Chapter 103
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Famous Hunter Kim Geuk - [1]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Before we dive into the full interview, I'd like to start by expressing my gratitude. Hunter Kim Geuk, you contributed more than anyone to resolving this incident.
According to testimonies from soldiers on the scene and the traces left behind, you moved tirelessly from place to place, single-handedly eliminating more than half of the high-risk monsters that appeared. Above all, you personally led the operation to repel Behemoth and succeeded.
There's even talk that you alone defended Seoul. As one citizen, I once again offer my sincere thanks.
- Sorry, but that's not exactly music to my ears. And I'm not saying this out of false humility—it's just uncomfortable because it overly glorifies me while downplaying the contributions of the soldiers and hunters who died.
Especially regarding the Behemoth repel, Hunter Park Ju-hun, who fought alongside me, played a huge role. I offer my condolences to him and all the fallen.
And I'd also like to issue a warning to the government.
Q. A warning? What kind?
- Above all else, the government needs to properly compensate the hunters who died this time. If they think handing over a few times the dispatch fee covers compensation and reparations, I won't stand by idly.
Q. But prioritizing compensation for hunters is tough given the country's current situation. So many citizens lost their homes in this incident.
For the government, supporting them comes first. Compensation and reparations for high-income hunters would naturally be lower priority, wouldn't they?
- No, compensating the hunters is the top priority.
Hunters fought, and hunters died. Even those with no duty to respond came when called and suffered massive casualties.
Foreigners, hunters from outside Seoul—they ignored laws and regulations, dragged them in under the pretext of a crisis, and forced them to fight. That's what happened.
At this point, if they whine about the country's finances or clauses prohibiting double compensation beyond a certain amount, pretending to follow the law and act reasonably while skimping on proper compensation—I won't stand by.
Q. You keep saying you won't stand by. What exactly does that mean? Are you saying you'll take revenge against the government?
- Yeah, that's a terror threat, alright. Everyone knows I could do it. It's just hard to actually pull off, but who knows what I'll do if I get angry enough.
Q. The government's response hasn't even been announced yet. Maybe calm down?
- If Kim Hyeong-man, who was raising his voice for hunters' rights as the next Hunter Association Chairman, were still alive, he'd handle this much more rationally. But he fought without holding back in this incident and fell. I offer my sincere condolences.
I'm not Kim Hyeong-man, so I don't know how to act like him.
But I do know how to fire a Hunter Rifle. I know it works on people, not just monsters. And I know the addresses of the Blue House and the National Assembly building.
(......)
Q. The footage of Hunter Kim Geuk's indomitable spirit captured on camera was impressive.
Even after losing your entire lower body and facing death, the moment your body regenerated, you immediately returned to the front lines and led the Behemoth repel operation. The public's reaction to that scene has been hot amid the tragedy.
Even for an Awakener who can regenerate, it couldn't have been easy to rush back to the battlefield after something like that. If there's a reason for that superhuman resolve?
- I graduated from Bupyeong Hunting Academy, just five minutes from Bupyeong Station. Of course it was.
Sure, even accounting for that, I pushed myself too hard. But I had to.
Q. You had to? To protect the citizens?
- No, to balance the scales of the world. There were guys who didn't show their faces at all and hid away, so someone on the other side had to work extra hard to even things out.
Q. People who hid without even showing up... You mean the Special Task Force?
- Exactly. From now on, Special Task Force members are just bipedal Deathclaws. Nothing more, nothing less—straight-up Deathclaws.
Q. Calling Special Task Force members Deathclaws—what do you mean by that?
- They attack hunters, try to kill hunters, swing force field blades, ignore human laws and orders while refusing to fight monsters. Who wouldn't call that a Deathclaw? How is that human?
Q. When asked why they didn't respond to the dispatch order, Special Task Force members claimed monster response isn't their duty. Your thoughts on that, Hunter Kim Geuk?
- That's ridiculous. If the Special Task Force cares so much about their core duties, they should've shown some mercy last time with the Kim Seok-hee incident when hunters were unreasonably mobilized and exploited.
Back then, they swung fists first at hunters for not cooperating with their orders. How can I look kindly on them ignoring higher-ups' commands in a critical situation?
So here's the deal: from now on, if any Special Task Force member bullies a hunter, I'll treat it as a Deathclaw attacking a hunter and respond personally.
Q. Respond personally? What does that mean?
- If I get a report of a Special Task Force member appearing against a hunter, I'll teleport right to the scene and handle it. Whether with fists and feet or Hunter Rifle and hammer, I won't stand by.
Q. Threatening violence against the Special Task Force is pretty shocking. Well, with so many colleagues you were close to dying in this incident, and hunters bearing all the risk because the Task Force didn't show—is that the anger talking?
- I'm angry, sure, but there's a bigger reason.
Q. Please elaborate.
- I can't stand the Special Task Force ignoring superior orders in critical situations, then playing law-and-order guardians in trivial ones.
Especially against hunters. And especially against former hunters.
Take Kim Seok-hee, a former hunter now wanted for murder. Even she fought invading monsters in Bucheon, protecting the area—proving even a criminal hunter is better than Task Force members. What right do they have to judge criminal Awakeners amid this?
(......)
(Up to this point, I furrowed my brow as I read.)
There was no malicious distortion in the interview. It just brought back the emotions from the time, making me uncomfortable all over again.
My statements were printed verbatim.
I'd openly declared I'd interfere with the Special Task Force—a government agency—and even resort to violence. It was surprising they'd let even that slide into print.
Usually, they'd cut it for disrupting social harmony or trim the explanations, leaving just the part where I sounded like a lawless thug. But they didn't.
Considering the media's tight control by the current government, this must reflect the government's will.
It showed they don't view the Special Task Force favorably either.
And during the censorship process, my demand to prioritize hunter compensation would've reached the government.
I don't know how seriously they'll take it, but at least they'll consider it gravely.
I hope so. For my sake or theirs.
Meanwhile, the news was covering the incident too.
I turned on the TV, and there was the National Security Minister bowing his head as he spoke.
"I truly have no words for our citizens. I fully acknowledge my responsibility (......)"
I'd expected the government to cover up the full story, but surprisingly, they didn't.
Various media outlets revealed how Behemoth appeared— the full account of Kang Jun-chi leaving for Sowol—and as a result, the National Security Minister and related officials were largely replaced.
After a disaster like this, did the government suddenly realize their mistakes and decide to reflect?
Probably not. They just know there's something far more important than saving face.
"Kang Jun-chi complained of the pain from repeated wiretapping and surveillance attempts (......)"
Kang Jun-chi. The government was getting ahead of things to ensure his mood wouldn't sour upon return.
So the media, under government orders, explained at length that Kang Jun-chi didn't leave without reason—like they were his lawyers. Whether victims empathize, who knows.
On this point, I agree with the government.
Kang Jun-chi must return.
Like it or not, regardless of personal feelings about him. Absolutely.
This incident was truly horrific. The loss of life and property damage defy description.
Just look at the buildings near Behemoth's path—they collapsed entirely. The ground it passed over sank completely. Even after demolishing the ruins, it's questionable if new buildings can be built there.
The air force nearly annihilated, soldiers lost by the brigade—thousands of civilians dead before they could evacuate—it's too grim to dwell on.
What I can't overlook is that over half the dispatched hunters died. Even A-rank hunters, who should've been better protected, suffered similar rates.
It's utterly horrifying.
My own hunter team, sent far to the rear, lost two— that's considered low. Teams where every member, including Awakener hunters, died without exception? Plenty.
No experts on TV discussing economic impacts, national defense, or future Gate responses. Government suppression?
Of course, no expertise needed to predict: it'll be 'extremely grim.' Even I know that much despite my short schooling.
No matter how much the country hides, Koreans aren't fools. A quick internet search reveals bank failure risks from Seoul real estate collapse. How could better-educated folks not grasp the severity?
Meanwhile, TV keeps hyping my exploits, Hunter Kim Geuk.
The clip of me regenerating at that damn hospital then teleporting back to the front—it's aired so often I can't count.
Not out of deep gratitude from media or government. They just need a hero to distract amid scarce hopeful news.
Constant broadcasts mean way more people recognize me now.
I was famous before, but as a hunter—not a celebrity—so not everyone. Now, almost no one doesn't know me.
See? Just walking down the street, people stare and whisper en masse.
Physical Enhancement perks let me hear with super hearing.
"Ah, there's Kim Geuk......"
"The one who single-handedly skyrocketed Incheon's land prices......"
I might enjoy this later, but not now. Not at my team members' funerals.
Every funeral hall was packed. I had to pull strings for my team's.
Entering, my surviving team members were waiting.
"Hyung, you're here?"
Not just them—familiar faces too. We handled funeral duties together.
Midway, the academy director arrived, bowed, then spotted me and approached.
If he'd come to say 'With Kim Jin-jun and three others dead, time to recruit from the academy?'—no kind words from me. Luckily, he's not a psychopath.
"Im Hyeong-taek was around my age, and we'd often grab drinks after academy......"
Tears welled in the director's muttering eyes. Im Hyeong-taek truly had broad respect.
"I should've watched out more."
I sighed that out, and the director responded.
"Think that would've saved him? Don't say that, even as empty words. Other team members would feel more guilt."
After that gentle scolding, he continued awkwardly.
"Anyway, Kim Geuk? You really went through hell this time. Honestly, you'd have shone at any academy. But knowing you attended ours—I'm proud, truly......"
Normally I'd bask in that praise, but again, not now.
I half-listened, scanning the funeral hall.
There was Im Hyeong-taek's wife, the bereaved. Younger than me. Still immature.
Her daughter too—despite her age, she understood her father's death; eyes swollen.
I approached them.