I did not take the business card he offered.

A model.

Even in my past life, there were many hunters and Manshin who debuted as celebrities or models, so it wasn’t particularly strange.

I stared blankly at the business card before speaking.

“I’m not someone who suits being a model.”

Yang Uisung didn’t bat an eye at my objection and countered with a smile.

“I beg to differ. You look over 180 centimeters tall, and your face is handsome. No, ‘handsome’ is an understatement.”

Yang Uisung showered me with compliments, but I was unmoved.

I knew his praise was nothing but a facade.

Yang Uisung maintained his relaxed demeanor and continued.

“This is a good opportunity for you too, Mr. Kangrim. If your face is plastered everywhere, your Recognition Level will rise. You seem to have a good physique too. Why don’t you take off your jacket?”

“I decline. I’ll be leaving first.”

If it had been a request to retrieve an item rather than become a model, I would have accepted.

Having a connection with Yang Uisung wouldn’t be bad.

However, I had no intention of becoming his slave under the guise of modeling.

As I rose from my seat, Yang Uisung approached and grabbed my arm firmly.

“Is there something you don’t like? Is the down payment insufficient?”

“I have no intention of becoming a model in the first place. Regardless of the down payment.”

I quietly shook off his hand and walked out.

Even without looking back, I could feel Yang Uisung watching me—no, glaring at me.

As I walked away, his secretary quietly followed behind me.

“I will see you out.”

I didn’t answer and simply walked in silence.

The hallway felt unnecessarily long.

The secretary, walking obediently beside me without making a single footstep, spoke.

“The Representative’s offer will be of great benefit to you as well, Mr. Seo Kangrim.”

It seemed he intended to persuade me until the very end.

I kept my gaze fixed ahead and spoke.

“I’m not interested.”

“This is the Uisung Group, of all places. You won’t find better conditions than this. Don’t you find it regrettable?”

ES Entertainment was a massive conglomerate belonging to one of the Five Great Sects, but I didn’t find it regrettable.

That was because I knew exactly what kind of person Yang Uisung was.

In my past life, Yang Uisung founded ES Entertainment and turned several Manshin into celebrities.

The plan itself wasn’t bad.

The celebrity Manshin quickly built their Recognition Levels and spread the names of their Guardian Gods.

However, the contract had a fatal flaw, one that overshadowed any of its advantages.

It was the ‘Hunter Activity Restriction’ clause.

It was a stipulation that one could only enter Demon Realms with the company’s permission, to prevent hunters from causing trouble or getting injured in Demon Realms.

At first glance, it seemed like a measure to protect hunters, but in reality, it was a leash.

If one fell out of Yang Uisung’s favor.

He would use that clause to prevent hunters from entering Demon Realms.

A hunter unable to appear on broadcasts or enter Demon Realms.

With their hands and feet tied like that, the hunter’s fate was miserable.

One Manshin who had moved from the Flying Tiger Sect to ES Entertainment ultimately became unable to make a comeback.

If I joined ES Entertainment, there was a possibility I would end up the same way.

The sum of 3 billion won was significant, but I couldn’t let myself be tethered for that money.

I spoke to the secretary, who was waiting for my answer.

“My answer remains the same no matter how many times you ask. I will not become a model for the Uisung Group.”

I left the Uisung Group building, leaving the secretary behind.

I didn’t regret refusing Yang Uisung’s offer itself, but it was true that I needed money.

Things would start moving soon, so I needed to prepare.

After a moment of contemplation, I took out my phone and made a call.

The line rang briefly before the other person picked up.

“Dohyun Hyung, are you free to talk?”

“[I’m busy. Get to the point.]”

Kang Dohyun’s voice coming through the phone was merely brusque.

Without any small talk, I got straight to the point.

“You have the deeds to the Ancestral Graves and your house, right? Lend them to me.”

A brief silence fell.

After a few seconds, Kang Dohyun’s calm voice returned.

“[I don’t have a younger brother.]”

“This isn’t a voice phishing scam. It’s really Seo Kangrim.”

“[My brother isn’t the type of guy who would run his family into the ground.]”

I spent quite a while trying to prove that I was indeed Seo Kangrim.

And also why I needed the money.

Kang Dohyun seemed to barely accept it, but his voice still carried a hint of unease.

“[But the Ancestral Graves too?]”

“I’m just going to take out a short-term loan. I’ll return them soon.”

“[You have money too, don’t you?]”

I did have money, but when it came to War Funds, the more the better.

Kang Dohyun would eventually join the Flying Tiger Sect later anyway, so I could consider it an investment.

I spoke to the still-hesitant Kang Dohyun.

“Just trust me, brother. I’ll return it to you several times over.”

* * *

After Seo Kangrim left, Yang Uisung stood by the window, looking down.

The sunlight reflecting off the glass cast a sharp shadow over Yang Uisung’s face.

Seo Kangrim had rejected his offer, but he didn’t seem particularly disappointed.

‘So he really isn’t coming over.’

He had initially thought the chances of Seo Kangrim accepting were slim.

Seo Kangrim was a strong enough hunter, and he wouldn’t be lacking in income.

‘Seo Kangrim’s Recognition Level will only continue to rise. That’s problematic.’

A person he couldn’t control, who also possessed abilities.

That was the type of person Yang Uisung hated the most.

He fell into thought for a moment before calling his secretary.

“Secretary Kim. Come here for a moment.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“I need to take some measures.”

Yang Uisung’s face reflected in the glass like a mirror.

The reflection of Yang Uisung wore a sinister smile.

“I need to make Seo Kangrim crawl to me on his own.”

* * *

Numerous footsteps echoed through the Corridor.

On the day the second Great Demon Realm opened, the entrance to the Great Demon Realm was crowded with people, just like the day the first Great Demon Realm had opened.

The number of people had decreased since then, but it was still a large crowd.

“Why are there so many people?”

Yoo Harang, standing behind me, looked around in surprise.

It was likely her first time being in a place with this many people.

With Yoo Harang, a teenager, present, the hunters were looking this way with curious eyes.

I had debated whether to bring her, but since the second Great Demon Realm wasn’t a particularly dangerous place, I brought her along.

After all, Yoo Harang was already stronger than the average hunter.

Besides her Insight Eye and Forced Dispel, she had plenty of means to protect herself.

═══════════════

[Special Ability] God of Puppets

[Rank] Third Dragon Grade

[Description] An ability to create and control puppets. They can be moved automatically or manipulated manually.

═══════════════

It was an ability that somehow resembled that of a cult leader, but the ability itself was quite good.

With this level of power, she could protect herself, and since I was accompanying her, there wouldn’t be any problems.

I said to Yoo Harang,

“As I said, don’t wander around alone. Stay with me.”

“Good grief, you worry too much. I’m not a child.”

“You are a child—”

-puk!

Just then, someone brushed past me, striking my shoulder hard.

I glanced back and saw an unfamiliar face.

It didn’t particularly hurt; rather, the other person was grimacing.

“What? Why are you standing there like an idiot?”

The person who hit my shoulder was glaring with the audacity of the guilty party.

The fact that he had deliberately come over to my side and bumped my shoulder meant he was clearly picking a fight.

“Who are you? You’re the one who bumped into my brother first, and now you’re picking a fight?”

Jang Taeheon, who was standing next to me, flared up and stepped forward.

The other person flinched and looked like he was about to run away.

As Jang Taeheon tried to chase after him, I quickly stopped him.

“Let it go, Jang Taeheon. Just ignore him.”

“Damn it, these bastards…! They’ve been openly picking fights with you for a while now.”

In truth, he wasn’t the only one who had bumped my shoulder and walked past.

There were even guys who came right up to me and provoked me.

Jang Taeheon ground his teeth and suppressed his anger.

“It’s all because of those articles. The contents are completely nonsensical…!”

Two days after I rejected Yang Uisung’s offer.

Articles about me started appearing in the news again.

To the point where it seemed a bit excessive.

[Hunter Seo Kangrim caught committing fraud at the Education Facility.]

[Seo Kangrim obtains First Clear reward for the first Great Demon Realm through deception.]

[The disappearance of Sung Uigyeol, is it related to Seo Kangrim?]

They were all articles slandering me.

Looking at the contents, they were composed of speculation, editing, instigation, and fabrication rather than accurate facts.

However, the public was eating it up.

Looking around, several people were staring at me as if I were trash.

Jang Taeheon grumbled with a furrowed brow.

“Why are these articles suddenly coming out?”

It was probably because of Yang Uisung.

It seemed that upon my refusal of the contract, he held a grudge and was doing this.

Ultimately, the most important thing to hunters and Manshin was Recognition Level.

If it was possible to gain public favor by making them into celebrities, it was also possible to fabricate public opinion to make them fall.

Yoon Gyeoul also spoke with a pouty face.

“Doesn’t Master feel wronged? We should strike back at them!”

I didn’t answer that.

Just then, light erupted from the floor, signaling the start of the transfer.

[The door to the Great Demon Realm has been activated. The door opens!]

-uuung!

Simultaneously with the notification window popping up, I felt my body vibrate.

Hundreds of people were teleported at the same time.

The people who entered the Great Demon Realm looked around nervously before soon wearing dumbfounded expressions.

One person spoke as if it was absurd.

“What in the world is this…?”

A completely different scenery from the Demon Realms I had seen so far unfolded.

This place was like the entrance to an amusement park.

Colorful garlands were hung, and paper flower petals were fluttering in the air.

A Demon Realm of colorful pastel hues.

At that moment, a booming voice echoed through the speakers.

[—Welcome to the second Great Demon Realm, the Twelve Zodiac Race!]