Chapter 178. A Gloomy Old Man
Chapter 178. A Gloomy Old Man
The after-party naturally followed the end of the auction.
The official schedule was over, and the atmosphere had loosened somewhat, both in form and formality.
Yet, people's attention remained fixed on a single spot.
The gathering of Song Hoon, Laila, and those around them.
And among those watching the scene, a heavy silence bloomed with countless misunderstandings.
'Huh... Even for the Unknown Hunter, isn't that a bit too blatant?'
'Isn't his rightful wife, Laila Hunter, also an Unknown of equal standing...?'
'No, the fact that his wife permits this in the first place...'
The expressions of those eavesdropping were a mixture of surprise, admiration, and a hint of confusion.
Moments earlier, the sight of Song Hoon exchanging words with Lee Chae-hyun's parents had acted as an amplifier.
The honorific "Hunter," the deferential attitude.
'It's definitely... a situation where the rightful wife was watching with her own two eyes, wide open...'
'For a family that gave away their daughter as a concubine to act that way, whether back then or now...'
'Did running a corporation really require that kind of resolve...?'
The misunderstandings wove themselves into a chain.
But the truth was far simpler.
Lee Chae-hyun's parents were merely awkward because it was their first time meeting him in person.
The fact that he was the Unknown Hunter played a part, but more simply, he was their daughter's superior.
Nevertheless, one thing solidified the misunderstanding into certainty.
Lee Chae-hyun's expression.
Her face, standing next to Song Hoon, was tinged with a faint blush.
As if she was embarrassed that "such matters" were being flaunted so openly in a public venue.
But that, too, was a misunderstanding.
She was simply embarrassed because she was the center of attention.
Because she, a person infinitely close to a capital 'I', was receiving all the gazes...
And her heart was racing more from Laila's linked arm than from Song Hoon's shoulder pat.
'Haaah... big sis linked arms with me...! Sniff... What kind of perfume did she use...? Or was it body wash...?'
...But the people had no way of knowing that truth.
They simply nodded gravely, bowing their heads before power (?) itself.
'Honestly... this would be quite the meal ticket for reporters...'
But there was not a single reporter at this venue.
And even if there had been, no one would have dared try to publish an article about the Unknown Hunter's scandal.
Even if an article were written, the media wouldn't permit it, and the reporter who wrote it would be pressured to resign.
'I'd better watch my tongue while drinking...'
'What if this rumor spreads through word of mouth...?'
They resolved to erase it from their memories.
Yet even so, one or two of them had already begun to mentally run the numbers.
'Did I have a niece or something with decent looks...'
'I should start looking around for noticeable people in my circle.'
The person "giving away the rice cakes" had zero interest, but several had already counted their chickens before they hatched.
---
Lee Chae-hyun's parents busily handed out business cards to these people.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make acquaintances with those present.
People offered measured smiles at their politeness, and a few accepted the cards with interest.
"Oh ho... I do hope this leads to a good relationship."
Max casually took a card with one hand and spoke.
His voice remained playful and relaxed as always.
Chairman Choi, standing beside him, also laughed and accepted one smoothly.
"A company favored by the Unknown Hunter... Hmm, I'd better maintain a good relationship with them."
That was when it happened.
Chairman Choi quietly broached a subject.
"And you... why did you decide to pursue streaming instead of a full-fledged hunter career?"
Eyes turned toward me.
I shrugged and answered briefly.
I gave the same reply I always gave whenever my viewers asked.
"There's no worthy opponent... and I grew tired of fighting. So I simply chose to connect with people."
Chairman Choi nodded at my answer, then chuckled softly and spoke.
"Oh ho... Tired because there's no worthy match? That's quite an arrogant thought."
It wasn't sarcasm, but a remark laced with a hint of intrigue.
"The world is vast. The gates remain an unknown realm unconquered by humanity. Perhaps, someday, an opponent who satisfies that competitive spirit of yours might appear, no?"
Those words made me sink into thought for a moment.
An opponent who could match me?
'Earth wouldn't remain intact if that happened.'
But just then, Max glanced down at his wristwatch and rose from his seat.
"I'd best be going soon."
When everyone's eyes turned to him, he put on his characteristic smile and said,
"Heh heh, my wife is waiting alone at the hotel with the kid right now."
With Max leading the way, one or two others began to leave their seats.
My parents departed to have a meal with Lee Chae-hyun's family, leaving only me, Laila, and Chairman Choi.
I, too, slowly stood up from my chair and spoke.
"We should move separately as well. You haven't brought up your main point yet, it seems."
Chairman Choi smirked slyly and nodded at my words.
"Actually, I've already arranged a quiet place."
He took the lead, and we followed.
A short while later, we were in a quiet café inside the hotel.
In that empty space, three cups of coffee sat alone on a table.
"?"
I looked around as I sat down.
At my actions, Chairman Choi smiled and explained.
"Wouldn't it be uncomfortable to have outsiders while we talk? So I expressed my goodwill in an appropriate way and... rented this entire place."
Steam rose from the coffee set on the silent table.
For a long moment, no one spoke first; we silently observed one another, probing.
Then, Chairman Choi chuckled and slowly shook his head.
"...Truly a pity. A pity."
It was an unexpected remark.
I tilted my head.
"What is it?"
Chairman Choi shook his head as if genuinely regretful.
"I have... a granddaughter who is the very apple of my eye. But sadly, you are already taken, are you not?"
With those words, Chairman Choi's gaze slowly drifted toward Laila.
"My granddaughter would be hurt if she heard this... but your partner is beautiful beyond any comparison."
I was momentarily stunned.
It sounded like a joke I couldn't quite grasp, yet at the same time, it was unexpected.
Because in both this world and the other, countless people had tried, either openly or subtly, to tie me to their bloodlines.
Yet this man was saying the exact opposite.
The value of 'Nova Group'.
The value of the 'Unknown Hunter'.
Was he really giving up so easily on the synergy that would arise if the two met?
"Why? Is it strange that I gave up cleanly without trying to make you my grandson-in-law?"
His words struck a nerve, and I was momentarily at a loss for words like someone caught red-handed.
And my silence was soon answer enough.
Chairman Choi smiled leisurely.
"Of course, if we were to obtain you, Nova would become invincible. But what if we failed? Isn't your partner also the Unknown Hunter? One must consider not just you, but your partner as well."
Chairman Choi grinned and spread his hands open.
"If that happened, the backlash we'd have to bear... I can't even dare imagine it. High risk, high return. But I am a businessman, not a gambler. If one can't even do this simple math, how could they run a business?"
A relaxed laugh.
It was not mere restraint, but the weight carried only by one who had spent years calculating profits and losses.
"Of course..."
He slightly raised an eyebrow and continued.
"It seems there were a few fools at this auction who tried to bet on such a gamble."
I took a short breath and lifted my coffee cup.
My expression held no smile, no reaction.
"So, what is the conversation you wished to share?"
At that, Chairman Choi waved his hand and laughed.
"Ho ho, straight to the main point? Young people are so impatient."
I said nothing in reply and quietly took a sip of coffee.
Chairman Choi leaned back and spoke again.
"To be honest, I have a very deep interest in your 'artifact'. It's no exaggeration to say I sponsored you from the very beginning for that one reason."
I nodded as if I understood.
"The monster that appeared in the West Sea."
The era when the world hadn't yet firmly started calling me the 'Unknown'.
The era when, even after catching that monster, some said I was "just lucky," and others said I "used a peculiar technique."
"So..."
Nova had boldly provided me, entering the Baekdusan Gate, with the 'HyperVision Pro'.
To a hunter who hadn't yet been verified, the most expensive equipment in history.
"The HyperVision Pro?"
Chairman Choi nodded, looking pleased as he drank his coffee.
"That's right. And that choice... was an excellent investment. As you made a name for yourself, our sales skyrocketed exponentially. Without any special marketing, just for the single reason that you 'used it'."
I stared quietly at Chairman Choi.
There was no mockery, no emotion in my gaze.
"I doubt you simply wished to express your gratitude."
Chairman Choi laughed heartily, then looked intently at the small earring hanging on my ear.
"An artifact that transforms its shape."
His deep bass voice resonated through the space.
"You named it the 'Holy Sword,' didn't you? I want to unlock that secret."
"Of course, I understand it's a tremendous technology."
At that, Chairman Choi shook his head, his tone resolute.
"It's not simply a tremendous technology."
The sharp insight of a businessman flashed in his eyes.
"This technology can overhaul the entire distribution structure. Do you know how much it costs just to move a single piece of equipment? It's not as simple as putting it in a box and loading it onto a truck."
He began listing points, folding down a finger for each one.
"Storage facilities for equipment security, special shock-absorbing devices to prevent even a single scratch, dedicated distribution personnel, drones to vehicles, even air transport... All these costs and time are added directly onto the equipment, inflating the price."
He slowly leaned his body forward.
"But with this technology? You can wear equipment shrunk to the size of a jewel around your neck and distribute it. No need for security, shock absorption, or distribution networks."
"The hunter market is already oversaturated..."
"Hunters? This technology is sufficiently usable for ordinary people as well."
Ordinary people?
What reason would ordinary people have to use hunter equipment...
Chairman Choi wore an unhurried smile.
"Have you never had this thought in life? 'Ah, this is big and inconvenient, it'd be nice if it were smaller'."
"..."
"Furniture, home appliances, tools, medical devices, even cars."
He moved his finger as if drawing a curve in the air as he continued.
"Of course, applying it to every object would be difficult due to realistic cost issues. But just off the top of my head, what if wheelchairs for people with mobility issues could be carried as easily as your artifact?"
Their quality of life would likely rise astronomically.
To a degree incomparable to before.
A smile escaped me at Chairman Choi's sudden mention of such a social issue.
"I didn't know you were interested in such things."
"Do I look like a saint to you, crying out that we need this technology for their sake?"
I didn't exactly think that, but...
Chairman Choi laughed heartily for a moment.
"That's a secondary reason. The social goodwill our Nova gains from it. And the market monopoly that will follow."
"..."
"Once people experience the comfort of our products even once... do you think they'll be able to use other products afterward?"
This old man...
He had a slyer side to him than I thought.
Not that it left a bad taste in my mouth.
For a profit-seeking corporation, it was a perfectly natural course of action.
"As I said earlier, I am, at any time, a merchant who thinks of profit first and foremost."