Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Iowa State Hunter (4)
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While Seo Dae-hyun was conquering the dungeon.
Iowa State was flooded with malicious articles related to him one after another.
Led by local reporters whose hometown was Iowa State, journalists from other states began viciously tearing down the association and Seo Dae-hyun.
By human nature's darker side, articles condemning others always draw people's attention.
Even without clear evidence or counterarguments.
A state hunter in America represented one of the nation's top hunters.
That made a cover-up inevitable.
Information related to Seo Dae-hyun was posted as a small notice on the Iowa State Hunter Association website, excluding photos.
No other measures were taken.
The Iowa State Hunter Association branch had long advertised for certified hunters, but responses had grown lukewarm over time.
At first, it drew attention amid public interest, but it got buried as other incidents arose.
Iowa State wasn't popular with hunters, so interest remained low.
Under David's orders, the association avoided major promotions to protect his safety.
They thought it would blow over quietly. But they were wrong.
It became the spark that ignited reporters' curiosity.
The more the association tried to hide it, the more their competitive spirits flared.
Rumors even swirled about him being David's illegitimate son or a Korean chaebol who bought his way in with lobbying.
The vast majority of reactions were negative.
A hunter who wasn't even S-Rank or A-Rank becoming a state hunter!
Foreigners faced even stricter scrutiny than citizens.
People vented their rage online.
A state hunter's salary was funded by government support and the taxes of that state's citizens.
Dungeon gates were humanity's calamity.
They might be safe now, but there was no guarantee they'd stay that way.
Hunters in Iowa State were dwindling.
They needed a strong shepherd dog to protect the sheep from wolves and bears.
But instead of a shepherd or Pyrenees, they'd gotten a Welsh Corgi.
People couldn't help but voice their strong dissatisfaction.
A few who knew David had worked hard for Iowa State suggested staying neutral and watching.
But then...
Ryu Jin's internet post went viral, pouring fuel on the fire.
Neutrals shifted into full throttle outrage.
The aftermath of S-Rank Hunter Ryu Jin's post swept across Iowa State like a tidal wave.
Public opinion solidified: corruption and embezzlement confirmed.
No evidence, but the circumstances were suspicious enough.
Demands for a full investigation!
People began gathering at the Iowa State Hunter Association one by one.
Meanwhile, the parties involved were still in the dungeon, unaware of the outside world.
By the time they defeated all the monsters in the dungeon.
Kim Hyun-jun had been promoted to sergeant.
Not an officer, but reaching sergeant fulfilled today's goal.
Seo Dae-hyun's rank hadn't risen.
Of course, ranks didn't jump after just one or two dungeons.
Here, Kyle, with his higher rank, noticed Kim Hyun-jun's change.
"S-Seo Dae-hyun Hunter... It looks like Kim Hyun-jun Hunter's rank just went up..."
"...Yeah."
Kim Hyun-jun nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"I-Is that true?!"
David jumped in surprise.
Retaining memories from life and even raising ranks?
And at such a fast growth rate, no less.
"Could we test it with an awakening stone, just once?"
David asked.
"What do you think?"
Seo Dae-hyun checked with Kim Hyun-jun.
"I'll... give it a try. I've been... curious myself..."
David pulled out a palm-sized wooden box.
He'd carried an awakening stone in case Seo Dae-hyun changed his mind.
Inside the box was a white jade.
The white jade was the awakening stone.
Awakening stones were rare minerals worldwide, fetching billions from collectors.
"Just place your hand here."
"...Okay."
Kim Hyun-jun pressed down on the box like pushing a button with his index finger.
The white jade turned gray.
Each awakener had a unique mana color, and the brightness determined the rank.
Hyun-jun's rank was C-Rank.
His rank in life had been C-Rank, but after dying and becoming a soldier, it dropped to D-Rank.
To grow a rank, one usually needed to clear high-grade dungeons.
Yet Kim Hyun-jun had risen just from conquering a D-Rank dungeon.
This growth rate would be unforgettable talent even in major guilds.
Was it unusually fast for him, or did all soldiers grow the same? Curiosity lingered.
A few more dungeons would answer that.
They exited through the gate.
Seo Dae-hyun summoned his soldiers.
Dozens of wolf legion at his back looked like a pack of beast warriors.
May asked.
"Why summon the wolves?"
"To bolster security around here, just in case."
Seo Dae-hyun issued orders to his soldiers.
Handle any nearby gates that spawned from now on.
Closing one dungeon gate didn't mean it was over.
Iowa State was famous for grains, with vast granary regions.
Other gates could open, requiring periodic management.
These were guard dogs for the granary zones.
"Whoa..."
Kyle let out an exclamation at Seo Dae-hyun's innovative idea.
It was something only he could do.
It cut costs, allowed auto-hunting to raise his rank—one stone, two birds.
"B-But what if they encounter people—"
David voiced one concern, which Seo Dae-hyun addressed cleanly.
"I've ordered them not to attack humans."
He'd instructed them not to harm people they met.
"But if you use all your summons to guard the granary zones, what about you, Seo Dae-hyun Hunter?"
"I can just recruit more."
He released all the wolf soldiers into the granary zones.
Even 28 weren't enough to cover the area.
The solution was simple.
Monsters killed by soldiers could be re-recruited as soldiers through him.
For now, prioritizing Kim Hyun-jun and Michael's promotions came first.
The sun was setting.
Work was done—it was time to clock out.
Officially certified Iowa State hunters didn't have fixed quitting times.
If a dungeon spawned, they'd deploy even at dawn.
The association handled most, but for those they couldn't, the state hunter stepped up.
Seo Dae-hyun looked at David.
"If you're free, want to have dinner at my place tonight?"
"Sounds good."
David accepted with a bright smile.
It was the perfect time to discuss the issue with Hyun-jun's father too.
He hoped to resolve the uncle's problem ASAP.
Kim Hyun-jun tried texting or calling to inform his family, but signal was poor.
"You two should come too if you're free."
He invited Kyle and May to dinner.
"U-Us too?"
Kyle stammered, but Seo Dae-hyun nodded firmly.
Couldn't he at least buy a meal for future colleagues?
"No pressure if it's a hassle."
He wasn't forcing them.
It was their choice.
"No, we'll definitely come."
"Me too."
They were just surprised he'd included them.
They helicoptered to Kim Hyun-jun's house.
As they left the no-signal zone.
Whirr!
Ring ring ring—
David's smartphone exploded with calls and texts.
"Excuse me a moment."
He checked them, glancing at Seo Dae-hyun.
Ripples formed in David's pupils.
"S-Seo Dae-hyun Hunter..."
They'd been oblivious to the outside while in the dungeon.
He'd only just learned after exiting the signal-blocked area.
He read the articles dryly on the spot.
David and Kyle urged him not to, but he needed to know exactly how things stood.
The articles and comments were mostly vitriol against him.
Never had he drawn such public attention.
And it was hate, not love.
David worried he'd be hurt.
If this made him back out of the contract...
"Hm..."
He just let silence fall.
The heavy quiet weighed on David's shoulders.
Seo Dae-hyun hadn't expected his identity to leak so soon.
David and Kyle seemed to think the same.
David looked like he had nothing to say, even with ten mouths.
Unlike their worry, Seo Dae-hyun wasn't angry or hurt.
Public attention—praise or hate—was burdensome either way.
Compared to the military, this vitriol was nothing.
Like hearing hate-laced curses from a dead comrade's parents yesterday.
"...I'll... live... long..."
Kim Hyun-jun knew this wouldn't faze him.
Dae-hyun chuckled at the joke.
First, resolve the situation.
Seo Dae-hyun told David.
"Looks like staying low-key won't be easy from now on."
David bowed his head in apology again.
"I'm sorry. I should have managed it more thoroughly."
Becoming Iowa State's certified hunter required registration laws. Seo Dae-hyun had agreed.
Couldn't refuse with that salary and signing bonus.
"It's fine."
"Pardon?!"
Seo Dae-hyun brushed it off calmly.
David was a bit bewildered by his attitude.
"It's... really okay?"
"Yeah. It had to come out eventually."
He'd braced for it, just not this soon.
"I'll take every measure to ensure no harm comes to you, Seo Dae-hyun Hunter."
"With reactions this fierce, what can you do?"
"Even a D-Rank becoming state hunter is no issue at all."
David continued.
"And selecting America's state hunters is strictly my authority. Prove no corruption or favoritism, and your suspicions clear."
Legally, zero problems.
'Local protests and the association's image will tank.'
Negative opinion wouldn't stop anytime soon.
Needed a decisive cleanup.
"Looks like dinner tonight's off. I'll invite you next time."
Wrong timing today.
"Understood."
"Branch Chief."
"Yes, Seo Dae-hyun Hunter."
"...Hold a press conference."
Wrong approach from the start.
"Revealing your power to the world is dangerous!"
Necromancer abilities known? The whole world would target him.
Seo Dae-hyun tried redirecting flexibly.
"So, this spot was originally for someone else?"
He'd seen Ryu Jin-related articles.
Claiming he'd lobbied to steal his place.
"Pre-contract, and he had too many issues, so I canceled."
David judged Dae-hyun's potential higher than Ryu Jin's.
He might get hate now, but he was convinced he'd reach S-Rank, national asset level.
Today's dungeon run solidified it.
Surprised he'd chosen him over an S-Rank.
Seo Dae-hyun wanted to give David firm conviction.
Seo Dae-hyun's healing mana enveloped the helicopter interior.
From C to B-Rank, and Heal skill strengthened too.
"Convincing enough?"
Couldn't use necromancy publicly, but Heal was fair game.
"Perfect! More than enough!"
Showcasing A-Rank level Heal at the press conference would calm some public fury.