Chapter 14

Chapter 14
## Chapter 14: Taebaek’s Ultimatum

—

This was no ordinary administrative space—it was the private chambers of the Korea Hunter Association President. To slam the door open with such a lack of decorum was a scandalous violation of professional protocol.

“What in the world is—!”

The Association President began to bark, his features twisted in a mask of indignation, but the words died in his throat the moment he recognized the intruder.

I shifted my position and immediately grasped the reason for his sudden silence.

“Team Leader Yoon Sung-hyun?”

The individual who had forced his way inside was Yoon Sung-hyun of Taebaek LLC. In that brief window of time, the harsh reality of the power dynamics between private corporations and the Association became crystal clear to me.

Regardless of how much authority the Association President projected, he lacked the standing to shout at a team leader from Taebaek, one of the three titans ruling the Korean industry.

“Now, Sung-hyun. What is the meaning of this? Bursting in without a word.”

“Association President.”

Yoon Sung-hyun offered a perfunctory nod—barely a greeting at all—before shifting his focus entirely toward me.

“We need a moment to talk.”

He wasn’t carrying any visible gear, and the internal mana circulating through his frame remained tranquil.

Technically, while Taebaek held more influence than the Association, the gap wasn’t so vast that he could justify using raw intimidation or physical coercion here.

“What is it you wanted to speak about?”

Yoon Sung-hyun met my inquiry with a sharp look.

“I’ve been informed you held a media briefing claiming you have no intention of signing with a firm. Did I not give you a fair warning?”

So, that was the catalyst for this visit. I allowed a faint smile to cross my face as I countered smoothly.

“Not exactly. I merely stated I have no such intentions at this current time. The transfer window is set to open soon, and once it does, I will be a free agent.”

An FA status. It was standard for hunters unaffiliated with a brand to weigh their options once the market officially opened. Yoon Sung-hyun’s brow twitched at my explanation.

“Why didn’t you reach out to Taebaek immediately?”

“Lee Se-eun from Zanabi presented me with a few specific commissions.”

“And then?”

And then what? I kept my voice soft and non-confrontational.

“Signing with Taebaek isn’t something that has to happen this second, but flatly rejecting offers from Lee Se-eun on the spot would have been terribly tactless, wouldn’t it?”

I let the implication hang in the air: that even as a free agent, my eventual destination at Taebaek was a foregone conclusion.

That seemed to appease his ego, at least partially.

“I see.”

The tactic worked. However, his expression remained clouded with a lingering dissatisfaction.

“That settles that. On another note, Association President, what kind of business were you conducting with this person?”

The Association President let out a hollow, forced chuckle.

He couldn’t very well snap back with “Mind your own business,” so he used laughter to dodge the question, signaling he had no desire to divulge the details of our meeting.

If he wasn’t going to talk, I’d take the lead.

“It was nothing major. The Association President was simply showing me a few potential assignments.”

Upon hearing this, the Association President’s eyes locked onto me, while Yoon Sung-hyun’s gaze whipped toward him.

“But I’m hardly a high-ranking figure who requires the Association’s intervention… and I haven’t exactly earned the right to such a favor yet, have I?”

Yoon Sung-hyun spoke directly to me, and in that heartbeat, a subtle, unspoken pact formed between us.

While taking work from Zanabi was a necessary evil, the Association President was now attempting to bind me to his own agenda through these recommendations.

This turn of events was hardly ideal for Taebaek, who considered me their future property.

“Recommendations from the Association President himself? You’ve piqued my interest as well.”

I looked back at the Association President, following Yoon Sung-hyun’s lead.

“Is that alright with you?”

This was a direct admission that he was showing me opportunities that were hidden from Taebaek’s view. What would he do if he refused now?

The Association President gave a stiff nod, and I didn’t hesitate to show Yoon Sung-hyun the list of requests the president had laid out.

After a quick scan, Yoon Sung-hyun let out a derisive snort and looked me up and down.

“Planning a career in the political sphere? How patriotic of you. We do have hunters who transitioned into the National Assembly, so it isn’t an impossible fantasy.”

“I have no interest in that. I’ve already declined the offer.”

Yoon Sung-hyun nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“Political influence is one thing, but true power is another. A hunter’s priority should always be the cultivation of their own strength.”

Strength. That single word offered a window into Yoon Sung-hyun’s personal philosophy. However…

“If it’s not too much trouble, I have a question.”

“Go ahead, but mind your phrasing.”

“Is that the official stance of Taebaek, or merely your own perspective, Team Leader Yoon Sung-hyun?”

I wondered if that was sharp enough to genuinely annoy him.

“It is the very foundation of Taebaek. Those under our banner train relentlessly within a system of survival of the fittest, growing more powerful with every passing day.”

“I appreciate the clarification.”

With that answer, I had finalized exactly how I would navigate my future interactions with Taebaek.

Regardless, it was clear that Yoon Sung-hyun was displeased with the Association President’s attempts to influence me.

“Association President, Yoo Chan-seok is a talent that Taebaek is currently monitoring.”

“I am aware. We were simply the ones to initiate the first meeting, were we not?”

Yoon Sung-hyun acknowledged the president’s point with a curt nod.

“A rare stone only acquires its luster through the right kind of refinement. Assisting Yoo Chan-seok is acceptable, but I suggest you exercise more discretion moving forward.”

The words were framed as a piece of advice, but the underlying message was a clear “stay away.”

“If you’re finished here, let’s go get some lunch.”

Yoon Sung-hyun spoke as he rose to his feet. I saw no benefit in turning down a free meal, so I stood and followed him out.

“This particular establishment usually hits the spot for me.”

Our meal consisted of cheonggukjang donburi. It was a surprisingly modest choice for a Partner Hunter. I had assumed someone of his status would insist on much more extravagant dining.

“Excluding our primary divisions, Taebaek operates 148 distinct groups within Korea alone.”

“That is a staggering number.”

148 groups. Every single one of Taebaek’s groups consisted of 15 to 20 hunters, which was essentially the size of an entire team in smaller companies.

It was more like a small army if one looked at the total scale.

“Managing that many individuals must be quite an undertaking.”

“That is precisely why an overwhelming display of power is required.”

Ten groups formed a single team. Based on sheer numbers, Yoon Sung-hyun, in his capacity as a team leader, effectively commanded a force equivalent to a military battalion.

Furthermore, every team leader personally oversaw their own elite direct group.

“You will be joining the 4th Team Direct Group in the role of a Junior Hunter.”

The 4th Team was the unit Yoon Sung-hyun commanded as both its leader and a Partner Hunter. It was obvious he intended to place me directly under his supervision.

“The CEO has already committed your name to memory.”

“…The CEO? I was under the impression that hunter firms rarely utilized a CEO structure.”

Yoon Sung-hyun nodded at my observation.

“Other organizations can function without one. But Taebaek is the largest entity on the planet, built on a foundation of natural selection.”

The most powerful person held absolute authority over every hunter in the company, maintaining order through pure dominance. That was the core of Taebaek’s hierarchy.

Positioned directly beneath the CEO were five specialized direct groups meant for high-priority missions. They functioned essentially as the company’s special forces.

“I understand your earlier predicament. You weren’t in a position to refuse Lee Se-eun, so playing along was the only logical choice.”

Since I was perceived as weak, my lack of resistance was acceptable to him.

“The IHC has scheduled the start of this winter’s transfer market for 65 days from now at the stroke of midnight. It will remain open for ten weeks.”

The International Hunter Convention. I had heard the name during the media scrum. Calling it “impressive” was an understatement—it was the global summit for the industry.

65 days. The clock was ticking.

“Once we finish here, I’ll be notifying the CEO that your recruitment is guaranteed for the start of the winter window.”

I nearly faltered while eating but managed to maintain my composure.

“You should ensure you honor that commitment. If not, one of the CEO’s personal groups will be sent to track you down.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

I answered with a level head. If I showed even a flicker of anxiety or hesitation now, he would immediately doubt my word.

I couldn’t afford that.

“On a side note, what is the process for entering a direct group? Do they ever take people from the outside?”

A smile finally broke across Yoon Sung-hyun’s face. To him, that question was the ultimate confirmation that I planned to stay with Taebaek.

“First, you must catch the CEO’s eye. After that, you pass a series of trials, undergo thorough vetting of your background and your inner circle, and if you’re found worthy, you’re in.”

“I see.”

Taebaek was hunting me for the upcoming market. Actually, it was more than that—they viewed my signing as an absolute certainty. My mind was racing.

Hunters weren’t allowed to switch affiliations at just any time, which provided me with a small window of safety.

That window was exactly 65 days wide. If my list of exploits and my personal power didn’t reach a certain threshold by that deadline…

I would be swallowed by Taebaek. And that was a fate I desperately wanted to avoid.

Survival of the fittest as a corporate mantra? It sounded like children playing at being soldiers.

“I understand.”

As our meal drew to a close, Yoon Sung-hyun spent the time praising the virtues of Taebaek.

He spoke of dedicated office wings for every team and massive command centers designed to facilitate every operation.

“We have partnerships with the country’s top banks for exclusive interest rates for our staff, and the world’s most renowned hotels provide us with complimentary lodging and dining during our travels.”

Given their scale and reputation, the hunters under their wing enjoyed incredible advantages.

“Naturally, these perks aren’t handed out to everyone. You have to prove your worth.”

But as a Junior Hunter within a team’s elite direct group, I would have full access to all of it.

After he finished his exhaustive list of why Taebaek was the pinnacle of the industry, lunch came to an end.

“I’ll be seeing you. Next time we meet, it will be to finalize the transfer.”

With those parting words, Yoon Sung-hyun departed. I immediately retrieved my phone and began filtering through active requests.

“The pay isn’t what matters right now.”

My bank balance could take a back seat. What I needed were the most grueling, complicated, and underpaid tasks available. I had to evolve into a force so formidable that even a titan like Taebaek couldn’t easily consume me.

And I had to do it before the transfer market opened in 65 days.

“I’ll treat this as community service.”

Low-reward, high-difficulty jobs were plentiful if one knew where to look.

“Something like this.”

**[Request: Support Needed for Tsushima Island Abduction Victims]**
*Tsushima Island is suspected of containing a Rank 2 Erosion Core. The local population has either perished or retreated to Japan, leaving the area an abandoned wasteland.*

Korea had little motivation to intervene. Tsushima was Japanese soil, while Dokdo belonged to Korea—that was the established reality.

In fact, the debate over Dokdo was a thing of the past. Following the Erosion Zone cataclysm, Korea’s surging global influence led to a bilateral agreement where Dokdo was officially recognized as Korean territory.

“Fishermen from Tongyeong and Geoje Island.”

Regardless, there was trouble brewing on Tsushima. To sustain their livelihoods, fishermen from Tongyeong and Geoje were forced to sail into those waters.

Monsters emerging from the Tsushima Erosion Core had begun abducting them. To date, seventeen people had been taken.