"An epidemic?"
"Yes."
Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom pressed his eyelids with his hand and let out a low sigh.
"Yes. That's plausible."
Hygiene is poor, water and sewage facilities inadequate. Medical staff and medical systems are also lacking.
'Strictly speaking, without the infrastructure within the fortress, the remaining medical infrastructure is virtually non-existent.'
"Perhaps it already spread from existing shelters. Has the disease been identified?"
"About that..."
When Kim Cheol-han hesitated to answer, Heo Sung-gyeom urged him.
"What's wrong? Is it uncertain?"
"No. It's certain."
"...That sounds like a problem."
"You're right."
"What could it possibly be?"
"It's the black plague. It's presumed to have been transmitted through rats, with an incubation period of about three days, showing symptoms such as high fever, pneumonia, chills, headache, and hemoptysis."
In other words.
"It's presumed to be pneumonic plague. More than ten deaths have already occurred, and dozens of patients are in critical condition."
"My goodness."
Heo Sung-gyeom rubbed his face with his dry hands.
"The black plague. Even the epidemic is medieval."
Normally, the black plague would already be a conquered disease.
But in this era where medical systems have extremely regressed, it might be considered far more threatening than diseases like MERS or coronavirus.
"Confusion is spreading among the residents outside. We need to isolate patients immediately and separate those with suspicious symptoms."
Kim Cheol-han said with a hardened face.
"But bringing them in carelessly could cause even greater confusion."
"Yes. But if we leave them unattended, more people will die. Moreover, we don't know when the Great Overlords' forces will attack. In the end, we have no choice but to bring them inside the walls."
"There can be no disagreement on that point."
Heo Sung-gyeom, who closed his eyes tightly and opened them again, quickly issued instructions.
"First, let's create isolation facilities at the outermost perimeter. Prepare examination systems and facilities to separately classify confirmed suspected cases, asymptomatic individuals, and patients."
"Understood."
"All work must be completed by tomorrow at the latest."
"...I'll make it happen."
The 3rd-ranked Great Overlord Furcas.
One of her abilities was 'Perfect Disguise.'
It was the power to completely hide her caliber and strength.
She was confident that using this ability could deceive even the eyes of a transcendent.
Therefore, Furcas was preparing to enter the fortress after killing a lonely old woman and taking her form.
"Grandmother, are you okay?"
Furcas weakly waved her hand at the question from a middle-aged woman who had come to check on her.
"Mmm, I'm fine."
The original owner of the body, 'Grandmother Kwon,' was originally the protagonist of a tragedy who had lost her children, grandchildren, and husband after the destruction.
An elderly person without a family to protect them was the most vulnerable class in this era.
But she was a protected figure within the shelter.
Because she was elderly?
This wasn't an era where such soft compassion existed.
It was simply because her skill in handling herbs and making medicine was unparalleled within the shelter.
Even so, it was just at the level of healing wounds and managing a few symptoms.
Even that was appreciated.
But after moving to the outer fortress of the [Human Fortress] thanks to Su-hyeon's efforts, the situation changed.
In the face of systematic medical support and the abilities of healer awakened ones, the value of the herbs she provided decreased.
And now, only people who wanted to build human connections or get small favors came to see her.
An old woman living alone with almost no interactions.
These were perfect conditions for killing her without anyone knowing and disguising oneself as her.
And finally.
"Then get up. They say they'll let you come into the fortress for treatment."
The moment she had been waiting for arrived.
"They're going to do that? That's fortunate."
"They'll separate confirmed cases, patients, and asymptomatic individuals through testing. Isn't that great?"
"Mmm. That's right."
Furcas showed a weak smile.
'Easy.'
Obviously, she wasn't infected with the black plague.
And as an asymptomatic person, she would be able to enter the fortress without much suspicion.
'Once I'm inside, it's over.'
The plan was for her to cause major confusion inside, after which the other two Great Overlords would simultaneously rush in, shaking things up from both inside and outside.
'If that happens, the fortress's defenses will be largely neutralized.'
No matter how powerful Jeong Su-hyeon was, one hand cannot block three hands.
'Humans will be annihilated.'
And if the three Great Overlords jointly attacked him in the gap when the forces helping him were gone?
'Even Lord Belphegor wouldn't take this lightly, let alone a young transcendent who has just achieved transcendence.'
Furcas had to bow her head to hide her triumphant smile.
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
"The black plague?"
Su-hyeon did not interpret this odd situation as a coincidence.
'Among the ten Great Overlords, there is an unpleasant one who handles diseases like the black plague and smallpox, and oversees black magic like necromancy.'
The name of that Great Overlord was Nebirhos.
Su-hyeon had experience facing him, a demon with three crow heads.
'He is an excellent summoner and spirit master, and a black magician.'
His methods and realm were truly terrible.
Particularly annoying was his necromancy ability that made even the dead rise again.
Facing an immortal legion was something that would instill distant fear and hopelessness in any army.
Nebirhos, who activated all sorts of vicious black magic, causing numerous penalties and power losses, could be said to be the most unwelcome existence for those in a position to defend.
Therefore, for Su-hyeon, facing Nebirhos was a more difficult and terrifying memory than facing Crosell.
But not anymore.
'This is your typical method, Nebirhos.'
Su-hyeon muttered.
"That I know of your existence and abilities. Your miscalculation starts right there."
Su-hyeon's gaze turned towards the window.
'If this black plague outbreak is Nebirhos's doing, someone will try to infiltrate the fortress.'
Therefore.
Su-hyeon decided to examine people coming in personally to find that demon.
"Please go to Zone A."
"Ah, teacher, please go to Zone B."
In front of the fortress gate, thousands of people were lined up, and medical staff were in the midst of using screening kits to classify confirmed and unconfirmed cases in real-time.
"......"
Despite the many people gathered.
There was only a slight murmur, and screening was proceeding in an overall heavy and quiet atmosphere.
'No suspicious individuals yet.'
Su-hyeon, wearing a mask, was watching from a distance.
Of course, people didn't pay attention to Su-hyeon, who had both a mask and concealed his aura, thinking of him merely as an observer.
'That's over a thousand now.'
The speed wasn't too slow since screening was done through five windows.
'Hm?'
Just as Su-hyeon was feeling a bit bored.
Furcas, disguised as a weak and elderly woman, finally reached the screening area within Su-hyeon's sight.
"......"
The series of processes—drawing blood, dipping it in reagent, and checking the color—proceeded quickly.
'So this is Jeong Su-hyeon.'
Furcas thought with her eyes lowered, sensing the transcendent caliber emanating from Su-hyeon.
'Even I cannot understand his caliber. ...He really is a transcendent being.'
But she wasn't surprised.
She had expected this, given that Crosell was defeated and fell.
'Transcendent Jeong Su-hyeon. I can understand why Lord Belphegor paid so much attention to a mere human.'
The unfamiliar sensation of tension dilated her pupils.
'Now I recognize you without a shred of doubt.'
Furcas just did her best to maintain the appearance of a frail old woman.
And the transcendent's eyes turned towards her.
"......"
Su-hyeon's calm gaze swept from her head to her toes, and even to something deep inside her.
Nod.
He granted her passage without resistance.
"Please go to Zone A."
'As expected.'
Furcas inwardly laughed, thinking that even he couldn't do anything, and just as she was about to pass by Su-hyeon.
"Wait."
Su-hyeon stopped her.
"...?"
"I see an abrasion on your neck."
"!"
Furcas touched the back of her neck and hid her flustered appearance.
"Mmm? So there is. Where did I get scratched... Thank you, young man."
"Even a small wound can develop into complications, so be careful."
"Oh my, it'll heal quickly with some medicine."
"We'll make arrangements for you to receive separate treatment later."
Su-hyeon shook his head at the medical staff's words.
"That won't be necessary."
Song Yu-ha, standing next to Su-hyeon, stepped forward.
"Just a moment, please!"
Woong!
A warm light formed a large sphere and enveloped Furcas.
'...Crazy!'
Furcas widened her eyes at the excruciating pain penetrating her inside.
'Kuk!'
The light of healing, which was like extreme poison to demons.
But Furcas gritted her teeth and endured the pain, maintaining an expressionless face.
"Hmm, that's strange."
Song Yu-ha tilted her head.
"...It's not healing."
Su-hyeon's eyes sharpened.
"What's this?"
"Is something wrong?"
"Grandmother Kwon is a good person..."
Murmuring.
People's anxious gazes focused on Furcas and Su-hyeon.
'Damn it. Things have gone awry. Is it good intuition? Or did he perceive something?'
Furcas tried to calm herself.
'He doesn't have definite grounds. He probably won't act rashly, but I should be prepared for contingencies.'
Furcas mentally prepared herself to fight if necessary.
"It can't be helped. I'll arrange for you to receive treatment from medical staff separately. You may pass through."
Su-hyeon withdrew his suspicion.
'...Phew.'
Furcas, sighing with relief in her heart, walked towards Zone A.
'That was close.'
It felt like her old heart was being strained.
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
Su-hyeon, who returned to the fortress, summoned Nam Tae-hoon.
"Hey, Special Operations Captain. You were looking for this 7th Unit Commander?"
Nam Tae-hoon entered, slouching.
"What's this, everyone's gathered."
"There's important talk. Sit down first."
Su-hyeon said, bringing out coffee.
"Nam Tae-hoon, and Choi Min-a. I'd like the two of you to monitor that Grandmother Kwon."
"Ah, that person? I heard about it."
Nam Tae-hoon nodded.
"The healing orb didn't work on her?"
"Yes. But she didn't show signs of her body rotting or being in pain?"
Song Yu-ha shrugged.
"Did she endure the pain?"
"For someone hiding their power... Can there really be no power felt at all?"
Kwon Seung-yeon and Hwang Ji-su each said.
"Hmm."
Nam Tae-hoon tilted his head crookedly.
"Something doesn't feel right, but there's no physical evidence either."
"Right."
"But you let her pass? And now you want surveillance? What's the reason?"
"Intuition. And my eyes."
Su-hyeon answered.
"That old woman is probably a demon. Perhaps even a Great Overlord-level one."
"...What?"
"Then immediately!"
"No, it's fine."
Su-hyeon restrained Kwon Seung-yeon, who was about to jump up.
"It's better to have her followed than to stir things up right away."
"But if she's a Great Overlord-level as you say... Even Tae-hoon's concealment would be detected?"
"Right."
Su-hyeon affirmed.
"That's why we're assigning them. To make her overtly nervous."
"...You're thinking something fishy again?"
"Why not call it a stratagem?"
"If that old woman's identity really is a demon."
Nam Tae-hoon snickered.
"That demon's in for a rough time."