Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Permission for the Sealed Gate
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Soon after the meal ended and Jeong Cheol-min finished paying, as he was about to leave the restaurant.
“Hey, Su-ho. But still.”
“Yes?”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay? As you saw last time, there are often reporters waiting in front of our National Hunter Association building. Just in case there’s a scoop.”
It was true.
Reporters came and went from police stations much like they loitered around the entrance to the National Hunter Association.
All to catch any potential issue.
There were some today, too.
A quick glance showed a few reporters gathered in small groups, chatting.
Seeing that, Su-ho smirked and said,
“Ah, if that’s what you mean, I’ll be fine. I’ll handle it. If you’re worried, shall we meet again at the first-floor entrance?”
“Huh? You’re really okay with it?”
“I’m good. I’ll head out first, then. See you on the first floor?”
With that, Su-ho stepped ahead.
Jeong Cheol-min, worried about him, was about to ask if he should go together when something amazing happened.
“......Huh?”
Su-ho had suddenly vanished.
What?
He was right there just a moment ago?
It was truly bizarre.
But surprisingly, Su-ho hadn’t disappeared.
Thanks to the cognitive distortion effect from the Colorless Solitude imprinted on his first Mumu-mu, Jeong Cheol-min unknowingly failed to perceive him.
Seeing Jeong Cheol-min’s baffled expression, Su-ho nodded in satisfaction and entered the National Hunter Association building.
Naturally, passing right in front of the entrance reporters.
***
The two met again inside the building.
Jeong Cheol-min asked Su-ho in wonder,
“Su-ho, how did you get in with all those reporters out front?”
“Just a skill effect, nothing much. Shall we go now?”
“Ah...... Yes, let’s.”
A skill effect.
Curious, but Jeong Cheol-min held back.
That was the courtesy owed to a hunter.
Soon, the two headed to the association president’s office on the top floor of the National Hunter Association building.
As they stepped out of the elevator, Jeong Cheol-min said,
“As you probably expected, just take one photo in the president’s office and have a brief chat. And thank you again, truly.”
“No problem. It’s not a big deal.”
Just as Jeong Cheol-min said.
Everything was set up in the president’s office for a photo with Su-ho.
Spotting Su-ho, Association President Jang Kyung-hwan and Vice Association President Park Gyu-man greeted him with broad smiles.
“Oh, Hunter! Welcome. Nice to meet you. I’m National Hunter Association President Jang Kyung-hwan.”
Jang Kyung-hwan.
A kind, gentle face with a sturdy build.
He was a man with a flashy background as a five-term National Assembly member.
And at the same time......
‘He’s the guy who clung to the president’s seat until the massive purge, gobbling it all up.’
His power only ended after two presidential terms changed.
Even then, he retired only after feasting to his heart’s content.
But this time would be different.
‘I’ll make sure to oust you before this president’s term even ends.’
Su-ho recalled memories of Jang Kyung-hwan from the Library of Memories.
He was the textbook corrupt official—misusing association funds for personal matters, involved in hiring scandals, neglecting the association’s duties while just lounging around.
Because of him, the National Hunter Association faced finger-pointing instead of growth during its prime.
The prime example was wages; he was largely responsible for the field hunters under the association receiving such paltry pay.
And the vice president stuck to his side, Park Gyu-man, was his cheerleader.
‘The meddlesome sister-in-law is less hated than this guy, who’s the real problem.’
That made sense; to curry favor with the president, he always overdid it, ordering unnecessary tasks.
Like telling Jeong Cheol-min to bring Su-ho this time.
Yet Su-ho showed no sign of it, smiling as he said,
“Yes, I’m An Su-ho. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Hoho, the honor is mine. With that in mind, could I ask for just one photo? We’re making promotional flyers, and having someone as impressive as you as the model would greatly help build the association’s image.”
“Ah, of course. Sure.”
Usually, they’d chat a bit, then say they’re a fan before snapping the photo.
But requesting it right from the start.
Fine.
That’s how you guys are.
Not surprising at all.
The photo session proceeded.
With the president alone.
With the vice president alone.
Finally, all together.
Thoroughly done.
Once the secretary left after the photos, the casual chat finally began.
Then, the vice president across from him, lifting his teacup, said,
“By the way, I heard your goal is to join our National Hunter Association......”
At that, the president’s eyes gleamed, and Jeong Cheol-min tensed up.
The president eyed him like a hawk spotting prey, while Jeong Cheol-min worried what nonsense the old folks might spout.
But contrary to Jeong Cheol-min’s fears, Su-ho’s eyes sparkled brighter than ever.
“Haha, yes. As I said in the hunter exam interview, joining the National Hunter Association is my dream.”
The president and vice president’s faces lit up.
“Oho, may we ask why?”
“It’s nothing grand...... As you’d know from the article interview, I’m actually a gate orphan. So I’ve long thought I need to end gates as soon as possible to contribute to humanity’s safety......”
A standard story.
The same one he told Jeong Cheol-min and Jo Jin-hwi.
It might seem clichéd, but Su-ho’s tale was the narrative the so-called “higher-ups” loved most.
A pearl blooming from mud, a dragon rising from a slum—overcoming adversity.
Of course, it wasn’t strategically fabricated to suit their tastes.
It was all true.
Su-ho really was a gate orphan, and he had joined the association hoping for gate closure.
As Su-ho finished, the president wore a sympathetic expression.
“Oh no...... What a story. But you grew up so strong and upright; your parents in heaven must be proud.”
“Haha, I hope so.”
“In that spirit...... What department would you like to work in if you join our National Hunter Association?”
Su-ho quickly replied,
“As I told Team Leader Jeong before, I want to work in the Gate Division, where I can tackle gates directly.”
“Hoho, you aim for the toughest place...... Such selflessness.”
“But the Gate Division needs someone as capable as Hunter An Su-ho. Still, with your level, other guilds must be showering you with offers. No thoughts there?”
“Ah, other guilds.”
At the mention of other guilds, Jeong Cheol-min paled.
He was tense.
It was entirely possible.
Seeing that, Su-ho smirked and said,
“Hexagon, Nexus—all of them reached out. Even promised more compensation than I imagined. But somehow, none really clicked yet.”
“Hoo, so Hunter An Su-ho isn’t swayed by money or material things?”
“Yes, I’m the type who thinks money’s fine as long as I don’t starve...... If they’d offered a gate, it might’ve been different.”
“A gate?”
“Yes, my ultimate goal is gate closure, so I want to get stronger as fast as possible. That’s partly why I want the association—for priority access to various gates.”
“Oho......”
“Wow, Hunter An Su-ho really thinks differently.”
The two marveled at Su-ho’s words.
Feeling good, the president asked Jeong Cheol-min,
“Team Leader Jeong, with such an upright man saying this, isn’t there some way we can help from our side?”
“From the association?”
“Yes. He wants gates so much—why not lend him one or two from the ones we manage? We hold quite a few, as I recall.”
“Well, that’s true, but they’re all sealed gates or tricky hard gates......”
Jeong Cheol-min trailed off in confusion.
Understandably, the association managed only public gates like the Tower of Challenge or hard gates like sealed ones.
But at those words, Su-ho’s eyes lit up.
“Sealed or hard gates would be even better. Aren’t those the real threats to humanity? If you give me the chance, I’d love to tackle one of those troublesome sealed gates you’re managing.”
“Y-Yes?”
Su-ho’s sudden bombshell.
Jeong Cheol-min panicked greatly.
“Iya, as expected of Hunter An Su-ho! Sure, what’s so hard about that? Go ahead.”
But Association President Jang Kyung-hwan approved more readily than anyone.
“P-President!”
“What is it, Team Leader Jeong?”
“N-No, it’s just......”
Jeong Cheol-min was flustered.
Things turned out like this so suddenly?
And even the reliable Su-ho.
“Thank you. As expected of the president.”
“Hoho, when such an upright hunter offers to resolve our headache sealed gates, of course we push hard. Isn’t that what the association’s for?”
“Just give me the chance, and I’ll do my best.”
He jumped at it like he’d been waiting.
‘Ah, damn it......’
Jeong Cheol-min was dumbfounded—no, beyond that, starting to get angry.
Sure, An Su-ho was new to being a hunter and might not know the ways of the world, but these association president and vice president shouldn’t act like this.
What kind of place was it?
Sealed gates were government-managed due to extreme difficulty and massive casualties.
They rarely granted entry even to major guilds without proper vetting for safety reasons—yet approving it so easily for a solo like An Su-ho?
‘This is why I hate non-awakener origins......!’
If he’d entered a gate even once, would he decide so lightly?
But more than that, the most aggravating part was separate.
‘Sealed gates are called hunters’ graves—why send our promising talent there......!’
Jeong Cheol-min didn’t want to lose Su-ho.
He might truly become a great hunter.
Thus, he wanted to nurture him steadily into a hero for humanity’s peace.
But with the mood so good, he couldn’t suddenly get serious and stop it.
Only Jeong Cheol-min, who knew the internals, was driven mad with frustration.
And seeing Jeong Cheol-min’s flushed face, Su-ho laughed inwardly.
