Chapter 46
You cannot do whatever you want just because you feel like it. Similarly, I cannot go wherever I wish on a whim.
When I contacted Cha Mi-rin, the Team Leader of the Awakener Association, her response was unsurprising.
“As you know, Han Ji-an is an unofficial S-rank Hunter of South Korea. The Association cannot grant approval for this.”
“Is this the Association’s stance?”
“Yes, and now I’ll give you the opinion of an individual S-rank Hunter.”
She said I could do as I pleased.
She explained that I had the strength to handle it and left the decision to me.
“Thank you.”
“Since your trip to Japan will proceed unofficially, only a handful of people will know about it.”
“That’s more convenient for me.”
I don’t want to become the subject of news articles or gossip.
Since there are currently no flights or ferries heading to Japan, the Association offered to provide a transport plane.
I was worried that I’d have to ride on Nika, but thankfully that wasn’t necessary.
It’s time to prepare for departure.
As I was about to step outside with Nika, Lillian, the Heavenly Demon, and Darami, my younger sister grabbed the hem of my clothes.
“What about me?”
“It’s dangerous.”
“I want to go too.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll sneak after you.”
“I’ll send you back home.”
The conversation went in circles for a long time.
“I’m strong, you know? Didn’t you see my powers?”
“No matter how strong you are, you’re still my little sister. What kind of brother would willingly send his sister into danger?”
“Then you just have to protect me.”
“I can’t even protect myself.”
“Then I’ll protect you!”
She said I could rely on her, her eyes sparkling with determination. What should I do with her?
“Master, wouldn’t it be better to take the young lady along? It’s good to protect her, but you can’t protect her forever,” Lillian interjected.
“I agree. Teaching her how to fish is better than just giving her fish,” the Heavenly Demon added.
“……”
Lillian and the Heavenly Demon’s arguments made sense.
Still, is it right to take my sister to such a dangerous place?
“Fine, do as you want. But the moment you get hurt, even a little, I’m sending you straight back home.”
“Got it!”
She beamed brightly, seemingly unaware of the weight of my concerns.
Wait, since when has Lillian started calling her “young lady”?
***
When we arrived at the airport, Cha Mi-rin was waiting along with an unfamiliar woman.
“This is Yui Tsurumiya, Japan’s representative S-rank Hunter.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She introduced herself in clumsy Korean.
She was the epitome of a classic Japanese beauty, with black hair and serene eyes, the kind of person who would look stunning in a yukata or kimono.
“Nice to meet you. Could you explain the situation to me on the way?”
“Right this way.”
Following Cha Mi-rin’s guidance, we boarded the transport plane. When she told me to stay safe, I smiled and waved, but she turned her head away coldly.
How heartless.
“Well then, I’ll explain the current situation.”
“Wait a moment.”
I took out the “We’re All Friends!” potion I had asked Lillian to prepare and drank it. The fresh taste lingered—was this mint chocolate? It felt like I’d just brushed my teeth.
“Please explain in Japanese.”
“Oh my, you’re fluent in Japanese?”
“I just learned it.”
The potion’s effect was incredible. It allowed me to understand and speak any language, automatically translating everything.
The woman tilted her head curiously before continuing her explanation.
Her explanation was lengthy, and I realized the situation was far worse than the news had depicted.
“It’s more serious than I thought.”
“Yes, even now, there are many citizens desperately seeking help.”
“What’s the plan?”
“The Japanese Hunters and refugees have retreated to Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu. Our goal is to move northward and secure Aomori Prefecture.”
I nodded. “What about Sapporo?”
“There’s an S-rank Gate there… with an Elder Lich as the boss. The government has abandoned it.”
My younger sister flinched at the mention of an Elder Lich.
She tightly held my hand and asked me to trust her with that particular task.
“If you get hurt, I’ll send you straight back home.”
“I’ll show you that I can hunt without a scratch.”
My younger sister smiled brightly.
At that moment, Tsurumiya Yui informed us that we were almost there and told us to get ready.
Not long after, the transport plane landed, and as the doors opened, a crowd of Japanese government officials gathered outside.
Were they here just to confirm who had arrived?
Officially, there were two S-rank Hunters. No, including my recovered younger sister, there were three Hunters offering their help. This made the officials’ faces light up.
Not everyone looked optimistic, though.
“Only three… no, four people?”
A murmur reached our ears, and Tsurumiya Yui quickly dispersed the crowd with a single word.
“I apologize.”
“It’s fine. Let’s get started.”
“The plan is as we discussed—”
“No, we’ll do it my way.”
“Pardon?”
I smiled and explained a better plan to the surprised Tsurumiya Yui.
The monsters that had left the Gate would return if the boss monster within the Gate was threatened.
We planned to exploit that.
In short, we would target the Gate’s boss directly.
Giving the people hope should come first.
“Where is the nearest S-rank Gate?”
“Kyoto.”
“Then we’ll deal with one S-rank Gate first and work our way from the top down. Please attack from the bottom up during that time.”
“I understand. May divine blessings be with you.”
After exchanging formalities, our group headed toward the nearest S-rank Gate in Kyoto.
Riding on Nika, it didn’t take long to reach Kyoto, a city now reduced to complete ruins.
The scene reminded me of the first time I had entered a Gate.
“Nika.”
【Yes!】
As we approached the Gate, the nearby monsters spotted us and let out roars, rushing toward us in hordes.
Something felt off.
The monsters guarding the Gate stepped aside upon seeing us—this couldn’t be what I thought it was, could it?
When we entered the Gate, a massive red moon hung in the sky, with a single black castle standing ominously in the center.
“A strong foe right from the start.”
“Indeed.”
Only one type of S-rank monster resides in such castles.
Vampires, or as they are also called, bloodsuckers.
These monsters feed on human blood, infamous for kidnapping humans alive and draining their blood.
This results in very few fatalities, but the rescued victims rarely return to their normal lives, often ending in tragedy.
As we approached the castle, its enormous doors creaked open slowly, as if to welcome us.
“To them, it’s like their prey is walking in on its own. Of course, they’d welcome us.”
“Exactly.”
Inside the castle, the entrance was extravagantly decorated.
In the past, I might have thought about looting such a place, but not anymore.
I earn enough now.
As we stepped on the crimson carpet and moved further inside, a melodious voice echoed.
“Well, what a surprise. Unexpected guests have arrived.”
Turning toward the voice, we saw a woman in a stunning crimson dress smiling at us.
“And not just one or two, but four of you? What’s the occasion today?”
【I’m here too.】
“How dare you! I am here as well!”
Nika and Darami were indignant, but their reactions weren’t exactly reassuring.
“Oh, my apologies. But I don’t think we need the two of you. We only deal with human blood, you see.”
With a radiant smile, the woman waved her hand, sending sharp projectiles flying toward Nika and Darami.
However, Lillian’s barrier blocked the attack.
“What… what are you doing?!”
A trembling Lillian confronted the woman, who continued smiling calmly.
“Don’t be so frightened. I won’t harm the humans.”
“That’s not the issue here! Apologize right now!”
The vampire, assuming Lillian was scared of her power, tilted her head, confused.
At that moment, a massive shadow loomed over her.
【You attacked first?】
With those words, a gigantic claw pierced through the vampire’s abdomen.
“T-that’s impossible…”
It was said that physical force couldn’t harm vampires, and up until now, that was true.
But not anymore.
“How…?”
Vampires are supposed to be countered with silver, magic, or holy power, yet Nika shredded one apart with raw strength alone.
Now, who should be afraid?
—
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