Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Refusal and the Director's Visit
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American Hunter Bureau.
"The Americans? What did they say?"
"Th-that..."
Oh Jin-seong swallowed dryly as he looked at Si-woo.
[It's fine. Go ahead and speak.]
"They're urging a response to the WHC invitation we sent last time. If... if we don't attend, they'll consider it an uncooperative stance toward the United States..."
In other words, it was a threat disguised as an invitation.
A roundabout way of saying they'd impose sanctions if he didn't go.
"Hah, these bastards are really going all out."
Baek Chang-gi ground his teeth, trembling with rage.
"Boss Han. What do you want to do? Should I go over there and cause a scene?"
[We'll issue an official statement.]
Si-woo busily moved his hands, typing out a lengthy message.
A moment later, he showed the screen to Oh Jin-seong.
Oh Jin-seong read through it, then paused, doubting his own eyes.
"Y-you're really going to release this... as is?"
[Yes. Do it just like that.]
"B-but..."
Taking advantage of his hesitation, Baek Chang-gi snatched the tablet and checked the contents.
His face went blank for a moment, then he burst out laughing.
"...You're insane. Completely off your rocker. Ha ha ha!"
Baek Chang-gi doubled over, clutching his stomach in laughter.
It took one madman to recognize another.
His eyes gleamed more with exhilaration than shock.
"Alright. Let's do this."
"G-Guild Master?"
"This is gonna be fun."
In the end, Oh Jin-seong nodded, unable to resist Baek Chang-gi's encouragement.
With trembling hands, he took the tablet and left.
Ten minutes later, the statement was released via Miracle Management's official homepage and SNS.
[Title: Miracle Management's Official Position on the World Hunter Conference Invitation]
Hello.
This is Han Si-woo, CEO of Miracle Management.
First, I extend my deepest gratitude for the courteous invitation from the American Hunter Bureau.
Being invited as a VIP to a gathering of the world's top hunters is a great honor for me and my company.
However, I must politely decline this invitation.
Currently, Miracle Management is devoting all our efforts to the stability of our affiliated S-rank hunters and refining our internal systems.
In particular, following recent events, psychological care for our hunters is more crucial than ever.
As CEO and manager, I cannot leave my family behind to travel far away.
For me, the well-being of a single hunter by my side outweighs grand ideals like world peace.
I understand the concerns and interest from the American side.
Miracle's hunters will grow the safest and strongest within the Republic of Korea and under Miracle's protection.
If cooperation with Miracle is needed, please visit us directly at any time.
We are always open.
Thank you.
Han Si-woo, CEO of Miracle Management
Once the statement was released, the hunter community buzzed with varied reactions, most centering on how Han Si-woo had provoked America instead.
Public opinion slightly favored those who found it refreshing, but concerns about recklessness were plentiful.
One thing was certain: the name Han Si-woo was now etched in minds worldwide as a man who wouldn't bow to America.
A few days later, above the Miracle Management headquarters.
Thud thud thud thud—!
The harsh roar of propellers tore through Gangnam's sky.
A helicopter descended toward the rooftop of the Miracle building from the air.
"We've arrived!"
"Hah, they actually came all the way here."
A middle-aged man in the helicopter's back seat let out a hollow chuckle.
His hair was streaked with white, but the glint in his eyes behind the sunglasses was anything but ordinary.
James Miller.
A retired S-rank hunter and current Director of the AHB.
And he had come to Korea in person.
For one reason alone.
'Han Si-woo.'
He licked his lips while gazing down at the Miracle building.
"The results are too unreal to chalk up to mere luck."
Lee Ji-ah, Choi Min-seok, Kim Ye-eun.
All had been reborn as S-ranks through reawakening or potential bloom.
Lee Ji-ah had even succeeded in both.
Their common thread? They had all passed through Han Si-woo's hands.
U.S. intelligence had reached a conclusion.
This was no coincidence. Han Si-woo himself was the undeniable trigger.
"We must recruit him at all costs. If he truly has the power to create S-ranks..."
Miller's eyes flashed.
"He's a strategic asset America must secure."
If the ability was real, he was no talent to rot in a small country like Korea.
By any means—persuasion, threats, abduction—he had to be brought to America.
That was priority one.
"I'm going down."
Before the helicopter even landed, Miller leaped from 10 meters up.
Bam—!
The rooftop shook as he landed.
He straightened his clothes and opened the rooftop door.
His agents moved to follow, but he raised a hand to stop them.
"Wait here."
"Director! It's dangerous."
"It's fine. I'm here to talk anyway."
Miller smiled confidently.
He had solid grounds for his arrogance.
The title of AHB Director was American power incarnate.
No mere private company would snub a high-ranking official from the world's superpower.
If anything, Miller believed his personal visit to this shabby place was already an excessive honor for them.
He strode down the stairs without hesitation and stood before the CEO's office on the third floor.
'Alright, let's see what kind of guy you are.'
The CEO's office was quiet.
Only the afternoon sunlight pouring through the window filled the space.
A man sat with his back to the light, a bandage around his neck, reviewing documents.
Si-woo didn't even twitch at the intruder's entrance.
As if an invisible man had entered, his gaze stayed fixed on the pen scratching across the papers.
'Look at this guy.'
Miller furrowed his brow.
From the moment he opened the door, he had been subtly exuding his characteristic pressure.
Yet the man didn't so much as blink.
He walked in with heavy steps and plopped down on the sofa.
Then he stared straight at Si-woo.
"CEO Han Si-woo. Nice to meet you. I'm James Miller, Director of the AHB."
Only then did Si-woo raise his head to meet his gaze.
His eyes were eerily serene.
Without a word, Si-woo picked up the tablet on the desk and typed a message.
[I guess America doesn't teach knocking before entering someone else's company.]
"Haha! I skipped the formalities since I'm such a busy man. Bear with me."
Miller grinned slyly, scanning Si-woo from head to toe like he was appraising him.
'He's hiding his power.'
No matter how he probed, he sensed only faint mana from Si-woo.
'No way that's all. He must have some special ability.'
He was certain.
The power to reawaken an F-rank into an S-rank.
Anyone with that would be an irregular awakener.
"To business."
Miller leaned forward.
"I won't ask how you did it or how it's possible. When coincidences stack three times, it's no coincidence—it's intent."
[Thank you for the high praise, but I was just lucky. The hunters had exceptional potential.]
"Luck? Fine, I'll concede that. Then I'd like to buy that eye for talent you have."
He pulled an envelope from his pocket and tossed it onto the table.
"U.S. citizenship, special advisor position at the AHB, and support for establishing a Miracle Management U.S. branch. Plus a salary of 500 million dollars."
He smirked faintly.
"What do you say? Come to America. We'll back everything you want."
Miller was convinced of victory.
Money, power, future.
No fool would turn down an offer guaranteeing it all.
But.
[Sorry, but I must decline.]
Miller's eyebrow twitched.
"Decline? Did you even read the terms? 500 million dollars. Power? Fame? What do you want? Name it. I'll make it happen."
[What I want is for you to leave.]
"......"
Miller's face hardened.
He took Si-woo's words as outright insult.
Treating the AHB Director like an unwelcome guest.
"CEO Han. Do you know that proposals can sometimes double as warnings?"
A chilling killing intent laced Miller's voice, but Si-woo calmly lifted his teacup to wet his lips.
[Is that a threat?]
"Call it advice."
Miller stood, looking down at Si-woo.
"I don't know what power you have, but do you think you can defy America and walk away unscathed? If we wanted..."
[Have a safe trip back.]
Si-woo set down the tablet and gestured dismissively.
Bam—!
Miller's patience snapped; he slammed his fist on the table.
"Hey! Know your place!"
He raised his voice.
Fierce light blazed from his eyes.
"Forgot who I am? I'm James Miller! AHB Director! How dare you...!"
It was right then.
Crash—!!
The floor-to-ceiling window of the CEO's office shattered with a deafening roar, glass shards exploding outward like fireworks.
"...?!"
Before Miller could even turn in shock,
a cold chill grazed his nape.
"Wh-who...!"
Miller instinctively surged his mana for defense.
But before his eyes could follow,
the cold touch of metal was already pressed against his throat.
"Move, and I'll kill you."
A whisper in his ear, chilling and laced with madness.
Miller's pupils shook violently, like an earthquake.
His trembling eyes slowly shifted sideways.
There stood a woman with disheveled jet-black hair, bloodshot eyes glaring at him.
Black ghostly aura poured from Kim Ye-eun's body, coiling around Miller like a serpent squeezing its prey.
A shiver ran down his spine.
Retired or not, he was S-rank.
He'd faced countless powerhouses, but this aura was new.
'Didn't even react.'
In that split second, she had smashed through the window and subdued him.
If she'd wanted, Miller's head would already be rolling on the floor.
"Who the hell are you to make a scene?"
Kim Ye-eun growled.
"Huh?"
Miller couldn't respond.
Her oppressive aura choked even his breath.
His life in another's hands—a utterly foreign sensation.
'She really means to kill me.'
International incident? Diplomatic friction?
Her eyes showed no such calculations.
Cold sweat poured from Miller's forehead like rain.
He glanced pleadingly at Si-woo.
But Si-woo remained seated, impassively sipping his tea.
As Kim Ye-eun tightened her grip, blood trickled from Miller's throat, staining his shirt.
The moment she twisted her wrist,
Clink.
A small, clear sound rang out.
Si-woo gently setting his teacup on the desk.
Just like that, Kim Ye-eun's ferocious momentum halted as if by magic.
Her blade hovered, a mere twist away from carving into Miller's flesh.
"......"
The air in the office seemed to freeze solid.
The murderous intent and ghostly aura emanating from her ebbed away like a receding tide.
She slowly raised her head to look at Si-woo.
The demonic glare from moments ago was gone, replaced by eyes mixed with confusion and anxiety.
Si-woo silently picked up the tablet and began typing.
In the heavy silence, only the clacking of keys echoed loudly.