Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Defector's Oath
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“You fucking bastard! You trying to sell us out?”
“Ah! Were we tomorrow’s breakfast? You goddamn pastor prick!”
“You think we’re gonna go down easy?”
“Call in the guys waiting outside!”
*Click! Click!*
The scavengers and apostles snapped to attention, yanking out their weapons and aiming them at Pastor Lee and Oh Kyung-hoon as they shouted.
An impossible visitor had shown up here of all places, putting them on maximum alert. Naturally, they assumed Pastor Lee had betrayed them.
Even in this powder-keg moment, Pastor Lee calmly straightened his apron and chef’s outfit, reverting to his bloodstained pastor garb before introducing Oh Kyung-hoon.
“Now, now, everyone calm down. True, this man has no prior ties with us, but he approached us himself offering cooperation for this job. Kekekeke.”
“That make any sense?”
“No way, that’s Oh Kyung-hoon from Seoul Guild?”
“You shitting us?”
“Honestly, I don’t wanna team up with trash like you either. But to take down that damn golden mine knight, I need even trash hands. Fuck! So put those weapons down right now, you rotten fucks.”
Standing in the heart of enemy territory, Oh Kyung-hoon didn’t hide his disgust, bluntly laying out why he was here.
His brazen attitude oddly inspired trust in the scavengers—their glares softened a bit.
Still, wary of a knife in the back at any moment, they kept their weapons raised, refusing to lower their guard.
“Hmph, doesn’t matter since I’m not really working with you. And I feel safer with weapons out anyway. Pastor Lee, anyway—when those arkdemon beasts head to where the golden mine knight shows up, I’ll tag along and provide support. That’s it, right?”
“Hohoho, of course. The synergy between S-rank supporter class Death Road and the arkdemon beasts is truly something to look forward to.”
“Whatever, just don’t break the contract, Pastor Lee.”
“Yes. I swear it on the name of my great constellation, the Slaughter King.”
“Hmph, that’s one oath I can trust. Now I’m out. Place reeks of trash already.”
With a binding oath sworn in the name of the one constellation they could trust, there was nothing left to say.
To the gathered scavengers, it was a bombshell—none had imagined Seoul Guild, once part of the Big Three, would side with their plans.
Only after he left did the scavengers lower their weapons with sighs of relief.
“Hohoho, looks like you were all quite startled. But I had to warn you ahead of time to avoid misunderstandings later. Anyway, that fellow is our joker card against the golden mine knight and a spy to sow chaos in the enemy ranks.”
“Ooh… Never saw that coming.”
“Hmm… Seoul Guild may be washed up now, but it was one of the Big Three. Still got backing from Sin-Gangnam families and plenty of connections—real power left.”
“But what’s in it for them? Revenge alone doesn’t justify the losses.”
Even ousted from the Big Three, Seoul Guild’s networks and ties to power still held weight.
With most sponsor families still in Sin-Gangnam, they had leverage to stir things up from within.
In this war waged by Slaughter King’s faction and evil-aligned scavengers across Korea, internal chaos from them would make things easy—but a misstep could collapse the country entirely. Trust only went so far.
“Obvious, right? They cooperate just enough to boot the Big Three guys, then stab us in the back. Classic double-cross.”
“Heh, they’re not dumb enough to underestimate scavenger instincts. Still, it’ll help check the golden mine knight.”
“Unfortunately, gentlemen, you’re wrong. His plan isn’t some petty scheme. It’s more concrete—and bolder. His goal? The fall of Korea.”
It was hard to believe such words came from a former Big Three guild exec, once a pillar of national security.
Pastor Lee cracked up at the absurdity himself, bursting into laughter as he explained the contract with Oh Kyung-hoon.
“Puhaha! Hard to believe, I know~ But it’s true. See, our friend Oh Kyung-hoon aims to destroy Korea and turn Seoul into its own nation. Shrink a country into a city-state.”
“Hey, what the hell? I’m not book-smart—explain it plain.”
“So… he betrays the country, wrecks it, then sets up a city-state centered on Seoul?”
“Damn, that’s some thinking… Guy’s a real psycho. Kekeke.”
Betraying a barely functioning nation for a Seoul-centered city-state? Mind-blowing, though some say a chicken’s head beats a dragon’s tail.
War’s outcome aside, Korea’s A- to S-rank hunters could rally to Seoul if fronts collapsed—defendable force or base for reclamation.
“Anyway, he wants control. If things keep going, mid-tier guilds will eclipse them soon.”
“Weren’t they already? Internet calls ‘em dog chow…”
“Guess… Sin-Gangnam real estate prices trapping folks there?”
“Fuck, kekekekik! That real estate mess is still chaos.”
“Yeah, Sin-Gangnam sponsors tolerate Seoul Guild for now, but a replacement guild pops up, seats flip fast. He’s using us to lock in his spot before then. Hohoho, humans are such fools.”
Seeing Oh Kyung-hoon ready to betray everything—country be damned—for status and power was laughable.
But that was his issue. For Pastor Lee and the scavengers, they’d gained a prime inside man—reason to smile.
“Hohoho, excellent sign. Divine providence, no doubt. So, gentlemen, how about dinner before you go? Job’s going well, so I’ll treat you to my prized Russian bitch dish I’ve been saving…”
“Nah, we’re good! You eat it!”
“Just hand over raw slaves if anything, Pastor!”
“But what if someone snitches to the government or association? We can’t trust anyone here.”
The scavengers had all betrayed humanity, but they’d betray each other in a heartbeat.
No eternal allies, no eternal enemies.
Scavenger law. They’d sell their own parents for profit.
“Even if word spreads, it’s just rumors—and Oh Kyung-hoon’s storm will distract everyone. Don’t worry. But if I hear of any snitching… you’ll pay. Hohoho, human foie gras incoming.”
“Urgh…”
“No way in hell.”
“Anyway, internal strife from the enemy makes it a cakewalk.”
“Indeed. Proof the Lord watches over us. Hohoho.”
Pastor Lee clasped his hands in fervent prayer, genuinely moved.
Thanks to Oh Kyung-hoon, launch day was far sooner than expected—gratitude was inevitable.
“Longest a month, shortest two weeks. We’ll start our long-awaited pillage and war within that time. Prepare accordingly. Those who want more feast, stay—others…”
“Ah! Great meal!”
“I’m stuffed, time to bounce!”
The moment it was clear they could leave after intel, scavengers fled like a bursting dam.
Only a few monster apostles remained. Pastor Lee looked disappointed as he approached the table, savoring his creation. To him, even cold human flesh tasted divine.
“Such deliciousness~ Hehehe.”
Creepily chuckling, he sat alone, devouring the untouched dishes.
Made from humans killed for today’s meal, he’d ensure no life wasted—straight to his gut.
Not a scrap left.
***
The next day, Iron Fortress.
Managing an organization regardless of size. Mediating between groups and people.
For Yoo Seongwon, this was the farthest thing from his life.
His past was full of giving up and resignation—handling things moderately or dodging. Now impossible, it was a headache.
“So this is a ‘gift’ from Olympus… What’re they thinking?”
“Probably wanna buddy up since you’re SS-rank hunter.”
“…Blue Dragon pups scheming with them, and now quick pivot? Guess after that beatdown firsthand, even Blue Dragon’s pissed.”
Yoo Seongwon scowled at the two trailers packed full, parked at Iron Fortress today.
From Olympus and Blue Dragon Guilds—congratulating the new Iron Fortress master’s full hunter debut. But the ulterior motives reeked, wrinkling his nose.
“Wanna return-to-sender this shit.”
“B-rank dungeons ignored, wanna start guild wars? Just take it and move on.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. No matter how shady, tribute must be accepted.”
Yu-cheong piled on, worsening Yoo Seongwon’s migraine.
Hiding was easy—just vanish. Now planting a flag for hunter work meant juggling guilds, association, endless relations. Zero lifetime experience? Pure agony.
“Old-school letters too? They think that’s effort?”
“Physical seals, Your Majesty—only you can open first. Proper etiquette.”
“Really?”
Accepting Yu-cheong’s word, Yoo Seongwon tore open the two letters.
“Blue Dragon first… ‘Congrats on Hunter Association recognition, Golden Dragon Knight Yoo Seongwon. Our Blue Dragon Guild regrets previous…’”
Blue Dragon master’s letter boiled down to: Sorry for screwing with Baekya Guild and threats; fight was our fault, but ‘demon’ back then unavoidable. We’ll compensate and apologize—wipe the slate clean.
“Pretty words. Bet they’ll backstab given chance. Olympus…”
No direct clashes, so Olympus letter was shorter.
Congrats on demon-to-hunter, Titan stake feedback requested, visit Olympus sometime.
“…Meh, distant’s fine here. Get chummy, they’ll drag me overseas to brawl evil constellations.”
“Battling great evil exemplifies knighthood, Commander.”
“Only if unavoidable! Hate being forced around. Damn. What’s that, Seom-myeol?”
Seom-myeol suddenly butted in, hands full of letters…
She’d probably seen couriers at the gate, fetched them herself.
“Collected all letters and notices piled at entrance. No one claimed ‘em, machines just stacked.”
“Ah… No handler, huh. Lemme see… Association first. What?”
Yoo Seongwon checked the top Association document while listening.
Serious or not depending—SS-rank hunter data registration needs proper stats. Come measure.
“Fuck that. Measurements can freeze…”
“Just like a physical exam?”
“They’ll think I’m tamed if I comply? Never planned cozy with Association anyway.”
Yoo Seongwon’s cooperation was minimal—just enough not to block level-ups.
Anything more? No getting puppeted or used. No interest in mystery checkups.
Though Baek Ga-yeon might see room to grow.
“Anyway, ignore this, next… Huh?”
Yoo Seongwon blinked wide at the abrupt next item, dumbfounded.