Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Barging into Taebaek Headquarters
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First off, it's clear we need to overcome the hurdles in gathering the hunters to accompany us.
"The distance itself isn't that far."
It's no wonder they'd see this as a bigger threat to Korea than Jaun Valley.
"Roughly 170 km from Paju to Pyeongseong."
The distance between Changchun City—where Jaun Valley was—and Paju is nearly 670 km. It's obviously much closer.
The creatures spilling out from there are busy strengthening every monster in the Erosion Zones lurking north of the DMZ.
"They say the praying priest beside you is more hated than the sword-wielding knight."
It's like a proverb from that other world. The real meaning is that the bastards spectating from the rear are the true scum.
Either way, those providing support and buffs from behind are always several times trickier and more dangerous than the frontline fighters right in your face.
"Looks like we'll have to push up from Paju."
"Chan-seok, Paju's guarded by Taebaek."
Damn it all. I couldn't help but grimace at those words. We weren't on the best terms with those guys.
"No way through Cheorwon?"
Zanabi might manage it. Han Sang-ah jabbed at the map and drew a line with her index finger at my question.
"No roads. North of the DMZ was North Korean territory to begin with, and now it's blanketed in Erosion Zones, so the road conditions are a complete disaster."
"The Pyongyang-Gaeseong highway won't be in one piece."
Han Sang-ah shook her head at my words.
"Right, it's badly damaged. But at least there's a road."
"What about by sea?"
Jeong Oh-hoon snorted at my question.
"Nampo Port's the closest. And it's useless. Some guys I know once tried using it like a smuggling warehouse."
According to Jeong Oh-hoon, they got swarmed by massive green fireballs before even getting close, lost several ships, and barely escaped.
"No chance the companies cooperate?"
Han Sang-ah nodded at my question.
"Tough. Incheon's port is perfectly fine. Nampo has zero appeal."
Han Sang-ah pondered for a bit, then shook her head as if it was hopeless.
"Yeah, it's no good. If we say we're hitting Sambuldong via Nampo, the companies will counter with 'Why not use the Gaeseong-Pyongyang highway instead?' If they make that pitch, we'd have to explain why we're insisting on Nampo..."
"Which means admitting our bad blood with Taebaek?"
Han Sang-ah nodded at my words.
"Most probably suspect it already, but hearing it straight from us is a whole different story."
Rumors turning into confirmed fact.
Jeong Oh-hoon, who'd been listening, wore an ambiguous expression.
"Then the companies will hesitate to back us too."
"Since the opponent's Taebaek."
No options left. Even going via Cheorwon to Pyeongseong would prompt the same questions from companies: why bypass Paju?
"No way around pushing from Paju."
Sa Seung-hee said it while sipping her tea.
"Then you'll need to talk with CEO Seong Si-hun."
Not someone I was eager to see. Sa Seung-hee smiled at my expression.
"Why the face? You had Hunter Choi Yeoreum on the ropes already."
Sa Seung-hee stood up and soon returned with champagne and glasses, pouring for us.
"Getting Taebaek to cooperate is dead simple. Bet you know it too, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
I replied to Sa Seung-hee.
"You saying just go and crush them? That's not how I see it."
Taebaek's creed was survival of the strongest. But bluntly, I didn't buy that they truly upheld it.
It was just Seong Si-hun propping up a convenient ideology to control Taebaek under his thumb. Why? Because he was the strongest there.
Slap on the "survival of the strongest" excuse, and he could do whatever he wanted. Ever seen dictators stick to their initial slogans after seizing power?
"If that 'strongest' rule starts binding CEO Seong Si-hun, he'll ditch the ideology in a heartbeat. Hell, he might even refuse to fight."
Jeong Oh-hoon flashed a wicked grin.
"That's not our problem, right? Just make it so he has no choice but to agree. Hear me out."
Jeong Oh-hoon laid out his plan. Once I'd heard it all, I let out a small "Oh" and gave my verdict.
"Our Jeong really racked his brains this time."
This was solid enough to run with immediately. As expected, when it came to scheming like this, Jeong Oh-hoon lived up to his reputation.
"Dirty method."
"That's how it looks to a chaebol heiress?"
Jeong Oh-hoon slyly jabbed at Han Sang-ah's assessment. She sipped her tea and replied.
"Yeah. And efficient."
She probably didn't even catch the sarcasm. At any rate, our course was set.
If we executed Jeong Oh-hoon's idea, Taebaek would have no choice but to cooperate.
"Damn Erosion Core takedown blocked not by monsters, but people."
The world's gone mad in all sorts of ways.
"We'll need to set up a meeting or something."
I shook my head at Han Sang-ah's words. What meeting?
"Just tell me where Taebaek HQ is."
In this modern Earth, it was time to show these clowns with their cringey "survival of the strongest" company creed what a real strongman looks like.
Time for Taebaek's esteemed CEO to learn how utterly humiliating it feels to keep your mouth shut and obey like a weakling.
After confirming Taebaek's base location, I hopped in my car and pulled up right in front of the building.
"Whoa, flashy. How many floors is this thing?"
The entire 67-story skyscraper was Taebaek's headquarters. I gave it a quick scan and grabbed a small black case.
I'd stopped by Choi Seung-gi on the way here to pick it up: the spear.
A fusion of my old spear, Seonghong's spear, and Banshee's Tear, finally completed after long forging and back in my hands.
"This'll do."
At least no worries about the weapon not suiting me. Who said craftsmen don't pick their tools? When they do, they get ridiculously picky.
It didn't quite measure up to the spear I'd used in that world, but it was satisfying enough.
"Sorry, but... Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?"
As I approached the door, two men in black suits tried to stop me, then froze upon recognizing my face.
"Here to see CEO Seong Si-hun's mug. Out of the way."
Their faces hardened at my words.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No. Do I look like the type who needs one?"
The suited man whispered into his earpiece, then spoke.
"CEO Seong Si-hun is currently handling his schedule. Without an appointment, we can't let you through."
Yeah, figured. Too busy to see me.
"Then try stopping me."
"Pardon?"
Acting like you didn't hear? I'm going in—stop me if you can.
As I strode forward, they blocked the door anyway, as Taebaek hunters.
"Scram."
No need for anything fancy. The ring on my finger glowed blue, and ice encased the limbs of the charging hunters. Ignoring the instantly neutralized foes, I entered the building.
"What the— Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?"
"You guys rehearse the same lines for when you see me?"
Why's everyone reacting identically? Want autographs?
"Here for Seong Si-hun. Guide me or step aside."
Wonder if the next reactions would match too? Spoiler: they did. They tried blocking; I beat them down.
"Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, CEO Seong Si-hun is busy right now. Bursting in like this demanding to meet is problematic."
As the commotion grew, a man arrived with nearly 50 people and addressed me. His mana suggested team leader rank.
"Just wanna see his face, and you're making it a hassle."
"Please come back later and make an appointment. This is Taebaek HQ. Lots of our hunters here."
I ignited Paradox Flame at my feet, then kicked open the case and drew the spear.
"Then tell all those loafing bastards to crawl out. Once I beat them into the ground, Seong Si-hun'll have to show his face."
The eyes of those blocking me shifted to the spear in my hand and the silently burning Paradox Flame at my feet.
"We all know Hunter Yoo Chan-seok's skills are top-notch. But this is Taebaek—one of Korea's top three hunter companies. You think this rowdiness will fly?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. And if I trash the place and walk out fine, I can already picture what Korea's citizens will think of Taebaek."
These guys strutting around preaching survival of the strongest, bragging about their might—watching helplessly as I stroll out unscathed, even against me?
Bet they'd think something like that.
"You can't take on all of Taebaek HQ's hunters alone."
"Don't spout crap you can't back up."
Not "you won't be able" but "you can't." I slowly walked toward him. The Paradox Flame under my feet followed my steps.
"Don't cry about pointless injuries. Guide me to CEO Seong Si-hun, or end up in the hospital."
Beats me how many times I'd called that bastard's name. It's not like saying it three times brings happiness.
— Alright, everyone, stand down.
In that tense lobby, a voice boomed. Instantly, everyone switched to attack stances, then saluted rigidly like it was choreographed.
"What a circus."
I stared at the absurdity in disbelief. That voice must belong to the great Taebaek CEO, Seong Si-hun.
This wasn't a CEO; it was a king addressing his subjects.
— Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, sudden visit, but welcome to Taebaek HQ.
"Show your face when you talk."
A few heads snapped up at my words, flinching. They didn't like my attitude.
— Goodness, temper as fiery as your skills. Understood. Come up. I'll have someone guide you.
The voice cut off. I clicked my tongue, extinguished the Paradox Flame, shortened the spear and slung it at my waist, then addressed the still-bowing goons.
"What're you waiting for? Your supreme, enlightened leader commands you to guide me. Do as you're told, you lackeys."
"Mock our CEO like that one more time..."
I thrust my hand at the guy trying to continue. His body floated up and flew to me. In a flash, I had him by the collar.
The watching hunters' faces filled with shock. Overkill reaction to a kid's trick.
"Mock him? What'll you do? Hit me?"
I flung him aside and dusted my clothes.
"Guide me."
I was itching to see that smug bastard's face already.
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