"What? Monster Phobia?"
Kang Myung-jun frowned deeply as he scanned the report. The contents were completely unexpected.
"What the hell is this? Is this real?"
The man in the silver suit remained expressionless as he answered.
"There's no medical confirmation. This is simply something a man named Lee Si-woo has claimed."
"Is that so?"
Kang Myung-jun's expression darkened.
Yeon Jung-seok, his chief secretary, was a man known for his cold, calculated judgment. Because of that, Kang Myung-jun always made sure to listen carefully when he spoke.
"So, what's your take on it?"
"I believe we should observe him for now."
"You think he might be faking it to deceive someone?"
"That possibility exists."
"Do you see any reason for him to do so?"
"Lee Si-woo worked in sales for a hunter-related company. He understands the financial structures of the hunter industry very well."
"So, he doesn't want to be exploited by the guilds. Is that it?"
"It's one possibility we can't ignore."
"What else? What's his endgame?"
"If Lee Si-woo is officially diagnosed with Monster Phobia and two years pass, he will naturally escape the restrictions of the Taipei Protocol."
"What? What do you mean by that?"
"There's a clause in the Taipei Protocol. If a newly awakened hunter is unable to join a guild due to health reasons and remains unaffiliated for over two years, international travel restrictions on that hunter are lifted."
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
Kang Myung-jun slammed his hand on the desk and shot up from his seat.
"That bastard… Could he have planned all this?"
"There's no way to know for sure. I'm simply presenting a possibility."
"No… If that clause exists, then it's very possible. He dares to slip through my fingers?"
Kang Myung-jun gritted his teeth hard enough to make a sound.
Lee Si-woo was an extraordinary talent—someone who could guarantee immense future profits. If he grew properly, he could rival the most lucrative company under Kang Myung-jun's control.
There was no way he would let go of such an asset.
Every top guild in South Korea was already under his grasp. But now, after hearing Yeon Jung-seok's report, he had a gut feeling that Lee Si-woo was trying to slip through his net.
'Damn it… I'd kill him if I could.'
Kang Myung-jun shook his head.
Acting recklessly would only jeopardize his well-maintained empire. The higher one climbs, the more careful one must be.
Besides, nothing had been confirmed yet.
For now, the wise move was to wait and observe.
"Jung-seok."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Keep all possibilities open. Watch Lee Si-woo closely."
"As you command."
"Oh, and be discreet when keeping tabs on his family."
"You suspect another party is monitoring them as well?"
"You already knew?"
"I anticipated your interest and conducted a preliminary investigation."
"Did you now?"
Mildly surprised, Kang Myung-jun quickly masked his expression.
"In any case, avoid any direct conflicts. If my name gets involved and reaches the wrong ears, it'll be troublesome. Lee Jin-ho is a headache I don't want."
"Understood, Chairman. I'll handle it."
Yeon Jung-seok bowed politely before exiting the office.
"Hmph."
Kang Myung-jun nodded. If it was Jung-seok, he could be trusted. A man of deep thought and careful action—his secretary wouldn't make mistakes.
With that, he reached for the cigarette box on his desk, pulled one out, and lit it.
Click—
Whoosh—
As smoke curled into the air, he murmured to himself.
"Lee Jin-ho… Lee Si-woo… Just thinking about those names pisses me off."
They were like stubborn stains on a pristine white shirt—impossible to ignore.
'There's something going on. There has to be.'
Staring out at the city skyline, Kang Myung-jun focused on identifying his next move.
The door creaked open as Lee Si-woo stepped into his house.
"Dad?"
Lee Jin-ho stood by the entrance, arms crossed.
"Did your morning classes go well?" Lee Si-woo asked with a smile.
"Of course. But son…"
"Yes?"
"…Did you hit the president with your car or something?"
"What?"
Lee Si-woo blinked, confused. The president didn't just roam the streets alone, and even if he had somehow run him over, would he really be standing here at home right now?
And besides, he didn't even own a car.
'Is he joking again?'
He sighed and asked with a serious face, "What are you talking about?"
Lee Jin-ho frowned slightly.
"You haven't checked your phone, have you?"
"Oh!"
Now that he thought about it, he had turned it off earlier when meeting with the guild members.
Taking his phone out of his pocket, he powered it back on.
Bzzz—Bzzz—Bzzz—
Countless notifications flooded in at an alarming rate.
And then—
You have hundreds of missed calls.
"What the hell is this?"
Startled, he looked at his father.
"The house and office have been in chaos. The phone wouldn't stop ringing. I even thought you might've hit the president with your car. It was so annoying, I just took the receiver off the hook."
"Hm. I see."
Lee Si-woo nodded, not entirely surprised.
After all, he was the world's first Double Title Holder.
He had expected the media to catch wind of it eventually. But this level of frenzy—just a day after the news broke—was faster than he anticipated.
As he pondered this, his phone buzzed again.
Bzzz—Bzzz—
Judging by the unknown number, it was likely from a guild or a news agency.
Sigh.
Setting the phone to silent, he tossed it onto the sofa.
Lee Jin-ho narrowed his eyes.
"So you did hit the president."
"Come on, Dad. Not funny."
"Oh? You used to laugh at my jokes. Now you're picky?"
"It's for your own good."
"My own good?"
"Of course. If I critique your jokes, your humor will improve."
"Oh! A filial son indeed. Wait… no, that's not right."
Lee Si-woo chuckled at his father's serious expression.
He was always grateful for his dad's ability to make him laugh.
But now, it was time to focus on the bigger picture.