Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Southern Reconstruction Announcement
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South Korea Southern Reconstruction Support Project Announcement Meeting.
『…So, to put it simply, Jeolla, Gyeongsang, Chungcheong. Up until now, these regions haven't received proper national support or administrative measures due to threats from the Slaughter King faction and all sorts of policies or excuses. We plan to go there ourselves and rebuild them. To use an expression anyone can understand, we're going to pump in some money to help those in need. We're planning to release a total of about 10 trillion won this time, targeting guilds, local businesses, educational facilities, and so on—basically everywhere that needs help.』
“What the hell is this?”
“A 10-trillion-won project for the southern three provinces?”
“No, if you're going to do something like this, you should've talked to us first! What the—!”
It was a complete surprise announcement, leaving the Hunter Association, the government, and even Guild Master Go Cheonsu looking utterly dumbfounded.
No one had seen it coming. The guy who'd been throwing money around to manipulate the country up to now—no one could imagine him suddenly doing charity work.
And 10 trillion won was enough for a massive national-scale project. Since every citizen knew he'd squeezed 30 trillion out of the Korean government, no one doubted its feasibility.
“What the hell is he up to, going this far? He never seemed like the type... Guild Master Go Cheonsu, do you know anything?”
“…No clue. What the hell is that bastard scheming?”
“For now… all we can do is watch what he says.”
Yoo Seongwon continued explaining via internet broadcast what he planned to do with the 10 trillion.
He said it was about safely restoring southern Korean cities through various supports and fully installing portal surveillance devices.
And if this project succeeded, he'd follow up by building a defensive front line against threats from constellations in China and Japan.
Even as he spoke, reactions in the broadcast chat were exploding.
[ariant: Wait? What's with this guy suddenly? What wind blew this way?]
[It'sOkayHuman: Ahh… Aaaah! Too dazzling!]
[SurvivingTodayToo: But isn't that actually good? Living under an SS-rank hunter is 100 times better, right? National security basically boils down to the number of S-ranks anyway. He soloed four S-rank monsters—under him, it'd be even more solid than the national rice bowl.]
[LivestockPrajna: Shouldn't we be worrying about how much he'll gouge us? Kiki.]
Positive and skeptical reactions clashed, sparking heated debates and chaos.
Yoo Seongwon, watching it all on the broadcast, smirked inwardly, just as he'd anticipated.
In truth, he'd wanted to kick off the "Exode to Paradise" plan right away, but there was a big problem with that.
『…But think about it—do you have the credibility to say 'come here' and have people actually believe you and come?』
『If things get bad enough, won't anyone come?』
『Sure, normally, but to abandon their homes and livelihoods, they need something solid to believe in, right?』
『Hmm, you have a point.』
‘…That's why I came up with this plan.’
Fame and trust. To gain those from the people, Yoo Seongwon was making this racket.
The easiest way to get them? Nothing beat helping the struggling, desperate masses.
The southern three provinces—Gyeongsang, Chungcheong, Jeolla—were already stretched thin, as he'd seen before, with just two S-rank hunters covering them. Now down to one, chaos, citizen exodus, and urban collapse were kicking off.
『…Anyway, we'll go help businesses, companies, and guilds in need, but we won't help just anyone. We'll review and support places that truly need it. Why? Because… it's my money! I squeezed it from the government, but now it's mine! I'll distribute it my way! That's it! Schedule details next time! Broadcast over!』
“…That guy's completely insane.”
“Isn't he openly saying he's pulling Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang into his sphere of influence? But does he even need to?”
“He took Choi Chungseon and crippled us, and now he's handing out the medicine? Shameless!”
It was true—Yoo Seongwon poaching Choi Chungseon had put the government in a real bind.
But humans are calculating creatures. Word was already spreading that local governments, companies, and guilds were scrambling to snag Yoo Seongwon's investments at the promise of 10 trillion.
“Idiots… They know his game and still dive right in.”
“Well… 10 trillion. Even split three ways, that's at least 3 trillion each—who wouldn't salivate? He cast the bait perfectly. And besides…”
“Besides?”
“Like he said, we've neglected everywhere else while prioritizing Seoul, haven't we? Back when the three major guilds and Korea's S-ranks totaled ten, how many were in Seoul?”
Eight. And those other two were always called in for emergencies, while Seoul's S-ranks rarely went south. Without S-ranks, the military or regular guilds should've stepped up, but the three major Seoul guilds hoovered up all the talent, making it worse.
“We don't know his endgame for sure, but he's hit our weak spot dead-on. To counter this, the Association and government need to do something…”
“Send people to probe his intentions first. And tell him not to go solo—link up with the government.”
“Yes, sir.”
Whether he was aiming to seize the three provinces or had some other goal—no one knew for sure.
Still, figuring there must be some meaning behind his actions, Association and government officials scattered to investigate and obstruct.
***
Iron Fortress, Central Control Room.
But Yoo Seongwon had no grand scheme, contrary to their suspicions.
It was purely a charity drive to build fame and goodwill.
All that mattered was screening recipients carefully and prepping a blacklist.
“We have no choice but to take guilds and hunters tied to constellations. Every single one has Scavenger links.”
“They probably did it to survive. Anyway, nothing's more reliable than constellation oaths, so that's fine. But we need intel, so take a few.”
“Got it. Otherwise, there are orphanages and shelters… Let's just acquire them. Double-check staff and directors, then rehire everyone.”
“Do we have to go that far?”
“Could just trust them… but if it backfires, I'm screwed. If you're confident you can stop it, do whatever.”
“…Your call.”
Even the bold Baek Ga-yeon had no hobby of living on landmines or poking a dragon's reverse scale.
Reluctantly agreeing to acquire the orphanages and shelters per Yoo Seongwon's wishes, they moved on.
“Educational facilities—we can sneak Ayoung in to check. Perfect as a current high school girl; infiltrate a school, and she'll get info from students that adults miss.”
“Great idea. Students know school ops best, after all.”
To gauge an organization's reality, check its members; a company's, its employees; a school's, its students.
Not absolute truth, but after his years, Yoo Seongwon couldn't trust a few papers and fawning smiles from big shots.
He had experience working in education, after all.
“Reminds me of my Academia days. Haha, let's do it. By the way, how's the Blue Dragon Guild situation? Can't just let it slide.”
“First, crush the Scavengers linked to Blue Dragon.”
Separately, efforts to dismantle Blue Dragon Guild were ongoing.
But going public would draw resistance from them, the government, and Association—they wouldn't want to lose the last major guild. So, target the hidden core: Scavenger groups.
“We've coordinated with Olympus Guild, so it's go time. Need to wrap it quick. Tonight… Oh, time's up already. Gotta move.”
He'd sworn to Yucheong—no delays, no obstacles. Time to execute.
When the hour struck, he handed documents to Baek Ga-yeon and launched the Blue Dragon subjugation op in earnest.
***
Blue Dragon Guild Headquarters, Artificial Island City.
After Shin-Gangnam's fall, Blue Dragon's artificial island city had become Korea's safest urban hub.
Portal monitors everywhere, Blue Dragon Awakener hunters patrolling, Blue Dragon hunter squads handling security instead of police—it was ironclad.
Plus, bridges linked it to the mainland like solid land.
Strict checkpoints and searches at entry, automated unmanned sentry guns on the perimeter—no worries.
Thanks to that, the city center glowed with lights, bustling even deep into the night.
Perfect cover for those working in the shadows.
“Long time no see, Team Leader Kwak Suchan. What's up? You look rough.”
“With the top brass in chaos, think we're peachy? Why do we always have to meet in person like this?”
“You know why. High-tech on the outside, but analog's still king for the real stuff.”
In a certain bar, Kwak Suchan—info team leader for Blue Dragon Guild—met someone secretly.
The late-30s Kwak, nursing a drink, scowled at the approaching man's greeting. The other sat casually, trying to soothe him.
“Anyway, complaints aside, you cleaned up nice in this raid… Oh, same as his for me.”
“It's just scraps from that Golden Dragon Knight bastard. Cut the crap. Hey, rat—got any intel?”
“Nope. That damn guy's holed up in Iron Fortress, not stepping out. Can't get shit. Even targeting supply runners… he uses monsters instead.”
“Monsters? Knew they had knights, but monsters? News to me.”
“Yeah, goblins like workers. Photo here…”
The man dubbed "rat" cautiously pulled out photos.
Armed goblins outside Iron Fortress, marching in formation, hauling crates.
“…The more we dig, the weirder it gets. Where the hell did these come from?”
“And not just that—strange soldiers too. They don't recruit guild hunters at all. This.”
“What? This?”
Another photo: burly soldiers in white-and-blue armor.
Outdated gear wasn't new for constellation fans, but strangers popping up in near-sealed Iron Fortress? Eerie.
“Grandmaster's legacy got clone tech or something?”
“No way. I dug through all old files—no sign. No biotech staff among the builders. Gotta be a skill. Anyway, that's the anomalies. Infiltration attempts ongoing, but it's tough…”
“Keep at it. Report anything suspicious immediately.”
“Got it. Next…”
Rat continued his report.
Beyond Yoo Seongwon intel, mainland Scavenger moves, rival guild trends, black market rumors—all vital for isolated island Blue Dragon.
“…That's all.”
“Good work. This is your fee, and this is a bonus.”
An extra fat envelope—thicker than usual—made Rat's eyes widen at Kwak Suchan.
No recent big wins warranted a bonus, especially from prideful Blue Dragon.
“A bonus?”
“Guild Master says you've earned it with your hard work. Keep it up. Oh, drinks on me—finish and go.”
“Ah, yes, sir.”
Stunned by the sudden bonus, Rat downed his drink and left first.
No wonder he was shocked—it was ten times the usual fee.
Buzzing with joy, he whistled to his car, started it for his hideout.
“Hyah… Blue Dragon punks on something? Am I dying or what? Sudden bonus—hilarious. Anyway, sweet. Treat the crew… Huh? Call… Timing's killer. Yeah, me. Yo, luck's on fire today…”
(Big trouble! Intruders at our hideout now! It's… it's! That Yoo Seongwon bastard's at our hideout!)
“…What?”
The instant he heard his subordinate's shocking report, his lucky day with the tenfold bonus flipped to doom.