Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Why Did They Retreat?
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“ Why on earth did those bastards retreat? ”
“ Are they regrouping? ”
“ Let’s wait until everyone’s gathered first. ”
The soldiers were the only ones who could relax now that the battle was over. The commanders, association president, guild masters, and S-Class Hunters had gathered in one place, wearing grave expressions as they debated why these damned monsters had fled after letting loose so wildly.
The attendees included Blue Dragon Guild Master Go Cheonsu, Seoul Guild Master Park Sunwon, the association president, Academia Academy director, Olympus Guild Korean branch deputy director Lee Myeonghak, the Minister of National Defense, and numerous government officials including generals.
“ First, let me express our gratitude to the military and guilds for safely protecting us during this invasion, and let’s observe a moment of silence for the fallen. ”
After a simple ceremony, the meeting began under the association president’s lead.
“ Now, let’s get into the details of this war. According to various intelligence channels, this conflict was orchestrated by Pastor Lee in Kaesong as a ‘hunt’ to stock his ranch. ”
“ …So, his forces expanded, his land grew, and he needed more livestock. But how did he mobilize the Archdemon Beasts? ”
“ Whether he used sacrifices or asked the Slaughter King, that’s not the point. Up until now, as long as we stayed out of certain areas, the Archdemon Beasts weren’t a problem. But now, thanks to this Demon’s machinations, they can invade anytime. Do you know the extent of the damage we took in just half a day? ”
The costs for the new military weapons and artillery designed specifically for monsters were one thing, but the most severe losses came from Hunters who had gone out for routine dungeon raids getting isolated and dying when the monsters invaded.
“ We sounded the alarm and issued retreat orders, but those who emerged from dungeons mid-battle had no idea and got caught off guard. That’s why tallying the casualties is so difficult right now. ”
“ So, does their retreat mean they’ve gathered enough numbers? Ha~ Then we’ll have public outcry to form a subjugation force and go rescue them. Anyway, since we’re all here, we should at least announce plans to reform the subjugation team. ”
Having identified Pastor Lee’s objective as a Demon, and with most people abducted for his human ranch, public demand for a rescue would be as obvious as fire burning.
If it was inevitable, it was better to hash out some agreements and strategies here in advance.
“ Whew~ But this Demon mobilized a whopping seven S-Class monsters… To take him down, we’d need at least 21 S-Class Hunters, right? ”
“ No, just form a team of five S-Class specialists in assassination and infiltration and take out Pastor Lee. Why make it so complicated? ”
“ Ahem! Before that, there’s something I need to correct first. ”
Just as heated arguments were about to erupt, Go Cheonsu suddenly cleared his throat and interjected.
All eyes, including the association president’s, turned to him.
Go Cheonsu displayed a video on the tablet PC he’d brought.
“ The enemy’s S-Class monsters number six now. Our Blue Dragon Guild was directly engaging the S-Class monster Archdemon Beast-Remrem when… As it retreated during the fight, I overheard it. It’s recorded here. ”
『 Baa! Stupid Leghorn! Did you get done in? Baa! N-not now! Baa! The others! The others! I can’t let them devour the blood and flesh of Leghorn’s subordinates! Baa! Full retreat! 』
“ An S-Class monster got taken down? ”
“ Who got it? ”
“ Leghorn’s a chicken breed, right? …We didn’t have any chicken-heads on our battlefield. What happened? ”
“ Scavengers or Demons wouldn’t risk their lives fighting, and they’re all Slaughter King forces… ”
Murmurs spread…
The revelation that one S-Class monster had died left everyone at the meeting stunned.
Naturally, focus shifted to who did it, sparking explosive curiosity about the killer. That’s when Go Cheonsu swiped to the next photo.
“ We urgently pulled satellite imagery from that timeframe, and luckily, this was captured. ”
“ Explosion photo. Looks familiar… ”
“ Yes. Sharp eyes. It’s the exact same skill the Golden Knight used when dealing with Jeong Min-su. Here… comparison photo. ”
“ It’s real. Identical. ”
The comparison photo drew gasps of shock as attendees recognized the same skill in action.
That meant the mysterious Golden Knight had taken down Archdemon Beast-Leghorn after all.
“ We’ll need more time for certainty, but it’s safe to assume the Golden Knight’s involved in Leghorn’s fall. The question is whether it was a solo hunt or not. ”
“ Hm, so a group is possible too. Anyway, the mystery deepens. We can’t change the Demon designation on the Golden Knight, but if this gets out, it’ll cause even bigger chaos. ”
“ How do we control the info? Bury it under other chaos—this incident’s plenty for that. ”
“ No. Spread it instead. It’ll counter public pressure for rescues and subjugation teams, right? We’ll take some heat, but there’s no better way… ”
The association president’s words were chillingly pragmatic, but sacrificing the few for the many was the reality of their world.
They wanted to save those taken to Pastor Lee’s ranch if possible.
But fighting all the way to Kaesong was risky enough—more so with his ability to deploy S-Class monsters deadlier than S-Class Hunters. Any plan required utmost caution.
“ Sharp thinking. Why not make it president for life while we’re at it? ”
“ Once my term’s up, I’m handing it to you, Go Cheonsu, and bolting. Ha. Ha. Ha. ”
“ Ah, I’ll pass it to Cheon-yong. Ha. Ha. Ha. ”
For reference, the association president role inevitably fell to an S-Class Hunter, mediating between government and guilds—a thankless job no one envied.
Of course, someone had to do it.
In the end, they devised a strategy to redirect public outrage over the war’s abductees onto rumors of a new S-Class Hunter, strengthening searches and announcements accordingly to wrap up the meeting.
“ Even if we smother the outrage, we’ll have to deal with Pastor Lee the moment things settle. ”
“ Whew~ Chaos right after Jeong Min-su’s death. Maybe killing that bastard was a mistake? ”
“ Water under the bridge, and the body’s gone anyway. Let’s drop it. Everyone’s got work to do, so unless there’s more, we’re done. ”
With that, Go Cheonsu rose first.
The others, having settled immediate matters, followed suit.
They’d reconvene soon for Pastor Lee subjugation and hostage rescue ops, but priorities came first during the bought time.
***
Seoul, Baekya Guild.
Any regular or Hunter hospital risked exposing my status, so I headed straight to Baekya Guild.
Upon arrival, I contacted guild master Ayoung’s mother right away. She arrived post-cleanup and gasped at my condition.
“ Heavens! How did you end up like this…! ”
“ …Didn’t want to, but I pushed too hard. Oh, right. Saved your daughter somehow. Dumped her at another hospital. But I’m the problem. Ow~ ”
My body still ached everywhere.
The chicken-head bastard had trampled me brutally into rags. Potions healed some, but the damage was severe, and my blood-soaked, dried clothes inside the armor were grotesque.
“ R-right to the infirmary! Follow me. I’ll take a look. ”
“ Yes~ Thanks. ”
Miraculously, both arms were intact in that mess. A broken arm then would’ve finished me.
Another lesson: When I had downtime later, absolutely summon a healer-type knight.
My knights weren’t lacking in skill, but even one with minor healing would’ve spared me this suffering.
‘ Like some healing during that brutal chicken beating? ’
“ Lie here. Okay to cut the clothes? Gotta photo your exact state and check thoroughly. ”
“ Sure. Not a Healer class, but you seem practiced? ”
“ Long time ago, but I was a doctor. Intern level~ Was aiming for specialist when I awakened out of nowhere. Anyway, I know Hunter treatment. Don’t worry. ”
She deftly stripped and cut away my clothes with scissors and a scalpel.
Then she scanned me with medical equipment, reviewed the results—all solo.
True, once-learned skills don’t fade easily.
She finished exams swiftly, hooked me to an IV, and tucked me into a sickbed.
“ Let’s see. Fractures, contusions, bleeding… Lots of issues, but miraculously no amputations or regen-needed spots. Rest up, keep the healing potion IV going, and you’ll recover. ”
“ Whew, relief. Took a lot of hits, was worried. ”
“ Well, your Vitality at 910—S-Class—makes death unlikely anyway. ”
‘ Wait, that’s not right? ’
Shouldn’t it be over 1,800? Then I realized the (Legendary) Golden Guardian Beast Armor wasn’t applying now.
Status window confirmed: Damaged from Leghorn fight, so the beast’s power (stats x2) option was offline.
“ Don’t look at me like that. Treatment varies by stats and skills—it’s common sense. Bones, muscles, organs, vessels all tougher; regular human gear won’t cut it? ”
She mistook my silence for offense at her deducing my stats.
“ N-no. It’s fine. ”
Yeah, high Vitality or passives like Vajra Indestructible or Hard Skin made standard tools useless.
Scalpels wouldn’t cut, so special metals or potion immersion tanks drove Hunter med costs sky-high once.
‘ Was that part of the Grandmaster incident? Frontline class backlash too… ’
Ancient history now.
Hunter medicine and Awakener treatment had advanced; even non-Healers like regular docs could handle them.
“ Anyway, no worries about your body—or your stats. Wiped all data. ”
“ Ah, thanks. Figured you would. ”
Otherwise, I’d have bolted with meds.
They were probably in uproar already over me killing that chicken Leghorn today.
One step further, and Golden Knight issues would explode.
“ You saved my daughter’s life—you’re family. Only natural. But… may I ask something? ”
“ As long as it’s not unpleasant? ”
“ Were you the one who took down the S-Class monster? Their assault halted today because Leghorn died, forcing retreat. I want to believe it’s unrelated to saving Ayoung, but if not you—the Golden Knight—then we’d need other explanations… ”
Ouch, right in the sore spot.
But with my injuries, and Ayoung having fought Leghorn in the Judgment Field already, denial was impossible. Honesty it was.
And seize the chance to ask her something in return.