Chapter 23

Soram and Ga-eul were showered with flashes from the moment they walked forward. Even after sitting on the stage, the sound of clicking didn't stop for a long time. It was a distinctly different level of interest compared to the other hunters from the Field Operations Bureau.

"We will start the Q&A."

Almost all the reporters sitting in their seats raised their hands. Soram picked up the microphone first.

"Third row. The reporter wearing a gray suit, please ask your question."

He received the microphone handed to him and stood up from his seat.

"I'm Shin Woo-hyuk, a reporter from HBR News. Before asking a question to Chief Hunter Jin Soram nim, I sincerely thank both of you for your hard work in protecting the safety of the Republic of Korea."

What kind of question is he trying to ask that he's even laying the groundwork to receive less criticism? Soram accepted the gratitude with a nod.

"Jin Ik-jae, the CEO, has been under continuous investigation for an unsavory incident a few months ago. The amount of embezzlement is estimated to be quite substantial, but I'm curious about what Chief Jin Soram nim, as his brother, thinks about this matter."

"Aha..."

From behind the reporters, Min Yu-ra signaled, asking if she should cut him off. It was a question unrelated to hunter activities, so he could sufficiently refuse to answer. Soram shook his head briefly, meaning it was okay.

"I once asked him to please not cause any trouble, thinking of me, the most well-known face in the family, but it seems he didn't really want to listen. My thoughts on that matter are, hmm... I'm very disappointed that he broke his only younger brother's request, and I hope he pays the appropriate price for his sins."

Laughter erupted from a few places at Soram's typical answer. Ga-eul also gave a wry smile. The first question only lightened the mood, and what was gained from it was minimal.

Then, one question went to Ga-eul and one to Soram. Ga-eul was asked if demolishing a villa during the last dungeon clearing operation was the best choice, and Soram was asked about the range of his special ability to levitate other objects. For Soram's question, the moderator picked up the microphone instead before he could give any signal.

"The abilities of the Field Operations Bureau hunters are classified information that affects national security. Therefore, we cannot answer that question."

"I'm not asking you to explain the entire ability, but just some general information for the anxious citizens..."

"We cannot answer."

Despite the repeated refusal, the reporter showed a look of disagreement, but he raised his hand again for another question. However, neither Soram nor Ga-eul would give him another chance to ask a question in today's press conference. Next, Soram pointed to a reporter sitting in the back row.

"I have a question for Chief Hunter Kim Ga-eul nim. Among the three 1st-grade hunters that the Republic of Korea pays the most attention to, you are the only female. In that sense, I'd like to ask how you think of the other two male hunters."

This was where the Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters' regular press conference differed from other agencies' press conferences. Hunters, while being civil servants, also played the role of celebrities to some extent. The chat window on the monitor that Min Yu-ra was watching began to scroll up so fast that it was hard to read the text.

[Ga-eul noona seems pissed off lolololololololol]

[Lolololol Is she preparing to slam the desk now?]

[If Kim Ga-eul hits the ground there, can't she split it all the way to where that reporter is?]

[A strong candidate for this year's Brave Reporter Award...]

A team member hunter from Team 1, who approached next to Min Yu-ra, made a heart shape with both hands in front of his chest. It was a sign between the two of them. It meant, 'Our Ga-eul, if you endure it just this once, you won't have anything to hurt your feelings later! You promised not to get angry in front of the camera, right?'

Receiving the devoted message from her team member, Ga-eul took a deep breath and then spoke,

"Seo Min-ki is a friend who embraces me and Jin Soram, who have unique personalities, very well. Seeing his thoughtful consideration and the decisive judgment he shows when necessary, I always learn what soft leadership is."

As Ga-eul finished speaking, people's gazes turned to Min-ki for a moment. Min-ki pretended to look at the stage in front of him, but his eyes were rolled far to the side. His expression said, 'I didn't hear anything.'

"And as everyone knows, Chief Jin Soram is not only a skilled hunter domestically but also doesn't fall behind at all when compared to world-class awakeners. The synergy he creates by adding his own sense to the abilities granted to him upon awakening is... something I admire. This is my answer to my thoughts on the two of them."

Even before she finished speaking, short, intermittent breaths were leaking out from the seat next to her. Soram, suppressing his laughter, grabbed the microphone.

"I'm touched. Chief Kim Ga-eul nim."

"Yes..."

The content itself was bland, but it was a question that could attract a lot of public interest. Min Yu-ra checked the reactions with the pad she was holding. Judging by the chat window filled with countless 'lol's, the result wasn't negative. And,

[Summary of Seo Min-ki = The kid is kind,,

Summary of Jin Soram = The kid is useful,,]

This comment, which accurately hit the core, was captured. She planned to deliver it to the PR department.

At that moment, Soram raised one hand.

"I've already finished answering, but actually, I had an objection to your question, Reporter nim."

The reporter who asked the question said, "Yes?" in response.

"Among the three of us, I'm the most patient and modest, so it doesn't make sense for Kim Ga-eul to be the only female..."

Soram couldn't finish his words and bowed his head deeply with a distorted face. It seemed that he had been subjected to something under the table by the hunter with the strongest strength, grip strength, and stamina at the moment. Whenever Soram and Ga-eul, who had known each other for 8 years, sat together on the stage, such skit-like scenes often occurred. Thanks to that, the subsequent questions could continue with laughter filling the surroundings.

Tae-un sat in his seat and kept watching that sight without taking his eyes off it. Soram, who was on the stage, was handling the situation with the skill befitting his position as a team leader and chief hunter. Even if he seemed immature, he was never incompetent. Rather, it was close to leading the atmosphere as he intended.

Even Kim Ga-eul, who had shown signs of tension, was also answering much more comfortably. It was a change after she couldn't stand it anymore and whispered to Soram, "Ah, seriously!"

"Next... The front row. Yes. Please ask your question."

Even after Soram and Ga-eul took turns answering several times, most of the reporters with their hands raised remained. The time was considerably delayed, so they had no choice but to cut off the questions in the middle. Before the person Ga-eul pointed to could receive the microphone, the moderator quickly said,

"We will make this the last question."

It was best to stop when it was appropriately regrettable but no trouble had been caused. Hmm. The reporter moved his lips as if savoring the word 'last' and then asked,

"I have a question for Chief Hunter Jin Soram nim. There are many people who support Chief Jin Soram nim, but on the other hand, there are also quite a few voices of criticism about your excessive words and actions. Recently, there were many negative reactions to a conversation you had with someone at the scene. It was actually a shocking remark."

They had warned him to refrain from mentioning that incident as much as possible. Min Yu-ra's expression frowned as if displeased. However, the question that had already been uttered and broadcast couldn't be helped. It was even ambiguous to cut it off since it was the last question.

"Some netizens say they are confused about whether they should support or criticize Chief Jin Soram. What do you think about such voices of concern?"

Seo Min-ki also muttered softly,

"Sigh... If you're really worried, why are you telling him that... It's an obvious attempt to catch him off guard, but pretend it's not..."

Tae-un, who was sitting next to him, looked at the reporter who asked the question once and then fixed his gaze back on Soram.

As Min-ki said, if they were truly worried about Soram, they wouldn't have reprimanded him in a public place. I'm sorry. I will show a more cautious attitude in the future. Isn't that the only thing that can be said when asked such a question in this situation? After eliciting such a shrinking response, they would believe they had achieved justice. Soram, too, wouldn't be unaware of the intention behind the question.

After thinking for a moment, Soram picked up the microphone.

"I will answer."

The corners of his lips went up. Seeing his face, not intimidated or hurt at all, Tae-un felt a slight sense of relief. And he was a little curious about what kind of answer he would give.

"Whether you view me favorably or hate and curse at me, if you are a citizen of the Republic of Korea, I have to protect you regardless. Including you, Reporter nim."

Before he knew it, Ga-eul had also turned her head towards Soram. Soram was smiling the same way as before.

"So don't add such worries in this confusing time and do as you wish."

Soram was not hurt at all.

It was as if he was standing alone in a place where no one could reach him, but at the same time, he himself couldn't reach out his hand either.