Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Pastor Yi's Invitation
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Kaesong, Scavenger City. Kaesong Special Hotel.
"This guy's something else~ What the hell does he expect us to do now that he's gone and croaked like that~"
Han Jongseok, the deputy of the S-rank demon Jeong Min-su, let out a sigh as he gazed out at the Scavenger City.
The city, which had at least managed to chug along somewhat with slaves in tow, had turned into a full-blown warzone.
Scavengers were fighting among themselves, demons were pouring in, and once word spread through the Scavenger network that Jeong Min-su, their ruler, was dead, the place had descended into chaos. Han Jongseok was in the middle of packing his bags.
"Let's see. Where should I go? Hamhung? Or maybe Pyongyang? Nampho is a hard no~ Ugh, I can't stand the thought of dealing with that creepy old pastor."
"Hah~ Hey, friend, that's a bit harsh. Creepy? I'm just devoted to Lord Slaughter King, that's all~"
"Eeek!"
As Han Jongseok was busy stuffing away the valuables and documents he'd siphoned off, someone appeared behind him.
He sported a neatly trimmed mustache, a sharp suit, and glasses, but around his waist was a belt straight out of a slaughterhouse—loaded with a saw, cleaver, skewers, and the like. It was a bizarre fashion statement fit for a master butcher.
He was "Pastor Yi," the de facto ruler of the Scavenger City in Nampho. Before Jeong Min-su rose to S-rank, he'd been the top dog among those blessed by the Slaughter King—an A-rank demon in name and deed.
"Anyway, if even you're packing up, it must be true that Jeong Min-su is really dead. Heh heh heh. Looking for a place to go? Why not come to me? Heh heh heh."
"No thanks. I've already got somewhere in mind."
In the mad world of Scavengers and demons, Pastor Yi stood out as an unparalleled lunatic—even those sharing the Slaughter King's blessing avoided him.
He'd built a human ranch in Nampho, offering the finest human delicacies and sacrifices to the Slaughter King to reach A-rank. Anyone who'd seen it once never set foot in Nampho again, haunted by the mental trauma.
'...Manage that? Is he insane? Is he even right in the head?'
"Hmm, I'd treat you very well, you know. You could pick any females you like to eat. Just recently, I imported some new 'Russian breeds' and succeeded in breeding them. Heh heh heh, my friends are thrilled. Of course, He's pleased too."
"Get lost, Pastor Yi. We're scum who suck people dry, but we're not as crazy as you."
"Kuh heh heh heh! We're both under Lord Slaughter King's grace—what's the difference between crazy and less crazy? Ah well, what a shame. Still, it'd be a waste to kill talent like you, so take this. If you change your mind, come back to Nampho. It's a mark that you're my guest."
Pastor Yi reached into his inventory and tossed him a small box.
It felt fishy, but since he was a demon who'd conquered one of the Slaughter King's domains, Han Jongseok couldn't outright refuse the gesture.
He opened it to check the contents.
'No magic vibe, so probably some kind of token or badge... Eeeeeek!'
The moment he saw what was inside, Han Jongseok freaked out and dropped it. It clattered to the floor, revealing its contents.
It was a tiny fetal shape, like a specimen, shriveled up as if dried for ages.
"Whoa, don't drop that! It's rare—something even an OB-GYN wouldn't see."
"I-Is that a real fetus?"
Even Han Jongseok, a Scavenger numb to murder and violence, had never seen a real fetus—let alone one processed like this.
In shock, he stared back and forth between the fallen item and Pastor Yi's face.
Despite the wave of disgust, he couldn't refuse the gesture outright. He quickly scooped it up, shoved it back in the box, and stashed it in his own inventory.
'That guy's nuts! No, he's not even human anymore. He's like the demons under the Slaughter King. Gotta get out of here!'
"Tch, too bad. It'd be handy to have someone who knows the ropes helping build the 'ranch'... Oh well. Heh heh heh."
As Han Jongseok bolted like the wind, ignoring Pastor Yi's lament about losing talent.
Knowing a human ranch would soon spring up not just in Nampho but here in Kaesong too, he vowed never to return and set his sights on Hamhung.
If he came back, a new hell would surely await.
***
A few days later.
Academia Training Room.
Heaven Class hunters were the core of any guild and received top-tier privileges within Academia.
As such, their training rooms were designed as soundproof chambers optimized for focused practice.
Inside one now, Shin Ayoung and Yoo Seongwon—both in training doboks—were sweating as they exchanged blows.
'Ugh! What the hell is with this guy? Wing Chun today?'
"What's wrong? Something off?"
She pulled back abruptly and stopped, prompting Yoo Seongwon to ask.
"It's just weird. Why do you always fight with a different martial art? Taekwondo last time, Muay Thai the time before?"
"As long as you're getting trained, isn't that enough? I'm just the trainer, so it doesn't matter to me."
That was true enough.
No matter the style, a trainer's job was to hone their charge. As long as he did that, anything went.
But to Shin Ayoung, it was suspicious.
"That's why it's weird! Mastering even one martial art is tough enough... Why do you always half-ass a new one?"
'Because if I stick to the same one, I'll master it too fast, and who knows what might happen. That martial talent skill is a real pain.'
(Unique) Myriad Sword Knight Grandel's Martial Talent. Thanks to this skill, which reacted to all forms of martial arts—not just swords—Yoo Seongwon could pick up and master any technique in a flash.
The learning speed was tens of thousands of times faster than a normal person's. Anyone with even a smidge of martial knowledge would notice the progress if he repeated the same style.
'Especially someone chosen by a constellation for the fighter class.'
How would an 18-year-old girl's emotions react to that absolute wall?
No matter how he sliced it, it wouldn't end well.
She might humbly accept it and keep grinding, but her gaze toward him would change.
'I've felt it plenty myself growing up...'
Having dealt with his own insecurities in his teens and twenties about being lesser, Yoo Seongwon deliberately switched styles each session to seem a bit sloppy, avoiding any triggers.
"If you hate it that much, we can stop."
"No, that's not it. Fight me seriously. Like before—exploit my openings and bam! Pow! Smash!"
"Seriously, huh. Sigh~"
If he went all out, how many moves could she even last? The gap was too wide to risk conflict, so he refused.
Plus, he couldn't risk injuring her precious self.
"You can have all the serious beatdowns you want once you break through my guard and land clean hits. Like before."
'...!'
At those words, Shin Ayoung felt a hallucination of massive shadows looming behind Yoo Seongwon, an overwhelming pressure washing over her.
It snapped back to his usual laid-back vibe instantly, but that split-second pressure was unforgettable.
"W-Wait! L-Let's take a break first."
"Hm? Sure. Whew~ I could use some water anyway."
'What was that just now? I knew he wasn't a normal awakener, but...'
It was brief, but the presence of those shadows—multiple, terrifying ones—lingered vividly.
Shaken, she calmed her racing heart with her sports drink while eyeing him.
"Gulp gulp... Ptoo! Ahh~ Refreshing. Alright."
'He looks like a total regular guy otherwise.'
What was that presence from before?
Pondering, she sidled up and plopped down beside him.
Now, he was back to his usual lazy, world-weary slouch—no danger, no pressure.
"Oh yeah, Mom said to thank you."
"Good to hear."
"Our guild's mid-tier at best, barely scraping by, so the damage from that subjugation was brutal... But thanks to you, we can recruit a new C-rank awakener. We're reviewing applications and doing interviews now."
"Hmm~ Glad it worked out."
Yoo Seongwon nodded, satisfied that handing cash to Baekya Guild had been the right call.
Now he could coast easy for a while.
"Oh, and did you make some deal with my mom?"
"Hm? Why?"
"She signed up for a cooking academy? Pfft, first time I've seen her in regular clothes outside coming home—not hunter gear."
"Cooking... academy? Oh!"
Then it hit him—he'd casually mentioned a meal in return, no big deal.
He hadn't expected her to take it so literally.
"Pfft, you could've just hit a restaurant. My mom's surprisingly cute, huh?"
"Guess I spoke carelessly. Anyway, we've rested enough... What now?"
"Hmm~ Not feeling another round... Let's go out!"
"Alright. That's our cue to wrap up. Here goes."
Yoo Seongwon stood to leave alone, but Shin Ayoung grabbed his dobok pants and clung on in protest.
With training done anyway and nothing else on deck, she was just bored and latching on.
"Not alone—come hang out with me!"
"Is that part of the job?"
"It's just hanging out!"
"Not really in the mood. No friends?"
"Heaven Class friends? When did this turn into guild politics central...? You were really an Academia staffer, right?"
Sharp retort. Yeah, true friendships in Academia were limited to Earth and Human Classes, if anywhere.
Kids who'd hit B-rank young and gotten picked were mostly arrogant, lacking respect for others.
Shin Ayoung was an exception, but she couldn't build bonds solo. Yoo Seongwon sighed in resignation.
"Sigh~ Fine. Guess no choice. But don't expect fun from this old guy."
"No worries—I'll lead. Shower up and meet at the Academia entrance! No running!"
"Got it. I'll be there."
They parted from the training room, heading to separate showers.
At that moment, a girl who'd been watching crept cautiously after Yoo Seongwon toward the showers.