Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: KP Group Headquarters
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- Three years after the Cheongsong Gate Break incident, the Association has called its first emergency meeting. Now, even President Choi Juyong has convened the NSC. What are your thoughts on this?
- Yes, the exact details haven't been disclosed yet, but it does seem the Association and government are taking a very serious stance. Sources say it's due to intelligence about unusual signs from monsters inside a Level 6 gate. We'll have to wait for the government's briefing for more details.
'It looks like they still haven't publicly announced why the meeting was called.'
The last update Jeong-hyeon had heard was that the S-Rank hunting team entering the "Centaur Plains" had spotted the ones he witnessed and successfully wiped them out.
That was the purpose of Min-seok's call—to relay that information.
Even if monsters using traits posed a massive threat, they weren't a match for a prepared S-Rank team.
Fortunately, the traits weren't of particularly high rank.
Right after the Association's emergency meeting, it had escalated all the way to the NSC.
Excluding the Association, the government had virtually no organizations capable of handling gates, so this was probably just about coordinating with relevant agencies—but the symbolism mattered.
The next news item, however, genuinely surprised even Jeong-hyeon.
- Next up: According to recent data from the Association's Operations Division, the re-awakening rate among hunters has significantly increased?
"What?"
Re-awakening.
No hunter could hear that word and just brush it off.
The odds were astronomically low, so it might never happen to them personally—like not winning the lottery but still clicking on winner stories now and then.
But for the re-awakening rate to increase?
- That's correct. A few days ago, the Association released a press statement on re-awakenings. It states that the rate, previously under 0.5% for registered hunters, has been steadily rising over the past few months and now exceeds 1%.
- Going from under 0.5% to over 1%—is this a statistically significant trend, or just coincidence? Could you elaborate?
- Yes, since the Great Cataclysm, the re-awakening rate has remained consistently steady since records began...
The reason was simple.
Post-Great Cataclysm, the re-awakening rate had always stayed below 0.5%.
A ratio unchanged for over a decade had more than doubled in just the last few months. Numerically small, sure, but still a sharp change.
Next came a graph showing the re-awakening rate trend.
"Huh? That timing..."
Jeong-hyeon tilted his head as he examined it.
He'd been skeptical about "recent," but the graph made it clear.
'It lines up exactly when the "Trait Shop" reached Level 5.'
Remarkably, the sharp spike in re-awakening rates matched the moment Jeong-hyeon upgraded the "Trait Shop" to Level 5.
Was the "system acceleration" mentioned in the notification window referring to this?
'Come to think of it, Kim Du-yeol re-awakened around then too.'
Kim Du-yeol, the first re-awakener Jeong-hyeon met.
Investigations confirmed he'd gained his second trait—lightning magic—around that time.
Back then, he hadn't connected the dots.
Re-awakenings were just lottery wins, nothing more.
But now, a picture formed in Jeong-hyeon's mind.
"No way... System acceleration means..."
The sudden surge in re-awakenings.
Reports of monsters seemingly possessing traits.
The bizarre traits appearing since the Level 5 shop unlocked.
When the "Trait Shop" hit Level 5, the odd phrasing had puzzled him, but now the puzzle pieces clicked.
'Is the system evolving?'
That was the only conclusion.
The word "acceleration" fit, too.
If every new discovery in the "Trait Shop" unlocked related info, maybe the system was accelerating to unlock new elements?
"Does that mean this is all because of me?"
When he first got the EX-rank trait and checked its effects, he'd just thought he'd hit the jackpot.
EX's meaning was unclear, but contextually, it seemed far superior to S-Rank.
Now, understanding "system acceleration" made it awkward.
Higher re-awakening rates? Fine, whatever.
But monsters gaining traits? That could bring unimaginable damage.
'And who knows what else might happen.'
Ultimately, he couldn't shake the idea that his "Trait Shop"—once thought a uniquely weird trait—was deeply tied to the system itself.
The acceleration kicked in after reaching Level 5, so his growth was no longer just personal.
A recent conversation with Ye-rin resurfaced.
"The big flow?"
The helplessness of powerlessness against the grand current, no matter how strong you grew.
Was he caught in it now?
And his answer to her?
No need to worry about things one person couldn't handle alone.
He still believed that.
Provided there were people to stand with him.
'Who the hell do I even tell about this?'
EX-rank this, system acceleration that—no one would believe him.
The Centaur incident might've shifted things slightly, but nothing was confirmed.
"Ah, whatever. Guess I'll just watch and see."
After some deliberation, Jeong-hyeon decided to shelve the headache for now.
If he'd known from the start, maybe different—but stopping his growth wouldn't halt the already-started acceleration.
Better to get stronger ASAP.
The signs had just begun emerging.
He needed to observe until the picture clarified.
***
"Whoa... this is insane."
A few days later, in the morning.
Jeong-hyeon stood before the massive building, unable to compose himself.
It dwarfed the HJH Gate Office. Only something like the Hunter Association HQ or major guild HQs like Jeongjin or Sea Guild compared in scale.
Yet this outclassed even them.
"No wonder everyone's always on about KP, KP."
This was KP Group's new headquarters.
The old HQ had been destroyed in the Great Cataclysm, and the area designated a danger zone, so new owner Kim Jin-ho had built this.
The site was smaller than the Association's, but the building screamed money—scale, exterior, everything.
He'd glimpsed it in news clips, but seeing it in person was worlds apart.
"Well, the Association does have that government office vibe."
Naturally, he'd come for the partnership proposal.
The office wasn't desperate enough to need it, but when else would he visit a place like this?
As he stood gawking like a first-time visitor, a sharply dressed man approached.
Imposing build, rugged features.
"Are you Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon, by chance?"
"Yes? Oh, yeah."
Jeong-hyeon hadn't expected anyone to address him, so his response was startled.
Post-"Birds of Kapke Island" raid, his face was somewhat known, so occasional recognition happened.
But KP HQ staff? His ego swelled a bit.
"The Chairman is waiting. Please, head up."
"Huh? Oh, right."
"Everything alright?"
"No, nothing."
So it was business intel, not personal fandom.
Jeong-hyeon thanked his stars he hadn't blurted out for paper and pen.
Even hinting at "J" for Jeong-hyeon would've doomed his sleep tonight.
"I'm Choi Tae-su, the Chairman's Chief Secretary."
Tae-su handed over a business card.
Jeong-hyeon was surprised at the high rank for such a young face.
Did the young Chairman pick young staff?
'No, more than that...'
More pressingly, an extraordinary aura put Jeong-hyeon on edge.
At least Ye-rin's level, maybe Ji-hee's...
Tae-su smiled, catching the reaction.
"I'm one of the lucky cases, punching above my weight. Can't go into details."
"Ah."
No more explanation needed.
The Chief Secretary was S-Rank.
'S-Ranks popping up right at the entrance...'
Jeong-hyeon felt his sense of reality cracking.
Even for top conglomerate KP Group, he hadn't imagined this.
Still, no keeping the awaited guest waiting.
"Ah, sorry. Got startled. Have you been waiting long?"
Yesterday, when Jeong-hyeon asked about timing, the chairman's office had said anytime tomorrow worked.
So he'd shown up mornings without an appointment—how'd they know?
"No, the Chairman said to send you up around now."
"?"
Tae-su downplayed it, but Jeong-hyeon heard differently.
Did that mean the Chairman knew he'd come now?
'Tail on me?'
Ridiculous.
No grudge, and no need to tail a potential partner.
Plus, evading Jeong-hyeon's senses? Tough even for S-Rank, and pointless busywork.
Anyway, the KP HQ interior outshone the exterior.
Lobby floored in pristine marble too fine to tread, walls ornate with intricate patterns.
The chandelier alone could've built a small house.
Tae-su briskly led through to the rearmost elevator.
Regulars passed metal detectors, but they took a side door.
"This elevator goes straight to the Chairman's office."
"Got it."
Straight out of a chaebol drama.
His own office lacked even a direct stair.
'Once I make bank, gotta buy a building like this...'
Unexpectedly, it ascended topside, not basement.
"The office isn't underground?"
"No, sir. Top floor."
Pre-Cataclysm, high floors were prized for views.
Now, VIPs and key facilities went underground as standard.
Even the Association.
Ding-
As curiosity about the Chairman grew, the elevator halted smoothly.
Doors opened to a long straight hall ending in a wine-red door.
Knock knock.
"Chairman, Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon is here."
"Ah, have him come in."
Tae-su knocked politely; a young voice replied from within.
'Thirty-something, right?'
Running a global giant, just six years older than him.
"Right this way."
Tae-su opened the door, gesturing inside.
He wouldn't join.
"Thanks."
Jeong-hyeon bowed lightly and entered the chairman's office.
Unlike the flashy building, the office felt subdued.
Almost like a modest study compared to outside.
Though the full-wall window and massive desk ahead were positioned to intimidate visitors.
"Welcome. I've been expecting you."
A man rose from the desk, smiling brightly as he approached.
Neat side-part exposing his forehead, thin-framed glasses on a clean-cut—not handsome, but refined—face.
Slightly shorter than Jeong-hyeon, slim in luxury suit.
Decent build for a civilian, but unremarkable to a hunter like him.
"Thanks for having me."
Jeong-hyeon smiled back; the man extended a hand early, before close range.
"I'm Kim Jin-ho, Chairman of KP Group."
"Han Jeong-hyeon, President of HJH Gate Office."
As hands met.
'What the?'
Jeong-hyeon sensed something off about the man.
Physique and aura screamed non-hunter.
Yet, briefly during the shake, it felt like facing a fellow hunter.
"Have a seat."
Jin-ho, oblivious or not to Jeong-hyeon's unease, kept smiling amiably.