Chapter 49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The President's Proposal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Three men mutter.
"Scales."
"Black Wyvern scales, at that."
"Is there a tamer in Korea who can handle wyverns?"
The three men answer the question.
"The highest-ranked tamer hunter in Korea is B-rank."
"Even that one's talent is only C-grade."
"Not someone who could handle an A-rank monster type."
Afterward, they all narrow their eyes in unison.
"Then maybe a hunter from Britain or America?"
"......We can't be sure."
"No, it's not a hunter from Britain or America."
One of the men carefully tucks the scale into his bosom.
"If it was a tamer from Britain or America on the move, our intelligence network would have picked it up."
"......Then?"
"It means it's most likely an 'unregistered hunter' beyond our intelligence network."
At those words, the other two men tilt their heads.
"An unregistered hunter handling a wyvern?"
"That's too unbelievable. An unregistered hunter who's probably A-rank material?"
And then, a heavy silence descends.
In that lull, the three men who had been pondering resume their conversation.
"We should keep all possibilities open."
"Should we report it, then?"
"The Dragon God ordered us to bring back solid results. Reporting at this stage would be premature."
With that, the men rise from their seats and look at one another.
In that instant, their bodies merge into one.
Krurrrung......
The Three Generals.
The assassin boasted by Dragon God Xiao Ran wrinkles his nose.
"We'll track it a bit more. For now, there are two scents."
And the moment he turns and exits the cave.
Boom!
With an explosion, the dungeon collapses.
Amid it all, the Three Generals atop the Gangwon Mountain Range mutter.
"Both owners of those scents are to the south."
Lee Ye-sol hesitates before asking.
"Do you have to go, Team Leader?"
At her words, Kang Hyuk turns his head from his conversation with Lee Yeon-hee.
"Yes, it seems I do. If the Blue House is calling for me specifically...... there aren't many people who come to mind."
"......"
"So please explain it well to the team members. I'll treat everyone to a meal next time for sure."
Lee Ye-sol nods with a sullen expression.
Kang Hyuk stares at her for a moment before muttering.
"Or how about everyone comes to my place next time."
"Pardon?"
"We've postponed twice now, so as an apology, I'll host and treat you all myself."
Lee Ye-sol blinks.
Then she nods eagerly.
"Y-Yes!"
Kang Hyuk turns away at her response.
The moment he's about to step forward, Lee Yeon-hee beside him mutters.
"......This just got complicated."
"What do you mean?"
"No, nothing...... just talking to myself."
Kang Hyuk tilts his head.
By then, the two have left the resort and head toward the black sedan in the parking lot.
"Team Leader Kang!"
There, they meet two people who had arrived ahead and were waiting.
It was Hunter Association President Kang Cheol-woo and Headquarters Chief Lee Hyun-wook.
"......Finally, I get to see you! A bit late, but...... well done. And thank you."
Kang Cheol-woo strides forward and embraces Kang Hyuk with those words.
Kang Hyuk smiles faintly in the hug and replies.
"No need. I just did what had to be done."
"I never ordered it as something that had to be done. In other words, it's your achievement."
With that, Kang Cheol-woo releases Kang Hyuk.
As if waiting, Headquarters Chief Lee Hyun-wook limps over.
"You got the message?"
"Yes, Chief."
"Right...... Truth be told, I wanted to let you rest more, but the VIP insisted on meeting you."
At Lee Hyun-wook's words, Kang Hyuk's eyes sharpen.
"If it's someone important enough to be called a VIP and summon me to the Blue House, I can't refuse."
"......Heh heh. Sometimes you really seem like a thousand-year-old fox."
With a chuckle, Lee Hyun-wook hesitates a moment.
Then he glances at Kang Cheol-woo.
"Should I tell him, President?"
"......You do it."
At the permission, Lee Hyun-wook approaches cautiously and whispers.
'The election isn't far off.'
At the same time, Kang Hyuk's eyes widen.
'Keep that in mind during your talk.'
A short piece of advice.
But it carried more weight than expected, so Kang Hyuk nods carefully.
"I'll keep it in mind."
Lee Hyun-wook smiles again at that.
'I wonder if he got it from just that short advice......'
Recalling the insight and sharpness he'd shown so far, Team Leader Kang would surely understand.
Thinking that far, Lee Hyun-wook steps back, and Kang Cheol-woo steps forward again.
"You'll be properly rewarded for this incident. Truth be told...... The surest way would be to hear what you want directly from you and grant it, but given the circumstances, there will be special additional rewards beyond that."
Kang Hyuk's lips curve up slightly at those words.
But he reveals no further emotion and simply nods.
"We'll talk about the rest after you return, Team Leader Kang."
After the farewell, he boards the sedan.
Vroooom~
The sedan speeds away with a lively engine roar.
Watching it go, Headquarters Chief Lee Hyun-wook mutters.
"He's a talent we can't let slip away."
"I know. More than you do."
"Then we're on the same page, President. What will you offer to keep that talent?"
At that, Kang Cheol-woo shoots Lee Hyun-wook a sidelong glare.
"I'm already agonizing over it. That's why I hinted at it earlier."
"Is that even worth agonizing over? We'd have to give him everything we have and more."
Kang Cheol-woo clicks his tongue.
"You're right—we'd have to give him everything and it still wouldn't be enough. But...... you know as well as I do. What does the Association even have? Money? Soulstones? Even if we scrape together everything, he'll end up going to a major guild anyway."
A somewhat sorrowful response.
But because it was genuine and not empty words, Lee Hyun-wook thought.
'That's exactly why we need to do more. To hold onto Team Leader Kang.'
Kang Hyuk's performance in the gate.
It was unbelievable for a hunter who had only fought in seven real battles.
'Situational awareness, on-site control, and judgment that's beyond reason. And raw power too.'
Even an A-rank hunter with vast experience would struggle to match that.
'Especially the fight with the Warlord...... I saw it with my own eyes and still can't believe it.'
Even Yoon Hee-na of Arena, who was B-rank, couldn't face that monster one-on-one without her buffs.
But Team Leader Kang had dominated the Warlord—overwhelmingly so—without any buffs.
'And that strike he landed while receiving my buff......'
To put it exaggeratedly, it was nearly identical to the strike of the man before him.
Kang Cheol-woo, an S-rank hunter at the pinnacle.
'It wasn't just S-rank talent. No other S-rank showed anything like it...... Team Leader Kang's talent surpasses them.'
That's why they had to secure him.
Whatever reason had kept Team Leader Kang at the Association so far, there was no guarantee it would last.
'So we need to give him a reason to stay...... We have to create it.'
Having organized his thoughts, Lee Hyun-wook calls out to Kang Cheol-woo.
"President, a word."
He conveys his idea, and Kang Cheol-woo's jaw drops.
"A-Are you in your right mind?"
"Yes, perfectly."
At the firm reply, Kang Cheol-woo closes his mouth.
Then, studying Lee Hyun-wook's expression, he asks.
"I wasn't at the scene, so I don't know the exact situation. That's why Team Leader Kang's feats are...... honestly hard to believe."
"I vouch for it. Or, to be more frank, Team Leader Kang's performance was actually understated."
"Understated?"
"Many say he took down the Warlord thanks to my buff, but in my view, he could have hunted it without my buff."
Kang Cheol-woo's eyes widen at that.
"......You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
Lee Hyun-wook's eyes gleam.
"So my earlier proposal......"
At the same time, Kang Cheol-woo swallows dryly.
"It might shake the Association to its core, but it must be done. To hold onto Team Leader Kang."
On the chartered flight leaving Jeju for Seoul.
Kang Hyuk drums his fingers as he thinks.
'President Choi Jong-hoon. Opinions on him are sharply divided, but from the hunters' perspective, he's not a bad guy.'
The reason was that Choi Jong-hoon and the ruling party had pursued pro-hunter policies.
Tax breaks for hunters.
And even life insurance, along with various conveniences and welfare improvements.
In that sense, this meeting wasn't particularly strange given the president's track record.
He often summoned hunters with outstanding achievements to the Blue House.
'If anything, it was expected.'
That's why he didn't lower his guard.
'......He's pro-hunter, but he's still a politician. No prejudices, but no complacency either.'
In his past life.
As Hunter Association President, he'd tangled with countless politicians and knew them well.
What kind of beings those who played politics were.
'Hunters' influence has grown, making them somewhat restrained, but they're still at the heart of Korea's power. And Choi Jong-hoon is at the very center.'
Thus, this meeting carried risks in many ways.
A meeting with the president could become a variable in any form.
'But handled well, it's also an opportunity.'
With that thought, Kang Hyuk's lips curve up.
'A chance to leverage the authority only the president can wield.'
At that moment, the plane lands.
Swoosh!
Men in black suits approach.
"We'll escort you."
From their attire, they appeared to be National Intelligence Service agents.
Kang Hyuk nods and boards the car. The sedan races down controlled roads and soon enters the Blue House, Korea's power center.
"Kang Hyuk?"
Guided inside, a wrinkled old man smiles.
"Ha ha...... Our esteemed guest has finally arrived!"
The 32nd President.
Choi Jong-hoon.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Choi Jong-hoon."
Kang Hyuk bows at the greeting.
Choi Jong-hoon speaks to his secretary.
"Could you bring us something to drink?"
"Yes."
"What would you like? Coffee? Tea?"
"Water, please."
The secretary nods and leaves the room.
Thud!
With the door closing, only the two remain in the office.
As if timing it perfectly, President Choi Jong-hoon slowly speaks.
"Hmm...... These kinds of meetings must be uncomfortable for you."
Kang Hyuk replies to the question.
"Not particularly uncomfortable."
"Hm hm...... Is that so? Ever since becoming president, meeting people hasn't been easy. I'm fine, but everyone else gets stiff."
With that preamble, Choi Jong-hoon bows his head slightly.
"That's why...... I've been wondering how to broach the topic."
"......"
"How to ensure you take it without misunderstanding."
At those words, Kang Hyuk's eyes sharpen.
"You mean......?"
"The Jeju incident. It's about that event."
With his response, Choi Jong-hoon hands over a document.
It roughly detailed what had happened in the other world beyond the gate.
"Truth be told, I was very worried in many ways. A Red Gate after six years. And reports that it was already evolving."
"......"
"That's why I personally ordered the expedition team to be formed. To clear the gate no matter what. But......"
President Choi Jong-hoon points out.
"Contrary to expectations, far too many things happened inside the gate. And horrific casualties as well."
Kang Hyuk responds.
"I'm deeply sorry for failing to fully complete the mission."
"Haha, that's not what I mean. What I want to talk about is...... what happened in the gate. Specifically, your feats, Kang Hyuk."
Kang Hyuk's lips curve slightly upward.
"I couldn't believe it when I got the report. An S-rank talent, sure, but a D-rank hunter facing a Warlord?"
Choi Jong-hoon's eyes gleam.
"So I want to ask: Is everything written here true, Kang Hyuk?"
To that gaze, Kang Hyuk answers innocently.
"Yes, it's all true."
"......Hm. Hearing you say that leaves me without words all of a sudden. Haha......"
An awkward laugh, and Choi Jong-hoon hides his earlier gaze.
Then he speaks again.
"I'd like to hear more details. Is that possible?"
"Of course."
With his answer, Kang Hyuk explains.
Listening carefully, Choi Jong-hoon mutters inwardly.
'Well, now?'
He subtly raises an eyebrow.
'Humble...... or deliberately downplaying it?'
The story from Kang Hyuk's mouth differed quite a bit from the report he'd received.
The report stated that half the expedition's achievements were Kang Hyuk's doing, and he'd even taken down the boss monster, the Warlord.
'But...... listening now, it sounds like luck and good timing overlapped.'
That's why Choi Jong-hoon couldn't help tilting his head.
The report to him couldn't be wrong, yet it differed from the man's own account.
So he had to think.
'If it's humility, he's a good man. If he's downplaying on purpose......'
Then he's quite cunning.
With his curiosity deepening, Choi Jong-hoon speaks.
"Very interesting. Extremely so."
"......"
"That makes the conversation ahead even more complicated."
Kang Hyuk responds with silence.
Meanwhile, Choi Jong-hoon lowers his head.
"Truth be told, I didn't call you here just to praise you for this incident."
"You mean?"
"Since your talent was rated S-grade, countless countries and guilds have requested offers. And that hasn't changed."
The explanation continues.
"If word of your Jeju achievements spreads...... Frankly, I'm afraid. Afraid of the offers you'll receive. Afraid you might leave the Association because of them."
"......"
"Naturally, I want you to stay with the Association. An S-rank talent...... Which president would dislike or refuse having such a hunter under the Association?"
"So through this meeting, I want to create grounds to hold you."
He gestures.
His secretary approaches and hands over a single document.
"This is?"
"It still needs revisions, so it's not the official 'offer letter'...... Yes. It's a newly revised contract for you, considering various factors."
Kang Hyuk's eyes widen.
'......The president handing me a contract personally?'
The era had changed, many things had, but some remained the same.
In that sense, the president's words and this contract were astonishing.
'S-rank talent or not, I'm just one citizen. For the president to summon me to the Blue House...... and offer a contract himself.'
Kang Hyuk felt a touch of admiration, but that was it.
He understood the meaning behind this performance and offer.
'Politics, elections, media...... Quite the show.'
Thinking that far, Kang Hyuk carefully reads through the document from President Choi Jong-hoon and mutters.
"It's changed quite a bit."
"Yes. Your current terms aren't bad...... but they're lacking. So we've expanded the budget and included it in this new contract."
Kang Hyuk sets the document down.
Meanwhile, Choi Jong-hoon makes the pitch overtly.
"What do you think? Compared to major guilds, it won't fall short."
"......"
"The long contract period might be a drawback...... but on the flip side, you can think of it as receiving national-level care for that duration."
Kang Hyuk ponders briefly.
Then he slowly speaks.
"I'll give you my answer."
President Choi Jong-hoon's eyes gleam.
Kang Hyuk smiles faintly as he delivers it.
"I......"