Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: Fast Breakthrough, New Project
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Clear blue sky, the open heavens.
In this infinite expanse, there were no obstacles—who could stop such valiant flight?
*Schwooo!*
Majestic wingbeats sliced through the wind, and the dragon finally reached top speed.
Incredibly fast, yet astonishingly stable flight.
The expedition members riding on its back couldn't stop marveling.
“Is this really a dragon? It doesn't make sense! What the hell is this? This exhilarating flying skill...!”
“First time, huh? How cute. So cute.”
“Yeah. You never been to Molrang Park?”
Hahaha, the expedition members chattered away.
Good. I like it a lot.
When heading out on an expedition, the most important thing was the morale of the members. Or their momentum.
Seeing the relaxed atmosphere spreading among them, it looked like we'd get unexpectedly good results.
Sure, someone seeing this scene might complain that discipline had gone to the dogs...
‘Fearlessness is something, isn't it?’
Maris was a notoriously infamous gate.
There had been plenty of parties that bravely challenged it and met destruction.
That's why I liked their demeanor.
Those who had forgotten fear. Or those who were trembling inside but hid it well.
Even if we didn't clear it, that was fine.
Just achieve moderate results and return safely.
That alone would be enough.
The whole world would praise the courage of the new guild Molrang, and it would serve as a foundation to attract more hunters.
*Schwooo!*
The three dragons simultaneously slowed their speed.
It meant we'd arrived at the destination. Or more precisely, a waypoint.
Visible above the deep blue East Sea was a massive platform.
Nicknamed the "Maritime Gate Detection Outpost."
An artificial structure fully owned and managed by the Hunter Association.
The dragons circled above the platform, testing the winds a bit before landing neatly.
“Welcome. We've been waiting.”
A welcome greeted us as if on cue.
Not unusual. We'd gotten permission from the Hunter Association in advance to use this platform.
Even so, I couldn't help but be surprised.
“...Association President? Didn't expect you to come in person.”
I hadn't imagined the one greeting us would be Hyun-ah herself.
Behind her, I spotted the association's dedicated reporter.
A somewhat familiar face. I'd done the guild founding interview with him.
Anyway, the association president's appearance was something no one had anticipated.
Maybe that's why.
“That's the president, right?”
“What? For real? First time seeing her in person.”
“The rumors turned out to be facts.”
“What rumors?”
“The ones saying the association really likes Molrang.”
“...Isn't that obvious?”
Murmurs erupted among the expedition members.
The Hunter Association President was someone who warranted that kind of reaction.
Every one of her movements carried political signals inevitably.
This time was no different.
“We're looking forward to this expedition too. Good luck.”
Why else would she make the trip all the way to Dokdo, far from Seoul?
Bringing a reporter along, no less.
It was a kind of showy strategy to signal good relations with our Molrang Guild.
She knew it well.
The fact that Molrang's growth was terrifyingly rapid.
So, she was starting the groundwork now.
To prevent another thorn like Hwayeon from sprouting up.
“Thank you.”
No reason for me to dislike it.
If anything, I was satisfied.
“Everyone, listen up!”
Bolstered by Hyun-ah's encouragement, I began explaining the details to the expedition members.
After emphasizing that the goal of the expedition and safety came first—
“Make sure you all get your share!”
I distributed supplies.
One by one, they picked up their Molrangtails—tailor-made to personal preferences based on prior research—and Molrangtexes.
Everyone already had their Molrangtoris.
I'd handed them out early so they could store mana in advance.
“Porters, come here and grab your food rations!”
Essentials like food and tents were left to the porters.
The 30 freelance porters we'd hired for the expedition.
Thanks to me, they'd achieved perfect normalization—super evolution, really.
Not content with using Molrangtoris like scrolls, they handled transport, cooking, campsite setup, and even basic first aid.
They'd become total all-rounders, I tell you?
It cost a bit of money, sure.
But no regrets. The expedition's quality had skyrocketed several times over.
“Then, best of luck.”
While everyone prepared, I gave words of encouragement to the squad leaders.
Handing out plenty of communication stones while I was at it.
One of the squad leaders' roles was to install communication stones inside the gate and periodically report to the outside.
We had to know the progress.
That way, we could decide whether to rush in for a rescue in a crisis or not.
Of course, I trusted the expedition members' skills.
And even more, I trusted the upgraded Molrangtex.
‘Pushed the performance to the max.’
Research log #147.
Just when I was thinking of giving up, success.
Fusion of Kami's mana with Molrangtex.
The Molrangtex, whose sturdiness as a mini golem had been its only defense, now gained the "absorption" function.
Physical defense only rose by 20%.
But resistance to mana-based attacks shot up nearly tenfold.
It had absorbed Seol-baek's foxfire eight times, after all.
Worried that wouldn't be enough, I even gave extras to reinforce during the expedition.
And just in case that still wasn't enough!
*Nyaang!*
I'd secretly hidden Kami's split bodies in the expedition members' shadows.
Fed them a whopping three S-rank mana stones each—at 10 million won per gram.
Weaker than the main body, but they'd protect everyone perfectly.
“Everyone ready?”
“”“”“”“”“”“”“Yes!””“”“”“”“”“”
“Good! Show off your skills to your heart's content!”
And with that, all preparations were complete.
All that was left was to wait for them to bring back good results.
*Groooar!*
Everyone boarded the dragons again.
Finally, the dragons took flight toward the gate high in the distant sky.
**
[Official] Molrang Guild Clears 15th Floor of Maris in Just 3 Days [Author: LeilaIra]
(Live stream footage of the Maris expedition team)
This is Molrang Guild lmao
All you fuckers cursing us to die, cut cut cut!!
Shut your bug mouths and stay mad lol
- FML lmao
- Damn but this speed is insane, wtf?
ㄴ(Author): New record lol Previous was 13 days for 15th floor.
ㄴWTF insane?
ㄴLooked infuriating when I saw the roster but damn it worked
ㄴMolrangmol's tech + squads organized perfectly? Footage shows tactics on another level
ㄴMolrangtex and Molrangtail are straight broken. No cap, feels like they bump hunter rank by one.
ㄴFr? Equipment like that existed?
ㄴNah. If it did it'd be mega famous.
-Haters got schooled by Mo—lol—rang
ㄴFr why so many Molrang haters
ㄴHwayeon cult + lately buffers joining the hate train
ㄴWhy buffers?
ㄴNew Molrangtori has mana storage so they're facing normalization crisis lol
ㄴLmao perfect timing, those buffer bastards were itching for a slap
**
The expedition's raid was going smoothly.
The estimated final floor of Maris Gate was 77.
We'd cleared up to 25 without issue...
‘Are we actually gonna clear this thing?’
This was starting to build real expectations.
Anyway, things seemed to be going well, so I could breathe a sigh of relief.
Time for me to do my own thing.
*Slurp!*
“Ahh, so good.”
The transcendent sweetness of the new menu item at Baekya Castle's 75th-floor cafe—honey butter mint chocolate latte—filled me with bliss.
*Slurp!*
This was happiness. It just kept going down smooth, no matter how much I drank.
Already my third latte, but I couldn't stop.
Another perk of a girl's body came in handy here.
‘Brain stays sharp, love it.’
Normally, this much sugar would've made my brain go *pop!*
Thanks to the insane blood sugar spike.
But my current body had no such weak resistance.
Growth had stopped, sure, but it was still in growth mode, sort of.
No matter how much infinite energy I took in, my body stayed the same.
In a way, wasn't this true shedding of bones and exchanging of marrow?
“How is it? Good?”
Haneul sat sneakily beside me, holding a mini shortcake.
“Super good!”
“Glad to hear. Saebyeok put in everything she knows you like.”
How'd she know my tastes?
Did all those snacks during shoots so far have an ulterior motive?
What a terrifying woman.
*Slurp!*
Hope she keeps spoiling me.
Her desserts were top-notch.
“Try this too. Ahh~”
Haneul scooped a big chunk of cake with a small wooden spoon and held it to my mouth.
She was dead set on feeding me.
Honestly, it was embarrassing at first...
‘But no need for that now.’
“Nom!”
In a way, this was luxury too.
Probably the only one getting snacks hand-fed by a top-five guild master.
Gotta enjoy these favors while they last.
“Good?”
I nodded vigorously at Haneul's question.
The best. Joo Haneul.
Where on earth did she get cake like this?!
Once I'd cleaned the plate spotless, we could finally get to business.
“Thought about it?”
“Hmm... not sure yet.”
What Haneul brought up was the tokusatsu show filming.
They'd proposed making me the lead in a performance like that.
Accepting would mean stepping slightly—just slightly—into showbiz beyond modeling.
“No rush. You don't have to do it.”
It really needed thought.
Fame was always welcome, but becoming an entertainer was another story.
Anyway, table that for now.
Next up: Molrangmol business.
“Oh, this... Big Sis said to pass it to you.”
I handed Haneul a document envelope.
“What's this?”
“Dunno...? I was just asked to deliver it.”
Hehe, I flashed an awkward smile, and Haneul's attention snapped to the envelope.
*Riiiip!*
She tore it open with vigorous hands and started reading the contents.
Less documents, more like blueprints.
“This... for real?”
“Huh? Asking me...?”
“Right.”
*Tap tap.*
Haneul's fingers flew across her phone. Sending messages.
To me, obviously.
*Slurp!*
I just sat there, pretending not to notice, sipping my latte.
*Tap tap!*
Still, her hands didn't stop. Like she was deep in convo with me.
‘Nyaang!’
Kami No.2 was replying busily in my stead.
Surely not using weird speech patterns again?
I'd retrained it, so probably fine.
“Sorry, Saebyeok.”
“Hm...?”
“Something came up. Let's grab dinner later.”
“No, it's fine!”
“Really sorry! Good work on today's shoot!”
Haneul dashed out of the waiting room in hurried steps.
Well, it had to be urgent.
After all.
A major new project for Molrangmol, in collaboration with Baekya.
Was about to kick off.