Chapter 72
The entire country was thrown into chaos.
Another update to the Ranker System had occurred.
[Association Investigation Launched! Reason for ranking change presumed to be the death of Shadow Walker, Rank 720, from France!]
Before, it was The Diamond’s death.
Now, another ranker had died.
And the location was the same—
The Republic of Korea, the world’s second-strongest Hunter nation.
The internet erupted like a volcano.
– What the hell, Korea again? Other countries are peaceful, why are we always in turmoil?
– Maybe it means more foreign rankers are coming here?
– So what happened this time? Last time it was a terrorist group. Don’t tell me this is another one?
– From what I know, Shadow Walker worked for the Ohsung Group. If he was murdered, maybe Ohsung will step in?
– Oh! Right?! Ohsung, hurry up and make a statement! I’m curious!
But there was no need to wait.
At that exact moment, Ki Soyul made her announcement.
[Shocking Statement from the Shadow Empress: “I was the one who killed Shadow Walker!”]
Ki Soyul quickly released an article explaining the situation and expressed regret toward Ohsung Group, who were suspected of ordering the assassination.
– Damn.
– Holy crap.
– Those bastards at Ohsung Group… I knew they’d pull something like this one day. What kind of corporation orders assassinations in the 21st century?
– Scumbags. That company’s always had a trashy reputation anyway.
– I was gonna stay neutral, but wow… there’s even proof. Overseas rankers are the problem, man. They should stay in their own countries instead of coming here, committing terrorism, leaking resources…
– Shadow Empress is gorgeous.
The absurdity of an “assassination order” lit the internet ablaze.
Thousands of comments flooded in, and speculative articles spread like wildfire.
– I’m never buying Ohsung Group products again. Scary company.
– Damn, I left a one-star review for one of their products once… am I gonna get assassinated now?
– You shouldn’t buy from shady corporations anyway.
– Ohsung Workshop? I wouldn’t use their junk even if it was free lol.
– The execs will all get into “accidents” soon.
– Shadow Empress is amazing.
The public frenzy only grew.
Through social media and YouTube edits, information spread faster, and public hatred toward Ohsung Group swelled like seaweed in water.
BANG!
Eventually, Chairman Shin Jooyong of Ohsung Group slammed his desk.
The executives and department heads gathered in the meeting room watched as his wrinkled hand trembled in fury.
“What in the hell happened? How does a ranker employed by our group act on his own like that without my knowledge?!”
“W-we’re not sure, sir… we’re currently investigating.”
Shin Jooyong was dumbfounded.
Dmir Workshop?
He’d heard the name a few times—nothing more.
He’d been too busy with other ventures to care.
‘What?’
A ranker?
And the attacker was his own man, Shadow Walker?
And the target was Ki Soyul—the Shadow Empress?
“What kind of idiot tries to assassinate the Shadow Empress?!”
“Exactly, sir. None of us would be that stupid… but there is one person we suspect.”
“What? Who?!”
“W-well…”
One executive hesitated.
Only when Shin’s sharp gaze bore into him did he finally speak.
“It’s… Executive Director Shin Jongoh.”
“Jongoh?”
The mention of his grandson made Shin Jooyong’s lips twist.
“…Hmm. I did hear rumors that he wasn’t on good terms with Dmir Workshop recently.”
“Indeed, sir.”
Shin’s brow twitched.
Tap. Tap.
His fingers drummed lightly on the table—something he did when thinking deeply.
‘Jongoh, that boy…’
A troublesome grandson.
He knew the kid was growing up spoiled, practically a thug in a suit.
But he couldn’t bring himself to intervene.
‘My sons…’
Because of his cold-blooded nature—so cold he’d been called “the man without a heart”—he’d long ago struck all his sons from the family register.
Even for the smallest mistakes.
Even for the faintest sign of weakness.
He believed mercy had no place in business.
‘The company I built is my true child.’
A company is a living being.
It even receives a legal registration number upon incorporation.
Something that precious couldn’t be entrusted to a fool.
At least, not until he grew old enough to regret it—until age taught him the value of family.
So when his grandchildren went astray, he simply watched.
He even handed them projects, treating them carefully.
“Are you sure it was Jongoh?”
“There’s no concrete proof, sir, but the circumstances suggest it.”
“Hmm.”
He didn’t need proof.
After living as a corporate mogul this long, he could read between the lines.
And if the relationship with Dmir Workshop had soured?
The conclusion was obvious.
“But there’s still no solid evidence, correct?”
“Yes, sir. There were no security records at Shadow Walker’s hotel, and he had a solid alibi.”
“I see.”
Records could always be erased.
Alibis could always be fabricated.
In this world, anything was possible—if you had enough money.
“Then we’ll issue our statement immediately.”
“What should we say, sir?”
“Express our innocence. And if we were slandered without proof… we’ll make them pay. Ranker or not.”
“Is that wise, sir?”
“When it’s time to strike back, you strike hard. That’s how you stop people from walking all over you.”
Maybe he really was getting old.
When pride starts outweighing pragmatism, that’s how you know.
Normally, he would’ve just apologized and ended it quietly.
“Call back every resting ranker on the company roster. We’ll show force.”
“Yes, sir!”
He chose defiance.
—
[Breaking News! Ohsung Group Finally Speaks Out!]
[Chairman Shin Jooyong Denies Ordering Assassination—Considers Filing Defamation and False Information Charges!]
[Expresses Regret Toward Dmir Workshop and Parang Guild—Demands Apology or Will Take Strong Action!]
The Hunter forums exploded again.
– What’s going on?! Who’s telling the truth?
– Lol, who do you think? You think Dmir Workshop or the Shadow Empress would pick a fight with Ohsung for no reason? Obviously it’s true.
– Then why’s Ohsung acting like that?
– They’re just trying to flex. Nobody fights with lawyers anymore. It’s all about power. Word is, Ohsung’s rankers are already regrouping at HQ.
– For real? That’s insane.
– Is Korea turning into a lawless zone now?
– Not lawless—call it the Hunter’s Age of Romance lol.
– “Like the wind, a passion passing by~”
– Shadow Empress is so lovely.
Ohsung refused to admit fault.
And the situation only escalated.
But things weren’t going the way the group wanted.
“C-chairman!”
A manager burst into the office, breathless.
“What now?”
“Have you seen this article?”
“Huh?”
Shin Jooyong frowned and unlocked his phone.
A headline plastered across the main page made his eyes widen.
[Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s Black Sword Captain, Lee Seonah: “Ki Soyul isn’t the type to lie.”]
“Lee Seonah?”
Rank 509, the Black Sword herself, publicly defending Ki Soyul.
Below, the comment section was flooded again.
– Damn, even the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s stepping in?
– That’s like Korea’s top group, right? What’s Ohsung gonna do now?
– The Sect Leader Hase Ra hasn’t stepped in yet, though.
– If Hase Ra does, it’s game over lol. She’s world rank 3 and Korea’s strongest. But even just Black Sword siding with the Empress? Ohsung’s in trouble.
– True. They’re getting isolated.
And that wasn’t all.
[Ranker Yoo Sangdon Speaks Out: “Shocked by Ohsung’s Assassination Order. Rotten roots must be cut from sacred commerce.”]
– Whoa, even White Boar joined in?
– Ohsung’s officially the most hated company in Korea.
– Dude, if White Boar’s involved, that’s serious. He’s the vice chief of the Merchant Confederation. Ohsung’s terrified of him.
– But wait, aren’t they all part of the Five Stars of Seoul? It’s kinda ironic that the Five Stars are ganging up on Ohsung Group lol.
– Shadow Empress is the ultimate influencer.
– Villain Ki Soyul strikes again.
BANG!
Shin Jooyong slammed his desk once more.
“That bastard, Yoo Sangdon…!”
Unbelievable.
Lee Seonah was one thing, but Yoo Sangdon’s statement was outrageous.
“Unbelievable! That greedy bastard dares talk about corruption? That man’s filthier than we’ll ever be!”
He could see through it.
They were just using this chaos to take out a competitor.
“M-Mr. Chairman.”
“What now?!”
“Actually, they’re not the biggest problem.”
“Then what is?!”
Now he felt uneasy.
Could there really be something worse?
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Maybe he’d gone too far.
Maybe he should’ve just punished Jongoh internally and apologized.
The thought flashed through his mind—but he quickly shook it off.
He’d already taken his stand.
Backing down now would mean the end.
He’d burned the bridge behind him.
“T-thing is… Jang Daewoong contacted headquarters.”
“Jang Daewoong… so that lunatic moved too.”
Shin grit his teeth.
If the Five Stars of Seoul really banded together, the last piece of that puzzle would be Jang Daewoong—the Berserker.
That one was dangerous.
Still, would he really step into something unrelated?
The higher your rank, the less you meddled in others’ affairs.
And public opinion mattered.
If top rankers bullied a corporation without justification, there’d be backlash.
“What did he say?”
“He said… he ordered 300 billion won worth of weapons from Dmir Workshop, and thanks to us, his order was almost ruined. He wants us to pay for it.”
“What? Pay?”
“Yes… he says he’s giving us one hour before he blows up our headquarters. He told us to evacuate all civilians.”
“…What?”
Shin Jooyong was speechless. (T/N: Gad damnnnnn. )
Even for a ranker, that was tantamount to declaring war.
Korea had Association laws—rankers could duel by mutual agreement, but random destruction of property was forbidden.
Especially when civilian casualties were possible.
“He said since the building’s worth around 300 billion, it’s fair compensation…”
“It’s worth far more than that!”
“Well… he’s not exactly someone you can reason with.”
“That maniac… he’s insane!”
Shin roared.
“He is insane, sir…”
The executive murmured softly, almost inaudibly.
“…Manager Kim?”
Shin glared at him.
“Y-yes, Chairman.”
“At a time like this, you think I’m in the mood for jokes?”
“S-sorry, sir.”
“Haah…”
Shin’s trembling hand clenched tighter.
He couldn’t stop shaking.
The anger wouldn’t subside.
“Evacuate everyone, now! We’ll assess the situation afterward!”
There was no other choice.
The opponent was the Berserker.
A true madman.
And when faced with a madman—
The best strategy was to avoid him.