Chapter 16 – He is Far Too Cunning
(Uchiha Sasuke) went directly for the answer to his question.
His eyes, a disconcerting mix of swirling violet and spinning crimson, fixed on the man who appeared to be in his thirties, named (Goto Ryuji). At first, that man showed confusion.
But it only lasted for a simple second.
In that second, (Sasuke) perceived that the man thought of several things in those few moments. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise at what could require such calculation, but he quickly understood.
It seemed they had been calling him "the hunter with the strange eyes."
He had heard this name from that other man—the one he hadn't asked for a name—who was an old man. Yet, the aura emanating from that elder was definitely stronger than this second hunter before him, who was much weaker.
Scritch. The faint sound of (Sasuke)'s sandal shifting on the asphalt was the only indication of his impatience.
"Of course, I will give you all the information you want. We can go to the Japanese embassy. There, I will be able to bring you everything you desire, sir."
(Goto Ryuji)'s voice was smooth, polished, a diplomat's tone.
This man is cunning, without a doubt.
The feeling (Goto Ryuji) gave off was close to the sensation (Orochimaru) used to impart. A desire for control, for manipulation, for plotting the future.
All things (Uchiha Sasuke) despised.
But in such a strange place, this bizarre world, coupled with his immense need for information, it was negotiable. Especially since he could simply take what he needed and later not fulfill anything they thought they wanted from him.
His silence was a heavy, judgmental thing.
"I don't think that's necessary. I believe it would be better, young hunter, if you came with us. We can also give you the information you need. Furthermore, I can tell you some secrets. I understand you represent a… problematic confusion."
The old man's voice cut in, calm and measured. Tap. Tap. The sound of (Goh Jun-hee)'s cane was subtle but firm on the ground.
Well, the old man's words affected (Sasuke) for one second. But he quickly looked at the old man with renewed disdain, his Sharingan pulsing faintly.
"I do not need your assistance, old man. You are here only to give me what I want. Do not make your position seem as if it is on the same level as mine."
The old man did not get angry. This was surprising, even to (Sasuke). He only smiled and spoke calmly, while (Goto Ryuji) looked slightly taken aback by the Guild President's stance.
Click. A camera shutter went off in the distance, capturing the tense tableau.
Of course, (Uchiha Sasuke) was aware of this surprise, but he was completely uninterested.
"I know you need a great deal of information, and you are currently in Korea. We can provide you with the information you want. In return, what do you say we sit at a conference table so we can discuss what we are able to offer you?"
(Uchiha Sasuke) wouldn't lie—he was somewhat impressed by this reaction. The old man had restrained himself. Moreover, he had shown he wasn't bothered by rude words. That alone was enough to raise his standing slightly in (Sasuke)'s estimation.
But...
"I do not think so, old man. I will go with him."
For a strange reason, (Uchiha Sasuke) felt a peculiar sensation that he should not trust the old man before him. It was as if he was remembering a past figure, another old man who gave the same feeling and had betrayed his trust.
He couldn't help but think of the Third Hokage, who had conspired with that snake, Danzo, to destroy the Uchiha clan.
That alone made the last living Uchiha look at the old man with nothing but coldness.
(Goh Jun-hee) felt the gazes of coldness, disdain, and even a desire to distance himself emanating from the young man before him. But he did not retreat. On the contrary, he tried to understand it systematically.
He used his advanced decades of experience and attempted to assess the young man's movements, even the smallest ones. He reached one conclusion.
This young man does not want any kind of relationship. He does not like any form of attachment from anyone, not even kind words.
There was a feeling closer to a sixth sense in the Guild President's mind as he watched the interaction. (Goto Ryuji) was calm, as if certain he was controlling the young man who possessed power reaching the level of a national-rank hunter.
That alone clarified some things the young man might be thinking. Any ordinary person might think the young man preferred (Goto) because he praised him and showed him exceeding respect.
But for a man like (Goh Jun-hee), who had lived through diplomatic experiences and even several harsh meetings, and was a master of human language, he quickly reached several conclusions and chose the most obvious one.
He knows the Japanese hunters are hypocrites. Yet, he is choosing them because he does not want any emotional entanglement with them. It seems he needs information and a place he will never be connected to, so he can take the information and leave.
This behavior, to the Korean Guild President, allowed him to classify this type of person with one word.
"Far too cold."
That was the Korean Guild President's classification after only a brief observation of the young man's power and actions. He resembled a soldier who had lived in war, trained for that war for years.
Moreover, he was cunning and very precise in obtaining information. He was not from this place, and perhaps not from this world at all. His power, his skills, and furthermore, the desire of the Rulers—the Monarchs who existed at the top—to eliminate him, confirmed that this young man possessed dangerously immense power, perhaps enough to threaten the entire world.
The President's first action after this realization was one thing.
He spoke, his voice cutting through the tense air with the precision of a scalpel.
"Are you certain? I know you need to know more advanced information than what Japan can provide."
Whisper-rustle. A collective murmur swept through the nearby officials and hunters.
"What in hell do you mean by that? How can Japan not provide the information this… this young hunter wants? He is a hunter, and Japan will offer him all necessary support!"
(Goto Ryuji)'s voice rose high enough to attract everyone's attention. It was a sharp, offended bark that echoed off the nearby buildings.
But at the same time, (Uchiha Sasuke) spoke, his voice a glacial counterpoint to (Ryuji)'s heat.
"I think you have understood that I do not wish to speak with you, old man. Therefore, do not insert yourself into the matter."
His tone was so cold it seemed to lower the temperature around them. Without another glance at (Goh Jun-hee), he turned and looked at Japan's strongest hunter, giving a slight, almost imperceptible nod. A sign he was ready to depart.
Swish. The motion of his cloak was final.
"Of course, we shall depart immediately, sir."
(Goto Ryuji) acted directly, sending a signal to his subordinates to open the car door. Thunk. Whirr. The sound of a luxury car's door unlocking was sleek and modern.
At first, (Sasuke) was surprised by the shape of this vehicle. But when he looked at it, he understood how to enter. He slid into the back seat with a fluid, silent motion.
After that, (Goto Ryuji) entered.
Before the car moved and went on its way, that enormous group of journalists who had been waiting for news captured this scene. Cameras clicked and whirred like a swarm of mechanical insects.
Click-click-CLICK! Flash-pop-FLASH!
The scene was broadcast through media outlets immediately, accompanied by several breathless commentaries.
"Where is the strange-eyed hunter going? He is definitely a Japanese hunter! He has gone with Japan's strongest hunter, (Goto Ryuji), in his car! Furthermore, the footage shows he paid no attention to the Korean Guild President, (Goh Jun-hee), at all!"
The sounds of analysis on the internet and news screens were crowded everywhere, a chaotic digital and auditory buzz. All because of the news they had obtained: the hunter who ended the Jeju Island catastrophe, and who, after speaking with the Korean Guild's "White Tiger," (Baek Yun-ho), was directly announced as the person who managed to clear the dungeon and defeat the dungeon boss, was none other than the hunter with the strange eyes.
And he did it all alone.
Furthermore, several reports from those also present inside the S-rank Gate were announced simultaneously, and this news spread across all screens in Korea, reaching all domains, even global ones.
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In the meeting room of Korea's Central Guild headquarters, (Goh Jun-hee) sat in the president's chair. He looked at the S-rank hunters assembled before him and spoke with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the nation.
Sigh. The sound was heavy in the quiet, pressurized room.
"We must prepare now. I feel a catastrophe will come to Korea."
The other hunters shifted in their seats, leather creaking.
"President, why do you feel this way? Is there a problem? Did you discover some information about the strange-eyed hunter? Furthermore, why didn't he agree to go with you? I am very surprised he went with (Goto Ryuji) so quickly. I thought that would take much more time."
(Baek Yun-ho)'s voice was confused as he said this. The artisan hunter's fingers tapped restlessly on the polished table. Tap-tap-tap.
The President sighed again and answered while the S-rank hunters looked at him, waiting for his reply. The air conditioning hummed a low, steady drone in the background.
"All I can tell you is this: that young hunter seems as if he trusts no one. I am certain he went with Hunter (Goto Ryuji) only because he can obtain information faster there. Moreover, he seems to have tendencies that make him prefer solitude, so he does not like becoming attached to other people. From what I understood, he finds even the slightest chance of someone getting close to him… undesirable. Therefore, he decided to go with the Japanese hunter, (Goto Ryuji), to the Japanese embassy."
This precise information, all of it the President's own deductions, seemed strange to them. They began to think about it. Most of the people who had been in the volcanic Gate agreed with this view, even if they had different reasons.
(Cha Hae-in), in addition to (Choi Jong-ah), had their own special methods of sensing others' intentions.
For the Korean S-rank huntress known for her abilities, she was able to sense that the strange-eyed hunter did not possess destructive tendencies. Rather, he seemed to be in a state of confusion and overwhelming rage, but it was precisely directed toward a specific goal.
Therefore, she naturally felt he was not a threat to Korea.
But for the Guild President, the master of flames, his feelings were different. He felt that black-haired young man with strange eyes possessed many secrets, plus power beyond description and methods different from anything he had ever seen.
Instead of concerning himself with the young man's feelings, he was concerned with the place such a powerful person had come from. This was the overwhelming desire in the mind of the hunter and master of flame magic.
(Baek Yun-ho) was more focused and said, "I agree with you. My instincts tell me this young man is not a threat, but he possesses a specific goal and a desire to reach it. However, I feel that may bring a great threat to Korea."
The President answered calmly, his voice a steady anchor in the rising tide of anxiety.
"That is true. But we will not be certain of anything soon. All we can do is be ready. In the meantime, all of you must try to prepare yourselves fully for difficult choices we may face in the future."
The meeting concluded with the President's departure. Scrape. His chair pushed back.
The individuals in the room looked at each other, silent messages passing between their experienced gazes.
The Korean Guild President had exited and looked out the window at Korea—his gaze sharpening and focusing in the direction of the Japanese embassy.
He muttered to himself, the words barely audible over the distant city sounds filtering through the glass.
"I wonder… what catastrophe is coming? And will I be able to protect Korea?"
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End of Chapter 16
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Author's Note:
And so,the plot thickens like day-old ramen broth! Sasuke chooses the devil he doesn't know over the one giving him grandfatherly vibes (smart move, honestly). Meanwhile, Korea braces for impact. Thank you for reading, you magnificent strategists! Hearts and nervously optimistic smiles to you all! ♥‿♥
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