This was an event from the original history before Jung-woo’s regression.

The whistleblower’s exposé had stalled in its early stages, but the situation shifted dramatically once Countermeasure Bureau Director Jin Ho-jong reviewed the evidence, confirmed its validity, and stepped forward.

He mobilized every resource at his disposal to publicly expose the scandals of the Hogukdang and the Management Bureau.

In the process, he didn’t hesitate to take radical actions—such as storming a sitting National Assembly member’s press conference, beating them down, and forcing a confession.

With the situation escalating to that point, the Management Bureau’s foundation was so thoroughly shaken that its collapse seemed imminent at any moment.

At such a critical juncture, there was no way the Hogukdang would simply sit back and watch.

A final, desperate struggle.

It was an act that could only be described as such, as they unleashed a horrific disaster.

[Breaking news. The shockwave originating in Gangneung has reduced all of Gangwon-do to a wasteland…]

They triggered gate shocks across various regional gates.

As a result of that incident, a catastrophe unfolded where gates collapsed across the entire nation, claiming nearly 30% of the country’s territory—including all of Gangwon-do, 60% of Gyeongbuk, 40% of Jeonnam, and 15% of Busan.

Was it simply to divert public attention?

No.

[Regarding the controversy, the Management Bureau has declared its intention to enter an emergency disaster protocol…]

[Guild Hunters are staging a rebellion! Countermeasure Bureau Director Jin Ho-jong is currently advancing toward the National Assembly Building…!]

[The establishment of the Hunter Military is in crisis! Currently…!]

The moment the political hunters realized that feigned ignorance and brute force would no longer work, they devised a plan to overthrow the nation.

Their inspiration came from the implementation of the Hunter Military, which had torn the former landmass of China into 16 separate nations.

They intended to establish a monarchic system that denied the existing government, basing their claim on the overwhelming power of superhumans.

In the face of a national disaster, even in times of urgency, the people must unite as one.

The entire nation rose against this current that sought to exploit that very principle.

The result was, naturally, the defeat of the political hunters.

There was only one reason for this.

Unlike the emergence of the 16 nations of the former Chinese continent, South Korea’s S-Rank hunters had far more to gain from the existing system.

That single difference banished the political hunters into the dustbin of history.

Though the incident claimed countless lives, the public held onto hope and recovered swiftly, knowing that the conspiracy of the corrupted superhumans who sought to devour the nation had been thwarted.

That was now a vanished history.

Because of this, Jung-woo had already anticipated that such an event would recur.

However, pinpointing the exact timing and location of the shockwave proved difficult, leaving him in a state of heightened tension.

It was during this time that he received unexpected assistance.

—The elders are planning a terrorist attack. I will provide you with the relevant intelligence, so in return, I ask that your side erase any evidence linking me to this affair.

Kim Shin-wook, the director of the Nowon-gu Management Bureau, whom Jung-woo had met on the day of his awakening, had approached him.

He was trading the enemy’s planned intelligence for his own self-preservation.

At first, Jung-woo had a question.

Why approach him of all people?

After all, he was a man who had risen to the position of a district Management Bureau director.

Furthermore, since he didn’t possess knowledge of the future like Jung-woo, betrayal was an act that carried enormous risks for him.

Shin-wook had answered that question.

—Consider me someone with a keen eye for judging the tides of the times.

—That doesn’t sound like an answer to me.

—However, it is a proposition that should pique your interest. And it is advantageous in the long term, as well.

—Long term?

—Hunter Shin Jung-woo, I know you are not the kind of man who harbors the naive delusion that all idols are pristine.

—…

—Someone must ensure that mud does not stain the feet of those idols. There must be someone willing to wade into the murky waters from below to prop them up.

He spoke of pragmatism.

—I will take on that role. If the political hunters disappear, I will be the only one left who knows how to wield the most vulgar of weapons. A very sharp dagger, wouldn’t you say? Isn’t that a good business arrangement?

—I gain honor, and you are promised power and safety.

—I knew you would understand.

It was a highly rational proposal.

In reality, the very nature of a position of authority was such that it forced whoever sat in it to take on the dirty work in some way or another.

Jung-woo never believed that nature would somehow spare him alone.

It was something he had always been prepared for, and thus, a burden he was willing to bear.

And now, someone was offering to take on that burden in his stead.

It was so sweet that it actually aroused his suspicion.

So, he had discussed the matter with Ho-jong, and they reached a conclusion.

—Let’s use him.

—Are you sure this is alright?

—He’s right. And a guy with such clear-cut goals can actually be a surprisingly docile and good partner, as long as neither of you crosses the line. Not every relationship is built on mutual goodwill. You know that, Mr. Jung-woo.

The deal was struck just like that.

From that day onward, Jung-woo received intelligence regarding the Gate Shock and disseminated it to influential guilds unaffiliated with the Management Bureau.

They accepted the proposal as if they had been waiting for it.

They even utilized their own independent intelligence networks and began preparing for a counterattack together.

And so, today arrived.

Now, with gate incidents erupting simultaneously across the country.

They were able to achieve the monumental feat of eliminating the disasters the moment they appeared.

“Shockwave subjugation complete. I’ll start wrapping up the scene.”

After relaying the situation over the radio, Jung-woo let out a long breath and surveyed the scene before him.

They had managed to resolve the situation before any casualties occurred, but property damage was inevitable.

A few half-destroyed buildings, and uplifted, warped earth.

Scattered chaotically across it all were countless magic stones.

Sea Otter was slyly tucking fallen magic stones into its embrace when Teddy Bear flicked it on the head.

Perhaps feeling slighted, the two soon began swinging cotton hammers at each other in a playful scuffle! *tuduk-tuduk!*

Citizens started snapping photos of the sight.

Jung-woo let out a hollow laugh.

‘What are those guys doing?’

It was his first time summoning his summons simultaneously, so he hadn’t expected them to act like this.

It seemed there was some sort of dynamic between the summons themselves.

‘Anyway, the situation is handled. It seems the other sides are wrapping up too. So, is it cleanup time now?’

He turned around.

In that moment, Jung-woo faced a crowd of reporters pushing their way through the throng.

“Hunter Shin Jung-woo! How are you here right now!”

“Please tell us anything you know about the shockwave incidents across the country!”

“Is this the work of the Hogukdang!?”

This was the enemy’s final strike.

A counterpunch he had anticipated and returned.

Now, all that remained was to twist and sever the neck of an enemy already in a coma.

With this, the first step was taken.

“The Countermeasure Bureau has been steadily tracking the movements of the Hogukdang, the Management Bureau, and Seunghyeoldan—the entities at the center of the current corruption—ever since the issue first broke out. During that process, we received intelligence that allowed us to obtain information regarding the terrorist attack. To respond, we hastily convened guild hunters.”

Jung-woo hardened his expression.

“The safety of our citizens, the security of our nation—these are the values most precious to a hunter. The senior hunters of our society have worked tirelessly for so long to protect those values since the Millennium Shock.”

He heightened his emotion.

By doing so, he drew a clear line between good and evil.

“To trample on those efforts with muddy feet and defile the values of our society is the most horrific of evils. Effective immediately, the Countermeasure Bureau declares a state of emergency disaster, and we promise we will not rest until every corrupt official has been eradicated. Thank you.”

Chwa-jwa-jwa-jwa-jwa-jwak—!

Countless flashes went off.

Uri Nuri Daycare, attended by Se-gi, Jung-woo’s daughter and a child of the new nation, was nothing short of a crucible of frenzy.

The reason being that Jung-woo had just resolved the shockwave on TV and was currently being interviewed.

Why was a daycare playing this on TV? Well, there wasn’t much to say about that.

The daycare teachers also needed information regarding the national disaster.

Since Jung-woo happened to be on TV, and his combat style looked like a children’s cartoon, they figured it wouldn’t hurt for the kids to watch the news with them.

And that led to this moment.

When Teddy Bear shoots its sword, a laser comes out.

When Sea Otter slots a magic stone into its shell, its skill set changes, unleashing all sorts of flashy techniques.

It was the kind of battle that boys and girls alike would love, so the children couldn’t help but cheer and scream in excitement.

There was one particular focus of attention.

“Wow! Your dad is badass!”

“He’s so cool!”

“I’m jealous! My dad is fat!”

Se-gi looked at Jung-woo’s face on the TV screen as he finished his interview.

With bright, round eyes and her cheeks flushed red, anyone could see she was unable to contain her excitement, just like the other kids.

Her dad was on TV, fighting off bad dinosaur villains alongside Teddy Bear and Sea Otter.

And he said he would catch all the bad villains.

That was the extent of cause and effect that the young Se-gi could comprehend.

But that alone was so incredibly cool.

With even the TV telling her that her dad was such an amazing person, Se-gi puffed up with pride.

So much so that she couldn’t help but let out a goofy laugh, “Uhehehe!”

“My dad is so cool! Isn’t he amazing!”

Among children, having an amazing dad means you are amazing yourself.

The childish arguments that broke out at every opportunity, boasting “My dad does this~” was proof of that.

To be number one among those kids.

Consider the meaning of having the greatest, strongest dad.

How special must that feel to a child?

Se-gi got excited, thinking about how she would brag to Jung-woo all about her day at daycare when she got home.

She was so looking forward to it that she was already stomping her feet in anticipation.

It was during such a moment.

“You think my dad is amazing too, right? Right~?”

Se-gi turned her attention elsewhere.

Sitting there with a slightly hunched posture, watching the TV, was Countermeasure Bureau Director Ho-jong.

Se-gi was the only family of Jung-woo, the man at the center of the current crisis.

As the only daughter of a Born S-Rank hunter, Ho-jong had taken it upon himself to personally guard her.

“Yeah, your dad is amazing. More amazing than me.”

“Right! My dad is the most amazing!”

“Ouch, if you’re that firm about it, you’ll hurt my feelings.”

Se-gi just giggled regardless.

While the kindergarten teachers were thoroughly intimidated by Ho-jong’s achievements and status, to Se-gi and the other children, he was just a friendly, approachable uncle.

The children flocked to Ho-jong one by one, chattering away with questions.

“Are you really friends with Hunter Shin Jung-woo?”

“Are you strong? Could you win in a fight against Teddy Bear?”

“Have you ever fought Sea Otter?”

“You little brats, if I fought those, I’d die.”

“Ugh! You’re a wimp, mister!”

“Kids! You can’t say that! I’m so sorry! Director…”

“It’s fine. It’s fine. Kids are allowed to swear a little when they’re excited. Even fully grown adults fight over whether a T-rex or a mammoth is stronger, so what’s the big deal?”

“The T-rex is stronger, though?”

“It’s the mammoth!?”

“No way, no way!?!”

“No way, no way, no way, no way!?!!”

It was absolute chaos.

Se-gi had already slipped out of that commotion and moved so close to the TV that her forehead was practically touching it.

As if determined not to miss a single word Jung-woo said, she giggled and focused on the news.

A dad who always smiled for her and tried to be by her side.

He used to be busy in the past, but now he was home with her every day.

As it is for any child, the pride and sense of security she felt in knowing someone like him was her fence warmed her from the inside, making her cheeks burn even brighter.

Amidst this, Ho-jong, having foisted the excited children onto the daycare teachers, pulled Se-gi back a little from the TV.

“You’ll ruin your eyes if you watch from there. Watch from here.”

At his words, the distracted Se-gi replied.

“People really like my dad, right?”

“Yeah, I like him too.”

“You like my dad too!?”

“Of course, naturally.”

Ho-jong answered as such, then added a single phrase.

“Because he resembles someone I like.”

Se-gi tilted her head and asked.

“Who’s that?”

Ho-jong’s gaze turned to Se-gi.

Then, it shifted back to Jung-woo on the TV.

Words slipped out as if he were murmuring.

“Someone who understands attachment. Someone who lives by their ideals.”

They were words far too difficult for Se-gi to understand.

So, she couldn’t fully grasp their meaning.

She simply realized once more that her dad was loved by many people, and that made her feel good.

It was a happy moment for Se-gi.

And as Se-gi lived within such joy.

A natural consequence followed.

Ttiring!

Far away in Daejeon, an interface popped up over Jung-woo’s field of vision.

【”My dad is the coolest!” You’ve become a father your child is proud of! Your child’s shoulders are puffing up to their head! [Great Caregiver (1/10)] *Collect stickers to unlock skills!*】

【”Your child realized her dad has friends!” Her dad has friends too! What a surprising and fascinating fact for a child! [Great Caregiver (2/10)] *Collect stickers to unlock skills!*】

Jung-woo watched the Quest Stack suddenly accumulate and thought to himself.

‘Se-gi was watching TV.’

And then, feeling a sudden surge of emotion, he repeated inwardly.

It’s true I don’t have friends.

But still.

“…Is this kid making fun of me?”

“Why does this damn quest always have to add unnecessary commentary?”

he thought.

Jung-woo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The Gate Shock terrorist incident had subsided.

It was an accomplishment achieved in less than two hours after the outbreak, thanks to the collaborative framework of the Countermeasure Bureau, led by Jung-woo, and corporate hunters.

That afternoon, right after the incident concluded and the interview aired.

One person’s crisis is another’s opportunity.

If someone was crushed beneath the weight of it all, it meant someone else had stepped on top of them to stand tall.

[Holy shit… I just got hit with a lethal dose of national pride lmaooo]

└ I realized just how strong the Korean hunters’ underlying strength is… Watching the news made me feel so safe…

Public opinion exploded.

Centered around the Countermeasure Bureau and Jung-woo.