Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Online Backlash
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I wasn't the only one monitoring the unsettling shift in public opinion.
"Looks like a lot of hunters are saying they won't enter gates anymore."
"Right? We're not gonna do that, are we, unnie?"
Lee Yu-chan and Lee Yu-eul looked at me with worried eyes.
"Hmm. What do you two think?"
"Honestly, it rubs me the wrong way hearing awakeners called dangerous because of rampages. But we still gotta do our jobs."
"Yeah. And the Assembly's just talking big—they're not seriously gonna restrict hunter residences. It's all for show."
"I agree with Yu-chan. Don't take it too hard, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
Kang Han chimed in too.
The Justice Guild members all leaned toward 'it stings, but duty calls.'
I nodded in agreement.
"Doesn't really faze me. But I wonder how the other guilds are handling it."
"From what I see in my school group chat, it's split about fifty-fifty. Fantasia and Camellia are handling it guild-wide, though."
Im Cheong-su checked the school chat and reported.
"Let's keep watching the situation for now. Sound good, Guild Master?"
"Agreed. Yu-eul, Yu-chan, Cheong-su—be careful at school not to get swept up in the mood."
"Got it!"
Once the three high schoolers headed off to class and the training grounds quieted down again, I kept tabs on the online buzz.
As expected, awakeners and civilians were sharply divided.
With the Assembly pushing legislation right away, the Awakener Association stayed eerily silent.
And that silence was only fueling the awakeners' frustration more.
The whole world seemed to be turning against them—it was a natural reaction.
"That association president was never gonna handle this right."
The image of the greedy president, his face plastered with self-interest, soured my mood for a moment.
"Nayeo-ju-ya, you okay?"
Han Ji-seong approached and asked.
"Compared to the crap Justice Guild used to get, this is nothing. What about you, oppa?"
"Me... well..."
Han Ji-seong's expression grew complicated for a second before he continued.
"As someone who rampages often, I get where people are coming from. Hunters mid-rampage are definitely dangerous."
"Some hunters were talking about boycotting gate raids altogether."
"That's irresponsible. No different from the folks wanting to restrict our homes over one rampage in a dungeon."
It was an uncharacteristically firm stance from ever-easygoing Han Ji-seong.
And inwardly, I breathed a sigh of relief.
A guild member declaring a gate boycott would've thrown a wrench in my plans.
On the other hand, it left me a bit exasperated.
This world would collapse without hunters risking their lives in gates.
But hunters only get their status and pay because non-awakeners support them.
It's a symbiotic relationship.
No winners in a fight like this.
In [Sejong Curtain], this conflict dragged on until a high-rank dungeon appeared, and fearing a break, the government scrapped the legislation.
But it wasn't a victory for awakeners.
It took the death of one hunter inside—due to the swelled monster numbers—to force the issue.
"Shall we keep watching a bit longer?"
At my words, Han Ji-seong finally cracked a small smile and nodded.
That evening.
With her name cleared, Seong Yona was deep in training.
I stood by the entrance so as not to interrupt, watching her, Lee Yu-chan, and Yoo Jin-rok coaching them.
"Yona, no lapses in focus!"
"Yes!"
At Yoo Jin-rok's shout, Seong Yona reset her stance and glared at Lee Yu-chan.
"Yu-chan, faster volley speed!"
"Got it!"
Lee Yu-chan's attacks on Seong Yona grew quicker and fiercer.
My eyes couldn't even track them.
Finally, on the seventh arrow that grazed her hair, Seong Yona activated her skill.
Whoosh.
The arrow leaving Lee Yu-chan's bowstring slowed instantly.
Seong Yona had compressed the space behind the incoming arrow.
"Tch."
Not satisfied, Lee Yu-chan clicked his tongue and loosed two arrows at once.
But Seong Yona's skill, now in full swing, slowed even those.
"Yona noona, isn't that skill kinda OP?"
"OP? Call it a limited ultimate, not a cheat, Yu-chan."
No exaggeration—sweat beaded on Seong Yona's forehead, which had been dry even while dodging rapid fire moments ago.
I stepped forward.
"Let's take a break."
"Haa. Okay, unnie."
"After break, I'm firing three at once, Yona noona."
Lee Yu-chan, not landing a single hit, sounded pretty miffed.
But I shook my head and turned to Yoo Jin-rok.
"Teacher, how about switching up the training format?"
"Looks like you've got an idea."
Thankfully, Yoo Jin-rok didn't mind my input.
"Something about changing direction."
"Direction?"
"Yeah. Right now it's Yu-chan attacking and Yona dodging. How about simulation training where they team up on a monster instead?"
"Team attack... Yeah, let's try it."
With Yoo Jin-rok's okay, the four of us moved to the simulation training room.
And we gained two more spectators.
Jang Su-ho and Kang Han, who were about to train, yielded the slot but stuck around.
"What was the monster Guild Master usually fights? Relly-something?"
"Relisia. Even among A-ranks, it's got high attack and agility—tricky opponent."
"Perfect. Let's use that."
At my word, Jang Su-ho dashed to the controller and summoned a Relisia.
"Kee-hi, kee-hit."
Honestly, to me, the Relisia—clacking its long red claws while glaring—was more ghost girl than monster.
Chills ran down my spine, and I wasn't alone; Lee Yu-chan grimaced slightly.
"Alright, test shot. Yona, compress the space in front of Yu-chan's arrow."
"In front...?"
Seong Yona had only used her skill defensively so far.
But what if applied offensively?
She tilted her head at first, then lit up with an 'Ah!' as realization hit.
"Firing, Yona noona."
Lee Yu-chan conjured an arrow as thick as a flagpole and released the taut string.
Whish—!
A heavy whoomph matching the massive arrow's size launched the attack.
High destructive power, but slower speed than normal.
Just as Relisia smirked, sensing it—
Clap—!
Seong Yona clapped her outstretched hands together hard.
The slow arrow shot forward like teleporting, right to Relisia's nose.
Splat!
Unable to dodge, Relisia shrieked a long wail.
"Kya aaaak—!"
"Insane."
Jang Su-ho marveled from the side.
"This is..."
Seong Yona stared at her hands in disbelief.