Chapter 157: Production Request (1)

A black car stopped in front of the area that had once been the DG Guild parking lot, now transformed into a bustling market surrounding the Permanent Gate. Although the car was luxurious enough to turn heads, no one in the market paid it any attention. A middle-aged man stepped out of the vehicle.

Kang Man-Ki of the Hunters Association glanced around as he exited. "Still crowded as ever."

This was the only Permanent Gate not just in South Korea, but in the entire world. Although the Gate offered no clear rewards, it led to a place teeming with monsters that yielded a wealth of Experience Points. Naturally, Hunters—especially high-level ones—flocked here from around the globe.

This influx brought substantial tangible and intangible benefits to South Korea. While Hunters from Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area had places to stay, those from other regions or overseas had to find long-term accommodations. As high-income earners, these Hunters spent a lot, which greatly boosted the economy. Moreover, it became easier to ask for their help in emergencies.

After looking at the Permanent Gate with satisfaction, Association President Kang Man-Ki headed toward the DG Guild building. As soon as he entered the lobby, he could tell it was incredibly busy. A huge crowd had gathered, and the population density was high. There was already a long line at the front desk.

Although Kang Man-Ki didn't need to wait because he had made an appointment, he had arrived earlier than expected and had some time to spare. After a moment's thought, he headed to a cafe set up in one corner of the lobby.

As he entered, a pretty girl greeted him with a professional smile. "Welcome to DGCF."

"DGCF?" he said, intrigued.

"I think it's DGCF because it's a cafe operated by the DG Guild," his aide replied.

"Huh..."

Kang Man-Ki chuckled, ordered a light drink, and moved to the large bulletin board where Hunters were gathered. It was plastered with dozens, even hundreds, of request forms from the Empire, Kingdom, Temple Alliance, elves, Beastfolk, and dwarves. The wide array of requests made it interesting to browse. After some observation, Kang Man-Ki left the cafe. He didn't want to disturb the Hunters searching for requests to take on. The problem was that there was still time left before his appointment.

"What do we have, fifteen minutes left?" Kang Man-Ki checked his phone and hesitated for a moment. "Ah, right. He won't be able to answer his phone."

Both of Kim Ki-Rok's arms had been severely damaged. According to the report filed by an Association employee who had accompanied him during the operation, the injuries were so grave it was considered a miracle that his arms hadn't been severed outright.

Kim Ki-Rok had immediately gone to a university hospital for surgery and, despite gulping down potions like water, was told his right arm would take a month to heal and his left arm three months.

Judging that it wouldn't be a problem, the president pressed the call button. Surely, someone who couldn't use either arm wouldn't be left alone. Someone would definitely be with him.

—I'm tired now~ Work! Earn! Work! Earn!

A rustic trot song played briefly, then was replaced by a young girl's voice.

—Who is this?

"Oh, Ji-Hee. It's been a while. This is Mister Man-Ki."

—Man...Ki?

"Yes, it's me."

—Ah... Ah! Mister Man-Ki! Hello!

"Yes, hello. Is Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok there?"

—Our Mister is right here.

"Would you give the phone to him, please?"

—Yeeess...

There was a still pause before another voice came on the line.

—Oh, Association President.

"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok. How have you been?"

—Not good...

"Excuse me?"

—It's only been a day since my limbs shattered.

Hahaha!

It's very uncomfortable.

"

Ah, ahahaha...

" The president laughed awkwardly at Kim Ki-Rok's joke, which wasn't really a joke at all.

"Ah, I've arrived at the DG Guild. I'm on the first floor now," Kang Man-Ki said quickly, trying to change the subject.

—Oh, you got here earlier than I expected. Could you give me five minutes?

"Ah, yes. I'll wait in front of the convenience store."

—Okay. Ji-Hee, hang up now.

—Yeeess...

Kang Man-Ki could hear Kim Ji-Hee's discontent in her voice just before the call ended. It seemed they were on speakerphone. With a chuckle, he made his way toward the convenience store.

A crowd had gathered, forming a wide circle as if watching a spectacle. At the center stood Jeong Man-Kook, hunched over a table piled high with food: bowls of noodles, lunch boxes, frozen meals, sausages, and more. He was tearing through it all with ruthless intensity. Slurping, smacking, gulping—he devoured ramen, guzzled soup, and shoveled down lunch boxes and frozen food alike. It was a sight so absurd it barely seemed real.

"I've always wondered why people watch mukbang," he murmured, captivated by the spectacle. "Now I see why."

The sound of an elevator chime snapped the president back to reality, and when he looked up, he saw Kim Ki-Rok in a wheelchair coming out.

"Oh, welcome, Association President."

"Um... How are you doing...?"

"Assuming I use one potion per week, my left arm will take three months, my right arm one month, and my legs two weeks to heal."

"Oh dear..."

Although he had read the report, seeing Kim Ki-Rok's condition firsthand left a stronger impression. The injuries were worse than he'd expected. If recovery was this difficult even with the help of potions, Kim Ki-Rok might have been permanently disabled had they not been available. However, Kang Man-Ki didn't show his concern because Kim Ji-Hee was clinging tightly to Kim Ki-Rok's lap, like a cicada on a tree.

"Hello, Ji-Hee," the president greeted her softly.

Kim Ji-Hee finally lifted her head to acknowledge him when Kang Man-Ki greeted her. "Hello, Mister Man-Ki."

"Uh, right. Well..."

She immediately buried her face back in Kim Ki-Rok's chest.

When the president looked up in confusion, Kim Ki-Rok explained, "She... she's been very shaken by the situation..."

"I see. I understand."

Not only had her only reliable guardian returned crippled, but he had also been vomiting blood. It was only natural that a young child would be deeply shocked. He hoped it hadn't traumatized her. He reminded himself to look for a psychiatrist who could counsel a young child later.

"But what brings you here?"

"Oh, we just got news that dwarves have arrived at the Northern Border City."

"Oh!"

***

"Uh... um..."

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

At the Northern Border City of the Continental Alliance, Dwarf Champion Reardon stood speechless for a moment at the sight of Kim Ki-Rok in a wheelchair. Then, he bowed his head in a gesture of deep respect.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't informed your injuries were so severe..."

Kim Ki-Rok had been forcibly sent back to Earth after fighting a demon alone. Therefore, the Continental Alliance wasn't aware of just how badly he had been hurt.

"

Hahah—cough, cough!

"

"Mister! Don't cough up blood!"

"It's not that, I just swallowed wrong."

"

Ugh...

" Kim Ji-Hee, once again on the verge of tears, buried her face in Kim Ki-Rok's chest.

He rested his chin on her head and gave it a gentle shake, trying to reassure her. "I'm okay. I won't be able to use my left arm for three months, my right for a month, and my legs for two weeks... but I'm oka—

cough!

"

"

Huff... Huff...

" came her trembling breaths.

"Oh, I'm telling you, I'm fine. Stop it!" he said, trying to lighten the mood.

"

Hic...

Stopping!"

Kim Ji-Hee clung to Kim Ki-Rok, her face pressed against his chest once more, as if trying to hold him together with her grief. The dwarves, who had been quietly watching the scene, bowed their heads in guilt. Even the Dwarf Champion, Reardon, was no exception.

"Oh, I'm sorry. So, what's the matter?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

Dwarf Champion Reardon started to speak, "Ah, that..."

The purpose was to express gratitude and repay the favor.

"Mister should be lying down..."

"It's okay, Ji-Hee. So, what's going on? Did the Black Wizards make a move? Or was there a massive monster attack?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

No, both the Black Wizards and the monsters had ceased their attacks.

Kim Ji-Hee turned her head and looked at Reardon, deep resentment visible in her clear, innocent eyes. "Mister is sick..."

"We came here... to express our gratitude..."

Kim Ji-Hee's eyes narrowed, glaring at Reardon. She seemed to protest:

Did you call the sick Mister here for such a trivial reason?

"Ah, elder. This is our benefactor, Hero—no, Hunter Kim Ki-Rok," Reardon introduced, hastily shifting the focus elsewhere.

The elderly dwarf looked at Reardon with resentful eyes and bowed his head under Kim Ji-Hee's powerful gaze. In the end, he too passed the responsibility onto someone else.

"Mr. Representative, this is Hunter Kim Ki-Rok," the elderly dwarf said to the representative of the Continental Alliance.

Travis, a renowned craftsman, stepped forward with an awkward expression, under the resentful gaze of the innocent girl. "I... I'm sorry. I hadn't heard your injuries were this serious."

"No..." Kim Ki-Rok was about to shake his head with a smile to say it was okay, but Kim Ji-Hee pouted.

"Mister fought against a demon... a

Greater Demon,

" she said, her words cutting sharper than any sword the dwarves had ever forged. "He fought against a bad guy named Mammon."

Travis, the renowned craftsman, hung his head low.

***

"First, allow me to express my gratitude. Thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to save our kin."

The dwarf representative, Travis, along with the other tribe leaders, bowed in gratitude. "Thank you," they said.

"Um, that..." Kim Ki-Rok caught himself before continuing. If he brushed off their thanks with Kim Ji-Hee present, she would certainly pout and complain again. "Um... uh, yes. I've accepted your thanks. Please lift your heads."

The dwarves lifted their heads. It was a strange response, but they let it slide, understanding he had responded that way because of the girl glaring at them.

"Now that we've expressed our gratitude," one of the dwarves said, "we'd like to repay you. Is there anything you want?"

"Are you saying you'll accept a request to make equipment?"

The dwarves nodded. "Yes, that's right."

"For free?"

"Of course."

"Even the cost of materials?"

"No, the cost of materials–"

Travis's words caught in his throat as he met the gaze of the young girl, Kim Ji-Hee. Her clear, innocent eyes shimmered with sorrow and anger.

"I'll make it for free," he said decisively, as if that had been his plan all along.

***

Yoost set his pen down mid-sentence in his office in Kraesel, the capital of the Black Kingdom.

"

Haaah

. Damn it."

Mammon and the other Greater Demons had respected the bet with that human, Kim Ki-Rok, and had gone into seclusion. The Intermediate Demons and Lesser Demons, who were not part of the bet, could participate in the war, but they were not as active as before, since the Greater Demons, who ignored the power of the revived World Tree, were no longer involved.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

The door opened and a middle-aged Black Wizard entered, bowing his head.

"How's the situation looking?" Yoost asked.

"It seems the Continental Alliance has also suffered significant damage."

"They're not retaliating?"

"No. Current reports indicate that the Continental Alliance's army is focusing on training while bolstering their defenses in each border city."

"

Phoo!

They must be waiting, to be exact."

The Continental Alliance was definitely waiting for the rescued dwarves to recover. Once the dwarves began making equipment again, the power of the Continental Alliance would undoubtedly surge.

"Increase the number of monsters and Undead, and deploy three 6-Circle and one 7-Circle to each border," Yoost instructed.

"Understood."

"And..." Yoost couldn't help but let out another sigh.

With the Greater Demons no longer participating in the war, the Intermediate and Lesser Demons had started to act up. They were demanding more sacrifices than before.

"How much have the Demons' demands increased?" Yoost asked.

"The Intermediate Demons' demands have tripled, and the Lesser Demons' have doubled."

"

Hooo...

" This time, a rather heavy sigh involuntarily escaped.

"Let's put a pause on seeking cooperation from the demons. However, we need to prepare for when the Continental Alliance makes their move, so focus on gathering offerings," he instructed.

"Understood."

"And..." Yoost hesitated. The Black Wizards who had been recording his orders looked up. "What about the information on the heroes... no, the Hunters?"

"The situation has changed. The World Tree has been revived, and many dwarves have joined the Continental Alliance. Gathering information is expected to be more difficult than before."

"But, it's not impossible."

"Yes... that's correct."

Yoost stared into space, organizing his thoughts, then finally spoke. "Mammon gave Hunter Kim Ki-Rok a protection period of one year. We will kill Hunter Kim Ki-Rok in a year's time, so prioritize gathering information related to him."