Chapter 194
Chapter 194
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: The First Prey
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“The key is who we choose as our first prey.”
Having finished the briefing, Tritonias returned straight to his ship, gathered the mercenaries and Olympus Guild Hunters, and began the meeting.
To spread the honor and prestige of the great Olympus Guild, they needed a first victory above all else. And deciding what that prey would be was the crucial part.
With Scavengers from various nations swarming the area right now, the options were endlessly diverse.
“Why not just wipe out the nearby Undercities first? They’re Scavengers anyway.”
“We should probably spare the American weapons companies and merchant Scavengers who provided intel to get in here, right, Tritonias?”
“As much as it rubs me the wrong way, we have no choice. Damn politics, funding, economy... everything’s too entangled.”
The American corporate-style Scavenger groups—far more professional than pure wild bandit crews or crime syndicates—had greased palms in governments and guilds alike, making them untouchable.
Some of that money even flowed into their own Olympus Guild, and these guys had handed over the current situation reports, Undercity locations, and structural maps.
“So that leaves... the Chinese, Russians, Koreans, and all the small fry from other countries?”
“The small fry still pack a punch, but yeah, the big ones are too tightly knit.”
“What’s the plan? Start with the easy ones? We should crush them spectacularly at first to make a show. We’ve hauled out this Golden Mane Fortress at massive cost—after ‘Hades’ apostles showed their might, it’s our turn to proclaim ‘Poseidon’s glory.”
Nearly all his subordinates bore Constellation Poseidon’s blessing, and while Olympus Guild united twelve Constellations, internal rivalries simmered—ego clashes over whose ‘Constellation’ was supreme.
“Of course that’s the idea. But I’m the only S-Rank here, so we need extra caution. Even with your Laistrygon Legion, Scavengers are cunning bastards.”
“Hahaha, come on. We’ve dealt with plenty like them back on the mainland. Nothing special.”
Though he was the sole S-Rank, Tritonias hadn’t come unprepared.
A special unit under Constellation Poseidon rivaling Hades’ punishment squads or Zeus’ Jupiter Guard: the ‘Laistrygon Legion,’ named for Poseidon’s giant descendants.
Every member was an A-Rank Hunter—around three meters tall, surpassing normal humans in build and weight. True giants.
Yet they matched anyone in agility, all blessed by Constellation Poseidon and armed by Hephaestus’ apostles. This elite guard of one hundred was Tritonias’ ace.
‘Just in case... good thing they approved my reinforcements. Sorry to pull my brothers away.’
He’d wanted another Poseidon-blessed S-Rank, but they were tied up on major fronts. Even this Laistrygon Legion was borrowed hastily, under promise of quick resolution.
“Anyway, picking our first target is critical...”
“Captain, urgent message from the Japanese government. Scavengers under Constellation Slaughter King are rampaging near Tokyo again.”
“Oh? Those guys? Are they insane?”
“Talk about ballsy.”
“Olympus shows up—Poseidon himself—and they keep looting? Puhahaha!”
The Olympus Guild crew burst into laughter at the news.
The Laistrygon Legion—direct Poseidon unit under Olympus—along with lower Hunters, couldn’t believe Scavengers resuming plunder amid their arrival.
What was Olympus Guild’s presence in the world?
Guardians of humanity, stemming the apocalypse tide. Empowered by gods and legendary heroes. Without them, civilization would’ve regressed. They commanded dozens of sky islands—solo-guild impossibilities—plus fortresses like this Golden Mane ship. Overwhelming power.
“Is this a provocation? Or a last grab before fleeing? Sheesh.”
“Target’s decided anyway, right, Tritonias? Ignoring this challenge would make us look bad.”
“Hear Olympus’ name and still strut around? If we ignore them, other Constellations’ crews will mock us.”
“Exactly. Exactly.”
Tritonias felt unease confirming the absurd report as true.
He’d clashed with Slaughter King’s forces in Korea—they were sly and vicious.
Unpredictable crossbow bolts, traps in cities and woods. Casualties weren’t huge, but enough members lost or taken proved they weren’t pushovers.
“Wait... hold on. Those guys...”
“Hm? Tritonias, you’re not suggesting caution now, are you? They’re just Scavengers. This’ll be a joke in the homeland reports.”
“We’ve fought them before. They’re no ordinary foes. They bloodied our Korea branch bad. Even Diomedia and I struggled. So let’s be careful...”
“Eh~ But we’ve got the Golden Mane, and us here? Tricky in enemy turf or on land, but this island nation’s surrounded by ‘ocean.’ Park radar drones over their Undercity, count heads, then rain missiles and mana cannons. Laistrygon Legion drops in first—sweeps them clean.”
Classic: overwhelm with firepower, then deploy suppression.
Undercity—their base and shield—gets wrecked, scattering them. Tedious cleanup, but safe victory.
Plus Olympus’ cutting-edge gear from U.S. collab: radar/magic-detecting drones. Track and hunt relentlessly.
“Theory’s sound... but if they were that fragile, Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King would’ve crushed them already, or Korea would’ve.”
“Wasn’t that S-Rank monster boost?”
“And blatantly looting now screams trap...”
“What trap? Even if they dig one, can it top Eternal Wrath’s crew?”
‘This is bad.’
Sighs escaped as his men ignored his words.
Worse: even if they wouldn’t heed advice, orders should stick. But dismissing his caution might mean ignoring commands too.
Pride as world’s top Hunters, mission against great evils—fine traits twisted into overconfidence.
“Back then, maybe. But Slaughter King’s crew now? No fear. That Yoo Seongwon guy smashed their S-Rank monsters silly...”
“Diomedia got owned too.”
“Yeah, matchup issue. We eat counters daily. Point is overcoming them, right?”
“Haaa~ Fine. But follow procedure meticulously. I’ll guard command—if variables pop, I’ll sortie.”
No stopping it now. Tritonias greenlit, conditioning he’d hold the ship for surprises.
Worst case, sea/air blockade traps them in Japan—victory anyway.
Thus, Golden Mane spent three hours mobilizing and prepping.
Using intel from American Scavenger group ‘Evil Company,’ they pinpointed Slaughter King’s Undercity: Tokyo outskirts, near sea. Tritonias requested Japanese gov attack permit and civilian evac.
“Mana cannons, missiles—fire everything. Deny their home base. Order downtown civvies to shelters. No urban brawls favoring them. Tighten encirclement from outskirts.”
“Even street fights? Our Laistrygon boys dominate. Over-worrying?”
“With those vile bastards, worry all you want.”
Yes—Tritonias knew their depravity firsthand.
His words as S-Rank held weight despite seeming excessive. Operation proceeded sans further gripe.
Soon, Japan approved. Assault launched.
“PTTD-01 Trident missiles, TYP-037 Typhoon mana cannons ready. Fire when able.”
“Laistrygon Legion, all aboard giant transports. Ready to deploy.”
“Assault landers Nereus, Pluto prepped. Landing teams good to go.”
“Strategic drones in position, sat-comm linked, sky island mana radars confirmed.”
“Fortress attack systems online, personnel ID program linked. Thermals, prints—all factors covered.”
“Magic analysis system active.”
“Kraken, Moby Dick support fleet en route to designated spots from Golden Mane!”
“Good. Operation start!”
All set. Tritonias’ signal ignited battle.
U.S.-joint magic stone/reaction-boosted PTTD-01 Tridents and pure-mana TYP-037 Typhoons—piercing earth deep—blasted Slaughter King’s Undercity.
Mushroom clouds erupted, smoke billowed. Quake-like tremors sank ground.
“Mana cannons, missiles—direct hits. Undercity destroyed! Typhoons caved the subsurface—collapse in progress! First strike flawless!”
“Tokyo civvies evacuated. Special forces Hunters forming encirclement! Ready to purge downtown Scavengers.”
“Recon drones spotting city Scavengers! Smooth sailing.”
“Giant transports, Nereus/Pluto landers—launch! Block coastal/other-city escapes. Maintain encirclement. Never lose tracked positions!”
“Yes!”
War isn’t sport—it’s eternally unfair.
Modern tech widened gaps; Awakener/Hunter era changed nothing.
Olympus dominated intel, funds, troops, gear. Slaughter King Scavengers looked like mere guerrillas.
“See? This dominance—what’s to fear? Street fight experts? Drones exposed them. Encircle, Laistrygon smashes buildings sweeping clean—done.”
“...Undercity bosses Park Sook-ja and Kwak Won-ho locations?”
“Not spotted yet. Top-tier Scavengers hiding well, but we’ll ping ‘em soon... Huh?”
“What?”
“The ship... the ship! When? Comms report suspicious figure aboard. Patching footage!”
Monitor switched. An old man stood casually on deck, smiling leisurely.
Golden Mane staff—minus normies, all Poseidon-contracted/blessed—reeled in shock.
“I-It can’t be! Impossible! Radar, magic detection... and this is Poseidon’s domain... the sea... the ocean!”
Yes. Golden Mane brimmed with Poseidon’s minions.
Sea lord’s crew sensed currents, even abyss critters.
“Damn it!”
“Even Tritonias?”
Tritonias—son-like Triton-blessed, S-Rank ‘Sea King’—intimate with oceans. Marine life, divine beasts, winds should’ve alerted him. Silence amplified horror.
“And that’s... no way? I’m going out myself! Don’t lose the feed!”
“Yes!”
Shock shoved aside, Tritonias grabbed inventory gear, dashed topside.
Undetected on their ocean bastion? Humiliating outrage. Teeth gritted, he vaulted deck, spear leveled at the intruder’s gaze, roaring:
“You pastor! How the hell did you get here?”