Chapter 65
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Golden Egg (2)
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“Come on, everyone, gather round for a bit.”
As Wilhelm began the meeting, wiping sweat from his temple.
The surveillance agent from Special Case 0 was watching them from afar.
“Section Chief. We've confirmed the dolls have marked the floor.”
“Good. Let's wrap this up quick.”
Christa, pulled from Division 2, reported to Section Chief Jeong.
“Section Chief, the vicious ones are already chopping off the dolls' heads to check.”
“Hmm, scary bastards. If I use my skill, I'll blow those dolls sky-high.”
Section Chief Jeong summoned his avatar with uncharacteristic gusto.
His avatar was 'Godspeed Great Protector Dazhong.'
A space-type heroic avatar rare enough to have few parallels.
One of the 108 heroes of Water Margin, seemingly distant from spatial arts, but Dazhong possessed one technique manifested as space manipulation.
That was the 'Shrinking Earth Technique.'
[The avatar's skill, 'Shrinking Earth Technique (S-),' activates.]
[A wormhole opens to the marked location.]
“We just grabbing them like that?”
“Ju Gonghyeok's our top priority, but the other high-priority picks too...”
While the knights chatted among themselves, oblivious.
A wormhole formed on the floor where Ju Gonghyeok stood, sucking him in.
“Blow 'em!”
“Yes, sir!”
At the same moment, the fake Ju Gonghyeoks scattered everywhere exploded with pops.
Cotton stuffing flew through the air, exposing them as dolls to all, and the lone unburst Ju Gonghyeok was bundled up in cloth by Agent Sima, who shouted.
“Target secured!”
“Great! Heading back!”
Section Chief Jeong's wormhole opened once more, and they vanished.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Whew. That was some top-notch work.”
“Christa, nice job controlling hundreds of those things.”
“But wasn't it fun this time?”
“Wolves, knights—strutting around until we left them dumbfounded. Heh heh.”
“Puhahaha!”
The Special Case 0 crew buzzed with excitement, reliving the thrill of their recent 'operation.'
Section Chief Jeong Hyundo left his subordinates to it and unwrapped the cloth.
Inside sat Ju Gonghyeok, legs crossed, looking up at him.
He glared at Ju Gonghyeok.
“Hey, newbie. Welcome to Special Case 0.”
“Aww~ Section Chief's hamming it up again.”
“Quiet! I'm Section Chief Jeong Hyundo of Special Case 0. Got it, newbie? I'll work you so hard, hell'll seem like a vacation.”
As he laid on the newbie threats, Ju Gonghyeok clapped.
Clap clap clap.
“Ah, I see. Great show.”
“Eh, no big deal.”
“The way you used decoys to fool the wolves, knights, and every hunter out there—swept me right up. Gripping stuff to watch.”
“Watch?”
Something felt off about his nonchalant demeanor, but before he could ask, Ju Gonghyeok continued.
“But Section Chief. Can you swear that while you tricked someone, you're not trapped in a bigger con yourself?”
“You...”
“Good work. See you next time, Section Chief Jeong.”
Poof!
With those final words, Gonghyeok's form scattered like smoke.
“Huh?”
“What the hell? Where'd he go?”
The entrance to 'Company' erupted in chaos.
Rather than calm them, Section Chief Jeong muttered a realization.
“Great Sage Equal to Heaven.”
“Great Sage? Oh! A clone!?”
“My god. He just got it and already wields it that smoothly.”
“Ah, crap. What now? We're totally busted.”
Section Chief Jeong gave a wry smile.
“Talk about getting owned in one shot.”
And a question arose.
‘Where's the real one?’
＊ ＊ ＊
Deus executive 'Ben-Hur' shouted excitedly.
“My dear brother! With Yeonsi and you joining, the remaining spots in 'Mothers Rosario' will fill up in no time!”
“You flatter me.”
“No, no. SS-rank avatar, clone decoys to shake off other hunters—the perfect fit for Rosario.”
He slapped the humble Ju Gonghyeok's back heartily.
Rosario—the rosary beads used in prayers to the Virgin Mary.
Mothers Rosario was the title for Deus's elites loyal to Mother Christina.
Ju Gonghyeok didn't just have 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven'; his tactics, situational judgment, stats, and mission-solving were flawless. A super rookie without a single weak spot.
‘Unrecognizable. How'd he change so much in just a few years...’
Back at the Mahadeva Foundation orphanage, he'd been nothing but a timid high schooler.
His only standout trait: high avatar awakening odds.
Seventh Great Summoning. A latecomer to Babel by far, yet displaying this level of potential? Unheard of.
“Gonghyeok. You probably don't remember, but years ago...”
As he reminisced about meeting Gonghyeok back then, memories flashed through Gonghyeok's mind too.
“Killed Yulia not long ago.”
“Yulia?”
“No, nothing.”
‘Two months back, I killed your wife.’
He responded to Ben-Hur's puzzled look with the affable smile First Life Gonghyeok often wore.
Yulia Proewe, Savior of the Second Floor.
She and Ben-Hur often formed families from Babel ties.
And their love child? An SS-rank spatial ability user—the cause of the twelfth extinction.
Ben-Hur patted his back gently, looking troubled.
“You killed someone, huh. Don't sweat it. Those you couldn't save before, we can save together now.”
“It's fine. No worries.”
I've killed plenty of her—and you—already.
Memories flooded in.
Ben-Hur ranked among the better allies.
Sure, there were times he'd ignore orders and get beaten half to death, or betray and trap him in ambushes, pissing him off.
‘Well, I ditched Ben-Hur and ran plenty too.’
In his first life, and even before regression count filled up, the SS-rank tanker's help was invaluable, countless times over.
Now, past squabbles were just nostalgic spice to savor the present.
Like that fresh thrill when killing—keeps life from going numb.
Focusing on sentiment kept purpose alive.
“Ben-Hur.”
“Call me bro. All us Mahadeva orphans are family.”
“Ben-Hur bro. Missed you.”
“We barely met, and you remember me like that? Feels good.”
No need to kill him yet.
He'd offed Yulia to nip any potential threats fast.
Ben-Hur had plenty to do as Deus's bedrock.
“Oh, Chinlong! Brought my favorite brother here!”
“Don't get rowdy. People are listening.”
Chinlong, the calm handsome man, scolded Ben-Hur.
A woman watched them with a soft smile.
“We meet again, Gonghyeok.”
“Yes. Mother.”
They locked eyes quietly for minutes.
“Ma'am?”
Chinlong called her questioningly at the prolonged silence.
Christina sighed deeply.
“Gonghyeok. How's Yeonsi?”
“She's safe.”
“Good. Wasn't too shocked by how different everything is right after hitting Floor 5?”
“The real shock was Floor 4. Life-or-death crisis and all.”
“I see.”
After another silence, she spoke.
“Chinlong, Ben-Hur—head back on the airship first.”
“Mother? Why?”
She smiled faintly.
“No rush anymore.”
Christina stepped forward, took his hand, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.
“I'll keep a Rosario spot open. Come anytime.”
Gonghyeok eyed the approaching giant city-form and replied.
“Teacher. Next time, we'll meet as equals.”
“Don't push yourself.”
“Pray I stay sharp.”
With a curt smile, he vanished.
Ben-Hur smacked his forehead, groaning.
“That was a clone too! How could I be so stupid...”
Christina touched the lingering smoke with regret.
Her gaze shifted to the giant city-form approaching, leaving massive footprints.
“Ruining the summit like this and letting it slide? We can’t set the right example as the vanguard of the dungeon-clearing faction.”
“Mother! No!”
“If we'd tagged him safely or had time for a leisurely chat, this wouldn't have happened...”
Behind her, the form of Slaughter Goddess Kali materialized.
It glared murderously, arms dripping blood.
“Ma'am, full war means other cities suffer...”
“Still. I'm a bit pissed.”
['Slaughter Goddess Kali's' third ability 'Six-Arm Mutual Combat' activates.]
[Using Goddess Kali's hands, you can activate six skills individually.]
White light gathered in Avatar Kali's six hands.
“Not planning to destroy it or anything.”
[A-rank skill Strong Arm activates.]
[A-rank skill Strong Arm activates.]
[A-rank skill Strong Arm activates.]
[A-rank skill Strong Arm activates.]...
“Just a light smack.”
Crack.
170,000 population, 96 km².
The knee of the city-form propping it all snapped like a massive cookie.
Christina C. Mahadeva.
Humanity's strongest hunter.
＊ ＊ ＊
Company's competition hall.
Company executives and city powerhouses gathered.
Sesque pointed to the revenue graph floating in the air.
“This summit's biggest earners were potions and foodstuffs. Gear took a hit against rival Legion City.”
Kozlov, in charge of gear production, scowled.
“Alchemy and trade divisions get bonuses. Bond sales up 120% too...”
“Enough. Skip the fluff.”
Alfred climbed the podium, cutting Sesque off.
“Ahem. Truth is, I called you honored guests for another reason.”
‘Ten's all we need, but he invites a hundred.’ They perked up inwardly. Alfred signaled back.
Ten people emerged from the hall's rear.
“These are the newbies I personally fetched.”
“Heh, must've been busy.”
“If Alfred moved, they're no ordinary talents.”
Pleased by the reactions, Alfred continued.
“Of course. Snagged the number one pick from ten other cities. Behold—Ju Gonghyeok.”
Spotlights converged on the first one.
As he stepped forward, Alfred boomed.
“He's the owner of an SS-rank combat avatar we've never had in Company!”
“SS-rank? What kinda monster...”
“Oh? Martunis, your avatar's...”
“Haha, just S-rank.”
Mercenary division vice-chief Martunis laughed awkwardly.
Rare as S-rank was in this room—or all Company—even that paled next to SS.
In truth, up to Floor 5, only Ju Gonghyeok and Ha Yeonsi owned SS avatars.
“That's not all. Gonghyeok here has multi-avatar talent too—another avatar beyond the SS one!”
“Details on the holo-screen.”
Ten profiles appeared on the ceiling hologram.
“Tech B? Fresh to Floor 5 yesterday?”
“Avg stats C-rank with unique skill.”
“Not one SS avatar— that Ha Yeonsi too...”
“Soma Sangai... Heard of him. Tibet's Dhritarashtra. Multi-avatar too...”
“Foreign affairs director dropped a bombshell.”
Ha Yeonsi and Soma looked flustered at them.
Suited hunters. A flashy ballroom-like hall.
Never imagined such a place inside Babel's dungeons.
Alfred smiled at their newbie bewilderment.
‘Plenty more surprises ahead.’
Exiting the hall, eight hunters stuck close—including Ju Gonghyeok.
He'd lit a cigar and declared:
He wanted Company more than any other city.
‘Best deal ever.’
Pumpkin on the vine, no cost.
Company: top unique city in population and influence.
Number two Alfred brimmed with intent to prove his choice right.
He grabbed the mic, grin uncontainable.
“Per his wishes, Ju Gonghyeok joins the mercenary division! May he become Company's symbol...”
At this point, he didn't know.
The golden egg propping Company's foundation was really a tumor to devour it whole.
Everyone thinks they're immune to cons.
Until their fortunes are wiped out.
[Chapter 65 - Golden Egg (2)] End
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