“Team Leader!”
As soon as Yun Tae-seong, who had just returned from the 25th Floor, opened the door to the Association’s situation room, the staff stood up in unison.
“You should be resting today! You were just hovering between life and death!”
A young employee rushed over and grabbed Yun Tae-seong’s arm.
“I agree, Team Leader. No one would say a word if you went home and got some proper rest right now.”
Yun Tae-seong couldn’t hide his exhaustion, but he forced a bitter smile.
“I heard there were a lot of inquiries regarding the selection match. Assistant Manager Kang contacted me.”
“You could check those when you come in tomorrow…”
“I wouldn’t be able to sleep because I’d be thinking about it anyway. I’ll just take a quick look before I go.”
The employees exchanged glances, and one of them sighed before heading back to a desk. They returned and held out a thick stack of documents to Yun Tae-seong.
“You’re really something, Team Leader.”
“Is this all of it?”
“Yes. These are the official documents and applications from the associations of various countries. Please, take it easy.”
Yun Tae-seong took the stack, weighing it in his hands. It was quite heavy.
“All right, all right. I’ll just do a quick summary today and head home.”
The employees’ gazes followed him suspiciously, but he was already heading toward his own desk. He sat down and began flipping through the papers.
“The United States Hunter Association.”
An official-looking form caught his eye from the very first page. It bore the seal of the US Association along with the official stamp of the Department of Homeland Security.
“Germany, France, Spain, Italy…”
Yun Tae-seong continued to flip through the documents, organizing them as he went. Most countries had sent official notices signed jointly by their associations and government agencies.
But then.
“Huh?”
Yun Tae-seong’s hand stopped. It was the official document from Japan.
“The Japan Hunter Association…”
The format was perfect. The formalities were all met. However, something felt off.
‘The Public Security Bureau’s seal is missing.’
Yun Tae-seong examined the document closely once more. It bore the signature of Huse Yukiko, the President of the Japan Hunter Association, but the seal of the Public Security Bureau — which was always included in Japan’s official documents — was nowhere to be seen.
‘This is a bit peculiar…’
In Japan, the Association and the Public Security Bureau moved almost as one. Whenever they participated in international events, large or small, they always sent documents signed by both institutions.
But this time, it was just the Association?
‘Was it a mistake?’
Yun Tae-seong set the document aside on one corner of his desk. He felt he would need to verify this later.
‘I should mention this when I report to the Owner tomorrow.’
As he thought that and tried to move on to the next document, the employee at the next desk handed him a cup of coffee.
“Team Leader, at least drink this. You really need to head home early today.”
“Thanks. I’ll be finished after just a little more.”
Yun Tae-seong took a sip of coffee and focused on the documents again. However, the Japanese document continued to linger in his mind.
‘Is it a simple mistake, or…?’
***
One day ago, Tokyo.
A heavy silence filled the meeting room of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Public Security Bureau under dim lighting. Officials from the Bureau sat on both sides of a long table, while Huse Yukiko, the President of the Japan Hunter Association, sat elegantly across from them.
Deputy Director Yamamoto turned a page of the reports and spoke in a low voice.
“The Rocket Store in Korea…”
His tone was polite, but there was a subtle hint of mockery within it.
“It might have contributed to the raid on the 25th Floor to some degree, but isn’t it being overvalued? It just looks like a shop that sells a few convenience items.”
Small chuckles leaked out from various spots in the meeting room. Deputy Director Yamamoto looked up at Yukiko and added, “Of course, it isn’t a bad thing that Korean Hunters are developing. However, whether it has enough value for us to pay attention is… questionable.”
Huse Yukiko remained silent for a moment after Yamamoto finished. The elegant fan in her hand slowly unfurled. Her long hair gleamed softly, matching her refined features. Her sophisticated beauty shone even in the dim meeting room. However, her gaze as she looked at her opponent was sharp and unwavering.
Yukiko tapped the table with the edge of her fan and began to speak in a calm voice.
“Deputy Director, surely you haven’t forgotten the past?”
Yamamoto’s brow furrowed slightly.
“The past?”
“There was a time when Japan also lagged behind in Tower raids during the early stages.”
The air in the meeting room turned cold. The corners of Deputy Director Yamamoto’s mouth twitched slightly. He stopped looking at the documents and looked up.
“Association President, is there any need to bring that up? There’s no need to belittle our current status by dwelling on past mistakes.”
A clear sense of displeasure was evident in his voice.
“The Japan of today is clearly different from the Japan of several years ago. We are already a top-tier nation in terms of Tower raids.”
Yukiko folded her fan and placed it quietly on the table, staring straight at him.
“That’s exactly why I’m saying we shouldn’t be complacent.”
Her voice was still quiet, but it carried a sense of resolve.
“We may be ahead now, but the world is constantly changing. It is dangerous to underestimate other nations just because we are slightly ahead for the moment.”
Yamamoto fell silent for a moment before letting out a low laugh.
“It is certainly important to monitor the situation. However, Association President, even so.”
He closed the folder with a thud and continued.
“Is there any reason for the state to step forward for an event held by a single shop?”
“The Beast Warrior Selection Match is more than just opening a high-tier class. Hunters from every country are showing interest, and it will soon become a venue for international exchange,” Yukiko explained calmly. “That’s why I am requesting official support at the national level. If the Public Security Bureau and the Association send a joint document — “
“No.”
Yamamoto’s firm voice cut her off.
“Association President, we cannot put the seal of the Public Security Bureau on an event for a single shop. That is a matter of national prestige.”
“Prestige, you say…”
Yukiko picked up her fan again and sighed.
“We don’t have the luxury of wasting resources on a small shop in Korea. Focus on the 30th Floor raid instead. After all, didn’t the Hunters belonging to the Public Security Bureau play a huge role in the 25th Floor raid?” Yamamoto said as he leaned back in his chair. “If the Association deems it necessary, handle it on your own terms. Public Security has a mountain of more important tasks to deal with.”
It was a statement that looked down on the Association, as if the Bureau were superior. Yukiko, who had been listening quietly while fluttering her fan, finally spoke.
“Is that the final position of Public Security?”
“It is.”
A heavy silence descended upon the meeting room. Yukiko slowly rose from her seat.
“I understand. In that case, the Association will move independently.”
“Do as you please.”
Yukiko left the meeting room without another word. As she walked down the hallway, she covered her mouth slightly with her fan and let out a long sigh. Her disciple, who had been following quietly behind her, spoke up cautiously.
“Master, are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Yukiko replied without slowing down. “How did you see it? The attitude of the Public Security side.”
The disciple thought for a moment before answering.
“They were arrogant and… short-sighted. They’re failing to read the coming changes.”
“Indeed.”
Yukiko nodded and came to a stop.
“Public Security is intoxicated by past glory. They’re only thinking of their current power and reputation, unable to see the changes looming ahead.”
“But will you be all right without national support?”
Yukiko gave a faint smile at her disciple’s worried tone.
“Sometimes, flexibility overcomes strength.”
She unfurled her fan and looked out the window.
“If Public Security refuses, then our Association alone must build a relationship. The Rocket Store isn’t just a simple shop.”
“What do you mean…?”
“You saw the 25th Floor, didn’t you? Perfume, War Paint, and the Sanctuary’s Blessing. Where else could you obtain items like those?”
The disciple nodded.
“Moreover,” Yukiko’s eyes deepened, “it isn’t even clear yet who the owner of that place is. The fact that they’re hiding their identity is significant in itself.”
“Then…”
“Send the official document for the selection match under the Association’s name. Make it polite, but express our intentions clearly.”
“I understand.”
Yukiko began walking again, an enigmatic smile on her lips.
“One day, even Public Security will realize. Though by then, it’ll be too late, as the Association will have already regained the initiative.”
***
Before I could even enjoy the success of the 25th Floor raid, Yun Tae-seong sent over a piece of homework.
“Master, what is all this?”
Aria tilted her head and pointed at the hologram screen.
“A list of people who are counting their chickens before they hatch.”
“Pardon?”
I sat on the living room sofa and looked at the screen. A summary of the participation status from various countries, compiled by Yun Tae-seong, was visible at a glance.
USA: five guilds, twenty-three applicants
Germany: three guilds, fifteen applicants
France: two guilds, eleven applicants
Japan: four guilds, eighteen applicants
Other countries: eight countries, thirty-four applicants
“There are 101 people in total! If you add the Korean applicants, won’t the number reach four digits?”
“The scale is becoming much larger than I expected.”
I held my head in my hands. My original plan was to target only domestic Hunters. However, with the clearing of the 25th Floor and previous events overlapping, the situation had completely changed.
‘It’s also concerning that there’s been no official word from China yet.’
Aria said as she flipped through the screens. Just then, a message arrived.
*Ding!*
It was Yun Tae-seong.
[There is one peculiar detail. Japan sent the official document under the Association’s name.]
— Is that strange?
[Yes. Usually, for something like this involving national cooperation regarding Hunters, the Japanese Public Security Bureau signs the document, but this time, it only has the Association President’s seal. It’s a bit of a peculiar case.]
‘Something must have happened within Japan.’
But did I really need to care about those internal circumstances? More importantly, I had to decide how to handle this event, which threatened to grow into an international affair. After thinking for a moment, I sent a message to Yun Tae-seong.
— Mr. Yun Tae-seong, honestly, I’d like some advice. This is my first time handling an international event like this, so I’m not sure how to respond.
A reply came not long after.
[I will state the Association’s official position first. The operation of this selection match is entirely entrusted to the Rocket Store. Whether it’s the participation fees or the rules, it’s at your discretion, Owner.]
— Does that mean the Association won’t get involved?
[Yes. However, I have one request.]
Caution was evident in Yun Tae-seong’s next message.
[I would appreciate it if you could provide some level of convenience to our allies, including the United States. There’s also the matter of the Association’s and the nation’s prestige.]
— Prestige?
[Yes. The United States is our greatest ally. They’ve always been front-runners in Tower raids and shared information with us first. The same goes for Germany and France.]
Yun Tae-seong’s explanation continued.
[The fact that they are participating this time is a sign of trust in Korea. If we respond in a purely commercial manner, it might not be good for diplomacy.]
“Ah, I see.”
I nodded. It made sense. This wasn’t just a money-making event; it was an issue entangled with international relations.
— I understand. Then, I’ll lean toward allowing them to participate as much as possible.
[In fact, opinions are surfacing from various national associations that they will pay the participation fees at the state level. Not as individuals, but from the national budget.]
— From the national budget?
[Yes. For an international event of this scale, it’s a natural step. I will organize the details and pass them to you within two days.]
“The national budget.”
That meant much more money would be moving than what individual participants could offer.
— Understood. Then I’ll wait for now. We’ll also have to coordinate the schedule. Two days isn’t enough time for people to arrive from overseas.
[Thank you. Your flexible response is a great help to the Association as well.]
— But is it just participation fees?
[Pardon?]
— Ah. Never mind.
I ended the message and leaned back on the sofa. This alone wasn’t enough. No matter how much I had to accommodate our allies, it felt like a waste to only receive participation fees now that the event had grown this large.
‘There should be more I can take from this.’
Just then, another message came from Yun Tae-seong.
[Ah, Owner. If it’s a matter of additional profit for the Rocket Store, how about something like this?]
As I listened to Yun Tae-seong’s suggestion, I found myself nodding in agreement.
— That sounds good.
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