Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Athena's Apostle Descends
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Yoo Seongwon's trailer.
Baek Ga-yeon's call reached him right away, just as he was finishing off the Merman Warlord and wrapping up the payout.
The news of the 500 billion won deposit startled him so much that he hung up and immediately checked his account.
[Deposit Amount: 500,000,000,000 KRW]
"For real?"
[It is real, Master. An indisputable amount with no falsehoods.]
"...Goddamn it."
To be honest, Yoo Seongwon had figured they wouldn't stick with him to the end on the commission.
No way the government shells out 500 billion all at once for something that's not exactly chump change.
Even with Korea's national budget sitting at around 500 trillion, handing that sum to a single individual—pure commission for taking down one demon—was straight-up insane.
"Was it that desperate? Shit... They even lifted the account freeze like it was nothing! Haa~"
"What now?"
"What else? We got paid, so we do it. I dragged my feet hard trying to bail... and they go and send this. I'm at a loss for words~ Head to Iron Fortress first to gear up, then straight to Seoul. Akaron, full throttle—no speed limits, no traffic laws."
[Per the Korean Road Traffic Act, fines may apply?]
"With 500 billion in the bank, fines are the least of my worries. Uncle Chungseon, drop that too~ Let's scope the outside and prep to roll out."
Vroooom!
Mid-joke, Akaron stomped the accelerator, and the trailer's engine roared to life.
To shake off his reluctance and get the latest on the front lines and everyone else, Yoo Seongwon dialed Shin Somi.
"Sis, it's me. You pick up Ayoung? How's she holding up?"
(Yeah, got her. She's safe and sound. So, you wrap things up?)
"Yeah. Roughly cleared two southern fronts, heading back for some rest... but the damn government just dumped 500 billion into my account."
(500 billion? Oh, the situation was turning south by the minute, but that much? I'll talk to Yucheong and get supplies prepped for your trailer right away.)
"Thanks."
True to her sharp instincts, she'd clocked exactly what needed doing in one go. Yoo Seongwon thanked her with a smile.
Next, he flipped on the news to check the front lines. The screen showed the northern Seoul barrier—previously unbreached—partially shattered, Slaughter King's demons surging in like a tidal wave. Hunters and soldiers fought desperately to hold them back.
"Whoa, that's bad. First time in my 32 years seeing that thing cracked. You ever seen it, Uncle Chungseon?"
"Nope. I've been called to Seoul plenty, but never seen it breached."
『Meeeeeee!』
『Shit! They broke through!』
『Someone block it! Of all things, the toughest one—Remrem!』
A sheep beastman demon clad in full plate mail, Remrem. Swinging a massive flail, it bulldozed past interfering hunters and gleefully hammered the generator.
Hunters tried shooting and attacking to stop it, but it was no use. A-rank monster Dragon Slaughterers, B-rank Giant Slaughterers—Slaughter King's elite heavies—along with Arc Demon Beasts under Remrem's direct command, hulking black sheep, rampaged everywhere.
"Jump in, we'll need to mop up those big mobs first."
"But can we even keep pace? Looks dicey... Leader, shouldn't you go ahead and hold the line?"
"Hmm... Yeah, maybe? Huh? What's that glow..."
『Under Constellation Athena's guidance! Here to punish the wicked god's demons!』
『Mee! Olympus lapdog?』
It was right around then that Yoo Seongwon started weighing whether to charge in first.
A golden flash lit the sky, and someone dropped right in front of the massive sheep demon Remrem.
Dressed in Greek-style helmet and armor, shield in one hand, long spear in the other—all gleaming gold. Fiery red eyes blazing, brown hair whipping in the wind, she leveled her spear at Remrem.
Remrem turned, glaring back with a grudging acknowledgment of her undeniable power.
『Constellation Athena's apostle! S-rank hunter Diomedea! We're saved!』
『Look! Up top—Olympus's sky chariot transport. Reinforcements incoming!』
Her ties to a constellation, the unmistakable Olympus Guild flair, and troops parachuting nonstop from her ride had the nearby hunters cheering, morale surging like a miracle.
Watching onscreen, Yoo Seongwon and Choi Chungseon traded stunned looks—Olympus Guild had finally made their move.
"Oho, Olympus finally unsheathed their blade?"
"But one unit won't cut it. Flashy entrance, sure... but it's just one extra S-rank."
"She's charging Remrem solo, though? Damn, fights just like those mythic coliseum brawls."
Diomedea, armored Greek-style with round shield and spear, clashed head-on with Remrem.
Each weapon strike unleashed shockwaves and pressure that cleared the area around them—no one could interfere.
『Your neck goes on Athena's altar!』
『Meeee! I'll roast you for the pastor and offer you to the great Slaughter King!』
"Even their banter fits the myths with gods thrown in. How's the other side? They said another S-rank popped up?"
Checking Goatman—separate from Remrem—revealed Blue Dragon Guild's three S-ranks locked on it.
Better to clump three on one and end it fast than split for two.
Problem was, Arc Demon Beasts were leagues beyond dungeon bosses.
"Damn it! Bro!"
"Ugh! What kind of monster has guards this tight!"
Blue Dragon's S-rank trio—Go Cheonsu, Go Cheonyong, and Chae Jiyeong—had rallied all their A- and B-ranks for full assault, targeting Goatman over the beefier Remrem.
But Goatman lounged casually, eyeing his hunters under heavy guard from goat-headed beastmen.
[Meh~ You think downing those hunger-blind scrubs and Slaughterers makes you hot stuff? I'm a direct apostle—not some idiot. Baphomets, advance.]
[Moooo!]
[Muuu!]
[Mehhh!]
Flanked by massive goat-headed demons, Baphomets in heavy plate and arms, Goatman strolled forward, casually casting spells to block hunter fire and assaults.
Way trickier than Remrem with those escorts glued to his side.
"Gotta wipe the Baphomets first, right bro?"
"Problem is, he won't sit still for it."
"Getting this rough has our constellation thrilled? She's clapping up a storm."
[As you face this massive crisis, Constellation Blue Dragon is greatly pleased.]
[Hoping you'll overcome this trial, she cheers and applauds.]
[Victory here, and she'll lavish her apostles with blessings.]
Loving the "struggle," Blue Dragon reveled in her apostles' bind.
Go Cheonsu, long used to it, caught his breath and stayed cool.
"I'll pin Goatman. You all focus Baphomets."
"Bro, you sure? How we bail?"
"No difference in rep between bailing clean or after a scrap. Plus Olympus showed—should be fine."
"Got it."
The battle dragged on.
Even with Olympus joining, the overall tide stayed grim—especially for regular soldiers cut off from supplies.
Magic stone rounds made short work of those mobs, but ammo shortages forced retreats or bayonet charges. Pure tragedy.
"Ammo... just ammo! Damn it!"
"How many scavengers in the city?! Aaaagh!"
"Haa~ Sergeant, I'm heading out first."
Grenades and such helped in a pinch, but nowhere near magic stone rounds.
Hunters fought hard too, but breaching the wall meant urban combat—efficiency tanking fast.
"Don't let 'em near the shelters!"
"Hold! Hold! Where's the association president?! We need another S-rank yesterday!"
"He's tied up restoring supply lines... gah! What the hell?!"
"What? Just picking our spot~"
Worse, knowing the breach spelled doom, some borderline hunters and scavengers flipped—backstabbing their own.
Classic rats: glom onto winners for scraps, hunters or monsters alike. Pure opportunists.
Those who'd fought side-by-side mere seconds ago looted drops and bailed.
"Scavengers live for the call. Wall's down—Korea's toast. Time to book boats to China or Japan~"
"But Shin-an Undercity's a mess right now, right? Think it'll be okay, bro?"
"When was it ever not? Daily scraps with the Chinese and Japs..."
"But Olympus sent backup. Isn't bailing too hasty?"
"What're one or two gonna do? Country's done—let's move. Heh heh heh."
Soldiers starved for supplies hit rock bottom. Hunters fractured into chaos.
Olympus was a glimmer of hope, but no game-changer yet.
Diomedea held even in her 1v1 with Arc Demon Beast-Remrem—but no edge.
"Urgh!"
[Meh!]
Just mutual destruction, no clean hits. Stalemate.
Arc Demon Beast-Remrem smashed her shield with its flail, glaring hatred at the stubborn human.
Diomedea felt it too—this S-rank under rumored Slaughter King was no joke.
'Solo matchup's all wrong!'
[Meh-eee!]
Tanky plate, shield, heavy warrior sheep beastman form—prime S-rank brute force and agility combo. 1v1 win? Brutal.
'Dragging it out won't cut it. Damn! Where's Tritonias? Said she was faster!'
[Snort! Getting owned by a chick, Remrem? Gonna stall forever?]
'W-What?'
Mid-dread, fresh pressure from the wall. Diomedea glanced over.
A horse-headed beastman rivaling Remrem's size loomed, staring down.
Aura sharp as knives, extraordinary vibe.
Casual nickname for Remrem? Same tier at least.
'Another Arc Demon Beast!'
[Meh! Just toying around, Przewalski! Why're you here?]
[Pffhee-hee, scared you'd flop like Leghorn. Pffhee-hee!]
Przewalski smirked down at them. Diomedea sensed doom—enemy reinforcements first, no ally backup yet.
Seemed to watch for now... but no relaxing.
'...Front's crumbling. We lose like this!'
"These damn sheep won't drop!"
"Hold till the leader wins!"
"Sheep! Incoming sh—aaaah!"
This wasn't a duel.
War. Allies dying left and right.
Time for hard calls.
Diomedea gripped her spear, committing to her ace.
[Meh-eee! Who's losing?! Watch close! I'll gut this human bitch right here!]
'Perfect. They're bickering—pissed off. Strike now!'
Raging charge from Remrem—prime opening. Diomedea met it head-on, spotting the flail's downward swing gap. Trump card inbound.
'Constellation Athena's gift: Diomedes' Blessing. God-wounding, god-weeping martial art seals it!'
[Meh-eee-eee!]
"Ares Crying!"
Raging let her nail the armpit gap perfectly—god-wounding ultimate thrust. Her power-charged golden spear erupted in blinding light, plunging toward Remrem.
[Heh. Humans really are simple.]
But Remrem's face shifted—from fury to hunter's smirk at a trapped fool.
Diomedea froze in shock, but her spear connected. Brilliant light exploded on impact.