Chapter 36

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 036

Chapter Title: Korean Awakener Alliance: Kim Geuk [3]

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Just as she said, an internet article about the incident had already gone up. The headline was ridiculously sensational at first glance.

The article targeted Hunter Kim Geuk, the key figure in the 'Incheon Reclamation Project,' accusing an Incheon city official of issuing illegal off-duty orders, sparking controversy.

On the 16th, Hunter Kim Geuk had just wrapped up a life-or-death extermination op from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., utterly exhausted (...). Yet at around 10:40 p.m., he answered a call from an Incheon city official with non-duty instructions (...).

The official in question, Mr. A, issued a statement: "I sincerely apologize to Hunter Kim Geuk and all Incheon citizens. I didn't realize the instructions were illegal. I knew Hunter Kim Geuk had been out on ops late and was fatigued, but it was nighttime so I couldn't consult superiors, and in an emergency, I felt as the duty officer I had to do something."

It was blatantly obvious this was a hit piece framing the victim and perpetrator clear as day. You could practically feel the intent to crucify my handler halfway to death.

Not just this one—other articles popping up were all the same vibe. No doubt Park Mi-hyeong had called up her reporter contacts to get them written. Seeing this, it hit me how pissed she really was that day.

Still, this wasn't the end of it.

There were plenty of reporters hanging out on HuntWeb, right? Plenty would see the post I just wrote and churn out their own stories. At this rate, it might even hit the actual news.

That'd be a huge embarrassment for Incheon. I considered deleting my post, but quickly scrapped the idea.

Thinking it over, this wasn't something I could just brush off to ease my own mind. Especially when you considered other Awakener Hunters who might contract with Incheon besides me.

I thought about the Initial Transports. It was surprising. Who'd have thought outsiders like them were getting power-tripped on.

And apparently, some Awakener Hunters in Seoul were getting exploited the same way. Shocking stuff.

I figured A-rank Hunters lived like chosen ones, thumbing their noses at everyone with zero fucks given. Guess not all of them.

Really didn't feel like someone else's problem. It hit like finding out family far away was getting bullied by their boss at some small company...

It bothered me intensely, like it had happened to someone close. Worse than my own clueless ambulance-chasing call—it really grated on me.

Being my day off, I stayed glued to the computer, and sure enough, more articles about the incident kept pouring in nonstop. I was a pretty big deal, and my fierce love for Incheon was well-known, so those headlines must've been pure catnip for readers.

Seoul types like that commenter were out there in the replies, but they were a tiny minority.

Those got buried in downvotes, while most comments slammed Incheon City and the official.

Meanwhile, I wasn't just kicking back reading articles.

Calls flooded in from everywhere—reporters, my handler, you name it. I spent the day fielding them.

"Ah, Reporter Im Hee-seon? Yeah, it rubs me the wrong way. You still feeling the Incheon love? Obviously. This is just Seoul's bad habits spilling over to Incheon—unlucky break. Blame the Seoul trash..."

"...And yeah, we can't let Awakener Hunters get power-tripped like this. Doesn't matter how much they make—they risk their lives. No excuse for that treatment. Time to stamp out these bad habits for good..."

"Young-tae? Yeah, saw the articles. Apology accepted. No way you were maliciously trying to slave-drive me—what can I do? You'll be stressed for a bit, but it'll blow over. Chin up. And don't quit being an official. Where else you gonna work...?"

Incheon City Hall was apparently in chaos too.

In the afternoon, the super-busy Incheon mayor himself showed up at my place to apologize in person.

"I'm truly sorry. I promise nothing like this will happen again. And the official who did this? Severe punishment, I swear."

"Eh, I'm kinda friends with the guy. Punishing him hard might not sit well."

"Still, we can't just let it slide, right?"

"If you're punishing, go higher up. Doesn't seem like just that one guy overstepped—looks like a rotten habit already rampant among officials. He told me on the phone he never even heard it was illegal during handover."

The mayor just mumbled apologies, looking awkward.

Frustrated, I asked.

"So why the hell does this bad habit even exist? Officials aren't trying to haze contracted Awakeners or something."

At my sharp question, the mayor glanced around. Confirmed it was just us and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠finally spoke.

"Well, Awakener rates have skyrocketed, haven't they? Tons of jobs need them, but we're scraping by without cash to hire Hunters to guard land or people. Public agencies can't afford private hires either, so..."

I got the gist.

Gates opened, superhuman Awakeners popped up—logical to think top talent got placed everywhere. Reality's different.

No Physical Enhancers or Force Field types specially hired at police stations, fire departments, even the military. 'Cause Awakener pay's too damn high.

Strong, skilled ones? They Hunt or guard luxury apartments before taking low official salaries.

Take the prison where I visit my sister. With Awakener inmates, you'd think they'd need powered guards for riots. Never seen one there.

Prisons are perennial money pits pre- and post-Gates. No way they're shelling out for Awakeners. Still just potbellied regular-officer guards stressing out.

"Can't beg understanding with sob stories. How much has Kim Geuk contributed to Incheon in under half a year? Want to keep a good relationship without embarrassment? Words aren't enough—show it. You don't want severe punishment, so let's talk compensation. We'll discuss details..."

Knowing they'd offer something did soothe me a bit.

I almost went full magnanimous: "Forget rewards—just ensure no repeats." But held back.

Come to think of it, there was this plan I'd been mulling. Brought it up.

"About that compensation—mind a personal request?"

"Personal's fine. Shoot."

The mayor pondered my proposal briefly, said it wasn't a problem.

Taking that as green light, I locked in my plan and even called reporters to hype it...

A few hours after the articles dropped, my phone rang. Park Mi-hyeong.

"Kim Geuk, you're building a skyscraper apartment? Right in front of the Initial Transport housing?!"

"Yep. Feels real rich, huh?"

"So you're dumping your whole fortune into that building?!"

"Yep."

"Are you insane?!"

I coolly answered Park Mi-hyeong's shock.

"Money? I'll earn more. You know I rake it in per hunt beyond the contract."

"Still, that's nuts! Building in front of housing—you'll recoup costs? Looks like money pit..."

"Call it charity."

"Not 'like' charity—it's actual charity, dumping everything! I've done charity, but never this reckless. Why?!"

She sounded genuinely flustered. Knew I'd step up for Ice Awakeners, but not this much.

But I didn't regret spending. 'Cause it wasn't for others.

It was for my kin. My fellow Awakeners.

Baek Dam-bi acts like a hotshot A-rank Hunter on HuntWeb. Maybe not bluffing—maybe she identifies as one.

She believed she'd contract locally as A-rank. Maintaining that boosts her pride and mental health. On HuntWeb, cozying to A-rank badges shares that elite vibe.

Me? Opposite. Spent way more time in Korean Awakener Alliance than Hunting.

Hung with "lowly" Awakeners, empathized. Pre-academy, I was intimidated by my own status.

Now, a powerhouse dropping billions without worry, I vibe with HuntWeb's A-rank stars too.

Strong or weak, all Awakeners feel like kin.

From scrubs to S-rank Kang Jun-chi—they're my people. Any Awakener...

One kin called. My round girl, Baek Dam-bi.

"Um, Kim Geuk? Saw the article... so..."

"Ah, inquiring about residency?"

"Yes, if it's okay..."

I planned this after her hallucination show. Chuckled warmly.

"Perfect timing. Felt salesy calling a friend first. Especially unsure if it'll pan out. Ground not even broken, but don't expect great infrastructure. Planning a mart and convenience store inside, but..."

Kid me, Dad was always yapping ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠patriotism.

Caught with Japanese manga? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Traitor rants. Korean soccer? Wake me at night regardless. Dodged taxes like crazy, but played revolutionary at home.

Backlash: zero patriotism growing up. No belonging to "Korean people."

Parents as stress sources—no family bond, words like filial piety or patriotism triggered revulsion. "Still your country/folks" just disgusted.

That mindset lingers.

Nation, parents—never chose 'em, no value. No authority, no loyalty.

But what I choose? Full value.

My chosen hometown, my accepted kin—I'll devote myself.

Few in number, my Awakener kin... That's my true tribe.

If non-Awakener majority ignores their plight, I'll step up. Not just Ice—others too...

"Yeah, yeah. Too early for thanks. Hope it works for you, me, everyone. Mayor's on board, helping out. Chant 'Incheon forever' before bed..."