Our handshake concluded, and it was Kuzon's turn.
He also shook the chairman, not showing a hint of pleasantry or disgust.
It seemed like he just didn't care.
"Once Miss Vida is done with her mission, we'll contact you. In the meantime, we will show you to the suites you'll be lodged in. Of course, it's up to you if you want to—"
"Thank you. We don't mind at all." I gave a smile and nodded at the Chairman.
Kuzon and I followed Director Baek out of the room, leaving only the Chairman seated there.
A lot seemed to be going on in his mind, and while I was probably not the only one who noticed, no one showed any intention of doing anything.
'It's in times like these that people should be given time alone, I suppose.'
*
*
*
Chairman Sung Do Gong sighed as he stared emptily into the blank space before him.
He was all alone in the vast conference room, causing a lonely feeling crept up on his aging heart even more.
'Looks like we're in quite a mess.' His thoughts echoed.
South Korea had a very positive start, especially considering how many other nations had it worse when it came to the arrival of Dimensional Energy.
Unfortunately, with the constant poaching of the Zenith, and the increased risks of the Dungeons, the danger levels began to skyrocket.
They seriously lacked manpower, and it was incredibly difficult to generate more Hunters to join their labor force.
Considering how they required the purest kind of Dimensional Energy to inject into people in order to produce the safest, most assured result, it took a long time to generate a dosage.
They lacked the manpower to mine more from high-tier Dungeons, since majority of the Hunters were too focused fighting with their lives on the line to ensure there was no Dungeon Break.
That was why more focus was given to the Boss than the actual resources they could obtain.
'And even if we do secure the Energy needed, then what?'
Being a Hunter in South Korea was synonymous to courting death these days.
The mortality rate had risen by over sixty percent just this year alone, and it was constantly on the upward slope.
Many citizens were reluctant to sign up for such a job that made death almost guaranteed for them.
'Its why Han Soo decided to play his part as a Hunter despite being a weak one...'
Chairman Sung worried for his grandson, but he also held deep love and respect for him.
'After his father died a Hunter, he's pursuing the same path. He has that fiery spirit. If only he had more compatibility...'
Sung Han Soo had the makings of a hero. His ideals and determination already made him a very strong moral warrior.
It was just unfortunate that he was weak.
"I'm thankful that Miss Vida saved his life. If not, I would have lost my last remaining family member..." He whispered.
These were dangerous times—far more dangerous than the public were led to believe.
'The Shadows of Light... those bastards keep striking us where it hurts the most.'
The worst part was that they were Awakened humans, most likely renegade Hunters who chose to remove themselves from the System.
However, with the increasing number of Awakened criminals, even down to the Brokers, the situation wasn't so simple any longer.
ƥαṇdα-ηθνε|·ƈθm There was a growing suspicion that an alternate means to become Awakened, besides going through the Hunter Association, existed.
If that was the case, it would spell doom for the nation's security.
Unfortunately, the Hunters who could solve these problems were already spread to thin..Everyone was too busy dealing with Gates and Dungeon Breaks that they hardly had time for anything else.
'If only we had more powerful Hunters...' Chairman Sung knew he couldn't even think so naively any longer.
If an S Class was Awakened in South Korea, the Zenith wouldn't let the matter die down. Since they had access to every nation's information, Chairman Sung couldn't bypass their oversight function without resorting to illegal or unapproved means.
That would only serve to further implicate the Hunter Association and sully his country's name.
He couldn't afford to do that.
'Fortunately, they don't know about Miss Vida yet.' And he had planned on making things remain that way.
Unfortunately, even their final bright ray of hope was beginning to crumble.
"Her comrades are here to take her away. Damnit..."
He knew he had no right to try and keep someone like her in his country. He knew it was very selfish of him to even think of it.
Yet... yet... Chairman Sung was desperate.
'The two S Class Gates that we just detected... I can't stop them alone.'
They could request help from the Zenith or other nations, but that would mean the division of the profit gained.
And at the moment, the country desperately needed the returns from Dungeon exploration.
'We tried to hold on to the SS Class Monster Core for as long as we could, but since we don't have enough information and technology to properly implement it, we had no choice but to lend it to the Zenith for economic gain.'
That was how badly they required finds. It had become a big mess.
'Will those two give us more time? At least, until the situation stabilizes. I'm not sure, but maybe I can try to reason with them?'
While it seemed like one named Jared Leonard was very reasonable and courteous, the other one called Kuzon Midas didn't appear to care for their world.
It created a conflict of interest, and the Chairman feared that even the ones who could be willing to show compassion would rather listen to their comrades than help total strangers.
"Haa... I'm at my wits end here." He sighed once more.
He knew South Korea's situation wasn't unique. A couple of other nations had spoken of the same issues, and he suspected that a lot more were keeping theirs hidden.
And while all of these were occuring, The Zenith kept expanding.
'Was it a mistake to try unifying the world?' He couldn't help but think to himself.
Whatever the case may have been, it was quote literally too late for regrets.
"I can only hope to—"
>DING!<
>DING!<
>DING!<
Chairman Sung instantly ceased his murmurs and stared at his blaring watch with bulging eyes.
His brows twitched and his face instantly morphed into that of worry.
"N-no way..." With a quivering voice and a look of sheer anxiety, his thoughts exploded.
"A Dungeon Break?!"
That was just the start of the terrible news, though.
By expanding the screen of his watch to form a holographic panel in front of him, Chairman Sung could see the location of the occuring disaster.
"N-no..."
It was occuring in Busan, which would take anyone from Headquarters a great amount of time to reach.
"Our Hunters there can't handle it alone!"
That was because the Gate that existed there wasn't a mere B or even A Class Gate.
"An S Class Dungeon Break!"
*
*
*
[A/N]
I have a new novel ongoing, and I would really appreciate your support.
The title is "Only I Can See The End"
Please support me by checking it out. Thank you all.
Join the Discord Server for character arts, interactions with the author, occasional giveaways, and many more.
Here's the link.
https://discord.gg/yMPNRURZJh
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter