Returnee's S-Rank Management Guide

Those Who Aim (3)

"You remember our bet, don't you, PD Do?"

"Ugh...."

In HSN's meeting room, PD Do let out a small groan as he looked at Jung-woo.

He had wondered if it might happen, but he didn't expect Jung-woo would really show up like this.

'Ruthless bastard.'

He seemed determined to get everything he could.

Usually, people would pick up on the subtle cues in this sort of situation, but this bastard totally ignored them.

Of course, at the moment, Jung-woo was solidly in the superior position, so as a manager, he was just doing his job.

It was just that it was painful for himself.

"You don't have to worry too much. I came here today prepared to compromise to some extent."

"Th-that's really true?"

"Of course. Even if it was just at the last moment, you did look out for Soo-ah, didn't you?"

Jung-woo nodded with a slight smile.

"So the part where I asked you to get on your knees and apologize to Hunter Shin Ah-yeon, I'll let that end with a simple apology."

Actually, this was a condition that Ah-yeon herself had insisted wasn't necessary.

She said just a simple apology was plenty, and that getting on his knees would be too much of a burden.

Jung-woo was pretending to be generous by offering this.

"?"

It seemed PD Do was waiting for more to be said, but when Jung-woo stopped talking, a puzzled look crossed his face.

"... Is that it?"

"Yes, but of course, I still have to get the three programs HSN is planning."

Ruthless bastard.

PD Do repeated the words to himself once more.

Still, he was in a subordinate position—he had to find a way to overcome this obstacle.

"Manager Park, even so, getting three shows at once is difficult. There aren't even that many Hunter-related programs running at the same time, and it exceeds my authority."

"I understand. But a bet is a bet... With your ability, PD Do, I'm sure you can solve it."

Jung-woo didn't yield an inch.

But honestly, promising three programs right away was impossible.

There just weren't enough slots in current or upcoming programs at HSN.

"... Let's do this, then. I'll make sure that Hunters belonging to Unique Management get assigned to one currently running program, and one more in an upcoming show."

"That includes Hunter Lee Soo-ah, of course?"

"Of course. And for Hunter Lee Soo-ah, while it's not a program, I'd like to offer another opportunity."

Another opportunity? Jung-woo narrowed his eyes at PD Do's words.

PD Do was a sly one, but he wasn't stupid enough to try a ridiculous deal now.

'Looks like three shows really is impossible.'

For now, he needed to hear what this 'opportunity' was before reacting.

"All right. But I'd appreciate it if you made clear what that opportunity is, right now."

"To put it simply, it's an ambassadorship."

"... An ambassadorship? For what?"

Seeing Jung-woo's interest, PD Do let out a discreet sigh of relief and continued.

"Recently, crimes involving Awakeners have been on the rise. The government is looking for an 'Awakener Crime Prevention Ambassador' to promote crime prevention and raise awareness."

"From HSN?"

"It's not just us. All three major networks have been contacted."

The three major broadcasters—HSN, NBT, and KDC—surely referred to the nation's representative channels.

"So you plan to nominate Hunter Lee Soo-ah for this? What if other Hunters compete...?"

"They're selecting three ambassadors, and from what I know, there are no S-rank Hunters among the other applicants."

"... I see."

If there were no other S-rank Hunters among the applicants, and considering her recent popularity, it was almost certain Soo-ah would get selected. Plus, three people would be chosen anyway.

"Still, that's unexpected. You'd think other S-rank Hunters would try for it, since it's a chance for major publicity and improved reputation."

PD Do kept his mouth shut at Jung-woo's question, as if it were odd.

After a moment's hesitation, he calmly explained.

"It's rumored it could be a little dangerous."

"How dangerous can an ambassador position be?"

"Sometimes, assisting the investigation team is a requirement..."

"How often is 'sometimes'?"

"Probably about twice a month. Or, the team could request extra help if needed."

As he spoke, PD Do shot a glance at Jung-woo.

He momentarily worried if he was being too candid, but figured Jung-woo would have found out soon anyway.

'Was I too shameless?'

This so-called 'crime prevention ambassadorship' was basically just an excuse to request help from Hunters for the bottlenecked Awakener crime investigations.

That said, the publicity could be considerable, and if the ambassador helped solve incidents, it would be an even bigger boon.

The problem was the risk.

"... Not bad."

"I thought you'd refuse—...what?"

"Then I'll accept that ambassadorship for Lee Soo-ah. As for the two promised programs, contact me again once they're decided."

"All right."

PD Do felt something off with how readily Jung-woo accepted, but shook it off.

From his perspective, the outcomes were all good.

He could finally unload the troublesome ambassadorship, and he had secured the reward for Jung-woo as well.

"PD Do."

"Yes?"

"This time, I'm letting it slide especially for you. Don't forget it."

"... Of course, I won't."

Ruthless bastard.

That phrase echoed inside PD Do's head for the umpteenth time today.

He just knew Jung-woo would use the ambassadorship later as leverage to demand something more.

***

After a brief negotiation with PD Do, as I returned, I saw a crowd buzzing around the parking lot.

"What the heck happened there?"

"Did a Gate open and throw out a monster or something?"

"I heard they checked the CCTV, but the feed just cut out suddenly. What's going on...?"

Curious, I merged with the crowd and looked toward the parking lot, only to gape in astonishment.

'I did tell her to handle it, but...'

The asphalt still showed traces of a large van having been tossed around. The van itself was shredded to ribbons as if a monster had torn into it. At least, there were no bloodstains to be seen.

"Excuse me, yes, pardon me, coming through."

Miraculously, no damage had come to any of the other parked cars.

Ignoring the stares of the bystanders, I opened the door to my car, only to lock eyes with Yeon-ji mid-yawn.

"... Don't you know how to hold back?"

"Oh my, sorry about that. But I just couldn't control my strength, so please let it slide."

Yeon-ji flexed her tiny hands, making a cutesy face as if asking for forgiveness. Anyone who only saw her would think she was adorable, but knowing she was a woman in her thirties made it impossible for me to put into words the feeling I got.

"So, who were those guys?"

As I closed the car door, Yeon-ji buckled her seatbelt and replied.

"Criminals, what else? Basically just mercenaries hired by someone important."

"Did you find out who hired them?"

"Of course, they told me ever so kindly."

I let out a dry chuckle at Yeon-ji's beaming smile.

"What did you do with them?"

"I handled it my way... Just as you wanted. Was that not okay?"

"Of course it's okay."

They'd been after our lives from the start.

And it was obvious from the murderous aura they gave off that they'd already committed murder before.

'Someone couldn't ooze that much killing intent otherwise.'

Besides, if left alone, who knew what they'd do.

If something happened, Soo-ah or Ah-yeon could have been hurt.

Or my family.

In a world like this, being thorough was the only way.

I'd learned that the hard way in the other world.

"Still, it's surprising."

"What is?"

"Just seems you're colder than I thought. I figured you were just a genuinely kind person."

"I do have a gentle face."

"No, just looking at your eyes—I mean, never mind."

Yeon-ji turned to look out the window instead of finishing her sentence.

But I knew.

My eyes had a seriously scary look.

But what could I do? That was how I was born.

"Anyway, pull up the navigation."

"Navigation?"

"You didn't find out the location?"

It wouldn't make sense for common criminals to have all that info.

But Yeon-ji shook her head.

"I did get the name of the client's aide, at least."

"Aide? Ah, the assemblyman's? Surprised you found that."

"Well, it's more like—I met the guy before."

"Really?"

I answered nonchalantly, and Yeon-ji, who'd been rather proud of herself, pouted.

"Come on, you're supposed to be impressed here."

"You know I brought you along for exactly this."

"Hmph, so dull."

Grumbling, she started entering the address into the navigation.

The address of the person who hired the criminals following us today.

***

"Damn, what happened to those punks?"

Cha Ji-seok, the aide to Congressman Min Gwang-hun, pressed the call button on his phone over and over in agitation.

Every time, he only got the message that the phone was turned off.

'If the matter was resolved, they would've called already.'

He recalled the strange girl's voice he had heard over the phone.

Right as it came through, there'd been a curse, and the call had abruptly ended.

Something definitely happened after that.

'According to them, there was a girl next to Park Jung-woo.'

Was it that girl's voice he heard?

Maybe she wasn't a kid. Maybe she was just a short adult.

'If they gave away my info...'

He shook his head.

Even if they mentioned his name, who among the general public would link it to a congressman's aide?

"Hey, Cha Ji-seok."

A rough, grating voice addressed Ji-seok.

"Yes, congressman. Did you call for me?"

"So, is the job done?"

"Well... it's still in progress."

"Come on."

Min Gwang-hun frowned in disbelief.

"Why is it taking so long to deal with some nobody manager?"

"As expected, it's hard to get an opportunity, since he's working with Hunters."

"I know you're cautious, but sometimes you've just gotta be bold."

He had already been bold, which was why he resorted to hiring those criminals.

"You know already—Grand Nova and Park Seong-tae are moving in."

"Congressman Park Seong-tae, you mean?"

"That guy's moves are suspicious lately. If that sly Jin Su-hyuk teams up with Park Seong-tae, we're in trouble!"

Only an S-rank can stand up to an S-rank.

No wonder Min Gwang-hun was in a hurry.

For him, Unique Management—with its two S-rank Hunters aside from Grand Nova—was like a lifeline.

The agency's power was still weak. He could easily take it over, so he had to get it before the others did!

'According to the info, Unique is basically under that manager Park Jung-woo's control right now.'

If he could just bring him here and convince him—if not, threaten his life—who wouldn't listen?

"It's not too late. Raise the price and hire someone better, one of those guys running wild lately..."

At that moment—

Crash!

There was a smashing sound, and suddenly, all the lights in the mansion went out.

"Oh my, congressman Min Gwang-hun. Long time no see."

It was a familiar voice to Cha Ji-seok.

The same unfamiliar girl's voice he'd heard right before his phone was cut off.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Politicians, as always, are greedy.
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】