Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Demon Earths
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South Korea had recently ascended to the ranks of a hunter superpower.
In stark contrast, India had plummeted from hunter powerhouse to a minor nation.
A hunter's strength was the nation's power.
"The United States holds the top spot as the world's strongest hunter nation."
It was common knowledge, something even a child knew, that America possessed the greatest name and power among all current nations.
But the minister's words weren't meant to reiterate that fact.
"Then why is there no such thing as the world's weakest hunter nation?"
Minister Baek Myung-hee’s question made Yong-un pause to think.
'That's true.'
He'd heard of the strongest nation countless times, but never the weakest.
If there was a strongest, there had to be a weakest.
It was obvious common sense, yet Yong-un found it strange that the thought had never crossed his mind.
The minister's next words dispelled his curiosity.
"There is no weakest nation. Countries too powerless even to overcome gates on their own have been given another name."
She set down her teacup and continued softly.
"Demon Earths."
A portmanteau of "demon," meaning devil, and "Earth."
"That means..."
Yong-un instantly grasped the implication from the term alone.
The minister nodded firmly in response.
"Demon Earths are no longer considered nations."
The mere thought was horrifying.
Even in South Korea, dozens of gates appeared and vanished daily.
Of course, that was thanks to the tireless efforts of its hunters, but Demon Earths were different.
There were no longer any hunters left in Demon Earths capable of clearing gates.
Which meant...
"Those places have undergone repeated gate overs, turning the nations themselves into gates."
Demon Earths were gates in their own right, with dozens overflowing every single day.
"Such places exist in this world?"
"Somalia, Nauru, and San Marino—these three nations are currently designated as Demon Earths."
Gates on a national scale.
And even as they spoke, monsters and demons were piling up inside.
Yet why had Yong-un remained ignorant of this until now?
The reason was simple.
"Because South Korea was a weak hunter nation until recently."
A struggling minor power, too busy saving itself, couldn't possibly help others—even if it knew.
But things had changed.
South Korea was now a superpower, boasting two world S-rank hunters.
With the authority to dispatch aid to weaker nations came the weighty responsibility now pressing down on it.
The duty to reduce the mounting monsters and demons in Demon Earths.
That burden had arrived.
"What should we do?"
No matter her position as minister, this was too grave an issue to handle lightly.
She couldn't hide her anxiety as she turned to the one hunter who might have an answer: Yong-un.
'No matter how strong Hunter Yong-un is, this is something else entirely.'
No one had ever conquered such a place, nor could they.
Information was nonexistent.
The only sources were those who'd been there—but even they were scarce.
South Korea had risen to superpower status on Yong-un's strength alone, without such connections.
This wasn't something they could manage.
The minister gazed at him, unable to erase her worried expression.
"To wield power means bearing that responsibility, doesn't it."
This world was undeniably different from the murim.
The murim was ruled by three massive factions: the Murim Alliance, the Heavenly Demon Cult, and the Blood Alliance.
There were no other enemies—just these three powers clashing and maintaining a balance of strength.
Thus, they bore no obligation to act for others.
The strong were the law, living as they pleased without such burdens.
But here, it was different.
Unlike the murim of civilians and martial artists, every faction shared a common foe.
'Demons and monsters.'
And the colossal threat of gates.
He'd known it intellectually, but the factions handled gate threats so effectively that enemies felt distant.
Yet the more he learned of reality, the more Yong-un realized he'd been a frog in a well.
Reality wasn't a struggle between national powers.
The minister's words made it crystal clear.
'Reality is...'
A war between humanity and demons.
A clash of two vast forces.
Hunters versus gate-spawned demons, with nations and Demon Earths as the stakes of victory or defeat.
"I understand."
The term "Demon Earths" and their conversation had reshaped Yong-un's thinking.
Building his forces wasn't over yet.
'There are two enemies: rival factions and demons.'
Yong-un rose from his seat as the minister spoke.
She reached out in alarm.
"A-Are you running away?"
Did she think Yong-un feared Demon Earths?
Given the scale, it was understandable.
But Myung-su, who had listened silently, responded.
"Master feels no fear."
The minister scrutinized Yong-un's expression as he stood.
Then astonishment overtook her.
"You're... smiling?"
Yong-un, face lit with a grin, asked back.
"I've heard there's a Demon Earth right here on this land. Is that true?"
As the minister faltered, Myung-su answered for her.
"Yes. There's a place called Jumak-dong, near the West Sea. It's sparsely populated by hunters and has little exchange with others, so gates overwhelmed it, leading to a blockade."
Repeated gate overs had forced ironclad barriers and deployments of hunter management combat staff just to contain it.
"It's also known as the Village of the Sea of Death."
"How many monsters and demons are there?"
"Impossible to estimate. We've sent twelve search parties. The first eleven vanished entirely, and the twelfth advanced only 200 meters before retreating."
The name fit perfectly.
"What about the Four Great Guilds?"
"The twelfth was from Iron Army Guild, one of the Four Greats. But at around 200 meters, they encountered a demon horde—only two survived."
Iron Army Guild vied for top combat prowess among the Four Greats.
For them to suffer such losses explained why the place was left untouched.
"That's why the GHO has designated it a C-rank Demon Earth."
"C-rank doesn't sound high. Different from gate ranks?"
"Completely separate. Even A-rank gates can't compare, so they created a higher tier. Think of a C-rank Demon Earth as equivalent to three A-rank gates combined."
To think such a place existed in South Korea.
Yong-un's smile deepened.
"Perfect starting point for my kids."
Myung-su's expression turned grave at Yong-un's words.
"You mean..."
"Ghost Assassination Annihilation, mobilize Demon Dragon Squad."
His elite group under Yong-un, honed solely through training.
For the first time, orders came—to none other than a C-rank Demon Earth.
The Village of the Sea of Death, Jumak-dong.
"That's insane. Myung-su?"
The minister tried to intervene in shock, but eyed Myung-su, who offered no rebuttal to Yong-un's command.
She assumed refusal was obvious.
"Master's orders..."
But she didn't know.
Yong-un's subordinates had transformed 180 degrees since joining Ghost Assassination Annihilation and Demon Dragon Squad.
"We obey."
The minister cried out at Myung-su's response.
"Myung-su!"
But seeing his expression, she fell silent.
"Don't worry."
Not just anywhere—the path to the Village of the Sea of Death.
Yet Myung-su's face showed no fear or concern, only an ecstatic smile of anticipation.
"Master's forces never falter."
A thrilled grin, eager for battle there.
He bowed his head, then slowly looked up at Yong-un.
"This'll be fun."
Yong-un's beaming face met Myung-su's gleaming eyes.
"We await it eagerly."
A flashy debut loomed.
Only the minister stared at them like madmen, hands clamped over her gaping mouth.
'They're crazy...'
After Yong-un left, the minister grabbed Myung-su's hand as he moved to follow.
"This is madness. You're sending your subordinates to their deaths."
"No. Master has a plan."
Myung-su trusted Yong-un completely; the minister doubted his actions.
But Myung-su understood her concern.
A C-rank Demon Earth, no less.
"Don't worry."
He shook off her hand.
"With Master, the impossible becomes possible."
"Myung-su..."
Myung-su headed for the wide-open door Yong-un had exited.
He glanced back at the minister and bowed.
"Who would've believed it? South Korea producing two ranked hunters."
The impossible.
Yong-un had made it real.
"Even if we die there, Master has his reasons."
True loyalty to Yong-un—or rather, the heart of Ilgwi-hon Myung-su—turned toward her.
"Thank you. For keeping an assassin like me alive this long and letting me meet Master. I am truly grateful."
Conveying deep thanks, Myung-su walked through the open door toward Yong-un.
Alone in her office, the minister stared long at the door where they had vanished.
"Yong-un... what on earth are you thinking?"
She bit her nails, trying to suppress her anxiety.
Clearing the Village of the Sea of Death in Jumak-dong was as impossible as nurturing ranked hunters.
Not even uniting the Four Great Guilds could do it.
Ghost Assassination Annihilation's four assassins, Demon Dragon Squad's three warriors, and Yong-un.
Seven people total—absolutely insufficient.
Beyond impossible; utterly inconceivable.
Unable to quell her unease, the minister made a call somewhere.
"We can't just stand by..."
A boring, peaceful day.
For the first time, Yong-un assembled all of Ghost Assassination Annihilation and Demon Dragon Squad.
The four assassins, including Ilgwi-hon Myung-su, and the three warriors, including Squad Leader Sword Tiger.
They bowed to Yong-un.
"We're ready."
"Not yet. One's missing."
Just then—
A loud thud! from the sky, and someone made a dramatic entrance.
It was Ho-gun, protector of Unwoo Guild.
"Sorry. Afternoon training just ended."
The other subordinates smirked at Ho-gun's arrival.
Far too relaxed for heading to clear a C-rank Demon Earth.
Yong-un scanned them, then uncrossed his arms.
"Your job is to give it your all."
"Yes! Sovereign!"
"Yes! Master!"
They shouted in unison.
Yong-un surveyed them all, then slowly drew up his demonic energy and bellowed.
"Don't die. If you do, I won't forgive you."
"Yes! Sovereign!"
"Your job is just to give it your all. Nothing more. If death looms, retreat. Retreating isn't shameful."
Given the foe, Yong-un issued the order.
Yet every subordinate smiled and bowed as one.
"We shall obey the Sovereign's command!"
Whispers of laughter rippled among them.
"Let's see who retreats first."
"First to retreat gets double training back home."
"Ugh... gotta hold out somehow."
The garden trembled at Ilgwi-hon Myung-su and Squad Leader Sword Tiger's words.
"Hahaha!"
Who would believe these were off to tackle a C-rank Demon Earth?
Like kids on a field trip.
Yong-un chuckled and turned.
Then shouted for all to hear.
"Assemble at Jumak-dong!"
"Assemble!"
"Yes! Sovereign!"
Ghost Assassination Annihilation and Demon Dragon Squad's debut.
They didn't know.
This flashy debut would shake not just South Korea, but the next Demon Earth as well.