Chapter 15
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Became the Last of the Giant Clan
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The anomaly that erupted in Korea.
The world was abuzz with it.
"Is it true? They turned down Metal Guild and China?"
"That's what they're saying. Especially from the Chinese side—even one of the 12 Martial Gods, the Cat God, stepped up, but they got nothing out of it."
"Wow... Doesn't that mean he's not even considering naturalization abroad? Korea's a decent power, sure, but they can't have more money than Metal or the Chinese factions."
Highenz, as always the first to react, clicked his tongue in amazement.
His eyes gleamed.
"Or maybe they promised him something beyond any contract terms? On a national level?"
"...That seems unlikely. Metal and the Chinese Association were the first to negotiate with the S-rank hunter. If it had been a national deal like in England or France, they wouldn't have needed to set up those negotiation spots."
Highenz tilted his head at that.
"Then... why turn them down? In times like these, no one's gonna be some patriot staying for the country."
The grand mage, who seemed to know the answer to everything, voiced his doubt.
And that doubt soon became the world's.
In the midst of it all, Yoon Han, master of Arena—one of Korea's five great guilds—arrived at the Hunter Association, breathing heavily.
"M-Master."
Yoon Han, known by the moniker Eternal Frost for his unshakable composure.
For him to show such disarray was unprecedented, leaving everyone nearby wide-eyed in shock.
"Where's the 3rd Team Leader?"
"Sh-She's... already inside headquarters."
Leaving the guild members at the scene behind, Yoon Han entered Hunter HQ.
As he straightened his disheveled collar and hair, steadying his breath, Arena's 3rd Team Leader approached.
Yoon Hee-na.
"Master, you've arrived."
"Are we the first among the five great guilds?"
"...It looks that way for now. Tusinjeon is scrambling too, but we seem to have been picked first."
Yoon Han's lips curved up at that.
He recalled the breaking news from that morning.
According to it, Korea's newborn S-rank hunter had made the shocking decision to forgo all negotiation rights with foreign guilds.
He hadn't believed it at first, but consecutive articles and calls from his secretary general confirmed it was true.
Korea's first S-rank hunter had rejected foreign guild negotiations.
Even with those insane terms on the table.
'...It's odd, but not incomprehensible.'
Yoon Han's eyes gleamed as he muttered to himself.
'No matter how talented someone is, if their environment changes suddenly, that talent can shatter before it blooms. That's why some hunters build strength in familiar surroundings until they can fully awaken it.'
In that light, the new S-rank's choice made perfect sense.
Someone wise must have advised him.
To adapt to his power first, then head abroad.
That way, he could reach even greater heights.
Yoon Han smirked.
'Even if he leaves later, what matters is that he's in Korea now. Which means we have to lock him down with Arena while he's here.'
For checking other guilds—and ensuring Arena's success, no less.
His thoughts settled as he stopped before a door.
At the same time, the Hunter Association staff waiting by it knocked.
"Arena Guild Master has arrived. May we open the door?"
The reply came a beat late.
"Yes, let him in."
The door swung open, and Yoon Han strode inside without hesitation.
And there.
In the center of the vast reception room.
A man stood gazing out the window.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Yoon Han of Arena."
The man slowly turned at the greeting.
And smirked.
"Kang Hyuk."
Korea's first S-rank hunter.
Yoon Han had glanced at his photo and profile on the way here, but nothing in them matched the reality.
'Time to fire the intel chief.'
The guild member who briefed him said Kang Hyuk had been a run-of-the-mill clerk before becoming a hunter.
One who caused plenty of incidents, at that.
But the Kang Hyuk before him now had eyes that belied any lowly clerk from just days ago.
'It's not just the eyes. All this expectation and attention pouring on him must be confusing, disorienting... yet he's keeping it together without a hint.'
That revised Yoon Han's assessment of Kang Hyuk.
Truth be told, on the way here, Yoon Han had focused more on the man's 'ability' than the man himself.
A physical-type who shattered Highenz's barrier.
If his talent matched China's 'Sage of the Sun and Moon'—another S-rank—the value was beyond words.
But facing him now, Kang Hyuk seemed more than just his power.
The head of one of Korea's five great guilds could sense it.
'...He's becoming more and more tempting. I have to have him.'
With that thought, Yoon Han smirked.
"......"
As Yoon Han silently evaluated Kang Hyuk, Kang Hyuk was doing the same to him.
'Eternal Frost... Been a while.'
Korea guild ranking No. 2.
Arena's master.
A high-ranker in the world player top 100.
And once his old boss.
'In my past life, I gave up foreign guild rights and signed with Arena. Amid all the advice—and my reluctance to leave Korea—it was the best choice.'
Back then, Yoon Han had whispered sweet nothings.
Said he wouldn't get proper treatment abroad right away.
So build his strength first, then leave when he could demand it.
'A high-ranker's advice to clueless me was invaluable. I joined Arena, thought I'd rise steadily... but.'
The moment he was crippled by an assassin from Shadow of Swiftness, Yoon Han discarded him like trash.
'Second betrayal. It plunged me into another long slump.'
Yoon Han's reason? Money and contract terms, no doubt.
He'd invested big in S-rank talent; once it was deemed unrecoverable, the value vanished.
'That Arena contract was one of my life's worst mistakes. Should never have fallen for the terms and gone under a guy like him.'
He turned his gaze with a mutter.
And spotted Ice Princess Yoon Hee-na beside Eternal Frost.
His lips curved up.
Eternal Frost was bad blood, but his daughter Ice Princess? They'd had a good rapport.
'After Eternal Frost stepped down due to some mystery illness, new master Yoon Hee-na and I clicked well as partners. Hell, she was the comrade who threw herself into Korea's first S-rank gate right beside me.'
As he regarded the two who'd become foe and friend in his future, Eternal Frost spoke.
"I'm here to recruit you, Kang Hyuk."
"Me?"
"Yes. Korea's first S-rank. If Arena doesn't take you in, who will?"
Kang Hyuk snorted at Yoon Han's words.
Same lines as back then.
Yoon Han slid the contract over with a confident smile.
"Frankly, we might not match Metal or the Chinese Association's support. But we'll give you everything we can. Artifact dungeons, soulstones. Money and more if needed. If you're staying in Korea, no better choice exists."
Kang Hyuk graciously accepted the proposal.
As expected, it was tempting for any hunter.
Top artifacts, soulstones.
Money and other support to boot.
Excluding Metal Guild, a few American ones, and China—it was top-tier.
But it didn't end there.
"Beyond what's in that contract, I can offer one more thing."
"...What would that be?"
"I'll make you the best."
"......"
"With S-rank talent, you'll hit S-rank hunter at least. But national-level? That's another story."
Yoon Han's eyes gleamed.
"National-level means hunters with nation-shaking power. Only 20 in the world. Even with S-rank talent, you might not make it."
"......"
"But with my guidance and experience? You'll claim one of those 20 spots. Become the best. So... trust me. Join my guild. Look at the man, not the terms."
Kang Hyuk fell silent.
The room followed.
Then.
"...Pfft."
He couldn't hold back a leaked chuckle.
"...?"
Yoon Han froze, flustered by the sudden laugh.
Kang Hyuk spoke up.
"Ah, sorry. Your serious face and heavy words got to me..."
As Yoon Han awkwardly nodded, Kang Hyuk continued.
"So, is that everything listed here?"
Eternal Frost's expression hardened.
"These are all the conditions you can offer me?"
He quickly composed himself, forcing a smile.
"A contract's just a contract. Can't fit everything in there, right? There's more besides. Like my personal training..."
"So, verbal promises? In this day and age? You'd expect me to sign on words like that? And."
Kang Hyuk propped his chin, smirking.
"Everything you just said? I heard the exact same from Metal and the Chinese Association."
"......"
"Meaning, same terms? Better to go with them. Right?"
Eternal Frost finally furrowed his brow.
Doubt crept in.
"The merits for me joining your guild."
The doubt hardened into certainty with each word from Kang Hyuk.
"Tell me those conditions. Why start my hunter life in your guild?"
No terms, no cards would sway him to Arena.
"......"
His eyes narrowed.
He couldn't fathom the intent.
'Excluding Arena, Tusinjeon might be the only other guild worth competing for. But.'
Would he suffer this humiliation just to join Tusinjeon?
Yoon Han shook his head after pondering.
He'd investigated the new S-rank on the way.
No ties to Korean guilds—or any worldwide.
'Awakened just two weeks ago. No one watched him before the rating test.'
So family, school, connections?
Pulling for Tusinjeon?
'No. None of his contacts are in hunting. Then...'
Why this attitude from the fresh S-rank?
No gain in it.
He looked up, pondering.
And saw it in Kang Hyuk's eyes the moment they met.
The hidden ambition.
Ambition mirroring his own obsessive drive.
'Not a cub... a full-grown tiger?'
Yoon Han let out a hollow laugh.
Abandoning lingering hopes, he stood.
"Truth be told, until coming here, I cared more about your ability than you."
"......"
"But facing you now? You're stealing the spotlight from your power. However..."
He trailed off, a sly smile creeping in.
"You're no one's subordinate. Wrong move, and I'd have raised a tiger to devour me."
Kang Hyuk smiled back.
"One bit of advice, Kang Hyuk. If you stay in Korea, you'll clash with me eventually. But a D-rank hunter, even with S-rank talent—think you can surpass me?"
Kang Hyuk met the gaze of Korea's giant looking down on him.
"What's to stop me?"
Yoon Han burst out laughing.
"If I have to clash with you..."
He turned and exited the room.
"...what's stopping me from overtaking you?"