The Only Enhancer - Chapter 78

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

Episode 78
Episode 78 – A Bomb? (2)
Snapped back to reality by Min-jun’s frigid tone, Kwon Tae-hyung hurriedly dropped to his knees.
Corporate chairmen and all manner of influential figures had always groveled before him, but this situation was different.
Pride and such trivialities no longer mattered.
Min-jun was worth more than anyone else alive in this era.
And now that Min-jun was talking about emigrating?
Absolutely not.
Only then did it truly sink in.
Twenty trillion won was no small sum.
But even if all taxes were waived, the national benefit of simply having Min-jun remain in Korea was beyond calculation.
To lose everything by being blinded by the gold right before his eyes was inexcusable.
He had to stop this somehow.
Even if he was cursed for closing the barn door after the horse had bolted, it didn’t matter.
If he could change things by accepting such criticism!
“Oh! Guild Master! Please, please reconsider!”
“What? But I said I’d pay the taxes?”
“No, no, that’s not it. I, I will do everything I can to make a proposal. Please, just reconsider the emigration….”
Watching Kwon Tae-hyung tremble on his knees and plead desperately, Min-jun let out a small sigh.
Was he actually reconsidering?
As Kwon Tae-hyung lifted his head slightly with that glimmer of hope.
Min-jun’s cold voice reached him.
“Ji-hwan?”
“I’ll take care of it right away.”
At Min-jun’s word, Jung Ji-hwan bowed and approached, opening the door as several guild members working as security entered and dragged them all out.
“P-please, Guild Master Kim Min-jun! Please forgive me just this once….”
Even at such a pitiful plea, Min-jun simply shook his head.
“You should have done well while you had the chance.”
Since emigrating was bothersome anyway, I’d been inclined to stay, but this was too much.
My willingness to remain could only diminish.
Of course, the obligation to pay taxes was a natural duty.
I had no intention of refusing, and even without being asked, I planned to pay when the time came.
But to come at me so aggressively, demanding taxes before they were even due, as if I were delinquent—that crossed the line.
I didn’t even ask for special treatment, but if they were going to threaten me, they should be prepared for the consequences.
Besides, there were many countries saying they’d do anything if I came to them, so wasn’t it only right to go somewhere that actually treated me well?
‘Germany and the United States are the most enthusiastic right now.’
Germany’s offer was made by Liam Schmitt on behalf of the German government.
I’d need to hear the details in person, but from what I’d heard so far, the conditions were far better than other countries.
Though compared to the United States, it was somewhat lacking.
The United States had offered to provide treatment not just for me, but for all my guild members and their families as well.
This was certainly something worth deliberating over.
For me, it mattered that I went together with my guild members.
Of course, I had no intention of immigrating immediately.
There were mountains of tasks to handle.
The guild’s second team was still recruiting, and there was no rush—I could always wait a bit and go to whichever place offered the highest compensation.
‘Hmm, I should meet with Liam Schmitt.’
Hadn’t I been quite busy with raids and potion crafting rather than dating Gwen all this time?
As a result, despite a week having passed, I hadn’t seen Liam.
That’s why I’d conveyed one of my intentions through Jung Ji-hwan.
There was something else I wanted to propose besides the immigration matter.
In the meantime, Serena Fresco, known as the Sun of South America, had already left.
I was somewhat curious about what brought her here, but if she needed something, she’d come again.
As I was thinking this, Jung Ji-hwan returned after seeing out the National Tax Service official.
“I should meet with Liam Schmitt.”
“Yes, understood. Should I call him now?”
“Yes, now would be perfect.”
It wasn’t that I had nothing to do immediately, but the National Tax Service official had disrupted my flow.
It was better to handle other matters instead.
So then, what would Liam Schmitt, known as the Sage of Germany, be like?
I waited for Liam Schmitt with a fierce smile.
3.
Summoned, Liam Schmitt did not begrudge the time he had waited.
Nor did he think it presumptuous in the slightest.
Since ancient times, waiting had never been the exclusive domain of the thirsty.
Right now, the thirsty one was Liam Schmitt, so waiting was only natural.
Fortunately, since there was no urgent matter at hand, he could afford to wait this long.
Liam Schmitt dressed in neat formal attire to gauge just how significant the person who had kept him waiting was, and headed toward the building where he had previously encountered Jung Ji-hwan.
Even upon seeing it again, he marveled slightly at the building’s clean exterior and interior, and as he entered the lobby, Jung Ji-hwan subtly bowed his head in a gesture of welcome—unlike before.
“Hmm, it seems I’ll need to contact you in advance next time I visit.”
“Yes, you should from now on.”
Though his words carried a subtle barb, Jung Ji-hwan countered with words that carried an even sharper one.
Liam Schmitt’s lips twitched as he observed Jung Ji-hwan, who yielded not an inch in their exchange.
It was rare, but it was a smile from Liam Schmitt.
Jung Ji-hwan recognized it but chose to ignore it, guiding the way instead.
They boarded the exclusive top-floor elevator together and ascended to the highest level.
They arrived at the top floor, where only the Guild Master’s Office existed.
But then.
“Please, go right in.”
Liam Schmitt tilted his head at the sight.
From the aura he sensed, he could only feel the presence of Min-jun, the guild master, inside.
So Jung Ji-hwan isn’t going in either?
What about security?
He seems to trust himself, but that’s precisely why security is necessary—to prepare for contingencies.
Liam Schmitt regarded Jung Ji-hwan with a look that conveyed such sentiment.
Jung Ji-hwan lowered his head and spoke instead.
“There’s no one in this world who could protect the Guild Master.”
“…Quite the compliment.”
It was praise as arrogant as it was unparalleled.
But why was it?
Was it because the one speaking was Jung Ji-hwan?
It didn’t sound like a jest or mere arrogance.
If anything, it sent chills down his spine.
If Jung Ji-hwan—a man so thoroughly cold and composed even toward his own superior that he wouldn’t hesitate to express it—could offer such praise, what could that possibly mean?
After witnessing Jung Ji-hwan’s growth firsthand, Liam Schmitt had long since abandoned any notion of looking down on Min-jun.
But hearing this took his curiosity to another level entirely.
Just what kind of person was he?
With that curiosity burning, I knocked on the Guild Master’s Office door and entered.
I could see a youthful man sitting on the sofa rise to his feet with a welcoming expression and offer a greeting.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kim Min-jun.”
A greeting as simple as they come.
At that greeting, Liam Schmitt’s entire body was drenched in cold sweat.
‘…A monster.’
This was a monster wearing human skin.
Liam Schmitt prided himself on having experienced countless battlefields and faced more Disaster Level 5 monsters than anyone else.
But never had the impact been this shocking.
I knew for certain that Min-jun was human, and my mind understood that he was a hunter superior to any other being.
Yet my instincts screamed relentlessly.
That this man was a monster.
An existence from which I couldn’t afford to drop my guard for even a moment, lest I die.
Liam Schmitt could clearly sense that Min-jun was making a maximum effort to suppress his presence.
If this was the extent of his restraint, what would happen if he released all that power?
I couldn’t even dare to imagine it.
“Schmitt?”
“Ah, ah yes. I, I apologize. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
Liam, who had unconsciously spoken with formal deference, wasn’t even in a state to pay attention to how he was speaking.
He could only repeatedly remind himself not to make a mistake here.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
As I took my seat, Min-jun noticed that Liam Schmitt’s demeanor was somewhat unusual.
Given the variety of people he encountered, I simply accepted it and continued the conversation.
“First, I did see what conditions Germany would offer if I were to immigrate there, but I thought I should hear the details. And I also heard there were other proposals besides that.”
“Ahem, indeed. We came to the Reinforce Guild with more than just immigration in mind. In fact, you could say the second proposal is the main reason for our visit.”
“Oh?”
Min-jun had suspected as much, but he hadn’t expected them to be so direct about it. He straightened his posture.
A premonition that the real discussion was about to begin.
As Min-jun adjusted his seating position.
Liam Schmitt, having grown somewhat more comfortable, opened his mouth more naturally than before.
“To be honest, it’s a bit embarrassing, but we’ve come from Germany to request something from the Reinforce Guild.”
“A request?”
An order for reinforcement items?
Expensive as it might be, the possibility couldn’t be ignored.
In that case, the price could be even higher, but that wasn’t a bad thing for Min-jun.
Or perhaps potions?
Min-jun thought about it and then shook his head.
That had no possibility.
‘Schmitt came before we recruited Gwen.’
Then was he really here to request item crafting?
As Min-jun looked at Liam Schmitt with that thought.
Liam Schmitt answered immediately.
“We wish for you to eliminate a Disaster Level 5 monster.”
“What?”
Now that he thought about it, that was also a possibility.
After all, they were the world’s first guild to hunt Disaster Level 5 monsters.
Min-jun looked at Liam Schmitt’s words with some surprise.
In truth, being unable to eliminate monsters in one’s own country and requesting support from elsewhere was quite a blow to national pride.
Especially for a powerful nation like Germany with strong national power, that pride ran even deeper.
Yet they had come this far to ask.
That’s why Min-jun looked at Liam Schmitt with even more surprise and asked.
“I heard Germany is more than capable of eliminating Disaster Level 5 monsters.”
“If we were to pool the strength of all Europe, it would indeed be wonderful, but since the creature’s location is rather awkward, we’ve come to make this request.”
At any rate, he’d need to hear the details to know for sure, but it did seem quite interesting.
However, he couldn’t accept everything just because it seemed interesting.
As Min-jun smiled fiercely, Liam Schmitt flinched, and Min-jun opened his mouth.
“So how much have you already looked into?”
If you were a client, you should have said so earlier.
4.
The news that lawmakers had united to move the National Tax Service to pressure Min-jun began spreading rapidly.
Though the source was unclear, various circumstantial evidence and even substantial proof began to circulate.
Naturally, the repercussions exceeded imagination.
The obligation to pay taxes was a solemn civic duty.
But that wasn’t what had caused the current uproar.
The real issue was that they’d come after Min-jun with threats and coercion before the payment deadline had even arrived.
[Association Chairman Ma Hyun-seok expressed regret, saying, “I never imagined such a matter would unfold without going through me.”]
[They attempted to pressure Guild Master Kim Min-jun of the Reinforce Guild, deliberately bypassing Ma Hyun-seok, who was both the Awakener’s Association Chairman and a National Assembly member with close ties to the Reinforce Guild.]
[Should a national hero who brought honor to the country be treated with such contempt?]
[Is pressuring taxes before the deadline truly justified!?]
[The Reinforce Guild refuses to comment!]
[A list of involved National Assembly members must be compiled.]
Numerous sensational articles flooded the internet.
And those who read them were invariably shocked.
-Are they insane? They went after him directly for taxes when they should be granting him exemptions?
Haha, that’s basically extortion too;;
-Is this even right?
-If he says he’s emigrating, what then;;;;;
Public anxiety could only grow with each passing day.
Hadn’t there been similar incidents before?
The painful memory of losing talented individuals to other nations.
Everyone knew that after that, Ma Hyun-seok had worked tirelessly to strengthen the Awakener’s Association’s influence to prevent such occurrences.
Yet this situation had spiraled out of control precisely because such actions were taken without Ma Hyun-seok’s knowledge.
Public discontent was inevitable.
-They’re treating the world’s first guild to hunt Level 5 disasters like this….
-And he’s an Enchanter too!
-Don’t forget he makes potions!
-He can even manufacture 6-star equipment!
-What on earth were those National Assembly members thinking;;;;;
-ㄹㅇ;;;
Looking at the scale of the crisis, it didn’t seem like a few resignations would resolve it.
It was as if a massive fire had spread beyond one house to consume the entire neighborhood.
Now they too had to take action.
National Assembly members scrambled to try extinguishing the flames, but naturally it was beyond their capacity.
Moreover, since Min-jun had actually expressed his intention to emigrate through Kwon Tae-hyung, the situation had become genuinely critical.
Especially the members who hadn’t participated in this affair were absolutely furious.
“What exactly have you done to let things spiral this far!?”
“S-surely he’s not actually considering emigration?”
“It turns out not one but multiple countries have made contact! What?! The United States is even offering benefits to all guild members and their families! If you have a mouth, say something!”
“U-ugh.”
“W-we never expected it would come to this.”
“That bastard just had to mention emigration and cause all this trouble.”
The problem was that some still hadn’t come to their senses.
The conference room where Ma Hyun-seok was also present was absolute chaos.
Watching this unfold, Ma Hyun-seok found himself wishing Min-jun had emigrated instead.
‘He’d be better off going somewhere that actually values him than staying with these greedy bastards.’
Hadn’t he said as much before?
That Min-jun should go wherever he’d be treated with respect.
If it actually happened, Ma Hyun-seok would certainly have more work on his plate, yet his conviction remained unchanged.
And several assembly members noticed Ma Hyun-seok entering the conference room.
Though they showed considerable caution, it was no exaggeration to say that Ma Hyun-seok was the only one who could salvage this situation.
He had a personal connection with Min-jun, and Min-jun seemed to respect him considerably.
“Um, wouldn’t it be good if Assembly Member Ma Hyun-seok could persuade Guild Master Kim Min-jun?”
“Oh, oh! Yes! There’s a method like that!”
“That sounds like a very good approach?”
Despite their caution, they still had the audacity to spout such nonsense.
Ma Hyun-seok, unimpressed, snorted derisively and spoke curtly.
“Why should I?”
As he exuded a ferocious aura, no one dared speak up.
Ma Hyun-seok surveyed the assembly members and spoke.
“Clean up your own mess. Don’t even think about asking me to do it for you.”
His growling, savage tone left every assembly member terrified.
But the real problem was Min-jun.
Should they cling to Ma Hyun-seok no matter what?
Or should they promise Min-jun compensation equivalent to what other countries offered?
Their dilemma was written all over their faces.
And they were still deliberating despite everything.
Ma Hyun-seok looked at them earnestly and shook his head.
‘I’m emigrating.’
Just as Ma Hyun-seok was thinking this.
Someone burst into the conference room and shouted urgently.
“The Reinforce Guild has just departed for Germany!”
The assembly members cried out.
“No, this can’t be!”
The saying about closing the barn door after the horse has fled could not have been more apt.

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