Chapter 144: Korea (4)

19 hours after the incident.

Some of the Kaiju had emerged from mountain depths, attacking villages in their path. Others had feigned death only to suddenly flee, while the Kaiju that had fallen near coastlines washed up on shores. Eventually the chaos subsided.

After a suffocating 24-hour period, reports of Kaiju-related damage finally ceased. While this was undoubtedly good news for humanity…

ㄴwtf were the hunters doing?

ㄴThey collect taxes but can’t even prevent this?

ㄴDraft hunters at the national level! If something like this happens again…

ㄴhunters r a mess lol never followin orders ya? country’s going to hell but too busy saving their own skin ya?

ㄴThis incident made it clear. Hunters need to be leashed.

ㄴHunters are people too. You can’t suddenly control them like that.

ㄴdoesn’t this prove it? we cant do jack without hunters

ㄴye not like they can just blast cities with missiles

ㄴthe defense ministry and hunters had retarded teamwork

ㄴit’s so bad damage assessment is impossible

A wave of negative public sentiment swept through: government distrust, Hunter criticism, and victims’ anger all boiled over.

Needless to say, Korea was unaffected by the matter.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

ㄴother countries got hit bad huh?

ㄴwho cares bro? the GOAT emperor karlstein will handle everything

ㄴdid u get them sweet quest rewards?

ㄴyee getting a new house now!

ㄴwish they’d hurry up with civilian android distribution first.

ㄴI maxed out quests for that too.

ㄴsame lmao

ㄴDid you see the androids?

ㄴyh they epicsauce. got help from an android during this kaiju incident.

ㄴi cant tell them apart, how u kno?

ㄴNormally you can’t tell, but when their arms split open and lightsabers and guns pop out, it’s pretty obvious.

ㄴand they’re super pretty. fr bro

ㄴu can tell when u meet them lol its beauty beyond human limits.

ㄴthey wore masks during the disaster LOL becoz sheeple be just staring at their faces in a daze heh

ㄴwao….

ㄴoohhh boy.

ㄴHaha work hard on quests. Maybe you can buy one someday

ㄴhnnnfgnnhngn

The social climate in Korea stood in stark contrast to other nations, which was only natural. Compared to all the wails of pain echoing overseas, Korea’s efficient handling of the crisis was evident.

While other nations were up to their chins coping with the damages, they were nonetheless aware of Korea’s situation. It was only natural that it captured their attention.

Korean expatriates began frantically researching repatriation procedures, while foreign officials searched for available Korean real estate.

Things might have been different if all nations had suffered equal damage. But since only Korea was unscathed, comparisons became unavoidable.

ㄴmay as do a dogeza and beg Emperor Karlstein Babylon to take us in

ㄴREAL lmao did you see kr’s casualty count? 132 ppl

ㄴNot 1.32 million?

ㄴeven that was from falls or building collapses. almost no direct damage, they say.

ㄴugh…. government rip off so much tax but wat do they even do?

And the differences extended beyond just disaster response.

ㄴandroids? aint that jus a weirdass rumor?

ㄴDunno prolly not?

ㄴNever mind their androids, something seems off about them.

ㄴThey’re withdrawing from most existing manufacturing and doing something else.

ㄴmy kr fren told me shits real lit over there

ㄴThey say its raining technology?

ㄴit’s insane lmao finders keepers level.

ㄴwdf y only korea?

Korea’s frightening advancement had long revolutionized academic circles.

ㄴWhy even study? Everything’s on Anarchy search.

ㄴWhy even research? One quest completion and it’s done.

Succeeding alone when times are tough for everyone else puts a target on your back. Yet what could critics do besides blame their own politicians?

This tense atmosphere put pressure on foreign officials.

ㄴHow do you get to Korea?

ㄴby plane.

ㄴno shit sherlock u think he gonna walk?

ㄴIf he’s taking over Earth why only Korea….

ㄴwho knows. maybe we should ask the higher ups about that?

ㄴWhat the fuck do they even do with our tax money? At this rate I bet something’s gonna explode like that Outbreak in the past.

ㄴthe atmosphere was similar back then too when it started.

For foreign governments, this was quite a headache. Although they attempted to control the media, Karlstein seemed fixated on community management, consistently unblocking what they had restricted and even exposing their actions in detail. This naturally led to growing resentment.

“Haah… Public sentiment isn’t settling.”

“At least the urgent matters are somewhat resolved.”

“What do we do from here? Until now, we only deployed defenses near the borders and Towers.”

“…”

“This likely won’t be the last time.”

“The situation doesn’t permit heavy weapon deployment…”

“But we don’t have enough Hunters to cover the whole country either.”

“Haah. What about that request for cooperation with Korea?”

“No response.”

“Karlstein Babylon….”

“It’s late, but perhaps it’s time we grovel and at least secure the Anarchy system…”

“Haah.”

Sighs continued to escape them. They were not ignorant of their need for Karlstein’s help. If the large-scale attacks ended with this one incident, there would be no issue. But their experience from the previous Outbreak had taught them that such complacent assumptions were futile. They had to always prepare for the worst.

“Would he listen to our proposal?”

“If he were the type to negotiate, we wouldn’t be gathered here like this.”

“It’s impossible to tell what he even wants. All he said was not to interfere.”

“We must first figure out what he’s after.”

“I wonder about that…”

Still, they had a rough idea of who Karlstein was. They had briefly interacted during the leaders’ meeting, though it felt more like a notification than an actual conversation.

It was clear he was not someone open to reason.

“Ugh… Let’s wrap this up. Whatever the case, didn’t we manage this incident well?”

“This might be the only time.”

Some held onto an optimistic view… but from a government official’s perspective,being paralyzed by indecision was only natural. After all, as soon as Karlstein took over Korea, he began by executing the ones in power. The death toll among high-ranking officials and politicians likely exceeded a hundred—more than the casualties from this monster incident.

From their standpoint, it was not an easy choice to make. Unless they were willing to sacrifice everything they had built for their country…

“Hoo…”

“Let’s do what we can.”

“You’re right.”

“Maybe this will be the last time something like this happens.”

“Yes. We shouldn’t be overly optimistic, but we don’t need to be too pessimistic either.”

As for managing public sentiment? Well, they could only cover it up.

“Release all remaining celebrity news!”

“It wouldn’t hurt to shift the blame onto the Hunters either.”

“Leak information to the media about tightening Hunter control laws.”

***“We will now begin the emergency countermeasures meeting.”

“Chancellor, is there still no word from His Majesty? He mentioned nothing about where he went?”

“How dare you. Are you suggesting His Majesty should report every action to you?”

“No, you know that’s not what I meant.”

“Really now?”

Sharp words were exchanged. The Chancellor’s demeanor was particularly intense, as if something truly unpleasant had occurred.

I can guess why… It must be about Lord Karlstein.

Yongyong stood quietly, his gaze shifting cautiously.

They were in a dimly lit space, with only the area around a round table marked by a star in the center illuminated. Dark silhouettes around the table engaged in heated discussions.

It went without saying that Yongyong was unqualified to even take a seat. He merely stood at the back like a piece of decor, waiting.

He could not focus on their meeting. After all…

Is this a gathering of monsters or what?

Yongyong had learned one of the rules of this space.

Your silhouette grows clearer the more Ether you have…

In comparison to Perpe and Virdel beside him, his shadowy form was indistinct. And, naturally, even they seemed like flickering candles next to the figures at the round table.

Yongyong glanced at Virdel and noticed her expressionless face. Yet…

Grip-

Her tightly clenched fist spoke volumes.

He understood her frustration… not that he could even dare to match those individuals.

So this is the Galactic Empire’s executive meeting…

Bang-

“Chancellor! You may be His Majesty’s right hand, but there are still limits to what can be tolerated!”

“Hmph. If you can’t properly ensure His Majesty’s safety, perhaps you should resign?”

“Many people want to be by His Majesty’s side.”

“Haha. Do you think we’re on the frontlines because we’re fools?”

“Even without you, there are plenty capable of assisting His Majesty.”

Sharp criticisms flew back and forth, almost sounding like censure.

“…”

The Chancellor appeared to be biting her lip.

So savage.

Yongyong tried to recall the name of this roundtable meeting. Fallen Planet, or something like that.

In any case, the meeting, which had been ongoing for a while, momentarily paused.

“By the way, who are they? Is there a reason for such greenhorns to observe here?”

Greenhorns?

Yongyong’s Super Ultra Metal Wardragon ego stirred, but quickly settled down.

Gotta know my place here.

Fortunately, the shuddering Yongyong did not need to introduce himself directly.

“Because they were with His Majesty until the end.”

“Hmm…”

“Really? Those little things?”

“I should have been with him instead…”

The shadows at the round table all looked their way.

Waah!

Yongyong was struck with the urge to flee, tail tucked between his legs.

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!