Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: The Pastor's Bargain
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Seoul, Association Headquarters.
To sum up the current situation, it was safe to say the immediate crisis had been averted.
True to its staggering five hundred billion price tag, Yoo Seongwon had jumped into the fray, pinning down the S-rank monster Remrem. Once the A-rank monsters it led were swiftly suppressed, the influx of monsters at that barrier visibly dropped off.
"Oh, living up to the hype, huh?"
"If he didn't, we'd be in deep shit. Whew~ Anyway, glad it worked out. I thought he'd charge in yelling 'Just gotta nab that pastor!'..."
"If he had, the country would've collapsed before he could catch him and drag him back—and we'd lose the other five hundred billion. Told him to clean up first. Hohohot."
"That's a relief, at least. Phew~"
With Yoo Seongwon and his knights plugging the breached barrier, backed by Olympus Guild members, all that remained was mopping up the demons inside the city.
On top of that, the imposing presence of the Gold Dragon hovering in the sky, combined with the rear-guard efforts of Shin Somi and Shin Ayoung, had halted the scavengers who'd been launching sneak attacks for personal gain.
"The Association President's arrived with supply units. He kept the route intact!"
"Whew~ Thank goodness."
"They're also handling the demons heading to the shelters. The guilds report that with the monster streams cut off, suppression is going smoothly."
"Olympus Guild's S-rank hunter Tritonias and her team have entered from the west side of the Han River via the waterways. They're heading straight here to provide support."
The incoming reports kept bringing good news.
Of course, it wasn't exactly good news that the barrier had been breached and monsters had flooded inside in the first place. Still, the suppression going smoothly was a positive.
One lingering concern remained, however.
No matter how well things looked now, it was only because Yoo Seongwon was holding Remrem. If he lost like he had to Diomedia, everything would go up in smoke.
"How's he doing right now?"
"Let's see... Looks like he's fighting well? Swing the camera over."
『Mee... eee... Kuheok! Cuk!』
『This kebab bastard's tough as hell.』
The camera panned back to Yoo Seongwon clashing with Remrem.
The difference between them was stark.
Yoo Seongwon showed no damage or wounds whatsoever, his armor gleaming brilliantly. Remrem, by contrast, had one horn snapped from the ambush, chunks of its armor shattered, shield dented, and lay sprawled on the ground vomiting blood.
It was a scene where the power gap was crystal clear—Yoo Seongwon was utterly dominating.
"Honestly, I was tense too... but once we peeled back the layers, it's way easier than expected. Levels are just bullshit, huh?"
[Meeeeeugh!]
The experience against Leghorn had bred some instinctive fear, but Yoo Seongwon now was leagues different from back then.
Level 61, battle-hardened through tough fights, and above all, armed with hard-earned experience. Remrem couldn't handle him alone—it was inevitable.
If it weren't a sturdy heavy-warrior type, it'd have been pulverized on Titan's stake long ago.
[How... how can this... Meeeek! To a mere human...!]
"Anyway, I've got plenty to do after catching you, so just croak quietly."
[Purruk! Can't let that happen.]
As he lunged to finish it, a horse-headed Archdemon Beast, Przewalski, wedged itself between Yoo Seongwon and Remrem.
A familiar face, so Yoo Seongwon waved in greeting.
"Huh? Long time no see, Horse Head. Didn't expect this, though? You never jumped in before, but now you do? Sudden case of camaraderie?"
[Puhiheng, no~ I wanted to watch this poor lamb die too, but we gotta stick to the plan we agreed on.]
"Plan?"
[Yeah. Did you think we wouldn't anticipate you'd screw up our plans again after losing 'Leghorn'? Hiihihihihihiheng!]
With that, Przewalski let out a long, loud neigh, like a signal.
Sensing trouble, Yoo Seongwon tensed...
Then, from afar, massive shadows swooped in and landed, revealing themselves.
The new Archdemon Beasts took the forms of a cow, pig, dog, and duck—a total of four.
Adding Remrem and Przewalski made six Archdemon Beasts gathered here.
"Whoa, didn't expect this many. Party up for a raid?"
"Hohohoho, since you took down our great apostle one-on-one... This much is only fair."
A man stepped down from the pig-headed Archdemon Beast's shoulder and approached Yoo Seongwon.
Clad in blood-red priestly robes, wearing glasses, an emaciated old man with eyes burning deep faith.
First time meeting today, but the face was unmistakably familiar.
"Golden Dragon Knight, was it? Nice to meet you properly. Allow me to introduce myself: servant of the great Slaughter King, destined one day to return to His belly. My real name is Lee..."
"Save it. 'That Pastor' works fine. Gotta look human to have a name worth hearing. Sheesh~ Torturing humans, feeding 'em to monsters—who's human in that?"
"Hohoho, I can't help but lament your hasty judgment. I'm not feeding people to 'monsters.' I'm offering 'sacrifices' to the god. No different from human sacrifice. Taboo in modern civilization that values human rights and life, sure—but know that eras without it were historically shorter."
"Ugh, must be nice being so smart. So, what's the point?"
"Let's make a deal."
A deal. Exchanging something for mutual benefit.
It seemed brazen after all the fighting, but the pastor extended a hand with a benevolent smile, as if it didn't matter.
"All we want are the humans down there. We don't need their money, loot, magic stones, gear, metals—none of it. So~ if you let us pass on the fight, we'll hand over everything you get from below: all the loot, magic stones, gear. Its value would make a trillion look like pocket change."
The offer sounded absurd, but the pastor's eyes brimmed with sincerity.
Humans to raise in his 'ranch' were all he needed; yielding the rest rang true.
Ceding the wealth, treasures, and magic stones from Korea's 40 million people was beyond groundbreaking—it was revolutionary.
"Nah, don't need that much. Too much money comes with its own headaches..."
"A trillion... isn't much money?"
"Ah, that's the opposite... Feels like I got backstabbed after playing smart. Sigh~ All your fault..."
"I've heard all sorts about my divine mission, but this petty whining? First time."
Yoo Seongwon's gripe was so trivial, it left the pastor baffled in turn.
No one had ever petty-talked the direct apostle of the constellation Slaughter King, who ran the 'human ranch.'
Even the brutal scavengers feared him speechless; S-rank hunters at best called him 'evil incarnate' or 'living demon' with grand words.
"Petty or not, just head out quietly and I won't chase."
"Kekekekeke! Drives me nuts. Not fighting, not allying, just scram? Unfathomable. You know who I am and you'd send me packing?"
"This fucked-up world has plenty hurting humans besides you, Pastor. Long as 'me' stays safe, that's it."
The bottom-dog resilient Yoo Seongwon and the devout Slaughter King follower were worlds apart—utterly incomprehensible to each other.
Sensing it, they wrapped up quickly.
"Kekeke, but here's the thing: I've taken heavy losses already. Can't back off now."
"Gotta be alive for next time."
"That's for you to hear. Conversation over. Lord Przewalski, talks failed. Proceed as planned."
The pastor retreated, and the six Archdemon Beasts stepped forward.
Horse Head Przewalski in the center glared at Yoo Seongwon.
[You're different from when you fought 'Leghorn.' Purruk! The guy terrified I'd join back then now stands fearless. Even with us six.]
"Yeah~ Was like that then. Leveled up, gained experience—feels different. But not just that."
[Assembly complete. Rapid cooldown initiated. Akaron has arrived.]
"We've safely handled the black sheep, Captain."
[Their flesh was tough, hides thick. Humhaha!]
[I... wanted... to eat more. Master...]
Right on cue, his knights gathered at Yoo Seongwon's side.
Now 5 vs 6. Numbers off, but Remrem half-dead already—call it 5 vs 5.5.
Having faced one solo and held the edge, Yoo gripped Titan's stake, battle-ready with confidence.
"Now we're talking. Anyway, Horse Head, catch you and I'll supply D-Mart."
[Purrukihiheng! Love the confidence. But remember: we didn't just match numbers to counter you.]
"Got it! Locked in! Lads! Charge! Strong foes like you wanted today. Pour it all out!"
[Ooooo!]
Yoo Seongwon and the knights charged instantly; the Archdemon Beasts roared and met them head-on.
S-rank hunters and monsters colliding en masse—a battlefield spectacle rare in a lifetime.
Hunters repairing the barrier and generator, or slaying stragglers, plus broadcaster drones, all climbed the walls to watch.
"Whoa, insane. SS-rank, S-rank hunters vs S-rank monsters—like a war..."
"Hey, Kim! Shut it and keep fixing the generator."
Amid the spectators, soldiers, and hunters busy with repairs, a hooded man hiding his face watched the battlefield and sighed in relief.
'Made it in time. Whew~ Damn Golden Dragon Knight. Revenge time at last. Heh heh heh.'
Oh Kyung-hoon.
Current Seoul Guild Master, who'd sided with the pastor in this crisis, betraying humanity.
Holed up in New Gangnam under pretense of defense, he'd rushed here at the pastor's call. While the pastor stalled Yoo Seongwon with trivial deal-talk, he'd arrived.
"Hey? What's that? The barrier..."
"What the—?!"
'Damn Golden Dragon Knight, today's your funeral!'
Slipping through the repair site like wind, he headed to join spectator-mode pastor.
Others pondered stopping him but, amid the chaos and his quick pace, let him go.
Oh Kyung-hoon seamlessly mimicked a scavenger, circling wide to link up, ready to unleash his Death Lord class power and topple the Golden Dragon Knight who'd ruined New Gangnam.