NPLLD 17

Chapter : 17

Not a Demotion, but a Demotion

‘My head feels like it’s ringing.’

After defeating Karzak, Seoyul had been repeatedly maintaining his state of “Mirror-like Clarity,” but having pushed his body to its limits left him in an extreme state of fatigue.

In the middle of that, Rescue Division hunters arrived late to clean up the situation, and outside, reporters were flooding in like a tide.

Click! Click!

Seoyul frowned at the barrage of camera flashes.

Reporters were actively explaining the situation in front of cameras.

“This is breaking news. An illegal monster transport operation by Overcross, one of the country’s three major guilds, led to a Steel Blood Orc attacking the Korea Martial Arts Association. We are currently trying to contact the headquarters of Overcross—EEEK!”

Thud.

At that moment, a reporter being interviewed was suddenly shoved aside, and someone stepped forward.

A man in a wine-colored suit, with short white hair and orange sunglasses—clearly not an ordinary person.

‘That guy…’

His outfit had changed, but Seoyul recognized him instantly.

As if introducing himself to those who didn’t know him, the man spoke to the reporters.

“Let me borrow the microphone.”

“Excuse me? What are you doing during a live report?”

The reporter protested angrily, but the man ignored him completely, adjusted his sunglasses, and spoke.

“I’m Baek Jun-hwan, director of Overcross.”

“B-Baek Jun-hwan?!”

At the unexpected appearance of a major figure, the reporter backed down and allowed him to continue.

The interview suddenly shifted direction—but that was exactly what Baek Jun-hwan wanted.

“First, I sincerely apologize to all victims affected by this incident. This situation was caused by our side’s lack of proper coordination.”

“So you’re admitting this was illegal monster transport? If so, what was the purpose?”

“‘Illegal’ is a one-sided assumption. The Steel Blood Orc is a monster with highly hardened, toxic blood armor and significant research value. We simply transported it with the intention of donating it to the Management Bureau, even at some risk.”

“Then can you clarify whether this was Overcross’s independent action or something instructed by the Management Bureau?”

Camera flashes intensified, but Baek Jun-hwan merely adjusted his sunglasses and stared at the reporter.

A chilling pressure filled the air.

The reporter instinctively flinched.

“I cannot comment on further details. We will fully cooperate with the Surveillance Division’s investigation.”

With his firm stance, the reporters could no longer push further.

At that moment, another reporter shoved a microphone toward Seoyul.

“I’m Han Seon-hwa from Nara TV. You are the Rescue Division hunter who defeated the Steel Blood Orc today, correct? Could you give us a short comment?”

“Let’s do interviews later.”

Knowing Seoyul’s blunt personality, Lee Han quickly tried to intervene.

But Seoyul was faster—he took the microphone and gave a faint smile.

“I’m Seoyul, officer of the Rescue Division.”

“Haa…”

Lee Han stepped back helplessly.

Seoyul continued.

“We faced a major crisis today, but we were still able to protect civilians safely. That is all I can say—it’s a relief, nothing more.”

His calm voice drew full attention from the reporters.

Although only D-rank, Seoyul’s background was enough to attract attention:

A disciple of S-rank hunter Kang Tae-san, and one of the top-tier reconnaissance-type hunters in the Management Bureau.

He was the kind of person who naturally attracted controversy.

“Does defeating the Steel Blood Orc mean your rank has increased?”

“Please comment on the incident.”

As questions flooded in, one particular voice pierced through.

“Wasn’t the Management Bureau’s response inadequate in this situation?”

Seoyul half-closed his eyes and checked the logo on the microphone.

PBC.

A broadcaster known for favoring large guilds—especially Overcross, one of its major sponsors.

Clearly, the intent was to shape public opinion in their favor.

But today, they picked the wrong target.

And more importantly—this was a live broadcast with no editing possible.

A perfect setup for disaster.

“So what? Huh? You happy licking big guild boots? We clean up your mess every damn time while you sit around screwing up—!”

“…….”

The profanity-laced outburst shocked everyone.

Before things escalated further—

“Sorry! That’s all for today! This guy is not feeling well!”

Lee Han, pale-faced, shouted loudly and pushed Seoyul toward the car.

In an instant, the situation ended.

Left behind, Baek Jun-hwan calmly wiped his sunglasses and spoke to his secretary.

“Assistant Oh.”

“Yes, sir!”

The secretary was clearly flustered.

Baek Jun-hwan’s temple veins bulged.

“I’ve been thinking this for a while… that guy. He’s completely insane.”

“He’s the one who’s always been rude to you, sir.”

“Send him to a provincial post. Crush him so he can’t ever act up again. How long will it take?”

“We need to monitor public opinion first… but within a month, it should be possible.”

Baek Jun-hwan nodded.

He had been restraining himself, but now it was a matter of guild pride.

“A mere civil servant dares pick a fight with us? Let’s show him what happens.”

That Night

[Outrageous Rescue Division Civil Servant! Disciplinary Hearing Demanded!]

[Is this criticism of poor administration or disregard for life? Heroic public servant emerges!]

[Overcross promises compensation; refuses comment on “rude official”]

The media exploded overnight.

Complaints against the Rescue Division flooded in.

Division Chief Lee Han stared at the monitor with dark circles under his eyes.

“Good job… really good job. Half praise, half criticism. You damn loud-mouthed civil servant.”

Meanwhile, Seoyul calmly ate an apple while writing his report.

“Want an apple?”

“Eat it yourself, you brat!”

Lee Han’s head throbbed.

This was an old, accumulated problem—he had expected it to explode eventually, but not triggered by his own subordinate.

“Anyway, you’re up for disciplinary review, so stay put. I’m going to a meeting.”

“Please bring me a melon bar when you’re done.”

Infuriated, Lee Han threw a clipboard.

Whoosh—THUD!

Seoyul ducked easily.

Instead, Kim Seong-ho, who was eating an apple behind him, got hit.

“Ow!”

Lee Han grabbed an apple and left for the meeting.

Management Bureau Conference Room

The atmosphere was heavy and tense.

Bureau Director Park Gwang-su reviewed the petitions and looked at Surveillance Division Chief Hyun Gi-hyuk.

“These petitions seem justified… but strangely, they are all aligned in opinion.”

“It reflects the growing anxiety among civil servants regarding this incident,” Hyun replied.

The petitions demanded disciplinary action against Seoyul.

Rescue Division Chief Lee Han immediately objected.

“It is true our officer made inappropriate remarks, but discipline is excessive.”

“I agree,” Park said.

However—

“We still cannot ignore this.”

“Why is it that only Management Bureau officers get punished, while large guild members face nothing?”

“This is unacceptable!”

“Are you saying the Surveillance Division is incompetent?!”

“And are you saying the Rescue Division is sloppy?! Don’t drag departments into this childish fight!”

As tensions escalated, Park Gwang-su tapped the table thoughtfully.

His true desire was to protect Seoyul.

But politically, he could not afford conflict with large guilds.

‘Ignoring politics… what stands out most is this.’

Rescue success rate: 100%

For nearly two months, Seoyul’s team had consistently protected civilians and hunters from monsters.

If this was truly Seoyul’s individual capability, it was an enormous asset.

‘I know they’re deliberately hiding parts of their report… they don’t want attention.’

A talent like this must not be discarded.

Especially since rural regions needed capable personnel even more than the capital.

Conveniently, public opinion was already pushing for Seoyul’s removal to a provincial post.

Park Gwang-su reached a compromise.

“What if we promote Seoyul to Grade 7?”

“…Pardon?”

“Promotion?”

Both chiefs froze.

Instead of punishment, it sounded like a reward.

“I think it’s a waste to keep him here. We can keep him under the capital branch but assign him to provincial duty.”

Hyun Gi-hyuk objected strongly.

“That would normally require at least a department head-level assignment.”

Park smirked.

“Simple then. Promote him to Grade 6.”

“….”

Realizing that another word could make Seoyul outrank him, Hyun fell silent.

Park continued calmly.

“We cannot appear weak before large guilds, but neither can we afford to discard a talent who saves lives. Assigning him to the provinces also gives us justification.”

“…Understood.”

Hyun wiped sweat from his palm.

This was why Park Gwang-su was known as the “politics max-level” man among hunters.

‘That old fox…’

The meeting ended.

Chief Lee Han slumped in his chair.

“…Is this a dream?”