Chapter 87
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: A Secret Sponsor (2)
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Samwol Group.
A conglomerate that, in less than a decade since the Great Cataclysm, had grown into one of South Korea's leading corporations.
It officially ranked second in the business world.
And all of it was the accomplishment of one man: Yu Geonha.
He was an ambitious man who knew how to exploit this completely changed world.
However, how Yu Geonha had transformed an ordinary small-to-medium enterprise into the second-ranked conglomerate in just ten years remained shrouded in mystery.
While not quite as much of a "sudden appearance" as Sanarae, this old man, nearly seventy, was just as much an enigma.
That's why I had my doubts.
"...I have something to ask. I am, after all, involved with your son..."
- Son?
With that one word, I now knew a little more about him than the general public.
He was far more cold-blooded than his public image suggested.
- I have no such thing as a son.
So much so that I wondered if they truly shared the same blood.
- So, what do you think?
Yu Geonha asked, casually dismissing Yu Wolha's existence.
I fell silent for a moment.
His offer was extraordinary, and there was no reason to refuse it.
But I had to consider it coolly.
"May I ask why?"
- You mean why I chose you as the first recipient of Samwol Group's sponsorship?
"Yes."
- It's simple. I judged you to have that level of ability. In fact, based on the 'superficial' reasons alone, you are the most suitable candidate to be the first to receive Samwol Group's corporate sponsorship.
You single-handedly cleared the Garden of Abyss where even Yoon Suhyeok failed, brilliantly resolved the Aegis Guild's fusion gate, eliminated a dungeon on the verge of an outbreak, and saved Pungbaek.
And that's just what's known to the public.
On top of that, Yu Geonha also knows I'm the mastermind who brought down Yu Wolha and the Samwol Guild.
In many ways, he was the one who best understood my abilities.
- That's why I don't want to let you go.
Yu Geonha paused for a moment.
But when I remained silent, he continued.
- That's how it is. Considering the influence a Hunter like you will have in the future, this is a worthwhile investment.
His voice held no trace of a father or a frail old man.
"Is that all?"
- Let me ask you this instead. In an investment, not speculation, is there any other reason besides future potential?
Only a businessman, thoroughly calculating profit and loss.
In that case, I just needed to ask my questions along those same lines.
As a promising Hunter holding the power to decide.
"If I accept this corporate sponsorship, what can I expect?"
- How about the Black Market?
Yu Geonha's reply was unhesitating.
It was clearly a card he could play with confidence.
The Black Market.
An item exchange owned by the Samwol Group, dealing exclusively in items and byproducts of high rarity from around the world.
Naturally, the prices were astronomical.
However, despite this, demand far outstripped supply, so it was only open once a month.
'It's certainly tempting.'
The fact that it handled rare byproducts, even more so than items, was a huge draw.
If I could obtain materials for the Lord's Castle's defense towers or energy cores...
Finally, my lips parted.
"That's not a bad offer."
- Hmm.
"But there's a problem. If I sign a corporate sponsorship agreement with the Samwol Group, I'll be swarmed by the media. I have no desire to get caught up in such bothersome affairs just yet."
Yu Geonha replied to that in a dry voice.
- Don't worry about the media. I have no intention of publicizing this everywhere right away.
"You mean..."
- It means we can make the announcement whenever you feel like it. The details of the corporate sponsorship will be known only to you and me.
"But isn't the purpose of corporate sponsorship to promote through the Hunter?"
- I have no intention of relying on you as you are now.
A simple statement.
'He has no intention of relying on me as I am now, huh.'
I laughed inwardly.
To Yu Geonha, what I've accomplished so far was far from enough.
Sooner or later, Kim Hanul will make a name for himself all over the world.
The Samwol Group's name can be elevated then.
That's what this old man was convinced of.
Is there a reason to go this far? As I remained silent, Yu Geonha added quietly.
- Let's just say you're that coveted a talent.
"..."
- Anyway, I've kept you for too long at this late hour. When you've made your decision, just call this number. I've saved your number.
Yu Geonha hung up without even waiting for my farewell.
Ha, the chairman of the Samwol Group, whose assets are worth tens of trillions, saved my number.
I couldn't tell if I should be pleased or bitter.
"Hmm. Well, the offer itself isn't bad."
Not bad is an understatement.
The value of Samwol Group's sponsorship is, in fact, difficult to quantify in monetary terms.
On top of that, he even guaranteed secrecy until I'm ready to step into the media spotlight.
I stroked the Sage's body, lost in thought.
'Still, it feels... unsettling.'
So I made a call.
To the one person who would likely know the most about this enigmatic old man.
***
- He offered you a corporate sponsorship?
I could hear Sanarae's chuckles over the phone.
In contrast, I wore a glum expression.
"I never mentioned the words 'corporate sponsorship'."
- Ah, that old geezer asked me a few times. Various things about corporate sponsorship.
"After what happened last time, he contacted you, Guild Master Sanarae...?"
- Ahaha, the mass-produced suit business? That falling through was just written off as a business failure. Separately from that, we have a few joint ventures, so we were talking about those and it just came up?
...To proceed with joint ventures with Sanarae even after all that.
I couldn't tell if I should be impressed by Yu Geonha or call Sanarae shameless.
Neither of them seemed like a decent person.
- Anyway, if that old geezer offered you a corporate sponsorship, it's definitely not a trap.
Sanarae's answer was simple and clear.
"May I ask why you think so?"
- Like I said before, he's not the kind of old man who holds onto personal feelings like that.
Sanarae chuckled softly over the phone.
- You know what? I don't let people who cause problems for my guild get away with it. Whether it's a financial issue or a personal one. I usually pull them out by the roots. If you leave them be, they might cause trouble later on.
The Samwol Group dipping its toes into Sanarae's mass-produced suit business would also be included in 'problems'.
But she didn't outright crush Yu Geonha or the Samwol Group.
Instead, she chose to give an indirect warning by helping me take down Yu Wolha.
And now they're even working on joint ventures.
"So there's no need to worry about that with the Samwol Group's chairman."
- Yep, no repercussions or grudges. He's the type of person who thinks holding a grudge itself is a loss.
"Then..."
- Yep. That old geezer wants to invest in you, Hanul. That's all. I'm a little jealous. He never even mentioned corporate sponsorship back when I was making a name for myself as a rookie.
Sanarae laughed, saying she'd have to confront him about it next time they met.
- By the way, if it's a corporate sponsorship, he probably offered the Black Market as a condition, right?
"..."
I didn't answer. It felt like a rhetorical question anyway.
Besides, the Black Market was Yu Wolha's greatest weapon, so it wasn't hard to deduce that much.
Then, Sanarae suddenly threw out a suggestion.
- In that case, you should find someone to accompany you to the Black Market.
"Someone to accompany me?"
- Yep. A Hunter who knows their way around items.
"Ah, that's alri—"
I was about to say it was alright, but I shut my mouth.
Basic item identification is perfectly possible through the Sage.
But.
The Sage could only advise on an item's basic performance.
'It can't pick out items that are useful in actual combat.'
That was a job for a Hunter with extensive combat experience and a deep knowledge of items.
As I nodded, Sanarae spoke in a languid voice.
- To be honest, I'd love to go with you, Hanul, but I've been so busy lately, it'd be difficult. I'm actually working overtime right now.
It seemed she was telling the truth about working overtime.
Because, for a while now, someone's screams of 'Gyaaaak' had been mixed into the call.
"I'll try to find someone to go with me."
The screams were subtly grating on my nerves, so just as I was about to hang up...
Sanarae asked.
- Hmm, but just hanging up like this feels so cold. Can I recommend someone to go with you?
"You have someone to recommend?"
- I do. She might not look it, but she's kind of an item otaku? You know her too, Hanul. Yep, you definitely know her.
An item otaku?
Still, since it was someone I knew, it would be best to listen to her recommendation.
I guessed it might be Jeong Sowon or some Sanarae guild member I'd crossed paths with.
"...What?"
But the name that came from Sanarae's lips was someone I had never expected.
***
The next afternoon.
I waited for an appropriate time and called Yu Geonha.
- Have you made your decision?
To think I'd be having a direct phone call with a chairman worth tens of trillions.
I quickly shook off the stray thought and answered quietly.
"Yes."
- Good. I'll send someone over within the hour. It's the sponsorship agreement paperwork.
"For now, can we keep the agreement between just you and me?"
- I assumed as much. I prepared the documents myself. I even had them sent by a regular delivery person.
He was a thorough man, as expected.
"Understood."
- Then, for now. Right, when would you like me to open the Black Market?
Straight to business, huh.
Yu Geonha's drive was admirable.
"I'd like to visit tomorrow."
I needed to check if there were any supplies for the 704th wave, so the sooner, the better.
- I'll arrange it for 9 PM tomorrow.
"And there's one more thing. I'd like to bring someone with me."
It could be seen as an unreasonable request.
But the old man replied in the same even tone.
- Of course. If you're bringing them to a place like this, they must be someone you trust.
"For the most part, yes. Of course, I won't mention the corporate sponsorship; I've told them I'm paying for it with a reasonable amount of my own money."
- Understood.
Click.
The call ended.
I put down my smartphone and let out a small laugh.
Sponsorship from the Samwol Group.
Of course, I still don't completely trust Yu Geonha.
As long as he's Yu Wolha's father, I probably never will.
But now that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has arrived.
I had no intention of letting it slip away.
***
The next day, 8 PM.
I was standing by the fountain near Jongno Station.
I was supposed to meet my companion at 8:30.
"Ah..."
But why on earth.
We'd clearly set the meeting time for 8:30, so why did this person arrive so early?
I almost ended up being the late one again.
"Ah, hello! Hunter Kim Hanul! Am I too late? I'm so sorry, I missed a train on the way here..."
Her flustered, loud voice and her half-up hair swaying.
Yoon Sua bowed deeply, apologizing.
Instantly, the attention of the passersby focused on us.
"Not at all. You're not late. The meeting was set for 8:30, after all."
Thankfully, my scarf covered about half of my face.
The pedestrians, unaware that the Hunter standing here was the Pungbaek Guild's mascot, soon went on their way.
"But why are you here so early?"
"Ah, I was worried I might take it easy and end up late..."
"It would have been fine even if you were a little late. I was the one who asked for the favor, after all."
"I can't do that. You trusted me enough to ask me to accompany you, so I can't be the one to delay your schedule, Hunter Hanul."
Yoon Sua's eyes widened as she shook her head.
Asked her to accompany me.
To her, it was just a hassle.
So, two days ago, when I received Sanarae's recommendation and contacted her after much hesitation, I had fully expected to be rejected.
But what do you know. She agreed to my request immediately.
'And she's this considerate on top of it all. She's too nice for her own good.'
Watching her crush monsters with that giant hammer, you'd think she was nothing but a powerful warrior woman.
It was also surprising that she used public transportation like a normal person.
"You seem to use the subway often."
"Ah, yes. I have a car, but I find the subway or bus more comfortable. Of course, some people recognize me, so I wear a mask or a scarf..."
Yoon Sua took the red scarf draped over her beige coat and pulled it up slightly.
It covered her sharp nose, leaving only her round eyes peeking out.
"Um, by the way, Hunter Kim Hanul."
In that state, Yoon Sua carefully began to speak.
"Um, you can just call me Hanul."
"Ah... Then, may I call you Hanul-nim?"
"Yes, well. If that's more comfortable for you."
Yoon Sua's gaze darted around.
Then, as if having made a great decision, she took a deep breath and spoke.
"Um, Hanul-nim. If you haven't eaten yet, and if it's not too much trouble, could we have dinner first before we go?"
"Dinner?"
But when I repeated the question, she quickly waved her hands and changed her tune.
"Ah, no! It's fine if you've already eaten! I just mentioned it because we have some time to kill, and it's a bit awkward to go there early. If you've eaten, or no, if you're not interested, we can just go straight there!"
Come to think of it, I hadn't eaten before coming out.
Since I'd made a rather troublesome request, it wouldn't be a bad idea to treat her to a meal to show my gratitude.
I nodded nonchalantly.
"Yes, let's do that. If there's anything you'd like to eat, please tell m—"
Just as I was about to give Yoon Sua the choice of menu.
Vzzz.
Suddenly, the smartphone in my pocket vibrated.
Thinking it might be a call from Yu Geonha, I excused myself and checked it.
[Yoon Suhyeok: Hanul.]
...It was from a certain meddlesome fool.
His timing is uncanny. No, did he do it on purpose?
Still, since I'd read it, I couldn't just ignore it, so I replied simply.
[Me: ?]
Before I could even put my phone away, it vibrated again.
[Yoon Suhyeok: I believe in you T.T No, I'm counting on you T.T]
...For what? Choosing the menu?
***
After finishing dinner with Yoon Sua, we got into the van sent by Yu Geonha.
After about a thirty-minute drive, the van stopped in front of a massive hexagonal building.
Blue Moon Square.
The largest complex shopping mall owned by the Samwol Group, built since the Great Cataclysm.
The Black Market was located on the top floor of this department store.
"Welcome."
As soon as I got out of the van, a familiar face greeted me at the entrance.
Samwol Group Chairman, Yu Geonha.
Around him stood about twenty department store employees and Hunters who appeared to be bodyguards.
"Chairman."
I offered a slight bow as a greeting.
"I see. So you were the companion."
Yu Geonha's eyes turned to the person beside me. In response, Yoon Sua modestly bowed her head and spoke.
"Hello, Chairman."
"Indeed. It's been quite a while. I've been following your recent exploits. Quite spectacular. You wouldn't be out of place as a first-generation Hunter."
The old man rattled off compliments in a monotone voice.
"Not at all. Thank you for the praise."
Yu Geonha looked back and forth between Yoon Sua and me, then nodded and pointed at the department store with his cane.
"Then let's go. It seems you've already eaten. Shall we start by looking around the luxury goods section?"
"The luxury goods section?"
Why the luxury goods section all of a sudden?
I looked at Yu Geonha with a puzzled expression.
"It wouldn't suit your dignity to leave with just a single item. So I've prepared everything."
The Samwol Group's chairman, with a deadpan expression, gestured toward the brightly lit department store.
And he uttered words that sounded like a joke, but not quite.
"The main dish is always best saved for last. For now, enjoy the appetizers, one by one."
Which meant.
"This entire department store is open tonight just for the two of you. Pick out as much as you can carry in both hands."