Chapter 48 – Declaration of War Against Villains (2)

“You’re probably making him think you’re some kind of gentleman by now.”

“What are you talking about? You won’t find anyone kinder than me.”

“Have some shame.”

“What are you talking about? You won’t find anyone with more shame than…”

“Just like an old man, spouting dad jokes.”

“What are you talking about? If we’re going by actual age, you’re my great-grandm…”

Olivier lunged to grab my hair. Not a chance.

As we left the research institute and headed for my meeting with the Director, I could feel people’s eyes on us.

“Oh, that person.”

“Lee Hyunbin?”

“He’s the one who caught the dragon, right?”

The patients gathered on the first floor looked at me with pleased expressions.

Though I didn’t remember their faces exactly.

“They were part of the raid team.”

Olivier kindly explained. People swarmed toward us like a cloud.

“Are you here to get your rank updated? How did it go?”

“I’m on my way to find out now.”

“We survived thanks to you, Hunter-nim. Thank you.”

“It’s less thanks to me and more thanks to all of us fighting together.”

My humble reply made their faces fill with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.

Many members of the raid party had survived thanks to my actions. But their sacrifices were great.

Those who had lost arms or legs could no longer work as hunters.

In other words, they were forced into retirement.

Some were just thankful to be alive, while others were lost in despair.

“But isn’t there any compensation or welfare for hunters?”

I asked Olivier as we headed to the office.

“Hunters are high-income earners. Their welfare policies can’t be the same as for ordinary people.”

True, even I had earned about 4 billion won in just a month.

Not to mention, that amount would increase significantly once I received the reward and material costs for the Earth Dragon we just caught.

“Director. Hunter Lee Hyunbin is here.”

Entering the office, I was greeted by the same luxurious room as before. The Director rose from a plush sofa and welcomed me with a benevolent smile.

“Ah, Team Leader Lee. You must be tired after going through measurements since this morning.”

“What’s there for me to be tired about? The staff did all the hard work.”

The Director gestured for me to have a seat, and we sat facing each other.

“How do you think the rank evaluation went?”

“I did my best, so I’m sure it came out fairly.”

“Congratulations. You’re the nation’s fifth S-rank. And the world’s first S-rank Supporter, at that.”

I had expected to become an S-rank.

They say you’re an A-rank if your total stats exceed 200 or if you have at least one stat above 90.

To be an S-rank, your total stats must exceed 300, or you must have at least two stats above 90.

But my current stats, having awakened the Hero’s power, totaled 583.

I had far surpassed the S-rank threshold.

In terms of pure numbers, you could force a label like SSS-rank.

But I didn’t see any reason to reveal such details. Nor did I reveal the fact that I was a dual awakener.

It’s always best to hide as many cards as you can. You never know what might happen later.

“You saved us. The gate was cleared successfully, but then that dragon or whatever suddenly popped out. I got a real earful from the higher-ups.”

The Director gestured upwards and chuckled heartily.

“I’d like to do something for you.”

“That’s alright.”

“No, no, just tell me whatever you want. I’m telling you, we survived thanks to you. I’d be upset if I just let this slide.”

Receiving the Director’s favorable gaze, I raised the corners of my mouth.

“How can I help you?”

“Help? No, I’m the one who wants to do something for you.”

“There’s something you want from me, isn’t there?”

“Me?”

The Director gave a dignified smile and placed his hands on his knees.

As if he were waiting for something.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because I don’t believe you’re the type to let personal feelings lead to ‘favoritism’.”

At my words, the Director let out a pleased laugh.

“I really like the young people these days. Smart. Skilled. Or is it just that Hunter Lee is special?”

With that, the Director got to the point.

“I’m planning to declare war on the Villains.”

Villains. Awakened criminals.

Hunters who committed violent crimes were a headache all over the world.

“The order came down from above. Root out the Villains this time.”

This wasn’t a problem that could be solved by simply raising bounties and strengthening security.

“Catching Villains isn’t easy. It’s true that we’re having a tough time.”

In fact, the number of Villains who had been caught could be counted on one hand.

Thinking about it, it was a shame I had let The Company Man get away.

After I defeated the Earth Dragon, everyone who had been in my inventory was released.

A shame, a real shame.

“The higher-ups seem to think there’s no one better for the job than you.”

Villains presented many variables. One wrong move could lead to nothing but casualties.

There was even a case where twelve hunters surrounded a single Villain, The Company Man, only to be defeated by him instead.

Since I had taken down such a dangerous individual single-handedly, their assessment of me was bound to be high.

The only reasons I had been undervalued until now were that I was a new hunter and an awakened Porter.

“Hmm…”

I pretended to think seriously.

I, too, was interested in Villains.

Villains were the negative outcome of modern people gaining dangerous powers.

They had spread throughout the city like cancer, and I wanted to catch them.

‘And most of all, The Company Man.’

That man had crossed dimensions. I was sure of it. But I didn’t know how.

For the sake of sending Katrinne back, and for the people trapped on the floating island, I needed to uncover that secret.

“Is it difficult?”

The Director’s expression hardened slightly.

As if he had expected me to accept readily.

I planned to catch Villains anyway, and there was no harm in building a good relationship with the head of a government disaster agency.

No, in fact, it was a good thing.

“To be honest, I have some concerns.”

“What might those be…?”

“That I, having only just awakened, would be undertaking such a grave mission…”

“No, you’re more than enough. More than enough.”

The Director wasn’t getting it. I’d have to be a little more direct.

“Villains can be anywhere and nowhere.”

“…?”

“Because Villains don’t just exist at the bottom of the ladder.”

“Aha.”

Only then did the Director smile.

“You’re a temporary Grade 9 right now, aren’t you?”

When I signed the freelance contract with the Director before, it was as a Grade 9. It was a rank that literally only granted access to the lowest-level dungeons.

“Of course, we’ll have to open up dungeon access permits for you. Of course.”

“Sometimes, I might need to check dungeons that other guilds have won the bids for.”

Guilds bid on high-level dungeons to generate profit.

This literally meant they had the priority rights to clear it.

Other guilds couldn’t make a move unless they were subcontracted. But it was different for someone recognized by a state agency.

“A director is basically a king in his own territory. And I’m the director of a disaster agency.”

The Director said with confidence.

“For this war against the Villains, I’ll issue you clearance rights for all dungeons for a certain period.”

The Director’s shoulders puffed up with pride.

Good. But that wasn’t all I wanted.

“That alone might not be enough.”

A question mark formed on the Director’s face.

“Inside gates or dungeons, the government’s power doesn’t reach, which creates many difficulties. This might be even more true for me, as I belong to another guild.”

A gate was a world where dimensions were completely cut off. In other words, it was a lawless zone.

“I need jurisdiction.”

A being with the public authority to discipline even other hunters within dungeons and gates.

A Special Guarder, of which only one existed in the Republic of Korea.

The nation’s second S-rank hunter and the top hunter of the disaster agency, Lucky Boy Lee Han-seong.

“You’re a member of the Hanul Guild.”

“Won’t I be half-affiliated with the agency?”

A short sigh.

“That’s a difficult request.”

It wasn’t a refusal. Not yet.

“No matter how much I recognize your talent, isn’t that a bit too greedy?”

Right now, the government agency, the Gate Disaster Bureau, was severely lacking in personnel.

Did the Director see me in a favorable light?

Perhaps. He might say so, but this man’s experience led him to recognize my value.

That’s why he chose to embrace me.

He had the nation’s second S-rank hunter, Lucky Boy Lee Han-seong.

The special privilege that had been granted solely to him would now be divided. It could be troublesome for the Director.

“To catch Villains for the good of the nation, I need to get stronger. It’s only natural for my ambitions to grow. It’s something that can’t be achieved without being excessive.”

“To not be excessive, your ambitions would have to shrink, I suppose.”

“If it rains, you must stop the march. You adapt to the environment.”

The Director brought the teacup to his lips again. But it was already empty.

He realized it a moment later and gave an embarrassed smile.

It was time to end the conversation.

“Which ambition do you think will shrink first?”

I answered with a smile instead of words.

“Alright. I’ll have my staff prepare it.”

From now on, I would be free from anyone’s control and could clear any place according to my will.

It meant the restrictions on my activities were gone.

“Actually, I have one more favor to ask.”

“More?”

This time, the Director’s pupils truly dilated. Just promising me special privileges would get him chewed out by his superiors.

“Please think of it as an investment in the future.”

***

“Oh, over there!”

“He’s coming out! Hunter Lee Hyunbin! Hunter Lee Hyunbin, we heard the results of your re-evaluation are out!”

A swarm of reporters rushed over.

A young, handsome man emerged from the building, bathed in the spotlight.

He looked completely natural, as if he were used to the public eye.

“Hello.”

The moment Hyunbin spoke, camera flashes erupted as if on cue.

“Have you finished all the tests?”

“Have you heard the results?”

Hyunbin offered a slight smile in response to the reporter’s question.

“It came out just as you all expected.”

Everyone waited for Hyunbin’s next words.

“I’ve become the fifth.”

No one misunderstood the meaning of his words. Every reporter gathered here had watched the footage of Hyunbin’s exploits over and over.

As the saying goes, even a dog at a village school learns to recite poetry after three years. They had no doubt he would become an S-rank.

Another barrage of questions and flashes poured down.

Hyunbin looked around.

The red lights of the cameras were on. This scene was being broadcast live across the country.

“Going forward. What are your plans for the future!”

“How are you feeling right now?”

“Please say a few words to the nation!”

“There has never been a case of a 4-star monster being hunted solo anywhere in the world. What are your thoughts on this?”

Receiving the flood of questions, Lee Hyunbin gave a wry smile.

“You’ve got it wrong.”

Everyone focused.

“I didn’t fight alone.”

The birth of the nation’s first S-rank hunter, Yeomje Hwang Jae-yeon, had drawn massive public interest. But he was arrogant.

He loved to show off his abilities and had an aggressive image.

“There were people who fought before me, people who did not spare their lives. It was only possible because of them.”

Hyunbin humbly passed on the credit.

“The nation will remember the fallen. Just as I will.”

Flashes went off incessantly.

A seemingly naive reporter raised his hand.

“It’s been reported that the families of the hunters who died in this disaster received only 330,000 won in compensation. What are your thoughts on this matter?”

The other reporters frowned at the question.

An article had come out stating that one of the victims of the Earth Dragon had received 330,000 won in compensation.

Public opinion was slowly starting to rise in protest.

If the clueless rookie hunter made a mistake in his answer, they would turn it into an embarrassing part of his history and run with the story. If he avoided the question, they would damage his image with speculative articles.

For the reporters, it was great bait.

Because it was sensational.

But they shouldn’t have thrown that question at Lee Hyunbin.

It wasn’t good for anyone to see the man who had performed heroic deeds put in a difficult position.

“That’s a little different from what I know.”

A look of confusion spread across the reporters’ faces.

Unfortunately, Hunter Lee Hyunbin did not answer any further questions.

And just a few hours later, the disaster agency released an official statement.

***

“He’s a strange one.”

Shin Chae-ho, the director of the disaster agency, rubbed his chin.

Just moments ago, Lee Hyunbin had been sitting across from him.

The profile he had received on him described an ordinary, no, a subpar young man with a high school dropout status and no social experience.

But he had felt something from the very first time they met.

Even now, he had stood before him and boldly demanded special authority.

He didn’t seem like a complete rookie. He looked like someone who had been through all sorts of trials and tribulations.

He couldn’t just grant special authority because someone had an S-rank.

What the hunter who coveted both corporate profits and agency power wanted next was something unexpected.

*Please recognize everyone who fought against this disaster as a national person of merit.*

He knew the man had no particular connection to the victims. Yet that was what he wanted.

Director Shin Chae-ho picked up his desk phone.

—Yes, Director.

“Ah, it’s me.”

The Director gave a short laugh and continued.

“Make a list of the victims from this disaster and designate them all as persons of national merit.”

—Sir?

The department head on the other end of the line couldn’t believe his ears.

“PMC, whatever, list them all.”

—Yes, I understand.

Within the disaster agency, the director’s word was law.

“And leak to the press that Lee Hyunbin actively pushed for this.”

Perhaps he wanted to be a hero. But it wasn’t a bad thing for the Director or the disaster agency.

Giving out things like jurisdiction just because someone was an S-rank would cause complaints.

But it was different if that someone was a hero.

The Director thought that Lee Hyunbin might have seen this far ahead.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

In that case, he should give him a gift.

“That Kim Gi-mun and his cronies.”

A man destined for great things didn’t need to be bothered by trivial obstacles.

“Take care of all of them.”