82 – Hide and Seek (5)
The next day.
As a collaboration between the author and Psycho, equipment for detecting monsters was created.
Because time was running out, the prototypes that went through simple tests were distributed to each hero office.
There are 30 pieces of equipment prepared this time.
Equipment is a method that detects all nuclei except those that have entered monster detectors or hero equipment.
However, the range was not wide, so the heroes had to run around and catch the monster themselves.
Still, the heroes put on their equipment and started patrolling without saying anything.
“Find a monster along the roadside of Seocho Intersection!”
A strange sense of relief appeared on the faces of the people who were waiting impatiently at the officer’s cry.
This time you can really find the monster.
“I will go!”
I immediately left the headquarters and went to the scene.
ㅡ Senior, there was a report that a monster was found near the city hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu!
“Okay!”
I immediately put the nuclear cylinder into my belt.
ㅡ Accel!
I felt a strange heat from Greed’s cry, probably feeling better because the hopeless search went smoothly.
As I jumped over the roof of the building and rushed to the scene using the acceleration ability, I saw the monster running away to one side, just like the last time I saw it.
This time around, monster detectors were sounding sirens that were close to malfunctioning.
ㅡ There is no noise pollution.
That’s right.
I joined the heroes, blocked the monster’s path, and slashed the face of the monster.
Puck!
“Kreuk!”
The monster that was running away suddenly appeared and slammed to the floor without showing any reaction.
At that moment, the other heroes who were running to catch the monster clung to it and started attacking.
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This was the first time I worked with another hero to catch a monster.
It definitely felt less dangerous and safer than fighting alone.
“Queueuk, kureuk, keugagakgak!”
… Even though there were some weird pictures coming out.
ㅡ I don’t know who the monster is! Heh heh heh heh heh!
Grid laughed as he watched the monster scream in pain as it was trampled on by the heroes.
A monster is a dangerous being.
Once they appear, at least dozens of them are victims.
So I didn’t feel particularly pitiful.
It’s just that a monster with a human-like appearance is being slapped and beaten, so it must be a strangely uncomfortable feeling.
ㅡ Shouldn’t we be concerned about self-destruction?
Heroes have already heard that monsters self-destruct, so they’ll run away if they think they’re in danger.
“Oh.”
One of the heroes who was carrying out the mass lynching took out the core from the monster’s body.
Then the monster struggled and tried to retrieve the core from the hero.
ㅡ They beat them up as a group, stole their belongings, and reached out to ask for it back, so they tripped over their legs!
Don’t do that, you bastard.
Perhaps it was because the grid omitted the subject and described it, it really started to look like that.
The monster couldn’t resist and became a corpse.
ㅡ In Jeondaemul, there are often scenes where a lot of people beat each other like this. It is a genre that encourages group beatings. Heh heh.
… It is a genre that shows that evil that cannot be dealt with alone is defeated with the power of justice, friendship, and love.
I didn’t watch it because it’s not my taste, but that’s probably right.
ㅡ Go next.
Yes.
Five days until the day Humbert announced.
It’s not yet afternoon, but 2 more have already been found and eliminated.
If I count what I’ve caught, there are only 12 monsters left.
If things go on as they are, this commotion seems to be resolved smoothly.
ㅡ If you think like that, incidents always happen. The flag is up, Brave.
Don’t be silly.
***
We had three days ahead of the date Humbert suggested.
The monsters continued to be eliminated, and only 5 remained.
It was an ambiguous number that seemed to have room but not there.
“Has there been any reports from other places?”
ㅡ Yes. Not yet.
“Thank you.”
I check with the headquarters every hour, but every time I hear from the author that there is no such thing.
ㅡ You look like an evil bastard!
What? You are this baby… If you keep saying sh*t, all the drinks in the fridge from now on will be Sol’s eyes.
ㅡ Such trash!
Humbert, that bastard is a pervert who enjoys setting up a table and watching people dance on it.
I don’t think such a bastard will end this commotion like this.
Until yesterday, one monster was found in the morning and afternoon, but today it is 2:00 p.M.
It’s a situation where you can’t help but be nervous….
ㅡ Accidents happen if you rush because you’re impatient.
I’m not saying it’s wrong, but that’s why you’re a bit like that.
ㅡ This bastard…. Tsk.
Grid was about to say something, but ended the conversation by clicking his tongue.
I think we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s just an emotional fight anyway.
ㅡ Eat some rice. You don’t have to skip lunch and go hunting.
Okay, then.
I got off the roof of the building and headed to a nearby store.
“Oh, isn’t that Brave?”
“Huh? Ah.”
“I don’t think there are any hero activities these days… where are you hurt? But why are you wearing a suit?”
“No. They are patrolling elsewhere these days.”
The person who spoke to me was a vendor at the market where I usually patrol.
“You’re a bit busy these days, aren’t you? What did he say… Thing… commendation? He said he would give it to me.”
“Yes. So everyone works hard.”
“Eh tsk tsk. These days, young people only think about one meal, so it’s a big deal.”
“Still, there are people who work so hard, so it’s safe, well….”
When I said that, the old man frowned and stared outside.
“You want it to end soon? Siren sounds day and night, so you should be able to sleep, Won….”
Looking around the uncle’s eyes, it was clear that they were slightly shaded, like someone who had trouble sleeping.
Humbert, the effect of the shepherd boy he talked about was affecting the daily lives of citizens.
If this case is not resolved soon, the citizens will suffer more.
“I’ll try to finish it quickly, mister.”
“Thank you for your words!”
The man smiled and left with the words that he would go first.
I started to eat while staring blankly at the back of the old man who was leaving.
Will there ever come a day when I can do heroic activities while joking around with guys like that….
ㅡ It must be up to you.
Yes, it must be up to me.
I hurriedly finished my meal and went out.
There is still time left.
***
“Haa… I’m tired.”
I sighed as I sat on the railing on the roof of a building in Seoul.
There are 11 monsters that have been eliminated so far, and 4 monsters remain.
The current time is midnight, 24 hours ahead of the date given by Humbert.
I feel like my stomach is burning.
“Seoul is really… It seems narrow, but it is wide.”
The heroes ran all over the place like that, but there are still 4 left.
ㅡ Gangnam-gu, Gangdong-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Gangseo-gu, Seocho-gu, Mapo-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Jongno-gu, Seongdong-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Dobong-gu… It was well spread out in all directions so that they did not overlap.
“Sure.”
The monster was spread all over the place.
Until now, no monsters have been found in the same district.
Since Seoul is divided into 25 districts, it would be more correct to assume that a monster is hiding in the remaining 14 districts.
The Headquarters also decided that way and encouraged the dispatch of heroes there.
From the heroes that can be used personally at the headquarters to the heroes who do not know the details, all were mobilized and searched thoroughly.
Even so, the four monsters could not be found.
ㅡ Maybe it’s in a place where you can’t find it by simple means. The author did too.
“Maybe…. But what way is there?”
The author brought up the story that if we couldn’t find it even after searching this much, we might be in a place where we can’t find it by ordinary methods.
For example, digging a hole in the ground or hiding deep in a river or sewer.
But how are you supposed to find it if you’re hiding in a place like that?
—- That bugger called this a game, so maybe there’s a clue to something just for us.
“Um….”
I was lost in thought as I looked down at the night view of Seoul.
The first thing that came to my mind was the monster I had captured for the first time.
ㅡ The monster that was at the scene.
“Yes.”
Wouldn’t that monster be a hint?
It seems that the pattern has been slightly different from other monsters so far….
According to the movements of the monster reported so far, it was said that once caught, he ran away from being caught by the heroes.
I checked the monster’s escape route at the headquarters, but no monster escaped in a straight line like the first monster.
When a hero appeared while running forward, he changed his course and ran away or attempted a frontal breakthrough.
It was a completely different pattern from the monster I first encountered.
I should have investigated the building, even at the risk….
—- If it’s the data from examining that building, it was in the headquarters. He said there was nothing unusual about it.
I did.
“Still, I might come up with something.”
I decided to move towards the place where I caught the monster for the first time.
Because it felt more comfortable to do something than to sit and spend time like this.
When I arrived at the scene after driving through the streets at night, I saw a building that had already been refurbished so that people could not approach the accident site.
I could sneak in, but it seemed hard to get any clues in this state.
ㅡ At least check what kind of building you were in, Brave. There might be a reason why you ran away here.
“Let’s do it.”
I sat down again and started examining the building in front of me.
Let’s see….
As much as there was an explosion accident, information about this building was easily found on the Internet.
The floor where the accident occurred is on the 6th floor, which seems to be the building where an indie game developer named Underdog is located.
I think it may have been benchmarked against a famous American game developer.
Nothing else….
“Was the author’s words correct?”
ㅡ Tsk. f*ck you as you like.
Obtain the monster’s corpse and find a way to find the hidden monster.
It actually worked, and I was able to spot monsters hiding all over the city.
The fact that it doesn’t come out even after searching all over like a mouse might mean that it is no longer on the ground, as the author said.
Yes, it may not exist on ‘the ground’.
We all searched for the surface.
… There must have been no hero who opened a manhole cover and searched the dirty and smelly basement.
ㅡ Underground is just 11 letters long. 11 Monsters… ‘Under’dog… It may not be a coincidence.
“Let’s go.”
I moved to the building where the accident occurred.
Maybe this is futile.
Still, this is the moment when you have to do anything if you can get a clue.
Because we don’t have much time left.
I lowered my posture so as not to be noticed by others and went inside the building as quietly as possible to examine the surroundings.
That was the moment when the corner was turned.
Sass!
ㅡ Be careful!
With the sound of cutting the wind, Grid’s warning flew.
I momentarily kicked off the floor and jumped backwards to avoid something.
What is it?
Took!
It was an ordinary stone that hit the wall and fell to the floor.
I turned my head towards the place where the stones flew.
ㅡ Bugs….
… Yes it was here
The criminal always returns to the scene….
Did you mean to guide me to where the remaining monsters are when I get back here?
The monster who threw the stone at me stared blankly at me and then started running away.
ㅡ Chase!
Yes!
I ran towards the direction the monster had fled.