Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Feint to the East, Strike to the West (1)
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[One day later, in a large auditorium in Sejong City. The government's official event venue.]
S-Rank Hunter, Cosplay Maid declares conquest of Jeju Island.
-Give Elaine a buff.
Her declaration got a bit buried under the embarrassment of saying it out loud, but the weight of those words was immense.
She would conquer the S-Rank Tower on Jeju Island.
The hunters applauded the announcement of tackling a tower that had never been cleared before, alongside the others.
But they couldn't celebrate purely.
"Is she planning to solo it again this time?"
"Who knows. She might let us join if we show up in cosplay."
People seated in the auditorium exchanged bitter words with sour faces.
They were all A-Rank hunters who were more popular than celebrities in their own regions, but interest and fame had started to fade with the emergence of the Cosplay Maid.
"I went to the market this time, and a vendor asked me why we weren't clearing that D-Rank Tower."
"What? We're A-Rank. Why should we clear D-Rank? That's for the million newbies to level up on."
"Exactly. If A-Ranks swept every tower, they'd complain we're hogging all the medals and certificates."
It might seem like petty griping, but people get uneasy when they lose what they've enjoyed up to now.
"Where the hell was that monster hiding all this time, making life so hard for us?"
"Hey, at least be grateful. Without her, they'd be ordering us to tackle S-Rank Towers."
"You have no idea why we're all here, do you?"
"Huh?"
"All us A-Ranks gathered here? We're heading to Jeju tomorrow."
"......What?"
And if someone hardworking causes you a bit of trouble or inconvenience, nine out of ten people would think that way.
"Ugh. Why's the Cosplay Maid so damn eager?"
Who are you saying is making us suffer?
Like soldiers in the army hearing "follow that guy's example and work harder," the A-Rank hunters sat with gloomy faces.
"Right now..."
"Shh."
But only three hunters sitting up front, in the VIP seats, were different.
"The S-Ranks look uncomfortable, so let's drop it."
"They probably heard us anyway."
"Even if they did, they won't say anything. We're all party members raiding together."
"What if we catch heat?"
"Adults bickering? We're not kids. Tch, fine. I'll stop."
With three of them—excluding the one still a student—sitting up front, the A-Ranks couldn't ignore them entirely.
"Still, isn't it too much? Suddenly telling us to risk our lives. We've been risking ours all along, but there's a limit."
"The President is entering."
A few hunters awkwardly started to stand at the black-suited aide's words, but sat back down soon after.
The President's entrance.
No matter the hunter era, no matter S- and A-Ranks gathered, basic respect for the head of state was expected.
Only Iron Blood stood, clapping enthusiastically to welcome the President, while others half-heartedly applauded from their seats.
"Ahh, everyone."
The President took the podium, his discomfort showing as he spoke.
"Starting today, we will conquer the Jeju S-Rank Tower with 23 parties assembled here. Led by Iron Blood—"
"Why us?"
An A-Rank hunter raised his hand.
"A-Ranks do A-Rank Towers. S-Ranks do S-Rank. That's the safety rule we've followed."
"The President is still speaking..."
"You always said don't get cocky or you'd die trying S-Rank. Now a foreigner wants S-Rank Tower, so you're panicking and forcing us in?"
"Listen."
"Did I say something wrong?"
The A-Rank's blatant displeasure was problematic for someone, but no other hunter corrected or stopped him.
"So—"
"So, you can't do it?"
Iron Blood stood, turning to the A-Rank.
"Shouldn't we move now?"
"Why rush in now when we can try in two weeks? It's not like grinding raid achievements in an MMORPG. Lives are at stake—can't we proceed calmly and safely?"
"Hey."
"Are we being recorded? Gonna 24/7 news-bomb 'Hunter Kim lacks manners' until we apologize like last time? Go ahead. I won't risk my life just because. I can't."
Despite the aggressive words, even Iron Blood didn't sharply rebuke him.
"Tanking means enduring attacks. In Jeju, one hit kills everyone—how do you tank that?"
He was the strongest tank among A-Ranks.
"You add us to the raid list without asking and expect 'Yes, sir'? Really?"
"Enough..."
"Bro."
The young man up front—Blue Lightning—stood.
"I'll main tank. You off-tank."
"What?"
"It's evasion tanking, but I can take two or three hits where others drop in one."
"......."
"Let's try once. Can't just skip without attempting. Who knows? Might awaken S-Rank mid-clear like that lady."
"I... uh..."
"Whatever that guy says, we're hunters too. Can't just sit and let Cosplay Maid do everything."
"......."
"If it fails, we rethink. If someone refuses, we'll persuade them."
Blue Lightning recited prepared lines with a forced smile to everyone.
"I'll even cosplay Lightning Man. Let's raid together."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "No respect for cosplay."
We ate lunch together and sipped delivered drinks as I chuckled at Blue Lightning's viral statement online.
"Right, Elaine?"
"I'm not cosplaying, but following Master's proposal like charity is quite offensive."
Elaine sipped her smoothie, glaring at the monitor's Blue Lightning.
"Showing leadership in the leader's absence is admirable, but he lacks the qualities."
"Then?"
"Someone like Master is the true leader."
"Thanks, but I have no interest in leading that crowd."
"Why? Half of them do shady stuff behind the scenes?"
Dry pulled a chair next to me.
Elaine's eyebrow twitched slightly, but Dry ignored her, staring at the monitor.
"Gonna assemble only good people?"
"Not that."
As Dry said, you can't form a party of just good people.
Even our party wasn't all saints by design.
Setting aside Elaine, Dry was a "black operative."
Kiharu, who tried to end the world, went without saying.
"As long as they clear towers well, whatever they do behind—fans, gifts, backroom deals—doesn't matter to civilians."
"Before awakening, I thought that way. Just clear everything. Training newbies later—remove threats to people first."
"For someone like that, you're awfully chill now, nya?"
Kiharu climbed onto my head, asking.
"You declared Jeju S-Rank in two weeks, but all you're doing is checking communities and gaming."
"Gaming? Call it spec improvement. Like training for other hunters."
I pointed to the busy multi-windows on screen.
"Thanks to real Elaine buffs, she's meta-tier now. Quests cleared."
Worked.
Because Elaine said it outright, NPia patched her—my fully geared Elaine—to current meta.
Not just stats.
Game devs added an Elaine strengthening quest this morning, needing justification.
"Elaine. Feel stronger?"
"Mana efficiency improved. The buff is noticeable."
Elaine got stronger.
Game influence undeniable, but act unrelated and it's fine.
Cosplay's just a hobby.
Look like concept players, no one suspects game basis.
"And Kiharu. When did I say I'm waiting leisurely?"
"Huh?"
"We'll do Jeju in two weeks. But..."
I opened SNS.
"Didn't say no other towers meanwhile?"
"...No way?"
"Elaine. One more cosplay possible?"
"Any cosplay for Master's orders. Even as a Cosplay Hunter imitating Elaine."
"Good. Then..."
I pulled out a prepared parcel.
"Master said not to open that? ...Surprise?"
"Yeah. Surprise. Not dangerously revealing."
I tore it open.
"Took effort matching colors, but for that place, holiday best."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Snap.
"Contact at this hour..."
President Luigi grabbed his bedside smartphone.
Blinked repeatedly to adjust to the screen light.
"......?"
The message was confusing in many ways.
Transport ship support request...? Right now...?
Destination.
"...Dokdo?"