Chapter 131: CHAPTER 120. A WARNING AND A FAVOUR
Now that you know of pain that others cannot understand,
I'm sure you can become kinder than anyone else.
I live life every day hoping that I'm a slightly kinder person than I was the day before.
.....
"I am sure both you and Ms. Esdeath will enter the same guild. And if you both decide to enter one of the five Guilds, it doesn't matter which one, the delicate balance will shatter and everything will change."
Even now, the status and authority of large Guilds were soaring into high heavens. However, what if one of them managed to sign up two S-rank Hunters, possibly the strongest of Asia and national-level hunters' top dogs, and used that as the springboard to soar to a height never seen before, possibly higher than even the USA's top guild?
Would they listen to the Association anymore?
The Association's sole role was to remain as the center of the balance among the Hunters by using power.
"It is simply far too inadequate to control and tie down Hunters with laws and regulations and the threat of prosecution."
Jin, too, thought like that before. Monsters found in dungeons weren't the only 'monsters' out there. Hunters were also, in a way, 'monsters'. And most of them are able to bend law to their will. If one were to look only at the 'strength' aspect, then Hunters were far more dangerous 'monsters' than regular monsters found in dungeons.
"That is why the Association exists."
Go Gunhee's expression became far more grave.
"And the Association needs your help, Sung Jin-Woo Hunter-nim. And if possible, Ms. Esdeath as well."
….The help from someone like them, who possessed possible power, destroyed the nations. Go Gun-Hui's gaze became sharper.
'Sure, I'll have to keep an eye on them and find out what they like, but….'
But, as long as Sung Jin-Woo and Esdeath gave their OK here, the Association would support them to the utmost fullest.
The rank S was certainly worthy of such an investment, after all.
'This should be enough of an explanation.'
That was why…. For the first time in a long, long while, Go Gunhee was feeling nervous and expectant at the same time, as he asked the next question in a soft but firm voice.
"What will you choose, Hunter-nims?"
…
That wasn't a bad suggestion. If Go Gunhee were to lend his support, then even the most average guy would be on the fast track to success.
The National Assembly, the government, the Hunters Association, and even the mass media, too – it'd be very hard to find a sector that Go Gunhee's reach did not extend to.
Not only that, if the person receiving that support just so happened to be a rank S Hunter? Gun-Hui could picture the young man or the lady sitting right next to the member of National Assembly Go Gunhee while kitted out in a super-dope designer business suit.
'Such an opportunity wouldn't come knocking every day, right? Young lads'
Even if one wanted to walk down this 'different path' Go Gunhee had suggested, not everyone was qualified to step on this road, after all.
However….
He wasn't interested, as there was one important thing missing from that scenario.
'If you sign up with the Association, they won't be able to clear high-rank dungeons.
The higher-ranked Hunters working for the Association never participated in raids at all. Their main role was to deal with other Hunters, not to hunt down and kill monsters.
And, even if he managed to get permission and participate in raids organized by the Association….
'Dungeons the Association deals with are rank Ds and Es, those that the Guilds aren't interested in.'
Could he continue on by hunting down low-level mobs that didn't even give him any experience points? No, of course not. He had killed billions and could only level once or twice.
Jin strongly hates the idea.
'I wish to become stronger. It's not even a level of power I will feel safe.'
To a higher place…..
A place no mortal could imagine.
He wanted to climb up as high as he could and even higher than that.
Even if it becomes impossible or there is no certainty, it won't stop him from aiming even higher and reaching there.
Why should he give up on something he was fully capable of achieving?
What a nonsensical notion that was.
'As long as I keep leveling up, I will get stronger and stronger. And stronger and stronger'
Thump.
Thump.
Imagining that caused his heart to thump way harder and faster than imagining himself being next to the Association President Go Gunhee.
Go Gunhee too sensed the change in Jin-woo.
'His breathing has suddenly picked up. Did he finally make up his mind?'
He could only hope that the decision was a good one.
'No, it simply has to be a good one.'
….If he thought about his remaining time.
His own anticipation no less than that of Jin-Woo's, Go Gunhee waited for the answer. Each passing second felt like a minute.
Jin eventually opened his mouth.
"I'm sorry."
Go Gunhee's expression hardened immediately.
'I thought I saw determination fill up his face just now…. Was I mistaken?'
He couldn't hide the disappointment on his face.
'In the end, the ambition of the man named Sung Jin-Woo was only about this much….'
Go Gunhee wasn't lying about lending support for the 'other path'. Actually, he was thinking of something even greater.
Two new rank S to appear in two years…. Simultaneously, one unknown factor with ice control so great it could freeze huge things in a matter of moments.
Able to create something that could bring a nation to near extinction. Others cast a single spell that eliminates the same that threatens to destroy a country.
A lower level never seen before in any country. And he wasn't the best as it could count as the least effort move.
And he was sure by watching the recordings as Esdeath did all with a snap and Jin did the same with a word.
He can't even compare what they are able to do if they truly try. Go Gunhee was thinking of keeping these youths close and teaching them the ropes, and if the kids showed promise, groom them to become the next successors.
And make this country a superpower never seen before in the whole human history.
Because a powerful figure was needed to support the Association when he was gone. Meaning, Go Gunhee was planning to hand over everything he had.
However, for the result to be like this….
'How laughable I am.'
Go Gunhee took away the golden badge and asked in a dejected voice.
"Is it…. because of money?"
Jin replied right away.
"No, it is not."
Go Gunhee snorted inwardly.
'They all sound righteous, of course.'
However, they were all the same inside. In the end, it was all about the money. And, the accompanying fame would be like icing on the cake.
'Then again….'
Chasing after material wealth was an innate instinct found in all human beings, so Go Gunhee didn't have any thoughts of faulting the youth for that.
Only that, he found it utterly laughable that people couldn't be honest with themselves.
"In that case, why did you say no?"
Go Gunhee asked, even though he already knew the answer. He just wanted to see the youth's response.
However…..
"I want to fight."
Jin-Woo's unhesitating reply smacked the back of Go Gunhee's head.
'What did he say??'
It definitely felt like he got sucker-punched just now.
"That…. Did you mean that you want to fight against the monsters?"
"That's correct."
Jin didn't bother with unnecessary explanations and spoke frankly.
"I want to enter Gates and hunt down monsters. I believe the place I belong is inside dungeons."
'How can this be?'
Go Gunhee's eyes widened.
A man like him standing on top of many others knew whether someone was telling the truth or lying through their teeth simply from the light emitting from their eyes.
The position he occupied could only be reached by possessing such a skill, after all. That was why Go Gunhee knew it.
'Those eyes…. He's being dead serious.'
Go Gunhee's own eyes staring at Jin-Woo did a 180.
'How long has it been since I felt this?'
By the time Go Gunhee had 'Awakened,' his body was already too old. That was why, instead of fighting against monsters, he looked for other things he could do, instead.
By using the money he got from selling his company, he established the Korean Hunters Association, gathered Hunters, and with his fame serving as the foundation, he marched straight into the National Assembly, and even had a hand in creating laws that governed Hunters.
However, there was this lingering regret in his heart that would never go away, even though he worked tirelessly all this time.
'If only I were younger by 20, no, 10 years, I'd have been…. With these young people, I…..!'
Thump, thump, thump….
Go Gunhee pressed his hand on his chest. His heart that threatened to quit at any time was pounding quickly, rather noticeably, now.
'My heart can still make a noise like this?'
The rhythmic beating of the heart felt good.
On the other hand, Jin was looking at him.
The President seemed to be happy about something instead. As he looked at Esdeath and asked.
"What about you, young lady?" The President asked Esdeath, who opened her eyes and looked at the old man.
"Isn't it clear? I follow my love," Esdeath said with a bright smile on her face.
"Hahaha, I see, I see, and I have to say you have created quite the conundrum and made our hands full." The man glanced at his phone and saw hundreds of missed calls that he didn't receive, and even now his phone was ringing. "Please excuse me for doing something like that, Ms. Esdeath."
"It wasn't me, it was your associates. I even asked them twice if they really wanted to see." Esdeath explained herself just because she could see how respectful her love was taking this old bone. As she closed her eyes not wanting to hear anything.
The air got intense after they heard her straightforward answers.
"Thank you for your time."
Go Gunhee got up along with Jin and pulled something out from his inner pocket.
"And, please take this."
It was a business card.
'…..?'
"If you require my assistance, don't hesitate and give me a call."
Go Gunhee was smiling brightly.
What Jin-Woo said was right. Powerful Hunters belonged in dungeons.
Although he had failed in recruiting Jin-Woo, as the President of the Association, or perhaps as a fellow Hunter, Go Gunhee wished to help Jin-Woo out however he could.
If he were to be more honest, then….
'This young man, I like him.'
That was why he needed to offer advice as well. Nagging would only come from someone holding interest towards you, after all.
"It's impossible to enter high-ranked dungeons by yourself. Please, give it careful consideration when choosing a Guild to join."
'Your choice would change the status quo by a great deal.'
After hearing Go Gunhee's earnest advice, Jin-Woo briefly formed a mysterious smile.
"Thank you."
Jin-Woo pocketed the business card in his wallet, lightly bowed towards Go Gunhee and Woo Jin-Cheol.
"Anyway, I promised my younger sister that I will be back before dawn as she is alone in a huge house, so I should get going now. But before that, I owe you a favor, Mr. Go Gunhee."
Jin said as Go Gunhee was about to get up but he stopped when he heard the favor and curiously looked at the young man to see what favors he wanted to give him.
As everyone looked at Jin, he spoke a word, "Cure Illness."
As next, Go Gunhee felt a warmth he felt before flow in his body as the pain he always experienced just disappeared, and he felt much better than before.
As if the illness he had was slowly fading away, and before he even came out of shock, Jin spoke again, "X-Healing."
And the next second, his whole body glowed as he felt a new energy enveloping his body, giving him more life and rejuvenating his body. He felt like he was getting younger.
He had a blank shocked face as he didn't know what to do as a miracle was performed on him. He was too shocked to say anything, and it was the same with the other man in the room.
"Mr. Go Gunhee, this should be enough, and at our next meeting, I will completely erase the disease you have." Jin said as he got up and prepared to leave. He opened the door and stopped, turning around. He saw two men who were too shocked to even say a word.
"Mr. Chairman."
"Ha?"
Jin called out as both men turned to look at him. "You will do well to remember this: 'Do not judge me with shallow concepts of good and evil; I only do what I want to do.'" Without Jin realizing, he released a dark aura mixed with Despair Aura 1.
Causing both of them to tremble, even the Brightest Fragment of Brilliant Light trembled, and with those words, both Esdeath and Jin made their exit.
While leaving, Esdeath was licking her lips as she felt even her legs would give up, but for entirely different reasons than the men.
…
Two minutes later.
"Huff huff?"
"Fuu…."
While letting out a deep breath, Go Gunhee plopped down on the chair. As he looked at it, he closed his fist and felt the strength he lost a few years ago returning to his body.
The pain he was feeling had completely vanished.
"Are you alright, sir?" Woo Jin-Cheol guessed that Go Gunhee wasn't feeling well and quickly approached his boss, shaking his head as the warning from the youth seemed too much.
However, Go Gunhee smiled widely and waved his hand away.
"No, I'm more than fine. The spells he cast not only nearly erased the disease I had but quite literally reversed my age."
Actually, he was beyond fine. Even finer than he was in the last few years. What an enjoyable meeting this had been. A power he had never seen. If it were to come out, it could cause chaos in the world, but still, it wouldn't be worse than what his girlfriend did.
Go Gunhee sat there smiling for a long time before turning to his PA and handing out an order.
As an S-rank, he doesn't need to go to a doctor to know his disease is nearly gone; his senses and control told him all that.
"Clear the schedule for the rest of the day."
"But, sir. The meeting with the Ministers… and all the conundrum Ms. Esdeath caused, with different countries asking who is behind it, and even Ministers and presidents are…"
"Cancel them all."
Go Gunhee chuckled to himself. He didn't even let him finish his sentence.
"I do not wish to waste this good feeling on those small-minded idiots. Especially not today when we witnessed miracles."
He wished to retain this lingering feel-good attitude for today, at least.
Suddenly, Go Gunhee shifted his gaze over to Woo Jin-Cheol. Seeing that rarely-seen smile on the President's face, even Woo Jin-Cheol began feeling a bit hyped up as well.
"Is there something you need, sir?"
"No, well. It's nothing serious, but, my man….."
Go Gunhee took his time as he scratched below his chin.
"How about having a drink with me today?"
At this quite unexpected suggestion, Woo Jin-Cheol could only form an awkward smile.
"I'm not very good with holding my liquor, sir…. Will that be fine with you?"
"Uh-huh. I didn't take you for a person like that."
Go Gunhee playfully clicked his tongue.
"Haven't you heard of the old saying about the cup size of a man's drink determining the extent of the world he can make his own?"
"My apologies, sir."
Woo Jin-Cheol's face reddened in embarrassment and he scratched the back of his head.
"I was just kidding with you. I'm feeling amazing right now, and jokes just seem to come out on their own."
Also, the one he wanted to share drinks with was someone else. Go Gunhee's gaze shifted towards the end of the corridor that Jin-Woo had disappeared into.
'Hunter Sung Jin-Woo….' Sung Esdeath. How well would they be able to hold their liquor? Thinking that he'd like to find out someday, a thin smile formed on Go Gunhee's lips.
---
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone