You Will Be Blessed If You Do Good Deeds¿-Chapter 182

"If it's help..."

"Actually... I'm not sure if you've heard the rumors, but I was originally in contact with the NLE Guild."

I lowered my gaze.

Kim Ihyeon let out an overtly sympathetic sigh. Should I say her reaction was perfect in terms of showing empathy?

Kang Kyungjoon also let out a deep, pitying sigh.

"Ah, yes. I’ve heard the rumors. I heard you were close with Hunter Lee Un-gyeol, too."

As expected.

Officially, I've only had one meal with Lee Un-gyeol, but since his purpose was to recruit me, I figured the rumors would have spread.

In that case, I should make use of this rumor.

"Yes, the truth is I didn’t quite get along with Hunter Han Jae-young."

This isn't exactly a lie.

Just because I’m a demon doesn’t mean I particularly like lying. In fact, I almost never lie.

By demon standards, I’m actually quite truthful.

Kang Kyungjoon exclaimed in surprise at my words.

"Ah, so you were in contact with the NLE Guild because of Hunter Han Jae-young?"

"Yes. Since I’m in alternative service right now, I can't immediately leave the HP Guild, but alternative service won’t last forever."

At this, Kang Kyungjoon’s eyes lit up. Kim Ihyeon’s expression was also interesting to watch.

"The NLE Guild... that’s the one founded by Hunter Lee Un-gyeol, right? I’ve heard he's a good person. It’s really unfortunate that things turned out this way."

Kim Ihyeon poured some alcohol into my glass, continuing with the conversation. While she said that, her expression didn’t reflect any real sympathy.

They probably understand my words as a suggestion that I’ll likely register with the Hunter Association once my alternative service ends, not join another guild.

‘Well, that's what I intended to convey.’

I needed to plant the idea in their minds that, after my alternative service, I wouldn’t be joining any guild but might join the Association instead.

That would serve as a strong motivation for them.

"I see, well, time passes, doesn’t it?"

"Yes, it’s really unfortunate how things turned out. Still, there are more guilds than just NLE..."

Kim Ihyeon said this with a subtle smile. Honestly, I was irritated, but there was no point in reacting here. I swallowed my frustration and continued speaking.

"Yeah, I didn’t think a mother would do something like that."

"Ah, you’re talking about Lawyer Nam Seong-hee..."

"I really hope she gets the punishment she deserves. Don’t you think?"

"Hahaha, yes... that would be good..."

Kang Kyungjoon responded ambiguously while wearing a strange expression.

It’s true that Nam Seong-hee is the subject of the most bizarre recent news, but ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Kang Kyungjoon’s reaction isn’t solely because of that.

The truth is, I’d said I hoped Nam Seong-hee would be properly punished, but right now, the Association is working hard to reduce her sentence because of her "item."

Why is her sentence being reduced because of an item?

Nam Seong-hee claims that her item is in her "inventory."

However, since others cannot forcibly open another's inventory, the government and the Hunter Association have been trying to persuade Nam Seong-hee, offering a reduced sentence as a condition.

‘And Kang Kyungjoon probably doesn’t care about whether Nam Seong-hee gets proper punishment.’

If he were concerned with such moral issues, he probably wouldn’t have even shown up at this kind of meeting.

"By any chance, the help you mentioned, Hunter Jeong Da-on, could it be that you're asking for help to make sure Lawyer Nam Seong-hee gets the punishment she deserves?"

"Hahaha, of course not."

I smiled slightly as I watched the two of them hang onto every word I said.

"During the recent dungeon break, I saw Lawyer Nam Seong-hee, who I thought was just an ordinary person, using magic. She probably used an item..."

Now, we’re getting to the main point.

I watched Kang Kyungjoon’s expression closely as I asked.

"From what I’ve heard, when a criminal possesses an item, the government confiscates it and uses it as national property. I heard that the Association can also borrow these items through agreements with the government."

"Yes, that’s true, but..."

"I want to bid on this item."

It’s not an unusual request.

When a person with special abilities commits a crime, their item is usually reclaimed by the government.

At that point, if the government can’t utilize the item properly, or if they think its use in the private sector would be more beneficial, the Association can borrow it.

And this borrowed item can be re-loaned by the Association under its responsibility to individual hunters for public use.

‘It’s likely that there are very few government-affiliated hunters who could properly utilize this item.’

It’s a strategy to avoid giving it back to the private sector entirely, but still earn a little rental fee from it.

Of course, the government technically still owns the item, so the Association wouldn’t be thrilled with the idea of renting it out for profit.

"Ah, I see... Lawyer Nam Seong-hee’s item, you say. I’d love to help, but..."

Kang Kyungjoon’s trailing words showed he understood my intent.

Although he’s not at the heart of the Association, he knows that the higher-ups are already trying to secretly remove Nam Seong-hee’s item at the request of an external investor.

In that situation, for me to suddenly approach and express interest in bidding on the item...

‘The higher-ups of the Association would probably think I’ve lost my mind if I suggested that.’

Right now, the upper echelons of the Association aren’t nearly as desperate for my involvement as Kang Kyungjoon and Kim Ihyeon.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

They might be afraid of a power shift if I join the Association, but if I expressed interest in the item, it’s likely they wouldn’t give it to me.

"Is there a problem?"

I asked, feigning ignorance even though I knew the situation well.

Kang Kyungjoon fell silent for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.

"Honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing to say... but since we’ll be seeing each other for a while, I’ll tell you. Actually, the Association is also coveting Lawyer Nam Seong-hee’s item."

"Oh, isn’t that a good thing? I’d be fine with just borrowing it for a while."

"Well... it’s not that simple. The Association plans to use that item as collateral to secure investment."

"Investment?"

I widened my eyes, pretending to be surprised. The shock was probably evident.

"It’s not just about a simple cash investment. To be precise... Do you know how many A-rank and B-rank talents there are in Korea, even without someone like Hunter Jeong Da-on? Compared to Japan, it’s nearly double the number. Actually, Kim Ihyeon here is also a B-rank hunter."

"Even so, compared to Hunter Jeong Da-on, it’s nothing to brag about."

"True. But even within the same rank, it depends on whether the natural talent can be fully realized through the country's educational system."

In other words, even though Korea wants to train hunters, they lack the infrastructure to properly do so.

In reality, instead of nurturing high-level talent, the country is shifting the burden of education to guilds in the form of alternative service.

For someone like me, an S-rank, I’m at least doing alternative service, but for most others, their talents are wasted with standard military training...

Whether this is true or not, it’s understandable from their perspective.

"But can’t foreign investors solve the military service issue? It’s a mandatory service under the Association’s rules."

"That’s true, but they can address the problem with hunter training infrastructure. In Europe, the EU has provided each country with the necessary hunter training equipment. And this investor... they’ve promised to provide us with the entire training infrastructure if we transfer the item to them."

Ah.

I nodded in understanding.

I was curious how Theo Yovanovich had managed to lure the Association into this deal...

‘The European hunter education infrastructure is something I’ve been curious about.’

Since Theo has been teaching hunters since awakening, European hunters, even with middle-level rankings, have been actively breaking into the global market. This shows they’re recognized for their skills.

‘It’s not just a simple financial investment.’

I realized that the Association’s upper echelons weren’t simply taking Theo’s investment for their own benefit—they were also focusing on infrastructure development.

‘It would have been easier if they were just greedy for money.’

If I considered my current balance, honestly, while it would be hard to engage in full-scale combat with Theo Yovanovich, bribing him wouldn’t be out of the question. James Chen was ruthlessly turning low-ranking hunters to make money, and that money was washing through several rounds, eventually landing in my Swiss account. The last time I checked, the balance was nearing ten million dollars.

"But, it sounds good... but isn’t the Association moving for more than just a public good?"

Kim Ihyeon interrupted suddenly.

Kang Kyungjoon sternly scolded him.

"Kim Ihyeon, don’t say nonsense."

"Hey, we’ll be seeing each other for a long time. If there’s a secret, shouldn’t we know?"

The drinks were poured again, and it was clear that both of them were acting. I decided to just listen.

Kim Ihyeon whispered as if revealing a secret.

"Those in the upper ranks of the Association... they all want to send their children abroad. You know? They all do their mandatory service, but in foreign countries... especially Europe, alternative service is much freer."

"So they don’t want to send their kids to the military..."

"Honestly, everyone’s probably suspicious. It’s good to get the training infrastructure, but in a few years, their kids might all be moving to Europe. Honestly, before taking the ability test, awakening people could even consider emigration as a strategy."

Kim Ihyeon sighed.

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"For someone like me, it’s a dream I could never achieve... sigh, I really envy those lucky enough to have good parents."

This didn’t seem like something he was saying to flatter me, but more like his genuine feelings.

Both of them were probably half flattering me, half showing dissatisfaction with the investor’s idea.

I saw an opportunity and spoke up.

"Could I... possibly meet the investor and try to convince them?"

"Huh?"

"How would you convince them?"

"If the Association is dealing in the public’s interest, I’ll step back. But, isn’t it a waste to hand this kind of item to a foreigner just to avoid military service?"

The key here is to make them think I’m acting for "justice," not just for personal gain.

"Of course, I wouldn’t ruin the investment..."

"I’m not saying I’ll ruin it, just change the terms. How about we research the item and share the findings? They’ll probably want to take the item to analyze it, so if I step in and offer to research it and share the results, it’d be a pretty good deal for them."

"Ah, that might be possible... but, would the research be that quick? Not that I don’t trust Hunter Jeong Da-on, but..."

He trailed off, hinting at doubts about the feasibility.

"Of course."

I nodded, putting on the most arrogant expression I could muster.

Even Kim Ihyeon, sitting beside me and constantly refilling my glass, surely frowned for a moment.

Kang Kyungjoon and Kim Ihyeon exchanged glances.

Whether they truly believed in my abilities was honestly irrelevant.

"Then, what should we do?"

"I heard the investor will be visiting soon to take the item."

I gave them a friendly smile as I spoke.

"Could you arrange a meeting with them? I’ll try to convince them personally."

"Arranging a meeting with the investor shouldn’t be difficult... Ah, Hunter Jeong Da-on. Would you like to make an appearance at the investment reception?"

"I’d rather request a formal meeting separately. If an S-rank hunter like Hunter Jeong Da-on requests a meeting, no investor would refuse. If you’re okay with it, I’ll put in the formal request."

That was their plan, not mine.

I knew exactly what they wanted.

These two were probably hoping I’d join the official investor reception organized by the Association, where I’d at least take a picture with them for appearances.

That way, it would give them leverage over the Association’s current higher-ups.

‘They don’t care about my goals, they just want to manipulate the situation for their own benefit.’

In the end, they’re all just trying to get away with corruption.

I’m not interested in hearing any of this.

‘And I don’t want Theo Yovanovich to know I’m going either.’

The moment my name comes up, Theo will probably flee the country, even if he has to turn the plane around.

So, I need to find a gap.

I looked at the two of them and raised an eyebrow.

"That’s a good idea, but honestly... after hearing the conversation, I don’t think the upper ranks of the Association would approve of me meeting with them. Also, the investor might not want to meet me since they don’t know much about me."

"That’s true, but..."

"So, here’s what I propose. Kang Kyungjoon Hunter, you’re going to the investor reception, right? I’d like you to pass this along when you go."

With that, I placed an item that glowed a deep red on the table.

Kang Kyungjoon’s eyes widened as he stared at it.

System warns user, ‘Jeong Da-on,’

‘Blessed if you do good deeds?’ quest is ongoing.

System detects ‘Soul Core.’

‘Soul Core’ is in an unstable condition.

Ignoring the system’s flashing red warnings, I smiled.

"An insightful investor will immediately recognize the results of my work after seeing this."