Chapter 256
Chapter 256
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 256
Chapter Title: Merchant
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「Joo Dong-hoon Ranks 10th, Ascends to Hyper Ranker! The Birth of an Unprecedented Superstar!」
It was already January 2nd.
Even though a day had passed since the World Ranker announcement ceremony, the excitement hadn't died down.
Joo Dong-hoon's return!
The precious national ranker, thought to be dead, had come back alive.
But what was this?
He'd returned ridiculously stronger.
‘This is front-page news for sure…!’
Any journalist would lose their mind over a story like this.
It was a massive scoop.
The scoop of scoops.
News that the entire nation couldn't help but go wild over!
└ But is Joo Dong-hoon gonna hold a press conference?
└ Fr, now that you mention it, he's kinda famous, but he hasn't touched the media at all?
└ Aren't press conferences for when something's wrong?
└ Nah, it's just a media event.
└ Joo Dong-hoon, we miss you!
└ Hngh! I wanna hear Joo Dong-hoon's voice!
└ He's pretty handsome too, right? Even the skeleton looks handsome.
└ How can a skeleton be handsome?
└ Its skull's pretty ㅇㅇ.
A few journalists started shaping online opinion.
All sorts of broadcasters began pleading for even a single appearance anywhere.
Normally, at this point, he'd give in and show up once.
Public opinion was the will of the people, after all.
But.
└ What press conference bullshit! Stop stirring shit!
└ Yeah, who the hell are you to demand anything from Joo Dong-hoon? Just let him rest!
└ We have so many expectations for our hero. What if he leaves the country?
└ Pfft, no way. Even if he's amazing, he's not gonna sell out his country.
└ Bullshit. This is why all hunters naturalize elsewhere. Think about it. Who's the boss, the public? Or the ranker?
This was a first.
The few journalists stirring things up stopped typing and swallowed dryly.
‘If we push this further, we're screwed.’
At that moment.
The journalists realized.
Joo Dong-hoon wasn't some ordinary celebrity.
In Korea, he'd already transcended hero status to reach the realm of the sacred.
In fact, it wasn't just Korea.
[World Rank 18, Dual Swords Octavia Spencer. "I dropped to 19th overnight, then back to 18th. Thanks to Skeleton Emperor."]
[At Caliphena's death, countless groups cheer! We'll donate everything to Byulcheonji!]
Right after arriving, he'd killed the villain Caliphena, benefiting many rankers.
Well, less "benefit" and more he'd just returned the spots he'd taken.
Still, for them, every ranking spot was precious, so Caliphena's death was welcome.
Groups tormented by Caliphena also declared they'd donate the money they'd been forced to pay to Byulcheonji.
Of course.
[Byulcheonji Vice Guild Master Kim Jin-ah. "We politely decline. We're grateful, but please focus on rebuilding your groups."]
Kim Jin-ah wasn't the type to accept that.
└ Kyaa!
└ So cool!
└ This is noblesse oblige right? Total badass.
└ Byulcheonji doesn't need pocket change anyway. It's basically nation-level already.
└ Lol, don't rich people love money more? Giving even pocket change is impressive.
└ Guys, doesn't seem like pocket change?
└ ??
└ Checked the info, the donations they're talking about... in the trillions?
└ Fr???
The more time passed.
The higher Byulcheonji's status soared, beyond the clouds.
Beyond having a Hyper Ranker.
It was thanks to Kim Jin-ah's savvy in managing their public image.
But.
Even amid this international festival, one nation sulked.
China.
With their deep-seated Sino-centrism, they believed they should be the world's center.
Yet they'd lost not just 1st place, but the top 10 entirely...
“......”
Boom!
A black-haired old man stomped the ground in frustration.
The elder, who looked like an immortal sage, was none other than.
The head of the Sage Association.
World Rank 11 hunter.
Spear King Jin Ja-yi.
His pride was deeply wounded right now.
Not only had he lost his Hyper Ranker spot on New Year's morning, but the whole world was singing and praising Joo Dong-hoon.
"That bastard."
The guy who'd beaten his disciple, Judgment Spear.
The one who'd dared defile the continent's strongest spear arts with some spear technique no one had ever heard of.
"Should've dealt with him back then."
See?
Leave him be, and he grows like a storm, snatching even his position.
A thousand fires burned in his chest.
‘Can't let this slide.’
Jin Ja-yi thought.
The difference between him and that guy was a hair's breadth.
10th and 11th.
He didn't know why the system ranked him higher...
‘Now's the chance.’
Leave him longer, and he might become something even bigger.
Judging by the growth speed he'd seen so far.
If not now, he might never get another shot to nip it in the bud.
Whoosh.
As the Spear King rose and grabbed his spear.
“......Master.”
A voice came from afar.
The man approaching with a stern expression was his disciple, Judgment Spear.
Lately, Jin Ja-yi wasn't pleased with his disciple.
"You've truly chosen it? The path of evil..."
"You insolent fool..."
The Spear King spat it out like chewing.
“......Daring to judge your master after becoming his disciple?”
"That's why I'm saying it."
Judgment Spear shook his head, blocking his master's path.
"It's a disciple's duty to stop his master from taking the wrong path. How did it come to this...? Can't your Pure Flower Spear cast aside even one greed? Admit it now! You've fallen to heart devil corruption!"
"You worm! Shut your mouth?!"
The Spear King bellowed.
Kwahhh!
A massive aura exploded outward.
"Urgh!"
Judgment Spear furrowed his brow, enduring the pressure.
"The master who taught me is already dead. Devoured by a demon."
"Get lost."
Whoosh!
The Spear King's spear swung.
Judgment Spear tried to block swiftly, but.
Bang!
"Guuh!"
He was flung back, crashing into the wall.
The Spear King's piercing spear arts were too much for him.
No matter how skilled Judgment Spear was, his master was World Rank 11 High Ranker.
Someone who'd once lingered at the edge of Hyper Ranker—he couldn't block that.
"Ungrateful wretch. A disciple should not even step on his master's shadow."
The Spear King clicked his tongue.
"That's why you don't take in black-haired beasts. Tsk. I'll spare you out of past affection, so wait here."
Swish!
And so.
The Spear King left without looking back.
“......”
Judgment Spear watched him go silently.
“Whew.”
He let out a sigh soon after.
Honestly.
Joo Dong-hoon losing to his master?
It was hard to picture.
The Joo Dong-hoon he'd seen had never lost, not even to foes far stronger than his master.
“......Such a pity.”
Even his earlier attempt to stop him had been sincere, for his master's sake.
The old master had once been gentle enough to be called a sage.
Thud.
Slumping down, Judgment Spear gazed at the ceiling.
How did things end up like this?
* * *
At that moment.
"How far did you check?"
Kim Jin-ah tilted her head.
Why?
It didn't sound like something a mayor would say—it sounded like market banter.
Is this right?
"Hahaha, well."
Uiwang Mayor Shin Joo-hyuk rubbed his hands slyly and pulled out a sheet of paper.
"Take a look here."
He grabbed a pen, wrote something, and explained.
"Actually, partnering with our local government is fine, but it'd mean big losses for Byulcheonji too. Taxes, profit sharing, all that complicated stuff, right?"
"Yes."
Slurp.
Kim Jin-ah sipped her coffee and listened quietly.
"So it's better to just buy the state land through proper channels. If you buy the land outright? No reason for us to touch the profits."
"Yes."
"But this is complicated. Very. Hmm, this'd be better over drinks somewhere nice..."
"No."
Kim Jin-ah shook her head firmly.
"Just do it here. I'm a drinker, but I'm very busy right now."
"Ah."
Shin Joo-hyuk nodded awkwardly.
‘This woman.’
Not ordinary at all.
Even at her high societal position.
Normally, she'd play along.
But she knew better than anyone she was the top dog.
But that was it.
‘No matter how capable, I've got 30 years in politics. Who does this young thing think she is?’
Contrary to his thoughts, Shin Joo-hyuk flashed a bright smile.
"Is that so? Haha, but tell me. Does it have to be Uiwang land?"
"Hm, there are other candidates. But why?"
"Ahem, selling 500,000 pyeong requires a fair market value review, and that's pretty strict."
And that's not all.
After the review, request land use cancellation from the Land Management Office, tons of checks.
Auction must be restricted competitive bidding, so ties with local companies matter.
Plus surveying and appraisals.
Shin Joo-hyuk was certain.
Without his help, she couldn't get a good deal.
Why?
‘I've got all the local companies and appraisal firms in my pocket.’
If she kept her back straight, he had endless ways to mess with her.
Pressure companies to bid high, etc.
Even as Byulcheonji's Vice Guild Master.
‘What does a 20-something girl know?’
Dirty society, curse all you want.
What can you do?
This is reality.
Some things don't change with the world—politics.
"So."
Thud!
That was when Kim Jin-ah set down her coffee cup.
"What's the point you're trying to make?"
"Yes?"
"You don't want to partner on the business, but you'll sell the land on your own, so give a fat bonus?"
Hm?
Shin Joo-hyuk's eyes widened.
He couldn't continue for a moment.
First, his intentions read in seconds shocked him.
Second, he couldn't tell if her reaction was positive or negative.
‘Can't read her at all.’
Poker face of legends.
So he just smiled amiably.
"Haha, bonus? It's for Byulcheonji. Win-win, right? You get land, we get tourism and trickle-down from Byulcheonji."
"Mayor?"
"Haha, yes, go ahead."
"Just so you know, I don't like beating around the bush."
“......!”
From that wording, Shin Joo-hyuk realized.
‘She's negative right now.’
Time to take a stance.
Bend over, pretend nothing happened, switch back to business talk.
Or show her the difference between hunter world and politics.
“......”
Shin Joo-hyuk's mind raced.
Measuring angles.
‘But.’
Thinking it over, he got pissed.
This girl younger than his daughter acting high and mighty just 'cause she's strong.
Her curt speech too.
‘I'm the mayor.’
Mayors are elected by citizens.
Ignoring an elected mayor is ignoring the citizens.
Even the strong have basic manners.
"Heh heh heh."
So he laughed.
Then slowly crossed his legs.
A complete shift in attitude.
"Vice Guild Master of Byulcheonji. Without my help, it'll be tough, you sure? Me, I'm just an old man on his way out..."
No profits? Fine.
He'd already secured a lavish retirement.
"You mentioned other candidates? Why not check those instead of Uiwang?"
Right now, straightening his crumpled pride mattered more to Shin Joo-hyuk.