Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Kyushu Crisis (5)
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Korean Returnee Association, Seoul Southern Branch.
"Hmm hmm hmm~ Oh, a new release? Gotta grab this right away."
Branch Manager Yun Jiyun was casually humming a tune while messing around on her work computer.
It would have been unthinkable back when things were hectic, but ever since some breathing room had opened up lately, this had become part of her daily routine.
"You seem to be in high spirits, Branch Manager."
"Ah, Secretary Kim? You bet! Life's been great lately. This is what living's all about. Honestly, things were kinda... rough before, right?"
"Hahaha... Can't deny that."
The secretary chuckled wryly and handed her a new report.
Naturally, he'd been just as swamped whenever she was busy in the past, so he was just as pleased with the current pace.
"Hmm, looks like Japan's kicking up a storm in all directions. The Association Chairman must have a real headache. Same with the Ability Management Bureau."
"No helping it. The fact that the Hahoe Mask is Korean is undeniable."
"Seriously, complaining to us won't change a thing. Politicians are all the same, no matter the country—they flip out the second they catch a whiff of something."
She set the finished report down on her desk and stretched, leaning back in her chair.
She'd received the report, but there was nothing she could do about this incident, so things wouldn't change from the status quo.
"A moderately high position really is the best. Climb too high for no reason, and you're just drowning in headaches. Even now, it's like that."
"Haha... Spoken like true experience."
The secretary gave an awkward smile.
In truth, Yun Jiyun, the Seoul Southern Branch Manager, was far more capable than her current post suggested.
Always counted among Korea's official top three strongest, she was the great hero who had ended a century-long great war in the otherworld she'd been sent to, finally bringing peace to that world.
Even though decades had passed on Earth due to the time difference since her return, Earthlings who visited that world afterward could easily spot traces of her exploits everywhere.
Not only prominently featured in history books, but also massive statues in major cities, biographies, plays, songs...
Even the "Yun" household she'd established with her followers and war orphans had risen to become one of the world's premier noble houses. Earthlings who learned of her greatness indirectly often felt awestruck upon meeting her after her return.
Some even traveled from abroad just to see her once.
"Still, with the Hahoe Mask around, crime rates are down, making our jobs easier. Though Japan's situation is different, so no helping it."
"Is that why you didn't step in personally?"
"Huh? Nah, didn't think it'd make much difference even if I did... Plus, it wasn't just me, right? Everyone's thinking the same. Sure, some are genuinely scared stiff."
As she said, the pursuit of the Hahoe Mask continued, but top-tier Awakeners rarely mobilized personally to catch him.
Most did so reluctantly under pressure from the political sphere.
Even then, the Hahoe Mask was so elusive that direct clashes never happened.
"Honestly, how many people aren't secretly thrilled with what the Hahoe Mask is doing? Look—crime rates are dropping on their own. How convenient is that? ...If only he were a bit more cooperative."
She took some flak for incompetence, but considering the peace now, it was worth it.
In my honest opinion, I wish the Hahoe Mask would sweep away all the political corruption too.
But if he targeted Korea's vested interests directly, the Ability Management Bureau and Returnee Association would abandon their current appeasement policy and go after him full force.
The Hahoe Mask probably knew that, which was why he stuck to major criminals.
Leaving complex issues and societal self-correction to those invested in the system.
...Sorry I can't live up to those expectations.
She rubbed her temples, thinking of the still-corrupt politicians.
In the midst of her wandering thoughts, she noticed her secretary suddenly moving urgently and glanced over.
He'd received some separate contact, his face grave as he checked his tablet and froze on the spot.
Whatever it was, it looked like serious trouble.
Yun Jiyun grew uneasy too and called out cautiously.
"What's up? Something happen? An accident?"
"......"
"Quit that—you're making me nervous. What is it?"
At her repeated urging, the frozen secretary silently held out his tablet.
At the same time, he disconnected his wireless earbud from one ear...
[KYAAAAAH——!]
A roar like thunder leaked from the speaker, booming through the office.
"Wha? What the—?!"
Yun Jiyun snatched the tablet and checked the video again.
The looping footage wasn't long.
Empty air shattered like glass, a sinister black pillar shooting skyward.
A monster straight out of CG swam through the air above a mountain, wreathed in dark energy.
The distant footage wasn't clear, but atop its head stood a figure with a very familiar silhouette.
"Hold on, no way this is..."
"Footage from the Kagoshima area in Kyushu, Japan!"
"...This was filmed on Earth's reality?"
Her jaw dropped.
Forget the unfamiliar monster she'd never seen in her otherworld—the sheer presence radiating from the screen alone was overwhelming.
No, before that—could otherworld beings even appear on Earth?
"That's gotta be the Hahoe Mask, right?"
"...Probably."
"Ha, haha... We're in for it now."
She set the tablet down, leaned back, and ran a hand over her face with a hollow laugh.
"Who'd have thought the prince who hid his identity so carefully would debut with such a massive bombshell."
She'd seen one video, but similar ones were flooding in right now.
Not just smartphone clips, but car dashcams and even a live stream from an internet broadcaster reviewing nearby eateries.
Thanks to modern connectivity, she in Seoul could see Japan's recent events instantly.
With such concrete 'evidence' in this globalized era, the fallout was obvious without deep thought.
And as she predicted.
The incident spread worldwide at breakneck speed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Explosive reaction.
It perfectly captured the emergence of a True Dragon in Japan.
The buzz swept up returnees from otherworlds and ordinary citizens who'd only glimpsed otherworld culture indirectly, forming a massive wave.
— Anonymous What the hell? What's that? A dragon? A True Dragon? — User123 Insane! Why'd that pop up on Earth? Fake, right? ↳ Reply Videos pouring in aren't just one or two. All from different angles. — NecroFan How can an otherworld undead move so freely? How'd it bypass the laws? Tell me! My kids I barely brought over are stuck inside! ↳ Reply LOL necromancer caught red-handed. Over here! Catch him quick lol! ↳ Reply ?? Where you live? Hacking's cheap. ↳ Reply Sorry. Spare me. My bad. Most didn't know, but there were summoner-type returnees who could call otherworld beings.
However, Earthlings' aptitude for it was abysmal, leaving them mediocre and rare, forcing other paths.
Rarer even than spirit summoners, known for environmental scarcity.
In a world with zero immunity to 'otherworld beings,' a colossal True Dragon suddenly appeared.
— Skeptic Anyone calling this fake? My gut's shrinking just watching. ↳ Reply Yeah, and people who saw it in person were screaming. From super far away too. ↳ Reply Shit, played it for my dog as a joke and it pissed itself. Don't try it. Keep from kids. Above all, the overwhelming realism—even diluted on video—drew people in: vivid as if it'd burst out, chilling roar sending shivers.
Thus, crowds swiftly analyzed the videos.
It didn't take long to identify the figure atop the True Dragon as Korea's hot-topic "Hahoe Mask."
⭐ Top Comment — Believer ??? It's real? Thought it was just clickbait ghost story;; — TruthSeeker Yesss! Truth prevails! Take that, you filthy slanderers! — Cynic LOL imagining all the delusion-callers shutting up—feels good. Those who'd staunchly proclaimed the Hahoe Mask's existence despite mockery cheered and spread his feats.
Translated into various languages with videos, it spread globally.
...A bit awkwardly.
"No way it's blowing up this much? I expected some, but this is overkill."
Han Seonghyeon scratched his head, tongue clicking as he researched online.
The Hahoe Mask's existence was proven, but it didn't validate all the rumored feats.
Yet the True Dragon video etched in minds lent credibility to those ghost stories.
Nicknames proliferated: Korea's unofficial strongest, ruler of Korea's nights, reaper of criminals, guardian in shadows, eternal death creeping with dawn...
Nah, not the last one. Who came up with that crap? Creeping? Who creeps?
New ones: "Dragon Rider" and "Archipelago Bomber."
"...Unexpected fame incoming. Not that it's bad, on second thought."
He'd avoided leaving evidence not for any special reason.
Just knew society deemed his actions wrong, so he hid naturally.
Looking back, no need to hide so thoroughly.
Boosting his rep like now would deter crime better as a boogeyman.
Make villains hesitate before acting.
But the real issue now was elsewhere.
Still, tough customers. The Heaven-Reversing Society.
Right after shattering their shadow realm with Herathos's Abyss Breath.
Hans immediately erected a new barrier to block escape routes.
That's why circulating videos were short—but they'd prepared thoroughly too.
Escaping via spatial transfer in that situation. Caught a few more first, but not worth it.
Unique Skills were hard to block even with barriers—unavoidable.
They were elite anyway, so breaking a hasty barrier wasn't surprising.
Small consolation: relentlessly targeting the suited shadow realm user paid off with a kill.
He had high caliber, but combat power skewed to Unique Skill, not high otherwise.
Plus disrupted by skill destruction.
...Wait, no need to regret letting them escape?
Actually, Hans was the invader in their home turf; they were interceptors defending a base.
Just cleared one Kyushu spot.
Plenty left; they'd retreated; key shadow realm user dead.
Where could they flee now?
Heh—
"Let's see how long they hide while their house burns."
With a sinister chuckle echoing in a Korean corner.
The Hahoe Mask—Hans—quietly moved to Japan's next target.
To set their dens ablaze.