Chapter 45 – New Continent (5)

The base was situated on a low hill. 

It was a kind of fortress built on the hill, surrounded by various boxes and wooden barricades around the hill, with temporarily constructed barracks visible inside. 

When first built, it would have been a considerably solid fortress, but now it was just a trace of the past that had become old and ruined. 

Unlike expectations, the ruined base was not empty. Strange equipment installed at the center of the base was shooting red currents upward into the sky. 

The equipment looked like a round iron sphere about 50 centimeters in diameter, with a thumb-sized jewel floating alone above the iron sphere, spewing red currents up and down. 

Moreover, around the iron sphere, people wearing black cloaks were extending their hands toward the sphere. 

“It’s a barrier stone.” 

Caroline, who saw the jewel floating above the iron sphere, identified the jewel’s identity. 

“The color is different and the iron sphere below is something I’ve never seen before, but that jewel itself is definitely the barrier stone that was placed at the center of the base.” 

The party that had arrived below the hill was hiding behind a large rock that was conveniently placed, observing the base. 

“Do we just need to steal that?” 

Michael stroked his rough chin while looking at the brightly shining jewel, and Sun-woo took out his phone and zoomed in on the jewel in camera mode. 

Contamination Source Level 3 Modified Wide-Area Amplification Stone. 

<Wide-Area Ability Amplification: Modified.> 

“It’s the range support version of personal amplification stones. It plays the role of amplifying the abilities of ability users within the base, so many people call it a barrier stone.” 

The amplification stone was an item Sun-woo also knew. It was the jewel that had tormented the party at the abandoned mansion. 

“That stone has given people trouble multiple times. If we’re going to destroy it, we could do it in one shot from here.” 

“But is it okay to steal a contaminated object?” 

At Hayden’s words, the party all made uncomfortable expressions. That’s when Sun-woo remembered his inventory. 

“It should be fine if I put it in my inventory. I’ve carried contamination spreading agents before and it was okay.” 

At Sun-woo’s words, the party looked relieved. 

After confirming the base’s situation, the party all looked at Michael. In situations like this, Michael with extensive operational experience was definitely the right person. 

He and Sun-woo had devised various operations to extract the barrier stone based on the base map drawn on the beach on the island. 

When it was abandoned with no one guarding it, when someone was guarding it but seemed like manageable opponents, and other cases. 

“Plan C, huh.” 

The current situation made it difficult to know exactly the abilities of those guarding the base, and contaminated creatures roaming nearby might swarm if they heard commotion. 

Fortunately, the attention of those in the base was focused on the central barrier stone, making it somewhat easier to plan operations, but with the need to steal the barrier stone intact, a frontal attack would be too much. 

Michael chose a diversionary tactic, and Sun-woo also agreed with the method he chose. 

“Then I’ll depart first.” 

When the plan was decided, Nan-seol began running back the way the party had come. She would go around the hill widely and pretend to attack the opposite side of the base. Leading several contaminated creatures behind her. 

Next, Michael stepped forward. 

“Is this good enough?” 

He took off his shirt and covered his entire body with mud while showing his white teeth to Sun-woo. With the black man properly camouflaged, it was now difficult to distinguish him from the surroundings at night. 

“Please stay like that for a moment.” 

Sun-woo spread both hands toward Michael. Simultaneously, small exclamations burst from among the party. 

Because Michael’s figure disappeared before the party’s eyes. 

“He really can’t be seen.” 

Michael’s voice flowed from where he had been standing. Daniel looked at Sun-woo with a curious expression at the sight of the deployed illusion. 

“He really seems to have disappeared.” 

“Not really. It feels that way because it’s night, but there will be some sense of incongruity. And if you get more than a certain distance from me or move too quickly, the illusion will be dispelled. Oh, if someone notices you, you’ll be exposed immediately.” 

Though Sun-woo mentioned various limitations, Michael and the other party members’ amazement didn’t diminish. 

“Even that is amazing. If I’m caught looking like this, I’ll really have to bite my tongue and die.” 

Michael’s voice was no longer heard, and Sun-woo’s hands changed direction toward the hill where the base was located. 

The others also tensely checked what they needed to do. 

The plan was simple: when Nan-seol created a commotion, Michael, hidden by illusion, would infiltrate the base, steal the barrier stone, and escape. 

There was a high probability of being discovered when escaping, but the plan was for Sun-woo to block behind with sorcery and Hayden to take the front and break through to the beach. 

Everyone had something to do, but there was one person without a mission. 

“I feel like I’m just baggage.” 

Caroline bowed her head with an apologetic expression. 

Her annihilation ability was quite a frightening ability, but her civilian-level stamina and the slow activation of her ability weren’t suitable for combat. 

But all the party members shook their heads at her words. 

“What you’ve done so far has been more than enough.” 

As Daniel, who was supposed to protect her during escape, said, all the information for getting here and infiltrating the base came from her memories. 

She had been summoned as a guide for this mission anyway. 

Just following along and confirming up to the final site had certainly been an overflowing contribution. 

It was some time after the party finished preparing. 

Loud sounds began to be heard from beyond the hill where the base was located. The rough voices of beasts pierced through the night sky and reached where the party was. 

Nan-seol had brought the contaminated creatures. 

On the hill. Those gathered at the center of the base began murmuring. 

Soon, at the gesture of one standing separately on the other side, half the personnel went down the hill. Now was the opportunity. 

“Going.” 

Michael’s voice was heard from the empty air in front of the rock, and Sun-woo raised his internal energy further while extending his hand. 

***

Michael infiltrated the base while melding into the darkness. 

Inside the base was very dark except for the center. Broken weapons and equipment were scattered everywhere, and wooden stakes soaked in blood and left abandoned told of past battles. 

Now the commotion heard from the opposite hill was getting farther away. The remaining ones were still busy looking down the hill with their backs turned, and only the barrier stone was alone casting light. 

Then one of those looking down the hill turned his head and glanced around where Michael was standing. Though his face couldn’t be seen hidden by the pulled-over cloak, he definitely checked the place where Michael was standing. 

But the opponent didn’t notice anything strange at all and turned his gaze back down the hill. 

‘They really can’t detect me.’ 

Michael was naturally amazed. 

Though he said he was moving carefully, the place where he stood was completely exposed by the light flowing from the barrier stone. 

But thanks to the illusion Sun-woo had cast, no one could notice that he was here. Not just his appearance, but also sounds and even his shadow. It wasn’t making him transparent but making those looking unable to perceive him. 

‘With this kind of technique, making money would be really easy.’ 

Crime and various dark-side money-making schemes came to Michael’s mind. 

But he soon shook his head and focused on the current operation. He himself was no longer tied to money like before thanks to points and association work. 

‘Good.’ 

Moving as carefully as possible after that, he finally arrived right in front of the barrier stone. 

Fortunately, the gazes of those wearing cloaks continued to be directed down the hill. 

Nan-seol was really doing well. She was now circling around continuously, being followed not only by contaminated beasts but also by the cloaked figures. 

Despite Nan-seol’s fierce battle, the diversionary operation wouldn’t last very long. Her speed of escape was rapidly decreasing. There seemed to be someone among those chasing her who had the ability to interfere with her movements. 

‘Tsk, anyway, it’s no fun when only nice people are gathered.’ 

He who had glanced to confirm Nan-seol’s situation immediately reached for the barrier stone despite his words. 

Screech! 

It was the moment Michael snatched the barrier stone. An tremendous scream burst out from underground. 

Simultaneously, Michael’s figure appeared on the hill. 

“As expected, I got caught right away!” 

Michael, frowning, began running toward where the party was. 

And behind him, the cloaked figures began pursuing. Four cloaked figures began running toward him without saying anything, and two of them extended their hands toward Michael. 

Bang! Bang! 

Fireballs the size of human heads shot from their hands toward Michael. 

“What are you doing!” 

When Michael felt his back getting hot and his hair standing on end, he shouted forward. 

Crash crash crash! 

Simultaneously, earth walls shot up behind Michael and blocked the fireballs. 

“Nice!” 

Michael shouted in joy and threw the barrier stone in his hand to Sun-woo who was waiting below. 

The barrier stone flew through the air into Sun-woo’s hand and immediately disappeared into his phone’s inventory. 

Screech! 

Below the base. The screams heard from the entire hill grew louder, and dark red light began swirling around the entire hill. 

“What’s all this commotion! Everyone run!” 

Michael shouted to the party while happily running down the hill, but the party was already running before him. 

Following Michael, Sun-woo continued lifting earth to build earth walls. Those following weren’t easy either and continued to follow by jumping over earth walls or destroying them with fireballs, but the distance didn’t narrow due to Sun-woo’s interference. 

“Don’t look back! It only slows your steps!” 

Michael shouted at Caroline who kept looking behind. Caroline’s face was full of suspicion as she kept looking back. 

Because the abilities of the cloaked figures following behind were very familiar. 

Her thoughts were brief as the urgent situation meant she could no longer pay attention to such doubts due to sounds approaching from far away. 

The savage cries of beasts were gradually approaching this place. 

Contamination sources from the surroundings were swarming in groups. 

The party all ran toward the beach where they had first landed, and Nan-seol on the opposite side also ran toward the beach as soon as she heard the screams. 

***

“Hmm. Feels like we got properly beaten.” 

The cloaked figure remaining alone placed her hand on her waist and sighed. 

A seductive voice and slender figure. The one who had been giving orders to other cloaked figures seemed to be a woman. 

The base had completely become a mess. 

Screams still came from underground, and dark red currents filled and swirled around the entire hill. 

Moreover, even the large iron sphere that had been under the barrier stone was split in half, with all the powder inside spilling out. 

Red energy continued escaping from the spilling powder. 

“Oh no. Even the medicinal materials we were contaminating have all become useless.” 

She sighed and threw back her cloak. A slender Latin beauty revealed herself from within the cloak. She was Charlotte, Caroline’s former colleague and a contaminated summoned. And she was a powerful spatial transporter. 

Her hand opened and a gate was created in mid-air. 

“Hey, why did you suddenly call me out?” 

Shortly after, a red-eyed swordsman appeared from within the gate.