Chapter 355 – Japan Sinking? (4)

The Demon Merchant's incessant laughter appeared habitual, persisting despite the lack of humor.

‘Yes, you're right,’

Han-Yeol replied.

His vulnerability laid bare to a greedy merchant like Dellchant was far from ideal, yet he had no choice but to acknowledge it, considering the severe repercussions of deceiving a demon.

[Kihihihihi!]

Dellchant continued to snicker.

‘So, do you have something?’

Dellchant grimaced, feigning contemplation, though it was evident he was merely putting on a show.

[Hmm... It'll be challenging, but I'll do my best to source them for you.]

‘How long will it take?’

[Kihihihi! It won't take too long. It's a bit tricky to procure, but not impossible for me. However, be prepared to pay me handsomely for my efforts.]

‘I am prepared...’

[Kihihihihi! Then I'll procure them as swiftly as possible!]

Poof!

Dellchant vanished in a cloud of black smoke.

‘Haa... I hope he doesn't quote an absurd figure,’

Han-Yeol thought with a sigh.

He maximized his time training and relaxing while awaiting the Demon Merchant's return.

Meanwhile, Japan, one of the five global powerhouses, teetered on the edge of collapse due to a single monster, mirroring the events depicted in the movie 'Sinking of Japan.' The Japanese Government struggled to halt Craspio, but the cunning creature systematically destroyed hunting grounds before advancing.

Craspio's powerful assaults shattered the robust barriers enclosing the hunting grounds, liberating the trapped monsters. Upon escape, they mercilessly slaughtered humans who had yet to evacuate the southern and western regions, foretelling an inevitable massacre.

“

Kieeeek!”

“Kweeeeek!”

Bam! Bam!

“Ack!”

“S-Somebody help!”

If there was a hell on earth, this was likely it. Those who refused to abandon their hometowns or deemed leaving futile, finding no hope, were mercilessly slaughtered by the horde of monsters.

The Yakuza, skeptical of Japan's downfall, capitalized on the chaos and lack of policing to seize control of the cities. However, they were swiftly overwhelmed by the horde of monsters, rendered powerless as ordinary individuals against such adversaries.

Bang! Click... Clack! Bang! Click... Black!

“Grrr...”

“W-Wha—?”

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

A Yakuza attempted to defend himself with a shotgun against an alien-like monster, but the shells failed to breach the creature's hide, blocked by an invisible barrier. The only outcome of his shotgun fire was drawing the monster's attention.

Tak!

[Waaaaaah!]

He tossed his shotgun and fled for his life.

Puuuuk!

[Kuheok!]

The monster he faced was called 'Karcil,' a creature requiring a B Rank Hunter to eliminate. Swiftly, Karcil materialized behind the Yakuza, driving its tentacles through the man's body. The monster's appendages pierced him, effortlessly slicing through flesh and penetrating his stomach.

[Keuh...! Kuheok...!]

The Yakuza fought desperately but succumbed, collapsing lifeless.

Yet, that was not the end. Karcil opened its jaws and consumed the man, bones and all. Humans were mere prey for these monsters, as the Karcil demonstrated by its actions.

The Yakuza's fate was just a fraction of the threat looming over the city, as numerous humans were potential prey for the monsters.

Sukeok!

'Kieeek!'

A Karcil was cleaved in two by a katana wielded by A Rank Hunter Kurosaki Suzuki.

The humans refused to be passive victims. The organization governing Japan's underworld boasted Hunters among its ranks, and the Yakuza's Hunters mobilized to defend the cities against the monstrous threat.

[This is our territory! Don’t let the monsters take it from us!]

Waaaaah!

The Yakuza assumed roles akin to feudal lords from Japan's Warring Period[1], exerting control as if history had repeated itself.

With the Japanese government's withdrawal from the southern and western regions, a void in politics, security, and military authority emerged. The Yakuzas seized the opportunity, asserting dominion over the deserted territories.

Their long-held aspiration to govern territories akin to kings and nobles fueled their determination. They refused to relinquish these lands to monsters at the cost of their lives; their insatiable greed forbade such surrender.

Kwachik!

[Aaaargh!]

[Fuji!]

Naturally, territories held value only if there was the power to defend them. The Yakuza, consumed by their greed, lacked the strength to safeguard their recently acquired lands.

Craspio rampaged through the western region, annihilating every high-level hunting ground it encountered. Its seismic activities also wreaked havoc on the central region, occasionally shattering barriers within hunting grounds.

Despite the Yakuza's efforts to fend off these monster assaults, they were outnumbered and outmatched in both quality and quantity.

[N-No way...]

The Head of the Yakuza, Satsuki, despaired upon witnessing his city reduced to ashes.

However, he couldn't afford the luxury of despair for long. A group of high-level monsters emerged, tearing him apart before feasting on his dismembered body.

Japan's southern and western regions lay in ruins. The government mobilized soldiers and Hunters to aid in evacuating civilians, but they had to abandon Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto within a mere ten hours due to Craspio's rapid advance.

Despite Japan's pleas for international aid, they fell on deaf ears. No country extended a helping hand; each nation grappled with its own crises, rendering them unable to offer assistance.

In China, the Terracotta Army unleashed by Qin Shi Huang obliterated the defensive line in the western region. The Chinese Government struggled to repel them, deploying what remained of their military to fortify a second defensive line hastily assembled from all available manpower. Regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia took advantage of the chaos to declare independence, further stretching China's military thin. Additionally, the Chinese navy diverted its attention to fend off sea monsters in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

The United States faced similar constraints, lacking the manpower to spare for assistance.

South Korea, less affected by dimensional rifts, possessed surplus manpower. However, attempts to aid Japan sparked severe backlash after videos surfaced, suggesting Japan's government tried to lure Craspio toward South Korea.

As Japan's losses mounted, they sent their Foreign Minister, Ichiro, as a diplomat to South Korea. Ichiro held a press conference, tearfully bowing to the ground and pleading for forgiveness, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis Japan faced.

[Despite my reservations about Japan... Considering it's a humanitarian crisis, shouldn't we help them?]

[Yeah, I’m against aiding Japan, but we must save innocent civilians.]

[I agree. That's the least we can do since they'll soon be stateless. We can't cling to old grudges. It's time to let go.]

[Yes! Yes!]

"Rescue the Japanese civilians!"

"Help them!"

Japan employed a highly effective strategy, knowing that Koreans were susceptible to displays of emotion, especially tears. Kneeling in front of the camera and pleading for forgiveness worked wonders. Rather than pursuing closed-door political discussions, Japan opted for this approach due to South Korea's near governmental collapse.

The repercussions of meddling with Han-Yeol had hit hard. The president's impeachment had been passed by Congress, leaving someone temporarily in charge until a new president could be elected. Japan capitalized on this situation, believing that appealing directly to the masses would be the most effective strategy. Minister Ichiro's pleas resonated deeply, not only stirring Korean citizens but also eliciting demands for help to be extended to Japan from the international community.

Their strategic maneuver paid off exceptionally well. Japan managed to maintain its dignity while securing aid from the international community simultaneously.

Consequently, a congressional decision approved an operation to aid the evacuation of Japanese citizens. The government initiated the formation of a special task force team designated to be sent to Japan.

***

Han-Yeol's days remained tranquil, a stark contrast to the chaotic events unfolding worldwide.

Poof!

[Kihihihi!]

‘H-Huh?’

An abrupt explosion disrupted Han-Yeol's relaxation on his hammock, heralding Dellchant's appearance.

Dellchant, an intermediate-ranking demon traversing dimensions to sell his wares, didn't require Han-Yeol's permission to manifest. Well, not without a price, but such encounters were possible nonetheless.

[Long time no see, human! Kihihihi!]

‘Huh? I don't think it's been that long?’

[Ah, really? Kihihihi!]

Han-Yeol's demeanor didn't match Dellchant's energy, but the demon appeared unfazed.

‘So, did you manage to procure a sword and chain?’

[Yes! Yes, I did! Kihihihi!]

‘Oh!’

Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump!

Han-Yeol's heart raced with excitement at the prospect of a new weapon. For a warrior, there was scarcely anything more thrilling.

Chwak!

‘Oh!’

Dellchant unloaded a sizable sack from his back, retrieving the chain and sword. As expected, the weapons bore the telltale mark of demon procurement, exuding a sinister aura and a dark hue.

While the ominous aura made Han-Yeol slightly uneasy, he brushed it off. After all, it would be absurd to be sensitive about such things when he routinely summoned demons to fight alongside him, right?

‘Those are...?’

[Kihihihi! You have no idea the troubles I went through to procure these! It's been so long since I worked this hard to get something! Kihihi!]

‘Ugh...’

Han-Yeol grimaced, groaning internally.

He knew Dellchant's dramatics were setting the stage for inflated prices. The Demon Merchant was notorious for overcharging, and the theatrics preceding the revelation of the price gave Han-Yeol a colossal headache.

‘Just how expensive is it going to be... I wonder how much he's going to charge...’

Unfortunately, Han-Yeol currently needed Dellchant's goods, leaving him no choice but to pay whatever exorbitant price the Demon Merchant demanded.

1. Also known as Sengoku Jidai period ?