Chapter 272
Chapter 272
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 272
Chapter Title: 61. On a Starlit Night (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
9:48 PM.
Parnas Hotel in Seoul's Gangnam.
At this hour, most of Seoul's prominent First Swords had gathered here.
From Songpa's Oh Yeon-hee to Gwanak's Jo Sang-ik, and even Yongsan First Sword Kim Do-ha.
These individuals, still the unchallenged strongest in their own districts, were killing precious time in front of a hotel room for one simple reason.
"No way, that's not possible."
"You never know."
"True... If he couldn't make it by now, wouldn't he have contacted us in advance?"
It was because rumors had spread across all of Seoul that Jeong Young-woo, who was supposed to receive their money, still hadn't arrived.
That's how the First Swords began gathering one by one in front of Young-woo's lodging, and it had eventually turned into this spectacle.
"Yeah, you're right. At least Young-woo had a way to get in touch."
Seongbuk First Sword Lee Yoo-bin widened her eyes and spread her hands.
She was referring to the unique ring "Pulse," the signature item of Jeong Young-woo, who was not just Gangnam First Sword but the elected First Sword of the entire Korean Peninsula.
If something had come up causing such a delay, couldn't he have used Pulse to contact Seoul?
And that was precisely why Seoul's First Swords had rushed to convene over Jeong Young-woo's delayed return.
What on earth could have happened that Jeong Young-woo hadn't even sent a word to Seoul before failing to return?
"He had a way to contact us but didn't... What in the world could it be?"
Yongsan First Sword Kim Do-ha stroked his chin and asked meaningfully.
It was basically implying that something unfortunate might have befallen Jeong Young-woo, and in response, Kim Jeong-gu, who was blocking the room door like a sentinel, bellowed.
"What kind of crazy talk is that? Our Young-woo didn't fail to contact us—he just chose not to!"
"Yes, sir. Of course. I didn't mean it that way."
Gwanak First Sword Jo Sang-ik gave a wry smile and soothed Kim Jeong-gu.
But even Jo Sang-ik had considered the possibility of Jeong Young-woo's "death in action."
There was no other explanation.
"If he's in a situation where he can't return by now, there's no reason he wouldn't send a transmission via Pulse."
Of course, it was possible he was in the midst of something so astonishing that using Pulse didn't even cross his mind.
But after already lasering North Korea's Kim Jong-un to death, what could be more shocking than that?
"Where was Young-woo's last destination?"
At Jo Sang-ik's question, Jeong-gu thought for a moment and looked west.
"Probably China."
"China..."
They had glimpsed Jeong Young-woo's relationship with China through the First Sword vote, but that was just one part of such a vast country.
'It's such a huge nation—Young-woo might have encountered an opponent far stronger than expected.'
If that were truly the case, it would be regrettable.
In this mad world, having one more mad genius on the peninsula wouldn't hurt.
He had been supporting Jeong Young-woo in his own way...
'Did Young-woo jump into the deep end too soon?'
The frog that should have stayed in the well might have been swallowed by the sea.
"......"
Jo Sang-ik swallowed a groan inwardly but spoke differently aloud.
"China's such a massive land—he's probably just too busy rushing back and couldn't contact us yet."
However, most of the other First Swords thought differently.
"Come on, even so, a quick word through the ring is all it takes—how do you forget that?"
"There's a limit to delays, and tax payment is right around the corner. Does this make any sense?"
"Exactly. He always came back sharp as a blade whenever dungeons forced him out at sunset."
Given the situation completely at odds with Jeong Young-woo's usual patterns, they were all inwardly predicting misfortune for the First Sword.
And logically speaking, they had a point.
A First Sword who left Seoul saying he'd return from China—and it was nearly 10 PM with no sign of him.
It was only natural for negative interpretations to arise.
"So, what if..."
Finally, Dongjak First Sword Lee Han-wook uttered the words "what if."
What if First Sword Jeong Young-woo had truly died in an unfortunate accident?
Then who would be his successor?
Who would manage the enormous defense fees he had been collecting from Seoul and parts of China?
No, was management even possible?
"......"
As everyone exchanged nervous glances, waiting tensely for Lee Han-wook's next words.
Kwaaaaaang!
Out of nowhere, an enormous roar echoed from somewhere outside the hotel—no, beyond Gangnam.
"W-What?"
"Something fell?"
"Where did that come from? Pretty far away, right?"
While the First Swords in the hotel corridor peered out windows, Dobong First Sword—and Jeong Young-woo's biological father—Kim Jeong-gu snapped his head up.
Then.
"Get out of the way!"
He shoved the First Swords filling the corridor left and right, pushing forward.
"W-Where are you going, sir?"
As Jo Sang-ik hurriedly followed and asked, Jeong-gu swept his finger over the assembled First Swords.
"Can't you tell from the sound? That's Young-woo coming back—so grab your money and follow without a word."
"......?"
Some First Swords still looked dubious, tilting their heads in disbelief, but others had already placed their bets.
Taat!
They slung their money bags over their shoulders and started running after Jeong-gu.
"Ah, sir! Slow down!"
"Sir...!"
The remaining First Swords, left standing blankly, had no choice but to grab their money bags too.
* * *
9:54 PM.
Six minutes before tax payment.
Jeong-gu and over a dozen First Swords burst out of the hotel, racing toward the city's southern district.
The roar had clearly come from the south.
Soon after.
"Uh...!"
Someone let out an exclamation, pointing at the southern sky visible between buildings, bringing them to a halt.
"W-What's that?"
"...My God."
Far in the distance, some kind of structure pierced the sky like a sword.
It resembled a tower, yet so tall that its peak was invisible to the naked eye.
"What is that, sir?"
Everyone turned to Jeong-gu.
Hadn't the old man just said so?
That the roar was the signal of Jeong Young-woo's return.
But upon seeing it with their own eyes, the source of the roar was...
"An... alien thing? That?"
When Seongbuk's Lee Yoo-bin suggested aliens, some First Swords nodded and glared at Jeong-gu again.
Of course, Jeong-gu hadn't anticipated this situation either and was just as flustered.
"F-Fuck, what the hell is that?"
Was this how Moses felt when he stood before the deeply sleeping Red Sea, leading his people in exodus?
Even to Jeong-gu, that was not his son Jeong Young-woo.
No, it wasn't even human.
The scale of the structure defied imagination.
"......"
As everyone gaped in shock, Songpa First Sword Oh Yeon-hee spoke up.
"Prepare for battle. Whatever it is, it's definitely not human coming our way."
Hwaoeot!
With those words, her crescent blade cast a long shadow on the ground, and some First Swords thought:
'As expected of Oh Yeon-hee.'
'If Jeong Young-woo really died, the next First Sword would be her.'
Oh Yeon-hee, Songpa First Sword.
Seoul's powerhouse who had firmly held the number two spot before and after Jeong Young-woo's emergence.
Though Gwanak's Jo Sang-ik had been rising sharply lately, she was still the undisputed second-in-command.
"What are you all doing?"
Seeing most hadn't drawn their weapons, Oh Yeon-hee furrowed her brow.
"It might already be too late—that thing is definitely...!"
An alien invader.
Before she could finish, it happened.
Pishiiiit!
A thin beam of light descended from the sky, soon enveloped by a massive pillar of light.
Kwaaaaa!
"Wha?"
"I-It's an attack!"
Finally sensing the structure's intrusion into Gangnam, the First Swords drew their weapons.
Chwaaaak, chwiriririk!
And simultaneously.
"Monsters instead of the First Sword, eh? But if you think Seoul will be pushover, you've made a big mistake!"
Oh Yeon-hee pointed her crescent blade at the hefty light pillar, solidifying her position as second-in-command—or next first.
She was declaring that she still represented Seoul's alliance in speech.
Then soon.
Paat!
The unidentified light pillar, moments ago just a mass of light, began to take shape.
The beam had shot down right opposite COEX, into a massive construction site.
Gooooh!
The light pillar's pressure surged instantly.
Shiaaat!
In a flash, the brilliance vanished, revealing a truly gigantic tower where the pillar had stood.
"...What."
"A r-real tower?"
Current time: 9:58 PM.
Two minutes before tax payment.
The uncanny timing led some to wonder if this was another phase of the reset.
The alien structure's sudden appearance was that immense.
"Can't see the top."
"How tall is that thing...?"
As the First Swords gripped their weapons and cautiously approached, Oh Yeon-hee warned sharply.
"Everyone, be careful. Nine times out of ten, inside there..."
No human spawn awaited—the unspoken end was obvious.
Shuwaaak!
Suddenly, one side of the tower split open into an archway, and massive orcs with red skin poured out.
-Seoul!
-Seoul!
These 3-meter-tall orcs chanted "Seoul" as they lined up beside the tower's entrance.
As if performing a ceremony for someone about to emerge from within.
And soon.
Clank, clank.
Someone approached leisurely through the orcs, iron horseshoes clopping.
"......?"
The bright light pouring from the tower made the First Swords' constricted pupils dilate again.
Because.
Clank!
"F-First Sword?"
"Jeong Young-woo...?"
The one emerging under orc escort was none other than the Korean Peninsula's sole elected First Sword, Jeong Young-woo.
"Ah, you all came out to greet me?"
From within the bizarre bright light, Jeong Young-woo's signature nonchalant voice rang out.
And right on cue.
—Taxes are now being collected.
At exactly 10:00 PM, tax collection began nationwide—no, planetwide.
And for the Korean Peninsula, there was one additional tax.
—Defense taxes will be collected shortly. Prepare for payment.