Chapter 250: Terror Crisis (1)
The terrorists were bringing the hostages to a place teeming with powerful monsters. It was a completely illogical move that the Egyptians found difficult to comprehend.
Then, a commotion could be heard outside the command center.
[Hmm? What's going on?] Phaophator asked after his sensitive ears picked up the noise from outside.
Bam!
[Y-You can't be here, Han-Yeol-nim!]
The door swung open, and Han-Yeol entered despite some Egyptian officers trying to block him.
In most cases, they would have subdued an intruder instantly, but this time, the intruder was a Ra Rank Hunter, the most renowned Hunter in the world. The officers couldn't resort to violence, so they were compelled to reason with him to leave the command center.
[It's alright. Let him through.]
Only after President Phaophator gave his approval did they step aside for Han-Yeol.
[Yes, sir!]
President Phaophator might have instructed his men to stand down for now, but he didn't appear pleased with Han-Yeol's actions.
He held the young man in high regard and was even contemplating marrying his daughter to him, as the rumors suggested. Finding a suitable suitor for Tayarana was an extremely challenging task since she was the next in line to be the country's president, and marrying her off to royalty from another country seemed absurd.
On the other hand, Han-Yeol was neither royalty nor an important political figure in his home country, making it acceptable for the marriage to proceed matrilineally. However, this didn't mean President Phaophator could ignore such a blatant act of disrespect—entering the country's command center during a state of emergency—no matter how favorably he regarded Han-Yeol.
After all, President Phaophator was exceedingly strict when it came to separating personal and professional matters.
[I hope you have a reasonable explanation for your actions.]
He was a man of principle, placing great importance on order, as evidenced by his decision not to directly intervene in the hostage crisis despite being the country's strongest Hunter.
[I have no idea who those terrorists are, but my people are among the foreigners they kidnapped.]
[What?!] President Phaophator grimaced and exclaimed.
If there was anything he valued more than his principles, it was his pride. But the subordinates of his esteemed guest had been abducted in broad daylight by terrorists in the capital city. Nothing could be more shameful to the president.
Terrorist attacks in Egypt were not uncommon, as the country was still contending with numerous extremists attempting to overthrow the government. However, the problem lay in the fact that this attack occurred in broad daylight in the city considered the Heart of Africa. Failure to swiftly deal with the terrorists would undoubtedly deal a severe blow to the country's prestige.
President Phaophator saw this as more than a matter of personal pride; it could sow seeds of distrust from the African bloc toward Egypt. While Egypt might not be heavily affected by this incident at the moment, it was sure to hinder its efforts to establish itself as the world's strongest superpower.
[I would like to apologize to you first.] President Phaophator offered his apologies to Han-Yeol as a preliminary gesture, now understanding why Han-Yeol had barged into the command center.
[However, you may not stay here, so please return for now. I can assure you that your people will be rescued soon.]
[That will be a bit difficult.]
[What?!] President Phaophator was taken aback by Han-Yeol’s blatant disrespect directed at him.
[I want to personally help rescue them.]
[Hmm?]
The president was slightly surprised by Han-Yeol's next statement. He knew that Han-Yeol held his subordinates in high regard, but he didn't expect him to be willing to personally put himself in danger to rescue them.
Entering the hunting ground without knowing what they were up against posed significant risks. After all, the world had made great leaps in technological advancements, and that meant the terrorists had also advanced. Moreover, the terrorists had awakened beings on their side, giving them much greater firepower than most nations.
This was why Middle Eastern and African countries employed a significant number of Hunters in their military compared to other nations.
[Are you sure?] President Phaophator inquired, wanting to confirm Han-Yeol’s seriousness.
[Yes, I am. My anger will not be quelled unless I make them pay for daring to go after my people.]
[Hmm... Alright, I understand.]
President Phaophator would have immediately refused if Han-Yeol were an ordinary Hunter driven solely by vengeance, as he would only hinder the rescue operation. However, Han-Yeol was not an average Hunter; he was a Master Rank Hunter, considered the most lethal force in the world. It was impossible for anyone to stand in his way unless they were also a Master Rank Hunter.
While the Ra Rank Hunters of Egypt were already on standby, President Phaophator hesitated to allow Han-Yeol, an outsider, to join the operation.
[Your Excellency!] one of the officers suddenly shouted.
[What is it?]
President Phaophator turned around and grimaced the moment he saw the screen.
[Hmm?]
The main monitor that should have displayed a tactical map was replaced with an image featuring a few familiar faces, with masked men armed with AK series rifles standing behind them. The masked men were wearing vests bearing the insignia of a gun and bomb, which belonged to the terrorist group Shabab, responsible for the kidnapping.
[T-That's it!]
Shabab believed that revolution could only come through guns and bombs, and their leader was a Master Rank Hunter with three abilities related to explosions. Naturally, this terrorist leader was not counted among Egypt's Ra Rank Hunters.
It was difficult to identify the masked men on the screen, but one of them stepped forward and spoke. [Listen, King of the Infidels. You have defied the will of God and committed blasphemy. Your life is insufficient to atone for your transgressions. Therefore, we, the Shabab, will administer divine punishment upon you.]
President Phaophator immediately asked the officer in charge of collecting information, [Where is that video being transmitted from?]
[It is coming from Faiyum, sir!]
[I see...] President Phaophator let out a sigh and massaged his temples. n(.o))v)(e/-l((B./1.-n
Things were not looking good at the moment as the terrorists had seemingly established their base within Faiyum, a place with a hunting ground teeming with powerful monsters.
Their motives for committing such terror were not important at this moment, as they could extract that information through interrogation after capturing them. The immediate problem was how to subdue them.
Most hostage rescue operations had to be carried out quietly, avoiding the terrorists' scrutiny, as any misstep could result in harm to the hostages. Unfortunately, that option wasn't available due to the presence of monsters in the hunting ground.
The masked man from Shabab continued taunting the president, but his next statement infuriated the entire command center.
[Our demands are simple, but we want to negotiate in person. Send that Tayarana bitch as your representative!]
[W-What?!]
[Those audacious fiends!]
[He dared to mention the princess’ name?!]
This video was being broadcasted throughout Egypt, causing the entire nation to erupt in outrage. How dare the terrorists demand the princess to come in person! It was evident that they intended to harm her once she entered the hunting ground.
The Egyptians were aware that the terrorists harbored intense animosity toward Tayarana, more so than anyone else in the country. Her demise would weaken Egypt’s influence over the entire African region.
This would create an opportunity for religious extremists to propagate their beliefs and laws across Africa once Tayarana was eliminated. Africa needed a religion to follow, and the prevalent faith in Egypt was Egyptian Mythology.
[Let’s go and protest!]
[We can’t let them have their way with our princess!]
[Yes! You’re right!]
[We need to protect our princess!]
[Yes!]
The video from Shabab had not yet concluded, but thousands of Egyptians took to the streets to protest.
[Protect the princess!]
[We don’t negotiate with terrorists!]
[Protect the princess!]
[...]
The people might have been enraged, but they were not the ones most infuriated by the terrorists' demands. Not at all. The one who was most enraged right now was none other than President Phaophator.
[Those mongrels...!]
Tayarana was revered as a goddess throughout Africa, and the Egyptians loved their princess. However, to Phaophator, she was his most beloved daughter before she was a princess or a goddess.
Phaophator had three sons from his marriages, who were princes of Egypt, and eleven other sons born out of wedlock who couldn't inherit the title of prince. Among his fourteen children, he had one daughter. She was an exceptional individual, far more capable than all of his sons combined, and he would not trade her for anything else in this world.
But the terrorists dared to call her a bitch and demand her presence? That was more than enough to make Phaophator's eyes turn bloodshot.
Kwak...!
He gritted his teeth and was about to erupt in anger when the door suddenly swung open.
[Father.]
Tayarana walked into the command center along with Mariam.
[What brings you here, Tara?] Phaophator asked as gently as possible, although his expression clearly indicated he was not in a good mood.
He didn't want his daughter to become entangled in these matters. It might be unreasonable, but he wished for her to experience only the good things in life.
There was no reason for her to be involved in this hostage crisis as long as Phaophator was alive and well. Moreover, Egypt was not so weak that they needed their princess to step in to resolve a hostage situation. However, it seemed that Tayarana disagreed.
[I will go, Father.]
[What are you saying?!]
[The terrorists have asked for me.]
[Yes, but they know that you are our great nation's weakness, my daughter.]
While he held the highest authority in the country as the president, Phaophator recognized that his daughter was the linchpin holding all of Africa together under Egypt's rule. What if something happened to her? Egypt's dominance over Africa would be severely shaken, and the one-hundred-year plan he had prepared for the country would be in ruins. He couldn't simply watch as both his country and his daughter were put in danger.
[I will never allow you to go!]
President Phaophator was resolute in his decision not to let her go, but Tayarana seemed to have made up her mind.
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