Chapter 130

Yamamoto made his move.

Kang Yuseong frowned slightly at the intelligence report.

Given Yamamoto’s nature, he had somewhat anticipated this movement.

However, according to the latest intelligence, almost all of the Kyushu branch’s forces seemed to have been deployed.

‘Something… is off.’

Yamamoto’s movement itself was fine.

But the process had unfolded too quickly.

While it could be argued that Yamamoto acted on his own initiative, even accounting for that, the speed was beyond what was expected.

‘This means Yoshii tacitly approved it.’

Considering the terrifying influence of Yoshii, who controlled Japan’s Tsukuyomi Attack Unit, it was unlikely he would simply condone Yamamoto acting on his own.

‘Hmm…’

However, the Kyushu region was located in the southwest of Japan, and no movement was detected from other regions.

This meant that even if Yamamoto’s forces were annihilated, they could adequately deal with the aftermath. Yet, an unknown unease continued to prick at Kang Yuseong.

The opponent was Yoshii.

The most cunning, cruel, and perfectly calculating ruler in Japanese history.

After a moment of thought, Kang Yuseong’s expression hardened.

‘First, I’ll do what I can.’

Intercept Yamamoto.

Eliminate the one currently entering their grasp first, then strategize for what comes next. It wouldn’t be too late.

Kang Yuseong made that decision and moved.

A twenty-five-person attack unit.

They moved to intercept Yamamoto’s forces.

* * * * *

The attack unit led by Yamamoto was divided into four teams and headed towards the Fukuoka branch.

Even if Yamamoto was hot-headed and self-willed, there was a reason he held the position of a regional lord.

In actual combat, he was as tenacious as a sly old fox, and knew when to endure.

That made the attack unit he led quite formidable.

Other regional lords were well aware of Yamamoto’s nature, which was why they didn’t dare treat him lightly. He had, after all, earned his position through sheer skill.

That very Yamamoto was now marching towards Fukuoka with his full might.

Their numbers were roughly a thousand.

Divided into four teams, this meant nearly two hundred and fifty Hunters were assigned to each.

He had brought almost all his forces because he didn’t know how many Korean attackers had infiltrated Fukuoka, and with this, Yamamoto intended to completely snuff out their breath.

And when this battle was over, he would advise Yoshii.

Busan.

That he would lead the vanguard of the expedition heading there.

He knew all too well that the time was ripe, and it was time to act.

The Koreans had already provided the justification, so there would be no hesitation in trampling and ravaging their land.

As they advanced to reclaim Fukuoka, their destination finally appeared in the distance.

In that place, where lights were sparse due to the electricity-saving policy implemented across Japan after the Mega Shock, a single brightly lit building stood out.

“Hehehe…”

Yamamoto laughed chillingly.

That was the place.

They were there, in that very spot, openly provoking them.

On this pitch-black night, they had even lit up the building, sending a clear signal that they were waiting.

“Those bastards, I’ll rip them to shreds…”

They hadn’t even considered stealth operations on their way here.

Just overwhelming them with sheer force.

But seeing that building stand so arrogantly, he felt a surge of rage.

“—All units!”

Yamamoto transmitted the order, his eyes flickering with murderous intent.

At his command, all attack units tensed up.

“—The Joseon-jin hunt begins!”

Yamamoto roared with fury.

“—Hai!”

As if responding to his rage, the leaders of each team shouted back loudly.

Tatatat!

And the thousand-strong attack unit charged forward like sharpened blades.

* * * * *

“They’re coming.”

Scouts were on their side too.

At Baek Myeong-han’s words, Kang Yuseong slowly nodded.

There would be no luring them into a trap.

They intended to face them head-on and break them head-on.

After all, without Yoshii, their numbers didn’t matter.

“Numbers?”

Kang Yuseong’s emotionless voice echoed.

At that voice, Baek Myeong-han flinched.

That very voice.

Kang Yuseong was anticipating something.

Baek Myeong-han swallowed hard and replied. He had faced such situations countless times, but it was a moment he never truly got used to.

“Estimated between eight hundred and a thousand.”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

A chilling smile played on his lips.

“It’s been a while since I’ve properly held a soul requiem. Good, that many sacrifices should suffice.”

The countless resentful souls who had unjustly died at the hands of Japan in the past.

Kang Yuseong was about to respectfully perform a soul requiem for them.

By slaughtering all those numerous Japanese.

“—Attack unit.”

His low voice sent a ripple of tension through the attack unit scattered around.

“—Let’s go.”

A short command.

But the strong confidence infused in that single word made the attack unit members tremble.

Twenty-five facing a thousand enemies.

An absurd numerical disparity, yet not a trace of tension could be found on their faces.

Just before the clash, the moon shone brightly in the night sky.

* * * * *

Tatatat!

Miyamoto, leader of Yamamoto’s 1st Attack Team, rapidly advanced westward.

In this city, once home to a significant population, now only the silence of death reigned, with nothing to impede their movement.

“—Ryuichi, lead Team 1 and infiltrate.”

“—Hai!”

Ryuichi, an A-rank Hunter with exceptional combat sense and the special ability True Sight, was perfect for a night ambush.

Miyamoto sent him and a few attack unit members to act as scouts.

Ryuichi and Team 1, having received his order, charged forward.

It seemed their movements hadn’t been detected, so they moved swiftly.

Miyamoto led the other teams, quickly following behind them.

“—Team 1 reporting, no enemy presence detected within 100 meters ahead. No ambush.”

Ryuichi, using his True Sight to gather intelligence, reported back immediately.

Thanks to this, Miyamoto’s movement became much easier.

Just a little further and they would reach the Fukuoka branch building.

If their presence hadn’t been detected by now, it was highly likely the enemies were spread out around the building.

Miyamoto nodded lightly.

He already knew from data how strong the Korean attack unit was.

However, they had been caught off guard due to their carelessness.

As one who inherited the spirit of the Japanese samurai, such negligence was a sin punishable by death.

To be negligent in a battlefield where lives hung in the balance.

And to the Korean attack unit, no less.

Now they had come to teach them the folly of their arrogance.

To show them that the samurai of Great Japan were never weak.

“—Team 1.”

But when Team 1, which had been consistently sending reports, suddenly fell silent, Miyamoto frowned slightly and called out to Ryuichi.

“—…”

But there was no reply.

Instantly, Miyamoto quickly raised a hand, halting the attack unit.

His senses, honed through countless battlefields, were screaming warnings at him.

“—Team 1!”

“—…”

He tried calling again just in case, but still, no answer.

Miyamoto’s expression twisted horribly.

Of course, they might have been attacked.

But clearly, no sound had reached them.

That made no sense.

Even if Ryuichi was an A-rank Hunter, he possessed True Sight. Could such a person have died without putting up any resistance?

It was then.

Thud.

Someone stepped out of the pitch-black darkness that shrouded their path.

“Are you looking for this man?”

He asked in a chilling voice that seemed to choke the air.

Miyamoto looked closer and saw a man held in his hand.

Ryuichi.

It was him.

What was even more terrifying was that no one had noticed this person approaching so closely.

For even Miyamoto, an S-rank Hunter, to have been completely unaware of his approach was a grave matter.

‘What in the…!’

At that moment, the man before him offered a chilling smile.

And he uttered a single word.

“Blood.”

‘Blood?’

The moment Miyamoto wore a puzzled expression, something bizarre happened.

Clank, clank!

From the side, a skeleton appeared, dragging a sword along the ground.

From the skeleton’s eye sockets, a crimson glow emanated, adding to its eerie presence.

“Yes, master.”

“I grant you permission for all slaughter. Tear through them as you please.”

At those words, the crimson glow emanating from Blood’s eyes deepened. Miyamoto, watching him, felt that he was immensely pleased.

“Yes, I obey your command.”

Clang—

And Blood stood facing forward.

A single skeleton.

Its back was hunched, and it didn’t look large, yet the oppressive aura it exuded was truly terrifying.

‘Da-dangerous!’

Miyamoto, who led the 1st Attack Team under Yamamoto’s command, felt his heart nearly stop at that moment, and he instinctively recoiled.

That thing was real.

That vivid killing intent!

And this raw, untamed, primal ferocity!

Crunch!

Its bony toes dug deep into the ground.

Whoosh!

And then it leaped high into the air.

Flash!

Claaang!

‘Urgh!’

The moment the sword in its hand flashed, Miyamoto felt an immense pain, as if his hands were tearing apart.

Miyamoto was a formidable warrior, and while he managed to block Blood’s downward strike, he was slightly pushed back by its tremendous power.

Crash!

Instantly, Blood parried his sword and charged forward again.

Its movements were too fluid and graceful to be those of a mere skeleton of bones.

“Urgh!”

Cacacaclang!

Sparks flew terrifyingly in an instant as Miyamoto retreated.

“Chikusho!”

Just then, Miyamoto’s subordinates drew their weapons and charged from the side.

Claang!

Numerous weapons flashed through the air, but Blood either parried or deflected each attack, rendering them all useless.

Miyamoto honestly couldn’t help but be almost astonished by Blood’s movements.

‘H-how could this be!’

But his instincts were warning him of something even more terrifying.

Miyamoto involuntarily turned his gaze to the man standing behind Blood.

In this brutal battlefield where slaughter raged, blood splattered, and bones shattered, the man stood with an indifferent expression, as if none of it concerned him.

The moment Miyamoto saw him, he could only utter a single thought inwardly.

‘Un… unbeatable!’

It was a blow to his pride, but the immense pressure emanating from the man completely overwhelmed Miyamoto.

‘I-I must transmit!’

In truth, as they had rushed here, he had expected a skirmish, but never thought they would be pushed back.

But now, that thought was completely overturned.

They would die here.

No other thought came to mind.

“—T-Team 1, Miyamoto. Re-reporting…”

Even as he transmitted the message, the man silently watched him, as if daring him to try.

“—What is it!”

Yamamoto’s rough voice crackled through the comms.

“—Commander… re-retreat!”

Having blurted out those words unconsciously, Miyamoto thought, ‘Oh, no—’

“—What? You crazy bastard! What are you… Huh, what’s that over there!”

But suddenly, a tearing scream erupted from beyond the comms.

And countless massive pillars of fire were soaring from the direction of Yamamoto’s main unit.

At that moment, the man chuckled and took a step closer.

“It seems it’s begun. Too bad. Yamamoto won’t be hearing your transmission anymore.”

With Kim Do-jin’s pyrotechnics kicking off, the Stardust Attack Unit had begun to push back Yamamoto’s forces.

Clang—

Kang Yuseong drew his sword as well.

“Blood.”

A deep crimson glow burst from Blood’s eyes.

Kang Yuseong smiled faintly.

“Let the Requiem begin.”