Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Black Crystal
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Even so, So Hwi had no intention of thinking he'd lose to Yoo Chan-seok. No matter what, he'd once been one of the top hunters in his prime.
No matter how much buzz Yoo Chan-seok was generating these days...
"You can't ignore the value of experience and seniority."
In truth, Yoo Chan-seok's experience and seniority dwarfed So Hwi's by an unimaginable margin, but So Hwi had no way of knowing that.
"Damn it."
But even so, it had been quite some time since So Hwi had last hunted. He might tout his experience and seniority, but deep down, he just didn't want to risk his life in battle anymore.
At that moment, the doorbell rang, and So Hwi rose from his seat. When he opened the door, men in black suits and sunglasses stood there.
"Who...
"You're Hunter So Hwi, correct? We'd like you to come with us for a moment."
So Hwi stared at them in disbelief.
"Who the hell are you? And how did you know I live here?"
"We can't disclose that."
So Hwi gave them another incredulous look.
"If you knew who I was, you wouldn't be standing there with your chin so high."
He might have been out of the game for a while, but he was once a big-name hunter. Taking down riffraff like these was child's play.
A massive surge of mana erupted from the suited man in an instant.
It was enough to make the hair on So Hwi's entire body stand on end.
"Hunter So Hwi, you need to come with us. We mean you no harm."
If he fought, he'd lose. And he might even die. His instincts, dusty and long neglected, were screaming warnings at him desperately.
"..."
So Hwi had no choice but to comply. The men in suits loaded him into a black sedan.
"Hunter So Hwi."
A thick voice came from the driver's seat.
"Who are you?"
"Don't ask questions."
So Hwi shut his mouth. Something big was clearly going wrong here.
"We saw the video you uploaded recently."
Could it be about that video on Yoo Chan-seok? His head was spinning.
No, even if Yoo Chan-seok was a hotshot hunter, did it make sense for a single video to cause this kind of trouble?
"No, I just shot and posted that video because the topic was blowing up lately. If there's anything you don't like about it, I'll edit it. Or I'll upload an apology video."
"No need for that. We're not here to punish you."
With that, the man in the driver's seat handed So Hwi something. Inside a small glass vial, a jet-black gemstone gleamed.
"This is..."
"You need to accept Yoo Chan-seok's challenge."
So Hwi didn't argue up to that point. He had no plans to back down anyway. If he did, he'd become the butt of every joke and mockery.
And guys like him would jump at the chance to upload videos tearing him apart.
He couldn't expect his revenue streams to stay the same, either.
"But at your current level, you won't beat Yoo Chan-seok."
"...Me?"
His voice was polite, given his precarious position, but a subtle undercurrent of anger laced it.
"Yeah. You'd probably get embarrassingly crushed in under thirty minutes."
"I'm So Hwi."
The driver scoffed at his retort.
"Right. You cleared eight Grade 3 Erosion Cores, participated in operations taking down two Grade 2s. Fifteen successful supply runs, four flawless Erosion Zone defense contracts."
The driver rattled off So Hwi's resume before continuing.
"Pathetic. Yoo Chan-seok solo-cleared a Grade 1 Erosion Core with just Han Sang-ah. Think your record even scratches that?"
"He's still a rookie fresh out of the gate. Hunters face opponents stronger than them all the time."
I'll make it work with experience and skill, So Hwi thought. The driver responded.
"Must be all that video monetizing—got a slick tongue on you. But you'll lose."
Before So Hwi could fire back, the vial flew toward him. He caught it on reflex. The black-glowing gem inside drew his eyes.
"When the moment feels right, smash that into your body without hesitation."
"What the hell is this thing? You expect me to just shove it in?!"
The man replied.
"Power. You'll accept Yoo Chan-seok's challenge. Ever thought about what happens if you win?"
Yoo Chan-seok's fame would flicker out like a candle in a storm, and all his built-up prestige would fall to So Hwi. At that thought, So Hwi couldn't help but stare at the vial in his hand again.
"This... will really let me overpower Yoo Chan-seok?"
"Business is done. Get out."
The driver issued the order instead of an answer. So Hwi was practically shoved out of the car. Watching the black vehicle drive away, he gazed at the vial in his grip.
While So Hwi pondered the vial, the driver conversed with his aides.
"Section Chief, you think that So Hwi guy can really beat Yoo Chan-seok with that crystal's power?"
Details on the black gem they'd recently secured were known to only a select few. It was a treasure that granted immense power if you could endure embedding it in your body.
"As if."
The driver answered flatly, then yawned.
"But that crystal we gave Hunter So Hwi is top-grade stuff."
"Exactly. It's worth it. Orders from the top."
If So Hwi used the crystal, it'd unleash a spectacle in front of everyone.
"The Korean government needs two things right now. A hero... and a threat."
The hero... well, Yoo Chan-seok wasn't ideal, but the higher-ups figured he could play the part.
That left the threat—to quell rising discontent from poor economic indicators and worsening livelihoods, to unite the public.
"Korea is safe. Too safe."
The government had been using Erosion Zone threats to erode public dissatisfaction, suppressing anxiety with national pride as the world's safest country.
But citizens were growing numb to monster threats. Time to stir something up and remind them of the danger.
"Per clinical trials, if Hunter So Hwi uses the crystal, he'll rampage within thirty minutes guaranteed."
Then the public would witness So Hwi's live berserk meltdown. It'd create fresh panic.
Bonus: more data on the crystal.
"Can Yoo Chan-seok handle it?"
"Mugunghwa's 1st Team Leader is on standby nearby for contingencies."
The contract was already in place.
"That crystal... I heard we got the data from Dangun's descendants. Is it really safe?"
"What's unsafe about it? Korea's just pulling ahead again."
First hunter nation, followed by flawless handling to build foundations.
Massive investments accelerated hunter growth; aggressive strategies made them a global powerhouse.
And this crystal would widen the gap once more.
"Let's head back. Lots to do."
A few days later, I checked on Jeong No-hun in the training room, piercing an egg with a needle.
"Wow, you're getting the hang of it."
He replied to my comment.
"Still miles behind Han Sang-ah."
"True enough."
But at this level, Jeong No-hun was ready for new training. Fine mana control via egg-piercing was top priority for Han Sang-ah, not him.
I shared my thoughts, and after some deliberation, he answered.
"Well, if I want to keep at it, I can just carve out extra time, right?"
"You got it."
But I guarantee he won't have time for egg-stabbing anymore.
From now on, Jeong No-hun needed to elevate unconscious actions to conscious control while reaching a level where he could predict opponents' moves.
"You'll be spending tons of time with me from here on out."
"I'd rather spend it with Han Sang-ah."
I snorted.
"She's not ready to teach anyone yet."
A sharp crack echoed from behind. Han Sang-ah's wooden sword had snapped.
"Swallow your anger. It's the truth."
"I'm not angry. Just frustrated."
Sure you are. I won't have time to mind Han Sang-ah for a while anyway. She's the self-sufficient type, so no issues.
"Grab a gun. Time to die with me starting today."
Intensive training period. Days later, Jeong No-hun glares at me with blackened, bloodshot eyes.
"Chan-seok, what kind of monster are you?"
"Turning a normal guy into a monster, huh? Get up, Jeong. Want another beating?"
He rose with a guttural roar like a cornered beast, trembling like a newborn gazelle. Hilarious.
"Funny, is it?"
"Hilariously. You a baby or what?"
He grits his teeth, glaring.
"You devil. Sang-ah, grab some holy water! Splash it on his face—he'll smoke and scream for sure!"
Han Sang-ah didn't get the fancy vocab.
"Monsters can't operate outside Erosion Zones."
"Goddamn it, not a normal person in sight!"
"Includes you, Jeong."
Three straight days of nonstop beatings, and he could still yap.
"Ah, lunch is here."
The doorbell rang. Han Sang-ah got up, took delivery. Fried chicken, white rice, and beef-miso stew.
"..."
Jeong No-hun, starved of rice grains or water drops for three days, shot her a resentful glare.
"Can't you at least eat outside? What's the big deal?"
Han Sang-ah replied calmly.
"You couldn't eat anyway. Don't worry about my meals. Coveting what you can't have is a waste."
"I know that!"
He'd tried every trick to woo her at first, but her ironclad my-way-or-the-highway vibe killed those efforts dead.
She barely cared about others, and expected the same in return. Even swapped roles, she wouldn't bat an eye at his lunch.
"Eyes on me, or is it okay like that?"
Thwack. My spear shaft uppercuts his chin. And honestly, no food or water for me either, sparring him.
"Guh."
And so, Jeong No-hun got pummeled by me while Han Sang-ah ate and scrolled her phone.
"Hunter So Hwi uploaded another video. He accepted your proposal."
I deflected his bullet and replied.
"Really? Unexpected."
Rare to see trash-talkers actually follow through. Time to pick venue, time, and line up support.
"Wanna slap some ads on it too? You look busy—if we split the revenue, I'll handle all the prep."
I eyed her at the suggestion.
"If you're pulling strings with Geumyang Group for those ads, your brother and sister won't be thrilled."
"Does that matter?"
Can't argue with that. Anyway, back to Jeong No-hun's training.
"Cover for me."
She nodded and resumed eating.