Chapter 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Housewarming (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jeokryongdan, one of China's top 10 guilds, based in Henan Province.
In the executive office on the top floor of the Jeokryongdan headquarters, located in Huaxian, Henan.
“You are well aware of the importance of this Exchange Meet.”
Zao Shuye, the master of Jeokryongdan, spoke.
His eyes, reminiscent of a snake's, turned to the slender man, Liao Min, standing before his desk.
“I am, Master.”
Liao Min bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
He remained motionless, careful not to displease the master in any way.
The master had already expended a great deal of mental energy over the recent 'Samwol Guild Gate' incident.
It wouldn't have been surprising if he had killed a few guild members to vent his frustration. In fact, over the past month, several Jeokryongdan members who had been found at fault were crippled and buried.
Liao Min also had reason to be cautious.
“If that goddamn brat hadn't self-destructed like that, we wouldn't have had to go to such lengths.”
“You are correct.”
“Just thinking about the hardship I endured when our involvement in that 'banquet' was exposed...”
Zao Shuye slammed his fist on the desk, grinding his teeth.
The Samwol Guild Gate was a massive incident with national repercussions, and Jeokryongdan, which had been taking kickbacks to broadcast it in China, was inevitably caught up in it.
“You suffered a great deal because of one fool, Master.”
Liao Min said, staring at the various scars on the master's body.
Even as the master of Jeokryongdan, with several S-Rank Hunters under his command, he was ultimately just a powerless individual before the state.
“Yes, it's an absurd situation. The high-ranking elders of the Party, too. They were drooling when I was slipping them money, but the moment the gate burst, they washed their hands of me? Filthy bastards.”
“...”
This time, he didn't agree.
It was a statement bordering on treason. But while he didn't voice his concurrence, he agreed with the master's words.
The Party officials who had regularly received hefty bribes had abandoned them at the crucial moment.
Thanks to that, Jeokryongdan's position as one of the top 10 guilds was now precarious.
And in the end, they were forced into the troublesome business of an 'Exchange Meet' under the pretext of restoring the nation's fallen honor and prestige.
“To think I have to personally visit that tiny patch of land.”
An Exchange Meet meant that when the formation of an S-Rank or higher gate was detected, allied nations would dispatch skilled hunters to assist in the expedition.
However, its original purpose had long since died out over the past thirty years as hunters had become stronger across the board.
Now, it was no different from a war of nerves between nations, competing to see whose hunters were superior.
This time was no different.
“It can't be helped, can it?”
“True. In a way, the Party has given us one more chance.”
An S-Rank gate scheduled to appear in Korea.
The Party acted swiftly, beating Japan to sign the dispatch agreement for this Exchange Meet.
And they selected Jeokryongdan as the dispatched guild.
“Looking at it another way, if we screw up this time, the entire guild could really be wiped out.”
The Jeokryongdan master nervously stuck a cigar in his mouth.
He exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and spoke to his vice-master.
“Including me, that's three S-Rank, ten A-Rank, and twenty B-Rank Hunters. That should be enough to crush the pride of those so-called top three Korean guilds.”
“Indeed. Even if they hold the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ranks in Korea, they're only mid-to-high tier by international standards. I believe this is a good opportunity to show them that there are levels even among S-Ranks.”
“Well said. You should be able to overwhelm everyone but Abyss, right?”
“Yes. Leave it to me, Master.”
Liao Min replied in a confident voice.
The Jeokryongdan master watched him with satisfaction, his eyes turning sharp once more.
“Alright, I'll leave that to you. As for that masked man you saw in Korea, have you found anything yet?”
Liao Min stiffened at the question.
Previously, just before Yu Wolha walked into his own ruin, Liao Min had personally visited the banquet hall.
The masked man he had briefly encountered then.
His name was Kim Woohyeon, was it?
“Not yet. I apologize.”
“Liao Min, do you really think he's the reason Yu Wolha ended up like that?”
Liao Min believed the man was the cause of Yu Wolha's sudden rampage.
The reason was that Yu Wolha's behavior had become unstable after meeting the masked man.
On the day the Samwol Guild was destroyed.
He had even confirmed that Yu Wolha and the masked man had fought.
Unfortunately, it had been a recording instead of a live broadcast that day, and all the tapes were destroyed, so the details of the situation were unknown.
Was that all?
While the Samwol Gate burst open and Yu Wolha's evil deeds and true nature were being exposed.
Even as Jeokryongdan was implicated, not a single word about the masked man emerged from anywhere.
That's why he was certain.
There was something about that masked man.
“In my opinion, yes.”
“Hmm, I hope we find him during this Exchange Meet.”
“I will investigate thoroughly once we arrive in Korea.”
“Good. Report to me the moment you get a lead.”
The conversation about the unidentified man ended there.
The Jeokryongdan master exhaled a puff of smoke and leaned back in his chair.
“Hah, in any case, for an S-Rank gate to be observed in Korea at such a time... I don't know whether to call this fortunate or not.”
“It is fortunate, is it not? If we can showcase the competence of Chinese Hunters, we will once again receive the Party's full support.”
He wasn't just saying what the master wanted to hear.
Jeokryongdan was a guild centered in Henan Province that received overwhelming support from the Chinese people.
Although they had taken a major hit this time, it would be a great waste for the Party to crush them completely.
This was undoubtedly a huge opportunity.
A chance to leap even higher than before.
“Haha, that's my vice-master for you. You've got a good head on your shoulders.”
The master's crumpled face relaxed slightly.
He stubbed out the half-smoked cigar in the ashtray and asked.
“The gate is predicted to form in two weeks, wasn't it?”
“According to the World Allied Gate Management Bureau's observations, yes. There could be a margin of error of three to four days.”
“We should start moving soon. Our goal isn't simply to clear the gate. That's a secondary issue.”
- Those so-called top three guilds of Korea. Crush the pride of a small nation and elevate the greatness of China.
The eyes of Jeokryongdan Master Zao Shuye glinted with venom.
***
“That's how it is. In the end, the Exchange Meet is a kind of competition between nations.”
Sanarae finished her explanation in a languid voice.
I nodded silently, and Ma Dongpal, who was sitting next to me with a disgruntled expression, crossed his arms and grumbled.
“I don't know when S-Rank gates became some kind of competition. Back in my day, the focus of the Exchange Meet was always on sealing the S-Rank gate as efficiently as possible, no matter what.”
“Yeah, that's how it used to be.”
“But now it's devolved into this pathetic squabble between countries over who fought better.”
“I, too, find it regrettable how the Exchange Meet has been corrupted.”
Choi Kangwoo added with a bitter expression.
At his words, not only Ma Dongpal but also Yoon Sua and Asha widened their eyes.
It was a rare occasion for Ma Dongpal and Choi Kangwoo to see eye to eye.
Sanarae, on the other hand, made a cynical remark.
“What can you do? High-ranking hunters being played as puppets by politicians is just how the world works these days. By that logic, I bet the Jeokryongdan folks didn't want to participate in this Exchange Meet either.”
Asha nodded.
“Probably. If they don't perform well this time, the Party will probably crush their guild, right? I met a Chinese hunter once when I was in Russia, and he clammed up the moment the Party was mentioned. Kept glancing around nervously.”
“Wasn't he just some small-fry hunter?”
Asha shook her head again at Ma Dongpal's comment.
“No, Master. He was an S-Rank Hunter.”
“Even among S-Ranks, there are different classes, Asha. Just like the class difference between me and other S-Rank Hunters.”
“Unlike you, Master, he was a high-ranking hunter on the international charts.”
“What... Are you looking down on me because I'm not in the top 100 of the international rankings!”
Leaving Asha and Ma Dongpal to their bickering, Sanarae looked at me and spoke.
“In that sense, it looks like we'll be incredibly busy for a while. All three major guilds have been summoned for this Exchange Meet.”
“The Association headquarters probably doesn't want to be embarrassed by foreign hunters on home turf.”
“I think they were just formally summoned because it's an S-Rank gate, but who knows what's going on behind the scenes.”
The corners of Sanarae's mouth lifted slightly.
“That's why I dropped by with this old man, to enjoy one last bit of freedom. But what do you know, I didn't expect to meet the other guild masters.”
I didn't know either. It was truly unplanned.
Still, I guess it was a relief they weren't at each other's throats.
The atmosphere was much warmer than I had worried it would be.
Does this mean they're looking out for me that much?
“Hunter Kim Hanul.”
Just then, Choi Kangwoo, who had been sipping his tea lost in thought, turned his head.
“Yes, Guild Master.”
“As Guild Master Sanarae said, this Exchange Meet is on an unprecedented scale. All three major guilds have been summoned, and rumor has it that they've even requested cooperation from 'Abyss'.”
Even Abyss?
This is definitely not your typical gate expedition lineup.
It's truly a battle of national pride.
But, for him to bring this up now...
“I'm asking just in case, but do you have any intention of participating in this Exchange Meet, Hunter Kim Hanul? If you do, I will help you in any way I can.”
In that instant, the eyes of everyone in the room turned to me.
Even Jeong Taewoo and Sancheon, who were chatting with Andro from a distance.
“That's right. If you're interested, I'll help you too. So you can participate as a freelance hunter without any restrictions.”
“Looks like the opinions of all three guild masters are aligned. Same here, Hunter Kim Hanul. This Ma Dongpal will put his back into it!”
Hmm, the Exchange Meet.
If I were to participate, and if I were to distinguish myself there.
For me, whose identity has yet to be properly revealed to the media, there could be no more spectacular debut.
“Umm...”
As I began to speak, all eyes focused on my lips.
And then, I uttered a single word.
***
“Hunter Kim Hanul, are you sure you don't need anything? No, really, just say the word! I can buy you anything but a guild!”
“You've already done more than enough, Aegis Guild Master.”
Ma Dongpal's puppy-like eyes were fixed on me.
He whined, his hands full of bags of food I had packed for him.
“B-But... I received all this food... and all I brought was toilet paper, while the other guild masters apparently did all these amazing things for you...”
“It's fine. If you really feel that way, I'll think of something and let you know later.”
“You really have to tell me! Or I'll get sulky!”
“I understand.”
I nodded and gestured to Asha with my eyes.
Reading my gaze, Asha pushed the bear who seemed glued to the doorway.
“Let's go, Master. Ah, hurry! You look incredibly pathetic standing here tearing up!”
“*Sob*, you really mean it! You have to tell meeee! I'll be waitinggggg!”
The bear was dragged away by Asha.
Finally, I had succeeded in seeing off all the guests who had attended my housewarming.
“Hoo.”
I returned to the chaotic living room and sat on the sofa.
So this is a housewarming party.
I made a decision.
If I ever move again, I will never throw a housewarming party.
Or at least, I'll never invite the guild masters.
“Nyaa.”
I sank into thought as I stroked San-gun, who had climbed onto my lap.
It was about the 'Exchange Meet,' the topic that had heated up the conversation earlier.
‘Jeokryongdan.’
Jeokryongdan, one of China's top ten guilds, was being dispatched for this Exchange Meet.
[The Sage informs you that information on Jeokryongdan already exists!]
That's right.
I had heard of them before.
Back when I infiltrated Yu Wolha's banquet hall to save the Gnomes.
Jeokryongdan was the one responsible for broadcasting that horrific fighting arena in China.
Yu Wolha had mentioned in passing that the income from it was quite substantial.
I even exchanged nods with a hunter who seemed to be an executive of Jeokryongdan.
‘Right after Yu Wolha was crushed, there were brief news reports about Jeokryongdan's involvement.’
It was quickly buried in our country since it could have turned into a diplomatic issue, but it became a big deal in China.
‘That's probably why they were dispatched for this Exchange Meet.’
Jeokryongdan must be sharpening their blades for this.
The S-Rank gate is a secondary issue.
Their goal, just as the three guild masters suspect, is likely to crush Korea's guilds and raise the banner of Chinese hunters.
“The Exchange Meet...”
The three guild masters had been overtly expecting me to participate.
But my answer was ‘no’.
‘There's no reason to get caught up in that headache.’
I had no intention of wasting my energy by getting involved in such a pride-fueled battle.
Jeokryongdan sharpening their blades and setting foot in Korea did stem from my actions.
But officially, I had nothing to do with the Samwol Guild Gate incident.
‘Now is the time to focus my strength on the Lord's Castle while preparing for the next wave.’
There's no telling how many Void Monsters or other comparable monsters exist.
With that thought, the moment I connected to the Lord's Castle to check Idic's analysis rate.
“Huh?”
Something bewildering caught my eye.
The Tower of Demise for the Half-Dragons and the Undead.
The signal tower, heralding the approach of a new wave, was glowing red.