Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Association and Federation
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“Hunter Bureau Minister Jin Tae-san. What do you plan to do about this? You stirred things up unnecessarily, and now it's come to this.”
“It's just temporary growing pains. We all knew there would be this level of resistance from the start.”
“Even so, this is too much. The Hunter guilds are forming a federation and banding together. Some are even worried that the federation could effectively replace the government.”
Jin Tae-san glared at Education Minister Shin Jong-ho, who wore a faint smile despite his grave words.
A vulture swooping in at the first sign of opportunity.
Rumor has it he's trying to add Hunter-related content to the curriculum to link up with guilds. He's already been reaching out in that direction.
“And how long do you plan to leave the Association President position vacant? The government has plenty of capable people. Is there really any reason it has to be a Hunter?”
“...There is. How could someone who's never experienced the Tower or gates make judgments and decisions about Hunters going forward? Don't worry about that—we have a strong candidate in mind.”
“You'd better. With the federation's formation, citizens are growing anxious. Meanwhile, the Hunter Bureau Minister is burning through all that budget without any real action to show for it... I hear an enormous amount of money is going to just one Hunter. People around here are calling it favoritism driven by personal bias.”
Shin Jong-ho had spotted how a huge chunk of the Association's budget was funneled to a single Hunter and cast his bait. If he played this right, he could drag Jin Tae-san down and position the Education Ministry in the Hunter...
“Are you finished?”
Jin Tae-san's demeanor shifted in an instant, his cold gaze making Shin Jong-ho swallow hard as he backed away from the lit microphone. His decades-honed political instincts screamed a sharp warning.
Push any further, and it's dangerous.
Damn bastard. Just lucky enough to Awaken, dip into a few gates, and snag the Hunter Bureau Minister seat... But that won't last. The conflict with the federation is no simple matter—Jin Tae-san's Association would crumble soon enough.
“If you have nothing more to say, I'll be excusing myself. Next time, instead of just voicing concerns, try presenting some solid ideas.”
Jin Tae-san swept a glare over the assembled hearing attendees before rising from his seat. As he strode down the hall and out of the National Assembly building, his secretary hurried to keep pace.
“I've coordinated a schedule with Hunter Cheon I-ryeong.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes. I've compiled the relevant details separately.”
“Thanks. You've worked hard.”
Settling into the car, Jin Tae-san cast one last icy glance at the receding National Assembly.
Even in this mess, they're scrambling to cling to power... Fools who can't focus on the real issues.
On the way back from dropping by the art academy before heading to the Association, I was riding with Seol A-yoon. I'd mentioned my schedule to her, and she'd insisted it was her job as secretary to drive me.
Ugh, it feels weird having her handle my personal errands like this... Especially since she's an S-rank Hunter.
What would happen if word got out that Seol A-yoon—whose identity had been revealed—was now playing chauffeur? My image wouldn't just shatter; it'd be ground to dust and roasted online.
Sensing my worry and embarrassment, Seol A-yoon met my eyes in the rearview mirror with a gentle voice.
“It's fine. I'm doing this because I want to. Just relax, Roha-nim.”
“I still feel bad... You didn't have to drive me all the way to the academy.”
“It's also to protect your safety, so please don't worry about it.”
Overprotective, way overprotective. I'm not some kid.
Plus, I had the orb waiting in my pocket, Dal-i could pop out anytime, and even magic no one else knew about yet.
“Roha-nim, have you heard about the federation formation?”
“Ah, that? Yeah. It's blowing up everywhere.”
The news and communities across Korea were buzzing with federation talk. Association vs. Federation, the birth of a new government, you name it.
“They're foolishly imitating the Association while claiming to stand against its misdeeds. Don't worry.”
“I'm fine with it. If they do well, gates get cleared faster, fewer people get hurt.”
The federation was pushing guilds to participate by putting forward Chae Jeong-ah and Min Ji-yeon, who followed my lead. Honestly, that was a boon for me.
Healers who'd mostly stuck to their own guilds stepping up to treat Hunters publicly would lighten my load.
Sure, I charged 100 million per treatment, but my Association salary of 300 million a month was practically untouched, and the mana grass was growing nicely.
Once more fruits ripen, I should plant those too.
Smiling contentedly at the thought—
“...As expected, Roha-nim is different from others.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Shall I pull over?”
Seol A-yoon, looking oddly cheerful, parked in my exclusive spot—deeper inside than the other staff lots—and changed the subject.
What was that about being different all of a sudden?
Back in my office with the strangely upbeat Seol A-yoon, I immediately pulled up the tablet to order drinks.
Somehow, sipping something before starting work made the day feel like it had truly begun. No wonder cafes opened so early.
“A-yoon-ssi, want anything? Iced Americano? Latte?”
“I'm good.”
“It's awkward drinking alone. Feel free.”
“...Then a milkshake, please.”
“Milkshake? Got it.”
Seol A-yoon, whose sharp looks screamed espresso or Americano, shyly requested a milkshake. Come to think of it, her tastes at the beach last time weren't so different from mine.
Moments later, the drinks arrived. We sat side by side on the sofa, downing half our iced Americano and milkshake in one go.
“There's an A-rank gate subjugation today, right? They're popping up more often than I thought.”
“Yes. Snowflower Guild is handling it, but... the federation suddenly stepped in to coordinate, causing some friction. High-rank gates sometimes cluster like this too.”
“Hmm. I see.”
The federation, huh.
I didn't love what the guilds were doing, but as long as gates got cleared fast, I had no urge to meddle.
Maybe this was for the best?
Association and federation competing—could make for a world where I could move more freely.
“Spirits are really fascinating, though.”
“( ˃ ⩌˂)”
Having told Dal-i to roam free at the office and home, she was thrilled at her expanded territory, darting around curiously.
Seol A-yoon flinched back each time Dal-i zipped by, her wary eyes full of caution—afraid of animals, maybe?
“No Spirit User class in the US?”
“There is, but I've never met one. Country's too big; hard to run into them.”
“Must be tons of gates in the US, then.”
“Yes. High-rank ones open constantly. But with so many Hunters, they hold on.”
One of their S-ranks defected here. Hope the US doesn't blame me.
“How long does an average A-rank gate take to clear?”
Waiting around was getting boring.
No real tasks, but endless waiting sucked.
“Usually wraps up in a day. No reason to leave it sitting, and unlike S-ranks, no massive prep needed.”
“Ah, so last time they let it sit because of the strike.”
“Exactly. Trash.”
Seol A-yoon spat the word with disgust, her usually stoic face twisting. Had something similar happened in the US?
Either way, I needed this gate done quick to regain my freedom—and hit the Tower. Been too busy lately.
On a whim, I snuck a peek at Tower Gallery. Familiar nicks were plentiful, and the most welcome one was—
Gov gave us jack shit, why crawl to the Association?
Right now they're sweet-talking us, saying they'll take everyone in nice. Wait till later—they'll work us like dogs.
Better to join our Hunter guilds' federation and build power. Joining the Association is straight-up betrayal.
I breezed past Snowman's recruitment and binged the Tower Gallery nonsense when a blaring ringtone shattered the peace.
“Looks like the gate subjugation's done. But...”
Seol A-yoon checked the caller, narrowed her eyes slightly, and picked up.
After a few curt replies, she hung up, stood, and extended a hand to me.
“Seems you need to head to the scene, Roha-nim. There's been an incident.”
“...An incident?”