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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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“Due to the Association’s mistake, I almost died after entering a Frenzy Gate. If you’re really the Director of the Returnee Management Department, shouldn’t you apologize to me first?”
“Gah…!”
It was an irrefutable statement.
However, Dongjun Kim, blinded by the accumulated rage, had lost all sense of logic.
“Apologize? Me, the Director, to a swindler like you?!”
Dongjun’s face flushed red as he yelled. Just then,
“Director Kim, that’s enough.”
A deep voice echoed from beyond the crowd, and Dongjun Kim’s face, which had been raging like a madman, hardened.
It was only natural, as it was the voice of someone Dongjun Kim was all too familiar with and feared.
“Why is the Vice President here…?”
Taehyun Ko’s eyes narrowed at Dongjun Kim’s bewildered reaction.
“Why are you so surprised? It’s natural for me, the person in charge, to visit when a Hunter belonging to our Association is in danger, isn’t it?”
“That’s true, but I can handle this alone, so there’s no need for the Vice President to come personally…”
Taehyun Ko cut Dongjun Kim off without mercy and ordered in a forceful tone,
“I’ll handle matters related to Hunter Sungjoon Lee, so Director Kim, you may step down.”
“But…”
Taehyun Ko’s eyes turned as cold as midwinter ice.
“I clearly told you to stop… It seems my words were taken lightly.”
A strong killing intent emanated from SS-rank Hunter Taehyun Ko and directed itself towards Dongjun Kim.
Naturally, there was no way Dongjun Kim, who had no abilities, could withstand Taehyun Ko’s killing intent.
Dongjun Kim’s face turned pale.
“…S-Sorry.”
It was the moment Dongjun Kim, frightened, backed away and hurriedly left.
Taehyun Ko turned his head and immediately apologized.
“The mistake of a subordinate is the mistake of their superior. I won’t make excuses. I sincerely apologize for the disrespect shown to Hunter Sungjoon Lee.”
Taehyun Ko bowed his head as he spoke.
His attitude of remorse and apology was impeccable.
Moreover, the other party was Taehyun Ko, the Vice President, who could be considered the Association’s power broker.
There was no benefit in creating conflict and ruining their relationship.
“I know it was a kind of accident, so you don’t have to go this far.”
“No, it was clearly our Association’s fault for not checking properly. I will make sure to compensate you for today’s accident and disrespect.”
“Since you say so, I’m a little bit expectant.”
Taehyun Ko carefully opened his mouth after confirming the relaxed atmosphere and the smile blooming on Sungjoon Lee’s lips.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could I ask which boss monster you defeated?”
“It was an Earth Worm.”
“…!”
Taehyun Ko’s eyes widened.
It was a natural reaction.
The Earth Worm was a notoriously difficult monster among C+-rank monsters due to its massive size and hard skin.
‘Moreover, the report states that the terrain inside the Frenzy Gate was a desert.’
Its appearance as a boss monster, the desert background…
‘Considering the data we’ve collected so far…’
It would definitely have had the ability to dig through the ground.
This meant it was literally the worst difficulty among C+-rank monsters.
‘It’s a monster that requires at least a B+-rank Hunter to hunt…’
Generally, although returnees grew faster than Awakened, it took an average of one year and six months to reach B+ rank.
However, Returnee Sungjoon Lee, who hadn’t even been active as a Hunter for a full month, was calmly saying that he had hunted an Earth Worm.
‘…A monster.’
As Taehyun Ko was inwardly shocked, Sungjoon Lee spoke again.
“I’m tired after just finishing the hunt, so if you don’t have any more questions, may I leave?”
“Yes, of course. No, since you must be tired, our Association will escort you.”
As Taehyun Ko gestured, a man who had been waiting in the corner hurriedly ran over.
“Secretary Kim.”
“Yes, Vice President.”
“Please escort Returnee Sungjoon Lee safely to his home.”
“Understood.”
A smile appeared on Taehyun Ko’s lips as he watched Sungjoon Lee leave under Secretary Kim’s guidance.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve met a real big shot.’
He would have to pay a considerable price for the words he had spoken.
But he didn’t regret it at all.
Having met numerous gifted individuals, he could be certain.
Returnee Sungjoon Lee was a being who had reigned as an absolute ruler or a dominator in another world.
‘No, perhaps he was even more than that.’
The benefits that Returnee Sungjoon Lee would bring to the Association would be immeasurable.
‘As expected of Team Leader Ganghyun Jo.’
He had immediately recognized Returnee Sungjoon Lee’s abilities and reported it.
His ability to judge people was truly excellent.
‘Returnee Sungjoon Lee, an individual we absolutely cannot lose.’
Therefore, they had to support him properly and meet his needs to ensure he was satisfied with his current contract with the Association.
Of course, Taehyun Ko didn’t have much information at the moment.
Fortunately, however, Team Leader Ganghyun Jo, who could be considered Sungjoon Lee’s manager, was rushing towards the Frenzy Gate.
The command center set up in front of the Frenzy Gate.
Originally, it should have been dismantled immediately after Sungjoon Lee exited the gate, but strangely, the meeting continued.
“That’s all I heard.”
It was the moment Taehyun Ko finished speaking.
The eyes of Ganghyun Jo, Seokgyu Han, and Dongjun Kim, who had been listening to the story, widened.
“…H-He hunted an Earth Worm? Really?”
Taehyun Ko carefully responded to Seokgyu Han’s surprised question.
“That’s just what I heard from Returnee Sungjoon Lee. The truth hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
“Haha…”
A hollow laugh escaped Seokgyu Han’s lips, and Ganghyun Jo couldn’t hide his excitement as he clenched his fists.
“Returnee Sungjoon Lee is definitely a big shot worthy of worldwide fame.”
A returnee who hadn’t even been back on Earth for a month had hunted a C+-rank boss monster.
But what was most surprising was,
‘The boss monster he hunted was an Earth Worm.’
Moreover, the terrain was a desert, and it appeared as a boss monster.
He knew this because he had personally hunted an Earth Worm in a similar situation in the early stages of his A-rank days.
With its ability to hide underground, hunting an Earth Worm that appeared as a boss monster in a desert terrain alone, without any decoys or distractions, was by no means an easy task, even for an A+-rank Hunter.
Ganghyun Jo’s eyes shone.
“If Returnee Sungjoon Lee grows properly, he’ll be able to completely suppress the large guilds and the Returnee Association that are trying to act recklessly.”
Seokgyu Han also nodded in agreement.
“A returnee who hasn’t even been active as a Hunter for a month hunted a C+-rank boss monster… None of the famous returnees have accomplished such a feat. He’s definitely an incredible talent.”
Just as everyone was getting excited, a sarcastic voice was heard, as if pouring cold water on them.
“Ha, this is ridiculous. Sungjoon hunted an Earth Worm? You’re believing that swindler’s words?”
Perhaps because of the previous situation, he couldn’t raise his voice recklessly.
Dongjun Kim glanced at Taehyun Ko and carefully opened his mouth.
“Hunting an Earth Worm alone. Isn’t that obviously a lie?”
“…”
Taehyun Ko remained silent, maintaining neutrality as the Vice President and person in charge.
Therefore, Ganghyun Jo responded to Dongjun Kim’s sarcasm.
“I don’t think Returnee Sungjoon Lee would tell a lie that would obviously be exposed.”
Dongjun Kim scoffed at Ganghyun Jo’s sharp reaction.
“You never know. He might have thought our Association’s way of handling things was so laughable that he could get away with a made-up lie, or he might have an accomplice within the Association who’s helping him with his scam.”
Ganghyun Jo’s face contorted at Dongjun Kim’s blatant gaze.
“You’re going too far…!”
Just as Ganghyun Jo’s voice was about to rise, Taehyun Ko, who had been silent, raised his hand to stop him.
Taehyun Ko opened his mouth after confirming that everyone’s attention was on him.
“Can everyone take responsibility for their words?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, if there is definite proof.”
It was the moment both Ganghyun Jo and Dongjun Kim nodded.
Just then, a report from an Association staff member came from outside the headquarters.
“As the Vice President instructed, members of the management team have found the Earth Worm’s body inside the gate!”
“As expected…!”
“No way!”
The expressions of Ganghyun Jo and Dongjun Kim were contrasting sharply.
Taehyun Ko’s cold gaze turned towards Dongjun Kim.
“The conclusion has been reached. As the acting President, I will order a disciplinary action of three months’ suspension and one month’s probation for Director Dongjun Kim.”
“Wait…!”
“Didn’t you say you would take responsibility for your words?”
Under the pressure emanating from Taehyun Ko, Dongjun Kim had no choice but to nod.
“…Understood.”
In the end, Dongjun Kim placed his Association ID card on the desk, abruptly stood up, and left the command center.
Now there were three left.
Team Leaders Ganghyun Jo and Seokgyu Han, and Vice President Taehyun Ko.
“Fortunately, there were no casualties, but since this was a matter related to the life of a Hunter belonging to the Association, I will impose a disciplinary action of one month’s suspension on Team Leader Seokgyu Han. Do you have any objections to this treatment?”
“No.”
“Then you may leave.”
Seokgyu Han bowed his head once, quietly stood up, and disappeared.
“…”
It was Taehyun Ko who broke the silence that settled in the space where they were left alone.
“As you must have sensed, the talent and potential shown by Returnee Sungjoon Lee could rival SSS-rank, or perhaps even surpass it.”
He had met numerous Awakened and Returnees while working as the Vice President, but this was by far the most overwhelming.
“The proof is that he hunted a C+-rank boss monster alone, less than a month after starting his activities as a Hunter…”
A strange light flickered in Taehyun Ko’s eyes.
“He’s the only lifeline thrown to our Association, whose position is becoming increasingly precarious. That’s why I want to ask you something.”
Ganghyun Jo’s expression turned solemn.
‘Yes… The Vice President wouldn’t believe it easily either.’
Returnee Sungjoon Lee’s growth rate was truly unprecedented.
In other words, it was a speed sufficient to arouse suspicion, like Dongjun Kim.
In fact, he, Ganghyun Jo, had also been suspicious.
Therefore, he had to dispel the suspicion and prove himself here.
“I will answer everything I know.”
Ganghyun Jo nodded with determined eyes.
But Taehyun Ko’s words were completely unexpected.
“Do you know of anything that Returnee Sungjoon Lee might desire?”
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