Chapter 69: I Wish I Could Appear on TV (1)

“Why are you bringing up things that weren’t planned?”

It had been a while since I felt good about holding a press conference.

Even so, my position in the War God had been shaky recently due to a string of poor results.

Just in time, I received five new Hunters of A-rank or higher.

No, to be precise, in one-on-one combat, they were practically S-rank.

Thanks to recruiting such talented people all at once, Kim Shin was able to regain a considerable amount of trust from those above.

“Is it a problem to be honest?”

Ryu Ji-yeon sat with her legs crossed, completely absorbed in web surfing on her phone.

“It’s interesting. People’s reactions.”

Because of her remarks, all kinds of speculative articles and community posts were popping up everywhere.

Ryu Ji-yeon found the reactions so refreshing that she couldn’t help but curve a smirk on her lips.

“Hoo, this is driving me crazy. For now, don’t mention Hanul, and remember, Lee Hyunbin is our main enemy. Keep that in mind.”

Kim Shin spoke in a somewhat forceful tone.

When he first heard the story from Seol Jihoon, he thought he could handle it.

But this was different from Seol Jihoon.

Unlike Seol Jihoon, who would always listen to the other side’s opinion, the Office Worker was as unpredictable as his infamous reputation suggested.

“Don’t worry. Lee Hyunbin is also our main enemy.”

At Ryu Ji-yeon’s words, Kim Shin let out a low sigh.

“Everyone, while you have a break in your schedules, stay at the guild. I’ll say it again—never let your true identity be exposed. If anything goes wrong, it won’t just be me—every one of you will be finished, too.”

Hearing Kim Shin’s words, Ryu Ji-yeon lifted her eyes from her phone.

Her gaze was empty, emotionless.

Kim Shin felt a chill run down his spine as he met those eyes.

“I’ll be more careful from now on. But…”

Ryu Ji-yeon pulled the corners of her lips, imitating a smile.

It was the smile of a predator tempting its prey.

“Why do you keep talking down to me?”

“…”

At Ryu Ji-yeon’s—no, the Office Worker’s—words, Kim Shin was left speechless.

The aura of a Villain who had massacred people by the hundreds was different.

Even he, a veteran who had fought against all sorts of Hunters in aerial and underwater battles, couldn’t bring himself to refute her.

“W-Well, usually in human relationships…”

“Let me just say this. You’d better be careful how you speak with the others. Since you haven’t gotten close yet, they might misunderstand.”

Misunderstand.

Kim Shin could only nod in response to her threat, delivered with a smile.

“Well, then, I’ll look forward to working with you…”

“When a Dungeon Gate raid comes in, please let me know.”

Kim Shin ended his private talk with the Office Worker and loosened his tie.

“Shit.”

Accepting a Villain like this, all because his own position had worsened—he had no other choice.

“Damn it, you damned courier.”

For Kim Shin, accepting a Villain into the guild was a huge gamble.

Even when he scouted Seol Jihoon, he didn’t bring him into the War God right away; he first put him in a Sub Guild, running it behind the scenes.

And only after making sure there were no issues did he transfer him into the War God…

What a humiliation.

Lee Hyunbin. Because that guy rampaged everywhere, he now had to endure this kind of disgrace.

‘Well, it’s fine, anyway.’

Set a thief to catch a thief.

He would fight poison with poison. He’d already prepared a way out.

While Kim Shin wore a triumphant smile, the Office Worker was left alone, continuing to surf the web on his phone.

What he was searching for was every single move made by Lee Hyunbin, the delivery man.

“Hero, you need to get even stronger.”

A bewitching smile appeared on the Office Worker’s lips.

That great Hero he had watched as a child.

When the Hero raised his sword to the sky, the heavens split, and the earth trembled.

He was a living legend.

He wanted to see that magnificent sight once more.

A Goblin appeared.

A Goblin appeared right in the middle of the city.

A Goblin, having spilled out from near the Gate, looked around.

He saw the Barricade set up around the crack in the Gate. And there were crowds of humans nearby.

The Goblin gathered his courage and let out a loud shout.

Because, in a fight, taking the initiative is what matters most.

As the Goblin expected, the humans behind the Barricade didn’t move.

They just waited.

There were many humans, but only one stepped forward.

“Kihek, Kihek!”

The Goblin drew his sword.

He charged straight at the big brute ahead.

“Kihek!”

The Goblin was taken down instantly.

The big man had simply swung his sword once.

“A Goblin? They’re beginner-level monsters, but if you let your guard down, they can be dangerous enemies.”

“Safety. Safety is important.”

“For a better society and safer lives, I’ll work even harder as a Hunter.”

Kim Cheolsu of the Hwarang Guild clenched his fist and struck a fighting pose for the camera looking at him.

“Great! Hunter Kim Cheolsu, thank you for your hard work!”

“Thank you.”

A round of applause broke out from the staff.

Kim Cheolsu was filming a TV show.

At first, when Awakened people became Hunters and protected the citizens’ safety, they were treated as heroes.

But after they became high taxpayers, some people started to look at them with suspicion.

That was why disaster safety agencies and the broadcasters teamed up to create a new program.

-Hunter Reality Daily Documentary.

-“While You Were Sleeping”

It was a special program to dispel negative views about Hunters and foster a healthy atmosphere.

“Thank you for your hard work. Do you have a Hunter in mind for the next episode?”

“Next?”

“Yes, the guest always chooses the next guest.”

At the PD’s words, Kim Cheolsu pondered for a moment.

It was hard to recommend someone from the same Hwarang Guild.

To be honest, there wasn’t anyone with more star power than himself.

But there was one person he could think of.

“How about Hunter Lee Hyunbin?”

“Hunter Lee Hyunbin?”

At Kim Cheolsu’s words, the PD’s face lit up.

‘As expected.’

Right now, Lee Hyunbin was an incredibly hot topic.

Even Kim Cheolsu felt chills watching the video of the recent Dragon Raid incident.

A mere C-rank Hunter, wielding a single sword, saving people and standing up to a giant monster.

It looked like a scene from a well-made fantasy film, but there was something about it that stirred all five senses.

“That’s great, really great! May I ask how you know each other?”

“There was a time when I wasn’t improving at all, just running in place. Then, through an acquaintance, I met Hunter Lee Hyunbin.”

“Ah, when he was a Trainer back then?”

“Yes, after some Training, I realized a lot. I gained a lot of confidence from then on.”

The PD nodded vigorously, as if he thought this was a perfect story to use.

The reason Kim Cheolsu gained confidence was simple.

Ah, if I keep Training under this guy, I might actually die.

Setbacks make a man stronger.

Kim Cheolsu realized how happy the Hunter life was without having to work with Lee Hyunbin, and managed to break out of his shell.

‘Well, this kind of program is good for my recognition, so no one will say anything, right?’

…Or will they?

In the end, Kim Cheolsu couldn’t help but be suspicious.

I went to the guild again today, and the Demon King urgently summoned me.

So annoying.

I mean, I was a Hero back in the day. Now, the guy who used to be the Demon King keeps calling for me.

If it’s something useless, I won’t let it slide.

With that in mind, I headed up to the Royal Floor, where the Demon King greeted me with enthusiasm.

What is this?

“You’re here?”

“I’m here, but why are your arms open?”

“In this world, isn’t it customary to express closeness with a hug?”

“No, you and I have never done that crap.”

“Then let’s take this opportunity to try.”

No way, you crazy Demon King.

He’s in a weirdly good mood today. Something must have happened.

“So, how’s your team these days?”

“My team? Didn’t you read the reports? Forget that—give me that expensive tea I had last time. It had a great aroma.”

“Sigh… Just drink this. I put effort into it, you know.”

“You think I came all the way up here just to drink this cheap green tea?”

“Sigh… Power harassment… Ministry of Labor… Report…”

Just picturing the Elder Succubus filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labor is oddly fresh.

Maybe because we used to fight all the time in the other world, but for some reason, whenever I see Olivier, I can’t help but want to mess with her.

It didn’t used to be this bad, but after playing that love guru game and learning more about human psychology, it’s gotten worse.

“Well, Kim Taeyang, Kim Inho. Both are solid. Just as you’d hoped.”

Both of them had just advanced to B-rank Hunter.

It was an exceptionally fast progression.

It’s been eleven years since the Gate era began.

There are still plenty of Hunters who remain at C-rank for all those years.

“Thanks to you, my own position has improved a lot lately.”

“Climbing the succession order?”

“Of course.”

Im Jaejoon. I can already see the trajectory of a bastard son ascending to the throne.

Well, if this guy does well, it’s good for me, too. We’re working together, after all.

“Seohyeonji has gotten quite strong, too.”

“She was S-rank to begin with.”

Everything was going smoothly.

As for Karin, she was lacking in stamina, but as a healer, she was in the best position.

That’s why I was curious.

There shouldn’t be any reason for this guy to call for me.

“You’ve received a request for a TV shoot.”

“A TV shoot?”

Again?

Honestly, I used to admire the star Hunters who appeared on TV.

So I tried it once at the beginning, but it really wasn’t any fun.

It was just a huge waste of time, so I decided never to appear on TV again.

“Don’t tell me you want me to do it?”

“You’re already the Franchise Star of Hanul Guild. Wouldn’t it be good to go out and raise your profile even more?”

“You never pressured me before. Did you get a kickback or something?”

No, this guy never asked again once I said no.

But now the Demon King was actively encouraging me—something felt off.

“It’s not like it’s because of the dinner with Ms. Omija or anything.”

“Omija?”

Let me think. The name sounded familiar.

Ah, I remember now.

She’s that veteran actress with white hair who’s famous for slapping people with kimchi in morning dramas.

“What, are you her fan or something?”

“Calling her a grandma… She’s still perfectly healthy.”

No way.

Now that I think about it, this guy once proposed sending the princess to the Demon King’s Army for a peace treaty, but he actually wanted the Queen Consort, the king’s own mother.

That’s why the king thought he was being openly mocked and asked me for backup.

“Are older women your type or something?”

“What are you talking about? I don’t live with such impure motives.”

This crazy Demon King.

Given his very existence is impure, he’s not one to talk.

“Honestly, you run your own business too—the Hunter Nurturing Business.”

“True.”

“Wouldn’t this be good publicity for your business?”

“Hey, you think I live for personal gain like that?”

“I know, I know. You run that business for Hunter safety, to create a more peaceful world, right? That’s why you should appear on TV and raise your profile, and take advantage of the positive influence.”

The Demon King sounded almost convincing.

Hugging the dinner ticket for the meal with actress Omija like it was precious.

Sigh, honestly, I preferred when he used to threaten to rule the world.

This is just…

Still, he had a point.

I’m running the Hunter Nurturing Business full swing, but awareness is still pretty low, so I’ve been worried.

“Here, I’ve brought the tea you asked for.”

Just then, Olivier brewed a fresh pot of tea and brought it in.

But something felt off.

I’ve always had good instincts, and now they were tingling again.

“You didn’t do anything weird to it, did you?”

“Do something weird? Unbelievable. If you don’t want it, don’t drink it.”

Olivier responded sharply.

“I was just asking.”

I said that and lifted the teacup, enjoying the aroma as I brought it to my lips.

At that moment, I saw Olivier’s coy eyes glimmering with strange pleasure.

“Hey.”

“W-What?”

“You try it.”

At my words, Olivier’s pupils started to shake like an earthquake.

“W-What? I-I made it thinking of you, and you…”

“Yeah, you try it.”

What kind of trick is this?

“W-What, you think I can’t?”

Olivier took the cup with trembling hands. Her eyes started to water, tears forming at the corners.

Wait, do you hate drinking it that much?

What on earth did she put in this tea?

Anyway, about the offer to film the TV show.

It’s not a bad idea.

I let out a low sigh and asked,

“When does the filming start?”