Chapter 142
Chapter 142
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Raid on the Sisters' Welfare Center
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning, inside the Iron Fortress cafeteria.
As befitting humanity's final bastion, the internal cafeteria boasted an enormous scale capable of accommodating a massive number of people.
It was large enough for Yoo Seongwon's group, including even the goblins, to receive their meals and eat together.
And right now, Yoo Seongwon was sitting at the head table, chopsticks in hand, watching the news on the large screen mounted on the wall.
『Has a day like this ever come to South Korea? Following the tragedy of the 'Subjugation War,' Yoo Seongwon's group subjugates the Scavengers, and now the Blue Dragon Guild announces it will also take on Scavenger subjugation—effectively confirming the government's claim that the previous 'Subjugation War' was a definite success...』
"That guy's got a good head on his shoulders."
He'd blatantly thrown out a pattern of bullshit, but the guy was wriggling out of it cleverly.
It wasn't an easy decision for them to take on Scavengers either, yet these guys—who probably had more experience fighting Awakeners than monsters—had already processed more organizations than them in just half a day, and it was even making the news.
"Plus, six organizations in half a night. Experience from civil war faction fights really is on another level, huh? Oh, right. They probably just ate and jumped into the civil war."
"From the start, the difference in their provided intel networks and their own must be huge. We're just hitting what's handed to us."
"More than that, that guy's the leader of those blue lizards. Hm... noted."
Normally, Shin So-mi and her daughter would be seated on either side of Yoo Seongwon, but the two weren't participating in Scavenger subjugation and were currently leveling up in dungeons.
They usually leveled with Yoo Seongwon, but because he was too strong, their own skills weren't improving, so they'd gone off to grind an appropriate D-rank dungeon to regain their combat senses.
Thus, the seats on either side of Yoo Seongwon were now occupied by Baek Ga-yeon and Yoo Cheong.
"Look, I'll say this upfront. It's fine to be impressed or think about stuff, but we're having meetings in the conference room. Got it? You'll choke eating like this. Yoo Cheong, that goes for you too."
"Hmph, striking first, huh."
"Time is money, after all."
Ignoring the two who looked disappointed, Yoo Seongwon let out a sigh of relief and continued watching the news.
Next up was world news.
『Now, world news. In Russia's Vladivostok, Scavengers affiliated with the constellation Slaughter King and a monster resembling the new-type Archdemon Beast have appeared, attacking the city center with destruction and pillaging. Russia's Federal Hunter Force suffered heavy casualties and retreated, and the Russian government is considering an official request for support from the constellation Dragon-Phoenix King and the South Korean government.』
"Wow, those guys are persistent. Like weeds? They never give up."
"More scary is that new-type Archdemon Beast. Was it waiting in an existing core dungeon?"
"Seeing it's a 'cow' type like Wagyeo, probably siblings or something. And looking like Hanwoo beef... its name's probably 'MukX Village' or 'HwangX Hanwoo'?"
"Anyway, it's 'new-type,' so we gotta be careful. Alright, I'm done eating, so I'll head out first and wait."
Since he said no meetings during meals, Baek Ga-yeon expressed her intent by leaving first.
After the meal, Yoo Cheong, Jinseok, Baek Ga-yeon, Choi Choong-seon, and Yoo Seongwon with his coffee gathered in the central control room for a proper discussion, but Yoo Seongwon struck first.
"There's chaos in Russia, but let them handle it—we're not going on any business trips. We've got enough headaches with what we've started already. Got it? Even with all these skills, my capacity has limits, so cut me some slack."
"Of course, Your Majesty. Knowing the limits of handling both soldiers and swords is best."
'In fact, I'm already over capacity... haaa~'
The big projects underway were 'Toppling the Blue Dragon Guild' and 'Creating a De-Joseonized Zone.'
As part of that, subjugating Scavengers along the Blue Dragon line to boost his reputation and prestige was proceeding in parallel, but they'd soon split off.
"For now, Blue Dragon's judgment seems to be wiping out each other's Scavenger lines. They probably can't lose their intel lines alone, so 'you wipe ours, we'll wipe yours!' Olympus is in a bind, but... we're not troubled."
"We don't nurture such vile organizations, after all."
"Oh? Nothing like that in Heavenly Sword Army? Intel groups or shadow ops? Even if your knights don't do it, it suits Heavenly Sword Army. Next chance, I should summon some."
"If summoning, please start with Supply Officer Joonghan. He's the best for routine soldier ops, Your Majesty."
"Quartermaster..."
Yoo Cheong recommended a knight whose name screamed administrative supply officer, and memories from Yoo Seongwon's military days started flooding back vividly.
For reference, the current serving soldiers weren't just killing time with barracks life and chores like in the old days—they were doing real F-rank dungeon hunts and searches.
Naturally, the income from that was decent, but the supply officers pocketed it all under the guise of unit operations, leaving zero benefits for the soldiers.
Hence the bad preconceptions.
"Hm... table it for now. Not urgent~ Any issues with Mulblin or the goblins?"
"None at all. They're using magistones earned by goblin soldiers as maintenance fees while diligently pursuing new resource development based on hard-earned leads. Turns out they have a knack for it—smoother than expected."
"Well, goblins aren't portrayed as good, but not dumb either. Anyway, Uncle Choong-seon, how's prep for the southern three provinces support project? You even went there."
Southern three provinces support project. Naturally including Jeolla, so he'd tasked Choi Choong-seon, who knew his hometown well, with estimates.
"Man, it was chaos when I got there. Haaa~ Mayors, governors, corporate bigwigs, guild reps... the same folks finger-pointing at me for running away suddenly flip and come rushing. Life's funny~"
"Isn't that the reaction we expected?"
"No. Experiencing it firsthand is different, boss! Old men my dad's or grandpa's age rubbing hands, going 'Ayy~ Hunter Choi Choong-seon, we had no idea about your grand vision~' with those sleazy grins..."
Choi Choong-seon paled just imagining it.
Yoo Seongwon, who could picture the scene from the description alone, smirked rottenly as if it was all anticipated.
"Pfft, that's why I sent you instead of going myself. Anyway, I'll show you how we do business today. If nothing else... let's prep to head out. Elder, if the government mentions Russia whatever, reject 'em saying we're busy. Alright, off to work."
Thus, leaving only Baek Ga-yeon in Iron Fortress—postponing Scavenger stuff for them to handle themselves—they boarded the trailer and headed straight for Daejeon.
Daejeon Metropolitan City. No special evil-aligned constellations resided there, mainly plunderer-type monsters under Constellation Mountain Hermit King.
Dungeon grades topped at B-rank monsters, making it relatively safe and quiet.
However, being safe didn't make it better than other cities.
On the contrary, it was precisely because of the safety that Scavengers were going wild to seize the underworld here.
"In the end, people are everywhere. So, where first? The schools Ayoung investigated? Or the slums made for those chased out by city folk?"
"Handle the child protection facilities and orphanages we said we'd acquire first. They've gathered 'em for your signature. And when going there, no armor—wear something else. Here, documents from Elder Baek Ga-yeon."
"Ah... right. That. Hooo~ Yeah, gotta do it."
Every time he thought of 'protection facility,' painful past memories stabbed his brain.
Places meant to shelter kids, wounded soldiers, and Hunters, but run like hellscapes. Where humans devoured humans to satisfy greed.
"Your Majesty, your expression looks grim?"
"Unpleasant memories. Hoo~ For now, Sisters' Welfare Center—let's start there. Acquire it and handle quietly."
Reaffirming the agreement with Baek Ga-yeon, Yoo Seongwon's trailer set course straight for the Sisters' Welfare Center.
In the meantime, Yoo Seongwon reviewed the data on the Sisters' Welfare Center from Baek Ga-yeon's investigation, wearing a faint smile.
***
About two hours later, Daejeon Sisters' Welfare Center.
Park Joo-byeon, director of this large welfare center enjoying another peaceful day and chairwoman of the Ezra Foundation handling its finances, was buried in ledger work.
As always, she thought nothing beat human trafficking even in changed times, counting and recounting the tidy profits.
"Heh heh heh, pretty decent this time too. Oh my!"
Boom!
Suddenly noticing the commotion on the sports field below, Park Joo-byeon asked an employee about it.
"What's going on? Kids causing trouble again? Or a newly awakened one?"
This Daejeon Sisters' Welfare Center housed nearly 700 orphans and disabled people.
Hence occasional constellation-selected or awakened kids, but the employee's response was unexpected.
"Th-that is, a guest arrived suddenly."
"No prep for visitors today—send 'em away!"
"But... can't physically block this one. It's..."
"Physically? Oh, a Hunter? I get they're desperate for awakened kids, but say none yet. If he wants girls urgently, grab one from a room and..."
Her center's frequent customers were mostly Scavengers and Daejeon-area Hunter guilds dominating the region.
Awakened kids among those sheltered fetched peanuts sent to Academia, but Scavengers paid fat stacks plus magistones.
Pretty-faced ones got trained and dieted before sale too.
Funnier still: selling kids off yet getting state subsidies as a welfare center.
"No, we haven't done anything... and testimony rolls right in. Came to acquire as planned... what is this?"
Seeing the blatant confession upon entry, Yoo Seongwon's group was dumbfounded.
Original plan: buy the facility outright with cash to protect the kids and disabled. But now, forget him—the knights wouldn't stay quiet.
"How can such a thing happen!"
"Evil! This unforgivable evil! Your Majesty!"
"...What? Who are you? Ah, no! G-Golden Dragon Knight? Why here?"
Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Park Joo-byeon turned to see a golden-armored knight and rows of blue-and-white-armored knights behind, staring at her incredulously.
Yoo Seongwon wore a helmet hiding his face, but his fury emanated so fiercely even civilian Park Joo-byeon sensed it.
"Why? To catch trash like you. Prepared? Looks like human trafficking... details after capture. Jinseok, secure this lady and staff, guard this room. Yoo Cheong! You with me—lead Heavenly Sword Army soldiers to seize this facility."
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
"W-wait! H-how dare you... urk!"
"All follows His Majesty's will. Stay put, witch."
Park Joo-byeon desperately mustered courage to resist but was swiftly subdued by Jinseok.
Then Yoo Seongwon and Yoo Cheong summoned Heavenly Sword Army elite soldiers and began suppressing the facility staff.
"Just spare our lives. Limbs can be reattached with first aid—no issue. Vehicles... no, those iron horse carriages! Stop any fleeing on those too."
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
"Argh! S-spare me!"
"Y-you bastards, all Hunter-level? With those fantasy comic looks!"
"Uwaaaak! My arm! My arm!"
Mere civilians brutalizing kids and disabled were overwhelmingly crushed by Heavenly Sword Army elites with Hunter-grade combat power.
With Yoo Seongwon's permission to sever limbs, the soldiers ravaged mercilessly, seizing the entire Sisters' Welfare Center in under an hour.