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Translator: penny
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: I'm the 8, Though? (2)
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Kim Gap-su examined the contract as well.
"..."
He had nothing to say.
If word got out that two double SSS-grade hunters had stamped their seals on this ridiculous contract in front of top guild executives, the Hunter Association would be flooded with protests from countless guilds. Just thinking about it made his head spin.
Of course, they couldn't raise any formal objections, which was why his head hurt.
If there had been any way to fix it, he wouldn't have been stewing silently—he would've immediately used the Hunter Association's authority and power to shred this absurd contract in a paper destroyer.
"Hunters, if I may ask... Did you really read the contract and sign it of your own accord?"
As the same question kept repeating, Lee Soo-ah furrowed her brow.
"This is my first time dealing with hunter matters, but is this how things usually go? I've already told you it's correct, so do you want me to file an official complaint about being treated like an illiterate child?"
"...I'm sorry."
It was an incredibly cautious response, but one he couldn't argue against.
As Lee Soo-ah said, hunters weren't idiots who couldn't read Korean.
If this were the entertainment industry or some other field, maybe they could suspect coercion or forced contracts through power.
But against Kang Jik, a registered civilian? Even mana-wielding SSS-grade hunters forcing him to stamp his seal?
That was even more absurd than a real hypnosis app.
That's what made it so frustrating.
He simply couldn't understand or accept it.
Anyone with common sense would think like Kim Gap-su.
For a moment, he wondered if he was just a typical stuck-up old fart from some cliché fantasy novel, oblivious to his own flaws. He glanced around, but every team member in the conference room—even the younger ones—wore the same expression as him.
Honestly, the most likely explanation that came to mind was Kang Jik's hypnosis app ability.
'Fuck, does that even make sense?'
The surefire way was to rule out even that possibility.
Then he could accept it.
He might not understand it, but eliminating the only remaining option would prove it was the hunters' personal choice—no other method left.
So he broached the subject carefully.
"Just one last thing to confirm, if you don't mind? Once this is done, all procedures will be complete. We'll register you immediately as a Hunter Association-affiliated mercenary guild and ensure smooth deployment without any hassle."
This was dangerous.
They looked like naive rookies, but Lee Soo-ah was already far too famous to underestimate.
She was someone with enough social experience to openly express how displeased she was with their words and demands.
He managed his expression and pleaded inwardly.
Please, just let this pass smoothly.
Kim Gap-su could handle most decisions himself, but with SSS-grade hunters involved, he needed something solid to report up the chain.
Not a shred of doubt left, or he'd have to promise future scrutiny.
Besides, the Hunter Association had to address rumors about Kang Jik's awakening abilities circulating on the Hunter Gallery and elsewhere whenever the chance arose.
In a way, that was an even bigger issue for summoning Kang Jik's guild this time.
It was a matter being closely watched by the upper echelons of the Korean Hunter Association—and even the U.S. headquarters.
The content sounded like baseless tabloid nonsense, but the fact that these three women were connected to Kang Jik and had all undergone additional awakenings, boosting their abilities and skills, wasn't something to laugh off.
"What is it?"
Kang Jik asked with a bored expression.
The curiosity and interest he'd shown upon entering had long vanished.
Not a good sign.
If it wasn't a real hypnosis app—or even if it was—those women who joined Kang Jik's guild would side with him anyway.
"The application says you haven't awakened as a hunter. Would it be okay to run a quick ability and skill check? All costs will be covered by the Hunter Association, and we'll use an S-grade artifact for accurate results."
"Why?"
When he phrased it to avoid sounding suspicious, Kang Jik asked back with genuine curiosity.
"It's rare, but sometimes people awaken without a status window appearing, so they live thinking they haven't. SSS-grade hunters are important figures we manage even if they're in guilds, so to provide maximum convenience to your guild through the Association..."
Kim Gap-su was getting confused about what he was even saying.
It was too ridiculous to hide his true intent.
This wasn't part of his prepared plan—he'd pivoted suddenly.
Fortunately, Kang Jik smiled casually and went along.
"Oh, really? Is it expensive?"
"Around 300 million won, price-wise."
"Whoa, that's huge. What happens if we skip it? Does the guild setup get invalidated or something?"
"...No, but for a smooth guild establishment process, we'd appreciate your cooperation."
He flashed a friendly smile, doing his best to avoid any coercive tone.
Did it work?
Kang Jik laughed.
"Nah, I don't want to."
"...Thank you... Pardon?"
"I'm not doing it."
He refused with a smile.
@
Do these guys think I'm a pushover?
Their obvious ploys were straight out of my decades of devouring basement-dwelling novel, movie, and drama tropes.
Too predictable.
These overused clichés get repeated for a reason.
Sometimes when I watch movies and see real news, I think reality is more cinematic. Scripts get fact-checked, revised endlessly to fix inconsistencies, while reality captures people spouting nonsense in panic.
Team Leader Kim Gap-su was no different.
He targeted the women first, but after Lee Soo-ah's retort, he switched to me to avoid backlash from SSS-grade hunters.
Then he tacks on some flimsy excuse and offers a "generous" ability check.
Probably wants to confirm if the hypnosis app is real.
Or rather, check if my connection to Im Hyeji, Lee Soo-ah, and Kang Hana's awakenings is legit.
Honestly, it made me a bit nervous and anxious.
This is reality.
No anonymity like hiding behind a keyboard in my room. The Hunter Association could fuck me over with hunter laws on a whim.
But funny enough, after the "you're my husband" fiasco with Lee Soo-ah, I've lost some fear of dealing with reality.
"Nah, I don't want to."
I trusted the three women solidly backing me up.
I trusted I'd soon inherit their abilities and skills.
And even if something unfair happened...
'Ta-da! Turns out I have SSS-grade stuff too. You're all screwed.'
I'd have the power for that childish revenge.
Not too aggressively, I refused reasonably and politely.
"I'm not doing it."
"...Pardon?"
"Do I have to? I'm not really keen on awakening anyway."
"..."
"You said it won't go smoothly without this? Guess there's nothing to be done then."
I stood up from my seat.
Lee Soo-ah stood too, followed by Im Hyeji and Kang Hana.
"Looks like we gotta head to the States."
"Wait just a moment!!"
As if we had a sweet offer from America waiting.
I swept them with a look full of disgust, signaling I knew everything, and turned away without hesitation.
Not even three seconds later, Kim Gap-su's composed mask shattered. With a desperate expression, he shouted earnestly.
"I'm sorry!!"
Good thing I didn't have to drag it out.
"We won't do the hunter ability check since you don't want it. Procedures are fine and will wrap up normally. Just one thing—we really must confirm this. Revenue splits cause the most disputes with other hunters too..."
He bowed almost prostrate in humility, so I cleared my throat and sat back down.
Is this what power-tripping feels like?
The Hunter Association is like the IRS to hunters and guilds.
Hunter laws can fuck you endlessly if enforced that way.
And guilds can't perfectly comply with every new hunter law.
Yet here...
SSS-grade hunters stand above even that. It hit me how impressive it was.
I'm not an SSS-grade hunter, but they're watching my mood because I can move these women.
"It might be a hassle, but lastly... Hunters, all revenue from 'hunter' activities. Interpretations can be disadvantageous. For example, broadly, it could include ad revenue from hunter activities for someone like Lee Soo-ah..."
"It's fine."
"We know."
"Me too."
"...Understood. And about the ratio—you wrote guild 8, hunters 2. Please confirm you understand. Standard contracts for SSS-grades are 9.5:0.5, or 10:0 depending on guild. Dungeon loot splits are separate. Guilds often cover convenience fees too."
As the women nodded nonchalantly to the final question, I raised my hand slightly while watching Kim Gap-su's shocked face.
"...Yes?"
"You read it wrong."
"...What..."
"I'm the 8."
".....Pardon?"
"I'm A-side with 8. They're the 2."
"..."
With the meeting wrapping up cleanly, Kang Jik Guild was officially recognized and registered by the Hunter Association.
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