Ch.13245. Secret Meeting (1)

# Korean Hunter Association.

Currently the most powerful group in Korea, and an organization with significant influence worldwide.

I arrived at Yeouido, where the association’s headquarters is located.

The massive headquarters building came into view before me.

‘It’s been about five months.’

This isn’t my first visit to the association headquarters. I also attended the S-rank dungeon strategy meeting in Paju.

But today I came here alone. Because Jeon Taehyun, the chairman of the Korean Hunter Association, summoned only me.

‘Jeon Taehyun. To think that man would call for me.’

I had actually planned to set aside a few days for separate matters—the memories currently dominating my thoughts and the issue with Hong-ok who awakened the power of the Vermilion Bird.

But I couldn’t refuse the summons of the de facto ruler of South Korea, not to mention someone who had reached the pinnacle as an Awakened. So I postponed those matters for now.

Gwangje Jeon Taehyun. He’s considered the strongest among the Five Celestial Beasts.

The Light Guild he led is regarded as a great guild that brought new hope to humanity when extinction seemed inevitable after the appearance of gates.

In a world that plunged into global war after the Red Lake Uprising, if one had to choose a single person representing humanity against the villains, it would undoubtedly be him.

‘It’s fortunate he’s not the mastermind behind everything.’

While he is indeed a dictator, Jeon Taehyun harbors intense hatred toward monsters and villains.

And in a chaotic world like now, his leadership—forged through 30 years of fighting monsters since the gates appeared—is more crucial than ever.

In fact, the Tripartite Alliance he leads—Korea, the Slavic Kingdom, and the Martial Nation—has created a powerful front in East Asia.

‘That alliance needs to hold. Otherwise, we’ll never have a chance to bring down the Red Lake.’

I stopped in my tracks. The headquarters had a completely different atmosphere from my previous visit.

Like a modern military defense ministry, armed hunters were maintaining strict security throughout the headquarters area.

A hunter blocked my way at the entrance.

“Stop right there. Entry is prohibited without an access pass.”

He was a hunter with fierce eyes. Not just his gaze, but his vigilant posture showed no openings.

Since awakening the Vermilion Bird’s fire, my senses have become extremely sensitive.

‘A hunter of this caliber could easily be the main damage dealer for any decent guild.’

So he must be at least an S-rank hunter. Of course, I could handle him easily now, but if he were determined to stop me, it could certainly become troublesome.

However, since this was a direct summons from the chairman, I had already received an entry license. When I showed the pass, the security hunter’s wariness disappeared.

Instead, he looked at me with surprised eyes and saluted me.

“I apologize! You’re a hunter from Flame. Please enter!”

I acknowledged his salute and passed through the entrance. My hunter rank on the pass was already S-rank. Of course, a hunter like the one I just met wouldn’t be overly impressed by just an S-rank license.

What matters is that I’m not just any S-rank, but an S-rank hunter from Flame.

In the current war, Flame is the most prominent guild—the guild that rose to SS-rank in the shortest time in hunter guild history.

And a guild that had taken down two of the Twelve Apostles. If you’re a hunter skilled enough to work at headquarters, you would have already received reports about Flame’s achievements.

Being an S-rank hunter from Flame means being elite. So it wasn’t surprising that the security hunter’s attitude became respectful.

But I felt no particular emotion about it and continued moving.

The headquarters is a high-rise building like other buildings in Yeouido. Naturally, the place where Chairman Jeon Taehyun would be is on the highest floor.

The procedure to get there was also complicated. Even with my license, security hunters I encountered along the way repeatedly inspected me.

‘Annoying, but understandable.’

The disguise and infiltration abilities of villains are beyond imagination. If they set their mind to forging a license, it would be indistinguishable from the original.

If they used special abilities with mana to disguise themselves, they could infiltrate even a heavily guarded headquarters like this.

If such villain infiltrators were to assassinate key officials of the association, it would result in a major loss of fighting power. So these strict measures were unavoidable.

‘Besides, the person I’m meeting is Chairman Jeon Taehyun, so it has to be even more stringent.’

Still, after more than an hour of verification, all entry procedures were finally completed.

“S-rank hunter Lee Minsu of Flame Guild. Entry approved.”

Then, a woman with cold eyes standing beside the security hunter approached me.

“Now that all procedures are complete, I’ll guide you to the chairman.”

The woman, who appeared to be in her early thirties, introduced herself as the chairman’s aide. I headed toward Jeon Taehyun’s location with her.

***

The place I entered was not the chairman’s office.

‘What is this? Could it be the command and control center of the association headquarters?’

In that quite spacious area, dozens of monitors were set up, with people in military uniforms moving busily about.

I was momentarily surprised. This is one of the most restricted areas in Korea, no, in the world.

It’s the most important control tower of the alliance, responsible for the war against villains.

“When I heard that Minsu Lee was granted access here, I was quite surprised. As you can see, this is where we command the war against villains in real-time. Only military and alliance leadership have access to this place.”

Yet it meant that I, a mere hunter, had entered such a place.

‘Even Siwoo from the original story never mentioned accessing this place.’

I carefully observed the command center with my eyes.

The screens were filled with information that would be difficult to understand for non-military personnel. But I had built up knowledge about tactical command while working as an operator.

‘I’ve also worked with the information team.’

So I could somewhat interpret the battle situation displayed on the large screens. The displays seemed to show real-time situations from various countries.

And the battle situation I confirmed was far more desperate than I had thought.

‘Already more than half of the major countries have been occupied by the Red Lake forces.’

Both in quantity and quality, we’re losing to the Red Lake. The drug that Dead Arms used in Busan—that drug was a potent poison that corrupted Awakened into villains.

‘Taking that drug increases your total mana by three times.’

And it gives a drug-like euphoria, so for low-level Awakened living at the bottom of hunter society, joining the Red Lake would be far more attractive.

Naturally, there are many more low-level Awakened, so those who took the drug and became three times stronger pose a significant threat to humanity now.

‘But there aren’t enough high-ranking hunters to face these villains.’

That’s not all. The Red Lake also has demon contractors. Like Lee Seonwoo, contractors can create more gates on earth with the power of their demons.

“I’m not sure if you understand the meaning of those screens, but the situation is actually desperate. Due to media control, civilians don’t have all this information… but as time passes, humanity’s chances of winning will decrease.”

The aide spoke to me as I was looking at the screens. And then someone approached us.

It was Gwangje, Jeon Taehyun.

***

The aide saluted Jeon Taehyun.

“Loyalty! I stand before you, Chairman!”

I turned my head along with the aide. A middle-aged man of average height—making him appear shorter than me who stands over 180cm—was standing in front of me.

However, I momentarily felt like I was looking up at him. As if a giant was standing before me.

‘I can’t sense any mana at all.’

No Awakened can perfectly conceal the mana that radiates outward. Mana circulation is as natural as breathing.

So an Awakened with mana instinctively distorts the natural mana around them. But the mana around Jeon Taehyun was like the surface of a calm spring, without the slightest ripple.

Despite not feeling any mana, I instinctively felt pressure from this man.

‘He’s incredibly… powerful.’

He’s probably the strongest among all the hunters, no, even including villains and monsters I’ve met so far. And that wasn’t surprising.

‘Indeed, Gwangje… the one who reached the pinnacle of hunters.’

Our eyes met. As I’m also a hunter belonging to the association, I saluted him.

“Loyalty…”

“No. Such formalities aren’t necessary. If you don’t mind, follow me.”

After saying that, Jeon Taehyun turned around. I followed him out of the command center.

A corridor extended beyond that door.

“You must have been surprised by my sudden summons.”

“Not… really.”

Rather than being surprised, I wanted to know what he was thinking.

In the original story, Jeon Taehyun was an absolute figure. If anyone could deliver the most powerful blow to the Red Lake, it would naturally be him, who reached the pinnacle of the Five Celestial Beasts.

However, he is not the protagonist of the original story. Meaning that even with his overwhelming skill as a hunter, he cannot prevent the foretold end.

‘Still, he must have a clear role.’

He’s the one who can move the Tripartite Alliance with just a word.

So it’s important to know how Jeon Taehyun views Flame. If he has goodwill toward Flame,

Flame might be given a significant role in dealing with the evil gods.

‘His personal opinion could even lead Flame to the Red Lake’s stronghold.’

The corridor stretched on. Jeon Taehyun spoke again.

“Your achievements have been remarkable.”

I remained silent for a moment at his words. But then I answered.

“Do you mean me, not Flame?”

“That’s right. It seems Flame’s reputation has risen considerably lately. At its center are Yuri Tarkovskaya, daughter of Grand Duke Andrei, and Yeon Soso, daughter of Celestial Horse Yeon Sehwi. And now they even have the world’s only Saint.”

“……”

“But I think differently. I’ve received reports from Secretary-General Choi, and I’ve looked into it personally. Combining those reports, at the actual center of Flame…”

He paused briefly, turned to look at me, and said:

“Is you, Minsu Lee. The guild itself, Flame, couldn’t function without you. That’s why I’ve taken notice of you.”

I studied his expression.

As an absolute figure, he could have looked arrogant or full of composure, but his expression was simply serene.

‘The chairman might already know a lot about me.’

When I remained quiet without answering, he continued walking and said:

“And I’m not the only one interested in you. The Vatican is also keeping an eye on you.”

Since I possess the Holy Fire of Parma, this wasn’t completely unexpected.

But Jeon Taehyun seemed to have more to say to me about that matter.

“Well, we’ll discuss the details inside this conference room. That’s the reason I called you here.”

I entered a conference room with him. And there were already familiar faces inside.

‘Secretary-General Choi Seunghoon and Ernst Zerfield?’

Both are among the top figures in the hunter world.

I sensed that the discussion in this conference room would definitely not be about an ordinary topic. And Zerfield, recognizing me, said:

“Well, the main character of this meeting has arrived!”