And he thought everyone would believe he still had raga E? Somewhat naively if all this had been discovered by someone other than Woo Jin-Chul, they could have immediately revealed it and forced him to re-measure.
Concealing such things from the Association is much more difficult than that boy thinks.
- So the third raid is still ongoing? - Jin-Chul asked after a while. - I would like to... observe this group. Keeping an eye on Sung Jin-Woo is confidential; no one should know that the boy has indeed undergone a Second Awakening, that's a direct order from the president.
Nodding in surprise, Ha Su-Woon asked.
- So... it did happen? The measurement in the hospital showed nothing.
- Exactly. And it must have occurred either in the double dungeon or after he left the hospital. I'll explain everything to you on the way; let's go.
***
The second raid went just as smoothly and quickly as the first, to the astonishment and surprise of the group. They now understood the clauses of secrecy and refrained from asking any questions.
This situation required asking a lot of questions. However, as long as they were getting paid, the desire to question what on earth was happening here was surprisingly bearable.
During the third raid, the atmosphere was much more certain and calm, as they already expected their bosses to return unharmed shortly, and they would receive their money.
At least for most of the raid, that was the prevailing atmosphere.
Until a black SUV pulled up not far from them, and such vehicles were associated with trouble for most hunters.
To the growing panic of the majority of the group, two men in black suits and sunglasses stepped out of the car.
- Oh, damm. - The man smoking a cigarette swore.
- What's going on? - asked a confused high school girl who was the only one not understanding why everyone suddenly became so nervous.
- Those are the guys from the Association. - The obese man explained to her.
- Even worse, the taller one is the head of the Monitoring Department. - A man smoking a cigarette continued. - A real bastard. He locked up my brother for six years. For some innocent forgery of permits for the raids or something equally stupid.
The men approached them calmly while every hunter present held their breath and watched them with concern.
- How can we assist you gentlemen? - The man with a cast on his leg asked after a while, looking carefully at the two agents.
- Chief Inspector Woo Jin-Chul and Inspector Ha Su-Woon of the Hunters Monitoring Department.
Woo Jin-Chul looked at the group in front of him.
The description on paper did not reflect... the shortcomings of this group.
And most interestingly, neither Yoo Jin-Ho nor Sung Jin-Woo were among them.
Did these two go dungeon alone?
This would explain the group's selection, they did not need strong hunters, but people who could fill the gaps.
But why did D-rank hunter Yoo Jin-Ho go dungeon with Sung Jin-Woo?
Why was he even here?
- We would like to talk to hunters Sung Jin-Woo and Yoo Jin-Ho, but as I see the raid is not over yet.
- We're not doing anything wrong. - the man smoking a cigarette remarked gloomily.
- You're not doing anything wrong. - Woo Jin-Chul agreed calmly.
In theory, anyone who obtained a license could enter the dungeon, and if the group looked like this, well... it wasn't a crime to have health problems or addictions (depending on which ones).
However, if two hunters entering the underground died alone there and it turned out that the remaining group was outside to fill in the places and they took money for it... Well, there was a section for that.
However, paying hunters to join private groups to fulfill required positions was not prohibited. It was a common transaction in the world of hunters, and banning it could disrupt private groups, and solo hunters, and weaken the market for items obtained from underground dungeons. At least for a while.
And discourage hunters from joining the Association even more.
Banning this would create too much chaos.
The gate began to wave and two hunters finally came out, the one carrying a backpack with supplies was clearly more tired, but he didn't have any signs of any fighting, unlike the few minor scratches Sung Jin-Woo had.
- Hey, bro, we managed to clear this dungeon the fastest. Less than twenty minutes!
- Indeed, congratulations are in order. - Woo Jin-Chul admitted politely, taking off his glasses and looking at them carefully.
Seeing them, Yoo Jin-Ho turned deathly pale and swallowed, looking at Sung Jin-Woo.
Hunter Sung was visibly calmer, although he also seemed surprised by the presence of the agents.
- Hello, Hunter Sung, and Hunter Yoo.
- Inspector Woo. - Jin-Woo greeted politely. - Um, I don't want to sound rude, but what brings you here?
- I wanted to talk to you. - The agent admitted calmly. - What... what you're doing here isn't illegal. But it's definitely unusual.
- Very Well. - Jin-Woo admitted in surprise, nodding his head to Jin-Ho.
While Jin-Ho, visibly flustered, talked to Jin-Chul's deputies. The agent moved aside and Jin-Woo could talk calmly.
- I apologize for intruding, as I have no serious grounds for doing so. - The agent began calmly. - However, seeing the descriptions of the raids you've been participating in, the group selection, and their frequency... sooner or later, someone in the Association would become interested in this.
Jin-Woo ran his hand over his face in frustration.
Of course, Jin-Ho accepted everyone, which is why this strange group for the raid was probably recorded in the Association's papers.
Why didn't he think about it more when he saw them this morning?!
- As I've already told the members of the raid, you're not doing anything wrong, as long as no one dies during the dungeon clearing, - the agent continued. - But that likely won't happen, so I don't see any problems. I just wanted to caution you that the Association knows more and sees more than you might think. I'm not encouraging you to lie to us in any way, as that would have serious consequences. I was curious about why you formed such a group and why Yoo Jin-Ho is the only one accompanying you. However, it's not within my scope of competence; these are your private matters, and I have no right to interfere in them.
Jin-Woo was nodding his head, listening to the inspector and wondering whether the world loved him or actually hated him.
The Association had discovered the peculiar raids Jin-Woo and Jin-Ho were going to so quickly, primarily due to the latter's lack of caution. Nevertheless, Jin-Woo also missed the fact that the Association had insight into what hunters were doing.
With whom they participated in raids, when, and how many times a day. Everything.
Previously, as an E-rank trash hunter, he didn't think about it because he received orders from the Association to clear the E and D Rank Dungeons and that was where it all ended. Back then, there was no registration and no minimum number of people. However, even then, the Association probably recorded which hunter he was calling when sending him to the rally, when and where.
Until now, he hadn't thought much about the Association's role in the hunters' lives. And about how deep their competencies reach and how many eyes they have around them.
Now, however, he began to understand why it was sometimes said that the Association's president was one of the most powerful individuals in the country.
- The Association's president is the only one aware of your situation because I couldn't help but inform him about the whole matter. However, he simply allowed me to observe you and let you act as you wish for now. But remember that my silence doesn't make you immune.
- I understand. - Jin-Woo nodded seriously. - I'm not going to abuse... your patience. And thank you again.
- I'll be watching you, but I won't be breathing down your neck. That's it. Thank you for your time, Hunter Sung, and I apologize for the intrusion.
Once the agents got into the car, Jin-Ho hurriedly approached Jin-Woo and asked.
- What was that all about?
- It... nothing. I was warned, and... I don't know. Anyway, they became interested in our raids because of the group you assembled.
- Does that matter? - Jin-Ho was worried.
- Student, injured, alcoholic, a guy so fat he could barely fit on a bus... They can see who participates in the raids.
- Oh, - Fear began to shine in Jin-Ho's eyes. - So, do we have to...
- No. The inspector said... he'll keep it to himself. Only the Association's president and the inspector know... that I'm not an E-rank.
- And they won't tell anyone? - Jin-Ho asked, a bit surprised.
- Not until I start breaking the law.
The inspector was obviously interested in him.
No.
He was interested in his activities.
Not him.
It's a big difference.
He felt his cheeks starting to burn. (T/L: What the hack in your problem dude?!)
Why does this man have to be the fucking embodiment of perfection and constantly revolve around it?!
***
It turned out that not only the Association was interested in Jin-Woo's raids.
On the third day of the raids, there was a commotion at the White Tiger Guild.
The Head of the Second Department of Management, Ahn Sang-Min, had been fuming since early morning.
- So just spend more money on the reservation! Does our Guild lack funds or manpower? What exactly is the problem?! Training new recruits starts tomorrow! And we have nowhere to train them!
Ahn Sang-Min's shouts silenced the entire Second Department of Management, as if at a funeral. It had been a while since Ahn Sang-Min had been this angry.
The White Tiger Guild was not just a bunch of idiots. At least, it shouldn't be! So why were his people having trouble reserving a stupid C-rank gate?
It was one of the top 5 guilds in South Korea.
His employees had to be properly qualified. Deputy Hyun Gee-Chul was also a good employee who had never made a mistake so far. And to think that such a man couldn't even reserve a C-rank gate for training new recruits!
- Boss, look at this...
Deputy Hyun Gee-Chul handed a folder to his boss, looking like he was ready to pull his hair out, while the latter seemed ready to commit murder.
- 200 million and 5,000?! Someone spent 200,005,000 Won to acquire the rights to clear a C-rank dungeon?! (~147472 USD)
Ahn Sang-Min looked at the papers handed to him in disbelief.