Chapter 137
Chapter 137
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: A Call with the President
-----------------------------------------------------------------
There are certain procedures one must follow to have a conversation with the President of South Korea.
It's not like ordering jajangmyeon delivery to a lunch spot during office hours.
On the way back to Paju, I pulled out my smartphone.
The easiest way for me to reach the president was through the Association President.
—Why on earth do you suddenly need to speak with His Excellency the President?
The Association President, upon receiving my call, immediately fired off a question.
Oh, are they calling him "His Excellency" again these days instead of just Mr. President? Time really is marching backward.
Or maybe the Association President was just choosing to address him that way.
"I have some urgent business I'd like to discuss with him."
It's not something you need to know the details of. If you're that curious, investigate it yourself.
—I can put in a request, but the decision will be entirely up to His Excellency. What, do you need to set up a dinner meeting or something?
"No. A single phone call will suffice."
We're not close enough to share a meal. If anything, relations between the government and me are a bit strained.
Come to think of it, that probably means the Association has no particular reason to like me either.
"I can't share the details, but this isn't just a courtesy call. Please tell the president that if he doesn't want to see the country go to ruin, he'd be wise to take my call."
—Hey, Yoo Chan-seok. That's a threat.
"I'm sure you'll phrase it appropriately. And it's not like I'm the one who's going to ruin it."
The Association President seemed to want to discuss more, but I had nothing else to say, so I ended the call.
"You think the president will actually call back?"
Jeong O-hun, who had been listening to my conversation with the Association President from the passenger seat, asked.
"He will. Even the president of Korea can spare a minute for a phone call."
Han Sang-ah, driving from the front seat, chimed in.
"With our current standing, I bet the Blue House would roll out the red carpet for an overnight stay."
"I get it, so focus on driving!"
Jeong O-hun shouted urgently at Han Sang-ah.
"I don't get it. Even if this car smashed into the guardrail and crumpled, none of us would get a scratch."
"It's scary even if we don't die! You wouldn't understand."
Han Sang-ah clicked her tongue softly at Jeong O-hun's words, then continued driving with one hand on the wheel.
As I enjoyed Han Sang-ah's refreshing driving skills to pass the time, a call came through on my smartphone.
"Unknown number."
The screen showed a random string of 25 digits. But I had a pretty good idea who it was from.
"I've received your contact."
—Hunter Yoo Chan-seok. I'd prefer to speak face-to-face if possible. Our last dinner was quite enjoyable, after all.
Confirming the voice on the other end, I replied in an intentionally cheerful tone.
"I'd love that too, but you're busy, and so am I. I'm just glad we can at least check in like this."
—Likewise. It's a pleasure to chat again, even if only by phone.
We exchanged brief greetings. If this call were a duel, that exchange was like lightly clashing swords before the fight began.
—I've heard the news. Handling Jaun Valley and now Samhyeol-dong as well. Headhunter truly deserves the title of Korea's hero.
Listening to President Jo Won-hun's smooth voice, I responded with a light chuckle.
"They say dictators hate heroes. Well, Korea is a democracy no matter what anyone says, so it shouldn't matter."
—Of course. Who could deny Headhunter's immense contributions to Korea's development?
A brief silence. Then President Jo Won-hun spoke again.
—So, what brings you to request a call through the Association President today?
Straight to the point? Perfect. I'll give it to you hot and heavy, just as you wanted.
"Gonsalok in Beijing is going to attack Korea."
—Pardon?
You heard me, so what's with the "pardon?" I jumped right into it like you wanted—what's with the surprise?
"To put it simply, Samhyeol-dong had a mutual defense pact with Gonsalok. Now that Samhyeol-dong is gone, Gonsalok will move for revenge."
Hard to make it shorter than that. A loud thud echoed from the other end, like a desk being slammed.
—Ah, sorry. Nearly spilled my water.
Liar. What does spilling water have to do with slamming a desk?
—A mutual defense pact? So the monsters in erosion zones maintain those kinds of relationships.
"I was pretty shocked too. To be precise, it's more like emperor and vassal, or king and lord."
In any case, the odds of Gonsalok attacking Korea in retaliation for Samhyeol-dong's destruction were extremely high.
—Then, attacking Samhyeol-dong in the first place sowed the seeds for this situation, didn't it?
Ah, I knew you'd say something like that.
"Are you saying I should have anticipated that monsters in erosion zones had sister-city pacts? Even President Jo Won-hun seemed pretty surprised."
You're not claiming a mere hunter should know info the Korean president doesn't, right?
—Ignorance doesn't absolve responsibility. This isn't something you can wrap up as 'good intentions.' Headhunter, the three of you have put Korea in danger.
"Even if you lock us up, Gonsalok will still come."
It's like the college entrance exam. It comes whether you're ready or not. And since responsibility came up, I agree.
Those who sow the seeds must reap the harvest, after all.
"Headhunter would like some support from the Chinese provisional government to take down Gonsalok. From Korea's perspective, having the battlefield on the peninsula wouldn't be ideal, right?"
There are three routes to Beijing: by sea, scraping down from Manchuria top to bottom, or arriving in Nanning where the provisional government is based and pushing up from below.
Manchuria is out. We can't turn land that's being developed post-Jaun Valley into a warzone. The sea? One mistake and the whole force drowns.
President Jo Won-hun responded to my words.
—Then you should have contacted the Chinese provisional government, not me.
"It's a bit more complicated than that."
President Jo Won-hun let out a low chuckle at my response.
—Beijing is Chinese territory. As much a given as Seoul being Korean land.
"There has never been an era in human history where common sense prevailed."
In the current situation, the Korean government's thinking mattered more than public common sense.
If Korea actually succeeded in eliminating Gonsalok, they'd swallow up Beijing and its surroundings—not to mention the Central Plains—whole.
"If the Korean government takes the lead in mobilizing Korean hunters to handle Gonsalok in Beijing, could the Chinese provisional government still claim it's their national territory?"
—Hard to say. I wouldn't venture an opinion on that offhand.
That alone was answer enough. At minimum, Beijing would end up like old Hong Kong. Maybe a 99-year lease or something.
And the Chinese provisional government surely knew Korea's mindset.
They'd never hand over Beijing and the Central Plains just to eliminate Gonsalok. Better to refuse cooperation outright.
"All things considered, even if I asked the Nanjing provisional government for cooperation, they'd likely turn me down."
—Just strong-arm them like you did in Europe?
What are you talking about? European warlords and the Chinese provisional government are different. The provisional government is officially recognized. It has the right to represent China officially.
"Are you telling one hunter to intimidate a national government?"
A hunter directly pressuring the Chinese government paints an ugly picture. It's rudeness beyond even "interference in internal affairs."
Besides, if Headhunter pressured the provisional government directly, how would other governments view us?
Crazy bastards who grovel to governments when it suits them.
That kind of ridiculous title does nothing for Headhunter's image.
"That's why I'd like some help from our kind President Uncle here."
He's not particularly kind, and more dictator than president, but whatever. As long as it benefits us, I'm happy to call him kind President Uncle.
—I recall you saying you had no interest in politics.
"I fail to see how this is political."
Subjugating Gonsalok is too much for Headhunter alone, let alone companies like Zanabi, Mugunghwa, or Taebaek.
We needed to get the Korean government moving, and clearing Samhyeol-dong created exactly that necessity.
All of it for targeting the erosion cores.
"If I have sinned, it's only in trying to eliminate every erosion core on Earth."
If that's truly a crime, I'd deserve life imprisonment.
—Well... I don't want to be led around by a single hunter. But no better options seem available. Very well.
Those words need to be taken with a grain of salt. He's just agreeing to dance with me at the ball I set up because there's no alternative.
If another option arises, the partner dancing with me would plunge a dagger into my back that instant.
"Thank you."
—Hunter Yoo Chan-seok. But please keep this in mind. This puts the Korean government in a tough spot. I can't hide my regret.
What the hell. This guy's got a funny way of talking.
"Do I need that kind of formal language? I'm not some foreign diplomat."
—I'm a bit pissed off. Keep poking at the Korean government like this, and it won't end well for you.
Ah, finally choosing words that get straight to the point.
"Don't get too mad. If this works out, it won't be bad for Korea, right?"
That tiny patch of land holds 300 million people now. Add in all the foreigners, and Korea's practically saturated. We need space to spread the population like jam on toast.
—Of course, success would soothe my anger. But if it goes wrong... Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, I can't predict what I'll do then.
"Scary stuff. Let's both prepare well so that doesn't happen."
For this operation, the Korean government would handle logistics and hunter command. Headhunter would operate under government oversight.
Of course, we wouldn't act like leashed dogs. But outwardly, that's the arrangement.
After ending the call and pocketing my phone, Jeong O-hun rubbed his eyes with thumb and forefinger.
"Groveling to the Korean president."
"What's wrong with that? He's just a servant elected by the people, after all."
I don't know how they really feel, but everyone says it. Even the president himself.
"What kind of master minds the servant's moods?"
In my old world, if a master started watching a servant's mood, that servant got torn limb from limb alive on the spot.
"That's proof the president isn't truly the people's servant."
Han Sang-ah's succinct assessment.
"Anyway, President Jo Won-hun will handle getting the provisional government's cooperation."
Plus, with the government taking the lead in mobilizing hunters this time, we won't have to worry about manpower shortages or supplies at all.