The Nerd and the Charismatic One
The lounge of the Lee Do Hotel in Seoul offered a breathtaking view of the glittering city skyline at night. Lee Shin stepped inside, and Yun Cho-a, who had been waiting by the entrance, bowed her head. Lee Shin flashed her a bright smile.
“As expected, you’re early. Thanks for your hard work, sis.”
“It was nothing.”
“Right. We’ll talk about that later. Where’s Director Hong?”
“This way.”
He followed Yun Cho-a’s lead.
The lounge was completely empty of other guests. Far in the back, Hong Han-hyun sat hunched over documents, wearing glasses. He had the overall appearance of a gentle uncle, yet his eyes burned with stubborn determination.
One hand flipped through papers while the other scribbled nonstop on a sheet. He was so absorbed that he hadn’t even noticed Lee Shin’s arrival. Lee Shin quietly took a seat across from him, arms crossed, simply watching the man work.
Only after a long while did Hong Han-hyun finally realize someone was sitting in front of him.
“Ah, my apologies. I didn’t even notice you came in. It’s not that I was ignoring you—I simply can’t multitask. Once I focus on something, I become blind to everything else.”
“I understand completely. I’m the same way. Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Shin, representative of the Mir Guild.”
“Nice to meet you as well. I’m Hong Han-hyun, director in charge of the World Raid. I’m sorry for all the calls. After seeing the data, I was so shocked I kept apologizing. I really am sorry.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. Shall we have a drink first? This place is supposed to be expensive. Since we’ve rented it out, it’d be a waste not to order something.”
“Haha, that’s true. I’ll have whatever you recommend.”
“I’ll take a Korea Martini.”
“A Korea Martini?”
“Soju. Heh heh.”
“Hahaha, perfect. I’ll have soju as well.”
Hong Han-hyun was known for keeping a strict wall between himself and guilds, yet the atmosphere between them was surprisingly warm.
And Lee Shin knew exactly why.
It was a snippet from a conversation with Guardian Yeo Eun-seo, who was close enough to Hong Han-hyun to be called his disciple.
Plus, there was the conversation he’d had with the old man before coming here.
— “Director Hong called? Heh heh, what a sight. That coward called first?”
— “Didn’t you know? I was the one who wrote his recommendation letter for the association. His hunter career wasn’t much, but his eye for matches was incredible. It’s just that his personality is... a bit...”
Combining everything Lee Shin already knew with the information he’d gathered here, Hong Han-hyun was...
A scholar, to put it nicely. A stubborn lone wolf, to put it bluntly.
And that nature showed itself plainly in their conversation.
“You probably can’t even imagine it, Representative. The guild leaders are hilarious. During the regional qualifiers held in the middle of the league season, they cry and beg to keep their players. But during the main tournament held in the off-season, they shove them forward no matter what.”
“Because getting a national team title boosts their recognition, right?”
“Of course. More recognition means more popularity, higher market value, more fans, and greater guild worth. I know all that. It’s just that their two-faced attitude wounds my soul.”
Wounds my soul...
The way he phrased it alone proved this man was the real deal. In that case, Lee Shin would respond in kind.
Real recognizes real.
Lee Shin pulled something from his coat pocket and put it on.
“...Do you have bad eyesight? Why the glasses all of a sudden?”
“I figured now was the time I’d need them. Do they suit me?”
“They do.”
“You understand vintage style. Please, continue.”
“Ah, so I thought you would be different, Representative Lee. To think there could be a representative with such outstanding strategic insight...”
One thing was certain.
Neither the taped-glasses-wearing Lee Shin nor the man casually complimenting how well they suited him were normal. The furrowed brows of the bartender and Yun Cho-a watching from afar said it all.
The temperature in the room had completely changed.
Now it was the stage for two true nerds.
“Shall we get to the main topic?”
“I’ve been dying to ask. This data. Just how did you obtain it? No, how do you even know about this list? And these stats—how accurate are they? Is it even possible to extract data like this in the first place?”
Hong Han-hyun’s questions poured out like a machine gun, one after another, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
Exactly.
What Lee Shin had handed over was the final roster Hong Han-hyun had decided on, along with simple stat profiles of the included hunters.
Of course, “simple” was only from Lee Shin’s perspective. To Hong Han-hyun or any normal official, this was practically top-secret information.
“Anyway, since you’ve seen it all, this will be easier to talk about. Personally, I recommend against selecting Gumiho or Ghost Slayer.”
“Gumiho’s poor work ethic has always been controversial. I just never realized the resulting stat drop was this severe... That aside, why Ghost Slayer? His stats are quite—”
“Baekgeom Guild’s raid leader, Ghost Slayer. The guy’s got a weak heart. Once the spotlight’s on him and the stage gets bigger, he won’t even be able to show half his true ability.”
“Huh... Then there’s a position I had in mind...”
Beyond that, they discussed compatibility between rankers, teamwork, concepts, and combinations.
A deeply profound strategic discussion unfolded, and Hong Han-hyun couldn’t help but be awed by Lee Shin’s bold and unconventional insights.
“A representative must constantly strive for the development of the league. Understanding hunters’ stats is the foundation of that development. Our Mir Guild prides itself on possessing the most advanced and accurate stat measurement technology of any guild.”
“By any chance, does that measurement technology involve the young lady over there who breached our security and handed you these documents...”
“Nope!”
Proving his innocence, Lee Shin downed his soju glass in one smooth motion and continued.
“Director, does that data look like something that could be obtained through dirty tricks?”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“Then do you think my strategic understanding is lacking?”
“Not at all. I’m simply astonished. That’s why I’m this excited.”
“Exactly!”
“...?!”
“That excitement. That thrill. Trust the emotion you felt when you first saw the data.”
“Ah, inspiration!”
“Right! That’s it!”
A genius doesn’t understand. He simply feels.
The undisputed number one. The fossil among fossils.
Lee Shin imprinted his presence on Hong Han-hyun using his vast knowledge, overwhelming Dominance (99), and out-of-spec Charm (101).
Now it was time to make the deal.
“I’ll be direct. For this qualifier, I plan to send three of my kids in response to your draft request. Park Su-bin, Baek Yeon-woo, and Yu Ri-ra.”
“Ohhh... That’s wonderful news!”
“However, I cannot send Hwarang or the Mountain King.”
“Tsk... So that’s how it is.”
“And finally.”
Lee Shin slightly lifted the bridge of his glasses as he spoke.
“Please include both Hwarang and the Mountain King in the main tournament roster.”
“!!”
The sudden request made Hong Han-hyun’s eyes widen before his brows furrowed. His lips twisted, and the words ‘Representative Lee, I didn’t think you were that kind of person’ seemed ready to burst out any second.
But in the end, he couldn’t say anything.
“This is the predicted entry list and stats for our first opponent in the qualifiers, ‘Vietnam.’”
“...!”
“The predicted entry list and stats for our second opponent, ‘Singapore.’”
“...!!”
“The list and stats for our third opponent, ‘Thailand.’”
“Hup...!!”
Three USB drives.
A free pass for the regional qualifiers.
Gulp. Hong Han-hyun’s Adam’s apple bobbed. If this data was even remotely accurate—if even eighty percent of it was correct—he couldn’t possibly refuse.
While Hong Han-hyun remained speechless in shock, Lee Shin picked up the soju bottle and said,
“I always say this. There aren’t many things in this world you can absolutely guarantee. We live in a world full of flawed humans. What can you really promise?”
But in this uncertain world, there were two things Lee Shin could confidently declare.
“That I am the most charming person in the world.”
And one more.
“That there isn’t a single hunter I don’t know.”
How about it?
Lee Shin held out a filled glass. Hong Han-hyun stared at it for a long time before finally accepting it.
It was over.
To control someone, you had to hold something they couldn’t refuse. What moved Hong Han-hyun wasn’t money—it was the knowledge and information inside Lee Shin’s head.
“Hah, may I ask just one more question?”
“Two, three, however many you want. The night is still young, after all.”
A scholar to put it nicely, a stubborn lone wolf to put it bluntly.
Put another way—a nerd.
Dealing with this type of person, the kind he had grown sick of dealing with in his previous life, was child’s play for Lee Shin.
·
·
A few days later.
* * *
Sometimes people feel this kind of emotion.
It’s good, but it sucks. It’s satisfying, but it’s annoying. You’re excited, but you’re pissed off.
A complex, subtle feeling. That was exactly what the Yongbung-i fans were experiencing right now.
The three names appearing on the regional qualifier roster.
National team. The glorious position representing the entire country, and Lee Shin’s kids had proudly earned their spots there.
It was a position every hunter dreamed of, and the fans couldn’t help but feel proud that it wasn’t someone else’s hunters, but their own, standing there.
The problem, however, was that the league was currently in progress and the Mir Guild was on the verge of setting a historic record.
Youngest national team members. The children’s careers.
Perfect round record. Highest points. An unprecedented historic achievement.
Caught between individual careers and guild value, the Yongbung-i fans couldn’t help but waver.
In the midst of all this, Director Hong Han-hyun released a statement.
With all the noise around him, Hong Han-hyun had tried to say something considerate toward Lee Shin. As expected, he still had zero tact.
The irritated Yongbung-i fans swarmed in and roasted him alive.
When things go well it’s HHH. When they don’t it’s hhh. When it’s shit it’s fuck off.
Hong Han-hyun’s clumsy attempt at damage control completely set the Yongbung-i fans off, flooding not only the Bureau but the association’s bulletin boards with waves of curses.
In the end, there was only one person who could calm this situation.
The emperor of the Yongbung-i and their beloved youngest.
— “Lee Shin has spoken: Do not worry.”
Who am I? I’m Lee Shin.
I know what you’re worried about, and I’ll take care of everything.
Amidst the anxiety and worry, the day of the gathering finally arrived.
* * *
On the day of assembly.
The World Raid staff all stared at the designated lodging with dazed expressions.
“Hey, hey, check the address again. Is this the right place?”
“Is there something wrong with my eyes? Why does the lodging look like the Lee Do Hotel?”
“It is the Lee Do Hotel. Chairman Lee Sang-byuk called personally and told us to clear out the hotel for you guys.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’m the one who took the call. Have you ever heard Chairman Lee Sang-byuk get angry? Heh heh, I almost pissed myself.”
“This is insane...”
A few days earlier, the moment the 15-man roster was announced.
Lee Do Group Chairman Lee Sang-byuk had called directly. When the biggest shot in the country said he needed to understand the situation and demanded to speak to whoever was in charge, what choice did they have? Hong Han-hyun had taken the call.
After a long explanation of the circumstances, this was the result.
“I heard the support funds jumped five times.”
“Want to hear something even crazier? They’re even providing a private jet.”
“He’s ridiculously attached to those three kids... This is no joke.”
As the staff awkwardly entered the hotel, the hunters were already settled in their rooms.
They were roomed in pairs for partnership training. The kids dragged their suitcases and opened the door to their assigned room.
“Uahaha, kid! We meet again!”
“H-hello, sunbae.”
“You’re sharp. I like that. Let’s get along well.”
“Yes.”
Spear Ghost Yang Kang-cheol threw an arm around Park Su-bin’s shoulders and ruffled his hair.
“Hi, Lira. I’m Guardian Yeo Eun-seo. You know me, right?”
“Helloooo!!”
“Good. Come sit here. I have something I want to ask you. Just how fast are you? I’ve been working on some strategies, and your speed seems like the key point.”
“Goodbye......”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Yu Ri-ra, who had tried to bolt like lightning, was caught by Yeo Eun-seo’s hand and dragged into mandatory strategy study.
And finally, the last two standing across from each other in front of the door.
“......”
“......”
“......”
“......”
Baek Yeon-woo, leaning on his crutches, and the man who had just finished showering, revealing his sculpted upper body.
It was Sword Master Park Gwang-seob.
“I won’t eat you. Come in.”