Chapter 300: Chapter 300

“Yin Nie is up next.”

“Yie Nie is setting the mood this time…”

“No wonder articles like ‘Dragon Artifact is running away’ keep popping up.”

“Did Yie Nie really come up with something?”

“Who knows...? Yie Nie is a really dirty company.”

Yie Nie was one of largest artifact companies in China. In addition to being a large company, those guys also involved themselves in raid-related matters and received tremendous support from the government. Their power was no joke.

Yie Nie had also released several hits, but they were currently in America, so the response they received was rather lukewarm.

“Who would bother buying Yie Nie’s artifacts unless they’re broke…?”

“The artifact is unstable....”

“I don’t know if they’ve solved the overheating problem.”

“No… Isn’t that too harsh?”

The Chinese clan hunters were agitated by the disparaging comments. They had come here to support Yie Nie, so they naturally became angry upon hearing the negative gossip of other people.

It would’ve been unimaginable if the event had been held in China.

“What are you saying?”

“Hey, have you forgotten what country you’re in? If you want to throw a tantrum, go back to China.”

Originally, this was a presentation intended for companies to make up for their own shortcomings by freely saying what couldn’t be said normally. This wasn’t the place nor the time to speak delicately in regards to the feelings of other companies!

Of course, this didn’t mean the Chinese hunters could adapt to it.

“Did you bastards take bribes?”

“They must’ve taken bribes. How much did Yie Nie give you?”

“You dare...!”

As the hunters continued to squabble and make noise, an organizer came to them and whispered, “If you don’t shut up, I’ll call the A-grade hunters here.”

“...”

“...”

Hearing the reproach, the hunters fell silent. After all, this venue was filled with many people stronger than them.

“Let’s see what they came up with.”

“You’ll be extremely shocked when you see it.”

The bickering hunters growled at each other, suggesting that there still was some resentment left.

“Here is an item that will open up a new future for artificial artifacts. It’s the Cold Blue Short Sword!”

“?”

“???”

The spectators blinked in disbelief. The short sword that Yie Nie brought out was too… It was too similar to the previous one.

“N-no… Did they actually bring a replica?”

“They’re such unscrupulous bastards”

“No! The designs might look a bit similar, but they’re undeniably different. This Frost skill...”

“Hey, you pieces of shit!”

“Get lost!”

There was one thing Yie Nie hadn’t expected. One-third of the spectators were hunters. The company employees and the announcers kept quiet, but the hunters didn’t hold back from expressing their dissatisfaction.

“Booo!!!”

“Get lost! Where did such a dirty thing come from?”

In situations like this, ordinary people would throw rotten eggs and tomatoes, but currently the stronger hunters threw chairs and various other objects.

As chairs and other objects flew toward the stage, the people from Yie Nie ran away screaming.

“Get rid of these filthy crooks!”

“Get lost! Get lost!”

“Everyone, calm... You have to calm down!”

No matter how hard the organizers tried to de-escalate the situation, the hunters were too fired up to stop. It got to the point where the hunters actually started destroying property. Only when the policemen and government hunters rushed in did they quiet down.

Choi Yeonseung watched the whole mess and asked with a weary expression, “Is it like this every time?”

“It’s actually quieter than usual this time.”

“...”

Choi Yeonseung was shocked.

‘These crazy Americans...!’

***

The atmosphere changed as soon as Choi Yeonseung came up on stage. Anyone could make a presentation at an event like this, but an A-grade hunter carried significantly more weight. Moreover, the expectations were rather unusual because there had been so many rumors.

“Have they grown anything?’

“If so, I would like to buy a few now...”

Some of the hunters with plant-related skills were even asking questions openly. No matter whether it was the alchemy side or the utility skills that added extra buffs, Abyssal plants were precious treasures.

“This isn’t good,” said Lane, a hunter of the Schreiber clan, his voice full of worry.

The hunters from the New York Fires clan that were next to him cast him an inquisitive glance.

“What do you mean?”

“The atmosphere is full of anticipation! But common sense dictates that it’s most likely not finished. If that’s the case, people are going to curse them into oblivion.”

“Oh...”

The hunters of the New York Fires clan admired him. However, it wasn’t his insight that impressed them; it was the fact that he seemed to care about others.

‘I thought he only cared about himself...’

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m surprised that you actually worry about others.”

“...Do you want to die?”

“U-uh… It’s a compliment! A compliment...”

Lane stopped himself from swearing. Certainly, it was rare for him to worry about others like this. However, Choi Yeonseung was the exception, as hunters with his personality were extremely rare.

By Lane’s standards, Choi Yeonseung’s personality was almost at the level of Santa Claus. He had actually actually saved the lives of people who had nothing to do with him in the dungeon.

“...A man like that should be treated accordingly. He must’ve helped your colleagues as well.”

“I understand. What should we do?”

“It’s simple. If people start booing, we should do the opposite.”

Lane and the New York Fires hunters nodded. If there were people who wanted to screw Choi Yeonseung over, there were also hunters who were indebted to him. They would cheer for Choi Yeonseung even if he announced the postponement of the project!

“Be careful of one thing. No matter how much they boo, don’t attack them. If you do that, Choi Yeonseung’s side will get criticized for no reason.”

“How long have I been a hunter? I know.”

It was fine to shout at each other, but violence could certainly backfire. They would feel terribly sorry if there was some misunderstanding and people thought that Choi Yeonseung had ordered the attack. His image would be ruined.

“Proceed quickly! This is why Dragon Hwang collapsed!”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

Some hunters could be heard screaming. The current boos were relatively standard for such a presentation. It was basically just to set the atmosphere.

“Are you crazy?”

Choi Yeonseung was about to make his announcement when he stopped and came down. The hunter who had shouted at Choi Yeonseung’s appearance said in a panic, “N-No. The press... Freedom of speech... Cough!”

“What nonsense are you saying? You better be prepared to get your teeth knocked in if you make fun of others.”

Bam bam bam!

Choi Yeonseung lightly raised the hunter into the air and punched him a few times. The trick of immobilizing the opponent as if he were tied by a thread in the air and hitting him made everyone forget about the presentation and stare in admiration.

“!”

“Wait, using violence like this is a bit...”

As the people who came to their senses whispered among each other, Choi Yeonseung dragged a few talkative hunters, tossed them into a corner of the stage and got ready again.

The atmosphere turned somber after this.

‘He’s digging his own grave!’

Jacob snorted at the sight. Typical of a hunter, Choi Yeonseung couldn’t overcome his temper and made a scene. Because of that, the current booing was just the tip of the iceberg. The main story would be that the chairman of Dragon Industry couldn’t hold back his anger and threw punches.

“Hey, can he do something like that?”

“...N-No. I don’t think so.”

Lane also looked dazed as he hadn’t expected something like that to happen. He found it hard to believe that Choi Yeonseung would just swing his fists like that. How could they fix the atmosphere later on…?

“Now, Dragon Industry has announced that we will be growing Abyssal plants. I thought it was high time we showed some results, so I brought this up.”

Choi Yeonseung took out the case and prepared to open it.

Everybody gazed in anticipation.

Did he… Did he really grow it?

‘Even if it only sprouted, isn’t that enough of a success?’

‘There’s no way he got it from somewhere else and is trying to trick us, right?’

As the sound of the case opening could be heard, magic power burst out. All the hunters could feel it.

“???”

“What?”

Everyone was lost for words, and they could only blink in disbelief as they gazed at the case full of Gorn’s Life Plant. They had thought he would bring a sample of sprouts at most to make a fuss, but this…?

“They’re all grown?!”

Choi Yeonseung replied, “They’re fully grown, so I brought them with me. What nonsense are you saying?”

“Are you sure they’re grown? H-how could you do it so quickly...?”

“I want to give it a try!”

“Sure.” Choi Yeonseung took out a Gorn’s Life Plant without hesitation and threw it.

The hunter freaked out and threw himself forward at the sight of a treasure more precious than any cheap artifact being thrown like it were a mere stone.

“How can you just throw it like that?!”

“You asked for it and I gave it to you. What’s the issue?”

“Still, no matter what...”

The hunter grumbled and carefully held the Gorn’s Life Plant. He then used the skill.

-Intermediate Plant Absorption!

This hunter’s name was Dorian, and he was a famous hunter in his own right. His rating was C+, but his role in the party was that of a healer. He had a rather unique way of healing because he didn’t use healing magic. Instead, he used skills like Plant Absorption to absorb the plants of the Abyss and create potions on the spot.

That was why he was known as the Alchemist!

“T... This?!”

“What is it?”

“Tell me! You bastard!”

Dorian was the only one testing the plant, and seeing how dumbfounded he was, the curious hunters quickly became agitated.

“Isn’t he exaggerating?”

“I think there’s something wrong based on this reaction.”

“After it came out, the condition...”

“T-this is amazing! I think this is the best Gorn’s Life Plant I’ve laid hands on... Even A-grade is an understatement? Did you really grow this?”

“!!!”

The hunters present were surprised. Nobody had expected Choi Yeonseung to receive that much praise.

The plants were homegrown, so it would be a massive success even if the quality were somewhat inferior to what came out in dungeons. However, it turned out even better…?

“C-can I check it?”

“Sure, you can try it.”

“Me too! Give me a chance!”

All the curious hunters, including the high-ranking ones, rushed in to try the plants. They lined up and pushed each other as though they were at the supermarket trying to get free samples. It was very peculiar to see them waiting obediently, as if they had turned into sheep, and gratefully accepting the life plant when it was given to them.

“Is it real? Hey. How did you grow that?”

“Is it possible that they’ve bought this? But you can’t buy something of this quality, right?”

“I don’t know what Dragon Industry did. Did they change the technicians?”

The sight of the hunters frowning and eating the bitter life plant greedily was somewhat odd. Upon seeing this, Aine was convinced.

This was a great success!

Who could doubt their results when looking at this scene? These people were so impressed that it seemed like they could even be convinced to buy some weeds pulled from the side of the road.

***

“This is more tiring than I thought.”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

After finishing the presentation, Choi Yeonseung tilted his head back as he slumped back in the chair. He wasn’t physically tired, but it had been more mentally exhausting than expected to answer all the questions of the hunters, who had rushed in like a pack of wolves.

-How did you grow this...?

-Do you really think he’ll answer that question? Hunter Choi Yeonseung, be honest! I don’t think there are many people here other than us who believed in you! Can you give our clan some supplies first...?

-Has this bastard lost his mind? What trick are you trying to pull here? Are you blind?

-Get lost! What are these inept people trying to do?

-Everyone, calm down... You need to calm down!

Not even Choi Yeonseung could’ve predicted that they would fight among themselves to get the supplies first. What kind of presentation caused so many fights?

“Excuse me...”

“?”

Choi Yeonseung looked up and he spotted some employees that were familiar. They were the employees from Hanseong Energy.