Episode 244: Eating
It was common for hunters with long experience, such as Lee Geun-taek or Jo Jun-ho, to have special insight.
Especially when watching ranked matches like now, when you can get a sense of the abilities of both sides fighting.
The idea was to predict the most efficient attack method or the flow of battle by considering each player’s abilities and weaknesses.
Like now, for example.
“First of all… … This is the first key point. Jin Su-hyeok’s circular arena is a monster-like ability that can even devour foreign players. It’s not easy to avoid, but once you get caught, it’s quite a headache. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s true. But how many hunters are there who don’t get caught? For now, you have to think about it as being shackled by that and think about the flow.”
Jo Jun-ho answered Lee Geun-taek’s words.
It was a prediction of the battle situation that contained the wisdom of a seasoned hunter and a veteran. Up until now, no one in the Korean Hunters League has been able to avoid those shackles.
but.
“… … ?!”
Jin Su-hyeok started using his circular arena ability, and the arena was shaking. But something felt a little strange.
“What is it? Is there a problem?”
Normally, it would have just shimmered for a moment and then suddenly materialized. But that didn’t happen.
That wasn’t the only strange thing.
It seemed like nothing was happening. Except for one thing. The masked guy was dancing like a Bongsan mask dance, and Jin Su-hyeok was just activating his powers, but it seemed like he was moving around randomly.
“… … No. That looks more like avoiding something than simply moving. Could it be… … .”
Could it be that the rumor was true?
Jin Su-hyeok’s ability that had never failed before. The circular arena disappeared without a trace.
“It seems like there was some kind of mechanism… … Hehe. Well, if you can use that kind of ability just because you want to, then nothing would be more absurd than that.”
“But… … I can’t see anything even when I look back. How did I receive it? This is something a ghost would cry about.”
Even though they were two first-generation hunters with great experience, their predictions were spectacularly wrong.
But the game didn’t end there.
An even bigger twist than you could have imagined.
Crack -.
Because I woke up.
Jo Jun-ho was so surprised that he suddenly stood up.
In the end, Jin Soo-hyeok’s ability was neutralized and they were about to enter close combat. The masked guy’s attack. And it ended with the ridiculous method of a kick.
“This… can’t get up?”
Half feeling empty. Half feeling surprised by the kick that even Jo Jun-ho found mysterious.
It was pure chaos.
I even watched the scene of that kick over and over again.
But that didn’t mean that anything new came out.
What on earth was this kick that felt strangely slow yet overwhelmingly fast?
I often see Jo Jun-ho when he travels around the international leagues, but I have never heard of such martial arts, let alone techniques.
‘A player like that… is really unknown?’
No, maybe it’s a first-tier player that you already know.
Eventually, Jo Jun-ho became so curious about his true identity that his eyes met those of Chairman Lee Geun-taek.
Lee Geun-taek said with a sly smile.
“Then, shall we go and see for ourselves? Yes. He is a potential candidate for the international exchange competition. It is also the job of the Korean Hunters League Association President to persuade him in person.”
With the payment documents piled up in a heap, and even the secretary’s dissuasion, Lee Geun-taek and Jo Jun-ho’s steps toward the Hunter Union Training Center seemed unusually light.
***
‘Phew… … My legs definitely feel strange?’
Was it because I was using my body with a completely different sense than usual [with a complete body]? Now that the ranked match with Jin Su-hyeok is over.
As I walked out of the stadium, the very act of walking felt strange.
‘You might need to exercise some restraint until you get used to it.’
Because it is a strong and special power, it is something that requires more attention.
Of course, unlike my situation, the waiting room was a completely explosive atmosphere.
Jin Su-hyeok had been holding the 1st place title in ranked matches for quite some time, so after winning against Jin Su-hyeok in ranked matches, the moment he became 1st place in ranked matches, everyone was in a celebratory mood.
“Please do an interview!”
“How was the match with Jin Su-hyeok?”
“Now that you’ve reached number one, do you have any intention of revealing your identity?”
The barrage of questions from reporters rushing in is a bonus. Every time I pass by, the hunters in the other waiting rooms cheer and give me a thumbs up.
I thought it was a pretty interesting atmosphere.
Meanwhile, at the bench where the PER team members were gathered, Kim Do-jun was giving me a thumbs up, but fortunately, it seemed like the taciturn guy hadn’t said anything yet, seeing as he was the only one doing that.
‘By the way… … It’s about time the real game starts.’
Because Chairman Lee Geun-taek had announced that he would give a special reward to the first place winner of the ranked match.
At this point, Jin Su-hyeok was in first place and no one dared challenge him to a ranked match, so he was removed. There was a high possibility that he would receive compensation within a few days.
‘No… … I wasn’t thinking about that right now.’
In the midst of this bustling atmosphere at the Hunters’ Union Training Center, I looked in that direction as I heard an even louder response from one side.
There was a group walking towards us with great poise.
Perhaps it was Lee Geun-taek and his assistants.
“Congratulations on getting first place in the ranked match.”
With those words, perhaps because they anticipated what would happen next, a soft cheer erupted from the surroundings.
***
When I heard the cheers from outside and the congratulations for first place, I thought they would be presenting the award outside. It was a bit unexpected.
‘You’re coming into the conference room.’
Even if he beat Jin Soo-hyuk, does that mean he still can’t completely accept that he’s number one? So instead of giving him the award right away, he’s only going to give him some praise or words of encouragement?
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Thoughts crossed my mind.
But what he said next completely shattered those predictions.
“I said that I would give a special reward to the first place player in ranked matches this season… … You probably know that too. I guess.”
“That’s right.”
“But you see… … there is no such thing as a gift without a price. With great power comes obligations and responsibilities.”
… … What is this gentleman trying to say?
What responsibility is this out of the blue?
Are you planning to order me to do something instead of giving me a reward?
It was absurd for a moment. What was even more absurd was the part about responsibility.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to do something bad. The reason I said I would give a special prize to the first place winner of this ranked match was to improve the overall skills of Korean hunter players… I just wanted to tell you to fulfill your duty as the first place winner of the ranked match, which is at the top of that.”
“Then how about that… … .”
“International Exchange Tournament. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a first-tier player. You’re a second-tier player, or a third-tier player. Or even a retired hunter who lives in seclusion and works alone. Participate in the International Exchange Tournament. That’s the condition for receiving a reward.”
The moment I heard that, many thoughts came to mind.
In particular… …the first thought that came to mind was
‘Mr. Lee… … Don’t you know that I’m Lee Chang-hyun?’
If it was Lee Geun-taek, I honestly thought he would know his identity. He had no choice but to find out if he used the Hunter Association’s internal information network.
But it seems that for some reason it was not confirmed.
Otherwise, how could they have urged me to participate in the international exchange program by emphasizing that it was mandatory when they had already decided on how many people would be drafted from PER?
It was a funny situation, if a bit funny.
But if you can use it, isn’t it natural to use it?
Since he was on a close relationship with Lee Geun-taek anyway, even if he found out he was tricked, he would just laugh it off and let it go.
‘I’m sorry for being a bad junior.’
I apologized inwardly, but then said something different from what I meant.
“It’s an international exchange match… … To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve played the Hunters League. So, while individual battles might be fine, team battles… well.”
The basics of negotiation. It is to show the other party that their demands are not easy choices. By doing so, you force them to raise the stakes.
“Haha. Now that I think about it, I forgot to tell you what I prepared as a special reward for the first place in the ranked matches. As you may know… … I am a first-generation hunter and I personally have quite a few relics. Relics are amazing things that go beyond the laws and principles of the world.
That’s not all. You are special. Since it is my mission to raise a new talent like this, I will give you an additional 1 billion in prize money and a connection to the Moras Workshop headquarters.
Think carefully. This isn’t the original intention, but something I’ve specially prepared to attract you.”
“Then that… … ?”
“That’s right. Are you saying that you won’t participate in the international exchange event even though it’s like this? The international exchange event isn’t a hardship, but rather a personal honor. Hehe… … .”
Lee Geun-taek began to give nonverbal signals that he was okay with it. To be honest, he was expressing his thoughts to the outside world that he should follow through on this.
But there was one thing I was sure of.
The fact was that Lee Geun-taek was the absolute key player in these negotiations.
‘It seems like they want to achieve some results in this international exchange event… … .’
In order to overcome that wall, you’ll want to grab hold of this newly divinely-emerging #1 ranked player.
Although it wasn’t a complete surrender of ownership, handing over the relics meant that.
Then, you can be a little more arrogant. Because Lee Geun-taek won’t have a card to replace me.
“But I’m already retired. Asking me to play the game I gave up on again… … .”
Then Lee Geun-taek cut him off and shouted.
Are you going to use the carrot and the stick appropriately?
As expected, he was experienced.
“Yes. Right now, you are ranked first. However, do you think you can maintain that position until the international exchange competition? Jin Su-hyeok and other great ranked masters slightly below him are after you. This means that if the rankings change after this point, the offer will change as well. So, are you saying that you will not accept this offer?”
Of course I can keep it, but… …
‘I think it’s time to give in now.’
It seemed like that was all they could receive.
There are some things I have to compromise on.
“……great.”
I answered Lee Geun-taek as if I couldn’t win.
Instead, he attached a condition.
“Instead, Mr. Chairman, please promise me one thing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Even if my identity is revealed, you won’t be offended at all. You will keep all the promises you made. Of course, if you do that, I will keep the obligations you mentioned.”
“Well, that’s just a joke. Have you ever seen me, Lee Geun-taek, speak in public? I’m Lee Geun-taek. When I retired from the Hunter world, I think I did something that would make people frown. I’ll hide it from you. So, don’t worry.”
Lee Geun-taek confirmed it.
‘Ah… … I shouldn’t be doing this, but I can’t stop laughing.’
Have I become a thief who robs my grandfather of everything?
But don’t be too upset. I will participate in the international exchange event as you wish anyway.
As things gradually got heated up, Lee Geun-taek opened his mouth, perhaps curious about the identity.
“So, if you want to sign a contract, you have to take off that mask, right?”
fantasy,
