WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B.
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 130: 130
──────
Morning.
I checked the online news.
[“Returned Hero” Hunter Kim Taeseok Reunites with Family After More Than 50 Days]
[Blue Dot Creates Another Miracle, Official Government Thanks]
[“There Is Still Hope for the Republic of Korea,” Citizens Cheer]
[Hunter Kim Taeseok’s Daughter: “Having My Dad Return Alive Is Enough for Me.”]
[Experts Analyze Blue Dot: “More Than a National Strategic Asset”]
[US White House Urgently Convenes Unscheduled National Security Meeting]
[China’s Top Leadership Holds Emergency Meeting]
[Europe-Russia Border Conflict Suddenly De-escalates, Reason Unknown]
...
The articles kept rolling in.
I nodded in satisfaction.
“Once again, everyone in King Korea is praising my achievements!”
Every media outlet in the country had reported Hunter Kim Taeseok’s rescue after seven weeks of isolation!
And so, my greatness was once again all over the news.
After checking how things were going in the world, it was time to settle my Points.
I called Han Seonga over.
[Please specify the amount of Points to transfer to the ‘Republic of Korea.’]
“Everything.”
[Transferring 44,000 Points to the ‘Republic of Korea.’]
“Hunter Baek Jiho. We have confirmed 44,000 Points. We will deposit 440 million won into the designated account. The Republic of Korea will remember your dedication.”
Han Seonga bowed.
It was her usual crisp ninety-degree bow...
But I felt humiliated inside.
The amount of Points I’d earned yesterday was far too low.
‘I barely hunted any monsters because I was busy rescuing Hunter Kim Taeseok. Only 40,000 Points...!’
I normally earned hundreds of thousands of Points. On Floor 40, I’d even earned millions.
Yet this time, I’d only made a measly 40,000 Points!
This was damaging my image...!
How was I supposed to save everyone in King Korea with this little...?
I made my decision.
‘Today, I’m going to Floor 42 and grind every monster on the map into dust. I’ll make up for yesterday’s Points today!’
Even if it took a little longer today, I’d kill as many monsters as possible.
The Highest Floors were much larger than the previous maps.
If I seriously committed to monster hunting, I could probably kill a ridiculous number of them, right?
Every one of those monster bastards was dead meat.
As I was thinking that...
“Hunter Baek Jiho.”
“?”
Han Seonga suddenly spoke to me.
She lowered her voice.
“Thank you very much for yesterday. Hunter Kim Taeseok survived thanks to you.”
“That was me.”
“The atmosphere has improved considerably because of it. People are beginning to hope again, one by one.”
Han Seonga was thanking me for rescuing Kim Taeseok.
Yesterday, I had rescued Kim Taeseok.
I had saved a patriot who had dedicated himself to his country, a great man loved and respected by the people.
I had saved one of the Republic of Korea’s most treasured figures!
After I rescued Kim Taeseok, the mood among the people gradually improved.
Of course, that wasn’t the only thing I’d done so far.
“Industry and the economy are recovering. Economic forecasts aren’t bad either. People are beginning to feel secure and prepare for the future.”
“...”
“Before they knew it, thoughts of the future had replaced thoughts of destruction. It is all thanks to you. As an ordinary citizen of the Republic of Korea, I sincerely thank you.”
Han Seonga gave a small bow.
She wasn’t thanking me in her usual civil servant mode, but as an individual.
I smiled in satisfaction.
I just... felt so proud!
Great. Let’s keep this up!
I’d keep earning Points and making things, boosting our country’s industry, economy, and national defense!
As I grinned to myself...
“Ah, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“?”
“Hunter Baek Jiho. Would you take a look at this?”
Han Seonga held out a stack of documents.
They bore the large official seal of the National Intelligence Service.
There were quite a few of them, though. Reading all of this would take a while.
Did she seriously expect me to read every page?
“What is this?”
“It is a report on developments in the United States, China, Russia, and Europe. The recent movements of the major powers are unusual.”
Han Seonga continued at length.
To sum it up, every major power in the world had begun making suspicious moves.
First, the United States.
It had urgently convened an unscheduled national security meeting while quietly shifting the Pacific Fleet’s deployment.
On top of that, all its Highest Floor Hunters had gathered at the White House.
Next was China.
Its top leadership had convened the military and even Committee Member-level Hunters, holding meetings day after day.
There were even signs of an internal power struggle.
“The situation in China is more serious. A coup or civil war may break out soon...”
“So does that mean Pingping is about to get kicked out?”
“We believe that is likely. But China has been in considerable turmoil since the previous battle. There are also predictions that Chairman Xi Jinping may instead win over other Hunter factions and consolidate his power.”
“Complicated.”
“And next, Russia and Europe...”
Those Russkies and Euro-noses.
They had abruptly stopped the small-scale clashes that had continued along the border for years.
There had been no reconciliation or ceasefire.
Both sides had simply pulled their forces back.
“It doesn’t look like they stopped fighting. It looks like they decided this wasn’t the time to fight.”
“...”
“It seems everyone is preparing for something.”
Han Seonga gathered up the documents.
“The international situation is changing rapidly. The National Intelligence Service will gather more information and inform you immediately if we discover anything new. Then... I’ll see you next time.”
Click.
Han Seonga left, closing the front door behind her.
I rested my chin on my hand and thought.
Why was the whole world making suspicious moves at once?
Were they all preparing for the apocalypse together or something?
I thought about it for quite a while.
‘Hmm. I have no idea!’
I soon gave up thinking.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t figure out why the major powers were all making such suspicious moves.
Whatever.
No need to overcomplicate things.
I wasn’t some politician.
I was a Tower climber, a Hunter!
All I had to do was diligently climb the Tower, kill monsters, and earn Points!
Let politicians and intelligence agency people worry about complicated stuff.
I’d live comfortably with an empty head.
Anyway, that wrapped up my morning routine.
I picked up my smartphone.
“Hyeji. We’re going to Floor 42 today. Get ready to enter the Tower.”
* * *
Porter Na Hyeji arrived at my house about an hour later.
But Hyeji wasn’t alone.
“...Why is Choi Yejin here?”
Crazy bitch Choi Yejin had come to my house with Na Hyeji!
She answered my question confidently.
“I came to catch the bus.”
“...”
“Give me a ride. Your bus.”
Choi Yejin bluntly stated her business.
I let out a hollow laugh.
What was with that confident attitude?
Had she left a bus with me or something?
I glanced at Hyeji.
“Hyeji, why did you bring Choi Yejin here?”
“I didn’t bring her. Choi Yejin was already standing in front of your house, Jiho.”
“What?”
It seemed Choi Yejin had come here on her own.
She probably wanted to join my party.
Of course, I had absolutely no intention of accepting her.
“I’m not taking any additional party members. Go home.”
“Why?!”
“Because you’re exhausting.”
She had a filthy mouth, was an alcoholic, and was even a battle maniac.
If she joined my party, I couldn’t even imagine how drained I’d be.
I planned to keep climbing the Tower with just Iing Iing and Hyeji, as I had been doing.
I was clearing Floors absurdly easily with a few taps of magic anyway.
No matter how strong she was in the Highest Floors, she was still ordinary compared to me.
I didn’t feel any need to bring her along.
That was why I’d planned to just enter the Tower without contacting her.
Who knew she’d come looking for me herself...?
Choi Yejin suddenly yelled.
“Hey! What kind of petty bastard are you?! What’s the big deal about giving me a ride on your damn bus?!”
“This is exactly why I’m not giving you one.”
“I don’t care! Give me a ride too! I was stuck on Floor 41 for years! I can finally go up to Floor 42, and you expect me to wander around alone again?!”
“Yes.”
“No! I can’t do that! Mister Taeseok is retiring too, and there’s no one left in the Highest Floors except you and me! What’s wrong with going together?! Let’s go together! Please! Yeah?”
Listening to her, I felt sorry for her, sure.
Kim Taeseok, her only party member, was expected to retire after losing his right arm.
There were no other Highest Floor Hunters.
Unless she joined my party, she would have to clear Floor 42 alone.
Just as she had run Floor 41 alone after Kim Taeseok became isolated.
She had finally reached the Floor 42 she’d longed for, only to be alone.
That was sad.
But...
‘Why is that my problem?’
I felt sorry for her, sure.
If I brought her along because I felt bad for her, I’d be the one inconvenienced.
There was no need to increase the party. I should just bring the porter and Iing Iing.
For some reason, though...
“Um... Jiho? What about letting Choi Yejin join the party?”
“Eh? You think Choi Yejin joining would be better, Hyeji?”
“Yes.”
Hyeji, who had been silently watching from the side, began arguing for Choi Yejin to join.
“Choi Yejin is the only Highest Floor Hunter left in our country besides us. Hunter Kim Taeseok is retiring.”
“That is true.”
“If Choi Yejin ends up in danger, that would leave you as the Republic of Korea’s only proper Highest Floor combat force. That wouldn’t be good for the country.”
“Hmm...”
“And Choi Yejin has been a Hunter for years. She probably knows plenty of things we don’t. You and I haven’t even been climbing seriously for two months. Wouldn’t having someone experienced help?”
I scratched my chin as I considered Hyeji’s words.
If I let Choi Yejin join the party...
There would be some advantages.
She’d been a Hunter for a long time, so she would know all sorts of things.
She might even be able to help in an emergency.
Even considering that, though...
It felt like Hyeji was trying awfully hard to recruit her.
Suspicious.
Then, at that moment...
“Here. What I promised.”
“Finally...!”
I saw Choi Yejin discreetly hand something to Na Hyeji.
A small glass vial filled with green liquid.
I knew exactly what that was.
“...A Reverse-Aging Potion!!!”
“Gasp, I got caught.”
“Hyeji! Did you agree to take a Reverse-Aging Potion from Choi Yejin and convince me for her?!”
The reason Hyeji had argued so hard for me to accept Choi Yejin.
It was a bribe.
Choi Yejin had asked for help convincing me in exchange for a Reverse-Aging Potion.
That was why Hyeji had been so enthusiastic!
How shameless...!
“Hyeji! Have you evolved from selling out the nation to selling out the party?! What’s so great about one lousy Reverse-Aging Potion?!”
“W-Well... I did push harder because I was promised something... but I truly mean what I said too.”
Hyeji hid the potion behind her back as she spoke.
“Choi Yejin spent weeks going through Floor 41 alone after Hunter Kim Taeseok was isolated. She entered alone every day and came out alone every day.”
“...”
“But Hunter Kim Taeseok is retiring now. That means she’ll keep having to go alone. Through the Highest Floors where nobody else is left. Isn’t that... sad?”
“...”
“Why do you think you and I have survived until now? It’s because a handful of top Hunters like Choi Yejin and Hunter Kim Taeseok didn’t abandon this country and stayed behind. We’re in their debt.”
Hyeji looked directly at me.
“We can help someone like that now. Shouldn’t we help if we can?”
“Hmm...”
If she put it that way, I didn’t have much to say.
Choi Yejin.
Her personality was awful and she was crazy, but it was true that the Republic of Korea had endured this long thanks to the dedication of top Hunters like her.
If I ignored her just because she was a hassle, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Well, what could I do?
“...Phew. Choi Yejin. If you become a passenger on my bus, what sort of resolve and attitude will you bring?”
At my receptive response, Choi Yejin’s eyes sparkled.
“I’ll ride the bus diligently!”
“Rejected.”
“Why?!”
“Even passengers need to show a little effort.”
I was willing to carry her, but it annoyed me that she was fully prepared to be carried on my back from the start.
This wasn’t about ability. It was about attitude and how I felt.
Choi Yejin nodded.
“There’s no information from Floor 42 onward anyway. I’ll find the way for you, check the terrain, scout ahead, and handle any other chores. Is that enough?”
“You’ll take on a sort of pathfinder role? That’s not bad.”
“Scouting is basically an archer’s job by default. I don’t know how useful I’ll be when you have a fairy, but... I’ll do everything I can.”
She volunteered to serve as both scout and guide, fitting for an archer.
She wouldn’t have Iing Iing’s overwhelming scouting abilities.
Still, she had years of Hunter experience. Whenever judgment was needed, she would probably earn her keep.
Then a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
‘Come to think of it, I need to write strategy guide posts. Wouldn’t it be easier, and wouldn’t the result be better, if I put Choi Yejin on autopilot?’
Rather than writing strategy guide posts myself, I could put Choi Yejin on autopilot.
I immediately opened my mouth.
“Fine, Choi Yejin. Starting today, you are our party’s pathfinder and strategy guide record keeper.”
“Strategy guide record keeper?”
“I plan to become the second strategy guide legend after Hunter Kim Taeseok.”
At my words, Choi Yejin’s face immediately crumpled.
Hey, why aren’t you managing your expression?
What an insolent passenger!
“You’re going to write strategy guide posts? You?”
“Yes. Why?”
“You seem like the type who’d just write, ‘Newbie Hunter... went to Floor 42. The monsters were gross, so I just killed them all...’”
“Even I think that’s likely. That’s why a believable strategy guide might come from the perspective of an ordinary person like you.”
Honestly, even if I wrote strategy guide posts, there was a good chance they wouldn’t help ordinary people much.
My clearing method was completely different from theirs.
But Choi Yejin could leave more useful records from an ordinary person’s perspective!
Choi Yejin nodded.
“Strategy guide posts... not bad. If we organize them and post them on the Raid Team board, they’ll help people. It’ll be good for the national interest too.”
“The national interest?”
“Information gets fucking expensive in the Highest Floors.”
Choi Yejin made a circle with her thumb and index finger.
A gesture for money.
“If we make strategy guide posts or maps and hand them to the government, it can trade them with other countries for political or financial gain. They aren’t worth that much yet since we’re only at the start of the Highest Floors... but from around Floor 45, they’ll be insanely expensive. Only a few countries have gotten that far.”
“Ooh.”
Strategy guide posts.
Apparently, they would help the country too.
If we shared the information and records we discovered with the government, it could profit from that information.
I’d decided to do it simply because I wanted to carry on Hunter Kim Taeseok’s legacy.
Apparently, it was also good for the country.
Anyway.
“Then it’s settled. Choi Yejin, strategy guide record keeper and pathfinder. Congratulations on becoming a passenger on my bus.”
I held out my right hand for a handshake.
Grab!
She seized my hand and shook it wildly.
“I look forward to working with you, Sir Bus Driver! Just tell me what to do! I’ll do anything I can!”
“Then wear a bikini and do the Zero Two dance.”
“Ah, not that.”
You said you’d do anything you could!
Why not?!
Anyway.
That was how another passenger joined the Extreme Lunatic Hell bus party I drove.
A foul-mouthed, drunken archer who was also our pathfinder and strategy guide record keeper had been recruited.
Floor 42 onward would be a little noisier.
A short while later...
“Enter the Tower.”
[Baek Jiho (Republic of Korea: Floor 42)]
[Na Hyeji (Republic of Korea: Floor 42)]
[Choi Yejin (Republic of Korea: Floor 42)]
[Please select the floor you wish to enter.]
“Floor 42.”
[Entering Tower Floor 42.]
Flash!
A bright burst of light erupted.
The Floor 42 raid had begun.
It was an unknown climb, beginning without a strategy guide or any information for the first time in my life.
* * *
The bright light faded.
I slowly looked around.
The first thing I saw was an enormous wall.
A massive, magnificent wall that looked at least a hundred meters tall blocked us in on every side.
And below the wall...
Large Monsters like Ogres, Trolls, and occasionally Cyclopes wandered about, scattered far apart.
A huge wall and large monsters like Ogres...
I felt a strange sense of familiarity.
I muttered quietly.
“On that day, humanity remembered. The fear of being ruled by them. The humiliation of being trapped inside a cage...”
“Jiho? What are you suddenly talking about?”
“I’ll wipe them out... every last one of them, from this world!”
“Good grief. Here he goes again...”
Hyeji sighed quietly.
Then Choi Yejin suddenly shouted.
“Dedicate your hearts!”
“!!!”
I looked at Choi Yejin in surprise.
Had she watched Attack on Giant Humans too?
It had been a while since I met someone who played along with my dumb jokes. I was happy.
There really was a reason I recruited her!
Anyway.
“Iing Iing! ODM Gear mode!”
“Iing!”
Shimmer!
We soared into the air with Psychokinetic Flight.
Iing Iing led us toward the top of the high wall, apparently intending to scout the surrounding terrain first.
Even a wall at such a dizzying height was nothing when we could activate Psychokinetic Flight with a tap.
In just a few seconds, we reached the top of the wall and saw what lay beyond it.
“Wow. What a wasteland.”
Beyond the wall stretched a vast wasteland.
Dry land extended endlessly past the horizon.
The grass and trees had withered, and the ground was cracked as though it had suffered a drought.
It looked like land in the middle of desertification.
As I looked around...
“Hey. What is that?”
Choi Yejin, beside me, pointed somewhere.
She was pointing toward one side of the horizon.
A group moving together.
“Are those... people?”
They were people.
A crowd that looked to number several hundred was crossing the wasteland, pulling carts and carriages.
Something was strange, though.
“I heard the Black Mages in the High Floors were the last humanoid lifeforms that appeared in the Tower.”
Why were there people here?
Did people normally appear on Floor 42?
Or had only we discovered them?
As I tilted my head...
-Rumble...
Dust stirred beyond the horizon.
The people began to run.
Footnotes:
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