Chapter 20

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: An Unwanted Spotlight
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“I know you’re not fully recovered yet. I can only apologize for dropping by so suddenly.”

“N-No, it’s quite all right. But what brings you here…?”

“I have a few questions regarding the Calamity-rank Gate that appeared today, and I also had some things to relay to you, Mr. Bong-gu, so I decided to come in person.”

Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol casually took a seat on the side of the cot.

“First, I’d like to express my gratitude for your efforts in ensuring the survival of our nation and the safety of its people.”

“Oh, not at all. I really wasn’t of any help…”

“As you know, with the exception of yourself, Mr. Kim Bong-gu, all the other survivors have sustained injuries so severe that they show no signs of regaining consciousness.”

The words brought back the horrific tragedy that had unfolded inside the Gate, and Kim Bong-gu replied in a shrinking voice, “That’s a shame…”

“For now, we have no choice but to rely on your testimony, Mr. Kim Bong-gu. I hope you can forgive us for this imposition.”

“Ah, yes…”

“Could you perhaps give us a brief summary of what happened inside the ‘Calamity-rank Gate’ that appeared near Sillim Station today?”

Kim Bong-gu licked his dry lower lip before carefully recounting the events inside the Gate.

“The name of the Gate was the ‘Sanctuary of the Jötunn.’ It was a place inhabited by regular monsters so powerful that even the sole S-rank Hunter, Chu Ji-hun, struggled against them…”

Bong-gu focused on relaying the facts while carefully phrasing his words so as not to reveal his brother’s true identity(?).

Another equally important point, he judged, was to minimize his own contributions.

After listening to the account for some time, Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol twirled the fountain pen in his hand and asked.

“Hmm, that leaves the question of which Hunter managed to subdue such a powerful boss monster, the ‘Frost Giant,’ and how.”

“I lost consciousness and collapsed around that time…”

“No, we are simply grateful that you made it back alive. And thank you for cooperating with the investigation despite your confusion.”

He then neatly put away his notepad and pen, tucking them back into the inner pocket of his coat.

“As you may know, Hunter Kim Bong-gu, this is the first time in history, across all cases worldwide, that a ‘Calamity-rank Gate’ has been suppressed with so few casualties.”

“Ah…”

“As a result, many foreign countries are showing great interest in this incident. Though it is a difficult situation, as we have no way of knowing the detailed circumstances…”

His voice trailed off for a moment before he looked back at Bong-gu and added.

“In any case, the reason I took the liberty of visiting you today was partly to request your testimony to understand the situation inside the Gate…”

“Yes, and?”

“But I also intended to deliver some good news to you, Hunter Kim Bong-gu, for your sacrifice in ensuring the safety of our citizens and serving the public good.”

“G-Good news…?”

“I should probably start by saying that we at the Bureau have been keeping a close eye on your brilliant exploits for some time now.”

“When have I ever had brilliant exploits…?”

“Didn’t you recently subdue the ‘A-rank Necromancer’ who had sided with the Anti-Bureau Alliance inside the Gate near Guro Digital Complex Station?”

“Ah, that was just luck…”

Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol finished his sentence with a slight smile, then rose from the cot and added again.

“You might be able to brush it off as ‘luck’ the first time, but can you really attribute the next one to ‘luck’ as well?”

“No, that was really…”

“Furthermore, it has been confirmed that you made a significant contribution to the suppression of the Calamity-rank Gate near Sillim Station today.”

At those words, Kim Bong-gu tried to sort through his jumbled thoughts.

‘What on earth were my contributions and exploits?’

It had been the same at the Gate near Guro Digital Complex Station, and now again at the Calamity-rank Gate near Sillim Station.

He hadn’t done much of anything besides hiding behind someone like a cheerleader and cheering them on with all his might…

Of course, Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol, who had no way of knowing this, seemed to be chalking it all up to ‘humility.’

“In any case, we at the Bureau have prepared a few rewards, humble as they may be, to show our gratitude for your efforts, Hunter Kim Bong-gu. Though I’m not sure if such meager compensation will be to your satisfaction…”

“Rewards…?”

“I looked into why your Hunter alias became ‘Hyoja’ (*The Filial Son), and I learned that you are caring for your mother, who collapsed due to the mysterious, incurable disease that spread after the Gates appeared.”

“Ah, yes…”

“First, we have arranged for your mother to use a ‘VIP room’ at the Awakener-exclusive hospital, free of charge, until she makes a full recovery.”

As Kim Bong-gu muttered, “G-Good heavens,” Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol continued to explain the other rewards.

“Also, a memorial service for the Hunters who died in the line of duty during the suppression of this Calamity-rank Gate will soon be held, along with a medal ceremony.”

“A ceremony…?”

“A medal, which comes with several benefits, will be awarded to the Hunters who survived the Calamity-rank Gate, including yourself, Hunter Kim Bong-gu.”

He finished speaking and added in a soft tone.

“Of all the benefits given to the recipients, the one that might be most practical for you, Mr. Bong-gu, would be…”

“Yes…?”

“That the recipient’s immediate family will have all their tuition fees waived for life.”

Kim Bong-gu let out a low groan, “Ah…”

‘Brother, thank you.’

Thanks to Kang-jun, his mother could now use a VIP room that cost three million won a day, free of charge.

Moreover, the worry over his sister Ju-hui’s tuition, which had been his biggest headache, was now completely gone.

It was no exaggeration to say that, thanks to Kang-jun, all the burdens he had been carrying had vanished in an instant.

Just as Bong-gu was busy swearing his loyalty to Kang-jun over and over again in his mind.

“And finally, I must inform you that after an internal meeting at the Bureau, it has been decided that you, Hunter Kim Bong-gu, have been selected as a ‘candidate for rank adjustment.’”

“A-A candidate for rank adjustment…?”

“In consideration of the achievements you have shown thus far, we have granted you eligibility to participate in the ‘Rank Adjustment Evaluation’ at the end of this year.”

He finished with a bright smile.

“I pray that after a splendid performance, you will be promoted to a rank befitting you, Mr. Bong-gu.”

“Ah, no. I think C-rank is still the right fit for me…”

“And I hope that even after your promotion, you will continue to strive for the survival of our nation and the safety of its people.”

Hearing the director’s tone, which seemed to take his promotion for granted, Bong-gu’s heart sank.

‘This is a huge problem…’

All sorts of media outlets seemed busy packaging him as some new hero.

If the news of his participation in the rank evaluation got out, not only the public but also other Hunters would surely take an interest.

What if he put on a pathetic display after receiving so much attention and focus?

As Kim Bong-gu let out a groan, “Ugh…,” Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol bowed his head respectfully.

“Then, I will see you again on the ‘day of the memorial service.’”

For a moment, Kim Bong-gu stared blankly at the Bureau Director’s retreating back.

Bzzzzzz-.

A small insect that had been circling the fluorescent light in the hospital room leisurely slipped out through a slightly open crack in the window.

Bzzzzzz—.

The insect slowly flew across the open air toward a man perched on the rooftop railing of the opposite building.

Despite his handsome features, the man exuded an unsettling aura.

Was it because of his uniquely gloomy atmosphere?

Or perhaps it was due to the swarm of hundreds of insects circling around him.

The bug that flew from the hospital room soon landed lightly on the back of the man’s hand.

The man nodded repeatedly as if communicating with the insect, and only after a long while did he murmur in a chilling voice.

“Hmm…”

At that, a young-faced woman standing right beside him asked in a voice as clear as a bell.

“Did you get the information you needed?”

“I have acquired all of it.”

“Yeah? What’s it say?”

The man stood up from the railing and answered her question.

“It seems there will be a memorial and medal ceremony for the recent Calamity-rank Gate in a few days.”

“And?”

“I think it would be best to carry out our plan that day. In front of countless onlookers…”

“Me! I know!” the young-faced girl exclaimed, her clear voice continuing.

“We kidnap the target and expose the incompetence of those disgusting Bureau bastards for the whole world to see, right?”

“Correct.”

“And we try to persuade the captured target to join our Anti-Bureau Alliance, but if that doesn’t work…”

Her voice trailed off vaguely before she added, her eyes suddenly shimmering with madness.

“We use every means at our disposal to make him die as miserably and painfully as possible to pay the price for murdering our comrade, right-?”

“Correct.”

“Brother, I hope the ‘target’ doesn’t let himself be persuaded! Wouldn’t it be great if he’s just some pathetic, useless fool burning with a sense of heroism?”

“And why is that?”

“Because then I can have fun playing with him for a while, and when I get bored, I can just kill him, right? I’m already thinking about how to kill him!”

The girl muttered, “Kekek, this will be fun…,” prompting the man to shake his head once and reply firmly.

“The target, though classified as a mere C-rank Hunter, has a record of taking down our carefully trained ‘Necromancer’ with no noticeable injuries.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why he became the Alliance’s target, right? A strong Necromancer is always a good asset. It’s a real shame we lost him because of the target…”

“Which means, if we can somehow persuade him to join our side, he will undoubtedly be a great asset to the Alliance’s strength.”

For a moment, the man stared intently through the distant hospital window at the target, ‘Hyoja Kim Bong-gu.’

“In any case, we should head back for today.”

The two figures, hidden in the darkness, began to slowly lose form and disappear.

As if the oppressive darkness itself were swallowing them whole, bit by bit, ever so slowly….