The desert battle had ended, but the aftermath outside the Frenzy Gate was only just beginning.
Lee Seong-jun, still carrying the strain of unleashing forbidden martial arts, faced the Association's officials. Kim Dong-jun, blinded by suspicion and pride, pressed forward with accusations, calling him a liar. But when Seong-jun reminded them that the Frenzy Gate incident was born of their own mistake, his words struck with undeniable weight. The man who had nearly died inside the storm of madness was not the one who owed apologies.
Yet reason could not reach Kim Dong-jun, whose anger drowned out logic. His voice grew wild—until another presence descended.
A calm but commanding voice cut through the noise. It belonged to Go Tae-hyun, the Association's Vice President and an SS-rank hunter whose authority carried both awe and fear. At his single order, Kim Dong-jun faltered, trembling under the oppressive killing intent released by Tae-hyun. The chief could only retreat, pale and humiliated, leaving the confrontation behind.
Then, in stark contrast to his subordinate, Go Tae-hyun bowed his head. He apologized openly for the Association's failure and promised compensation. His sincerity was a shock in itself—an SS-rank powerhouse, one who stood near the peak of humanity, lowering himself before a returnee who had only just begun his new life on Earth.
When asked about the Frenzy Gate, Seong-jun calmly revealed the truth. The monster he had slain was none other than an Earth Worm, a beast infamous for its size, armor-like hide, and cunning ability to burrow beneath the sands. A foe so dangerous that even A-rank hunters required careful strategy and teamwork to defeat. To hear that it had been slain alone, in a desert terrain that favored its hunting style, was beyond comprehension.
Go Tae-hyun's sharp eyes widened at the answer, but he quickly masked his astonishment. He could already see the significance. Lee Seong-jun was not merely talented—he was a monster among monsters, one whose growth defied every standard known.
Respectfully, Tae-hyun arranged for Seong-jun to be escorted home by his own secretary. As the returnee departed, a rare smile touched the vice president's lips. It had been a long time since he had encountered a figure who radiated such overwhelming potential. This was someone who could tip the balance of power across all guilds, unions, and nations. Someone who might reshape the very future of hunters.
Inside the command center near the Frenzy Gate, a meeting unfolded. Tae-hyun recounted Seong-jun's feat. Some, like Jo Kang-hyun, were thrilled beyond words, recognizing the dawn of a new era. Others, like Han Seok-gyu, were shaken but awed. Yet Kim Dong-jun sneered, unwilling to accept what he called a fabrication.
But reports soon arrived: the Earth Worm's corpse had indeed been discovered. Proof undeniable. With that, Tae-hyun's judgment fell swiftly. Kim Dong-jun was suspended and stripped of pay, while Han Seok-gyu faced lighter discipline for failing his duty. Authority weighed heavy in Tae-hyun's words, and none dared protest.
When the room emptied, only Tae-hyun and Jo Kang-hyun remained. The vice president's gaze turned sharp, carrying a depth that only someone at the highest echelons of power could hold. He acknowledged what he had witnessed—Lee Seong-jun's talent was beyond SSS-rank, perhaps even higher than anything seen before.
But great talent demanded more than awe. It demanded understanding.
Tae-hyun leaned closer, his voice heavy with intent.
Lee Seong-jun was not simply a hunter. He was a returnee who once reigned as an absolute being in another world. His presence would shape the Association's future—and perhaps even Earth's survival.
So the question Tae-hyun posed was not about strength, nor about loyalty, but about desire.
What did such a being truly wish for?