Chapter 68

Chapter 68
## Chapter 68: The Obsidian Shard

—

Despite the circumstances, So Hwi had no intention of admitting defeat to Yoo Chan-seok. At one point in his career, he had stood among the elite hunters of his generation. Regardless of how much fame Yoo Chan-seok was currently amassing…

“You simply cannot discount the weight of a seasoned veteran’s history.”

In reality, Yoo Chan-seok’s true background and tenure far surpassed So Hwi’s by a margin he couldn’t possibly fathom, but So Hwi remained blissfully unaware of that fact.

“Son of a…”

Truth be told, a significant amount of time had passed since So Hwi last stepped into the field. He could boast about his legacy all he wanted, but in his heart, he had lost the stomach for life-or-death struggles.

Just then, his doorbell chimed, prompting So Hwi to stand. Opening the door, he found himself facing a group of men clad in dark suits and opaque sunglasses.

“Who are—”

“You are the Hunter known as So Hwi, correct? We require your presence for a brief discussion.”

So Hwi gaped at them, stunned.

“Who do you think you are? And how did you track down my private residence?”

“That information is classified.”

So Hwi’s expression shifted to one of sheer disbelief.

“If you actually knew my reputation, you wouldn’t be standing there acting so damn superior.”

He might be retired, but he was once a household name. Crushing a few nameless thugs should have been effortless.

Suddenly, an immense pressure of mana radiated from the man in the lead. It was a surge so potent it sent a chill down So Hwi’s spine, making every hair on his arms stand up.

“Hunter So Hwi, please cooperate. We have no desire to cause you physical harm.”

His instincts, though dulled by years of comfort, screamed a desperate warning: if he resisted, he would be slaughtered. He would die right here on his doorstep.

“…”

Left with no alternative, So Hwi followed them. They escorted him into the back of a sleek, black sedan.

“Hunter So Hwi.”

A deep, resonant voice spoke from the driver’s seat.

“Who are you people?”

“Refrain from asking questions.”

So Hwi fell silent. It was becoming painfully clear that he had stumbled into something far above his pay grade.

“We watched the content you recently made public.”

Was this about the Yoo Chan-seok video? His mind raced. Even if that kid was the flavor of the month, did a single internet video really warrant this kind of shadow-government response?

“Listen, I only made that video because the topic was trending. If it’s caused an issue, I’ll pull it. I’ll edit it, or even post a public apology. Whatever you want.”

“That isn’t necessary. Our goal isn’t to discipline you.”

The driver reached back and handed So Hwi a small object. It was a glass container holding a gemstone that pulsed with an abyssal, dark light.

“What is this?”

“You are going to accept Yoo Chan-seok’s duel.”

So Hwi didn’t protest that point. He hadn’t planned on retreating anyway. Backing down now would make him a laughingstock, a target for every other content creator looking to climb the ranks by tearing him down. His career and his income would vanish overnight.

“However, in your current state, you stand no chance against Yoo Chan-seok.”

“…Excuse me?”

He kept his tone respectful due to the situation, but he couldn’t hide the flicker of resentment in his voice.

“It’s the truth. You would likely be humiliated and defeated in less than half an hour.”

“I am So Hwi. My record speaks for itself.”

The driver let out a dismissive snort.

“Indeed. You’ve cleared eight Grade 3 Erosion Cores and assisted in two Grade 2 operations. Fifteen successful logistics runs, and four clean defense assignments.”

The man recited So Hwi’s entire professional history before adding:

“It’s mediocre. Yoo Chan-seok handled a Grade 1 Erosion Core alone with only Han Sang-ah. Do you honestly believe your history even compares?”

“He’s a beginner who got lucky. In this business, we face stronger foes through technique and experience all the time.”

I’ll bridge the gap with my skills, So Hwi told himself. The driver countered immediately.

“You’ve spent so much time chasing views that you’ve developed a silver tongue. But you will still lose.”

Before So Hwi could argue further, the vial was tossed into his lap. He caught it instinctively, his eyes drawn to the sinister glow of the stone.

“When you feel the moment is right, drive that into your body without delay.”

“Are you insane? You want me to just… inject this?!”

The man’s voice remained cold.

“It is power. You will face Yoo Chan-seok. Think about what your life looks like if you actually win.”

If he won, Yoo Chan-seok’s meteoric rise would end, and all that fame and influence would transfer to So Hwi. The thought made his grip on the vial tighten.

“This… this will actually give me the strength to beat him?”

“Our business is concluded. Leave.”

The command was final. So Hwi was essentially shoved out onto the pavement. As the black car pulled away, he stood alone, staring at the dark crystal in his palm.

Inside the car, the driver spoke to his companions.

“Chief, do you truly believe a man like So Hwi can take down Yoo Chan-seok using that stone?”

The details of the black crystal were a closely guarded secret. It was an artifact that offered massive power, provided the host could survive the physical integration.

“Not a chance.”

The driver answered bluntly, stifling a yawn.

“But the specimen we gave him is a high-grade prototype.”

“Precisely. It’s a worthy investment. The directive came from the top.”

If So Hwi utilized the stone, it would create a massive public display.

“The administration currently requires two things: a savior… and a nightmare.”

The savior role was being filled by Yoo Chan-seok for now—not their first choice, but he fit the mold. That left the nightmare. They needed a way to distract the public from the failing economy and the rising cost of living. They needed a reason for people to cling to the state.

“This country has become too complacent. Too safe.”

The government had used the threat of Erosion Zones to manage public dissent, burying anxiety under a layer of nationalistic pride about being the safest nation on earth. But the people were becoming desensitized to monsters. They needed a reminder of the horror.

“According to the trials, once So Hwi integrates that crystal, he will lose his mind and go on a rampage within thirty minutes.”

The public would watch a famous hunter lose his humanity and turn into a monster on a live broadcast. It would spark fresh terror. Additionally, they would gain invaluable data on the crystal’s effects.

“Can Yoo Chan-seok even stop him?”

“The leader of Mugunghwa’s 1st Team is positioned nearby just in case.”

The arrangements were already finalized.

“That shard… I heard the research originated from the descendants of Dangun. Is it truly under control?”

“Control is irrelevant. This is how Korea stays ahead of the world.”

They were the first hunter-centric nation, building their society on that foundation. Huge investments had forced hunter development, turning them into a global titan. This crystal would simply widen the lead.

“Let’s move. We have a full schedule.”

—

A few days later, I was in the training hall monitoring Jeong No-hun as he practiced the delicate task of piercing an eggshell with a needle without breaking the membrane.

“Look at you, actually making progress.”

He glanced up at my remark.

“I’m still light-years behind Han Sang-ah.”

“That’s a given.”

Still, Jeong No-hun was ready to move on. This level of precise mana manipulation was vital for someone like Han Sang-ah, but he needed a different focus. I mentioned this, and after a moment of thought, he replied.

“Well, if I want to keep practicing this, I can just do it in my spare time, right?”

“Sure, if you think you’ll have any.”

I knew for a fact he wouldn’t have a spare second for egg-piercing from here on out. Jeong No-hun needed to bridge the gap between instinct and conscious reaction, reaching a point where he could anticipate an opponent’s intent before they even moved.

“You and I are going to be spending a lot of quality time together.”

“I’d honestly rather spend it with Han Sang-ah.”

I let out a short laugh.

“She’s nowhere near ready to be an instructor.”

A loud snap came from the corner of the room. Han Sang-ah’s practice sword had splintered.

“Control your temper. You know I’m right.”

“I am perfectly calm. Just slightly annoyed.”

Likely story. Regardless, I wouldn’t have time to worry about her for a while. She was self-driven, so she’d be fine on her own.

“Pick up a weapon. Your hell starts today.”

The training was relentless. Days later, Jeong No-hun was staring at me with dark circles under his bloodshot eyes.

“Chan-seok… what kind of freak are you?”

“I’m just the guy turning you into a beast. Get up, Jeong. You want another round?”

He forced himself up with a low, primal growl, his legs shaking like a newborn animal. It was genuinely comical.

“You think this is funny?”

“Extremely. You look like a toddler trying to walk.”

He gnashed his teeth, glaring with pure spite.

“You’re a demon. Sang-ah, please, get some holy water! Throw it at him—I bet he’ll start sizzling!”

Han Sang-ah didn’t miss a beat.

“Demons and monsters cannot manifest outside of active Erosion Zones.”

“For the love of… is there not a single normal person in this building?!”

“That includes you now, Jeong.”

We had been at this for three days straight, and despite the beatings, he still had the energy to complain.

“Ah, the food is here.”

The bell rang. Han Sang-ah answered the door and brought in the delivery: fried chicken, steamed rice, and a hot beef-miso stew.

“…”

Jeong No-hun, who hadn’t seen a drop of water or a crumb of food in seventy-two hours, glared at her with pure jealousy.

“Could you maybe eat that in another room? Seriously?”

Han Sang-ah replied without looking up.

“You aren’t allowed to eat anyway. My meals shouldn’t concern you. Obsessing over what you can’t have is a pointless drain on your energy.”

“I’m aware of that!”

He had tried to flirt with her when they first met, but her absolute, unwavering indifference had crushed those intentions quickly. She didn’t care about the opinions of others, and she assumed they felt the same. Even if their roles were reversed, she wouldn’t have cared if he ate in front of her.

“Pay attention to me, or do you want to lose more teeth?”

*Thwack.* The butt of my spear caught him right under the chin. To be fair, I wasn’t eating or drinking either while we sparred.

“Gah!”

And so, the cycle continued: Jeong No-hun getting thrashed by me while Han Sang-ah ate her lunch and browsed her phone.

“Hunter So Hwi just posted another update,” she said. “He’s accepted your challenge.”

I parried one of Jeong’s desperate strikes and replied.

“Really? I’m actually surprised.”

It was rare for those loud-mouthed influencers to actually step into the ring. Now we just had to coordinate the location, the timing, and the logistics.

“Do you want me to arrange sponsorship deals for the stream? You seem occupied—if we split the profits, I’ll take care of all the paperwork.”

I looked over at her.

“If you’re using your family’s connections at Geumyang Group for those ads, your siblings are going to be furious.”

“And why should I care?”

Fair point. I turned my attention back to the training.

“Watch my back for a bit.”

She gave a small nod and went back to her meal.