Chapter 118
The following day, I attended the crown awarding ceremony held at the Association building.
"For heaven's sake."
A massive crowd had gathered. Moreover, it was not just a simple gathering of people.
"Does the President have nothing better to do these days?"
Why did he insist on crawling all the way here to personally award a crown that he cannot even handle?
The tantrums thrown by the South Korean President are incredibly powerful. They are so potent that even the Hunter Association dare not ignore them.
Since the head of the nation's executive branch was making a personal appearance, he obviously did not co alone. Aside from the President, all sorts of governnt officials had co along for the ride.
To make matters worse, a luncheon was scheduled, sothing I had never wanted.
"I hate eating with people I don't know."
They were not even just strangers. They were strangers with power. They were not exactly the type of people I preferred to share a al with.
When you eat with people like that, you often spend the whole ti talking instead of actually eating.
"Nervous I see."
"No, I am not."
Even if he is the President of a nation, I have shared als with people far more powerful than him before. I did not get nervous over things like this.
I was simply very uncomfortable. Honestly, his intentions were obvious. He certainly did not co here because I reminded him of his grandson.
"Ah, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok!"
What followed was predictable. The reporters took photos of us facing each other, shaking hands, and I stood there nodding off while the President rambled on before handing over the crown.
I listened to him talk about being grateful for my efforts for the future of the Republic of Korea and asking to continue the good work.
I was photographed sitting at the table with him.
Only after the reporters and dia had all withdrawn did the al truly begin.
"It is a relief to have people like Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
Finally, we began to talk off the record. I looked at Jo Wonhoon, the President of this country and the man living in the Blue House.
"I am not doing anything that remarkable. I would rather offer my thanks to those of you who work so hard for the nation."
Let us just keep things pleasant. At my words, Jo Wonhoon gave a hearty laugh and nodded.
I looked at the man with his kindly smile and fell into thought for a mont.
Ever since the ergence of the Erosion Zones, this man, Jo Wonhoon, has remained the President. He changed the laws to allow for clean, consecutive terms.
There are no three-term limits or anything of the sort. And in truth, the citizens' evaluation of him is not bad. After all, South Korea beca a global power after the ergence of the Erosion Zones.
Well, since he made the country so prosperous, many people likely think it is fine for him to be a bit of a dictator.
The point is…
'He is no ordinary man.'
I have t many different types of people. In this world, there are clearly people who shine far more brightly than others.
Whether that brilliance is for good or evil is a separate matter, but exceptional people certainly exist, and I have t plenty of them.
"At any rate, it is good to be able to talk face to face like this."
The President laughing in front of now is one of those people. There is one other person in South Korea who gave this feeling.
Han Sang-ah’s grandfather, the Chairman of the Geumyang Group.
Similarly, I have a feeling that this man will not be an easy opponent either.
"Your face is very handso, and your stature looks solid. Just looking at you inspires imdiate trust."
"The feeling is mutual. It is an honor to et the President who is leading South Korea’s era of prosperity in person."
Just because the reporters have left does not an we should start spitting in each other's faces imdiately. Furthermore, the other side does not seem to want that either.
So, for now, we are busy amicably buttering each other up.
"I keep a dog at the Blue House."
Is it a Jindo dog? Historically, South Korean presidents have almost without exception kept animals at the Blue House. Well, I do not actually know if the President is the one raising them.
"It is a Jindo."
Of course it was. I nodded at his words.
"Jindo dogs are great."
"They are very loyal and follow quite well. Moreover, when I look at him, how should I put it, I feel a sense of spirit."
Now, they say that for awkward strangers, the best way to break the ice is to talk about pets, but I do not think a man like this is the type to bring up useless topics just to keep a conversation going.
"However, perhaps because he is so loyal and intelligent, he sotis puts in a difficult spot."
"Oh, is that so?"
I waited for President Jo Wonhoon’s next words. Let us see what he is talking about.
"Out of a desire to protect , he sotis threatens other people. He does it out of affection for , but..."
Jo Wonhoon smiled gently and stared at .
"He simply does not realize that such actions actually trouble his master."
I think I know what he is trying to say. I am the dog, right? From my perspective, I am trying hard to act as a Hunter, but that is making things difficult for him.
He intended to convey that ssage by using the taphor of a Jindo and its master. If he prefers to speak this way, I can certainly play along.
Ti to spin a story of my own.
"That must be quite troubleso. Actually, I really love animals as well."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Recently, a stray cat has been on my mind. It keeps lingering around the place where I stay. After a while, I grew fond of it, and I almost feel like I've beco its servant."
President Jo Wonhoon made a curious sound at my words.
"They say animals choose people. Perhaps the cat recognized your character, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
"Thank you. But as it turns out, that wasn't it. It simply had a nest nearby where it was staying with its kittens."
I gave a short laugh and scratched my head.
"Isn't it funny? The cat didn't care about at all, but I was just making up my own thoughts like, 'Oh? Is it following ?'"
To summarize… You are not my master, friend. And you will never be my master.
Do not act as if you are my owner just because you feel like it. A Jindo and its master? What a joke.
Jo Wonhoon and I smiled at each other. I believe we both understood exactly what the other was saying.
"It is truly good to have a conversation like this. It seems you can only know a person's true value by eting them and talking."
"I agree."
Jo Wonhoon and I continued our al.
"Still, you have a very bold personality. Or perhaps I should say hearty. Usually, people tend to get stiff in their manners, perhaps because of my position."
"I just think of you as the grandfather next door. I am sharing a table with the President of South Korea, not the King of the Underworld, after all."
We burst into laughter at the sa ti. To summarize.
'I am the President, are you going to keep acting up in front of ? Why don't you watch yourself?'
'If I don't, what are you going to do about it? Get lost, old man.'
That was the essence of it.
The more amusing thing was that even while having such a conversation, we were both smiling like fools while looking at each other's faces.
"That is what is good about it. Yes. For Hunters with outstanding skills like Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, there must be many different options. Perhaps that is the basis of your confidence."
"Oh, the options are not that diverse. I have already said what I needed to say at the press conference."
The President nodded at my words.
"But was that not a decision made for the public interest? One must look at the essence of things."
President Jo Wonhoon continued speaking while eating the at placed before him.
"If you were to reverse your previous statents for the sake of sothing that contributes even more to the public interest, would anyone look poorly upon that?"
"One must keep the words they have spoken. You know how important this ironclad rule is, do you not, Mr. President?"
I am going to focus on destroying the Erosion Cores. And that thought has not changed.
"There are tis when one must bend their own beliefs."
"Yes, if a mont cos when I absolutely must do so, then I surely will. But if I can keep them, I must keep them."
Neither of us backed down an inch. The President seed to want to take it easy on removing Erosion Cores, and I had no intention of doing so.
We continued the al while sharing various stories. Finally, the al neared its end, and dessert was placed before us.
"At any rate, congratulations once again on obtaining the crown. I do not know much about that field, but I hear it is a remarkable item. Please use it in a way that benefits the national interest."
"I will certainly use it in a way that benefits the public interest. I can promise you that."
The President spoke of the national interest, and I spoke of the public interest. It is a hassle to even explain the difference between the two. That one word makes an enormous difference.
"Well, today’s eting was very pleasant."
"It was an honor to et the President of South Korea like this."
I stood up and shook hands with the President.
"Ah, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok."
"Yes?"
President Jo Wonhoon gave that kindly smile once more.
"Take care of yourself. If anything happens to soone like you, it would be a major problem for South Korea too, would it not?"
"Oh, I can take care of myself even if the entire South Korean military cos after ."
Having finished speaking, I laughed and added.
"Thinking about it, the entire South Korean military might be a bit tough. I was just joking."
Just a joke~
With that magical phrase ant to annoy people, the luncheon between the President and ca to an end. Now, I truly had to go and et Sung Sihoon.
The ti had been delayed slightly because I unexpectedly ended up eating with the President.
Having spent the ti to arrive at the Darak-dae Training Ground, I completed the identity verification process and was guided to the basent of the training facility.
"It looks quite sturdy."
"It is a major national facility and a place where various experints are conducted."
The person in charge of guiding answered in that manner.
Even so, I honestly did not know how long it would hold up. After all, there were no watching eyes for this sparring match, and there were no rules.
In addition, the President had kindly warned to take care of myself as we parted ways.
I thought I would just prove here that I can take care of myself without a man like him worrying about it and then go ho.
The four-layered bulkhead made of alloy slowly opened with a heavy sound. Artificial light was pouring into the massive space.
"Representative Sung Sihoon. Sorry I'm late. The President himself asked to have a al, so how could I refuse? I trust you will understand."
Sung Sihoon did not answer my words.
"I see you've brought all your equipnt."
"It's a private sparring match with no separate rules, after all."
Then it is only polite to mobilize everything one can. Furthermore, Sung Sihoon’s attire was quite impressive.
"Impact absorption, mana resistance, ntal concentration, fireproofing, mana amplification..."
I crossed my arms and quietly evaluated the equipnt Sung Sihoon was wearing.
"These are things that prove the years I have spent as a Hunter. Do not call it cowardly."
"Nah, I actually like it."
Happily, they were all things I could burn. Of course, I would have to burn the mana resistance first.
It is always a joy when there are many things to burn. Thinking like this made feel like so sort of pyromaniac.
"Let’s start shall we. Close that door."
No sooner had I finished speaking than the thick, four-layered bulkhead behind slowly closed.
"Ah, and raise your left hand if it hurts later."
Assuming your body is in a state where you can still raise it, that is.
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