Returnee's S-Rank Management Guide

Chapter 159 : Traces of the Star (4)

Traces of the Star (4)

"The Demon King's strength, huh."

Jin Su-hyuk muttered as he watched the news.

The power once held by the ruler of the world was, indeed, far too great for any one person to possess.

"To think, he managed to stay quiet even with a power like that."

The news showed, for a brief moment, footage of the sea splitting apart and an island being divided in two.

People seemed to be speculating that this incomprehensible phenomenon was some kind of extreme weather event.

"Kang Min-gi, could you do something like that?"

"Me? Of course not."

Even though Kang Min-gi was called Korea's War God, he could not exert a 'disaster'-like power such as that.

"At the very least, you'd need a gathering of people like great mages to even attempt something remotely similar."

"But for him, it was just a single blow."

"Which is why it's just absurd."

Calling him a monster wasn't nearly enough.

If someone like that had turned against humanity, things would have surely become unspeakably dire.

It was scenes like these that made it understandable why the United States decided to join hands with Jung-woo instead of trying to eliminate him.

'Weaknesses?'

None that were publicly known.

There was a restriction that the Demon King's heart would not be used unless absolutely necessary, but honestly, even without using that, he possessed more than enough power.

"But thanks to that, we've gained some returns."

Everything Mikhail saw was relayed directly to Damian through UnderStellar.

The deeds committed by the 'mysterious figure' who appeared on this island had brought the demon race's plan to create the 'Demon God' significantly closer to fruition.

"They'll now begin seriously preparing to create a god."

A being that even surpassed the Demon King.

If a person embodying human values was a saint, then the demon race would surely aim to create an equivalent existence.

Someone who represented the values of all demons.

"Many people are going to die."

Kang Min-gi delivered one last warning to Jin Su-hyuk.

"There have always been sacrifices at the turning points of an era. Isn't that why you've chosen to work with me?"

At those words, Kang Min-gi could only remain silent.

Just as he said, even knowing everything, Min-gi was still following him.

'The era will change regardless.'

With the steadily growing number of awakeners, it was bound to occur sooner or later.

Humanity had always sought to prove the superiority of their species, and awakeners were the singularity signifying new evolution.

Those not awakened would gradually grow to resent the existence of those who were.

The outcome was already set.

"This is our only chance to change that outcome."

For Jin Su-hyuk, the demon race represented the only possible solution to those problems.

From the beginning, there had only ever been one way to resolve the ever-growing conflict between awakened and non-awakened humans.

For everyone to become awakened.

The demon race could make that possible.

If the world were completely demonized, only the awakened would survive.

Even the non-awakened would be forcibly awakened due to the effects of world demonization, and those who could not adapt would all die.

"So then, what do you plan to do about the demon race?"

After all, the demons were merely pawns to be used and discarded.

Surely Damian thought the same of them, so there was nothing to hold back.

The only problem was that the power of demons far surpassed that of humans.

Especially the highest-ranking demons, whose strength even ordinary S-rank hunters couldn't hope to contend with.

"That's why—we need to get our hands on the Demon God."

What they were creating.

He needed to acquire it first.

***

"Manager Park, there's no need to worry! The video will absolutely never be made public!"

After everything was over and we returned to Taean, PD Do brought this up out of nowhere.

He'd risked his life filming on Gwehyeoldo in the midst of the battle with Benedict, yet said he wouldn't release the footage?

'Even with Ah-yeon at his side, he really is something.'

Apparently it was the hunter, Ahn Tae-suk, who kept insisting they leave the island.

There was something weird about insisting he wouldn't release footage he'd gotten with such difficulty.

Especially since the entire entertainment show he'd been shooting was now scrapped.

No matter how unexpected things got, as a producer, do had no reason not to use the footage he'd worked so hard to get.

"Why don't you want to release it?"

"B-because I heard Manager Park doesn't like being on camera."

PD Do spoke with an extremely polite manner.

His attitude was so different from before that I couldn't quite get used to it.

"Looks like the PD's gotten scared."

"Well, it was honestly kind of terrifying. He split an island in half at the end—who wouldn't be scared?"

Seeing the PD like that, Alencia and Ah-yeon chuckled.

Of course, since both of them were S-rank hunters—Alencia, who beat up Benedict, and Ah-yeon, who protected me on the island—the PD could only droop his shoulders without saying anything.

"Yeah, that footage might be a bit much to release—but maybe they can edit it?"

Ah-yeon said that too, glancing over at me.

It was natural—after all, I'd always disliked appearing in videos.

Honestly, I still didn't feel thrilled about it.

However—

"You can release the footage."

"... What?"

"Really?"

Both the PD and Ah-yeon stared at me in surprise—as if they never imagined I would allow it.

Apparently, they'd expected me to beg them not to release it.

"On one condition."

"A condition?"

"It's nothing major, don't worry."

Seeing PD Do look worried about what evil term I might attach, I shook my head.

Anyone would think I'd extorted something from him.

Well, maybe I did... but at least, only as much as my conscience allowed.

"I'd like you to release it after Odyssey is over."

"Odyssey...?"

The PD blinked in confusion for a moment... then his eyes widened.

"N-no way!"

At last, he realized what I meant.

There was only one possible reason I'd say it was okay after Odyssey.

***

Gong Je-hun, director of Korea's Hunter Hunter Management, had recently been sighing more than usual because of everything related to Odyssey.

While he had received a positive indication from Park Jung-woo's side—the party he was most worried about—the reactions from other S-rank hunters were lukewarm at best.

"If Manager Park weren't participating, they'd probably have all backed out..."

If Jung-woo refused, it really might have been total collapse.

Except for Unique, most S-rank hunters belonged to Grand Nova, and if they boycotted the event, there'd be nothing he could do.

But hearing that Jung-woo would participate, a reply soon came from Grand Nova saying they at least would consider it.

'If they skip it, they could be totally overshadowed.'

If Unique's S-rankers dominated Odyssey?

There was already talk of them being on the same level as the Big 3 management agencies, so that would pose a serious threat to Grand Nova's dominance as number one.

Not to mention, it would be a blow to the pride of the S-rank hunters.

"By the way, director, I heard a lot of A-rank hunters are participating in this Odyssey?"

"That's always been possible. It's just that, since nations usually send their top awakened, it's typically been reserved for S-rankers."

But this time was different.

The United States, where Odyssey was being held, wanted to give A-rank hunters a chance to shine as well.

"Apparently, while it's basically a nation-versus-nation tournament, they're adding special events for A-rank hunters."

A five-person party comprised of hunters A-rank and below.

To be specific, it was a team match—five-person teams functioned as a separate competition.

Unlike the S-rank single-elimination tournament where outlier S-ranks clashed, the A-rank five-person team battle offered a lot more variety.

"Manager Park's role becomes even more important now."

"I suppose so."

"Oh, and Director Gong, about the S-rank hunters participating this time—who is 'No Name'? And isn't Hwang Yeon-ji still young and only A-rank? Is she really joining the winner-stays tournament?"

Looking over the documents, the staff furrowed their brow at the person listed as 'No Name' and at Yeon-ji's name in the single-elimination tournament.

The winner-stays tournament selected four entries from each nation.

It was the S-rank tournament, and the heart of Odyssey.

"Didn't I just say? A-rank hunters have always been eligible to participate."

"That's true—but... isn't Yeon-ji a bit too young?"

"Manager Park specifically requested to bring her."

"What? M-Manager Park requested it himself?"

Surprised, the staff stared at the document before nodding in understanding.

"Ah, is it... maybe that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Since it's a gathering of S-rank hunters, Yeon-ji could gain a lot of experience. Since you can bring a few backups, I guess there's no harm in having her on the team."

It seemed the staff thought Manager Park wanted Yeon-ji to get experience, considering her potential, which was enough to mark her as a future S-rank.

"Well... I suppose that might be it."

Je-hun replied with an awkward smile.

At first, he'd thought the same.

But, after looking into Yeon-ji recently, Je-hun was starting to wonder if it was just that simple.

'Given the report from Taean...'

He had a feeling Odyssey was in for a huge shake-up.

***

"Horns... you don't see them, right?"

"Nope."

"But, if I use a bit more strength, can't they just pop out?"

Looking in the mirror, Yeon-ji asked Ardan.

Ardan crossed his arms and nodded quietly.

"It's not guaranteed, but if you use demon bloodline awakening, it could happen."

"Bloodline awakening?"

"It's the power in your blood. Since you're my daughter, it's most likely related to cold."

Recalling what happened when she lost consciousness, Yeon-ji remembered Ah-yeon saying that her body temperature had dropped abnormally low, and she radiated a faint chill.

'It really is probably an ice-type ability.'

She remembered Ardan's ice castle.

Ardan's power had frozen the Han River and brought winter to Seoul.

And by all accounts, that was nowhere near his full strength.

'Could I use it like that, too?'

If so, reaching S-rank shouldn't be a problem.

Yet, Yeon-ji wanted to achieve S-rank as a mage, not through her bloodline.

"You're talented enough—it'll be more than possible."

As Ardan patted her head, Yeon-ji debated swatting his hand away, but instead let out a sigh.

'Didn't think I'd be getting treated like this at my age...'

Ardan told her to call him 'father', but Yeon-ji just couldn't bring herself to say it.

She'd never once in her life called anyone by a parental title—it was even harder now.

"By the way, Park Jung-woo said you should keep your afternoon free."

"... Huh? Why? Wait, hang on, I have a bad feeling... Didn't he tell you anything?"

"Nothing."

Utterly useless.

'It probably has to do with what happened at Taean.'

There seemed to have been another incident, judging from the news.

So maybe he'd just want to tell her about what had happened.

Yeon-ji tried to convince herself.

"All right, then—hunters participating in Odyssey, why don't you introduce yourselves? We'll be seeing a lot of each other from now on."

Jung-woo smiled as he looked at everyone sitting around the round table.

True to his words, seated at the table were the only six S-rank hunters in Korea.

Among them, only Yeon-ji—herself—was not S-rank.

'What am I, as an A-rank, even doing here?'

She could feel the stares focusing on her.

Luckily, she knew half of them.

Ah-yeon waved at her with a smug grin. How annoying.

Yeah, she was an S-rank hunter, all right.

'I want to go home.'

And punch Jung-woo just once.

Those were the only two thoughts Yeon-ji could manage right now.

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

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】