America
The United States of America. The first destination for the family trip. Upon entering the airport, Jinwoo was asked to be brought to the Federal Bureau of Hunters regarding the immediate International Guild Conference. He glared at the direction of the agents accompanying him. Remembering the whole incident with Hunter Hwang Dongsoo, they gulped and quickly reassured him that his family will come with him to the Hunters Bureau with special permission as well as several awakened agents acting as their bodyguards. Just to be safe, Jinwoo had placed his soldiers with strength equal to s-rank into the shadows of the agents. This should be really enough to keep them safe.
The Hunters Bureau.
"It has been a while, Mr Sung."
"Hello, Director Brennon. I would like to express my condolences to Adam."
"Thank you. Mr White did his job perfectly, and he only did what was ordered. As his superiors, it is our fault and responsibility for his death." The director sighed deeply.
"If you are asking about the favour in regard to giving me Kamish's Rune Stone-"
"No, you only did what was necessary to save us from the monsters, so it should be us that is thanking you, Mr Sung."
"Alright. I already received the brief rundown on the topics that will be discussed during the conference on the plane by one of your agents. I might be able to cooperate on those since they benefit me as well."
"Thank you. As for the details..."
The International Guild Conference. The strongest hunters from the strongest guilds in their countries have all gathered today to address the future of all hunters with regards to the end of the Cataclysm. Director Brennon stood at the podium to address the guildmasters.
There were two main topics. The first was the notion of having friendly duels between hunters, created as a form of new sport. This was only expected with the absence of monsters, and it would be a waste for the hunters not to use their powers. In regards to those that abuse their powers to commit illegal acts, which was more likely with the end of the Cataclysm, Director Brennon announced that Hunter Sung Jinwoo has decided to offer a unit of high rank shadow soldiers for each country to oversee and manage the behaviour of hunters.
"Mr Sung, we have not discussed this yet, so I ask this question now. Would it be alright to name the shadows we are borrowing under the Ahjin Guild?"
"I have no intention to take over other countries, so isn't having the Ahjin Guild all over the world a bit much?"
"As we are having your shadows to keep our countries' hunters in check, it means you, hunter sung, are watching over our hunters. and using the name of the Ahjin guild would be more effective in asserting authority on them."
The guildmasters nodded in agreement and turned towards Jinwoo, expectantly waiting for an answer.
"Fine. Do as you please."
"Thank you."
"On that note, the Hunters Bureau will register Hunter Sung's shadows as part of the Ahjin Guild, and the world will acknowledge them as its members."
Thus, the conference came to an end.
"I will be waiting in Russia, Mr Sung."
"We will do our utmost to welcome you when you arrive!"
"See you in 2 weeks time, Mr Sung."
Jinwoo saw off the guildmasters as they departed from the venue of the conference, who were leaving the United States in haste to oversee the preparation of the celebrations taking place in their own countries.
The next few days after the conference ended, the national level hunters stayed behind to assess the registering process. They had sparring matches in order to bestow the title of national level shadows, an authority equal to national level hunters to Bellion, Igris and Beru. Igris has better swordsmanship than Liu Zhigang, Beru is faster than the national level hunters can keep up with, and Bellion's whipping sword that could even trip up Beru was an obstacle to the national level hunters.
Not to mention their regeneration means they have no need for support hunters, although Beru could use healing magic. They could become even stronger with Sung Jinwoo's Monarch's domain. On that front, the national level hunters have no complaints with the shadows receiving authority equal to theirs as recognition for their strength.
A special exception was granted to register Hunter Sung's summons as members of the Ahjin guild to further expand Hunter Sung's and its authority on the world. There are a total of 1.2 million summons, and including the giants, dragons and angels, there are easily ten of thousands of s-rank shadows registered in the Ahjin guild. Easily the biggest and strongest guild with a staggering amount of s-rank summons that is impossible for any guild to compete, not even the scavenger guild. Since the dragon shadows were also registered, Ahjin Guild is easily strong enough to take on the entire world's hunters, so it has been given authority as such. From this piece of news, Jinwoo thought that he made the right choice not to mention that his shadows can continuously become stronger through battles.
It has already been decided that the shadows sent to other countries would be all on the level of s-ranks, and their numbers equal to to countries' number of s-rank
hunters. The hunter crime rate would later drop at a dizzying pace, though quite expected.
"Mr Sung, could I meet with your family for a meal?"
It was Thomas Andre,America's National Level Hunter who made the request.
"Whatever for? I doubt you have any business with them."
"Well, I have to see the family who the great Hunter Sung Jinwoo said he would protect even if he has to go against the entire world's hunters for myself, don't I?"
"With your reputation, you may just scare them, and I do not want that."
"Hahaha! You already beat me good one time already, so there is no need for them to be afraid of me, is there? I only wish to have a nice chat with them that has nothing to do with the hunter business, so you won't see me acting imposingly as a guildmaster. I will be sure to conceal my mana as well."
"Fine then. Let's have lunch together in two days."
The lunch meeting.
"This is the famous Thomas Andre? He seems to be more friendly than the rumours say."
"Hahaha! Well, that's only with your brother here. He did give me a good beating, after all."
"I can't tell if you are trying to be friendly or scare them."
"I can tell.....that you respect my son a great deal. A special existence that is more than just an equal."
"Haha! You got that right. I only ever fought those weaker than me, so I didn't have much to improve for. After Mr Sung trashed me that time, I have an increasing urge to challenge and fight those stronger than me so that I can become better. So I am looking forward to sparring with Hunter Sung every chance I've got."
"Be sure to cherish those special to you. Having them around can teach you many great things that open your eyes and strengthen your sense of purpose."
Thomas Andre laughed and nodded his head.
"You've got great parents, Mr Sung."
"I can't deny that."
The family travelled to several other countries after that, savouring the local delicacies there and visiting tourist attractions as they enjoyed themselves.
Canada
Setting foot on Canadian soil, Jinwoo was guided by the Canadian Hunters Association agents.
"To be honest, we didn't think that you would come visit us, Hunter Sung, after we ignored your words and advice regarding the monster invasion."
Jinwoo sighed.
"I would not hold a grudge for such a thing. Canada is free to accept or reject the advice that I give. There is nothing wrong with relying on your own country to fight, but it is also important to gauge your opponent's strength before making a decision. Your country's hunters estimated the monsters, and hence they died. I am not here to berate Canada for not taking my advice, but I would remind you to be more careful from now on."
The agent nodded his head with deep understanding, his face showing a hint of regret.
The next day, Jinwoo announced that he would send out most of his shadows to aid in the recovery of Canada. The Canadians cheered with delight, relieved that the greatest hunter in the world had not given up on them. The ant soldiers, the demonic spirit, monstrous humanoids as well as giants from the shadow army began working on the construction sites.
The dragons used their wings to transport materials, flying around Canada, which was a breathtaking sight. It immediately became a tourist attraction during hunter Sung Jinwoo's stay in Canada.
Japan
On the airplane set to arrive in Japan. Jinwoo watched the news on his phone of the Japanese Hunters Association revealing the hunter himself has been constantly clearing high-ranking gates in Japan that spawned in devastated areas caused by the Shinjuku S-Rank gate giants. His actions that ensured the safety of Japan with the inactivity of their major guilds and the loss of their s-rank hunters have been greatly appreciated, which made the Japanese society more enthusiastic in welcoming their saviour.
Jinwoo sighed.
(I am sure I told them not to reveal this to the public. I told them that the reason was because I wanted peace and quiet, but looks like that won't work when I am to be celebrated. They must have thought of going all out on me.)
Jinwoo sighed again. There was nothing he could do about the excess unwanted attention. The family trip around the world, or in simple terms, his family was his top priority right now.
China
Jinwoo had a few friendly sparring matches with Liu Zhigang during his stay in China, and the results were clear. Jinwoo's speed is completely unmatched.
China also sent its "Great Wall" of top-ranking hunters to a friendly battle with Jinwoo's shadow army, broadcast live to every state in the country as though it was some sort of Olympic event. The shadow army proved to be overwhelming, but the Chinese hunters managed to put up a good fight. It was a valuable experience for them.