Here's an Opportunity-Chapter 226: Salvation (2)

Though the war was not yet over, all of the Greater Demons and Black Archwizards had been killed. Every Intermediate Demon and High-Circle Black Wizard reckless enough to attack the fifty-three Hunters and the special task force during their retreat met the same fate.

"Oooooh! So this is the temporary capital of the Continental Alliance!"

A newly arrived Hunter looked around the city that had been chosen to host the Alliance leaders, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Elves bustled through shops, Beastfolk patrolled the streets, and humans walked alongside dwarves.

"For now, get some rest. We'll regroup here at seven a.m. tomorrow," ordered the A-Class Hunter leading this small unit.

The others immediately dispersed to explore the city, leaving Lee Jun, the A-Class Hunter, standing alone.

Lee Jun felt the same excitement as his teammates. Ever since their arrival in the temporary capital via a teleportation spell, he had barely stopped looking around. Soon, curiosity got the better of him and he wandered off, eager to observe life in this city and meet the residents of the Yuashiel Dimension.

"I thought I'd just be stuck waiting for the next operation, but to think I'd get to see this place..." Lee Jun muttered.

When he'd heard the news that the two teams had completed their missions and returned safely, Lee Jun had submitted a leave application and quickly left his post at the western front lines. He knew that once "Operation Counterattack" began, he would be swept into endless fighting, just as he had been during "Operation Salvation." Thus, he had prepared his request in advance, hoping for a short break on Earth before the next storm.

However, plans changed, and the Continental Alliance extended invitations not only to him but to every Hunter who had taken part in the operation. They were all invited to a celebration marking the opening of the temporary capital.

As Lee Jun wandered the streets, a vendor caught his attention. He bought chicken skewers and savored them while taking in the sights. After sampling a few more snacks from another stall, he paused at a Dwarven blacksmith shop to browse their weapons. When he finished window-shopping, he kept strolling through the city, enjoying the festive air and tasting more street food.

Then, he suddenly froze.

"K-Kim Ki-Rok!" Lee Jun stammered.

That Crazy Bastard, Kim Ki-Rok, was casually mingling with some Yuashiel locals.

"Oh... huh?" Lee Jun noticed a table of Hunters nearby.

They were clearly eavesdropping, curiosity written all over their faces. He glanced between Kim Ki-Rok, who was smiling and chatting with the locals, and the Hunters at the table. After a short moment of hesitation, Lee Jun made up his mind and stepped into the cafe.

The door swung open, jingling a bell above. An elven woman's cheerful voice greeted him. "Welcome to Cafe Hennes, where we offer you a moment of peace and happiness."

Lee Jun blinked, a little surprised by the warmth. "Ah, really?"

"Yes, sir. It is our honor to serve you. May I take your order?"

"Huh? Ah, um..." Flustered, Lee Jun glanced up at the menu posted above the counter.

"Huh? Iced Americano?"

He could hardly believe it. Why was a cafe in Yuashiel selling Iced Americanos?

"Yes, sir. One Iced Americano. Our drinks come in tall, grande, or venti. Which size would you like?" the elf asked, eager to take his order.

"Um, that's..." Lee Jun hesitated, still trying to process the situation.

He'd heard there were cafes in the temporary capital, but never imagined they'd feel so much like home.

"M-Medium—no, I mean, grande, please."

"Very well. One grande Iced Americano," the elf confirmed with a gentle smile.

"Ah! Before that..."

"Yes, what is it, dear guest?"

"This cafe just opened recently, didn't it?"

"That's right. You are absolutely correct, dear guest."

Handing him a buzzer, she turned away to prepare the drink. Lee Jun, still a bit dazed, stared at the buzzer until a realization struck him.

"Ah, excuse me," he called after the elven woman.

She turned back. "Yes, dear guest?"

"I haven't paid yet."

"All Hunters visiting the temporary capital today can eat and drink for free at any cafe or restaurant, though I'm afraid that excludes street vendors," she explained.

"Oh!"

Lee Jun had only just found out, perhaps because he'd spent his whole visit sampling street food rather than sitting down at a restaurant. He thanked her for the information and stepped out onto the terrace, buzzer in hand.

Unfortunately, every seat on the terrace was taken. However, there was an empty table just to the left of the eavesdropping Hunters. Lee Jun quietly sat down and perked up his ears, hoping to catch some conversation, only to realize the table behind him had fallen silent.

He looked around and saw that Kim Ki-Rok's table was now empty. Turning to a familiar Hunter, he asked, "Wh-where did he go?"

The Hunter checked. "You mean Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok?"

"Yeah."

"He finished his conversation and just left."

Lee Jun let out a defeated sigh. He'd gotten so distracted by the familiar feel of the cafe that he had lost track of time. Glancing over, he saw the eavesdroppers still at their table, some staring blankly at Kim Ki-Rok's now-empty seat as if in disbelief.

Curious, Lee Jun asked that Hunter, "Did you happen to hear what they were talking about?"

"He was talking about jobs."

"Jobs?" Lee Jun echoed, puzzled.

"Yeah... a whole lot of jobs," the Hunter replied, letting out a hollow laugh.

***

A new post soon appeared on the DG Channel's page, which subscribers rushed to check.

"Oh! It's been a while since their last video."

"General news? Huh? Are they covering the news now?"

Perplexed, they reread the title before slowly clicking the post, curiosity piqued.

—To viewers across the country, from the soldiers working tirelessly to protect our nation, to the families of Hunters anxiously waiting but now filled with relief, and finally, to you, lying in bed, staring at your phone in boredom until you noticed our new video. Maybe you've read the title over and over, wondering what strange project we're up to, and now you're listening to this long greeting, waiting for us to get to the point.

It really was an excessively long greeting. Right as every viewer was thinking the same thing, Kim Ki-Rok appeared onscreen, smiling brightly as he at last finished the introduction.

—I, Kim Ki-Rok, host of the DG Channel and Guildmaster of the DG Guild, welcome you all.

He clapped his hands and moved on.

—Let's get straight to it. As I mentioned in our last video, once the war ends, the permanent Gate will evolve from one-way to two-way. After I shared that news with our friends in the Yuashiel Dimension, I was invited to the Continental Alliance's new temporary capital, where I'm currently staying. There's plenty I could say about the meeting, but this is just an update, so I'll keep it short.

Kim Ki-Rok was finally getting to the main point. The viewers leaned in, eyes wide with anticipation.

—First, I'd like to make a proposal to the nation. I request permission to establish a branch of the Tower of Wizards in the Republic of Korea.

Every politician watching sprang to their feet at the announcement.

—After arriving in the temporary capital, I met the Tower Master and asked about building a branch on Earth. He confirmed it was possible. Each branch is overseen by a High-Circle Wizard, meaning we could call for aid in a crisis. Magic is also a technical skill, not innate. Anyone can learn mana manipulation or spellcasting without being Awakened.

Kim Ki-Rok made sure to emphasize that magic was something anyone could learn.

—With the Tower Master's approval, I propose that our nation take the lead in creating a Tower of Wizards branch. There's no rush, since a wizard can only establish it once the Gate becomes two-way. Until then, if you have questions, contact the DG Guild or visit the Tower of Wizards in the Yuashiel Dimension.

Ordinary people who'd always dreamed of becoming Hunters were electrified by the idea that magic could be within reach.

—Second, the DG Guild is recruiting trainees, or rather, squires. I say that because the instructors I've chosen for these teaching positions are all knights, either Aura Masters or Aura Knights.

This time, it was the Hunters watching who leaped from their seats.

This was a chance to learn swordsmanship and mana techniques from true veterans, warriors seasoned by life-and-death battles. The Hunters Association offered training courses, but for most Hunters, martial arts were little more than a supplement to their skills.

—Most instructors are still deployed, so training won't begin until the war ends. If you're interested, you can apply through the DG Guild or Hunters Association any time before the war is over.

If the first announcement had been for the nation and all the ordinary people who dreamed of being Hunters, this second piece of news was for Hunters who lacked professional martial arts training.

—Third, when the war ends, the Continental Alliance will begin restoring the continent. After such a long conflict, they are desperately short-staffed, so I've been entrusted with a special commission from the Alliance. Allow me to share an open offer to construction companies worldwide.

This third announcement was clearly aimed at the corporations of Earth.

***

Thirty days after the two teams had returned, Operation Counterattack was in full swing.

The Black Kingdom had lost its Greater Demons and Archwizards, yet the rest refused to flee. They knew escape would only mean a lifetime spent running from the Continental Alliance's vengeance. The same logic held for the Intermediate Demons. With the Temple Alliance still intact, they had no choice but to fight alongside the Black Wizards.

Now, the remaining Black Wizards and surviving demons fought with desperate resolve, but the Continental Alliance proved overwhelmingly strong.

The reason was Pastera weapons. The Alliance had bought them in bulk and supplied every soldier. Those who could use mana wielded mithril blades, while those unable or unwilling to use mana carried Pastera.

Unlike previous operations, Hunters from Earth no longer led the charge. This time, the knights and soldiers of the Continental Alliance stood at the forefront, with Earth's Hunters supporting in other ways. It was a true all-out war to decide the continent's fate, and only the people of the Alliance had the right to shape their future.

"It only took 213 days."

That was how long it took for the Hunters to stand once more in the Black Kingdom's capital. Operation Counterattack, unlike earlier Hunter-led missions, had been spearheaded by the Continental Alliance and finally came to an end. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Kim Ki-Rok watched, smiling, as soldiers cheered atop the city walls and knights wept openly, raising their banners above the conquered castle.

[The Yuashiel Continent has been saved.]

[The Yuashiel Dimension expresses its gratitude and pays the causality rate to the Earth system, increasing the reward level for the Awakened.]

[Due to the causality rate paid by the Yuashiel Dimension, the reward tier has been raised.]

[You have formed a dimensional alliance with Yuashiel. The permanent Gate has evolved.]

The messages appeared before every Hunter still in the Yuashiel Dimension, announcing that they had successfully cleared the Gate.