Chapter 151
“Now, are you ready to talk?”
Gulp.
I could hear Chairman Park swallow hard.
“I’m sorry. I was rude.”
Chairman Park shot to his feet.
He straightened his tie and bowed politely from the waist.
So low that the balding crown of his head was visible.
There was no trace left of how he’d treated me like a child.
“Don’t judge people by appearances. And don’t look down on me just because I’m young.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
His attitude had definitely become much more respectful.
Yeah, this is more like it.
I nodded in satisfaction.
At that moment, I saw Kim Suho beside me covering his mouth and trying to hold back laughter.
‘…Does he think that’s something a kid would say?’
I stepped on Kim Suho’s foot and shot him a glare.
Kim Suho coughed awkwardly and looked away.
Anyway, enough fooling around.
It was time to get down to business.
Chairman Park sat back down and said,
“There’s no question about Hunter Kim Hanbyeol’s skill, but one big problem has come up.”
“What is it?”
“Well, that is…. Please don’t misunderstand.”
After the table incident, I could feel him becoming much more deferential toward me.
I nodded and urged him on.
“I won’t take offense, so go ahead and say it.”
“Our original plan was to reveal Hunter Kim Hanbyeol’s face and promote you on a massive scale. Korea’s new promising talent, something like that.”
Chairman Park took out a handkerchief and kept wiping the sweat from his forehead, looking troubled.
“But after meeting you in person, I think we’ll have to revise the plan completely.”
“Why?”
“You look too young. I’m not trying to disrespect you, but that’s how the public will see it.”
Chairman Park let out a deep sigh.
“If we reveal you like this, there’ll be a backlash.”
“Backlash?”
“There’s a high chance of international criticism. People will say the Korean government is sending minors to the battlefield. It could turn into a child-soldier controversy….”
“No, I’m an adult!”
“What matters is how people see you. Rumors will spread that your actual age doesn’t match your profile. That it was manipulated by the government….”
Since that wasn’t a conspiracy theory but the truth, I had nothing to say.
My current identity really was fabricated with the government’s help.
“Still, if I insist, isn’t there nothing you can do?”
“Yes. In fact, Hunter Kim Hanbyeol’s actual activities won’t run into any problems. But….”
“You don’t want the fuss.”
Chairman Park gave a small nod.
But he still went on, as if trying to convince me.
“It won’t be good for you either, Hunter.”
“Why not?”
“What is it that you want most, Hunter Kim?”
“Hmm…. World peace?”
It was hard to bring myself to say I wanted attention.
But Chairman Park nodded as if he knew everything.
“Of course, that would be your top priority. But surely you also want money and fame, don’t you?”
“…I won’t deny that.”
“Even if Hunter Kim Hanbyeol reveals her face now, you won’t get the reaction you’re hoping for.”
“The reaction I want?”
“Isn’t what you want to be recognized for your skill? Not pitied for your appearance.”
“Right…?”
“Even if you did reveal yourself, most people would probably react the same way I did earlier.”
“….”
“And all sorts of conspiracy theories would come with it. People wouldn’t care about your achievements, only drown you in sympathy.”
“That…. does sound pretty bad.”
Hearing it all together, it was a fairly plausible argument.
“As expected from a politician who’d climbed this high?”
He seemed to have his own insight, at least.
But it was still true that I didn’t like it.
“Then what are you suggesting? That I keep hiding forever?”
“No. Just that we need a little time.”
“A buffer period?”
“For now, we’ll just publicize your name and accomplishments and build a fandom. As a faceless hunter. Then, once enough of a fanbase has gathered, we reveal you naturally.”
“But wouldn’t attention still eventually end up on my looks…”
“If you pile up enough achievements by then, and the public realizes that something like this means nothing to you as a hunter…. then at least we can keep the pity from taking over.”
“So you mean we need buildup.”
I understood what Chairman Park was saying.
It was a decent plan.
“All right. You’ve convinced me. I like the idea of revealing my identity in two stages.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
So I can double-dip on the hype?
Now that’s creative economy.
I’d gather attention as both a promising talent and the number one hunter, then hit them with a second wave by revealing my face once things had cooled off a little.
Just imagining the community reaction that day made me feel like I could fly.
“We’ll officially announce that you’re an S-rank prospect, a genius mage climbing the Tower at record speed, named Kim Hanbyeol, age twenty-three…. Something like that.”
“Yes. Please do.”
And just like that, the direction of my activities was set.
For a while, I’d work while keeping only my face hidden.
But unlike before, my achievements would be publicized every time.
When I gave my approval, Chairman Park let out a relieved sigh.
Then he brought up another matter.
“And there’s still an important issue left…. The 40th-floor conquest.”
“Because of the legendary item?”
“Yes. China and Japan just had to make that announcement…. And now it’s turned into a matter of national pride.”
Chairman Park rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache.
It looked like he was cursing under his breath.
“Do you think you can do it?”
I didn’t even need to hear what he was asking about.
I leaned back in my chair, trying to look as arrogant and imposing as possible.
“Heh heh heh….”
I saw Kim Suho in the next seat squeeze his eyes shut.
No, why does this guy keep ruining the mood?
Sensing something from my deliberately imposing attitude, Chairman Park pleaded with earnest eyes.
“We’ll support you with everything the government can provide. Money, information, manpower…. Just say the word.”
“I don’t need support.”
“Pardon?”
“I already have it.”
I once again pulled the white staff from my pocket.
Remembering what had happened earlier, Chairman Park’s face turned pale for an instant before recovering.
He looked like he had barely managed to suppress a scream.
Did I scare him too much earlier?
I hadn’t even shown him the staff’s real power yet.
“Th-there’s no way this is…?”
“Since you’re not a Hunter, you can’t see the item description. Yes, this is that new legendary item. Its effect is…. It can do to a person exactly what it did to my pants earlier?”
“If possible, I’d also like to show a demonstration, but there weren’t any moles here.”
I clicked my tongue in disappointment.
“Hic.”
Chairman Park hiccupped.
His pupils were shaking wildly.
“So, so the world announcement earlier was….”
“Heh.”
“My God….”
Without answering, I gave him a meaningful smile.
I could hear a sigh from beside me, but I paid it no mind.
I’m trying to act cool here, so what’s with all the fuss?
“Anyway, since I have this, I can control the timing of the announcement however I want.”
“….”
“In my opinion, it’d be better to reveal it right after China or Japan announces they obtained the item. This is the original, so it works much better.”
“….”
“Are you listening?”
“Y-yes….”
Chairman Park nodded blankly.
He didn’t seem to be focusing on what I was saying at all.
Just as I was about to add something else,
“If I may ask, and this is just a wild guess….”
“Yes?”
“Hunter Kim Hanbyeol…. are you the rumored ‘Double O,’ the world’s number-one hunter?”
“Huh? You’re quick on the uptake.”
“My goodness.”
Chairman Park kept running his hands over his face.
He looked utterly unable to believe it.
“You didn’t suspect it at all?”
“Of course not! Most countries had already given up trying to track Double O. No matter how much we dug, the trail always went cold halfway through, so we thought it was a hopeless cause.”
“It’s probably because I’ve got anti-tracking magic on me.”
I remembered how I’d once shattered all the tracking spells flying toward my body.
At some point, I’d noticed they just stopped coming. So that’s what it was.
If nothing ever came of it no matter how hard they tried, I guess everyone gave up.
“This is really…. We should be grateful just for you staying in Korea.”
“Hmm. That much?”
I coughed for no reason.
Of course, that meant keep going and pile on more praise.
“It’s an incredible thing to have the world’s number-one hunter. You can even get absurdly unreasonable demands approved.”
“Like having a statue of me erected all over the world?”
“That’s cute. Even Stalin, who wasn’t even an Awakened, managed that, didn’t he?”
“Huh?”
For some reason, I started to feel like maybe I shouldn’t have a statue made.
“The fact that you kept your identity hidden until now, and came to meet us, does that mean you intend to reveal that you’re Double O?”
“Yes. But not right away. Probably right after I reach S-rank? It’s floor 46, so not much time left, right?”
“I think that would be best as well. Of course, even I was able to infer quickly that Hunter Kim Hanbyeol was S-rank, so other people may figure it out too…. I’ll do my best to control the information.”
Chairman Park’s eyes flashed.
I added one request.
“If possible, I’d like the reveal to be as dramatic as possible.”
“Yes, we’ll prepare everything for you. You just enjoy yourself on the stage we set up.”
I nodded in satisfaction.
This was exactly the treatment I wanted.
Chairman Park said with a solemn expression,
“From today on, the government will provide every convenience possible for Hunter Kim Hanbyeol.”
“Every convenience?”
“Name anything. Immunity? Tax exemption? We can even give you a building or a plot of land. We’ll also arrange a private jet. We’ll match every condition as much as possible.”
“Are there conditions?”
“Just one. Please promise that you’ll remain a Korean national.”
“Well, that much….”
“Do you have any special requests?”
The scale was enormous.
So this is what it looks like when the government really throws its weight behind someone?
I thought for a moment, then opened my mouth.
“It’s not for now, but later I’m planning to go to North Korea. Is that okay?”
“Pardon?”
Chairman Park looked dazed again.
Obviously, I wasn’t saying I was going to defect to the North.
North Korea is no longer a place where people can live.
“W-why there?”
“Just, I’ve got something to look for.”
“D-don’t tell me, nukes….”
“Huh? No, not that.”
Nukes? Were those still around in North Korea?
Just saying I was going to North Korea and he immediately jumped to nuclear bombs. This old guy was far more extreme and dangerous than I’d thought.
Chairman Park took a sip of water as if to calm himself, then put on a determined expression.
“We’ll make it happen no matter what!”
“…It has nothing to do with nuclear bombs, you know?”
“Yes, we understand perfectly!”
“You don’t seem to understand at all.”
It was obvious he’d badly misunderstood.
Would it be better to just let him keep misunderstanding and burn with enthusiasm?
After hesitating for a moment, I took Chairman Park’s outstretched hand.
He shook my small hand with both of his.
“The Republic of Korea will support Hunter Kim Hanbyeol to the fullest. Please, we’re counting on you.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
I smiled in satisfaction.
At last, my deal with the government was over.
Now it was time to reveal my identity to Korea.
***
A few days later, three people gathered at our house.
Me, the broker uncle, and Jeong Manho.
“Why did you call me here?”
“Because today is a historic day. We’ve got to record it.”
Jeong Manho let out an incredulous laugh and sat on the sofa.
Cola and pizza for the party, and fireworks, were all set up in the living room.
I waited silently for the breaking news to appear.