Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Ripples from the Solo Grade 2 Clear
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The news that Yoo Chan-seok had successfully cleared the Grade 2 Erosion Core on Daemado spread quickly to those in the know.
No need to distinguish by country—the presidents of Hunter Associations everywhere received word of Yoo Chan-seok's solo takedown of a Grade 2 Erosion Core. Even the Partner Hunters from the world's top fifteen Hunter companies were no exception.
"Get your facts straight. Soloing a Grade 3 and soloing a Grade 2 are worlds apart in terms of impact! Scrape together every scrap of info we have!"
"Who the hell is this guy?!"
There's an insurmountable wall between Grade 3 and Grade 2. And of course, another between Grade 2 and Grade 1.
Typically, a Grade 2 Erosion Core requires at least two or three teams led by Partner Hunters from a company of decent size.
A man with furrowed brows handed over documents on Yoo Chan-seok to his company's Partner Hunter and spoke up.
"The Daemado Erosion Core was only recently upgraded to Grade 2."
"So what? You think you could solo it too? Daemado's is a solo dominion type!"
No other Erosion Cores exist there. The entire land of Daemado is controlled by a single Erosion Core. Even if it's freshly Grade 2, that doesn't make it any less dangerous.
As countless companies and associations buzzed into action upon hearing about Yoo Chan-seok, Lee Se-eun was in Cheolwon's barracks, stirring a thick black tea loaded with milk and sugar.
"How'd I do? Pretty good, right?"
—Well done.
Lee Se-eun was on the line with Zanabi's 1st Team Leader and Partner Hunter, Kang Hoon.
"He was a dead end from the start anyway."
—Yeah, at this point, cutting losses and bailing would've been the smart move.
Lee Se-eun took a sip of her syrupy black tea and stood up.
"Boss, how many players are showing interest?"
—Every company whose name you remember is circling. Among the big corps, Embargo Tower and Sandra & Gupta are moving the most aggressively.
Lee Se-eun let out an "Oh?" as she listened.
"Hold up, Embargo Tower? Wow, that's a shocker. Those ghosts who never show their faces."
An American company, but headquartered in Dalseong-gun, Daegu. They specialize in data security and encryption, big data analysis, and vaccine development—ICT fields across the board.
Not well-known to the public, but highly sought after by other companies for their expertise, making them infamous among those in the elite circles.
—The two I mentioned seem keen on hiring him for a commission. The others are evaluating his marketability.
In other words, they want him as an ad model or something.
"Media's gonna go nuts then."
—It's chaos on the road back from Daemado.
Lee Se-eun clicked her tongue.
"Yoon Sung-hyun must be in a real pickle."
—You said it.
He'd planned to recruit him as a Junior under his team after making contact, but the guy dips south for a bit and solos a Grade 2 Erosion Core.
"Yoo Chan-seok's beyond Junior level now. Unless you hand him Partner Hunter status, you can't digest a talent like that."
That's been proven. Screw it up, and it's like the early-morning soccer club president benching Son Heung-min. Yoon Sung-hyun? No chance.
—Lee Se-eun, tell me. What if it were you?
"Huh? Me? Oh, got it."
The question was whether she could've soloed a Grade 2. Narrowing her eyes at her teacup, Lee Se-eun replied.
"Listen, boss, I'm rank 10 on that fancy list. For two years running."
For a Hunter of Lee Se-eun's caliber, soloing a Grade 2 was child's play.
"No way the captain couldn't? You're ranked a smidge higher than me."
—Hurts my heart. Comparing me to some rookie who's barely been a Hunter.
Yoo Chan-seok's just an outlier.
—Anyway, reach out soon. I'll contact Embargo Tower, check the commission details, and hash out terms and pay.
"What, we teaming up?"
Kang Hoon replied from the other end.
—If conditions align. We'll negotiate with Embargo Tower first, then pitch a collaboration.
"You're a total whale now."
Zanabi proposing collaboration to a freelancer? Unprecedented, exceptional, outlier—words fall short for how huge that is.
"Embargo Tower's CEO is Melvin Vega, right? Negotiating with that snake won't be easy. You'll suffer, boss."
—Yeah, hope facing that sleazy bastard pays off.
I opened my eyes again to a night sky. My head felt fuzzy.
"You're coming around."
Han Sang-ah's voice. The night sky filled my view. My wrecked shoulder was splinted with a triangular bandage and fixed with supports, wounds packed with tourniquets and bandages.
"Tourniquet... hurts like hell."
Not the kind of pain you chat through casually. Dizzying agony.
"No pain, no gain."
"I know."
The tourniquet even had the application time noted. She'd done everything possible in this situation.
"Contacted the Association for medical evac. Helicopter should be en route."
I nodded.
"Oh, right. Picked up a sword. Yours now."
Those five minutes Han Sang-ah bought with her Taekwon Piercing were priceless. Plus, I'd burned building-priced meds, so a single sword was a bargain.
Han Sang-ah checked the blade by my side and replied.
"Nice sword. Thanks. Mine broke anyway."
After the thanks, she poured water from the burner into a cup and made tea.
"You're awfully calm."
"I've done all I can. No point rushing now."
Yeah, fidgeting won't heal wounds. My smartphone buzzed.
"Hand it over."
Han Sang-ah passed me the phone.
—Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?
Japanese Hunter Association President.
"Job's done. I kept my word."
The President sounded like a dog on speed, thrilled. Makes sense—thousands of monsters wiped in one go.
—Fukuoka's damage is way less than braced for. Never dreamed you'd actually clear a Grade 2.
Paradox Flame's perfect for Erosion Cores. No need to control firepower; max output crushes Earth's limits.
"Glad to hear it. Trust you'll pay up."
—Of course. Wiring ASAP. Won't forget this help.
Everyone says that, but I don't expect aid when I'm down. They'll help plenty when I'm hot.
Banks, right? Demand repayment in hard times, offer more loans when you're booming.
"Ah, chopper's here."
Thudding rotors, something chugging through the sky.
"No need to rush like that."
"Agreed."
The helicopter landed; people scrambled out.
Attitudes presidential. Mission accomplished on Daemado.
They won't touch me easily. Play it risky a bit longer, and even transfer window open, Yoon Sung-hyun can't snag me.
"Ow, my aching bones."
That monster-spec old man's sword strike trashed my shoulder completely, landing me in surgery.
Normally, align shattered bone, screw it, wait to heal. But with recovery potions, no downtime—up right after.
"What kind of room is this?"
Hospital room or hotel? Body healed, but two days observation for safety.
VIP single in the hospital's top ward. Space for one sick guy: easily 45 pyeong by eye.
"Bradley Piazza from Embargo Tower."
Bonus: chatting with a stranger in this lavish room. Foreigner vibe.
"Italian?"
He shook his head.
"Italian-American."
Got it. Post-greetings, he smiled at me.
"Room, treatment, all costs covered by Embargo Tower. Anything else, just say."
"Never heard of you guys."
Bradley nodded.
"We're low-profile externally. Niche fields."
He stood, continuing.
"Costs aren't cheap. You sense we want something."
Bradley nodded.
"Not my request, so feel free to refuse."
"Aw, shame. We'd love to work with Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
Slick operator. He grabbed an apple from the fruit basket on my side table, peeling it with a knife.
"Big commission, though. Checking other Hunters' interest too. Rabbit-peel the apple?"
"Not fussed. Other Hunters, huh."
Bradley sliced apple into his mouth, replying.
"Zanabi's on board."
I lit up.
"Zanabi? For real?"
Seeing my reaction, Bradley flashed surprise, then recovered, nodding.
"Then, maybe Hunter Lee Se-eun too?"
Bradley narrowed his eyes. What's this guy's game?
I scratched my head, laughing "Ahaha."
"Truth is, love at first sight."
Bull. But I don't know this guy's deal, Embargo Tower's scope, or standing.
And he spilled zero on the commission. If they're hiding cards, no need to show mine.
"Hunter Lee Se-eun. Zanabi's 3rd Team Leader's swamped with Cheolwon duties, I hear."
"Ah..."
I feigned obvious disappointment. Could almost hear his brain whirring. How's he sizing me up?
"Hmm, need to think it over more."
Solo Grade 2 proves my skill. Next: handleable? Best horse bucks the bridle, it's wild.
I handed him the reins on a platter. His likely move...
"We'll give it a shot. Rest easy; you're tired."
He stood, bowed, and left. I eyed his retreating back. Door shut; I leaned into bed.
Next visitor won't be Bradley.
"Really smitten with Lee Se-eun, or just drools over pretty faces like an idiot."
They'll test that. If it's her, no leash from Embargo Tower. If not, I'm easy to handle.
"Do whatever."