Chapter 167
Chapter 167
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Sabotage in the Skies
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“Then we’ll commence the operation.”
Oblivious to the ominous signs, the transport planes carrying the guild hunters and special forces members departed for the operation zone, marking the start of Japan’s subjugation operation.
The first step was to use satellite devices to pinpoint the locations of the Great General-class monsters in western Nagoya. Since most of them summoned castles, locating them was a breeze.
Next, firepower rained down simultaneously from Nagoya Base, along with bombers, the navy, and missile sites.
“Impact confirmed at the drop point! But undead soldiers keep pouring out from inside the dungeon.”
“Keep pouring it on. The more we bombard, the safer our forces will be! Hit the retreat path too!”
Up to this point, it was pretty much standard procedure worldwide.
After initial firepower suppression, Awakeners and hunters would advance, with nine S-class hunters targeting the S-class Great Generals in a coordinated assault. The rest would hold the perimeter, protecting allied forces and transport planes, then retreat together once the S-classes took down the Great Generals.
The S-class hunters monitoring from the transport planes began preparing to move out.
[We’re approaching Osaka airspace now. Please prepare for descent.]
“Hmm, maybe it’s because it’s domestic, but we got here fast. Alright, everyone, get ready. And one more reminder: this subjugation is vital for Japan’s honor. Put aside personal greed and cooperate fully to take down the S-class. Understood?”
“Of course.”
“Not thrilled, but no choice.”
“…For this one, I’ll sit it out.”
Fujiwara, the guild master, layered on the reminders, steeling their resolve for success this time.
To ensure it, he’d ignored his guild’s finances and profits, buying up items and talismans to distribute to everyone.
That sincerity was why the other guilds followed him as leader without complaint.
[S-class monster ‘Fire Army Great General’ detected! He’s furious at his castle’s destruction and is ordering the undead soldiers to fix it.]
“Phew~ Good! Everyone, prepare to deploy! The first step toward Greater Japan’s future…!”
KABOOM!
Just as that grand step was about to begin, an explosion rocked the aircraft violently.
Despite the sudden crisis, the S-class hunters inside remained calm, assessing the cause.
“Attacked from below?”
“No. My Thousand-Li Sight skill shows no external attacks. Seems like trouble inside. And… bad news: the other transport planes with us are exploding too.”
“What?”
“No time to check outside. Explosions are happening inside all our transports. I’ll check it out—everyone, prep for drop. Shadow Concealment.”
One S-class hunter in ninja garb turned into black smoke and headed aft to investigate, while Hasegawa and the other eight readied for descent.
Kawasaki Guild’s ninja master-class hunter, Muumyeong (Nameless), rushed straight to the engine room. There, someone was cackling maniacally while hurling explosives nonstop.
“You’re the culprit, obviously. Who are you and where’d you come from?”
“Heh heh heh… heh heh heh… Finally… finally, my last job’s done… heh heh heh… Now I can rest… heh heh heh.”
The perpetrator was a man in his mid-30s wearing Nagoya Base work clothes.
His eyes were half-hidden by heavy dark circles, his face pallid—neither his mental nor physical state looked good.
‘Doesn’t seem sane.’
“Huh? Who’s this? A fancy hunter? Heh heh heh… How’s it feel? All your eager prep… ruined by a nobody like me!”
“…….”
“Hah hah hah ha! Say something! You started it! How can you… work people 20 hours a day! Are we machines?! Hah ha… hah ha ha! Japan’s future or whatever… you don’t give a damn about ordinary folks like us. Hah hah ha ha… Same as the imperialist era with their kamikazes! Heh heh hee hee!”
With someone to vent to, the man unleashed his pent-up rage, ranting wildly while triggering more blasts.
But they couldn’t risk more damage before reaching drop altitude, so Muumyeong flung a shuriken at invisible speed, piercing the man’s throat.
“Heh… guk!”
“Damn rat!”
For about six months, to subjugate Constellation 66,000-strong army, they’d rushed a new base, squeezing workers, technicians, and laborers beyond black company levels to meet deadlines. Yet it ended in this internal sabotage.
Hearing the report, the S-class hunters—and Fujiwara—were beyond incredulous, utterly baffled.
“…What? Those rotten bastards! Where’s that guy now? What the hell caused this?”
“Handled him already. Rather than why, I asked the pilot about the plane’s status.”
With guilds, associations, and the government’s collective bungling having pushed the rats too far, Muumyeong couldn’t admit that outright and pivoted to the plane’s condition.
Fujiwara’s face darkened further as he handed him a parachute.
“He says we’ve barely stabilized but can’t fly anymore—forced landing ahead. Damn it! After all our prep!”
“Subjugation’s already a lost cause. Next time, manage personnel properly and watch fatigue. Though that assumes we survive this hell…”
“Anyway, call the intact transports to our landing spot. Damn! Operation’s busted.”
As the other S-classes raised their voices, Fujiwara rushed to the cockpit to summon the undamaged planes.
Forced landing meant plunging into hordes of undead soldiers untouched by firepower, swarming with armies—impossible without backup transports.
“Pilot! Status? Contact with other planes?”
“Yes, sir. Connecting now. Planes 4 and 7 are descending—says mark our position.”
“Good! Hurry down! Damn it!”
With S-class transports unable to reach the target, the operation was as good as failed. Now it was about surviving the return.
But the Great Generals on the ground eyeing the transports wouldn’t let them.
Knowing they targeted the Great Generals, they’d baited with the Fire Army Great General, pulling Water, Wood, Metal, Earth, and Life armies aside in ambush. Then this mishap.
[…What’s going on? Why are they veering off?]
[No idea. Fire from that ‘winged contraption’ suggests an accident. Others are following. They’re trying to rescue their comrades, Great Heaven General.]
“Hmm hah ha ha! Talk about luck. We’ll get what we want even easier. Can’t just sit—contact the other Great Generals! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!”
At the Heaven Army Great General’s command, Earth and Human Army Great Generals saluted and summoned their mounts to charge.
Meanwhile, around the crashed transport, undead from nearby dungeons swarmed like a tide, backed by countless armies.
But S-classes lived up to their name… Upon crashing, they unleashed flashy skills and raw power, mowing down undead soldiers.
“Thunderstrike Flash!”
“Impure ones, achieve nirvana! Annihilation Charm!”
“Hup! Weaklings keep coming, but we must secure the landing zone fast!”
“Got it!”
Combat favored them, but securing a drop zone for the other transport was the issue.
Endless undead surging from enemy lines made it maddening, but survival demanded they clear space.
Thus, Fujiwara and some S-classes secured a zone, and soon one transport landed.
The remaining one circled overhead, hatch open, as mages, archers, snipers—ranged attackers belted in—suppressed ground undead.
“Done! Everyone, board quick! Move! If you wanna live!”
“Mages, prioritize transport safety!”
“Tell the pilot to prep for immediate takeoff!”
“Th-there! Fire Army banners! Wood Army, Earth Army following!”
Barely after landing, other Great General units—scenting prey—arrived in droves.
From undead generals to warriors, monk soldiers, archers… A-, B-, C-class elites charging weapons drawn! Slyly bypassing S-classes to target the transport.
[Destroy the winged contraption!]
[No contraption, we win…!]
“Damn! They’re gunning for the transport! Hurry! Block ’em!”
“Giving it everything! Heaven Thunder Charm! Damn! Someone peel ’em off the transport!”
Even with nine S-classes, the strain came from the transport.
One wide-area nuke skill gone wrong, and it’s game over.
Still, low numbers and high power let them board somehow, clear the path with AoE, and lift off just before the Great Generals closed in.
“Whew, seriously… almost died.”
“Yeah. Transport nearly blew a few times—lucky.”
“Didn’t subjugate, but good training. Ha ha ha. Anyway, if we hurry…”
“Heart-pounding stuff. Ha ha ha…”
The guild’s S-classes rejoiced at their narrow escape.
The life-or-death fight forged real camaraderie beyond mere promises, so Fujiwara deemed the crash not entirely pointless.
‘Phew~ Yeah, no losses among our S-classes. Truly a blessing…’
VRRRROOOOM…!
Just as relief set in, a heavy rumble echoed through the cabin.
S-classes and everyone aboard tensed instantly.
The hunter who’d scryed outside earlier tried again with Thousand-Li Sight, but then a flaming sword pierced the hull.
“Sh-shit! It didn’t fall off!”
“Flaming sword… Th-that’s!”
SCREEEEECH!
The hole widened, revealing an undead clad in flame-wreathed armor.
Fire Army Great General. Through the gap, he glared at the S-classes with murderous intent.