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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Lee Seong-joon’s victory brought considerable surprise and admiration to the public.
However, the most significant shock was felt by fellow hunters, especially those of A-rank and higher. Having experienced numerous battles themselves, they knew better than anyone how absurd a 5:0 perfect score victory was.
Park Sun-woo, an A+-rank hunter, was one of them, watching the replay on his TV in his room.
“……My god, so it’s possible to fight like that?”
On the screen, Hunter Lee Seong-joon was displaying skills worthy of being called an idol.
‘I knew he was a great person, but…’
He far surpassed my expectations.
“He’s crazy! Absolutely crazy!”
Just watching him on screen made his heart race. At the same time, a small desire began to bloom in his heart.
‘…I want to see Hunter Lee Seong-joon’s majesty with my own eyes.’
How exhilarating would that be? He couldn’t even imagine it, as it was an emotion he had never felt before. But he was certain that just seeing him would bring immense satisfaction.
“I wish I could see him in person, just once…”
A strong longing appeared in Park Sun-woo’s eyes as he trailed off.
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Although Lee Seong-joon’s achievements were undoubtedly remarkable, they hadn’t gained much popularity compared to his name, as his actual exploits had never been captured on video.
But his duel with Kang Yi-ryung was clearly recorded. People couldn’t help but cheer at his overwhelming skill and presence. Indeed, all the keywords that dominated the newspaper headlines and real-time internet searches were related to Lee Seong-joon.
Sosumun’s strength, the friendly spar, Lee Seong-joon and Kang Yi-ryung. Photos of Lee Seong-joon, who had seized victory with a natural expression, circulated on various internet websites, creating a sensation.
Afterward, interviews with Hunter Association staff and rookie guild members who had met him directly were also released, all of which were full of praise. Naturally, his reputation in South Korea soared.
Naturally, people crazily searched for anecdotes and photos related to Lee Seong-joon. And currently, his popularity was so great that the word “explosive” was not enough to describe it.
COMMENTS
└I felt it during the raid gate, but Lee Seong-joon is so handsome, his looks are a blessing.
└Look at his red eyes, so my type
└Look at that indifferent gaze, so cool. So handsome.
└This is a real SSS-rank hunter!!
└The best, Lee Seong-joon!!
└Thank you so much, Hunter Lee Seong-joon, for giving our long-suffering country a victory.
└How many years has it been since we beat China? He should at least get a commendation. If it were up to me, I’d give him a medal.
└Korea’s strongest hunter. Go, Lee Seong-joon!
Perhaps because the fact that he had brought victory to Korea after a long time had further ignited people’s hearts. The internet was flooded with articles and comments praising him. No, it wasn’t just the internet.
In front of his apartment building, dozens of broadcast station staff, including reporters and cameramen, were swarming like ants.
“There are a lot more reporters than I expected.”
Ko Tae-hyun, who had also let out a bitter laugh at Lee Seong-joon’s chuckle, answered.
-I apologize that the reaction is hotter than I expected… I’ll try to sort it out as quickly as possible.
“Don’t bother. Just leave them be.”
-…Are you sure?
“This was all to attract attention in the first place, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
Perhaps because the presence he had shown in the duel with Kang Yi-ryung was so intense, the reporters who had come for an interview were keeping their distance without any special control.
Thanks to that, he didn’t feel particularly inconvenienced, and there were no incidents that would be considered a nuisance to the surrounding citizens.
‘They do follow me whenever I go out, but…’
And he could easily shake them off if he wanted to. Of course, that didn’t mean there were no problems.
“I’d appreciate it if you could pay a little more attention to the safety of my family.”
As he had said before, he, a hunter, could easily shake off the reporters. But his family couldn’t. They probably wouldn’t dare to approach them directly due to the pressure of Lee Seong-joon’s presence, but the reporters’ gazes would always be on them.
It would inevitably cause considerable inconvenience to their daily lives.
-Understood. I will take thorough measures regarding the safety of your family.
“Yes, thank you.”
After hanging up with Ko Tae-hyun, he turned the TV back on. He was checking the news articles about himself when Lee Seo-yun, who had come back from the library, entered.
“Did you see the reporters on the first floor? My brother has become a superstar.”
“……”
Lee Seo-yun tilted her head at his silence.
“Why the long face? Is it because of the reporters?”
Although he didn’t answer, his gloomy expression was enough of an answer.
“Don’t worry. You’ve sacrificed so much for our family. Do you think I can’t handle this little inconvenience?”
Lee Seo-yun smiled brightly and continued, “No, forget your sacrifice. I just didn’t like those Chinese guys. Do you know what they said in the pre-interview? It’s an honor just to fight a great power, so we shouldn’t mind losing? They deserved what they got.”
“Thanks for saying that.”
“I’m being sincere. Honestly, I never really understood the whole national pride thing, but when you beat Kang Yi-ryung, I felt something welling up inside me. Of course, I’m only human, so the reporters’ gazes were a bit burdensome at first, but it’s not like I’m doing anything bad. I’m just going to the library, so there’s no reason to mind them.”
She finished speaking and gave him a thumbs-up with a cool smile.
“You’re the best, oppa. You did well. Mom and Dad will understand too. No, they’re probably proud of you.”
“Thanks.”
Lee Seo-yun’s cheerful demeanor lifted a weight off his heart. His usual bright smile returned.
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They say time solves everything, and it wasn’t an empty saying. After about a week, the stories and popularity surrounding Lee Seong-joon began to die down.
The number of reporters who had been waiting in front of his apartment building had noticeably decreased, and those who had been following his family had also disappeared. Of course, the interest hadn’t completely vanished.
He was still mentioned in the media, and there were still reporters who tried to follow him. But it wasn’t as explosive as before. It was no longer a major inconvenience to his daily life. After another three days, the number of reporters following him had significantly decreased.
‘I don’t need to worry about it anymore.’
He thought to himself. But an unexpected variable appeared, making his thoughts seem foolish.
‘He’s here again?’
He felt a gaze from a man hiding 500 meters away. He was trying to suppress his presence, but the burdensome emotions in his gaze made his presence too strong. Since he hadn’t made any threats or contact, it wasn’t a problem.
But it was bothersome. In fact, it was becoming more and more bothersome. For three days straight, from early morning until he returned home, he had been following him, his gaze never leaving him.
‘What is he?’
If he had been taking pictures or writing in a notebook like the other reporters, he would have thought he was just a man with excessive passion for his work. But the man in question did nothing. He just watched from a distance.
This alone was strange, but he also had a light gait that was not that of an ordinary person.
‘As a hunter, he’s at least an A-rank or higher.’
He wasn’t someone who would be idly following someone around without a purpose. Curious, Lee Seong-joon kicked off the ground and closed the distance between them.
Whoosh—!
Since he had intended to close the distance from the beginning, even an A-rank or higher hunter wouldn’t have been able to react. Indeed, the man before him widened his eyes in surprise and gasped.
“Gasp—!”
But his surprise was short-lived. Having experienced many things as a hunter, he quickly regained his composure, bent at a 90-degree angle, and greeted him.
“Nice to meet you for the first time! I am Park Sun-woo, an A+-rank hunter!”
His polite attitude, the pure energy he exuded, and his clear, bright eyes—it was clear that he hadn’t approached him with malicious intent. That made it even more puzzling.
‘Park Sun-woo didn’t mention any affiliation.’
He hadn’t come with a recruitment offer. There was no reason for him to follow him for three days. Lee Seong-joon’s eyes narrowed at his incomprehensible behavior.
“Why are you following me?”
At his cold expression, Park Sun-woo hurriedly answered, “I-I’m sorry! After seeing the video of the friendly spar with China, I wanted to see you in person just once, so I came unannounced… Just watching you was an honor, and I found myself following you without realizing it.”
Although it was a very strange situation, Lee Seong-joon nodded calmly. He had encountered many martial artists like Park Sun-woo in the Thousand Continents.
‘He’s mesmerized.’
Overwhelming martial prowess, strength, had a powerful charm. It wasn’t surprising that one could be captivated by it. This meant that, unlike his previous speculation, Park Sun-woo had been following him without any special purpose.
‘The situation itself is understandable, but…’
Being constantly followed was not pleasant, so he had no intention of just leaving him be.
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