SSS-Class Revival Hunter - Chapter 88

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 88: A Trainwreck Is the Standard (1)

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"We're moving the headquarters of Celestial Martial Clan to the 22nd floor."

Viper casually remarked.

This conversation took place a few days after we completed [The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon].

"Really?"

"We're moving, relocating the entire dojo. Like you who inherited the true lineage of the Demonic Cult, I've become a disciple of the Head of the Martial Alliance, haven't I? Since Celestial Martial Clan is mine, it makes sense to move it under the Martial Alliance."

Viper read a novel indifferently.

As seen before, Viper was an avid reader. His tastes might be eccentric, but this place was full of books satisfying even his bizarre preferences.

Viper, wearing non-prescription glasses (just for style, cost 9,800 won), flipped through a book with a magical cover (a Hero-class item that could be used on any book, allowing free change of title and cover design, cost 2,000 gold).

"My master was reduced to half an invalid, but all four limbs are intact. The Apothecary says she can restore enough mobility to get my master around somehow. So I plan to install my master as the Supreme Guardian."

"The Martial Alliance's leader as the Supreme Guardian..."

"Yep. He was deeply saddened by the Heavenly Demon’s death. It makes me feel depressed just watching him."

Viper bluntly stated.

The Guardian is a protector of a sect, literally someone who guards the law. And as the Supreme Guardian, Viper was essentially honoring the Martial Alliance's leader as the most respected elder.

"It's better to keep busy in such times. Teaching the younger generation will be beneficial, and it'll also help boost our guild members' strength."

I was slightly surprised. What a considerate action.

Viper seemed to notice my gaze and paused flipping the pages.

"...Hey, King of Death. Why are you looking at me like that?"

"No, it's just... I'm amazed. Being a leader of one of the 5 great guilds is not something anyone can do."

I had wondered how someone who was an otaku beyond imagination could command such deep loyalty from his subordinates, but now I understood. He took excellent care of his own people.

"Is that so?"

Viper blushed and scratched his nose.

"Ahem. Well, don't get me wrong! I just did what was necessary. If you get praised for doing the obvious, the world would be a lonely place. Sigh, I can't have the world become lonely just because of me."

"Gross..."

"What?"

"I didn’t say anything."

Anyway, after hearing Viper's story, I became contemplative.

Taking care of one’s people. That was something I had been considering even before entering the [The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon].

Now, as the 3rd ranked hunter, was it enough to just have a high ranking and some martial arts skills? Respect, reputation. Perhaps it's time for such considerations.

Let’s see.

Who in my circle could I call 'my people'...

-Ah, I want a duel. I want a fucking duel so badly. An overwhelming, demonic duel. I hunger for a duel fought with our lives at stake. Zombie, let us choose another martial-arts Apocalypse next time. This time, let us go to a martial world ruled by the Unorthodox Faction instead of the Demonic Cult! Bring on the Unorthodox masters!

Hmm.

No, not this guy...

“Gong-ja! Out of special consideration, I have made clippers tailored precisely to your fingers and toes! Once you taste my snip-snip craftsmanship, you will never again be able to trim your own fingernails or toenails! Just three minutes! No, two minutes! Please entrust your hands and feet to me for only 120 seconds!”

Definitely not this constellation-nut.

Even more so not this one.

[Shiny sings again today. Of the Hero's radiant achievements. Of the gallant figure the Hero cut while roaring like a lion from the ramparts of the Aegim Empire. Of the Hero's struggle in the martial world, as beautiful as it was desperate. Ah, Shiny is happy to behold the Hero's noble countenance again today. Long live the Hero for a thousand years, ten thousand years, a hundred thousand years.]

"......"

Wait.

Is there no normal person around me?

No one?

Seriously?

Strange. I'm normal. A model student trying to live a regular life. So why are there only crazy ghosts, mad constellations, and silly swords around me?

Thinking about it, all three aren't even 'human'. Crazy. Is this my destiny? If this is my destiny, isn't it a bit dog-like? Maybe the god is a dog? This Siberian Husky-like....

“Ah, King of Death! What are you pondering over?”

“The Heretic Inquisitor, I was thinking it’d be good if you could negotiate with the Aegim world's clerics on Floor 13. It’d be nice for the newbie hunters to receive quests there.”

“Oho! I was actually thinking along the same lines. It seems we share similar thoughts, King of Death! I shall head there!”

After sending off the blond Welsh-corgi-like person, I felt even less confident about my luck with people.

“Umm. Ki-King of Death.”

A savior appeared before my despairing eyes.

“We've successfully mass-produced the zombie virus antidote. The ingredients are readily available. Taking a preventive shot should make it safe to roam around the 22nd floor.”

This is the one!

“Boss.”

“Yes, y-yes. King of Death...”

“Have you ever thought about relocating?”

As I mentioned the plan I had considered after the Apothecary and Medicine King duel, the Apothecary blinked in surprise.

“Me?”

“Your current shop is too small. With your growing reputation after clearing this stage, you need to expand. Can you handle the orders with your current capacity?”

“Well. I have thought about expanding, but the real estate prices on Floor 1... As you know, it requires a huge loan. The Countess offered to cover it all with a contract, but..."

“Don’t sign that, no matter what.”

Where did this cat come from, meddling in other people's fish?

“Real estate. I'll cover all of that.”

I boldly declared.

“In addition to relocation and interior design costs. I'll take care of it all, so just bring yourself.”

The Apothecary’s mouth dropped open.

“Re-really...?”

“Yes. Floor 20 is under my ownership, you know? I’ll find you a prime spot. Just bring yourself.”

The Apothecary was speechless, seemingly unable to believe my offer.

But I was sincere.

‘Why leave land idle?’

It did not seem wasteful when I thought of it as an investment in a companion who would one day become the Master Alchemist.

I smiled.

“Just make sure to prioritize any potions or medicines I request. Is that okay?”

“O-of course! I’ve already been doing that... Uh. What, what should I do? I owe you too much, King of Death..."

The Apothecary’s lips quivered. Despite the confusion, the joy was unmistakable.

Her clasped hands seemed to be shouting 'Yesss! Aja aja!' inside.

I felt content.

‘Indeed. This is the satisfaction of taking care of people.’

Then…

“Ahem. Hem! Khuhem. Uh, hum, khuup!”

"......"

“Oh dear. Young man. Aren't you forgetting something?”

The Medicine King had appeared behind me unnoticed. He must have mastered some sort of stealth technique in the martial world without me knowing. Astonishing skill.

“I too, in my old age, would appreciate some land..."

Glance.

“Ah, my shop is so old, it's damp and musty. Terrible for my back health! Climbing up and down the third floor every day, my knees are creaking..."

Glance.

“It would be lovely if some fine young person simply handed me about 100,000 pyeong, roughly eighty-two acres, somewhere with good air..."

“I'm sorry. My friend caused you inconvenience.”

The Sword Saint approached, grabbed the Medicine King’s nape, and dragged him away.

As he was pulled, the Medicine King loudly protested.

“What! Instead of helping with your friend's sales pitch, you interfere? What country's idea of friendship is that? Is that what they taught you in Northern Europe? Marcus, you scoundrel! You come from a prestigious chaebol family, yet your business ethics are worse than a beggar's!”

“Friend. We’re already pitiable being old, let’s not become disgraceful too... You already make enough money.”

“I'm running a deficit, a deficit! Orders have dried up lately! Apothecary! Hey, Apothecary kid! Just say it once: ‘I played dirty in our last contest. In truth, I have no power at all to stand in the way of Sir Shawn McCallister's road to victory.’ That is all I need, so please just say it!”

The hunters in the Great Library stared at the Medicine King. After their joint research and cooperative surgery, the Apothecary had begun calling him an honored elder. Now the Apothecary looked at him as if looking at a water flea and let out a disgusted, “Wow...”

Viper, quietly reading his novel, grumbled.

“Why do all the heroines die in the novels I read? Is this some kind of trend?”

It was definitely a group with no normal people.

Setting up the Apothecary's new shop on Floor 20 went smoothly. The construction materials were easily covered with the gold from the lottery. There were no issues with labor either.

"King of Death, I can get you a discount on the construction materials. And that's not all. I can also gather enough workforce for you. Just sign this contract with the Apothecary and everything will be..."

"Ah, that's enough!"

Shaking off the Countess who kept hovering around like a cat, I turned to Preta.

"How's everything going?"

"Yes, my Lord. The construction progress is smooth."

Preta directed the construction while wearing a yellow safety helmet and a green armband, with a pink whistle held in the mouth. Skeletons summoned through Ghoul Reincarnation supplied the labor.

"Damn it! Freakin' hell! Hey, you raggedy-ass bastard! What grudge do you have against me! Why do I have to be stuck here among bones, hurling stones around! Say something, you bastards!!"

One handsome, ponytailed young man with an exceptionally foul mouth was mixed in among them, but because the overwhelming majority of the laborers were skeletons moving in perfect order, construction proceeded without difficulty.

Amidst the unproblematic progress, the Apothecary, Celestial Martial Clan Master, and I struck a deal.

"Alright, this should do it."

The agreement was as follows:

"There are still many zombies on the 22nd floor. And there are many ruined Taoist temples scattered around, meaning a lot of dungeons."

"Exactly. So our Celestial Martial Clan will establish a base there and..."

"Those who want to go to the 22nd floor will first stop at my new pharmacy on the 20th floor... to get vaccinated?"

"Exactly. We can charge a fee for that process... Of course, within reasonable limits."

It was a mutually beneficial plan for me as the owner of Floor 20, the Apothecary opening a new shop there, and Celestial Martial Clan relocating to the 22nd floor.

‘Never thought I'd be collecting real estate fees.’

I felt genuinely pleased.

However, as soon as the pharmacy opened, a problem with the plan became apparent: too many people flocked to Floor 20.

"God of Medicine!"

"Lord Apothecary!"

"Medicine Emperor!"

"O Medicine Saint, Supreme Heavenly Martial Ancient Emperor! Please sell me some medicine!"

People could travel to Floor 20 without an alias, so not just hunters wanting vaccinations for the 22nd floor, but many more headed there.

Administering the zombie-virus vaccine required a somewhat complicated procedure. Trying to manufacture ordinary medicines at the same time kept tangling the workflow. The Apothecary initially tried to handle everything alone, then finally screamed.

"King of Death, this is unmanageable!"

Eventually, we had to call the last member of the 22nd floor expedition team. Viper, with his arm around the Medicine King, proposed.

"Medicine King. Isn't your business a bit dull lately? I'll give you a nice spot at the Celestial Martial Clan headquarters on the 22nd floor. Want to come over and be our exclusive physician?"

"Now see here, Master of the Celestial Martial Clan! What do you take this Shawn McCallister for?"

He protested loudly, but in reality, the Medicine King's business was struggling. His shop's merit was handling high-end medicines, but with the superior Apothecary present, his strategy had fallen into an awkward high-end approach.

Everyone knew it, and deep down, so did the Medicine King. After some persuasion, he grudgingly agreed.

"Fine. For a while, I'll give injections and treat emergencies on the 22nd floor, earning some fees."

"Thanks. We also need a personal physician to take care of the Supreme Guardian."

"Hmph. Well, that guy makes more sense to talk to than Marcus. Alright, I was getting bored anyway."

As time passed, the expeditions continued.

There were many hunters besides us aiming to conquer stages.

Floor 21: The Great Library of Myriad Thoughts

the 22nd floor: The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon (Genre: Martial Arts, Fusion)

Floor 23: Chronicles of the Space Iron Knight (Genre: SF)

Floor 24: Daybreak Mountain Hut Diary (Genre: Mystery, History)

"Excellent. Truly, really, excellent."

The Witch smiled contentedly.

Before long, she was directing the hunters and meticulously deciding which Apocalypse to tackle and how many people each raid team should contain.

"King of Death. Your splendid conquest of [The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon] had a significant impact. Other hunters are burning with enthusiasm, not wanting to be outdone by you. If only they listened to me like this all the time! Ah, how nice it would have been if it had always been like this."

The Witch looked at me with affectionate eyes, as if seeing a golden goose. She was almost ready to say that everything about this tower was thanks to me.

"With this momentum, we might break through to the 30th floor before next month."

Unfortunately, the Witch's prediction missed the mark.

On the 2nd week after clearing The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon.

[Today, the 25th floor stage raid has failed.]

Hundreds of hunters, including the Witch, stared blankly into space.

[We announce once again.]

[Today, the 25th floor stage raid has failed.]

"Wh-what..."

The Witch was flabbergasted, shock evident in her black, flickering eyes.

"I arranged the best expedition team... and they failed...?"

In the Grand Library’s holographic screen, hordes of demons cackled as they slaughtered humans.

Among the slaughtered were familiar faces.

Rank 4 Hunter, the Countess.

Rank 9 Hunter, the Paladin.

One managed Babylon's gold vein, the other managed connections. They were the best cards we had for economy and security.

Yet, they failed.

[Tales of the Sormewin Academy]

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Difficulty: D

Required Participants: 2-5

*The serialization has been discontinued.

Description: Sormewin is a prestigious magic academy with a long history. It is an ordinary academy where friendship and rivalry, love and jealousy come and go. This Apocalypse could have remained an ordinary academy story, if only a world-destroying artifact had not been sealed beneath the school!

Reason for Discontinuation: The Villainess Lady loses her fiancé (the Crown Prince) to a second-time reincarnated female student. In a fit of rage, she unleashes the sealed artifact, freeing the Great Demon and causing world annihilation.

It was an Apocalypse of merely D-grade difficulty.

The world had been selected because magic was highly developed there and ores such as mithril were abundant.

"Alas, it's a pity."

The Holed-Up Head Librarian looked down at the bewildered hunters.

"But spilled water remains spilled water! It would be another matter if what was spilled could be gathered back up, but I cannot overlook a raid that has already failed. Everyone, please understand my position."

They smiled with their eyes.

In other words, if there was someone capable of collecting the spilled water, they'd acknowledge it as an exception.

The implied exception was obvious.

"......"

I headed to the bathroom set up in the library. I had visited here before entering The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon. The mirror reflected a man with a hardened face.

"Damn it. I've never even read a romance novel."

-Well, you handled a martial arts story without ever reading one. Should be no problem.

"True, but still..."

I sighed, holding a dagger.

"I can't leave the Countess and Paladin to die. Sending someone else doesn't guarantee success. I guess I have to try it myself."

One might ask why we could not simply abandon this Apocalypse and tackle another, but matters were not that simple.

There was a reason we could not possibly bypass this Apocalypse.

[Shiny supports the Hero's decision.]

Because another piece of the Holy Sword is hidden there.

"......Okay."

I fiddled with the hilt of the dagger, steeling myself.

"Let's give it a try!"