Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Heading to Daegu
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💬 Hadal Chat — Camellia Flower(☆) So, Tree Tree, will you accept the bodyguard request? — Tree Tree Are you saying you want to use me for free right now? — Camellia Flower(☆) As if. — Tree Tree How much are you offering? — Camellia Flower(☆) What figure did you have in mind, Tree Tree? — Tree Tree Are you testing me right now? You know I hate that the most. — Camellia Flower(☆) Just testing the waters. I know your personality well, Tree Tree. Everyone in this underworld knows the Dog Butcher of Afghanistan. Though only a few know that's you. — Tree Tree Did you have to bring up that nickname right now... It's my black history, black history... — Camellia Flower(☆) The coolest black history in the world. I think it's badass. The Dog Butcher of Afghanistan—doesn't it just ooze coolness? — Tree Tree No... The original nickname was "The Butcher of Afghanistan," so why did it suddenly become "Dog Butcher"? I still don't get it. — Camellia Flower(☆) Anyway, enough chit-chat. Upfront 3 billion, 7 billion at auction end—total 10 billion. Sound good? — Tree Tree ... 10 billion? — Camellia Flower(☆) If the auction goes smoothly, we'll throw in bonuses. You know how to drive tanks, right, Tree Tree? We've got a bunch of T-34s and Abrams this time—might snag a few for you. — Tree Tree Make it Abrams if you can. — Camellia Flower(☆) Deal. I'll take that as a yes, Tree Tree. — Tree Tree Yeah. — Camellia Flower(☆) Today's Thursday. Auction starts this Saturday at 8:30 PM. Head to Daegu ASAP—appreciate it. — Tree Tree Tell me the exact time. — Camellia Flower(☆) Can you make it to Daegu by 6 PM today? — Tree Tree I'll be in Daegu by 8. — Camellia Flower(☆) Perfect. Ping me when you arrive in Daegu. — Tree Tree Got it. “Daegu... Haa, guess I have to head down there again.”
Clients were mostly in Seoul, so I'd put down roots here, but this kinda ruins it. Such a hassle...
When am I supposed to go all the way to Gyeongsang Province again...
“It's... 1 PM now.”
I can make it by 8 PM—that's seven hours left.
Guess I'll grab some food first before heading out.
“Yeah, might as well go now.”
I strip off my ratty pajamas, change into activewear, sling on my bag, and stuff it with whatever's in sight.
Pistol, bombs, daggers, bullets—everything I see goes in.
Bag packed, I turn off the lights, step out the front door, and head down the stairs to the first floor.
“Boss, one spicy jjambbong here.”
“Oh! Building owner lady, good to see you. One jjambbong! Order up!”
A three-story building on prime Seoul real estate.
This lovely place has a Chinese joint on the first floor, two offices on the second, and the third floor plus rooftop are mine.
Yeah, the Chinese place on the first floor...!
“I always appreciate you, miss. Here, tangsuyuk on the house—enjoy!”
“Oh, thanks. Dig in.”
Sitting alone, leg bouncing, the aromatic, spicy scent of chili oil soon hits my nose.
The black bowl in the chef's hands filled with red broth, and the wide plate of crispy tangsuyuk!
“Kuh... Boss! Can of cola!”
“Coming right up!”
I grab a piece of crispy tangsuyuk with chopsticks and take a bite.
The crunchy batter cracks first, then the soft meat inside—pure bliss...
This is the real drug, the real sex.
“Here you go!”
I take the cola from the boss, pop the tab, and chug.
The fizzy carbonation cuts perfectly through the greasy fried goodness.
Finally, a sip of spicy jjambbong...!
“Hya...”
Anastasia.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After chow at the Chinese place and paying up, I head to Seoul Station and board the train.
Earphones in, I listen to tunes and gently close my eyes.
Seoul to Gyeongsang's only 2-3 hours anyway—just a quick nap.
Leaning into the plush seat, warm sunlight streaming through the window, I feel like a real tree.
Yeah, super chill right now.
The train's left Seoul and is cruising near Daejeon.
The mountains and lush greenery outside are so soothing.
A Cuban cigar would perfect this... but no dice.
“Yawwn...”
Guess I'll catch some shut-eye...
KWAAAAAANG—!
‘...?’
“Kyaaaaah—!”
“Monster! It's a monster!”
“Gate! The gate exploded!”
“Kyaaaaah—!”
The speeding train slams on emergency brakes.
KEEEEEEK—
The screech of metal scraping rails echoes everywhere.
Then the ceiling and walls rupture as monsters start pouring in.
“Latent gate nearby?”
We call long-abandoned gates "latent gates."
They spew hordes of monsters, mimicking a gate outbreak.
Governments and guilds hate them most—mass casualties.
“Haa, what a pain.”
Never dreamed I'd be one of those casualties.
First monsters in sight: kobold and mana eater.
Sensing around, I pick up goblins and an orc too.
“Ow, ow, owww!”
Goblin D-rank, kobold C, mana eater B, orc B.
Looks like a B- to A-rank gate blew.
Problem: no other hunters nearby except me.
“Hahyap!”
KWAK—!
‘Oh?’
“Everyone! Gather behind me!”
KWAK—! WOODDUK—! PAK—!
While I'm sizing things up, a woman suddenly appears.
Sword out, she slices a kobold's arm, then beheads it.
Guess there's another hunter besides me.
Cool, I can relax then.
I sneak behind her like an innocent kid.
And just as I sit to chill...
KWAK—!
“Aaack—!”
The mana eater lunges at the woman and bites her right arm.
Luckily no amputation, but poisoned for sure.
Her arm's turning blue, fingers trembling—clear signs.
‘Haa...’
Thought she was at least B-rank striding out so confidently, but she's sub-C trash.
‘What a hassle...’
No choice now.
Real pain.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Han Gyeo-ul was your typical run-of-the-mill streamer.
Her standout trait? C-rank hunter and Awakened.
She built her channel around games, gates, dungeons, mukbangs—mixing everyday and extraordinary—and amassed a solid mid-to-large fanbase.
-So why Daegu all of a sudden?
> -Why head to Daefrica outta nowhere?
“Oh, that? I got invited by the Association.”
-Association?
“Yep, so I've got business in Daegu.”
Her rising fame landed her an invite from the Korea Hunter Association. Beaming happily, she boarded the train to Daegu.
If she'd known a latent gate would blow, she'd never have taken the train.
Hearing screams and monster presences, Gyeo-ul grabbed her weapon and rushed to the front car.
-Oh shit...
> -Latent gate?
The scene she found was pure hellscape.
People skewered by kobold swords, collapsing; kids devoured by mana eaters; folks begging amid blood...
“Hahyap!”
Assessing, Gyeo-ul swings at the kobold before her.
Sever its arm, then crush its skull in follow-up.
She resets stance, sword ready for more, but—
“Aaack—!”
The mana eater's swift strike catches her off-guard.
Its fangs sink into her arm.
Sharp teeth pierce flesh.
Gyeo-ul flails her sword to shake it off, but her arm's already blue with poison.
“Ah.”
Then, crushing weakness floods her body.
Mana draining out—vivid, chilling.
Like a vegetable, life flickering out one by one.
“Aaaah...”
Tears freeze in her eyes, sensing her end.
SPLAT—
Weakness overtakes her; she crumples forward.
Arm deepens blue; weakness intensifies.
‘Ah...’
Just before she hits the floor—
THUP—
“You alive?”
A voice tickles her ear.
Soft yet curt, snappy charm caressing her senses.
Her falling body halts, slowly rights itself.
Someone's supporting her.
Gyeo-ul musters strength to open her eyes.
Who? What happened?
The last thing she saw—
‘... A kid?’
A barely 150cm child unleashing gunfire.