Chapter 67
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Lingering Doubts and Countermeasures
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After the Seoul Station incident came to a close, Kang Na-eun was confined to a hospital room.
It wasn't a severe injury by any means, but there was that mysterious Red Player.
The 'villain' who spoke Chinese—she'd been attacked by him, so they wanted to monitor her for any potential aftereffects.
Killing time endlessly like that, she suddenly grew curious.
'...Just what the hell was that guy?'
Korea had its fair share of Red Players.
In other words, villains.
Ever since the gate era dawned, there had always been those with powers who committed crimes for personal gain or pleasure.
But the villain she'd encountered was different from the usual ones in several ways.
'He seemed to be moving with a clear purpose... Not just for some fleeting thrill.'
Most villains acted on momentary impulses they couldn't control.
But the one who'd ambushed her had moved with meticulous precision, driven by a definite goal.
'Just the fact that he wasn't trying to kill me but capture me alive proves it...'
That left her puzzled.
What benefit could he gain from abducting her in that dungeon?
She was the daughter of the Korean Hunter Association President, sure, but in reality, most associations these days held less power than major guilds.
'If it was money he wanted... Would he really go after me? He'd probably target some big guild member's family instead.'
A powerhouse like that could pull off jobs without the massive risks.
As she pondered this, a nasal hum drifted over.
"Hm~"
Turning her gaze, she spotted Lee Ye-sol, hospitalized for the exact same reason.
"......"
A faint smile played on the woman's lips as she knitted away.
Kang Na-eun's eyes narrowed at the incomprehensible sight—Ye-sol was just as baffling as that Chinese villain.
'...What's up with her?'
For the past few days, her friend had seemed unusually cheerful.
It was a rare sight for someone who always wore a gloomy expression with zero emotional swings.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Kang Na-eun asked.
"Ye-sol, something good happen?"
"Something good?"
"Your face looks like it's about to float away."
At that, Lee Ye-sol paused her knitting and looked up.
"Hmm? Nothing special, really."
Kang Na-eun's lips curved into a smirk.
'She's hiding something. Definitely.'
She'd never been called oblivious.
So she was certain.
One of her few friends was keeping a secret.
That thought sparked a mischievous glint in Kang Na-eun's eye, and she kept sneaking peeks at Lee Ye-sol.
Whether sensing the stare or not, Ye-sol's hands stilled on her needles.
"Na-eun."
"Y-yeah?"
"I have a confession to make."
Kang Na-eun leaped onto Ye-sol's bed like she'd been waiting for it.
"I'm always ready to hear it, Ye-sol!"
Ye-sol let out a small smile at the overexcited antics.
Then, slowly, she spoke.
"I think I like Team Leader Kang."
"...?"
"I wasn't going to say anything, but I figured it'd be better to just get it out now."
Kang Na-eun blinked in confusion.
She tilted her head, furrowed her brow, and her hands began to tremble.
"W-wait a sec... "
Trailing off, she shook her head.
Taking a deep breath, she barely managed to open her mouth.
"Say that again? Ye-sol? What did you say? Who do you like?"
Lee Ye-sol repeated it.
"Team Leader Kang."
Kang Na-eun's face twisted in shock.
"I think I like Team Leader Kang."
After wrapping up the Seoul Station Labyrinth Gate incident, Kang Hyuk had been swamped with a frenzy of days.
<Korea's Rising Hero: Who is Kang Hyuk?>
<Seoul Station Labyrinth Gate Cleared! The New Star Who Saved Tens of Thousands of Lives!>
<Witness Accounts Pour In: He Was a True Hunter and Hero. The Unbelievable 24-Hour Saga.>
Articles flooded in like a tidal wave.
Along with them came endless offers.
CFs, variety shows, documentaries.
Even collab invites from nut-tubers.
All crashing down after the Seoul Station Labyrinth cleared.
'I expected it, but this is a bit much.'
Truth be told, it was just a C-rank hunter tackling a D-rank gate.
Even if it was under the uniquely tricky circumstances of Seoul Station turning into a labyrinth, the hype felt borderline manic.
'The Jeju Island incident... And all those other exploits I deliberately downplayed... They must've all piled up and exploded this time.'
His past achievements had been coordinated with Association President Kang Cheol-woo to minimize media coverage.
But this Seoul Station gate was too massive to bury.
The reporters and nut-tubers already camped out.
And the countless citizens he'd personally saved.
Put together with his prior deeds, it all blew up at once.
-Giant giant giant!
-Where's the official Giant fan cafe?
-No official one afaik ㅇㅇ?
-Then we should make one, right?
-Fr, all the famous hunters have one
-Lmao let's do it. How about TrueX's Giant?
-That's plagiarism lol
Unlike before, when he'd brushed off the attention with indifference, this time he couldn't ignore it.
'No matter where I go... Hearing my name everywhere isn't something you get every day.'
But as the frenzy dragged on, Kang Hyuk's mind grew ever colder.
'Times like this, I need to be even more cautious.'
A lesson from his previous life.
Excessive spotlight could flip to backlash at any moment.
'So no getting swayed or cocky. I cleared that labyrinth for duty, not fame or popularity.'
His eyes flashed.
'And... I don't even have time for that anyway.'
One of the five national-level hunters who'd plunged future Seoul into the abyss.
Now one of China's vaunted 13 Martial Gods.
The 'Evil Dragon,' hailed as the world's most talented, would likely make a move after this incident.
'Considering that, no time for CF shoots. I need to predict his actions and turn this crisis into opportunity.'
Heading to the Association amid that, Kang Hyuk met with President Kang Cheol-woo and Director Lee Hyun-wook.
It was a secret meeting called on short notice via Team Leader Kang's discreet message.
"A Chinese hunter, huh..."
President Kang Cheol-woo muttered, face hardening.
He recalled the details.
According to Team Leader Kang, the labyrinth gate's biggest threat wasn't the C-rank boss monster or the traps.
'The mystery player who ambushed Na-eun and Team Leader Kang's team member, Lee Ye-sol.'
The enigmatic fiend known to the public as a villain or Red Player had struck.
'From Na-eun's account... He spoke Chinese, Team Leader Kang confirmed it too. And she overheard him—minimum C-rank hunter strength.'
No wonder President Kang Cheol-woo's expression darkened.
An assassin of that caliber wasn't some freelance merc.
'A C-rank hunter... Means one of China's Five Great Families' guilds or the Association itself pulled the strings.'
This incident screamed elaborate planning.
So he spoke carefully.
"From Team Leader Kang's report and Na-eun's story, this is no small matter we can overlook."
"We absolutely can't. A foreign hunter moving like that means they had a clear target."
Kang Hyuk nodded.
"Yes. That assassin moved with a very definite purpose. In the process, Kang Na-eun, Lee Ye-sol, and I were all targeted."
President Kang Cheol-woo ground his teeth.
An S-rank hunter's aura erupted in that instant.
Director Lee Hyun-wook's eyes widened at the murderous pressure.
"President?"
"Hoo... Lost my cool for a sec."
After a calming breath at the urging, he reined in his energy.
Then turned to Kang Hyuk.
"So, Team Leader Kang. What's your take?"
"......"
"Even if we want to make a move... Acting on testimony alone right now might not yield solid results."
Kang Hyuk's eyes gleamed.
'Going just as planned.'
Given President Kang Cheol-woo's temperament, he'd never let this slide.
'He cherishes Association hunters... No, all Korean hunters like family.'
Exactly the reaction he'd anticipated.
But it wasn't time for the president to step up yet.
"I caught the guy, but aside from him speaking Chinese, no other standout clues."
Even if President Kang Cheol-woo acted now, he couldn't pressure Xiao Ran under Chinese Association protection.
"Meaning if we move on testimony alone... The Chinese Association might just sweep it under the rug."
Right now, it was crucial to plant the idea that 'China stirred this up again.'
'So he steps in at the perfect moment...'
That's why he'd fed minimal info, and the conversation flowed as predicted.
"...I agree. President, China's pulled stunts like this plenty of times. They grab what they want, no matter how unethical the means. But they never take responsibility—that's China for you."
"...Hoo! I know! That's why it pisses me off more! Another incident, and we're stuck silent again!"
Kang Hyuk's lips quirked up.
Hiding it smoothly, he continued.
"That's why I think this: If they have a clear purpose bold enough for this, given the Chinese Association or Five Great Families' style, they'll strike again."
Lee Hyun-wook and Kang Cheol-woo leaned in.
"We prepare thoroughly, catch them red-handed, and hit them hard—no escape. That's my plan."
The president nodded.
"...Sounds like the best call for now."
His voice brimmed with affection as he murmured.
"You've done too much again, Team Leader Kang."
"Just doing my job, President."
"Don't downplay it. You always minimize your feats. I know it's a good attitude, but you deserve proper praise and rewards when it's due."
Kang Hyuk smiled faintly.
That's when Director Lee Hyun-wook chimed in slyly.
"So what should we do for him? Got anything in mind?"
The sharp nudge made President Kang Cheol-woo glare.
"I'd prepare even without you saying!"
"Really? Weren't you just racking your brain over it the other day?"
Kang Hyuk chuckled softly at the pair.
After a bow, he slipped out.
'Not bad. Gained quite a bit from this.'
Dragon God Xiao Ran had likely sent his underling to wrap it up quick.
With that plan foiled, Kang Hyuk held the risk while seizing opportunity.
'A chance to mobilize the president. Rare indeed.'
Demonic Power God, solidly in Korea's top 5 rankings.
Moving Kang Cheol-woo would burden even Xiao Ran.
'But the bigger gain... This might lure Xiao Ran out.'
Kang Hyuk's eyes flashed.
Play this right, and he'd edge closer to the revenge he craved.
'So I need to set the board perfectly. Force Dragon God Xiao Ran to leave China. Of course.'
Setting the board wasn't enough.
He had to prepare to snap that Evil Dragon's neck on it.
'He's B-rank now, but with S-rank talent 'Dragon Body Transformation.' Can't treat him as B-rank.'
The ability to transform into a dragon, king of familiars.
The myriad spells it unleashed defied B-rank limits.
'Like me, stuck at B due to records. Treat him as at least A-rank power.'
To take his head, Kang Hyuk needed to grow stronger here.
And just in time, the opportunity arose.
'Daemado. The B-rank gate that erupted there. If I snag the hidden legendary item...'
His lips curled up.
'...I can seal that [sorcery] he boasts about completely.'