Minho went to the bathroom to bathe and probably wash off the lingering thoughts in his mind from his encounter with the Frost Monarch.
He came out with a towel over his head, muttering a mantra-like pattern of words continuously, on and on again. "Find dungeon. Get stronger. Be under no one. Find dungeon. Get stronger. Be under no one."
It was evident that the seed Sillad planted in his mind had taken shape and started to grow. He couldn't believe the system actually told him not to attack for his own safety.
He dropped to the floor, doing his routine push-ups while trying to convince his inner self to calm down. But the questions never stop coming. What kind of beings were these Monarchs? Who were the Rulers? Rulers of what? And most of all, who was this Ashborn? Many unanswered questions. But he was going to find out his own way.
The day went on in a blur for Minho, but he had not forgotten about his meeting with Chairman Go Gun-Hee of the Hunters Association.
Korean Hunters Association HQ.
12:05 pm.
Minho pushed through the glass doors, going in. "So, I'm meeting the receptionist now," He muttered.
"Oh, there you are, Hunter Minho. I've been—Ahem. We've been expecting you." A voice called out from the side, familiar.
He turned to see Ah-Ra coming his way with a professional smile, though her eyes held more excitement. "Oh, thank you?"
"You're welcome." She nodded, then looked at him. He looked at her wondering what was next. Then she cleared her throat. "Do you not remember me?"
Minho definitely knew where this was going. "Yeah, I do. You're…the girl from yesterday. You're…" He trailed off, trying to remember what she said her name was yesterday.
She nodded slowly, willing him to continue.
"Chairman's assistant's assistant?" Minho muttered, faking a cough.
She sighed, shaking her head. "Yun Ah-Ra, not the chairman's assistant's assistant. Again." She gestured for him to follow as she walked towards the elevator. "This way."
He followed her and she took him upstairs to Chairman Go's office. The Go Gun-Hee behind his sleek modern desk, while Jinchul stood behind him. Ah-Ra bowed and excused herself, leaving the three men in the office.
"Ah, greetings, Hunter Lee Minho," Gun-Hee greeted. "Have a seat."
As Minho sat down, his eyes momentarily flicked to Jinchul who nodded in response. "Same to you."
Gun-Hee nodded, clearing his throat. "Well, I will be direct and go straight to the point. I want ask you—"
"I'm not working for the Hunters Association if that's what you want to ask. I don't want a rank, title or salary." Minho cut him off, his voice flat.
He had already set up his mind that he wasn't going to work under the current Korean hunter system. If anything, his initial plan was to rip it apart, but it turned out the ones at the very top had little knowledge on what the rock bottom was like.
Gun-Hee's eyes widened for a fraction before going back to normal, a small smile playing on his lips. "Ah, it's just as Jinchul said. But, you seem to get it wrong. I'm not trying to recruit you as a subordinate. I'm trying to make an alliance."
Minho's expression didn't change, but he didn't interrupt this time.
Chairman Go nodded, steepling his fingers and continuing. "I understand your reason for not wanting to associate with the system. But this is not telling you to follow the rules, but be the reason the rules exist. A lot of things have been happening, from the disappearing of the Jeju Island ants to the dungeons with unstable ranks. The hunters are talking, the government are, so are international bodies on our soil. And it's all revolving around you."
"The fact that you operate as an individual force is quite alarming for them. You will have all access to the associations information, databases and same access as high ranking officials like Yun Ah-Ra," He continued. "We want someone that can handle something if the system doesn't. Your name alongside the Korean Hunters Association will do much to protect not the S-ranks but the civilians and the low rank hunters. Making any of the higher ranks think twice before trying any kind of misconduct."
Minho's gaze on Chairman Go was less cold and more skeptical now.
"This alliance gives you all I mentioned earlier, including an incredible amount of freedom. Note that this is not for self gain Hunter Minho, but for the safety and upliftment of our country. I hope you understand?" Go Gun-Hee finalized, leaning back on his chair.
The silence lingered, longer than it should. Minho had second thoughts about accepting this. But truth be told, he needed that freedom to operate better. He sighed. "And what does this alliance need from me exactly?"
Chairman Go Gun-Hee smiled. The nuke was now on their side.
They settled everything smoothly in a short period of time that shocked even Minho. After they were done, Jinchul escorted him out. "So you told him everything, eh?" Minho said to Jinchul as they walked out of the building.
Jinchul smiled. "It is my job, Hunter Minho. But…I did make sure to keep the ones you specified. It's between the both of us."
Minho raised a thumbs up, though his face was blank. "Good, I was planning to go back with your head as a gift to the Chairman. I'll let it go."
Jinchul chuckled faintly. "Well, I really appreciate what you did to protect us in that dungeon. I'm forever grateful." He stopped in his tracks. "Will be going back now. Have a safe trip home."
"Mm." Minho nodded as Jinchul turned back. "Ah, chairman's assistant. Jinchul, right?" He turned called out to Jinchul.
"Yes, how can I help?" Jinchul replied, turning to face Minho.
"Have you ever heard of any kind of monsters or humans named Monarchs or Rulers?" He asked.
"Hmm…No, not at all." Jinchul shook his head, getting curious. "Should I check into it? Is there something I should be aware of?"
"No. Thank you." Minho turned, walking off. His path as the Herald Of Annihilation was one thing to worry about, but it felt like a glimpse into a bigger picture with the Monarchs information.