Returnee's S-Rank Management Guide

Chapter 227 : Demonic Zone Raid Broadcast (1)

Demonic Zone Raid Broadcast (1)

A demonic zone raid is absolutely not something that can be spoken of lightly.

In the history of humanity, only one demonic zone had ever been cleared.

Sichelmond.

Other than that, not a single demonic zone had been conquered, and decades had passed with them left alone.

To enter a demonic zone, for awakeners, was essentially a death sentence.

Unless it was as urgent as it had been during the Sichelmond incident, there was simply no reason to even consider entering.

The land of the demonic zone was already polluted by magic power and demonic energy, and it had an entirely new ecosystem.

But even so, were there particular items one could obtain from a demonic zone? For the most part, the things found were mostly useless.

The best one might salvage would be an ultimate magic stone, but even this was a fact known to only a select few.

What Park Jung-woo told him, PD Jung Jun-su conveyed to HSN.

A proposal from Park Jung-woo, an S-rank awakener and currently the most talked-about person.

Naturally, it took no time at all for this to reach not only the director of HSN but also the directors of the other three major broadcast stations.

"The demonic zone we plan to raid is the already conquered Sichelmond, isn't it?"

Currently, sisilmond was managed by Germany and Austria.

"That's right."

"Then, if it's going to be broadcast publicly, wouldn't we not be allowed to enter in the first place?"

Director Bang Hyun-seok of NBT looked at Director Han Tae-ho of HSN with a serious expression and asked.

Just as he said, it was difficult to enter Sichelmond by ordinary means.

"It's been announced as cleared, but the reality is a bit different."

"Different, you say?"

"Yes, it's true that all sectors of Sichelmond have been explored, but there remain some suspicious areas."

At Han Tae-ho's meaningful words, both Bang Hyun-seok and Yun Hyeon-sung, who had just been appointed the new director of KDC, looked at him intently.

"If everything truly had been cleared, then why does the demonic zone remain?"

"Well, that's..."

"We killed the king of the demonic zone, and Sichelmond's size certainly shrank. The rampaging monsters disappeared as well."

However, the demonic zone did not vanish.

What could that mean?

"Also, there is something Association President Gong Do-yung conveyed to me."

Han Tae-ho said this as he handed a few documents to the two other directors.

"It's a report that Sichelmond is reviving. The footage comes from an American satellite, apparently..."

"How in the world did you get your hands on this? Is the Hunter Association closely tied with the U. S.?"

"That's probably through someone other than Association President Gong Do-yung."

Someone else? There was no way such a person existed...

'Park Jung-woo.'

Suddenly, one person came to mind.

The recently revealed S-rank awakener man.

Bang Hyun-seok recalled having heard open rumors that he was connected with American personnel.

"For now, we don't plan to raid Sichelmond right away. We'll clear another demonic zone first and add Sichelmond for the second or third broadcast."

"Would the German side accept that? It feels like they'd ignore a request from us without a second thought."

"That's not our concern."

Although Han Tae-ho was the director of a broadcasting station, entering the demonic zone was far beyond his own authority.

The only reason such a broadcast could be filmed was because they had support from much higher up.

"Our job is just to make a great show."

Having been in this industry a long time, Han Tae-ho had a faint idea.

Demons who had recently appeared in the world.

And Jinsu-hyuk, president of Grand Nova, linked to them.

There was definitely something there.

This broadcast was the only thing that could potentially turn the tide of public opinion, which was now favorable to them.

"Isn't this all we—as in, this industry—are responsible for?"

Well, it wasn't like he was driven by a sense of justice.

After all, everyone just wanted to make a living.

'This will work, for sure.'

He decided to think later about the aftermath and consequences this might lead to.

The important part was the drama and the influence this incident was certain to have.

He just had to enjoy that to the fullest.

That was how Han Tae-ho had lived his life so far.

***

To publicly raid a demonic zone.

To the public, this seemed like pure recklessness.

A demonic zone was not your ordinary dungeon; even S-rank hunters wouldn't know if they could survive should they try.

Even regular dungeon raid shows like 'Dungeon Exploration Team' saw accidents breaking out regularly.

But a demonic zone?

Did they plan to broadcast people dying on air?

If something like that went out on major network, who could know what effect that would have on the already tense world of awakeners?

==

Post: But is a demonic zone really that dangerous?

Honestly, is it that bad?

Aren't they just not raiding them because they seem dangerous, but might actually do fine if they try?

Reply

ㅇㅇ: Moron

Fallen Hunter: Go check how many parties tried to raid a demonic zone in the last 50 years, newbie.

==

Still, the topic was definitely hot.

On online communities, talk of a demonic zone raid broadcast was constant.

The hunters who had tried, the history—it was all coming up.

【But if they really raid a demonic zone, will they use the same people who cleared the German zone last time?】

【Sure, those have experience, but there are way more skilled new S-ranks these days, right?】

【I just picked the perfect members for a demonic zone raid.】

People were highly interested in the raid party composition.

Would they use different members for each demonic zone? And if there was a raid, it surely wouldn't be only Korean S-rank hunters.

Of course, there were plenty of skeptical opinions.

【Isn't this seriously insane? Who would risk their life just for a broadcast?】

【Korean hunters alone don't stand a chance. Are we supposed to watch all our S-rank hunters die raiding a demonic zone? Isn't this the golden age of the Korean hunter scene right now????】

【There'll be foreign hunters too.】

【lol, you think foreigners will fly over and risk their lives for a Korean TV show???】

Even the previous Sichelmond raid had been carried out with S-rank hunters from around the world.

But now, to raid a demonic zone just for a broadcast?

That made no sense.

Most assumed it would just end up another shelved project.

"Let's do it by audition."

"Sorry?"

At my words, Association President Gong Do-yung looked flustered.

"I mean, a demonic zone raid broadcast is assuredly a good idea, but to not even just ask for support—but hold an audition to pick the raid members?"

Are you insane?

That was the look Gong Do-yung gave me.

I could understand why.

If you said you were picking members for a demonic zone raid, who would sign up?

Especially S-rank hunters—they were a nation's precious assets.

No country would readily allow their S-ranks, their vital forces, to risk their lives on a demonic zone raid.

So rather than begging them to come, an audition?

Gong Do-yung's reaction was entirely reasonable.

"Mm, isn't it nice? Ah, this is exactly my style," said Ah-yeon, sounding nonchalant.

"Me too. But does that mean we have to go, no matter what?"

"I don't think so? But do you not want to go?"

At Shin Ah-yeon's indifferent words, Lee Soo-ah shook her head.

"No, I'd actually like it. Unni did it before... I was just worried you'd leave me out again."

She glanced at me as she said it.

Because she was usually left out of anything too dangerous, that was probably why.

I avoided her gaze awkwardly and cleared my throat.

"... This time, you have to go for sure. Your ability is too important."

"Really?"

"Of course."

I meant it.

No one else knew, but Soo-ah was practically essential.

Her Conceptualization Technique, Life Lantern Ignition, could unveil blue flames over the entire area.

Since it existed only to kill the opponent, it wasn't affected by enemy compatibility, and could even detect their location.

You have to know where to strike in order to kill, after all.

In that sense, Soo-ah's technique was essential strength for raiding a demonic zone.

"In fact, Alencia, who is difficult to recharge, may have trouble with a demonic zone raid."

"Hing."

Alencia, apparently aware of this, looked a little downcast.

Unlike other hunters, she was strongest when fighting in a city.

She could draw electricity from anywhere, and control anything powered by electricity.

In modern civilization, she was virtually a Goddess, but in a demonic zone, she actually struggled to use her strength.

Still, even so, she was stronger than most ordinary S-ranks.

'And then Yeon-ji.'

She wasn't here right now, but Hwang Yeon-ji was also a critical asset.

Though she was training hard, trying to catch up to the others, her ability was special regardless.

'Moonlight Bloom.'

The power used against Sol Mayer.

She seemed unable to fully control it yet, but if used well, it was an ability with the potential to be a huge game-changer.

The stronger the enemy, the stronger her ability became.

In a way, maybe it was the power to catch up to the talent Yeon-ji so desperately wished for.

"Manager Park."

While I was musing about Yeon-ji, Gong Do-hun spoke up hesitantly.

"We might be able to do the broadcast, but won't an audition just be impossible?"

"No, it's fine."

I grinned at him and continued.

"I understand what President Gong is worried about. You're thinking, even if we announce an audition, no one will actually show. If that happens, the demonic zone raid broadcast is essentially over."

Once we said we'd choose members by audition, we couldn't walk it back.

Trying to invite people behind the scenes would get tricky, and all our plans might fall through.

"But to raid a demonic zone, you need S-rank hunters, and you're never going to gather them by just politely inviting them."

Maybe it would be possible to clear a demonic zone with just Korean and American hunters, but that could get dangerous.

Our goal was a raid that was 'fit to broadcast'.

Of course, meeting that standard was impossible for normal S-rank hunters alone.

"That's why—I'm going to throw out bait."

Bait so irresistible that S-ranks would ignore national objections and jump at the audition.

And as it happened, I had exactly that bait.

***

"A press conference?"

"That's what I heard."

At Damian's words, Jin Su-hyuk frowned.

He was just that surprised by what Damian had said.

"Are you saying Park Jung-woo has suddenly gathered the press for a conference?"

"Yes."

Why would he hold a press conference now, of all times?

"The press conference, I hear, is to start at 6 PM."

6 PM.

Jin Su-hyuk checked the time.

It was almost exactly now. Damian must have told him at this moment on purpose.

He turned on the TV, and just as Damian had said, there was Park Jung-woo standing before a crowd of reporters.

'Why did he call the press?'

Was he going to reveal what the demons truly were?

But just saying it would be useless.

Appeals to emotion could be fabricated any time.

But if Park Jung-woo was the one to say it, things might be different.

If he started talking about demons, it could become a chaotic, all-out public-opinion war.

'Or maybe... It could be about the demonic zone raid.'

The recent rumor sparking interest.

Park Jung-woo would be doing a demonic zone raid broadcast with the Hunter Association.

He didn't think it was a bad idea.

Provided the right members could be gathered.

'Humans don't cooperate that readily.'

No nation would send their S-ranks unless there was a crisis plainly before their eyes.

So again, it wasn't a serious threat.

He thought so.

"Before we get to the main topic, I have something I'd like to say first."

In front of the countless reporters, Park Jung-woo began to speak—

"I am a returnee."