Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Headhunter
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Anyway, the fact that Paradox Flame can finally burn even the concept of thought itself is a hugely positive development.
It's not just about being able to burn thoughts. This is a benchmark of sorts. It means my Paradox Flame has finally surpassed a certain threshold.
If you land a solid hit with it, you can put the target in a near-unconscious state for at least a full minute, no matter how conservatively you estimate it. And best of all...
"The fog blanketing Azure Cloud Valley won't be able to touch us."
I can use Paradox Flame like a gas mask filter. Jeong Oh-hoon, who had snapped out of it belatedly, shot me a deeply uncomfortable look.
"It felt like being forcibly put under full-body anesthesia. Honestly, I never want to go through that again."
That was Jeong Oh-hoon's takeaway. Still, I couldn't test burning my own thoughts—that would leave no one to control the Paradox Flame if they ignited.
"Tell me what it felt like, roughly."
At my request, Jeong Oh-hoon haltingly described his experience as his thoughts flickered like embers. Through that, I could pin down exactly what kind of effects I could expect within my current range of control.
We were deep in discussion about how to incorporate this into our team's future strategies when a sudden knock echoed through the room.
Nana had gone to meet the Korea Hunter Association President, and Lee Se-eun was off handling a new commission. No one was scheduled to drop by today.
"Hello. I'm Woo Sang-sik, representative of the Nationwide Erosion Zone Victims Relief Alliance, ChinHanChingu."
A middle-aged man in a suit greeted us with a smile.
"Yes, hello. Yoo Chan-seok here."
He let out an impressed "Ooh" and extended his hand to me.
"It's an honor to meet you."
Suspicious guy—what was his angle? Erosion Zone victims relief alliance, my ass.
"Mr. Woo, since this is our first meeting, mind telling us what brings you here?"
He chuckled with an "Ahaha." Since he'd come all this way, I brought out some light snacks and tea.
Once seated, Woo Sang-sik launched into a spiel about all the great work his ChinHanChingu relief group was doing. It was basically a self-promotion session on their extensive activities.
Han Sang-ah, who'd been listening, turned to me.
"This guy's basically asking for money... right?"
I gave a small nod, and Han Sang-ah clenched her fist with a quiet "Yes!" She was thrilled to have nailed it.
"No, wait—that's not it. We're just kindly asking for donations to a good cause."
Han Sang-ah responded to Woo Sang-sik's protest.
"Nationwide Erosion Zone Victims Relief Alliance ChinHanChingu. Pretty big operation. Let me check... Last year's total expenditures: 35% on administrative management, 10% on special expenses, 5% on development cooperation, 35% on miscellaneous costs... Leaving just 15% of the budget for actual programs?"
Woo Sang-sik's expression stiffened at Han Sang-ah's words.
"Most relief organizations allocate around 90% of their spending to programs, including fundraising."
Han Sang-ah scratched her head and continued.
"Personally, I think even that's too high. For long-term sustainability, 70% on programs feels right... but if the program ratio's too low, the public backlash is brutal, so what can you do."
But this guy in front of us? A measly 15%.
"You're the CEO, your wife's the executive director, son's head of planning and management, daughter-in-law in sponsorship, brother as research fellow. Most of the staff are old schoolmates and cronies."
Han Sang-ah kept going while scrolling her smartphone.
"Among the relief supplies bought with program funds, there's electronics... Galaxy S2 3G model? Still circulating on the market, huh. Purchased at 850,000 won each... while used unlocked units go for about 15,000 won secondhand."
Han Sang-ah pocketed her phone. Jeong Oh-hoon, who'd been listening, summed it up neatly.
"Mr. Woo... you shampoo with dog shampoo at home and chew kibble instead of meals? You're a real son of a bitch."
"Don't insult the dogs."
Why drag innocent pups into it by comparing them to this mutt?
"Aren't you worried how the public will see you dodging noblesse oblige with lame excuses like that?"
"Worry less about us and more about the tax audit coming your way."
Woo Sang-sik turned to Han Sang-ah at her words.
"Articles will drop, the audit will start... You'll probably end up in prison."
There were plenty of other people to mess with. Han Sang-ah had a weapon that didn't work on monsters but was nearly invincible against humans: a wall of money.
Stepping back from Geumyang Group's succession war didn't change that she was still Han Sang-chul's granddaughter.
We sent Woo Sang-sik packing.
"I've got skills, so that's fine. Han Sang-ah wields money like a blade to back the team... What about you, Jeong Oh-hoon? Got anything?"
Jeong Oh-hoon replied.
"Ahaha, of course I've got connections. But my nickname's Jeong Oh-mul—'Jeong the Useless.' Everyone I know is the type to stick a sashimi knife in your gut mid-meal."
"You think I care about that?"
If they're useful, that's all that matters. Jeong Oh-hoon responded to my words.
"Even an outfit smuggling Erosion Core loot and gear to civilians?"
"Do they pay top dollar? Nah, even good prices—security's key. Can't get caught."
Jeong Oh-hoon let out a low chuckle.
"Wouldn't recommend 'em. They swear it's safe, but it's like an illegal gambling den."
You know, those spam texts about "safe playgrounds"?
Don't get hopes up. Still, knowing about these shady operations could prove useful down the line.
"Grab your weapon."
I said to Jeong Oh-hoon. He immediately shouldered his rifle and stood before me.
"Closer."
"Whoa, easy there."
I glared at him distastefully, and he sighed softly, stepping a few paces nearer.
"Come on, humanely give me some distance to start?"
"Save your excuses for the gods after you drop dead?"
Blame losing because the enemy was too close? Buddha, Yama, Jesus—even Cthulhu would laugh.
Jeong Oh-hoon gave his all, slithering through attacks and defenses with his signature slippery moves. After about 30 minutes, I nodded.
"Power's up, accuracy's up... and most importantly, you've cleared the minimum bar I set."
"So, full-time hire?"
I nodded and offered my hand.
"Welcome aboard, Jeong Oh-hoon."
He grabbed it firmly for a shake, then spoke.
"But we still haven't named the team? Mind if I suggest one?"
"Shoot."
Jeong Oh-hoon grinned slyly.
"We mainly hunt Rank 1 Erosion Cores, right? So..."
So...? Why the pause?
"How about Team Bigmouth General?"
"Are you insane?"
As I opened my mouth to retort, Han Sang-ah raised her hand. Fine, you say something.
"I'm for it."
"You two are nuts. I'd sooner shovel chili powder into my eyes than approve a dumbass name like that."
Bigmouth General? Crazy? And what does that have to do with hunting Rank 1 Cores?
"What then?"
"..."
After some thought, I tentatively suggested.
"Headhunter?"
Jeong Oh-hoon tsked.
"No impact. Doesn't pull aggro. 'Bigmouth General!' sticks in people's heads."
It'd stick, alright—right up my ass. But I don't want to be remembered like that. Hell, not about memory; people would just mock us.
Better safe and bland with Headhunter.
"Headhunter, please."
Han Sang-ah, face-down scrolling her phone, chimed in.
"I don't care. Team names are brands, and brands get value from achievements, not fancy titles."
"Bigmouth General's solid... Hate it? Your loss. Ignoring good ideas—textbook incompetent boss."
They went along with me in the end, so our public team name became Headhunter.
"Preparations are done."
Unlike Bratsk's fridge, Azure Cloud Valley has no headcount limit. More people, better odds—straightforward.
"Zero intel on the interior."
"No one's officially come back alive from Azure Cloud Valley."
The association's glass candy lets you escape Erosion Cores without dying, but it's not disposable like water.
"We'll recruit more. Need hunters for this raid only."
To get them, we need qualification proof—like gear checks or DPS cuts in games.
"Must resist the smoke right on entry."
Han Sang-ah, Jeong Oh-hoon, Adakawa Nana, and I can use my Paradox Flame for gas mask effects. But coating hundreds of hunters? Impossible.
We'd already gotten data from Sa Seung-hee on survivors who'd entered Azure Cloud Valley. Set that as the baseline.
"Think many hunters or companies will sign up?"
Han Sang-ah nodded at Jeong Oh-hoon's question.
"Plenty. Could hit over a thousand."
"That many, unity's gonna be iffy."
Han Sang-ah nodded again.
"Why hunter companies thrive."
One-offs are chaotic, but long-term gigs are easier to manage.
"Top operator teams have tons of experience wrangling temp hunter pools like this. They'll manage."
Han Sang-ah nodded at Jeong Oh-hoon.
"It's command via info control."
Hunters report what they see; operators compile and direct. Individuals can't grasp the full Erosion Zone alone, so they follow orders.
"Seagull then?"
Han Sang-ah nodded.
"Seagull. If Lee Se-eun unnie trusts them, they're solid operators."
Pricey, but Nana's advice should cover it. Relying on Korea Operating Corporation for a Rank 1 raid feels off anyway.
Like suing Geumyang Group but taking a public defender. No shade on public defenders—their work's commendable.
But still... sketchy. Plus, can Korea Operating even handle a thousand-plus operators?
"I'll contact Seagull. You two confirm Azure Cloud Valley as our next target and recruit hunters."
As I headed for the door, I added.
"Headhunter, not Bigmouth General! If I hear one peep about Bigmouth in the press, I'll turn you both into rice cakes that day!"