Chapter 96
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 096
Chapter Title: Protector God of the Korean Peninsula, Kang Jun-chi - [2]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The reception hall was packed with familiar faces all around.
Councilors from Incheon led by Park Mi-hyeong were there, along with the aunties and uncles who'd followed me around making sure the hunters were fed. My hunter team's families and even the director of the Bupyeong Hunting Academy were present.
I glanced over and saw the neighborhood representative chatting with my academy's director.
"Bupyeong Hunting Academy, right? The one five minutes from Bupyeong Station?"
The representative greeted him warmly, and the director scratched his head.
"Uh, is our academy that well-known?"
"Well-known? It's more like it's drilled into everyone's ears! Every time Kim Geuk does an interview, he goes on about that Bupyeong Hunting Academy five minutes from Bupyeong Station. The young folks even turned it into a meme!"
"Ah... that explains it. Whenever I asked the students why they ate so fast, they'd say something weird like 'This is basic when you go to Bupyeong Hunting Academy...'"
Thanks to all the attention I'd given it, the academy I'd attended was reaping the benefits in every way. Even after splitting classes into morning and afternoon sessions, applications were overflowing—they now had months-long waitlists just to register.
And one more person benefiting from my influence was here too.
The Incheon mayor poured me another glass of cola with a grin, so I said,
"Man, it's embarrassing—I should be pouring you some booze, but I'm just sitting here drinking."
"What's there to be embarrassed about? This is all for you, Kim Geuk. Just drink up and enjoy!"
"Still, this is so generous it's making me feel bad. I might have to cut back on that sponsorship just to ease my conscience...!"
I was referring to political donations. With next April's general election coming up, the mayor was running for congressman, and I'd promised to support him for it.
The mayor flinched slightly, then gave an awkward smile.
"Ah, about that. I think I have to turn down the sponsorship you offered."
"Why?"
"Well, these days, congressmen have these unwritten rules. Apparently, you can't get too chummy with prominent Awakeners and exchange personal favors once you're wearing that gold badge. Even taking political funds from Awakener Hunters could be an issue—they got a warning from the party this time..."
I was so caught off guard that my eyes widened.
"What? Are Awakeners some kind of gangsters? Why would donations from us be a problem?"
"They're worried that Awakeners getting too close to high-level politicians might turn them into political thugs or private soldiers. Even in the US, there's all those rumors about Donald hiring Awakeners to take out his rivals, right?"
"Isn't that just a conspiracy theory?"
"There are countries where prominent Awakeners and politicians are teaming up to stir up chaos right now. Seems like they're trying to prevent that by keeping distance from Awakeners."
The mayor went on to explain that the same reason explained why no major corporations in Korea had Awakeners on staff.
A big company could easily form a group of Awakeners as a security firm or PMC, but the government cracked down hard on it. Any corporation hiring dozens of Awakeners might seem small-scale and less threatening, but it was effectively creating a private army within the country—that's why the government blocked it completely.
So civilian Awakeners ended up at small security firms or Hunter associations. All these measures were to prevent warlord factions among Awakeners in politics and business.
I already knew this, but the government was wary of Awakeners organizing... Suddenly, the image of Kim Hyeong-man's severed head flashed through my mind.
Noticing my serious expression, the mayor panicked and said,
"Sorry. I shouldn't bring this up at a fun event like this. But dodging your offer vaguely didn't feel right either—you wouldn't like that."
Sure, it was irritating to think of Awakeners being persecuted like Nazis everywhere, but I quickly shoved the negative thoughts aside. Couldn't sour the mood here.
I forced a smile and said,
"No, I brought it up first. Thanks for being straight with me, actually."
"I'm just grateful you understand. I won't forget the help you've given, so call anytime. Got it? I'll help as much as I can within reason."
"Didn't you just say that's not allowed?"
"True, but every congressman probably has one or two Awakeners they know on the down-low. Might rub some the wrong way as a rookie, but brotherhood among Incheon's own comes first, right?"
I had a rough idea what "brotherhood" he meant.
During my Incheon reclamation project, I'd actively cooperated so he could take the spotlight every time. Thanks to that, it became one of his key achievements, so he could look forward to good results in the election.
And the vacant mayor position would go to Park Mi-hyeong. With Incheon's citizens' support and my (internal) appointment as Incheon's duke, she'd legitimately rule the city.
Soon, the future Incheon mayor, Park Mi-hyeong, approached me.
"Kim Geuk, what were you talking about with the mayor for so long? Whew, you're doing so well now, I don't even know if I can just casually talk to you..."
"Worried people might think you're fine-tuning brainwashing if you approach me casually?"
I teased her, and she shot me a quick glare before chuckling in disbelief.
"Of course that's a worry! These days are insane, seriously. Everyone I meet recognizes me and jokes 'Please don't brainwash me'...!"
"You sure it's just joking?"
"Ugh, don't even say that as a joke! It's starting to mess with my head. The other day, some citizen on the street recited my council office number perfectly. I was shocked and asked how he knew it, and he accused me of implanting it with brainwashing powers. Looked like he memorized it from a meme—infuriating."
I took it as thanks for helping her grow into such a recognizable rising political star that even street folks knew her face. Probably meant that anyway.
I grinned, and she glared lightly again before continuing.
"Might be repeating what the mayor said, but I never imagined you'd do this well when I suggested you become a Hunter. Back then, I just thought you needed something to make ends meet. Blink of an eye, and you've exploded into a leader—now you're even pulling off these massive stunts..."
"You mean the bus protest incident and the true culprit case?"
"Yes, those!"
"Worried I'm causing trouble?"
"Of course I am. But can I really stop you? Seeing a Korean Awakener Alliance alum shine like this makes running that group feel worthwhile."
Her encouragement showed she thought I'd done well, but back in the Alliance days, Park Mi-hyeong was probably even more hardline than me. No yielding an inch, no matter the national situation...
I grinned at the praise, and she smiled too. Finally, she said,
"Anyway, it's great seeing you thrive like this in every way! Just need your little sister to be free, and it'd be perfect..."
After that, I went around greeting the aunties and uncles one by one with thanks, bowed to everyone asking for their continued support, then spent time with my hunter team.
Baek Dam-bi was trying to stay expressionless but her lips kept twitching toward the ceiling—probably because that golden arrow medal was a lock with this achievement. Lee Jong-ho and Seong Mun-yeong were laughing and chatting loudly; Jang Byeong-gon and Jeong Jin-yeong were quietly eating with their families. I passed them and stopped in front of Im Hyeong-taek's family.
Im Hyeong-taek's daughter, seven-year-old Im Sae-rom, bowed politely to me.
"Hello, Uncle Kim Geuk!"
This little girl was one of my kind too.
A heat ray Awakener. And at an astonishingly powerful level.
"Oh, Sae-rom. Still watching those magical girl cartoons?"
"Yeah! Moonlight Girl Diana is so fun lately!"
I grinned and pulled out my wallet. Gave the cute kid some pocket money, sent her to her mom, then talked privately with Im Hyeong-taek.
"You said Sae-rom awakened her heat ray ability while watching magical girl cartoons? With aiming correction too?"
"Yeah, probably. I didn't see it myself, but that's how it happened. They say shooting or stabbing something triggers heat ray awakening? Sae-rom did it playing with a magical girl toy bow..."
Don't underestimate a seven-year-old. That kid had part of the infamous Behemoth's power.
Even Kim Hyeong-man needed a ring sight on his finger to aim his heat rays properly, but she didn't. She just pointed her finger roughly and fired wherever—bam, hit.
Behemoth was the same; it fired heat rays wildly from its tail tip without aiming and could down supersonic fighters.
She's just too young—if she wasn't scared stiff in front of a monster, she could be an A-rank Hunter right now.
Even untrained at seven, that level of power showed the heaven-sent gap between non-Awakeners and Awakeners—one the government couldn't deny no matter how they struggled.
Meanwhile, Im Hyeong-taek looked pretty drunk already. This guy had a bad habit of saying inappropriate things when tipsy.
Sure enough, he suddenly dropped a bombshell that threw me off.
"I'm quitting hunting this year. Why?"
He explained to my question.
"I'm starting to feel it's too much. If I were younger, I'd tough it out for more money, but at my age, sticking around without contributing much is tough. The academy's full of young guys dying to join your team. Me hanging on doing nothing is just a burden."
Ridiculous. Isn't being my team member enough if you just hype me up? Why need more contribution?
To me, veteran Jang Byeong-gon and out-of-shape middle-aged Im Hyeong-taek were both just non-Awokener teammates... But saying that wouldn't comfort him, so I swallowed it.
"Burden? Nonsense! You really thought that? Cut it out!"
I kept telling him not to think that way, but he sighed and said,
"Truth is, there's another reason."
"What's that?"
"My wife..."
He gripped his daughter's hand tight, nodded toward his wife wandering around, and continued.
"That immature thorn-in-my-side keeps asking me to pull strings with you. To get Sae-rom into that Hunter Academy."
"I told you that school's a hellhole—don't even think about it. If you were struggling with rent, maybe, but you've got enough to live on..."
"I explained that! But she hasn't given up."
"Because of that Seoul apartment thing?"
"Seems like it. I'm worried she'll sneak Sae-rom in behind my back. Better if I stay home to watch her—can't leave those two immature ones alone..."
Can't argue with that reason. I sighed deeply and said,
"If you change your mind, just say so anytime."
"Thanks just for saying that. And Kim Geuk? Thanks so much for everything up to now. In every way."
"Why say that now? You're not quitting right here."
"I'll say it again right before I do. Can't say it enough anyway. Seriously, thank you—for keeping this useless old man around, treating me well instead of harassing me."
"Man, you're embarrassing me..."
"I mean it! Even my first boss didn't look out for me like this."
He seemed serious about leaving.
It stung more than I expected. My best hype machine, the team's eldest who always calmly quieted the two punks when they got rowdy... Losing him by my side? Surprisingly disappointing.
But hey, I could always meet up again whenever...
On the way home, I reflected on the day's events—the fun, exhilarating moments.
I replayed those unforgettable scenes in my head over and over.
Before the reception, my hunter team joined the parade. Petals rained down the streets, and dozens of flower bouquets piled up on my parade car.
And the parade crowd... tens of thousands? No, easily over a hundred thousand Incheon citizens.
Not for a celebrity concert—for a Hunter. That many cheering.
'Kim Geuk! Kim Geuk!'
Their chants echoed hugely in my ears even now. I'd treasure that sight deep in my brain forever, savor it whenever I felt down.
I was smiling as I headed inside when my phone rang.
I answered, and a middle-aged man's voice boomed.
"Kim Geuk Hunter? Is this Kim Geuk Hunter?"
"Yes, Kim Geuk speaking. Long live Incheon. Who is this?"
"National Security Minister Ryu Ji-seon. Come urgently now! Address is Seoul—"
Polite words, but it was basically an order. I frowned.
"Seoul? Why would I go there?"
Not just annoyance—the National Security Ministry oversaw the Special Task Force. If they called me there, agents might be waiting to ambush.
Ignoring or not my thoughts, the minister ignored my bluntness and spoke quickly.
"It's urgent. Please hurry! Spam Teleport if you have to—just get here fast! I'll explain later..."
"Tell me what's up first, or I'm not going. Can't just explain properly?"
"No time! Short version: it's about the nation's safety... Kang Jun-chi is gone!"
That finally hit me—the urgency.
"Kang Jun-chi left Seoul?"
"Not just Seoul—Earth! Get it? No time for details! Taxi, whatever—move now! Got it? Yes?!"
*******