S-Rank hunters are strong.
Their level of power is comparable to strategic weapons, earning them the nickname of walking nuclear warheads.
It's common knowledge to the public, but if someone were to ask, "So just how strong are they?" not many could give a proper answer.
Well, of course. 'This strong?'
How often does one get to witness an S-Rank hunter in combat up close? Up to now, there have only been five in all of Korea. One of them is still missing, and the other four rarely show up at incidents anymore.
So how could anyone in this day and age easily grasp the true might of an S-Rank? This was the first time he'd seen it with his own eyes, clear as day. How could he not be shocked?
Go Young-gyun, an executive of the Dongdaemun District management guild [Blue Falcon], felt the hairs on his entire body stand on end. Without any fancy techniques—just pure energy blasts—the horde that had seemed utterly hopeless had been wiped out in an instant.
Hundreds of magic stones lay scattered on the ground like bones, proving that the monsters had indeed existed. It all felt like a dream.
"Hm, looks like that's all of them."
Jeong-woo smiled gently. Young-gyun got chills from that smile, which carried a hint of regret, as if apologizing for ending it all too easily.
'This is the power of an individual.'
And this was from someone who'd just awakened, with limitless potential for growth. Was something like this even allowed to exist? As that thought crossed his mind, he realized it with every fiber of his being.
'Born S-Rank...' Why they were called otherworldly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Gate Shock was safely stabilized.
It was a huge gain for Jeong-woo. He'd figured out the mechanics of several skills.
'[All-Ages Filter] transforms monsters within range, simplifying their attack patterns to lower the subjugation difficulty. And the filter's area is based on the summon, not me.'
He'd realized this when the Teddy Warrior stepped forward, and the area shifted accordingly. And as for the Teddy Warrior itself...
'Who carries a sword but specializes in barrages.'
A summon specialized in frontal bombardment. Its close-combat capabilities needed testing, but on the surface, it focused on one-shot kills. After firing once, it swung the heated sword to cool it down—likely a delay until the next shot.
Of course, even accounting for that, it was an astonishing ability, so it wasn't really a flaw.
'And it's not even fully grown yet.'
Jeong-woo read the interface alerts floating before his eyes.
[Stabilizing Gate saturation! Aptitude level of Perfect Parent (L) increases! 'All-Ages Filter' proficiency increases! 'Teddy Warrior (S)' proficiency increases!]
This mechanism seemed no different from regular hunters. Systematic growth bonuses through Gate purification. Separate from growth through effort, this was a stat increase applied to all hunters by the system.
'Wonder if skills change once proficiency maxes out.'
Usually, max proficiency raised a skill's rank. But for an already S-Rank skill, what happened next was unknown to Jeong-woo.
Setting aside those questions...
[Gate stabilized. Environment resetting!]
Rumble...!
As he dismissed the interface, the world in the distance crumbled and reformed. With the A-Rank Champion gone, the black-and-red land turned to earth tones, and the sky cleared to blue.
This was one characteristic of Third Gates. Once returned to a normal environment, they stayed that way until the next dominant species changed everything again. Guild hunters collected the magic stones, sorted them by rank, and packed them up.
After watching the cleanup, Jeong-woo exited the Gate. He was immediately met with countless stares. No one dared speak. Reporters shouted from afar, but their voices didn't carry from the rooftop.
Jeong-woo spoke to Jin Ho-jong.
"Work's done. Confirmed the Gate stabilization alert too."
"Yeah, ended way too easily."
"Will that be a problem?"
"Nah, I like it. Makes the report shorter."
His nonchalant tone made it hard to gauge the distance between them. For someone who'd set up this situation, he was awfully straightforward.
'I hate dragging out these games.' He wanted to know his intentions. After a brief hesitation, Jeong-woo asked quietly.
"Not sure if I did what you intended, Director."
"Whoa, getting scary all of a sudden."
"It's my job. Gotta understand my boss's intentions."
"No such thing. Just wanted to brag about our 3-billion-won employee everywhere."
The conversation kept missing the mark slightly. That only strengthened Jeong-woo's conviction.
'The Director wants to check the Hunter Management Bureau. That's the most logical.'
Why make his power known to the public? It started as a favor, but he stood to gain too. Wasn't it obvious from the outcomes? An overwhelming subordinate's power would elevate the Anomalous Disaster Response Agency's standing. That power and prestige would bolster independence from the Bureau.
This was a relationship he could use. But the Director had already drawn lines, setting mutual rewards within bounds. That made him think.
'Better to get closer.'
Jeong-woo wanted to solidify their shared goal against the Bureau. If the distance came from unclear motives, showing his hand might help. So he said directly.
"Sure."
"Hm?"
"What if I really worked for my 3 billion? Say, taking down villains who summon monsters out of greed?"
They both knew who that meant. A short silence. Then Jin Ho-jong's lips twitched.
"Jeong-woo, you're saying some scary stuff. Where'd you learn that?"
As the responses aligned, Jeong-woo smiled.
"I'm a black-hearted guy. Secrets come with the territory."
He'd thrown the words back. A faint glint passed through Jin Ho-jong's eyes. What followed confirmed all his guesses.
"Villains disappearing would be great. Yeah, sure."
"Sounds like permission."
"Doubt you need my permission anyway."
"I do. You're the boss."
"Feels good to be treated right. You keep promises like that?"
"Pretty much."
This man was fiercely against the Bureau and needed ways to counter them. As long as goals aligned, he didn't care much about a collaborator's inner thoughts. It was a pleasant realization.
"Director, seems like we get along."
"Funny, I was thinking the same."
A clean business partner. That described the Director perfectly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Gate Shocks were the disaster modern society feared most. They caused more physical damage than earthquakes, tsunamis, or typhoons—enough to dismiss those as minor. Thus, the public shock from seeing that terror outright denied was dramatic.
[Breaking News: Gate Shock for real? One blast and they all exploded lol]
[Comments]
— ANON1: Doesn't make sense...
— ANON2: All S-Ranks like that? Or is Shin Jeong-woo special cuz born S?
— ANON3: Not all S-Ranks are like that. Key point is that's his starting line... Hunter growth curves mean he'll get several times stronger, duh?
— ANON4: US Savior did that. Topped American hunters in 3 years, untouchable now?
— TEDDYFAN (Top Comment): Teddy's looking kinda scary now...
— ANON5: Neighborhood dummy with a sign around his neck waddling around now mulching magic beasts? Cognitive dissonance hits hard lmao
— ???: ??? : Why am I your friend, asshole? lmao
[Breaking News: With Shin Jeong-woo in Korea, no more Gate Shock worries lol]
[Comments]
— ANON6: Not necessarily. S-Rank Champ shows up, might struggle.
— ANON7: Then team up with other S-Ranks. Guaranteed safety's good, right?
[Breaking News: Real Anomalous Disaster Response Agency... Decided to go full public service?]
[Comments]
— ANON8: Fucking relief. Family lives near Noryangjin, still shaken thinking it hit there.
[Breaking News: So what's his power? Turning hordes into dolls was creepy af, not funny]
[Comments]
— ANON9: Watch your mouth. You could be next 'doll'...
— Anon10: Seems only works on magic beasts so far?
Even though it happened early morning, the public buzzed about it all day. Jeong-woo's whereabouts, his power, how secure his Shock responses were. Naturally, curiosity about his intentions grew. Which meant some people got even busier.
"Please, just one interview!"
"One word!!!"
"Just one sentence, I swear!!!"
"You're killing us here!!!"
For days, the human meerkats wilting in front of the Agency building wailed. Joy that the info was real. Hope to snag even one word from Jeong-woo. And the dream of clocking out once it was done. These reporters were probably the most desperate people alive right now.
The clamor turned to boos. Did their pleas reach the heavens? It was evening, hours after the incident.
"Ack! There! That car!!!"
A boxy white used compact car pulled out of the Agency. Looked like an employee's commute. Reporters planned to beg whoever it was to fetch Shin Jeong-woo. But as the door opened with a click, they froze at the face.
"Can everyone calm down a bit?"
A gentle-faced, tall man smiled awkwardly. Shin Jeong-woo, the hunter now haunting their dreams, stood there. Then, with an embarrassed grin, he added—
"Road's dangerous, so everyone move over this way..."
Flashflashflash—! Cameras exploded in frenzy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Gaining fame as a hunter meant steeling yourself to become a public hero, whether you wanted it or not. Transcending human limits as a superhuman naturally drew eyes. Sure, you could abuse that power, but history showed such types got weeded out quick.
It's not a world for loners. No matter how untouchable your strength, unless you're building a dictatorship, you need to blend with the masses. Pre-regression Jeong-woo had never been in that spot, but he'd learned how to craft such images.
Call it producing experience. He'd helped manage a corporate poster hunter's image. This was an extension of that. Just with himself as the subject. He knew the public was hyped for him. But it was for 'S-Rank Hunter Shin Jeong-woo,' not the man himself. Know the difference, and you can use it.
Now was the time.
"I'll answer a few questions briefly."
"Why join the Agency over the Bureau?!"
Jeong-woo smiled. "Frankly, embarrassing as it is, I didn't join for some grand purpose."
Born with nothing, he flashed the humble grin he'd used to win favor.
"My awakening came from a sudden Gate accident. Lucky to survive and gain power, I figured it should prevent more like it. The Agency seemed perfect for disaster response."
"Why Agency specifically?!"
"Closer to the action."
Thus, the character was born. A solid young hunter with ordinary thoughts but extraordinary power, chasing ideals over profit. Those made perfect justifications.
"Your instant Shock resolution spread nationwide! Plans for future incidents?"
The Bureau must be dismantled. Rip open the corrupt group's belly, seize their vested interests. But the enemy was huge. Their grip too vast. So how to shake it? What picture struck without seeming aggressive, leading naturally there?
After much thought, Jeong-woo's conclusion:
"On that, I've decided after meeting the Director today. Public matter now."
Flashflashflash! Lenses and mics filled his view. Seeing himself reflected. And those beyond, watching. Hoping the message landed.
"This Shock stemmed from poor density management. Agency acknowledges severity. To prevent recurrence, starting today, we'll sequentially survey all Third Gates in Seoul."
Youth, passion, greater good—wrapped neatly. Solid justification. But some wouldn't take it well. Bureau leadership. He hoped they were watching.
"Gates exceeding thresholds will have density reset. Like today."
Bluntly: 'I'm cutting your cash flow now.'
"Interview ends here." Jeong-woo bowed with a bright smile. "Daycare pickup for my daughter. Drive safe, everyone."
He turned away. The public grasped the meaning exactly tiga days later.
[Day 3 of Hunter Shin Jeong-woo's Seoul Third Gate sweep! 11 Gates reset in Dobong-gu today...]
[~30% of 35 Third Gates across Seoul's 25 districts reset! This bold move...!]
[Breaking! Hunter Shin Jeong-woo...]
Jeong-woo swept through Seoul like a storm, intent on clearing every magic beast.
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