Chapter 58: First Encounter

Chapter 58

Kim Jinsung’s eyes, filled with vitality just moments ago, turned cold and icy in an instant. The parent of the person who made his childhood a living hell, and who even conspired to kill him in the underground fight club, was standing right in front of him.

‘So Yang Junggeun is participating in this program too.’

Yang Junggeun, with an enraged expression, walked briskly towards him. They soon stood close enough to touch.

“Finally, we meet face to face.”

Yang Junggeun glared at Kim Jinsung as if he wanted to kill him.

“The bastard who killed my son. Isn’t that right?”

This was the first time Kim Jinsung and Yang Junggeun had met in person. Even after learning about the underground fight club’s collapse through various media, Kim Jinsung had never met Yang Junggeun directly.

“Who’s your son?”

(TLN: ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

Kim Jinsung asked with a blank expression. Yang Junggeun’s face twisted in anger, and he ground his teeth.

“You insolent brat…!”

“…Oh.”

Kim Jinsung suddenly looked like he remembered something and slightly tilted his head.

“Are you talking about that piece of trash, Yang Dongju, who tormented me so badly for over two years that I wanted to die?”

“…What did you say?”

“Oh, sorry. Calling him trash is too kind. ‘Waste’ would be more fitting.”

“You son of a…!!”

Yang Junggeun trembled with rage, looking like he might unleash his mana and strike at any moment. With the anklet off, he could throw a full-powered punch if he wanted to. But Kim Jinsung stood there calmly, almost looking down on Yang Junggeun.

“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you going to hit me?”

Yang Junggeun’s body shook with anger, but he couldn’t move. Kim Jinsung, knowing why, smirked.

“What’s the matter? Thought I was nothing, but now that you see me in person, you realize I’m much stronger than you?”

“Shut up!”

“Why should I shut up for someone who tried to have me killed?”

Kim Jinsung took a step forward as he spoke. Instinctively, Yang Junggeun took a step back.

‘Damn it…!’

Yang Junggeun bit his lip in regret, but it was too late. The momentum had already shifted entirely to Kim Jinsung. Kim Jinsung continued to stare at him.

“I was planning to find you and kill you after Colosseum ended, but this works out even better.”

His voice was as cold as ice.

“We’ll meet in the arena. The moment we do, I’ll pour everything I have into making your death as painful as possible.”

“You…!”

A bead of sweat rolled down Yang Junggeun’s forehead as he clenched his teeth.

**Bang!**

“Freeze!”

“Step away from each other!”

The training room door burst open, and several armed staff members rushed in. As they separated the two, Jang Seungwook hurried in through the open door.

“Damn it… How many times did I tell you to leave at least a 10-minute gap between participants entering the training room!”

Jang Seungwook, visibly angry, shouted at the staff. He then looked at Kim Jinsung and Yang Junggeun.

“You didn’t fight, did you? If you did, you’re both disqualified.”

“……”

“I’ll check the CCTV footage later. For now, put the anklet back on Kim Jinsung and escort him out of the training room.”

Following Jang Seungwook’s instructions, the staff placed the special hunter anklet on Kim Jinsung and escorted him out. Before completely leaving the training room, Kim Jinsung looked back at Yang Junggeun with cold eyes. Yang Junggeun flinched at the sight, and the door closed, leaving only Yang Junggeun and Jang Seungwook in the room.

“I’ve arranged a private meeting as you requested. Are you satisfied?”

“……”

Yang Junggeun didn’t respond to Jang Seungwook’s question. Jang Seungwook looked down at Yang Junggeun’s trembling hands.

‘He’s completely overwhelmed.’

It was clear what had happened when they were alone. Jang Seungwook spoke again.

“Now you need to answer the representative’s question.”

Yang Junggeun finally looked up, and Jang Seungwook asked,

“Do you seek survival, or do you seek revenge?”

* * *

“But Yang Junggeun is a B-rank, right?”

Tak Namgyu asked Baek Jun curiously.

“Compared to Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong, isn’t he too weak? Plus, he’s older, so it’s harder for him to grow.”

“To be honest, I’m not looking for individual combat strength from him. It’s his leadership.”

“Leadership?”

“Let me explain the rules for the upcoming second preliminary round. It’s…”

Baek Jun began to explain the detailed rules of Season 12’s second preliminary round to Tak Namgyu. After listening, Tak Namgyu nodded.

“With those rules, Yang Junggeun’s leadership will indeed shine. Despite his dirty methods, building the Dream Gold Clan so quickly required strong leadership.”

“I think so too.”

The Dream Gold Clan had grown rapidly, using methods like drug trafficking, prostitution, and contract killings. In these chaotic times, no clan could grow without resorting to such methods. Yang Junggeun had only been targeted by the government because he crossed paths with Baek Jun’s faction. Otherwise, Dream Gold would still be thriving.

“Anyone else?”

Tak Namgyu asked Baek Jun again.

“All the participants I’ve mentioned so far are from Group A’s first preliminary round. Yang Junggeun is also connected to Kim Jinsung.”

“I was just about to talk about participants from other groups.”

Baek Jun took a sip of water and continued.

“The participant I’ll mention now is…”

Baek Jun spent the next 30 minutes explaining.

“…That’s all.”

“Good. Thanks for the detailed explanation.”

“You’re welcome.”

“This season has a lot of talented participants. Do you remember what you said last time? ‘This season will be truly exciting.'”

“Yes, I remember.”

“There was a reason for your confidence.”

Tak Namgyu’s expression brightened.

“Your staff must be working hard.”

“We’ve already increased our staff by over 20% compared to the previous season, and it still feels insufficient. As I mentioned, the level of participants this season is exceptionally high.”

“Hmm…”

“So there’s something I’d like to request.”

“…Wait.”

Tak Namgyu raised his hand to interrupt Baek Jun.

“You’re not about to ask me for something else, are you?”

“Yes, I am. We need more S-grade mana stones for the defensive magic circles and the staff suits.”

“Damn it! I knew it!”

Tak Namgyu exclaimed with exaggerated gestures, then glared at Baek Jun. Baek Jun bowed his head politely and continued his request.

“Please, Minister. The program must run smoothly to ensure you receive your share of the profits safely.”

“Are you threatening me with the profits now? Damn it! I’ve raised a tiger cub!”

“Hahaha…”

Despite Tak Namgyu’s grumbling, Baek Jun just smiled brightly. He knew it was all in jest. Sure enough, Tak Namgyu soon chuckled and relaxed his expression.

“Alright. Tell the secretary’s office exactly how many you need on your way out.”

“Thank you, Minister.”

“Thank you? Of course, I have to help a noble person who significantly contributes to our Hunter Department’s budget! Isn’t that right?”

“Hahaha…”

Baek Jun laughed at Tak Namgyu’s pointed remark. In truth, the Colosseum program was a national initiative supported by the Hunter Department, led by Tak Namgyu. The Hunter Department provided the advanced equipment, sets, and staff needed for the program, and Baek Jun allocated a portion of the program’s profits to the Hunter Department.

“How are the profit forecasts this time?”

“We’re on track to break the all-time record. The betting money is accumulating at an unprecedented rate compared to last season.”

“Good, good! We have a lot of expenses this year. You know that.”

“I understand the reconstruction of the Hunter Training Academy is particularly costly…”

Tak Namgyu nodded.

“That’s right. Honestly, without the funds you send, it would be an impossible expense.”

“It can’t be helped. The facilities for training hunters must be state-of-the-art.”

“It’s frustrating that we still can’t match the number of elite hunters produced by the major powers.”

Tak Namgyu hadn’t secretly created the Colosseum survival program, which the government should never collaborate with, for no reason. Without attracting betting money in this way, they would fall far behind in the investment race with the major powers.

“At least most of the stars discovered by Colosseum can hold their own on any continent.”

“I agree.”

“It would be great if we didn’t lose talented individuals to bad luck, like Kang Minhyuk…”

“I’ve told you before, Minister.”

Baek Jun rarely interrupted Tak Namgyu.

“If someone can’t survive even within the Colosseum program, they won’t last in the New Continent. Kang Minhyuk was simply not up to the task.”

“……”

“And the goal of Colosseum is to find the ‘perfect hunter’ who can endure in the New Continent. Lower-tier hunters can be adequately supplied by the academy graduates.”

Baek Jun spoke with more conviction.

“Remember, Minister, that most participants in Colosseum Survival are ‘forced laborers.’ They are individuals who would have died as cannon fodder in front of monsters.”

“Alright, alright. Enough.”

Tak Namgyu waved his hand to stop Baek Jun’s lecture.

“One wrong word, and I get a lecture. Sometimes I wonder who’s the minister here…”

“Hahaha… I’m sorry.”

Baek Jun apologized in a tone that was almost insincere, and Tak Namgyu looked at him playfully. It was clear how close they were.

* * *

After finishing his meeting with Tak Namgyu, Baek Jun got into his car and started leaving the Hunter Department building. Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Seeing that the caller was Jang Seungwook, Baek Jun answered immediately.

“Yes.”

– I just had Yang Junggeun meet with Kim Jinsung.

“No issues?”

– No physical conflict. The PD said it created a highlight worthy of a solo YouTube upload.

“Good. Did you get an answer to my question after the meeting?”

– He chose survival.

Baek Jun nodded.

“As expected. Proceed with the plan as discussed.”

– Understood.

“And make sure to announce the schedule for the second preliminary round at 6 PM.”

– Yes. No changes to the schedule?

“No.”

Baek Jun continued.

“It starts exactly one week from now.”

* * *

A week passed in the blink of an eye.