Chapter 156
“First of all, we at the Korean Hunter Association express our deep regret regarding this incident…”
The script was nothing special.
A formulaic script.
They expressed regret over the recent incident and admitted their lack of understanding about the struggles of the affiliated hunters.
They promised to work to eliminate the vestiges of the old system from now on.
As Jang Kyunghwan continued his speech, he received a magic stone from his aide.
It was a one-star magic stone from a boss monster that Suho had obtained in the Dark Canyon.
“…To show this isn’t just talk, I, as the president of the association, will award this one-star magic stone, obtained from the sealed gate, to Administrator Ahn Suho. Team Leader Ahn Suho?”
Upon being called, Suho, who had been waiting, stepped forward and accepted the magic stone from Jang Kyunghwan.
Click! Click! Click!
Cameras flashed continuously during the process.
It looked as if he was being presented with a plaque of appreciation.
It was laughable.
Receiving something he was naturally entitled to, as if it were an award.
However, he hid his thoughts, accepted the magic stone, and stepped back, as Jang Kyunghwan’s speech continued.
“In addition, we plan to actively support the national hunters who have retired due to injury…”
Jang Kyunghwan recited the script calmly.
Everything had been written by Suho and passed on through Park Kyuman.
Writing the script hadn’t been difficult.
The entire script was essentially a document outlining the final, reformed state of the association from his past life.
Finally, as Jang Kyunghwan’s speech ended, reporters raised their hands to ask questions.
“What form will this care take?”
“Aren’t you only pretending to return loot this time?”
“Is it reasonable to say you were unaware of the national hunters’ struggles until now?”
The barrage of questions was intense.
Reporters feared nothing.
After all, reporters were not there to forgive or speak for anyone; they were optimized to attack.
After fielding questions for a while, Jang Kyunghwan could no longer endure and signaled to the moderator.
Receiving the cue, the moderator quickly took the microphone.
“We’ll only take questions up to this point. Now, we’ll hear from Administrator Ahn Suho.”
When things got difficult, hiding behind a shield was always best.
To Jang Kyunghwan, that shield was Suho.
Finally, Suho’s turn came as he took the microphone in place of Jang Kyunghwan, who had left the stage.
The shutter sounds grew even louder.
After all, Suho had been the initial spark that ignited this incident.
Before grabbing the microphone, Suho scanned the reporters, exchanged glances with Jo Jin-hwi, and began to speak.
“First of all, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude for your interest in us…”
Suho’s remarks were equally formulaic.
He hadn’t expected the situation to escalate this much.
He was thankful for the attention.
Thanks to it, he hoped to see improvements in the association’s shortcomings.
All this was thanks to the interest of everyone present, and so on.
At the end, he even raised the one-star magic stone he’d received from the association president, declaring his intention to donate it.
“I intend to auction off this magic stone received today through public bidding, and the proceeds will go toward helping retired national hunters still suffering.”
Click! Click! Click!
The camera flashes burst like fireworks.
It was the perfect final touch.
He had bled and sweated for it, but he wouldn’t use it for himself and instead donate it for the injured and retired national hunters. What better way to conclude?
Soon, Suho was ready to answer questions as well.
Every reporter raised their hand.
Even Jo Jin-hwi, who hadn’t asked a question until now, raised his hand.
Their gazes met once again in the air.
Suho planned to answer three questions.
First, he gave the question rights to two reporters whose names he didn’t know.
“How did you manage to conquer the Dark Canyon?”
“Did you intentionally bring so many swords?”
Meaningless questions.
And that was exactly why they were good.
Finally, with only one question left, Suho looked at Jo Jin-hwi as if by coincidence and pointed to him.
Jo Jin-hwi rose slowly and introduced himself.
“I’m Jo Jin-hwi from PBS.”
An ordinary introduction.
However, no one present thought of him as ordinary.
Everyone in this room knew he was the one behind the special feature article.
As a result, the room fell silent.
Everyone focused intently.
If Suho was the kindling for this incident, then Jo Jin-hwi was the spark.
With a smile, Suho said,
“Yes, Reporter Jo Jin-hwi. I enjoyed your special feature. Thanks to it, I’ve received a lot of support.”
“Not at all. I was simply doing my job as a reporter. Now, let me ask a question. Hunter Ahn Suho, if the association still doesn’t change after this press conference, what will you do then?”
Jo Jin-hwi’s question.
Everyone held their breath and focused on Suho.
Formulaic apologies and formulaic expressions of gratitude.
Despite being an emergency press conference, everything was proceeding in a routine manner, befitting a public official.
But people weren’t particularly dissatisfied with that.
Though there was some finger-pointing at past issues, the Korean Hunter Association had come out and apologized, and Suho, the instigator of the incident, expressed gratitude and even declared a donation on the spot.
Moreover, thanks to Jo Jin-hwi’s special article, there was now a glimmer of hope for resolving the issue of retired hunters that had long been ignored.
Thus, people had no reason to complain or stir up more noise.
The issue had nearly run its course and was beginning to fade away.
And so, Suho created this scenario.
Using Jo Jin-hwi, who would appear as a ‘true journalist,’ rather than voicing it himself.
‘I still don’t have enough power to speak up directly.’
In his previous life, Suho had held countless press conferences.
If there was one thing he learned, it was that words spoken without power were mere bravado.
And unprepared bravado would always become a poison that shackled him.
But he had no intention of lying low.
He knew too much to simply stay silent.
Glancing around at everyone watching him, Suho smiled and said,
“In a previous interview, I once mentioned that my dream was to eradicate the gates. That’s why I chose the Korean Hunter Association. Though there are guilds, I chose a government institution because I believe it’s ultimately the government’s role to protect the citizens.”
Pausing for a moment, Suho looked around again, and with a stronger gaze, he continued.
“I will continue to strive for the eradication of all gates. However, I believe the world cannot be changed by one person alone.
That’s why I joined the Korean Hunter Association, but in the end, I believe we also need the support of all citizens. Of course, I’m not asking everyone to join us inside the gates.
I hope the citizens will continue to take an interest so that national hunters, like myself and others, can feel proud to protect and defend you and find the strength to continue fighting.
After all, only the Awakened can confront the gates. So, please continue to support us in our work, as it will bring us great comfort to keep silently fighting in the most dangerous and darkest places in this country.”
Having finished his speech, Suho stepped down from the podium.
Then he bowed his head deeply so the top of his head was visible.
Click! Click! Click!
A flurry of flashes.
That was his answer in its entirety.
But he had said all he wanted to say.
Now, the only thing left was to carry out his promise with steadfast determination, like the horn of a rhinoceros.
After a few more seconds, Suho finally straightened up.
That’s when it happened.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause.
Applause at a press conference?
Everyone’s attention was drawn to the source of the applause.
The one clapping was Jo Jin-hwi.
The applause wasn’t something Suho had orchestrated.
It came purely from Jo Jin-hwi, who had started clapping after hearing Suho’s words.
And with that, other reporters began to applaud as well.
It was an astonishing sight.
Reporters, who were supposed to maintain neutrality and keep a sharp eye, were applauding at a press conference?
Even Suho had never seen such a sight.
He laughed a bit out of embarrassment.
With a brief bow of his head, Suho quietly left the press conference.
Afterward, as expected, articles flooded out, and public opinion began to heat up.
– Sword God bows his head at the press conference, requesting continued support…
– Sword God Ahn Suho! Donates magic stone received as loot to support retired hunters!
– An unprecedented scene! Applause erupts at the press conference!
– Sword God! Appeals to the public!
Provocative headlines.
However, these weren’t mere clickbait; they were raw, unfiltered reactions from reporters who had directly witnessed and heard everything.
As a result, the public’s reaction was overwhelmingly favorable.
– Wow, that’s insane…
– He just went ahead and donated like that?
– That last line was intense…
– LOL, is Ahn Suho aiming for a political career? Every line was gold.
– I suddenly realize how amazing Ahn Suho is, having cleared that sealed gate all on his own, covered in blood.
– The Ahn Suho Shrine is always open, everyone!
Supportive comments.
But among them, many understood the true meaning behind Suho’s words.
– He’s asking us to keep paying attention so it doesn’t end up as a flash in the pan. We should, of course. It’s not just any industry; it’s the hunters.
└ Right, gotta keep adding fuel to keep the issue alive.
– LOL, even though the association president apologized, he tried to dodge responsibility by blaming the previous generation.
└ If Sword God hadn’t donated, it would have fizzled out again.
└ Keep an eye on the association’s actions from now on.
└ We need to keep watching, and whenever things get shady, raise hell.
└ Got time?
└ I’ve got Bill Gates’ time.
└ I’m Warren Buffett with time.
└ “We have no choice; this time only, it’s a temporary alliance.”
└ “Let’s talk about trivial things later… it’s coming!”
└ What are you guys even doing?
And among these comments, there was another notable achievement.
– What’s up with PBS? They usually chase after gossip about famous hunters like entertainment reporters.
– I’ve seen Jo Jin-hwi’s work before; he only covers big stories.
– He was the only one who asked a proper question this time, too.
– Finally, we have a true journalist instead of a tabloid hack.
– Found Jo Jin-hwi’s blog.
It was a newfound respect for Reporter Jo Jin-hwi.
‘Thanks to this incident, Jo Jin-hwi’s position within PBS will become unshakable.’
A far different outcome from his previous life, where he disappeared without a trace in an internal political struggle.
Closing his tablet, Suho picked up his phone.
‘Now, it’s time to proceed with the second step.’
Suho made a call.
The person he was calling was none other than Prosecutor Kim Seunghwan.