The One Who Saved a World Before Will be Best at Saving Another

Chapter 31

After taking several days of complete rest, I received a message from the nurse at the desk.

"Hunter Han Sang-ah said she will be waiting at the rendezvous point."

It was as if she wanted to prove she worked in the VIP ward for a reason, her attitude was extremely calm.

But others were not so composed. The moment you turned on the TV, they were talking about me.

"It would be better if you prepare yourself before heading out."

The head of the Korean Hunters Association himself came to greet me. I had already met him before, and he had once offered to introduce me to a job.

"You dressed nicely huh."

"It is the kind of occasion that calls for it. You should change clothes before heading out too."

The Association President handed me a shopping bag with clothes inside. I wondered why he went to the trouble of preparing something like this.

"Is this sponsored?"

"What, you think I bought it with my own money? It is not often you get to wear expensive clothes while being paid, but you will need to get used to it from now on."

I’ll gladly take high quality and expensive clothes for free. After changing into them, I left the hospital building together with the president. As we stood before the elevator, he spoke.

"From now on, you will need to be careful about what you say and do. You are practically a public figure now. The food you eat, your leisure activities, the car you drive, even your tone of speech… everything will draw attention."

"Handling a grade 2 Erosion Zone solo seems to be on a different level from grade 3 huh."

In truth, I had already guessed this while dealing with the core inside the Erosion Zone. The gap in difficulty was enormous. I even knew that Tsushima had only been promoted to grade 2 not long ago.

"Of course it is different. The moment expectation turns into certainty, the Association will do everything it can to support your activities."

"Thank you."

As I replied, I glanced at the president. The Descendants of Dangun… I wondered if he knew about them. And if he did, what kind of reaction he would show.

Do the leaders of the Hunters Association wish for this hellish reality that has descended on Earth to continue, or do they hope it will end one day?

And what about the media and reporters waiting for me downstairs?

"I even saw some solo streamers. Damn them, we had to mobilize riot police to hold them back."

"Independent streamers? I guess they still have time for things like that."

The president nodded at my words.

"In Korea, there is still enough leeway for those kinds of jobs to survive somehow."

But since people’s wallets had grown thinner, sponsorships and revenue were declining, and content was drifting toward extremes in many ways.

Media and independent streams… I was not sure what they expected from me.

Whatever they imagined, they were about to see something far beyond that.

When the elevator doors opened, the first thing I saw was an enormous crowd and the police holding them back.

The people’s protectors looked exhausted today, worn out from holding back the mob.

"He is here!"

"Please, just look this way once!"

"Stop pushing, you bastards!"

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator with the president, the crowd surged forward as if ready to topple the police barricade.

The moment it was about to collapse, I accepted mana and manipulated it, releasing it outward.

“…”

In an instant, both the crowd that had been pushing forward and the police holding them back froze, overwhelmed by a fear that crawled down their spines.

"Sorry, but let us through."

At my words, people flinched. Some might call this charisma or presence, but in truth it was just a simple trick.

Besides, I had no intention of doing any interviews today. I had too much to do to be wasting time satisfying people’s curiosity. Did they think I was some kind of substitute hero?

"Alright now, calm down, everyone."

The president quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. I walked down the naturally cleared path.

"Wait a moment, please!"

Oh, so there were still people bold enough to speak to me in this situation. When I stopped, a question immediately flew toward me.

"I heard you accompanied Hunter Han Sang-ah during the Tsushima mission. What is your relationship with the Geumyang Group?"

So that was the quality of the question they had worked up the courage to ask. Clearly it was because Han Sang-ah was part of the Geumyang Group’s owner family.

"Geumyang Group, you say? I am enjoying their refrigerator."

A low-quality question deserved a matching answer. Even a short remark like that would be something for the reporters to chew on and spin into a story.

"Have you already decided on your next target?"

I did not answer that question and simply got into the prepared car.

"Must be tough huh."

At the sound of the voice, I was a little surprised.

"Hunter Lee Se-eun."

At my words, Lee Se-eun, who was sitting in the driver’s seat wearing sunglasses, looked back and lifted them slightly.

"Hi, you are looking sharp."

"You hurt your arm?"

To my words, she made a small noise and tapped the bandages on her arm.

"A horde of monsters suddenly swarmed Cheorwon, so I fought for an entire week."

An entire week? From what she said, the number of monsters was high enough to be counted in the tens of thousands. It seemed she had been attacked by undead, and the lingering grudges in the wound were hindering her recovery.

"I can help you heal."

Since she had helped me back when I had no suitable requests after my Hunter exam, I had no ill will toward her.

"Is that possible?"

Instead of answering, I raised Paradoxical Flame and brought it to her wound. The black fire burned away the lingering resentment.

She stared at the flames on her arm for a moment before turning her gaze away and taking the wheel again.

"Where are we going?"

"Osan Air Base."

I gave a sound of realization.

"You mean the air base in Songtan? Why there…?"

"This Embargo Tower request will also involve the Korean military."

So it was a bigger job than I thought. Well, when it came to a shield generator, there were few countries that would not be interested.

If it succeeded, the dependence on Hunters for national defense would decrease somewhat.

Although I doubted Korea would like that much, since the higher the dependence on Hunters, the greater Korea’s influence.

"Do you happen to know about the group called the Descendants of Dangun?"

To my question, Lee Se-eun slowed the car slightly and replied.

"If you mean that nationalist terrorist group, yes, I know them. I am more surprised that you know about them."

My means of obtaining information were extremely limited. The only people I could trust were Lee Se-eun and Han Sang-ah.

"I encountered them during the Tsushima mission."

"Really?"

She acted as if it was no big deal, but I knew it was not.

"Honestly, you can understand the gist of what they say, right?"

"Well, yes."

"It is not impossible to see why they think that way… at least for now."

She suddenly rummaged through the console box beside her seat and handed me a small piece of taffy. Not candy, so what was the meaning of this?

"The Descendants of Dangun, all ethnic Koreans, appear in various places. Their specialty is popping up and interfering when Hunters are working to clear Erosion Zones."

Then she made a small sound as if remembering something.

"Actually, it is more accurate to say they are a different ethnic group, not just Koreans."

So it was about race, not nationality.

The car continued on until we reached the B1 bunker she had mentioned.

After completing the necessary security procedures, we passed the checkpoint and stopped in front of the main building.

"I have something to take care of. See you later!"

She waved and headed off somewhere.

Just then, my phone rang.

"Ah, I forgot about this guy."

Choi Seung-gi from Miracle Junk Shop.

― I heard you were discharged from the hospital.  

"It was not a serious injury anyway."

At my words, he let out a strange laugh before continuing.

― I already sent people to Tsushima to sweep everything clean. We should be done sorting the goods by tonight. How should we handle them?

"My shoulder guard from the gift you gave me is broken."

He groaned at my words before replying.

― Sounds like you need some new protective gear. I cannot just let my moneymaker die on me. I will pick out the best materials and make something nice for you. What budget should I work with?

I had already checked the amount the fishermen promised me after Tsushima when I was hospitalized. After some thought, I decided.

"Make it with me paying around 15 million won."

― Let’s see… for that price, I can make a set with removable plates.

If I found better byproducts later, I could make plates from them and swap them in.

It was a bit ridiculous to be making plate armor in the 21st century, and it was not all that efficient either.

"Then please do that."

― Do not worry. We are pretty good at making things.

Wait, but soon I will be flying to Vladivostok and taking a train to Europe… When I explained the situation, Choi Seung-gi replied in a troubled tone.

― Then… should I lend you some armor you can use right away? I normally do not do rentals.

"If possible, that would be great."

I checked the prices he gave me and picked what I thought I would need.

* * *

After parting with Yoo Chan-seok, Lee Se-eun was speaking with a middle-aged man in military uniform.

"Hello, Major General Ahn Hoon-seo. I am Hunter Lee Se-eun, Partner Hunter of Jannabi."

"I have heard a lot about you. It is an honor to speak with someone so renowned."

The two stars on Major General Ahn’s shoulders shone, but he still acted respectfully toward her.

"What brought you here? I know you must be very busy."

The military does not move as individuals. Moving many people takes time and requires a commander to control the process. That was why he was here.

"Regarding this mission, an order came down from above."

As he spoke, Major General Ahn took out a cigarette.

"What kind of order is it that you are telling me about it with just me here alone? I heard at least thirty Hunters are involved in this request."

He shrugged at Lee Se-eun’s comment. The company that developed the shield generator wanted to use Embargo Tower’s measuring techniques to analyze the deployed equipment and collect data.

"It does not seem like they are very welcoming. So instead, they are showing a cooperative attitude for this mission."

Listening to him, Lee Se-eun immediately replied.

"Jannabi accepted the request, and our job is to complete the task we were given."

She had no interest in anything else. Hearing that, he laughed and quickly continued.

"Of course I know that. We are not asking you to do the job poorly. However…"

While the Korean military was helping escort the transport train for Embargo Tower, the shield generator itself had been entirely entrusted to Jannabi.

"We would like the Korean military to have a look at that shield generator."

Of course, they would not just look. Whoever was behind it, the Korean government did not seem to want the shield generator to function properly.

After hearing him out, Lee Se-eun smiled brightly, pulled a pipe from her sleeve, tamped the tobacco, and spoke.

"I understand what you mean. That will not be too difficult."

"Right? If you cooperate on this, something good will come to Jannabi soon."

With a hiss, she lit a match and gave her answer while exhaling thick smoke.

"Kill me. If you succeed, you will be able to access the shield generator you want."