Chapter 1059

〈Chapter 1059〉 1059. Spirit Level

So, the Korean Light Source Church incident is over.

Sex parties, sacrificial rituals, illegal monster captures, brainwashing—just from what’s been exposed, it was already this bad. There was no way the Association and the police could stay out of it.

“Kang Ji-woo went mad during a live broadcast and died. People have surely realized how terrifying the Light Source Church can be.”

But his death alone won’t make much of an impact.

Unlike the [Vampire Detective] world, reality is pretty close to death in its own way. Gates, monsters, awakened criminals, and all that jazz. If you browse the internet, you’ll find videos of people hunting monsters here and there. Of course, videos where humans die are harder to come by.

“The fuss about the Light Source Church will fade quickly since things were wrapped up so fast.”

My job now is to throw more logs onto the fire and make the flames grow bigger. This time, it’s not just Korea—it’s the whole world’s turn to flip upside down.

“If missing people around the globe turn out to be sacrifices for the Light Source Church—a fake religion practicing human sacrifice—it’ll definitely send shockwaves worldwide.”

We had more than enough evidence.

Using hacking, I started distributing the data across overseas community sites. The Light Source Church would become the enemy of the entire world.

“The various Hunter Associations and police forces of each country will handle the branches of the Light Source Church spread across the world. But the key lies with their leader. Only by killing the leader can we truly claim the Light Source Church is eradicated.”

Sitting in front of my computer, I checked Korean online communities. They were buzzing with talk about the Light Source Church. Amidst all that, Park Su-ho’s name caught my eye.

“Park Su-ho publicly reported the church to the Association and even got rewarded, gaining fame in the process.”

Photos of him receiving the reward and posing with the Association president were circulating online.

Park Su-ho had no choice but to step forward now.

After all, he appeared in the Light Source Church sex party video currently spreading across the internet. He desperately needed to explain that it was a maliciously edited video created by the church. Sure, his face was pixelated, but these days there are programs to remove mosaics.

“If the Light Source Church saw that video… they’d probably realize Park Su-ho is Celebriti’s hero. After all, the moving tattoos on him were unmistakably visible.”

I doubt they’d fail to notice. So naturally, their focus would shift to Park Su-ho. While they might not act immediately, they’ll move sooner or later.

“The next step… let’s detonate the bombs I’ve planted at Light Source Church branches worldwide.”

BOOM BOOM BOOM.

The explosion echoed in my mind.

This is going to be fun.

•••

June 9th.

An unofficial meeting between the Hokkaido branch chief of the Japanese Association and a senior member of the Suwol Guild was arranged in Japan. It was regarding the erosion dungeon that appeared last night in Hokkaido, which they wanted Suwol Guild to tackle.

The branch chief, waiting for the Suwol Guild officer, was drenched in cold sweat. Before coming here, he had met with Amatsuka Koyori, Japan’s S-Rank Hunter and shrine maiden, as well as Prime Minister Ando Takao.

Currently, they were among the most influential figures in Japan. In particular, rumors were quietly spreading that Koyori had received divine revelations and foretold the future.

“Did she also prophesy the appearance of the erosion dungeon in Hokkaido? I thought the Japanese Association would order us to deal with the dungeon directly, but instead, they insisted on handing it over to Suwol Guild according to the original plan. What exactly are they up to?”

The branch chief pondered deeply. Being the Hokkaido Hunter Association Branch Chief wasn’t a lowly position, but compared to the prime minister and a shrine maiden, he felt insignificant.


There was a color.

“Not to say that I blame the cooperation with Suwol Guild first. Are you planning to use Suwol Guild? The prime minister did say to pay them an excessive amount of compensation, right? Could it be an attempt to leash Suwol Guild?”

Rumors ran rampant, but there was no clue as to what the answer might be.

The branch manager sighed deeply, his mind growing more complicated. Anyway, if he wanted to survive, he had to follow the prime minister’s orders.

The door opened and the person they had expected entered the room.

He was a 50-year-old middle-aged man with a receding hairline. At first glance, he looked like a kind uncle. But the branch manager tensed up; he wasn’t fooled by this appearance.

Park Joo-hyung.

An A Rank Hunter and officer of Suwol Guild, who had worked there for three years and was the younger brother of the Suwol Guild Master. Park Joo-hyung wielded enough power to sway Suwol Guild itself.

“Nice to see you again, Madahara Branch Manager. It’s been a while. You still look sharp.”

“It’s been a while. Was your journey here inconvenient?”

“Haha, I was treated very well. And Japan feels like my second home now.”

“Mr. Park, wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to naturalize in Japan?”

“I would love to do so… but the situation isn’t ideal.”

“Is the situation in Korea not good?”

“It’s not that bad, but this administration seems to be hostile towards our guild. Honestly… I don’t know why South Korea can’t get its act together. Tch…”

Park Joo-hyung frowned as he vented his complaints about Korea. The branch manager nodded along half-heartedly while glancing at the table. There was a wiretap under the table, transmitting their conversation directly to the prime minister.

‘If this conversation leaks, I’m finished… but there’s nothing I can do. If I hadn’t accepted, I’d already be done for. Turn this crisis into an opportunity. This is my chance to join the prime minister’s circle. I can’t just be content with being the branch manager of Hokkaido forever.’

After exchanging some meaningless talk, the branch manager finally brought up the main topic.

“The erosion dungeon that appeared in Hokkaido—can Suwol Guild take care of it?”

“It would be an honor to have it entrusted to us. However, as I mentioned earlier, the current situation isn’t exactly favorable…”

“The commission will be generous.”

The branch manager placed prepared documents on the table. They were illegal funds-related documents. Park Joo-hyung carefully examined them with a serious expression.

“…It’s more than twice what we usually receive.”

“My position within the association is precarious right now. There are too many enemies. I’d like the erosion dungeon dealt with as quickly as possible.”

“Ah… I understand your hardship.”

“Uh… Can you assign one of your S Rank Hunters from Suwol Guild?”

“I’m sorry, but she’s currently in a situation where even we can’t control her. Her schedule is fully booked until the month after next, so it’s difficult to pull her out. However, we have other excellent hunters in Suwol Guild besides her. We’ll clear the erosion dungeon for you within a week at the latest. Please trust us.”

“Haha. Of course I trust you. Isn’t Suwol Guild’s capability already proven? Well, let’s stop talking business… Mr. Park, you must be tired from your trip. We’ve prepared a ryokan for you.”

“The ryokans in Japan are world-class. I’m looking forward to it.”

Park Joo-hyung grinned.

They headed toward the ryokan in the prepared car.

When Park Joo-hyung entered the high-end ryokan, he was startled. Amatsuka Koyori, Japan’s S Rank Hunter, was there.

“M-Madahara Branch Manager! That woman over there…!”

“Don’t panic. Many famous people visit this ryokan. She’s probably here to enjoy it too. In fact, this is a great opportunity. Why don’t you exchange greetings? I’ll introduce you.”

“…I may have overreacted. Thank you for the introduction.”

Park Joo-hyung’s eyes sparkled.

This was a golden opportunity. A chance to network with Japan’s S Rank Hunter!

Park Joo-hyung approached Koyori with the branch manager. Koyori stared at the branch manager and Park Joo-hyung with a blank expression.

“Hello, Ms. Koyori. I am Madahara Kodaro, the Hokkaido branch manager. This gentleman is Mr. Park from Suwol Guild.”

“…Nice to meet you, Amatsuka Koyori.”


“It’s me, Ri.”

“I am Park Joo-hyung from Suwol Guild. It’s an honor to meet the famous Wind Shaman.”

Park Joo-hyung bowed his head. Given who he was dealing with, he decided to play it humble.

Amatsuka Koyori extended her hand for a handshake towards him.

“I’ve heard much about Suwol Guild’s accomplishments. I’d like to build a good relationship with Japan.”

“Haha. Suwol Guild likes Japan.”

They shook hands.

Rustle.

Park Joo-hyung tilted his head at the strange sensation on his palm. Something akin to paper had touched it.

“Is this a sticker…?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Ahh, yes. It’s nothing.”

Park Joo-hyung nodded. If Amatsuka Koyori said it was nothing, then it must be nothing.

Koyori turned her gaze to the branch manager and spoke.

“I’d like to have a private conversation with him.”

“…I’ll step out for a moment.”

The staff had already left the area. Now only the two of them remained in the inn lobby. In silence, Koyori stared at the sticker in her hand. The Wind God’s gift. On the sticker, written in Japanese, were the words “Absolute obedience to Amatsuka Koyori.”

Koyori used Yin-Yang magic to ignite a flame and burn the sticker before speaking to Park Joo-hyung.

“Please do not speak of today’s events to anyone.”

“Yes, understood.”

“I have many questions about Suwol Guild.”

“Ask away. I’ll answer anything.”

Koyori quietly marveled at his attitude.

Indeed, the power of the Wind God was incredible.

•••

Suwol Guild’s Hokkaido Erosion Dungeon raid was set. Han Harin would participate.

There was a difference compared to before the regression: the schedule. Originally, they were supposed to leave early Saturday morning on June 11th, but it was moved up by a day.

‘During the last timeline, there must have been extra time to coordinate with the Hokkaido Association.’

This time, that coordination ended almost instantly.

‘According to plan, I successfully used the Absolute Hypnosis Sticker to turn Suwol Guild officer Park Joo-hyung into a slave. Not directly to me, but to Koyori… but since Koyori submits to me, it’s all the same.’

Park Joo-hyung will be an excellent card to dismantle Suwol Guild.

Han Harin had to hastily leave Korea on Friday, June 10th. I’ll move separately to Hokkaido with her. The teleportation spell scroll is already prepared.

‘Han Harin shouldn’t even go there, but this time, Han Harin is necessary.’

Suwol Guild will fail. And everyone in the world will know about that failure. Only then will Suwol Guild’s reputation fall.

‘The raid team arrives in the evening, and now it’s morning.’

Squeak.

Tearing the teleportation scroll, I moved to Hokkaido.

It was a forest.

In the previous timeline, this place was part of the Erosion Dungeon.

‘Not yet at this point. Early on, the Hokkaido Erosion Dungeon was a cave-type dungeon.’

A simple story. Over time, the cave dungeon gradually expanded its territory, eventually eroding nearby forests too. If left alone for a year, it might erode all of Hokkaido.

I looked toward where the cave should be. Finding it wasn’t difficult. Japanese Association staff were surrounding the erosion dungeon. Since the dungeon appeared not long ago, there are limited entrances. Even someone as skilled as me couldn’t sneak in through there.

‘This dungeon will double on Sunday afternoon, June 13th. That’s when the raid team goes missing. Also when Han Harin gets captured by the Guang Yuan Sect shrine.’

Thinking about it made my anger boil.

‘That damn Suwol Guild! If they had handled things properly, Han Harin wouldn’t have died!’

Grinding my teeth, I turned away from the forest. My destination was a high-end inn belonging to the Guang Yuan Sect. As I approached, I saw police officers and hunters.

‘So Japan is also targeting the Guang Yuan Sect. Did they discover this inn belongs to them? They’re less incompetent than I thought.’

I slipped past them quietly. My goal wasn’t the inn itself but the secret passage hidden behind it, which leads directly to the Guang Yuan Sect shrine.

‘I’ll utterly destroy everything.’

Hiding my rage, I walked down the passage.