Chapter 29

“First of all, thank you for helping out even though it was dangerous.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just didn’t want to watch people die.”

“No, I mean it. You didn’t have to get involved, but you did anyway, and I’m grateful for that.”

The head of the Association bowing his head to me—it was still something I couldn’t quite get used to.

Sure, I wasn’t officially a part of the Association, and technically, I was the one with the upper hand in our contract, so I suppose it was natural from his point of view.

Still, having someone older than me acting so deferential was something I wasn’t accustomed to.

“As you asked, the article has been published. Thanks to that, the Association gained a little too. We don’t have to bow to the government anymore.”

“Oh, come on. I did it for myself, really.”

“Even so, a gain is a gain. If there’s anything you need, let me know—I’ll repay the favor.”

“I’ll take you up on that.”

He was a good person. Smart, too.

He earned my favor by remembering even the smallest things and showing his appreciation.

Give and take—that’s the basis of any contract, isn’t it?

“Speaking of which, as expected, it was the lawmakers who moved the journalists.”

“Do we know which lawmakers yet?”

“No, they seem to be high-ranking enough that even our intel network can’t pin them down. What we do know for sure is that both parties were involved. They acted together.”

“So the Association’s power is really that threatening to them, huh?”

“To the political world, we probably feel like a military organization. And with Midas and V, the Association’s influence has only grown stronger.”

So basically… this was my fault.

Both Midas and V were me, after all.

Well, yeah… both of those personas had enough weight to shake the entire nation.

A Hunter ranked above S-class, someone who could move freely through the Tower, and had cleared high-tier dungeons classified as S+ in record time.

As I gave a knowing nod, the Association president quickly tried to reassure me.

“Ah, I didn’t mean to say this was all your fault, Mr. Namjoong. On the contrary, I should apologize. You almost became a scapegoat in the attack to suppress our growing influence. I should’ve acted sooner.”

“It’s okay. I get it. With all those Gate Breaks happening, you must’ve been overwhelmed.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“I honestly didn’t think the lawmakers would go as far as undermining the nation’s power just to attack me.”

“As you can see, power drives people mad. As long as they can gain public support, they don’t care what happens to the citizens.”

Couldn’t agree more.

Still, I hadn’t expected them to go that far.

I mean, I literally saved hundreds of thousands of people.

It really makes you wonder—how do movie superheroes not go dark?

“Anyway, after the article went live, public opinion flipped completely. Even the lawmakers are changing their stance. I think the paid trolls are gone now too.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

They probably didn’t think I’d talk about emigrating when there were still S-class Gates around.

And they definitely didn’t expect Midas to declare support for V.

But that was only possible because both personas were me.

I didn’t really want the attention, but lately, I was starting to feel like a celebrity.

Well, I’ll keep my identity hidden, of course.

But still, I hate dealing with hate comments.

Just then, the door opened and someone walked in.

“Ah, I’m late. Sorry.”

“What took you so long?”

“Uh, had to take care of some crap. Literally.”

“I really didn’t need that much detail.”

He disappeared for a while, and I’d been wondering what he was up to—turns out it was just the bathroom.

He could’ve just said so from the start. Why be weird about it?

“Welcome, Mr. Woojae. Thank you as well for handling the Gate.”

“Did it ‘cause the boss wanted me to. No need for thanks.”

“Even so, it’s only right to be grateful. If there’s anything you want, just say so.”

“I don’t want much. Just Elixir.”

“I was about to bring that up. I heard the shipment is nearly complete.”

“Thanks.”

“But there’s been a problem.”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, not with this shipment. Just that future production has been completely halted.”

What?

Elixirs don’t just stop getting made unless something major happens.

Sure, they’re expensive and take time to produce, but demand always outpaced supply.

They prolong life and slow aging—of course everyone wants them, from rich people to athletes.

“Because of all the Gates appearing around the world.”

“Ah, I see.”

Now that I think about it, yeah, this wasn’t just “some” event—this was huge.

Most companies that make Elixirs also make standard and Hunter-specific medical supplies.

Now that Gates were popping up everywhere, it made sense to shift focus from Elixirs to Potions.

Seeing me and Woojae nod in understanding, the Association president continued.

“You’re right. Most countries are basically in wartime mode now. It’s like preparing for civil war.”

“Civil war… that’s a good way to put it.”

“At this point, South Korea is the only country without S-class Gates and with its Hunter force intact.”

“Even the U.S. is struggling with an S-class Gate right now, huh?”

“Exactly. All over the world, factories are halting all other operations and going into nonstop production of weapons and potions.”

“I see. Woojae, you okay with that?”

“I’m fine. Even one Elixir makes a big difference. I won’t be living comfortably, but I’ll survive longer.”

“Thank you for understanding. If we manage to secure more Elixirs, we’ll contact you right away.”

I nodded.

No point in forcing things beyond the president’s power.

Him treating me this well was already more than enough.

Bowing slightly, he continued.

“Anyway, we’ve been flooded with requests for aid. S-class Hunters, V, Midas—demand for all of them has skyrocketed.”

“S-class Gates are… a bit much.”

“I know. That’s why I’d prefer if you didn’t go as V. Hunters are used to putting their lives on the line, but you have the Midas identity too.”

“When do I need to decide?”

“Anytime is fine. In this situation, you’re the ultimate authority. Just keep in mind that S-class Gates must be cleared within six months.”

I rested my chin in my hand, deep in thought.

Even if every S-class Hunter were mobilized, S-class Gates were still deadly.

Even in countries that had cleared them, at least half the Hunters involved died.

Sure, not going might hurt my image globally…

But I didn’t care that much.

It’s not like I was showing my face. It’s not like I’d stop making money if V vanished.

“Six months, huh… I’ll think about it.”

“Understood.”

I didn’t want to rush the decision.

Six months wasn’t exactly a short time.

If I borrowed Woojae’s strength and kept growing stronger, I could enter that Gate in a safer state.

Until then, I’d bide my time and train.

“Still, this could be a big money-maker.”

“With how urgent things are, yes. V’s value has risen, but Midas’s value is skyrocketing.”

That was great news for me.

Last time, they tried to recruit me to boost national power, but now?

Now they needed me just to survive.

Plus, I’d already proven—through Kim Yooyeon—that I could help S-class Hunters evolve quickly.

“There’ll be a lot of groups trying to get to you. Please be careful.”

“Of course.”

His warning wasn’t wrong.

The more valuable I became, the more danger I was in.

If the U.S. signed me, every other country would panic.

They’d be forced to grovel for help from the newly empowered U.S.

But if China got to me first and locked me down?

Their power would explode, and they’d be a real threat to both Asia and America.

And it wasn’t just countries—guilds, crime syndicates, black market dealers…

Everyone would want a piece of me.

Which meant I had to get strong enough to protect myself.

I never imagined living like this.

The pressure was insane.

“I need to get stronger, fast.”

“Please do.”

“Obviously. We didn’t expect the whole world to be covered in S-class Gates, but this? This we predicted.”

“Right. That’s why I had to get stronger.”

“And with me around, you can get stronger faster.”

“Thanks.”

Woojae’s blunt reassurance actually lifted a bit of my mental burden.

This was always bound to happen the moment I got this power.

As long as I rode Woojae’s bus and kept my seatbelt on, I’d be fine.

I felt a bit more courageous.

“Well then, I should get going. I’ve got a lot of work piled up.”

“Ah, sure. Thanks for everything. Take care.”

— Dad, cheer up~ We’re here for you~

Just as the Association president stood to leave, his phone rang.

The ringtone didn’t really match his charismatic image.

“Haha, my daughter’s still in elementary school. Excuse me, I need to take this.”

“Oh, no problem. Go ahead.”

“Thanks… Wait, what?”

But his voice changed mid-call. He sounded tense.

Something bad again?

Hopefully it wasn’t terrible news.

“…Alright. I’ll hang up now.”

Ending the call, Kang Seokgoo turned to us with a troubled expression.

“Would it be alright to turn on the TV? I just got some… unbelievable news.”

“Unbelievable? Like what?”

“I’d rather not say it myself. They’re doing a breaking news segment right now.”

What kind of news could it be?

We turned on the TV and flipped to the news channel.

A calm anchor’s voice came on.

“This is in front of Congressman Kim Seokmyung’s underground bunker. The congressman, widely expected to be a presidential candidate…”

Kim Seokmyung?

He’d been insanely popular recently. Most people thought he’d run for president.

Why was he on the news? Some kind of corruption scandal?

But what the anchor said next made my ears ring.

“…was killed by a monster attack. Mourners are gathering to honor the fallen political giant lost to an unexpected disaster.”

“…What?”

“He’s really dead? I never imagined he would be the one to die.”

Other people dying I could believe. But him?

And not even from an assassin—but a monster?

Didn’t he have a bunker and Hunter bodyguards?

“A political giant, my ass. He was trash.”

Then it hit me.

He did say he was late because he had to “handle crap”…

“No way… right?”

“What? What’s with you all of a sudden?”

He looked nervously at me, which only deepened my suspicions.

Monster attack? Yeah right.

As the room went quiet, the Association president quietly grabbed his bag and stood up.

“Ah, I’ve got a lot of urgent things to deal with! I’ll message you about the Gate reward!”

“W-Wait! President! Don’t leave me alone!”

I’m scared, dammit!