Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: The KP Consulting Contract
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"Right..."
Meanwhile, Jin-ho appeared quite shocked by Jeong-hyeon's refusal. He stroked his chin for a moment, lost in thought.
Jeong-hyeon had relaxed, figuring that unlike chaebols in dramas, he wouldn't suddenly turn villainous over a rejected offer.
"Then how about a simple partnership, just as Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon envisioned?"
"Pardon?"
The unexpected alternative caught Jeong-hyeon off guard, and he didn't grasp it right away.
*What makes you think you know what I have in mind?*
Ever since glimpsing the danger lurking within him, any desire to build ties had vanished.
Even if it was one of the world's top corporations, Jeong-hyeon had no need for it when he wasn't scraping by.
No, his income had long surpassed mere survival—it was now a matter of figuring out how to spend it all.
"It's about forging an official connection between KP Guild and HJH Gate Office. In other words, an exclusive consulting contract for mission gates."
"Won't that interfere with contracts from other guilds?"
Exclusive consulting contract.
For a typical gate office, it meant steady commissions—a welcome proposal. But Jeong-hyeon's situation differed.
With guilds lining up to partner with HJH Gate Office, he had no need to tie himself to one.
Jin-ho nodded as if that was obvious.
"It's solely for KP Guild's mission gates. You won't be barred from other guilds' requests. Right now, KP doesn't even have many mission gates worth assigning."
"Hmm..."
Jeong-hyeon pondered.
It seemed acceptable at that level, but a nagging unease lingered.
*Getting too close here might blow up into something bigger.*
Moreover, Jin-ho's ambitions felt excessively grand.
Overthrowing the old order, reshaping the world.
Frankly, Jeong-hyeon wasn't the type driven by such grand visions.
He'd wanted awakening, but landing EX-rank right away had dragged him into headaches ill-suited to his temperament.
*Sigh, if they'd just given me a solid B or A-rank, I could've lived comfortably.*
Great power comes with great responsibility, as they say.
With burdens already aplenty, he had no intent to pile on more.
Running HJH Gate Office modestly was plenty.
Meanwhile, though Jeong-hyeon found him suspicious, Jin-ho was a born negotiator.
He'd credited his trait heavily, but even without "Overseer's Eye," his innate skill shone.
Jin-ho seized the moment of Jeong-hyeon's hesitation.
"KP Guild is strictly our subsidiary. If it concerns you, we can contract under the group's name directly. Lending our name should boost your business."
"That far?"
Jeong-hyeon was mildly surprised.
Contracting under the group, not the guild?
Three mouths in unison conjure a tiger from thin air.
Even as a rising star hunter, Jeong-hyeon's short track record left room for skeptics seeing hype.
But an exclusive consulting deal with KP Group—not mere sponsorship—carried real weight.
Jin-ho knew this, hence offering the group's name over the guild's.
And he made an offer impossible to refuse.
"Solve KP Guild requests at three times industry-standard fees. Plus, annual sponsorship from the group: 50 billion. How's that?"
He shot up—
"As expected of the world's top corporation."
The sum was too massive to decline.
*Eh, I'd take KP Guild jobs eventually anyway. More money's always good.*
Though lighter than headquarters, KP Guild ranked solidly among mid-sized guilds.
"Hahaha. Excellent. A shame you rejected the original, but close ties might change your mind someday."
Jin-ho beamed, grasping the hand of the standing Jeong-hyeon.
Contract tentatively agreed.
*Yeah, not happening.*
Of course, Jeong-hyeon had zero intention of taking on KP Guild.
"And request anything else needed anytime. We'll assist wholeheartedly."
"Yes, I'll do that. Though I doubt I can help the Chairman much."
"Your words alone are thanks enough."
Just then, as if sensing their talk concluding, the chairman's office door creaked open.
Naturally, it was Taek-su who'd escorted Jeong-hyeon here.
*Guess there was some setup.*
Thinking so, as Jeong-hyeon moved to leave—
He paused.
"Ah, sorry to ask right after contracting, but..."
"Speak freely."
"Know of White Face?"
"White Face?"
Jin-ho tilted his head at the question.
Even as KP Guild's owner, he seemed unaware of such a criminal group.
*Well, it's intel only investigators know.*
But probing might yield leads.
More intel was always better.
"Yes. International terrorist group, they say. Could you look into it?"
"Hmm... Never heard of them, so probably no big leads. Still okay?"
"Please."
White Face had smuggled Kim Du-yeol's crew to sow chaos in the Association.
Blocked early this time, but repeats would escalate issues.
Better gather intel preemptively.
Though a non-investigative firm, KP's network likely exceeded imagination, judging by Jin-ho.
Jin-ho nodded with a smile.
"Since you ask so earnestly, I'll look into it personally. Any ties? Terrorists sound like bad blood."
"No, nothing like that. Just overheard."
I see.
Jin-ho nodded at Jeong-hyeon's reply.
"Oh, and once formalized, we plan a signing ceremony at KP Guild when you're free. Public, given our industry. Fine?"
"Of course."
Jeong-hyeon agreed readily.
He'd seen news of corporate mergers with press conferences.
With KP's concessions, such a request was no burden.
With that, Jeong-hyeon truly exited the office and took the elevator.
*Maybe not such a bad guy after all.*
Listening to the vision, he'd half-expected a regime-toppling conman, but the quick pivot and down-to-earth demeanor for a chaebol surprised him.
Most at that level looked down on others or forced their agendas.
Yet Jin-ho kept polite speech despite casual address from Jeong-hyeon, showing no such traits.
Plus, now HJH's partner owner.
*Time for a car? KP Motors it is.*
In the descending elevator, Jeong-hyeon secretly resolved.
Who knew—maybe HJH's name scores extra discounts.
***
With verbal agreement, contract proceedings flew smoothly.
Terms barely disadvantaged Jeong-hyeon; KP Group footed the bill unilaterally—no haggling needed.
Word of the impending KP Group-HJH Gate Office pact spread, drawing massive attention to Jeong-hyeon.
Siren incident aside, he was still a promising hunter.
This elevated him to Korea's representative hunters.
KP Group's clout was immense.
"Why contract under group name, not KP Guild, with a new gate office? Any reason for such investment?"
"As a leading economic force, nurturing talent is duty. Han Jeong-hyeon and HJH Gate Office meet my standards in skill and results."
The signing at KP HQ was mostly ceremony and press conference, sans fluff.
Reporters packed the basement conference hall, flashes popping amid question barrages.
Seated: Jin-ho, Jeong-hyeon, KP Guild Master Park Chang-su. Queries mostly hit Jin-ho.
"Analysts note less HQ investment in guild versus group. Does this signal renewed commitment to KP Guild?"
"KP Group always cherished guilds, central to gate economy. We've restrained aggressive investment for industry harmony, but this deal will give our guild wings."
Flashes and noise erupted per exchange.
Jeong-hyeon had done personal interviews, but formal pressers were new.
*Actually enjoying this.*
As before, Jin-ho handled queries masterfully sans script—proving executives weren't born yesterday.
If questioned, it'd highlight him starkly.
"Next, to Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon."
Murphy's law: think it, get it.
"HJH Gate Office famed for mission gate specialization post-opening. Some say this pact paves selling to KP Group. True?"
The reveal had stirred buzz.
Terms so lopsided, one might think hunter Jeong-hyeon strong-armed civilian Jin-ho.
None knowing the truth would claim that.
"Absolutely not. I cherish HJH Gate Office itself."
"But revenue dwarfs staff size and location..."
The reporter dug persistently.
Hundreds of billions per job, yet staff: three including office worker president.
Office in Seoul outskirts' sketchy zone.
To gossips: talent real, but inflating value?
*Why can't I say I'm EX-rank, S-rank incoming!*
Jeong-hyeon merely minimized needless spend.
Few staff? With him, firepower rivaled small guilds.
But airing details here felt off; seeking alternatives, Jin-ho spoke.
"I initially asked Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon to take over KP Guild."
*Flash!*
Preceding noise seemed drizzle before the deluge.
"Decent offer, I thought, but he rejected flat-out."
Fine for dispelling rumors—why refuse guild master if mere hype office?
Further queries were minor: visions, messages to public.
Presser ended.
"Guild Master, sorry earlier. Hate causing noise."
"No issue. You had reasons. Shame, though—chance to rest."
Jin-ho first apologized to Chang-su.
Unpleasant hearing guild handover talk with him present.
Chang-su waved it off casually.
Veteran from early Cataclysm, awakening at mid-40s—elderly then.
Nearing 60 now; founded KP Guild amid retirement plans, convinced by Jin-ho's persistence—newsworthy tale.
Thus, Jin-ho aired it burden-free.
Meanwhile, Chang-su eyed Jeong-hyeon, proposing.
"Since contracted, visit guild before leaving?"
"Sounds good. Okay?"
"Huh? Me? Sure..."
Today's signing cleared schedules.
Thus, Jeong-hyeon unwittingly headed to KP Guild with Chang-su.
"Wonderful!"
But he had no clue why his mere visit thrilled Chang-su so.