Chapter 219: Chapter 218

– Hell on Earth, India's Loktak Field!

A few days later, a provocative news story unexpectedly took the world by storm. Originating in China, the news spread globally, eventually reaching Korea. Every phrase was sensational.

– The Ugly Truth of India's Large Guild, Asura!

– A World Where Humans Experiment on Fellow Humans!

– The Poor Forcibly Mutated into Magical Beasts!

All sorts of provocative headlines plastered the world as if in competition. Usually, only the headlines were attention-grabbing, with the content proving rather mundane, but this time was different. It wasn't Clickbait! The headlines alone couldn't fully capture the horrific deeds committed by the Asura Guild in India. Public reaction was intense.

– Oh my god! They kidnapped poor people and conducted biological experiments on them?

– A cruel and inhumane incident that could only have happened during World War II, taking place in modern times?

– At least back then it was during a war! This time, they targeted their own citizens!

– How could this happen! Are humans more cruel than magical beasts...?

People worldwide were focused on the incident in India.

"Block the information somehow! At this rate, our country's image will be completely ruined!"

"Th, that's not easy!"

The Indian government made every effort to restore its image, but it was impossible. The source of the news was the Chinese government, currently in a border standoff with India. Every attempt to salvage their image only fanned the flames.

– The Indian government's desperate relief policy was only enacted when their feet were on fire!

– But they're all already dead.

– Do you fix the barn after losing the cow?

– All the cattle were lost. No, they lost their humanity.

– Even the families who would mourn the victims have been sacrificed.

The biggest problem was that the Loktak Field remained a dangerous, unconquered land. The Indian government desperately gathered Hunters from across the nation to conquer the Loktak Field dungeon, which they had entrusted to the Asura Guild and then neglected. This wasn't easy. Even the authorities couldn't force Hunters into dangerous dungeons; it was against international law.

"Loktak Field? Are you crazy? Why should we go into that dangerous place?"

"We're busy enough conquering nearby dungeons; there's no need to risk our lives. Do you think Loktak is the only problem? The dungeons we're currently conquering are all for our citizens!"

Naturally, most Hunter guilds flatly refused the government's request.

"Actually, isn't the Hunter Association there for times like this?"

"That's right. They've probably already left."

The responsibility ultimately fell to the Hunters of the Indian Association, who closed their eyes tightly as they looked at the order from the government.

"Ha. Do they think Association Hunters have three or four lives? We only have one!"

"Do you even know how many troops we need to sweep that vast land swarming with nagas? Our forces alone are nowhere near enough!"

"Association President! Can't you request more support from outside? Even foreign mercenaries!"

What was the Loktak Field in the first place? Centered around Loktak Lake, a large reservoir in Manipur, India, it was a super–large field, an unprecedentedly dangerous area where dungeon breaks occurred simultaneously in five locations. That's why they were overjoyed when the Asura Guild stepped up, claiming to resolve the Loktak Field, but it turned out that it was all to commit cruel acts in a place hidden from the public eye. Of course, the Asura Guild was annihilated and paid for their sins with death...

But that was the biggest problem. No matter how wicked the Asura Guild was, they weren't just playing around. They distributed star fragment necklaces to prevent citizens from turning into Mist Burns and tried to keep magical beasts from approaching urban areas. Of course, they didn't accomplish those things themselves but squeezed the Imphal Guilds in the area to do them. At least they were taking minimal measures. However with the sudden annihilation of the Asura Guild, unexpected problems were erupting everywhere.

Kwaaar!

Kyaaaaa!

The magical beasts wandering within the Loktak Field started rampaging with even more ferocity than usual.

"...This is hell on earth."

"Ha, damn it. I shouldn't have joined the Association."

"I shouldn't have been tempted by the free rental of basic equipment sets and Association items. I should have just formed a small personal raid party."

"Alright, enough complaining... Let's all meet again alive."

The Hunters of the Indian Association, who set foot in the Loktak Field, each gripped their weapons with determined expressions. And while they were doing this, the world's attention was not on their lives, but on the identity of the people who had annihilated the Asura Guild. In fact, that was the hottest issue, and the fundamental reason why China was actively adding fuel to the fire.

– China's 6–Star Hunter, Liu Zhigang!

– Liu Zhigang, the Great Hunter of China who Annihilated the Asura Guild!

– The reason Liu Zhigang crossed the Indian border was to save the poor citizens!

Under international law, the act of a powerful person like Liu Zhigang crossing the border of another country without permission was a diplomatic issue far greater than imaginable. But as was the case when Thomas Andre suddenly visited Korea, there was no way to stop them if they were determined to move. In the first place, the difference between a Hunter and a villain was as thin as a sheet of paper. It was a matter of whether they operated within the boundaries of the law, and the only way to stop them was to appeal to their humanity or resolve the issue with money.

When the Chinese government learned that Liu Zhigang had suddenly crossed over to India, they were restless and desperately prayed that he wouldn't cause any trouble. But what was this windfall? Thanks to Manu Kizal, the governor of Imphal, who came to ask for help, China learned about the atrocities of the Asura Guild. And the current situation was the result of hurriedly launching a media campaign, and China's strategy was working beyond expectations.

– Wow. I knew Liu Zhigang was amazing, but he's really strong.

– Was he able to annihilate the Asura Guild alone?

– Siddharth Bachchan was also an S-rank Hunter, is Liu Zhigang much stronger?

– Didn't you know? Only China gives ranks like 1-star, 2-star, regardless of international ranks. An S–rank Hunter is a 5-star in China. But only Liu Zhigang is a 6-star!

– That's amazing. Then could China have conquered India by force all along if they wanted to?

– You idiot. Then it would be a real war. Would the World Hunter Association just sit back and watch that? Hunters are humanity's shield, not tools of war.

"Success!"

"Everyone is praising our China!"

"Uhaha! This is the way! Long live the People's Republic of China!"

The Chinese government cheered as they watched the global public opinion revolving around Liu Zhigang. And they started to move even more actively.

"Launch all the drone cameras we have! Send them all to India and broadcast Mr. Liu Zhigang's activities in real–time!"

"Gasp. B–but will it be alright? Crossing the border with drones without permission violates international law..."

"Fool! Are you trying to be bound by such trivial laws in a situation like this! What if Mr. Liu Zhigang suffers some harm from those Indians in such a dangerous place?!"

"...!"

"Mr. Liu Zhigang is struggling in another country; we need to closely monitor and at least provide him with proper meals!"

"Understood!"

Thus, thousands of drone cameras from China took flight and crossed the Indian border. This was a clear violation of international law. But as China expected, India couldn't respond. From the moment the drones crossed the border, it was the Loktak Field, a lawless zone. And...

– Live broadcast from China begins!

– Wow, isn't this illegal?

– Is that important now? I wanted to see how strong China's hero, Liu Zhigang, is, so this is great!

Public opinion had already completely shifted towards China. Taking advantage of the opportunity to fully grasp the attention of worldwide media, the Chinese government actively manipulated the drones to track down Liu Zhigang. Viewers around the world watched with bated breath, gasping or exclaiming in awe at the sight of the fearsome nagas throughout the field.

"The viewership ratings are higher than the Olympics!"

"Good! It's time to show the world China's prestige! Have you found Mr. Liu Zhigang?"

"We, we found him!"

And finally... the moment everyone was waiting for arrived.

Thud!

Beyond the countless screens, Liu Zhigang was fighting against the ferociously rampaging nagas.

"Kyaaaak!"

They saw the giant screaming and collapsing helplessly before him.

Rumble!

The ground shook. Liu Zhigang brushed back his disheveled white hair with one hand and glanced at the drone in the distance with a disapproving look. But as soon as he spotted a new magical beast in his vicinity, he dashed forward and swung his sword.

Flash!

– A, amazing...

– That old man is really... incredible.

– He seems stronger than Thomas Andre at this point?

– Why is Thomas Andre being mentioned here? That old man was recently arrested for murder; he'll probably rot in jail until he dies.

– But isn't this India? What are the Indian Hunters doing? Why are we only seeing Liu Zhigang?

The Chinese government, analyzing the real–time public opinion, came up with an even better plan.

"Yes! Instead of just showing Liu Zhigang with these many drones, it would be much more effective to show the weaklings of the Indian Association in comparison."

"Yes! We will spread the drones as wide as possible and film."

One should strike while the iron is hot. The Chinese government actively controlled the drones to show the world what was happening in the Loktak Field as widely as possible.

– Oh, the streaming service is on fire.

– I know this is illegal, but I can't take my eyes off it.

And finally, they appeared. As China expected, the Hunters sent by the Indian Association began to be captured one by one on thousands of drone cameras, fighting in various parts of the Loktak Field. They were quite skilled and were putting up a good fight. However, unlike Liu Zhigang, who would rush in regardless of the situation as soon as he saw a magical beast, the Indian Hunters were fighting in a very orthodox way. The tanker defended in front and the dealer hid behind and focused on attacking. The sight of them encouraging each other and engaging in a solid battle, unfortunately, only looked cowardly to the viewers who had already seen Liu Zhigang's battle.

– They're being cautious.

– They're so passive even though it's their own country's business.

– Huh? Isn't that a boss monster?

At that moment. A giant naga, overwhelmingly larger than the other magical beasts, appeared in front of the Indian Hunters.

"Oh, damn it! It's a boss monster!"

This was bad. Not only was it huge, but it also exuded strength on a different level from ordinary nagas. It seemed to have absorbed a significant amount of blue mist, as its scales and the magical energy emanating from its body were completely different from other nagas.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaa!"

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

The sight of the monstrously large magical beast charging with tremendous force was so overwhelming that even the chat window, which had been buzzing non–stop, froze.

"Everyone scatter...!"

The Indian Hunters desperately scattered. If they stayed put, they would be trampled to death. But not everyone could escape. Hunters with relatively poor physical abilities, such as healers and buffers, were about to be trampled to death. But that's when it happened...

– It's Liu Zhigang!

Liu Zhigang, who had come running after hearing the commotion, immediately fired sword energy from afar.

"Stop right there!"

Flash!

"Kwang!"

The sword energy, packed with tremendous mana, flew and caused an explosion on the creature's broad back.

"Kyaaaaaak!"

With a scream, a wound ripped open, and blood splattered.

– Did he finish it off?

– Are you crazy! A boss monster wouldn't die from that!

Unfortunately, Liu Zhigang's attack seemed to have only enraged the giant naga. As if taking out his frustration on the Hunters who hadn't escaped yet, the giant swung its front paw down with a ferocious force.

"Kyaaaaaak...!"

Whoosh! At the critical moment when everyone closed their eyes, a wind blew...

"...I almost lost the experience points." Suho, who arrived in front of them in the blink of an eye, adjusted his posture and clenched his fist.

Flare! Then, with a hot energy surging from his heart. His forearm swelled up.

"I'm going all out."

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

His eyes gleamed as he confirmed the target. And...

Thud!

"...?!"

The moment Suho's first reached the giant naga's body. The wind blew again. Along with it, the thick scales infused with the mana of the Outer Gods, the tough skin, and all the internal organs within... were all swept away and burst out.

"Huh." An involuntary chuckle escaped Liu Zhigang's lips.

A huge hole took up more than half of the body of the giant naga that was running with great momentum. A miracle unfolded before the eyes of the world.