Chapter 973: The Setup [Pt 1]
The Symposium began with a bang, and it continues with relatively the same energy.
The discussions mainly revolved around the issues of Monsters and the increasing difficulty of the Gates, as well as how to move forward with everything.
The Shadows of Light were also mentioned, bit the fact that very little was known about them made the conversation more.abstract and obscure than practical.
The Hunters in the room were able to interact with the matters addressed, and everything seemed to be going well.
... Until the most unexpected occured.
"For the next discussion, and most likely the most important for today, I would like to bring it to your notice that the South Korean Hunter Association has violated our rules and the international treaties that bind the Hunter Association and the Zenith."
The hall went silent instantly, and all eyes greeted the seat allocated to South Korea.
"What is the meaning of this? Why are you accusing is out of nowhere?!" Chairman Sung banged the desk in front of him and shouted in fury.
He was a man who prided himself on his ability to control his emotions, only showing so much depending on the situation.
However, the mere fact that Chad had besmirched his country's name by bringing up a baseless accusation was something he couldn't allow.
It would have even been more surprising if he didn't get upset.
"The South Korea Hunter Association are collaborating with the Shadows of Light, and they have also violated the agreements made to the Zenith, as well as the international interests of the Hunter Association worldwide." Even more nonsense was spewed out.
"W-what are you even—?!" Chairman Sung's face began to show veins, and his eyes turned bloodshot.
However, before he could fully express himself, he was greeted by another shocking reality that brought him to the very edge of despair.
Everyone's gaze... was filled with instant suspicion.
"T-the South Korea Hunter Association. They did that?"
"Is it safe to be seated so close to them?"
"I had a feeling they were suspicious."
"T-this is... to think I placed them in high regard."
"Weren't they trending recently?"
"Why would they do something like this?"
"The Shadows of Light? They would so auch a thing?"
"Unbelievable...!"
"How repulsive!"
"Disgraceful...!!!"
The glares and words of the Hunters gathered in. the Grand Symposium nearly broke Chairman Sung. His heart bled as he powerlessly watched the world turn against them.
"Of course, I'm not saying all of this without basis. I have proof." Chad continued speaking, drawing the attention of the audience to his words.
"We made an agreement to loan an extremely rare SS Grade Core from the South Korea Hunter Association. Of course, we paid the amount required, and we were clear to inform them that we needed to study the Core so as to understand its component and further unravel the mysteries about Dimensional Energy."
Chad further explained how the South Korean Hunter Association, after receiving payment, staged a scenario where the SS Grade Core went missing.
"They claim it was the doing of the Shadows of Light, but if they are in direct collaboration with them, doesn't that mean they get to keep the SS Grade Core for themselves, selfishly hindering the progress we're making for the betterment of humanity."
More murmurs and echoes supporting the words of the Zenith, and degrading the South Korea Hunter Association, surged forth.
"We already explained it was out of our control. We aren't working with the Shadows of Light. It's a huge loss for us too, and we even said we'd refund your funds, so—" Director Baek roared in South Korea's defense.
"What is money compared to the progress we could have made from the researching on the Core? Do you really want to reduce the advancement of humanity to a couple million dollars per month?"
The way Chad flippantly talked about money and emphasized on humanity made the audience gravitate further to his side.
Before they realized it, South Korea became isolated.
"And what about the Busan Incident? I'm sure you are all aware of the S Class Dungeon Break that occured in Busan, and the two who intervened in the situation—the Busan Heroes."
No one in the room could say the news didn't reach them. The viral videos, and the commentaries were sensational and lasted for over a week.
"Well, those two aren't heroes. Out investigation ties them to the Shadows of Light."
"W-what are you saying? They have no—"
"They were arrested by the Special Seoul Security Service in a warehouse used by Brokers. These Brokers have already confessed to having ties to the Shadows of Light. It's suspicious enough that they were found there, but the Brokers also confessed that the two Heroes were sent by their higher-ups to manage their operation."
"T-that doesn't even make any sense! If they were so evil, would they have surrendered on their own?"
"The SSSS made a surprise attack and caught them in the operation. It would have been messy if they fought and caused a stir, so they surrendered. And can anyone guess what happened after that?"
Silence. No one could speak. They were all waiting for Chad's next words.
"The South Korean Hunter Association came to bail them out of custody. That's right! Those two surrendered because they had a strong backer, and they knew they'd get away with it without resorting to violence."
More murmurs escaped the lips of the Hunters gathered. Disbelief accompanied with disgust played all over their faces.
"Don't tell me you believe him just like that! That's not at all what happened! It's a lot more complicated than that!" Director Baek shouted, his tone desperate for the trust of his colleagues.
However, none of them showed him even the slightest hint of such sentiment.
"The S Class Gate was most likely perpetrated by them, intentionally using it to gain fame and go viral. We can't be certain yet, but I suspect they've found a way to harness the power of the SS Class Core in their possession and those two Busan Heroes are the first of the many Super Hunters that South Korea plans to create."
The audience, upon hearing this, did not bother to think about how much of a stretch the matter had become, or how many unsubstantiated claims were mixed into the actual events that occured.
Once they heard the supposed project that South Korea had embarked on, and the assumed progress they had made with these 'Super Hunters', it was more than enough as the last straw.
No matter how altruistic a nation was, the utmost priority was to ensure they had the edge over other nations, or at the very least, other nations didn't have the edge over them.
That was the point of the Zenith, and their union as Hunters.
The fact that all nations were equal under the might of the Zenith.
Any country that decided to break out of that restraint and went against the status quo would be officially recognized as a threat.
... No exceptions!