The academic seminar was turning into a public execution ground.

Jung-woo’s questions did not stop there.

Those who took the podium in the seminar room were battered by a barrage of questions to the point of complete mental annihilation.

‘Please, someone stop this nightmare!’

…or so everyone was screaming from a corner of their hearts.

At the same time, from a scholar’s perspective, it was a different story.

“Then what exactly are the mutation factors for gamma waves?”

“Hmm, it seems like this will require some research…”

“Hunter Shin Jung-woo’s perspective is highly unique and novel. Certainly, Otherworld Studies suffers from a lack of empirical data, making its theoretical foundations still rather flimsy. These observations flawlessly complement those vulnerabilities…”

Even as their egos were being obliterated, the professors felt their intellectual curiosity igniting.

By nature, they were humans obsessed with intellectual gratification, leaving them profoundly stunned by the futuristic concepts Jung-woo introduced.

A scene where ego destruction and curiosity fulfillment occurred simultaneously.

It was enough to trigger a massive upheaval in their brain’s reward systems.

Hyperventilation and tunnel vision.

Elevated heart rates and cold sweats.

Yet, unable to escape the situation, they found themselves continually pondering Jung-woo’s points.

“This could be the next research topic…”

“Ah, if I connect this like so…”

Let us name it the graduate student regression.

As academic zeal and suffering intertwined to stimulate growth, the seminar room morphed into a bizarre space where the audience diligently took notes while a sacrificial offering was beaten to a pulp before them.

That moment finally came to an end, and after all the presentations at the seminar concluded,

there was an after-party to celebrate the Association’s first academic seminar. The exhausted presenters and the beaming attendees who had gleaned new research topics were both present.

In conclusion, the atmosphere was quite bright.

“Professor Han. I told you it’s fine. How many people do you think could have come up with such observations here?”

“Haha…”

“It was simply a perspective unique to the field. Ultimately, didn’t it allow us to re-establish our research directions?”

Although they had taken quite a beating, the ones who gained the most were, without a doubt, the presenters.

They too were spinning their minds, exchanging opinions with those around them, and discussing revisions to their papers, livening up the atmosphere.

It was during this time.

A congratulatory speech to commemorate the successful hosting of the first seminar.

An event where famous figures would step up, say a few words, and step down.

Jung-woo stepped onto the stage.

“Ah, ah. Let me formally introduce myself. I am Shin Jung-woo, appointed as the Head of the Gate Disaster Management Department for the Association. It is a great honor and a profound responsibility to have had the opportunity to host Korea’s most prestigious academic seminar.”

Jak jak jak jak!

A round of applause erupted, but the smiles spreading across the professors’ faces—as memories of the earlier ordeal resurfaced—carried a certain awkwardness.

Undeterred, Jung-woo continued.

“Personally, I have always been deeply interested in gate-related research. Even before becoming a hunter, I consistently set aside time to study the subject. As such, I had many questions. I am almost embarrassed to admit that my own knowledge was so lacking that I ended up asking so many questions in such a setting… Well, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for that.”

Was it a delusion?

That statement sounded suspiciously like: ‘I’ve gauged your level. You worthless bastards.’

Professor Han Woo-ri.

Having been struck down first without any preparation, she trembled, engulfed in fear.

It was immediate.

“Let us get to the point. I would like to explain why I have taken the microphone. This concerns the operational directives of the Gate Disaster Management Department.”

An air suggesting that something important was about to be announced.

“We will work tirelessly, day and night, to perform all functions related to the principles of gate creation, management methods, and emergency response. However, as bitter as it is to admit, that is simply how the world works. There are many things that cannot be achieved by effort alone, are there not? So, I have thought of a solution.”

Following such an introduction.

Shocking words burst forth from Jung-woo’s mouth.

“Our newly established department intends to create a field survey support system for you professors. You will be able to directly conduct observations and explorations inside Third gates, accompanied by guild hunters.”

“What!?”

“Oh my!”

“Through today’s seminar, I have come to a clear realization. A definitive gap in perspective exists between the field and the research sector. Furthermore, this gap acts as a massive wall hindering the development of Korean Otherworld Studies, impeding academic progress. It was my judgment—and the Association’s judgment—that a breakthrough for this fundamental issue was necessary.”

The professors’ reaction to those words?

There is no need to explain.

It was a fierce uproar of joy.

“Oh my, then we can actually measure the gate waves…”

“The Management Bureau fought tooth and nail to prevent it until now! They even controlled corporate information!”

“This truly proves their intention to be an organization fundamentally different from the start, does it not?”

It was exactly what they had been wishing for.

Of course, they had desired it all along, only to be repeatedly blocked by the wall that was the Management Bureau.

It had been an issue of the times.

When gates themselves were not yet fully understood, the First Bureau Chief had delayed their field research day after day, considering the preservation of intellectuals.

During the era of political hunters, data access had been restricted due to their fear of their webs of corruption being exposed.

What had been so thoroughly blocked was finally becoming a reality.

“Are you serious? When do you expect this to begin!”

Jung-woo answered Professor Han’s excited question.

“This is a matter that has already been internally reviewed. In about two weeks, guidelines will be sent to your respective universities. I am also quite looking forward to it.”

Jung-woo’s words were not a lie.

In the future Jung-woo had lived through, this was a system that had actually been initiated at some point.

Even back then, field measurements by researchers showed a significant correlation with increased research progress.

Thus, he had planned this to elevate the level of research.

Obtaining approval from Association Chairman Ho-jong was naturally easy.

Guilds cooperating on Third gate explorations to support professors?

It would be stranger if they refused.

Setting aside the benefits to their honor from assisting in paper writing, the timing of this system perfectly met their demands.

“Currently, the Association’s greatest task is the exploration of the North Korean Erosion Zone. From the moment the exploration begins, we will likely periodically collect soil, flora, and magic stones from the area and entrust the analysis to you. It is the opinion of the corporations that we should strengthen our prior cooperation system to facilitate such organic connections.”

“Ooh!”

Of course, there was also the underlying motive of expanding the scouting pool for research talent at the corporate level, but that was a matter for the future.

Regardless, wasn’t this excellent news for the professors right now?

There had been quite a few sacrifices today just to hear these words, but what did it matter?

In this world, as long as the results are good, the process is often forgiven.

Thus, the professors’ eyes sparkled even brighter.

“Lastly, one more thing.”

Jung-woo’s smile deepened.

“The Association has declared that it will utilize all its capabilities with the goal of achieving complete control over gates. In line with that, our department has also planned something to strengthen research functions.”

What more good news could he be bringing!

The professors thought, only to freeze solid the very next moment.

“We plan to increase the frequency of the academic seminar to three times a year. With research topics diversifying like this, shouldn’t the latest trends be updated more quickly?”

The meaning implied by those words.

It was impossible for them not to understand.

“I also plan to clear my schedule and personally attend every seminar. I look forward to your teachings. That is all.”

Jung-woo bowed his head.

Simultaneously, the professors’ gazes wavered.

This public execution show, three times a year.

The moment they realized that, the atmosphere, which had been soaked in excitement until just now, instantly…

“M-My paper. My paper…”

Became a scene of disaster!

Two more weeks passed after the seminar ended.

Since Jung-woo had already set so many things in motion, almost all of his actions were reported as news by the media, and this event was no exception.

The changes to the seminar’s operation and the field survey support for researchers.

It brought about changes that would appear significant even to those unfamiliar with the industry, so naturally, it wouldn’t escape the spotlight.

There was quite a bit of talk regarding his unconventional steps.

However, Jung-woo himself did not pay much attention to it.

“This is great. We’ve already received this many research applications.”

To Jung-woo, the important thing was not ‘how great of a deed he had done,’ but ‘how much output had been produced.’

He wasn’t doing this to show off, after all.

Ultimately, everything he was doing was laying down stepping stones for a grand plan, so his thinking had naturally evolved to operate in this manner.

Whatever the case, it was visible that as soon as the system was established, corporations and research teams from various universities were collaborating to prepare for the next seminar.

Since collaboration approvals were designated to be confirmed by the Gate Disaster Management Department, Jung-woo could grasp every detail of the process.

At this rate, it seemed the data environment he desired would be prepared quickly, and Jung-woo felt reassured.

It was while everything was stabilizing like this.

‘Is it only a couple of months left until the trip to North Korea?’

It was already mid-July.

When August ends, autumn arrives.

Mid-September would be the start date for the first exploration.

Given all the groundwork he had laid, there was no chance the exploration itself would fail.

However, that did not mean he could neglect his preparations.

‘I need to prepare too. For the trip to North Korea.’

For explorations, never letting one’s guard down was always rule number one.

He already had weapons in Teddy Bear and Sea Otter, but at the end of the day, that was just two S-Rank summons.

He needed to reach the level to draw out their full capabilities.

But this was not enough.

‘The appropriate subjugation headcount for an S-Rank Champion is five S-Ranks.’

And that was a number that anticipated the sacrifice of some of the participants.

No matter how much the All-Ages Filter adjusted the difficulty, considering worst-case scenarios, two summons were frankly too insecure.

Therefore, shouldn’t he aim for a third?

【Quest】

▶【[Great Caregiver] Always putting the child first is what makes a true caregiver, right!? Parenting never ends! Please keep collecting Praise Stickers! (9/10)】

Without paying it any special mind, just living his daily life with Se-gi, he had already reached this point.

Jung-woo’s stance was the same as before.

He would not treat his child well merely for the sake of Quest Stack.

However, conversely, he also had no intention of withholding things he could do for Se-gi out of such worries.

It was an extension of that context.

“Alright, I understand. Mr. Jung-woo.”

In the Association Chairman’s office, Ho-jong nodded as he looked over the documents just submitted.

“You cause all this chaos and then go on vacation. The Guardian of Work-Life Balance. Is that what you’re going for?”

“It’s summer. I’m planning to go on a summer vacation with Se-gi.”

“Just stay in the office with the AC blasting. Why go out?”

“I’m going to a cooler beach.”

“Then what about all the work you’ve started?”

“That’s why I came to hand it over.”

“Jung-woo, be honest. You don’t see me as your boss, do you?”

“I always respect you, Mr. Chairman.”

“Eohyu…”

Ho-jong let out deep sighs but still stamped the approval section.

However, the business was not yet finished.

“Ah, please approve this as well.”

“Hm? What’s this, a gate Subjugation Permit?”

“Yes.”

“The schedule overlaps with your vacation?”

“I’m planning to go during my vacation.”

“…I really don’t get you, Jung-woo.”

Ho-jong’s brows furrowed.

Jung-woo smiled awkwardly.

How could he possibly explain?

‘I need the Special magic Stone dropped by the champion that appears there.’

He was a Regressor, after all.

Because of the actions he had already taken, the original history would not flow exactly as it had, but there were still a few immutable facts.

The appearance of champion entities with unique gimmicks also fell into that category.

There was no need to deliberately ignore benefits that could be obtained.

Since the entity would appear near his travel destination, he would simply take care of both at the same time.

The plan was perfect.

Play with Se-gi during the day, and when she fell asleep, head out to subjugate the gate.

‘I need to enhance Sea Otter’s utility.’

A non-combat magic stone, but one that Jung-woo needed more than anything else, was right there.