Hawaii, the quintessential island paradise, a US state composed of multiple islands.
Most tourists flocked to Oahu, home to the iconic Waikiki Beach.
Honolulu International Airport buzzed with activity, even in the early morning.
The General Assembly was fast approaching, and the airport thronged with Hunter Association officials.
Their attire, however, was… unconventional. Shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops—they looked more like vacationers than high-ranking officials.
A work trip disguised as a vacation. A peculiar concept, but one that seemed perfectly acceptable in Hawaii. After all, who could resist the allure of the islands?
Leaving Jin Baekji in charge of the other guild members, Han Taemin navigated the crowded airport.
He had a destination in mind.
The Bruie Hotel, Hawaii’s premier luxury resort.
Jin Mansu, the architect of this meeting, fell into step beside him.
Thanks to him, the meeting had been arranged quickly, efficiently.
As they approached the designated meeting room, Han Taemin asked,
“What kind of man is the Director-General?”
“Well, my opinion and your expectations may… differ.”
A long silence followed. Jin Mansu seemed to be choosing his words carefully.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low and measured.
“He’s not someone… you’ll like.”
An unexpectedly harsh assessment.
“The Director-General is a position of… considerable prestige.”
“Prestige is… a relative term.”
“He’s elected by the Association Presidents, isn’t he?”
The Director-General was chosen from among the Association Presidents, a position requiring the respect and trust of one’s peers.
A position that demanded meticulous self-management, a carefully cultivated public persona.
Even if someone didn’t like him, outright dislike seemed… unlikely.
“…Which is precisely why I can say this with confidence. I didn’t vote for him. I never liked him.”
Another pointed criticism. Han Taemin was about to press him for details, but they arrived at the meeting room.
He’d find out soon enough.
He opened the door, and a man, flanked by his secretary, rose to greet them. Despite his imposing physique, his face was lined with wrinkles, a testament to his age.
He appeared to be in his sixties, his expression confident, almost… arrogant.
Ralph Emerson, Director-General of the International Hunter Association.
“A pleasure to meet you, Hunter Han Taemin. I’ve been following your… career with… great interest.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Director-General. I’ve heard… much about you.”
“Is that so? How… flattering.”
He tapped his cane on the floor, then gestured towards Jin Mansu.
“President Jin seemed… insistent that I meet with you.”
He looked at Han Taemin, his expression impatient.
“What is this about? I apologize for my… abruptness, but I’m rather… pressed for time.”
With the General Assembly fast approaching, his schedule was likely… full.
Han Taemin, wasting no time, summarized Lee Jia’s findings, emphasizing the potential threat posed by Legion.
“…So, you believe they’re harboring… Outlaws?”
“Their philosophy of… acquisition, their willingness to… procure anything… for the right price… that’s not the concerning part. It’s their… potential. They could be more dangerous than… Mutlaq.”
He’d been targeted by Legion himself.
Jericho, the sound manipulator, was a formidable opponent.
“A rather… bold claim. Hunters of SSS-Rank caliber… aligning themselves with such an organization…”
Ralph’s demeanor remained unchanged, his expression almost… bored. He stifled a yawn.
“…I was expecting something… significant. This is… rather… disappointing.”
“You don’t believe Legion poses a threat?”
“You worry too much. For an EX-Rank hunter, you’re surprisingly… timid.”
He chuckled, a dismissive sound.
Han Taemin understood Jin Mansu’s dislike now. Ralph wasn’t listening.
Perhaps, for someone in his position, someone who’d overseen the Hunter Association for decades, an organization like Legion seemed… insignificant.
“I receive reports like this… daily. Frankly, I’m surprised a hunter of your… stature is… concerned.”
“This is different. They’re more… organized, more… ambitious. And their transaction records…”
“The records you couldn’t even… decipher?”
Ralph’s interruption was sharp, dismissive. The evidence was circumstantial. While Han Taemin understood the true nature of Legion, their connection to the Masked Group, others might not.
“I have more pressing concerns. There are those who would… relish my… downfall. Do you think my position is… secure?”
“Frankly… no.”
“Precisely. And then there’s this… Activation Cartridge incident you’ve been… investigating…”
“The Activation Cartridges?”
“Yes. From what I understand, even with those… enhancements, they’re still… low-level hunters. Hardly a threat that warrants the Association’s… direct intervention.”
A dead end. From an outsider’s perspective, his assessment was… reasonable. While Legion was undeniably competent, they hadn’t done anything to warrant such… concern.
His secretary leaned closer, whispering in his ear. Ralph nodded, tapping his cane thoughtfully.
“I’m afraid our time is… limited. The General Assembly requires my… full attention.”
“So, you’re… dismissing my concerns?”
“It’s not that I don’t… believe you. I’m sure there’s someone… responsible. But this is hardly a… priority. I’ll… consider your… warning. Conduct my own… investigation.”
His words were polite, but his dismissal was clear.
Han Taemin hadn’t anticipated such a negative response. But then again, perhaps he’d overestimated the threat.
‘I’ll have to handle this myself.’
He hadn’t come here to save Ralph. That was a secondary objective. His primary goal was to identify and eliminate any members of the Masked Group who might be present.
As Ralph departed, Jin Mansu smiled wryly.
“Do you understand now? Why I… warned you?”
“Yes. I’m surprised someone like that… reached such a high position.”
“…He’s a shrewd politician. Even if he did believe you, he’d make the same decision. He can’t afford to appear… weak so close to the General Assembly.”
“I don’t like him.”
Han Taemin despised such individuals, those who prioritized politics over competence. He’d seen it often on the battlefield—individuals whose reputations were built on connections, not skill.
In peacetime, such flaws might be… overlooked. But in these turbulent times, a leader with such a mindset was a liability.
“It’s to be expected. He’s a master manipulator, more interested in consolidating power than… actual leadership. He ascended through… compromise, not merit. He holds… leverage over the other Association Presidents.”
Ralph’s victory wasn’t a testament to his skill or leadership, but to his political maneuvering.
The Association’s continued success wasn’t due to his leadership, but to the sheer number of talented individuals within its ranks.
Even the choice of Hawaii as the location for the General Assembly was… telling.
A blatant display of self-indulgence.
Jin Mansu clapped him on the shoulder.
“Since you’re here… enjoy yourself. You’re in Hawaii, after all.”
“I intend to.”
Han Taemin nodded.
He’d anticipated this outcome, which was why he’d brought his guild members.
A precautionary measure, and an opportunity for them to… relax, to de-stress after their recent ordeal.
A large shadow fell over them. He turned to see a familiar face.
“…Fancy meeting you here.”
Wild hair, bulging muscles—Ivan, one of the few SSS-Rank hunters. The Six Hundred Million Dollar Man.
“Hunter Ivan. It’s been a while.”
Their last encounter had been in Las Vegas. He hadn’t even seen him during Operation Desert Dawn.
As Karina had predicted, Ivan’s presence here suggested a… lack of agency, a mission dictated by his government, not his own volition.
A figure emerged from behind Ivan, a young man, barely twenty, his demeanor arrogant, his gaze sharp and assessing.
“Step aside.”
“And who are you to make such demands?”
“You must be… Han Taemin.”
“Ah, so this is the famed Hunter Han Taemin.”
The young man’s eyes glinted, his gaze lingering, as if… evaluating him.
Han Taemin frowned, glancing at Ivan, who merely shrugged, as if this were a common occurrence.
“Who is this?”
The young man answered, his voice smooth and condescending.
“My apologies. I haven’t introduced myself. Sergei Brutorn Nikhdolf. Sergei, for short.”
He extended a hand, and Han Taemin, despite his reservations, shook it.
Sergei then proceeded to pull out a handkerchief and meticulously wipe his hand.
“I’m rather… particular about hygiene. Not that you’re unclean, of course. Just a… personal preference.”
A deliberate provocation, a subtle display of arrogance.
Han Taemin looked at Ivan, who simply shrugged again.
“You’re… rather… unremarkable. I expected… more. A certain… presence. A… gravitas befitting your reputation. But you’re just… so… ordinary.”
He danced around the line of outright insult, his words carefully chosen, yet still… cutting.
“Though, I suppose it’s to be expected. One can’t simply… acquire such qualities. Breeding is… essential. A refined upbringing, a life of privilege… these are things one cannot simply… obtain.”
“You…”
Jin Mansu started to speak, but Sergei cut him off, slapping his forehead dramatically.
“Oh dear! Look at the time! I’d love to continue this… fascinating conversation, but I’m afraid I have a… prior engagement. Good day. Ivan, let’s go.”
“Yes, sir.”
They turned and walked away, their departure as abrupt as their arrival. Jin Mansu clicked his tongue.
“Kids these days…”
“I found him… rather entertaining.”
“What?”
Han Taemin knew, instinctively, that Sergei was… different. Something… else was lurking beneath the surface.