Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Iowa State Hunter (1)
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Seo Dae-hyun had officially become the Hunter for America's 29th state today.
Only three people had gathered for the ceremony to certify him as an Iowa State Hunter.
It was modest compared to the prestige of the position.
Normally, becoming a state Hunter in America would bring a presidential congratulatory speech, along with the Hunter Association Chairman, S-Rank Hunters from major guilds, and other heavyweights offering their congratulations.
A minimum three-month verification period was required, but due to the urgency, everything had been expedited.
It was possible only because they'd simply modified the contract meant for Ryu Jin.
David had finalized all approvals using his authority.
They'd kept exposure to a minimum.
His naturalization wasn't confirmed yet, but a foreigner becoming an American state Hunter was practically an acknowledgment of future naturalization.
It was one of the paths for foreign Hunters to naturalize in America.
Ryu Jin had planned to become an Iowa State Hunter first, then change his nationality.
That was before Seo Dae-hyun appeared, of course.
Still, they couldn't let their guard down.
In truth, considering Seo Dae-hyun's potential, this contract was actually a bargain.
In exchange, they'd included generous incentives.
Not every state in America employed a Hunter.
Seo Dae-hyun was the first with Korean nationality.
And a D-Rank Hunter at that—the lowest rank ever for an American state Hunter.
To celebrate the signing, David suggested a meal, but he declined, citing urgent business and promising to catch up later.
Now, only David and Kyle remained in the branch chief's office.
"David."
Kyle hadn't left and requested a private talk.
After Seo Dae-hyun departed, David's face was etched with worry.
He'd acted nonchalant in front of Seo Dae-hyun, but Ryu Jin was clearly bothering him.
He had no idea what mischief Ryu Jin might pull on Seo Dae-hyun and just wanted him gone to China already.
"Take a look at this for a second."
Kyle pulled a USB from his pocket and plugged it into David's computer.
The video quality was poor, but he immediately recognized the man in the footage.
It was a shot from above when Seo Dae-hyun had leaped from the helicopter.
Captured by the black box on the chopper's underbelly.
Boom boom boom! Kaboom!
His soldiers swarmed the magical beasts on the ground and detonated.
The clip was just over a minute long, but it held the viewer's attention completely.
Gulp.
It was as threatening as Japan's kamikazes.
[Would you die for me?]
The words he'd spoken earlier now made perfect sense.
David wasn't just shocked by the suicide attacks.
Though the footage glitched into low-res static, it showed the summoned soldiers dying in the blasts.
Yet they revived.
They'd clearly died in the explosions—then lived again!
And absorbed the dead magical beasts into his forces.
Even after the video ended, the chills wouldn't stop.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
Minimal security would suffice now.
Assigning association agents as bodyguards to someone like that...
"You handled the contract before I could even report it."
He'd ignored Kyle's request for a moment and prioritized Seo Dae-hyun's deal.
Kyle had no comeback, just cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem."
Still, after watching the full video, a sense of relief washed over him.
If Ryu Jin showed up seeking revenge, they might hold out.
No. He might even win...
S-Rank Hunters were unbeatable by anyone short of another S-Rank.
David began doubting Ryu Jin's rank.
He'd observe a bit more before judging.
"You're really not telling the association chairman?"
David could shield his identity with branch chief authority, but awakening rank and class had to be handled transparently.
The Necromancer class was high-risk, so it was registered as Healer beforehand.
Only a handful knew his true potential now.
Not even the association chairman or the president.
"My promise to him comes first."
It was to earn his trust.
David would take heat from people for a while, but for his homeland, it was bearable.
He'd kept his word, so he hoped Seo Dae-hyun would honor the naturalization in three months.
He visited the hospital where Hyun-jun's father was admitted.
Thanks to Seo Dae-hyun's emergency treatment on-site, his life wasn't in danger.
His condition was good enough for discharge tomorrow.
The hospital director personally examined Kim Tae-seok meticulously to confirm no anomalies.
It was unusual for the director to check a single patient.
The association branch chief had directly contacted the hospital director.
He learned this after arriving.
David could have hinted before the Iowa State Hunter contract, but...
Seo Dae-hyun was touched by the gesture.
Hyun-jun's mother clutched his hand, shedding endless tears of gratitude.
He'd saved her son's life before, and now her husband's too.
"Dae-hyun, thank you. Truly... sob, sniff."
Words couldn't express her thanks.
Dae-hyun said he'd only done what was natural.
It wasn't humility.
After repeated job failures and PTSD piling on, he'd been in dark times.
Without Kim Hyun-jun's parents, he'd have rotted away in Korea.
They'd covered flights, lodging, got him a job, taught skills.
He'd received so much help settling in America.
This was nothing compared to that.
"It's really nothing."
Truly trivial.
He could use it freely if it saved lives before his mana ran dry.
"I've started working at the association."
He shared the news of becoming an association Hunter.
Recognized by Iowa State.
Seo Dae-hyun's affiliation: Iowa State Hunter Association Branch.
Kim Tae-seok, Park Mi-ju, Kim Hyun-jun all celebrated his employment.
They knew he'd failed association recruitment and come to America, so they rejoiced like it was their own.
To be precise, "mercenary" fit better.
The branch acted as an agent bridging Iowa State and Hunters.
[Hyung Dae-hyun. Or should I call you Agent now?]
He even had authority to form a new team.
He'd slot in Kim Hyun-jun and Michael.
Parents approved, and they needed level-ups anyway.
Soldier count hit 30, but one condition remained unmet.
For them, he'd promote Kim Hyun-jun to lieutenant-equivalent.
They spent until sunset at the hospital.
Mom planned discharge with Dad tomorrow.
Heading home: Seo Dae-hyun and Kim Hyun-jun.
"There's kimchi stew in the fridge—heat that up."
[Mom, we're not kids anymore.]
To Dad and Mom, they were still babies.
[Don't worry about us—take care of Dad.]
Seo Dae-hyun and Kim Hyun-jun left the hospital, got in the car, and drove home.
Hyun-jun took the wheel.
[You're tired—rest.]
"Sure."
No real fatigue, but he accepted.
"Thanks, hyung."
His pronunciation had sharpened—not imagination.
"No big deal."
Dae-hyun shrugged and gazed out the window again.
Their lips curved faintly upward.
Heading home, they exchanged no words.
Like back on the battlefield, exchanging glances said it all—minds in sync.
They nodded to the pop song from the car stereo, eyeing Iowa's cityscape.
Always so peaceful.
And now, he had to protect that peace.
Being Iowa State Hunter carried heavy responsibility.
They arrived home.
Only 7 p.m., but dusk had already fallen.
Awakened used special mana energy.
Higher calorie burn than normals.
In the army, they'd force-feed to compensate.
Now hooked on Hyun-jun's mom's cooking, army grub was off-limits.
"No uncle or aunt around—if you don't wanna eat, skip it."
As half-undead, he felt no pain.
Taste included.
Necromancer trait: no need to eat for movement.
[Can't taste it, but the act of eating feels real enough.]
Kim Hyun-jun pulled ramen from a drawer.
[Ramen's spicy—might feel something?]
As Mom feared, they skipped the kimchi stew for ramen dinner.
One pack for two grown men.
Added lean meat, green onions, egg—stirred it up.
Looked decent on the side.
Taste was great, but missing 2%.
Kim Hyun-jun tilted his head.
"Weird—doesn't taste like army ramen."
Perfect description despite no taste.
Midnight ramen on -10°C marches with lukewarm water, poked with chopsticks.
Something he'd ignore in civvy street—now nostalgic.
Not quite army flavor, but still good.
Even mixed in leftover rice with the broth.
He temporarily handed the squad leader spot to Michael.
Michael had a young sibling.
Like Seo Dae-hyun, parents killed by magical beasts; he'd raised the kid alone.
No college regrets, but dreamed of his sibling living normally.
His dream was for his sibling.
"Say hi to Michael for me."
Passing squad leader meant no consciousness retention like now.
Demotion fills the mind with white fog, he'd heard.
Michael's pupils contracted, then dilated.
Like a toy robot powering on with fresh batteries, Michael regained awareness.
"Hah—"
He gasped deeply, in and out.
"...Dae-hyun?"
Michael thought everything so far was a dream.
Unconscious, but vague fog relayed events.
"Not... a dream...?"
Squad leader info transferred straight to his mind post-appointment.
Michael squinted, rubbing his head.
Regaining consciousness, he rushed to contact his sister.
She lived with relatives.
Better than an orphanage; he sent monthly tuition and living expenses.
Borrowed Seo Dae-hyun's smartphone to call.
Her number etched clearly.
Ring... Ring...
No answer.
Michael fretted something happened to her.
His panic transmitted to Seo Dae-hyun.
"Calm down, Michael."
"It's only been three days."
The dead lack time sense.
"Phone... not connecting."
"She might be asleep."
Her place in Nigeria: 2 a.m. now.
"Ah."
Michael sighed softly in relief.
At least six hours till she might pick up.
Until then, no handing squad leader back to Kim Hyun-jun.
"Thank... you."
After a brief call with sis, he thanked him for waiting.
Hearing her voice eased him into accepting demotion later.
Seo Dae-hyun offered the revived man a choice.
His face said it all—no need to ask.
Michael still clung to life.
At least until sis was adult—he'd soldier on.
Michael was genuinely grateful to Seo Dae-hyun.