A Meeting with the Chairman
I had expected my sister to react strongly to the recent incident right away, but contrary to my expectations, she said nothing at all.
She simply acted as if nothing had happened, just like always.
Was she being considerate of me?
No, more than that...
She probably just didn't want to stir up unnecessary trouble.
I could fully understand her feelings, so I didn't bring up the matter either.
Only...
"What is this?"
"An elixir."
"...Why are you giving me this?"
"You never know. Carry it with you just in case."
Of course, it came from Wang Feng's private vault.
I'd acquired a total of three elixirs this time, and I handed one over to my sister.
She's such a frail girl; I worry she'll get hurt somewhere for no reason.
With this, she won't get injured easily no matter where she goes.
After passing the elixir to my sister, I spent the entire day soothing Suli.
Limit Break SS
Unyielding SS
[I'm sorry! I'm sorry!]
[Yeah, yeah. Daddy was wrong, Suli. I won't leave you behind next time.]
The fatigue from the battle with Wang Feng hadn't fully worn off yet, but for Suli's sake, a little exhaustion was no issue at all.
I ignored the skills activating naturally on their own and focused all my attention on playing with Suli.
Rue quietly approached as if reminding me she was there too, and Tosun peeked from afar, gauging the mood. Soon, all the kids joined in, and we spent a peaceful time together.
Fighting is fine, but nothing beats moments like this with Suli and the kids. This is true happiness.
The next evening, I slipped out of the house quietly.
The person I was meeting was Yoon Ha-yang.
She was a Hunter from the Association whom I'd turned into a subordinate during the raid on the Yamamoto expedition's Black Market in the past.
With the current Association president's secretary as her direct superior, she knew everything there was to know about Association affairs.
She was just a contingency plan, but I hadn't expected to use her this soon.
"Hello, Master."
"Hey. How's the Association been lately?"
"They're swamped with underworld business on multiple fronts. Plus, with news of Wang Feng's death, it's pretty chaotic."
I heard various updates from Yoon Ha-yang about the Association.
Aside from them looking for me, as Jeong Soo-ah had mentioned, there wasn't anything particularly noteworthy.
"Where's the president right now?"
"Still in his office, probably buried in the remaining paperwork."
"He works late."
I stroked my chin thoughtfully for a moment.
"Security?"
"Just minimal staff, including Secretary Hwang. The president himself is SA-rank, so he thinks heavy guards are a waste."
"Hm."
I made my decision based on Yoon Ha-yang's report.
They were so desperate to find me; no need to make them work harder.
To avoid dragging things out, I'd go to them first.
He's been leading Korea's Hunter world since before Seong Jae-myeong. I wonder what kind of man he is.
My heart raced with anticipation for the Association president I was about to meet.
No Gwan-sik stayed late into the night handling work again today.
Someone of his stature could slack off a bit without anyone complaining, but No Gwan-sik never shirked his duties.
For decades since becoming president, he'd worked diligently without fail.
Even without praise, for the future of this small nation called Korea, he always gave his all.
"Kkeureung."
Was something not going his way?
No Gwan-sik groaned softly while reviewing documents, rubbing his furrowed brow.
Hwang Seok-ho, who had been watching him discreetly, spoke up quietly.
"Are you alright, sir?"
"Eung. Too much work. Why the hell doesn't it ever decrease after all these years?"
"Work's always been plentiful, but this year has been especially hectic. From Charlotte Michelle to Wang Feng... What a tumultuous year."
No Gwan-sik groaned again at Hwang Seok-ho's words.
"Nothing goes my way. From the underworld mess to those damn top five guilds demanding expedition support... Hoo, maybe I should just quit and dive into a labyrinth."
"Sounds good. Take me with you if you go."
"You cheeky bastard. If I took you, I'd end up bedridden from stress."
Tsk— No Gwan-sik clicked his tongue briefly and suddenly asked,
"So, how's the investigation? Anything to show for it?"
"It's only been two days. If something turned up already, it'd be over by now."
"Aigoo, useless fool."
Hwang Seok-ho calmly reviewed the documents, accustomed to No Gwan-sik's dissatisfied tongue-clicking.
No Gwan-sik clicked his tongue again at the sight.
He'd hoped to tease the guy for a mood boost since work wasn't going well, but the reaction was lackluster.
No relief there; he'd have to grind through the backlog.
Finally groaning "kkeureung," No Gwan-sik turned back to the hard-to-read document.
And then, suddenly.
"...Who the hell are you?"
No Gwan-sik stared fixedly at the empty air where nothing was.
Stunned by his unusually grave demeanor, Hwang Seok-ho glanced around frantically.
"P-President?"
"If you don't answer this time, it won't end well. Who are you?"
A heavy silence filled the office with his low voice.
At the end of that brief quiet, as No Gwan-sik started to rise, a man suddenly appeared in the spot he'd been glaring at.
"Gasp...! Wh-who are you?!"
"......"
Hwang Seok-ho panicked at the man's sudden appearance, while No Gwan-sik silently glared at him.
"Impressive."
The man calmly admired him and stepped forward casually, snapping Hwang Seok-ho back to his senses.
"An intruder! Do you even know where you are?! No one's outside—?!"
Thup—
In the blink of an eye, Hwang Seok-ho's throat was gripped as he shouted.
Hwang Seok-ho flailed with "guk guk" gagging sounds, and No Gwan-sik's eyes widened, having missed the man's movement.
"President of the Korea Hunter Association. No Gwan-sik, right?"
Ignoring Hwang Seok-ho struggling in his grasp, the man stared straight at No Gwan-sik and spoke.
His relaxed demeanor silenced No Gwan-sik momentarily, who then groaned "kkeureung" before replying.
"That's me. Mind putting down that poor fool first? He's fragile; he might head straight to the afterlife."
No Gwan-sik neither raged nor showed fear.
Matching his calm attitude, the man released Hwang Seok-ho without further action.
Freed from the man's grip, Hwang Seok-ho gasped "keok keok," clutching his throat.
"I don't know where you're from, but have a seat first."
No Gwan-sik casually offered a chair, and the man sat without refusal.
As the man quietly took the seat opposite, No Gwan-sik glanced at Hwang Seok-ho.
He still seemed half-dazed, but this wasn't a place for the naive young man.
"Seok-ho, bring some tea."
"Y-yes...? Yes, President."
With a half-trance expression, Hwang Seok-ho left the office.
No Gwan-sik watched his retreating back and clicked his tongue shortly.
"Kkeureung. Nothing goes right. He's the only decent one, and at this rate, I'll be stuck in this chair for years more..."
How did my life come to this?
Muttering like a complaint, No Gwan-sik finally looked at the man.
"So, who are you? Why seek out this old man? I've made plenty of enemies with my bad deeds, but never a young one like you."
His voice was mild, but his eyes were sharply piercing.
Even under that gaze, the man answered calmly.
"Seemed like you wanted to meet me. Came directly to save time."
No Gwan-sik's eyes widened briefly.
"Heh. Then you're...?"
He trailed off, and the man nodded slightly.
A short exclamation escaped No Gwan-sik.
"Indeed... Now I see why Song Jae-ha said that."
Scrutinizing the man repeatedly, No Gwan-sik stroked his chin.
"What did Song Jae-ha say?"
"That you're a total monster. And extremely dangerous."
The man smirked at No Gwan-sik's words.
"So, what do you think now that you've seen me?"
"Heh heh. Too soon for judgment after one meeting. But... one thing's clear."
"What's that?"
"You're a very dangerous fellow."
No Gwan-sik smiled faintly and crossed his arms lightly.
"So, how strong are you? SS? Or pre-wall?"
"What do you think?"
"Kkeureung. Too many questions for this old geezer. Don't be so stingy."
Clicking his tongue, No Gwan-sik scanned the man again.
A colorless, odorless presence. No aura at all, even right in front.
If this weren't his familiar office, he might not have noticed the hidden man at all.
Definitely a stealth-type skill. But even then, can't gauge the rank at all.
After brief thought, No Gwan-sik groaned like a sigh.
"No clue. I lose. Don't test this old man— just tell me."
"Wasn't testing. Just curious how I'd look to someone like you... I'm SS."
"...As expected."
No Gwan-sik nodded slowly and fell silent briefly.
The man didn't interrupt his contemplation.
No Gwan-sik's deliberation didn't last long.
"Come to think of it, haven't heard your name. Since we're here, formal greetings: No Gwan-sik, President of the Korea Hunter Association."
"Nix."
"...That's it?"
"Hm... You could say the de facto ruler of the underworld."
"......"
No Gwan-sik rubbed his brow.
"Got it, Nix... Ah, can I just call you Nix? If there's another title..."
"Nix is fine."
"Alright, Nix."
No Gwan-sik nodded lightly and glanced around casually.
"Heard you have a beautiful woman with you...?"
"She didn't come. Just me."
"Hm... If it's not rude, her rank? Song Jae-ha said..."
"Use your imagination."
No Gwan-sik chuckled "heuh heuh" at Nix's smiling reply.
"Really stingy with this old man. Fine, Nix. Mind if I ask your relationship with her?"
"Married."
"Eum. High-rank Hunter couple... Not unheard of, but still surprising."
No Gwan-sik smiled faintly and glanced at the office door.
"Aigoo, when's Seok-ho bringing that tea? How can I trust him with big things? But don't scold him; he got quite the fright earlier."
"Not bothered. Didn't come for tea. Rather..."
Nix stared steadily at No Gwan-sik.
Under the man's crimson eyes, No Gwan-sik swallowed dryly without realizing.
"Better skip the preamble."
"Heuh heuh. Young man's impatient. This old man wants to know more about you..."
"Unlike you, I have nothing I want to know."
No Gwan-sik kept smiling despite the man's calm tone.
He chuckled and nodded.
"Fair enough. We're both busy, so straight to the point."
Taking a breath, No Gwan-sik looked the man in the eye.
"Any interest in joining the Association?"
"You want me to bow under you?"
"If you want, I'll hand over everything I have."
Nix let out a short admiration at No Gwan-sik's direct gaze.
"That's surprising. Serious?"
"Korea needs an absolute ruler. One who makes us ignore the world's eyes."
"Me? Based on what? First meeting today."
"I don't trust you—not even as flattery. It's our first meeting."
"Then?"
"An absolute ruler reigns but doesn't work."
"Plan to make me a mascot?"
"No intent to burden you with tedious tasks. Just enjoy it fully."
"So, give me a fancy title while you handle all the real power?"
"No need to saddle a reigning absolute with politics or grunt work. They exist purely above."
"Like Seong Jae-myeong?"
"He was absolute, but not a good one. Too self-willed."
"So, put a leash on me this time?"
No Gwan-sik smiled at the piercing glare.
"Unchecked power is no different from a monster's."
His calm words reflected his longstanding beliefs.
Nix watched him quietly before speaking.
"No plans to join the Association."
"...Building your own faction?"
"No."
Nix shook his head firmly.
No Gwan-sik tilted his head slightly.
"Then?"
"No real intentions here. Not planning to show myself to the world."
"...Staying in the underworld forever?"
"Better to say I want to rest."
"...Rest?"
"Been too busy lately. Planning to take it easy for a while."
No Gwan-sik fell silent to process Nix's answer.
"No intentions at all?"
"Might change later, but not now."
"...Can I believe that?"
"Your call. As I said, just our first meeting."
"True. Trust builds slowly."
No Gwan-sik nodded slowly with a faint smile.
"Would be nice to keep in touch. Keep this lonely old man company."
"You seem spry enough for an old man."
"Heuh heuh. Looks only. I'm all worn out."
"...If you have something to say, come to the Black Market."
"Heuh heuh. No other contact?"
"Not enough trust between us yet."
"Fair."
No Gwan-sik nodded slowly as Nix rose, signaling the end.
"Not staying for tea?"
"Waiting might mean pulling an all-nighter."
"Heuh heuh. I see."
Smiling pleasantly, No Gwan-sik added to the departing man.
"Knock next time. I'll tell the front guards. Keep this up, and this old heart won't hold."
Nix glanced back, meeting his eyes briefly, then nodded lightly.
"Noted."
With that, the man vanished like the wind, as he'd arrived.
Staring at the spot a moment, No Gwan-sik muttered softly.
"Young punk spits casual speech like it's nothing."
Aigoo— clicking his tongue, he leaned back.
"SS-rank, huh... SS-rank..."
He chuckled with mixed meanings and gazed at the ceiling.
"A bit different from expected, but seeing with my own eyes is better."
No Gwan-sik recalled Nix's image.
"Eyes like a beast's. Fresh from a hunt..."
Not immediately threatening, but too dangerous to leave alone.
"Well, all SS-ranks are dangerous. Lucky he's reasonable."
Muttering quietly, No Gwan-sik rose slowly.
"Damn overtime will drag on awhile."
So much to do, so much to prepare.
Despite his irritated grumble, No Gwan-sik's face bore a meaningful smile.