Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: Death Demon Cry Arrives
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Death Demon Cry emerged from the building, basking in the goodwill of the Martial God and Vice Director Charlie.
"South Korea, huh... No wonder it spiked so abnormally. So that's the reason."
Pollant's smile dipped downward, settling on someone in particular.
A young East Asian girl, about fifteen years old, stared straight ahead with vacant eyes.
"South Korea's an unexplored territory, right?"
A nod.
Unlike her empty gaze, her head moved with life.
Pollant's hand naturally reached out to stroke the East Asian girl's hair.
"Spears."
"Yes."
A woman's voice came from among the ten D.D.C. members standing behind him.
Pollant issued the order without even turning around.
"Open a warp to South Korea."
"Right here, sir?"
Pollant wore a puzzled expression at Spears' flustered tone.
Then he glanced at the grand GHO headquarters behind them.
"You're right. It won't work here. This is the world's most perfect fortress, after all."
"My apologies. If we move just 500 meters ahead, we'll be out of the distortion circle. We can proceed there."
"No helping it, then. We'll have to use Zero One."
Pollant's upper body leaned forward.
He brought his mouth close to the East Asian girl's ear and whispered.
"Zero One. Take us just ahead."
A nod.
GHO's distortion circle was a space where warp magic—spatial translocation—simply didn't work.
Yet the East Asian girl nodded anyway.
As if mocking GHO's magical prowess, Zero One summoned a massive surge of mana that made even her black hair flutter wildly.
Her unique mana, neither light nor dark, instantly engulfed the entire D.D.C. group.
And in that spot, they all vanished.
This drinking gathering was set in Myeongdong, a spot familiar to the Soul-Exterminating Demons.
"Mm..."
Yong-un approached Cheon-il, who stared fearfully at the beer in front of him.
Everyone else was enjoying their food and drinks, passing the time merrily.
But Cheon-il alone waged a personal war against the alcohol.
"It's fine to drink."
Cheon-il was still young.
Unlike other hunters, not only had he survived his contract with a demon, but he'd now established himself as a proper hunter.
Legally, he was too young to drink.
But as long as he held a valid hunter's license, the current laws treated even minors like adults—with all the responsibilities that came with great power.
Possess great strength, bear great responsibility, or something like that.
"I-I can really drink?"
Whoever made those laws deserved praise—they were brilliant.
Buoyed by Yong-un's encouragement, Cheon-il grabbed the beer glass tightly.
"Fear not. No demon will fear you anymore."
"Then... here goes!"
Cheon-il immediately dunked his face into the foamy, lukewarm beer and gulped it down.
In truth, Cheon-il wanted to drink.
He yearned to feel that tipsy buzz, just like his brothers and sisters.
The fuzzy sensation from before had introduced him to a new pleasure.
And now, having chugged it down...
"Kya~"
Thud.
As the glass hit the table, that refreshing chill returned, followed by the slow creep of intoxication.
His courage from overcoming fear lasted only a moment.
Soon, dread washed over Cheon-il again.
"It'll be okay, right? Supreme One bro?"
The demon inside him had rampaged only long after he'd gotten drunk last time.
There was no guarantee it wouldn't happen again.
But...
"I'll stay by your side. I want to show everyone you're fine."
With Yong-un's smile, the fear engulfing Cheon-il melted away like snow in sunlight.
"Supreme One bro... You're really amazing."
Cheon-il beamed at Yong-un.
"Being with you makes me feel like I can do anything. Really... so peaceful."
"If it feels that way, then I'm happy too."
"It's true, bro! You're my favorite person in the world!"
Watching Cheon-il's innocent, bright smile, Yong-un couldn't stop grinning.
Is this what raising a child feels like?
Even in the Heavenly Demon Cult's Demon Shadow Assassination Squad, his subordinates had said similar things.
"Supreme One, why haven't you married? It's so fun."
The subordinate holding the child smiled endlessly, just like now.
No matter how grueling the training or wars, the moment they cradled a baby, pure joy lit their faces.
As if their bloodline was the whole world, they smiled brighter than anyone, like kings of everything.
Back then, consumed by revenge, Yong-un hadn't understood those feelings.
But now, settled and at ease, he finally grasped what those guys had meant.
"Supreme One's really the best?"
The Poison Demon Witch, overhearing Cheon-il, rushed over and eyed him.
"That's harsh on your bros."
Barum chuckled and glanced at Cheon-il too.
Under the Soul-Exterminating Demons' stares, Cheon-il looked flustered.
"I-I mean... Supreme One bro's number one! Soul-Exterminating Demon bros and sis are number two! Sorry..."
"Hahaha!"
"It's fine. Supreme One's first—that makes us happy too."
Cheon-il floundered amid the playful demons' teasing.
Yong-un smiled, watching his demons.
Then, a prickling sensation at the back of his neck made him turn toward the group.
Lick.
There stood the dancer, wetting her lips with her tongue in blatant seduction.
The Red Horse showed no signs of retreat.
Her brazen advances, bold enough to pierce through, had sweat beading on Yong-un's forehead.
"Oh, right!"
As he pondered an escape, unexpected reinforcements arrived.
"Cheon-il! I heard you have a big sis."
At the Poison Demon Witch's question, Barum nodded.
"It's true. Cheon-il said contracting with a new demon brought back some old memories. He wanted to share when the time was right—and now seems perfect."
Barum's encouragement loosened Cheon-il's tongue.
After hesitating, he mumbled shyly.
"But I'm not sure if it was a dream or something I really went through... It felt so vivid..."
"Did you have a sister?"
Among the demons, Yong-un had met Cheon-il first.
He'd rescued the cursed child from abuse by his guildmates.
But back then, Cheon-il couldn't remember why he'd ended up like that or how he'd contracted with a demon.
"Yeah, I think so, Supreme One bro. The new contract resurfaced a bunch of scenes."
"What kind?"
"Not sure exactly... but I was running from someone."
Running?
As Cheon-il spoke, every demon and demon dragon squad member fell silent.
"Something black flapping wildly—it scared me, so I ran. Someone was with me."
"Your sister?"
"Yeah, long hair, wearing clothes white like blank paper, same as mine. She held my hand as we ran."
"How'd you know it was your sister?"
"Dunno. Just... seeing her made me think 'sister.'"
Everyone nodded at Cheon-il's words.
How do you prove family with words?
Like Yong-un recognizing his family at first sight.
Blood ties held that special power.
That's why Yong-un instantly understood what Cheon-il meant.
"We burst outside, and it was all ocean around us. Then sis pushed me, saying 'You run at least.'"
"And?"
The Poison Demon Witch, absorbed in the tale, responded without thinking.
"That's it. That's why I'm confused if it was a dream or real."
"Her face? Remember her face?"
"Not really... just her eye color was kinda unique. Nothing else..."
Silence fell after he finished.
They exchanged glances, unsure what to say.
But soon, laughter broke the quiet.
"It was a dream!"
"Totally a dream, kid. Haha! Dreams are like that—strangers feel like old friends, then poof, no face when you wake."
Jin-mo and Jeong-won wrapped it up.
Declaring Cheon-il's experience a mere dream.
"It felt so real..."
Amid his subordinates' laughter, Cheon-il looked lost.
He'd truly believed she was his sister.
For Cheon-il, dreams were new.
His only dreams had been nightmares of facing monsters in dark caves.
So this fresh dream felt alien and real.
"Don't worry. Dream or reality, if a real sister exists, you'll meet her someday."
Whether through fate or information.
If blood lived, reality would eventually reunite them.
Yong-un had witnessed it dozens of times in the martial world.
No reason it couldn't happen on this smaller landmass.
"Cherish that memory. When you meet your real sister, you'll be the only one who recognizes her."
"Yeah, Supreme One bro..."
"Alright! Enough teasing Cheon-il—let's switch topics, everyone."
To lift the downcast boy's spirits, Yong-un forced a smile and addressed the group.
"I saw your skills after so long—you've all trained hard. I wonder who'll be the one to land a hit on me."
"Me!"
"I'll do it!"
"I'll surpass you, Supreme One!"
"Jeong-won, you talk big—beat the vice leader first. You nearly died this time."
"Aw, Jong-hyun bro. I'll try harder~"
"Hahaha!"
In the brightened mood, Cheon-il finally smiled and shot his hand up with the others.
"I'll get you! Watch out, bro~"
A single official document arrived at the desk of Daisy, branch manager of GHO's South Korea office.
It came from none other than Vice Director Charlie.
To Daisy, a communique from the world's second-most powerful hunter figure was like a king's decree.
And the decree was simple:
[D.D.C. is in South Korea. Cooperate with them fully.]
"Who's D.D.C.?"
At Daisy's question, Marina—an S-Rank magic hunter and GHO Korea's vice branch manager—replied.
"I'm not sure either. I asked a high-rank hunter colleague at HQ right after getting it... He said it's a team tied to Demon Cry."
Daisy's eyes widened at "Demon Cry."
"Demon Cry?"
"Yes, a hunter team, but not famous. They don't raid gates."
"They don't raid gates, yet the vice director sends a personal communique?"
"It's a special case. Rumors say they're not under GHO—more like equals."
Death Demon Cry.
Daisy's doubts about D.D.C. only grew.
But she instantly sensed why this special team was here.
"It's about Hunter Yong-un."
"What makes you think that?"
"GHO still hasn't located the Demon-Slaying Sword, right?"
"No follow-up docs suggest they've either found it or given up."
"They haven't given up."
Daisy sighed deeply.
"Pardon?"
"They don't trust us, so they're moving directly. The Martial God warned us before—don't touch Hunter Yong-un."
"The Martial God said that?"
"Means even he can't handle them. Since joining GHO, I've done anything for promotion—and learned everything about it. This happened once before."
Marina looked intrigued.
"The Martial God once crossed the Royal Class Mercenary King."
"Y-You're talking about the Mercenary King?"
Marina's face turned to shock.
"Is that possible? Royal Class are beyond even GHO's power..."
"It failed, of course. The Martial God threatened GHO then too—don't touch the Mercenary King. Just like now."
"If that's the case..."
"The Martial God sees Hunter Yong-un on that Mercenary King's level."
Daisy hadn't risen by chance.
She earned it through pure ability.
Basing her judgment on the communique and past events, she concluded right there.
"As the Martial God said, this is out of our hands. We just give our all to those called D.D.C."
Marina nodded.
She couldn't even guess what was unfolding.
At least Daisy seemed to know.
"But... how do we find D.D.C.?"
"If they need help, they'll find us."
As Daisy sighed to shake off the issue...
The branch manager's door burst open. The security team leader rushed in, shouting.
"D.D.C. folks are in the lobby causing a scene!"
He rarely sought the manager directly.
Puzzled, just as they wondered...
He added,
"They're asking for you, Branch Manager. And... they've committed murder."
What a flashy entrance.
"Should've known when the vice director sent it personally."
Daisy scowled and stood.
Spilled water can't be regathered.
Just wipe it up.
"To the lobby. Time to clean up the mess."