Chapter 23- Air Raid 6

‘Wow! Did my prayer reach even the message?’

Choi Kang-sik’s dark eyes glittered like the Milky Way. Another sponsorship had come in. The first shovel he received, apart from its ordinary appearance, he liked overall, so he couldn’t help but anticipate the second sponsorship. What would it give him this time? If no one else were around, he would have cheered.

But… there was still no noticeable change.

‘Does it take some time to send?’

[A certain God says he’s pathetic]

[A certain God grins]

“How about it? Let’s end this nicely, with a laugh.” The hunter, completely misunderstanding Choi Kang-sik’s expression as he anticipated the god’s sponsorship, spoke boldly. And then he poked his shoulder. Choi Kang-sik’s pleasant thoughts were broken. His brows naturally furrowed.

‘Should I deal with the human in front of me first?’

“This is not for sale. Well, you wouldn’t back down even if I said that, right? Muttering about ‘a pearl in a pig’s snout.’ Am I wrong? Or perhaps a more original line or event?”

“Th-that…” The hunter, who had been audacious just moments before, flinched.

‘What is this guy?’ He had already recited the plan the hunter had in mind. Even the example of ‘a pearl in a pig’s snout’ was identical, leaving the hunter speechless.

What’s more,

“Don’t be so scared. I’ve turned off the camera.”

“I-I don’t care about that…!”

“Should I turn it on?”

“…You bastard! Give me that shovel right now!” The hunter, realizing he had been toyed with, yelled. He must have subconsciously relaxed and raised his voice when Choi Kang-sik said the camera was off. That wasn’t a good choice.

“Who is that man?”

“Is a hunter persecuting MS?”

“He looks decent. Tsk, tsk.”

Because there weren’t just hunters here. First of all, many people had been helped by MS Cameraman. They informed their families, relatives, and lovers, explaining their benefactor’s heroic deeds. Various communities were also in an uproar.

• That MS? He was truly amazing!
• Oppa! You're so cool! Kiss! (^3^)
• He's a truly dependable young man!

Had it been said that a word without legs travels a thousand li? Word spread through friends and acquaintances, connecting one person to another. And not just that?

• One shovel swing cleared out all the monsters!
• The Pig-尊 legion trembled.
• Hunters? They were just background characters. lololol

The incident was exaggerated to make it seem as if MS Cameraman had resolved it alone. Hunters were collectively blamed as cowards. The fact that they had holed up became an exaggerated rumor, leading to controversy over their character and responsibility… Even if they felt wronged, there was nothing they could do. They had committed sins.

“If they had just kept quiet, they would have gotten halfway.”

“Because of you, we’re getting criticized too.”

“Anyway, that’s why young ones are no good.”

Even the hunters who were trying to clean up the mess started criticizing. They looked ready to bury the man who demanded the shovel from Choi Kang-sik in the backyard. For the sake of justice? Of course not.

‘Who’s cutting in line! I had dibs on that!’ The hunters’ eyes glinted with greed. The shovel that had struck the 5-star monster. Its undisputed performance had been showcased in MS Cameraman’s exploits so far, leaving no room for doubt. They deliberately ignored the fact that he had defeated 1-star monsters, Anyone and Underdog, with his bare hands before obtaining the shovel. It was all thanks to the shovel, they thought.

“Oh dear. Many people are after my shovel, it seems.” The owner of the shovel began, smiling.

“Caw!” The young Oracle on his shoulder flapped its wings, joining in the chorus. Choi Kang-sik, with a provocative smile, held out the shovel in his right hand for everyone to see.

“…Hmm?” And then he realized.

‘When did this handle appear?’ A handle was attached to the previously plain end. A round, donut-shaped handle. It was a half-hearted design that gave a strong impression of being hastily put together without much thought. Choi Kang-sik’s eyes narrowed.

‘No way… Is this the sponsorship?’ Please tell me it’s not.

[A certain God asks how it is]

‘You didn’t deny it?!’ Choi Kang-sik’s expression as he looked at the shovel, which had become slightly more convenient to carry and grip with the addition of the handle, was truly peculiar. An indescribable feeling!

But that didn’t mean he had forgotten what needed to be done.

Thud!

He plunged the shovel into the ground and said, “Everyone knows the legend of Excalibur, right? Yes, that’s right! If you pull it out with your bare hands, without using any psychic powers or equipment, I’ll give it to you unconditionally! In return, if you fail, kneel before the shovel and repeat ‘I’m sorry’ ten times! Easy, right?”

[A certain God is uncomfortable]

[A certain God grumbles it’s troublesome]

[A certain God shows interest]

Regardless of what the gods said in their messages, Choi Kang-sik pushed forward.

‘This is the chance to make it clear.’ To prevent anyone from disputing the shovel’s ownership again. As soon as he finished speaking, the hunters rushed forward. They threw away all pretense and gathered before the shovel stuck in the ground. Didn’t it mean whoever pulled it out first owned it?

“Move aside! Move aside!”

“Get in line!”

“No cutting!”

The atmosphere among the greed-blinded hunters grew menacing. However, they soon flinched and corrected their expressions and postures.

• They're really sons of bitches.
• Their true nature came out. ^^
• MS. Why would you give that away? -.-;;
• I'm leaving the stream. Bye bye.

Because the camera lens was pointed at them. Live broadcast ON. The hunters, realizing they had been reduced to a spectacle, opened their mouths to protest. Choi Kang-sik briefly dismissed their complaints.

“If you don’t want your face exposed, get lost.”

“……”

“I’m MS, I should get something out of this too, right? It’s tiring if someone runs away or resists instead of repeating ‘I’m sorry’ ten times. Hunters? You should think about the opposite too. What if I can’t give it to you even if you pull out the shovel?” It was a mutual situation. The hunters acquiesced but hesitated, their expressions still uneasy.

‘It feels like I’ve fallen into Underdog’s trap…?’

“Hmph! Cowards, step aside! I’ll pull it out in one go!” The problematic hunter who had blocked Choi Kang-sik’s path stepped forward. Being the closest, he also got the first chance.

“Ptooey! Ptooey!” He spat on his palms and adopted a serious stance.

“Hey! Don’t you care about the people behind you?!”

“What a rude bastard!”

Ignoring the jeers of those around him, who found him disgusting, the hunter gripped the shovel’s round handle with both hands and pulled upwards with all his might.

“Ura-cha-cha!” But nothing happened. The shovel didn’t budge, betraying the hunter’s boisterous shouts.

‘W-what is so heavy?!’ It trembled ever so slightly each time he exerted maximum force. But that was all. It felt like pulling a tree deeply rooted in the ground. It was the same after several attempts.

“Hehe! He’s shitting himself.”

“Hey. Go over there and repeat it.”

“Yeah. Say you’re sorry for making us wait.”

“Stop trying and move.” There was no need for Choi Kang-sik to blush and step forward. The hunters waiting for their turn took care of it themselves. And they challenged.

“W-why?!”

“Something’s wrong with this!”

“Anyway, it’s a scam!”

No one succeeded. Only a pile of injured people with dislocated arms or strained backs from overexertion were produced. And,

Thud.

Splat.

They all knelt.

• Weak friend. Korean Hunter! (^0^)b
• lol Can't even lift a shovel.
• Kneel. This is the difference between you and MS.
• Headbutt a saucer of water and repeat. Ugh TL

Viewers were busy laughing. On one side, hunters were trembling with humiliation, shouting ‘I’m sorry’ ten times. They couldn’t maintain their pride and resist.

“Everyone is watching.”

“Hey. Do it while I’m being nice.”

“I did it too. Gritted teeth!”

The hunters who had tasted humiliation first supervised those behind them like water ghosts. There were no exceptions, even for those with more experience and age. If someone didn’t go and ran away, their stomach would hurt so much they couldn’t sleep! A bizarre spectacle unfolded in front of the Monster Association headquarters.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorr… Ah, damn it! Damn it!”

“Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sor… Argh?! Say it! Say it!”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

The live broadcast was in full swing. The failed individuals whose faces were exposed were utterly stripped of their reputation and even their souls.

“Anyone else want to try?”

“……”

“……”

After roughly 100 people, no hunter stepped forward boldly to challenge. Someone trembling with humiliation shouted, “This is a scam! It’s clearly a trick!” That was the fuse. The hunters, whose pride had been deeply wounded, moved as if by prior arrangement, with one heart and one mind. They started denouncing him from all sides.

“Yeah. His confidence was suspicious from the start!”

“You set up some kind of device beforehand so it wouldn’t pull out, right? Right?”

“It’s a scam! Anyway, it’s a scam!”

• Wow! That's really petty. lololol
• But what if it really is a trick? ;;;
• Choi Kang-sik. Show us your power. ^^

The viewers, who had been laughing for a long time, also started showing interest one by one. It was absurd that every hunter who challenged the pulling was weak. It was a situation that couldn’t help but breed suspicion. If you summarized what the clamoring people said, it was this:

“MS Cameraman! Pull it out in front of everyone!” Choi Kang-sik responded to their fervent wish.

“Yes! Sounds good!”

But…

[A certain God grins]

[A hasty certain God is about to burst into laughter]

[A certain God shrugs]

The messages were unusual.

‘No way, they really didn’t make it so it can’t be pulled out, did they…?’

Stomp.

Choi Kang-sik stood before the shovel. His majestic figure, silhouetted against the red sunset, was intense, as if foretelling the destiny of a king who would walk a path of blood.

“Caw!” The young Oracle also mimicked a divine bird, blessing him. His collar even fluttered in the cool breeze…

“Gulp!”

“Suddenly the atmosphere is…?”

“Shh! Shut up.”

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the young man’s hands. The camera, placed at a prime spot, captured MS’s image for the broadcast at an optimal angle and distance.

• Oh! My, King Arthur...
• Excalibur? Really?
• Sword? No. Spade! (>_<);;

Perhaps because the hunters had delayed things for quite a while with their shovel-pulling? Even foreign viewers, who didn’t understand the language, showed intense interest. It would be no exaggeration to say that the world’s attention was focused on this!

And finally,

Squeeze.

He gripped the round handle. Choi Kang-sik, savoring the heightened atmosphere, spoke lightly. “Viewers. This is just a ridiculously heavy shovel. A trick? Nonsense. I’ll prove it to you now. Alright! Then, shall we pull it out together? Three, two, one…!”

Rumble rumble rumble…!

An earthquake occurred.

‘What?!’

[A certain God searches for his lost belly button]

[A hasty certain God rolls around laughing]

[A certain God asks for his thoughts]

‘What thoughts?’

Choi Kang-sik looked around. Surprised old men, crying children, fleeing uncles, terrified students, fallen ladies, astonished hunters, pale women…

“…Viewers? There was no trick. It just happened to coincide with an earthquake. Yes. What a coincidence, haha!”

Can he salvage this?