-Attention
“This is Owl, this is Owl, Owl responding, over.”
-This is Owl, message received.
“Explosion detected at Owl’s last known location. Did you confirm?
Confirmed with precision, over.”
-Brief the report, over.
“Bucheon Station, Code Red that killed Old Red has appeared. Code Blue is attacking. Repeating the report: Code Red that killed Old Red appeared. Code Blue is attacking. Over.”
-…Understood. Confirmed.
The leader of Superhuman Unit 2 lowered the radio and gazed ahead once more, his voice heavy.
“Is that kind of attack even possible for a human?”
“Chief Jeong, one thing’s for sure: even Old Red wouldn’t have been able to pull that off.”
Old Red was the code name used by the military for Nam Taegu, who had occupied Bucheon Station.
Within the Bucheon area, the most dangerous adversary was called Code Red. With Nam Taegu killed by the current Code Red, Yoon Yohan, Nam Taegu inherited the codename Old Red.
Additionally, Code Blue referred to the giant turtle.
This was the Superhuman Unit 2 of the Bucheon Defense Brigade, who had been continuously monitoring the giant turtle.
Watching Yohan relentlessly hammer the giant turtle and demonstrate explosive power far beyond what even the Hyeongung or grenades could compare to, they were dumbfounded.
No—they were afraid.
The hastily assembled military’s superhuman force was divided into three teams, and even if all three combined, they could not unleash such destructive power.
Frankly, even if all three teams charged at once, they wouldn’t be able to stop him.
Considering manpower and firepower, the military should be able to handle that one person. But to catch just one person, they would have to suffer tremendous losses.
“For now, let’s retreat and report this situation. Everyone took pictures, right?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go…”
The team leader turned weakly and headed back.
***
Meanwhile, Taehyun, who was at home packing his things, had witnessed the scene.
That was inevitable since the giant turtle was clearly visible from Taehyun’s apartment balcony.
Rumble, rumble.
The balcony window trembled violently with the immense explosion.
“Wow… unbelievable…”
His wife, Ji-young, who had hurried to the balcony drawn by the loud battle sounds, stood there with her mouth agape.
Only after hearing her speak did Taehyun snap back to reality.
“What do you think’s going on?”
“Someone seems to be fighting that turtle.”
At that moment, a person flashed through Taehyun’s mind.
“I think I have to go there.”
“Huh?”
“I have to go.”
“Go there? Why? Just pack up, honey.”
“I think I know someone there.”
Saying that, Taehyun rushed toward the front door like he was possessed.
Knowing he never looks back once his mind’s made up, Ji-young shook her head, unable to stop him, and followed along.
That had just been moments ago.
The couple couldn’t help but be shocked by the giant turtle before their eyes.
Its huge, sturdy shell was cracked and damaged all over.
Seeing that, the turtle seemed to be desperately repairing itself, but for Taehyun and Ji-young, it was an astonishing sight.
“Just as I thought…”
And there, standing with a vacant expression right in front of Taehyun, was Yohan.
“Hey, honey.”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t you think if we cooperate with that guy, we could take down that turtle?”
“That’s one thing… but do you know him?”
“Yeah, he’s the one who saved my life when I almost died.”
Hearing Taehyun’s words, Ji-young turned and looked at Yohan.
Middle-aged? No, his age was hard to guess.
He gave off a strange vibe that made it difficult to pin down his exact age, but judging by looks alone, he didn’t seem like a villain—more like a kind person.
You can’t judge a book by its cover, but since he saved her husband, he must be someone trustworthy.
“He’s a grateful person… But you want to team up with him to fight that monster?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
Ji-young looked at her husband with a puzzled expression and asked.
Why? Since they were leaving anyway, why bother getting involved and trying to kill that monster?
What if they get hurt?
Unlike her worries, Taehyun was bursting with enthusiasm.
“It’s mutual benefit! Wouldn’t it be better to know a powerful ally than just the two of us? If we help in this situation, he’ll probably help us back.”
“No wonder you’re the deputy manager of Sales Team 1…”
“Then why don’t you, our social worker, think about helping others?”
“Hmm, hmm…”
“If we fight together and kill that turtle, won’t we at least get some experience points?”
Ji-young, who was thinking ‘What is this, a game?’ recalled ‘Ah, right, it’s a game,’ and shook her head nonchalantly.
While they were talking, Taehyun, completely fixated, waved his hand energetically to call him over.
“Why is someone from the apartment complex here…?”
He approached the Taehyun couple with a puzzled look.
“I saw that turtle getting attacked and somehow thought you might be here, so I hurried over.”
“Yeah, but why…”
“Isn’t the reason obvious? As a way to repay you for saving my life, I wanted to help in some way…”
‘Why is he like this?’
Though it pained him to see Yohan sacrifice himself, Taehyun had saved him without expecting such a favor in return.
“No, you don’t have to do that. I already told you, I’m just…”
“Oh, sorry for interrupting. I know what you mean. You’re saying you hope there are more people like you who live as humans, not villains, right?”
“Well, yes…”
“I feel the same way.”
People who live like humans should survive.
Yohan’s words struck a chord in Taehyun’s heart.
It was only natural.
Back where they came from, everyone was busy looking out for their own interests, while a crazy woman and her followers ruled without understanding the world.
Among them, many insignificant people became victims.
If things kept going like this, Taehyun felt he’d lose his mind because of those people.
In that moment, Yohan’s words deeply resonated with him.
More than anything…
“Actually, there are some really detestable, inhuman people in that apartment complex, but there are also comrades who fought alongside me, risking their lives to protect others. I’ve left already, but since I’m leaving, I feel like I have to at least take care of that turtle out of respect for those people.”
Without him, the remaining people would have difficulty even defending against the small turtles’ attacks.
Taehyun didn’t like that Kim Sunja’s group was involved, but he didn’t want to abandon the remaining vigilantes either.
“Ohhh…”
Yohan looked at Taehyun with an intrigued expression.
“Yeah, I get that you’re a good person… but do you have anything to take on that turtle? I hate to say it, but I’m currently pretty frustrated myself…”
Taehyun’s stats weren’t bad, but compared to Yohan, they were weaker.
Would a guy like him really step up to kill the turtle together?
‘Is there some secret weapon?’
In response to Yohan’s question, Taehyun replied with a serious expression.
“I do have, what do you call it… a kind of ultimate move. My attack, and also…”
Taehyun hesitated on how to address Yohan, who then spoke up.
“We haven’t even exchanged names. I’m Yoon Yohan.”
“Oh, I’m Kim Taehyun. Hmm, anyway, Mr. Yohan, judging from the attack you just showed, I think we can break that shell.”
“Is that so?”
Even Yohan found the prospect tempting.
Although he must have seen his Heavenly Demon Beast Asura: Raging Wave at the apartment complex, Taehyun’s confidence suggested it was no weak play.
While Yohan was pondering what to do next, noticing his wavering thoughts, Taehyun continued.
“Even if Yohan and I fail, there’s still one more card to play.”
“…Yes?”
“My wife.”
Taehyun pointed to Ji-young.
‘Wait, the wife has a card too?’
Curious, Yohan looked at Ji-young and activated his scanner, his eyes widening in surprise.
[22,000]
To everyone’s astonishment, Ji-young had even higher stats than Taehyun.
Naturally, Yohan’s gaze shifted back to the giant turtle.
During their brief conversation, the creature was busy moving around, not yet having dealt with the vomit it had just expelled.
Still, with such a massive body, hiding would be impossible—it would be found quickly.
If Taehyun was right that two, maybe even three Heavenly Demon Beast Asura: Raging Wave-level attacks were possible, then…
Yohan’s eyes gleamed as he looked at the already cracked and damaged giant turtle shell.
“Good. Let’s take that bastard down together.”
Yohan accepted Taehyun’s proposal.
***
“At this point, there’s no need to move further, right?”
While Yohan was fighting the giant turtle and meeting Taehyun, Yohan’s family was busy transporting food and supplies to their secondary shelter deep in the mountains.
After filling most of the block-constructed warehouse at the old spring site, Jeonghu stretched and spoke.
“I think we’ve moved about 65% of the supplies here, oppa. Should be enough.”
“Phew, thank goodness. My back almost gave out.”
“Hyeeee…”
Junga, who was carrying small stuff nearby, collapsed in response to Seoyoung’s words.
Jeonghu frowned and said,
“Hey, why are you acting tired after doing so little?”
Junga, fully stretched out, suddenly lifted her head.
“What do you mean ‘little’! You’re flying around because you have strength and stamina, but I’m just a fragile middle school girl!”
“You’re a middle school girl, yes, but shouldn’t we remove the ‘fragile’? The mountain deer here saw you and ran away thinking you were a wild boar.”
“Why would a deer be scared of a wild boar?!”
“You’re underestimating wild boars.”
“Oh, you’re scary? Wait… you’re calling me a pig!”
“No, a wild boar.”
Ji-young shook her head as she watched the bickering brother and sister.
“Unnie, but if we move here, where will we sleep? Do we have to sleep in a tent?”
Sejeong, the youngest, who had been playing with Janggooni and Meonggooni out of boredom, asked Seoyoung.
“Well… I guess we’ll have to build a house with blocks, right?”
Seoyoung’s gaze fell on Junga, who looked at Jeonghu and waved her hand.
A relatively small block descended from the sky, instantly forming a small house suitable for Janggooni and Meonggooni.
The floor was slightly raised, made from smooth block panels without seams, so with a cushion or two, it would be perfect for Janggooni and Meonggooni.
“What’s this all of a sudden? Is this a house for Janggooni and Meonggooni or a model home for us?”
Jeonghu asked with curiosity as Junga, who had been bickering with him, suddenly whipped up a doghouse.
“No, this is oppa’s house. Thank me, you’ll live here from now on. I’ll bring food separately.”
“You little brat, are you treating oppa like a dog?!”
“No, Janggooni and Meonggooni will live with us, so it’s worse than being treated like a dog!”
“Oh, this tiny thing…”
“Enough! Dad’s out there fighting hard because of us, what are you two doing?”
“Unnie told me to stop!”
“I’m talking to you!”
While Yohan was away, Yohan’s family was noisily, if somewhat harmoniously, getting along.