Chapter 60

Chapter 60
## Chapter 60

### Title: Every Single Grade 1 Erosion Core

—

Yoo Chan-seok and Han Sang-ah made their way across the Siberian wilderness once more, eventually boarding a vessel in Vladivostok that carried them back to the docks of Donghae City.

“Unbelievable.”

Donghae City had never seen such a massive influx of people, even during the era of peace. Looking out from the ship’s prow toward the harbor, the sight of the endless, dense crowd felt surreal.

“What are you staring at?”

Han Sang-ah’s voice drifted from behind me. I clicked my tongue softly.

“Are you finished losing your lunch? You can wield a blade like a master of the underworld, but you can’t handle a little sea swell?”

Han Sang-ah wiped her lips and shot back a dry response.

“Nothing actually came up because my stomach was empty. I’m fine.”

“You’re going to pass out at this rate.”

“This ship has IV drips. I’ll just hook myself up to one of those.”

Humans are supposed to sustain themselves with actual food, not by pumping fluids through a tube.

“Are you already practicing your ‘big star’ poses?”

Lee Se-eun teased me, and I responded by flashing a confident thumbs-up.

“If you’ve got the talent, why not act like a hotshot?”

Lee Se-eun crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her face.

“So the theme for today is ‘arrogant jerk,’ is it? We’re docking shortly. Quit messing around with me and save that energy for the vultures waiting outside.”

She had a point. Han Sang-ah let out a small, nauseated burp, her complexion still looking a bit ghostly as she spoke.

“Once we reach Seoul… we have to move immediately.”

The chairman of the Geumyang Group had invited us for a meal, but that would have to wait. Han Sang-ah disappeared again to try and settle her rebellious, empty stomach.

As she did, the ship pulled closer to the pier.

“The press area is walled off separately. The Association President is sending a vehicle for you, so go straight there.”

“Wait, you aren’t coming with us?”

Lee Se-eun shook her head in response to my question.

“I have a mountain of work. Besides, I’m not exactly a necessary fixture for this specific press event.”

“Don’t say it like that, it’s depressing. Fine, I get it.”

“Right. Let’s get dinner another time.”

After bidding Lee Se-eun farewell, Han Sang-ah and I stepped onto the docks and were ushered into a waiting car. The Association President was already seated inside. It felt like an eternity since I’d seen the bald man—well, technically, it actually had been quite a while.

“The questions are going to come at you like a flood.”

As the car moved through the city, the Association President began briefing us on the situation.

“You’ve moved far beyond the label of a ‘super rookie’ now. No Hunter in history has ever dismantled a Grade 1 Erosion Core this quickly after their debut.”

I stared out through the dark window tint and asked,

“Does that include the Great Senior?”

“It does.”

He was talking about the man at the pinnacle of Hope’s List. The world’s pioneer Hunter, and the primary reason South Korea hadn’t crumbled like so many other nations.

“I bet his name comes up during the conference.”

“Almost certainly.”

You could talk trash about almost anyone else, but the Great Senior? He was sacred ground. Insulting him would trigger a backlash worse than desecrating a religious icon in a cathedral.

If people respected Lee Se-eun as a top-tier Hunter, they viewed the Great Senior with literal worship. He was a living deity to them.

“I won’t say anything reckless. I’m not some maniac looking to burn the world down for fun.”

“Most people would be shaking in their boots right now. You two, however, are remarkably composed.”

I was relaxed, and Han Sang-ah… well, she wasn’t exactly nervous. She was just being her usual self. I shifted my gaze toward the Association President.

“If I were just some run-of-the-mill Hunter, would I be sharing a ride to a press conference with someone of your stature?”

We arrived at the location while we were still talking.

“We should grab a bite to eat together soon.”

First the Geumyang Group chairman, then Lee Se-eun, and now the Association President.

What am I, some kind of universal seasoning? Everything seems to taste better when I’m added to the mix.

Han Sang-ah and I walked out onto the stage and approached the podium. I pulled the microphone close for a brief introduction.

“Yoo Chan-seok.”

“Han Sang-ah.”

Once the formalities were out of the way, I took the lead.

“We’ve set aside plenty of time today, so feel free to ask whatever is on your mind. My schedule is going to get pretty packed after this, so I doubt I’ll be doing many more of these.”

A journalist immediately raised a hand.

“Hunter Yoo Chan-seok. When you say ‘busy,’ does that mean your future path is already decided? Do you have plans to sign with a specific corporation?”

I shook my head firmly.

“I haven’t signed with any company. And I don’t plan to in the future, either.”

“Does that apply to Hunter Han Sang-ah as well?”

“It does. At least until I’ve reached my objective.”

The reporters pounced on Han Sang-ah’s cryptic addition.

“Would you be willing to tell us what that objective is?”

I glanced toward Han Sang-ah.

“I’ll take this one.”

“Go ahead.”

With her permission, I spoke into the mic.

“We intend to form a small, elite team of highly capable Hunters. Our mission: to eradicate every single Grade 1 Erosion Core remaining on the planet.”

The room went deathly silent. Reporters froze, their pens hovering over their notebooks. You could have heard a pin drop in the vacuum of that silence.

“Wait, what exactly are you saying…”

I gripped the microphone tighter and went on.

“We won’t be doing anything else. I’m well aware that most Hunters make their fortunes through corporate contracts, government work, private security, endorsements, or TV appearances. But for Hunter Han Sang-ah and me? We have zero interest in any of that.”

Only one priority existed. Tearing down Erosion Cores one by one. That was the sole purpose of our partnership.

“It sounds like you’re implying other Hunters aren’t focusing on what matters.”

They really were masters of twisting words—even when I gave it to them straight, they found a way to make it sound crooked.

“That’s not what I said. Hunters have many different roles to play. We are simply choosing to specialize exclusively in the destruction of Erosion Cores.”

I looked over the crowd after finishing my thought. The infrastructure in Korea was still solid, so this entire event was being broadcast live across the web and television.

“I have nothing but respect for the Hunters working hard to keep society running. But the reality is that nothing truly changes unless we neutralize the Erosion Cores. We’re going to pull those cursed weeds out by the roots.”

In the end, the world remains stagnant until the Erosion Cores and their Zones are erased.

“Can I ask one more follow-up?”

“Go for it.”

“You mentioned focusing on Grade 1s… so, does that mean…”

The other journalists looked at the speaker, sensing a massive headline on the horizon.

“Does that include the Great Eight?”

“Hunter Han Sang-ah is committed to this team until we clear at least one of the Great Eight—specifically, Club Sandai. What she does after that is up to her. As for me? My target is every Grade 1, including the rest of the Great Eight.”

A faint whisper of “that’s insane” drifted from one of the reporters.

“Do you honestly believe that is achievable?”

I let out a small grin.

“Do you think I’m saying this because I sat down and calculated the statistical probability of success?”

“So, you’re admitting it’s an impossible dream?”

I turned my eyes toward the reporter who asked the follow-up.

“I can’t give you a guarantee of success right here. I know it sounds like a fantasy. However, I turned down an offer from Taebaek specifically to pursue this.”

It was time to use the Taebaek name.

“Taebaek?”

“Yes. I can’t disclose the specifics of the contract, but they were generous enough to offer me a position as a Partner Hunter, despite my lack of experience.”

Turning down a Partner Hunter spot at a giant like Taebaek didn’t prove I would succeed, but it certainly proved my level of commitment.

“This isn’t about the odds—it’s about the resolve. My mind is made up.”

“You’ve successfully cleared Bratsk’s Fridge, which is a Grade 1. But the Great Eight? There is no comparison.”

I was fully aware. Even Canada’s Winter Closet—which had a similar environment to Bratsk—was so deadly that most Hunters froze to death before they could even get close.

“That’s exactly why I’m doing this: I’m looking to recruit elite Hunters who share this specific vision.”

I needed a team. I couldn’t just keep trying to two-man Grade 1s like a game.

“I’m not planning to storm the Great Eight tomorrow. That’s the final goal. For now, we’ll build our strength by clearing other Grade 1s and finding people who think like us.”

If you have the skills, apply.

“That covers the main points I wanted to make.”

The questions continued to fly.

“What exactly is your relationship with Hunter Han Sang-ah?”

That came out of nowhere.

“We’re married. My wife is actually eight months pregnant.”

Go ahead and choke on that lie. Han Sang-ah immediately countered.

“Wait, really? I’m married to you? When did this child happen?”

I was just playing around, but her reaction was so perfectly flat.

“Does your stomach look pregnant to you? Are you still dizzy from the ship?”

“Oh, right. My head is still a bit foggy.”

Han Sang-ah mumbled, then turned her focus back to the front. I figured we were finished.

“If there are no more questions, we’ll end it here.”

The press conference was over. As we walked out of the room, Han Sang-ah tilted her head and spoke up.

“I’m really bad at this.”

“At what?”

“Reading the atmosphere.”

“Well, knowing your weaknesses is a strength—just lean into that and ignore the rest.”

“I’ll take that under advisement. Anyway, was that last part okay?”

I glanced at her for a second before answering.

“See? Trying to fix a weakness without fully committing just makes it worse.”

The public isn’t stupid enough to take that joke seriously. She was clearly still a bit out of it.

“And if they do believe it? That’s a win for me.”

Immediate support from the Geumyang Group. Han Sang-ah let out an “ah” and nodded.

“True. But I’ve stepped away from the succession battle. You’d be better off targeting my older sister. She runs the Artooah Hotel chain and is still fighting for the lead.”

“What are her chances of taking over Geumyang?”

“I’d put her at 35%. You should make a move before things are set in stone—otherwise, it’s either impossible or just a mess.”

That was some useful information.

“So, after the wedding, I should start putting antifreeze in her meals little by little to secure the inheritance?”

Han Sang-ah answered quite seriously.

“Ethylene glycol is sweet. She’d notice the taste in her rice.”

“In her coffee, then.”

“My sister doesn’t take sugar in her…”

She stopped mid-sentence and looked at me.

“Just to be sure—you’re joking, right?”

“Do you really think I’m serious?”

The idea of a Geumyang son-in-law poisoning his wife was absurd. Han Sang-ah looked a bit dejected.

“Sigh. I’m still not making much progress.”

“With reading the room? Just give up on it.”

We kept up the banter all the way out of the building.