Chapter 157

After the Mega Shock and the subsequent Second Shock, humanity faced monumental changes.

The old world order became largely irrelevant, replaced by a single, powerful rule: only strength mattered above all else.

Of course, as long as Russia’s and America’s conventional weapons remained potent, they couldn’t be entirely ignored.

The problem, however, was the emergence of Hunters who transcended human limitations, and their appearance could not be overlooked.

They possessed defensive and offensive capabilities that rendered conventional weapons laughable, making the military forces painstakingly maintained until then virtually useless.

A greater reason was that conventional weapons were no longer effective against the monsters spilling out of dungeons due to the Dungeon Shock.

To break through their tough carapaces, the transcendent power of Hunters was required, and this became the reason they were rising to the center stage of the world.

Among them, America, Russia, and China were undoubtedly the leading pioneers.

Naturally, as established superpowers, they could pour immense investments into training Hunters.

And the same was true for the European Union.

Although fragmented into many nations, European leaders, spearheaded by the British Royal Family, expressed strong concerns about the Dungeon Shock and agreed to share their military capabilities through the Great London Accord.

This naturally included conventional military power, as well as the sharing of Hunter intelligence and military forces.

That very European Union was now observing East Asia.

To be precise, one nation making a tremendous splash in East Asia: the Republic of Korea.

*Knock, knock.*

“Come in.”

James, Director of the British Royal Secret Service, watched the person enter and asked,

“The results?”

The tall Black man standing before him handed over a document envelope.

The envelope was stamped “Top Secret” and securely sealed.

“Here it is.”

James took it without a word and opened it.

A moment later, he put the documents back into the envelope and walked to the window.

“What are your thoughts, Wilton?”

At his words, Wilton, standing respectfully, replied,

“I merely follow Her Majesty’s decisions.”

Currently, Britain had no Prime Minister.

Amidst the chaos caused by the Dungeon Shock, the former Prime Minister had attempted a coup by mobilizing military units. However, it was discovered in advance and quelled by the Queen’s forces, leaving the Prime Minister’s office vacant.

Afterwards, the Queen, who had previously remained in the background, stepped forward to end all chaos and stabilize the nation. During this process, the vacant Prime Minister position was not even mentioned.

Instead, the British people cheered for the Queen’s powerful charisma and excellent leadership.

Since then, the Queen had continued to garner immense support by masterfully handling major affairs.

This was also why Britain had become the central nation of the European Union.

Elizabeth III.

Now, with a Queen once again on the British throne after many twists and turns, her strong leadership had successfully restored Britain to a full monarchical system.

Faced with immense chaos, everyone shared the same insecurity, a desire for something to lean on.

Elizabeth III had perfectly fulfilled that role, earning the fervent support of the British people.

“No, I asked for *your* thoughts.”

James shook his head at Wilton’s formulaic answer.

This was the Royal Secret Service.

It wielded the most formidable power in Britain at the moment, and as the Queen’s direct intelligence agency, a vast amount of information passed through it.

This was the place that gathered and interpreted that information.

Here, a sharp sense of reality was needed more than anywhere else.

“If you insist on my thoughts…”

As James pressed him again, Wilton adjusted his attire and slowly began.

“I believe there is a clear necessity to ‘handle’ this. Japan, China… I don’t know who’s next, but Korea is undoubtedly a dangerous nation.”

“Handle, you say…”

James slowly nodded.

“A long time ago, it was a small country hardly worth bothering with. Now, it’s grown quite a bit. But Wilton, should we fall for the Russians’ games?”

James held up the document envelope and looked at Wilton.

The documents inside contained a great deal of information.

Though cleverly disguised, it couldn’t escape the Royal Secret Service’s scrutiny.

The Russians intended to use them to eliminate Korea.

America likely knew this fact as well.

Yet, they had made no contact.

They were just watching from the sidelines.

If the European Union and Korea fought and weakened each other, it would be a win-win for them without lifting a finger.

“That game…”

A cold glint flashed in Wilton’s eyes.

“They likely don’t realize that their games will ultimately tighten the noose around their own necks.”

James smiled faintly.

The European Union hadn’t been idle all this time.

While China operated the Black Wind Unit and America deployed the Delta-Strikers, the European Union had secretly created a powerful Hunter unit.

The Reaper.

The strongest secret organization, formed by enhancing special forces members from various European nations.

“I’ll need Her Majesty’s approval, then.”

James murmured.

Wilton stood rigidly in place, silent.

* * * * *

“A word, please!”

“How did it feel entering the Chinese Presidential Palace?”

“Please share your thoughts!”

As Kang Yuseong led the Northern Expeditionary Force back to the Republic of Korea, countless flashes erupted, and a barrage of questions from reporters poured in.

Innumerous cameras, and a fervent media frenzy.

It was understandable.

In the history of the Korean Peninsula, it was the first time they had advanced beyond the Manchurian plains to attack mainland China.

The fact that they had also collapsed North Korea before entering made it even more significant.

There was likely no citizen of the Republic of Korea who wouldn’t be thrilled at this moment.

Amidst the clamor of flashing cameras, Kang Yuseong stood tall, looking at them.

“I…”

As he spoke, the surroundings fell silent.

“I believe I merely did what needed to be done. Whatever the circumstances, I simply fought to save a nation teetering on the brink of collapse.”

“It’s hard to believe we conquered Japan and even brought down China! Was there some special strategy involved?”

Kang Yuseong smiled.

“Of course, there was a strategy. But more than that, I believe the greatest strength came from the President, military commanders, and ministers moving as one during this opportunity. Thanks to that, we were able to fight and defeat China, who sought to swallow our nation.”

“What do you plan to do now?”

“What are your future plans?”

Reporters barraged him with more questions, but Kang Yuseong’s aide stepped in.

“Alright, alright, we’ll provide ample press releases, but this concludes today’s interview. The expeditionary force is extremely fatigued…”

Kang Yuseong turned his back on them and walked away.

He had accomplished something monumental, something impossible even in the past.

And what he felt now was only a profound sense of regret.

If only they could have united and moved as one in the past…

If only they could have acted without internal strife, the outcome would have been entirely different.

Back then, Kang Yuseong himself was struggling just to survive, overwhelmed by the immediate challenges.

Amidst that, his enemies made their moves, and despite holding immense power, Kang Yuseong inevitably fell.

But now, it was different.

Now, from the President down, everyone deeply trusted him, and the same was true for the military and the government.

Guild Masters, too, and the public as well.

In that moment, Kang Yuseong recalled a single word.

‘Monarch…’

Monarch.

It was not given to just anyone.

The title of Monarch was not something anyone could possess, nor something anyone could maintain.

It was a title bestowed only upon the chosen.

A title completely unrelated to any position established by humans.

When one obtained the Monarch title, new power was granted.

But it seemed that time was not yet.

He hastened his steps back home.

Today, a bathtub full of hot water felt particularly inviting.

He needed to rest.

* * * * *

*Whoosh—*

In a bathtub filled with water hot enough to soothe his entire body, Kang Yuseong was enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Reflecting, he realized he had been rushing forward so breathlessly that he couldn’t recall when he last felt such ease.

‘Hoo…’

Since returning to the past, he had to diligently move to prevent monster attacks and fend off the checks and balances from other nations targeting the Republic of Korea.

He had scouted people and prepared for the events that were soon to come.

But there was still much left to do.

Kang Yuseong opened his closed eyes.

He wanted to soak mindlessly, but his mind was filled with worries about the future.

‘They’re coming soon.’

America, Russia, the European Union…

One of them would likely make a move soon.

In fact, Kang Yuseong wanted that.

If a clash was inevitable, it was better to get it over with quickly.

But he had to consider which one would come first.

Because the countermeasures would differ accordingly.

‘America? Russia? Or… Europe…?’

America had already retreated, its pride severely wounded.

They were likely biding their time, lurking in the shadows.

‘Not America. Then…’

Fyodor of Russia, as Kang Yuseong knew, was a fiercely brutal man, yet also cunning.

The man was a master of sowing discord, and in the past, there were instances where nations, caught in his schemes, waged war against each other and both fell. Russia then leisurely took over both countries.

For that reason, Fyodor would never initiate a full-scale war.

Then, the European Union was the most likely possibility.

But the European Union wouldn’t make a reckless move either.

‘Unless there’s something to tempt them.’

Elizabeth III, the de facto Monarch of the European Union, was an extremely meticulous and cold-blooded queen.

There was a high probability that America or Russia would try to scheme against her, but whether she would actually make a move was uncertain.

*Tap-tap—*

Kang Yuseong softly tapped the bathtub.

‘Something that could tempt them.’

At some point, Kang Yuseong stopped tapping the bathtub.

That was it.

The answer was simple.

In the past, America’s invasion of Iraq, using Kuwait as an excuse, was to gain control over oil.

If it was oil in the past, now it was…

‘Dungeons.’

Across the vast expanse of China, an enormous number of dungeons were spread out.

And because these were places meticulously managed by the Chinese government, there were countless high-quality dungeons.

If, as now, the number and quality of Hunters were indicators of military power, then the existence of dungeons to train them was absolutely indispensable.

‘They’ll be coming soon.’

A cold smile touched Kang Yuseong’s lips.

If an enemy were to come, it was highly likely to be from Europe.