87. Survivors of Songdo

* * *

Hunter Association Headquarters

Seo Ji-yeon, the S-rank Hunter known as “Photographer of Death,” met with a man sporting a topknot while wearing tattered clothes. The man was Lee Heung-bu, a Hunter affiliated with the Blue House.

Ji-yeon’s face twisted the moment she saw him.

“Hey old man. What’s up?”

“Tsk, your speech has gotten rougher since I last saw you.”

“What, you think serving as Ha Jung-seok’s lapdog entitles you to respect?”

Given their past conflicts with Hunters who served the president, this level of rudeness was practically polite.

“Listen, Ji-yeon. The president is still this nation’s leader. The Hunter Association can’t replace the government.”

“Pfft! Since when is some Blue House lapdog the president? Stop talking nonsense!”

Heung-bu shook his head at her mocking laughter.

“Honestly, what am I doing arguing with a kid?”

“I don’t want to waste time with you either, old man. Let’s just decide our search route.”

“Fine. What does the Divine Sword say?”

Ji-yeon recalled Yoo Jin-seok’s recent words:

– Heung-bu’s as stubborn as they come, aside from being a Blue House lackey. You’re better off working alone.

– So what should I do?

– You can handle it solo, right? Baekhwa probably cleared the surrounding areas already.

– Sending a woman alone is too much, isn’t it?

– Don’t let the Association’s vice-chairman hear you say that.

– Take me on a date after this.

Even without Jin-seok’s warning, she had no reason to coordinate with a government stooge. Heung-bu’s simplistic brute-force approach would never align with her plans for Baekhwa.

“Estimated south of Incheon. But the magical energy’s too dense to approach easily.”

“Hmm. You think we can talk to it?”

“What, you planning to punch first like the dumbass you are?”

“Monsters only understand strength.”

Just as she expected. No wonder this musclehead remained a presidential lapdog.

“Ugh. This is why nobody listens to boomers. Even Jin-seok tries talking first, and he could wipe out your whole family in ten seconds.”

She meant compromise, not actual strength.

“That brat’s past his prime.”

“Says the retirement-age has-been who lets his wife and kids starve for power. Pathetic.”

Heung-bu’s ability, “Power of Poverty,” grew stronger the less he possessed. During his cadet days, he’d fought nearly naked, stripping completely against powerful foes. The police had arrested him multiple times for public indecency – only his brother Nol-bu’s bribes kept him out of jail.

“Ahem! It’s for the nation’s sake!”

“Spare me the patriotic bullshit. Is every Blue House Hunter this insufferable?”

Association Hunters weren’t nearly as obnoxious as these government stooges. If not for Kim Jae-su’s rebellion, the Association would still be thriving.

“What now?”

“Am I wrong? Your brother Nol-bu gets stronger the more he owns with his ‘Power of Greed,’ right?”

What terrible siblings with equally annoying abilities. Ji-yeon couldn’t believe she’d been paired with this brute.

“Fine, you win. We’ll try talking first.”

“Took you long enough. We’re watching a broadcast first, by the way.”

Heung-bu clicked his tongue as Ji-yeon smirked.

* * *

Before airing the survivor footage, I surveyed Songdo. The abandoned new city had transformed under my control. With Cheonsan Group’s support and Lee Yu-jeong’s golems, we’d rebuilt decent housing from the ruins.

“Let’s just show the intact buildings that don’t look like Songdo.”

Viewers would suspect the location if they recognized it. The bigger issue was survivors exposed to magical energy – half had already begun mutating. How would the media react?

“Wonder what my fan community thinks?”

Unsurprisingly, Hunter forums buzzed about me. One typical post:

[Title: Doesn’t Baekhwa make you horny?]

[Monster girls and villainesses are hotter than regular Hunters or civilians. Saw her fighting Jin-seok in a T-back!]

[Comments: – Virgin detected – Would smash – Baekhwa Guild girls get arrested – That T-back proves she’s a slut – Just wants dick]

Pretty girls always win. Even as a monster, I had more simps than haters. Though the T-back comments annoyed me – I’d only worn it that once as decoy when Rachel was nagging me!

“Anyway, this should work. Let’s cause some chaos.”

Time to properly introduce villainess Baekhwa to the world. I started streaming from rebuilt Songdo.

“Hello everyone~! Your forever idol, Baekhwa!”

[Chat: -Baekha -Monster villain calling herself idol lol -This bitch fought Jin-seok -She ran first, stamina issues]

“Rude viewers get banned. Now, as promised – survivors!”

The live feed showed hundreds living in Songdo. A mother I’d rescued bowed deeply.

“Thank you for saving us, Baekhwa-nim.”

“No problem. Here, candy for the little one.”

This was how you managed PR – earning genuine trust as a monster, unlike politicians’ fake smiles.

[Chat: -Where is this? -Find it yourself Hunters! -Did you really take Bulbbadda’s first kiss? -Explain the T-back!]

Why explain? That virgin mouth should thank me for the kiss. “Beginners always suck at kissing. And we ration underwear here.”

[Chat: -Bulbbadda rage-posted all morning -Songdo girls all wear T-backs? -Now I’m mad imagining men wearing them]

Bulbbadda must be fuming. “Anyway, if the Association finds us, I can’t show more. But thousands live here safely.”

I ended the stream. Now, who would come investigating? Probably a team – Baek Cheong-gang and Ji-yeon from the Association, or maybe Heung-bu. Damn.

“Heung-bu would be problematic.”

His “Power of Poverty” strengthened him the less he owned. The man was a walking eyesore who fought naked at full power. The author had drawn him suspiciously well too – probably to annoy me.

“He made female villains kneel naked in the original.”

I’d have to blindfold myself to fight him. Just then, Rosemary’s scout doll rushed in.

“Eunha! Someone’s approaching Songdo!”

“Who?”

“Photographer of Death Seo Ji-yeon and the God of Poverty Lee Heung-bu.”

Speak of the devil. At least Ji-yeon’s presence meant negotiation was possible. I couldn’t send Elise against two S-ranks – it might cause diplomatic issues with America.

“Expected combo. Sia.”

“Yes, Master?”

“I’ll stuff you full of magic stones later. Can you handle Heung-bu?”

As a Constellation, she should manage.

“A deathmatch would be difficult in this state.”

Containing Si-woo’s lustful personality limited her power. “Right, we need him alive anyway.”

Despite being an eyesore, Heung-bu’s martial arts were top-tier in Korea. His “Poverty Fist Style” had even made Japanese sumo Hunters surrender – though the nakedness probably traumatized them first.

Best to drive them off, but they’d keep coming back. Maybe I should recruit Ji-yeon instead?