Chapter 162: A New Strength Pt. 3
Yeo Seong-Gu’s stony expression only evidenced the truth.
He had kept in touch with someone through the Bifrost.
“...”
Upon hearing the news from Seoul, Lee Jun-Kyeong and Jeong In-Chang fell silent.
‘The cataclysm of Seoul.’
It was only natural that the cataclysm also would occur in Seoul.
However.
‘It’s happening too quickly.’
Just like the start of the cataclysm, the cataclysm in Seoul occurred much faster than normal.
‘But Hyung is too flustered.’
Seoul was the headquarters of the Korean Association, and there were outstanding Hunters in Seoul that were even recognized across the world.
‘Moreover, Asgard is also there, which is one of the best secret organizations as well.’
Even if there were to be a cataclysm, the damage wouldn’t spread easily in the first place.
However, Yeo Seong-Gu’s expression seemed to get more and more distorted.
Zzt.
While Lee Jun-Kyeong carefully anticipated and waited for his explanation, he felt the mana suddenly disappear.
The Bifrost, Heimdall’s divine item, became inoperative for a while again as Yeo Seong-Gu’s expression distorted even further.
“Just what’s going on?” Lee Jun-Kyeong asked.
“Seoul…”
Yeo Seong-Gu replied quietly, his expression even graver than before.
“It’s on fire.”
***
“What do you mean Seoul is on fire?”
Since Lee Jun-Kyeong had just returned after defeating Elfame, it wasn’t good for them to talk outside. After all, Yeo Seong-Gu had just suddenly heard the news about Seoul,
The people had just started to have hope after Inha University had won against the monster tide and Elfame had been defeated.
That was why they couldn’t let them know the news about Seoul.
‘We can’t trample on their hope.’
Most of the people at Inha University were from Incheon, but many of them resided in Seoul as well. That meant that their families were there. If there was a change in Seoul, which was known to be safe until now, it could cause a panic.
So they dropped it, cleaned the outside ruins, and went inside.
Although many people were still tidying up outside, they still had to talk separately.
“Whew…”
It was just the three of them: Yeo Seong-Gu, Lee Jun-Kyeong, and Jeong In-Chang.
They sat around a table.
“Shouldn’t you rest a little?” Yeo Seong-Gu asked Lee Jun-Kyeong.
Lee Jun-Kyeong had just come back after defeating the mighty enemy who was the ruler of Incheon, so the traces of battle were clearly visible on his face and body.
He shook his head. “It’s not like you look any better, Hyung. Let’s just hurry and talk before we rest. For now, this comes first.”
“...”
Lee Jun-Kyeong continued, “What do you mean Seoul is on fire? I mean, I know that the cataclysm may have begun in Seoul, but you’re saying that damage has already occurred…”
“That is." Yeo Seong-Gu began to speak. “The Hunters have disappeared.”
“Pardon?”
“What?”
Lee Jun-Kyeong and Jeong In-Chang both shouted at the same time as they were startled by what they had just heard.
“Whether it's the Hunters at the Association, the League Guild Branches, or the members of the numerous guilds, they all seem to be keeping their positions…the problem is that the upper management of the Hunter Association seems to have disappeared.”
“What do you…”
“Asgard,” Yeo Seong-Gu interjected. “It means that the Hunters of Asgard have disappeared.”
“...”
Lee Jun-Kyeong had a hunch that something strange was going on.
“The sudden appearance of the cataclysm, the outpour of the monsters, even the missing leadership.”
There were three variables.
“Those who remain are holding back the tide, but apparently, fire has engulfed Seoul due to the sudden situation.
“Still, at least there is some relief.”
Even though Yeo Seong-Gu said that Seoul was on fire, Lee Jun-Kyeong was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
It meant that there were still many Hunters left.
It was said that Asgard had taken most of the power and commanded it, but the remaining Korean guilds were also still strong.
As long as they existed, Seoul would not be destroyed so quickly.
“We just have to believe…” he muttered.
"That’s right. However." The bad news from Yeo Seong-Gu didn’t end there. “This isn’t bad news about Seoul…but for you and In-Chang.”
Now, even Jeong In-Chang, who had only been listening, was looking at Yeo Seong-Gu.
Soon, all of their expressions hardened.
“I’ve heard news that all of the members of the White Tiger Clan, including Ungnyeo, have disappeared.
***
At Inha University, morale began to rise.
The Hunters had begun to push the monsters away, and the concentration of mana that had filled the air was gradually fading. The gate breaks were still happening, but they could feel the number of occurrences gradually diminishing.
They were retaking Incheon.
After the death of Elfame, the ruler of Incheon, who was presumed to be the culprit of Incheon’s cataclysm, Inha University was regaining its vigor.
“Take some more!”
“Please come over here for your meals!”
There were also a large number of ordinary humans who had been held captive at Incheon City Hall. They were the countless people who would have become Elfame’s prey if they had been left alone.
These people had been brought back, joining the group of survivors at their base. In addition, the Hunters who had gone out to clear the monsters would come back with survivors every time they returned.
Many people were still alive in Incheon.
“They said it was the Underdog, right?”
"What was?"
“The man who saved us!”
People started to chant the name of the Underdog again, Lee Jun-Kyeong, and then soon began to cheer for Yeo Seong-Gu as well.
“Siegfried was there too!”
Somewhere along the line, there were even people who would cheer for Jeong In-Chang.
The residents of Incheon were regaining vitality again, regaining their happiness.
However, for Lee Jun-Kyeong and the others who had actually saved them, they were prepared for the worst, their hearts burning with worry.
“Is there any news?” he asked.
Ye Seong-Gu responded, “The connection with Seoul has been completely cut off. Still, as the veil over Incheon is being lifted… I’ll try to get as much information as I can, as I’ve been able to connect with the other regions occasionally.”
They had no choice but to rely on Yeo Seong-Gu to communicate with the outside world using Bifrost.
Unfortunately, even after waiting, there was no good news.
“It seems that the cataclysm has begun all throughout Korea.”
Rather, all Yeo Seong-Gu was able to tell them was bad news.
News came that stated the cataclysm had now begun all over Korea, even in the other parts that had still been safe.
Yeo Seong-Gu said grimly, “The connection is gradually fading.”
“...”
“What do you plan on doing?” Yeo Seong-Gu asked Lee Jun-Kyeong.
Lee Jun-Kyeong was the one who had the most information among them and was also the one who could make use of all the intelligence they had gathered as well.
He had become the leader of their group, so it was up to him to choose their destination.
Incheon would be able to find its feet even without them.
‘Seoul…and also the other regions as well…’
Lee Jun-Kyeong racked his brains over and over again.
Then.
Creak.
The door opened as someone entered the room. There was only one other person in the encampment who could enter the room in which they were having their meeting.
“Oh, have you arrived?” Lee Jun-Kyeong said.
Looking tired, Jeong In-Chang entered and sat down. He looked over at Lee Jun-Kyeong and Yeo Seong-Gu.
While Yeo Seong-Gu had taken on the role of contacting the outside world, Jeong In-Chang had been searching along the veil, looking for any passageways to the other regions.
The smell of monster blood emanated from his body. Since the Hunters hadn’t been able to go near the veil yet, Jeong In-Chang had been hunting the monsters along the boundary alone.
Although Lee Jun-Kyeong and Yeo Seong-Gu had wanted to convince him to rest a little, they both also knew that none of them had that luxury.
Jeong In-Chang reported, “The veil is growing more stable.”
“...?”
“Not the veil over Incheon.”
Jeong In-Chang shifted in his seat, adjusting his posture, and continued, “It seems that the veil in the other directions is actually weakening…it’s just that the veil in the direction of Seoul is growing more stable and stronger. It’s gotten to the point where it doesn’t seem possible to cross it.”
“...”
“...”
Yeo Seong-Gu and Lee Jun-Kyeong's faces hardened. It would be difficult to go to Seoul. To make matters worse, the veil was growing stronger in that direction as well.
‘If we use the Bifrost, we should be able to break through the veil, but…’
If they did that, then the Bifrost would lose its power once again for a while, meaning that the only way they had to communicate with the outside world would be gone again.
It was a difficult decision.
An impossible choice.
“For now…”
Eventually, Lee Jun-Kyeong decided on a direction.
“Mr. Jeong, please continue to check the condition of the veil for a few more days.”
“Understood.”
“Seong-Gu Hyung…” Lee Jun-Kyeong said as he looked over at Yeo Seong-Gu.
“Please somehow find out the location of Ungnyeo and the White Tiger Clan.”
***
Years ago, one day, a gate appeared in Korea.
A few days after that, the first gate break occurred, and monsters roamed the streets of Korea for the first time.
Monsters had appeared in Seoul, the center of Korea. On that day, Seoul suffered catastrophic damage, where many people had died.
As Seoul was the capital of a nation, and because it was extremely densely populated, abnormally so, Korea underwent a loss that shook it to its very core.
However, after that day, they were able to push aside the monsters, defeating them, and Hunters who could deal with the monsters and raid the gates were born.
‘The headquarters of the Korean Association has been established in Seoul.’
Again the epicenter of change, in Seoul, the capital of the nation, the Association headquarters was established in order to protect the people from doom.
Although there were many interests and politics involved in its location and establishment as well, the fundamental philosophy existed as well. Following this, numerous guilds that had been based on the Korean Association’s structure also then settled in Seoul.
Thus, the status of the Korean Hunters shook the world, and Seoul established its might.
‘Becoming one of the safest cities in the world.’
Countless people moved to Seoul due to its safety, so the city was able to develop even further, becoming a place at the top of the world’s spotlight.
However, that incredible Seoul was now…
Flicker.
It was on fire.
"Kya!"
There were the sounds of people screaming.
“This way!”
There were also the cries of Hunters.
“Chwiiik!!”
“Ha-a-eup!”
There was even the screech of monsters and the war cries of the defenders.
Seoul had turned into a battlefield just like it had back then when the monsters had taken over the city due to the collapse of the gates, like the day that had been called a disaster.
“Hmm.”
In the midst of it all, someone stood, watching over it all. Even centered among all the chaos, a single place still stood firm.
The Hunter Association.
There, in the president’s office, someone was looking through the window down at the city from hell.
“Ugh…”
He had been looking down silently, but had suddenly let out a groan.
Red veins pulsated all over his body, appearing and disappearing without end. His face had turned red, but as he moaned in response to some pain, he soon gained control over his breath and drove away his agony.
“Whew…”
Every time he exhaled, something that seemed like white smoke would leak out of his mouth.
Mana.
The very foundation of the power of the Hunters, the gates, and even the source of the monsters was leaking out of the Hunter’s mouth like steam on a cold winter morning.
"Kya!!"
Shwick!
In response to the screams that rang outside again, he closed the curtains shut.
By establishing an independent space, he separated the president’s office from the commotion as if he had no interest in the situation unfolding outside.
He soon sat down at the desk.
“Whew…”
Serenity flashed across his face as he exhaled again.
The veins gradually disappeared, and he calmed down and turned his head.
It was a dazzling visage, incomparably beautiful.
This was Baldur, the one called the Hero of the World’s people.
Sitting in the chair, he looked around the president's office with indifferent eyes.
“How good.”
He was now sitting in a place he couldn’t have even dreamed of being in.
‘My son.’
Although all he had wanted was to be recognized, his father had not only recognized him, but even had made him his successor.
“...”
Of course, if there was something that he could see as a problem, it was that he was in a position that no one except his father had acknowledged.
The president’s office had now been quarantined and sealed. It was to the point where even any of the Hunters residing in the association wouldn’t have been able to enter the place easily.
However, Baldur was satisfied.
‘Father.’
He was satisfied because he had been recognized by that one specific person. It was the phe person whom he had just craved so much to have obtained his acknowledgment.
Moreover, he had also obtained incredible power.
He, who had been a Hunter, had become a Hero, belonged to Asgard and accumulated great power, had now gained so much strength that all of that he had accomplished before was meaningless.
“Don’t you think so?” Baldur said as he laughed into the air.
Rip.
The space in front of him was torn like paper, and from within that void, the glares of Hunters who were staring daggers at Baldur as if they wished to kill him could be seen.
Asgard.
They were looking at Baldur in captivity.
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