Chapter 889

EP.889 [Light Novel Side Story] The Death Dinastia of the Sky 2nd Volume 006

Ever since Pyongyang exploded in 2012, we’ve been unable to withstand the endless waves of monsters coming down from the North, forcing us to relocate our capital.

After the failure of the first Seoul Recovery Operation in 2020, we have never managed to reclaim Seoul even once.

….

However, the name of this operation shall remain unchanged, and we will surely retake Seoul someday.

Therefore, for this 13th Seoul Recovery Operation, we aim to turn it into a training ground that will nurture the pillars of our nation’s future generations to fulfill the long-held wish we couldn’t achieve.

….

A total of 149 second-year students from Hero Academy will gain real combat experience fighting against monsters in Seoul with the support of 13 guilds. With the participation of S-Rank Hero <Snow Princess>, we aim to cross the Han River and exterminate monsters up to the northern part of Seoul.

While serving as a training ground at the rear, there will also be a large-scale monster extermination led by Snow Princess at the front lines.

…

Now, let’s begin the 13th Seoul Recovery Operation.

– Excerpt from the Declaration of the Seoul Recovery Operation, March 1, 2025, 9:00 AM.

* * *

Clang!

The truck bounced violently before settling back down. Though the interior fixtures were intact, the passengers groaned in pain after taking a hard hit on their butts.

“Uncle!!”

Nuri shouted towards the driver’s seat. On the monitor connected to the trailer, Xian’s figure carefully observing the surroundings was clearly visible.

[Sorry, but what can I do when there are corpses everywhere we go? Looks like they had a serious fight ahead.]

“We just let the vanguard kill and see. Then the rearguard disposes of the monster corpses.”

Raon pointed to the long line of vehicles on the highway. A white-haired witch atop a bus at the front was impaling monsters climbing over the highway fence one after another with icicles. Some of the carcasses rolled onto the road after falling over the fence.

“Ahh, this is so frustrating.”

Nuri adjusted the loosened seatbelt and straightened the seat. The transport truck rented by Xian looked rather shabby due to the rush to procure it. It was covered in dried monster blood, and the body was heavily scratched.

“Uncle, is this really the best we can do? Why don’t we just take the latest model offered by the Association?”

“Who knows? They might secretly install hidden cameras.”

“…Oh, that’s actually kind of scary.”

Raon’s words made Nuri shiver. Ha Yujun and Chun Bomhee sitting across from her rebutted Raon’s statement.

“Nuri-ssi, would the Association really do something like that?”

“Yeah, why would the Association need to secretly film us? They have no reason to commit any crimes.”

[It could be for protection or surveillance. If it exists, it’d likely be the latter.]

Yuna, sitting in the passenger seat, joined the conversation. Once again, the passenger seat was claimed by Yuna. Her argumentative tone seemed ready to start a fight, but Xian chuckled and stepped in to mediate.

[Even if the ride is a bit uncomfortable, isn’t it better to travel with peace of mind? We can’t borrow from other guilds or take the Academy bus either.]

“Uncle, I already hear the stock prices of the studio dropping.”

Nuri summarized the comments from the live-streaming site for Xian. Despite announcing an investment of nearly 2 trillion won, people were asking why they hadn’t bought a new vehicle yet, questioning whether the funds were being properly utilized, and wondering if all the money was just being spent on coffee. Raon clicked her tongue in disappointment.

“Rich beggars? The negative comments seem to be increasing.”

“They might misunderstand our frugality regarding expenses, Nuri-ssi.”

Ha Yujun added to Raon’s comment.

“People assume we’re stingy because the vehicle mobilized by Oracle Studio, known for its massive capital, is a rental.”

“Is that so? Uncle, shouldn’t we buy a car then?”

[We’ve looked around, but there aren’t any good deals yet.]

“Then I recommend this.”

Ha Yujun pulled out a catalog and business card from his magical gear and tossed them towards the driver’s seat. Catching the data bound by magic, Yuna tilted her head as she examined the catalog.

[They’re all from Yu-Sung Motors?]

[Can you even tell cars apart, Yuna?]

[I only know about the vehicles operated by the guild. I studied them.]

“Oppa, what is this? Why are they all from Yu-Sung?”

Nuri, who received the catalog along with her, questioned Ha Yujun. As expected, the catalog contained only products sold by Yu-Sung Motors, including discontinued models available second-hand. Just before Ha Yujun became flustered and started making excuses, Xian confronted Nuri.

[Hey, I’m your uncle, so why is Ha Yujun ‘oppa’?]

“Hmm? Once an uncle, always an uncle. Hehe!”

[Wow, that stings.]

The playful banter continued, maintaining a warm atmosphere. Ha Yujun awkwardly smiled while confidently addressing Nuri.

“My family works at Yu-Sung Motors.”

[Oh, really? Do we get a discount?]

Excited by Xian’s apparent interest in purchasing, Ha Yujun began praising Yu-Sung’s transport trucks like a fish hooked on a fishing line.

“Of course! Even acquaintances two steps removed get discounts. Manager, as we’ll be traveling not only in New Seoul but nationwide, how long can we keep relying on autonomous vehicles? This is your chance to get the latest model.”

“Buying a Yu-Sung car isn’t the answer.”

Raon interrupted Ha Yujun’s sales pitch. Ha Yujun tried to maintain his smile while defending the Yu-Sung Motors trucks.

“Mu, certainly such times existed. But Raon-nunim, after the ‘Magic Revolution’ and adopting new processes to develop eco-friendly core cars…”

“Are you a Yu-Sung employee, oppa? Did you invest heavily in Yu-Sung stocks?”

“G, that’s not true. However-”

[Let’s compare later and decide. If we end up buying from Yu-Sung, I’ll let you know, Yujun-ssi. For now, Nuri, have we decided where we’re going?]

At Xian’s question, Nuri hesitated. The Association gave Xian’s group the choice of three districts to conduct cleanup operations.

“Either Gangnam, Guro, or冠won?”

[Yup. They said we can choose our preferred area.]

[It’s basically the Association keeping an eye on us. Let’s avoid joining the Han River crossing team and facing A or B-Rank monsters.]

The Association assessed Xian’s group’s strength and suggested these three rear areas—Guro,冠won, and Gangnam, including Seocho. Most monsters appearing south of the Han River were classified as D or C-Rank.

[Bomhee-ssi and Yujun-ssi increased our strength, giving us more choices. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to enter Seoul, right?]

Publicly, without Kim Gaon participating as a B-Rank hero, the Association assigned appropriate positions based on the combined strength of Nuri, Raon, Ha Yujun, and Chun Bomhee. As Nuri stared at the map deep in thought, Xian casually remarked to ease the burden.

[Wherever we go, it’s not much of a problem…]

“How about Guro?”

Chun Bomhee, who had been silent, pointed to Guro. Xian wiggled the steering wheel left and right to avoid corpses while asking.

[Is there any particular reason?]

“Not really. I think Gunwon and Gangnam will be chosen by many other guilds.”

“Guro has fewer advantages. Gunwon and Gangnam have many C-Rank monsters, making them efficient, but Guro mainly has D-Rank monsters, so we might not even break even.”

“But doesn’t that mean we can monopolize the area? There should still be some C-Rank monsters.”

“Compared to Gunwon and Gangnam, which are flooded with C-Rank monsters, I believe Guro’s C-Rank population has already been depleted, Bomhee-nunim.”

Chun Bomhee and Ha Yujun began debating the pros and cons of heading to Guro. Overwhelmed by incomprehensible information, Nuri darted her eyes left and right. Meanwhile, Laon quietly interjected.

“I think it could be dangerous for just us.”

Laon frowned and emphasized the risks associated with a small group. Xian glanced at Laon and calmly replied.

[If Laon agrees, I’m fine with Guro.]

“What?! Uncle! What about my opinion?! I’m the protagonist here! You told me to decide!”

[Today feels like a day where Laon’s decision aligns better.]

“…….”

As Nuri gripped her neck in rising blood pressure, Laon took a deep breath and showed determination.

“I’m okay with it. …Since it’s a place we eventually have to face.”

[Is that so? …Understood. We’ll arrive soon, so everyone, get some rest.]

Xian cut off communication to contact the command center. Watching Nuri and Chun Bomhee excitedly chatting about Guro, Laon quietly closed her eyes.

Guro.

Her hometown where she was born and raised, and the very place where her core shattered during the 1st Seoul Recovery Operation.

Unknowingly trembling, Laon clenched her fist tightly.

* * *

“Then we’ll head to Guro.”

[Understood. I’ll inform Lady Snow Princess.]

Xian finished communicating with the dispatched hero from the Association and turned the car towards Guro. Two trucks followed as they detached from the long convoy.

“Can you see who they are?”

“<Megrez>. A guild under the umbrella of Yu-Sung Motors. And the other one…”

The blue-painted truck bore a pine tree emblem. Yuna quickly identified the following trucks.

“<Cheongsong>. A hunter guild operated by the government.”

“Ah. So they came to protect us.”

“There seems to be an intention to monitor us as well.”

As Yuna continued to worry, Xian casually lifted his right hand, clicked his tongue regretfully, and tapped the seat.

“Don’t worry. It’s actually a good thing, right? They’ll protect us automatically.”

“But…is that alright?”

When Yuna confirmed the microphone was still off and cautiously spoke,

“Are the two behind us really okay?”

“You think so too?”

Xian countered her question. Yuna, puffing her cheeks in momentary dissatisfaction, quickly softened her expression upon hearing Xian’s next words.

“I feel both have ulterior motives.”

“…Both?”

“Bomhee-ssi and Ha Yujun-ssi seem untrustworthy.”

“It’s surprising to hear you say that.”

Yuna pouted slightly before continuing,

“Both appear to have hidden agendas.”

“True, considering they were recruited by you, Xian-ssi.”

“That’s correct. Actually…”

Xian gave Yuna a meaningful smile.

“This time, I deliberately chose the two who seem to have the most ulterior motives to crush them thoroughly.”

“……What a nasty habit. What exactly are you planning to crush?”

“Those jackals blocking our red carpet, Yuna? Hehe.”

* * *

“The target has changed direction. It appears they’re heading to Guro unexpectedly.”

“Don’t worry. We’ve placed subordinates in every district. There’s no problem.”

“Yes, we’ll execute the operation promptly tonight. You can count on us.”

“Our agents are already in place and moving. We won’t disappoint.”

Click. Click. Click.

* * *

Squeak.

The car stopped in the parking lot of a collapsed apartment complex. Xian and Yuna got out, and soon the four others riding in the rear trailer also disembarked into the parking lot.

“I didn’t realize it was this bad from the pictures.”

Yuna looked around at the devastated apartment complex and became melancholic. Apartments worth over ten billion won in the past were now tilting and crumbling, barely retaining their original shapes. Even those standing at half their height were nothing more than ruins.

“It’s the accumulated fatigue of countless battles embedded in the land. Every time we reclaimed it, we didn’t have time to rebuild before losing it to the monsters again. It’s like this in every monster-occupied city worldwide.”

Xian grinned at Ha Yujun while pointing to the luggage inside the trailer.

“In that case, Yujun-ssi, let’s work up a sweat setting up the tents together.”

“……Haa.”

Ha Yujun sighed deeply, looking around for salvation but unfortunately found only himself and Xian as the men in the group. Xian cheerfully pulled out a tent setup kit from the luggage.

“Building the camp is fine…”

“Separate tents for men and women… Oh, there’s even a shower booth? Wow, we even have soap? …Hehehe.”

As Xian read the instructions and giggled, Ha Yujun broke out in cold sweat.

About 30 minutes later.

A fairly impressive temporary base camp was established in the apartment parking lot.