Chapter 09

John Clark, the world’s 7th-ranked Hunter, confidently made the following declaration after clearing the 19th floor.

“The USA raid team led by me will surpass the Korean raid team led by Jinwoo Kim.”

The reporters cheered enthusiastically at his statement.

American netizens also reacted passionately.

Seeing his confidence, people became convinced that America would surpass Korea once again.

‘This time, we’ll definitely overtake Korea for good.’

After finishing his press conference in Manhattan, New York, John Clark returned to the Tower with his teammates.

Although he had become the second person in the world to clear the 19th floor, he had no intention of being satisfied with that.

After purchasing everything they needed on the 20th floor, they immediately challenged the 21st floor.

Of course, unlike the confident John Clark, his teammates looked somewhat uneasy.

“John, the 21st floor is probably really dangerous. Shouldn’t we prepare more first?”

Sarah Miller, nicknamed Mystic, spoke with a worried expression.

But John Clark firmly shook his head.

“Now is our chance. Captain Korea is distracted by other matters right now, isn’t he? We need to take advantage of that and move ahead. This is the perfect timing.”

Reluctantly, Sarah Miller followed him toward the 21st floor.

After crossing the portal and arriving on the 21st floor, they immediately checked the mission.

[21st Floor Mission: Defeat the following monsters.]

Completion Conditions:

10 Shadow Panthers

5 Horned Eagles

3 Crystal Spiders

It was a monster extermination mission, which was considered one of the easier mission types.

Since it was basically a mission to hunt ordinary monsters, John Clark thought they would clear it without much difficulty.

‘At this rate, we might clear the 21st floor right away.’

However, the experienced John Clark acted cautiously.

Grrrroooar!

The first monster to appear before them was a Shadow Panther.

The creature’s body was almost invisible, and it moved rapidly through the jungle before launching sudden attacks.

“Everyone, be careful! Monster incoming!”

As expected of a leader, John Clark spotted the Shadow Panther first and shouted the warning.

“Ahhh!”

One of the female team members was slashed by the panther’s claws as it burst out from the shadows.

While Sarah Miller hurriedly healed her, John Clark immediately counterattacked.

Crackle!

John Clark’s trait skill, Electric Shock, struck the Shadow Panther during the brief instant it revealed itself.

‘…It didn’t die in one hit?’

The moment his attack landed, John Clark had been certain the Shadow Panther would die instantly.

But instead, the creature merely writhed in pain without showing any signs of death.

Of course, that was not a serious problem.

Unlike Kim Jinwoo’s raid team, John Clark’s team had many damage dealers besides himself.

“Hoo… Just as expected, this won’t be easy. Captain Korea didn’t delay the 21st floor challenge for no reason.”

With help from his teammates, John Clark barely managed to bring down the Shadow Panther.

The next monster to appear was the Horned Eagle.

With a single flap of its wings, the giant eagle generated powerful gusts of wind and even fired poisonous needles.

The team members fought while avoiding the poisonous projectiles.

John Clark attacked the eagle using electric shock, and the electric current paralyzed its wings.

The other teammates used that opportunity to finish it off.

‘This definitely isn’t easy, but at this rate, clearing the 21st floor might actually be possible.’

But the most difficult enemy was the Crystal Spider.

The giant Crystal Spider possessed a transparent body, making it difficult even to locate.

On top of that, it possessed defense power incomparable to the Shadow Panthers.

“…And we’re supposed to kill three of these?”

It practically felt like fighting a boss monster.

Not three; even killing one was difficult.

Fortunately, its mobility was poor, so retreating was not hard.

“John, I think we need to find a strategy and come back later.”

“We’re almost out of healing potions too. We need to resupply.”

John Clark’s team held an emergency meeting far away from the Crystal Spider territory.

And the conclusion they reached was retreat.

In other words, they decided to return to the 20th floor, reorganize, and challenge the 21st floor again later.

But at that moment, a system announcement appeared before John Clark’s eyes.

[The Tower of Babel (Korea) has successfully cleared the 21st floor.]

[The Tower of Babel (Korea) has achieved SSS Raid Rank on the 21st floor.]

“That’s impossible…!”

John Clark stared at the announcement in shock.

According to what he knew, Kim Jinwoo was heavily distracted by political conflicts with the Korean government and unable to focus properly on tower raids.

Yet despite that, Jinwoo had still managed to clear the 21st floor ahead of him.

“We can’t fall behind like this. Since Korea succeeded, we absolutely have to clear it too.”

“You’re seriously going back?”

His teammates looked at him in disbelief.

“We’re the strongest raid team in the USA. We can’t lose to a Korean raid team with only two members!”

After hearing John Clark’s determination, the team members stopped objecting.

They steeled themselves and advanced once again.

But the 21st floor was far more difficult than they expected.

After forcing themselves too hard, John Clark’s raid team eventually suffered massive losses and fled back to the 20th floor.

Korea exploded with excitement after the news of Jinwoo clearing the 21st floor.

Praise for him flooded every major portal site.

[That’s our guy!!! This is what I’m talking about!]

[Ahhh~ Pour the drinks!

[As expected, nobody can beat the world’s strongest Kim Jinwoo LOL. America? Pfft.

The media also heavily reported Jinwoo’s success.

<Kim Jinwoo Raid Team Successfully Clears the 21st Floor! >

<Shocks the World Once Again!>

<Captain Korea: Kim Jinwoo’s Great Achievement. >

Jinwoo’s success filled the people with immense pride, and interview requests poured in from every media outlet.

And unlike before, Jinwoo did not avoid them.

“To clear the 21st floor in a single attempt is truly incredible. When exactly did you prepare for the 21st floor?”

“I’m always prepared.”

“Oh…!”

During the interview on the 9 o’clock news, Jinwoo remained relaxed the entire time.

He answered every question smoothly, even politically sensitive ones.

“Hunter Kim Jinwoo, have you recently experienced any difficulties or frustrations as a hunter?”

Jinwoo fell silent for a moment before answering in a heavy voice.

“There is no country that looks down on Hunters as much as ours does. The attitude of refusing to acknowledge Hunters’ rights and importance can no longer be tolerated.”

The anchor could not hide their surprise at Jinwoo’s bold statement and cautiously asked another question.

“Then specifically, what problems do you see with the government’s current Hunter policies?”

“The government underestimates the importance of Hunters. We are people who risk our lives to protect this country and its citizens. Yet we are not properly given the support or rights we need. I intend to change that situation.”

Jinwoo’s statements immediately became major headlines the next day.

And not just in Korea.

His words spread across the entire world almost instantly, causing major nations to react immediately.

<Worldwide Offers Flood In for Kim Jinwoo!>

<America Raises Its Offer to 70 Trillion Won to Recruit Kim Jinwoo.>

<EU Offers Extraordinary Conditions to Kim Jinwoo!>

Offers and recruitment attempts poured in from all over the world.

Countries already classified in the “danger” stage of Tower progression became especially desperate.

As a result, people began worrying that Jinwoo might truly leave Korea at any moment.

[Why Kim Jinwoo Finally Snapped. JPG]

The guy spent his entire life obsessed with climbing the Tower and keeping Korea in first place, and what did he get in return? Being treated like a traitor and getting hit with tax investigations LOL. Damn, I’d immigrate too.

• Seriously, there’s probably no other country that treats the world’s strongest Hunter this badly.

└ This is real. My friend got dragged into jail just for being a Hunter even though he committed no crime.

└ That’s insane. Did they throw away the principle of innocent until proven guilty?

└ This is a country where Hunters can’t even sign apartment rental contracts LOL

• This really is Hell Joseon, damn.
• If the country collapses without Tower progression, then what’s the big deal about giving Hunters a few privileges?
• Minjae, if Kim Jinwoo immigrates, your political career is over too LOL

Under these circumstances, the government gradually felt more and more pressure.

The presidential office discussed various ways to keep Jinwoo in Korea, but in the end, there was no realistic option besides accepting his demands.

Chief of Staff Jung Hyunwoo visited Jinwoo once again.

With a heavy sigh, he spoke.

“Mr. Kim Jinwoo, the president has exercised his right to submit legislation and has officially proposed the Hunter Special Act to the National Assembly.”

In other words, the government had effectively declared defeat against a single Hunter.

It was an astonishing development.

But Jinwoo merely nodded calmly and examined the contents of the upcoming Hunter Special Act.

Chapter 1: General Provisions

Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of this law is to protect the rights of Hunters, support Hunter activities, and ensure public safety.

Article 2 (Definitions)

1. “Hunter” refers to individuals who protect the nation and society by clearing towers and dungeons.
2. “Raid” refers to all activities hunters perform inside towers and dungeons.

(Omitted)

Article 6 (Economic Support)

1. Hunters have the right to receive raid rewards.
2. Hunters may receive activity support funds, medical support, and living expense support.

Article 7 (Social Support)

1. Hunters shall receive priority access to public services.
2. Hunters may receive educational and housing support.

Article 8 (Technical Support)

1. Hunters may receive support for equipment and technology development.
2. The government shall support the education and training of Hunters.

While reviewing the law, Jinwoo pointed at Article 8 regarding technical support.

“I’d like to add one clause here.”

Jung Hyunwoo looked confused.

“Could you tell me what you think is missing?”

“I’d like a clause stating that while the government supports Hunter education, the Hunter Association will oversee and manage that education.”

“…You’re planning to create an organization that trains Hunters?”

“That’s right. I plan to establish a Hunter Academy soon. I’d like the government to support it.”

After hesitating briefly, Jung Hyunwoo nodded.

“Understood. We’ll do that.”

In the end, every one of Jinwoo’s demands was accepted.

Lee Sohee looked at Jinwoo with admiration.

“In the end, everything turned out exactly the way you wanted, Captain.”

“Strictly speaking, not everything. I still didn’t get immunity or protection from arrest.”

“You were actually serious about obtaining those two privileges?”

“Maybe not now, but eventually, I’ll have to obtain them.”

To be honest, even though it was called the Hunter Special Act, there was nothing especially extraordinary about it aside from increased economic support.

Considering the amount other countries were willing to invest to recruit Jinwoo, Korea had actually resolved the issue rather cheaply.

“If hunters get that level of privilege, won’t this country practically become a hunter republic?”

“If turning Korea into a Hunter Republic benefits me, then shouldn’t I make it one?”

Lee Sohee looked at Jinwoo with a complicated expression.

His changed personality still felt unfamiliar to her.

But after a moment, she asked curiously,

“But what exactly is this academy?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. An institution that trains Hunters. You can call it the Hunter Academy.”

“Why are you suddenly trying to create an academy?”

“Yesterday, John Clark failed the 21st floor raid in America. He pushed too recklessly and suffered major losses.”

Park Jinsu had also failed his attempt on the 17th floor, but Jinwoo did not bother mentioning it.

It simply was not important enough.

“John Clark’s failure wasn’t caused by a simple mistake. It happened because he lacked proper education and training. If John Clark had received professional training, he would never have suffered that much damage on the 21st floor.”

Probably nobody in the world except Jinwoo could treat the world’s 7th-ranked Hunter like an inexperienced rookie.

But Lee Sohee did not find it strange.

After personally witnessing Jinwoo’s abilities up close, it felt natural to her that John Clark would be viewed that way.

“Then are you going to teach that too?”

“Teach what?”

“Sword energy. Sword energy.”

Even as she asked, Lee Sohee internally thought, ‘There’s no way.’

Hunters were comrades, but at the same time they were also competitors.

Even if Jinwoo had changed and now acted selflessly, it was difficult to imagine him teaching other Hunters his greatest weapon, sword energy.

After all, that would only hurt his own advantage.

“I’ll teach it. And not just sword energy.”

“…Are you really okay with that?”

She was essentially asking if he truly did not mind raising stronger competitors.

Jinwoo shrugged.

“The stronger they become, the stronger I become too.”

“Huh?”

One of Jinwoo’s trait skills, Heart of Mana, increased his mana reserves.

And the way to level up that skill was simple.

The stronger “Korean Hunters” became, the higher its level rose.

That was why Jinwoo did not hesitate to teach sword energy.

As the combat power of Hunters increased, his own combat power would also rise.