Chapter 125

SMH 125

Chapter 41 – South Korea’s First (2)

TL: Boko

Editor: Frost

He had become an SS-rank Hunter. But aside from him now being able to solo S-rank dungeons, nothing had changed at the moment.

There was no precedent of an SS-rank Hunter being born in Korea, so there weren’t any benefits that had been laid out for him.

However, it wasn’t like South Korea wasn’t making an effort for him.

They had called an emergency meeting and discussed unceasingly. While they did their best to ensure that Sung Joon wasn’t stolen from them, Sung Joon visited the hospital where his father was being treated.

“It seems like it’s been a long time since your last visit to the hospital,” Rishubalt said, and Sung Joon nodded his head. He was right.

“I should’ve come more often… I was too negligent.”

“But weren’t you busy all this time?”

“I’ve decided that I wouldn’t make excuses for myself.” Sung Joon shook his head and replied. Because it was true that he hadn’t made the time to visit, he didn’t defend himself.

Sung Joon arrived at the Korean Central Hospital, searched his memories, and visited his father’s hospital room, but he didn’t see Soo Hyuk there. He also didn’t see the guards that were posted to his father after he had become an S-rank Hunter.

“Wasn’t this patient Kang Soo Hyuk’s room?” Sung Joon stopped a nearby nurse and asked. She checked her chart and opened her mouth.

“Patient Kang Soo Hyuk was moved to a separate building two days ago.”

“What room is he in?”

“The entire fourth floor is for his personal use. If you go to the fourth floor, you’ll be able to see him,” the nurse said. It seems like they had heard the news of him becoming an SS-rank Hunter and the Seraphim Guild had been worried for his father’s safety.

When agents are dispatched for a high ranking Hunter, they usually aim for the Hunter’s family first. Therefore, families of S-rank Hunters or higher were protected by the best of guards provided by their respective countries.

“Thank you,” Sung Joon thanked the nurse and walked over to the annex. He saw Armed Policemen quite frequently on the way to the detached building.

The amount of Armed Policemen was especially high around the building. There were Hunters affiliated with the Armed Police Department, and there were some Hunters that had seemingly been dispatched by the Seraphim Guild.

“I should express my thanks to the Seraphim Guild.”

Seeing the impenetrable defense around the building, Sung Joon felt thankful to the Seraphim Guild. He thought he should personally express his thanks to the Guild Leader while walking to the annex entrance.

The Armed Policemen guarding the entrance didn’t block Sung Joon’s path, but as soon as reached the fourth floor through the elevator, one B-rank Hunter and three Armed Policemen barred his path.

‘The chief guard is a B-rank Hunter, huh… they put some real effort into this,’ Sung Joon thought. Most of the Hunters that the government or the Armed Police Department possessed were low rank Hunters. That’s because most of the skilled, high-rank Hunters were taken by regular assault teams or guilds.

The government dispatched a B-rank Hunter? That meant that they had taken that extra step.

“Hunter Kang Sung Joon?” the B-rank Hunter asked. He hadn’t contacted them beforehand that he was going to visit, but it seems like the intelligence agency had relayed the information. Sung Joon was South Korea’s first SS-rank Hunter. There were several people that were watching Sung Joon so that they could protect him.

“Yes, I’m Kang Sung Joon.”

“Mr. Kang Soo Hyuk is waiting for you. He’s in Room 401.”

“Thank you.”

After the Hunter informed Sung Joon of his father’s room, he resumed his duty, and Sung Joon walked towards room 401. There was an A-rank Hunter guarding the hospital room. He nodded his head when he saw Sung Joon and stepped aside.

As soon as the door opened, he saw his father. Soo Hyuk was laying in his bed, within the luxurious VIP room.

When he heard Sung Joon come in, he turned his head towards the door, and his face brightened with joy.

“Dad, I’m here.”

“Ah, son!” Soo Hyuk forcefully stood from his bed and greeted Sung Joon. It seemed like his health had worsened since the last time Sung Joon saw him. Seeing that, Sung Joon thought that he had to hurry and take over a research facility in order to develop a cure.

“It’s been such a long time, hasn’t it?” Soo Hyuk said. It seems like he was hurt that his son hadn’t come to visit him often.

“I’m sorry. I’ll come more often in the future,” Sung Joon replied. The two conversed for close to an hour. Soo Hyuk still looked as though he couldn’t believe that Sung Joon had become an SS-rank Hunter.

After conversing a bit more, he looked for the doctor in charge of his father. Professor Park Tae Ho was still responsible for his father.

“Welcome,” the white haired doctor greeted softly.

“Please sit down.”

Sung Joon sat in front of him and opened his mouth.

“How is my father’s condition?”

“It’s not good. It seemed like his condition had improved, but it has worsened again.”

“Has it worsened a lot?” Sung Joon’s questioning voice slightly shook. Tae Ho took out a chart and inspected it.

“As you well know, Mr. Kang Soo Hyuk’s disease is a rare form of blood cancer and is difficult to treat. The most we can do with current medical treatments is to stop his condition from worsening as much as possible,” Tae Ho said. He had already heard before that his father’s condition was rare and it was difficult to treat. It hurt to hear it again, but because he needed a reminder, he listened carefully.

“Our best medical team is doing their best to stop your father’s condition from worsening. But because his illness is so serious, it’s honestly not an easy task. It seems like we’re seeing the limits of the RG1 treatment method.”

It seemed like things weren’t going well. Sung Joon’s expression darkened.

“It doesn’t matter how much it costs. Please make it so his condition doesn’t worsen.”

He needed to buy time until he could take over a research facility and develop a cure. Tae Ho nodded his head and opened his mouth.

“Please don’t worry. We’ll do our very best.”

* * *

After he was finished talking with Professor Park Tae Ho, Sung Joon agitatedly returned to his studio apartment. He had been sighing all day long and placed a bottle of liquor onto the table.

“It seems like you’re not feeling well.”

“Of course I’m not. I had to hear something like that from him… Hoo!”

Sung Joon sighed again and filled his glass. At that moment, he heard a bell sound ring from his pocket, so he took out his phone and checked the screen.

Yoon Seol Ah had called him. He didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone right now, but because she was helping him with the research facility acquisition to develop new medicine, he had to accept the call.

“Hello?” Sung Joon placed the phone at his ear and said.

“Mr. Kang Sung Joon. I have some good news.”

Sung Joon’s eyes gleamed as he heard her voice from the phone. The good news she had called him for couldn’t be anything other the prospect of taking over a research facility.

“I’ve successfully negotiated for a Seo Guk Research Facility for $1.5 billion.”

“Really?”

The thought that he could start developing a cure for his father brought life to his voice.

“Yes. I remember that you told me that the limit to your finances was $1.5 billion. Am I right?”

He had mentioned how much money he could provide when he had consulted her about taking over a research facility. Seol Ah had remembered the aforementioned sum.

“Yes. That’s my limit currently.”

“You can slowly worry about equipment and additional workers. For now, you should start with the takeover.”

“I agree.” Sung Joon agreed with her opinion. There wasn’t anything more urgent than taking over the facility.

“In any case, I called to get your final approval. I can just proceed like this, right?” Seol Ah asked.

“Of course. Please proceed.”

“I understand. It’ll be finished shortly,” Seol Ah replied. Though there were troublesome procedures involved in taking over the research facility, he felt reassured because Seol Ah had stated that she would take care of all of that.

“I’ll call you again later.”

Their conversation ended. After that, it took around a week before Seol Ah called him back. During that time, he was pestered with messages and calls congratulating him on his promotion.

Seol Ah wanted to deliver the good news, as well as deliver various documents to him, so she had come all the way to Sung Joon’s studio apartment.

“Mr. Kang Sung Joon! I’m over here!” As soon as Kang Sung Joon entered the park, Seol Ah spoke very brightly compared to before, and called his name. He surveyed his surroundings and found Seol Ah.

Despite it being a weekend, she still came wearing a suit.

“The takeover is done. Once you receive these documents, you become the Chairman of the Seo Guk Research Facility.” Seol Ah finished talking, and gave him the briefcase; Sung Joon accepted it with a solemn expression. He read over the contents inside, and opened his mouth.

“It’s certain. Thank you for all your hard work.”

“I’ve made it so you can exercise your authority in most matters, so nothing troublesome should happen,” Seol Ah said. Her work was really quick and precise; Sung Joon had indeed recognized that fact.

“I did well, right?” Seol Ah asked. Unlike usual, she spoke with a childish cuteness; both Seol Ah and Sung Joon seemed flustered, and Seol Ah slightly covered her mouth.

“Yes. You did well.”

“Is there a prize?”

“Is there something you want?” Sung Joon asked. He had lost $1.5 billion in an instant, but he still had a lot of money left in his bank account. Sung Joon could also acquire things that she wouldn’t be able to acquire.

Seeing Sung Joon speak so genuinely, she opened her mouth with a teasing expression.

“Please give me some of your time today.”

“Are you asking me to hang out with you today?” Sung Joon asked to make sure. It was because Seol Ah’s expression had been teasing. However, as soon as he spoke, Seol Ah looked as genuine as always.

“Yes. It seems like we should have a drink, too.”

“Is that really all you want?”

Because he had planned to rest for a few days, he thought it’d be fine to hang out with Seol Ah for the rest of the day.

“Yes, that’s plenty enough,” Seol Ah replied.

“I understand. You’re okay with cocktails, right? There’s a pretty good bar nearby,” Sung Joon offered and Seol Ah nodded her head. Sung Joon guided her to the cocktail bar, which was a place with a quiet atmosphere.

After the two ordered the drinks they wanted, as well as snacks, they conversed lightly and enjoyed both the drinks and the mood.

“Shall we get up now?”

It seemed like Seol Ah was drunk. Because he didn’t want to go through the troublesome process of dumping her into a hotel room, he thought it’d be best if they left now. However, Seol Ah shook her head and opened her mouth.

“I’m not drunk yet. I need some more drinks,” Seol Ah said, and Sung Joon just sighed when he realized he wouldn’t be able to convince her as she was being so stubborn. She, seemingly drunk, seemed to want to convey something with her eyes.

“What kind of drink would you like?”

“Your lips.”

The atmosphere briefly froze. Before he could say anything, Seol Ah suddenly stood up, faced flushed.

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“W-Wait a second! Excuse me!”

It seemed as though she had said something irrational due to the alcohol. She stood up so quickly that she dropped her purse, and a single book popped out of her bag.

Sung Joon narrowed his eyes and read it.

“Eight surefire ways of attracting a man.”

Sung Joon was completely confused. He didn’t read through it, but considering how she made a lame joke about dungeons before, the book really wasn’t helping her.