Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Surviving in a Brutal World (3)
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The Russian government had effectively collapsed.
Three whole years ago.
「Gotham」
An organization that appeared one day.
A group formed by the majority of Russia's corporations joining forces.
They toppled the fourth-term president, Russia's de facto dictator, in one fell swoop.
No, not toppled.
It would be more accurate to say they turned him into a 'puppet'.
"Our president is acting strange!"
Some citizens raised their voices.
There were rumors that the president had panic disorder or had gone mad.
"But isn't it fine? Honestly, him just sitting quietly like this is better than the old days when he was rampaging with his dictatorship."
"Yeah, back then I was always anxious that war might break out."
Those who thought positively.
"But he's still the head of state. Shouldn't we impeach him?"
"If he's acting weird, we should replace him! Plus, there were all those rumors that the old elections were rigged. Let's do it properly this time."
And those who thought negatively.
Amid all that.
Gotham's movements continued in secret.
A worldwide mafia organization.
Ones who wouldn't hesitate to commit any crime to achieve their goals.
What Gotham wanted wasn't mere 'dictatorship'.
Ruling with laws on the foundation of democracy?
It didn't suit the temperament of World Rank 69, Insect King Andrey.
"I desire the reestablishment of a complete monarchy. Where my word is the law, and a strong regime that can unify the nation through force."
His ideology spread quietly through the shadows.
Naturally, there was fierce backlash.
But Gotham.
Silently slaughtered anyone who raised such voices, without anyone knowing.
News articles?
They couldn't even fly.
Internet?
All information was blocked.
Even if something slipped through.
It was deleted the moment it was discovered, along with the poster's life.
For a long time, they deceived the world's eyes and conquered the underworld.
The result was the birth of the current criminal nation.
'No one can stop us now.'
Alone.
Zahar bowed his head deeply in the meeting room.
Soon the world would catch on.
To Russia's true state.
'Even before, a high ranker came and left once.'
No matter how much they tried to suppress rumors, Russia was Europe's massive nation.
A few European countries that caught on had sent high rankers for aid.
One of them was the current World Rank 18, Twin Blades Octavia Spencer.
He had come on an expedition, then turned right around and said:
- Russia is a mysterious country. I know there's a criminal organization, but I couldn't reach them.
- I can see the country is falling apart. The streets are eerily quiet, and mafiosi are everywhere. But strangely, there's no sense of wrongness. Hmm, it feels like it's just supposed to be that way?
Cryptic words.
Even more surprising was that despite Octavia's statement, the world didn't move.
Also.
- Same here.
- No idea what you need help with.
- I don't even know where the criminal group is, it just looked like a backward country.
- Even in the dungeons, there was nothing?
Many other rankers turned back.
[European Ranker Mysteriously Dies in Russia Again?]
[Ranking Shake-Up Due to High Ranker Death. Suspected Clash with Russian Mafia?]
Or they died.
Why?
Because Gotham was that secretive.
And that strong.
Even though World Rank 69 Insect King was Russia's highest ranker.
There was a reason Russia was World Rank 15.
Their rankers were densely packed.
"Hoo."
Zahar let out a shallow sigh.
How long.
Do we have to live like this?
Is there anyone in the world who will save us?
In truth, there was an organization called 「Idam」.
Idam, from 'different' and Gotham.
Formed by a dreamer named Vladimir Rodigin gathering a few rankers.
Heard it was the only secret combat group resisting Gotham.
'But even they are rumored to all be dead...'
Zahar simply stayed silent.
We had World Rank 78 on our side.
But that was it.
Gotham was an unstoppable disaster.
We just had to keep our heads down, do nothing, and live like this.
"Zahar-nim! Zahar-nim!"
As he was lost in thought, a subordinate burst in.
"What."
"The ranker-nim left."
"I see. So he's heading to that dungeon after all?"
A dungeon with traces of Gotham.
In Russia, but most Russians didn't know about it.
A black hole you entered but never came out of.
'And.'
Strangely, rumors didn't spread overseas.
"But, um... The ranker-nim left supplies for us to use."
"Supplies?"
Zahar tilted his head.
"Yes, drinking water, hot packs, ramen boxes, burners, gas, and such. He said it's prepayment for lodging?"
"Ah...?"
He blankly opened his mouth.
An unexpected warm aid stirring emotions inside him.
He forgave his rude little brother and even extended goodwill?
Were all Korean rankers this kind?
"......"
Zahar quietly closed his eyes.
And prayed to the heavens.
For the ranker-nim's safe return.
* * *
Near the dungeon entrance.
In a silent plaza by the road, not a single citizen in sight.
"No matter how I think about it, it's weird."
Gi So-yul muttered with a serious expression.
"Yes, very weird."
I nodded in agreement.
"Even for a rural area, no people in a city this big. And a dungeon like this with no rumors at all."
"Isn't it dangerous?"
"So-yul-ssi."
"......Yes?"
She asked me to call her by name.
But when I did, her pupils dilated slightly, like it was awkward.
'Hmm.'
Gi So-yul.
Isn't her MBTI an I type?
Her reactions have been fun lately.
Anyway.
"Have you ever seen me avoid a dangerous dungeon?"
"......No."
She blinked.
I smiled and continued.
"Besides. Didn't you used to like tackling dangerous dungeons, So-yul-ssi?"
Back then too.
She had led the vanguard in an unrated dungeon.
Gi So-yul shook her head at my question.
"Not really. Of course, I'm not the type to run from something hard."
"That's the same thing, basically."
"Still, if it looks dangerous, I poke at it first. I hate recklessness as much as running away."
Knocking on bridges before crossing?
Well, she did that before too.
'Was it the guide Kang Sun-wook?'
She had him scout.
And had me, the porter, prepare emergency supplies just in case.
Old memories from what already felt like ages ago came flooding back.
But.
"I just go in."
"Yes?"
"Crises always make me grow."
"What does that."
"Sometimes I even hope it's more dangerous than I expect. It'll be a bigger stepping stone to getting stronger."
If World Rank 1 is the goal?
I can't stick to easy dungeons.
At least dozens more trials like Delaila’s would be needed, right?
'And show that Spear King geezer what a real spear tastes like.'
Back then for sure.
World Rank 10, Spear King, challenged me.
I don't dodge anyone.
Sorry, Judgment Spear.
But I'll pay him back soon.
Stronger, of course.
"Whew, really. Can't stop you, Dong-hoon-ssi. Well, I'm just an employee. If the boss says go, I follow."
Rustle!
Gi So-yul tied her shoelaces and prepared.
She stretched her muscles, loosened joints, and began warming up.
A sign she fully acknowledged me as leader.
Now, time for the dungeon.
However.
"Hm?"
I furrowed my brow.
It was supposed to be deserted, no people around.
But presences from behind.
Three of them.
"Hm?"
Gi So-yul noticed too, straightening her bent waist.
And soon after.
"Hey, hold up!"
A familiar Korean accent rang out.
By the way, after the world went mad, everyone's speech auto-translates.
Probably aliens too.
Shadow Shepherd, Sun, Dragonkin, Elves, Dwarves, and even the elders.
'So.'
The Korean accent felt even more welcoming.
"Skeleton King, Dark Emperor! Don't enter yet, stand by!"
"......?"
Gi So-yul and I tilted our heads, turning around.
A muscular man and two women appeared.
* * *
Iron Fist.
The muscle-bound ranker's name was Bong Jae-young.
World Rank 101 stared at the man before him.
'So this is the hot Skeleton King lately?'
He smirked slyly.
Lately, internet was all [God Dong-hoon] this, [God Skeleton] that.
Ridiculous praise.
Truthfully, he didn't want to admit it.
'What kind of jump to 78th in one go? Makes no sense.'
Cases of going from outside 1,000 to high ranker in one leap?
First time in 13 years of history.
In other words, beyond common sense.
'Mistake for sure.'
Even supercomputers glitch.
God-made creatures mutate.
Why not the System?
'And what? Skeleton King?'
The pinnacle of necromancers he knew was Death Knight or Lich.
Never skeletons.
'That guy's experience and skill are definitely way below mine.'
So when he heard the guy left for Russia.
He went straight to the Association President.
Because of his personality that only calms after seeing for himself.
- President. Remember that favor you asked?
- You wanted someone for Russia support. I'll go.
- That Skeleton King? I'll go as overseer, keep tabs.
- Huh? No, President. Think about it. Just a week ago he was unranked. Proper dungeon experience? If we trust him blindly, we might lose national power. Yeah yeah, I'll go teach him.
- Support... uh, just attach two Association rankers. You know? Not boring guys, fresh cute ones.
Casual tone.
Practically notifying as he boarded the plane, Bong Jae-young.
Arrived and rushed straight to the dungeon.
"Nice to meet you. I'm 101st, Bong Jae-young. Dark Emperor, long time no see?"
"......Yes."
Gi So-yul replied flatly, expressionless.
Bong Jae-young frowned slightly.
'This bitch too. Got a bit cocky lately, huh.'
Her attitude, cold as Siberian wind.
It bruised his ego a bit.
But he was used to it.
Even before, Dark Emperor was always cold to him.
"Ah, yes, nice to meet you. I'm Joo Dong-hoon... What brings you here?"
That was when Skeleton King greeted and asked.
Bong Jae-young eyed him sideways.
'Nothing special?'
Weak presence for 78th.
Couldn't feel it properly.
'Because he's not pure melee?'
Necromancer after all.
'System error confirmed.'
Bong Jae-young was Rank 101 too.
He had the eye to gauge skill from presence alone.
'Assassins can hide it a bit.'
But Joo Dong-hoon was necromancer.
Necromancer using stealth?
Never heard in hunter life.
'At this level, I can take him.'
Grinning inwardly, Bong Jae-young spoke.
"Association orders. We'll enter this dungeon together. As overseers. You two, introduce yourselves."
He nodded to the two Association rankers behind him.
"Ah, yes. Hello. I'm Kwon So-ye from the Association."
World Rank 909, The Druid Kwon So-ye.
"I'm... uh, Im Soo-jin. Honored to meet the hotshot lately."
World Rank 930, Asura Im Soo-jin.
Both.
20-something female rankers.
But not Seoul affiliates, so not in Seoul's Five Stars.
"Ah, I see."
Skeleton King nodded at the greetings.
"By the way, Association-ordered oversight?"
"Yeah, exactly oversight."
Bong Jae-young glared as he spoke.
"Hmm, well."
The man nodded coolly.
"It's a public dungeon, none of my business... Got it. Let's go in together."