!”

“I-it’s Instructor Kang Cheolsu!”

The source of the scream was none other than Kang Cheolsu.

But… the direction in which Kang Cheolsu was falling…

“… No, it can’t be!”

Of all places, it had to be right above the core where all of my grenades and mines were laid.

No, no, no, no, no──!!

The voice drew closer.

And at the end of it all.

Gang Cheol-su appeared.

He landed on top of the core.

And then.

Whaaam──!!

A magnificent explosion occurred.