Chapter 37
Hunter Association Headquarters, Vice President's Office.
Inside, Jo Ganghyeon, the head of the Returnee Management Team and team leader for Lee Seongjun's dedicated management team, was giving important reports to Go Taehyeon.
"When you attended the Hunter Security Meeting hosted by the Blue House, Mr. Lee Seongjun was ambushed by A-rank villains Kim Gijun and Kim Giyeol inside a gate."
Go Taehyeon's eyes widened as he heard the report.
"A-rank villains Kim Gijun and Kim Giyeol... You mean the Shadow Brothers?!"
"That's correct."
As Jo Ganghyeon nodded, a shadow fell over Go Taehyeon's face.
'Of all people, it had to be the Shadow Brothers.'
Villains with a bounty of 5 billion won.
Of course, such a high bounty wasn't placed without reason.
'...The villains who assassinated Gu Mingyu, an A+ rank hunter.'
As evident from their assassination of an A+ rank hunter, one rank higher than their own A rank, the Shadow Brothers were exceptionally skilled villains in hunter-versus-hunter combat and one-on-one fights.
In reality, the Shadow Brothers were vicious villains who mainly took on assassination contracts for people and hunters.
That's why the Association was keeping a close eye on them and pursuing them intently.
Naturally, Go Taehyeon's eyes began to waver.
"What about the damage on our side? What injuries did Mr. Lee Seongjun sustain? No, never mind that - tell me which hospital Mr. Lee Seongjun is in."
"Well..."
As Jo Ganghyeon trailed off, Go Taehyeon swallowed dryly.
'Just how severe are the injuries that...'
He can't even speak about them?
As Go Taehyeon's expression darkened further, Jo Ganghyeon hurriedly continued speaking.
"There were none at all."
"...?"
Seeing Go Taehyeon tilt his head back, Jo Ganghyeon quickly elaborated.
"I couldn't believe it either when I first heard from the Security Team members, but after meeting Mr. Lee Seongjun in person, he truly showed no signs of injury whatsoever."
"Are you saying Mr. Lee Seongjun single-handedly dealt with Kim Gijun and Kim Giyeol, the Shadow Brothers?"
"Yes, without sustaining any damage himself."
Go Taehyeon's eyes widened at Jo Ganghyeon's confident response.
'The Shadow Brothers were villains that even Gu Mingyu, an A+ rank hunter, couldn't handle.'
In contrast, just 5 days ago, Lee Seongjun's re-evaluation resulted in a B rank.
Displaying power two ranks above one's own rank was already unprecedented in South Korea.
But now they were saying Lee Seongjun had the ability to surpass a rank three whole levels higher than his own.
'Did he perhaps obtain an incredible skill through his second job advancement? Or does he possess some truly special ability even among returnees?'
Considering the minuscule probability, there was one more hypothesis.
'Or... could it be both?'
A wry smile spread across Go Taehyeon's lips.
'Both? I must be too excited to think such an absurd thought.'
In truth, it didn't matter which was the case.
What was important now was that the talented Lee Seongjun remained affiliated with the Association.
Go Taehyeon spoke in an elated voice, unable to contain his smile:
"Haha! He's truly a treasure, a treasure indeed!"
Although Lee Seongjun's talent and potential were outstanding, Go Taehyeon had thought time would be an unavoidable factor, which is why he was investing with at least a one-year outlook.
Yet Lee Seongjun had already become skilled enough to deal with A-rank villains like the troublesome Shadow Brothers.
It meant he was already fulfilling his role, if not more.
'He always exceeds my expectations. Truly remarkable.'
As the Vice President of the Association, one of the leadership positions overseeing Lee Seongjun, this was certainly cause for great joy.
However, it wasn't time to simply revel in happiness.
'...This is the second time already.'
What's more, it hadn't even been a week since the first mishap with the Frenzy Gate.
Yet again, they had failed to properly manage a gate, allowing the villainous Shadow Brothers to launch an attack.
Although it was unintentional and unexpected, it was a situation that could reasonably cast doubt on the Association's capabilities.
'That's why we need to handle the aftermath of this incident thoroughly, at the very least.'
With determination burning in his eyes, Go Taehyeon turned to Jo Ganghyeon and spoke.
"Have we uncovered who was behind the Shadow Brothers?"
There was no way A-rank villains like the Shadow Brothers would have launched an attack without reason.
There must be a force backing them.
To prove the Association's competence, they needed to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
"Well... Kim Giyeol is maintaining his silence."
"So you're saying we've learned nothing?"
"For now, my personal speculation is that it's likely... related to Hwanseong."
Go Taehyeon's brow furrowed.
"Hwanseong..."
A name that had become all too familiar by now.
The guild named "Hwanseong" was being mentioned in the majority of incidents that could be called heinous crimes.
'They're just wearing the mask of a guild, but their actions are no different from a villainous organization.'
Honestly, he wanted to lead the Security Team to storm Hwanseong Guild's headquarters right away.
However, regrettably, there was no decisive evidence.
Everything they had obtained was mere circumstantial evidence.
Although the Hunter Association wielded strong public authority, as a government organization, they couldn't act recklessly without decisive evidence or a search warrant.
"In the end, for now, all we can do is interrogate Kim Giyeol to extract information."
A bitter taste filled his mouth at his own powerlessness.
But he couldn't allow himself to be consumed by such emotions.
'I'll do what I can for now.'
Go Taehyeon steadied his wavering heart with a single nod.
"I'll contact Hwanseong later myself."
A call from Go Taehyeon, the Vice President who could be considered the real power in the Association.
Hwanseong, with their many misgivings, would likely shrink back from even just an inquiry.
'That should keep them from making any rash moves for a while.'
In the meantime, they would use the Association's power to find solid evidence.
Of course, the important matter at hand wasn't how to deal with or pressure Hwanseong.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts about Hwanseong for now, Go Taehyeon turned to Jo Ganghyeon with a question.
"Do you know where Mr. Lee Seongjun is right now?"
Although they had fortunately managed to get through this without major damage, that didn't excuse the Association's mistake.
'We need to acknowledge the Association's fault, bow our heads, and ask for forgiveness.'
And naturally, the sooner an apology is made, the better.
If unnecessary emotional rifts form, the relationship could become irreparable.
As if predicting Go Taehyeon's intentions, Jo Ganghyeon immediately nodded and spoke.
"I believe he's waiting in the basement where the interrogation rooms are, to hear information related to Kim Giyeol who is being questioned."
"Guide me there."
"Yes, I'll escort you."
After nodding once, Go Taehyeon began to follow Jo Ganghyeon as he started walking.
* * *
Jo Ganghyeon and Go Taehyeon took their seats in a conference room near the interrogation room.
Their heads were bowed, looking at the floor.
"It was my oversight to focus solely on the attack on your family members. I want to express my deepest apologies again," said Jo Ganghyeon.
"As the Vice President, I am truly ashamed. I sincerely apologize," added Go Taehyeon.
Faced with the two repeatedly offering words of apology, Lee Seongjun shook his head and spoke.
"It was an unavoidable situation. I wasn't staying at the Association to receive apologies from you two in the first place."
This wasn't just empty words.
It was an attack that even Lee Seongjun himself hadn't anticipated.
From Jo Ganghyeon and Go Taehyeon's perspective, it was like an accident.
It wasn't a situation where anyone could be blamed.
Moreover, he had already received what could be considered appropriate compensation.
The 5 billion won bounty on the Shadow Brothers had been deposited directly into his account as soon as Kim Gijun and Kim Giyeol's identities were confirmed.
'It was an unexpected windfall.'
When it comes to money, more is always better.
Especially in the current situation where Earth, and South Korea in particular, were under constant territorial threat from monsters.
The closer one's residence was to the center of Seoul, the better the quality of security would inevitably be.
'Although I haven't faced any major threats in the house provided by the Association so far...'
As it concerned the safety of his family, he intended to prepare for even the slightest possibility.
In fact, Lee Seongjun was gradually saving money and planning to move to a safer and larger house.
Therefore, the 5 billion won he had gained this time was quite a satisfactory compensation from Lee Seongjun's perspective.
Of course, that didn't mean he intended to simply view this villain attack in a positive light and move on.
"What's happening with Kim Giyeol?"
The Shadow Brothers - he had tried researching them on the internet, but aside from learning they were infamous villains, he couldn't find any substantial information.
It was unavoidable.
As with most villains, since the Hunter Association was conducting an investigation, they couldn't easily disclose materials to the public.
It could inadvertently provide information to other villains if they weren't careful.
However, that didn't mean he had any intention of backing down without gaining anything.
An A-rank villain attack - it was fortunate that he, Lee Seongjun, had been the target, but what if they had attacked his family?
Although Security Team 2 was providing protection, there was no way to know what variables might arise.
That's why it was crucial to confirm the identity of the client through Kim Giyeol.
It was the right decision to clearly identify the enemy who had pointed a blade at them and prepare accordingly.
Yet despite three hours passing since entering the interrogation room, no notable news had been relayed.
"...The Security Team is still interrogating him, but they say he absolutely refuses to open his mouth."
Go Taehyeon's gaze lowered.
Although his expression was full of apology, Lee Seongjun hadn't had high expectations to begin with.
'Of course he won't talk.'
Having faced and dealt with numerous underworld forces on the Cheon continent, he had already anticipated this.
'Revealing the client won't erase his past criminal activities.'
In other words, he would end up in prison either way.
'His sentence might be reduced slightly, but it would hardly make a difference.'
From Kim Giyeol's perspective, there wasn't much benefit to gain.
On the other hand, if he were to reveal the client, he could be assassinated.
Considering the actions of a client willing to spend a fortune to hire a villain for assassination, they would likely try to erase all traces before Kim Giyeol could take the witness stand.
As Kim Giyeol, having lived as a villain for many years, would surely be aware of this fact, it was only natural that he wouldn't voluntarily speak up.
That's why Lee Seongjun had been quietly biding his time until Go Taehyeon appeared.
"If it's alright with you, may I try interrogating Kim Giyeol myself?"