Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Holy Nation (1)
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Thanks to living a truly splendid life, nothing disrupted my precious daily routine.
Even as time passed with no new information coming to light, reporters were apparently camping out in front of the building under remodeling to become Bitic Guild's headquarters.
Of course, I had zero intention of going anywhere near that building until it was completed, so it was truly a shame.
"Yujun, are we really going into an S-rank gate...?"
In the end, no information would leak until Bitic Guild began full-scale operations.
We planned to avoid any activities beyond equipment sales and support until the Jongno S-rank gate raid.
Having shared this plan, Hyeji was trembling with anxiety.
"By then, you'll be an A-rank awakener too, so don't worry so much."
"Yeah..."
"Like I said earlier, I'm not entering the gate. So inside, you'll handle assisting the combatants and miscellaneous tasks."
I judged that Hyeji, the future A-rank thief, was best suited to stably survive in an S-rank gate while supporting the main combatants and handling camera duties.
And I'd provide remote support from outside the gate.
By monitoring the broadcast Hyeji streams and managing regulars, I could assess the situation and supply needed equipment on the fly, even handling repairs if necessary.
Above all, if they fell into real danger, I could use my regular summon ability for an emergency extraction. So it was the right call for me to wait safely outside the gate.
Especially since a non-combatant with all stats at E-rank would just be dead weight inside.
Absolutely not because I was scared or avoiding danger.
I'm not the kind of sleazy guy who pushes for an S-rank gate raid and then bails just for myself.
Absolutely not.
"I have no intention of gambling with your lives. We'll gather the six S-rank awakeners specified by the World Hunter Association's raid standards. With my equipment support on top, it'll be straightforward—not just manageable, but easier than expected."
"H-how are we gonna recruit six...?"
"That's why it's a long-term goal."
Right now, we only had Yena as a confirmed S-rank awakener, but we could realistically count three.
Chae Yeonhwa, whom I'd just promised an A-rank fire stick to and advanced talks with, and Eom Taesoo, who would jump at the chance for an A-rank sword.
Since the gate was in Korea, Chae Yeonhwa and Eom Taesoo had to participate.
Rather, skipping a Korean S-rank gate raid would damage their guild images massively, so they'd oppose it at most until confirmed, then definitely join.
Even so, that's only three—50% short.
No need to rush; we could gather the remaining three one by one.
And the fourth member? I figured we'd snag them soon.
Holy Nation's S-rank Gate Raid, D-1
[Only one day left...]
Is the Holy Nation really pushing ahead with an S-rank gate raid?
It makes no sense no matter how I think about it... Even internally, they haven't unified opinions yet, and tons of people are prepping to jump ship;;
The Saintess doesn't seem to support it either, but her position forces her in...
Unless they've figured out a raid method or have undisclosed S-rank awakeners, success is impossible.
All we can do is pray for the latter... From S-rank gates on, raid methods mean nothing; they're disaster-level;;
How do you know the Saintess opposes it? Wild guess? Insider?
Not an insider, but if the Saintess approved, they'd announce it publicly, and there wouldn't be internal backlash.
;; Makes sense.
For real lol. Thought you were just a Saintess stan, but unexpected insight.
No matter how I look at it, this is just mass suicide;;
Like they're off to meet God or something?
Can't be any more WWE than this, so don't go in and just sleep lololololololol
For real lol, falling for this again?
The day the Holy Nation declared their S-rank gate raid had finally arrived—just one day left.
Consequently, the gallery, real-world news, newspapers, communities—everywhere was buzzing solely about the Holy Nation.
This led to growing suspicions that, with all the attention, they weren't targeting the S-rank gate but something else entirely as a WWE stunt.
But those in the know all understood.
The Holy Nation was genuinely pushing ahead with the S-rank gate raid.
[Holy Piss]
The raid team's gate raid plan (limited to members) just got disseminated.
Especially since I was personally in contact with the Saintess, I had even more detailed insights into how things were unfolding.
She'd even shared the Holy Nation Guild's full S-rank gate raid plan with me.
As expected, even the info shared with her had gaps, so I couldn't grasp the perfect plan, but this alone was huge.
Scribble- tap tap tap tap...
I immediately transcribed the plans she'd shared onto the computer for everyone to see.
"Whoa, it feels like I'm a total hacker!!"
Hyeji, peering over my shoulder at the screen, seemed excited now that we were doing some proper guild-like work.
Yena, meanwhile, quietly read through, seemingly piecing something together.
"Yena, spot anything unusual?"
"Hm... Give me a sec."
If the three of us could glean something from this info, it'd be Yena for sure.
Neither Hyeji nor I had been selected by an orphanage-linked guild, so we'd missed awakener training.
Two total newbies pooling heads? Slim chance of insights.
But that wasn't an issue.
Everyone has their strengths and roles.
As guild master, I'd recruit talent to cover my weaknesses.
In that sense, Yena was the most elite among us.
She'd completed a full month of awakener training at Twilight Guild, no less.
"...Yena, got anything?"
Gulp...
Hyeji and I tensed up, waiting for her verdict.
Despite our trusting, urging gazes, she stayed focused, studying for a while.
Finally, Yena spoke what she'd figured out.
"Looks like..."
"Yes!!"
"The Holy Nation Guild is just off to commit mass suicide."
"..."
"With their heavy religious vibe... Maybe aiming for heaven?"
"Ah..."
Yena, if even you say that, what are we gonna do with our guild...
"That's a solid take... Might be more to it, so let's all think a bit longer."
"Got it~"
"Okay!"
Truth be told, we didn't strictly need to crack their plan, but our burning curiosity had a reason.
It affected how we'd include the Saintess in our Jongno S-rank gate raid plans, depending on the Holy Nation Guild's outcome.
If they succeeded, maintaining ties with the Saintess and requesting support later with the Light Staff was the worst case.
If they failed and I rescued her via regular summon, securing her promise for our raid support as thanks—mid-tier.
If they failed spectacularly and collapsed entirely, recruiting her to our guild—best case.
Of course, I absolutely didn't wish for their downfall; purely evaluating for our guild's benefit.
"Whoa whoa whoa!!!"
"What? What's up? Did you eat another kukri?!!"
Lately, Hyeji's yells scared me most.
What accident now...
"No! I figured it out!"
"Figured what?"
"The weird part of this plan!!!"
"...Spit it out."
Not super expectant, but we weren't in a spot to sort good ideas, bad ideas, or Hyeji ideas—let's hear it.
"The Saintess's position is off! Healers should always be at the rear!"
"Hm..."
True, in the formation shared, the Saintess was slightly central.
But this wasn't a game; maybe to heal frontline awakeners?
"Yena, your thoughts..."
"This formation. At some point, it inevitably splits into two."
"Huh?"
"It's structured so a detachment naturally peels off from the main force during the raid. And... high chance the Saintess is slotted for the detachment."
"Ah..."
"Learned it in awakener training. Could mean something else in the Holy Nation, but Hyeji pointing out her position jogged my memory."
The main healer on the raid team in a detachment? Doesn't add up.
Couldn't confirm from formation alone per Yena, but worth sharing with the Saintess.
"Good job, both of you. That's worth three C-rank gear pieces each in honor."
"Heehee... But Yujun, nothing click for you?"
"Huh? Me...?"
I fetched the info and could pass it on, so I'd pulled my weight.
...
Suddenly, Yena and Hyeji shot me disappointed looks.
"Fine, follow me everyone."
Time to show my main job moment, it seemed.