Chapter 136
Now, the real battle was about to begin.
The legal team of Ajin Soft, led by Yoo Jinho, versus the legal team of the Scavenger Guild, led by Laura.
Both sides brought forth all their expertise, exchanging countless documents and engaging in a fierce debate that lasted for hours.
The tension was as intense as a war between Hunters and beasts—neither side willing to yield even an inch.
And finally, the results of the battle were decided.
“Suho, we settled on a 50-50 profit split—pure net profits will be divided equally.”
Yoo Jinho returned triumphantly, like a general who had won a great war, and proudly reported to Suho.
“In exchange for us covering the entire cost of purchasing exclusive rights to the Glacier Dungeon, the Scavenger Guild will take full responsibility for the sourcing, management, distribution, and sales of Echo Forest’s spring water.”
This was actually something Suho had requested from Yoo Jinho in the first place.
After all, Suho didn’t have the manpower to handle such logistics.
More importantly, he was already busy leveling up and didn’t want to divert his focus to business affairs.
Suho nodded.
“That’s great. So what do I need to do?”
“You? You just sit back and watch the money roll in.”
Yoo Jinho winked playfully.
“You don’t have to worry about a thing. We’ll have our company staff monitoring everything to prevent any funny business with the supply or accounting.”
Truthfully, this was already a generous concession.
Essentially, Suho held exclusive rights over Echo Forest’s spring water.
Meanwhile, the Scavenger Guild was entirely dependent on Suho to access even a single drop.
Of course, for this to work, Suho first had to purchase the rights to the Glacier Dungeon from Facade Island and take responsibility for managing it to ensure the safety of its residents.
However, since the Scavenger Guild had also agreed to handle the dungeon’s management on his behalf, Suho now had nothing left to worry about.
On top of that, Yoo Jinho was personally covering the cost of purchasing the exclusive rights to the Glacier Dungeon.
In other words, Ajin Soft was making a massive investment in Suho as an individual.
And in return, Ajin Soft gained legitimate authority to oversee all of Scavenger’s business operations related to the spring water.
As Suho listened to Yoo Jinho’s explanation, he caught sight of Laura in the distance, sighing in exhaustion.
“…He’s relentless.”
Through this ordeal, Laura had finally experienced firsthand why Yoo Jinho’s name carried such a ruthless reputation in the business world.
The negotiations had been long and grueling, yet in the end, everything unfolded exactly as Yoo Jinho had intended.
The Scavenger Guild had no choice but to accept every condition he proposed.
“We got completely wrung dry. This is what it feels like to be on the losing side.”
Even though the Scavenger Guild was America’s largest Hunter guild, their reputation only held weight within the Hunter community.
Ajin Soft, on the other hand, was a massive corporation with no direct ties to the Hunter industry.
Unlike Scavenger, they had nothing to fear in terms of future repercussions.
In fact, Yoo Jinho was a major shareholder in the Scavenger Guild, meaning the power dynamic had been decided from the very start.
“There’s just one problem… This deal is actually great for us. Too great, even.”
Laura’s gaze flickered toward Yoo Jinho, who was grinning brightly next to Suho and Cha Hae-In.
The reason the Scavenger Guild ultimately had to accept such a one-sided deal—
It was because of the most enticing offer Yoo Jinho had put on the table.
“Just by having our name listed as the official distributor of Echo Forest’s spring water, the Scavenger Guild’s brand value among Hunters will skyrocket by at least twofold.”
A guild’s brand value wasn’t just about wealth or strength.
It depended on how much influence the guild could exert within the Hunter community.
“In the end, we played right into his hands, but… I can’t even be mad about it.”
This was the iron-willed businessman, Yoo Jinho.
Laura let out another sigh as she quietly reaffirmed the weight of his name.
Then, she turned back to Suho and spoke.
“Hunter Sung Suho.”
Suho, who had been talking with his mother, turned to face her.
Laura adjusted her glasses before continuing.
“Now that the business negotiations are settled, there’s still one last matter—this time, a personal one from Thomas Andre.”
“A personal matter?”
“Our Master wishes to express his gratitude to you and your mother for everything you’ve done for him. He’d like to offer you a reward of your choosing—anything at all. Please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I was able to find my mother thanks to all of you, so I should be the one thanking him instead.”
Suho politely declined.
While it was true that he entered the Glacier Dungeon at Thomas Andre’s request, that request ultimately led him to reunite with his long-lost mother.
If anything, Suho felt indebted to them.
However, Laura wasn’t willing to let it go that easily.
Having worked as Thomas Andre’s secretary for decades, she knew just how much he had suffered—plagued by endless nightmares and anxiety.
The reason he had come to the Glacier Dungeon in the first place was due to a prophecy from Norma Selner.
– “Thomas, if you conquer the Glacier Dungeon, you will be freed from your nightmares. But you must seek out a Hunter named Sung Suho in Korea…”
And now, looking at Thomas Andre’s expression as he laughed while roughhousing with his subordinates, it seemed that prophecy had come true.
Seeing that, Laura couldn’t help but smile as well.
“…Our Master has a strong competitive spirit. If he feels indebted, he won’t rest until he repays it. Please, tell me if there’s anything you need—consider it a personal gesture of appreciation from both of us.”
Sung Suho was at a loss as Laura continued to insist.
It felt rude to keep refusing when she was so adamant.
But the problem was—
“There’s really nothing I need.”
He had already found his mother.
Thanks to the Glacier Dungeon, he was about to make a significant amount of money.
Even when asked what he wanted, nothing immediately came to mind.
Then, suddenly—
“Wait.”
An idea crossed Suho’s mind.
“If that’s the case, could you provide me with some high-grade mana stones?”
“High-grade mana stones? Of course. How many do you need?”
“As many as possible.”
“As many as possible, huh…”
Laura thought for a moment before nodding readily.
“Understood. However, high-grade mana stones are in short supply, so it may take some time to gather them. Will that be alright?”
“Of course.”
Suho was already aware of this.
Only two years had passed since the Cataclysm, so the supply of high-grade mana stones was naturally limited.
Moreover, demand for such materials was immense—Hunters needed them for their gear, and scientific institutions used them for research.
For an ordinary Hunter like Suho, obtaining them in bulk would normally be extremely difficult.
But a massive guild like Scavenger should be able to source them with some effort.
After Laura departed, looking satisfied with his request, Cha Hae-In turned to Suho with a puzzled expression.
“Mana stones? Why not ask for a decent weapon instead?”
“A decent weapon? You saw how shocked Thomas Andre was when he saw Mom’s sword.”
Suho’s reasoning was sound.
Expecting a powerful weapon from the Scavenger Guild at this point was unrealistic.
Even if they started developing one immediately after returning to the U.S., it would take considerable time to craft something worthwhile.
“Then why mana stones?”
“I’m going to feed them to Beru.”
“…Beru?”
“Yeah. His energy is completely depleted—”
[Kieeeeek—!]
Plop!
“…….”
Before Suho could finish, Beru, overcome with emotion, flung himself onto Suho’s face, sobbing loudly.
[Khhk! To think you care for me this much! Young Lord, you truly are the only one who understands me! All those years of raising you—changing your diapers and all—were worth it!]
“Diapers…?”
Suho grimaced, looking utterly horrified, while Cha Hae-In couldn’t help but laugh.
It wasn’t an exaggeration—Beru had indeed cared for him like that.
Regardless, Suho planned to feed all the high-grade mana stones he received from Scavenger to Beru to help him recover.
Until now, Beru had been restoring his strength little by little by devouring mana-infused beasts and the mana crystals found in dungeons, but the amount was too minuscule.
The fundamental issue was that Beru’s original power was on an entirely different scale.
No matter how much he consumed, it was like pouring water into a bottomless jar.
But if Beru could absorb high-grade mana stones instead—perhaps he could replenish his strength more quickly.
—
With all matters settled with the Scavenger Guild, Suho and Cha Hae-In returned to the Glacier Dungeon.
Standing before the ominous gate that led to the depths of Echo Forest—to the Grave of the Radiant Dragons—they braced themselves.
Whooooosh.
Gray ash swirled ominously from the gate.
Cha Hae-In turned to Suho with Sirka at her side.
“Alright, I’ll be going now.”
“Yes, Mom. Be careful… and come back safely.”
Feeling somewhat solemn, Suho lowered his head slightly.
Though he was reluctant to part ways again, he understood.
As his mother had said, he had his own responsibilities to fulfill.
Until she returned after restoring Kaisel’s power—
“I need to stay here and level up.”
And by the time she came back, at the very least—
“I need to be stronger than her.”
This recent experience had made it painfully clear to Suho how weak he truly was.
Watching an S-Rank Hunter like Cha Hae-In in battle gave him a new goal.
If he wanted to be of any help to his father, he first needed to surpass his mother.
Moreover, this entire ordeal had brought another crucial realization.
“Beru always said it.”
His father had always fought alone.
In places no one remembered.
Waging an endless, solitary war.
But not anymore.
“Now, I’m here.”
His father was no longer alone.
“And we are here, too.”
This time, Suho truly understood that he wasn’t the only one who wanted to help his father.
His mother.
His uncle, Yoo Jinho.
Thomas Andre.
And soon, he would meet Woo Jin-Cheol as well.
Perhaps none of them were powerful enough to aid his father in the vast war beyond the stars.
After all, they weren’t Hunters who could continuously level up like Suho.
But their feelings—
“They’re the same. Just as strong as mine.”
Each of them, in their own way, in their own position, was striving to support Sung Jinwoo.
“…So.”
Suho’s gaze lifted to the sky, eyes burning with determination.
“Just wait a little longer, Dad.”
I’ll be there soon.
With everything I need to help you.
Suho remained in place, watching until his mother completely disappeared beyond the gate.
And then—
“Beru.”
[Yes, Young Lord.]
Turning back, Suho spoke calmly.
“Let’s go back. To Korea.”
