The Hunter Association Election
Nam Gyuil met Han Ducheol for a meal. The venue was an elegant restaurant in a five-star hotel, tucked away in a private room perfect for confidential talks.
"Come on in, Public Guild Master Nam Gyuil."
"President Han Ducheol, how have you been?"
"Good, good."
"So, what brings you to call me here?"
"Let's talk business after the meal. A hungry mind doesn't think straight, after all."
Han Ducheol ordered steak. Since it was Nam Gyuil's first time with hotel food, he went with the same. Soon, the waiter brought out the dishes. There was a corkage service for wine, but hunters never knew when a gate might open, so they skipped the alcohol.
Nam Gyuil eyed the steak. The aroma was different—real beef from a slaughtered cow, not synthetic meat.
Let's see how hotel steak compares.
He cut a thick slice and popped it straight into his mouth.
The juices are incredible!
Seeing Nam Gyuil savor it, Han Ducheol chuckled heartily.
"Hahaha, how is it? Delicious, right?"
"Yes, it really is."
"The head chef here is exceptional. We always use this place for important dinners."
Han Ducheol said this while sipping his sparkling water. Nam Gyuil tried some too. The fizzy pop was oddly refreshing.
Do rich folks eat like this all the time?
Nam Gyuil was technically a chaebol by wealth standards, but he'd never bothered with high-society culture. They enjoyed the exquisite meal to the fullest. With only a bit of dark sauce left on his plate, Nam Gyuil sipped his coffee.
This coffee's great too.
True to the luxury hotel, even the after-dinner drink had depth.
Clink.
Nam Gyuil set down his cup.
"Well, now that we're done eating, shall we get to the point? What did you want to discuss?"
Han Ducheol interlaced his fingers, his tone turning serious.
"The Hunter Association presidential election is coming up soon."
"The election?"
"Shim Jeong-un holds the position now, but his term ends in just three months. He'll run again, sure... but who knows? In three months, someone else might take the Hunter Association president's seat."
Nam Gyuil nodded thoughtfully. From Han Ducheol's words, it seemed he had someone in mind for the role. Otherwise, why meet him like this?
"Who is it? The one you're backing this election?"
Nam Gyuil asked directly. Han Ducheol's lips curved into a sly smile.
"You."
"Pardon?"
Nam Gyuil blinked in surprise at the sudden declaration, momentarily confused.
"Are you saying I should run for Hunter Association president?"
"Exactly. You're more than qualified. Top-tier skills, and after ending the orc crisis, your name recognition is sky-high."
Nam Gyuil fell silent. This was completely unexpected; he wasn't sure how to respond. Because...
I was planning to put President Han Ducheol in that seat!
Their intentions had crossed wires. Taking the Hunter Association president's chair meant endless duties. Fighting those colluding with monsters? That position might actually get in the way.
That's why I wanted someone reliable there...
Nam Gyuil first asked why Han Ducheol was pushing him.
"Why me for Hunter Association president?"
"Reasons abound."
Han Ducheol took a sip of coffee and explained.
"You're the only one strong enough to stand against Shim Jeong-un."
"Is that all?"
"Once Shim Jeong-un's gone, we can release the Taebaek Heart Method to everyone."
The Taebaek Heart Method was Korea's first hunter training technique, identical to the Arnia-style mana cultivation method. Nam Gyuil nodded firmly, understanding.
Han Ducheol wanted to make the Taebaek Heart Method public. Their fallout with Shim Jeong-un had started over exactly that. Of course, Han Ducheol wasn't selfless—he had ambitions. But with gates ravaging society, he prioritized public good and ethics by sharing at least this technique.
Nam Gyuil's lips twitched upward. He liked this side of Han Ducheol.
"Raising hunters' combat power is my goal too, in the end."
Nam Gyuil shared his thoughts. Han Ducheol, assuming acceptance, looked pleased.
"But I have no intention of becoming Hunter Association president."
"What?"
Han Ducheol flinched. The conversation flow suggested agreement.
"Why? What's the reason?"
"I agree with your goals, President, but I have my own tasks. Do you remember Sakaki Seito?"
"Yes, the gate that appeared when he died."
"As I explained then, there might be awakeners colluding with monsters."
Han Ducheol pursed his lips and exhaled deeply. True—such scum could exist.
Nam Gyuil continued.
"I'm planning to fight those traitors. I can't take the Hunter Association president's seat."
"So you're saying we leave Shim Jeong-un alone?"
"No."
"Then?"
"You take the Hunter Association president's seat, President Han Ducheol."
"Me?!"
Han Ducheol leaned forward, pointing at himself in shock. He hadn't expected that.
Nam Gyuil gestured toward him.
"If you become Hunter Association president and support me, I'd be incredibly grateful."
"But I..."
Han Ducheol trailed off. He wasn't stronger than Shim Jeong-un, and while known, he wasn't hugely popular among hunters. Winning votes wouldn't be easy.
Nam Gyuil stated firmly.
"I'll make sure you become Hunter Association president without lifting a finger. Just promise to help me once you're in."
"I swear it. But can I really win?"
"Yes."
Nam Gyuil nodded confidently. For one simple reason.
I'm going to expose every dirty secret Shim Jeong-un has.
Thoroughly enough that hunters would pick anyone over him.
I'll drag Shim Jeong-un to rock bottom so he can't crawl out.
Right on cue, his smartphone buzzed.
Hunters' Night Invitation
The Hunter Association is specially hosting Hunters' Night today.
We kindly request your attendance.
Nam Gyuil smirked. Perfect timing for gathering intel.
Nam Gyuil returned home, arms full of items bought at Hunters' Night. Normally held once a month, this month featured a special second event. He had a hunch why.
FP's collapse, probably.
The cult FP was one of Shim Jeong-un's funding streams and a key to political influence. But things had changed. With the cult leader dead, collections dried up, and believers were turning on Shim Jeong-un.
Still, he couldn't just kill them off.
He needs to placate them somehow. The opposition leader election is imminent—no time for other plays. Believers are his only option.
Shim Jeong-un was trapped. Failing to soothe them meant bribing politicians, requiring massive funds. FP's fall cut income while expenses soared.
Here's where it gets interesting.
Would selfish Shim Jeong-un use his own money for bribes? Never. He'd spend others'.
Hence, another Hunters' Night—with auction items several times more abundant than last time.
Nam Gyuil set the haul on the floor. It filled the living room.
He grinned.
If I'm lucky, I might snag some good intel again.
Nam Gyuil called Shy.
"Ssus."
Shy cautiously navigated the cluttered floor.
"Krang!!"
Cute, meanwhile, clung inseparably to Nam Gyuil's side.
Nam Gyuil asked Shy.
"Work your psychometry magic again today."
"Ssus."
Shy placed a paw on an item and gripped Nam Gyuil's leg, activating her ability.
After scanning everything, Nam Gyuil smirked.
Shim Jeong-un must be desperate this time.
Unlike before, he'd gleaned far more info. He pulled out a notebook and jotted it down: black market, assassination groups, finance. Post-orc victory and Korea's gate management recognition, construction firms were sniffing around for land speculation.
Even more shocking:
Shim Jeong-un as king of Korea's underworld? Never saw that coming.
He'd built a hidden empire evading the law. Nam Gyuil let out a disbelieving chuckle.
"Hah..."
Major guilds dipping into dirty money and politics for perks? How embarrassing.
Hunters should hunt monsters—yet they'd turned to crime.
Grasping both light and shadow of society.
Shim Jeong-un had foreseen the future: forces with most hunters would hold ultimate power. That's why he clung to the presidency.
He's holding back from rebellion only because the president might call foreign hunters...
Otherwise, he'd have seized Korea already. Other guilds had joined his plans: Cheongwol's Song Taesu, Unha's Hwang Hiryong, Presento's Jo Sangmin.
Jo Sangmin's under my thumb, blocking major guild pressure for now...
But how long? Jo obeyed because other guilds would devour weakened Presento on any pretext. He feared that, submitting to Nam Gyuil's leverage.
Once Presento revives, he'll ignore my orders.
Nam Gyuil knew a video of executives plotting his death wouldn't control him forever.
Time to make him a full pawn. Cut him off from Shim Jeong-un so he's got nowhere else.
Nam Gyuil tossed his pen on the table. He'd gathered heaps on the major guilds.
Now to use it.
A plan crystallized: dismantle Shim Jeong-un's faction from within, piece by piece.