Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: If You Can't Have It, Join It.
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Si-woo glanced out the window.
A massive crowd. And hidden among them, those who lurked.
Of course, he knew. He could pierce through their information with his Insight.
But hearing it from Baek Chang-gi's mouth carried a different weight.
"The American Hunter Bureau's FBN, China's State Security Department, the European Union... even the Russians have caught wind and sent their agents."
Why is that?
"Why? A man who can artificially create S-ranks. This isn't just a national strategic weapon—it's a nuclear bomb that could shatter the world's balance. You think the superpowers will just sit idly by?"
Yeah, probably.
Kidnapping, persuasion, threats. Or even assassination.
There were surely those who would destroy him if they couldn't have him.
"Even with Choi Min-seok guarding the outside and Kim Ye-eun the inside... if those bastards come at us for real, they could turn Miracle to dust. International law? That's made by the powerful. To them, you're someone they have to acquire, even if it means international condemnation."
Baek Chang-gi's eyes gleamed as if they could swallow Si-woo whole.
"So here's my proposal. Request personal protection under the White Tiger Guild's name. Don't trust those useless association bastards. We'll station our elite guild forces here."
His offer was a ploy to create an official connection with Miracle under the guise of protection.
If that happened, the White Tiger Guild's status would soar beyond comparison.
But Si-woo kept his smile and slowly typed a message on his tablet.
Thank you for your concern. But it's fine.
"Fine? You don't get how serious this is..."
I know. That they're targeting me. But I also know how they want to handle me. They'd prefer to win me over rather than kill me.
Si-woo was confident.
He hadn't given a firm answer, but if his ability to create S-ranks was real to them, winning him over would be their top priority.
"...Stubborn as ever. How about this then?"
Baek Chang-gi's eyes gleamed strangely.
Go ahead.
"Contract with me."
For a moment, Si-woo's train of thought froze.
He looked up at Baek Chang-gi's face in a daze, doubting his own ears.
Pardon?
"I'm saying recruit me, Baek Chang-gi, as a Miracle Management hunter."
Si-woo's eyes widened, a rare sight.
"Pahaha! Never thought I'd see that look on your face."
Are you serious?
"What, because I'm a guild master? So what? Is there a law saying guild masters can't contract with management agencies?"
But if you sign, the revenue split will naturally...
"Ah, just handle that however. In return, once I'm under Miracle, I can protect you legally under the pretext of guarding my own body. Call it even."
It was an unexpected proposal.
From no one other than Baek Chang-gi himself.
For him to offer to join personally.
Just as Si-woo, resolved, began typing a message...
Knock, knock.
The office door opened, and Oh Jin-seong entered.
His face was pale, and in his hand was an elegant envelope.
"B-Boss..."
"What is it? Can't you see we're in the middle of something important?"
Baek Chang-gi snapped irritably, but Oh Jin-seong, already terrified, pressed on.
"W-Well... An AHB branch agent delivered this letter personally and left. It was so urgent that..."
Oh Jin-seong trailed off and handed the envelope to Si-woo.
The envelope was jet-black, with a gold-embossed emblem of an eagle spreading its wings in the center.
And the faint mana waves emanating from that emblem were anything but ordinary.
"This is...?"
Baek Chang-gi's eyes widened.
He recognized the emblem instantly.
"The American... Hunter Bureau, AHB?"
The organization that managed and ranked American hunters—the world's preeminent power.
This was an official letter from them.
Si-woo calmly accepted the envelope.
...They're already moving.
He slit it open with a letter opener.
Inside was an invitation printed on the finest paper.
The World Hunter Conference (WHC).
A battleground of stars, attended only by hunter leaders and S-rank hunters from each nation.
Han Si-woo, CEO of a mere management agency, had been officially invited.
As a VIP, no less.
Baek Chang-gi let out a hollow laugh.
"Hah... The Americans beat us to the punch. Inviting you to the conference—they've escalated big time."
He shook his head at Si-woo.
"Now no one can touch you. It's as good as the U.S. declaring official oversight. The rats won't dare move."
As he said, this invitation was a preemptive strike, elevating Han Si-woo to the international stage to block shadowy operations.
...Still so arrogant.
Si-woo set the invitation on the table and picked up his tablet, looking at Baek Chang-gi.
As you can see, things are about to get busy.
Baek Chang-gi ran a hand through his hair, looking incredulous.
"You're really going all out. So? What'll you do? Going?"
No. I plan to decline.
"...What? For real?"
Yes. Accepting it would be as good as confirming I have the ability.
"....... Now you're picking a fight with America."
Letting out an exasperated chuckle, Baek Chang-gi stood.
"I'm out. Have the contract ready by next time."
Bam.
The door closed, and Baek Chang-gi was gone.
Oh Jin-seong bowed dazedly and left, leaving the office in silence once more.
America, the world...
Si-woo fiddled with the bandage on his neck.
A few days later, the Miracle Management CEO's office hung in a calm like the eve of a storm.
The only sounds cutting through the air were the scratch of a pen and the rustle of turning pages.
Thud.
"Ha! Never thought I'd be stamping a contract like this in my life."
Baek Chang-gi, sunk deep into the sofa, chuckled wryly as he tossed the documents onto the table.
His expression mixed disbelief with a strange excitement.
Si-woo silently picked up the papers and skimmed them.
Revenue Distribution Ratio
Party A: 5%
Party B: 95%
It shattered industry norms—not just breaking them, but tearing them apart.
A 9.5:0.5 revenue split.
Baek Chang-gi joined Miracle personally, but 95% of his astronomical earnings were guaranteed to him.
On the surface, it might seem like Miracle was just borrowing his name, an empty shell.
But the true value lay in the fine print at the bottom: the special clauses.
• Party B guarantees the personal safety of Miracle Management and its affiliated employees during the contract period.
• In the event of physical or administrative threats from external forces against Miracle Management, Party B will deploy all available resources to defend against them.
Si-woo nodded in satisfaction and quickly typed on his tablet.
Satisfied?
"Satisfied? You think I'd be happy giving up 5% of my hard-earned cash? That's enough to buy a few Gangnam buildings. My guildmates would foam at the mouth if they knew."
You proposed the 5% yourself, Mr. Baek.
"Ugh, no humanity. Can't you just take the win? I was trying to look generous."
Sorry.
"Eh, I've got more money than I know what to do with anyway."
He lit a thick cigar and grinned slyly.
Ambition burned fiercely through the haze of smoke.
"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Proverb. Korea's first S-rank legion is being born—can't have the picture complete without me at the top."
To Baek Chang-gi, the Miracle affiliation wasn't trivial.
A exclusive connection to Miracle Management, already teeming with S-ranks.
First dibs on contact with future powerhouses born or unearthed there.
And bonds with its current three S-rank hunters.
All this was a colossal ark to weather the turbulent era, incomparable to mere cash.
"What if my guildmates all wanted to move to Miracle?"
That’s...
"Ah, I know! No tampering, no discussions! Just hypothetical."
What I can say is... Miracle Management is looking to contract with even more hunters.
"Ahh, okay! That's enough."
Baek Chang-gi smiled in satisfaction.
"Now no one—not even the government or association—can touch Miracle. At least while I'm around."
Looking forward to working with you.
Si-woo stamped his seal on the contract.
Ding-
Contract Target: Baek Chang-gi
Growth Synchronization activated.
3% of target's acquired EXP shared.
Affiliated S-rank hunters exceed 4.
Management target's status elevated to national strategic force.
Massive EXP awarded accordingly.
A thrilling shiver raced up his spine.
Mana waves enveloped his body, awakening every cell.
S-rank soon.
Si-woo clenched his fist.
Just one level to S-rank.
That final wall shimmered before his eyes.
Then, the office door creaked open cautiously, and Team Leader Oh Jin-seong entered.
His face was flushed with excitement.
"Boss. Press release distribution is ready."
The tablet he held displayed the draft of today's official statement.
Miracle Management Signs Exclusive Contract with White Tiger Guild Master Baek Chang-gi
S-rank Hunters: 4 in Possession. Half of Korea's S-ranks Now Affiliated with Miracle.
Lee Ji-ah, Choi Min-seok, Kim Ye-eun. And now Baek Chang-gi.
Half of the nation's S-rank hunters were now under Miracle.
Si-woo smiled and typed on his tablet.
Distribute it.
"Yes, sir!"
Oh Jin-seong's finger trembled over the send button.
Press.
That single tap was the starting gun.
In just 10 minutes, Korea's entire network blazed white-hot.
[Breaking] Miracle Management Officially Announces Baek Chang-gi Recruitment!
[Shock] White Tiger Guild Master Baek Chang-gi: "I'm Now a Miracle Hunter." Dismisses Guild Merger Rumors, Signed Personally.
[Analysis] Miracle with 4 S-ranks Ascends to De Facto National Power Status.
[Blue House Emergency Meeting Convened... Hunter Association: "Baffled by Contract Without Prior Consultation."]
It was utter pandemonium.
Real-time search terms 1 through 10 were swallowed by Miracle, Baek Chang-gi, and Han Si-woo.
Stock charts went wild, and rival companies' boardrooms echoed with near-screams.
Miracle's headquarters swarmed with reporters, fans, and foreign agents.
Some begged for reawakening.
Others pleaded for contracts.
Still others demanded debuts.
But none dared enter the building.
At the main entrance, Choi Min-seok stood like a mythic giant, his massive tower shield slammed down.
On the rooftop railing, Kim Ye-eun sat with legs crossed like a queen, her cold gaze sweeping the ground.
Especially Choi Min-seok—he'd moved his wife's hospital room entirely into the building.
No ant would slip through; his feral killing intent as family man roiled fiercely.
His wife and daughter Ji-yu, who cared for her, were inside.
White Tiger Guild elites were deployed around the building, maintaining ironclad security.
Inside the CEO's office, Baek Chang-gi laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! The reaction's insane! This is fun!"
Baek Chang-gi giggled like a child, peering at the chaos outside.
"This should keep anyone from acting rashly. Too many eyes watching!"
As expected.
Si-woo replied briefly.
The pouring spotlight, the exploding attention.
All part of Si-woo's designed stage.
This uproar was his meticulously crafted defense mechanism to deter casual threats.
Then, the firmly shut office door opened again.
The earlier joy vanished; Oh Jin-seong staggered in, face ashen.
"B-Boss... We just got a call..."
He swallowed dryly, as if uttering a taboo.
"From the AHB... the American Hunter Bureau."