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123. Communication

Four days had passed since the day of the battle with the Holy Army. Ashvilam once grieved but quickly regained its usual form.

Except for the slight decrease in the number of Goblins roaming his streets, Ashvilam’s appearance had somewhat changed due to their visitors.

“Lord, I have brought food for the humans.”

“Oh, yeah. Bring it in.”

“Yes.”

The Goblins brought a bunch of baskets containing sweet potatoes and roasted chicken. There was no shortage of drinking water for nearly 80 people.

“Ah! Thank you, Goblin friends.”

Jeong Seon-kyung greeted them in a playful way. The Goblins, of course, didn’t understand it, and they only blinked their big eyes. Jeong Seon-kyung took it lightly and ate the sweet potatoes in the basket.

“It’s hot!”

‘She’s so… Human.’

She was particularly friendly. Most people still hadn’t come to terms with this situation. Ko Byeong-gap sat cross-legged in a chair and briefly recalled the past.

Everyone woke up two days ago. They usually reacted the same way after coming to their senses. They would first check their physical condition, then figured out who was next to them, and finally asked where they were. Managing them afterward was the hardest part.

It was hard work in many ways to appease them. Ko Byeong-gap had to repeat the same story a hundred times to inject the concept that the Goblins were friendly.

For reference, he didn’t mention the words Ashvilam and Goblin Lord. It wasn’t easy to convince everyone, and it wasn’t necessary.

It was just ‘It’s safe here, and the Goblins here are harmless. But the moment you break the rules here, you can’t guarantee your life or death.’

Thanks to his efforts and the help of the group who heard about it first, the hunters reached a compromise to the extent that ‘I don’t know if the Goblins are safe or dangerous, but I’ll follow your advice for now.’

So, back to the present, Ko Byeong-gap looked inside the auditorium. Some people who were relieved ate the sweet potatoes and chicken, but some didn’t even touch it until the end.

‘Well, eat or not. It’s up to you.’

They didn’t even have the heart to suck it up and eat. If they starved to death from refusing to eat, it was their own business.

“Sung-min hyung, do you want me to come here and eat? You have to eat well to recover quickly.”

“… I’m done.”

“Oh, don’t be shy. Here, take a piece! The sweet potatoes here are incredibly delicious.”

Hunter Cho Sung-min hesitated. Regardless of his reason, saliva was dripping from his mouth. He pretended to be reluctant but accepted the sweet potato in the end.

While looking at the sweet potatoes as if they were his ex-girlfriend’s photo, he closed his eyes and took a bite.

Three minutes later, Cho Sung-min got his nose stuck in a sweet potato basket.

“Hey, look, hunters. Hunters, stop protesting and hurry up. As he said, you need to eat well to gain strength and recover quickly. Also, Mr. Byeong-gap took care of us on purpose, and it’s not right to ignore his sincerity.”

Han Chang-hoon said loudly. Jeong Seon-kyung poked him in the ribs with an unhappy face.

“Hey, just leave them alone. If they don’t eat, it’s their loss. They’ll starve themselves.”

“Oh my gosh, Seon-kyung. Why would you say that…?”

Rather than Han Chang-hoon’s persuasion, Jeong Seon-kyung’s words stimulated the people. Eventually, the hungry hunters gave up their pride and gathered to the baskets.

Just a few minutes later, the sweet potatoes and chicken disappeared. The hunters stroked their bellies, and happiness was written on their faces.

“Excuse me.”

Suddenly, a man clapped and raised his hand. He talked to Ko Byeong-gap. Ko Byeong-gap turned his head and looked at the man.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, but if you don’t mind, how long do we have to stay here?”

Ko Byeong-gap didn’t understand the man’s intentions, so he tilted his head and asked again.

“How long do you have to stay? What do you mean?”

“I mean… When can I go back to Korea?”

He felt absurd. Did it feel like he was detaining them?

“I can send you back right now. But if you go back with that body, will you be able to fight properly?

“…”

The man swallowed his words. As Ko Byeong-gap said, their physical condition was slightly better than that of a spoon.

Ko Byeong-gap would feel more at ease if he sent them back. He wouldn’t have to stay up all night to see if they were going to do anything stupid, and there was no need to give away Ashvilam’s precious food.

However, if they returned in their current state and encountered a strong monster, it was certain they would die, so he provided them a resting place.

“As I said, you’re safe here. Don’t be impatient, and recover your energy first… But if you don’t like it, feel free to tell me. I’ll send you back right away.”

The people exchanged glances without saying a word. Contrary to his expectations, no one wished to return immediately.

“Do you happen to know anything about the situation outside?”

This time, a woman spoke. She was a newbie S-class hunter and seemed to be acquainted with Jeong Seon-kyung.

Anyway, Ko Byeong-gap answered, shaking his head.

“No, I don’t really know anything. But there’s one thing that bothers me.”

“What do you mean? Bothers you?”

“My phone isn’t exploding with notifications. I don’t know if it’s a temporary malfunction. What’s clear is that it started ten days ago.”

The people buzzed. He had a speculation about this. It wasn’t that hard to infer that the Six-rays Bridge started doing something. However, it was quite difficult to decide whether to tell people the story Seo Si-hee told.

When night came to Ashvilam, Ko Byeong-gap went out for a smoke with Jeong Seon-kyung.

“Aren’t you going to tell the people?”

“What?”

“I mean, the Illumination thing.”

Ko Byeong-gap looked at Jeong Seon-kyung and said, “I don’t know, I’m thinking.”

“Don’t you think it’s better to talk? They say it’s better to be on the page. We have to put our heads together to find an alternative.”

“If anything, we might need that. But as you know, the matter isn’t serious. It could only add to the confusion.”

“Phew, what are you thinking so much about?”

“What are you thinking, noona?”

“What?”

“Let’s just say that the Six-rays Bridge is really doing something. Monsters, for example, are going crazy, and people in Illumination are slaughtering people. What are you going to do, noona?”

Jeong Seon-kyung crumpled her face and brushed off the cigarette ashes.

“Hey, do you call that a question? Of course, I’ll fight back.”

“Even though it doesn’t look like there is any chance of winning?”

“It’s a win-win situation. The odds are against me, and I can’t just look by when I have the power to do something about it.”

“Are you confident that you won’t agree if they approach you and threaten to take a leg?”

“Did you get shot in the head? I’ll stick it to those idiots.”

She replied with an annoyed look. Ko Byeong-gap looked up at the night sky and exhaled smoke.

“How many of them feel the same way as you?”

“You don’t trust them?”

“It’s not a matter of believing and not believing… When it comes to choosing the winning side or the losing side, it’s right to stick to the winning side.”

“I don’t think their moral scales are as broken as you might be concerned. The job of being a hunter itself is something you should put more trust in.”

“Well, I did it for the money.”

“Anyway, you…”

Jeong Seon-kyung threw the butt on the floor. Ko Byeong-gap quickly picked it up and put it in the portable ashtray he carried.

“Don’t throw your butts on the floor.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, man. It’s become a habit.”

“This is a clean area.”

Jeong Seon-kyung scratched her head awkwardly, then suddenly smiled.

“Anyway, you are a really fun and interesting guy.”

“Yes, I’m not a common character.”

“Hey, Byeong-gap.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you want to date me?”

Ko Byeong-gap doubted his ears since it was such an out-of-the-blue question.

‘What was that?’ He asked himself even though he heard it right.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Go out with me.”

“… Noona, are you frustrated with your desires?”

“Do you want to die?”

“Then what? Saying that without context.”

Jeong Seon-kyung answered with a playful face.

“You said you were the King of the Goblins. I wonder if I can get along well with you and be your wife. Is that okay? Let’s see what happens to me, too.”

“Why not go with someone with a lot of money?”

“If the world is in chaos, money would be a waste. I should have insurance too.”

“Huh…”

“So you don’t like it? You don’t like it, huh?”

Jeong Seon-kyung crossed her arms and hugged him. Ko Byeong-gap felt something hot rising.

‘Okay. A girl with a clear face and a sincere heart. She has an endless back and a slim waist but a big ass that would give birth to a child easily—’

‘… Shut up, Landriol. And don’t peek.’

‘How boring.’

Ko Byeong-gap calmed his heart and removed Jeong Seon-kyung.

“I like you too, noona. I’d love to… But I don’t think we’re in a situation where we can be in a relationship. As you know, the situation is…”

“Hahaha! That’s enough, dude. I knew you’d answer like that anyway. But do you know that it made me feel better when you said that?”

“…”

“Put me up as Queen Candidate One. Don’t get a Candidate Two.”

Jeong Seon-kyung tapped Ko Byeong-gap on the back and left. Feeling exhausted, Ko Byeong-gap took out another cigarette and thought to himself.

***

On the second day, Ko Byeong-gap sent the hunters back to Earth after recovering.

Some of the Goblins, who had grown attached to them, waved their hands to say goodbye.

Ko Byeong-gap also stepped out with them because he wanted to check a lot of things.

A total of 80 Hunters headed to Suan County, North Hwanghae Province, where the General Command Headquarters of the Military-Hunter Union was located. Their only guide was a half-torn map, a compass, and their memory.

On the way, they came across an abandoned radio. They tried sending radio calls to all the channels registered on it, but they didn’t receive a single response. An uneasy shadow hung over the group’s faces.

Wasn’t there a saying that anxiety always hits the mark? The party discovered an enormous monster colony that blocked their way. Not a hundred, not a thousand. There were tens of thousands at the very least.

Around this time, Ko Byeong-gap was convinced that the time had come. The hunters moved as far as they could to avoid the monsters. Of course, it couldn’t always be perfect, and they faced quite a few battles.

However, nothing bad enough to be called a crisis ever came up. It was simply due to their group’s capability, which consisted of 20 S-class and 59 A-class hunters. Without Al-Sharon’s army, it would’ve been difficult to harm their side.

During the day, the party moved without a break, and when the sun went down, they moved to Ashvilam. Only then did the people realize the true nature of being ‘connected to Ashvilam.’

“This is really convenient… No, it’s great. Camping in the enemy camp and taking no chances.”

“I know. I think it’s good that we don’t have to carry heavy luggage.”

“Among those with superpowers, the ones with space-related abilities are the best, and it’s true.”

Praise poured out of the people’s mouths. Ko Byeong-gap wasn’t particularly proud. What good reason was there for Ashvilam to be treated as a mobile inn?

‘Inns accept money at least…’

They spent the night safely in Ashvilam and moved back when the sun rose. Their process repeated for three days until the party finally arrived at the command headquarters.

No, to be more accurate… They arrived at what used to be the command headquarters.

“I expected it, but…”

“Shit.”

Sighs poured out of the people’s mouths. The command headquarters was in ruins. Tents and barracks weren’t even recognizable, and broken weapons rolled around the floor.

The scent of blood and rotten smell covered everywhere, and strangely no bodies were seen. The monsters must’ve eaten them all.

That time, one of the party’s rookie hunters found something and ran in haste. It was a tent that was half sunk. There was a huge radio.

The hunter calmly checked the radio status and sent communications from place to place, but as it was last time, the return was silence…

– Hikhik!

The radio spat out noise. The watching hunters swallowed their breath.

“Oh! Oh! Can you hear me? Can you hear me?”

– Hikhik…! Who…. Hik… Hik!

The radio stuttered for a while. The rookie hunter screamed at the phone. How long did it take? Eventually, the communication was restored to be somewhat stable.

“Hey! Answer me!”

– I can hear you.

It was the voice of a man. The person over the radio asked.

– Who are you? Who are you?

“This is the expedition that left on the mission to retake Sinpo.”

– Are you hunters, then?

“That’s right!”

– Where are you?

“This is Hwanghae-do. Command headquarters! But there’s nothing. What the hell happened?”

– Not yet… Hik…! Still North Korea……. Crack!

The radio went back to static.

“Has the command post relocated? Where are you?”

– South… Hik! South… It’s… Hikhik!

“Where in the south? Tell me the exact location! Where should we return to?”

Everyone honed their ears and waited for an answer. The response that came back was clear.

– Don’t come. This is hell.