Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Recruitment War （3）

It was an unfamiliar experience for Jeong Hye-mi.

Being rejected while trying to recruit a B-rank Hunter, not an S-rank or even an A-rank, and carrying the weight of Cheonsang’s reputation.

She wasn’t flustered.

It just felt strange.

‘He’s an extraordinary person. It’s as if he’s certain that Cheonsang will be begging him even after six months.’

Jeong Hye-mi’s offer.

It was exceptional.

She had gauged Kang San’s potential and presented the current terms, but if he showed even the slightest inadequacy in the next six months, the terms would inevitably be adjusted. It was cruel, but that’s reality. Management companies weren’t charities, and if expectations fell, an opportunity like this wouldn’t come again.

Yet, Kang San’s face showed no disappointment.

As if Jeong Hye-mi’s offer would remain valid indefinitely, he maintained a dominant position against Cheonsang.

Come to think of it, Kang San had always been like this.

He didn’t get carried away even though he knew about Cheonsang’s interest, and he never reacted hastily towards Cheonsang and Daeyang, the two giants of the management industry. That’s why she was even more anxious. Kang San’s statement, which might sound absurd to some, somehow felt like it would return with an even greater impact in six months.

Jeong Hye-mi also took a sip of tea.

She slowly let go of her desire to recruit him immediately, along with the fragrant tea.

Tap

“…Can I understand that you intend to decide your future course of action through open competition?”

“That’s correct.”

“I understand.”

She didn’t add anything further.

There was no need to explain in detail why he made such a decision.

Or how good the current offer was.

Kang San’s eyes showed no room for compromise.

Jeong Hye-mi, who had dealt with countless people since entering the management world, knew what was needed now.

“There are two individuals I truly desired to recruit during my career. In the end, I successfully recruited both of them, and it became a turning point in my establishment as a team leader at Cheonsang. Kang San-nim, if I ever discuss this elsewhere, I will now say that I desired three individuals, and the last one is currently in progress. So, please remember that Cheonsang’s doors are always open to you, no matter what you’re thinking.”

She set her foot in.

Now that she had decided to participate in the recruitment war, she wouldn’t show any ambiguity from now on.

“Oh, and this is a gift I promised as a reward for Project B team’s victory. Please don’t refuse it; it’s a gesture of pure goodwill.”

Jeong Hye-mi handed him something.

Kang San willingly accepted the blatant goodwill.

“Thank you.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

After parting ways with Jeong Hye-mi.

Kang San checked Jeong Hye-mi’s gift.

『2-Star（★★） Skill』

『Iron Armor』

1. Temporarily increases defense by 10%. （Cooldown: 5 minutes）

2. When receiving damage, reduces damage taken by 10%.

A higher-level skill than Iron Man.

It was the reward Kang San had hoped for, and Jeong Hye-mi remembered and prepared it separately.

But Jeong Hye-mi’s gift wasn’t just that.

『3-Star（★★★） Skill』

『Physical Enhancement』

1. Increases basic attack power by 10%.

2. Increases basic defense by 10%.

The effect wasn’t as dramatic as he thought.

The increase was similar to that of the 2-star skill Iron Armor, but it was a passive skill that was recognized for its significant value in the market. It was similar to the Thorn Armor he had obtained before. Passive skills were permanently applied without needing to be activated, and by possessing the Physical Enhancement skill, Kang San’s basic attack power and defense increased by 10% each. It meant maintaining the Iron Armor’s 10% defense increase permanently.

Moreover, it affected basic defense.

If he had 100 defense, it would become 110, and the effect of Iron Armor would be based on 110.

The skill’s description said 10%, but the actual increase was greater.

Jeong Hye-mi was definitely a straightforward person.

She could have clung to him in a messy way, but she retreated cleanly and increased his favorability through gifts. Coincidentally, there was a good reason to give him a gift. She had promised to give him a skill if he led Project B team to victory, so she subtly added the Physical Enhancement skill to the Iron Armor that Kang San had his eye on.

Not burdensome.

But clearly showing her goodwill.

She knew how to act to win someone’s heart.

‘If Team Leader Jeong Hye-mi becomes my manager, Cheonsang would be a very good choice.’

Cheonsang.

Korea’s best management company.

Considering the presence of his party member Jeong Chan-woo, Cheonsang was undoubtedly the most ideal choice for Kang San. However, he had no intention of rushing the decision he would make in six months. For Kang San, surviving the S-rank Outbreak was more important than maximizing his gains through a management company.

Whether it was Cheonsang or Daeyang.

He would see their true intentions then.

The rewards promised by the management companies were something to consider later.

‘For now, I’ve dealt with Cheonsang…’

Meeting Jeong Hye-mi first.

It was a courtesy in its own way.

Since Jeong Hye-mi had put in the effort, he met with her separately to explain the situation, unlike the others.

From now on, it was the rest.

It was time to explain the open competition to them.

Kang San sent a text message to the contact information on the numerous business cards he had received, as there was no need to waste time.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

People gathered in small groups.

Kang San delivered the same message to the representatives of each management company and guild that he had given to Jeong Hye-mi.

“…That is the conclusion I’ve reached.”

He finished speaking.

It was a unilateral announcement.

He declared his intention to decline the current offers and decide his future path through open competition.

People murmured in surprise at the unexpected situation.

“What?”

“So, he’s saying we should compete to win him over?”

“That’s absurd.”

This gathering.

Not only Cheonsang and Daeyang, but also those who had made a name for themselves in their respective industries were all present. That’s how attractive Kang San was. With his B-rank promotion and Master Craftsman Yu Jeong-yeong’s statement, everyone wanted to get a piece of him. However, even so, they couldn’t accept the current situation as calmly as Jeong Hye-mi had.

Lee Yong-su, the representative of Drake Guild, was one of them.

“What kind of confidence is this?”

His voice cut through the crowd.

Attention focused on him.

Even under Kang San’s gaze, which was the most important, Lee Yong-su openly expressed his displeasure.

“Kang San-nim’s value? I acknowledge it. With Master Craftsman Yu Jeong-yeong backing you and your promotion to B-rank, we at Drake also determined that we needed to recruit you. However, in the end, you’re just a B-rank Hunter. Have you ever seen giants like Drake, Cheonsang, and Daeyang simultaneously move to recruit a mere B-rank Hunter? There’s no such precedent in the world. The reason Kang San-nim is receiving such high praise now is undoubtedly due to Master Craftsman Yu Jeong-yeong’s influence. The B-rank promotion result is just a bonus.”

He was annoyed.

It bothered him that someone who was just an F-rank Hunter until recently was acting like a big shot.

It was Drake, after all.

Drake, which competed for the top rank in Korea, wasn’t at a level where they would grovel before someone like Kang San.

“Honestly, I don’t understand this situation. Everyone gathered here probably wants a good relationship with Master Craftsman Yu Jeong-yeong rather than Kang San-nim. But isn’t this a bit too much? How much do you have to overestimate yourself to gather such great people and make the outrageous statement that you’ll hold an open competition for six months? Please be reasonable. You might miss out on this great opportunity.”

“He’s right.”

“It is a bit much. As he said, the B-rank promotion is just a bonus.”

Some agreed.

Their priorities were different.

For Jeong Hye-mi, Yu Jeong-yeong was secondary, and she was sincere about recruiting Kang San himself.

However, Lee Yong-su of Drake Guild and some others didn’t agree with the very purpose of recruiting ‘Kang San,’ even if it meant swallowing their pride. As he had just explained, he was just a B-rank Hunter in the end. No matter how promising his future was, they didn’t want to recruit him to the extent of holding an open competition.

The atmosphere wasn’t good.

Unlike with Jeong Hye-mi, it seemed like the open competition would fall apart at this rate.

This situation.

Kang San had anticipated it.

Rather, distrust was a necessary element.

Only when negative emotions were rampant would the impact of proving himself be greater.

Kang San opened his mouth.

To be precise, he was about to deliver his planned lines, but someone else caught everyone’s attention first.

“I have a different opinion.”

It was a familiar voice.

The team leader of Daeyang.

Gu Jun-ho revealed his presence from within the crowd.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Gu Jun-ho spoke.

“Drake might have attended this meeting because of their dealings with Master Craftsman Yu Jeong-yeong, but our Daeyang’s top priority is to recruit Kang San-nim. So, if you’re here to disrupt the atmosphere, please stop grumbling and leave. You chose to attend this meeting; Kang San-nim didn’t ask you to, did he?”

“Ahem”

The atmosphere shifted.

It was Gu Jun-ho of Daeyang.

Everyone recognized him, and backed by Daeyang, his words carried weight.

As Lee Yong-su gave an awkward laugh, as if embarrassed, Gu Jun-ho seized the momentum and continued speaking.

“Actually, I wanted to discuss this privately, but I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to Kang San-nim. I heard that Im Chan-yeong of Daeyang made a big mistake towards Kang San-nim in the past and also during this test. I apologize. It was a problem caused by Daeyang’s negligence. I truly feel our shortcomings, and we plan to terminate our contract with Im Chan-yeong, who caused the trouble, to prevent such mistakes from happening again. If you still harbor any negative feelings, Daeyang will work harder to prove that our sincerity isn’t just empty words.”

“Gasp.”

“Terminate the contract with Im Chan-yeong?”

Gu Jun-ho’s statement.

People were shocked.

Who was Im Chan-yeong?

He was someone who was assessed as a C-rank at the age of 13 during his Congenital Awakening and was praised as a talent who would lead Korea’s future. When Daeyang invested a whopping 10 billion won to recruit Im Chan-yeong, that’s when they started being mentioned as one of the two giants of the management industry. He was that symbolic of a figure. Moreover, he had just passed the B-rank test, but to terminate his contract just because of Kang San?

It was unbelievable.

However, Gu Jun-ho wasn’t someone who would make false statements in a public setting.

It was intentional.

Gu Jun-ho deliberately mentioned Im Chan-yeong’s name to elevate Kang San’s value.

‘The fact that Daeyang took his side on a sensitive issue would leave a strong impression on Kang San-nim’s memory.’

Im Chan-yeong was a discarded card.

Then, he had to be utilized more meaningfully.

He sacrificed Im Chan-yeong boldly to promote Kang San.

“And if you decide on your affiliation after six months, yes, I understand. Daeyang truly wants to recruit Kang San-nim. We will prove Daeyang’s sincerity over the next six months and show you that there’s no better choice than Daeyang in Korea.”

It was a declaration of war.

An organization as big as Daeyang expressed their strong determination to pursue this matter.

The atmosphere was completely reversed.

The people who were murmuring at Lee Yong-su’s statement couldn’t say anything more when Daeyang declared their participation in the open competition. It would have been ridiculous if no one responded to Kang San’s statement. An open competition without demand would have lost its power, but Daeyang’s participation instantly changed people’s perception.

Someone Daeyang was desperate to recruit.

Kang San’s value was reassessed.

The situation was settled.

With even Lee Yong-su unable to say anything, no one questioned Kang San’s statement anymore.

‘He’s an amazing person.’

It was unexpected for Kang San.

He didn’t know that Gu Jun-ho would use Daeyang’s reputation to publicly promote him.

Both Jeong Hye-mi and Gu Jun-ho.

There was a reason why they were recognized for their abilities.

Kang San was about to leave when an unfamiliar person blocked his path.

“I’m Jeong Min-jun from Flare Guild. Would you have some time to talk privately?”

“I apologize, but I’ve already made my intentions clear regarding recruitment matters.”

Flare.

Korea’s top guild.

Its reputation alone couldn’t stop Kang San, but the man who introduced himself as Jeong Min-jun smiled and said,

“Yes, I fully understand your intentions regarding that matter. But the reason I’m asking for your time is because of Master Craftsman Yu Jeong-yeong and Mage Yeon Woo-bin. Please, I implore you to spare me just a moment of your time.”

Yu Jeong-yeong and Yeon Woo-bin?

He stopped in his tracks.

Kang San, who was now interested, looked at Jeong Min-jun.

“Alright. Let’s move to a different location.”