Chapter 49

Chapter 49
## Chapter 49: Arrival in Canterbury

It wasn’t just Han Sang-ah and myself who managed it; Lee Se-eun also successfully finalized an extra agreement. She had apparently proposed a shockingly low price for this job—it was hard to guess what her internal logic was.

Embargo Tower was going to provide her with protection regardless, and they were already fully briefed on the chaos that had unfolded during the rail transport…

Despite her low-ball offer, they insisted on hiring her at the standard professional rate.

“They certainly aren’t stingy.”

Our journey had finally brought us to Canterbury, England.

“This is quite a distance from the site where the shield generator is being set up,” I remarked.

The gap was roughly 22 kilometers. Lee Se-eun fished out a pipe and prepared it as she replied to my observation.

“We aren’t part of the stationary guard unit. Our role is the strike team.”

The regular military forces and hunters tasked with the constant protection of the shield generator would remain stationed in Denver. Our job was to be the rapid response force, deploying only when a crisis erupted.

“A little distance doesn’t hurt. Besides, the lodging options here in Canterbury are far superior to what’s available in Denver.”

In essence, it was a professional courtesy. Since we weren’t on active sentry duty, we had total autonomy until an emergency signal was sent.

This meant we had fulfilled the baseline requirement for our primary plan of establishing a base of operations within Canterbury.

“What about your situation?” I asked.

Han Sang-ah provided an update.

“The call is over. After I laid out the specifics of our arrangement, the family didn’t have much of a counter-argument.”

“That’s good to hear. To be honest, I expected to take some heat for it.”

Han Sang-ah simply shook her head at my concern.

“Perhaps if we were back in Korea right now. But the reports of what we faced while crossing Siberia have already caused a massive stir back home.”

Thinking about eventually returning home was already making me feel a bit twitchy.

“Regardless, it seems the Geumyang Group family has already decided you’re my future wife.”

“Hey, do you want to share a room later? I honestly wouldn’t mind.”

Marrying into a powerful chaebol family by wedding their stunning daughter? That sounded like a better windfall than hitting a massive Bitcoin peak. Han Sang-ah nodded in agreement.

“Sure. We might as well treat it as a settled matter for now. It gives us a solid shield to use if they start making demands.”

“What on earth are you two whispering about?”

Lee Se-eun, who had been catching bits of the conversation, stared at us with a look of pure confusion.

“You still haven’t figured out how to handle her sarcasm?”

“…So it was just another joke.”

Han Sang-ah sounded slightly annoyed. Ever since our route took us through the Netherlands, onto a vessel for Dover, and finally into Canterbury, she had fallen for every single one of my provocations.

She was starting to get used to the rhythm of it, which only made the teasing more entertaining for me.

“This city is a total wreck as well.”

Many of the structures looked like gutted fish—bare wooden skeletons clinging to life.

Desperate people had stripped the timber from the frames of the buildings to use as fuel for fires.

“Even so, the fact that they’ve kept a functioning government running is nothing short of a miracle.”

As we spoke, a vehicle flanked by a military escort appeared in the distance.

The Prime Minister of the UK and the President of the British Hunter Association were slated to meet us in person at our Canterbury residence.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Prime Minister Vanessa Bradley.”

Two individuals exited the car and walked toward us. A middle-aged woman with somewhat faded blonde hair was the first to offer a greeting. She was clearly the Prime Minister.

“I am Association President Dominic Hedi,” the man added.

“You’ve traveled a long way. I apologize for the inconvenience of the journey.”

Vanessa dismissed Lee Se-eun’s polite comment with a wave of her hand.

“Inconvenience? Not at all. Even if this is only a short-term contract, we intend to ensure your stay is as pleasant as possible.”

Vanessa finished her greeting and shifted her attention toward Han Sang-ah and me.

“I am well aware of who you are. The two of you have achieved remarkable feats in a very short span of time.”

She then spoke to Han Sang-ah with a pointed nuance.

“The 3D printing technology owned by Geumyang Construction is second to none. It has been a massive benefit to us.”

This referred to 3D printing construction.

The process involved completing the basic foundation and then using massive 3D printers to “grow” the structure directly on top. Geumyang was the global leader in this sector.

A three-story home could be finished in a single day. They could even program the printers to leave gaps for wiring and pipes during the build…

However, outside of Korea, the lack of actual power or water grids to connect those pipes to made the feature largely decorative.

The real value was low cost, rapid speed, and high volume. Since monsters from an Erosion Zone could flatten them in moments anyway, durability wasn’t the goal.

To put it bluntly, they were glorified tents made of concrete.

“A benefit? It’s just a transaction—we provide the service, and we get paid.”

“That is actually the topic I wanted to—”

Han Sang-ah cut Vanessa off with clinical precision.

“If it involves Geumyang Group business, spare me the details. It won’t lead to anything productive.”

Vanessa went silent, hitting the invisible wall Han Sang-ah had erected. Politicians likely weren’t accustomed to such blunt, cold refusals.

“I understand.”

Vanessa looked visibly let down. I gave her a small smile and interjected.

“We are just hunters here to complete a contract.”

I understood her desire to extract more value from this visit, but we weren’t interested in side deals.

“The Association has reviewed the specific requests made by all three hunters, Lee Se-eun included, and we will provide every bit of support we can muster.”

Dominic turned his focus toward me.

“First, concerning the materials harvested during Yoo Chan-seok Hunter’s portion of the Siberian trek: we have confirmation that Daebak Scrap Dealers have secured and are currently refining them.”

Once the processing was complete, the British Hunter Association would handle the final delivery to me.

“As for the extra equipment you asked for, everything currently available has been transported to Canterbury. We will continue to hunt for the remaining items on your list.”

These were materials I needed to facilitate my upcoming training sessions. And finally…

“Regarding the requests from Han Sang-ah Hunter, we are in the process of stockpiling as much as we can find.”

“Geumyang Group will handle the purchase under their corporate account. The paperwork is already filed, so payment won’t be an issue.”

Han Sang-ah’s request was for elixirs—which served as my tuition for her lessons. Since Geumyang was footing the bill, it was a win-win for the Association.

“Your living quarters consist of three separate houses located near Old Dover Road. All your requested supplies and gear have already been moved inside.”

A brief trip from Old Dover Road would lead to the Dover Road junction. If you followed that path, you’d reach the coast of Dover in very little time.

“The area is suburban, though the view has suffered. Most of the trees have been harvested for wood…”

Vanessa shot Dominic a sharp look. It was clearly embarrassing to admit the dire state of their resources to foreign visitors.

“We didn’t come here for the scenery. You’ve been more than hospitable,” Lee Se-eun replied diplomatically. I nodded in agreement. A nice view wouldn’t put food on the table.

“Then we shall escort you to your new homes immediately. Oh, and as previously noted, your residence is equipped with radio gear connected to the Dover garrison.”

“We check in once every hour, right?”

Since there was a chance they wouldn’t be able to initiate contact with us, we had to be the ones to provide the periodic “all clear.”

Dominic nodded at my confirmation.

“Precisely. Please follow that protocol strictly. Now, let us show you to your quarters.”

We were driven to the houses. The streets were deserted along the way—the population had likely been relocated ahead of our arrival.

“We also received the humanitarian aid supplies you moved during this trip. We will ensure they reach the areas where the need is greatest.”

Vanessa directed these words toward Lee Se-eun as we drove.

“It wasn’t much, but I hope it makes a difference.”

Vanessa looked back at Lee Se-eun.

“We cannot express enough gratitude for the work your foundation does. Many people try to do good, but you are truly exceptional among them.”

Vanessa was flattering Lee Se-eun with the intensity of a high-powered machine. Lee Se-eun, being a veteran of such social maneuvering, accepted the praise gracefully without letting it affect her composure.

“The United Kingdom also tries to support hunter ventures in various ways. The scale is different, of course, but…”

Korea’s primary advantage was its high level of safety and the massive capital provided by a healthy economy. The UK couldn’t offer either of those things right now, but they did have one significant lure.

Total tax immunity for hunters. It was a desperate move to keep talent from fleeing the country.

Property, vehicles, financial transfers, stocks, investment interest…

Even everyday shopping was exempt from VAT.

It was entirely tax-free. The UK government took nothing from the hunters or their associated businesses. Vanessa and Dominic were leaning heavily into this selling point.

“I’ve heard that the Korean government has been complaining about the UK’s tax policies recently.”

“…That is the case,” Lee Se-eun said, looking out at the desolate terrain before continuing. “How long can you actually maintain a policy like that?”

There was no concrete answer. If Korea was complaining now, it was because they had no leverage to stop it.

“For as long as we are able.”

“I wish you luck.”

Vanessa’s expression turned grim. It was clear the UK didn’t have a long-term plan. Her eyes shifted back to me.

I gave her a direct answer.

“My primary goal is neutralizing rank-1 classified Erosion Cores.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Both Vanessa and Dominic stared at me in shock. What was the problem?

“Static guarding or escort missions? This contract is the last time I do that kind of work.”

Once this UK assignment was finished, I planned to focus exclusively on hunting Erosion Cores. I wouldn’t be joining any teams unless our goals were perfectly aligned.

“We respect your dedication, but—”

“I don’t require the British government’s permission to take action.”

Dominic hesitated for a second, then gave a slow nod.

“That is fair.”

Lee Se-eun watched the exchange between us with an amused glimmer in her eyes. In the meantime, the car reached its destination.

“We have arrived.”

Just as we had been told, there were three detached houses sitting side-by-side.

Since the local infrastructure was non-existent, they had provided LPG tanks, portable generators, and a massive tank for groundwater.

“Please inform us if you find anything lacking.”

With the tour concluded, the Prime Minister and the President made a swift exit. They were clearly busy people.

If Lee Se-eun or I had shown even a moment of weakness, they probably would have set up camp there to try and convince us to stay. But we had made it plain: we weren’t staying in the UK for the long haul.

While I began inspecting the items I had requested before the trip, Lee Se-eun checked the functionality of the Dover radio, and Han Sang-ah set about giving the houses a quick cleaning.

“Right then, time to work myself to death.”

Unless something went wrong in Dover, we were about to face some truly grueling days in this place.