abcnovels
Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Hwang Gyeongryong was right. Hunters…
Many of them were crazy. He didn’t know if becoming a hunter made them crazy or if they were already that way long before, but it was a definite fact. Among those hunters were people who got drunk on their own abilities and those who fought regardless of what happened.
Hwang Gyeongryong was one of the world’s leading hunters and one of the most powerful men in the United States, but that didn’t mean he could do everything at will. On the contrary, there was a high possibility that the other clan would make a fuss and say something like, ‘Hwang Gyeongryong is trying to devour our clan! That greedy chairman!’
“If Hyung had been nicer, the other party would’ve likely accepted your request if you put in one...”
Choi Yeonseung looked at Hwang Gyeongryong with sadness in his eyes. It had been a while since he had come to Earth. In that time span, he had figured out how to search for things on his phone. He searched for what image Hwang Gyeongryong had among the people.
-Hwang Gyeongryong, a greedy and heartless capitalist. Building a giant corporate group...
-From the best hunter to the richest man. How did Hwang Gyeongryong acquire the companies?
-Hwang Gyeongryong divorced again... How much alimony will it be?
His character could be roughly summed up as an extremely powerful hunter and incredibly greedy chairman who had remarried an unbelievable amount of times! Hence, even if Hwang Gyeongryong just spoke, the opposing clan would shout ‘Uwaaaaah!’
“You should try running a business so you’ll understand how hard it is!”
“Why should I? That’s nonsensical.”
Choi Yeonseung laughed and Hwang Gyeongryong inwardly decided.
‘This jerk... I should entrust an affiliate of the group to him. I’ll make sure he has a difficult time as a president.’
Hwang Gyeongryong was already making vague plans for the future. Choi Yeonseung was a B-grade hunter right now, but if he kept being active and slaying monsters, it would only be a matter of time before he became an A-grade hunter. The moment he did, Choi Yeonseung would be treated as a strategic weapon and one of the most important people in existence. He’d be seen as the country’s strategic asset, an irreplaceable talent, and a key person who could never be let go!
That was what an A-grade hunter was. Upon reaching that rank, the country and media would start supporting him intensely to ensure he wouldn’t go to another country. People who had never experienced it wouldn’t know, but the praise A-rankers received was on a genuinely different level! It was divine!
-During his childhood, A-rank Hunter Kim XX was already intelligent. He had also already helped all the townspeople...
-Kim XX didn’t leave any teammates alone during the raid...
-Why is the world horrified by Hunter Kim XX? It should be stunned by his skills!
The A-grade hunters used this reputation to do whatever they wanted to do. Hwang Gyeongryong entered the raid industry and created an enormous group. On the other hand, Lee Changsik took an advisory role in nurturing and coaching young Korean hunters. Some became movie stars or researched magic...
People didn’t care what the hunters did. On the contrary, they cheered for the hunters. They could do anything if they were an A-grade hunter! Such qualification and status came with that rank. That was why Hwang Gyeongryong was waiting for Choi Yeonseung to reach it
‘The moment he becomes an A-grade hunter, he’s finished!’
If he threw a company to Choi Yeonseung now and made him the president, there would be an uproar in the other group affiliates.
What are you thinking? Entrusting the position of president to someone who hadn’t been on Earth for so long? Are you running the group based on friendship...?
The media, shareholders, company members, and more would bite at him! Of course, Hwang Gyeongryong didn’t care about that at all. However, he didn’t want to put such a bad image on Choi Yeonseung. Choi Yeonseung had to be a hero that was unlike Hwang Gyeongryong!
‘If he becomes an A-grade hunter, no one will say anything if I appoint him as the president.’
-He’s an A-grade hunter, so it can’t be helped. He’ll bring in enough talent.
-He got parachuted in, but what about it? He’s an A-grade hunter. His being part of the company makes sense.
Everyone would be convinced if he had such a high rank. That showed how valuable it was!
‘Kukukuk... Stupid guy. You just have to rise to be an A-grade hunter, and I will—’
“Hyung. Why are you smiling so wickedly?”
“I-I’m not? When did I?” Hwang Gyeongryong quickly denied it.
“In any case, we can’t just leave this be. You have to go and convince them.”
“Um... It’ll probably be better for you to go instead,” Hwang Gyeongryong said after momentarily hesitating.
“Why?”
“Well… If I go, my intentions will be questioned.”
“......”
He made a fair point. Hwang Gyeongryong’s status was so high that the moment he went, the clan over there would become suspicious.
Choi Yeonseung clicked his tongue. “I understand. Should I handle this instead, then?”
“That would give us a better chance at succeeding. You are a rookie hunter who had just joined the Icarus clan. They will be less suspicious of you.”
If Choi Yeonseung went, there was a high possibility that the other party wouldn’t suspect that Hwang Gyeongryong was planning something. They would just think that a hunter had come.
“If you go there and they don’t listen...”
“What then?”
“Isn’t that obvious? Of course, I’ll start a war,” Hwang Gyeongryong declared coldly. “I’ll prepare all the hunters that can be mobilized, send a request to the government to have proper justification, attack Las Vegas, and wipe out the clan there. What else is there to do?”
That was a bloody alternative. Hwang Gyeongryong was just joking around, but he wasn’t above such a method! Hwang Gyeongryong was a 1st generation hunter and had gone through hundreds of bloody battles since the great invasion. He refused to let the monsters rampage due to the stubbornness of other hunter clans.
If you don’t listen, then I’ll just have to make you through force!
Choi Yeonseung understood his meaning and nodded.
“That’s reassuring, Hyung.”
“... That would cost us a lot of money, though, so try to persuade them in a more peaceful manner if possible.”
The clean-up after a battle between hunters was expensive. They had to talk to the government, be careful not to let the hunters of other clans notice, start with repairs, pay for damages, bribe the media to stop them from ruining their image… It would be best to solve disagreements peacefully if possible.
“Uh...” Choi Yeonseung’s voice trailed off. He had been thinking of suppressing the clan with force if they didn’t listen...
“What’s with that sound you just made?”
"It's nothing. I’ll be back.”
***
Black Cactus was the hunter clan in charge of Las Vegas. They weren’t the master of the city like Hwang Gyeongryong, but they had the authority to deal with dungeons and monsters that emerged in its jurisdiction.
That was enough, though. The income from dungeons and monsters and the protection fees paid by companies in Las Vegas turned the Black Cactus into one of the top 100 clans in the United States.
“Did you say... you came from the Icarus clan?”
“Yes.”
“Come... this way.”
Under normal circumstances, the employee would’ve said, ‘What are you standing around here for, bastard?’ However, well aware of the Icarus clan, he currently acted politely. A small ace clan raised by Dragon Hwang!
“What brings you here?”
A hunter wearing jeans, a leather jacket, and sunglasses came out. He seemed to be a Black Cactus hunter.
‘Level 131 C-grade hunter.’
“I want to meet the clan leader.”
“You can’t just meet the clan leader just because you’re from the Icarus clan. You have to make an appointment.”
“I would like you to make an appointment for me, then.”
“Why do you want to meet the clan leader?”
“I’ll disclose that information when we meet.”
Choi Yeonseung’s words caused a vein to bulge on the hunter’s forehead.
“No... You think you can do that just because you’re a member of the Icarus clan?”
“No, I’m doing this because what I have to say is important and shouldn’t leak out. I hope you don’t misunderstand.”
However, the other person had already misunderstood. He spat on the side, then fiercely said, “Go back. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Is the clan leader not here?”
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
Choi Yeonseung noticed the person’s eyes, mouth, and hands were shaking. Mortals couldn’t match a constellation’s power of observation.
“And how would you know that?”
Armed guards approached as the commotion grew. They weren’t hunters, but guns had always been reliable weapons.
“You’re quite cocky. What’s your name?”
“Choi Yeonseung of the Icarus clan. I am a B-grade hunter.”
“Choi Yeonseung... Huh? Choi Yeonseung??” the hunter asked, surprised.
“?”
Choi Yeonseung was even more puzzled. He didn’t know the noisy hunter in front of him. Why was this person pretending to know him?
“Choi Yeonseung, the one who faced Maximilian in the UHC? Wow, ??! It is you, right?! I’m sorry about this. Asian people are hard to tell apart.”
“I also find it hard to tell white people apart, so it doesn’t matter.”
Carlton laughed. It didn’t matter if Choi Yeonseung seemed rude. He had every right to be.
“Your match was the best. I didn’t go to the stadium because Maximilian is such a boring guy, but I regretted it. I should’ve seen it in person!”
“Mr. Carlton, are you okay?”
“Of course I’m fine! Even if I wasn’t, none of you would’ve stood a chance against this guy if he decided to attack us!”
Carlton’s words made the guards look perplexed. Why did he do this to them? They were just doing their jobs...
“Don’t bother the guards.”
“Oh… So cool. The weight contained in your words isn’t a joke. Does learning martial arts give you this type of presence?”
“No. It isn’t martial arts. It’s simply a difference in mindset.”
“Watching that match made me want to practice martial arts. A few people in our clan said the same thing.”
Choi Yeonseung was honestly surprised. It was only one match, and it was honestly more like an execution. Nevertheless, it had such a great impact. He realized how great of a market the UHC was.
“So, is the clan leader inside?”
“Haha... I’m sorry. She is. Please understand. So many bastards visit her that she gets angry when dealing with them one by one.”
Hunters were visited by all types of people. The higher their rank, the more visitors they had. Hence, they naturally blocked out unimportant guests. Carlton pulled out his phone and sent a message. After a while, he nodded. “You can come in. Let’s go. Wait. I have to check my clothes.”
Carlton looked in the mirror next to him and checked his hair and clothes. There was no significant difference in his appearance in Choi Yeonseung’s eyes, but...
“How about it? Do I look okay?”
“Much better than before.”
"Kuhaha! Really? Thank you. As expected, you have good eyes!”
***
“You ??. What the ??? is that?”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Carlton froze and lowered his head.
“Do you think you’re great just because you’re a hunter? Are you out of your ?? mind? Will you be able to pay for it if your appearance offends the customers and make them leave, you bastard?”
“I’m sorry! I thought it would be okay since I’m inside!”
Roxanne, clan leader of Black Cactus, often mixed in curse words when she spoke.
‘Level 288! She’s useful.’
Choi Yeonseung was impressed by her level. It was worthy of her reputation as a B+ grade hunter.
Roxanne glanced at Choi Yeonseung. She had curly hair and dark smokey makeup, and her looking at someone was enough to immensely pressure them.
“I’m curious. What brought someone from the Icarus clan here?”
“Um...”
“It’s okay, feel free to speak your mind and just get straight down to business.”
“Alright. I don’t think your clan will be able to kill a monster, so I came to help.”
“......”
Thud.
Carlton’s sunglasses fell off. He stared at Choi Yeonseung with terrified eyes.
This man was crazy!