The Regressed SSS-Rank Supporter Who Turned Dark - 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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#Episode 86
The viewers’ reaction to Eun-sung was nothing short of explosive.
[Viewer] That’s insane, seriously;;;
[Viewer] Absolutely crazy…
[Viewer] You’re just crazy…
[Viewer] What just happened?
[Viewer] Is that even possible??
[Viewer] Gotta rewatch the recording;;; way too fast, seriously;;;
Tens of thousands of viewers erupted in excitement over the scene Eun-sung had orchestrated.
[Viewer] Does anyone know who that guy is???
[Viewer] Who is he?
[Viewer] I’ve seen him somewhere;;;
Many viewers were curious about Eun-sung’s identity.
“Wow, he’s really handsome though lol”
[Viewer] Yeah, he’s good-looking
[Viewer] He really is;;;
At the same time, many viewers recognized him.
[Viewer] Isn’t that Cha Eun-sung?? The guy from the news a few months ago???
[Viewer] Oh;; yeah, it is?
[Viewer] Who’s Cha Eun-sung?
[Viewer] Cha Eun-sung’s family was involved in the Technomart incident;;
[Viewer] No wonder he looked familiar
Though unintentional, Eun-sung had become quite a recognizable public figure.
It was thanks to the photographs taken by journalists during the Technomart incident and Minister An’s subsequent remarks that ignited public interest.
From that point on, Eun-sung’s high school classmates, relatives, and university peers had tipped off the media, so it was fair to say his personal information had already been exposed.
Of course, since Eun-sung couldn’t watch broadcasts, he was completely unaware of the viewers’ reactions.
Even if he had known, he wouldn’t have cared, nor was he the type to be swayed by such things.
Though he was a supporter, as a 10-Star Hunter who had once commanded the world’s attention, this level of interest barely registered for Eun-sung.
“I’m… I’m sorry… The chairman has sponsored us so much… Ugh!”
Song Hak-doo, who had somehow reattached his torso, didn’t charge at Eun-sung. Instead, he peeled the smartphone from his face and bowed his head.
“P-Please… wait just a moment… I’ll show you again soon… The broadcast… can’t stop… or the sponsorship… will end… The stream… must continue…”
“….”
Eun-sung was at a loss for words.
To cling to broadcasting even in such dire circumstances.
“…I suppose true professionals really are professionals.”
Eun-sung had to admit Song Hak-doo’s professional dedication, if nothing else.
It seemed the Broadcast Spirit hadn’t become a bound spirit at Bucheon Station for nothing.
“Pardon? B-But a mission like that…”
Song Hak-doo spoke hesitantly to the viewers in the smartphone.
“That’s impossible even for 100 million. No matter what the mission is, that’s a bit… Pardon? 200 million?”
Song Hak-doo froze for a moment.
To Eun-sung, he looked like a madman muttering to himself alone.
He seemed to be having a minor quarrel with Wi Tae-woong.
Eun-sung watched Song Hak-doo with arms crossed.
What on earth was he trying to pull? I decided to see where this was going.
“Ah, no… but that’s still a bit… 300 million is difficult. No matter how much of a chairman you are… 1 billion???”
Song Hak-doo’s breathing grew ragged.
“Huh! As expected of the chairman. Yes, yes, I understand perfectly. The mission… I’ll complete it.”
Clang!
Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!
Whoooosh!
With a dazzling array of sound effects, Song Hak-doo screamed at the top of his lungs.
“Chairman! Thank you for the 1 billion! Let me offer a deep bow!”
Boom!
Song Hak-doo did a handstand and then smashed his head down onto the concrete floor.
Crack!
The concrete floor shattered into pieces.
“Everyone! Let’s try this 1 billion won mission! The 1 billion won reaction is… suicide! Hahahaha!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Song Hak-doo repeatedly bashed his head against the ground like a criminal performing penance.
“Whatever the chairman orders!”
Boom!
“I’ll do it!”
Boom!
“If you tell me to die!”
Boom!
“I’ll die!”
Boom!
“Chairman! You’re watching, right! Hahahaha!”
Song Hak-doo laughed maniacally, blood streaming from his head.
“Subscribe! Like! Turn on notifications! Please!”
Splat!
Song Hak-doo’s head shattered into pieces.
Of course, this wasn’t the end for Song Hak-doo.
As time passed, he would revive and continue broadcasting, wandering the outskirts of Bucheon Station once more.
…Forever.
“To be like this even in death…”
I muttered with contempt as I approached Song Hak-doo’s corpse.
Not that I had anything to say.
I was simply approaching to dispose of his true form—the smartphone that remained.
[Viewer] Insane lmaooooooooooooooooooooooooo
[Viewer] 1 billion won is worth dying for lol
[Viewer] lmaooooooooooooooooooooooooo
[Viewer] He’s actually doing it lmaooooooo
[Viewer] All-time legendary lmaooooooooooooooooooooo
Whoosh.
From above to below.
Eun-sung gazed down at Song Hak-doo’s smartphone.
[Viewer] Gasp
[Viewer] Oh my…
[Viewer] That look in his eyes;;;;
[Viewer] Wow / Crazy / That’s insane
The chat speed suddenly slowed.
The expression and gaze of Eun-sung looking down at the smartphone were far too chilling….
Crack!
With a single kick from Eun-sung, the smartphone shattered into fragments.
Eun-sung’s kick.
That was the last scene Song Hak-doo’s viewers witnessed.
* * *
In front of Bucheon Station Gate.
Crackle, crackle….
Static and black-and-white noise filled Wi Tae-woong’s smartphone screen.
Since Song Hak-doo, who had been broadcasting, was dead, the stream had cut out.
“How troublesome.”
Wi Tae-woong’s expression turned awkward.
“Our junior seems to be in quite a foul mood. Haha.”
Wi Tae-woong, seated at the coffee truck counter, gestured to the owner.
“Hey, over here.”
“Yes?”
“Make me a Jack Coke. Not that cheap coffee garbage.”
“Ah, yes!”
The coffee truck owner prepared the Jack Coke with lightning speed and placed it before Wi Tae-woong.
“He won’t hold it against me, will he? Just a little prank.”
Gulp gulp!
Wi Tae-woong downed the Jack Coke in one go.
“Ahh. Still, I spent 1 billion won as an apology. He should appreciate that.”
Wi Tae-woong wiped his mouth with his sleeve and muttered to himself.
“Um, Director?”
Lee Hyun, who had been sitting quietly beside him, carefully opened his mouth.
“Go ahead.”
“Why are you paying so much attention to him? He doesn’t seem all that impressive.”
“Doesn’t seem all that impressive?”
“No.”
“Well, I suppose you could see it that way.”
Wi Tae-woong nodded as if he understood perfectly, then turned to Lee Hyun with a question.
“How long have you been a hunter?”
“Just under two years.”
“Right, so reaching 4-star in two years is incredibly fast. You’re on the verge of 5-star rank. But he’s only been at it for two months.”
“Come on, no way.”
Lee Hyun laughed incredulously.
“It’s true.”
“What?”
“I’m serious.”
“Seriously… only two months?”
Lee Hyun’s voice trembled.
“I looked into it myself. His awakening timeline is clear, and the testimonies from the survivors who were with him all match up.”
“That’s… impossible.”
Lee Hyun couldn’t accept it.
For ordinary hunters to reach 4-star rank, it takes anywhere from three to over five years at minimum.
Those without talent often plateau at 3-star.
But reaching 4-star in merely two months was virtually unprecedented.
Even being generous and assuming he’d somehow accelerated his rank advancement.
To truly demonstrate a hunter’s capabilities required a certain level of practical combat experience and diverse techniques and knowledge.
And those things existed in the realm of time.
No matter how exceptional one’s talent, it wasn’t something that could be bridged in such a short span.
“A genius… is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s not enough.”
“…?”
“A genius among geniuses.”
Wi Tae-woong stated it plainly.
“That family has excellent bloodline.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Lee Hyun furrowed his brow.
In this day and age, using the term “bloodline” wasn’t common, and he couldn’t fathom what made this family so remarkable that Wi Tae-woong would speak of it that way.
“His grandfather is a legend of naval intelligence operations, and his father—well, that goes without saying. His mother is an Olympic gold medalist in badminton.”
“….”
“In our industry, they’re practically royalty. They started from an entirely different starting line.”
By “our industry,” Wi Tae-woong meant the market where special operations-related business transpired.
“Even so, he’s still a tiger cub with plenty of shortcomings… but given a little time, he’ll become a formidable beast.”
“You’re planning to recruit a tiger cub?”
“Handling beasts is inherently dangerous. You should always be prepared to get bitten—ugh!”
Wi Tae-woong laughed.
“Are you jealous, perhaps?”
“No, sir.”
“You’re not fooling anyone. Your eyes gave you away.”
“….”
“Just so we’re clear—don’t do anything reckless.”
“What reckless thing would that be?”
“Don’t kill him.”
“Come on, why would I kill him? I’m stronger anyway.”
“From where I’m standing, it looks pretty close even now.”
“That’s a bit much, sir.”
“Touchy, aren’t you?”
Wi Tae-woong brushed himself off and stood.
“Anyway, try to get along. You’ll be colleagues soon enough.”
“Yes.”
Lee Hyun answered tersely.
His gaze remained fixed on the Gate.
* * *
“Get some good loot and make it a worthwhile training session. Don’t die out there.”
“Yes!”
After Wi Tae-woong departed, Lee Hyun and several hunters from the Abyss Clan headed toward the Bucheon Station Gate.
It wasn’t for ether mining.
Training.
Their objective was to hone their combat instincts through Gate raids and grow stronger by absorbing ether from the monsters they defeated.
If they could acquire runes, items, and fragments from rare monster corpses, all the better.
Given these goals, the team Lee Hyun belonged to wasn’t targeting the outer areas where Broadcast Spirits appeared.
Inside the station.
Exploring the deep zones beyond that was their true destination.
“Everyone should be familiar with the strategy by now, so we’ll clear the outer areas quickly.”
“Understood.”
“Hyun, you look after the team members. Report immediately if anything unusual occurs.”
The team leader turned to Lee Hyun, the vice leader.
“Yes, team leader.”
Lee Hyun nodded.
“Team, move out.”
“Moving.”
Lee Hyun’s team entered the Bucheon Station Gate.
Their movements were flawless.
The formation divided into front and rear, with left and right flanks securing the perimeter, creating a seamless tactical arrangement.
A practiced movement.
The result of repeated training.
‘Two months, two months,’ he thought.
Lee Hyun chewed on the number internally.
That figure wouldn’t leave his mind.
‘It’s a lie. Just to provoke me.’
Lee Hyun didn’t believe Wi Tae-woong’s words.
Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t.
Back at Jebu Island.
Even when he’d just dealt with those Broadcast Spirits.
Eun-sung’s movements couldn’t be attributed to someone who’d awakened just two months ago.
“A genius among geniuses, indeed.”
A low scoff escaped Lee Hyun’s lips.
‘He’s been hiding his awakening…’
Then.
“Hey, hey, hey! Everyone! Let’s go night hunting today!”
A Broadcast Spirit lunged toward Lee Hyun.
Lee Hyun didn’t even turn his gaze.
Slash!
The Broadcast Spirit’s body split diagonally.
Along with the smartphone it was holding.
‘…So he’s finally revealed himself.’
Lee Hyun concluded as much.
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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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