Chapter 126

The Korean Strait.

Also known as the Genkai Sea, this strait lies between Japan and South Korea.

Described as a sea of pitch darkness, it held countless stories between Japan and their nation.

Across this single strait, the two countries had woven a history of both benevolence and animosity for centuries.

*Whoosh—*

A single vessel was traversing the Korean Strait.

It was not a warship, and certainly not a passenger liner.

It was a rather shabby fishing boat, but one would never see it that way if they knew its true nature.

The fishing boat was covered by a large net, a special net designed to absorb radar waves.

A fishing boat that would never show up on radar.

In other words, a ghost ship was silently making its voyage.

Its destination was Hakata Port in Fukuoka, Japan.

The boat was currently passing Hitakatsu Port on Tsushima, heading directly for Hakata Port in Fukuoka.

The fishing boat not only had a protective shield that neutralized radar waves, but its engine had also been modified to be exceptionally powerful, allowing it to move at great speed.

This was only possible because Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force had been significantly weakened after the Mega Shock.

The massive tidal waves that struck during the Mega Shock had swallowed a considerable portion of Japan’s fleet, and subsequent monster attacks had completely sealed their fate.

On this vessel bound for Fukuoka Port was the Stardust Attack Unit.

“There it is.”

Baek Myeong-han spoke, gazing at a city faintly glowing in the dim light of dawn.

Fukuoka.

It was now visible.

“Team Leader Baek.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Kang Yuseong, who had been observing Fukuoka, issued a low command.

“Prepare the attack unit for combat. The battle will begin soon.”

For the past week, Kang Yuseong hadn’t just been training.

Using Star Pharmaceuticals’ capital, he had meticulously assessed Japan’s current situation and thus chosen Fukuoka as their initial landing point.

The Tsukuyomi Southern Branch.

Their base was located right in Fukuoka.

The current Tsukuyomi was completely under the control of Monk Yoshii.

However, their status as an enemy of South Korea remained unchanged.

In the past, they had raised the Rising Sun Flag and ravaged the Korean Peninsula, and it would be no different now.

The seeds of disaster must be cut down early.

There was no need for even a shred of pity.

How many times had foolish, small acts of compassion towards an enemy ruined everything?

Forgiveness was only possible when a blade was plunged into the enemy’s heart, and prayers were offered for their soul.

Therefore, Kang Yuseong intended to completely wipe out Tsukuyomi.

Since they were all connected to Yoshii, disturbing Tsukuyomi would surely make Yoshii move.

*Thump—*

By then, the fishing boat had reached Hakata Port.

It would have been bustling in the past, but now it was different.

Dungeons and monsters weren’t just found on land, after all.

Now, in the aftermath of the Second Shock, monsters existed even in the sea.

Consequently, countless fishermen who had gone out to sea for work had died from monster attacks.

Thus, while there were many fishing boats in Fukuoka Port, no fishermen were going out to sea. Kang Yuseong had perfectly grasped all these circumstances.

“Disembark.”

At Kang Yuseong’s command, the attack unit swiftly began to disembark from the boat.

And they quickly took their positions.

The most crucial thing was not to be detected during infiltration.

*Thump-thump-thump—*

The reconnaissance team quickly advanced, secured their positions, and reported back.

“Eleven o’clock, no personnel.”

“One o’clock, no personnel.”

“Three o’clock, no personnel.”

Reports came in from the three perfectly secured directions, and Kang Yuseong nodded.

The initial phase was not bad.

“Move stealthily and assault Target A. Maintain radio silence from now on.”

“Roger.”

“Roger.”

Twenty-five might seem like a small number, but moving as a single group would inevitably draw attention.

Thus, they planned to split into three teams and head towards the Tsukuyomi Fukuoka Branch.

The Tsukuyomi Fukuoka Branch was approximately twenty minutes away from their current location.

*Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—*

The attack unit moved swiftly.

These attack unit members had already completely transcended human limits.

They sprinted across Fukuoka Port with a speed akin to someone running a hundred-meter dash at full throttle.

“Civilian contact. Neutralizing.”

While they held ill will towards Japan, they hadn’t degenerated to the point of killing civilians.

Kang Yuseong had previously ordered them to only subdue enemy civilians if encountered, and it seemed Team 1 had done just that.

They had been subdued with a special drug manufactured by Star Pharmaceuticals, so they wouldn’t wake up for about seven hours. By then, the situation would already be over.

In this manner, the attack unit rapidly approached the Tsukuyomi Fukuoka Branch.

And after about ten minutes, a radio call came in from Team 2, which was leading the charge.

“Enemy spotted. Awaiting main force.”

As expected, there were Japanese Hunters there.

Team 2 included highly experienced Hunters, including Baek Myeong-han.

“Report scale.”

“First floor, three sentries at each of the two doors. Second floor, five sentries near the balcony, but they appear negligent in their duties. Internal situation is not visible.”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

With the precise report, an image of the Fukuoka Branch formed in his mind.

He had already obtained satellite images of the Fukuoka Branch.

‘Six sentries on the first floor. Five on the second.’

As Kang Yuseong considered various infiltration routes, he focused on one sentence in Baek Myeong-han’s report.

‘Negligent in their duties… Of course. Heh heh!’

No one would even imagine that the Japanese mainland would be attacked.

Their sentry duty was likely just a formality.

“Team 1, neutralize the sentries at the first-floor doors. Team 2, breach the door and quickly enter the premises. Team 3, take out the sentries on the second floor and provide rear support.”

“Roger!”

Team 1 was led by a veteran Hunter named Jeong Tae-guk, Team 2 by Team Leader Baek Myeong-han, and Team 3 by Gil Hyeok-jun. The most challenging sentry elimination task was assigned to Team 3; the others wouldn’t be as difficult.

And Kim Do-jin and Kang Yuseong, the two of them, would take a different route.

‘Swift and decisive. Finish the attack in an instant.’

Their objective wasn’t this Fukuoka branch itself.

This was bait.

Kang Yuseong intended to cast a plausible bait to catch a big fish.

To do that, it was better to strike quickly and dismantle it.

Time was definitely not on their side.

“Operation start, 5, 4, 3…”

Kang Yuseong watched the second hand of his watch, then suddenly looked straight ahead and uttered coldly.

“Infiltrate.”

The moment that terse command fell, the hidden attack unit moved.

*Whoosh—*

*Thwack!*

“Gurgle!”

Team 1 rushed out so swiftly they were almost invisible, subduing the sentries.

The six sentries were too easily overwhelmed by Team 1’s members, ending up sprawled on the ground.

*CRASH—*

At the same time, the thick door flew inward.

“Enemy!”

Sentries patrolling inside rushed towards the shattered doorway. Their number was roughly twenty.

*Thump-thump-thump—*

But the beings they were facing were the Stardust Attack Unit.

They moved silently, weaving through the sentries, plunging knives into their sides, brutally grabbing their necks, and smashing their heads against the floor.

*CRACK!*

“Ugh!”

*CRASH—*

*SMASH!*

Sentries were sent flying through the air, crashing into walls, and heads were severed in scenes that unfolded everywhere.

The members of Team 2 were those who had shared life and death with Kang Yuseong.

They were individuals who had survived countless brushes with death.

Not only did they have extensive combat experience, but their grit and viciousness were second to none.

*Rat-a-tat-tat—*

Not just Hunters, but it seemed there were also regular guards, as rifle fire could be heard.

However, they were up against Awakened individuals who had transcended human limits.

Team 2, dodging bullets in an instant, subdued the riflemen.

*Swish!*

*Thud!*

The twenty-strong security detail was instantly brought down.

It was then.

*CRASH!*

Suddenly, the second-floor balcony and the windows connected to it shattered, and torn limbs scattered haphazardly. One Hunter, whose head had been ripped open, had wide, staring eyes, starkly showing how shocked he had been.

Team 3 had moved.

*BOOM—*

And continuous roars, as if the building itself was being smashed, echoed from the second floor.

Gil Hyeok-jun.

He had entered the second floor, greatsword in hand, and was smashing everything to pieces.

Screams and shouts resounded one after another, but Gil Hyeok-jun and the attack unit members he led paid them no mind.

*CRASH—*

*THUD!*

A corpse, severed at the waist, was thrown out of the second floor, smashing through a window.

“Second floor clear.”

Attack Teams 1, 2, and 3 all reported mission completion, having fully demonstrated their prowess.

However, the person who should have received those reports was in a completely unexpected location.

*THUD—*

As soon as the fight began, Kang Yuseong swiftly flew, heading directly for the basement.

He then smashed through the steel door leading to the basement and burst inside.

Thieving Eye.

Already, his eyes could see every situation within the building.

The moment Team 1 crushed the sentries and Team 2 broke down the main door, Kim Do-jin and Kang Yuseong moved instantly.

“Wh-who are you?!”

The basement contained a spacious area, where various electronic equipment and strange objects were laid out.

Unlike one side, which was filled with state-of-the-art equipment, the other side presented a very eerie and gruesome sight.

Medieval torture devices, used to execute prisoners on racks, stood lined up.

And on the floor, dried bloodstains were vivid.

Kang Yuseong frowned upon seeing it.

This incongruous scene signified only one thing.

Heart extraction must have taken place here.

And it would have been delivered to Monk Yoshii.

Kang Yuseong ground his teeth.

“These maggots…!”

A chilling blue glow erupted from his eyes.

“I’ll rip every single one of you to shreds!”

How could humans commit such wicked deeds against other humans?!

The terrible stench of resentment still emanating from the pooling blood on the floor…

“Damn you!”

At that moment, a massive Hunter nimbly lunged towards Kang Yuseong.

He held a large hammer in both hands and swung it directly at Kang Yuseong.

*CLANG—*

But at that instant, a deafening roar, as if tearing eardrums, reverberated.

The people inside covered their ears with pained expressions.

And a moment later, an expression of disbelief was clearly etched in their eyes.

The iron hammer, swung with immense power.

That iron hammer was absurdly stopped by a single finger of the man whose eyes radiated killing intent.

He spoke in Korean, yet his voice was strange, somehow conveying understanding directly to their minds.

“Do not expect mercy. I will tear you to shreds, down to your very souls.”

*RROOAARRR!*

A dark aura surged madly from his entire body.

And his eyes…

…were completely stained crimson with bloodlust.