Chapter 67
Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Fight Me Live
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I watched the video without saying a word. To put it simply, this kind of video was like clickbait.
Or what you'd call a rant vid. Whenever there's some hot issue, they dive into it, spout their opinions, and spin yarns to hook viewers.
Whether I liked or hated these videos didn't really matter. As long as it wasn't illegal, who cares? No job's too lowly.
"Damn. I get the gist, at least."
The uploader was a Hunter, and he seemed pretty popular with these kinds of videos. The view and subscriber counts proved it.
And his doubts and speculation about me were straightforward.
The Korean government was deliberately hyping me up.
—Economic growth is flatlining at 0%, and resource controls are getting tighter by the day. In times like these, people always cheer for a hero, right?
So, the government needed a distraction to cover their screw-ups.
—Take that Bratzk's Fridge case. It was perfect bait. Truth be told, Yoo Chan-seok's only real achievement in Korea was one thing.
Gyodong Island.
—A rookie Hunter clearing a Grade 3 Erosion Core? Impressive, sure. But looking at what came after, doesn't it feel like he's cleverly avoiding action in Korea?
Damn, this guy's spinning a good yarn.
—Overseas exploits are hard for Koreans to verify directly. Let's be real: Daemon, Siberia, England's Dover. All abroad.
That much was true. Ever since Erosion Zones and monsters appeared, nations had become somewhat isolated. For events overseas, rumors were all you got—official channels were mostly blocked.
Koreans wouldn't dream of going abroad unless they were crazy. Too dangerous, filthy, and poor. Just like he said, my overseas feats were mere hearsay to them.
—Videos and results can be faked. Bratzk's Fridge? Who knows if that core was really cleared. And one of the Hunters there was the famous Lee Se-eun.
So, Han Sang-ah and I did nothing, and Lee Se-eun took down Bratzk's Fridge, passing the credit to us?
—And Han Sang-geum, who tagged along for Bratzk, is the granddaughter of Gold Sheep Group Chairman. Smells fishy already, doesn't it?
Fishy? What the hell did he think happened when I met that guy? Felt kinda wronged.
—Yoo Chan-seok is a manufactured hero. Not knocking his initial feat, but the achievements spreading through the news afterward? They need serious scrutiny.
With that, the video ended. I clicked my tongue. Below were all sorts of comments.
"Eh, comments on vids like this are predictable."
No one who hated the uploader would watch. Naturally, most comments doubted my feats.
"Uh..."
I handed the smartphone back to its owner with a smile, saying nothing more.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Once he left, I stretched.
"Was just wondering what to use as kindling."
This was great for me. He didn't post it to help me, but in the end, it'd work in my favor.
The uploader was a Hunter named So Hwi. A quick search showed he had some skills. Makes sense—you couldn't make a living off this without talent.
I pulled out my phone and called the Korea Hunter Association President.
"Mr. President. Mind if I ask a favor?"
—What is it? Oh, that new video? We're prepping a response at the Association level, so...
Even the Association was on it. But...
"No need. I'm thinking of posting a video myself."
After a pause, the President spoke cautiously.
—Sorry, but I need to know what kind of video you're planning.
"Come on, just watch. It'll be fun."
I briefly explained what I wanted to shoot. He reacted negatively.
—You know how people will see you after that?
"So what? I'm not shooting ads."
Image management was for those cashing in on it. Not my problem.
—Still, think about the future, kid.
"I get you, Mr. President. But I'm planning to keep smashing Grade 1 Erosion Cores. No need to worry about later."
Later? Screw later. I could die raiding one tomorrow. Folks in dangerous jobs don't think ahead.
You never know what'll hit.
—Damn it, you know that? If you weren't stirring buzz, I'd be cursing you out already.
"Lucky I'm buzzing, then."
Why call him? Simple—I needed Association approval and help for the shoot.
—So, you'll upload a 30-second clip to our official channel? Challenging So Hwi, the guy who posted that vid, to a fight if he's got beef?
"Yes, spot on. If So Hwi agrees, I'd like a live spar broadcast after."
Association help would be key post-upload.
"If he refuses, I'll find another way."
—No backing out, huh.
Easiest and fastest method. If they said no, I'd prep solo.
—Fine, better under my watch. But if it goes south, it's on you.
"Thanks."
With permission, I prepped and shot a quick video. Title didn't need flair.
[It's Yoo Chan-seok.]
"Yoo Chan-seok here. Saw a hilarious video lately."
I started recording with a greeting, then name-dropped So Hwi's vid.
"There's folks I can't stand: all talk, no skill. Turns out this So Hwi guy's a Hunter."
But he hadn't hunted in about two years. Just like Taebaek's rep.
"Honestly, disgusting. Other Hunters risk life and limb against monsters, while this guy's been holed up for years, trash-talking them in videos. No shame?"
Not really disgusting. Everyone's gotta eat. Safer gigs make sense. But he targeted me—that was a declaration of war.
He came swinging; no need to coddle his feelings or honor.
"Oh, and I'm not a hero made by the Korean government's needs. Real secret, though."
I scratched my head awkwardly.
"Truth is, I'm a human weapon raised by Hitler and the Illuminati—who faked suicide and fled underground—to fight the Freemasons and Jewish backers."
I flipped the bird at the camera.
"So Hwi, was it? Stir shit up with real talk, asshole."
I cleared my throat.
"You claim I'm overhyped with no skills—that's the core of your bullshit."
I stood and stepped closer to the camera.
"Then come get beat yourself, punk. Reply if you're game. Pick date and place, go live, and scrap."
That wrapped the shoot. No monetizing intent, so short and sweet.
"Uh, you're really uploading this to the Korea Hunter Association official channel?"
The crew eyed me worriedly.
"Yeah, already cleared with the President."
Your boss approved—why worry?
"Well, if so, nothing more to say."
Post-shoot, it went straight to the official channel. President probably hated it—cursing and taunts hurt the Association's image.
But refusing? The fallout suited them fine.
"Gonna be chaos."
So Hwi checked comments on his latest video. His face was grim. No wonder.
"Screwed."
He lived off views and engagement. He always gauged interests and expectations.
"This guy's insane. Why'd the Association allow this?"
Yoo Chan-seok's short clip on the Korea Hunter Association channel was the issue. Packed with every provocation tactic imaginable. Value-for-money like a cheap bowl of soup.
It directly sniped So Hwi's recent vid: Quit yapping, show up, let's fight.
"Gonna lose my mind."
And he knew how much that simple hook excited people.
"What the hell does he gain from this?"
Plenty wanted him to respond, but Yoo Chan-seok comments piled up too—slamming his crude trash talk and personality.
Hunters prized image. None reacted like him. That's why So Hwi posted confidently.
Already over 30 videos on this feud from others.
No ignoring it. This was his livelihood.