Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Outcast's Final Choice
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Like a capricious typhoon, the gale of public opinion battering Miracle Management and Han Siwoo had flipped overnight.
Just yesterday, the malicious comments and arrows of criticism flying at Siwoo had vanished without a trace, replaced by praise hailing him as a true leader and a principled businessman.
In stark contrast, Jenia Management had plummeted into the abyss.
Branded as a vile corporate bully blinded by jealousy, desperately trying to bury a powerless upstart management firm through media manipulation.
Siwoo sank deep into the office sofa, staring at the TV screen.
The news anchor's clear voice filled the office's silence.
📰 NEWS BROADCAST 📰 [...The prosecution has announced it is considering a swift search and seizure on Jenia Management for allegations of unfair contract practices with Hunter Lee Jia and attempting to manipulate public opinion. Additionally, the Hunter Association's Ethics Committee...] The Association had stepped in directly to launch an investigation, and now the prosecution was joining for a focused probe.
Jenia Management's situation was teetering on the brink of collapse.
With affiliated Hunters filing contract termination lawsuits one after another and their stock price crashing, things were spiraling into the worst possible scenario.
"Hmm."
Siwoo lifted his teacup, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He savored the coffee's aroma as memories from a few days ago resurfaced.
It was cheap instant coffee, but today it tasted sweeter and more fragrant than any premium bean brew.
A few days earlier, he had visited Jenia Management.
He wanted to witness the downfall of his former workplace with his own eyes.
As expected, the Jenia headquarters was a madhouse.
Phone bells rang nonstop from every corner, mingled with shouts and curses.
The employees were in a panic, scurrying about in chaos.
As Siwoo stepped into the office, a hush fell over the room, as if time itself had frozen.
The silence that followed was broken by Park Manager.
"You... What the hell are you doing here?!"
Park Manager approached with bloodshot eyes.
His face looked a decade older in just a few days.
Siwoo casually brushed off his hand.
"Why? What exactly did I do? Did I lie to manipulate the media? Or fabricate facts to slander Jenia Management?"
"You son of a...!"
Park Manager spat curses and clenched his fist, but he couldn't swing it.
There was nothing to counter with. It was all their own doing.
Siwoo looked down at him coldly.
"Besides, Miracle is too busy to bother with other companies. A hole-in-the-wall CEO like me doesn't have time to worry about big corporations."
"What? You...! How busy can a damn startup like yours be?!"
"Yes, a startup management firm. But we're swamped with Hunters lining up, short on staff. So we're holding new hires in two days. We'll look purely at 'ability,' regardless of experience or position. We'll even match your previous salary. Jenia alumni get preference."
"Who asked you?! Get out! You're bad luck!"
"...I was just answering your question about how busy we are."
Siwoo bowed politely and strode out of Jenia Management's office with his head high.
Park Manager's furious bellow echoed behind him, but to Siwoo, it was just the death rattle of a loser.
And today was that day—two days later, the new hire interviews.
Snapping out of his reminiscence, Siwoo glanced out from the representative's office.
Whether due to Miracle's fame or Jenia's fall, far more interviewees had shown up than expected.
Among them were familiar faces—quite a few capable Jenia alumni mixed in.
Siwoo straightened his tie and checked his appearance.
He flung open the door and called the first interviewee's name.
"Come in."
* * *
The next morning, as Siwoo opened the office door, a vibrant energy greeted him.
Empty desks were now filled, employees bustling about, animating the space.
The clatter of keyboards and phone conversations rang with lively vigor.
Lim Ji-su Deputy Manager, spotting him first, jumped up and bowed.
"Representative, good morning!"
Park Hye-yeon Deputy Manager, on a call, gave an eye-smile greeting next.
Siwoo nodded lightly and entered his office.
As he hung his jacket and moved to sit, the door opened, and Jeong Ho-yeon, now in charge of the finance team, entered.
"Representative, documents for approval."
Siwoo quickly scanned the papers from Jeong Ho-yeon.
The meticulous, flawless work stood out.
He nodded in satisfaction and signed.
"Um, Representative."
"Yes, speak."
Jeong Ho-yeon glanced at Siwoo cautiously before asking.
"Any plans to hire for the scouting team? Our current org chart only has finance, PR, and contracts."
A management firm's core was inevitably the scouts who unearthed top Hunters.
Most firms ran three or more scouting teams, competing fiercely for talent.
Jeong Ho-yeon's question was natural.
"Should we post a job ad? We have a talent pool ready."
"No, not yet."
"Pardon? But with you handling all that work alone..."
Siwoo's gaze landed on Lee Jia's poster on the office wall.
Her confident expression, radiating mana.
"I'm not playing a numbers game. It's royal management. No mediocrity. Better one A- or S-rank Hunter than a hundred C-ranks. You all just polish and manage the gems I bring in."
Jeong Ho-yeon was momentarily speechless.
Any other CEO saying this would seem reckless, but with Lee Jia as living proof, he couldn't argue.
"Then I'll be off. Got a gem to unearth."
"Yes, Representative. Safe travels."
Siwoo left the office with light steps.
* * *
Arriving at the Korea Hunter Association Central Center, Siwoo entered the lobby with familiar ease.
Now a bona fide celebrity, eyes naturally turned his way.
"Hey, isn't that Han Siwoo, the representative?"
"Yeah! Saw him on the news! The guy who scouted Lee Jia!"
"Wow, he's younger and hotter than I thought."
The passersby's gazes held no disdain or mockery anymore.
Just goodwill, awe, and curiosity.
Some aspiring Hunters even hovered nearby, hoping to catch his eye.
👁️ INSIGHT EYE ACTIVATED 👁️ Name: Kim Young-chul Grade: E Potential: E Notes: None Name: Park Soo-jin Grade: F Potential: F Notes: None Name: Choi Hyun-woo Grade: D Potential: D Notes: None As always, no standout Awakeners caught his eye.
Most were average or below.
'Well, Re-awakeners aren't lying around everywhere.'
Siwoo felt no disappointment.
He knew these days were the norm.
After slowly scanning the waiting room with no gains, he turned toward the exit without regret.
It was just as he was about to leave.
A commotion stirred from behind a pillar in the lobby corner.
"Argh, come on! Don't you get it? I said no!"
A young man's irritated voice echoed through the lobby.
Siwoo stopped and approached.
A scout in his early twenties, wearing a Lean Guild jacket—a mid-tier guild—was roughly shoving a middle-aged man in a threadbare suit.
"S-Sorry. I... I'll work really hard. I'll make up for two people's share, so please... just give me a chance."
he middle-aged man bowed ninety degrees repeatedly, pleading humbly.
His graying hair, deep wrinkles, and worn shoes spoke of his grueling life.
"You think F-rank porters are rare? A guy your age with no clue? Young, fit kids are lining up—why would we hire some old dude like you?"
The scout flung the man's crumpled resume to the floor.
The papers fluttered weakly down.
"Know your place! Don't waste my time."
The scout vented his anger, shouldered past the man.
The middle-aged man staggered and collapsed limply to the floor.
Onlookers clucked their tongues but no one helped.
Just pitying glances of 'Poor guy.'
He gathered the scattered resume sheets with trembling hands.
Dusting dirt off with his sleeve, his back quivered faintly.
Weighed down by life's burdens.
Siwoo watched impassively.
He seemed cold, but his mind churned with thoughts.
Because the Insight Eye info on the man appeared in the system window in red text.
⚠️ INSIGHT EYE: CRITICAL ALERT ⚠️ Name: Choi Min-seok Grade: F Potential: S-rank Re-awakening / D-30 Notes: Re-awakening triggered by specific traumatic event. Rampage risk extremely high (98%). Current life expectancy: 30 days. Siwoo's pupils shook violently, like an earthquake.
He'd found him.
The first S-rank Re-awakener since Lee Jia—no, one with even greater potential.
But he couldn't just rejoice.
'Life expectancy of 30 days?'
The problem was his lifespan.
Re-awakening in 30 days, lifespan also 30 days.
The implication was clear.
'In 30 days, some event happens, forcing Re-awakening from the shock. But his unprepared body and mind can't handle S-rank power, rampages... and dies.'
Left alone, the man was fated to turn God's gift of S-rank into a curse, meeting a miserable end.
A rampaging Hunter's fate was gruesome.
Not just himself, but everyone around dragged to ruin.
Siwoo's eyes sharpened as he calculated.
'No way. Can't let an S-rank just die.'
He silently tailed Choi Min-seok staggering out of the building. Like a shadow, soundlessly.
About an hour later.
Siwoo arrived at Mapo Bridge following the man.
Cold river wind whipped his cheeks; below the railing, dark waters churned hungrily.
Choi Min-seok clung precariously to the railing.
Suit jacket off, in his shirtsleeves, staring down at the river.
His smartphone screen showed a bright-smiling teenage girl.
In hospital garb, flashing a cheerful V-sign.
"Ji-yu..."
Min-seok's lips quivered.
Tears streamed down his cheeks into the river.
"Daddy... your worthless daddy is sorry... All I can do is this..."
Trembling like a leaf in terror, yet he wouldn't let go of the railing.
Daughter's hospital bills, mounting debts, no way out—these had driven him to the edge.
A father's desperate choice: leave his life insurance for his daughter.
Tears flowing, he climbed onto the railing.
Worn shoes slipped precariously.
He squeezed his eyes shut, loosening his grip.
As his body tilted forward—
"Jumping from there won't get you a dime in insurance."
A voice like ice—cold and dry—came from behind.
Min-seok startled, turning, lost balance on the rail.
"Wha—!"
As he tipped toward the water, Siwoo swiftly grabbed his arm.
Grip like iron dug into Min-seok's forearm.
"Urk!"
Siwoo yanked hard.
Min-seok tumbled back, legs dragged inward, landing hard on his butt.
"Ugh..."
Min-seok looked up dazedly.
Backlit silhouette, shadowed face.
Siwoo in a crisp suit stared down expressionlessly.
"Did you check the suicide exclusion period? Under two years, no payout. Don't waste your effort."
Siwoo's cold jab shook Choi Min-seok's eyes.