Chapter 887

EP.887 [Light Novel Side Story] Death Dinass of the Eternal Sky Vol.2 004

The Seoul Recovery Operation.

Following the so-called ‘Pyongyang Incident’ in 2012 when a massive explosion occurred in Pyongyang, South Korea was eventually unable to withstand the relentless waves of monsters raining down like hail from the north, leading to the relocation of its capital in 2014. This resulted in the birth of ‘New Seoul,’ while the original capital, Seoul, became the frontline facing off against monsters.

Even then, as time passed, more territory was gradually lost until, during the ‘Great Cataclysm’ of 2022 when underground dungeons were generated, Seoul was completely overrun by monsters.

“Let’s take back Seoul from the monsters!”

The nation made every effort to reclaim Seoul using all available special ability users, but due to numerous limitations and problems, the initial operation ended in failure.

Thereafter, the government and the Hero Association tried everything they could every few months to retake Seoul, but ultimately failed each time. By 2025, these efforts had devolved into regular monster extermination operations.

Twelve times.

After the initial recovery operation failed, special ability users began to voluntarily avoid participation, which eventually led to their forced conscription by the present year.

“Thanks to the ambitious failure of the Seoul Recovery Operation, the forced mobilization of special ability users and their subsequent handling, combined with the <Great Cataclysm> of 2022 when ‘dungeons’ appeared worldwide, the Association lost much of its power. Everyone started looking towards hunters and guilds.”

“Thanks for the explanation.”

Yuna briefly explained the national situation regarding the Seoul Recovery Operation to Xian, who quickly grasped the current state after listening intently like a student.

“With the Association and government losing control over the guilds, they’re trying to recruit even trainees now, huh?”

“Yes. There are no more volunteers among the special ability users. If the law hadn’t suppressed them when the guilds started forming, no one would have participated in the operations.”

“Why would I volunteer to not earn money for two weeks and just get hurt?”

Nuri sarcastically remarked while lying on the couch.

“In the fifth wave in 2023, that’s when Mom first awakened her powers and volunteered with Dad, right? We didn’t get any cores, all our equipment was damaged, and we didn’t receive a single penny of support funds.”

“…It’s probably because of me.”

Raon lowered his head guiltily.

“If someone’s core breaks like mine did, rehabilitation alone could cost tens of billions per person.”

“…Yeah, starting from the second wave, the actual injury compensation definitely decreased significantly.”

Xian scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“But why involve students in such operations?”

“It’s different now compared to the early days. What was once a war has now become a simple cleanup operation.”

Raon showed Xian the average rank of special ability users participating in each wave from Yuna’s data. The graph, which initially started at A-rank, gradually declined with each wave until it reached an average of C- rank by the 12th operation.

“The quality of participants is also steadily decreasing.”

“What happened in the 12th wave where it completely plummeted?”

“Yes. Some academy undergraduates participated.”

Yuna pulled out some data. Among the articles featuring the outstanding performances of certain individuals in the 12th wave, there was a photo of five hero aspirants wearing academy undergraduate uniforms smiling brightly while gathered together.

“A small team of undergraduates achieved great results in the 12th wave, leading to this wave expanding to include all students.”

“Ah, I heard about that too. The C-rankers made a big fuss about capturing a villain in Gwanak. Wasn’t it a B-rank monster?”

“That’s been expanded to all students this year. Damn. If something goes wrong, what will they do?”

“So that’s why you came to Shin Seoul?”

Nuri pointed to a white-haired woman on TV. Xian stared at Seok Harang dressed in a suit with a blank expression.

[…For this 13th Seoul Recovery Operation, Princess Seolhua has specially volunteered…]

“This feels dirty somehow.”

“Huh?”

Yuna was startled. It was rare for Xian to openly express such discomfort towards others, especially in front of the group.

“No, it’s just…I feel suffocated looking at her. Not me, her.”

Xian scratched his neck while speaking.

“‘Volunteered,’ huh? Do you really think she did it willingly?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re naive, Nuri.”

Xian sighed, scratching his neck while pointing at Princess Seolhua taking commemorative photos.

“She’s already on a leash right now.”

“Leash? I don’t see anything?”

“…Never mind. Let me stop talking.”

Xian stood up as if he didn’t want to watch anymore. But Yuna stopped him from turning off the TV.

“Princess Seolhua told us to participate and achieve results here, right? Shouldn’t we hear her out?”

“Why bother? We’re not going to participate anyway, right?”

“You wanna disrespect an S-rank? Sir?”

“Let me stop talking. Ugh.”

With Xian’s dismissive tone, Nuri sat up straight from her lounging position. Xian stopped reaching for his coat hanging by the door and turned back.

“Just gonna take a quick walk. On my way back, I’ll grab something…”

[Additionally, since the main purpose of this recovery operation is nurturing talent, we plan to include not only academy students but also promising talents in the operation. First up, S-rank Dark Attribute Kim Nori, Wind Attribute B-rank…]

“Holy crap?”

Xian froze mid-step and sat back down on the sofa. The headline scrolling below the announcer summarized the content.

– Monster Department, “Request to Borrow Kim Nori from Oracle Studio”

– OS “Will Consider Positively”

“What the hell? Since when did I…”

Xian distorted his face and cursed loudly. Neither Raon nor Nuri stopped him, sharing the same sentiment.

“Did Princess Seolhua do this? But I was clearly rejected yesterday?”

“It’s probably not Princess Seolhua.”

Yuna calmly analyzed the situation despite her unease.

“…Whoever did this, we seem to have been targeted.”

“Targeted? You mean they’re forcing us in?”

“Yes. They likely announced it first and are stoking public opinion through the media to make it look like Nuri is volunteering. If she refuses to participate later, her image will plummet.”

“Damn.”

Xian pulled his hair in frustration. Whether or not Princess Seolhua was involved, it seemed they wanted to heavily utilize Nuri. After pondering, Raon offered another opinion.

“…We might also be suspected. Apparently, since it’s foreign capital, not participating in a major national event could reflect poorly.”

“On the contrary, Oracle Studio, essentially foreign capital, could be exploited for supporting Seoul’s recovery.”

As Raon and Yuna explained, Xian covered his face with both hands.

“We’ve fallen right into their trap.”

Although the group hasn’t agreed to participate in the Seoul Recovery Operation yet, they’ve been maneuvered into a semi-mandatory participation. Xian hated whoever had orchestrated this situation.

“I don’t know who it is, but we’ll see. If you tie me down like this when I have no intention of doing it…”

“I’m fine though?”

Nuri replied casually from her lounging position. Xian thought he must have misheard and asked her to repeat herself.

“What? What did you just say?”

“I’m in favor of participating in the Seoul Recovery Operation.”

“Aren’t you supposed to dislike Princess Seolhua?”

“That’s because that person… talked to me and uncle rudely. But I support the Seoul Recovery Operation itself.”

Nuri adjusted her posture and expressed her opinion.

“If we eliminate the monsters spawning in Seoul, it’ll reduce the number moving south, right? If I volunteer, we won’t be treated like trash at least, right? Instead, we’ll be celebrated. Heheh.”

“Wait, you’re not thinking of…”

“Yeah. Let’s make the most of this opportunity with uncle and the sisters…”

“Looks like you’re eager to raise your market value.”

Snap! Nuri clenched her teeth and jumped off the couch, attempting to attack Xian with magic. Xian hastily dodged the attack by jumping back.

“Tch!”

Nuri stomped her feet in frustration after her attack missed.

“I’m doing this so uncle and the sisters aren’t looked down upon, alright?! At the very least, if I perform well there, people won’t dare disrespect uncle and the sisters because of me!!”

“Are you seriously worried about that?”

Xian approached Nuri with a disinterested face and met her gaze.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just jealousy from those with growth limits 50 points lower than you. Look, they can barely do anything besides insult you…”

– Clinging to a blonde Western guy, planning to run to America, huh? Kkkkk

– I heard there’s only one guy in their office – that foreigner. During the day…

– A place full of parasites clinging to Kim Nori – what are they going to do when she leaves?

Seeing various hateful comments and insults Nuri showed him, Xian took a deep breath.

“…This is worse than I thought. Yeah, it’s fine. Don’t worry.”

“What nonsense. This is actually milder stuff. Considering my special ability rank, I might barely reach D-rank, if that.”

“R-right. Got it. So you want to go, huh? But…”

Xian glanced at the other two. Though their expressions and actions suggested they’d say it’s fine, there were still concerns lingering.

“I…”

“Approve…”

“They’re probably going to oppose, right?”

Before the two could speak, Xian cut them off.

“Yuna, you’ll run into classmates from the academy, it’ll be awkward. Raon, you still have trauma from Seoul, right? Am I wrong?”

“…A little.”

Yuna lowered her head.

“After dropping out and luckily getting into the studio to coach Kim Nori’s mentality… My dad got into a fight over this with a friend while drinking last night.”

“If there were results, it’d be different, but not yet. Raon, you’ve never returned to Seoul since being injured there, right? Isn’t that true?”

“That’s correct.”

Though calm, Raon’s hands were trembling slightly.

“To be honest, I’m still nervous. But…”

Raon met Yuna’s gaze. Exchanging looks, they nodded simultaneously.

“That’s not a reason to oppose. We’ve just chosen different paths.”

“Trauma needs to be overcome. Just like how you helped me overcome my fear of close combat by putting me in a suit.”

“Hmm?”

Xian turned toward the window. His reflection in the glass showed him deep in thought with his head bowed.

“……If we really go to Seoul, I need to prepare a bit. Let’s call it a day for today.”

“Understood. Thank you for your hard work.”

The three exchanged brief greetings and stayed put. Xian was surprised when they started reorganizing materials instead of leaving.

“Didn’t you hear? I said let’s wrap up.”

“You’re obviously going to process everything that happened in Seoul alone anyway.”

“Since I personally participated in the first operation, I can be of great help in many ways. I’ve been following it closely ever since.”

“Uncle, how can we go without knowing? Let’s plan together.”

Xian felt deeply moved. Unlike the high school gang whose plans consisted solely of “Charge! Victory!”, these three truly cared, making his magical energy rise involuntarily.

“Alright, let’s have a heavy lunch today. It’s on me.”

The time was approximately 10:30 AM.

Until the temporary lunch break at noon, they spent the entire time discussing lunch menus and eventually agreed to have lunch at a famous Korean restaurant near the Hero Association branch.

* * *

<2 PM, Hero Association Shin Seoul Branch.>

“Nice to meet you. I’m Gang Soyeon, deputy director of the Hero Association.”

Gang Soyeon, dressed in a brown suit, smiled gently and nodded as she sat across from Xian. Xian greeted her back and pointed to Nuri sitting beside him.

“I’m Xian, the local supervisor of Oracle Studio’s Korean branch and manager of Miss Kim Nori.”

“Kim Nori.”

“I’ve heard much about you. Thank you for coming in person. We were wondering how to properly greet you this morning.”

Nuri clenched her fists under the table, while Xian subtly grabbed her hand and smiled warmly.

“Of course we should participate in national affairs. It’ll be a good platform for Nori’s growth. Of course…”

“Oh, you mean security arrangements?”

At Xian’s vague hint, Gang Soyeon immediately understood. Xian nodded and continued.

“While we’d like to hire bodyguards from our side, we currently lack the resources. Even though academy undergraduates are participating too, Seoul is still dangerous, isn’t it? Haha.”

“Oh my, shall we arrange a protection team from our association side then?”

Gang Soyeon’s eyes sparkled, but Xian shook his head slightly.

“No, thank you. Given Nori’s current situation, involving too many people might cause unnecessary problems. She’s had quite a few incidents recently.”

“Ah, I see…”

Gang Soyeon looked at Nuri sympathetically.

“I understand. Suddenly becoming a talent who could potentially reach S or SS rank must be overwhelming.”

“I believe she’ll get used to it in time, but it hasn’t been long enough yet. Nonetheless, we intend to participate in the operation.”

“Facing challenges head-on without hesitation, how admirable.”

Gang Soyeon wiped away a tear of emotion. Nuri’s face turned bright red as she bowed her head deeply.

“Therefore, our Korean Oracle Studio, K.O.S., would like to participate with a few conditions.”

“Conditions?”

Gang Soyeon’s voice dropped slightly, tense about what conditions Xian might propose.

“Yes. Nothing major…”

Xian pointed at Nuri with his thumb as he spoke.

“I’d like to choose Nori’s partner myself.”

Kaboom! Gang Soyeon’s eyes widened hearing a sudden kick sound somewhere.

“Um, did you hear something just now?”

“Absolutely not.”

Xian’s voice trembled slightly. While showing obvious signs of anxiety, Nuri glared at Xian irritably before speaking.

“Sorry, but…”

Nuri’s wandering gaze made her appear genuinely anxious and on the verge of panic.

“While calling it a condition might be strong… I’d prefer someone I feel comfortable with…”

“I apologize. I lacked consideration.”

Gang Soyeon bowed her head in apology and sought understanding.

“Then how about selecting a protective team through individual interviews, two at a time?”

“Huh?”

Xian repeated her suggestion dumbly. Gang Soyeon gave him an awkward smile while pointing outside the window.

“Word spread somehow that Miss Kim Nori would be visiting the association today, and guild members have already gathered outside. If we announce the formation of a protective team, those outside might…”

Gang Soyeon trailed off, but Xian understood the implication.

– You caused this mess, deal with it.

Xian closed his eyes tightly, then sighed.

“Should we make number tags?”

“We’ll gather hopefuls and conduct a lottery.”

Gang Soyeon calmly answered before leaving. After confirming the door was closed, Nuri kicked Xian’s ankle hard.

“……Oof.”

Xian gritted his teeth to keep from crying out. Nuri whispered furiously.

“You deal with everything now. I don’t know anything. Hmph.”

“……What mistake did I make again?”

“Mistakes you don’t even realize you made.”

Shortly afterward, interviews for Kim Nori’s protective team began in a corner of the association branch. For some reason, interviewer Xian’s face looked exhausted from the start.