I Tamed the First Rank Chapter 12
- HoshiMiya
- Sep 28, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 14
“Yes?”
“Does my performance reflect the civil servants’ job evaluations?”
Of course, it was Team Leader Hong who suggested taking a promotional video for the self-performance evaluation.
“Your performance will reflect on Yoo-shin’s.”
Team Leader Hong made an excuse with his eyes wide open, acting as though he were giving porridge to dogs, and he wiped his sweat with a handkerchief. In Yoo-shin was also surprised.
“Since Yoo-shin is a contract worker, and he is in charge of a job that has nothing to do with public performance…….”
“Once you put Yoo-shin’s name on it, working-level officials will take care of the framework.”
Hyeon Gyu-ha, not knowing how the company worked, finally looked back at In Yoo-shin.
“Yoo-shin-ssi.”
“Ah, yes?”
“Yoo-shin-ssi, will you continue to work as a contract worker? If you don’t like working, well, I will find a way to feed you for the rest of your life.”
In Yoo-shin pretended not to hear what was said from behind him and replied.
“If my contract extension doesn’t work out, I’ll have to find another job.”
“Isn’t it possible to convert to an employment contract?”
“I think winning the lottery will be faster than waiting for that opportunity to come to me.”
“Anyway, it’s possible. If you build up your performance results, you’ll get a good evaluation, right?”
It sounded like they would force the switch if In Yoo-shin’s contract extension didn’t work out, so Team Leader Hong wiped his cold sweat.
“That, maybe, um, it’s possible to turn the work over to Yoo-shin-ssi! If Hunter-nim wants it, yes!”
Even if the highest achievement went to In Yoo-shin, there would be something for Hong to benefit from. Changing his mind, Team Leader Hong responded with enthusiasm, and Hyeon Gyu-ha also replied cheerfully.
“Then let’s shoot some promotional material.”
At his words, Kim Ji-yeon’s patience, which desperately suppressed her urge to fangirl and share any related stories to the fan community, spectacularly exploded at last.
- Guys!!!!!! Gyu-ha’s talent department promotion video is happening.
Secretly typing on her phone under her desk, her lively fingers set the fan community on fire.
As it was for the government department, the work that was supposed to be done cautiously and to some extent rigidly was carried out in an unprecedentedly fast manner.
Team Leader Hong ran to the head of the digital communication team, and the public relations officer immediately gave an ok sign before completing the draft. The approval was also instantaneous.
Top ranker. Superb appearance.
Although he had elements that the public was enthusiastic about, Hyeon Gyu-ha’s media exposure is extremely rare. He had never filmed a common commercial film, let alone a promotional video. It was clear that if Hyeon Gyu-ha could be used in a promotional video for the first time, the level of attention would be explosive.
The Department of Supernatural Affairs and Public Safety was like a Buddhist who got beaten up from all sides by arrogant hunters and disgruntled people and still forgave them. It was a miracle created by the desperation to put a stamp of approval on it before anyone’s mind changed.
Even if you wanted to shoot a promotional video with another hunter, there would have been no other way. Because articles that arbitrarily turned rumors in the fan community into facts were already being mass-produced.
One hour before work time.
Not only the public relations officer but also the vice minister came running with the contract. Originally, the Minister of the Department of Supernatural Affairs and Public Safety himself wanted to try to greet Hyeon Gyu-ha, but unfortunately, he was on a business trip abroad.
Attorney Yoo, an advisor to Hyeon Gyu-Ha, was also present to coordinate and review the contract.
“Nice to meet you, Hunter Hyeon Gyu-ha.”
“Same here.”
Despite the nervous greetings of the vice minister, Hyeon Gyu-ha replied boringly.
The vice minister swallowed dryly. The budget man in charge had been roasted and the budget had been squeezed out as much as possible. It was a budget he received with the mindset of cutting flesh as a supernatural power, but he didn’t know if it was enough to satisfy the top rankers who would fill their inventories with crystal stones even after exploring a dungeon for a while.
“There are a lot of things that are lacking because this meeting was prepared in a hurry. Detailed coordination……”
“I’ll just write that it’s filmed with my consent as long as it doesn’t harm public morals. Just pay only as much as you can afford as the down payment.”
Hyeon Gyu-ha interrupted Vice Minister Hyeon-ha and handed the contract over to Attorney Yoo without reading it properly.
“All you have to do is keep your promise to improve Yoo-shin-ssi’s work performance.”
“That’s possible!”
The vice minister took a breath of relief at the absolute generosity of Hyeon Gyu-ha, who said that he would not be picky as long as they took good care of his lover. He was really fortunate to be able to sign a contract within the budget he had prepared.
“Let’s do it quickly. I have to take Yoo-shin home.”
For some reason, while Hyeon Gyu-ha was signing, there was a minor incident in which he had sprained his finger, written the word ‘Henr’ and then rewritten his signature, but the contract was completed safely.
The vice minister, who even had a picture of himself shaking hands with Hyeon Gyu-ha taken, was satisfied. The employees of the Digital Communication Team, who had been biting their nails while watching news appear on the internet even before it was confirmed where the leaks came from, excitedly sent out promotional materials. Team Leader Hong was also happy to hear the news.
However, In Yoo-shin wasn’t feeling very good.
“You don’t get motion sickness anymore.”
When they arrived at the front of his house, In Yoo-shin took off his helmet, and Hyeon Gyu-ha grinned while arranging his hair that was pressed by the helmet. As he had to commute every day on Hyeon Gyu-ha’s bike, he got quite used to the dizzying sense of speed.
And Yoo-shin really thought that he had gotten used to his face, which wore a smile every so often. Even if his face, haloed by light, appeared out of nowhere like before, Yoo-shin wouldn’t get startled by it. Unknowingly, he kept peeking at Gyu-ha from the side, but he hadn’t changed.
“Then take a rest.”
Before Gyu-ha could go back home, Yoo-shin instinctively grasped his hand. After meeting Hyeon Gyu-ha’s scrutinizing stare, he realized that he had initiated touch with him for the first time. Startled, Yoo-shin withdrew his hand.
“Ah, n-never mind.”
Not knowing what it was, the words that came out of his mouth became a mumble.
‘It must’ve been unpleasant for him when I held his hand all of a sudden, especially when we weren’t really dating. He’s the kind of person who always has murderous thoughts when he sees me.’
Not having the courage to bring up Hyeon Gyu-ha’s status window to confirm his murderous intent, In Yoo-shin scratched his head half-heartedly.
“Do you have time for dinner?”
“My answer will depend on why you are asking that question.”
Fortunately, Hyeon Gyu-ha did not show any displeasure.
“I want to buy you dinner if you have the time. I’m grateful that you always help me commute, and I have something to tell you about the dungeon raid you mentioned earlier.”
“Well, in that case, then I have plenty of time.”
Hyeon Gyu-ha got off the bike after turning off the engine.
“But I have no intention of getting treated with your card.”
“But……”
“Serving their master is a pet mouse’s only joy. Ah, no, should I call it a pet’s instinct?”
“……”
“Actually, no matter what my reason is, it really does make me feel good when I help you. It’s like a very effective medicine. Before, I was lethargic, as if I was depressed no matter what I did, yet getting tamed turned out quite useful since I was forced to shift my mood. It gets out of my control, but it’s merely a mild side effect.”
“……”
“Then shall we go? When I drove you back and forth for work, I noticed a crowded grill restaurant in the alley up ahead.”
In Yoo-shin, who was sweating, quietly kept his mouth shut and followed him.
In fact, I had guessed this might be the case from the time he mentioned improving public relations as part of my performance. I thought I had to accept that I would be at an unfair advantage because of my situation, but I’m now concerned.
In Yoo-shin sat down with Hyeon Gyu-ha at the last remaining table in a corner of the grill restaurant.
“What meat do you want?”
“Red wine or pork neck.”
“Let’s eat Korean beef.”
Hyeon Gyu-ha adjusted the order at will when In Yoo-shin suggested the cheapest monster meat.
When the first gates opened unexpectedly, livestock were frequently killed. Meanwhile, the cost of shield cores, which block monster attacks, is reasonable. The meat of hunted monsters became cheaper than that of livestock thanks to this.
This is how the world works today.
Monsters first poured out of gates 60 years ago, and the world struck by catastrophe experienced a momentous change. At that time, the allied forces were recovering from the damage and were advancing forth.
The world’s first gate opened on the banks of the Nakdonggang River, which at that time had been the greatest bloodshed on Earth. The United States and other allied countries dispatched researchers as the leaders of the world became disorganized.
After the victory of South Korea and UN forces, gates were created all over the world. However, after only three months of restoration, monsters once again destroyed Seoul before the shouts of victory and joy even died down.
However, that tragedy gave Korea the motivation it needed to get past its postwar damage. The result was paradoxical.
Sea monsters cut off the maritime routes, leaving the UN forces stuck in Korea. The same was true for the dispatched researchers. The UN forces reheated their cold barrels and hunted monsters, and those awakened by unknown powers appeared, and researchers continued their research.
Korea was able to quickly deal with the confusion caused by the catastrophe. Every monster was countered by an awakener or modern heavy weapon, and the Koreans obtained research results even in harsh environments. They couldn’t miss the opportunity to research gates and crystals, being already one step ahead by developing a shield to block approaching monsters, even after the seaways were cleared.
Many soldiers and researchers who were stranded for several years settled in Korea and obtained citizenship. However, it’s not enough to be called a multi-ethnic country, although the owner of the grill restaurant that I commute past daily was a soldier from Turkey, and Kim Ji-yeon, who sat next to me at work, was also a mixed-race black woman.
Hyeon Gyu-ha’s flaxen hair and amber eyes didn’t stand out too much. Of course, his eyes are a uniquely brilliant color, though.
As In Yoo-shin stared at the beautiful color without even realizing it, Gyu-ha’s amber eyes narrowed, and his lips parted.
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Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor/Proofreader: Editor M
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