Chapter 78

Inheritance

The news that the Gwacheon City Dungeon Break had set a phenomenal record of no deaths, and ended perfectly, had stirred the whole world. And there was a name that was never failed to be mentioned when this phenomenal event was discussed.

The whole world had eyes on him.

“Seo Jin-Wook is said to be the first SS-Ranked in Korea?”

“It is Korea’s first and fastest rate ever in the world to achieve an SS-Rank.”

When the detailed process of how the dungeon break started, how they progressed, and how they ended, people were even more shocked.

“It’s like the three of them stopped the A-Class break, right?”

“No. Give us some real news, not a hoax like this! You should be able to take out the fake news that not even a child would believe so that we can report something to our superiors!”

“Koreans went too far this time. I know they’re proud of Seo Jin-Wook, but they have to wrap the story with moderation. Who would believe a story like this?”

Numerous governments, major Hunter agencies, and guilds did not believe the news at first, and each tried to get to the bottom of the case through separate sources. Anyhow, it was confirmed that it was suppressed in a very short time for an A-Class break.

Then, those who heard the details through each media window were shocked. All the circumstances were proving the news pouring out of Korea were true. There has been a stir in Korea as well.

“I heard that monsters from there were the ones who carried the plague. I heard that the disease was the worst type of disease that could not be cured if caught by a non-Awakened.”

“They’ve tested the remaining bodies, and they say they can’t prevent them, and if people get caught, they swell up and suffer for days. They spray germs in the air in that state and die.”

“Damn it. It’s already sad enough that I can’t Awaken, and now there’s an infectious disease that only non-Awakens get?!”

“At least it did not spread. I heard that it was a disease that could spread just by the monsters breathing around.”

“No matter how they have set the line of defense, if thousands or tens of thousands of them had poured out, then Gwacheon city could have been the city of death. Also, coming to contact with corpses makes it more contagious.”

“What if even one of them ran to another city?”

“Since they say that it even spreads between humans…we went to the verge of a plague outbreak.”

The people who talked about those naturally ended up with one question.

“No, but did Seo Jin-Wook know about this beforehand? How did he get in the dungeon first and stop them from coming out?”

The question of how the three of them could have prevented a cataclysmic event was now put behind the scenes. The assumption that they may have had a powerful combat capability and a unique ability that couldn’t be compared to any other Hunters in Korea was turned into an established theory. It was like it’s been proven through the break. The remaining question was, how could he have shown such an astonishing performance with such adequate timing? It was not easy without being unaware of what monsters came out of the dungeon.

“By the way, isn’t there a procedural problem with this? He did it all by himself, while the other hunters were sucking their fingers.”

“Rather than him doing this alone, the biggest problem is that the Hunter Management Department’s crisis management protocol and emergency orders were completely compromised. He completely ignored all of the government.”

“But as a result, he saved a lot of people, right? The government must be troubled with what they should do with Seo Jin-Wook.”

“Other guilds strongly insisted on punishing Seo Jin-Wook, but they lowered their tails because of bad public opinion.”

“Is it about the national hero deserving an award rather than a sanction?”

“But the procedure is the procedure, and the law is the law… So, although it may be rather ceremonial, there will be disciplinary action in some way. If he really knew it in advance, shouldn’t he have shared about it in advance?”

However, their predictions were wrong. According to a government announcement a few days later, Seo Jin-Wook was concluded not to be subject to disciplinary action. Several guilds protested, but they were forced to withdraw after being bombarded by angry public sentiment. And what made people even more surprised was…

“Confidential?”

Rumors had spread that several confidential meetings had occurred between the Celestial Dragon and Hunter Management Department, excluding other guilds. The Celestial Dragon must have made some moves in the meeting. The Hunter Management Department announced the precise reason for the behavior shown by Seo Jin-Wook in Gwacheon was not to be disclosed to the general public for ‘consideration of national interest.’ The phrase ‘national interests‘ hid a context that everyone could only guess at.

“Seo Jin-Wook… Has some kind of special skill or item that they could not disclose to other countries!”

*

The majority of the people were surprised by the government’s announcement, but the other guilds were the ones most appalled. Somewhere in Seoul, Grand Croix, and the Guild Master of Destructional Blade, held a secret meeting. Although the two guilds were blinded by competition, they had no choice but to pretend to join hands in front of their powerful common enemy.

Kim Kyung-Rok, the Guild Master of Grand Croix, said with a frown, “Is there any additional information from the Destructional Blade side?”

Even if it was a secret that they could not disclose to the media, a leak couldn’t be avoided within the relevant department. There wasn’t a perfect, complete secret. An appropriate number of whistle-blowers in the Hunter Management Department was essential to the four major guilds.

“It’s barely updated compared to last time,” Seo Moon-Ga-In said with a serious look, “Seo Jin-Wook had a good reason to enter the dungeon with a party of three, and the government admitted it. There seems to be one more reason why they had to do so, other than the moral and heroic motives to stop the plague.”

Kim Kyung-Rok clicked his tongue, “The problem is, we can’t even guess what that is.”

The two Guild Masters had no idea. That Seo Jin-Wook, who secretly had a one-on-one meeting with the minister, revealed that he would be the first person on Earth to carry out a quest granted only to the chosen ones. He explained that it was inevitable since one of the quests was for a party of 3 to enter the dungeon to slaughter as many of the monsters.

The event that he received, after the selection quest, took place after they suppressed the dungeon break; Seo Jin-Wook changed the order of events by lying. The Hunter Management Department interpreted the emblem on the back of Seo Jin-Wook’s hand using [Analysis] scroll.

[Mark of the Chosen]

– An insignia given to the selected Awakened. Those who possess this insignia are authorized to perform a special ordeal that no other Awakened can access.

Seo Gyu-Cheol explained about the screening quest, on the condition that they would keep this as an absolute secret to other hunters. He mixed in truth with a lie, but the government did not know to tell them apart. According to Seo Jin-Wook’s explanation, carrying out a screening quest unavailable for Hunter of any other country was equivalent to taking the initiative in the upcoming tutorial quests. Sensing that the substantial national benefit would follow this fact, the government promised to fully support all its activities in the future and keep Seo Jin-Wook’s secrets and even secured a contract between Celestial Dragon and the state.

From Seo Jin-Wook’s point of view, it was like getting himself on the back of a dragon.

“Did you hear that? The government has stopped trying to acquire a stake in Celestial Dragon. They even put pressure on the corporations aiming for a stake, and they let their hands off. Didn’t Grand Croix get the call as well? The Hunter Management Department spoke to us, too. Although it was through an unofficial channel.”

“How did Seo Gyu-Cheol and the kid roast the government for them to come out like this?”

However, neither Kim Kyung-Rok nor Seo Moon-Ga-In intended to put an end to the plan and step down easily. The reason why the two gathered like this was because of the sense of crisis. They had no choice but to fight against the Celestial Dragon this way.

“It could be rather a good thing. If Celestial Dragon’s influence grows further in the future, it may be better to secure a stake in advance. So that we can influence them.”

Kim Kyung-Rok floated the hologram, “This is the list of hunters we’ve conciliated so far.”

As Seo Jin-Wook’s performance became known, the number of A-Rank hunters of Celestial Dragon that had hoped to leave had drastically decreased. However, since those who followed Han-Seol still wanted to sell their shares in the guild and leave, Grand Croix and Destructional Blade reached out to them early on.

Seo Moon-Ga-In, who was reading the list, found something, “What, almost all of them are verbal promises, aren’t they saying that the real sale of the share will take place later on?”

“Isn’t that the same with the Hunters who are dealing with Destructional Blade as well?”

Seo Moon-Ga-In frowned as she bit her lips, “Everyone’s attitude strangely changed. Those who acted like they would sell it right away if the conditions were met… suddenly postponed the timing. And they’re dragging on to sign the sales contract by making excuses of this and that.”

The two did not know that the agents, hired by Seo Jin-Wook, approached them and had already completed the contract. Hunters, who already promised to hand over their shares to Seo Jin-Wook, were also playing with Grand Croix and Destructional Blade by raising their hope as requested by him.

*

A few days later, Kim Kyung-Rok and Seo Moon-Ga-In realized that their minds were being blown away by the events. The beginning was an email sent by Seo Gyu-Cheol to the Celestial Dragon Guild member. A declaration that he would resign from the guild and retire from the Hunter world for health reasons. His son, Seo Jin-Wook, would inherit all of his shares in the guild, and he would be nominated as the next Guild Master.

The nomination required approval at the account holder meeting, even if the nomination was from the former Guild Master, so they updated the account holder list. Hunters, and outsiders with Celestial Dragon’s stake, could see how the equity structure changed in the meantime.

Then, when they all found the change, Kim Kyung-Rok burst into anger, “Damn it. Those bastards played with us! They had already sold their stakes to another company!”

Kim Kyung-Rok and Seo Moon-Ga-In realized that they were being played by the Celestial Dragon Hunters, who wanted to leave, and those they made a deal with. Most of the other parties that they sold their shares to had never been heard of before. The company’s joint owner was revealed at a meeting of Celestial Dragon a few days later.

“I, including Yun Ho-Min and every hunter that holds the share, agree to appoint Seo Jin-Wook as the next Guild Master.”

Yoon Ho-Min, the head of the guild’s exploration one team, who had already finished talking in advance, had strengthened internal public opinion in the meantime. Of course, Seo Jin-Wook’s performance helped them solidify their choices.

“With voting rights delegated to seven stakeholders, including the J-fortune investment firm, we agree to appoint Mr. Seo Jin-Wook’s as the next Guild Master.”

The now-deceased Han-Seol’s share was transferred to the company he owned through the intermediate heir without difficulty as Seo Jin-Wook intended. Also, several investment companies bought the shares that Hunters who followed Han-Seol sold. Seo Jin-Wook’s agent, who represents all of the companies, naturally voted in favor of the movement. Because of those who sold their shares in advance, Grand Croix and Destructional Blade held a minimal stake, but they did not affect the trend.

“Then, with the appointment and conclusion by the sufficient voting right holders, I appoint Seo Jin-Wook as the Guild Master of the Celestial Dragon Guild.”

It was the moment when the Celestial Dragon Guild came into Seo Jin-Wook’s hands.

*

On the day of the Guild Master’s inauguration, I stood on the platform and looked at the guild members that gathered below.

‘Took longer than I thought it would.’

Now, it seemed that I had gathered materials to prepare for the future. I created a stable channel to draw necessary funds through transactions with the Senator, and the government also promised full support. I would bring in more prospects in the future, but I had also secured the two most important among them. I also had the largest guild in the country at this point, without having to start from nothing.

‘I have already secured more than a majority stake, including what I inherited from Seo Gyu-Cheol, but I have to gather more from now on. From now on, I won’t hire Hunters as the share as the bait. I can prepare anything more precious than money.’

From this moment on, the guild had to move, like a hand and foot, only according to my will. To do so, it was necessary to reduce the number of rowers of the boat as much as possible. Grand Croix’s shares and the Destructional Blade were minimal, but the mix itself was very irritating.

‘Well, there’s a lot of ways to get it back.’

Threatening and shouting at them wouldn’t make them sell the shares they already had in their hands. However, if the building block crumbled, it would become a different story.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

The applause of the hunters followed, and I opened my mouth in front of the microphone, “I feel a deep sense of responsibility and a sense of duty as I take on the role of the representative of the guild during this severe time.” Some gazes changed when I, a young man, spoke more fluently than they thought I would. I could hear a whisper of ‘I’m sure the people under him prepared it anyways’ as well. Such a speech was a familiar experience in my previous life, too. ‘Even if I stand here and talk long, they won’t listen.’

I announced my plans concisely and completely, “In the future, I promise that I will do my best to ensure that the Celestial Dragon Guild will be capable of fulfilling its social responsibilities without being swayed by any environmental changes. On the other hand, I think the current size of the Celestial Dragon is a little small to achieve that goal.”

Everyone looked surprised when I say this about the nation’s No. 1 guild.

I continued calmly, “From now on, Celestial Dragon will not be limited to Korea, but will expand its territory to overseas activities.”

A smirking laugh came from a few people as it was considered absurd under the current circumstances. For the guild to work abroad, there were countless administrative barriers to overcome, including the relevant country’s approval. That was why most guilds in Korea were devoted to domestic activities.

‘In the case of administrative issues, I just have to give them the motivation to overcome those. Every time something big happens in the future, I will make all the countries look for Celestial Dragon. We have enough ingredients to build that position!’

I spoke to their faces, which were full of ridicule, “As a first step, we signed an MOU with Danton Corporation last week promising full cooperation in future activities. We also began fundamental negotiations to establish a joint venture as a stepping-stone to the exchange of manpower and tangible and intangible assets.”

A short silence flowed in the audience for a moment. Next to the podium, a picture of a Westerner and I shaking hands and signing the document popped up in the hologram. The counterpart was a special executive who worked for Edward Danton. Danton Corporation was one of the leading companies operated by Senator Edward Danton in the light. The main business area was researching items excavated from dungeons and the development and production of products utilizing their unique characteristics.

‘It will be an official sales window to mass-produce and scatter the Dungeon by-products that have gone through an intermediate modification to the world after I bring them.’

Naturally, the U.S. government initially expressed disapproval, but it was also Senator’s power that the country was lobbied, emphasizing Hunter’s peculiarity, and eventually obtained approval.

‘Cha-ka-cha-ka-chak!’

Reporters present at the inauguration ceremony busily press the shutter buttons, and there followed bursts of flashes.

“Edward Danton? The billionaire?”

“Danton Corporation is the largest core-related company in the world!”

I continued my speech, “Also, in the future, the Celestial Dragon will not be operated the same way as before. So far, our guild has fallen behind in pre-emptive prevention of danger. When the gate opened, we focused on the passive process of targeting and farming the Mana core.”

Of course, they had to be passive. The only way to know in advance when the gate opened was through a prophecy type dungeon. And most guilds were passive in clearing prophecy type dungeons. A look of questioning appeared in everyone’s eyes when I stated an unfamiliar concept for them. There were murmurs everywhere that Celestial Dragon might be targeting only the prophecy-type dungeons.

I declared in front of such Hunters and reporters, “Celestial Dragon will take the lead in pre-emptive dungeon clears. Instead of winning the right to attack and mine the dungeons that have already been discovered, we will focus on exploring the dungeons that have not yet been discovered.”

Most reporters laughed bitterly, thinking it was a bluff.

‘You’ll see it soon.’

It was the beginning of a full-fledged move to completely change the future I had experienced in my previous life.