novelraw Chapter 105
Chapter 105
Chapter 105
While we headed to Seoul in Sa Seung-hee’s car, she spoke.
“Hunter Yoo Chan-seok is drawing a lot of attention right now.”
“Yes, so much interest gathered that denying it would have felt like deception.”
This was the result I wanted. Without this level of attention and the public’s expectations, I would not have been able to act this boldly.
“The moment the news spread that Hunter Yoo Chan-seok plans to challenge the List of Hope, some very high people started to pay attention.”
Very high people huh. I smiled at Sa Seung-hee’s words and answered.
“For example?”
At my question, she gestured toward the radio.
— The approval rating of President Cho Wonhoon stands at about 52.7% near the end of his term, which is down about 6.8% from three months ago.
“I doubt you mean the radio host.”
She nodded at that, and I snorted.
“The mayor of Incheon tried to pull a stunt right after we wrecked Gyodong Island. The president is nothing special either.”
“That is how strong your fame is right now. If the Headhunter keeps this going through next year, the attention might be on a level people once gave BTS.”
That joke went too far.
“You do not know how popular BTS was, do you?”
She lifted a shoulder.
“I only know they were extremely famous. Honestly, we are not people of that era, you know?”
This was understandable. It was like trying to imagine the popularity of the Beatles without having lived through it.
I had lived through the years when BTS drew an enormous wave of popularity, which was why I gave a helpless laugh. Moments like this made me feel again how much time had passed on Earth.
“Anyway, the president huh. Does he want me to show my face for the election?”
Sa Seung-hee answered my question.
“That is what I hear.”
It was not strange that she knew such things. If you call the Hut a cafe, it does not sound impressive, but it is a massive brand that caters to Hunters.
And she owned that massive brand. People who do business on that scale naturally secure information about elections and changes in power quickly.
If anything, it was unusual that she knew about Erosion Cores.
“They will probably start by mentioning you in official settings.”
Then they would plan to invite me to lunch or dinner.
“I am a Hunter. I do not want to be jerked around by politicians. If I refuse, what do you think will happen?”
She gave a simple answer.
“They try to hit the brakes. To be frank, your path keeps poking at the Korean government’s basic line.”
“Oh, is that so?”
While driving, she cut a glance toward me and replied.
“The Korean government wants to prolong the current atmosphere that arose because of the Erosion Zones.”
I’m sure. Anyone who thought about it with a working brain could guess as much.
“You are in the way of that policy. They are not stopping you now because you are still useful somewhere, but…”
I turned my gaze to the window. It was dark outside. My face showed faintly in the glass.
“When they realize I offer no nutritional value, you mean they will come out swinging?”
“Almost certainly.”
Life felt truly strange. I only wanted to erase Erosion Zones, work hard as a Hunter, then retire and live in peace when it was over.
Yet people had no intention of leaving me alone. It had been the same in the other world I lived in.
People could not live nobly.
“It’s fine. I did not fail to foresee something like this anyway.”
I had not stirred things up without knowing that the powerful and the wealthy would take an interest.
I was not selling fish-shaped bread at a neighborhood stall. It was natural that those who held power would swarm like flies.
What mattered was who put on the leash, and who swung the whip.
I had no taste for wearing a leash. The president’s name told me he was a man. Good grief, I disliked a leash even if a woman put it on, and I was supposed to endure a leash a man put on me. I would have to be crazy.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“Think nothing of it. I do have hopes for the three Hunters who act under the Headhunter name, you know?”
Once we put our heads on the List of Hope, there would be many ways to use me, Han Sang-ah, and Jung Oh-hoon. The president would not be the issue.
Those who wanted money would see us as purses. Those who wanted honor would see us as ornaments to wear.
Those who wanted power would see us as crowns to place on their heads.
“We have arrived. You will stay here until the main tournament begins.”
The venue for the main event was Jamsil Sports Complex. During the main event, participants stayed at a hotel near the complex.
“The facilities look good.”
“Among the Hunters in this tournament, none lack skill or fame.”
Naturally, the treatment of such Hunters was generous. A proud banner read Welcome, Hunters.
“Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?”
A staffer guarding the hotel entrance checked my identity on a phone, then widened his eyes.
“Welcome. We have been waiting for you. Oh, and I always cheer for you.”
I answered with a smile.
“Thank you. Because you put in the effort, I can focus on what I need to do.”
He asked for an autograph. Words of thanks and an autograph cost nothing, so there was no reason to refuse.
“If you plan to sell this later on a secondhand market, please price it high. I would feel a little sad if it sold too cheap.”
“What do you mean? I will never sell it!”
I don’t know. We would see whether he could say that if something happened to me and my popularity and reputation collapsed.
After exchanging greetings, we reached the parking area. I got out of her car.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Then I will look forward to seeing your name on the list.”
She took her leave and departed the hotel. Then, a man in a suit who had been waiting with a small group approached me from behind.
What was this, gangsters?
“I am Choi Yoon, the general manager. It is an honor to host you, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok.”
“I am Yoo Chan-seok. It is an honor to meet you.”
For a general manager to come himself, I guess I must be that important of a guest.
“We will do our best to ensure your comfort.”
“A bed and a ceiling will do.”
He laughed and answered.
“If we treated someone like you like that, our hotel would go bankrupt.”
“Uh oh, I cannot allow that. Do not worry, I will not smoke in the room.”
People were almost certain I would make the List of Hope. Even the legal betting line being run offered odds on my victory that were absurdly low.
“I will guide you to the Grand Suite.”
It had about two hundred eighty four square meters with an office, a meeting room, a living room and a dining room, and two bathrooms and two bedrooms.
“During your stay, you will not pay for any facility or service you use. We sincerely hope you enjoy a comfortable time.”
“Then about the training facility...”
He replied at once.
“There is a dedicated training room at Jamsil Gymnasium. A professional support team stands by around the clock. If you contact us, we will finish arrangements within three minutes and guide you safely to the site.”
“Thank you.”
He made a small sound of recollection.
“Hunters Han Sang-ah and Jung Oh-hoon have also arrived. May we contact them for you?”
“Yes, please.”
We had things to discuss anyway. After I was shown to my room and waited a moment, Han Sang-ah and Jung Oh-hoon arrived.
“Hey, Chan-seok! It has been a while huh.”
Jung Oh-hoon greeted me with a cheerful grin.
“Anyone would think years passed if they heard you.”
He smirked and dropped onto the sofa. A moment later, Han Sang-ah sat as well.
“You both look intact.”
“There was no opponent strong enough to do that much.”
She said that, then picked up the phone and asked for three cups of tea. Before long, tea and refreshments arrived.
It was the touch of someone who had done this more than a few times. She moved with the ease of being at home.
After a sip, I told them what I had heard from Sa Seung-hee.
“So, Taebaek’s special forces huh.”
Jung Oh-hoon stroked his chin.
“Do you know something?”
He shook his head at my question.
“I have heard a few odd rumors. But they are not credible. The usual nonsense about drinking motor oil with metal shavings every morning.”
Nonsense indeed. Why eat that when there was normal food.
“Everyone knows they are Taebaek’s flagship direct unit… but nobody knows who is in it. Their identities are hidden thoroughly.”
Han Sang-ah lifted her teacup.
“Do you think we can win?”
“We’ll only know after we clash.”
Jung Oh-hoon looked troubled after hearing my answer.
“We do not know who they are, so we do not know their skill. If we do not know their skill, it is hard to estimate our chances.”
He looked a little uneasy, so I answered crisply.
“We are strong. Nobody can deny that fact. And we are not the only ones who do not know the opponent’s skill.”
They did not know ours either.
“You did not go full power in the preliminaries, did you?”
She answered my question.
“The matches felt a little unfavorable at times, but I did not give it my all.”
Jung Oh-hoon agreed.
“The Bratsk Refrigerator was an Erosion Core that Han Sang-ah and I removed by ourselves. Jaun Valley involved many Hunters, but we never had to go all out.”
Jaun Valley’s core poked my soul clumsily and self-destructed. Which meant none of the Hunters who fought with us truly knew our strength.
“There’s no need for worry. Before the main event starts, tune your condition and keep your touch by mixing in the right amount of training.”
That would be enough.
“Putting us aside. What about you? Do you really think you can beat Choi Yeoreum, the Queen of the Wonder Club?”
“If I think I’ll lose, I wouldn’t try in the first place.”
If I wanted to avoid it, I could. I intended to do it because I felt confident I could win.
“The Hunters ranked in the top ten have not had to accept challenges.”
Jung Oh-Hoon nodded.
“I am curious what face she makes when you challenge her.”
“I am more curious about the faces everyone makes after I win.”
I clapped once and looked at the two of them.
“In any case, be careful. The opponents might be stronger than you think.”
If you took them lightly and rushed in, one solid hit could turn a winnable fight into a loss.
After sharing what I had heard from Sa Seung-hee, we broke up and prepared for the main event.