Chapter 19: It’s too expensive

The busy period had passed.

First, I declared the establishment of a new rift-hunting PMC, Stray Dog Guild, in the US with my elder brother, Younghak.

“From now on, our Stray Dog will protect the US and its allies more securely!”

The response was enthusiastic.

Numerous investors and companies approached us, asking about our future plans.

We answered that we would explore unexplored areas using the overwhelming mobility of wyverns to find various resources and materials with development potential.

The American people liked our ambition very much.

We spent hectic days shaking hands with numerous entrepreneurs who wanted to invest in us.

“This is the rift handling fee from the governments of Korea, Russia, India, Japan, and the EU. After deducting taxes and other expenses, the net profit is 1%. I have deposited it for you, Chairman Volkov. Please continue to support us in the future.”

“Hehehe, I look forward to it, Mr. Kim. No, Guild Master Kim.”

Chairman Volkov’s grin spread from ear to ear.

After taking care of those who needed attention and discussing the roles of guild members within the gate with various people, meeting with key figures from all walks of life and taking photos, a week flew by.

“The headquarters of the Stray Dog Guild will be established in front of the main gate in Nevada, USA, and in Daejeon, South Korea. We will start our activities based on these two bases.”

After handling our affairs in the US, we finally returned to Korea.

While we went to the US through Eldorado within the gate, we returned by plane from the airport.

The people entering Korea were 33 elite members, including parties 41, 42, and 43, my brother Younghak, and Chairman Volkov.

Countries like Japan, Europe, Russia, and India had intact bases, so there were no major issues, but Korea’s base was destroyed due to my brother Younghak.

Since it was an urgent matter, we entered Korea directly.

And the moment we got off the plane and entered the airport,

“Hunter Kim Sungho! Can we have a word?”

“Why did you abandon the base and flee? What happened exactly?”

“They say a mutated wyvern burned down the Daejeon military base. Where did they come from? Are they from unexplored areas?”

“We are curious why you went to the US! Please tell us!”

We had to face a barrage of overwhelming questions from the reporters.

While we were momentarily startled, thinking we would never experience such a scene in our lives,

“Ah, the most important thing is that the Stray Dog Guild and the US government are very interested in the security of South Korea. Currently, our top priority is securing a new base. Therefore, we do not have the leisure to answer your questions calmly. In the future, once the issues within the gate are somewhat resolved, you will hear more detailed explanations.”

Chairman Volkov’s interpreter, a Korean-American whom he always brought along, neatly sorted out the reporters, and we started moving on a pre-arranged bus.

The vehicles, seemingly from the US military, began to escort our bus strictly as a bonus.

“Thank you. It would have been extremely difficult without you, Chairman.”

Chairman Volkov burst into laughter at my greeting.

“Sometimes reporters remind me of piranhas. It’s surprising the first time you experience it. Starting from scratch again will be challenging in many ways.”

“I should thank President Komolov for sending you, Chairman. It would have been much harder without you.”

“Well, I also need you to do well so that I can receive juicy dividends. For our mutual benefit, I must sometimes work on the ground.”

While having various conversations, the bus smoothly slid onto the highway, heading towards Daejeon.

The closer we got to Daejeon, the quieter the bus became as we approached the main gate.

Daejeon.

A place that could be called trauma itself.

We eventually returned to this place due to various external factors, but our feelings about this place could never be positive.

Hatred and anger.

These were the emotions taking root inside the bus.

Chairman Volkov and the interpreter, who had been smiling and joking initially, soon realized the atmosphere was overwhelming and fell silent.

In heavy silence,

The bus finally arrived at the main gate in Daejeon.

The 4-meter square-shaped gate stood quietly in its place, unchanged from when it first appeared ten years ago.

The 32 hunters who got off the bus looked at the gate with mixed emotions.

“Hm… I will first inspect this surrounding area. Major Hagen! Haha! Do you find Korean food to your taste?”

“Long time no see, Chairman Volkov.”

After making space for us, Chairman Volkov hurriedly left to inspect the military unit guarding the Daejeon gate, taking the officers and soldiers who had escorted us.

“We’re back, damn it. I never wanted to come back.”

Brother Younghak aggressively smoked his cigarette.

The military unit he burned down with his own hands still lay grotesquely melted.

It seemed that seeing that sight did not make him feel any better.

“What should we do? Should we build the base first?”

“Of course, we need to build it. Neatly and grandly, anew. We’ll need a lot of things, like cement and rebar.”

Materials like fuel, electronics, and explosives would instantly explode upon contact with the gate’s mana, but metals and cement were not greatly affected.

We needed to procure various materials for building the base and reorganize the burnt military unit.

There was a lot to do.

“First, let’s enter the gate and clean up the burnt base. Clear the debris, discard what needs to be discarded. You know? Let’s get started.”

We entered the base.

As mana filled us, we could use our status windows again, and we started cleaning the base using our transcendent physical abilities and various magic spells.

There was a lot to clean up, but the work progressed quickly due to the fast pace.

With physical awakeners and mages who could easily lift hundreds of kilograms and wyverns, the results were as expected.

“We’ve pretty much cleaned it up!! Once the materials come in, we can start full-scale work!”

“Good job!”

In just one day, the base was cleaned up neatly.

Covered in ashes, we dusted ourselves off and exited the gate.

Outside, Chairman Volkov was waiting for us.

“Have you finished cleaning?”

“It’s sorted. Now we just need to build it anew.”

“Excellent. I have arranged for the companies specializing in gate interior base construction in the US. They should arrive within a day or two. You can rebuild the base with them.”

“Thank you.”

“The military base has fewer damaged buildings than expected, so the cleanup won’t take long, according to Major Hagan. Until the Stray Dog Guild has its own forces, Major Hagan’s battalion will guard at this base. The remaining battalion members will be dispatched here soon.”

“Excellent. Thank you, President Volkov.”

“You’re welcome. Many companies want to do business with Stray Dog here in Daejeon. I’ll filter out the unnecessary ones and let you know about the ones we need, so we can discuss it soon.”

President Volkov had done a great job.

He then made a joke, seeing our slightly relaxed demeanour.

“I don’t know what the Korean military has been providing hunters, but once you taste American food services, your opinion will change. Taco Bell, Five Guys. There are many good buffet services too. I have a lot of experience in this field, so I’ll bring in good companies to feed you.”

At his words, our expressions turned bitter.

The food the Korean military provided to hunters?

It was just terrible rations and overpriced meals in restricted areas.

“We look forward to it. Thank you again, President Volkov.”

“Nothing to it. Ha ha! Let’s keep this place running well and make sure South Korea doesn’t collapse.”

I couldn’t help but think it might be better if it did collapse.

Either way, we had to prepare the place we’d be staying. I nodded.

Time passed.

We were about to head for dinner, prepared by the American soldiers brought by Major Hagan.

“President Volkov.”

It was then Major Hagan approached us.

“There are people here who want to meet the person in charge.”

“The Guild Leader Kim?”

“They said they have something to discuss. They looked like merchants. We’ve temporarily held them off.”

Merchants?

I had a hunch.

“I’d like to meet them.”

“Understood.”

While Major Hagan was gone, I told the guild members to go ahead and eat first and then went to meet the people who wanted to see us with Brother Younghak.

Younghak seemed to have a clue about who they were, following me with a strangely excited expression.

And then.

“These are the people. Please have a conversation.”

As soon as I faced the three people standing before us, I couldn’t help but smile.

A forced, insincere smile.

Eyes rolling nervously.

“Ah! Hunter Kim Sungho! It’s been a while. We’ve been quite busy lately, but it’s nice to see you again.”

Merchants from the restricted areas.

Bastards who exploited us were approaching with outstretched hands.

Younghak and I just stood there, not taking their hands.

When we didn’t shake hands, one merchant forcibly grabbed my hand for a handshake.

But I had no intention of accepting their actions.

“Let go. I’m not in the mood for handshakes.”

With a sarcastic smile, I delivered a chilling line, causing the three merchant representatives to cough awkwardly and step back.

“What do you want?”

“Well… Hunter Kim Sungho. We’ve known each other for a long time, haven’t we? The Americans said some strange things earlier.”

The middle-aged man was followed by a somewhat chubby middle-aged woman.

“They said this place is now American territory and classified as a military facility where we can’t do business anymore. It wasn’t like this when Cho Geunsung was the base commander.”

“And so?”

The last one was a thin man with prominent cheekbones.

“I don’t mean to be rude… but we’ve invested a lot here to do business.”

“Yes, we’ve invested quite a bit.”

“It would be very difficult for us if we suddenly had to leave. Base Commander Cho Geunsung was somewhat flexible, and we hope you are too.”

“We’re just trying to make a living together. The Americans said you’re the final authority here, Hunter Kim Sungho. There will be gatherings, and after tough raids, you’ll want a drink. We’ll treat you well, so we’d appreciate it if you let us stay.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Brother Younghak laughed too.

When you’re too angry, you laugh.

“Of course. There will be many gatherings, and after raids, we’d want a drink.”

At my words, the merchants’ faces brightened.

Why did their faces brighten?

Were they stupid or did they really believe we’d accept their proposal?

“But charging 10,000 won for a bottle of soju is too expensive, no matter how deep our pockets are. We’d go bankrupt after two gatherings.”

“Ha ha. What a joke. Hunters make a lot of money, don’t they? We’ve seen the news about elixirs developed in America…”

I lit a cigarette.

And I blew the smoke into the face of the merchant who was still talking.

He coughed in the acrid smoke.

I smiled at them.

“It’s expensive, you bastards.”

At my cold words, the three merchants stopped talking and their faces hardened.

Yeah.

Now they seemed to understand the situation.

Sorry, but you won’t be doing business here.

“Your stuff is so fucking expensive that we don’t want to eat it.”