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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 100: All-Out War (1)
"Cheorwon. Heard stories about this place, but damn, it's colder than a witch's tit!"
[TL/N: Cheorwon — A county in Gangwon Province, South Korea. It's located near the border with North Korea and is known for its cold weather.]
"Fucking hell. And now it's gonna snow on top of everything else?"
"No wonder Wang Geon revolted and got the hell out of here. Who'd choose this frozen wasteland for a capital?"
[TL/N: Wang Geon — A famous king who made Cheorwon his capital city long ago. So… the joke is that if even a powerful king like Wang Geon eventually decided to move his capital elsewhere (he "revolted" against the cold), then it must be truly freezing!]
The cargo truck, having finally reached Cheorwon in Gangwon Province, disgorged its passengers.
The Hunters huddled together, cursing the biting wind that seemed to slice right through their heavy coats.
"What's your name?"
"Oh Jeongsu, ma'am."
"Drop the formalities. You're here to lead those guys anyway, not me."
"So, you're acknowledging my command?"
"Since when have I ever cared about that?"
"Understood."
"Just don't nag me."
Oh Jeongsu inwardly sighed.
Third in the Rakshasa Guild hierarchy.
In terms of actual strength, he was second only to Park Jinsoo, but the reason Kim Mijeong remained as the Operations Chief was simple.
She didn't participate in anything that didn't interest her.
'Even if I'm not responsible, I don't want to deal with the aftermath.'
Oh Jeongsu grumbled briefly and then checked the information received from the Arhan Guild.
The Border Region.
It referred to the large Erosion Zone that cut across the central part of the Korean Peninsula.
In principle, one needed government permission to enter, but…
As always, the world didn't operate solely on principles.
"Are you with the Rakshasa Guild?"
"I'm Oh Jeongsu."
"Ah, I see. Come this way."
The Rakshasa Guild members moved to the Cheorwon smuggling route.
Next to the manhole, about 150 Hunters were huffing and puffing, their breath clouding the air.
"Uh. Are we supposed to follow those guys?"
"I thought it would be like poaching since we're entering the Border Region, but this looks like we're about to go to war."
Mercenaries gathered secretly, avoiding Madam's eyes.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere of the Rakshasa Guild members, they chatted amongst themselves, but no one backed out.
Using the Arhan Guild’s funds, they were offered several times the amount they usually received based on their skills.
'I should ask for a bonus when this is over.'
'We're not going to die, are we?'
Unaware they were heading into a death trap, the Hunters hired by the Rakshasa Guild chuckled, thinking about their reward.
"Let's get going then."
Thud—
As the planks were removed, the hole leading to the Border Region was revealed.
The Rakshasa Guild member leading the way entered first.
The mercenaries followed, entering the Border Region.
"But, Oh Jeongsu, isn't it too far to go all the way to Paju?"
"We can't use the routes around Gyeonggi Province."
"But I thought the Red Spider was finished."
"I hear Black Market is managing those routes now."
The Red Spider was a large organization with hundreds of members.
Even though Yoojin had taken their place, it was impossible for him to control all the territory they used to manage.
That's why, as soon as the Spider Hunt ended, he brought Mr. Black, the ruler of Black Market, to the negotiating table.
Black Market acted on Yoojin's behalf, handling matters seamlessly in his stead.
"How are we handling supplies?"
"We've arranged to receive support from the Arhan Guild in Yeoncheon and Paju."
The Arhan Guild would deploy small raiding parties into the Border Region.
They agreed to take care of supplying the raiding parties as they moved south along the former GOP line.
[TL/N: GOP — General Outpost, referring to the guard posts along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea.]
"They say Madam won't pay much attention to something on this scale."
"With all those Hunters she has to pay, I doubt it."
"Well, the Guild's finally coughed up those inventory bags they've been hoarding."
"Damn it. They were so stingy when we asked to borrow them."
Oh Jeongsu gave a wry smile at Kim Mijeong's sharp complaint.
The Milky Way pub had the best information network in Korea.
Since Madam and Yoojin appeared to be at least business partners, the Arhan Guild had to reveal several hidden cards to maintain the secrecy of this raid.
"Let's move then."
A large number of people began moving south under Oh Jeongsu's command.
As they moved along the secret paths created by soldiers during the Demilitarized Zone era, the length of the procession stretched out.
"Orc attack!"
"Damn it! Monsters keep popping out!"
"Healer! Healer!"
As the line stretched, the chances of exposure to monsters increased.
Sporadic battles broke out.
[Eagle Eye]
[Summon Elemental - Sylph]
They used summons and exploration-related traits to defend against monster attacks.
However, the line was too long, and with monsters constantly respawning in the Erosion Zone, a perfect defense was impossible.
[Gale Step]
[Aura]
[Decapitation]
The eerie energy imbued in the dagger swept across the troll's neck.
Droplets of blood beaded on the neck caught in the blue trajectory, then blood sprayed everywhere.
"Get your act together!"
"Th-Thank y..."
"Should I just let you all die?"
Kim Mijeong muttered to herself, her voice laced with irritation.
Cheorwon to Paju was about 100 kilometers.
The actual distance was much greater when traveling through the secret paths.
Even though everyone participating in the march were Hunters, superhumans who had transcended ordinary limitations, it was still a difficult journey.
Considering the monsters that popped up from time to time?
The difficulty of the march increased by more than tenfold.
"I think I have frostbite."
"What are the healers doing?"
The bitter cold was also a setback for the raiding party.
The Rakshasa Guild had prepared cold-weather gear, but since they were on the move, they were consuming it much faster than initially planned.
"Shit. What kind of glory are we hoping to achieve by taking on this kind of request?"
"Aren't we going down to Paju?"
"If that's the case, we should have entered from Paju."
Dissatisfaction was brewing among the mercenaries.
They were happy when they received the large down payment, but after nearly a week of being tormented by monsters and the cold, financial therapy clearly had its limits.
"Hey, tell them we'll double the bonus."
"Operations Chief, that will cause problems with Arhan."
"How many of them do you think will make it back alive anyway?"
Oh Jeongsu had to admit, he was impressed.
Kim Mijeong might be notoriously self-interested, but her assessment of the situation was spot-on.
She understood that these mercenaries were expendable, so tossing them a few empty promises to keep them motivated was a shrewd tactic.
After all, what did it matter if they couldn't collect on a doubled bonus if they were dead?
"Double?"
"Oh, there won't be any complaints then."
"But why offer double for this job? It doesn't seem like simple poaching."
Though a few mercenaries still eyed the doubled bonus with suspicion, most were mollified by the promise of extra pay.
Grumbling subsided as they continued their grueling march south from Cheorwon.
After a week of trudging through the frozen wasteland, the Rakshasa Guild group finally encountered a thick, whitish fog.
"This is the fog Arhan mentioned."
"Skeleton Warriors are roaming around in groups."
"Can you see them?"
"You can strengthen your eyes with mana."
A Hunter at the peak of 6 Star.
Kim Mijeong, who could handle mana as naturally as her own limbs, easily saw through the fog created by spirit power.
The number of undead was steadily increasing.
Without warning, Kim Mijeong launched herself forward, vanishing into the swirling white fog without a word.
"Operations Chief?"
Oh Jeongsu yelled, startled.
"I'll go ahead. Catch up when you can."
Her voice drifted back through the mist, nonchalant as ever.
Oh Jeongsu could only shake his head and sigh.
Of course. Patience had never been her strong suit.
He was surprised she'd managed to stick with the group this long. It was a testament to how intriguing she must find this mission.
"Tell everyone to prepare for battle."
Oh Jeongsu grasped his beloved weapon, [Rodrigue's Staff], which he had used for many years.
＊ ＊ ＊
"That took long enough."
Yoojin muttered as he straightened up from reinforcing the Skeleton Warriors.
〔Took long enough?〕
'They've entered the territory.'
〔There's no sign of a shared vision spell being used, but how can you be so sure?〕
'Hundreds of enemies have entered the Necromancy Amplification range.'
Hundreds of intruders appeared within the Black Spire's detection range.
The monster clusters around here were periodically destroyed by Fafnir.
There had rarely been a case recently where more than a hundred individuals entered the territory at once.
[Using Ghost Eye.]
The moment he synchronized his senses with one of the ghosts stationed throughout the territory...
Shwaaaak—
A blue energy surged towards the ghost sharing its vision.
The magic was instantly broken.
The backlash from the destruction of the targeted ghost shook his insides.
"(Cough)."
〔Why are you coughing up blood?!〕
'It's the backlash from the spell.'
If he had canceled the casting of [Ghost Eye], he wouldn't have suffered this much damage.
But Yoojin used Ghost Eye immediately without healing his internal injuries.
〔It seems like you're pushing yourself too hard.〕
'I need to confirm who the intruders are.'
He endured the pain caused by his twisted insides.
Identifying the enemy who destroyed the ghost was his priority.
The moment he shared his vision with another ghost nearby…
The blue flash flew in once again.
'Their reaction speed is incredible.'
He swiftly cut the connection, his vision snapping back to his own body.
A moment later, the system's emotionless voice echoed in his mind—
[The ghost has been destroyed].
〔Are you alright?〕
'Well… I'll manage.'
〔It seems the intruders are aware of the ghosts' presence.〕
'Ah, that's not it.'
If they had been aware of the ghosts' presence from the beginning...
They wouldn't have attacked right after Yoojin synchronized his vision with Ghost Eye.
They must have read the fluctuation of spirit power generated when using the skill.
They have very keen senses.
〔It seems we've failed to gather information on the intruders.〕
'I've already confirmed it.'
〔You read the enemy in that short time?〕
'It was a familiar face.'
Right before the blue aura tore the ghost apart…
Yoojin was able to confirm the intruder's identity.
'Kim Mijeong, the Mad Dog.'
〔Quite an interesting nickname.〕
She was someone who enjoyed the act of fighting itself, who smirked and laughed during life-or-death battles.
A battle maniac.
A thrill addict.
Looking at Kim Mijeong's expression when she fought, it was hard to find a more fitting term than "Mad Dog."
A powerhouse who reached the peak of 7 Star in the previous timeline.
'The plan has gone awry.'
Yoojin pressed his temples with both hands.
‘Had the Mad Dog joined the Rakshasa Guild?’
Was this information he hadn't heard before his regression? Or was this also part of the butterfly effect?
Kim Mijeong's tremendous combat prowess gave him a headache.
〔Isn't it unnecessary to overthink? If they are an enemy, defeat them and turn them into your subordinate.〕
'That's true.'
Kronos' advice cleared his mind.
Mad Dog or whatever.
There was no need to worry now that she had already bared her fangs at him.
'I'll have to either pull out those fangs or kill her.'
Yoojin grinned ferociously and assessed the situation with [Ghost Eye].
Kim Mijeong was charging through, destroying the undead placed throughout the territory with abnormal combat prowess.
The main force of the Rakshasa Guild was defeating the Revenants & Skeleton Warriors stationed outside the Necropolis.
'This is even better.'
If Kim Mijeong had joined forces with the main Rakshasa Guild force, it would have been tricky to deal with them.
"Fafnir."
【Oh. Is it finally my turn?】
"If you go about 500 meters at 2 o'clock, you'll encounter a Hunter."
【Should I defeat them?】
"No. Just hold them back."
Fafnir's power was around mid-level 6 Star.
Since he was created based on a Draconian's corpse, he had stat bonuses.
With the [Martial Artist] trait and the effects of the epic-grade artifact [Dragon Scale Armor], he received tremendous stat bonuses.
Even so...
"If possible, avoid a direct confrontation."
【They must be quite strong?】
"Yes."
The Mad Dog wasn't an opponent to be underestimated.
That astonishing combat prowess...
If he let his guard down for even a moment, he might lose Fafnir.
It wouldn't be a problem to restore him with the Life Force Vessel, but it would create a significant gap in his forces, so he had to be careful.
"I'll send Song Myeongseok and Jo Seungchul with you too."
【Master!】
"Don't talk nonsense and follow Fafnir's orders."
【Ugh.】
Song Myeongseok groaned, frustrated.
A playful blue light flickered in Fafnir's eyes.
【Alright, Minion One, let's move out!】
【Minion One?! The hell I am!】
【You got a problem with that? Try taking me on, then!】
【Damn it, I said—!】
Song Myeongseok cursed under his breath and followed Fafnir.
"Hyung, what should we do?"
"Stick to the original plan."
"Understood."
The Little Runts team also quickly finished their battle preparations.
"Oppa, don't die."
"You guys too. If you die, I'll revive you as a Skeleton or a Zombie."
"Eek. I don't like that."
"Not a Zombie, please."
The three moved as instructed.
Yoojin watched the Little Runts vanish into the swirling mist with a grim smile playing on his lips.
'Now, let the games begin.'
He stretched, his back popping with a satisfying crack after weeks of relentless preparation. Every ounce of his being had gone into crafting this intricate web of death.
He hoped his victims would appreciate the artistry.
Yoojin lightly rubbed his hands together and spread his spirit power.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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