The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

“Uh, there’s a strange creature ahead! What should we do?”

Kieek. Grrr.

From the ominously glowing red gate, small, grotesque, monkey-like creatures crawled out.

Click. Clack-clack.

The soldiers, positioned behind a temporary concrete barricade, aimed their rifles at the creatures. A sergeant turned to the commanding officer for instructions.

“All troops, hold steady! Don’t fire yet! We haven’t received the order to shoot.”

“What? We’re supposed to wait?”

Murmurs rippled through the ranks. Visibly ominous and menacing creatures. Their numbers were growing, and the soldiers’ anxiety increased.

“They’re approaching! What should we do?”

More than fifty bizarre monkey monsters were slowly advancing towards the barricade.

“Do not shoot! The higher-ups ordered us to capture them alive!”

“What? Capture them?”

“They want us to capture those things?”

“Are they insane?”

How on earth were they supposed to capture those things?

“Fix bayonets!”

‘This is madness!’

Even seasoned soldiers had never faced something like this, let alone an actual monkey. The officer knew this was an insane order but raised his voice regardless.

“It’s a command! Fix bayonets and prepare for close combat!”

That’s the way the military works. Right or wrong, you follow orders and at least pretend to comply. And this scene wasn’t isolated to just this location.

At various defensive lines nearby, more soldiers were doubting their ears as the same nonsensical command to fix bayonets was given.

“This is lunacy! Those aren’t animals; they’re monsters! In Connect, you’d need to be at least level 20 to even stand a chance! Do you really intend to send these guys to their deaths?”

Many sergeants were Connect enthusiasts. Of course, they recognized these creatures and understood the gravity of the situation. Expecting ordinary soldiers to fend off these creatures with just bayonets, despite the system’s enhancements?

That was akin to a death sentence. Unsurprisingly, dissenting voices were heard from various quarters.

“Damn it. Just hold on. We’re continuously reporting to the higher-ups. Do they even know what’s happening on the ground?”

The officers weren’t fools. Constant radio communications were flowing as they repeatedly sought confirmation from command.

Meanwhile, the entire scene was being filmed by cameras on nearby buildings and drones.

*

“What’s with all the complaints? We’re not even asking them to kill people. In my day, you did what you were told without a second thought. Discipline has really gone downhill!”

A general with stars on his shoulder mumbled, his face twisted in annoyance.

“It’s a shameful display. I apologize for the unsightly scene. We’re extremely grateful for your visit and encouragement, esteemed delegates.”

“Hahaha, it’s understandable. Those soldiers think they can just shoot their guns and be done with it. But capturing them alive is invaluable for the future. It’s all for the good of the nation, after all.”

“Exactly. That’s why we spend money training them, isn’t it? They should naturally cooperate in serving the country.”

The command room wasn’t just filled with high-ranking military officers. Numerous men in suits adorned with golden badges of distinction were present. Some executives from major corporations also had taken seats.

They’re not Earthly life forms, so their research value is immense. Securing proper samples could literally mean sitting on a goldmine. The reason these honorable delegates bothered to visit was essentially that.

Since the gates appeared, a massive influx of lobbying from various companies, research institutes, and academic organizations seeking research samples had been ongoing.

“In any case, we’re counting on you. As you dedicate yourselves to the nation, rest assured the nation will reward you handsomely.”

“Hahaha, of course.”

For these scheming individuals, the safety of soldiers and civilians was of no concern.

*

Bang.

Major Kim Jung-hwan slammed the radio down harshly, exhaling sharply through his nose.

“Damn it, everyone prepare to fire!”

The sergeant beside him looked at the major with a startled expression.

“Is this okay? The order was clear….”

“Hell. What’s the alternative? Let my men die while I stand by? I’d rather strip off my uniform than watch such a thing.”

The sergeant saluted with a resolute expression.

“If it comes to that, I’ll stand with you. There’s no need for these youngsters to waste their lives here.”

“If we get discharged, I might really dive into Connect. Turns out, it was quite my thing. And there’s something strange going on too.”

Though he said that, Kim Jung-hwan’s expression wasn’t exactly cheerful.

Szzzt.

A small spark leapt from his hand holding the rifle. Despite only connecting during his sleep hours, he was a highly ranked player, sitting comfortably within the top 3,000.

“If they get within 30 meters, open fire! Stay sharp and aim before shooting!”

Even the company commander aimed his rifle at the monsters. But not all officers shared his conviction.

“Keep your safeties on! Anyone who fires before the order will answer to me!”

Many officers insisted on strictly following orders despite the soldiers’ and sergeants’ complaints.

Grrr.

Seemingly emboldened by the unfamiliar environment, the huddled monsters finally started moving. And the response wasn’t bullets, but a loudspeaker announcement.

“Attention, unauthorized lifeforms! You are currently trespassing on the territory of the Republic of Korea. Disarm and surrender immediately, or we will open fire. This is….”

Perhaps conscious of the cameras. Or was there a manual for encountering aliens?

The company commander politely issued a warning to the monsters through the loudspeaker. The faces of the soldiers who played Connect turned pale.

‘Damn. He’s just going to provoke the monsters!’

‘Crazy bastard. If you want to die, do it alone!’

The soldiers’ worries soon became reality. The group of monsters, which had been cautiously scattering, snapped their heads toward the loudspeaker. Their ears flapped as they bared their saw-like teeth.

Rumbling.

In a pack, they charged towards the loudspeaker.

“Stop! I’m warning you! If you come any closer… Hng.”

The soldiers had no time to thrust their bayonets with trembling hands.

Whoosh!

The monkey-like creatures leapt skyward, reaching the barricade.

Swoosh.

Splat!

Slice.

“Aaah!”

“C-Company Commander!”

“What are you waiting for? Stab them!”

The pack of monkey monsters, which had leapt over 20 meters, tore the company commander holding the loudspeaker to shreds. The ensuing close-quarters combat was brutal.

Most of the soldiers’ bayonet thrusts sliced through empty air, while the nimble monkey monsters scattered, slashing at everything with their sharp claws.

“Ah! My leg!”

“Medic! Ugh.”

“Die, you damn monkey!”

Kreeeek!

Compared to the seemingly impervious monkey monsters that kept moving even after being stabbed a few times, the human soldiers were fragile.

Even non-fatal cuts on their ankles, backs, or arms rendered them incapable of continuing the fight.

“Grr, save me….”

Those struck in vital areas like the neck, stomach, or chest fell to the ground, blood frothing from their mouths.

At that moment.

Bang! Ratatat! Tutu-tutu!

Gunfire erupted from somewhere afar.

“Damn it. Shoot! Kill them all!”

Only then did the soldiers remember they were holding guns and hastily began firing back. But it was too late. Half of them couldn’t even switch their safety catches off, standing dazed.

And the remaining half…

Bang!

“Ah!”

“Don’t shoot! Stop firing!”

“Die, bastards!”

Ratatat.

The danger of friendly fire became a harsh reality. Despite aiming at close range, the agile monsters mostly dodged the bullets, which instead hit their fellow soldiers.

A single company was incapacitated in mere moments.

*

Bang!

“These idiots! Defeated by mere monkeys?”

In the operation command room, footage from various battle zones was displayed. Except for areas led by officers like Major Kim Jung-hwan, who had clear judgment, most units were sustaining enormous casualties.

The very idea of confronting monsters with bayonets was absurd, but the brass here seemed incapable of grasping that reality.

“W-what should we do?”

A subordinate officer asked with a panicked expression, prompting the enraged general in the command room to shout.

“What do you mean, what should we do? Handle it yourself! Do I have to command every little detail?”

‘Damn it.’

The blame-shifting began already. Later, he’d likely deny ever giving those orders. Despite everything, the remaining officers had to act.

‘Perhaps it’s for the best. At least now action is being taken.’

Sometimes, incompetence is best served by non-intervention. Young operation officers hurried to relay new instructions to the troops.

Belatedly, orders to open fire were sent, and support weapons began to blaze. Units on standby moved to manage the casualties.

“Ahem. We were never here today.”

Hastily, the gold-badged officials were seen fleeing the operations room as if escaping. But were they aware?

The officers in the command room had already secured video footage of their presence.

Bang!

“Dammit! What a disgrace! How the hell did we train these soldiers!”

The clueless high-ranking officers were one thing, but the situation was far from over.

“Gasp! An orange gate! An orange gate is beginning to open!”

“We’re getting reports that a yellow gate is also starting to light up…!”

The officers’ faces began to turn pale.

*

Bang! Thud!

Ratatat, click-clack!

Bang, ratatat!

“Shoot! Keep firing!”

“Where are the artillery units!”

“Medic! We’ve got casualties here!”

In the heart of the city. One could hardly believe this was the capital of South Korea, seoul. Gunfire echoed from all around, accompanied by the harsh explosions of heavy weapons.

The tank cannons firing from the roads added to the chaos. This place had long become a battlefield. Police and reservists were bustling behind the defensive lines set up by the military.

“Move quickly! There’s a shelter at Sadang Station.”

“This area is dangerous! Women, children, and the elderly, please board the prepared buses.”

After the monsters appeared, those hurriedly dispatched were busy evacuating citizens to safety zones. But the constant messages over their radios filled them with despair.

‘Crackle. Shelters 1 to 3 in Sadang are full. Please guide them to another location.’

‘Nakseongdae is already packed. Is there no other place?’

‘Lead them to any empty commercial buildings. Right now, getting as far from the gate as possible is the priority.’

In this densely populated area. The monster crisis in the heart of Seoul, one of the densest cities, triggered uncontrollable chaos.

Unprepared evacuation orders led to a bleak future. There weren’t enough places to evacuate the citizens, and no supplies had been prepared.

But they couldn’t stop moving; several defensive lines had already been breached, resulting in direct civilian casualties.

Ratatat!

“Damn it, why won’t they die!”

“Commander, the shells have no effect!”

“We’re doomed! That’s a barrier!”

They could manage the lowest F and E-Grade gates. The monsters from these gates were fierce but susceptible to bullets. But D-Grade was different.

A faint shimmer surrounded the bodies of these monsters. It was a defensive barrier that neutralized physical attacks.

‘I thought bullets would at least work!’

Swords, spears, arrows—cold weapons—had inherent limits to their destructive power. But from guns to cannons that used gunpowder, the physical force was different.

So-called experts on television continuously boasted that even if Connect’s monsters appeared, modern weaponry would suffice.

But reality was harsh. The physical laws twisted by mana rendered modern Earth weapons useless. Bullets and shells failed to penetrate the barrier.

“Enough talk, just shoot! If you keep shooting, you’ll break through eventually!”

Of course, they weren’t entirely ineffective. The barrier was also a phenomenon created by mana. Bullets worked on monsters once their mana was depleted and the barrier vanished.

However, it took hundreds of bullets to bring one down to that point.

“Even if we can’t kill them, we can stop them! Keep firing to push them back!”

While they couldn’t kill them outright, they could prevent them from getting closer. This was why the unit could still maintain their defensive line.

“Medium-size monster approaching the front!”

“Damn it, concentrate fire!”

“It’s no good! We can’t stop it. It’s getting closer!”

Boom! Thud!

The monster advancing while taking tank shells head-on was a nearly three-meter-tall Lizardman warrior. The Lizardman warrior, with a lizard-like face, walked towards them, covering its face with its hand, then raised its trident over its shoulder.

Whoosh, bang!

The trident thrown by the Lizardman hit the front of the tank over the heads of the soldiers. Imbued with mana, the trident pierced the thick armor and delved into the engine, silencing the tank.

Roar!

The Lizardman warrior raised its fist and roared in triumph, as slightly smaller Lizardmen followed, advancing confidently.

“Our firepower is insufficient! We can’t stop them. Damn!”

‘Is this the end?’

The Lizardmen had reached the front of the unit.

Grrr.

The stench of decay hit their noses just then.

“Fall back!”

“Cease fire!”

Whoosh, thud!

A sharp pipe pierced the head of the leading Lizardman.

Boom, boom, boom!

Massive fireballs clashed with the monsters and exploded.

Whoosh, thud!

A volley of arrows from somewhere pierced through the monsters.

“Cease fire.”

Amidst the sudden change, the company commander ordered a halt to the shooting.

Fwoosh.

A black shadow materialized, blocking the path of the Lizardman warrior.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Kim Ilwoo and the members of the Purple Guild appeared on the battlefield in Seoul, near the C-Grade gate.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:
Damn, this chapter is intense. Also, I hope those incompetent bitches get their just desserts.
Most politicians, anywhere in the world, are incompetent. Competent politicians are few and far between.