Magic Monopoly: Reborn as the Sole Magic Tower Master-Chapter 184: Episode

Hong Yeon, summoned by Frost, wore the new official Association uniform. She stood with her hands clasped politely, her face a mask of indifference.

"To be honest, I've always found you a bit intimidating," Frost said with a bitter smile. "Your background as the sister of that great woman, and that unique aura you have... The sight of you in dazzling silver armor, your flame-like hair streaming behind you as you lead your people with a confident gaze—even I had to admire it. A hero's disposition. It's something I lack. But now..."

Sitting in the Hunter Association President's chair, the throne of Korea, Frost stroked his chin and looked Hong Yeon up and down as if appraising her.

Frost's lips stretched into a wide grin. "You, who shone brighter than anyone, are now wearing the uniform I designed, with standardized black stockings and shoes, hiding that luscious red hair in a hairnet, and wearing the same regulated seven-step makeup as everyone else. Seeing you like this... you're no different from any other ordinary office worker."

She was silent.

"Yes. This is 'the system'," Frost said, spreading his arms with a shrug. "That's how regulations work, aren't they? Humans are social animals. No matter how exceptional an individual is, they submit to the system. Even you, have no choice but to wear that uniform, correct?"

After admiring her attire once more, he continued in a leisurely tone. "I believe the system is the fundamental element that allowed humans to dominate the Earth. Isn't it fascinating? When individuals in an organization with a shared vision simply fulfill their roles as components, even ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results! The kind of things that only people born extraordinary, like you, are supposed to be able to do!"

Unable to listen any longer, Hong Yeon let out a small sigh. "The moment you describe humans as components, haven't you given up on being human yourself?"

"What can I do? That's the truth of it. Humans are cogs. There are simply cogs that turn well, cogs that don't, and defective products. That's all." Frost rested his chin on his hand and stared at her. "That's what I'm doing now. Weeding out those defective products for a smoother process."

"Mr. President. Did you call me here for a speech? Please get to the point." The sound of her teeth grinding was audible as she pronounced his title.

With a strange smile, Frost leaned back deep into his chair. "Fine. I'll be direct. Come work for me, Hunter Hong Yeon."

"I am already an employee of your organization."

"No, no. Not in that formal sense." Frost's eyes flashed. "I want you to become the core of my system."

He continued.

"Humans are just components, but sometimes there are crucial components that are difficult to replace. That's you." Frost tapped a rhythm on the desk with his fingers. "As the new Association President, I have a duty to produce a new certified rank-1 hunter during my term. I intend to entrust that key role to you."

"Isn't that why you're standing before me, wearing that uniform, hiding your red hair, and wearing that unbecoming, heavy makeup?" Frost extended his index finger, pointing at her neatly clasped hands. "You haven't familiarized yourself with the regulations, have you? For women, the right hand goes over the left."

She said nothing.

Her brown eyes flashed with a pressure so fierce that even Frost flinched. But in the end, Hong Yeon squeezed her eyes shut and corrected her posture.

"Ah, and your hands are too low. They should be around your lower abdomen, lightly covering your navel... yes, just like that! Hahaha! My apologies. I'm just sensitive about these things. Anyway, to continue... I plan to offer you my full support. I'm willing to pour all the resources of the Republic of Korea and the vast capital of Unix into your growth alone." Frost's expression suddenly hardened. "Even if, after taking my money and growing strong, you decide to come at me seeking revenge for your sister."

Hearing this, Hong Yeon's eyes wavered for the first time.

He continued, "Conspiracy theories like that circulate online. That I held a grudge and stabbed my senior in the back. Well, the hunter world is a grim place, so I suppose such talk is inevitable. I understand, but a conspiracy theory is just a theory. I am innocent. It was all an accident, and I only survived thanks to her grace. I am the true successor to the former Association President's will."

Frost met Hong Yeon's gaze, and she did not look away.

"Those are the eyes of someone who doubts me. It doesn't matter. I have my goal of producing a rank-1 hunter within three years, and you have yours. Can't we cooperate until we both achieve our objectives?" Frost crossed his legs. "I promise you my full support, unprecedented support, the likes of which you've never received. But there's just one condition."

"What is it?"

Frost extended his leg. "Kneel at my feet and kiss my shoe."

She couldn't believe it.

"What, don't glare at me like that. A kiss on the instep is a simple test, passed down since ancient times." Frost shrugged. "As long as we're running toward the same goal, I don't care what happens to me afterward. But I am concerned you might do something... unexpected along the way. I really hate that."

A chill seemed to settle in the room as the temperature slowly dropped.

"It keeps bothering me. I'm starting to wonder if you're a defective product. So prove to me that you can function properly as a cog." Stroking his chin, Frost continued in an utterly serious tone. "Prove that you can hide your personal desires and submit to society! That you are not a social misfit!"

She stood rooted to the spot. The war of nerves continued for several minutes.

Frost let out a small sigh. "I'm not making some grave demand that violates your humanity, nor am I engaging in crude harassment. It's a procedure everyone goes through. I, too, have knelt at your sister's feet and pleaded. Submitting to the system, being able to bend when you must—that is the proof that you are not defective." He chuckled. "Now, just close your eyes and endure one moment of humiliation! Do that, and I'll hand you this country's entire hunter world! I'll let you become the golden cog at the very top of the process, and every time you turn, you will hear the sound of the tens of millions of cogs turning in unison beneath you!"

Frost's eyes turned bloodshot as he shouted, "Now! Do it!"

"Hah." Instead of answering, Hong Yeon let out a long sigh laden with emotion. Then she gripped her uniform hat and threw it squarely in Frost's face.

Next, she tore off her hairnet. A splendid wave of red hair came fluttering down.

"That's enough. Your arrogance is disgusting, Frost."

"Wait, hey!"

"Do you think the whole world is at your feet? You're mistaken. I will stop you, no matter what it takes. I will expose your filthy deeds and pride to the world."

Frost cackled. "Is that your answer?"

"I'm leaving." She turned her back and walked out of the Association President's office.

'I expected this, but it still ended this way.' Frost placed his slender fingers under his chin, pondering. Then he picked up the receiver on his desk. "It's me. The long-term dispatch to Antarctica has been decided."

* * *

Time passed, but the situation showed no signs of improving. This was precisely when the Top 10 guilds should have united to keep the Association in check, but circumstances were not favorable. For starters, the number-one guild, Unix, was pro-Association. Blackguard and NIX, having lost their guild masters and were in a state of collapse. And on top of that, two other guilds had suddenly declared their support for Frost. The remaining five guilds alone didn't have the power to stop him.

Public opinion was no different. While most civilians supported Frost's policies, hunters themselves were divided. A quick look at a hunter community forum showed the chaos.

—Think about it. The hunter profession was always about making bank while you're young. This just changes it to a long-term career. If you factor in the pension, the total income probably won't change much.

—Being a state employee is good. You get a pension. It's stable.

—Right. Everyone tries so hard to get a direct position with the Association, and now that they're offering it, people are complaining. Make up your minds.

—Frying chicken after retirement vs. traveling abroad on a pension. Easy choice.

—You know all the guys opposing this are just rank-5 scrubs, right? They're just pissed they can't lord it over civilians anymore and will have to live under the thumb of rank-4s.

—I'm most curious about the mental state of you guys who are getting off on the idea of being public officials. Are your parents okay?

—How can a controlled life be good?

—Kids these days say stuff like that because they haven't been to the military. From the outside, it looks great with regular meals and paychecks, right? Try it and see.

—The world is going crazy. It's full of idiots and propagandists.

—Retirement is the only answer.

At a time when they needed to unite, even the hunters were fractured. Of course, more were against the policies than for them, but the division was enough to create ambiguity.

Backed by Unix's massive capital and the support of the government and the public, Frost forcefully pushed his agenda. The seasoned, high-ranking hunters of rank-3 and above scoffed, but in my view, their complacency was a mistake. Eventually, once the system was established, everyone would have no choice but to follow.

'Well, now's not the time to worry about that.'

I was speaking with Shin Nara at our usual cafe.

"You're going to Russia?" she said, shocked.

"Yes. Association President Hong Yul is still alive. I don't believe she's someone who would die so easily."

"I agree... but why Russia?"

"It's the only logical choice," I said with a shrug. "The dungeons from the Immortal Disaster are all connected, right? I'm going to use the entrance in Russia, which hasn't closed yet, find the president, and bring her back."

"Th-that's absurd! It's like finding a needle in a haystack! Besides, all the Immortals will be captured soon, and the gates will close for good..."

"I've already worked out a search method and a means of escape." I explained how I had seized control of the dungeon's core during the Labyrinth incident, connecting all its portals to the Boss Zone.

Shin Nara listened intently, her expression serious. "So you're saying you have the ability to control dungeons."

"Yes. Even if the entrance closes completely, I can get out. And even if I can't find the president, I'll have no trouble escaping by myself."

She was so worried that I did my best to persuade her. After mulling it over, she finally let out a small sigh. "As always, Hunter Kim, you defy all calculation."

"...Haha."

"Still, the countless miracles you've performed haven't just disappeared." She immediately picked up her phone. "For the official notice to Russia, will 'Friendly dispatch in support of the Immortal Disaster' suffice?"

"Thank you for believing in me!"

With her permission, I could finally begin the counterattack.

* * *