Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Resolving Grudges
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After signing the contract with the guild master, I spent a relaxing day in the hospital and was discharged the next morning. Right away, I headed to the Seohwa Group headquarters building with Seo Mi-na.
Well, it was more like I was half-dragged there. They practically kidnapped me by forcing me into the car when I was trying to go home.
I barely had time to admire the towering skyscraper over 100 stories tall before I was plopped down in what looked like a conference room. I scratched my chin as I took in the people around me, all dressed in suits with stiff expressions and hardened faces.
What the hell...?
I had to visit my sister, deal with those company bastards, renew my rank, and learn some magic from the Word Spirit Sorceress—plenty to keep me busy. So what was this situation?
And this atmosphere... it felt like they were subtly ignoring me, even hostile. It was getting on my nerves.
My questions were answered soon enough. The man who seemed to be in the highest position stood up and began the briefing.
"Then, let's begin the report on the matter you requested. First, we've lodged a strong informal protest with Star Cloud Guild. From the looks of things, it seems the scout team leader acted on his own. Given that the guild master prefers clean operations, that team leader won't escape punishment. They couldn't ignore our influence, so he'll likely face severe repercussions."
Revenge against the ones who tried to kill me and Seo Mi-na. I planned to handle it right after leaving the hospital, but she beat me to it.
The scout team leader was unlucky. Because Mi-na and I entered the hidden stage together, he suddenly became the lunatic who sent men to kill the princess of the mighty Seohwa Group.
No matter how big Star Cloud Guild was, they couldn't cover this up. Besides, Star Cloud was famous for being spotless, without even a whiff of scandal. Creating a blemish like this meant they'd punish him harshly from within, no cover-up.
And their apology and compensation would be more than generous.
Free stuff is always good, whatever it is.
I memorized the face of that culprit, the scout team leader, then listened to the next part.
"Next is information on the loan shark outfit, the ones they call the 'company.' This place... it was nothing special. Why they targeted the young lady...! I wanted to wipe them all out right then, but I held back per your orders."
"So, what do they even do?"
"Just trash who deal in money and human trafficking, committing all sorts of illegal crap. They buy power with cash and lord over a small area near Seoul like kings. Tsk, borrowing from scum like that and letting it harm the young lady..."
"Director, that's enough."
"My apologies. Anyway, we've pulled strings to sever all their connections. You just need to finish them off. Should I contact the association right now to handle it all?"
I frowned. They were mine. These grudges were for me to settle, with my own hands.
"No. Just pass the data to the association's inspection department. Mi-na and I will handle it ourselves."
"No, I'll do it alone. You stay out of it."
"It's dangerous. The company boss was [E-] rank before retiring, and he's estimated at E-rank now. Even if you're the top prospect of this class, know your place. Listen to him, young lady. The chairman and president won't stand for it."
I smirked at the man openly dismissing me.
Just a few days ago, I might have nodded and backed down at words like his. But not now.
"That's probably the best he could manage after all that time—barely E-rank. Anyway, I'm going. Contact the association inspection team in about three hours. It'll be done by then."
"...If you're that set on it. The car's ready downstairs. Since you're joining our guild anyway, learning a lesson in defeat early isn't bad."
He thought he muttered the last part too quietly to hear. Sorry, but I caught every word.
Seo Mi-na just watched the tension between me and the director and his underlings, making no move to intervene. In other words, silent permission for whatever I did.
"We'll see about that. Want to bet? Me winning, or just passing by?"
"...If it sounded insulting, I apologize. I was worried, in my own way. I've seen plenty of hunters in Seohwa Guild's operations who overestimated themselves and got wrecked. I got emotional about losing a promising talent."
"You've looked down on me from the start—no need to explain. So, bet or not?"
"...Fine. But if you can't handle them all as I predict, you sign with Seohwa Guild. Minimum five-year contract."
"Sounds good. If I win, I get one rare-rank or higher quest from Seohwa Guild."
Quests fully unlock once you enter the Abyss. Missions given by the natives or so-called NPCs living there, like a game— one key way for hunters to grow.
"Agreed. That's within my authority."
"Perfect. Then let's head out now. Contact the association exactly three hours from now."
With that, I left the conference room, got in the car, and headed straight for that cursed place burned into my memory.
At that moment, in the association's top floor chamber prepared for exactly one person, over ten people had gathered.
Considering each wielded massive influence in Korea, anyone could tell the secretive discussion here was no small matter.
"So, why'd you summon us, Association President?"
"If it's nothing important, you'll answer for it."
"Sheesh~ I just came out of the Abyss after ages, and now I gotta hang with you fossils?"
Time was money, assets, treasure to these people. The sudden forced assembly drew fierce criticism toward the association president.
But he silently endured it all. Normally, he'd soothe their complaints, but his silence made them sense something off, and they quieted down.
Once silence fell, he finally spoke.
"With three unavoidable absences, all eleven are here. I'll explain why I called this meeting. Yesterday, some lunatic staffer in the association unauthorizedly checked one person's identity."
"President, get to the point. My patience is wearing thin."
All eleven were powerhouses, but not equals—clear hierarchy, and the president was the lowest rung.
Knowing his place, he bowed briefly to the man beside him before diving in.
"The identity checked had zero-rank security. You all know what that means. Granted to just seven in Korea. It's as good as erasing all info so no one knows."
Shocked exclamations erupted from all eleven.
It made sense. Zero-rank required at least five major powerhouses' approval, plus countless procedures.
In other words, one of them here had ties to that zero-rank subject.
"Unfortunately, it predates my tenure. At least fourteen years old. Of the zero-rank cases I know, only two: the mad A-rank who terrorized North Korea seven years ago, and that retired one who vanished. So, I gathered you to advise on this subject."
The president paused for breath, then continued.
"The identity checked... Shin Juha, a 20-year-old male."
Silence fell. Over half hardened their faces; the rest watched with interest.
He seized the moment to unload his questions.
"Is this Shin Juha the son of those two I know of? The reason the former president had to step down."
But the ten deftly dodged, implying silent affirmation.
"Heh heh heh. Never thought I'd hear that name again. The kid's still alive, huh."
"Yes, checks show he was scraping bottom until awakening recently—top of this class."
"Heh heh heh! Interesting. That blood doesn't lie, does it?"
The eldest-looking man stroked his white beard, eyes sharpening.
"Just leave him be. He's still a pathetic low-rank hunter. Overreacting could blow it up. No talk of his parents."
"Agreed. Those two must stay buried."
"We paid dearly to erase them from society—can't do it again."
"He only awakened at adulthood despite his parents. Won't grow much. He has a half-crippled sister anyway—solid weakness. Best to leave it."
The president inwardly tsked at their ugliness, shuddering. But he wouldn't oppose.
He lacked the power.
He knew well: his predecessor and mentor defied them and was executed.
So he bowed. Listened, and bided his time.
And when I gather strength... then I strike.
His eyes turned to the man in the documents. Child of those once called Korea's heroes. The moment his phone buzzed with the zero-rank access alert, hearing "Shin Juha" clicked it.
This man would be his great ally. The sharpest blade against those scum.
That's why he called this meeting.
They have massive pride.
These cautious powerhouses wouldn't touch Shin Juha now. That's why this stage.
Hiding his intent, he groveled with a smile and bowed.
"Then we'll handle it that way. Thank you for your words today."
"Heh heh! Our president's still so humble. Relax already."
"Not bad. Eager and useful. Handles things faster than that old fool predecessor."
"Take care~~"
They filed past the near-90-degree bowed president and vanished. Only then did his smile fade, replaced by venomous disgust.
Moments ago, I arrived at a shabby 10-story building laughably inferior to Seohwa's tower. I stretched quietly and told the driver to pull away and wait elsewhere.
As if he'd heard what was coming, he floored it the second I suggested it.
"These company folks are hilarious—all missing a screw like Mi-na."
I finished prepping by switching my sun from stealth mode and floating it overhead.
"Status Window."
Name:Shin Juha
Title:World Destroyer [SSS]
LV:10 (0%)
Remaining Points:0
Authorities:
[Tower of Gold LV2] [Fortune LV1] [Noon Sun LV1]
Unique Abilities:
[Curse of Misfortune (Legend) LV MAX] [Infinite Heavenly Veins (Myth) LV1] [Supreme Soul (Myth) LV1] [Equivalent Exchange (Origin) LV1]
Skills:
[Wing of Pride (Myth) LV1] [Heart of the Giant God (Legend) LV1]
The halo from the [Sacred Relic: Eye of the Supreme Sun] floating behind my head boosted all stats by 20.
No way I could lose this fight. I strode into the building.
"Come out, boss!"
I picked a fight right off the bat.