Chapter 12 - The Chairman's Design
The Chairman's Design
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 12: The Chairman's Design
Three weeks have passed since my Hunter license rank was readjusted. At first, I repeated my usual routine of resting for three days and then going to a Gate.
‘But because actual surveillance was attached, I haven't even dared to think about C-Rank Gates.’
Two weeks ago, feeling something off, I rented a Detection skill and checked the interior of my house. As a result, mana reactions were picked up here and there inside the house, so I’ve been acting even at home.
‘The Chairman told me to wait because the time hasn't come yet.’
That was what I heard when I went to use the Status Effect Removal skill a while ago. Saying that the time hadn't come yet meant, in other words, that someone dangerous hadn't made a move yet.
-[Exclusive] Large Guild Proposes ‘Unfair Contract’ Upon Request for Help -[Breaking News] Guilds Deny Unfair Contract Controversy: “Groundless... Does Not Apply to Us” -[Controversy Over ‘Unfair Contract’ Grows Despite Repeated Clarifications] -[Unfair Contract Controversy Spreads... Signs of Backlash in Hunter Industry]
‘The fact that the Chairman made a move means the organization he was wary of has made a move.’
I opened my status window, confirmed that Troll's Regeneration and Blink were properly acquired, and looked at the top of the status window.
... Origin Power: 1215/1215 ...
Checking that my Origin Power had recovered to the maximum, I immediately took out the business card I received previously and made a call.
=Yes. This is [Name/Role]. “Hello. Uh... I’m Han Seo-jun, whom you met at the safety training recently.” =Uh... Wait a moment. Mr. Han Seo-jun? “Yes. Han Seo-jun of the Daemyung Guild.”
The person on the other end seemed quite flustered, likely because someone they were sure wouldn't contact them for a while had called. Once a contract is signed, one is usually tied to the guild for at least 2 years.
=...Is something wrong? “Uh... The article posted today. Did you see it?” =Article...? No, don't tell me?!
I heard a surprised voice, and then the call suddenly cut off. I momentarily thought the plan had gone awry, but fortunately, a call came back immediately.
=I apologize. I used a security app and called again. “Ah... I thought you were abandoning me, glad that's not the case.” =Regarding this matter, that will absolutely never happen. Anyway, where are you right now? “Excuse me, first let me explain...” =Mr. Han Seo-jun. What is important right now is protecting you.
While that is certainly true, the Purifiers currently think that the Daemyung Guild only offered me an unfair contract and are trying to move based on that.
“The reason I asked the guild for help!” =Ah. Come to think of it...? “That is more important.” =...Understood. Please tell me. “For some time now, I have been under surveillance by someone.” =No, then protecting you comes first, doesn't it?! Tell me your location first!
Since things were finally starting to flow according to plan, I suppressed the urge to laugh and told him my current location. A few hours later, I was able to enter a safe house prepared by the Purifiers.
“Now, please tell me the detailed situation.” “Understood. So...”
I told him about the ‘reason I noticed the surveillance,’ which I had prepared in advance. The core of it was that I used the Detection skill at home, but...
“So, you called out the people who power-tripped you?” “Yes. And I promised to act as if that incident never happened in return.” “...You’re a kind person. If it were me, I would have contacted the Purifiers and asked them to boycott those people all together.” “Th-that’s a bit...”
Actually, among the Hunters who had power-tripped me, there was one who possessed a Detection skill. So I contacted him separately and asked him to use his Detection skill from outside the building I live in.
“Anyway, it's not strange for mana reactions to be picked up in a building... but if unusually high mana reactions were picked up only on the floor where Mr. Seo-jun's room is... that’s undeniable proof.” “...Yes.” “So, what do you want us to do?” “Simply put, I would like you to stop them from monitoring me anymore.”
He made a sullen expression and asked if that was really enough. It meant that if I wanted, they wouldn't leave the Daemyung Guild alone either.
“...I don't know how word got out, but I heard it was an unavoidable choice for the Daemyung Guild as well.” “An unavoidable choice?” “Yes. I didn't hear the details, but they said the Daemyung Guild also has to endure massive damage.” “...Daemyung Guild has to endure massive damage?”
He seemed to ponder with a serious expression, then took out his smartphone with a look of disbelief.
“Could you wait here for a moment?” “...Yes.”
As soon as he left the room, I used Skill Rental to rent a B-Rank Eavesdropping skill and used it.
=Uh. It’s me, by any chance, has an order come down to monitor someone named Han Seo-jun? =...Wait... let me check... many... do? =Yeah. It’s urgent. =...Found it. =Then, check where the order came from and text it to me.
Perhaps because the skill level was low, I couldn't hear the voice of the person on the other end. However, it seems there are people from the Purifiers inside the Hunter Association as well.
‘The Association can’t be unaware of this, so do they leave them be because they don’t want to antagonize the Purifiers?’
While I was thinking that, I heard the sound of a text arriving, followed by a muttered “Damn it.”
“Mr. Han Seo-jun.” “Ah, yes.” “...You got entangled badly, but it’s fortunate.” “I, got entangled badly?!” “Yes. You got very, very badly entangled.” “B-but you say it’s fortunate?”
He smiled bitterly, nodded, sat next to me, and patted my shoulder.
“Come to think of it, I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?” “Ah, no...” “As you might know since you have my business card, names are not listed on our Alliance’s business cards.” “...Yes.” “I am Cha Ji-hoon. I’m a current A-Rank Hunter and possess an A-Rank Status Effect Removal skill.”
He said that, then continued with a somewhat proud expression.
“I don't know if you’re aware, but there are fewer than 5 people in the entire world with an A-Rank Status Effect Removal skill.” “...I didn't know that.” “Yes. I suppose so. Since it's information not generally known. And, there is only exactly 1 Hunter in the US who possesses a Status Effect Removal skill with a higher rank than mine.”
I felt the conversation was drifting elsewhere, but I had no choice but to accept his subsequent words.
“But Mr. Han Seo-jun, even with a B-Rank Status Effect Removal skill... you can extract higher efficiency than A-Rank, right?” “Ah, yes.” “I don't know the exact details, but it seems to be roughly half the effectiveness of an S-Rank Status Effect Removal skill. Is that correct?” “Well... I don't know very well either, but the Chairman of Daemyung Group did say something like that.” “Phew... as expected.”
Cha Ji-hoon sighed, scratched his head, and began to explain the reason I came under surveillance.
“The person who initially issued the surveillance order was the Hunter Association... specifically, a Department Head-level figure in the Korean Hunter Association. Back then, it was simply because Mr. Han Seo-jun closed a D-Rank Field-type Gate solo.” “Why is that a problem?” “Uh... well...”
I already knew the reason, but when I answered as if I didn't know at all, he looked quite flustered. He stuttered for a moment, then laid out the reason I had heard from the Daemyung Group Chairman before.
“That... since you were called ‘Glass Cannon,’ the Association seems to have suspected that you used illegal drugs.” “Ah... that’s not it though. I can prove it anytime...” “Yes. You just need to go to the Association with me and prove that, but the problem was what came after.”
It was because I am a person capable of showing effects reaching half of S-Rank even with a B-Rank skill. In reality, such effects appear because I rent and use A-Rank skills, but that is a fact only I know.
“Mr. Han Seo-jun. A few days ago... you met the Chairman of Daemyung Group, right?” “Yes. That’s correct. I went to use the Status Effect Removal skill then.” “That’s when they noticed.”
The Chairman of Daemyung Group is someone who can pay a reasonable amount to the Purifiers and ask them to use a Status Effect Removal skill. Yet, even though there is an A-Rank Status Effect Removal skill holder named Cha Ji-hoon in the Purifiers, the Daemyung Group Chairman called me.
‘So, even calling me this time was part of the Chairman’s design?’
I almost laughed out of absurdity, but I managed to continue acting as if I was focusing on Cha Ji-hoon's words.
“So the report went up to a Director of the Korean Hunter Association... and that Director... is a person with quite a few problems.” “What kind of problems?” “...If I tell you that, Mr. Han Seo-jun will be in trouble.” “Ah. Then I won’t listen.”
Cha Ji-hoon smiled wryly, nodded, and said that after a while, he would personally contact that person and mediate.
“Is it something that requires... mediation?” “If I don't, that person will try to kidnap and confine Mr. Han Seo-jun.” “....” “Yes. You must be surprised. But... you must remember that he is a person more dangerous than that.”
Since he blatantly told me not to try to know anymore, I nodded, acting very nervous.
“First off. I tell you clearly, he is not someone who will antagonize our Purifiers.” “...Is, is that so?” “Yes. So if you just prove this time that you didn't use illegal drugs, the Association won't monitor you anymore, and you won't have to worry about being kidnapped.”
Having said that, Cha Ji-hoon seemed thirsty; he drank water before continuing.
“However, Mr. Han Seo-jun must also take a small loss.” “A loss, you say...?” “You must use the Status Effect Removal skill for Director Jo Tae-hoon of the Association at a low price every month.” “...What if I refuse?” “He... will use methods that do not antagonize our Purifiers to socially bury Mr. Han Seo-jun.”
At that point, even if the Purifiers stepped in, they couldn't do anything for me other than help me flee overseas.
“What will you do?”