Barun So Gopchang
An old sign that looked older than I was.
Creak—
Director Jeong Seungil opened the door that fully carried the weight of the years.
"Come in."
"Ah. Yes."
A high-pitched, boyish voice. It clashed completely with his skinny frame and sharp features.
Who is this person?
"Director Jeong Seungil."
Korea's only SS-class hunter. One of the heroes of the Great Cataclysm. The man called the pillar of the nation's public security.
To see with my own eyes someone who regularly shows up as a standard question in the modern history section on the Great Cataclysm left me speechless.
So there are strong ones in this world as well.
Oh. A level of power that even the Continent's Greatest Sword acknowledges, is that it? Her first reaction of genuine interest left me oddly proud.
How strong is the Director by Sir Isra's standards?
He would be of Royal Knight caliber.
What's that?
The imperial knight order formed by selecting only the outstanding among the knights.
Oh. So the highest level, then.
Though he falls short of my prime.
Yes. Yes. Of course you do. You're truly outstanding.
"Do you dislike gopchang by any chance?"
"Ah, no. I can't get enough of it."
Yikes. The small talk had gone on too long. Good thing I'd been talking inside my head. If I'd said any of that out loud, I'd have looked like a complete weirdo.
"It seems you were conversing with your summon."
Ah. It showed, huh.
"Yes. She said you look strong, Director."
"It's nothing special."
Hmm. A bit too humble for someone always ranked as our country's strongest hunter.
Sizzle—
The gopchang on the heated grill browned to a perfect golden color. The savory aroma teased my nose, but was gopchang really the priority right now? Korea's strongest hunter sat right in front of me. Sharing a table with a living legend, there was no way I could actually taste the food…….
Munch munch.
"It's delicious?"
Not tasting it my ass. What is this fantastical flavor?
"That's why I can't quit this place."
"Wow. I think I'll have to come again."
Maybe because I'd been rushing around since morning, I couldn't stop my chopsticks. Once my stomach was somewhat full, my mind finally cleared.
"Ah. It's embarrassing in front of the Director."
"I'm glad you're enjoying it. It's rewarding."
"I'd like to introduce this place to my friends too."
Sir, you have friends?
Shut up.
When I set down my chopsticks, Director Jeong Seungil's gaze shifted.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation to a meal even though I dropped by unannounced."
"Ah. Yes."
"I believe you can guess the reason."
"A recruitment offer?"
"That's right."
A request to join the Counter-Abnormal Bureau of the Rift Bureau. Calmly, Director Jeong Seungil laid out the conditions. To be honest, they were terrible. The annual salary was what I'd earn clearing two gates. After a gate clear, I'd have to hand over 50% of the fees to the government. With the guild average at 10%, that was a full five times higher.
But how was I supposed to refuse? This was a hunter who could be discussed as the best in the nation. Turning him down to his face felt burdensome.
"You must think the conditions are quite poor."
"Ah. That's……."
"I think the same."
Director Jeong Seungil downed a shot of soju. When had he even brought the alcohol?
It was while you were focused on the food, Sir.
As expected of an SS-class hunter. Speed that even Heavenly Martial Body failed to catch.
If you hadn't been so absorbed in eating, you would have noticed easily enough.
Shh. Stop it.
"That's how government agencies are. They just keep saying you're dedicating yourself to the country, so what more do you expect?"
"Aren't you a high-ranking person in that agency?"
"Hehehe. For me, working out of patriotism is correct."
Even the hunters representing the domestic top five were S+ rank. SS and S+ were only one rank apart, but the actual combat power gap was said to be enormous. I'd heard that two S+ ganging up would only barely edge ahead. A man who could found the largest guild in the country if he felt like it chuckled heartily.
"Hunter Park Minho doesn't seem like someone who would be swayed by appeals to patriotism."
When you put it that pointedly, it stings the conscience. I affirmed with silence, and Director Jeong Seungil continued.
"Soon there will be a reorganization in the Counter-Abnormal Bureau—no, the Rift Bureau."
"Reorganization?"
"In a form where those externally affiliated also participate in Rift Bureau work."
So dual affiliation, is that it?
"It's a concept of signing a contract in the form of collaboration, and helping when a cooperation document comes down from the Bureau."
"Like a kind of mercenary."
— No fees.
— Tax deduction benefits apply.
— Must participate in gate clearing when a cooperation document is issued.
— Requests may be refused. However, must take on a designated gate clearing at least once per quarter.
"There may be changes in the details, but the big picture is like this."
Quite lenient conditions. Not much force behind them, and the benefits were solid. But one question arose.
"May I ask why you're telling me this?"
If even guild affiliates could participate, there was no need to take time out to tell me separately. He could simply propose it when the official system launched.
"Because Hunter Park has the largest stake in the launch of this system."
"Who, me?"
"It's been a long time since an S-rank promotee appeared domestically. Thanks to that, it was easy to push through."
Ah. I see.
After being briefed on the newly emerging system, we didn't chat much more. I'd already eaten my fill anyway.
"I'll take you home."
"No. I'll use public transportation to walk off the meal."
Ugh. He already knew my home address from the hunter registration, but escorting me home was a different story. My mental state was already tattered from sharing a table with a hero of the Republic of Korea.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
Just as I bowed and started to turn away—
"Hunter Park will become a fine hunter."
"Thank you."
"I wish you luck."
Director Jeong Seungil extended his hand. From the wrinkled skin, the traces of time could be felt. Without hesitation, I clasped it.
A luxury sedan emerged from the shabby alley and merged onto the main road. In the back seat, Director Jeong Seungil gazed out the window.
"Hunter Park Minho. Was he a decent person?"
"A solid young man."
"It's been a long time since the Director gave a good evaluation."
Manager Jeong of the Counter-Abnormal Bureau replied.
"Long time, what."
"Isn't it rare for you to say a new recruit of the Counter-Abnormal Bureau catches your eye?"
"I merely stated the facts."
Even while using honorifics with his conversation partner, Jeong Seungil evaluated coldly.
"As always, you're like a blade."
"A public servant should be that way."
"What did you like about that young man?"
"Talent and effort, and character."
Manager Jeong, who was driving, slightly turned his head back.
"If it's that much, isn't he a complete gem?"
He was truly surprised. It had been over twenty years since he joined the Counter-Abnormal Bureau and worked under Director Jeong Seungil. Even for such a man, this was the first time he had heard the Director praise someone to this extent.
"Talent is natural since he reached S-rank. But for such a fellow to also work hard. And even personality……."
"I saw calluses on his hands."
"Calluses?"
"Hands that hammer, carve, and handle things."
A veiled class. According to the staff in charge of Deep Swamp, it was highly likely a summoning type. Yet the atmosphere Minho gave off felt like a production job. Or perhaps both.
Through the information he had gathered beforehand and the conversation itself, Director Jeong Seungil had been able to piece together a considerable amount about Minho.
"I didn't expect his character to pass with flying colors either."
"He looks after his own interests but not excessively, and doesn't seem the type to harm others."
It wasn't because he was naive. His sense of his own value. Behavior that looked ahead to the future. Yet without excessive greed. That was why Director Jeong Seungil had given high marks.
"Patriotism didn't work, right?"
"You're asking even though you didn't expect it."
"Just in case."
The offer to join the Rift Management Bureau had been cleanly rejected. To work solely on a sense of mission and patriotism—too much time had passed since the Great Cataclysm. Even Director Jeong Seungil, who still carried that heart, no longer expected such spirit from young hunters.
"No need to worry about him going abroad for a while."
"Did the Special Forces show some interest?"
"They were sufficiently interested."
The true purpose Minho had not noticed. Leaking the story of the Special Forces creation to gauge how much interest he showed had been a success.
"Hunter outflow has been severe recently."
"Yes."
"To the point that the issue of guild or Rift Bureau has become secondary."
The number and power of hunters were directly linked to national competitiveness. Behind the Special Forces creation lay political schemes.
"We must continue to keep an eye on Hunter Park Minho."
"Understood."
He did not even hope for recruitment into the Rift Bureau. Simply protecting a hunter of outstanding skill, firm will, and decent character so that he would not break was enough.
No.
Still, it would be nice if he came to the Counter-Abnormal Bureau though.
Director Jeong Seungil buried the thought he ultimately could not voice deep in his heart.
"Ugh."
Maybe because I'd met a high-ranking person without any warning, my sleep had been restless.
Why are you shuddering so?
"I turned down the Director's offer right to his face."
The aftertaste wasn't great.
Then why didn't you accept the recruitment offer?
"Ah. I don't want that."
Low pay and more restrictions. Even if I conceded the high fee cut, restrictions on my activities were inconvenient, so no.
Are those restrictions things like this?
"What."
Loafing around in the morning.
"Call it web surfing, please?"
If anyone overheard, they'd mistake me for unemployed. Absolutely not. I wasn't playing because I wasn't fully awake. I was in the middle of important work—searching for materials needed for new undead production.
Are you trying to improve the Armed Zombie Warrior production method?
"First, I'm going to make a Skeleton Mage."
The Skeleton Mage blueprint had been engraved in my mind during the skill enhancement process. The most important mage corpse had been obtained from the Challenging Realm. If I just secured a few more materials—
"Our party will also get a long-range attacker."
Rather, please reinforce the Tempest Knight Order.
"Hey. Wait a bit."
Do you think undead production method research just happens smoothly whenever I please? Lately there had been too many things to worry about, so I hadn't even touched it yet. It was also a matter of achievements. I should clear a whole day and dive into research.
While searching for monster byproducts on the internet hunter auction—
Huh?!
Sir Isra's scream made my head throb.
"What. Why."
Th-this, look at this!!
I couldn't tell what the knight was looking at or what she was pointing to. Calm down a bit and speak slowly.
Right under your finger, Sir.
"Ah. The 12 Heroes Weapon Exhibition?"
The 12 Heroes. A term referring to the twelve hunters who saved the world from crisis during the Great Cataclysm. An event commemorating their noble spirit and achievements. An exhibition that opened the legendary armaments they had used at the time even to the general public.
"I heard it was on a world tour. So this time it's our country."
That sword.
"The beloved sword of Black Knight Gerard, huh."
It is the sword I used in my previous life.
What?