Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Global Ambition and Enlistment Order
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With the Republic of Korea stepping into the ranks of hunter superpowers, the GHO Korea Branch was established.
The GHO branches existed only in hunter superpowers.
It granted the privilege of superpowers: the right to converse with GHO at any time and request dispatches whenever needed.
"There are still so many people out front."
In the heart of Yeouido's skyscrapers, where the GHO Korea Branch was located, Maria—a high-ranking GHO hunter dispatched to protect it, and an S-Rank magic hunter with relatively friendly ties to Korea—chatted with a lobby staff member.
Maria shook her head as she gazed at the crowd gathered outside the entrance.
"Even though no one can just waltz in here, people flock like that wherever you go."
True to its status as the World Hunter Organization, its popularity among hunters was unmatched.
As if trying to feel the reality of their nation becoming a superpower, the group outside—who looked like hunters—showed no signs of dispersing.
Tsking her tongue, Maria turned to the staff member.
"I heard someone applied for S-Rank screening this time?"
The lobby staffer nodded at Maria's question.
"Yes. Since they requested direct screening from GHO, it seems they're aiming to join the world S-Rank list, not just the national one."
The difference between national S-Rank and world S-Rank was clear-cut.
A national S-Rank was granted at the state level without additional screening upon GHO request, while a world S-Rank was one officially recognized by GHO after rigorous evaluation.
In other words, it was a choice between national recognition or global acclaim.
The license issuance could drop from three months to a week, but that wasn't the issue.
"Isn't this the first direct world S-Rank registration request to GHO from Korea, outside of the World Hunter Tournament?"
"Yes, they must be pretty confident."
The gap between national and world S-Rank started with the license acquisition difficulty—heaven and earth apart.
Even globally, the number of world S-Ranks licensed over years could be counted on one hand.
But since Korea had never even requested screening before, they couldn't hide their bewilderment.
"What's gotten into Korea?"
Maria stared outside, unable to shake her curiosity.
Korea had been a hunter weakling.
A small nation that had even begged for help from high-ranking GHO hunters like herself because they couldn't handle a single demon clan Gate.
Yet now, influenced by something recent, it had skyrocketed to superpower status—and was even requesting world S-Rank screening.
"Is it that guy?"
As she pondered what had transformed Korea, one figure popped into Maria's mind.
The ambitious hunter from that unremarkable little country called Korea, exactly as she'd imagined.
The one who had etched Korea into the world's memory by claiming 4th place in the global S-Rank hunter rankings.
"Yong-un."
He lingered in her thoughts.
"Is it possible for one man to change an entire nation?"
From the Bupyeong Station demon clan Gate onward, Yong-un had never left Maria's mind.
How could anyone forget his overwhelming power, demonstrated to the world firsthand?
But divinity aside, national transformation was another level entirely.
"Nah, no way. That can't be it."
No matter how strong one person was, it couldn't make a nation's hunters stronger overall.
A hunter superpower wasn't forged by a few elites.
You couldn't maximize an entire nation's hunters that way.
'Yeah, coincidence. Just one guy deluded into thinking he could do it too.'
Yeah, that had to be it.
She shook her head, trying to dismiss the absurd notion.
But then, the lobby staffer glanced at the personal details of the world S-Rank screening applicant and remarked.
"Impressive, really."
"What is?"
"Do you know whose brother applied for world S-Rank screening this time?"
"Who?"
As Maria showed interest, the staffer spun the lobby monitor toward her with a stunned expression.
"World S-Rank #4 hunter—Yong-un himself."
"Pardon...?"
"Meaning the applicant is Yong-un the hunter's younger brother."
The absurd fantasy she'd just tried to shelve scrambled Maria's thoughts.
And what she'd deemed impossible shifted to "maybe" or "could it be?"
'Is he really changing everything single-handedly?'
A small land called Korea.
The ridiculous idea that this tiny nation was transforming through its little giant, Yong-un, floated across Maria's hardened expression.
= = =
The Republic of Korea was a wartime state.
It looked free and peaceful, but it was actually an armistice nation where war hadn't truly ended.
Even nationally, conflict could erupt anytime without surprise.
That was Korea.
Thus, when Korean youths came of age, they were naturally dragged into the military.
"Dragged" might sound negative and reluctant, but since most didn't volunteer, it was the most common term.
Ask the countless young men of draft age.
I guarantee 70-80 out of 100 would say they didn't want to go.
No matter the wartime status, few wanted to sink their precious two years there.
This held true for civilians and hunters alike.
If anything, the military loved hunters far more—beings far stronger than average.
And that fondness hit hardest for the family of world S-Rank contender Yong-un.
It weighed especially heavy on Myung-un.
"Hunter Yong-un."
Minister Baek Myung-hee wore a subtle expression before the visibly furious Yong-un.
Yong-un angry?
The minister couldn't hide her bewilderment at the rage from the man who'd always been stone-faced, even at the demon clan Gate.
"Hoo."
With a deep breath to steady his fury, Yong-un spoke.
"Explain."
The minister replied with a grave look.
"It's an order from above. There's nothing I can do."
"Nothing you can do?"
"Yes. How could I block it? It was a legitimate order, and the higher-ups only expedited the timing a bit."
"A bit... just a bit..."
Unable to hold back, Yong-un slowly drew up his demonic energy.
But as a non-hunter, Minister Baek couldn't perceive it.
She should count herself lucky.
If she saw it, facing him like this would be unthinkable.
Controlling the demonic energy filling the room, he flicked the paper in his hand.
It fluttered through the air like a living thing, snapping open and landing before the minister.
[Notice: Mr. Lee Myung-un's enlistment date has been changed]
Above the National Defense Ministry letterhead that had summoned him here, the altered date caught his eye.
"Fast, huh? Two days—they must really want Hunter Myung-un in ASAP."
Her flustered expression showed it wasn't mockery.
But her every word only fueled Yong-un's anger.
'Making even the minister like this...'
Forcing calm, Yong-un saw the minister's poorly hidden dismay.
She knew it was forced too.
'Who could it be?'
Yet due to someone's order, she swallowed it and faced him formally.
She was the head of the Hunter Management Agency, overseeing Korea's hunters.
For such a high minister to squirm like this...
Reading her face, Yong-un suppressed rising demonic energy and asked.
"Who? Whose order?"
Under his sharp gaze, the minister widened her eyes innocently and shrugged.
"I haven't received any orders."
"So that's how it is."
The expected answer ended their talk.
Yong-un rose and headed out.
The minister called after him.
"However..."
Gripping the doorknob and yanking it open, Yong-un paused.
"You could say I spoke with the Minister of National Defense recently."
Yong-un replied without turning.
"Consider yourself fortunate."
"Pardon? What do you mean? And Minister—will you keep using informal speech?"
The minister frowned.
She was calling out the consistent informal tone since before the Demonus incident.
But Yong-un's voice cut through.
"I treated you as a faction leader. But after your Demonus decision, I revoked that. My speech is proof."
"What are you saying? I'm still the leader of a faction. And you're part of it."
Baek Myung-hee, who'd lived solely for hunters, raised her voice at the rejection.
But as Yong-un slowly turned—eyeing her for the first time since entering—her shout faltered.
"Do you think you can contain me?"
"...?!"
Meeting his blackened eyes, she couldn't continue.
Was this what "chills down the spine" meant?
Just eye contact felt like hundreds of ants crawling from toes to scalp.
"You're no vessel for faction leader. A true leader heeds even the smallest voice in their ranks. You ignored them all, blocking potentials with your sole metric."
The chills passed.
Fuming at his words, the minister shot back.
"Enough nonsense. When did I ever do that? I love Korea's hunters—especially the elites! Have I ever refused your requests as minister?"
Pent-up frustration poured out.
But mid-sentence, she bowed her head.
'Heh, got something fun this time. That new hero hunter's brother is draft-eligible... Blood runs true; he must be a powerhouse too. With solid backing, perfect for military PR. One stone, two birds! Kahahaha.'
Have I ever refused Hunter Yong-un's requests?
Her own words stabbed her conscience like thorns.
'So, I've handled it. With Yong-un's temper, he'll scare you—stall him well. Favor to a junior.'
Defense Minister Commander Jeong Myung-hwan's voice echoed.
"You already know, don't you? Do I need to answer?"
"Th-that..."
"If this pricks your conscience, you're truly unfit to lead."
Yong-un turned.
Positioned face-to-face across the door.
Then, in a low, resounding voice:
"Demonus. What efforts did you make for my words that it could be cleared?"
Demonus?
Minister Baek's eyes widened.
There was something to say.
"I! As minister, I did my utmost! I didn't want to lose hunters—I gave my all!"
To protect hunters from Demonus hell, she'd even ordered the military to block them.
This very situation stemmed from that.
'I expect compliance. You abused authority lately; oblige this, and I'll overlook it.'
As minister, she'd ordered non-hunters—the military.
It amounted to nothing ultimately, but clear abuse of power.
Her authority was over Korea's hunters only.
But.
"You still don't get it. Why your judgment was wrong. Why I speak to you this way."
That wasn't an answer.
She'd tried blocking hunters marching to peril—even committing abuse to stop them.
Why was that wrong?
"Hunter Yong-un!"
As he turned to leave without reply, the minister shouted.
Yong-un halted mid-step and said.
"A leader... shouldn't block potential but ponder it together."
"...What?"
Deeming it sophistry, she raised her voice.
But Yong-un continued.
"A leader, when a member speaks—even nonsense—must hold it deep, seek possibilities. And the outcome?"
She swallowed her rising tone.
Demonus cleared.
Historic moment.
Had her "certain death" order held, it never would've happened.
"I saw potential. As leader to leader, I advised. You shouldn't have blocked blindly—explore ways, and only if still impossible, enlighten rather than force."
Gazing at her drooping head, Yong-un emphasized his final words.
"A leader!"
With that, he left the office.
But the minister couldn't stop him.
'A leader...'
Alone, she gave a hollow laugh at her reflection.
She'd come to persuade at his summons.
But the result?
'A leader...'
Yong-un's words rippled in her chest.
For the first time, the minister who'd lived convinced of her righteousness reflected on her path.
Mulling his words, she leaned forward and picked up the paper on the desk.
[National Defense Ministry]
"A leader..."
She whispered the meaning of her "leader" position—once taken for granted.
'Two days.'
They'd used pull, but a month shrinking to this?
Minister Baek was stunned by how little time remained.
Raising her bowed head, she murmured again.
"A leader... If I were a true leader..."