Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Arrival in Canterbury
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Not only Han Sang-ah and I, but Lee Se-eun also succeeded in landing an additional contract. Apparently, she'd quoted an incredibly low fee this time around—who knows what she was thinking.
Embargo Tower had to protect her anyway, and they already knew all about the incidents during the train transport...
Despite her requests, they hired her at the full rate.
"They've got big hearts."
The place we'd arrived at was Canterbury, England.
"It's quite a distance from where the shield generator is being installed."
About 22 kilometers away. Lee Se-eun pulled out a pipe as she responded to my comment.
"We're not the guard detail. We're the strike team."
The troops and hunters normally stationed to protect the shield generator would stay in Denver, of course. But we were the ones who'd get the call and deploy if something went wrong.
"A bit of distance is fine. Plus, Canterbury has way better accommodations than Denver anyway."
In other words, it was a gesture of respect. Without guard duty, we had complete free time until something popped off.
Which meant we'd achieved the bare minimum condition for our original goal of basing ourselves in Canterbury.
"How about you?"
Han Sang-ah answered my question.
"I finished the call. Once I gave them the full details of our deal, the family didn't have much to say."
"That's a relief. Honestly, I figured I'd catch some flak."
Han Sang-ah shook her head at my words.
"If we were in Korea right now, maybe. But the news about what happened crossing Siberia has already hit Korea hard."
Going home later was already giving me anxiety.
"Anyway, looks like the Geumyang Group family sees you as my future wife."
"Hey, wanna share a room tonight? I wouldn't mind at all."
Marrying the beautiful daughter of a chaebol family? That was better than striking Bitcoin gold. Han Sang-ah nodded at my words.
"Yeah. At this point, we might as well make it a done deal. Gives us something to throw back if they come knocking."
"What the hell are you two talking about?"
Lee Se-eun, who'd been listening in, looked back and forth between us in disbelief.
"You still don't know how to play along with her?"
"...It was another joke, huh."
Han Sang-ah replied in a slightly frustrated tone. Ever since we'd crossed the Netherlands, taken a ship to Dover, and made it to Canterbury, she'd fallen for my teasing every time.
She was getting used to it now, which just made it more fun.
"This place is a real mess too."
A good number of buildings were like gutted mackerel—bare skeletons somehow holding together.
Someone had stripped all the wood from the frame buildings for firewood.
"Still, keeping the government running at all is a miracle."
As we chatted, a car escorted by soldiers approached from the distance.
The UK Prime Minister and the British Hunter Association President were scheduled to visit us personally in Canterbury, where we'd be staying.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm UK Prime Minister Vanessa Bradley."
Two people stepped out of the car and approached. A middle-aged woman with slightly dull blonde hair greeted us first. That had to be the Prime Minister.
"I'm Association President Dominic Hedi."
The man followed up.
"You came all this way. Sorry for the hassle."
Vanessa shook her head at Lee Se-eun's polite remark.
"Hassle? Nonsense. Even though it's a short-term contract, we'll do everything we can to make your stay comfortable."
Vanessa finished and turned her gaze to Han Sang-ah and me.
"I know about you two. You've accomplished some incredible things in a short time."
She then addressed Han Sang-ah in a subtle tone.
"Geumyang Construction's 3D printing tech is unparalleled. We've benefited from it greatly."
3D printing construction.
Finish basic foundation work, then build the structure right on top with 3D printers. Geumyang held a dominant position in the field.
A three-story building took just one day. They could even leave spaces for plumbing and wiring during the process...
But outside Korea, lacking the infrastructure to connect those anyway made it pointless.
Low cost, fast production, high volume—that was key. Erosion Zone monsters could wreck them in seconds anyway.
Put simply, they were temporary tents called houses.
"Benefited? It's just business—we get paid."
"That's actually what I wanted to—"
Han Sang-ah cut Vanessa off firmly.
"Anything involving Geumyang Group, don't tell me. It won't do any good."
Vanessa stopped short at Han Sang-ah's iron wall. Politicians probably weren't used to such blunt talk.
"I see."
Vanessa looked disappointed. I smiled and said to her,
"We're hunters here to do a job."
I got wanting to squeeze more out of this trip, but no side chatter.
"The Association has confirmed the requests from you three hunters, including Lee Se-eun, and we'll provide as much support as possible."
Dominic's gaze shifted to me.
"First, regarding the byproducts from Yoo Chan-seok Hunter's share during the Siberia crossing: we've heard Daebak Scrap Dealers have recovered and are processing them."
Once processed, the British Hunter Association would deliver them to me.
"As for the additional items you requested, everything we could prepare has been shipped to Canterbury. We'll send the rest if we can source them."
Things I'd asked for to support upcoming training. And finally...
"For Han Sang-ah Hunter's requests, we're securing as much stock as possible right now."
"Geumyang Group will buy them under their name. I've already cleared it, so no payment issues."
What Han Sang-ah requested was elixirs—as my lesson fee, as discussed. Geumyang would pay upfront, so it was all upside for the Association.
"Your accommodations are three detached houses near Old Dover Road. All requested items and supplies are ready."
A short drive from Old Dover Road hit the Dover Road junction. Follow Dover Road, and you'd hit Dover in no time.
"It's suburban, but the scenery isn't great. All the trees have been cut down..."
Vanessa shot Dominic a glance. Admitting your country's woes to foreigners wasn't pleasant.
"We're not here on vacation. You've already been generous."
Lee Se-eun responded smoothly. I agreed. Scenery wasn't food.
"Then we'll escort you right away. Oh, as mentioned, your lodging has radio equipment linked to the Dover garrison."
"Once an hour, right?"
They might not be able to reach us, so we had to check in periodically.
Dominic nodded at my words.
"Yes, please stick to that strictly. Now, we'll show you to your quarters."
We rode to the houses. No people in sight en route—probably cleared out ahead.
"We received the relief supplies you transported this time. We'll put them to good use where they're needed most."
As we drove, Vanessa spoke to Lee Se-eun.
"Not much, but I hope they're useful."
Vanessa replied to Lee Se-eun,
"We can never thank the foundation you run enough. There are many who spread good in the world, but you're special among them."
Vanessa was sucking up to Lee Se-eun like an industrial washing machine. Lee Se-eun, a pro at this, took it in stride without a flicker.
"The UK supports hunter activities in various ways too. Scale varies inevitably, but..."
Korea's edge was solid safety and cash infusions from a stable economy. The UK couldn't offer safety or cash, but had one perk.
Total tax exemption for hunters. Desperate measure to retain them.
Real estate, cars, transfers, stocks, bank interest...
Even VAT-free shopping.
Straight-up tax-free. The UK government took zero from hunters or their companies. Vanessa and Dominic were pushing this hard.
"I hear Korea's voiced complaints about these UK policies lately."
"...That's true."
Lee Se-eun glanced at the barren landscape outside before speaking.
"How long can you keep that policy up?"
No firm answer. Korea complaining now, no one could counter.
"As long as we can."
"Good luck."
Vanessa's face darkened naturally. Basically, no UK plans. Her eyes flicked to me.
I answered plainly.
"I'm focusing on clearing rank-1 classified Erosion Cores."
"Pardon?"
Vanessa and Dominic's stares snapped to me. What the hell?
"Guarding spots or escorting? This job's my last."
After this UK stint, pure Erosion Core hunts. No teaming with others unless aligned.
"We admire your resolve, but—"
"I don't need UK government approval to move."
Dominic paused, then nodded.
"Fair enough."
Lee Se-eun glanced amusedly between me and him. Meanwhile, the car rolled up to our destination.
"Here you are."
As briefed, three adjacent detached houses for us.
No reliable infrastructure, so LPG gas, small generators, and a large ground water tank were provided.
"Let us know if anything's inconvenient."
Once the tour ended, the Prime Minister and President left promptly. Busy folks...
If Lee Se-eun or I showed a crack, they'd have pitched tents to persuade us. But we'd made clear: no long-term UK stay.
While I checked my pre-arrival requests, Lee Se-eun tested the Dover radio, and Han Sang-ah quickly cleaned the houses.
"Alright, time to die a little."
Barring Dover incidents, we'd spend hellish days here.