Returnee's S-Rank Management Guide

Chapter 147 : Survival Program (2)

Survival Program (2)

Hunter Association President Gong Do-yung honestly had no desire to participate in Odyssey.

'Not all S-ranks are the same S-rank, are they? People don't understand that...'

Indeed, just looking at the number of S-rank hunters, Korea was experiencing an unprecedented golden age.

A whopping six.

Even so, it was six only because Alencia was not a hunter of Korean nationality.

Currently, in Asia, the only other country with six S-rank hunters was China.

Considering Japan had three, six was an overwhelming number.

"President Gong, you know, right? The people are expecting this."

After receiving a call from the Minister of Awakener Ability Management this morning, do-young couldn't help but sigh.

'Have they forgotten the disgrace from the last Odyssey?'

Back then, it was even worse than now.

Led by Hunter Jung Yoo-shin, known as the Divine Sword, the ambitious Korean team continued to face crushing defeat after defeat, and the event ended in disaster.

"Still, you'll have to go, right?"

Seemingly unaware of Do-yung's burning frustration, a man beside him snickered as he spoke.

He had the attitude that made Do-yung want to smack the back of his head.

"Gong Je-hun."

Of course, only if the man wasn't his own son.

"You're not even participating, so what are you so happy about?"

"I might get a chance to go next time, might I not?"

Do-yung's son spoke with great confidence and no small amount of talent.

Maybe with some luck and about ten more years, he could attain the title of S-rank hunter in his forties.

Even now, his ability amongst A-rank hunters placed him in the top tier; it wasn't an unreachable goal.

"I know you're not really interested in getting stronger anyway. More importantly, if we're to compete at Odyssey, we need to persuade the S-rank hunters to participate..."

Whether they would choose to participate or not was questionable.

S-rank hunters prided themselves on their strength.

They would hate to risk showing themselves losing in front of everyone as much as they would hate dying.

'Considering how those three S-rank hunters were treated after their crushing defeats...'

At least, hunter Jung Yoo-shin, who lost but put up a good fight against one of the world's top three, was spared some of the harshness. But the other two S-rank hunters did not fare so well.

Their former status vanished as if it had all been a lie, and public attitudes toward them turned cold.

"I do have a good idea, actually."

"Really?"

Je-hun was not only a hunter of outstanding ability but also highly intelligent.

No one accused him of being parachuted into a key association position, precisely because he was so competent and had several achievements under his belt.

That's why, whenever a tricky situation arose, do-young often sought Je-hun's help.

"The key is to recruit hunters for Odyssey, right?"

"That's correct."

"Then, if you persuade just one person, the rest will all follow."

Just one?

Who could possibly make him so confident that persuading a single person would move every S-rank hunter in Korea? Do-yung wondered, but as Je-hun continued, he found himself nodding.

"It's Manager Park Jung-woo from Unique, of course."

***

Direct visits to the Central Hunter Association building were rather rare.

In the past, before the system was properly established, anyone and everyone would stop by, and disputes over dungeons or gates were frequent, but now, hunter association branches existed in every region, so there was little reason to come to the central building in Seoul.

It was rare even for me—I could count on one hand how many times I'd been here.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Gong Je-hun, director of Hunter Management, Korea."

As soon as I entered the association building, a tall man greeted me and extended his hand for a handshake.

Gong Je-hun—if memory served, he was the son of Hunter Association President Gong Do-yung.

"I'm Park Jung-woo from Unique Management."

As we exchanged a light handshake, Je-hun grinned at me.

"It's truly an honor to finally meet the famous Manager Park."

"... Excuse me?"

"I've been following you ever since *Super Hunter K*. I'm also looking forward to the new variety show you filmed in America."

"Thank you."

For a moment, I wondered if he was mocking me, but from his purely admiring attitude, it didn't seem so.

"Why don't we have a seat? Would you like some coffee?"

"Anything's fine."

Sitting across a small table from each other, we quietly studied one another for a while.

I was trying to read his intentions.

Je-hun seemed to be gauging my mood.

"As you've probably already heard, we'd like you, manager Park Jung-woo, to join this Odyssey as 'main manager'."

"If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me what exactly a main manager is supposed to do?"

The previous Odyssey had not involved anyone in the role of main manager.

In the first place, the whole concept of 'hunter manager' barely even existed back then.

"Why do you think Korea failed at the last Odyssey, manager Park?"

Instead of answering directly, Je-hun posed a question, then continued.

"Was it simply because we lacked the skill and lost every time, never securing a single win? I disagree."

He looked at me with serious eyes and said,

"There was no one to hold it together. As you know, S-rank hunters all have strong egos. Without someone to look after them properly, everyone acted as they pleased."

Hunter Jung Yoo-shin had tried his best to provide structure.

But even he failed, and the S-rank hunters left Korea, unable even to manage their condition properly.

"So this time, we want a true manager—no, maybe 'coach' is the better word."

"... Excuse me?"

It was a competition where S-rank hunters would pit their skills against each other, but a 'coach'...?

'Wait, doesn't this make sense?'

The authority and independence of S-rank hunters were the problems, that's all. In fact, at previous Odyssey events, similar roles did exist in other countries, usually called strategic analysts or some such.

"From what I've observed, there's no one in Korea with a better eye for hunters than you, manager Park. You also have the power to bring the S-rank hunters together."

"Me joining doesn't guarantee the other S-rank hunters will participate, though."

"Do you really think so?"

"..."

Je-hun's words were persuasive.

I immediately understood why he had called me here.

'If I go, Soo-ah and Ah-yeon will join right away.'

In fact, I was planning to push to make sure they participated.

After all, it was me who asked Chairman Song Hyun-seung to guide things so Korea would join Odyssey.

'And Baek Hojun.'

Baek Hojun would also accept if I asked.

Especially since I had recently made him a sword—he'd want to test it out directly against other top talents.

"Shin Ah-yeon, Lee Soo-ah, Baek Hojun. These three will surely participate if you ask them, manager Park. Which leaves... Grand Nova."

If half the S-rank hunters in Korea had signed up, even Grand Nova would have a hard time backing out.

Of course, they could if they really wanted, but their pride would never allow it.

If Korea's S-rank hunters performed well at this Odyssey, it would put a dent in Grand Nova's reputation as the industry's top group.

So at least two more would inevitably join.

Just with that, it would be the greatest team in Korea's history.

"Well, all right."

Me joining as main manager wasn't in my original plans, but it wasn't a bad development at all.

'Odyssey is a gathering of all S-rank hunters.'

It was exactly the kind of event the demons would watch closely.

Especially since it was the perfect opportunity to check for S-rankers who had allied themselves with the demons.

Only a handful of S-rank hunters would not participate.

With almost everyone gathered, it was the perfect chance to investigate.

'I hope to find as few who have allied with demon as possible, but...'

Unfortunately, I knew for certain there were S-rank hunters who had done so.

Otherwise, Damian wouldn't have made a declaration of war against me and started acting.

"In return, may I state some conditions of my own?"

"Conditions... you mean?"

Apparently surprised by my quick agreement, Je-hun looked slightly flustered.

"Of course. Would you like to hear what conditions the association can offer first? Priority in dungeon bidding is available, for instance..."

"Then, I'd like to designate two people as additional participants for this Odyssey."

"... Excuse me?"

Taken aback, Je-hun's eyes widened.

"You mean there are two more S-rank hunters you could bring? Two?"

"Not quite S-rank... First is Hwang Yeon-ji."

"I'm familiar with Ms. Hwang Yeon-ji, but... she's not an S-rank hunter, is she?"

"Not yet."

She's closer to S-rank than anyone, but still an A-rank.

Just like back with Ji Yeon-hwa, that hadn't changed with Hwang Yeon-ji either.

"To my knowledge, Odyssey originally allowed participation for A-rank and higher. Only later did it become an S-rank-only event."

Odyssey was never designed just for S-rank hunters to fight.

It was meant to be a competition to select the most outstanding awakeners from around the world.

'There was never a rule that only S-rank could participate.'

There was a time when there weren't even ten S-rankers worldwide.

The number of A-rank awakener then was similar to the current number of S-rankers.

Back then, A-rank awakeners would regularly compete at Odyssey.

But as the number of S-ranks rose, there was no need to include A-ranks, since their participation was meaningless—they had no chance.

Eligibility for Odyssey was 'unlimited'—it wasn't a strictly S-rank event.

"It's possible... Yes, ms. Yeon-ji has great talent, so letting her participate and see the S-rank level in person should be worthwhile. Besides, since only three can compete per match, maybe she won't even have to go up."

Je-hun apparently saw Yeon-ji only as 'reserve.'

'What are you talking about? Of course she'll fight.'

I had no intention of making Yeon-ji a substitute.

I'd put her in at any time if there was an appropriate opponent.

Whether or not she could win.

"So who is the other? You said two, correct?"

"Yes. I think you'll know the other as well."

Unlike Yeon-ji, the other was an 'insurance policy' in case something happened.

"NONAME."

The S-rank who closed S-rank gates solo, defeated Shim Hyuk-soo,

The mysterious force who destroyed the Ice Tower.

In other words, it was me.

***

Hunter variety and regular variety—

They're called different things, but honestly, there isn't much difference.

Hunter variety mainly deals with things awakeners can do.

Regular variety does not.

For example: hunting monsters, conquering dungeons, closing gates—televising the unique domain of awakeners that normals can't do.

At first, all that was novel, so it drew lots of interest. But as people got used to it, the excitement faded, and despite new attempts in hunter variety, no show had ever made a huge splash.

If it wasn't about combat, hunter variety shows weren't as interesting as those with celebs, actors, or singers, who had much more entertaining banter.

Hunter variety limited to things only awakeners could do.

In other words, most of what's possible in general variety was forbidden in hunter variety.

So awakeners couldn't "invade the domain of normals."

But lately, that unspoken rule was gradually fading.

"This variety is classified as a regular show, but it's right on the boundary with hunter variety. Honestly, it's an experimental attempt."

The legendary producer Do Yung-sun of *Super Hunter K* explained to those chosen for the new show, who were nervously swallowing dryly.

Even though it was labeled 'regular variety', every participant was awakened.

Can a show with non-celeb awakeners get ratings, stripped of combat and familiar faces?

"The rules are simple. You'll have to survive in the wild. No need to worry about monsters. Other hunters will keep the area safe at all times."

The participants wanted to protest—is this any different from hunter variety?

But survival programs were popular even among regular variety.

The only reason awakeners were never cast before was because it would upset the balance if they joined.

That's what PD Do seized on.

"Air time will be the primetime 6 PM slot on weekends, and we'll upload it to OTT services immediately."

A hunter variety had never been granted such a timeslot.

Usually, hunter shows aired very late at night.

Of course, the impact would be on another level.

'But even so, isn't this lacking in star power?'

A show about awakeners trying to survive together? Good idea, maybe, but felt drab and colorless.

That's when—

"Excuse me, can I come in now?"

Alencia Chase.

The SS-rank Over, the monster who soloed Titan.

A superstar whose star power outshone even any celebrity, had arrived.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Manager Park is getting proactive.

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】