Chapter 157
The Swordsmanship Festival began with introductions and congratulatory speeches from distinguished guests. The lineup of speakers concluded with the Hunter’s Bureau Chief, the Academy Director, the Mayor of Seoul, and a member of the National Assembly. However, Young-Hwi’s gaze kept drifting to the corner of the second-floor audience seats.
There was no doubt about it. The man in a suit, appearing to be in his mid-to-late twenties, was definitely Lee Do-Jun. Although he looked like just another guild representative or management agency employee, he was undoubtedly the same civil servant from Seoul City Hall whom he had briefly glimpsed during their presentation.
The important thing wasn’t his identity but the reaction of the Bureau Chief and the S-rank Hunters earlier. They had acknowledged him, and not just in passing. Though subtle, for a fleeting moment, the Bureau Chief had even given a nod of respect.
This was the same Bureau Chief who wielded power comparable to that of the President of South Korea. The disparity between his status and the attitude shown toward a low-ranking civil servant was immeasurable.
A nagging question crept into Young-Hwi’s mind. But why? There’s definitely something I don’t know.
***
Finally, the Swordsmanship Festival began.
Matches were held simultaneously across four arenas, a format that would continue until the semifinals.
From his seat in a corner of the second floor, Yeon-Gil had a clear view of only the first and second arenas due to obstructions. He pulled a laptop from his bag and opened a file containing the profiles of the two students who were scheduled to go first. Even though he had already memorized everything, he double-checked all the details for the first match to ensure accuracy.
As he scrolled down, Yeon-Gil paused and turned the laptop screen slightly toward Do-Jun, who was seated beside him.
“Would you like to take a look at this?” he asked.