Episode 23. The S-Rank Hunter Kidnapping Incident?!

“What?”

Park Daehan’s face turned to shock as he read the report just submitted by Secretary Woo Doyoung.

And for good reason.

“Did I hear that right? Did the Scorpion Guild really try to… kidnap Crimson Flame?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what you heard.”

“Is that even possible?”

Attempting a kidnapping was already absurd, but to think they actually managed it, even if just for a moment. What in the world…

It was such a bizarre story that he couldn’t even begin to make sense of it.

“So, did that cause a huge commotion?”

“Yes, the fire has been completely put out, and it’s confirmed that the entire Scorpion Guild, including Cho Jinnam, was taken to the hospital.”

“Haha…”

Park Daehan let out a hollow laugh at Woo Doyoung’s continued report.

It was utterly ridiculous.

Crimson Flame is an S-Rank.

A hunter capable of overthrowing a nation.

No matter how many A-Rank or lower members the Scorpion Guild had, what could they possibly do against someone like her?

Numbers mean nothing in front of an S-Rank hunter.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the unusually high number of Legendary Ranks in this era…

If you exclude the 12 Apostles, the title of the strongest undoubtedly belonged to them.

To think they dared to mess with Crimson Flame, they must have some nerve.

“What were they thinking, pulling a stunt like that? Some kind of new suicide method?”

“Well… they claim it was a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

Park Daehan frowned.

“How do you even make a mistake like that?”

“Exactly. I can’t understand it either…”

“Was I really considering partnering with people who can’t tell their head from their tail?”

“But back then, the situation was dire. It was a choice worth considering at the time.”

“No need to console me. It’s just the plain truth.”

Though he said that, a deep sense of futility washed over him.

Why on earth was he doing this? For what glory or riches?

“Anyway, once the Scorpion Guild members recover, we’ll conduct a thorough investigation and ensure they are punished swiftly.”

Kidnapping is a crime, plain and simple.

Moreover, an S-Rank is a national treasure.

To dare touch such a person…

It was a foolish choice, beyond foolish.

This incident should serve as a stern warning…

“But, Chairman, Crimson Flame doesn’t seem to want any punishment.”

“Hmm? Really?”

That was unexpected.

Seeing Park Daehan’s puzzled expression, Secretary Woo added an explanation.

“She said she’s already punished them enough.”

“Well… if she says so.”

If the victim says they’re fine, it’s awkward for the association to step in with harsh measures.

But what did she mean by ‘punished them enough’…?

“Oh, and Cho Jinnam has announced the dissolution of the Scorpion Guild and his retirement as a hunter. He declared that if he ever steps forward again, he’d perform a… public apology in front of everyone.”

“Wow… he must have really been through the wringer. Well, it is Crimson Flame we’re talking about.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean by that?”

Secretary Woo looked at Park Daehan with a puzzled expression.

“Crimson Flame is the most elegant and beautiful S-Rank hunter, isn’t she? Maybe she was just momentarily upset by the unpleasantness of being kidnapped.”

What? Are you a fan of Crimson Flame too?

Well, most people in Korea probably are fans of hers.

“…Let’s just say that’s the case.”

But Park Daehan knew the truth.

He knew Crimson Flame’s real personality was quite different from her public image and who her brother was.

After all, the heads of hunter associations worldwide had the highest level of information on hunters.

Moreover,

‘I’ve had many dealings with that family in the past. Hmm? Wait a minute.’

A thought suddenly crossed Park Daehan’s mind.

‘Cho Jinnam was beaten by Crimson Flame a few years ago. I was one of the few witnesses then… Since then, Cho Jinnam developed a trauma regarding S-Ranks. So why would he, of all people, mess with Crimson Flame again?’

It didn’t make sense.

From Cho Jinnam’s perspective, there was nothing to gain by provoking Crimson Flame.

Even if he somehow gained power surpassing hers, he wouldn’t have gone about it by kidnapping.

His personality would have led him to make a grand show of his power to as many people as possible.

So then…

“Secretary Woo, what did Cho Jinnam say when he was taken to the hospital?”

“Ah, he said it was a mistake, that they really didn’t know anything.”

“…I see. Now it makes sense. I know who they were trying to mess with.”

That day.

Park Daehan had a meeting scheduled with the Scorpion Guild.

He was seriously contemplating whether to partner with them or not when Tae Ihyun suddenly showed up.

Overwhelmed with joy and excitement, Park Daehan canceled his appointment with the Scorpion Guild without a second thought and informed them that their ongoing deal was off.

‘They must have been furious. Really furious.’

And they found the reason in the mysterious young man, Tae Ihyun, whom I had eagerly welcomed?

Everything fit perfectly the more he thought about it.

And then, they somehow ran into Crimson Flame.

So the root cause of all this chaos was…

‘…Me?’

Park Daehan unconsciously clicked his tongue.

It was a habit he had whenever he felt at a loss, troubled, or guilty.

Still,

‘Those guys really dodged a bullet.’

It would have been a hundred times better to mess with Crimson Flame and get wrecked.

Did the Scorpion Guild, or rather Cho Jinnam, know that the one they intended to provoke was the Thunder Emperor?

They probably didn’t know. That’s why they dared. Of course.

Otherwise, who in their right mind would pick a fight with the Thunder Emperor?

Occasionally, various programs would show footage of the power held by Legendary Rank hunters.

Many who watched were in awe of that power.

It was like the power of gods, shaking mountains, seas, skies, and earth.

But quite a few people would say,

“Those videos are all fake. No human can possess such power.”

That disbelief was perhaps proof of just how incredible the power of a Legendary Rank was.

“Chairman.”

Lost in thought, Park Daehan was brought back to reality by Secretary Woo.

“It’s time for the meeting with the Guardians.”

“Oh, is it that time already?”

“Yes, everyone has already arrived.”

Nodding, Park Daehan slowly rose from his seat.

He got into the elevator and began descending to the deepest part of the Hunter Association building.

Meanwhile,

“An S-Rank hunter kidnapping incident… haha…”

Being in this field for so long, he felt like he’d seen it all.

Anyway,

“The world’s going mad. Absolutely mad.”

Park Daehan muttered like an old man.

“…Can I use that?”

Tae Ihyun, sitting casually on the sofa watching TV, perked up as he heard about the so-called kidnapping tale Tae Yiseo experienced today.

“What?”

“The story you just told about those Scorpion guys getting kidnapped and taught a lesson.”

“Huh? You want to use that as material?”

Tae Ihyun nodded.

“Yeah. Is that okay?”

“Well… go ahead.”

“Awesome.”

“What will you give me in return?”

“Huh?”

“You think you can just use my hard-earned experience for free?”

Mumbling under his breath about how she just went for fun, Tae Ihyun was caught off guard.

“What was that?”

“Oh, nothing! Okay, how about two chicken coupons?”

“Nope.”

“Mama John’s pizza? You love that, don’t you?”

“Nope.”

“Three vouchers for unlimited menu items at the new taco place in our neighborhood, how about that?”

“No way, no way!”

Tae Yiseo shook her finger as if to say ‘not a chance.’

“Dear brother, do I look that poor to you? There aren’t many people in this country who earn more than me, you know?”

“Hmm, then how about I give you a signed copy of my first book when it comes out?”

“Ugh! I don’t need that!”

“Wow, ‘don’t need that’? How can you be so harsh? You read a lot of web novels too!”

“I’m very picky, you know? I only read works by Na Maegang.”

“Na Maegang?”

The name sounded familiar.

“Oh, right! The author of ‘On the Impossibility of Seeking Romance in Hunter Stories’?”

“Heh, so you recognize a masterpiece.”

“That was a huge hit, wasn’t it?”

“Absolutely.”

“But I heard the author retired? And it’s been a while since a new work came out…”

“That’s not true!”

Tae Yiseo suddenly flared up at Tae Ihyun’s words.

“They’ll come back! With that insane talent, there’s no way they can do anything else. Who would abandon a god-given talent like that… Oh, right, there’s one here.”

“……”

“Anyway, Na Maegang will definitely return. I believe it. Absolutely.”

Listening to his sister’s sudden fangirl mode, Tae Ihyun nodded vaguely and asked,

“Anyway… that’s that. So what do you want?”

“Hehe, I have something in mind.”

Tae Yiseo smiled meaningfully.

That smile made Tae Ihyun feel a bit uneasy.