The Fisherman of the Wild Tribe
The area in front of Lost was quiet.
No, it would be more accurate to say that the doors of the main Lost headquarters were firmly shut.
Even Jongno Street, which should have been bustling with people, was completely deserted.
“···You’ve arrived!”
At the employee’s guidance, Kim Hwang-je opened the door and stepped inside.
Jung Da-yeon stood up and approached him.
Seo Jun-seo was standing beside her.
“I heard you were badly injured. Are you alright?”
“The young lady was very worried about you.”
“Good to see you, sir.”
Jung Da-yeon and her butler, Seo Jun-seo, spoke almost at the same time.
“No, I’m fine··· That was just something I said to get out of that spot.”
To be precise, his heart had been wounded by the pain in his groin.
“But Miss Jung, the auction house literally flew away. Are you okay? And the people—everyone safe?”
Jung Da-yeon let out a sigh of relief.
“Don’t worry about that. Auctions like this are structured so that once the winning bid is made, the transaction and transfer happen immediately due to the risk of attacks. The hunters are all safe too. They wandered around inside the black subspace for a while but eventually all returned.”
Jung Da-yeon smiled.
“So that’s what you were worried about. As for the facility, we rented it from the Garak clan at a high price, so they’re responsible for its protection. Any other damages can be covered by insurance. Strictly speaking, we didn’t suffer any losses except for the final Book of Rifts. That one is quite big, though···”
Jung Da-yeon couldn’t finish her sentence.
At some point, the Book of Rifts had appeared in Kim Hwang-je’s hand.
“Whew, what a relief. I managed to protect this from those bastards.”
To Jung Da-yeon, whose eyes had gone wide as saucers, Kim Hwang-je continued.
“I really need this right now··· Would it be possible for me to buy it?”
“You actually retrieved it!”
Jung Da-yeon was genuinely shocked.
She had thought it was completely lost, so finding it was a huge relief.
“Personally, I’d like to just give it to you, but···”
“That won’t do. Even if I was the one who found it, I can’t just snatch it for free.”
“Hmm. Then would it be acceptable to sell it to you at the starting auction price?”
“How much was that?”
“It started at 800 billion won.”
That was fortunate.
With his remaining balance, he could still cover it.
Since a rift wasn’t something to take lightly, anything that helped him prepare would be useful.
“But simply doing it that way wouldn’t be proper repayment to my benefactor. If you don’t mind, how about I give you 800 billion won worth of materials from the next Disaster-grade corpse instead?”
She was suggesting payment in goods rather than cash, with the balance to be settled later.
Kim Hwang-je nodded.
Anyway, the next wave was scheduled to begin soon, so they should be able to obtain a Disaster-grade corpse.
Since he had no idea how much money the royal castle would require, it was better to conserve cash.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Not at all. I’m the one who should be thanking you. Lost will continue to do its utmost to support you in the future.”
Jung Da-yeon smiled and gave a graceful bow, holding the hem of her skirt.
Kim Hwang-je let out a sigh of relief.
Good.
This way, he hadn’t stolen anything, hadn’t caused Jung Da-yeon any serious damage, and had obtained the item at a fair price.
Kim Hwang-je used World Observation to locate Gemini.
When he bestowed the Book of Rifts to her, Gemini jumped up and down so excitedly that her sky-blue hair fluttered wildly before she dashed off to her laboratory.
He never dreamed she would like it that much.
“By the way, what’s the current situation that there isn’t a single person on the streets?”
Jung Da-yeon took out her phone and opened a portal site.
“It’ll be faster if you watch the news about the recent events.”
But Kim Hwang-je realized what was happening even before watching the news—just from the search rankings.
The real-time search terms were as follows.
1. Martial Law
2. Muui Island Rift
3. Maritime Blockade Order
4. West Sea Wave
5. Kim Hwang-je’s Sacrifice
6. Meteor Defense
Not a single one of them was ordinary.
“I’ll turn on the news for you.”
Jung Da-yeon switched on a random news channel.
The anchor on screen was standing inside a helicopter, buffeted by sea winds.
Behind her, a massive rift had opened in the sky above Muui Island.
To the north of the island lay Incheon International Airport, to the east Incheon Port, and to the southeast Songdo New City with its Incheon New Port.
In other words, a gate had opened right at the doorstep of Seoul’s gateway.
“Due to the Howling’s terror attack, the southern barrier of Seoul has collapsed, causing a rift to form. It has already been two hours since a roughly three-kilometer rift appeared over Muui Island. The intensity of the wave shows no signs of weakening.”
It was a report as familiar as typhoon coverage.
The world had long grown accustomed to such events.
All kinds of monsters were pouring out of the sky above Muui Island and surging against the current toward land.
Like something out of Jaws, white waves of creatures were rushing toward the port and airport from every direction.
“This is the third declaration of martial law this year. Some voices express concern that the government’s response is excessive, while others argue it was the right decision. The main opposition party stated in its commentary that they have completed preparations to lift martial law and will strictly monitor the government.”
Another political fight?
Feeling annoyed, Kim Hwang-je deliberately focused on the battle footage instead.
Monsters resembling minotaurs were leaping across the water’s surface to ambush soldiers and hunters.
“On site, the 17th Infantry Division along with hunter guilds such as ‘Iron Blood Corps’ and ‘Green Full Moon’ are focusing on defense. The current total of casualties and combat missing persons stands at 132.”
The 17th Infantry Division, an elite unit responsible for Incheon’s defense, along with their reinforced suit soldiers and heavy equipment like tanks.
Thanks to the combined efforts of the hunters, the number of casualties wasn’t too high.
“···Hmm.”
Yet Kim Hwang-je’s chest ached.
If only the Gold Crown had remained safe, none of this would have happened.
“But they’re holding the line well. It seems the new reinforced suits supplied to the 17th Infantry Division are proving highly effective.”
Seo Jun-seo said.
The battlefield was filled with heavy assault rifles and shotguns that normal people couldn’t handle without reinforced suits, along with swords, axes, and bows that only awakened individuals could even lift.
Of course, thanks to the protective magic provided by the barrier, the hunters’ efficiency was far superior.
Still, the fact that soldiers in reinforced suits could now perform hunts that only hunters had been able to do before was encouraging enough.
“This won’t do. I must be crazy.”
He should have been watching the news instead of just eating and doing nothing.
He hadn’t expected things to get this bad.
Kim Hwang-je stood up immediately.
“I’ll be back in a bit.”
“No, you need to rest! Didn’t you just stop a meteor by yourself? The government should be able to handle this. All the top hunter guilds are there too.”
Jung Da-yeon said.
“···They probably can. But I feel like I have some responsibility in this matter. No, if I can do something but choose not to, that feels wrong. I’ll be back soon.”
“Sir?”
Seo Jun-seo’s call came a little late.
Kim Hwang-je purchased a teleportation spell from Gemini again.
He appeared on a hill overlooking Incheon Port.
“Well done, Your Majesty. Let us slay the demons and protect the people.”
Benedict spoke from above his head.
When he stood up, the scabbard poked Kim Hwang-je in the head, snapping him back to his senses.
Standing before the wide-open sea and receiving praise made his heart feel refreshed.
Yes. This was probably how he would live from now on.
Kim Hwang-je had never properly visited the beach with his family.
They had neither the money nor the safety to do so.
Rich people apparently still went on overseas trips even in times like these, which was why Incheon International Airport had been packed, but···
Whether it was Incheon Port, the airport, or Songdo New City, they had all felt far removed from Kim Hwang-je.
That was why he had appeared on the ridge below the port where he had once worked on a hotel construction site.
A cold sea breeze rushed in, carrying the sharp smell of gunpowder and the fishy stench of blood.
“Ahjussi, you’re fighting again? Shouldn’t you rest a little···? You haven’t slept at all.”
“Yeah, I won’t be fighting directly. I need to save money too.”
Instead, there was a resident perfectly suited for a place like this.
Kim Hwang-je used Resident Summon (Lv.2).
“Come forth, Yamanok Fisherman!”
When else would he get the chance to bring this guy out if not by the sea?
The hunters and thieves had already built an underground organization, so he might as well get to know the face of this new resident while he had the chance!
Since he was a fisherman, he probably wouldn’t be too dangerous, right?
“It’s time to fish for people!”
No, that line sounds dangerous.
Splash! Whoosh!
The sea split apart as a sleek black mussel head shot upward like a nuclear submarine.
A human silhouette could be seen standing on top of it.
Wait, why is he riding a mussel instead of a fish?
“Kuaaaaaah! This feels amazing! His Majesty has called for me!”
Having burst violently through the sea, seawater naturally poured down over his head again.
As the fisherman shouted while being drenched in cold seawater, steam shot from his nostrils like a train.
He was no ordinary man—his build was like a mix between a human and an ogre.
Instead of armor, thin chains were wrapped tightly around his entire body.
Beneath them he was naked,
and fishing hooks were embedded in the chains at regular intervals.
He looked like something out of a surrealist oil painting.
“Your Majesty!! Your Majesty!! Where are you?!”
“Ugh, so loud···”
Kim Hwang-je covered his ears.
“Your Majesty!! Your Majesty!! Please show me your august face!!”
He cried out for Kim Hwang-je like a newborn baby.
His voice was so thunderous it seemed to swallow the roar of the battlefield.
When he shouted toward the ridge, the eyes of everyone nearby snapped toward him.
“Keep it down!”
“Hehehe··· Your Majesty, so you were there.”
In the end, Kim Hwang-je revealed himself on the ridge.
The wild fisherman immediately broke into a wide, silly grin.
He looked a bit dim, but he seemed like a good person, so that was fortunate··· right?
But then the look in his eyes changed.
“Which bastard should I offer as a slave?!”
Thump thump thump thump
Right on cue, the sound of a helicopter could be heard.
From the feel of it, they seemed to be filming the man riding the mussel.
“You’re talking about kidnapping?”
“How can one call himself a true fisherman if he doesn’t fish for people!”
No, you demon!
“Go catch some monsters instead!”
“Uahaha! Your Majesty! Understood! I shall return with a full catch of sturdy ones···!”
“Just make sure you don’t fish for people!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Boom!
The mussel shot out water from its rear like a motor and flew forward.
Wait, it flew?
Kim Hwang-je watched with his mouth agape.
The mussel was shooting water from its back end and skipping across the surface like a stone.
It then slammed straight into a horde of minotaurs with tremendous force.
Crunch!
Was that the ramming tactic he had only heard about?
The streamlined mussel head shredded through the minotaur formation and kept sliding forward.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
“One! Two! Three!”
The fisherman standing on top threw the fishing hooks wrapped around his body like shuriken.
Hooks flew in every direction and pierced all kinds of monsters.
“Mussel! Reel them in!”
Upon closer inspection, the chains were connected to the inside of the mussel’s body.
How exactly?
What kind of structure was this?
“Heave! Ho!”
Grrrrrrrrrk!
The sound of chains rewinding rang out, and the hooked monsters flew in from all directions and were sucked into the mussel’s belly.
“Urrgh?”
“Uwoooogh!”
“Uwoooooooogh!”
Along with the bovine cries of the minotaurs, silence fell over the battlefield.
“What the hell is that?”
“Which guild does that hunter belong to?!”
“Uahahahaha! I’m not a hunter! I’m a fisherman!”
“Cease fire! Communication is possible! He’s a hunter! The mussel is a summoned beast! Stop attacking!”
“Don’t mess up the front line! Which unit are you from?!”
“Look at that size—is that even a person?”
“What kind of skill summons a mussel?!”
“10th forward line! Do not advance!”
In the blink of an eye, the battlefield had turned into complete chaos.
‘Looks like they’ll do fine even without me.’
Kim Hwang-je quickly teleported away from the area and returned to Lost.
***
When he returned to Lost,
both Jung Da-yeon and her butler had stepped away to handle some paperwork.
Seo Jun-seo opened the door to greet him.
“···Sir, did you do that?”
Seo Jun-seo showed him his tablet.
The live news was broadcasting footage of the mussel-riding fisherman rampaging through hordes of monsters from every angle.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
Wait, how did he recognize it so quickly?
Clink clink
It wasn’t the sound of tears.
It was the sound of gold coins falling.
“···Huh?”
A single gold coin rolled down from the crown on Kim Hwang-je’s head.
“Shall I bring you a mirror?”
“Please do.”
Seo Jun-seo held up a mirror.
When he looked at it, the top of the Gold Crown had turned into something like a coin depository.
Poyu had eaten its fill, was rubbing its belly, and had fallen asleep, while Benedict sat cross-legged on Poyu’s stomach in meditation.
“···”
Even when that thing catches them, I still make money.
Is this what being a boss feels like?
When it fills up, the coins fall down.
He hadn’t even felt the weight···
Kim Hwang-je stroked the gold coin, lost in thought.
“Would you like a pouch as well?”
“Ah, no need.”
Kim Hwang-je sent the accumulating gold coins on his head back into the trading window to clear them.
Seo Jun-seo checked the tablet again.
“There are rampant rumors online calling him the Sea Prince. There was even an expert interview saying that there probably won’t be any more casualties from the wave.”
“Hmm, well··· He’s somewhat useful, I suppose.”
Moreover, Kim Hwang-je was satisfied as he watched the number of Minotaurs rising in real time on the Monster Management Window.
It seemed that whatever the fisherman captured could be used as his subordinates.
He was earning money and kidnapping monsters at the same time—a perfect two-for-one deal.
“Sir Kim Hwang-je!”
At that moment, Jung Da-yeon and her butler returned.
“I told you not to overdo it! That wasn’t an ordinary battle, was it? If you keep fighting like that nonstop, even the greatest warrior will eventually collapse and die.”
Jung Da-yeon exclaimed.
“···You really don’t have to worry so much···”
“You’re telling me not to worry after seeing this?”
She turned on DuTube.
“Huh?”
That scene had been recorded?
A beautiful woman with white hair and golden eyes.
Katima was flaunting her transcendent beauty as she floated in the air wearing a silk dress.
When she pointed her finger and arrogantly lifted her chin, the trajectories of stars formed lines and circles that opened a gate.
From the angle, it seemed to have been filmed from a distant building.
The person filming was instead screaming and causing a huge commotion.
Soon after, a meteor so enormous the camera couldn’t capture it all came crashing down, and light exploded.
The shockwave caused the camera screen to burst with a loud pop.
“Whoa···”
Kim Hwang-je already knew what was coming next.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
The scream was so loud and long it couldn’t possibly be transcribed in text.
And then the screen went completely dark.
Even hearing his own voice gave him goosebumps, so actually hearing that scream made his thighs twitch involuntarily.
“Do you have any idea how worried I was after watching this?”
Jung Da-yeon’s eyes had turned red again.
Even to Kim Hwang-je, his own voice had sounded terrifying—like someone being burned at the stake.
The butler took out a handkerchief and handed it to Jung Da-yeon.
She dabbed gently at the tears welling in her eyes.
Kim Hwang-je sneaked a glance at the comments, and they were all in an uproar.
Some said he had blocked it.
Others said he must have died after blocking it.
“Anyway, your fame as the hero who prevented a tragedy is spreading like wildfire. You were already famous, but this really hammered it home. On top of that, the government is going all out with the propaganda.”
“The government?”
“Because losing the Gold Crown and failing to suppress the wave are both major issues··· It’s easier to create a hero and cover it up··· But··· there it is···”
Jung Da-yeon stared at the top of Kim Hwang-je’s head with a dazed expression.
Her face seemed to ask why she was only noticing it now.
The butler also gasped and looked at him.
Only Seo Jun-seo, who already knew, remained calm.
It was thanks to Poyu that the Gold Crown usually wasn’t very noticeable.
“Do not worry. Sir, I will somehow keep it hidden until the grave. I stayed up all night coming up with a plan.”
What are you going to hide? It won’t come off my head······.
It seemed Seo Jun-seo really hadn’t told Jung Da-yeon or the butler about this.
“W-wait. This isn’t something that can be solved by hiding it.”
“···As expected, you are truly exceptional, young lady. Only someone with this level of magnanimity would be worthy of the master···”
“Butler, please wait a moment!”
Jung Da-yeon pressed hard on her temples.
Kim Hwang-je spoke up.
“It’s not like I stole it because I wanted to. It just won’t come off my head.”
Kim Hwang-je felt wronged.
Because he had stripped naked and danced the Gujiga, he had become the King of the Tortoise.
“I’ll pay for this too.”
Kim Hwang-je said.