Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Iron Fortress Aftermath
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The next day, in Seoul.
Iron Fortress.
The soldiers and hunters who had barely survived the battle, returning with nothing but wounds, couldn't have been in good spirits.
And the government had no choice but to hype up the battle's achievements in every way possible—to quell the public's anger and divert the eyes of the bereaved families of the soldiers and hunters.
So the moment Yoo Seongwon returned to Iron Fortress, the first thing he saw was this kind of article.
[(News) Triumph! Apostles of the Slaughter King, 'Archdemon Beasts' 2 Defeated!]
Fellow citizens, the apostles of the constellation Slaughter King, 'Ddukduk' and 'Wagoo,' who had long threatened South Korea, have been felled by the subjugation force. Furthermore, we dealt massive blows to Scavenger-controlled cities like Pyongyang and Kaesong... We've not only rescued countless people enslaved there but also achieved great gains in leveling up our hunters...
"Damn it. Don't the guild kids get pissed seeing crap like this?"
"Isn't the world always run on compromises? The guilds and association pull some strings, so in return, they let slide stuff like this PR and spin. Anyway, you've got way more news about you than that~"
"Don't even bring that up. Haaaah~"
And as one might expect—perhaps inevitably?
Articles about Yoo Seongwon were plastered everywhere, from newspapers and the internet to TV broadcasts.
From the 100 trillion won contract fee thrown his way, to pieces about him hanging around with the label "Korea's Strongest Hunter"—they blanketed the media like celebrity gossip.
Of course, the man himself found it utterly uncomfortable, a stress that twisted his guts.
"My past, interviews with Academia staff... They're digging up every little thing for clickbait. What's with all the interest~"
"That's 'cause you're a superstar, right? Anyway, did you level up?"
"Yeah. Thanks to that damn Wagoo, I gained two levels. Hit 72 now. Looks like you elders had no issues either."
"Well, with two S-ranks and your summons, there were zero problems."
"Two S-ranks? Not just you elders?"
"...Hey, what's up? That S-rank Choi Chungseon you brought from Gwangju."
At Baek Gayeon's words, Yoo Seongwon pondered for a moment before finally recalling Choi Chungseon.
They'd begged to join his side, but their positions as frontliners overlapped awkwardly. Plus, Yoo Seongwon mostly stuck with his knights or caused trouble elsewhere, so they hadn't crossed paths much lately. He'd faded into the background completely.
"Guy's been working hard, you know. Can't believe you forgot. You sure you haven't lost track of how many hunters we have?"
"...Pretty sure I have? Now that I think about it, feels like I added him to our roster and then dropped him..."
"Lord have mercy. Apologize next time you see him. He's busting his ass, and that'll hurt his feelings."
"Yeah. I-I'll do that, elder. No, I'll go apologize right now."
Yoo Seongwon knew he'd messed up and decided to head straight to Choi Chungseon.
He didn't love the idea, but since he'd accepted the man, he bore the responsibility.
Using the internal system, he pinpointed the location: Choi was in the logistics warehouse, sorting spoils from the battle.
"Huh? Boss? Feels like forever since I last saw you. Here about work?"
"Yeah... Feels like it's been too long since we worked together face-to-face."
"Well, things get busy. Anyway, since you're here, report time... We've got so many spoils, the internal warehouse can't handle it. This 'Iron Fortress' was built as a stockpile base for the future, so it's already packed to the brim~ We're using extra spaces, but we'll hit limits eventually."
"Ah, yeah. By the way, any injuries from the last fight?"
"Nope. Just small fry, and solid backup. Glad I followed you, boss. Easy work, good pay, sweet EXP~ Knew I had an eye for people."
Seeing him not just fine but satisfied eased Yoo Seongwon's worries.
He'd fretted the guy might feel neglected or pull something weird.
"Whew, good to hear. Was worried for nothing."
"No need to worry about me. Already cut all other ties—being under you wraps it up... You're the one who needs worrying, boss? I know the S-rank life, but you're Korea's total star now."
"Ah, that's giving me a headache. Up till now, it was all antagonism with the association and other guilds, plus Shin Gangnam's grudge keeping it buried~ But now~"
"Korea's undisputed strongest hunter. SS+ confirmed. Eyes from China, Japan, even America. Huh? Boss?"
"Nooo... Spare me. I hate that stuff..."
The government had no choice but to prop him up to cover their screw-ups and the soldiers' casualties.
Truth was, even without the hype, Yoo Seongwon's feat of taking down four S-rank apostle monsters of the Slaughter King demanded attention.
Of course, he hated the spotlight like crazy.
"...Hahaha, takes me back to my rookie days. Right after passing S-rank test, the attention was insane."
"Argh, headache. Got any good ideas?"
"Nope. What can you do? Blow up media buildings? Threaten the government to kill stories? You could pull it off, sure."
"...Haa~ Guess ignoring and holing up is the answer. Anyway, call you if something comes up."
"Sure thing~ Take care, boss."
Having smoothly wrapped up his chat with the long-forgotten Choi Chungseon, Yoo Seongwon returned to the central control room.
With that weight off his chest, he sat to tackle his tasks—but the screen crammed with work made him sigh.
Yeah, massive battle meant massive spoils, and as the new dark horse in the spotlight, messages poured in from everywhere.
"Hyenas' emails take the cake, huh?"
"You went from zero to 100 trillion overnight. How many are scrambling for scraps, even billions?"
"Ugh, can't argue. Haaa~"
They hadn't kept the contract secret, so everyone knew he'd gotten 100 trillion to join the fight.
He'd only received 30 trillion upfront, but that was still absurd—and news spread, sparking backlash from groups and industries everywhere.
[Desperate or not, 30 trillion? Do they think our taxes are shit?]
[Power means serving the country, right? Taking 100 trillion—what kind of person does that?]
[Redesignate Golden Dragon Knight as a Demon! Do it! Do it! Do it!]
[This is too much, even for them?]
[Bbi-shyung Bba-shyung, CyberreckaTV here. Today: Hunter Yoo Seongwon pockets 30 trillion in one go.]
News, interviews, internet streams—all hurled vitriol at him.
But separate from the hate, his inbox was a circus.
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[Interested in stocks? 500% returns now!]
[Share the world's pain. World Savior. Noble donations please.]
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[To Guild Master Yoo Seongwon. Elbonias Tech's new magistone weapon line...]
"How'd they get my email? Anyway, their actions don't match the hate."
"They're stingy with cash once it's out. And they want that payout reinvested. Any thoughts on investments or business?"
"Nope. Do I look like the type? I'm just a regular Joe."
His scale topped out at pensions and insurance.
Flinging around trillions was just bravado to dodge work—not plans for investments or big ambitions.
"...Right. Yeah."
"Plus, most in magistones, no need to dump 'em. Where you headed? Somi-noona?"
"Calling Lord Yucheong. Only one who can push you on future plans. Me nagging won't stick without the know-how... Ah, might as well grab the elder too."
"...Huh?"
She knew his limits well and unhesitatingly fetched Yucheong, the one who could pressure him.
He'd been chatting with the other knights and Mulblin when Shin Somi approached, whispered, and he came over, eyes gleaming.
"Your Majesty, do you recall the oath you swore to this subject?"
"...Y-Yeah. Mess with Blue Dragon Guild, right?"
Whether it was his reverse scale, Yucheong's aura was heavier than usual.
The normally affable man exuded crushing pressure, freezing Yoo Seongwon.
He knew oaths mattered deeply to knights—hit where it hurt, and he had to fold.
"J-Just... handle backlog first. D-Do what I can. Rewards, spoils, skill points... No great ideas, but work'll spark something. Y-Yeah, that's the plan."
"I see. Relieved. As expected, Your Majesty has a plan."
'...I don't! Don't want one!'
"Understood. This subject will study and ponder deeply, so please focus on internal affairs first, Your Majesty."
Yucheong bowed and withdrew.
But Yoo Seongwon's burden was no joke. Just when he thought he could relax, bam—'deal with Blue Dragon Guild' slammed down, shaking his mental state.
"You okay, lad?"
"...Why's there always another mountain?"
"Yeah, invest in land developers. Flatten every Korean mountain into plains. Mountains are mountains, water is water."
"...Get a grip. Anyway, Blue Dragon Guild clawed to the top fighting guilds, government, association. Fewer S-ranks than you, but their influence sways Korea's economy and society."
Independent artificial island base and residential zones, private forces, cartel of corporate ties.
Backed by Shin Gangnam's patrons, Blue Dragon matched Seoul guilds in might.
Crushing them meant not just toppling leadership—obliterate the whole network, erase every hunter under Blue Dragon constellation's sway.
"...Elder, you enjoying this too much? I could make it worse."
"Better than now. You've got knightly honor, after all."
"...Don't, seriously. Anyway~ Can't live peacefully without cleaning Korea top to bottom. Gotta crush Blue Dragon."
Like it or not, he figured it'd bring peace—so Yoo Seongwon set his new goal.
A blank check tossed to dodge trouble, but sworn, so he'd honor it.
And leaving them be meant they'd pester again someday. Best handle it while Slaughter King's forces licked wounds.