Infinite Evolution Hunter - Chapter 169

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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169
Director Baek Young-shin carefully requested that Brixel allow them to read the residents’ emotions and thoughts. With Bae Na-young’s mind reading ability, she could delve into their subconscious and uncover any deceptions or hidden truths.
“I am not the ruler of this place, so I will not stop those who volunteer.”
Brixel agreed without much deliberation.
“Would it be acceptable to attempt this on you, Brixel?”
“Hmm… I wonder if you’ll even be able to read my mind. Shall we try?”
Director Baek Young-shin nodded at Bae Na-young.
“Forgive me.”
Bae Na-young approached Brixel and placed her hand on his head.
She remained still for a long moment, and soon her brow furrowed with concentration.
“I cannot read anything.”
‘There’s nothing in his mind. It’s not that he lacks thoughts—it’s as if his consciousness is completely lifeless.’
Bae Na-young sent me a telepathic message, her expression betraying a shudder of unease.
“I apologize. This is beyond my control.”
Abandoning the attempt to read Brixel’s mind, she went outside to read the residents’ thoughts instead.
“Are there no residents willing to open their hearts to accept refugees from Earth?”
Despite the unsettling nature of having their minds read, dozens of residents came forward at Brixel’s words.
Bae Na-young read through each of their minds one by one.
“Brixel is our savior. I have not forgotten the sight of you descending from the heavens with the Ark just before our planet was consumed by the Destruction God.”
“Because you saved us, we live here today. We would be delighted if the people of Earth were to join us.”
There was no falsehood in their words.
We traveled through several cities and randomly selected residents to question. Though they came from different races and homelands, their words held no deception. They were all refugees, and they harbored infinite gratitude toward Brixel.
“Are you satisfied now?”
Brixel spoke with a benevolent smile.
“You will accept them without any compensation?”
“The refugees need only bring their personal possessions. Nothing more is required.”
His intentions remained opaque. It would have been easier if he had demanded something in exchange for saving them, but this unconditional kindness felt burdensome.
“We are grateful for your hospitality and goodwill. We shall take our leave now. We will contact you soon.”
Director Baek Young-shin shook hands with Brixel.
“I cannot wait long.”
Under Brixel’s guidance, we headed toward the exit of the Ark.
As the delegation left the Ark, a humanoid golem’s foot slipped in the mud and it fell. Bae Na-young, standing nearby, instinctively reached out to catch the falling golem.
“Stop!”
The moment Bae Na-young reached toward the falling golem, Brixel’s voice cut through the air. His doll-like face showed the faintest hint of tension—the first genuine emotion he had displayed.
Bae Na-young withdrew her hand, and the golem fell to the ground. It rose again without concern and resumed its work as if nothing had happened.
“Ahem. The golems are extensions of my personal ability, so touching them without permission would be rather… inconvenient.”
As all eyes turned toward him, Brixel cleared his throat and spoke.
“Do the golems not have consciousness?”
Bae Na-young withdrew her outstretched hand and asked.
“How could golems possibly have consciousness? Come now, let us depart.”
Following Brixel’s guidance, I left the Ark and returned to Earth.
“The inspection revealed no abnormalities. There were no traces of monsters, and the residents were living happily and comfortably.”
Director Baek Young-shin reported to everyone, and
“The mental evaluation also found no irregularities.”
Bae Na-young shared what she had discovered through mind reading.
“There appears to be no danger. What if we send only volunteers on the condition that they don’t approach Earth?”
Earth was already experiencing a massive refugee crisis, and most nations, unable to resolve conflicts between original residents and refugees, were desperately trying to expel them.
“Will there be volunteers?”
Contrary to skeptical opinions, footage of the Ark’s interior was shown, and when word spread that housing and provisions would be provided, crowds surged forward.
First came the refugees. Since they received poor treatment where they were, the Ark appeared like paradise, and many refugees applied.
Second were the religious believers whose faiths featured the Ark’s inhabitants.
Finally, surprisingly, even those who weren’t refugees and had no religion flocked to apply. People exhausted by the increasingly powerful monsters emerging from Gates, Tellus’s terrorism, and the angelic crisis sought refuge and wanted to board the Ark.
All these catastrophes had occurred within mere years, so I couldn’t blame them. With this trend, apocalyptic prophets claiming the world was doomed were multiplying, making the Ark an alluring option.
The tragic part was that those doomsayers weren’t wrong. Even after returning to the past and growing far beyond my previous expectations, I still hadn’t found a way to stop the Destruction Gods.
Worried whether I could truly stop them, the Ark’s massive spatial displacement and dimensional expansion abilities were incredibly attractive. Even without entering the Ark, if I could learn that technology, we could evacuate to another dimension when all else failed.
“We’ll send the refugees. Should we have the Ark come pick up our people?”
With only applicants registered, Director Baek Young-shin contacted the Ark to coordinate details.
“We’ll come retrieve them. How should the refugees bring water and resources?”
Instead of Brixel, the Giant Guard escorting him answered the communication.
“…Resources?”
“The Ark is vast, but our internal resources are limited. All resources are perfectly recycled, but as our population increases, we need proportionally more. Nothing extravagant—just water, air, minerals, and mana stones.”
“Didn’t you say no compensation was necessary?”
“Compensation? Taking belongings when relocating is natural, isn’t it? Did you think we’d accept them naked? As Earth’s residents, don’t you naturally have ownership rights to Earth’s resources?”
I couldn’t tell if this was a difference in ideology because he was from another world, or if he was deceiving us.
“…How much are you asking for?”
“Divide Earth’s total resources by the population, then multiply by the number of refugees. Of course, we won’t force anything. The Ark departs in one week. Make a wise choice.”
The Giant Guard ended the transmission. His demeanor was distinctly different from before.
“They’re saying they’ll take Earth’s resources?”
“Water is abundant and any minerals would be manageable quantities, wouldn’t they? It should be fine to send—”
“Are you insane? A few people might be acceptable, but we already have tens of millions of applicants. If those resources vanish from the surface, who knows what impact it will have on Earth’s environment?”
After lengthy deliberation, representatives from each nation agreed to maintain good relations but decided against sending refugees.
However, after the agreement, one nation had different thoughts.
* * *
Shortly after the World Hunter Association’s agreement, Prime Minister Nakamura, who succeeded Prime Minister Saika, convened all cabinet ministers.
“We must all ascend. There is no more hope in this land.”
Japan had long suffered from earthquakes and land subsidence, and the opening of Gates had worsened the situation.
With vast territory and large population but dwindling hunters, Japan had to rely on Korea’s strength to defend against Gates. In exchange, massive capital flowed out to Korea, making Japanese far-right extremists gnash their teeth.
“But we cannot abandon this land our ancestors protected and relocate!”
One minister with some sense of reason objected.
“Aren’t monsters becoming something we can’t handle domestically? And didn’t that damned Korean bastard impose conditions preventing Japan from going to the Moon? What is that if not isolating us?”
With former Prime Minister Saika imprisoned for life in the World Hunter Alliance’s dungeons, the far-right faction had lost much of its momentum. Yet the hatred directed at Korea had not vanished.
“But… however…”
“This is already a decided matter. If you have no alternative, hold your tongue. The inspection was certain, wasn’t it?”
Nakamura silenced the dissenting minister and questioned the Foreign Minister who had participated in the Ark delegation.
I asked the Foreign Minister.
“I’ve confirmed it thoroughly. The people living up there are living peacefully. Most of the refugees had no factional affiliations. If superior Japanese ascend in large numbers, we can build influence within the Ark itself.”
“Excellent. Let’s proceed. Contact the Ark and Brixel.”
* * *
“This cannot be allowed!”
Akiko confronted Nakamura.
“What are you saying, Hunter Akiko?”
“You’re leaving behind the sick and injured?!”
Nakamura had set the condition for refugees to be those capable of walking on their own, leaving behind the injured, disabled, and elderly with mobility issues.
Of course, those with abundant Mana Stones—the modern currency—could hire people to help them move despite physical limitations, but most could not afford such luxury.
“Left behind? Choose your words carefully. We are providing food and necessities in abundance.”
“What about the monsters?! If you take all the hunters, who will hunt the monsters?!”
“As the population decreases, the Gates will diminish as well, so there is no cause for concern.”
“That’s sophistry! Monsters already released into the world remain undefeated, and even if Gates decrease, some will inevitably remain!”
“It is most regrettable that Hunter Akiko does not consent, but this was a necessary choice for Japan’s future. That concludes this matter.”
Nakamura rose and departed.
“Prime Minister! This is absurd! Prime Minister Nakamura!”
Nishikawa silently blocked Akiko from following him.
Nishikawa was a hunter who had trained at the World Tree Academy and recently ascended to S-rank. With his impressive height and handsome features, he was popular within Japan. Unlike Takahashi, he neither adopted middle-school-syndrome clothing nor mannerisms, and standing beside Akiko, they looked like a couple—a pairing that had rapidly gained him many fans in a short time.
There exists a belief that hunters need only possess ability, but it is difficult to disregard star power.
“Nishikawa! Do you truly support this choice?!”
“Is there no future on Japanese soil? Japan can only continue if we ascend to the Ark.”
“Even if it means abandoning people?”
“…There simply isn’t enough space on the Ark. I too find it lamentable.”
There was plenty of space on the Ark. They were simply leaving behind those who would be burdensome, so that those ascending would not suffer hardship.
“I will not go.”
“I already knew you would not go, Akiko. Please look after those who remain.”
“Nishikawa! Let’s go!”
Takahashi called from behind, and Nishikawa bowed respectfully to Akiko before following him.
Akiko clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, consumed by indignation.

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