Ch.115Chapter 115 – Assault (1)

The three months since Eden began diplomatic relations with Earth were long. There were many rapid changes throughout society. The military transformation was most notable. Earth-sent turrets and machine guns were installed on every wall, and some soldiers were even given firearms for training.

Since ordinary soldiers couldn’t all use mana, the destructive power couldn’t match the guns given to hunters, but they were still far more powerful than outdated weapons like crossbows or bows. Common soldiers now wielded power comparable to mages.

The Imperial Army’s leadership and officers seemed impressed by the new weapons’ destructive capabilities and were importing more gunpowder weapons from Earth—grenades, self-propelled artillery, landmines, and the like.

Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t import full-scale items like tanks or fighter jets. Electronic devices malfunctioned when passing through the gate, so parts had to be sent separately and assembled locally. This meant poor cost-effectiveness and difficult supply chains. Nevertheless, various companies were seeking sites to build local factories as a solution.

Another major change was hunters officially crossing into the Empire to hunt. While not open to civilian hunters, guild-level applications could be approved through the Association to enter Eden. Many companies and guilds crossed the gate seeking various interests—hunter growth, monster byproducts, artifacts, and more.

“Those guys heading to the church… they’re the ‘Crusaders,’ right?”

Shin Jaehyuk nodded toward armored soldiers marching with inverted cross-shaped full-body shields. Their titanium armor, made with cutting-edge materials engineering, clearly marked them as non-Imperial citizens. Pedestrians whispered and made way as they marched in well-trained military formation.

“Yeah. Sent by the Paradise Church. Why? Something bothering you?”

“No… just suspicious that a cult with suspiciously abundant money and followers is sending reinforcements. Their intentions seem good, so we can’t stop them, but it feels off.”

“They’re probably trying to spread their religion. Why worry? The guards will arrest them if problems arise. I heard some communists were recently arrested for teaching communism after crossing over.”

Kwak Taewoo spoke dismissively. He had more important matters than such baseless suspicions. He urged Shin Jaehyuk along toward the inner city.

“You call me stupid, but your problem is having too many unnecessary suspicions. Forget about it and let’s go drink with the guys. You said you’d buy celebration drinks.”

Today, Kwak Taewoo had finally reached level 600, entering the S-rank tier in terms of level. Naturally, he was in an excellent mood and didn’t want to ruin it with trivial matters.

Shin Jaehyuk reluctantly agreed.

“…Fine. Let’s go.”

Shin Jaehyuk and Kwak Taewoo’s daily lives had also changed. As their consistent efforts to help Imperial citizens and hunt demons became known, even Marco no longer completely rejected them.

This was a dramatic improvement—the same Marco who used to glare suspiciously at them had developed into someone who would drink with them after work.

‘I never imagined becoming friends with that annoying guy at first.’

The way they became friends with Marco was simple. Kwak Taewoo was caught by Marco drinking canned beer from his spatial storage with Eric during duty hours.

Fortunately(?), Marco wasn’t a strict superior who treated military discipline as sacred. Moreover, true to his manly appearance, he was a beer enthusiast who couldn’t resist beer. In exchange for overlooking his subordinate’s misconduct, Marco took a few cans of Earth-made beer as payment.

The next day, after tasting the beer, Marco apologized for suspecting that Earth people might be demon minions, saying people who developed such unnecessary technology to this extent couldn’t possibly be demons. Impressed by Earth’s alcohol made with advanced brewing techniques, Marco continued to mooch drinks afterward, naturally becoming closer to Shin Jaehyuk’s group.

“Huh. Who would’ve thought beer would break down his guard? It’s still ridiculous thinking about it.”

Shin Jaehyuk chuckled.

First, Shin Jaehyuk and Kwak Taewoo stopped by the Adventurer’s Guild to receive their bounty rewards. Though it was pocket change compared to the support funds from the Hunter Association, Shin Jaehyuk had been saving bit by bit to send weekly donations to the church.

After finishing their business at the guild, they headed to the east gate where they saw Marco stretching as he left his post. Marco waved his hand indifferently.

“Did you clean up well again today? You’re later than usual.”

“We were getting paid at the guild.”

“Oh, payday? Then you’re buying tonight. Lucky me!”

Shin Jaehyuk smiled as Marco, once so prickly, now cheerfully passed the bill to them. His first impression had been of a sharp, strict soldier, but now he’d completely transformed into a neighborhood uncle. A funny but not unwelcome change…

When Shin Jaehyuk, Kwak Taewoo, Marco, and Eric entered the tavern, the owner welcomed them and guided them to their seats. Marco glanced around the lively tavern and muttered.

“The owner looks happier these days.”

“It’s because there are more customers. Foreigners who came to help the Empire often visit after defeating demons.”

“True… originally only soldiers like us would come here.”

Marco gulped down his beer. While he still didn’t completely trust foreigners, he had come to acknowledge that their consumption helped Imperial citizens’ livelihoods.

“…Life has improved a lot since the blue gate opened.”

“The lower prices due to imported goods from Earth made a big difference. There’s more vitality among Imperial citizens too.”

Imperial citizens viewed the world beyond the gate as their escape route. Rumors circulated that several nobles had already sought asylum in a country called “Republic of Korea,” giving commoners hope as well.

Kwak Taewoo asked:

“Isn’t the Empire safe enough? It’s been holding back demon invasions for hundreds of years. Surely every Imperial citizen has witnessed the power of mana cannons.”

“Yet the constant threat remains real. *Gulp* While citizens believe the Empire is safe, they think the world beyond the gate that sends such quality alcohol must be even safer. That’s why nobles are crossing to Earth to save themselves.”

“Speaking of nobles… Eric, have you thought about crossing the gate?”

This was something they’d learned as they grew closer to the two soldiers. Surprisingly, Marco’s adjutant Eric was from the Rumania ducal family—a nobleman. The reason Marco, despite being treated as a troublemaker by superiors, didn’t face outright disadvantages was thanks to his adjutant’s background.

‘His face does have that noble look. Come to think of it, Duke August who greeted the delegation was also from the Rumania family? Must be a house trusted by the Emperor…’

While Shin Jaehyuk was speculating, Kwak Taewoo took the opportunity to ask something he’d been curious about.

“You could move to Korea and live safely, so why stay here doing dangerous, unprofitable military work?”

“…Criticizing the Imperial Army right in front of the guard captain? Has the alcohol made you brave?”

Though pretending disinterest, Marco also secretly listened for his subordinate’s answer. Surprisingly, Eric’s response was simple.

“It’s my family’s will. But it’s not just that—as a soldier, my conscience wouldn’t let me abandon the Imperial citizens and leave alone.”

“A true model citizen…”

When Shin Jaehyuk expressed admiration, Eric awkwardly explained:

“Besides, it’s safer these days with fewer attacks. The Demon King’s army only comes about once a week.”

Marco stroked his beer-foam-covered beard.

“Hmm… I’ve wondered about that too. Was it around when your weapons were supplied? The frequency of attacks has noticeably decreased.”

“Are they intimidated by advanced weapons?”

“Unlikely. If demons were scared of mere machine guns, they would have been wetting themselves at the sight of mana cannons long ago. Yet they keep coming back despite suffering serious casualties every time.”

“Then perhaps the accumulated damage from frequent attacks is the reason. No matter how numerous demons are, they can’t be infinite. Maybe they’ve temporarily halted attacks to replenish troops or reorganize their strategy?”

Kwak Taewoo surprisingly offered a logical analysis. The three others looked at him with surprised expressions. Marco, with a bewildered face, nudged Shin Jaehyuk’s arm.

“Hey, does that level-up thing also increase intelligence?”

“Well… I didn’t know either, but it seems so.”

“…You guys.”

***

Marco drank beer like water, declaring that tomorrow was his day off, that Shin Jaehyuk’s group would pay, and that he intended to drink until the end. As a result, after pouring beer into his stomach until dawn, he finally collapsed from intoxication.

“Henry, Gale, Hoshi… they weren’t the type to go like that…”

The group walked through the night streets carrying the sleep-talking Marco. Shin Jaehyuk asked Eric:

“Those names… are they the ones who were supposedly attacked by disguised demons?”

“…Yes. Well, there’s no evidence, so the claim about shape-shifting demons is just Captain Marco’s speculation.”

“…May I ask what happened?”

It might have been a sensitive question, but Shin Jaehyuk had become close enough with Eric. Eric sighed and answered:

“Henry and Gale were originally gatekeepers at the east gate. When holy relics detected demons, they would subdue and burn them. But one day, both missed roll call and hadn’t returned by the next morning. Thinking they’d deserted, a search was conducted, and their bodies were found in a back alley.”

“How terrible…”

“The military concluded they were attacked by demons disguised as humans. The bodies were found in a horrible state with all blood drained.”

It was clearly not human work. The military expanded their investigation. A few days later, a demon disguised as a human was discovered and killed inside the city walls. The military concluded this demon had killed the two gatekeepers and closed the case, explaining that the holy relic had malfunctioned that day and failed to detect the demon’s entry, and that the infiltrated demon had memorized the gatekeepers’ faces before killing them.

“Does this happen often?”

“No. That was the first time the holy relic failed to detect a demon. Either that demon was unusual, or… the relic malfunctions more often than we realize.”

A holy relic malfunctioning? Shin Jaehyuk couldn’t believe the military’s explanation. Holy relics were objects infused with divine miracles. Unlike artifacts made by mages that occasionally break down, holy relics were supposed to be flawless.

Of course, Shin Jaehyuk understood that authorities tend to dislike complicating cases. Instead of pointing out the near-nonsensical excuse, he focused on another aspect:

“Are disappearances or deaths common?”

“People disappearing without a trace outside the city gates happens fairly regularly.”

“Robbers? Serial crimes?”

“No. More often it’s people attacked by demons while wandering alone. Many deliberately wander alone to commit suicide. It’s a common tragedy. Shows how harsh life in the Empire is…”

Having reached the lodging, Shin Jaehyuk handed the carried Marco over to Eric.

“Heave-ho… Thank you for bringing the captain this far. Please be careful heading back. You never know who might attack on the night streets—demon or human…”

Like an adult warning a disobedient child, Eric left this warning with a smile before disappearing into the lodging.

***

On the way back to their quarters in the imperial palace, visibility was unusually poor. Not because of any problem with their eyesight, but because an eerie fog covered the streets, obstructing their view.

“What’s with this thick fog… Feels unsettling.”

Kwak Taewoo complained. Having enjoyed their drinks, he wanted to return to their quarters for some personal training time.

Having just discussed such matters with Eric, Shin Jaehyuk couldn’t hide his uneasiness either.

‘Magic? I don’t sense anything strange… And there’s no haze visible.’

The fog thickened as they proceeded. As a precaution, Shin Jaehyuk gripped his weapon.

As the fog grew denser, a pungent smell intensified.

‘*Sniff sniff* …Is that?’

A faint iron scent in the fog. The smell of blood.

Shin Jaehyuk’s face tensed. This was no natural fog. It was artificial. Upon making this judgment, he expanded his energy sense to detect living beings. And he caught something.

“Taewoo. Someone’s in the alley. Two people.”

“…Yeah. I sense them too.”

Kwak Taewoo whispered in response. Whoever they were, they must be responsible for this fog.

‘I’ll strike before they notice our approach.’

Shin Jaehyuk counted to three with hand signals to Kwak Taewoo, then they both lunged forward simultaneously. Two overlapping figures became visible. With each step, the silhouettes of the strangers grew rapidly through the fog. The sound of footsteps startled one of them, their silhouette visibly flinching.

“One’s running away!”

“I’ll chase him! Taewoo, you handle the one who’s not fleeing!”

While Kwak Taewoo tackled the stationary figure, Shin Jaehyuk pursued the fleeing dark shape with nimble movements. The fugitive beyond the fog was remarkably fast. Like someone trained in high-level lightness techniques, they freely traversed walls and rooftops, moving with weightless agility.

As he pursued, Shin Jaehyuk recognized the characteristic movement.

‘That’s… an assassin’s movement.’

The faintly flickering presence that seemed just within reach, and the undetectable mana confirmed his suspicion. Concealing presence and mana—the basics and lifeblood of an assassin.

“Fog, blood scent, and an assassin.”

Combining these three elements, the situation was obvious. Kwak Taewoo’s voice from behind, confirming what the immobile person was, turned suspicion into certainty.

“Jaehyuk! It’s a victim-! Catch the one who just fled-!”

At the shout, the fleeing shadow’s speed increased further. Shin Jaehyuk’s eyes narrowed.

‘An assassination case…’

With suspicious fog and now a confirmed victim, his determination to catch the fugitive intensified. Shin Jaehyuk concentrated on his footwork.

Four hundred years ago, before knowing the assassin Sabah was a traitor, Shin Jaehyuk had learned assassin footwork techniques from him. The Shadow Step. A technique useful for infiltration, escape, and pursuit that he thought might come in handy someday. Now was that opportunity.

Recalling the teachings of humanity’s greatest assassin, he concentrated his mana. With a sound like feathers landing on water, Shin Jaehyuk’s form explosively accelerated.