LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 293
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
Chapter 293
Early in the morning, Zeon and Brielle made their way to an open space in the slums.
The large clearing was packed with vehicles and people.
It was where the assault teams mobilized for the Mana Stone Mine expedition were gathering.
There were 400 vehicles, 3,000 Awakenedd, and hundreds more support personnel.
This mission, spearheaded by City Hall, promised not only significant rewards but also a chance for the team that achieved the greatest success to gain partial rights to operate the new Mana Stone Mine city.
Naturally, countless assault teams jumped at the opportunity.
Even a small share of the operating rights for a Mana Stone Mine guaranteed enormous profits.
Once an operating right was secured, it meant stable, long-term income and a foothold in the new Mana Stone Mine.
The current rulers of Neo Seoul’s districts had humble beginnings. They had participated in earlier Mana Stone Mine expeditions, made significant contributions, and earned shares of operating rights.
This foundation allowed them to grow into the powerful factions they were today.
With such a precedent, it was no surprise that numerous teams were vying for a piece of the action.
Even the established district powers had dispatched their own teams.
They aimed to expand their influence by gaining a share of the new Mana Stone Mine, just as they had with the existing ones.
This influx of teams filled the open space in the slums to capacity.
Levin's friends Aeron and Dominic’s small assault team was among them, waiting in a secluded corner to depart.
It was a reflection of the harsh reality for small, insignificant teams.
In contrast, Jang Yong-beom’s team had secured a far more advantageous position.
As an assault team led by an S-rank Awakened, they had every right to claim the best spots.
Their vehicles were top-of-the-line: buggies specialized for desert terrain, buses reinforced with armor, and trucks for transporting supplies—clearly a well-prepared team.
Jang Yong-beom sat on the roof of a buggy, wearing a bored expression.
“Ugh, City Hall workers are always so damn slow. We could’ve just left already. What’s taking so long?”
“It’s a dangerous mission. They’re probably double-checking and making preparations.”
Jang Yong-beom looked unimpressed at Aiden’s reply.
“What’s so dangerous about it? They say there’s only one beast in the open-pit mine.”
“And that beast is estimated to be S-rank.”
“So am I.”
“Even so, you can’t take down an S-rank beast by yourself, can you?”
“Tch.”
With no retort, Jang Yong-beom clicked his tongue.
The strength of an S-rank beast was on an entirely different level than an A-rank Awakened.
Even an S-rank Awakened would struggle to defeat one alone—unless they possessed overwhelming abilities like Zeon.
“Haha!”
Suddenly, a burst of laughter interrupted their conversation.
Levin had inadvertently laughed out loud.
Jang Yong-beom shot him a glare.
“Something funny?”
“Sorry, it’s just… it was too amusing.”
Levin tried to suppress his laughter, covering his mouth with his hand, but his flushed face gave him away.
Displeased, Jang Yong-beom glanced at Aiden.
“Tch. It’s because you let him talk back that my authority is in the dirt.”
“I think it makes you more relatable.”
“Relatable, my ass. You’re all insufferable.”
“Still, thanks to him, we got a solid supply of potions. That’s something to be happy about, isn’t it?”
“Tch.”
In exchange for supporting Jang Yong-beom’s team with potions, Zeon had negotiated for Levin to join as a temporary member.
Levin wanted to protect his friends, but he couldn’t just join their team.
Small assault teams were often insular, with their own cultures. Once someone joined, leaving was rarely an option.
Levin needed to stay close to his friends while remaining free to act independently.
Jang Yong-beom’s team was the perfect fit.
Jang Yong-beom needed potions, and Levin needed a team that allowed him flexibility.
It was a mutually beneficial deal.
Although Jang Yong-beom grumbled, he knew how powerful Levin was and how useful his abilities could be.
If leveraged correctly, Levin could secure a major contribution for the mission, potentially earning them a share of the Mana Stone Mine’s operating rights.
Aiden thought the arrangement was excellent.
‘No, it’s incredibly advantageous. It strengthens our ties to the Sand Mage.’
Zeon was an Awakened of near-legendary caliber.
Aiden had seen firsthand in the desert just how overwhelming Zeon’s power was.
Strengthening their connection with someone like that was invaluable.
At that moment, a loud engine roared as a massive vehicle entered the clearing.
It was a transport vehicle sent by City Hall.
Awakeneds began to disembark, with Pathfinder Team 3 at the forefront.
As the only ones who knew the location of the Mana Stone Mine, they were naturally included in the mission to guide the teams.
Another familiar face also appeared.
“Oh! It’s Mandy Noona!”
Levin’s face lit up when he spotted Mandy among the group.
She was also participating in the mission as a supervisor.
Noticing Levin, Mandy waved back.
Her gesture, however, was cut short by a cold voice from a man beside her.
“Everyone’s watching. What do you think you’re doing? Put your hand down.”
“Yes, sir.”
Mandy replied with a displeased expression.
The man’s name was Go Min-woo.
He was an analyst from City Hall and the mission’s appointed leader.
Analysts were responsible for gathering and interpreting information at City Hall, rarely stepping into the field.
Rumor had it that Go Min-woo had pushed hard to be the mission’s leader.
He was a man of great ambition.
His goal was to secure the vacant position of deputy mayor.
Neo Seoul officially had two deputy mayor positions, but both were currently unoccupied.
Securing one of these roles would make him the second-most powerful figure in Neo Seoul, a position as influential as the district rulers.
Any ambitious individual would covet such a title.
‘If I successfully secure the Mana Stone Mine, the mayor will definitely take notice. Becoming deputy mayor won’t just be a dream.’
Go Min-woo was a B-rank Awakened.
Although he ranked below the Numbers, his level of power commanded respect in most circles.
Confident in the forces assembled for the mission, Go Min-woo believed success was inevitable.
No matter how powerful the S-rank beast was, the combined strength of the expedition would surely bring it down.
Go Min-woo smirked and addressed Mandy.
“Is everyone accounted for?”
“Yes. All the registered assault teams are present and accounted for.”
“Excellent! Then we can depart immediately.”
“Aren’t you going to personally check the personnel and equipment?”
“That’s your job. A leader only needs to lead; there’s no need to fuss over trivial details. Understand?”
“…Yes.”
Mandy forced a calm expression as she answered, though her insides churned with frustration.
‘I swear, if I hear one more thing from this idiot, I might lose it.’
Mandy couldn’t stand Go Min-woo. The thought of working under him on this mission was unbearable.
Sighing inwardly, she glanced toward where Zeon and Brielle stood, chatting leisurely, seemingly oblivious to her turmoil.
‘I wish I were over there instead.’
At least Levin was participating in the mission. Even though they would be in separate vehicles, the fact that they were moving together was a small comfort.
Climbing atop the command vehicle, Go Min-woo addressed the gathered teams.
“Alright, let’s move out! If we succeed in this mission, we’ll carve our names into Neo Seoul’s history. The rewards will be sweet, so let’s give it our all!”
“Yeah!”
“Let’s go!”
With a roar of engines, hundreds of vehicles began moving in unison.
Watching the scene, Brielle suddenly spoke.
“Levin will come back safely, won’t he?”
“If you’re that worried, you should’ve gone with him.”
“Honestly, I’m not worried. If Levin decides to run, no one could catch him.”
“True.”
Zeon nodded.
If Levin used his ghostly abilities to flee, few could hope to stop him. Even if the entire expedition were wiped out, Levin would likely survive.
The problem was his friends.
While Zeon had given them intense training in a short amount of time, they were still far behind other Awakeneds.
Zeon couldn’t guarantee their survival.
“All we can do is hope fortune favors them…”
“Couldn’t we just follow them?”
“City Hall wouldn’t like that.”
“Why not?”
“If I contribute significantly, they’d have to give me a share of the operating rights. Do you think Jin Geum-ho wants that?”
“Probably not.”
“They didn’t invite me for a reason. He doesn’t want my influence to grow.”
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
Brielle nodded.
Zeon had no interest in power, yet Neo Seoul’s rulers constantly kept an eye on him.
He was too destructive a presence for them to ignore.
“They just want you to stay out of the way, huh?”
“Pretty much.”
“Do you ever want power? Like your own territory in Neo Seoul, or maybe becoming mayor?”
“Why would I want that? I like things the way they are now.”
“Same here! I just want to focus on alchemy without getting tangled in annoying stuff.”
“And spend your free time playing with Gaia?”
“Exactly!”
Brielle’s immediate response made Zeon chuckle.
“Now that everyone’s gone, let’s head home too.”
“Okay!”
The clearing, once crowded with vehicles, was now eerily empty. The teams had all departed for the Mana Stone Mine.
As they passed through the clearing, Brielle suddenly frowned.
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Um… it’s probably nothing…”
Her voice wavered, but Zeon’s sharp instincts picked up on her unease.
“What’s over there?”
“I thought I saw something… but I must be mistaken. They wouldn’t be here.”
“They? Who?”
“…Hunters.”
“What kind of hunters?”
“….”
Brielle bit her lip, so hard that it began to bleed, seemingly unaware of the pain.
Zeon spoke gently.
“Brielle.”
“Y-yeah?”
“What kind of hunters are you talking about?”
“The ones… who captured me from the High Elf village.”
“You think they’re here?”
“I… I think so!”
“Then we need to confirm it.”
“But what if I’m wrong?”
“What if you’re not? Tell me everything about the ones who captured you.”
Reassured by Zeon’s calm tone, Brielle began to explain.
“Some of the ones who kidnapped me were… unusual.”
“How so?”
“There were beastmen… and dwarves… working together.”
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]