Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 164

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Broken Ranker

Devours Myths

 

 

Chapter 164

 

Guam (9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apra Harbor District.

 

Container area. Pierre-21 warehouse.

 

 

 

Black Maria was a Philippines-based PMC (Private Military Company),

 

currently operating as a ‘security company’ in Guam under the pretense of security services, corporate protection, and conflict zone safety assurance.

 

However, behind the PMC signboard, they had various gangs, intelligence agencies, and even terrorist organizations as employers…

 

They mainly dealt in weapons trading, illegal mercenary deployment, and abyss resource security contracts, and were currently classified as one of the 13 forces of the ‘Axis of Evil’.

 

“There’s too much humidity in the warehouse. The metallic smell is strong too. Can’t you turn on the ventilation? We have important guests coming.”

 

“Yes! Understood.”

 

The representative of the Guam branch, Katrina Velasquez, was a woman who fit perfectly with Black Maria in that regard.

 

Refined business attire, linguistic skills allowing her to freely speak English, Spanish, and Tagalog, and a sharp mind with an American MBA.

 

She knew how to run the company like a legitimate enterprise.

 

She was a gray figure who dealt with cartels and intelligence agencies simultaneously while never firmly taking anyone’s side.

 

Whoooosh-

 

Just then, wind blew through the slightly open window gap.

 

Katrina adjusted her black suit and sat in a chair, opening her tablet.

 

Today there was an important deal.

 

Gwiroae.

 

A freelancer about whom almost nothing was known except that he was Zeus’s Apostle.

 

However, according to Katrina’s decision, Black Maria had decided to sign a sponsorship contract with him.

 

The reason was simple.

 

It seemed like it would make money.

 

So there were things to organize before the person in question arrived.

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

Meanwhile, the people around held their breath and watched her mood.

 

They too were businessmen gathered for the sponsorship contract with Gwiroae. They prided themselves on being somewhat influential within Guam.

 

But in front of Black Maria, they were nothing more than modest corner shops.

 

“Everyone go about your business. Don’t mind me.”

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

But such words made them even more unable to speak.

 

Right then,

 

“Ha! What? Why are you here? Don’t tell me a big corporation like Black Maria is showing interest in these small business districts too?”

 

Esteban Rojas appeared with heavy footsteps.

 

The leader of La Sombra, the vigilante group of Dededo slums.

 

With a black hood draped over his shoulders, a cigarette was still burning in his hand.

 

Instantly, the other businessmen could breathe easier.

 

Esteban was Katrina’s famous nemesis.

 

“Isn’t the small business district money? If there’s money, we have to go anywhere to make it.”

 

“Keu! That’s a wise saying, a wise saying. What an amazing money-grubbing spirit. How can there be no corner you don’t squeeze into? If our La Sombra wants to grow big like Black Maria in the future, we need to learn that kind of mentality, right?”

 

Clap clap clap!

 

Esteban sat across from her while clapping.

 

He acted cheerful, but his tone was obviously full of sarcasm.

 

Katrina frowned.

 

She hated the disgusting cigarette.

 

She hated the man in front of her even more, who knew nothing but violence and intimidation.

 

“For a gang that claims to be vigilantes, you smoke quite expensive cigarettes. You collect protection fees so diligently, shouldn’t you cut back on such luxuries first if you want to grow into a company?”

 

Esteban’s eyes narrowed for a moment. Then the corners curved slightly.

 

“Among our family, there are many friends who would starve immediately if they didn’t cultivate tobacco. If I don’t step up and consume like this, money won’t circulate. What’s that called? Ah, right! Local economic revitalization. Local economic revitalization.”

 

“Keu! As expected, Boss, you’re cool.”

 

“You’ve been reading economics books for the past few days, and you seem to have gotten smarter.”

 

“Hey! Even though I, huh? I couldn’t study because I was poor, but I was born with brains. If I had held a pen from childhood, what couldn’t I have done?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Of course. Absolutely.”

 

Esteban puffed up his shoulders at the flattery from his subordinates behind him.

 

“Ah! A mercenary company that would blow off the head of an enemy if paid enough to protect them probably doesn’t understand this kind of close bond?”

 

“That difference is exactly what we call class. We respect contracts, while you’re just a pack of starving dogs.”

 

Katrina closed her tablet and crossed her arms. Her cold gaze behind her glasses stared directly at Esteban.

 

“Dogs?”

 

“That’s right. Dogs. Dogs that bark when you throw them food. Isn’t that right?”

 

Katrina pulled out her wallet from her jacket with a sneer.

 

A luxuriously crafted long wallet made of crocodile leather. It was packed with bundles of dollars.

 

Esteban’s subordinates glanced at it and unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.

 

Gulp!

 

“Recently, the vigilante group’s finances have gotten quite bad, haven’t they? The City Cartel that used to employ you as hunting dogs suddenly disappeared, and the farm harvest isn’t particularly good either.”

 

“That’s because you guys set fire to the farms back then…!”

 

Esteban was about to slam the table with his fist but stopped midway.

 

In his blazing gaze.

 

Katrina still threw her sneer.

 

While pulling out a bundle of dollars from her wallet.

 

“I’ll give you all of this, so would you bark once? You’re good at that, aren’t you? Not long ago, when the cartel needed experimental rats, I heard you even kidnapped slum orphans and handed them over?”

 

“…!”

 

“You claim to be vigilantes protecting residents while selling out your own kids, you bastard. What’s with the pretense of loyalty? What do you say? If you want to receive this, you have to bark. Go ahead. Woof woof. Woof woof.”

 

Bang!

 

Finally unable to endure it, Esteban struck the table and stood up. His subordinates behind him hardened their expressions and moved.

 

But Katrina remained in the same sneering posture.

 

She waved the bundle of dollars teasingly.

 

“Still won’t do it even with this?”

 

Instantly, the air in the warehouse became tense. Each side’s subordinates placed their hands on their gun handles.

 

‘Wh-what should we do about this!?’

 

‘Damn it…! I thought this was just a place to make contracts!’

 

‘Why do those two have to clash here of all places!!’

 

The problem was that Black Maria had recently created innocent victims in Dededo slums during their activities.

 

Finally, in a standoff situation where one wrong move could immediately lead to bloodshed,

 

Creak!

 

Suddenly the old iron door opened with a clang and outside light seeped in.

 

“Quite noisy guests have arrived.”

 

As a long shadow fell, the warehouse that had been frozen in tension was suddenly enveloped in silence.

 

Step.

 

Step.

 

A demon mask and platinum coat. In one hand, a stone staff adorned with amethyst.

 

Though the outfit could look ridiculous, strangely it matched perfectly with the aura he emanated.

 

Crackle! Crackle-crack!

 

With each step, white electric currents sparked threateningly from his feet,

 

and the oppressive atmosphere that had been weighing down the air made breathing difficult.

 

So this was the hunter who had rendered the City Cartel helpless…!

 

For a moment, a strange light flickered in Katrina’s intelligent eyes behind her glasses,

 

“Should I sit here?”

 

Lee Hyeon, who had arrived at the table, spoke in a heavy voice.

 

Behind him stood a tall, handsome black man.

 

“I am Ramon Marquez, Gwiroae-nim’s main sponsor and supporter. To have so many people show such deep interest in our Gwiroae-nim. I am truly grateful.”

 

“…Matador.”

 

“The showman of the slaughterhouse has come out personally. I heard he’s been running around directly to secure business funds these days.”

 

The businesspeople who recognized Ramon let out murmurs. Many of them had been burned by Ramon before.

 

“Please sit comfortably, Gwiroae. Ah, would it be alright to call you by your nickname? I don’t know your real name.”

 

“Call me whatever you like.”

 

As Lee Hyeon took his seat at Katrina’s guidance, Esteban also sat back down, grinding his teeth.

 

The suffocating air finally calmed down a bit.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Ramon gestured to his subordinates.

 

Identical documents were placed in front of Lee Hyeon, Katrina, Esteban, and the businesspeople.

 

“As discussed in the behind-the-scenes negotiations, these are the contents we’ve organized regarding this negotiation.”

 

Lee Hyeon silently skimmed through the document contents quickly.

 

Ramon continued his explanation.

 

“The contract contents are largely divided into two parts. One is active support for freelancer Gwiroae. Gwiroae-nim will use the supplies you provide to engage in various dungeon raids and mercenary activities.”

 

Rustle.

 

The sound of pages turning could be heard.

 

“Accordingly, all the obligations that Gwiroae-nim will need to bear going forward are listed, so please check them all… The final page contains the highlights of this contract. Please be careful as this section has confidentiality clauses.”

 

Instantly, the eyes of Katrina and the other businesspeople flashed sharply.

 

This was essentially the core of the sponsor contract.

 

 

 

―This contract shall remain in effect until both parties achieve their desired objectives. Detailed information about the ‘objectives’ is attached separately.

 

―Gwiroae’s objective is to seize the ‘Blue Ribbon’ held by the City Cartel and enter the Hagåtña Black Zone.

 

―The sponsors’ objective is to secure shares in the ‘mine’ owned by the City Cartel. Gwiroae shall never make any claims regarding shares, and share distribution among sponsors shall be negotiated through separate contracts.

 

―Gwiroae shall prioritize the conquest of the ‘Challenger Abyssal Gate (hereafter, Deep Sea Dungeon)’. In the future, when forming raid teams, sponsors’ priority participation rights are guaranteed.

 

―Additionally, the distribution conditions for spoils after dungeon conquest are…

 

 

 

“As you can see, this contract leads to Gwiroae-nim’s entry into the Deep Sea Dungeon. Obligations only apply up to that point, and the conquest is,”

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

“Yes. Please speak, Katrina.”

 

“I don’t recall hearing about this part beforehand?”

 

Katrina adjusted her glasses and interrupted Ramon mid-sentence.

 

“I remember there being no mention at all regarding the Deep Sea Dungeon. What exactly is going on here?”

 

The other businesspeople nodded in agreement. Only Esteban remained still with his arms crossed.

 

“That would be correct. However, we thought you should know exactly where Gwiroae-nim is targeting so you can use it as reference when deciding your business strategy directions, so we’re informing you in advance.”

 

“Participate as sponsors in the Deep Sea Dungeon conquest too?”

 

“You may or may may not. That’s not an obligation. However, since we’ve guaranteed you priority rights, if you judge there’s sufficient commercial value as sponsors in the future, you can extend then.”

 

“You’re not planning to inflate the price even more then, are you?”

 

Ramon grinned.

 

“There’s also the risk it could drop miserably lower than now.”

 

But his tone was full of confidence. It was faith that Gwiroae would never let that happen.

 

However, Katrina’s questions weren’t over.

 

“But can this conquest plan actually work? The mine’s source is essentially the Deep Sea Dungeon… If the dungeon gets cleared, then everyone here will be left twiddling their thumbs, won’t they?”

 

The businesspeople nodded at Katrina’s words again. She had somehow become their representative.

 

“Do you really believe the Deep Sea Dungeon can be conquered?”

 

“…”

 

Katrina involuntarily flinched.

 

An unexpected question.

 

“It’s a place that couldn’t be closed despite the United States pouring massive resources and time into it in the early days. What top rankers couldn’t accomplish, you don’t think Gwiroae-nim can do it either.”

 

“Then why are you going to the Deep Sea Dungeon?”

 

“That’s…”

 

“If you have doubts, you can drop out.”

 

Ramon was about to answer when Lee Hyeon, who had maintained silence until now, spoke.

 

A heavy voice. It had the magic to make listeners’ hearts sink.

 

Katrina looked at the ghostly eyes visible through the demon mask.

 

“I have no obligation or duty to tell you that much, do I?”

 

“…”

 

“If it weren’t for Ramon’s persuasion here, I would never have disclosed even that part.”

 

“I apologize, Gwiroae-nim.”

 

Ramon slightly bowed his head from the side.

 

Lee Hyeon waved it off as fine and spoke to the businesspeople.

 

“I still find it unpleasant to reveal things related to myself to others. The reason I agreed to recruit sponsors was simply because I judged it would be burdensome to go to the dungeon alone.”

 

“…”

 

“Now that you’ve seen me directly, you judge and decide. Whether you’ll go with me for a while, or,”

 

Suddenly, lightning flashed in his golden eyes.

 

“Whether you’ll withdraw here.”

 

Whoooosh…!!

 

The hotly boiling air overwhelmed all directions.

 

The businesspeople fell silent, and Katrina broke out in cold sweat.

 

Though they all possessed the bold courage and excellent skills to build their empires in the lawless city of Guam,

 

facing Lee Hyeon directly was never an easy task.

 

However,

 

Grin.

 

Katrina smiled with sweat beading on her forehead. Greed flickered in her eyes.

 

“Impressive spirit. You certainly have the skills to dump the cartel in the gutter. Give me the contract. I’ll sign it.”

 

Katrina extended her hand to Ramon, and Ramon respectfully handed her the bundle of contracts.

 

She took out a fountain pen and signed without even looking at the contract contents.

 

“Me too!”

 

“Give me one too.”

 

“Our Red Spear will do it too.”

 

That was the signal flare.

 

While the other businesspeople also hurriedly received contracts from Ramon and quickly left their signatures in the final signature section,

 

even until then, Esteban said nothing.

 

Rather, his eyes were blazing as if ready to devour something.

 

A slightly different attitude from when he had been confident before Lee Hyeon appeared.

 

From one perspective, he seemed to be wary of something, and from another, he appeared anxious or wearing a meaningful smile.

 

“Aren’t you going to do La Sombra?”

 

At Katrina’s question, Esteban uncrossed his arms.

 

“We,”

 

“I suppose you thought it didn’t matter since everyone here is going to die soon anyway?”

 

Before Esteban could give any answer, Lee Hyeon interrupted midway.

 

In an instant, caught off guard, Esteban’s eyes widened,

 

“You, don’t tell me you knew everything and still…!”

 

The other businessmen also hurriedly raised their heads.

 

A common thought flashed through their minds.

 

Betrayal.

 

“No way! Esteban, did you inform the Cartel…!!”

 

Katrina hurriedly pushed back her chair and distanced herself from Esteban. If he was an informant, he would target her first since she was right next to him.

 

Her expression hardened as she moved her hand toward her holster, and Black Maria’s bodyguards also quickly tried to draw their pistols,

 

『No. That would be your story. Black Maria’s Katrina.』

 

Lee Hyeon’s telepathic message pierced Katrina’s ear.

 

Like the laughter of a demon.

 

“What are you talking about…!”

 

The moment Katrina turned her head toward Lee Hyeon in shock,

 

She could see it.

 

Behind the cold Demon Mask.

 

Lee Hyeon’s eyes were smiling.

 

Gwiroae. Lightning as eerie as the name “demon’s lightning” was sparking along with the gleam in his eyes.

 

Whiiiiing!!

 

Bang! Kwa-kwa-kwa-bang!!

 

Right then, suddenly from the roof came the sound of bombers flying low, and tremendous explosions shook the warehouse.

 

Kwaaaaang!!

 

Bang! Bang-bang-bang-bang!

 

Rummmmmble…!!

 

A malicious bombing that would absolutely not leave a single person alive.

 

Aerial bombs poured down relentlessly, turning the warehouse district into ashes in an instant.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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