Chapter 32
As Kim Dong-hyun was about to continue his contemplation with a sigh, unfortunately, another uninvited guest barged in.
"There's nothing to worry about! Lee Seong-jun is a very dangerous guy! The reason I'm suspended and unable to provide you with information is all because I fell for Lee Seong-jun's vicious plan! We need to deal with him as quickly as possible!"
"I'll think it over thoroughly and make a decision."
Kim Dong-hyun's brow furrowed, unable to hold back any longer.
However, Kim Dong-jun, failing to notice this change in Kim Dong-hyun, continued speaking.
"But...!"
Kim Dong-hyun inwardly sighed.
'...He can't even understand what he's being told properly.'
He wanted to cut ties immediately if he could, but now wasn't the time.
The utility of the position of Director of Returnee Management was limitless.
"I'll take care of these headache-inducing matters, so you can just relax. No, I had them prepare a grand party in the HR-1 department, so why don't you go there and enjoy yourself?"
At the word 'party' that flowed from Kim Dong-hyun's mouth, Kim Dong-jun, who had been spewing anger while panting, cleared his throat unnecessarily.
"Ahem..."
The next action was predictable without even looking.
Though he tried his best not to show it, a broad smile was already blooming on Kim Dong-jun's face.
"I'll go for now, at least to honor the efforts of those who prepared it."
Kim Dong-jun rose from his seat and left in hurried steps.
Once Kim Dong-jun had completely disappeared from view, Im Jae-hoon, the head of HR, carefully opened his mouth.
"How should we handle this?"
Though he asked the question, no answer came back.
But Im Jae-hoon showed no reaction.
Rather, he maintained silence as if it were natural.
"..."
In public, it's said that the reason Hwanseong was able to secure its place among the top 5 guilds was due to the enormous financial power of the Myeonghye Group.
This was half right and half wrong.
No matter how much funding they had, without the abilities of Kim Dong-hyun, the guild master, they could never have risen to the ranks of the top 5 guilds.
Kim Dong-hyun was what people commonly referred to as a snake.
Cautious in all matters, he would deduce the best and worst scenarios before making a move.
Therefore, from Im Jae-hoon's perspective, Kim Dong-hyun sinking into thought was all too familiar.
After 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes of heavy silence settling in the room, Kim Dong-hyun finally moved his lips.
"It seems there's no need to take on unnecessary risks."
In terms of the succession battle, he couldn't say he overwhelmingly dominated the forces of his eldest brother, Kim Dong-wan.
However, given that he firmly held the hunter business, considered the most important on the current Earth, he could confidently guarantee victory in the near future.
The rest of his siblings weren't much to worry about either.
Though they each held positions in various fields, they were merely performing their roles diligently.
No one had shown outstanding results.
In contrast, he and Hwanseong were steadily recruiting talented individuals and growing stronger.
'In any case, to maintain this growth, I still need the incompetent Kim Dong-jun's power to some extent.'
Although the probability was low, if Kim Dong-jun were to be suspended again and cause problems with talent recruitment, it could create noise in the otherwise smooth succession battle.
Taking shortcuts was good, but there was no reason to walk while creating unnecessary variables.
"Let's deal with Lee Seong-jun and move on."
Given that he had hunted an Earth Worm alone, his actual combat power could be considered A-rank without exaggeration.
He wasn't an easy opponent, but he wasn't impossible to handle either.
Of course, given the characteristic rapid growth of Returnees, he would become quite troublesome if given even a little time.
That's why they needed to hunt him down decisively this time.
Kim Dong-hyun, continuing his deliberation, slowly moved his lips.
"Call the Shadow Brothers."
Kim Ki-jun and Kim Ki-yeol, A-rank villains known more by their alias "Shadow Brothers" than their individual names.
No matter how talented Lee Seong-jun was to have hunted an Earth Worm alone, he couldn't face two A-rank villains simultaneously.
Moreover, the opponents were the Shadow Brothers.
Despite both being A-rank villains with considerable skills, there was a reason they were called the Shadow Brothers.
'Masters of coordinated attacks honed over a long time.'
In fact, if Kim Ki-jun and Kim Ki-yeol were to launch a coordinated attack in earnest, even A+ rank hunters would find it difficult to handle.
This meant that even if some variable occurred during the battle with Lee Seong-jun, there was no need to consider defeat.
Perhaps because it was a fight with a predetermined outcome?
A sardonic smile was also spreading on Im Jae-hoon's face as he nodded.
"Understood."
* * *
The warning and threat from Hwanseong, one of the top 5 guilds, was not something to be taken lightly.
Especially in a situation where they even mentioned his family at the end.
Fortunately, he had the Association as a strong shield and excellent source of information backing him up.
Naturally, Lee Seong-jun, who had endured all sorts of hardships in the Thousand Continent, wouldn't be foolish enough not to use this advantage.
Therefore, as he walked, Lee Seong-jun called Cho Kang-hyun to tell him about the conversation he had with Im Jae-hoon.
-They were waiting in front of your house... I'm sorry, I should have concealed the information more thoroughly. It's my mistake.
Of course, this wasn't Cho Kang-hyun's fault.
It's natural for those blinded by jealousy to rush in; what was bound to happen simply happened.
'Rather, I thought it was strange that other guilds hadn't approached until now...'
Cho Kang-hyun and the Association had been working hard behind the scenes.
"No, there's no harm done yet, so I don't think it's something you need to apologize for."
In the first place, now wasn't the time to assign blame.
He needed to thoroughly understand the guild called Hwanseong.
Lee Seong-jun's eyes narrowed.
"Can you tell me more about Hwanseong?"
-Although we can't do anything because no concrete evidence has been found yet, Hwanseong... Kim Dong-hyun is a dangerous person.
"I'd like to know more specifically."
-They use any means necessary to recruit hunters deemed talented. The first method they use is offering signing bonuses that exceed the industry's highest rates. Of course, if it ended at this level, they wouldn't be classified as dangerous individuals.
On the other end of the phone, Cho Kang-hyun swallowed dryly before continuing.
-If the offer is rejected, they resort to kidnapping and threatening acquaintances... And although it's still a rumor, there are stories that if the final rejection is made, they even hire villains to commit contract killings.
Lee Seong-jun's brow furrowed.
'So I wasn't mistaken.'
They acted clean on the surface, but if one maintained silence and showed intention to refuse like now, they would do anything.
Fortunately, he wasn't the only one who had detected this ominousness.
-After consulting with the Vice President, I'll arrange for some members of the Security Team to be assigned as special guards for your family members.
As expected, it was good to have talked with Cho Kang-hyun, a person from the Association backing him up.
Even without having to ask, he accurately pinpointed what was needed and fulfilled it.
"Thank you as always."
-Please don't say that. We're the ones who should be grateful. Didn't you reject the incredible conditions offered by Hwanseong and choose our Association?
His mindset was also excellent.
He knew gratitude and gave appropriate treatment accordingly.
A smile naturally spread on Lee Seong-jun's face when:
-For now, I'll go report this to the Vice President right away.
"Alright, I'll be waiting for news then."
About 10 minutes after ending the call, the smartphone in his hand vibrated, notifying the arrival of a message.
Buzz-!
As it was the contact he had been waiting for, Lee Seong-jun immediately moved his hand to check the content of the message.
'This should be enough to feel at ease for a while.'
Security Team 2, which could be considered one of the Association's top armed forces, would be in charge of exclusively guarding his family for a period of three months.
'I've bought enough time.'
No, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had bought more time than he thought.
However, as it was a matter related to his family's safety, he had no intention of being complacent.
'I'll prepare thoroughly.'
He would become stronger as quickly as possible.
Strong enough that the likes of Hwanseong would never dare to mention his family again.
Just then, a gate emitting a red aura came into view at the edge of his vision.
* * *
Four days later.
Grrrr-!
As a pack of red wolves charged in formation, Lee Seong-jun, standing at the center, began to move his feet.
Whoosh-!
With each wind-like sound as Lee Seong-jun's body smoothly brushed past the wolves, their heads exploded like watermelons.
The number of wolves in the pack, which had been five, began to decrease rapidly.
Finally, the last one remaining.
Crack-!
"Kyung-!"
The moment his outstretched fist shattered the wolf's head, a cheerful sound rang in his ears.
Ding-!
[You have killed a D-rank monster, Blood Wolf.]
[Experience points increased!]
[Congratulations! As you have met the required experience, your level has risen to 40.]
For a period of three days, Lee Seong-jun invested all his time in hunting, except for minimal rest.
The effect of this was exceptional.
He had risen by four levels, reaching level 40.
He had accomplished in just 4 days what typically takes over a month, an average of 40 days.
This was possible thanks to the excellent hunting ground provided by the Association under the pretext of safety inspections, along with Lee Seong-jun's hunting speed that far exceeded common sense.
It was an achievement made possible by the best synergistic effect.
However, what pleased Lee Seong-jun most was something else.
[Congratulations! You have reached the level eligible for 2nd job advancement.]
[Would you like to proceed with the 2nd job advancement? Y/N]
A smile naturally curved on Lee Seong-jun's lips.
'I've finally reached it.'
The 2nd job advancement, through the ability called the authority of the system, would allow him to become stronger at a rapid pace.
In reality, the difference in combat power between hunters before and after the 2nd job advancement was clear.
'It's on the level of raising one's rank in a single step.'
Considering that hunters typically need to raise dozens of levels to increase their rank by one step, this could be called tremendous growth.
And to put it simply, this meant he could achieve rapid growth, which could be considered the current top priority.
As there was no reason to hesitate, Lee Seong-jun immediately nodded and expressed his intention.
'Y.'