The Imperial Hunter - Chapter 197 (197/707) #22. Torch of Anti-Communism (6)
"Come to think of it, isn't Governor Kang Jungseong a bit of a wild card too?"
I nodded curtly at Kyung-tae's words, affirming it.
"I'd prefer he stays too busy with other work to chew over old news, but he's not the diligent type."
That populist had once dragged a publicity film crew to my front gate. Though he'd been pushed back in our argument and the footage never aired anywhere, it wasn't that long ago chronologically, so the raw recording was likely preserved intact. Back then, the ones blocking the governor's path had been my organization's first-string strike team, responsible for mobile security at headquarters. Thus, that video could plant seeds of doubt about the scale of my hired hunter group.
My men had covered half their faces, but high-quality footage held more information than met the eye. Even a simple voice analysis would reveal they weren't the same personnel as the Communist Hunter crew currently making waves.
Even judging by the overt numbers alone, to the governor, I'd look like a suspicious tycoon wasting exorbitant sums for no clear reason. And even if it was just vague unease, suspicion from a high official like him was the last thing I needed. With so many insular cult groups and their hunter outfits popping up these days, he might even suspect some upstart cult had nested here.
That was the world we lived in—every little thing could boomerang back unpredictably.
Kyung-tae shrugged.
"Hyungnim, let's keep it simple."
"How?"
"Make the stage so big no one dares nitpick. Go all-in on patriotism and anti-commie marketing, hog every spotlight. Then even if someone raises doubts, our blind fans will bury them for us, right? People love heroes. The politicians will be too busy fighting each other."
"Hm..."
"Folks are already hitting on our exposed guys from every angle—especially the opposition. They wanna drag this issue to the election. Why not use the chance to officially turn headquarters into our front yard?"
I'd thought of it myself. In fact, it was the first—and practically the only—countermeasure that came to mind.
But I didn't like committing to a single path with no alternatives. Not because of any clear flaw, but simply because it felt like surrendering initiative. As a businessman, or as prey-turned-hunter, losing control of the situation was never ideal.
"What do you think, Suyeon?"
At my reluctant question, Suyeon replied quietly.
"With no other options, it's about how well we use the key we have."
"I see."
Kyung-tae grinned.
"Time to let headquarters PR actually do some promoting for once."
The PR office at headquarters bore the name but dealt more in concealment than hype. They managed organization scholars planted in media, mixed truth and lies online to bolster affiliate alibis, and obscured our true nature.
"How about Project Torch of Anti-Communism?"
Suyeon shot Kyung-tae a cool glance of reproach. I asked her again.
"Think it'll work?"
"We'll make it happen."
If she stated it that confidently, I could trust her with it.
"Then do it."
In business, delayed decisions harmed more than wrong ones, so I nodded approval.
Though the infiltrators hadn't set foot in Seoul proper before retreating, their footage of free rein through Paju, Dongducheon, Yangju, Pocheon, Uijeongbu, and Goyang was ample ammo to plunge the so-called "puppet regime of the southern half" into shock.
The Workers' Party United Front Department unleashed nearly a hundred vlogs across platforms like YouTube.
The Korean government pulled every string to block and suppress them, only to reap humiliation proportional to their efforts.
Thus, the Armed Infiltrator Vlog scandal upended the nation.
Domestic and foreign media ran special reports daily amid unprecedented blame games in politics. Punishing culprits couldn't douse these flames.
"This incident proves total failures in national security and public safety! Even setting aside the bungled initial response, is it coincidence that freelance hunters using their powers voluntarily outperform official ones?"
"What did our party demand? Ditch the nonsense about expanding public ability users—adopt the US militia model ASAP! Dispatch overseers! Expand gun ownership! Extend citizen arrest powers! Scrap that commie high-risk hunt public buyback policy!"
"This is the result of the current regime's reckless ability user policies—deaf to freedom, blind to rights! Obsessing over maximizing official managed users is the root cause of this disaster!"
"Name one thing the government does right. Security? This exposed the level. Public order? Rock bottom of rock bottom! The military ignored reports casually; police threatened the reporter instead of responding. Classic case of rot from the top!"
"Seoul housing prices up 177% this year; food inflation hit 92% in half a year, sparking shock! Regions complain basic life is unstable from pest outbreaks! Over eighty local governments face extinction in a year—eighty! Who farms securely in that mess? Gangwon Province is dying on its feet—know that?"
"Government dismisses rising remote disappearances as hunter work, opposing militias—treating innocent civilians as potential criminals? Presuming guilt? Right?"
"This dictatorial criminal regime twists stats to paint citizens as criminals—we must judge them!"
"Security threats demand more public ability users! You want civilians guarding the front lines? National defense is sacred—not replaceable by mercenaries! Name a nation that didn't fall relying on sell-swords!"
"Seoul prices? Safer urban areas rise as rural risks grow—Seoul safest, so highest spike! Military ability users cut back civilian aid due to shortages! Cash-strapped locals filling gaps by hiring hunters? With what money?"
"Ninety percent of districts barely cover sea rescue bounties via emergency budgets—ninety percent! Even minor tasks like sorting livestock awakened or warehouse checks need ability users! Cut public service corps supply, and it's all money pits!"
"Scrap public buyback? Locals sit and starve! Food prices explode, economy tanks! Usher in the 50,000-won chicken era?"
"Public expansion is the only answer now!"
"Got it? Vlog fiasco happened because policies aren't fully implemented yet—not wrong direction!"
"Full US model? Local disparities worsen even in basic safety! Or go full gun freedom like America? Farmers arming themselves? Really want that?"
"US strong crime trials this year: forty-five self-proclaimed BatXmen, thirty WonderXmen! As a people's representative, I can't endorse turning our defense and order into a circus!"
The ruling party's defense rang true to harsh realities.
'The problem is pinning it all on forced labor expansion.'
In this mess, my spotlighted subordinates digested PR directives effortlessly.
First, heroic posturing.
Next, steer policy opinion favorably for HQ defense/strike ops.
Finally, ignite fresh fires atop politicians' roofs.