Chapter 35
When the situation ended, people who had been hiding in safe places came pouring out.
Meanwhile, Junhyeok dragged his exhausted body toward the department store - he needed to confirm his siblings' safety.
Just as he entered:
"Hyung!"
"Oppa!"
Eunjeong and Euncheol rushed toward him, emerging from the shelter with a female employee.
"Haha, did you listen to your noona while I was gone? Anyone hurt?"
"Yeah! I protected her real good!"
"My, what a hero. Eunjeong? You alright?"
"Yes..."
After verifying their safety, Junhyeok bowed to the employee.
"Thank you for looking after them."
She waved dismissively.
"Don’t thank me. Without you, we’d all be dead."
She knew full well - someone capable of tanking five D-class monsters could’ve easily saved himself. Ordinary people like her would’ve been slaughtered within seconds.
Junhyeok chuckled awkwardly, a thought nagging him.
'Wait... Did I ever give my name?'
He distinctly remembered not introducing himself during the chaos.
'Did the kids mention it?'
His speculation shattered when the crowd erupted:
"There he is!"
"Our hero! Choi Junhyeok!"
Survivors swarmed him, praising his looks and thanking him for their lives.
Euncheol tugged his sleeve.
"Hyung! You were on TV! So cool!"
'Ah... It was broadcast live.'
Junhyeok finally understood - he’d been too focused on tanking to notice cameras.
After politely excusing himself, a woman’s voice halted him:
"One moment!"
A woman in her late twenties blocked his path, her designer suit marking her as someone influential.
"I’m Lee Bo-eun, CEO of Sinsung Hotel. Thanks to you, both my life and this store were preserved."
She extended a business card embossed with golden letters.
"I’d like to properly express my gratitude. Could we meet?"
Junhyeok’s eyes widened.
This was the daughter of Sinsung Group’s chairman - a figure he’d never dreamt of meeting in his previous life.
"Contact me anytime," she insisted, noting his hesitation.
"Ah... Of course. I’ll call soon."
He pocketed the card, desperate to escape.
"Forgive me, but I need to rest now."
As cheers followed their exit, Junhyeok realized - his life would never be the same.
The gate incident catapulted Junhyeok to overnight fame. Though rookie protection laws deterred direct approaches, covert recruitment attempts and interview requests flooded in.
Days later, the Hunters’ Association president summoned him.
"About this Irregular registration business," the old man began, steepling his fingers.
"Only three exist worldwide. The process requires... extensive testing in America."
Junhyeok’s interest sparked.
America meant opportunities to copy powerful skills - but abandoning his siblings for weeks?
"Consider it carefully," the president advised.
"Meanwhile, we’re revising your contract."
He slid a document across the table.
"Support funds increased from 10 billion to 50 billion won. Five A-grade equipment rentals instead of two. Plus a top-tier hunting vehicle."
"No additional conditions?"
"None. Consider it thanks for single-handedly tanking what should’ve required an S-rank team."
As Junhyeok left, the president muttered:
"Whether he’s truly an Irregular or not... That boy’s worth ten normal hunters.”
