Chapter 33
This little kid is the one who opens the Gate.
In the original story, this blonde brat was the reason Choi Siwoo had such a hard time dealing with the Black God Church, even though they were just a handful of people.
Every time the Black God Church caused trouble, they'd use this kid to escape, leaving Siwoo with no answers.
"What are the conditions for you to open a Gate?"
"I can move to any place I've been to before."
So places you've visited get automatically memorized in your head, huh.
Well damn, the Black God Church really raised something useful.
I can't remember the name, but apparently they're an experimental subject secretly raised by the Church executives. Not many functions - just a dimensional Gate device that can only be used as a shuttle.
With this ability, it wouldn't be impossible to unleash monsters in Seoul.
"So you can teleport continuously?"
"Mm, it's a bit different. I need Demonic Power."
"Must take a ridiculous amount depending on the distance."
No way it takes the same Magic Power every time.
"Yes."
"How about the distance between Songdo and Hanseong Academy?"
"I can do it twice a day."
Well then, two round trips to the Academy per day could work.
"You're a Mutant, right?"
If they can handle Demonic Power, that means they're a Mutant.
"Yes. This ability came from becoming a Mutant."
"Then with Magic Stones, it's basically infinite?"
Magic Stones - known as pure crystallized Magic Power. When Mutants consume them, they can recover Demonic Power.
Originally, Demonic Power and Magic Power are basically the same thing, so it works in theory. Unlike normal people, only Mutants can eat Magic Stones to recover Demonic Power.
"Yes. But Magic Stones are hard to get around here."
"I'll get you the Magic Stones. Then you can do it, right?"
"Yes, Lady Azhi Dahaka."
Well that's easy then.
I went outside and gathered the Demonic Power concentrated around the church, crystallizing it.
That's how I created these high-purity Magic Stones.
When I showed them, this blonde brat's eyes sparkled.
"Is this enough?"
"This is more than enough."
"From now on, you're my personal shuttle. I could just fly, but I'd rather handle annoying stuff quickly."
If Yoo Jinseok finds out, he'll definitely make it so I can't cross the barrier.
"Yes."
"For your name... since you open Gates. Hmm. Let's go with Kate."
Since they look like they were picked up from the West, Kate seems like a decent name.
As soon as we arrived in Songdo, I absorbed all the Demonic Power and turned it into Magic Stones.
I could absorb it all, but I can't handle that much right now.
Besides, these Magic Stones are useful for making money too. Sure, Cores are expensive, but Magic Stones are worth more than Cores from monsters that even normal people could catch if they risked their lives.
Recently, Magic Stones are being used in various research, so there's plenty of demand.
When I called over some executives and showed them the Magic Stones, they blinked in surprise.
"Can we sell these Magic Stones? We need capital to do anything, right?"
"That's... a pipe dream."
One of the executives muttered awkwardly.
"Explain in detail. What money have you been using until now?"
"Since the Quarantine Zone was abandoned by the government anyway, there were plenty of things we could use as capital."
Makes sense. No point trying to transport stuff to Seoul during that chaos.
That's why there are people on the internet secretly suggesting expeditions into the Quarantine Zone.
Of course, most of them don't come back.
They end up dead more often than not. Either dying from Demonic Power exposure, or getting killed by Mutants or Monsters.
Even I wouldn't let people trying to steal from our territory just walk away.
"So you're saying even with Magic Stones, there's nowhere to sell them."
"Yes. The Quarantine Zone itself is a world of survival of the fittest."
Literally living like ancient people, robbing and fighting each other.
At least the Black God Church will be better off with me around.
I've already purified the Demonic Power in Songdo, so this place should be livable enough for normal people - we can gather the civilians hiding in the Quarantine Zone here in Songdo.
"Well, at least Mutants can survive without eating, so that's better, right?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll take these Magic Stones to Seoul and sell them myself."
I know just the place to sell them too.
The Cheonsan Group's heir. Lee Yoo-jeong's sister. Lee Yoo-jin. Though she gets brainwashed and hands over the Ancient Heritage to the Villain in the original story, she's actually quite a formidable woman.
She's been running Magic Stone-related businesses behind the scenes.
That's why she secretly contacted the Villain too.
"Then please tell us what we should do from now on, Lady Dahaka."
Hmm, is there anything specific to do?
Ah, I should delegate the annoying stuff.
"We need to incorporate the civilians living around here into Songdo."
"Yes, LadyDahaka. Then what about the Villains..."
Right. The Villains are a problem. I'd prefer to have them under my control if possible.
I need to keep them alive and under me if I want to use them in the fight against China.
Fortunately, the Villains in the Quarantine Zone are weak.
"Try negotiating if possible, and if there's violent conflict, contact me through the Magic Gear. I'll catch them all."
"Yes, Dahaka."
"And it's too long, shorten it."
"Lady Azhi."
Azhi? That's too much. It sounds like a pet name, pisses me off.
"Sounds too much like a dog. Lady Dahaka would be better."
"Yes, Lady Dahaka."
"Then let's make a warehouse for the Magic Stones."
"We'll fill one room with the Magic Stones."
I should probably give some Magic Stones to the Association too, to let them know what I retrieved from my visit.
But before that, there's something I need to do.
On my way back to Seoul, I stopped by Onsu Station.
Onsu Station is currently the Black Dragon Association's base. They're getting bigger, so I need to take them out before they enter Seoul.
I ate the Ancient Heritage, but you never know.
"Come to think of it, why didn't you tell me about the Black Dragon Association before?"
[Since Master designated the Black Dragon Association as enemies from the start, naturally.]
The Akashic Record knows just what to say.
The place the Black Dragon Association uses as their headquarters wasn't much different from the Black God Church's church.
Looks like they're using a few containers and a gas station building.
Decided to go for a frontal assault.
"Hello? Hello? Konnichiwa? Ni hao?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm the grim reaper who's come to kill you all~"
My words made the Black Dragon Association's grunts burst out laughing.
Of course they would. Some nun coming alone claiming to be a grim reaper.
"You're going to take us all on alone?"
"Even if we're nobodies, you think one bitch hunting for bounty can handle us? Even Hunters would have trouble!"
"She's high quality goods, let's have some fun with her first before we sell or kill her."
Seems they're more focused on capture than killing me, slowly approaching with raised fists.
They're really full of themselves when they should be holding guns.
Not even worth using White Flame.
Just need to drop a spoonful of Chaos.
*snap!*
Flicked my finger to lightly plant Chaos in the Black Dragon thugs' heads.
"What the fuck you crazy bitch-"
*slash!*
The boss-looking one got his neck sliced by his subordinate's sword.
This is when I really get that rush.
They let their guard down because I'm a woman, rushed in, and instantly started backstabbing each other - it's hilarious no matter how many times I see it.
"What the fuck are you doing, retard!"
"Were you working with that bitch? *gurk*!?"
"Didn't I tell you? I'm the grim reaper."
The Black Dragon Association may not be big, but they could be useful forces.
But that doesn't mean I can just let human traffickers who commit rape and murder run free.
With this, I've eliminated one of the Villain groups that appears in the original story.
Causality or whatever, I don't care. I just kill anything that stands in my way.
"M-monster!"
"My my. That's rich coming from people who've been trafficking, raping and murdering."
The few who survived with major injuries are begging for their lives.
"P-please spare me."
"Hehehe."
It's been a while since I felt this thrill. Seems I haven't completely let go of who I was back then.
But that doesn't mean I have no mercy.
I smiled sweetly as I raised my foot over the head of the Villain clutching my ankle and begging.
*crunch!*
* * *
Korean Hunter Association
Association President Choi Cheolsik sighed at Jeong Na-yoon's report.
"So, report again. I'm old, my brain processes things slowly."
It really feels like either his brain or ears must be broken.
Well of course. A temporary Hunter fresh out of being a student returned just hours after crossing the barrier, bringing high-purity Magic Stones and having eliminated Villains. Even for Yoo Eunha, this should be impossible without detection equipment to find Magic Stones and the Black Dragon's location.
It's been an unknown territory for so long... yet Yoo Eunha found everything in just hours?
It doesn't make sense.
He thought it would take at least a few days, and expected her to return empty-handed.
"So, Hanseong Academy student temporary Hunter Yoo Eunha went to Incheon, mined Magic Stones, and on her way back stopped by Onsu Station, found the Black Dragon Association and eliminated them."
"Huh. That's really true?"
"Are you getting senile? That's what I'm saying. She even purified the Demonic Power they spread and marked their coordinates."
When Jeong Na-yoon snapped back sharply, Choi Cheolsik hung his head.
This is just sad for an old man.
Back in the day, he was the Immortal who eliminated monsters with just the Sun Fist. Now he's getting talked to like this by Jeong Na-yoon who's even threatening his position.
Still, Choi Cheolsik had something to say.
"Well, the Black Dragon Association is one thing, but I'm asking because it doesn't make sense. Magic Stones? When they haven't been found until now?"
"Who knows. Maybe search teams secretly pocketed them and reported finding nothing to the Association."
It's not impossible.
Risking their lives to go out there, only to have to hand over any Magic Stones they find to the Association - there could be complaints, and they might have secretly sold them.
But even so, Magic Stones that haven't left even a trace until now?
No, they wouldn't be impossible to find. Magic Stones can be made by purifying and condensing Demonic Power. But it consumes quite a lot of resources.
Choi Cheolsik strained his aging brain and finally organized his thoughts.
'For Yoo Eunha, it's possible.'
And thus another Eunha believer was born.
"Hmm. In this case, Han Jeongseok. Think that bastard will cooperate with the Quarantine Zone purification plan?"
"Eunha might have just gotten lucky. Like with Incheon Bay. Should we report to the President?"
"Better not. Don't want to start another argument."
Han Jeongseok is both Choi Cheolsik's rival and someone whose opinions always run parallel. Better to draw a line than argue every time.
"Yes."
"Be careful not to let Yoo Jinseok find out. Bring the Magic Stones, we'll verify them and hand them over to the Association's Magic Stone research facility."
"Yes."
There would be quite an uproar if he found out his little sister went to the Quarantine Zone, brought back Magic Stones and eliminated Villains.
* * *