Chapter 7
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 007
Chapter Title: RealOfficial Sword Emperor Baek Jihun
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Korea Awakening Management Bureau, High-Rank Hunter Management Division.
Yeowon Han muttered anxiously, biting her nails.
"Why... why hasn't he called?"
The reason was simple: no word at all from Haegyeom Yi, the man who'd taken her number.
Just in case, she'd checked the connection, verified the number two or three times.
No issues.
This was just him having zero interest in reaching out.
"...He could at least shoot a text!"
She'd shown her sincerity faster than anyone, dropping two million won on the line.
Even if he turned it down later, they could've at least talked specifics first!
How cold.
"......Haa."
She'd seen it as a golden opportunity.
First dibs on contacting an SSS+ clear prodigy.
She'd pitched boldly and even got her number to him.
The problem? Everything after that.
...No contact.
"Soon the other vultures will swarm."
This SSS+ ranker had to be secured by the Bureau, no question.
The reason? Obvious.
"...The country's on the brink of collapse."
Right now, Korea's hunter ecosystem was a total disaster.
Korean hunters had practically vanished from the world top 100 rankings.
The Sword Emperor clung to 5th, but even he had clear limits as a one-man show.
So just nurture new Awakeners, right?
...No.
Any promising talent got swooped up by foreign brokers.
Those who stayed domestically either joined private firms teetering on the legal-illegal line, or...
"...straight-up turned villain and hit the crime circuits."
Most of them.
Scarce few decent hunters joined the Bureau for the national good.
"Ugh, just thinking about it boils my blood."
How many times had she begged upper management for more budget over this?
But the higher-ups never listened.
Then.
"Team Leader Han."
"...Yes, Chief."
"Still no word?"
Her direct superior, High-Rank Hunter Management Division Chief Daesoo Choi, asked.
Yeowon sighed in reply.
"Hoo... nope."
"This is insane. Didn't even hear our terms?"
"No."
"Maybe zero interest in us?"
"...Doubt it that bad. He took the number, at least."
"Damn, frustrating."
Yeowon watched Daesoo Choi slump into the office chair beside her, spinning aimlessly, then asked.
"Chief, any word on emergency extra budget...?"
"......"
"None, huh."
"...Zip. They say no need to sweeten beyond top-tier treatment just 'cause it's SSS+."
"......Even as the world's first?"
"Yeah. 'Can he keep that up?' they ask."
"Ha."
Unbelievable.
At this point, she half-suspected traitors in the Finance Ministry brass.
"Well, Sword Emperor said he'd talk it over again, so let's wait."
"...Yes."
Korea's Rank 1 hunter, the Sword Emperor.
He'd step in.
But would it change anything?
Yeowon was skeptical.
Then.
Ring—
Chief Daesoo Choi’s phone buzzed.
“Ah, yes. Sword Emperor… yes?”
The volume was turned up high enough for Yeowon to overhear.
“Chief Choi. Extra budget approved for the SSS+ ranker. Secure him firmly.”
“H-how? This fast…?”
“That’s how it is.”
“…But there was opposition.”
“Ah.”
The Sword Emperor continued.
“Evidence found. The Finance Minister was colluding with brokers, funneling Awakeners overseas.”
“Executed on the spot with my authority.”
“…?!”
“Therefore, this SSS+ ranker must join the Bureau. Understood?”
“……?!”
The call ended.
Yeowon, eavesdropping, went blank.
"Uh... Team Leader Han...? S-so the Sword Emperor... uh..."
"...I heard too."
"Ah!"
"......"
"......"
And then.
['TalentAllInOnPassion']'s stream has started.
An alarm blared through the office from the Tower Stream site Yeowon had open—Haegyeom Yi's stream going live.
"......!"
"......!"
Their eyes met.
No time to recover from the shock.
"H-Han! Hurry!"
"Y-yes...!!!"
They scrambled to his broadcast.
Him.
They had to recruit him, no matter what.
[Salvation Tower, Korea - Floor 2]
[Mission: Defeat the Hobgoblin Triplets]
Haegyeom entered the Tower.
Accordingly.
Entering Salvation Tower activates Tower Stream.
Tower Stream activated as expected.
Couldn't turn it off even if he wanted to.
And.
[Live Viewers: 98]
[Live Viewers: 294]
[Live Viewers: 781]
[Live Viewers: 1,099]
......
"......Whoa."
Live viewer count exploded in seconds.
He'd half-expected it, but seeing it hit different.
Haegyeom stared blankly at the chat flood.
SSS+ ranker?
SSS+ clear today???
Hundreds... no, already thousands chatting up a storm.
'...Crazy numbers.'
Not all bought him as the SSS+ guy, of course.
Just flocking to any 2nd-floor stream today.
In reality...
Stuck at 2F? lmao typical noob ㅋㅋㅋ
Plenty bailed, deeming him fake.
Still, viewers kept surging.
Haegyeom pulled himself together and spoke slowly.
"That's right. I triggered the SSS+ full announcement yesterday."
No hiding it once the 2nd-floor clear aired anyway.
Better rack up hype pre-clear.
Imposter alert;; so many
......
Not preaching belief.
Folks wouldn't buy it regardless—
'Korea Awakening Management Bureau' sponsored 1,000,000 won!
Everything's ready! Please join our Bureau!!!
"...?"
'Korea Awakening Management Bureau' sponsored 1,000,000 won!
More than we discussed last time! Can't detail here, but please! Contact us!!!!!
"......"
Guess skipping the call after grabbing her number lit a fire under them.
Straight-up million-won bombs.
Imposter, obviously. Tsk.
But faking... 2 mil?
Skeptics stayed skeptical.
2 mil and dude's chill af ㅋㅋㅋ wtf
Still helped his cred.
"Uh... thanks for the sponsorship?"
'Korea Awakening Management Bureau' sponsored 1,000,000 won!
If you're thankful, please contact us...!
'Gonna mull that over a bit longer.'
He'd decide on contact after gauging things more.
Anyway, viewers kept climbing.
[Live Viewers: 8,372]
Sudden stream start.
Zero action yet.
Not even confirmed SSS+.
'No joke.'
A moment revealing the massive hype around SSS+ rankers.
"Alright, time to clear?"
Hype good, but cut at peak.
Haegyeom opened inventory for the run.
Ppe?
"Wanna come out?"
Ppeaa~!
Hand into Room 101, Drong wriggled onto his palm.
That soft feel brought a smile.
And.
Summons OP but wtf is that tiny thing? SSS+ with that...?
Look at that innocent baby face guys...
"Uh... this is Drong. A truly amazing friend."
Amazing alright. The name.
"......"
Haegyeom had words for that too.
Never dreamed it'd stick with that name...
Anyway.
"Drong. Targets this time. You got this?"
Hatchling's head swiveled at his gesture.
Beyond safe zone.
Three Hobgoblins frozen in place.
Nod nod!
Drong nodded vigorously, full confidence.
Haegyeom set it down.
SSS hunt → healing vibes, out...
Drong stared down the Hobgoblins, majestic.
Figure of that would sell millions;;
'What can it do.'
Drong's maw gaped.
Breath fired.
Kuwaaaaaaaa─────!!!!
Hobgoblins vaporized.
Attempts: 1
Clear Time: 0.1 seconds
Overall Grade: SSS+
Rewards granted.
Mana Stone 2kg (Base)
Mana Stone 20kg (SSS+ Bonus)
???
Haegyeom grinned at the question-mark spam.
"Stuff like this."
How's that for Drong's amazing power?
Followed by the nationwide SSS+ Floor 2 announcement.
Haegyeom's gut screamed.
'Timing's now.'
Proof he was the SSS+ ranker.
Now just wait for recruitment offers with glee.
No point streaming longer.
"Alright, stream off—"
So he thought.
'RealOfficial Sword Emperor Baek Jihun' sponsored 10,000,000 won!
Please join the Bureau. I'll be waiting.
Until Korea's Rank 1 hunter dropped ten million.
"──!!!"