Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 356 – Japan Sinking? (5)

Dellchant possessed the ability to claim the souls of those who failed to pay for their purchases, making it impossible to cheat the Demon Merchant.

That was...until now.

Badump!

'Huh?'

Han-Yeol heard the sound of a heartbeat, yet it wasn't his own.

'What was that?'

[Summon me...]

It was a familiar voice, the Arch Lich.

'Huh?'

[Summon me...]

Han-Yeol recognized the voice instantly, belonging to the proud lich he had contracted.

[Hurry...]

'Ah, okay.'

Despite the sudden request, Han-Yeol summoned the Arch Lich. After all, the lich didn't speak in vain and was the most intelligent of the demons he had contracted.

C-Crack... Shwooosh...!

A chilling breeze swept through, freezing the surroundings as the Arch Lich materialized.

[Good...!]

Asus wasn't summoned this time; presumably, he was guarding the Arch Lich's lair.

[Hohoho...]

'Why did you suddenly want to be summoned, Arch Lich-nim?'

[Your dealings with Dellchant intrigue me.]

'Excuse me?'

It was unusual for the Arch Lich to show interest in Han-Yeol's business with Dellchant.

[Human.]

'Yes?'

[I will pay for those two items.]

'W-What? Why?'

Han-Yeol was taken aback by the sudden offer.

Meanwhile, Dellchant eyed the Arch Lich, filled with curiosity.

[Oh?]

A demon acting on their own for a human? That seemed impossible.

'W-What do you mean?'

[I will pay for the two items you're purchasing.]

'B-But...'

[In return!]

'As expected...'

Despite being human once, the Arch Lich was a demon now, and he wouldn't help without something in return.

Relieved that there was a condition, Han-Yeol asked, 'What do you desire?'

[I need test subjects for my magical research. Hand over the intermediate and high-ranking Hyena Sorcerers you defeat.]

'Are you interested in their corruption abilities?'

[Ah, that's one reason, but I'm more intrigued by the side effects of their corruption abilities.]

‘Ah...’

The Hyena Sorcerers possessed an overpowered vitality enabling survival as long as their brain remained intact, allowing them to find a new body. This ability was likely of high interest to the Arch Lich, who conducted research on creatures' lifeforce.

‘But will that suffice?’

[Yes, I need ten intermediate ones and one high-ranking one remains.]

‘I understand. Since I have to fight and defeat the hyenas anyway, I have no issue handing their corpses to you.’

[Kwahahaha! Excellent!]

Shwooong!

‘Hiiik!’

Whenever the Arch Lich got excited, he habitually spread extremely cold mana, though it wasn't chilling for Han-Yeol, now much stronger after training in the second dimension. However, the sudden chill was enough to startle anyone.

[Kihihihi! My, my! It's an honor to do business with one of the most famous clients in the demon world!] [I will pay the price once I return to my hive...]

‘When did his lair become a hive?’

Han-Yeol was certain it was a lair, yet it seemed to have evolved into a hive now.

[It will be my honor to visit your residence! Kihihihi!]

Poof!

The Arch Lich and Dellchant disappeared without bidding Han-Yeol goodbye, leaving behind only a wooden chest.

‘Haa...’

Han-Yeol obtained two artifacts thanks to the Arch Lich. Though not technically free, as he paid with the hyena corpses, it wasn't a problem for him.

Seuk...

He picked up the chain and sword from the wooden chest left by Dellchant, immediately using his skill to inspect their details.

‘Item Appraisal!’

Ding!

[Hell Bastard Sword of the Demon King Jabberwock]

Rating: Legendary

Type: Bastard Sword

Mana Enhancement: 100,000 to 180,000

Description: A bastard sword still holding the essence of the Ancient Demon King Jabberwock's breath. This weapon, dormant deep within the demon world, has now been stirred from its slumber.

*Jabberwock’s breath makes this artifact indestructible.

*+500 Invoke and Charisma thanks to the Demon King’s aura.

*+100% Mana Enhancement when critically striking enemies.

*Increased dominance over demons.

[Chain of Abyss of the Demon King Jabberwock]

Rating: Legendary

Type: Chain

Mana Enhancement: 120,000 to 200,000

Description: A chain still imbued with the essence of the Ancient Demon King Jabberwock's breath. This weapon, dormant deep within the demon world, has finally been awakened.

*Jabberwock’s breath makes this artifact indestructible.

*Infusing mana into this artifact will allow the user to freely control it.

*This artifact has no length restriction.

*100% enhanced power when using chain skills.

*Will turn into a tattoo on the user’s body, and the user may summon it when needed.

*Increased dominance over demons.

“...”

Han-Yeol was left speechless. His expectations didn’t extend beyond a unique item, which was the highest tier he knew of. Even the weapon he used in the Bastro Dimension as Harkan was merely a unique-tier artifact. Yet, the artifacts gifted by Dellchant were both legendary-tier, boasting stats and bonuses worthy of such a designation.

“...”

His lips remained sealed, almost as though they were glued together. Stupefied, he stood for quite some time until Mavros’ cry snapped him back to reality. While hunting with the Bastro Warriors, Mavros had flown back to Han-Yeol.

‘Haa...’ A sigh escaped Han-Yeol, breaking him out of his reverie, thanks to Mavros.

Cwak!

Mavros canceled his Battle Mode and returned to his tiny size.

“Kyu!”

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

Seuk... Seuk...

Han-Yeol patted Mavros' head as if nothing unusual had occurred. Despite spending every day with Han-Yeol, Mavros seemed to grow even cuter.

“Kyu! Kyu!”

Of course, Mavros always relished and appreciated the attention Han-Yeol gave him.

***

Han-Yeol returned to his mansion, having armed himself with his three newly-upgraded weapons. Checking his smartphone, he noticed a new email.

The government had issued secret email accounts to high-ranking Hunters in the country for confidential information, and this was Han-Yeol's first email to this account.

[Japan Rescue Team Leader Proposal – Lee Han-Yeol]

“Hmm...”

The South Korean Government initially had no plans to initiate a rescue operation in Japan due to potential public backlash. However, Japan's foreign minister personally visited South Korea and knelt on live TV, pleading for help. His actions successfully swayed Korean sentiment toward aiding the Japanese people.

Sending a few boats and planes to transport civilians to South Korea might have sufficed, but the situation was more complex. The majority of survivors were concentrated in central Japan, with monsters overrunning major airports and ports. The operational facilities were limited to the northern region, yet highways were blocked by abandoned cars from fleeing citizens.

The only viable solution was to secure a port from the monsters to use as a base for evacuating civilians, an incredibly daunting task.

Consequently, the plan, initially involving only Hunters affiliated with the Association, was hastily expanded to include others. However, finding skilled volunteers willing to assist was challenging. The only promised reward from the South Korean Hunters’ Association was tax exemption for mana stones and monster body parts obtained in Japan. While valuable, the perilous situation in Japan made it a life-threatening endeavor, especially considering the potential encounter with Craspio, a monster powerful enough to defeat five Master Rank Hunters simultaneously.

Han-Yeol anticipated few volunteers due to the underwhelming rewards for such risk. Normally, he'd disregard government requests as they were troublesome.

‘Hehe, they probably knew I wouldn't accept this.’

He was certain the email was a mere formality. Surprisingly, however, he found himself contemplating participation in the rescue operation.

Was it a newfound sense of humanitarianism or a fondness for Japan? No, Han-Yeol's true interest lay elsewhere.

‘I want to test out my new weapons!’

Realizing he'd need an opponent on par with Craspio to truly unleash his abilities, Han-Yeol, immensely powerful by Earth's standards, acknowledged that only monsters like Craspio posed a challenge unless he entered the Bastro Dimension.

He clicked 'reply,' accepted the lead role in the rescue operation, and hit 'send.'

Tak!

Rumors circulated that the first Hunter to respond to the sent emails was Han-Yeol. The association staff, upon seeing his reply, doubted their eyes. Upon reporting this to their manager, there was a double-check to confirm if there might be another Hunter sharing Han-Yeol's name.

The relationship between Han-Yeol and the Hunters’ Association was so strained that they couldn't fathom his acceptance, despite witnessing it firsthand.

Regardless, the government and the association swiftly mobilized upon Han-Yeol's acceptance to lead the rescue operation. There was no time to waste; the survivors' endurance was uncertain. Their lives hung precariously, akin to a candle in the midst of a storm. It had become a race against time to save at least one more person.

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