Chapter 246: An Expert on Everything (2)

The serious, weighty mood of a documentary melted away, replaced by the lively energy of a reality show the moment Kim Ki-Rok appeared on camera. Some viewers found this shift irritating, while others seized it as an opportunity.

Those who disliked it were mainly people envious of Kim Ki-Rok's talent, wealth, and influence. It didn't matter to them that some of his abilities had been earned through Gate clears rather than Awakening, or that he shared these skills with both domestic and international guilds whenever cooperation was needed.

Even though he used the wealth from his Gate activities to nurture new Hunters and contribute to society, that only fueled their resentment. The same held true for his influence. The higher he climbed, the more their jealousy grew. Nonetheless, Kim Ki-Rok's achievements put him beyond their reach, and no one in their right mind would sympathize with their complaints, much less support them.

Statistics showed that only three percent of viewers disliked him, which meant he had an unprecedented ninety-seven percent approval rate. He played a vital role in clearing Gates and brought much-needed levity to broadcasts that otherwise felt oppressively grim. By doing his job well and making people laugh, he helped lift the weight of their worries.

So who were the ones who saw Kim Ki-Rok's ability to turn a tense, observational broadcast into an entertainment show as an opportunity?

A blade plunged into flesh with a sickening sound.

"Wh-why on earth..." The criminal gasped, choking on blood as he spoke.

"We already knew you were preparing to flee and planning major crimes as soon as things changed," said the figure looming over him.

Those taking advantage of the new atmosphere were none other than the Awakened criminals. At the request of the state and the Association, they'd been protecting the Earth.

Initially, most hadn't considered this an opportunity. They'd watched as celebrated Hunters suffered grave injuries trying to clear the Hell Gate, and even after strategies were found to counter the Hell monsters, new and even stronger threats kept emerging. The odds seemed hopeless.

Over time, some Awakened criminals began to change their minds. The Hunters who had been injured and those who fought Hell monsters joined forces and grew stronger. They succeeded in bringing down one of the Four Dukes, and using information from that subjugation, they devised a plan to tackle both the East and West at once.

With only the Grand Duke and the Hell King left, hope began to flicker. Sensing this shift, some Awakened criminals started to reveal their true intentions. With everyone's attention fixed on the Gate, Hell, it was the perfect time to slip away from the nation's and Association's watchful eyes and make a final score before vanishing.

One of them was currently staring down at the long blade protruding from his body, mustering mana to stay alive a little longer. He didn't dare struggle since the sword that ran him through had pierced both his heart and his mana channels.

"Kim Ki-Rok?" he gasped.

"No. The government organized this operation. Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok only warned us and shared the information after our plans were set," the government-affiliated Hunter replied.

"So...the government...

Cough!

So the government and the Association aren't fools."

The Hunter remained silent.

"Is it... all of us?" the criminal managed.

"No. We're only targeting the ones we couldn't identify after lengthy surveillance."

"

Heh. Heh heh.

" The dying man let out a bitter laugh before collapsing forward.

The Hunter stared quietly down at the body, then shook his head. This criminal had plotted to raid an external weapons depot along with his usual group of accomplices.

"Why do they throw away the chances given to them?" he muttered.

Awakened criminals who had committed misdemeanors and felonies weren't sent into the Hell Gate, but were instead assigned to external clear teams and handled other Gates that had opened on Earth.

Most accepted the terms set by Kim Ki-Rok. Some, however, changed their minds. Even when offered a clean slate and a new identity that would keep their families safe, a few still threw it away.

At the sound of footsteps among the shadowy container boxes, the Hunter looked up. Emerging from the darkness was an Awakened criminal with a large scar across his face. He was a former felon, left to fend for himself in the underworld since childhood, as well as a father.

The man glanced indifferently at the corpse on the ground.

"Thank you for the information," the Hunter said.

"I just did what needed to be done," the Awakened criminal replied.

"Your tip helped prevent an incident before it started."

"Hmm?"

"With the approval of the state and the Association, I have an offer. Would you like to stop your Gate activities and receive a new past and identity?"

The scarred man's eyes widened. He'd thought this kind of amnesty would only come after the Gate was cleared, or if he died in the line of duty.

"Why..."

"If you're wondering why we didn't announce the possibility of an early reward for information, think back to the conversation I just had with that criminal," the Hunter explained.

After a moment's silence, the felon sighed. "Because you haven't caught all the rogue Awakened criminals yet?"

"Exactly. If we made the reward public, we'd lose our chance to find them. But by keeping it secret, we could identify those able to fool even Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok. So, what's your decision?"

"Can my wife and son receive the reward first?" he asked.

The Hunter smiled. "You mean Mr. Yoo Jin-Soo and Ms. Lee Se-Hee?"

"Yes."

"And you, Mr. Yoo Tae-Ha, will you keep clearing Gates?"

"Yes."

The Hunter started to ask why, then stopped himself. Even with a new past and official status, none of it would matter if a Gate went wild and Hell spilled onto Earth.

"Understood. Welcome aboard, government-affiliated Hunter Yoo Tae-Ha."

***

When a Gate clear involved more than a hundred participants, the nation and the Association allowed ordinary people to assist, as long as they weren't fighting monsters directly.

A wide range of people were involved. There were tacticians drafting battle plans, logistics crews moving essential supplies, and caregivers helping Hunters recover after combat. Skilled cooks stepped in to support those who had the Cooking Skill but little formal training. And even if they couldn't kill monsters themselves, weapon specialists and soldiers played their part by slowing the enemy with modern firepower.

The same held true for the Hell Gate clear. In fact, since this was the most dangerous Gate ever, experts from around the world joined the effort.

"But you know, Ryan..." Sam, a celebrated American chef, looked over at his apprentice, Ryan, an Awakened with a Cooking Skill who'd chosen a chef's path rather than that of a Hunter.

"Yes, Master?"

"

You

know Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok."

"Oh, yes. Are you curious about him?"

"Aren't you?"

Ryan tilted his head. "Well, now that you mention it, I am."

Sam frowned slightly, realizing Ryan wasn't getting his point. Although Ryan was an Awakened, Sam still saw him as only an intermediate chef.

After a moment's stare, Sam sighed deeply. "Ryan. Did you see Kim Ki-Rok cooking this morning?"

Ryan nodded. "I did, Chef."

"What was he making?"

"Steak. Hawaiian chop steak."

"And what seasoning and method did he use?"

Ryan started to answer, then stopped, recalling the morning's events. His eyes went wide with surprise.

"From your face, I guess you didn't teach him."

"Uh... no, I didn't. Wait, could he have learned it from one of your other apprentices?" Ryan asked.

"Only two people know the Hawaiian chop steak recipe and method. You and I."

Given Sam's serious tone, it was clear he hadn't taught Kim Ki-Rok.

"What's... going on?"

The two chefs stared at each other, puzzled.

It wasn't just the cooks who were shocked. The massage therapists were astonished by Kim Ki-Rok's professional-grade technique. The soldiers remembered how he'd shown them how to use the new mana stone rifles that had only been mass-produced last year, teaching them as though he were a veteran instructor.

The doctors were equally baffled. Having been short-staffed in an emergency once, they called for help. Kim Ki-Rok, who'd just returned from battle, stepped in to assist with surgery at the doctor's request.

"He didn't have a medical license, did he?" one doctor asked.

"No, he didn't," said another.

"Incredible. That suture was the work of a real professional."

"He knew the names of tools most people wouldn't recognize. He also used all the correct medical terms."

Just then, a bespectacled nurse slurping instant noodles spoke up. "Doctors, I've got even more amazing news."

"Amazing news?" one of them asked.

"Oh, it's really something."

𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"What is it?"

"He fixed it."

"Fixed what?"

"The machine. The new radiography machine was broken. Maybe it was damaged during transport, or maybe we got a faulty one because of the rush order. Either way, he repaired it."

The doctors fell silent.

"

Hahaha!

" The nurse burst out laughing at their stunned faces.

"Oh, that was a joke," one doctor said, trying to recover.

"No." The nurse immediately shook her head, then broke out in another smile. "I heard the others were just as shocked."

"The others?"

"Yes. Everyone who's gotten help from Kim Ki-Rok says the same thing. Whatever he does, you'd think he was an expert in that field."