Chapter 293 : The Hunting Ground
Chapter 293: The Hunting Ground
“Kuahahahahaha! This is insane! Absolutely insane! Kahaha!!”
There was a man swimming in a pool filled with money instead of water.
He was the kind of man who could do something only a third-rate nouveau riche from comics or movies would do, yet feel not the slightest bit of shame...
His name was Jeren.
Last year, he had been an illegal street vendor selling low-grade weapons.
At the beginning of this year, he had become a renowned weapon dealer among enthusiasts.
And now, he was one of the underworld's biggest names!
“All of this is my money! My money! Hahaha!”
The Warring States Era, where countless mafias and gangs fought one another, had come to an end.
The era of Kim Cheolsu's faction had begun.
After swallowing up major gangs, including the Black Dragon Sect, in a single night, Kim Cheolsu's faction seized control of every kind of "that sort of business" conducted throughout the underworld.
Illegal loan sharking.
Mercenary work.
Junk Chips.
Weapons.
[Mystics] materials.
Across every field imaginable, Kim Cheolsu's faction was raking in money at an unbelievable rate, and naturally, Kim Cheolsu came to reign as the King of the Underworld feared by all.
And Jeren was the only person who knew the secret that Kim Cheolsu, known by the nickname "Mad King," was actually nothing more than a puppet boss under the protection of "that person."
Because he had quickly recognized the situation and thrown himself wholeheartedly under "that person's" banner, he had received enormous benefits.
At present, Jeren controlled roughly seventy percent of all weapon-related transactions in the underworld.
Whereas he had once dealt only in sales, he now oversaw manufacturing, illegal production, and distribution as well, and his business was thriving.
“Hahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!”
Jeren had deliberately filled a bathtub with paper bills—something hardly anyone used anymore these days—and was basking in pure happiness.
He had once heard that the drug king of a country called Mexico had so much money that he buried it underground.
He might not have reached that level yet, but he felt he could at least sympathize with how that man must have felt.
“No matter how much I spend, my money never runs out~!”
As far as untraceable money beyond the government's reach was concerned, he might actually possess more wealth than the president of an average mid-sized MegaCorp.
His life had completely turned around.
If he truly wanted to spend all this money freely, he would need to launder it through banks and various businesses several times.
But who cared?
At this very moment, he was happy enough not to envy even an emperor.
He had bought a brand-new flying sports car.
He had bought a mansion.
Perhaps it was about time to replace the wallpaper and even the toilet with solid gold.
Experiencing the discomfort of a bathroom so flashy that he couldn't even relieve himself properly didn't sound too bad.
As Jeren happily drifted through such fantasies, an incoming call suddenly interrupted him.
“Hm?”
The caller was none other than Kim Cheolsu.
The man had been busy managing the organization and numerous businesses lately, so receiving a call from him was unusual.
With equal parts anticipation and concern, Jeren accepted the call.
“Yes, speaking.”
Although they were essentially equals because they shared the secret regarding "that person," publicly Kim Cheolsu still ranked above him.
Since someone could always be listening, Jeren spoke politely.
[Busy?]
“No. I was just resting.”
[This is important.]
Listen to this guy putting on such a deep voice.
He's only a puppet boss, yet he's acting so imposing.
Well...
They did say that a position changed a person.
Compared to only a few months ago, he certainly carried himself much more convincingly as the King of the Underworld.
“What kind of important matter?”
[It's regarding the VIP. I'll send people over.]
“The VIP...!?”
The VIP meant "that person."
The moment Jeren became tense—
Bang!
The swimming pool doors burst open as a crowd of men in suits flooded inside.
Without another word, they each pulled out a sack and immediately began scooping bundles of cash from the pool.
“W-What the hell!? Who are you people!?”
[Leave them alone. They're my men.]
As Jeren panicked, Kim Cheolsu calmly reassured him over the phone.
“I know they're on our side just by looking at them!”
“But that's not the issue!”
“Why are they suddenly taking my money!?”
[It's the VIP's order.]
[They require assistance.]
“What...?”
The mention of "that person" once again caused Jeren's expression to twist.
Not out of anger.
But out of inner conflict.
Even if it was "that person"...
Was it really alright to extort someone else's money like this?
Of course, everything he owned had only been possible because of "that person"...
“Grrrrgh...”
Standing there in nothing but his swimsuit, Jeren agonized.
His faith in "that person" was being tested.
Should he continue following them and simply watch his fortune disappear?
Or should he defy their will and protect his money?
He continued struggling with himself.
And eventually...
He reached a conclusion.
“Hey, you lot!”
He shouted at the organization members carrying away his money.
His sharp voice instantly filled the room with tension.
“So the Boss told you to collect money, right?”
“A few of you come with me!”
“I'll open the vault!”
He chose faith.
—There's somewhere you all need to go.
—Where is it?
—The Hunting Ground.
After returning to the Academy, Airy repeatedly replayed that conversation with Aaron in her mind.
Although Aaron had briefly explained the Hunting Ground, she still couldn't fully understand it.
‘A ticket that lets you travel to another world...’
Of course, this was a world where magic, angels, and demons openly existed.
The existence of another dimension wasn't particularly surprising.
Besides, Aaron was someone who hid countless secrets.
It wouldn't be strange if he possessed such an extraordinary item.
There were probably many things even he himself couldn't explain completely.
So questioning the existence of the Hunting Ground itself seemed meaningless.
What truly puzzled her was why Aaron had issued such an order.
—Hunt the [Mystics] there.
—Bring back as much Essence and as many materials as possible.
—May I ask what you'll use them for?
—I'm going to sell them.
—...What?
Sell them?
To whom?
Wasn't it illegal to distribute [Mystics] byproducts however one pleased?
Well, legality aside...
Why all of a sudden?
A man who already had more money than he could ever spend...
Did he suddenly need cash?
‘It definitely seems related to the Stingray Group somehow...’
The fact that he had brought up the Hunting Ground immediately after speaking with his younger sister, Kalia, made that much obvious.
He had also said he was "preparing."
There had to be a connection.
Still...
She couldn't understand how operating in the Hunting Ground would actually help him.
Nor could she figure out the exact chain of cause and effect.
When Airy questioned Aaron about it—
—I can't explain many parts of it.
—So I'd like you to persuade the others in the Special Class and lead them instead.
—...Alright.
—I'll do my best.
Since his answer amounted to "The details are confidential," Airy had no choice but to simply nod.
She had been the one to promise she would help him with whatever he asked.
She couldn't very well go back on her word now.
Thus, Airy went about persuading the members of the Special Class.
Fortunately, despite her rather vague explanation, they all agreed to accompany her.
A few days later.
The promised day finally arrived.
Gathering in Miyu's dormitory workshop, they each had their equipment and modules inspected.
“Move your arms and legs, please.”
“Yes, response speed is normal.”
“Ms. Reina, your systems are all green.”
“Next, I'll check Silence.”
“Please activate your Optical Camouflage Module.”
“Module online.”
“Take a breath.”
“Inhale.”
“Exhale.”
“The camouflage becomes slightly unstable while breathing.”
“I think there's a minor error in the ambient temperature compensation settings.”
“One moment.”
“I'll make a small adjustment.”
As she spoke, Miyu removed the module from Silence's socket, connected it to a computer, and began adjusting its settings.
Meanwhile, the remaining four members of the Student Guidance Department chatted amongst themselves.
“[It's been ages since all of us got maintenance together like this, hasn't it? When was the last time? Reina, do you remember?]”
“Wasn't it when monsters appeared at the Academy?”
“We came back from the expedition to the Stingray Production Colony, and the place had already turned into a disaster.”
“[That was already last year? Time really flies. Airy, it's almost been a year since you became Student Council President.]”
“Seriously.”
“I've come to Miyu for maintenance a few times because of exams, but this is the first time all of us have gathered together.”
“And we've got a new member too.”
“Have you introduced yourselves yet?”
“[The junior should greet us first.]”
“......How old-fashioned of you, Senior.”
“[What did you say?]”
“Hoho, forgive me.”
“This humble monk is known as Dharma Protector.”
“I once devoted myself to Buddhist cultivation until Chairman Aaron Stingray happened to notice me, allowing me to enjoy such good fortune.”
“So you're... a monk?”
“This is my first time seeing a monk attend the Academy.”
“Such are the workings of fate, hoho.”
The module inspections and adjustments concluded amidst the cheerful atmosphere.
Once everyone had finished preparing, they equipped their gear and gathered together.
Airy then pulled a ticket from inside her jacket.
Everyone's attention turned toward it.
She immediately began explaining.
“Apparently, this is a ticket that lets us enter the Hunting Ground.”
“Please take one each.”
“It's purple?”
“Yeah.”
“Apparently each color represents a different difficulty.”
“Purple is the easiest.”
“Then indigo.”
“Then blue.”
“[So it follows the colors of the rainbow.]”
“This humble monk wouldn't mind heading straight to a red one.”
“Be patient.”
“The Chairman said he'll give us higher-ranked tickets depending on our performance in the Purple Hunting Ground.”
“You all remember what we're supposed to do there, right?”
“I do.”
“We simply beat everything to death, do we not?”
“[......U-Um... isn't this junior a little scary?]”
“Alright, enough chatting.”
Airy once again brought the increasingly chaotic atmosphere under control.
“This is real combat.”
“If we're careless, we could actually lose our lives.”
“So don't let your guard down.”
“Let's all do our best.”
“[Ooh, you've really got the presence of a Student Council President now.]”
“Quiet, Senior.”
Airy immediately dismissed Silence's teasing.
Beside them, Reina quietly pinched the back of Silence's hand.
“Anyway!”
“If everyone's ready...”
“Take your tickets.”
Airy distributed the tickets to everyone.
Each of them gripped theirs tightly.
Ready to tear them at any moment.
“When I count down from three, tear them at the same time.”
“[What a fascinating item.]”
“Senior...”
“Have you noticed you've been talking nonsense more often lately?”
“[Ow! Reina! Stop pinching my hand! Alright already!]”
Amid the lively atmosphere, Airy let out a small sigh and began counting.
“Three.”
Everyone tightened their grip on their tickets.
“Two.”
They looked at one another.
“One.”
Riiip!
They tore their tickets.
Their forms instantly dissolved into the air.
Watching the place where they had vanished, Miyu quietly murmured,
“......Everyone...”
“Please come back safely.”
At that same time.
When Aaron received Miyu's report that the Special Class students had departed for the Hunting Ground, he was in the middle of reviewing documents Maria had submitted.
“......That concludes my report.”
“What about Kalia?”
“At the current rate, she is expected to secure at least twenty-three percent of the shares in Stingray Myteric Technomodules.”
“There have also been reports that she recently held a private meeting with the President of H&Q Bank.”
“There is a high probability that the information is accurate.”
“And?”
“If H&Q Bank approves the loan in the near future, she will acquire more than fifty percent of the shares in Stingray NanoMystic Labs.”
“As a result, she will secure an additional two percent of the shares in Technomodules.”
“So, twenty-five percent in total.”
“She won't be easy to deal with.”
Aaron murmured those words with a faint smile.
He looked astonishingly relaxed.
Maria simply couldn't understand his attitude.
“Young Master.”
“May I say something?”
“Go ahead.”
“I believe you are being far too complacent.”
It was extremely rare for Maria to speak so directly.
That alone showed just how anxious she was.
“Miss Kalia's movements became clear several months ago.”
“To be perfectly frank...”
“It is already too late.”
“Even if you entered the competition for shares now in an attempt to secure voting rights...”
“You would require at least several trillion Credits.”
“And no bank would be willing to cooperate.”
“It would result in enormous losses.”
“Maria.”
“......Yes, Young Master.”
“I have a lot of money.”
“......Pardon?”
Maria was left dumbfounded.
She couldn't tell whether he was joking or serious.
But...
She no longer felt that saying anything further would make him listen.
“Young Master...”
“You said Kalia convinced various banks and directors to gather twenty-five percent?”
“Well.”
“Let her do her best.”
“Could you please tell me what you're planning?”
“Even just a little?”
“Hmm.”
After thinking for a moment at Maria's earnest request...
Aaron answered.
“Before long...”
“The city's economy will collapse.”