The information about the enemy dimension that Yonghoon had mentioned was delivered to the governments of various countries and the remaining branches of Link Corp while Yonghoon was away in the United Kingdom.
However, the fact that Yonghoon was the one who had visited that world was kept as secret as possible to prepare for potential terrorist threats.
The government and Representative Seo covered the story by saying that the Special Ability Users had moved using Dimensional Power machines.
Upon hearing the story, the governments of the major powers began urgently exchanging communications. The identity of the enemy, previously shrouded in mist, had finally been revealed.
The situation had changed compared to when they were being beaten by an unknown opponent. Just knowing the enemy allowed them to begin formulating countermeasures.
The governments began building a cooperative system centered around Korea and the United States and found themselves needing even more information.
The team members who had received Dimensional Core implants continued to train for adaptation, while Yonghoon spent hectic days meeting with the government and Representative Seo to deliver information and discuss countermeasures.
After a few days passed, Yonghoon received new spears from Kangwoo.
“After hearing your story, Mr. Yonghoon, I changed the Dimensional Core we were going to install in the spear. I removed the existing core and embedded fragments of a Dimensional Beast’s core instead.”
Yonghoon gazed at the spear, which had a subtle sheen.
The spear’s shape had changed slightly. Two lines were drawn along the shaft, and the Dimensional Core embedded at the tip was emitting a dark crimson glow.
“It will definitely have a different effect compared to the C-rank Dimensional Core you used before. Also, since it’s made from a Dimensional Beast’s body and core, the weapon might have gained some abilities.”
At Kangwoo’s words, Yonghoon nodded. The shield made from the C-rank turtle had the ability to attract monsters. It was highly likely that the spear made from the Dimensional Beast’s shell and core would have some kind of ability too.
“I heard that it’s hard to move around with a spear in that world, so I made it possible to separate the spear. If you twist it along the visible line in the middle, it will split into three rods. You should be able to fit it into a bag or something similar.”
Following his instructions, Yonghoon grabbed the spear and began twisting it. Just like unscrewing something, the spear separated into three parts.
This feature was definitely necessary. Unlike this world, in the other world, he had to hide himself as much as possible. Being able to conceal his weapon like this would be a huge help.
Kangwoo looked pleased as Yonghoon appeared highly satisfied.
But that satisfaction quickly faded.
“But no matter how hard we work to make them, they’ll all get smashed to pieces in no time, so it feels meaningless. Even if we make awesome weapons, if they’re just used as ammunition, it’s disheartening for us makers.”
Yonghoon could only listen silently to Kangwoo’s complaints.
He had lost track of how many spears he had destroyed so far. At this point, he practically considered spears to be consumables.
“It can’t be helped. Thanks to these spears, we’ve solved countless problems. I can’t even tell you to use them sparingly.”
Instead of responding to his words, Yonghoon asked something else.
“How’s the company? I heard you’ve been insanely busy.”
At Yonghoon’s question, Kangwoo shrugged his shoulders with a tired face.
“Just like you heard, we’re drowning in work. It’s not just me; all the employees are in the same boat.”
He was right. After the U.S. research team was buried along with Link Corp HQ, the entire Dimensional Power industry had been reorganized around the Silla Group.
Thanks to that, the Silla Group was now running at full capacity 24/7, producing equipment from monster corpses, generators using Dimensional Cores, and conducting various ability research.
Moreover, because of the Dimensional Core implantation research brought by Yonghoon, scientists from all over the country were lending their strength to the Silla Group.
“Still, thanks to that, there’s hope for the Dimensional Core implantation. We might have a prototype in a few months.”
It seemed they had gone through a lot. That was an incredibly fast pace.
Yonghoon’s expression brightened. This world was definitely different from his own.
After learning how to break the limit level, many Awakened were surpassing their limits. Although many died or were injured in the process, unlike the previous world, high-level Awakened were emerging one after another.
Moreover, there were still surviving Linkers in this world. Thanks to them, many nations were still organically connected and holding on.
As a result, even after the appearance of the Dimensional Beasts, the world was still standing.
“It’s all thanks to you, Mr. Yonghoon. The Dimensional Core implantation project too.”
Kangwoo looked at Yonghoon with an admiring expression.
Yonghoon shook his head at his words. While he had helped, it was the people of this world who had kept it going.
Without them-or rather, without Team Crazy-he wouldn’t have been able to act freely.
As Yonghoon continued thinking, a slight tightness filled his chest. He had grown more attached to this world than he had realized. Now, he thought more about the people of this dimension than his own.
Except for his lover, the people and matters of his original dimension were gradually fading from his memory.
Yonghoon shook his head to clear his thoughts. It wasn’t the time to get sentimental.
He refocused on his goal: reunite with Sunhee, his lover, and eliminate the enemy.
Yonghoon’s goal had not changed.
Once Yonghoon’s weapon was ready and the team members with Dimensional Core implants had finished a good amount of training, he began preparing for Dimensional Movement again.
Based on his previous experience, he re-prepared his supplies. He removed all food and packed more clothing. He also added a few other necessary items.
Then he checked the information requested by the government, the Silla Group, and Link Corp. There was a lot of information needed. Many of them were difficult for Yonghoon to obtain, but there was one person he was counting on: Robert on the island.
He figured he could get a significant portion of the requested information from him.
And now, it was time to decide who would go with him.
After learning that he could move across dimensions with others, Yonghoon had been debating whether to go alone or with companions.
Moving alone allowed him to respond quickly without having to worry about protecting others.
However, there were limits to what he could do alone. Moreover, based on battles with Awakened from the other world, it was clear that the enemy’s coordinated attacks required a combination of abilities to counter.
After a brief deliberation, Yonghoon decided to move with others.
There were three people with Dimensional Core implants: Sunhee, Eunseo, and Dohyeon.
After several experiments, Yonghoon decided to move with two of them. Moving with all three was too much for him to handle. Unlike spatial movement, dimensional movement required passing through the dimensional tunnel itself. If he didn’t hold onto them, they could get lost in the tunnel.
Fortunately, a test a few days ago confirmed that two people could move safely, so Yonghoon decided to travel with two of the three.
In terms of strength, the order was Eunseo, Sunhee, and Dohyeon; in terms of usefulness in the other dimension, it was Sunhee, Dohyeon, and Eunseo.
Eunseo, a powerful B-rank Defense-type Awakened, showed great prowess in battle thanks to her genius talent, but in infiltration missions like this, she was unexpectedly less helpful.
Moreover, once they crossed dimensions, Awakened were almost invincible against normal attacks. Thus, the utility of Defense-types dropped.
On the other hand, Sunhee could use stealth and her innate paralysis ability, and although Dohyeon’s level was lower, his ability itself was the most useful.
Yonghoon asked the three for their opinions, and all of them wanted to participate.
In the cases of Eunseo and Sunhee, there was a sense of responsibility to save the world, but Dohyeon’s sparkling eyes showed pure curiosity about the new world.
After some thought, Yonghoon decided to go with Sunhee and Dohyeon.
Eunseo was more needed in this world than in the other. She had to stay behind in case of an unexpected attack.
The team members all accepted Yonghoon’s decision. Although Eunseo was a bit disappointed, she accepted it too.
After the meeting, Eunseo and Sunhee were drinking coffee together at the café on the first floor. Sunhee was trying to comfort Eunseo.
As Eunseo lifted her coffee cup, she tilted her head at a strange sound she suddenly heard. It sounded like a mechanical noise.
“It would have been nice if you could come with us. It’s a shame. Huh? Are you okay?”
Sunhee, who had been talking, looked at Eunseo and asked worriedly.
Eunseo lifted her head at Sunhee’s words. Sunhee’s face seemed oddly blurry, as if two versions of her were looking at Eunseo.
Eunseo closed her eyes briefly and reopened them. There was still a slight sense of discomfort, but it seemed to have mostly subsided.
“I was just experiencing a bit of auditory hallucination and visual distortion. I’m almost fine now.”
“Could it be because of the implanted Dimensional Core?”
Sunhee asked worriedly. If there were side effects, it would be a big problem.
“I don’t think so. I’m feeling much better now. I think it’s just fatigue from the training. I’ll probably be fine after a little rest.”
Eunseo brought her hand to her chest. She rubbed the slightly protruding spot where she could feel the Dimensional Core.
“Still, shouldn’t we check just in case? Should I go get Mr. Yonghoon?”
At Sunhee’s suggestion, Eunseo began to hesitate. But at that moment, the sense of discomfort she had been feeling vanished.
Eunseo, now feeling refreshed, spoke to Sunhee.
“Ah, I’m fine now. It must have just been a brief dizzy spell.”
Although Sunhee still looked a little worried, the two soon forgot about it and continued chatting.
Brigadier General Eunseo Lee removed the Dimensional Connector.
“Oh, was there a problem with the connection? You disconnected quite quickly.”
A researcher in a white lab coat standing next to her asked with a puzzled expression.
She shook her head.
“No, the connection was successful. Eunseo was alive in the C dimension.”
Upon hearing her words, the expressions of the researcher and adjutant guarding her brightened.
It was an unexpected success. Thanks to it, the intelligence department could finally stop its wild goose chase.
Eunseo Lee continued speaking, her expression hardening.
“I terminated the connection because the target was feeling a strong sense of discomfort and might notice.”
“Ah, it seems the subject does feel that way. But even if they sense discomfort, they usually just think their body feels strange, so it shouldn’t matter much, right?”
She glanced at the researcher with a look of disdain and turned her head. The adjutant came into her view.
This place was the dimensional research lab under the intelligence department.
On the surface, it was a research facility, but in reality, it was a department that used the Dimensional Connector to gather information from other dimensions and dispatch advance parties.
Brigadier General Eunseo Lee, after probing the Rebels for several days without finding anything special, had returned to the intelligence department.
The laboratory looked like a private hospital room, but it had been specially prepared because of her position. Her assigned researcher and nurse were standing by her side.
The adjutant instinctively sensed that something had happened from her expression.
Lieutenant General Eunseo spoke toward the adjutant.
“There’s a problem in the C dimension. It seems the advance party was either exposed or there was a traitor. In that dimension, Eunseo had a Dimensional Core implanted in her chest. That dimension’s Eunseo is a B-Rank Awakened, and the Dimensional Core embedded in her chest was at least B-rank or higher.”
At her words, the people around her were greatly shocked.
“She felt a strong sense of discomfort and immediately pulled out. If the advance party got caught and underwent an inspection or something, it would be dangerous.”
She glanced at the researcher standing next to her as she spoke. The researcher’s expression soured at her words.
“I will immediately contact the intelligence department and the operations staff.”
The adjutant spoke to her with a hardened expression.
“We’re heading straight to the personal guard units headquarters. Tell the head of the intelligence department to come there too. We’ll have to completely revise the invasion operation. In the worst case, we might end up invading a dimension with equivalent abilities.”
General Eunseo threw on the outerwear she had taken off and left the laboratory.
The adjutant hurriedly followed her out and quickly issued orders to the subordinates waiting outside. The researcher and the nurse who had been in the laboratory also scrambled into action.
As she walked down the hallway, she spoke to the adjutant in passing.
“If necessary, I’ll jump into the C dimension as a Linker myself. If I’m lucky, I might be able to operate as an internal spy.”
“It’s too dangerous! If something goes wrong, you might not be able to return to your original body!”
The adjutant shouted in surprise at Eunseo’s words.
“It doesn’t matter. That side is B-rank too. If I do well, I might even become the first S-rank Linker. Anyway, these days, there’s almost no mental confusion when devouring a counterpart. It could be a rather interesting experience.”
The adjutant followed behind her, speaking worriedly.
“Everyone will oppose it. You’re one of only three S-rank Awakened in this world. There’s no need for you to take such a risk.”
“If I say I’m doing it, who’s going to oppose me? Well, we’ll have to hold a meeting anyway.”
General Eunseo and her adjutant walked out of the research center building. The adjutant moved with a grave expression following Eunseo, but Eunseo wore a strange smile filled with anticipation.