Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Think Carefully Before You Speak
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Think carefully before you speak.
After Lee Chae-i's broadcast wrapped up successfully, SNS platforms were flooded with all sorts of wild speculation for several days.
Some were buzzing that even other S-rank hunters were signing contracts with Miracle Management.
Others were excitedly chattering that Kim Juhyung—the guy who'd made a huge fuss about wanting to become an actor—had received a love call from Miracle.
Among all those rumors, the one that spread the most wildly was about Kim Juhyung.
He was an A-rank hunter with a massive fanbase, the kind that could confidently claim to be the top among male hunters.
A few days later, as if to squash those rumors once and for all, the lobby on the first floor of Miracle Management's headquarters was abuzz with murmurs.
"Isn't that guy...?"
"No way! That's Kim Juhyung!"
"So the rumors were true?"
"Hey, take a picture! Quick, this is huge!"
The eyes of employees and visitors alike locked onto one spot.
The man who entered through the automatic doors wore a relaxed smile, clearly basking in the attention.
A flashy red coat and gear embedded with mana stones. Even without seeing his face, his outfit screamed, "I'm a top-tier hunter."
Kim Juhyung waved with his signature smile.
Some squealed and waved back, while others scrambled to snap photos.
It was as if to prove that, in terms of public recognition, he outshone even celebrities.
He lowered his sunglasses slightly and approached the reception desk.
Team Leader Oh Jinseong, who had just returned from a field assignment, spotted him and hurried over with a flustered look.
"Aren't you Hunter Kim Juhyung?"
"Ah, hello."
Kim Juhyung nodded in satisfaction.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"I'd like to see CEO Han Siwoo. He's in, right?"
His tone made it sound like a given.
"Well, the CEO requires appointments in advance, so..."
Oh Jinseong politely expressed his reluctance, but Kim Juhyung just smirked slyly.
"Come on, don't be so rigid. There are eyes everywhere."
He flicked his finger on the desk.
"So... Team Leader Oh Jinseong? Someone of your position could at least make a call for me, couldn't you?"
Arrogance dripped from his attitude.
As if showing up in person entitled him to whatever he wanted.
"And I've come all this way—surely you're not going to turn me away at the door?"
"...This is awkward, but please wait a moment. I'll check."
"Oh, perfect!"
Kim Juhyung clapped his hands like he'd heard great news.
"Yes, of course."
Ever the professional, Oh Jinseong bowed politely and headed to the elevator.
As he pressed the button for the third floor, he thought to himself.
'...He acts like he's the boss around here.'
Oh Jinseong didn't like Kim Juhyung's attitude one bit.
He suppressed his emotions and watched the elevator numbers change.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A short while later, he arrived on the third floor and headed straight to the CEO's office.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
"CEO, Kim Juhyung is in the lobby demanding to see you."
Oh Jinseong's face was full of displeasure.
But Siwoo showed no change in expression upon hearing it.
He even nodded.
"Yes, I know."
"...What should we do, sir?"
"...Well, he showed up uninvited and caused a scene when we didn't even want him to."
"I'll refuse him politely."
As Oh Jinseong bowed and turned to leave the office...
"No. Let's at least hear what he has to say."
"...Understood."
With that, Oh Jinseong headed straight back down to the first floor.
As soon as he arrived, Kim Juhyung spotted him and raised a hand cheerfully.
"...You're cleared to go up. Third floor, CEO's office."
"See? Told you it would work."
Kim Juhyung patted Oh Jinseong's shoulder with a smug 'knew it' look and sauntered to the elevator.
'Miracle Management.'
Kim Juhyung ran a hand through his hair, checking himself in the elevator mirror.
The hottest name in the hunter industry lately was Miracle Management.
With Lee Chae-i's broadcast debut kicking off so successfully, their MCN was turning into a golden goose.
'Add broadcasting to my fame, and nothing could top it.'
He saw himself as the indispensable puzzle piece Miracle needed.
Sure, they had S-rank hunters, but those guys were too arrogant and exclusive.
If someone as approachable and popular with the masses as him showed interest in joining, Miracle had no reason to refuse.
No—they should be begging him to come. But to jump on board ASAP, he'd come in person.
Ding.
Arriving on the third floor, he strode confidently down the hall and knocked on the CEO's door.
"Come in."
The moment he opened the door, Kim Juhyung plopped onto the sofa, crossing his legs.
He looked at Siwoo and said,
"Nice to meet you, CEO Han. I'm Kim Juhyung."
His demeanor was like he owned the place.
But.
"......"
Siwoo, seated at his desk handling work, didn't lift his eyes from the documents.
He kept scribbling with his pen, prioritizing business as usual.
Perfectly tailored suit, impeccable posture.
An untouchable aura surrounded him.
A moment of silence passed, and feeling ignored like he was invisible, Kim Juhyung cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. Looks like I dropped by when you're busy."
Only then did Siwoo look up at him.
"You showed up without an appointment, so I figured you'd understand this much."
No welcome—just a cold, indifferent gaze.
Kim Juhyung's brow furrowed slightly, but he forced his relaxed smile.
'Well, I did show up out of the blue.'
A moment later, Siwoo set down his pen and looked at him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I heard you have business."
Only then did Kim Juhyung launch into his pitch with full confidence.
"Straight to the point. For Miracle MCN to succeed, I believe someone like me is essential. I'm sure you agree, CEO. That's why I'm here to say I want to join Miracle."
"...So you're expressing interest."
"Yes. My fandom alone has 530,000 members. SNS followers are triple that. Once word gets out I'm joining, Miracle's status skyrockets. Win-win, right?"
Kim Juhyung boasted proudly.
He figured any sane person would come running with a contract at this offer.
He'd thought Miracle not contacting him first was their mistake anyway.
They should've debuted him before that girl Lee Chae-i.
"And?"
But Siwoo just spun his pen with a bored expression.
"...Pardon?"
"Is that all?"
Caught off guard by Siwoo's reaction, Kim Juhyung faltered.
"Don't you know who I am? No way. No active hunter has my level of public fame. When you planned this MCN, didn't you have a star like me in mind?"
His voice rose in agitation.
He'd graced them with his presence—how dare they react like this?
Siwoo set his pen down on the desk and said,
"You're mistaken, Hunter Kim Juhyung."
"Pardon? Mistaken about what?"
"We... no, I didn't particularly think of you, and I don't particularly need you."
"...What? Are you joking? Who else has my value? No affiliation, and this reach..."
Siwoo cut him off firmly.
"Well, honestly, I think debuting our company's Lee Jia on broadcast would create far more impact than you."
"What? Lee Jia?"
Kim Juhyung felt speechless.
But refusing to accept it, he pressed on loudly.
"Still, I'm already proven...!"
"Lee Jia is S-rank."
"......"
"Looks, skill, buzz. She outshines you in every way. Fandom? One announcement of an S-rank hunter starting broadcasts, and yours becomes a joke."
"......"
Kim Juhyung couldn't retort.
Everything else paled before the absolute hierarchy of S-rank.
Plus, he vaguely remembered Lee Jia being quite the beauty from her photos.
Han Siwoo's words left no room for argument.
Unable to contain his frustration, Kim Juhyung's face flushed red and purple.
"...This market doesn't allow monopolies. Other managements will get MCN licenses eventually. You'll regret passing on me."
Siwoo smirked at that.
"Will we now?"
"What?"
"Will the Association grant licenses to other companies besides Miracle? Maybe if they snag three S-ranks. But that'd be much, much later."
"......"
"By then, we'll have monopolized the awakener broadcast world. You know the massive edge platform dominance gives."
Siwoo leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
His eyes were those of a cold, calculating businessman.
"Now, rethink the situation. Who's really desperate here? Us? Or you, eager to hop on before it's too late?"
"......"
Kim Juhyung bit his lip.
Overwhelmed, cold sweat trickled down his back.
His words held no flaws.
Miracle was the one and only MCN right now.
The Association approved them because of their overwhelming trio of S-ranks.
No other management could match that anytime soon.
Miss this chance, and he'd be forever playing catch-up.
"Then... what do I have to do for you to take me?"
Seeing Kim Juhyung humbled, Siwoo replied,
"What you need to say right now isn't 'I'm worth recruiting.'"
He tapped the desk with his finger.
"You need to show me how useful you'd be to Miracle—what kind of content you could monetize."
"......"
"Did you think someone like you is an obvious grab? Far from it. We have three S-ranks, and a line of hunters dying to broadcast. Plenty of A-ranks who've been overshadowed by you, parched for a shot."
Gulp.
Kim Juhyung swallowed dryly.
Only then did it dawn on him.
How arrogant he'd been.
How foolish.
"I... I..."
"Kim Juhyung."
"...Y-yes?!"
"Everything you say from now on decides if there's a next meeting. Think carefully before you speak."
Kim Juhyung stared at the man before him.
Now he noticed—handsome enough to rival his own looks.
And those cold eyes fixed on him.
With trembling lips, he opened his mouth.
"I..."
Siwoo began listening intently as Kim Juhyung continued, deflated.
His gaze remained indifferent, but a faint smile played at his lips.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ At the same time, an old freezer warehouse at a deserted dock in Busan was in chaos from an unexpected rampage.
KABOOM!
A massive explosion echoed as the thick steel door crumpled like paper and flew off.
"Wh-what the?!"
The guards stationed behind the door tumbled away screaming.
From the thick cloud of dust, a muscular silhouette emerged.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
With earth-shaking footsteps, Choi Minseok stepped out, holding a steel beam in one hand.
The red murderous intent pouring from his entire body seemed ready to shred everything in the space.
His eyes blazed with fury like a demon king's.
Steel-hard muscles bulged beneath his torn clothes, veins popping in his bloodshot eyes filled with killing intent.
"Call them! Now!"
One guard shouted, fumbling for his radio to make contact.
But.
Whoosh—thud!
In an instant, Choi Minseok lunged forward and snatched the radio.
It crumpled like a toy in his grip.
"...I know they're all here."
He growled with savage, blazing eyes.
"Hand over my wife."