Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Audience with the President
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The next day, I attended the crown bestowal ceremony held at the Hunter Association building.
"What the hell."
A ton of people had gathered. And these weren't just random folks.
"Does the president seriously have nothing better to do these days?"
Why drag himself all the way here just to personally hand me a crown he couldn't even wield himself? Throwing a tantrum about it, no less.
The Korean president's tantrums pack a serious punch. Even the Hunter Association couldn't ignore them.
There's no way the head of the executive branch would show up solo. Aside from the president, a bunch of government bigwigs had tagged along for the ride.
And to top it off, they'd scheduled some unwanted luncheon.
"I don't wanna eat with strangers."
These weren't even regular strangers. They were strangers with power. Not exactly my favorite dinner companions.
Dinners with them usually devolve into endless chit-chat instead of actual eating.
"You seem tense."
"Nah."
I've shared meals with folks who outrank a whole country's president in influence. This doesn't faze me.
It's just... really inconvenient. Their intentions are transparent as hell. It's not like they're here because they see me as their grandson.
"Ah, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok!"
What followed was predictable. Reporters snapping pics of us eyeing each other, shaking hands, standing by while the president rambled before handing over the crown, half-dozing through it all.
Listening to the usual spiel about being grateful for my efforts toward Korea's future and hoping I'd keep it up.
Getting photographed sitting at the table together...
Only after the reporters and media finally cleared out did the meal actually begin.
"It's a real blessing we have hunters like you, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
We were finally off the record, chatting freely. I looked at the man before me—Korea's president and resident of the Blue House, Jo Won-hoon.
"I'm not doing anything that grand. If anything, I should be thanking you folks for all the headaches you deal with running the country."
Let's just keep it polite and smooth. Jo Won-hoon let out a hearty "Hahaha" and nodded.
I gazed at the man with his affable smile, lost in thought for a moment.
Ever since the Erosion Zones appeared, this Jo Won-hoon had held the presidency nonstop. He'd overhauled the laws to make term limits a non-issue.
No three-term caps or anything. And public opinion wasn't bad, either. After all, Korea had become a superpower post-Erosion Zones.
Hell, plenty of people probably figure if he's made the country this strong, a little dictatorship is fine.
The point is...
'This guy's no ordinary joe.'
I've met all sorts of people. Some shine brighter than the rest—standout types, regardless of good or evil.
I've crossed paths with plenty of them.
"Still, it's great to finally chat face-to-face like this."
The president chuckling in front of me was one such standout. Only one other person in Korea gave me that vibe.
Han Sang-ah's grandfather, the Geumyang Group chairman.
This guy didn't seem like an easy mark, either.
"You've got such a handsome face and sturdy build. You look trustworthy at first glance."
"Likewise. It's an honor to meet the president leading Korea's resurgence in person."
No need to spit in each other's faces just because the cameras were gone. Besides, that's not what either side wanted.
So for now, we were busy gilding each other's reputations with smiles.
"I keep a dog at the Blue House."
A Jindo? Korean presidents have always had pets there, generation after generation. Not sure if they actually care for them, though.
"It's a Jindo."
Figured. I nodded.
"Jindos are great."
"Loyal as can be, sticks to me like glue. Watching it gives off this... majestic aura, I guess."
They say pets are the best icebreaker for awkward chats, but guys like this don't waste time on small talk.
"Thing is, its loyalty and smarts sometimes put me in awkward spots."
"Oh? How so?"
I waited for what came next. Let's hear it.
"It threatens other people now and then, thinking it's protecting me. It's out of affection, sure..."
Jo Won-hoon smiled softly, eyes fixed on me.
"But it doesn't realize how much trouble that causes its owner."
I get the gist. I'm the dog, right? Trying my best as a hunter, but it's inconveniencing him.
He's framing it as the Jindo and its master. Fine, if he likes talking in metaphors, I can play along.
Let's spin a tale.
"That's tricky. I love animals, actually."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Lately, this stray cat keeps popping up around where I stay. Circles the area nonstop. Got attached eventually—felt like I was its owner."
Jo Won-hoon let out an intrigued "Oh ho."
"They say animals pick their people. It must've sensed your character, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
"Thanks. But nah, turns out it just had a nest nearby with its kittens."
I scratched my head with a laugh.
"Funny, right? The cat didn't give a damn about me, but I was off in my own world thinking, 'Huh? Is it following me?'"
In short... You're not my owner, buddy. And you never will be.
Quit acting like you own me. Jindo and master? What a joke.
Jo Won-hoon and I smiled at each other. We both knew exactly what the other meant.
"Chatting like this has been great. You really get a sense of someone only after talking face-to-face."
"Couldn't agree more."
We continued our meal.
"You've got some real guts, though. Bold, almost carefree. Most folks stiffen up around my position."
"I just see you as the old guy next door. I'm dining with Korea's president, not the King of Hell."
We burst out laughing in unison. To sum it up:
'I'm the president—wanna keep mouthing off? Know your place?'
'Or what? Eat shit, gramps.'
The funny part? We're grinning like idiots through it all.
"That's what makes it great. Hunters like you, with top-tier skills, have options. That's the source of your confidence, right?"
"Eh, not that many options. I said my piece at that press conference, remember?"
The president nodded.
"But that was for the public good, wasn't it? We should look at the intent."
Jo Won-hoon chewed his meat and continued.
"If you backtrack for an even greater public good, sure, some might see it negatively."
"Words spoken must be honored. You know how crucial that is, Mr. President."
I'm sticking to destroying Erosion Cores. No change there.
"Sometimes beliefs need bending."
"Sure, if the moment comes, I'll bend. But if I can hold to it, I will."
Neither of us budged. He wants me to ease up on the Cores; I won't.
We kept chatting through the meal. As it wrapped up, dessert arrived.
"Anyway, congrats on the crown again. I'm no expert, but they say it's incredible. Use it for the national interest, yeah?"
"Of course it'll serve the public good. I can promise that."
He said national interest; I said public good. No need to split hairs—the single character makes a world of difference.
"Well, this was a pleasure."
"An honor to meet Korea's president."
We stood, shook hands.
"Ah, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
"Yes?"
Jo Won-hoon flashed another friendly smile.
"Take care out there. Korea's in trouble if something happens to talents like you."
"Psh, even if the entire Korean military came for me, I'd handle myself fine."
I laughed with an "Ahaha."
"Come to think of it, the whole army might be a stretch. Just kidding."
Joking~
With that magical line to rile him up, the presidential luncheon ended. Now, time to meet Sung Si-hoon for real.
The surprise meal with the president had set me back a bit.
I arrived at the Attic Heights training ground, cleared security, and followed the guide to the underground facility.
"Looks sturdy."
"It's a national key facility, plus experiments happen here."
My guide replied.
Still, no clue how much it'd hold up. No audience for this spar, no rules anyway.
Plus, the president had kindly warned me to watch my back on the way out.
I'd prove I can take care of myself without his worry—then head home.
The alloy quadruple bulkhead groaned open slowly. Artificial lights flooded the vast space.
"Representative Sung Si-hoon. Sorry I'm late. Couldn't turn down the president inviting me to lunch. Figure you'll understand."
Sung Si-hoon didn't reply.
"You've brought all your gear, I see."
"Private spar, no rules."
So, bring everything you've got—polite thing to do. His outfit looked impressive too.
"Shock absorption, magic resistance, mental focus, fireproofing, magic amplification..."
I crossed my arms, appraising his equipment.
"Proof of my years as a hunter. Don't call it cowardly."
"Nah, I'm good with it."
Thankfully, all burnable by me. Magic resistance first, obviously.
Lots to burn is always fun. Feels like I'm turning into a pyromaniac.
"Let's start. Close that door."
As soon as I spoke, the thick bulkhead behind me sealed shut.
"Oh, and if it hurts later, raise your left hand."
If you can, that is.