abcnovels
Chapter 355
Chapter 355
Chapter 355
Armas didn't usually get angry, but it was a different story when it came to money.
“What are you saying, you bastard? Are you suggesting that I’m lying?”
Armas was in trouble because his adversary was tough. None of the hunters in the room were meek enough to back down because he was angry.
The room was full of A-grade hunters and top B-grade hunters, so Armas couldn’t just intimidate them. Furthermore, his reputation wasn’t exactly the best.
“Why are you running your mouth when you weren’t even present at the initiation of the raid? You shameless bastard. Did we not see you because you’d cast a defensive spell on your face?”
“I don’t care about his rank or how valuable he is. Let’s beat him up and bring him to the Chinese government. Who the hell does he think he is?”
“...”
Armas was speechless at the unexpectedly hostile responses. He had no reason to be afraid of the Chinese government, but he had to be a bit wary about the reaction of the hunters on active duty. In addition, these weren’t some no-name hunters, but A-grade hunters.
“Don’t... Don’t get me wrong. There’s no way I would doubt the hunters who have fought by my side.”
“??. Get lost.”
“Seha, watch the language! There are other people here.”
“I see... Excuse me, would you please consider getting out of my sight?”
Armas was an A-grade hunter for a reason, so even in such a tense situation, he cleverly shifted the blame to save himself.
“I wasn’t doubting the hunters, but the Chinese government. Do you know how many Chinese soldiers are around here? They might’ve hidden the corpse of the Monkey King!”
“...!??”
The Chinese person in charge waved his hands in surprise. They had stolen monster rewards a few times in the past, but it really wasn’t the case this time.
They could pull off such tricks with D or C-grade monsters, but if they tried to tamper with the rewards from an A-grade monster, every country in the world would bury them.
“No!”
“From what I heard, it would make sense...”
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung, were there any Chinese people around you?”
Armas sighed as the target of blame was shifted once again.
‘Damn, this atmosphere is terrifying.’
Hunters weren’t usually united, but for some reason, they were acting as one on this occasion. Armas had acted as usual without thinking and almost got seriously hurt.
“Ah, right. Grant, I’m glad you got back safely. About the reward this time...” Armas said to Joseph.
Armas thought that this conversation would go well because just like him, Joseph had also only participated in the first raid.
Joseph replied with a cold expression, “I heard that you said to not save me. I heard it from Choi Yeonseung.”
“...”
Armas was taken aback by how quickly Choi Yeonseung had reported on him. Contrary to his seemingly kind appearance, he had handled everything flawlessly.
‘I had the wrong idea about him!’
Joseph, who had finally returned safely, ignored Armas and continued, “Speaking of splitting the rewards...”
“The Monkey King’s corpse is nowhere to be seen. If you keep talking, I’ll tie you up again and throw you away!”
“Listen to me! Since the corpse is gone, shouldn’t we get compensation from the Chinese government?”
The hunters, who had been disregarding Joseph’s words, suddenly paused, realizing that his idea was actually good.
“Certainly, this...”
“Let’s all join forces.”
“Yeah. We’re comrades who fought the monster together!”
“...”
At this moment, the Chinese officials in the room cursed their superiors who had recruited these overseas hunters.
***
There had been an unexpected set of circumstances and other ferocious monsters were wreaking havoc. Despite those terrible conditions, the story of Choi Yeonseung defeating the Monkey King by mobilizing hunters without backing down spread quickly.
@Armas_Garcia
-We were able to finish the raid thanks to Choi Yeonseung, who boldly led the hunters despite the failure of the first attempt. It was a good raid for everyone.
?The hunters at the scene said that you didn’t participate in the second raid. Is this true?
-That is the Chinese government’s slander. As you know, the Chinese government spreads rumors to keep overseas hunters in check. It’s a shame if you believe such baseless accusations.
@Mona_Tharwat
-I am seriously thinking of learning martial arts. The power of martial arts is much greater than I thought. I heard that Choi Yeonseung can also cook. I wanted to check it out, but unfortunately, I couldn’t.
?Did the Chinese government prevent you from doing that?
Meanwhile, Aine was lying down and groaning.
“...”
“The world... will be ruined...”
“...I-is it that bad?”
“China was known as the world’s factory for a reason...”
Due to its low labor costs and the government’s willingness to attract foreign companies, China had been the home of the factories of many global companies for many generations.
On top of that, ever since the Abyssal gate had opened, various core-related technologies had been developed. It was the Chinese companies that produced the simplest components that went into them.
They boasted enormous production volume because they fraudulently hired people to work for way cheaper than other countries.
However, the western part of China had suddenly gone back in time to a picturesque natural landscape, which meant that all the factories and corporate facilities there were gone!
“Why did that constellation transform the area? Why not just summon some monsters and go away?”
“...”
Seeing Aine muttering these words, Choi Yeonseung couldn’t bear to tell her the truth.
‘I’m sorry, niece! I’ll have to hide this from you for the rest of my life.’
Even to Choi Yeonseung, who didn’t know much about stocks, the graph going down to blue looked awfully bleak.
Choi Yeonseung made the usual tea and brought refreshments to Aine to comfort her. She ate a few organic cookies made in a clean area of the Abyss and she suddenly regained her vigor.
“We didn’t have any factories over there, so I guess it doesn’t affect us that much.”
“Oh...”
Choi Yeonseung was surprised to hear that.
“How come we didn’t have any companies there?”
“The former chairman didn’t want to build factories so deep in China because he feared he would be stabbed in the back.”
“...”
The talented people of Dragon Industry had said, “It’s cheap and the Chinese government will support it. Let’s build it there!” but Hwang Gyeongryong wouldn’t hear any of it. He absolutely disliked the idea, and the current circumstances proved that he had been right.
‘I should be happy, right?’
“But I have to find new companies that produce those components and sign new contracts...”
“Is it hard to find other companies?”
“Nah, it’s not hard. Honestly, we are the best.”
Companies could evolve and become successful just by subcontracting with Dragon Industry and sending them tech parts whenever they needed it.
On one side of the world, there were high-level competitions that only people with cutting-edge technology could participate in. Underneath that, there were lesser competitions in which companies with inferior technology could take part in.
“All the lesser companies will send us proposals, but it’s up to you to look at them and make a decision... Is that okay?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to pick one.”
Aine was surprised by Choi Yeonseung’s willingness to choose a company. He was never scared of monsters, but he had always been apprehensive when it came to this kind of management.
Why was he so confident now?
Aine wondered, “Can I ask how you’re going to decide?”
“I’m going to ask Adaquaniel.”
“...”
Aine was baffled but also impressed. It was certainly a sly tactic, but a good one nonetheless!
***
“I’m sorry, Choi Yeonseung.”
Surprisingly, Adaquaniel declined Choi Yeonseung’s request. She bowed her head with a very embarrassed expression when Choi Yeonseung asked her to help him choose a company.
“Is something wrong? If I can be of help...”
“The goddess seems to be having an episode, so she’s not coming out of her room.”
“...”
-I knew it.
[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ says that she knew this would happen.]
The constellations had not mentioned it before.
Choi Yeonseung had been busy dealing with the aftermath of the raid, and it would’ve looked suspicious for a human to be the first one to speak to the goddess of balance. However, this didn’t mean that the problem was solved.
The problem was right in front of them!
-Any constellation would be affected by such a traumatic experience, and a fragile constellation like the goddess of balance would be even more affected by something like that.
[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ slightly regrets saying that the ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ has a perverse and twisted desire.]
-...You actually said that to her?! That’s just too much!
Choi Yeonseung was dumbfounded. What the manipulator constellation had said was really out of line!
-But it is a twisted and perverse desire... Is it normal to covet a mortal, who’s also someone else’s household member, like that?
[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ says that the incarnation of training is kind. If the incarnation of training’s personality were a bit more evil, the goddess of balance would be the laughing stock of the Abyss right now.]
“...”
Choi Yeonseung suddenly felt sorry for the goddess of balance. He couldn’t believe that the constellations were taking sides like this...
‘I have to listen.’
[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ says that seducing others by looking pitiful is something that a moral would do, not a constellation.]
-Certainly, the strategy of the goddess of balance is unique and not something that ordinary constellations can imitate.
-Everyone, shut up.
Choi Yeonseung silenced the constellations.
It was understandable that the goddess of balance was shocked. He was shocked as well. However, since there was a lot of work to do, he decided not to dwell on her condition for the time being and focus on the most pressing matters.
There were still many questions.
Why and how did they have a child? Why had that child come from the future? Why was the child so talented in martial arts? What had she tried to tell them?
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says it can tell you how a child is conceived.]
[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ says she can tell you as well.]
-Ah, shut up.
However, both Choi Yeonseung and the goddess were constellations. No matter how embarrassed or confused they were, they couldn’t waver.
As rulers of a realm, they had to stand firm. It was their duty as masters in whom their subjects had faith.
“Adaquaniel, please send me to your kingdom. I’ll convince her myself.”
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung...! But you’re the household member of the Undefeated Incarnation of Training. I’m worried I might make a mistake by sending you there or that Master would misunderstand my intentions!”
“It’s okay. Just send me there.”
Adaquaniel was deeply moved by Choi Yeonseung’s resolve. He wanted to go there to help her master without caring about his own safety.
Was there anyone else in the Abyss who was so noble and loyal?
“Alright, and if the goddess gets angry, I’ll take full responsibility”
“Adaquaniel...!”
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung...!”
-Successor, I think it would be best if you hurry there.
[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ strongly warns you not to do anything like this when entering the kingdom.]
***
“Master, please tell us.”
“That’s right. Shouldn’t you talk to us so we can share some of the burden?
The loyal angels of the goddess knocked anxiously on the door of the tower. In spite of everything, their loyalty was still unwavering. The goddess of balance was a good master, which was rare in the Abyss.
...I will ask you a question.
“Yes! What is it? Please tell us!”
Let’s say there is a child born between a constellation and a mortal. How would they be born?
“Um...”
“Umm...?”
The angels pondered on it before coming up with a general answer.
“Perhaps the constellation subdued the mortal by force or tricked them with some evil scheme?”
“I think so as well. The difference in status is so big that it’s probably the result of strength rather than love.”
The angels exchanged looks, thinking they had answered well.
Waaaaaah!
...But what came from inside was the goddess’ wail.