Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Half-Trillion Advance
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‘No matter how much of an SS-rank demon that Pastor Lee is, there’s no way he’s worth a trillion won bounty.’
If he were truly worth shelling out that kind of money to catch, they could’ve just handed a trillion over to the three major guilds from the start and let them handle it.
Sure, one might think his bounty went up because of the mess he’s caused now, but looking at the big picture, there still wasn’t anything justifying paying a trillion to take him down.
You could argue they called me in because the situation was urgent, but even then, a trillion was way too much.
‘And factoring in that Pastor Lee isn’t the type to get caught easily?’
The guy who lives with nine S-rank monsters called ‘Archdemon Beasts,’ using his brains and slipping away—he’s no pushover.
So, if I took this job thinking it was a sweet deal and went after him, I’d end up fighting my ass off for nothing while those old fogeys reaped the benefits and I got played for a fool. That’s the kind of deal it was.
‘So how do I screw over these guys?’
“What’re you thinking so hard about?”
“Oh, just estimating costs. How much funding would it take to catch that Pastor Lee? Even if not, hunter work can get you killed, so I’d need some advance payment to get started, right?”
“W-what…?”
The moment I bring up the advance, they look totally flustered.
Yeah, a trillion means ten percent is still a hundred billion. No wonder their faces are turning pale.
Let’s see. How much should I ask for? If I were the desperate one, I’d be cautious, but here, I’m the one holding the cards.
“Well, with all the extras, how about half upfront to start?”
“H-half?”
“Pastor Lee… no, this is basically a war with the Slaughter King constellation, so I deserve at least that much. It’s affecting Russia and China beyond North Korea…”
I ask big, and they look stunned.
Well, five hundred billion isn’t pocket change for anyone.
Anyway, is this what they call reaping what you sow? They tried to play me, and now they’re caught in their own trap. They’ve got nothing to say.
“That’s… unacceptable.”
“Got it. Then we’re done here. Take care.”
“No, wait, hold on. Isn’t this going too far? People are dying out there right now.”
“People die all the time, don’t they? You’re talking like they wouldn’t have without Pastor Lee.”
They try to tug at my heartstrings with talk of the sanctity of life, but it’s laughable.
How many people die every day from all sorts of injustices and abuses by those in power? I’ve faced unwanted brushes with death plenty of times these past few months, and I’ve seen plenty of non-Scavenger folks dying since way back.
“What you’re really scared of isn’t citizens dying or getting hurt—it’s your cushy civilized life collapsing, where you strut around in suits acting like hotshots. In an apocalypse… you old geezers who just nod from your chairs would be the most useless, after all.”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh? What kind of talk is that…?”
“It’s not wrong, is it? Then do better from the start. Anyway, are you hiring me with half upfront or not? Decide.”
“…Ugh…”
Seeing those old fogeys—who I couldn’t even look in the eye back in the day—squirm like this feels pretty damn good.
The tables have turned, but they’re the ones who tried to screw me first, so I’m just giving it back.
“Do you really have to take it this far? Doesn’t seeing the chaos outside stir anything in you?”
“Did I cause that? You guys with power and authority keep shitting up the toilet without unclogging it, and that’s why it’s overflowing. If you’re not up for a deal, get out. You won’t listen to us bottom-feeders begging for policies or laws anyway~”
“Then give us a moment. We’ll report to the higher-ups.”
“Do whatever.”
The two old fogeys apparently aren’t ready to give up, using the excuse of reporting up the chain while pulling out their phones and making calls.
As if that’ll make a trillion-won deal—with five hundred billion upfront—happen.
I doubt it, but either way, it doesn’t matter to me, so I don’t sweat it.
“But you know the situation is a massive crisis right now. If we leave it like this…”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t do anything, sir. I’d be inconvenienced too if the country falls apart and I can’t even order delivery. Though Akaron could recreate most recipes.”
“That’s so you. But time is of the essence, that much is true.”
“Nah, if it was gonna collapse from something like this, it would’ve already. This rotten world is tougher than it looks.”
Yeah, that’s the world we live in—Blue Dragon Guild trash, those Shin Gangnam assholes, big corp execs, judiciary, government—they all fuck things up royally and still thrive.
“Even when the Grandmaster left… when constellations appeared and shook the world… go further back in history, and there are countless examples. Anyway, even if I do nothing, the world will adapt.”
“Won’t you regret it later? ‘I could’ve changed it,’ won’t that thought hit you?”
“Nope. I know my core doesn’t change no matter what Awakening crap I get. Whoever Awakened a guy like me has a twisted sense of humor.”
Whoever Awakened me is probably regretting it by now.
Constellation or whatever, handing this much power to an average Joe like me was a mistake.
Anyway, with the government and association old-timers dragging on, I decide to check the loot from the B-rank Goblin Empire dungeon and grab new skills from my level-up in the meantime.
I open my status window for the first time in ages.
[Lv.61 Yoo Seongwon]
Status Growth: 21/21/21/21
Str: 2,548 Dex: 2,544 Vit: 2,548 Mag: 2,520
[Owned Skills]
Path of the Great Knight (SSS)
(Unique) Myeong's Knight Grandel's Martial Talent
(Unique) Spirit Knight 'Silleion Forest Blade' Secret Art
(Unique) KMG TECH Master Device
(Unique) Tyrant Knight ‘Yucheon’s’ Lost Legacy, Tyrant Heaven Sword Style
(Legendary) Tyrant Knight Yucheon’s Heaven Sword Army Summon
(Legendary) Dimensional Gate to the Sanctuary of the Nameless Knight Order
(Unique) Magic Knight Kylride’s Summoning Art
(Legendary) Fallen Phoenix’s Essence
(Legendary) Command (EX)
(Legendary) Riding (S+)
[Applied Effects]
Beast’s Power (All stats +1 rank (2x))
“Wow… holy shit…”
All stats at SS+ rank. They’re just a hair short of SSS (2,560), but basically SSS confirmed.
And the skills listed like receipts are all Legendary or Unique.
Sure, it’s thanks to my trait letting me pick top-tier skills freely without the grind or tech tree, but it’s still mind-blowing.
“Plus, I can add two more now? Haha, let’s see… what’s missing…”
One at level 50, one at 60, and no extra dungeon rewards since I turned the Goblin Empire into a vassal state.
Anyway, thinking about what these two choices could cover, the key issue from all the fighting was my stamina problem, plain and simple.
Experiencing a proper B-rank dungeon showed me—a full month of combat wears your mind down to nothing.
“I really just grabbed skills willy-nilly. Good ones, sure, but… anyway, I need fatigue resistance or vitality recovery. Something good?”
“Any success in that B-rank dungeon?”
I’m casually checking my skills in the central control room when So-mi noona approaches.
Feels weirdly familiar even after a month apart.
She asks about results, and memories of that grueling Goblin Empire dungeon flood back.
“Yeah, some gains. Brutal, though. Damn goblins—over a million population meant endless troops. Nearly drove me insane.”
“Glad you made it back safe. We were really worried when you didn’t come out for a month.”
“Didn’t expect it to take that long myself… What’s Ayoung up to?”
“She got data here, then headed to a dungeon for level-up and class change.”
“In this mess?”
“This chaos only started a day or two ago. She went in three days back, so she’ll be out soon. Probably almost 45 by now.”
Top-level folks recover fast once they’ve hit it before.
With ample data, funds, and skill books here, she’ll bounce back quick.
The issue is So-mi noona.
“You haven’t hit a dungeon, right?”
“Yeah. At 45, I need C-rank, but no team and solo’s tough. On the plus side, losing my class refunded skill points, so I retooled my skill tree.”
“Oh… then we can dungeon together next time. Sticking with mage line?”
“Nope. This.”
Clank!
Suddenly, a heavy-looking black, long rifle appears in So-mi noona’s hands.
A rifle? Military’s not my world beyond mandatory service… but yeah, she’s switched to rear support firepower.
“Yeah, the supporter role from the constellation choice got stale, but I figured how to use my detection, scouting, and info-analysis skills usefully. With elder’s advice, I went this route. Ranger class for now, but one more skill and I’ll hit Giant Killer.”
“Ooh~”
“Still support, but active this time.”
Smart pick, even to me.
As guild master, her knack for spotting our needs is unreal.
Thanks to Yucheong, things improved, but our knight order—including me—were all melee sword users. We needed her wide-view support.
“With Ayoung melee too, it was chaos, but this is perfect. Sniper support is exactly what I’m grateful for. Just need a healer now…”
“If funds are tight, sure, but if flush, stock medical facilities, staff, potions—no pressure.”
“Attach Heaven Sword Army soldiers and Yucheong as her guard—ideal.”
The picture forms in my head.
Me and knights rampaging upfront; her with soldiers and Yucheong providing sniper fire, advice, and a mobile base. Perfect.
No idea how Ayoung changed, but natural team comp forming lifts my mood.
“Right. Need to pick those skills…”
“Hey, kid. Government approved the five hundred billion advance. Come back to the table.”
“…Huh?”
I’m blissfully planning the future when the elder suddenly drops this bombshell.
Five hundred billion upfront? They approved? Are they insane?
That money could’ve gone elsewhere, but they agreed, so no choice.
Sighing, I head back to face those old fogeys at the table.