In a conference room adorned with a massive shield emblem on the wall, a meeting was underway.

In Korea, there's hardly anyone who wouldn't recognize that emblem.

It belongs to the Guardian Gate.

The emblem of the country's top-ranking, colossal guild.

“…I never imagined Ma Seokgi was that powerful.”

“Indeed. Who would've thought the Bulldozer had such strength?”

“Shouldn't we scout him immediately?”

“We already tried offering him ten times his salary through Non-Target, but he flatly refused. No matter what offers come his way, he's bound to decline again.”

“Well, Mr. Ma takes great pride in his 'Guardian' profession.”

“But what on earth was he thinking, hiding such power until now?”

“Who knows? What could his intentions be?”

It was the day when the captains and key executives of the Guardian Gate gathered for their monthly meeting.

After discussing various topics, the main focus shifted to the recent Sudden Gate incident at Hongdae Station.

Particularly, the mysterious power Ma Seokgi had kept hidden all this time.

The higher the guild, the fiercer the competition to recruit outstanding talents.

The presence of a single exceptional Hunter can widen the gap between top guilds or sometimes even reverse their standings.

Naturally, the Guardian Gate, the strongest guild in Korea, couldn't help but take an interest in the incident and Ma Seokgi.

However,

‘They're all barking up the wrong tree.’

Only one person seemed completely uninterested in the meeting's proceedings.

A beautiful woman with a serene face, always wearing a gentle smile.

She was none other than Tae Iseo, the captain of the Guardian Gate's 7th unit, known as 'Crimson Flame.'

She alone knew about the mysterious power attributed to Ma Seokgi.

‘Honestly, he should've toned it down a bit. That reckless brother of mine.’

Then again, this might be his version of toning it down.

The real issue was that his absurdly insane power was the problem.

Anyway, she just wished the topic would change quickly.

At that moment,

“Crimson Flame.”

Someone who had remained silent until now spoke up.

It was none other than Goo Hwi-soo, the guild master of the Guardian Gate and Korea's number one Hunter.

Tae Iseo turned her head to look at him.

“Yes.”

“How is your brother doing?”

Tae Iseo's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly composed herself.

“…He’s doing well.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Goo Hwi-soo smiled warmly.

Everyone in the meeting room was puzzled.

The topic had suddenly shifted from the ongoing discussion to an unrelated question about Tae Iseo’s brother.

But since it was Goo Hwi-soo who brought it up, no one dared to question it.

Naturally, the other executives of the Guardian Gate turned their attention to Tae Iseo.

They were dying to know what was going on and what was being discussed.

‘Tsk, he knows everything and still teases me… That sly old man.’

Ignoring the piercing stares, Tae Iseo maintained her composure, wearing her usual calm smile.

Ugh, that troublesome brother of mine…

Having an overpowered sibling is truly exhausting.

* * *

“…Once again, I must say, we cannot accept Korea's request regarding the national ranking.”

The towering building, impressive enough to leave anyone in awe, was none other than the headquarters of the Korea Hunter Association.

It was a testament to the significance of Hunters in the modern era.

On the top floor, the annual 'World Hunter Convention' was taking place.

The meeting was conducted via holographic video conferencing from centers around the world.

Small devices attached to their clothes provided real-time translation of each country's language.

“Please reconsider.”

Facing the holograms of the Hunter Association presidents from various countries, Park Daehan, the president of the Korea Hunter Association, appealed with utmost seriousness.

“Korea was unilaterally informed of an unprecedented two-level drop in our ranking last year. While we’re not asking to restore our previous rank, requesting a one-level increase isn’t unreasonable. As you know, this year, Korea has consistently supported other countries in gate strategies and has heavily invested in nurturing Hunters.”

Then,

Chuckle!

A sneer came from beyond the hologram.

Park Daehan’s face hardened.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, I apologize. It’s just that your request is so absurd.”

The man with a sly look in his narrow eyes was none other than Gulshan Grover, the president of the India Hunter Association.

“Absurd?”

“Isn’t it? Are you really unaware of why Korea’s ranking dropped so drastically?”

“……”

“And yet, you’re making such an unreasonable request, which is why I can’t help but laugh. Isn’t that right?”

As he looked around, everyone nodded.

While Gulshan’s attitude was problematic, his words were acknowledged by all.

“You all know that a Legendary-ranked Hunter is irreplaceable. Even the title of national power-level Hunter, reserved for top-tier S-rank Hunters, is insignificant to them. Their very existence is a blessing to humanity. But then.”

Gulshan continued with a triumphant expression.

“For such a Hunter to retire without any apparent reason, and for Korea to just watch it happen, what nerve do they have to ask for a ranking increase?”

“……”

They knew.

The reason Korea’s national ranking, once at level 1, had dropped two levels to level 3.

Having just one Legendary-ranked Hunter would grant a country a level 1 ranking, regardless of the number of awakened individuals they had.

But if that one Hunter left, a significant drop in ranking was inevitable.

Gulshan’s insinuation that Korea had brought this upon themselves made Park Daehan’s eyes narrow.

“I believe I’ve explained this several times. Hunters are people and citizens of the nation. They have the right to choose their personal rights guaranteed by the country. And that applies to Legendary Hunters as well. Therefore…!”

“Therefore, you respected his decision to retire. Yes, I’ve heard it several times. Similarly, I’m telling you that by respecting his decision, you should have been prepared to accept the consequences.”

“But dropping two levels is an unfair measure…!”

“And, since it’s just us here, let me say this.”

Gulshan’s eyes gleamed with a meaningful light.

“Frankly, I believe that as a Hunter Association president, one should prioritize the nation’s interests over individual rights… especially when it involves a Legendary-ranked Hunter.”

“……!”

It was a bombshell statement in the international community of the 21st century.

Murmur.

The meeting room quickly became noisy.

“Order, please!”

The room, filled with those who agreed, those who strongly opposed, and those who sighed, was quickly brought under control by the meeting’s moderator.

“For now, let’s consider Korea’s issue further. Now, let’s move on to the next topic.”

“……”

And Park Daehan remained silent, his face stern, until the meeting concluded.

In the era of the Great Gate, where Hunters were of utmost importance, the national Hunter ranking was crucial.

The higher the ranking, the more authority and benefits a country received.

Moreover, if a country started from a lower rank, they could gradually prepare and aim for higher ranks. But for a country that had been at the top to suddenly experience a significant drop, the reverse impact was immense.

Park Daehan was in a position to feel that reverse impact more than anyone else.

Of course, he still didn’t regret the decision made two years ago.

But as time passed, the pressure he faced both domestically and internationally only grew.

“Sigh.”

It was a series of unbearably stifling and frustrating moments.

* * *

At that moment,

“Excuse me, but what brings you here?”

While it’s not difficult to admire the Korea Hunter Association headquarters from the outside, entering the building is a different story.

This place wasn’t just a tourist attraction but a facility requiring strict security and management.

Thus, those without verified identities couldn’t freely enter the headquarters.

Yet, a man with a hoodie pulled up to his head casually walked into the lobby.

A security staff member quickly approached him.

“Me?”

The man in the hoodie responded, finally taking out his earphones.

“Yes. What brings you here?”

His face was mostly concealed, making his attire suspicious.

While some Hunters occasionally visited the association in such casual attire, the person before him hadn’t been seen in the past year.

“Ah, I’m here to meet someone.”

“Who might that be?”

“Um, the highest-ranking person here.”

The security staff’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you referring to the president of the association?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, I don’t.”

Sigh.

The security staff let out a short sigh.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t just show up unannounced and expect to meet someone of that stature. Please leave.”

“Well, if you tell them who I am, I’m sure they’ll see me.”

And who might you be?

Ugh. This is frustrating. Really.

The security staff still looked skeptical but asked one last question, just in case.

“Then what should I tell them?”

The man’s response made the security staff’s eyes widen.