Chapter 17
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 017
Chapter Title: You Can't Stop a Tsunami with Your Hands (3)
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Jeong-woo's memories from the original history before his regression held true.
The whistleblower scandal dragged on sluggishly at first, but once Director Jin Ho-jong reviewed the evidence and gained conviction, he stepped forward, dramatically shifting the tide.
He mobilized every resource at his disposal to publicly expose the Patriot Party and the Hunter Management Bureau's involvement in the scandal.
In the process, he didn't hesitate to storm a press conference held by a sitting member of parliament and beat a confession out of him.
With things escalating to that level, the bureau's position wasn't just shaky—it was on the verge of collapse at any moment.
Do you think the Patriot Party would just sit idly by?
Their desperate last stand.
That's what it deserved to be called. They unleashed a horrific disaster.
[Breaking news. The shockwave that began in Gangneung has turned the entire Gangwon Province into a barren wasteland...]
They triggered shocks in gates across various regions.
The incident devastated nearly 30% of the nation's land—Gangwon Province in full, 60% of Gyeongbuk, 40% of Jeonnam, 15% of Busan, and more.
Just to divert attention from the issue?
No.
[In response to the controversy, the Hunter Management Bureau has announced it will enter emergency disaster mode...]
[Guild hunters are rising in protest! Director Jin Ho-jong is currently heading to the National Assembly...!]
[The hunter military is on the brink of formation! Right now...!]
The political hunters realized that feigned ignorance and denial no longer worked. That's when they hatched a plan to overthrow the nation.
Their inspiration came from the hunter military that had once torn the continent formerly known as China into 16 separate countries.
They aimed to establish a monarchical system that rejected the existing government, backed by the overwhelming power of superhumans.
In the face of a national disaster, everyone must unite, no matter how urgent.
The nation as a whole countered their exploitation of that very fact.
The outcome was, predictably, the defeat of the political hunters.
There was one simple reason.
Unlike the emergence of those 16 continental nations, Korea's S-Rank hunters had more to gain from the existing system.
That single difference relegated political hunters to the dustbin of history.
Though it came at great cost in lives, the public harbored hope and recovered quickly, having thwarted the conspiracy of corrupt superhumans bent on devouring the country.
That history no longer existed.
Which was why Jeong-woo had anticipated something like this would happen again.
However, pinpointing the exact timing and locations of the shocks was tricky, leaving him on high alert.
And then, unexpected aid arrived.
—The elders are planning a terrorist attack. I'll provide the related intel, so in return, erase any evidence linking me to this mess.
Kim Sin-uk, the Nowon-gu Hunter Management Bureau Director whom he'd met on the day of his awakening, had reached out.
It was a trade: intel on the enemy's plans for his own self-preservation.
At first, Jeong-woo wondered why him, of all people.
This was a district bureau director, after all.
And unlike Jeong-woo, who knew the future, betrayal carried enormous risks for him.
Sin-uk had answered that doubt.
—Think of me as someone skilled at reading the currents.
—That's not much of an answer.
—But it's a tempting offer. And beneficial in the long run.
—Long run?
—Hunter Shin Jeong-woo, I doubt you're naive enough to believe all your idols are spotless.
—...
—Someone has to shield those idols from the mud, taking the filth upon themselves from below.
He spoke plainly of pragmatism.
—I'll take that role. Once the political hunters are gone, I'll be the last one who knows how to wield their dirtiest weapons. A very sharp dagger. Good business, no?
—I get honor, and you get power and security.
—I knew you'd understand.
It was a highly rational proposal.
In truth, positions like his had a way of forcing anyone who sat in them to shoulder the dirty work.
Jeong-woo never assumed he'd be exempt.
He'd always steeled himself for it and was prepared to endure.
Now, someone offered to bear it instead.
It was so sweet it aroused suspicion.
He'd discussed it with Ho-jong, and they'd reached a conclusion.
—Use him.
—You sure?
—Makes sense. And guys with clear goals like him make surprisingly obedient partners if you don't cross lines. Not every relationship is built on goodwill. You know that, Jeong-woo.
The deal was sealed.
From that day, Jeong-woo disseminated gate shock intel to prominent guilds unlinked to the bureau.
They accepted eagerly, leveraging their independent networks to prepare a counterstrike together.
And so, today.
With shocks erupting simultaneously nationwide.
They achieved the feat of neutralizing them all upon emergence.
"Shockwave subjugation complete. We'll clean up the site."
Reporting via radio, Jeong-woo let out a long breath as he surveyed the scene.
They'd intervened before casualties mounted, but property damage was inevitable.
A few half-collapsed buildings, upheaved and cracked earth.
And atop it all, countless magic stones scattered in disarray.
The sea otter sneaked magic stones into its pouch, only for the teddy bear to flick its forehead.
Offended, they soon play-fought with soft punches!
Onlookers snapped photos furiously.
Jeong-woo chuckled dryly.
'What are these guys even doing?'
Summoning them together for the first time had led to this unexpected dynamic.
Apparently, even summons had relationships.
'Anyway, situation's wrapped. Others seem handled too. Time for cleanup.'
He turned.
At that moment, reporters pushed through the crowd toward him.
"Hunter Shin Jeong-woo! How did you get here so fast?!"
"If you know anything about the shockwaves nationwide, please tell us!"
"Is the Patriot Party behind this!?"
The enemy's final blow.
The counterpunch they'd prepared for.
Now, just twist the knife in their comatose neck.
This marked the first step.
"Following the issue's outbreak, the Anomalous Disaster Response Agency has been steadily tracking the movements of the Patriot Party, Hunter Management Bureau, and Victory Blood Guild at the center of these corruption scandals. Midway, we received intelligence on the terrorist plot and urgently mobilized guild hunters to respond."
Jeong-woo hardened his expression.
"The safety of citizens, national security—these are paramount to hunters. Our senior hunters in society have labored tirelessly since the Millennium Shock to uphold these values."
He built emotional momentum.
Thus clearly delineating good from evil.
"Trampling those efforts underfoot, defiling society's values—that is the gravest sin. As of now, the Agency declares a state of emergency disaster and vows unrelenting pursuit until every corrupt element is eradicated. Thank you."
Flashflashflash—!
A barrage of camera flashes erupted.
Our Nuri Daycare, attended by Segi—Jeong-woo's daughter and the new nation's child—was in utter pandemonium.
TV had just aired Jeong-woo resolving the shockwave and giving his interview.
Why broadcast that at daycare? Simple.
The teachers needed updates on the national disaster too.
When Jeong-woo appeared—his battles cartoonishly kid-friendly—they figured it was fine and tuned in together.
Leading to this.
Teddy bear shoots swords? Lasers!
Sea otter slots a magic stone into its shell? Skillset swaps, unleashing flashy techniques!
Universal kid appeal—boys and girls cheered wildly.
One spot drew special focus.
"Whoa! Your dad's badass!"
"So cool!"
"Jealous! My dad's fat!"
Segi watched Jeong-woo finish his interview on TV.
Her bright eyes sparkled, cheeks flushed pink—a picture of uncontainable excitement like any other kid.
Daddy on TV, fighting bad dinosaur villains with teddy and otter.
And promising to catch them all.
That was the simple cause-and-effect Segi grasped.
But it was so cool.
Even TV calling Daddy amazing made her puff up with pride.
She couldn't help giggling like a goof.
"My daddy's super cool, right? Amazing!"
In kids' world, awesome dad means you're awesome.
Endless "My dad's this~!" brag wars proved it.
Top dog among them.
Imagine the thrill of having the best, strongest dad.
Segi buzzed to boast all her daycare tales to Jeong-woo at home.
So excited she stomped her feet already.
That's when it happened.
"Uncle thinks my daddy's amazing too, right? Right~?"
Segi turned her arrow.
There sat Director Ho-jong, hunched over watching TV.
Segi: Jeong-woo's sole family, heart of the crisis.
Daughter of a born S-Rank hunter—Ho-jong personally guarded her.
"Yeah, your dad's incredible. Way more than Uncle."
"Right! Daddy's the best!"
"Oof, so firm—Uncle's hurt."
Segi just beamed, undeterred.
Teachers fawned over Ho-jong's status, but to her and the kids, he was just a kindly uncle.
Kids mobbed him with chatter.
"Uncle, you really friends with Hunter Shin Jeong-woo?"
"Uncle strong? Beat teddy in a fight?"
"Fought the sea otter?"
"Kids, I'd die fighting those."
"Eww! Uncle's weak!"
"Kids! Don't say that! Sorry, Director...!"
"It's fine. Kids get hyped and curse a bit. Adults argue T-Rex vs. mammoth too."
"T-Rex stronger!"
"Mammoth!"
"No way no way!?!?"
"No no no no!?!?!?"
Chaos without end.
Segi slipped away, pressing her forehead to the screen.
Hanging on every word, giggling in focus.
Always smiling, always there for her.
Used to be busy, now home every day.
Like any kid, pride and security in that protector warmed her, cheeks burning brighter.
Ho-jong handed off hyped kids to teachers, pulled Segi back from TV.
"Bad for your eyes. Watch from here."
Distracted, she replied.
"Everyone likes Daddy, right?"
"Yeah, Uncle does too."
"Uncle likes Daddy!?"
"Of course."
Ho-jong added softly.
"He resembles someone I admire."
Segi tilted her head.
"Who?"
Ho-jong's gaze shifted to her, then TV Jeong-woo.
Words flowed like verse.
"Someone who knows attachment. Who lives ideals."
Too deep for Segi.
She just grasped Daddy was loved by many—pure joy.
Her happy moment.
With Segi basking in delight.
Inevitable followed.
Ding!
["My daddy's the coolest!"] You've become a father your child is proud of! Her shoulders are puffed up to her ears! [Great Parent (1/10)] *Collect stickers to unlock skills!*
["My daddy has friends too!"] Daddy having friends too! A shocking revelation for kids! [Great Parent (2/10)] *Collect stickers to unlock skills!*
Far away in Daejeon, an interface popped up in Jeong-woo's vision as quest stacks piled up.
'Segi must be watching TV.'
A lump rose in his throat. He muttered inwardly.
No friends? True.
But still.
"...Is this thing mocking me?"
Why did its quests always tack on unnecessary jabs?
Jeong-woo's eyes narrowed petulantly.
The gate shock terrorism reached a lull.
Less than two hours from outbreak—thanks to cooperation between Jeong-woo, the Agency, and corporate hunters.
That afternoon, post-incident and interview.
One's crisis is another's opportunity.
Someone crushed meant someone else rose atop them.
Holy shit... Hit with a lethal dose of national pride lololol
Now I get how strong Korea's hunters really are... Felt so secure watching the news...
Public opinion exploded.
Centered on the Agency and Jeong-woo.