Chapter 85
Chapter 85
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: An Offer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Knock, knock.
Seeing his Chief of Staff enter, Kang Il-seop rose from his desk and moved to the sofa.
She was carrying two teacups, not one.
It meant she had something to say.
"Was it unexpected?"
"Yes. I didn't think you would sign it."
Kang Il-seop knew why she had requested a meeting.
He had just signed the document they had been pressured over for so long.
The bill on joint Gate research.
This meant the Hunter Management Bureau had officially recognized the joint Gate research initiative.
"Are you exhausted?"
"I have no grounds to keep fighting, do I?"
The Chief of Staff watched Kang Il-seop with a look of pity as he lifted his teacup. She hadn't been able to find an answer either.
If there had been even a sliver of a viable solution, she would have certainly tried to stop him.
"The president is investing based on economic power. He's growing the economy and using that money to solidify the Asia-Pacific alliance. And as an insurance policy, he's supporting multinational guilds. It's quite a brilliant plan, isn't it?"
"Are you supporting the president?"
"No, I actually think it's incredibly dangerous. Organizations like that won't risk their lives to protect South Korea. There's a difference between superficial public safety and actual security."
"Then why did you approve it? You know how symbolic this decision is."
The joint Gate research agreement implied an exception to another nation's security.
More specific agreements would follow.
"I have no grounds to persuade him, do I? Fighting the president isn't the issue. The important thing is gathering good hunters to maintain security, but are you confident you can do that?"
The Chief of Staff couldn't answer.
Five hunters from the Hunter Management Bureau had already left.
There was no way to stop them from leaving for multinational guilds that offered better treatment.
And this would continue to happen.
"My position ultimately depends on the support of the people and good hunters. We're losing power, and we can't go against this tide."
The people of South Korea supported the current president.
"It's because the public doesn't know the inside story. The media doesn't mention it either."
The problem was that the media, which should be the ears of the people, was mostly on the current administration's side.
There was some opposing opinion, but not enough to turn the tide.
After all, it was true that South Korea had found economic stability.
"That's not the biggest problem."
Kang Il-seop was troubled for another reason.
He put down his teacup and said,
"What if I'm the one who's wrong?"
The president's policies followed the current of the times.
What if his method was the right one?
"What if I'm just being stubborn, falling behind the times?"
This was Kang Il-seop's greatest concern.
Just as the Chief of Staff was struggling to find words of comfort, a ringing phone shattered the atmosphere.
But when Kang Il-seop checked the caller ID, his expression brightened instantly.
"Well, well, who do we have here? Isn't it my runaway son?"
—I'm on my way. You have time, right?
"What's this? That tone that assumes I'm free? I'm a busy man."
—Got it. I'll come later, then.
"As it happens, I have some time right now. You're a lucky man. I won't be free later, so come now."
A smile hung on Kang Il-seop's face after he hung up.
"Wang-sik is coming."
"You really treat him like a son."
"He is my son. My most pitiable son. If I really had a son like him, I wouldn't live to a ripe old age. I'd spend my whole life worrying."
"You really are like a father to him."
Wang-sik's call had at least lightened the mood.
"Please prepare the tea that Wang-sik likes."
"I will."
The person they were waiting for arrived an hour later.
Pushing away Kang Il-seop, who wanted a heartfelt hug, Wang-sik sat on the sofa and started the conversation.
"I heard you surrendered."
He must have heard the situation from the Chief of Staff.
"Don't tell me you got tired of it."
"I have no grounds to keep fighting, do I?"
It was the same conversation he'd had with his Chief of Staff. But this time, he was talking to Wang-sik.
"Looking for grounds to fight... you've gotten old."
"Are you criticizing me right now?"
"How is this criticism? I'm just genuinely disappointed. The man who would have grabbed someone by the collar and fought is now signing surrender documents in a cramped office. I guess no one can beat time."
Kang Il-seop bristled at his words.
"I'm not old enough to be hearing things like that!"
"Oh, just admit it. It's easier if you do. You surrendered without even putting up a fight."
"I did fight, in my own way! What was I supposed to do when it was hopeless!"
"That's the problem."
Wang-sik looked Kang Il-seop straight in the eye and said,
"You fought 'in your own way.' You used to fight with your life on the line."
Kang Il-seop felt like he'd been hit with an uppercut.
It was true.
Before, he never clung to his position as Bureau Director and always spoke his mind.
Even though he was criticized for being bad at politics, the Hunter Management Bureau had developed because he had an absolute line he would never cross.
"Why did you do it? Did you become protective of the Hunter Management Bureau now that it's gotten bigger?"
"It seems you're genuinely disappointed in me."
"I told you. It's not disappointment, it's a sense of pity."
Kang Il-seop was silent for a moment, then nodded and looked at his Chief of Staff.
"Have you already handed over the agreement?"
"Of course not."
"Kekeke! I may not have political skills, but I'm blessed with good people!"
"What should I do with the agreement?"
"Tear it up."
The Chief of Staff bowed immediately and walked out. Her steps were much quicker than usual.
"Well, I've just declared war on the president."
"You're used to it. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"
"Hey! This time is different! The United States is involved."
"That's why I said you're used to it. What was it you said to Smith again?"
He had, in fact, cursed him out before.
"And there's one more thing. It should give you strength."
"I'm looking forward to it. Go on."
"I hope you really butt heads with them this time and get fired."
"What kind of curse is that?"
Wang-sik said with a smile,
"Come to our base."
Kang Il-seop was momentarily speechless at the unexpected offer.
Just then, the Chief of Staff re-entered the office, and Wang-sik made his formal offer.
"Bureau Director and Chief of Staff. And anyone else you want to bring. I'll accept them all. Come to our base."
The Chief of Staff didn't look particularly surprised, as if she had expected it.
She had always thought they would be needed one day.
The two groups had the same goal.
The only difference was that the Hunter Management Bureau protected Korea, while Wang-sik's Mad Castle operated on a global scale.
They hadn't made any official moves yet, but their potential was undeniable.
"I refuse."
But Kang Il-seop did not accept.
"I expected that. And I also know that when you step down from your position, you'll become the commander of Mad Castle."
"You seem confident."
"Can you say I'm wrong?"
Kang Il-seop would eventually have to step down from this position.
Not just because of this incident, but because the Bureau Director has a limited term.
Even if he managed to extend his term again through public support, he would face even greater political pressure.
"If I get fired from here, I'll retire! I'm not going to Mad Castle!"
"I'm asking you, and you're refusing? You know you can't."
"Is that the attitude of someone asking for a favor?"
"Should I make it more burdensome for you? You'd have to step down from your position right away."
As Wang-sik started to get up, Kang Il-seop hastily shouted,
"Stop! I will protect the Republic of Korea."
"My way of protecting it is the right way. And the number one place I'm protecting is also South Korea. Don't forget that Mad Castle's headquarters is in Korea."
Wang-sik drove the final nail in.
"Think seriously about which position would be better for South Korea. The answer is quite simple."
These words sent ripples through Kang Il-seop's stubbornness.
'Am I really just clinging to this?'
He always said it was for South Korea.
If so, wouldn't it be right to accept Wang-sik's offer?
Kang Il-seop's expression couldn't help but turn serious.
He would probably need a long time to think.
As the atmosphere grew heavy, Wang-sik shrugged and spoke in a light tone.
"It's a child's duty to take care of their retired parents, right?"
"You only call yourself my son when it's convenient."
"You only call yourself a parent when you need to. I know of at least ten of your 'children.' There's a grown-up daughter right here, too."
The Chief of Staff nodded as if in agreement.
Seeing this, Kang Il-seop laughed heartily.
"This is why you should have many children. You never know which one will be the filial one."
"Sorry, but I don't think this counts as filial duty. Mad Castle will be much tougher than here. But I can promise one thing."
"And what's that?"
"You'll never have to abandon your principles for unreasonable demands. You won't have to walk on eggshells around anyone."
"You came here fully prepared, didn't you?"
"I really need you both."
Mad Castle currently had no commander. As a result, everyone just did what they thought needed to be done, and the organization lacked a systematic feel.
To move not as individuals but as a group, a proper organizational structure was essential.
"You're going to come eventually, so let's not drag this out."
At Wang-sik's confidence, Kang Il-seop couldn't help but laugh.
"Let's talk about that later. More importantly, you've been through a lot."
Changing the subject, Kang Il-seop went to his desk and brought back a cardboard box.
"Take this."
When he opened the box, there was a variety of items inside.
"What's all this? Movie tickets, amusement park tickets, vouchers for a Korean spa? There are even plane tickets and a bakery gift card."
Besides those, there were other miscellaneous items.
A prepaid card for a toy store.
A gift certificate for a high-end clothing brand.
Most of the other items were prepaid cards related to daily life.
"These are the things you turned down."
"I did?"
"The things you said you'd do after you found all your friends. Now you can do them as much as you want. For yourself."
"You remembered all of that."
Kang Il-seop and Wang-sik simultaneously recalled the past.
To give Wang-sik a break from his intense life, Kang Il-seop had made several suggestions.
—I'm feeling stiff. How about we go to a Korean spa?
—I hear there's an amazing restaurant inside the amusement park.
He had even sent his Chief of Staff.
—There's a movie I really want to see. Would you like to go with me? It's a bit awkward to go with the Bureau Director.
Wang-sik's answer was always the same.
—I'll save it and do it with my friends later.
Each time, Kang Il-seop hadn't thrown the tickets away but had collected them, one by one, in the cardboard box.
'So that someday, when the time comes, he'll remember the things he couldn't do.'
Wang-sik had lived through such a time.
A time when he refused to do the things others did so casually.
But there was someone who remembered it all for him.
The one who showed consideration, and the one who received it.
A turning point had come for them both.
"You deserve to have some fun, too. You've more than earned the right."
Wang-sik examined the tickets one by one and said,
"You know, I really like that you're not perfect, sir."
"What are you talking about?"
"Half of these tickets are expired. This movie came out seven years ago."
"The tickets, maybe, but the gift certificates..."
"These have expiration dates too."
Kang Il-seop looked at his Chief of Staff with a surprised expression. She nodded, confirming that Wang-sik was right.
"Then my money..."
"Is gone."
"Damn it!"
While Kang Il-seop lamented his loss, Wang-sik carefully gathered the tickets.
"That makes me even more grateful. To think you prepared these for me every time."
He meant it.
It was a gift filled with sentiments that had accumulated over a very long time.
"Thank you. I'm truly grateful."
"If you understand, then go enjoy yourself. I'm not telling you to play a lot. Just as much as other people do."
"I will. I promise."
"You'd better keep that promise."
The heavy atmosphere lifted once more.
After that, they spent time chatting idly.
It was a conversation that left nothing behind but laughter, but it was a necessary time for them.
After that meaningless yet essential time had passed.
Kang Il-seop sat facing his Chief of Staff.
"What do you think?"
"For my sake? Or for South Korea's?"
"Is the answer different?"
"No. It's the same. The only difference is whether we'll serve only South Korea, or a cause that includes South Korea."
The Chief of Staff answered coolly.
"He dropped a bomb and left."
"It seems you have a lot to think about."
"I'd like to, but I don't think I have much time."
"Because of the agreement?"
"No. That's something I have to do anyway, so it's not worth worrying about."
Kang Il-seop's concern was different.
"Wouldn't it be rude to young Wang-sik to go only after I'm truly kicked out?"
The Chief of Staff nodded.
Going because you have no other choice was a completely different story from making a decision while you still had options.
"Whatever you decide, I'll follow."
"As expected, I raised one daughter well..."
"I'll be taking my leave."
The Chief of Staff coolly cut him off and stood up.