Chapter 67: The Hunters (2)

Chapter 67: The Hunters (2)

The most noticeable was the part mentioning the gospel of souls. Though extremely environmentally fixated, it was unlike these guys to use such religious terminology.

The revival of primitive faith...?

It wasn’t unthinkable, but meeting it in reality unavoidably felt awkward. As a mage, the soul I grasped was merely another component constituting the living. Its only peculiarity being current science’s inability to observe it.

Therefore I conjectured magic power and the soul may be a form of dark matter. Simply another substance interacting with the observable world only through limited pathways.

Thus there was no afterlife for humans. The soul gradually decomposed and disappeared with the death of life. This was the case for all the deaths I had witnessed through the “Eye of the Golden Age”. I had never seen souls ascend to Heaven or fall to Hell. The Round Table masters who arbitrarily attached the ‘soul’ concept to this unobservable human component were the problem to begin with.

There wasn’t really a suitable alternative term, and I reluctantly used it as well.

However, I could understand the change in the arson-loving elves with heads rather than hearts.

‘The Giant’s presence is just overwhelmingly massive.’

Typhoons, earthquakes, lightning, fire, and volcanoes, the sun and the moon, the countless celestial bodies that shine in the night sky, large beasts, towering mountains, the large rocks and ancient monuments atop them, and even diseases. Everything that was first religiously revered by humanity was a part of nature that instilled a sense of awe in the observer.

The origin of this reverence lies in the overwhelming experiential impact that these natural phenomena have on the senses.

Even I had felt overwhelmed by the forest’s presence, let alone ordinary awakeners of meager abilities, how must they feel overwhelmed? The colossal presence of the white forest shrouded in fog projecting beyond the horizon itself possessed enough force to bring someone to their knees.

“Their numbers are said to be countless?”

When I asked again Kyung-tae nodded.

“Tents and campers are gathered west and southwest of the city, looking like someone cut out and pasted a Middle Eastern refugee camp. Though I didn’t check personally, word is there’s another camp north two kilometers matching the city scale, and countless outsiders have set up camp at Sand Ledges to the east too.”

“Are they all ‘pilgrims’?”

“No. There are many who came to hunt pigs, and many militiamen, people who just came to research or observe, tourists, groups you can’t tell what they’re doing, and all sorts – army, police, Citizen Corps, state emergency management personnel, etc. There’s even Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.”

Kyung-tae took crinkly bags out of his pocket.

“Speaking of which, would you care for some cookies? Kids with apple red cheeks kept begging for just one packet so I couldn’t buy just one.”The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

“.......”

Cookies are good. Just in time for some pre-sleep calories. As I tore open a packet a sweet, nutty aroma arose. The cookies were studded all over with large chocolate chips. Biting into one, amidst the crispy texture a powerful sweetness rushed in.

I originally disliked excessive sweetness but...

“How is it?”

“Delicious.”

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

“You guys should eat too.”

At my words, Suyeon stood up.

“I’ll prepare something to drink.”

“Yup.”

I had planned to also go by snowmobile, but aerial reconnaissance with my own eyes before that would let me identify any potential risks, if they existed, more safely. Ground approach and observation could come after. If aerial observation alone sufficed, it could even be omitted altogether.

I looked again at the wall smashed by the pig.

1.5 billion dollars...

Last year was an era without variables like awakened feral creatures. Yet even then, the damage amounted to 18 trillion won. This year’s losses were unlikely to be less than double that amount. Simple calculation meant preventing that much damage warranted pouring in funds. A prudent official would know allocating even more to nip the disaster’s roots would be ideal. Securing the budget would be a separate political task though.

Anyway, in this field it was inevitable private awakeners rather than public authority would stand out. The so-called high-risk hunting would emerge as a promising livelihood for awakeners. Korea, where our organization was based, would be no exception. When bounties were offered for nutrias.

I had envisioned fear of cancer would dampen awakeners’ activities. But that was in hindsight an incorrect assessment dramatically underestimating the masses’ foolishness.

‘The coronavirus answered this in the first half of the year.’

Even during the pneumonia epidemic outbreak from China, morons who were reluctant to wear masks, held collective worship services, and frequented nightclubs rubbing against each other existed. That sort would just as nonchalantly ignore warnings their likelihood of cancer as awakeners skyrocketed if they abused their abilities. Saying those who would get it would get it, and those who wouldn’t wouldn’t.

Grasping danger as danger ultimately still relied on intelligence backing it. By my measure, humanity’s average intellectual faculties appeared not to reach that level. Countries like America with devastated public education even more so. Perils not felt sank into the realm of indifference and oblivion.

While advantageous for me as it multiplied covers.

The next morning Kyung-tae secured an early flight as promised. At 10 AM the hunter helicopter fleet would take off from the parking lot in front of the county office.

I spoke with a somewhat absurd feeling.

“Nice foresight for this time.”

The current time was 7:30 AM. The guy who had stepped out saying he’d go buy breakfast had booked an appointment with the hunters. Bewildering, as the contact hours listed on the pamphlet started from 9 AM. Kyung-tae unpacked the food-packed hands of himself and a subordinate in order and beamed brightly.

“Those folks need breakfast too right? I happened across guys in winter camo with weapons gathered in front of a breakfast cafe so I thought, this is it! They clearly weren’t the National Guard. When I struck up a conversation they were like sure, okay. I explained my heartfelt desire to help you, hyungnim, and it seems the universe took notice and stepped in to assist.”

“Right, well done.”

“Haha!”

He laughed even brighter at the light praise. His manner made it seem he had intended this from the start.

The meal was a typical American breakfast. Inheriting the British breakfast in a more harmful fashion. In my paper box were four strips of bacon, four sausages, three eggs, hash browns dressed with gravy, and biscuits. Besides that, pancakes and French toast piled high with honey and cream, potato fries, and ribeye steak lavished with cheese crowded the table.

“This place is considered one of the city’s landmarks, right? Folks like Kurt Russell, Stephen King, and Robert Wagner have dropped by. Oh yeah. I asked why the steak price was oddly expensive for America, and they said beef prices have been consistently rising—”

I listened with one ear and let the other pass as I steadily took in calories. Whether a hunter or hunted, a hearty meal was the first step in preparation.

Author's Thoughts

Disclaimer:

This novel is a work of fiction! While it may incorporate elements inspired by our "real" historical world, including historical events, settings, and cultures, it is important to note that the story and characters are entirely products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work should be enjoyed and interpreted as a work of fiction and not as a representation of historical facts or reality.

Also, if you find some error in translation please do let me know by tagging me (@_dawn24) in our Discord server. Since this series is kinda hard to translate. But I'll try my best to make it at least readable :)

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