Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: National Power-level (3)
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Ho-seok nodded at Kang-hyuk's mutterings.
"That's correct. The media will likely start paying attention to Hunter Park Kang-hyuk soon enough."
"I'd prefer to avoid the spotlight as much as possible..."
"We'll do everything we can on our end to manage it. That said, the fact that Korea's first National Power-level Hunter has emerged can't be kept secret. It's an existence that can greatly enhance the nation's influence, after all. And to ease the public's anxiety amid threats from otherworld races and magic beasts... the government will want to announce Hunter Park Kang-hyuk's existence far and wide."
"Haa..."
I had to tone down my power to Low Grand Master level, huh.
"In exchange, you'll receive various benefits. Tax exemptions are a given, of course... and the highest-grade potion capable of regenerating your left arm will be provided free of charge once a year."
Kang-hyuk's eyes widened in shock.
The highest-grade potion that cost hundreds of billions of won... given out one per year?!
"Additionally, you'll receive an annual dignity maintenance fee of 10 billion won."
"...?!"
"In return, we ask that you participate in Association requests as much as possible. Especially in cases where a Dungeon Gate explodes and a raid breaks out..."
In situations tantamount to national emergencies, he'd have no choice but to accept the requests.
This clause applied equally to all S-rank Hunters.
"You'll be able to review the details when you receive your Hunter license later."
"Understood."
"Finally, I'd like to ask if you're considering joining the Association."
"The Association... you mean?"
"Currently, Korea's Hunter world is dominated by the three major guilds. The Association lacks the power to regulate them."
Even Association Chairman Lee Ho-seok here was merely an S2-rank Hunter.
It meant he posed no threat to the S1-rank Guild Masters.
"We can offer you the vice chairman position. We'd like to have you as my successor, Hunter Park Kang-hyuk."
It was a tempting offer.
He'd instantly become the number two in the massive Hunter Association organization.
But that would come with countless restrictions.
Kang-hyuk gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"I'm sorry."
Ho-seok looked bitter at Kang-hyuk's response.
"Have you perhaps received offers from the three major guilds...?"
"No. I haven't gotten any proposals from them. And... I have no intention of joining any of the three major guilds."
"Ah..."
If Kang-hyuk joined one of the three major guilds, it would drastically tilt Korea's Hunter balance.
His declaration of not joining was hard to believe outright, but for now, they had no choice but to take solace in those words.
"If any issues arise, please contact me directly."
Ho-seok handed Kang-hyuk his business card.
"The chairman himself?"
"Of course, for minor matters, going through my secretariat would be appreciated."
Kang-hyuk stared at the card in a daze.
"Thank you for your consideration."
"We look forward to your continued service for Korea."
Ho-seok extended his hand.
"Yes, I'll do my best."
Kang-hyuk shook it, bid Ho-seok farewell, and promptly left the testing room.
At the reception desk, an executive personally handed Kang-hyuk his Hunter license.
"This booklet outlines the benefits and obligations provided to S1-rank Hunters. Please take a moment to review it."
"Got it."
"For the dignity maintenance fee... would depositing it into your existing account at Gold Coin Bank XXX-XXX-XXXX work?"
Kang-hyuk nodded once at the account number given by the executive.
"Yes, please. Oh, and do you buy magic stones as well...?"
"Of course."
The staff looked flustered at the executive handling even menial tasks himself.
Kang-hyuk handed over his backpack.
"...All A-rank magic stones."
"Yes, from yesterday's subjugation of the Dullahan and Lich."
"The Death Knight's magic stone..."
"I traded it to Teynen Guild for a high-grade potion. I was pretty seriously injured..."
"I see. Oh, right—we'll provide the highest-grade potion immediately. Without your left arm, combat would be..."
The executive trailed off, recalling the half-destroyed testing room.
Even without his left arm, Kang-hyuk could probably clear A-grade dungeons with ease.
He could take down Korea's S1-rank Hunters in an instant, too.
"Ahem... It'd be inconvenient for combat, so you should consume it right away."
Inconvenient was inconvenient, after all.
The executive hurriedly fetched the highest-grade potion and handed it to Kang-hyuk.
A glass vial in an ornate wooden box.
Kang-hyuk shook the red liquid inside once and downed it immediately.
The reception staff stared blankly at Kang-hyuk swallowing something worth hundreds of billions of won.
"...!"
His severed left shoulder began regenerating an arm bit by bit.
Kang-hyuk glanced at his newly regenerated left arm and gave a small bow to the Association executive.
"Thank you."
"No need. This is the least we can do for someone who will serve Korea going forward."
In other words, participate in Association requests as much as possible.
"We've just deposited the 10 billion won and magic stone payment into your account. Please check and contact me if there's any issue."
The executive offered his business card.
Third Knight Order Captain of the Korea Hunter Association, Park Kyung-min.
Holding a captain position meant he was quite capable himself.
"Understood. Then I'll be going..."
"Take care."
As Kang-hyuk left the Association building, the Hunter Association reported his existence to their superiors.
The government hurriedly prepared a press conference.
A new S1-rank Hunter had been born.
The reporters all showed shock at the news.
The problem was that this S1-rank Hunter had destroyed the mithril wall of Testing Room 1.
'Na... National Power-level...!'
'A National Power-level Hunter in Korea...?!'
The reporters frantically began reporting the story.
At that moment, Kang-hyuk was exchanging messages with his parents.
Worry laced his mother's voice.
"Yes, don't worry. I'm perfectly fine. More importantly, how about we move this time? Somewhere close to Yu-na's university might be nice... I reawakened and got a good chunk of money, so I'll look into a house and shop location."
Yu-na had gotten into a university in Seoul.
She'd probably commute from the dorms.
"Tell her not to go to the dorms. I'll find a place right away. You really don't need to worry."
"Will do."
After much convincing, Kang-hyuk finally got his father on board with the move.
Meanwhile, Lee Sung-ho of Teynen Guild's First Assault Team—who had consumed a highest-grade potion to regenerate his severed leg—gnashed his teeth while watching TV.
"Fuck!"
He'd decided to mobilize the media to socially crush Park Kang-hyuk.
But people's attention was fixed on the new S1-rank Hunter.
Sung-ho's face twisted at the name 'Park Kang-hyuk' dominating TV and the internet.
"Th-this bastard is a National Power-level Hunter?"
The E-rank Park Kang-hyuk had become an S1-rank Hunter?!
It was absurd.
Sung-ho bit his lip hard.
"Right now, even if it's...!"
Sung-ho had leaked slander about Park Kang-hyuk to the reporters, but most were blocked by the Association.
"Goddamn it!"
Fuming at the Association's response, Sung-ho had no outlet for his rage.
Park Kang-hyuk had abandoned them in the boss room and fled.
Why were people treating that trash like a hero?
The guy was evil for hiding his abilities and letting Hunters die.
"I must... I must kill him."
As Sung-ho glared fiercely at Park Kang-hyuk's name on TV,
Kang Ji-hye, who had visited Teynen Guild, took out a massive loan to buy a highest-grade potion and regenerate her right arm and left leg.
"Ji-Ji-hye, me too..."
Kim Yu-jin, who had lost both arms, looked at Ji-hye with desperate eyes.
As a B-rank Hunter, Yu-jin couldn't secure a loan big enough for a highest-grade potion.
Ji-hye met Yu-jin's gaze once before turning away.
"They said they can't give me any more loans."
"N-no way..."
"Go beg that fucker Lee Sung-ho instead of me."
"S-Sung-ho? He's your boyfriend..."
"Fuck that— what boyfriend doesn't even get me one highest-grade potion?! That fucker pushed me aside saying I was in the way while fighting the Dullahan!"
"..."
Back when they were fighting the high undead, Sung-ho had shoved Ji-hye and Yu-jin off his back, annoyed by them clinging there.
"Do I look crazy enough to keep dating that fucker?! I'd be better off going to Park Kang-hyuk!"
"I heard he became a National Power-level Hunter this time..."
"Fuck, if I hadn't wasted time with that fucker Lee Sung-ho...!"
Ji-hye vented her frustration.
A National Power-level Hunter was on a whole different level from Korea's S1-rank Hunters.
If she'd built a connection with such a being—no, if she'd become Park Kang-hyuk's girlfriend, she'd have hit the jackpot.
"I don't know if Lee Sung-ho has 18 billion won, but I can't help you. Why not try Park Kang-hyuk? That fucker could probably get you a 18 billion won loan from the bank."
"I don't have Kang-hyuk's contact... And before entering the dungeon, he..."
"You only trusted Sung-ho and sucked his dick. You couldn't spot a diamond and stuck to coal instead... Anyway, figure it out yourself."
As Ji-hye left, Yu-jin collapsed to the floor in despair.
Losing both arms made Hunter work impossible.
If she'd lost only one, it might've been manageable.
"...Fuck."
Yu-jin shed tears and resolved to approach the Guild Master.
Even after boarding the elevator, the armless Yu-jin felt nothing but inconvenience.
"S-sorry, could you press 31 for me...?"
"Ah... Sure."
She couldn't even press a button.
It was just the other day she'd strutted around with shoulders back as a proud B-rank Hunter.
Once full of confidence and ignoring regular staff, she now cowered as she requested a meeting with the Guild Master.
"The Guild Master is currently away."
The secretary eyed Yu-jin coldly.
"D-do you know when he'll be back...?"
"He's out scouting Hunter Park Kang-hyuk... He probably won't return until later today."
"Ah..."
Park Kang-hyuk again.
Well, a National Power-level Hunter had been born.
Not just Korea's three major guilds, but even the massive guilds led by S2- and S3-rank Hunters outside them.
All of them were gunning for Park Kang-hyuk.