Chapter 16- Monster Association 4

‘The eldest hunter, Park Jin-chang.’

As his condescending tone towards MS suggested, he wasn’t a broadcaster. He was a pure monster hunter. His skills were just average. However, there was one unique aspect to him. He was of the old generation. Park Jin-chang was from the generation that had personally experienced the sudden invasion of monsters. Therefore, he understood the terror of monsters more than necessary. He warned the young hunters of the new generation whenever he had time. Even those who detested the old man’s nagging eventually admitted it. He was the spiritual teacher of South Korean hunters. This old man was that kind of person.

“What’s the problem, old man?”

“You said it well, you brat! Don’t you know that your survival so far is entirely thanks to the hunters around you who protected this land?! But what? You caught it alone? Even a passing mongrel would laugh!” Park Jin-chang chastised. He was filled with the conviction that he needed to enlighten this youngster.

‘He said he defeated Blade…’ This was the problem with skilled young people. They mistakenly believe that their current position is solely due to their own brilliance. And then they are swallowed by recklessness and meet their end. It was truly regrettable…

“Hahaha, hahaha!” Choi Kang-sik clutched his belly and roared with laughter. “Are you a passing mongrel?!”

“Then do I look like I’m not laughing? On the day my family was murdered by Blade, no hunter helped us. The government and the association did nothing for me, who was left alone.”

“That can’t be…”

“Do you know what they said the reason was back then?”

“……”

“They said there were no spoils, so there was nothing to support me with. Of course! Everyone ran away the moment they saw Blade! The only support I received was the missile bombardment that fell on my head and Blade’s.” Choi Kang-sik growled like a beast.

Blade grew stronger with more enemies. How had humanity been able to drive back this absurdly powerful monster all this time? The answer was very simple. A powerful one-shot! They intercepted it with missiles, which had higher instantaneous firepower than blades and psychic powers. Carpet bombing was the only strategy! …That was the Monster Association’s claim. No, in fact, they knew it too. That modern weapons couldn’t even scratch its core. A 1-on-1 duel was the only strategy.

• MS, please stay in Korea. ㅠ
• If Blade comes, who will protect us? ;;;
• Welcome to Japan! ^.^/
• Is money the problem? I'll send donations. OK?

Until now, everyone believed that missile bombardment was the only way to deal with Blade. Because the government and the association had blocked information to make them believe so. But not anymore. MS Cameraman. He alone drove back a monster said to be the strongest among 5-stars. The world paid attention to his broadcast, which showed humanity’s potential. Knowledge, experience, secrets… It was far more valuable than hundreds of missiles that would someday run out. It was dazzling.

“I have never received your help until now.”

“I understand, you brat.”

“If you understand…”

“I can’t do that for you.”

“Mr. Park Jin-chang.”

“Even this old man thinks the Monster Association’s actions this time were wrong. But listen. Are you going to retaliate just because you didn’t receive support? Then the bereaved families who lost their breadwinners and sons will think the same as you, won’t they?”

“……”

Choi Kang-sik fell silent at Park Jin-chang’s point. ‘This old man. I don’t like him.’ Retaliate in kind? It was a ridiculous argument. He hadn’t received the dividends he rightfully deserved. It was similar to blaming someone for wanting their salary when the company was struggling. But this “association” company wasn’t struggling. It was a greedy pig that ate once and was done.

“Old man. You’re greatly mistaken.”

“What?”

“I’m just an ordinary person. I’m not a hunter. I don’t have the ability to shoot psychic powers and hunt monsters like you. What are you asking of me?”

“Blade…”

“That’s your lack of tenacity.”

[A certain God seeks lost conscience]

[A certain God mourns conscience]

Choi Kang-sik turned around. He spoke to the flustered acting manager. “I’ll take just this shovel and one Buffalok horn as my reward. I warn you, if you try any more strange tricks like sending someone else’s shovel to a research institute, be prepared.”

“Th-that…?!” The acting manager was flustered. He only now noticed the shovel.

‘Why is Haemosu here?!’ Haemosu (解某漱). The founder of Buyeo, the father of Goguryeo, an indispensable figure in Korean history. The Korean branch of the Monster Association had named the shovel that struck the 5-star monster’s jaw after this great ancestor.

“Why do you have it…?” The acting manager couldn’t understand the situation at all. The divine object, which should have been in the research institute, was slung over its original owner’s shoulder. Choi Kang-sik played innocent and asked, “Is there a problem? This has always been mine. Do you have any complaints about me having it?”

“N-no.” The acting manager waved both hands in denial. He knew that if words of the hunter’s spoils being extorted got out, the Monster Association’s credibility would plummet. A mere acting manager couldn’t possibly handle it. Yet, considering that the ‘bastard manager’ wasn’t showing up… The acting manager groaned.

‘Giving up…?’ This wasn’t the scenario the Monster Association had envisioned. The bereaved family compensation was merely an excuse! They intended to weigh the compensation against the ownership of Haemosu and compromise. If there was no compromise, they would endlessly drag out the time with all sorts of excuses. …Such a petty plan. But the premise itself was flawed. They didn’t have ‘Haemosu’ in their hands to negotiate with.

[A certain God is exhausted from waiting]

[A hasty certain God is limp]

‘Hey, hey. It’ll be over soon, just wait a little longer. Don’t test my faith.’ The situation quickly resolved itself.

“Tenacity, tenacity…” Park Jin-chang couldn’t refute the statement that he was worse than an ordinary person and retreated. As he, who had been at the center, left as if fleeing, the rest of the hunters also slowly backed away. The personal broadcast also proceeded smoothly. Only for the MS.

• Yeah. He's worse than an ordinary person. lololol
• Domestic hunters are just corpses without their elitism.
• Bastards. Go drown yourselves in a bowl of water.

The hunters’ reputation plummeted to its worst. They were suddenly branded as tax thieves, worse than ordinary citizens.

Then,

Ding-a-ling~ ♪ Ding-a-ling~ ling~ ling~ ♬

A phone ringing, oblivious to the atmosphere. The acting manager, who had been saying his goodbyes, grimaced. That melody was set to ring only when a specific person called. The acting manager looked around.

‘Why is that bastard manager calling?’ Had he been monitoring them from somewhere to see if things were going well after dumping all the hard work on him? Nine times out of ten, it was to give the next order. He didn’t know what kind of scolding he’d get if he didn’t answer.

“I answered the phone… Yes! Yes!” The acting manager ran, driven by an immediate directive.

“Mr. Choi Kang-sik. Just a moment! Please wait a moment!” He shouted from behind the young man, who was crossing the magnificent garden leading to the Monster Association’s main gate. The garden was teeming with hunters and their associates.

“Gasp! Don’t push!”

“He’s coming!”

However, this MS’s steps did not slow down even for a moment. Like Moses’ staff, a path opened wherever Choi Kang-sik’s camera pointed. The crowd parted like fireflies hiding from the sun.

‘My goodness…’ The acting manager swallowed a groan. What this man took from the Monster Association wasn’t money.

“What now?”

“The manager himself wishes to see you. He said he’ll personally bring the highest quality Buffalok horn you wanted…”

“I can’t wait long.”

“Thank you! It’ll really only be a moment!”

‘Damn it! I’m in a hurry.’ Choi Kang-sik wore a displeased expression. The messages of the gods’ complaints and dissatisfactions obscured his vision, making it impossible to see an inch ahead. His vision was truly in a state of chaos! The gods’ various messages filled the screen like stars in the night sky.

“That damn adventure talk…” This was all the hospital director’s fault. He had stimulated the gods’ interest with absurd nonsense about an adventure to find a phantom monster, a legendary monster. And the mental age of the gods who fell for it?

[A certain God rejoices at being called young]

[A certain God questions his sensibility]

…They said they were perfectly normal. Choi Kang-sik prayed for that manager to arrive quickly.

“Choi Kang-sik! You bastard!” …Just like that, another strange person got involved. Someone he had seen many times before charged like a bull. Choi Kang-sik wore a very surprised expression.

“Isn’t that Yoo Il-am?” His former employer, the MS. He had vowed to cut his throat if they met again, but he had forgotten. He had completely lost interest after the news of him being grabbed by the collar by the pretty girl’s father, who had some political influence.

‘I thought he’d be in court or jail, naturally?’ Wasn’t he looking quite alright?

• Executioner! Open the executioner's blade! OC
• The original cancer has returned!
• Han Jo-seop: The second cancer greets you. (__)
• Bastard! You waited with your neck washed! ^^

With reactions like this, Choi Kang-sik couldn’t help but reconsider. The man named Yoo Il-am…

‘Was he born for my broadcast?’

[A hasty certain God shows deep interest]

[A certain God prepares popcorn]

The message terror, which seemed like it would last forever, also subsided. Even the gods admitted it. He was definitely good fodder.