“Association Chairman. You said you had something to tell me, didn’t you? And I understand that Master Jang Mi-ae also has business with Trigo.”
And so Jang Mi-ae and Nam Woo-jong managed to calm down from the shock of Jong-sik’s words. They recalled their purpose for coming there. It wasn’t a time to simply be amazed.
A moment later.
Dok Jong-sik took Nam Woo-jong inside the house, leaving Jang Mi-ae with Trigo in the yard.
Meanwhile, Yeona took Haeli into the room. However, there was some noise in the process.
Haeli, who wanted to spend time with his big sister, pouted, saying, “Hmm.” It was his first pout in his life.
Then Yeona said just one word.
“Let Daddy work, okay? Let’s go to the room and play with Unni. Okay?”
“……”
“Oh well, can’t help it. Since Haeli doesn’t listen to Unni, I have to tell Daddy too.”
“…Hmm?”
“The story we agreed to keep secret between Unni and Haeli.”
“…Unni, come quickly.”
‘I don’t know what the secret between the two is, but the effect of those words quickly became apparent.’
Haeli, who had entered the room without anyone noticing, was waving his hand and calling for Yeona.
Thus, the situation was resolved, and only Nam Woo-jong, the association Chairman, and Dok Jong-sik remained in the living room.
Nam Woo-jong spoke in a polite tone.
“Without beating around the bush, I’ll get straight to the point. Commander Dok Jong-sik, the return of the task force led by those who received the ash rune is being delayed. We’ve added more personnel, but they haven’t returned either. So, can you provide support?”
He didn’t turn away from speaking. But he didn’t reveal his hand either. Well, there’s no other choice then. Pro bono work is a different matter.
“I’m sorry, but that’s difficult.”
A firm answer without any room for negotiation.
At this, Nam Woo-jong’s eyes widened.
Presumably, because he received an unexpected answer.
In Nam Woo-jong’s opinion, Dok Jong-sik was a hunter with a strong sense of humanity and camaraderie. The willingly transferred ash rune was evidence of that.
“Of course, I managed to secure a astronomical amount.”
So Nam Woo-jong speculated. He thought that if he pushed his luck, Dok Jong-sik would eventually agree after a moment’s consideration.
Then they would wrap up the agreement with a cheerful atmosphere, listing off various rewards he had brought along. That was the plan.
But the result was a firm refusal. Nam Woo-jong felt like he had been hit hard in the back of his head.
He needed to come up with a new plan. Dok Jong-sik was looking at Nam Woo-jong with a relaxed expression, seeming to expect what would come out of his mouth.
“Wait, wait! Why rush to make a decision? We haven’t even begun discussing the prepared topics, so it’s enough to take our time and decide while talking slowly. Here, let’s start with this.”
Nam Woo-jong pulled out a bundle of documents from the bag he had brought. It was his hidden ace.
“These are things promised in exchange for support. I’ve carefully selected them. That’s how much our leadership is desperate for your support. Because you showed excellent results in the previous operation.”
Jong-sik silently skimmed through the bundle of documents.
‘Zero strategy fees, the right to reside in a luxury apartment complex in Hannam-dong where S-class hunters and national protected persons can live, three years of non-arrest privilege (renewable after expiration), support for termination of contract with the Healing Guild, and more.’
It was a collection of various benefits.
However, there was no mention of what he had specifically instructed Ramus.
‘Ramus, you little… Why didn’t you mention that? You boasted about your confidence in this field. You’ve been too lenient so far.’
At the moment when he thought he had to put his hand back into the fire.
Nam Woo-jong spoke up. Although the intended result wasn’t what he had hoped for, it was Association Chairman Nam Woo-jong who ended up rescuing Ramus, who had fallen into the abyss.
“Of course, that’s not the end. I heard there’s a lot of interest in the dimensional beings. Is that true?”
For a moment, wrinkles formed between Jong-sik’s eyebrows. It was an unexpected question, but somehow he responded coldly.
“Association Chairman Nam Woo-jong seems to have a knack for deals.”
“What do you mean?”
“When you want to sell something, you talk, right? You have to bring out the most expensive item you have first. Otherwise, the other party won’t even show interest.”
“But Mr. Chairman, you’re doing the opposite, aren’t you? You’re showing the inadequate ones first and then subtly showing the usable ones. It’s like poking.”
“What does that mean?”
A grimace formed between Nam Woo-jong’s eyebrows. The benefits he had prepared with sincerity were considered inadequate. No matter how much of an attentive hunter he was perceived to be by his superiors, wasn’t this sheer insolence?
But Jong-sik was unfazed. He placed the stack of documents he had been holding onto the table and spoke.
“Exemption from strategy fees, the right to reside in a luxury apartment complex, three years of non-arrest privilege, support for contract termination with the current guild. Since all of these don’t feel like special privileges, I can only say they’re inadequate.”
“Inadequate? Do you know how remarkable those conditions are! Moreover, even my non-arrest privilege period is less than 2 years. But yours is a full 3 years! Three years! Furthermore….”
Jong-sik interrupted Nam Woo-jong’s words.
“As you can see, I’m a model citizen, so to speak. I don’t engage in illegal activities in the first place, so privileges like non-arrest are just empty benefits. And the right to reside in a luxury apartment complex? That too. Why would I need the right to reside when I already have a decent home? I haven’t even been living there for long.”
“That’s because you don’t know about Hannam-dong. This is a privilege deliberately included in the information that’s terrible for your family. Is that place just an ordinary house? It’s…”
Nam Woo-jong briefly explained about Hannam-dong.
Hannam-dong.
“It’s a building equipped with various artifacts to prevent monster intrusions, with security hunters stationed 24 hours a day. Additionally, it’s a building in which Master Jang Mi-ae participated in the construction.”
Anyway, safety goes without saying, and the people living there are also remarkable individuals, making it a perfect place to build connections.
So, it’s impossible to compare such a luxury house with a regular mansion.
But Jong-sik replied dismissively as if it were nothing.
“I already have enough connections. And the security hunter who stays 24 hours? Is that security hunter stronger than me?”
“…That’s unlikely. But think about when you’re not there. Who will take responsibility for your family’s safety in unforeseen circumstances?”
“It’s not an incorrect statement. So, aren’t you preparing your own contingency plan? “But Jong-sik continued with his previous statement without explaining everything in detail.
“I’ll take care of my family. I don’t need help from anyone else. And what about the rest, excluding the strategy fees? I don’t feel particularly privileged about that either. I have plenty of money. Also, the support for contract termination? Hmm. There’s nothing much to say about that. The Healing Guild is a decent place.”
“……Hmm.”
Nam Woo-jong couldn’t help but let out a low groan.
“I said I was prepared, but I didn’t expect this reaction. What do you want?”
In the end, he handed the negotiation key over to Jong-sik.
“So, what conditions do you want? What can move you? Tell me candidly.”
And Jong-sik had been waiting only for this moment.
He was like a fish caught in the net.
“But before that, let’s finish this matter first. These conditions prepared by you personally, Mr. Chairman. As I mentioned earlier, they are neither here nor there for me, but still, since you’ve prepared them sincerely, I’ll accept them.”
“…Haha. Thank you, thank you very much.”
From a stranger slave to one bestowed with a royal title. That was Dok Jong-sik.
And through these processes, he had experienced various occupations. One of them was a mercenary.
In other words, it meant offering his own worth and getting just as much in return.
Jong-sik intended to leverage that experience properly, whatever it may be.
Regardless of what anyone said, he had the right to do so. From catching fish to receiving the ash rune, he had given them all. But they were individuals who couldn’t use them properly and rushed over recklessly.
“I’ll say it bluntly. You asked if I have an interest in dimensional beings, right? Yes, I do. So, please transfer them to me. I’ll manage them.”
He started with the condition he wanted the most.
“If you mean the entire dimensional beings, there’s nothing more to discuss.”
“Surely not. I mean the dimensional beings who don’t have any special talents or don’t contribute to our national power.”
Nam Woo-jong felt relieved at his words. The last privilege he had prepared was precisely that.
‘As the prophet’s words predicted.’
However, personal curiosity arose.
“It’s a condition worth discussing enough. But why do you want to manage them? I can’t understand no matter how much I think about it, so I’m asking.”
“There’s no big reason. It’s just that I’ve spent over a decade away from my family, so I think I might understand their feelings a little. So, I want to help.”
“Hmm…”
At the unexpected answer, Nam Woo-jong looked at him again.
“…That’s absurd. Despite demanding to step up for our colleagues, wanting dimensional beings for such emotional reasons is nonsense.”
“…Is that really the reason? Just for that?”
“Yes. I intend to support them with whatever they need, whether it’s a home, food, or anything else.”
– Cooperate with the dimensional beings who have descended on this land to prepare for disasters.
Following Jong-sik’s directive, the treatment of dimensional beings was adjusted upward.
Dimensional beings who wished to return home cooperated with humans, and leaders of various countries treated dimensional beings with utmost respect.
It was the picture Jong-sik desired. And now, it was time for him to reap the insignificant dimensional beings.
For example, like the young Dimensional Do-seung currently under protection in South Korea.
“If that’s the reason, it’s not a difficult condition to accept. In fact, we should be grateful from our side. But even if they are insignificant dimensional beings, entrusting their treatment to you is not an easy task.”
“So, are you saying it’s not possible?”
“It’s a small condition. If your concern for them is genuine, then it’s a condition you’d accept.”
“What is it?”
Conditions like welfare workers occasionally visiting them to check on their status. Jong-sik agreed with a shrug of his shoulders.
Thus, the first demand was accepted. Then, Jong-sik presented several more conditions. Such as support for paperwork regarding the forge site.
“Oh, and there’s a piece of land purchased for the construction of Trigo’s workshop, which has been quite troublesome. From changing land use to demolishing remaining dilapidated buildings. So, what I’m saying is…”
“Ah, of course. We should definitely help with that. It’s not your job but rather an issue concerning dimensional beings! You made a good point. But if it’s a workshop, it’s naturally operated commercially, right?”
“It’s Trigo’s workshop, so you should ask him directly.”
Conditions regarding working environment, for instance.
“Here’s the last condition. As you mentioned, I detest being away from my family. Moreover, there have been unfortunate incidents involving my grandniece, so leaving the house empty for long periods is highly undesirable. Therefore, once I achieve my goal, I’ll return home immediately. I won’t attend overnight meetings like last time. Do you agree?”
“Instead, how about we provide guards to ensure your peace of mind?”
“That’s not enough. Can you guarantee a strict ‘leave by the time the work is done’ policy?”
“…I can’t believe it. I’m listening to all sorts of conditions. Fine. I’ll promise that much on my name. But Dok Jong-sik, as confidently as you’ve demanded, you must produce a fair outcome.”
At his words, Jong-sik chuckled and replied, “A fair outcome. I’ll do as promised.”
And so, they concluded the negotiation without further disagreement. It was a negotiation where both parties were satisfied.
