Is this Hunter for Real Chapter 10: Chapter 10: A Star (2)

MS Kim Soh-Yun acted naturally without being conscious of the many cameras recording her every movement from all sorts of angles. However, it was only her movements that looked oh-so-natural; she was strictly adhering to the plan thought up way in advance.

'It's like I'm looking at a stiff, inflexible soldier, isn't it,' thought Choi Kahng-Sik.

Actually, to begin with, her background was in the military.

You see, the military insignia signifying her rank as a major, plus all those medals adorning her black coat, weren't just there as decorations.

The schedule for the first day was to scout the area and get familiarised with the ecology and the terrain of this place.

The real cooperative hunting started on the second day.

"Mister Choi Kahng-Sik? Don't you want to become a soldier?"

While on air, the MS Kim Soh-Yun began evaluating Choi Kahng-Sik quite favourably. She intended to advertise her friendly Republic of Korea at the same time as well as showing how accommodating she could be.

'He's sharp, and most of all, he's good at everything,' thought Kim Soh-Yun.

This guy was quite different from all those ordinary Hunters who only relied on their trusty superpowers and arrogantly ran their mouths off all the time. In other words, he wasn't some dummy who needed a manager to take care of everything like a nanny.

Seriously, he could cook, do laundry, wash the dishes, set up his own tent, even going so far to draw a map of the area...

It'd be harder to find the odd job that he couldn't do!

Choi Kahng-Sik replied with a bitter smile.

"I will have to politely refuse your offer."

"But, you would come under my wings, though?"

"My apologies."

How would that kinda offer be a jackpot for him? He was already well past the age where he might fall for the sweet temptation of staring at the back of one of the most beautiful women in the world every single day.

'This spinster is blurting out nonsense!!'

Indeed, how could she even suggest to an MS, who was riding on the waves of popularity, that he should change his job to a soldier?

MS Kim Soh-Yun shrugged her shoulders.

"That's too bad."

"Noo-nim!! What does it matter if he could do all those chores?! A Hunter only needs to be good at one thing, and that is to hunt monsters! Doing odd jobs is just a waste of time. It's inefficient."

Hahn Joh-Seop abruptly butted in.

He didn't enjoy the fact that Choi Kahng-Sik was being valued so highly, not one bit.

The woman who got called noo-nim narrowed her eyes and replied.

"Oh, so you only eat morning dew, then? Why don't you change your picky eating habits first and open your mouth? I wonder, what did you say back then, while burying a boiled carrot in the ground?"

"That, that, I was just trying to be funny...."

"....Pathetic."

"....."

Kim Soh-Yun shut the mouth of the handsome Hunter and began the briefing right away.

"The monsters occupying the Gimpo Airport is Buff-Palrogs The situation is, these monsters drove out the previous overlord of this place with their numerical advantage. Not many people know about this change because the event took place recently."

"Oh, ohhh!! Are you saying that we'll get to monopolise this hunting ground?"

"W-wait a minute?!"

"You're truly amazing, noo-nim!!"

Han Joh-Seop was not defeated by her earlier remarks and butted in again. His exaggerated tone of voice even ended up harming the tense atmosphere.

He was like a needy child wanting to be the centre of attention all the time.

It was plainly obvious that he was trying to increase the amount of his screen time during the broadcast.

"The reason why this information was not disclosed to the public, was because I was not 100% sure. So, I'd like everyone watching to not misunderstand my intentions. I was not trying to monopolise this place."

Kim Soh-Yun quickly offered up her defence. In the meantime, her eyebrows were quivering slightly.

'Is this idiot high on drugs or something?'

This guy had been acting weirdly since yesterday.

The amount of the screen time one got would naturally go up if you fought hard during the hunt itself. Hahn Joh-Seop wasn't a noob MS, so there was no way he couldn't have known this fact.

But, he seemed to be in a rush like a puppy wanting to urinate very badly.

On the other hand...

"Leader. How big is the size of Buff-Palrogs' herd?"

The young man who set the internet alight a few days ago was asking her questions as if that was par for the course. Unlike a certain someone who was just a walking, talking bundle of accidents waiting to happen, this youth only talked about the important points with a calm tone of voice.

'The MS Cameraman.'

His real name was Choi Kahng-Sik. She didn't try all that hard to remember that name. However, she did get to memorise it, since everyone around her was constantly talking about him.

In a few days, she'd forget about his face and his phone number, lost among the sea of the many Monster Streamers wanting to speak to her, but at least for now, that would not be the case.

Things were progressing smoothly as if she was holding an actual military briefing.

MS Kim Soh-Yun replied while feeling quite satisfied.

"The initial estimate puts the number at around seventy. They are spread all over the airport, so counting them was a real hassle, though."

The staff members behind the cameras nodded their heads in agreement.

One could definitely feel that it wasn't only the physical hardship they suffered during that scouting period.

"Seventy Buff-Palrogs should present us with a decent challenge, no? Ahaha! I also know a bit about what you went through. Some time ago, the guy who I used to work for threatened me using my salary, so I had to investigate all by myself and nearly ended up dying."

Choi Kahng-Sik talked nonstop about his own experience while dressing it up like an exciting adventure full of danger and such.

"You managed to stay alive, then?"

MS Kim Soh-Yun smirked slightly and went with the flow of his story, just for a bit. It seemed that doing chores wasn't the only thing this youth was good at.

'In other words, his popularity isn't just based on nothing.'

For a newbie, he sure knew his stuff, that's for sure.

"Was it last summer? There was that one time I got chased around by Buff-Palrogs. You see, in the monster encyclopedia, it only mentions that we should watch out for the monster's ability to buff each other. So, Hunters tend to look down on any individual monsters roaming around. But the thing is, Buff-Palrogs are never too far away from their herd. Never."

He even managed to smoothly merge the seemingly unrelated tale of his experience with the matter at hand.

This slick way of operating was so good, it was almost at the point where she was beginning to question just how long this youth had been an MS.

How could he be a noob of only a week old?

┖ What a score! He's like a walking human encyclopedia. ;;

┖ The questions of the Cameraman, first victory! Ou! (^∇^)b

┖ Hey, Mister MS nanny? Are you getting dragged to the labour department? Even the kid, too? (TL: the above two lines are the direct translation of the raw. I've no idea what they could mean, though.)

As the audience's reactions towards the youth continued to get better and better, the expression on the face of MS Hahn Joh-Seop got worse and worse.

"Just one chance...."

He openly declared his intentions and waited for a chance to get even.

Meanwhile, the MS Kim Soh-Yun smirked after realising what was going on here.

'This idiot. So, that's why you had your knickers in a twist, eh.'

But, she wasn't too worried about that.

Hahn Joh-Seop's words also had a point. A Hunter only needed to hunt well. That was all. Knowing how to take care of chores too would be icing on the cake, though.

Anyways, if this accident-prone handsome Hunter could help out properly with today's Buff-Palrog cooperative hunt, then she was planning to forgive every minor mistake this fool committed along the way.

For her, safely hunting took priority over streaming.

She only had one life, and it was more precious than anything else in this world, after all. Not to forget, she also had to look after her 'family members' following her into this dangerous hunting ground because they trusted in her ability.

So, she had many responsibilities to shoulder.

'So, now... I should choose between the two, yes?'

Choi Kahng-Sik spoke his opinion first.

"The strategy I propose with my limited knowledge is like this. We induce the Buff-Palrogs to pour out all their buff abilities to one monster only, and then, while someone lures it away, we attack the unguarded rear....."

"Hah?! Are you stupid?"

Hahn Joh-Seop abruptly cut Choi Kahng-Sik's words in the middle.

"Is there a problem?"

"A problem? Of course, there are many! With eight layers of buffs on one monster, it'd become at least as strong as a two-star, so who's going to lead that thing around and buy time? Noo-nim, why don't we combine our powers and hunt defenceless Buff-Palrogs one at a time?"

It wasn't as if Hahn Joh-Seop stepped forward without a plan.

'What an arrogant b*stard. What gall to suggest a stupid and dumb plan like that. Oh well, thanks to that, my superiority has been proven, though!' thought Hahn Joh-Seop.

It wasn't all that much a superior plan, actually.

His plan was to quietly eliminate one monster at a time from the safe distance.

That was the basic hunting tactic for one-star ranked Buff-Palrogs that got progressively harder to hunt as their herd got bigger and bigger.

Of course, this tactic wasn't easy to carry out, either.

Kim Soh-Yun pretended to give the matter some thought, before asking Hahn Joh-Seop.

"Hng~, hey, Hahn Joh-Seop? You confident you can do this?"

"But, of course!"

The handsome Hunter pounded his chest once and replied.

"If your attack lacks enough power and fails to kill a Buff-Palrog in one shot, it will call for its friends. Then, things will get dangerous in the blink of an eye. Surely, you know this?"

Kim Soh-Yun couldn't stop worrying and confirmed one more time.

There were seventy Buff-Palrogs.

Even for the best MS in Korea, this presented a considerable burden for her. There was a reason why she decided to do a cooperative hunting, and this was it.

She would never tolerate any kind of mistakes.

"Haha! My attacking power? Noo-nim, you can rest easy. You know what my nickname is, don't you?"

"Ng. Okay. I'll trust you."

"Ahaha! Even you, my dear audience, will be pleasantly surprised when I show you my true power!"

She chose to go along with Hahn Joh-Seop's tactic. Although she did frown somewhat at his provocative mutterings, still, his strategy was the sound one.

She'd acknowledge things that needed acknowledging, after all.

'Hahn Joh-Seop's superpower is powerful, indeed.'

And that was precisely the reason why she suggested this cooperative hunt to him in the first place. Hahn-Joh-Seop's lightning strikes were one of the most powerful in Korea. Among the top, in fact.

Even the nickname he earned was grandiose, too.

The 'Taegeuk' Thor! (TL: Taegeuk is the Yin-Yang symbol found in the Korean national flag.)

His current mental state might be a cause for concern, but as long as he shot his lightning attack without issue, that wouldn't matter one jot.

Kim Soh-Yun glanced to her side and asked.

"What about you, Mr Kahng-Sik?"

Although he did come up with an interesting tactic of baiting and luring, she wasn't planning to do that. So, this question of hers wasn't about seeking his consent.

No, she was asking - will you tag along? Or not?

She was asking whether he'd continue to broadcast alongside her.

┖ So, you're sticking to sniping from afar?

┖ I expected as much, from the moment she invited 'Thor'!

┖ Hey, the commenter above mine? Everyone knew that much already, ya know?

One of the staff members showed the viewer comments appearing in real time with a tablet while standing behind the camera, the blind spot where he wouldn't be captured by the broadcast.

There was a deluge of complaints saying that they were tired of seeing the exact same battle tactic again.

However, the broadcast would go ahead as planned!

[A certain god is suggesting you should scold her.]

[A certain impatient god advises a swift slap to her face.]

[Another god opposes that, saying that's too much.]

'Tsk. Things are happening as I expected.'

As a reply to Kim Soh-Yun and her question, Choi Kahng-Sik shrugged his shoulders. The slapping face suggestion was immediately rejected, of course.

[A certain impatient god is disappointed.]

[Another god is smiling triumphantly.]

"You don't have to mind me."

After all, he was not an Esper. He couldn't destroy monsters in one shot from a distance.

'That's why I was going to volunteer for the role of the bait, though.'

It was the most dangerous job, and so, it was only natural for the guy who suggested the plan to take it on. However, they didn't even want to listen, to begin with.

This variety survival show only looked exciting on paper. But it was nothing more than a simple stage play unfolding according to the script.

'What can I do? They don't want to do it and all.'

Choi Kahng-Sik didn't even hesitate in giving up on persuading them. He was nothing more than a supporting actor who only got here through Hahn Joh-Seop's whims, after all. He shouldn't raise objections against the decision taken by the main actors and end up souring the atmosphere.

"Mr Joh-Seop, follow me."

"Yes, noo-nim!"

The corners of Hahn Joh-Seop's mouth curled up like a clown's smile.

Before leaving, he turned around and whispered to Choi Kahng-Sik.

"Hey, Parachute. Go over there and wait for us while sucking on your thumbs, okay? Let me show you the true difference between me and someone who killed a one-star monster by nothing but sheer luck!"

"Sure, sure. Sure thing, your highness."

The immaturity in the older Hunter's attitude caused Choi Kahng-Sik to form a derisive smirk.

"You b*stard... Oh, well, fine. Since I'm better than you, I should be the gracious one here. The only thing someone as useless as you can do is be jealous of me. Ahahaha!"

Hahn Joh-Seop walked away while guffawing to himself.

[A certain impatient god is starting to bake sweet potatoes.] (TL: Korean slang term for being frustrated.)

[Another god is feeling quite uncomfortable.]

"Well, now... Since I'm an unimportant extra, there shouldn't be a problem for me to act alone, right? Oh, hey there, mister manager. It's not gonna be any trouble for you guys, yeah?" asked Choi Kahng-Sik.

"Hmm. It should be fine. Just be careful."

"In that case...."

Choi Kahng-Sik sought out permission, so there wouldn't be an issue later on, and left the group.

The staff members couldn't pay any attention to his departure as the hunting of monsters was about to commence. No, they actually didn't feel the need in the first place.

They thought that the MS Cameraman was not an Esper and therefore couldn't be of any help.

Hahn Joh-Seop's words weren't wrong to being with.

'That's right. Sniping from afar is impossible for me.'

If that was the case, then he only had to do those things that he could do.

Choi Kahng-Sik took out his only luggage and his most important asset, the camera, from Hahn Joh-Seop's car. Then, immediately switched it on.

"Good day, everyone. This is your MS Cameraman speaking. Wowsers! This isn't a scheduled broadcast, but how did you know that there would be one regardless?"

The number of visitors to his channel wasn't just one or two.

The chatroom only showed a blank screen a short while ago, but now, it was rapidly filling up with a figurative mountain of comments. And the comments were coming faster and faster in real time.

┖ I couldn't see you suddenly, so I was like, he couldn't, could he? I knew it. ㅋㅋ

┖ Hello there, Mister Ignored MS. (^0^)/

┖ You've suffered a lot under the Espers and their inflated egos. ㅠㅠ

┖ Came to see that plan of yours in action. ㅎ

MS Kim Soh-Yun's broadcast wasn't bad at all. The greatest assets for her channel would be her incredibly good looks and every hunt unfolding in the safest manner possible.

'Such a thing would work just fine for dozens of times.'

However, people would eventually grow sick and tired of this routine if it repeated ad nauseam, even if someone as beautiful as her resorted to performing a hula dance in the middle of the hunt.

[A certain impatient god puts down sweet potatoes for the time being.]

[A certain god is watching you intently.]

On the other hand, Choi Kahng-Sik's streams were unpredictable. It was literally full of coincidence and accidents!!

The audience members were tired of seeing the exact same thing and were attracted by that unpredictability offered by this still fledgling channel.

The result being...

[Another god stops by to see what is going on.]

[Number of viewers: 6]

The number of viewers increased this side as well.

The youth used the Gimpo Airport as his background as he began explaining the rest of his plan.

"I will finish what I didn't get to just then. Many people do swear by the method of sniping Buff-Palrogs from afar. But, there is something you need to remember. And that is the simple fact that the herd, having moved to a new nesting area and therefore remaining quite nervous of the surroundings, will check up on the fates of their separated family members quite often. The interval between these check-ups should be on average, around six hours, and if you're lucky, then....."

"MOOOOO!!"

"Mooooo?!Mooo!!"

"...Did you all hear that? I guess their luck's bad today."

[A certain god is pitying them.]

[Another god is pleased.]

Choi Kahng-Sik placed the camera on his left shoulder and made it face forward. Then, he began rummaging through the weed-filled landing strip.

'Ohh! I can use this.'

He picked up a discarded door of an aeroplane and wielded it like a shield.

What a nice way to recycle something, that.

"Well now, dear viewers. Would you like to accompany me, the MS Cameraman, on a journey to smack monsters in the rear? Today's lesson is... To be wary of your rear!"

[A certain god is looking behind him.]

[A certain impatient god is making fun of a certain god's innocence.]

[A certain god is about to cry.]

'What the, why is that guy making an innocent viewer cry for no good reason?'

….Maybe, he should just get started before things escalate.

< Chapter 10: A Star (2) > Fin.

Chapter end