Chapter Title: The Sin of Having a Munchkin Little Brother?!
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A conference room with a massive shield emblem of a guild mark etched into the wall.
No one living in Korea could possibly not recognize that mark.
It belonged to Guardian Gate.
The colossal guild that had held the number one spot in Korea's rankings for years.
"...Who would've thought Ma Seokgi was that strong."
"Tell me about it. Never imagined the Bulldozer had that kind of power."
"Shouldn't we scout him right now?"
"Non-Target already offered him ten times his salary a while back, but he turned it down flat. No matter who makes an offer this time, you can bet he'll refuse."
"Well, Mr. Ma takes a lot of pride in his 'Guardian' job, after all."
"Still, what was he thinking, hiding that kind of strength all this time?"
"Who knows. What's his real angle?"
It was the monthly gathering of Guardian Gate's squad leaders and key executives.
After exchanging various agenda items, the main topic quickly shifted to the recent Sudden Gate incident at Hongdae Station.
Especially the talk about the mysterious power Ma Seokgi had kept hidden until now.
The higher the guild's rank, the fiercer the recruitment wars became over top talent.
One exceptional hunter could widen the gap between top guilds—or even reverse it entirely.
Naturally, Korea's strongest guild, Guardian Gate, couldn't help but take interest in the incident and Ma Seokgi.
But,
'They're all barking up the completely wrong tree.'
One person alone showed zero interest in the meeting's discussion.
A beautiful woman with a refined face and a perpetual faint smile.
It was Guardian Gate's 7th Squad Leader, Crimson Flame Tae Iseo.
She alone knew the truth about that mysterious power presumed to be Ma Seokgi's.
'He really should've toned it down a bit. That damn rascal.'
No, that level was probably him holding back.
The real problem was that insane, unbelievable power of his.
In any case, she just wanted the topic to move on quickly.
At that moment,
"Crimson Flame."
Someone who had stayed silent until now finally spoke up.
It was Guardian Gate's guild master and Korea's number one hunter, Martial Emperor Gu Hwisoo.
Tae Iseo turned her head to look at him.
"Yes."
"How is your younger brother doing?"
Tae Iseo's eyes widened slightly without her realizing it.
But she quickly composed her expression.
"...Fine."
"That's a relief, then."
The Martial Emperor flashed a gentle smile.
Everyone at the meeting suddenly looked puzzled.
He had abruptly brought up a topic completely unrelated to their ongoing discussion.
Inquiring about Tae Iseo's little brother out of nowhere.
Yet because it was the Martial Emperor who had raised it, no one dared object.
Naturally, all eyes from the rest of Guardian Gate's executives turned to Tae Iseo.
What was going on? What had they talked about?
They all wore faces screaming with curiosity.
Ugh.
'Tch, he already knows everything and he's just teasing me... Sneaky old man.'
Ignoring the piercing stares, Tae Iseo did her best to play it cool.
Wearing her usual calm smile.
Sigh, that wretched rascal of a little brother...
Nothing was as exhausting as having a crazy munchkin for a sibling.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...To reiterate, we cannot accept Korea's request regarding this year's national rankings."
The towering building was so grand it would leave anyone's jaw on the floor. This was the headquarters of the Korea Hunter Association.
It perfectly illustrated the stature of hunters in the modern era.
Right now, on the top floor, the annual 'World Hunter Accord' conference was underway—an event of utmost importance.
The meeting was conducted via hologram video conference from centers around the world.
Tiny devices pinned to their clothes provided real-time translation of every language.
"Please reconsider."
Korea Hunter Association President Park Daehan appealed earnestly to the dozens of holograms displaying the presidents of hunter associations from various countries.
"Korea was unilaterally notified of an unprecedented ranking drop last year. A full two tiers, no less. Of course, we're not asking to restore the previous rank, just a single step up—which shouldn't be unreasonable. As you know, this year Korea has consistently supported gate raids for numerous other nations and invested heavily in hunter development."
At that moment,
Chuckle, chuckle!
A mocking laugh echoed from beyond the hologram.
Park Daehan's face hardened instantly.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, sorry. It's just... your argument is so absurd."
The portly man with sly, narrow eyes was none other than India's Hunter Association President, Gulshan Grover.
"Absurd?"
"Isn't it? Do you really not know why Korea suffered such a massive drop?"
"..."
"And yet here you are, making these outrageous demands. How could I not laugh? Don't you agree?"
As he glanced around, the others nodded in agreement.
Gulshan's attitude was questionable, but his words commanded consensus.
"You all know this. A Legendary-grade hunter is irreplaceable. Titles like 'national power-level hunter'—reserved for top S-Ranks—are mere trifles to them. Their very existence is a blessing to humanity. And yet."
Gulshan continued smugly.
"Your country just stood by and watched as one such hunter—without any apparent reason—retired in a historic first. What gall gives Korea the right to demand a ranking boost? I truly cannot fathom it."
"..."
He knew.
It was precisely because of that reason that Korea's national hunter rank had plummeted two tiers from 1st to 3rd.
A single Legendary-grade hunter guaranteed a nation 1st rank, regardless of their total awakened forces.
But lose that one, and you suffer a drastic drop like this.
Park Daehan's gaze sharpened at Gulshan's implication that they had brought this on themselves despite knowing better.
"We've addressed that issue multiple times already, as you know. Hunters are people too—citizens with the freedom to choose, guaranteed by the state. Even Legendary hunters have that right. Therefore...!"
"Therefore, you respected his retirement. Yes, we've heard it a dozen times. And that's exactly why I'm saying this: the moment you honored his choice, you should have been prepared to accept these consequences."
"But dropping two whole tiers is still unfair...!"
"And since it's just us here, I'll be frank."
Gulshan's eyes narrowed with a meaningful glint.
"Personally, I believe a hunter association president should prioritize national interests over individual rights... especially when a Legendary-grade hunter is involved."
"...!"
In the 21st century's international society, it was nothing short of a bombshell statement.
Murmur, murmur.
The conference room erupted in chaos within seconds.
"Quiet, everyone!"
Amid the mix of agreements, fierce objections, and stifled gasps turning the room into pandemonium, the meeting chair swiftly regained control.
"For now, we'll give Korea's issue more thought. Now, let's move on to the next agenda."
"..."
Park Daehan remained silent, his face set in stone, until the meeting ended.
In the era of great gates, where hunters were more vital than ever, national hunter rankings were of paramount importance.
Higher ranks meant greater authority and benefits.
A nation starting from lower ranks could climb steadily, but for one that had been at the top to suffer a sudden plunge? The sense of reversal was devastating.
Park Daehan, more than anyone, felt that backlash acutely.
Of course, he didn't regret that choice from two years ago.
But as time passed, the pressure from within and outside the country only mounted.
"Hoo."
It was an endless string of suffocating, frustrating moments.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
At that very moment,
"Sorry, but what brings you here?"
Gawking at the Korea Hunter Association headquarters from outside was no big deal.
But entering the building? That was a whole different story.
This wasn't a tourist spot—it required stringent security and oversight.
Unverified individuals couldn't just wander in.
Yet a man in a hoodie pulled all the way up had just strolled casually into the lobby.
A security officer hurried over to him.
"Me?"
Only then did the hooded man pull out his earbuds and respond.
"Yes. What's your business?"
His face was completely obscured—suspicious by any measure.
Sure, some hunters came and went in casual getups like this, but this guy? The officer hadn't seen him in at least the past year.
"Oh, uh, I'm here to see someone."
"Who?"
"Hmm, the top guy here."
The officer's eyes narrowed at the vague answer.
"You mean the president?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Nah, not really."
Ha.
The officer let out a short sigh.
"Sorry, but you can't just show up unannounced and expect to see him. Please leave."
"Look, if you tell him who I am, I'm sure he'll meet me."
Who the hell even are you?
Sigh. This guy's driving me nuts.
Still skeptical, the officer asked one last time, just in case.
"Alright, what name should I give?"
The man's response made the officer's eyes go wide.