Chapter 103
When they heard Seo Ji-yeon wouldn't come out, the Guild Masters sighed.
"She doesn't want to come out. I let it slide for the same reason. If she carelessly stepped in, Song-do could be wiped out completely."
"Good choice."
While the Guild Masters could match Seo Ji-yeon's finger camera in skill, terrain isn't the same.
If Seo Ji-yeon was forced to attack Song-do by Association orders, White Flower (Baekhwa) might be fine but Song-do could be destroyed.
"So the conclusion is they want us to pretend to attack while not giving a fuck if those Blue House bastards die?"
Taehwa Guild's Master Shin-jiun clicked his tongue while saying that.
"Yeah."
"I heard the Blue House is short on Hunter forces? Their main force is just the Heung-boo and Nolbu brothers plus a few others, but Baekhwa overwhelmed Kim Ji-hye in speed and fought Yoo Jin-seok even if he went easy. Her swordsman companion fought Heung-boo. Plus there's still that mysterious archer. Can Ha Jeong-seok's Hunters break through them?"
Honestly it's unthinkable. Right now Ha Jeong-seok's Hunters can't even suppress the weakened Hunter Association.
"10,000 National Army troops will be mobilized."
"Ah 10,000 National Army. What? That Ha Jeong-seok bastard's gone crazy? Even if they win, facing an army of Mutants means the casualties will be insane obviously?"
10,000 National Army troops. That means an army with just tiny bits of Magic Power who couldn't even attend Hunter Academy. There are some failed Academy student graduates but naturally they're barely different from normal people.
"Who knows what's in that bastard's head?"
"He probably mixed in his own Hunters too."
That means using the National Army as meat shields to somehow catch Baekhwa.
And if the National Army takes heavy casualties in the process, naturally citizens will curse Baekhwa.
"He predicted we won't help huh."
Baek Cheong-gang clicked his tongue.
"Yeah."
The President is really throwing his own citizens into death.
While also trying to ruin Baekhwa's image built up until now. How can someone be such a bastard.
If the subjugation fails they'll get cursed either way but Baekhwa will fall to just another Villain, so they just need to recruit some strong person to catch her and that's it.
Then the best choice is for Baekhwa to evacuate.
She probably knows by now too.
Choi Cheol-sik and the Guild Masters could only hope Baekhwa wouldn't make a foolish choice.
* * *
Around when Song-do was heating up with war preparations. Contact came from Seo Ji-yeon.
First time since giving her the Magic Gear.
[Day after tomorrow 10,000 National Army and Ha Jeong-seok's Hunter unit. Guild Alliance planning Baekhwa subjugation. I'm sitting out so handle it yourself.]
The situation doesn't look good.
Day after tomorrow, then not long until war clouds loom over Song-do.
Good thing I created tension among people early.
Even in this messed up world the concept of National Army still remains.
Of course not as much as the old days and actually their numbers dropped a lot while focusing on raising Hunters.
I urgently gathered the Heroines.
"If Ha Jeong-seok comes with Human Wave Tactics using the National Army, we don't kill the enemies."
"What do you mean? Then how do we win?"
Han Soo-ji frowned one eyebrow like she couldn't understand.
I pulled out Magic Guns from subspace.
About 1,000 guns. The ones I showed the Heroines before.
Haven't given them to the Mutants yet, just adjusted the lethality.
Probably half will be left even after supplying everyone combat-ready in Song-do.
"These Magic Guns from Cheonsan use Magic Stones super inefficiently but can adjust power levels."
"I know that too. You charge Magic Power and control how much Magic Power per shot. Weaker means less lethal."
Choi Si-woo added good trivia.
Right. These guns are low lethality guns.
They're just painful guns that only wound rather than kill to the point you'd wonder why a soldier died to this.
"I adjusted all the guns given to Mutants to non-lethal levels. So we hold out."
"Until when?"
"That's why Reina and Han Soo-ji are important. Reina needs to completely destroy the enemy supply depot. Same for Han Soo-ji. These days the National Army installs Magic Power operated supply depots even at Gates. Once found destruction will be easy."
If supplies are cut and the Guild Alliance can't move properly, the enemy will probably get quite tied down too.
"Where are the supply depots?"
Han Soo-ji tilted her head and asked. Ah, that's the issue.
While I was pondering briefly Lee Yoo-jeong tapped my shoulder.
"I'll look into it."
"Senior Yoo-jeong can do it?"
"White Flower (Baekhwa) Church has Magic Gear scattered throughout our territory outside Song-do. They'll get caught somewhere. But will they retreat just because supplies are cut when Seoul is right next door?"
Well that's true. If they don't retreat immediately there are other methods.
"If we use Demonic Power."
"Then the Guild Alliance takes damage too. You know that Eun-ha."
Choi Si-woo shook her head.
Everyone here is familiar with Demonic Power. Lee Yoo-jeong just needs to control Magic Gear in Song-do so no problem. The Guild Alliance are humans in the end. Don't know about the executives but if mass Demonic Power is released the low-ranking Hunters in the guilds might die.
"Plus no guarantee Ha Jeong-seok will give up from that. Ha Jeong-seok is the worst President ever. Even if the army wants to retreat he might force them forward. Even if they die."
Right. Can't just run hopeful scenarios.
Need some other method.
"Really need Rosaria."
Rosaria is a Healer. Meaning she can heal whether Mutant or human.
So bringing her here to heal wounded Mutants would be perfect. Plus with 10,000 National Army we really need to fight seriously.
"To scissor?"
Reina shot me a look.
She knows me too well but it's not just that.
"No no not just that."
Though it would be nice.
What to do if Shinohara moves.
Shinsengumi is just troublesome. Pretty problematic.
Not like there aren't methods. If we spread Chaos in the National Army they'll end up killing each other.
But then there'll be fewer troops to face Sin later.
"Oh? Wait."
Not like there aren't ways to neutralize 10,000 troops.
Looking around there are many. No, rather than neutralizing there are ways to make the army retreat.
"What if we strike first?"
"First strike? We have our image you know? Plus can we even win attacking Seoul?"
What's she worried about when I have confidence in first strike victory?
"Who am I?"
"Ah."
"Did you forget whose females you are?"
"So what's the plan?"
Seoul has barriers wrapped all around. And there are huge roads connecting to outside in all directions with giant gates normally locked that open when Hunters guarding checkpoints allow.
Of course that's from inside and attacking the gates from outside is honestly impossible without using Azhi Dahaka's power as a premise.
Surprisingly there are Cheonsan Group anti-Monster turrets. If those activate and start firing it gets quite annoying.
Obviously need to use Kate to enter.
Charging straight for the Blue House. That idiot Ha Jeong-seok will obviously be in some secret room under the Blue House.
What a shady bastard.
"Just need to wreck the Blue House."
"Just the Blue House?"
"Yeah. Only mobilizing White Flower (Baekhwa) Church and you guys."
We're elite few anyway.
Just need to sneak Mutants straight into the Blue House.
That idiot probably thinks the Guild Alliance and Heung-boo, Nolbu brothers are enough.
"Hey, you telling us to die?"
Han Soo-ji wrapped her arms around herself like some young girl acting weak.
Does she not know she's one of the strong ones here.
She's good at acting weak. Wants me to comfort her.
"You're already super strong Han Soo-ji. Plus the Hunter forces left at the Blue House will just be Ha Jeong-seok's dogs."
Ha Jeong-seok's subordinate Hunters have lots of shady backgrounds.
Like committing crimes. Or being brainwashed by Ha Jeong-seok since childhood. Those kinds.
In the end they become inhuman from ideological conversion.
Naturally they only work for Ha Jeong-seok.
So. They're the kind you can kill without caring.
Citizens keep quiet too. Everyone knows Ha Jeong-seok's Hunters are shady so public opinion won't turn against us for taking them out.
They're probably quite strong. Though still way below us.
"Then using Kate to go?"
"Yeah. Want to spread some bait first."
"Huh?"
"If we just attack the Blue House straight up we'll really look like villains."
We are villains but still. The concept of beautiful woman villain with circumstances is important.
* * *
Today like always. Turned on the broadcast.
But today has a different reason. To give a warning.
"Hello. This is Baekhwa. Today I turned on the broadcast to warn the Blue House."
??
What's going on?
Terrorist attack?
Sure enough, our shady Hunter friends were waiting since daytime buried at home for my broadcast as hundreds entered instantly.
Those are just the chats I glimpsed.
Surprising they haven't banned my Villain account on Twitty.
Thanks to that I could set the stage for wrecking the Blue House.
We need to be in the position of fighting back after being attacked first.
I spoke seriously toward the screen.
"Seems you took me for a Penis but."
I'm a Vagina here. Almost made a dick joke but held back.
"Seeing you lurking near the barrier lately and keep sending Hunters, seems you plan to subjugate us soon. Warning the President in advance. If we see signs of crossing the barrier to attack us, we will counterattack."
In other words showed strong will to wreck them if they invade our territory even after this warning.
Holy shit Guild mobilization order was for Baekhwa subjugation?
ㄷㄷ War?
Why mess with someone who said they'd stay quiet.
Isn't it natural for Villains to get subjugated?
ㅋㅋㅋㅋ So how many Villains caught in Quarantine Zone so far?
Hmm, good. Viewers are fighting amongst themselves.
Very nice to see. The more chaotic it is the more influence enters communities.
Looking forward to citizens' reactions too. Wonder how they'll respond?
"Since you're old your ears might not have heard so warning again. Don't mess with us who are staying quiet. If you don't want the Blue House wrecked. At your age getting wrecked by a girl whose head isn't even dry yet is kinda. What do you think?"
I clearly gave warning.
Baekhwa has counterattack means?
No way when they look tight on living expenses.
Can she crack Ha Jeong-seok's skull?
Reactions were hot as expected. Any world loves a good fight.
Low-ranking Hunters who came as viewers go without saying.
"Viewers. If you want to know how the Blue House gets wrecked, please cheer for Ha Jeong-seok to attack Song-do."
With that I ended the broadcast.
* * *