Chapter 14

Kade followed Chairman Go into his office, the door closing softly behind them. The room was spacious and filled with the scent of polished wood and leather. Chairman Go took a seat behind his large mahogany desk, motioning for Kade to sit opposite him. Kade's unsettling smile never wavered as he settled into the chair, his eyes locked onto Go Gun-Hee's.

"Alright, Kade," Chairman Go began, his tone weary yet firm. "What is it you wanted to discuss?"

Kade leaned forward slightly, his smile widening. "Chairman Go, I appreciate the recognition and the platform you've given me today. However, I have a specific request that I believe will further solidify my standing and prove my capabilities beyond any doubt. I want permission to raid an A-rank dungeon alone."

Chairman Go's expression hardened. He leaned back in his chair, regarding Kade with a mixture of concern and disbelief. "Kade, you've only just been officially ranked. An A-rank dungeon is no small matter, and tackling one alone is extremely dangerous. It's unheard of, even for experienced S-rank hunters."

Kade's smile never faltered, but his eyes grew colder. "Chairman, I understand your concerns, but I'm not like the others. You've seen what I can do. This will be an opportunity to demonstrate my true potential and to cement the reputation of my future guild."

Chairman Go shook his head firmly. "I cannot in good conscience allow this, Kade. The risk is too great, and as the Chairman of the Hunter's Association, I must prioritize the safety of our hunters, even the strongest among us. I cannot authorize a solo raid on an A-rank dungeon."

Kade's eyes narrowed, his smile turning icy. "Chairman Go, I appreciate your concern, but I wasn't asking for your approval—I was informing you of my plans. If you continue to deny me, I might reconsider my decision to stay here. After all, America is always looking for strong hunters, and they would welcome me with open arms."

Chairman Go's face turned serious, the weight of Kade's words settling heavily in the room. "Kade, you can't be serious. The Hunter's Association has invested a lot in your recognition and support. Leaving now would undermine everything we've worked to build."

Kade stood up, his smile gone, replaced by a look of cold determination. "I am serious, Chairman. I will do what I must to achieve my goals, with or without your support."

Chairman Go sighed, rubbing his temples. "This is not a decision to be made lightly, Kade. But I see you're determined. We will discuss this further, but for now, let's rejoin the others. There are still many people eager to meet you."

Kade nodded, his unsettling smile returning as he followed Chairman Go out of the office and back into the main hall. As they stepped into the corridor, they were met by two men approaching them. One was a muscular figure with spiky orange hair, his presence exuding raw power, and the other was a lanky man with long red hair, his demeanor calm yet intense.

Chairman Go introduced them. "Kade, meet Baek Yoonho, Guild Master of the White Tiger Guild, and Choo Jong-In, Guild Master of the Hunter's Guild."

Baek Yoonho extended a hand, his grip firm. "It's an honor to meet you, Kade. I've heard quite a bit about your exploits recently."

Kade shook his hand, his smile never leaving his face. "The honor is mine, Mr Baek Yoonho. I've heard a lot about the White Tiger Guild's prowess."

Choo Jong-In stepped forward next, his handshake polite but strong. "I must say, your debut has been quite the topic of discussion"

Kade's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I aim to please, Mr Choo"

As Kade continued to interact with Baek Yoonho and Choo Jong-In, a subtle shift in the atmosphere became apparent. The air grew heavier, charged with an almost palpable tension. Baek Yoonho and Choo Jong-In, both seasoned S-rank hunters, couldn't help but feel an unsettling pressure emanating from Kade.

Baek Yoonho, known for his formidable strength and unshakable confidence, felt a rare twinge of unease. His instincts, honed from countless battles, screamed at him that Kade was no ordinary hunter. He glanced at Choo Jong-In, whose normally composed expression had hardened, a faint bead of sweat visible on his brow.

Kade's aura was unlike anything they had encountered before. It wasn't just powerful—it was predatory, exuding a cold, controlled menace that sent chills down their spines. For a moment, neither of them spoke, both trying to maintain their composure in the face of this unnerving presence.

Sensing their discomfort, Kade's smile widened slightly, his eyes glittering with amusement. He reveled in the effect he had on these powerful guild masters, understanding that his aura was a testament to the strength he kept hidden from the public eye.

"I look forward to our future collaborations," Kade said smoothly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "It's always beneficial to have allies who understand the true nature of power."

Baek Yoonho managed a nod, his voice steady but his eyes wary. "Indeed. I believe we can achieve great things together."

Choo Jong-In, still maintaining his calm facade, added, "We'll be watching your progress with great interest, Kade. Until we meet again."

With that, the two guild masters made their departure, their footsteps echoing down the corridor. Kade watched them go, his smile fading into a thoughtful expression. He had made an impression, and now the real work would begin.

Meanwhile, Chairman Go Gun-Hee sat at the head of a long conference table, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on his shoulders. Around him were key members of the government and the Hunter's Association, all gathered to discuss Kade's audacious request to raid an A-rank dungeon alone.

"Chairman Go, this request is unprecedented," one of the officials began, his tone skeptical. "Allowing a single hunter, even an S-rank, to tackle an A-rank dungeon on their own is highly risky. What if something goes wrong?"

Chairman Go sighed, his gaze steady. "I understand your concerns, but Kade is not like other hunters. His abilities are exceptional, and his confidence is not unfounded. However, I do agree that we cannot simply grant his request without due consideration."

Another official spoke up, her expression thoughtful. "We could consider a compromise. Perhaps allow Kade to enter the dungeon with a small team of elite hunters as backup. This way, we can monitor the situation and intervene if necessary."

Chairman Go nodded. "That is a possibility. Kade's determination is clear, and denying him outright could push him to act independently, which might be even more dangerous."

A senior government advisor leaned forward, his voice cautious. "Chairman, what do we truly know about Kade? He's a newcomer with an incredible amount of power, but his motives and background are still largely unknown. We must tread carefully."

Chairman Go considered this, his expression grave. "You're right. We need to understand more about Kade before making any final decisions. I will propose the compromise to him and see how he responds. In the meantime, I suggest we conduct a thorough investigation into his past and capabilities."

The room fell silent, the weight of the decision hanging heavily in the air. Chairman Go knew that Kade's request could set a significant precedent, one that could either bolster the Hunter's Association or expose it to unprecedented risks. But one thing was clear: Kade was a force to be reckoned with, and how they handled him would shape the future of their organization.

With a deep breath, Chairman Go stood up. "Thank you for your insights. I will speak with Kade and relay our decision. Let's proceed with caution and ensure that we're making the best choice for the safety and future of our hunters."

As the meeting adjourned, Chairman Go couldn't shake the feeling that a new era was dawning—one that would test the very foundations of their world.