Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Press Conference
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Thankfully, Dali's clone vanished naturally after five minutes. Dali, who had been wary at first, soon warmed up to it and waved goodbye as her own clone disappeared while they played together.
"That scared me."
I nearly lost half my bank account!
Of course, it was twice as cute, but the thought of my magic stones getting depleted twice as fast made me dizzy.
'She said she'd make something with materials too.'
S-rank monster materials, no less.
I was looking forward to seeing what she'd create. I already had more than enough from what I'd gotten so far, but hey, more is always better.
Good things only get better with more.
Anyway, I'd roughly checked all the rewards, and with dopamine surging through me, I pulled out my phone and opened the Hunter Gallery.
The gallery was already ablaze with news of the gate subjugation, buzzing with wild speculation about who the main player was.
Most of the curiosity centered on Cheon I-ryeong's power, followed by gripes about other hunters' participation—or lack thereof—and accusations of dereliction of duty.
No new details beyond the subjugation completion had leaked yet, which only fueled the growing hype.
"...Sharp eyes? But this poster seems like an actual hunter."
I was a bit surprised by the perceptive comments, but more puzzled by the OP.
Too detailed for hearsay. Feels like an eyewitness account.
After that post, the gallery erupted into debates over whether the Saintess really joined, so I bailed and hopped into the Tower Gallery.
Not much solid info here either.
Probably a flood after Jin Tae-san's press conference prep.
Heavenly Flame's busy with cleanup, while Abyss and Naraka, who were partying outside the gate, are scrambling to dodge blame. Obvious as day.
Me? Melee? Pfft.
Still, I killed an S-rank monster with my skills...
I wanted to brag, to get some recognition. That random punk pissing me off didn't help.
If I wasn't stuck on the healer gimmick, I'd have fed him a Flame.
The world does revolve around me!
At least in Korea, everything moves around me.
To prove my words aren't lies, I'd have to show them what ultra-speed Tower climbing really looks like soon.
The replies gave me a slight wake-up call.
Bad info? Who'd have such malicious intent?
On second thought, Tower Gallery's anonymity means hunters might be lax, but who knows IRL.
Especially as a mage—'glass cannon' vibes—melee/tanks might hate on my style.
'But up to floor 20 should be fine, right?'
What I have is cheat-key broken even solo.
Melee(?) water spirit, Dali.
S-rank auto-defense item, Orb.
Two A-rank spells for AoE/single target, plus new copy skill for doubles.
Trap damage? Overpainting heals it.
...But seriously, why's the balance like this?
Even generously, it's overboard.
Plus one more creation slot left.
Pondering what to make, but no rush—think slow.
Oh, right. Press conference.
Jin Tae-san's briefing on the gate plus announcing my association membership.
Everyone knows already, but curious about reactions, so I headed to the living room.
Turned on the wall-sized TV, sank into the plush sofa, and hugged Dali.
With national attention on the gate, every channel was breaking news on the conference.
"The S-rank gate was cleared in record time worldwide, but many questions remain. Tensions ran high pre-subjugation due to guild conflicts blocking smooth agreements. How was this possible?"
Jin Tae-san adjusted his glasses and tapped the mic at the reporter's question.
The kindly grandpa from our meetings was gone, replaced by the sly old hunter's chilling gaze, silencing the room.
"The gate was tackled solo by Heavenly Flame and cleared today on day two with five additional hunters. Quite fortunate."
"Wasn't the gate rank mismeasured? The California gate took five days even with two US S-ranks and tons of support."
"Hunter Bureau gear matches America's. Extra tests confirm all functions normal."
"Among the additional supporters, were Hunter Shin Hye-eun and Hunter Baek Mun-hyeok?"
Shin Hye-eun and Baek Mun-hyeok. Daejeon's and Busan's S-ranks.
The question implied agreement status. Jin Tae-san shook his head.
"They didn't come."
"Then them... But you said Heavenly Flame solo? I thought other guilds pledged support."
"Abyss, Naraka, and guilds with A-ranks who promised initially failed to deliver. Endless excuses, delays—ultimately did nothing as subjugation ended."
"Are you saying they sabotaged on purpose?"
"Heh... Ask the guilds. They weren't cooperative with us."
Instead of digging himself, he dangled the juicy bait for hungry reporters.
No wonder he's a politician... Seemed like a softie(?), but baring teeth, he's vicious.
"But no more worries. The provisional association under Hunter Bureau launches officially today."
"An organization changes nothing, right?"
"Simultaneously, new hunter laws apply to all guilds. No more reckless guild spawns or regional monopolies. Guild founding and gate assignments now require association approval."
Reporters buzzed at Jin Tae-san's words.
The two factions had coexisted guarding territories.
Government intervention declaration meant war with guilds.
"...Can you handle it?"
Not a question—worry.
Forgetting duty amid fallout fears, the reporter's voice trembled. Others too.
"Ah, and let me introduce the hidden hero of this S-rank subjugation, who'll serve under the association going forward."
"What's this sudd—"
"Saintess. Familiar name, right? She's been the talk lately."
"Saintess...?"
"Yes. Risking it all, she entered the S-rank gate, saved the trapped hunters, and led victory—saving Seoul's unsung hero."
Eh? Hold up, the narrative's bloating a bit...
"The Saintess who threw herself into danger everyone ignored will now join the association. Plus, the Hunter Association promises free support from the Saintess in emergencies for hunters aligning with our new system."
"...Free... treatment?"
"Minister! Is the Saintess here?!"
"No, she'll avoid public for safety. But her warm hand always reaches us—you and I know it."
Flashes exploded as Jin Tae-san grinned.
Ah. No such thing as free lunch in this world.
Officially turned me into some saint of mercy.