Jeong Cheol-min wore a notably serious expression.
But once again, Su-ho responded like it was no big deal.
“Yes. The permanent mber states remained the sa, but the rules for non-permanent mbers were slightly revised, right?”
“How so?”
“They switched from being elected to being appointed.”
Jeong Cheol-min smiled in satisfaction at Su-ho’s reply.
“That’s right. If all five permanent mber states agree, a particular country can now be promoted to a non-permanent seat. The two-year term was also abolished. Their power has gone way up since then.”
“In exchange, the responsibilities—and dues—have increased too. Just like the U.S., where they can be removed on the spot with unanimous agreent.”
“Well, yes, technically. But it still takes unanimous consent from all permanent mbers to remove them... Do you know why the system changed like that?”
“Because so many countries disappeared after the Great Cataclysm. Originally, non-permanent mbers were elected through votes, but with so many nations gone, voting beca aningless.”
“Exactly. So, where does that leave our country now?”
“We’re currently not a non-permanent mber. We used to be one a few tis in the past, but ever since the Cataclysm, we haven’t made it back on.”
“And the reason?”
“To beco a non-permanent mber now, a country needs to have a large number of powerful Hunters. Korea is lacking in that regard. And...”
Su-ho raised his eyebrows as he continued.
“Becoming a non-permanent mber is one of the President’s top priorities right now.”
“Right. Exactly.”
That was the crux of it.
If Korea beca a non-permanent mber, its international standing would rise—along with various political and economic benefits.
But despite desiring it more than anyone, the President wasn’t doing much to make it happen.
Why?
Because getting appointed as a non-permanent mber ant heavily investing in the Hunter industry—and that was far from convenient.
‘Right now, the governnt’s got this cozy setup of borderline exploitation. No way they’re going to suddenly start handing out benefits to Hunters just to secure that non-permanent seat.’
Even if they started supporting the Hunter industry today, they’d have to wait through two, maybe three administrations before Korea even had a shot.
Might as well not bother.
Why cook porridge just to feed soone else?
For the nations that survived the Cataclysm, becoming a non-permanent mber was like winning the lottery—pure luck.
Jeong Cheol-min added,
“But suddenly, the UN is showing interest in us for that non-permanent seat.”
“Hence the early eting request, right?”
“That’s right.”
Jeong Cheol-min gave a sheepish smile.
But Su-ho wasn’t surprised at all.
‘Yeah. If it weren’t for that, there’s no way the UN would co here all of a sudden—especially not unofficially.’
Jeong Cheol-min continued.
“So now the President is in a near-frenzied state.”
“Of course. This isn’t just any opportunity—it’s a non-permanent seat. And I’m the key player in securing it, aren’t I?”
“Exactly. Technically, they said they wanted to et several of our top rankers, but let’s be honest—until now, they couldn’t care less about the rest. So why now? Because of you. That’s why I wanted to talk first, quietly.”
It made sense.
Su-ho was the only irregular-level Player in the country.
‘They probably started investigating the Purification and Unification Operation and stumbled across .’
Su-ho’s recent achievents weren’t just flashy—they were overwhelming.
Even if you gathered all the Players in the world, it’d be hard to find one with a record as eye-catching as his.
But then why had Jeong Cheol-min asked to et separately?
Su-ho asked,
“So... I understand the rest, but why did you want to et like this, sir? What is it you wanted to say?”
“Honestly, I don’t have anything specific. I just thought, if you didn’t know much about the UN, I’d fill you in. Nothing’s more dangerous than being swept up in a whirlpool with no idea what’s going on. And after the basics, I wanted to hear your opinion.”
Typical Jeong Cheol-min.
Su-ho smiled and asked,
“Well, I know enough that I probably don’t need the crash course... So what’s your opinion?”
“My opinion? Doesn’t matter. What matters is yours. At least, that’s how I see it. Others won’t feel the sa. Now that word’s out you’re back in Seoul, everyone’s going to scramble to find you. Especially from our side.”
Of course they would.
They’d use “education” as an excuse—but in reality, it’d be nearly a forced command.
But Su-ho feared no one.
Not even the President.
‘I didn’t vote for him in the first place.’
Su-ho said,
“Mind if I speak frankly?”
“Go ahead.”
“I don’t want Korea to beco a non-permanent mber.”
“Why?”
“Sure, ‘non-permanent mber’ sounds good, but under the new rules, it’s basically forced nobility—being the UN’s slave with no say in it.”
“Give an example.”
“High peacekeeping contributions, mandatory participation in the newly reford Peace Corps... And sure, they claim it’s for the sake of world peace, but really, they’re just throwing Awakened people into the grinder.”
That was the reality.
It used to be called the Peacekeeping Force, but since it no longer maintained peace and now fought for it, it was renad the Peace Corps.
And to make that Corps work, the permanent and non-permanent mber states had to lead by example—recruiting their own Awakened into it.
“But the Peace Corps cos with good treatnt, doesn’t it?”
“It’s not about that. It’s the lack of choice that bothers . If Korea becos a non-permanent mber, I’ll obviously be drafted into it. And I do believe Gates should be eradicated for humanity’s sake. That’s why I’ve been clearing sealed Gates alone. But I have my own plan for ending them, and the UN isn’t part of it.”
“Hm.”
Jeong Cheol-min nodded.
Su-ho added,
“Saying stuff like this probably won’t sit well with the folks upstairs.”
“Well, after your last stunt, I’m not sure how they’ll respond.”
“The Association President is probably going to try and sweet-talk . That’s why he asked to et first.”
“True... Though, he was right there when you pulled that stunt last ti. If you say no, there’s not much room left to convince you. You’ll probably threaten to emigrate again.”
“Exactly.”
“Sigh... Whatever your plan for ending the Gates is, it sure doesn’t sound like a smooth path.”
“How could ordinary people understand the mind of a genius?”
“Hey, even so—ordinary people, huh? Actually, if you think about it, yeah. «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Compared to you, the rest of us probably are just commoners.”
Annoying as that was... it was also true.
He’d single-handedly cleared countless sealed Gates, cut down cri, and crushed the Jeju cartel—one impossible feat after another.
Jeong Cheol-min asked,
“Still, you’ll et with them, right? After coming all the way down from the North?”
“I have to. That’s why I rushed down. But I should at least hear them out first. I heard other Players will be attending too—who’s on the list?”
“We’re inviting Ranks 1 through 4. Including you, it’ll be the top five Players in the country.”
“Ranks 1 through 4? Shouldn’t you be inviting one more?”
“What do you an?”
“Well, the chart hasn’t been updated yet, but I’m pretty sure I’m officially Korea’s new number one.”
“You an the Grand Chart? But aren’t you still short a bit in terms of level?”
“Ban Yu-il, the current #1, is level 198, right?”
“Yeah, and #2, Pri Guild’s Kim Kwan, is also level 198.”
“I’m level 199 now.”
“...What?”
“It’s true. I’ll be registering the info soon and updating the chart. Honestly, if it weren’t for this summons, I’d have hit 200 before the operation even started. But the timing just didn’t work out.”
Jeong Cheol-min’s jaw dropped before he even realized it.
No wonder.
Last he knew, Su-ho hadn’t even hit level 180.
‘What the hell...? Is this leveling speed even humanly possible?’
But Su-ho had no reason to lie.
And so, for the first ti in a while, Jeong Cheol-min truly understood where Su-ho’s confidence ca from.
“...Well, I guess that rounds out the top five.”
“Exactly. plus the others from Rank 2 to 5.”
“Got it. I hear you. If that’s how you feel, then go ahead and stand your ground. Want to pass on your opinion in advance? Might help soften the blow later.”
“Wouldn’t that be pushing too much onto you, sir?”
“Hey, I’ve got to earn my salary sohow.”
Jeong Cheol-min checked his watch and stood up.
“Looks like that’s all we needed to talk about. I’ll head out first. If you’re eting the UN tomorrow, you’ve got a whole lineup of Association folks to see first.”
“You’re eting them the mont they arrive?”
“What’s the point of stalling? The higher-ups’ll just start breathing down our necks. Telling to go butter you up or sothing. But I’m not interested.”
“Right. Better to take the hit early. But aren’t you curious what I’ll say to the UN—or what my plan for ending the Gates even is?”
“You said it yourself. Commoners shouldn’t try to know too much. When the ti cos, I’ll just open my eyes and mouth and watch. Tomorrow, stay ho until I contact you.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, Jeong Cheol-min got in his car and drove off.
After seeing him off, Su-ho finally stretched.
“What a long day.”
If he’d known the eting would wrap up this early, he could’ve budgeted more ti.
He could’ve wrapped things up in Mount Kumgang.
‘Once I’m done eting the UN, I’ll head to Mount Kumgang. Or actually... I’ve got ti—maybe I’ll just go now?’
It wasn’t impossible.
He had already marked the area with a Guiyeong Spear before leaving.
Just then—
Bzzzzt—
His phone rang.
He checked the caller ID—it was Martin Park.
“Hello?”
– Where are you?
Martin Park, blunt as ever.
Why was he looking for him now?
Su-ho decided it was safe enough to answer honestly.
“In Korea?”
– You think I didn’t know that? When are you giving my pignts?
Ah. So that’s what this was about.
Su-ho thought for a mont, then replied,
“How about now?”
– Now? Weren’t you just in North Korea?
“I was. But I didn’t collect a whole variety this ti—just a few. Thought I’d bring over what I’ve got.”
– Fine. I’ve been thinking about the old man again and needed so new colors. What shades do you have?
“Uh... why don’t you take a look and decide for yourself? Where are you?”
– Seoul. I’ll send you the address. Co over.
“Got it.”
Soon after, he received a text with the location.
‘Looks like Mount Kumgang will have to wait.’
Su-ho imdiately drove to the address.
Martin Park was waiting in a bar located underground—not far from Su-ho’s current location.
But just as Su-ho was about to head down—
‘Well now...’
He felt a strange magic force.
Activating Mana Perception, he saw it clearly.
There were presences down there—ones with magical power on par with Martin Park himself.
They definitely weren’t Korean.
He had t all of Korea’s top-tier Players and knew what their mana felt like.
So—had Martin Park deceived him?
But he didn’t seem like that type.
‘Well... guess I’ll find out soon enough.’
Su-ho smirked faintly and descended into the basent.
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