Chapter 118
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: The Newbies - [4]
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Choi Yong emphasized over and over that it was just a joke, but the atmosphere didn't settle down easily.
With an awkward look on his face, Choi Yong kept talking.
"I'm really sorry! I don't usually act like this, but after transforming, I keep blurting things out!"
"You mean it happens after you transform?"
"Yes, after transforming! I read in some American paper that it's one of the issues caused by a sudden hormone shift during the transformation process. For a while after, thoughts in my head come straight out of my mouth without any filter..."
But despite his earnest explanation, the expressions of the hunters gathered here only grew more bizarre.
And who could blame them? If it was something said without a filter, that meant it wasn't a joke—it was his true thought.
So, he really believed that half of the newbie hunters should have died?
Choi Yong... this guy's dangerous.
Is he the Awakener version of a patriot? The type who shouts about serving the homeland and protecting his fellow countrymen, but thinks it's only natural to sacrifice the nation's youth on the battlefield for the greater good?
I couldn't help thinking that Kim Hyeong-man should have survived and become the association president instead, but I kept it to myself.
"You're all too worked up. Come on, everyone says things they don't mean sometimes. So, looks like things are wrapping up here now, right?"
Choi Yong hurriedly responded to my attempt to smooth things over.
"Huh? Oh, yeah! From the radio chatter, it sounds like it's mostly done. We could probably head out now. The rest can be left to the porters..."
Porters—that was another derogatory term for non-Awakeners, not something to say outside HuntWeb. Looked like the transformation really did mess with his word choice.
I pretended not to hear it as Choi Yong continued.
"Alright, everyone, let's wrap up! I'd love to gather the newbies and treat them to a feast, but you're all probably exhausted and just want to crash at home, so that'd be a nuisance, right? Come on, great job today..."
Q. I offer my sincere respect for Hunter Kim Geuk's first outing after renewing his contract. He showed outstanding performance again, but will he explain that this is just basic for a student from Bupyeong Hunting Academy, just five minutes from Bupyeong Station?
- Was that guy an Awakener too?
Q. If you're asking if he awakened with prophecy powers, I'd say his past interviews alone show he didn't need any such ability.
And speaking of Hunter Kim Geuk's old interviews, he once stated that one life from Incheon is worth more than ten thousand from Seoul.
He even said residents outside Incheon have no human rights and aren't worth protecting. But looking at his actions since, doesn't it seem—in a good way—that his words and deeds didn't match up?
- What do you mean his words and deeds didn't match?
Q. In last year's Seoul Gate incident, Hunter Kim Geuk had no duty to respond but actively assisted in taking down the Fire Hawk, earning great merit. And in the Behemoth incident in Seoul, didn't he contribute more than anyone? Hunter Kim Geuk did more for Seoul's defense than anyone.
And now that he's signed contracts not just for Incheon but Seoul too, was he just embarrassed back then and said something he didn't mean, or has he changed his mind since?
- Neither is true at all. From the start, even this time, I was protecting Incheon people, not Seoul people.
Q. Protecting Incheon people, not Seoul people? What does that mean?
- Where there are Incheon people is Incheon. The place I deployed to had Incheon people, so that made it Incheon too. (...)
Back home, I turned on HuntWeb and grinned happily.
Sure enough, there was some payoff to playing the senior role.
There were tons of posts about me on HuntWeb. Praise directed my way.
Kim Geuk swept away about thirty percent of the monsters that appeared in this incident right from his Seoul debut (they could roughly tell from the caliber of my hunter rifle), and while doing all that, he didn't just focus on his own job—he actively looked after the newbies, allowing several rookies to successfully make their hunter debuts...
I clicked on one of those glowing posts about me, and it turned out to be from a newbie named Ihe Haekyung.
Kim Geuk oppa, thank you so, so much this time!
I successfully completed my first hunt thanks to Senior Kim Geuk's help, and I heard it wasn't even the association arranging it—he did it voluntarily?
Even if someone helps on your first real battle, it's usually veteran hunters from your own team. Having an A-rank senior help like that? I didn't realize back then how lucky that was!
I was so tense I couldn't even properly thank you... I regret it so much. I want to thank you publicly here! Like I said, I'll buy you a meal later!
Kim Geuk really takes good care of his teammates and fellow hunters. You're lucky to be working with him from now on.
A smile crept across my face. I left a reply in a tone as pretty as my smile.
I'm glad Baby Mushroom's cheers gave you the courage to fight! That's only natural! This is the magic of Baby Mushroom's cuteness! Pwetty pwoud~♡!♡
Replies poured in: "It's Kim Geuk!", "The real Kim Geuk has appeared!", and so on. The original poster reacted too.
Is this really Kim Geuk oppa? Why do you talk like that? You're not like this in real life. Please stop
Baby Mushroom always talks like this? I learned to speak just like this in kindergarten!
No way, seriously Kim Geuk hyung? You were so cool today I almost fell for you, but why are you like this?
Whether man or woman, falling for Baby Mushroom is perfectly natural! Don't be shy♡♥♡!
Aaaah!!
Having fun, huh?
Ah, seeing these vivid reactions really satisfies me.
It's not just the thrill of the newbies reacting so enthusiastically to my posts— I can really feel that I've gained several new comrades. And I take pride in being able to help them.
I was in the middle of laughing when a message popped up—from Han Hee.
Kim Geuk hyung, you really worked hard today!
Han Hee oppa too!!
By the way, you were wearing your Special Task Force uniform today. Is that okay? I remember you always wore casual clothes so seniors wouldn't spot you...
Yes, it's fine now! Last time, they selected agents for monster incidents separately in the Special Task Force, and I was one of them. I'm officially getting paid more to hunt monsters!
Getting paid extra for hunting monsters?
I asked how much more, and the answer came back: 30 billion a year. Compared to what he'd be worth on the hunter market if he went independent, it's a steal, but considering he's working as a public servant, it's pretty decent pay.
I wasn't sure if I should be happy about that fact or feel uneasy.
If they could afford to pay Han Hee that much personally, it meant the government had massively increased the Special Task Force budget. And with more money, they could secure higher-quality talent.
In other words, Awakeners strong enough to threaten even me.
For example, with the boosted budget, they could snag a few high-value heat ray users who were hard to recruit before. And if a few fingers on the Special Task Force agents coming for me started firing heat rays...
Just imagining it wasn't pleasant. My force field wouldn't melt from ordinary heat rays, but I hadn't had much fun dealing with those damn things in the past.
Um Geun-oh said the government was just acting powerless due to lack of resources for now, but things would change soon. Was this part of that change?
Still, it was good that Han Hee was getting better treatment than before. Whether he ends up killing me later or not.
I pushed aside the complicated thoughts and typed.
Finally getting some proper treatment? I sincerely congratulate you!
It's all thanks to you, Kim Geuk hyung!
I smiled faintly and was about to keep enjoying HuntWeb when...
"Hunter Kim Geuk? This is regarding the prime minister..."
I picked up the phone call—it was from a broadcasting station. Their question made me raise one eyebrow.
"You want to give me the Golden Arrow Award?"
The station employee explained.
"Yes, it's scheduled for your contributions to the Incheon Reclamation Project. But we know you're busy, so feel free to decline if you want...
I'm not supposed to say this, but it's not a particularly prestigious award anyway. The prize money isn't that big either..."
I could tell they subtly hoped I'd refuse. Makes sense—awarding a lawless guy who just collapsed the National Assembly roof on public TV would be awkward.
Of course, I had no desire to accept their award either.
"Eh, no need to give it to me."
"Understood. Then we'll—"
"Give it to Dam-bi instead. Baek Dam-bi. She had the second biggest contribution after me in the Incheon Reclamation Project. Thanks to that girl, dozens survived, and the number of Deathclaws she took down..."
A week later.
I saw a post on HuntWeb and my eyes widened.
Golden Arrow Award on TV?
The broadcasting station sent a cooperation request a few days ago about some hunter awards ceremony. What's this award? The notice said the schedule got moved up and it's airing today, but I've been too busy to check.
The Golden Arrow Award ceremony schedule got moved up?
Panicking, I checked the TV listings—the ceremony was in dozens of minutes.
Oh god, I almost missed my round girl on TV.
I hurriedly turned on the TV. At the same time, I turned on my cellphone and felt a bad premonition.
No contact from my round girl. Why?
Since the station had contacted me in advance, they must notify awardees ahead of time to coordinate schedules. So Baek Dam-bi should have known about her award and reached out.
To ask me to attend the ceremony together, or at least share her joy at receiving such an award because of me...
But there'd been no word at all.
I couldn't fathom the reason for her silence.
And dozens of minutes later, that damn ceremony finally started.
"And now, the grand prize announcement! Everyone knows about the Incheon Reclamation Project! It was a national celebration led by Hunter Kim Geuk last year to reclaim Incheon! And today's grand prize winner, one of the top contributors alongside Hunter Kim Geuk—"
As the MC on TV raised his voice, a man emerged from behind the curtain.
"—Matsumoto Masashi!"
And a non-Awakener scum flashed a sly smile.
"Too long a name for Koreans to say? Just call it the Naito Award!"
The moment that bastard's face appeared on TV, I gripped my remote so hard it shattered completely. But I had no attention to spare for it.
Naito Award... that non-Awakener scum had stolen an Awakener's share. My round girl's share, no less.