Chapter 24
Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: A Warm Welcome
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Three days before the S-rank gate opened.
The three A-rank Awakeners from Korea were engaged in a serious conversation.
“Shouldn’t we be heading back, too?”
Jang Jong-o of the Wind Guild asked, his expression anxious.
When the other two didn’t answer, Jang Jong-o spoke with frustration.
“They’re saying Wang Jin-chun and E Suo-lin aren’t participating. Over 500 people have already canceled their involvement in the expedition.”
The number of participants, once estimated at over 1,500, had plummeted to below a thousand.
And even now, more were rapidly pulling out.
The announcement that two S-rankers would be absent had that much of an impact.
It had shaken everyone’s faith in the possibility of conquering the gate.
“Still, don’t you think they’ll join in the end?”
Lee Myeong-jin of the Sun Guild still looked unconvinced.
That morning, China’s state-run media had reported the news.
—The injuries of Wang Jin-chun and E Suo-lin are being assessed. A final decision on their non-participation has not yet been made.
Officially, their absence was attributed to injuries. In reality, it was a move to pressure Russia.
“I don’t know the exact circumstances, but Russia will probably manage to bring them over eventually.”
The most cautious of them was Shin Myeong-sik.
“If we back out rashly, not only will our reputations suffer, but our future relationship with Russia could be ruined.”
“If the gate raid fails, there won’t be a Russia to have a relationship with.”
What would happen if an S-rank Dungeon Break occurred?
The impact would likely extend beyond Russia, affecting the entire world. That was why there was an unspoken rule for the whole world to act together on S-rank gates, but the reality was that each country weighed its own interests.
“Is a successful raid even possible in this state?”
“Even if it is, there’s no guarantee we’ll survive.”
“Right. The casualties will be immense.”
This was not a conversation unique to them. Most of the hunters who had agreed to join the subjugation were having similar thoughts.
“No matter how I look at it, it’s a dog’s death.”
As their conversation continued, their expressions grew darker.
Just as Min Ha-na, having worked up a sweat at the training grounds, finished her shower and entered the living room, Wang-sik returned from his meeting.
His expression was as placid as ever.
“What’s the atmosphere like in the meeting room?”
“Gloomy.”
“Weren’t they supposed to finalize the participant list today?”
It was three days before the gate raid.
Normally, this was the time when not only the participants but also the overall teams and sub-teams would be formed and briefed on a preliminary strategy. But with people continuously dropping out, they couldn’t even form the teams.
“Is China really not participating?”
“It doesn’t matter. Though I seem to be the only one who thinks so.”
“It’s not like you can conquer it alone, Mr. Wang-sik.”
“Russia and the European Union will participate. If a Break happens in Russia, Europe won’t be safe either. And you’ll be participating too, Ms. Min Ha-na.”
“I never decided that.”
“Then why have you been training?”
“Tsk.”
The Chief of Staff, who had been watching them, set out some simple refreshments on the table.
“You two should rest for a moment.”
As Wang-sik and Min Ha-na took their seats, the Chief of Staff poured them warm tea.
“Chief. Do you really think China won’t participate?”
“You sound disappointed.”
“I wanted to see just how strong two S-rankers were.”
“You’ll be able to.”
The Chief of Staff spoke as if he already knew.
“Did you hear something?”
“No. The information I have is the same as yours.”
Not just Min Ha-na, but Wang-sik too looked at the Chief of Staff with curiosity.
“China can’t abandon Russia. Whether Russia falls or barely manages to fend it off with aid from other nations, China knows it will be thoroughly isolated either way. In my opinion, China is trying to establish a new pecking order right now.”
“A pecking order?”
“In the past, Russia stood behind China. But now, that has changed. They want to make it known that China is the one standing behind Russia. Objectively speaking, it’s true that China has surpassed Russia. It’s just that their historical relationship makes the hierarchy a bit ambiguous.”
This was a fact most people were aware of.
The Chief of Staff moistened his lips with tea and continued.
“The scenario China wants most isn’t non-participation, but rather how to make their presence known. And since Russia is in a position where it has to incur a debt anyway, China will want to inflate that debt as much as possible.”
“I still don’t get it.”
When Min Ha-na admitted this frankly, the Chief of Staff explained more simply.
“The Chinese leadership will probably hold an official press conference in the next day or two, declaring this a global crisis. They’ll say they’re doing their utmost to resolve it. It’s true they’ve already sent many skilled individuals. Then, when the crisis reaches its peak, they’ll send their heroes. The ultimate allies who appear at the climax of an action movie.”
“So China will play the hero role that the US used to?”
“Exactly. Russia will find it difficult to refuse the two S-rankers and their core forces, and once the gate is conquered, the world’s attention will be focused on China. If they take all the glory, Russia will have to give up a great deal in return.”
The Chief of Staff laid out the scenario calmly.
“Would they really go that far?”
“The Chinese politicians would be fools to discard this scenario. Your tea is getting cold. Please drink.”
Only after the Chief of Staff urged them with his usual expression did the two snap out of it.
“I don’t understand.”
Wang-sik said, moistening his throat with tea.
“What is it?”
“With a Chief of Staff like you, why is the Bureau Director so bad at politics?”
“Because even if I show him the right answer, he chooses to act on the wrong one.”
“Ah…”
Wang-sik’s question was answered. But it seemed Min Ha-na’s was not.
“Someone like you could probably persuade the Bureau Director. Why haven’t you?”
“Because the wrong answer the Bureau Director chooses is justice.”
“Ah. Justice instead of the right answer.”
“It’s a value someone has to uphold, isn’t it?”
A small smile touched the Chief of Staff’s lips.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
Those who entered after receiving permission were Shin Myeong-sik and his group.
Without even glancing at Min Ha-na and Wang-sik, they spoke to the Chief of Staff.
“We will be returning to Korea.”
“Your reason?”
“Personal matters.”
“Do the others also have personal matters?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
The Chief of Staff listened to their answers without a hint of agitation.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think there will be any flights back. There isn’t enough time to prepare one.”
“We request a special flight.”
At their bold demand, the Chief of Staff rose from the sofa and approached them.
“Running away is your choice, but don’t you dare stand there so proud in front of me.”
“What does that…”
“There will be no special flight. If you want to go, find your own way. And let me make this clear. You came here not in the name of the Republic of Korea’s government, but under the authority of your guilds. Remember that. What I mean is, don’t go around spouting that you’re Korean and make us look like cowards, too.”
At those words, Shin Myeong-sik flared up.
“Is it the will of the Republic of Korea to send its people to die like dogs?”
“If this subjugation were impossible, I would have been the first to suggest a retreat.”
“There’s no way it can succeed in this situation!”
Jang Jong-o shouted.
“China is only sending their dregs, and even those who came are leaving. We’re just a few among many.”
“And what of it? Are you asking me to listen to your whining?”
The Chief of Staff turned away as if he had lost interest.
As the three men hesitated and turned to leave, Wang-sik spoke as if letting out a sigh.
“No skill, and no courage.”
Min Ha-na followed up his words.
“No sense, and no brains.”
The three shot them a sharp glare before leaving the room.
One day before the gate raid.
—China. Joining the gate raid for the greater good.
—Two heroes depart, bearing their injuries.
—Hope arrives in Russia.
It was just as the Chief of Staff had said.
The Chinese hunters arrived in Russia with just 24 hours left before the gate opened.
Two S-rankers and one hundred A-rankers.
They had brought their absolute elite, as if to make a statement.
The two S-rankers were formidable, but the one hundred A-rankers were a force comparable to Russia’s own number of participants.
When the news broke, a strange situation unfolded where the Awakeners who had given up on the raid tried to rejoin.
However, the number of participants had been fixed at one thousand.
Everything had changed with the arrival of the Chinese Awakeners. But this atmosphere did not extend to the strategy meeting room.
*Click.*
The door opened lightly, and three people entered the meeting room.
Wang Jin-chun and E Suo-lin.
The two S-rank hunters and the director of China’s Hunter Management Bureau.
“Haha. We’re a bit late.”
The balding Chinese director in his late fifties waved and greeted them as if he were on a tour. But no one returned his greeting.
“Why the long faces? Russia is about to become a land of victory. Now that we Chinese are here, you have nothing to worry about. Whether it’s an S-rank gate or a double S-rank, we just need to smash it with force.”
The only ones who laughed at the director’s chatter were the two Chinese hunters. They casually sat down in the empty chairs.
Still, being S-rank hunters, they took the seats closest to the screen, directly facing Gregory.
Gregory, clearly displeased with the situation, didn’t even make eye contact with the two Chinese hunters.
“Alright. Let’s continue the meeting.”
Wang-sik ignored their silent war and proceeded.
“The teams will be divided into three primary teams, 50 secondary teams, and 200 tertiary teams. We will generally move as three teams. If a situation requires further division, we will split into 50 teams, and if individual combat breaks out, we will form 200 teams of five.”
“Heh heh. Why think so complicatedly? We can just stick together and break through with force.”
It was the Chinese director who shook his head and cut Wang-sik off. Wang-sik ignored him and continued.
“When the gate opens tomorrow, the tankers in the first row and healers in the second will enter to secure the entrance. After all hunters have entered, we will deploy in the formation shown on the chart above.”
“Hey. Our Chinese hunters came here as a pre-formed team. I’d prefer it if you didn’t mix the teams.”
When the director spoke again, Wang-sik did not ignore him this time.
“Who are you?”
Everyone reacted with disbelief at his question.
Zhang Tian-pan, the Director of China’s Hunter Management Bureau.
He was a world-famous figure.
“You don’t know me?”
“We’re short on time, so just state your identity.”
“Heh heh. Well, I’ll be.”
After laughing in disbelief, Zhang Tian-pan finally spoke.
“I am Zhang Tian-pan, Director of China’s Hunter Management Bureau.”
“Are you an authorized individual?”
Wang-sik now asked the Russian Deputy Director standing behind him.
“He’s authorized.”
“I see. Now that your identity is confirmed, you may remain seated. However, if you interrupt this meeting one more time, you will be thrown out.”
“What? You’ll throw me out? And who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”
“I am the strategist for this expedition. Second-in-command, right below the general commander.”
“Ridiculous! That might have been the case before China joined! Now, you’re fourth. Our Chinese hunters will take the second spot.”
Wang-sik’s gaze shifted to the two Chinese hunters seated in their chairs.
It was the first time he had seen them in person. The man had an arrogant expression, while the woman was impassive with a cold air about her.
Looking at them, Wang-sik spoke.
“Agent Min Ha-na is on our team. If she were here, this is what she would have said.”
Wang-sik looked at the two Chinese hunters and enunciated each word clearly.
“This fucking bastard brings two weaklings and is running his mouth.”
Unfortunately, the curse lost some of its zesty flavor when translated into English. But its meaning was delivered with perfect clarity.
“Ah. Of course, those weren’t my words. I’m just saying that’s what our Agent Min Ha-na would have said. I, for one, welcome you all.”
Wang-sik spread his arms wide, a warm smile on his face, like a messiah descended from the heavens.