The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 413

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Yeo Joo Saves the World
Part 3, Episode 17

“An explosion?!”
“This is insane, seriously!”
Among the startled Hunters, I lowered my head to hide my expression.
Or rather, it would be more accurate to say I didn’t know what face to make.
Whiiiiiir—!
The siren that had been assaulting my eardrums ceased, and a monotone mechanical voice immediately announced the time remaining until the explosion.

[ “47 hours and 59 minutes remaining.” ]
[ “Please evacuate.” ]

A countdown that begins the moment Hunters enter the Gate.
This was one of the reasons the Sixth Dungeon Break occurred.
In the desolate city that had fallen silent once more, Kang Han was the first to regain his composure.
“We’ll revise our plan. Moon Na Rin and Lee Dan Woo, our healers—please exit the Gate immediately, inform everyone of the situation, and request support from other Guild Hunters.”
It meant the Justice Guild was surrendering its right to clear the Dungeon.
After confirming the two healers nodding in agreement, Kang Han turned to me as well.
“Yeo Joo, you should leave and wait outside as well.”
I knew he would say that.
“…Of course.”
When I readily nodded, Kang Han’s eyes, which had widened slightly in surprise, soon filled with relief.
He seemed pleased that I would be in a safe place.
He had said that the more dangerous the Gate, the more I needed to stay by his side, yet whenever trouble arose, he couldn’t wait to tuck me away safely.
There was a reason I, who would normally have thrown a fit and refused to leave, agreed this time.
I pretended to leave with Moon Na Rin and Lee Dan Woo, then touched the darkly rippling Gate surface and spoke.
“The Gate is sealed.”
The Gate lockdown following the countdown.
The second cause of the Sixth Dungeon Break.
“It’s… it’s real…”
Lee Dan Woo, startled by my words, confirmed the Gate that had become hard as a wall and muttered in a trembling voice.
Moon Na Rin’s face had gone pale.
It would not have been strange if both of them burst into tears right then.
The ominous prophecy of the Apocalypse Cult, the sudden countdown, and on top of that, the only exit sealed shut.
In other words, if we failed to clear this Dungeon within the time limit, everyone inside would die along with the Dungeon Break.
But the newcomers surprised me once again.
“Ahem.”
With a soft clearing of the throat, they stepped back from the Gate and maintained their composure.
Quite admirable.
Even experienced combat hunters would have succumbed to such paralyzing terror, yet they overcame it.
Fear spreads easily, but it evolves just as readily.
When the two youngest and least experienced healers responded with such steadiness, the other hunters ceased their agitation.
They all instinctively turned their gaze toward Kang Han, the Guild Master.
“Let’s begin with mapping.”
As Kang Han placed an item on the ground, all eyes shifted toward it.
And as the map took shape, suppressed murmurs escaped from various corners.
“Hmm….”
“I thought they predicted it would be large-scale.”
“At this size, it’s nearly massive.”
This differed from both the Yangpyeong Gate and the Jongno Gate.
A vast region had been added to the center of terrain that resembled the sprawling V-shape of the Yangpyeong Dungeon.
Marked in a faint crimson hue, that area contained scattered large structures.
“That appears to be the Research Complex.”
Han Ji Sung spoke with a shallow sigh, glancing around the surroundings.
“The place where we’re standing now is….”
“Here.”
Sa Ma Young pointed his finger to the center of the region surrounding the Research Complex.
“If it’s the same as the Yangpyeong Dungeon, then where we’re standing is the Commercial District.”
“Ah, that’s why there are so many tall buildings.”
“I see….”
People nodded in understanding.
“And the left side is the Residential District, while the far right is… the Ecological Protection Zone.”
“Were there any other hazards on the roads?”
“Monsters did burst out sporadically, but the Dungeon itself was standard.”
“That’s a relief, at least.”
Kang Han folded the map and tucked it away, explaining to everyone.
“We’ll advance toward the Research Complex, which is presumed to be the boss area. Let’s clear it quickly since time is limited.”

* * *

Screech—!
Association President Ji Jung Hwi stepped out of the black sedan that had come to an abrupt halt on the empty Sejong Avenue, his face rigid with tension.
“Association President, you’ve arrived!”
The waiting Association Staff member quickly fell into step beside him, guiding him to the hastily established command center.
“What’s the situation?”
“We’ve confirmed it’s a sealed Gate, and Justice Guild is still en route to the Research Complex, which is the Quest zone.”
“How much delay?”
“Fortunately, not much. Based on wave pattern analysis, we estimate a maximum of 15 minutes.”
“Has everyone else arrived?”
“Yes, Association President. We’re prepared to begin the meeting as soon as you arrive.”
Moments later, as I pushed through the tent flap into the command center, everyone seated around the large table rose in unison to greet Ji Jung Hwi.
Among them were Sung Ro Sa and Yoo Myung Hwa.
The atmosphere around those who might lose their carefully nurtured healers to a Dungeon Break was decidedly grim.
“Let’s begin immediately. Gate Prediction Headquarters.”
“Yes. Based on the video feed transmitted from inside and our wave pattern data analysis, the danger level remains A-rank, and the Dungeon is classified as ultra-large scale. As for the monsters, while their numbers are substantial, the individual energy signatures read as relatively weak, suggesting the combat difficulty won’t be particularly high.”
It was a silver lining in the face of an imminent A-rank ultra-large Gate Dungeon Break.
“Have you looked into overseas precedents?”
“There aren’t many cases of A-rank Dungeon Breaks. However, according to records from the early days of Gate emergence….”
The researcher’s subsequent explanation was bleak.
Association President Ji Jung Hwi, who had been listening in silence, rubbed his throbbing temples as he spoke.
“In other words, if the conquest fails and a sixth Dungeon Break occurs, all of Gangbuk will be in danger.”
“Y-yes, that’s correct. However, fortunately, the energy output is relatively low for its size, so if Justice Guild can reduce the monster population as much as possible….”
“And we’ll lose every Hunter who goes inside.”
The room fell into profound silence.
Yoo Myung Hwa, her throat parched, tore open the water bottle in front of her and drained it in one gulp.
It was Association President Ji Jung Hwi, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the conquest stream displayed on the large screen positioned at one side of the temporary command center, who finally broke the silence.
“Expand the restricted zone and begin evacuation. With military and police cooperation, relocate as many civilians as possible out of Seoul within 48 hours, and guide those who can’t leave to shelters.”
The only consolation was that the Jongno area was already completely empty.
If the evacuation order hadn’t been issued and the surrounding area had been filled with people as usual….
Association President Ji Jung Hwi wanted to squeeze his eyes shut against the horrific image, but instead, he looked toward Yoo Myung Hwa and Sung Ro Sa.
“Can the two Guilds stand by?”
“…Of course.”
“Should I understand that we can enter immediately once the Gate seal is lifted?”
Sung Ro Sa asked with a somewhat aggressive tone.
A healer who was only seventeen years old—his life was now in danger. How heavy must his heart be.
Association President Ji Jung Hwi nodded without any sign of displeasure.
He had lost someone precious to that Gate as well, so he fully understood the feelings of Sung Ro Sa and Yoo Myung Hwa.
Having concluded the emergency meeting, Ji Jung Hwi rose from his seat and spoke.
“Let us hope that Justice Guild clears the Gate safely.”

* * *

The Guild members’ speed as they moved at full capacity rivaled that of an automobile.
Yet it still took considerable time to escape the Commercial District.
The Dungeon’s interior was as vast as an actual city.
“The path is blocked!”
The voice of Ryu Sang Eun, who had taken point as a scout, rang out.
“A Research Complex, you said?”
“It looks like some kind of military base…?”
Such were the first impressions of the Guild members upon finally arriving at the Research Complex.
Towering steel fences, a firmly locked Iron Gate, surveillance cameras mounted on all sides, and guard posts.
It was a desolate scene where one wouldn’t be surprised to see armed soldiers emerge from somewhere.
The absence of any human presence made it all the more eerie.
“I’ll open it.”
Oh Young In, one of Sa Ma Young’s associates, approached the sealed gate.
No matter how sturdy the Iron Gate was, with Oh Young In—a man of massive build and tremendous strength—taking action, it would tear like paper.
Everyone believed this without question.
Yet despite the blue veins bulging across his forearms as he exerted himself, the gate didn’t budge an inch.
Instead, a large red sign appeared before the Iron Gate.

[ No Entry Except Authorized Personnel ]

“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Finally, Yang Hwa Yeon cried out in frustration, and as if answering her, a new System window materialized.

[ A security card is required to enter the Research Complex.
Security Card Fragment Acquisition Zones:
: Residential District ( 0 / 1 )
: Commercial District ( 0 / 1 )
: Ecological Protection Zone ( 0 / 1 ) ]

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