Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 349 – Instigated Confusion (5)

The Minotaurs emerged in the city, drawing the attention of all nearby Hunters with their widespread destruction. Simultaneously, the Centaurs struck the city's undefended outskirts, pillaging, ravaging, and killing like marauders before vanishing and reappearing at their next target.

It was bewildering that these monsters possessed such adeptness in employing diversionary and guerrilla tactics, yet their efficiency in wreaking havoc across Manchuria and North Korea was undeniable.

Ultimately, both the local government of Manchuria and North Korea sought aid from China. However, the Chinese government was overwhelmed dealing with the numerous dimensional rifts opening across their vast territory.

Adding to the chaos, a rift materialized in Xi’an—a historically significant city in western China housing the tomb of Qin Shi Huang[1]. This rift brought to life a million-strong Terracotta Army, reminiscent of scenes from movies.

Initially untroubled, the Chinese government soon realized their mistake as the Terracotta Army slaughtered the dispatched Hunters and caused immense destruction in the entire western region. Belatedly recognizing the gravity of the situation, they mobilized their entire military to halt the advance of Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Army.

Numerous other dimensional rifts appeared across Mainland China, leaving no spare manpower to aid Manchuria and North Korea. Consequently, these regions were left to fend for themselves against the monsters.

“That sounds really bad...” Han-Yeol muttered.

Initially unconcerned about the dimensional rift, he soon grasped the severity of the situation through news reports and Mujahid's accounts.

“But humanity is going to prevail like we always did, right, hyung-nim?”

“Hmm... I hope so too but...” Han-Yeol hesitated.

‘The problem is there’s not much time left before Earth enters the second dimension...’

As the war against the monsters concluded and irreparable damage ensued, Earth was set to enter the second dimension and connect to the Bastro Dimension. Unlike Aquaria, Earth was vulnerable to the hyenas from the Bastro Dimension due to its civilian-heavy populace.

Han-Yeol pondered the sudden alignment of the Freemasons as allies against the Bastro Dimension. Despite their changed stance, he maintained his reservations about cooperating, having readied his own plans.

“Hmm... I guess I don’t have time to sit around like this,” Han-Yeol said, rising.

“What are you going to do, hyung-nim?” Mujahid questioned, speculating about Han-Yeol's intentions—perhaps to assist affected countries personally.

“Don’t tell me... Are you planning on personally helping other countries?”

Han-Yeol shook his head. “No, what they’re going through is unfortunate, but that’s not my concern. Also, it’s too troublesome for me to do all that.”

A typical response from the inherently lazy Han-Yeol.

“Then?”

“What I’m preparing for is the Earth that will enter the second dimension.”

“Ah...” Mujahid understood Han-Yeol's concern, having prior knowledge about the second dimension.

“Sigh... I wanted to rest, but the world is in chaos...” Han-Yeol sighed and grumbled.

“Well, it’s not like you’re directly affected, hyung-nim.”

“Secondhand smoking is smoking too, you know? Also, secondhand smoking is worse than smoking.”

Mujahid shook his head in resignation, realizing he wouldn't win the argument.

Han-Yeol left the mansion, with Mujahid following closely. Their destination: Yoo-Bi’s workshop, a place heavily invested in by Han-Yeol. Starting as a single workshop and laboratory, it had grown into a massive complex rivaling most advanced research centers worldwide.

Ziing!

They hopped on the elevator heading to the basement floor where Yoo-Bi was working.

“Hey, Yoo-Bi.”

“Oh, oppa?”

Yoo-Bi emitted the aura of a seasoned researcher, prioritizing her work over maintaining her appearance. Han-Yeol found this dedicated version of her far more appealing, having long abandoned any pursuit of her and choosing to respect her professionalism.

“Huh? Where are your shoulder cannons?”

“Wow, you’re asking about the shoulder cannons first despite not seeing me for a long time?”

Their banter revealed their sibling-like bond.

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re not going to die anyway, right? But the shoulder cannons are like my babies!”

“Your precious babies fell in battle against some stupidly strong creature. Happy?”

“You’re so mean!”

Though it sounded like bickering, both were laughing, aware it was all in jest.

“So, are you here to ask for new babies?”

“Oh? You’re quite sharp, aren’t you?”

“Hmph!” Yoo-Bi scoffed and walked away.

“I think Yoo-Bi is upset, hyung-nim.”

“Huh? She’s obviously asking us to follow her. Can’t you tell?”

“What?! How did you come up with that interpretation?”

“I mean, is there any other way to interpret that?”

Han-Yeol understood Yoo-Bi well, but Mujahid didn't. Eventually, he gave up trying to comprehend them both.

‘Sigh... I’d believe it if they say they’re blood-related siblings...’

Han-Yeol followed Yoo-Bi, and Mujahid followed suit.

The place they arrived at was the storage unit where most of Yoo-Bi’s inventions were kept—a place probably the most tightly guarded in the entire complex. Only Yoo-Bi could open these storage doors.

Ziiing!

The doors swung open, revealing her inventions.

“Wow... You've managed to invent so many things already,” Han-Yeol said in awe.

“Thanks to someone suddenly starting a business without telling me. Do you know how many failed prototypes I had to make because of you?” Yoo-Bi said, glaring at him.

“Hahaha...” Han-Yeol awkwardly laughed in response.

He accepted the blame, having forgotten to inform Yoo-Bi when the business started. She only found out later, thanks to Jason. In his defense, he was quite busy at the time.

“Well, I’m letting you off the hook this once since the pressure helped me invent quite a lot of useful things. But you’re not getting off this easily next time!”

“Okay~ Okay~ As you wish, your highness~”

“Sometimes I wish you were dumb and couldn’t speak...” Yoo-Bi grumbled, gently measuring his shoulders and chest.

Her grumbling made their dynamic resemble that of siblings.

‘I’m a bit jealous...’ Mujahid thought while observing them.

He didn't have a younger sister and wondered what it would feel like if his relationship with Mariam evolved to be like Han-Yeol and Yoo-Bi's.

‘Ah... Mariam...’

He missed his beautiful fiancée, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Unfortunately, Mariam remained as distant as ever, showing no signs of their relationship progressing.

Meanwhile, Han-Yeol was happily chatting and playing with Yoo-Bi. His playful side emerged only around close friends, behaving like a typical young man in their company. Mujahid envied this, having received strict etiquette education from a young age due to his royal status.

In the end, Han-Yeol finally received a new weapon from Yoo-Bi.

Chwak!

“This is it... Ugh... It’s heavy...”

“Oh? It looks bigger than before.”

“Yes, I designed the old one to be light and compact, but I figured you don’t really need it to be light and compact. So, this time, I focused on making it more powerful instead of prioritizing size. Ah, but that doesn’t mean I made it ridiculously heavy. I tried my best to hit the sweet spot as much as possible.”

“I like it!”

Chwak!

Han-Yeol effortlessly grabbed the new weapon Yoo-Bi was struggling to carry with one hand, as if it were a balloon. Their strength disparity was normal, given Yoo-Bi's non-combatant status among Hunters.

“I’ll use it well, thanks.”

“Please try not to destroy this one. Repairing it is easy, but it’s going to be extremely difficult to rebuild from scratch.”

“Hahaha... I’m sorry, I’ll try my best not to.”

The HY Group had been thriving, breaking revenue records one after another, largely due to the success of the new weapons developed by Yoo-Bi, which they exported.

However, Han-Yeol’s real concern was his exclusive access to the cutting-edge weapons she created. While Yoo-Bi initially ventured into the weapons manufacturing business for its money-making potential, she found herself more engrossed in inventing highly-advanced weaponry than in monetary gains.

She either reinvested the business profits or gave them to her mother before donating the remainder. Leading a frugal lifestyle, she rarely had time to spend her earnings, buried as she was in her laboratory most of the time.

The weapon she just handed to Han-Yeol was her latest invention, finished only the day before. That was why she repeatedly pleaded with him not to destroy it, as it held immense sentimental value.

Understanding her plea, Han-Yeol once again apologized for destroying the shoulder cannons she had previously provided.

“Thanks for the weapon. I'll head back now,” Han-Yeol said.

“Already? At least have a cup of tea or something...” Yoo-Bi grumbled in response.

“Ah, it seems you’re not aware of what’s happening outside.”

“Huh?”

“Dimensional rifts are appearing all over the world, so I have to hurry up and make preparations.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Alright, see you later.”

“Sure.”

They bid farewell to each other. Yoo-Bi appeared slightly disappointed but swiftly shifted her attention to another researcher approaching her with a question about one of their weapons. Her eyes lit up, and she fully immersed herself in the conversation, embodying the veteran researcher she had become.

***

Han-Yeol equipped his newly developed shoulder cannons before checking on his other business ventures. Among the numerous businesses he had opened, the one he focused on the most was the Gurkha raid party. While Jason and Purva managed most of his businesses, the Gurkha raid party demanded his attention as a Hunter, leveraging his expertise.

In truth, Han-Yeol wasn't 'that' crucial to the operation, as Sahas capably managed the raid party. However, it was evident that the members became more energized whenever Han-Yeol joined them in the hunting grounds.

Ratatatata!

“Reload!” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ (f)ir(e).net

Click... Clack!

The Gurkha raid party remained relatively new and small. It boasted more Porters than Hunters and lacked an effective chain of command due to the insufficient number of Hunters available.

Hence, they frequented one of the weaker hunting grounds, housing monsters slightly more powerful than the Volaxes. Their approach was deliberate, allowing the limited number of Hunters to shield the Porters while they engaged the monsters.

1. Qin Shi Huang is the famous emperor that unified China, and he is known for various things but perhaps most notably the Terracotta Army guarding his tomb. You know, those statue soldiers thingy? ?