Chapter 160: The Coldest Fire (2)
Han Je-heon.
This name has a rather unusual feel for a birth registration name, and it’s hard to consider it related to constitutional terms like Jeheon (制憲).
It was, in fact, an abbreviation for ‘The Weakest Hunter in Korea.’
[Live Broadcast●: Han Je-heon TV]
Now, the Han Je-heon I’m about to explain is the nickname of a video creator.
He’s been running the channel for 8 years.
His subscriber count is a whopping 763,000.
So, what exactly is it about Han Je-heon that captivates people to this extent?
[Oh~! Everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve done an outdoor cam, right? Today, as promised last week, we’re going to catch the legendary F-Class broken… mountain goat!]
As you can guess from the name, his videos focus on ‘Daily Life of Awakened.’
Skill training, item usage, and more.
He utilizes being a Hunter to share information that is inaccessible to the average person.
But the protagonist of this video has a shocking Awakening Level of just 1.02Aw.
Thus, the only magic he could muster was bending a spoon… but…
Surprise!
In the SNS market, his weakness turned into popularity.
After all, being ranked last is still a kind of special status.
[【Official No. 1】 The Weakest Awakened Vlog in Korea]
[View Count: 7.71 million · 7 years ago]
Now, the ad revenue on these videos surpasses the profits from dungeon clears.
Undoubtedly, Han Je-heon stands as the most successful case among F-Class Hunters.
This was the background of a spectator caught up in Kim Gi-ryeo’s fight…
*
【The First Person Ever to Faint Twice from an S-Class】
One day.
A video was posted online that would put an end to the public debate.
The content of the video is as mentioned before: a testimony from the person who experienced the incident firsthand.
[The reason we fainted was that the Hunter suddenly revealed hidden magic power!]
In the video, the Hunter, Je-heon, claims that the collective fainting was due to Kim Gi-ryeo’s Awakening Level.
Of course, from a logical standpoint, there’s nothing strange about it.
When faced with a high-level Hunter, the weak and old often cannot withstand the pressure radiated by an Awakened and faint.
[You know, honestly, when I get close to a C-Class, um… should I say it feels like motion sickness? It’s like this squeezing feeling creeping up!]
As he explains, large subtitles appear on the screen.
[But when I first saw that Hunter, I didn’t feel that at all! So I was relieved! Wow, the world has gotten better! This means I can reduce burden by using items! And I just marched right next to Kim Hunter… But before I knew it, I found myself in… a, a hospital. (LOL) With a sister next to me.]
However, considering what secrets the Fourth S-Class of Korea might conceal…
That’s a bit odd.
[In a daze, I was like the protagonist of a drama, saying, “Where am I?”
When suddenly someone walks in from the corridor. A well-dressed person. I really felt my pulse racing… thump thump thump when I locked eyes with Mr. Kim Hunter.]
[Ha ha ha!]
[Hey, don’t laugh! And honestly, if my sister had a monitor on at that time, it would’ve read 180 bpm. Seriously.]
He repeatedly claims he fainted due to the magic pressure. However, the blond man mentioned in the video is just a weak F-Class.
The cause of the collective fainting that occurred yesterday was a surprise box, a Unique Item.
But the video creator couldn’t help but misconstrue the truth.
[If there are any viewers who have fainted due to a high-level, you will understand. Suddenly, your head gets icy cool, and you feel your strength drain away, right?]
Indeed, the effect of the surprise box closely resembled the sensation of magic pressure!
Dizziness, chills, acute muscle weakness, and so on.
The surprise box evoked discomfort similar to being overwhelmed with extreme fear and fainting from vagal response.
And this discomfort is similar to the pressure experienced by lower-tier Awakened when they encounter higher ones.
A heavy chest, cold sweat.
Given the circumstances, it’s easy to see how confusion could occur.
And what about the facade that is Kim Gi-ryeo, the Hunter?
No matter how polite his words may be, his demeanor often exudes a chilly atmosphere towards his kin.
[Seeing him personally apologize to the victims, he seems like a good person, but still, the jitters can’t be helped…]
The position of being S-Class.
His appearance.
And the unique circumstance of laying others down without lifting a finger only heightens the terror.
Thus, the creator of this video became convinced, driven by the emotions he experienced.
He concluded that Kim Gi-ryeo was, in fact, an S-Class hiding tremendous magic power, and that the incident had occurred because he briefly released that suppression in response to a provocation.
Fortunately, aside from Cho Sang-oh, all other victims were lower-class Hunters.
[Low-tier magic? 😱]
[Well, it makes sense being S-Class.]
Moreover, Han Je-heon’s claims gained credibility for some reason.
A few years ago. At the time Jeong Ha-seong had just awakened.
That S-Class Hunter became psychologically unstable after getting splattered with monster blood inside a gate.
Though he quickly washed off the blood, the excitement from the incident lingered on.
[(Breaking news) During an interview with Jeong Ha-seong, citizens fainted in unison… believed to be due to Awakening levels.]
[A certain BJ captured the fainting scene live.]
This isn’t the first instance of lower-tier collective fainting, and Han Je-heon is one of the rare individuals to have experienced both cases.
Additionally, this broadcaster typically builds a good public image through benevolent actions.
Thus, his statements garnered a substantial level of trust.
[Wow, what could that Hunter’s Awakening Level be to faint people so easily?]
[Could it be around Jeong Ha-seong’s level?]
[I’m dying of curiosity;; I wish the association employees would just leak the data.]
[In the past, they used to disclose Awakening Levels and all, but darn it, privacy laws 😭]
Being good doesn’t always mean it’s right.
Thus, the testimony of one influencer became infamous enough to be covered in articles.
The truth and distorted stories began to spread.
*
An eyewitness’s account reached the incident’s involved parties.
“So, I fainted because I was surprised by the Awakening Level?”
Kim Gi-ryeo is an S-Class. Him? An A-Class.
Honestly, he couldn’t believe that something like this could happen between him and Cho Sang-oh, just one step apart.
Soon, Cho Sang-oh lifted his gaze from his phone, showing determination.
Despite what self-proclaimed experts were saying, he knew he had surely fallen victim to a wretched scheme.
But the problem was, he had no clear way to retaliate…
‘So what exactly paralyzed me?’
At least it’s certain it’s a paralysis or faint effect. If he thoroughly prepares for these two abnormal statuses, he won’t fall for the same trick again.
But what after acquiring faint resistance? How could he deal with an S-Class then?
‘The items these days are all optimized for maximum synergy. If I awkwardly change my main equipment…’
Drrrrrrrrr.
At that moment, a notification buzzed in Cho Sang-oh’s ear. The screen displayed a number starting with 010.
“What the?”
Since it didn’t seem like spam, he absentmindedly answered the call.
But the voice coming through was shocking.
– Is this Mr. Cho Sang-oh’s number?
“……?!”
In this situation, at this timing, Kim Gi-ryeo is contacting me?
A few hours later.
Cho Sang-oh was still in disbelief.
The fact that the Hunter had called him was surprising enough, but do you know what was said on the call?
“Come on over.”
As he heard the voice, he looked up.
There, amazingly, stood South Korea’s Ranking No. 1 and No. 9 side by side.
Kim Gi-ryeo had invited him to a training gym.
“As I mentioned earlier, I must apologize for what happened last time. It must have been quite sad after the merger was canceled for you to react that way.”
“What, what?”
As you can see, that blond man suddenly changed his demeanor.
“Though it’s late, I’ve finished discussions with Jeong Hunter regarding your case. Ha-seong is also interested in working with you, given the conditions are right.”
“Huh!”
“Therefore, if you pass a simple test, we can offer you a spot on the team.”
Suspicious.
Just a few days ago, that cold guy suddenly agrees to what he wants?
“By the way, the test is the same as Garion’s interview.”
“What do you mean?”
“All you need to do is endure the heat generated from Jeong Hunter’s skill. You know that, right?”
But under such conditions, things got a little different.
Coincidentally, he’d already been through Garion’s final interview.
Speaking from that experience, with just the Ifrit set, he could probably take a direct hit from Ha-seong’s skills and still be fine.
“Really?”
When Cho Sang-oh asked for confirmation, the national hero at the end of his gaze nodded.
“There’s no lie, but…”
He looked a little tense, but this must be his way of making sure the A-Class wouldn’t underestimate him and end up getting hurt.
Whatever schemes he might have, if Kim Gi-ryeo pulls some dirty tricks, they can always turn that into a weapon against him.
Cho Sang-oh discreetly hid his miniature camera in his back pocket.
And agreed.
“…Alright. But no changing your words after the test.”
.
.
.
That was about 5 minutes ago.
“AHHHHHHHH!”
First of all, the good news was that the issues Cho Sang-oh was concerned about didn’t materialize.
Kim Gi-ryeo was not only watching the situation fairly but did not set any traps.
Moreover, the skill Ha-seong used was one he had seen a few years ago. [Ignition].
It was truly a matter of creating fire without properly concentrating magic.
“Ouch, ugh!”
The Hunter in orange armor rolled on the floor in shock.
Despite wearing all new fiery resistant gear, he couldn’t bear the heat at all.
“Why, why…?!”
This can’t be happening—he wasn’t even holding a weapon right now!
Excluding doping and artifacts.
After all, a Hunter’s innate magic doesn’t change, and no matter how much he practices, all he gains is a bit better at controlling it. Most Awakened don’t dramatically increase their skill power over just a few years.
But Jeong Ha-seong was different.
He had recently hired some excellent instructors.
“Why else would it be? It’s all thanks to effort. What other methods could there be?”
Indeed.
Gi-ryeo had completely transformed Jeong Ha-seong’s fundamentals over the past few days of training.
The No. 1 ranked individual had always fought under some form of fear-induced suppression.
In other words, the unstable hero had yet to tap into his full potential.
Ha-seong wasn’t getting stronger; he was simply breaking free from the weak state under someone else’s direction.
Moreover, his growth was just beginning. The whispers of extraterrestrial intelligence definitely contained enough power to defy the norms of this world.
“Oh gosh, by the way, are you alright? I never thought Mr. Cho Sang-oh wouldn’t be able to endure. But if it goes on like this, teaming up with us will be hard…”
Just then, the blond man, watching the situation from one corner of the gym, slowly approached.
His lips curled upwards.
A thin, dry gaze.
“What you experienced today will be ‘the coldest fire’ among the flames that Ha-seong will ignite in the future.”
Immediately after, the man confidently announced the rejection of the test.
And turning to the dejected hero, he spoke.
“Ha-seong, good job. Let’s go grab a meal now.”
“Mr. Kim Gi-ryeo, you said that person is strong, and that it would be fine if I shot as instructed…”
“As long as you’re alive, you’re fine. By the way, how about chicken for today?”
Such trivial chit-chat, in reality, was all part of the plan.
The goal was to showcase his relationship with Jeong Ha-seong.
If he pretends to be close with S-Class, no one will even think of revenge.
‘Of course, getting help from Kang Chang-ho is an option, but if possible, prevention is always better.’
Gi-ryeo awkwardly threw his arm around the hero with cold sweat.
And this self-defense actually had its effects.
The problem was that it was too effective.
‘If that’s true.’
Shiver.
‘Does that mean the rumor that I was overwhelmed is true?’
Soon after, the members of Hanshin who bore the price of arrogance were lost in thought.
‘That Kim Gi-ryeo is also an S-Class. If he set his mind to it, he could unleash that kind of power…!’
After experiencing this test, he felt the true might of S-Class. How could Cho Sang-oh, who had casually picked a fight with Gi-ryeo, not be consumed by fear?
A hasty generalization led to misunderstanding.
In the end, despite all the turmoil, the image of S-Class remained intact, making this perhaps the best resolution for Gi-ryeo.
But it was still too early to relax.
“Ah, would you like to join us for lunch, Sang-oh? We’re going for soy sauce chicken. Soy sauce chicken.”
Even now, there was someone on the other side of the earth who was suspicious of his true identity.
