WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

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◈ Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart ◈

Chapter 41: S-Rank Hunter Debut

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Park Seryong was not a thoughtless person after all.

He had barely left this place, yet he had moved this quickly. Faster, even, than when he had tried to keep Han Yujin in check. It could not have been an easy decision for him.

There was not much to the press conference.

He merely said that, due to his own careless mistake, a new S-Rank Hunter had been exposed before the proper time. He sincerely apologized to the person involved and hoped he would be given a chance to make up for this mistake in the future.

Anyone unaware of the circumstances would wonder why he had held a press conference over such a brief statement. Anyone who knew the situation would be surprised, and puzzled, by why Park Seryong had chosen to back down like this.

'He couldn't have been certain.'

He had looked deeply shocked then, but that was not enough reason to believe what he had seen in the illusion.

'Whether it was true or not, did he decide it was best to withdraw for now? It's practically the same as losing a direct confrontation.'

Just then, his smartphone rang. It was Administrative Officer Oh Taemin.

"Yes, I'm listening."

Han Yujin answered calmly. Like the case officer, the Administrative Officer began by offering a very apologetic apology. He had roughly figured out the circumstances and explained them to Han Yujin.

It turned out the case officer's guess had been correct. Vice Minister Kim Jaehoon, the Deputy Director of the Special Ability Management Bureau, appeared to be a key figure involved.

After finishing the rough explanation, the Administrative Officer cautiously asked what had happened between Han Yujin and Park Seryong.

"I heard revealing my identity was meant to relieve the pressure at the Great Rift. So I told him that if it was purely for that purpose, he should hold a press conference and apologize."

- And did he agree so readily?

"Of course not. We had a brief test of strength."

Han Yujin had no intention of going into detail. Even if he explained it later, saying it over the phone felt awkward.

The Administrative Officer seemed to understand roughly what had happened and was about to end the call, saying he would let Han Yujin know when more details came to light.

Then, as though receiving an urgent report from someone else, the Administrative Officer told Han Yujin with a hint of confusion in his voice.

- Park Seryong has asked to speak with you now, Mr. Han.

After a brief pause, he added:

- Shall I block the call?

"No. It's fine. Tell him to call."

What could he want?

Less than a minute after ending his call with the Administrative Officer, he received a call from an unfamiliar number.

"I'm listening."

- Sir, you may have already been informed, but this is Park Seryong.

Han Yujin instinctively pulled his smartphone away from his ear and stared at it. Then he returned it to its original position.

"Why are you calling me sir?"

- It is a form of address meant to show respect. If it makes you uncomfortable... I will address you as junior instead.

It was an entirely ordinary form of address, and Han Yujin found himself nodding.

"Fine. What do you need?"

- Is there anything I can do to help you?

Han Yujin fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.

'Is this that whole, if you can't beat them, join them thing?'

The change in attitude was almost absurdly fast.

Of course, it might not mean he truly intended to join him. He might simply be trying to ease their current hostility. Still, it was far from an ordinary reaction.

It was also something he could not do without confidence that his own foundation would remain unshaken.

"There is."

Fortunately, Han Yujin had considered this possibility among several possible outcomes, so his response came without hesitation.

"You know I was attacked once. The culprits were members of the Church of the Goddess of Eternity, a cult and drug crime organization. They seem to have some sort of connection to Beijing, China. I've already informed the Special Ability Management Bureau, but could you investigate separately?"

- As far as I know, the National Intelligence Service is already handling that. Their agents will be far more capable than I am.

"Hmm, really? How did you know?"

- I have some connections throughout the government.

Considering that Park Seryong had coveted power and even tried to restrain Han Yujin before his S-Rank verification was complete, it was not particularly surprising given his ability and position.

"Then investigate Wonhui."

- Wonhui... you mean?

Park Seryong's voice trembled briefly as he repeated the name. It was almost an instinctive reaction.

"To be a student at Yeongwon High School ten years from now, she would currently be between six and ten years old. That includes the possibility of starting school a year early or repeating a grade."

- Ten years from now...?

"Can you investigate every girl named Wonhui in Seoul... no, across the entire country, within that age range? For now, rule out the possibility that she was naturalized or changed her name."

Park Seryong was silent for quite some time before asking:

- Should I understand that place to be ten years in the future?

"Yes."

- And they will be connected to the Church of the Goddess of Eternity?

"Perhaps."

- If I investigate and find them, should I eliminate them immediately?

Han Yujin was startled.

"What are you talking about? First, keep an eye on her and let me know. Maybe she has some kind of... extraordinary talent. If you find her in danger or in an especially poor situation, rescue her."

- Understood. Unless her birth was never registered, it should not take very long.

"That's reassuring. I'm counting on you."

He meant it sincerely, not as a courtesy. He was even glad to have gained a sort of ally he could entrust with this investigation without inventing a needless excuse.

Just as Han Yujin was about to end the call, he remembered something and spoke again.

"Didn't you say the pressure in the Great Rift was severe? I thought you called to ask me about that."

- I did intend to ask. But it seems you have more important and urgent matters, so I thought I would somehow...

"No. Since things have turned out this way, I'll head to the Great Rift as soon as the verification is finished."

- Really?

"I have important business there as well. We can help each other."

- Thank you, sir... no, junior.

Park Seryong ended the call in a clearly delighted mood.

In any case, things had worked out fairly well for Han Yujin too, so he did not feel bad.

'He'll probably want to verify whether the illusion was real while investigating Wonhui.'

That would only make him investigate more seriously, which was better for him.

After reviewing the situation several times to make sure there were no problems, he shook his head at the miscellaneous messages beginning to pile up on his smartphone.

Having his personal information revealed made this an unavoidable disaster. It was only this quiet because the verification was not yet finished. Once today passed, messages from all sorts of acquaintances would come flooding in.

'If you can't avoid it, you should enjoy it.'

But he did not feel like doing that just yet. He muted every message from people who were not important.

* * *

It was decided that the S-Rank verification would proceed as scheduled.

In the meantime, the Administrative Officer contacted him and said many unwanted visitors, including politicians and reporters, would likely arrive. He asked whether Han Yujin wanted to change the date, but Han Yujin refused.

It did not seem as though changing the date would let him avoid them entirely. Given the standing of an S-Rank Hunter, continually avoiding people and refusing to meet anyone would not look very good either.

'I'll just get it all over with while I'm at it.'

So he went out as planned.

Near the entrance to the outdoor Special Ability Training Center, where he arrived in the Administrative Officer's car, he encountered a crowd far beyond anything he had expected.

They clearly were not politicians or reporters. They were ordinary people.

- They're coming...!

- That's it! That car!

- Aahhh! They're here, they're here!

He had no idea what they saw or how they recognized him, but an enormous amount of attention immediately focused on him. Then people began making a commotion as though they were welcoming a celebrity at an airport.

They cheered, screamed, waved, and a few particularly aggressive people even ran into the street to block the car.

If not for the police officers stationed there in advance, the car would surely have been forced to stop and surrounded.

It was an experience he had never had before, and he could not understand their behavior at all. Even as a Dharma Soul Stage cultivator, Han Yujin felt vaguely stunned.

- Aahhh! Please look over here!

At the sight of a group of screaming women passing outside the window, he reflexively asked:

"What's wrong with those people...? Is some other celebrity supposed to be here today?"

"No, not at all..."

The Administrative Officer seemed somewhat flustered too and merely trailed off.

"Maybe... that's just the sort of people they are? If you look into it, there are more cases like this than you would expect."

The case officer answered as best she could.

"You know, there are plenty of Hunters with fan communities."

Only then did the Administrative Officer seem to find something to say.

"I've never even been active before."

"You are the first new S-Rank Hunter to appear in nearly twenty-five years, and only the third in Korean history. That fact alone would be enough for people to like you and gather around."

"Hmm..."

The shock was gradually fading, and the Administrative Officer's words sounded plausible enough. Han Yujin silently nodded.

Fortunately, not just anyone could enter the Special Ability Training Center, so he escaped the sight of total strangers reacting to him like mad.

Instead, he was met by a baptism of flashes from dozens of reporters waiting in formation. The parking lot to one side was filled with black limousines that clearly belonged to high-ranking politicians.

'So this is the standing of an S-Rank Hunter.'

Something he had only understood vaguely in his head was finally beginning to feel real.

'I really did become an S-Rank Hunter.'

After the car parked, he opened the door and stepped out after bracing himself.

Fortunately, perhaps because an interview time had been scheduled separately, no one approached recklessly and shoved cameras in his face.

Instead, the staff of the Special Ability Training Center came forward.

They escorted Han Yujin with far greater formality than when he had seen them before, and there were clearly far more of them than usual.

As he followed their guidance, he saw a group of people in suits smiling at him.

Several of them were very familiar faces.

President Park Junhyeong, Prime Minister Kang Doseok, Representative Kang Muhyeon and Representative Jin Myeongho, the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, Yoon Jaehyeok, chairman of the global Hanseong Group, and Oh Seungjae, chairman of the equally global Exion Group.

There were also several people in military dress uniforms. They were older, their faces somehow familiar, and the insignia on their shoulders began at three stars.

Nor were they all Korean. There were more than ten foreigners as well, each accompanied by one or two people who might have been interpreters or bodyguards.

'The day I only meant to get verified has turned into some kind of debut day.'

Han Yujin did his best to keep his expression under control.

With so much attention on him, even possessing the body of a Dharma Soul Stage cultivator, he had nearly started walking awkwardly.

Still, he succeeded in maintaining a natural gait, and felt newly appreciative of having become a Dharma Soul Stage cultivator.

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