Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 145

Chapter 145: Controversy （1）

It started with Kim Min-yeong’s article.

Highlighting the content of Ito Kentaro’s press conference, she reported the fact that Kang San was saving people in Kitakyushu. The people of South Korea were bound to be in an uproar. Kang San, who had already made a name for himself with various good deeds, such as the Wangsimni Link incident, the Kim Chun-sik incident, and the A-rank Werewolf Lord incident, was once again sacrificing himself to help others.

━No way, did he go to Japan to save the people of Kitakyushu?

━He’s really out of his mind. Anyone who knows about the Kitakyushu situation would know how reckless this is. The Japanese government also tried to solve it on a large scale, but gave up after even S-rank Hunters were defeated. But how can Kang San save people in the Red Zone? As a mere B-rank Hunter?

━This is also called the Kitakyushu live burial incident, so why is Kang San’s name mentioned here?

At first, everyone was confused.

Large-scale Link.

An S-rank evil spirit.

And the history of Japan’s defeat.

No matter how they thought about it, it seemed like a problem Kang San couldn’t solve, but Kim Min-yeong’s additional reports and the SNS uploaded from the Kitakyushu site changed the situation. Kang San continued to rescue people. It was clear that he had reached his limit by now, but the scenes of people being teleported back alive were vividly relayed.

━Wow.

━He’s truly amazing.

━I feel a lump in my throat just watching the video. People who desperately wished for the survival of their families have now regained their lost families thanks to Kang San. I don’t know what’s happening in Kitakyushu, but I want to support Kang San now.

━This is a true hero. Without thinking twice, he continues the rescue just because there are survivors in front of him.

Everyone was impressed.

As articles were posted in real-time, they felt a sense of pride that Kang San was a fellow Korean.

If that was all there was to it.

This incident would have been remembered as an example of enhancing national prestige

However, the news of the crushing defeat of the extermination squad led by Saito Shusuke, and about a week later, the news that Kang San had dealt with the S-rank evil spirit and returned, changed things. It was a different story then. Korean netizens were in turmoil at the news that was simply unacceptable by common sense.

━This is a bit much, isn’t it? How can a B-rank defeat an S-rank?

━Is it fake news?

━Someone, please do a fact check.

The possibility that it could be false.

Kang San’s name began to be mentioned negatively.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

A broadcast in Korea.

On a main program dealing with various issues, the host Jeong Mun-cheol shouted with a fierce expression.

“Viewers, do you think this makes sense? Before departing for Japan, Kang San had already publicly gained attention by passing the B-rank test. His skills at the time were very impressive, but that doesn’t mean he proved his skills to be at the A-rank level or higher. But to have defeated an S-rank monster? Who would believe this?”

It was a social issue.

Whether Kang San defeated an S-rank or not.

That became the problem.

“This issue cannot be simply overlooked. If we simply accept the news from Japan, Kang San can add the achievement of defeating an S-rank monster to his career. A mere B-rank Hunter. From now on, let’s change our perspective. If Kang San’s achievements were exaggerated, what would be the benefit of doing such an absurd thing? People aren’t stupid enough to believe lies at face value, so what kind of picture is Kang San drawing in his head?”

The viewership rating exceeded 20%.

As the ratings continued to rise in real-time, Jeong Mun-cheol’s voice gained strength.

“Although it’s just a hypothetical story, there is a person who has benefited tremendously from this Kitakyushu incident in Japan. The person who first reported Kang San’s actions to the media. Ito Kentaro, a politician belonging to the Peace and Happiness Party. In fact, Ito Kentaro seemed to be politically lagging behind Representative Shimizu Hiroshi, but by empowering Kang San, he completely turned the tide. In effect, Representative Shimizu Hiroshi has become a traitor who abandoned the Japanese people, and Ito Kentaro, as a politician who reads the public sentiment, has a high possibility of becoming the next Prime Minister. Yes, that’s right. This could be a huge cartel intertwined with Japanese political issues. The scene of Ito Kentaro kneeling and praying, wishing for Kang San’s safe return, means a kind of show to secure his approval rating in the foreseeable future.”

The comments went wild.

It made sense.

If they denied Kang San’s achievements.

There was no better justification for telling a lie that would eventually be exposed.

“Of course, we cannot deny Kang San’s achievements with just a hypothetical story. Since he has actually shown heroic actions in Korea as well, rather than denying it blindly, a clear verification process is necessary. The method is simple.”

Beyond the camera.

He looked at the viewers.

Jeong Mun-cheol, who was called the hyena of the public because he always chased issues and made sensational reports, smiled ferociously.

“The fact that he defeated an S-rank evil spirit means that he has that level of ability. I would like to recommend Kang San-nim to take the S-rank test and prove himself. Otherwise, the image he has built so far may crumble like a sandcastle.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

At that time.

Kang San met with Team Leader Baek Seong-hyeon of the Hunter Management Bureau’s Command Headquarters.

He was the person who had previously offered Kang San to join the ‘Guardians,’ but he was now saying something rather unpleasant.

“…This is a very difficult situation. The S-rank qualification requirements that apply commonly to the entire world are either the achievement of defeating an S-rank monster or defeating 10 A-rank Hunters certified by the country at the same time. If what happened in Japan is true, it means Kang San-nim should be assigned an S-rank.”

This was the reason for the controversy.

The S-rank career that Jeong Mun-cheol mentioned was pointing out that Kang San’s rank assignment could be wrong.

Kang San said.

“I understand what you mean.”

“I apologize. The Japanese government officially recognized Kang San-nim’s achievements, but even in our Hunter Management Bureau’s judgment, there are many questionable points. Firstly, it’s not confirmed whether the evil spirit’s rank was truly S-rank, and even if it was, there’s no one who directly witnessed Kang San-nim’s achievement. Above all, the fact that Kang San-nim recently took the B-rank test is also a point of contention. Kang San-nim showed outstanding skills at the time, but that was strictly within the realm of the B-rank test. I believe that even Kang San-nim himself would agree that he couldn’t even dream of reaching A-rank, let alone S-rank.”

“You don’t have to beat around the bush. So, what’s the reason you came to see me?”

The conclusion was obvious.

That they couldn’t grant him an S-rank.

But the reason Baek Seong-hyeon came in person wasn’t just that.

“Although it doesn’t make sense logically, I believe in Kang San-nim, whom I have experienced firsthand. Regardless of how it happened, it must be true that Kang San-nim saved the people of Kitakyushu and solved the fundamental problem by dealing with the evil spirit. So, what I’m suggesting is… how about taking the S-rank test according to the official procedure? If you prove your skills by facing 10 A-rank Hunters at the same time, which is the second promotion condition, you can quell the current public outcry at once.”

It was a reasonable suggestion.

Baek Seong-hyeon showed the utmost goodwill.

Because he recognized Kang San’s past actions, he didn’t want to treat him as a liar blindly.

The current public opinion was negative.

Especially due to Jeong Mun-cheol’s condemnation, there were even rumors that he was a traitor who colluded with the Japanese government.

The deliberation was short.

It wasn’t even worth considering for Kang San.

“I’m sorry, but I decline. I only dealt with the S-rank evil spirit with a special ability; I don’t have the skills to be promoted to S-rank. It’s a facade that doesn’t suit me in the first place, so you don’t have to apologize.”

Rejection.

That was the conclusion Kang San reached.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

After sending Baek Seong-hyeon away.

He immediately met with his party members.

Jeong Chan-woo, his eyes glued to his phone, had a very indignant expression.

━Kang San, you liar. You dealt with an S-rank? A passing dog would laugh, pfft.

━Weren’t all your achievements exaggerated? It was a bit strange.

━No, what’s the reason for lying like that? It’s something that will be revealed soon anyway. Is he perhaps lacking in intelligence?

“These sons of bitches, what do they know to spout such nonsense!”

His face flushed red.

Jeong Chan-woo couldn’t calm his excitement, as evidenced by the rough breathing next to him.

The other party members felt the same.

Jo Han-byeol and Yeon Woo-bin also expressed their discomfort, and Nakamura Genji and the Jessica sisters, who had been directly helped, even expressed their willingness to appear on Jeong Mun-cheol’s channel if necessary. The person himself was surprisingly calm. Jeong Chan-woo, frustrated by Kang San’s unchanging expression, asked.

“Hyeong, aren’t you even angry? People are talking nonsense.”

“Not really. If it’s something I can’t prove with the S-rank test anyway, I don’t want to waste energy responding to it.”

It was annoying.

But there was nothing he could do.

The fact that he had dealt with an S-rank evil spirit with a special ability was a truth that no one would believe for now. That’s how unprecedented and mysterious the evil spirit was. It wasn’t for nothing that the Japanese government covered up the Kitakyushu issue and stood by.

And above all.

‘The S-rank Outbreak is more important now.’

About three months from now.

Time was tight.

For Kang San, there was a problem that needed to be solved before responding to the controversy one by one.

“The reason I asked to meet like this is that I’m very tired from my time in Japan, so I want everyone to take about 15 days to rest. And after 15 days, I’m thinking of starting the raid in earnest.”

The translation artifact took effect.

With a multinational party that included Nakamura Genji and the Jessica sisters, he always had to borrow the artifact’s effect.

“Okay.”

“Let’s do that.”

Everyone agreed.

It was a necessary time for Kang San.

While he was in Japan.

He received a call from Dark Moon, to whom he had entrusted the information request.

They said they had finished the investigation.

Kang San said.

“Then I’ll see you in 15 days.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Several days had passed since Kang San returned to Korea.

The host Jeong Mun-cheol was displeased with the lack of response, even though he had properly provoked him on the program.

“This is no fun.”

According to his plan.

Whether Kang San responded to the media or took the test.

He thought he would respond in some way.

But as if he didn’t care about his image at all, he didn’t express his opinion publicly.

It was a bit of a difficult situation for Jeong Mun-cheol.

This time.

He was instructed by the ‘Drake Guild.’

The content was to highlight negative issues and damage Kang San’s reputation, and he readily accepted the offer as it coincided with the suspicions he had in mind. In reality, Jeong Mun-cheol’s broadcasts often involved behind-the-scenes deals. And in a case like this, he was very interested because of the viewers’ fervent reactions.

The producer in charge asked.

“Mr. Mun-cheol, what are we going to do with the next broadcast?”

“What do you mean? It’s no fun to air a broadcast without any results. The viewers will be disappointed, and on the contrary, negative public opinion will be formed.”

“Seeing as there’s been no response for days, it doesn’t seem like Kang San will respond.”

“That’s true, but… wait.”

Something flashed through his mind.

In the end.

This industry survives on being sensational.

Jeong Mun-cheol, who had hosted the main program for several years, knew the most ideal picture that viewers wanted.

“What if, we conduct the test ourselves?”

“Huh?”

“The S-rank qualification requirements are to defeat an S-rank monster or to prove oneself by facing 10 A-rank Hunters simultaneously. The former condition would be impossible, but the latter is possible. If we broadcast live Kang San facing A-rank Hunters, wouldn’t that perfectly satisfy the picture that viewers want?”

A smile spread across his face.

As the saying goes, as you age, your life experiences shape your appearance, and his face was smeared with desire.

“I need to contact the Drake Guild right away. Wait, I’ll save this broadcast.”