Chapter 359
“What?”
Choi Yeonseung was puzzled by Antony’s reaction.
Bang!
Antony banged his fist hard on the table and shouted, “This is too much! You’re not even thinking about keeping me here! You’re openly trying to get rid of me!”
“Oh, you were thinking of staying?” asked Choi Yeonseung, embarrassed.
At his response, Antony paused. He hadn’t actually thought about what he would do. He was going to think about it after being acknowledged and satisfying his pride...
“I... have.”
“What? Really?”
Choi Yeonseung was surprised. He had heard that hunters rarely stayed in a clan or a company after reaching A-grade. In any case, who would’ve expected someone as arrogant and annoying as Antony to stay in the clan?
“Then please. It would be great to have an A-grade hunter left in the clan.”
“T-that’s right. Thanks, that’s reassuring...”
“Alright, I have a schedule, so I’ll be going now. There are so many problems and incidents these days that I feel like I’m going crazy.”
“Y-yes.”
Before Antony could do anything, Choi Yeonseung got up and walked away.
Other hunters in the Icarus clan saw Antony coming out and questioned him.
“Hey, Schneider. When are you leaving?”
“I bet you’ll leave in a week. Gutierrez bet against it. Please leave in one week.”
“Stop being mean, guys... I think that even if Schneider leaves, he’ll only do it after a week. Let’s all bet fairly and not play tricks.”
“...”
Antony was furious at how happy his colleagues looked, thinking that he would leave the clan.
“I’m not leaving!”
“What?! Why?”
“Hey! Since you’ve become A-grade, you should also become independent! How long are you going to be a slave of the clan?” asked Ernest, the leader of Icarus, with a dumbfounded expression.
“...Is that what you think of our clan?”
“N-no, Ernest. That’s not it...”
“Shut up and come forward.”
***
“By the way, I haven’t heard how Schneider got promoted to A-grade.”
Choi Yeonseung was puzzled when he came out of the clan’s base.
A-grade and B-grade were one step apart, but making that step was never easy.
“Hunter Antony Schneider has been the most accomplished member of the clan lately. The same goes for other hunters. In fact, according to our analysis of the clan members, there are at least two or three more hunters who can reach A-grade.”
“!”
Choi Yeonseung was surprised by this.
‘Was Antony that good?’
In fact, Choi Yeonseung was convinced of Antony’s abilities when he saw a video of him. Aside from his magic, Antony’s martial arts ability had increased drastically.
Attacking with magic from a distance and using martial arts to widen the distance back if the opponent got too close—it sounded simple enough, but it actually took a lot of skill and talent to be able to combine magic and martial arts efficiently.
Not only did Antony have to learn magic and martial arts together, but he also had to be prepared to use the two skills in a flawless combo. Learning both magic and martial arts at the same time posed the risk of being second-rate in both of them, but it was great that Antony had managed to pull it off.
“But Hunter Antony Schneider doesn’t get much recognition from other hunters, so it’s a bit...”
“Um...”
Choi Yeonseung nodded at the secretary’s words. Certainly, Antony was the kind of hunter that didn’t get recognition, even though he deserved it, because he kept running his mouth.
Not all A-grade hunters were good leaders or had good personalities.
‘Indeed, I don’t think it’s possible for Antony to lead other hunters in raids.’
The secretary looked at Choi Yeonseung and said, “Well, it’s great to have a new A-grade hunter in the clan. Dragon Hwang would be very pleased if he heard it.
“You’re right. He kept complaining that there was a ton of money being poured into the clan every year only to get no results. I’m sure he’ll be happy.”
“...”
The secretary paused at Choi Yeonseung’s words. He never would’ve imagined that Dragon Hwang, who was bold and acted like he didn’t care about money at all, would say such a thing.
‘If an A-grade hunter appears, other hunters will be inclined to join the clan.’
Choi Yeonseung was lost in thought. He recalled a past discussion with Hwang Gyeongryong. There was only one reason Hwang Gyeongryong operated Icarus despite the fact that it consumed so much money.
-Of course, they are those who will leave as soon as they get A-grade. I think only one in ten will remain. But what matters is the attempt. Wouldn’t you be tempted to join a clan that produces A-grade hunters?
Once a hunter reached B-grade, they didn’t have to worry about money any longer. They could retire and live comfortably if they didn’t spend their money carelessly.
Therefore, hunters who made it to B-grade had to make a choice. Should they aim for an even higher position, or should they cut down on dangerous hunter missions and increase their outcome through other means?
...Of course, many hunters chose the latter, but surprisingly, there were also a lot of hunters who chose the former.
After all, the hunters who made it all the way to B-grade were bold. Hunters who were cowards couldn’t enter dungeons and fight monsters to the death.
For such bold hunters, the Icarus clan was bound to be attractive...
“!”
Choi Yeonseung suddenly felt the Future Sight being activated.
***
The hunters standing on the rocky cliff nodded as they saw the car approaching in the distance.
“That’s the car Choi Yeonseung is in.”
“Blow it up.”
The hunters’ eyes glowed with a peculiar madness. Anyone who had encountered an evil god constellation would immediately notice what these hunters had done.
“I will offer you Choi Yeonseung’s head, Endless Linked Explosions!”
[Gus Nunes uses ‘Almighty Explosive Arrow’!]
The hunters acted according to their master’s orders regardless of the fact that their opponents were A-grade hunters. Their explosive arrow traveled at the speed of light and hit the limousine directly.
Bang!
The arrow was so destructive that even hunters who were miles away would feel it. The hunters looked down with ecstatic expressions.
“It’s done! We did it!”
However, the joy of having accomplished their task was momentary. A shadow rose from beneath the cliffs.
“Is the explosion constellation crazy?”
Choi Yeonseung jumped straight up the cliff and hit the hunter in front of him in the chest. With a loud thud, the hunter was knocked back and coughed up blood.
“He’s not dead!!”
“You bastard...?!”
“How can I die from such an attack? Think about it!”
Choi Yeonseung unleashed powerful energy from his fist, sending a bunch of hunters flying.
‘There’s about a hundred of them, huh?’
They were D-grade or C-grade hunters at best. No matter how much power the explosion constellation had bestowed on them, they wouldn’t stand a chance against Choi Yeonseung, or any A-grade hunter for that matter.
Choi Yeonseung found it hard to believe that the explosion constellation had sent such people. Were they really trying to assassinate him...?
-They must be trying to annoy you, Successor.
-It’s the Master of Slowness and Silence who betrayed him. Why is he targeting me?
Choi Yeonseung was baffled. Of course, he knew why the explosion constellation was targeting him. After all, many people and constellations took out their anger on the wrong people.
Bang!
One of the hunters that had flown away suddenly exploded, which caused Choi Yeonseung to frown.
“Choi Yeonseung, did you think our master would forgive you?”
“When did I ask for his forgiveness? You're confusing me.”
“I'll blow up everything you have. Be afraid of our master’s minions!”
‘How can a constellation be so naive?’
In fact, Choi Yeonseung was the most cunning constellation out there, but humans generally didn’t go all out against other humans as they would against constellations.
The explosion constellation was nevertheless dangerous. His minions were terrorists, rebels, and other sorts of criminals. By receiving power from the explosion constellation, they could spread as much terror as they wanted.
If Choi Yeonseung had nothing to lose, he would’ve told them “Do whatever you want, whether it’s setting the White House on fire or destroying America all together.” However, Choi Yeonseung actually had a lot to lose.
If they were to target one of the many factories on Dragon Industry’s side, Choi Yeonseung would get really mad...
“I warn you. Next time, Senator Nelson will die.
“...??”
Choi Yeonseung was flustered upon hearing the unexpected name. Then the secretary, whom Choi Yeonseung was carrying with one hand, said with a shaky voice, “...Cho-Choi Yeonseung! Senator Nelson is one of the biggest names in American politics, and he thinks well of our Dragon Industry!”
“...Does that mean that he’s the one whom we’ve bribed?”
“N-no... It’s legitimate lobbying! It’s legal!”
Surprisingly, it wasn’t illegal in the United States for businessmen to give money to politicians. It had gotten to the point that being a lobbyist was an actual job. These people went to politicians and gave them money in exchange for certain things.
“In addition, this is what Dragon Hwang did!”
“I see. Gyeongryong hyung didn’t do such things when he was in South Korea. America really corrupted him.”
Hwang Gyeongryong used to say that all politicians should die when living in South Korea, but after he became chairman, he gave plenty of money to politicians.
“No... It’s not illegal...”
Choi Yeonseung and the American secretary had different views on this. In any case, their conversation baffled the hunters sent by the explosion constellation.
“Aren’t you afraid that Nelson will die?”
“What... I’ll protect him, okay?”
“...”
The hunters were even more baffled by how disinterested Choi Yeonseung seemed when he said that he would protect the senator.
“You’ll never be able to stop us. If one of us fails, we’ll send two. If two fail, we’ll send four!”
“Don’t be a fool! You think Choi Yeonseung only has one politician under his thumb? You have to kill more than half the members of the Congress!” shouted the secretary.
“...I appreciate you being angry for my sake, but please don’t shout something like that. I’m embarrassed.”
Choi Yeonseung covered the secretary’s mouth. He shouldn’t brag about such things!
‘But why would the explosion constellation target Senator Nelson out of all people?’
If Choi Yeonseung were the explosion constellation, he would’ve targeted his old colleagues or facilities in South Korea, or the facilities of Dragon Industry, not a senator.
-Perhaps from the explosion constellation’s perspective, a senator is much greater.
The goddess of sloth wasn’t very surprised. Human relationships and responsibilities made no sense to constellations. Rather, a senator who could quickly pass a new bill if contacted felt like a much more important person.
‘Hearing the explanation annoys me even more.’
“Surrender now...”
Bam!
Choi Yeonseung didn’t want to hear it any longer and blew away the hunter.
“Call... uh... That senator!”
“Y-Yes!”
***
Senator Nelson was puzzled by the sudden call.
“Choi Yeonseung? Ahh! Hunter Choi Yeonseung! It’s surprising for him to contact me directly like this,” Nelson said warmly. Considering the money he had received so far from Dragon Industry, he was naturally pleased to hear from Choi Yeonseung.
“Why is he contacting me? Does he want to have a meal with me?”
A meal with a rich friend was always a pleasant one. Nelson had an expectant look on his face as he asked the secretary who answered the phone.
The secretary replied reluctantly, “He said that... you might die...?”
“...”
Nelson’s expression stiffened. If this was a joke, it was in poor taste.
“Please ask what he’s talking about...”
Shatter!
“...Aaahh! I can’t believe that what Hunter Choi Yeonseung said is true!” The windows of the car shattered and Nelson screamed as people suddenly flew in.
“No, Senator! We’re here to protect you!”
“...Couldn’t you just contact me beforehand and get in the car normally?!”
The hunters pretended not to hear it. They couldn’t say that Choi Yeonseung had told them to make such an entrance.
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