Chapter 155 – Main Camp [Serious Loss]

The loss of A-Rank Hunters was not limited to the 2nd Corps alone.

The 3rd Corps led by Alex Burke and the 1st Corps led by Ivan Ivanov had each lost one A-Rank Hunter.

In fact, the 2nd Corps had suffered relatively minor damage compared to the other corps.

Thanks to Siguk leading a five-Hunter Special Operations Unit and handling a fortress alone, the losses incurred by the 2nd Corps were only one A-Rank Hunter and three B-Rank Hunters.

However, the situation was different for the 1st and 3rd Corps.

[1st Corps: One A-Rank, 47 B-Rank dead, 13 missing.]

Ivan Ivanov reported the 1st Corps casualty situation in a heavy voice.

[3rd Corps: One A-Rank, 56 B-Rank dead, 22 missing.]

Alex Burke also mentioned the scale of the 3rd Corps’ losses in a somber tone.

In total, three A-Rank Hunters and 106 B-Rank Hunters had died, with 35 B-Rank Hunters missing.

Especially for the 3rd Corps, the damage was severe among the small-scale Combat Units that had spread out to the periphery, separate from the main force led by Alex Burke.

As this was the first time significant losses had occurred since the expedition began, all the commander-level personnel attending the meeting fell silent.

But they couldn’t remain silent forever.

Because somewhat shocking news had come from the 2nd Corps.

[Special Operations Unit Captain.]

Ivan Ivanov broke the silence and called for Siguk.

[I received a report from the 2nd Corps commander that Rudolf Krauf had become A-Rank and was defending Likasi Fortress. Please explain in detail.]

Everyone’s gaze focused on Siguk.

Feeling the stares of the five commander-level Hunters watching him from beyond the screen, Siguk opened his mouth.

“It’s exactly as stated. When I led the Special Operations Unit into the forest constituting the outskirts of Likasi Fortress, we encountered Rudolf Krauf and what appeared to be enhanced Skeleton Knights summoned by him. A fierce battle ensued, and due to the enhanced Skeleton Knights and Rudolf Krauf, three B-Rank Hunters and one A-Rank Hunter belonging to the Special Operations Unit were killed. Still, thanks to Hunter Goldenhil draining some of Rudolf Krauf’s power beforehand, I was able to finish him off easily.”

The story already heard from Liu Yaofang flowed once again from Siguk’s mouth, in a calm tone.

Ivan Ivanov wanted to hear other details, without pressing him.

[I believe it’s well known that Rudolf Krauf was originally a B-Rank Hunter. But the fact that he killed Hunter George Goldenhil, who was with the Special Operations Unit, even considering the pincer attack with the Undead, means he was no longer B-Rank, correct?]

Siguk nodded.

“That’s correct. After crossing blades with him several times, I could definitely sense power beyond the B-Rank.”

At Siguk’s definitive answer, the other five people all let out long groans, sighing or closing their eyes.

[That’s impossible. A Rank increase? That’s not possible. It’s a fact verified through numerous experiments.]

At the words of Mobile Unit Captain Olande Pompidou, Alex Burke and Liu Yaofang nodded.

But Ivan Ivanov and Julia Texon silently shook their heads.

[It’s not impossible.]

At Julia Texon’s words, everyone’s gaze turned to her.

[Ululu Tumbebe is a mysterious figure. Simply put, the fortresses he built, his Mana spread across Africa, the mutated lifeforms that evolved after being contaminated by that Mana—everything we’ve witnessed since coming here has been beyond common sense. Couldn’t we consider that he might have developed something to artificially raise a Hunter’s Rank?]

At her words, Ivan Ivanov showed no particular reaction, while the other three shook their heads with skeptical expressions.

And Siguk looked at her, suppressing a laugh.

‘Julia Texon… Is she speaking knowingly?’

The memories of George Goldenhil and Rudolf Krauf absorbed by the Familiar.

In George Goldenhil’s memories, she was one of NAC’s core members.

And in Rudolf Krauf’s memories, Ululu Tumbebe was continuing cooperation with someone called the NAC Chairman for several experiments.

One of those experiments was the artificial elevation of Superhuman Ranks.

‘Rudolf Krauf became a test subject himself and successfully reached A-Rank. Moreover, he gained some summoner abilities on top of his original Melee Dealer skills.’

The image of the makeshift A-Rank Superhuman, Black Wolf, whom he had encountered at the Zhongnanhai Vice Chairman’s residence, flashed through Siguk’s mind.

‘That guy was also an artificial A-Rank created by Ululu Tumbebe.’

Siguk quietly watched Julia Texon.

Beyond the high-definition screen, she was earnestly continuing her argument with an utterly inscrutable, ordinary face.

[We’ve already experienced many extraordinary things here. Why don’t we think differently?]

[We cannot base our judgment on mere unverified hypotheses.]

Watching the light debate between Julia Texon and Alex Burke, Siguk thought.

‘Anyway, that woman also tried to kill me and Ivan Ivanov.’

Recalling, based on George Goldenhil’s memories, the assassination request from White House President Smith and Julia Texon’s acceptance of it, Siguk smiled faintly.

‘Since you tried to kill me first, you won’t resent me for killing you first, right? Well, I might as well have your memories absorbed by the Familiar too.’

Although they had suffered losses, the expedition continued.

To reach Kisangani, where Ululu Tumbebe was coiled, they still had to pass through numerous fortresses.

The 1st Corps split north and south at the Virunga Fortress.

The 2nd Corps went north from Likasi Fortress, passing through Kambove Fortress and Guba Fortress.

The 3rd Corps advanced east from Aketi Fortress, captured Dullia Fortress and Buta Fortress, then split south and east from Buta Fortress.

Surprisingly, the fortresses deeper in did not show extraordinary appearances.

Fortresses of modest scale, composed of walls made of corpses, Undead Legions lurking within, and Necromancers—similar to what they had seen in African nations before—greeted the Assault Teams.

Of course, just because the scale was modest didn’t mean their firepower was laughable.

“Death Knights?”

Death Knights, beings capable of thinking and judging independently regardless of the Necromancer, and fighting until their own destruction even if the Necromancer died, drove back the B-Rank Hunters.

Facing the attacks of Death Knights, each possessing strength comparable to an A-Rank, B-Rank Hunters began losing their lives one by one.

The A-Rank Hunters provided cover, but it wasn’t enough.

Of course, the fortresses ultimately fell.

No matter how strong the Death Knights were, and no matter how absurdly enhanced the Undead Monsters holding the line were, the Assault Teams’ firepower was more than enough to overwhelm them.

But in the process of toppling the fortresses and letting the light of the sun, moon, and stars shine upon the land shrouded in darkness by Ululu Tumbebe’s Mana, countless Hunters died.

The daily news of increasing deaths and missing persons was enough to break the morale of the Assault Teams, and it was faithfully conveyed to ordinary citizens outside Africa hearing news about the Raid.

“They say seven A-Rank Hunters have already died, and the number of B-Rank dead and missing is approaching nine hundred.”

At the CIA Director’s report, U.S. President Jonathan Smith merely tapped the table with his finger.

“The main force of the 1st Corps led by Ivan Ivanov has currently entered Batama Fortress, about 100 miles east of Kisangani. The 2nd Corps led by Liu Yaofang conquered Lomela Fortress about 200 miles to the south and is advancing north. The 3rd Corps led by Alex Burke has entered Tele Fortress about 150 miles to the north.”

After the Director’s report ended, Jonathan Smith remained silent for a moment, organizing his thoughts.

A short while later, he looked at the Director and spoke.

“Estimated losses going forward?”

“By the time they reach Kisangani, we anticipate losing an additional five A-Ranks and about 800 B-Ranks.”

“Hmm… Yes, I see.”

Nodding quietly, Jonathan Smith gestured for the Director to leave. The Director gave him a slight bow and exited.

Left alone, Jonathan Smith remained motionless in his seat for a while, lost in thought.

And his time for thinking was abruptly ended by a woman who appeared beside him.

“What are you pondering so deeply, Mr. President?”

At the gentle tone of the woman who had revealed herself like a ghost, Jonathan Smith showed no surprise.

He merely looked at her with a displeased expression and uttered one sentence.

“At least knock before entering.”

Then the woman gave a strange smile and tapped the table twice with her fist.

Jonathan Smith’s expression hardened further.

And the harder his expression became, the deeper the strange smile on the woman’s face grew.

“What is it this time?”

At his question, the woman perched lightly on the edge of the table, twirling her hair around her finger as she spoke.

“What other reason would I have for visiting you, Mr. President? To convey the Chairman’s will.”

At the words of the woman, the NAC Chairman’s Secretary, Jonathan Smith let out an annoyed cough and averted his gaze from her.

The Secretary lightly placed her hand on Jonathan Smith’s shoulder.

Instantly, Jonathan Smith shuddered violently and had to writhe.

It wasn’t because he felt any intense temptation or pleasure from her touch.

It was because of the powerful shock coursing through his entire body and the accompanying pain.

Frowning at Jonathan Smith, the Secretary continued speaking with that same strange smile.

“When receiving the Chairman’s message, I’d appreciate it if you showed at least minimal courtesy. Everyone listens to your words with courtesy, don’t they?”

Writhing in pain, Jonathan Smith nodded with difficulty.

The Secretary, looking down at his thoroughly contorted face, then removed her hand from his shoulder.

“Kgh… Hoo…”

Letting out a long exhale, Jonathan Smith slumped back into his chair as if lying down.

The Secretary waited a moment for him to recover from the pain.

A short while later, after shaking his head several times forcefully, Jonathan Smith slowly sat up straight in the chair.

Judging he was ready to listen, the Secretary opened her mouth.

“I told you last time, didn’t I? That the Chairman holds a very unpleasant sentiment towards you, Mr. President?”

“…You did.”

“The Chairman’s will is clear. A clear separation is needed between the Awakened and the non-Awakened; distinction is necessary. This is the Chairman’s philosophy and will.”

“…”

“If you, Mr. President, continue to show such arrogant and disrespectful behavior towards us, you could pass away without a mouse or bird knowing. You know we have that much power, right? Ah, as I said before, telling others about this is meaningless. The moment you reveal this fact to the world, all the media will expose everything from stories about your hidden child to the incident in high school where you raped an older college student and forced an abortion.”

Jonathan Smith gulped.

The Secretary’s hand swiftly went into and out of his inner pocket.

In her hand was a small, lit-up recorder.

“So, please don’t try to mess with us using such crude tricks.”

Crunch-!

The recorder shattered in her hand.

And at that moment, a Mana crystal the size of a ping-pong ball emanating from her body swept around the entire office once, disabling all the hidden small cameras and recorders.

Watching all this, Jonathan Smith could only make a bleak expression.

“Even if the CIA or FBI saw these… would they really take your side, Mr. President?”

The strange smile at the corner of the Secretary’s mouth gradually transformed into a cruel smile.