Chapter 184 (1/2)
Chapter 184 – The Chosen Ones (9)
Sungjin watched the others as he sat with his fingers forming a cage. Unlike their usual selves, they were very nervous. The first ever 300 man raid. This was something not even they would have been able to predict.
Hildebrandt put his hands up and into his hair and said,
“300… is this reasonable?”
Beltran nodded in agreement and said,
You’re right. Just what kind of monster are they planning on releasing upon us now?”
Nada lifted up the information sheet and answered.
“It says there will be mix of random monsters from previous chapters.”
The information sheet she was holding had just two lines written on it.
‘300 man raid. Location: Hunter’s Hall’
‘Random spawn of enemies from the previous 20 chapters.’
“Even though it says random… they’re probably powered up a lot. Since they said it’s adjusted for 300 participants.”
While the hunters were discussing among themselves, Sungjin glanced at Edward from time to time. Edward sat at a table far off to the side with his fingers interlocking. Edward looked like he hasn’t gotten used to this kind of atmosphere and was looking around with just his eyes, even though this in fact was what he wanted. The reason why Edward had Sungjin go through regression was probably that he fell into despair upon seeing the future at the Demon King’s Castle, finding out about the 300-man final raid.
No matter how strong the final 10 hunters were gathered, no matter how much the 10 member team try, they would not be able to complete a 300 man raid. He himself picked Sungjin to replace him. Sungjin apologized to Edward internally even though he would have no idea.
‘Sorry but… I failed at gathering 300 members, Edward.’
Ninety Nine Nights was brimming with the hunters’ sigh.
“Haa… Such a curve ball at the end”
“Damn that Operator, keeping this a secret all this time.”
“But this was always the Operator’s style. We’ve just been forgetting about it as of late.”
“But now… will it be okay?”
Sungjin clapped twice to focus their attention on him.
“Please focus, everyone.”
Nine pair of eyes land on Sungjin. Sungjin said to them
“Everyone… I understand that it is a rather distressing development. But because of that we must be level headed and gather our strength.”
Sungjin’s words seemed to calm them down. Sungjin continued.
“I didn’t expect things to happen this way but… everyone here were all selected by me. Surviving Hunters now number at 256. We are short 44 people for a 300 man raid, but let us try to bridge that gap by ourselves.”
Mahadas spoke up after Sungjin.
“You are right, Master Hunter. For the last raid, it’ll work out if we do our best.”
Franz threw in his opinin as well.
“That’s right. We even have bonus stats as Chosen Ones. We need to pick up the slack.”
Mustafa stroked his mustache and added,
“44 short. If Master Hunter can do the work of 10 hunters… and the rest of us do the work of about 3~4 hunters… then things are just about even.”
Hiroaki from the side piped in.
“I don’t worry at all. If it is sensei, he can do as much as 10…. No, as many as 20 other hunters’ work.”
Sungjin realized that Edward was staring at him with indiscernible look amidst the now-optimistic atmosphere. That was to be expected. Sungjin probably looked like a troll or a psychopath back when Edward was attacked for no reason. But here, Sungjin had absolute trust of others. Aware of Edward’s gaze, Sungjin once again said,
“Then let’s all mentally prepare ourselves as much as possible and I’ll see you all in the morning.”
The Chosen Ones together answered.
“Got it”
*
Soldamyr approached Sungjin once everyone had left.
“It is finally the last night, Master.”
“You’re right. Thanks for everything until now, Soldamyr. Thank you.”
“Well, for me… serving you as my master and having witnessed a variety of magic is more than enough.”
“I’m grateful if you think that.”
Sungjin got a thought as he was speaking.
“But now that I think of it… what happens to you once the raids are over?”
“That… the Operator will probably decide. Whether I return to Kutan Desert, or become space dust.”
Sungjin asked the Operator.
“Operator. When the raids are over… what happens to Soldamyr?”
Sungjin said without much confidence. He wasn’t sure if the Operator would answer or not. But
[Beings created during the Raid will return to their original dimensions]
Thankfully the Operator answered. Soldamyr was pleasantly surprised and said
“Ooh… That’s very fortunate. If I apply my experiences to my magic research…”
But Besgoro’s voice interrupted him.
‘That’s a relief! I too had more I wished to accomplish!’
Sungjin put his hand over his forehead and said,
“Mr Besgoro. Soldamyr chose to become a familiar and all. But for you… isn’t it more natural that you be turned into space dust?”
‘What are you talking about. My life is just starting.’
Sungjin had more to say when Besgoro spoke the next words.
‘Right, Moon Specter?’
Sungjin opened his mouth
“What…?”
And then he heard the very shy voice of Moon Specter.
‘Yes, Besgoro ssi.”(1)
‘Have you heard of Ghost marriage? We have agreed to become a married couple.’ (2)
“Excuse me?”
Sungjin yelled out of surprise. To his knowledge, Besgoro was an old man in his 50s and Moon Specter was a lady under the age of 20.
But then a marriage… Sungjin said to Moon Specter
“Hey Moon Specter, this 50 year old man covets young girls… I mean… You know because you heard everything, right?”