novel
| ← Ch.318 | Ch.320 → |
The preparations weren't complete, but Hellcard believed that he had the abilities he needed to kill him once and for all.
He felt like it was a little early, but if he wanted to die that badly, he would grant it to him.
Hellcard sprung up from his lotus position.
He pierced through the underground onto the land.
Upon reaching the end and hovering in the air, Hellcard looked in the northwest direction.
He then unleashed his killer energy.
That was when the shaking of the land of the Demonic Realm came to a halt.
A dark sword appeared in Hellcard's hand.
Within Hellcard's eyes, which were looking in the northwest direction, the strong desire to fight sparked.
He sensed that he was coming this way.
Hellcard's killer energy spread out in all directions as if it was ready to swallow the Demonic Realm whole.
***
With the help of Ji Yoo Kim, Ho Sung Lee met with the CEOs of the media companies and spread the news all over the world.
Despite their lack of interest in getting involved in diplomatic politics, as soon as the news that the hunter leaders of each country were pressuring Min Sung, the citizens from all over the world expressed their rage at the hunter organizations.
Since people from all around the world considered Min Sung sacred, it didn't take long for them to all share one opinion.
The perception of Min Sung Kang became more favorable while that of the organizations grew worse.
When this happened, the hunter leaders from each hunter organization felt more restless than ever.
***
Ho Sung Lee and Ji Yoo Kim were sitting on the sofa together watching TV.
The news was showing the various protests that the citizens were holding against the hunter organizations.
As soon as the dungeons disappeared, the government no longer protected the image of the hunter organizations, nor did they provide political protection.
"It seems like the government wants to use this opportunity to bring the hunter organizations down, " said Ho Sung Lee as he watched TV, and Ji Yoo Kim nodded.
"As long as it's possible that Min Sung will come back and the human world will no longer be threatened by the Demonic Realm, the government will try to weaken the hunter organizations' power."
"Then wouldn't that be a problem?"
Ji Yoo Kim shook her head.
"I don't think it's right for the hunter organizations to control the world. As long as there are no monsters, they're nothing but organizations of force."
"Hm..."
Ho Sung Lee stroked his chin and watched TV.
He then opened his mouth again.
"I guess Min Sung is the only one who would have an answer."
Ji Yoo Kim nodded.
"We need someone to establish a balance, and that's why we're doing what we're doing."
"I'm glad things are going better than expected, " said Ho Sung Lee with a smile.
"But you can't let your guard down. We don't know how their side will come off."
"But the fact that things are getting a little better is a positive thing. Let's look on the bright side."
"You're right.
That was when Ji Yoo Kim finally smiled.
"What should we do next?" Ho Sung Lee asked.
"It's going to be a headache. It won't be easy dealing with the media. And as long as the citizens are on our side, if we act rashly, we could get hit with backlash. But that doesn't mean we should just sit back either."
"That means we have to do something."
"Before that, let's keep an eye on the progress."
Ho Sung Lee watched the citizens on the news and nodded.
***
"We're doomed."
The hunter leaders of various countries groaned.
"I didn't think he'd beat us to the punch."
"It's definitely that Ji Yoo Kim of Central Insitute's doing."
"Without Central Institute, things wouldn't have progressed this quickly."
"I thought she was just a pushover, but she's a hyena that pounced on the opportunity!"
The hunters agreed while the American hunter leader, Ethan, looked out the window.
While the meeting room bustled, Ethan turned around.
He then sat back in his seat in silence.
"We should've went to the media first..."
The Russian hunter leader glared at Ethan with reproach.
It was Ethan who advised them to wait before dealing with the media.
He didn't think they had to rush, and he believed that acting rashly could call for backlash.
But because they didn't act first, the situation worsened, and now, they were at a disadvantage.
"We should try to control the media even if it's too late. We'll do whatever we can to stop the news..."
"We can't do that. That could give the protesters more reason to fight, and that could also make the image of the hunter organizations worsen even further."
"I agree."
"But we can't just sit back and let this happen."
While the hunter leaders expressed their opinions, Ethan chewed on a piece of gum and touched the table.
That was when a screen appeared on top of the table.
Ethan touched it one more time causing for pages of information to appear on the table screen.
The faces of the hunter leaders began to change as soon as they saw what was on the screen.
"T-that's..."
"No way."
"So that's why."
"Ethan, I knew we could trust you!"
The hunters' faces brightened at the information on the screen.
The information on the screen informed them that Min Sung Kang had gone missing.
Min Sung Kang had not been seen lately, and due to that suspicion, Ethan used his best resources to find Min Sung, but he was nowhere to be found.
The related findings were clear, and they led to various hypotheses, but that wasn't what was important.
Min Sung Kang had disappeared, and Korea decided to let Ho Sung Lee act as Min Sung Kang's representative.
"What do you think will happen once this gets out?" Ethan asked with a smile.
The hunters' faces beamed.
"That'll be some spectacle."
"The heart of humans fire up quickly, but they also cool down just as fast."
"This might be our most perfect play."
The hunter leaders chatted as if they were at a party.
Meanwhile, the Russian hunter leader stared at Ethan.
"When do we start?" The Russian hunter leader asked.
"Anytime, as long as you all agree to it."
Ethan raised his hand and smiled in an arrogant manner.
"Let's vote with a show of hands, " the Russian hunter leader suggested while raising his hand first.
The other hunter leaders also raised their hands.
Upon seeing that, Ethan smiled and nodded.
And when he touched the table once more, the words read that the command had been made.
That meant that the information was immediately sent to the media.
"Those worshipping Min Sung Kang will turn their backs within a day."
The hunter leaders looked down at the screen with smiling faces.
"But..."
One hunter leader spoke up with his head tilted, and Ethan as well as the other hunter leaders all looked his way.
"Is it possible that Min Sung Kang will never appear again?"
Silence fell followed by a burst of laughter.
"Hahaha! That would be the best-case scenario!"
"I think that's what's going to happen."
"I don't know the reason, but it does seem like there's some kind of problem."
"Why else would he have disappeared?"
The African hunter leader raised his head and opened his mouth.
"But what if he comes back?"
In response, the atmosphere turned heavy.
And Ethan opened his mouth.
"Too much control over the media won't be good since we should calculate our moves while considering the possibility that he might come back. Just stirring some dissatisfaction and watching by..."
Ethan smiled.
"... Should be enough."
And Ethan was right.
The media reported on the information that Min Sung Kang had disappeared, and as a result, rumors spread quickly.
As soon as chaos ensued, the stock prices of all the hunter organizations shot through the roof.
***
Ho Sung! We're in trouble.
That was the first thing he heard through the phone from Commander Ji Yoo Kim.
Ho Sung Lee felt anxiousness in his chest.
"What's the matter?"
What Ho Sung Lee heard next made him feel like his head turned blank.
He heard about how the hunter organizations from all over the world reported that Min Sung Kang was missing, and as soon as that truth spread, the citizens were in so much chaos that there was no turning back.
That alone made all his efforts in vain, and it inevitably put restrictions on his next activities.
But Ho Sung Lee didn't forget.
He didn't forget that he was Min Sung Kang's representative no matter hat.
He couldn't forget that fact, and he didn't forget that he couldn't taint the worth of his position as representative.
But what he did have to think about was what Min Sung would've done if he was here.
Ho Sung Lee closed his eyes and thought for a moment.
'How would Min Sung have handled this?'
'Would he have not cared?'
'Or would he have gotten revenge?'
After much thought, he made his decision.
Min Sung would've ordered him to do this, and all he had to do was follow his orders.
He had always done his best when he received commands, and there was no difference this time around.
Ho Sung Lee opened his eyes.
"Commander Kim."
Yes?
"Please tell all the hunter leaders to gather in Korea immediately, and if they try anything funny..."
Ho Sung Lee's eyes turned cold.
"I'll be sure to make them pay. Please deliver that message."
After a moment of silence...
"Okay."
He hung up after hearing her answer.
Ho Sung Lee sighed and walked out to the back yard.
"Who do they think they're messing with?"
Ho Sung Lee clenched his fists.
"I'll teach them that they made a huge mistake."
| ← Ch. 318 | Ch. 320 → |