Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Iron Fortress
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Iron Fortress.
And so, Yoo Seongwon’s group’s expedition to Japan was decided.
A quick glance at the Korean government and association’s situation showed that Japan was indeed a cheat code of a stimulus—government-led meetings were kicking off left and right, to the point where word came that even the usually composed association president had flung open a window and flown off.
“Hmm~ Japan really hits the spot. They’re working like they’ve been jolted awake from a dead sleep. Didn’t expect the old man to sign off on it, though.”
“More than Japan... the Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons is no small issue.”
The night before, Yoo Seongwon’s group had gathered the key members for a meeting.
Baek Gayeon and most of the others had given the OK, allowing them to squeeze in an interview that very morning.
They’d had a brief interview with the Japanese ambassador who’d flown in on a private jet, gone over some precautions for the expedition, agreed to coordinate later on when to send the expedition team to Japan, and wrapped it up.
“Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons . A constellation that loves ‘war’ a little too much. The problem is, unlike typical war gods who glorify ‘valor,’ heroic spirit, or martial prowess, it just loves for ‘war’ to keep going endlessly.”
『(Kill them all! Kill! Kill! Fight…….)』
In the video playing with subtitles, a massive armored spirit clad in Japanese-style armor rode a horse made of skulls, rampaging across the battlefield.
Even the united forces of the Japan Defense Force—the Self-Defense Forces’ successor—Hunter Special Forces, and guilds struggled against the armored spirit and the waves of malicious spirits surging behind it like a tidal wave.
“It raises the dead as malicious spirits and makes them fight endlessly. It truly revels only in the act of war itself.”
“Basically undead. Hmm, the Titan Stakes won’t cut it... but looks like it’s finally time to use this.”
“That’s…….”
Saint Knight Przewalski’s lance. The spear he’d given him after losing the duel.
It was a weapon from an S-rank monster, so there wasn’t really anywhere to offload it, and he hadn’t had a specific use for it anyway, so he’d kept it. Perfect timing now.
The purely physical Titan Stakes struggled against malicious spirits , but Saint Knight Przewalski’s lance, imbued with holy properties, could handle them just fine.
[(Legendary) Saint Knight Sir Przewalski’s Lance]
Equipment Type: Cavalry Lance
Options: A hard and lonely path, but I shall never retreat—this lance will never break.
For the god I believe in—this lance is imbued with holy properties through faith.
Be it the flames of hell or darkness without light—immunity to abnormal mental states
I shall charge without fear—upon mounting a mount and charging, speed and charge power increase, holy barrier generated
“Why the hell did that horse-headed bastard try to use this on me? Makes zero sense.”
At a glance, it was a textbook holy-type weapon. For an ordinary human and pure physical-type knight like Yoo Seongwon—who wasn’t even an evil spirit—it offered little merit.
The top option was its only standout feature, rivaling the ultra-durable Titan Stakes.
“It’s a knight’s weapon, after all.”
“Hmm, true. Even called a saint knight, when facing a worthy rival he’s acknowledged, he’d offer up his cherished blade.”
“I’d wield a weapon that wrote my legend, too.”
“What are you, my lawyer? Anyway, it’s a bit light, but I’ll use this. Let’s see... You all can’t come to Japan, though. We’ve got frontline city construction ongoing, and someone needs to stay at Iron Fortress to protect the kids... This time, Cheongeomgun, you stay. Akaron, Gawulf, Seom-myeol, Krokbane. You four come with me.”
He’d picked these four for simple reasons.
Yucheong, Jinseok, and Junghan were key players in frontline city and Iron Fortress ops, respected as teachers, and all-around knights who handled non-combat tasks effortlessly.
Gawulf, Seom-myeol, Krokbane, and Akaron, on the other hand—Akaron aside—were combat-focused types. They’d even been complaining lately about the lack of fights.
Akaron didn’t mesh well with the base’s internal systems either, leading to subtle clashes, so it was a good chance to take him out.
“No issues? Yucheong.”
“Yes. Solid lineup. But beyond the knights, any additional personnel?”
“Right timing for some leveling, so I’ll bring Sis and Ayoung... Hmm, no kids standing out enough for combat deployment yet?”
“There’s one, but... needs more training.”
“Got it. We’ll keep initial deployment small. I’ll grind more levels, snag rewards, and push to expand the Cheongeomgun roster. That should do it.”
With the Japan team and knight lineup settled, Yoo Seongwon dove straight into departure prep.
He called the Japanese government to request a transport plane tomorrow, and with the group capped, things wrapped quicker than expected.
For gear and items, they just added holy water for malicious spirits —nothing else needed attention.
“Just pack clothes and personal stuff. Ayoung and Sis Somi look busier, though?”
“Who’s fault is this? Sigh~ Suddenly pulling out silver bullets, wires, ‘Holy Grenade: Hallelujah Deluxe’... so much to grab.”
“But don’t they sell that stuff in Japan? Their anti-malicious spirit gear’s probably more efficient anyway. Might as well prep poison or detection gear in case of backstabs.”
“…Huh? Yeah, you’re right!”
Shin Ayoung’s eyes lit up at Yoo Seongwon’s words, and she instantly revised the packing list.
Whether from panic or deep distrust of Japan, she was set on extra anti-malicious spirit gear—but as he’d said, Japan, having fought these things forever, surely had superior kit.
“Conversely, we excel in mana stone ammo, high-killpower claymores, explosives, and firepower gear. Didn’t you learn that at the Academy?”
“Oh... yeah, kinda... You know your stuff, Uncle.”
“I worked at the Academy nine years? Even a temple dog picks up poetry after three. Eavesdrop on your lectures that long, and it sticks. Not systematic—full of holes—but anyway. Stock up more on that.”
“Reminds me—back in the Joseon era, they’d blast cannons or gunpowder at ghosts to hit ’em with yang energy.”
Chatting idly like that, Shin Ayoung kept selecting weapons and gear.
Shin Somi did the same, focusing on explosives and firepower.
She crammed her inventory with mountains of processed mana stone bombs and shells—not enough, so she even rented a container.
At this rate, she looked less like a rear-support sniper and more like artillery.
“Feels like I’m putting you through hell. Stay here if you want.”
“No. Fighting’s the hunter’s fate. Leveling means dungeons and battles anyway. And... it’s for a good cause, right?”
“Actually, it’s screwing over our government hard—not exactly noble. If it works, they’ll come for me first.”
“Still cooler than your old ‘too annoying, too annoying’ days.”
“Hah, but I’m not sticking around long. Help Japan a bit, piss off our gov, get ’em to shape up, then bail with some excuse. Not seriously taking down 66 Heavenly Demons—just farm cash and dip.”
Japan was purely a Korean stimulus. No plans for prolonged fights or alliances.
Earn some money, wrap frontline city biz, monitor and check the Korean gov, live peacefully—that was Yoo Seongwon’s goal.
“Settle in the frontline city, keep blocking Slaughter King’s kids from growing, lure in scavengers, turn it into another Constellation Mountain stronghold. Perfect.”
“No plans for the core dungeon?”
“Way too risky. Even S and SS-rank lives aren’t guaranteed. It’s got a constellation’s avatar in there.”
Constellation avatar. Literal as it gets.
Slaughter King’s core dungeon housed an avatar it birthed and imprinted its mind on—going there meant facing it.
Challenging a living celestial wonder, a god incarnate, wasn’t for the faint-hearted.
“Sure, clearing it would stop that evil constellation from invading... but the risk’s insane. Too huge to burst. That’s why more places just manage the exit without entering.”
“Yeah, that’s reality.”
Unless S-rank hunter or above, it wasn’t worth attempting. Forcing hunters in led to deaths by avatar or severe wounds even on clear—national disaster.
Most left core dungeons uncleared, like Sin-Gangnam’s encirclement of Constellation Mountain: fortify defenses, manage ongoing.
“Plus, too much on my plate now for gambles. Tsk~ Way too reckless. Anyway, prep well for Japan... and... come back safe.”
“Yeah. You too.”
“Whew~”
Conversation over, but something felt off—Yoo Seongwon sighed.
Truth was, safe return from Japan, finish and stabilize the frontline city frame, and with Iron Fortress, he’d have a perfect domain.
Then he could dump this damn interim admin role on Ayoung, build a new nest in the completed city, and ask Sis Somi to live together.
But he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
‘Tsk, no manners dropping that mid-expedition prep—no mood. After... take her to some fancy Olympus-run hotel... do it proper there.’
The promise from the Goblin Empire dungeon.
Remembering he’d talk when it was time to take responsibility, he figured the frontline city completion would fit—resolve it then.
His eyes flicked to Shin Somi’s left ring finger, pondering a ‘ring.’
***
Next day, around 11 a.m.
Japan Tokyo Hunter Special Forces Base.
One day for negotiations, half a day stamping agreements, then boarding the arriving transport with trailers and gear for the flight back to Japan.
Two hours after departure, Yoo Seongwon’s group arrived at the Tokyo Hunter Special Forces base.
Even abroad, it being the neighbor felt less like travel, more like a local jaunt—Yoo Seongwon peered out at the base.
“Seeing that lot really drives home it’s another country. Whew~”
“First time seeing a Japanese guild... it’s something else.”
Hunter Special Forces in navy combat uniforms stood in formation; opposite them, Japanese guild members in a rainbow of cosplay-like outfits formed a stark contrast.
Korea was guild-centric but emphasized unity with uniform designs. Japanese guilds? Zero uniformity—pure avatar fashion, dressed to personal taste. Huge difference.
“Looks don’t matter. I’m no slouch... Whew~”
“Yeah, you won’t lose here.”
True to his word, Yoo Seongwon—decked in flashy golden armor rivaling their bling—stepped out the Defense Force’s transport hatch to face the far more exhausting hassle of humans over monsters.