Chapter 30
Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Aronian (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Association executive swallowed hard as he stared at the First Legion Commander, Harian.
"How did the war with the Spirit Race turn out?"
"For now, His Majesty the Emperor has taken down numerous Grand Generals. Afterward, we Legion Commanders joined him in facing the Spirit God... but defeating it proved impossible."
"Th-then..."
"The war is ongoing. However, since the Spirit God has taken damage as well, it won't dare cross the gate recklessly. More importantly... we have an agenda to discuss with the South Korean government."
"What..."
"It's regarding nuclear weapons."
"...?!"
The Association executive jumped in shock, his eyes fixed on Harian.
"Aronian possesses weapons comparable to nuclear arms."
"Are you referring to... Rispiyen?"
Harian nodded.
"We successfully secured various Aronian weapons and a substantial number of Rispiyen. We plan to transport some of the secured Rispiyen to Ryu Han Empire territory. And... we intend to hand over around ten Rispiyen to South Korea as well."
The executive's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I-is that true?!"
"Yes. That's why we wish to speak with the South Korean government..."
"I-I'll contact them right away!"
As the Association executive hurriedly left his seat, Harian followed him out through the steel door.
A military base had been established in Seogwipo, likely in preparation for the Spirit Race's arrival.
With the flood of continuous news, the South Korean public began to buzz with excitement.
The growing military might of the Ryu Han Empire was something to watch warily.
But if they were handing over Rispiyen, that wariness would inevitably ease.
After all, South Korea would effectively become a nuclear power.
Was it because they'd experienced invasions from the Spirit Race and Beastmen?
Most citizens voiced their support for possessing nuclear weapons... no, Rispiyen.
Even as the Spirit Race pushed north, America refrained from using nukes.
Even if South Korea fell, America wouldn't deploy them.
"America's in the thick of war right now too. We need the power to defend our nation ourselves."
"If America's economic sanctions kick in, our economy's screwed."
"Haven't they already slapped us with high tariffs? Anyway, isn't deterrence better than nothing?"
"Hmm..."
While everyone fretted over the economy, the South Korean side decided to jointly manage the Aronian Gate with the Ryu Han Empire.
South Korean cargo ships transported Aronian weapons and equipment to Ryu Han Empire territory.
In return, South Korea gained access to those weapons, opening doors to new technological research.
"Haa, it's been a while since I got back."
Kang-hyuk let out a sigh the moment he stepped into his Seoul home.
Of the 3 million Ryu Han Empire troops who had crossed into Aronian, around 300,000 had returned home.
Most had advanced to Low-to-Mid Expert realms, bolstering the empire's military strength.
"Around 2 million soldiers stayed behind without going to Aronian, right?"
If the returnees trained them using maps from their experiences, those soldiers could grow swiftly too.
As Rispiyen were transported to both Ryu Han Empire and South Korea, America, China, and Japan showed clear unease.
The Korean Peninsula's military power was now beyond imagination.
With Ryu Han Empire soldiers growing even stronger, their vigilance only heightened.
South Korea, having received the Rispiyen, had to expend effort convincing allies and neighbors.
Viiiing!
Kang-hyuk, enjoying some rare rest, tilted his head at his smartphone's vibration.
It was a call from Arbon, the vice master.
"What's up?"
[The Spirit Race forces that went to China are now heading back to Jeju Island.]
"...What?"
The Spirit Race began withdrawing all forces from Chinese territory toward Jeju Island.
The Chinese military did not pursue.
[If China's National Power-level Hunter, Hwaryeon, hadn't moved, China would have suffered massive losses...]
"W-wait a sec!"
[...Pardon?]
"Who did you just say?"
[What...]
"China's National Power-level Hunter... Hwaryeon?"
[Yes, that's correct. Precisely, it's Lin Hwaryeon (林 花蓮).]
"..."
A coincidence?
Kang-hyuk furrowed his brow.
"What's her level?"
[No details available. She's consistently ignored provocations from Lucas Howard... but word is she's taken down over a dozen Grand Generals. She might even match Lucas Howard's power.]
A beauty with long black hair and red eyes.
Kang-hyuk recalled his third wife, the Third Divine Consort.
She too had been one of the absolute powerhouses at High Grand Master realm.
'...Nah, can't be.'
Kang-hyuk immediately began researching China's National Power-level Hunter, Hwaryeon.
"...?!"
The resemblance was striking.
And those red eyes...!
Of course, before becoming a dragonkin, she had ordinary black eyes too.
Kang-hyuk let out a wry chuckle and closed the search tab.
"Hoo..."
The Third Divine Consort, Hwaryeon, was long dead... a homunculus.
Unless she'd undertaken a reincarnation quest like him, anyway.
She'd lived an ordinary life and died an ordinary death.
Their time together had spanned about 10,000 years.
Those days with her had been truly happy.
So why this lingering attachment?
'...Loneliness?'
After his wives passed, loneliness had consumed him.
Kang-hyuk took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
'I'm Park Kang-hyuk now.'
Right. Time to enjoy what Park Kang-hyuk never could.
Clinging to memories of past-life wives would leave him unable to marry again.
He'd get married this life too.
The problem? His ideals were his past wives.
[Master?]
Arbon's call snapped Kang-hyuk back.
"Ah, go on."
[A massive fleet is approaching Jeju Island. We just got word from the government offering military aircraft support.]
"...Send the imperial plane to Jeju too. Leak that Park Kang-hyuk and the Emperor are heading there together."
[Understood.]
Kang-hyuk moved with GH Guild members to a helipad near Dongjak-gu and boarded a military transport plane.
The plane flew toward Jeju at 200 km/h.
Meanwhile, the imperial plane took off from Pyongyang Airport, swiftly entering South Korean airspace.
As the Peninsula's two National Power-level forces mobilized, the troops stationed on Jeju breathed sighs of relief.
"Th-the Legion Commanders who went to Aronian are returning!"
"...?!"
Forces on par with S1-rank Hunters were returning to Seogwipo at the Korean government's request.
Of course, only five Legion Commanders had come back.
The rest remained in Aronian, keeping the Spirit Race in check.
The Association executive rushed to brief the Legion Commanders.
"So, we just need to hold out until His Majesty the Emperor and Hunter Park Kang-hyuk arrive on Jeju."
"Yes, exactly!"
"Do we know the enemy's strength?"
"Exact numbers are unconfirmed. But many Grand Generals and Generals fell to China's National Power-level Hunter. All their forces from Chinese territory have pulled out, leaving hundreds of warships."
Destroyers, frigates, corvettes, fast attack craft—countless vessels approached Jeju.
"With numbers like that, Jeju's current garrison is in serious danger."
"What about the other Legion Commanders...?"
"The battles in Aronian make returning impossible."
"Ah..."
The executive looked disappointed.
"The time for the enemy to reach Jeju and His Majesty's arrival... might line up roughly."
"I hear Hunter Park Kang-hyuk is flying in on a military plane too. His Majesty departed around the same time, so they'll arrive within two hours. The enemy will take about four."
Plenty of time.
As Jeju prepared for war, the Spirit Race fleet en route was ambushed by Mermaids, turning the sea into chaos.
Kwaang! Kwakwang—!
"Kuhk...!"
"Grand General! Mermaid numbers keep growing!"
"F-fuel tanks are breached!"
"Ammo depots too...!"
"Torpedoes, now—!"
Peueong—! Peupeupeung!
Successive impacts rocked the warships violently.
Mermaids struck from below the surface, targeting ammo depots and fuel tanks.
Tukwaaaang—!
A massive explosion from an ammo depot sank warships one after another.
"J-jump overboard!"
Flightless Spirit Race troops plunged into the sea in panic.
Mermaids swarmed them instantly.
Puuk—!
"Kuhuk...!"
Spirit Race who hit the water were skewered by Mermaid spears, meeting their end.
"These damn...!"
Grand Generals soared into the sky, unleashing slashing attacks at the sea.
Kwaaaaang—!
The ocean split, killing numerous Mermaids.
But the aftermath flipped many warships and landing craft.
"Uwaaak!"
Countless Spirit Race warriors plunged into the sea.
Flying Spirit Race warriors descended to rescue allies,
Plung!
But a spear shot from the depths pierced a Spirit Race warrior's throat.
Puuk!
"Gr-Grand General, we can't attack properly with our own troops in the way...!"
Peueong—!
A massive slash erupted from below, scattering the Generals.
"Th-they keep coming! Scatter!"
Spirit Race desperately evaded and counterattacked Mermaid Grand Generals and Generals' slashes.
Seuwaaak—! Kwaang! Kwakwakwang!
"These damn...!"
Clashing slashes exploded in midair.
Flightless Spirit Race unleashed spirit arts at the sea from the decks.
Mermaids destroyed hulls from below, sinking ships one by one.
"The ship's going down!"
"Don't jump into the sea! Take out as many enemies as you can!"
"Jumping now just makes you bait!"
At that moment, as Mermaids and Spirit Race clashed—
The Ryu Han Empire imperial plane and the South Korean military aircraft arrived at Jeju Island.