Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Verification (4)
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A week had passed since Cha Su-ho's visit to the association. During that time, he had holed up in the Hunter-exclusive testing room. To fill up his deficient mental strength as quickly as possible. To fully wield Jin Seong-hyeok's power. He poured all his focus into it.
There had been meaningful progress during his seclusion. He could feel it himself—his mental strength had grown stronger.
As his mental strength increased, so did his ability to control his power. Cha Su-ho lightly spread his palm, forming an energy orb. With a crackle and sparks, the orb took perfect spherical shape—different from before.
Stronger. And its power felt palpable.
'Nice.'
Jin Seong-hyeok spoke as if satisfied, and Cha Su-ho asked,
'Does this mean I can learn the next technique?'
'Yeah. You're ready for the next one.'
A new technique at last. Cha Su-ho's face lit up.
'Then right now...!'
Grrrooowl—.
Damn. His stomach was too honest at times like this, embarrassingly so.
'Eat something first. Protein shakes aren't a proper meal, no matter how many you chug.'
Jin Seong-hyeok chuckled, and Cha Su-ho reluctantly stood up.
'I'll eat and learn the technique right after.'
'Do what you want.'
Cha Su-ho gathered the scattered protein shake containers from the floor and left the testing room. As he headed to his room, mentally planning his meal, his feet came to an abrupt halt.
A familiar face stood before him. Min Gi-uk greeted the startled Cha Su-ho politely.
"Hello, Helper Cha Su-ho... no, Hunter Cha Su-ho."
Caught off guard by Min Gi-uk's sudden appearance, Cha Su-ho asked,
"How did you get here, Secretary?"
"You've been at Branch 5 for quite a while, so I came to check. While you're staying here, I'll be stationed with you, so feel free to ask me for anything you need."
Having Min Gi-uk around would be convenient. No need to haul protein shake tubs to the testing room, and he wouldn't have to worry about schedules or clothes.
"Well... it'd definitely make things easier with you here."
But it was strange for Min Gi-uk to show up at Branch 5 out of the blue.
"Did Center Director 1 send you?"
He wondered if Center Director 1 had assigned Min Gi-uk to monitor him, trying to keep him in check.
"No. I came on my own initiative."
Min Gi-uk's expression was firm.
"Do you... know what's going on outside?"
"Outside? You mean monsters...?"
"No, not that..."
Min Gi-uk rubbed his forehead, looking troubled, then continued.
"A few days ago, governments and branches from various countries started contacting me. They know I'm your secretary. You've been locked in the Hunter testing room for a week, so you wouldn't know..."
Cha Su-ho's face grew serious. He feared Min Gi-uk might have been threatened.
"What happened?"
"Well..."
Min Gi-uk explained slowly. Right after Cha Su-ho received his SSS-grade rating, the media had been in a frenzy nonstop.
Governments boasted about a being stronger than Jin Seong-hyeok emerging, proclaiming monsters would be eradicated thanks to Cha Su-ho.
Special broadcasts compared Cha Su-ho's routines and main abilities to Jin Seong-hyeok's. And after the hero they idolized, Jin Seong-hyeok, died, civilians desperate for another savior went wild over Cha Su-ho's meteoric rise.
Even better—he was stronger than Jin Seong-hyeok. Elders who knew the terror of monsters rejoiced at the arrival of someone who could finally wipe them out.
Hearing that the whole world was buzzing about him, Cha Su-ho was dumbfounded.
"Me... stronger than Jin Seong-hyeok? That's ridiculous..."
"Probably because, unlike Jin Seong-hyeok, you also have A-grade Helper abilities."
"Ha."
Cha Su-ho let out a long sigh before speaking slowly.
"So... broadcasts are talking about me right now?"
"Yes. I can show you if you'd like."
"...You have it?"
Min Gi-uk pulled a tablet from his bag, swiped the screen a few times, and held it out to Cha Su-ho.
"All these videos on the screen are about you, Hunter Cha Su-ho."
The screen was filled with videos of himself. Somehow, they even had footage of him fighting—including the moment he reverted Eric's rampage in the arena.
"Where the hell did they get this...?"
"Probably cooked up by the branches and governments together."
As if they had elevated him themselves, the governments sent videos and articles to Cha Su-ho's secretary, Min Gi-uk.
"This is... getting annoying."
Now he understood why Jin Seong-hyeok rarely showed his face publicly.
"The governments and branches will start approaching you directly soon. Just like they did with me."
"Did you give them any responses?"
"No. I don't have the authority. Unless you instruct me to."
Cha Su-ho had sensed it from their first meeting—Min Gi-uk was unflinching. Branches and governments must have tried luring him with offers for Cha Su-ho's info. Yet here he was, volunteering to stay by his side. Cha Su-ho felt grateful.
"Where's your room, Secretary?"
"The Branch 5 examiner said it's right next to yours, Hunter Cha Su-ho."
"Good. I've been struggling to manage protein shakes alone lately."
Cha Su-ho held up the tubs filling both hands.
"From now on, just tell me, and I'll handle it."
"It'll be a hassle."
"If that's a hassle, I couldn't be a secretary. Let me know if there's anything."
Cha Su-ho smiled faintly.
"Secretary Min Gi-uk. Looking forward to working with you."
"Likewise, Hunter Cha Su-ho."
With Min Gi-uk's arrival, things got much easier right away. Food and clothes were prepared without Cha Su-ho lifting a finger. When he was in the testing room, Min Gi-uk made sure not to disturb him while bringing meals.
Thanks to that, Cha Su-ho felt a lot more at ease.
"I'll inform you of your updated compensation starting today."
"Compensation?"
Cha Su-ho blinked at the word.
"As you transitioned from Helper to Hunter, your pay and salary have changed. I'll explain."
Come to think of it, Hunters and Helpers did get paid. But there was never time to spend it. The Center covered food and lodging—no expenses needed.
As an F-grade, he'd buy snacks for field Helpers, but mocking glances made him stop. Aside from occasional online shopping, money just piled up in his account. It was modest, but precious to him—seed money for life as a civilian if the Center forced retirement.
After becoming an A-grade Helper, he hadn't even checked his balance. Min Gi-uk handled necessities, and days were too spectacular for spending. With Hunter powers awakening, he forgot entirely that they got paid.
Cha Su-ho swallowed dryly.
"So... how much is my salary?"
As F-grade, after taxes, he got about 3 million won monthly. Grades determined pay, plus life allowances for field work—leaving him with the lowest.
Now A-grade Helper and SSS-grade Hunter—at least 1 billion annually? His eyes sparkled.
"For this month: 3 billion A-grade Helper pay, 3.5 billion SSS-grade Hunter pay, 500 million Dead Zone field pay, 1 billion life allowance."
What did he just hear? Cha Su-ho's mind echoed with billions, billions, billions.
"So..."
"Totaling about 8 billion won."
8 billion when he expected 1 billion a year? Cha Su-ho stared at Min Gi-uk in shock.
"My annual salary is 8 billion?!"
Min Gi-uk tilted his head.
"I said this month, clearly."
"This month...?"
"Yes. Monthly salary."
Min Gi-uk nodded understandingly at the frozen Cha Su-ho.
"I get it. It feels too low."
Low?
"Branch 1 pays less than others. Next month, full SSS-grade Hunter pay kicks in, plus field allowances..."
"Hold on."
"What's wrong?"
"Full SSS-grade Hunter pay... what does that mean?"
"Ah."
Min Gi-uk nodded.
"You got rated mid-process, so it's not full yet."
"...Meaning regular SSS-grade Hunter pay is...?"
"Yes, 5 billion."
"Per month... 5 billion?"
"Yes. Same as Jin Seong-hyeok received."
A hollow laugh escaped Cha Su-ho. 5 billion.
'...Aren't you too frugal?'
Jin Seong-hyeok finally chimed in.
'Frugal? Listen—5 billion! SSS-grade adds 5 billion?!'
'You'll be more shocked by this.'
'What?'
Jin Seong-hyeok snorted.
'Hunter and Helper base pay is pocket change.'
'...Then?'
'Dead Zone and Last Zone field pay, life allowances—they're massive. Plus bonuses per boss-grade monster kill.'
Dead Zone field and life totaling 1.5 billion said it all.
'But we have no use for it. No time to spend, really.'
Too busy with fields or training—no time for luxuries. Needs were delivered on request—no spending required.
'In two or three years, hundreds of billions pile up. Unused, plus interest and ongoing pay.'
Curiosity struck. With Jin's earnings, what happened to the money?
Ah. Dead, so gone.
'No. Fortunately.'
Reading his thoughts, Jin Seong-hyeok laughed.
'Donated a few days before dying. To civilian orphanages.'
Out of left field. Civilian orphanages?
'Governments and corps sponsor Hunters and Helpers, including their kids. Civilian places get less every year.'
Jin continued softly.
'I don't need money. So give to those who do.'
'Bro...'
'You do the same, bit by bit. On death, it all goes to the association.'
'Association... owns it?'
'Yeah. Excuse, really.'
Jin laughed, dropping his final line.
'Hate giving monster-kill money to the association.'