Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: National Emergency
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In the midst of that utter chaos, where there was no one to lean on, South Korea was effectively facing an unprecedented crisis.
They had to restore order in this dire turmoil relying solely on the government's administrative power, the scant few hunters from the association, and the military.
It was something impossible even in normal times, so they knew it would get worse, but this country had a peculiar national trait: whenever a crisis hit, everyone—from bureaucrats to ordinary people—snapped back to their senses and poured out every ounce of their capabilities, as if unleashing some hidden power.
Hunter Association, Emergency Response Command Center.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the government and association had set up a joint command center like they did during the previous subjugation operation. They were running at full throttle, coordinating closely to resolve the crisis.
"How's the civilian evacuation going? Those dragging their feet can just go feed themselves to the scavengers!"
"Prioritize securing roads and maintaining the information network. That's our only asset!"
"What the hell is the Ministry of National Defense doing? You incompetent shitstars, are you even working?"
"They say they are! They're preparing the Neo Sinan Undercity bombing operation and ship destruction plan for now. The association president is heading to the most intense combat zone to mediate and suppress. He's also tasked Jeon Ji-a with funding support and improving the southern situation, and..."
"The ruling and opposition party leaders are scattered, heading to crisis areas themselves or sending their guard hunters to help evacuate citizens and protect shelters."
Once the crisis grew so severe that public sentiment was on the brink of collapse, everyone except some incompetent officials and cowardly politicians sprang into action as if they'd been waiting for this moment.
The Ministry of National Defense had planned operations to destroy potential footholds of foreign scavengers and mafias to prevent them from entering and ensure domestic security as best they could. They were executing these in tandem with the association.
"Whew~ But in the end, it's all just stopgaps. The real answer is waiting for this guild storm to blow over."
"Not even S-ranks— even A- or B-ranks are terrifying killing machines..."
That was why Academia classified B-ranks and above as Heaven Class and managed them specially.
The current landscape was dominated by SS-rank Yoo Seongwon and multiple S-ranks, but without their intervention, A- and B-ranks would reign supreme.
At least the association president was an S-rank hunter, so they could manage somehow, but his style wasn't overwhelming force. If swarmed by multiple A-ranks or B-ranks, it'd be tough to handle.
"Still, it's fortunate the problems are concentrated in Seoul and the capital area."
"The provinces lack guilds strong enough to join the Blue Dragon Guild inheritance dispute!"
Hierarchy fights and inheritance battles required matching weight classes.
Excluding the sole S-rank hunter Jeon Ji-a, the provinces had no real powerhouses, so most local guilds stayed out of the Blue Dragon Guild dispute.
Even those with some heft had tried, gotten crushed, and backed off long ago.
Even limited to the capital region, over 20 million citizens were affected, making it a national crisis that could sway the country's fate.
"Whew~ So? Have you contacted Yoo Seongwon? Or even Elder Baek Gayeon would do. We're really on the verge of dying here."
"Yoo Seongwon hunter... as always, he's ignoring us. 'Busy. I already said something last time, that's enough. If shit really hits the fan, I'll step in~' He's brushing us off like that. Elder Baek Gayeon is subtly dodging too: 'Haha, sorry. I'm swamped with Academia-level stuff.'"
"What does 'Academia-level busy' even mean? Jeez~"
They didn't yet know about the 250 awakeners among the kids protected at Iron Fortress, so that's how they could say that.
Thus, the government and association were finally showing their true mettle amid the crisis frenzy, but as with all work, it was always harder and more grueling to fix things after the shit hit the fan than during the quiet times.
The biggest issue was lacking the power to fully suppress the rampages by guild hunters.
"Haa~ So we're stuck maintaining this emergency system as is..."
"Um, the Foreign Ministry got word: the Japanese government and guild alliance are willing to support with S-rank hunters and teams to resolve the situation."
"No need. Tell them to mind their own business—we've got an SS-rank. And that evil constellation over there isn't resting either, right?"
"But the government side is insisting we consider it. They think pretending to bring them in might prod Yoo Seongwon into action..."
"Don't talk crazy. Want your head bashed by that golden bat? Forgot what happened in New Gangnam last year already?"
They'd schemed to borrow Japanese hunter power while checking Yoo Seongwon, but such tactics required reading the opponent.
Screw it up with a guy who could swing Titan's Pile like in New Gangnam, and there'd be hell to pay.
"'If Korea falls? Hmm~ No more delivery food or muscle reality shows, that'd suck. Should I download my shows in advance?'
"To him, a nation's worth is exactly that. That's why he's indifferent."
He wouldn't even factor in international dynamics, so needlessly provoking him by calling in Japanese hunters would only escalate the explosion.
Worst case, he'd ride that damn golden dragon to Tokyo and unleash Pae Hwang Cheon Sword Style, sparking a full Japan-Korea war.
Block it at all costs—that was best.
"China and Russia's support too, then..."
"Of course! Don't ask the obvious!"
"Yes. I'll relay that."
At the association president's words, the staffer hurried off to their duties.
With no alternatives, the president figured they'd have to keep grinding until the guilds sorted their disputes and hierarchies. He quickly handled only the fast-resolvable tasks, prepared for the next call-out, and took a break.
He'd need recharging to deal with the guilds trying to bolt soon anyway.
***
Japanese government. Secret meeting with Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Japan—a country close yet far from Korea.
When dungeons first appeared, they finally regained the right to a military, reorganizing the Self-Defense Forces into the Japanese Army, establishing hunters as a special forces unit, and even setting up magistone mining and processing companies. They succeeded in controlling hunters early on.
But as time passed and the Constellation Era dawned, unrest reignited. Factions split between following the constellations granting power and blessings directly versus prioritizing the government. Now, Japan had a dual structure: hunter special forces under the association and guilds.
Thus, the meeting included the prime minister, defense minister, hunter special forces commander, and guild master of God's Voice.
Anyway, today's agenda—no, for the past half-year, every meeting revolved around Korea.
"Yoo Seongwon hunter has begun full-scale frontline city construction, successfully fortifying his first base in North Korean territory. But he's still hands-off on internal national issues, not touching the guild disputes."
"Hmm... Picking his nose without getting involved? Anyway, the Blue Dragon Guild inheritance fight benefits his side in multiple ways."
"Special Forces Commander, plans to make contact with him?"
"Still failing. We aimed for rendezvous after heading to North Korea via the Sea of Japan, but their scavengers sniffed us out like ghosts and captured us... All became food for those man-eaters."
The man-eaters were Slaughter King's minions. Despite deploying top agents and hunter operatives to contact Yoo Seongwon, they failed, and everyone sent became Slaughter King's meal.
"Damn, we need contact somehow... And he took a mere 100 billion yen gig..."
"Not a small sum, but for the missions he could handle, it's dirt cheap in reverse. Problem is, we can't even reach him to request."
"Korea probably hopes he'll build the frontline city and clear Slaughter King's core dungeon like this."
"That's unacceptable!"
Bam!
The prime minister slammed the table in fury.
Japan was locked in decades-long war with the massive evil constellation 66 Heavenly Demons, split east and west. The physical damage was bad enough, but the drain on national power was fatal.
Like most nations, fighting domestic evil constellations kept them at world-top power status via the averaging-down law, but they hated seeing Korea escape that evil constellation's pressure right next door.
"Absolutely not! If Slaughter King vanishes, Korea naturally secures North Korean territory, borders crisis-hit Russia via the moderate Dragon-Phoenix King, and creates safe zones. What then?"
"International corps and people flock there first, investments follow."
A fully restored Korea had huge potential, and freedom from war with a massive evil constellation was an overwhelming national advantage.
"We're still grinding against that war maniac 66 Heavenly Demons, while Korea pours all resources into development! Like how Japan revived during the 6.25 Korean War!"
The evil constellation 66 Heavenly Demons in Japan loved 'war'—endless war.
Its minions were all evil spirits wielding war weapons, aiming to sweep Japan's intelligent life and invade overseas for more war.
"Sure, we're in tough times too... but their internals are a mess, so it won't be easy."
"Right. Neo Sinan Undercity's already a comet in the international mafia scene."
"Don't take the prime minister's words lightly! History proves it countless times!"
It went beyond envy to power balance shifts between nations—a sensitive issue. Add national pride, and it became intolerable.
Not just any pride, but overlaid with the Greater Japanese Empire that once ruled the world and bubble-era illusions, breeding near-delusional obsession.
"Anyway, we must keep trying to contact Yoo Seongwon... No other ways to lure him?"
"Doesn't seem so. He's holed up in the frontline city or his main base Iron Fortress. Emails keep going out... all ignored."
"Whew~ We have to block it. Block it. Must block it... If Slaughter King's core dungeon really vanishes like this, East Asia's dominance... No face to meet our ancestors at Yasukuni..."
'...Forgot we could just beat 66 Heavenly Demons first? Whew~'
Yes, the answer wasn't far. As the special forces commander thought, beat 66 Heavenly Demons faster than Yoo Seongwon's side—that was it.
But the prime minister, defense minister, and commander all knew it wasn't easy.
Despite massive military investment against endless evil spirit hordes, maintaining status quo was the limit. They'd even gambled on the core dungeon once, to no avail.
"At least with Korea's guild infighting tying up their government and association, contact chances are rising. Should hear back soon."
"Say that after contact's confirmed."
"Yes! By next week, I'll have good news for sure."
The special forces commander replied confidently, and the prime minister and defense minister moved to the next item.
Contacting Yoo Seongwon—key to East Asian hegemony and Japan's future. Must succeed.
Past interference caused failures, but now Korea's government and association overload created an opening for success.