Chapter 104: We Have a Plan

“Yes, as you know, we have less than two weeks until the scheduled activation of Gate A-72.”

Jin Wijeong glanced at Ko Youngmin before fixing his gaze directly on me and continuing, “To conduct joint training with some leeway and prepare for the expedition, we should hold a press conference by this weekend at the latest.”

“But… is it really necessary to hold such a massive press conference?” Ko Youngmin stammered, glancing nervously at Jin Wijeong.

“Absolutely, President,” Jin Wijeong replied with a radiant smile. “As I mentioned during our initial contract negotiations, we intend to leverage the A-72 Gate expedition to maximize Saint Winter’s brand recognition in South Korea. To achieve this, we need to capture public attention well before the expedition even begins.”

“But I heard they’ve invited media representatives from third countries as well, not just Russia and Korea…” Ko Youngmin cautiously added.

Of course, his statement was correct.

In fact, over the past two days, Korean Hunter-related news outlets had reported on the arrival of not only a Russian state media delegation, but also Hunter-specialized influencers with tens of millions of followers, producers and writers from internationally renowned Hunter-related broadcasts, and numerous other media figures with global influence.

Jin Wijeong recited his response without a hint of hesitation:

“Saint Winter’s is a multinational Mercenary Guild with over 80 million official SNS followers and main offices in more than 200 countries. As a Mercenary Group, we wield the most extensive global influence in the world.”

In other words, considering their scale and reputation, it was only natural for them to attract this much attention.

Of course, that’s complete bullshit.

Even if Saint Winter’s was a top-tier Guild, it was absurd for a joint expedition to a 2nd-tier Gate—not even a First-Class Labyrinth raid—to garner such global interest.

Therefore, this was undoubtedly Sergei’s doing, Saint Winter’s President.

He was a man who had successfully manipulated the media to bury his dirty past, rebranding himself as a virtuous hero and the “Light of the Far East.”

Naturally, he would have cultivated extensive connections with media figures not only in Russia but internationally.

For this expedition, he had mobilized his entire network.

And the reason for this was obvious.

“Moreover, this expedition has attracted global attention because of the extraordinary figure accompanying us.”

Jin Wijeong continued, his gaze fixed squarely on me.

“Hunter Lee Taejun, the disciple personally chosen by the Cataclysmic Hero, the Nine Heavens Bone King, after he reversed his retirement. He is also one of only two Blood Magic inheritors in all of Asia, and indeed, worldwide.”

”…”

“Given this, it’s no surprise that media representatives from Russia, Korea, and beyond—all globally renowned—are gathering here.”

Swoosh.

Jin Wijeong leaned forward slightly.

“The entire world is anticipating Hunter Lee Taejun’s performance in this expedition.”

“Isn’t it putting too much pressure on our Vice Guild Leader even before the expedition begins?”

“Ah, that wasn’t my intention at all. If you felt any pressure…”

Jin Wijeong waved his hand dismissively.

He narrowed his eyes, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he watched my continued silence.

Finally, my lips parted.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

These people.

To be precise, I had long understood Sergei’s true motives for proposing this joint expedition.

Naturally, this level of maneuvering was entirely expected.

And I had already prepared my response.

With a bright smile, I continued, “You see, I’m actually a bit of an attention seeker, though not in the usual sense.”

“Huh?”

“Having this opportunity to showcase myself on such a grand, international stage—in front of so many people—far from feeling pressured, I’m actually grateful to Saint Winter’s for providing this platform.”

“Ah.”

Jin Wijeong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

This reaction was completely different from what he had anticipated.

However, he quickly composed himself, erasing any trace of discomfort, and continued.

“Then we’ll hold the press conference three days from now at Bloom Hall in the Millennium Sutton Hotel. I’ll confirm the exact time by this evening.”

Considering the scale of this press conference, Millennium Bloom Hall was far too small.

Even with maximum seating arrangements, it could only accommodate the venue’s capacity.

Yet the decision to hold the press conference at the very location where the Nine Heavens Bone King’s return had been announced was a transparently deliberate choice.

But whatever.

“Do as you wish.”

Naturally, it was none of my concern.

Jin Wijeong had just left the Expedition Planning Room when Ko Youngmin spoke up.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Should I change your title in my contacts to ‘Alright, Sir’?”

“Change what?”

“Your name as saved in my phonebook, President.”

He always waits until after the crisis is over to ask, “Are you sure you’re alright?”

For the record, he’s currently saved as “Official Slave No. 1.”

Ko Youngmin frowned, clearly not in the mood for jokes.

“About the press conference… No matter how I think about it, I have a bad feeling. Wouldn’t it be better to just firmly refuse?”

Ko Youngmin had been badly burned by similar traps in the past.

He might not know the secret history I learned from Go Geonho—the hidden connection between Saint Winter’s leader Sergei Mavrodi and the Nine Heavens Bone King—but he clearly understood that Saint Winter’s visit wasn’t motivated by goodwill.

Dismissing the Parsley Navigation notification, he replied, “President, do you really think Saint Winter’s would let it slide if I refused the press conference?”

“Uh, well…” Ko Youngmin groaned and fell silent.

“Of course not. Refusing the press conference would undoubtedly have led to far worse consequences than agreeing to it.”

Ko Youngmin’s head hung low, unable to refute the point. He finally sighed heavily and asked, “I suppose you’re right. So, what’s your plan now?”

“Hmm.”

“It’s only three days away, and you’ll need to prepare. Who knows what tricks Saint Winter’s might try to pull on Taegoon-nim during the press conference?”

“Don’t worry,” he said with a faint smile. “I have everything planned out.”

Three days later.

The press conference hall at Millennium Bloom Hall.

”…What plan?” Ko Youngmin muttered resentfully, seated at the press conference table. His gaze fixed on the empty seat beside him, marked only by a nameplate reading “Vice Guild Leader Hwiryung Lee Taejun.”

I’m so screwed.

He was undoubtedly in deep trouble.

Unfortunately, Ko Youngmin had no choice but to be certain of this.

If he were to fall into a hell filled with thorny brambles, it would feel exactly like this.

Even the very seat he was frozen in, like a stone statue, testified to his predicament.

A gaudy banner fluttered overhead.

The vast Millennium Bloom Hall, capable of accommodating up to 500 people, was packed with reporters and media personnel.

Dozens of cameras were broadcasting live, and countless eyes were watching through various YouTube channels and broadcasts. For the already timid Ko Youngmin, this seat felt like a bed of thorns. He felt as if he might collapse under the pressure at any moment.

But what truly tormented him in this situation was the empty seat beside him, marked only with a nameplate that read: “Vice Guild Leader Hwiryung Lee Taejun.”

“Hunter Lee Taejun seems to be quite punctual,” a subtle voice suddenly drifted through the air.

It was Jin Wijeong, representing Saint Winter’s, accompanied by several members of the Saber Tigers. Every seat at the press conference table was already occupied—except for that one empty chair.

Of course, there were still about three minutes until the press conference began.

But Ko Youngmin, his face ashen, swallowed hard.

The owner of the seat next to him—Taejun, the “protagonist” of this press conference and joint expedition—wouldn’t be showing up today.

So Ko Youngmin fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a small, rhombus-shaped device.

He began to recall the events of just fourteen hours earlier.

Last night, Ko Youngmin had received a call from Taejun.

Taejun had been completely unreachable for three days after confidently declaring his plans for the press conference.

Ko Youngmin had been on the verge of bursting with frustration, so he was relieved when Taejun finally contacted him first.

Until Taejun said those words.

The words “Have you finally lost your mind?” nearly burst out of his mouth.

The contract between Saint Winter’s and Hwiryong contained no clause imposing penalties for unannounced absences from expedition press conferences.

However, there was a corresponding—and arguably more dangerous—provision.

Struck by the force of a blow to the back of his head, he hurriedly opened his mouth to speak.

“Don’t worry. There won’t be any contract-related issues. I guarantee it,” Taejun preemptively assured him, as if reading his mind.

He added, “President, all you need to do is fulfill your assigned role at the press conference. And at the very end, grant me one request.”

A request.

“If you go to the main office now, you’ll find an item entrusted to the lobby counter. Please play the video inside it at the end of the press conference. Oh, and for your information, even the President won’t be able to view the video beforehand. I’ve remotely locked it to prevent any leaks before the press conference.”

“Then, I’ll entrust tomorrow’s press conference to you, President.”

With those final words, Taejun hung up, leaving Ko Youngmin speechless and frozen in place.

Barely regaining his composure, Ko Youngmin immediately tried calling back, but Taejun never answered.

In the end, all Ko Youngmin could do was rush to the main office late at night to retrieve the item Taejun had entrusted to him.

That item was the holographic projector he now held in his hand.

Could the video in this projector possibly reverse the atmosphere of the press conference Taejun was skipping?

Of course not.

A tidal wave of criticism and condemnation was sure to crash down.

For now, Ko Youngmin alone would bear the full brunt of that wave.

After all, Lee Taejun was the Vice Guild Leader, and Ko Youngmin himself was Hwiryong’s representative.

What sin did I commit in my past life to deserve this?

Even as he inwardly lamented, a soft voice drifted from beside him.

“The press conference is about to begin. Have you heard from Hunter Taejun?”

Ko Youngmin turned his head stiffly, like a puppet with severed strings.

Jin Wijeong and the Saber Tigers team members were staring at him.

Jin Wijeong wore a gentle smile, but her eyes held a hint of concern.

The team members, however, showed no such pretense.

Their expressions were openly mocking.

They had realized long ago that Taejun wouldn’t attend this press conference.

Of course, they probably just assumed Taejun had chickened out, overwhelmed by the pressure of the event.

Was that why?

Ko Youngmin found himself bristling at their condescending gazes.

It was true that Taejun had left him with plenty of unpleasant memories.

But regardless of that, Taejun had also revived the nearly collapsing Hwiryong Guild.

He had saved Ko Youngmin from falling into disgrace after his act of insubordination.

And he was the one who had pulled Ko Youngmin’s Uncle, who had severed ties with the world, back into society.

Yes.

He didn’t want to admit it, but…

Taejun was undeniably his benefactor.

How dare these mere mercenaries sneer at Taejun like this?

It grated on him.

Even the timid Ko Youngmin felt something hot boiling within his chest.

“He said he definitely had a plan.”

Therefore, Ko Youngmin decided to trust him.

To believe in Taejun’s trump card that would reverse the worst-case scenario.

“How about we delay the press conference a bit? The reporters might grumble, but we can do it if the President wishes.”

Ko Youngmin quietly shook his head at Jin Wijeong’s suggestion.

“For now, it’s best to start the press conference without Vice Guild Leader Lee Taejun.”

“Hmm, still…”

“This press conference is to announce the joint expedition plan for the A-72 Gate, not a solo press conference for our Vice Guild Leader, is it?”

Jin Wijeong’s eyes widened slightly at Ko Youngmin’s newfound assertiveness, but only for a moment.

“You’re right.”

He nodded with a cryptic smile.

“Then let’s proceed with the press conference as scheduled.”