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Chapter 526
Chapter 526
Almost every country strictly prohibited any kind of association with evil god constellations. Unless one lived in a dictatorial country, worshiping an evil god constellation was impossible. If left unchecked, the country itself could fall into the hands of an evil god constellation, and there had been cases of that.
However, actively driving out the evil god constellations was a different story. It was easier said than done. A prime example of that was the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations. There had once been a massive campaign in the United States to drive him out.
The government had uprooted and eliminated various drug organizations and investigated hunters on a large scale, punishing anyone that had anything to do with the the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations.
However, contrary to expectations, the campaign backfired. Even though many drug gangs disappeared and fewer drugs were on the market, consumers didn’t stop searching for drugs.
The household members of the hallucination constellation took advantage of that shortage and circulated all kinds of evil drugs made by their master, which ultimately increased the power of the constellation.
It was the same with the hunters who had made a contract with the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations. Besides, hunters who served evil god constellations would cause various disturbances and enormous damage when backed into a corner.
As such, it was quite difficult to diminish the power of the evil god constellations. After all, their power was bound to humans’ desires, and trying to suppress those desires without targeting the root problem was bound to backfire.
So driving out the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House?
‘Is that even possible?’ Choi Yeonseung was puzzled, and the goddess of sloth seemed to have the same reaction.
-Do you think that can be achieved with the power of humans?
-I’m sure it’s not impossible, but... As you know, it’s quite difficult to impose restrictions on constellations. I think this whole thing will fizzle out.
[The ‘Chef of Endless Gluttony’ wonders if the ‘Greedy Owner of the Treasure House’ really was behind this incident.]
-No. Maybe a human made up an excuse.
[The ‘Chef of Endless Gluttony’ admires how amazing humans are.]
Choi Yeonseung and the constellations thought of this as nothing more than an incident spurred on by the overall chaos. Some greedy humans had acted rashly and ended up digging their own graves.
No one expected the evil god constellations to be affected by this incident.
***
-Thirteen minions of the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House have been arrested... Cooperate with the account freezing...
-Accounts opened in tax havens have been identified as belonging to the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House. The authorities have identified these accounts...
-Artifacts that were trafficked have been found and recovered. The parties involved deny knowing anything, but...
Choi Yeonseung had assumed that people would just briefly mention this, but governments around the world reacted more vigorously than expected.
Starting with the United States, powerful countries that had their own voices joined hands to conduct a thorough investigation, which yielded more findings than expected.
No matter how much property was hidden in overseas tax havens, no one could prevent an alliance of powerful countries from seizing it.
‘What?’
“It’s clear that your sincerity has reached their hearts, Hunter Choi Yeonseung,” Adaquaniel explained in a slightly elated voice.
But even so, Choi Yeonseung wasn’t convinced. “Governments from around the world won’t be moved by one person’s sincerity. Earth isn’t that kind of place.”
“Of course not. But this time, the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House is trying to get his hands on your property. You’re on friendly terms with those governments, and the effects of the invasion haven’t disappeared completely yet. Thus, you can impose some economic sanctions if you want. Those governments probably know that, and adding your sincerity to that, they decided to cooperate with each other.”
“...”
Choi Yeonseung thought Adaquaniel didn’t understand how things actually were...
-Rather, aren’t they intimidated by you?
-...So this is what it’s come to.
Currently, there were few countries that weren’t paying attention to Choi Yeonseung, and that wasn’t just because of the symbolic value of the S-grade.
Choi Yeonseung had a lot of things in his hands. In particular, the materials from the companies were like a lifeline for many hunter clans. The invasion wasn’t over yet, and if the supply of artifacts and other items was cut off...
All those factors had led to countries around the world trying to suppress the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House.
First of all, he was an evil god constellation, which was already enough to motivate this cause. People who were tired of the evil god constellations spreading fear and destruction were cheering for this campaign.
-I can’t believe they’re preaching about driving out the evil god constellations when they’ve been ignoring them all this time!
-It’s because there are a lot of people who have joined forces with the evil god constellations!
Everyone was happy.
—Except for the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House.
[The ‘Greedy Owner of the Treasure House’ warns you angrily.]
After walking along a path in the woods, the hunters spotted a city and anxiously discussed what to do next.
One couldn’t regard a city in the Abyss like one on Earth. Even though it seemed peaceful, this city was most likely strange and twisted.
A city inhabited exclusively by undead or an underwater city were lucky cases that humans could deal with, but they had stumbled upon much more grotesque cities.
“T-trust me,” Uranta said firmly.
With that, the hunters’ apprehension started to go away. Even though Uranta was difficult to deal with in some regards, they could wholeheartedly trust the combat power of a giant.
“Alright!”
“I will follow you!”
As they approached the city, they spotted a goblin pulling a wagon.
Looking at Uranta, the goblin asked, “Have you come here to take on the challenge of the realm?”
“Th-that’s right, goblin. Are you our adversary?”
“You could say so.”
With that, Uranta immediately raised a weapon, causing the hunters around him to gulp nervously. They would soon witness the powerhouses of the Abyss go at it!
Watching this fight would be of immense help to the hunters.
“C-come. I will allow you to come first, goblin.”
“Come?”
“A-aren’t you the adversary prepared for this challenge?”
“Ah, there seems to be a misunderstanding. It’s not just me. Everyone in this kingdom is your adversary.” The goblin chuckled.
“...D-Do I have to kill them all?”
“No! You are such a savage!” The goblin was appalled by Uranta’s misunderstanding. “Our master, the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House, doesn’t like such cruel and barbaric fights.”
[Entering the Fourth Abyss Kingdom.]
[Gather the most wealth.]
[Reward: the kingdom of the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House.]
[Admission restrictions: None]
[Time limit: None]
“...”
“...”
The hunters present blinked in disbelief as they confirmed the conditions of the challenge again.
What was this?
“E... Earn money?”
“What kind of kingdom is this?”
Seeing how confused the hunters were, the goblin replied contemptuously, “I heard that humans are quite good at commerce, but seeing your reactions, I guess that’s just a false rumor. Fighting to the death is barbaric and outdated. There are too many uncertainties and trivial variables in that kind of fighting. Even the strongest warriors can accidentally die to the weak.”
The goblin looked at everyone with a meaningful gaze before continuing, “But wealth... Wealth is absolute, its value undeniable. No matter how many mistakes you make, in the end, the wealth in this kingdom will go to its true master.”
“...”
The hunters felt uneasy after being scolded by the goblin.
“Uranta, what are you going to do?”
“D-don’t worry.”
Uranta’s reaction reassured the hunters.
‘He must have something in mind!’
“I-I will go back and bring Choi Yeonseung. I-I’m sure he knows a lot about this.”
[The ‘Warrior With a Hammer’ sighs that you thought well.]