Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Frontline City Decree
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『Special Report—Golden Dragon Knight Yoo Seongwon! 'Frontline City' establishment plan announced and officially approved. A detailed special broadcast on this matter will air tonight.』
“What the hell? I just sent in the proposal... and now it's approved without me even knowing, hitting the news?”
“There were probably spies from the association or government in the meetings discussing the content we submitted.”
“Spies, huh... They're all the same scum in the end. I figured it'd pass anyway.”
Yeah, it was a gift set packed with proposals too sweet to resist, perfect for uncovering any hidden schemes.
The safety of Seoul, economic revitalization, territorial recovery, humanity's advance—shining achievements no one could ignore. Too many wanted a piece.
If they hesitated even a moment, fearing spies or rivals snatching it away, they'd end up paralyzed, unable to debate or think deeply.
“If they were the type to think that deeply, the world wouldn't be in this mess to begin with. Sigh~ Anyway, time to get back to work.”
Normally, he'd flop down and whine about not wanting to, but not this time.
The complacent higher-ups had stepped into his trap, and he had to keep pushing his ongoing plans too.
Namely, “Topple the Blue Dragon Guild.” A promise to his knights, so it had to be done.
“Alright then... Yucheng, let's get started on the next phase.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Step one: Tie up the scavengers among themselves. Cripple their intel and block their illegal moves.
Why? For this very plan.
With the government and lawmakers blinded by greed, missing the pitfall below, countless corporations would charge in blind.
“So first up... Compile a list of companies under the Blue Dragon Guild. Ughhh, such a hassle, but it's the best way...”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Fulfilling a knight's oath is vital, but so is the process.”
“Truth is, I picked this because it's the least annoying option.”
Demolishing a building? Sure, blow it up or burn it down sounds easy, but the debris and cleanup take more effort.
Human organizations are the same.
Slaughtering everyone outright seems simple at first glance, but a behemoth like the Blue Dragon Guild would spew pollution and fallout on a massive scale.
“We've got the scavengers pinned down for now. Next: the corporations.”
The ones mainly repairing or supplying the Blue Dragon Guild's gear, facilities, weapons. If scavengers were their eyes and ears, these companies were the veins.
Yoo Seongwon, plotting to screw over the rotten government while dismantling the Blue Dragon Guild, eagerly awaited whether these listed firms would betray their overlords or stay loyal when sniffing opportunity.
***
A few days later.
Blue Wyvern Co., a subsidiary of the Blue Dragon Guild.
President Go Cheonsu of Blue Wyvern Co., located on the Blue Dragon Guild's artificial island, was deep in turmoil.
Blue Wyvern specialized in producing and developing magistone weapons and armor, supplying special gear to the Blue Dragon Guild and leveraging their fame to sell downgraded versions abroad.
“Grrraaah!”
Thanks to the Blue Dragon Guild's backing, he'd expanded the company and even earned the “Blue Wyvern” name. But businesses never rest—always hungry for growth, racing to crush rivals.
[...We regret to inform you that Blue Wyvern Co. has been rejected from all bids and transactions for the 'Frontline City' project per Hunter Yoo Seongwon's wishes. For details, please inquire via email to 'Iron Fortress'...]
“Damn it! They're straight-up blackballing us because we're Blue Dragon Guild trash? Shit!”
Go Cheonsu scowled at the reply email, utterly dejected. But this was par for the course.
Taking on a rival or competing guild's subsidiary risked leaks, supply cuts—standard practice across guilds.
The issue? Yoo Seongwon's venture was a gold mine, enterprise-wise.
“If we miss this, it's gonna be chaos... Grrraaah~”
Even conservatively, the frontline city deal was massive. Factor in the northward expansion into North Korean reclamation, and the potential was sky-high.
A new frontline city as Seoul's shield? Hunter gear demand would explode. Irresistible—but affiliation blocked entry. Frustrating.
“Grrraaah.”
Betray the Blue Dragon Guild? The favors received were enormous... But this deal dwarfed them all.
Skipping it meant looking like idiots, suckers, morons. And who was Yoo Seongwon?
“Official record: 5 S-rank monster kills, multiple S-rank hunter-level summons! Plus legends like Baek Gayeon and fresh S-rank Shin Somi! Ruler of a world-class force!”
His golden armor, golden dragon mount—unforgettable flair. Achievements in one year stunned Korea and beyond.
Hunters needed proven combat prowess; he'd delivered, with stellar records. Future prospects rock-solid.
“In contrast, Guild Master Go Cheonsu? SS-rank, but meh~”
Worshipping the constellation of 'Struggle,' yet since claiming top of Korea's Big Three, things soured oddly for Blue Dragon.
Sure, Yoo Seongwon's freakish rise skewed comparisons, but post-SS-rank subjugation ops were disastrously weak.
“Hmmmmm...”
Go Cheonsu agonized over the pivotal choice.
Missing frontline city meant rivals ballooning ahead.
Pivot to other ventures? Export expansion tough; new markets brutal.
'...Building routes sounds easy, but without Blue Dragon promo, it's bribes, buyouts... Dumping cash might barely work, and finding targets? Grrraaah!'
Sticking with Blue Dragon? Isolation amid Yoo-backed boom—self-exclusion.
'Right, fools ride sinking ships. Timing's perfect.'
No other answer after mulling.
Blue Dragon showed no bold plays, scavengers tangled with shadows—prime betrayal window.
'Not jumping ship empty-handed, though... Gotta bring gifts. Intel, then?'
Bare surrender? Untrustworthy. Needed decisive proof.
Specs on classified Blue Dragon supplies, key hunters' skills/stats gathered under “custom weapons”—that'd scream full traitor.
Thus, Go Cheonsu meticulously prepared his betrayal for a brighter future.
***
Blue Dragon Guild artificial island.
But the frontline city news reached the Blue Dragon Guild too.
Go Cheonsu grimaced, face twisted in defeat.
Frontline city plan. Never imagined that Yoo Seongwon punk scheming this far.
“Damn it! How the hell...”
“B-Bro, you okay?”
“Wasting cash on mismatched charity... Who knew he prepped this.”
No excuses for total oversight, but quietly internal plotting was undetectable. Recent scavenger inaction, Yoo's charity jaunts seemed harmless.
“Damn... How...”
“But it's just one project. No real hit to us, right?”
“If we're content as a mid-tier guild.”
Problem: This guild bowed to 'Struggle'-loving constellation Blue Dragon.
Recent scavenger clashes kept it quiet, but this was a declaration to steal Korea's top guild spot.
“You know Blue Dragon-sama thrives on this, dreams of us as Earth's best. Now a mega-investment gig drops? What happens?”
“Uh...”
“We follow for rewards—that's known. Our subs and hires stick for business perks. But this frontline city...”
Guaranteed pay, prestige, future-proof.
Rivals would blacklist Blue Dragon-linked firms; lawsuits? 'Military base' and 'guild HQ' excuses shut it down.
“They're stripping our foundation bare.”
A golden mountain in sight, barred by Blue Dragon ties? Agony.
Enter, and shovel out riches!
Who'd pick fruitless Blue Dragon loyalty over that?
“Guilds need more than hunters. To lead, dominate every angle: gear, food, security, cleaning... That's why we bind those firms tight. He hogs it all, and... stronger militarily?”
“Easy betrayal bait!”
“Yeah, pre-empted our spies by locking scavengers. What the hell is that Yoo bastard? What...”
“More importantly, bro—what now? Blue Dragon-sama's thrilled nuts! Argh!”
[Constellation Blue Dragon senses unavoidable fierce struggle and is immensely pleased.]
[Constellation Blue Dragon senses unavoidable fierce struggle and grows intensely excited.]
[Constellation Blue Dragon senses unavoidable fierce struggle and hopes its apostles wage life-or-death battle.]
[Constellation Blue Dragon declares massive rewards for victory here.]
[Constellation Blue Dragon...]
...
...
Beyond Go Cheonsu, every Blue Dragon contractor saw status windows flooding.
Top Korean guild, now facing supreme golden dragon foe. Blue Dragon's dream matchup—but gap too vast.
Go Cheonsu stared at the insistent windows demanding struggle, racking his brain, but no easy answers.
‘...’
Survival and guild future on the line—deliberation dragged.
Yet time was short: Delay meant subs and affiliates fleeing. Must decide ASAP.