chap 440

The day Jin Tae-Kyung's private jet touched down at Incheon International Airport, the world's cameras swiveled towards South Korea.

The relentless cascade of camera flashes blurred the line between dusk and daylight. Despite the biting mid-winter chill, a sea of people, hundreds of thousands strong, thronged the area, their cheers thunderous as they welcomed their hero home.

In the eye of this storm stood one man, his expression one of bewildered awe at the overwhelming spectacle before him.

"...What the...fuck."

His utterance was faint, almost lost amidst the clamor, yet the finely tuned microphones of the international media caught every syllable of the young hero's inadvertent slip.

"What the sibu-leol?" [Note: What the fuck?]

"Que veut-elle dire par là?" [Note: French: What does he mean by that?]

"Was meint sie damit?" [Note: German: What does he mean by that?]

The diversity of South Korean swear words had even seasoned translators stumbling over them. [Note: I felt this line in my soul.]

Journalists from the West hesitated, unacquainted with the layered meanings of "sibuleol." In contrast, Korean reporters, who had been navigating a colorful lexicon of swear words since their school days, reacted with the speed of lightning.

"Article! Post it fast! We have to be the first!"

"W-what? Why?"

"Man, don't you know that every breath Jin Tae-Kyung takes is a scoop right now? Stop wasting time and get the lip-reading and audio up now!"

"Yes, yes! But, Sunbae, won't this cause problems?"

"Problems? What problems?"

"If it looks like we're slamming Jin Tae-Kyung, it could backfire. Something like a Jin Tae-Kyung swearing scandal, you know…"

The senior reporter shot a glance at the younger man.

This junior, was he still green behind the ears or just naive? He should have known better by now but seemed lost in the basics.

The senior remembered this fool was the director's nephew and bit back his own sharper retorts.

"Hey, Reporter Hong."

"Yes."

"It's okay for Jin Tae-Kyung to curse."

"What?"

"In our country, if a politician or celebrity curses in public, they're vilified, but if Jin Tae-Kyung swears, people love it. Understand?"

"Oh, okay. Got it!"

With a nod, the junior finally grasped the situation, and the senior sighed, turning his attention back to his phone.

The chat on YouTube's live stream was already in frenzy.

LOL fuck.

Emperor Fuck... 'he' has returned.

You mean Emperor Balls? Earlier today on Chinese news, he was hailed for "putting his balls on the line," and I couldn't stop laughing, LOL.

King Tae-Kyung. Even after achieving tremendous feats, he blew off the interview and ended the official press conference in just 30 minutes...

Yet, he struggled to the very end to rescue the survivors...

The guy who bet his balls instead of money on a Chinese state broadcast watched by at least ten million people...

The guy who swears in front of the whole world...

King Tae-Kyung, hot but crazy...

LOL Isn't he a miracle instead of a Hunter now?

ㄴㄴ No, no. He's just Emperor Fuckballs.

LOL, Emperor Fuckballs is pretty good.

LOL, Didn't King Tae-Kyung say something about that in a previous interview? Could we please tone down calling him Emperor Fuck?

Really? Okay, bro! From today, I'll call him Emperor Fuckballs!

He doesn't like being called Emperor Fuck? Well, then it has to be Emperor Fuckballs from now on LOL

Emperor Fuck + Emperor Balls = Emperor Fuckballs.

This buildup is hilarious. Was it all planned?

Hello. What do you all think about Mr. Jin being a descendant of the Ming dynasty general Jin Jui? Since China is a large and great country, it would be an even better opportunity if he naturalized. By the way, I'm Korean.

??????

Wow, who brought the jajang... [Note: jajangmyeon is a Korean Chinese noodle dish topped with a thick black sauce. The word also sounds very similar to the Korean curse for Chinese people, jjanggae.]

Be careful, man...

If that bastard is Korean, then I'm from Asgard. Just had a beer with Thor in Valhalla yesterday.

Heh, typical Chinese. Stupid enough that it's immediately obvious LOL. Of course, Jin Tae-Kyung is dumb too. I'm Korean, but I think making such vulgar remarks in an official setting like today is a nuisance to everyone. We could learn about national dignity from our neighboring country, Japan.

????

It wasn't enough to have jajang, they had to add wasabi too...

Heh. You sound like a right-wing Japanese getting upset over King Tae-Kyung. Why are you so stupid?

??? : Magudonaldo. Ssugkyu! [Note: this is presumably an American trying to type "Mcdonalds. Fuck you!" in a "Korean accent".]

Please stick to your own country's broadcasts. Don't hop onto a Korean channel and make an awkward attempt at being Korean.

LOL. Denying reality is funny. I'm really Korean.

Where do you live?

Busan District, Seoul City.

Sigh...

No wonder they call it Hell Joseon. It's not like we have the White Tiger to the west Azure Dragon to the east but Jajang to the left and Wasabi to the right. [Note: Hell Joseon is a term used by Koreans to criticize Korean socio-economic conditions. The Azure Dragon and White Tiger are two of the Four Symbols, or four mythological creatures in Chinese constellations. The Azure Dragon represents the east and spring time, while the White Tiger represents the west and autumn.]

To the north, there are people with the powers of the Devil's Fruit.

??? : Uncle Uncle Total Knockout!

Guys, don't get dragged into weird stuff and watch the broadcast. The car parade is just about to start.

For real. Guys, don't get unnecessarily angry, let's just watch King Tae-Kyung.

Across radio and satellite channels, the global audience tuned in via a live stream on YouTube.

Amid the sea of spectators, the grand limousine bus ferrying Jin Tae-Kyung and his entourage began its journey.

The cheers intensified, camera flashes dazzled under the night sky, and drones hovered like stars come to earth.

Wow, this is crazy. The cameras can't even capture all the people, wow!

It's crazier than when they hosted the Olympics. How many drones are there?

A lot, probably?

No, I know that...

The moment the bus started, I got goosebumps. Is this feeling in my chest for real?

The limousine bus, moving at a slow pace of 10 km/h, sliced through the jubilant crowd.

Fireworks painted the sky in bursts of color, and petals tossed by the onlookers danced in the breeze.

Initially reserved and tense, Jin Tae-Kyung's demeanor softened as he began to smile and wave at the masses.

'The people like me.'

Six months earlier, Jin Tae-Kyung had been as inconspicuous as a grain of sand on a vast beach.

No one paid attention to him, and he could have been washed away by any passing wave. He was just another F-rank Hunter that could be found anywhere.

Never had he envisioned a day like today.

'I just dreamed of staying alive and retiring...'

Yet, he had amassed a fortune. Despite a perilous journey fraught with deadly challenges, the rewards he reaped were profoundly satisfying. He had garnered power, wealth, and unexpected fame.

And more importantly...

"You've worked hard, my son."

"I'm really proud of Mr. Jin Tae-Kyung too, but it's so bright now I can't see your face. How long are those reporters going to keep at it?"

His family was happy and safe.

Feeling his mother's comforting hand on his back and seeing his sister Ha-Yeon squinting against the glare, laughter bubbled up within him.

"Mom, you've worked harder than me. You too, Ha-Yeon."

"I know that, but mom and brother have had a tougher time."

"I thought you were barely a human being, but you do have a bit of conscience after all."

"Wow, look at what you're saying."

"Smile. Do you know how many cameras are filming right now?"

With a teasing tone, Jin Tae-Kyung, after embracing his loved ones, shifted his gaze to meet another pair of eyes observing him from behind his family.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Jin Tae-Kyung."

"Same to you, Team Leader Choi. I'm just a strong, foolish guy. It would have been really tough without you."

"I've only done what needed to be done. It will be the same going forward."

"You say such scary things with a smile."

"You know this isn't the end."

I understand. That's exactly why my resolve is firmer than ever.

Jin Tae-Kyung had navigated a perilous trail riddled with thorns. He was determined to shield his beloved family and friends from enduring the same hardships.

Even if it meant treading a path soaked with his own blood, even if it brought him to his knees, he was ready to protect them against all looming dangers.

Sometimes by forming alliances, and if necessary, by making the ultimate sacrifice.

"Please take care of me in the future as well."

Mr. Choi, gazing at the hand Jin Tae-Kyung extended, now had a smile creating deep dimples in his cheeks.

"Yes. Always."

As they clasped hands firmly, a murmuring voice grumbled in Jin Tae-Kyung's head.

- You guys are having fun, huh?

'Are you still upset?'

- Upset? Who, me? Do you think I, who has been reborn as a noble king, would feel such insignificant human emotions?

'You seem upset.'

- I am not!

The Skeleton King, forced to conceal himself in my Inventory due to the circumstances, had been brooding since earlier.

Jin Tae-Kyung let out a soft chuckle to himself.

'Hey.'

- Don't talk to me!

'Thank you for what you've done for me so far, and I ask for your kindness in the future too.'

- Hm, well.

After a momentary, feigned cough, the Skeleton King hesitated before replying.

- Since you put it that way, I'll consider it.

'Consider what?'

- Associating with you, you wicked human.

'Oh, there's no need to consider that.'

- Huh?

'You absolutely have to join the Peace Guild. I've already drafted the contract, so go stamp it. No, since fingerprints won't work, you'll have to use your skull.'

- What! Isn't this a free democratic country?

'Yeah. Nope. I'm going to drain you to the marrow like a slave.'

- Release me at once! Turn the car around!

Unable to contain his amusement, Jin Tae-Kyung burst out laughing and leaned towards the driver's seat.

"Can we change our destination?"

"Excuse me?"

The startled driver stuttered in response.

"I was given specific instructions earlier."

"Is it not possible?"

"I'm sorry, but no."

"Really, it's not possible?"

"It seems so..."

"Really, truly not possible?"

The driver responded with a resigned sigh.

"...It may be possible."

"Then please head to the Peace Guild's guild house."

The driver communicated this to his superiors, and after a quick sequence of calls and confirmations, the higher-ups, though surprised, quickly consented. Consequently, the air filled with the buzz of about three thousand drones, all following the new course.

The drones continued their vigil as the limousine bus halted in front of the Peace Guild's guild house.

Every moment of their rendezvous with the guild members waiting there was captured by the omnipresent cameras and streamed globally.

As midnight drew near and Christmas Eve beckoned, the excitement showed no signs of diminishing.

Rather, it seemed as though fresh fuel and wind were being fed to the flickering flames of excitement.

The name Jin Tae-Kyung was everywhere, and for someone still suffering from the aftereffects of the visit to China, it was a tremendous pain.

- This morning, S-rank Hunter Magic Johnson announced through his official SNS that he is supporting some sort of agreement with the Peace Guild...

Bang!

The face of the announcer on the hologram TV vanished. The man who had smashed the device roared in a voice tinged with fury.

"Jin Tae-Kyung, Jin Tae-Kyung, Jin Tae-Kyung!"

Bang! Crash!

His bloodshot eyes glared with fury. The potent energy emanating from his wildly thrashing fists turned everything in reach to dust.

That name, more detested than any other, was the same that had instilled in him an unforgettable fear!

"Arrrrgh!"

As Seok Go-Jun was bellowing amidst the destruction, a small noise accompanied by a cautious voice reached his ears.

"Team Leader."