Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Seo Hyun-woo tore his eyes completely from the monitor displaying the notice and rose from his seat.

A Battle Suit served a different purpose from the combat gear typically used by the Awakened.

It was combat equipment designed for non-Awakened—civilians—and an item that numerous companies were pouring resources into developing.

'There are many companies developing Battle Suits, but the ones with real substance can be counted on one hand. And one of those companies has proposed a performance test to me.'

Seo Hyun-woo felt his throat go dry and promptly set water to boil in the coffee pot.

In practice, companies developing Battle Suits frequently requested performance tests from active Hunters or students at Hunter training institutions.

Yet until now, not a single company had requested a Battle Suit performance test from him—the Student Council President of Miterich.

'Oh, right now he wouldn't be the company president yet but the development team leader. Since his father is the president of a magic stone processing company, he'd be receiving generous capital support. It might be worth buying the company's stock in advance.'

Seo Hyun-woo thought of the funds in his bank account and fell into contemplation.

The development team leader who had requested this performance test was a figure destined to leave a significant mark on the history of Battle Suits.

After establishing his own company with his father's help, the development of Battle Suits would accelerate even further.

'I need to strike the right balance. The development speed can't be too slow, but too fast would also be a problem. There's no telling what impact it might have on future events.'

Seo Hyun-woo confirmed the water had boiled and poured it straight into his teacup.

Maintaining the flow of events and the occurrence of incidents was extremely important.

That way, he could predict the future while steadily building his own foundation.

But because of him, that process was gradually shifting, and there was no way to undo it.

'Since what's done is done, it might be better to go bigger. In the end, no matter what process things go through, all that matters is Kang Jin-ha getting stronger. I just need to move as I see fit.'

Seo Hyun-woo gave up overthinking early and returned to his work desk.

Even if variables arose, the major events would inevitably occur.

In other words, no matter how tangled the flow became, the information he possessed wouldn't become meaningless.

If he acted just a little more shrewdly from here, he might reap substantial benefits.

'Let's think positive. After that incident, Baek Seo-yeon will probably see me in a somewhat different light. Before being a heroine, Baek Seo-yeon is the Vice Student Council President of Miterich. Her ability is both rare and powerful. If only I could make her an ally......'

Knock, knock.

Seo Hyun-woo sensed that Baek Seo-yeon had arrived and pulled something out of a drawer.

Baek Seo-yeon entered immediately, carrying a paper bag.

"I'm curious what you brought, but something else is more eye-catching."

"Since it was a gift from you, President, it's bound to be especially eye-catching."

Baek Seo-yeon set the paper bag on the desk and noticed something.

A small box wrapped in wrapping paper and ribbon.

If her memory served, she had received something of a similar size recently.

"I should've listened to you. Bought it for nothing."

"......I was a little worried, but I didn't think you'd actually go and buy it."

"Still, it's not like I can get a refund. Just take it."

Seo Hyun-woo handed over the gift box and sipped his tea.

He had purchased another one of the hairpin that had broken during the previous incident.

But Baek Seo-yeon had already repaired that hairpin and was wearing it pinned on both sides of her hair.

"I'll do that, then. I didn't come empty-handed either."

"Don't tell me you're giving me a gift?"

"Something like that, I suppose. I had a feeling you'd do this."

Baek Seo-yeon swiftly took the gift box and headed toward the coffee pot.

Seo Hyun-woo peeked inside the paper bag to check its contents.

Boxes of various colors were arranged inside.

"What is this?"

"Nutritional supplements. You need to take them separately for morning, noon, and evening. They should help with nutritional deficiency and lack of sleep."

"......You put some thought into this, I see. I'll accept them gratefully."

Seo Hyun-woo tucked the paper bag inside the desk and moved to the sofa.

How much had she liked the hairpin to repair it and wear it around?

Not only had she improved the design, but a faint dark gleam seemed to swirl around the hairpin as well.

"I didn't expect you to make use of something that was split in half like that."

"It was too precious to throw away."

"And you even had it processed with magic stone."

"Once is enough for something to break."

Baek Seo-yeon answered nonchalantly and sat down on the sofa with her teacup.

The light purple flower-shaped hairpin, split in two, was pinned neatly on both sides of Baek Seo-yeon's hair.

Since the exterior had been processed with magic stone, it wouldn't break easily from now on.

"Magic stone processing costs quite a bit of—"

"I see a notice came down. Are you planning to accept the Battle Suit performance test request?"

Baek Seo-yeon feigned ignorance and brought up the notice first.

Seo Hyun-woo paused in silence for a moment before speaking.

"I plan to. I'd rather not end up on the Chancellor's and Administrative Office's bad side."

"I understand it's not mandatory. You can decline if you're uncomfortable."

"It's not a bad deal from my perspective. I get paid separately and can expand my connections."

"......If that's how you see it, then it's not entirely a bad thing. The company leading this performance test is known as the best in the country when it comes to magic stone processing."

Magic stone processing.

It was known as the industry that took magic stones—hidden within dungeons beyond Gates or obtained from magical beasts—and made them usable across various fields.

Since raw magic stones were virtually impossible to use in their pure form, they were reborn into usable forms through specialized processes.

If one had enough money, it was possible to use high-quality magic stones to dramatically increase the efficiency of magic stone processing.

"The Vice President might think I'm being materialistic."

"I would never think that. You can't serve as Miterich's Student Council President forever, can you?"

"That's true. I don't have any notable background or connections, so I need to prepare in advance. Otherwise, there's no point in holding onto the Student Council President position."

"It sounds like you have a plan."

"Not exactly. I'm just preparing. You never know what might happen."

Seo Hyun-woo revealed a bit of his inner thoughts and answered honestly.

He had the condition of completing Miterich while maintaining the Student Council President position, which was why he'd been putting in constant effort.

He simply couldn't know what conditions might be imposed after completing the program, so he wanted to prepare in advance.

"So you do worry about things, President. You always look so at ease that I assumed you had something to fall back on."

"I'm not a god. If I could at least become a Setinos Hunter, I'd have nothing to worry about."

"......I believe you could do it, President. Your ability and the amount of mana you possess are remarkable, after all."

Setinos Hunter.

Among the countless Hunters, it was a grade bestowed upon those with the greatest skill who had achieved monumental feats.

Only seven Awakened held the rank of Setinos Hunter, and each was given a title befitting their color.

The influence and recognition of Setinos Hunters was truly overwhelming—to the point that neither the Hunter Committee nor the government could touch them.

"There's no need to flatter me that much. I should know my place. I'd be satisfied just becoming a Black Hunter."

In this world, Hunter grades were divided into seven tiers in total.

Setinos, Black, Purple, Green, Yellow, Blue, Red.

Normally, even reaching Green would be a struggle, but with Seo Hyun-woo's ability, Purple should be attainable at the very least.

"Black Hunter is already a very high grade. Normally, even becoming a Green Hunter isn't easy."

"Ah, right. I recall your uncle is a Black Hunter as well."

"That's correct. These days, rather than going on dungeon raids himself, he's focused on raid planning and city security."

Black Hunters, while not on the level of Setinos Hunters, were veterans whose strength and experience had been recognized.

Unless circumstances were exceptional, they didn't involve themselves in dungeon raids and were assigned to field command or rear support.

Baek Seo-yeon's uncle fell into that category, and other Black Hunters—unless they were particularly combative—wouldn't seek out direct combat either.

"Your uncle has an enhancement-type ability, doesn't he? Unlike you."

"His ability is rather ordinary. However, his strength, mana, and technique are so outstanding that he became a Black Hunter."

"If you know that much detail, you must have sparred with him a few times."

"I lost every single time. Even when he went easy on me, I couldn't win."

"That makes sense. He's a Black Hunter, after all."

But in terms of sheer skill, Baek Seo-yeon's uncle couldn't truly be called just a Black Hunter.

He'd had the opportunity to become a Setinos Hunter, yet he had given it up himself.

The reason was both very simple and very clear.

Raising Baek Seo-yeon properly after she lost her parents required a sufficient amount of time.

"I'd like to meet him at least once sometime. It'd be even better if I could learn from him."

"Do you even need to learn, President? That doesn't seem necessary."

"Ability Copy isn't all-powerful. Real-world experience and combat sense can't be gained through Ability Copy. Simply sparring with a Black Hunter would help me improve in those areas, even if only a little."

"......That's a fair point. If the opportunity arises, I'll try to arrange something."

Hearing that, Seo Hyun-woo was quietly satisfied but didn't let it show on his face.

The more allies, the better—and if he could grow stronger, his survival odds would increase.

Above all, a Black Hunter who was essentially on par with a Setinos Hunter would certainly be worth the effort.

'The broader my network, the better. I can receive help and create openings to involve myself in various matters. From that perspective, it would also be good to build a rapport with the chairman of Miterich, but......'

Naturally, meeting a Setinos Hunter in a private capacity wasn't easy.

Befitting their name and reputation, their schedules were packed, and some found unsolicited visits from outsiders bothersome.

However, since Seo Hyun-woo was the Student Council President of Miterich, he should at least be able to make time for a brief conversation with the chairman.

"It's almost time to head home. Have you finished all your work?"

"Yes. I was about to leave as well."

"Going to train again?"

"If I want to beat you, President, I need to work relentlessly, don't I?"

"That consistency is admirable. With that level of dedication, you could more than surpass me."

"Effort alone doesn't guarantee results. Talent and luck also play a role."

Baek Seo-yeon left those meaningful words behind and exited the Student Council President's office first.

She may have already concluded in her heart that she couldn't defeat Seo Hyun-woo.

But time remained, and she intended to try as much as she could.

Baek Seo-yeon unconsciously looked down at the gift in her hand and let out a small sigh.

'Hmm...... I should have this hairpin processed with magic stone too. It'll cost a bit, but there's no helping it. It'd be a problem if it broke like last time.'