Chapter 66
Chapter 66
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: I'm Still Hungry (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
On top of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Several cars had taken up positions on the bridge, which would normally be under strict control.
"Everyone, right now we are...."
"According to the government's official announcement...."
Reporters with broadcasting logos clipped to their mics stood on the bridge roadway, the S-Rank Tower at their backs as they spoke to the citizens watching through their cameras.
In some country, you might have people setting up their smartphones on tripods nearby and yelling something like "Hey, brothers!!" regardless of the broadcasts, but you wouldn't hear that here on top of the Golden Gate Bridge, at least.
"Ah, let me in...."
Clack.
"No can do, sir. Yes."
Not just police cars—special forces were controlling the bridge.
The officers glared at approaching citizens with eyes that seemed ready to open fire at any moment, but the citizens felt no fear.
Because it was just everyday life.
Anyone pulling stunts against the cops would be the weird one.
In America, at least, messing around with police was basically saying, "I wanna get tased or shot right now."
Not that it was excessive force against some specific race or anything—it was just crowd control for an S-Rank Tower raid. Nobody disobeyed.
And if someone did? They'd be gone quick.
So whether broadcasters or citizens, all they could do was wait desperately for the S-Rank Tower to be cleared.
Well, if anything else...
"The S-Rank Tower raid has now passed three hours and thirty minutes. What do the experts think?"
"Compared to other S-Rank Tower clears, they'd still be deep inside, but considering Master's average clear time, this is running a bit long."
How long would it really take Master to clear it?
"I'm told the inside of the Golden Gate Tower is a vast ocean. How long can the Iowa-class fifth ship, the Illinois, stay operational?"
"We can't compare it to the real-world Illinois. According to government officials, this one's a battleship with combat power and mission capabilities that rival America's latest modern warships...."
What forces did Master bring to bear, and would there be any real difficulty clearing the dungeon?
"Let's look at the footage first. This is video from an A-Rank Hunter who entered the tower in the past. As soon as they go in, it's an ocean with monstrous birds appearing...."
"That's exactly why they brought a battleship. Is there any better stage for one than the open sea?"
"I see... In that case, let's bring in our economics expert. Doctor, if the Golden Gate reopens, what economic impact would there be?"
"The effects would be beyond words. Think Korea's Han River bridges—eight of them blocked, then reopening...."
What happens after Master clears the dungeon.
Such discussions flew back and forth.
But there was one topic people didn't dare bring up casually.
"Why can't the existing Heroes clear towers... Mmph!"
"What a clueless idiot."
Why couldn't the veteran hunters achieve results like this?
Nobody tossed that out lightly.
"Just say Master's amazing. Got it?"
"Master respects the hunters who've been active before. Who are you to insult them? You wanna get 'Iron Blood' treatment too?"
"Ugh...!"
It was the global era.
Everyone knew why Master had left Korea for America, so they couldn't speak carelessly.
"We absolutely can't disappoint Master. What if he gets fed up and leaves for another country?"
"This is America."
"What if Korea pulls off their S-Rank miracle on the peninsula or whatever and totally turns things around? What then? You gonna take responsibility if Master goes back?"
"...Can't say a word."
"That's how high Master's status is."
Land of the free.
Freedom of speech.
Everyone knew that freedom applied to all—but it came with responsibility.
And with Towers scattered worldwide, still plenty in America, you couldn't treat the guy clearing them lightly.
Especially not in a country like the US, vast land with relatively few hunters.
"But y'know, even this flower-viewing party's only possible 'cause Master clears the tower—"
Rumble rumble rumble.
Just as they were wondering when he'd emerge...
The tower began to shake.
"...Break?"
Was the dungeon breaking, about to flood the area with seawater?
At that thought, the people gathered near the bridge started panicking and fleeing one by one.
BOOM!!
At the summit of the S-Rank Tower.
From the very top, a single ship burst out, smashing through something as it escaped.
"Th-that's...!"
The Illinois.
A battleship leaping from the top of a tower over 100 meters tall.
"No way, the clear fa—"
"It's not a failure!"
The tower began to crumble.
Just like every tower in Korea, the Golden Gate S-Rank Tower collapsed and fell apart.
From the top of the crumbling behemoth, the Illinois shot out as if fleeing for its life.
And then.
Slowly, it began plummeting toward the sea.
Not diving bow-first, but holding perfectly level as it hurtled downward.
"E-emergency!!"
The people on the Golden Gate Bridge freaked out in shock.
BOOM!!
The Illinois hit the water.
For a moment, it seemed like the impact might shatter or destroy it, but the ship plunged into the sea amid a massive spray, then rose back to the surface.
Splashhhh.
Water spraying everywhere.
It looked like a tsunami heading for the bridge, but the waves crested just short of the bridge's waterline, teasingly close.
"......."
The tower, gone.
The Illinois, out.
It was the very picture of a hunter's attitude after clearing a tower and exiting.
"O-oh...."
People rubbed their eyes, staring at the Golden Gate.
No matter how many times they looked, what should have been there was simply... gone.
"Ooooh!!"
"The S-Rank Tower!!!"
"It's cleared!!"
WAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!
The citizens' cheers were powerful enough to shake the Golden Gate Bridge.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...The waves from the Illinois feel smaller than this uproar."
The enthusiasm exceeded all imagination.
The crowds gathered around the Golden Gate, including on the bridge itself, erupted into frenzied joy.
"Whoa."
The atmosphere among the citizens on the bridge screen was a full-blown festival.
"Is this America?"
Bouncing around was nothing—people started exchanging deep, passionate kisses like the ending of some blockbuster movie.
Heck, even—
"Ew, that's gonna need censoring."
They say at World Cup watch parties, folks get so overjoyed they strip naked in celebration. Never thought I'd see it live.
Korea?
Who'd bare their chest and cheer like that?
Hugging it out would be plenty.
'Still, seeing them so happy puts me in a good mood.'
I had zero interest in the economic ripple effects or whatever profits came after clearing the Golden Gate.
Just that one world-threatening element was gone, and people were thrilled about it.
And one stack toward the fifth summon had ticked up to [1/6].
That alone was plenty to be happy about.
Beep beep.
My phone rang.
I figured someone might call right after exiting the dungeon, and sure enough, it was President Luigi.
"Yes, Mr. President."
[...So many things I want to say.]
His voice was a little hoarse.
Overcome with emotion, maybe? Even with others clearly around him, I could hear the choked-up quiver plain as day.
[Congratulations on your safe return, Master.]
"Not on the clear?"
[Even if it had failed, your survival alone would be cause for gratitude. But you succeeded? Perfect.]
"I see."
[Name anything. What do you want? As President—no, as an American and your friend—whatever it is, we'll do our absolute best.]
Not just empty words.
I was on the call live, but through the broadcast feed Dryad had up on the bridge display, I could see exactly where the President was calling from.
In front of other politicians.
Cameras, broadcasters going live with his image.
My voice wouldn't make the feed, but his words, expressions, and the conversation's context? Broadcasting to the world right now.
"...Anything at all, you said?"
[Yes. Anything.]
President Luigi's face flashed a momentary oh crap expression.
"In that case."
From the moment I'd cleared the dungeon and emerged, the line popped into my head, and I recited it.
"I'm...."
[...What?]
And President Luigi's face flooded with instant panic.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [One hour later, press conference room.]
"Hey, Frank. See? He's Korean, not American. Pops out after clearing and hits the President with a demand that throws him off."
"James, that makes him more American, doesn't it? A Korean would've humbly replied, 'Grateful just for the clear.'"
"Damn, you've already gone full American style."
"Clear give-and-take, that's all."
The reporters gathered in the press room waited for the President to appear at the empty podium.
"What the hell did Master say that's dragging this out?"
"Dunno. Demanding a mansion or something? Like Michael Jackson's place."
"That'd be... iffy."
"Iffy? Even for clearing an S-Rank Tower, handing over the King of Pop's house...."
"Doesn't the owner live elsewhere now?"
"Not the point... sigh."
While they waited, the reporters could only lob suspicions at each other.
"James, what would you demand?"
"One year's U.S. defense budget."
"......You nuts?"
"Nuts? Pour all the defense budget you want—can it clear an S-Rank Tower? Four hours tops, Golden Gate's open again, West Coast safer. That's a bargain."
"With that budget... urgh, never mind."
"What about you?"
"...Me? Uh, a night with an A-Rank Hunter?"
"You crazy bastard?"
"Why not? Could happen."
"He has a [Maid]. An A-Rank Hunter?"
"Ah."
Gossip and fantasies flew amid the chatter.
"The President is entering."
With the aide's announcement, President Luigi took the podium.
The moment the reporters saw his stiff expression, a few veterans read the subtext instantly.
"President Luigi! What did Master demand?!"
Before the aides or other reporters could glare at the black-haired journalist, the President reached out and seized the mic.
"I'll relay Master's words exactly."
President Luigi tapped the mic briefly.
"In 2002, the World Cup national team coach said it."
"??"
"I'm still hungry."
"......!!"
I'm still hungry.
"Master has already begun preparations for the next S-Rank Tower."
"Wow."
The blond, blue-eyed reporter let out an exclamation.
"Fast as ever."