The Owner of the Healing Therapy Shop Is Ranked 0th in the World - Chapter 96
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Owner of the Healing Therapy Shop is World Rank 0
Chapter 96
[I am currently standing in front of the Predator Gate at Namsan Tower.]
On the large TV inside the store, news about gates was broadcasting as usual today.
Behind the reporter covering the situation, the gate entrance could be seen glowing red-hot and flickering threateningly.
However, the number of citizens gathered in front of it was considerable.
Rather than faces filled with fear that the gate might burst, they wore expressions of hope that the Predator Gate could be perfectly conquered.
Soon after, the camera captured Jang Dohun on a small platform set up in front of the gate.
Holding the microphone while receiving an enormous barrage of camera flashes, he wore a solemn expression as if he had become a saint.
[My heart is heavy as this dangerous Red Gate is the first official venue I stand at after becoming Association President.]
He paused briefly and scanned the crowd, then added with a benevolent smile.
[However, I’m fortunate to bring good news to the citizens. We have assembled the items and elite conquest team to conquer the Predator Gate that has terrorized us, so please rest assured now.]
Cheers erupted from the citizens.
Occasionally, voices chanting his name could be heard.
Jang Dohun bowed deeply with a smile spread across his face, as if savoring those cheers.
[Thank you.]
The screen immediately switched to the gate entrance.
There, five hunters including Senior Jinseong and Oppa Seondonguk were preparing to enter.
What caught my attention was the clothing they wore.
It was the official Hunter Association uniform jackets with the Korean flag attached to the arms.
The reason for making the entire conquest team wear uniforms was obvious.
It was a meticulous production to show off to the entire world that this conquest was purely the achievement of the ‘Korean Hunter Association’ and the result accomplished thanks to Jang Dohun’s inauguration.
Under the fluttering Korean flag, five elite hunters wearing the Taegeuk mark.
Citizens poured out passionate reactions, inspired by patriotism.
[Waaaah!]
[Gangjinseong! Seondonguk!]
Internet community reactions were even more heated.
[Now that the incompetent guy got fired, the country is finally running properly, agree?]
Comments
└Finally worth the tax money
└So efficient, President Jang
└Jang Dohun who convinced the hidden enchanter is the real capable one
[I heard no country has conquered a Predator Gate, but our country is conquering it first again??]
Comments
└Getting drunk on national pride, wow…
└Hey! This is Korea!
I casually scrolled through my phone and put it down on the table with a thud.
Ean, who was sitting beside me, asked with an incomprehensible expression.
“You clearly know what Jang Dohun did, so why did you comply with everything he wanted? Even the community opinion manipulation… I helped because you asked, but I don’t understand why you told me to create an atmosphere praising Jang Dohun.”
Two days ago, as Ean had warned, contact came from Jang Dohun’s side.
It wasn’t an official document from the Association, but the president’s secretary called my personal phone directly.
Though wrapped in fancy packaging, the core was a commanding request to ‘hand over the items.’
When Ean heard this news, he raged that it was no different from highway robbery and told me never to comply, but I obediently granted his request.
“The designated hunter registration was from Maeng Seokwoo’s time, so we could have used the president change and items as leverage to favorably renew the hunter contract conditions, but I don’t understand why you immediately complied with the demand.”
To Ean’s repeated questions, I gripped the orb item I had been fidgeting with and answered.
“You only realize how big the empty space is after having something and then losing it.”
“What does that mean…?”
“For now, I’ll raise Jang Dohun’s position as high as possible. That way it’ll hurt more when he falls later.”
The voice that came from my mouth was coldly subdued, surprising even myself.
“The news that the Predator Gate was conquered thanks to Jang Dohun will later change to news that it can’t be conquered because of Jang Dohun.”
I couldn’t just stand by and watch my pure wish to simply help hunters and eliminate gates be defiled by Jang Dohun.
“I need to clearly show who the ‘superior party’ is when it comes to item supply.”
Unlike before when I was cautious about my identity being discovered and just took the abuse, I have no intention of doing that anymore.
So now, shouldn’t I become confident to protect myself and my people?
“Certainly, they’re acting like they’re the superior party right now, but…”
Ean was silent for a moment, then sharply pointed out.
“Jang Dohun is inherently the type of person who doesn’t care whether gates burst or people die. Even if you threaten him asking what he’ll do without items, he won’t bat an eye.”
“Whatever Jang Dohun’s ultimate goal is, seeing how he’s already obsessing over image management like that, this threat will work for now. So now, while he’s wearing that mask, is the optimal timing.”
Ean finally seemed to understand my intention and nodded obediently.
“Ah… that makes sense.”
Even during this, Jang Dohun on screen was shaking hands with each of the five hunters who had finished preparing to enter, offering hypocritical encouragement.
I turned off the TV while imagining the day that mask would shatter into pieces.
The store instantly sank into heavy silence.
“…”
My worries didn’t end there.
A single sheet of paper Ean handed me further scrambled my already confused mind.
It was the analysis results of that mud clump left where the bomber had disappeared.
“K-Series…”
It’s a name no hunter could be unaware of.
It was a weapon created by the World Hunter Association in cooperation with the world’s greatest hunters to replace human sacrifice.
The reason I had tried to register my name with the federation was also to receive protection from this powerful K-Series.
But why would that doll attack me?
“According to federation confirmation, there are no escaped or dispatched units in Korea. That means Jang Dohun acquired it personally, but how he got his hands on the federation’s weapon is still a mystery.”
Ean’s voice dropped low.
“What’s more serious is this doll’s performance. Originally, K-Series weren’t capable of facing S-ranks. But this time was different. I think we should reconsider registering with the federation. Whether it’s the federation’s doing or Jang Dohun’s, we need to investigate more.”
“…”
Was it a coincidence that K-Series attacked me in this situation? What exactly is Jang Dohun’s purpose?
With the feeling that a massive storm vortex I couldn’t even guess at was approaching, I swallowed dryly.
* * *
[Inside Gate: Near Namsan Tower (Rank A+)]
[Terrain: High-altitude Vertical Maze / Boss: Phantom Pterosaur (Mana Absorption Rate 200%)]
As soon as Seondonguk entered the gate interior, he felt the chilling mana piercing his lungs.
Massive steel structures were geometrically tangled, soaring high into the sky.
“…It’s a tower-type maze.”
Seondonguk clicked his tongue at the structure that looked complicated at first glance.
“A maze structure in a Predator Gate. Without Yebichnna’s items, this would take at least half a day.”
“That’s assuming we’d be alive.”
Jinseong approached Seondonguk, who was looking up at the tower with his mouth open.
“True, even if the two of us entered, we couldn’t guarantee everyone’s survival.”
Watching the two casually exchange such chilling conversation, the Association Hunters who entered together exchanged glances.
“We’re really going to be okay, right…?”
Despite having as much gate experience as Jinseong and Seondonguk, the gate looked so daunting that they couldn’t believe how the two were talking about it like a joke.
“Well, even if I die here, I consider it an honor to be with Brother Seondonguk.”
“…With two S-ranks, it should be fine.”
However, what Jinseong and Seondonguk, who had the complete trust of these people, believed in wasn’t themselves.
The two rummaged around and pulled out Yebichnna’s items hanging from their waists and thighs, gripping them in their hands.
Seondonguk smiled slightly at the reassurance as if he had gained a thousand troops, when Jinseong stepped forward first.
Seondonguk gaped blankly at the sight of him walking toward the steel maze without hesitation.
“…No way.”
The Jinseong he knew was someone who used navigation even in his own neighborhood.
‘That hopeless direction-blind bastard is taking the lead.’
Seondonguk let out a hollow laugh as he watched Jinseong confidently stride into the maze as if it were his own bedroom at home.
“Yebichnna’s item must be truly incredible.”
The sound of massive wingbeats echoed from beyond the thick fog, but Seondonguk followed behind Jinseong without hesitation.
Somehow, it felt as if Yebichnna’s warm voice was accompanying him.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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