The Unintended Success of a Bureaucrat
I couldn't keep my mouth shut after seeing the results of the ticketing process for the Ma-Gwang Mine. A total of 43 hunters were mobilized. Since we weren't raiding the boss, it was fewer than the usual number. But the problem was that all 43 of them were S-class. And they were ranked almost exactly in order of the hunter rankings. How could this happen? I had specifically set it up as a first-come, first-served basis to prevent the high-ranking hunters from hogging the spots.
Just then, my phone rang. "Yes. This is Assistant Shin Jiwoo from the Dungeon Management Team 3, Seocho Branch of the Korean Hunter Association..."
-Assistant Shin Jiwoo! You really are amazing!
It was Kim Ki-young, the reporter I’d interviewed a while back. The article wasn't supposed to come out for a while yet.
-I heard the news about the Ma-Gwang Mine ticketing. I heard that only S-class hunters applied?
"How did you... The results only just came out, didn't they?"
-A reporter who's slow on the news wouldn't be much of a reporter, would they? I contacted the successful hunters, and they all said they really enjoyed it.
"What are you talking about? Enjoyed it?"
-Yes, isn't ticketing the simplest and most effective way for hunters across the country to compete while testing their abilities—like reaction speed, agility, dynamic visual acuity, fine muscle control, and time dilation acceleration?
"Ye, what, what did you say?"
What on earth is he talking about? It’s just ticketing, why are they testing so many things?
-Thanks to this innovative method, all the hunters were able to finish without any complaints, right? Since hunters value strength, there’s an atmosphere where everyone accepts their defeat. Plus, you managed to hire 43 S-class hunters at a very low cost. If you had sold the participation rights the traditional way, there might have been complaints, but by doing it this way, you conducted the business in a way that satisfied everyone at a minimal cost! You really are amazing!
"No, what kind of nonsen..."
-May I introduce this achievement in the article about Assistant Shin Jiwoo that will be published soon? There really is no one else like Assistant Shin who understands and handles hunters so well. No? This must be known!
"No, wait a-"
Click-
Kim Ki-young shouted in excitement and hung up the phone on his own. No, more importantly, what? Ticketing is something all hunters can participate in? Then does that mean the ticketing was done based on skill? Does that make any sense?
"...It makes sense."
High-ranking hunters have their lives hanging in the balance in battles at the nanosecond level. Hunters are beings who can flick their fingers thousands of times in a second. If that’s the case, it’s only natural that the ticketing would be decided by their strength. Why didn't I think of that? Of course, I wouldn't think of that normally because I'm not a hunter.
"Dammit."
I'm screwed. And he's going to add this to the article? That interview was a complete disaster. I had no idea how he was going to write it. That question was fully answered on the day the article came out. In a bad way.
"What is this..."
I came to work a little early as usual and was reading the newspaper, but I was speechless. This is just something he wrote as he pleased! When did I ever say things like this? He even said in the first article that I didn't find anything. 'He even showed humility by not wanting to take credit for a field that wasn't his own (laughs).' What is this? This is just your own opinion! And why did you add (laughs) to a public article!
There were more than one or two parts where he cleverly twisted what I said. Criticizing personnel issues? That was just me badmouthing Shin Chi-hyun.
As I was flipping through the newspaper in bewilderment, the phone rang.
"Yes. This is Assistant Shin Jiwoo from the Dungeon Management Team 3, Seocho Branch of the Korean Hunter Association."
-Shin Jiwoo. You gave an interesting interview.
It was Shin Chi-hyun. He must have already arrived at work and read the company newspaper.
-The Ma-Gwang Mine case was particularly surprising. The Magic Stone Management Team, the Finance Department, the International Department, and even the government seem to be reacting quite well.
"What?"
-Yes. Since you drastically reduced costs while hiring only S-class hunters. This case is likely a first in the entire world. Also, our country is currently the first to possess a Ma-Gwang Mine of this scale. Currently, countries from all over the world are sending requests to Korea for magic stone exploration technology and magic stone exports. Thanks to this, Korea will likely be able to secure a very high position in the international hunter society.
What? Of course, I knew that. If you possess this many magic stones, national power is bound to grow. But I intended to ruin this. I never intended to make it this successful!
-I heard the government is preparing a presidential commendation for you. And the Employee of the Year award will go to you as well. Your ability is worth acknowledging.
"...What? No, I don't need such an award!"
-There's no one else to receive it. Since there will be a personnel reshuffle soon, think about the team members you'll be working with.
"I told you I'm not going to be a team leader!"
Click-
Shin Chi-hyun hung up the phone abruptly. I put the phone down helplessly and slumped into my seat.
"Hey, Assistant Shin. I saw the article. It looks like you're going to snatch the Employee of the Year award from me?"
The team leader, who had arrived at work just in time, laughed and said. Even if it wasn't me, you wouldn't be able to get it anyway, Team Leader. Why are you pretending to give it up like you're doing me a favor?
"It'll be a shame to see you go, Assistant Shin! Hahahaha!"
The team leader patted my back with a good-natured laugh. I didn't even have the strength to respond anymore.
"Your Excellency. A Ma-Gwang Mine of record-breaking scale was recently discovered in Korea, and they say mining will begin soon."
"A Ma-Gwang Mine?"
"Yes. According to the reported data, a rank 10 dungeon is filled with magic stones. It's a mine that can be mined for nearly 20 years."
"...What?!"
Claude, the head of the International Hunter Association, jumped up and shouted. If it's a mine that can be mined for nearly 20 years, it's a level where magic stones are overflowing. That's enough to make equipment for every hunter in a country. If they focus only on high-ranking hunters, they could secure national-level power.
"It seems some time has passed since it was discovered, but it seems they didn't report it to the International Hunter Association until just before mining began."
"The mining of magic stones only has an obligation to be reported to the International Hunter Association at the time mining begins. There's no particular need to report it during the mining preparation process. The Korean Association President used his head."
If it had been known to the international community as soon as it was discovered, people would have definitely swarmed in from everywhere. Delaying the report to the International Hunter Association until mining began was a rational choice. However, it was obvious that countries would swarm in to get the magic stones.
"Let's discuss this matter again when she arrives. We'll need to consider the concerns of each country."
"Yes. And I think you should also take a look at this data."
"...What is this, Shin Jiwoo?"
"He's the employee who discovered the Ma-Gwang Mine. He even discovered the unique wave structure that detects magic stones. Besides that..."
"Damn... Is this something a first-year employee achieved?"
"Yes. They say he's rising at an incredible speed within the Korean Association as well."
"I'm even tempted to bring him into the International Hunter Association."
"Yes. And I think we should demand that Korea export the magic stone detection technology as well. If only Korea has the technology to detect magic stones, Korea will monopolize them. We must be able to discover dungeons that are Ma-Gwang Mines in other lands as well."
"That's right. If not, we won't be able to afford the price of magic stones."
For now, the important thing was the technology rather than the immediate magic stones. If there is magic stone detection technology, there is a possibility of discovering them in other lands as well. It's an opportunity for the entire international hunter society to develop.
At that moment, someone visited the association head's office. A woman appeared out of thin air, but Claude laughed as if he were used to it.
"Nabi. You arrived just in time."
"I felt like you were talking about me."
The President of the Korean Hunter Association. [Dream Witch] Hanabi. She sat on the sofa, looking used to it as she tidied her purple hair.
"Magic stones. And the technology. You'd want to demand them, right? I'm sorry, but I have no intention of selling them for now."
"You'll need a period to enjoy the benefits. But if that time drags on, the international community won't stand for it. Nabi."
"International community... Are you talking about this crude alliance where we can abandon each other if things go wrong?"
They talk about peace internationally, but the reality is a bit different. Relationships between countries are strictly based on interests. In the end, if someone takes away their interests, or monopolizes them, countries are always ready to betray them.
"Everything is give and take, Nabi. You know that, right?"
"That's right. Because you're an American."
The current head of the alliance is Claude, an American. Since America's power is the strongest, it was a natural course of action for America to sit in the position of the alliance head.
"Alright. Nabi. Then how about this. The alliance will guarantee Korea enough time to profit from the magic stones. I'll also allow you to maintain a monopoly on the technology for a while. Instead. Hand over one person."
"One 'person'?"
"That's right. Mr. Shin. Assistant Shin Jiwoo."
At those words, Hanabi's expression, which had been relaxed the whole time, stiffened. Of course, she knew he had thrown the words out lightly. But the fact that he had caught the interest of that shrewd alliance head meant that Claude saw him as a talent with potential. He wouldn't be too greedy yet because he hasn't grown enough. But if Shin Jiwoo really shows more, America will try to make him their own by any means necessary. That was the way America maintained world hegemony.
"Naturalize Assistant Shin Jiwoo to America. Then, what."
"...You know that's impossible, right? And he's an employee who joined this year."
Hanabi said sharply. As much as Claude was interested, Shin Jiwoo's value grew even more. Benefits are temporary, but an outstanding talent continues to bring benefits. She knew this by looking at America's method of becoming a great power by taking people.
"Hahahaha! I'm joking, Nabi. Would an international transaction be made over a single employee who just joined? That's absurd! Stop making such a scary face, Nabi."
Claude laughed loudly. However, Hanabi couldn't relax her expression. Because it was as if America had declared war over a single person.
"Fufu. I see."
She shouldn't lose her composure. Hanabi laughed as well for the time being. But thousands of thoughts were crossing her mind inside.
'Even Claude is interested in him immediately. As expected, Assistant Shin Jiwoo is a talent that must not be missed.'
Someday, America will definitely target Shin Jiwoo. It's not the kind of treatment you'd give a mere employee, but Claude's eyes are accurate. It means it's certain that he will become even greater. And just as expected, Claude made a remark that meaningfully left a foot in the door. So that he could enter the game again at any time later.
"Well, if he shows something even more amazing, I can't guarantee anything, though."
"..."
This was his method. Outstanding insight. An eye for people. A shrewd way of preparing so that he can take profits at any time. It was the tactic of a giant nation. And Hanabi, who already knew such tactics and led the Korean hunters, had to make a resolution.
Of course, there was still a long time left before Shin Jiwoo grew even more. But if it was to deal with America, it wasn't too late to start preparing now.
'...I will never let them take him.'
Shin Jiwoo was just an employee who had only been with the company for one year. But his name was already being mentioned in many places.