The Proxy's Declaration

My Power Fragment count was currently at one.

I needed nine more.

Confidential documents containing related information were held at the Hunter Management Bureau.

"Y-Yes! I can do this now!"

I helped Jenny, who would attend as my agent, back into her Horn's Robe.

While Ollie updated the security on the agent earpieces and micro-cameras to the highest level just in case,

I read the email in detail.

It outlined roughly what kind of meeting it was.

'Foreign countries seeking support from Korea.'

Holy Relics existed not just domestically but abroad as well. That explained the gate chaos everywhere.

Which meant Power Fragments were likely scattered worldwide too.

'But foreign countries aren't my pie right now.'

Jenny's spatial distortion range currently covered Korea, barely brushing Japan and a sliver of China.

Even Ollie noted that operational radar range made it a situation needing review.

Of course, with my precious agents around, global expansion wasn't entirely impossible right away. But balancing safety and efficiency was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a burden.

The place where I could perform at maximum was still domestic.

Yet I didn't want to give up on potential Power Fragments abroad.

Just before Jenny's departure, as I pondered, an idea struck me. No guarantee it'd work, but...

'...Let's try this.'

It was worth a shot.

《Hunter Management Bureau - Operations Conference Room》 Cheon Seung-hyuk and Kim Chi-gon had arrived early.

Yoon So-i was in Jeju, and Hae-dong was still fortifying Gangneung.

"I'm telling you, no experience, no nothing. Look."

Kim Chi-gon was reporting the 'Gangneung Gate' resolution to the Director. Truly, no changes post-gate.

"The system gate message did pop up. But that's it—no follow-up."

"No experience? No rewards?"

Cheon Seung-hyuk fixed his intense eyes on Kim Chi-gon.

"...Kid. You think I'm lying? Everyone saw. How could I hide my status window?"

Tension crackled between them again, so Director Baek Moon-seong mediated.

"This isn't about trust, Hunter Kim Chi-gon. The issue is confirming the gate's anomalous changes."

With the money man speaking, Kim Chi-gon softened instantly. Cheon Seung-hyuk added,

"It's related to the Holy Relic. The latest Gangneung ultra-high gate 'Imugi' appeared at the exact same spot as this one—needs noting."

Watching, bald Team Leader Kim Chun-gyu chimed in, "Already considering it."

Even a fool could see. The turbulent Seoul gate matched the previous 'Black Minotaur' spot exactly.

"Then Gargoyles were due to Cartibes' egg, and Minotaur to Jeju's Holy Relic?"

Pure speculation. Gates had countless variables. But assuming Necrophilia ties...

RANK 6 - Mechanical Legion MARK-67

Private guild master, but pro-Bureau Mechanical Legion.

RANK 7 - Hunter Management Bureau Paeng Je-won

High-class mage, limited portal formation between regions, head of Magic Engineering Research Institute—Paeng Je-won.

RANK 8 - Hunter Management Bureau Baek Yeon

Baek Yeon's wolf curled in the corner. Massive—like an adult man dwarfed by a kindergartener.

"Welcome."

Kim Chun-gyu stood to greet the three. All arrived precisely on time.

"Now everyone's here."

RANK 9 and 10 were private guild masters, so absent.

The unregistered hunter never showed. As expected, perhaps.

'...So the summons request is denied after all.'

"We'll relay separately to that one."

Everyone knew who.

"Hoo."

Surprisingly, Kim Chi-gon sighed visibly. Suddenly craving a smoke.

Post-Ombris fight, he'd grown oddly interested in the unregistered—despite prior indifference.

Cheon Seung-hyuk hid it, but was disappointed too. He'd requested unregistered intel first.

"......"

MARK-67 paused a system. Prep for unregistered? Needed cautioning.

"Even if the unregistered shows, talk won't be long. Likely just wants Director chat."

The meeting proceeded without.

"Could be a good opportunity." Cheon Seung-hyuk after agenda. "Indeed." Baek Moon-seong agreed.

"Formal agenda soon: Many nations requesting Korean aid. I lean no, but your opinions?"

Kim Chun-gyu passed docs, adding,

"Dispatching hunters abroad nets magistones/loot/strategic tangibles/intangibles. But domestic unrest unfinished."

True. Gates/Holy Relics ongoing. Minimal civilian damage only.

Cheon Seung-hyuk recalled: Post-Jeju Necrophilia, heading to Yecheon harpies—first taste of strain.

"Normally, top-10 ranks need 7-8 stationed default. Priority: domestic stability/security."

Plus, lower top-20 for emergencies.

"If national gain clear, rotate extras abroad viable. But worth it? We got surplus?"

Key: 'Normally'. Not now.

One beyond-spec hunter smashed gates instantly—freakish results.

Yecheon cleared in under a minute. Jeju Holy Relic probe accelerated—all due to one.

Impossible at normal speed.

"Jeju was ultra-high, Seoul high soon. Looks tough, Director."

Even prickly Kim Chi-gon backed Cheon Seung-hyuk here.

"Foreign gains tempting, but assumes unregistered keeps helping... Doubt it."

Unregistered veiled, teetering on 'cooperation' tightrope.

Fragile—can't call Korea stronger yet.

"......"

Essence: Need unregistered's take on Korea's smooth progress cause.

High-rankers: 'Conditional yes'. Gain for nation/guild positive.

'But no sure card to hook unregistered.'

Solve that: Massive domestic/global leaps. Legal foreign Holy Relic probe pretext.

But without him, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠murky future—then,

"!!!" "!!!"

All eyes snapped to the sound.

Cheon Seung-hyuk's poker face hardened further; even aloof Baek Yeon turned.

There: Tiny child in black robe.

Unregistered's agent, 'Jenny Gorwell'.

"!!!"

Baek Moon-seong and Kim Chun-gyu rose to greet the agent. They'd met before.

"Deeply grateful you answered the request."

Baek bowed deeply first; Kim simultaneously.

High-rankers: First sight, visibly rattled. Then, agent's voice.

"I'm late."

'Little girl's voice!'

Knew agent was young girl, but seeing amplified the oddity.

Director led, so none jumped in.

MARK-67 secretly activated a system. Probe agent's status window. Then—

"......"

Too risky—backlash instead.

Strong system protection from the girl. Even Mechanical Legion's tech pierced not, counterattacked.

Agent ignored MARK-67's probe entirely, skipped Director's greet, scanned high-rankers.

"......!" Murderous silence.

Shocked Kim Chi-gon rose, massive frame jolting the table.

Baek and Kim eyed restraint. Knew her, but words for unregistered brewing.

"Later."

Cheon Seung-hyuk raised left arm blocking. "Damn... Got words for you." Grumbled, ignored.

No one here lacked desire to speak with unregistered.

But fully veiled—national asset now. Avoid mishandling.

'Not yet.'

Cheon Seung-hyuk's eyes glued to agent 'Jenny Gorwell' unwavering.

She sat at prepped 【Unregistered】 seat. Tiny—barely upper body visible over table.

Team 1 Leader Kim Chun-gyu briefed prior discussions to agent.

Amid collective hush, agent paused, emotionless, then spoke.

As if caring for none, only mission.

"One demand. One declaration."

"......Speak."

Baek Moon-seong slowly raised head, ready for anything.

"One: Hand over all Necrophilia-related materials."

Updated classifieds now—including fresh 'Gangneung anomaly' log. Approvable.

"Two: Acknowledge all Power Fragments receivable/acquirable pre/post-incident as unregistered's property."

"......As expected."

Baek and Kim groaned. Power Fragment: Bureau/high-ranker known.

Fate Power Fragment. Collect 10: Alter one trait. Rare.

Unregistered knowing? Mockery to assume not.

'Reached that far, huh.'

Baek replied to agent.

"Bureau holds no Power Fragment yet."

Unregistered never this firm before. Better national tie than Necrophilia grab.

But fragments info-scarce. Unregistered planned something.

"Consider high-rankers intervening in foreign Holy Relics/gates."

"Ah!"

Baek, Kim, even Cheon eyes widened. Matched prior dispatch talk.

Blocked by unregistered uncertainty.

Now self-resolved. But on Power Fragment base.

Baek pushed. Without touching non-subordinate stance.

"Seems possible."

Unregistered domestic aid assumed—straight conclusion.

'Surely opinions on it.'

Prior Cartibes: Cooperation sans firm yes. But,

"Unregistered monitors Power Fragment risks."

"......"

"100% acquisition/transfer of Power Fragments from overseas dispatches."

All direct/indirect Power Fragment-linked to unregistered.

"Conditional cooperation above. Until Holy Relic resolved: Unregistered defends domestic with some forces."

"!!!"

Cheon Seung-hyuk shot up.

"Alone's tough. Unregistered."

"......"

No reply.

"Rotating shifts sequential. Thoughts? Even with you, high-ranker overseas means few for us."

Issue: High-ranker dispatch 'ratio'. 50-100% demand burdensome.

Baek/Kim awaited unregistered answer too.

Then,

"!!!"

Seoul gate opened as scheduled. Far earlier than analyzed. Thought 1-hour post-meeting buffer.

"Location matches Black Minotaur."

Kim Chun-gyu whispered to Director.

High-ranker Paeng Je-won opened massive warp. More vital than eyeing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠agent now—but Bureau duty.

Cheon Seung-hyuk rose, eyes still fixed, finally spoke unbidden.

"Talk again soon. Unregistered. On this, and warrior-to-warrior someday."

Stepped into huge warp.

"......Whatever." Kim Chi-gon had talks too, but resigned to warp.

Warp open: Conference saw Chimera descending Seoul skies live.

Minotaur-sized, grotesque monster mash boss.

Finally, hesitating Cheon/Kim attempted warp, others following—then,

"Limited to Holy Relic and incidental response period,"

Girl's chill voice from behind,

"Unregistered declares responsibility for Korea's domestic defense."

"!!!" "!!!"

Awful explosion beyond warp.

Chimera exploded whole.

Chimera barely showed horror before HP bars emptied, flesh grenading pixelward.

Instant post-appearance destruction. All witnessed visually.

Seoul gate: Start to end instant.

"...Hey."

Kim Chi-gon couldn't hold back, turned to speak.

"When can we meet alone? I'll pay last time's too."

Cheon/other high-rankers turned, eyeing unregistered.

"Adjust high-ranker overseas dispatch ratio, contact."

Agent, classified docs in hand, said.

"Power Fragment. No hitches. Unregistered sides with none."

Silence lingered where agent vanished.

"Sit a moment."

Calmest Baek Moon-seong steadied room.

"No panic. No confusion needed."

But flushed Cheon/Kim Chi-gon. Others dazed by abrupt encounter.

"One decision: For now..."

Pointed to hoisted national flag.

"'Unregistered' is Korea."

Situation shifts majorly.

Baek Moon-seong's time.

《US Certified Hunter Management Bureau》

Director Benjamin Coldwell called International Hunter Federation meeting. Korea intel triggered it.

Seoul 【High】 boss gate cleared on spawn. Chimera: Overwhelmingly vital boss.

Unprecedented vs. US/Japan/other chaos.

Latest: Korea's Director Baek Moon-seong.

High-gate post-op delay? Unlikely—no ops needed.

Cartibes would've blazed multilingual; now silence. Benjamin about to agenda—

"Was announcing future cooperation intent with unregistered hunter; hence late."

"!!!" "!!!"

China Director Jing Wei grimaced, dark circles amplifying.

Japan Defense Minister Tanaka stiffened, resigned air.

All silenced. None hadn't salivated over unregistered. China beaten badly.

Now Korea's Baek declared 'firm cooperation'.

Korea handled unrest well. Hunters fought, but core: Unregistered's sporadic aid.

Now sporadic to stable/sustained?

"......I see."

US Benjamin poker-faced, briefed situation brief.

Summary:

『International Hunter Federation values borderless contribution for humanity.』

I.e., 'Share surplus power'.

Then languages flared again. China/Japan milder. Much to say, prioritized.

Silent Korea Baek spoke—room hushed.

All craved 'Korea overseas aid feasibility'. Baek looked haggard suddenly.

"Korea hasn't found Holy Relic either."

"......"

Benjamin nudged persuasion, reading stance—but Baek preempted.

"Cartibes post-recovery ongoing, multiple monster waves straining. Perhaps Korea's true crisis now?"

Words strained; face relaxed.

'Mr. Baek.'

Tough stance. Cartibes: Federation did zilch. Korea refused true, but all knew why.

Baek spoke.

"How about this."

Post-unregistered clarity from prior meet—veteran's words.

"Establish global pact clause."

Displayed table.

Heads focused. "......" Déjà vu content.

"Reference this pact. Long Necrophilia war: Good guideline."

Baek smiled kindly.

While Jenny at Bureau, sniped high gate at exact Minotaur spot.

16x zoom + HUD: Chimera dead on spawn. MVP me, no level-up.

Gangneung same—Seoul clear no XP. Need deep classified review.

Jenny returned.

"Huff! Huff! Thought I could, but tons of people! Captain! Usually just warm grandpa and bald uncle—shocked!"

I saw. Thug uncle to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠intense Cheon—Jenny swallowing 'Eh?' gasps amid stares.

"But perfect job. Jenny!"

"Approved. Nicer."

"!!!"

Conditional cooperation intent delivered firm.

Overseas: Korea mercenaries sent—handle it. Bag Power Fragments solid.

I devour domestic meanwhile. Won't stay domestic long.

"LV 100 unlocks new shelter yo Captain. Level fast good!"

"......"

Overseas plan rough-sketched.

But domestic errand lingers.

"Yeah. But first, grab and grill one."

"Raid the church."

'Think I forgot you?'

Priest chatting Korean with layfolk at church.

Grotesque murals all walls, muttering, necklace with two Power Fragments, kissing murals.

While Ollie scanned all Korea churches,

I reviewed brought classifieds.

Like Cartibes, high Power Fragment odds from Jackal Mask.

'Scout first.'

Grabbed Slaughter for full prep—

"10 candidate sites!"

Ollie picked 10 nationwide churches. Filtered by my verbal recall—similar internals.

Jeju quick-formed distortion point.

"......Yeah. Going."

No mercy from now.