Chapter 71: Crisis of the Ignis Guild (1)
[News Flash]
The new Hunter Association.
As its first step.
Decision made to fully deploy Ignis Guild to liberate Yeoncheon, a restricted area.
South Korea turned upside down.
― A company in Seoul.
"Wow. I'm not dreaming, am I?"
"Is the Association finally doing so work?"
"If a large guild like Ignis Guild is being deployed, maybe……."
"But even if it is the Ignis Guild, isn't Yeoncheon a bit dangerous?"
"Right. It's the area where the most casualties occurred. As far as I know, the Ignis Guild Master was also there back then……."
"Is back then the sa as now? Look how big the Ignis Guild has grown. And if Ignis Guild doesn't go, who will?"
"Is that so?"
In the break room of a company related to the Hunter industry, an endless debate continued.
―Hunter Academy in Seoul.
"Hey! They say Ignis is moving?"
"Wow! Can we see Hunter Cho Sang-geun and Hunter Lee Si-wang fighting?"
"Of course! It will probably be broadcast live nationwide."
"Wow, it's been a really long ti since a battle video of S-Ranks was uploaded, the views are going to explode."
"I was wondering when the ban on Yeoncheon would be lifted, and it's finally happening."
"Wait, then by the ti we beco Hunters, we won't have to be posted there? Sweet."
"That's right! I was worried because they said the Association and large guilds send support on rotation, but now we don't have to worry."
"Hey, a C-Rank like you wouldn't be posted there anyway because you're weak."
"They said Barrier or Defense-type Hunters might still have to go?!"
"Hey hey, don't fight. Why are you guys fighting."
"It can't be that easy. Do you think the na restricted area was attached for no reason?"
"Why do you have to be a wet blanket."
"This bastard still can't read the atmosphere."
"Hey, then are you saying the Ignis Guild will all die?"
"I never said that."
"That's what you sounded like."
"I don't know. Didn't you see the Yeoncheon video?"
"It's different from back then. Look how many Artifacts have been discovered now, and how much the Ignis Guild has grown!"
The unrefined voices of children wearing uniforms filled the classroom.
― The office building of a small to dium-sized guild.
"Ignis is going to Yeoncheon? Why?"
"There should still be so ti left?"
"That's what I'm saying. We predicted the barrier could hold out for at least another 1 or 2 years……."
"They had to go anyway. The whole world knew that the population of monsters in Yeoncheon was increasing."
"Even so, I didn't know they would be deployed this quickly."
"Exactly. I thought within a year, they would borrow the power of S-Ranks from other countries or a Returnee……."
"But, if by any chance the Ignis Guild clears Yeoncheon…… won't they beco total heroes?"
"Not just heroes, maybe they could even aim for the President?"
"Instead of the 3 Great Guilds, they could beco the unrivaled number one guild. Well, if they clear Yeoncheon."
Although they were pros in the industry, most guilds with ambiguous intelligence and ambiguous power talked more about the wealth and fa the Ignis Guild would gain if the Yeoncheon subjugation succeeded.
It wasn't any different for ordinary people.
― A cafe on the outskirts of Gyeonggi province.
"Wow, amazing! Since they say Ignis Guild is going, I'm kind of looking forward to it?"
"Hunter Lee Si-wang is really cool. I think he'll play a huge role this ti."
"I was secretly scared because of Yeoncheon, but now I can live without worry."
"Exactly, there was a lot of talk in the news about diplomatic issues because other countries wouldn't lend us a Returnee or whatever, so this is a relief."
"It's our country's business, so it's better if we solve it."
"Right, they would just rip off more taxes. Calling in that Returnee or whatever."
"But can the Ignis Guild clear Yeoncheon on their own?"
"They're sending them because they can, right?"
Opinions were divided.
Ordinary people.
Officials who had their feet dipped in the Hunter industry.
Hunters active on the front lines.
An appearance where expectation and concern coexisted.
However.
There were places that thought the complete opposite of all these opinions.
Not deployed for justice, or for a great cause.
Perhaps.
A very small minority who thought the Ignis Guild might have been forcibly pushed.
Excluding the Ignis Guild.
The Guild Master offices of the 3 Great Guilds of South Korea.
"How did you get bitten, Cho Sang-geun……."
"Is it the victory of the Raccoon old fogey in the end?"
The expressions of the n looking down from the highest places had sunk.
And.
There was a man who could not accept this situation the most, more than those who had seen through everything.
Lee Si-wang, who wore an expression as if he had fallen into hell.
His feet arrived at the Ignis Guild Headquarters.
Ignis Headquarters located in Goyang City.
Its top floor.
Bang!
The door to the Guild Master's office opened forcefully and Lee Si-wang entered.
"Just how did this happen!"
He wasn't pinpointing anyone specifically.
He just vomited it out.
His emotions.
And his anger.
Through the eyes of Lee Si-wang, who had practically smashed the door open and entered, a scenery of the Guild Master's office that was clearly different from usual ca into view.
Expressions sunk as if infected by the heavy air.
The heavy expressions of Cho Sang-geun and Team Leader Kim Gyu-il across from him were directed at him.
He had co after hearing the results, but he didn't know even Team Leader Kim Gyu-il from the Association would be here.
The fact that even Team Leader Kim Gyu-il was here ant.
Everything was caught.
By that Wily Raccoon.
"You're here?"
Guild Master Cho Sang-geun's low voice rang out.
Unlike his expression, a voice that even seed a bit carefree.
At that reaction, Lee Si-wang couldn't help but get more agitated.
"Did you…… already know? No, just when did it beco like this?"
The official announcent would have been today.
Most likely, the matter regarding the Yeoncheon subjugation was decided around the ti he was in Jeju Island, no, perhaps even before that.
And Lee Si-wang now clearly realized that he was the only one who didn't know.
That is why.
"Why did you not contact !"
Lee Si-wang had no choice but to shout.
Vice Guild Master versus Guild Master.
It was a difference of one rank, but there was a large gap between Cho Sang-geun and Lee Si-wang.
Inside that gap.
Power and authority, rank, honor.
Aside from those, there were many unspeakable things.
Among them, the biggest thing was probably responsibility.
However, even knowing that.
Lee Si-wang couldn't help but react roughly.
Because he.
Who he respected more than anyone.
The Guild.
And his family.
He was the only one who didn't hear the sound of them collapsing.
Lee Si-wang, who had walked up to where Cho Sang-geun and Kim Gyu-il were before he knew it.
Unbearable rage was being drawn on his face.
Harboring a color that looked like it would explode at any mont.
"I, I will explain everything."
Secretary Kim was blocking Lee Si-wang's path.
Kim Gyu-il with his head lowered.
And Cho Sang-geun who wasn't revealing much emotion, as if he had already accepted everything.
And Secretary Kim who stood in the way of Lee Si-wang who was venting his resentnt.
Like that.
Lee Si-wang beca the last.
To hear the story of that day.
Ti goes back a little.
Around the ti the incident where Eugene defeated S-Rank Kang Si-wook at the Taewoon High Athletic et was hitting South Korea hard.
The Vice President, Kang Yu, had visited the Ignis Guild.
"I ca because I had business at Taewoon High, so I stopped by. Since I discovered sothing interesting."
Vice President Kang Yu wearing a subtle smile.
The eyes of Cho Sang-geun looking at him lost their color.
"I'm curious. What the interesting thing is……."
Beyond the large floor-to-ceiling window, the sunset was slowly going down.
Under the sky dyed red, Kang Yu's gaze was still relaxed and cunning.
On the other hand, Cho Sang-geun looked calm on the outside, but his fingertips were trembling as if he couldn't hide his discomfort.
"I have brought tea."
A voice cutting the flow.
As if to hide Cho Sang-geun's anxiety, Secretary Kim brought tea and blocked the line of sight between Cho Sang-geun and Kang Yu.
"Thank you."
At Kang Yu's voice, Secretary Kim, who slightly bowed her head without a word, retreated to the back.
Cho Sang-geun's tension was loosening a little at the nice timing.
It is still too early to judge.
There is no way this Wily Raccoon just ca to visit, but it cannot be concluded that he ca because of the Returnee yet either.
Rather, if he shows an opening while trying to sound him out, that would just go according to the Wily Raccoon's plan.
Cho Sang-geun, who finished his thoughts in his own way, found peace of mind and lifted his cup.
"Please have so."
"I will."
Sip.
Two gazes crossed over the teacup being lightly drunk from.
Unwavering gazes.
Only now did he have eyes that suited the nicknas Wily Raccoon and Nine-tailed Fox well.
However.
"Do you rember the Dungeon Break that happened last March?"
Catching him off guard.
Throwing bait.
Enduring.
Waiting for him to just get caught in the web he made.
The Wily Raccoon was…….
"The frequency of Dungeon Breaks has increased lately, so I can't rember all……."
"Mt. Hwangnyong. It is a Dungeon Break that happened in the Ignis Guild managent area. It is recorded that the 5-Minute Standby Unit was also deployed from Ignis Guild."
"……."
It seed he ca fully determined today.
Like a different person.
No.
As if to clearly imprint that there was no need to speak in circles today.
"Ah, now I rember. It was a Dungeon Break where one Drake appeared. It was smaller than expected, and dealt with easily, so I guess it didn't remain in my mory well."
"I see. A small and easily dealt with Dungeon Break."
"Yes, if you check during the quarterly settlent later, you will know. It was early in the day, and it was fortunate that only one Drake appeared……."
At that mont.
Tap…….
One docunt was placed on the table.
"This is……."
"It is the docunt of that Dungeon Break."
At Kang Yu's voice, Secretary Kim's eyes shook.
"Well, the quarterly settlent is still a ways off but…… lately, things I cannot understand keep happening. So I checked in advance."
"……."
"As you said, it was a small Dungeon Break where one Drake appeared. But for only one monster appearing…… there is a strange point."
The docunt placed on the table entered Cho Sang-geun's view.
Amplitude.
Graph.
Intensity.
And lastly.
[DKLS]
Unidentified Multi-Dinsion Portal.
"Strangely, the last part was missing from the report."
Cho Sang-geun could no longer give an answer, a question, no, could not speak at all.
Because he was certain.
He didn't co to say so hypothesis or the like.
He ca knowing everything.
"So I was even more convinced."
No.
Beyond knowing everything.
"The fact that on that day, a Returnee crossed over in addition to the Drake."
He ca to catch.
All those involved with this.
Not for responsibility.
But to take their lives.
"It is my sole action. My life alone……."
"I haven't finished speaking yet, Guild Master."
Thud.
Cho Sang-geun's heart sank.
That wasn't a difference in power.
Nor was it a difference in rank.
The emotion residing in the eyes.
Because he clearly felt it upon seeing that emotion.
"I didn't co here just to kill one of you."
"……."
Cho Sang-geun's head dropped.
"At first, I found myself ridiculous for suspecting. A Returnee. And one who had been trapped in another world for 10 years at that. But as ti passed and every ti Teacher Yoo jin caused nonsensical things to happen, my heart felt strange little by little. Wondering if I had missed sothing."
"……."
Cho Sang-geun couldn't say anything.
Because he realized that now, whatever he said would be a minus.
"I beca certain at the Athletic et. During the fight with S-Rank Kang Si-wook. Fight……. No, violence that couldn't even be called a fight. The mont I saw that sight where an S-Rank wasn't even an opponent, I ca to know. That Teacher Yoo jin is a Returnee. And simultaneously, that him being at Taewoon High as a teacher was due to soone's power at work."
Kang Yu's sorrowful eyes turned towards Cho Sang-geun.
"There must be soone who conspired with you within the Association too. I have a rough guess. The act you committed is a clear blow of state. Against the President…… and …… the Association."
There was nowhere to run anymore.
No, rather than running.
It is a state where social burial is certain.
He probably wouldn't be able to wash away the sin even with death.
He couldn't cover up this incident with just his own neck.
A fleeting mont.
That short ti.
Cho Sang-geun's brain was spinning faster than ever before.
At that mont, Cho Sang-geun's eyes began to darken.
If he is to die anyway.
If he is to leave his na as a traitor to the country wearing disgrace.
If his subordinates, his family have to be covered in mud.
‘I trust you, Lee Si-wang.’
Cho Sang-geun exhaled deeply.
‘You. And…….’
This is the only gamble.
"Then, please give a chance."
"A chance?"
"Yeoncheon…… I will take it back."
At Cho Sang-geun's voice, the corners of Kang Yu's mouth lifted.
‘That ti…… that you spent together with the Returnee.’
He had no choice but to bet his life on that.
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