I Became a Mythical Hunter After Killing the Golden Goblin - Chapter 86

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 86. Guild Master Ki So-young and Dangun Ji-hyuk (2)
Handsome or plain—by that measure, Dangun Ji-hyuk fell squarely into the former category.
Despite being well into his mid-thirties, he possessed an appearance that seemed barely out of high school, and those features were refined enough to command the admiration of women everywhere.
Yet his looks were merely one among countless strengths. There was his razor-sharp judgment, his exceptional business acumen, crisis detection and response so uncanny it bordered on the supernatural, and above all, the political prowess that allowed him to reign supreme even among these monstrous beings.
In a word: Dangun Ji-hyuk was the perfect man. The ideal of all men, the fantasy of all women.
My first impression upon meeting him in person aligned with everything I’d heard.
A great sovereign—had he been born into royalty in an ancient monarchy, he might have become either a benevolent sage-king or an overwhelming tyrant, possessing that duality within him.
The kind of man who seemed destined to occupy the highest seat of leadership.
“I’ve heard much about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Shin Ju-ha. I’m Dangun Ji-hyuk.”
Such a man extended his hand toward me. Though neither large nor small, I felt an immense, intangible weight emanating from it, and I swallowed hard before reaching out to clasp it.
“I’ve heard much about you as well. From YouTube and the news, actually. It’s an honor—to shake hands with the legendary Dangun Cheonje himself. I’m Shin Ju-ha.”
As we shook hands, Dangun Cheonje patted my shoulder with his other hand, his eyes gleaming. Or at least, that’s how it felt—though his gaze still held only warmth and welcome.
But I didn’t take everything at face value. He was observing me, studying me intently.
Though he refrained from using his abilities to probe me directly, as a Hunter at the apex of power, he could discern a great deal about his opponent without such tricks.
When I caught onto his behavior and flinched, he seemed surprised—his grip tightened slightly before releasing.
“Interesting. More intriguing than I expected. Please, have a seat.”
Had he read something? Or was he testing my reaction?
If he’d used his abilities, the Sovereign Authority, the Supreme Soul, and Indomitability would have blocked him—and I wouldn’t be second-guessing myself like this.
‘No, he probably just sensed that I’m not E-rank.’
That much, I’d expected him to detect. I’d always known I couldn’t hide my true power entirely—but he couldn’t have perceived my Primordial-grade mana stat or my Mythic-grade physical stat.
Those were cards I had to keep hidden. There was nothing to gain from revealing them. Not that it would create any real weakness.
With Limitlessness and Arrogance, weakness was almost a foreign concept.
Besides, even Dangun Cheonje couldn’t read Sovereign Authority or unique abilities without powers of his own to do so. Sovereign Authority was, as far as I knew, a strength that only I possessed on Earth.
“Well then, let’s move past the pleasantries.”
Following his lead, we took our seats. Guild Master Ki So-young accepted his escort with practiced ease, settling into the chair he pulled out beside him, while I pulled out the chair across from him and sat.
Before I’d even fully sat down, the two of them began conversing.
“Any trouble getting here?”
“Nope. You? Seems like you’ve been swamped lately. Anyway, those Ma-in bastards are becoming a real problem.”
“Well, I’m used to it by now. Cockroaches like them never stop appearing no matter how much you clean.”
A natural atmosphere. Had they forgotten they’d invited me here? Excuse me—I’m sitting right here.
If you two want to flirt, do it somewhere without me. How’s a single person supposed to feel watching this?
I turned my attention away from them, flipping through the menu pages instead. When Ki So-young noticed my expression, she quickly elbowed Dangun Ji-hyuk, and the atmosphere in the room shifted back to normal.
The sweet, cheerful mood became slightly stiff, taking on a more businesslike tone.
Only then did I set aside the guide I’d been awkwardly perusing and ask the most basic question out of courtesy.
“I heard you wanted to see me. I can guess the reason, but would you mind explaining?”
At my words, Dangun Ji-hyuk’s eyes brightened as he opened his mouth.
“First, would it be alright if I dropped the formalities?”
“By all means. Actually, I’d prefer it. I find the formal speech uncomfortable.”
“Then. I heard you directly confronted and killed a Ma-in. Is that true?”
The moment Dangun Ji-hyuk posed that question, his eyes flashing with intensity, I nearly found myself drawing upon the power of Arrogance without thinking.
It wasn’t merely a display of momentum, nor was it killing intent wrapped in murderous aura. I was simply overwhelmed by a single word and a glance.
His words carried intention, and his gaze held conviction. Every action of his bore the weight of his thoughts and will.
I didn’t need to be told how formidable such an ability was. In the old martial arts novels, it appeared as the final boss technique, and the Heart Sword—the supreme realm spoken of by those from other dimensions—was said to utilize this very principle of intention and conviction.
Of course, that didn’t mean Dangun Ji-hyuk could actually wield something as extraordinary as the Heart Sword. His mythic-grade stat, Opening Heaven, granted him such tremendous buffs in this regard that he could channel intention beyond his own realm.
To truly use the Heart Sword—cutting down opponents with nothing but intention alone—one would need to reach at least SS-rank, the grade the system assigns after clearing the Abyss’s 100th stage and truly transcending the early phases.
‘The system underwent a major overhaul about a week before I regressed.’
The method by which humans assigned Hunter ranks was simple yet riddled with flaws. Naturally. Humans weren’t perfect, after all.
The fact that I was only measured as E-rank showed just how many loopholes existed in the system, didn’t it?
Evaluations varied wildly, testing methods differed by country and region, and countless variables could influence the results.
Looking at the present moment alone, there wasn’t a single Hunter among the world’s Hunters with A-rank or higher stats, yet SS-rank Hunters existed—wasn’t that strange?
Still, the current Hunter system was the most reasonable framework in place, and despite its uncertainties, it remained the most accurate method of classification available.
‘Though not quite as reliable as the system itself.’
As for me, I was among the absolute lowest of the low regardless, so I hadn’t paid much attention. But the Hunter society had been in complete upheaval—a transformation so massive it could only be called a great upheaval.
For the entire week before my regression. If I hadn’t died and had time reversed, it would have been a major incident lasting at least several months!
Those called SS-rank Hunters plummeted to A-rank in an instant, and one SS-rank who had received inflated rankings through ability, connections, and money suffered the humiliation of dropping all the way to B-rank.
Furthermore, a new ranking system emerged that referenced the more accurate Hunter system, and countless other changes followed.
‘And yet, even amid all that, Dangun Cheonje remained S-rank.’
One of only seventeen S-rank Hunters, and ranked second on Earth according to the system itself. He was already an overwhelming presence, and aside from the sole individual granted S+ rank at first place, it was truly a remarkable achievement.
He’d originally been third, so perhaps the reorganization had actually benefited him.
In any case, he was different from the rabble. A true monster who had built his strength steadily from the very bottom.
Even I, a regressor with potential beyond that, couldn’t easily regard him as an equal. At least not now.
“That’s correct. I faced him directly. I ended his life with my own hands.”
I spoke no lies. Only truth. I showed neither excitement nor bitterness.
My voice was emotionless, my tone perfectly flat and measured.
At my words, Dangun Ji-hyuk’s lips curved into a smile, and he settled back into his seat from his slight forward lean.
“I confirmed it myself. You did quite the job. But what I saw wasn’t just that….”
At those words, my eyes narrowed slightly. Had he discovered something else?
“A Demon directly descended.”
At my words, Dangun Ji-hyuk finally smiled—a real smile this time. The smile transformed into excitement, and the excitement evolved into something akin to madness.
“Yes, that! What was it like? What power do those Demons possess? Were they truly incomparably stronger than us humans? Do they have the right to treat our Earth as a trivial planet and call us insignificant creatures?”
Caught off guard by this uncharacteristic display, both Ki So-young and I hesitated, but Dangun Ji-hyuk quickly suppressed his emotions and asked again.
“Can you share information about the Demons with me? I’ll compensate you generously—far more than the information’s worth. Please. Those Demons just won’t appear before me.”
Bitter resentment and venom. Dangun Ji-hyuk’s revenge extended beyond Ma-in alone—it was connected to the Demons themselves.
He wanted something I possessed. My mind raced in an instant.
Dangun Cheonje, Dangun Ji-hyuk—how to use him. The maximum benefit I could extract from this information.
Refusing to share the information wasn’t an option. I’d never considered making an enemy of him anyway, and there was simply too much to gain from this intelligence.
Did he interpret my contemplation as hesitation?
“Ju-ha, you can trust Ji-hyuk. If he breaks his word, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure he honors his promise!”
“That’s right. I’m not foolish enough to go back on my word. Especially not when it concerns the Demons of the Demon Realm.”
I let out a soft laugh at their words and shook my head.
“I’ll provide you with information about the Demons. However, I was deliberating over what price to ask in return. But given how you’ve put it, allow me to speak first.”
My decision was made. If I showed goodwill now, he wouldn’t dare treat me—someone connected to Ki So-young—carelessly.
But for now, I’d use him to handle the immediate crisis ahead. Truth mixed with a carefully placed lie.
‘The Monster Wave. Minimize casualties there and enter the Tower of Ascension faster.’
As a bonus, I’d eliminate China’s stake in this. I chose this knowing how fiercely Korea and China had clashed over the Tower of Ascension.
Of course, not out of some noble sacrifice for the nation. If China interfered, my window to use the Tower would shrink. That’s why I chose this.
China’s Spear Emperor and his contribution to eliminating the Imoogi—I’d erase it and claim that achievement for myself.
‘I have Longinus. It’s possible.’
The moment the Monster Wave begins, I’ll accumulate only the minimum contribution needed to claim rewards, then fall back and activate it. That’s all it takes.
With that thought, I opened my mouth, and Dangun Ji-hyuk began listening intently to my words.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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