Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: The Supreme One Has Returned
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Thanks to the Poison Witch and the Dancer, the Soul Annihilators had perfectly risen to the surface in South Korea.
Before, there hadn't been a single solo article about the Soul Annihilators, but now standalone pieces on them or the Demon Dragon Corps were starting to pop up.
And the reactions to every article were off the charts.
In this Gate era, even non-hunters knew that the number of gates cleared by the Soul Annihilators and Demon Dragon Corps far exceeded the norm.
Thanks to that, the comment sections exploded—from cries of "Ex-Hunter," to "Love you, Poison Witch! Love you, big sis Dancer!" and "Why introduce an amazing team like this only now?"
It showcased explosive popularity.
Occasionally, comments like these popped up too.
Even in solo articles about the Soul Annihilators and Demon Dragon Corps, remarks praising Hunter Yong-un for creating the best teams appeared here and there.
'Of course.'
These were articles and comments that should have come out long ago.
It wasn't just recent—they'd been doing this all along.
The only ridiculous thing was that people were only noticing now.
But.
Being popular didn't come without downsides.
"Ah... I really can't even go out anymore."
"Everyone recognizes us now, so I can't move around freely like before."
"Can't we go back to how things were?"
Becoming public figures meant receiving tons of love, but also the responsibilities that came with it.
For them, who had only recently started hobby activities, this popularity wasn't entirely a good thing.
However, not everyone hated the explosive fame.
The Poison Witch and Dancer, in particular, loved it the most.
"I'm fine with it."
"Me too! Yesterday, on the way back from shooting the Poison Witch and Armani mall ad, we ate at a Korean spot, and the chef gave us freebies, saying we let him live peacefully thanks to us."
"Sis, didn't fans come give us gifts while we were shooting the ad too?"
"Right! We actually like it."
Even comrades who lived together, shared joys and sorrows, and faced life-and-death battles could be so different.
As the group split like this, the Soul Annihilators' ghost souls and Demon Dragon Corps members naturally turned to Yong-un.
"What do you think, Supreme One?"
Unlike the Soul Annihilators or Demon Dragon Corps, Yong-un was a special case.
Of course, they'd all made equally impactful debuts.
But calling it special referred to Yong-un's situation amid the flood of popularity.
"I don't know what you all are talking about."
"Pardon?"
"I've only seen reporters about six times so far. I just tossed the rest away."
In truth, Yong-un had experience shoving reporters out when the Unwoo Guild office was still small.
"Pardon!? Was that okay? I heard treating reporters badly twists the articles..."
"Live by your convictions. If you worry about that stuff, even good things fall apart, and your martial prowess won't grow."
The Demon Dragon Corps member who asked scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Yes, sorry."
This time, Jong-hyun spoke up.
"But how have you only seen reporters that few times? With your status, Supreme One, you've drawn huge crowds in Korea many times before."
Yong-un's response.
"No idea. I just went about without caring, and they didn't come."
Jong-hyun looked puzzled at the "no idea."
But only for a moment.
Sword Tiger, the Demon Dragon Corps leader, spoke irritably.
"I followed you once, and it's not that reporters don't come."
"Pardon?"
"They can't come. We can't even keep up with you—how could reporters catch you?"
"Ah..."
Everyone understood instantly.
"You move insanely fast. I had to sprint at full speed every day."
It wasn't that reporters hadn't tried to find him.
They just couldn't.
He moved too fast, and every request for Yong-un went through Guild Master Jin-cheol of Unwoo Guild, who blocked them all.
"Aah~"
Everyone nodded in understanding.
Watching his subordinates' faces, Yong-un chuckled softly.
"Gatherings like this aren't bad."
His men smiled at his words.
"We train, fight, or get scolded every day... This feels kinda weird for me too."
Myung-su bowed his head slightly.
But this mood wasn't just for Yong-un or Myung-su.
"Why'd you suddenly make time for this?"
The Poison Witch frowned at the Dancer's question.
"Sis! You hate times like this?"
"It's nice, but I think seeing you one-on-one would be better."
All the subordinates coughed awkwardly at the Dancer's bold words.
When had it become like this?
The Dancer's forward behavior.
In that instant, Yong-un read everyone's expressions.
'They already knew.'
There was no surprise on their faces.
They were just trying to hide their expressions.
"Ahem..."
Silence flowed, threatening to solidify the mood.
Yong-un quickly changed the atmosphere.
"Lately, moving around as human Lee Yong-un, not a hunter, I've gained some insights, so I thought of this. If anyone dislikes it, you don't have to join."
The Soul Annihilators' courtyard held Yong-un and his subordinates clustered together.
The darkening night around them relied on faint moonlight to see each other.
"No way! I'm happy to see more of you, Supreme One!"
It was blatant flattery.
Yet, perhaps due to age, it didn't feel bad.
As he smiled, about to tease them—
Ring ring ring.
Myung-su's phone rang.
"Sorry."
"Ah, what are you doing! If it's First Ghost Soul, answer it!"
"First Ghost Soul bro, put it on silent!"
Everyone burst into laughter at the common knowledge even Cheon-il knew.
"Take the call. Probably Seventh Ghost Soul, who couldn't make it due to work today."
"Sorry."
Thinking it might be urgent, Myung-su answered.
Yong-un stirred his demonic energy, pulling Myung-su's phone to the center via telekinesis.
"Huh!?"
Myung-su reached out quickly, but Yong-un's energy was faster, placing the phone in the middle.
Then, speakerphone activated.
Yong-un gave a dazed Myung-su a look.
"Ahem... What's up? You had plans today."
Everyone stifled laughs at Seventh Ghost Soul, unaware everyone could hear.
"He's well. Get to the point."
Everyone's faces darkened at the hiccup.
The foolish laugh capped it off.
The mood screamed impending disaster, and Myung-su shot toward the phone like the wind.
In a blink, his hand reached for it.
But someone grabbed his hand faster.
"Leave it."
Yong-un signaled Myung-su to speak.
"Ahem, you sound drunk. If it's nothing, hang up and come back."
The uneasy words omitted the object.
Glancing at Yong-un, Myung-su asked softly and lowly.
"What... do you mean."
All subordinates' faces soured.
Calling the Supreme One "Hunter Yong-un."
Words no one else would dare, spilling from Seventh Ghost Soul's mouth.
'It's fine. Keep going.'
Cold sweat beaded on Myung-su's forehead.
Oblivious, Seventh Ghost Soul's loose tongue continued.
"Stop!"
Myung-su finally yelled, unable to hold back.
Seventh Ghost Soul sounded flustered at the shout.
Daring to summon a mere ghost soul like the Supreme One?
Killing intent rippled from Myung-su at the overstepping drunkard.
He couldn't tolerate it.
Even ignoring the Supreme One's order, he resolved to correct that attitude and yelled again—
"Got it."
But then.
As everyone stared in shock,
Yong-un replied into the phone.
"S-Su, Supreme One?"
"Yes, it's me. Where should I go?"
The Soul Annihilators and Demon Dragon Corps members' jaws slowly dropped.
"Wait there."
The call ended.
And everyone realized.
Disaster.
A massive one.
Swish.
Yong-un stood.
But none of his subordinates could move.
No, they couldn't even breathe easily.
"What are you doing."
"P-Pardon!?"
Yong-un's voice pierced the frozen atmosphere.
Dazed Myung-su turned his stiff neck to look.
"We've got to go. To Konkuk."
No anger on Yong-un's face.
Just natural, as if it were obvious.
'That's scarier...'
Sword Tiger bit his nails at the sight.
"Dancer."
"Yes!"
Even bold Dancer stiffened at Yong-un's call.
She shot up, saluting unusually.
Yong-un chuckled.
"Let's shadow-jump. Don't make a fuss. I just want to try normal life too."
Like a newbie throwing a tantrum at the boss after drinks.
Department head Myung-su, Poison Witch, Dancer, with frozen faces, eyed fellow head Sword Tiger.
'What do we do?'
'What? Do what the boss—no, Supreme One—wants.'
Sword Tiger signaled with his face.
"What are you doing."
At Yong-un's urging, Dancer reluctantly spread her demonic energy wide for shadows.
Supreme One's order—she had no choice but to shadow-jump.
Even as they sank into the earth, she eyed Myung-su for an answer.
Swish.
But no answer came.
There never was one for this situation.
Having guts meant, in reverse, seeing nothing before your eyes.
Kim Gu, Seventh Ghost Soul.
He was exactly that.
'Daring to summon the Supreme One... When he sobers up, that guy is done for...'
Arriving under Konkuk's flashy neon, Yong-un said to Myung-su.
"Don't scold him later. I came because I wanted to."
"Yes, understood."
He said that, but vowed to grill him someday.
Yong-un, Soul Annihilators, Demon Dragon Corps—arrived at Konkuk.
The youth street teemed with young people near media levels, so crowds soon recognized the group.
"Kyaaah! Hunter Yong-un!"
"Poison Witch sis! Dancer sis! Love you!"
"Whoa... That beauty real?"
"Those are the ex-hunters clearing 10 gates a day? Insane."
"Sis! Bro!"
Rumors spread like wildfire.
Masses swarmed Yong-un's group instantly.
Any longer, and the area would paralyze—Myung-su pulled out his phone.
"Seventh Ghost Soul."
"Tell us the spot. We'll come."
Rage boiled over—he hung up abruptly after grinding his teeth.
"Got it."
Then whispered to Yong-un.
"How about Void Flight?"
"What about Demon Dragon Corps."
Hearing, Sword Tiger frowned.
"We'll handle ourselves. Just flare your demonic energy when we arrive."
"Got it."
Whoosh.
Yong-un and all Soul Annihilators' ghost souls unleashed Void Flight in unison, black demonic mist erupting like flames before vanishing.
"Whoa! Where'd they go?"
"Crazy!"
Onlookers filming videos and photos gasped in awe.
Cool to civilians, but magic-type hunters saw true spectacle.
The black mist of demonic energy entranced them.
Then Demon Dragon Corps' show.
Bang.
They rocketed skyward, leaving only crowds where Yong-un's group had stood.