NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
Chapter 16: Really Got Stronger.
*
In group dynamics, unity is the most important virtue and an essential element.
Just before exiting the Second Shelter, the brief exchanges and encouragement shared among them had transformed Gang-ho’s group into a perfectly cohesive team.
“Everyone, you did well. Let’s take a short break.”
Gang-ho arrived at the exit of the Sixth Shelter and permitted a moment of rest.
He expressed his gratitude to those who had followed his instructions faithfully up to now.
Yet, instead of thanks, everyone cheered for Gang-ho.
“Thank you!”
“Thanks to you, Major!”
They had run continuously from the Third Shelter to the Fourth, Fifth, and now the Sixth Shelter.
Every moment had been a crossroads between life and death.
At each of those times, they felt deeply how much Gang-ho’s leadership and command had empowered them.
Even those without military experience or tactical knowledge could clearly recognize his exceptional skills.
Of course, the gratitude wasn’t directed solely at Gang-ho.
“Thank you, Dr. Lisa.”
“Team Leader Reina, you worked hard, too.”
“Wolf! You’re really amazing!”
They had never seen ability users like them before.
Just a little while ago, they were marveling at how people like them could possess such tremendous power.
“…….”
Satoshi stood a little apart from the group, sulking with his lips poked out.
He felt a bit left out, particularly since his name wasn’t called along with the others despite having worked just as hard.
“You were hiding, weren’t you?”
Without him noticing, Gang-ho had approached and patted his shoulder.
“Of course they wouldn’t realize. Such perfect concealment. But I know how many times you’ve saved them.”
What was the point of such recognition?
Satoshi felt a surge of emotion.
Yet, his face quickly brightened.
“Haha, well, I’m not really disappointed or anything.”
It wasn’t something he truly felt, but knowing that Gang-ho recognized him made the sting of disappointment fade away like magic.
After all, he was the leader.
That was enough.
As they had crossed over in such a short time, a camaraderie developed among the survivors.
It was strong.
While observing this bond and phenomenon, Gang-ho internally sighed.
‘Comrades.’
Memories of his past flashed through his mind like a film reel.
And the first thought that came to mind about such a special bond was its drawbacks.
The sense of loss when precious ones are lost.
Especially in a disaster where death could be imminent, that emptiness and agony would be multiplied.
That worry came from experience.
Nevertheless, Gang-ho pushed the negatives aside with a positive thought.
‘A spirit of camaraderie is a hundred times better than selfishly wanting to save oneself.’
After wrapping up his positive thoughts, he got back on his feet.
At that moment, Reina stepped forward.
“Everyone, I know it’s tough, but we need to move again. Just a little more effort!”
Gang-ho felt reassured by Reina’s words.
‘A captain, huh.’
He knew about her background with the U.S. Navy, but he merely thought she was associated with the operations command.
As a PhD in computer engineering, that was a reasonable assumption.
However, hearing her speak, he discovered she was surprisingly a field officer.
It was quite a shock to learn she had even piloted fighter jets.
‘That’s probably why she’s such a strong asset.’
He had entrusted the rearguard responsibility to her throughout the movement.
And she executed it perfectly.
Thanks to her, there hadn’t been a single casualty or anyone left behind.
[Name]: Reina Diaz.
[…]: …
[Traits]: Executor. (New) Ranger.
[Level]: Lv. 7
[Enhancement]: 20%
[Attributes]: Transparency. Acceleration. Skin Hardening.
[Special Skills]: Annihilation. Dual-Wield Specialization.
[Auxiliary Skills]: Element Extraction. (New) Vigilance.
Her level had increased, and the new traits and auxiliary skills stood out.
‘A ranger, huh.’
With her incredible agility at close distances, she could avoid all attacks and slowly accumulate damage, making her combat style seem entirely normal.
Additionally, with her keen perception, she had extraordinary skills in reconnaissance and observation—it was hard to believe why the “Ranger” trait just appeared.
It then dawned on him that there seemed to be a certain pattern to adding new items or enhancing existing abilities.
‘As expected, it seems that abilities reflect personal competence; experience and efforts are reflected in growth.’
From the moment he first met Reina, she already had a solid understanding of her abilities.
Moreover, she was at a higher level than Gang-ho.
‘The foundation is already complete. Now she just needs to get stronger.’
He came to believe that she would naturally grow well without requiring special attention.
She was a colleague who served as a significant support to Gang-ho.
He gazed at Reina for a long moment before stepping closer.
“Reina, it’s good to feel a sense of responsibility, but you don’t need to feel a sense of duty.”
That was what Gang-ho said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
Reina understood his meaning and smiled.
“Of course. I value myself more than anyone else.”
Gang-ho quietly smiled back, thus ending their brief admonition.
Just then, Lisa’s voice came from behind.
“Isn’t that something you shouldn’t be saying to someone else?”
Turning around, Gang-ho saw her with a cold expression.
Crossing her arms and glaring, she didn’t look scary or chilly at all.
In fact, it was a bit troublesome because she looked pretty, especially with her arms crossed like that…
“Hmm, what do you mean by that…?”
Lisa pointed with her eyes to Gang-ho’s shoulder.
Only then did he understand her meaning.
“As you know, it’s natural to get hurt in this situation…”
He had minor injuries on his shoulder, arm, wrist, and thigh from the perilous journey.
And naturally, it was now Lisa’s responsibility as a doctor to treat them.
So, it was only right for her to scold him for saying it was “natural” to be hurt.
“What did you say?”
Gang-ho kept his mouth shut.
Though not as clueless about women as Satoshi, he still wasn’t exactly a pro.
‘She seems a bit sharp today.’
Behind them, Reina wore a victorious smile and shifted her position.
Moments later, their brief rest and repairs concluded.
Counterintuitive as it sounded, they had to plunge back into danger to survive.
“The movement formation will be the same as before. Let’s go.”
They had passed through a third of the twenty shelters on the Underground 2nd Floor.
All of them were contaminated.
The types of contamination and ways it occurred varied greatly, from microorganisms to cultured germs used in experiments at various research facilities.
‘If we can reach the Platform Shelter in the shortest distance, three more to go.’
Those shelters wouldn’t be much different from the previous ones.
But, like before, they could at least prepare to some extent.
Thanks to the disaster manual in Gang-ho’s mind.
‘Let’s pass through as quickly as possible.’
The Underground 1st Floor was not far away.
*
“Now!”
At Gang-ho’s signal, Lisa stepped forward and took her position.
“Yes.”
By now, she easily began muttering a few chemical formulas.
Then, flames ignited behind her, starting at her back and swiftly moving down her arms to gather at her fingertips.
Whooosh.
Crackle.
“Ignition.”
She stretched her arms out in front of her.
As she opened her fingers wide, the crimson flames trapped in her hands burst forth with tremendous force.
Fwhoooosh!
Fwoosh!
The jungle-like horde of creatures turned into a sea of flames in an instant.
Graaah!
Kihaaa!
The howls of those who were once human or had been corpses echoed loudly.
“Ugh.”
“Aah!”
People clutched their ears, but the cries were piercing.
Fortunately, the duration of that pain wasn’t long.
Fwhoosh, fwhoosh.
Watching Lisa unleash flames like a mobile anti-tank flamethrower, Gang-ho couldn’t help but admire her.
‘She really got stronger in such a short time.’
It wasn’t merely a feeling.
[Name]: Lisa Azbel.
[…]: …
[Traits]: Elemental Sorceress.
[Level]: Lv. 5
[Enhancement]: 75%
[Attributes]: Four Elements (Fire Specialization).
[Special Skill]: Elemental Transmutation.
[Basic Effect]: Insulation Shield. (New) Flash Point Control.
[Auxiliary Skill]: …
[…]
She had reached Level 5.
And one more basic effect had been added.
– Flash Point Control.
With a passive effect like the insulation shield, she had become capable of igniting flames anytime, regardless of the situation.
It could be said that her fire specialization had been further strengthened.
‘The destructive power is increasing with each battle. Above all, she’s learned how to distribute her power.’
Gang-ho considered it a very favorable evolution.
Lisa regained her composure and turned around.
Though feeling somewhat shy under Gang-ho’s steady gaze, she didn’t dislike it.
The irritation she felt earlier at his casual gesture of placing a hand on Reina’s shoulder had eased.
And then,
“You did well. It might help if you quickly find ways to recover your strength.”
With a kind suggestion, he gently wrapped her slightly trembling arms.
“……!”
Lisa beamed brightly and nodded.
At that moment, from a distance, Reina was seen sulking behind Gang-ho.
‘One on one.’
Lisa quietly chuckled to herself.
“By the way, the color and form of the energy core are a little different, right?”
Satoshi remarked, gazing at the scorched ground.
And he was correct.
What lay now was akin to glowing seeds, or something of that sort.
The blackened ground sparkled with blue grains like jewels, twinkling like stars in the night sky.
“Wow. Pretty.”
“Beautiful.”
“Right? It feels like watching the Milky Way.”
As people were captivated by the sparkle, Satoshi stepped forward.
Swish.
‘Beautiful? It’s just remnants of the monsters that tried to kill us, and you’re forgetting that already?’
Feeling slightly disgruntled, he wanted to shatter that sentimental mood.
“Let’s go, Wolf.”
Growl.
At that moment, Gang-ho noticed Wolf’s updated attributes.
[Attributes]: (New) Soul Detection (Sensitivity). (New) Immaterial Absorption.
‘Huh?’