Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Yoo Seongwon Hunter & Japan Expedition Plan Announcement
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The next day, at the Republic of Korea Hunter Association.
The Association President began seriously devising a plan to negotiate with Jeon Ji-a Hunter based on the information brought by his staff and systematically suppress the guilds.
It was such a brilliant stroke from Yoo Seongwon that it made him wonder why he hadn't thought of it sooner. It was an incredibly effective approach.
On top of that, when he brought it up with the Ministry of National Defense, they were thrilled and agreed to join forces with the Association to formulate a plan to suppress the guilds.
"Hmm, it's great that the Ministry of National Defense and the government are stepping in. We've even secured a solid justification now, so once we finalize things with Ms. Jeon Ji-a, we can take them down one by one."
One S-Rank could handle multiple A-Ranks, but with two S-Rank Hunters leading a full-scale assault backed by other Hunters and the military, the destructive power and strategic value would multiply dozens of times over.
Moreover, since the government controlled all modern infrastructure like electricity and communications, they could use that to make the guilds manageable opponents.
'The concern is them turning into Scavengers... but that's nothing to worry about either.'
Not just anyone could become a Scavenger. They needed a reliable Scavenger group to rely on or the know-how to pull it off.
Recent cleanups had also cleared out most Scavenger hideouts, so even if they tried to hide, they wouldn't be able to do so properly.
'If we just provide enough escape routes and improve their treatment...!'
Seeing the possibilities for the future sent shivers down the Association President's spine.
Dreamlike scenarios felt within reach.
Centralized control of powerful Hunters under the Association. They could raise fees for monster subjugation and mana stone acquisitions, boosting national revenue and bringing prosperity to the country.
Of course, this was only possible because Yoo Seongwon had allowed it, so they'd have to watch his mood going forward, and with 10 trillion won due annually, any revenue gains wouldn't show immediate effects.
'But still! Compared to the better future we can achieve...'
"Association President! Big trouble!"
"What is it? What happened now?"
"That bastard Yoo Seongwon! That fucking son of a bitch!"
While most staff were careful when mentioning Yoo Seongwon, this employee couldn't hide his rage, even mixing in curses.
Trembling as he grabbed the remote, he turned on the TV and frantically switched channels. An emergency interview was just starting.
The subtitle at the bottom read: 'Yoo Seongwon Hunter & Japan Expedition Plan Announcement.'
『...We're building frontline cities, but our essence is as Hunters. We hunt and defeat monsters to profit from them. Considering fiscal health, mana stone supply as a resource, and the long-term situation, if the 'Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons'—the constellation of 'war'—takes over Japan, Korea will be next. So we must seize this opportunity to take it down...』
"That fucking bastard!"
"What a fucking asshole!"
Bang!
Even the Association President, who always maintained composure no matter the situation, exploded in curses and slammed his desk in shock.
They'd been rejected every time they asked for help with the guild civil wars, forcing them into days of overtime, overnight stays, and constant business trips.
Yet he immediately accepted Japan's approach. It was infuriating beyond measure.
"That XX bastard..."
『...Of course, that doesn't mean we'll neglect our current projects. My 'knights' will continue to oversee 'Frontline City' and 'Iron Fortress,' and we're prepared to respond immediately if monsters from the 'Constellation Slaughter King' appear. Japan is just like a business trip. Anyway, we'll head to Japan as soon as we're ready and begin the fight against the '66 Heavenly Demons.' That's all.』
"...Association President, the government says we need an emergency strategy meeting right away. Please come quickly."
"I'm on my way!"
Sure enough, the government, equally shocked, summoned him immediately.
The Association President shot up as if he'd been waiting for it, flung open the window, and flew toward the government building.
Such behavior was strictly taboo, proof of how emotionally rattled he was.
"Sorry I'm late!"
"Oh, no, Association President. I-I didn't expect you this soon..."
"Isn't this a situation where coming fast isn't enough?"
"R-Right, right. It's fortunate you came quickly."
The Association President was so furious his intensity made the other flinch.
And he wasn't the only one enraged.
Government officials and National Assembly members alike felt a profound sense of betrayal, their guts twisting.
"Anyway, what that golden bastard did is utterly unforgivable. It pisses me off to no end."
"Come on, more importantly, how the hell did they even make contact?"
"The issue isn't how they connected—it's why that crazy bastard rejected our requests but teamed up with Japan. That's what we need to figure out first, isn't it?"
"Well~ They must've offered a ton of money. It's obvious as day. The guy who wouldn't budge without 100 trillion even if the country fell—Japan threw cash at him, so of course he's thrilled."
Based on Yoo Seongwon's past actions, that was 100% spot on.
He'd refused even a simple request to help control the guild civil war over the Blue Dragon Guild's legacy, yet he held a press conference for this. Japan must've promised enormous compensation.
"Plus, the Japanese have their pride, so they'd have offered at least several times 100 trillion. Anything less, and negotiations wouldn't have happened."
"Haaa~ So, what do we do?"
"We lodge a formal protest first. And use that time to ask him to join the guild civil wars."
"What if he says he'll do it for money?"
"Ugh..."
Money, money, money! No one could resist it entirely, and aside from a few here, everyone was in this seat for asset growth.
They liked it too, but never admitted it openly due to image concerns. Seeing him flaunt his greed made them feel sick, mirroring their own disgust.
Of course, they didn't show it outwardly.
"Fucking money zombie."
"With what he's earned, he could live off it forever and pass it to the next generation..."
"Shit, how much more does one awakening need to rake in? This is too much."
Their insides boiled, but they'd already signed an 'agreement.' Antagonizing him now would only hurt them.
If they escalated hostility and, in this era with a historic shortage of S-Rank Hunters, he truly became Japan's vanguard and invaded, Korea would vanish from history that very day.
"Argh! Damn... bastard!"
"Did our ancestors feel this humiliated during the colonial era?"
"Without real power, we endure all sorts of shit. Ugh!"
Teeth ground, fury burned in their chests.
There were those without patriotism who didn't rage or feel humiliated, but even they sensed the mood turning dangerous since Yoo Seongwon struck first, leaving them conflicted on what to do.
"...What's the media atmosphere like?"
"Surface-level, they're gearing up for front-page condemnation... but mostly boilerplate stuff. Can't blame them—they got fat ad deals from the Frontline City promotions..."
"Since when do media outlets work for whoever pays them?"
"Well, since after the colonial era... Ahem!"
The staffer, blurting out his true thoughts, coughed awkwardly to cover it, but everyone knew.
What that Yoo Seongwon did was just copying what they themselves had always done.
To ordinary people, it was rational: siding with power and bigger money.
The only difference was that his power stemmed from 'awakening' might.
Their meeting about Yoo Seongwon turned self-critical the more they pointed fingers, so they soon fell silent.
That mad Golden Knight was the embodiment of the sins they had created.
"...So, what... do we do?"
"What can we do? Do we have options? We just submit. Besides, under him are those hordes of S-Rank knights—not enough? He's already summoning active-duty Hunter-level soldiers, and 250 of the kids he took in have even awakened. He's beyond specs. If he wanted, he could build a throne in the Blue House right now!"
"Anyway, for now... we swallow the humiliation. But even if it's locking the barn after losing the cow, we fix what needs fixing. As long as 'awakenings' and 'constellations' exist, even the lowliest person has the 'potential' to gain world-burning power someday. It's proven."
Just a year ago, an ordinary citizen with no education or money now commanded Korea and threatened the world.
All thanks to the 'miracle' of awakening.
Even bottom-feeders who would've faded into obscurity could shake nations with 'luck.' The only way to stop it was one.
"He's compassionate and responsible enough to rescue and care for kids from facilities like his own. He's pricey, sure, but he faithfully upholds the agreement terms. In short, he's the monster our environment birthed."
"N-No, it's not that extreme... So what are you saying we do?"
"What else? We fix it. He's just one Yoo Seongwon now, but what if another that strong awakens? It's barn-locking after the loss, but... If we don't start now, our kids' generation might live under a tyrant or Japanese rule again."
"...Isn't that a bit of a stretch?"
"Does Japan lack the funds to pay that money-grubbing bastard? What if Japan's core dungeons vanish first?"
"......!"
From Japan's view, losing Korea's evil-aligned constellation core dungeon would be horrific, but the reverse spoke for itself.
Korea still bore the Slaughter King risk, while Japan would have none domestically, positioning it as East Asia's strongest.
"We must get our act together now. Not as factional infighting, but for real...! If we don't cut out the rot and improve, our nation vanishes into history, and our wives and kids end up ruled by Japan or that golden tyrant."
"It's really time, huh."
"Yes. Put aside personal gain, power, greed for big money... for a long time ahead. Think only of the nation and citizens. The era of 'good is good' is over. You never know when another blade like him appears. To protect ourselves, we must protect the 'people.'"
"Once the guild civil wars settle, we can restore order too, so definitely..."
"...No choice, then."
It was revolting, frustrating, filthy, unfair. They'd lose elite privileges bit by bit.
But what could they do?
Who knew when or where another like Yoo Seongwon would emerge, this time wielding a sword wreathed in 'hatred.'
Only two choices: flee to a place without such beings, or pour everything into making an impossibly good nation.