Chapter 204: #Troubling Hunter War (4)

Yu Il-Shin went missing the night before round 64.

***

In a luxury hotel's top-floor suite, designed like an old castle.

Sitting on the terrace railing, I gazed over the world with a glass of wine in hand. Naturally, only Romanee-Conti would be worthy of a great Malevolent God like myself. Priced in the tens of millions per bottle, this wine was nearly impossible to obtain unless, of course, one had a devoted and wealthy follower like Kang Woo.

Glug glug!

I drank straight from the bottle—something wine enthusiasts would call sacrilegious. Well, they’d just have to deal with it. After all, I was a god.

“

Pwah!

This is good!”

Great alcohol, great view, and some worthy opponents.

“I'm looking forward to tomorrow.” I chuckled.

The mere thought of going against Team Greece was making me excited.

They had the grizzly Hunter Ares, hailed as the modern Hercules. He was clad in golden armor and radiated powerful mana. He was joined by the one-eyed swordsman Gus and his double swords; Jenova the grey-bearded giant, who wielded a lightning spear; a blond youth called Hermes, who had an ominous skull whistle hanging on his neck...

All ten Hunters of Team Greece wielded divine power, posing a formidable challenge for regular S-rank Hunters.

The strongest among them was Igis Sotiropulou—the only female on the team. She was smaller than her fellows. Moreover, she wore a blindfold and a hoodie that covered most of her face. I knew because I had appraised her before.

-----

[Igis Sotiropulou]

A female human. Around for 29 years.

Special note: Bore the Blessings of the Guardian of Fire and Smithing. Possesses strong Petrifying Gaze.

-----

Didn’t the name Guardian of Fire and Smithing also show up on Kang Woo’s appraisal?

But she doesn’t seem to be a regressor...

Regardless, she obviously had access to the Hunter Shop as well, allowing her to purchase powerful armor and skills using gold.

The secret to the Greek Hunters’ armor must be Igis’ ability.

The country must’ve depleted its national budget to purchase their equipment. I couldn’t wait to see what they’d bring to the battlefield tomorrow.

I was most excited about Royce, the SSS-rank Hunter touted as the strongest Hunter on Earth. She sent me a cautious look during the opening ceremony, having somehow sensed my energy. That was when I knew she wasn’t to be trifled with. The white elf named Jack White, whom I met during the draw, was equally as powerful. I’d have to make it all the way to the finals to face Team America, but I wouldn’t worry about her.

“They’re all small fry.”

With the tournament now a winner-takes-all, there was no way Team Korea would lose—not when they had me.

“It’s nice to entertain myself every now and then.”

At first, I was annoyed to receive such a request from the main body, but it didn't turn out to be so bad after all.

“

Keke,

and the good ones will become my followers.”

I would get to enjoy myself and take in some followers at the same time! It was basically killing two birds with one stone!

Glug glug!

“

Hmm?

” My wine bottle was empty. “Dang, is that all?”

I tossed the bottle behind me, licking my lips regretfully. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realized that it was already midnight.

There were still a couple of hours left until the main games started, but I didn’t feel sleepy at all. Great gods didn’t sleep. I could if I wanted to, but that’d just be a waste of time.

I wonder what my followers are doing?

My fellow Hunters from Team Korea were also staying in this same hotel. Naturally, that meant most of my followers were here.

Shall I take a look?

[The innate power Blind Eyes of God has been activated.]

It wasn’t out of boredom or anything; I was just looking out for them. Besides, it was the duty and obligation of a great god to care for his followers.

Ssss!

In Room 404 of the hotel, a grim-reaper-like man, Ko Sa-Deuk, was blowing his top. I instinctively frowned.

Come to think of it, he’s also one of my followers.

“Even if he's familiar, you shouldn’t be sharing a room with a stranger—especially a man!”

Drowsily rubbing her eyes, Ko Myeong-Ji pointed at her sister, Ko Myeong-Hee. “

Gosh,

Grandpa. I’m not even alone. Myeong-Hee unni is also with me...”

“That’s right, Grandpa. Aren’t you being overly sensitive?”

Myeong-Hee looked slim and sophisticated without makeup, unlike when I had first met her. Right, wasn’t she an international top model known as "Lily"? Had the main body seen her right now, he’d have fallen for her immediately.

“Still! How is that any different?!" Ko Sa-Deuk yelled. "I can’t have this black guy staying in the same room as my two precious girls!”

“Master’s grandfather is right. I will stand guard in the hallway.” Death Knight Hades bowed respectfully.

“No! Hades will be competing in the main event tomorrow! He needs a good night’s rest! Stop making a fuss and just go, Grandpa! You sound like a boomer!”

“W-what! Me, a b-boomer?! How dare you speak to your grandfather like that! I didn’t raise you like this!”

“

Hmph!

I was raised by Myeong-Hee unni!”

“She’s right, Grandfather,” Myeong-Hee cooed as she put on a mask pack. “Grandma! Grandpa is such a boomer, isn't he?”

“

Kyaa!

” Lilith nodded vigorously, giggling as she sat atop Ko Sa-Deuk’s head.

“Lilith! Not you too!”

Tears welled up in Ko Sa-Deuk’s eyes, feeling like his entire world had collapsed.

Seeing an old man whimpering on the ground wasn’t particularly fun. I checked on my other followers instead.

Ssss!

Shin Yoo and Sword Demon were drinking at the hotel’s lounge bar. Sword Demon chugged a bottle of whiskey like a raging alcoholic.

“Kang Geom, please stop. You’ve had too much to drink.” Shin Yoo tried to stop his friend, but Sword Demon swatted his hand away.

“Why? Why does it have to be Choi Bong-Shik?! How could he leave me for that punk?!

Ugh!

Even though I was his right-hand man!

Haa,

how I miss the days when we went for Johan together!”

Glug glug!

Sword Demon lamented while downing whiskey.

I clicked my tongue, then turned to check at my other followers.

Ssss!

In Room 601, Kang Woo was wearing his reading glasses, diligently investigating the mastermind behind the Despair Cult late into the night—a stark contrast to his usual stern, middle-aged appearance.

"

Hmm

, if I dig a little deeper, I might finally catch their trail. I wonder if there’s any news from the Russian branch I dispatched?"

What a role model of a follower. I was so proud of him that I thought of rewarding him later.

Shall I take a look at my next follower?

Ssss—

In Room 1201 were three of my female followers. One was tying another up, while the other watched the bizarre scene with visible anxiety.

Smiling seductively, Lin Xiaoming asked Sung Mi-Na, “Won’t you release me, Miss Sung?”

“No! You’re going to sneak into Il-Shin’s room again!”

Ah, I can already guess what the crazy bitch had in mind.

“Care to join us? I can do 3P. Oh, does your sister want to join us?”

Sung Mi-Na turned red. “Y-you crazy bitch! Mi-Ri, wait outside for a while!”

“Oh my, Miss Sung! Why are you sending your sister away? What are you trying to do to me?

Mm

, I actually don’t mind women either.”

“Y-you crazy bitch! You’re dead!”

“

Eek!

Unni! Calm down!”

Like a berserking hamster, Sung Mi-Na lunged at Lin Xiaoming. Despite being restrained, the latter could still dodge with grace. Meanwhile, Sung Mi-Ri tried to stop them from the sides.

I shook my head in disappointment as I turned my attention to my other followers.

Ssss!

In Room 1402, my older sister and niece were fast asleep, cuddling together. It was definitely bedtime for the ordinary people.

What is he doing there?

There was a pale boy with heavy dark circles, eerily resembling a ghost from a Japanese horror movie. He was the other alter ego, Sam-Shin. He stood in the middle of the living room with his eyes closed, probably asleep.

Why is he standing there instead of sleeping in the bed?

As if sensing my gaze, Sam-Shin’s red eyes fluttered open, flashing a blinding light.

“Des...troy!”

Sheesh. I still can’t get used to his antics.

Perhaps feeding the main body an octopus bearing the power of God of Destroyer was a mistake. Well, I was pissed off back then.

Feeling regretful, I turned my attention to another follower of mine.

In Room 901, Choi Bong-Shik hummed a tune while enjoying his shower.

“

Hmm~ Hmm~

”

“Fuck!” I felt my eyes rotting when I caught a glimpse of his naked body. Why was he so happy, though?

“Baby~? Are you not done yet~?” a female called for him outside.

"

Haha!

Just wait a little longer, honey! I'll give you the best night of your life!"

The cringey punk only annoyed me even further. I shifted my gaze to see a woman resembling Marilyn Monroe waiting on the bed, completely naked.

“Oh?” I smiled. This looked fun.

I recalled how goofy Choi Bong-Shik looked, grinning from ear to ear as executives from foreign Hunter Associations scouted him all day.

Classic badger game, but I didn’t expect

she

’d be the one doing it.

“Skill Sharing. Choi Bong-Shik, Ruler of Space.”

Swoosh!

I teleported into their room.

“

Kyaaa!

W-who are you?!” the woman shrieked as she covered herself with the sheets. “I-I’m going to scream if you don’t get ou—”

Snickering, I covered her mouth. “Ruler of Space!”

Swoosh!

I then teleported us out of Choi Bong-Shik’s room.

We appeared on Uhuru Peak—the snow-capped summit of Africa, which was 5,895 meters above sea level.

“

Mmpf! Mmpf!

”

I removed my hand from her mouth.

“

Eeek!

” With horror in her eyes, she backed away step by step. The sheet covering her fluttered wildly in the high winds.

“Y-you! Who are you? W-what are you going to do to me?!”

“I should be the one asking you that.”

She had disguised herself as an innocent lamb, but I could see right through her.

[The innate power Blind Eyes of God has been activated.]

Ding!

-----

[Igis Sotiropulou]

A female human. Around for 29 years.

Special note: Bore the Blessings of the Guardian of Fire and Smithing. Possesses strong Petrifying Gaze.

-----

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

“Greece’s representative, Hunter Igis. What are you trying to do to Bong-Shik?”

Ding!

Then, another line was added to the special note of her appraisal window.

[Harbors intense murderous intent against you.]

Swaaah!

Igis eyes turned into that of a reptile’s. At the same time, an unbelievably strong bloodlust burst forth from her.

Exalted, I cackled loudly. “Great! I don’t even have to wait until tomorrow!”