The Regressed SSS-Rank Supporter Who Turned Dark - Chapter 36

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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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#Episode 36
Minister An checked the sender and was taken aback.
The mysterious 10-star Hunter who had set the entire world ablaze.
A direct message from them, of all people.
[Supernova] Why haven’t you made any moves yet?
Minister An hesitated to reply immediately.
His mind was in turmoil.
Who was Supernova? What were their true intentions?
Without any information about them, it was difficult to know how to respond.
[IronBlood] No moves? What do you mean?
[Supernova] Exactly as I said. I’m sure I warned you.
[IronBlood] Are you talking about Jebu Island?
[Supernova] Jebu Island?
[IronBlood] The coordinates you marked. It’s Jebu Island, South Korean territory. The Special Armed Forces Training Institute is located there. You didn’t know?
[Supernova] Do I need to know such details? Jebu Island, I see. Now that I look at it again, it’s just a tiny island attached to somewhere.
[IronBlood] …
[Supernova] I have no interest in where that place is. I was simply offering information out of goodwill.
[IronBlood] Goodwill?
[Supernova] Let’s call it humanitarian concern.
“Humanitarian concern.”
Minister An chewed on the mysterious 10-star Hunter’s words and smiled bitterly.
For some time now, Hunters had been positioning themselves as nobles of a new era, while those who genuinely worked for humanity were steadily disappearing.
[IronBlood] This may sound unpleasant, but I can’t even trust whether you are who you claim to be.
[Supernova] Yes, I suppose not.
[IronBlood] To be honest, you look like nothing more than someone irresponsibly hiding behind anonymity to manipulate public opinion.
[Supernova] That’s one way to see it.
[IronBlood] If you want us to trust you, shouldn’t you reveal yourself first?
[Supernova] I’m sorry, but if that were possible, I wouldn’t have written anonymously in the first place. I have my circumstances too.
[IronBlood] Then I have no grounds to trust you either.
[Supernova] Grounds for trust, you say. For instance, you’d be most curious whether I’m truly a 10-star Hunter.
[IronBlood] That would be the minimum requirement.
[Supernova] I’ll prove it to you.
[IronBlood] Are you serious?
[Supernova] I’m coming to your nest.
“…!”
Minister An was startled by Supernova’s bold declaration.
For one Hunter to visit another Hunter’s nest required tremendous courage and trust.
Since Hunters wielded absolute influence within their own nests, the protocol was to exercise extreme caution when visiting another’s.
One could suffer severe psychological damage, and in extreme cases, it could even affect reality itself.
[Supernova] In two hours. I’m coming to your nest.
[IronBlood] Good. I’ll wait.
Minister An accepted Supernova’s proposal immediately.
Since they were coming to my nest first, there was no reason to refuse.
* * *
Right after setting up the appointment.
“Sigh.”
The thought of going to the Minister’s nest made me tense.
Minister An was one of humanity’s first-generation Hunters to awaken, and a formidable figure who had reached 7-star rank.
Walking into such a Hunter’s nest of my own volition wasn’t exactly a comforting prospect.
‘I need to stay sharp. One wrong move and the Minister could turn the tables on me. In the worst case, my identity could be exposed.’
I steeled myself.
Minister An was far from a pushover, regardless of his Hunter rank.
Before awakening as a Hunter, he had been a Brigadier General—a high-ranking military officer—and as the Defense Strategy Department Minister, he bore responsibility for South Korea’s national defense. There was no way he could be soft.
‘If HunterLink has judged my rank as 10-star, I should be able to hold my own against Minister An. But I need to be careful with my words.’
Nationality, gender, age—everything.
I mustn’t provide any clues that could lead him to infer information about me.
‘This is the limit of what I can do. If Minister An doesn’t act, my only option is to slip away.’
I had absolutely no intention of dying while the Special Armed Forces Training Institute dragged its feet, knowing full well that a massive Gate phenomenon was about to occur.
In fact, from my perspective, I’m already doing everything I can.
The very fact that I haven’t left the Special Armed Forces Training Institute yet means I’m already bearing considerable risk.
* * *
Minister An logged into HunterLink and waited for Supernova in his nest.
Minister An’s nest resembled a real-world office, with one key difference: it was the office of a military general, not the Defense Strategy Department Minister.
Indeed, the nameplate on Minister An’s desk bore the title of Commander of the Special Forces Brigade, not the Defense Strategy Department Minister.
It likely meant that Minister An considered the days when he was Commander of the Special Forces Brigade—before the Gate phenomenon occurred—to be happier times than his present role as Minister.
“So, if you’re truly a 10-star Hunter, you’ll show up. If not, you won’t appear.”
As he muttered to himself, Minister An’s gaze fixed on the clock hanging on the wall.
11:59.
Exactly one minute remained until the appointed time.
‘If I can just confirm that you’re truly a 10-star Hunter, I’ll have sufficient grounds to act.’
It was then that Minister An had such a thought.
Thud, thud!
Footsteps echoed from a distance.
“…!”
Minister An was startled.
The nest was merely decorated to resemble the Commander’s office; there was no space beyond the door.
Yet despite that, footsteps were coming through so clearly….
Creeeeak!
With a chilling sound of hinges, the door opened.
“Tch!”
The moment Supernova stepped through the threshold, Minister An could no longer withstand the overwhelming pressure. He clutched at his chest and collapsed to his knees.
‘This… this can’t be happening!’
Minister An found the current situation utterly incomprehensible.
To exert such crushing force while visiting the lair of another Hunter—a 7-star Hunter at that—seemed impossible.
“Your name was… Ahn Guk-seon, wasn’t it?”
He opened his mouth to speak.
Blood trickled down.
Blood streamed from Minister An’s ears.
Despite the quiet tone, the sound waves carried devastating power.
‘Without question… a 10-star Hunter.’
Minister An attempted to rise, but his body refused to obey.
“Ugh!”
The pressure radiating from Supernova proved so overwhelming that even lifting his head to glimpse his face became impossible.
Of course, Supernova had pulled the hood of his cloak deep over his head, making any attempt to see his face futile anyway.
“Do you believe in my existence now?”
“I… believe. Ugh.”
“Good.”
Satisfaction resonated in Supernova’s voice.
Yet Minister An could not discern what language he was using.
Communication through HunterLink transcended language and script—it operated through pure consciousness.
“Then you understand my goodwill toward you vermin as well.”
“Vermin…?”
“Do you truly believe creatures like you possess any meaningful value to me? By my standards, a handful of Koreans are worth less than flies.”
“That’s… that’s…”
Minister An could mount no rebuttal.
At this moment, a 10-star Hunter existed beyond all conventional measures.
His strength defied even estimation.
“Then why warn us beforehand? According to you, we’re nothing.”
“I told you. Humanitarian concern.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“Heh.”
Supernova laughed.
“Aren’t you fighting for the sake of humanity?”
“…!”
“My sole objective is victory in this war. At minimum, those cursed things that shattered our daily lives must face retribution. Whoever they may be.”
“Is that truly your intention?”
“Believe it or not—that’s your choice. I merely provide information; I have no intention of coercing you. How you interpret what I’ve given you rests entirely with you.”
“That’s not wrong, but… if you harbor some ulterior motive…”
“I repeat: belief is your prerogative. Don’t seek judgment from me. I simply offer opportunity. Now, I’ll take my leave.”
With footsteps echoing, Supernova departed from Minister An’s lair.
Minister An simply let Supernova leave the shop.
Just being in the same space as Supernova made it difficult to even breathe.
“Supernova… truly a monster. Phew.”
After logging out and returning to his office, Minister An clicked his tongue in exhaustion.
“An opportunity. In the end, there’s nothing to do but wait and see whether it becomes an opportunity or a trap.”
Minister An repeated Supernova’s words and placed a cigarette between his lips.
* * *
“Phew.”
The moment I logged out of HunterLink, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
I had expended so much mental energy projecting my presence in Minister An’s domain that my entire body was drenched in sweat as if I’d suffered through a nightmare.
Still, since I had achieved my objective, this seemed sufficient.
As I mentioned earlier, the choice would be Minister An’s to make.
“Ugh.”
My clothes and even the sheets were soaked with sweat, so I showered and changed into fresh garments, but…
Weeeeeeeeeeee!
A siren suddenly blared throughout the facility.
– This is the Director of the Special Armed Forces Training Institute.
An announcement echoed from speakers installed throughout the grounds.
– All personnel currently at the Special Armed Forces Training Institute are instructed to gather all belongings immediately and assemble at the Parade Ground.
– I repeat this announcement.
– All personnel, gather all belongings immediately and assemble at the Parade Ground.
– A withdrawal order has been issued by the Defense Strategy Department, and effective immediately, the Special Armed Forces Training Institute is being closed.
The meaning was unmistakable.
‘It’s done.’
A smile spread across my lips.
Minister An had made his decision.
Of course, it must have been a difficult one.
Since this wasn’t a decision the Minister could make unilaterally, it would inevitably carry political burden.
He had handed his opponents excellent ammunition, and this would become a turning point that threatened his position.
Yet despite all this, the fact that he made such a decision meant that Minister An was at least someone who prioritized people’s lives over his own safety.
‘Which is precisely why he wouldn’t survive for long.’
Suddenly, Minister An’s ultimate fate came to mind, and I let out a bitter laugh.
Yes, the end of a hero is always tragic.
I gathered my belongings and headed toward the Parade Ground.
“What on earth is happening?”
“Is it because of that 10-star Hunter called Supernova?”
Speculation flowed from people’s lips.
“Ahn Guk-seon, what’s going on?”
Jung Ho-bin approached and asked.
“I have no idea either.”
Weeeeeeeeeeee!
The siren wailed across the facility.
– Emergency, emergency!
– Dimensional rift phenomenon detected 3 kilometers west! Dimensional rift phenomenon detected!
– All personnel, combat stations!
– Instructors, lead your trainees and prepare for monster assault!
I couldn’t believe my ears.
“…Was it today?”
My heart sank.
A massive dimensional rift catastrophe at the Special Armed Forces Training Institute on the very first day of this cohort’s enrollment.

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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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