Korea's Strongest, Kang Sung-gi (3)
I headed to the S-rank hunter building with Kim Seol-bi for the meeting. When I suggested bringing Kim Se-in and Kim Eun-bi along, she said it might be better to observe the situation first.
Kim Se-in and Kim Eun-bi had originally awakened as A-rank hunters. Showing up as sudden S-ranks could stir up confusion. Plus, this gathering had a political edge to it, so just like she said, attending alone this time to gauge the atmosphere didn't sound like a bad idea.
They were all allies anyway, so whether they joined late or later, it wouldn't put us at a disadvantage. If anything, flashing all our cards from the start would be worse.
"Is this it?" I looked up at the building, even more impressive than I'd imagined.
"Yeah. It's built just for S-ranks. They barely use it except for meetings, and they've overstaffed it too. Total waste of tax money, in a nutshell."
"Taxes..."
Yeah, it wasn't like someone had funded this out of pocket. Probably started as a way to give S-ranks a solid base for strategizing stable clears of S-rank dungeons. If that's how it was built and used, spending tax money on it wouldn't be so bad.
But if it was just an occasional meeting spot with political chit-chat? Jo Dong-geun used to hold them often back in the day, but after he vanished, no one took the lead. Not until Baek Seonghun stepped up this time.
I followed Kim Seol-bi inside. The interior was even more sleek and spacious. Burly guards in crisp uniforms bowed to us.
An S-rank hunter hangout—who were they even guarding against?
Kim Seol-bi headed to the reception desk, where a female staffer greeted her politely.
"Hello, Hunter."
"Hi. I've got a newcomer with me today."
"Pardon?"
The staffer blinked in surprise, glanced my way, and let out a soft "Ah."
"Are you... perhaps Mr. Kang Sung-gi?"
"Yes, that's me."
Figured my license from the Hunter Management Office would be on record.
"Nice to meet you." She bowed with renewed deference.
After clearing reception, Kim Seol-bi and I took the elevator up. Judging by the floors, it was an eight-story building—and each floor was massive. For just the ten S-rank hunters in Korea, it felt extravagant.
Though considering their status as national treasures, quibbling over costs seemed petty.
The meeting was on the top floor, apparently. No clue what the rest was for.
When the doors opened, more staffers bowed deeply.
"Hello."
"Hello."
Not a super high floor, but the prime location meant killer views through the floor-to-ceiling glass.
In the conference room, a few familiar faces turned our way. Kim Hyun-cheol and Park Hyun-jun stood out especially. Seo Na-yeon was mercifully absent.
They locked eyes with me and flinched. Clearly hadn't expected me here.
They exchanged glances, then shuffled over awkwardly.
"Fancy running into you here, bro."
Kim Hyun-cheol's brazen vibe from last time had dulled a lot. In front of me, he even looked a bit servile.
"Long time no see."
He wasn't as broken as Park Hyun-jun, but better than when they'd crashed Kim Seol-bi's place. Maybe bonding over shared S-rank eunuch status? They seemed chummier now.
"Yeah."
I kept it short. They weren't exactly delightful company for me either. If not for the meeting, no reason to seek them out.
They glanced around slyly before slinking back to their seats. The other hunters eyed us curiously.
Faces I recognized from news clips and TV. They sized up the guy who'd walked in with Kim Seol-bi and chatted with those two, but no one approached.
Arrogance was baked into them. You want a greeting? Come get it.
I had no urge to introduce myself first. Past experience said it was hard to tell friend from foe—and odds leaned foe.
As Kim Seol-bi and I sat side by side, the door opened and another woman entered. She scanned the room, then beelined for Kim Seol-bi.
"Seol-bi! It's been ages! You doing okay?"
"Not that long. I'm good. You?"
They seemed close. I eyed the woman smiling at Kim Seol-bi. Face rang a bell, name didn't. Had to be an S-rank if she was here.
She tilted her head at me. "Who's this?"
First time at an S-rank meeting for me. Plenty knew me for good or ill, but the rest would wonder. Korea's S-rank count had been static forever.
Kim Seol-bi flushed faintly. "That's Sung-gi. He just awakened as S-rank."
"Oh..."
The woman's jaw dropped. But her reaction felt off. New S-ranks were rare, not impossible. No need to gape like that.
Kim Seol-bi's embarrassment hinted at some backstory between them I didn't know.
"Is he... the one?"
"..."
Kim Seol-bi just ducked her head.
"Didn't you say he wasn't S-rank? Pretty sure that's what you told me..."
"Well... things changed."
"Oh my gosh."
Not BFFs, but definitely tight. And Kim Seol-bi had clearly spilled about me before.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Park Hye-na!"
Her handshake jogged my memory. Same for the other S-ranks—faces familiar, names fuzzy. I'd ignored hunter politics on purpose.
"Kang Sung-gi."
"Oh! Your name..."
Park Hye-na covered her mouth, giggling. Rare to get that reaction these days. Back in college, friends teased nonstop—Kang plus Sung-gi was too perfect.
"Sorry~ But you do look strong. Hehe."
Still grinning, no malice—just bubbly personality. Teasing Kim Seol-bi too, probably.
As she sat, she added, "I was worried Seol-bi would never date. Glad to see she's got someone now~"
Curiosity lit her face. Not as flashy as Kim Seol-bi, but Park Hye-na was a knockout—killer looks, body, and that S-rank aura.
"Haha."
With Kim Seol-bi quiet, I could only chuckle. No clue if she wanted our closeness public yet.
Blatantly signaling it wouldn't be smart strategically. My power stemmed from captivating women—top-tier ones especially.
Exposing assets early in a political powder keg? Bad move.
"Wanna grab food later? All three of us, obviously."
Park Hye-na seemed thrilled—first fun thing at an S-rank meeting in forever. Politics bored most without ambitions. They came out of obligation.
Without Jo Dong-geun's pull, corralling S-ranks was tough. Baek Seonghun's message demanding full attendance? Doubt he had that sway.
Most showed for the upcoming S-rank dungeon raid details. Jo Dong-geun's absence meant updates incoming.