Infinite Evolution Hunter - Chapter 102

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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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102
Though I had secured vast territories from China, organizing and fully integrating such expansive lands would require considerable time. For now, rather than opening everything immediately, we planned to maintain the border and manage the regions individually.
“We did obtain the land as Hunter Lee Ji-seok suggested, but this should be acceptable, correct?”
Director Baek Young-shin expressed concern about the Gates that had multiplied several times over.
“It’s fine. I’ll manage them properly from now on.”
“Manage whom?”
“The Hunters. Please establish an Academy south of the World Tree.”
“Ah! Training while receiving life force will certainly improve efficiency. I’ll begin immediately.”
The Oh Brothers had already proven that even those without talent could develop to a certain degree through consistent training. With the World Tree present, that growth would expand further and the timeline would shorten considerably.
“And please also construct an Academy south of here for Hunter candidates. Even if they can’t Awaken, they could develop physical abilities comparable to Hunters, like Hee-chul. Finally, a Hospital. With life force spreading throughout, patients could recover simply by being admitted.”
Director Baek Young-shin busily jotted notes.
“But are you truly certain you don’t wish to claim ownership of the land?”
Some had voiced the opinion that I, rather than the Korean Government, should control the territory I had obtained.
“No, what would I do with such vast land? As I mentioned before, just allocate me some land near the World Tree.”
It was better to receive a reasonable amount of prime territory. If all that land became my responsibility, it would only become more burdensome. Becoming a king was never my aspiration anyway.
“I am grateful for Hunter Lee Ji-seok’s efforts. I will guarantee your share of profits generated as the World Tree’s intermediary.”
Money flowing in without responsibility—nothing could be better than that.
“That works for me, but is this something the Director can decide?”
“If he refuses, I’ll just say Hunter Lee Ji-seok is emigrating. Besides, without Hunter Lee Ji-seok, there wouldn’t be any income anyway, so excessive greed would be unwise.”
“Ah, I see. If you don’t give it, I’ll just emigrate.”
“…You won’t actually leave, will you?”
“We’ll see.”
Even knowing it was a joke, Director Baek Young-shin appeared worried. With so much anxiety, his gray hairs must be multiplying by the day.
* * *
“Eres.”
“What?”
“What is an Administrator?”
“An Administrator?”
I shared what I had learned by searching through the Succubus Queen’s memories.
“An Administrator… An Administrator, you say… I know not. Monsters are not servants of the Destruction God?”
“How do you know about the Destruction God, Eres?”
“I… heard of it from Aither.”
“You mean the Avatar of Light we met before?”
“Indeed. I shall ask him later for you.”
“But… aren’t you leaving?”
“Why? Do you wish I would?”
“No, aren’t you busy?”
“I am not busy. Bring me some alcohol. Let me taste this nation’s spirits.”
“I’m uncertain if we have anything potent enough to satisfy you.”
Without any preparatory motion, Eres flew toward me. Before I could even react to the physics-defying movement, a delicate hand approached my forehead. Seeing her middle finger caught between her thumb, anyone else would feel no fear, but having been struck multiple times before, cold sweat broke across my skin.
I leaned back to dodge, but an intangible force pressed down upon my body. It wasn’t like increased gravity or being crushed by an aura—something I could resist with sheer strength. This was different, like how even the strongest legs buckle when struck behind the knees.
Crack!
A flick to my forehead as I lay sprawled on the ground. My head rang.
“What?! Why?!”
The flick felt similar to the force that had pressed me down moments before. I couldn’t defend against it, and the impact resonated through my skull.
“Talking back.”
“… I’ll bring the alcohol.”
I could sense why Eres was deliberately picking fights. She was trying to teach me something, just like she had in Telus. That didn’t stop the frustration from building, though.
“And spend as much time as you can talking with the World Tree.”
“Yes. I was planning to go anyway.”
I passed the construction sites of the World Tree Academy and Hospital, which were already well underway, and entered the shadow of the World Tree.
The acrid mist still lingered, but the World Tree, sensing my arrival, kindly carved a passage through the black fog and opened a path for me.
[Why did you come so late?]
With short arms planted on her hips and cheeks puffed out, she looked adorable. It was hard to believe this entity weighed tens of millions of tons.
“Sorry, things were busy outside. Were you bored?”
[I was bored. Animals can’t come in here.]
“Ah, I see. I’ll visit more often. Is there anything else you need?”
[Need? What kind of things?]
“How about this?”
I held out a portable game console I’d brought.
[What is this?]
She showed interest but couldn’t quite grasp it properly. She didn’t pass through it like a ghost, but it looked as though she were touching something very dense and gaseous. Perhaps as a spirit, she existed in a different dimension and couldn’t interact with objects in this one?
It had felt similar when I’d patted her head before.
“Sorry. I didn’t think it through.”
[It’s okay.]
Tree roots sprouted from the ground, cradling the game console as she jabbed at the buttons repeatedly.
“There are lots of games in here. Play them when you’re bored.”
I showed her the game list and gave her a quick tutorial on how to play.
[Ohhh….]
Her eyes instantly locked onto the screen.
“Try eating this too.”
Since she appeared as a child, I’d brought along plenty of snacks and food just in case.
I’d asked Eres what the World Tree might like, but she’d dismissed me, saying what would you give to a tree? So I’d just brought whatever came to mind.
[Thank you.]
The World Tree’s spirit kept her eyes glued to the game while her roots consumed the food. She didn’t seem to actually taste anything. Next time, I’d bring more games—the food seemed pointless.
“I have a favor to ask. Could you spread a bit more life force over the construction site ahead?”
[Sure. I’ll do that.]
Still absorbed in the game. I couldn’t stay with her forever, and she’d be bored alone, so I was glad my instinct had paid off.
* * *
Heo O-sung, the Academy instructor, had been fired for excessive violence and bribery. After that, he’d worked as a C-rank Hunter, but beating up freshly awakened trainees at the Academy was one thing—actually hunting monsters proved far more difficult.
Heo O-sung, born with a naturally uncooperative disposition that made finding a party difficult, had been grinding through low-rank Gates when he heard that the World Tree Academy was recruiting new instructors. He applied immediately.
After submitting his application, he received a call just one day later. He wondered if they were always this fast, but pleased with the development, he went straight to the interview and secured the position that very day.
“Finally, someone recognizes my true worth. They cast me aside after I whipped those hopeless brats into shape? Bastards. That guy didn’t even get hurt. Ptui!”
Heo O-sung spat as he exited the temporary airport he had created.
Lee Ji-seok becoming an S-rank Hunter was something he never anticipated. Were S-rank Hunters common? Since the Gate crisis, Korea had produced only one. Now, with Lee Ji-seok and his girlfriend both becoming S-rank, there were three, but globally, there were fewer than a hundred S-rank Hunters.
Heo O-sung recalled the interview for his position as an instructor at the World Tree Academy.
“We seek to conduct training of a different caliber than before—far more rigorous. Are you prepared for this, Hunter Heo O-sung?”
“Of course. I’ve always believed that rigorous training forges strong Hunters.”

“What are your thoughts on trainees enduring suffering in the process, and the possibility of serious injury during training?”
Though the conversation was brief, Heo O-sung sensed that this interviewer shared his philosophy. Because of this, he answered more candidly.
“Being a Hunter is a noble profession. It means protecting one’s own life, and moreover, the lives of party members and citizens. Childish training cannot fulfill that duty. Suffering and injury are inevitable. However, I believe that only by overcoming all of this can one truly become a Hunter.”
Heo O-sung answered with confident shoulders squared.
Though his words were well-packaged, the truth was that Heo O-sung had felt pleasure in tormenting the weak since childhood. Now that he would become an instructor again, he could legally kick and throw wooden daggers at freshly awakened chicks. The mere thought delighted him.
The interviewer glanced briefly at the mirror behind Heo O-sung’s back and nodded. Curious about what he meant, Heo O-sung turned to look at the mirror, but saw nothing.
“You are indeed the talent we seek. We look forward to working with you.”
He signed the contract the interviewer presented on the spot. Days later, he received a request to arrive at the Academy early for pre-opening preparations, boarded a plane, and now found himself here.
“Instructor Heo O-sung?”
“Ah, yes.”
Following the guidance of a Gate Management Official in formal attire, he entered the temporary World Tree Academy.
On the flattened wasteland stood only a few black shipping containers for housing and a sagging fence.
Heo O-sung frowned. He was displeased with how he was being treated after being summoned here.
“This place was built temporarily to draft training plans. The actual Academy is still under heavy construction.”
The official pointed to the Construction Site nearby.
“Ah, I see. You startled me.”
“It’s been a while, Instructor.”
At the voice from behind, Heo O-sung turned around.
“… Hunter Lee Ji-seok…”
“Have you been well?”
“Ah… yes… I’ve been well. I’ve heard much about you, Hunter Lee Ji-seok. Congratulations on becoming S-rank.”
For a moment, cold sweat broke out on Heo O-sung’s brow as Lee Ji-seok—the very person he had tormented throughout the training period—appeared before him. But when Lee Ji-seok greeted him with a smiling face, his anxiety eased.
“Didn’t I reach this position thanks to your instruction, Instructor Heo?”
Lee Ji-seok spoke with genuine sincerity. Had he not been beaten by Heo O-sung at that Academy, his skills would not have risen so rapidly after awakening. Thanks to that, he had saved a month’s worth of time.
One month might seem trivial, but during that period, he had raised many other stats as well, so the actual time he had shortened was far greater than a month.
“Training begins tomorrow. Rest well today.”
“Will you also be training the students, Hunter Lee Ji-seok?”
“Of course. It’s my responsibility. See you tomorrow.”
Lee Ji-seok bowed and took his leave.
“Isn’t he remarkable? Despite being S-rank, he doesn’t rest and manages everything himself.”
“Indeed.”
Heo O-sung bristled at the Awakener Management Bureau official’s praise. An S-rank Hunter would have stamina to spare, so naturally they could manage such a feat—he found the flattery excessive.
* * *
“Is everyone here?”
“Yes. All participants have arrived.”
“Then shall we begin?”
Five male and female Hunters stood in the parade ground before the container.
“What is this supposed to be?!”
Heo O-sung, dressed in eye-catching orange clothing alongside the other four, pointed an accusatory finger at me.
“You all carry guilt, which is why each of you stands here.”
“Guilt?! You’re doing this because I got kicked out of the Academy once?”
“That’s hardly a crime. Truth be told, I’d forgotten about you entirely. But then I received word that you’d submitted a resume. Out of curiosity, I looked into your past as well.”
Cold sweat beaded on Heo O-sung’s forehead. He knew better than anyone that there was far too much that could unravel if scrutinized.

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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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