Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Frontline City Proposal
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A few days later, at the Korean Hunter Association.
It was a bright spring day in March. Even in this still-peaceful situation, the association's staff were diligently going about their work.
The massive constellation-level force of the Slaughter King had withdrawn, but the forces of the Mountain Ghost King remained positioned in southern Seoul, and wild dungeons continued to open one after another, so hunter subjugation operations carried on unabated.
The association chairman, as always, began his day sipping coffee while reviewing paperwork filled with nothing but routine subjugation reports.
"Hmm~ No issues. Perfect. If things stay like this for a few years... no, even 10 years, that'd be ideal."
The outlook was promising, at least for now.
There might be conflict brewing between the Blue Dragon Guild, Olympus Guild, and Yoo Seongwon's faction, but they were keeping a close eye on it.
If the Blue Dragon Guild collapsed, it would essentially usher in a Yoo Seongwon dictatorship, so the chairman's honest hope was that they'd keep him in check while still breathing.
"Well, with the Slaughter King forces suffering unprecedented damage, external factors shouldn't be an issue. Heh heh~"
That very fact had made Korea's newfound safety the talk of neighboring countries.
They'd endured back-to-back wars and provocations last year but came out on top, minimizing civilian casualties and successfully dealing with S-rank monster Arc Demon Beasts. As a result, their forces had actually shrunk.
"The real problems are the UN, Japan, and China, huh?"
As the saying goes, when your cousin buys land, your stomach aches. The three East Asian powers had long been crushed under powerful malevolent constellations like a chronic disease. Seeing Korea break free alone had left China and Japan with aching bellies, and now they were starting to poke around.
"We'd love to witness the power and might of an SS-rank hunter. No funny business—just a chat. Please let us meet once...!"
"No way in hell!"
Yoo Seongwon wasn't loyal to the association or the state; he was more like a mercenary bound by a monetary contract. If Japan or China caught wind of that, they'd surely dangle bigger payouts, sparking conflict—and the chairman felt like his head and stomach would be torn apart in the process.
"But no matter how hard we try to block it, the info's already out there with holes everywhere..."
Exactly. No matter how top-secret they treated it, some things couldn't be contained.
Plus, the Blue Dragon Guild knew about it too, so if they leaked it, the whole world would learn Yoo Seongwon was currently "hired for money."
One overlooked detail: Yoo Seongwon had zero interest in foreign affairs.
"He hasn't suddenly grown patriotic... Or is he holding it back as a bargaining chip for later negotiations? Sigh~"
But they still hadn't figured out his true personality or thoughts.
It left them frustrated, unable to grasp why he did anything he did.
Lately, they'd met often since he showed up in person more, but he didn't talk much and often left serious discussions to Elder Baek Ga-yeon, making it impossible to read his character.
"Anyway, let's just hope for no other incidents or problems... Hmm? What's this? No! These guys... I told them a hundred times to send Yoo Seongwon-related docs straight to me without question... Huh? 'Proposal: Northern Region Territorialization Operation'?"
The content proposed building a city north of Seoul—a bulwark against future threats—now that the main Arc Demon Beasts had been repelled and the Slaughter King forces sufficiently weakened.
"By constructing a new frontline city in the north, we'd add another barrier and front line. If one falls, the capital wouldn't be in immediate danger. It'd further weaken the Slaughter King and Scavenger forces, provide stable extra hunting grounds for mid-to-low-tier hunters to grow, and even boost the economy... Mmm... Brilliant idea."
It was so ideal that even if someone scoured it for reasons to oppose, they wouldn't find any.
The timing was perfect, Seoul would be safer, low-tier hunters get growth opportunities, and massive construction would stimulate the economy. Practically flawless.
"And they're offering to lead and fund the entire construction and facilities themselves. Transportation via ultra-high-speed armored trains between Seoul and the frontline city for easy logistics and personnel movement. Plus, walls made with massive quantities of adamantium and orichalcum from New Gangnam. Hmm... That'll cost a fortune. Probably won't even cover it with 30 trillion won."
This wasn't some ordinary city—it was a frontline fortress against monsters and Scavengers. The bill would be astronomical, far beyond 30 trillion.
But with Yoo Seongwon being an unprecedented SS-rank hunter, funding seemed feasible.
"Mm, but there are quite a few sticking points."
After all the good stuff came the bad.
Yoo Seongwon's side had hefty demands: judicial and administrative authority including public safety within the frontline city, tax exemptions or massive reductions on everything except dungeon subjugations... Basically, it'd be an independent city free from Korean control.
Still, they promised to pay taxes on dungeon subjugations—their main revenue—so it offered a subtle merit, giving the chairman a headache.
"...It's labeled a frontline city plan, but it'll really just be a new base for Yoo Seongwon's faction."
Unthinkable in the old days, but par for the course now.
Major guilds and constellation forces commonly sought territories under their direct control.
Korea already had Seoul Guild's New Gangnam, Blue Dragon Guild's artificial island, Olympus Guild's floating sky island—and in extreme cases, guilds or Awakener factions outright took over nation-states and ruled them.
"Can't refuse... but I should at least check for any hidden agendas."
The justification was solid, demands not overly excessive, but he couldn't greenlight a project this massive solo.
Since it required top government brass, the chairman immediately called the Blue House, gathering the president, key Blue House officials, major National Assembly members, association executives, and corporate chairmen for a meeting at the association HQ.
"...That's the full content of the proposal from Yoo Seongwon's side. It does include some excessive authorities, but as you know, major guild bases and constellation domains already have similar privileges granted, so it's not unreasonable. That said, we suspect ulterior motives or hidden intentions, but we can't pin them down."
"Isn't this a good sign instead? A frontline city above Seoul means an extra shield. We have to approve this. And they're self-funding it without government subsidies, like New Gangnam! We should welcome it with open arms."
"Agreed. Judicial authority in that region? Big guilds run it however they want anyway, and for a frontline city, it's fitting—like military law."
"Plus, a project this scale will massively boost the economy and recoup the investment. Approve without question..."
It satisfied all incoming benefits and national strategic merits, so no one delved deeper.
At this rate, instead of uncovering hidden schemes, they'd get flak for opposing a golden opportunity.
"Used to worry about what it'd become, but now that guy's stepping up like this, it's reassuring. Great thinking. Building himself into a shield atop Seoul's walls!"
"Well, the guild conflicts were conflicts, and the New Gangnam incident stemmed from internal corruption. Plus, it was just clashing with the established top three guilds and forces..."
"Ah, not the time! Let's fast-track the approvals and permits. Good deeds are best done quickly."
"Hahaha, right. Then the Assembly will first..."
Were they avoiding tough thoughts? Blinded by overwhelming merits?
Or figuring any future screw-ups wouldn't touch them?
The very people running the nation and representing citizens spouted optimism without accountability, leaving the chairman exasperated.
'Well... if they cared that much, they'd have fixed the birth rate from pre-Awakener days.'
Yeah, they didn't even bother with the population numbers needed to sustain their power. Expecting deep consideration on this was absurd.
In an atmosphere where no one could object, Yoo Seongwon's frontline city proposal passed smoothly.
***
A few days later.
Iron Fortress, Yoo Seongwon's room.
"Look, Jessie... My body... My muscles haven't been tainted by even a single drop of drugs. Urgh!"
"Teacher!"
"There were times, lost in despair from muscle loss... when I envied your beautiful muscles. But I... I believed in my strength and body to the end... and walked the path of a true lady."
"I know! I know! You taught me sweat never betrays!"
"Ahh... Jessie... Please... Please! Don't give in to evil whispers... Become the world's most beautiful, elegant, noble lady..."
"Teeeeacherrrrrr! Ahhhhh!"
Yoo Seongwon, who preferred spending holidays in front of the TV, was watching a variety show featuring two macho, muscle-bound women in elegant, flashy dresses gazing at the sunset.
Originally about muscular ladies battling in high society, it had devolved into a shonen manga plot, culminating in a fierce teacher-student showdown.
'...Well, common for long-running hits. Mixing genres or trends for freshness?'
Resigned to the fate of veteran shows, he kept watching—until laughter and sobs erupted from behind and the sides.
"Hic... So moving. Truly magnificent. Lady Jessie and Madam Majorita—both exemplified perfect chivalry."
'......'
Turning toward the sound, Yoo Seongwon saw Yucheong rubbing red eyes and sniffling.
Not just him—the sanctuary door to the knight order was ajar, revealing others peeking in secretly.
More shocking: every knight was tearing up, immersed in emotion.
[Cooool...]
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"This is divine work. Hic... sob..."
Krokbane, Akaron, and Seom-myeol expressed brief emotion quietly, but next to them, Jinseok was a spectacle.
"Ahh... A masterpiece. Jessie's tear-streaked 'Front Double Biceps' capping the final teacher battle is touching, but it ultimately reminds us of basic mastery’s importance—a perfect blend of emotion and lesson, steeped in chivalry."
'Where's the chivalry?'
[Hmm haha, the teacher's pursuit of eternal muscle beauty resonated. Big three at 500... 600, breaking into 700... 800... realms—a human reaching for the stars. And the shadows deepening as she ascends toward radiant light? Masterful direction.]
'It's a variety show?'
"Right, great scene. And... yes! When Eliza tells Jessie, 'We can't have muscle loss even in the final fight,' yielding her chicken breast and protein shakes... That's nobility! I realized it then!"
'What did you realize?!'
Internally retorting nonstop, Yoo Seongwon urged the sanctuary lurkers to come out.
He asked the nearest one, Yucheong.
"Why sneak-watch from in there? Just come out and own it."
"Ah, I meant to, but the show hooked me instantly. As expected, Your Majesty always watches that, pondering chivalry."
"No."
"Makes sense you'd seriously consider the 'oath.' Anyway, knowing Your Majesty reflects so deeply on such magnificent work moves me even more."
"I said no......"
No matter how he denied it, these self-absorbed knights wouldn't get it, so Yoo Seongwon gave up.
To ordinary him, it was just fun fictional TV. But these knights had all penned real legends, myths— their immersion and foundational mindset differed vastly, so he let it go.
The episode ended, next reverting to muscle lady comedy, so he switched setups to preserve the illusion and flipped channels fast.
"News at leas—Huh? What's this?"
The TV was airing a sudden ambush announcement—one that left Yoo Seongwon utterly stunned.