[One Day Later, Southern United States – San Diego]
Swoosh—
San Diego, in the southern United States.
Located near the Mexican border, it was once a major crossing point for refugees. However, that was before the era of the Towers.
Since the Towers appeared, the flow of refugees crossing into the U.S. had significantly decreased.
Why?
– Isn’t it actually safer to stay in Mexico rather than coming to the U.S.?
That was the prevailing thought.
– Other than Panama, the U.S. has more S-Rank Towers. Why risk our lives crossing the border?
The number and location of S-Rank Towers played a major role in this perception, with the most prominent factor being the ongoing campaign in the Panama Canal, which had just been declared a priority by the Master.
– If the Master successfully secures the Panama Canal, Central America will essentially become safe!
And so, in preparation for the Panama Canal campaign, the U.S. government had issued an order for Hunters to gather in San Diego.
“Hey, James, do we really have to go all the way to Panama for this?”
The Panama Canal Campaign—
The U.S. government had reached out to Hunters across the West Coast, asking for volunteers. Those who accepted the call were now making their way to San Diego, whether by private jet, car, or other means.
“There are plenty of other S-Rank Towers. Why focus on this one?”
“We can’t just keep living with supply chains cut off forever.”
Around thirty Hunters, ranging from A-Rank to C-Rank, had gathered for the upcoming S-Rank Tower raid. Many of them exchanged uneasy glances, their concerns evident.
“What is the government even thinking, pulling us all together like this?”
“They told us we’d understand once we got here, so we came to see for ourselves. Didn’t the Master take down the Golden Gate Tower? He must have a plan.”
“Dammit, they don’t actually think Panama is part of the U.S., do they?”
“Come on. You really think the Master is that ignorant? It’s not about claiming Panama as U.S. territory—it’s about keeping the global supply chains running. The Panama Canal affects not just the U.S. but the entire world.”
The Panama Canal.
The Master had made a declaration—“I’m still hungry.”—through the President’s mouth and had ordered the battleship Illinois to head south.
“In reality, securing the Panama Canal is a necessity. It’s the only way to reach the U.S. East Coast quickly. The Master is actually doing the U.S. a favor.”
“Yeah, otherwise we’d have to sail all the way down past South America just to get there.”
It was simply the most efficient route.
Conquering an S-Rank Tower and moving towards the S-Rank Tower clusters in the southern and eastern U.S.—it was killing two birds with one stone.
Some might ask, if the campaign is already underway, why are these Hunters gathering in San Diego?
Is it just to see off the Hunters heading south?
Not at all.
“Hey.”
“What?”
“We can board Illinois, right?”
They hadn’t come just to salute the departing Illinois.
They had come to board it.
“As long as we stay within the designated areas on the deck, it’s basically like being stationed on an aircraft carrier.”
“But we can board, right?”
“Yeah.”
These thirty Hunters weren’t just here to watch Illinois sail off to the Panama Canal raid—they were here to join the battle themselves.
As per the Master’s proposal.
“Hey, do you think we can really pull this off? We’re both C-Rank.”
“Hey, I’ve been studying Korean stuff lately, and I found this phrase.”
“What is it?”
“Ugh.”
“…What does that mean? Like ‘this is insane’?”
“It means an S-Rank Hunter is going to power-level us.”
Swoosh—
“They’re letting us board Illinois, and they’ll be carrying us through the S-Rank Tower campaign at the Panama Canal.”
With an escort fleet, Illinois approached San Francisco Bay, heading south.
“!!”
The Hunters felt it.
When they saw Illinois jumping into the Tower during the Golden Gate raid, it hadn’t fully registered. But seeing it with their own eyes now—
The sheer power was undeniable.
“That mana… it’s overwhelming…!”
“Damn… I never thought I’d feel an S-Rank Hunter’s presence from a battleship.”
The mana flowing from Illinois—
It was stronger than the combined mana of all thirty Hunters gathered here.
And now, Illinois was sailing into San Diego Bay, coming to a halt.
Though its deck appeared empty, faint green LED markings illuminated designated zones—perhaps guiding where the Hunters would stand.
“Is that a designated zone?”
“I know what that is. It’s a Safety Zone. A protected area.”
“Protected from what?”
“From the monsters. And from the Master himself—if someone gets too nosy about exploring Illinois.”
A designated zone.
It made no exceptions—whether one was C-Rank or A-Rank, the rules applied equally.
“What if…”
The Hunters gathered in San Diego recalled the countless videos they had watched on their way here.
“What if we could fight freely on that deck, under Illinois’ protection…?”
“What if Illinois became a bunker, and we launched ranged attacks from beneath its shield?”
The Golden Gate Campaign, filmed by drones.
Thousands, even tens of thousands, of monstrous birds had been shot down by Illinois’ artillery, yet not a single one had defiled its deck.
Because Illinois, despite being a battleship, possessed a shield.
“The Master isn’t just telling us to fight—he’s offering us a power boost, an opportunity to gain experience.”
“Right. He’s not just leveling up himself…”
“He’s leveling up all of us.”
One by one, the Hunters began checking their ranged weapons and stepping forward, heading toward the now-docked Illinois.
“To grow stronger together, to take down the ‘Sky Towers’ looming above, and to restore this world to what it once was.”
* * *
[Thank you, Master. Thanks to your initiative, we were able to assemble much faster than expected.]
“Think nothing of it.”
Standing on the deck of Illinois, I looked out at the American Hunters taking their places.
“It’s surprising, honestly. Unlike Korea, where conscription is enforced, I didn’t expect so many Hunters here to volunteer.”
[Hahaha…]
President Luigi let out an awkward laugh.
In the U.S., even registering as a Hunter was seen as a privacy violation by some. The idea of mandatory conscription was out of the question.
Of course, that didn’t mean everyone was against the idea.
There were those who believed in controlled freedom—that power should be regulated and deployed where necessary. This was the core debate surrounding superpower regulations in the U.S.
And it extended to Hunters as well.
[The thirty Hunters aboard Illinois are those with a sense of justice. However, if I may ask, please do not hold it against those who declined to participate.]
“I understand.”
There were about 200 registered Hunters in the West Coast region, from A-Rank to C-Rank.
Some had even mocked the thirty who volunteered—questioning why they would willingly march into the jaws of death.
After all, they were about to raid an S-Rank Tower.
“I understand why many are hesitant to join an S-Rank Tower raid. It’s a life-or-death mission. That’s exactly why we’ll approach the Panama Canal campaign with absolute precision—no deaths, no injuries. I will make sure of it.”
[Thank you, Master. However…]
President Luigi hesitated, as if struggling with his next words.
[Regarding those you personally rejected from participation, the government will do its best to support them. However…]
“I will not allow mentally unstable individuals aboard my ship. That is non-negotiable.”
There was one small issue.
“Alcoholism? Understandable. Racism? Well, that’s a deep-rooted historical problem that won’t be solved overnight. But doing drugs on my ship? Absolutely not.”
[Ahem…]
“If you want to smoke, do it on a lifeboat while floating next to Illinois. If that was too much to ask, and they refused to join because they couldn’t smoke on deck—good riddance.”
No matter how much Illinois was seen as a means of transport, it was still my summon.
People were allowed to board, but defiling it was not an option.
Illinois was, in a way, my home.
I could allow guests to enter my living room to fight alongside me—but smoking inside? That was crossing the line.
Especially when the “cigarettes” weren’t actually cigarettes, but white powder rolled up inside.
[Master, I know you don’t like talking about the past, but… is this because of ‘that incident’?]
“It’s not the reason, but it definitely influenced my stance.”
There was an incident.
A government-sponsored Hunter had gone out of control, abusing substances, spiraling into madness, and eventually causing a massive casualty event.
It had left scars.
“Anyway, I leave it to you. I’ll handle things on my end.”
[Understood. We’ll make sure the situation remains under control. Please be careful, Master.]
“Got it.”
Beep.
Hanging up the call, I picked up the tablet resting on my lap.
“Drei, what’s our remaining distance to the destination?”
“Hmm… about 350 miles?”
“…”
“Heh. Just kidding~! Hahaha, seriously, Commander, you were not meant to live in the U.S.”
Drei grinned, gripping the steering controls.
“We’re heading north for a while. You should get some rest. Even if we get shot at or bombed, I’ll know immediately. Maybe you should fully recline your seat?”
“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
Leaning my seat back slightly, I grabbed my smartphone.
“I’ll take care of some assignments on the way. Drive safely until we reach the next raid site.”
Vrooooom.
The vehicle surged forward—heading north.
* * *
[Two Hours Later – Los Angeles, Temporary Government Meeting Room]
“This is even more exhausting than a European summit.”
Sitting back in his temporary office chair, President Luigi let out a dry chuckle, waving his hand.
Clatter.
His aides immediately left the room, leaving only one advisor standing before him.
“Mr. President, if you need rest—”
“Rest? Illinois is currently carrying 30 of our national heroes through Mexican waters, and you expect me to sit still? We need to make sure Central America is informed, and that no one in Panama tries to interfere with Illinois.”
Rubbing his temples, Luigi let out a bitter laugh.
“I feel bad for the Hunters, but in reality… their job is to guard Illinois from unwanted boarders. By now, they’ve probably figured that out.”
“…But they are still playing a critical role in raiding the Panama Tower.”
“That’s true. Panama is similar to the Golden Gate, though slightly different. Regardless, Illinois is perfect for this battlefield.”
“…Mr. President.”
Aide Patrick pulled out his smartphone.
“For now, we’ve diverted the public’s attention with the Golden Gate raid video.”
“What’s the view count?”
“It’s already surpassed 1.4 billion.”
“In just one day?”
Clap.
President Luigi clapped his hands together lightly.
“Good. Slowly release the follow-up videos. Oh, and the account—”
“It’s an account we created for the Master. All revenue is being deposited into his U.S. account.”
“Excellent. Keep it up. Stretch the videos as long as possible. And when the audience finally watches the last Golden Gate raid clip…”
The President held up two fingers.
“Upload two teaser trailers.”
