The Archmage’s Destruction Strategy - Chapter 105

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#105. Joining Forces

Following Ryan Cooper’s request, Sung-jun handed over the horses to the U.S. military and got into an SUV they had brought to head to where JBLM was located.

“When I think of the U.S. military, I think of Humvees.”

“Humvees consume too much fuel, so we don’t use them anymore these days. After D-day, many oil refineries were also heavily damaged, making fuel procurement difficult.”

Whether supply issues were indeed quite serious, among the U.S. soldiers Sung-jun saw, there were quite a few who seemed to be wearing a mix of military uniforms and civilian clothes.

Kevin Park, the Korean driving the SUV Sung-jun was in, was also wearing a civilian T-shirt under his vest instead of a military uniform top.

Noticing that Sung-jun was looking at the black T-shirt he was wearing, Kevin spoke to Sung-jun.

“That’s right. Not only is fuel scarce, but it’s been a long time since we received new uniform supplies. These days, when we go on patrol, if we see a decent clothing store, we just pick up whatever we can wear.”

“Are the supply conditions that bad?”

“Things are gradually improving. Unlike before, bullets are now effective against Corrosion Entities. Thanks to that, regular soldiers who aren’t mutants can participate in regional defense, so we’re recovering abandoned infrastructure facilities one by one.”

During their conversation, JBLM base, the core of western U.S. defense, began to come into view.

The military base appeared to have a pitifully small scale, unbelievable for a place where most of the western state National Guard forces were supposedly gathered.

Seeing Sung-jun’s disappointed expression at the smaller scale than expected, Cooper hurriedly reassured him.

“Most of the main facilities are underground. These are core facilities that the U.S. government invested enormous funds to build in preparation for emergencies even before D-day came.”

When the intact road suddenly sank into the ground and a massive gate leading to underground facilities appeared, Sung-jun’s eyes began to sparkle again.

The entrance gate opening left and right with a heavy rumbling sound created a wonderful atmosphere like something from a sci-fi movie.

Moreover, the lights lined up along the passage leading inside also seemed to clearly show why this place was called the core stronghold of western U.S. defense.

“It looks like a space base. Very impressive.”

“I think the same thing every time I see it. However, when you think about why such thick steel doors had to be installed, it’s hard to just call it impressive.”

The condition of the U.S. military that Sung-jun observed while moving through the base interior by vehicle was at a level that could hardly be called good, no matter how generously evaluated.

While the scale and facilities of the base that had been prepared for a long time since before D-day were at an amazing level, the condition of the troops filling it was not very good.

The vast space that would originally have been filled with all kinds of weapons and vehicles was sparsely filled with broken vehicles and randomly scattered parts.

“The equipment is poor compared to the facilities.”

“I won’t deny it. Honestly, things are tough, that’s true. But please don’t misunderstand. What’s visible on the surface isn’t all of our military strength.”

During their conversation, the SUV arrived at its destination and stopped moving.

Then Cooper, who got out of the car first, opened the rear door and said to Sung-jun.

“The Commander is waiting for you.”

Following Cooper’s guidance, Sung-jun met a soldier in dress uniform who was waiting for him.

A man with white beard and hair giving a gentle impression extended his right hand toward Sung-jun and said.

“I’m Seth MacFarlane, temporary commander of the Western Region Defense Forces. Welcome to JLBM.”

“I’m Ma Sungjun, a mage from South Korea. This is my student Yeonse-a and my colleague Shirasaki Miyu.”

“I’m Yeonse-a.”

“I’m Shirasaki Miyu.”

After completing introductions, the four people moved to the table in the center of the commander’s office.

With simple refreshments prepared, MacFarlane sipped from his coffee cup and spoke to Sung-jun.

“According to the report, you’re a mutant with the ability to control 20,000 Skeleton Soldiers…”

“To be precise, it’s 25,002. Besides Skeleton Soldiers, I can summon 5,000 more, but I didn’t bring them out this time.”

“Since a soldier who saw it with his own eyes filed the report, I can’t disbelieve it, but it’s incredibly surprising. Above all, I can’t believe that a mutant with such powerful abilities was completely unknown. Are you perhaps some kind of secret weapon hidden by the South Korean government?”

“The reason my name isn’t known is because I awakened my abilities on D-day. Moreover, I only gained the ability to summon Skeleton Soldiers a little over a month ago.”

“A month…”

Coincidentally, the time when magic tools could be made from magic stones extracted from Corrosion Entity bodies matched the time when Sung-jun gained the ability to control Skeleton Soldiers, but MacFarlane didn’t specifically point out that connection.

What was important now was whether the man before him with unbelievably powerful abilities was an ally or enemy to the U.S. government.

Since he usually couldn’t speak diplomatically, MacFarlane immediately asked Sung-jun about his purpose and method of coming to America, and Sung-jun calmly explained what he had experienced leaving South Korea, passing through China, and in Japan.

The story of his Teacher, who was a Pioneer like America’s Pioneer Sefasto Relim but could no longer use magic due to mana shortage, and his own story of learning magic only through theory under such a Teacher.

About his Teacher’s appearance throwing his life away to seal the apocalypse-class Corrosion Entity ‘Silermantis’ that appeared over Seoul airspace, and the last words he left behind.

As Sung-jun continued his explanation, the expressions of MacFarlane sitting across from him and Captain Cooper standing behind him became increasingly filled with shock.

Sung-jun’s explanation contained information about other countries’ situations heard for the first time since D-day, but it was incredibly shocking that the young man before them was the person who single-handedly defeated apocalypse-class Corrosion Entities that appeared in China and Japan.

Moreover, Sung-jun’s explanation included content about changes in Corrosion Entities that had recently begun occurring in America.

“Wait, according to what you just said, the fact that bullets started working on low-grade Corrosion Entities that were previously immune to gunfire is because of magic you cast?”

“That’s correct.”

“And the magic stones from Corrosion Entity bodies gaining special abilities is also thanks to the magic you cast after defeating Japan’s apocalypse-class Corrosion Entity?”

“That’s also correct.”

It was an unbelievable story, but when they calculated backwards from Sung-jun’s explanation, the timing when Sung-jun cast his magic and when Corrosion Entities began changing matched exactly.

Eventually, judging that Sung-jun’s words might be true, MacFarlane set down his coffee cup with trembling hands and spoke to Sung-jun.

“Mr. Ma Sungjun. According to your explanation so far, you defeated apocalypse-class Corrosion Entities in China and Japan following your Teacher’s will. And now you’ve come to American soil despite the danger. Then should I understand that your purpose in coming to America is also to defeat the apocalypse-class Corrosion Entity that appeared in America?”

Sung-jun nodded and answered MacFarlane’s question.

“Of course.”

“And you needed our military’s cooperation in that process, so you needed to draw our attention? The reason you brought out 20,000 Skeleton Soldiers was also for that purpose.”

“You’ve seen it correctly.”

At Sung-jun’s words, MacFarlane showed a perplexed expression.

As if he had hoped those words wouldn’t come out.

“You look troubled.”

“Honestly speaking, yes.”

MacFarlane said.

As Sung-jun said, the Western Region Defense Forces were also preparing large-scale subjugation operations for territorial recovery, but they didn’t have enough military strength to subjugate the apocalypse-class Corrosion Entity in the east.

In fact, MacFarlane judged that even recapturing the western region from Corrosion Entities would be difficult with current military strength.

However, since it seemed there would be no future other than slowly dying if they did nothing, he was preparing for subjugation battles with the mindset of making a final desperate struggle.

The remaining military strength was far too insufficient to face all the Corrosion Entities dominating the entire American continent.

“Would you follow me for a moment?”

MacFarlane, who stood up and asked Sung-jun, began showing him around the base interior.

The state of troops remaining at JBLM, tactical vehicles on standby for deployment, and even warehouses displaying exoskeleton equipment and specialized weapons prepared for America’s Awakened forces, the ‘mutants.’

These were information too sensitive to show to an outsider whose identity wasn’t even confirmed, but MacFarlane didn’t care.

Just from the aura emanating from the man’s body, he was convinced that the young man following behind him was the same person who defeated apocalypse-class Corrosion Entities that appeared in China and Japan.

What MacFarlane wanted was for Sung-jun to abandon his goal.

Instead of leading all remaining forces in the western U.S. to advance eastward, he wanted him to stay by his side and help recapture the western region.

To do that, it was necessary above all to visually confirm that the remaining forces were insufficient to advance eastward, so General MacFarlane showed Sung-jun around various parts of the base, honestly displaying the reality of U.S. military strength remaining in the western region.

And finally, when the introduction of all facilities was complete, General MacFarlane turned to Sung-jun and said.

“What do you think?”

“It’s insufficient. Woefully inadequate military strength to defeat an apocalypse-class Corrosion Entity.”

“Would it be impossible even if you, who single-handedly defeated apocalypse-class Corrosion Entities in China and Japan, joined us?”

“China’s Yeojiggwi was strong but had the weakness of relying too heavily on its own abilities. Japan’s Dungeon Master was cunning but wasn’t particularly strong in combat power itself. Both were opponents I could defeat because I had the advantage of compatibility as a mage.”

“You can’t expect such weaknesses or advantages against the apocalypse-class Corrosion Entity in America?”

“That’s what I think. The strengths of that creature I know come from overwhelming force and quantity, and to face that, we have no choice but to suppress it with force on our side too.”

“If you know that, then this conversation will be quick. I’d like to ask you, Mr. Sung-jun. Please cooperate with recapturing the western region first. Each of the areas we’re trying to recapture are tactically important points. If we recapture those places and take time to build up our strength, we’ll eventually have the military power to advance eastward.”

“By that time, there might not be a single human left alive in the east?”

“If the troops remaining here are annihilated in the process of advancing eastward, the result will be the same.”

Sung-jun pondered.

Whether to take time to build up military strength before defeating the apocalypse-class Corrosion Entity as the General suggested, or to push forward with the current forces to advance eastward even if it meant overextending.

After pondering, Sung-jun shook his head and spoke to the General.

“If the expected military strength level is enough to overwhelm the enemies’ force, there’s no time to wait until we have that level of strength. My goal isn’t to save America, but to defeat America’s apocalypse-class Corrosion Entity and move to the European region as quickly as possible.”

“Even so, I can’t push my subordinates into an operation that’s obviously going to result in annihilation!”

“Regarding that, I’ll listen to your specific recapture plans first and then make a judgment. What’s needed now is efficiency, not safety.”

“What you’re saying is…”

“You might think I’m being arrogant for someone who came asking for help, but I’m not in such a leisurely situation either. The condition of the remaining U.S. forces is more serious than I expected. So let’s find a compromise. We’ll prioritize recapturing points where maximum military strength reinforcement is possible in the shortest time, and advance eastward the moment minimum military strength is secured.”

Having said that, Sung-jun fixed the General with eyes filled with determination not to back down.

“If you refuse this proposal, I’ll give up everything and head straight to Europe.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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