The Director's Resolve

The Director's face hardened as he heard his secretary's report.

"What? Is that true?"

"The likelihood is very high, sir."

Lee Won-hyung asked again, his expression grave.

"What's the evidence?"

Kwon Si-young handed him a tablet PC and continued her briefing.

"This is CCTV footage from the entrance management office a few hours before the Devils Clan was annihilated. You can see Ahn Humin leaving the office after clearing the tenth floor, hailing a taxi, and getting in."

"I see."

"After tracking his movements, the taxi stopped near the Hwajong IC on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway. Ahn Humin got out there."

"Wait, isn't that...?"

"Yes, sir. It's right near the old Red Ridge Mountain shelter where Go Yeong-gwang was held captive by the Devils Clan."

"......"

Lee Won-hyung's face grew even heavier as he spoke.

"So you're saying Ahn Humin rescued Go Yeong-gwang, then went straight to the Devils Clan's hideout and wiped them out entirely?"

"According to the captured clan members' statements, the opponent summoned goblins they'd seen in the Goblin Kingdom. Goblius was there too."

"Goblius? He tamed a boss monster, even if it was from the lower floors?!"

"It's highly likely. They also described his strength as being on a completely different level. The clan leader, Seong Ki-su, said his limbs were severed by Goblius."

A mysterious summoner who could call forth goblins from the Goblin Kingdom. And Ahn Humin, who had just cleared that very ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠kingdom today.

Could this really be a coincidence?

Moreover, when looking at the circumstances of the incident, the person most deeply connected to it was none other than Ahn Humin.

Of course, despite that, people didn't suspect Ahn Humin as the anonymous tipster because he had been perfectly identified as E-class.

An E-class hunter single-handedly annihilating a clan that had an S-class representative, seven A-class executives, and roughly two hundred members estimated to average between C and B-class?

It was beyond common sense—it was absolutely impossible. The stuff of dreams, perhaps.

That's why people couldn't connect the anonymous tipster with Ahn Humin. But Lee Won-hyung and Kwon Si-young were different.

They already knew, to some extent, that Ahn Humin was no ordinary E-class hunter.

"Have you heard anything from Hunter Han Sowon? She's his only companion, isn't she?"

"I approached her carefully and asked, but she firmly stated she couldn't discuss Hunter Ahn Humin's true capabilities. If I was that curious, I should ask him directly."

"That's a reasonable response. Hmm..."

Yet in Lee ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Won-hyung's mind, he was ninety percent—no, one hundred percent—certain that Ahn Humin was behind this incident.

It made sense. He had both the motive and the ability.

The problem, however, was that his method of resolution was clearly wrong.

No matter how justified the reason, the fact that a civilian who wasn't even a Management Bureau agent had personally attacked and annihilated a clan?

This could become an enormous issue. In the worst case, it was serious enough that he might not escape arrest.

"What about the field agents and the police?"

"Since they don't know Hunter Ahn Humin's real abilities, they haven't connected the dots yet. But I believe it's only a matter of time."

"In your opinion, if this incident leads to conflict between the government and Hunter Ahn Humin, who would suffer the greater loss?"

"Obviously our government. No, beyond the government, it would be a massive loss for our citizens as well. He's already overwhelmingly powerful, but judging by his growth rate, he could eventually possess national-level power—or even greater—all by himself. If that happens..."

"It wouldn't just be a problem with guilds. The balance of the nation itself could be shattered?"

"As Hunter Ahn Humin's true value is revealed, countless countries around the world may either covet him or, conversely, try to eliminate him. Before that situation arises, our country and government must absolutely bring him into our fold. Having the first right to do so could be called a special privilege of the nation where Hunter Ahn Humin was born."

"I agree with you. Since we can no longer delay, set a date quickly. I'll meet with the VIP beforehand."

"The VIP, sir?"

Kwon Si-young asked in surprise at the Director's declaration that he would meet the President directly. Lee Won-hyung answered.

"This may be about recruiting talent who has surpassed national-level power. Even if we can't match him in kind, we must make our utmost effort to do so. That way, Hunter Ahn Humin won't have any hesitation, will he?"

And so, the Management Bureau's final gamble to secure Ahn Humin was being prepared.

The media truly possesses a strange and powerful force.

People who had previously scoffed at my grandfather's accident were suddenly showing up at the hospital room carrying bouquets of flowers and wads of cash.

Among them were even people I never imagined I'd see in person in my entire life.

"I'm sorry, sir. I was far too late, wasn't I? Because I failed to educate my child properly, I don't even have the face to come and apologize to you in person. I'm truly sorry..."

Oh Se-jun's father and the president of Chamyung Construction, Oh Byung-seok, bowed deeply in apology to my bedridden grandfather. Countless cameras gathered outside the room captured his every move.

"Is this an apology? Or a show?"

"Shh!"

My older sister poked me in the side and warned me to be quiet, but my indifferent expression only filled with even greater disdain.

After finishing his show disguised as an apology to Grandfather, Oh Byung-seok now approached us and offered his regrets.

"I extend my deepest apologies to the victim's family as well. How much pain you must have endured? If only I had disciplined my child more thoroughly, this would never have happened..."

"It wouldn't have. If you'd apologized quickly and offered proper compensation when your kid caused the accident, we wouldn't have had to witness this ridiculous show, nor would we have had to suffer through it."

"Humin! Watch your words! No matter how true it is, is that something to say in front of the president whose son you put in prison?"

"......"

What was this feeling? It seemed like I'd spoken more harshly, yet my sister's words seemed to deal even more damage to the president.

"Haha... ha... Since this is all my failure as a parent, it's only right that I reflect and offer compensation. We will cover all hospital and medical expenses. I'm sorry once again for causing you such worry."

With that, President Oh Byung-seok repeatedly apologized and left the hospital.

"Will this be okay?"

My sister, who had remained in the room, voiced her anxiety. I patted her shoulder reassuringly.

"Don't worry. He's the type who values his company more than his family, so he won't try anything behind our backs. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠If he did and got caught, it wouldn't end with just damaging the company's image. And even if he tries something, I won't just sit by and watch."

"Oh? Listen to you, Ahn Humin. Talking like you're somebody special? And you're just an E-class."

"Not E-class. EX-class. EX-class, you auntie."

"EX-class? What's that? A new rank that just came out?"

"Nope? I made it up myself. Because I'm insanely strong!"

Pfft~

"You're so childish... By the way, I think I just heard something I can't let slide. What? Auntie?"

"What? I said you're my incredibly beautiful older sister? Must be getting old and your ears aren't working..."

"You. Come here."

"Aaaagh! I surrender! I surrender...!"

I quickly declared surrender under my sister's headlock. She released my neck and, as if nothing had happened, looked down at Grandfather with a heavy expression.

"Grandfather... he'll wake up soon, right?"

"Of course. He's lived such an upright and difficult life. If God exists, He'll surely watch over Grandfather. And if He doesn't, I'll make it happen."

"Oh?"

"What? You gonna put me in another headlock for being cocky? I won't go down so easily this time!"

When I took a defensive stance and stayed on guard, my sister smiled softly and replied.

"No, I was just thinking that even if you're my little brother, the eldest son is still the eldest son. It's reassuring. Our Humin. When did you grow up so much?"

"I've been taller than you since middle school, you know."

"You really can't take a compliment properly. So, how's the hunter work going? Manageable?"

"Yeah. It's fun. Especially the settlement after clearing a dungeon—that's the most thrilling part."

"I heard you're clearing dungeons with just one porter? Is that really okay? Other people say it's dangerous even with parties of ten or twenty."

At my sister's worried tone, I responded with a confident smile.

"Did you forget? I'm EX-class, sis. Way stronger than SSS-class. Don't worry. The kind of thing you're worried about will never happen."

"Still, don't push yourself too hard. If it feels dangerous, turn around and run without looking back. Don't go somewhere you can't come back from and regret it later."

"You really were born to worry. Ahn Somin, you should just live comfortably now, enjoying the good life with the money your little brother sends you. Don't worry about money. Buy whatever you want, eat whatever you want, wear whatever you want, and do whatever you want. Don't hold back. You and Brother-in-law both."

"Oh really? You don't have to do any of that, so just focus on doing your own job diligently and safely. That's what your sister wants most from you. Understood, Mr. Ahn Humin?"

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind! By the way, when are you going back home?"

At my question, my sister looked at Grandfather and said,

"Since I'm already here, I plan to stay and take care of him for about a week. Your brother-in-law says he's been so busy with cases lately that he'll be on stakeout for a week and can't come home."

"Is Brother-in-law's work that busy?"

"Seems like it. Hunter recruitment rates keep dropping while the number of villains keeps steadily increasing. If they have the same abilities, it's easier and more profitable to make money comfortably than risk your life in the Tower. Honestly, those people deserve to get struck by lightning and drown in a septic tank."

"Hey, watch your language in front of Grandfather, sis."

"I'm just saying."

"Brother-in-law must be really busy."

"Busy is one thing, but I just hope he comes home without getting hurt. Every time he comes home late without contact, I wait with my heart in my throat... But I can't tell him to quit. Sigh..."

There was a reason my sister spoke like that.

When he was young, Brother-in-law had been saved by a Public Security Bureau agent from the Management Bureau.

After that, becoming a Public Security agent became his dream, and in reality, he had saved many people who were on the verge of death.

That's why being a Public Security agent was more than just a job to him—it was an honor, a source of pride, and his very life itself.

So while Brother-in-law would yield and concede on everything else to my sister, he would never compromise on this one thing.

My sister had known that from the beginning.

That's why, no matter how much danger he faced or how severely injured he got, she couldn't easily bring herself to suggest he change careers or quit.

"You've been through a lot too, sis. Of all people, your first love had to be someone so dangerous."

"I know, right? My husband alone is enough to make my heart burn with worry, and now I have two troublemakers to fret over. My insides are going to rot away. Right?"

"Ahem...!"

I cleared my throat awkwardly and avoided my sister's eyes. She chuckled and said,

"Make sure you eat properly, you idiot. If you need side dishes, just tell me anytime. Don't eat out—try to cook at home whenever you can. Got ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it?"

"Got it."

I had no choice. If I was going to cook at home, I'd need to find a place to live first.