Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Sisters' Welfare Center
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“We’ve got them all, Your Majesty.”
“Any that escaped or ran off?”
“None, unless they tunneled underground or into the sewers. And we’ve brought all the kids here.”
“Haaaah… This is bad.”
The Thousand Sword Army soldiers had rounded up all the staff—whether they surrendered or resisted—and gathered them in one spot.
At the same time, they’d rescued all the children who’d been forced into labor or locked away, and were checking their conditions.
There were physical exams to do, signs of abuse to uncover, statements to take—but first came a headcount.
“The kids are all here… but the disabled folks being cared for here aren’t? Jinseok?”
“Your Majesty, we have a problem.”
“A problem? Hidden monsters or Awakeners? Or did a dungeon gate open?”
“No. It’s… hard to explain. Anyway, please bring the witch who’s the head here.”
Yoo Seongwon, intrigued by Jinseok’s odd reaction, did as asked and had Park Joo-bon brought to the facility where the disabled residents were housed.
Truth be told, the protection facility he’d grown up in had killed off anyone whose condition was too severe, figuring it was a waste of meds and supplies. No real protection for the disabled back then.
At least they were keeping them alive now, which was better than before—or so he thought as he stepped inside. What greeted him was a shocking sight.
“What the hell? This?”
Dozens of beds filled the room. Lying in them were people hooked up to IV drips, all fast asleep.
And every one of them was missing an arm or a leg, or bound in some way—looking profoundly uncomfortable.
At a glance, it could’ve been a room full of corpses. Eerie as hell.
Yoo Seongwon had a hunch what was going on, but he wanted to hear it straight from her. He yanked the cloth gag from Park Joo-bon’s mouth.
“Auntie, what’s all this? Explain it so I and the kids can understand.”
“I-I don’t know anything!”
“Yeah? You don’t know? Hmm~ Let’s deduce it. You didn’t want to waste manpower or money on these sleeping disabled folks, so you drugged them to keep ’em quiet. When outsiders came sniffing around, you hired actors to fake it. And with your type… I bet once they go under, they never wake up.”
“…H-How did you…?”
“’Cause I grew up under a guy who thought like the trash you are. Time passes, but some things never change. Hmm~ Let’s see… Sir Jinseok, isn’t there a basement room in this building? Something like… training room? Re-education chamber? Core instruction room? Punishment cell? Whatever they call it.”
He asked Jinseok, who thought for a moment, nodded, and replied.
“Ah, yes. There was. What was it… Repentance Room? Sounded religious, but inside it was like a torture chamber—mild, but yeah.”
“Hahaha! That’s right! Gotta be! Hahahahaha! Wouldn’t be fun without it! Hahahahaha! How does this country make corruption straight out of a textbook? Or do people just end up thinking alike?”
Seeing the same rotten setup from his old facility, Yoo Seongwon let out a manic laugh laced with sorrow.
His mood was utterly foul right now.
“Hahaha! Ha… Among the staff we caught, there should be a few big, burly guys with ugly mugs. Bring ’em there. And hand this lady off—don’t kill her, but show off your skills. You know, the kind you used to instill discipline in the kids and disabled.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. She’ll pay the price.”
“W-Wait! Just a second! I-I’ll talk! Information, anything—I’ll tell you everything, just not th—”
Park Joo-bon knew exactly what went on down there. She realized her fate and finally begged Yoo Seongwon—but as always, that bus wasn’t coming back once it left.
He’d never planned to let her live anyway.
“Haaaah…”
Once Jinseok dragged the director off, Yoo Seongwon was left alone to survey the sleeping residents.
He’d need a doctor for details, but most of these people probably wouldn’t wake up.
Drugging them in the first place was insane.
The only reason they were kept alive like this? Obvious: more residents meant more government funding.
“Now that I see it… it’s pitch black.”
“Aaaaaaaaagh!”
A agonized scream echoed up from the basement.
As expected from the “experts(?)” who tormented the weak—the results were immediate.
Yoo Seongwon figured he’d call a hospital to get doctors here for these folks first. He dialed right away.
(Hello? Sisters’ Welfare Center? But that place…)
“Don’t you know who I am? I’ve got money. Come quick. Over… 300 people, so you’ll be busy.”
He had plenty of cash.
If not, he could always squeeze more from this damn world.
‘Called the hospital…’
“What right do you have to do this?”
“We follow only His Majesty’s orders. Step forward, and we cut you down. We’ve shown you twice already.”
He’d left the disabled wing to head back to the staff and kids when he spotted police, local Daejeon guild members, and military trying to enter at the front gate.
Thousand Sword Army soldiers blocked them. Not just stopped—bloodstains soaked the ground.
“What’s going on?”
“Yes, Your Majesty! These fools tried entering without your permission.”
“Y-Yoo Seongwon, Hunter! Clear these people out first.”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?”
“You said you were here on business in Chungcheong! Is this your business?”
The moment Yoo Seongwon appeared, the people—who’d been cowed silent by his soldiers—suddenly found their spines and started protesting.
Boiling inside, he kept a calm face, waved his soldiers aside, and strode up boldly.
“Enough. Introduce yourselves one by one, then speak. Baldy on the left, you first.”
“B-Bald?! I’ve got a few strands left… Ahem! I’m Ko Cheol-gyun from the Association. Why’s an SS-rank Hunter like you resorting to violence? This strictly violates Association rules…”
“I’m contracted with the Association for pay, not your employee. No comeback for that excuse. Here’s your out-of-pocket fee.”
He tossed a fat envelope—actually two.
The Association rep feigned awkwardness at first, but his eyes lit up at the amount! He slipped it into his pocket and backed off.
“I’m Police Chief Hwang Jo-young from Daejeon Metropolitan Police. Scavengers are Hunters, so Hunter-on-Hunter violence or disputes are fine, but this Sisters’ Welfare Center receives national funding as a facility for the vulnerable. If anything unfortunate happens, investigation is our job…”
“This is clearly Awakener-related. Here’s the ledger of Awakener kids sold off. We tracked sales to Scavengers. Anyway, keep it quiet while we work—take three.”
“I’m Yoo Hyun-gi, Guild Master of Dream Cyclone, guardians of Daejeon and Chungcheong. So, we knew there were Hunters here, but…”
“No worries. I won’t spill. We’re here on business too—bury this so no rumors spread. Deal? Take this.”
“Ahem! Understood.”
If this society still had justice or self-correction, he wouldn’t need to step in.
Using money’s convenience and power’s might, Yoo Seongwon quietly sent them packing.
His real goal wasn’t justice anyway—it was saving these kids suffering in hell. As long as that happened, details didn’t matter.
“Whew~ Annoying folks cleared. Police and military gone too. Time for the real work? Hey kids, hi. Recognize me? If you watch TV, yeah. If not, no biggie.”
Back with the staff and kids, he shed his armor, smiled, and tried connecting.
But the kids just huddled, trembling, no response.
The atmosphere was tense, sure—but they were terrified of the Thousand Sword Army that had brutally crushed their tormentors. Couldn’t blame them for clamming up.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“Oh, right. My bad. Lock the trash away somewhere else, and… Kids, hungry for anything? I’ll order now. Stuff from TV’s fine. Wait—best hotel catering around here? Nah, I’ll handle it. Get some water for the kids, and anyone needs the bathroom, go free. It’s okay, really. Uncle gets it—grew up in places like this.”
Chattering on, he eased toward the shaking kids.
They were still wary, but who wouldn’t be after this hell?
Recalling his own fearful days, he smiled, stopped at a safe distance, and sat quietly.
“Who’d believe saviors drop from the sky? Makes sense you don’t trust. Even if I’m from a protection facility too, maybe I’m just like that director lady—here to scam or hurt you. Caution’s smart. So~ let’s eat first.”
“……”
“Even just listening’s fine. Boring old guy? Sleep or ignore me. Who can you trust now~? Not even yourselves. And helping the weak for free? Sounds fake. That’s you thinking. Talk if you want. Food’s coming soon.”
His words pierced their hearts. The kids relaxed, starting to speak up bit by bit.
Soon after, whether from the promise of big money or fear of the news, the hotel catering arrived lightning-fast. Under Yoo Seongwon’s direction, they set up the feast.
“Eat up. No holding back… well, you will anyway! Don’t regret it—eat! And no fighting. We can order more anytime.”
“Y-Yes!”
“Let’s eat!”
Faced with dazzling dishes they’d never seen, desire beat fear. The kids gave small bows to Yoo Seongwon and dug in.
‘Food and toys are king for kids. Especially trash facilities like this—they skimp on meals any way they can…’
Even normal kindergartens played games with food. A fake protection center like this? No contest.
The kids couldn’t resist the hotel catering’s tantalizing flavors and aromas.
“While they eat… Yujung, this is yours.”
“Your Majesty, where to?”
“No way this is the only spot like this. Word’s out by now—shady places are scrambling to flee or hide evidence. Let ’em. But we save the kids. Man, money’s handy. Not a single article online. Haha!”
Despite the chaos, no news hit the net, no ripples anywhere.
Even if locals reported, this center tanked property values—a hated eyesore. If Yoo Seongwon razed it, they’d thank him.
“This world… Anyway, mission’s on track. Gaulph, Seom-myeol, Krokbane, Akaron—you saw inside? Maps and funds coming. Take each facility one by one. Staff or bosses fleeing? Fine. Prioritize kids and disabled safety.”
Thanks to human greed and money’s power, raiding other sites got easier. Yoo Seongwon gave a bitter smile, issued orders, and dashed off to hit more—leaping buildings.
His acquisition plan was shot, and Baek Ga-yeon would chew him out later. But right now, this felt right.