Chapter 105

Chapter 105
## Presidential Interest

As we traveled in Sa Seung-hee’s vehicle toward the heart of Seoul, she broke the silence.

“The spotlight on Hunter Yoo Chan-seok is incredibly intense right now,” she remarked.

“There’s no point in playing it down. The public fascination has reached a boiling point,” I replied.

This was precisely the reaction I had calculated. Without this level of fame and the weight of collective hope, I wouldn’t have the leverage to move as aggressively as I am now.

“The second the news broke that Hunter Yoo Chan-seok was taking a shot at Hope’s List, the people at the very top started paying attention.”

The elite, I thought. I leaned back at Sa Seung-hee’s comment and prodded for more.

“Such as?”

She flicked her hand toward the car’s audio system.

— President Cho Won-hoon’s approval ratings are hovering at 52.7% as he approaches the end of his term. This represents a decline of about 6.8% compared to data from three months prior.

“I assume you aren’t pointing out the radio personality,” I said.

Sa Seung-hee gave a small nod. I couldn’t help but let out a dry, skeptical laugh.

“Immediately after I leveled Gyodongdo, the mayor of Incheon tried to use me for leverage. I suppose the president is cut from the same cloth.”

“That is simply the scale of Hunter Yoo Chan-seok’s influence. If the Headhunter continues this trajectory into next year, your stardom will rival the peak of BTS.”

What a ridiculous comparison.

“Do you actually remember how massive BTS was?”

Sa Seung-hee gave a noncommittal shrug.

“I just know they were a global phenomenon. Honestly, we didn’t really live through that era.”

I understood. For her, it was like me trying to grasp the cultural weight of the Beatles without having been there. Since I actually remembered BTS at their zenith, her words made me realize with a jolt just how much the world had transformed.

“So, about the president. Does he want to use my reputation to bolster his image for the upcoming election?”

“That’s the word on the street,” Sa Seung-hee confirmed.

It wasn’t surprising that she was privy to such rumors. While Oduak might seem like a simple coffee shop, it was actually a massive corporate entity designed for hunters. She sat at the helm of that empire. Someone managing a brand of that scale would naturally be tuned into the whispers of political shifts and electoral schemes.

If anything, her knowledge of Erosion Cores was the more startling detail.

“He’ll likely start by mentioning Hunter Yoo Chan-seok in a formal address,” she predicted.

Which would be followed by “casual” invitations to high-profile dinners.

“I’m a hunter. I have zero interest in being a pawn for politicians. What’s the fallout if I just say no?”

Sa Seung-hee didn’t sugarcoat it.

“They’ll attempt to obstruct you. To be frank, the path Hunter Yoo Chan-seok is taking is starting to grate against the core strategies of the Korean government.”

“Is that so?”

She stole a quick glance at me while navigating the road.

“The administration wants to maintain the current status quo regarding the Erosion Zones for as long as they can.”

It was a predictable stance. Anyone with a modicum of political insight could see the benefit of a prolonged crisis.

“Hunter Yoo Chan-seok is currently throwing a wrench into those long-term goals. They haven’t moved to stop you yet because they still find you useful, but…”

I turned to look out the side window. The night was pitch black, and my own reflection stared back at me from the glass.

“The moment they decide my utility has expired, they’ll turn hostile, won’t they?”

“It’s a near certainty.”

Life has a strange way of repeating itself. My only goal was to fulfill my duties as a hunter, clear the Erosion Zones, and then vanish into a quiet, peaceful retirement. But the world seemed determined to drag me back in. It was no different from my experiences in that other realm.

Human nature is rarely noble, after all.

“It doesn’t matter. I anticipated this.”

I hadn’t started this fire without knowing that the wealthy and powerful would eventually try to warm their hands by it. I wasn’t just some local vendor selling snacks; I was a major player. Naturally, those in power would swarm like flies to a feast.

The only thing that mattered was who held the leash and who held the whip.

I wasn’t interested in being leashed. Given that the president’s name suggested he was a man, the idea was even more repulsive. I wouldn’t let a woman control me, let alone a man. The thought was absurd.

“I appreciate the warning.”

“It’s fine. I have high hopes for the three hunters representing the Headhunter name.”

Once we successfully challenged Hope’s List, myself, Han Sang-ah, and Jeong O-hun would become invaluable assets. The president was just one piece of the puzzle. To the greedy, we were gold mines. To the vain, we were status symbols. And to the power-hungry, we were the jewels in their crowns.

“We’ve arrived. You’ll be staying here until the main event kicks off.”

The primary competition was set for Jamsil Stadium, and the participants were being housed in a luxury hotel nearby.

“Impressive place,” I noted.

“Every hunter qualified for this event possesses significant talent and prestige,” she replied.

It stood to reason they would receive the red-carpet treatment. A massive banner greeting the hunters was draped across the entrance.

“Are you Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?”

The security guard at the gate checked my digital credentials on his device, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Welcome, sir! We’ve been expecting you. For what it’s worth, I’m a huge fan.”

I gave him a polite smile.

“I appreciate that. It’s thanks to people like you keeping things running that I can focus on my job.”

He sheepishly requested an autograph. A signature and a kind word cost me nothing, so I obliged.

“If you decide to sell this online later, make sure you hold out for a high price, okay? I’d be offended if it went for cheap.”

“Sir! I would never dream of selling this!”

We’d see if that sentiment held true if my reputation ever took a nosedive.

After the pleasantries, I parked and stepped out of Sa Seung-hee’s car.

“Thanks for the lift.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m looking forward to seeing your name at the top of that list.”

She offered a wave and drove off. As she left, a group of men in sharp suits approached from the hotel entrance.

I wondered for a second if they were debt collectors or mobsters.

“I am General Manager Choi Yoon. It is a true privilege to host you, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok.”

“Good to meet you. I’m Yoo Chan-seok.”

I wondered if some other VIP was arriving for the GM to be out here personally.

“We are dedicated to making sure your stay is flawless.”

“A decent bed and a roof are plenty for me.”

Choi Yoon let out a chuckle.

“We couldn’t possibly treat a guest of your stature so simply. Our reputation would never recover.”

“Well, we can’t have the hotel going under. Don’t worry, I’ll be a good guest—no smoking in the rooms.”

The general consensus among the public was that my spot on Hope’s List was guaranteed. Even the legal betting odds on my matches were so skewed they were barely worth a wager.

“Allow us to show you to the Grand Suite.”

The suite was massive—nearly 300 square meters—complete with a private office, a boardroom, spacious living and dining areas, and multiple bedrooms and baths.

“All amenities and services are complimentary for the duration of your stay. We hope you find everything to your satisfaction.”

“What about a place to train…?”

The GM didn’t miss a beat.

“A private facility has been reserved at Jamsil Gymnasium. We have a team of experts available 24/7. Just give us a call, and we will have a security detail ready to escort you within three minutes.”

“That’s helpful. Thank you.”

Choi Yoon paused as if remembering something.

“Hunters Han Sang-ah and Jeong O-hun have already checked in. Would you like me to notify them of your arrival?”

“Yes, please do.”

I needed to sync up with them anyway. Not long after I settled into the suite, the two of them arrived.

“Hey, Chan-seok! Feels like it’s been forever!”

Jeong O-hun greeted me with his usual boisterous grin.

“You’re acting like we haven’t seen each other in years,” I joked.

He threw himself onto one of the expensive sofas, followed by Han Sang-ah.

“You two look like you haven’t broken a sweat.”

“We haven’t faced anyone worth the effort yet,” Han Sang-ah remarked as she picked up the room phone to order tea. A spread of snacks was delivered shortly after.

They acted with the effortless cool of professionals, making themselves right at home.

After taking a sip of my tea, I filled them in on what I had learned from Sa Seung-hee.

“So, Taebaek’s elite special forces unit,” Jeong O-hun mused, rubbing his chin.

“What do you know about them?”

He shook his head slowly.

“Just wild rumors. Stuff like them being trained to eat scrap metal soaked in fuel—obviously nonsense.”

Absolute garbage. No one eats that when there’s actual food available.

“Everyone is aware they are Taebaek’s top-tier direct unit, but the individual members are ghosts. Their identities are classified.”

Han Sang-ah set her cup down.

“Do we have a shot at winning?”

“We won’t know until we hit them,” I replied.

Jeong O-hun looked a bit uneasy.

“The lack of data is the problem. No names mean no way to judge their power, and no power gauge means we’re walking in blind.”

I looked him in the eye to steady his nerves.

“We are powerful. That is a fact. And remember, the information gap goes both ways.”

They didn’t know the extent of our abilities either.

“It’s not like we showed our hand during the qualifying rounds,” Han Sang-ah added.

“The brackets felt like they were stacked against us, but we never had to go all out.”

Jeong O-hun nodded in agreement.

“Bratsk’s fridge only required the two of us. Jaun Valley had more people, but we never reached our limit.”

At Jaun Valley, the core had barely brushed against my essence before it collapsed. None of the other hunters present had seen what we were truly capable of.

“Don’t overthink it. Just focus on your physical condition before the main matches. Train enough to stay sharp, but don’t burn out.”

That would be plenty.

“Forget about us for a second—what about you? Are you confident you can take down Choi Yeoreum, the star of Wonder Club?”

“If I didn’t think I could win, I wouldn’t have challenged her.”

I could have played it safe if I wanted to. I was going through with this because the outcome was already clear to me.

“Besides, the top ten on the list are used to being untouchable. They haven’t had a real challenger in ages.”

Jeong O-hun grinned.

“I’m dying to see the look on their faces when you make your move.”

“Personally, I’m more interested in the look on everyone’s faces after I actually win.”

I stood up and looked at my teammates.

“Regardless, keep your guard up. They might be more formidable than we anticipate.”

Arrogance is a quick way to turn a winning hand into a losing one.

With the intelligence from Sa Seung-hee shared, we went our separate ways to begin our final preparations for the main event.