Chapter 26
"I almost died after entering the Frenzy Gate due to the association's mistake. If you're really the head of the Returnee Management Bureau, shouldn't you apologize to me first?"
"Ugh...!"
It was an irrefutable statement.
However, Kim Dong-jun, blinded by accumulated anger, had no concept of logic left.
"Apologize? Me, the bureau chief, to a con artist like you?!"
Just as Kim Dong-jun was shouting with a reddened face,
"Director Kim, that's enough."
At the sound of a dignified voice coming from beyond the crowd, Kim Dong-jun's face, which had been acting like a madman, froze.
It couldn't be helped, as it was the voice of a figure who was all too familiar to Kim Dong-jun, yet also an object of fear.
"Vice Chairman, why are you...?"
Ko Tae-hyun's eyes narrowed at Kim Dong-jun's startled reaction.
"Why so surprised? Isn't it natural for me, as the person in overall charge, to visit when a hunter belonging to our association is in danger?"
"You're right, but I can handle this sufficiently on my own, so there's no need for the Vice Chairman to personally..."
Cutting off Kim Dong-jun's words mercilessly, Ko Tae-hyun issues an order in an authoritative tone.
"I'll take care of matters related to Hunter Lee Sung-jun, so you can step back now, Director Kim."
"But..."
Ko Tae-hyun's eyes turn as cold as ice in midwinter.
"I clearly told you to stop... Did my words sound trivial to you?"
A thick killing intent flows from the body of SS-rank hunter Ko Tae-hyun, directed towards Kim Dong-jun.
Of course, there was no way Kim Dong-jun, who had no abilities, could withstand Ko Tae-hyun's killing intent.
Kim Dong-jun's complexion turns pale.
"I... I'm sorry."
As Kim Dong-jun, frightened, was stepping back, he hurriedly left the scene.
Turning his head, Ko Tae-hyun immediately offered words of apology.
"A subordinate's mistake is the fault of their superior. I won't make excuses. I sincerely apologize for the disrespect shown to Hunter Lee Sung-jun."
Ko Tae-hyun bowed his head as he spoke.
His attitude of acknowledging the mistake and apologizing was impeccable.
Moreover, the other party was Vice Chairman Ko Tae-hyun, who could be considered the real power in the association.
There was no benefit in creating a conflict and souring the relationship.
"I understand it was a kind of accident, so there's no need to go this far."
"No, this was clearly our association's fault for not verifying properly. I will ensure proper compensation as an apology for today's incident and disrespect."
"When you put it that way, I'm a bit excited."
Seeing Lee Sung-jun's lips curve into a smile in the now more relaxed atmosphere, Ko Tae-hyun carefully opened his mouth.
"If it's not too presumptuous, may I ask what kind of boss monster you defeated?"
"It was an Earth Worm."
"...!"
Ko Tae-hyun's eyes widened.
It was an understandable reaction.
The Earth Worm was known as one of the trickiest C+ monsters due to its massive size and tough skin.
'Moreover, according to the report, the terrain inside the Frenzy Gate was a desert.'
The appearance as a boss monster, plus the desert background.
'Considering all the data collected so far...'
It must have had an ability to burrow through the ground.
This meant it was literally the worst difficulty among C+ grade monsters.
'A monster that requires at least a B+ rank hunter to hunt...'
Generally, although returnees grow faster than awakeners, it takes an average of 1 year and 6 months to reach B+ rank.
Yet, Lee Sung-jun, who had been active as a hunter for less than a month, was calmly saying he had hunted an Earth Worm.
'...He's a monster.'
As Ko Tae-hyun was inwardly astounded, Lee Sung-jun spoke again.
"I just finished hunting and came out, so I'm tired. If you have nothing more to ask, may I leave now?"
"Yes, of course. No, you must be tired. We'll have someone from our association escort you."
As Ko Tae-hyun gestured, a man who had been waiting in the corner hurriedly ran over.
"Secretary Kim."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
"Please escort Returnee Lee Sung-jun comfortably to his home."
"Understood."
A smile curved Ko Tae-hyun's lips as he watched Lee Sung-jun leave, guided by Secretary Kim.
'It's been a while since I've met a proper big shot.'
There will be a considerable price to pay for the words he spoke.
But it wasn't regrettable at all.
Having met numerous ability users, he could be certain.
Returnee Lee Sung-jun was a being who had reigned as an absolute ruler or overlord in another world.
'No, he might even be beyond that.'
The benefits that Returnee Lee Sung-jun would bring to the association in the near future were beyond measure.
'As expected of Team Leader Jo Kang-hyun.'
He saw through Returnee Lee Sung-jun's abilities at a glance and reported it.
His eye for people was quite excellent.
'Returnee Lee Sung-jun is someone we absolutely can't let go.'
Therefore, it's necessary to fulfill his needs and provide solid support to ensure he's satisfied with the current contract with the association.
Of course, Ko Tae-hyun didn't know much information right away.
But fortunately, Team Leader Jo Kang-hyun, who could be considered Returnee Lee Sung-jun's handler, was rushing towards the Frenzy Gate just in time.
* * *
The command post set up in front of the Frenzy Gate.
It should have been dismantled right after Lee Sung-jun exited the gate, but strangely, a meeting was still ongoing.
"That's all I heard."
As Ko Tae-hyun finished speaking, the eyes of Jo Kang-hyun, Han Seok-gyu, and Kim Dong-jun, who had been listening intently, widened.
"...He, he hunted an Earth Worm? Is that true?"
To Han Seok-gyu's incredulous words, Ko Tae-hyun carefully replied.
"It's just what I heard from Returnee Lee Sung-jun. The veracity hasn't been confirmed yet."
"Haha..."
A hollow laugh escaped Han Seok-gyu's lips, while Jo Kang-hyun clenched his fists, unable to hide his excitement.
"Returnee Lee Sung-jun is undoubtedly a big shot worthy of worldwide fame."
A returnee who's been back on Earth for less than a month hunted a C+ grade boss monster.
But the most surprising point was...
'The boss monster he hunted was an Earth Worm.'
Moreover, the terrain was a desert, and it appeared as a boss monster.
Having personally hunted a similar Earth Worm in the early days of his A-rank, he knew.
Given its ability to hide in the ground, hunting an Earth Worm that appeared as a boss monster in desert terrain alone, without bait or anyone to draw attention, was by no means easy even for an A+ rank hunter.
Naturally, Jo Kang-hyun's eyes lit up.
"If Returnee Lee Sung-jun achieves proper growth, he'll be able to firmly suppress the large guilds and returnee unions that try to act recklessly."
Han Seok-gyu nodded in agreement.
"A returnee who's been active as a hunter for less than a month hunting a C+ grade boss monster... It's something none of the famous returnees have achieved. He's definitely an incredible talent."
While everyone was showing excited reactions, a sneering voice poured cold water on the situation.
"Ha, this is ridiculous. Lee Sung-jun hunted an Earth Worm? Are you really believing that con artist's words?"
Perhaps due to the earlier situation, he doesn't raise his voice carelessly.
Kim Dong-jun glared and carefully spoke to Ko Tae-hyun.
"Hunting an Earth Worm alone. Isn't it clearly a lie to anyone?"
"..."
Ko Tae-hyun remained silent, trying to maintain neutrality as much as possible in his position as Vice Chairman and overall responsible person.
Therefore, the response to Kim Dong-jun's sneering came from Jo Kang-hyun.
"I don't think Returnee Lee Sung-jun has any reason to tell an obvious lie."
Kim Dong-jun snorted at Jo Kang-hyun's sharp response.
"Who knows, maybe he thought he could get away with a hastily made-up lie because our association's handling of matters seemed laughable, or he might have an accomplice within the association covering up his fraud."
Jo Kang-hyun's face contorted at Kim Dong-jun's blatant gaze.
"You're going too far...!"
Just as Jo Kang-hyun's voice was about to rise, Ko Tae-hyun, who had been silent, raised his hand to stop him.
Confirming the gazes that suddenly turned to him, Ko Tae-hyun spoke.
"Can you all take responsibility for your words?"
"Yes."
"Yes, if there's clear evidence."
As Jo Kang-hyun and Kim Dong-jun nodded, a report from an association employee outside the headquarters was heard.
"As the Vice Chairman said, management team members have found the corpse of an Earth Worm inside the gate!"
"As expected...!"
"Impossible!"
As Jo Kang-hyun and Kim Dong-jun showed contrasting reactions of joy and dismay, Ko Tae-hyun turned a cold gaze towards Kim Dong-jun.
"The conclusion is clear. As the Chairman's proxy, I order this. Director Kim Dong-jun will receive a 3-month salary reduction and 1-month suspension as disciplinary action."
"Wait a moment...!"
"Didn't you say you'd take responsibility for your words?"
Under the pressure emanating from Ko Tae-hyun's body, Kim Dong-jun had no choice but to nod.
"...I understand."
Finally, Kim Dong-jun put down his association employee ID on the desk and left the command post, getting up from his seat.
Now only three remained.
Team leaders Jo Kang-hyun and Han Seok-gyu, and Vice Chairman Ko Tae-hyun.
"Fortunately, there were no casualties, but as it was a matter related to the life of a hunter belonging to the association, I will issue a 1-month salary reduction as disciplinary action for Team Leader Han Seok-gyu. Do you have any complaints about this treatment?"
"No."
"Then you may leave now."
After bowing once, Han Seok-gyu quietly got up and left.
"..."
In the space left with just the two of them, Ko Tae-hyun broke the silence that had settled.
"As you probably feel too, the talent and potential shown by Returnee Lee Sung-jun is SSS-rank, maybe even beyond that."
Having met numerous awakeners and returnees while active as Vice Chairman, it was undoubtedly overwhelming.
"The proof is that he hunted a C+ grade boss monster alone less than a month after becoming active as a hunter..."
A gleam appeared in Ko Tae-hyun's eyes.
"He's the only lifeline given to our association, whose position is narrowing day by day. So I have one thing I want to ask you."
Jo Kang-hyun's expression became solemn.
'Yes... The Vice Chairman might find it hard to believe easily too.'
Returnee Lee Sung-jun's growth rate was truly unprecedented.
In other words, it was a speed sufficient to raise suspicions, like Kim Dong-jun did.
In fact, even he, Jo Kang-hyun, had harbored doubts at one point.
That's why he needs to clearly dispel doubts and prove it here.
"I'll answer to the best of my knowledge."
Jo Kang-hyun nodded with determined eyes.
But the words that flowed from Ko Tae-hyun's mouth were completely unexpected.
"Do you happen to know of any items that Returnee Lee Sung-jun might desire?"