Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Power-Tripping Hunter (3)
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“Hahaha, that's an interesting thing to say.”
“Is it?”
A building in Cheongdam-dong.
Before the full omakase course kicked off, Park Won-jun got the gist from Hunter Administration Minister Ma Tae-sik.
The place where hunters traded mana crystals and gear materials was just a government agency—nothing more. Hunters weren't exactly glued to the government.
But all Special Hunters in South Korea worked hand-in-hand with the Hunter Administration.
In exchange for all sorts of privileges, they had obligations—like tackling the tower according to policy.
Things like striving to join top-floor raids.
Or not contacting foreign hunter administrations without permission, and so on.
What Ma Tae-sik proposed to Won-jun was an even tighter bond.
The administration would push to get Won-jun more exposure to the public.
“Sounds good to me. More people knowing about my exploits as a hunter? Can't complain.”
“You're not like most young guys these days—easy to talk to.”
The minister praised Won-jun, who flashed a bright smile in response.
“You sure you're okay with that?”
“With what?”
“The Seoul tower's at 55 floors cleared so far, and I've only hit 42? Makes me a total rookie, right?”
“Hohoho.”
Won-jun's deadpan remark.
Minister Ma Tae-sik had a feeling this young man knew the hunter world better than he let on.
“I've been in this seat a long time, seen plenty of hunters. Not just in Korea—Japan, America, China, you name it.”
“...”
“Kuh.”
Ma Tae-sik downed a shot and set the glass down.
“Hunter Park Won-jun, your potential is unmatched. I guarantee it.”
“You're putting me on quite the pedestal.”
“And it's not just me.”
Druruk.
As the two talked, the door slid open, and a server entered.
“For this cha wan mushi, we've added truffles and shark fin...”
He placed the appetizer course dishes and gave a friendly explanation.
“Thank you.”
Unlike the quietly seated Ma Tae-sik, Won-jun thanked the server with a smile that lasted until he left.
“See? Not like today's youth. Wish my son would learn some manners like that.”
“You're too kind.”
Courtesy was basic.
It was a habit ingrained from the martial world, where lives hung on trivial slights and grudges ran deep.
“Anyway, back to it. You're not just highly rated by me—other Special Hunters, too. Even overseas eyes are on you.”
“Overseas?”
“Yep. Especially China and the US. Those countries are desperate to poach talent from abroad.”
“...I see.”
Won-jun nodded, genuinely intrigued.
Made sense—the superpowers thrived by sucking in talent from everywhere.
“Your skills are already proven. All that's left is your public image. Clearing floor 45 would be perfect timing.”
“Won't take long.”
“Hahaha!”
Even in the US or China, joining a 45th-floor raid got you VIP treatment.
Yet Won-jun talked about conquering it like it was nothing.
Ma Tae-sik couldn't help but laugh heartily.
“Clear 45 solo, and the media will eat it up: 'Special Hunter Park Won-jun breezes through floor 45 alone. Stands tall against hunters from America, China, Japan. No—the talent they're all after.'”
“Hm.”
Won-jun nodded along with the bigwig's words.
“Need anything? Just say the word through support channels. We'll assemble a special team for you pronto.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Good. You scratch my back, I scratch yours.”
Druruk.
The main meal began.
Seafood dishes made from rare ingredients appeared.
“You like money?”
“Who doesn't?”
“True enough.”
“But...”
Won-jun trailed off as he picked up a piece of sushi.
He'd had pricey delivery sushi back home, but this was next level.
Even Won-jun, no sushi connoisseur, could tell instantly.
“Sounds like you want more.”
“What every guy wants boils down to the same thing. Money, fame, women. That's it.”
“Hahaha, spot on.”
Ma Tae-sik grinned, pleased.
'Young blood—straightforward desires.'
Simple wants made for easy alliances.
Tricky when someone had rigid beliefs or values.
The Hunter Administration minister was growing fonder of Won-jun by the minute.
“As the nation's backed Special Hunter, I'll make full use of those privileges going forward.”
“Help yourself.”
Ma Tae-sik reached for the premium sake nearby and topped off their glasses.
Didn't matter that the guy across from him was way younger.
“We're in the same boat now. Cheers.”
“You got it.”
Clink.
The minister, aiming to boost the Hunter Administration's prestige for political gain.
The hunter, happy to leverage national power for his goals.
Their meeting, built on clear mutual interests, was a resounding success.
“This place is damn good.”
“Yeah, delicious.”
Won-jun was quite taken with the food.
But omakase took forever—wouldn't be a regular spot.
'Yeah, that's right.'
As he ate and drank, Won-jun reflected.
Money, fame, women.
Women topped the list.
Back in the martial world, honor was all he'd cared about.
He'd scorned warriors training just to snag prettier wives, despised merchants and escorts chasing coin.
But he'd learned the truth eventually.
He'd just been a kid lost in hero fantasies.
Things were different now.
Back in a world where money outmuscled martial prowess, overflowing with women.
Nothing gave a man more varied, profound pleasure than a woman.
Won-jun was set on savoring this life to the fullest.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Thanks.”
Park Won-jun's studio apartment.
Won-jun took the delivered pizza and shut the door.
Cheongdam-dong omakase was nice, but nothing beat spicy, easy eats.
“Hurry up and come out.”
Especially with a woman around.
Won-jun set the pizza on the table, sat, and called to Park Min-ju in the bathroom.
He could hear her brushing her teeth—she'd be out soon.
Druruk.
“Haa.”
Min-ju emerged, fresh from brushing, hair tousled, huffing in annoyance.
“You brush after eating? Rookie move.”
Won-jun said as he poured cola into cups—sweetly filling hers first and setting it down.
“And you knew that?”
“Huh?”
Min-ju grumbled as she plopped into a chair.
“Dude, if you're gonna cum in my mouth, warn a girl first. How many times I gotta say it?”
“Heat of the moment.”
“You do it on purpose.”
“Alright, sit. Pizza's getting cold.”
Won-jun chuckled.
That sassy snap during rough sex?
One reason he doted on Min-ju.
“Hey, Min-ju.”
“What.”
“Gonna grab a place in Pyeongchang-dong soon.”
“Pyeongchang-dong? Isn't that where all the rich folks live?”
“I got money too.”
“...Fair.”
Won-jun was pulling in nearly 100 million a day.
Scarier part? It'd skyrocket soon.
He planned a massive loan at absurdly low rates—Special Hunter perk.
Target: a big mansion in Seoul's Pyeongchang-dong.
“Moving?”
“Nah, I'll crash here mostly—comfier. But it'll be huge, tricked out nice. We can hang there sometimes.”
“House for luring girls, huh.”
“Smart as ever, Min-ju.”
“Duh.”
“You'll love it. Get excited.”
“Pass. It's far.”
Min-ju eyed him steadily, pizza slice in hand.
Won-jun figured it was time for a villa-style spot over hotels.
Especially for higher-profile women—privacy mattered.
“You looked wiped last time. You good?”
“Yeah...”
In Park Won-jun's car.
Cheerleader Lee Ji-ah spoke from the passenger seat.
She'd thought he was half-dead, but saying so wouldn't help.
“Great seeing you again.”
“Me too, oppa.”
“Yeah? Music to my ears.”
Won-jun grinned.
But Ji-ah, watching from the side, felt a pang.
'Barely any contact since then.'
That night, he'd acted like he couldn't live without sex right then—like he adored her so much he had to stay over.
But post-sleep? Ice cold.
Now he treated her like a girlfriend again.
She hated herself for dolling up like this.
Should cut loose—don't cling to guys who don't care.
But that lingering 'what if' made her act the fool.
“It's my usual hotel—you'll like it.”
“Yeah, looking forward to it.”
Ji-ah's voice was flat, soulless.
This guy wasn't even hiding it anymore.
Last time: quiet spot, private hotel cafe.
Now: straight to a convenient Gangnam 5-star room.
No dates—just fuck.
“Almost there.”
Won-jun buzzed with excitement, ignoring her mood, eager to ravage this hot woman after so long.
“...”
Gulp.
Ji-ah stewed, then spoke up.
“Oppa.”
“Yeah?”
“What are we?”
Question after agonizing thought.
Even if it ended things, some words needed saying.
“Hm... Dunno how you see me, but I just wanna keep seeing you.”
“Ah, okay?”
Won-jun answered without a second thought.
Ji-ah sighed inwardly.
'Just fuckbuddies, then.'
Wrong guy to fall for.
But she couldn't leave—his future was limitless. A man who could fulfill a woman's deepest cravings.
In this world, a woman's status hinged on her man.
Irreplaceable.
Even thinking of it like a drug to quit—she knew it was too late.
'Anyway... I'm not shopping for a husband right now.'
Plenty of excuses to rationalize.
Sorry to her parents, but whatever.
“Let's go—hurry.”
Won-jun toyed with Ji-ah's thigh.
Post-first-fuck? Way more relaxed. Nice.