Chapter 392. Don't Live a Life of Sin (5)
'So gate nas can change midway, huh.'
And since the word used in the new na was taken from the "Seven Deadly Sins", if the sins the dungeon referred to were indeed the sa as those described in humanity's scriptures, a pessimistic prediction soon arose: at least five more similar nests could appear in the future.
'Anger and jealousy...'
By the way, these things that are so essential for survival... and yet they're being treated as the source of all evil?
'It probably just ans they're regulating it according to the level of severity, anyway.'
Earthlings seed fairly accustod to this pattern, but to an alien, those seven concepts felt simply awkward. Above all, the words didn't connect as a cohesive set in the mind.
'Should I look up what the other five are in advance?'
But just because sothing is unfamiliar doesn't an you can go your whole life without knowing it. I used my phone to gather the additional information.
'Let's see... the ones that haven't appeared yet are Greed and Sloth. And the rest?'
Hoarding the family's wealth excessively, and being lazy in the face of labor and duty—commit these cardinal sins, and it's a one-way ticket to hell. Apparently, these are the typical vices defined by mammalian religions.
'If I follow what's written here to the letter, I'm 100% headed for the flas. Good thing I didn't die normally and used reincarnation magic.'
Sshe, ashk.
I rubbed my thumb across the screen to check a few more characters. I hadn't paid any attention until now, but... Anyway, judging by this, it was clear that the "feeding boxes" had been created based on Earth's literature. Moreover, this was actually a rather typical thod.
'As expected, the way things are done on Earth isn't all that different...'
If you base a monster's nest on mythology and scripture, it's only natural for soone unfamiliar with cosmic bugs to misunderstand.
[Real-ti Trends]
[1.6 Sin Classification]
[2- New Gate, Location 2]
[3.17 Earth Doomsday Theory]
The internet is already in an uproar.
[This really is divine punishnt this ti = =]
[[YTtube Shaman TV, Master Jang Channel Subscription] Everyone, what did I tell you? I clearly warned that sothing big would happen in the present world soon.]
[[Seonhan Daily Exclusive] Protest by 'Suspicious ditation Group' Supporting Doomsday Theory... With the Issue Arising Again, Police Plan to Strengthen Crackdown on Illegal Gatherings for the Ti Being]
Everyone, without exception, voiced their opinions about this dungeon.
'Since it's inspired by the religion most Earthlings follow, the uproar is naturally going to be huge...'
But the problem was that this was by no ans a good trend.
'Most people are defying the actions of the feeding boxes.'
In a way, this was a concept that only Earthlings had used, now presented in the dungeon.
On top of that, the tombstones inside the dungeon even chose a pompous tone, with inscriptions like [Do not live a life of sin]. No wonder, at first glance, it was easy to perceive this trend as the actions of a higher being.
But in reality, it was just a patchwork species showing off its typical lack of original creativity. The Gisimche had cleverly taken on a form that would be advantageous.
Yet mammals, unaware of this, interpreted the dungeon shock as if it had so grand, deliberate aning.
'Back in my hotown, magic studies had already advanced, and when we encountered feeding boxes, it wasn't like that at all.'
Of course, the more I thought about it, the more I wondered what good it really did.
'Anyway, those space travelers enjoy being worshipped for no reason. Is it all just so setup for a [Descent] or sothing~'
That was as far as my thoughts went. Even after gathering all the information, my attitude hadn't changed in the slightest.
'In any case, I'm not going to get involved in this matter recklessly.'
The gate that appeared was only an A-rank, and therefore, new strategies could be discovered in a short ti. My conclusion was that, for the ti being, observation was necessary. Even setting aside all the other reasons I ntioned, the biggest problem right now was that my ongoing research hadn't been completed.
'Today, even if I rushed in, I wouldn't be able to change the situation much. If I'm going to intervene one last ti, I might as well go all out and properly clean things up.'
So, I put aside my cherished hobby of web surfing and retreated back to the basent.
.
.
.
It happened an hour later.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry for dropping by so suddenly"
"_"
"Wow. By the way, Hunter, I heard you recently moved, and it looks like you're living in a really nice place. I know the area since I'm a local, and if the delivery address in the Association's records is correct, isn't this the place? It's built up high, with a full view of the sea right in front—"
To explain, I had stepped out briefly to buy so supplies for my research. Bundled up nicely in the scarves Esther had recently bought , I walked briskly to a local item shop. But while I was busy picking out items, so officials in a black car suddenly showed up, looking for .
"Ah, did I... talk too much? Hahaha."
The male official who had summoned to the Association building quickly began bowing repeatedly.
"If I've wasted your ti and caused any inconvenience, I apologize. However, there's a lot of information in this matter that, according to regulations, cannot be conveyed over the phone."
"Then, please get to the point."
"Yes. Yes!"
The introduction was fairly long, but the question itself was concise.
"The first thing I'd like to ask is whether you will be participating in the [Sin Classification] incident."
"Yes."
"Just as you've done in the past, if you wish to handle this matter abroad, our Association will first begin intergovernntal consultations and prepare various preliminary arrangents. This will include flights, so if you have a planned departure ti, we'd like to know it."
Up until now, it had happened because I always stepped in first during global crises.
"Did they bring up that topic this ti, expecting to act as usual?"
But that [Sin Classification] matter is a bit different. Ever since I acquired a unique-grade resource on my business trip to India, my money worries have recently decreased anyway.
"I won't go."
"Yes?"
"So..."
"Ah, I see. So this ans you won't be traveling to the UK or Finland this ti, right?"
By the way, did the second [Sin Classification] appear in Finland? It was around that ti I was trying to recall past mories. When I ntioned that an S-rank Hunter wouldn't be stepping in, a certain official, sweating profusely, displayed reactions I hadn't seen before in many ways.
"They don't seem genuinely disappointed. Overly, it's ambiguous."
So when I asked why they were rolling their eyes around so anxiously, the other person replied.
"Actually, both countries where the new gates appeared sent their proposals first."
"The proposals?"
"If you, Kim Gi-ryeo, are dispatched, they promise not only high hunting rewards but also to create diplomatic benefits for South Korea—sothing along those lines..."
"Hmm."
"Still, you don't need to worry, Hunter."
For reference, if the man in front of had told to sacrifice myself for national prestige, I would have carried out the acquisition ritual imdiately.
"Luckily, I get to spare both water and human lives at the sa ti."
Listening quietly to the conversation, it seed that the high-ranking officials in Korea had mixed feelings about the proposals from foreign dignitaries. It was good, at least, that if I, Korea's fourth S-rank Hunter, went on a business trip, so benefits would trickle down.
'But at the sa ti, they feel uneasy about sending full forces during a special incident like [Sin Classification].'
Anyway, that's how it was. Honestly, since the dungeons were only appearing in distant regions across the sea, the likelihood of Asia getting involved in this incident seed low. At this mont, I could fully understand the ambiguous attitude of that Association staff mber.
But the problem lay elsewhere.
'A dungeon in England that provokes anger, and this one that appeared in Finland stirs envy?'
If I were to interpret what he said differently, wouldn't that an other countries are now expecting my help?
"That's not good."
Here's the information I'll reveal at this point.
In fact, the na Kim Gi-ryeo beca widely known largely due to the following two incidents,
the handling of [Imoogi] and [Siren]. Of course, many other accomplishnts have accumulated since then, but the ones that carried enough symbolic weight for foreigners to recognize were ultimately those peculiar monsters.
'After gaining recognition from the Imoogi, it didn't take long before defeating the Siren, which beca the final blow to my na, according to what was written online.'
And the fact that I took on the Siren, a brainwashing-type monster, proved that my ntal resilience was strong.
'No wonder it quickly becos clear who's suitable for this mission.'
Humanity's judgnt was reasonable. However, the fact that they had accurately identified which hunter was suited for [Sin Classification] was not exactly good news from my perspective.
If humanity starts requesting business trips as if entrusting their own valuables to , wouldn't that be a really big problem then for them on?
'Of course, it's not , an alien, who should worry—it's the Earthlings who'll be dealing with the flood who have a real problem.'
So I nipped the problem in the bud before it even started. Sitting on the sofa with the arrogant posture I could never have dread of back when I was F-rank, I addressed the employee in front of like this.
'By the way, now that I think about it, I've probably been far too reckless in interfering with other countries' diplomatic affairs all this ti.'
"Yes?"
"So, on the one hand, it makes sense that they'd expect a Korean to step in again. But let make it clear—this is completely up to to decide."
"Aah."
"If people from other regions shalessly start complaining, saying things like 'Why aren't you helping us? Anyone who steps in based on their convenience is bad,' I'd just get annoyed and won't do anything. Let the Association handle the communication properly."
"Ah, yes!"
"Even if the situation becos urgent, everyone, please don't do anything that would annoy your fellow Earth neighbors..."
"Ah, of course! I'll take responsibility and make sure everything proceeds exactly as you wish, Hunter."
No matter how suitable my powers are, honestly, as long as I don't use them to harm people, it's up to how I use them.
'Thinking like this as an Alphauri, I can basically understand why Kang Changho keeps to himself.'
It was a mont filled with various thoughts. In one corner of my mind, the familiar faces of so mammals suddenly ca to mind.
Jung Haseong, Esther.
As I had realized before, I'm inherently a selfish soul, which made my attention naturally drawn to them even more.
'Esther, as a representative of the Awakened, was concerned with public safety, thinking she couldn't tarnish the image of physics, while Jung Haseong just seed to dislike seeing people from his own neighborhood get hurt.'
Self-sacrifice for such trivial reasons. And even then, is it because I've been living at a loss every ti, even to this day?
'No matter what incident breaks out, if I don't feel like it, I'll just sack off.'
Anyway, it was a sudden wonder how those timid genes on Earth had managed to survive until now. But standing in front of soone, it felt awkward to get lost in my own thoughts, so I quickly wrapped up my reflections and prepared to stand.
"Then I will clearly state that Hunter Kim Giryeo will not be intervening in this matter."
Oh, of course, let make that clear.
"Wait a minute. Oh, that... isn't confird."
"Yees?"
I adjusted the [Midnight Gloves], which had now beco little more than a fashion accessory, and spoke.
"My words may have sounded a bit negative, but honestly, I still don't know whether I'll go or not."
"Aah."
The Gisimche have been crossing the line more and more lately, so a warning action will have to be carried out at least once. It's a secret I haven't told anyone yet, but recently this Archmage ca up with a good thod. However, that research hasn't been completed yet.
"Give so ti to think. After all, [Sin Classification] is only an A-rank gate, so those countries won't have any trouble maintaining it for the ti being anyway."
"Then, if you don't mind asking, when can we expect a reply regarding this matter?"
"I can't even guarantee that, since I've been rather busy with various things this week."
No dungeon entry records for the past few days, and yet he claims to be busy? The human in front of was probably thinking exactly that in their head.
I don't even need magic—your emotions are written all over your face, buddy."
But the words I just said aren't lies. Do you know why this body can't help being busy for an entire week?
[Tiring.]
It was just as I had that thought and was stepping toward the hallway door. At that perfect mont, a ssage arrived.
[National Tax Service]
[Overseas Hunting Inco Reporting Guide]
Hello, this is the National Tax Service.
Every February is the month to report overseas hunting inco tax...]
"_"
While the Association official stayed in the room to organize so tasks, I slipped out into the hallway, wiping my eyes as I looked at my phone. For reference, this was just about the ti the great upheaval had mostly subsided. In other words, February—the month when taxes officially co due—was approaching.
User Comments
0 comments from readers