Chapter 316 – Part 2 – The Real Power of the Association

“Hey, did you hear? All three kids who got called in this morning were expelled.”

“Really? I thought they’d just get another lecture like last time. What happened?”

“From what I heard through the grapevine, the new student who got bullied by them – her older brother is a hunter, and apparently he has connections with the Great Hero.”

“What? So he used the Great Hero’s power to get them expelled?”

“That’s right.”

“Wow, that’s crazy. Having the Great Hero in your network.”

“The expelled kids’ parents aren’t ordinary people either. But they all got called to the principal’s office with just one word from the Great Hero, and were yelling in the hallway while slapping their own children. It was total chaos.”

“They messed with the wrong person. Of all people, they had to touch someone connected to the Great Hero.”

“But doesn’t that mean we could be in big trouble if we get on her bad side too?”

“What was the new student’s name again?”

“Why? Planning to get friendly with her now?”

“Of course.”

The class students whispered while glancing at Choi A-yeon.

She had to endure being the topic of conversation and feeling embarrassed gazes for a while, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

Rather, she felt good.

Because she could be close with Heo Solji like before.

“Can you hear them? Everyone’s talking about you.”

“I know, it’s embarrassing…”

“How does it feel to suddenly become a star?”

“Don’t tease me, unnie.”

Choi A-yeon, who had been giggling with Heo Solji, suddenly made a serious expression.

“Thank you, unnie. For protecting me all this time.”

“Oh, come on. Did you thank your brother too?”

“Of course. When I get home, I’ll thank him again and give him a shoulder massage.”

“Hehe, you and your brother seem to get along well. I’m envious.”

“Isn’t it the same for you, unnie?”

“Me?”

When family talk came up, Heo Solji’s expression darkened.

“My sister is also a hunter, but we’re not really close. Our personalities don’t match…”

Her expression showed no signs of brightening, suggesting they really didn’t get along.

“My sister is currently a B-rank hunter. She also holds a position at the Association.”

“Wow, really? Isn’t B-rank high?”

“It’s not low.”

“You should have asked your sister for help. If a B-rank hunter stepped in, those kids wouldn’t have made you run errands.”

“I thought about it. But I couldn’t do it. We’re not close. If I had said something, she probably would have laughed and told me to handle it myself.”

“Oh, surely not…”

“That’s the kind of person my sister is. She treats family matters as trivial and only considers her own affairs important.”

Heo Solji sighed as if letting it all out, then smiled slightly.

“That’s why I wanted to solve it with my own strength. You know how it is – when you receive help, it feels like you’re in debt, so you want to solve things yourself.”

“Right. There are cases like that.”

“In that sense, I’m in debt. To you, of course, and to your brother too.”

“Oh, no, unnie. You don’t need to think like that. He just helped, that’s all…”

“No, I am in debt. If you receive help, you should repay it. So, I was wondering…”

Heo Solji spoke with a slightly shy expression.

“Could you give me your brother’s number? I want to thank him directly…”

“Huh? Oh… of course. Let me ask my brother first.”

“Okay, okay.”

Choi A-yeon sent a text to her brother and soon nodded after seeing the reply.

“He says it’s okay.”

“Really?”

“Why are you so happy, unnie? Do you have feelings for my brother?”

“N-no. I’m just happy I can repay him. I was so flustered earlier that I couldn’t even thank him properly.”

“I see.”

“By the way, how old is your brother?”

“He’s four years older than me. Why?”

“J-just wondering how much of an age gap there is between us.”

Seeing Heo Solji acting shy unlike usual, Choi A-yeon grinned.

“If you’re interested, just say you’re interested honestly. I’ll help you out.”

“I-it’s not like that!”

“Hehe, I’m just kidding. Your reaction is funny.”

“Haha, what a joke.”

She laughed along with Choi A-yeon, but somehow Heo Solji felt a pang of disappointment.

* * *

‘This should satisfy Choi Seong-min.’

Song Chi-hyeon, who had used his power to throw his weight around after a long time, wore a satisfied expression.

‘This is the dignity of a Great Hero. One of only eight great beings in the entire world.’

His self-esteem had dropped considerably lately from being pushed around by Kwak Min-cheol, but thanks to Choi Seong-min, he was able to recover somewhat.

‘He’s helpful to me in many ways.’

While thinking he should grant whatever Choi Seong-min wanted from now on.

Knock knock-

An unexpected visitor arrived.

“Great Hero Song Chi-hyeon. This is Secretary Yang Baek-du.”

‘Why is Yang Baek-du here?’

Yang Baek-du was an awkward person to face since he was Kwak Min-cheol’s close associate.

Since he spent most of his work time attached to Kwak Min-cheol’s side, there wasn’t much occasion to meet.

“Oh, come in.”

Soon the door opened and a wrinkled man in his 60s entered.

It was Yang Baek-du, an A-rank hunter and the real power holder of the Association.

“What’s the matter?”

“Hehe, we meet after a long time and you jump straight to business. How cold.”

“I’m a bit busy, you see.”

“Indeed, you’ve had many things going on here and there lately.”

“That sounds like you’re saying I’m causing trouble everywhere?”

“I didn’t give off such a nuance at all, but well, depending on the listener’s conscience, it could sound negative.”

‘This cunning old fox…’

Song Chi-hyeon, who disliked people who spoke in roundabout ways, glared at Yang Baek-du.

‘What? I can’t read anything.’

He tried to read his thoughts, but Yang Baek-du’s mind was like a blank sheet of paper.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing. Anyway, don’t beat around the bush and speak directly. What did you come for?”

“If you want it that way, fine. I heard you threatened three famous political figures today. You told them that if they didn’t expel their children, you’d confiscate their assets and demote their entire families to commoner status.”

“They deserved it. Those daughters of theirs touched my direct subordinate’s family.”

“You mean that direct subordinate you recently placed in the Hunter Management Department team leader position. The one who’s only D-rank.”

“He’s C-rank. He was promoted this time.”

“C-rank or D-rank, it’s all the same.”

Song Chi-hyeon’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.

“So what? Is there a problem with me making threats?”

“What do you think the position of Great Hero represents?”

Instead of answering, he asked back, making Song Chi-hyeon irritated.

“What are you trying to do?”

“Great Hero means the highest authority, but at the same time, it’s a pillar symbolizing the continent. Because you firmly support us from the threat of monsters so the roof doesn’t collapse, you’re called a Great Hero.”

“…”

“The image of a Great Hero wasn’t easily created. It’s a golden tower built up step by step since the hunter era began.”

“Sigh… So what’s your point?”

“It’s called abuse of power. What the Great Hero just did is exactly that.”

“What did I do?”

“Don’t you know? Threatening famous figures, placing a D-rank hunter in a team leader position… You freely exercised power in the name of Great Hero.”

“There were justifiable reasons for everything! And I’m a Great Hero, can’t I even do that much?”

“Even if you do it, you should do it in moderation. Until now, you’ve been running wild more than necessary.”

“What? Running wild?”

“If you abuse power like that, what do you think citizens will think? Don’t you know that your rash actions are even damaging the Association President’s image?”

“…”

“Stop tarnishing the Great Hero image and stay quiet for a while. Well then.”

Yang Baek-du, having finished what he had to say, was about to leave.

“Hey.”

He had to stop at Song Chi-hyeon’s icy voice.

“I have the title of Secretary. I’d appreciate it if you could call me by my title.”

“Damn, is that important right now? Who told you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Who told you to give me this kind of dog-like advice? Was it Kwak Min-cheol?”

“It’s my personal opinion.”

“Ha, damn. This is ridiculous.”

Song Chi-hyeon, who had been cursing continuously, approached closer.

Standing right in front of Yang Baek-du, he glared with murderous eyes.

“How dare a mere secretary give such bullshit to a Great Hero who’s like the sky?”

“It wasn’t bullshit but loyal advice.”

“Loyal advice my ass. It’s just barking from a dog who thinks he’s human because he’s been fed and pampered at home.”

“…”

“Where does a dog bare its teeth at its master? Looking to die.”

“My only master is the Association President.”

“Ha, now you’re openly crossing the line?”

“Wasn’t it the Great Hero who crossed the line first?”

“What did you say, you bastard?”

He threatened with bulging eyes, but Yang Baek-du’s eyes showed no fear.

‘This bastard, is he laughing inside?’

How dare he laugh at and look down on a Great Hero?

Even though he was the same A-rank as Yang Baek-du, their actual strength couldn’t be considered the same level.

‘My combat power is about 50,000 higher, and I can even read thoughts!’

He was confident he could win if they fought, but why?

Looking at Yang Baek-du’s confident expression gave him an ominous feeling.

“Secretary Yang Baek-du.”

“Yes, Great Hero.”

“I seem to have gotten excited for a moment.”

“I understand. I was also hot-blooded until I turned forty.”

It was Song Chi-hyeon who backed down first due to the ominous feeling, but he had no intention of ending it here.

“I know well that the Secretary was hot-blooded. That’s why you even fathered a bastard child, isn’t it?”

“…Let’s not talk about children.”

“Why? Are you ashamed of your bastard Yang Jo-young? Isn’t he making quite a name for himself at the Association as a B-rank hunter? With the title of the Secretary’s bastard.”

“…Please stop.”

“Even if you pretend not to know, everyone who should know already knows. Including the fact that you only favor your first son Yang Jo-geon and second son Yang Jo-wi. So just admit it already. How hurt would your bastard Yang Jo-young be if he knew his father discriminated against him compared to his other children?”

“…”

He didn’t speak, but Yang Baek-du’s expression was a sight to behold.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Hmph. Next time you come, at least call ahead.”

“There won’t be such an occasion.”

Whether he meant he wouldn’t call or that there wouldn’t be a next time, Yang Baek-du left.

“Damn, unpleasant old man.”

* * *

Song Chi-hyeon, who thought no one else would come and was about to take a nap, had to move an hour later.

Because of a summons from the Association President.

‘What did Kwak Min-cheol call me for this time?’

After managing his expression, he opened the door to the Association President’s office.

“Did you call for me?”

“Hey, Song Chi-hyeon.”

Song Chi-hyeon flinched.

Kwak Min-cheol’s voice and expression were different from usual.

Very much for the worse.

“Who told you to come in without knocking?”

“Ah, I forgot. But I’m also a Great Hero, so this much…”

“What are you to say that, you piece of shit?”

Kwak Min-cheol frowned as much as he could.

“Everyone else is S-rank and you’re the only A-rank, and what? Great Hero? Damn, aren’t you even embarrassed, honestly?”

“…”

“Frankly speaking, the only reason you could become a Great Hero was because we let you on the team, right? Otherwise, would someone like you have enjoyed the glory of killing the Red Dragon Karmygas?”

“…”

“We put you in the lowest seat of Great Hero because we worked together to kill the boss, and now you’re abusing power.”

“Abuse of power, you say. There were justifiable reasons…”

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear any more dog barking.”

“…”

Kwak Min-cheol got up from his seat and approached Song Chi-hyeon.

Coming almost nose to nose, Kwak Min-cheol spoke with cold eyes.

“Don’t cause any more trouble using your power. Don’t tarnish the Great Hero name either. Otherwise, I’ll reduce it to 7 Heroes. Got it?”

It was a clear threat.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes. I understand.”

“And stop bothering the Secretary.”

“…So that old man told you everything?”

“There are no secrets between us. And old man?”

Kwak Min-cheol glared at Song Chi-hyeon once more.

“Watch your words, won’t you? I told you. When dealing with the Secretary, treat him like you treat me.”

“You’re a Great Hero! That old man is just a secretary… Guk!”

Kwak Min-cheol’s hand instantly grabbed his throat.

“Don’t argue with my words. Got it?”

“Guk guk…”

Even without wearing hunter equipment, he could feel tremendous strength.

‘Kwak Min-cheol’s power was this much…’

Only after Kwak Min-cheol let go could he breathe again.

“If you understand, get lost quickly.”

Song Chi-hyeon was about to retreat like a wet puppy when a thought occurred to him and he turned his head.

“May I ask one thing?”

“What?”

“You said earlier that there are no secrets between you and the Secretary.”

“So?”

“You didn’t share my ability too, did you?”

“…”

An awkward silence flowed.

He had asked because he was puzzled about the Secretary who didn’t reveal his thoughts well, but there was no answer.

“S-surely… you didn’t tell him? About my trait?”

“I did.”

“Why! Why on earth did you do that!”

“It’s just one more person who knows, so don’t worry about it too much.”

“But that doesn’t mean you should tell the Secretary!”

“He’s someone I can trust. He won’t go around blabbing, so don’t worry too much.”

“Hah…”

“What’s with that look? I said I’d do it that way, do you have complaints?”

“…No. I’ll withdraw now.”

Song Chi-hyeon, who left the Association President’s office, let out a deflated sigh.

‘Yang Baek-du knows my ability. That’s why he was looking down on me.’

The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed, and Song Chi-hyeon soon realized.

‘I need to kill Yang Baek-du, that old man, before Kwak Min-cheol!’

That killing Yang Baek-du, the real power of the Association, was the top priority.