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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Although he hadn’t received verbal confirmation, Hong Min-gi instantly understood the source of the red energy he’d been so wary of. His eyes widened in shock.
“…That red energy was Hunter Lee Seong-jun’s?”
Realizing the truth, everything clicked into place: Lee Seong-jun’s recent actions, the current situation… everything.
‘Hunter Lee Seong-jun isn’t just a Super Rookie.’
He was a new powerhouse, on par with the Masters of the Five Guilds. Hong Min-gi chuckled in disbelief.
‘A returnee who’s been back on Earth for less than six months is already rivaling SS-rank Hunters…’
He felt a shiver run down his spine at the unprecedented growth rate.
‘Finally, finally…!’
A Hunter who could protect the Association’s position against the ever-growing power of the large guilds and their alliances had appeared. A bright light shone on the Hunter Association’s bleak future. A wide smile spread across Hong Min-gi’s face.
“Hunter Lee Seong-jun! I’m so glad you’re safe!”
Jo Kang-hyun, the management team leader, rushed towards Lee Seong-jun, his voice filled with relief.
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At the special investigation headquarters, established to apprehend the SS-rank villain Cho Se-hyeok, those waiting on standby couldn’t believe the report.
“Hunter Lee Seong-jun defeated Cho Se-hyeok before the PSS arrived.”
“He defeated Cho Se-hyeok alone?”
“That’s… impossible…” Ko Tae-hyun chuckled dryly.
‘He actually… defeated Cho Se-hyeok by himself.’
From the beginning, Hunter Lee Seong-jun had been incredibly confident, insisting on facing Cho Se-hyeok alone. He’d dismissed it as the typical overconfidence of returnees. But it turned out to be the confidence of a true powerhouse.
‘My judgment was clouded… I failed to recognize his true strength…’
He felt a twinge of injustice. How could he have predicted that a Hunter, barely a week into his Super Rookie title, could defeat an SS-rank villain?
‘Hunter Lee Seong-jun… the more I learn about him, the more impressive he becomes.’
As Vice President of the Hunter Association, he should be happy about this. But a new problem weighed on his mind.
‘Chairman Kim Seok-hoon of the Myungye Group won’t let this go.’
He’d try to eliminate Hunter Lee Seong-jun, even if it meant resorting to extreme measures.
‘…I have to stop Chairman Kim Seok-hoon.’
The Hunter Association’s position was already weakening against the growing power of corporations, guilds, and returnee alliances. If they lost Hunter Lee Seong-jun, their only hope, the consequences would be dire. The Hunter Association would cease to function, and a chaotic power struggle would erupt.
Ko Tae-hyun turned to his secretary, Kim Min-hyuk.
“Schedule meetings with the corporate leaders and politicians who oppose the Myungye Group.”
Kim Min-hyuk’s eyes widened at the unexpected request.
“That’s too dangerous. Please reconsider.”
The Myungye Group, a massive conglomerate with trillions in assets, wielded immense power. But it wasn’t just their wealth that Ko Tae-hyun feared.
‘The Myungye Group’s true power lies in their connections.’
Their influence reached every corner of society, from government officials to politicians.
‘Decades of bribery and corruption… they’re a cancer on this nation…’
They’d protect the Myungye Group to cover up their own crimes, using laws and regulations to remove him, Ko Tae-hyun, from power.
But Ko Tae-hyun, a long-time Vice President of the Hunter Association, wasn’t naive. He knew the dark underbelly of Korean society. That’s why he’d made this decision.
‘While I’m making my move, Chairman Kim Seok-hoon won’t be able to touch Hunter Lee Seong-jun.’
He hadn’t acted impulsively. He’d been gathering evidence of corruption against Chairman Kim Seok-hoon, the Myungye Group, its subsidiaries, and their close associates.
‘If I release all of this… they won’t have time to worry about anything else for at least three years.’
He might not be able to destroy the Myungye Group, but buying time was enough.
‘Considering Hunter Lee Seong-jun’s growth rate…’
He was confident that Lee Seong-jun would soon become an untouchable giant. Ko Tae-hyun’s eyes looked towards a brighter future.
“One year. If we can buy just one year, victory will be ours. Trust me, and follow my lead.”
Kim Min-hyuk reluctantly nodded.
“…Understood.”
As Kim Min-hyuk left to make the necessary calls, Ko Tae-hyun smiled.
‘One problem solved.’
He’d declared all-out war. Even Chairman Kim Seok-hoon wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else. He wouldn’t be able to target Hunter Lee Seong-jun for a while. The most pressing issue had been resolved, for now. But it was just one issue.
‘We can’t coexist if it’s always one-sided.’
Stopping Chairman Kim Seok-hoon was just a necessary measure. Hunter Lee Seong-jun hadn’t received anything in return. They needed a mutually beneficial arrangement, a fair trade, for a healthy, sustainable relationship. Ko Tae-hyun pondered deeply.
‘I haven’t given Hunter Lee Seong-jun a proper reward yet.’
The interrogation of the Shadow Brothers, the 1st place in the raid, and now the capture of the SS-rank Rookie Slayer, Cho Se-hyeok. Hunter Lee Seong-jun played a crucial role in all of these recent events, yet he hadn’t received any significant rewards.
Everything he’d received so far were basic Hunter rights.
‘…I need to give him a reward, a privilege, befitting his contributions.’
Not something insignificant, but something valuable, something he’d be reluctant to part with.
‘What should I give him…?’
He pondered, but time wasn’t on his side.
“Hunter Lee Seong-jun and the PSS vehicle have passed through the Association’s main gate!”
“There… I see them!”
He clicked his tongue in disappointment. He’d have to postpone his deliberations. He stood up abruptly and headed out to greet the returning heroes.
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“Thank you for your hard work!”
Lee Seong-jun waved at Jo Kang-hyun and Hong Min-gi, who were practically bowing at the waist, and turned to leave. His eyes narrowed.
‘Myungye Group…’
After completing the procedures for Cho Se-hyeok’s capture and confinement, Lee Seong-jun used Heart-Searching Mind Control. Despite the SS-rank villain’s fierce resistance, his weakened state limited his ability to fight back. Cho Se-hyeok soon became docile, revealing the mastermind behind the attack.
‘Park Seong-hoon, CEO of Myungye Trading and legal counsel for the Myungye Group.’
Officially, Park Seong-hoon had orchestrated Cho Se-hyeok’s illegal entry and the villain attack. But it was obvious he wasn’t acting alone. There was no way a mere CEO of a trading company could handle an SS-rank villain like Cho Se-hyeok.
‘…He must have been following Chairman Kim Seok-hoon’s orders.’
The grudge stemming from his conflict with Kim Dong-hyun of the Hwanseong Guild had extended to Kim Dong-hyun’s father, Kim Seok-hoon. But the origin of the grudge wasn’t important.
‘The Myungye Group targeted my family.’
They’d targeted the most precious people in his life.
‘They will pay dearly.’
The Association seemed to be planning some action against the Myungye Group, using the Cho Se-hyeok incident as leverage, but that wasn’t enough. He needed to strike a more decisive blow.
‘I’ll make sure they never even think about doing this again.’
Taking on a massive conglomerate like the Myungye Group alone was risky. While he could protect himself, his family would be vulnerable to retaliation. He needed the backing of someone powerful, someone the Myungye Group would fear.
He pulled out his smartphone and called Oh Kyung-hyun, the Guild Master of the Baekho Guild.
Ring… ring…
As the call connected, he spoke, “…I have a favor to ask.”
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