Jeju Island Raid: Was Betrayal the Real Reason for Its Failure?

Summary

The Jeju Island raid was doomed due to betrayal and the formidable Ant King’s overwhelming power.
Sung Jinwoo’s decision to withdraw sealed the fate of the mission, making it easy prey for the Ant King.
Even with meticulous planning, the loss of S-rankers was inevitable without Jinwoo’s support.

On Jeju Island, hunters from both Japan and South Korea united for an ambitious quest to free the isolated Korean island from magical creatures. With 16 elite S-rankers, each boasting extensive expertise, this mission seemed less perilous compared to past raids, given the increased understanding of the ants’ behavior and characteristics.

However, as it appeared that success was imminent, events began to unfold in a concerning manner, with one S-ranker after another becoming ensnared by a cunning adversary. Given our initial optimism about the strategy, why did the Jeju Island raid end up being such a catastrophe? Was the entire operation destined for failure from the outset?

The Fourth Jeju Island Raid: A Failure in Strategy and Execution

Sabotage, Poor Decisions, and an Unexpected Enemy

Arc: Jeju Island Arc
Webtoon: Chapters 90 to 107
Anime: Episode 21 to 25
Next Arc: Recruitment Arc
Previous Arc: Return to Demon Castle Arc

Attempting to achieve an S-rank clearance at the gate on Jeju Island would never be a walk in the park, given that the Korean government had previously failed thrice in similar endeavors. Despite the Korean-Japanese alliance meticulously employing all available information and crafting a formidable strategy, liberating Jeju Island from magical creatures was still a daunting task.

Deep within them, both nations recognized the potential dangers, yet this moment presented their best, and quite possibly final chance. If they faltered, they understood that hardship would befall Korea and Japan significantly. Despite looming apprehensions of an impending disaster, there was also a sense of optimism among millions that the forsaken island could be reclaimed. However, without the knowledge of the general public, indications were already surfacing that the Jeju Island operation was on a path toward catastrophic failure.

Sung Jinwoo’s Decision

Prior to the attack on Jeju Island, Japanese and Korean hunters engaged in a joint training session. The members of Draw Sword Guild were incredibly strong, causing the Koreans difficulty in keeping pace. However, when Goto Ryuji chose to fight Jinwoo upon noticing his extraordinary reflexes, events took an unexpected twist. Japan’s top hunter was taken aback by Sung’s intimidating fighting technique and left bewildered by his overpowering strength.

Previously, everyone, including the Japanese hunters, were aware of Jinwoo’s abilities. However, after the sparring session, it became crystal clear that if the Koreans intended to reclaim Jeju Island, Jinwoo would be on the flight there. Despite being asked by Go Gunhee, Sung Jinwoo ultimately chose not to participate in the raid for personal matters. This was a significant setback for the mission as Jinwoo was Korea’s strongest hunter, and no one in Japan could match his prowess.

The Unfathomable Betrayal

Initially, Korean and Japanese hunters decided to collaborate in order to tackle the S-rank Gate on Jeju Island. Leading this alliance was Goto Ryuji, who proposed a comprehensive plan for the operation and offered his expertise. He further disclosed that he would be accompanied by Japan’s finest hunters.

It appeared that, with Goto Ryuji supporting them, the Koreans still held hope. However, Go Gunhee and his companions were shocked to discover the treacherous betrayal that lay ahead. From the outset, Goto had orchestrated a plot to guide Korean hunters towards their demise on Jeju Island, with the collaboration of the Japanese Hunters Association’s Chairman, Matsumoto Shigeo. The alliance between Koreans and Japanese was nothing but a facade from the beginning, as Ryuji prioritized his personal aspirations over any sense of partnership.

An Enemy Beyond Human Comprehension

Just like Korean and Japanese hunters readying for a crucial operation, an Ant Queen on Jeju Island brought forth her most robust offspring, the Ant King. With resources dwindling on the island, she sensed it was essential to have a strong leader who could guide the ants away from their home in search of a new one.

Are there others? Others you call king?

On that island, there were countless advanced ants, but none compared to the extraordinary Ant King. Endowed with immense power, swiftness, and intellect, he was far superior to any magical creature the Koreans or Japanese had previously encountered in battle.

Was the Jeju Island Raid Doomed From the Start?

Sung Jinwoo’s Withdrawal Sealed the Fate of the Jeju Island Raid Party

Clearing an S-rank Gate is nearly unattainable; in fact, only one such feat has ever been achieved by humans. Unfortunately, this historic event claimed the lives of approximately 100 S-rankers and over a million civilians. Whether the Jeju Island S-rank Gate was as perilous as the initial gate that emerged on America’s West Coast is unclear, but it’s reasonable to infer that both Gates were extremely difficult for any team of 16 S-rankers to clear without significant risk.

The outcome of the mission became inevitable once Sung Jinwoo decided to step down from participating. Without his backing, the S-rankers were no contest for the Ant King. If the Japanese had attempted underhanded tactics, with Jinwoo present, the Koreans would have effortlessly regained the island. However, without him, the Jeju Island raid team merely presented an easy target for the Ant King, who could have toyed with the hunters before eliminating them one by one.

In summary, it’s plausible to say that the expedition was already in peril prior to the hunters embarking on their journey to the deserted island. If Sung Jinwoo hadn’t intervened, the casualties and damage could have been comparable to the initial S-rank Gate disaster.

2025-03-23 22:54