Soul Devourer Chapter 4 Episode 12 — The Bounty and the Change in The Request
After enjoying the delicious food at the high-end restaurant and finishing my status check and surplus experience allocation, I was on my way to the second S-rank dungeon in Jin’s car.
A faint post-battle fatigue mixed with fullness lingered in my body.
Gentle music flowing through my headphones seeped into me as the cityscape outside the window slowly drifted by.
“Hunter Matsubara, we’ve arrived.”
Hearing Jin’s voice through the headphones, I removed them and reached for the car door.
In front of me were hunters chatting among their parties and others conducting final checks on their equipment and items.
For now, I sensed no clear killing intent.
Even so, I had no intention of lowering my guard.
Just like the earlier ambush, there was always the possibility of being attacked the moment I exited the dungeon after exhausting myself in a boss fight.
“Hunter Matsubara, are you truly certain you don’t wish me to accompany you?”
Jin’s voice carried genuine concern, his demeanor as polite as ever.
“Thank you for the concern. However, if I’m targeted the moment I exit the dungeon like before, I will show no mercy and slaughter every single one of them.”
“…”
Jin’s eyebrow twitched slightly, and he swallowed his words.
“If the Hunter Guild does nothing, it will lose valuable manpower and combat strength. Please inform the Chairman that swift action is necessary.”
“Understood.”
I stated it calmly. I had given my warning, but how the Hunter Guild would respond, that was upto them.
I once more swept my gaze across the surrounding hunters, then stepped toward the dungeon entrance.
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After confirming that Yuito Matsubara had entered the dungeon, Jin, who was accompanying him as local support staff, took out his phone, slid a finger across the screen, and raised it to his ear.
「Jin? What is it?」
The Chairman’s voice on the other end was curt and cold.
「Good work, Chairman Wei. I’ve just delivered Hunter Matsubara to the second S-rank dungeon.」
(E/N: 'Good work…' as in 'Thank you for your hardwork', a typical formal greeting used in Japan, China and Korea(?), correct me if I'm wrong.)
Jin reported the situation in a steady tone.
「And how does he seem?」
「On the surface, normal. However, his guard is high, and he does not trust us at all.」
「Then he likely suspects that the earlier ambush was our doing.」
「I believe he is certain. Hunter Matsubara told me, ‘If you do not wish to lose valuable personnel and combat strength, swift action is necessary.’ He also said, ‘Please inform the Chairman.’」
「He’s certain it was us and dares to warn us?! A hunter from a minor nation, no less!」
「That is how I interpreted it. And having witnessed his combat firsthand, deploying hunters below S-rank would be like throwing water on a raging fire.」
「Then what do you propose?」
「At minimum, S-rank hunters. Preferably upper-tier S-rank.」
「If we’re to gather upper-tier S-rank hunters, we’d have no choice but to request the involvement of〈Kowloon〉.」
「I am fully aware that〈Kowloon〉is our nation’s foremost combat force. However, leaving it to other clans or underground organizations would likely end in futility.」
「I don’t mind. Even if other clans or underground elements perish in droves, as long as〈Kowloon〉remains, our nation stands secure.
…
And if the underworld is wiped out in the process, all the better… two birds with one stone.」
「…」
「Now then, if he is certain it was us, the request must be changed. Raise the bounty and make it an order to kill Yuito Matsubara.」
「…Understood.」
「If he is constantly hunted, worn down physically and mentally, and then we deploy〈Kowloon〉, we can eliminate him for certain.」
「But what of the damage to civilians and public facilities…?」
「This is for national defense. If we can eliminate a primary combat force of an enemy nation, both the public and the government will tacitly accept it.」
「…Understood.」
「Once Yuito Matsubara is dealt with, Japan is next. We will invade again and make them take responsibility for allowing him to rampage freely within our borders. That is all.」
「Excuse me.」
(E/N: This interprets to 'Understood' or 'It was a productive conversation.'.)
After ending the call, Jin turned his gaze toward the crowds of hunters and shoppers passing by.
He could hear the laughter of people enjoying time with friends and family, but before long, those sounds would turn into screams and cries.
The thought left a hollow feeling in his chest. To steady himself, Jin placed a cigarette between his lips.
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E/N:
Thanks, Farlie, for making this idiotically wonderful decision. Keep the food coming! 😂
And, leaving the underground folks aside, he sold his own Hunters as well as people for a 'greater good'? Thanks, Satan! 🤣
This Jin could maybe change later but I still don't think well of him.
Stay tuned!
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Check out my other translation -
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