n

nChapter 319: Chapter 319

nThe preparations weren’t complete, but Hellcard believed that he had the abilities he needed to kill him once and for all.

nHe felt like it was a little early, but if he wanted to die that badly, he would grant it to him.

nHellcard sprung up from his lotus position.

nHe pierced through the underground onto the land.

nUpon reaching the end and hovering in the air, Hellcard looked in the northwest direction.

nHe then unleashed his killer energy.

nThat was when the shaking of the land of the Demonic Realm came to a halt.

nA dark sword appeared in Hellcard’s hand.

nWithin Hellcard’s eyes, which were looking in the northwest direction, the strong desire to fight sparked.

nHe sensed that he was coming this way.

nHellcard’s killer energy spread out in all directions as if it was ready to swallow the Demonic Realm whole.

n***

nWith the help of Ji Yoo Kim, Ho Sung Lee met with the CEOs of the media companies and spread the news all over the world.

nDespite their lack of interest in getting involved in diplomatic politics, as soon as the news that the hunter leaders of each country were pressuring Min Sung, the citizens from all over the world expressed their rage at the hunter organizations.

nSince people from all around the world considered Min Sung sacred, it didn’t take long for them to all share one opinion.

nThe perception of Min Sung Kang became more favorable while that of the organizations grew worse.

nWhen this happened, the hunter leaders from each hunter organization felt more restless than ever.

n***

nHo Sung Lee and Ji Yoo Kim were sitting on the sofa together watching TV.

nThe news was showing the various protests that the citizens were holding against the hunter organizations.

nAs soon as the dungeons disappeared, the government no longer protected the image of the hunter organizations, nor did they provide political protection.

n“It seems like the government wants to use this opportunity to bring the hunter organizations down,” said Ho Sung Lee as he watched TV, and Ji Yoo Kim nodded.

n“As long as it’s possible that Min Sung will come back and the human world will no longer be threatened by the Demonic Realm, the government will try to weaken the hunter organizations’ power.”

n“Then wouldn’t that be a problem?”

nJi Yoo Kim shook her head.

n“I don’t think it’s right for the hunter organizations to control the world. As long as there are no monsters, they’re nothing but organizations of force.”

n“Hm…”

nHo Sung Lee stroked his chin and watched TV.

nHe then opened his mouth again.

n“I guess Min Sung is the only one who would have an answer.”

nJi Yoo Kim nodded.

n“We need someone to establish a balance, and that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

n“I’m glad things are going better than expected,” said Ho Sung Lee with a smile.

n“But you can’t let your guard down. We don’t know how their side will come off.”

n“But the fact that things are getting a little better is a positive thing. Let’s look on the bright side.”

n“You’re right.

nThat was when Ji Yoo Kim finally smiled.

n“What should we do next?” Ho Sung Lee asked.

n“It’s going to be a headache. It won’t be easy dealing with the media. And as long as the citizens are on our side, if we act rashly, we could get hit with backlash. But that doesn’t mean we should just sit back either.”

n“That means we have to do something.”

n“Before that, let’s keep an eye on the progress.”

nHo Sung Lee watched the citizens on the news and nodded.

n***

n“We’re doomed.”

nThe hunter leaders of various countries groaned.

n“I didn’t think he’d beat us to the punch.”

n“It’s definitely that Ji Yoo Kim of Central Insitute’s doing.”

n“Without Central Institute, things wouldn’t have progressed this quickly.”

n“I thought she was just a pushover, but she’s a hyena that pounced on the opportunity!”

nThe hunters agreed while the American hunter leader, Ethan, looked out the window.

nWhile the meeting room bustled, Ethan turned around.

nHe then sat back in his seat in silence.

n“We should’ve went to the media first…”

nThe Russian hunter leader glared at Ethan with reproach.

nIt was Ethan who advised them to wait before dealing with the media.

nHe didn’t think they had to rush, and he believed that acting rashly could call for backlash.

nBut because they didn’t act first, the situation worsened, and now, they were at a disadvantage.

n“We should try to control the media even if it’s too late. We’ll do whatever we can to stop the news…”

n“We can’t do that. That could give the protesters more reason to fight, and that could also make the image of the hunter organizations worsen even further.”

n“I agree.”

n“But we can’t just sit back and let this happen.”

nWhile the hunter leaders expressed their opinions, Ethan chewed on a piece of gum and touched the table.

nThat was when a screen appeared on top of the table.

nEthan touched it one more time causing for pages of information to appear on the table screen.

nThe faces of the hunter leaders began to change as soon as they saw what was on the screen.

n“T-that’s…”

n“No way.”

n“So that’s why.”

n“Ethan, I knew we could trust you!”

nThe hunters’ faces brightened at the information on the screen.

nThe information on the screen informed them that Min Sung Kang had gone missing.

nMin Sung Kang had not been seen lately, and due to that suspicion, Ethan used his best resources to find Min Sung, but he was nowhere to be found.

nThe related findings were clear, and they led to various hypotheses, but that wasn’t what was important.

nMin Sung Kang had disappeared, and Korea decided to let Ho Sung Lee act as Min Sung Kang’s representative.

n“What do you think will happen once this gets out?” Ethan asked with a smile.

nThe hunters’ faces beamed.

n“That’ll be some spectacle.”

n“The heart of humans fire up quickly, but they also cool down just as fast.”

n“This might be our most perfect play.”

nThe hunter leaders chatted as if they were at a party.

nMeanwhile, the Russian hunter leader stared at Ethan.

n“When do we start?” The Russian hunter leader asked.

n“Anytime, as long as you all agree to it.”

nEthan raised his hand and smiled in an arrogant manner.

n“Let’s vote with a show of hands,” the Russian hunter leader suggested while raising his hand first.

nThe other hunter leaders also raised their hands.

nUpon seeing that, Ethan smiled and nodded.

nAnd when he touched the table once more, the words read that the command had been made.

nThat meant that the information was immediately sent to the media.

n“Those worshipping Min Sung Kang will turn their backs within a day.”

nThe hunter leaders looked down at the screen with smiling faces.

n“But…”

nOne hunter leader spoke up with his head tilted, and Ethan as well as the other hunter leaders all looked his way.

n“Is it possible that Min Sung Kang will never appear again?”

nSilence fell followed by a burst of laughter.

n“Hahaha! That would be the best-case scenario!”

n“I think that’s what’s going to happen.”

n“I don’t know the reason, but it does seem like there’s some kind of problem.”

n“Why else would he have disappeared?”

nThe African hunter leader raised his head and opened his mouth.

n“But what if he comes back?”

nIn response, the atmosphere turned heavy.

nAnd Ethan opened his mouth.

n“Too much control over the media won’t be good since we should calculate our moves while considering the possibility that he might come back. Just stirring some dissatisfaction and watching by…”

nEthan smiled.

n“… Should be enough.”

nAnd Ethan was right.

nThe media reported on the information that Min Sung Kang had disappeared, and as a result, rumors spread quickly.

nAs soon as chaos ensued, the stock prices of all the hunter organizations shot through the roof.

n***

nHo Sung! We’re in trouble.

nThat was the first thing he heard through the phone from Commander Ji Yoo Kim.

nHo Sung Lee felt anxiousness in his chest.

n“What’s the matter?”

nWhat Ho Sung Lee heard next made him feel like his head turned blank.

nHe heard about how the hunter organizations from all over the world reported that Min Sung Kang was missing, and as soon as that truth spread, the citizens were in so much chaos that there was no turning back.

nThat alone made all his efforts in vain, and it inevitably put restrictions on his next activities.

nBut Ho Sung Lee didn’t forget.

nHe didn’t forget that he was Min Sung Kang’s representative no matter hat.

nHe couldn’t forget that fact, and he didn’t forget that he couldn’t taint the worth of his position as representative.

nBut what he did have to think about was what Min Sung would’ve done if he was here.

nHo Sung Lee closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

n‘How would Min Sung have handled this?’

n‘Would he have not cared?’

n‘Or would he have gotten revenge?’

nAfter much thought, he made his decision.

nMin Sung would’ve ordered him to do this, and all he had to do was follow his orders.

nHe had always done his best when he received commands, and there was no difference this time around.

nHo Sung Lee opened his eyes.

n“Commander Kim.”

nYes?

n“Please tell all the hunter leaders to gather in Korea immediately, and if they try anything funny…”

nHo Sung Lee’s eyes turned cold.

n“I’ll be sure to make them pay. Please deliver that message.”

nAfter a moment of silence…

n“Okay.”

nHe hung up after hearing her answer.

nHo Sung Lee sighed and walked out to the back yard.

n“Who do they think they’re messing with?”

nHo Sung Lee clenched his fists.

n“I’ll teach them that they made a huge mistake.”

n