Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Practice Like the Real Thing (3)
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That was how Kim Hyun kept snapping up A-rank gates to help Chae Seol-ah grow.
It wasn't as easy as she thought.
'The competition's too fierce.'
This wasn't some C- or D-rank gate rolling around on the street—it was an A-rank gate.
There weren't many to begin with, and since conquering one brought in astronomical profits, the fight to claim them was brutal.
Even Kim Hyun, flush with cash from constant raids, was starting to get pushed out of the running for A-rank gates.
'...At this rate, maybe I should just go hunt wild monsters in Gangwon Province.'
As Kim Hyun seriously considered that option,
Chae Seol-ah voiced the complaint she'd been harboring inside.
"Kim Hyun, I have a bit of a gripe."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Aren't we pushing way too hard right now?"
Chae Seol-ah said with a pout.
She was right—in recent days, she'd been clearing nearly one A-rank gate per day.
And even that was only possible because Kim Hyun had lucked out early on and secured a bunch of them.
In normal circumstances, she'd probably manage one or two per week at most.
"You call this a forced march?"
Kim Hyun looked puzzled.
Compared to what she'd endured in hell, this was nothing from her perspective.
More like a leisurely stroll, really.
"Doesn't feel like a forced march to me."
"That's just how it looks to you!"
"Besides, Chae Seol-ah, you're not even clearing the whole gate solo from start to finish. The monsters you take down are just a fraction of the total."
"Th-that's true, but..."
Chae Seol-ah hemmed and hawed before suddenly yelling.
"But you won't even let me wash up!"
At that, Kim Hyun looked at her again.
Her usual pretty face was gone, replaced by a ragged, filthy appearance.
'She looked kinda grimy... guess it was literal.'
She really hadn't been able to clean herself.
Kim Hyun felt a strange twinge.
'Have I been working her that hard?'
Thinking back, yeah, probably.
Every day, shoving her into gates and making her hunt monsters all day long.
And for Chae Seol-ah, the routine had become passing out the second the day's work ended, leaving no time for a proper wash.
"Please let me wash up..."
Chae Seol-ah pleaded with a drained expression. Seeing her so worn out stirred pity in Kim Hyun's heart.
'Well, we have been going overboard lately.'
Kim Hyun nodded and declared,
"Alright. Three days of rest."
"...R-really?"
Life returned to Chae Seol-ah's eyes.
"...You can't take it back later. Promise?"
"I won't. Don't worry."
"Great...!"
At the promise of rest, her rock-bottom stamina seemed to rebound, and she clenched her fist.
Kim Hyun smacked her lips watching her.
"Come to think of it, I feel like there was something I needed to handle. But I can't remember what."
"Something to handle...? What is it?"
"Dunno... what was it?"
Kim Hyun tilted her head.
"If I can't remember, it probably wasn't important. I'd recall if it was."
That made Chae Seol-ah anxious for no reason, and she racked her brain.
It might not seem big to Kim Hyun, but by normal standards, it could be huge.
Soon, she clapped her hands as it hit her.
"Oh! Didn't they say something about announcing that you and Korea signed a treaty?"
"Did they?"
Now that she mentioned it, yeah.
Vaguely recalling, Team Leader Lee had explained that the president was set to make some announcement.
Kim Hyun turned to her.
"Did they do it yet?"
Chae Seol-ah shook her head.
"Haven't heard anything."
"Huh? Why not?"
"No idea..."
Chae Seol-ah tilted her head, then glanced at Kim Hyun. It dawned on her that Kim Hyun had been inside gates with her every time, watching over her.
"...Maybe they're waiting for you?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, announcing a treaty without the actual party involved feels off, right?"
True enough.
Kim Hyun nodded.
"Anyway, I'm off to rest..."
"Go ahead."
After sending the half-dead Chae Seol-ah off, Kim Hyun activated her smartwatch to call Team Leader Lee Min-hyuk.
-Yes, Kim Hyun.
"Just checking—anything held up because I'm away?"
-...We're holding off on the treaty announcement since you're not here. Your input is key... Were you worried about it?
Whoa, for real.
Kim Hyun felt oddly touched as she replied.
"Nah, Chae Seol-ah mentioned it."
-...Agent Chae? I see.
"So, do I have to show up?"
-No need. It might even be better if you don't.
"Huh? Why?"
-Once the announcement hits, all eyes will be on it. Everyone will know your face. Wouldn't that be inconvenient?
Kim Hyun groaned.
"Not worried about my face getting out..."
It wouldn't cause real problems.
Inconvenience could be bought off with money.
"But going sounds like a hassle. Do I really need to? Especially with stuff to do now."
-Then we'll inform them you're not coming.
"Yeah."
-Yeah.
With that, the call ended.
Team Leader Lee Min-hyuk, who had been waiting, nodded to signal the end.
The many people gathered in the room let out deep sighs of relief.
They were Kim Hyun's dedicated response team.
A group supporting Chae Seol-ah and assisting Kim Hyun.
Formed recently on the president's orders, they were effectively Team 4 of the Superhuman Management Bureau. Rumors swirled that an official Team 4 slot was being created for them.
Anyway.
They exchanged relieved glances.
"Phew."
"Dodged a bullet there."
"Considering Kim Hyun's temperament, a miracle."
If she'd insisted on coming, it would've been a nightmare. Matching her mood was one thing, but preparing for potential emergencies was another.
Like if a reporter asked something rude, or Kim Hyun cleaved them in half for it.
"This actually makes prepping the ceremony easier."
"The president was worried sick about her. Guess we can call this a blessing..."
"Her being busy probably means Agent Chae, right?"
"Has to be."
A brown-haired female team member sighed, tapping the table.
"One-on-one lessons from a National Power-level Hunter. Wonder what that's like."
"Enviable, but not really."
"Yeah, 'cause it's Kim Hyun."
Anyone else, maybe—but they knew her reputation well before joining the team.
To them, Kim Hyun was a walking nuke. One that detonated periodically.
No sane person would want to be near that.
"...Poor Agent Chae."
"I'd have run already."
"Pray for her soul."
"...Treating her like she's dead already?"
Listening to the team, Team Leader Lee Min-hyuk silently hoped.
'Hope she's making progress.'
That Chae Seol-ah would grow under Kim Hyun.
"...So, Returnee Kim Hyun isn't coming?"
Chief of Staff nodded stiffly at President Han Sung-ho's question.
"That's what they say, sir."
"...What a relief."
President Han Sung-ho exhaled deeply.
Truth be told, he lacked the confidence to face her in person. What good could come from confronting a monster who'd slain three ministers without question?
It'd just chill his spine.
"Then... we proceed with the treaty ceremony without Returnee Kim Hyun."
"Yes. Her side confirmed it's fine. Press materials are ready—just announce and done."
"Good."
At least it was good news: Kim Hyun ascending to National Power-level Hunter was a boon for him.
Diplomatic and tax headaches aside, her mere existence brought massive tangible and intangible benefits.
Plus, a nationalist boost—her presence could lift his approval ratings.
"Make the announcement immediately."
"Understood, sir."
And so, that very day,
President Han Sung-ho electrifyingly revealed to the public that a domestic hunter—meaning Korea now had a National Power-level Hunter—had signed a treaty with the Republic of Korea.
And.
That day, the Republic of Korea erupted.