The Day of the Guild Conference
The day of the Guild Conference finally arrived. Sung Jin-Woo from Ahjin Guild and Cha Min-Jae from the Hunters Guild were set to represent South Korea in this global event.
But even before the conference officially started, the buzz around Sung Jin-Woo and Cha Min-Jae had increased tenfold—which was already extremely high after rumors spread about the Goliath, and one of the National Authority Hunters getting completely destroyed by Sung Jin-Woo.
Even though Cha Min-Jae hadn't been involved in the action in any way, the mere fact that he was present during the incident created a buzz around him as well.
---
Cha Min-Jae walked through the path between the reporters, cameras flashing from every direction. He was supposed to attend the conference as a representative, and Anna Mitchell—the person assigned to guide him throughout the event—walked beside him.
He was wearing a sleek black tailored suit with a dark charcoal shirt underneath, the top button left casually undone. No tie. His signature blindfold was in place, and his white-and-black hair was styled neatly but not overly formal. The look was sharp, modern, and just edgy enough to stand out.
"There are a lot of cameras focusing on me," Min-Jae commented as they walked.
"The news has already spread quite a bit about the incident yesterday with Sung Jin-Woo and Thomas Andre. Plus, you were present there," Anna replied.
"Well, I was just present, watching. I didn't do anything."
"Well, the news spreads, and people create assumptions very quickly. So that must be part of the reason."
Min-Jae simply nodded without further questions.
As they reached the entrance to the conference hall, Anna handed him a pair of earpieces. "I'll translate what they're saying through these."
"I mostly won't need it, but sure," Min-Jae said, taking the earpieces from her hand. He stepped inside the room, and immediately, many eyes turned toward him.
As expected, Sung Jin-Woo was already seated in his designated spot. The seating arrangement had placed Min-Jae right beside him. He walked over, his posture relaxed, and sat down. He exchanged a brief nod with Sung Jin-Woo, who returned it silently.
---
A man walked up onto the stage—an older gentleman who looked like a typical scientist. He had white hair, wore a white lab coat over a white dress shirt and a black tie, and carried himself with the air of someone who had spent decades in research.
He tapped the microphone, drawing everyone's attention.
"Hello, everyone. I am Doctor Belzer." His voice was calm and measured. "I am sure you are all aware that the number of gates being generated has shot up, and that stronger monsters have started to appear. But not many of you may know that unusual activity has been detected above the skies. It's been widely reported that the magical energy concentration being absorbed into the atmosphere is becoming increasingly greater. But I want to refer to this magical energy in the atmosphere differently..."
He paused for effect.
"I call it the *Magisphere*."
Doctor Belzer clicked a button on his remote, and a world map appeared on the large screen behind him. Various colored zones indicated different levels of magical energy concentration.
"And out of all those places," he continued, pointing to one specific location on the map, "the Magisphere is most concentrated *here*."
The pointer landed on Seoul, South Korea.
"That is, Seoul, South Korea."
Immediately, everyone's attention turned toward the two representatives of South Korea sitting in the audience.
Min-Jae was leaning against the desk in front of him, his head propped up on one hand, his expression utterly bored.
'This is boring,' he thought.
Doctor Belzer quickly raised his hand to redirect attention. "There is no reason to look at Mr. Sung or Mr. Cha like that. This is simply data. They are not responsible for the concentration levels."
The murmurs settled slightly.
Doctor Belzer continued his presentation, going into further detail about the Magisphere, its potential implications, and the ongoing research being conducted.
Min-Jae barely paid attention. His eyes drifted around the room, taking in the various hunters from different countries—some familiar faces, some not.
Finally, Doctor Belzer concluded his presentation. "Thank you for your time."
---
A man in a suit and tie walked up to the stage and approached Doctor Belzer. "Doctor Belzer, is that the end of the presentation?"
"Yes."
"Then I will take it from here."
The man turned to face the audience. He was the Director of the Hunter Bureau of the USA—a sharp-looking individual with a commanding presence.
"I have something urgent to announce to the hunters gathered here today," he began, his tone grave. "And it is with a heavy heart that I deliver this news. Around two weeks ago, Hunter Christopher Reid was assassinated by a group of unidentified assailants."
Whispers immediately rippled through the room.
And once again, eyes turned toward Sung Jin-Woo.
'Are these the strongest hunters from all countries in the world, or gossiping high school kids?' Min-Jae thought, his expression still bored.
The Director continued. "There is a man currently being seen as the primary suspect of the incident."
He clicked his remote, and two photographs appeared on the screen—images of a middle-aged man with dark hair and a rugged appearance.
'That's Sung Jin-Woo's dad,' Min-Jae realized. 'I completely forgot about this. But I think in the third or fourth episode of season two, it was disclosed. He destroyed Hwang Dong-Soo, plus they think he's a monster. So assuming he killed the National Authority Hunter makes sense. But still, Sung Jin-Woo won't be happy. As much as I know.'
A few more images were shown, and the Director took some questions from the audience. Most of them were about the suspect's identity, but nothing much was disclosed.
Until one particular question.
A man stood up from the Chinese delegation. He was tall, with sharp features and an air of arrogance. "Still, wouldn't it be more helpful to reveal his identity in pursuit of his arrest?" It was the Chinese 7-Star Hunter, Liu Zhigang. "Don't you think so, Chief?"
He paused, then looked directly at Sung Jin-Woo.
"I will be direct about this: What is the monster's relation to Hunter Sung Jin-Woo?"
The room fell silent.
The Director sighed. "Well, if Hunter Liu really wants to know... During questioning, Suspect S revealed himself to be Hunter Sung Jin-Woo's father. And we are carrying out our investigation assuming this is true."
The whispers erupted again.
Liu Zhigang wasn't finished. He turned fully toward Sung Jin-Woo, his tone challenging. "Hunter Sung Jin-Woo, if Suspect S turns out to be your missing father and other hunters attempt to hunt him down, what will you do?"
Sung Jin-Woo stood up slowly, his expression calm but his eyes cold.
"It's only right that hunters hunt down monsters," he said evenly. "And if he is indeed a monster, then I will take care of him myself."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"But if he is not a monster and truly is my father..." His voice grew colder, sharper. "I will simply hunt down the hunters. And then I will protect my family—even if that means I will make an enemy of every hunter in the world."
The room went completely silent.
Min-Jae, still leaning against the desk, couldn't help but smirk slightly.
'Woah. Cool.'