Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 034
Chapter Title: Counterattack Begins: Gyonnamdong Recapture Operation (1)
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0.
Let me talk a bit about Gyonnamdong.
Geographically, it sits on the border between Seodaemun-gu and Jongno-gu.
This administrative district, which once served as the gateway to Jongno-gu, was famous for its massive residential complexes.
It had a huge resident population.
Naturally, extra-large educational, religious, convenience, and housing facilities were densely packed in.
Big schools.
Big cathedrals and churches.
Big apartments and skyscrapers.
Yes. Gyonnamdong glittered with its beautifully distinctive buildings.
But now.
Those same beautiful features had turned Gyonnamdong into the foothills of a nightmare.
Twelve known types of Heteromorphs were said to inhabit this place.
Information gaps lead to death, but unfortunately, there are still far more unidentified Heteromorphs.
And yet.
In this Gyonnamdong.
Far too many varieties of Heteromorphs lurked and lived.
Heteromorphs love damp, dark places, and this ruined city was mostly damp and dark anyway.
Heteromorphs make their living by ambushing Hunters in the darkness.
If it's a familiar type, you're lucky, but if it's unfamiliar, your odds are at best fifty-fifty.
Fifty-fifty odds mean a fifty percent chance of death.
That's the insane mortality rate we saw in the first week after the fall.
That's why us Nightmare Hunters called that fearsome city, in voices thick with dread.
The [Old City District].
1.
Like the sun.
Five giant stars shine in the sky.
They're the size of the sun but about as bright as the moon. Strangely, their light comes in all colors.
White.
Black.
Crimson.
Dark blue.
Dark purple.
According to the Star Messenger's sermons.
They are the holy domains of the five absolute gods—absolute beings even among the Holy Apostles.
More supreme than any star.
More magnificent than any star.
More cruel than any star.
At the docks, under the light of those stars.
The night before departure, I looked up at them.
I lowered my gaze.
To glimpse the weary bustle of daily life.
Citizens fishing from boats. Citizens hauling cargo.
The brands stamped on their foreheads.
[Fisherman] or [Laborer].
“…….”
Watching the scene.
I silently downed my coffee.
At a coffee stand. At a table set up outside.
They worked like this every day.
Most goods Hunters need are produced by Paradise Zone citizens.
Food, clothing, weapons... even entertainment.
“Raid's tomorrow already, huh?”
From the seat next to me.
Cha Seung-hyeon sipped his chocolate milk, and Yoon Geon-woo, slumped over the table out of boredom, yawned.
“Th-the time drags on forever…….”
Yoon Geon-woo was (once) a college student with a perpetually tired face.
Everything seemed like a hassle; his hair was a wild mess, and patchy stubble showed.
He sometimes stuttered, but that didn't mean he hated dealing with people.
“Not something to say in front of them.”
Kim Gye-sang gently chided him.
“They work seventeen hours a day, I heard.”
“Crazy, for real?”
Yoon Geon-woo looked shocked at the murderous workload.
“Might as well live in the outskirts.”
“Who knows. DMC Station felt lively, but they're not living as well as Paradise citizens. They're worse off in every way.”
He was right.
That truth was the reality of Paradise and the outskirts. Kim Gye-sang gazed at the docks with gloomy eyes.
“Look over there…… Even the kids are pulling in nets.”
Feeling bitter, I reached for my coffee again when a warm-faced middle-aged man tapped my shoulder. Hong Byeong-gyu.
“You okay?”
“The coffee?”
“Tomorrow's assault. Taking down the Subordinates is your job, man. You good?”
“Worried?”
“Of course. That last time…… you barely survived.”
“We wanna go with you…….”
“But <Romance> shoves us back with levels, so no arguing.”
Genuine concern on their faces.
Good people. It made my chest tighten for no reason.
The Dawn Sword, leaning against the table.
As I caressed its rusted hilt, the blade gave off a warm dawn glow.
“I'll be fine.”
The fight with Cha-Ratevil was solo.
But this time was different.
We had Crow Hunter Choi Uk, and the strongest, Im Yong-gon.
“Kim Gye-sang's with me. And Seung-hyeon, Geon-woo, and Byeong-gyu covering the rear.”
They exchanged awkward smiles at my words.
That warm vibe swept away the tension squeezing my chest.
I can do this.
I can do it this time too.
I clenched my fist like a vow.
“By the way, Baek-jun.”
“……?”
“Gonna visit Park Ji-yeon before we head out?”
Park Ji-yeon?
Still hospitalized?
No word from the hospital meant she was probably still in a coma.
“I see. I was planning to after she wakes up.”
That made sense.
No point going now; I'd just sit there.
“Boss, if you're going, sneak off without Ha-kyeong noona knowing.”
“Why?”
“Tsk tsk tsk. Lead Hunter bro. Know what the scariest war in the world is?”
Hong Byeong-gyu threw out the weird question, and I chuckled.
“What?”
“War between women.”
War between women?
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“J-just be careful so no murder happens, hyung.”
What the hell.
What's with the group act?
“What're you talking about?”
A woman's voice cut in.
Jeong Ha-kyeong stood at the table, unnoticed until now.
“Oh, Ha-kyeong.”
I greeted her.
But Hong Byeong-gyu and Cha Seung-hyeon whistled and looked away.
“Business done?”
“Yeah. Get me some coffee too.”
She looked rougher than usual.
Her body caked in blood and flesh bits, reeking badly.
Jeong Ha-kyeong…… that errand she mentioned wasn't……
“Hunting?”
“Yeah. Needed soul stones.”
“You could've asked me to come.”
“Nah. What am I, a kid?”
Same old banter.
She plopped into the seat next to me as if it were natural (poor Hong Byeong-gyu got shoved aside).
“You know me so well. Sis ain't a kid; she's a mid-twenties spinster.”
Cha Seung-hyeon's tease made Yoon Geon-woo and Hong Byeong-gyu burst out laughing.
“Fuck off, you little shit. You're dead.”
“Sorry.”
“Hey, scoot over. All size and no sense.”
Hong Byeong-gyu made a hurt face and shifted his big butt.
“What to eat. Fuck, craving something sweet bad.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong scanned the menu, then waved over a girl branded [Server].
“Black coffee and egg toast here.”
“Yes!”
Watching her.
I noticed her unusual outfit. A half-face gas mask around her thin neck.
It was eerie, yet oddly familiar.
Overall shape: pitch-black skull.
But the jawbone twisted just so, like a creepy grin. Grotesque.
And it radiated an alien power.
Wait.
Where had I felt this before?
As I sneaked glances, Kim Gye-sang spoke first.
“New fashion?”
“This?”
“Yeah. The skull.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong turned her gaze away from me like she was hiding it. Kim Gye-sang smiled, intrigued.
“Ah-ha. Baek-jun gave it to you, huh.”
“Didn't say that.”
She denied it, and Kim Gye-sang tilted his head.
“Your face is saying it.”
“How does a face talk?”
“It's your expression.”
“Eat shit.”
“If you buy, gladly.”
“I said eat shit.”
“If you buy.”
Kim Gye-sang had this classy vibe.
Simple [Light Armor], pale blue hooded cape. Even in such plain clothes, he gave off noble vibes.
“So, is it?”
Handsome guy like that must have tons of dating experience.
“……No?”
Jeong Ha-kyeong was starting to crack.
“It is.”
Finally, she admitted it reluctantly.
“Fine, fuck! That psycho bastard's item. Happy?”
Ah. That's why it looked familiar.
Gear forged from Trap Hunter Bartperot's soul stone.
Creepy, sure……
But on Jeong Ha-kyeong, it matched her decadent beauty pretty well.
“Good thing. Suits you perfectly.”
“R-really?”
“Of course.”
Happy she was using it well. She turned away at my smile, cheeks red in the lantern light.
“Keek kee ruk kuk. Ping-ppi-ro-ping-bong.”
Cha Seung-hyeon laughed with weird noises.
“Why the fuck you laughing again, asshole.”
“Just…… Hope we can keep gathering like this and laughing.”
“…….”
The mood sobered instantly.
Hong Byeong-gyu gently patted Cha Seung-hyeon's head.
“In Muak-dong. A noona I knew died. She was super strong.”
“Seong Yu-ra?”
“Yeah. We fought together then. And invincible Shin Tae-yeop and <GodSpring> vanished too…….”
That's why I'm scared.
Cha Seung-hyeon didn't say it outright. But it was clear in his tone.
“Then should we not go?”
I asked quietly.
Everyone looked shocked I'd say that.
“No.”
How much time passed.
Cha Seung-hyeon shook his head.
“I don't want to. Don't wanna keep living in a place like this.”
“…….”
“At DMC Station. Talking with the kids…… I felt it. Man, I wanna go back to how it was.”
“Me too.”
“Shin Tae-yeop and Choi Uk hyung said it. We have to do this hunt, and only we can. So we're going.”
Ah…… This fine kid.
After the first assault, White Society subjugation, and prepping for the second, he'd matured fast.
His rapid growth amazed me, and the world forcing it terrified me.
“What can we do? We're all too damn good-looking to slack off, so let's stare while we can.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong grinned unusually.
Everyone burst into laughter at the pun.
Wait.
Something flashed in my mind then.
“How about linking up a Dreamline?”
“Dreamline?”
“Means 'line connecting dreams.' Simply, share dreams to connect them.”
Back in special forces.
Nights before missions, we'd share dreams like that. Mostly simple ones.
“Craving mom's fresh kimchi, or that one pizza place…….”
“Got it. But why connect them?”
“So the ones left behind can fulfill those dreams for us.”
“Sounds fun.”
Hong Byeong-gyu jumped in right away.
Everyone's dreams were modest, embarrassed.
But one stood out, big and memorable: Kim Gye-sang's.
“I want to build a school.”
“A school?”
“How, right now?”
“Not hard. Hunters can hire citizens. White Society did it—we turn it around.”
First time.
Seeing Kim Gye-sang excited like that.
“An elementary school. For kids too young to work. Teach them there. Hope, not despair. And the beautiful old world too.”
“Old world? Why?”
“So they adapt fast later.”
At Jeong Ha-kyeong's question, Kim Gye-sang glanced at me.
“After Baek-jun restores the world.”
“Me?”
“You're the Lead Hunter. Gotta live up to the name.”
“Whew…… Heavy shoulders.”
I laughed. We all laughed.
Not mocking Kim Gye-sang's dream—we laughed with him. Finally, I reached my hand to the table.
“Now swear. That we'll remember each other.”
“Your wish is too simple, easy to remember.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong blinked oddly.
While Hong Byeong-gyu chuckled and stacked his hand on mine.
“Fuck, we're not kids. Embarrassing.”
She grumbled but was second after him. Then Yoon Geon-woo.
“If I really die, eat 20 sets of Huang-ol chicken legs for me.”
One by one.
All hands piled up.
Heavy. Short time-wise, but bonds forged in death feel like that.
“Let's do this before every assault.”
Kim Gye-sang, last hand on, said.
“All of us back together, not missing one.”
This bond might seem poignant. But in truth, it was fragile.
We were in the heart of a ruined world. Citizens devoured by nightmare.
Yes.
We knew that.
Thought we knew so well……
Why, that day.
Did we dare hope we could all go to the end together?
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