Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: 1+1 (1)
[One day later, southern United States. San Diego.]
Shwaaa.
San Diego, southern United States.
It shared a border with Mexico—a place that, until recently, had seen countless refugees crossing over.
That was before the Tower era began. Once the Towers appeared, refugees stopped flooding into the US from the border in droves.
Why?
Because of talk like this:
"Isn't Mexico safer than the US?"
"America's got way more S-Rank Towers than Mexico—except for Panama. Why risk crossing into danger?"
This stemmed from the number and locations of S-Rank Towers, with the biggest example being the one in the Panama Canal—where Master had just declared his intent to raid.
"If Master takes down the Panama Canal Tower, Central America will basically be safe!"
And for that Panama Canal raid...
The US government had ordered its Hunters to gather in San Diego.
"Hey, James. You saying we gotta expedition all the way to Panama?"
The Panama Canal Tower raid expedition.
The government had asked western Hunters if they wanted to join voluntarily. Those who said yes had converged on San Diego by private jet, car, or whatever means they had.
"There are plenty of other S-Rank Towers besides Panama."
"We can't live with supply lines cut off forever."
About thirty Hunters—from A-Rank down to C-Rank—gathered for the S-Rank Tower raid, eyeing each other nervously.
"What the hell is the government thinking, rounding us up like this?"
"They said we'd know when we got here, so we're here to see for ourselves. Master cleared the Golden Gate, didn't he? He's got a plan."
"Damn, they don't think Panama's US soil or something, do they?"
"Hey now, you doubting Master's common sense? It's not like he thinks the US built the canal so it's ours. It's because the canal handles shipping not just for the US but the whole world—he's considering that."
The Panama Canal.
Master had declared through the president's mouth, "I'm still hungry," and sent the battleship Illinois south.
"Truth is, we have no choice but to raid Panama. That's the way to the US East Coast. If anything, it's thinking of America more."
"Yeah. Otherwise, we'd have to loop all the way down to South America."
It was just the shortest path anyway.
Raiding an S-Rank Tower along the way, heading to the US south and east where clusters of them awaited.
A classic case of killing two birds with one stone.
Someone might ask why these Hunters came all the way here.
Just to see off and salute the departing Illinois?
Not at all.
"Hey."
"What."
"We can board the Illinois, right?"
They hadn't gathered in San Diego to salute the Illinois from afar.
They were here to board its deck themselves.
"We can only stay in designated deck zones—like fighters on a carrier. Stuck on deck only."
"But we can ride it, yeah?"
"Yeah."
These thirty Hunters weren't here to wave goodbye as the Illinois headed to raid Panama.
They were going to raid it together.
At Master's invitation.
"Think it'll work? You and me are just C-Ranks."
"Hey. I've been studying up on Korea lately."
"Yeah?"
"Heard this word."
"What?"
"Carry."
"...What's that? Like when someone says they'll carry?"
"An S-Rank Hunter carrying us."
Shwaaa.
"They're letting us board the Illinois personally, then join the Panama Canal S-Rank Tower raid."
The battleship approached San Francisco Bay under escort.
"!!"
The Hunters sensed it.
They'd seen footage of the Illinois jumping into the Golden Gate raid Tower, but up close with Hunter senses, its power hit harder.
"Insane mana output...!"
"Who knew a battleship could give off S-Rank Hunter vibes."
The mana pouring from the battleship Illinois.
Stronger than the combined mana of all thirty Hunters here.
And now that Illinois was docking right here in San Diego where they waited.
Its deck was empty, but green zones—marked by some LED-like glow—shimmered faintly.
"Permission zones?"
"I know. Those are safety zones. Safe areas."
"Safe from what?"
"Monsters. And from Master if you probe the Illinois too much."
Permitted zones.
No exceptions for C-Rank or A-Rank.
"...What if."
The San Diego Hunters recalled the footage they'd watched en route here, over and over.
"If we fight freely on deck under Illinois's protection..."
"With Illinois as our bunker, lobbing ranged attacks from below?"
The Golden Gate raid footage from drones.
Thousands, tens of thousands of monstrous birds plummeted from Illinois's barrages—none ever soiled its deck.
Illinois was a battleship, but also had a "shield."
"Under Illinois's protection... getting carried and farming EXP?"
"Yeah. Master's saying he won't level up alone..."
"We'll all level up."
The Hunters checked their ranged weapons and began stepping toward the docked Illinois, one by one.
"So we all get stronger together, raid that 'mega-Tower' in the sky, and return the world to normal."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Thank you, Master. Thanks to your proposal first, they gathered faster than expected.]
"No problem."
I was more impressed watching the US Hunters take positions one by one on the Illinois's deck.
"No draft orders like in Korea, and Hunters volunteering like this? Didn't see that coming."
[Hahaha...]
President Luigi laughed awkwardly.
In the US, even licensing as a Hunter was seen as a privacy violation by some. Forcing them by law? Unthinkable.
It existed, sure.
America had its share of people wanting to direct great power under "controlled freedom."
Like stories of superhuman control laws clashing with empowered folks. Most agreed it was necessary but shouldn't suppress freedom.
Hunters too.
[These 30 on Illinois are driven by justice. I'd appreciate it if you didn't badmouth those who didn't join the government's call.]
"Got it."
About 200 A- to C-Rank Hunters registered in the US West.
Seemed low, but folks were saying of these 30, "You're jumping into hell?"
S-Rank Tower and all.
"I get why they hesitate to join S-Rank raids. Lives on the line. That's why we'll clear Panama Canal thoroughly. Safe, no deaths, no injuries."
[Thank you, Master. But, uh...]
President Luigi hesitated.
[For those you rejected who wanted to join, the government will care for them as best we can. But...]
"Can't take mentally unstable folks on my ship. Non-negotiable."
One minor issue.
"Alcoholics? Fine. Racism? Deep-rooted history, hard to fix overnight. But sucking drugs on my ship? No."
[Ahem.]
"Told smokers to use the lifeboats if they must—not the deck. Those who bailed because they wanted to smoke on Illinois? Good riddance."
Even if riding Illinois, my summon—fine for transport, but dirtying it? Unforgivable.
Illinois was like my house.
Lots of guests in the living room fighting together? Eating there okay, but sucking smokes? No.
Especially if it's not tobacco but white powder disguised as cigs.
[Master. I don't like dredging up the past, but is this about 'that incident'?]
"Not entirely, but it influences things."
Just some history.
A favored Hunter went rogue on drugs, rampaged, caused a big accident.
Mass casualties.
"Anyway, count on me. I'll prep my way too."
[Understood. We'll keep info locked tight. Stay safe, Master.]
"Yes."
Beep.
Phone down, I grab the tablet on my thigh.
"Dry. Distance to destination?"
"Hm, about 350 miles?"
"......."
"Kidding. Haha. Knew the commander wasn't cut out for American life."
Dry snickered, gripping the 'wheel.'
"Heading north nonstop. Nap. I'll spot gunfire or bombs. Recline fully?"
"Yeah, safe drive till we arrive."
I tilt the seat back, grab my smartphone.
"Homework en route. Safe drive to next raid spot."
Vroom.
The 'car' speeds north.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Two hours later, Los Angeles. Some government building's temp conference room.]
"This is more grueling than a European summit."
President Luigi slumped in the temp office chair, chuckling dryly before waving a hand.
Clatter.
Aides rushed out, leaving one advisor before the president.
"Mr. President. If you're tired, rest..."
"Illinois carrying 30 US Heroes through Mexico—how can I sit still? Gotta check if Mexico alerted Central Americans right, make sure no one bugs Illinois in Panama."
The president massaged his temples, smiling wryly.
"Sorry to Hunters, but they're really sentries keeping others off Illinois. They'll have figured it out by now."
"...But they're still helping raid Panama Tower."
"Yeah. Panama's like Golden Gate—not exactly, but a battlefield where Illinois shines."
"...Mr. President."
Aide Patrick subtly raised his smartphone.
"Internet's distracted by 'Golden Gate raid footage' for now..."
"Views?"
"Over 1.4 billion already."
"In one day."
President Luigi clapped lightly.
"Good. Drip-feed follow-ups. Oh, the account..."
"Made for Master. Revenue all to his US account."
"Perfect. Split clips to max views. When they finish the finale..."
President Luigi held up two fingers.
"Upload two teaser trailers for the next."