Chapter 27
Kang-hyun Jo's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Why are you so surprised? Were you worried that I might have thought of Sung-jun Lee as a fraud?"
Struck by the pointed question, Kang-hyun couldn't bring himself to deny it.
"..."
Seeing Kang-hyun's stiff face, Tae-hyun Ko burst into laughter.
"Haha! Team Leader Jo, aren't you underestimating me too much?"
Given the numerous sycophants within the headquarters, it was impossible to lead the association based solely on reports.
That's why he had secretly planted numerous informants.
The same was true for this case regarding Sung-jun Lee.
It wasn't that he hadn't harbored any suspicions.
"I've done my own investigation, so there's no need to worry unnecessarily."
He was able to trust because he had already made a judgment about Sung-jun Lee through his informants.
"But... maybe it's because I'm getting older, I just can't think of a gift that would satisfy Mr. Sung-jun Lee with my current mindset."
The Frenzy Gate incident - from the association's standpoint, they couldn't avoid responsibility.
They had to pay appropriate compensation.
Kang-hyun's eyes sparkled as he finally understood Tae-hyun's intentions.
"I'll make sure to prepare that part thoroughly. In return, I'd like to make one request to you, Vice President."
"..."
"If it's a reasonable request, I'll grant it."
"I'd like you to give me the authority to establish a dedicated management team for Mr. Sung-jun Lee."
He had been waiting for an opportunity, and now a definite chance had come.
'Right now, I'm the only one in the association who has researched and understood Mr. Sung-jun Lee.'
However, soon many employees seeking promotion would try to cling to Sung-jun Lee.
Before that happens, he needs to secure Sung-jun Lee exclusively.
'The surest way is to build goodwill with Mr. Sung-jun Lee.'
To do that, he needs to create a dedicated team to fully support Mr. Sung-jun Lee.
That's why he was making this somewhat abrupt request.
"Hmm..."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Tae-hyun nodded willingly and spoke.
"If you show definite results this time, I'll push for it."
"Thank you!"
"Just make sure Mr. Sung-jun Lee isn't disappointed. Prepare thoroughly."
"Yes! Leave it to me! I'll prepare everything to ensure Mr. Sung-jun Lee is one hundred percent satisfied!"
Tae-hyun's face lit up with a bright smile at Kang-hyun's confident and resounding response.
* * *
At the same time, on the way home.
A shadow fell over Sung-jun Lee's face as he sat in the back seat of the vehicle.
'...My physical condition is a mess.'
The price of handling power beyond the realm was greater than he had thought.
It seemed it would take about a week to fully recover his body's condition.
'It's a shame to waste time, but there's no choice.'
Facing the Earth Worm could be considered a kind of accident.
He had also secured definite compensation for it.
'I've clearly imprinted my value on the association.'
He would be able to gain considerable advantage in future negotiations with the association.
Of course, if this was all he had gained, the week of recovery time would have felt quite painful.
'The association part is just a small portion.'
The true rewards were what he obtained from hunting the Earth Worm.
[Title: Low-grade, Survivor]
All stats (Strength, Agility, Vitality, Blood Energy) increase by +5.
The reward for surviving alone inside the Frenzy Gate.
Low-grade, Survivor.
A smile curved Sung-jun's lips.
'Good.'
He had finally filled the empty title slot with Low-grade, Survivor.
An ability that increases all stats by 5!
Just by wearing this title, he could enjoy the same stat increase as when he had broken through the Yindongyanmai.
The stat increase from this was so significant it was almost painful to mention.
[Status]
Name: Sung-jun Lee
Job: Reinforcement Artist
Title: Low-grade, Survivor
Level: 36
Strength: 12 (+9), Agility: 11 (+9), Vitality: 12 (+9)
Blood Energy: 15 (+22)
Available Bonus Points: 6
Perhaps because it wasn't a direct physical change?
Like when increasing stats with bonus points, the abilities in the (+) column increased.
'Well, it doesn't matter.'
The important thing is that he got stronger.
To a degree unimaginable for a level 36 hunter.
But what satisfied Sung-jun most wasn't the increase in level and stats.
[S-rank Skill, Indomitable Will]
You can strongly resist mental attacks.
Skill, Indomitable Will.
As it was rated S-rank, there was no need to doubt its ability.
'This will be tremendously helpful in utilizing the martial arts of the Blood Sect.'
For Sung-jun, who knew all the martial arts of the Blood Sect, this was a skill of immeasurable value.
The most difficult part for Sung-jun in handling the Blood Sect's martial arts was the mental aspect.
'If I used them a little too much, madness would immediately engulf my mind.'
There were times when it was more frightening than the swords and spears of enemies right in front of him.
The fight against oneself - it could be said to be the most grueling part.
Of course, at the time, Sung-jun had managed to obtain a clear and calm mind without his mind being engulfed, but since he lost all his power upon returning to Earth, he thought he would have to fight against the Blood Sect's martial arts until he reached at least the Harmonization realm.
However, with the emergence of Indomitable Will, this problem was completely resolved.
'I won't have to worry about my mind being engulfed even when unleashing the powerful martial arts of the Blood Sect.'
Naturally, having reached the position of Blood Demon, Sung-jun knew countless powerful Blood Sect martial arts, including the Ten Thousand Demon Asura Fist.
He simply refrained from properly unleashing the Blood Sect's martial arts because he was wary of his mind being engulfed by madness.
But now, as long as his internal energy supports it, he can unleash them as much as he wants.
This meant that he wouldn't easily be overwhelmed even in fights against higher-level opponents.
'Excellent.'
As he was looking at the status window that had grown so rapidly, Kim Jin-hyuk, who was at the wheel, asked a question.
"Is this the right place?"
As he turned his head, a scene of orange-colored villas lined up entered his view.
And among them, his eyes stopped on a familiar apartment.
"Yes, that's right."
With Sung-jun's words, Kim Jin-hyuk immediately got out of the car and opened the back seat door.
"Then, rest well."
"Thank you."
After exchanging brief greetings, Sung-jun took steps towards the front door of his home.
A distance of barely 10 meters.
Normally, he would have moved in an instant, but today, the distance didn't seem to close easily.
His legs were trembling, and cold sweat was pouring down his back like rain.
His physical condition seemed worse than he had thought.
'I need to rest as soon as possible.'
As Sung-jun carefully moved his steps and entered the house through the front door, Lee Seo-yoon, who was cooking in the living room, poked her head out to greet him.
"Oppa, you're home?"
"Where are Mom and Dad?"
"They said they'll be a bit late due to work."
For a moment, a look of relief passed over Sung-jun's face.
'That's fortunate.'
Even walking the short distance of about 10 meters had been difficult.
There was no way he could sit at the dining table with a smiling face and have dinner together as usual.
But if he showed a different appearance than usual, his family would surely worry, so he was concerned about what to do, when an opportunity to naturally miss the meal came.
"Then I'll just rest today too."
Sung-jun entered his room after speaking with the most nonchalant expression he could manage.
Thud.
But he couldn't fool the eyes of Lee Seo-yoon, who had lived with him for decades.
'Is he sick somewhere?'
His complexion was deathly pale.
She was going to pretend not to notice since it was obvious he was trying his best not to show it, but no matter how she looked at it, his physical condition didn't seem good.
After a brief deliberation, Lee Seo-yoon decided and carefully opened the closed door of the room.
"Are you sick somewhere?"
There was no answer to the question, but a response sufficient to replace it was heard.
"Ugh..."
With a groan, Sung-jun was sprawled on the bed with his face all scrunched up.
Lee Seo-yoon approached Sung-jun with urgent steps.
"Are you feeling very unwell? Should I call an ambulance?"
Only after she came right up to him and spoke did Sung-jun's eyes widen, seeming to notice Lee Seo-yoon's presence.
"No, I'm fine, don't worry and just do what you need to do."
Sung-jun was waving his hand, but after seeing the previous situation, there was no way she could just ignore it.
"That's easy to say, but if I were this sick, could you not worry, oppa?"
Along with her worried words, Lee Seo-yoon's eyes widened as she placed her hand on Sung-jun's forehead.
Literally, he was burning up with fever.
"...Wait a moment."
With urgent steps, she brought a cup of warm water and some emergency medicines she had on hand.
"Take these fever reducers and pain killers for now."
"Thank you..."
"Never mind the thanks, just focus on resting comfortably."
Sung-jun, half-sitting up on the bed, took the water and medicine Lee Seo-yoon handed him.
Gulp-!
Afterwards, he lay back down on the bed and closed his eyes.
After about 30 minutes passed like that, as the medicine started to take effect and the pain began to subside, Sung-jun was able to rest comfortably in the warm house under his family's care.
* * *
A week, not a short time, but during this period, Sung-jun never tried to enter a gate even once.
Given the internal injuries he suffered as a price for handling power beyond the realm, if he tried to move forcefully, it would gnaw at his body like poison.
Indeed, while it's best not to get injured in the first place, if one is already wounded, one should focus on recovery steadily.
However, just because he couldn't hunt didn't mean he planned to waste a week of time.
He strived to live the life he had longed for so much, a happy life with his family.
As he hadn't been able to spend time properly with his family due to being busy, he tried to spend time with them even more than that, building memories together.
Dining out in the evening, outings to the Han River, weekend trips - after spending 5 days full of happiness, a message arrived from Jo Kang-hyun.
A request for re-evaluation.
It wasn't mandatory, but it was recommended for renewing the contract, the message said.
If it had been during the period when he was hunting in gates, he might not have, but as he was resting anyway, Sung-jun willingly accepted Jo Kang-hyun's request for re-evaluation.
So the next day, Sung-jun visited the Hunter Association headquarters early in the morning.
The reason was simple.
As rank directly correlates to income and annual salary, there were far too many hunters wanting re-evaluation.
Moreover, unlike processing by-products, they had to be directly examined, so they couldn't even have someone else stand in line for them. Given this situation, it was inevitable that many people would gather.
Furthermore, among them were those who were dissatisfied with their rank and caused disturbances.
Due to these complicated circumstances, the average waiting time for one re-evaluation was 2 hours, and up to 3 hours or more if late.
Because of this, the re-evaluation time had gained such a bad reputation that rumors were circulating.
Of course, this could be dismissed as mere rumor.
However, having already seen over 20 people waiting in line during the by-product processing, Sung-jun didn't think of this as just a rumor.
'I have plenty of time anyway, so there's no reason to dawdle.'
That's why he left home early in the morning to get as early a number as possible, but...
The scene of the re-evaluation site in his view was completely different from what he had expected.