Chapter 194. Plea (2)
What does this sneer mean?
“Hahaha! Ah, ha. Anyway, I was wondering why our Mr. Gi-ryeo had to go through such hardships.”
“Uh, Esther Hunter?”
“Oh my! I really had no idea there was such an absurd story!”
Esther burst into laughter to the point that tears gathered in her eyes and didn’t continue the conversation until thirty seconds had passed.
However.
The next words that flowed from her mouth were like a thunderclap.
“Anyway, to put it simply, there’s a 0% chance that Mr. Gi-ryeo is anything but S-Class!”
“What did you say?”
“Did your ears just perk up? Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter is a genuine powerhouse, as confirmed by other top-ranked Awakened!”
How could anyone mistake someone like that?
Esther was still chuckling at just how ridiculous that idea was.
But the association president’s face grew darker as the conversation progressed.
Tension. Anxiety.
A middle-aged expression gradually clouded with negative emotions.
“What… what basis do you have for saying 0%? I—I heard this from a reliable information source—even from America—”
“America?”
Esther initially replied in her usual high tone but quickly changed her posture.
“Hmm, then I’ll tell you fairly too. Mine is from Japan.”
She crossed her legs and settled in more comfortably.
“You see, I once attended a founding anniversary event of a guild called Gate Star. There, I met a hunter…”
For reference, the person who was at the party in America and had never spoken to Gi-ryeo was this one.
“His name is ‘Yamasaka Iori.’”
The overseas contact she exchanged numbers with was an S-Class Hunter with wind attributes from Japan.
“And as it happens, I enjoy animation quite a bit. Iori Hunter has a fondness for Korean idols.”
“Eh?”
“Because we both have an interest in each other’s cultures, we became friends quickly after just a few emails.”
“W—what’s the point?”
“Did I go on too long? The point is, I was able to hear from Iori about the dragon hunt not too long ago…”
Esther tilted her head slightly, finally getting to the meat of what the other wanted.
“What I’m trying to say is, after knowing the incident that occurred at the S-Class Gate in Japan, you absolutely cannot call that man a fake.”
An incident at the S-Class Gate in Kagoshima.
The association president was taken aback by Esther’s announcement.
Because he had been strongly suspicious of Gi-ryeo due to the circumstances of the Kagoshima raid.
Certainly, the pressure from Spectrum had played a significant role in his certainty that Gi-ryeo was a scammer.
‘That Kim Gi-ryeo guy went to Japan as a support, didn’t he…?!’
Looking back now at the man who had insisted on being a supporter, his actions seemed odd.
If we assume that he’s a fake S-Class, it’s highly likely that it was a smokescreen to hide insufficient abilities.
“Hmm, how far can I go with this?”
Mumbling to herself.
But the curse mage maintained her calm tone, just continuing with her explanation.
“First, let me tell you one secret: Mr. Gi-ryeo came out unscathed even after falling into the Poison Pool in the poison dragon’s nest.”
“What…?”
“Of course, it’s not a remarkable achievement. Other S-Class Hunters from Japan managed to withstand it to some extent.”
At this, the association president paused.
“But I wonder if that misunderstanding still remains. Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter, in that dungeon, single-handedly killed a dragon without even a scratch on it.”
“What?!”
“Even though it was a regular monster, those dragons were tough enough that Japanese hunters had to work together to hunt them.”
He had definitely said he was merely supporting the Japanese hunters, so how could that guy kill a dragon with his own hands?
Moreover, the subsequent explanation completely stiffened the association president’s core.
The cold-impressioned hunter had used a skill that was truly common and well-known to kill the dragon.
“Also, the most important point in that story is that Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter used [Binding] in the hunt.”
Binding.
That was a magic that typically appeared in the form of skill stones, and its unique efficacy meant that acquiring it depended heavily on personal talent.
To be exact, if one lacks talent in telekinesis, even using a skill stone wouldn’t allow the body to master the technique.
But if one was lucky enough to learn it, thereafter it would show considerable usefulness.
C-Class, D-Class, etc.
Unlike other skill stones whose power is often fixed, Binding always followed the specs of the Awakened.
“Do you not know, Association President? The output of [Binding] increases in proportion to the Awakening Level?”
Esther spoke a sentence similar to what the blond man had once said.
The association president tried to retort.
“Well, um, no matter how much the premise of a skill is that, it’s possible he used another means like an item to manipulate it…”
This time, it was the woman who interrupted him with a hearty laugh.
“You know one thing but don’t know two. President, the information you’ve heard so far came from Japan’s Iori Hunter.”
“Eh?”
“He holds the [Appraisal] skill, you know!”
The president of the Hunter Association.
If examined closely, this also places him within the realm of the industry, so Go Byeong-do could hardly be expected to know nothing about the ecology of the Awakened.
“Wait, if that’s the case…”
Go Byeong-do quickly grasped the meaning of the words.
Appraisers are the ones who are most familiar with dungeon artifacts.
Thus, those who possess analysis skills often feel the power of items more sensitively than other hunters.
“Yes. That ‘if’ is a fact. Just to be sure, I asked, and Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter didn’t even wear a ‘weapon’ during the raid.”
That Japanese appraiser decided.
Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter went into the S-Class Gate in Kagoshima without wearing equipment that enhances the power of skills.
No, it wasn’t just power-related items that he didn’t wear.
Except for the special ability dagger and small box he kept in his arms, he went in almost barehanded.
“There was never anything extravagant that you imagined.”
…Of course, contrary to this statement, there were indeed some things.
What Gi-ryeo had done to increase his skill power with the Infinite Power Core was something impossible for Earthlings, so they couldn’t grasp the reality of the incident.
“So how could Mr. Gi-ryeo be a fake? The proof is already overflowing.”
“…”
“Honestly, I don’t understand why you, President, misjudged such a definite person. You, of all people, boldly spread your address. It’s disappointing that you are so flustered over a measly 3 billion compensation.”
If we assume that Gi-ryeo is indeed a genuine S-Class, then someone present had made a mistake they could not remedy.
“Did Kim Gi-ryeo really kill the dragon himself at the S-Class Gate? Then the Japanese’s statements in the interviews weren’t just mere formalities, huh?”
Cold sweat began to trickle down the forehead of the president, who was turning anxious.
Unlike Go Byeong-do, who was becoming increasingly uneasy, Esther was thinking, ‘It’s certain that the president has called Alai, so I can cancel the Justitia loan. Money saved!’
‘So could it be that Kim Gi-ryeo that hunter is really…’
No one’s misfortune ends here.
The spark ignited by the president’s mistake had yet to fully catch fire.
“By the way, Mr. Gi-ryeo, I’ve come to see you in a new light. You appear all cold, yet you’ve spared the president, who leaked precious information.”
“Eh?”
“And when he whined that he couldn’t trust the person the association had hidden, you personally reassured him by even making such a contract.”
“…Ugh.”
“You seem oddly generous when dealing with ordinary people.”
Esther, who mumbled for a moment, propped her chin and looked somewhere. Specifically, where the association president’s bodyguards were standing.
“But what to do now? I’m sorry, but I can’t tolerate this any longer. Regardless of any misunderstandings, I don’t want to work with someone dangerous who can pull a knife on Awakened at any time.”
“Now, hold on. What are you talking about…?”
“Just so you know, if you plan to make excuses again, just quit it. I may have missed my chance earlier, but I’m really disgusted by criminals who ramble.”
Tap.
“We’ve already given enough chances. Now that you’ve crossed the line.”
Esther straightened her crossed legs and stomped her foot against the floor in dissatisfaction.
“I will now be the one to punish in Mr. Gi-ryeo’s stead.”
“What!”
“First, let’s strip that guy of his position as association president before we slowly discuss Alai. Everything must go in order, you know? Got it?”
As the S-Class Hunter sitting on the sofa spoke and prepared to leave,
Bang!
At that moment, the man sitting opposite slammed the table in anger.
“Hey, the more I listen, the more I realize you’re just a naive little girl taking liberties!”
“Wow!”
“Having tolerated your ill-mannered behavior for this long, and now what? You want me to just give up my seat?”
Association President Go Byeong-do spat angrily, jabbing a finger at the S-Class before him.
“Let’s see if you really think it’s that easy, Korean Magic Tower Guild Master!”
“Hmm.”
“Did you forget that I was right there when you made a deal with the government?”
“Ah.”
“You’ve killed under the name of capital punishment!”
Yet, strange as it may seem,
Even though he had pulled out a weakness that could be fatal if reported,
Esther began smiling broadly, widening her eyes as the president continued speaking.
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
To put it bluntly,
The association president’s threats were as good as useless.
“Wh—what…?”
“Listen here. These days, because of your kind, the established class throwing their weight around, legal distrust is rampant. So what’s a little blemish against that?”
Revenge. Violence. Personal sanctions.
These days, people often reveled in such sensational acts, so purging innocent people harmed by criminals could be interpreted differently by some citizens.
“Go ahead, try to reveal what I’ve done.”
“…”
“But do you really think the new generation will just criticize me? Furthermore, I have politicians and journalists close behind me. Do you think it’ll spread properly?”
For reference, the act of purging high-grade criminals was something she had worried about for a long time.
Aside from thoroughly researching to prevent innocent people from being affected,
It also posed the risk of the government using it to control her leash.
However, after a brief consideration, Esther found a solution to the risk.
“By the way, President, how’s that headache of yours now?”
Headache. Hearing that caused Go Byeong-do’s face to visibly contort.
“I’m glad if you’re feeling better, but if our association president does anything malicious in the future…”
“Wow!”
“If the heavens were to get angry and your condition worsens….”
With that line, Esther looked down at him with an expression as cold as ice, displaying a merciless and fearsome demeanor, exactly like the blond hunter who had asked her for a favor.
At that moment, Go Byeong-do sensed that the guild master of the Korean Magic Tower had just used her power on him, and victory surged within him.
The other party had just spoken something akin to a confession!
This association president’s office always had recording devices running, so he could use this as new negotiation material!
“Where are you looking? Could it be that right under that chair is the recorder’s spot?”
But just then,
The woman, with a languid expression, raised her lips and continued her unfinished words.
“Oh, I almost forgot to mention. I actually brought some high-grade magic stones with me into this room.”
Simultaneously, her aide standing behind her opened the briefcase he was holding to show.
Crash.
The dazzlingly radiant dungeon resources shone brightly.
But it was a dangerously beautiful sight, like the yellow-green hue created by uranium oxidation.
“So if you’ve turned on the recording function, the sound might have come out a bit weird…”
Interference mimicking the Gate’s properties.
As Go Byeong-do’s eyes began to tremble, the Earth’s Curse Mage brightly addressed him.
“If you’ve heard this much, you should have understood enough. I expect it. From now on, it’ll be your turn to suffer unilaterally.”
“Hey! Esther Hunter!”
“Just so you know, I think a person’s true feelings come from pain. So the price for messing with a decent hunter, let’s make sure to discuss it deeply afterward.”
Thus began the prologue of destruction.
