I Got an Ex-Class Omnipotent System - Chapter 178

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

Chapter 178
178: It Seems I’ve Become Quite Famous (1)
* * *
At the Seoul Branch, which served as the headquarters of the Korean Hunter Association, an uncommonly seen figure had appeared. When Lee Jaeho, the Guild Master of one of Korea’s Four Great Guilds and a member of the Ilseong Group’s royal family who dominated Korea’s business world, arrived, the Association bustled with activity.
Association Staff members who spotted Lee Jaeho and Hunters who had visited the Association all expressed their astonishment in unison, but Lee Jaeho ignored their stares and headed straight for the Association President’s Office. Association Staff members who had come out in advance greeted him.
“The Association President and a guest are waiting for you.”
At the mention of a guest, Lee Jaeho’s eyes flickered slightly, but it was only for a moment, so no one noticed. However, the Association Staff member sensed his discomfort and avoided his gaze.
As Lee Jaeho was about to enter the Association President’s Office with an air of resignation, he encountered an unexpected person.
It was Jin Taebaek, the Guild Master of the Taebaek Guild, which was considered Korea’s finest—a person whom Lee Jaeho cared about more than anyone else, and who likewise cared about Lee Jaeho more than anyone else.
Jin Taebaek seemed quite displeased, as if he hadn’t anticipated Lee Jaeho’s arrival, but his expression soon cleared, and he managed a smirk.
“It seems you’ve also come to hear some tedious talk.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
To his probing remark, Lee Jaeho smiled in agreement to preempt any power struggle, and Jin Taebaek clicked his tongue dismissively before brushing past him.
“Tsk.”
Watching this, Lee Jaeho quickly grasped the situation.
Given Jin Taebaek’s nature, there was certainly something displeasing him, and if Lee Jaeho’s prediction was correct, the conversation would unfold predictably.
‘It seems he failed, after all.’
What Jin Taebaek was attempting now, having lost Hwang Hana, was obvious. He had been a Hunter who flourished in the same era as Han Muyeol, but after retirement, he had passed through a period of decline and now focused solely on Guild operations. Perhaps that’s why he seemed somewhat impatient.
However, this was precisely an opportunity for Lee Jaeho—or rather, for Ilseong—so, composing himself, as Lee Jaeho stood before the Association President’s Office, the Association Staff member knocked and spoke.
“Lee Jaeho of Ilseong has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
At Han Muyeol’s command, the staff member opened the door, and since Jin Taebaek had just left, Lee Jaeho could see him sitting on the sofa.
He was likewise someone who had withdrawn from active duty, but unlike Jin Taebaek, he appeared flawless even when compared to active Hunters. Observing him, Lee Jaeho silently marveled briefly. Indeed, the renown of a legendary Hunter was not something created by mere chance.
As Lee Jaeho was marveling quietly to himself, Han Muyeol rose from his seat and extended his hand for a handshake, speaking.
“Thank you for taking the time to visit.”
“Not at all. If the Association President asks to see me, I must come, even if I have to abandon my work.”
“Hmm, that’s a pleasant thing to hear.”
Han Muyeol dismissed Lee Jaeho’s flattery outright, but Lee Jaeho made no attempt at excuse or explanation. If that’s how Han Muyeol heard it, then that’s what it was.
Observing Lee Jaeho’s silence, Han Muyeol spoke.
“Since you’re such a sharp individual, I believe you already know what I’m about to say.”
“Of course.”
Though Lee Jaeho answered as such, Han Muyeol, intent on driving his point home, looked at Lee Jaeho and spoke.
“Dohyun has served as an instructor at only two Guilds—Taebaek and Ilseong—and I called you here because I noticed you were already attempting to investigate information about him.”
“Ah, so you deliberately shared that information with us.”
“At my age, what am I doing? I can’t even rest properly because of this.”
At Han Muyeol’s words, a glimmer of understanding crossed Lee Jaeho’s eyes. In other words, it meant that regarding the current situation of the Dohyun Party, only Han Muyeol within the Association knew about it.
And he had subtly conveyed this to Lee Jaeho.
“That cunning Taebaek fellow—I’ve left him no opening whatsoever, but with you, Lee Jaeho of Ilseong, the matter is different.”
“Thank you for viewing me favorably.”
“It’s not about viewing you favorably, but rather recognizing that you at least know where the line is, wouldn’t you say?”
“An accurate assessment.”
Though it was a comment that could have stung, Lee Jaeho found reassurance in it. The fact that Han Muyeol was being so cautious meant, in other words, that he had no intention of sending Dohyun anywhere—not to Ilseong, nor to any other organization.
And from this, Lee Jaeho could infer what would come next.
“I’ll provide you with certain conveniences.”
Han Muyeol always led with the offer of compensation first. But Lee Jaeho pretended not to understand and simply listened. Perhaps he was wrong—best to stay quiet. Han Muyeol continued.
“Bundle the information together with mine.”
“You seem to be in a difficult position.”
At Lee Jaeho’s words, Han Muyeol’s expression hardened as he spoke.
“The United States has made a move.”
“I see.”
At Han Muyeol’s words, Lee Jaeho nodded as if understanding dawned on him.
If the United States was actively moving, then no matter how much authority Han Muyeol wielded as Association President, maintaining secrecy would be difficult. Without the cooperation of the Ilseong Guild, which possessed a professional intelligence apparatus, the Korean Hunter Association alone couldn’t stand against the United States.
Especially not when—
“There may be other council members moving as well.”
“Indeed.”
South Korea had an unusual number of people selling information to the United States, making the situation all the more challenging. With intelligence already leaking to two guilds, Han Muyeol had silenced one—Taebaek—while extending his hand to the other: Ilseong. Lee Jaeho understood this gesture of convenience and nodded.
That was his way of offering a favor, Lee Jaeho realized, and he nodded in acknowledgment.
“Understood. I’ll lend my assistance.”
“I’m grateful. One more thing—Taebaek doesn’t fully grasp Dohyun’s true value.”
“As I suspected.”
“I suppose I’m rather cunning that way.”
“I’d call it resourcefulness.”
After responding thus, Lee Jaeho looked at Han Muyeol with understanding and spoke.
“Then we’ll focus on blocking information rather than gathering more. Some information may be rerouted in the process, so please bear that in mind.”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll take my leave with that understanding.”
Lee Jaeho bowed and rose from his seat. Han Muyeol stood as well to see him out, then returned to his office and exhaled deeply.
“Sigh…”
He had wanted to keep it secret longer, but Dohyun’s display of power had become too remarkable to conceal any further.
So he had extended his hand to the Ilseong Guild, and seeing Lee Jaeho accept readily brought some relief, though he couldn’t afford to let his guard down yet.
‘The Taebaek Guild won’t pass information to the United States… but there are other channels to worry about.’
The Association remained firmly under Han Muyeol’s control, but information could still leak from the Training Facility, and more and more Hunters were beginning to encounter Dohyun.
Uncertain when this might all come to light, he had decided to secure Ilseong’s support.
‘If things become too difficult to manage, it might be best to temporarily transfer Dohyun Party from Association affiliation to Ilseong affiliation.’
Ilseong certainly had the power to protect Dohyun Party adequately. The Association, however, lacked such capability. Once removed from Han Muyeol’s protection, there were council members with ties to the United States, and others with ties to China.
And it wasn’t just the council members. There were rats scattered throughout the Association.
One couldn’t predict how things might unfold.
He would need to assess the situation and act accordingly. Han Muyeol sighed with that thought.
What kind of trouble was this to face at the end of one’s career?
‘I should wrap up early today.’
Arranging a martial arts tournament was no simple feat. For someone of Han Muyeol’s age, it was even more taxing, so he had decided to leave early today and was just heading out when it happened.
That’s when Han Muyeol’s direct line rang.
Beep beep beep beep.
“….”
The phone on his desk rang out insistently. He should answer immediately, but why did he hesitate? Perhaps because Han Muyeol was a Hunter himself—he felt an inexplicable chill emanating from the phone, a sense of foreboding that made his skin prickle.
Lee Jaeho had only just left moments ago, so what could this call possibly be about? A bad premonition washed over him, but he had no choice but to answer. Han Muyeol picked up the phone and brought it to his ear.
Then.
-President, we have a serious situation!
At those words, Han Muyeol’s eyes narrowed shut. Had his worst suspicions come true?
As he remained silent with that thought, an urgent voice came through the receiver.
-There are C-rank Hunters engaged in an intense sparring match in the Sparring Hall right now!
“Understood. I’m heading there now.”
-Huh?! No, President, there’s no need for you to personally—
“The Hunter using the facility right now—isn’t their name Lee Suhyun?”
The name Han Muyeol spoke was the alias he had given to Dohyun.
And.
-Gasp!? How did you know that?
Why were his gloomy premonitions never wrong?
Han Muyeol spoke immediately to the staff member.
“I’m heading there now.”
Han Muyeol said this and let out a sigh.
He needed to contain whatever trouble Dohyun had caused before it spiraled further, but who could he send to handle it right now? Wait—
Han Muyeol glanced at the mountain of work piled on his desk, then thought of Lee Jaeho who had just left. In that moment, he hastily made a call.
The line barely rang before the other person picked up.
-I just left. Is something wrong, sir?
“Yes. Very much so.”
Normally he would have spoken in formal speech, but the urgency made Han Muyeol slip into casual language. Lee Jaeho, hearing this shift in tone, waited silently for him to continue. Then Han Muyeol spoke.
“Is there any chance you’re available right now?”
-Pardon?

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