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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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‘There’s no way Baekho and the Association are unaware of that. Yet, they allowed Hunter Lee Seong-joon to declare free agency.’
Lee Ye-jin, the CEO of the Bulsae Guild, was also interested in Lee Seong-joon. The Treasure Gate incident had made everyone realize one thing: ‘Hunter Lee Seong-joon is qualified for a triple contract.’
In other words, he was someone who could potentially stand shoulder to shoulder with the Guardians in the future.
‘Of course, that’s assuming he survives…’
In a way, a contract with Lee Seong-joon was a high-risk investment. But what in the hunter business wasn’t high-risk? She didn’t have much time to think.
“How does Hunter Lee Seong-joon want to receive contract offers?”
“Vice President Ko Taehyun is acting as his manager.”
“That stickler for rules is his manager…? When will he accept offers?”
“Within a month.”
One month! It seemed like a long time, but it wasn’t enough to carefully assess the situation and consider her options. Lee Ye-rin frowned.
“Are there any preconditions?”
“Yes. He wants complete freedom of action, under any circumstances.”
Lee Ye-rin chuckled at Choi Chang-woo’s words.
“Affiliated with a company but not taking orders. He just wants the benefits. That’s outrageous! Ha…!” She clicked her tongue, then smiled wryly and nodded.
“Can’t be helped. We have to give him what he wants. Let’s prepare an offer that’s competitive. The legal and analysis teams will be working overtime for the next month. You too, no leaving the office.”
“Of course. Let’s reel him in.”
Choi Chang-woo also smiled. The biggest tuna, no, whale, in Korean history had entered the market. It was only natural that everyone wanted him.
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California, USA.
Ring—! Ring—!
The smartphone on the bedside table vibrated and rang loudly.
“Ugh…”
Milo Ventimiglia’s face contorted in annoyance.
‘…I specifically said to minimize contact during my vacation.’
It was a difficult request, realistically. Milo was the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHO) of Neuro, the top guild in California. All personnel matters related to Neuro ultimately went through him. Knowing this, he had worked for 20 hours straight, without sleep, before leaving for vacation, trying to clear as much work as possible.
‘And they’re calling me after less than a day?’
If it was for something trivial, he would show them the true meaning of ‘reality’ with the full force of his authority as CHO as soon as his vacation ended!
Resolving himself, Milo irritably swiped the answer button.
“Hello?”
-…I apologize for contacting you during your vacation.
“Janet?”
It was Janet, the ace among the personnel team leaders, known for her exceptional work efficiency. She wouldn’t call for something trivial. Milo, who had answered the phone in a daze, sat up and tried to clear his head.
“What is it? What happened?”
-Please check the article I sent you.
“Article? Alright, hold on.”
Milo put the phone down and started reading the message. After about a minute, his jaw dropped.
“Jesus Christ.”
The world record set by the renowned Archmage Sandra Bullock’s party had been broken after ten years. And it was broken by a solo hunter. Milo chuckled in disbelief.
“Huh… Do the other guilds know about this?”
-Yes, since it’s been reported in the media, I believe everyone is aware of it.
“What’s their reaction?”
-Religion and Oakley, our main competitors, haven’t made any moves. Most of the other major guilds aren’t showing much interest either.
“They don’t believe the article.”
But it was just a superficial observation.
‘They must be frantically researching behind the scenes.’
It couldn’t be helped. Most guilds had been fooled by false reports from overseas before.
‘They wouldn’t easily believe that a solo hunter broke the record of Archmage Sandra Bullock’s party.’
Moreover, the article stated that Lee Seong-joon had only been a hunter for three months.
‘The most realistic scenario is that Korea, which is always at a diplomatic disadvantage due to its lack of skilled hunters, is playing a prank in collusion with the media…’
But there was one nagging detail that prevented him from dismissing it as completely false.
‘The purpose of lying is to deceive.’
But the information about Lee Seong-joon in the article was too absurd to be fabricated to deceive someone.
‘This is what bothers me…’
As he pondered, Janet’s cautious voice came from the phone,
-…How should we respond?
Milo didn’t answer immediately. He took a cigarette from the bedside table and lit it.
“Haa…”
He inhaled deeply, the nicotine clearing his head.
“Phew…”
He exhaled a cloud of smoke, chasing away the last vestiges of sleepiness. As his mind cleared, Milo quickly assessed the situation.
‘If our competitors, Religion and Oakley, aren’t reacting, there’s no need to act rashly.’
He could maintain Neuro’s top position just by observing the situation. But that wasn’t a reason to back down.
‘…This could be an opportunity.’
Neuro wasn’t content with just being the best in California. They aimed to become the best in the US, and beyond. Naturally, they needed the power and preparation to match their ambition. The hunter Lee Seong-joon, mentioned in the article, was precisely the kind of talent Neuro needed.
‘Even if the information about Lee Seong-joon is false, there’s nothing for Neuro to lose.’
Since it involved a world record, the World Hunter Association would conduct a thorough investigation. They would collect residual mana from the area and send it to Gate Studies scholars to analyze or use artifacts that could detect lies.
If it was a lie, it would soon be exposed. Even if a contract had been signed, they would have grounds to terminate it. No, they could even demand a penalty using the World Hunter Law.
‘The only downsides are a wasted trip and some legal battles, wasting precious time and resources.’
But what if the reports about Hunter Lee Seong-joon soloing and breaking Sandra Bullock’s record were true? The composition of the Guardians, which had remained unchanged for years since Sandra Bullock, would change.
‘It could be the master key to Neuro’s leap forward.’
Of course, there were still potential problems.
‘…Currently, a nation’s power is directly linked to the strength of its hunters.’
Although guild affiliation wasn’t the same as national affiliation, it could create diplomatic complications. The South Korean government and Association, prioritizing their national interests, wouldn’t stand idly by while a foreign power contracted Lee Seong-joon.
“What’s Korea’s official stance? Have they opened the FA market to foreign guilds?”
-Yes.
It seems there was some kind of deal with the American Hunter Association.
The only obstacle he’d been worried about was gone. There was no reason to hesitate any longer. Having finished his calculations, Milo said, “
We’re recruiting Hunter Lee Seong-joon. Offer him the best conditions in the industry, even more if necessary. Make him a member of Neuro.”
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The news of Lee Seong-joon entering the free agent market spread like wildfire. Naturally, it was all over the media. Not just in Korea. International media outlets also covered the story. He had, after all, declared triple affiliation. The implications of such a contract were significant.
Korea
Beyond Korea, to the world… Which guild will be Hunter Lee Seong-joon’s next stage?
NHK
Japan Hunter Association declares, “We will do our best to recruit Lee Seong-joon.”
CNN
Expectations for Lee Seong-joon’s activities in the Americas… What will his next move be?
Lee Seong-joon’s expression remained indifferent as he watched the influx of articles from around the world.
‘Just as expected.’
He hadn’t entered the free agent market without reason.
‘With this level of reaction… I can establish a foundation.’
Authority and dignity alone weren’t enough to walk the path of a ruler. He needed the power of a faction to match. Although he was already affiliated with the Association and the Baekho Guild, it wasn’t enough.
To walk the path of an absolute ruler, he needed the power of a much larger force. Of course, he had no intention of being controlled by them.
‘I will take the lead and become the center of power.’
The talented individuals in the Association and Baekho would have grasped his intentions. But they hadn’t objected. Both factions acknowledged that they weren’t big enough to contain him.
‘…A smart move.’
As he had mentioned before, the Association and Baekho readily accepted his decision. But that didn’t mean they hadn’t received anything in return.
To be precise, the Association was preparing to collect its due.
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