Chapter Text
“You’ve finally woken up.”
Jin-Woo was surprised by the weighty voice coming from the corner of the hospital room and hurriedly turned his head to look.
There was a woman with a short hairstyle.
She was pretty.
But there was something more.
The power that was hidden inside her.
From that expressionless woman, an incredible amount of magic energy was leaking out.
‘She must be.. rank A. Or maybe, even more than that....’ Jin-Woo thought.
“I apologise if we took you by surprise. Unfortunately, we are unable to wait any longer.”
Two hunters kitted out in black business suits approached Jin-Woo’s bed.
The youth tilted his head and asked them. “Who…. are you?”
He had never seen these two’s faces before.
One of them, the female, wearing a pair of sunglasses, presented him with a business card. “This is who we are.”
Jin-Woo received the business card and read what was written on it.
‘Woo Jin-Cheol, the section chief of the Monitoring Division, the Korean Hunter’s Association?’
The Monitoring Division was the only department in the Hunter’s Association with many strong Hunters in their payroll.
Well, since this department was tasked with managing the country’s Hunters so, quite obviously, they would employ many high-class Hunters to facilitate that purpose.
“What does the Monitoring Division want from me?”
Jin-Cheol dragged a chair closer to the bed and sat down. The other man, who must’ve been her subordinate, stood behind her.
The unspoken pressure in the room was quite heavy. The story they conveyed was rather surprising, though.
“I was unconscious for four days?!”
“By any chance, do you remember what happened before you blacked out?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Please tell us everything you can remember.”
Jin-Woo told them everything truthfully, minus the strange hallucinatory words he heard before he lost his consciousness.
“And that’s when you lost your consciousness… Is that all?”
“Yes. I open my eyes next, and I’m in a hospital.”
Jin-Cheol and her subordinate exchanged meaningful glances. For some reason, they seemed to be troubled by Jin-Woo’s lack of knowledge.
Actually, Jin-Woo was the one who wanted to find out what happened the most in this room.
“Just how did I get to this hospital? Did a large Guild participate and kill those d*mn things?”
“Well, actually….”
Jin-Cheol awkwardly opened her mouth.
“By the time the agents of the Monitoring Division and the White Tiger Guild arrived at the scene after being briefed by the survivors….”
The White Tiger Guild was a super-massive Guild and also one of the top five in the country. The Association had recognised the danger, hence they requested the aid of such a huge Guild as the White Tiger Guild in the first place.
Just what did happen back there?
Jin-Woo nervously swallowed a dry spit. “By the time….?”
“….Everything was ‘gone’. The only thing to be found within that open space was you, Mister Sung Jin-Woo. There was not one trace of the stone statues.”
“Come again?!” Jin-Woo displayed a shocked, disbelieving face.
“It’s hard for us to believe it as well. If there had been any inconsistencies in the testimonies of the survivors, or if we had failed to find the remains of the victims in the chamber, we might have suspected something fishy was going on.”
Jin-Cheol scratched her chin.
It’d been six years since she got ranked as an ‘A’ and started working for the Monitoring Division.
She could confidently say that she had witnessed and experienced pretty much everything during her tenure. However, this kind of situation was a first even for her.
She had asked other Guilds as well as the Associations in other countries, but the end result was nothing worthy to speak about.
That was why…
“So, this is what we’ve been thinking….”
Jin-Cheol carefully opened her mouth.
“There were powerful creatures in that chamber, without a doubt. But, they were taken care of by an unknown group or an unknown person. Because no otherworldly beings escaped from the Gate before it was closed, you see.”
They had to consider all the possibilities.
Even if the odds were low, they had to confirm them all. The head honchos of the Association deliberated, and then deliberated for some more, and finally came up with a theory.
Jin-Cheol carefully studied Jin-Woo’s reactions as she continued on.
“We… suspect that Hunter Sung Jin-Woo-nim might have gone through another Awakening.”
Another Awakening!
Jin-Woo’s eyes shot open wide.
Although extremely rare, there had been instances of a human who had awakened his or her abilities as a Hunter going through yet another Awakening.
Often referred to as ‘Re-Awakening’, those who undergo this process would normally become extremely powerful compared to before.
Originally, once a Hunter’s rank was assigned at the beginning, it rarely changed. A Hunter’s abilities were determined the moment one went through an Awakening, that was why.
However, it was a different story for those going through the Re-Awakening process.
Jumping past their own limitations to rise up from, say, rank C to A, or even from B to S, such things had happened before.
Jin-Cheol nervously swallowed her saliva.
‘Sung Jin-Woo…. If he went through a Re-Awakening and became a rank S, no, maybe even exceeding that, then it’s possible for him to kill those monsters all by himself.’
That powerful creature was said to have melted rank C Hunters with nothing but its eyes, according to the survivors.
If one were able to kill such a creature even while unconscious, just how powerful could one possibly be?
To prepare for this unlikeliest possibility, Jin-Cheol labeled this incident as ‘top secret’ and made sure everyone involved would keep their mouths shut.
This was also the reason why Sung Jin-Woo found himself in a hospital room all alone, as well as being looked after by some of the finest medical practitioners in the nation.
Jin-Cheol’s chest began beating real fast.
‘Could Korea finally have a Hunter on the level of an international powerhouse….?’
There were less than ten people in the entire world who could truly be described as a global powerhouse.
But what if Korea were to possess a powerhouse that were said to rival a nuclear warhead in terms of pure firepower?
Of course, confirming the truth of the Re-Awakening wasn’t difficult at all.
Didn’t the wise elders once say to make hay while the sun still shines?
Jin-Cheol signaled to her subordinate.
“Bring it here.”
The man went to the corner of the room and began rummaging through a briefcase placed there.
“That is…?”
Before Jin-Woo could finish his question, Jin-Cheol explained first.
“It’s the device to measure your magic energy.”
She added that, although this device had been miniaturised, its efficiency or accuracy did not fall short of the actual full-size measuring device located in the Hunter’s Association.
“All you have to do is to place your hand on this magic crystal over here.”
On top of a circular plate, there was a fist-sized magic crystal embedded in the middle. Its color was pitch-black, as if it was a black hole that wanted to suck him in!
It was one of the highest quality magic crystals that cost as much as a billion won, not to mention that could only be found in monsters ranked A or higher.
When Jin-Woo stared at the magic crystal without saying anything, Jin-Cheol formed a dignified, serious expression and spoke up.
“This is a necessary step during our investigation, so please, cooperate with us.”
Jin-Woo nodded his head.
If he indeed had undergone a Re-Awakening, then his life would do a 180 in an instant.
And they were going to test it out for him for free, so who was he to refuse?
Jin-Woo placed his hand on top of the black crystal, and soon enough, warm rays of light oozed out from it.
Cold sweat drops formed on the foreheads of Jin-Cheol and her subordinate.
Not too long after then, the light surrounding the crystal dissipated.
Jin-Cheol hurriedly took off her sunglasses and confirmed the numbers.
Right away, a small earthquake rocked Jin-Cheol’s eyes.
“How can this be?!”
She rechecked the numbers, but it remained the same.
‘How can….’
How could a person holding a Hunter license possess the magic energy value of only 10?!
When considering the fact that the lowest average value for rank E – the bottom rank – was around 70 to 100, Sung Jin-Woo was no different from a regular person.
“Is it really a Re-Awakening? If it is, what could be my new rank now?”
Jin-Woo’s hands were soaked in the sweat of anticipation.
Seeing the suspicious reactions of the two Monitoring Division agents, the result must’ve been somewhat beyond their expectations.
Meanwhile, Jin-Cheol was comparing the existing data on Jin-Woo with the new measurement.
‘His first measurement returned the value of 12. Four years later, it’s 10. It has decreased by 2, but it is within the margin of error.’
In other words, the magic energy measuring device was working fine.
Instead, it was Sung Jin-Woo’s magic energy that happened to be just illogically, nonsensically low.
It was a miracle that he had survived until now.
Jin-Cheol rapidly realised that being here was a waste of time, so she got up from her seat.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
Jin-Cheol and her subordinate quickly packed up to leave.
“Uhm, excuse me. Can you tell me what is….”
Just as Jin-Woo was about to ask, Jin-Cheol bowed her head slightly.
“Thank you for your cooperation. If you remember anything else, please give us a call anytime.”
As if their rear ends were on fire, two hunters in black rapidly left the room as soon as they put away the device.
The hospital room that felt rather small suddenly became quiet and lonely.
“....…”
Jin-Woo scratched the back of his neck.
‘I guess that was a no, then.’
Well, if he thought about it, besides him feeling refreshed, there didn’t seem to be any change to him at all.
Even if he did go through a Re-Awakening, it’d still be difficult for him to kill all those statue b*stards, anyway.
‘Maybe, you might have a chance against them if you were either the ultimate weapon, Hunter Choi Jong-In, or the rank SS Hunter Goh Gun-Hui.’
Of course, him speculating like this was meaningless since he had never seen them in action before. There was always a thick veil of secrecy draped over the Hunters ranked S.
They were more like clouds in the sky to him, actually.
He thought up to here and inadvertently raised his head up. And that’s when he saw ‘it’.
‘Huh?!’
He looked up without thinking and then saw ‘words’ floating in the air.
[You have several unread messages.]
_______________
A few months later.
"I'll save you."
His mother did her best to stabilise the family when his father went missing, even though she never enjoyed robust health. Not too long from now, he'd get to see her up on her two feet again.
'Please, just wait a little while longer.'
How long did he sit there by her side?
Jin-Woo finally pushed himself up after a lengthy vigil.
Ending his definitely-not short visit, Jin-Woo wordlessly walked out of the ward and carefully closed the door behind him.
And when he turned around to leave, he got to spot a familiar face standing in the corridor.
"On that day... it was you who killed the monsters in the dual dungeon, wasn't it?"
A low and think, feminine voice.
Sharp, scary eyebrows.
She was none other than Woo Jin-Cheol from the Monitoring Division.
"Thanks to you, I was able to learn that my viewpoint wasn't accurate." She continued.
"We met again, Ms. Chief." Jin-Woo greeted with a slight smile.
"How did you find out that I was here?"
"I tried to guess the places you might head off to. I called the hospital, and they informed me of your presence here."
The Association was paying for mom's hospital fees, after all.
'Well, that's going to change soon.'
It was possible that Woo Jin-Cheol checked the hospital first, before anywhere else.
Should he chalk that up to the swift nature befitting the Monitoring Division?
Jin-Woo let a smirk form on his face.
"Did you seek me out just to ask me about that day's events?"
"No, I did not."
"Well, then. How can I help you?"
"There is someone who'd like to speak to you. Would you mind accompanying me for a little while?"
The infamous Monitoring Division of the Hunters Association.
The main role the Monitoring Division performed was to watch and manage those high-risk Hunters, as well as to punish those who broke the law.
From a Hunter's perspective, they weren't really a welcoming presence.
Of course, Jin-Woo's gaze wasn't too friendly, either.
"Is that an order?"
"No."
Jin-Cheol took her sunglasses off. She then deeply bowed her head, her voice sounding much more serious than before.
"I'd like to ask you for this favor."
"....."
Jin-Woo didn't expect Woo Jin-Cheol, with her fearsome countenance and all, to assume that kind of attitude.
Jin-Woo pondered a little before deciding to find out who wanted to meet him first.
"Who wants to talk to me?"
Woo Jin-Cheol raised her head only then.
"It's the President of the Hunters Association, Goh Gun-Hui."
The woman then pointed towards the corner behind her and spoke.
"The Association President is currently here."
“The President of the Hunters Association, Goh Gun-Hui??”
'Did I hear that right?'
Jin-Woo doubted his own hearing just then.
A man often referred to as the most powerful Hunter in South Korea wanted to talk to him and chased him all the way to this hospital??
‘That must be some kind of joke….’
Just as Jin-Woo stood there not wholly convinced, Woo Jin-Cheol pointed behind her, further driving the point home.
“Yes, the Association President is here.”
Woo Jin-Cheol looked a bit anxious as she waited for Jin-Woo’s reply.
The current atmosphere definitely didn’t come off as suitable for throwing around dumb jokes at all.
‘…..She must be telling the truth.’
Why was someone like Goh Gun-Hui looking for him? A powerful curiosity suddenly invaded Jin-Woo’s mind.
The only thing he could think of was the result of the rank reassignment test he took…..
‘Is it to lure me into signing with the Association?’
However, the Association was a non-profit organisation. Its President wouldn’t necessarily show up with the top agent from the Monitoring Division in tow just to headhunt a lone Hunter.
Besides, Jin-Woo hadn’t even finished with his evaluation yet.
The more he thought about it, the more curious he became regarding the President’s reasons.
“Okay, I will.” Jin-Woo finally agreed.
Woo Jin-Cheol formed such a bright expression that the anxiety of a second ago seemed like a lie long forgotten.
“Thank you very much!!”
Her voice sounded incredibly earnest just then.
‘I didn't know she was capable of forming such expressions....’
Jin-Woo was inwardly surprised as he followed after Jin-Cheol.
When they walked past the corner, he could see an old man sitting in one of the waiting room’s chairs.
‘So, that must be….’
Jin-Woo swallowed his saliva.
The S rank Hunter Goh Gun-Hui, also known as the sky above the sky.
After discovering Jin-Woo, Goh Gun-Hui stood up from the seat.
“You must be Sung Jin-Woo Hunter-nim.”
He might be over 80 years old, but his physique was still quite amazing. Indeed, his size reminded one of either a retired pro wrestler or a traditional grappler.
However, he didn’t emit any of the overbearing aura one might expect from someone like that.
‘That’s surprising.’
Judged from his appearance or his station, Jin-Woo expected him to be a bit of douche, a stuck-up of sorts, yet the entourage accompanying that man carried scarier expressions instead.
“Yes, I’m Sung Jin-Woo.”
Goh Gun-Hui extended his hand for a shake with a bright face. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m Goh Gun-Hui.”
The two men shared a short handshake. Goh Gun-Hui pointed towards the chairs in the waiting area, already rearranged in a way that those sitting there would look at each other.
“Why don’t we have a chat after taking seats?”
“Thank you.”
Jin-Woo sat down first, and Goh Gun-Hui, too, parked himself on the opposite chair.
Jin-Woo inadvertently caught the glimpse of a golden badge pinned to Goh Gun-Hui’s jacket. This man currently served as a member of the National Assembly, and at the same time, as the President of the Association as well.
‘And a rank S Awakened on top of that, too.’
Goh Gun-Hui wasn’t someone anyone could meet just because they wanted to.
One couldn’t even count the number of people who wanted to speak to this man, be that the giants of the financial and political world as well as bigshots from other countries.
That was why Jin-Woo was getting even more curious now.
Why was someone like Goh Gun-Hui seeking him out so urgently?
And, now that he thought about it….
‘After Choi Jong-In, it’s the turn of Goh Gun-Hui, isn’t it?’
Just in one day, he ran into two men who could proudly boast the title of the ‘best’ in a row.
….Even though he wasn’t officially confirmed as a rank S yet.
Goh Gun-Hui began speaking.
“I’d like to congratulate you on becoming the newest rank S Hunter.”
Jin-Woo tilted his head. “But, the result of the reassignment test hasn’t come out yet.”
Goh Gun-Hui shook his head immediately. “Actually, the test itself does not have much of a meaning.”
“Excuse me?”
While Jin-Woo formed a confused expression, Goh Gun-Hui was forming a gentle smile.
“The truth is, the so-called precision measuring device is used to draw a finer line on the level of one’s powers. It’s not designed to sense something that already has exceeded the scope of other device’s measuring capability.”
“Then, how come….”
“Do you wish to ask me why we created another process called re-evaluation?”
Indeed, he did want to ask that. If the end results were going to be the same, then why go through yet another cumbersome process?
Goh Gun-Hui answered in rather a straightforward manner. “It’s because we were looking for a grace period.”
‘A grace period…?’
Even before Jin-Woo could ask what he meant by that, Goh Gun-Hui spoke up first, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“It’s to create an opportunity where we can meet and speak to someone like you, Sung Jin-Woo Hunter-nim.”
“….Ah.”
Listening to the Association President, Jin-Woo finally figured it out.
“As you may well know, there aren’t that many excellent Hunters in the Association, like Division Chief Woo Jin-Cheol here, compared to our size.”
That was because of large Guilds.
“And that’s because of the large Guilds.”
But, of course.
Jin-Woo nodded his head.
“Signing up with a large Guild guarantees you fat salaries and fame, so who would want to come and work for the Association?”
The salaries for the Association’s Hunters weren’t small by any means.
But then again, when compared to what one could potentially be earning by working for large Guilds, the salary was pitifully pathetic.
It was the same story regarding fame, too.
“There are some people who can recite the names of every member of a large Guild’s main raid teams. But, you will have a very hard time trying to find someone who knows the name of our Division Chief Woo Jin-Cheol.”
Hearing the term ‘members of the main raid team’, Jin-Woo recalled the rank A Hunter Kim Cheol.
His perception status allowed him to grasp another’s capability.
From Jin-Woo’s perspective, Woo Jin-Cheol was definitely a level higher than Kim Cheol.
‘They both might be rank A, but the gap in their skills are pretty obvious.’
Jin-Woo took a deeper look at Jin-Cheol.
Perhaps finding the praise of the Association President and the gaze of Jin-Woo burdensome, Jin-Cheol lowered her head, looking a little flushed.
‘But, then….’
If Kim Cheol had made his debut as a Hunter without meeting that ‘accident’, then he’d have made a lot more money and become much more famous than Woo Jin-Cheol.
That was the difference between a Hunter working for the Association and someone signed to a large Guild.
“And so, we came up with a plan in case a truly exceptional Awakened decides to visit the Association.”
So, that would be the re-evaluation test, then?
‘Well, sure…..’
If the result of the evaluation was publicly made available and was spread everywhere, would the Association have the chance to make an approach like this? It certainly made sense.
“I won’t beat around the bush and get to the point.”
Before anyone had noticed it, that warm smile was no longer visible on the face of the Association’s President.
“We’re not a corporation, so we can’t promise you lots of money. However….”
Goh Gun-Hui touched his chest area before extending his fist that was gripping onto something.
“However, we can help you in a different way.”
“I don’t quite understand…..?”
“What I’m saying here is that we can help guide you, Sung Jin-Woo Hunter-nim, down a very different direction.”
His clenched fist slowly unfurled. On Goh Gun-Hui’s palm, a golden badge gleamed brightly.
‘Political power….. Is it?’
Even after that, Jin-Woo maintained a suspicious expression.
“I still don’t quite understand.”
“Pardon?”
“Is there a reason for you to go this far for me?”
That was a valid question.
A certain glint flickered in Goh Gun-Hui’s eyes as he continued to gaze at Jin-Woo.
‘To think, this young man can still calmly ask what’s on his mind, without being scared by my background, nor influenced by potential benefit right in front of his eyes….’
'….Was I in a too much of a rush?'
Didn’t someone once say this?
‘Patience decreases with age.’
That concept certainly wasn’t wrong.
Goh Gun-Hui suppressed his smile and continued on.
“You know about the five Guilds, yes?”
How could anyone not know of them? Jin-Woo silently nodded his head.
“Currently, you’ll find that in South Korea, the heads of five large dragons are locked in a delicate balance.”
Around the capital, the Hunters, the White Tiger, and the Reapers.
And in the countryside, the Shining Star and the Knight Order.
“If you decide to enter one of the five Guilds, doesn’t matter which one, the delicate balance will shatter and everything will change.”
Even now, the status and authority of large Guilds were soaring into high heavens. However, what if one of them managed to sign up another rank S Hunter and used that as the springboard to soar even higher?
Would they listen to the Association anymore?
The Association’s sole role was to remain as the center of the balance among the Hunters by using power.
“It is simply far too inadequate to control and tie down Hunters with laws and regulations and the threat of prosecution.”
Jin-Woo, too, thought like that before.
Monsters found in dungeons weren’t the only ‘monsters’ out there.
Hunters were also, in a way, ‘monsters’.
If one were to look only at the ‘strength’ aspect, then Hunters were far more dangerous ‘monsters’ than regular monsters found in dungeons.
“That is why the Association exists.”
Goh Gun-Hui’s expression became far more grave.
“And the Association needs your help, Sung Jin-Woo Hunter-nim.”
….The help from someone like you who possessed great power.
Gou Gun-Hui’s gaze became sharper.
‘Sure, I’ll have to keep an eye on him and find out what he’s like, but….’
But, as long as Sung Jin-Woo gave his OK here, the Association would support him to the utmost fullest.
A rank S was certainly worthy of such an investment, after all.
‘This should be enough of an explanation.’
That was why….
For the first time in a long, long while, Goh Gun-Hui was feeling nervous and expectant at the same time, as he asked the next question in a soft but firm voice.
“What will you choose, Hunter-nim?”
That wasn’t a bad suggestion.
If Goh Gun-Hui were to lend his support, then even the most average guy would be on the fast track to success.
The National Assembly, the government, the Hunters Association, and even the mass media, too – it’d be very hard to find a sector that Goh Gun-Hui’s reach did not extend to.
Not only that, if the person receiving that support just so happened to a rank S Hunter?
‘I can’t even imagine how far a person like that would climb up.’
All of a sudden, Jin-Woo pictured himself sitting right next to the member of National Assembly Goh Gun-Hui while kitted out in a super-dope designer business suit.
His heart palpitated ever so slightly.
‘Such an opportunity wouldn’t come knocking every day, right?’
Even if one wanted to walk down on this ‘different path’ Goh Gun-Hui had suggested, not everyone was qualified to step on this road, after all.
However….
There was one important thing missing from that scenario.
‘If I sign up with the Association, I won’t be able to increase my level.’
The higher ranked Hunters working for the Association never participated in raids at all. Their main role was to deal with other Hunters, not to hunt down and kill monsters.
And, even if he managed to get permission and participate in raids organised by the Association….
‘Dungeons the Association deals with are rank Ds and Es, those that the Guilds aren’t interested in.’
Could he continue on by hunting down low-level mobs that didn’t even give him any experience points? No, of course not.
Jin-Woo strongly balked at the idea.
‘I wish to become even stronger.’
To a higher place…..
He wanted to climb up as high as he could.
Goh Gun-Hui sensed the change in Jin-Woo.
‘His breathing has suddenly picked up. Did he finally make up his mind?’
He could only hope that the decision was a good one.
‘No, it simply has to be a good one.’
….If he thought about his remaining time.
His own anticipation no less than that of Jin-Woo’s, Goh Gun-Hui waited for the answer. Each passing second felt like a minute.
Jin-Woo eventually opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
Goh Gun-Hui’s expression hardened immediately.
‘I thought I saw determination fill up his face just now…. Was I mistaken?’
He couldn’t hide the disappointment in his face.
‘In the end, the ambition of the man named Sung Jin-Woo was only about this much….’
Goh Gun-Hui wasn’t lying about lending support for the ‘other path’. Actually, he was thinking of something even greater.
‘A new rank S to appear in two years….’
Goh Gun-Hui was thinking of keeping this youth close and teaching him the ropes, and if the kid showed promise, groom him to become the next successor.
Because a powerful figure was needed to support the Association when he was gone. Meaning, Goh Gun-Hui was planning to hand over everything he had.
However, for the result to be like this….
‘How laughable I am.’
Goh Gun-Hui took away the golden badge and asked in a dejected voice.
“Is it…. because of money?”
Jin-Woo replied right away. “No, it is not.”
Goh Gun-Hui snorted inwardly. ‘They all sound righteous, of course.’
However, they were all the same inside. In the end, it was all about the money. And, the accompanying fame would be like icing on cake.
‘Then again….’
Chasing after material wealth was an innate instinct found in all human beings, so Goh Gun-Hui didn’t have any thoughts of faulting the youth for that.
Only that, he found it utterly laughable that people couldn’t be honest with themselves.
“In that case, why did you say no?”
Goh Gun-Hui asked, even though he already knew the answer. He just wanted to see the youth’s response.
However…..
“I want to fight.”
Jin-Woo’s unhesitating reply smacked the back of Goh Gun-Hui’s head.
‘What did he say??’
It definitely felt like he got sucker-punched just now.
“That…. Did you mean that you want to fight against the monsters?”
“That’s correct.” Jin-Woo didn’t bother with unnecessary explanations and spoke frankly.
“I want to enter Gates and hunt down monsters. I believe the place I belong is inside dungeons.”
‘How can this be?’ Goh Gun-Hui’s eyes widened.
A man like him standing on top of many others knew whether someone was telling the truth or lying through their teeth simply from the light emitting from their eyes.
The position he occupied could only be reached by possessing such a skill, after all. That was why Goh Gun-Hui knew it.
‘Those eyes…. He’s being dead serious.’
‘How long has it been since I felt this?’
By the time Goh Gun-Hui had ‘Awakened’, his body was already too old. That was why, instead of fighting against monsters, he looked for other things he could do instead.
By using the money he got from selling his company, he established the Korean Hunters Association, gathered Hunters, and with his fame serving as the foundation, he marched straight into the National Assembly, and even had a hand in creating laws that governed Hunters.
However, there was this lingering regret in his heart that would never go away, even though he worked tirelessly all this time.
‘If only I was younger by 20, no, 10 years, I’d been…. With these young people, I…..!’
Thump, thump, thump….
Goh Gun-Hui pressed his hand on his chest. His heart that threatened to quit at any time was pounding quickly, rather noticeably, now.
‘My heart can still make a noise like this?’
The rhythmic beating of the heart felt good.
On the other hand, Jin-Woo was tilting his head.
‘Isn’t this strange?’
He refused the suggestion of Goh Gun-Hui, fully preparing himself to be at odds with the Association in the process, yet the President seemed to be happy about something instead.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter one way or the other….’
He had said what he wanted to, so Jin-Woo got up from his seat.
“My younger sister is watching the house alone, so I should get going now.”
“Thank you for your time.” Goh Gun-Hui got up along with Jin-Woo and pulled something out from his inner pocket. “And, please take this.”
It was a business card.
‘…..?’
“If you require my assistance, don’t hesitate and give me a call.” Goh Gun-Hui was smiling brightly.
What Jin-Woo said was right. Powerful Hunters belonged in dungeons.
Although he had failed in recruiting Jin-Woo, as the President of the Association, or perhaps as a fellow Hunter, Goh Gun-Hui wished to help Jin-Woo out however he could.
If he were to be more honest, then….
‘This young man, I like him.’
That was why he needed to offer advice, as well. Nagging would only come from someone holding interest towards you, after all.
“It’s impossible to enter high-ranked dungeons by yourself. Please, give it a careful consideration when choosing a Guild to join.”
‘Your choice would change the status quo by a great deal.’
After hearing Goh Gun-Hui’s earnest advice, Jin-Woo briefly formed a mysterious smile.
“Thank you.”
Jin-Woo pocketed the business card in his wallet and started making his way out of the waiting area.
As he passed Jin-Chul, Jin-Woo said, with a light smirk,
"Chief Woo Jin-Chul. Your intuition wasn't wrong. I wasn't the one who took care of the monsters in the double laire."
Jin-Chul had a hard time hiding the surprise on her face. Watching Jin-Woo's distant figure, she thought, 'Then just who?'
“Fuu….” While letting out a sigh, Goh Gun-Hui plopped down on the chair.
“Are you alright, sir?”
Jin-Cheol guessed that Goh Gun-Hui wasn’t feeling good and quickly approached her boss.
However, Goh Gun-Hui smiled and waved his hand away. “No, I’m fine.”
Actually, he was beyond fine.
What an enjoyable meeting this had been, a first in such a long while.
Goh Gun-Hui sat there smiling for a long time before turning to his personal assistant and handing out an order.
“Clear the schedule for the rest of the day.”
“But, sir. The meeting with the Ministers-”
“Cancel them all.”
Goh Gun-Hui chuckled to himself. “I do not wish to waste this good feeling on those small-minded idiots.”
He wished to retain this lingering feel-good attitude for today, at least.
Suddenly, Goh Gun-Hui shifted his gaze over to Jin-Cheol.
Seeing that rarely-seen smile on the President’s face, even Jin-Cheol began feeling a bit hyped up, as well.
“Is there something you need, sir?”
“No, well. It’s nothing serious, but...”
Goh Gun-Hui took his time as he scratched below his chin.
“How about having a drink with me today?”
At this quite unexpected suggestion, Jin-Cheol could only form an awkward smile.
“I’m not very good with holding my liquor, sir…. Will that be fine with you?”
“Uh-huh. I didn’t take you for a person like that.” Goh Gun-Hui playfully clicked his tongue.
“Haven’t you heard of the old saying about the cup size of a person’s drink determining the extent of the world he can make his own?”
“My apologies, sir.”
Jin-Cheol’s face reddened in embarrassment and scratched the back of her head.
“I was just kidding with you. I’m feeling rather good right now, and jokes just seem to come out on their own.”
Also, the one he wanted to share drinks with was someone else.
Goh Gun-Hui’s gaze shifted towards the end of the corridor that Jin-Woo had disappeared to.
‘Hunter Sung Jin-Woo….’
How well would he be able to hold his liquor?
Thinking that he’d like to find out someday, a thin smile formed on Goh Gun-Hui’s lips.
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