Accelerating Changes (1)
A month had passed since the end of the first mission of Super Hunter K.
Afterward, time flew by in the blink of an eye.
In my case, it was only natural—because I not only had to manage Super Hunter K-related matters, but also take care of Shin Ah-yeon's schedule separately.
Amid such a hectic schedule, after finishing the second mission and just before the third was about to start—
Finally, episode 1 of Super Hunter K aired.
"Why did they edit it with such malice? That PD is total trash, isn't he?"
Shin Ah-yeon muttered with a dissatisfied expression as she watched Super Hunter K airing.
Thanks to the previous media play, today's episode of Super Hunter K had an outstanding viewer rating.
A whopping 14 percent.
Considering how Dungeon Exploration was a huge hit with 18 percent, it was an impressive achievement.
Still, since Super Hunter K once surpassed 20 percent at its peak, it wasn't exactly something to celebrate with abandon.
"Ah, but what I just said wasn't—caught on camera, was it?"
Perhaps she'd spoken without thinking; Shin Ah-yeon quickly glanced around.
This was because after Super Hunter K, cameras had been installed all over the management premises.
"There isn't one here, so no need to worry."
"Phew... I nearly ended up cursing the PD on live TV."
Seeing her like that, I thought, so she does care about her image after all.
"I don't think the online reaction to this will be good."
Sung-hwan also frowned as he watched the just-finished episode of Super Hunter K.
Thanks to that, Soo-ah didn't look very happy, either.
"I honestly didn't expect it to be this bad."
As Shin Ah-yeon and Sung-hwan had mentioned, that was the biggest problem.
The almost completely invisible presence of Unique? Honestly, that wasn't an issue at all.
After all, except for the Big 3 managements, most were in similar situations anyway.
The real problem now was Soo-ah.
'As I expected.'
But I didn't think they'd be this blatant about it.
"Isn't this because you fought with the PD last time?"
"What, Park Jung-woo. Did you really fight with PD Do?"
"... Hey, that's unfair if you put it that way. Didn't I already tell you I had my reasons?"
"I know, man."
At Shin Ah-yeon's tattling, Sung-hwan patted my shoulder.
Since I'd already given a rough explanation, he didn't scold me too much.
Still, judging by his expression, his dissatisfaction with PD Do hadn't disappeared.
"Anyway, I don't think Jung-woo had much influence on this. Right?"
"Yes. Even if it wasn't me, that guy would have set things up like this. There's no better prey than Soo-ah."
Episode 1 of Super Hunter K.
To summarize, the episode centered around Ju Ji-sang, the Sword King's disciple.
He was one of Korea's few S-rank hunters and the only disciple of the representative swordsman, the Sword King—so it made sense.
He stood out in the preliminary rounds and had a remarkable performance in the first mission, making him a clear focus of attention.
But you couldn't drive the whole narrative with just one protagonist.
In other words, an antagonist to create narrative tension was needed, and the first person picked for that role was Soo-ah.
"Her nickname 'Party Breaker' and her aggressive behavior during monster encounters—there was no one easier to rip apart."
PD Do wasn't talentless.
This was clearly demonstrated by the first episode of Super Hunter K.
In reality, Soo-ah had just gotten a bit carried away, but the broadcast made her out to be a total jerk who abandoned her teammates and monopolized all the points. It was true that the team couldn't collect points properly because of Soo-ah, but even so, those guys had originally planned to exclude her.
Besides, no one else could really deal damage to the Iron Golem.
"If Soo-ah hadn't stepped up, they would've gotten crushed by the golem anyway."
If point deductions were possible, those guys would have gone into the negatives.
In fact, all the members of Team 10, which Soo-ah was in, were eliminated in the second mission.
No management selected them afterward.
After confirming that, Shin Ah-yeon spoke up, looking concerned.
"They might try to blame Soo-ah for all those people dropping out after the second mission."
"If you just look at episode 1, sure."
At this point, alongside Ju Ji-sang, Soo-ah had become the most noticeable figure in Super Hunter K.
But unlike Ju Ji-sang, who got positive attention, Soo-ah was attracting every bit of hate.
Even just skimming the Super Hunter K internet communities made it clear what the public image of Soo-ah was like.
==
【Title: That Lee Soo-ah person or whatever is so annoying.】
Abandoned teammates and hogged all the points LOL
Comments
ㅇㅇ: She's famous among hunters. A repeat offender.
SuperHunterKAddict: I can't believe she did that on the show. Doesn't even care about her image.
WildBasher: LOL all the Ju Ji-sang fans are furious. Didn't their team get wrecked in the first mission???
⌎ㅇㅇ: Ju Ji-sang could've done the same if he ignored his party. You think the Sword King's disciple is a joke?
⌎ㅇㅁㅇ: Golem smasher award LOLLLLLL
==
At the pointed criticism, I glanced at Soo-ah.
'Hopefully, she hasn't seen any of this.'
Luckily, Soo-ah didn't show any particular reaction.
I couldn't tell whether she'd seen it or was just used to it, but at least it was a relief.
"Anyway, negative online reactions like this can totally be turned around with future missions. In the end, hunters prove themselves with results."
"The second mission went to hell—uh, it didn't go well, so the third is what really matters."
As Shin Ah-yeon answered absentmindedly, then saw Soo-ah's face darken, she quickly corrected herself.
'That's why you need to watch what you say.'
'S-sorry, seriously.'
I scolded Shin Ah-yeon with my eyes, and she hung her head with a tearful face.
Anyway, as just mentioned, the second mission last week had been a complete disaster.
Of all things, it had been a 'rescue people' mission.
'If only it had been about a month later, things would've been different.'
The task was simple.
It was an exercise to see how hunters would respond if a gate suddenly opened.
Naturally, the people to be rescued were replaced with mannequins, while the monsters this time were real.
Since the mission took place in a dungeon, this was possible.
'Soo-ah only managed to rescue one mannequin.'
And even that wasn't by directly rescuing it—she'd simply killed all the monsters before the last mannequin was destroyed. Unsurprisingly, Soo-ah got the lowest possible score.
If she hadn't racked up tons of points in the first mission, she might've been on the verge of elimination.
"I—I'm sorry..."
At that moment, Soo-ah apologized to me with a sorry expression.
"Huh? Why are you apologizing, Soo-ah?"
"W-well, I don't think I'll be able to make the final 16 like this..."
"We can make up for it, starting now."
I replied nonchalantly.
I never expected much from the first two missions anyway.
It would take at least a month for Soo-ah's magic power fission issue to really improve.
In other words, I'd planned from the start to use the third mission as our big play.
"Actually, today, we received the third mission notice."
Normally, the challenge would be announced two days before the start.
This was the production crew's way of giving participants time to prepare and strategize.
"R-really? I-is it going to be... hard again?"
At Soo-ah's worried question, I just smiled.
***
Just after the first episode of Super Hunter K had finished.
A small deal was taking place at the Javelin Guild.
"Here's the item. Please take a look."
The Javelin Guild hadn't made it into the Big 3 managements, but it was one of the oldest mega-managements. Its influence was second only to the Big 3.
"... Is this the Ultimate Magic Stone (極魔石)?"
"Of course. Hunter Ji Yeon-hwa requested it, so we went through a lot to get it."
Director Jo Chang-woo from Upstream carefully examined the multicolored, glimmering gem inside the box.
It was identical to the Ultimate Magic Stone he'd previously seen from Ji Yeon-hwa.
'And this strangely ominous energy.'
It was fundamentally different from the magic stones collected from monsters.
It contained vastly more magic power, but beyond that was... something else.
To be honest, from Jo Chang-woo's perspective, it was an item he was reluctant to handle, but it seemed to be in huge demand among mages.
'They say it expands a mage's mana hall and helps with magic operation.'
Just hearing the description, it was an item any hunter would covet.
Especially for mages, whose mana hall size dictated both the number and type of spells they could cast, this would be a treasure worth a fortune.
"Where do you even get something like this?"
"Occasionally, it drops in dungeons. Ah, not from mining... it just drops as a loot, separate from magic stones, while hunting monsters."
"I'm a hunter, too. I've defeated quite a few monsters, but I've never seen one of these."
Jo Chang-woo pressed for more information, but the Javelin Guild executive just smiled smoothly.
"Director Jo Chang-woo. No matter how curious you are, I can't just go around revealing business secrets."
"Ah, I apologize. I was just curious."
"Haha! It's fine. Everyone always asks about the Ultimate Magic Stone."
The executive's hearty laugh made Jo Chang-woo back off.
Even for Upstream, there was nothing to be gained by antagonizing the Javelin Guild.
"Still, since it's with Upstream, maybe I can share a tiny hint."
Then, suddenly, the executive who'd been smiling so far, opened his lips.
"Yes?"
"If you check around Mount Seorak in three days, you might find the dungeon I'm talking about."
"What do you—"
"Didn't you ask which dungeon drops the Ultimate Magic Stone?"
With a smile, the man casually shared information he'd previously said was secret.
"Please, make sure Hunter Ji Yeon-hwa knows. You're a regular, so I'm only telling you specially."
For some reason, Jo Chang-woo couldn't bring himself to say 'okay'.
A strange unease crept over him.
'Why Mount Seorak of all places?'
And, incidentally, that day was the very same day the third mission filming for Super Hunter K was scheduled.
***
The third mission was at Mount Seorak.
A mountain of stunning beauty, widely known as a tourist attraction when not plagued by dungeons.
Of course, it was strictly off-limits to civilians.
There were lots of wild animals, and, occasionally, monsters would stray out from a gate.
"Manager-nim, are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. Besides, they said the area was secured for safety ahead of time, didn't they?"
"Still..."
Soo-ah looked up at me with a worried face.
It was understandable.
This third mission was, by far, the most dangerous one so far.
'They really want to crank up the ratings.'
With the positive response to episode 1, I could see why they wanted more.
Still, I never expected them to do a mission at Mount Seorak.
"Isn't this just too dangerous?"
"There's S-rank Hunter Baek Hojun here, plus the mentors nearby..."
I could hear several nervous voices around us.
Understandable, since they were just staff from the management agency—not even hunters, just regular civilians.
"Is everyone ready!"
At that moment, Hojun's powerful voice rang throughout Mount Seorak.
"This mission is an extension of the first and second missions. The first tested combat ability; the second, the ability to rescue people. This time, you will be tested on your ability to fight while protecting those you saved."
With that, Hojun pulled out several small bells from his pocket.
"The protection targets will each attach three bells to their waists—your job is to keep those from being taken. And who will be trying to take them? Other hunters, of course!"
As expected, the rules were simple.
Each hunter was paired with a member of management serving as the protection target, and had to defend that person's bells.
At the same time, they must try to take the bells from the protection targets of other hunters.
Naturally, in the end, the person with the most bells is the winner.
"Within the ten-hour time limit, whoever gets the most bells, and then reaches the goal at the base of the mountain with their protection target, will complete the mission."
At Hojun's words, the management staff members paired with hunters looked glum.
They'd have to trek through the mountains from now on, after all.
'This is perfect.'
Of course, in Unique's group, I was the protection target.
As I fiddled with the bells on my waistband, I couldn't help but grin.
It looked like this third mission would be a piece of cake for me.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Damn, that's cheating.
Also, after 30+ chapters, we haven't seen Jung-woo fight yet.
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】