Chapter 354 – Japan Sinking? (3)
Three reasons were circulating online against sending a relief force to Japan. These were compiled into a single file and posted on several major websites.
1. Craspio was not a monster that could be defeated with a raid party.
Even if the entire military and Hunters combined their strength to form a line of defense, it remained questionable whether the peninsula could be protected from the monster. The country couldn't afford to aid someone else in such a dire situation.
2. There seemed to be no justification for helping Japan.
Their actions in foolishly awakening Craspio, intending to lure it toward South Korea, resulted in a disastrous outcome. While their plan backfired, had it succeeded, South Korea would have suffered destruction.
3. Despite South Korea being relatively safe compared to other countries, the unpredictability of dimensional rifts appearing across the country posed a threat.
Moreover, there were reports of Centaurs and Minotaurs emerging from these rifts in China, Manchuria, and North Korea, spotted in the southern provinces of the latter. This raised concerns about their potential crossing of the demarcation line into South Korea. The question lingered: What if they did while the country's Hunters were aiding Japan?
The author of the file remained anonymous, yet it succinctly outlined why South Korea should refrain from assisting Japan. Consequently, the majority of online communities, excluding the anime and light novel community predominantly comprising Pro-Japanese members, opposed the notion of providing aid to Japan. Banners and posters across the country echoed the sentiment of refusal to extend help to Japan.
While it's uncommon for an entire country to collectively withhold aid during a crisis, South Korea's strong anti-Japanese sentiments persisted, despite a century passing since its independence. Essentially, many believed Japan was responsible for the predicament they faced.
A heated debate engulfed the country about sending aid, but Han-Yeol remained unfazed. He tended to be busier than most when occupied but more relaxed during his free time compared to others. Presently, he savored his break on Jeju Island.
[Catch me if you can!]
[You’re dead if I catch you!]
He wasn't alone; all the Bastro Warriors from the mansion joined him. The number of Bastrolings in Han-Yeol’s mansion had significantly increased, surpassing a thousand when counting canines, felines, and those purified from the corruption of the hyenas. While his mansion was spacious, it couldn't accommodate all the Bastrolings. Hence, Han-Yeol opted to relocate them to Jeju Island, which had seen a population decline under Kim Tae-San's rule. Mount Halla's hunting ground became the new Bastrolings' habitat.
They would live autonomously from now on. Some might have thought him crazy for settling them in a hunting ground teeming with powerful monsters, but the simple answer was no. The Bastro Dimension didn’t encompass the notion of hunting grounds, and the Bastrolings were accustomed to coexisting with monsters. The absence of monsters in the dimension stemmed from the hyenas corrupting them into soldiers, except for those in the dungeons.
“Dol! Dol!”
[Haha! Catch that guy!]
“Dol dol dol!”
The young ones now roamed freely, learning hunting skills from the adults in their new habitat. Witnessing their children's freedom, the Bastro Warriors once again felt the ache of losing their hometown.
Previously, hunted by hyenas, they couldn't afford the luxury of caring for their young. Now, thanks to Han-Yeol, they found a secure refuge and could finally attend to their offspring. But contentment didn't settle within them.
‘We will reclaim the Bastro Dimension from those filthy hyenas!’
Clenching their fists, the Bastro Warriors vowed to recapture their homeland, refusing to burden their innocent children. They acknowledged Han-Yeol as the only being with the power to defeat the hyenas. Even though they kept his true identity as Harkan secret, Han-Yeol had become a hero among the Bastrolings.
It wasn't unusual for Bastrolings to revere strength, a cultural trait from the Bastro Dimension. Their acceptance of Han-Yeol, hailing from another realm, was unwavering.
Meanwhile, amidst the world's turmoil due to dimensional rifts, Han-Yeol relished his vacation. Although a few rifts emerged in South Korea, Tayarana, Mujahid, and Mariam were dispatched to handle the situation. Despite local Hunters being capable, the trio volunteered to tackle a rift out of eagerness or to test their newfound abilities.
"Huff... That was exhausting..."
After sparring with Kandir and Riru to sharpen his skills, Han-Yeol collapsed onto a chair crafted by a Bastroling master artisan. The craftsman's expertise was evident in the chair made solely from tree vines, albeit oversized for Han-Yeol, designed for Bastrolings rather than humans.
[Are you alright?]
[How do you feel, Harkan-nim?]
Kandir and Riru approached Han-Yeol as he wiped his sweat.
"I’m fine. Today was a bit more intense than usual, but I can handle it," Han-Yeol replied.
[That's a relief. I'm starting to consider using my full strength since Harkan-nim is getting stronger each day.]
[Absolutely, you still have a way to go against me, but you’re definitely catching up to Kandir now.]
"Hahaha..." Han-Yeol chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
The secret behind his remarkable progress lay in a new skill he had recently acquired.
[Enhance Training (E)]
Type: Passive
Description: This skill is forged through extensive and arduous training. It empowers the user to accumulate experience points by simulating combat-level intensity during training sessions. As the skill level rises, the gained experience points also escalate.
The unsettling aspect about Han-Yeol lay in his capacity to gain strength by slaying monsters and accruing experience points, rather than simply through training.
His daily rigorous sparring sessions with Kandir and Riru were fueling his rapid growth, inching him closer to becoming an imposing force. With the amalgamation of leveling up, a plethora of skills, and the twenty years of swordsmanship training as Harkan, his impending prowess was truly fearsome.
[We're off to check on the other Bastrolings, Harkan-nim.]
[Yes yes, see you later~]
Han-Yeol waved in response. "Alright, take care."
After watching them depart, he reclined on the chair all alone, gazing at the ceiling. While not the actual sky, the hunting ground's ceiling resembled the sky outside.
‘Ah!’
Whoosh!
He abruptly sat up, a sudden recollection striking him. ‘My chain and sword!’
His identity was encapsulated in three weapons: his chain, sword, and shoulder cannons. While he'd received an upgraded version of the shoulder cannons from Yoo-Bi, repairing his chain and sword remained pending.
It wasn't a matter of forgetting upon returning from the Bastro Dimension. He had visited the Dwarf’s Workshop for repairs, but they couldn't manage it. The blacksmith possessed the necessary skill, having crafted the Thousand Armed Bodhisattva Sword. The real challenge lay in obtaining the rare raw materials required, nearly impossible without another monster akin to the Thousand Armed Bodhisattva emerging from a dimensional rift.
Though Han-Yeol was formidable without his unique-tier weapons, ordinary ones wouldn’t suffice anymore. With no other recourse left, one option loomed.
‘Hmm... Will Dellchant reply this time?’
Several attempts to summon Dellchant had been fruitless. The Demon Merchant missed potential trades, Han-Yeol became occupied, and the matter slipped from his mind.
‘I hope he responds this time...’
While unique-rated weapons might be his preference, remaining weaponless wasn't viable. He did possess the Magma Longsword and Ice Blade, yet enchanting the Magma Longsword onto a unique-rated sword proved more efficient and potent than conjuring one from magma. Moreover, most of his signature skills required a chain, and his strength decreased significantly without it, prompting the necessity of obtaining a chain regardless of his ability to conjure swords from mana.
Gathering his mana, Han-Yeol initiated Demon Summoning. ‘Answer my call, Dellchant-nim!’
Woooong!
‘Oh!’
This time, there was a response. His mana would have dissipated had Dellchant not responded, but he felt a faint reaction, sensing a slow gathering of a non-combatant demon's mana - certainly not overpowering, as was typical of Dellchant.
[Kihihihihihi!]
‘Finally!’
Han-Yeol couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief hearing the detestable laughter he had missed for some time.
[Kihihi! I never expected you to search for me so desperately, human! I guess I should take more business trips!]
‘Business trips...?’
[Ah! Despite my appearance, I'm a successful merchant! I had numerous customers seeking my services, hence my absence. I was conducting trades in another dimension! Kihihi!]
‘Ah... I understand.’ Han-Yeol nodded.
Dellchant wasn't under an exclusive contract. This came with its advantages, as it didn't consume his Invoke stat. However, the downside was the demon's potential unavailability when needed. Their contract differed from others; Dellchant had to agree to Han-Yeol’s summons, and he couldn't compel the demon's appearance if Dellchant disagreed.
Moreover, another summoner entering an exclusive contract with Dellchant could block Han-Yeol from summoning him forever. Although Dellchant wasn't summoned frequently, it proved troublesome when he was unavailable at crucial times.
[Kihihihi! So, why were you so desperate to find me?]
‘I need a chain and sword, both above unique-rating,’ Han-Yeol responded.
[Oh? A chain and sword above unique-rating... Hmm... By seeking such weapons when you already possess one... Kihihihi! They either got lost or broke! They seemed impressive, but to break? You must have faced quite a formidable opponent! Kihihihi!]
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