Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Three True Elites
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"Enough. I don't need it."
"A hunter? Hunters are the one thing I can't stand."
"Huh? Who's this guy? What do you want? If I die, the country won't take responsibility. Yeah~ good luck."
Ring ring ring.
[Try this opportunity to make a fortune...]
Click.
"Damn it..."
"Haa..."
There was only a week left until the Demonus weakening operation that Yong-un had ordered.
Filling the ranks of the Demon Dragon Corps and the Ghost Slaughter Squad, which had seemed like it would wrap up quickly, had seen no progress beyond the recruits from the first week.
Treated like mere peddlers by their recruitment targets, Sword Tiger and Myung-su pulled out every card they had—offers to join Garosu Guild or Unwoo Guild, and more—but in the end, they had to give up on all of them.
The reason was simple: every single person who ended up joining the Demon Dragon Corps or Ghost Slaughter Squad turned out to be a weirdo.
"When do I get stronger? I shouldn't have come."
"What's this Sovereign guy? Why should I risk my life for him? No amount of money would make me do that."
"Just tell me how to get stronger. I'll do anything."
"What!? D-Demonus weakening operation? N-No way! I'm out!"
"Run!!"
And so, the only ones who truly harbored respect for the Sovereign and genuine dreams and loyalty within the Demon Dragon Corps and Ghost Slaughter Squad...
Were Kang Jin-mo, Kim Gu, and Jo Sung-min.
Two weeks, discarded.
"How are we going to face the Sovereign now?"
"We have to recruit somehow."
Sword Tiger and Myung-su steeled their resolve once more, clinging to the slim possibility of fulfilling the Sovereign's command.
"Not going well, I see."
As they muttered complaints and sighed deeply...
Yong-un appeared on the roof without a sound.
"S-Sovereign!"
"We greet the Sovereign."
Sword Tiger and Myung-su quickly dropped to one knee before Yong-un.
No one had ever ordered them to do this, nor instructed them to greet him this way upon meeting, but at some point, it had become the standard salute of the Demon Dragon Corps and Ghost Slaughter Squad whenever they saw Yong-un.
It might have started because of Barum, but since it was an everyday courtesy in the Heavenly Demon Cult, Yong-un spoke as if it were nothing.
"Cease efforts to fill the Demon Dragon Corps and Ghost Slaughter Squad."
Sword Tiger and Myung-su's faces darkened at Yong-un's revocation of the order.
"A failure...?"
"We can do it. We'll stake our lives somehow..."
Yong-un shook his head as he quietly listened to them.
"Enough. It was an order I gave expecting it wouldn't work anyway."
"Pardon...?"
Creating the Demon Dragon Corps and Ghost Slaughter Squad within the Heavenly Demon Cult had taken a full decade.
That was the nature of those units.
They couldn't be forced into existence; they formed through fateful coincidences, like now.
Though made up of strangers at first, under the name of coincidence, they became a powerful elite force that cherished and thought of one another.
And it was those bonds and relationships that revealed the true value of the Demon Dragon Corps and Ghost Slaughter Squad in battle and war.
That was what they were.
"You've already followed my command perfectly."
"But..."
"Is it because you only managed one for the Demon Dragon Corps and two for the Ghost Slaughter Squad? A mere three in total?"
"We're sorry..."
Sword Tiger and Myung-su bowed their heads deeply.
Yong-un chuckled and said,
"Wrong choice of words. Not 'only three,' but 'as many as three.'"
Honestly, he'd thought they wouldn't recruit even one.
What was most essential to join the Demon Dragon Corps or Ghost Slaughter Squad?
Bonds deep enough to stake one's life for the others, and unwavering respect that would make them throw away their lives at his command.
That was the power composing those units.
"Well done."
Jo Sung-min, Kang Jin-mo, Kim Gu.
Having observed them all, Yong-un was more than satisfied.
In that sense, recruiting three was a tremendous achievement for him.
Now, one week remained until the Demonus weakening operation.
"From now on, I have a different order."
"We obey the Sovereign's command."
Yong-un looked at Sword Tiger and Myung-su, who bowed deeply in respect, and said,
"In Daegu and Pocheon, there are two Risk 'Red' A-rank gates that even the Hunter Management Agency couldn't clear, only weaken. Clean them up."
At the words "Risk Red," Sword Tiger and Myung-su exchanged glances while still bowed.
But soon, they shouted in unison with booming voices.
"We accept the order!"
"We'll proceed!"
Normally, gates were only rated E, D, C, B, A, or S.
But occasionally, in addition to the rank, there were gates marked with a special "Risk" level: 'Green,' 'Yellow,' or 'Red.'
The potential for gate overflow.
That was the criterion for Risk level.
The risks by color were as follows:
Risk Green: Standard gates with just a rank marking.
Risk Yellow: Gates with a separate Risk mark alongside the rank—overflow wasn't impossible, but merely a possibility.
And finally, Risk Red: Gates that could overflow at any moment without it being surprising.
No need to explain how dangerous the Risk Red A-rank gates in Daegu and Pocheon were.
Though currently A-rank, under specific conditions inside, they could swell into S-rank or beyond at any time.
Extreme danger gates.
That was a Risk Red A-rank gate.
"This is the place."
Chogok-ri in Daegu, surrounded by verdant mountains.
The Demon Dragon Corps arrived before the massive gate flickering with dark blue sparks and a red glow in its center.
Sword Tiger, the corps leader; members Jong-hyun, Jeong-won, and Jin-mo.
The entire Demon Dragon Corps had reached the gate, and the 30 Hunter Management Agency staff waiting ahead bowed their heads.
"We've cleared all the barricades, C4, and landmines."
Given the Risk level, unlike other gates, this place was prepared extensively, making Jin-mo swallow dryly.
"Good. Thanks for your work."
No matter how many gates he'd cleared lately, unlike the original Demon Dragon Corps, Jin-mo had never faced Demonus or such perilous situations.
To him, the current setup felt no different from a wartime crisis where lives hung in the balance.
C4 and landmines, of all things.
"Yes, sir. If any dangerous situation arises, please request support at any time. We'll respond immediately."
Jin-mo was even sweating at the majestic military tanks looming grandly behind the retreating staff.
"Got it. Stand down."
"Yes, then..."
Once the staff had all left, only the Demon Dragon Corps remained before the gate.
They all approached Jin-mo, who was subtly trembling.
"Scared?"
"Sorry."
Jin-mo nodded at Sword Tiger's words.
Everyone chuckled at his honest charm.
"Classic rookie Demon Dragon Corps."
The youngest, Jeong-won, teased Jin-mo.
Jong-hyun flicked Jeong-won's forehead and said,
"Hey, you were the same."
"You were too, hyung."
"You little punk."
Sword Tiger frowned at Jong-hyun and Jeong-won's utterly tension-free antics.
"Quiet down?"
"Sorry..."
"Aww..."
Jin-mo was astonished inwardly at the Demon Dragon Corps acting no different from usual.
It wasn't about hiding fear.
They truly seemed as casual as if out for a stroll.
No—rather, they looked excited, smiles refusing to leave their faces.
"Aren't you scared?"
Jin-mo asked amid the contradictory scene.
Suddenly, odd looks pierced him from all sides.
"Scared? Why? I'm looking forward to it."
"Yeah. Can't wait to sweep them all."
"Hyung, just stay behind me. Don't touch anything; I'll handle yours too."
There was no fear of death for them.
Genuine smiles as if enjoying the moment.
"Heh."
It melted away Jin-mo's worries like snow in sunlight, strangely enough.
Why?
Why did his body and mind feel so at ease before a Risk Red A-rank gate?
"Come on, kid. Let's go."
Sword Tiger chuckled at Jin-mo's smile and stepped into the gate.
Jin-mo's trembling body had stopped shaking.
Until they entered the gate, the fear dormant in his chest couldn't raise its head, smothered by the name Demon Dragon Corps.
Hunter Management Agency Minister's Office, Republic of Korea.
Minister Baek Myung-hee and Daisy sat across from the very person Daisy had longed to see.
The pinnacle of Korea's hunters, the supreme powerhouse who had turned the nation's hunter world upside down.
A legend, a hero to be etched in history books.
Yong-un sat before them.
"I'm shaking."
Though Daisy's Korean was fluent, she spoke in English to the minister.
She seemed embarrassed.
Having proven her competence to GHO, and frequently encountering info on Yong-un as Korea branch chief, Daisy harbored illusions about him.
And now that illusory figure was right in front of her.
"Don't worry. Despite his age, he's a profound person who's taught me much."
The minister patted and soothed Daisy's flushed shoulders.
Unable to converse privately with the guest present, the minister spoke first.
"I heard you're handling two Risk Red A-rank gates."
"Indeed. We must hone our forces before the Demonus weakening operation."
The minister smiled at Yong-un's use of formal speech.
His switch back from casual to polite meant he was acknowledging her as minister again.
Daisy wouldn't know how much joy that brought the minister.
"Won't it be tough without you going personally, Hunter Yong-un? As far as I know, you haven't entered a gate in a year."
"That's exactly why they must overcome it with their own strength."
"Different from other guild masters."
The minister smiled.
Yong-un glanced at the minister and GHO Korea branch chief Daisy before asking,
"Why did you summon me?"
At his question, the minister looked to Daisy.
Having waited for this, Daisy steadied her pounding heart with a deep breath and spoke.
"GHO has issued orders regarding the Demonus weakening operation."
Yong-un straightened at the awaited topic.
"The date?"
"No change. One week from now."
"Then there's no reason to call me, is there?"
"However, the assigned progress rate for Korea's Demonus weakening operation has changed."
The progress rate had changed?
That meant the tasks for Yong-un's group in Korea's dispatched team could increase or decrease.
In the Demonus weakening operation with all major powers participating, progress rates varied by damage inflicted or contributions earned, making it a sensitive issue among them.
"I heard Korea's share is 15 percent."
"It's been raised to 22 percent."
From 15 to 22 percent.
An absurd 7 percent jump.
22 percent meant handling the workload of two countries alone in a 10-nation operation.
With two top-tier S-rank hunters, it was fitting for Korea, but as first-timers, they should've gotten a reduced share.
Hence the initial 15 percent—but now suddenly 22, Yong-un had to ask.
"The reason?"
"GHO cites participant feasibility, but I judge it's due to influence from higher-ups."
It had to be.
No way it spikes like this suddenly.
Especially 22 percent for a first-time participant.
Other nations would've protested wildly, but Yong-un chuckled and asked,
"I think I know who."
"Pardon?"
"The War God. His doing, right?"
Daisy couldn't continue.
Silence affirmed it.
Yong-un snorted again, picking up his teacup from the table.
"What's Spain's percentage, with the War God?"
"22 percent."
He couldn't help but laugh.
"He wants to compete with me."
Whoever named him War God had done well.
The Demonus weakening operation could be a disaster others couldn't refuse.
Yet amid it, the War God revealed his hostility toward Yong-un, abusing his power.
'Obviously, he'll challenge me to a contest. Who clears faster.'
'I can see it without looking.'
Daisy gave an awkward smile at Yong-un's bemused grin.
He sat nonchalantly, but inwardly she was burning.
'What if he flips out? Even I think it's too much. 22 percent... Why does GHO dump all the bad stuff on me...'
Meeting Yong-un's eyes, Daisy smiled with her eyes.
Worried he'd make an issue, her limited-edition lunch threatened to come back up.
Still, she tried to curry favor, eyes fixed on his lips.
"Then..."
Yong-un drained his tea and spoke.
Daisy watched his lips, praying inwardly.
Please don't raise the percentage issue.
"I'll take my leave."
Contrary to her fears, Yong-un rose coolly.
As if the 7 percent surge was no issue at all.
After Yong-un left.
"Whew... We survived."
Daisy exhaled the breath she'd held.
The minister tapped her shoulder.
"Told you. Hunter Yong-un isn't like ordinary people. Even 30 percent or more wouldn't faze him."
"30 percent? Even America would struggle..."
"That's Yong-un Hunter for you. The stronger the foe, the better he likes it. And he'd succeed at 30 percent without a scratch. He turns the impossible possible."
It was the first time she'd seen the minister trust someone so profoundly.
At the minister's confident words with a smile, Daisy's gaze turned to the door Yong-un had exited.
"His ability..."
Even after everything, Daisy's flushed face showed no sign of fading.
Nay, it grew redder, her hands fidgeting like a lovestruck early-20s girl.
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