Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: S-Rank Shortage Crisis
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Seoul, Association Headquarters.
News had reached the Association that two S-rank monsters were attacking, and the Blue Dragon Guild had already taken the lead in engaging them.
The Association meeting had been elevated to a national emergency response session, so not only Association and guild representatives were present, but also the Minister of National Defense and even the President.
One unusual detail was that Baek Ga-yeon, who had been at Iron Fortress, had been forcibly summoned and was occupying a seat.
"The two S-rank monsters, Remrem and Gotman, have fully engaged in combat. The Association Chairman has already headed out for support and isn't here right now, but there's a high chance the other Archdemon Beasts will be deployed as well. Has Olympus Guild given any response?"
"Well... For now, S-rank and Athena's apostle Diomedes is en route via private jet and should arrive within three hours. But the one blessed by Heracles' Grace has suddenly taken a turn for the worse and can't make it."
"Th-then what do we do?"
"Instead, S-rank Hunter Tritonias from the Pacific Front is coming first. She'll arrive within five hours. However, due to Olympus's commitments across multiple fronts, they say additional support will be extremely difficult."
In essence, Olympus was officially declaring that they could only provide two S-rank Hunters and their teams—no more.
The South Korean government wanted to call in the SS-rank blessed by Heracles' Grace, but given Olympus's impact on global safety, they couldn't force it.
"By the way, I hear the situations in Busan and Gwangju have improved... Couldn't we call in those two S-ranks working there? With Blue Dragon's three, Olympus's two, one from Seoul, the Chairman, and those two—that makes nine total. Factoring in the A-ranks and B-ranks, we might just manage..."
On paper, it looked like a viable force.
If the Archdemon Beasts weren't all attacking at once but in smaller numbers, nine S-rank Hunters plus a bunch of A- and B-ranks should be enough to defend Seoul.
As government officials and guild representatives continued discussing, an Association executive, standing in for the Chairman, broke out in a cold sweat.
"Th-that's... There's a problem."
"A problem?"
"No, well... Hunter Choi Choong-sun... has refused the Association's summons."
"Refused? What the hell...?"
"He even said he won't follow Hunter Association orders anymore and plans to leave his home. He told us to strip him of his hunter license if we want."
The sudden news of an S-rank Hunter defying orders and abandoning the Association was shocking.
Not only the Association staff but the government officials were stunned, pressing the executive for details.
"N-no, what happened all of a sudden? Losing one S-rank isn't a small matter! What went down?"
"We looked into it... A Golden Dragon Knight appeared on the Gwangju front where Choi Choong-sun was, saved him, and then he joined up with them. Plus, there are eyewitness accounts from Busan of him taking orders from the Golden Dragon Knight and respectfully calling him 'Captain.' Looks like he's fully under his command now."
'It was bound to happen eventually. What a fuss~'
Baek Ga-yeon sighed inwardly as she watched.
Just as she said, it was an explosion waiting to happen.
The two responsible for the south—Choi Choong-sun and Jeon Ji-ah—were S-rank Hunters who could command top treatment anywhere.
'They didn't look after them properly or prepare for this, so no wonder they're panicking. Tsk tsk.'
It was all because of hometown ties, family issues, and the like—things that kept them tethered, forcing them to shoulder the burden. But solve those problems, or remove the need altogether, and they'd be free anytime.
'Of course, they probably had watchers in place to monitor the situation. But things escalated too fast for countermeasures, and with this crisis demanding all their attention, that's probably why.'
If they hadn't done anything at all, they'd have fallen to the Scavengers or the Big Three Guilds long ago.
The Association knew their value, so they'd stationed people to counter approaches from other factions or offers of deals.
They'd also sent folks over time to tug at their emotions or provide occasional support to keep them loyal.
"What the hell has the Association been doing until this blew up? That's what the budget is for—to prevent this!"
"Well, from what we gathered, it happened during a clash with Black Mage Han Jung-ho's Scavenger forces. They met, some negotiation went down, and right after he returned, Choi followed him. There was no opening at all. What kind of move did he pull?"
'That guy's not the type to scheme on his own, though?'
Knowing Yoo Seongwon's personality and knowledge level, Baek Ga-yeon didn't think he'd done anything special.
She'd have to hear it directly, but it was far more likely that Choi had been swayed by Yoo's words and actions, ditched his post, and joined him.
"Either way, it's a huge problem. If we can't get Choi back, not only will Seoul's S-rank strategy fail, but we'll have a massive security vacuum in Gwangju and Jeolla—meaning extra military budget or outsourcing to guilds."
"Damn it! That wretched Golden Dragon Knight! Not content with that damn pact, now he's screwing us over? What about Jeon Ji-ah? She said she'd come, right?"
"She says she can't because she's covering Jeolla alone right now. She wants fifteen A-ranks if we want her to move. Haah~"
"Th-that's ridiculous!"
"Then she won't come."
With these two refusing, the hoped-for nine S-ranks dropped to seven—visibly short against nine Archdemon Beasts.
Even scarier was if Olympus sensed no chance of victory, they might pull back to conserve strength.
That would thin the ranks further, accelerating collapse.
"Why didn't you treat them better sooner?"
"Ma'am, it's not that simple."
"Did you even intend to?"
"......"
Baek Ga-yeon's razor-sharp question silenced the Association and government bigwigs.
They had no intention of helping as long as things were running smoothly without a word.
Even if asked, they'd have refused with excuses like "sacrifice for the greater good," "the nation's at risk," "lives are precious," and so on.
"But if we trace the cause, isn't it that bastard Yoo Seongwon, the Golden Dragon Knight?"
"He might've been the spark, but if you'd handled things right before, we'd have one SS-rank and four extra S-ranks by now. Not entirely the government or Association's fault, though."
She subtly glanced at reps from Blue Dragon Guild, Seoul Guild, and Olympus Guild.
The Big Three Guilds' cutthroat competition.
Operations prioritizing their own goals and rewards, monopolizing top Awakeners, corporate alliances dominating society, power abuses—the problems were legion.
"Anyway, regrets won't change it now. Actually, isn't there a way to hire one SS-rank and four S-ranks just by paying? That'd make five S-ranks and above. Count in Choi and me, that's six—seven? Heh heh."
Excluding her hidden aces, Knights Yoo Cheong and Jin-seok, adding Yoo Seongwon and his knights, plus Choi Choong-sun and herself: one SS-rank and six S-ranks—seven total, matching what the Association could muster.
"You're doing this too, ma'am?"
"Did you back me up even once when I was shoveling shit at the Academy to change things? Heh heh. Anyway, think it o~ver."
The south's situation had eased somewhat—thanks to Yoo Seongwon.
But that very relief had cost them two S-ranks outside their control, amplifying the damage.
As she said, money alone wouldn't fix it.
"Isn't there still one option left? The one you solve with money. Why not just front 500 billion?"
"Be reasonable, ma'am. 500 billion isn't some kid's name we can toss around..."
"So, you never planned to honor the contract with him."
"......"
The government official's silence was affirmation.
Mobilizing a trillion was an issue, but looking ahead, they'd have to pay every crisis.
Beyond the sum, backlash from other guilds and hunters made it hard to decide.
'Sigh, these idiots...'
It was clear now: accepting Yoo's demand initially was just to buy time for persuasion.
"Why worry about other hunters? Tell them to gather seven S-ranks if they're jealous, or leave the Korean market. We're calling an SS-rank Demon-level foe—what's the problem?"
"You're right, but... isn't there another way? A trillion is just too much... Medals or hero treatment might work, but shaking lives with money like this is too cowardly, isn't it?"
"He'd bust a gut laughing if he heard. It's not like money dictating lives is new to this era. You're too naive about the world."
"Urk...!"
"Whatever. If the country falls, you won't be president, chairman, or exec anymore—no more strutting around. Can't trade with Korean cash then either~ Good luck. Heh heh."
Baek Ga-yeon reclined her chair, closed her eyes, and relaxed.
But with no real action, time only worsened things—bad news piling up.
"Seoul Guild just announced: They can't support because they must block the southern mountains. Guild Master Oh Kyung-hoon is staying put!"
"S-rank monster Remrem destroyed one of the generators powering the city defense system. A-rank and B-rank monsters are breaching the walls! No forces to stop them!"
"Uh... The 771st Defense Unit's asking when resupply's coming. They're out of ammo..."
"Internal Scavenger raid destroyed supply battalion vehicles and trailers! And Blade Excellion Guild Master is dead! Members are retreating for now."
Shift focus slightly, and like a snowball, crises grew.
Scavenger infiltrations, delayed supplies, mounting casualties and damage reports. Allied hunter guilds kept reporting losses.
They chattered and phoned frantically while staring at Seoul front screens, but without raw 'power,' nothing resolved.
"Mr. President, word from our Guild Master: 'To my dear President. You said you'd gather nine S-rank Hunters including us—why's only the Association Chairman here? Four can't even handle two S-ranks. If no support, say so now. We'll plan our survival. No reply in ten minutes, we're out.'"
"Th-that's... Uh..."
"Classic Go Cheonsu. Sharp as ever. Or maybe that guy already tipped him off. Three gone, like I said."
The ultimatum from Blue Dragon Guild's Go Cheonsu, in the thick of battle.
He'd likely gotten a comms update from his guild members here and responded instantly.
Losing those with three S-ranks—not to mention A- and B-ranks—would collapse Seoul's front entirely. Government and Association had no choices left.
"...We'll do it, ma'am."
"Hm? Didn't catch that?"
"We'll pay the trillion, ma'am! Including the 500 billion upfront. Tell him to deploy north before the wall falls. And no payout if we lose."
"Go~od. Oh, and you know his account's frozen due to Seoul Guild's lawsuit?"
"We'll lift it immediately and transfer. Please contact him now. Time's critical."
Association execs and officials reeled at handing a trillion—national treasury's core—to one hunter, but with the crisis peaking, none could object.
Thus securing the commission and 500 billion upfront, Baek Ga-yeon wasted no more words and pulled out her phone to call Yoo Seongwon.