Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: 27. Controversy (6)
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The situation had changed.
Jeong Moon-cheol, who had been curt from start to finish, now approached with sudden friendliness, as if it had never happened.
"You've really been through a lot. Human nature being what it is, it's hard to trust rumors from across the sea, right? That's probably why there was all that negative public opinion. But I think you've more than proven yourself in this match. I mean, taking down the equivalent of ten A-Rank Hunters single-handedly—who could deny that's S-Rank caliber?"
He was shameless.
Just like that, without a flicker of change in his expression, he backpedaled—proving how he'd survived in broadcasting.
Kang San felt irritation bubbling up.
He was tired.
And with the lingering emotions still fresh, his boiling killing intent manifested as raw negativity.
"This is live, right?"
"Pardon?"
"Give me the mic."
Thud.
He snatched the microphone.
Ignoring Jeong Moon-cheol's reaction entirely, he spat out his irritated words clearly.
"When I arrived in Korea, the video I received from a contact showed 'host Jeong Moon-cheol' publicly linking me to the Japanese government and condemning me. The message was ridiculous. It blatantly played on anti-Japanese sentiment, and now with Drake Guild and Im Chan-young here... I get why you have a reputation for hosting third-rate shows."
"Hey, you...!"
"I'm not done yet."
He turned his head.
Not toward Jeong Moon-cheol, but straight at the still-running camera.
"Let me make this clear right here. Yes, I took down an S-Rank monster in Japan, but I've never once used that feat to claim S-Rank status. It was pure luck. I just happened to have an ability that was a perfect counter. Even I couldn't believe it worked. The reason I accepted the S-Rank test? Because I judged the intentions behind it as malicious."
Jeong Moon-cheol's report?
That could happen.
But the moment Drake, Im Chan-young, and Project A Team came together, those intentions were impossible to ignore.
"I won this match. Some might say it qualifies as S-Rank proof, but this wasn't official procedure, and I don't believe I truly possess S-Rank power. So, I won't accept a rank promotion. If I think I'm S-Rank material, I'll go to the Hunter Management Bureau myself and get properly verified."
It was a total checkmate.
Jeong Moon-cheol had reported that Kang San was greedy for S-Rank.
But rejecting it after proving himself meant every word of that report—from one to ten—was dead wrong.
Kang San looked at Jeong Moon-cheol.
And then...
"From now on, at least confirm the facts before you slander someone. I haven't done anything wrong to you."
Thump.
He tossed the mic right in front of him.
Right after the broadcast.
Public opinion exploded.
People split into two camps.
The first condemned those who had trashed Kang San.
-I knew it. Has Jeong Moon-cheol ever not taken malicious shots? First time?
-This is too much. Kang San went abroad, raised Korea's prestige, and came back—our own people should've welcomed him with open arms. Instead, they accused him of scheming for S-Rank glory. He basically passed the S-Rank test but turned it down himself. Jeong Moon-cheol, Drake Guild—they should be ashamed.
-Jeong Moon-cheol, Im Chan-young, Drake. I steer clear of those three now.
-Im Chan-young's done for. Called a genius once, but you gotta keep a pure heart.
People knew exactly who to blame.
Jeong Moon-cheol for creating this mess, Im Chan-young and Drake Guild for going along—none escaped the backlash.
The second group was stunned by the unexpected outcome.
-Wait, Kang San's this strong?
-He passed B-Rank not long ago. How'd he beat A-Ranks?
-Kang San played humble on air, but that's straight-up S-Rank level. No doubt now—he's got unprecedented talent. Everyone fixates on his B-Rank pass, but get this: just a year ago, he was an F-Rank arrow sponge.
Of course, some criticism lingered.
Word spread about Im Chan-young's circle destruction due to Kang San's heavy hand, but since it started with Im's malice, it died down fast. Broadcasters couldn't ignore the backlash. With the fallout hitting hard, A Network—Jeong Moon-cheol's station—called him in immediately.
"What are you gonna do about this?"
"I'm sorry. I'll handle it."
"Handle it? How exactly?"
"I'll issue an apology article promising to do better and lay low for a while..."
Bang!
"You idiot. You still don't get it?"
The president hurled whatever was in his hand.
Jeong Moon-cheol's eyes went wide.
This wasn't his first rodeo.
Sensational broadcasts needed top brass approval.
But this reaction?
As betrayal flashed across his face, the president's grew savage.
"Viewer complaints? We ignore those. The problem? Groups are demanding we punish you properly or they won't let it slide. Defense Ministry, Medical Association, Heavenly Firmament, Great Ocean—even the Japanese government. What the hell did you touch? They're all losing it over you slandering Kang San!"
"W-what?"
Jeong Moon-cheol's jaw dropped.
He had no idea.
That for Kang San's sake, people would foam at the mouth.
Kim Chun-sik mobilized the Defense Ministry.
Yeon Gyu-seong, the Medical Association.
Jeong Hye-mi, Heavenly Firmament.
Koo Jun-ho, Great Ocean.
And Japan? Next PM Ito Kenta ro held a press conference outright.
Kang San was Japan's benefactor.
Korea shouldn't slander him.
Even if Kang San lost the S-Rank test, catastrophe was inevitable.
Now Jeong Moon-cheol got it.
The sin of touching the wrong guy.
No escaping the fall.
The president growled.
"You've worked hard, but I'm out of options. Clear out by today. We'll fire you and say it was your personal opinion, not the network's. And don't even think of badmouthing us— we'll crush you without a second thought."
That day.
Jeong Moon-cheol left the network quietly, without farewell.
A shabby end for a veteran of over a decade.
At that moment.
Kang San went to see Im Chan-young.
Hospitalized, he glared furiously the instant he spotted Kang San.
"You bastard. Why not just kill me? If you were destroying my circles, you should've cut my lifeline too!"
Loss of magic.
When he learned the truth in his room, he convulsed, fainting and waking repeatedly. Reality too harsh to accept. Once Korea's top talent, now a powerless civilian—nothing more.
The fallout didn't stop there.
Drake Guild faced fierce backlash too. The master stepped up, apologizing and naming Im Chan-young and Project A Team as "ringleaders," expelling them. Everything lost. Drake's shelter gone—Im Chan-young had nothing left.
Im Chan-young sobbed beyond rage.
"...Meeting you ruined my life. What grudge do you have against me!?"
He knew.
He was the perpetrator.
But without this...
Without shifting blame, he couldn't survive.
True, meeting Kang San led to his ruin.
The current mess.
"Grudge? Funny word."
Kang San chuckled.
Why visit Im Chan-young?
Not to mock.
Kang San had facts to confirm.
"I'm curious too. What did you do to me in our past lives?"
"What bullshit is that!?"
"You really have no clue? If you're human, own your karma."
He probed vaguely.
Does he remember past lives? Know his sins as Gwak Un-chan?
"Karma? What karma? What did I do to deserve this!?"
Zero recognition.
Im Chan-young's face showed pure fury at the present—no past life trace.
No more ways to check.
But.
His aggrieved reaction stirred heat in Kang San's chest.
He leaned in, locking eyes.
"Why'd you do it?"
Gwak Un-chan or Im Chan-young.
To Seo Moon-ho, to Kang San.
Trash either way.
"Why ask me, you fucking bastard."
Back at his lodging, Kang San collapsed into a chair.
Thud.
"Haa..."
Dizziness hit.
Emotions tangled in his head.
Im Chan-young's memories.
Viewing Seo Moon-ho from Gwak Un-chan's perspective robbed Kang San of his usual calm. Hence the aggression. Snatching Jeong Moon-cheol's mic, confronting Im Chan-young alone. Beyond payback—pure hostility overflowed.
Kang San blankly opened his status window.
Strength and Agility.
Up by a whopping 100 from before.
No special steps for Kang San, so it had to be partial integration of Seo Moon-ho's power. Reward for punishing Im Chan-young sufficiently. Worlds apart from helping others—massive payoff in one go.
Rewards didn't end there.
Growth SkillBlood Demon Art (Fifth Star)
1. Attack power rises 5% per enemy killed (stacks).
2. Steal 3,000 lives from Heaven to upgrade Blood Demon Art. (0/3000)
3. Attack power +50%
Conditional Skill (★★★★)Blood Demon Sword Art, Fourth Form: Lure Kill
1. Only Blood Demon Art users can wield Blood Demon Sword Art.
2. Lure enemy attacks. Attack power and speed +200% instantly, plus extra from Blood Demon Art stacks. Targets with 'blood' exposed suffer unstemmed bleeding for a duration. (Cooldown: 5 min)
Blood Demon Art upgraded.
And Fourth Form: Lure Kill.
The growth meant it was evolving correctly.
His mind was a mess.
When Kang San first learned of trials, Azmun demanded unconditional sacrifice via Luca Bellino. Dive into danger for Kim Chun-sik, empty his pockets.
But now?
He'd thought sacrifice was the only way to clear karma—but this shattered that.
'What kind of situation am I in?'
Once, he didn't know others had past lives.
Past lives exist, sure—but people reliving youth to atone? Unthinkable. It explained the contradiction. No matter Seo Moon-ho's sins. History's traitors, dictators, mass murderers—they all needed karma clearance too. Him alone atoning? Wrong.
And now.
Im Chan-young disproved it.
Others have past lives too. Maybe others out there remember theirs.
The S-Rank evil spirit too.
Facing that monster? Inevitable.
Mental strength to oppose it, memory playback reward—all connected.
"...What do you want from me?"
"Curious?"
"?!"
He jolted.
Luca Bellino sat beside him now, gazing.
Dreamy eyes.
Her red lips—the same that urged killing Im Chan-young—spoke boldly.
"Then ask. I'll tell you the truth, as much as you're allowed to know."