Chapter 160

The sky was clear, serene, and beautiful, as if the events unfolding below had no bearing on it.

But slicing through that sky was a terrifying strategic weapon carrying the Reaper.

Star One.

It was the private jet of Star Pharmaceuticals, South Korea, and also the aircraft carrying the core forces of the South Korean Special Strategic Command.

Star One was loaded with countless pharmaceuticals.

However, those pharmaceuticals were destined to transform into potent poisons, capable of paralyzing and instantly killing America.

Unaware of this, the American authorities had granted Star One landing permission.

This was because no engagement had yet occurred, so they had not been designated as a warring party.

Everything had been decided in that fleeting moment, just before the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, carrying Delta-Strike, approached Japan.

“Hey, Max! How have you been?”

Kim Seong-du, head of Star Pharmaceuticals’ overseas sales promotion department, who was on Star One, waved to Max, the branch chief of the US National Security Agency, with whom he had become familiar through numerous interactions.

Max was there because, after the Mega Shock, all pharmaceuticals and imported goods entering the US were subject to thorough inspection by the National Security Agency.

However, despite Kim Seong-du’s greeting, Max merely nodded with an expressionless face.

“Damn, he’s a prickly one.”

Kim Seong-du chuckled at the sight, then approached Max again and said,

“Alright, let’s move the pharmaceuticals.”

Max stared at him silently before speaking.

“Before that, there’s something I need to check with a special X-ray.”

Kim Seong-du flinched, looking at him. But he quickly shrugged, displaying a friendly smile.

“Come on, we’ve never had to do this before, have we? X-rays? Don’t you trust us?”

“You’ll have to cooperate.”

Kim Seong-du’s expression soured.

“Honestly… is this how you treat suppliers in America? I’d rather not earn a dime.”

“Stand aside for a moment. Search it.”

Kim Seong-du stepped back with a bitter expression, watching two burly men approach him.

But his eyes flashed with a sudden, sharp glint.

As the agents, acting on Max’s orders, and airport staff searched Star One, a strange light filled Kim Seong-du’s eyes.

Then, he suddenly looked at Max and spoke softly.

“Max. You’ve made a pointless move. It’s meaningless anyway.”

Max frowned, looking at him.

Kim Seong-du grinned back at him.

And in an instant, his hand swiftly grabbed Max’s collar.

Thwack!

CRASH!

Max was instantly slammed straight down onto the floor.

Kim Seong-du grinned, watching Max slowly rise despite taking a powerful blow.

“Seriously, you’re making me work for it. Well, it doesn’t matter. You and us…”

A fierce killing intent emanated from Kim Seong-du’s eyes.

“Because we’ve already started the war.”

Clink-

With that, he drew a folding dagger from his pocket and lunged at Max.

Swish! Swish-swish!

His dagger movements looked highly skilled and quite sharp.

The man who had merely worn a friendly smile was, in fact, a Hunter belonging to the Stardust Attack Unit. However, Max, from the National Security Agency, was no pushover either.

He parried the sharply thrusting dagger and immediately counterattacked.

Kim Seong-du let out a cold laugh.

He had already nullified Max’s counterattack.

“So, you think you’re tough, huh? But let me tell you. This is nothing. I’ve survived worse hells than this. Now, it’s your turn to taste hell.”

Thump-

He suddenly stamped his foot roughly.

And his arm seemed to stretch, and Max was instantly lifted into the air.

BANG!

The next moment, Max’s massive body was slammed down onto the floor as if crushed.

“Cough!”

Max let out a groan of pain.

SMACK!

But before he could recover from the damage, he was hit with a powerful blow that twisted his jaw, sending him stumbling backward.

Shink! CRUNCH!

“Gurgle…!”

Before he could even collect himself, a dagger, emitting a chilling blue light, plunged into his chest.

Kim Seong-du pushed up his glasses and grinned.

“See? You should’ve listened when I was being nice.”

He then straightened his clothes and spoke.

“Isn’t that right, Commander?”

Behind him, an unimaginable sight unfolded.

Not only the agents of the US National Security Agency but also airport security personnel lay sprawled on the ground, and amidst them, someone walked out calmly.

Surrounding him, numerous black-haired men followed leisurely.

“There are always some who won’t listen to reason. For them, a beating is the only cure.”

It was Kang Yuseong.

He and dozens of Stardust members had instantly subdued the enemies and taken over the airport.

“Shall we? To take over America.”

The attack unit members nodded at Kang Yuseong’s words.

A faint, bitter smile played on their lips.

Star One.

The Angel of Death had descended upon American soil.

* * * * *

Beep-beep-

Alaska.

Here, there was a base where the US had meticulously established a missile defense system.

The base built before the Mega Shock had been destroyed by a massive monster attack, and now, the MD-97 base, built to supplement it, precisely tracked missile bases worldwide via radar and satellite.

Lately, they had become even busier.

There were intelligence reports that Korea had taken over China, and as a result, China’s Dongfeng missiles had fallen into their hands.

Korea was no longer their ally as before.

No, on the contrary, it had now become the country America needed to watch most closely, just as they had once kept China in check. Even Russia was hesitant to confront Korea, for their power had grown immensely.

And the Pentagon had issued special instructions to this missile defense base.

“Keep a close eye on Korea.”

Their predictions, as masters of combat, had never been wrong, so an unprecedentedly heavy atmosphere hung over the MD-97 base.

Bleep-

Suddenly, an unusual beeping sound was heard.

Sergeant Miller, the operations officer,’s eyes widened.

“Captain Steven!”

Lieutenant Colonel Steven, the operations chief, rushed over immediately.

“What! What’s happening?”

“H-here!”

On the screen, where Sergeant Miller’s trembling hand pointed, were two red dots.

And where those dots were headed…

Grind-

Lieutenant Colonel Steven gritted his teeth.

“Goddamn! Those lunatics actually did it!”

Dongfeng.

Two Dongfeng intercontinental ballistic missiles, developed by China, were accurately flying towards them.

“Activate Aegis! If even one slips through, it’s all over!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Connect to the Pentagon! Tell them Korea, those monkeys, have finally gone mad!”

Aegis, the post-Mega Shock missile defense system, was activated, and the hotline connecting the Pentagon and the White House began to burn.

Beep-beep-

But even in that moment, the red dots were approaching the base at terrifying speed.

* * * * *

“The Dongfengs have been launched, Mr. President.”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke to the President in a grave voice.

The President nodded.

“What’s America’s reaction?”

“The White House has issued a statement. America cannot tolerate Korea’s preemptive strike, and from now on, declares total war against Korea… that’s what they said.”

The President offered a dry smile.

“Still the same, aren’t they? Providing the pretext, then pretending to be the victim.”

He tapped the desk, then looked at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff again.

“Missiles were also launched at the Carrier Strike Group, correct?”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Good. Japan can be protected with that. The rest depends on the Pentagon… and Commander Kang Yuseong.”

“He will succeed.”

“Indeed. Haha.”

The President smiled briefly, then spoke again.

“Then let’s do our part. Identify the movements of Russia and the European Union, and do your best to preemptively respond. We must plan our actions based on the worst-case scenario.”

“Understood, Mr. President.”

The President had clearly emphasized what had already been discussed with Kang Yuseong.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff bowed and left the President’s private office, located within the integrated situation room.

The war had already begun.

* * * * *

Whoosh-

Numerous vessels cut through the blue waves, cruising along.

This American Aircraft Carrier Strike Group, consisting of dozens of ships, was capable of wiping out most nations in an instant. Though its destructive power had diminished since the Mega Shock, it was still an immense force.

Beep-beep-beep-

Suddenly, an urgent message from their home country arrived at the Carrier Strike Group.

Lieutenant Mitchell, who received the dispatch, looked greatly alarmed, his face pale.

“A-Admiral!”

He rushed towards Admiral Corell.

Corell, sitting on the bridge and gazing at the distant horizon, frowned and looked at him.

“Urgent news! H-here!”

Lieutenant Mitchell handed him the decoded dispatch.

Corell also took it and examined it, his expression turning to shock.

“Th-this can’t be!”

He quickly looked around and gave orders.

“Relay to all squadrons to prepare for emergency evasive maneuvers! Anywhere! Scatter!”

The surrounding officers, not knowing why, quickly relayed the Admiral’s command.

Beep-beep-beep-

But at that moment, the radar detector let out a frantic alarm.

“…!”

Corell and Lieutenant Mitchell’s faces changed drastically.

Dongfeng.

A monster, capable of devouring everything, was now hurtling towards them.

* * * * *

“Everything is proceeding according to plan, Commander.”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

He had already received confirmation from the President via satellite phone.

Everything had already begun.

And they, too, had reached their target area.

The Pentagon, a massive hexagonal building steeped in long history.

“Attack Unit. Move out.”

Kang Yuseong’s brief command was issued.

WHOOSH!

Overwhelming fear and chaos descended upon the missile defense base in Alaska.

The interception system had already been activated, but despite its name, Aegis, the interceptor missiles repeatedly struck empty air.

‘Please!’

The people inside clenched their fists, praying and hoping.

KABOOOM!

Suddenly, the surroundings shook violently, and a massive shockwave surged through.

“Interception successful!”

Amidst the chaos, someone who checked the monitor shouted loudly.

“We did it!”

At his words, a cheer erupted, no one waiting for another.

But it didn’t last long.

Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-

The alarm still blared incessantly.

The single remaining Dongfeng had pierced through Aegis and was flying fiercely towards them.

Now, the probability of interception was zero.

The color drained from people’s faces.

Flash-

Suddenly, a blinding flash of light erupted.

KABOOOM-

And a tremendous explosion roared, engulfing everything in a flash and making it disappear.

Alaska had become a land of death.

* * * * *

It was the same for the Carrier Strike Group.

“Full speed evasive maneuvers!”

Like a flock of chicks spotting an eagle, the ships began to frantically scatter.

But the Reaper had already reached their vicinity.

KABOOOM-

WHOOSH!

The Dongfeng exploded precisely above their heads, and a vacuum was momentarily maintained before a violent exhalation exploded forth.

WHOOSH-

Waves surged wildly, and the steel ships were all shattered and broken apart.

The legendary American Aircraft Carrier Strike Group was crumpled like a piece of tissue paper, vanishing without a trace.

They ultimately failed to reach their destination.

It was also the signal announcing America’s downfall.