#080
Cameras were rolling in front of the main conference room door.
“Lee Eunseok, the guide, has arrived. Hurry and film him.”
The camera director said with gleaming eyes. I wondered how the broadcasting station had gotten in here, but it was EBCC. Being a broadcaster under the Ability Management Bureau, they must have been granted access.
Regardless of that, Eunseok took each step carefully, supported by Choi Hanseo. A reporter tried to approach but hesitated at Choi Hanseo’s glare. Choi Hanseo carefully supported Eunseok as they entered the main conference room through the door held open by an employee.
As the door opened and they entered, the bustling conference room fell silent.
Everyone seated on both sides of the long conference table stared intently at Lee Eunseok. On one side were people from the Ability Management Bureau, and on the other were Russians. They were accompanied by a Korean who appeared to be an interpreter.
“Here. Sit down slowly.”
Choi Hanseo pulled out a chair in the center of the long table and carefully seated Eunseok. Every action and gesture of his was imbued with affection and gentleness. His excessive kindness was almost embarrassingly sweet.
After ostentatiously setting up the IV stand next to Eunseok, Choi Hanseo took the seat right beside him.
While the atmosphere on both sides was explosive, Choi Hanseo alone seemed perfectly at ease, crossing his long legs leisurely as he sat. His face still radiated a happy glow. Eunseok felt an urge to smack him on the head and tell him to stop being so obvious.
“How do you intend to compensate for killing Russia’s S-class hunter while maintaining such a brazen face?”
One of the Russians spoke in a cold tone. Like most Russians, his face was expressionless and cold.
“They’re asking how we’ll compensate,” the interpreter brought by the Russian side translated into Korean.
“Compensation? That’s nonsense. Didn’t Russia kidnap Korea’s S-class guide first? Because of that, our S-class guide was severely injured and traumatized. Of course, the A-class hunter who was protecting him was also badly injured. What compensation? We’re the ones who should be demanding an official apology and compensation from the Russian side!”
The interpreter briefly translated into Russian. The Russian side’s expression grew even colder.
“The kidnapping attempt had nothing to do with Russia. It was the hunter acting on his own. We’re not saying it was right, but if you rescued the guide, you should have stopped there. Taking a life was an excessive response. Ivan was a valuable human asset to Russia. We must receive compensation for Ivan’s life.”
The Russian representative spoke in a chilling voice.
“Nonsense. If it was Ivan’s personal deviation, it should have ended with Ivan. Does Russia have any right to step in and demand compensation? What’s the purpose of escalating this into an international issue? In the end, this must be Russia’s ploy to try and get their hands on Korea’s S-class guide!”
The Russian representative and the Ability Management Bureau representative engaged in a childish yet endless war of words with no result. The interpreter caught in the middle was pitiable. However, Choi Hanseo was focused solely on Eunseok, opening a water bottle to give him a drink and brushing his hair behind his ear. He seemed to pay no attention to what was happening right in front of him.
“Let’s stop this useless talk. I’ll get to the point. As compensation for the S-class hunter’s life, we want the right to receive guiding from the S-class guide. Once a month. Considering your country’s position, we’ll have the hunter visit Korea directly to receive the guiding. Of course, only S-class hunters will come for guiding.”
Just as the interpreter was about to translate into Korean, Eunseok slammed the water bottle he was holding onto the table.
Bang-!
The water bottle crumpled halfway from the impact. All eyes focused on him. Eunseok glared at the Russian representative who had just spoken and opened his mouth.
“Two S-class hunters from your country conspired to kidnap me. The dead Ivan sexually harassed me and tried to rape me. When I resisted, he beat me until I was incapacitated. Do you think I would guide Russian hunters after going through that?”
“It was just an attempt that didn’t…”
As the Russian representative tried to refute, suddenly the large conference table split exactly in half with a loud crack! Everyone jumped up from their seats in surprise. Only Eunseok remained seated, a hand firmly pressing down on his arm.
“Guild Master Choi Hanseo!”
“A hunter causing harm to a civilian is a clear violation of international law!”
Both sides shouted almost simultaneously.
“Ah, I merely ‘almost’ lost my temper in anger over what happened to my guide. Making such a fuss over just breaking a table, talking about international law and whatnot.”
Choi Hanseo said with a smirk. Eunseok only then realized that Choi Hanseo could speak Russian. He had used the strong word “rape” just to pressure the Russian side, not knowing Choi Hanseo would understand.
Eunseok noticed that the veins and blood vessels on the back of Choi Hanseo’s hand gripping his arm were prominently raised. Choi Hanseo, showing a slight teeth-baring smile, was in a state of extreme anger. Through Choi Hanseo’s hand gripping his arm, Eunseok could feel an energy laden with destructive murderous intent, as if he might slaughter everyone before him at any moment. Choi Hanseo was desperately restraining himself.
“Seven million dollars.”
Choi Hanseo blurted out. Then he added:
“Pay 7 million dollars as compensation for the kidnapping, assault, and sexual harassment that Guide Lee Eunseok suffered, and get out. If you mention the dead Russian hunter’s life value one more time, I’ll fly straight to Russia and take the heads of the remaining two S-class bastards.”
The interpreter hesitated. Choi Hanseo gestured for him to hurry and convey the message. The interpreter then stuttered out Choi Hanseo’s words in Russian.
“How insolent!”
Anger and shame immediately appeared on the faces of the Russian side.
“Why? You don’t think I can do it? You should know by now that not all S-class are the same.”
Choi Hanseo sneered in fluent Russian.
“Are you saying you want to go to war with Russia?!”
“Sure. War. I’ve always wanted to rampage without caring about destroying cities or whatever. Russia’s land is vast, so it should be fine for just one person like me to run wild.”
Eunseok saw the faces of the Russian representatives turn dark.
“I’ll send the account details through my secretary, so make the deposit by today. Otherwise, I’ll take it as you’ve given up on the lives of your two remaining S-class hunters too. If you don’t make the deposit, it’s better for me because I’ll have a chance to vent my anger.”
After finishing his threat, Choi Hanseo helped Eunseok up from his seat. Then, with one arm around Eunseok and the other hand grabbing the IV stand, he started walking towards the door.
“Guild Master Choi Hanseo. If you just leave after causing this situation…”
The representative from the Ability Management Bureau tried to stop Choi Hanseo in a troubled voice. But Choi Hanseo ignored him completely and left the conference room, supporting Eunseok.
“Guild Master Choi Hanseo! Guide Lee Eunseok!”
The camera director called out happily. At the director’s signal, a reporter approached with a microphone.
“Guide Lee Eunseok. Is it true that you were kidnapped by a Russian S-class hunter?”
“Yes, it is,” Eunseok answered without much hesitation.
Seeing that the Ability Management Bureau had called these people, they seemed to intend to make this issue public. There was no need to deny the facts.
“We hear that a Russian S-class hunter died while Guild Master Choi Hanseo was rescuing Guide Lee Eunseok. Is this also true?”
“It is,” Choi Hanseo answered instead. Then he started walking towards the elevators, supporting Eunseok.
“Guild Master Choi Hanseo!”
The reporter called out, but Choi Hanseo didn’t look back. Neither did Eunseok.
“Lean on me a bit more. That way, people will be more sympathetic towards you, who suffered hardships during the kidnapping,” Choi Hanseo whispered, pulling Eunseok closer to himself.
“I don’t particularly need sympathy,” Eunseok replied.
“Then let’s make it an opportunity to vent dissatisfaction towards Russia.”
Certainly, the image of Eunseok suffering from the aftereffects of kidnapping would be advantageous in swaying public opinion. Eunseok obediently leaned into Choi Hanseo, almost embracing him. He even limped for good measure. Seemingly impressed by his acting skills, Choi Hanseo chuckled softly.
“Is Bora noona okay?”
“Ji Taeuk healed her completely, so how could she not be?”
“Taeuk hyung will need guiding, won’t he?”
Eunseok said worriedly. Ji Taeuk had healed Eunseok twice and Moon Bora as well. His stats must have spiked quite high by now.
“You’re not the only guide in the guild. Why are you worrying so much? You’re the one who’s sick.”
“And whose fault is it that I’m sick now?”
“That’s why I’m taking care of you like this. Very attentively.”
Even though they were alone in the elevator, Choi Hanseo whispered softly into Eunseok’s ear as if sharing a secret. Eunseok briefly gazed into Choi Hanseo’s eyes, which were drowsy and full of satisfaction like a well-fed predator. Choi Hanseo’s eyes narrowed pleasantly, as if just making eye contact was enjoyable. Eunseok’s palms tingled for no reason. He abruptly turned his gaze straight ahead.
