100. Songdo Defense

#

Let me organize my thoughts.

Cheonsan Group existed in the original work too. Back then, their stock prices had hit rock bottom. Why? Because they recklessly developed magic firearms to fight monsters.

These weren’t conventional weapons using gunpowder or fuel, but magic stone-powered arms. The problem? Their magic stone consumption was astronomical.

In low-level dungeons, the cost of magic stones outweighed the cores and materials obtained. Against high-level dungeons, they often proved ineffective despite the stone consumption.

But against humans rather than monsters?

Even if hunters are stronger than monsters, their durability differs. Unless they’ve specifically reinforced their bodies, magic firearms can still harm them.

Why would I resort to such inefficient weapons?

Because I can create a magic stone economy.

In other words, they’re not inefficient for me at all.

So I went to see Lee Yu-jin.

“To what do I owe this visit?” she asked, serving tea while crossing her legs suggestively. As head of Cheonsan Group, she seemed oddly relaxed.

“The Hunter Association seems to be pushing for a Baekhwa Cult purge. The guilds might unite too.”

Her face turned ashen. Even for our shady dealings, weapon support was unthinkable.

“Those failed magic firearms from years ago.”

“You’d fight the united guilds with those inefficient things?”

“Do I look like I’d lose?”

I could tell she’d already figured out who I was. Did she think I’d be defeated?

“N-no.”

“Then hand them over. With my unlimited magic stones, supply isn’t an issue. You didn’t discard them all, did you?”

The Akashic Records confirmed she’d kept most weapons, too stingy to dispose of them properly.

“We kept some…but if word gets out we supplied Baekhwa Cult-“

“That’s Cheonsan’s problem to handle.” Why tell me? If they’re supplying weapons, they should cover their tracks.

“How irresponsible! And we’re good partners.”

“Weren’t they officially discarded in the West Sea with government approval?”

Originally, President Ha had proposed magic firearm development to Cheonsan. When it failed, he washed his hands of it, ordering disposal through West Sea speculation.

In the original story’s later stages, these weapons were secretly mass-produced by Cheonsan to supplement dwindling hunter numbers in conventional militaries-something even most citizens didn’t know.

“Ugh…fine. Bulk supply is impossible anyway. It wouldn’t make sense for Baekhwa to suddenly possess so many. I’ll provide support.”

Good choice-but why was she getting horny? That scent…did she insert something? As expected, no normal people surround me. I left before she could start humping the air.

* * *

The weapons astonished my heroines. They’d never seen anything like these antique-looking rifles and machine guns.

“What are these?” Leina asked.

“Magic firearms from Cheonsan Group. They devour magic stones.”

“Why bring these?”

“To supplement our numbers.” Most hunters prefer cost-effective swords, bows or staffs.

“But the stone consumption-oh.”

“I can create unlimited stones.”

When I materialized a pile, Leina looked disgusted. “Never thought that gloomy magic would be useful.” Gloomy? Only I can manipulate both magic and dark energy so freely.

“Eunha, you’ll distribute these to Songdo residents?” Han Suji asked. I nodded.

“They’ll fight their own battle. We’re burning bridges. Yu-jeong, prepare drone broadcasts of Songdo’s outskirts-the future battlefield. Gather the citizens too.”

There might already be scouts from Ha’s side.

I assembled Songdo’s adults before the penthouse-villains, monsters and civilians alike, all alive thanks to me.

“Followers of Baekhwa and citizens of Songdo,” I projected my voice magically, “President Ha abandoned quarantine zone citizens and now pressures the Association to purge Songdo. They’ve placed a 5 billion bounty on me to seize Songdo.”

“But most here aren’t human anymore. Under Korean law-for Ha’s power-Songdo’s people won’t survive. The war is coming.”

Even if monsters survived defeat, they’d be imprisoned.

“Choose: fight, die, or flee. I’ll fight. Those who can wield arms, take these magic guns. If not, flee carefully.”

Villain-turned-residents exchanged glances before one shouted: “Fuck it, let’s fight!”

“Where would we go? We’d die anywhere else.”

Quarantine survivors were familiar with firearms-weak villains needed conventional weapons to survive. Many here already owned old guns, just lacking ammunition.

“From today, Songdo resists. Baekhwa will erect barricades.”

The monsters agreed. Satisfied, I calculated about 500 combat-ready souls-not monsters fighting government, but militia defending their home.

Come at us, Ha Jeong-seok. We’ll destroy you.

* * *

Hunter Association

The Association bustled with guild hunters for the first time in ages. But the meeting room with Choi Cheol-sik was frosty.

Guild masters were furious about the forced Baekhwa purge order backed by the Blue House.

Ice Empress Cha Ji-eun slammed the table. “Have you lost your mind becoming Ha’s dog? We’re not ignoring Baekhwa because we’re ignorant!”

Other masters agreed. They’d all survived the Great Flood-a magical disaster that submerged regions outside Seoul and major cities after graduation.

Cha Ji-eun had saved Seoul by erecting ice walls, sacrificing Incheon. She still remembered the desperate eyes of those she couldn’t save-people Baekhwa later rescued.

Now they’re ordered to purge both Baekhwa and those survivors. Even if absorbed into Seoul, many would be trampled by hunters.

“Why poke the hornet’s nest? Half of Songdo are probably monsters undergoing natural transformation. You think Ha would spare them?”

Post-Cataclysm, most monsters were former criminals-too dangerous for Seoul. That’s why Cha had erected the walls initially.

Songdo’s “good” monsters would still threaten Ha’s power.

As guild masters raged, Choi wiped his brow. After decades as Association Head, he wouldn’t be Ha’s lapdog.

“Do it moderately.”

“Moderately? After ordering a purge?”

“If resistance is fierce, retreat. Our reputation’s already ruined. Brutal suppression would destroy public trust in hunters.”

All because Baekhwa gained public sympathy. Without that, they could’ve sacrificed some to control Songdo.

“Then-“

“Let Ha’s hunters be cannon fodder.” They’re corrupt anyway. Their deaths don’t matter. With Association hunters already stretched thin, we can’t afford guild hunter casualties.

“We’ll meet Baekhwa first. Where’s Seo Ji-yeon?” Baek Cheong-gang asked, noticing her absence.

“She withdrew.”

“What?”

“Claimed it’s ‘that time.’ Just notified us and disappeared.”

Noah of Flowers laughed hollowly at the excuse. That coward was saving her own skin.