Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Private Meeting with the Chairman
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The world of [Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy] ultimately meets its end in destruction.
No, since it never got a proper conclusion, we can't know for sure. To be precise, the fifth loop of [Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy] ends in destruction.
Either way, it's the same for me without regression abilities.
Ten years after Lee Seong-hyeon gains his powers. Anomalous Gates appear all over the world, followed by a monster called the 'Queen' that wipes out humanity.
Lee Seong-hyeon, trapped in an endless loop because he can't defeat the Queen. That's the story of [Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy].
No matter what powers Lee Seong-hyeon obtains or how the other characters struggle, they all fail against the final boss, the Queen.
[Tutorial: Enroll in National Seoul Hunter Academy]
[Reward: One Blank Page]
In other words, my life hinges on clearing this tutorial.
No matter how overpowered the abilities from the [Empty Skillbook] are, they mean nothing if I can't beat this tutorial.
I've possessed an unfinished novel.
And in this fifth loop, I have to bring the story to its conclusion.
That means I need to use every bit of knowledge I can.
"Is this the place?"
The headquarters of the Inferno Clan, the top hunter clan among Korea's elite.
'It lives up to its reputation.'
As a die-hard fan of [Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy], I pride myself on knowing every detail of the setting. That's why I'm confident I can pass the academy entrance on my own merits.
'But this is reality.'
In the world of [Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy], a single-page skillbook is a fatal weakness. There are surely people who resent a talentless guy like me trying to enter Korea's top hunter academy. One slip-up, and they'll be gunning to kick me out.
That's why I'm setting up insurance.
And to do that, I need to meet Inferno Clan Chairman Kang Young-ho.
I approached the information desk with a smile.
"Excuse me."
"Yes, how can I help you?"
"An investigator asked me to come by earlier. A Hunter named Kim Do-hoon..."
Before I could finish, the receptionist smiled brightly.
"You must be Kim Si-woo! Please follow me. I'll show you the way."
She already knew my name, so they'd clearly been briefed in advance.
"Are you a student? You have such a striking presence—I was caught off guard."
"Haha... Thank you."
The receptionist led the way with light banter. At the end of the corridor, she stopped.
"Take this elevator up."
Strict security. A massive golden elevator.
My hunch was right.
This was the Inferno chairman's private express elevator.
"Got it."
"You're not asking which floor? Most first-timers get flustered."
I smiled innocently.
"Haha, is that so?"
I must have come off as suspiciously nonchalant.
Of course it'd seem odd for a first-time visitor to act so naturally.
I couldn't exactly say I'd read all eight loops and memorized the setting guide, so I brushed it off.
"I figured it was direct since it's separated like this."
The receptionist nodded as if that made sense.
"Sharp eyes. Anyway, just take the elevator up."
"Thanks for the guidance."
I gave her a quick nod and stepped into the elevator.
A single button in front of me.
[87th Floor]
I pressed it, and the elevator shot up at high speed, doors opening moments later.
A wide-open view through floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking downtown Seoul below. An office.
The moment I naturally stepped inside.
'What is this...'
An oppressive sensation, like being crushed.
The air felt heavy, suffocating.
My prediction was spot on.
The man seated in the center.
The one who'd summoned me was Inferno Clan's chairman. One of Korea's eight S-rank hunters, at the pinnacle. Kang Hwa-yeon's father, Kang Young-ho.
Korea has eight S-ranks when even America only has five.
No wonder web novels load up on national pride.
It's easy to accept if you think it's from kimchi-enhanced genes and taekwondo breathing techniques.
"Pleased to meet you. Have a seat."
I swallowed hard at Kang Young-ho's words.
'Is this the aura of a true pinnacle?'
It felt like standing before a tiger.
Kang Young-ho stared into my eyes and asked.
"I'll get straight to the point. Do you know why I called you here?"
The standard answer would be 'for the anomalous gate investigation,' since that's the pretext they used.
But Kang Young-ho isn't the type to get personally involved in something as minor as a field report.
"If I may venture a guess, are you suspicious of me?"
"Suspicious?"
He furrowed his brow slightly at my response.
"You think I'm suspicious of you?"
I've watched all eight loops.
I can read him like a book.
"Aren't you suspecting me of being part of the Purity Faction?"
Kang Young-ho rubbed his chin at my words.
His habit when he's been hit right on the mark.
'So that's it.'
The anti-hunter group Purity Faction.
They see monsters as humanity's purification and preach accepting gates while halting hunter activities. A pack of lunatics.
Kang Young-ho fixed me with a serious gaze.
"Why would you think that?"
"A major clan chairman wouldn't summon a single victim for a personal interview over something trivial like an investigation. He'd just delegate to his underlings."
That's exactly what Kang Young-ho would do.
"For you to step in personally, it must be something valuable—or protecting something valuable."
His eyebrows twitched with interest at my words.
"Protecting something valuable?"
"The news said it. The Purity Faction, which had been operating systematically, has started rampaging chaotically lately."
In [Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy]'s early arc, the Purity Faction is the main villain.
And at this point in the story, they'd be the biggest thorn in Kang Young-ho's side.
"What does that have to do with me suspecting you?"
"Aren't you worried about the Purity Faction operating in Seoul?"
For Inferno Clan, entrusted with Seoul's security, it must be a massive headache.
"You think Inferno Clan would be shaken by a group like that?"
"Of course not. What you're really worried about is the Purity Faction getting their hands on anomalous gate dungeon rewards."
Dungeon rewards scale with gate size.
This one had the [Myth of Ashte].
It vanished suddenly, so naturally Inferno suspects Purity.
"If the Purity Faction gets that power and stirs up trouble in Seoul, it'll make the upcoming security contract negotiations with the government much tougher against rivals like the Snow Mountain Clan."
Kang Young-ho rubbed his chin and said.
"Keep going."
"Inferno may be the undisputed top clan, but with Snow Mountain and others closing in, that position is shaky. You might even lose the title of Seoul's guardians."
"Good speculation. But no evidence."
"Isn't summoning me here evidence enough?"
I smiled in response, and he chuckled as if I'd landed a hit.
"Hmmm... Alright, let's assume everything you said is true. Is there a way to dispel my suspicions about you?"
"I already told Hunter Kim Do-hoon I saw someone else in that gate. And you're still suspicious? You don't think a one-page skillbook guy cleared the dungeon alone, do you?"
Kang Young-ho snorted and shook his head.
"Right, no one thinks you soloed it."
"Then..."
He cut me off.
"But that doesn't mean there's no reason to suspect you. You were the only one there when the gate vanished. Timeline-wise, assuming you got the rewards is the logical conclusion."
He's right.
Lee Seong-hyeon fled before the clear. I was the only one left when it collapsed, so it makes sense they'd think I took the loot.
But the suspicion in Kang Young-ho's eyes had already shifted to intrigue.
Halfway successful.
The best I can do here is remove Inferno's irritant.
And that aligns perfectly with my goals.
That's why I'm here.
"I'll solve one of your worries."
"You will?"
"I'll enroll in the National Seoul Hunter Academy."
The chairman narrowed his eyes and murmured.
"I see..."
Even as a major clan, they can't oppress an innocent citizen based on hunches alone—no surveillance or pressure.
Besides, Kang Young-ho isn't the type.
But if I enter the academy, the reason for their concern vanishes.
The Hunter Academy—especially National Seoul—is Korea's premier training ground.
Every student faces strict activity restrictions and monitoring.
Any suspicious actions become impossible.
"If I pass, won't that eliminate any reason for you to suspect me?"
Kang Young-ho rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"You're right. But I get the feeling you didn't come here just to dodge my suspicions."
Spot on.
With no evidence, Inferno can only suspect—they can't touch me.
That's why he called me, fishing for proof.
More importantly, the key here is that if I pass the academy, any failure to screen me becomes their responsibility.
Now for what I gain.
I'm using Kang Young-ho as insurance.
"I want to enroll in Seoul Hunter Academy. And if I do, you won't need to waste energy suspecting me."
I continued with a smile.
"How about it? Our interests seem to align."
National Seoul Hunter Academy.
It's national in name, but its massive scale relies on support from major clans.
Inferno is the biggest patron.
The academy can't ignore them.
"Are you asking me to make you pass?"
"Of course not. I want something else."
Kang Young-ho is an upright man. Not one to do anything unethical.
A clean businessman with strong principles—straight out of a novel.
He has the power to pull strings for admission, but he wouldn't.
That's why he can't refuse my actual request.
"Please ensure I don't face unfair judgment in the entrance exam."
"Unfair judgment?"
He glanced over the documents in his hand.
"Ah, about your skillbook."
"Yes."
"You know skillbooks are crucial for hunters—life-or-death matters. Judging on them isn't unfair."
He replied firmly.
"True. But for the practical exam, the principle is to judge solely on performance there. I'm asking you to ensure that principle is upheld this time."
His eyes wavered slightly.
'Got him.'
One more step.
"As a regular citizen dreaming of becoming a hunter, I believe I've honed the skills to pass Seoul Hunter Academy's practicals."
I pressed on, eyes shining, playing the earnest boy chasing his dream.
"That's why I want protection from any unfair bias in the practicals."
Unofficial pass/fail lists exist before the practicals.
They prioritize good skillbooks—natural for them.
My bar is sky-high as a result.
I'm using Kang Young-ho to lower it to everyone else's level.
A moment of silence.
'Did I fail...?'
Kang Young-ho broke into deep laughter, wrinkles creasing his mouth.
"An academy we support engaging in unprincipled judging? Unacceptable."
"So that means..."
"You offer terms that benefit me while getting what you want. An offer I can't refuse."
"Thanks to your keen judgment, sir."
I replied with the most harmless smile.
Inside, I was dancing.
Kang Young-ho scanned the documents bearing Kim Si-woo's name.
One-page skillbook.
An utterly mediocre skill. Bottom-tier, even.
Kang Young-ho let out a hollow chuckle.
"To think he'd land one on me."
How many had dared present their views so boldly to him at the top?
Even top domestic and foreign hunters, even professors, watched his mood.
After years of that, it felt natural.
Yet this kid who couldn't even enter the academy got one over on him.
"Interesting fellow."
As long-time chairman, Kang Young-ho prided himself on his eye for people.
The moment he saw Kim Si-woo, his instincts kicked in.
That's why he'd summoned him half-doubting, half-testing.
'I thought that instinct meant the kid was Purity Faction...'
Just sitting there, one of his worries evaporated. Kang Young-ho smiled in satisfaction.
"My eyes haven't gone dull yet."
He set Kim Si-woo's file on the desk.
'If he really passes, I'll keep an eye on him.'
The office door opened, and his daughter Kang Hwa-yeon entered.
"Hello, Father."
"Ah, you're here. How's the entrance exam prep..."
Kang Hwa-yeon cut him off crisply, her tone icy.
"No need to worry. More importantly, I saw some guy leaving your office."
"Just a student who caught my interest. We talked briefly."
At his words, Kang Hwa-yeon lightly scanned the desk.
'A student...'
Her brow furrowed faintly, almost imperceptibly.
'Father's interested in a guy like that?'
Kang Young-ho filed the documents away and asked.
"Anyway, what brings you here?"
"To deliver the academy written exam results."
She placed a single sheet on the desk.
"You could have given that to my secretary."
"I'll correct that. Excuse me."
As the door clicked shut, he squeezed his eyes shut.
"I misspoke."
He'd meant it caringly, amid her exam stress, but their rigid relationship twisted the intent.
Kang Young-ho leaned back, eyeing the test paper.
'Rank 1... As expected of my daughter.'