Chapter 37
Chapter 37
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: 2-3. Holy Site Stabilization
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Soon, the national anthem was sung, followed by a salute to the flag. It seemed natural, given that most of the hyenas were ex-military.
Afterward, it was my turn to speak.
“Fellow association members. For far too long, us scavengers have been overlooked despite our crucial role. Honestly, nicknames like ‘hyenas’ or ‘shit flies’ are completely unwarranted. Aren’t we the unsung heroes who’ve toiled on the front lines for the industrial growth of our nation?”
“That’s right!”
Someone shouted at the top of their lungs.
The crowd quickly joined in with voices of agreement.
“That’s why I’ve formed this association to elevate the status of us scavengers in the new land of opportunity, Noryangjin. Three Seraphim have now established their holy sites in Noryangjin. This will inevitably reshape the front lines. Hunters will be busy, but we scavengers must move swiftly too. How long are we going to sit on our asses in Ansan? Do I really need to spell out the advantages of heading straight to Noryangjin to collect byproducts?”
I spoke passionately about the new era.
I went on to explain the vision for the Noryangjin Monster Market. Of course, with plenty of exaggeration mixed in. Propaganda’s always like that, isn’t it?
“Noryangjin is waiting for you! And as you’d expect, only members of our association will have access to Noryangjin’s infrastructure and enjoy various perks.”
I cited examples like gate fee refunds.
Gate fees are surprisingly expensive.
A one-way trip costs about 200,000 won, which is a burden for hyenas, if not for hunters or merchants.
My proposal was to refund a certain number of trips per month.
“Waaaaah! Long live Chairman Yoo!”
“Long live Chairman Yoo!”
The agitators I’d planted in advance started shouting.
I smiled broadly, putting on the act of a benevolent chairman.
“Everyone, remember this. The future of us scavengers—I, Yu Je-a, will take responsibility for it!”
The hall had turned into a cauldron of fervor.
“Woooooo!”
“Yu Je-a! Yu Je-a!”
“Send Yu Je-a to Congress!”
Anyone seeing this would think I was running for office.
***
In Gangbuk, there were 13 Lord-grade monsters and 2 Grand Lord-grade monsters. From the monsters’ perspective, Gangbuk was the final defensive line, so their forces were concentrated there.
Gangnam existed, of course, but it served as a buffer zone. To prevent angels and hunters from advancing north, they had to defend Gangbuk at all costs.
Manchuria, the Primorye region, and the former North Korea area held rare ores capable of producing magic stones. Humans were largely unaware of these ores, but they could be used with tungsten to create magic stones.
Thus, when monsters first descended to Earth, they strategically concentrated in the Korean Peninsula, Manchuria, and Primorye. They built hidden hatcheries underground and focused on increasing their numbers.
This made the Korean Peninsula the epicenter of the monster crisis. Naturally, the angels followed the monsters, with most coming to Korea and some heading to China and Russia.
“Damn it! It’s like biting into meat and breaking a tooth—such a frustrating situation. Kaaak! Ptoo!”
“It’s like a deep stab to the gut—a proper hit. If you think about it, isn’t it your trash-like kind’s fault?”
“Shut up. You bastard born of lowly stock. Should I rip out your tongue to stop that filthy mouth? It’s a wonder how scum like you rose to our level. The world’s gone mad!”
At some undisclosed location, a portion of Gangbuk’s Lord-grade and Grand Lord-grade monsters had gathered for a meeting. Due to their vicious relationships, nearly half were absent, making it even harder to find solutions to the grim situation.
Absurdly, three Seraphim had established holy sites right in front of them in Noryangjin. Even more ridiculous was that they currently had no way to counter it.
They were already short-handed with Tarha, Urukel, Hadam, and Karnum all killed at once, creating a power vacuum.
On top of that, even Oro, the Lord-grade who’d attacked Anyang without realizing it was a trap, had died.
This power vacuum was temporary, but until replacements emerged, they’d have to fear the Seraphim’s assaults. And if they attacked Noryangjin now and failed?
If more Lord-grade monsters died, they’d lose their deterrence. Without deterrence, the next step was obvious. The Seraphim would abandon defensive strategies relying on holy sites and switch to offense.
“Don’t act rashly. With your pea brains and weak limbs, you’ll just screw everything up!”
“Are you saying we just sit and watch? You’ve lost your guts like the coward you are! Should I chop off those legs you always use for running and hang them around your neck to knock some sense into you? Half of Gangnam’s about to vanish! Don’t you get it’s only a matter of time? Of course not, with that rat-sized brain of yours.”
The Noryangjin holy site was more than a thorn in their side. The Lord-grade monsters knew Michaela and Uriel were extending east and west. That would wipe out nearly half the area south of the river.
Sure, Seocho-gu, Gangnam-gu, Songpa-gu, and Gangdong-gu would remain, but even imagining that was bleak.
“Don’t be so hasty. Our legions are solid! Or are yours actually flimsy? Is that why you’re always cowering before me?”
“Shut it. Before I dig your grave right here.”
“Quiet, all of you! Three Seraphim have arrived. Sooner or later, they’ll devour their goals. Greedily.”
Dongjak-gu, Gwanak-gu, Geumcheon-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu, Yangcheon-gu, and Gangseo-gu would all be in danger.
“But we have no other countermeasures! This time, your boasted strength and courage are useless! How the mighty have fallen! Heh heh heh.”
At that moment, one of the silent Grand Lord-grade monsters bellowed.
“How can you be so complacent? Don’t you know there’s a hatchery in Yeouido? If you lot don’t come up with proper plans, I’ll start ripping off your limbs one by one.”
As the Grand Lord-grade monster said, there was a hatchery underground in Yeouido. Tunnels connected it to Gangnam, supplying monsters across the area.
If Yeouido fell, it wouldn’t just be one island lost.
Gangnam’s very survival would be in grave peril. Hunters had hunted endlessly, yet the monsters always recovered their numbers. But what if they realized hunting was reducing their population?
“Humans are far greedier than we thought! They’ll swarm here for the money in an instant! And devour us like maggots on rotten flesh.”
More heated debates followed, but no sharp solutions emerged. Eventually, the two Grand Lord-grade monsters reached an agreement.
“There’s a collaborator among us. Even among our winged friends, there are treacherous ones selling out allies. So for now, gather intel and stall until we learn something new. Exercise that pathetic patience of yours to the max! Once we seize a decisive clue, the time for counterattack will come naturally. For now, we’ll trigger a wave to attack Noryangjin.”
“The moat is wide and the walls high. It’s impossible.”
“Shut your trap! Before I sew it shut with a dagger! Prepare flying monsters first. We’ll rip out the holy site from the air, then flood them all at once. It’s just a delay tactic anyway. We can’t give them time to turn their eyes to Yeouido. We’ll prepare countermeasures in the meantime. Worst case, we’ll consider relocating the hatchery.”
No one opposed the Grand Lord-grade monsters’ decision further.
However, they couldn’t decide who would lead the wave. It was a dangerous mission with high odds of death.
Given their nature of constant mutual suspicion, this wave was perfect for a fall guy.
So each made excuses and refused the role.
From the monsters’ standpoint, it was utter chaos.
“Great one, who among those winged scum is the traitor?”
“The one with black wings. These fools don’t know. Among the white wings, one black wing is mixed in.”
***
Preparations to draw the hyenas to Noryangjin were going well, but securing Noryangjin’s safety still had gaps.
Monsters still slipped through the holy site’s crevices from time to time.
The market couldn’t function properly in this state.
“Flying monsters are the biggest problem. The freakish ones crossing the river are usually found stuck to the walls, so they’re easy to deal with.”
“That’s true.”
Black Hyena Team’s deputy leader, Jeong Heung-su—a name with a bit of a rustic ring—had brought his entire team to Noryangjin. The Black Hyena Team was currently handling various odd jobs under me.
The outside was still dangerous, and without magic, there was no way to leave the moat from this holy site, so they couldn’t do their main work yet.
I wanted to keep the highly capable deputy leader Jeong Heung-su as my aide indefinitely. I was still maintaining my team leader position anyway. If the Black Hyena Team shifted from byproduct collection to Noryangjin management, everyone would follow without question.
“Team leader, how about installing some anti-aircraft guns? Most coming into the holy site lack barriers, right?”
The holy site’s power clashed with magic stones, so non-magic stone monsters entered more easily.
It was like how smaller bugs slip through screens better.
“In my opinion, setting up anti-air positions here, here, and here would be best. Stock some anti-air missiles too.”
In response to the deputy’s suggestion, I offered a counter.
“Let’s use self-propelled anti-air guns instead. They’re more flexible for responses. Plus, Noryangjin’s flat open land is perfect for endless tracks.”
“That’s a good idea. The military must have plenty of spares.”
Post-monster crisis, the South Korean military had drastically cut its budget. They hadn’t been effective against major monsters, and the economy couldn’t sustain the previous scale.
Foreign pressures had also vanished due to the angels. Messing with Korea amid a monster war risked wrath from enraged angels.
Angels were inherently benevolent but prioritized monster extermination above all. Interfering meant no mercy.
A single Seraph could obliterate a carrier strike group in seconds.
Ballistic missiles? No need for complex intercepts—just send them back to launch sites. In wartime, Seraphim could even ban all aircraft from Korean airspace outright. Game over.
With angels and hunters swarming Korea, there was little else to say. Even foreigners aspiring to be hunters had recently flocked to the Ansan area.
Korea was starting to lack hunter manpower with locals alone. They were still on the defensive, but an offensive shift could bring a flood of foreign hunters.
“We can recruit ex-NCOs who’ve served for anti-air operations.”
“Yeah.”
Korea survived on the monster industry, but unemployment was sky-high. Especially ex-military, hit hard by a decade of downsizing, were flooding the streets daily.
Some must know self-propelled anti-air guns. Recruit instructor-level ones, then train the rest. Prioritize armored unit veterans.
“Deputy, handle this.”
“Got it.”
Four days later, the Ministry of National Defense contacted us.
They’d sell as many K-30 Biho self-propelled anti-air guns as needed. 167 produced, but now unnecessary, just costing maintenance.
Rear areas rarely saw flying monsters; hunters or anti-air missiles handled them.
“They’ll throw in 80,000 rounds if we buy 20 or more.”
“Price per unit?”
“25 billion won. Originally 45 billion.”
“They’re charging a premium for unused gear. Tell them 15 billion for 20.”
“Understood.”
Negotiations went smoothly; we settled on 17 billion for 20 units. The deputy then posted recruitment for self-propelled anti-air gunners. Prioritizing those with experience, then armored unit vets.
Yesterday’s idle heroes poured into Noryangjin like clouds.
***
“Unit, at ease.”
At my stern command, the assembled troops on the training field snapped to at-ease positions.
These were the new hires for operating self-propelled anti-air guns. Diverse backgrounds: not just gunners, but mechanics, HQ platoon leaders, and commanders.
They looked excited to be earning a paycheck again. Makes sense—lounging at home is tough, lots of side-eye. No strict uniform code, so outfits varied. Mostly vests with a tactical vibe.
They wore patches distinguishing combat platoons, maintenance squads, and HQ.
Total of 200, hired generously.
Barracks construction started yesterday; for now, 24-man tents.
Tents for HQ, company, etc., dotted the rear. Due to the special circumstances, they operated military gear as civilians—no need for formal military structure. But it was familiar, so they used it.
Somehow, I’d become the anti-air battalion commander. Just in title, not a real soldier.
“Battalion commander’s address!”
An ex-officer commander bellowed below, so I launched into a stern, serious speech.
The script was pre-written by the juniors. Military style, huh.
“The weather is exceptionally clear and bright. To this battalion commander, it seems even the heavens are blessing our unit’s formation. Our unit’s mission is to guard Noryangjin—the forefront of national defense—with ironclad vigilance and protect civilians passing through……”
I droned on with the soulless speech for a while. Then came applause and the unit flag handover.
“Loyalty!”
The middle-aged ex-officer was overzealous. The rear ranks looked like neighborhood uncles. I handed over the flag, shook hands with the officers amid applause.
“Loyalty!”
“Loyalty!”
Being called battalion commander didn’t feel bad.
Their salaries came from my pocket, after all. As boss, they’d manage fine. The deputy would oversee operations anyway.
I’m too busy for this. Man, titles piling up: incarnation, chairman, now battalion commander.
“Commander, this way.”
“Yeah. Ahem!”
Guided by an officer to my seat.
We gathered military-style for a commemorative photo when a messenger window popped up like a hologram. Sender: Metatron. Visible only to me. This was how we communicated.
-The egg hatched! It’s tiny! Adorable! Spitting fire from its mouth!
What!
The egg hatched!