Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 030
Chapter Title: The Direction of the Counterattack, Second Strategy Council (1)
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“That’s definitely no lighthearted joke to brush off.”
Choi Uk’s bare face, stripped of the crow mask, was utterly ordinary.
Soft eyes and a neatly trimmed beard.
His outward impression screamed average middle-aged man.
But his words were anything but ordinary. It was like they had this strange pull on your mind.
“Your guess isn’t off the mark either.”
I had just finished explaining about otherworlders and the otherworld’s hunters.
“You don’t seem all that surprised.”
We were riding in a carriage. The passengers: me, Choi Uk, Jeong Ha-kyeong, and Im Yong-gon.
A brief silence.
Jeong Ha-kyeong stared wordlessly out the window at the modern city flashing by, then suddenly spoke up.
“You already knew?”
“Not exactly. I just had my suspicions.”
My throat went dry in that instant.
Ten seconds? Twenty? Only after a long stretch did Choi Uk continue.
“Ever seen corpses in the Nightmare Zone?”
“A few times... not many.”
“That’s the weird part. Seoul had a population of 15 million back then.”
“...!”
“The whole city should be buried in bodies. Where do you think all those corpses went?”
I didn’t answer.
Not because it was hard to understand—but because I didn’t want to.
“The conclusion we can draw right now is [they were dragged to another world]. Just like the otherworlders.”
My mind went cold.
Jeong Ha-kyeong muttered in disbelief.
“So if we die, we become otherworld hunters?”
“No idea.”
“No idea?”
“Speculation only goes so far. There’s no basis for deeper inferences at this point. Isn’t this whole world one big mystery?”
That was when Choi Uk suddenly looked me straight in the eye.
“Much like your existence.”
Chilling.
I gasped involuntarily.
How...? A sensation I couldn’t feel here swept through my body.
The feeling when the Star Messenger peered into my eyes.
Into my soul.
Clunk.
The carriage stopped right then.
Choi Uk turned to look out the window.
Following his gaze.
A grand cathedral rose majestically into view.
“Got carried away with chit-chat. Don’t mind it too much.”
Choi Uk flashed a smile devoid of warmth, and oddly, that sensation vanished like a lie.
“See you inside, then.”
Choi Uk opened the carriage door and stepped out.
The hulking Im Yong-gon, helmet like an overturned metal bucket, followed.
We sat in silence for a moment.
My head was a mess from the inexplicable events... then Jeong Ha-kyeong nudged my shoulder.
“You getting out or what?”
Jeong Ha-kyeong lit a cigarette with a match the moment she hopped off the carriage. Not a Paradise Zone pipe, but a modern filter cigarette.
“He’s grumpy, but not someone to distrust. Probably just overthinks everything—deep guy like that.”
“...Choi Uk?”
“Yeah. Some blabbermouth beast said he was a Y University med school prof. IQ of 200 or something.”
Med school prof with IQ 200?
My jaw dropped on its own.
If I had my Brainphone, I could’ve looked up what kind of genius he was.
But that sensation from earlier?
Genius didn’t even begin to explain it.
“Who’s this blabbermouth beast?”
A voice from behind, out of nowhere.
Jeong Ha-kyeong whipped around, hand darting to her dagger... then the blood drained from her face.
“Why the hell are you here?”
“You? You? What kind of tone is that for your big sis?”
Jeong Ha-kyeong’s sister?
Long stairs leading up to the cathedral. An impressively striking female hunter was descending them.
“Big sis my ass. I’m an only child, no siblings period.”
A bold smile.
Light brown hair in a high ponytail.
A white lab coat like some researcher, with old-fashioned silver-framed glasses.
If I had to pick a standout feature, maybe her height—she was about as tall as me, and I’m tall for a guy.
That was it.
What made her striking was how she didn’t resemble Jeong Ha-kyeong one bit.
“What’re you doing here, Ha-kyeong?”
“Getting ready to kill you.”
“Kim Baek-jun? Is that Baek-jun? No way, for real?!”
What a bizarre situation.
Lately, total strangers keep recognizing me and saying hi...
Must be the level.
After hunting that trap hunter Bartperot and the White Society, mine had shot up to [Lv: 42].
“Hello. Kim Baek-jun.”
I bowed politely to match the mood.
“Whew... our little Ha-kyeong’s all grown up.”
Her “sister” suddenly dabbed at her eye corners.
“This big sis is touched. She’s even going on dates with boys now.”
I grabbed Jeong Ha-kyeong’s back in that instant.
And affectionately ruffled her messy bob.
“Wh-what?”
Jeong Ha-kyeong glanced at me, then exploded.
“It’s not like that, you fucking bitch!”
“Aw, she’s embarrassed. Baek-jun, be understanding. Our Ha-kyeong’s super shy.”
“Yeah, got it.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong flailed, then—Super Acceleration?—bolted away too fast to track.
“Do that again and I’ll kill you.”
Murderous glint in her eyes.
The kind of killing intent that’d shrink a normal person.
But this “sister” just grinned innocently, like it was hilarious.
“For ruining your date? Fine, you little punk.”
“So who the hell are you, anyway?”
I really wanted to know.
From Jeong Ha-kyeong’s reaction, zero chance she was family.
She cleared her throat with an “ahem” and introduced herself.
“I’m Seo Hwa-yun. <Romance>’s tech lead. On the personal side, Jeong Ha-kyeong’s big sis. Report to your big sis before crossing any lines with Ha-kyeong.”
“Total bullshit. Different surnames.”
“Surnames are a minor detail—don’t sweat it.”
No, that’s a major detail...
Anyway, not her real sister. Got it. So this was <Romance>’s third bigwig.
Definitely the eccentric type to roll with Choi Uk and Im Yong-gon.
Treating the mighty Jeong Ha-kyeong like a kid proved she was something else.
“Understood. So what brings you here, Seo Hwa-yun?”
“Obviously to see Baek-jun! And call me noona. I’m 37.”
Uh, nah.
She looked pretty young for 37, though.
“So why me, Seo Hwa-yun?”
“Hoh... got some spine.”
I kept the distance, and she laughed like it was ridiculous.
“Titles can wait. Why? Like I said, came to meet you. No funny business.”
...Huh?
A creepy smile crept over Seo Hwa-yun’s face.
“More precisely, that sword.”
The hilt of the Dawn Sword on my back.
Why the interest in this blade? The contracted holy apostle?
I instinctively stepped back, on guard.
“Huh? No need to be so wary!”
“...?!”
“Just? Purely? Researcher curiosity? That sword burns Heteromorphs, right? Without even being fire-element? Yeah?”
“Y-yeah... that’s...”
“So I’m dying to peek inside. If not, can I at least touch it a little?”
Seo Hwa-yun unleashed a machine-gun barrage of words.
Her face, shoved right up to mine, was flushed red, drool practically pooling—pure terror.
“Enough already.”
It happened almost simultaneously.
The cathedral clock tower began tolling.
And Jeong Ha-kyeong yanked me away from Seo Hwa-yun.
“Pick a time and place for your jealousy.”
“It’s 1 PM. Starts soon.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong pointed at the clock tower echoing through the city. Seo Hwa-yun finally smacked her lips in regret.
“Aw, just when it was getting fun.”
Honestly, relief washed over me.
What the hell was her deal?
Seo Hwa-yun strode up three steps with her long legs.
“See you in the council room! Starts in 20, so don’t be late. No naughty stuff just ‘cause you’re alone, got it?”
“Shove it up your ass.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong flipped her the bird. Seo Hwa-yun laughed like it was adorable and bounded up the stairs.
We couldn’t tear our eyes from her back until she vanished.
“Watch out.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong shuddered, fixing her hair messed up by Seo Hwa-yun’s paws.
“That one’s the most dangerous in <Romance>. Seems she’s taken a shine to you, old man... you might die.”
Obviously a joke, but I totally bought it.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And... lovers... dates... whatever.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong coughed awkwardly and looked down.
“All jokes. Don’t take it seriously.”
“I know without you saying.”
I knew.
Jeong Ha-kyeong was way out of my league.
“Hey, bro.”
Hong Byeong-gyu’s group, arriving in another carriage, joined us then. They eyed me and Jeong Ha-kyeong curiously, back and forth.
“Who the hell was that?”
“Ha-kyeong’s sister, apparently.”
“Fuck that, self-proclaimed! Self-proclaimed!”
Cha Seung-hyeon stroked his chin, then nodded like it made sense.
“Self-proclaimed fits.”
“Why?”
“Both psycho personalities. That’s sibling-level, right? Totally legit.”
Screeech... Amid Cha Seung-hyeon’s agonized yelp, we climbed the stairs.
The cathedral’s main entrance crawled with people.
“Lead Hunter!”
“It’s the Lead Hunter.”
“Holy shit, look at that level. Insane.”
All hunters.
From their levels, rear-guard types. Probably heard rumors of the second council and came to gawk.
Honestly, uncomfortable attention.
“Outta the way, move it!”
Hong Byeong-gyu cleared a path up front.
[Heavy armor] demanding high stats was nightmare hunter symbolism now. Rear-guards scrambled back in alarm.
“Fuck, show’s over. What’s he doing here?”
“Came for rumors of the beauty hunter Jeong Ha-kyeong?”
Post-Seo Hwa-yun funk had Jeong Ha-kyeong low; I joked to cheer her.
She smirked, liking it.
“Look at this old man. Saying something nice for once.”
“Flatterer.”
Cha Seung-hyeon teased her outright.
“Not just flattery—peak flattery.”
Oh, you fool...
By his third wail, we reached the cathedral’s grand hall.
The moment we crossed the threshold.
The air grew heavy, people scarce.
Cathedral. Sanctuary of the stars.
This eerily mystical land was holy ground.
Mysterious melodies whispered in my ears like hallucinations; starlight danced in the candles lighting the hall.
“This way.”
Someone called from across the hall. The sight made me freeze.
[Hall of the Hunt].
Nicknamed the small chapel.
In other words, the provisional council chamber.
Before its massive oak gates stood two grim-faced nightmare hunters on guard.
“Everyone’s waiting.”
Statues lined the hall’s sides.
Passing those creepy deities, we reached the door; the hunters opened it right away.
Creeeeeeeak...
Cold sweat trickled down my back as it groaned open.
April 16, 2045.
Eleven days since the world’s end.
Here, humanity’s second counteroffensive would be decided.
And so I.
Stepped into the blood-red solemn space, the small chapel.
Everything truly crimson.
The ceiling chandelier. The floor carpet. The statues lining the walls.
My stomach churned.
Partly because the statues seemed to stare.
But mostly the carvings on the ceiling creeped me out most.
「Hunters Hunting Heteromorphs」
That swirling blood mural hid a blasphemous mystery stirring human destructive urges.
“Kim Baek-jun.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong poked my side, snapping my gaze from the ceiling.
“They’re all watching. What’re you doing?”
It was true.
At the small chapel’s center loomed a massive round table. Thirty-odd hunters sat around it.
Around 30, maybe.
Nearly half of all surviving nightmare hunters. A testament to <Romance>’s clout.
“The Lead Hunter’s here.”
Choi Uk sat at the head.
Im Yong-gon and Seo Hwa-yun flanked him; she beamed and waved, so I nodded back.
“Don’t dawdle. Take your seat.”
Blood reek.
It thickened as I approached the table.
No surprise.
True nightmare hunters wore it like perfume.
And right now.
Over thirty of those very beings gathered here.