Chapter 175
“No... It’s possible?”
“Ah. What are you doing? Don’t pretend you don’t know,” Choi Yeonseung said, seemingly dumbfounded. The people here weren’t innocent children, so why should they act as if they didn’t know?
“As far as I’m aware, South Korea is very sensitive to corruption. It has a reputation for strict administrative measures that don’t allow second chances once caught.”
“... Is there more than just the South Korea that I know about?”
Choi Yeonseung was flustered for a moment. Had?another South Korea been created somewhere else in the past 30 years? However, it wasn’t just one technician. The others nodded their heads in agreement.
“South Korea is pretty clean in that regard.”
"That's right. Haven’t you seen America? The last time there was an accident, the CEO just paid a large bribe and got away with it.”
“Umm. Our opinions differ because we all live in different countries.”
Choi Yeonseung thought as much. The flaws of one’s own country were relatively more visible to them than other countries, making other countries look better.
“No, objectively speaking, South Korea is a corrupt-free country...”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
‘We’re just stating facts...’
‘Isn’t Hunter Choi Yeonseung being too strict with his own country?’
The technicians mumbled to themselves, unconvinced.
“Then tell me. If South Korea is such a fair country, how can a company that has caused an accident even participate in a project like this?” Choi Yeonseung asked.
“Every country has good and bad people. What’s important is that the system punishes the unjust. That company can join in because it hasn’t been detected yet, but once it has, it will be handled properly.”
“... There is truth to your words, but you make it sound so cheap.”
The technicians were more difficult to convince than he expected.
“Don’t you feel bad about complimenting South Korea?”
“No. My daughter is a K-POP fan...”
“... It wasn’t an objective assessment, then?”
Choi Yeonseung knew they were painting South Korea in too good of a light. Like Illeya, their opinion of South Korea had always been good! No wonder why they said nice things!
“Considering even foreigners think of South Korea that way, I certainly can’t stay still.”
Choi Yeonseung took out his smartphone and contacted someone.
If he accused a company of something like this back when he was still a C-grade hunter, the other clans with high-grade hunters would pressure him. He would wake up to broken windows and even get a call telling him to be careful at night...
However, Choi Yeonseung and the people around him were now dozens of times stronger than before both socially and physically!
***
Kim Daejeong, the president of Daejeong Construction, sat down with a satisfied expression. This wasn’t just a big project, it was a mega project. It was a mega project that would allow him to stop doing anything else and just focus on this for ten years! That alone made this project worth doing.
They were now in charge of the facilities for the expedition into the Abyss Gate. The huge amount of government support and the huge investment of other companies meant the hunters who participated in it would have a lot of money. A smile formed on his lips at the thought of the profits they would be getting. Of course, Daejeong Construction didn’t monopolize this. Other large construction companies were also involved
‘But this is enough.’
All he had to do was not touch other people’s territory and do well in his own territory. The other companies also had weaknesses, so he wouldn’t hesitate to step up and get more work. He was sure they would get along well with each other.
“Congratulations, President-nim!”
“Congratulations, President-nim!”
“Thank you. Do you know how much effort I put into winning this job?”
In truth, only 10% of it was skill, and 90% were bribes. Regardless, it was still hard work.
“President-nim, someone is looking for you.”
“What? Who?”
“An official from the Hunter Management Department...”
“!”
Kim Daejeong was surprised. Public officials had different powers and influence depending on the department. The Hunter Management Department managed hunters and dungeons, so it was one of the most prominent departments. The president of a raid-related construction company like Kim Daejeong had to be very careful with them!
“Tell them to come in!”
A Caucasian in a suit opened the door. He was carrying a briefcase.
“? ?”
Kim Daejeong blinked.
‘Ah. We’re indeed in the era of internationalization now.’
In a world where talented people were recruited for special employment, even people from other countries could become public officials.
“Welcome. Are you from the Hunter Management Department? Which area do you work in?”
“I don’t work in hunter management.”
“...... Didn’t you say you’re from the Hunter Management Department?”
“I said I stopped by the Hunter Management Department before coming here. It is hard to speak Korean.”
“... What type of nonsense are you talking about in broad daylight? Who are you?!”
“I’m a lawyer hired by Dragon Industry.”
“......”
Kim Daejeong paused, fearing the mentioned name. Daejeong Construction prided itself on being a large company, but it was only active in South Korea. Compared to Dragon Industry, a global company, it was just a child.
“R-Really?”
“Here is my business card... I’m here today under Hunter Choi Yeonseung’s orders.”
“Ah... Uh... No... Why, though?”
Choi Yeonseung had nothing to do with Daejeong Construction. He should be enjoying life now that he had gone back after missing in the Abyss and had become an A-grade hunter. Why was he doing this? Unless Daejeong Construction promised to give him money a few decades ago but broke it…
“He heard that Daejeong Construction earned the right to participate in this expedition through illicit bribes and illegal lobbying. He says he will take action if you don’t take responsibility and step down.”
“!!!”
Kim Daejeong’s jaw dropped open. This meeting started with someone he did not expect and ended with demands that were just as surprising. It was so out of the blue that he was rendered speechless.
“W-what do you mean? There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
Under normal circumstances, he would’ve already insulted and told this person to leave, but the man he was working for was far more valuable than expected. A-grade hunters should not be taken lightly.
“I am cheering for Hunter Choi Yeonseung as a fellow Korean! I can't tell you how happy I was to see his recent performances—”
“That is none of my business.”
The foreign lawyer naturally didn’t fall for the president’s manipulation.
‘Ugh,’?Kim Daejeong inwardly cursed.
An A-grade hunter and a super large conglomerate. Dealing with one of them would already be difficult, but he had to deal with both, which was terrible. Nevertheless, Kim Daejeong held out. This was his goose that laid golden eggs. He couldn’t just back down.
“That is a ridiculous rumor spread by my competitors! You have been misled!”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
‘He speaks fluent Korean... ’?the manager, who was next to the president, thought. The foreign lawyer was far more fluent in Korean than expected.
“Anyway, I’ve told you everything I have to. I’ll be leaving now.”
“... N-No. You’re going to leave just like that?”
Kim Daejeong was taken aback. Normally, there should be exchanges along the lines of, ‘I have this and that as evidence,’ and, ‘These are my excuses.’
Yet this person just said what he had to say and was now going to leave.
“What else is there to say?”
“If I don’t admit it...”
“Think carefully about what will happen if you don’t.”
“......!”
Kim Daejeong involuntarily massaged his nape. He felt a chill in his throat. Hunters could threaten others using force instead of making everyone involved go through complicated legal processes and lawsuits.
“I-I also know some hunters. If that’s your plan, then I’ll—”
The president tried to argue, but the lawyer just left, absolute confidence exuding from his back.
***
-President Kim Daejeong of Daejeong Construction resigns. He revealed that ‘he will take responsibility for the miscarriage of justice and step down’...
“Look at this.”
Finding the technician, who was smiling, Choi Yeonseung dumbfoundedly said, “He stepped down when I threatened him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stepped down.”
“Isn’t Hunter Choi Yeonseung part of the Korean system as well?”
Choi Yeonseung honestly admired the technician’s guts.
‘I think he is better at speaking than any techniques.’
“This isn’t over yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“The bastards who took bribes from that company will be holding on for dear life. I will have to identify them and fight them too. Unless you are from that country, you’re bound to be unaware of some things.”
-All the officials involved in this criminal bribery case of Daejeong Construction have been caught. The prosecution has called them...
The technician looked at Choi Yeonseung with a triumphant expression. Meanwhile, Choi Yeonseung just watched the news as if he had just seen a ghost.
“... No way...”
What was going on?
“Now isn’t the time to be doing this.”
“Ah. Sorry.”
Choi Yeonseung headed outside. The chaotic sky of the Abyss, not the familiar landscape of Earth, welcomed the hunters. Hunters familiar with dungeons were walking around without much thought, but the ordinary people were trembling so much they didn’t even dare look outside. The expedition team had arrived at the First Abyss Kingdom on the other side of the Abyss Gate.
[Do you want to enter the ‘First Abyss Kingdom’ dungeon?]
[Rewards: Kingdom of ? ?]
[Admission restrictions: None]
[Time remaining: None]
This particular dungeon hadn’t been challenged in over a decade, but there was still quite a lot of information about it. Expeditions from all over the world tried to build a base as far as possible from the gate entrance. Of course, building it near the gate entrance would be ideal when taking evacuation into consideration. However, it was for that very reason that no one would build the base nearby. Their base should be built in the best location for invading the Abyss.
“I shouldn’t say this since I’m the one who brought you here, but... Is it really okay for you to come here?” Choi Yeonseung asked while looking at the hunters of the Mount Hua Sect.
This expedition, supported by Dragon Industry and led by Choi Yeonseung, didn’t recruit a lot of hunters.
Joseph Grant and other hunters thought, ‘If I have high numbers, then I’ll always have people I can use to do whatever I want,’ so they gathered as many low-level hunters as possible. However, Choi Yeonseung had no intention of using other hunters as bait. Instead, the team he created was made up of elites he knew were clearly capable of pulling their own weight.
“Our clan is doing well right now.”
The Mount Hua Sect hunters didn’t do raids themselves before since they weren’t strong enough. However, their skills had improved so much that they had even played an active role in containing Glenn Douglas, who had gone out of control the other day. Hence, there was no reason for them to avoid raids. Going into a dungeon and procuring items themselves was much more lucrative than trading cores or items on the black market.
“Above all, considering you’re leading us, Hunter Choi Yeonseung, aren’t we bound to hit a jackpot?”
“A lot of people have joined this campaign, so it’s probably better to throw away the idea of hitting a jackpot,” Choi Yeonseung said, but most of the Mount Hua Sect hunters thought otherwise.
-There is no way an expedition with so many hunters will fail!
This raid was on a different level from humanity’s earlier attempts, which were all just small-scale raids. Moreover, A-grade hunters were leading this raid. Numerous countries had joined in on this campaign, launching their own expeditions, so no one thought they would fail.
-There are so many people here. I doubt I’ll even get hurt.
-Even if the raid fails, we can just easily and safely return. We’re near the gate, after all.
“Well, jackpot or not, I’ll still take care of you all.”
“What are you going to build here?”
“A training room. Tell all the Mount Hua Sect hunters to stop looking at the Abyss and come in.”
“......”
‘I shouldn’t have asked...’
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