Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 205

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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 205

 

U.C.O. (2)

 

U.C.O.

 

A supernatural phenomenon of unknown origin.

 

The moment Lee Hyeon saw that shadow, he instinctively realized.

 

「Kid.」

 

‘Yes. Sata King. Right?’

 

「He’s not a sleepwalker, so why the hell is that guy wandering around like that? Wasn’t he supposed to be imprisoned somewhere?」

 

The materials left by Feng Jinghao contained the following:

 

―Isan Great Sage Sata King: Sealed in the desert near Palmyra, Syria… Originally, the Russian side intended to use Sata King as a test subject to restore various ancient myths from the Middle East region, but due to strong resistance…

 

‘There was originally a research facility secretly operated by Russia in the Palmyra Desert area.’

 

「It’s always darkest under the lamp, after all. It would have been perfect for deceiving outside eyes.」

 

‘But the fact that Sata King came outside means,’

 

「The seal was broken for unknown reasons. Whether big brother used some method to deliberately release him, or whether that Isan bastard broke out on his own, we can’t know.」

 

‘Which do you think it is, Great Sage?’

 

「I don’t know. Normally you’d think it’s the former, but considering that bastard’s fucking personality, the latter is entirely possible too.」

 

The white monkey crossed his arms and let out a cynical laugh.

 

「He’s the most beast-like and demonic bastard among us.」

 

According to Son Wukong, Isan Great Sage Sata King was originally born as a spirit beast.

 

He was born as a male lion, king of all beasts from birth, and after exceeding his predetermined lifespan, he came to be revered as a god by the surrounding human tribes.

 

So while he was clever, separately from that, he often gave himself over to impulse and instinct.

 

「So he would have hated being captured the most, and the moment he saw an opening, he might have escaped on his own. If that’s the case,」

 

‘The research facility would already be completely destroyed.’

 

But thanks to that, the first place to visit when going to the Middle East Front was decided.

 

「Whether it’s the former or latter, what does it matter? Either way, big brother’s claws have definitely reached there too.」

 

Son Wukong narrowed his eyes.

 

「Looking at how Isan’s eyes lack strength, it seems that bastard who already didn’t use his head much has become even more brainless. Probably when he fully awakens soon, there’ll be huge trouble.」

 

The current Sata King was in a state similar to sleepwalking.

 

Since he hadn’t been long released from the seal, he was wandering aimlessly like a ghost,

 

But if his thoughts gradually returned to normal, from then on disaster would strike.

 

And,

 

That form would probably be similar to Rabu who had burst out of 【Primordial Dragon Tiamat’s Nest】,

 

Or perhaps even worse.

 

It meant the entire world would face an emergency situation.

 

‘As expected, we must stop it before then, no matter what happens.’

 

「The more we delay, the more dangerous it will become.」

 

Son Wukong raised his head and stared directly at Lee Hyeon.

 

「You’re going, right?」

 

Strange emotions swirled in those eyes.

 

Since this was the last remaining person among his sworn brothers, his heart ached that much more.

 

‘Didn’t I tell you? Great Sage is for Great Sage’s brothers, and I am,’

 

「For your brothers, you absolutely must go?」

 

‘Yes.’

 

「Got it. Then let’s prepare to make our move too. We can’t lose to big brother.」

 

Son Wukong grinned and leaped, disappearing into the shadows.

 

“…”

 

Lee Hyeon raised his head again to look at the screen.

 

Right now it was classified under the name U.C.O. with a danger level of only ‘observation caution’, but when would that change?

 

His eyes sank deeply.

 

* * *

 

Michael Shepherd bowed his head slightly.

 

A request to help with the search operation.

 

But the team members couldn’t answer hastily and only watched each other’s reactions.

 

“Why are you specifically asking us for help? Aren’t there many other ASTRA units, other awakened units within the United States, or large guilds?”

 

Several nodded their heads.

 

The United States was truly the world’s only superpower.

 

They wouldn’t be powerless enough to specifically request cooperation from White Burn, and Z-Team at that.

 

“Of course, we’ll be moving separately domestically as well. The Palmyra Desert and its surroundings are very vast. The UN has also agreed to cooperate in the search, so a CTF (Combined Task Force) will probably be formed soon. Also, perhaps,”

 

Michael emphasized his next words.

 

“The ‘Sacred Wolf’ might move personally.”

 

“…!”

 

Lee Hyeon’s eyes flashed momentarily.

 

Sacred Wolf.

 

Shunka Wakan.

 

It referred to America’s top ranker ‘Logan Redsky’, who possessed the nature god ‘Wakan Tanka’ as his inheritance.

 

A descendant of Anglo-American natives, known to have a very righteous personality.

 

“But they will mainly focus on dealing with the U.C.O. It would become dangerous if that thing interferes.”

 

“You want to request a search from us while drawing the U.C.O.’s attention?”

 

“Officially, Z-Team will participate as a member of the multinational search team. However,”

 

Michael’s gaze toward Lee Hyeon deepened.

 

“The Director believes that you, Jet, will probably accomplish something great. I think the same.”

 

“That seems like excessive flattery.”

 

“It’s not flattery. It’s a fact based on the capabilities we assessed during the last Tenjin operation. Moreover, since we don’t know when the Sima Society might interfere…”

 

“You see that we, having the deepest grudge against them, would act more aggressively.”

 

Michael nodded.

 

“What’s there to hide? This method could also be good justification for Z-Team to easily establish itself on the Middle East Front. You wanted to catch Feng Jinghao, didn’t you?”

 

Kim Min-jeong, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, shook her head slightly.

 

‘No. This proposal, we should refuse it. Right now, with just us, it’s too much to handle both the search and the Sima Society.’

 

Certainly, if they were going to participate as players on the Middle East Front, ASTRA’s proposal was the best justification.

 

They would constantly receive the most crucial information for overseas operations. They could use base camps, so consumption costs would be greatly reduced.

 

Most importantly, their relationship with ASTRA would become closer.

 

That alone would give Z-Team solid backing for future growth, but…

 

‘Still, the Palmyra Desert is too vast. It’s dangerous to handle even that U.C.O.’

 

She was well aware of the disasters caused by 5-star dungeons.

 

But if they encountered an existence comparable to the lesser god Rabu from that time, or perhaps even greater.

 

Then it might not end with simple annihilation.

 

It could potentially drag all of White Burn into an even deeper quagmire.

 

Wouldn’t it be better to try approaching through other methods?

 

However,

 

Before Kim Min-jeong could voice such opinions,

 

‘…You’ve already decided.’

 

She smiled bitterly upon seeing Lee Hyeon’s expression.

 

His eyes were resolute.

 

Eyes that showed no hesitation whatsoever.

 

“Very well. We’ll help with the search.”

 

Michael’s expression brightened.

 

“Thank you. The conditions won’t be bad for Z-Team either,”

 

“No. We’re not stepping forward because of such conditions or conveniences. In fact, if you think about it, the danger level is much higher considering we might face U.C.O. Depending on the situation, we might even have to conduct solo operations, right?”

 

“Then,”

 

“There’s only one reason we’re stepping forward. Friendship.”

 

Friendship.

 

A word completely unexpected in this harsh world.

 

Michael’s eyes widened slightly.

 

Lee Hyeon grinned.

 

“Since the Tenjin operation, hasn’t Astra been our comrade-in-arms? If a comrade is isolated in a desolate desert and we don’t help, would that make us human? We’d be beasts.”

 

Michael looked around at the other Z-Team members.

 

They were all smiling and nodding calmly.

 

As if it were completely natural.

 

That reaction ignited something indescribable in Michael’s chest.

 

He wanted to find words to express that feeling, but it seemed like proper expression wouldn’t come out.

 

So he spoke with meaning and emotion pressed firmly into his words.

 

“Thank you. Truly.”

 

…However,

 

‘What are you trying to extract this time…?’

 

Watching this, Kim Min-jeong saw the sinister(?) smile forming at the corner of Lee Hyeon’s mouth and let out a hollow laugh.

 

* * *

 

A report was uploaded to White Burn’s intranet.

 

“Z-Team uploaded a proposal!”

 

“Really? What dungeon is it this time? What long-term unsolved dungeons are left?”

 

The employees of the Dungeon Strategy Department lit up their eyes and accessed the intranet.

 

The first dungeon exploration Lee Hyeon would undertake after his return was the subject of utmost interest.

 

The successor to the Thunder Unit that conquered the 4-star dungeon 【Ice Palace】. Where would that tremendous force that defeated Ping Xin head this time?

 

However, the problem was that Lee Hyeon had already cleared most of the famous long-term unsolved dungeons domestically.

 

The remaining dungeons were mostly trivial ones,

 

so they wondered if he could pull off an operation worthy of expectations.

 

So everyone accessed with anticipation…

 

“Huh?”

 

“This is…?”

 

The proposal’s content wasn’t about dungeon exploration.

 

“O-overseas deployment?”

 

【Deployment Proposal】

 

The Middle East Front has been in political turmoil due to proxy wars between various nations and forces over the past decades, but with many undeveloped dungeons still remaining, movements to secure them are desperately needed…

 

“This is a bit…”

 

“Isn’t it too dangerous?”

 

In the Hunter industry, there had long been a nickname for the Middle East Front.

 

—The graveyard of guilds.

 

It meant that many guilds had jumped in there only to face ruin.

 

“There are certainly many myths and legends in the Middle East region that haven’t found their owners yet.”

 

“Just thinking of the obvious ones: Zoroaster, Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, Assyria, Hittite…”

 

“So it would be good if we could secure the dungeons first, but would those who settled there first just sit still? From the 13th Legion to the Tower of Babel, they’d throw every possible interference at us.”

 

“Once you get caught up in the front lines, it won’t be easy to pull out…”

 

“A former special forces leader couldn’t possibly be unaware of these facts. What could he be thinking?”

 

The employees couldn’t properly focus on their work and gathered in small groups around monitors, putting their heads together.

 

But they couldn’t speculate anything just from the summary of the proposal uploaded to the intranet.

 

Someone suggested he might have become too arrogant,

 

while another speculated it might be creating justification to clash with Saha World, which had escaped from the Central Hero Committee.

 

However,

 

the part that drew the most attention was something else.

 

“Could this be true?”

 

“Currently devising protocols for official joint operations with Astra… Hmm. This is pretty big?”

 

“There were rumors recently that Astra’s operations staff officer frequently visits the executive office. Was that true?”

 

Eventually,

 

while everyone’s curiosity only grew,

 

“This is the proposal Z-Team submitted?”

 

Mountain God Mo Jeong-gyeon roughly skimmed through the official document rather than the intranet summary and threw it on his desk.

 

Thud!

 

It made quite a heavy sound.

 

A report spanning dozens of pages.

 

“So they’ve elaborately explained how they plan to heavily drain my money?”

 

“White Burn is a corporation. A publicly traded company at that.”

 

“So?”

 

“Under current commercial law, the company’s retained earnings aren’t entirely your personal funds, Chairman.”

 

“This bastard?”

 

“But if you read it properly, the logical development of the content is quite plausible.”

 

Geum Jisang, standing across from him with his hands behind his back, answered.

 

Mo Jeong-gyeon’s eyes narrowed at the shameless response.

 

“Are you criticizing me for skimming through it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“This guy doesn’t even bother to sugarcoat his words anymore?”

 

“What would be the point of speaking indirectly when you wouldn’t listen anyway?”

 

“You won’t listen to direct advice either.”

 

Geum Jisang gave no response to Mo Jeong-gyeon’s shameless answer.

 

“But the content is indeed plausible. The parts about forming official business agreements with Astra to reduce deployment costs and quickly securing dungeons in that region are quite specific and practical. They did… a lot of research.”

 

In fact, Geum Jisang was reevaluating Lee Hyeon’s abilities after this proposal.

 

He wasn’t just excellent at practical work, but also showed proficiency in administration.

 

The future strategy and advantage utilization, rarely seen in typical field-hardened soldiers with rigid thinking, were quite specific.

 

This meant he had been interested in the Middle East Front for a very long time.

 

That’s why Geum Jisang was more drawn to Lee Hyeon’s plan this time.

 

Though it was actually a 5-minute result he’d churned out in one sitting, spinning his Golden Headband at maximum capacity because paperwork was too bothersome.

 

Sometimes ignorance was bliss.

 

“Hmm…”

 

“Don’t you like the content?”

 

“No. Actually, I was just thinking it’s about time we seriously started venturing outside. We’ve been crouching at home too long, and now everyone’s just being overly cautious over something like the Tenjin incident, aren’t they?”

 

Mo Jeong-gyeon twisted one corner of his mouth.

 

His hideous tiger-like fangs were fully exposed.

 

“Caution is something you show toward those you think might be worth competing against. But what happens when you realize the gap is so large that they’re completely beyond reach?”

 

“They’ll be soaked in fear.”

 

Geum Jisang gave a bitter smile at the fact that his superior’s nasty hobby was starting again.

 

“What if the gap widens even more?”

 

“They’ll admire and worship.”

 

“Exactly. So we need to smash their heads at least once. We have to clearly show them who the king of the mountain is.”

 

“Then you don’t like this plan?”

 

“No. I like it.”

 

Mo Jeong-gyeon nodded her head readily.

 

“But what’s bothering you?”

 

“I don’t like that I like it too much.”

 

“…What does that mean?”

 

Geum Jisang’s face instantly became one of ‘here we go again,’ and Mo Jeong-gyeon made a sullen face and grumbled.

 

“It’s no fun if I just give permission obediently.”

 

“….”

 

“How should I mess with them?”

 

Her face changed to one of keen interest.

 

Geum Jisang let out a sigh.

 

At times like this, she wouldn’t listen even if he tried to stop her.

 

“Call Manager Jang over. I need to check how that assignment I gave him last time is coming along.”

 

The corners of Mo Jeong-gyeon’s mouth, biting the Long Bamboo Pipe, curved widely.

—————
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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