"Miss Scáthach, Miss Esil… do you know about Jeju Island?"
Go Gunhee's expression turned sharply serious. Whatever he was about to say mattered that much.
To him, everything he'd discussed with Scáthach up to now had been prelude. Only now did he reveal the real reason he'd wanted to see her—an attempt to get close, because South Korea was about to ask a favor of the woman who had defeated Thomas Andre.
Esil looked blank. She'd only just left the Demon Castle—how would she know anything about Jeju Island?
Only Scáthach answered.
"You mean the island that fell a few years ago because of an out-of-control S-Rank Gate."
It was South Korea's greatest scar of the past decade. Countless mid-rank Hunters had died there, along with many high-rank Hunters—and even one S-Rank Hunter.
And despite paying such a price, the Gate on that island had never been closed. Even now, it remained a forbidden zone for humanity.
That battle was also a wound South Korea's S-Rank Hunters could never erase. Many Hunters—S-Rank included—had survived it, only to abandon the profession and choose to live as ordinary people, far from war.
"You're planning to restart the suppression operation on Jeju Island soon, aren't you?" Scáthach said slowly. "Cha Hae-In mentioned it to me. She's one of the main forces in this operation… That's why she hasn't been coming to my Land of Shadows much these past few days. Because of that I got bored, so I came to Earth to take a look."
"Yes." Go Gunhee's voice carried hatred, anger—and something deeper, carefully restrained. "Not long ago, we captured an ant monster on an island near Jeju. It had evolved the ability to fly across the sea. After it killed seven civilians and two D-Rank Hunters, it was put down by three B-Rank Hunters and one A-Rank Hunter working together."
"So far it's only one case," he continued, "but we have to consider the possibility that this is becoming common. And… if that growth doesn't stop at flight…"
Then if they kept ignoring it, the enemy would grow stronger and stronger—quietly, unnoticed, until it was too late.
"This time, for the Jeju Island reclamation operation, Japan's Draw Sword Guild has declared it will fully support South Korea. They're willing to send ten S-Rank Hunters to assist us in killing the Ant Queen on Jeju Island."
Unlike South Korea, where five major guilds kept one another in check, Japan had a single dominant guild. Japan had produced twenty-one S-Rank Hunters in total, and eleven of them had joined the Draw Sword Guild—who now intended to send ten of those eleven to help South Korea reclaim Jeju Island.
A guild with eleven S-Rank Hunters ranked second in scale among all guilds in Asia—surpassed only by China's guild, which had a National Level Hunter.
Even if you counted Esil, added the S-Rank Hunter who'd died on Jeju Island, and included Hwang Dongsoo—who had joined the United States—South Korea had only ever produced eleven S-Rank Hunters.
And a single guild had eleven.
Yet that same guild was now mobilizing every S-Rank Hunter it had except its vice-master to help another country. It was a massive show of commitment.
They'd set the objective as "kill the Ant Queen" rather than "eradicate all ants" because these ant monsters only lived about a year. If you eliminated the queen that continuously produced them, then within a year, all ant monsters on Jeju Island would disappear.
Compared to wiping out every ant, targeting the queen was far more realistic.
Scáthach skimmed the plan, eyes glinting faintly.
"This plan… Japan proposed it, didn't they?"
"Yes."
According to intelligence, the ants would protect the queen at any cost. Under normal circumstances, that made killing the queen incredibly difficult.
But Japan's report claimed that when several Hunters with powerful mana landed on the island, the ants would briefly leave the queen behind—like moths drawn to flame—to intercept the Hunters radiating that overwhelming mana.
So Japan's proposal was simple: their ten S-Rank Hunters would lure the ants guarding the queen away, while South Korea's forces would kill the queen before the main swarm returned.
Scáthach saw the flaw instantly.
If Japan's S-Rank Hunters pulled out mid-operation—right as South Korea's Hunters were engaging the queen—then South Korea would be caught between the queen and the returning swarm. There wouldn't even be a chance to run. The result would be near-total annihilation: South Korea's remaining fighting strength buried in the ant nest.
Go Gunhee had likely sensed that risk himself. But he couldn't refuse. The Draw Sword Guild—eleven S-Rank Hunters strong—was offering to mobilize ten of them to help. If South Korea rejected that offer based on suspicions they couldn't prove, what would other countries think? What would the Draw Sword Guild think?
And beyond that—the ant monsters were evolving at an alarming speed. They couldn't afford to delay any longer.
So even with that dangerous uncertainty hanging over them, Go Gunhee and the higher-ups had clenched their teeth and agreed.
Perhaps that was exactly why Go Gunhee had come to Scáthach, hoping for her help.
A top-tier powerhouse—stronger even than Thomas—if she intervened, then no matter what went wrong, there would be nothing to fear. In fact, it might not even require them to risk their lives at all. Scáthach alone could reclaim Jeju Island.
Go Gunhee had wanted to invite Sung Jinwoo to the operation as well, only to learn he was hospitalized in a coma—something he regretted deeply.
"An S-Rank Dungeon. Ant monsters that keep evolving." Scáthach's eyes lit with anticipation. "That sounds interesting."
"I crave strong opponents. I long for battles that make my blood boil and my heart race—opponents who can make me feel death and pain again." Her smile sharpened. "So I'll agree to your request. I don't need any reward—because you can't give me anything I want."
Then Scáthach lowered her lashes, and her fighting intent withdrew as she sank lazily back into the sofa.
"However… I've already graduated from this world. I've stepped beyond it, beyond its boundaries—ageless, undying, an existence that endures for eternity. My road is already finished. I have no right to steal the chance for the living of this era to grow."
"So we'll do it this way. I'll only act at the most critical moment. Proceed with the original plan as if I'm not there."
"That assurance is enough." Go Gunhee let out a long breath, the boulder that had weighed on his heart finally loosening. "Truly—thank you."
With Scáthach as a final safeguard, he no longer had to fear the worst-case scenario.
...
"Woohoo! Time to go home and watch TV! I'm going to put on my favorite pajamas, laze around, and absolutely demolish burgers and cola!"
Because of the complaints, Scáthach had decided she wouldn't clear any more Dungeons before the Jeju Island operation. The moment Esil heard that, she was ecstatic. At last—her dream shut-in life.
And then she realized she'd cheered way too early.
"Unfortunately, you'll be coming with me to the Land of Shadows for the next few days," Scáthach said without a hint of mercy. "Before Jeju Island, I need to train you properly. Your past training laid a solid foundation. With a little sharpening, you'll make impressive progress."
The instant Scáthach seized the back of her neck—fate itself—Esil went dead-eyed on the spot.
"Why?! What does Jeju Island have to do with me?!"
"Do you even have to ask?" Scáthach shot her a cool glance. "This joint South Korea–Japan operation—you're participating too. That's an out-of-control S-Rank Gate. Even S-Rank Hunters die in there. There'll be plenty of enemies worth killing. Isn't that at least a little exciting?"
"No! Not even a little! I'm not a battle maniac like you! I don't want strong enemies or fights—I want to lie on my couch, eat burgers, drink cola, and watch TV!"
Unfortunately for Esil, her opinion did not matter.
Scáthach casually opened a portal before them, violet light swirling—a doorway to the Land of Shadows. She dragged Esil inside as she struggled and howled.
"Let go! Let go! I want to die with my burgers, cola, and TV! I've sworn to spend my whole life with them—never to be separated! If you don't let go, I'll hiss at you! You old hag—"
Thud!
Scáthach manually muted her.
A true warrior dares to face a bleak life, to stare straight at rivers of blood—and to call Scáthach "old hag" and "ancient witch" to her face.
And after Esil's rare moment of courage, Scáthach quietly dialed Esil's training difficulty up to its highest setting—letting her learn what "hell" really meant.
...
Go Gunhee held a press conference and, with great fanfare, announced the fourth Jeju Island reclamation operation. He emphasized that South Korea would not be fighting alone this time, but alongside Japanese Hunters. The number of S-Rank Hunters involved would reach a staggering seventeen.
The day after the press conference, Scáthach brought Esil to the Hunters Association once more.
This time, she wasn't here to see Go Gunhee. She'd heard that the Japanese and South Korean S-Rank Hunters would be gathering in the Association's gymnasium, and curiosity had brought her to take a look.
When Scáthach saw Go Gunhee again, there was someone else beside him.
"Shishō? You're here too?"
Sung Jinwoo looked genuinely surprised. He couldn't sense Scáthach's mana or presence—but Scáthach had sensed him before she'd even entered the building.
"Little Jinwoo, it seems you gained quite a lot in that place." Scáthach looked him up and down, her gaze pausing briefly at his chest. "Good. It isn't the worst-case scenario. You're still yourself…" She smiled. "As for why I'm here—word is, quite a few S-Rank Hunters have arrived. I came to see if there's anyone worth fighting."
"…That's exactly like you, Shishō." Jinwoo gave a wry smile and scratched the back of his head, memories surfacing of the days he'd been beaten to a pulp under her tutelage.
Then his eyes shifted from Scáthach to Esil.
"Esil… what happened to her?"
Jinwoo nearly didn't recognize her.
He'd sensed Esil's mana earlier, but the change was so drastic that he only confirmed it was truly her once they met face-to-face.
Esil didn't say a word. Even seeing Jinwoo drew no reaction. She stood ramrod-straight like a spear—so much so that even at this distance, Jinwoo felt a faint pressure rolling off her.
And her eyes… Jinwoo couldn't even put that look into words.
Why does she look like she died?
"It's nothing. Don't mind her." Scáthach gave him a mysterious smile and waved it off. "She just can't wait to meet the S-Rank Hunters here—and test the results of her training."
On the way to the gymnasium, Jinwoo chatted briefly with Scáthach—mostly to thank her for handling the Gate at Jinah's school, and for agreeing to help with the Jeju Island operation.
"So you'll be participating too, Shishō?" Jinwoo thought for a moment, then said, "If you're there, then I won't go this time. Lately, because of the Double Dungeon, I haven't spent much time with Jinah and Mom. And while I was unconscious, something like this happened at Jinah's school… I want to stay home with them."
With Go Gunhee nearby, Jinwoo couldn't go into detail about the system or the Cartenon Temple.
"The ants on Jeju Island probably won't count as a trial for you anymore." Scáthach smiled. "Fine. Then I'll take Esil with me." Her tone turned faintly approving. "You're not far from standing on your own. You should also learn to leave opportunities for the ones behind you."
As she spoke, the four of them arrived at the gymnasium where the S-Rank Hunters were warming up.
Even from a distance, they could feel the tremor of mana—war intent thudding through the air like a drumbeat.
The moment they entered, they saw a broad-shouldered man with wild white hair and a beastlike cast to his features grappling with another man—a bearded uncle in a white karate uniform, his hair frizzed out like an explosion.
"The one with the white hair is Baek Yoonho, the Guild Master of the White Tiger Guild," Go Gunhee introduced. "The one in the karate uniform is Ma Dongwook, the Guild Master of the Fame Guild."
Those two S-Rank Hunters were famous throughout South Korea, but Go Gunhee knew full well that "S-Rank" meant nothing in Scáthach's eyes. He introduced them anyway, just in case.
---
T/N: hmm i dont remember solo levelling that well tbh did jinwoo die again at the temple? in the canon storyline? because of that death and resurrecting without the system (i think) he wasn't in a coma and was able to save jinah at school but here since he was stronger he was able to win(?) but injured heavily preventing him from saving jinah but thankfully mommy was there idk someone let me know
T/N2: heres ur updates :3 meeting the 4 chaps a week quota :3 posting earlier so bonus chaps will be a longer waitttt >:)
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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