"Take Jeju Island?" The officials of the Japanese Hunter's Association seemed to have received advance notice from the president, as they maintained a mostly calm atmosphere. But the senior officials of the Japanese government could not say the same.
"What on earth are you talking about?" "Are you declaring war on Korea right now?" "They've spent over sixty years preparing for war." "At least say something that makes sense!"
The officials' voices grew louder. The ant incident had already scorched their feet, and now the flames were climbing to their ankles. If they couldn't provide clear answers to the Prime Minister and the press soon, who knew how many heads would roll. So they had summoned the Hunter's Association president to propose a solution, and what did he come back with? Something about Jeju Island? Spouting such outlandish nonsense in front of busy people—how could they not be furious? If not for the Hunters flanking Association President Matsumoto Shigeo on either side, they would have unloaded a torrent of profanity long ago.
*How did he predict this perfectly down to the last detail?*
Even amid the fierce criticism directed at him, Matsumoto wore a smile. Their reactions were all part of his calculation.
*Tsk tsk.*
Clicking his tongue lightly to himself, Matsumoto opened his mouth once more.
"I am not saying we should go to war with Korea. Nor am I suggesting we seize their land by force." "Then what exactly are you proposing?" "Spit it out already." "Just tell us clearly."
Matsumoto raised one corner of his mouth.
"We need to make Korea hand over the land voluntarily."
The heated atmosphere in the conference room cooled at Matsumoto's cynical attitude. Given the intensity of his words and his composure, President Matsumoto was clearly serious.
"..."
The Deputy Prime Minister, famous for his level-headedness, spoke for the first time today.
"President Matsumoto."
He was the current Prime Minister's closest aide and spokesperson. Attending this meeting on the Prime Minister's behalf, his words carried weight equivalent to the Prime Minister's own.
"What you just said... how would that be possible?"
The man who was effectively the second most powerful figure in Japan's cabinet had shown interest in President Matsumoto's plan. Perhaps because someone was finally listening, Matsumoto began his explanation in earnest.
"Korea does not have the strength to handle an S-rank Gate. That was true when the ants first appeared four years ago, and it remains true now."
The Deputy Prime Minister nodded. Jeju Island was a massive island, accounting for two percent of Korea's total land area. They had lost such a vast territory to magical beasts and still couldn't do anything about it—was any further explanation necessary? After three failed subjugation attempts, Korea had unofficially abandoned Jeju Island. That was the prevailing view.
"In such a situation, what do you think they would do if our Japanese S-rank Hunters offered to help with the ant extermination?"
Word had reached Korea that certain mutant ants had gained the ability to fly. An attack on the Korean mainland was now just a matter of time. As long as Korea's decision-makers weren't insane, they'd hardly turn down the offer. However.
"Do you really think Korea would hand over Jeju Island just because we offered to help?"
As the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out, the president's logic contained quite a leap. Officials around the room smirked. But the Deputy Prime Minister neither mocked nor grew angry—he calmly continued.
"As you say, if we help Korea, we might be able to clear out the ants on Jeju Island."
President Matsumoto was the person who best understood the Hunter capabilities of both Japan and Korea. His confidence in eliminating the ants was credible. There was no dispute over that.
"But what would we gain from doing so?"
Even if Japan's citizens had suffered damage, the Jeju Island ant problem was Korea's to solve. They couldn't sacrifice their own Hunters just to help Korea.
*Not a chance.*
The Deputy Prime Minister, shrewd as ever, scoffed inwardly. Give one, get one. The most basic principle of politics. If they were putting their own Hunters on the line, they had to extract something of equal value.
*At least Jeju Island would make it worthwhile.*
That was precisely why he had shown interest—he shared the president's thinking on that point. But the response he received was vague, pie-in-the-sky talk. Naturally, the Deputy Prime Minister's interest cooled faster than anyone else's. That was when the president laughed.
"Who said anything about helping Korea?"
The Deputy Prime Minister furrowed his brow.
*Are you playing word games with me?*
Just as he was about to politely warn the president to stop wasting everyone's time—
*Wait...*
The Deputy Prime Minister's eyes widened. The president had offered a helping hand, but he never actually said they would *help*.
"You don't mean..." "Exactly what you're thinking."
The president readily admitted it. The moment he saw the Deputy Prime Minister's expression filled with horror, he instinctively knew the man had reached the same conclusion.
"You intend to send Korea's Hunters... into the ant nest?"
Just as expected.
*So that's why people say he's such a sharp man.*
The president sent a satisfied smile to the quick-witted Deputy Prime Minister.
"If Korea's top Hunters trust our support and enter to take down the Queen, we will withdraw our Hunters."
Korea had already failed three times. Even if this became the fourth attempt, who would suspect the Japanese Hunters of betrayal? No—and even if they did, it wouldn't matter. By then, everything would already be over. The Deputy Prime Minister's voice trembled.
"You intend to annihilate Korea's... Korea's top Hunters?" "When a Gate opens on Jeju Island that's beyond their capacity to handle, their fate is already sealed."
The president once again emphasized his fatalistic philosophy.
"If anything, they've been clinging to a wretched existence up until now." "How could—" "Once those top Hunters are all gone, Korea will no longer have the luxury of standing by."
If mutant ants capable of flight began streaming into Korea one by one after its S-rank Hunters had been annihilated, could Korea still play dumb as it did now? One or two ants might be manageable for the guilds. But as the statistics showed, the number of mutant ants would only grow steeper with time, and eventually, all of Korea would be shaken.
*They'd be left crying and begging Hunters from other countries for help.*
But who would help Korea? China or Russia, which had vast territories of their own to protect despite having many Hunters? The United States, which had refused to help even when the first S-rank Gate opened? North Korea, which might march its own S-rank Hunters in and occupy Seoul?
*No. It would be only us, Japan.*
Japan would also face trouble as the mutant ants multiplied. Korea would have no choice but to cling to Japan, and Japan could demand anything it wanted.
*When that time comes, Korea might really offer up Jeju Island of its own accord...*
The president's words proved exactly right. A chill ran down his spine. To execute his own plan, he was sending an entire nation's top Hunters to their deaths. It could potentially bring an entire country to its knees.
*What a terrifying man. President Matsumoto Shigeo.*
The Deputy Prime Minister shuddered at the president's ghastly plan. But that wasn't the end of it. The president continued.
"Jeju Island is only the beginning."
One by one, step by step—every time Korea needed the power of its S-rank Hunters, it would have to crawl under Japan's heel. Swallowing Korea whole without firing a single shot was now within reach.
"...That is my thinking, however."
Only after the president's lengthy explanation did the cabinet members finally release the breath they had been holding. Those who had dismissed him as half-mad were now sweating and listening intently. The president asked quietly.
"What would you like to do, Deputy Prime Minister?"
Every gaze shifted from the president to the Deputy Prime Minister.
"..."
The Deputy Prime Minister swallowed hard. His words here would represent the Prime Minister's will. And the Prime Minister, who trusted him deeply, would not reverse whatever conclusion was reached here. Carefully, and ever more carefully.
*...*
After long deliberation, the Deputy Prime Minister finally raised his bowed head.
"How can the government assist you?"
***
[You have slain a Demon Knight.] [You have earned 3,000 experience.] [You have slain a Demon Knight.] [You have earned 3,000 experience.] [You have slain a Demon Noble.] [You have earned 4,500 experience.]
Experience gain messages poured down without pause each time the Shadow Soldiers eliminated the demons inside the castle. Jin-Woo was steadily leveling up in preparation for the final battle on the highest floor. Greater rewards meant greater risk.
*The vital essence of life, bonus stats, top-grade rune stones, and more...*
Thinking about the rewards for defeating the Demon King, he couldn't afford to slack off on leveling up for even a moment.
[Level Up!]
The demons in the vicinity had been nearly all cleared out by now. Jin-Woo opened his status window to check his level.
[Level: 87]
His level, which had been at 80 before entering the Demon Castle, had already climbed to 87. Seeing the increase in his stats, a smile crept across his face.
*Good.*
Jin-Woo clenched his fist.
[You have slain a Demon Noble.] [You have slain a Demon Noble.]
In the meantime, the Shadow Soldiers had finished off the remaining demons. A clean victory. When the battle ended, the soldiers gathered around Jin-Woo as they always did. Among them, Iron was the fastest. *Snap.* Iron drew himself up to his full height and held a rigid salute, as if expecting praise. Jin-Woo looked at the clumsy bulk blocking his view and let out a chuckle.
"Done?"
Iron nodded.
"Sure?"
Iron nodded emphatically once more. Jin-Woo grinned and expanded his sensory range. Then, turning around at the same moment, he threw 'Baruka's Dagger.'
*Dagger Throw!*
The blade shot forward and struck the wall in the blink of an eye. But—
"Cough!"
It hadn't hit the wall—it had pierced a demon that had been hiding in concealment right against the surface, waiting for the exact moment Jin-Woo separated from his soldiers.
"Urgh."
The demon stared in horror at the dagger embedded above its left chest.
*How did he know?*
The spot where a human heart would be. It meant he had completely seen through the concealment magic employed by a high-ranking noble.
*Humans...*
When the demon raised its stunned gaze from the wound, Jin-Woo was already standing right in front of it. The demon's pupils shook like an earthquake.
"How...?"
Jin-Woo pulled out 'Baruka's Dagger' and used his only melee combat skill.
*Vital Strike!*
*Squelch!* The demon, which had barely survived the dagger throw, was killed in one blow from 'Vital Strike' at its maximum skill level.
[You have slain a Demon Noble.]
Jin-Woo returned 'Baruka's Dagger' to his inventory and stood before Iron once more.
"How do you explain this?"
*...*
Iron, seemingly embarrassed, looked down and scratched the back of his head. Well, the back of his helmet, rather. Before long, Igrit returned from hunting down the demons that had been hiding deep within the castle. But—
*Huh?*
Something felt off about Igrit.
*What's going on?*
Jin-Woo tilted his head, looking at Igrit. Sure enough, Igrit swiftly approached and knelt before Jin-Woo, lowering his head. Up to this point, the sight was nothing unusual. But unlike any other time, a mechanical *ding* rang out.
*A system message?*
Jin-Woo swallowed hard.