Chapter 426
Chapter 426
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 426
>Chapter Title: Deliberations of the Night Kings
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While the events at the Star Graveyard were being thoroughly uncovered, the beings lurking in the darkness who had received the news were murmuring among themselves.
Naturally, the atmosphere was far from pleasant.
The Kings of the Night, seated around a round table, discussed the main agenda in irritated tones.
"The Star Graveyard operation has failed."
"Was the power of Disaster truly that immense?"
"Who knows."
"The intelligence wasn't flawed, was it?"
Everyone shot back looks of shock at the final question.
"You... are you doubting His intentions right now?"
"N-No... I just mean even He can't verify every single piece of information personally."
"...Even if that's true, the mistake is on our side. Watch your mouth."
"...Right. It couldn't be helped, then. But why can't we gauge the strength of Disaster's power?"
"Because all the investigators were killed."
"What? What the hell does that mean?"
"I'm hearing this for the first time too. Didn't they lose to Disaster?"
"They didn't even make it that far. They were all eliminated by the investigators."
"This is insane... You sure?"
"Positive. One survivor hid among the living and confirmed how it all went down."
"So, what's the conclusion?"
"We underestimated their power... that's about it."
The Kings of the Night never dreamed that mere hounds from the Investigation Bureau could thwart an operation tied to Disaster.
The subordinates they'd sent this time were monsters capable of taking down hundreds of regular soldiers single-handedly.
After all, they regenerated no matter how many times they were stabbed or sliced.
"To think the Investigation Bureau had that kind of backbone..."
"Those bunglers pulling it off with what power? They've always been scrambling just to clean up messes."
"Seems they were different this time. Not only did they deploy personnel in advance, but they had some serious heavyweights mixed in."
"Throwing in one or two executives for meetings has always been their style. Why suddenly embed real powerhouses now?"
"That's exactly why it's suspicious. The ones they took out were high-caliber—high compatibility ratings. There was even one that wouldn't die even after losing its head. And they all got wiped out."
"......"
"Our tail on the Sansi family seems to have been discovered and killed too. Hm... nothing but bad news."
*Gulp... Gulp...*
A massive man who had been downing wine slammed his glass down hard.
*Boom-!*
The oak glass shattered into pieces.
"Things are going to shit. What the hell?"
"Well, it's not a huge loss for us in the end."
"What?"
"Disaster's power was on His orders anyway, so it was a shot worth taking even if we came up empty. It's a bit regrettable that not all the nobles in the Star Graveyard were wiped out, but the real issue... is that even if we took no damage, they gained something."
The bespectacled man seated across from him held up a finger.
"First, the Investigation Bureau might have recovered the legendary power of Disaster. Second, the surviving nobles are starting to band together because of this."
"Damn it... Toothless scarecrows banding together won't change much, but it still gives them unnecessary leverage."
"The operation was inevitable once launched. We need to face the results and devise countermeasures. The silver lining is that the Federation nobles are arrogant fools who haven't progressed a jot in their long history."
The table was round and equal.
They all voiced the same opinions and nodded in agreement.
However, one had kept silent until now. Someone asked for his take.
"Gobben, what do you think? Any way to break their unity or keep them in check?"
"Hmm..."
"Gobben?"
"More than that... I'm thinking they might have caught our tail."
"...What?"
"There's trouble with the distribution network. The Investigation Bureau suddenly started digging deep into the home flows. Had to burn a few clean warehouses because of it."
"...Heard about that, but... you think it's connected to this incident?"
"Yeah, they might have targeted the homes."
"Damn... that's the worst-case scenario."
The home flows were their golden goose, laying infinite wealth—and packed with hidden secrets they absolutely could not lose.
"So, I'm thinking of asking once."
"You have a plan?"
"Just show them our power. Simple logic. They're overconfident right now. Their momentum is up, that's why they're banding together. Crush the power they've prepared so pathetically, and they'll scatter in fear. You all know how cunning nobles are anyway."
"Heh heh... Yeah, they'll cut and run right away. I like it. What's the concrete plan?"
"I'm deliberately leaking the location of one warehouse. Expect a big raid in a few days. Originally planned to lure them in and blow it sky-high, but the Star Graveyard mess makes me uneasy. Bombs might not do fatal damage. Thinking of setting a trap and waiting instead."
"Who's going?"
"Benhugh and his crew."
"That lazy ass... Perfect. He'll slaughter them all and come back grinning."
Everyone nodded.
It drew out their scant faith in Benhugh and his subordinates' strength.
"Understood. We'll go with that."
"Oh, right—and about the raven insignia."
"Tekon! Totally forgot that guy even existed."
Tekon was the one Kang Seol had massacred along with his men. If he hadn't messed with Kang Seol, he'd probably be here brainstorming countermeasures too.
"So far, we've identified about 167 groups linked to the raven."
"That's a lot."
"Half are cults. Black magic types."
"Crazy bastards. We didn't get bitten by those, did we?"
"Nah, doesn't seem like it... Probably in the other half, but it'll be hard to pinpoint."
"Guys who wiped out Tekon's forces in one go? Can't narrow it down?"
"As you know, Tekon's forces weren't that strong... Over 20 groups could pull it off at full strength. And one interesting rumor tied to this..."
"Interesting rumor?"
"That the Eastern Dragon fell."
"Hongcheon, you mean. Heard something went sideways while he was scheming over there. Khan's hiding info, right? You hear anything?"
"Yeah, apparently one of the groups that helped the Warlords against it used a raven symbol."
"So? Doesn't seem related."
"...Just, there was that rumor."
"What... empty calories."
* * *
A few days later, Sansi Mariju visited Kang Seol's lodgings.
"We're planning to operate under the name Silver Lion Society."
"...Silver Lion?"
"It's one of the sacred beasts of the Northern Federation. A noble creature wandering the snowfields."
Kang Seol responded with soulless agreement from lips that matched his utterly disinterested eyes.
"Ah...."
"What's with that face? Super displeased... More importantly, why's So-mi doing that?"
Han So-mi was there too. For some reason, Gail had sent her right on time for the appointment.
But she was pointing a massive crossbow she'd never wielded before this way and that, making "Pew! Pew!" sounds.
"Pew! Pew! You're already dead."
"...So-mi."
"Ah, not literally dead, of course. Just in my head. This Endbringer always thirsts for blood."
The crossbow Han So-mi had acquired.
It was a peerless item.
She'd opened the chest with a key, and it had presented itself amid radiant light.
Normally compact on her wrist, but infusing it with mana via a special method made it grow huge like that.
'Honestly... not curious at all.'
All this info had been force-fed to him.
"Silver Lion? Nice name. I'm Endbringer Maker Han So-mi."
"Uh... sure...."
Kang Seol turned to Mariju and spoke.
"So, what's the reason for summoning me today? I have no business visiting the Sansi family yet."
"I know. Or rather, someone like Investigator Kang Seol might..."
"The investigator title was temporary. I'll be shedding it soon anyway."
At that, Han So-mi looked surprised and said,
"Huh? I heard not..."
"...Huh?"
"Gail said so."
Mariju, gauging Kang Seol's reaction, explained.
"The Silver Lion Society negotiated with the Director. Your investigator position is no longer temporary, Kang Seol."
'...Ah.'
So that's how they planned to stick their nose in. Where this force called Kang Seol went could solve their problems in a flash or drag them out forever.
'But how'd they sway the Director?'
Kang Seol asked Mariju.
"What's your relation to this Director?"
"My uncle."
"...Family, huh."
Truth be told, Kang Seol wanted nothing to do with this Silver Lion Society.
No benefits from them, and he didn't like how they, used to ordering people around their whole lives, were still trying to use him.
After the Star Graveyard, they'd taken an interest in him. No—a massive interest.
They hadn't seen his power firsthand, but Mariju must have relayed it.
"Um... sorry. It's a bit chaotic, right?"
"It's fine. The commotion outside the lodgings is unavoidable. Having minions pounding on the door like it's their house is possible too. The issue is the deliveries..."
"...Love letters by chance?"
"You guessed it."
"How many?"
"Too many to read."
Han So-mi and Mariju burst out laughing at Kang Seol's words.
"People who've lived surrounded by roses. Stuffy and boring. And they probably see you as special, Investigator Kang Seol. The prince on a white horse who saved them."
Kang Seol didn't care what they thought.
"You're dragging this out. So, what are you after, reaching even to the Director?"
Why make him an investigator?
"A special task force for narcotics will be formed. Officially under Bureau policy, backed by the Silver Lion Society behind the scenes."
"Boring talk."
"Just stand at the front until we catch their trail."
"No thanks."
"Knew you'd say that."
Mariju showed no disappointment. She was clearly confident in persuading him.
"We'll limit the term. No more than a month."
"Still no."
"You can pull anyone for the task force as you like. Han So-mi included, even outsiders—we'll accept unconditionally."
"Not taking the position to begin with. How I staff it is none of my business."
Mariju's eyes burned with zeal.
"We'll grant immunity. Full exemption for any illegal acts during the mission."
"...Meaning?"
"Murder, property damage... no, with your heavy hands, it'll be destruction charges. We'll cover all financial liabilities."
Immunity was a solid offer, regardless. Negotiate well, and it'd be perfect cover for Northern ops later.
"Immunity duration?"
"As long as you're in the North, Investigator Kang Seol...? We'll keep it temporarily even after."
"That's appealing, but I sense it'll drag me into annoyances. Better to move solo..."
"Wait! This is the real deal!"
*Clap-!*
Mariju clapped, and servants filed in carrying suspiciously shaped boxes.
They placed them all on the table and withdrew.
Three servants.
Three boxes.
"Check them out."
"......"
*Creeeak...*
'Oh man...'
Kang Seol was drawn to the light spilling from the boxes.
Peerless items.
All three boxes looked identical, suggesting similar goods.
'The Silver Lion Society's got this much?'
"We've braced for the blood loss."
After inspecting all three, Kang Seol smirked.
All top-tier.
Optimal level 57-68 range, excellent pieces.
And all usable for him to boot...
"Where from?"
"Heirlooms from our ancestors. Items from those who charged through the Great War era."
"...I see."
"If you want, one of these..."
Kang Seol tuned out the rest, chin in hand, deep in thought.
Term was specified, and quick work could end it sooner.
But he figured it'd lock him down a full month.
One peerless per month.
'...Salaried worker vibes?'
A twinge of regret.
Reading his expression, Mariju said,
"One upfront for starting, another if successful."
Now this was tempting.
With real grit, could wrap in half a month? Hopeful thoughts bubbled up.
Was freedom worth more than two peerless?
Kang Seol pondered his own value beyond mere logic.
Freedom won out.
But right then.
Mariju, sweating coldly, said,
"Investigator."
"......"
"Why do you think there are three boxes?"
A few days later.
Kang Seol had the uniform jacket slung over his shoulder, cap tucked under his arm.
- Though that's underselling the haul.
- Freedom > 2 peerless, < 3.
- Hesitation just delays delivery.
- Sia, Dad's late again tonight...
- Kang Seol couldn't breach the group buy wall for investigators.
And behind him, three in full uniform.
"Fits perfect, how's it look?"
"How about me?"
"Don't make a fuss. It's not that great anyway."
Karen, Karuna, and Ur.
The freedom to select task force members. Kang Seol had made it entirely his own power.
"Perfect crew for the Endbringer Maker."
"Long time no see!"
As Karen hugged Han So-mi and chatted, something massive appeared at the lodgings.
*Thud...*
*Thud...*
"Wearing this lets me roam freely now?"
"...In principle, yes."
The one with what seemed a uniform jacket over his shoulder, just like Kang Seol.
Jamad.
Han So-mi froze like a statue, crossbow in hand, after spotting Jamad's violent visage.
"...No matter how you slice it, this screams criminal."