Chapter 158

When there’s prey, the predator moves.

No matter when, no matter where.

“Russia is incredibly arrogant.”

Queen Elizabeth III.

She took a sip of hot black tea and looked at James.

Her blue eyes were serene, but James knew just how cold and decisive the woman before him truly was.

“It’s a shallow attempt to manipulate us into attacking Korea, but I see no reason to refuse.”

James openly shared his thoughts.

“Is that so?”

Elizabeth III smiled faintly.

“Eat them both… is that what you’re thinking, Director James?”

James looked at her and replied.

“The Reaper is already prepared.”

His answer clearly conveyed his meaning: no further words were needed.

The Reaper was hidden, powerful, and its loyalty was absolute.

Furthermore, the majority of the special Hunters comprising The Reaper were British, so betrayal was not a concern.

“And you?”

The Queen looked to the other side and asked.

There, an elderly gentleman with a distinguished air sat on an ornately decorated sofa.

Henry Rothschild.

He was the head of the Rothschild family, an aristocratic lineage inseparable from the history of Britain.

Before the Mega Shock, they wielded unparalleled influence behind the scenes of the world, but after the Mega Shock, they receded into the shadows of history.

Yet, that was merely their method of survival.

They had already joined hands with the British Royal Family, planning for the future.

Thanks to this, Henry Rothschild could now sit in the office of Queen Elizabeth III, the most influential monarch in Europe.

Henry, with a composed expression, looked at the Queen and spoke.

“If there’s no hunt…”

A dry smile appeared on Henry’s lips.

It was also the smile of a hegemon who had moved the world while hidden in the shadows.

“Then, the hunting dogs would be unnecessary, Your Majesty.”

The Queen gazed at him for a moment after his words, then let out a small laugh.

“You’re always so decisive, Henry. I like that.”

While the British Royal Secret Intelligence Service handled vast amounts of information, the intelligence capabilities of the Rothschilds, once the most powerful hegemons, were beyond imagination.

Their judgments, based on massive Big Data analyzed with extreme clarity by countless scholars, were remarkably incisive.

Henry’s words now indicated that the calculations were already complete.

In other words, The Reaper, alongside the supernova Kang Yuseong of Korea, was fully capable of confronting even Russia.

“I’ve heard there’s a dungeon in Japan called the ‘Twilight Caverns’.”

The Queen cast her gaze toward James.

James nodded.

“That’s correct. The monsters that appear there are high-grade, and as a large dungeon, it’s highly coveted by Hunters.”

“Given that… how do you think America will react?”

James stared intently at the young Queen.

The Queen intended to use the trap Russia had set as bait to draw in America instead.

Britain would confront Russia and Korea, but not alone.

By throwing Japan before America, the Queen’s shrewd judgment was now being displayed, aiming to provoke their intervention.

“You would… give Japan away?”

The Queen smiled faintly.

“It’s not ours to begin with, so there’s nothing to give or not give. But wouldn’t America be pleased?”

The Queen was right.

How many years had America invested in Japan up until now?

It was a fact that they had taken control of Japan, manipulating it under the guise of countering North Korea and China for hegemony in Northeast Asia.

But now, Korea had unexpectedly emerged and completely shattered that dynamic.

This was absolutely not a situation where America could stand by and merely watch.

And if they were to intervene, Russia’s scheme would be instantly nullified, leaving Korea pressured from all sides.

“Indeed… worthy of being called the Iron Queen, Your Majesty.”

Henry quietly brought his teacup to his lips and spoke.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea either. Considering future threats, giving up Japan wouldn’t be a waste.”

“Well, we can just consider it on loan for a while.”

Watching the Queen, who was painting a grand picture, James spoke again.

“Shall we proceed?”

The Queen smiled gently.

“This promises to be interesting. Proceed.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

The Queen’s eyes turned towards the scenery outside the window.

The British Empire.

This was an opportunity for Britain, once known by that name, to leap forward once more.

With Europe already firmly in her grasp, she intended to extend her power eastward, just as her ancestors had once done.

Operation East Sunshine thus began.

* * * * *

After bringing down China, Kang Yuseong was tirelessly busy.

Distributing the vast territories spanning Japan, North Korea, and China, and deploying the Republic of Korea Army, was one thing, but the issue of dungeon allocation for the guilds that participated in the war was also complicated.

Fortunately, in these matters, the various Guild Masters demonstrated seasoned control, and negotiations progressed without much difficulty.

However, just as countless hypotheses and scenarios had emerged for the reunification of North and South Korea, completely absorbing nations with different systems was an extremely challenging task.

Officials with specialized knowledge in various fields were dispatched to the conquered territories, and the government established a TF team for new territorial governance strategies, working day and night for days to produce data. In the Republic of Korea, brilliant minds gathered to devise solutions, but ultimately, the problem was the severe lack of population.

Already, about a third of the Republic of Korea’s military had been dispatched to control Japanese territory, and entire guilds from Busan, Gyeongnam, and Gyeongbuk regions had also been sent to Japan.

This was intended to preempt any potential uprisings or resistance activities.

Japan, perhaps due to the immense damage inflicted by Yoshii, didn’t show much unrest, but China was another matter.

North Korea, too, was gradually stabilizing as powerful warlords in each province cooperated with the Republic of Korea government. However, China’s vast landmass and the lingering warlords controlling its various provinces meant that complete control over them was imperative.

Of course, nuclear missile control was being progressively recovered, and warlords were being disbanded, but the costs and manpower involved were considerable.

Amidst all this, they also had to monitor the movements of Russia, America, and the European Union, meaning everything had to be managed within an incredibly complex situation.

“Hoo…”

Even Kang Yuseong, known for his prowess, often fell asleep on the sofa, utterly exhausted.

Considering that Hunters’ physical endurance already surpassed human limits, one could tell just how immense the pressure Kang Yuseong was under.

“Hey, Commander Kang.”

Beside him, Gil Hyeok-jun, who had been clutching his head, called out to him.

“Yes, Commander Gil.”

“Why did you entrust me with this and torment me? Ugh, I hate numbers and all this!”

“Dad, you’re the Northeast Commander, what can you do? You need to understand this to fight battles.”

At Gil Ji-yeon’s words from beside him, Gil Hyeok-jun sighed deeply again.

“Damn it, my head’s throbbing again. Those were the good old days, just swinging my greatsword without a care.”

Gil Hyeok-jun lamented his fate and collapsed onto the spot.

Before him lay a thick report, hundreds of pages long, detailing the complete organizational structure of the units assigned to him, the newly appointed Northeast Commander.

“Can’t I just… fight too?”

Beside him, Kim Do-jin sat with a disgusted expression, a frown on his face.

He had been entrusted with the role of Special Operations Commander, and the Hunters assigned to him were Magic Users.

It was an organization that gathered Magic Users scattered across various guilds at a national level, creating a systematic structure under Kim Do-jin to provide them with training.

It was an organization planned by Kang Yuseong, but the problem was that Kim Do-jin absolutely detested it.

“I really hate teaching people who have no talent.”

Kang Yuseong chuckled at his words.

“The guy who never complained before is finally starting to. Kim Do-jin, think about it. Where will you use those people after teaching them?”

“To fight, of course. Where else would I use them?”

“Right. But what does it mean that we’ve gathered so many people like that?”

Kim Do-jin glared at Kang Yuseong.

“Are you thinking of a world war?”

Kang Yuseong shrugged.

“Even if we aren’t… there are others who are thinking about it. For example.”

“For example?”

“America or Russia… or…”

Kang Yuseong’s expression subtly changed.

“The European Union.”

“Hmm, it’s not impossible. Those bastards, their movements are suspicious, aren’t they?”

Gil Hyeok-jun, who had been lying down, sat up and joined the conversation.

“That’s why you, Commander Gil Hyeok-jun, need to familiarize yourself with the organization quickly. Don’t you want to fight properly? Kim Do-jin, you think about it too. A massive battle, mobilizing countless people, might begin soon. Keep that in mind.”

“Hoo!”

“We’re surrounded by enemies. Frankly, if Russia pushes in from the north, the European Union from the west, and America from the east and south, can we stop them? That’s the situation we’re in right now.”

“Even so, the numbers… No, I’ll try my best, somehow. Ugh!”

“Hoo, can I just beat some sense into the untalented ones? That’s the fastest way, you know.”

“Find your own methods for that… if we don’t prepare now, we could face unforeseen circumstances. So, Kim Do-jin, I’m counting on you. And you too, Commander Gil.”

“Alright. I understand.”

“Damn it… I shouldn’t have met this guy in the first place.”

Gil Hyeok-jun and Kim Do-jin clutched their heads, shaking them in exasperation.

Ring-ring.

At that moment, Kang Yuseong’s satellite phone rang.

As the Supreme Commander, he used a satellite phone for security.

“Yes, this is Kang Yuseong.”

Few people knew this number.

And one of them was calling now.

“Understood, Mr. President.”

Kang Yuseong hung up the phone with a grim expression.

The President.

He was looking for Kang Yuseong.

* * * * *

“The President is waiting for you.”

As Kang Yuseong entered the Blue House, the Chief of Security ushered him in.

Following him into a spacious conference room, he saw cabinet members seated, and all the military’s high command were also present.

“Commander Kang Yuseong, please come in.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“First, the map.”

As Kang Yuseong wore a puzzled expression, the President pointed to an electronic monitor.

It was a map tracking military movements and deployments of various countries worldwide, and among them, unusually large dots were moving across the Pacific Ocean.

Kang Yuseong frowned.

“American aircraft carriers… aren’t they?”

The President nodded.

“That’s right. The Pacific 2nd Special Warfare Unit. And the 15th Flotilla, organized for special circumstances, are moving together. Chief of Staff.”

The Chief of Staff took the President’s cue and spoke.

“Their anticipated destination is…”

Kang Yuseong’s gaze sharpened.

“Japan.”

It was the Chief of Staff’s voice.

“They are currently invading Japan.”