The March of the Ant Legion
As the march of the ant legion began, their path turned into an instant scene of carnage. Their procession was like a flood that devoured everything in its wake. The giant ants took the lead, their powerful mandibles crushing buildings made of concrete and steel as if they were mere crackers. Following them, swarms of fire ants and smaller ants poured in, consuming everything as if they were feasting on a delicious snack.
It wasn't just buildings. The food on the shelves of large supermarkets, the wheat, barley, and rice growing in the fields—all were devoured in an instant. Nothing remained in the places they passed. The bustling city turned into ruins, and the fertile farmland transformed into a wasteland. It was as if their sole purpose was to erase everything that had been touched by human hands.
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces were deployed to stop them, but it was futile. Consequently, an emergency meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo. The air in the conference room was heavy, and deep wrinkles were etched into the faces of the attendees. Prime Minister Kenji's voice broke the silence. Whether from lack of sleep or extreme stress, his eyes were bloodshot.
"Now that the intervention of the Self-Defense Forces has failed, is there any solution?"
Minister of Defense Hiroshi opened his mouth with a heavy expression. "Prime Minister, our conventional weapons cannot stop these ants. They are... a living disaster."
Satsuya, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, who oversees Japan's scientific research, interjected. "Our research team is currently analyzing the ants' pheromones. What makes them terrifying is their absurd command structure. So, if we can disrupt their communication..."
Prime Minister Kenji scowled deeply. "This is no time to be analyzing such things! Do you not grasp the gravity of the situation?"
Satsuya flinched at the Prime Minister's roar. "I, I apologize."
Looking at Satsuya with a pathetic gaze, Prime Minister Kenji spoke again. "Are there no other countermeasures? What about the international community?"
The Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke with a stiff expression. "Prime Minister, we have already requested support from hunter powerhouses such as the UK, Russia, China, and the US, but..." The Minister paused and let out a deep sigh. "We were all rejected. They say they are too busy with their own problems. The US is occupied with a C-rank gate in New York, and Russia is also busy with a C-rank gate that appeared in Siberia..."
Bang! Prime Minister Kenji slammed his fist onto the table. "Are those not just excuses! Do you expect me to believe they are too busy with mere C-rank gates?"
The Prime Minister's words were true. A C-rank gate is certainly difficult to clear. However, for those called hunter powerhouses, it is not at all impossible. They clearly have the capacity. But why? Just then, the Chief Cabinet Secretary spoke up cautiously.
"Um, Prime Minister."
"Hoo... Speak."
"It seems everyone is wary of Hunter Cheon Yooshin of South Korea."
"...Why does that name suddenly come up here?"
"Prime Minister, as you know, Hunter Cheon Yooshin recently defeated the B-rank boss monster Apocalyptor single-handedly. This was an event that shocked the hunter world."
He was well aware of that situation. "Did we not refuse their help once when we requested a clear from Korea, only to be met with their demands?"
"You mean those absurd conditions?"
The Chief Cabinet Secretary cautiously continued. "Other countries do not yet have the ability to clear B-rank gates. Excluding the US, of course. Therefore, it is our cabinet's judgment that they are currently wary of Cheon Yooshin."
"Ha! Are you saying that other countries, including the US, are wary of Cheon Yooshin, who is merely an individual?"
Those prestigious nations are wary because of just one Cheon Yooshin? It was truly an absurd story.
"Prime Minister. Hunter Cheon Yooshin is no longer just an individual. As time passes, higher-grade gates will appear. And as time passes, the individual capabilities of hunters will increase even more. Other countries are keeping that in mind."
Prime Minister Kenji let out a deep sigh. "Then what should we do?"
The hesitant Chief Cabinet Secretary spoke up. "Accepting the Republic of Korea's demands would be..."
Bang!
"That is nonsense!" The Minister of Finance, who is in charge of the national treasury, stood up abruptly. "Do you know how much that compensation will be if we acknowledge the comfort women? It will far exceed what the national treasury can handle. Our economy is already in a crisis. If we pay astronomical compensation in this situation, our national finances will fall into an unrecoverable state."
The Minister of Foreign Affairs interjected. "But if we go on like this, our country will be completely eaten by those ant bastards."
"Are you saying we should distort our history and sell our national pride for that?"
"This will clearly remain the worst stain in history."
"Public opinion will deteriorate rapidly. It is an absurd choice that could shake our very cabinet!"
Everyone stood up one or two at a time, intent on pushing their own opinions. However, amidst all this commotion, Prime Minister Kenji sat silently in his seat. Looking at the agitated ministers, Prime Minister Kenji spoke slowly.
"Everyone."
It was just one word, but the weight in his voice silenced the room instantly. "We will accept all of the Republic of Korea's demands."
As soon as those words fell, the conference room exploded again.
"Prime Minister!"
"That won't do! It will bankrupt our economy!"
"Please reconsider!"
"Our country's prestige in the international community will plummet. Are we not the strongest power in Asia!"
The voices of each minister mingled, turning the room into chaos. However, Prime Minister Kenji's expression remained unchanged.
"We have no other choice. At the speed the ants are moving, they will reach Tokyo soon. Who will bear the human and material damage in the meantime? As Prime Minister, I must shoulder it all."
Prime Minister Kenji closed his eyes tightly. Letting go of everything actually made him feel at ease. Is this the heart of non-attachment? The times he had spent worrying so as not to lose power now felt futile.
"More than anything, the resistance from the public will be fierce."
Current Japanese public opinion was filled with hostility toward the Republic of Korea. They had put forward unacceptable demands despite being able to help, and because of that, they were wrongly blaming the Republic of Korea for all the immense damage Japan was suffering.
Just then, Prime Minister Kenji called his secretary.
"Release the Taiwan clear footage, now."
"T-that, you mean?" The secretary blinked. It was a record that would do Japan no good if released. But Prime Minister Kenji spoke again in a firm voice.
"Immediately. In the current situation, this is the best option."
"U-understood."
And not long after, the internet exploded. The footage of the C-rank clear in Taiwan was uploaded to YouTube exactly as it was, without any editing. The video showed the truth, which was the exact opposite of what had been known until now.
In the screen, Seiko was pathetic. He was hitting empty air, and Cheon Yooshin saved him. And it was Cheon Yooshin, not Seiko, who faced the boss. Of course, the scene where he stole the final hit along with the items was clearly visible.
Public opinion, which had been criticizing the Republic of Korea until a moment ago, turned around in an instant. Cheon Yooshin, who had been the target of criticism, now turned into an object of sympathy. They praised the unfairness he must have experienced and his maturity in not taking a hostile attitude toward Japan despite it.
Amidst all this commotion, one quiet comment made everyone's keyboard stop.
***
"I don't want to?" Cheon Yooshin said, looking at Team Leader Park Haesu.
"You don't want to?"
Park Haesu, who had returned from Japan, knew. That the Cheon Yooshin in front of him had invested a tremendous amount of money in Japan.
"As time goes on, Japan's damage will be immense."
"That's why."
Yooshin said as if it wasn't worth thinking about.
"No, why...?"
"Why, you ask? The greater Japan's damage, the greater the profit I get, right? And there are still buildings left on the land I bought."
Only then did Park Haesu realize. Why he had told him to buy only the land, not the buildings.
"Then... you mean you aimed for it on purpose?"
Cheon Yooshin nodded as if it were obvious.
"The point where I will cross over is exactly when it passes the outskirts of Tokyo."
After all the buildings on the land he bought have disappeared.
"No, still..."
Park Haesu opened his mouth as if he were concerned, but Cheon Yooshin laughed coldly.
"You should have accepted the help when I offered it. Now that you're in a hurry, you're begging me to come? So what is the profit I get?"
It's a pity for the country of Japan, but Cheon Yooshin was looking at a bigger future. Now B-ranks are starting to appear. Similar to Japan, the US also had B-rank gates appear. Of course, unlike Japan, the US succeeded in clearing the B-rank gates on its own. This is not the first time for the US. They have cleared B-rank gates before. However, this time is different. Because they succeeded in clearing the B-rank gate solo, just like Cheon Yooshin. Thanks to that, the US was in chaos right now.
Anyway. 'I need money.'
This is not the Abyss. Of course, power is the strongest weapon here too. But here, not only power but also money becomes power. Yooshin intended to sweep up Japan's money at this opportunity. With the goal of putting not 2 trillion, but 20 trillion, 200 trillion into his hands.
"And before I cross over, tell the Japanese government clearly. That all the loot from hunting them is mine."
Park Haesu nodded firmly. "Do not worry about that. That is practically a prerequisite."
It's a pity for Japan, but Japan, having suffered the current hardships, will no longer be an economic powerhouse or a hunter powerhouse.
And a few days passed. A private jet carrying Cheon Yooshin was flying toward Tokyo.