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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: American Monster Extermination Request (3)
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"It might seem odd coming from us, given this is only our second request, but the American monster extermination request is a rather peculiar one."
To avoid repeating the unexpected situation we faced in the Zhukai Forest, I gathered the party members and explained before we left for America.
"Peculiar, you say?"
I nodded at Sophia's question.
"Well, once you take one, they continue to assign subsequent requests to you based on your performance. And the compensation is quite generous compared to other requests."
"Ah, so it's like being an outsourced hunter for the Guild?"
"Yeah, that's right. It's pretty similar."
Even though we were in a world where the Great Gate Era had begun, and South Korea was, astonishingly, the world's number one hunter superpower—a truly nationalistic and pride-filled setting—America's influence remained undeniable.
While most countries, as if a fire had broken out at their feet after the Gate Incident, focused on cultivating their own hunters, America diversified its efforts and shifted its attention to the equipment used by hunters.
As a result, America now held a significant share of the advanced equipment used by hunters.
'Well, recently, all sorts of cheap equipment have been coming in from China, but your life depends on the gear you use. American-made is still the best.'
Just looking at the items distributed to the Utopia party members, most of them were American-made.
In any case, America entered its second golden age by earning vast sums exporting expensive hunter equipment.
Rather than rescuing their vast land on their own, they chose to hire hunters from other countries to handle incidents within their borders.
In the process, it was standard for them to offer various benefits to excellent hunters, scouting them, or even promoting immigration and changes in nationality.
"…Scouts. Will such an offer come to us too?"
Lee Yu-ri asked, tightly hugging the golden shield she had received from Director Rina.
"No."
Shin Se-hee replied.
"We belong to the Velvet Hunter Academy, so such blatant approaches are impossible. They'll test the waters once, and if they think it's a no-go, they'll pull back immediately. Director Rina's influence cannot be ignored, even in America."
At that, Lee Yu-ri and Ichika couldn't help but recall Director Rina just a moment ago, grumbling endlessly as she handed over the shield and etched the subspace tattoo.
'…That person, *that* influential?'
"You don't have to worry so much about the scouting. However, there's something else we *should* worry about."
I interjected to steer the conversation back on track.
"What's that?"
"Other parties. Quite a few other parties will gather for this request."
While it felt like we were representing the Velvet Academy, hunters from other countries, and even various guilds not affiliated with an academy, wouldn't pay us any mind.
The American monster extermination request was something many were practically salivating over!
At the mention of other parties, the party members' faces stiffened.
Until now, no mission involving other parties had ever ended well for them.
"Other guilds…"
"We're the Academy's representatives…"
"So, they might try to pull some tricks behind our backs…?"
I let out a chuckle, seeing the stiff expressions on my party members' faces.
'Actually, *they* should be the ones worrying, but a little tension isn't bad, so I'll just let it be.'
"Well, now that I've explained everything, shall we get going? To America."
Immediately after the explanation, Utopia used a spatial transfer array to head to America.
This time, all of Utopia, including Shin Se-hee, was present.
***
Vwoom—
Unlike Japan, where many people had been waiting for us, in America, only one foreign man, dressed in a suit with pomaded hair, was present.
"Welcome, members of Velvet Hunter Academy's Utopia. We've been waiting for you. Welcome to America."
Fluent Korean flowed from the foreigner's lips. His Korean was so natural that if his mouth movements hadn't perfectly matched his voice, one might have mistaken it for a translation device.
He bowed his head politely and extended a hand with a relaxed demeanor.
"Yes, hello. And you are… Mr. Richard?"
It was Shin Se-hee who took his hand. It was only natural for her to step forward in a situation requiring negotiation with a foreign country.
Perhaps not expecting Shin Se-hee to know his name, surprise flickered in Richard's eyes for a moment. He quickly composed himself and nodded.
"Yes, that's correct. I am Richard Parkers, from the American Hunter Association. Miss Cheonhwa."
"Hmm, the fact that someone as highly regarded as a promising talent within the American Hunter Association is here to meet us means you value Utopia quite highly. I appreciate the courtesy."
"…Pardon? Yes, th-thank you?"
From the very beginning, Shin Se-hee seized control of the conversation, smooth as flowing water.
"Hmm, forgive me, but may we get straight to the point? Will we be traveling to the site by helicopter from here?"
"…Yes, that's correct. It's about an hour's helicopter ride to the location."
"I see. Bannack, Montana. That's the place where the dungeon explosion occurred five years ago, isn't it?"
"Yes, yes…"
"Hmm, so it's a dungeon explosion site, not a dungeon where broadcast equipment malfunctions… In that case, does America intend to broadcast the raid on the Bannack region?"
"...!"
"In that case, we'll need to negotiate separately on that, won't we?"
Shin Se-hee said, wearing a faint, harmless smile.
'…They said Cheonhwa wasn't ordinary and to be careful. But this is just a monster…!'
Before he could even utter a word, it felt as though his entire prepared scenario had been exposed.
"Ah, haha. Y-yes, of course. Let's discuss it while we travel by helicopter."
He was drenched in cold sweat, yet outwardly, he could only force a smile.
*
Thududududududu—
During the helicopter ride to the site, Shin Se-hee concluded various negotiations with Richard regarding the monster extermination request.
"Hmm, that was a productive conversation, Mr. Richard."
"…Ha. Haha. Th-thank you, Miss Cheonhwa."
Shin Se-hee, upon exiting the helicopter, seemed somehow refreshed and invigorated. Conversely, Richard's complexion was as pale as if he'd been drained of blood by a vampire.
"O-other parties will be arriving soon! I've conveyed all the explanations to Miss Cheonhwa, so I, well, I'll be going now…!"
Richard hurriedly grabbed his briefcase and stumbled away, disappearing as if fleeing. Watching his retreating back, Shin Se-hee touched her lips.
"Hmm, it's a bit disappointing… but I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with this much?"
Watching Shin Se-hee smack her lips, seemingly still wanting more even after completely stripping Richard of his resolve right before their eyes, the Utopia party members couldn't help but look disgusted.
'As expected, no matter how docile she's become lately, the Black Serpent hasn't gone anywhere.'
A black serpent with a flower's face.
It was a moment when her epithet resurfaced once more.
***
Unlike us, who had effectively reduced the distance to America to zero with the spatial transfer array installed at the Academy, parties from other guilds and hunters from other countries had often been traveling by ship or plane for several days already.
Therefore, despite departing last, we were able to arrive at the scene first.
"Yu-ha, I heard that monsters have completely settled here, but is there anything we should be particularly careful about?"
"Ga-eul, senior, I explained all of that just now… Were you perhaps sleeping then?"
"Eheheh…"
Im Ga-eul scratched her head awkwardly.
This person always keeps their eyes half-closed; it's impossible to tell if they're awake or asleep… I let out a deep sigh and replied.
"They're called Sapienz, you can think of them as gorillas with four arms. And the thing to watch out for is that they steal and use hunters' weapons."
"…They steal hunters' weapons!?"
"Well, their intelligence isn't particularly high. They just swing them around with brute force. But it's still dangerous."
"So there was a reason the American Hunter Association was racking its brains over this… If they just sent weaklings, they might only end up strengthening the monsters…"
"Yes. That's why they've seemingly made up their minds quite firmly this time."
Thudududududu—
"To the extent that they're hiring such a large number of hunters." Helicopters arrived at the scene, kicking up a sandstorm that ruffled their hair.
Clank— *Whoosh!*
The door of the helicopter that arrived first opened, and a woman stepped out. A short-haired woman, insolently chewing gum, was the first to descend.
She looked this way, her eyebrows twitching, then opened her mouth as if intrigued.
"Well, well… Look who it is? Isn't this the famous Supernova Party? A bunch of first-year academy brats with a male party leader."
Stomp—
"Come to take on a monster extermination request, little one?"
She suddenly approached me, her eyes darting as she scrutinized my face.
"Well, your face is certainly presentable. Good enough to be a pretty face for the group. You look delicious."
Then, with a clearly provocative intent, she curled one corner of her mouth into a sneer.
"Do you happen to be good at night work too? You're all probably sharing him anyway. Why not share a little with us?"
Clack-clack-clack—
She clapped her palm against her fist, making an obscene gesture.
At that, all the Utopia party members standing behind Jin Yu-ha unleashed terrifying killing intent.
"That fucking bitch?"