The news of Reed's death finally reached the global news networks the day after Minho's arrival in Korea.
To his surprise, the headline was totally different from what actually happened. It said Minho had outrightly attacked the American National Level Hunter inside the dungeon because of a disagreement from earlier, which later led to a fight and further led to Christopher Reed's death.
The American hunters had completely twisted the story. The world started calling out to the Korean Hunters Association for keeping such a monster in its ranks.
Chairman Go didn't understand any of it, but he knew very well that killing someone wasn't above Minho, though he never expected it to be a National Level Hunter.
He was stuck between wondering how strong Minho was exactly and how on earth he could explain to the questioners that Minho wasn't really under the Association.
However, the Brazilian Hunters Organization and its Chairman, Eduardo Silva got onto the global stage announced that the news was false.
They explained that Minho did kill Hunter Reed, but it was out of self-defense and a means to protect the very Hunter were now conspiring against him.
They called out to the American Hunter bodies and requested the allegations be withdrawn, dropping the Brazilian S-ranks as witnesses to this.
The world enjoyed a lie more than the truth.
The allegations were withdrawn and no one said a word to the American hunters for lying against Minho, nor were any apologies sent.
The world was already envying Korea for having two National Level Hunters, so they were ready to do whatever it took to balance the power scale once again.
Minho quietly watched as it all unfolded, surging and dying in just three days.
He walked the streets, receiving wary glances with his head low as he walked up the stairs to his home.
He hesitated for a while, his hand hovering just inches away from the door handle.
For the past two days, his mother had miraculously not heard about what was happening. But now he wasn't sure.
He breathed out and opened the door to the house and stepped inside.
The lights were off, but he could see clearly. She was standing right there ahead, arms folded with a disappointed look.
He played in, locking the door and turning on the lights, acting surprised when he saw her. "Oh, mom," he said, walking up to her.
She didn't say a word.
The moment he got closer, she freed her hands and gave him a sound slap.
Minho's head went sideways and then he slowly brought it back, looking down. "Forgive me, mother."
"Why?" She asked, voice cracking. "Did you have to kill him? Was there no other way?"
Minho remained silent, eyes fixed on the ground.
She grabbed his collar. "Answer me when I speak to you."
"There was," he said.
"Then why? Why did you have to take his life?" She asked, her eyes teary. She was utterly disappointed in him at the moment.
"I had to—"
"You had to what? If there was another way, then what did you have to do?!" She yelled.
Minho looked up, worried as she raised her voice. "Mom, calm down. Your health—"
"Boy, don't play with me and answer my questions."
Minho gulped. "People don't really change mother. If he did it once, he could have done it again."
"What nonsense? What did you do that made him attack you in the first place, if that was true."
Minho remained quiet, not knowing how to explain that he was arrogant.
"You took a man's life, Minho," she voiced, emphasizing every syllable.
"I've taken more than one," he muttered.
"Oh. Oh wow," she scoffed, releasing his collar and nodding. "My son is a mindless murderer. Was this how you got all this money? I should have known not to believe when you said you got it from raids."
"I did. All of it, I got it from the dungeons—"
"Shut up!"
Minho kept quiet.
She finally broke down, her sobs audible. "I raised a disciplined, sensible man. I didn't raise a monster. This is not the Minho I raised."
"I know that better than anyone else."
BAM!
Another slap to Minho's face. "Forgive me mom," he said, eyes glimmering. He was pained seeing her this hurt, just because of his actions.
But it was inevitable any way. This day would have come to pass eventually.
She pushed him away and stormed to her room, slamming the door with force.
Minho sat on the couch, hands on his face and he exhaled deeply. Trying to talk to her now was a bad idea.
He decided to just go out to get some air.
… …
Minutes later, Minho sat atop a skyscraper, all his disciples behind, standing quietly.
He touched his cheek.
When was the last time his mother had slapped him? Ah, it was back when he fought in middle school.
He had disappointed her in different ways, but for her to slap him again after all these years, she was definitely hurt deeply by his actions.
"She dares to lay hands my Liege," Rathalos muttered.
Minho slowly stood and turned, walking to Rathalos. Stopping in front of the hybrid, he swiped his hands once.
A streak appeared over Rathalos's eye, cutting in deep, blinding him permanently on that eye.
Minho raised his head, face expressionless but eyes holding more rage than any of them had ever seen. "Speak about my mother again and I'll be the one to kill you."
Rathalos didn't even move as his eye got cut. He immediately bowed. "Forgive me My Liege. This shall never repeat itself."
Minho didn't answer, he just turned back and walked to place where he was sitting. Then the system screen appeared.
A message from Bihami. He had sent the slime on patrol.
[Bihami says "The Monarch of Fangs has been spotted."]
Minho stared at the message before looking out on the city. "Maybe I should kill you for good this time."