Chapter 116
It's not an exaggeration - the clear reality is represented by the footsteps that Hunter Lee Seong-jun has left behind as his achievements so far.
"He's a figure who could change the history of hunters, who are now considered the core of Earth."
In reality, not only the United States, which is considered the world's leading superpower, but also countries with powerful forces like Japan and China were eagerly eyeing Hunter Lee Seong-jun.
In other words, the current figure of Hunter Lee Seong-jun is a giant who can have a significant impact on world hegemony.
"There might be some troublesome issues arising here and there, but isn't there a way to deal with them?"
To begin with, there would be no more troublesome problem than losing Hunter Lee Seong-jun.
That's because the current world is an era where the strength of hunters directly translates to national power.
If Hunter Lee Seong-jun were to naturalize to another country, it would result in a national loss.
"So, even if we have to take some risks, shouldn't we accommodate Hunter Lee Seong-jun?"
Do Min-joon, who let out a slight smile, opened his mouth again.
"Besides, in the case of this Returnee Union, it can be seen as a rather fortunate turn of events."
The Korean Returnee Union was on such bad terms with the government and the Hunter Association that calling them sworn enemies would be an understatement.
It was only because of the existence of the World Returnee Union that they couldn't be easily disposed of, but they were a force that the government would have liked to remove at any time if possible.
"They were like a cancerous lump that we would have had to remove anyway before Korea could advance onto the world stage, so we should actually be thanking them for taking care of it for us."
From the perspective of the country of Korea, the government, and the Hunter Association, Do Min-joon's words were absolutely correct.
However, this was only the stance of the government and the Hunter Association.
"What happened last night was no different from a criminal act... If we let it slide, it will come back to haunt us in the future."
While Ko Tae-hyun was calmly pointing out the problem, there wasn't even a hint of wavering in Do Min-joon's expression.
From the start, it was impossible for Do Min-joon, who had been involved in numerous political activities from being a member of the National Assembly to the current president, to be unaware of such issues.
"Of course... someone has to take responsibility to prevent any noise."
Do Min-joon, nodding once, opens his mouth again.
"Some returnees were injured, but since no one died and there's no concrete evidence of them being made into invalids, we can't sentence them to actual prison time... A social service order to guard Paju would be an appropriate punishment."
"You're saying to put them in charge of guarding Paju?"
Ko Tae-hyun couldn't hide his surprise at Do Min-joon's casual remarks.
It was a natural reaction.
Paju was the site of the new city plan, which could be called the core project related to the territorial recovery, the current government's key election promise.
Therefore, it was a city where elite hunters carefully selected would be deployed as defense forces, along with special barriers made by dwarves.
Although there were still a few gates remaining in the vicinity, considering the resources and manpower invested, they should be able to clear them out before long.
'...There won't be any need for Hunter Lee Seong-jun to step in to defend the city.'
It was a punishment in name only, and could not be considered a punishment at all.
This alone showed how much Do Min-joon valued Seong-jun, but his consideration didn't stop there.
"Let's see, he'll need a base to defend Paju... Since we need to prepare for monster invasions, we should let him set up in the center of the city."
As the Paju New City plan was a core government project, not only were there plans for roads directly connecting to Seoul and ultra-high-speed train platforms with magic stone rails, but major government agencies were also preparing to relocate their offices.
In other words, it meant giving Hunter Lee Seong-jun the prime land of a city that could be called the second capital for free.
It was saying that the government would deliberately support Hunter Lee Seong-jun, who had been looking for a building to establish a guild recently.
'This can no longer be seen as a punishment.'
Rather, it was right to see it as a reward.
And an incredibly luxurious reward at that.
'Moreover, there won't be any unnecessary noise.'
By issuing a social service order, they not only secured a punishment for the Returnee Union incident but also a clear justification for government support.
It was literally killing two birds with one stone.
"Hmm... This much punishment seems sufficient, and now it's time to give a reward for removing the cancer that was the Returnee Union."
"There's a separate reward?"
"Of course, you have to give compensation for work done to maintain a good relationship."
"I see you already have something in mind."
Do Min-joon draws a smile at Ko Tae-hyun's question.
"I'm thinking of giving Hunter Lee Seong-jun the position of Guardian. What do you think?"
"..."
Ko Tae-hyun's pupils shook as if there had been an earthquake.
It couldn't be helped because according to international law set by the World Hunter Association, 'Guardian' was an honorary position that could only be selected once per country.
Of course, there wasn't a limit on numbers without reason.
First, when registered as a country's Guardian, one would receive treatment equivalent to a state guest in any country in the world.
In addition, they could obtain various tax benefits and authority equivalent to that of a minister, including the authority to operate hunter-related operational budgets and the authority to convene emergency association meetings.
In other words, it was the highest position that could be given as an honorary post.
Of course, given that it was a position with enormous power and strength, it wasn't a position that even the president could easily give away.
"...Won't there be strong opposition not only from the ruling party but also from the opposition party?"
"You're worrying unnecessarily. I've already finished all the agreements."
"The, the agreements have been made?"
Unlike Ko Tae-hyun, who was so surprised that his voice trembled, Do Min-joon continued speaking as if it wasn't a big deal.
"You really don't know much about politics, do you? This was a proposal that couldn't be opposed from the start."
As mentioned earlier, it was an era where the strength of hunters became national power.
The existence of Hunter Lee Seong-jun would inevitably come as tremendous pressure to neighboring countries.
In fact, not only the government agencies but also the members of the National Assembly were gaining considerable diplomatic benefits due to Seong-jun's existence.
In other words, everyone was thoroughly enjoying the halo effect of Seong-jun.
There was no way they could harbor any complaints.
"I, Do Min-joon, will shoulder all political issues, so you, Vice Chairman, do your best to assist Hunter Lee Seong-jun as you have done so far."
Do Min-joon, his eyes shining, expresses his strong will in a forceful tone.
"There must absolutely, absolutely be no instance where Hunter Lee Seong-jun, no, Guardian Lee complains of any inconvenience."
He had gained the backing of President Do Min-joon, who could be called the current highest authority in South Korea.
In other words, the situation he had been hoping for and working towards for the past few months had finally arrived.
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
A brighter smile than ever before was blooming on Ko Tae-hyun's face as he nodded his head.
* * *
The sudden fall of the Returnee Union, a group that could be called the losers in Korea, drew people's attention.
However, it didn't manage to establish itself as an issue and disappeared from people's interest.
The reason was simple.
People's attention was dispersed elsewhere.
└Did you know that the major shareholders of the Reaper, Attacker, and Mystic guilds changed this time?
└Yeah, I heard some big shot bought them all at once.
└If you add up all three, it must have taken at least hundreds of billions in cash assets. Must be quite rich.
└Money aside, who on earth bought them?
└I heard it was a foreign investment company.
└I know it as a Korean capitalist who bought them.
└I know from an acquaintance that it's Japanese black money that was invested.
└No, I find it strange that the government didn't intervene. Reaper, Attacker, and Mystic are all solid guilds, right? They're letting one person monopolize this?
Various speculations and voices of concern are flowing out.
It couldn't be helped because all three of the sold guilds were places that had considerable power and reputation among small and medium-sized companies.
Just looking at them individually, they could be seen as small and medium-sized guilds, but if the three joined forces, they would have enough strength to be called a large guild.
But what if there was a key figure who could be called the center point?
It meant that a new powerhouse that could overturn the landscape of South Korea could emerge.
People's attention couldn't help but be drawn.
└It seems like no one knows who bought them, but why? There must be a reason for the purchase.
└They didn't reveal that either.
└They bought three guilds without any reason? What on earth are they trying to do?
└Nobody knows except themselves, right?
Question marks were pouring out endlessly, but there was no one to answer them clearly.
└Ah, it's frustrating. I wish someone would give a definite answer.
└I agree, there are only brain speculations and no official statements.
The continuously amplifying curiosity and wonder were drawing more and more attention from people, establishing itself as a social issue.
* * *
At a point when people's curiosity was growing more and more.
Choi Cheon-young of Reaper, Ham Min-hyun of Attacker, and Kang Jae-hee of Mystic were entering a famous restaurant in Seoul one after another.
These were the masters leading each guild, and currently the figures receiving the most attention in Korea.
They possessed decent wealth and power, and could potentially have enough influence to overturn the landscape of South Korea!
Among them, Ham Min-hyun, the master of Attacker guild, opened his mouth.
"So... what's the reason for calling all of us here?"
"Yes, please give us a clear reason. Hunter Choi Cheon-young, as the master of Reaper guild, you should know that we're all busy people. What's the reason for gathering us so forcefully?"
Ham Min-hyun and Kang Jae-hee were expressing considerable curiosity at the sudden summons, but unfortunately, they couldn't get the answer they wanted from Choi Cheon-young.
"I don't know either."
"What did you say?"
"Haha, this is quite ridiculous."
To Ham Min-hyun and Kang Jae-hee, who couldn't hide their bewilderment, Choi Cheon-young spoke his part in a low voice without showing any sign of agitation.
"I just followed the orders given by our major shareholder."
"..."
They could say they got the answer they wanted.
However, the questions in Ham Min-hyun and Kang Jae-hee's minds grew even bigger.
'Choi Cheon-young followed orders?'
Choi Cheon-young, the master of Reaper guild, had a strong pride that might bend but never break.
In fact, Choi Cheon-young had maintained an unyielding attitude even towards the masters of the 5 major guilds, who were called the top hunters in South Korea, and had walked his own path.
Yet, this Choi Cheon-young was now saying with his own mouth that he 'followed orders.'
Even after hearing it clearly with their own ears, a question mixed with astonishment involuntarily arose in their minds.
'Just who is this major shareholder?'
Although they had suddenly risen to become the major shareholder by buying up enormous amounts of shares, they had not yet shown their face, so their exact identity was unknown.
They had only been speculating that it might be a foreign investment company or an enormous capitalist, as rumored in the world, given the incredible amount of cash they possessed.
However, considering Choi Cheon-young's current words and actions, the major shareholder who bought the guild's shares was not simply a businessman or a wealthy person with a lot of money.
"I understand that my attitude might not make sense to you now, but once you see him in person, you'll have no choice but to acknowledge that he is a person qualified and capable of leading our Reaper, Attacker, and Mystic guilds."