Chapter 100 …
“The Civil Servant Who Hid His Strength Is Too Good at Possession”
Meanwhile, President Baek addressed the recent market scandal involving Go Cheol-won during a press conference:
[TNN Reporter: This incident involving Mayor Go Cheol-won participating in smuggling has raised concerns about the prevalence of illegal item trading in Korean society. Many citizens are worried that South Korea, a country where firearms are prohibited, might be turning into a dangerous zone. What is your stance on this matter?]
[President Baek Hee-ryeong: Yes, I take this issue very seriously. In fact, hunters—those who emerged after the appearance of Gates and Dungeons—could be considered a driving force in leading this new energy era, couldn’t they? Naturally, any such major societal shift comes with problems.
A middle-aged woman with a calm demeanor and short hair continued speaking, dressed in a brown suit inspired by hanbok, her face neither too dark nor too bright.
[President Baek Hee-ryeong: However, because our society has gone through such a major transformation, I think there may have been some neglect in managing hunters. Especially in cases like the large-scale smuggling between Russia and North Korea, it’s an issue that must be addressed through intergovernmental cooperation. In relation to this, there will soon be an announcement after close discussions with the Hunter Management Agency.]
[TNN Reporter: Are you even considering promoting the relevant agency…?]
[Presidential Spokesperson: Yes, this matter will be discussed in the State Council. Announcements will be made with close coordination with the council members and the National Assembly. Next question, yes, the person in white…]
Choi Jun-gu tilted his head, clicking his tongue as he watched the president maintain her smile despite the rapid topic shifts.
“Damn, she speaks way better than when she was the opposition leader. Huh?”
“……”
His chief of staff had no answer and remained silent.
“You barely even remember how scrawny she was back then, right?”
Choi Jun-gu looked at his unresponsive chief of staff.
Finally, the chief swallowed dryly and said:
“Shall we try the hotline?”
“Hotline? You really think she’ll listen to me like that?”
Choi Jun-gu then focused on a woman ready to ask her next question.
Ten years ago, Baek Hee-ryeong became an opposition lawmaker after working as a human rights lawyer.
She had once gained popularity—and provoked controversy—by speaking strongly about the deep social “strata” created by awakened individuals called hunters.
But later, after serving as Seoul’s mayor and opposition leader, and being considered a presidential candidate for her party in crisis, she began moderating her statements regarding hunters.
This was understandable: society viewed hunters as a key part of the new energy infrastructure, and over-controlling them risked destabilizing a national energy resource.
Of course, the Hunter Association led by Choi Jun-gu played a large role in shaping this perception.
Still, Baek Hee-ryeong narrowly became president.
“That bastard was told not to touch his own people.”
The ruling party candidate’s campaign fell apart after a sexual scandal was exposed, boosting her chances.
“Why do people in Yeouido act like they can’t control their lower half when they get riled up?”
“Shall we try creating a backlash from her remarks?”
The chief of staff checked the real-time reaction to Baek Hee-ryeong’s statements. The public response was sharply divided.
Comments:
She’s right. What kind of hunter is someone who commits tax evasion and all sorts of crimes? They’re just society’s evil.
Short-sighted. As president, she should consider the macroeconomy. Global magic stone prices are soaring. Korea’s reserves are hitting a low. Her comments are disappointing.
This is the time to invest in guild-related stocks! Buy the dip!
Some citizens supported her remarks, frustrated with villainous hunters; some worried targeting hunters in general could hurt the economy; others were simply looking to adjust their investments based on politics. The public sentiment was mixed.
“Should I contact the TNN reporter—”
“No.”
Choi Jun-gu shook his head.
“Just leave it. It’s not the time yet.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“The agency head isn’t answering, huh?”
“Yes…”
The Hunter Management Agency head had dared to ignore Choi Jun-gu’s call. A formal text had come saying, “I’m busy with meetings, will contact later,” but it was just a formality.
The agency head’s decision had already been made: “We’ll support the Hunters’ Special Forces.”
Choi Jun-gu spoke calmly, as if it were nothing:
“These bastards are a barometer. Blowing a little backlash now would only solidify their support base.”
His light brown eyes gleamed.
“When these guys grow wings and fly high, that’s when we have to break them in one go.”
He watched the president handle other questions with calm humor, her gaze exuding sharpness, and he smiled.
“Our Woo-jin worked hard, but we won’t be able to ‘cook’ Yu-ji for a while. Let’s watch this little troublemaker for a bit longer.”
The chief of staff gave an ambiguous smile.
Choi Jun-gu tilted his head.
“Why?”
“Ah… Mr. Choi Woo-jin seems to have attached a tracking item to Investigator Yu-ji back then—”
“Seems?”
“The signal was interrupted in the middle, especially when heading to the Zelkova Dungeon.”
Choi Jun-gu’s expression darkened.
“Are you saying Woo-jin removed it?”
“No, not that…”
After all, items attached to someone cannot be removed by anyone other than the hunter themselves. Which meant…
“Investigator Yu-ji must have noticed something. We can’t follow her closely for now.”
“Huh…”
Choi Jun-gu raised his eyebrows.
“She’s an F-rank, right?”
“Yes. Analysis and previous movement data showed no signs of enhanced physical skills.”
“And yet she identified and avoided the item we created?”
Not only that, she uncovered the smuggling case at Incheon Market and prompted presidential action—all without any combat skills.
“Ahahaha…!”
Choi Jun-gu laughed loudly. The sudden laughter startled the chief of staff and other aides.
“Wow… Next recruitment, maybe we should get more F-ranks? What do you think?”
He looked back, but the aides remained silent, swallowing any doubts.
Special Promotion.
A special promotion.
“Special promotion! Wow~ The whole Special Team gets promoted!”
For the first time since its formation, the Special Team held a full team dinner.
I was still dizzy from the thrill of the promotion, and most of the team, including Baek Sang-jin, seemed the same. Even Ham Na, usually indifferent to promotions, had a bright expression.
Looking at the flowing servings of prime beef, I remembered the frozen thinly-sliced pork I ate in my past life.
“Isn’t this overdoing the side dishes? I’ll end up eating all the meat.”
…Those days when the section chief scolded me for eating two pieces of thinly-sliced pork in a row were gone.
I quickly grabbed the tongs, determined to maintain my spot as the youngest investigator despite the promotion. This is a hierarchical, civil servant society.
“Ah, I’ll grill it.”
“No, I should grill it.”
Then, a hand gently covered mine holding the tongs—Choi Woo-jin.
Jiwon-gil and Choi Woo-jin had also joined our dinner, naturally, given their contributions.
“Uncomfortable… uncomfortable.”
I frowned as our hands touched over the tongs, remembering the cold hand that had taken the key from me.
And—
“Everything here is a secret. We now share a secret, huh? I had a big secret with Officer Han Seong-ye as well.”
The unease from that thought lingered in my mouth like grit.
At that moment, someone swiftly snatched the tongs from both of us.
It was Pi So-won, with a cold expression.
“Enough. I’ll grill the meat. The youngest of our team did nothing but handle the aftermath of delivering the meat.”
Lately, Pi So-won had been acting this way.
“…pouting.”
It was obvious at a glance.
