Chapter 19 - The Privileges Given to the S-Class
Before the death of the dangsuk, the former head of the family, there was no support for S-Class hunters or talented hunters from the time things became very critical.
T/N: Dangsuk means a male cousin of one’s father (basically an uncle).“And you said that it’s half a year?”
No matter how strict the dangsuk was, Jeong-Hoon shook his head when he felt a sense of crisis from the dangsuk’s neglect.
“Well, I’m sure it was calculated that it wouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“During then, it was a time when problems were solved right away the moment it was anticipated.”
Since it was not known what kind of person Jeong-Hoon would be, it wasn’t possible to give the great power of the family to him right away. From this judgment, the dangsuk spent the rest of his life dispersing the family’s power and creating assignments.
If Jeong-Hoon was not the right person, then it was made so that the vassals would have half a year to prepare to lead the family.
For this reason, the family’s activities were put to hold during this time.
“Is that why the papers are piled up like this?”
“It was too much for Myeongil to handle on its own, so it was just put off for a while.”
Jeong-Hoon shook his head when he saw the list of hunters who had been investigated by the family for half a year and the list of the few who awakened as S-Class. It would take months to get through to everyone even if he met with one person a day.
“From the number of people here, doesn’t it seem like mankind would become stronger faster than monsters?”
Compared to the number of S-Class monsters that had appeared in six months, the number of S-Class hunters and those who were ready to become S-Class hunters was much larger.
“All the credit goes to my lord.”
The seal maintained by Jeong-Hoon gave the effect of unsealing mankind faster than monsters.
Therefore, Jeong-Hoon tried to concentrate on the documents with confidence, but the fact that he had a lot of time to make the decision made it difficult.
“If you’re worried, why don’t you start with someone you’re familiar with?”
Butler Joo recommended to Jeong-Hoon, who was considering who to pass on the martial arts or magic skills first. It was a document on Han Si-Eun, who he became friends with not too long ago.
***
Han Si-Eun is called the youngest S-Class hunter, but she has only been an S-Class for three months.
Therefore, she is yet to be eligible to receive the service Lumen provides to S-Classes.
“… I actually thought she called me for this reason last time.”
After Jeong-Hoon’s contact, Si-Eun arrived immediately, nodded, and agreed when she heard that Lumen would support her.
Since she is an S-Class, she may have already heard from people around about Lumen’s special service.
“I know the chairman is protecting the world from behind the scenes, but why is Lumen treating the hunters so well to this extent?”
“Lumen’s power is not enough to protect the world.”
Jeong-Hoon slightly winked at Butler Joo after answering Si-Eun’s question.
This was a signal for Butler Joo to take over the detailed explanation.
Even after hearing about the family for several days, Jeong-Hoon has yet to grasp the details.
“As the chairman said, Lumen alone lacks hands to protect the world. Lumen’s goal is protection, not domination. We have no choice but to improve the power of the entire human race.”
“Is that a policy of preferential treatment for high-ranking hunters above or in S-Class?”
“The aim is to inspire the spirit of improvement in S-Class hunters from the idea that Lumen will support them, but it is also because hunters above S-Class are the mainstay of the world.”
“Yes? There are only about 1,000 people in the world who are S-Class or higher than S-Class. Shouldn’t the main focus be on B-Class hunters?”
Since Si-Eun was not wrong, Jeong-Hoon nodded.
In a lot of guilds, even if it is one of the top 10 guilds, its main pillar is the B-Class hunters.
“That is a misunderstanding. It is just because there are a lot of B-Class hunters. For example, if an S-Class monster suddenly appeared in Seoul, would you put in 1,000 B-Class hunters or two S-Class hunters?”
Including Si-Eun, Jeong-Hoon naturally recalled two S-Class hunters.
If 1,000 B-Class hunters are deployed against S-Class monsters, one-third of them would end up seriously injured or killed.
However, if there are two S-Class hunters, they will kill monsters without much difficulty unless there are other variables.
“As you can see from the example, it’s not the numbers that matter. The value lies in a hunter’s battle potential.”
Si-Eun nodded to the explanation because it meant that Lumen provided service and treated those who were worth the treatment. She would not have understood it if it was her in the past, but she couldn’t help but admit it because she saw Jeong-Hoon and Lumen’s system.
“Do you have any other questions?”
Butler Joo asked in anticipation since it was an opportunity for Jeong-Hoon to learn, but meeting Butler Joo’s sparkling eyes, Si-Eun couldn’t help but shake her head under the pressure.
“Then I will now explain what we are offering to S-Class hunters. You are always able to use any of the Lumen suites located around the world. If there aren’t any vacant suites available at your location, we offer you a royal suite one level up.”
Lumen, a luxury hotel, has only four levels.
The first level holds the most basic rooms called Lumen, followed by suite, royal suite, and lastly MVP rooms.
The most basic room, Lumen, is the level of a suite at a decent luxury hotel.
Providing Lumen’s suite membership free of charge is a truly tremendous service.
“You will also be automatically joined to Lumen’s club, so you will be able to use all of Lumen’s facilities free of charge in the future and receive the same service for up to one companion.”
Recalling the luxury services she went through while spending time with So-Hyun, Si-Eun had a flustered expression. Lumen’s facility seemed unaffordable even with her income as an S-Class hunter.
“There is a billion won’s worth invested a month to maintain Lumen’s high class and dignity.”
“Now, wait a minute! There are more than 1,000 hunters in the world who are S-Class and above, so does that mean Lumen spends more than a trillion won a month just for all that?”
Si-Eun was surprised when she thought it was an amount that Lumen’s income could never afford.
“Yes, is there a problem?”
“Isn’t the income of Lumen, the income of companies that are known to be closely related to Lumen, not enough to pay for that?”
“Lumen’s potential is not shallow enough to be shaken by such a small sum of money.”
Si-Eun blankly looked at Jeong-Hoon when Butler Joo casually passed over the astronomical amount and treated it trivially. Jeong-Hoon is the owner of Lumen which rolls on such a huge amount of money.
“Haha, did you hear that? Lumen is no problem at all.”
Making eye contact with Si-Eun, Jeong-Hoon tried his best to answer as calmly as possible with a smile, but Si-Eun smiled back awkwardly when she saw his legs and hands tremble slightly.
It’s not because it was a waste of money, but it was because he didn’t know of such a fact and he was deeply surprised.
“Other than that…”
The more Butler Joo continued to explain the service given to Si-Eun, an S-class hunter, the more Si-Eun’s face hardened.
For some reason, she felt that there was more to gain from working as a rogue S-Class hunter instead of being guild-bound. It almost seemed like there was no need to struggle to make money by attacking dungeons and killing monsters.
“What am I supposed to do for Lumen in exchange for this support?”
“Nothing. Just leave it as a debt of heart.”
Butler Joo replied in an attitude of a belief that the service is provided for the purpose of protecting the world. Si-Eun nodded.
“And there is one last thing left.”
“There’s more to add on to this?”
“This is a confidentiality pledge, but it’s not compulsory. We give power to S-Class hunters to turn them into a true S-Class.”
Si-Eun, who was distracted by the explanation of Lumen’s support for this and that, made eye contact with Jeong-Hoon without realizing it when she heard this.
However, Jeong-Hoon simply changed his posture and stared back at her.
At that moment, Si-Eun realized that the ‘support’ she had learned about so far was just a preview.
***
Having come to Myeongil to find out if Si-Eun’s abilities were specialized in either martial arts, magic, or whatever, Jeong-Hoon enjoyed a cup of coffee and looked at Butler Joo and Jung Yi-Young, who were having a heated conversation.
“It’s a shame to waste such a talent as a hunter. We have to offer to recruit her as a vassal.”
“Miss Head Maid, I agree. But Hunter Han Si-Eun is a friend of the lord. It’s an anachronism to have a friend as your master.”
Si-Eun’s test results had come out and having checked the results for a moment before delivering them to her, the head maid, Jung Yi-Young, became fired up, to which Butler Joo was trying to calm.
The reason why Jung Yi-Young, who’s usually quiet and calm, is furious is because of Han Si-Eun’s potential. Talented in all aspects of magic, martial arts, and superpowers, her potential was estimated to be above SSS-Class. It is a crazy talent that can’t be compared to any of the family members.
“Butler Joo, do you mean I’m an anachronistic person?”
“That’s not true. Aren’t you from a family that has served the lord for generations? Hunter Han Si-Eun isn’t the same case.”
“It may be your authority to make a suggestion. However, as a maid, I have the authority to select and manage maids who serve the Lord.”
Jeong-Hoon didn’t plan to stop the argument because it was not strange to covet such a talent.
However, the collision between the two was overheating, so he raised his hand.
“Wait a minute. I overheard, what’s the relationship between Miss Head Maid and the dangsuk? Based on the context, were you originally friends?”
Jung Yi-Young shook her head.
“It was just the relationship between a lord and a vassal.”
“That explanation does not solve the lord’s question. But it’s a bit in doubt since it is your personal situation.”
When Butler Joo hesitated to explain something to Jung Yi-Young’s flat denial, Jeong-Hoon shook his head. If it was hard to answer, it was better not to pry.
“Since you may misunderstand if I don’t give a proper explanation, I will say it. The former head of household’s wife was my friend.”
However, Jung Yi-Young calmly confessed the reason, and Jeong-Hoon nodded.
“Oh, by the way, Miss Head Maid, you are 36, aren’t you? The dangsuk was in his late 40s, so…”
“She was the same age as me.”
Jeong-Hoon, who had originally thought it was simply a friendship of two with a large age difference, just nodded at his conclusion that the dangsuk was a thief.
“All right. Please continue on with what you were doing.”
Having his doubts resolved, Jeong-Hoon gestured and encouraged them to continue talking, but the two, who had already entered a lull, exchanged glances with each other and coughed.
“Come to think of it, I think I was distracted for a moment by this ridiculous test result. I’m sorry, Butler Joo.”
“No, I forgot that you also have the authority to make suggestions. Besides, Hunter Han Si-Eun is someone who knows one of the secrets of the lord. She has as many qualifications.”
Rather, when words of consideration for each other came out, Jeong-Hoon glanced at Woo Do-il, who was watching the conversation between the two.
“It looks like it’s settled, so let’s meet with Hunter Han Si-Eun.”
Woo Do-il, who nodded silently at Jeong-Hoon’s words, pressed a button placed on his desk.