Chapter 28

The infection was spreading uncontrollably, and the Korean government was in a state of crisis. Hospitals were overflowing, the streets were in chaos, and the number of infected was rising exponentially. In a desperate move, the government reached out to neighboring countries and the United States for assistance.

A high-level meeting was held via video conference, with representatives from Japan, China, the United States, and other neighboring countries. The atmosphere was tense, the sense of urgency palpable.

"We need immediate assistance," the Korean Association Chairman said, "This virus is spreading faster than we can contain it. Our people are suffering, and we need international support."

The representatives from the neighboring countries and the US were sympathetic but uncertain. "We are willing to help," said the US Secretary of State, "but we need more information on the nature of this virus. Our experts are ready to collaborate with yours."

"We've never seen anything like this," added the Japanese representative. "Our resources are at your disposal, but we need to understand what we're dealing with."

Despite their willingness to help, there was a sense of helplessness among the international leaders. The virus was unlike anything they had encountered, and conventional methods seemed ineffective.

Meanwhile, Jinwoo was deep in the hell dungeon, driven by a single goal. He had seen one of the craftable items he obtained from the dungeon and was convinced it could heal his sister and perhaps even his mother. But he needed to hurry. The thought of his only family members being in almost the same state was unbearable, and he couldn't imagine what he would do if something unexpected happened to them.

Kade stood on the rooftop of a tall building, surveying the city below. His eyes gleamed with a cold, calculated intent. With a single gesture, he activated his connection to the infected, issuing a silent command that reverberated through their minds.

The infected moved with an eerie coordinated movements. They spread out across the city, their vacant eyes and robotic movements striking terror into the hearts of the few uninfected individuals left. The once bustling streets were now scenes of chaos and destruction as the infected began to destroy everything in their path.

Buildings were set ablaze, cars overturned, and debris littered the streets. The sound of shattering glass and distant screams filled the air. The city, once a symbol of progress and civilization, now resembled a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

The hunters could do nothing. They were too scared to kill the infected, thinking they were still human. So they did what they could, evacuate the area. All the hunters below B rank were infected, leaving only a few hunters to defend the city. They were vastly outnumbered and couldn't bring themselves to kill the infected, who were still people.

Kade didn't think it would progress this fast. He was caught off guard but pleased with the outcome. He had underestimated his ability, but it had worked out in the end.

After a few days, the capital of Korea was lost. It was a sad sight, with flames everywhere and most of the buildings destroyed. Strangely, all the infected were nowhere to be seen.

In a temporary base somewhere secluded in Korea, all the association staff and top guilds of Korea gathered.

"I can't believe it…we lost Seoul in mere days," said Yoonho, looking at the ground with clenched teeth.

Choi Jong-In couldn't believe it either. They could take it back, but that would mean killing every infected person, which they couldn't bring themselves to do.

Chairman Go was the most affected, seated in a chair looking like he had aged dozens of years in just a few days. Beside him was a new person, as Jinchul had gone missing, likely related to the newly spread virus.

"Of all my years on this earth…why couldn't it wait for me to die before this happens," Go said, looking at the sky with tired eyes as if he was just waiting for his time.

All of them were quiet, thinking about what to do moving forward. Despite their depression and shock, they still had some hope.

After a few days of Sung Jinha, Jinwoo's sister, getting infected, he came up with a cure that seemed to heal her. Not only that, but he was able to cure his mother too.

He gave them one bottle of a red potion he used to heal his family, but it was still being studied before they could use it to hopefully take back Seoul and heal all the infected people.

A few hours passed, and Chairman Go was reading the report on studies concerning the infected. As he reached the bottom, he was shocked, so shocked he dropped the reports he was reading.

"Chairman, what's wrong?" Baek and Choi asked simultaneously as they rushed to catch the falling Chairman.

"T-that thing they found inside the infected…I've seen that before," Go said, taking a seat due to his weak knees.

"What do you mean, Chairman? It's just a black slime, likely an infected part of the body," Baek replied.

"No…that thing, I can't be mistaken. That's Kade's ability," Go said.

Shock rippled through the crowd as they processed Chairman Go's words. They couldn't believe a single hunter caused this mess, even if he was the strongest in Korea. Then they realized Kade's guild members seemed somehow connected, his ability to consume living beings, and his absence since the virus started spreading.

"What do we do, Chairman Go? If this is true, we need to find Kade and find the answer to all of this," Baek said, clenching his teeth.

"No, if he wanted this to happen, finding him will only result in us turning the same as them," Choi interjected, thinking about the whole situation.

While they were discussing what to do, Jinwoo emerged from one of the tents, his black coat fluttering in the wind.

"I'll go," he stated, drawing everyone's attention.

"Yes, Jinwoo and I will go. That way, we can escape if we have to," Baek said, starting to get ready.

"No, I will go alone. Bringing anyone with me will only hinder me," Jinwoo said, looking at Baek.

Everyone fell silent, clenching their fists. They were all at the top of the food chain before this happened. Now, the only thing they could do was place their hope on a single young man. Baek didn't take offense at what Jinwoo said, he wasn't dumb. In the battle between Jinwoo and Kade, he would only hold Jinwoo back.

"Okay, we believe in you, Jinwoo. But what's your plan?" Chairman Go asked, preparing anything Jinwoo needed for the confrontation.