[Shelter — Eterno Cheongdam]
A new base, reborn through purification on defiled land where mana once rotted. The decayed interior, under your direction and with full financial support from Brody Wilder, has been transformed into a multifunctional mansion. Now it has everything: from hotel-level amenities to equipment for research and combat training.
[Main Effects]
– Mana accumulation speed +35% (Epic)
– Increased efficiency of mana recovery and purification of magical circuits for magic- and occult-type characters (Rare)
– After full sleep inside the shelter — a slight increase in combat power during the next sortie (Rare)
– Reduced charging and cooldown time of magical items (Magic)
Gunther’s fists, as he read the description, clenched involuntarily. The fact that the very first shelter had received four main effects already counted as a success, but both their ranks and their properties suited him perfectly. Not a single one of them was useless.
“Good, there are even combat buffs.”
Right now, the situation demanded squeezing the maximum out of every possible source of strengthening. Thanks to his intervention and Seraz’s help, Albino Lacreta’s plan involving the “Mother” had failed. Most likely, that had been Albino’s trump card.
“He must have planned to raise the Mother and target the mayor.”
If Mayor Mihela had fallen that way, the situation would have become far worse than a normal successful assassination. The Border City would have turned into a true forward outpost of Luthien.
But now that path was cut off. Which meant Albino had very few options left.
“They’ve probably started pressuring him in the metropolis as well.”
Before launching a full-scale offensive, Luthien wanted to seize the Border City at all costs — a genuine gold mine.
“In a situation where the city needs to be presented to his country as quickly as possible, he’ll eventually take ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) a reckless step.”
Summon the armed groups of the Cult of Abundance and stage a coup right in the center of the city. The hidden Luthien fanatics and the bought forces would rise simultaneously, and the city would be turned upside down. This route had existed in the game as well. If you preemptively blocked Albino’s other operations, the scenario inevitably converged here.
From Gunther’s perspective — someone who would soon have to throw himself straight into the epicenter of that chaos — there was no need to explain how valuable growth and stat bonuses were for the group members.
However, the breakthrough of “Eterno Cheongdam” did not end there.
[Additional Effects]
While staying in “Eterno Cheongdam” for a certain period, the rate of affinity growth with allies increases. “Deep Communication” also becomes available, and the chance of unlocking hidden events for each companion rises significantly. In addition, there are various interaction events that can occur only at the base. Try to stay here often to strengthen bonds with your comrades.
※ This shelter received an especially thorough surveillance and security system during the design phase. In particular, the presence of a dedicated room for an Arcane Runner helps maintain the security system, increasing the overall protection level of the facility.
※ In the future, through upgrades and reinforcement of rooms, new effects can be added. A shelter is a growing space. The more resources you invest, the more powerful and diverse functions will be unlocked.
...Perfect. Gunther closed the message with satisfaction.
[Alphonse of Red Street asks what “Eterno Cheongdam” is?]
Eterno Cheongdam? That was the name of the residential complex he used to look at across the Han River when he briefly worked at a factory in Seongjeong-dong. When he climbed up to the rooftop to rest, he would see those beautiful houses on the other side.
Here — rusted railings. There — golden windows. Sometimes it felt suffocating to think that a whole lifetime wouldn’t be enough to cross that distance between the banks... And yet, it stirred something in him — a spark, a drive: one day, he would live in a place like that with the people he cared about.
That was why he chose this name. In the hope that this place would become a good home for everyone, just like that small wish from the past.
— Gunther, aren’t you coming in?
Gunther lifted his head at the calm voice. Everyone had already gone inside to look around the house, and only Dimona Ryen was still standing by the door, waiting for him.
“......”
The sunset was dying out. The light, slowly painting the city in crimson hues, barely reached the Lower City. And yet the house filled with lively voices, and the golden eyes of the companion waiting for him, glowed with a strange warmth, as if they had gathered the last remnants of that sunset.
— I’m coming.
Gunther inhaled shortly, his gaze fixed on her.
Uuuun—
The tips of his fingers flared red, and a faint warmth spread through the air. Following that, several slowly blossoming red lanterns, intertwining like chains, flowed along the walls, wrapping around the entire building.
[Unique area declared: “Red Lantern”]
[This is a place where those the owner wishes to protect reside]
[All objects inside “Eterno Cheongdam” receive bonuses to stealth and defense]
Act 1, Chapter 5. With the hope that even after that terrible calamity, this place and its inhabitants would remain safe. Gunther stepped inside.
***
The next few days were best described as “the calm before the storm.” While waiting for news from Seraz, Gunther’s plan was simple: use every available resource together with his companions to increase combat strength and prepare.
But first, there were a few things to take care of.
First, he needed to enlighten Eddie Wilder and Roanna about the coming situation. Unlike the others, those two had been dragged into this almost by accident. Their strength was still insufficient, and it was obvious that once an open war with Luthien began, their “gang” would be in danger.
Gunther had been prepared for a difficult conversation. But the reaction was unexpected.
— ...We kinda already know?
— What?
— Bro.
Roanna gave a faint smile and continued:
— We’ve got eyes too. Me and all my people.
— ...I see.
— So don’t treat us like fragile porcelain.
She casually shook her head, her tone calm.
— We’re flies that would’ve died a long time ago if it weren’t for you, bro. Use us however you want. We’re used to it.
— Used to it, huh...
— We’re the bottom, — Roanna smiled again, rubbing her tattooed, scarred arms as if she were cold. — Corporations that chop us up for parts; city authorities that take bribes and look the other way; cultists who open shelters just to steal children... We’ve lived side by side with all that shit our whole lives. So conditions like this right now — honestly, it’s practically heaven.
It wasn’t the bravado of someone who didn’t understand the situation. Nor was it cynicism. It felt closer to loyalty and hope.
— But still, thanks for saying it. You really are different, bro.
Before heading into her room, Roanna waved her hand.
— And thanks for this too. Who else would just give us something like this for free.
In her other hand, she held a training manual — “Art of the Pure Heart: Revised Edition,” which Gunther had been working on recently. A version completely reworked with advice from the King of Ninety-Nine Defeats, so that even those unfamiliar with cultivation techniques could begin training easily. ...From behind the closed door, a quiet voice could be heard:
— I’ll get stronger as soon as I can and help.
[Affinity with Roanna increases]
.
.
.
Eddie’s reaction was exactly as expected.
— Of course you’re not going to throw us to those monsters.
Gunther silently nodded. Eddie sighed and ran a hand through his thinning hair.
— But it’s going to get a hell of a lot more dangerous, that’s for sure. Their lackeys are no joke either.
— ...You’re worried about your men.
— I don’t give a damn about myself. I owe you my life, more than once. But the guys... Damn it, well, the moment they chose this life, they should’ve been ready for it. I get that.
Gunther looked at him for a moment, then quietly added:
— Anyone who wants to can step out.
Eddie lowered his head and fell silent. Then he let out a short laugh.
— You serious? This is exactly the kind of situation where every bit of help counts, isn’t it?
— Yes. That’s true. The more people in the Lower City we can mobilize, the better.
After all, the plan to seize the city would begin from the bottom. But there was always something more important than efficiency. Gunther lightly punched Eddie on the shoulder.
— You’ll work twice as hard for them, right?
[Affinity with Eddie increases]
Eddie clenched his fists.
— Thanks for saying that, Gunther.
— It’s nothing... In the end, you’ll be fighting. I’ll make sure to tell Yor Ladenbach about your courage.
— In that case, put me on the front line.
Despite the joke, Eddie’s face didn’t brighten completely. Gunther was finally able to share at least a little of his feelings. The anxiety for subordinates you’ve been responsible for over years. He himself, only recently beginning to understand the weight of the word “command,” had felt his head spinning these days.
“Seraz must have it even worse right now.”
He recalled her face when she silently lowered her head upon seeing the insect. A week had passed since then.
What was happening inside the Public Security Bureau remained unknown from the outside. But judging from the information gathered by Brody Wilder and Dimona Ryen, the situation was critical. The “insects,” whose true nature had been exposed, seemed to have decided to paralyze the entire city administration: they carried out sabotage and diversions, destroying themselves along with everything around them.
“Once this chaos ends, they’ll probably start moving for real.”
Gunther sat down on a chair in the lounge to catch his breath before sending a report to headquarters. At that moment, a long shadow fell over him.
— Being a leader’s a pain, huh?
It was Levain Bernecker. Despite the slightly mocking tone, Gunther didn’t deny it.
— Tell me about it.
And he added lightly:
— Glad you dumped it on the rookie?
— Please don’t forget it was dumped on me too, — Levain shot back, dropping onto the sofa opposite him. — So do me a favor and stay alive longer, and hold on to that position.
Gunther snorted and looked away. But deep down, curiosity stirred again. The previous commander — a figure who never appeared in the main storyline of the game. Everyone, from Moon Wolf to the platoon members, showed a trace of longing when speaking about him.
— Sounds like he was a good person.
— He was incredible. You’re not bad either.
— A veteran lifting the spirits of a new commander... touching, — Gunther smiled.
Levain laughed. During missions his face remained cold, but in moments of rest he radiated human warmth. He was so mature it was hard to believe he was only in his early twenties, and it was thanks to him that the Fourth Platoon remained stable.
— I talked to the guys...
— And?
— When all this is over, let’s go somewhere together.
For some reason, Gunther immediately understood what place he meant.
— There’s a memorial for the previous commander. They never found the body, so it’s just a stone. It’s near his hometown.
— ...Out of nowhere?
— We’ve been through a lot together in a short time. The guys say they want to go somewhere together someday, take a break. And stop by there while we’re at it.
There was no reason to refuse. Gunther nodded, and Levain smiled. Then he snatched the draft report Gunther had been working on and said:
— Finally found something our commander isn’t good at.
— ...It’s just a draft.
But the excuse didn’t work.
— I’ll finish it myself, so go get some rest.
It was a pleasant kind of care.
.
.
.
But despite Levain’s efforts, Gunther didn’t get much rest.
Pshh—
The Operate Link crackled. Seraz, as usual, was brief and concise:
[The mayor wants to see you]
Ding!
[Act 1, Chapter 5 begins: “Before the Black Wave”]
