Ch.43Chapter 43 – The Deal

“We’re here. The President is waiting inside.”

At the Blue House, in front of the President’s office, Hong Harin inspected Shin Jaehyuk’s appearance. With each touch of her hand, wrinkled parts of his clothing smoothed out. The outfit, chosen by the aesthetically gifted Hong Harin, suited him quite well.

“Once we go inside, your ki sense will be restricted due to artifacts, so don’t be alarmed.”

Gates occasionally yielded items with special abilities, called artifacts, which were traded at high prices. Particularly, defensive artifacts that could save the user’s life depending on how they were used fetched prices in the tens or hundreds of billions, making them difficult to acquire even for the wealthy.

However, President Park Joogwan had massive secret funds sponsored by a mysterious benefactor. Thanks to this, his office was plastered with artifacts to guard against eavesdropping and intruders.

“I’ll be going in with you, so don’t say anything disrespectful to the President. If you do, I’ll hit you.”

Her tone was playful, but her mouth wasn’t smiling, making it impossible to tell if she was joking or serious. Either way, it was meant to help him relax. Indeed, Jaehyuk felt his tension subsiding thanks to her words.

“Alright…”

Beyond that door, the leader of South Korea was waiting for him.

Jaehyuk took a deep breath and pushed the door handle.

***

“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”

The stern-looking President greeted him. “I’m Park Joogwan”—he extended his hand with the disciplined, angular posture that had become habitual from his military days. Like a toy soldier, his expression revealed nothing of his feelings, and beneath his crisply ironed suit shirt, firm muscles were clearly defined.

A typical military specimen. His face was like a sturdy old tree, with not a trace of a politician’s countenance to be found.

But one shouldn’t be careless. It was impossible to know what kind of cunning serpent lived beneath that emotionless expression. He was a man who had risen from military general to prime minister to president through innate political instinct and exceptional political skill.

“I’m Shin Jaehyuk. I heard you called for me.”

As Jaehyuk sat on the sofa, he recalled similar situations from his past life.

In his previous life, Longinus had occasionally been summoned by kings. Usually, they requested the blessing of a saint recognized by the Pope for a newborn royal child.

But this was modern South Korea. This crafty man couldn’t have called him for such a reason.

“Yes, that’s right. I have two favors to ask. No, ‘favor’ might be the wrong word. A favor implies a one-sided benefit. I want to make a deal with Hunter Shin Jaehyuk.”

This much Jaehyuk had anticipated. But what Park Joogwan did next was something Jaehyuk hadn’t expected.

“First, on behalf of the military and the people, I thank you for saving Incheon.”

Korea’s most powerful man bowed at a right angle. Jaehyuk was inwardly surprised by the excessively courteous attitude. It was slightly uncomfortable.

Different thoughts crossed their minds.

‘What’s this? What kind of favor requires such humility…?’

‘I must secure him!’

The other party was presumed to be a new S-rank Hunter. Park Joogwan knew what benefits a single S-rank Hunter could bring: foreign currency that could never be earned through ordinary trade, power in international conferences, and national security. Park Joogwan was a man with intensely calculated thinking and a thoroughly pragmatic politician. To win the heart of an S-rank Hunter, he was willing to sell his petty pride…

“The Incheon incident blew up too big. It was beyond my control. The military was deployed but couldn’t stop it, and with A-rank Hunter Yeo Dongyeon’s death being broadcast, public attention has become excessive.”

This incident would cast doubt on the effectiveness of his defense support policies. Dozens of tanks and the latest fighter jets, purchased at great expense, proved useless against a single boss. What was the point of investing money in the military if it couldn’t produce appropriate results?

“You may know that I recently lowered the adult age limit to 18.”

“Ah… yes, I know.”

Jaehyuk recalled the article he had read on Wikipedia.

In a country already suffering from low birth rates, the population decreased further due to Gates. Under the pretext of increasing the economically active population, a law was passed lowering the adult age limit, but in reality, it was a measure to conscript more soldiers to be deployed across the country.

There was naturally public backlash, but the matter was settled by closing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which had been used as a scapegoat, and removing a few members of the National Assembly.

“At that time, the issue was glossed over with PR, but if this incident causes that matter to be revisited, opponents might gain momentum.”

Even dictators have enemies. In fact, being a dictator meant there were more hyenas waiting for an opportunity to strike. Two consecutive mistakes would give these hyenas legitimate grounds to attack the dictator.

‘Hmm…’

Jaehyuk inwardly swallowed. The paladin, experienced in dealing with nobles in his past life, could interpret the hidden meaning in his statement.

By revealing his weakness first, he was creating the impression of “I trust you”—a skilled politician’s rhetoric. It was an indirect request: I’m in this crisis, so please help me.

Disliking roundabout approaches, Jaehyuk asked directly:

“So what do you want?”

Hoo. Park Joogwan’s eyes gleamed. For someone so young, it was quite a seasoned response. Even the old men in the National Assembly usually became intimidated in his presence, but this young man showed no signs of that. It didn’t seem like mere recklessness. Was it confidence in his own power? Or was he accustomed to such situations…?

Park Joogwan adjusted his posture. Resting his chin on his hand, he leaned his upper body forward—a motion designed to draw the other’s interest.

“…I would like to borrow your name.”

“My name?”

Jaehyuk’s eyebrows twitched. It seemed he wanted to capitalize on the name value of a new S-rank Hunter.

‘This is troublesome. Revealing my identity would be problematic.’

Fame would not help with either his work as a solver or his investigation into Eden’s secrets.

Sensing displeasure in the silence, Park Joogwan quickly responded.

“Ah, please don’t misunderstand. I’m aware that Awakener Shin Jaehyuk prefers to keep his identity private. Let me explain in more detail.”

“Mr. President, allow me to explain.”

Hong Harin, who had been silently listening to their conversation, interjected. Being in an official setting, she explained the situation formally.

“Because the video spread rapidly through social media, we can’t hide the fact that there’s a new S-rank Hunter. We can’t attribute it to Kim Jaemin, another S-rank Hunter, as he’s currently dispatched to handle a Gate in the Philippines.

The government doesn’t plan to officially deny the existence of a second S-rank Awakener. Instead, we’ll maintain the position that ‘we cannot reveal their identity.’ There will be pressure from the Hunter Association, but the government can shield you.

At the same time, we plan to spread rumors that the S-rank Hunter is part of a secret special forces unit developed by the Korean military.

The public will assume that the S-rank Hunter’s identity cannot be revealed due to national security. If word spreads that part of the defense budget was invested in developing an Awakener special forces unit, politicians won’t be able to challenge this.”

It was a clever move. A masterstroke that would weaken the opposition’s frame while maintaining justification for defense prioritization.

Moreover, since his identity wouldn’t be exposed, it was an acceptable condition for Jaehyuk.

Observing Jaehyuk’s reaction, Park Joogwan presented his second condition.

“My second request is for the safety of our citizens. As you know, Hunter Kim Jaemin is often away on mercenary work. If, like today, a Gate opens that’s too difficult to handle when he’s not in Korea, I hope you would lend your strength for the sake of our people. Of course, I promise full cooperation from the military, and we’ll provide generous compensation for clearing Gates.”

“Hmm…”

It was a request that Jaehyuk had no reason to refuse. He was a paladin, and paladins don’t leave people to die.

But he deliberately concealed this sentiment. He didn’t want that cunning raccoon to discern his intentions or thoughts.

“…And what do I get in return?”

Park Joogwan’s lips curved into a smile. He pulled out a prepared contract from his drawer.

Tax exemptions, license to kill, VIP protection, lifetime pension, National Intelligence Service support, and more… The contract specified various top-tier benefits that would be available immediately upon signing.

“Not knowing what you might prefer, I’ve prepared what I could, but if there’s anything else you desire, please let me know.”

The contract terms were certainly not bad. Rather, they were good. There were no poison clauses either. It showed maximum sincerity from the start, to avoid offending an S-rank Hunter.

However, Jaehyuk wanted different advantages.

“I have two conditions as well.”

“I’m listening.”

“I want to register as an Awakener. Under my name. As B-rank.”

“You want a forged license. Of course, that’s possible.”

“Allow me free entry to domestic Gates. Regardless of rank, whenever and wherever I want.”

“Gate management is the joint responsibility of the military and the association, so that’s no problem either.”

Good. Jaehyuk signed the contract without hesitation. Park Joogwan’s smile deepened as he watched.

“Thank you. I hope we maintain a good relationship going forward… Ah, by the way, could you look at the back of the contract?”

The back? Surely he hadn’t played some trick. At the sudden request, Jaehyuk reluctantly flipped the contract, ready to tear it up immediately if there were any suspicious clauses.

“It’s nothing major. Someone left a memo on the back. My eyesight is getting a bit poor these days, so could you read what it says?”

It was a request that didn’t quite fit the time and place, but since it was a simple favor, Jaehyuk readily obliged.

“I today absolutely without any side effects or conditions or cost awaken a status window, status window—ah, sorry. A stat, that thing appeared in front of my eyes and I had to close it. Ahem—that will never disappear and that no one can take away—that’s what it says.”

It seemed like someone’s random scribble. When he read the words “status window,” a status window automatically appeared, blocking his view and causing him to stutter. What an inconvenient system.

“Ah, I apologize. It seems my son was playing a prank. I told him not to enter the office like that. I’ll scold him properly.”

“It’s fine. Kids will be kids.”

Since it wasn’t important, Jaehyuk didn’t pay much attention. What mattered more was that from now on, he could legally explore Gates without going through the troublesome Mr. B.

“Thank you. Since you’ve granted my request, I should rightfully give you a gift…”

Park Joogwan handed him a business card. It was the President’s personal card—a treasure only given to major corporate executives or the most important political figures.

“If you ever face a problem you can’t solve alone, please contact me anytime. Or you can contact me through the National Intelligence Service.”

It was an excessively valuable reward just for reading a memo. More precisely, it was an indirect expression of his desire to maintain a closer relationship, using the memo as a pretext.

That’s why Jaehyuk hesitated whether to accept the card. Taking it felt like getting entangled in an inescapable path.

‘But he is undisputedly Korea’s most powerful figure. Having one might…’

His life was already complicated enough. It couldn’t get much more complex. Having made up his mind, Jaehyuk accepted the card. Then he realized that accepting a business card meant he should give one in return.

With an apologetic expression, Jaehyuk looked at Park Joogwan.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have a business card.”

“That’s alright.”

Despite not being able to exchange cards, Park Joogwan didn’t look disappointed at all. From the moment Jaehyuk signed the contract, to when he read the memo, to when he accepted the card, his expression remained consistently the same.

“If I want to, I can contact you anytime.”

The man of power smiled.