Chapter 17
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The 36th S-Rank's Shocking Choice
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The birth of the 36th S-Rank Awakener had set the world abuzz.
Not long after that news broke, another earth-shattering announcement rocked the globe.
- Shocking Choice by the 36th S-Rank Awakener!
- He Wields Top-Tier Physical Abilities, Yet Heads to Korea's Association—Not Metal Guild or Chinese Association!
- Experts Left Stunned by the Unforeseen Outcome.
- Korean Hunter Association: No Signature Yet, But Astonishing Results Are on the Horizon...
The first to react to the news was Archmage Highenz.
"Is this for real? He turned down Metal Guild and the Chinese Association... for the Korean Hunter Association?"
"Yes. Our investigation confirms it's true. The broad strokes are already in place; only the fine details of the contract remain."
"...Korea isn't communist or anything, right? So the Association holds all the power?"
"No, that's not the case. The Republic of Korea is a democratic nation."
Highenz tilted his head at the response.
"Then why the Association? What's in it for him? It's not even one of Korea's major guilds."
His secretary hesitated.
"I... don't know either."
They still hadn't figured out the reason behind such a bold decision.
The Chinese Association and Metal Guild were just as baffled.
That sparked a flurry of breaking news and speculative articles day after day.
Amid it all, one man's name began flooding the internet comments in Korea.
Whoa, that's insane...
Is this legit?
Heard they offered a blank check worth up to a trillion won, and he still said no to join the Association???
This is straight out of a webnovel??? Or maybe there's a Nick Fury type pulling strings at the Association?
Kang Hyuk.
That was the name of the man who had just become the 36th S-Rank Awakener.
How old is he?
23, from what I heard.
Younger than expected. Did he get duped? Arena or Tusinjeon maybe, but the Association?
Does he think the whole world is as stupid as him?
On paper, it might look dumb. But maybe he weighed his options? Good that an S-Rank is staying to protect the country.
This is right. We should support, not bash. The haters up top have twisted minds—pure snakes.
As fierce debates raged online, Kang Cheol-woo swallowed hard with bated breath.
The man at the center of the world's attention.
Kang Hyuk.
"......"
He had noticed his master's pleading gaze early on but chose not to react.
'Sorry, Master... But to control my future path, I can't afford to look weak.'
He had decided to join the Hunter Association, but lingering concerns remained.
The Association was officially a national agency.
Meaning, if an order came from above, they had no choice but to obey.
And the current Korean government wasn't exactly commendable.
'Stuck between hunter superpowers, unable to act decisively. They'll surely pressure the Association through the government.'
That's why the contract's top priority was the "Command Refusal Right."
It explicitly stated that he could reject any order, no matter the source, if he wished.
'Truth be told, that's why I'm joining the Association. For future events, guaranteed freedom is the ultimate gain.'
He knew the future.
And he'd already profited from that knowledge.
Going forward, he needed to leverage it fully.
But guild membership risked missing those opportunities.
Guilds chasing massive funds wouldn't overlook his unpredictable moves.
'The Association is different... They'll turn a blind eye to perks like this to recruit me.'
The Association had lost top talent to private guilds due to funding.
They couldn't refuse an S-Rank's proposal now.
'Plus, the President will honor this promise. But I can't be naively optimistic on faith alone. Time to cement my position here.'
Even after setting down the documents, Kang Hyuk maintained a hostile demeanor.
"I've reviewed the contract. But one thing must be crystal clear."
This was a warning to the VIPs watching from above, not Kang Cheol-woo.
"It's already in the papers... but if the terms are violated, I'll leave the Association for elsewhere at any time. I want to hear President Kang Cheol-woo's direct agreement on this."
Kang Cheol-woo nodded immediately.
"Of course. Kang Hyuk, though you're joining the Association, I guarantee here and now your right to independent action and refusal of all orders."
Contract finalized. Command Refusal Right secured.
At those words, the watching VIPs hurriedly sent messages.
- Isn't a command refusal right from the President crossing the line?
- S-Rank or not, once in the Association, he's national personnel. Refusal rights...?
- We haven't even uncovered why he rejected foreign guilds to stay, and now this excessive term?
Kang Cheol-woo scowled at the words from his earpiece.
Then he bellowed.
'That's why we lost him, right? Like the A-Rank Baek Sin-hyuk last time?'
- But President, this shakes the Association's foundation...
'If you disapprove, speak now. I'm the Association President protecting Korea—but also the protector of Korea's hunters. In that vein—'
The VIPs fell silent.
'I have a duty to shield this promising talent before me. If there's any contact, movement, or unreasonable order contrary to this contract, I'll personally expel Kang Hyuk, the S-Rank, from the Association first.'
A rare show of iron will from Kang Cheol-woo.
Realizing they could no longer interfere, the VIPs switched off their receivers.
"......"
Kang Hyuk, watching, subtly lifted the corner of his mouth.
He didn't know the details, but the brief silence told him something had shifted.
He stood and extended his hand.
"Then the contract is done."
Kang Cheol-woo snapped back, eyes widening.
"Looking forward to working with you, President."
He burst into hearty laughter, grasping the hand firmly.
"The pleasure's mine, 1st Team Leader Kang Hyuk."
In a mansion in Hannam-dong.
Gazing at the luxury home worth 10 billion won—his reward for signing with the Association—Kang Hyuk fell into thought.
Ten years ago.
Memories of his parents, lost in a horrific accident.
'If they were alive... Mom would have loved this.'
The thought brought regret.
Future or present.
He'd achieved great success, but had no one to share the joy with.
So even a house anyone would envy felt hollow.
He forced himself to shake it off.
'It's fine. Actually, better this way. Considering my situation.'
The hunter world was abnormal.
In that world, common sense didn't apply.
Meaning, to get what you want, anything goes.
Thus, having few ties or people to protect was a blessing.
'Things worth protecting become weaknesses.'
A lesson from his past life.
Precious things, loved ones, connections.
They could become leverage, willingly or not.
'Like how I protected Korea... If that gets out, they'll target this place instead of me.'
In that sense, his current solitude was ideal.
Only himself to protect meant no vulnerabilities.
Meooooow!
Then came the Black Wyvern's cry.
Meooooow!!!
Still an oddly unique sound.
But now familiar enough that Kang Hyuk caught the subtle nuances, like a language woven in.
"You like the new house too?"
He stroked its scales and asked. The Black Wyvern replied.
Meooooow!
"Yeah, me too. But... why do you always go 'meow'?"
Meooooow?
"Don't wyverns usually cry like... crows or something?"
The Black Wyvern spun in the air, evading his touch—confused by the question.
Kang Hyuk stroked his chin, muttering.
'Well, better than a tiger, I guess.'
He turned from the spacious living room.
Meooooow!
The Black Wyvern followed.
They headed to the "underground bunker" beneath the mansion.
A secret space prepared by the previous owner for emergencies.
'That's why I chose this place. Homes with underground facilities like this are rare.'
He opened the bunker door.
A state-of-the-art training ground appeared, even better equipped than expected.
Kang Hyuk's lips curved up.
'I need to diligently train my giant powers. A secure spot like this is perfect.'
He shed his shirt and stepped forward.
The Black Wyvern floated curiously, tilting its head.
As it innocently approached—
Meooooowwww!!!!
It screeched at the sudden feral aura.
Kukukuku!
Kang Hyuk controlled the surging power, eyes on the floating message.
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[You obtain Giant's Fist.]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan: 2.9%]
Just 2.9% of the giant's power.
Yet even this topped E-Rank hunters.
Maybe even rival D-Ranks.
'If I activate Partial Giantization here...'
He closed his eyes again.
At once—
Boom!!!
His aura shook the air, creating a shockwave.
Kang Hyuk opened his eyes, narrowing them.
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[Partial Giantization activates!]
[Giantization Assimilation Rate: 1%]
[Duration: 20 seconds]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[You obtain Giant's Fist.]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan: 5%]
His arm muscles bulged explosively, the status now nearly double the previous.
'5%. Top D-Rank level. Maybe even low C-Rank.'
Curiosity piqued.
'Is this my limit?'
Since returning from the future.
Kang Hyuk had harbored one question.
'What's the peak output I can achieve now?'
It was crucial.
To plan ahead, he needed to know his max power.
'Today, I'll test it. Before Association life ramps up, find my limits.'
He closed his eyes once more.
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[Partial Giantization activates!]
[Giantization Assimilation Rate: 1%]
[Duration: 19 seconds]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[You obtain Giant's Vision.]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan: 5%]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[Partial Giantization activates!]
[Giantization Assimilation Rate: 1%]
[Duration: 18 seconds]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[You obtain Giant's Skin.]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan: 5%]
...
Messages cascaded as Kang Hyuk's body grotesquely transformed.
Meooooow!!!!
Muscles and veins reshaped.
His form shed humanity, growing larger.
Me... mewooo!!
Shocked, the Black Wyvern averted its gaze.
Instinctual fear and terror from Kang Hyuk.
'...Not yet.'
Still with eyes shut, he endured.
'I can push further. As expected... all parts giantized within 20 seconds.'
Pouring focus into the morphing sensations—
"......!!!"
His concentration snapped.
The taut link to his body severed; a floating sensation enveloped him.
'What?'
Startled, as he nearly screamed, light pierced the darkened vision.
A new scene unfolded.
"......"
Piles of unidentified corpses.
A blood-soaked battlefield.
A crimson sunset rising, and a lone man silhouetted against it.
"......Who’s that?"
As Kang Hyuk reached out, the man turned.
Gazing at him, the man spoke.
"[Have you come, descendant?]"