World-Saving is a Skill

Chapter 118

Chapter 118

The following day, I attended the crown awarding ceremony held at the Association building.

"For heaven's sake."

A massive crowd had gathered. Moreover, it was not just a simple gathering of people.

"Does the President have nothing better to do these days?"

Why did he insist on crawling all the way here to personally award me a crown that he cannot even handle?

The tantrums thrown by the South Korean President are incredibly powerful. They are so potent that even the Hunter Association dare not ignore them.

Since the head of the nation's executive branch was making a personal appearance, he obviously did not come alone. Aside from the President, all sorts of government officials had come along for the ride.

To make matters worse, a luncheon was scheduled, something I had never wanted.

"I hate eating with people I don't know."

They were not even just strangers. They were strangers with power. They were not exactly the type of people I preferred to share a meal with.

When you eat with people like that, you often spend the whole time talking instead of actually eating.

"Nervous I see."

"No, I am not."

Even if he is the President of a nation, I have shared meals with people far more powerful than him before. I did not get nervous over things like this.

I was simply very uncomfortable. Honestly, his intentions were obvious. He certainly did not come here because I reminded him of his grandson.

"Ah, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok!"

What followed was predictable. The reporters took photos of us facing each other, shaking hands, and I stood there nodding off while the President rambled on before handing over the crown.

I listened to him talk about being grateful for my efforts for the future of the Republic of Korea and asking me to continue the good work.

I was photographed sitting at the table with him.

Only after the reporters and media had all withdrawn did the meal truly begin.

"It is a relief to have people like Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."

Finally, we began to talk off the record. I looked at Jo Wonhoon, the President of this country and the man living in the Blue House.

"I am not doing anything that remarkable. I would rather offer my thanks to those of you who work so hard for the nation."

Let us just keep things pleasant. At my words, Jo Wonhoon gave a hearty laugh and nodded.

I looked at the man with his kindly smile and fell into thought for a moment.

Ever since the emergence of the Erosion Zones, this man, Jo Wonhoon, has remained the President. He changed the laws to allow for clean, consecutive terms.

There are no three-term limits or anything of the sort. And in truth, the citizens' evaluation of him is not bad. After all, South Korea became a global power after the emergence of the Erosion Zones.

Well, since he made the country so prosperous, many people likely think it is fine for him to be a bit of a dictator.

The point is…

'He is no ordinary man.'

I have met many different types of people. In this world, there are clearly people who shine far more brightly than others.

Whether that brilliance is for good or evil is a separate matter, but exceptional people certainly exist, and I have met plenty of them.

"At any rate, it is good to be able to talk face to face like this."

The President laughing in front of me now is one of those people. There is one other person in South Korea who gave me this feeling.

Han Sang-ah’s grandfather, the Chairman of the Geumyang Group.

Similarly, I have a feeling that this man will not be an easy opponent either.

"Your face is very handsome, and your stature looks solid. Just looking at you inspires immediate trust."

"The feeling is mutual. It is an honor to meet the President who is leading South Korea’s era of prosperity in person."

Just because the reporters have left does not mean we should start spitting in each other's faces immediately. Furthermore, the other side does not seem to want that either.

So, for now, we are busy amicably buttering each other up.

"I keep a dog at the Blue House."

Is it a Jindo dog? Historically, South Korean presidents have almost without exception kept animals at the Blue House. Well, I do not actually know if the President is the one raising them.

"It is a Jindo."

Of course it was. I nodded at his words.

"Jindo dogs are great."

"They are very loyal and follow me quite well. Moreover, when I look at him, how should I put it, I feel a sense of spirit."

Now, they say that for awkward strangers, the best way to break the ice is to talk about pets, but I do not think a man like this is the type to bring up useless topics just to keep a conversation going.

"However, perhaps because he is so loyal and intelligent, he sometimes puts me in a difficult spot."

"Oh, is that so?"

I waited for President Jo Wonhoon’s next words. Let us see what he is talking about.

"Out of a desire to protect me, he sometimes threatens other people. He does it out of affection for me, but..."

Jo Wonhoon smiled gently and stared at me.

"He simply does not realize that such actions actually trouble his master."

I think I know what he is trying to say. I am the dog, right? From my perspective, I am trying hard to act as a Hunter, but that is making things difficult for him.

He intended to convey that message by using the metaphor of a Jindo and its master. If he prefers to speak this way, I can certainly play along.

Time to spin a story of my own.

"That must be quite troublesome. Actually, I really love animals as well."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Recently, a stray cat has been on my mind. It keeps lingering around the place where I stay. After a while, I grew fond of it, and I almost feel like I've become its servant."

President Jo Wonhoon made a curious sound at my words.

"They say animals choose people. Perhaps the cat recognized your character, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."

"Thank you. But as it turns out, that wasn't it. It simply had a nest nearby where it was staying with its kittens."

I gave a short laugh and scratched my head.

"Isn't it funny? The cat didn't care about me at all, but I was just making up my own thoughts like, 'Oh? Is it following me?'"

To summarize… You are not my master, friend. And you will never be my master.

Do not act as if you are my owner just because you feel like it. A Jindo and its master? What a joke.

Jo Wonhoon and I smiled at each other. I believe we both understood exactly what the other was saying.

"It is truly good to have a conversation like this. It seems you can only know a person's true value by meeting them and talking."

"I agree."

Jo Wonhoon and I continued our meal.

"Still, you have a very bold personality. Or perhaps I should say hearty. Usually, people tend to get stiff in their manners, perhaps because of my position."

"I just think of you as the grandfather next door. I am sharing a table with the President of South Korea, not the King of the Underworld, after all."

We burst into laughter at the same time. To summarize.

'I am the President, are you going to keep acting up in front of me? Why don't you watch yourself?'

'If I don't, what are you going to do about it? Get lost, old man.'

That was the essence of it.

The more amusing thing was that even while having such a conversation, we were both smiling like fools while looking at each other's faces.

"That is what is good about it. Yes. For Hunters with outstanding skills like Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, there must be many different options. Perhaps that is the basis of your confidence."

"Oh, the options are not that diverse. I have already said what I needed to say at the press conference."

The President nodded at my words.

"But was that not a decision made for the public interest? One must look at the essence of things."

President Jo Wonhoon continued speaking while eating the meat placed before him.

"If you were to reverse your previous statements for the sake of something that contributes even more to the public interest, would anyone look poorly upon that?"

"One must keep the words they have spoken. You know how important this ironclad rule is, do you not, Mr. President?"

I am going to focus on destroying the Erosion Cores. And that thought has not changed.

"There are times when one must bend their own beliefs."

"Yes, if a moment comes when I absolutely must do so, then I surely will. But if I can keep them, I must keep them."

Neither of us backed down an inch. The President seemed to want me to take it easy on removing Erosion Cores, and I had no intention of doing so.

We continued the meal while sharing various stories. Finally, the meal neared its end, and dessert was placed before us.

"At any rate, congratulations once again on obtaining the crown. I do not know much about that field, but I hear it is a remarkable item. Please use it in a way that benefits the national interest."

"I will certainly use it in a way that benefits the public interest. I can promise you that."

The President spoke of the national interest, and I spoke of the public interest. It is a hassle to even explain the difference between the two. That one word makes an enormous difference.

"Well, today’s meeting was very pleasant."

"It was an honor to meet the President of South Korea like this."

I stood up and shook hands with the President.

"Ah, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."

"Yes?"

President Jo Wonhoon gave me that kindly smile once more.

"Take care of yourself. If anything happens to someone like you, it would be a major problem for South Korea too, would it not?"

"Oh, I can take care of myself even if the entire South Korean military comes after me."

Having finished speaking, I laughed and added.

"Thinking about it, the entire South Korean military might be a bit tough. I was just joking."

Just a joke~

With that magical phrase meant to annoy people, the luncheon between the President and me came to an end. Now, I truly had to go and meet Sung Sihoon.

The time had been delayed slightly because I unexpectedly ended up eating with the President.

Having spent the time to arrive at the Darak-dae Training Ground, I completed the identity verification process and was guided to the basement of the training facility.

"It looks quite sturdy."

"It is a major national facility and a place where various experiments are conducted."

The person in charge of guiding me answered in that manner.

Even so, I honestly did not know how long it would hold up. After all, there were no watching eyes for this sparring match, and there were no rules.

In addition, the President had kindly warned me to take care of myself as we parted ways.

I thought I would just prove here that I can take care of myself without a man like him worrying about it and then go home.

The four-layered bulkhead made of alloy slowly opened with a heavy sound. Artificial light was pouring into the massive space.

"Representative Sung Sihoon. Sorry I'm late. The President himself asked to have a meal, so how could I refuse? I trust you will understand."

Sung Sihoon did not answer my words.

"I see you've brought all your equipment."

"It's a private sparring match with no separate rules, after all."

Then it is only polite to mobilize everything one can. Furthermore, Sung Sihoon’s attire was quite impressive.

"Impact absorption, mana resistance, mental concentration, fireproofing, mana amplification..."

I crossed my arms and quietly evaluated the equipment Sung Sihoon was wearing.

"These are things that prove the years I have spent as a Hunter. Do not call it cowardly."

"Nah, I actually like it."

Happily, they were all things I could burn. Of course, I would have to burn the mana resistance first.

It is always a joy when there are many things to burn. Thinking like this made me feel like some sort of pyromaniac.

"Let’s start shall we. Close that door."

No sooner had I finished speaking than the thick, four-layered bulkhead behind me slowly closed.

"Ah, and raise your left hand if it hurts later."

Assuming your body is in a state where you can still raise it, that is.