Chapter 35

Episode 35. Crocodile

***

“Brothers.”

“Today, thanks to everyone’s efforts, we have finally succeeded in summoning the King of Darkness into this world.”

“The blood of the insignificant creatures of this city and the other blasphemous gods will nourish the King of Darkness as he breaks free from this egg and claims the world.”

“You cannot see the bird without breaking the egg.”

“The egg is a world, and today, our lord and master, the King of Darkness, is using his beak to destroy that world.”

“Praise eternity! Praise the King of Darkness—”

***

A massive explosion shook the ground and split the sky.

The surface of the earth seemed to dance, spewing dust into the air, and a giant mushroom cloud rose over Yulje-myeon City Center.

The First God-Killing Weapon. A Tactical Nuclear Warhead.

Fortunately, the armored vehicle we were in seemed to be outside the direct blast radius. Though about half of Yulje-myeon City Center had vanished.

The dust cloud and fierce winds created by the explosion swept through the area, obscuring everything. Nothing was visible.

“Did we get it?”

The eyeball-tentacle balloon that had been hovering over the city seemed to have either died or crashed to the ground. It was too early to tell, but it didn’t seem like it was still alive.

Our vehicle slowly moved away from the epicenter.

The armored vehicle aimed its cannon at something in the distance. Each time the main gun fired, it shook the vehicle and kicked up more dust.

***

I looked at the cat.

“Administrator. What the hell was that?”

“Sorry if I startled you.”

“Even so, dropping a nuclear bomb on the city just based on my opinion? Civilians or allies could have been caught in the blast.”

Actually, the chances of that were slim.

The direct kill radius of a tactical nuclear warhead is about 200 meters. The primary kill mechanism is neutron radiation.

The physical destruction radius is smaller.

There were no allies within the blast radius, and even if something had been there, it wouldn’t have caused significant damage to the armored vehicle.

Anyway.

Christopher shook his head.

“You seem to be under a misconception. I am the Foundation Administrator. I don’t need anyone’s permission to make decisions.”

“Even to blow up a city without hesitation?”

“It wasn’t just your opinion, Dr. Kim. It was *your* opinion. There’s no time to consult other experts right now.”

That… I can’t argue with that.

I shut my mouth.

The Administrator is one of the few high-ranking positions in the Foundation.

Even if Christopher is currently in the form of a cat, he’s still the top authority of the most powerful organization on Earth.

“Understood.”

“Is the eyeball balloon moving?”

“It seems to be moving still.”

“Let me ask again, Dr. Kim. What do you think we should do here?”

I closed my eyes for a moment and began to think.

I don’t know what threats are lurking in Yulje-myeon City Center right now, but the chances of anything surviving a nuclear blast are slim.

Civilians included.

No matter how strong or tenacious a supernatural creature is, most can be defeated with enough firepower. The Reality Adjuster we met before was like that, and so was the Returnee.

In the end, it’s a matter of firepower. If the problem isn’t solved, we need to increase the firepower.

I sighed.

There’s no need to place hypothetical civilians in the target zone and proceed with the operation, is my thought.

At a glance, the city is overrun with zombies and all sorts of monsters. The chances of ordinary civilians surviving a nuclear blast are slim.

“Since we’ve already used a tactical nuclear warhead, it might be safer to use a few more to cover the entire Yulje-myeon City Center before entering.”

Christopher nodded.

“You’re right. Whether it’s an information lifeform, a divine entity, or whatever, nothing can function properly after a nuclear blast and fallout. We’ll fire one more shot. Let’s pop that balloon and send the Special Forces into the city.”

The cat climbed back onto the communication equipment.

“Firing the warhead.”

***

After the test, as Oppenheimer sat in the desert, a second mushroom cloud began to rise over Yulje-myeon City Center.

“Dr. Kim, grab the mic. Let’s give the order.”

Christopher looked at me. I unfolded my arms and grabbed the mic on the communication equipment.

“All units, advance toward Yulje-myeon City Center. Avoid entering the epicenter directly.”

It’s a command that could lead to casualties.

We don’t know what we’re fighting, and there’s still radioactive fallout in the area. The Foundation’s armored vehicles began advancing toward Yulje-myeon City Center again.

I sat in front of the communication equipment.

***

[This is Special Forces ‘Misteltein.’]

[The tactical nuclear warhead has been successfully launched.]

[There are multiple hostile entities in the city. We will eliminate as many as possible before disembarking.]

[Engaging hostiles!]

[Special Forces Misteltein is now moving into the city on foot. Requesting fire support.]

[This is the Science Officer of Special Forces ‘Flame of Purification.’]

[Supernatural Phenomenon P-1682, ‘Crocodile,’ has been confirmed at the scene. It is a regenerative-type entity. Prepare special ammunition.]

[Supernatural Phenomenon O-1129, ‘Wooden Dolls,’ has been confirmed in large numbers at the scene. Assume hostile group intervention and proceed with caution.]

[Radiation levels in the city have been measured. Operations in Yulje-myeon City Center are currently possible. Do not enter the epicenter on foot.]

[We will escort the command vehicle.]

[This is Dr. Kim. We are within the expected range, and no escort is needed. We are also in a tank. Proceed as planned.]

[Special Forces ‘Misteltein’ has successfully entered the city. Deploying God-Killing Gas.]

[You may enter the city.]

***

Was dropping a tactical nuke the right move?

At this point, it’s impossible to know.

When we get to the scene, there might not be a single hostile monster, just the vaporized remains of humans buried in the epicenter.

It doesn’t look like it, though.

*Drrrrrrrrrrr.*

The machine gun mounted on the armored vehicle swept the area.

Most of the buildings in Yulje-myeon were low-rise, some made of tin or brick instead of concrete. Not ideal cover against a machine gun.

A significant number of buildings were helplessly torn apart by the machine gun fire, along with the humanoid figures hiding inside.

“Can you see what it is?”

Christopher frowned at the screen. The things visible on the screen were oddly familiar.

“Looks like Wooden Dolls. I’m not sure yet.”

“Wooden Dolls?”

Ugh, creepy.

Why are those things here? It seems like those crazy artists from the museum are here. I don’t know what they want.

“I’ll just mow them all down.”

The Wooden Dolls began approaching the armored vehicle in a zombie-like manner. Who knows what the ones who made them are hiding.

The armored vehicle began reversing.

We need to see who’s there—

*Boom! Boom! Boom!* A series of explosions rang out. The buildings in front of the armored vehicle crumbled like sandcastles.

I looked at the city. Up close, the scene was even more grotesque. The effects of the Anti-Hallucinogen Pill were still active.

It was a horrifying and incomprehensible sight.

Bizarre, multicolored plants sprouted everywhere, and some buildings were twisted into shapes that shouldn’t exist, unable to collapse properly.

Wooden Dolls, zombies, and grotesque humanoid monsters filled the streets.

The machine gun opened fire again.

I decided to ignore the gunfire. The smell of gunpowder and the shock were intense, but we’d be firing all day. I can’t be startled every time.

Still, the Wooden Dolls and zombies were turned to dust. Even a graze from a bullet shattered their heads and sent limbs flying.

“We should have brought the science team.”

“I agree. If we could have used helicopters, we would have. It’s a shame.”

The situation is still going smoothly—

“This is the tank commander. Something is pursuing our vehicle.”

“Large hostile entity. Maneuvering.”

The armored vehicle began moving forward at full speed. The tank crew must be planning to escape.

A large hostile entity or something—

Ah, there it is.

The ground radar information from the armored vehicle appeared on the screen. The positions of allies and large hostile entities were marked on the battlefield map.

“It’s coming this way?”

The armored vehicle, fleeing at full speed, creaked madly. *Boom! Boom! Boom!* The main gun fired as many rounds as it could at the pursuer.

The thing chasing us finally quieted down after taking about three 105mm shells. We finally got a good look at the monster.

“Do you know what that is?”

“Hmm. A giant… crocodile?”

“I don’t know.”

We’re screwed.

***

First, calmly assess the situation.

Inside this armored vehicle, there are five people besides me. Three tank crew members, one engineer, and one Special Forces member.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

I pressed my temples. I don’t even know which of the five is screaming. Not that it’s not a situation worth screaming about.

I’ll figure out a solution this time too.