I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 93

Bodo scratched his head.

As the attack reached its climax, there were too many interesting scenes to broadcast. Moreover, the viewers’ tastes were too diverse. So, Cassette began to brief.

‘Let’s settle this! The main quest is that the auction house has been attacked, and Jien is protecting the client with his team and moving to the upper floor.’

‘Didn’t Amy still hide just now?’

‘Yes, it’s amusing. As a broadcaster, I find it amusing when people run away.’

‘Didn’t I miss it a moment ago? What about Chris and that silent girl?’

‘They are approaching the auction house through the pipes.’

‘Ah, the quest is becoming a heist? It’s an action scene… That’s quite an interesting material.’

Bodo thought for a long time.

‘What about the three people from the Hunter Association? Someone should respond to the attack.’

‘That’s because the 1st zone has complex political relationships.’

‘Hmm…’

Bodo monitored Lucia and suddenly exclaimed.

‘Turn off the main cam with that. It’s a crucial scene. Drama needs conflict too.’

‘Okay! Got it.’

* * *

The Hunter Association consisted of 12 branches. The 7th branch was responsible for Rain City. The association’s every move was carried out with the permission of the branch chief. But.

‘Do not deploy.’

A middle-aged man with cold eyes.

He was the 6th-grade hunter Ramsilma, the leader of the 7th branch. And the building opposite him…

“It’s the Hunter Association’s job to respond to the terrorism of these villains. Without a clear reason, we cannot follow the prohibition order.”

Lucia Elquines.

Her role was that of a high-ranking officer in the Hunter Association, beneath Ramsilma’s position.

“…?”

Ramsilma glared at Lucia with an unpleasant look, but Lucia couldn’t back down. If she retreated here, it would mean immediate quest failure.

“It’s because we can’t stop them with our current strength. We’ve requested support from the 1st branch, so it should arrive within two days.”

However, Ramsilma’s words were nothing but a pretext. Ramsilma’s true goal was to suppress Sky Group.

“‘It’s been a while since we’ve been in the black, and now we’re not even making donations anymore…’

The Christie Auction House was owned by Sky Group, and there was also the president’s only daughter, Yume, there.

‘Who’s going to take the opportunity this time, and make sure they know it.’

But Ramsilma’s thoughts were far from Lucia’s resistance. To appear fair, Ramsilma had to use his last resort.

“I won’t sacrifice the association’s hunters on my own command. However, I won’t stop hunters who volunteer.”

The permission was not given, but Lucia remained silent.

The reason was due to her quest content.

[Quest – You are a high-ranking officer in the Hunter Association. Stop the hunters and rebels.]

[Details – At least two hunters affiliated with the association. If the quest fails, a mana seal penalty will be given.]

The situation was urgent now.

It was impossible to find a hunter to support now. Yet, Lucia smiled at Ramsilma.

“…Supporting a hunter, of course.”

However, it was a different story for fellow hunters who had joined the gate assault.

Clang!

The door opened, and a boy with a blue head smiled brightly.

“Then! 4th-grade hunter Kua Waterpol.”

Although the atmosphere was awkward, Isabelle also pulled out her Hunter License Card.

“…4th-grade hunter Isabelle Blitz.”

“We will head to the Christie Auction House.”

Kua and Isabelle’s appearance left Ramsilma looking flustered.

“…You two just went out, and you’ve already completed your quota. Why are you going to such lengths?”

Lucia laughed at Ramsima.

“That’s it.”

Isabel and Kua stood beside her.

“It’s because we’re colleagues.”

With that, a new quest was given to Lucia.

[Quest – Stop the Rebellion.]

[Details – Clear the Gate upon success.]

“It’s quite a distance to the end, isn’t it?”

Thirty minutes had passed since the main quest began.

Finally, all members had gathered on stage.

Quack!

After the first explosion, the auction house was in chaos. People scattered, and Yume’s eyes widened in alarm.

“What are you doing, Sky Group? Is this a frontal battle against us? Do you know what you’re up to?”

Thinking about the Sky Group’s reputation in Zone 1, it was an unbelievable event. Controlling the building itself, it was a kidnapping and a scale unlike any other terror. But Ji-en’s thoughts were different.

“No, that’s why I chose this place.”

The iconic Christy of Rain City and Yume, the daughter of the Sky Group. If this operation succeeded, the Rebellion would make a name for itself across Zone 1 with just one attempt.

“This doesn’t feel right…”

Franklin gazed at Ji-en and Yume.

Ji-en, a spy for the Rebellion, was a 5-star Hunter that Franklin could never match.

“There’s no law that says stronger enemies won’t appear. To risk one’s life for such a meager gain…”

It wasn’t just Franklin. Kumo and Shin-ha-seong, who had thought the situation would be easily resolved, also looked uneasy. Yume bit her lip as she looked at the faces of her teammates.

The expression on her face was one she was familiar with.

“You…”

“What, look at me like that? I’m here to accumulate specs. Who would want to die in someone else’s place in this situation?”

Kumo said, tossing the Sky Group’s crest he had received. Yume’s eyes darkened as she grasped Kumo’s wrist.

“…Contract breach, is that what you’re saying? You think I’ll forgive that kind of thing?”

Franklin pulled Yume’s hand away.

“You’re a woman who does what she pleases, till the end. In a situation where our lives are at stake, threats like that won’t work.”

Franklin’s eyes had changed like they did when they first met.

“You’ll have to suffer the consequences of being with that group, rather than dying here.”

“…”

Yume trembled slightly, but that was all. With her life on the line, her weapons, money, and power were useless against Kumoh and Franklin.

“Team leader, those guys are after this useless woman, so let’s escape together, shall we?”

“Right!”

Kumoh gazed at Ji-en with a bright-eyed look, while Shin-ha-seong remained silent. Ji-en eventually became lost in thought.

“Of course, I won’t be able to get help.”

This is Area 1.

They were not Sabers, but Hunters, and not comrades, but team members. Ji-en’s face turned bitter as she reconfirmed this fact.

“…”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Ji-en.

As for who was holding Yume’s leash, it was clear. Yume seemed to have already anticipated the outcome, gazing at the ground. Her expression was hidden due to her bowed head, but it seemed predictable.

“I’ll stay.”

Ji-en continued calmly.

“But I won’t stop anyone from leaving. It’s useless anyway.”

Shin-ha-seong snickered at this.

“That’s right. So I’ll stay too.”

“Unexpected, team leader, but I thought you’d be the one to run away.”

Franklin’s words made Shin-ha-seong pucker his lips.

“It’s not about justice or anything. I just want to get stronger. I don’t want to spend my whole life as a 3rd-grade Hunter.”

If Ji-en could survive this terror, it was definitely possible. Hunters grow stronger and awaken when they reach their limits. Of course, this might lead to a “Mana Overload” outcome, but Shin-ha-seong’s goal was higher. Kumoh shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s okay. As long as I survive, it’s fine.”

Franklin and Kumoh left.

The two, who had abandoned their client, were cowardly, but no one could blame them in this critical situation. Yume, with her head held high, asked Ji-en with a worried expression.

“Why didn’t you and those guys… not leave? Is it because of the money?”

Yume’s words were not mocking.

She was always self-willed, but if she put on a brave mask, her true face would eventually be revealed. Yume, who was still just 17 and the heir to the group, was now just trembling with fear.

“…”

Ji-en’s true reason was the quest.

If Yume, the target of protection, died and received the “Mana Seal” penalty, no one could stop the leader of Revolution.

‘So, we’ll fail to crack the gate, I guess.’

Zhen gazed at Yume, who was staring back at her calmly.

Yume was a character within the gate. Although she looked pitiful now, she was completely unrelated to Zhen.

“That’s part of the contract content.”

However, Yume’s expression was as if she had received a lifeline despite Zhen’s cold response.

“……Yeah, it’s like that. Right.”

Bang!

The sound of the explosion and the vibrations shook the building. The urgent situation prompted Shinhahse to ask Zhen hastily.

“What’s the plan?”

‘This is Gate 5. As of now, we’ve entered a state of terror……’

It wasn’t a fully developed rebellion led by 7th-grade Hunter Red Blood, but a fledgling rebellion with only 4 members.

‘Assuming we’re targeting the auction house, Yume will be deployed with at most 1 to 2 people……’

The place to block the enemy’s support is…… Zhen quickly made her judgment.

“We’ll move to the rooftop.”

Zhen had already finished her pre-investigation when she arrived with Jin-yu.

‘The rooftop has only one entrance and exit.’

And although it’s a small possibility, there’s a chance that Hunter Association or Sky Group helicopters might be deployed later.

However, the problem is the Hunter from the rebellion below.

If we engage in battle with the enemy, Zhen and Yume will be stuck on the 7th floor.

“Do you understand? We need time.”

The magical energy rising from the rebellion below was unusual. Shinhahse walked towards the stairs and said, “Make no mistake, but if things go badly, I’ll retreat.”

As the enemy is a rebellion, Shinhahse’s defeat was already predicted. However, the time his defeat would buy was an invaluable opportunity for Zhen. Zhen spoke to Shinhahse in a friendly tone.

“Yes. I don’t want to attend a teammate’s funeral either.”

“That’s a joke, isn’t it?”

Yume’s voice trembled as she said to Zhen, “I… I’ll definitely compensate you……”

But Zhen’s expression was unreadable. However, Yume could sense her mood from her tone.

“Shut up.”

“…What?”

Yen looked at Yume. Yume’s body tensed up under Yen’s piercing gaze.

“It wasn’t because you wanted to receive money from the Shinhaseong.”

Yen’s sharp words.

Yume tried to come up with an excuse, but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

“That… that’s…”

“Don’t sully Shinhaseong’s intentions just because your heart is at ease.”

Yen turned his back on Yume and Yume silently walked out to the rooftop.

***

Level 2 of the Auction House.

Mana was bound to Amy, a normal cameraman, and Bruno, a 5th-grade Hunter, was unable to chase them away. Eventually, the cameraman started filming, and Amy held the microphone while wiggling her legs.

“Net! As you said, the setting is complete.”

“Is that it? Can I talk while you’re watching?”