NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 105. Press Conference
Upon checking late, I found that the website that published the article was infamous for its lack of credibility—third-rate media.
So, others might realize the article is fake quickly, but…
“Damn.”
The problem was the name that appeared in the title of that article.
Kim Gi-ryeo. Finally, even this body’s name was exposed to the media.
Moreover, the world didn’t even give me time to be flustered. Right after that, a new message came through on my cellphone.
“Could it be my number got leaked too?”
I cautiously peered at the screen.
What I saw was the unique arrangement of eight digits.
I recalled which organization that contact number was connected to.
“I called the Korean Hunter Association once when I dealt with Baron Hwa-won.”
Wasn’t that their main contact number?
*
A little later.
Kim Gi-ryeo arrived at the Hunter Association following the call he received.
But honestly, I never thought that this call would be a summons from such a high-ranking person.
The figure in front was none other than Go Byeong-do, the president of the organization.
“Please, sit comfortably.”
The association president greeted me with a kind smile.
“Oh! The weather outside is chilly; did you not feel cold dressed like that?”
“Uh…?”
“This kid is still in his 20s, so his body must be burning with heat. Hahaha.”
His demeanor was completely different from the last time I met him when I was embarrassed about the enchanter business.
President Go treated me casually enough to throw in a chuckle, but within that laughter, the main subject suddenly popped up.
“Anyway, the reason I called you, Hunter Kim Gi-ryeo, is for another matter.”
He continued with a few calm words.
“Did you see today’s article? People are going crazy over it! It turns out our Hunter Kim Gi-ryeo has been doing heroic deeds behind the scenes.”
While speaking in a gentle voice, he raised an eyebrow slightly, almost scolding.
“[Baron Hwa-won] and [Unavoidable Malice], it’s all good. Honestly, who would prevent a hunter from hunting?”
“….”
“But, no matter what, you shouldn’t hide your grade like that, buddy.”
Thump, thump.
The president lightly tapped the table with a smile.
“I don’t know what circumstances you have, but starting today, let’s register your awakening level properly.”
Normal registration?
Hearing that, I tilted my head slightly while the president continued without care.
“If we register your awakening level correctly this time, I’ll overlook the past.”
“Huh?”
“I won’t hold you responsible for what happened before.”
The association offered to me.
“If it’s revealed that a new S-Class is a grade-faker, both our reputations will suffer. It’s better to let this slide quietly, don’t you think?”
“….”
“In fact, I had instructed to hide your rank… well, framing it that way will quickly earn public understanding.”
In short, his words meant this.
“So, Gi-ryeo, just keep doing what you’re doing, okay? When a Dungeon Break happens, just help out like you did yesterday. Got it?”
At this point, he wanted me to properly reveal I’m S-Class.
Also, they wanted me to respond to summons like any other high-ranking hunters.
President Go brought up a basic demand based on the law.
Thus, I never expected such a response to come back.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand what you’re saying….”
The blond hunter immediately denied the accusation when the president finished speaking.
“I’m not S-Class.”
I politely explained.
The Unavoidable Malice incident was merely taking advantage of a weakened monster’s flaw.
And the Baron Hwa-won incident was likewise an event driven by luck.
I quickly clarified that what I did wasn’t particularly grand.
“The rumors circulating online are all exaggerated. Fighting with Jeong Ha-seong or whatever, that’s all nonsense without basis.”
A perfectly honest explanation.
But do you know how the association reacted to that?
“Ha! Seriously!”
The president exclaimed in disbelief.
“With so much evidence out, you still claim you’re F-Class?”
Yeah.
The logic is sound. The statements I made were based on facts, so there was naturally little room for grabbing onto.
Yet, despite that, the president couldn’t trust my claim.
That man had past deeds that weren’t disclosed to the public.
“So what about the time you secretly entered an A-Class Gate? Explain that.”
“Huh?”
“Why, you teamed up with that hunter Ahn Yoon-seung to tackle a gate spawning golems.”
I flinched. When that forgotten incident was brought up, my face turned pale.
“Uh… that was concluded to be an oversight of not marking as a porter?”
What was that whine coming from an innocent F-Class hunter?
Thus, the president became convinced.
The man in front of him was an Upper Ranking Awakened, and his explanation was just a meticulous disguise to hide his grade.
‘How well he’s woven his story together!’
Thud.
The president slammed his fist on the table, looking very displeased.
“Listen, the association is giving you an opportunity right now. But why are you spouting so many lies?”
“Huh?”
“Keep this up, and we’ll have to take a tougher stance. I can’t keep covering for your grade manipulation.”
But as they showed this attitude, I, a hunter, felt increasingly wronged.
This was an F-Class that genuinely had no power at all…!
“I mean, do you have any evidence that I did that?”
“What?”
“Just as you said, the things circulating on the internet are nothing but vague suspicions. In the end, the only thing that can prove one’s awakening level is the association’s examination.”
Can you condemn someone as a criminal based just on surrounding circumstances without solid evidence?
That’s unjust.
Especially on a planet where the legal system is well-established.
“President, if I undergo re-examination right now, it will still result in me being F-Class. I swear.”
So I confidently stated.
There’s no way I could respond to a summons. Because, no matter the tests, it would prove I’m F-Class.
“So you all shouldn’t bother about a useless guy like me and just focus on your work….”
Sweating profusely, I tried to persuade the association employees.
But.
You see, it’s difficult to fully convey one’s thoughts to others.
“Huh!”
The president began to misinterpret what the awakened before him had said.
His eyes, akin to a snake’s, widened in disbelief as he heard such words.
‘Evidence? Evidence? You’re saying to shut up since your technology can’t even prove my grade manipulation?’
President Go believed that this awakened person was brazenly mocking him.
So he almost raised his voice in anger, but the ensuing noise disrupted the flow.
Ding, ding!
It was a notification too loud to ignore.
“One moment,”
Swish.
I sneakily checked my phone and quickly stood up.
It looked like the message I just received contained very important information.
“Uh… have you said all you wanted to say? I apologize, but I must attend to an urgent matter.”
And just like that, Kim Gi-ryeo vanished.
Watching this, the president huffed.
“Hey, hey! What a selfish brat! I never liked him since before!”
This could’ve been brushed off as a common behind-the-back comment, but the next statement that followed was the real issue.
“See, those corrupted types think kindness means a right to something!”
The president took out his phone and dialed a number.
[Reporter Yang☎]
.
.
.
On the highest floor of the Magic Tower Guild.
A young woman sitting on the sofa kept glancing at the clock, sighing repeatedly.
She was anxiously waiting for a visitor.
Creak.
“Ah!”
“Excuse me.”
Suddenly, an awakened person with bright blonde hair entered.
Esther beamed brightly upon seeing the one who came through the door.
“Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter!”
Indeed, the message Kim Gi-ryeo received earlier was Esther’s call.
Since the S-Class Curse Mage asked for him, an F-Class wouldn’t dare show up late.
“Esther Hunter, is your health all right?”
“As you can see, I’m fine.”
Now, the key was why Esther had called him.
Thunk.
I assumed she called me regarding the Cursed Sword and placed the equipment on the table.
However, the response I received was rather lukewarm.
Instead, Esther completely ignored the unique-grade item and immediately stated her first sentence.
“By the way, did you see the article? They said it was you who finished off that S-Class monster. Is that true?”
She looked utterly shocked.
Naturally, everyone expected Jeong Ha-seong to take down the Unavoidable Malice, but it ended up in the hands of an F-Class.
And that F-Class was someone who had kept their identity well hidden?
‘What if they’re in a bad mood over this?’
This could stem from her inability to catch the boss in a single go.
Esther felt a vague guilt towards the hunter before her.
Of course, it’s not strange for someone to run away when confronting an Imugi.
Strong beings close to S-Class had trouble cooperating with each other due to their overwhelming power. They would’ve had to keep their distance.
‘It’s not just that the curse didn’t work that ended it. Moreover, there’s no certainty that this guy remained unharmed against that man’s abilities…’
Perhaps Kim Gi-ryeo quietly reduced the enemy numbers while avoiding attention after retreating?
‘I’m sure. The casualties from this incident are unusually low compared to its scale!’
Not knowing much about Kang Chang-ho’s actions, Esther couldn’t help but get a bit confused.
Hence, she misinterpreted the situation.
The hunter before her had done everything behind the scenes, yet his identity was exposed while covering the Magic Tower’s mistakes.
“First, let’s get to the point.”
Thus, Esther proposed with a serious face.
“Let’s quickly manage the rumors.”
“Yes?”
“If it keeps spreading that you’re S-Class, it’ll cause trouble for you, Gi-ryeo. Right?”
“Correct.”
“So if you’re okay with it, I was thinking about holding a press conference.”
Listening to the following plan for damage control, Esther mentioned that she had a few reporters she was close with, and she could gather them to stir up public opinion.
‘A press conference?’
This was something that Gi-ryeo would gladly welcome with open arms.
After all, this was the perfect opportunity for a clarification.
“Don’t worry, Gi-ryeo. I will make sure to resolve this matter.”
“But why are you going this far…?”
“The trouble came from the monster the tower overlooked! I want to take responsibility.”
Esther further explained that the sooner the press conference date is set, the more smoothly the atmosphere could be controlled.
To that, Gi-ryeo responded.
He had more than enough materials to defend himself.
“So can you prepare it right now?”
“Right now? Of course…!”
Esther was initially bright in conversation but soon sealed her lips.
“Esther?”
Why did the Curse Mage suddenly fall silent?
The answer lay here. The truth was, Kim Gi-ryeo had been dressed like this all day.
“…Preparing a venue isn’t hard, but I’ll give you a moment to stop home first.”
“Must I?”
“Isn’t it necessary? Uh, um. But that’s…”
That bizarrely designed rooster character.
An aesthetically displeasing green background.
And, on top of that, there was the tacky printing in a clumsy font.
[Matzoa Outing Chicken]
The hoodie Kim Gi-ryeo was wearing was a promotional giveaway from a certain chicken brand.
And the quality was apparent.
“Of course, approaching the public with a friendly image isn’t bad, but wouldn’t this be a bit too over the top…?”
The thumbing thumbs-up smile from the rooster.
Whose brainchild was that ugly illustration?
“Perhaps changing clothes for the press conference would be a better idea?”
Esther boldly stated, thinking she shouldn’t let it go like this.
However, Kim Gi-ryeo also had circumstances he couldn’t avoid.
“Other clothes… I don’t have any.”
He didn’t wear it out of preference.
“Uh?”
Encountering the Beginner Killer.
Abduction.
Hunter hunter.
Terror.
Kim Gi-ryeo had gone through countless death-defying encounters, and each time, his clothing dwindled.
Torn, ripped, and punctured.
Injuries often come hand in hand with damage to clothes.
“With this job, it can’t be helped; my clothes just don’t last.”
The only remaining decent clothing left was from when he fled the Unavoidable Malice, which was torn while falling onto the asphalt.
To say again, all he had left for upper wear now was that chicken shop hoodie.
“But it’s okay. I still have five new ones at home.”
Being an alien soul, he had no grasp of Earth’s fashion trends whatsoever.
He was merely holding onto the required notion that he needed to cover his skin with fabric…