27

The Korean Hunter Authority was strangely more like a combination of a corporation and an army. Park Soo-Ho had been the head of its weapons department, and he was planning to secretly create a weapon to eliminate the Hunters. The result of that process was right in front of him. Jeong Dong-Hoon immediately knew what it was.

Soo-Ho had been holding onto that weapon for his safety and had also handed one to his wife in case of an emergency. To develop a new weapon, it was very important to keep it a secret. That arrogant idiot had just ruined everything.

At this, Jeong Dong-Hoon sighed and observed Lee Ho. The man’s face was stoic as usual, but he felt silent anger emanating from him. It was scary.

That was why he must calm Lee Ho down first.

“This is a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“This is not intended for Hunters. I heard that this is a weapon targeting monsters.”

Jeong Dong-Hoon knew that he was in a precarious situation; his experience was telling him so. So what should he do? The answer was clear—he should evade this topic. In fact, dead bodies coudn’t speak. He was planning to put all the blame on Park Soo-Ho.

“You know that it is important to keep our weapons a secret. This weapon is still in the process of development and is incomplete. It was absurd to hear that news, but this is not for Hunters. It is supposed to target and kill monsters.”

There was a psychological term known as gaslighting. This referred to an action or words used to manipulate a situation so that the victim could not make decisions properly.

That was exactly what President Dong-Hoon was doing.

“As you know, their job is to develop weapons. But everyone knows that the enemy also has scientists and they can create weapons to counter ours. For example, in the past, Native Americans never thought that there was such a thing as guns. That’s why they did not know how to deal with it, right?”

“……..”

“This is like developing a gun. Yes, like Native Americans, monsters don’t know about this weapon. That means this can be used to attack monsters effectively. You know that weapons can also be used in a good way. This can help humans too, don’t you think?”

Lee Ho did not answer. All he did was stare at Jeong Dong-Hoon’s face as he continued to talk.

“Every artifact around the world, in fact, can be used as weapons to kill Hunters. In addition, this one is still incomplete. Once it has been completed, then I certainly would have informed you. Trust our relationship.”

In short, he was saying that the weapon was not to hunt and kill the Hunters. It was targeting monsters.

Park Soo-Ho was the one who had made that device.

In short, the president was implying that Leeo Ho was just making the issue bigger than it was. In fact, it felt more like Ho’s fault that this was happening. All weapons had risks attached to them. Why didn’t he understand?

Those were the meaning behind his words.

At this, Lee Ho suddenly burst out laughing. “You paused for three minutes before explaining.”

He drank his tea as he continued to laugh. The tea smelled delicious.

“Is that your excuse?”

“…Excuse?”

“Do you seriously believe that Hunters are just volunteers? You know that they risk their lives to save people.”

“……..”

“Meanwhile, you guys were preparing to backstab the Hunters… Interesting.”

“You know that it’s…!” Dong-Hoon shouted. He must continue acting as if he knew nothing.

Before he could finish his sentence, Lee Ho pushed the table over. It collided with the wall with a loud sound and clattered to the floor.

Jeong Dong-Hoon shivered. Meanwhile, the tea and biscuits on the table fell to the floor in a mess.

Even after the deafening sound, no one entered the office. Ho spoke coolly.

“You must be worried about the existence of the Hunters. When the monsters are gone in the future, you think Hunters might become dangerous. I get that, but do you realize how many Hunters are dying on the front lines?”

“…….”

“From C to F rated dungeons, forty to fifty Hunters die, even more on higher-level dungeons. And yet you were preparing an ambush instead of support for Hunters?”

Lee Ho was furious. He did not care much about the conflict between Hunters and ordinary people since the gates were getting much stronger. But why were they planning to do this now? And in these circumstances?

This should end immediately.

“Do you honestly think that the gates are conquered?”

“…….”

“Last year, four A-rated Hunters disappeared. This year, there are eight. The number of gates has doubled, and you still think that it’s none of your business?”

Dong-Hoon felt afraid. A thought even passed through his mind that the man in front of him was not the Lee Ho he knew. They had lunch quite often and spoke to each other a lot. Yet, it was his first time to see the Hunter like this.

“You were planning to kill those who are risking their lives to fight at the front lines… What a pathetic idea. Mr. Jeong.”

“…What do you want?”

“Is this just in Korea?”

Jeong Dong-Hoon didn’t know what to say. If he answered anything other than with “I don’t know,” then he would be admitting the truth.

However, he had no other choice. Telling the truth was the best he could do.

“…It’s happening all around Asia. You have heard of the anti-Hunter organizations in China.”

Indeed. They always claimed that the Hunters were a threat to everyone. It turned out that some members of the anti-Hunter organization had gotten positions in the Hunter Authority.

Ho had a sinking feeling that the two organizations were even working together and sharing ideas and information with each other. He was sure of it. This whole thing was getting bigger and bigger. He sighed. This was giving him a headache and frustration.

What was wrong with them? Couldn’t they see what was happening in the world now?

Lee Ho closed his eyes and thought about it deeply.

Coming to a decision, he hit the fallen table softly twice. The door opened, and Hong Jong-Geun came inside, bringing out a piece of paper and putting it in front of President Dong-Hoon.

At first, Lee Ho had wanted the president to resign from his job. Not just him but also the other members of the authority who are connected to this. However, he had suddenly thought of a different idea.

“I’ll tell you what to do. First, write the names of everyone who is a part of this.”

“…Everyone?”

“I don’t think that you are a fool. If you were, then you wouldn’t be able to rise to your current position, so open your ears and listen well. We can eliminate those who are a part of this, at least in Korea.”

That was how Lee Ho had to survive. They must not hesitate to eliminate their enemies.

However, he was not a psychopath. He had never killed ordinary people. He only killed those who were a threat to humans, and that was why people were calling him a guardian. But even if they are ordinary people, if they decided to join evil plots, then that would be a different story.

He was ready to cross the line.

At this, Lee Ho and President Dong-Hoon’s eyes met.

“If you give me the wrong names, then you will die. No matter where you run and hide, you will be found, and you will die.”

The Cheon-Myeong guild controlled the airlines and shorelines. Even if he could stow away or use teleport magic, Lee Ho could track him down if he wishes to. That was how powerful he was.

“I’ll give you five minutes. Write their names and give the list to my chief secretary. The reporters are here already, so deal with that.”

Ho was telling him to announce to the media that the Hunter authority is working together with the anti-Hunter organization and was planning to ambush Hunters.

Jeong Dong-Hoon froze. That admission could literally kill him. As Lee Ho had mentioned, he was not a fool.

“If I announce that… I can die.”

Ho looked down at him and said coolly, “Follow my orders. Be my lapdog. Inform me of all the news regarding Hunters so that I can be aware of everything. If you promise me that, then I’ll keep you safe.”

Jeong Dong-Hoon could do nothing but stare at Ho. Be a lapdog? This was like a totally different person. This was not the Lee Ho he knew.

Goodness, was he really like this? What caused him to change?

Lee Ho ignored his helpless glare and stood up.

“If you have the names, then write them down now. A minute has just passed.”