Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The New Land Granted to Us
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The next morning.
Archangel Metatron, Michaela, and Uriel stood near the prepared magic circle. In the center, the captured Lord-class monster Karunum was bound with chains. And around it, nearly two hundred hunters had gathered.
They hadn't participated in yesterday's battle directly, but support had come from the Gabriel Family, Raphael Family, and others.
From now on, they would establish a base in the Noryangjin sanctuary and help with defense. The two hundred who had arrived now were the vanguard; afterward, hunters from other families and even their mortal servants would flock here to Noryangjin.
Noryangjin was a wider area than expected—it wasn't a place that a mere few hundred could defend. From now on, it had to become a fortress city housing tens of thousands to hold back the enemy.
Fortunately, most of the archangels agreed on the need for this Noryangjin outpost. Things had progressed so quickly that proper discussions hadn't taken place yet.
More forces would come to this outpost in the future.
Of course, depending on their merits, the families of Archangel Michaela and Uriel—who had personally shattered their own sanctuaries to come—would receive preferential treatment.
I would have to handle the distribution of Noryangjin land and guard duty assignments myself. As Metatron's sole family member and proxy. The other families would do the same, with their proxies stepping forward instead of the angels.
In any case, those were concerns for after the major task of transforming Noryangjin. Metatron's power had already declared it a sanctuary, driving out the monsters that had lived in the area. But that alone wasn't enough. At the sanctuary's borders, miscellaneous monsters swarmed like ants. They couldn't breach the sanctuary on their own, but if high-grade monsters appeared, the situation would change. So now, physical measures were needed.
It was a very important moment.
And right now, everyone was watching me.
The three archangels and two hundred hunters.
This was...
I didn't want to take on this role.
Normally, Metatron should step forward and say a few words, but she stubbornly refused. She dumped it on her sole family member—me—and pretended not to notice. She claimed she needed to focus on the incantation or something. I knew her intention.
In front of all these gathered hunters, she wanted to elevate my authority.
To make it clear that I was the proxy of the top-ranked Archangel Metatron. Such procedures would give my voice weight and make things easier when running Noryangjin later.
So her proxies wouldn't be dismissed as nobodies during negotiations with other angels' proxies.
Fine, then. I had to do it.
I cleared my throat and stepped forward.
I calmly met the countless gazes. I started with a light greeting and got straight to the point.
“As you all know, there was an archangel who advocated for offense and stood apart from everyone. Unfortunately, that opinion wasn't supported at the time. Of course, setting politics aside, there were those who agreed purely on the merits of fighting the monsters.”
I glanced slightly at Uriel.
The man with sky-blue hair and a cold expression snorted and looked away. He was one of the few who had sided with Metatron's stance in the past.
Uriel was a prickly archangel specializing in ice magic. He had come even after destroying his own sanctuary. His sanctuary was in a stable rear position, currently being restored by the 10th-ranked regular angel, so there shouldn't be any major issues.
He planned to create a new sanctuary in the southwest of Noryangjin.
The triangular area connecting Dongjak Library, Noryangjin 2-dong Community Center, and Yeongdeungpo High School would be the site of his new sanctuary. From there, he aimed to pacify the western side of Gangnam. His plan was to advance to Guro-gu first, then seize Gwangmyeong City and link up with the existing fortress city of Siheung City.
Uriel had earned great merit this time, so he was outright granted a portion of the land. For other families, it was just renting space in Metatron's sanctuary, so the compensation differed. Naturally, an archangel who abandoned his own sanctuary deserved commensurate treatment.
“Even without that, there were those who couldn't openly agree for political reasons but sympathized with the intent.”
This time, I looked at Michaela.
The 2nd-ranked Michaela was the one who practically led the archangels' council. Not because she wanted it, but because Metatron had stepped back, it had naturally fallen to her. Because of that position, she had sympathized with Metatron mentally in the past but couldn't act on it.
According to Suiel's hints, Michaela and Metatron had been close friends once. But after Sandalphon's death, things soured, and their relationship ended. Reflecting that chilly atmosphere, Metatron and Michaela avoided each other's eyes.
Michaela also planned to create a new sanctuary in the Noryangjin area. Her existing one would be distributed to and managed by her subordinate regular angels.
For reference, fierce battles were still raging around Anyang. The Lord-class monsters' attention was directed more toward Anyang than Noryangjin, which was a big help to us. Sorry, but that was their problem. They'd handle it.
Michaela planned to base her sanctuary at Sayuksin Park in eastern Noryangjin. Last time it was Anyang Arts Park; she seemed to like parks. From Sayuksin Park, she intended to extend to Chung-Ang University, Soongsil University, and the National Cemetery.
“Even such great figures agreed, but what was the public evaluation of that one? They roamed Gangbuk, slaying Lord-class monsters, yet people ignored those merits and focused only on the immediate casualties, heaping blame day after day. But now, with time passed, everything is clear. The peace we enjoy—where did it come from? So I want to say this: We who longed for a hero more than anyone had no soil to let one grow! We lacked the maturity to endure even minor damages compared to a hero's sacrifice.”
I turned once, looking at those present with a chastising air.
Some, feeling guilty, avoided my eyes and turned their heads.
“Now I ask you all: Restore the proper honor to those who toiled and sacrificed. That one has returned with great achievements. Who else would dare declare a sanctuary in the heart of enemy territory and defend it? Who else would lure Lord-class and Grand Lord-class monsters into a trap and slaughter them?”
Metatron gave me a wry smile.
It was the result of a time loop, but I was framing it as if she had devised a meticulous plan. Well, that's propaganda for you.
“Even if we failed to properly evaluate those merits back then! It must be different this time! For the hero who silently endured the blame and unacceptable misunderstandings. So as that one's proxy, I request of you all.”
My short speech raced toward its end.
“Welcome that one's return with sincerity. And pay respects to those military achievements. To Metatron-nim, the rightful owner of this new land granted to us!”
As soon as I finished, thunderous applause poured out.
The hunters responded with fervor, as if light clapping might invite misunderstanding.
Michaela showed a splendid smile as she clapped, and Uriel next to her grudgingly clapped a few times.
Metatron lightly nodded in response to the cheers directed at her. That was the problem—that was all.
Moreover, she showed a lively expression only to me; for public activities, she wore a cold, expressionless mask. It reminded me of the colorless doll I first saw.
Back then, she had sharply criticized me for triggering the trap she made. Now I knew it was all an act, but it had flustered me quite a bit at the time.
Anyway, this wasn't good.
For gaining public popularity and trust. Metatron had high charisma stats, but that blank expression made her seem overbearing. Then hunters would fear and avoid her like before. She had finally said, “Please help,” but that was only to me. There was still a long way to go.
“Tsk, tsk.”
From the side, I heard Michaela quietly clicking her tongue. Deciding it wouldn't do, she stepped forward with a radiant smile. Just moving her elegant legs a few steps exuded an intoxicating allure. Why did this angel overflow with sexual charm? Few could arm themselves with such haughty elegance and add sensuality on top. That's why Michaela was special.
Fortunately, I wasn't the only one who thought so.
Many male hunters had their gazes stolen by Michaela.
So go make a fan club or something.
If you got to know her, she was in quite a lonely position and would respond well if approached. She even guaranteed replies to texts.
“I, Michaela, also welcome Metatron's return. And I declare that she still holds the rank of 1st among archangels.”
With the powerful Michaela saying this publicly, Metatron's return was a success. But Michaela seemed intent on pulling one more person into the spotlight.
She looked at me and winked slightly.
“And I confirm that Yujea, Metatron's sole family member and proxy, will be the manager of Noryangjin from now on. As for his qualities, I, Michaela, guarantee them. He was the one who coordinated the Noryangjin liberation operation with me. Moreover, during the operation, he single-handedly felled Urukel, the enemy's Lord-class monster. Therefore, treat him with the respect due a fine warrior.”
With Michaela openly praising me, the hunters' gazes changed.
They had heard what I did this time. But with an archangel personally commending me, it hit harder. I maintained composure as I received the various emotions in their stares.
Jealousy, envy, admiration, surprise—I took them all in stride on my face. To be a hyena, you needed thick skin. And wasn't I the king of hyenas?
This level of envy was nothing.
“Moreover, he is not just Metatron's proxy but also her incarnation. The concept of incarnation may be unfamiliar to us, but it's not something we can't explain clearly.”
When Michaela mentioned incarnation, everyone looked puzzled.
“He is one who temporarily channels Metatron's power, wielding it differently from ordinary hunters. Thus, if he unleashes his power as an incarnation, it is only right to treat him as befitting an archangel. Remember and uphold this. It is not a trivial matter but one concerning the face of all us archangels.”
No other archangels besides Metatron had created an incarnation yet. But they might learn the method from her in the future. So she was setting the precedence now. An incarnation would be an archangel's spokesperson and top servant, so granting it authority made sense.
Murmurs spread.
Everyone was visibly confused by the new term.
But Michaela offered no further details.
She declared that she had said what needed saying, quelled the commotion, and announced the start of the magic ritual.
“Hurry up.”
Uriel grumbled as if to say, “Finally getting to it?”
Soon, Metatron, Michaela, and Uriel positioned themselves at the ends of the massive magic circle, forming a triangle. In the center were me and the bound Karunum.
This fallen Lord-class monster was to be the sacrifice today.
I stepped forward holding the broken sword I had prepared.
This sword, snapped diagonally with a sharp end, belonged to a hunter who died in the battle.
The fight had turned into a mess due to greed for merits, but what was the point of rebuking the dead? They had fought bravely without showing their backs to the enemy, so this was a way to commemorate and package it nicely.
I approached with the broken sword and grabbed the horn of the exhausted Karunum. Lifting its limp head revealed its neck.
-Spare me, spare me, human.
Metatron's binding magic had it in a wretched state.
Ignoring it, I raised the sword.
Honorably, I was chosen to execute the living sacrifice ritual. The high-ranking hunters envied this honor before the archangels but, due to their fault in the previous battle, could only bite their lips and stay back.
-Please! I'll grant any wish!
Any wish?
Then I could grant one right now.
“What I want is your blood.”
Stab!
Though broken, it was an A-rank magic sword, and it mercilessly dug into Karunum's neck.
But that wasn't enough, so I repeatedly slashed and tore at its neck with the broken blade.
Blood splattered all over my face.
Still, I felt great joy that this majestic being had shrunk like a lamb.
Right now, this thing was less than a hyena skulking through sewers.