Chapter 232: Savior of Nepal (3)
“Huff... Huff... Huff...?Ahh... I’m so tired!”
Thud!
Han-Yeol lay flat on the ground, which was drenched in the blood of the monsters. However, he didn't care at all, as long as he could lie down.
"Ah... I'm dying," he muttered while gazing up at the sky.
The only thing he cared about right now was getting some rest, even if it meant getting dirty. He had been fighting for forty-eight hours straight, and fatigue had begun to take its toll both physically and mentally.
Nevertheless, he emerged victorious after the bloody battle, which resembled more of a war based on the aftermath.
“Damn it... I’m so tired...”
“Kyu...!”
Mavros was on the ground beside Han-Yeol, having returned to his cute size. He had worked tirelessly for the last forty-eight hours and was now extremely tired. He had flown around, luring the monsters toward Han-Yeol. He had even joined the battle once there were no monsters left to lure.
Around the thirty-eighth hour mark, the demons Han-Yeol had summoned began to return to the demon world one by one. While they might be quite strong in their own ways, quantity was bound to triumph over quality if there were enough of them.
Fortunately, the demons simply returned to the demon world and did not die, which meant that Han-Yeol could summon them again at a later date. After all, a demon was not a being that would easily perish.
“Thank you for your hard work, Han-Yeol Hunter-nim,” Purva said.
“What hard work?” Han-Yeol nonchalantly replied with a smirk.
Dududududu!
When the sound of a helicopter could be heard in the distance, Han-Yeol commented, “I guess those are the government people.”
"Yes, the soldiers stationed here at Lamidanda Airport probably reported some time ago that the monster numbers had decreased. They probably sent another report recently, stating that all threats have been neutralized," Purva replied.
Then, he added, "That is most likely the president confirming that the monsters have been dealt with. She is probably coming to gain your favor, hoping that you would help again if another dimensional rift occurs."
“Really?”
“That is only my assumption, but it is most likely.”
“Ha!”
It was difficult to ascertain how confident Purva was in his assumption, as it was impossible to read someone's mind. However, this didn't apply to Han-Yeol, as he possessed the ability to read other people's minds.
Unfortunately, his skill had the limitation of not being able to read the minds of individuals who were far away.
‘I wonder if Mariam can do that...?’?he wondered.
Han-Yeol was so exhausted that his mind began to wander, thinking of all sorts of irrelevant things...
***
[Hahaha! Please! Have another glass, Han-Yeol Hunter-nim!]
[Aigoo! Thank you very much!]
They were currently in the president's office at the presidential palace in Kathmandu, and President Vidya poured a glass for Han-Yeol.
The fatigue that had weighed on Han-Yeol's body was washed away after a good night's sleep in the presidential palace. Following that, a small banquet was hosted by the president in honor of Han-Yeol, and that was how he found himself currently drinking with her.
‘Hmm... It's quite modest. I was expecting the palace to be more luxurious, despite how poor the people are,’?Han-Yeol thought as he looked around.
It wasn't uncommon for the residences or palaces of rulers to be lavishly decorated, regardless of the suffering their people endured. Good examples of this were certain resource-rich countries where the populace remained poor due to rampant corruption. A country where the majority of the population lived in poverty while politicians and their associates reaped the nation's riches was a sadly common occurrence in the world.
However, the presidential palace appeared weathered and humble. There were signs of repairs here and there, but it was evident that they could only do so much with the limited budget they had.
Han-Yeol's appreciation for the Nepalese Government grew slightly after witnessing their modesty.
‘I guess they disagree with living lavishly while their people suffer.’?He was quite content with what he was seeing.
[Ah... Is there really no hope for our country...?]
‘Here it is...’?Han-Yeol's eyes flashed at those words.
He had been waiting for the president to mention something like that long before the party even started.
[Is there something wrong?] he asked while feigning ignorance.
[That is... As you may be aware, our country only has half a hunting ground.]
[Yes. I am aware of that.]
The reason Han-Yeol could fluently communicate in Nepalese right now was all thanks to...
Ding!
[The rank of ‘Translation’ has increased from (F) to (E).]
[Nepalese has been added to the list of languages.]
Han-Yeol was listening to Purva and his countrymen speaking in their language when a message suddenly appeared in front of Han-Yeol's eyes.
People diligently studying languages would probably curse at him if they saw how easy it was for him. Most people had to study until they were exhausted to learn a language, but Han-Yeol could become fluent in a new language just by listening to it, thanks to his skill.
The Translation skill undoubtedly made Han-Yeol an overpowered character, even though it was useless in battle.
[The age of fossil fuels came to an end with the emergence of the dimensional gates thirty years ago, but the gods have forsaken our country by not bestowing us with hunting grounds.]
‘Yeah, I'm sure everyone who's heard of this country would think the same,’?Han-Yeol thought.
The president was quite polite in the way she spoke. In fact, she sounded genuinely desperate. She had never sounded this desperate, not even when she was talking to their 'supposed' shield, China.
[But it is not like I can abandon my motherland...]
The Nepalese people did not have a strong attachment to their country, but they held deep attachments to their lands, families, and hometowns. This was the reason these people continued to live in this country, never abandoning it no matter how difficult life became.
[Well, that is understandable...]
On the other hand, Han-Yeol was entirely different. He wouldn't have hesitated to abandon his homeland if he were in this situation. After all, many countries were willing to accept immigrants, especially if they were willing to work as Porters.
[I am embarrassed to make such a request, but... I would like to ask a favor from you, Han-Yeol Hunter-nim...]
[A favor...?]
‘I wonder what kind of favor she’s going to ask...’?Han-Yeol wondered.
He had somewhat of an idea of what she was going to ask, but her request was far from what he had expected.
[Please do not forsake our country!]
The president suddenly got up from her seat and knelt in front of Han-Yeol.
[What?!]
Han-Yeol did not expect her to get down on her knees in front of him.
‘Geez... I thought they had something prepared in detail, but what the hell is this...?’?he grumbled inwardly at the odd turn of events.
He had expected the president to make an unreasonable request, but it turned out that she only wanted one thing from him: not to abandon Nepal. It was truly a pitiful request that highlighted the dire situation the country was in.
Nepal had been a peaceful nation that relied on tourism revenue and support from China to survive, but the recent emergence of the dimensional rift had changed everything. Their tourism industry was virtually dead now that a dimensional rift had appeared in the country, and their once dependable neighbor had proven to be treacherous. The pillars that had supported the country had crumbled overnight.
[You are the only one we can rely on now, Han-Yeol-nim!]
[Ugh...]
‘Ah... This is a bit too burdensome...’?Han-Yeol thought.
He then decided to read the president's thoughts, and she was not lying at all. In fact, in her mind, she was even more desperate than her spoken words revealed.
[Please help us! Savior-nim!]
Indeed, it was not proper for a country's leader to beg, but her desperate pleas touched Han-Yeol's heart.
Knock...! Knock...!
Somebody knocked on the office door.
[Ah...!]
President Vadiya flinched at the knock. Since she hadn't received a response from Han-Yeol, she couldn't get up yet.
[Please stand up for now.]
Tak...
Han-Yeol grabbed her arm and helped her to her feet.
[I apologize for my actions... I must have put you in a difficult spot...]
[No, it's alright. I'm sure you did it for a reason. I must say, I was moved by your love for your country and people.]
[Thank you very much... Thank you...!]
It was a shame that she didn't receive the answer she had hoped for, but she decided to be content with leaving a good impression on Han-Yeol for the time being.
[Come in.]
Creak...
The door opened before the president’s chief of staff came in.
[What is it?]
[Madame President, we have just received word that a delegation of Hunters from Egypt has just landed at Tribhuvan International Airport.]
[What?!]
President Vadiya was so shocked that she ended up screaming. Why would the Egyptians come all of a sudden? It was then that Han-Yeol stepped in and asked.
[Did they mention who came by any chance?]
It was quite rude for him to suddenly speak up while standing beside the president of a country, but neither the president nor the chief of staff seemed to mind at all.
[Yes, savior-nim. The Egyptian delegation that just arrived is the Horus raid party.]
[Really?!]
[Yes, savior-nim.]
Han-Yeol could tell that it was true from reading the chief of staff's mind.
'Don't tell me Tara is here...?!'?
Just because the Horus raid party was here did not necessarily mean that Tayarana was here too. However, Tayarana was the Horus raid party's leader, so Han-Yeol couldn't see any reason for the raid party to come all the way here without her.
***
Unfortunately, his assumptions were way off the mark.
“Mariam...?” Han-Yeol muttered.
Tak!
The Egyptian Hunters greeted Han-Yeol by crossing their arms over their chests in an X-shape and bowing. This was the traditional way Egyptian Warriors greeted those they respected.
"It's been a while, Han-Yeol-nim."
"Ah, you're right. It's been quite a while since we last saw each other, Mariam," Han-Yeol replied.
"You seem to be slightly disappointed. Unfortunately, Tayarana had some business to attend to in Egypt, so she had to stay back," Mariam noted, her sharp observation evident.
"I'm not! Also, I'm pretty sure I told you not to read my mind!" Han-Yeol retorted while stuttering.
However, Mariam's expression remained unchanged as she applied salt to his wounds.
"I did not read your mind, Han-Yeol-nim. I simply read your expression, which was all too obvious," she added.
Despite her words, it seemed like she might be sulking for some reason, though Han-Yeol decided he was probably imagining things.
“Was it that obvious...? Hahaha...”
In the end, he could only let out an awkward laugh while thinking, ‘I can’t seem to win against her...’
It had been quite a while since they last saw each other, but Mariam was still as charismatic as ever.
“Oh right, Mariam.”
“Yes, Han-Yeol-nim?”
“What brings you all the way here?”
“Is it not obvious?”
“Hmm?”
"You are the vice leader of the Horus raid party, so there's no way our raid party will allow you to struggle all alone in a foreign land. In fact, doing so would tarnish our raid party's reputation. We might have arrived quite late, but we need to help with the clean-up at least to save face."
“Ah...!” Han-Yeol exclaimed after understanding what she meant.
‘It seems that Nepal just got lucky...!’?he thought.
This wasn't just any random country offering help; it was Egypt, the pseudo-ruler of Africa. Egypt already had experience in supporting impoverished African countries, so they would undoubtedly play a significant role if they decided to support Nepal as well.
‘Hehe... It looks like China is left empty-handed.’
This event was likely to fuel anti-Chinese sentiments among the local Nepalese, and Egypt seemed poised to step in and take China's place in the country.
"Also, the Horus raid party's representative will be you, Han-Yeol-nim," Mariam added.
"Hey! I told you not to read my mind!" Han-Yeol retorted.
"I didn't read your mind this time either. Your grin already says it all."
"What...? You can now read minds through expressions alone...?"
"No, but you tend to wear your emotions on your face, Han-Yeol-nim."
"You're scary!" Han-Yeol exclaimed.
He was quite surprised that Mariam had the ability to read people's expressions, but he didn't want to admit that he was an open book.
"Haa..." Mariam let out a sigh.
Han-Yeol was usually charismatic and cool, but he somehow became childish whenever he was talking to her. Mariam couldn't help but feel like she had gained another younger sibling, aside from Tayarana, and this little brother was still quite childish and immature.
