Chapter 94

Seol Gyu-jin did not pay any attention to Bae Seung-joo’s report. He wanted to hear the words of the person in charge whom he trusted and entrusted the association to, rather than what was written on paper.

“Do you know what that means?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I wonder if the meaning has changed while I’ve been wandering between death and death. Can you tell me?”

“The 5 ‘strongest’ are not just names attached to fame. The general public thinks it is a title worthy of its skill, but in fact, it has a greater purpose for social stability.”

If he was accepted because of his good skills, there would be no reason for the association to designate him.

“The name ‘strongest’ makes ordinary people feel ‘safe’. I feel reassured by their presence, and I gain the trust that any problems that may arise will be resolved.”

Without the recognition that life continues, society falls into chaos. In a situation where you don’t know when you will die, there won’t be many people who abide by the laws and norms.

“It serves as a role model and a focal point for awakened people, making them aware of their duties and responsibilities.”

If you are an awakened person, you should do this. The strongest could be the standard for the Awakened.

This was to prevent him from becoming a villain.

Even Hwang Ye-ri, a palace attendant who seemed to be selfish, played a role in suggesting the path of a mercenary rather than a villain.

“Lastly, it acts as a deterrent against villains.”

Even though he is not a member of the association, the existence of the strongest is a great burden to the villains.

The mere fact that there was an Awoken stronger than them was effective in suppressing criminal activity.

Ju Tae-ji and Pyo Ji-hoon did not stop there and took the lead in arresting the villains themselves.

“Yes, it is not different from what I know.”

Seol Gyu-jin shook his head. But his eyes were still sharp.

“That’s why the position of the strongest is so important. It’s a name that requires responsibility. Are you sure that Taemin Kang is that kind of person? If your prediction is wrong, there is a risk that the status of the other strongest players will be damaged.”

It was a voice so powerful that it was hard to believe that it was someone who had died not too long ago.

Bae Seung-joo swallowed dry saliva.

“There are things that are unclear. How the hell did he acquire such skills, and what his true abilities are are unknown.”

He recalled the incident when he first met Kang Tae-min. Even if it was a goblin, it was a record of hundreds of magic waves disappearing at once.

It was impossible with just one bat that Kang Tae-min carried.

“But the skill is certain. His disposition also seems rough at first glance, but compared to the courtiers and authority, it is nothing to be faulted for.”

But he did not reverse his decision.

“Behind that rugged appearance, the sincerity of education is hidden. I believe he will not disappoint.”

Bae Seung-joo concluded. Seol Gyu-jin stared blankly at his face and smiled.

“Then do so.”

“… President of the Association?”

Unlike a little while ago, I was rather embarrassed when he accepted it meekly. Seol Gyu-jin said with an empty smile.

“Hasn’t it been a long time since I stepped down from the front line? I’ve been following your opinion from the start. However, I was just trying to take on the role of a barrier to make sure I was confident in that decision.”

“Don’t talk like that. If you feel better, you will learn a lot.”

Bae Seung-joo, who was relieved of tension, threw a joke.

“You will not regret this decision.”

“Is that enough?”

“Yes, there will be no one who cares for students like Taemin Kang.”

Bae Seung-joo replied confidently.

* * *

‘I’m wondering if he’s a teacher again.’

How do you feel about this kind of training? It seemed that he did not see students as human beings.

But there was no time to continue thinking. Go Min-soo kept his mouth shut and tensed his nerves.

Training resumed with a beep sound.

“Sigh… !”

With a small gunshot, the gun barrels installed in all directions poured out magic bullets.

Unlike normal bullets, it was a small magic bullet the size of a grain of sand. It was a training device devised by Jung Jun-hyeok that reduced the destructive power and increased the bullet speed.

Ko Min-soo had to defend himself by surrounding the Aura exactly at the point of impact before the bullet hit his body.

The intention was to strengthen the reaction speed to threats and the ability to adjust the aura at the same time.

“Turn it off… !”

But expectations and reality are different.

Even if the destructive power was reduced, only the wound area was small, but the pain remained the same.

Ko Min-soo eventually collapsed and could not stand it. Waiting therapists rushed in and restored him.

“Ouch… !”

A scream erupted from the other side.

Although she endured a little longer than Go Min-soo, Inoa eventually collapsed as well.

However, since Inoa has the ability to heal herself, no therapist was attached.

“Ugh, I never thought the future of the Hunter world would be this dark… .”

Jeong Jun-hyeok sighed in front of the two students who had completed their recovery. He pointed disapprovingly at the training device’s panel.

“See? Although the firing interval is only 0.3 seconds… !”

Active hunters were also at the level of sticking out their tongues, but the standards presented by Jung Jun-hyuk and Kang Tae-min were different.

Jung Joon-hyeok tousled his hair with an expression that he could not understand at all.

“Really, are you guys the first and second place in this competition? This is the basic toddler level!”

Ko Min-soo and Inoa quietly listened to the story in a relaxed posture. However, the two fists behind their waists trembled.

It was because Jung Jun-hyeok’s words pierced their pride.

But even so, there was a reason why I couldn’t say a word.

“Didn’t I show you my demonstration? Back then, it was 0.01 seconds, and what you guys are doing is 30 times easier than that… !”

Jung Joon-hyeok showed that he can do it even in more difficult conditions than now.

“There will be no problems when dealing with students like you. But in practice, life and death change literally in a split second.”

The two students could understand why Kang Tae-min chose Jung Jun-hyeok. His way of thinking had many similarities with Kang Tae-min.

Jung Joon-hyeok tapped my temple with his thick finger and continued.

“It’s too late if you understand with your head. Don’t forget that you have to increase your speed to the level of your spinal cord reflex over and over again so that your body reacts first. The real training starts after that.”

Now this training was just the basics. It’s okay to feel gloomy about that fact.

“Yes, I understand.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Should I say fortunately, the two students got used to this kind of treatment.

“Then let’s start over. I want you to prepare.”

Jung Joon-hyeok said that and looked at the students who turned around and mocked himself. Eventually, his gaze turned to Kang Tae-min, who was on the phone.

‘This is a story that corresponds to a battle of a similar level to the end. It does not work in front of an overwhelming gap.’

No matter how fast your reflexes were or how good your aura management skills were, it was of no use in the match against Kang Tae-min.

While I was thinking that, I saw Kang Tae-min return from the phone call.

“What’s going on?”

“No big deal. It was a call from the general manager.”

“You mean Director Bae Seung-joo?”

How many people would say that contacting the head of the association is no big deal?

“Yes. Well, I was going to be announced as the 6th strongest, but he asked if it would be okay.”

Contrary to the tone, the content was different. Jung Jun-hyeok asked with his eyes shining.

“Ohh! It seems that the general manager recognized his skills too! Indeed, since you won against me, it’s not a waste to be called the strongest.”

He smiled contentedly, then asked the question again.

“Ah, then what did you decide on the title for?”

“… He asked me about Gongui.”

Majee, Swordsman, Changhwang, Gungsin, Kwonseong.

All five strongest players were given titles using their main weapons.

Perhaps because Kang Tae-min only showed how to use the etiquette injector, he gave the bat a stick.

“Gongwi? Hmmm, a bit of a tone… .”

“So I just said that being a teacher was enough.”

“Teacher Kang Tae-min? um, not bad But, surprisingly, did you respond calmly? I don’t think you’re the kind of person who wants to stand out.”

Jung Joon-hyeok tilted his head.

Judging from the mana he accumulated and his skills, it was not likely that he became stronger overnight.

If Kang Tae-min was the type of person who pursued fame, he would have been famous long ago.

“Yes, it is.”

wealth and honor.

For Kang Tae-min, these things were of little value. However, he had already anticipated this situation from the time he attacked the command tower.

“But the more people hide it, the more they want to know.”

Media exposure was unavoidable. If you are reluctant to disclose it in this situation, there is a risk that the media will persistently dig into it.

Rather, it was better to satisfy their curiosity.

‘Anyway, I just need to secure an alibi with a clone.’

It was enough to hide only what was necessary. Kang Tae-min dismissed the conversation and checked the panel.

However, unlike what Joon-Hyuk Jeong told the two students, the firing interval was set at 0.05 seconds.

“I’m doing as we discussed, so don’t worry.”

It was Jung Jun-hyeok who devised this training method, but the training intensity was directed by Kang Tae-min.

“I bet I didn’t know you could fool the disciples.”

“You have to feel the gap bigger to make more effort to close it.”

At Kang Tae-min’s answer, Jung Jun-hyeok smiled in satisfaction.

“In that sense, I also want to bridge the gap, but would you give me some time?”

It meant fighting again.

Kang Tae-min thought for a moment and then nodded.

Since Sura came to the guild, it was more efficient to secure Jeong Jun-hyeok’s time in advance.

“The last time it was 10 minutes. I’m going to try to reduce it a bit more.”

Furthermore, Kang Tae-min decided to reduce the cost of his time.

* * *

A few days later, the Avalon Guild.

While watching Pyo Soo-ho and Song Dae-beom’s sparring, Park Hyun-ah glanced at Kang Tae-min.

“Teacher Taemin, have you seen the news?”

“I saw.”

Taemin Kang nodded lightly. He recalled the headlines of each media outlet.

[Hunter Association, 6th strongest player announced!]

[Hunter-type crustal change! Who is Shinseong?]

[Association officials, ‘preparing for a press conference.’]

[Leader of one-man strategy, Become the 6 strongest player!]

The Hunter Association distributed the press conference schedule for Kang Tae-min as a press release. It was obviously the same content, but the title was different.

“Uhh, then shouldn’t I get that autograph first?”

“There is no such thing as an autograph. You can just print my name if you want.”

Park Hyeon-ah laughed at Kang Tae-min’s answer. He seemed to think it was a joke.

“Ah, but did you think of the title yourself?”

“… No, I just said it as a teacher. However, the association added a modifier.”

However, prior to the distribution of the press release, Bae Seung-joo contacted me again. Choi Kang-ja earnestly requested that he add one more modifier because image is important.

“Hmm, that sounds a bit flat. I can definitely feel the impact of ‘Myung-Ak Teacher’.”

The reason why Kang Tae-min drew attention was the dungeon, which became a hot topic with a one-man attack.

It was a title given thanks to Johanna’s testimony that there were not just undead, but also demons.

“Is the press conference tomorrow? May I go too?”

“There will be nothing wrong. There will be a reception after the event, so let’s have a light meal. Just in time, Pyo Ji-hoon decided to come too.”

Johanna and Pyo Ji-hoon decided to attend the press conference in the name of supporting the association.

At those words, Park Hyeon-a’s drooping eyes curved like a crescent moon.

“Wow, I will definitely go! Can’t you just pretend you don’t know?”

“Yes. By the way, they said the champagne they prepared was non-alcoholic.”

“No, I’m not going out for a drink.”

While talking like that, the sparring ended. Pyo Soo-ho and Song Dae-beom, drenched in sweat, came down.

“Suho seems to have mastered memorization. But because of that, the attack routes are limited. If the route is fixed, it is not an ambush.”

“Yes, I will be careful.”

“Daebeom is good at using attributes, but his reaction speed is slow. It’s probably because there are so many options. Compress your options while reviewing even after training.”

“Yes! All right!”

“Then see you at the next training session.”

Kang Tae-min finished his evaluation and left. I was thinking of checking Yuhwarin, who had been left behind for a while.

“Guys, you worked hard!”

Park Hyeon-ah also left a greeting and followed him. Pyo Soo-ho and Song Dae-beom headed for the shower with weary steps.

“Hey, have you seen the news too? That Sam will become the strongest of the 6 generations?”

“I heard from your father.”

“Hey, there are no real monsters.”

The two had a conversation in different shower booths. Although the academy is different, the two have become more comfortable friends than before.

“Is it the reception? All of my classmates are coming. Do you want to go? Since you are coming as an exchange student next semester, I think it would be okay to take care of the kids in advance.”

All I could hear was the splashing of water. Song Dae-beom washed off the foam and asked again.

“Hey, Pyo Soo-ho?”

There was no answer.

Song Dae-beom wanted something and opened the booth next to him. Pyo Soo-ho was bathed in water with a dazed expression.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“uh? uhh… ?

When Song Dae-beom touched him, he blinked.

“Are you going to the reception?”

“Oh, I will go. My father said I could rest for a day or so.”

“Okay, call me when you come. Don’t you have the other kids’ numbers yet?”

“Uh, got it.”

Song Dae-beom tilted his head at Pyo Soo-ho’s attitude. It looked a bit different than before.

‘… But did he have scars like this on his back?’

The back of Pyosuho could be seen through the misty steam. However, it was quite an old form to be a scar that suddenly appeared.

Because of this, Song Dae-beom thought nothing of it.

“Then go first. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Song Dae-beom left first, leaving Pyo Soo-ho alone. His expression was very rigid.

<… listen.>

Stunned, he turned around.

‘In addition… .’

It was strange.

When I was alone, I heard hallucinations.

<… son.>

It wasn’t Pyo Ji-hoon’s voice.

An unknown voice calling himself a child. But what was strange was the fact that he felt more familiar than his father.

<My son.>

Pyo Soo-ho shook his head wildly and ran out of the shower.

Hearing this voice

‘Is it stress? Could it be because of the stress I experienced then?’

It was after the dungeon break I had experienced with Kang Tae-min before.

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