178th Chapter: Stunsguy’s Memories
Do you know the Gatling gun?
It’s the rapid-fire machine gun that rotates multiple barrels.
This is a story my father once told me, which I still remember: The original developer of the Gatling gun was an American doctor and inventor named ‘Richard Jordan Gatling.’
He was generally a kind person, creating helpful inventions, but when the Civil War dragged on endlessly, he suddenly came up with the idea for the Gatling gun.
The reason was simple yet profound.
Dr. Gatling thought:
“If one person can handle the work of 100 with an extremely powerful gun, fewer people will have to be drafted for war. Furthermore, the fear inspired by this weapon might reduce wars altogether!”
Mutually Assured Destruction strategy.
The thought isn’t entirely wrong, just slightly underestimating human greed.
The events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki demonstrated that wars only stop with the level of fear and deterrence brought by nuclear bombs.
A weapon must be capable of destroying at least 100,000 units in one strike for fear to begin and war to stop.
That’s right.
To stop fighting, a Gatling gun isn’t enough. You need a nuclear weapon.
A force so overwhelming that even irritating mosquitoes wouldn’t dare approach.
In martial fiction, hermit sages aren’t unnecessarily overpowered for no reason – they need to be that strong to earn the world’s recognition as a true recluse.
Looking at specs alone, I’ve already achieved ‘World’s Strongest’ level.
Beyond that, I need to become the sole strongest existence under heaven and earth. That’s the ‘Nuclear Jung Yong Project.’
That’s why, in Markeiteuriseu, I asked Adrang for training.
“Can you make me stronger?”
Back then, I wasn’t too proud to ask Knightrea as well.
Knightrea arched an eyebrow at my sudden question.
“…What?”
We were in Leviathan.
The ‘Ivory Tower,’ also known as the National University and Magic Engineering Research Institute of Unterland.
Knightrea, Director of the Institute and Minister of Technology, was in her private office when I burst in and stared at her sitting idly at her desk.
“Anything you can do? I also want to fire beams from my nipples.”
The journey from Leviathan to Markeiteuriseu and back to Unterland took about three days.
‘So damn boring.’
It would be a waste to do nothing. Being cooped up in the VIP special room arranged by Knightrea was getting on my nerves.
Even if beams from the nipples aren’t possible, an electric saw from the palm would be great. Watching Seseona was inspiring, showing confidence and masculinity.
“Hmm.”
Naturally, Knightrea frowned.
Despite me being a guest she invited, she had an expression of “What kind of brat is this?”
She tidied up her desk, which was covered with papers and experimental materials, then leaned back in her chair and looked at me.
“… Stronger? Specifically how?”
However, surprisingly, her response was positive.
It wasn’t ‘What the hell,’ but more like ‘If you specify, I might help.’
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting such a response, so I stumbled without using my prepared lines.
“Um, I haven’t thought specifically… Just, somehow, getting stronger is fine…”
After spitting that out, I regretted it.
Damn, I should have asked for nipple beams. If not from the chest, then at least from the hands.
“Hmm.”
Knightrea crossed her arms and rested her chin.
She thought for a while, then swept her blue short hair behind her ear and replied.
“I’ve seen you fight a few times, haven’t I? You were overwhelmingly strong. Comparable to Adrang or even exceeding him, it seemed.”
“Ah, yes… Thank you?”
Caught off guard by this unexpected praise, I scratched my head.
Knightrea chuckled like a sigh and shook her head firmly.
“So, it’s impossible. Sorry, but even with Unterland’s technology, we can’t yet create a personal weapon stronger than your ultimate strike. At that level, it becomes a large, non-portable artillery piece.”
“Ah….”
That was very disappointing news.
I decided to push a little more.
“Um, how about those enhancement suits the soldiers used during the opening ceremony?”
I had just indulged in a fantasy of becoming a mobile suit pilot.
But no way. Knightrea smirked cutely.
“Do you know how expensive those are?”
“No, they must be expensive, it seems. Sorry.”
With that, I gracefully withdrew.
Knightrea’s smile deepened.
“Hmm. Still, since you’re a new witch hunter, I do want to help you somewhat…”
She then fiddled with a small square terminal on her desk.
It looked like an Earth smartphone, used for video calls and recording. The same device I used in Gaissers.
Unterland’s magical technology is world-class!
“Jack. It’s me.”
Soon, a man’s face appeared on the square screen.
He wore glasses, had golden curly hair and yellow eyes. On his forehead, it seemed as if ‘I’m a nerd’ was written.
He looked oddly familiar. It was Jack Ossold, the man who attended the state conference with Knightrea.
Mr. Technical Officer. Is there a problem?
“No. There’s someone here who’s interested in one of your inventions.”
—Oh… Could it be that guest? Unexpected.
“Unexpected?”
—He looks like a brute warrior. There was an impressive bulge and dense muscles under his cloak. They call that practical compression muscle, don’t they? Haha.
At this enthusiastic comment, Knightrea’s gaze flickered to me.
I shrugged to indicate I was fine. Being called a brute is a fact, so no damage there.
She soon nodded and continued the conversation.
“Could you give him a tour? Show him things that can be sold or given away.”
—Sure, no problem. Haha.
“Then, come to my office as soon as possible.”
—I’ll do as you command, Technical Officer.
The screen went blank.
Then, BANG! The door opened immediately to reveal Jack Ossold, a man in his mid-30s.
“Here I am, Technical Officer!”
That’s too fast.
Are you Superman? Even Superman doesn’t arrive immediately when summoned.
Knightrea seemed to think the same, as she pinched her temple while pointing at Jack’s face.
“Where were you waiting outside my office again?”
“Haha. Well, I saw the guest come in and thought I might be needed. You always call me when something comes up, don’t you?”
“…”
Knightrea stared at the grinning Jack and finally sighed, having no real rebuttal.
She waved her hand as if embarrassed, dismissing us.
“Alright. Take him away. I’m getting a headache just looking at you.”
“I’ll do as you command, Technical Officer.”
Jack grinned cheekily, quickly bowed, and led me out of Knightrea’s office. His manner suggested he had done this many times before.
One of two scenarios. Either they’re extremely close or their relationship is very strained.
Personally, I lean towards the former.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you properly, Mr. Moonjin Fighter in Blood Stained Shadows. I’m Jack Ossold. This is our official first meeting.”
Jack, who was striding confidently down the hallway, suddenly smiled and held out his hand for a handshake.
“First meeting… Ah, yes. I guess so.”
So, my attendance at the state conference doesn’t count anymore. I shook his hand awkwardly.
I thought he’d be icy like Knightrea, given his initial academic impression during the conference, but he turned out to be a cheerful nerd like someone from The Big Bang Theory.
“Park Jeong-yong. Please take care of me.”
Jack tilted his head upon hearing my name, like many Paraiso people do.
“Park Jung-yong? Your name is quite difficult.”
“At least you’re the closest so far.”
“Haha. The smartest fool then.”
Jack laughed heartily, adding, “Better than the dumbest genius, I suppose.”
I started liking this guy.
“So, you’re interested in my inventions?”
“Yes. Just wondering if there’s anything useful for combat.”
How long did we walk down the futuristic corridor, which felt more advanced than Earth’s?
Jack stopped in front of a door with an air of pride. Judging by his demeanor, this must be the room containing the “inventions” in question.
“Haha. I get it. For someone strong like Mr. Jung-young, a regular Unterland personal weapon is meaningless. You’re looking for useful combat accessories, aren’t you?”
An annoyingly knowing face. Jack smirking with the air of someone who knows everything. I nodded awkwardly.
I don’t like this guy so much anymore.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Perfect timing! My boundless imagination combined with Unterland’s amazing technology has produced lovely little creations sleeping in my lab right now.”
He called his inventions “lovely little ones.”
I quietly and quickly decided this guy isn’t normal either.
“Come on in!”
Jack excitedly rushed into the dim room.
I stared at the door for a moment, then nodded seriously.
“Alright.”
From the start, I’m the kind of person who grits my teeth and protects what I have.
I want to become strong enough to definitely protect my surroundings. Ruci is the strongest among demon kings.
“Failure and running away, once is enough.”
Those who come after Ruci and me are prepared and skilled, just like Hector Cassas and his cronies, who were meticulous and infuriatingly clever.
So, I…
“Will become the strongest.”
Surpassing Adrang, the strongest among heroes.
To be the sole strongest under heaven and earth. Once I achieve that, at least I won’t feel wronged due to lack of power.
With the goal set, my steps became lighter as I approached Jack’s lab.
“Creepy, Jung-yong. Why are you muttering to yourself? Are you a diehard fan? Talking nonsense about becoming the strongest…”
Just as I was making a firm resolution, Older Brother Sooho broke it with his teasing. Being directly pointed out felt incredibly embarrassing.
Please leave, Older Brother. Go die somewhere.
