Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: The War Council Resumes
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Hyperion Tower, VVIP conference room.
About two hours after Yoo Seongwon had left, the meeting resumed without him.
The atmosphere was somewhat subdued compared to before, but the government official pressed on with the briefing anyway.
“…Ahem, then let’s get the meeting underway. Guild Master Baek Gayeon, I’m terribly sorry, but would you mind stepping out?”
“Why? Has my hunter rank suddenly been downgraded or something?”
“No, nothing like that. But you’re still perceived as being firmly on the side of the Golden Dragon Knight. Breaking the seal on Iron Fortress, and looking at your actions up to now—anyone would think you’re in his camp.”
“Hmm… Can’t deny that. You’re right. Fair point.”
“Since he’s shown such open animosity toward our nation, there’s a real risk if the rest of this meeting’s contents get back to him. So, apologies, but please excuse yourself.”
An abrupt request to leave.
She hadn’t imagined it happening, but from their perspective, it wasn’t an unreasonable call.
After the chaos he’d just caused—openly defying the state and the system—they had no intention of letting conference intel reach Yoo Seongwon.
And hadn’t there been that terrifying precedent just recently? During the war with Pastor Lee, scavengers had risen up from within, coordinating their rebellion.
“…Fine. But before I go, mind if I offer a bit of advice?”
“I’m sorry. Right now… we can’t allow any statements. The mood’s already chaotic enough as it is—we don’t know what fallout there might be.”
“Got it. I’ll go quietly.”
Baek Gayeon had come straight from the convenience store, brimming with advice she was determined to share, only to be denied even a single word and unceremoniously booted from the room.
It was a pathetic end to her resolve, but she didn’t despair.
Incidents like this were practically routine for her by now.
“Hmm… Well, whatever. Guess I’ll have to find another way. Somehow.”
As she rode the elevator down, she mulled over alternative approaches.
With Baek Gayeon gone, the government official resumed the briefing.
It was essentially the blueprint drafted by the Ministry of National Defense for conquering the Slaughter King’s territory.
“Unfortunate business aside, we’re still doing a joint three-nation assault, so even without Hunter Yoo Seongwon, the forces we have here should be more than enough. Ahem! That said, we’ll need to be extra cautious. Anyway, as for our military assets: We’ll start with missile barrages and long-range artillery strikes, then advance with five legions, including the 7th Legion equipped with magistone gear.”
The operation was a coordinated military push to reclaim the North Korean region.
“Along the way up, the guilds you represent—plus additional ones we’ve assigned—will clear the dungeons, install portal detection devices with association staff, and secure the territory. That’s the core of the plan.”
“Dungeon clear speed and guild manpower will be key.”
“Well, even if it’s the Slaughter King’s stronghold, there aren’t that many B-rank or higher dungeons, so it should go quickly. Regular guilds will flock in once they hear they can raid C-ranks they’ve been missing out on—no competition needed. You all just stand by outside, monitoring the op, and jump in when an Archdemon Beast-class enemy shows up.”
On paper, it was a model of efficiency—no need for further debate.
Use C-rank dungeons as bait to boost guild participation and solve manpower shortages, while elite strike teams handle high-tier monsters for stability.
Portal detectors would spot new spawns fast, locking down conquests for good.
“So, rear guard’s next? How’re we handling that?”
“We’ll keep two dedicated aircraft on standby for nationwide rapid response, plus the association head and two S-rank hunters. Military and police on alert for immediate deployment. And right after this meeting, we’ll spend the next two weeks sweeping the country clean to prevent scavenger uprisings. If things really go south, we can always commission Yoo Seongwon—he’s staying domestic, after all.”
“Got it.”
Rear defenses covered perfectly. Japan and the Chinese communists came up too, but they were busy clashing with another constellation faction domestically—no chance they’d cross borders.
After scrutinizing every angle, Blue Dragon Guild and Olympus Guild signaled their agreement and commitment to prep.
“Oh, I’ll sit this one out. Post-incident cleanup’s got us swamped, and team synergy’s shot anyway. Plus, as a single-element spirit specialist, matchups aren’t my strong suit—better I stay behind.”
“Understood, Hunter Jeon Ji-ah. So, Blue Dragon Guild, Olympus Guild—that’s five S-rank hunters at the core. We’ve also agreed to prioritize pre-Awakener era borders for territorial disputes where possible.”
“Hard to believe there’s no pushback. Figured everyone would demand merit-based splits.”
“Truth is, everyone’s top priority is crippling the Slaughter King’s forces—territory’s just tabled for now. Anyway, folks, this war’s payback for what they did to us, but it’s also a golden chance to boost the overall quality of Korea’s hunters. Prep thoroughly.”
The government official’s speech wrapped things up.
With the low-rank hunters’ business done, they’d head out and start scavenger and crime syndicate sweeps as planned.
The three S-rankers from Blue Dragon Guild emerged from the VVIP room and started chatting in the elevator.
“That Yoo Seongwon punk’s a total psycho, huh? If he’s that strong, just seize power like us. Sheesh.”
“Ignore it. You’ll never get the mindset of bottom-feeders like him.”
“But Guild Master, weren’t you gonna ask him about young master Go Seongjun today?”
Go Seongjun. Go Cheonsu’s son, an Academia student killed by scavengers.
They’d tried luring Baekya Guild’s heir to Blue Dragon while handling the clingy pest—died in scavenger turf. Seemed like his own mistake at the time, but in hindsight? Too many red flags.
Yoo Seongwon kept popping up as a person of interest, and he’d inserted himself into S-rank demon Jeong Min-su’s subjugation. Plenty of suspicions.
“No need. Obvious he bit off more than he could chew and got lured in. Cooperating on the Baekya mess afterward? Case closed.”
“Huh? So then…”
“Revenge, obviously. But we can’t—not yet. He’s got six S-ranks under him. Overwhelmingly stronger. Which means we fight harder… to grow stronger.”
“That’s exactly why I’m fired up nonstop.”
[Constellation ‘Blue Dragon’ urges you to start a new struggle immediately.]
[Constellation ‘Blue Dragon’ hopes you seek out stronger foes, fight, and claim victory.]
[Constellation ‘Blue Dragon’ wishes you to spread your valor through struggle, making your name echo far and wide.]
Like endless spam texts, Blue Dragon hounded its contractors to keep fighting.
It paid handsomely—enough to prop it up as the big three guilds’ main patron—but the reckless brawls it demanded could be a grind.
Still, as the price of power, it was bearable.
“Fighting Gottman gave us a read on Archdemon Beasts’ traits. Push dungeon clears aggressively. Use this war to hit SS-rank yourselves, and promote as many A-rank officers as possible—bulk up our S-rank numbers.”
“Of course, bro!”
Go Cheonsu strode ahead, issuing orders in his gruff tone, but a smile crept through unbidden.
That bastard had already outpaced him—S-rank demon Jeong Min-su and more—defying Blue Dragon’s ire time and again.
Stronger than him. A rival to surpass. And his son’s killer!
Toppling him would net insane rewards. Go Cheonsu’s heart raced at the thought.
***
Meanwhile, Olympus Guild’s S-rank hunters—Diomedes and Tritonias, owners of Hyperion Tower—lingered after everyone left. They linked comms to the ‘High Priest’ on Olympus Sky Island, high above the Pacific.
『Hm, crushing the Slaughter King’s forces is all good. Those cannibal-crazed monsters are a global threat. Especially if ‘Pastor Lee,’ that devil’s high priest, is truly dead—music to our ears.』
“Yes. Just to be sure, the ‘Priests of Apollo’ here at Hyperion divined him… No trace of his ‘fate line’ at all.”
『As good as confirmed, then. Lord Zeus will be thrilled. The way that apostle tormented his precious emissary… That grudge finally lifts. Anyway, the war on ‘Slaughter King’ is yours. Full manpower support—secure victory.』
“Understood, High Priest!”
Olympus Guild, convinced of Pastor Lee’s death via divine ritual, got top brass approval: full commitment to Korea’s North reclamation.
Archdemon Beasts down from ten to seven, three nations striking together—this was too juicy to pass up.
『By the way, no contact with that Yoo Seongwon yet? Your report a few hours ago said the same.』
“He… vanished after that and hasn’t returned. Already left Hyperion Tower.”
『Heard he argued with the government rep during the meeting. Any idea why?』
“Don’t know the details, but he deeply distrusts the government and association. Hid his ‘Awakener’ status post-emergence, avoids cooperating. A normie hunter? Fine. But leading seven SS- and S-ranks including himself? Government’s in a bind.”
『Mm. Tread carefully, then. Especially you, Diomedes—with the favor he did you, seize the opportunity. Don’t ruffle his feathers. Understood? A hero like that’s surely born for some grand destiny. Clash, and it’ll be disaster. Good luck.』
The final advice ended the call.
Double-checking the line dead, Diomedes and Tritonias slumped into relaxed poses with sighs of relief.
“Phew, talking to the High Priest always ramps the tension…”
“Never gets easier.”
“Hey, Diomedes, what’s your play? Your ‘prince charming’ savior’s a far cry from your fantasies—Styx River’s length and then some. Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover~”
“Armor’s just gear—we projected. And I told you, quit the prince crap! How many times? What are you, in elementary school? I’m Athena’s champion—sworn to repay favors for her honor. Don’t get ideas. Say it again, and I swear on the Styx.”
‘Styx Oath.’
Even Olympus’s constellations couldn’t break it. Tritonias threw up both hands in surrender.
Didn’t fancy a deathmatch in Hyperion’s upper arena over a joke.
“Sigh~ Anyway, we’ll set up that meeting, but what gift? Saved my life—cheap stuff won’t cut it…”
‘Hmm… Guess she doesn’t hate it deep down. Too scared of a Styx oath to say it, though. Whatever—mind my own business. War prep time. First up: rally the crew.’
Leaving Diomedes to fret girlishly over gifts, Tritonias exited first.
Per the High Priest’s orders, she assembled staff and underlings for the counterstrike on Slaughter King—starting sweeps of scavengers in their sector.
But ignoring Baek Gayeon’s advice, they remained blind to the true terror of Archdemon Beasts.
Clinging to Blue Dragon Guild’s win over Gottman and Go Cheonsu’s SS-rank promotion, they underestimated the beasts’ power—stepping on a landmine, charging toward war without a doubt.