Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Cracking Heads for Cooperation
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It's not like I've been watching and observing for a long time, but the biggest current problem can be summed up in one sentence.
"As far as I know, there are no hunters among the current hunters attempting to eliminate that Erosion Zone—or even preparing to do so."
"Exactly. The issue isn't challenging it; barely suppressing the Erosion Zone is the best they can manage."
Barely suppressing it is the best? I couldn't agree with that assessment.
"They're just not bothering to challenge it."
Come to think of it, the incredibly skilled hunter right in front of me—Lee Se-eun—is ranked tenth on Hope's List.
That means there are nine hunters even stronger than her above her. If those guys all jumped in, would it really be impossible to clear one Rank-1 Erosion Core each?
No way. In fact, they wouldn't even need all nine. Just five teaming up like the Eagle Five Brothers would probably be more than enough.
"Everyone has their own interests at stake."
"I know. I'm not expecting them to band together anyway."
Other people might be different, but for top-tier hunters, Earth isn't a bad world to live in. Once someone reaches a certain level, they usually don't welcome risky adventures.
"I'll do it."
Someone with talent can grow if you show them the right path to unleash it.
"I'll specialize in tackling Rank-1 Erosion Zones."
Of course, I'd rake in a ton of money along the way, then once the goal's achieved, build a few nice buildings and live comfortably.
With Rank-1 Erosion Cores, compensation wouldn't even be a concern.
"You've got guts. Plenty of people might cheer your goal on, but how many do you think would actually join you?"
I gave Lee Se-eun's question a simple answer.
"You were the one who said getting famous would do the trick, Hunter Lee Se-eun."
Lee Se-eun leaned back in her chair as she listened.
"That's true. If you get famous, people who share your ideals will show up, and some skilled ones might even team up with you. But."
She slapped the table and continued.
"You'd need to get extremely famous. Your current level won't cut it."
"I know."
This wasn't about recruiting buddies to hang out with. It was about gathering comrades ready to take on Rank-1 Erosion Cores—and even the Great Eight. I needed to become a big shot.
Lee Se-eun downed the sugar lump masquerading as milk tea from her glass, wiped her mouth, and spoke.
"No one takes a kid seriously when they say their dream is to become a ten-million-sub YouTuber."
I answered refreshingly.
"Once you think I've reached the level of skill and influence that meets your standards, Hunter Lee Se-eun, join me then."
"I can promise that. I agree with your goal of rooting them out completely."
Han Sang-ah, who'd been listening, spoke up.
"I can join you right now."
Her goal was smashing Club Sandai, one of the Great Eight in Israel. No reason not to team up.
Plus, she was from the Geumyang Group owner's family. She could even bring emergency funds.
"What should we name it? Team Rocket?"
If I raised a cat well enough to make it talk, it'd be perfect. Han Sang-ah gave me a baffled look.
"What does a rocket have to do with us?"
Nothing at all. The name didn't really matter. Managing a company would bring endless headaches.
I just wanted to focus on clearing Erosion Zones. It'd be nice to have someone handle the logistics, but.
Seeking that out when we didn't even need an organization name yet was overkill.
"Everything sounds good, but please handle the commission we're facing right now diligently."
"No need to worry about that."
After wrapping up with Lee Se-eun, I glanced at Han Sang-ah briefly.
I'd originally planned to give help equal to what I received...
She was providing me with beneficial elixirs, expecting equivalent aid in return. But circumstances had changed.
This girl had real talent. If she walked the right path, she'd become top-notch combat strength, no question.
I didn't expect her to stick around forever, but at least until Club Sandai was smashed, we could travel together. Our goals aligned that far.
Lee Se-eun spoke with a troubled expression.
"Once we cross Poland into Germany, we'll run into the warlord group called Kaiser."
"Emperor, huh."
They still weren't cooperating with transport.
"How about I handle it my way?"
Lee Se-eun looked at me.
"Your 'way' is making me uneasy."
It wasn't anything grand. I stroked my spear and said.
"Once their heads get cracked a few times, they all turn polite."
Lee Se-eun couldn't do it. Her image as a hunter was already set—overwhelmingly positive.
But not me. I was somewhat famous from interviews and broadcasts, but...
"My character isn't established yet."
Lee Se-eun had too much to lose by going aggressive, thanks to her built-up image. I didn't.
"We're staying in Poland a while for relief distribution anyway, right? I'll sort it out in the meantime."
"You sure?"
I nodded at Lee Se-eun's question.
"Before relief distribution in Poland ends, I'll send good news."
Time to introduce the Kaiser boys to otherworld diplomacy. Kaiser? Emperor? What a joke. Bunch of punks leeching off others.
"The hunter companies contracted with the Kaiser warlord are Robco and Veramin."
"Think they'll step up if I make a scene?"
Lee Se-eun agreed crisply.
"Of course."
Han Sang-ah let out a little "Oh no" and looked at me.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Nah, not dangerous."
I wasn't planning to wipe out the entire Kaiser warlord group.
"You focus on what I told you. If there's no progress when I get back, I'll tan your hide."
With that, I stood up.
"Request cooperation from Mazurka, and notify Kaiser of my visit. I'm heading straight to Germany."
"The Kaiser warlord group's base is Hamburg's city hall."
Germany's south was risky due to Ristorante, one of the Great Eight in Italy. So they made the northern metropolis of Hamburg their stronghold.
"Hoping that the freedom won by our ancestors will be defended by posterity."
I recalled that was the Latin inscription on city halls. The warlord scum occupying it and playing king would surely delight their dead forebears.
"Then, wait for me in Hamburg."
After the greeting, I left Lee Se-eun's lodging. Warsaw to Hamburg was nearly 850 km. Too far by car; needed a helicopter.
Yuzef came running up, looking flustered. He'd gotten the call.
"Hey, you can't just leave like this all of a sudden."
"You must have at least a helicopter, right?"
Even if it was a warlord group. Yuzef spoke up.
"I heard you notified the Kaiser side. If we send a helicopter, they'll definitely attack!"
"Let 'em. Sounds fun."
I finished and grinned while giving Yuzef a once-over.
"I believe Mazurka will cooperate, Warrant Officer Yuzef."
"We...!"
Before he could finish, I gripped my spear.
"We what?"
Mazurka soldiers watching the scene raised rifles, aiming at me. But their guns shattered completely before they could target me.
"You're starting something you can't handle."
Instead of replying, I leveled my spear at Yuzef. Its tip extended in an instant, lightly grazing his throat.
"Seems like you're the one starting something you can't handle, Warrant Officer Yuzef."
"You think Mazurka will let this slide?"
I shook my head and put on a sad face.
"It's a shame you won't live to see Mazurka's retaliation against me."
You're dying here. Yuzef's face stiffened as he got it. I bared my teeth in a grin.
"Worried about Mazurka's revenge or my fate? In this situation?"
I flicked the spear tip to tap his cheek.
"Provide the helicopter, or die here."
Not a tough choice, right? Simple yes or no.
"You're insane. Do you know what'll happen to you if I die?"
"That's not an answer to my request. And who cares? Whatever happens to me after you die, you won't be around to see it anyway, Warrant Officer Yuzef."
He wouldn't want to die. Unless his life was total rock bottom, but a warlord warrant officer had too much to lose.
"Fine, lower that spear."
I compliantly withdrew it, approached with a smile, and offered my hand.
"Thanks for cooperating. I tend to use harsh methods when obstacles block my work. Understand."
Not like he could claim innocence. Crushing with force to shut mouths was their go-to move too.
Yuzef said nothing. No way he'd be happy about being coerced into handing over a helicopter.
"Alright, I'll make good use of it."
After that, I boarded the provided helicopter and headed for Hamburg. Soon, the chopper I'd boarded crossed into what used to be Germany's border.
"H-Hunter Yoo Chan-seok? We've got radio contact. They say turn back now or they'll fire."
I snatched the radio and spoke right away.
"Yeah, fire away, you fucking bastards. The moment one BB flies, I'll stake my life to drag at least three thousand of you to hell with me. This chopper's going to Hamburg, and we've already notified you."
The radio went silent at my sudden barrage of profanity. Weren't you supposed to say "over" after? Not my problem.
— ...Kaiser has no obligation to respond to that notification.
I cut in.
"I have no obligation to follow your notifications either. Occupying Hamburg city hall for years—do you think you're the German government now?"
Playing king in a lawless land, thinking they were something special.
"I'm a hunter registered with the official Republic of Korea Hunter Association, recognized by the Korean government. And you punks are a gang illegally occupying Hamburg city hall and stealing German government weapons without permission."
Who gave permission to cross the German border? What a laugh. As if those small-timers had the right. Generously, missile-armed gangsters at best.
— Saying it again. Turn back or we fire.
"Go ahead and try! Let's see how this plays out! Fire, you bastards, fire! This chopper's reinforced with my mana anyway. You'll need at least a missile."
But despite my threats, no attack came. Partly because I'd been so aggressive on the radio, and cost was a factor too.
Couldn't waste missiles on a non-military helicopter just because. Anti-aircraft guns made sense cost-wise, but my claim about the mana-reinforced chopper shrugging them off ruled that out.
Total bluff, of course. No way an aluminum light chopper could withstand AA guns, even mana-reinforced.