Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: A Pesky Summons
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[Chapter 190]
[To our dear Yoo Seongwon Hunter. Are you recovering well after the failed assault on the 'Core Dungeon'? For warriors, mental wounds can sometimes be greater than physical ones. There are even cases where one can never pick up their weapons again, so we continue to pray that you quickly recover from the emotional pain of that failure.]
“Just a greeting, huh.”
“…Am I the one who's twisted? Why does this feel like they're pressuring me?”
[Even if you're resting, you remain an SS-class Hunter. Though it was a failure, you successfully sealed the Core Dungeon of the Constellation Sixty-Six Thousand Demons, reducing one threat to humanity. A hero's duty doesn't end until death, and as East Asia's strongest Hunter, you bear the obligations and responsibilities that come with that power.]
“…They're about to start nagging. Ughhh…….”
“No surprise they wouldn't just let it slide.”
Yoo Seongwon's expression soured instantly. Shin Somi wore an equally unpleased look, as the intent to assign some bothersome task was plain as day.
Suppressing the urge to close the email, Yoo Seongwon kept reading.
[Are you aware of the situation unfolding in Japan right now? You're facing off against the forces of the Constellation Sixty-Six Thousand Demons in North Korea, but you're not a lone fighter. You're the leader of an organization commanding your knight order and S-class Hunters. Therefore, rather than concentrating all your power in one place, we ask that you act with flexibility and strategic vision for the peace of East Asia.]
“…Ah, no way~ Did you contribute anything to raising my kids? Things are finally getting livable in Korea, and now you want me to handle all of East Asia? Why keep piling on more work! Screw East Asian peace!”
“Still, the situation in Japan is pretty serious.”
“Well, half of it was intentional on my part. But it's ironic, isn't it? Things get peaceful, and it turns into a total shitshow.”
With the Constellation Sixty-Six Thousand Demons' Core Dungeon gone and most of its minions having fled abroad, this was a reality Japan's government couldn't laugh off.
It also served as further proof that maintaining peace wasn't enough—having the power to defend their nation and uphold order was far more crucial.
“I hear Japan's really bad lately… Saw some posts online saying it's swarming like an international Scavenger Olympics, turning into a war zone.”
“Yeah, pretty much. Their own S-class Hunters sacrificed too much…….”
“Honestly, most of that was Olympus's mess-ups……. Ah, sure, I snagged three of them. Anyway, they should've fixed their own mess, but nope, dump it on me… Oh, there it is.”
[…Of course, our 'Olympus Guild' bears significant responsibility for Japan's current state, but we can't afford to withdraw from intensifying fronts like 'Eternal Wrath' and other major evil-aligned Constellations around the world, leaving us unable to address the East Asian situation…]
Yoo Seongwon yanked out his phone in a fit of anger.
They'd found a convenient pushover and were trying to offload every damn job—naturally, it pissed him off.
Back in the Big Three Guild days, they might've pulled this on Seoul Guild or Blue Dragon Guild, but even then?
They'd pretended to be considerate when those guys were around, but now they treated him like a subordinate without any of that courtesy. How could that not annoy him?
“Honestly, they never really showed consideration. They just had clear limits and couldn't push them around.”
“Haa~ I said I was recuperating, and here they go again. Driving me nuts. I was finally enjoying the morning news, too.”
Whether it was his strategy working or the Korean government getting its act together, news-watching had become a lot more pleasant since his return.
Of course, not everything changed overnight, but the number of suspended sentences and not-guilty verdicts handed out like 'internet webhard gift certificates' to cronies via school ties or regional connections started dropping. Efforts to root out scattered corruption were visible too.
“Collecting those 20 trillion won in back taxes from Shin Gangnam, or that 10 billion national defense scandal getting house arrest in the first and second trials suddenly flipped to real prison time by the Supreme Court? Improving the 'emperor labor' system to add sentence length based on amount… Yeah, it was getting good… But foreign stuff, the whole East Asia? Ugh~”
Just imagining it was horrifying.
Even Korea alone was a massive burden for him—adding all of East Asia meant China, Japan, Taiwan, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Macau. The national scope ballooned, enough to make his head spin.
“I'll read to the end for now. Haa~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~”
[…unable to touch the East Asian situation. Thus, we earnestly ask that you, Yoo Seongwon Hunter, awaken your mercy and sense of justice, embody chivalry, and lend your strength to achieving peace and stability in 'East Asia.' Please contact us if you have any questions or requests.]
“That was pure agony to read.”
Finally finishing, Yoo Seongwon deleted the email and closed his phone.
But he still had zero desire to grant Olympus Guild's request.
In a way, bringing peace to East Asia felt even more fucked up than the Core Dungeon.
“These guys ever study history? East Asia's geopolitics is eternal chaos unless you wipe everyone out…….”
Korea, China, Japan as basics, plus surrounding nations and even Russia—it was beyond what one person or organization could traffic-control.
Historical grudges aside, China's already quartered state left headaches over which faction to recognize, and factoring in Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau made it explode.
“Which part of China should we even acknowledge?”
“Has to be Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's side, no matter how you slice it.”
“Yeah, but… yeah buuut…….”
China was split into the pre-Awakening Chinese Communist Party government, Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's nation, and Constellation Qin Emperor's nation.
Add Constellation Slaughter King's turf swallowing Manchuria and Yanbian, totaling four regions. How the hell were they supposed to cover that?
“Anyway, the human-established state is the Chinese Communist Party government.”
“But internationally responsible and doing good deeds? That's Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King and Constellation Qin Emperor's Chinas.”
“Yeah. True. Even now…….”
Once smug as a G2 powerhouse with massive land, population, and squeezing the underclass for growth—ignoring global rules without any great power grace—the dictatorial Chinese Communist Party government had clung to superpower status sharing the world with America until the Monster outbreaks and Awakeners. All while amassing global resentment through human rights abuses and history rewrites.
Then Constellations appeared, quartering it, and that resentment turned into daggers. Among the four splintered Chinas, only Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King and Constellation Qin Emperor's were recognized as legitimate states.
Both Constellation-ruled nations fulfilled great power duties differently but complied with treaties and rules—angels compared to the Communist Party dozens of times over.
“I wanna visit Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's China someday. As the Constellation of Harmony, the cityscapes online look stunning…….”
“Constellation Qin Emperor's a conqueror, but still way better than the Communists.”
“Anyway, it was hilarious seeing all three at international summits, and those two definitely prevented World War III.”
China's Belt and Road expansionist ambitions were effectively crushed by those two Constellations' rise and rule.
Outwardly quartered, but on human rights, prosperity, economy—excluding demon Slaughter King who reveled in blood and flesh, the Communist Party ranked dead last after Dragon-Phoenix King and Qin Emperor.
“Anyway, no desire to manage that mess. Ah… Headache just thinking. Russia's still under 'that' one's rule… Planning to dominate for 140 years straight?”
“Ah, haha. 'That' one, huh. Excluding them, Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau are whatever…….”
Mongolia quietly prospered as a refuge amid chaos without major Constellations. Taiwan rejected Communists, allied with other Constellations for pressure. Hong Kong seized the weakness to join Taiwan. Macau became a Scavenger hub independent from Communists.
“But controlling all that? Impossible at that scale. Bottom line: save Japan.”
“…They're asking for such an annoying chore. Don't wanna show my face at work and get caught faking sick.”
Like the Shikoku expedition, he could just get paid and delegate, but stepping up risked exposing his malingering, and sending knights alone felt off.
No doubts on monster or Scavenger handling, but their extremism was the issue.
Knights legendary enough for 'Records of the Stars,' each with mythic feats.
Their convictions and sense of justice weighed heavy—sending them solo felt deeply uneasy.
“Ugh… Gotta refuse. Keep getting dragged around, and I'll end up as Olympus's second branch…….”
“Second branch……?”
“My fate's to build walls against 'Constellations' anyway.”
[Number of ?? Constellations ??ed from ??]
[2/???]
[???]
After sealing Constellation Sixty-Six Thousand Demons' 'Core Dungeon' and claiming rewards, his status window messages had partially unlocked, revealing contours.
He'd suspected since sending Constellation Blue Dragon, but seeing it directly was different.
'?? from ?? Constellations' Number'—judging by context, 'Exiled Constellations from Earth' fit perfectly.
“Haa~ And 'exile' means… gotta remove as many 'Constellations' from Earth as possible.”
“Mm… Yeah. Even post-failure, we got rewards for exiling Sixty-Six Thousand Demons.”
“Yup. Better than Blue Dragon's. Opponent was a big shot…….”
[You have once more completed the 'exile' of a 'Constellation' that was a 'mission.' An invader targeting your 'world,' no less. Thus, greater 'rewards' than before.]
[Choose your reward.]
[Knight Summon×3 or Weapon Summon×3 or Skill Points×3]
[Additional Special Reward: Reward Enhancement Ticket 1]
He'd just rolled dice; his pieces—subordinates—did the fighting, so no EXP, but rewards were generous.
Other options tempted, but the special reward shone brightest! Proof it outclassed Blue Dragon's.
In his hand, the special reward: a small golden ticket. Yoo Seongwon pondered its use.
[Reward Enhancement Ticket]
Enhances one received reward by one step. Guaranteed. Tear to activate.
'Save these as aces.'
Unique item—best as a trump card.
He realized something more pressing than skills or knights anyway.
'Not about summons. I need to change myself first.'
Having felt the Core Dungeon's brutality, he prepped for the next.
Unknown which, but his fate demanded navigating irrational conditions within.
Tucking the ticket back in inventory, Yoo Seongwon planned his next move.