Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Neo Shinan Undercity
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Neo Shinan Undercity.
It was a city built by Scavengers in Shinan, right in the heart of Jeollanam-do Province.
Its coastal and island location, combined with the fact that the Korean government's reach had never extended there, allowed it to evolve into an Undercity amid the chaos of the Awakener era and Constellation era. These days, it served as an illegal trade hub linking China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Yoo Seongwon and his group had come with Choi Choongsun to a ruined seaside where all signs of human activity had vanished, staring out at the Undercity on the distant island.
"Oh, no salt fields left, huh? Skyscrapers on the island?"
"Salt production is something you'll only see in history books now. They've replaced it with drug cultivation and slave trading as their main industries. Feels a bit like Hong Kong."
"The island's pretty small, though. How'd they manage that? Or couldn't they just expand onto the mainland?"
"Probably Chinese and Japanese Scavengers invested in expansion projects on the island. To use it as a hub for illegal trade routes, you know. As you might be aware, all the major countries in the world are busy fighting their own evil-aligned Constellations."
Having released his transformation, Choi Choongsun appeared as a sturdy man in his early fifties.
He scratched his head and explained politely to Yoo Seongwon, who looked younger than him.
He couldn't bring himself to act familiar, no matter how much he wanted to—the knights around Yoo Seongwon shot him chilling glances that made his blood run cold.
"Anyway, if we take those guys out, the whole Jeolla region should be safe, right?"
"Yes, probably. There's a Constellation mountain hermit influencing the Chungcheong area, but... Seoul handles that. We don't have much to worry about. However..."
"However, what?"
"As you know, there are a lot of slaves traded there for labor. You're not thinking of just ignoring their rescue, are you?"
Yoo Seongwon fell silent at Choi Choongsun's point.
Truth be told, he hadn't even considered it. He figured he'd just go in, smash or subdue the Scavengers, and the government or association would handle the aftermath.
Though his face was hidden by the helmet, Choi Choongsun sensed that vibe from Yoo Seongwon and broke out in a cold sweat.
"Hmm, I figured we'd roughly round them up and hand them over to the government or association, and they'd handle the resocialization."
"Th-that's not impossible, but they probably won't welcome it. Resocialization costs money, and slaves often lack independence or social skills, so they end up impoverished or back as Scavenger slaves. It hasn't been very effective. So..."
'Hah~ These worthless scum who are worse than that goblin... to think they're human like me. What a joke.'
Yoo Seongwon couldn't help thinking of the Goblin Emperor who had surrendered first to prevent sacrifices among its people and army, even if circumstances differed.
This guy was one thing, but the government and association officials seemed utterly devoid of any sense of responsibility or duty—it was absurd.
'Figures. No cop or public servant has any damn pride or responsibility, that's how it got this bad. Same as those bastards in the protection facility.'
Bad memories resurfaced, and Yoo Seongwon let out a sigh.
That government facility full of irresponsible types who only cared about their own gain and convenience, letting even people die without a care.
Realizing it was the same here made him regret coming at all.
"S-so, it might be best to just eliminate the dangerous elements and key Scavengers while leaving the islands intact."
"...Hmmm~"
Talking to people like this was pointless—they wouldn't get it no matter what. Yelling would just tire him out.
Not even worth the energy to get angry, Yoo Seongwon sighed to compose himself, stowed Titan's Peg, turned his back, and addressed the knights.
"Let's just go."
"Wh-why are you leaving?"
"You handle the rest. Long-horned beetle sir."
"Wait! Hold on!"
As Yoo Seongwon turned to leave, Choi Choongsun called out desperately.
But Yoo Seongwon didn't respond, mounting Akaron's hover bike and vanishing.
Unsure why he was turning back after coming this far, Choi Choongsun hesitated but decided he had to follow.
Transforming back into his long-horned beetle monster form, he spread his wings and took off.
'What the hell? He said himself he'd handle everything while he was here! Damn it! We finally caught a break!'
As a rotten human and citizen maybe, but as an S-rank Hunter, his instincts were sharp—he knew their strength was the real deal and couldn't let this chance slip.
In this world now, an 'Awakener's' power held the highest value.
It was the only thing that guaranteed safety, drew people in, and commanded loyalty.
With an SS-rank Hunter and multiple S-rank knights, they could do anything.
'But he's just leaving? What the... Is this really okay? Or maybe...'
Pondering Yoo Seongwon's actions and their meaning, Choi Choongsun flapped his wings desperately to catch up.
[Contractor, that beetle guy's still tailing us?]
"Let him. He's probably heading back to the city. Anyway, soon as we get there, we'll hop in the trailer and head to Busan. Once we take out that Merman Warlord or whatever, it'll sort itself out."
[But Contractor, wasn't the original plan to team up with the S-rank Hunters down south?]
"I can't stand guys like that."
The type who shits in their own nest and waits for someone else to clean it up.
Sure, you can't blame someone for failing what they can't do. But shirking something tough yet doable? That's a sin.
As Jeolla's sole S-rank Hunter, he could've pressured the lazy local government and association plenty.
Yet here they were in this mess, meaning he'd just coasted along.
'Giving up is giving up, but his is worlds apart from mine.'
Giving up with no talent, ability, background, or money versus giving up when you could've tried? Night and day.
That's why Yoo Seongwon rejected Choi Choongsun's offer and returned to the city. He headed straight for his parked trailer, but the city was in an uproar.
"Hurrayyy!"
"Th-thank you so much, Golden Dragon Knight. As Gwangju's mayor, I am truly grate—"
"Golden Dragon Knight, I'm Lee Myeong-chan from AA Daily. Could you say a few words about why you've come to help us this time...?"
"Woooaaah!"
Entering the city, Yoo Seongwon spotted citizens cheering around his trailer, clearly knowing he was their savior.
As he approached, the mayor-looking geezer and a reporter rushed up with mics, but they were no different from Choi Choongsun, so he ignored them and boarded the trailer.
"I'm busy, so scram. Eldraen, Seom-myeol, Tara. We're leaving now."
[Oh~ Leaving already? Got it.]
"Understood, Captain."
Eldraen shifted to human form and entered the vehicle, while Seom-myeol landed on the trailer roof and went inside.
The mayor and reporter were dumbfounded at being dismissed without a word, but since these were the ones who saved the city, they couldn't complain.
With a mountain of cleanup inside the city anyway, they turned away.
"W-wait!"
"That beetle guy's persistent."
Boom!
As he started driving the trailer out, a heavy thud sounded, and Choi Choongsun landed in front, blocking the way.
Already pressed for time with the roadblock, Yoo Seongwon scowled.
He'd wrapped up business here, and this clingy attachment was repulsive—he wanted to ignore it. But with the guy clinging and begging, it was maddening.
"Just hear me out, please, Mr. Yoo Seongwon! It might sound like an excuse, but you're right—I'm a dumb, incompetent bastard. Sure, I'm an S-rank Hunter, but I just worked for the Forestry Service, awakened into the Druid class, lucked into a good skill tree to hit S-rank, and stuck to hunting without any training or insight until your words woke me up..."
"Mister! Enough, move. Clean up your own shit. I have my own job to do. Ah! Don't block the trailer—get out of the way."
"Please! Just hear me out!"
"Ah! Nothing to hear. Live your life doing jack shit forever like now. What, you think I'm ordering you around? Akaron, let's go."
Boom!
But stubborn as ever, or desperate not to lose him, Choi Choongsun climbed atop the trailer and clung on.
Naturally, Yoo Seongwon and the knights inside felt it and looked to him for orders.
"What do we do with him, Captain? Want me to shake him off?"
"Leave him. Ignore it, and he'll drop off. He's got his own stuff to do anyway. So, let's check the Gyeongsang situation? Oh..."
『Seoul is currently engaged with the 'Slaughter King' and his subordinate 'SS-rank Demon Pastor Lee' and their monsters. If any civilians haven't evacuated, please head to the nearest shelter immediately. Once again...』
"Ah, not this..."
『...This is Haeundae Dalmasi-gil in Busan. The D-City Hotel front line here is still swarmed by massive numbers of Mermen and sea monsters. Busan guilds and the military are resisting, but the enemy commander 'Merman Warlord' keeps sending monsters from the 'Merman Palace,' turning it into an endless war of attrition.』
Switching on his phone news, it was just as expected.
Busan's hotspots were in fierce combat, chaos everywhere as predicted.
Yoo Seongwon pondered strategy, unconcerned, as he listened to Busan updates.
"Video looks like they're holding better than I thought."
"Well, Busan's got some pretty capable folks."
"When the hell did this damn beetle sneak on board?"
Turning at the unfamiliar voice, there was Choi Choongsun, scratching his head sheepishly.
Sneaking in past everyone here without detection was no small feat.
The startled knights drew weapons and glared, but Choi Choongsun raised both hands, insisting he meant no fight, and explained.
"I-I turned into a mayfly and slipped in through a vent up top. I can transform into all sorts of insects, appearances aside."
"Real bug guy, huh. Hold up—then couldn't you have dodged beatings back in the fight instead of running?"
"W-well... Botch the transformation, and your stats scale down massively, risking death. I could've escaped another way but didn't. Anyway, please, just hear me out."
"Hah~ Fine, I'll listen till Busan, then."
No choice with him chasing this far, and he didn't want to wreck the pricey trailer—Yoo Seongwon figured he'd kill time en route.
Grateful even for that, Choi Choongsun dropped to his knees, bowed his head to the floor, and said.
"Take me as your subordinate. I'll serve you as boss for life."
Having brainstormed on the chase, he'd thrown out a bold offer.
An S-rank Hunter volunteering to bow and join wasn't commonplace—he figured it'd be a big deal. But Yoo Seongwon's face crumpled, anything but pleased.