Chapter 63
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Unique City Summit
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As Gonghyeok spread his wings and descended, the 80,000 hunters buzzed with excitement in welcome.
Some faces were grim, others bright.
But amid them, there were those with particularly confident expressions.
They were the ones who had emerged from the hidden Platinum Doors.
‘I’m different from you all.’
They had carved their own path with their own hands.
The confidence and euphoria from that small success flushed their faces.
And there were others scrutinizing them closely.
Scouts from each unique city, experts in reconnaissance and analysis.
“We’re measuring the avatars’ average levels. Sample collected from 22,430 individuals—looks like about a level 8 increase.”
“Equipment and skill rank additions identified.”
“3,621 have completely blocked our detection skills.”
“Block reasons: five factors.”
“Suspected demon contractors, stealth gear holders, special trait or skill acquirers, or reconnaissance-type avatar possessors.”
“We’ll designate them as persons of interest and screen them separately.”
Christina’s group from ‘Deus Ex Machina’ was no exception.
Chinlong, acting as staff officer, compiled and organized the flurry of incoming reports.
“Avatar average level up over 25, job slots added, estimating those who’ve acquired A-rank or higher items.”
“Total who seem to have opened Platinum Rooms: 1,988.”
“Ma’am! Anomaly detected on top priority target, Ju Gonghyeok!”
At the scout leader’s urgent shout, Christina replied with a face full of worry.
“What is it? In the 5th floor mission, nothing major should happen.”
“No, ma’am. A new avatar has been confirmed!”
“A new avatar? Must’ve entered the Evolution Chamber.”
“Uncertain. But it looks like a combat-type, not the reconnaissance one he had before!”
A scout beside the leader shouted.
“Measurement complete. Confirmed as SS-rank Fighting God lineage avatar ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven , Demon Monkey King’!”
“Similar to the deceased Ray Shin’s S++-rank ‘Great Sage,’ but the aura’s different.”
“Likely not an avatar from our dimension—probably a god from another dimension converted into avatar form.”
Chinlong swallowed a groan.
“A reward avatar like ‘Dragon Slayer Saint Beorck’ or ‘Zodiac Synapse, Demon of the Twelve Palaces.’”
There had been several hunters who’d gained avatars as rewards so far.
Those avatars weren’t derived from ‘modern Earth.’
Beings from separate dimensions transformed into avatar forms.
Among them, the standout ones were Dragon Slayer Saint Beorck and Zodiac Synapse.
However, even they were S-rank. This was the first confirmed SS-rank reward avatar.
‘Other places must be in an uproar too.’
A glance sideways showed the leadership of other cities buzzing and pointing at where Ju Gonghyeok stood.
His priority ranking was already high, and now with a divine-grade avatar, his value had skyrocketed.
‘Lucky for us that ‘Deus’ has first pick this time.’
In theory, the top priority city could just say, “Well done, everyone. As promised, we’ll take him,” and that’d be it. But whether the executives of other cities would sit idly by was another matter.
Whether she knew Chinlong’s thoughts or not, Christina clapped with a bright smile.
“This is great. But I worry that kid might walk a painful path because of this sudden power. He’s a bit timid, but his sense of responsibility is insanely strong.”
She closed her eyes quietly and prayed.
“May that child not drive himself into ruin…”
An executive watching her pray from afar narrowed his eyes.
It was Alfred Hickston, Director of External Affairs for the unique city ‘Company.’
“What’s Martunis’s rank? The Mercenary Division Chief.”
“S-rank, sir.”
Alfred’s worries deepened at his secretary’s reply.
“A talent perfect for frontlining future operations.”
“Shall we recruit him?”
“Then bribery’s our only option.”
Three impeccably suited directors stepped up beside him.
Alfred nodded.
“Excluding city operations, how many coins do we have available?”
“We’ve secured 8,000 indigo coins and 160 blue coins from receivables collected from ‘Wolf Fortress’ and ‘Legion’ earlier.”
“11,000 indigo coins to ‘Do-San’ and ‘Nirvana’ for this year’s food and water proxy production…”
“Net profit from the Alchemy Division’s summit commemorative sale…”
“Summarizing.”
Alfred’s secretary tallied the profits squeezed out during this summit by each director.
“As of now, ‘Company’ has available: 98,000 indigo coins, 1,400 blue coins, and 2 green coins.”
“Two years ago, we were using even purple coins for inter-city trades. It’s devolving into commoner currency more each day.”
Alfred stroked his goatee.
“Could we do it with 400 blue coins?”
“‘Deus’ is infamous for their stubborn heads. They won’t budge on coin volume alone.”
“Even with green coins?”
“Green coins too? Director, can we decide this among ourselves without telling the ‘Chairman’?”
“I’ll handle telling the Chairman later. So, even offering both green coins, think it’s not enough?”
At Alfred’s question, his secretary Sesk affirmed.
“Green coins hold immense value now, it’s true. But an SS-rank avatar is the same.
As floors rise, new coins appear and drop rates increase, devaluing old ones—while exceptional hunters’ value rises. It’s tempting, but from a long-term view, they’ll refuse.”
“Hmm…”
At Alfred’s pondering look, Sesk—who had maintained a secretary’s posture until now—spoke first.
“Secure him.”
“Speak, Sesk.”
The man closest to the next Director of External Affairs laid out his argument.
“He’s a divine being on the 5th floor with average C-rank stats and an SS-rank avatar. Including Slaughter Goddess Christina, Silver Arm Edgar, and Frost Giant Ymir, only eight hunters have shown this growth. And more than that…”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“For the future of Company, we need a symbol of military might. Economic influence alone will hit limits someday.”
“You’re right. Company’s influence is at its peak now—we must sacrifice the present to prepare for Babel’s future changes.”
Accepting Sesk’s opinion, Alfred issued orders.
“Check debt relations with ‘Deus.’ Buy up all their receivables from other cities.”
“Understood.”
“Directors. If anyone has ties to ‘Deus,’ please inform them. Our offer: 50% off water resources for 8 months, free artisan dispatch for 6 months, 10% coin supply for city institution operations for 2 years.”
“Indeed, understood, Director. Even a straight-arrow like Christina can’t move freely when city operations and her executives are involved.”
Alfred clipped the end of a cigar from his case and lit it.
“The Chairman said it: ‘The first law God made was economic logic.’”
Sesk draped a coat over him, and the directors rose.
The leadership of each city was gathering in one place for the priority draft meeting.
“Let’s go. It’s a war of money and debt.”
＊ ＊ ＊
“Alright, line up straight! Divide into 8 groups of 10,000 each.”
“Names from 1st Corps to 8th Corps in order!”
“The one who opened the fourth door, step forward. We’ve already got the list.”
“‘Doctors Without Borders’ picks 12,000, ‘Wolf Fortress’ 8,000—so adjust by 2,000.”
“Got it. Hey! Move 2,000 from 6th Corps to 8th!”
Thousands of hunters from the eight unique cities busily sorted the personnel.
Dividing into groups for each city, they sent 3,000 priority selects—high stats or Platinum Door openers—to the draft meeting area.
Ju Gonghyeok, Soma, and Ha Yeonsi were mixed in among them.
“Soma, what’s your job?”
“Nothing much, but I’ve acquired the ‘Vajra Ascetic’ class. It’s a bit suspicious that the demon lady mentioned you and accidentally sent me to the fourth room, though…”
“Don’t sweat it. Good is good.”
He glanced aside, and Ha Yeonsi wore a red cape reaching her forearms and transparent shoes revealing her pretty toes.
‘Wolf Hunter Barreta’s Red Cape (A+)’ and ‘Cinderella Princess’s Glass Slippers (S-).’
She blushed like a girl showing off new clothes.
“Pretty. Legs feeling better?”
“Yeah, much better. The glass slippers actually make moving easier.”
“I see.”
Gonghyeok brushed her eyebrows, then lightly patted her back.
“Soma, from now on, don’t leave my side no matter what.”
“Judging by their actions, our freedom might not be guaranteed.”
“Just keep it in mind.”
“I won’t leave your side either, oppa. Or else they’ll all boil with rage…”
“Shh, thanks. But don’t say that lightly. It’ll make more people boil.”
He embraced the smiling Ha Yeonsi as his gaze shifted to one side.
There, a group of armored hunters swaggered by.
Excluding Platinum Door openers, they herded the 1,500 persons of interest who’d blocked scout analysis to a corner.
“Newbies. Don’t resist. It’s just a check. You blocked our scouts’ eyes, so we need to inspect a bit.”
“If it’s recon avatars or items, we’ll clear you quick. It’s to sort out any hidden demon contractors, excessive avatar devourers, or murderers. No need to tense up.”
As hundreds of veteran hunters formed an encirclement, unrest stirred among the suspects.
“What’s a demon contractor?”
“That’s a recon hunter! I blocked him without knowing!”
Amid the denials, one man sweated bullets conspicuously.
“Damn it, we’re screwed.”
It was Park Juntae, the ‘Bronze Giant’ who’d lost an eye to Gonghyeok before Babel.
He vented his frustration openly with anxious vibes.
‘Dodged his eyes on the 4th floor somehow… but to get caught here.’
He’d struggled up after losing an eye, only to find Ju Gonghyeok on 4—insanely stronger.
Thought he’d survived by avoiding his gaze, but now busted from behind.
His avatar, Bronze Giant Colossus, had risen to A-rank, but it looked suspicious to others.
‘Eyes multiplied, turned all murky black…’
It screamed “devoured dozens.”
Plus, he’d gobbled multiple demon reward items already—so by their mood, no way they’d let it slide.
“Juntae, should I fly us out with my gargoyle?”
His new comrade Benzo sidled up and broached.
“That won’t fly. Wait a bit—I’ve got a plan. Head to the back first.”
They pushed to the center of the suspect cluster.
Up close, tough-looking guys packed around them.
“What now?”
“Wait for the big shot candidate to move.”
“‘X’?”
“Rumor is he took down that 4th floor demon.”
Park Juntae bit his lip at the tightening encirclement.
“Moving on our own here’s just suicide. Something happens when he moves. Until then… minimize damage.”
“Hey! You there! What’re you muttering?”
One encircling hunter scowled and stormed inward.
“What do we do now?”
“Damn… someone sacrifice.”
“You show that famed sacrificial spirit.”
“Dickhead. I’ll blast that guy and beat your ass too.”
As Park Juntae and the murderers gripped hidden weapons behind their backs.
[Blink (B+) movement skill activated]
[Teleport to a visible location]
The approaching hunter blinked behind them in an instant.
Chills ran as they reflexively swung weapons, but the hunter clamped their grips.
The tattoos on his face writhed eerily.
“Don’t move.”
[Tattoo Curse ‘Kalimahi’ activates]
[Petra curse…]
For a split second, they froze thinking petrification hit, but Park Juntae realized.
‘I can move?’
The curse didn’t work?
But why?
Not just him—the murderers around couldn’t hide their shock.
“Wait quietly, comrades. The ‘great undertaking’ is imminent.”
A voice astonishingly calm against his brutal face.
The murderers and demon contractors, puzzled, followed the inexplicable vibe.
“Baias, hurry and bring those guys. Let’s see what they’re about…”
Someone outside the encirclement called the tattooed hunter.
And that was his last word.
Kuuuaaaang!
A massive red beam scorched half the encircling hunters.
“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”
“Activate the pre-set barriers!”
Christina rose from her seat at the draft meeting area.
“It’s them.”
Encircling the recruitment plaza: eight cities.
Three more cities now revealed themselves.
Commander-type city Necropolis
Floating-type city Halloween Nightmare
Giant-type city Titanomachy
Those who didn’t deny demonic power.
Either fully ensnared by demons or extremists who’d use any means to clear Babel.
Despite total exclusion from this summit, they’d breached the eight cities’ scouting net.
‘Which means…’
Among the leadership of these gathered eight cities.
One wore a smiling mask while sharpening a dagger of betrayal.
[Chapter 63 - Unique City Summit] End