《Against the Clock: The Team Leader鈥檚 Pursuit of Glory》 Chapter 2 - If You Enjoy Seeing People Die "Wow, you really know how to make our team leader angry, huh? So what? You think you can get rid of me?" Thanks to Ma Taesik''s provocation, Kang Mu-hyuk became rather calm. Get rid of him? It was an appealing choice, but... there was not enough justification for it. Of course, rebelling against a superior could be a reason to get someone transferred to another department. Kang Mu-hyuk was not just an ordinary team leader; he held a certain amount of power within the guild, and no one would say anything if he sent a team member away. It would be the same even if Ma Taesik was the younger brother of the Vice Guild Master. It was already shameless enough to have inserted his brother into the guild, but if he interfered in personnel affairs as well, the Vice Guild Master would be a joke. It would diminish his authority if he was seen as someone who couldn''t distinguish between personal and professional matters. ''I can''t just kick him out either. If I actually do it, I''ll only end up being ridiculed. They''ll say I can''t even manage my own team members.'' As the Strategy and Tactics team leader, Kang Mu-hyuk held a powerful position with many responsibilities to uphold. In times like these, when superiors had to save face, they were often criticized as old-fashioned. But in order to fight against Hunters, one had to create and maintain a semnce of dignity. No one in the guild could ignore Kang Mu-hyuk now. As a non-Hunter who had reached this position, he had encountered all sorts of hunters. Some had cursed him from the very beginning. Some had even tried to throw a punch at him. Compared to those, Ma Taesik''s antics were nothing more than the petnce of someone who had fallen from grace. ''Damn, it''s been so long since I''ve had to deal with something like this that I got uncharacteristically riled up.'' Kang Mu-hyuk took a short, deep breath and said, "Everyone knows you''re the Vice Guild Master''s brother. But before that, you''re my team member. If you can fulfill your basic duties as a team member, I won''t say much, but if you cross the line, I have no choice but to act as a team leader." "What action are you talking about? Telling my brother? Begging the Guild Master? Or are you going to call in some Hunters you know to teach me a lesson? Let''s see." "First, I''ll bring Hunter Lee Jin-joo into our team." Startled. An immediate reaction followed. "Is that even possible? She''s an Expedition Hunter... Abandoning a better position to join the Strategy and Tactics division...?" Although Ma Taesik''s tone had been certain that it wouldn''t happen, color drained from his face. ''Judging by his stuttering, it seems Lee Jin-joo really gave him a beating. Well, she did break all his limbs. Tsk, tsk!'' It was a slightly underhanded tactic, but bringing in Lee Jin-joo was no lie. Lee Jin-joo had always had her eye on the Strategy and Tactics team position. As a Hunter, she had both exceptional skills and great ambitions. To be a future Expedition leader? Female Expedition leaders were few and far between in the history of Hunters. Naturally, it was a long and difficult path to tread. To im that position, it wasn''t just enough to be good at fighting alone. From nning strategies to managing supplies, one must possess aprehensive understanding of both organizational operations and monster hunting. In that sense, the Strategy and Tactics Team was a necessary step for bing an Expedition leader. Of course, the current Expedition leader managed to keep Lee Jin-Joo from leaving, but eventually, he would have to let her go, as her will was incredibly strong. And Kang Mu-hyuk had the power to elerate that moment. Previously, he had to watch the Expedition leader''s moves carefully, but now it was possible without a significant sh. ''Thanks to Ma Taesik''s screw-up, the Expedition leader has no face to stop Lee Jin-Joo. In the end, he''ll tie his own feet because of his mistakes.'' Whether the threat worked or not, Ma Taesik couldn''t continue his words. A guild was simultaneously apany and a violent group. Such a threat was possible only because a Hunter''s world was a domain that made sure that they couldn''t break away from a guild. Kang Mu-hyuk decided he couldn''t find any more value in dealing with the situation and ended this fruitless quarrel. "Let''s not act like children. Just ept your week''s punishment." Leaving Ma Taesik, who gritted his teeth as a deration of defeat, Kang Mu-hyuk returned to his seat. The team members who had been anxiously watching the confrontation finally breathed a sigh of relief and dispersed. Although Ma Taesik grumbled and exited the office, Kang Mu-hyuk did not stop him. It would only spoil the atmosphere if he remained in his seat. He had no intention of learning, so teaching him would be a waste of energy. So, as usual, they began their work, and after a while... "Team Leader, aren''t you going to eat?" It was only after Oh Chang-su''s careful questioning that Kang Mu-hyuk checked the time. It was already past noon. He had been so focused on shaking off the unpleasant morning event that he had lost track of time. "Everyone, don''t worry about me. Go ahead. I''ll handle it myself." Having lost his appetite, Kang Mu-hyuk declined lunch. Oh Chang-su didn''t insist, epting it quickly. Anyway, he couldn''t hide his true feelings. He didn''t really want to eat with his boss and he had just asked out of politeness. Waaah! "!!" Just when they were leaving to enjoy lunch... Suddenly, an rm sounded. As the brief rm continued, the team members who had been grabbing their coats froze. "Please let us have lunch in peace." Oh Chang-su muttered under his breath towards the speaker and looked upset. The other team members also screamed in silence, clutching their heads. It was at that moment, Kang Mu-hyuk yelled, "What are you doing? Move quickly when the bell rings!" As soon as his shout ended, the phones all around the office started ringing. The employees were too busy to answer the phone and instead followed the emergency manual, contacting each other ording to their assigned roles. Kang Mu-hyuk saved the document he was working on, provided a few instructions to his team members, and immediately picked up the phone. The situation room line was on his extension. "This is the Strategy and Tactics Leader. Where is it?" -A gate appeared at Sogang University. "What''s the status of the standby team?" -They just left by helicopter. "Get the follow-up team ready, and prepare the regr force''s equipment. The others should be making calls right now." -Do you mean the whole force? "Sogang University is right nearby. Do you want to see another guild take over while we hesitate?" -Yes, understood. Will the assault gear be enough? "Start with the basics, and prepare another helicopter. I''ll personally head to the scene." Hanging up the phone, he grabbed his coat as a bulky man followed closely behind. "The analysis team''s vehicle has left." "Who is the team leader today?" "It''s Manager Lee Chungho." "That guy is a bit slow. Tsk! Uneptable. Manager Kim,e with me." "Me?" "You used to be in the analysis team. If Manager Lee falters, we''ll switch him out immediately." "Ah, I''ll just end up being resented..." Although Kim Mangi frowned, he didn''t voice anyints. There existed a reason that made him trust this decision. Even if he belonged to a different department, when on field, one had to obey the orders of the Strategy and Tactics Leader. Apart from the core organization of the Expedition, the orders from the Strategy and Tactics Leader were prioritized. Kang Mu-hyuk took the emergency elevator to the rooftop. The propeller motor hummed, and as he climbed onto the helipad, wind pushed against him. Bending at the waist, he barely boarded before the helicopter took off. He put on the headset and looked down below. The sight of him ascending above the 31-story building was breathtaking. The National Assembly building briefly passed beneath his feet. Looking around, helicopters could be seen taking off from buildings simr in size to the Titan Guild building. "Everyone''s eager." "We have to be diligent to secure the key." "Arriving early doesn''t guarantee sess. We might just end up doing someone else''s bidding." "That''s why you''re going, isn''t it, Team Leader? You''re a genius at assessing the situation and finding the right moment to act." "Remind the reserve team. Tell them not to clumsily mess with the gatekeeper. If they barge in likest time, they''ll be on standby for a month." The helicopter headed for Bamseom Islets. It was a route helicopters normally couldn''t take, but during gate creation, exceptions were made. Thanks to this, guilds from Yeouido Ind all flew towards Bamseom Islets. The situation could lead to a dangerous race, and there had been instances of collision in the past. After the collision, guilds silently agreed to yield the lead to the first helicopter to reach the Han River boundary line. Still, there were always some reckless individuals risking their lives in front of the gate. "Hey, Team Leader Kang! This time, you''re leavingter than us, huh?" A sly voice sounded through the shared channel for Yeouido Ind guilds. Kang Mu-hyuk''s forehead creased. Looking to the side, another helicopter was flying extremely close. A handsome man with slicked-back hair waved from the window. "Please keep your distance, Team Leader Cho Ikjoon. We don''t want any idents." "You''re the one who should back off. Our reserve team arrived at the location first, so yield this time, will you?" "We won''t know until we''ve secured the gatekeeper. Let''s talk after we have the key in our possession." "Whether it''s a 1st tier or not, A-rank is still A-rank. Won''t either our Taegeuk Guild or yours secure it?" "Don''t let your guard down, or a B-rank guild might snatch it." "What kind of bad joke is that?" "Whether it''s a joke or a prophecy, we''ll see after we win the gate-clearing rights." [We will arrive soon.] At the pilot''s words, Kang Mu-hyuk cut off the shared channel. Cho Ikjoon continued to babble, but he didn''t pay any attention. The Sogang University campus was bustling with police cars and crowds of people seeking refuge. Following the guidance of the controlling police force, theynded at a temporarynding site set up in the sports field. As there were still many helicopters left tond, the Titan-affiliated helicopter dropped off Kang Mu-hyuk and immediately returned to the guild. As soon as Kang Mu-hyuk got off, a man in a white jacket approached him. On his chest was the guild emblem depicting Titan, the satellite of Saturn. It was Park Min-soo, the party leader of the emergency standby group this week. "Party Leader, how about the gatekeeper?" Kang Mu-hyuk asked cautiously. Although his rank was higher as the head of the Strategy and Tactics, party leaders held an independent position due to the unique nature of being a Hunter. It was like the rtionship between officers and nonmissioned officers in the military. It was courteous to use honorifics when addressing each other. "No, should I prioritize the monster over me? Disappointing. We haven''t caught it yet. Catch your breath and then speak." "Where''s the time to catch our breath when our performance for this year is on the line? We need to achieve our sales target early and take it easy at the end of the year." "Don''t worry. There''s not even a single guild that has registered for the strategy ranking yet." At Park Min-soo''s words, Kang Mu-hyuk paused. "None at all?" "Yes. The list ispletely empty." Park Min-soo, who was speaking, had a headache as well. The fact that none of the standby parties from each guild, who had rushed like they were racing due to the Gate creation, had registered for the strategy ranking meant that the Gate''s gatekeeper was that strong. Or it was an unregistered monster. The most dangerous thing during a Gate conquest was not the presence of strong monsters. Rather, unknown, mysterious beings were even more dangerous. In that respect, the fact that even veteran Hunter Park Min-soo, who had experienced all sorts of hardships, didn''t put his name on the strategy ranking-- "Is it an Unknown?" "Yes. It''s one we''ve never seen before. It''s not even in the database." The ce Park Min-soo searched was the ''Monster Encyclopedia'' operated by the World Guild Federation. It was a ce where the entire world shared information to prepare for the threat of monsters. If a monster wasn''t there, it was undoubtedly the first of its kind. "Seriously, it''s been over 30 years since the Gates opened. And we still have Unknownsing out?" Kim Mangi grumbled. "That''s the weakness of the Gate. It''s not called a ''Gate'' for nothing." Kang Mu-hyuk emphasized the first letter in response. He observed the atmosphere of the surrounding guilds, reading the shape of their mouths as they spoke. Lip reading,monly known as "lip reading technique," was what he used. Kang Mu-hyuk''s keen eye was exceptional, even acknowledged by other Hunters. ''It''s helpful at times like this, learning from my mother.'' Lip reading was a skill he had learned to understand the difficulties of his hearing-impaired mother. Although he didn''t usually need it, it was ironically useful for spying on other guilds at the scene. [This won''t work with just the standby party. We have to call in a regr raid team.] [We can''t handle this ourselves. Try to mediate a coalition with an allied guild. Wait until the analysis team reports back.] [It isn''t in the database? It may look weak, but we shouldn''t attempt to strategize carelessly and get hurt. Let''s check the atmosphere.] The reactions of the other guilds were all simr. Calm, cautious, and rational. ''After all, if the Strategy and Tactics Team went in recklessly, only the hunters will die,'' Kang Mu-hyuk thought. However, the world wasn''t a ce that solely operated on reason. Sometimes, greed could consume people. "Someone registered for the strategy ranking!" At that shout, a harsh word sprang from Kang Mu-hyuk''s mouth. "Which idiot did that?" A guild stepping forward to tackle an Unknown, possibly involving significant sacrifices, without even gathering any information. It was the kind of people Kang Mu-hyuk despised the most. "Why? Isn''t it good if there''s a guild entering first? We can gather information and n our strategy." At Kim Mangi''s retort, both Kang Mu-hyuk and Park Min-soo red at him simultaneously. Under their sharp gazes, Kim Mangi shrank his shoulders. Seeing his expression of not understanding their anger, Kang Mu-hyuk opened his mouth. "Manager Kim, listen carefully if you want to continue working with me. Never take pleasure in any situation where people die. The moment our job prioritizes money, people die. A lot of them. If you tolerate that, you won''tst long in this field. Ultimately, you''ll ruin yourself." Chapter 3 - A Chance to Make Up for the Mistake Kang Mu-hyuk ignored the bewildered Kim Mangi, who was taken aback by his fierce demeanor, and took out his smartphone. Heunched the Guild Integrated Information Application,monly known as the ''Guild App''. After authenticating himself as a guild official, he logged into the Gate Conquest Ranking tab. He confirmed that Sogang University Gate''s current location search had a new update. ? Sogang University Gate Conquest Guild List
  1. Immortal Guild
  2. Millennium Guild
  3. Hwarang Guild
...... As soon as the first-ranked guild had registered, several other guilds followed suit. Kang Mu-hyuk frowned at the guilds'' reckless behavior. "What''s the point of putting up their names like this without any strategy? Tsk! What are they going to do if the first-ranked guild gives up?" "Shouldn''t we put up our name too?" "It''s toote now. We''ll only have a chance if all the leading guilds fail or give up. If the opportunity reaches the lower ranks, it wouldn''t be something to celebrate since it would mean that the Gatekeeper is quite powerful." "Doesn''t this mean that our guild master will scold the team leader?" "Well, it''s not like there''s no way left to try and conquer it first." "What method are you talking about?" "I''m about to check it now." Kang Mu-hyuk focused on the first-ranked guild rather than thegging conquest ranks. "Anyway, Immortal? It''s the first time I''ve heard of this guild." "The name does sound quite usible." Park Min-soo, who was casually browsing the smartphone screen, let out a sarcasticugh at the guild name that truly hit the mark. If it was a guild that Kang Mu-hyuk or he weren''t aware about, it could only be an insignificant or a new guild. "Manager Kim, just in case, let''s have the intelligence team dig up some information on the Immortal Guild. Let me know if anythinges up." "Yes, yes." "Party Leader, let''s head to the Gatekeeper''s location with me." "Shall we check it out ourselves?" "What can I learn just by looking? I just want to meet the guilds that have registered. Since they have registered, they must have set up camp nearby to prepare for the raid." Following Park Min-soo''s guidance, Kang Mu-hyuk headed to the scene. The Gate stood leaning against the library. Possessing the Gothic style that reminded one of ancient gates, an indistinguishable multicolored light flickered in the center. The colorless Gate had yet to be determined. Once the Gatekeeper was captured, the color would be revealed. Generally, the grade of the Gate would also increase depending on the strength of the Gatekeeper. "It''s going to be a headache if it''s Red or higher..." "Team leader, if it turns out to be a Red Gate, will you contact a first-tier guild?" "Why? Are you disappointed?" "I just thought that it''s about time for us to aim for the Red Gates." "It''s not like we don''t have any ambition, but currently all our funds are spent on upgrading our capabilities. We''ve maxed up on all our loans and have no more room for investment. It''s actually easier to secure funds with a moderate Blue Gate." "Isn''t a joint conquest possible?" "We''ll be at a disadvantage in terms of stakes even if we enter the Gate together. We won''t even be able to see the Gate boss, right? Besides, who would share their raid know-how with an A-ss Guild that is aiming for the top tier? It would only help our rivals grow. Even if we beg to see it just once for arge sum of money, we probably won''t be allowed anywhere near." "You''re right. I''d also be reluctant to reveal our party''s hunting style." "First, we have no idea about the Gate''s color. It''s uncertain whether we''ll even get a chance, so let''s not get ahead of ourselves. Huh? Is that the unknown?" Kang Mu-hyuk discovered the creature sitting alone in front of the gate. It was a monster with a small stature aspared to the roughly 33-foot-tall (about 10 m) Gate. Its appearance was unclear from such a distance. "I should have brought binocrs." "I''ve secured a photo of the gatekeeper right away. Here." Park Min-soo took out his smartphone and showed a photo of the gatekeeper that he had taken earlier with a telephoto camera. "A human? It looks like an old man, except for the blue skin." "If you look closely, there are also horns on its forehead. They''re small, so it''s hard to see." "Is it a magic-type creature?" "Its appearance suggests it might belong to the magic category. Judging from its small size, it would be right to suspect that." "The value will increase even more." Magic-type monsters often had a high probability of carrying magic stones. During thest 30 years of the Gate era, most of the magic that caster-ss Hunters, known as mages, had learned was obtained from such monsters. Depending on the type of magic, the value differed, but the magic stones themselves generally formed a higher price range than skill books. Even if they didn''t sell them, it was profitable to simply equip a guild''s strategically groomed mage with new magic. Magic was a Hunter''s strategic weapon, after all. There was a reason every sessful top-tier guild had a mage with a unique title. Park Min-soo nodded in agreement. "The higher the value, the higher the probability of encountering a difficult situation during hunting." "That''s how it is with magic-type monsters. We should be grateful that it''s a Gatekeeper, so it won''t run wild as it is bound to the Gate." This was why each guild could leisurely observe the Gatekeeper from a certain distance. As long as the Gatekeeper didn''t touch the Gate, it wouldn''t leave its vicinity. It would only be released from the restraint of the Gate when it was hunted or when the Gate door would open upon the countdown''spletion. "Let''s hear the rest from the analysis team and meet the Immortal Guild representatives first." Finding the Immortal Guild wasn''t difficult. They just had to locate the camp that attracted the gazes of other guilds. As expected, the area around the camp was swarmed with representatives from various guilds. However, none of the guilds approached them. Most seemed to be curious about what kind of people these reckless ones were. "Huh? You''re here?" Team leader Cho Ikjoon, famous for his meddlesome nature, was also there. Kang Mu-hyuk greeted him with a slight bow and then turned his gaze to the man standing next to him. The blue band embroidered on the man''s right jacket sleeve caught his eye. In the Taeguk Guild, it was a symbol that could only be used by the party leader. "Have I seen that face before?" If he was the Taeguk Guild''s party leader, there was no way Kang Mu-hyuk wouldn''t recognize the face. Kang Mu-hyuk was well aware of the Hunters'' history, as they were rivals within the Yeouido Ind Guilds. Cho Ikjoon, who noticed Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze, smacked his forehead and introduced himself. "Oh, I must be out of it. This is our new fourth party leader, Hunter Kim Seokhyun. Although he looks like this, he''s a friend who has experience with foreign matters. He''s from Europe." "What''s so strange about how I look?" "You don''t look very intelligent." ording to Cho Ikjoon''s judgment, Kim Seokhyun''s appearance seemed like a bandit. With a stout body, a square jaw, numerous scars, and half of his face covered by a thick beard, he looked exactly like a bandit. "I am Kang Mu-hyuk from the Titan Guild." "I''ve heard a lot about you. You''re quite something, being a Strategy and Tactics team leader even though you''re not a Hunter." Kim Seokhyun smirked and offered a handshake. Kang Mu-hyuk stared down at his hand without shaking it. He was annoyed by his tone. It was an obvious sign of disrespect. ''Is he doing it on purpose?'' Kang Mu-hyuk nced at Cho Ikjoon. "Come on, let''s get along. No need to be upset." He smiled and encouraged a handshake. Cho Ikjoon must have known the situation. ''Yet, he''s not stopping it.'' Cho Ikjoon had a bad personality. It was a well-known fact in the industry. However, Kang Mu-hyuk''s evaluation was slightly different. A person who turned every action, be it hunting, meetings, or even having a drink, into a political game. How many people had been hurt by getting involved with him? ''Is he trying to kill the mood by using the rookie?'' And then, he would probably dismiss it as a rookie''s mistake. He was always diligently up to no good. Kang Mu-hyuk reluctantly extended his hand. But-- "Nice to meet you. I''m Park Min-soo, the third party leader of the Titan Guild." Park Min-soo, who knew Cho Ikjoon''s twisted personality well, couldn''t let it go. He intervened and grabbed Kim Seokhyun''s hand instead. The moment they sped hands, a vein popped out on Kim Seokhyun''s forehead. His face turned red as he gritted his teeth. Park Min-soo also squinted his eyes and red his nostrils. The hands of the two struggling Hunters developed visible veins. With his hand still gripping, Kim Seokhyun gritted his teeth and said, "You seem to be quite strong, don''t you?" "Why? Are you scared because a Hunter stepped up?" "You''re quite rough, friend." "That''s just how I am with those whock manners." "Are you doing this because of your team leader?" "Don''t act like you did in Europe. Disrespecting Kang Mu-hyuk is the same as disrespecting the Titan Guild." "Your loyalty is quite impressive." "Alright, enough. Let''s stop it here." Cho Ikjoon stepped in between the two Hunters who were confronting each other without showing signs of backing down. As Kim Seokhyun slowly released his grip, Park Min-soo also rxed his grip ordingly. When their power struggle came to an end, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke up. "I always tell you, Team Leader Cho. Please, know when to stop. Haven''t the days of you managing the Strategy and Tactics team with on-site instincts passed?" "Haha, do I even have any strength left? These days, the young Hunters'' enthusiasm can''t even be stopped by the Guild master." "You''re just being humble. Anyway, I have something to take care of, so I''ll be going now. Goodbye." Kang Mu-hyuk left, leaving Cho Ikjoon behind, who feigned a sigh. Park Min-soo followed Kang Mu-hyuk giving a warning nce to Kim Seokhyun. Kim Seokhyun spoke as Kang Mu-hyuk moved further away. "Whew, he''s really got him wrapped around his finger. But he still covers for him since they''re family. I guess that team leader has a knack for handling Hunters." "That''s not just any knack for grilling and frying." "Huh?" "He respects him. Their team leader, I mean." "Really? Even though he''s not a Hunter?" "You know how it is. This industry runs on skills. Because he has skills, he''s treated ordingly," Cho Ikjoon chuckled. Among the people he knew, Kang Mu-hyuk was the only one who would casually tolerate his mischievous pranks. Most people would be serious or angry. Or they would feel wronged and shiver, trying not to associate with him anymore. But Kang Mu-hyuk would throw back jokes or even give advice. Just for that, he was worthy of being considered extraordinary. "Besides, Team Leader Kang''s abilities aren''t limited to just controlling Hunters." "What else does he have?" "He has a great intuition. Whether it''s against Hunters or monsters. The moment he faces them, they feel like they''re being stripped bare." "I don''t understand what you''re talking about." "If you don''t know, go and study. Research the career path of Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. It will be quite helpful. He has a lot of remarkable records to his name." Despite Cho Ikjoon''s praise, Kim Seokhyun still tilted his head, not understanding what was so amazing about a non-Hunter Strategy and Tactics team leader. The camp consisted of tworge tents. A Command tent and a standby tent for Hunter. From this point on, Kang Mu-hyuk began to feel puzzled. ''Only two?'' A considerable number of support personnel were mobilized to prepare for a raid in addition to the Hunters. The various equipment and spaces required for the support team alone would necessitate multiple tents. Moreover, a single Hunter standby tent was insufficient. To capture monsters, Hunters needed a separate space to rest and focus. In the case of a Tier guild, they would even prepare specialized vehicles for rest and recovery to manage the Hunters'' condition. However, even if they were a no-name guild with a seemingly decent name, erecting only two tents was ridiculous. Even if they filled both tents with Hunters, the manpower would still be woefully insufficient to handle an unknown raid. ''Especially since it''s not a ce where a named hunter has gone independent.'' As Kang Mu-hyuk entered the camp, the scattered Immortal Guild Hunters nced at him. Somehow, their looks seemed guarded. Kang Mu-hyuk approached the nearest Immortal Guild Hunter and requested a meeting with the on-site manager under the name of the Titan Guild. After the Hunter entered themand tent, Kang Mu-hyuk surveyed the camp as he waited. That was when he discovered the second oddity here. The guild listed in the raid rankings was not preparing for the raid at all. What was going on? Kang Mu-hyuk was deep in thought when his smartphone rang. [Manager Kim Mangi] He intuitively sensed that Kim Mangi had some information to share. "Go ahead." [It''s about the Immortal Guild. They''re a newly established guild, only 19 months old, with an office in Hapjeong. They have 23 Hunters and there''s nothing unusual about their financial structure or performance... But there is one issue.] "What is it?" [They already have two outs.] "Two outs? It''s only September, though?" [Yes. They previously listed themselves for the 3rd Gate at Sangam-dong World Cup Stadium and the 9th gate in Eungam-dong but ended up giving up on both.] The two outs that Kim Mangi mentioned referred to the "three-out rule" of the current Gate raid system. The process of a guild responding to a Gate was simple. ¡¸The closest guild at the time of the Gate''s appearance would secure the key.¡¹ A very simple response method. At this time, the key was held by a Gatekeeper that appeared along with the Gate. The guild''s objective was to hunt the Gatekeeper and secure the key. The guild that obtained the key controlled ess to the Gate. No one could enter or leave the Gate without the permission of the key holder. In other words, they held the rights to all resources inside the Gate, including artifacts. The government only took 15% of the treasures acquired from the Gate as taxes and didn''t care what the guild did as long as they destroyed the Gate''s core on time. Therefore, in the early days of the Gate system''s introduction, guilds had initiated haphazard raids in a poorly prepared state to capture the Gatekeepers. As a result, numerous Hunters were injured or killed. Some even attacked fellow Hunters to steal the final blow on the Gatekeeper. Naturally, wars under the name of "guild wars," disguised aspetition, had begun. These wars had left deep scars, enough to be called "Gate Wars." At the height of the Gate Wars, there were more Hunters killed by fellow Hunters than by monsters. There was no need to mention how serious the situation became. To prevent the chaos caused by guilds'' indiscriminate raids, various governments had to introduce newws. One of them was the "three-out rule." To summarize the content briefly:
  1. When a Gate is created, the guild arriving at the scene registers for the raid list through the guild app.
  2. Guilds can participate in the Gatekeeper raid in the order they have registered.
  3. Guilds must start their raid within two hours of registering.
  4. Guilds that ignore the order or intrude on a raid ahead of their rank will have their Gate raid qualifications suspended for six months.
  5. If a guild registers on the raid list but does not attempt to hunt and gives up, they have three chances. If they give up all three chances, the Guild''s gate raid qualifications will be suspended for three months. However, raid chances are reset at the start of the first and second half of the year.
  6. Failed raids are not counted.
(Omitted) ''The problem is this three-out rule. It''s a headache for every guild.'' A three-month suspension? That was basically a death sentence for the small and medium-sized guilds. It was the same forrge guilds. The bigger they were, the more resources they had to consume to maintain their size, and for that they had to constantly raid Gates. Due to the Three Outs rule, guilds were hesitant to put their names on the raiding list even after arriving early at the scene. It would have been different if the Gatekeeper was one that had appeared before and had a known strategy, but registering without a n against an unknown was akin to signing up for a suicide mission rather than a raid waitlist. The reason Kang Mu-hyuk had to visit the sites personally and engage in a battle of wits was also due to this policy. "What have the Gate ranks been like around Sangam or Eungamtely?" "Judging by the fact that the local guilds that raided them didn''t suffer significant losses, they don''t seem to be particrly difficult Gates. Would you like me to find out the exact ranks?" "No, that''s fine. There are a few parts I don''t understand, but I''m starting to get the picture. Send me the rest in a document. We''ll talkter. Oh, and tell them to prepare equipment for the magic-type Gatekeepers as well." As a slightly nervous, slender man emerged from the barracks, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly ended the call. "I''m guild leader Na Dohyun." "Ah? The guild leader... I see." Kang Mu-hyuk faltered slightly in his speech. Na Dohyun noticed his flustered expression and said, "Small guilds can''t afford separate Expedition and Strategy teams. I have to be present on the field myself." "I''m sorry. I was just surprised to see the guild leader on-site, as it''s notmon." "Well, it''s not something to be too sorry about. It''s not the first time, after all." Though he maintained a minimum level of politeness, his tone was stiff. It seemed as if he had noticed that Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t a Hunter. If it weren''t for the Titan Guild business card, he probably wouldn''t have met him at all. Kang Mu-hyuk decided to break the ice with a formal introduction. "Ah, I apologize for thete introduction. I''m Kang Mu-hyuk, the head of the Strategy and Tactics team at Titan Guild. This is our guild''s party leader, Park Min-soo." Na Dohyun looked slightly surprised. A non-Hunter as the head of the Strategy team? He soon pretended to recall something. "Ah, I''ve heard rumors about a non-Hunter team leader in the Titan Guild." Whether he was annoyed by the dismissive tone or not, Park Min-soo chimed in. "He''s quite skilled, you know. If it weren''t for team leader Kang, Titan and Immortal wouldn''t be much different." In a roundabout way, he was saying that they were now on a different level than Immortal. It was a subtle hint to be wary. Anyone could see that it was a provocative statement. For a moment, Na Dohyun felt his temper re, but he managed to suppress his anger. The pressure of the Titan Guild''s reputation weighed on him, but the presence of Park Min-soo in front of him was even more overwhelming. ''Why is a mere party leader so intimidating?'' They weren''t just any A-rank guild. They were aiming for a higher tier now. A party leader from such a guild couldn''t be taken lightly. He felt the weight of the situation. "Since you must be busy preparing for the raid, I''ll get straight to the point." "Please, go ahead." "I know the Three Outs is just around the corner. Why did you put your name on the list? Ah, I''m not trying to pry, I''m just worried. Honestly, isn''t it impossible for the Immortal Guild to raid an unknown with their abilities?" "Are you telling me to know my ce?" "I''m suggesting you avoid trouble. Whether you seed or fail, it''s not something the Titan Guild would wee." "What do you mean..." "Don''t y games. Two hours will pass quickly. In any case, it''s true that the Immortal Guild is in trouble right now, isn''t it?" "..." "If you keep evading the issue, there''s nothing I can do. But just know this: I''m offering you a chance to make up for your mistakes. Whether you take this hand or not is entirely up to the guild leader''s choice." Chapter 4 - What a Lowly Scheme A woman with a wide-brimmed white beach hat, a body-hugging ck and white dress, and high heels that suited her well was looking at the Gate through her sunsses. Her vibrant outfit was entirely out of ce with regards to the brutal scene unfolding before the Gate. As dazzling as her attire was her beauty. Men might have wanted to strike up a conversation with her, but no one dared approach. It seemed as if everyone knew her. At the same time, they appeared reluctant to be near her, keeping their distance while watching her. Unfazed by the surrounding gazes, the woman focused her attention on the Gatekeeper. Then, a man approached the woman, who had been left alone. He bowed politely at the waist. "You have arrived?" "Is everything ready?" "Yes, Guild Master." "Then, shall we go and negotiate?" "I''ll apany you." At first, Kang Mu-hyuk suspected that the Immortal Guild''s listing was a mere mistake. Otherwise, a small guild with only twenty-three Hunters in their pool would have no reason to aim for the first ce in the Unknown Raid. ''Unless they want tomit collective suicide or destroy the guild.'' But his joke turned out to be true. The situation Na Dohyun revealed after requesting it be off the record and entering themand post was something Kang Mu-hyuk never expected. "So, you''re saying you really tried to destroy the guild?" "Yes. Now that I say it, I can''t help but feel ashamed and pathetic." The incident began like this: A trusted core Hunter of the guild, who was responsible for managing the party, put their name on the raid list. He imed that the two recent raid abandonments were also the acts of the traitor, disguised as mistakes. ''Why did you leave the guild app authority of the Hunter who made these mistakes twice untouched?'' There were many suspicious aspects, but it wasn''t within Kang Mu-hyuk''s range of concern. Whether it was betrayal or mismanagement, it wasn''t the most important issue at the moment. "In hindsight, I think they might have targeted us since the first two outs. Trusting a founding member too much was the problem." At Na Dohyun''s excuse, Kang Mu-hyuk and Park Min-soo exchanged nces, feeling absurd. ''Do you trust people with a guild? You should trust the system.'' ''Why would they cause such an incident at a Gate where an Unknown was generated!'' The Immortal Guild was causing trouble for other guilds due to its inability to maintain internal discipline. Kang Mu-hyuk wanted to give them a piece of his mind, but as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader, he decided to resolve the situation in favor of the Titan Guild. "Dealing with the traitorous Hunter is your business. Let me make a suggestion." "Yes, please go ahead." "An Unknown Raid is too difficult for the Immortal Guild alone. If you drop out and get three outs, the damage will be significant, so why not join us and..." "Can I make a suggestion before I hear yours?" Interrupting Kang Mu-hyuk, a woman unexpectedly barged into themand post. Na Dohyun turned his head toward the uninvited guest. "You, you...!" Na Dohyun red at the man who followed the woman into the room. Thunk! The sound echoed through the barracks. Kang Mu-hyuk realized that this man was involved in the current situation. However, Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t take his eyes off the woman next to the man. Although her face was hidden behind sunsses, he recognized her immediately. She was quite famous. Anyone in the industry would know about her. Park Min-soo also seemed to recognize her as he disyed a surprised expression. "Ju Se-ah...?" The ace of the Tier 1 guild ''yer.'' ''So the famous Hunter Ju Se-ah was their backup. No wonder they''ve been so bold.'' Ju Se-ah was a skilled Hunter acknowledged by everyone. She was equally famous. There were many nicknames for her that suited her reputation. ¡¸The Indomitable Witch.¡¹ ¡¸Mage Killer.¡¹ ¡¸Walking Cmity.¡¹ These ambiguous nicknames applied to both monsters and Hunters alike. Even Na Dohyun, who btedly recognized her, forgot his anger and stiffened. Kang Mu-hyuk recalled thetest information about Ju Se-ah. ''Didn''t she dere herself a free agent recently? I know her 10-year contract with the yer Guild has expired. Why join a guild like Immortal?'' Individuals couldn''t earn Gate-crashing rights. They had to at least lead an attack team or establish a guild, however small. In other words, they had to be a solo business owner or a corporation. As far as Kang Mu-hyuk knew, Ju Se-ah had no current affiliation. In other words, she had no reason or even the qualifications to be where Gates were present. If she did have business here... ''It must be with the Immortal Guild.'' He had a feeling she would ruin his ns. "Hunter Ju Se-ah, it''s quite presumptuous to intrude without permission..." As Kang Mu-hyuk raised an objection, Ju Se-ah raised her hand to stop him. He closed his mouth at the simple gesture. Her charisma, which was called the best on the front lines of Gates, was difficult for non-Hunter civilians to withstand. It was the same for fellow Hunters. Ju Se-ah''s bombshell announcement followed immediately. "It''s not official yet, but I''ve started running a guild. Guild Master Na Dohyun, let''s proceed with merging our guilds." What kind of absurd statement was that? A concise, straightforward exnation and proposal. Ju Se-ah''s blunt speech left Kang Mu-hyuk flustered. Turning to the side, he saw Park Min-soo''s eyes widen as well. ''Ju Se-ah is a guild master now? Where? No, more importantly, why is she trying to merge with a smaller guild like this?'' Questions piled up one after another. "A merger between Immortal Guild and Taesung Guild. I refuse any opposition." Kang Mu-hyuk was annoyed by her manner of speech, which was simr to his own. In many ways, he disliked this woman. But Taesung? Where was that again? He couldn''t recall any memories of it. However, Park Min-soo seemed to know. He approached Kang Mu-hyuk and whispered. "Taesung Group. It''s a guild under their umbre." "Taesung Group?" Kang Mu-hyuk''s objection wasn''t because he was unfamiliar with the Taesung Group; it was due to the faint presence of the Taesung Guild. Unlike receiving the support of a conglomerate group, the Taesung Guild was the lowest-ranked guild in the Hunter industry, with no stake in it whatsoever. That was why Kang Mu-hyuk, who was well-versed about the information within the industry, couldn''t think of it immediately. The guild was a case where themon saying was true: Hunters were moved not by power or money. ''Hunters may love money, but they hate being bound even more.'' The idea of controlling Hunters with money was the reason mostrge corporations failed when entering the guild business. ''So, an ace from the top-tier strongest guild went to be the guild master of such a corporate guild?'' And that too, in a weak guild? Although they could always draw in money, they had nothing to boast about in terms of tradition or skill. To put it more harshly, the guild''s establishment was its greatest achievement, and it had recruited the industry''s top icon. ''No matter how great, there''s nothing a single Hunter can do in a guild. That''s why prestigious guilds are prestigious. They''ve built a system and gathered talent. Taesung doesn''t have that kind of infrastructure.'' Kang Mu-hyuk despised another category. He acknowledged that Hunters were the top profession in the world of profit-making activities, but on the other hand, he considered them as thest bastion to protect the world from monsters. A profession where desire and duty coincided. However, corporate guilds focused only on desire. He didn''t like the idea of the best Hunter going to such a ce. Naturally, his tone revealed his feelings. "If you''ve be a guild master, I hope you''ll uphold the basics between guilds." Ju Se-ah took off her sunsses. Her face alone seemed to brighten the gloomy atmosphere. There were times when a handsome face could dominate the mood, but in Ju Se-ah''s case, it was the aura emanating from her entire body that intimidated people. "Titan Guild, Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, right? I''ve seen you in articles before. Nice to meet you." Ju Se-ah offered her hand for a handshake, but Kang Mu-hyuk just nced at her hand without taking it. At the sight, Park Min-soo, who had been watching from the side, became restless. "It seems Team Leader Kang''s feelings are hurt. But what can you do? You''re trying to snatch a fish we''ve already caught. We had to cut in because we were in a hurry. So, please don''t be too angry." "A fish you''ve already caught... the way you''re going about this merger is quite... low. You must have learned a lot from the corporate guild." "I just met you for the first time today, and you have a sharp tongue. But is the Titan Guild any different? Can you confidently say that?" "..." "See? You can''t say anything. Well, anyway, it doesn''t matter. For Hunters, the means or methods aren''t important. We have to finish our job, even if it''s low, for the sake of our goal." As Ju Se-ah held out her hand to the side, a Hunter following her handed over a document envelope. "Guild Master Na, please take a look at this. These are the merger conditions." Na Dohyun, still ring at the betrayer, took the document Ju Se-ah had offered. Inside the envelope was a rather thick bundle of documentspiled into a booklet. When Na Dohyun opened the cover and read the first page, his eyes widened in shock. The fine wrinkles around his eyes twitched. He appeared ufortable, swallowing dry saliva every time he turned a page. "Is this what they call a condition...?" "Oh dear! You don''t seem pleased, do you? Well, seeing that, I suppose you wouldn''t be worried about the three outs. It''s understandable." Upon witnessing Na Dohyun''s reaction, Kang Mu-hyuk sighed and turned towards the entrance. "Party Leader, let''s go. It doesn''t seem like a situation for us to intervene." "Should we?" Without questioning further, sensing the awkward atmosphere, Park Min-soo followed Kang Mu-hyuk out. "We''ll be on our way." As Kang Mu-hyuk gave a light farewell and turned away, Ju Se-ah approached him. "By any chance, Team Leader Kang, would you like to join our guild?" "Is that a scouting offer?" "We''ll double your sry, and your position will remain the same." "Well, I don''t think Titan and Taesung are quite on the same level." "Ugh, you really know how to hurt someone. Well, I can''t refute that. But you know, there''s a huge difference between A-ss and first-tier. A non-Hunter Strategy and Tactics Team Leader? How long can you hold onto that position?" "I wish you sess in your business." Ju Se-ah shook her head vigorously, watching Kang Mu-hyuk leave. "He''s still stubborn." Ju Se-ah looked back at Na Dohyun and spoke. "Now, shall we finish discussing the merger?" "Why did you just leave? No matter what, Ju Se-ah isn''t part of yer anymore. We don''t have to back down." "The situation haspletely changed. I gave up because the oue was obvious regardless of what we did." "Excuse me?" "Did you see the expression on the Guild Master''s face while he was reading the documents? He must have been caught with some kind of weakness." "A weakness?" "Most likely, it was provided by the party leader who betrayed the guild. If it''s not an issue of the three outs, it must be a serious crime that even a Hunter can''t escape. It''s not a negotiation, it''s a threat. We can''t win in that kind of situation." Park Min-soo trusted Kang Mu-hyuk. It wasn''t just because of his performance thus far. Sometimes, Kang Mu-hyuk could be overly sharp. Some people said he had a good sense, while others said he had keen insight. At times, it was astonishing, as if he could read minds. Kang Mu-hyuk had established himself as a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader because of those abilities. Seeing what others couldn''t, discerning the hidden truth beneath the surface, and moving forward without hesitation once a decision was made. He prepared for what was needed to be prepared, avoided what was needed to be avoided, and fought when necessary. Although it sounded simple, these choices were not easily made. He made decisions without hesitation, as if he could foresee the future. Kang Mu-hyuk had yed a role of a cheat code in the growth of the Titan Guild so far. Those experiences even made the arrogant Hunters acknowledge him. With lingering regret, Park Min-soo asked again, "Did you know this would happen, Director?" "I''m not a god... When something unexpected happens, there''s nothing I can do about it." "Even if the Team Leader says so... isn''t it just a matter of three outs if we take over the Immortal Guild? Not only the merger, but all other administrative tasks will also be suspended. I don''t know what they''re relying on to do this..." "Three outs isn''t confirmed yet." "It''s an Unknown. It''ll be difficult even for Hunter Ju Se-ah to handle it alone. The power of the Taesung Guild is obvious. Since there are no issues with other Hunters transferring, their existing power will remain the same." "Do you know the nickname of Hunter Ju Se-ah?" "Nickname? Indomitable Witch, Mage Killer... Oh?!" "Yes. She has a greatpatibility with magic-type monsters. She must have been confident to jump in." There were still many unanswered questions, but Kang Mu-hyuk decided to ept the situation as it was. Gate securing failure. There was no more meaning to the scene than that. Numerous Gates were created in a year. In a smallnd like South Korea, there were many guilds. Even the newly rising Titan Guild would asionally fail to secure a Gate. Fretting over it would only drain one''s energy. They had to know when to give up. "Party Leader Park, why don''t you take this opportunity to observe Hunter Ju Se-ah''s raid directly? Unlike inside the Gate, the Gatekeeper hunting is out in the open." "Should I?" Contrary to his previousints, Park Min-soo''s eyes sparkled with anticipation, and he moved to secure a good spot. After parting with the party leader, Kang Mu-hyuk looked through the Immortal Guild data sent by Kim Mangi. Hunter profiles, Gate raid subcontracting contracts, financial statements, and more. Just by briefly skimming through it, several suspicious points were visible. Ordinary people would have to scrutinize the documents for days,paring the subtle indicators. But as he had always been since childhood, Kang Mu-hyuk had an extraordinary intuition that allowed him to roughly detect them. ''A small guild with a considerable business scale. And the profits are disproportionately lowpared to the scale. Moreover, there are many hunts, but the cost of consumables and equipment is barely anything. Considering the level of the Hunters, it''s iprehensible. In such cases, usually...'' Embezzlement, betrayal. Or even. ''A cover guild for arge guild.'' A lower guild used for tax evasion purposes or for handling dirty jobs. They were, in other words, cleaners. This was a serious criminal act prohibited byw. Kang Mu-hyuk''s intuition was sure of this. ''It has to be that much for the threat to work.'' But did Ju Se-ah know about it and still touch it? Or was there another reason? Either way, it was a dangerous move. Even for Ju Se-ah. "Ugh, who am I worrying about right now? I have a lot of work to do right away." Kang Mu-hyuk contacted the headquarters to resolve the situation and ordered the withdrawal. It was a fruitless result considering the fuss they had made to dispatch. This was true for all guilds in Yeouido. They were hit by a guild that couldn''t even reach ss B, just as Team Leader Cho Ikjoon of the Taegeuk Guild had said, "It''s said that words be seeds... Anyway, what should I write in this report?" At that time, Kang Mu-hyuk''s only concern was filling in the nk spaces of the report. Unaware that a tiny spark was about to engulf him. Chapter 5 - As a Hunter Should "Ahh!" "Ugh!" Unable to help his party members hanging in mid-air, party leader Jang I-hyun was at a loss. "Damn! Is it an Unknown?" An invisible enemy. Magic and skills should be able to hit the enemy only when it was visible. With no other choice, he wasted mana on area attacks, but the monster even managed to dodge those. Nevertheless, Jang I-hyun did not give up. He had onest method. A spell he had thought to be useless when he first acquired it. "Detecting!" Mana''s light spread out from Jang I-hyun and scanned the surroundings. But it was futile. "Kuh!" The enemy remained invisible, hunting party members even more mercilessly. In the end, Jang I-hyun raised both hands. "Retreat! Retreat! Fall back to the entrance!" "Party leader! At this rate, we''ll be wiped out before we can reach there! It''s too far!" "Damn... Head to the barrier area! And... Request support, no, rescue from the headquarters." Ring ring ring! "Uh, yes...hello...?" Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the phone in a daze. He had slept for less than an hour, thanks to work following him home. Annoyed as he was, his job often required immediate attention, even in the early hours of the morning. He gathered his wits and spoke. "Uh, Manager Kim. It''s... 3 a.m.? What''s going on at this hour? Oh, oh. The 17th gate in Sillim... So... What?!" Kang Mu-hyuk woke uppletely. "Got it. I''ll head there from the headquarters. Get the standby team ready, as we''ll need to dispatch them immediately after assessing the situation. Right. Prepare Gate raid equipment too." Kang Mu-hyuk quickly threw on jeans and a jumper, grabbed his car keys, and left his house. "What a hectic start to the week; now a spectacle in the wee hours of the second day." It usually took 35 minutes to get from his home in Hongeun-dong to the Guild in Yeouido, 25 if it was early morning. He had managed it in under 15 when in a hurry. Speeding might be dangerous, but thinking of the Hunters whose lives depended on a single minute, he couldn''t help but press harder on the elerator. As he set off, he made a call using voicemand. "Call Ma Taesu, the vice-guild master." He usually handled most idents at the Strategy and Tactics team leader level, but this situation was different. Calling the vice-guild master at dawn was not something he would be scolded for. ''You have to ept a rescue request even if you''re in the middle of getting married.'' It wasn''t a joke; it was an actual urrence that sometimes made the news. A rescue request was a grave situation. It was the worst signal sent when a Gate raid party or raiding team was in crisis. There were four main signals a Hunter could send from a Gate other than regr reports: "Supply," "Support," "Rescue," and "Annihtion." "Supply" was a simple request for resources and nothing to worry about. "Support" could be annoying, involving the allocation of resources and personnel, but aside from messing up another party''s hunting schedule, it was bearable. The other two were the real problems. "Annihtion" could be disregarded since the dead had noints. In reality, the "Rescue" signal could be considered the worst-case scenario. It was particrly concerning that a problem had arisen in a regr party of an A-ss guild like Titan. It meant that the situation was quite dangerous. Not knowing when the situation might worsen, a swift response was required. "Why won''t he pick up? It''s urgent!" Although the signal kept ringing, the vice-guild master Ma Taesu did not answer the phone. This was very unusual for him. As luck would have it, on this day, the connection just wouldn''t go through. Left with no other choice, Kang Mu-hyuk contacted the guild master''s secretary. "Secretary Jeong, it''s the head of the Strategy and Tactics team. I''m sorry for waking you up at dawn, but please contact the guild master for me. We received a distress signal from Party 6, who were in charge of conquering the Gate at Sillim-dong. Since I couldn''t reach the vice-guild master, I''m reporting to you. Please ry the message without upsetting the guild master." He arrived at the guild headquarters just as he hung up the phone. Kang Mu-hyuk went up to the 27th floor, where the situation room was located. Kim Mangi, whose home was closer, had already arrived. As he was already behind the wheel when he made the call, it was only natural that he had arrived first and was currently assessing the situation. "It seems like bad luck has struck our standby team this week." Next to Kim Mangi, Park Min-soo was drinking coffee. The rest of the standby team members were waiting on the 31st floor after finishing their preparations in their on-duty quarters. "Indeed. Manager Kim, has the equipment vehicle been dispatched?" "Yes, it was sent straight to the scene. The existing strike camp has also been set up in front of the Gate, so the on-site agents will fill in any gaps." "Party Leader Park, please depart with your team members immediately." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s request, Park Min-soo clicked his tongue and pressed the elevator button. "This is why I told the vice-guild master that Jang I-hyun should only be put in charge of a team in the year after next. Tsk!" "Party Leader Jang is not ipetent. If he requested assistance, there must be a reason for it. Please be careful, Party Leader Park." "Of course, I''ll be careful. I have to bring them back safely so I can tease them for the rest of their lives." "Then, I''m counting on you." As Park Min-soo went up to the rooftop to board the helicopter, Kim Mangi whispered to Kang Mu-hyuk. "There''s something I need to tell you briefly..." "What is it?" "Not here..." As Kim Mangi cautiously spoke, Kang Mu-hyuk had a feeling that something bad had happened. He took Kim Mangi to the emergency stairs. "What''s going on?" "About the distress signal today. It... arrived three hours ago." "What are you talking about? Three hours? Why are we only hearing about it now?!" A distress signal, on which the lives of the Hunters might depend, had been dyed for three hours? This made no sense. Kang Mu-hyuk had confidence in the system he had created himself. Had it been working properly, it wouldn''t have been handled this way. Seeing his superior''s face turning red with anger, Kim Mangi shrank his neck. Kang Mu-hyuk took a deep breath to calm himself and asked, "What was the situation room on-duty doing?" "They, they fell asleep." "Asleep? This is insane..." "But it wasn''t just falling asleep. Our on-duty personnel lost consciousness after drinking a beverage given to them by the watchman..." Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t believe his ears and opened his mouth in shock. "Are you saying... someone drugged them with sleeping pills?" "Perhaps." "Why would Deputy Oh?" "Deputy Oh wasn''t supposed to be on duty tonight." "If not Deputy Oh, then who?" "Hunter Ma Taesik." "What? That guy skipped out! He didn''t want to be on duty. So, Deputy Oh must have been told to take his ce." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s objection, Kim Mangi made a troubled face. He licked his dry lips with his tongue and hesitantly opened his mouth. "ording to the awakened duty officer, Hunter Ma Taesik came in the evening and told Deputy Oh that he would take his ce, so he could go home. He said he wanted to show a repentant appearance when the team leaderes in tomorrow morning, so he should not contact him and let him speak with you directly." "Is Deputy Oh stupid or naive? That kid wouldn''t just repent like that! At the very least, he should have reported it through text!" Ma Taesik was the most at fault, but Oh Chang-su had also made a big mistake. Regardless of his true intentions, he had ignored the reporting system, and in the end, the consequences were severe. If it had been a normal night, it would have ended with a reprimand or a p on the wrist, but now he couldn''t just let it slide. If this fact became known to higher-ups, it would not end with a simple disciplinary action. Furthermore, Kang Mu-hyuk was in no position to protect his subordinates or shield them from me. A Hunter''s life was at stake. It was a situation where the fallout could reach anyone. "Who knows about this so far?" "The duty officer who woke up after taking the sleeping pill, the four situation room agents on standby in the dormitory, and then you." "That''s a lot. What about Party Leader Park Min-soo?" "I don''t know yet." "And Ma Taesik?" "His whereabouts are still unconfirmed. His phone is off as well." "This crazy bastard. I knew he was brainless, but just to spite me... Damn it, of all times, a problem arises and gives me a headache." Ma Taesik''s trick was obvious. By paralyzing the situation room for a few hours, the responsibility would fall on the situation room head and the Strategy and Tactics team leader. Even if it was a subordinate''s mistake, it was ultimately the boss''s fault. He probably calcted that he wouldn''t receive a major disciplinary action but couldn''t avoid the scolding. His impulsive and petty desire for revenge was now growing uncontrobly. ''If the rescue party iste and gets wiped out...'' He could only see darkness ahead. Kim Mangi, who saw Kang Mu-hyuk swear for the first time, flinched and lowered his head. "Call Oh Chang-su and have the intelligence team locate Ma Taesik." "Yes." "And for now, focus on the Sillim Gate. I''ll handle Ma Taesik''s problem myself." Although Kang Mu-hyuk told Kim Mangi to concentrate on the Gate, his own head was throbbing due to hisplicated thoughts. It was tantly obvious that the situation wouldn''t end with just personal revenge or deviation. ''Could this lead to a bloodbath?'' Where would that bloodbath end? As he climbed the emergency stairs, a chill ran down the back of his neck. Titan Guild Master Lee Cheoljung appeared in the situation room dressed in training clothes. With his entrance, the atmosphere in the situation room became heavy. It was rare to see any guild members other than the vice-guild master and the head of the Strategy and Tactics team holding their heads high in front of him on any normal day, so he wanted to simply let it pass as usual today. However, for some reason, the atmosphere felt like everyone was watching his every move. "What''s the matter with you all? It''s not the first time a Gate has turned into a mess, right? Loosen up and get to work. Don''t make mistakes because you''re nervous." After receiving the report on the Gate situation, Lee Cheoljung noticed Kang Mu-hyuk''s request for a private discussion with a nce and moved to his office. "The standby team has been deployed to the Gate, so all that''s left is to wait. Do you have anything more to say, Team Leader Kang?" With his hair cut short in a sporty style, Lee Cheoljung was a steadfast and serious tank, represented by his square jaw and thick neck. As his heavy voice filled the guild master''s office, pressuring Kang Mu-hyuk, Kang carefully opened his lips. "There was an issue within the guild rted to the rescue signal for this Gate incident." Although he had used the word ''issue'' to describe it, to Lee Cheoljung, it sounded like a big ident had urred. "Tell me." Kang Mu-hyuk ryed the information he had received from Kim Mangi, as well as the reason why he had assigned Ma Taesik to a week''s duty. After listening to the whole story, Lee Cheoljung spoke with cold, sunken eyes. "Is there still no contact with the vice-guild master?" "Yes." "What about Ma Taesik?" "His phone is off." "I can see that the vice-guild master knows about it, right?" "No, it could simply be that the connection is not working." Kang Mu-hyuk hastily added. Although he was also suspicious, he had to avoid confirming a simple guess without any evidence. Even if his conjecture was correct, as the head of the Strategy and Tactics team, he might have to reprimand the vice-guild master. He had to ensure that Ma Taesik and the vice-guild master were not linked in any way. ''The rtionship between the guild master and vice-guild master isn''t like it used to be. I shouldn''t create a reason for them to fight. The guild would fall into chaos.'' Lee Cheoljung had shed with the shareholders on the principle of "the guild is run by Hunters," but Ma Taesu believed that the times had changed and that the will of the shareholders should be actively reflected. The differences in opinion between the guild master and the vice-guild master were bing increasingly intense as time went on. This was the reason Kang Mu-hyuk had epted Ma Taesik at Ma Taesu''s request, despite his reluctance. Because Lee Cheoljung had cornered Ma Taesu by driving Ma Taesik out of the Expedition party due to his ident, he had to make sure that they should not cross the line. Kang Mu-hyuk had considered Ma Taesu''s pride and feelings. He didn''t like Ma Taesik, but he couldn''t let his mistake tarnish the vice-guild master''s reputation. He had regretted his decision hundreds of times a day, but he didn''t think his intentions were wrong. That was why he tried to tie a bell around Ma Taesik''s neck, even mentioning Hunter Lee Jin-joo. Expelling him was considered thest resort. ''The two of them are the pirs of the guild. Only when they maintain bnce can Titan function fully.'' But now, everything was ruined. How was he going to fix this? Kang Mu-hyuk found himself troubled by having to deal with the power struggle between the two superiors, rather than focusing on the Gate strategy. ''You people, if you''re Hunters, focus on hunting. Stop getting involved in politics.'' He was frustrated with his own situation, caught in the middle of their conflicts. Chapter 6 - Staying Too Long As Kang Mu-hyuk swallowed the words he wanted to say, Lee Cheoljung opened his mouth after a moment of contemtion. "Form an attack team at dawn and be on standby. If we''re short on people, we can use some of the Expedition team members." "Are you suggesting using the Expedition team?" It was a relief. It seemed that the guild master was still able to view the situation objectively, so he boldly approved the support of the Expedition team. Other guilds rarely touched the Expedition teams. They were mostly excluded from low-ranked Gate raids as they focused on the most dangerous locations within the Gates. "And as soon as you can reach the vice-guild master, have him report to the headquarters immediately. We need to apprehend Ma Taesik." "Yes." After leaving the guild master''s office, Kang Mu-hyuk tried to contact Ma Taesu by phone dozens of times, but the call did not connect. At this point, his suspicion had turned to certainty. Just as the morning passed and it was almost time for work, Ma Taesu contacted them first. "My youngest caused trouble. I''m on my way now." From his first words, Ma Taesu was already implying that he would protect Ma Taesik. ''This isn''t good.'' Not long after the call, Ma Taesu arrived at the headquarters. Judging by how quickly he arrived, it seemed he had been waiting nearby. Kang Mu-hyuk greeted Ma Taesu in person. He looked worn out. Although he seemed resigned with a sigh that escaped him, a sense of determination could be felt in his eyes. As an ''all-rounder'' with no ws as a Hunter, there was no choice but to believe that Ma Taesu would handle the situation well, given his outstanding abilities as a vice-guild master. Next to him was a sullen Ma Taesik. He red at Kang Mu-hyuk with resentment in his eyes. He still appeared to be out of his senses. At this point, it was hard not to pity the man. Moreover, Ma Taesu, who had Ma Taesik as his younger brother, seemed even more pitiful. His 20-year career was now marred by his foolish sibling. Ignoring Ma Taesik, Kang Mu-hyuk led Ma Taesu to the guild master''s office, intending to mediate between the two. "I''ll show you in." As they got off the elevator, unexpectedly, it was Lee Cheoljung, not the secretary, who arrived to meet Ma Taesu. His gaze pushed Kang Mu-hyuk away, signaling him not to interfere. Faced with that firm and solid gaze, Kang Mu-hyuk stopped in his tracks At that moment, the information surrounding the current situation shed through Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. The expressions of the guild master and the vice-guild master were at odds. Their faces not only heldplex emotions, but also unspoken words. Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind raced until it arrived at a certain truth. ''Could it be...'' Lee Cheoljung spoke to the absent-minded Kang Mu-hyuk. "I''ll take it from here. Team Leader Kang, go back to work." Kang Mu-hyuk waited for the guild''s two giants to enter, then asked the secretary for a favor. "Secretary Jeong, please let me know when their conversation is over." After returning to the situation room, Kang Mu-hyuk remained restless. His gaze was fixed on the Gate in Sillim-dong, but his mind was entirely focused on the guild master''s office. The other employees couldn''t even speak to him due to his stern expression. Feeling like he was ruining the atmosphere, he went down to the office to do some paperwork, but he couldn''t focus. Less than an hour had passed before he received a call from Secretary Jeong. "The conversation with the vice-guild master has ended. Guild master is looking for the team leader." Kang Mu-hyuk was puzzled by the Guild Master''s request. He figured that if he had to step in, it would only be for the Ma Taesik case. Why was the guild master looking for him instead of the vice-guild master? It was ominous. Upon entering the guild master''s office, Lee Cheoljung was looking out the window. Kang Mu-hyuk made his presence known. As a Hunter, Lee Cheoljung would have sensed it, but it was a signal to start the conversation. Without turning around, Lee Cheoljung asked, "Any contact from Min-soo yet?" "We only received a report that they''re still searching." "Well, Min-soo can handle it on his own." "You didn''t call me here because of the rescue team report, did you?" "How are you so quick-witted? I''ve never been able to hide anything from you." Lee Cheoljung spoke casually, as if he had removed his title of guild master, like an older brother from the neighborhood. They had worked together for a long time, and sometimes they spoke informally in private. That was his style. The media praised it as "big brother leadership." The guild members also liked Lee Cheoljung, who was usually strict but asionally showed a softer side. However, Kang Mu-hyuk''s expression became even more serious. After nearly ten years together, he knew Lee Cheoljung''s personality well. He couldn''t help but be nervous, knowing that Lee Cheoljung tended to smile more kindly when difficult topics came up. "Don''t you have something to say? If I don''t say it, you''ll probably pester the vice-guild master or others. The others feel burdened. I called you here to ask me. No, I called you here to confirm your suspicions. You''re the type who won''t be satisfied until you do, right?" "It''s just gathering information for risk management. It''s not that significant." "Right. You''re the type to prepare in advance, so I understand that you get anxious if you can''t be certain. But this time is different. What good will it do to learn something you don''t need to know?" "Even if I know, I''ll keep it to myself, as always." "It''s ufortable that only you know." Lee Cheoljung turned around, and sparks flew from his eyes. Facing his imposing presence, even the experienced Kang Mu-hyuk found it difficult to withstand. Lee Cheoljung was being considerate, but as a non-Hunter, even slight pressure made his hands and feet tremble. Kang Mu-hyuk, breaking out in cold sweat, racked his brain intensely. ''Knowing the Guild''s number one secret is dangerous. I''ve known that since before. I have to make sure that secret remains a secret, just as I''ve always done.'' It was a familiar situation. Lee Cheoljung constantly tried to confirm the loyalty of his guild members. The process was never smooth. There were always conflicts, and when they were resolved, someone would fall from their position. Kang Mu-hyuk''s rise to the position of Strategy and Tactics Team Leader, despite being a non-Hunter, was in the same context. He was indeed talented, but he was also a remnant of the guild''s early growth when he helped consolidate the internal anti-guild leader factions. Kang Mu-hyuk had taken advantage of Lee Cheoljung''s suspicions to be the Strategy and Tactics team leader. Sometimes cunningly, and at other times pretending to be bold, he had secured his position. As Kang Mu-hyuk was organizing his thoughts, Lee Cheoljung asked first, "What do you know so far? Even if I didn''t tell you, you''d have figured it out, right?" "There''s a lot that depends on chance, so it''s not really worth reporting." "Leave that part out. Tell me only what you know." Firmly spoken, Kang Mu-hyuk could no longer evade. He realized Lee Cheoljung''s intention. He wanted to confirm through Kang Mu-hyuk whether his tactics had worked and if there were any loopholes. After taking a deep breath, Kang Mu-hyuk began. "Today''s incident was definitely a coincidence. However, it seems like you had your eye on the issue with vice-guild leader afterward." "In what way?" "There were signs even before. I had overlooked them as insignificant in the past. The circumstances of Hunter Lee Jin-joo''s involvement with Ma Taesikk... are quite suspicious." "What suspicion? That I caused the problem and ordered Ma Taesik to be expelled?" Kang Mu-hyuk flinched. Even though he tried to speak indirectly, the response came in bluntly. He calmly continued, undeterred. "Well, only you know that, Guild Leader. All I know is that Hunter Lee Jin-joo expressed her intention to join the Strategy and Tactics team after Ma Taesik had joined. It''s not a lie that she wanted to join the Strategy and Tactics team, but the timing is peculiar." "And?" "That you knew the vice-guild master was pushing Ma Taesik into the Strategy and Tactics team and let it be? That''s it. The Gate structure signal and Ma Taesik''s ident... it was a coincidence, but it would have happened eventually. You just seized the opportunity well." "Someone might misunderstand if they heard that. It sounds like I conspired to drive the vice-guild master away, doesn''t it?" ''Well, didn''t you?'' The retort rose to his throat but was swallowed back down. At times like this, Kang Mu-hyuk resented his quick wit. No, could this even be considered wit? It was just embarrassing to say his brain worked exceptionally well. It had been like this ever since he was young. When he studied, he understood and memorized faster than others. The same was true when he gave up college despite his good grades and joined the guild. His situational understanding and insight shone through in the Titan Guild''s "Raid Simtion Strategy Contest." Entering the guild through the contest was due to Lee Cheoljung''s whim, but the subsequent achievements were all Kang Mu-hyuk''s abilities. Lee Cheoljung made good use of Kang Mu-hyuk, not only in defeating monsters but also against the ''humans'' who challenged his authority. "It was an interesting perspective. As always, Team Leader Kang''s thoughts are fascinating. But wouldn''t such an interesting story be more precious if only I knew?" "Is there any other advice you need? Anything else I should do?" "Um... no, no. I''ve already talked to the vice-guild master, so there''s no need to make a big deal out of it. Just help our family with their concerns. Now go." Kang Mu-hyuk hastily left the guild leader''s office, barely managing to exchange pleasantries with Secretary Jeong. He reflected on what had just happened. It seemed like he had been summoned to be reprimanded. Kang Mu-hyuk knew Lee Cheoljung well, and Lee Cheoljung knew him just as well. Lee Cheoljung didn''t want any unnecessary information to leak. ''Jang I-hyun is the party leader belonging to the vice-guild master''s side. The distress signal was an ident, but it coincided with Ma Taesik''s revenge n. Vice-guild master had no choice but to consider both sides. Ultimately, the vice-guild master''s sibling ended up eating his own side.'' There was nothing he could do. He would have to wait and see the atmosphere at the next board meeting or shareholders'' meeting, but it would probably be difficult for the vice-guild master to regain his footing. The forces pushing him would likely keep their mouths shut. ''I''ve been in this position for too long. I''ve seen it all.'' He wasn''t talking about his position as the head of the Strategy and Tactics Team. Although he had been promoted a little over three years ago, he had been devising schemes for Lee Cheoljung for much longer than that. How many Hunters had been sacrificed by Kang Mu-hyuk under the pretext of guild development and integration? He now realized that it was naive to think that he could focus solely on monster hunting now that he had be the head of the Strategy and Tactics Team. Kang Mu-hyuk was increasingly dissatisfied with the fact that he was being swept up in politics rather than monster hunting. Suddenly, he remembered Ju Se-ah''s sarcasticment. ''Is the Titan Guild really all that different?'' "I really have nothing to say." Bad news never seemed toe alone, as chaos erupted in the situation room in the evening. "Again?! Is this a joke?" It was a distress signal. It bore the identification number of Park Min-soo''s party. When even the party that had gone in for rescue sent a distress signal, the guild was in an uproar. At least this time, there was a brief report on the cause of the distress signal. "Invisible monsters? Like Jungle Chameleons?" "No, it''s not that. They say even detection doesn''t work. The report suggests it''s an Unknown." Lee Cheoljung sighed. He thought he had handled the vice-guild master issue well, but now they had to deal with an Unknown monster? It was a difficult situation. Since the vice-guild master had surrendered, his line was now Lee Cheoljung''s responsibility. Although there was nothing he could do for the Hunters who had already fallen, he had to ensure the survivors returned safely. "With an Unknown, there''s no information, so risk assessment is useless. Hm, I''d like to go by myself, but..." "That''s not possible." Kang Mu-hyuk opposed the idea. He was concerned about the guild members'' safety, but this was merely an advance party for the Yellow Gate. Could the guild leader personally go hunting in a Gate of this level? Setting goodwill aside, the guild was bound to be evaluated ascking in capability. The image of a guild aiming for Tier 1 would crumble. Lee Cheoljung understood this well enough. He proposed another alternative. "Then, how about the Expedition leader...?" "That won''t work either. This is merely an advance party responsible for the periphery, not a boss raid or deep area cleanup. If a top Hunter were to step in just for a few Expedition members, it would itself be a factor in the guild''s evaluation." "Isn''t it the same whether we deploy an Ace or an Expedition leader?" "Of course, we must conserve our Aces as well." "If all of these options are out of the question, how do you n to catch an invisible Unknown? You said detection doesn''t work against it, right?" "Of course, there is an alternative." "Haha, as expected of Team Leader Kang." As Kang Mu-hyuk confidently spoke without hesitation, Lee Cheoljung nodded in relief. However, his face contorted at Kang Mu-hyuk''s next suggestion. "Please open Warehouse C." "Did I hear that wrong? Did you just say Warehouse C?" "Yes. Warehouse C is correct." Chapter 7 - You were determined, but you were not the one Warehouse C. There were no A or B warehouses. The Titan Guild''s equipment storage was called by a different name. Then why was it called Warehouse C? The naming was simple. It was called Warehouse C because it stored C-rank items. It was a trivial nickname, but it was a ce avoided by the upper echelons of the Titan Guild. C-rank usually referred to obsolete items, but C-rank in the Titan Guild had a slightly different meaning. Difficult to dispose of. These were items they wanted to get rid of, but could not. "You know that''s the Achilles'' heel of our guild, right?" "They''re only C-rank because they''re not being used. If they were used in the right ce, they could be A-rank items." "Do you know how much money is tied up there? It''s in the hundreds of billions." "Exactly 413.4 billion, to be precise, excluding the outstanding amounts." "If that bes public, there will be chaos even within the board of directors. We can''t count them as inventory assets like a factory, nor can we sell them off as defective items. Expensive trash, that''s what they are. But if we open it, we won''t have any way to exin why the guild''s funds are tied up in equipment upgrades and begging for more budget. An audit might happen. The project could even be overturned. That''s not what Team Leader Kang wants, is it?" "I understand." "And someone who knows about Warehouse C is mentioning it now?" "There''s equipment in there that can capture the transparent Unknown." "Equipment that can capture it?" Lee Cheoljung couldn''t remember if there was such equipment, no matter how hard he thought. To be honest, he hadn''t paid much attention to Warehouse C since the early days, except for the very beginning. He didn''t know what items were stored there. As the guild grew rapidly, there was no time to worry about it, and for various reasons, several projects had been abandoned midway, so he didn''t even bother to check. The reason he started developing the items in the warehouse was because of Kang Mu-hyuk''s whim. Kang Mu-hyuk suggested a new approach that could lead the industry, and Lee Cheoljung impulsively embarked on the project without considering the consequences. Kang Mu-hyuk had persuaded him, but ultimately, the decision-maker was Lee Cheoljung himself, so he had no choice but to ept the me. That was why Warehouse C remained a painful memory for him. Because it was the only project Kang Mu-hyuk failed to seed in, Lee Cheoljung''s first thought was doubt. "Was there such an item... No, no. Am I going to fall for it again? I''ve had enough of pouring water into a bottomless bucket because of Team Leader Kang''s persuasion." "Eventually, we''ll have to get rid of it to be a Tier guild. It would be better to take this opportunity to package it well and reveal it." "Are you aiming for that damned New Paradigm that Team Leader Kang always talked about? Changing the entire hunting style?" "If you want to proceed now, I will." "Never mind. If that goes wrong, the guild''s future will be ruined." "I don''t think we need to try too hard either. As it is now, Titan can steadily grow. There''s no need to take unnecessary risks. But if you think about it from a different perspective, it could be a new growth engine." "Does that mean we can handle Warehouse C properly? You''re talking about those failed experiments?" "Isn''t it just a matter of making the failures not look like failures?" "Ah, it seems like we''re getting ahead of ourselves again." Lee Cheoljung sighed deeply and asked with anticipation. "Can we use that equipment to safely rescue our guild members?" "I can''t guarantee it. However, after development, it had yielded fairly decent results in testing and evaluation. We have to trust that." When Kang Mu-hyuk described it as ''fairly decent,'' it meant there was a high probability of sess. He rarely spoke with such confidence since he believed that there were never absolute situations. Lee Cheoljung, knowing his character, quickly made a decision. "Do it. Let''s do it. We''ve only messed up with Warehouse C by listening to Team Leader Kang. If there''s a way to fix it, it''s good for me." "It must have been a difficult decision. Thank you." "However, you must bring everyone back safely." "Of course. Although I won''t be going in myself, everyone else will do their best." "And when Warehouse C opens, the traps set by shareholders will immediately trigger. Solve that problem too." "I made the suggestion, so I''ll naturally have to handle it." "If you can''t, you know what''sing, right? Off with your head." "The guild master''s neck is on the line as well, so I have to take the risk." "Ah, if you can''t even talk about it. Tsk! Anyway, solve it ande back." Guild Headquarters, Basement Level 8. The blueprint showed that the underground parking lot on the 7th floor was the end, but an unmarked space existed on the 8th floor. Regardless of the scale based on guild ranking, every guild had such secret spaces. Usually, these spaces contained forbidden weapons, smuggled items, covert experiments, and other secrets of the guild. Wouldn''t it be fair to say that the world''s destruction would begin not from the Gates but from the secret vaults of guilds, given that they contained all sorts of secretive and dangerous things? Kang Mu-hyuk assembled 17 Hunters from three emergency response parties and retrieved the desired equipment from Warehouse C on the 8th floor. The Hunters were surprised that such a space existed within the headquarters. They knew about Warehouse C, but most of them vaguely thought it was located in a remote, secret base deep in the mountains. Having obtained the desired equipment, the Hunters received training on how to use it from Kang Mu-hyuk. It wasn''t that difficult. The equipment they received was closer to an electronic device than Hunter gear. "Are you saying we should take this with us?" They had never used or even heard of such equipment before as Hunters. It made them wonder why it was created in the first ce. Discontent was evident on the Hunters'' faces. It was understandable. Most Hunters considered using skills or artifacts as a privilege. Hunters were unique beings, so it was only natural to use equipment that suited them. There were also human-developed items such as potions and handmade weapons, but since they were support items made from resources found inside the Gates, they were used without much resistance. But this... "Can we even take this into the gate?" "Of course. These were made with materials from within the Gates, so they''re extremely expensive. Try not to break them, and take good care of them as you leave." Despite the repeated warnings, the Hunters were grumpy, so Kang Mu-hyuk exined again, just in case. "This is a heat detector. Even if the enemy is invisible, if they have body heat, it will be detected. This is a sound detector. If they move, there will naturally be sound, right? The one beside it is a motion detector. Its operation is simr to the others. And that is a powder marker grenade, a special paint round. When an Unknown appears, shoot it with the guns I''ve given you. It will cover a radius of 3 meters in rainbow or white colors. At the same time, it will emit high heat, so you can track it with the heat detector. It should be easier to find even if it''s hiding in the woods." These were the kind of equipment one would expect to see in a movie. The Hunters all shared the same doubt. ''Why on earth did they make these?'' Especially using expensive Gate resources. One couldn''t bring items from Earth into the Gates. Only equipment made from monster carcasses, resources from within the Gates, or artifacts found in the Gates or on Earth were allowed. There was no cheap item rted to Gates. The value of proven resources had skyrocketed. Yet they made these toy-like equipment that seemed more suitable for war games using such expensive resources. If they had developed weapons to deal damage to monsters instead, it would have been understandable. Of course, they wouldn''t bepletely useless, but the cost-effectiveness was too low. The world already had many simple and easy-to-use skills and magic. Moreover, it didn''t look good to attach all these equipment and carry them around. Wasn''t it a Hunter''s virtue to show off their skills through weapons and armor while hunting? The Hunters couldn''t help but look down on them. "But this doesn''t look cool at all." "It''s not about looking cool. The monster we''re dealing with is an Unknown. It''s not because Party Leaders Jang I-hyun or Park Min-soock the ability that they sent out distress signals. They all need your help. This time, let''s focus on ensuring that your fellow Hunters return safely and that you return without injuries. Please understand just this once." If it hadn''t been for the Unknown excuse or the request to bring theirrades back safely, it would have been quite difficult to persuade them to use the equipment. Fortunately, the Hunters didn''tin any further. Once they were ready, the fully equipped rescue team entered the Sillim-dong gate. Kang Mu-hyuk watched the light that burst out every time they entered, wearing sunsses. ''They resisted so much that they even fell down before. It''s ridiculous how these Hunters care more about looking cool than hunting monsters.'' Warehouse C had originally been operated under the name "Equipment Research and Development Department for Hunting Level Equalization." Kang Mu-hyuk agreed that skills and magic were simpler and more agile to use. However, skill books and magic stones were, in a word, means that only those in existing guilds could afford. Individual Hunters or those without the luxury, such as small and medium-sized guilds, had to endure physically. Hunters who could not learn skills or magic were called ''tin can Hunters.'' Of course, Kang Mu-hyuk had long been pondering if even the so-called ''tin can Hunters'' could be used to their full potential. If they could receive adequate support, he thought they would be able to deal morefortably with the annual southward migration of monsters or the randomly urring monster waves. His project began with that hope, but as a non-Hunter, Kang Mu-hyuk failed to understand the Hunters'' mentality. Hunters regarded themselves as special and superior beings, unlike ordinary humans. This mindset was deeply ingrained in their heads. "Well, at least we''ve reopened Warehouse C, so we''ve taken a step forward." Kang Mu-hyuk envisioned the next step. ''If I can carry out this project to the end... someday, I''ll be able to fight properly too.'' "It has begun. There''s a 35-second dy." With the operator''s report, Kang Mu-hyuk focused on the footage disyed on the situation room monitor. ''With a 35-second dy... they''ve gone about 3 or 4 kilometers inside.'' To watch live footage from inside the Gate, a slight dy had to be epted depending on the distance. One second per 100 meters. Although there was some variation depending on the Gate environment, it didn''t deviate much from that here. Moreover, it consumed arge amount of mana stones, so a single battery pack could onlyst about 10 minutes. Lowering the resolution could extend it to 15 minutes, but anything lower than that would be meaningless for assessing the situation. "Let''s finish before we need to change batteries." Changing batteries during a raid in an unnned area was not an easy task. With a 35-second gap, the Hunter leading the rescue party replied to Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. "Let''s show off some skills in front of the team leader for the first time in a while." Immediately after, the screen shook violently. An urgent voice flowed through the speaker. The Hunters charged at something invisible, swinging at the empty air. Not catching anything, they fell back and reformed their ranks. "Damn, we really can''t see it!" "Save the powder grenades. We don''t have many. Wait until we''ve definitely pinpointed the direction." After shouting this, a Hunter suddenly twisted his body and threw a dagger. Despite the split-second response, the dagger was imbued with mana. It was an attack worthy of a former Expeditionary party member. "Aim at where the dagger struck... Huh? What''s that?" A puzzled voice eximed. In an instant, the dagger stuck in thin air melted away. It was difficult to precisely assess the situation through the screen, but Kang Mu-hyuk realized what the phenomenon was. "Dissolving ability..." It was one of the most troublesome abilities for Hunters using metal weapons. "Damn, get the resistance potion out!" "Which one should we use?" The Hunters were in disarray. The issue of invisibility could be somewhat resolved with motion detectors and acoustic sensors, but on top of that, a dissolving ability? This was the reason why even the elite Hunters from the expeditionary parties, who were considered the guild''s best, were having a hard time. There were several monsters with dissolving abilities. However, not all dissolving abilities were the same. The concentration of the resistance potion varied depending on the viscosity orposition. The problem was that if the concentration was different, the potion waspletely useless. Moreover, once the potion was applied to the equipment, it could only be washed off with a special liquid or a considerable amount of time had to pass before a new potion could be applied. Some might argue that each Hunter could simply apply different potions to deal with the situation, but the problem here was the presence of an invisible monster. Could they possibly hunt a massive monster with limited weaponry use and insufficient damage output? There was no time to test this in the urgent situation they faced. That brief hesitation provided an opening for the elite Hunters and an opportunity for the unseen monster. Before they knew it, the creature that had been keeping its distance appeared on the detector, and it snatched a Hunter''s ankle, dragging him away. The airborne Hunter screamed in pain as smoke billowed from his ankle. Although he concentrated his mana to defend himself, he couldn''t block the attack indefinitely. The Hunter swung his sword to attack whatever was binding his ankle, but the de melted away with each strike. "Captain, should we cut off his ankle?" It was a cruel choice, but giving up a foot was better than losing a life. A suggestion to retreat was even brought up. In the situation room, everyone watched in silence. The sound of dry swallowing came intermittently from the operators. They kept ncing at Kang Mu-hyuk, silently requesting him to give some sort of order. "..." Kang Mu-hyuk stared at the video indifferently. As he watched the intense battle, the operators were frustrated by his emotionless expression. However, he hadn''t given up. He was currently searching for a solution based on the avable information. "It''s strange. There''s no pattern to the attacks. I can''t even grasp a rough shape. Cutting with the sword doesn''t feel like cutting through tough skin either. It feels more like cutting through something softer... Wait a minute. I''ve seen something simr before." Kang Mu-hyuk had an exceptional eye for detail. He could find what others couldn''t see and never forgot what he had seen once. With that keen eye, he caught something. He hurriedly grabbed the situation room microphone. "Party leader, use potion number one. It''s a slime. An invisible slime." Kang Mu-hyuk immediately looked at the time disyed below the screen. It showed the time down to the second. Thirty-five seconds was a long time. When another thirty-five seconds had passed, the Hunters'' movements changed. They witnessed what had happened thirty-five seconds ago at the Gate. The Hunters took out potion number one and applied it, striking the unseen slime. As the oozing creature became more visible, the Hunters detected its position and fired smoke grenades and paint rounds. Soon, the multicolored, transparent monster revealed itself. "As expected." The now-visible monster continued to move sluggishly,cking a definite shape. It was a typical slime. "Finally, we can see you." "You''re dead!" Once they knew its identity and could see it, the slime was no longer a formidable monster. The slime couldn''t withstand the Hunters'' attacks for long. After several dozen seconds had passed: "The hunt is over. We have no casualties, and there are some injuries, but nothing serious." The situation room erupted in cheers as the party leader reported. Kang Mu-hyuk also let out a sigh of relief and replied, "Retrieve the team members and return to the gate. I''ll have a medical team ready. Good job, everyone." "With this, we conclude the briefing on the hunting of the invisible Unknown in Sillim Gate 17, codenamed ''Invisible Slime.'' Thank you." "Now, we will proceed to the Q&A session for the press." Ju Se-ah watched the press conference on TV with great interest. Not only was she intrigued by the fact that the person being interviewed was someone she had met yesterday, but her attention was also drawn to the fact that this unknown monster could not be detected even by detecting magic. Thanks to this press conference, the unknown creature that had been found the day before had been buried in just one day, but she couldn''t help but be curious. "How did they catch something that''s invisible? They said even area magic doesn''t work on it." ording to the announcement from the Titan Guild, unlike ordinary slimes that were weak to magic rather than physical power, this new slime had high resistance to magic. It was a new, unprecedented threat. A monster with no information whatsoever that even experienced and skilled Hunters were caught off guard. Since the discoverer or the relevant guild could name the monster, they had given it a temporary codename and reported it as ''urgent'' to the world organization. Thanks to this, it attracted attention in the media, and by evening, a press conference was held in the form of breaking news. In particr, since Titan was a rising guildtely, the press swarmed in like bees. ''They must have prepared in advance. There''s no way they could gather so quickly just because the hunt ended.'' Just then, a reporter asked the question on her mind. "I''d like to ask how you were able to catch the slime that''s invisible and unaffected by magic." On the screen, Kang Mu-hyuk calmly answered. "Our Titan Guild''s equipment, which we have been preparing for years, has finallye into y." "When you say equipment, what exactly are you referring to? Did you create a new artifact?" "It''s not an artifact. We simply developed equipment that can support Hunters in various situations, including thosepletely unexpected." "Could you please tell us more about it?" "Since we have developed quite a few different types of equipment, we will let you know in more detail through press releasester on. What I can tell you instead is that our guild''s ''C Project'' presents a new paradigm that maximizes the existing Hunter forces. Since there are many aspects of the project that we still need to keep secret, please understand if I can''t answer your questions in detail." Despite Kang Mu-hyuk''s request, the reporters persistently asked about the project. However, he skillfully evaded their questions, even throwing in a few jokes. In the end, they didn''t get much detailed information, but the media began to harbor some expectations. It was obvious that the Titan Guild''s stock price would fluctuate in the stock market the next day. While all the media''s attention was on the C Project, Ju Se-ah focused on Kang Mu-hyuk. He was the first non-Hunter to be the head of the Strategy and Tactics team in the industry. His track record proved that he wasn''t just a figurehead. His achievements were solid. However, the majority of people dismissed him because he wasn''t a Hunter. Among those Ju Se-ah knew, only a handful of people recognized Kang Mu-hyuk. Of course, those few Hunters were the ones who dominated the South Korean Hunter scene. Although he was a non-Hunter, Ju Se-ah was captivated by a peculiar feeling as she watched Kang Mu-hyuk fight monsters in his own way. "He may not have be a Hunter, but he still managed to achieve what he promised. That''s quite impressive." She sent her admiration to his determination when suddenly she had a thought. "Should I try scouting him again? It''s difficult to find people these days anyway." Ju Se-ah had been facing difficulties due to guild restructuring issuestely. She had boasted of being able to create a guild at any time after parting ways with the yer Guild, where she had belonged for 10 years. However, reality was harsh. She had acquired the Taesung Guild, a subsidiary of the Taesung Group, arge corporation, but once she took a closer look as the guild master, the Taesung Guild was as empty as a hollow shell. It was difficult to get the Taesung Guild back on track by herself. A capable vice-guild master was needed. But she couldn''t find a suitable person. It was due to the interference from the yer Guild after she rejected their contract renewal. Which Hunter would dare to cross the yer Guild? Passing by the yer Guild, a single curse mentioning ''Ju Se-ah X years'' would suffice. No one would cooperate. Ju Se-ah was a Hunter who could surpass the world-ss level and reach legendary status, but in the end, the industry was centered around guilds. She couldn''t ignore the influence of Korea''s top guild. As if that wasn''t enough, there were forces within the Taesung Group that didn''t want the guild to be revived. Facing the employees they had nted, Ju Se-ah felt like a Red Gate would have been morefortable. The guild she had nned was still unable to start properly due to the difficulties inside and outside the guild. Then, she suddenly had an idea. What if she brought Kang Mu-hyuk in as the vice-guild master? ''He became a Strategy and Tactics team leader, so why not a vice-guild master?'' The more she thought about it, the less impossible it seemed. "Right. Even if I interview vice-guild masters, I won''t receive a single application, so why not try to persuade him directly? No matter how stubborn he is, wouldn''t he be tempted by the position of vice-guild master? After all, his ultimate goal in life is to eradicate monsters." She thought there was nothing to lose. In fact, she was feeling desperate. She grabbed her coat, deciding to strike while the iron was hot. It was when Kang Mu-hyuk, who had parked in the underground parking lot, pressed the elevator button with a tired face. "Hey, Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk~" A voice, elongating thest syble, apanied by the strong smell of alcohol, wafted toward him. Kang Mu-hyuk looked to the side. "You''re drunk. If you have something to say,e back after sobering up." "I watched you on TV. Damn, acting so high and mighty. You think I came to talk to you?" Kang Mu-hyuk sighed. He discreetly checked the elevator floor number. It was still on the 27th floor. Would it bete? "Sigh, I knew that a day like this woulde if I stayed in this field." "It''s toote now. You were so cocky." "Wasn''t it you instead?" The next moment, a loud sound erupted from Kang Mu-hyuk''s abdomen. "Ugh...." He spat blood from his mouth. Unable to breathe, he copsed onto the floor, his head stomped on by a foot. "I didn''t think I''d have my life end because of someone like you. Damn it. That''s why you should die too!" Chapter 8 - Resembling Something That Shouldnt Be Resembled? The position of a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader inevitably led to him making many enemies. It was ironic that those enemies were not monsters, but Hunters. Kang Mu-hyuk, not being a Hunter himself, was vulnerable to violence. Therefore, he always maintained a flexible attitude when working. He preferred allies over enemies, win-win situations overplete victories, and at least neutrality if not an alliance. In that regard, his contribution to keeping the Titan Guild''s internal and externalpetition low despite its rapid growth was significant. A guild that grew together. This catchphrase worked onpetitors as well. That didn''t mean he had no enemies. Conflicts with Hunter criminals called viins or guilds involved in illegal activities were inevitable. Kang Mu-hyuk had dealt with them firmly and had definitely ruined them. So he had always been cautious of being targeted by his enemies at any time. ''But this shouldn''t be happening.'' He had been too na?ve. Rather than beingcent, he simply hoped for a sense of partnership among those in the same industry. But now-- His belief in maintaining a minimum civility had been shattered. ''Ma Taesik... Did it seem so unfair to be kicked out? You stupid kid!'' Ma Taesik was infuriated by Kang Mu-hyuk''s contemptuous expression. "What''s with that look?" Ma Taesik attempted to p the convulsing Kang Mu-hyuk''s face. Then, an unfamiliar voice from behind stopped him. "What''s going on here?" "Who are you? Get lost!" "Oh dear! A gangster? I''m going to report you to the police." "What? Dammit. I''m just out of luck today. Go ahead and report it. But I''ll smash that pretty face of yours first." "Hehehe... Heheheh..." At Ma Taesik''s threat, Kang Mu-hyukughed while crawling on the floor. "What''s so funny, you bastard? You''re about to die!" "Ma Taesik... Cough! You, you must have drunk a lot. Or are your eyes really that bad?" "What are you talking about?" "Whose face will really... end up being smashed?" "What?" "Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk, I''ll take care of this quickly before you die." Ma Taesik realized a moment toote that the woman knew Kang Mu-hyuk. "Do you two know each other? Are you a Hunter?!" "How can you not recognize such a pretty face? Your eyesight must be really bad." For a moment, Ma Taesik felt an overwhelming pressure from the woman who was approaching him with a clenched fist. Despite being drunk, human instincts worked faithfully. Resistance to fear. He reflexively reached out his hand. "Don''t, don''te any closer! Mana Bomb!" A cluster of light shot out from his hand. The explosion shattered all the ss walls of the elevator booth. Concrete dust scattered from the broken floor. Water gushed from the sprinkler pipes running across the ceiling. As the wires connecting the lights broke, sparks were emitted along with smoke, the sprinklers started working. "Damn it, damn it, damn it! This, this cleaning up... It''s all because of that bastard Kang Mu-hyuk. It''s not my fault!" As Ma Taesik, tearing at his hair, shouted into the emptiness of the parking lot. "Was that really all the resolve you had to kill someone?" Through the thick smoke, a woman emerged. "Pathetic." "Wh-what are you? Howe you''re unscathed?!" A painfully obvious question. He demanded an answer even though he knew it himself. The response was simple. "Because I''m stronger than you." The woman brushed off the water and dirt from her coat and approached Ma Taesik. "Assaulting a civilian is a murder charge for a Hunter. Assaulting another Hunter is an assault charge. A minimum sentence of 30 years. I won''t grant you the mercy of death. You''ll just rot in prison." As swiftly as a judge''s verdict, she closed the distance and drove her fist into Ma Taesik''s abdomen. Ma Taesik crumpled to the ground as her coat fluttered down. It was too quick and anticlimactic to be called a fight between Hunters. The staggering difference in their abilities was evident in the oue. Kang Mu-hyuk squinted up at the woman through his hazy vision. "Hun...ter...Ju Se-ah... Th-thank you... for saving me..." "Hey! Kang Mu-hyuk! Team Leader Kang! Snap out of it! If you want to die, do it after our guild interview!" Beep! Beep! Beep! In a hospital room filled with the sound of medical equipment checking vital signs, Kang Mu-hyuk slowly regained consciousness. "Ugh..." "Are you awake?" He heard a familiar voice as soon as he opened his eyes. Kang Mu-hyuk tried to sit up, but the surging pain forced him to lie back down. "Ugh...!" "Don''t push yourself. The expensive potion I prescribed may have helped, but your ribs haven''t properly healed yet. What audacity does a non-Hunter have to challenge a Hunter?" "Kang Chang-soo, why are you here...?" "You can say that to your father, huh? Tsk! I got a call saying that they needed family consent for surgery. So I had to postpone my research toe here." It was unbelievable. Seeing him after several years, yet his research still came first. Should he be grateful that his father hade before his death? He hadn''t expected anything, but seeing his father still obsessed with research made him shake his head. "Thanks for stopping your important research toe here. Now that I''m awake, you can go back." "I would like to leave, but I think I should wait until you''ve seen the doctor." "Why are you suddenly acting like family after living like strangers for over a decade?" "Even if we''ve lived like strangers, we''re still legally father and son. I have to fulfill my role as your guardian. Wait here. I''ll call the doctor. Since you woke up after three days, they need to check your condition." While his father called the doctor, Kang Mu-hyuk looked for his smartphone. He was worried about the guild''s affairs after hearing that three days had passed. Fortunately, his smartphone was nearby. It seemed someone had taken care of it while he was unconscious. It was even charged, so he immediately checked his call log. He saw the familiar guild phone number and Lee Cheoljung''s number. Judging from the call icon, his father must have answered the calls for him. The messages overflowed with wishes for a speedy recovery. Among them was the name ''Vice-Guild Master.'' [Sorry. Contact me when you wake up. It must be because of my brother.] As he thought of Ma Taesik, Ju Se-ah naturally came to his mind. It was unclear why she had been there at that moment, but thanks to her, he had survived. The logo on the bed''s nket read "Taesung Hospital." It was affiliated with the Taesung Guild. Befitting a leading domestic conglomerate, it was arge hospital. A private room in such a hospital, no less. He was not only indebted to her for saving his life, but in various other ways as well. ''I should find out her contact information. It''s only right to express my gratitude. But first, I should call the guild leader....'' As he was about to press the call button, the door to his room opened. His father and a doctor entered together. "Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk, it''s fortunate that you''ve awakened. When you were brought in, your organs had ruptured in several ces, and you were in a critical condition." "Ruptured organs? Considering my condition, I feel surprisingly fine. My abdomen and side, uh! ... Aside from some stiffness, there doesn''t seem to be any problem. You must be quite skilled, Doctor." "Fortunately, the mana treatment developed by our Taesung Medical Center was effective. We alsobined it with potion therapy." "Isn''t mana treatment dangerous for non-Hunters?" "You''re well-informed since you work at the guild. That''s why we reduced the concentration for the treatment. We can''t expect ordinary people to possess the same stamina as Hunters, after all." "Ah, it must have been costly." "You don''t have to worry about the medical expenses. They were covered by the Taesung Guild." The Taesung Guild? It meant that Ju Se-ah had paid on his behalf. Kang Mu-hyuk wondered why she had gone to such lengths for him. ''Is it really because of the scouting offer?'' Of course, he had no intention of taking it for granted, but he still felt indebted to her. Ju Se-ah was also a sessful Hunter in a top-tier guild, so she would likely find a way to get something of equal value in return. Kang Mu-hyuk had ns to repay Ju Se-ah''s demands, as long as they didn''t cross the line. "Up until now, I have shared good news with you, but as a doctor, I think it''s time to deliver some bad news." The doctor said, wearing a somewhat grave expression. "Bad news?" He grew uneasy as the doctor exchanged nces with his father, not him. "While examining your bodyprehensively for the surgery and treatment, we discovered a certain disease." "A terminal illness?" Kang Mu-hyuk asked as calmly as he could. "We can''t be sure. It''s a rare disease with a very few cases." "And what happened to the patients who were diagnosed with those few cases?" As the doctor hesitated, his father, who was standing behind him, spoke up. "They all died." After a moment of silence, Kang Mu-hyuk asked again. "They all died? What kind of disease is it?" "Mana Addiction." "Mana... what?" "It''s a hereditary disease for which no treatment has been discovered yet." "A hereditary disease?" "Yes. Your mother suffered from it too." The Gate Era. As humanity encountered a new world, the Gates brought in various resources and relics. They were like the two sides of the same coin. As much as they illuminated human civilization, they also cast a shadow. The brightest gift among them was ''mana.'' Thanks to mana, Hunters were born, and a new energy source that did not destroy nature was discovered. The darkest gift was also ''mana.'' Mana was the cause of monsters attacking, and the power to destroy the world also came from mana. Mana Addiction. This rare disease, too, showcased the dual nature of mana. It was both a blessing and a curse. As Kang Mu-hyuk was confused, the doctor continued to exin. "In non-Hunters exposed to mana, there''s a very low chance of them developing the disease. If a person with the disease has a child, it is known to be hereditary. Although nothing is known for certain, there is a long incubation period before the onset of symptoms." "That can''t be. The test must be wrong. My mother didn''t have such a disease." The doctor nced at the father before meeting Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes again. "There are several characteristics of this disease." "Like what?" "Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk, you must have heard people calling you a genius or a prodigy since you were young. Exceptional memorization skills, insight into things others couldn''t see, understanding every phenomena clearly, and so on. Although there are individual differences, your learning ability must have been astonishingly great." "So what?" "Mana Addiction affects the brain. The brain bes activated at the cost of a shorter lifespan. Of course, even this effect is known to gradually diminish after the onset of the disease, but possessing an extraordinary intellect is a typical example of this illness." His intelligence, one of the symptoms of the disease? The insight and intuition that put him in the position of a Strategy and Tactics team leader came from this cursed rare disease? He couldn''t ept it. "Being a bit smarter than others doesn''t necessarily mean I have Mana Addiction?" "At least on the surface, yes. That''s why it cannot be easily detected. Moreover, there are no specific symptoms of the disease. Some people suddenly have seizures and die, while others experience sensory paralysis like visual or hearing impairment. You can lose them forever. The symptoms are so diverse and unpredictable that you never know when you might die." Suddenly, Kang Mu-hyuk remembered something from his early childhood, when he had just started to walk. Was his good memory from that time also due to the disease? He clearly remembered his mother having a seizure when he was young. Later, he heard it was epilepsy, but now it seemed that it wasn''t. Kang Mu-hyuk turned his gaze to his father. "Did mother really have Mana Addiction?" "Yes. It wouldn''t have been surprising if she suddenly died one day. Her hearing impairment was also a side effect of the disease." "Why didn''t you tell me?" "What mother in the world would tell her child she has a terminal illness?" "..." As Kang Mu-hyuk remained silent, his father sighed and added one more thing. "Anyway, there was nothing for you to take after, so why did you have to inherit that?" It was the first time in fifteen years that his father, who had never shown his emotions, spoke out. Leaving Kang Mu-hyuk, who was confused, to gather his thoughts, Kang Chang-soo left the hospital. He stood there nkly, staring at the sky for a while, and then, as if making up his mind, his eyes shined as he called someone. "Yes, brother-inw, it''s Mana Addiction. It must have been in a dormant state until now, but it seems it has finally manifested, perhaps stimted by the mana therapy. ...What could I have done? It was a matter of life and death. I had to risk the danger and save his life first, so I agreed to the mana therapy... Now, all that''s left is the research from the past 20 years. There''s no time to wait for apletion when we don''t even know when that will be. It''s a disease that we don''t know when or how it will strike. We have no choice but to rely on it, even if it''s iplete... Side effects? I can''t guarantee that. He might be a fool. But isn''t it better to live in this world, even if you have to roll in a dung heap? ...Yes, please prepare as soon as possible. I was toote 15 years ago, but not this time." Chapter 9 - I Wont Give Up How would people react if they received a terminal diagnosis with an unknown time to live? American psychologist Elizabeth Kubler Ross clearly divided the process into five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eptance. (EN: This is deep!) "Bullshit." Kang Mu-hyuk chose apletely different path. Resistance and oveing. He was born at the end of the Great War era. From the time he was a fetus, the death of numerous people surrounded him. He survived the Gate Outbreak. Although he lost his mother, he tenaciously clung to life and vowed revenge instead of sumbing to sorrow. Even when he joined the guild, death was never far away. No matter how good the n or how sessful the operation seemed, it was almost inevitable that things would go awry as soon as monster hunting began. In such cases, casualties always urred, whether the hunt was sessful or not. In moments of crisis, Kang Mu-hyuk always encouraged his fellow Hunters not to give up. He would tell them to hold on and resist, promising that he would find a way and save them. But now, was he going to give in to despair and give up? "I should at least resign from my position as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader out of shame." There was no such thing as ''absolute'' within the Gate. Neither the absolutely impossible nor the absolutely achievable. Mana Addiction was also a product of the Gate. He just didn''t know the method yet. It wouldn''t be an ''absolutely'' incurable disease. Less than an hour after receiving his terminal diagnosis, Kang Mu-hyuk made up his mind and began to take action. First, he gathered information on Mana Addiction. Articles, papers, information from relevant organizations, and so on. He needed to know his enemy to find a way to fight it. Unfortunately, since the probability of being diagnosed with this disease was one in a million, there wasn''t much information avable to the public. In the end, he had to look into experts and private research to delve deeper. Kang Mu-hyuk had no choice but to use his connections as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of the Titan Guild. "I guess the guild will find out?" Health was a serious disqualification for the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. For a Hunter, it wouldn''t be a problem unless they were permanently disabled, but it was different for the ordinary man, Kang Mu-hyuk. If his poor health caused apse in judgment, Hunters could die. So he decided to leave the guild cleanly. He became the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader to hunt monsters, not to get Hunters killed. With a single phone call, he informed them of his resignation, leaving no regrets behind. "Alright. You''ve worked hard all this time." "Thank you for appointing me as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader, Guild Master." "Appointing you wasn''t a mistake... There could be no one else like you as a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader." "Ah, and please don''t disclose my illness for the time being and appoint a new Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. As for the long-term vacancy, just say that I''m not in good enough health to endure the duties and need long-term care. And about the C project..." "Don''t worry. I''ll handle that. Just take care of yourself." "Yes. I''ll visit you as soon as I''m discharged. Goodbye." Although Kang Mu-hyuk became unemployed after leaving the guild he had been with for the past ten years, he was still busy. With hisptop and smartphone as his constantpanions, he reached out here and there, investigating Mana Addiction. Time passed, and the day of discharge approached. "Mr. Kang Chang-soo, I''m going to Ilsan Memorial Park now." "You''re talking to your father, huh? What''s the point of going to an empty grave?" "Come if you want toe, drink if you want to drink." "Bring a bottle of soju." Ilsan Memorial Park was a ce built for the victims of the Great War and the Gate Outbreak. In most cases, when someone was sacrificed to a monster, their body could not be recovered. The park was created to provide sce for the families of such victims, and as a result, it covered a vast area. In contrast, the tombstone was humble. A gravestone with three characters for the name. For the first time this year, Kang Mu-hyuk had visited the ce twice, havinge only once a year before. There was no particr reason for visiting only once a year. As his father had said, it was a grave without his mother''s remains. Visiting frequently only made his heart heavy. He thought that fulfilling his duty as a son by visiting on the anniversary was enough. In his mind, truememoration was catching one more monster. "Mother..." As he gazed at the humble tombstone, about one pyeong in size, a shadow appeared beside him without him realizing it. [TL: 1 Pyeong ~ 3.3 sqm/35.5 sqft] "Huh? From the beginning? I''m a dew lover. Anyway, not knowing your father''s taste in alcohol, who would call you a good-for-nothing son?" [TL: Dew is a colloquial term for Soju] "How would I know if we never drank together?" "What about the side dishes?" "Is this a bar?" "You''re a guy with no sense. Do you have any problems in your social life?" "Would it be as much as Kang Chang-soo, who got kicked out of theb?" "I left on my own!" Kang Chang-soo poured alcohol into a paper cup and handed it to his son. "What are you giving me alcohol for, when I have a deadly disease?" "Your disease is more dangerous than alcohol. Your mother also drank well." "I quit drinking a long time ago. It interfered with my work." "You''re living your life missing all the fun just to catch that damn monster. Don''t live like that. Your mother would cry in heaven, thinking it''s her fault." "...I can''t hear you. When she knew she was slowly dying, what do you think mother would have felt?" Despite his words, Kang Mu-hyuk took the paper cup and drank it all at once. Kang Chang-soo spoke with a smile as he took back the empty cup from his son. "So what? She put your life before her own. She knew it was a gic disease and cried in secret because it was even more heartbreaking. All I could do wasfort her." "And youforted her? You were locked up in theb more often than at home." "That was my way offorting her. Sometimes pretending not to know can be a constion." "So you chose to save your research materials instead of mother that day? Because you were pretending not to know her?" "That was..." Kang Chang-soo couldn''t continue his words. There was no emotion in his son''s eyes. There could be anger and me only when there was affection. His expressionless face, like talking to a rock, choked him up, making the words he wanted to say get stuck in his throat. Kang Mu-hyuk said what he had to say without waiting for an answer. "I asked you toe here today because I thought there might still be something you were hiding from me. It took me 15 years after my mother passed away to find out about her illness. Do you know how pathetic that makes me feel?" "What good would knowing have done? There was nothing I could do." "At least I could have shared the pain. I could haveforted her, taken her to the hospital. Looking back, there was so much I could have done." "Your mother wouldn''t have liked that. She didn''t want her son to know about her illness." "So, there''s really nothing else she hid?" "What could be worse than Mana Addiction? If you hadn''t experienced the incident, we would never have known. What good would knowing do?" "We''re in front of mother''s grave. Don''t lie." "What lie? Did you call me on a busy day just to ask me about that? Tsk! If you''ve said all you wanted to say, then I''ll go. There''s a mountain of research to do." Kang Chang-soo turned his back, cradling the soju bottle. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t stop him. He knew his father''s personality well, and he knew it because he himself resembled him so closely. If something needed to be said, it wouldn''te out until it was absolutely necessary. Kang Chang-soo found his car in the parking lot and opened the passenger door. In the driver''s seat was his brother-inw, Yoon Ildo, who was also his wife''s younger brother. "What did Mu-hyuk say?" "What could he say?" "Didn''t he ask you about that day?" "How would he know about that?" "True, with his personality, if he knew, you wouldn''t have been able toe here unscathed. He would have grabbed you by the cor." "It''s better if he doesn''t know. If he thought it was his fault, how would he feel?" Kang Chang-soo remembered that day 15 years ago. It was still vivid for him. "Dad! I can''t see mom!" At that moment, his wife''s words echoed in his ears. "You''re a doctor. The best one. No matter what, save our Mu-hyuk. Even if I can''t do anything right now, save Mu-hyuk at all costs. If something happens to me, never stop your research to save him." So he chose the research materials, leaving his wife behind. He went back to the ce where the monster rampaged. His wife had lived with death for decades; would she be afraid of a mere monster? With reddened eyes, Kang Chang-soo felt a tap on his shoulder from Yoon Ildo. "Brother, do you need more alcohol?" "No, I''ve had enough. I''m not even drunk." "Then let''s go and work. We have to finish this. That''s how we save Mu-hyuk... and fulfill my sister''s wish." As Yoon Ildo''s car left the memorial park, Kang Mu-hyuk stood in front of the empty grave and faced his mother. It felt as if she had been watching him from somewhere in the sky and hade before him. Looking at his mother''s worried gaze that seemed to dampen his eyes, Kang Mu-hyuk made a promise. "Don''t worry. I won''t give up, Mother." Kang Mu-hyuk visited the guild headquarters for the first time in a while. His resignation hadn''t been processed yet, so his card key was still usable. From the entrance, employees who recognized him greeted him and asked about his well-being. As he politely responded and tried to catch the elevator, he met someone who weed him enthusiastically, unlike the formal employees. "Oh? Team Leader Kang!" "Party Leader Park Min-soo. It''s been a while since I''ve seen you." "What do you mean, it''s been a while? It''s only been two weeks. We usually don''t see each other for a month when we''re on a mission. How are you feeling, by the way?" "Yes, I received expensive treatment, so I have no problem with my daily life." "I knew that crazy Ma bastard would cause trouble someday. It wasn''t enough for him to leave the situation room unattended, he even attacked the guild''s Strategy and Tactic Team Leader. Oh, I haven''t had the chance to thank you. Thank you for rescuing our party. You told the Guild Master to open Warehouse C, right? We survived thanks to you. We would have been in big trouble if you were even a littlete." "I just did what I had to do. Is the Guild Master upstairs?" "He might be a bitte today. He''s attending a conference and will be back from the association." "What about the Vice-Guild Master?" "He''s... well, quietly living his life. He should be in his office. He rarelyes out. I heard the Vice-Guild Master''s line is all but dead. But why do you ask about the Vice-Guild Master? Are you nning to give him a piece of your mind?" "Scolding should be given to those who deserve it. Why would I bother the innocent Vice-Guild Master? I just want to ask for somepensation since he couldn''t properly watch his younger brother." "Hahaha, go ahead. The Vice-Guild Master is rich, after all. Make sure to get a hefty sum." "Alright, I have a lot of things to do, so I''d better go upstairs." "Sure, take care of your work. You should gradually return. The Strategy and Tactics Team isn''t in sync without Team Leader Kang. Let''s have a drinkter... Oh right, Team Leader Kang doesn''t drink, does he? Let''s have a meal together instead." "Sounds good." As Kang Mu-hyuk requested, the Guild Master had not yet announced his resignation. ''But the Vice-Guild Master must have caught wind of it.'' It was impossible to know exactly what had transpired between the Guild Master and the Vice-Guild Master, but he had a rough idea. A warning not to interfere with the guild''s operations, or pressure to support the Guild Master himself. ''It must be thetter.'' If he withdrew from the guild, the Vice-Guild Master would be a mere figurehead. Staying involved in the guild would increase the chances of seizing an opportunity. The Guild Master knew this, and the Vice-Guild Master''s support served as a shield when dealing with the shareholders. Given the Guild Master''s frustration with the verbal battles against non-Hunters, he must have considered using the Vice-Guild Master as a beneficial strategy. ''On top of that, Ma Taesik attacked me. The Guild Master didn''t say it out loud, but he must have been thrilled to receive such a huge gift.'' The man nearly destroyed an elite party, not to mention trying to kill the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. This left the Vice-Guild Master, who supported his younger sibling, with a lot to answer for. It wasn''t because the Guild Mastercked integrity; it was the calcted decision he had to make as the leader of an organization. If he could put an extra leash on the Vice-Guild Master, it would be a good thing. When Kang Mu-hyuk arrived at the Vice-Guild Master''s office, the secretary greeted him with wide eyes. "Is the Vice-Guild Master in?" "Yes? Yes, yes. He is." "Please let him know I''m here." Upon entering the office with the secretary''s guidance, Kang Mu-hyuk was taken aback. The Vice-Guild Master, Ma Taesu, was bowing his head. He had never bowed his head to anyone, even if they were the Guild Master. The same held true during the recent rescue signal incident. ''They say there''s no such thing as "absolute" in the Gate. Is the Vice-Guild Master also a person within the Gate?'' Why would he bow his head to Kang Mu-hyuk? Kang Mu-hyuk quickly grasped the situation. The damned disease was the conclusion extracted from the Vice-Guild Master''s actions, his face, the atmosphere, and the information about the current situation. Thanks to this, Kang Mu-hyuk could understand it without it being said. "Vice-Guild Master, no matter how much you bow your head, I cannot release Mr. Ma Taesik from prison." Chapter 10 - A Difficult Companion At the stern words, Ma Taesu immediately raised his head. "So, you''ve noticed. Sit down for now." His expression revealed no regrets. Taken aback by the quick shift in attitude, Kang Mu-hyuk abandoned the business he initially intended to discuss. ''Unexpected from the Vice-Guild Master. He backed down too easily. I thought I could negotiate using the Ma Taesik case, but judging by his expression, it seems that''s off the table,'' he thought. Being pushed back by the Guild Leader didn''t make him someone to be taken lightly. In fact, if Ma Taesik hadn''t caused so many troubles, he might have taken over the Titan Guild at some point. The bnce between the line of propriety was held by Kang Mu-hyuk and the Party Leader. Given the nature of the Guild Leader, it had been a challenge to keep Ma Taesu in check. "So, you''re saying you''re resigning? How''s your health?" "Considering I almost died, I''m doing okay." "Whatever happened, it''s due to my younger brother that you were hurt, so I can''t really say anything. I have no face to show because you''re taking a break due to after-effects." Observing his behavior, it seemed Ma Taesu didn''t know about the Mana Addiction. Seeing the Guild Leader pass off the after-effects as a result of Ma Taesik''s assault, it appeared he had set up a minimum safety measure following Kang Mu-hyuk''s disappearance. ''He''s left room for potential return.'' Kang Mu-hyuk responded, reading the Guild Leader''s intention. "The person who says he has no face to show is the one asking for leniency for a criminal." "A criminal, you say... A man who almost died still has some bite." "..." "Anyway, I suppose that''s why you were able to keep your position as a Team Leader, even without being a Hunter. It might be toote to say this, but I was strongly against you bing the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader." "I am aware." "A civilian who knows nothing about hunting bing a Team Leader? Desk work, sure, given your reputation. But we worried about whether Hunters would listen to a non-Hunter Team Leader." "That was also my concern. I understand." "But then, I noticed the atmosphere was a bit different. The projects, missions, and management work you''ve done since before you took that seat. There were quite a few Hunters loyal to you." At this point, Kang Mu-hyuk bit his lip tightly. While the words sounded like praise on the surface, underneath was a fierce struggle that left him speechless. The one who suffered was Kang Mu-hyuk. Most of the people Ma Taesu mentioned as Kang Mu-hyuk''s people were no longer in Titan. One by one, they had left Titan, and their positions were filled by Ma Taesu''s people. Still, Kang Mu-hyuk did not crumble. He even made Ma Taesu acknowledge his abilities. After that, Ma Taesu stopped openly challenging him, but there was no sign of him giving him an important role or trying to pull him over to his side. Kang Mu-hyuk thought that the Vice-Guild Master found him ufortable. "I wish we could''ve smoothed things over with words, then I might have had a better working rtionship with you, Vice-Guild Master. I regret that." "Hmm, hmm~ No, that wouldn''t have been the case. We would have always had a hard time working together." Ma Taesu strongly denied it, waving his hand. "If you thought of me as someone from the Guild Leader''s line... Well, that''s a different story. I''ll assume it was a misunderstanding for now." "I didn''t misunderstand that either. Guild Master''s line? At first, I thought so. But after seeing you often, I realized it. You''re the kind who''d team up with anyone but the monsters. If my pursuit of being a Guild Master seemed to interfere with your hunting, you could have struck me down at any time. The Guild Master has been stabbed before, hasn''t he? We''re lucky our Guild Master is a kind man. If it were me, I would''ve gone straight for the throat." "Lucky indeed, that you''re not the Guild Master." "Again with the sharp tongue. That''s precisely why I couldn''t work with you and the Guild Master." Ma Taesu raised his voice lightly, jabbing at the air. Kang Mu-hyuk simply nodded in agreement. His easy eptance left Ma Taesu somewhat flustered. "You seem unbothered." "As you just said, as long as I can hunt monsters, that''s enough for me. It may be a bit painful to be disliked by a superior, but if that superior is ''good'' at hunting monsters, it doesn''t matter. As far as I know, you''re not a nice Hunter who''s cursed by the monsters, are you?" "Huh? Damn, you''ve got quite a talent for insults, don''t you?" "That was apliment." "Make it a joke then. Our guild tolerates such talk, but anywhere else, you''d be in trouble immediately." From the tone that seemed to take his advice into ount, Kang Mu-hyuk sensed something strange. ''Is he implying something about ''other ces''?'' On the surface, it was a resignation, but some executives knew it as a leave of absence. This was because the Guild Master''s nuance implied Kang Mu-hyuk''s return after recuperation. But Ma Taesu did not seem ready to ept that. He was hinting at something akin to a threat. ''It''s not a simple intuition. This kind of premonition rarely misses. What''s making me uneasy?'' The reason was clear. The reason he had bowed his head in the first ce. It was likely connected to Ma Taesik''s treatment. Considering he had returned to the starting point, it was clear just how cunning Ma Taesu was. ''Even though he''s his younger brother, it''s strange that Ma Taesu would go to such lengths. Does he have an unusual degree of familial love, contrary to appearances?'' Kang Mu-hyuk subtly probed to understand Ma Taesu''s intent. "But even if I step forward, do you think I can get Hunter Ma Taesik out? His crimes are too clear. And the witness is also certain." "Finally, we get to the main point. This is why I find itfortable to deal with you, Team Leader Kang. To put it bluntly, it might be hard to get him outpletely. But we can significantly reduce his sentence. That is, if you and the witness help." "So, you''re trying to turn it into a simple dispute between Hunters. Making it seem like I was hurt in the crossfire. If we drive it to a mutual fault since the opposing Hunter''s rank was much higher, you''re thinking of ending it with probation if I receive some settlement money." "Indeed, it''sfortable." "But do you know that the witness is Hunter Ju Se-ah?" "A very tricky opponent. I''ve tried to contact her a few times, but she draws a firm line. So, I was hoping you could talk to Hunter Ju Se-ah. No debtor likes to avoid their creditors, right?" "Do you think she will listen if I talk? She''s someone I''ve only met a few times. In fact, I owe her for the help she gave me." "That can be offset by this." Ma Taesu took out a file from the table next to the sofa and handed it over. Kang Mu-hyuk, after examining the file, couldn''t help but tilt his head. It was filled with the resumes of Hunters from various guilds. Flipping through a few pages, he quickly found amonality among them. "All of them are Hunters whose contracts are almost up. They have more than 10 years of experience. At least, they''ve operated in senior parties." "Taesung Guild is flush with parentpany support, but the foundation is weak. Even if one is the ace of aces in the Hunter world, being a Guild Master is tough. You know it as well, Team Leader Kang. There''s a world of difference between being good at hunting and managing a guild." "So, these are potential candidates for the Vice-Guild Master. With their level of experience, they will undoubtedly help in managing the guild." "Right. I''m going to rmend them based on that. Pass on the message that I''ll arrange for interviews. Winning their hearts over is something you''ll have to figure out. It''ll probably be hard to avoid." Kang Mu-hyuk immediately deduced the situation of the Taesung Guild. ''The Vice-Guild Master''s position is coveted by anyone. Even for a small guild. Even though Taesung Guild is treated like a joke in the industry, if it''s affiliated with arge corporation, the story changes. But using the Vice-Guild Master rmendation as bait? It means they''re having difficulty hiring people... Did something happen with the yer Guild at the time of contract expiration?'' After organizing his thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk closed the file. "I will do it." "Thank you." "Now, try to persuade me." "What?" "I will handle the negotiation with Hunter Ju Se-ah, and you have to convince me why I should do it." "I thought you understood everything. I have to think about when I return to the guildter. Do you think I''ll still end up dead then?" "You know the saying in the industry, right? The Gate looks different when you enter and exit. I''ve seen many friendly Hunters be enemies after returning from the Gate. Moreover, do you think there will still be a ce for me, who is not even on the Vice-Guild Master''s line?" Through the exchange with the Vice-Guild Master, Kang Mu-hyuk was able to see the other party''s true colors. He confirmed the judgments and views that were hidden within, or those that had been staring at him from the beginning. The conclusion he came to afterward was. ''He''s a difficult person to go along with.'' Even if his disease miraculously healed, he wouldn''t be able to return to the guild. If he tried to give advice or exert influence on the Guild Master for even a moment, he might face immediate retaliation. ''I''m not unfamiliar with this person, and considering who he is, it''s ''100%''. Somehow, my senses have be sharpertely. He''ll never leave me alone. Now, because Ma Taesik is in trouble, he might let it slide, but once the tricky business is done, he''ll show his true colors. I should prepare at least some sort of safeguard.'' Ma Taesu shrugged his shoulders and asked, "How do you want to do it? Will money solve it?" "Compensation is a given." "So, what do you want?" "Just write me a single oath." "An oath?" "That you will not interfere with any matters concerning me. And since there''s the matter with Hunter Ma Taesik, it includes not causing any physical or mental harm." "That''s a bit difficult. You want me to set a trap for myselfter?" "In return, I will make a concession as well." "What concession?" "I will never return to Titan Guild." "!!" Kang Mu-hyuk stepped out of the Vice-Guild Master''s office, wiping his thumb stained with ink. The satisfaction on the face of Ma Taesu, who saw him off, was evident. ''The Guild Master would have wanted to keep me as hisst stronghold or as a check against the Vice-Guild Master, but given the current situation, he had no choice but to hand me over. He couldn''t possibly protect me indefinitely.'' Even if the Guild Master did protect him, it would have been a problem. The Vice-Guild Master would have perceived it as a threat to himself. The existence of Kang Mu-hyuk could always return and threaten his position, a perception that would have been deeply ingrained. It was said that ten men could not stop a single thief; if Ma Taesu wanted to eliminate him, he could have done it anytime. Kang Mu-hyuk nned to have hiswyer notarize a safeguard that would be made public if he died from a cause other than his illness. "Even if he''s in a position like the Titan Vice-Guild Master, he probably won''t be greatly affected, but the people below him might think differently... It''s better to have a worthless promissory note than none at all. I don''t want to die at someone else''s hand." Stepping outside all alone, he took a deep, liberating breath. The oppressive feeling in his chest eased a bit. He had been that tense. The promise might seem minor, but securing a rein on the Vice-Guild Master of Titan, a major guild, was a big gain. It had been possible because of Kang Mu-hyuk''s deration that he would not return to the guild. A non-Hunter outside the guild could do nothing. Even someone who had risen to the rank of Strategy and Tactics Team Leader couldn''t work for other guilds. Even Hunters who dropped in rank and entered wouldn''t receive the same treatment as before, let alone ordinary guild members. In a new territory that wasn''t the plot ofnd he''d cultivated over a long period, controlling prideful Hunters without any backup was not an easy task. It was rather close to impossible. Ma Taesu probably concluded that Kang Mu-hyuk, by his inherent limit - that he wasn''t a Hunter - would never secure a position in another guild. Kang Mu-hyuk intended to visit the Guild Master''s office next. Just as he was about to, a familiar face came running straight towards him as they got off the elevator. "Team Leader Kang." "Party Leader Jang I-hyun. It seems your injuries have healed." "Yes, thanks to you." "That''s good to hear." "How are you feeling, Team Leader?" "I''m surviving, haha." As soon as they exchanged light greetings, Jang I-hyun straightened up and bowed deeply. His military background, prior to bing a Hunter, showed in his salute. "I should''ve thanked you properly earlier. I''m deeply grateful for your swift rescue of our party." "No, it''s my job. It''s rather me who should be grateful to the Hunters who are always on the front lines. As a desk worker, I owe you all." "I heard about Warehouse C. If you hadn''t made a swift decision, we would''ve been in a difficult situation. It''s fortunate that the Guild Master is more malleable in front of you, Team Leader Kang." Kang Mu-hyuk noticed that Jang I-hyun had something to say to him. There was a hint of hesitation. Words seemed to circle in his mouth, hesitant to leave. "Did youe to see me, by any chance?" "Yes... I met with Party Leader Park, and he told me you were going up to see the Vice-Guild Master." "What brings you to..." "It''s nothing else. It''s about Hunter Ma Taesu." "Hunter Ma Taesu?" Kang Mu-hyuk cocked his head. Jang I-hyun was aligned with the Vice-Guild Master. What would he have to say to him about Ma Taesu? Judging by his expression, it didn''t seem like he was asking for leniency. Of course, he wasn''t the type of person to overlook injustice out of loyalty. And Ma Taesu''s reputation wasn''t particrly good among those aligned with the Vice-Guild Master. "I feel terribly awkward asking you this... but if, by any chance, the Vice-Guild Master requests you to vouch for Hunter Ma Taesu, I ask that you refuse, if possible." Chapter 11 - Run if You Want to Live In an instant, Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes swiftly caught onto Jang I-hyun''s expression and tone. It was almost instinctual. His mind shed with memories of Jang I-hyun''s background and the information about his acquaintances. ''Jang was in the Vice-Guild Master''s line, wasn''t he? He must be mid-tier. His age is appropriate, and he has a good disposition. A stepping stone connecting the novice and senior Hunters. The party leader who nearly died because of Ma Taesik. One Hunter in hismand died, two were severely injured. One was forced to retire due to an irrecoverable crash. His party disbanded. And they are bringing back the bastard who caused all this trouble, who not only left the guild but also ended up in jail?'' If this didn''t infuriate him, he wouldn''t be a Hunter. ''It''s an unexpected division, but it''s not my business. Though, it would certainly be useful for the Guild Master.'' As Kang Mu-hyuk pondered this, he knew he had to present his thoughts carefully to the Guild Master. "It''s already toote." "Eh, why? Didn''t you also suffer from Ma Taesik?" "Party leader Jang." "Yes." "What does this have to do with you?" "Eh?" "On what authority are you demanding I reverse the discussion that urred between the Vice-Guild Master and me?" "I, I''m not demanding. I''m requesting." "In that case, you''re aware it''s an audacious request." "That, that''s..." From his perspective, he was trying to garner sympathy by revealing his grudge against Ma Taesik. But to Kang Mu-hyuk, it was nothing more than a clumsy attempt at gaining his understanding without earning it. If Jang I-hyun had wanted to request something, he should have tried to persuade him with clear reasons instead of appealing to emotion. He didn''t want to fall out of favor with Ma Taesu, but he also didn''t want to see Ma Taesik go free. From Jang I-hyun''s point of view, he must have had the absurd role of quelling the discontent of the young Hunters who had lost arade, but this stratagem of shifting his decision onto someone else... He thought again about how being a good person and being a good Hunter were entirely different things. For once, Kang Mu-hyuk decided to respond with a business-like tone befitting his role as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. "Vice-Guild Master made me a fair offer, and I also set appropriate conditions to conclude our conversation. So what are you bringing to the table, Party Leader Jang? You want me not to bring up Ma Taesik? Why don''t you go to the Vice-Guild Master and express everyone''s opinion? Honestly voicing dissatisfaction has a higher probability than nagging me." "There''s no point in talking!" "There''s no point? How can you be so sure without even trying?" "Eh? Eh.... Well, that''s..." Ma Taesu was authoritative, but he wasn''t a person who closed his ears. If he considered you one of his own, he took good care of you. Conversely, he waspetent in the binary of seeing someone as either an ally or an enemy. That was why the guild members didn''t wish to be his enemy. This dual nature was what was cornering Jang I-hyun. The moment Jang I-hyun mentioned the taboo name Ma Taesik, he feared being branded as Ma Taesu''s enemy. Upon Kang Mu-hyuk''s counter-question, Jang I-hyun stammered out a reply. "Even the Vice-Guild Master dislikes bringing up Ma Taesik." Where did this statemente from all of a sudden? Even before Jang I-hyun could finish his sentence, Kang Mu-hyuk had read between the lines. "So, despite his dislike, there''s a reason Vice-Guild Master has to bring up Ma Taesik?" Beyond the Battlefield. "...Yes, you''re right. I failed to exin properly." Jang I-hyun''s sigh wasden with myriad emotions. Jang I-hyun''s actions had not been solely motivated by trying to cate the young Hunters'' grievances. His loyalty to the Vice-Guild Master yed a significant part as well. "Since we''ve alreadyid out so much, I''ll bepletely frank. One of our guild''s major shareholders has been looking out for Ma Taesik." "Ma Taesik? What''s he got that''s worth looking out for?" "He''s no good as a Hunter, but he has quite a reputation, doesn''t he? Seems like he''s popr with women... I''ll stop there. I don''t want to embarrass the Vice-Guild Master any further..." Kang Mu-hyuk understood more than he wanted to. He remembered a piece of information he had casually picked up. It was merely a rumor, and it didn''t seem credible, so he hadn''t given it much thought. ''Mrs. Kim Yanghee. I heard she had a younger boyfriend. So it was Ma Taesik?'' He didn''t want toment on love affairs between men and women, but he couldn''t believe that the guild was shaking to its core over such a matter. And this was an A-rank guild. When he discovered the truth, Kang Mu-hyuk felt drained. At the same time, he realized why Ma Taesu had been so protective of his younger brother. It wasn''t out of familial loyalty. That had never been Ma Taesu''s character. Ma Taesu had been protecting Ma Taesik because of the influence Kim Yanghee, a major shareholder, had over other shareholders. Choosing to save Ma Taesik was a better choice for Ma Taesu than bowing to the Guild Master. ''Impressive in many ways. And there''s no way the Guild Master doesn''t know this. He''s got too many informants.'' He must''ve known but still chose to keep quiet. Even the Guild Master couldn''t freely speak in front of the major shareholders. That was why he didn''t want to take the easy path. He had argued for rising on their own without external capital, but there was always a gap between Kang Mu-hyuk, who prioritized monster hunting, and the Guild Master, whose goal was to be a tier 1 guild. Kang Mu-hyuk no longer wanted to engage in conversation with Jang I-hyun. "I don''t want to get entangled in such affairs. I''ll pretend I didn''t hear anything." Faced with Kang Mu-hyuk''s cold demeanor, Jang I-hyun didn''t dare to argue. Kang Mu-hyuk decided not to meet with the Guild Master. It would be ufortable to confront him in his current mood. As he rode the elevator down, he thought, ''I knew, didn''t I? Once a guild reaches A-rank, it''s no longer solely about hunting monsters. I pretended not to know because as long as there were monsters to hunt, everything was fine.'' But was hunting monsters really all there was to it? Perhaps it wasn''t the Guild Master who had been too casual about running the guild, but him. "Maybe I''m sick of seeing this mess. I should just quickly take care of my task and get it over with." Kang Mu-hyuk dialed an unfamiliar number from the file Ma Taesu had given him as he left the parking lot. mes fell from above, like a shower of fiery snowkes. The smell of burnt metal grazed his nostrils. Small pools of liquid glowed with a red hue. A womany sprawled in a small apartment room. "Mom...." Her mom had kept smiling until the end, even as she was being eaten by the monster. In her final moments, a silent voice reached out to the girl. ''Run away.'' Upon hearing that one word, she didn''t hesitate or look back; she just ran. As she sprinted, she found herself blending into the crowd of people also fleeing for their lives. Screams and loud noises echoed all around. She ran while crying until she stumbled over something. It was a person. A dead person. Seeing the horrific monsters chasing her from behind, she felt her legs give out. At that moment, someone extended a hand. "Grab on!" "Go, run! The monster... Ahhh!" Screaming, she forced herself up. Sweat was drenched all over her body. Sunlight streamed into the office through a wall that was entirely ss. She nced to the side only to see the armrest of the couch where she had briefly rested was broken. She must have gripped it too hard in her sleep. "Are you alright, Guild Master?" The office door opened, and a man entered. Seeing Ju Se-ah soaked in cold sweat, he went to the bathroom connected to the office and brought back a towel. "Did you dream about the past again?" "It''s been a while. It must be because I met Kang Mu-hyuk. Seeing a pathetic guild like his brought back some old memories." Ju Se-ah dried her face and neck, which were wet from sweat, with the towel and stood up. The man clicked his tongue as he looked at the broken couch. "We need to rece the couch again. Still, itsted half a year this time; longer than usual." "That''s why I said we should just use a cheap one." "Why not just sleep in your bed? Stop pretending to be busy by sleeping on the couch and go home to rest." "The bed breaks, too. Couches are a cheaper fix." "This couch was expensive. How about buying a cheap but durable Lycra mattress?" "We''re in the Taesung Group here. Even if we opt for something cheap, Lycra looks a bit low-end. We have a history and tradition to uphold. We need to consider the dignity of a Guild Master." "Right. The history and tradition of a C-rank guild." "Ah, we should''ve just left Jang Deuk-goo in the Immortal Guild. If only he kept his mouth shut." "I should have quit a long time ago, too. It''s absurd to keep a high-quality asset like me idle in an unknown guild for over a year." Ju Se-ahughed heartily at Jang Deuk-goo''s grumbling and scratched her head. "Hey, thanks to you, we managed to settle things well with yer. You also got a fresh start. Isn''t it quite a profit considering you were idle for a year?" "Remembering how the yer Guild threatened to kill you still gives me the chills. It was fortunate that everything got resolved. Otherwise, you could''ve ended up being food for an Ogre in a gate. What were you thinking when you epted the deal using the scapegoat scheme created by the Immortal Guild Master?" "What else could I do? Keep ying house with you here at Taesung Guild? Seriously, they can brag all they want about being a tier-1 guild, but they create nasty rumors just because I didn''t renew the contract? No one wants to join us." "It''s not just about not renewing the contract. You also defeated the top party of their raid team." Jang Deuk-goo scolded, and Ju Se-ah coughed awkwardly, avoiding his gaze. "Uh, well, they have so many things piled up on them..." "Thanks to you, the yer''s Ansung Gate Boss Raid was called off. Plus, the Immortal Guild suffered yet another blow. It''s too much even for me. Guild Master, you need to control your hotheaded temperament." Beep, beep-beep, beep-beep-beep "Huh? A call. You can lecture meter. Hmm, this guy can''t be a gentleman, either." "Who is it?" "Kang Mu-hyuk." "Have a chat. I''ll go see about my business." Ju Se-ah only brought her smartphone to her ear after Jang Deuk-goo had left. "Hello." -Hello. Is this Guild Master Ju Se-ah? "Yes, it''s me. Team Leader Kang." "How did you know it was me?" "It''s the hospital. It''s a subsidiary of Taesung, isn''t it?" "You had my number saved. Why didn''t you reach out?" "Why should I when you don''t need me anymore? You said it was Mana Addiction, didn''t you? I didn''t bother you so you could enjoy your remaining time." "Releasing patient information is a crime, isn''t it?" "If it bothers you that much, then rely on the big corporation''s backing." "Whatever. You saved my life, this much doesn''t really matter." "Is that all? Aren''t you underestimating this?" "You were considerate of my numbered days a moment ago, and now you want more. I have nothing left to give, considering I''m a dead man." "Huh, I can''t believe it..." Ju Se-ah had regretted mentioning Kang Mu-hyuk''s diagnosis the moment she blurted it out. Regardless of her impulsive and reckless nature, it wasn''t the kind of thing to say to a person who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Jang Deuk-goo always cautioned her, but after rolling around in the harsh world of Hunters from her rough teenage years, it was hard for her to keep her unfiltered mouth and uncontrolled fists in check. Still, she was not one to regret her actions. Luckily, Kang Mu-hyuk took her jokes without a flinch, so she opened her mouth wide and talked as freely as if she were feasting. "You''re definitely invincible now. A man who''s about to die has nothing to fear. So, what''s your business?" "I''m on my way to the Taesung Guild headquarters. I have something to discuss with you." "A meeting? Is it about the Ma brothers?" "You knew? You didn''t even answer the phone." "They made it hard for me in different ways instead of making a phone call. If they bothered me once more, I was thinking about going to the Titan Guild and causing some trouble today. But you''reing?" "Don''t even think about beating up a weak person. It''s a good thing for you as well. So... Crack!" "Hello? Hello? What''s the good thing? Hey, why did you hang up there?" Despite repeatedly calling for Kang Mu-hyuk on her suddenly disconnected smartphone, there was no response. It would be nice if the call was just cut off because of a weak signal. Ju Se-ah had a bad feeling for some reason. A signal cut in the Gate era was a bad omen in many ways. "Bad premonitions are always right." "Why is this happening? The signal dropped to one bar... No, it''s not even catching any signal at all." He felt a chill down his spine as soon as the words left his mouth. Along the riverside north road. From a distance, the sound of horns rushed towards him like a tidal wave. At some point, the dreadful traffic congestion had transformed into a full-fledged parking lot; cars didn''t move an inch. Despite being a road dedicated for vehicles, one by one, people began to step out of their cars. Kang Mu-hyuk followed suit. Someone even climbed onto the roof of their vehicle, gazing out into the distance. Sensing something unusual, Kang Mu-hyuk followed their lead and climbed onto the roof of his car. When his view broadened, he saw a cluster of dim lights flickering in the distance like a mirage. "Out...break..." Perhaps Kang Mu-hyuk''s words were the trigger; people started screaming the same word in utter panic. "Move, move!" "Run if you don''t want to die!" Although the majority of people took to their feet to escape the gridlocked road, some tried to flee in their vehicles. Regrettably, the road waspletely blocked, and there was no space to maneuver their cars. Despite this, selfish individuals attempted to force their way through. In an instant, the road turned into a chaotic scene. Cars collided with cars, and cars with people. Even before the Gate opened, dozens were injured. A reckless driver who failed to pay attention to what was happening behind crashed into Kang Mu-hyuk''s car. Bang! With the sudden impact, Kang Mu-hyuk was thrown onto the car''s bo. "Get your car out of the way!" The desperate cry of the driver echoed behind him. Having hit his shoulder quite hard, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly got up and climbed down from the car. ''It''s okay. It''s not broken.'' After moving his arm and confirming there was no issue, Kang Mu-hyuk approached the screaming driver, grabbed him by the cor, and dragged him out of the car. "Wha, why are you doing this?" "If you want to live, run." The driver, thrown to the ground by Kang Mu-hyuk''s brute force, nodded his head and began to run. ''If themunication was cut off, the guilds'' situation rooms would have reported it. It''s been about 3 minutes since the signs were seen. Roughly 7 minutes remain. It may vary depending on the type of monster, but before the Hunters arrive, the people will be caught in the tail. I need to buy time here.'' Kang Mu-hyuk clicked his wristwatch and set the timer for 7 minutes. Then, he climbed onto a nearby truck and surveyed the surroundings. ''One, two. Three, four... more than I thought?'' He counted the number of people who, instead of running away, were watching the clock calmly while either heading towards the Gate or not getting swept up in the chaos. Someone was pulling out a metal case from their trunk, and another was removing an encumbering coat. Those preparing to respond calmly were all Hunters. Kang Mu-hyuk descended from the truck and opened his own trunk. Inside, there was a case simr to what the other Hunters carried and a megaphone. He gathered his gear, climbed back onto the truck, and switched on the megaphone. Weeeng! Wang! Wang! With the deafening sound of the megaphone, the Hunters whose attention he had caught earlier turned their gaze to him. "Ahem! I am the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of the Titan Guild! This is an emergency situation, and I am establishing a temporary operation camp! All Hunters, please gather here!" Chapter 12 - The Mission Begins "Damn it... I should have known better than to be so greedy!" "Shit, who knew it would turn out like this?" The ''Twins.'' Once renowned as a B+ rank guild operated by twin Hunters. The Co-guild Masters of The Twins, the Oh brothers, Oh Chul-jin and Oh Chul-su, deeply regretted not breaking the Gate core sooner. Their party members were all wiped out. The foundation of their guild had been uprooted, and now they had to worry about their own survival. The Gate trembled ominously, as if refusing to grant them even that. The world within the Gate was shrinking. The startled monsters were pushed towards the exit. As soon as the Gate opened, there would be chaos outside. "If only we had broken the core earlier...." "Who knew the Guardian of the core would be such a monster?" "We knew, we just underestimated it." Who could have guessed that they wouldn''t be able to defeat the Guardian after sessfully hunting down the Gate boss? The monster hadn''t been registered for long, but the record clearly stated it was quickly defeated. They had made a crucial mistake by trusting the system information without thorough preparation. If they had looked more into it, they would have taken precautions simr to a boss raid. "Regardless, we need to get out alive." "What''s the point of surviving? Don''t you know that even a tier 1 guild can''t stand if we don''t close the Gate? We''re doomed. Absolutely doomed." "Shut up. You''re embarrassing yourself. Who would see you as a Guild Master..." Crash! "... Huh? Damn, we''re screwed." The area in front of the brothers was engulfed in mes in an instant. Looking back, they saw the damn monster that wiped out their party members. Even though they had to make a run for their lives, they were caught up in the end. There was nowhere to escape. The brothers, already exhausted, braced themselves for the battle. If they hadn''t been careless while rushing into the hunt, they wouldn''t have been so one-sidedly beaten. They saw its small size and attacked, only to pay in blood. They didn''t know the Hunter who had defeated the monster, but they had newfound respect for them, considering what a monster it must have been. "It seems we might not make it out alive after all?" "Since it''se to this, let''s not die embarrassingly. If that thing gets out, it''ll wipe out all the remaining kids and our staff. We might not be able to prevent the outbreak, but let''s at least take it down." The two brothers charged determinedly toward the Guardian. Fortunately, the four Hunters nearby followed Kang Mu-hyuk''s instructions. "In times of crisis, follow the person who moves first." They acted ording to the unwritten rule of the Hunter industry. Of course, having the backing of the Titan Guild was also effective. They knew that fighting separately would be of no use. In an emergency, usually, the most experienced Hunter or a Hunter from a guild of a certain size, especially a party leader or a tank, tookmand. If that wasn''t possible, they organized themselves in the order of those who had led famous raid parties or frence party leaders. Though it was not legally defined, it was an implicit rule learned from the long-term experience of the Hunters. Such choices reduced the possibility of disputes overmand in critical situations. It prioritized experience, thus lowering the chance of poor decision-making. Because Kang Mu-hyuk was a former Strategy and Tactics Team Leader from an A-ss guild, he was at the top of the pecking order. That was, of course, except for the fact that he was not a Hunter. As the Hunters gathered, Kang Mu-hyuk disembarked from the truck. They all wore strained expressions. It wasn''t that they disbelieved Kang Mu-hyuk''s affiliation with Titan, rather, their faces reflected their knowledge too well. The title ''Strategy and Tactics Team Leader from a non-Hunter background'' was unique in the industry, and due to a recent press conference, his face was easily recognized. Even frence Hunters were supposed to recognize a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader from an A-ss guild. Without connections based on school, family, or blood, frence Hunters were reliant on theirwork. Information about industry celebrities was essential to them as they were thirsty for opportunities to build connections. ''It''s convenient that I don''t have to prove my identity. But it''s clear that not being a Hunter is a significant barrier. Their expressions remind me of the old days of Titan Guild members.'' What they thought internally was predictable. How could someone who wasn''t even a Hunter... One of the cautious Hunters finally dared to voice his concern. "We''ve gathered haphazardly... I apologize, but is it appropriate for someone who isn''t a Hunter to issue orders? The field is a world apart from the desk." Such distrustful gazes had been absent for some time. Skeptical, or outright distrustful. It was only natural for them to be skeptical of orders from a non-Hunter, as they were the ones who had to stake their lives on the line. However, Kang Mu-hyuk did not react to the dismissal in their eyes and recognized the representative Hunter. "Go Yoo-han from the Poonglim Guild, right? Naturally, field orders should be managed by Hunter Go." "Huh? You know me?" Of course. He was intimately familiar with the promising draft and the records of the key Hunters from medium torge guilds. "Indeed. You were the ninth pick in the second round of the draft two years ago. I''ve been keeping an eye on your potential. It was unfortunate that A-ss guilds had limited participation so we never got the chance to connect. I regret not having the opportunity to see your growth." It wasn''t a lie. Nor was it entirely truthful. He had reviewed Go, but despite his solidity as a tank, hecked agility, making him a less suitable candidate for the multi-tank role that Kang Mu-hyuk desired. If he had genuinely wanted to recruit him, he would have made contact before the draft. Upon receiving the unrequested praise from Kang Mu-hyuk, Go Yoo-han''s face flushed with embarrassment. Disregarding his previous stern tone, he chuckled awkwardly. "Well, I wouldn''t say that...haha..." He was a second-year Hunter, fresh out of formal training. A young man in his early twenties, exempted from military service due to being a Hunter, with no experience in social interaction. His ability as a Hunter was secondary to his vulnerability in business rtionships. Even praise from a non-Hunter who was the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of an A-ss guild made a prideful Hunter dance to his tune. In contrast to Go Yoo-han, the rest were frence Hunters. They were essentially dayborers. A kinder term would be contract workers. The frence Hunters were taken aback, ring at Go Yoo-han, a Hunter from a mid-ranking guild, as he melted at those simple words. While there was no difference in status between Hunters, there was a difference in rank. A good guild, a high rank, it was as good as an identity card. Go Yoo-han was a Hunter amongst them who had a clear identity. And when a Hunter who could represent the group was flustered and let down his guard at a few words, the rest of the Hunters naturally lost their speaking rights as well. As the Hunters hesitated about how to intervene, Kang Mu-hyuk beat them to the punch. "My name is Kang Mu-hyuk. We''re in a hurry, so I''ll confirm your profiles starting from the left." He pushed them, as if he would not ept any objections. The Hunters, checking their watches, stopped arguing and began to speak. "I''m Seo Suji. 3 years in, C- Rank. Position dealer, I use a bow." "I''m Lee Chuljin. 4 years in, C+ Rank. Position sub-tanker, specialized in strength with a shield and a one-handed axe. My hunting style is pull and delivery. I assure you my aggro transfer is reliable, I''m confident in supporting the main tank." "Go Yoo-han, 2 years in, B- Rank. Position is main tank, my body is rock solid." "I''m Yu Taejin. 8 years in, B- Rank. Dealer. Agility specialized. Dual daggers. Don''t worry, even though they''re short, they stab well. I can also scout, remember that." Kang Mu-hyuk recorded the Hunters'' profiles in his mind and arranged the formation. It was a hastily assembled party with a decentposition, considering there were two in the B-rank range, but the limit was clear as there were only four of them. "We won''t push ourselves. At all times, prioritize your safety. From now on, our party''s role is limited to citizen rescue and containment. We will hold the frontline monsters from entering the city, buying time until support arrives, but without pushing ourselves." "Ugh, a tough job with no pay." "For the frencers, don''t worry about national contribution scoring, I will vouch for you. Please focus on the orders." Kang Mu-hyuk kicked the handle of a case lying on the ground, silencing the worries of Hunter Seo Suji. The case opened, revealing an assortment of various objects. "What''s this?" Instead of answering, Kang Mu-hyuk demonstrated. He fitted an old-fashioned radio-like device onto a wide square panel, then attached an antenna on top of it. He shouldered the assembled item like a cross bag. It tilted to one side due to its weight, but it wasn''t burdensome to move with. "Hunter Go Yoo-han will take charge of the field orders, but I will control the overall directions. This device is Titan Guild''s equipment that allows fieldmunication during an Outbreak." "Oh! There''s such a thing?" "Truly, an A-rank is different." The Hunters each let out an exmation of admiration. And they had a reason to, for during an Outbreak,munication devices in the vicinity would be inoperative. One of the tricky aspects of an Outbreak was not only not knowing which monster woulde out of the Gate, but also the paralysis ofmunication made it difficult for parties tomunicate with each other inplex or wide terrains. This situation didn''t matter to Hunters equipped with telepathy skills, but it posed a significant burden for ordinary Hunters. ''Thanks to my absent-mindedness, the fact that I didn''t return this to the storage turned out to be a divine intervention.'' Kang Mu-hyuk had always carried around a device from C Warehouse. He had prepared it at all times, believing there would be a significant day to use it. He hadn''t expected that the demonstration would be during an Outbreak. As he pulled out his smartphone, Kang Mu-hyuk said, "Take out your smartphone. You should all have the guild app installed. There are frencers here, so please log in as individual users. I''ve just opened a party chatroom. The password is 0321. Switch to voice chat. The channel ''titan1'' will appear." Kang Mu-hyuk inserted wireless earphones into his ears. The other Hunters followed suit. Some of them didn''t have earphones. "You can use the speakerphone. Can you all hear me?" "Hmm, to think that a regr smartphone can connect in the Gate environment. This is a tempting device." The most experienced Hunter, Yu Taejin, was the first to recognize the utility of themunication device. The frencer Hunters nodded in agreement. However, Go Yoo-han, who had telepathy skills, did not look particrly pleased. ''This is a nuisance. I have a skill, so why this cumbersome device? It''s disgraceful for a Hunter.'' Although Kang Mu-hyuk perceived Go Yoo-han''s thoughts, he did not try to convince him. He would understand once he tried it himself. Unlike the telepathy skill, which only allowed one-to-one transmission, the device had a significant advantage in that the entire party could simultaneously share their situation. If the Hunter set aside his pride, he would be able to realize its value. "This is still a prototype, so themunication range is only 300 meters. Do not stray beyond that, and ifmunication is lost, retreat to within the effective range." No sooner had Kang Mu-hyuk given his instructions, rms began to ring from his wristwatch. Shortly after, the rest of the Hunters'' wrists also became noisy. "Current time, 1:29 PM. Let''s begin with the mission." Chapter 13 - Dont Think of Going off Cheaply Kang Mu-hyuk was moving from the Hangang Bridge to the Dongjak Bridge. Beyond the road, one could see the Ichon Hangang Park and in the middle was the Gaeseonmun gate, towering high. The red light emitted by the gate grew intensely, before eventually belching out a dark, ck void. It was a sight of utter dread. ''Wasn''t the Ichon Hangang Park gate a ''Blue1'' rank? I recall the Twins Guild securing the right to subjugate it. The guild was capable enough, so why hadn''t theypleted the subjugation within the stipted time?'' Ichon wasn''t far from Yeouido, so Kang Mu-hyuk always kept tabs on the gate situation near his guild. This held true even when he was admitted to the hospital. It was a kind of upational disease. Also, it was his obsession with gates. A creeping sense of uneasiness would bother him if he didn''t know everything about the gates around him. The same applied to the information from other guilds. Kang Mu-hyuk was quite familiar with the situation of the Twins Guild located in Ichon-dong. The Twin Guild Masters he knew were ambitious, but they weren''t unreasonable. A hunter''s basic stance-- "Hunters protect humanity." Their professional philosophy was rather steadfast. He had no personal friendship with them, but their reputation among the industry from the colleagues with whom they''d worked was not bad. Such people couldn''t have left an Outbreak unattended irresponsibly. ''Did an Irregr appear?'' Whatever the case, it was clear that a problem had arisen. "It seems like the gate''s opening time is almost up, isn''t it?" Seo Suji, standing on the railing by the road near the Han River, said as she squinted her eyes. "Hunter Seo,e down. Being exposed like that makes you vulnerable to flying monsters." "What''s the big deal? The gate isn''t even open yet... Alright, alright. Don''t re at me like that. Why does a non-Hunter stick tobat rules more strictly than a Hunter, honestly." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s re, Seo Suji grumbled as she stepped down. A Hunter who did as they pleased during operations put their party at risk. Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was about to issue another warning, a report arrived through his earpiece. "Team Leader Kang, you might want toe here." It was the voice of Yu Taejin, who was on scout duty with his specialized role in reconnaissance. Although it was a bit awkward to call someone who wasn''t a Hunter a party leader, he had naturally started calling him team leader. Thanks to that, the other Hunters also unified their terms of address. "What''s the matter?" "From your location, Team Leader, there are many casualties between the 200 and 250-meter mark. It seems like we''re going to have trouble handling it alone." As Kang Mu-hyuk listened to the report, he signaled the other Hunters to follow him and started running. The Hunters ran lightly, but Kang Mu-hyuk, only a few steps ahead, was already far at the back. "Are there any civilians nearby who can move?" "A few are present." "If they''ve managed to stay so far... Unless they''re hiding, they must be engaged in relief activities." "Yes, that''s correct." "Please assist them. We''ll be there shortly." The Hunters, who arrived one step ahead of Kang Mu-hyuk, gasped at the grim scene. People''s screams and groans and the sight of them lying, bleeding, was brutal. Hunters were the ones who traversed the line between life and death at the gates. They, who were used to picking up guts spilled from split bellies, were not the type to be easily terrified. And yet, the reason they stood still was because the carnage was far worse than anticipated. The gate had yet to open. Merely from the premonitory signs of an outbreak, people were thrown into a panic, causing harm to one another. The realization of why they had to close the gate hit them anew. Go Yoo-han swallowed hard. "What are you doing? Don''t just stand there, help that person trapped under the wheel, and others, help where you can." Kang Mu-hyuk, who had arrivedte, patted Go Yoo-han''s shoulder and stepped forward. His expression was utterly unflustered. "This way," Yu Taejin called out to Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze halted on a man standing beside Yu Taejin after scanning his surroundings. The man''s hands caring for the injured were dexterous. Yu Taejin was handing the man a bandage from an emergency kit. Locking eyes with Yu Taejin, Kang Mu-hyuk approached the man and asked, "I''m Kang Mu-hyuk, the team leader of the Titan Guild. What is your name?" "Choi Ilguk." "You seem quite adept at first aid. Is your profession rted...?" "I''m a firefighter." Choi Ilguk, as substantial as his physique, disyed no hint of wavering even amid the crisis. Kang Mu-hyuk admired him genuinely. ''He must have been wanting to run away.'' Even a firefighter with an irond spirit of self-sacrifice would find the terror of the gate a separate issue. There was a primal fear associated with the gate. It struck harder at non-Hunters who didn''t possess extraordinary courage. To ovee this and attend to the injured was an act of tremendous bravery. Those who stayed to help were also deserving of respect. And yet, Kang Mu-hyuk had no choice but to burden these people further. "Then, could you take care of this ce? Those of us who are fit must move the injured to the rear." "The gate hasn''t opened yet, is there a rear here now?" "We need to retreat towards the Han River Bridge as much as we can. Even a few hundred meters is fine. Put some distance between you and here. The retreat will buy you time. The guilds that arriveter will assist while we dy as long as we can. If we can''t stop the monsters until then, I''ll fire a re. Keep an eye on the sky above the park. As soon as you see the re, abandon the injured and run immediately." "Run? That''s..." "It''s not cowardice. Those who can live should live. During an outbreak, you need to save yourself first." Kang Mu-hyuk drew a firm line. Even the most courageous person tends to make choices beneficial to themselves when faced with an extreme situation. However, staying here to help others, while noble, would likely also carry a sense of guilt. Experiencing an outbreak from a young age, he knew such guilt could lead to hesitation, dying judgment. And this dy often separated life from death. Kang Mu-hyuk purposefully provided Choi Ilguk with absolution for his own safety. Choi Ilguk responded with fervor, "Understood. But what about those who have trouble moving? Because of the incident, even the sidewalk is blocked and we can''t use vehicles. It''s difficult to carry them." "I''ll solve that issue." Kang Mu-hyuk called out again to Go Yoo-han, who had just lifted a car to rescue people. "Can you use Mana Sword?" "Well... I''m a beginner, but after all, I''m a B-rank." "Do you remember seeing a truck carrying lumber on your way here?" "Lumber? I''m not sure." "About 100 meters away, there should be a tanker truck. Cut several pieces of wood about 2 meters long from there. And for Mr. Choi Ilguk..." "You mean to strip the top and make stretchers." "Yes. For now, let''s carry them that way." They each took their jobs and started organizing the scene. Suddenly, Kang Mu-hyuk faltered. His head spun, a sh of light cut across his vision. A dizzying sensation, like something was wringing his brain, shot through his skull. It felt as if something was entering his mind. ''Could this be... A seizure?'' At this of all times? Kang Mu-hyuk gritted his teeth. As he did so, he bit into his cheek, drawing blood. The pain brought him back to reality. "The gate has opened!" At someone''s shout, everyone looked toward the gate. The ck energy from the gate had pierced the sky. It was a chilling sight. Even the white clouds had turned ck, and the sun was obscured. Across the river, sunlight was still pouring down. It felt like a separate space, hard to believe it was the same Seoul. "...Mr. Choi Ilguk, I leave this ce to you." "Yes. Leave it to me. Take care." Kang Mu-hyuk shook hands with Choi Ilguk lightly. He could feel a wish for victory within the grasp. The moment he reached near the gate after parting with Choi Ilguk. Bang! Boom! A sudden explosion sounded. Although the barrier separating the gate and the outside prevented them from seeing inside, the shes and explosions spilling over told them that the situation was not good. "Do we really have to go in there?" "I''m going." A non-Hunter leading the way made Seo Suji, who had been hesitating, puff up her cheeks and follow. "You seem like you''re prepared to die." The Hunters agreed with her words and followed. Boom! The explosion and the ensuing st wave hit the party that had just entered the Twins Guild camp. The tankers, Go Yoo-han and Lee Chuljin, lowered their stances and raised their shields. The most agile and experienced Hunter, Yu Taejin, grabbed Kang Mu-hyuk by the wrist and dragged him behind Go Yoo-han to avoid the st. The explosion echoed a few more times, and a shockwave full of dust whipped around them. The hunters, shaken but enduring, only raised their heads after the noise had quieted down. "Holy... cow." Lee Chuljin swallowed the words that had unknowingly slipped out. The camp that spread out in front of them had be a wastnd. The members of the Twins Guildy on the ground as if dead. Judging by the moansing from the mes and smoke, they seemed to have fortunately avoided annihtion. Kang Mu-hyuk''s party could see the cause of this disaster through the slowly clearing smoke. "What''s that?" "First time seeing it? Is it an Unknown?" "Looks like a magic-type species." Kang Mu-hyuk also muttered after identifying the monster. "Oldster Sorcerer..." "Oldster what? Is that a known monster?" Seo Suji asked. "It''s a recently discovered Unknown. A powerful magic-type monster," Kang Mu-hyuk bit his lip. The monster had first appeared as a Guardian at the Sogang University gate not long ago. He had only confirmed its existence through a video shot by Park Min-soo, who had watched the hunt but hadn''t seen the monster in person. In the video, the Oldster Sorcerer had cast powerful spells. Most were fire-type, its casting speed was fast, and its small size was utilized well with its mobility magic, making it a difficult opponent to fight. Kang Mu-hyuk had judged that even trying to capture this monster would require Titan Guild to deploy considerable manpower. It was that strong. ''Ju Se-ah had beaten it with her bare fists.'' The prowess of the ''near S-rank'' Hunter seen in the video was nothing short of a strategic weapon. As soon as he saw this monster, Kang Mu-hyuk was filled with doubt. ''Why has it shown up again?'' It was unusual for an Unknown to appear again in such a short time. Once an Unknown appeared, its subsequent appearance frequency would increase. However, he didn''t expect it to reappear this quickly, especially not in an area that wasn''t far away. ''Could it be trying to be a local monster?'' There were some monsters that continually appeared only in the area where they had first emerged. The reasons were unknown, but depending on the type of monster, they could cause serious problems, enough to entirely change the hunting strategy of the region. "It''s just a casting monster. I told you, I''m tough, right? Not only physical defense, but my magic resistance is also high. I can endure a hit or two, so how about I approach and keep attacking so it doesn''t have time to cast?" Go Yoo-han suggested confidently, but Kang Mu-hyuk stopped him. "That''s not a monster you can withstand by just taking hits. You might endure a few, but its rapid-fire ability makes it hard to approach." "How would you know without trying? Don''t worry. In terms of defense, my body is not inferior to an A-rank." "Don''t act unless you''re as tough as Hunter Ju Se-ah." "Who? Ju Se-ah? You don''t mean the Indomitable Witch?" "Yes. The first to kill that thing was Hunter Ju Se-ah. She was even pushed back significantly after taking a few hits directly." Go Yoo-han was shocked. Whoever Ju Se-ah was, her magic resistance wasn''t inferior to anyone in the world, not just Korea. Her physical defense was at a non-human level. And she was pushed back? Of course, Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t mention that Ju Se-ah had fought with just her basic equipment, not wearing her signature ''custom armor.'' There was no need to dampen the spirits of a budding sapling. "Let''s retreat for now. Without the gear for heavy magic, we can''t stand a chance." "What about the Hunters lying there? If we leave them..." "If we fight, we''ll just end up lying next to them." Just as Kang Mu-hyuk cut off Go Yoo-han''s objection, he felt a shiver run down his spine. "Magic! Dodge!" "Huh?" There was no warning. The Hunters looked confused. As they watched Kang Mu-hyuk hurriedly retreat, they thought he was acting strange. It was only when they saw mes spurting from the monster''s staff a momentter that they btedly reacted. "Really?" Boom! A direct hit. Go Yoo-han blocked it. As he had promised himself, he was solid. But only up to that point. He managed to hold against the iing mes once more before copsing entirely. He wasn''t dead, but he was in a state of near death. Despite suffering from severe burns all over his body, he immediately drew a potion from the ampule kit on his waist and ced it into his mouth. "Guh... What kind of magic...?" Thanks to Go Yoo-han''s courageous response, Kang Mu-hyuk was pulled out of the shield''s range by Seo Suji. From the moment the magic was cast, he had never taken his eyes off the Oldster Sorcerer. From the moment the gate opened, his senses had be keen. There was something that made his eyes sting, not painful, but cold, and even more than cold, it felt refreshing. His field of vision was clearer than usual, and the surroundingndscape seemed to be imprinted in his eyes. It was as if the scenery was being delivered directly to his brain, bypassing his eyes. A peculiar scene caught Kang Mu-hyuk''s eye. ''Didn''t that guy just have a long dy?'' The casting time after he noticed the first spell and the casting time of the second spell were different, even though they were for the same spell. It was significantly different from what he had seen in the video. Moreover, the third spell had not yet been activated. More precisely, it was still being cast. Suddenly, the status of the monster passed clearly through Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. It felt as if he was dissecting and examining it. ''Mana exhaustion!'' Both magic and skills used mana. The key was to use the mana pre-umted in the Hunter''s body to reduce the dy as much as possible. But sometimes, during hunting, one may fail to manage their mana. In that case, they borrowed it from the surroundings. Since they were borrowing mana they didn''t originally possess, the activation time would extend. That was precisely the current state of the Oldster Sorcerer. Despite encountering this monster for the first time, Kang Mu-hyuk was sure. "Attack now!" Kang Mu-hyuk shouted into his smartphone. The party members jolted at the sound of his voiceing through their earphones and speakers. "What kind of crazy talk is that? Do you want to die?!" Seo Suji snapped back in irritation. When had the one who had been saying it was dangerous and retreating started ordering an attack? He was a mystery,pletely inscrutable. The moment Seo Suji''s grip ckened, Kang Mu-hyuk shook off her hand and ran out. Then he chose who to give his order to. "Hunter Yu Taejin! Strike first!" Kang Mu-hyuk chose Yu Taejin. He had a hunch that the experienced Yu Taejin would respond to hismand. Just as Kang Mu-hyuk had predicted, Yu Taejin instantly sprang forward. He closed the distance to the monster in no time and stabbed it in the neck with a dagger drawn from behind his waist. At the same time as green blood sttered, other Hunters who had found an opening rushed in and nted their weapons. In an instant, they ravaged the small body of the monster. It was so messed up that there was no other way to describe it other than a lump of meat. "This... What the... Why isn''t it dying?" Lee Chuljin muttered incredulously. Everyone felt the same way. Despite being dealt multiple fatal wounds that would have normally killed it, the monster was still gathering mana for casting magic. A big attack was imminent. "It''s toote to back off. Stab until it dies!" Despite the Hunters swinging their weapons with grim determination, the monster refused to die, no matter what they did. Kang Mu-hyuk was taken aback, his assessment had been wrong. ''It doesn''t die? But, I was sure... ...that she hadnded a deadly blow.'' ''Did I overlook its vitality because of the power behind Ju Se-ah''s attack?'' But still, a magic-type monster shouldn''t have been this stubbornly resilient. Its tenacity was enough to shame a troll. That was when Kang Mu-hyuk''s unusually heightened senses shed with insight once again. His pupils were rapidly spinning, as if determined not to miss a single thing about the creature. "Why is it gathering mana while it''s on the brink of death? It''s as if its mana container has been shattered." What if the small creature wasn''t the main body? Was it some kind of parasitic monster? Or a new type of lich? And then the conclusion hit him. ''The staff! Of course, it felt off the moment I first saw it.'' The staff, brimming with mana, was about to spew fire. Kang Mu-hyuk shouted, "Break the staff!" Kang Mu-hyuk''smand was transmitted to everyone through themunication system. But it was already toote. No one was able to shatter the mana-filled staff. ''Damn! Why didn''t I notice it sooner?'' Kang Mu-hyuk med his own inexperience. He felt he had failed as a strategist. Simultaneously, he felt sorry for the Hunters who had followed his judgment. Just then. Thud! Someone dropped from the sky,nding in front of the monster. "So the staff was its weak point? Didn''t know because I simply killed itst time." Kang Mu-hyuk cried out at the sudden appearance of an unexpected figure. "Ju Se-ah?!" Ju Se-ah, while reaching out to the violently shaking staff, turned around. "It''s the second time now. Don''t think about going off cheaply this time, Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk." Chapter 14 - Lets Have a Full-Blown Fight Chapter 14 Let''s Have a Full-Blown Fight Jang Deuk-goo, who had unexpectedly followed Ju Se-ah, grumbled as he looked down at the Han River. "Is this the right ce? You said the call was cut off. Isn''t it possible that the battery just died?" "The outage alert rang immediately after the call was cut off. When ites to bad news, I have a good intuition." Certainly, Ju Se-ah had some perspective when it came to misfortune. Since her debut as a Hunter, she had not only encountered a 3-star monster known as a Reaper as a beginner Hunter but also had an encounter with a 4-star monster. The average Hunter would hardly ever encounter an Irregr, a term used to describe rare monsters, but she had experienced it multiple times and hunted dozens of Unknowns. As a result, Ju Se-ah held the highest number of monster registrations in the Korean Monster Index. She even ranked third in the Guinness Book for the number of first-time hunts of Unknowns. Considering that the first and second ces were taken by industry veterans over forty, if you limit it to the past ten years since Ju Se-ah started as a Hunter, she would be the undisputed first ce. Having endured so many extreme battles from a young age, she had grown into a powerhouseparable to an S-rank. Perhaps 80% of what nurtured Ju Se-ah was misfortune. "But that aside, why are we taking a helicopter during an outbreak? We can''t even approach due to the ''mana storm'' from the gate." "We can fly higher to avoid the mana storm." "How are we going tond?" "Oh! It''s already open? Wow, I''ve seen it a few times, but this is the first time I''m looking down at it from the sky?" As Ju Se-ah innocently smiled, Jang Deuk-goo made a disgusted face. He shivered as he stared at the pir of darkness bursting into the sky from the helicopter window. Even for a skilled Hunter, the ominousness of the gate never became familiar. "Only you could look at that and say such things after what we''ve been through." "If I get scared by that, it feels like I''m losing. I can''t stand to lose to the gate, not even if I bear everything else. That goes for me, for you, and for that Team Leader Kang. We''re all fighting to ovee that." The helicopter flew close to the ck mass emitted by the gate. The sky seemed calm from a distance, but as they approached, they were buffeted by turbulence. The mana storm emitted by the gate seemed to repel the advances of civilization, pushing the helicopter away. The control panel in the cockpit was shing red warning lights like mad. The pilot, startled, increased the altitude. Even within the violently shaking fusge, Ju Se-ah maintained her bnce perfectly as she looked down below. "Huh? Down there, isn''t that Kang Mu-hyuk?" "Yes, he is. Huh? But what''s next to him... Isn''t that the monster you captured a while ago? They look quite simr." "Oh? You''re right? Why is it out there again?" "If we leave it like that, it seems like all the Hunters will die. What do you want to do? We can''tnd here." "Did you ask knowing that?" Ju Se-ah suddenly opened the helicopter door, took off her high heels, and leaned out. The wind disheveled her hair. "Are you going as is, without equipment?" "It''s a monster I''ve already caught. I can handle this." "But at least wear your ''Armor Coat''." As Ju Se-ah took the ck coat handed over by Jang Deuk-goo, she said, "Land the helicopter and arrive fast." With that, Ju Se-ah took a dive. She quickly donned her freely pping coat and plummeted straight down. When the mana wind tried to push her off course, she wrapped her body in mana, fooling it into thinking she was part of it. Now, only gravity could affect her. The moment she got out of the range of the mana wind''s influence, she heard Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice. "Break the staff!" Just before she hit the ground, she flipped herself over. Thud! ''Ouch, my foot hurts. Barefoot is definitely painful.'' Ignoring the ufortable sensation on her soles under the gazes of onlookers, she looked at the monster. "Was the staff its weak point? I didn''t notice itst time because I just killed it outright." "Ju Se-ah?!" "This is the second time now. Don''t think about getting off cheaply this time, Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk." In Ju Se-ah''s hand, the staff shattered. With Ju Se-ah''s arrival, all chaos had ended. Not content with just eliminating the Oldster Sorcerer, she single-handedly wiped out the second wave of monsters that had emerged. After seeing the guild that had arrived as backup form a defensive line, she crossed over to the gate. A little whileter, she emerged covered in blood of various colors. "I''ve taken care of most of the monsters near the gate. The core doesn''t seem to have reached the entrance yet, so it shouldn''t be too difficult to deal with the remaining monsters." After exining the situation to a government official in a calm voice as if she had juste back from a pic, Ju Se-ah nced around. Then, her eyes met with Kang Mu-hyuk, who was a little distant from the gate. "Hey there, Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk." As Ju Se-ah walked toward Kang Mu-hyuk, the Hunters and officials in between them parted ways. Their expressions were directed not at Ju Se-ah, but at Kang Mu-hyuk. ''It''s obvious what everyone is thinking.'' A Hunter that Ju Se-ah pretended to know. The gaze of those trying to figure out his skill level or his rtionship with Ju Se-ah. Once they realized that Kang Mu-hyuk was not a Hunter, they immediately started investigating which guild he worked for. There were also those who recognized Kang Mu-hyuk. All of this happened even before Ju Se-ah approached Kang Mu-hyuk. While the guild representatives were furiously brainstorming, the party members who were with Kang Mu-hyuk feltplicated for a different reason. ''She scattered the condensed mana with one hand. Is that even possible?'' ''She fell from such a height and was fine. I wouldn''t be able to im myself to be tough anywhere.'' ''She went into the gate alone in that state, even though she was wearing an Armor Coat, not regr armor, and she even wiped out the monsters? I can''t tell who the real monster is.'' The Hunters who were intimidated by the overwhelming performance Ju Se-ah disyed. Kang Mu-hyuk himself was also stunned by her disy. He had always thought that even an ordinary Hunter, or a non-Hunter civilian, could save people from monsters. He felt as if all the ns, projects, and strategies he had established were copsing. Ju Se-ah''s hunting was something more than just brutishly pushing through with strength. There was a force in her that even the monsters seemed to fear, something he had not seen in the footage. To Kang Mu-hyuk, it was a shock. "I can understand now why the Guild Master, Vice Guild Master, and the Assault Team Leader didn''t pay any attention to my ns. I had only heard about the hunting prowess of a top-tier Hunter; this is my first time seeing it up close. In front of such a Hunter, all tactics would be meaningless." While Kang Mu-hyuk felt a sense of tion at the powerful Hunter, whose presence even the monsters feared, he also felt a suffocating sensation at the thought of his own career being negated by such a formidable force. His head was hot, and he felt nauseous. His body shivered uncontrobly with emotions he couldn''t suppress. "Figures, you''d pass out while we were talking. So, what was that good thing you were going to do earlier? Hey! Kang Mu-hyuk!" Suddenly, Kang Mu-hyuk copsed. Ju Se-ah quickly rushed to support him. "What''s going on? Why are you so hot?" His body was so hot it seemed as if he might be suffering from a burn. It was evident at a nce that this was not normal. Ju Se-ah quickly realized that his condition was rted to the chronic illness. "Mana Addiction... Damn it, why would someone sensitive to manae to the gate that''s spewing out mana?" Ju Se-ah quickly scooped Kang Mu-hyuk into her arms and rushed to a nearby ambnce. "Take us to Taesung Hospital. Hurry." The medic, recognizing Ju Se-ah, didn''t argue and immediately set off. "You always faint every time I see you. This is the third time now¡­ Do you even remember? Tch, you''ve always been reckless." Ju Se-ah looked down at Kang Mu-hyuk''s face in silence. ¡ª--- "He''s out of danger for now¡­ But it seems like he was exposed to mana for a long time when the gate was opened. His body is in terrible shape. I can''t promise he won''t have another episode." Hearing the doctor''s words, Kang Chang-soo muttered as he looked at his sleeping son''s face. "Stupid kid. Did you think you were a Hunter? Can''t you tell where you shouldn''t meddle?" The doctor watched Kang Chang-soo for a moment before quietly leaving the hospital room. Kang Chang-soo was left alone in the room, and he reached for a cigarette before remembering that he was in a hospital and putting it away. "I didn¡¯t do it because I was a Hunter." "Weren¡¯t you sleeping?" "There were firefighters there too. Even ordinary office workers. How could a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader pretend not to know? It''s embarrassing. Anyway, anyone who can fight monsters in any way should naturally take action." "Do you want to reserve your own funeral date while you''re at it? Is there some sort of discount if we book the funeral home in advance?" "I''ve always felt this, but Dad, don''t make jokes anywhere. You sound like someone who tested their sense of humor too." Kang Chang-soo¡¯s eyes twitched. His son had called him ''Dad'' instead of using his name. Pretending not to notice, he retorted, "Oh, really? Hey! Didn¡¯t your mom say she fell for my humor and that¡¯s why she married me?" "Mom was kind. If it was me, I would have dumped you right away." "That¡¯s why I''m your dad, not your husband." "Stop joking around." Looking like he had taken a big hit, Kang Chang-soo added, somewhat indignantly. "Good Lord, don''t you see? You take after me. Look at your stoic demeanor. You''re a spitting image. And your jokes are as dry as mine. You can''t escape your genes. That''s the power of science. Ha ha ha!" "It''s because I resembled you so much that I couldn''t quit this job. Just as you devoted yourself to research even at the expense of abandoning my mother... I couldn''t feign ignorance while risking my life for this cause. But I believe, today, I saved at least a few lives. I''m certain of it. ...I must be better than my father, who clings to research that he barely understands, right?" "..." Kang Chang-soo once again reached for a cigarette. Then he put it away. He opened the window to relieve his frustration. The wind swept into the hospital room as if it had been waiting. "I wanted to save someone, too." Lying down, Kang Mu-hyuk turned his head to the side. His father was leaning against the window as the sun set, looking down at him. "Do you want to live?" "Isn''t that obvious?" "If you could live, what would you do?" "Why ask something so clear? I''d hunt monsters." "Even if you could live just a few more years? Would you still hunt monsters?" "I could probably kill a few hundred more." "Ah, this isn''t why I conducted the research..." "What are you saying?" Kang Mu-hyuk saw a different expression on his father''s face than usual. ''It''s familiar...'' Suddenly, it ovepped with a scene from his past. The day his father chose his research materials over his mother. Kang Chang-soo approached Kang Mu-hyuk like a runaway motorcycle. He grabbed the bed railing as if to break it, shaking it as he spoke. "Fine. I''ll save you. I will save you. You may die, but I will let you live." "Huh? What..." "You have Mana Addiction. You recognized it, didn''t you? It''s everywhere." "Yes." "Do you have a cure?" "..." "There wasn''t one, was there? Or even a ce researching it. It would be the same anywhere in the world. One in a million. There''s no money to be made in finding a cure. Where would they research such a disease? Aside from family." "Family? Don''t tell me..." "I originally wanted to save your mother. But it was toote. So, let''s save you instead. I will save you. I can''t guarantee it 100%, but I will give it my all to save you. Whether you choose to fight those damned monsters or settle down. I will let you fight to your heart''s content." Chapter 15 - Accepted Chapter 15 epted Six monthster. In the office of Taesung¡¯s Guild Master. "So? Is this a resignation letter?" "Yes, well, it is." "I thought having studied abroad would give you some backbone. You disappoint me, Jeong Do-il." "Staying for four months here is more than enough, Guild Master Ju. I heard my predecessor didn''t evenst a month." "I won''t stop you. You know the way out, don''t you?" "I''ve learned a lot during my time here." "I''m d to hear you''ve learned something. If fate wills it, we''ll see each other again." "That might be difficult. I''m returning to the United States." "That''s a shame. I don''t know about the rest, but your hunting skills were impressive. Your presence alone would''ve been a great help here." "With a Guild Master like you here, do you think I could be of any help?" "The more skilled Hunters we have, the better." "Fair enough. But I do have one question before I go. Why do you stay in this trashy guild, Guild Master? It''s ruined here. And someone of your caliber could be highly sessful even in the United States. I can''t understand why you''re attached to such a small country." "That''s the first time I''ve been asked that. Hmm..." Ju Se-ah paused, lost in thought, before speaking again. "Because I have many ties here?" "Pardon?" "Take that as your answer. It''s a courtesy for enduring four months as the Vice Guild Master in this trash guild. Normally, I''d beat the crap out of anyone who asked such a pointless question." Jeong Do-il swallowed. Did he strike a nerve with Ju Se-ah? He had only worked with her for a mere four months, but he had experienced enough of Ju Se-ah''s character. If she said she would beat him up, she would. The image of her causing a scene in the main lobby of yer Guild, one of the top guilds in Northeast Asia, was still vivid in his mind. Anyone daring to cross such a major guild would be prepared even for assassination, yet this Guild Master seemed tock the perception of danger. He had managed to endure for four months, impressed by her actions, but this guild was beyond redemption, poisoned from its very inception. His question was born out of pity, seeing such a remarkable Hunter like Ju Se-ah tied to such a ce, but the subtle menace in her answer made him swallow any words that might have followed. ''I was going to introduce her to a top-tier American guild...'' After Jeong Do-il left, Ju Se-ah stared into herputer monitor. It was the PC version of the Guild App. The words ''Vice Guild Master Wanted'' were boldly disyed under the Hunter Recruitment tab. The board was usually used by frence Hunters to form parties, guilds, or government contract quests. However, unable to recruit a Vice Guild Master, Ju Se-ah had drunkenly posted the recruitment notice. As it was the first time such a position was being offered this way, it had been a topic of discussion among the media and on Hunter forums. Ju Se-ah hadn''t paid it much attention as no resumes had been submitted, but after her second Vice Guild Master quit, she couldn''t help but give it a nce. ''If only someone would apply, even through this...'' Of course, it was a foolish notion. At first, the Hunters thought it was a joke, but soon realized it was indeed posted by Ju Se-ah and deliberately avoided it due to the notorious rtionship with the yer Guild. Any self-respecting Hunter wouldn''t be applying through such a public posting. "Why can''t this be deleted? It''s just embarrassing. What the hell was I thinking when I was drunk? ''Vice Guild Master Wanted,'' really?" "Why did you post it without any discussion?" Jang Deuk-goo, who had been waiting for Jeong Do-il to leave, clicked his tongue as he entered the office. "Can''t this post be deleted or at least edited by the association?" "The principle is that postings can''t be deleted. It could be abused for criminal purposes if you could just post and delete at will." "I know, but my identity is well verified." "Once they allow an exception, the principle copses. So, it''s strictly not possible." "Damn that old association chairman. Surely, they can give some leeway between acquaintances. Korean society is built on rtionships, alumniworks, blood ties, things like that." "Among rtionships, alumniworks, and blood ties, you share none with the chairman of the association." "Well, there is that." With one possible method eliminated, Ju Se-ah immediately suggested another. "Do you think a bribe would help? Should we make a donation to the association? You never know, a bit of greasing might soften up that stiff old man." "There''s no money in the guild." "Damn it! Who cut off the money supply this time?" "We''re the only two Hunters in the guild, and our hunting is all we''ve got. Who else is going to support us? We''ve been surviving off of that time when we managed to get into the Sogang University Blue Gate auction. But even that''s run out now. We can''t stand on our own without group support." "I don''t know why we''re facing so many obstacles just for a small guild. We''re surrounded by enemies, enemies everywhere! We need some kind of breakthrough." "Speaking of a breakthrough, the chairman has invited you to dinner this evening. Why don''t you go to the headquarters and borrow some money? It''s a simple and fast solution." Ju Se-ah''s gaze turned icy. "I''d rather sell my house in Hannam-dong." "You''ve already sold that, remember?" "Oh, right. In that case, I could sell the horses¡­" "You sold those too. Would you like me to list all the things you''ve already sold?" "No, I think it''ll be too sad knowing that I have nothing left. Let''s just drop it." "I''ll just mention that if we don''t repay the loan by next month, we''ll be on the streets." "So what time did you say?" "Excellent decision." Seongsu-dong had be a luxury residential area solely for the top 1% of South Korea, built on a site that had beenpletely razed during the Great War. The entrance was guarded by a 24-hour security team, and tobat monsters, the National Hunter Corps and an A-rank guild were in charge of the surrounding area. This meant that Seongsu-dong was the most heavily guarded ce in South Korea, second only to the Blue House. In such a ce, where supercars weremon and each mansion was magnificent, a mediocre domestic sedan seemed out of ce. Moreover, the sedan was in poor condition. One of its headlights was broken, and the bo was dented as if hit with a hammer. A security guard stopped the sedan, which was rattling and seemed ready to stall at any moment. "What are you here for?¡± The security guard bent towards the driver''s window, which gradually lowered. The moment he caught sight of the person inside, he recoiled in surprise. "Ah, it''s you, Hunter Ju Se-ah. Open the gate! Please,e in." Even after Ju Se-ah entered the gate, she had to drive for quite a while before reaching the mansion nestled deep within the property. At the mansion''s entrance, there was a checkpoint managed by more security guards. Unlike their counterpart at the gate, they didn''t fuss but simply let her in. Once she parked her car and got out, a melody from a violin reached her ears. Turning her head, she saw a party in progress, taking ce in a garden so vast that one could easily believe it to be the size of a primary school''s yground. "What''s this? Whose birthday is it?" As Ju Se-ah took in her surroundings, she noticed her shabby attire. It was somewhat bothersome, but she shrugged it off as being a typical upational hazard of being a Hunter, and proceeded into the garden. "You''re here, too?" A sharp voice pierced her ears from somewhere. Ju Se-ah turned her head. A woman who bore an uncanny resemnce to herself stood there, her eyes full of stubbornness, a smirk ying around her lips. "If Sister Soo-young is here, why can''t I be?" "Huh? Who are you calling ''Sister''? You''re just some X who rolled in from the streets. Our Tae family has never had someone like you." "Why is our Soo-young so upset?" "Hey!" "You said I¡¯m not your younger sister? Then, you''re not my older sister either." "Ugh...!" "Oh my? Are you going to hit me?" "You think I can''t?" "Go ahead. Let''s see what a B-rank Hunter''s punch tastes like. But, can you handle the consequences?" As Ju Se-ah took a step forward, Tae Soo-young, on the other hand, took two steps back. Her adversary was not just a younger sister, but a Hunter who was known to be on par with an S-rank. Being a Hunter herself, Tae Soo-young was all too aware of how terrifying Ju Se-ah could be. As she felt Ju Se-ah''s intimidating aura, her face grew pale. "Stop fighting, both of you. It''s unseemly to fight on Father''s birthday." "Brother? But, she..." "Ahem! Soo-young, when will you stop behaving like a child? I told you to behave today." Tae Soo-cheol, the eldest son of the Tae family, was an ordinary man, but he managed to subdue Tae Soo-young, who was a Hunter, with his sheer presence. Just like how a tiger does not give birth to a dog, the son of Chairman Tae Jin-sung, who was called a tiger in the industry, was overwhelmingly a man of character. Even Tae Soo-cheol was entering his fifties. Chairman Tae Jin-sung, who was over 70, was still on the front lines of the business, which was dying the time for Tae Soo-cheol to step forward. Despite the situation that could have caused discontent, Tae Soo-cheol was content assisting his father with humility. ''Which makes him scarier. He even renders Tae Soo-young, a Hunter, immobile.'' As the gaze of her brother, who was nearly twice her age,nded on her, Ju Se-ah scratched her head and spoke. "I didn''t know it was Father''s birthday. I would have dressed up if I had known.¡± Although he appeared gentlemanly on the surface, the person who had boxed Ju Se-ah into the Taesung Guild, effectively tying her hands and feet, was none other than Tae Soo-cheol. Seeing his detestable face made her want to give him a good punch, regardless of their sibling rtionship. "Ah, if I were to upset our strongest Hunter in Korea any further, I might just lose my head. How about it? Would you like to change your clothes and say hello to father?" "No thanks. I don''t want to stay long in a ce I''m not fond of. I''ll just say hello as I am." As Ju Se-ah entered the garden, wearing a suit stained with green bodily fluid and heels drenched in the same coloured blood, all eyes turned to her. The atmosphere in the boring outdoor party venue changed instantly with the arrival of Ju Se-ah, a Hunter famous for both her skills and beauty. Shemanded attention. Her presence was overwhelming to the point where Chairman Tae Jin-sung seemed far away from memory. "You¡¯re here? If you are,e and have a bite of food." Despite his age, Tae Jin-sung''smanding voice echoed throughout the venue. Ju Se-ah walked up to Tae Jin-sung and greeted him. "Father, happy birthday." "Ah." "I couldn''t prepare a gift." "I don''t want anything." "And please fund our guild." "Why do you always bring up the guild? I told you to discuss it with your brother, didn''t I?" "We have been discussing it endlessly but he won''t give any money?" "That must be because youck the ability. Convincing the other party is a skill, too." "I can only convince with my fists though?" Upon seeing Ju Se-ah raise her fist, Tae Jin-sung sighed, clutching his forehead. "So how are you going to get married? Tsk, tsk! Fine. If you change your surname, I''ll help you." "I thought we had settled that matter?" "When are you going to stop using your dead mother''s surname? You''ve thrown enough tantrums. Just register it already." "I will assume that you are not going to provide any support. Now, enjoy your meal." As Ju Se-ah turned to leave the party, Tae Jin-sung called out in an angry voice. "Did you just say you''re quitting?" "Did you nt the seeds of discontent?" Ju Se-ah turned back and asked. People around them held their breath at Ju Se-ah''s audacity to talk back to Chairman Tae, a known tiger. Even Tae Jin-sung''s own children were no different. Only Ju Se-ah could stand tall and talk to Tae Jin-sung like this. Suddenly, the party music stopped and they conversed as if they were the only two in the silent venue. "Big talk from someone who can''t even manage a messed up guild. No matter how well you can kill monsters, an organization isn''t something that can be run with strength alone." "We might not have fallen apart this badly if my wonderful siblings hadn''t interfered." "When youck ability, you should admit it and lower your head. If you remain stubborn, you''re bound to break." "I''m sorry, but I''m rather sturdy. It''s impossible to break me, be it a person or a monster." "That damn backtalk. Tsk, tsk! Jang Deuk-goo, you''ve taught her all the wrong things." "He taught me more than you ever did, father. I''m always grateful for that." Tae Jin-sung''s expression changed. It was a cold, emotionless face. Ju Se-ah knew this look well. It was a look that would appear on her own face when she looked in the mirror. It meant that her father was very angry. Unable to bear Ju Se-ah''s stubbornness, Tae Jin-sung issued a warning. "I¡¯ll give you half a year. Try to stabilize the guild by then. If not, I will dissolve the guild." "But, if you suddenly notify me like this..." "It''s almost been a year. I''ve given you enough time. Enough with your Hunter games, it''s time toe back to headquarters." "You want me to quit being a Hunter?" "Yes, how long does the daughter of the Tae family intend to swing a sword? Do you intend to continue, even though you can''t even find a suitable husband? No matter how much money we have, I no longer want to pour it into a bottomless pot." "..." Ju Se-ah desperately tried to think of a rebuttal. But she couldn''t refute his words, which were all undeniably true. Then, it happened. Ding-dong! A loud notification sound sounded from her smartphone. Perhaps it was because the venue was too quiet, or perhaps she was so focused on finding a way out, but the sound was as loud as a bell in Ju Se-ah''s ears. "Excuse me for a moment. I have an important message." Ju Se-ah lied to regain herposure and checked her smartphone. It wasn''t a text message. Unexpectedly, the notification sound hade from her guild app. ''Is there an emergency?'' [A resume has been submitted.] ''Huh? A resume?'' For the first time in the past six months, a resume had been submitted to the long-quiet job board. Chapter 16 - Against the Clock: The Team Leader鈥檚 Pursuit of Glory Chapter 16 No Hope Kang Mu-hyuk gazed steadily at Ju Se-ah. Ju Se-ah returned the gaze, her arms folded as if she was displeased, her legs crossed. In contrast, Kang Mu-hyuk looked around the room leisurely, a cup of coffee held to his lips. Hisposed demeanor somehow made Ju Se-ah furrow her brows, a vain attempt to hide her unease. She was about to make ament, but stopped. ''What a ridiculous situation. How can he be so rxed when he hasn''t even died yet? And sending a resume through the guild app isn''t a joke, is it a bait or something?'' Seeing no progress in what was supposed to be an interview, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke first. ¡°The building is quite nice. It''s not inferior to an A-rank guild in scale.¡± ¡°Well, despite the guild being a mess, we do have the name of arge corporation behind us. So we use the building that''s left empty.¡± ¡°However, the location here isn''t good. How about relocating?¡± ¡°Relocate?¡± ¡°Yes, the Feng Shui here isn''t favorable.¡± ¡°Feng Shui~?¡± Ju Se-ah furrowed her brows at his absurdity. The man who reappeared after six months, iming he would be a Vice Guild Master, was suddenly suggesting to relocate. And he wasn''t even a Vice Guild Master yet. Even if he were to be a Vice Guild Master, suggesting a guild relocation was crossing a line. It was as if he didn''t understand how this industry worked, how hard it was to enter Seoul, or how tough provincial taxes were. His bbering didn''t sit well with her. Kang Mu-hyuk ignored Ju Se-ah''s difort and continued, ¡°First of all, being located in downtown Seoul is a weakness. Competing with the top guilds in Seoul at your current level is challenging. Even Titan experienced the same, if you want to set up a proper foundation from the start, it''s better to be in the provinces. But moving outpletely makes it hard toe back, how about just moving to the metropolitan area?¡± ¡°You talk as if it''s easy to reenter Seoul, do you not understand why guilds of a certain scale can''t ''be in Seoul?¡¯ Especially if a new pro team were to enter Seoul, it would cause a stir. You, of all people, should know better. And that''s not even rted to Feng Shui.¡± ¡°Returning to that point, this ce is too close to the group''s headquarters. There would be a lot of interference in the guild''s operations. Isn''t the problem you want to solve most about gainingplete control of the guild?¡± ¡°Well, that''s true, but... By any chance, have you been training in the mountains or something?¡± Kang Mu-hyuk asked back as the conversation took an unexpected turn. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°People with incurable diseases do that. They go to the mountains and get healed by nature''s energy as ast resort. They gain enlightenment, learn secret martial arts. Like spending ten years in Mt. Jiri, then another ten in Mt. Gyeryong¡­ I''m asking if you''ve been there.¡± ¡°Ah! No, not like that. These are things thate up with a few searches on the news or Huntermunity. And don''t worry about the disease. I won''t be dying for a while. You can put your worries aside.¡± He definitely looked healthier. Except for being more curt than before, there seemed to be no health issues at all. Ju Se-ah looked at him, surprised. "Was it not terminal? Weren''t you supposed to be on borrowed time?" "Turns out there''s no definitew for a man to die. That issue has been more or less resolved." "Are you really alright?" "If I were ill, I wouldn''t be submitting a resume. Being sick in this role is a nuisance in itself, isn''t it?" "Yes, you''re right about that." Kang Mu-hyuk reoriented the conversation that had strayed. "Now, returning to the main point. The guild''s name also needs to be changed. It has nothing to do with Taesung..." "Wait a minute. Aren''t we in an interview right now?" "Yes, we are." "But why are you asking the questions? You haven''t even passed yet, why are you saying things so freely?" "Is there a more definitive appeal than an interviewee identifying the problems of a guild and proposing solutions?" Ju Se-ah was left speechless. Although he was right, it was a subtle sentiment that couldn''t be agreed upon. She felt irked, as if her authority had been usurped, yet she found herself wanting to hear more. She had a conflicting desire to hear the rest of the story. Kang Mu-hyuk preempted her once again. "Go ahead, ask a question." "Well, um...what motivated you to apply to our guild...? Ah, never mind! Just continue what you were saying. About changing the guild''s name? I don''t think that''s feasible. It probably won''t work?" "Why not change the guild''s name? Is it prohibited? Is it in the guild''s regtions?" "It''s not that, but for group promotions... Anyway, there''s a lot of equity and financial support from their side, they probably won''t like removing ''Taesung'' from the name?" "Have you tried it?" "What?" "You haven''t even attempted it, right? So, you never even thought about it." "..." This time, Kang Mu-hyuk leaned back on the sofa, crossing his arms. His posture was in stark contrast to Ju Se-ah, who was leaning forward in her seat. He nodded to himself, then slowly began to speak. "It''s quite clear now." "What is?" "As long as you are the Guild Master, even after several years, Taesung Guild will remain as it is. It''s hopeless." "Hey!" "But that doesn''t mean there are no solutions. If you wish, I can start exining them from now." ¡­ "What''s there to worry about? If you don''t hire him, that''s it. I didn''t see Kang Mu-hyuk in that light, but he truly is without hope. His suggestion is like giving away all the Guild Master''s authority. He''s really pushing his luck. No wonder he was the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader." Jang Deuk-goo shook his head and clicked his tongue upon hearing the details of the interview with Kang Mu-hyuk. Ju Se-ah, pondering deeply, seated on her desk, finally spoke. "But did I ever have any authority to give away?" "What?" "I couldn''t make proper use of it anyway. In the end, I even received a final rmendation from the chairman. I was told to normalize the guild within half a year. If not, I have to leave." "As a Hunter on the brink of S-rank, you can go wherever you want. You might not be officially recognized yet, but in some ways, you''re already at S-rank. Even if you fail in guild management, it''s not the end." "Really, would that be so? I cut ties with the yer Guild despite all themotion. It''s difficult to turn back. Honestly, I didn''t really fit with them anyway. I wonder how I held out for ten years?" Ju Se-ah scrunched up her face as if she were gnashing her teeth and continued her train of thought. "Even if I move to another guild, I won''t be able to lead the guild in the direction I want. For them, the guild''s profitse first. I left the Tier-ed Guild because I didn''t want to see all that. I turned down all the recruitment offers. I guess there isn''t a guild in Korea, or even foreign ones, that would ept me with my demands?" Jang Deuk-goo, who seemed to understand Ju Se-ah''s circumstances, knew these facts well. Where could she not go if she were to put her head down and work hard? There was no need for her, a promising near S-rank and a 20-year-old with a high chance of bing S-rank, to concede. However, the industry worked such that the ability to kill monsters and the ability to grow a guild were distinctly different. To create the picture Ju Se-ah wanted, she could never achieve it within the existing guild structure. Starting from scratch presented clear limitations. It took too long to break through the suppression of the Tier-ed Guilds. With no other choice, Ju Se-ah, despite her distaste, bowed her head to her father and took over the Taesung Guild. Using the group''s infrastructure and funding, she calcted she could quickly settle in. ''That is, when fully supported from within the group. But she never considered the hindrances from the chairman who just used the guild as bait to get her into the family, or the siblings worrying about session issues and the possibility of their inheritance diminishing.'' Jang Deuk-goo, considering the current situation, mulled over Kang Mu-hyuk''s interview but couldn''t find an answer. Consequently, he couldn''t help but keep returning to Kang Mu-hyuk''s proposal. Perhaps Ju Se-ah had left the decision up to Jang Deuk-goo without even realizing it. ''Conflict is inevitable. Both logically and emotionally, I keep leaning towards his proposal. But she''s too stubborn. That stubbornness got her through the tough life of a Hunter. From one perspective, it''s a matter of pride. Not like it''s an irrevocable decision, damn it.'' Jang Deuk-goo knew the answer that would relieve her burden. "epting Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk''s proposal would indeed be difficult to ept as a Hunter." "So it would be, right?" "Nevertheless, what harm coulde from trying? It''s not like there''s anything more to lose." "Really¡­ Would that be so?" "Do as you please, Guild Master. That''s your right, isn''t it? If you won''t be able to exercise that authority in the future, then use yourst authority as you wish." Ju Se-ah''s eyes sparkled. Jang Deuk-goo warned her to not get carried away. "But keep one thing in mind. The moment you ept Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk''s proposal, many people, both inside and outside the guild, will oppose and confront you. You should be prepared to fight them all." Ju Se-ah, who had been hesitant just moments ago, now spoke with conviction. "Don''t worry about that. I haven''t heard anyone say I can''t handle a fight. However, I''ll leave the intellectual battles to Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk. It seems like he won''t easily back down, either." ¡­ "Is that so? You''ve made your decision then. Yes, understood. Please send the information I requested via email now. Then, I''ll start working tomorrow." Kang Mu-hyuk, after setting his smartphone on his desk, quickly typed a few more characters into hisptop to wrap up his work. After saving the file to the cloud, he stretched and rose from his chair. Just at that moment, Kang Chang-soo entered the room. "So, you''re starting at that guild from tomorrow?" "Yes, that''s the n. I thought it might happen." "Did you prepare well? It''s not an easy ce, you''ve been preparing for a while, haven''t you?" "I''ve done as much research as I could. I don''t think there''s absolutely no chance of sess, so I''m joining. There''s no other alternative." Trying to carry on a normal conversation that neither of them had ever had, Kang Chang-soo quickly ran out of things to say. The only topic they had inmon was the illness. "How about the medication?" "I''ve been taking it regrly. I have to take it regrly if I want to live." "I''ll say it again, it''s not a cure. You have to take the medication and injections on a strict schedule." "It''s inconvenient, but what does it matter? I consider it like diabetes. It needs careful management." "This medication could build up resistance at any time. Before that happens, I''ll somehow perfect a procedure that suits your body." "Next time, run some tests in advance. Thinking back to that first procedure, I nearly died. Umm... It was the first time in my life I''ve been in such pain." "It''s difficult to find test subjects. No, it''s impossible. How could I have known what it would be like when it was my first attempt? It might have been different if you were a Hunter, but I only realized then that you couldn''t withstand the procedure with a normal human body." "So, for about a month, I was teetering between life and death. Rehabilitation took a long time too. Anyway, thank you for saving me. I hope you''ll find a cure in the future. Now, I have a lot of preparation to do, so I need to go home." "Alright. Don''t forget your next examination." As Kang Mu-hyuk left, Yoon Ildo approached and started talking. "Big brother, he''s be colder after that procedure." "That''s a side effect, you know." "It''s just like him to get that kind of side effect. Honestly, isn''t it strange to call that a side effect?" "It is. Reduced emotional fluctuations and excessively active brain activity are definitely advantageous. Of course, theye with downsides like headaches." Sharper insight, stronger observational skills, and the cunningness to read and use others'' emotions were more pronounced in Kang Mu-hyuk than before. Despite all of that, the current Kang Mu-hyuk seemed more like a machine than a human. What worried Kang Chang-soo most were his eyes when he looked at people. Sometimes, his unfamiliar gaze would wrap around him, making him wonder if this was really his son. It was as if his gaze was scanning him. Even though the MRI showed no significant changes, he couldn''t help but suspect that this procedure might have affected his brain. The brain was still argely unknown area, and mana was an enigma. So, they couldn''t be sure about the changes Kang Mu-hyuk was experiencing. There was a lot more research to be done in this area moving forward. "First, let''s be thankful that my son is alive. I''m relieved that my research wasn''t in vain." ¡­ The next morning. Kang Mu-hyuk reported to work at the Taesung Guild headquarters in Aksu-dong. The 29-story building unted its grandeur, second to none whenpared to otherrge guilds. To park his car, Kang Mu-hyuk drove into the underground parking lot, which was expansive, befitting the guild''s size. However, finding a parking space was a challenge. Cars were parked haphazardly, with lines blurred. Some cars even dominated enough space to park three vehicles. All of them were imported cars, each worth hundreds of millions of won. "What a mess." Having finally found a spot and parked, he was abruptly honked at. Looking ahead, a car worthy of being called a supercar was shing its headlights at him. Kang Mu-hyuk got out of his car, shielding his eyes with his hand from the blinding light. "Aren''t you going to move? Move your car!" Kang Mu-hyuk opened his window to look at the woman shouting at him, then nced around at the parking space. "There''s an empty spot next to you." "Like I wouldn''t know that?" "Do you need help parking?" "Are you deaf? Those two spots are mine." When Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t respond and just stared at her, the woman got out of her car. Her arrogant gait, well-sculpted physique, and unique atmosphere were telltale signs. He recognized instantly that she was a Hunter. The woman stood in front of Kang Mu-hyuk, scanning him from head to toe before speaking. "You''re clearly not from the guild. Not a Hunter either. A new employee? Hmm, probably not. You seem a little too seasoned for a newbie. A mid-career recruit, perhaps? Or a guest?" "Whether I''m an employee or not, does it influence the parking situation? I don''t see any signage specifying employee-only parking." "If it''s your first time, you might not be aware. Parking spaces follow our guild''s unique rule." "Is this rule that Hunters can arbitrarily use two or three spots?" "It depends on rank. It''s the same rule at any guild. It seems you, as a non-Hunter, aren''t aware." "Rank, huh. If we''re going by that, even these two spots would be a stretch for Hunter Choi." "What did you say?!" "Choi Mi-ran, Hunter. Age 27. Rank C+. Support. Nickname is Crazy... Hmm, let''s leave that forter." "Hold on. You know me? Who are you?" "We just met, so let''s stop the personal information at that. Even though Taesung Guild is scraping the bottom, a C+ taking up two parking spots is overkill." "But, but I''m a solid C+!" "Yes, a solid C+. When you be a not-so-solid B-, let''s revisit the parking issue." "Hey, where are you going? Just... What? That brat, did he just ignore me and walk away?" The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Who did he think he was, a non-Hunter evaluating a Hunter? Her old traumas came to mind. The draft, recruitment negotiations, sry adjustments. Rank, the perpetual stumbling block during crucial moments in her hunting career. Remembering the pain of not being able to advance for a long time, a sudden bout of rage swept over her. "Good for you, I''ll show you why they call me ''crazy''." Chapter 17 - What a Mad World! Choi Mi-ran had decided to give Kang Mu-hyuk a piece of her mind. Honk honk! ¡°What now?!¡± ¡°Mi-ran, move your car.¡± ¡°I was wondering who was making a racket. Seong-hyun, was it you?¡± The foreign car parked behind Choi Mi-ran¡¯s belonged to Kim Seong-hyun, a member of her party. She decided to park first. Suddenly, fearing she might lose sight of Kang Mu-hyuk, she swiftly brought her palm to her mouth and blew. Hoo¡ª The cluster of light produced by her mana fluttered like a butterfly and flew,nding on the cor of Kang Mu-hyuk, who was about to board an elevator. ¡°Okay.¡± At that instant, Kang Mu-hyuk turned around. He nced at his cor and then looked at Choi Mi-ran. ¡®What the? Did he notice? No way. There¡¯s no chance a non-Hunter would notice that, right?¡¯ Despite feeling certain that she wouldn¡¯t be caught using her skills, Choi Mi-ran winced at Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze and avoided eye contact. Honk! Honk! ¡°Sis!¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, got it. Why are you in such a hurry?¡± Urged by Kim Seong-hyun, Choi Mi-ran avoided Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze and parked her car in the empty spot. After parking, she looked at the elevator and Kang Mu-hyuk was gone. She let out a sigh of relief without realizing. ¡®Huh? Me? Why? What was I so nervous about?¡¯ Kim Seong-hyun had parked opposite her. As he got out of the car, he started a conversation with Choi Mi-ran. ¡°Who was that guy just now? Why did you even use a tracking skill on him? He seemed like a non-Hunter.¡± ¡°I have some business with himter.¡± ¡°Did you fall for him at first sight?¡± ¡°No, not at all.¡± ¡°Do whatever you want, but don¡¯t get caught using skills on non-Hunters. I don¡¯t want to receive any more penalties. The fines are too heavy.¡± ¡°Have we had any other penalties besides being expelled? I can''t think of any.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I don¡¯t want to be kicked out. We have nowhere else to go.¡± ¡°Hey, we have connections, don''t we?¡± Despite Choi Mi-ran''s reassurance, Kim Seong-hyun shook his head. ¡°Connections are one thing, but the witch is still a witch. I¡¯m surprised our Guild Master has held her temper for so long. She''s nothing like the rumors say. It¡¯s scary, not knowing when she¡¯ll explode.¡± ¡°That''s an exaggeration. We''re all guild members now, do you think she would act like she did before?" ¡°I don¡¯t know. Do you think being a Guild Master changes a person''s nature? Haven¡¯t you heard the rumors? About her causing a scene at the yer¡¯s Guild lobby. Do you really think such a person could remain calm? She¡¯s definitely waiting for the right moment. Just wait for someone to slip up.¡± Choi Mi-ran started to recall the nicknames given to Ju Se-ah. Witch, Cmity, Killer. Abination of those ominous words. The rumors that followed were also vicious. Breaking the backbones of seventeen viins, ripping the neck of a Twin-headed Ogre¡ªunbelievable tales. The problem was that most of these rumors were true. And not a single one was an exaggeration. There were even talks of some incidents being toned down or covered up because they were too brutal. She had forgotten about these rumors since Ju Se-ah had been rtively calm since bing the Guild Master of Taesung Guild. When Kim Seong-hyun reminded her, Choi Mi-ran felt goosebumps crawl up her arms. ¡°Ah, as long as we don¡¯t get caught it¡¯s fine. He''s just a non-Hunter. My tracking skill is as stealthy as an A-rank, anyway. Unless one''s a pretty high-ranking Hunter, they wouldn''t notice it, right?¡± ¡°Is a lowly C-ranker even able topare to an A-rank?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a solid C+!¡± ''Annoying thing attached itself to me.'' As he got out of the elevator, Kang Mu-hyuk shook his cor. He couldn''t see it, but he could sense it. The traces of mana. A skill had been used. ''The act of marking someone like this usually indicates a tracking-type skill...'' He wasn''t a Hunter, but he had been around guilds for 10 years. He was tired of seeing people use skills criminally. He even had the experience of handling issues caused by his affiliated Hunters. He wasn''t sure why this had been attached to him, but the fact that a Hunter''s skill was used on a non-Hunter like him was far from pleasant. ''Should I be thankful that they didn''t use a curse skill? Still, using a skill on a non-Hunter? For arge corporate guild that survives on corporate image, there sure are a lot of crazy people.'' After developing Mana Addiction, Kang Mu-hyuk had be sensitive to mana. The aftermath of his disease allowed him to immediately notice when a Hunter had used a skill. That didn''t mean he could awaken as a Hunter or use mana. His body couldn''t ept mana. Fortunately, he did not suffer a seizure due to mana discharge as he had during the previous outbreak. Thanks to the treatment developed by his father. ''It''s not a cure, but at least it''s not affecting my body.'' Ding! -1st floor. Kang Mu-hyuk, who got off at the first floor, found the lobby information desk. After the second floor, one needed a security card or a pass. "What brings you here?" An information desk with an atmospherepletely different from thoserge corporations that boasted beautiful employees as the face of thepany. Young men, who were well-proportioned and dressed in ck suits, weed Kang Mu-hyuk. "I am Kang Mu-hyuk. The Guild Master said she had informed you in advance." "Yes. We were waiting for your arrival as we had been instructed before. To confirm your identity, please look at the camera for a face scan." It was a standard security procedure that he had not gone through during the interview because an employee had met him. It was a matter of course for a mid-sized guild orrger, but Kang Mu-hyuk was a little surprised, having had prejudice against the rootless Taesung Guild. "I was the one who changed that too." Hearing Ju Se-ah''s voice from behind, Kang Mu-hyuk turned around. The guards and the passing employees bowed their heads towards her. It was an exaggerated greeting, as if weing the CEO of arge corporation. Kang Mu-hyuk was able to get a glimpse of the rigid guild culture, something hard to find in other guilds. "It seems there''s still a lot to change." "That''s right. That''s why we hired you, Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk." "At least it''ll certainly be better than it is now." "Right, then. We have to proceed with the signing of the contract?" Just as Ju Se-ah was about to walk away, she paused and suddenly reached out towards the back of Kang Mu-hyuk''s head. With a sensation as if being shocked with static electricity, the mana mark that had clung to Kang Mu-hyuk disappeared. "What''s this? Where did you get it from? There are all kinds of annoying skills." "It''s a Hunter''s work." "You''ve been marked already? Even before joining?" "That Hunter was targeting me. My first impression of the guild was quite exciting." "Ah~ I''m sorry. I really need to turn this ce upside down, seriously." "I''ll do that for you." "What, what?" "The overturning. I''ll do it on your behalf." "..." Cold sweat trickled down Ju Se-ah''s forehead. In an instant, she had a bad premonition about how far Kang Mu-hyuk would go. ¡­ 24th floor of the Taesung Guild. Ju Se-ah spread her arms wide, weing the sunlight streaming through therge window. "This is your office, Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk. This was the previous Vice Guild Master''s ce. We had to prepare it in a hurry, so the interior is as it was, but we''ve changed all the furnishings because a new person will be joining. Right above is my office. If you need anything else, just ask the secretary outside." There wasn¡¯t anything else he needed. Kang Mu-hyuk was astonished by the appearance of the office. The spacious area and luxurious interior, filled with high-quality furniture, rivaled any Guild Master''s room he''d seen. ''I''m treated quite well. The contract conditions and sry is generous. Yet the fact that both the person rmended by Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu and the previous overseas-trained sessors all quit means the problem here wasn''t easily solvable.'' From what Kang Mu-hyuk had learned, Ma Taesu''s rmendation hadsted two months, and the overseas-trained one hadsted four months. Although the Vice Guild Master before them had a lot of experience and was a capable Hunter, the most recent one, who had studied abroad, was a talent that had attracted attention from renowned guilds in the US. Even without Vice Guild Master experience, they weren''t the kind of Hunters to fall out so quickly. "I tried to make itfortable for managing the Hunters. How is it?" "It''s nice. But I think I won''t be able to use this." Knowing Kang Mu-hyuk''s straightforward way of speaking, Ju Se-ah guessed his intentions. "We still don''t know what will happen with the guild relocation. But we have to prepare an office for now." "No, I don''t n to have my office here." "Is there something wrong with this ce?" "No, I just n to have my office on the 17th floor." "The 17th floor?" Ju Se-ah blinked in surprise. ''The 17th floor... the Strategy and Tactics Team?'' In Taesung, it was essentially a shell of a department, but it was still a core part of the guild. Kang Mu-hyuk was indicating that he would take direct control of it. "I just need a desk prepared there. I don''t need an office, I''ll use an open desk." "You''ve set a firm concept from the start. You''ve even found where to start first." "And I''m nning to move the Management Team to the 17th floor as well." "The managers, too?" "We need to manage the Hunters. We''ll start with the basics and establish a system." Management Team. A pleasant term would be managers, but more harshly, they were the Hunter wranglers. ''The most extreme job. The department with the highest rate of resignation and job change. ve team....'' Ju Se-ah immediately thought of the image of the Management Team. "I''m a Hunter too... But honestly, the majority are stubborn. You''ve seen Ma Taesu, can you handle it?" "That''s why I''m saying this because I''ve seen Ma Taesu. Now there''s no one above me except the Guild Master, right? There''s no one to consider as before, and it''s been a long time since I''ve done this kind of work, so it''ll be fun." "A long time? Have you worked as a manager before?" "That was my first department." "You endured it well." "No matter how hard guild work is, it''s nothingpared to the Gate." The diagnosis that Kang Mu-hyuk made for this mess of a guild was to start fixing the Strategy and Tactics team and the Management team first. He hadn''t disclosed these details to Ju Se-ah. Despite her pledge for full support, she was a Hunter in the end. She was in a position where she could only think about Kang Mu-hyuk''s actions from a Hunter''s perspective. Before he could even start, he couldn''t afford a break. "Alright. I''ve handed over full authority of guild operations. It''s not difficult, we''ll settle the office issue like that." "There''s one more thing to add." "I figured there was more. Tell me." "It''s about guild reform. We need to start by changing the guild''s name. Without dy." "You''re rushing in, I didn''t think you''d move this quickly. Hmm, I can''t think of anything. What should we name it?" "You don''t have to worry about that, Guild Master." "Do you have something in mind?" "No." "Then?" "We''ll hold a contest." "A contest? Surely...no, it''s not like an internal contest, right?" "We''ll ce an ad on the portal. Using the well-known name of the Taesung Group, we should be able to increase its recognition." "Wait, you''re crossing the line from the start?" At Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Ju Se-ah was taken aback. What was the guild''s name? It was the identity of the guild. Its history and tradition. The pride of the affiliated Hunters. And they were going to determine it through a contest? Leaving the affairs of the guild to the public instead of the Hunters was nothing short of disrespecting the affiliated Hunters. While the general public might not understand, the Hunters would find this so obvious that it would be even more shocking. "The guild members will definitely oppose this. Besides, using the parentpany''s name and attaching a totally unrted name as the guild''s name will cause a huge fuss." ''I can imagine them foaming at the mouth. Oh? This sounds enticing.'' Suddenly, Ju Se-ah thought of her siblings, who were frustrated at not being able to devour her. Somehow, she felt that it would be fine. "If you''re surprised at this, it''s going to be difficult. There''s a mountain of things that require change." "You have the knack for speaking calmly about matters that would cause a huge stir if people found out. How do you n to handle all this?" "Weren''t you prepared for this when you epted my proposal, Guild Master? Compared to the content of our contract, this is minor." "Ugh, right. That was left." Recalling the contract, Ju Se-ah groaned. The real problem was something else. She was still conflicted about whether to carry out the contract as it was. "And finally, please gather the guild members in the auditorium after lunch." "Why? Are you giving an inaugural speech?" "I have to. Formality is important. It will be easier to work in the future if they clearly know the position I hold in this guild along with my face and name." "Huh?" "Why are you looking at me like that?" "It''s because you, who live a life of breaking conventions, are talking about formality. It seems out of character." "To break a convention, you first need to know how to form one. I am someone who has seen the inner workings of a guild through and through, and I think that the parts I don''t like should be changed. I didn''t have the authority before, but since it''s given to me now, I n to properly break it." Kang Mu-hyuk spoke casually as if he didn''t care, but Ju Se-ah could read his determination. Caught off guard by his demeanor, she murmured to herself, "He hasn''t changed much, has he?" "Did you say something?" "No, just talking to myself." Ju Se-ah took a deep breath, attempting to steady herself. Throughout the process of reaching an agreement with Kang Mu-Hyuk, she had been somewhat unprepared. She was worried about the storm of reactions that would follow after announcing his appointment. But, she decided it was time to stop looking back. "Mr. Kang Mu-Hyuk, no, I suppose it''s time we maintain proper formality. I should call you by your official title as written in the contract." Ju Se-ah extended her hand. "Let''s do our best moving forward, Leader Kang Mu-Hyuk." Kang Mu-Hyuk stared at her outstretched hand for a moment before shaking it. "I look forward to working with you, Guild Master Ju Se-ah." ¡­ "Why are we being summoned so suddenly?" "I don''t know. You said you were going to find that man earlier." "I have no idea. My skill was cut off. The car is still in the parking lot. He must be an outside contractor attending a meeting in some department. I can''t find him anywhere." Guild members filled the auditorium, which upied an entire floor. The number of affiliated Hunters was less than half, but the general staff alone filled half the space. Choi Mi-ran, who thought she was part of a leisurely guild, was surprised at the number of affiliated guild members. -Ah, ah! Mic test. Hu-huk! As Ju Se-ah climbed up onto the stage and picked up the microphone, the previously bustling auditorium suddenly fell quiet. Although she hadn''t fully won over the guild, the charisma that Ju Se-ah herself possessed was something no one within the guild could ignore. "Eh? That guy! That one, that one......!" Choi Mi-ran pointed at the man who followed Ju Se-ah onto the stage. The man was standing behind Ju Se-ah, with his arms crossed, looking down at the guild members. "Who is he? That man?" "Huh. It''s the guy from the parking lot¡­ Why is he here?" Without hesitation, Ju Se-ah cut to the chase. ¡°Today, I called you all here to introduce a new member of the Taesung Guild. He will introduce himself now.¡± The guild members began murmuring at the introduction of a new member. If the Guild Master was introducing him personally, it was clear. The vacant Vice Guild Master position. What was strange, however, was that unlike before, the position had been filled without any prior rumors. Ju Se-ah handed the microphone to the man. The man leisurely stepped forward, looked around, and slowly brought the microphone to his lips. His movement was so leisurely it was frustrating. The guild members had their mouths shut and looked up at the man. The auditorium was as quiet as a muted TV. Everyone was focused on the man to an unusual degree. ¡°Hello. I am Kang Mu-Hyuk, the new Leader of the Taesung Guild.¡± It was a normal greeting. However, that single sentence caused all the guild members to stir. The calm wave had suddenly turned into a tsunami. The uproar was such that Kang Mu-Hyuk couldn''t continue speaking. Choi Mi-ran was also greatly excited, her eyes as wide asmps, and she grabbed the cor of Kim Seong-hyun, who was next to her. "Leader? Not Vice Guild Master, but Leader? He just said Leader, right?" "Cough! Cough! Sister, let go of this......." "Is that the issue right now? He said Leader, didn''t he? Isn''t he mistaken? Is he really the Leader?!" "Ye-yes. Cough. He said Leader." "This, this is crazy!" Chapter 18 - Isnt this Negligence? Kang Mu-hyuk waited for the uproar to die down before opening his mouth. "I suppose many of you here have a negative perception of the role of the guild leader due to past issues. During the Hunter training period and even in the Guild test references, it is mentioned as a representative case of guild management failure. I have no intention of denying that. The previous guild leadership was indeed a mess." There was no ttery in Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice. He did not seek understanding or agreement. He simply expressed his thoughts objectively. "However, to conclude in advance that we will fail again because we failed back then, I don''t believe that''s the attitude of a guild member who should always consider every possibility." "In fact, you must be well aware that there are numerous cases where previously failed strategiester be sessful. Just like those cases, I will prove the effectiveness of the guild leader system through the oue." Kang Mu-hyuk paused for a moment and nced briefly at his audience. Their expressions wavered. Those who couldn''tprehend the situation turned to others around them and local broadcasts, murmuring amongst themselves. Kang Mu-hyuk waited for his words to register in their minds before speaking again. "There will be many changes. I understand that some of you may not like these changes. I won''t abandon those who can''t keep up. However, I can''t work with those who refuse to keep up. As the guild leader exercising the guild''s authority, I will decisively exclude such members." "I look forward to working with you all." Kang Mu-hyuk bowed, but no apuse followed. Neither did Ju Se-ah try to prompt apuse. She took the microphone passed to her by Kang Mu-hyuk and said, "Disperse. Go and do your work." The top two guild members left the hall, but the rest of the guild members remained, unable to leave their seats. They were stunned by what had just happened. The role of a guild leader, something they had only heard of, felt unfamiliar, especially with the added promation. And the guild master had approved of it. Everyone could feel it. Something about this time felt different. A whileter, the shock of the inauguration ceremony gradually faded. Should they really call this an inauguration ceremony? It felt as if a storm had just passed. Before that feeling had fully dissipated, the guild members started gathering and exchanging opinions. "Wow, how did they form such a clique? Both the guild master and the leader are stirring up trouble." "Hey, when was thest time we had a guild leader? I can''t remember, it''s been too long. Does anyone know the extent of a guild leader''s authority?" "Team Leader, what are we supposed to tell the PR team about this? Should we release a statement? Non-Hunter guild leader... If we release this, other guilds will swoop in." "So, who are they nning to cut? Wow, this is crazy. What are they going to do if the group headquarters find out?" Until now, no one knew. The storm hadn''t even begun yet. ¡­ "What is all this?" Upon returning to the office, the Strategy and Tactics Team members asked the bustling operations team. However, the answer arrived from behind them. "I''m nning to ce my desk here." He was the new guild leader they had just seen in the auditorium a moment ago. "Um, excuse me, sir... there''s a separate break room on the 24th floor..." One of the team members cautiously broke the silence. Kang Mu-hyuk looked at him and nodded. "I know. But I think this ce might be better. And the management team will be moving up here." "What?" All the Strategy and Tactics Team members cried out in what sounded like disbelief. The ce Kang Mu-hyuk pointed to was the Strategy and Tactics Team''s break room. It was a privilege for the Strategy and Tactics Team alone, a break room separate from other offices. A sunny window, soft sofas, free coffee beans, various snacks, and even a game console had all been provided. It was only natural to be shocked at the removal of such a paradise. ''Please do something about this, boss.'' "Boss..." With desperate eyes and a feeble voice, as if ants were crawling on them, the team members sought their team leader. Cho Chung-hyun, the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader who was at the very back, had no choice but to step forward, buoyed by the earnest appeals of his team members. "Mr. Kang, please leave the break room as it is." "Why should I do that? There''s a coffee room for that, and as far as I know, there''s a public break room on the 10th floor." "The burden the Strategy and Tactics Team bears is different from other departments. That''s why we always need adequate rest. A slight misjudgment due to fatigue could result in a hunter''s death." At Cho Chung-hyun''s response, Kang Mu-hyuk furrowed his brow. "I know what the Strategy and Tactics Team is like." "No, you don''t. That''s why you''re so quick to get rid of the break room..." "But." "..." "Isn''t it negligence to im privileges using the burden you''re given as an excuse?" "Huh? Negligence?" "Yes. Negligence. A guild is also an organization. It''s negligence when you prioritize your own privileges over work when your task within the organization is tough. What else would you call it?" "Your choice of words is a bit harsh. If someone hears, they might think we''re here to fight." Cho Chung-hyun snorted as if he found the whole thing ridiculous. ''Cho Chung-hyun. B-rank. 14 years as a Tank. Retired from active duty due to declining skills. Changed to the position of Strategy and Tactics Team leader.'' Kang Mu-hyuk recalled the Strategy and Tactics Team leader''s history. He was disregarding Kang Mu-hyuk simply because he was a non-Hunter. Even so. Starting a quarrel over such a simple matter as rearranging the office... Kang Mu-hyuk felt a deep displeasure at the quarrel from the get-go and retorted. "I saw it on the inte. These days, kids often use the term ''fact bomb''. When people get hit by a ''fact bomb,¡¯ they think you''re starting a fight. Out of a guilty conscience. Or maybe they feel embarrassed. If you thought I was trying to start a fight, your initial interpretation of my actions would depend on your perspective, wouldn''t it?" "Huh? Our boss, you sure have a sharp tongue." "It can be sweet sometimes too. To taste that, you''ll have to stick with me for a while." Cho Chung-hyun felt he was being pushed back. The issue of the break room was just a trivial matter to pick a fight over. He had put on a show of being outraged, using the team members'' requests as an excuse, as his territory was being invaded quietly. But he couldn''t even regain what he''d lost. If he pushed any further, he was perfectly fit to look like a fool. ''Did they pick him because of his way with words? If I half-heartedly confront him, I might end up getting caught unnecessarily.'' Even while engaging in guild politics, it was crucial not to force issues. Within the guild itself, there were several Hunters stronger than Cho Chung-hyun himself. To counter them, he needed a valid justification. That was the know-how Cho Chung-hyun had used to maintain his position as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. He decided to take a step back. "Understood. Well, I don''t know why you''re bringing the managing team, but if our new leader is eager to take some initiative, I should help." "Thank you. Hearing this from the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader, I feel encouraged." "But let me rify. Even if I go along, don''t expect the other Team Leaders to be as gentlemanly as me. If you push too hard, there will only be embarrassment. Your job will be more difficult." "Thank you for the advice. I''ll take it to heart." When Kang Mu-hyuk turned his back, the team members who had been holding their breath between the two titans finally exhaled. They were just trying to guard the break room, but suddenly, the atmosphere had shifted. ''What just happened?'' ''Has the power struggle already begun?'' ''The previous Vice Guild Master smiled and greeted us on the first day, right? This Vice Guild Master... or should I say, Leader, seems pretty intense.'' "Ah? And also..." Kang Mu-hyuk turned back towards the Strategy and Tactics Team, who were exchanging nces. "Prepare for the meeting. I will review the guild''s capabilities before we set up. Evaluating Hunter stats, tactical evaluations, operational areas for the past three years, raid strategy ns... Let''s start with those. I''ll see you in an hour." The team members scrambled in panic as soon as Kang Mu-hyuk vacated his seat. "What the hell? We have to look at all that?" "Did we even organize the data?" "The tactical evaluations haven''t even been updated. We would''ve needed a proper raid for that." As the team members floundered, Cho Chung-hyun exploded. "The Leader said prepare for the meeting! How long will you dawdle? If there''s nothing, prepare what you can!" At Cho Chung-hyun''s outburst, the team members sprang into action. Cho Chung-hyun left the buzzing office and exited via the emergency stairs. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it up just before the me reached the filter, and then picked up his smartphone. "Executive Secretary, this is the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. I called because I have something important to discuss." ¡­ The Strategy and Tactics Team, excluding the Team Leader Cho Chung-hyun, nervously watched Kang Mu-hyuk''s movements. Embarrassing documents were piled on the desk. There were many missing documents, and most of them were unorganized. Even with almost two hours, they could barely prepare in time, indicating theirck of regr organization. There was no room to refute Kang Mu-hyuk''s usation of negligence in their work. The team members rolled their eyes, pretending to go over the documents together. After quietly sitting for an hour reviewing various documents, Kang Mu-hyuk sorted the report he was reading and opened his mouth. "The stats records are inconsistent. How often do you perform physical scans on the Hunters, Team Leader?" "Once a year." "Don''t you usually divide it into two halves of the year for a minimum of twice? In the case of new Hunters, it''s done quarterly." "That''s a process that is usually done by at least mid-sized guilds." "Though Taesung might not be at the level of a middle-ranking guild in terms of skill, I believe it is certainly not less in terms of scale. Am I mistaken?" "Well, it''s a bit awkward to say this, but our Hunters'' qualities aren''t up to par. Their growth is slow, the cultivation sector is ineffective, and those Hunters we''ve managed to raise well often transfer to other guilds. This has rendered our cultivation system pointless." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded to indicate he understood. Understanding, however, didn''t mean the problem could be easily brushed aside. He wanted to overhaul the issue immediately, but he was still in the process of understanding the structure for redesign. If he acted recklessly, it could result in a disastrous mess. Disying patience, Kang Mu-hyuk asked the next question, "Alright, I understand that part. Then why weren''t the veterans scanned?" "The veterans¡­ Well, they have their reasons." Although it was an unconvincing reason even without personal sentiments, Kang Mu-hyuk scanned the list of Hunters ssified as veterans and quickly grasped the situation. "This is odd. The average age of the Hunters is 29.7 years, which is supposed to be their prime. But it seems like we''re missing the middle-aged Hunters. They''re either in their early twenties or in their mid-tote thirties." "..." "Could the decline in skill be the reason?" "We can''t strictly see it that way. Veterans have their own assets. Only when there''s a drastic difference in stats can youth ovee experience." "I understand that. Not all Hunters lose their skills as they age. There are many who are still active on the field in their 40s and even 50s. However, that''s only possible with constant self-management, non-stop training, and regrbat. How many people from the guild are actively Hunting now?" At Kang Mu-hyuk''s rebuke, no one could utter a word. There were hardly any people who could confidently respond to his question. Kang Mu-hyuk threw a thin booklet onto the middle of the conference table. "The document that should be the thickest here is the thinnest. The same goes for the raid ns. Whether the reporting system has copsed, or documents have been lost, or if there''s an issue with the hunting schedule itself, you all would know better. But this is uneptable. Isn''t it embarrassing toin about the break room in a situation like this?" Chapter 19 - That Does Pique My Interest Chapter 19 That Does Pique My Interest While Kang Mu-hyuk was getting a grasp of the guild, Ju Se-ah was deeply immersed in thought, sitting with her arms crossed in the Guild Master''s office. Knock, knock! "Come in." "Did you call for me?" Jang Deuk-goo had entered in response to Ju Se-ah''s summon. "How is he doing? Guild Leader Kang." "He''s understanding our internal situation first. He''s said to be attending a meeting with the Strategy and Tactics Team." "What is there to understand? He''s already read everything through the documents sent by email." "That''s a necessary process. It''s for them to understand what they already know." "Do we have guild members who don''t know our issues?" "It''s about sharing the problem. To solve it, we need to rify exactly which context we should focus on. The first step to solving any problem is to know it ourselves." "How can someone who''s been working in the field all his life like you know all that?" "I''ve been around for many years in this business. I¡¯m quick-witted." Ju Se-ah gave Jang Deuk-goo a piercing look, which made him ufortable. "Did you ask me something? Why are you looking at me like that?" "You should have been the Guild Master." "That''s impossible. Being quick-witted and fighting with it are entirely different issues." "Come on, I think you would do well if you tried." "I could ''do well'' if I had to, but being a Guild Master isn''t about ''doing well''." "Ugh! Straight to the point... Sometimes, you seem just like Kang." "I don''t think I''m that kind of person. If I were like Guild Leader Kang, I wouldn''t be here with the Guild Master now." "I didn''t say you''re loveless. You two just seem a bit simr." "I''d prefer not to be assessed that way." Jang Deuk-goo strongly denied herparison with his hands up. Ju Se-ah mumbled, "I''m serious," before returning to the main topic. "So, what do you think? Will Guild Leader Kang be able to control those three fools?" "Three fools? Ah... That''s not incorrect, but it''s a bit too frank. I''m not sure. Even if they''re fools, they''re all veterans deeply ingrained within the guild. They won''t surrender easily." "But, without breaking those three lines, we can''t normalize the guild, right?" "We''ll have to leave that to Guild Leader Kang. We should focus on supporting his n to the best of our abilities. I heard you also received a task?" "Oh, that task... Sigh. I might have to meet someone I don''t want to see." Ju Se-ah shivered, twisting her body in difort at the thought alone. Then, she said as if it was only fair, "But, what about this? Hunter Jang also has a task now." "I haven''t heard of it." "That''s why I''m telling you now. It''s a special mission from me." "Can I refuse?" "Of course not. You know what I''m going to say, right? Refusal means rejection." Ju Se-ah smirked at the reluctant Jang Deuk-goo. "For the time being, please keep an eye on Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." "Keep an eye?" "Who knows what he might do next?" ¡ª--- It was time to go home, yet nobody from the Strategy and Tactics Team dared to move from their seats. They were glued to their desks, much like Kang Mu-hyuk appeared to be glued to his. The only sound that filled the office was the relentless ttering of keys under his fingertips. It echoed more loudly because the seats of the management team, still in the process of transferring departments, were utterly vacant. "Why is everyone still here? You should go home." At some point, the sound of typing had stopped. Like a meerkat poking its head over a partition, Kang Mu-hyuk looked around, addressing the room. The employees hummed and hawed. ''Does he really mean we can go home?'' ''Aren''t we just going to get scolded if we leave without consideration?'' The Strategy and Tactics Team, already guilty of presenting substandard data, was speechless. Having achieved the dubious honor of ''Triple Crown'' for iplete documentation, omissions, andck of nning in one of the guild''s core departments, they were left with nothing to say. They had been blindsided by the whirlwind arrival of their new Guild Leader and were left fumbling, overly conscious of his reactions. They wondered if they should workte to improve the inadequate data. "Didn''t you hear what the Guild Leader said? Let''s call it a day." While they wrestled with indecision, Team Leader Cho Chung-hyun stepped forward and decisively resolved their dilemma. While it may have seemed like he was dutifully following the leader''s orders, his tone and expression were tinged with irony. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t let Cho Chung-hyun''s attitude bother him and added more, "If there''s nothing left to do, you should go home. You can''t be tired when it really matters." The employees then got a slight sense of the kind of person Kang Mu-hyuk was. ''He''s the one to hold a grudge.'' He was still harping about the break room issue that had already been resolved. Not daring to retort, they were embarrassed each time the matter was brought up, and that was just the icing on the cake. The employees left the office one by one, looking at each other for cues. Thest one left was Cho Chung-hyun. Once the office was empty, Cho Chung-hyun also rose from his seat and picked up his jacket. "Will you stay longer in the office?" "There are still documents I haven''t reviewed, and a few things I need to handle. Don''t worry about me, just go home." "Alright then." After Cho Chung-hyun, who gave a small nod, left and a significant time had passed, Kang Mu-hyuk checked the time and stopped working. The clock hands were nearing ten. Having assessed the guild''s state on his first day, he considered the long marathon ahead and decided to wrap up his work and go home. It was when he was walking towards his car, the only one left in the underground parking lot. Clip-clop. The unusually loud sound of suit shoes echoed rhythmically. When he turned his head, he saw a man in a ck suit. "You''re Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, correct?" "Yes, I am." "Could you spare a moment?" His words were polite, but Kang Mu-hyuk noticed the underlying assertive attitude. "Sure." When Kang Mu-hyuk agreed without even asking where the man hade from and began to follow him, it was the man who looked flustered. He quickly regained hisposure and continued speaking. "We will escort you in our vehicle." The man guided Kang Mu-hyuk into the back seat of a luxurious,rge sedan. Their destination was a room in an entertainment district. It was a room equipped with soundproofing for secretive conversations, rather than entertainment. "You may go in." The man pointed to the interior of the room as he opened the door. Kang Mu-hyuk entered the room without hesitation. Though the room was ndestine, it was a spacious space that wasn''t stifling. In the center, arge circr table surrounded by luxury sofas were arranged. Across from the table, a middle-aged man was indulging in whisky. Only after the room''s door closed did the man, sensing the presence of a neer, look at Kang Mu-hyuk. He gave a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, gesturing towards a seat on his right. "Don''t just stand there. Please, have a seat, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." Loosening his suit button, Kang Mu-hyuk wordlessly went to the spot the man had indicated and sat down. "Have a drink first." epting the offered ss, Kang Mu-hyuk filled it with the served liquor, then put it back on the table. "You seem rather suspicious. Usually, the first drink is taken in one shot. It''s a good drink. Nothing is mixed in." "I don''t enjoy drinking." "You don''t know the fun of life." "I didn''te here to find fun." As Kang Mu-hyuk cut him off sharply, the man''s face lost its humor. His mouth was still smiling, but his eyes were not. "You don''t ask who I am?" "I didn''t know when I wasing here. But now, I do." "And who am I?" "Vice President of Strategic nning at Taesung Group, Tae Soo-man. The second son of Chairman Tae Jinsung." "You seem to have studied a lot before joining our guild. It really is different as they say, you were a Strategy and Tactics Team leader at a top-rank guild like Titan. You¡¯ve got the basics down." Tae Soo-man gave a heartyugh and patted Kang Mu-hyuk on the shoulder. Brushing off Tae Soo-man''s hand from his shoulder, Kang Mu-hyuk adjusted his cor and replied. "It''s not the basics, just understanding." "Understanding? Of what?" "Who woulde looking for me first? I didn''t know that. At the very least, I thought I should recognize faces, so I looked up some pictures in the news." Tae Soo-man''s eyes widened, then he whistled. "You mean, you knew I''d be the one to call?" "Yes. But, you were faster than I thought. It seems Team Leader Cho Chung-hyun holds you in high regard." "You really did your homework, knowing that Team Leader Jo is on my side." "Well, the important thing is not the ''side,'' is it? What do you want? I''d also like to know what I''m supposed to receive." "Oh, Guild Leader Kang. You''re quite outspoken. I like that." Tae Soo-man pped his knee inughter before diving straight into the main topic. "There''s nothing special. Just be friendly with me. And with Team Leader Cho, of course." "If we be friends. Whates next?" "You''re a Guild Leader now. What do you think wille next?" "Are you suggesting the position of Guild Master?" "The first and only non-Hunter, who even served as a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. Why not be the first non-Hunter Guild Master?" The corners of Kang Mu-hyuk''s normally stoic mouth hinted at a faint smile. He picked up the ss of liquor that had been sitting on the table, drained it in one gulp, and set it back down with a pleasant clink. "That''s a rather appealing proposition. Do tell me more." ¡ª--- "Damn it, why do I have to follow him around?" "Why am I stuck tailing him with you, sis?" Choi Mi-ran and Kim Seong-hyun were loitering in an alleyway across from a secretive club in the entertainment district. They had followed Kang Mu-hyuk here but were unable to enter the exclusive club, which only epted VIPs by reservation, leaving them with no option but to stake out the front of the building. "It''s all your fault, sis." "What did I do?" "When you acted like you knew the Guild Leader in front of the Expedition Team Leader, he told us to follow him." "Don''t people watch TV? At least they must have heard his name. I had a hunch, so when I heard the name Kang Mu-hyuk, I searched it online, and there it was. You were shocked when you saw the news, and tried to butt in, only to get caught. Now you''re dragged into this because of your own doing, yet you''re ming me?" At a loss for words, Kim Seong-hyun changed the subject. "But it''s really surprising. Who would have thought that our Guild Leader was the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of Titan Guild? That''s the hottest guildtely, isn''t it? Rank A! There''s even talk that it could be a Tier-ed Guild within a few years. If someone who was a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader in such a ce bes our guild''s Guild Leader... Can''t we get our hopes up a bit?" "Gosh, you naive fool. Do you think that''s possible?" Choi Mi-ran''s rebuttal irked Kim Seong-hyun, making him grumble. "What''s not possible about it?" "Look at the situation. He seized control of the Strategy and Tactics Team from the very first day, relying on the Guild Master''s backing. But do you think Team Leader Cho Chung-hyun is an easy opponent? He''s got the backing of the headquarters. Our Expedition Team Leader also chose a different line. There''s a reason the Team Leader told us to tail him. Look. On his very first day, some suspicious person called him over. What do you think that means?" "What does it mean?" "It means the war has already begun. With a ''rolled stone'' joining the mix, do you think the Guild Leader can hold his ground? Even the previous Vice Guild Master, who was a Hunter, was stripped of his position." "Well, that''s true. But still, he''s from Titan..." An exasperated Choi Mi-ran interrupted, "What''s the big deal about Titan?" "It''s a big deal." "Shut it! Just, don''t interrupt. What can a non-Hunter do as a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader? It''s just that the Hunters there are skilled, that''s why things are going well. I think even our Guild Master tried various things but when they didn''t work, she probably thought ''whatever happens, happens'' and brought him in." "I don''t think that''s quite¨D Huh!" "What are you¨D Hmph!" Kim Seong-hyun, tilting his head in puzzlement, cut off his own words. He stopped the puzzled Choi Mi-ran from asking what was happening, grabbed her, and dragged her into the shadows of the alley where the light didn''t reach. Feeling that something unusual was happening, Choi Mi-ran whispered. ''What''s going on?'' ''Look over there, that person.'' ''Who?'' Kim Seong-hyun pointed to a dimly lit corner. As Choi Mi-ran used a skill to enhance her vision, she scrutinized the area. ''Well, speak of the devil. The ¡®rolled stone¡¯ is already on the move.'' Chapter 20 - The situation was overwhelming Chapter 20 The situation was overwhelming "So, what you''re saying, Mr. Tae Soo-man, is that you desire the downfall of Guild Leader Ju Se-ah?" "The Guild Master made a promise with the Chairman. If things weren''t back to normal in six months, she would have to step down from the guild." A promise with the Chairman? ''I hadn''t heard about this.'' Despite the guild being a subsidiary of the group, its size wasn''t significant enough to warrant much concern from a conglomerate like Taesung. The fact that the Chairman had directly mentioned it, could there be some twists and turns he wasn¡¯t aware about? Perhaps influenced by the alcohol, Tae Soo-man spoke with a flush creeping over his face. "Guild Master Ju Se-ah is the chairman''s daughter. My younger half-sister." Kang Mu-hyuk almost broke his poker face. ''This is a headache. Normally when a guild gets involved with blood rtions, things go downhill...'' It was unwee news. On the outside, he epted it calmly, but he was ufortable inside. "It''s strange, isn''t it? It doesn''t seem like you''re very curious, Guild Leader Kang." "What do you mean? About the Guild Master?" "Yes. Usually, the secrets of a chaebol''s offspring are as exciting as drama plots, aren''t they? But you don''t seem particrly interested. You don''t ask more. It''s as if you already knew." "Who Guild Master Ju Se-ah''s parents are doesn''t really matter when ites to killing monsters." Tae Soo-man nodded in agreement. Just as he had heard, the man seemed to have little interest in anything other than hunting. The only time he could catch Kang Mu-hyuk''s attention was when there were more monsters to kill. ''There''s no sweeter reward than the position of Guild Master for that purpose.'' Tae Soo-man filled Kang Mu-hyuk''s empty ss as he spoke. "Please report Guild Master Ju Se-ah''s actions to me while you''re executing your duties as the Guild Leader." Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind started to whirl rapidly. His sharp gaze scrutinized Tae Soo-man. Was it simply because he didn''t like his half-sister? His eyes viewed Ju Se-ah as a foe. Not just the chairman''s child, but a potential sessor. Their struggle was a typical chaebol fight, determining who would inherit the massive castle of Taesung. A n quickly formted in his mind. "If you''re going to use me, using me to simply track the Guild Master''s schedule is a waste. If you''re going to use me, you should do so properly." "What do you mean?" "If we''re going to do this, why not do it thoroughly? Not just pushing her out of the guild, but also pushing her out of the chairman''s favor." As Kang Mu-hyuk proposed his counteroffer, Tae Soo-man leaned forward as if he had tasted something appealing. "Do you have a good n?" "Guild Master Ju Se-ah is wless as a Hunter. She could have easily managed the duties of a Guild Master if she''d had even a little help. She has the capability and charisma." "So?" Tae Soo-man seemed slightly irritated as Kang Mu-hyuk suddenly started praising his younger sister, who was considerably younger than him. Kang Mu-hyuk had deliberately praised her to provoke him, but he seemed to not realize it. "Chairman Tae Jin-sung of the Taesung Group is still actively involved. He''ll likely keep a close eye on the group''s internal affairs. He''ll know if there''s any interference within the guild." "Get to the point. Quickly." "But the condition to normalize a guild that''s been left alone for over ten years in just six months, without any help, it doesn''t make sense. It almost seems like the Chairman hopes for failure. Could he be hoping to take care of Guild Master Ju Se-ah more than the guild itself... As there are rewards for sess, failurees with a price to pay. Is the Guild Master nning to move to the main office if she can''t normalize it?" Tae Soo-man felt a hot flush rise within him. Indeed, there had been hints of adding her to the family register formally if she failed. The decision to move her to the main office was as good as a direct dismissal. No, it was an even more dangerous oue. The question was, what was his father''s intention? Was it simply topensate for a daughter he hadn''t been able to raise in his arms? ''There''s no way my father would do that.'' In his 70s, he was a vigorous man. Under this man, there were four sons who had grown to be sessful and three daughters. Including Ju Se-ah, there were eight children. The Chairman was so aplished that if things continued this way, the eldest son wouldn''t be able to take the chairman''s seat and would die of old age. At this point, he had brought the youngest daughter, who had risen to the top of the Hunter industry, into the family. And then he suddenly handed her the guild. It felt more like a test than simply giving her a position. The sons and daughters who grew up watching their father had a vague idea of what this meant. They thought the session battle they thought was over had started again. It was natural for the defeated ones who had bowed to the eldest son to rekindle their ambition. ''But this guy gets right to the core. Did he know about our family situation beforehand? Regardless, he''s convenient to work with... But somewhat ufortable.'' Even amidst the chaos in Tae Soo-man''s head, Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking. "It''s only been a day since I took office, but do you know what surprised me when I came to this guild?" "I wonder." "It was surprisingly clean." "Clean?" "Lack of Hunter skills, subpar performance, factional strife. If you remove these minor issues and only look at the numbers written on the financial statement, this guild has no problem." "Well, the guild hasn''t done much..." "It''s strange that a guild that couldn''t properly secure a single gate is maintaining this size without debt. Unless someone is intervening at a reasonable level." "Are you implying that someone is the Chairman?" "A guild that does nothing. Why has the Chairman kept such a guild so far? At first, I suspected it was to create a slush fund. But there were no signs of that. The Guild Master seemed to not care about that aspect either. I''m not sure if she has a trusting side, or simply no interest." Upon hearing this, Tae Soo-man found it strange too. It was also a part that he had briefly doubted before. Why on earth was his father maintaining such a useless guild? He was a man who lived by the motto, if you can''t be the best, then bravely throw it away. But this didn''t apply to the Taesung Guild. The doubts he had dismissed before were resurfacing again. "Going back to the beginning. Why do you think the Chairman turned a blind eye even though he knew about the interference from his other children?" "Well..." He was at a loss for words. "Could it be that the other siblings, including Chief Tae Soo-man, tied up Guild Leader Ju Se-ah''s hands and feet, preventing her from doing anything, and in turn, kept her from gaining any sort of ws? Maybe that''s what the Chairman wanted." He wasn''t certain in his assertion. Even for Kang Mu-hyuk, conclusions derived from insufficient information amounted to mere spection. However, the truth wasn''t the important part. The problem was how Tae Soo-man would react. His face was grave, yet it bore an expression that struggled to grasp the situation. His visage was filled with doubt and suspicion. Kang Mu-hyuk drove his point home. "Just to remind you. Guild Master Ju Se-ah first awakened as a Hunter in middle school. It''s a well-known story; you should be aware. She promptly joined the yer Guild right afterward, bing the youngest active Hunter. And the establishment of the Taesung Guild followed the next fall, counseled by the yer Guild." "!!" "Just something to bear in mind." This was tangential information he had gathered when researching the Taesung Guild, but he hadn''t expected to use it this way. ''It may not have any connection.'' The truth wasn''t the crucial part. It didn''t matter what happened. As long as he could nt a seed of unease in Tae Soo-man''s mind. As long as he could reap what could be reaped from that. ''That''s enough.'' Wasn''t that just how humans were? They saw only what they wanted to see. And they believed that what they saw was everything. ''I wonder how Tae Soo-man views the Guild Master now.'' A half-sibling? A rival? An enemy? "The condition initially set by the Chairman might have meant that it''s okay to do nothing at all." "And what does that mean? What can Guild Leader Kang do about it?" Tae Soo-man asked, his face flushed with rising anger. Kang Mu-hyuk replied with a smile, "That means we need to let her do anything from now on. And then, we need to ensure her failure." ¡ª--- As Kang Mu-hyuk stepped out of the room, the man who first guided him was waiting. "I''ll take you back." His tone was more polite this time. It was the treatment he received for ending things on good terms with Tae Soo-man. ''I wonder how it would have turned out if it had fallen through?'' Even if it wasn''t as explicit as Ma Taesik''s hostility and show of power, there would have been at least some resistance. He put the useless thoughts away as he declined the offer politely. "I''ll walk. I have some thoughts to sort out." He was going to find a nearby bus stop to walk to when a man came out from a narrow alley and blocked his path. Kang Mu-hyuk recognized the man''s face in the light. "You all seem busy from the first day." "Judging by yourck of surprise, it seems like you already know who I am." "I know the faces of not just Hunter Lee Gi-young but all the Hunters in the guild." Kang Mu-hyuk remembered what he knew about Lee Gi-young. ''A Hunter with a not so good reputation.'' The guild''s power was divided into three major factions. The faction of the Taesung Group, which was directly managed by the headquarters. The Expedition Team faction, which had been the mainstay of the original guild. And the Assault Team faction, which the former Guild Masters had brought in to control the guild. Moreover, lines were divided within each faction as well, presenting aplicated picture. Several parties dered neutrality, and some factions that followed Ju Se-ah also existed. Among these, Lee Gi-young belonged to the ''rolled stone'' faction, which was the Assault Team. ''Hunters haphazardly put into positions by the historically weak Guild Masters to bolster their own power.'' Hence, it had be a motley crew. Even a Hunter from ''Ujungdo,'' a prison exclusive for Hunters, had managed to find a ce in Taesung Guild. Lee Gi-young was precisely that Hunter, one who served time in Ujungdo. ¡°There¡¯s no need for lengthy exnations if you already know. Please follow me. I have something important to discuss.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s something to discuss, we can do so at the guild tomorrow. It¡¯ste.¡± ¡°Are you unwilling to talk with us?¡± ¡°I''m saying let''s set up a separate meeting. I n to meet all the guild''s departments, so there¡¯s no rush.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure you understood what I was saying. I have a private matter to discuss.¡± ¡°Hey, Lee Gi-young! The Guild Leader just said he¡¯s not interested!¡± Before Kang Mu-hyuk could restate his refusal, Choi Mi-ran intervened. She had been instructed to tail him secretly, but upon spotting Lee Gi-young, she had received anothermand to intervene. ¡°I thought I sensed something off, so it was you guys?¡± ¡°Hey, that¡¯s some harsh words, don¡¯t you think?¡± Kim Seong-hyun scowled. Lee Gi-young scoffed and replied, ¡°You guys must be misunderstanding because I¡¯ve left you alone. It¡¯s because we''re in the same guild. Normally, you wouldn¡¯t even be worth my attention.¡± ¡°What are you bragging about? You¡¯re just a B-rank like us!¡± ¡°My goodness, do you kids not even know how to fight properly? Do you think everyone at the same rank is the same?¡± Attempting to reply naturally, Lee Gi-young was ready to disy his prowess. However, just as he was about to burst forth. He paused at the sight of a palm obstructing his path. ''Damn, I was about to use the leaping skill...'' His breath was disrupted. It was nothing more than a gesture, but he stopped without even realizing it. Kang Mu-hyuk, having stopped him, removed his hand and spoke. ¡°What are you doing in front of the Guild Leader?¡± ¡°Ah, no, that wasn¡¯t¡­ It was just a minor disagreement, Guild Leader.¡± Choi Mi-ran, who was oblivious to Lee Gi-young''s prior intent to attack, scratched her head whileughing cheerfully. Her mission was to prevent the rolled stone from having private contact with the Guild Leader. This was a sess. However, Kim Seong-hyun, who was standing beside her, was breaking out in a cold sweat. ¡®That guy was about to strike, wasn¡¯t he?¡¯ If Kang Mu-hyuk hadn¡¯t perfectly blocked it in time, an attack would have ensued. While the lower-ranked Choi Mi-ran hadn¡¯t noticed, Kim Seong-hyun, nominally of the same rank, was prepared to counterattack. ¡°Anyway, if the weaklings could leave¡­ So, Guild Leader, will youe with me or not?¡± As Lee Gi-young emitted a menacing aura, Kang Mu-hyuk crossed his arms and tilted his head. ¡°Hmm, why don¡¯t you discuss that with someone else?¡± ¡°Someone else?¡± ¡°Kindly clean up here after you¡¯ve had enough of your spectacle.¡± ¡°What kind of scheme are you pulling¡­¡± Lee Gi-young¡¯s hand, which was reaching out to grab Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s shoulder, stopped in midair, unable to extend any further. A shadow had quietly appeared beside him. His body froze in response to the overwhelming presence. ¡°It¡¯s touching to see people who don¡¯t usually do their job working overtime.¡± There stood. Jang Deuk-goo, patting Lee Gi-young¡¯s shoulder and smiling. Chapter 21 - A Blow Landed "Jang... Deuk-goo..." "He''s your senior." Jang Deuk-goo firmly gripped Lee Gi-young''s shoulder. A moan escaped Gi-young''s lips. His legs wobbled and gave way as he dropped to a level lower than his own height. He stood clumsily, perspiring heavily, struggling to hold his ground. His face was flushed red with effort, but the more he endured, the more apparent the gap between him and Jang Deuk-goo became. "Enough! I, I can''t..." Finally sumbing to the pain, Lee Gi-young dered his surrender. Jang Deuk-goo let go of his grip. Like a spring, Gi-young bounced back to create some distance. A lingering, sharp pain wrapped around his shoulder, causing his face to grimace. But he couldn''t fight back. He knew all too well who Jang Deuk-goo was. He was one of the three people Lee Gi-young feared the most in the guild. His superior, Ju Se-ah, the Guild Master, and Jang Deuk-goo. If he had to choose one among the three, without a doubt, he would have put Jang Deuk-goo at the top of the list. ''The man who acts like a kind old man but doesn''t match up...'' Others might not know. They couldn''t see the brutality hidden behind that smiling facade. "You still have a long way to go, Gi-young. I had high hopes because you were a former military man. You can''t just handle a mere massage." Ignoring the pale-faced Lee Gi-young, Jang Deuk-goo flexed his hand and nced to the side. "Do any of you need a massage?" "No, sir." Choi Mi-ran raised her hand and took a step back. She instinctively distanced herself from Jang Deuk-goo. To be honest, there was nobody in the guild, except for Ju Se-ah, who could stand up to Jang Deuk-goo. Actually, there was no one who could even share a meal with him at a single table. This was the extent to which the guild members found him difficult. "Well, see you tomorrow." As Kang Mu-hyuk left as if nothing had happened, Jang Deuk-goo stared at his retreating back, dumbfounded. ''Did he know I was nearby? How?'' On top of that, he had met only Tae Soo-man, who could be considered Ju Se-ah''s enemy. The surprising part was that Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t even think of exining himself. Tempted to follow him and dig for answers, Jang Deuk-goo decided to leave it alone for now. ''The Guild Master said to intervene only if Kang Mu-hyuk is in danger or if there''s a specific request.'' Thinking about it now, the second condition seemed a bit odd. Making a request implied knowing about his existence. If Ju Se-ah had specifically mentioned it, there must have been some conversation between her and Kang Mu-hyuk. ''Wait a minute. This isn''t surveince. It''s bodyguard duty.'' Jang Deuk-goo finally realized Ju Se-ah''s cunning trick. She should have told him earlier. He had been unnecessarily on guard. "Um, senior..." "What? You still haven''t left?" As Jang Deuk-goo red at her, Choi Mi-ran flinched. However, she had a mission assigned by her boss, so she had to finish it. "I need to speak with the Guild Master..." "Tsk! Tell your superior. I''ll see him tomorrow." "Do you think he''ll want to see you?" "Well, I need to have a discussion with him, with my fist." "I''ll call him right away." The following day, Kang Mu-hyuk sought out Ju Se-ah as soon as he arrived at work. "What brings you here so early in the morning?" she asked. "I''ve decided on a location for the guild''s relocation." "Already?" "There''s no need to drag it out." Just one day after his appointment? He must have thought about it in advance. Ju Se-ah looked at the man, akin to a bulldozer, in disbelief. ''He hasn''t even mentioned the important deal with Tae Soo-man yet,'' she thought. Ju Se-ah remembered something Kang Mu-hyuk had told her earlier. ''Soon, they''ll reach out to me. Once I''m in the Strategy and Tactics Team, that rted line will move first. Please attach someone stealthily beside me. I''m a non-Hunter. I need scissors to cut them off at the right time.'' So she had attached Jang Deuk-goo to Kang Mu-hyuk, masking escort as surveince. Just as Kang Mu-hyuk had anticipated, Tae Soo-man, the Strategy and Tactics Team line, bit the bait first. Although one stepte, the remaining two lines moved as well. Up to here, everything was fine. They had been forewarned, after all. ''But the next topic is about guild relocation? Isn''t that a bit of a leap?'' Ju Se-ah was suspicious. "Cough, it''s not that I don''t trust you, Mu-hyuk. But we don''t have trust between us yet, do we? So..." "What are you curious about?" "I need to know roughly so we can align our words. What did you discuss with Tae Soo-man?" "Nothing special. As I told you before, I sought his understanding regarding the change of the guild''s name and the relocation." "What? You already told him?" Not only was she taken aback, but she was also rendered speechless. Both matters were supposed to be carried out in secret. Quick resolution before the group could impose any sanctions. But he had informed Tae Soo-man? Was he this reckless? Before Ju Se-ah could regain herposure, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke first. "I also got his promise to turn a blind eye." "What?! He agreed to that? Just verbally?" "Yes. When I simply stated it, he said okay. He turned out to be easier tomunicate with than I expected." Ju Se-ah felt dizzy. ''My god. Tae Soo-man beingmunicative? Didn''t he meet some kind of doppelganger?'' She was witnessing a situation that waspletely iprehensible to her. "Did you find any weakness to threaten him with?" "If I had found a weakness, I wouldn''t have let it end with just this." "Just...?" This was about changing the name of a guild representing the Taesung Group. In addition, there was a n to relocate from Seoul, the symbol of the sessful guild, to the provinces. Normally, due to the group''s pride, this wouldn''t be permitted. It was not something to dismiss as ''just.'' "How did you do it, exactly?" "It''s not ''how'' that matters now. It''s ''where'' we''re going." "You mean you don''t want to tell me?" While Kang Mu-hyuk clearly prioritized, Ju Se-ah took it as a warning not to dig deeper. Having given him full authority, she could not back out now, even if he led them to a disaster. She might voice her objections if he made reckless decisions, but she could not possibly thwart the course of action Kang Mu-hyuk had set in motion. She did not have the luxury of time. "Guild Leader Kang sure likes to do things in a hectic way. So, where are we moving to?" she asked. "North Pocheon." "North Pocheon? You mean..." "Yes, Myeongseong City." "That''s a Special Activities Zone!" Ju Se-ah cried out in surprise. "This is like sabotaging our own guild!" "That''s correct. It needs to look as if we''re ruining ourselves." "What on earth are you talking about? Are you serious?" "That was the condition I set with Chief Tae Soo-man." Only then did Ju Se-ah understand why Tae Soo-man had easily approved the guild relocation. Had it been her, she too would have weed a move to Myeongseong City with open arms; it was equivalent to leading oneself to ruin. They knew very well what kind of people they were. They were the sort to rejoice at another''s misfortune, they''d probablyy out a red carpet to celebrate the asion. ''Did he infiltrate us?'' Special Activities, or ''Spec-Act'' Zone. The world map had changed significantly after the Great War era. Countries fell to monsters, regions were razed to the ground, and a melting pot of refugees from diverse races formed. The chaos caused by this continued to shake the international order, even 30 yearster. The Korean Penins also underwent such drastic changes. North Korea copsed, the Kaema teau became a monster habitat, and every year, they had to fight defensive battles at the Yalu and Tumen rivers against monsters descending from Manchuria. Such changes urred in various ces within South Korea as well. One of these was the Spec-Act Zone. Areas thick with mana, as though a gate had opened, were spread out. These were mountainous areas blended with forests - the optimal conditions for monsters to inhabit. Myeongseong County used to be part of Pocheon City, but after the northern part of the region became a paradise for monsters, it was separated and managed as an independent administrative area. Even when divided in half, Pocheon was the thirdrgest municipality in Gyeonggi Province, so it remained a vast area that was difficult to fully control. Of course, Ju Se-ah was not simply surprised because there were many monsters, and the assigned area was vast. The ''special'' in ''Special Activities'' wasn''t just for show. "You know, right? Gates don''t even form in Spec-Act Zones." "I''m aware. Instead, the natural environment transforms like the inside of a gate, producing various resources." "And why do you think guilds avoid going there despite the abundance of resources?" "Because it''s not profitable. Because no gates form. If you don''t have a manufacturing line, collecting resources barely breaks even after taxes. If you''re caught smuggling, your license gets suspended for a year. Chasing monsters is also inefficient because the terrain is too wide." "And you, knowing all this, want us to go there? The other guilds at most set up a branch in South Pocheon and circted new Hunters for training." Kang Mu-hyuk''s expression turned grave. "That''s why the Hunters stationed in Pocheon city were subpar. As soon as they amassed some experience, they''d be taken to the main office. The asional monsters trickling down from South Pocheon, causing havoc, were partly due to these ill-prepared Hunters. Guild Master, what do you think the duty of a Hunter is?" "Haah--! I get what you''re trying to say. Still, maintaining the guild in the Special Activities Zone is too much." "Is it because of the promise with the Chairman?" "Haha... You heard about it, huh? I''m sorry I didn''t mention it. If I''d said this guild only had a six-month lifespan, it would have discouraged anyone from signing a contract." He probably knew about her being the young daughter as well. His poker face suggested he was trying to ignore that fact. Ju Se-ah decided to skip that part too. "It''s okay. I was a short-timer not too long ago myself, so I understand how desperate this situation is." Kang Mu-hyuk seemed to feel like he had stepped on andmine. He spoke in a soothing voice, looking at Ju Se-ah who had missed her chance to press him. "We''re not going there to fail. There are three reasons why I want to make North Pocheon the base of the guild." "Three reasons?" "Firstly, it''s for the 45,721 citizens living in South Pocheon. Because of the Special Activities Zone, they can''t sell theirnd, and they''re trapped there, unable to leave their homes. They suffer great damage each year from monsters that slip past the watch ande down. They deserve a stable life." "I do sympathize with them. But our going there won''t make a significant difference, will it? If we move to North Pocheon, the current Hunters will all quit. If they can''t earn money, we''ll have to disband them anyway... Even if we move there while keeping the guild''s power, we won''t have the manpower to cover such arge area." "That''s where the second reasones in. During the relocation, we can get rid of the useless opposition and the freeloaders." Ju Se-ah let out an unintentional hollowugh. "Pfft! You''re restructuring it like this?" "It''s a hard and unprofitable area. There are quite a few young Hunters in the guild. I''m not sure how many will follow us to a ce without even entertainment facilities. The same goes for veterans who are always ready to transfer, considering their career." "Wow, you''re insane. I didn''t expect you to think this way." "It''s a shift in thinking." "If you shift once more, only the Guild Master, the Team Leader, and one guild member will remain in the guild. I doubt any Hunter would go to a ce where they can''t earn money, can''t y, and are thrown around." "They exist." "They exist?" "You said it earlier, didn''t you? A training ground for newbie guild Hunters. They learn quite a bit from the hardship. That''s the third reason. We will fosterpetent Hunters. I''m talking about Hunters who are well-equipped not only in skills but also mentally. I''ll submit a separate report on thatter." Ju Se-ah heaved a deep sigh. The intention was good, and it made sense. But it was too sentimental of a n. Even she, still a novice Guild Master, knew that a guild couldn''t be run on romance alone. "You make it sound so easy. I''m not unaware of your abilities, Guild Leader Kang. But this seems too far... Okay, fine. Let''s say everything goes ording to n. But where will you get the money to nurture these Hunters? Will you get a loan? Just so you know, the guild has no spare funds. I''m even on the verge of bing a defaulter." "Don''t worry about the funds. I''ve prepared a n for that too." "Don''t tell me you want me to work part-time? Or as a mercenary in another gate?" "Hmm? That''s not a bad idea..." "Are you asking for a punch?" "...but as a Guild Master, you should at least have some dignity." Feeling anxious, Ju Se-ah casually nced at him and asked, "I don''t really trust you... but let''s hear what your n is." "I''m thinking of applying for a local sponsorship." "Hey, you really need a punch!" Chapter 22 - Even If It鈥檚 Beginners Luck Seoul Government Office. Drrring! Drrring! "What now? Who would call during lunch?" Park Choong-soo, who was on duty during lunchtime, was puzzled by the unexpected call during a time that was typically reserved for taking publicints. "Yes, this is Park Choong-soo from the Public Comints Division." Even while picking up the phone, all Park Choong-soo could think was ''Please, no more difficult cases.'' The Guild Cooperation Division at the Ministry of Public Administration and Safety, was the ce employees dreaded being assigned to the most. Amongst all, the Public Comints Division, which had a notorious reputation as the worst, was seen as a department where lifespans were reduced due to constantly being subjected to the grievances of Hunters. It wasn''t that they were harassed using physical force, but the pressure exerted by the Hunters, referred to as superhumans, was typically too much for an ordinary person to handle. "This is Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk from the Taesung Guild." Taesung Guild? Guild Leader? Unfamiliar with the guild name and title, Park Choong-soo tilted his head. He quickly typed into the system to verify the registered guild. "So, you''re affiliated with the Taesung Group. May I ask the reason for your call..." Despite responding calmly, Park Choong-soo was utterly on edge. Even Hunters were approached with caution, but guilds associated withrge corporations required even more careful handling. Although their abilities wereckluster, the influence of their parentpany was on par with that of otherrge guilds. "We''re nning to relocate our guild and register a new hometown. We''ve prepared all the necessary documents, but the hometown part might require some coordination." "Oh, the hometown? Seoul is an ineligible area for hometown registration. Are you considering moving to a different region?" "Yes. We are nning to move to Myeongseong City." "Myeongseong City? Where is that again..." "It''s in North Pocheon." "Ah, North Pocheon... Wait, what?" For a moment, Park Choong-soo pulled the receiver away from his ear. He stared nkly at it before returning it to his ear. Had he misheard? Or was this a prank call? That didn''t seem likely. The guild''s dedicated line was only known to rted personnel, and it had multipleyers of security, so it couldn''t be essed by just anyone. "Hello?" Only after hearing the voice from the receiver again did he regain hisposure and refocus on the call. "I''m sorry. I thought I must have... misheard. Did you just say North Pocheon?" "Yes. North Pocheon. It''s indeed Myeongseong City." "Do you know that once a hometown is registered, you can''t move for three years?" "Of course." "That''s a Special Activities Zone though..." "That''s exactly why we''re going. Aren''t there tax exemptions, priority rights to various businesses, and mineral rights? Has thew changed recently?" "No, it hasn''t. It''s still effective." The more Park Choong-soo continued the conversation, the more bewildered he felt. What kind of ce was a Special Activities Zone again? It was a graveyard for Hunters, which was even more dreaded by public officials than the Public Comints Division. Not because it was dangerous, but because it was a ce with no amusement, swarming with monsters, where one had to live as if they were dead. That was why it was referred to as a graveyard. Furthermore, North Pocheon was a region surrounded by mana all the time. Mana was sticky, almost like it would clung to the body, making Special Activities Zones ces that Hunters found ufortable. And they were going to take such a ce as their hometown? ''Not just setting up an office?'' North Pocheon was currently an area with no affiliations. If the Taesung Guild chose it as their base, no other guild could intrude without Taesung Guild''s permission. Moreover, being a Special Activities Zone, various incentives were provided. Just for reference, ''Zero'' was the number of guilds with a base in a Special Activities Zone in Korea at that time. ''Since it''s vacant, the procedure is just a procedure. From the government''s standpoint, it would be a wee development. The South Pocheon City Hall would also offer anything they could to aid the move...'' "Are you sure this is okay?" This was the kind of ce North Pocheon was. A ce where even the responsible government official had to worry. "It''s okay. However, we have a few requests." "What are they?" "As far as we know, we will be the first to make a Special Activities Zone our base. Please arrange a meeting with the director. We need a few solutions that can somewhat alleviate the burden of risk." Park Choong-soo quickly started thinking. ''This is an opportunity.'' A lifeline to get out of the Guild Cooperation Division. No, just getting out of the Public Comints Division would be a great sess. ''Attract a corporate guild to a Special Activities Zone?'' It was a chance to leave a definite achievement. "I will report to my superiors first. It''s not my ce to arbitrarily arrange meetings." "We''ll be waiting." After the call ended, he looked through the Taesung Guild''s information registered in the system. [Taeseong Guild] ? Guild Master: Ju Se-ah From the very first section, it drew his attention. "Ju Se-ah, the Hunter, was the Guild Master here?" Although Ju Se-ah was treated as a witch or cmity by Hunters, she was popr among the general public for her morous hunting record and beauty that outshone celebrities. Her high recognition meant that her reliability would greatly increase even if she was not an industry insider. ? Guild Leader: Kang Mu-hyuk When he saw the guild information written below, Park Choong-soo couldn''t help but widen his eyes. "Guild Leader? A Guild Leader post?" He hadn''t misheard earlier. Upon reflection, the name Kang Mu-hyuk did sound familiar. On a hunch, Park Choong-soo entered ''Kang Mu-hyuk'' into the news search. "Former Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of the Titan Guild... Non-Hunter? Good Lord! Being a Guild Leader is one thing, but he''s a non-Hunter?" After learning Kang Mu-hyuk''s identity, he realized that the previous conversation wouldn''t end with the issue of relocating the guild. ''Why hasn''t this be a news story yet? Isn''t this a scoop?'' It was one of two things. Either the guild didn''t want to announce it or Taesung wasn''t newsworthy enough. Or possibly both. "It seems like things are going to get noisy?" Just as he was feeling the chill of shock, one by one, the civil servants were returning to the office. Among them, he saw the head of his department. ''Don''t judge. Don''t be greedy. What''s the rush for a civil servant? Slow and steady wins the race. Just report and take orders.'' Park Choong-soo cautiously reported to the department head. "Sir, the Taesung Guild just applied to make North Pocheon their base." After dering the guild''s intention of moving to the Ministry of Public Administration and Safety, Kang Mu-hyuk''s actions were relentless. He immediately moved to the next step. "To ensureplete failure, we must make a big ssh. Can we proceed as I have proposed, Director Tae Soo-man?" "It will require a significant amount of funds, won''t it?" "I''ll try to adjust as much as possible within the margin of error I mentioned. You''ll need to take care of the rest." "As much as I can afford it, deployingpany funds in the hundreds of billions is burdensome." "If you try to proceed on your own, sure, it would be. But can the remaining branches handle the repercussions when Guild Master Ju Se-ah enters the headquarters? If you stress that point, you should be able to make it work." Silence filled the other end of the line for a moment. Kang Mu-hyuk patiently waited. After a moment, Tae Soo-man''s voice trickled through the receiver. "Having thought about it, it seems like something I can handle. Proceed." "Thank you. I will visit you soon." After ending the call, Kang Mu-hyuk saw Ju Se-ah sitting with her arms crossed in front of him. "Are you seriously doing this on your own?" "It seems so." "Why? For what? Isn''t it better to distribute the risk by working together? This doesn''t make sense." "But doesn''t it mean you can reap the benefits alone?" "To what end are you trying to acquire such a shoddy guild... Ahem, a guild with no presence within the group?" "The corporate guild can do more than you think, Guild Master. It might be stale news in the industry, though." "What do you mean by ''do more''?" "You''ll learn in due time. For now, do some studying on your own. I have to leave for another appointment." As Kang Mu-hyuk stood up to prepare to leave, Ju Se-ah stopped him. "By the way, is that really possible?" Kang Mu-hyuk paused, organizing his thoughts as he looked up at the ceiling of the office. "It''s a path we''re taking for the first time. I can''t be sure." "Aren''t ns without certainty just gambling?" "We may have to rely on a beginner''s luck." "Uh, I''m suddenly feeling anxious." "Anyway, it''s impossible to normalize within half a year by conventional means. Isn''t this when we need a ''breakthrough?'' We must do everything we can to make it sessful." Ju Se-ah frowned deeply, waving her hands dismissively. "Have a good meeting. Say hello to your former colleague for me." "I''m going to see the Guild Master today." "Do you think he will leave you alone if you go?" "I suppose you''re right." The lobby was familiar, but the logo embedded in the reception desk was not. "The logo...has been renewed?" The new logo, which depicted a giant''s fist along with English text, was far removed from the overly simple, gold satellite logo of the past. He did not like it. It waspletely different from what he had nned. "It''s crude." Although this ce had be a broken link, he hade to create a new connection, and there was no time to dwell on his feelings. "I''m Kang Mu-hyuk. I have a meeting scheduled with the Guild Master." "Yes, I know you, Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. Oh? You''re not that anymore, are you?" The guard recognized Kang Mu-hyuk and greeted him amiably. The employees passing through the lobby, the Hunters ncing over, all of them still seemed to regard Kang Mu-hyuk as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. "I have my entry pass here." The lobby became noisy as soon as Kang Mu-hyuk disappeared into the elevator. "Was that Team Leader Kang? Why is he here? Wait, this isn''t the time. We should contact the Strategy and Tactics Team." "Party Leader, Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk just came to see the Guild Master... Yes, he''s the former Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. Yes. I''m aware he''s no longer with our guild." "Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk has gone up to the Guild Master''s office. We should inform the Vice Guild Master." Guild members each contacted their respective superiors or departments. Just his appearance spurred many spections and rumors, and amidst all this, Kang Mu-hyuk was facing Lee Cheoljung, the Guild Master of Titan. "It''s been a while. I was surprised when you called. How have you been?" "I''m much better." "I figured. If you weren''t, you wouldn''t show up in front of me dressed like that. So, you''re with Taesung Guild now?" "Yes." Lee Cheoljung held back a grimace, seeing Kang Mu-hyuk respond calmly despite showing his displeasure. "You don''t take any notice of my grumbles." "I simply trust that you''ll handle it well." "Your trust isforting, but to be honest, my situation isn''t particrly favorable." "Because of the Vice Guild Master?" "He''s a pain. Things were better before we moved up to Seoul. Back then, as long as we hunted monsters well, everything was fine. Now, both the Vice Guild Master and I have too much on our minds." Kang Mu-hyuk was aware of Lee Cheoljung''s predicament. Not exactly at a disadvantage, but also not in a position to dominate. Half a year ago, the upper hand they had due to Ma Taesik''s mistake was pushed back by the Vice Guild Master''s political influence, and somehow, the bnce had shifted to a 50-50 standoff. Kang Mu-hyuk''s decision had also contributed to this. He had agreed with Ju Se-ah to release Ma Taesik before his mana addiction was treated. Subsequently, Ma Taesik took advantage of his girlfriend, Kim Yanghee, a board member''s influence to assist Ma Taesu, and Lee Cheoljung was struggling in the boardroom where his adversaries were swarming. As a result, Ju Se-ah only managed to secure the Vice Guild Master position for just two months, and Kang Mu-hyuk was no longer able to return to the Titan Guild. However, that butterfly effect led Kang Mu-hyuk to join the Taesung Guild. The irony of the situation was palpable. Kang Mu-hyuk rummaged through his briefcase and casually offered a thin booklet to Lee Cheoljung, who was heaving a sigh. "What''s this?" "A proposal that may be helpful to you, Guild Master." Lee Cheoljung cautiously flipped the cover. [Proposal for Warehouse C Acquisition] "!!" Chapter 23 - For Monsters Only Lee Cheoljung closed the rest of the proposal without even flipping through it. "Aren''t you going to check it?" "The conditions aren''t what''s important." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded as if agreeing. "You should still check." "There''s no way you would give me a ridiculously low price. This is an absolutely advantageous proposal for me. Why would you make such an offer?" "Doesn''t the Titan Guild need to maintain clean finances in order to advance to a Tier-ed guild? The Warehouse C is a problematic inventory that''s difficult to manage, and it could only be a weakness for the Guild Master." "I''m not talking about that. What I mean is that there''s nothing good for you in this deal. I''m asking why you would make such an offer. Is there a hidden contract somewhere?" "To be frank with you..." At this point, Kang Mu-hyuk took a sip of his coffee and paused, but Lee Cheoljung leaned in, fully engaged. "The Warehouse C is a white elephant to the Titan Guild, but not to me." "A white elephant?" "Do you remember? The words I spoke when I started the project that became Warehouse C." It was a memory from more than five years ago, but Lee Cheoljung remembered it vividly. "You said... You would change the paradigm." "Yes. I''m going to realize the n I had back then at Taesung. I''m thinking of changing the hunting method from its very foundation." A hollowugh escaped from Lee Cheoljung. It wasn''t a reaction of contempt, but more of a ''can you really do that?'' skepticism. "I think highly of you, but I never thought that was possible. Of course, I was skeptical at one point. But didn''t the project yield no result?" "That was because we drove away the talent capable of producing results from that project. The interference from the Vice Guild Master was considerable. We nned to change the paradigm itself. Even with the guild pushing with all its might, it was insufficient, and there was internal discord. It''s natural that we couldn''t seed." "So this time, you''re taking over the project, confident of its sess." "Who could be confident in their n? Hunting ns go awry the moment we step into the gate. Consider it more of a challenge." "That''ll be a costly challenge." Only then did Lee Cheoljung flip through the proposal. As he leaned against the sofa and carefully reviewed the contents, he found a section that irked him. He widened his eyes and stared at Kang Mu-hyuk. "Guild Leader?" "Yes." "You mean Guild Leader, not Strategy and Tactics Team Leader?" "Yes." "Huh? Ju Se-ah must be out of her mind. She''s reviving the Guild Leader system?" "Our Guild Master asionally hears such talk. But she''s more sensible than you''d think." Lee Cheoljung was taken aback as he watched Kang Mu-hyuk talk as if it had nothing to do with him. The thought of handing over Warehouse C didn''t even cross his mind. Once it was out of his hands, he wouldn''t care about it anymore. However, he couldn''t just let the Guild Leader system slide. Even though it was still quiet, it was obvious that there would be those ready to pounce once it became public knowledge. "You know it will be your work anyway. It''s not the time to talk so easily, is it? Soon it will spread throughout the industry. It wouldn''t be strange if checks came in from here and there. Perhaps even someone trying to influence the political sector?" "Failure in the past doesn''t necessarily mean failure in the future. I''m prepared for that." "Do you know why it failed? The Guild Leader system is virtually the same as the system with professional managers who aren''t Hunters. The damage was enormous due to civilians who know nothing about hunting trying to control Hunters. Bringing back such a failed system is essentially a rebellion against the current guild system. It is even more so for the older generations like me who have personally experienced it. And the current industry leaders are exactly those people." Kang Mu-hyuk knew why Lee Cheoljung brought up this argument. It wasn''t advice. It was a concern for an old colleague. Although Lee Cheoljung was ambitious, he was also thest romanticist who went through the transformation period just before the guild became corporatized. He hadradeship with those he had fought together with during the difficult times. However, to Kang Mu-hyuk, his concern could only seem unnecessary. The underlying concern of Lee Cheoljung was deeply colored with Hunter prioritization. "I may be a civilian, but I''m not ignorant of hunting." "You know that''s not what I meant, right? Even if you''re fine, what if it spreads to other guilds? At least half of the current corporate guilds are parachutes. What if civilians in executive positions seize the Guild Leader position and cause side effects?" "The failure in the past wasn''t due to the system but due to theck of experience. Not just the Guild Leaders, but all Hunters were immature then. I don''t think the method itself was bad. The industry has matured now, and I believe there is enough capacity to ept it." Lee Cheoljung closed his mouth at Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze. It was like that during his time at Titan as well. If it wasn''t right, it wasn''t. If it had to be done, it had to be done by someone. Thanks to that, he had many enemies. Even though the momentum of the Hunters who were living on the frontline, risking their lives, was far from easy, he never shrank back or avoided them. Rather, it was the Hunters who were pushed back by his momentum. Realizing he had nothing to say, Lee Cheoljung shrugged his shoulders. "If I take the Guild Leader position, will you not ept this proposal?" "That''s a different story." "Then, I will proceed with the acquisition at 320 billion." "You''re still shaving off 100 billion... What if I ask for more?" "I could have even cut it down more. It''s quite literally a white elephant for Titan. But considering Titan''s circumstances, I thought this would be the line where I could help the Guild Master, so I adjusted it to a reasonable amount. Do you need an adjustment?" "No need. I just poked you a little. You probably have ns up to n F prepared anyway. Bargaining is really your forte." "Then, I will send the contract based on this proposal." Lee Cheoljung wanted to make a promise to have a drink as he saw Kang Mu-hyuk rise up without any lingering attachment, but he remembered that Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t enjoy drinking and gave up on that thought. Lee Cheoljung escorted Kang Mu-hyuk to the elevator, a hint of regret in his eyes. As he left, Kang Mu-hyuk locked eyes with an employee lingering in the hallway. Recognizing him as someone from the Vice Guild Master secretary''s office, he narrowed his eyes. Frozen like a frog in front of a snake due to the overwhelming aura of the top Hunter, the employee could not move a muscle. Recognizing the employee, Kang Mu-hyuk understood the situation, sighed, and stepped in between them. Freed from Lee Cheoljung''s gaze, the employee hunched over, gasping for breath. His heart pounded, and his legs shook. The employee, his face drenched in sweat, looked up at Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk leaned in and whispered into the employee''s ear. "Tell Mr. Vice Guild Master not to worry. I will keep my promise. I just came to visit today." As Kang Mu-hyuk gave the employee''s shoulder a light tap and pushed him aside, the employee quickly got out of the way. "You''re quite popr." "Did you have your meal? I haven''t had mine yet." "Are you trying to use me as a pass?" "Well, the Vice Guild Master doesn''t give up easily, you know. It''s a nuisance to have him tailing me." Fortunately for Kang Mu-hyuk, Lee Cheoljung, who wasn''t ready to say goodbye, was delighted by his suggestion. "Do you like sushi? I have a favorite ce. Let''s go there." Jang Deuk-goo visited a sauna near the guild. He entered the changing room with his shoes still on. "Sir, you can''t go in there like that. Please take off your shoes." The manager tried to stop him, but as soon as he made eye contact with Jang Deuk-goo, he stepped back in shock. Not only was Jang Deuk-goo''srge figure intimidating, but his domineering eyes and battered face gave the impression that he could start a fight at any moment. People looking like him in this day and age were either gangsters or Hunters. Judging by his aura, the manager believed him to be thetter. "I''ll be done in a moment." That one sentence made him shiver. ''What does he mean by ''done''?'' The manager looked down at the white bag that had suddenly been handed to him. He could see a wad of bills sticking out. Realizing the meaning of the money, he spoke with a quivering voice. "Pl-please don''t kill anyone." "If things go smoothly, I''ll leave peacefully." With augh, Jang Deuk-goo responded and entered the bath without even undressing. The customers who had been enjoying their baths jolted in surprise as they saw Jang Deuk-goo enter fully dressed. Jang Deuk-goo went straight into a steam roombeled ''Kiln''. Inside the small, steam-filled space sat three men. "What''s this?" The two men sitting on the sides jumped up. They quickly recognized Jang Deuk-goo''s face and hesitated. "Senior, do you have no public decency? This ce requires undressing." The man sitting in the middle, who was removing the towel from his head, spoke. "Do Gyeong-hoon. I understand that a message was sent to you yesterday. Did you not receive it?" "I did hear from Mi-ran. She said you wanted to meet." "I thought the Expedition Team Leader would be too busy, so I came myself." Do Gyeong-hoon evaluated Jang Deuk-goo''s outfit. It was not his usual gear, but it wasn''t nonbatant attire either. Hidden cleverly in the belt and boots were knife des and an armor coat carried by Hunters for emergencies in non-Gate areas. Considering Jang Deuk-goo''s own skills, it was more than enough to face a naked Do Gyeong-hoon. "Senior, the reason we''ve been able to get along quietly up until now is that we didn''t cross each other''s lines. You do understand that it''s better to not see each other''s faces, don''t you?" "We''ve been quiet all this time because we were afraid you might shit yourselves if we crossed each other. But as soon as you found out that the new leader was a non-Hunter, you sent someone after him. Who crossed the line?" "We just wanted to talk. We could have had a drink and discussed the guild''s future." "It would have been better if you''de out to the Guild Leader like that." "Next time, I''ll pay a visit to the Guild Leader." "I hope you don''t even hover near the Guild Leader outside the guild." "I''ll tell the guys." Jang Deuk-goo nodded and turned to leave. Sweat oozed from every pore of Do Gyeong-hoon. It wasn''t because of the heat of the sauna. The towel he had wrapped around his neck was soaked and heavily pressing down on his shoulders. A Hunter, who had been holding his breath, exhaled heavily and spoke angrily. "Team Leader, isn''t that guy too cocky? Acting all high and mighty because he trusts the Guild Leader..." "Shut up." "Y-yes, sir..." "We just went to the brink of death and back. Do you understand? Everyone, remember this. Never engage that monster with less than two full parties. He''ll cut us all down." Honestly, Do Gyeong-hoon couldn''t guarantee that even two would be enough. He had merely said that out of his wounded pride, implying that more power should be invested. ''I understand that the Guild Leader is great... But why on earth is that guy under Guild Leader? He''s from apletely different world.'' The moment Kang Mu-hyuk returned to the office, he noticed the atmosphere was tense. It was the management team that had moved their office today. No one tried to show it, but it was impossible to hide from his keen eyes. Kang Mu-hyuk took off his jacket at his seat and spoke over the partition. "Team Leader, what''s going on? The atmosphere seems a bit off." Cho Chung-hyun, the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader, hesitated for a moment. He had heard that the higher-ups had decided to go along with it, but it was strange that someone who didn''t seem likely to let things slide so easily had agreed. However, Kang Mu-hyuk had convinced him with a single remark. ''I survived in Titan with this kind of diplomacy. Aren''t you also reporting to Director Tae Soo-man? If you think you''re good at socializing, it''ll be easy to understand.'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s actions were still reported to Tae Soo-man, but it seemed there was no need to see him as closely as at their first meeting, given that he was now an ally. "There seems to be a little trouble on the management side." "Trouble? That team''s noise isn''t just for a day or two. Is there a problem I should know about?" "There''s a bit of a rough character among the Hunters." Before Cho Chung-hyun could finish his sentence, Kang Mu-hyuk''s expression hardened, and he strode over towards the management team. Despite being preupied with his own tasks and thus unfamiliar with the team, the head of the management recognized the Guild Leader immediately, rising from his seat to greet him. "Hello, Guild Leader. I''m Kim Dong-yong, in charge of management." Kang Mu-hyuk scanned the team with a seemingly casual acknowledgement of the greeting, cing his hands on his hips before speaking. "Who is the employee involved in the current problem?" "Eh? Oh, that''s..." "Do we need to call awyer? Or should we negotiate? Or do we need disciplinary measures?" Kang Mu-hyuk''s questions were straightforward. He was asking whether a Hunter had assaulted a civilian, fought with another Hunter, or bullied a guild employee. "Speak." Kang Mu-hyuk cut off Kim Dong-yong''s hesitation. "It''s... It''s the third case..." "Disciplinary measures would have been the same in either case, I suppose. As it always has been." "Yes. It probably wouldn''t have helped." Looking at Kim Dong-yong, who had deeply bowed his head, Kang Mu-hyuk scowled. Hunters treating managers like servants was amon issue in every guild. In severe cases, they would threaten the victims into erasing the assault. Although this problem surfaced several times, sparking social controversy, it quickly got buried due to guild lobbying. However--- ''This wasn''t an issue in Titan.'' At least, this was something that should not have happened in the guild he managed. Kang Mu-hyuk calmly quelled his anger and spoke. "Where is the injured employee?" "We have him resting in the infirmary for now." "Immediately transfer him to a partner hospital of the guild. The guild will fully support his stay in a high-level ward and a thorough examination." "If it''s a partner hospital... That would be Taesung Hospital..." "What? Is there a problem?" Following Kang Mu-hyuk, Cho Chung-hyun stepped in with an answer. "If we move him there, the group headquarters will get involved. It may even lead to an audit." "If we''ve done something wrong, we should be audited." "If it''s decided that the group''s image has been tarnished, and the Hunter is expelled, there could be bacsh from the other Hunters." "Bacsh...?" Kang Mu-hyuk let out a cynical chuckle. "Good. I was thinking it might be time for a warning." "Eh?" Ignoring Cho Chung-hyun''s question, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Listen well, everyone. You came here to work, not because you were dragged here. Just because Hunters are strong, they are not your masters. Do not be ustomed to unfairness. Do not let them act like your masters. We are all members of the same guild. Keep in mind that we are all colleagues." "But aren''t they the ones holding the hilt of the sword?!" One of the managers shouted in frustration. A coworker next to him grabbed his sleeve, trying to calm him down. "Be quiet, Manager Oh." Kang Mu-hyuk gestured to stop the colleague who was trying to calm the manager. Then, he looked directly at the shouting manager and spoke. "That sword should only be used against monsters." Chapter 24 - Get Out on Your Own Byun Jeong-cheol was monopolizing the break room all by himself. Staff members who hade out for a cup of coffee turned on their heels without a peep when they saw him sprawled out on the sofa. The Hunters also avoided him, grimacing as if repelled more by disgust than fear. The break room was filled only with the loud ring of a smartphone. One of the Hunters approached the engrossed Byun Jeong-cheol and kicked the sofa with his foot. "Hey, the Guild Leader is calling for you." "Calling? Why would he... Oh? I heard it was because I smacked that manager bastard." "You caused trouble again? Didn''t I tell you to moderate yourself?" "Gi-young, are you going to nag at me too? I was moderate. I didn''t kill him, you know." Lee Gi-young rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. He had been warned by Jang Deuk-goo just yesterday. It was a harsh, painful warning that left him feeling quite upset. Amand had alsoe down from the higher-ups to handle the situation. It meant to prevent any trouble. But this guy... "Anyway, they want to see you in the Strategy and Tactics Team''s conference room. You should go." "Damn, what a position to be a Guild Leader. Tsk!" "The Party Leader''s position is vacant right now. Don''t cause trouble and be humble. Got it?" "How does this make any sense? A non-Hunter being a Guild Leader. If you''re the Guild Leader, you should be a Guild Master, right? Should we listen to someone like that?" Lee Gi-young started to exin the difference between a Guild Leader and a Guild Master but stopped himself. There was no point in straining his mouth, as Byun Jeong-cheol would just let it go in one ear and out the other. Even if he took the time to exin, Byun Jeong-cheol was so dense he wouldn''t understand. He put up with him for the sake of their shared hometown, but the fool was endlessly causing trouble without considering the consequences. It wasn''t just once or twice that this caused him difficulties. Thanks to him, Lee Gi-young had to deal with the fallout, even though they had joined at around the same time. ''If it weren''t for the senior Party Leader, I would have kicked this bastard out.'' Lee Gi-young shook his head and left his seat. After chuckling at his smartphone for a while, Byun Jeong-cheol got up when he heard the hustle and bustle of the passing employees. He stood up from his seat, iming that he had forgotten. "Ah, what a hassle. But I guess I should go? If I get an earful from the Guild Leader for no reason, it''ll be annoying." He feigned strength and swaggered in front of the employees before heading to the Strategy and Tactics Team. ¡ª--- Kang Mu-hyuk was looking at Byun Jeong-cheol''s personnel file when he checked the wall clock. A considerable amount of time had passed since he had reached out, but he hadn''t heard anything yet. He had heard that the invitation to meet had been ryed. It was confirmed that Byun Jeong-cheol was in the guild. So why hadn''t hee yet? ''Just as I heard, he''s an insolent one.'' Kang Mu-hyuk did not show any signs of impatience or annoyance. He had already expected this. It was something he had experienced when he had just be the Strategy and Tactics Team leader at Titan. He was now at Taesung, a less organized ce than back then, so there was no point in getting worked up before things even started. Just as the second and minute hands of the clock met at the top, the door opened and a face popped in. It was Byun Jeong-cheol. Despite his tardiness, he entered the conference room with a brazen smile on his face. "They said you were calling for me." "Please, have a seat." Byun Jeong-cheol plunked himself into the seat Kang Mu-hyuk had gestured toward, leaning back against the chair as if lying down. "You know why I''ve called you in, right?" "Maybe, some sort of interview?" "It''s about the violent act against Deputy Baek Seung-hoon from the management team." "Oh, that?" "..." "So, what? Should Ipensate?" "The term pensation'' is typically used when referring to beating up a dog. Let''s soften it a bit and say ''settlement''." Byun Jeong-cheol chuckled at Kang Mu-hyuk''s serious response to his light-heartedment. "Same difference whether it''s a dog or a human, isn''t it?" "Of course, you, Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol, should first offer a sincere apology. After which, we will proceed with disciplinary measures." "Disciplinary action. What''s that mean? You nning to kick me out?" Byun Jeong-cheol red in a haughty manner, even going as far as to re his nostrils. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t change his expression or posture as he responded. "We will gather evidence from the CCTV and witness testimonies to execute fair punishment. If the result turns out to be expulsion, you just need to ept it as befits a Hunter." "F***, that''s some bulls***." "You sure have a way with words." "Hey, ''leader''." "It''s ''Guild Leader,¡¯ Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol." ¡®Damn, what''s this guy thinking he''s up to? One punch from me and you''ll be shitting yourself out of this world.¡¯ Byun Jeong-cheol abruptly stood up and leaned forward, his fist menacingly close to Kang Mu-hyuk''s face. "Guild Leader. Let''s have a clear understanding of things. We''re both part of the same guild, after all. Just kick out the manager or whatever, why the fuss?" "Do you know why we call everyone in the guild, not just the Hunters, ''members'' or ''guild members''?" Caught off guard by Kang Mu-hyuk''s abrupt question, Byun Jeong-cheol scowled. "What kind of nonsense is¡­" "It''s because we''re allrades fighting together." Byun Jeong-cheol looked disgusted, as if he was hearing a nagging lecture, but he saw Kang Mu-hyuk''s roundabout way of speaking as a sign of surrender and decided to let it be for the moment. As he sat down, Kang Mu-hyuk continued his exnation. "During the Great War era, it wasn''t just the Hunters who fought against monsters. Soldiers fought, and corporate employees who supported the Hunters also fought. Women running restaurants cooked food for those fighting, and those who were injured or weak providedfortable ces to sleep and mended torn clothes to show their gratitude." "Hell, how old is our ''leader'' to be talking about the Great War? That was ages ago." "It was just 30 years ago. Around the time I was born. Even though not even a generation has passed, it seems Hunters have forgotten those times." "So what are you trying to say?" "Managers are not ves. They are supporters who ensure that you can hunt without hindrance and maintain optimal conditions. The role of these managers is the origin of the Hunter position of ''supporter.¡¯ That''s what I''m saying." "So now it''s a history lesson?" Kang Mu-hyuk leaned forward. "Do not harm the manager, no, any guild member, ever again. Don''ty hands on regr outsiders, either. As for that sincere apology we discussed earlier. And until the disciplinary measures are decided, stay within the guild lodging for introspection." "This is insane." "You clearly show no remorse." "Well, who would listen to someone who''s not even a Hunter? No, even amongst Hunters, no one talks like that. You seem to think being the Guild Leader is some sort of great position. You might be barking up the wrong tree..." Suddenly, the shrill ring of a smartphone interrupted them, and Kang Mu-hyuk ced his index finger to his lips. "Shh. I need to take this call. It''s important." "What? You''ve got to be joking." "Yes." Kang Mu-hyuk held the smartphone to his ear. He concentrated on the words flowing from the device, nodding his head several times. "I understand." After ending the call, he ced the smartphone in front of Byun Jeong-cheol. "Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol. I''ve seen your personnel file. You hail from Ujungdo." "It''s nothing special. Just using my fists a bit." "Before you arrived, Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol, I did some digging on Ujungdo through my own channels. That call was the answer." "Damn it, what are you trying to do¡­" "Hey, Byun Jeong-cheol." "!!" At Kang Mu-hyuk''s icy voice, Byun Jeong-cheol froze. Unable to admit he had been intimidated by a non-Hunter, Byun Jeong-cheol''s eyes widened in rage and he moved to strike Kang Mu-hyuk. If he was going to be expelled anyway, whether he hit the leader or the manager didn''t matter. However, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke first. "You weren''t on record at Ujungdo?" Byun Jeong-cheol, who was about to rise and strike, suddenly lost his strength and slumped back down. Kang Mu-hyuk slowly rose from his seat and red at his opponent. Byun Jeong-cheol couldn''t meet his eyes. "What do you think will happen when the Hunters who had your back because you imed to be from Ujungdo find out?" "That¡­ that is¡­" "Even if they don''t know, they''ll be quite upset, won''t they?" "..." "If you don''t want to be discounted by them..." Swallowing hard, Byun Jeong-cheol managed to look up at Kang Mu-hyuk. "....know when to leave." Byun Jeong-cheol''s unfocused eyes trembled. ¡ª "Ah, dear Master. I can''t wait any longer. I''ve already sniffed around a few ces. If I can''t publish an exclusive, I''m going to get roasted by the desk." "Mr. Kim, how many times have I given you exclusives? Plus, exclusive interviews. But to be honest, I don''t appreciate you sneaking around and coaxing our employees for covert interviews." ¡°Well, I have to get my story somehow. Last time, you did it with The Goryeo Daily, didn''t you?¡± "We have to give others a chance, too, so they don''t get upset." ¡°Ah, I don''t know. I don''t know. I''ll publish the article tomorrow.¡± "I''m not asking for much. Just wait one more day. In return, I''ll give you an exclusive." ¡°An exclusive? What else is there besides the Guild Leader system?¡± "Something even more sensational." ¡°What, what is it? Something sensational.¡± "You''ll find out tomorrow evening. While other media outlets are making a fuss over the Guild Leader system, The Korea Times will be one step ahead. What do you think?" ¡°Sigh, I feel like I''m being persuaded by you, Master. Alright, fine. I''ll take it up with the editor-in-chief. But you have to keep your promise.¡± "I''ll contact you." Having concluded her dealings with the reporter, Ju Se-ah turned to look at Kang Mu-hyuk. He was nodding his head, as if satisfied. "Did I do it right?" "Yes, you did well. After finishing the guild cooperation meeting tomorrow morning, we can confirm and publish the article the next day." Ju Se-ah shook her head, as if to clear away herplicated thoughts. "Ah, why is everything soplex? I had to pretend to leak information by mistake and act like I''ve never done before. Can''t we just give some money and let it be known?" "As I mentioned before..." "I know, I know. We need to divert people''s attention. Therefore, instead of those who write articles for money, we need real deals. You''ve told me how troublesome it was because reporter Kim Jung-min is very perceptive." "We still need to be careful in many ways. The revival of the Guild Leader system can provoke bacsh from existing guilds. Also,rge corporations unhappy withrge guilds monopolizing monster corpses and various Gate resources will show interest in me. Our guild could get caught in a big fight between whales. Packaging the information as secretly acquired by a trustworthy reporter will boost credibility." "I guess because the position of a Guild Leader would be distasteful in the eyes of old men. To cover that, we have to divert attention elsewhere." "Yes. That''s why the article about iming the Special Activities Zone as our territory is important. The best way to cover an issue is with another issue." Ju Se-ah asked anxiously. "But, can it really be covered just by that?" "The damages incurred due to missed monsters in the Special Activities Zone every year are quite significant. If a local guild is established, they will also carry the duty of defense, so it will be greatly weed by Pocheon City and the northern Gyeonggi region. I''m thinking of asking the government to heavily promote it through the media. It will be difficult to intervene directly because the interests areplicated. Rather, it is more likely that they will fight over the structure." "What if they don''t fight?" "We need to make them fight." For a moment, Ju Se-ah felt a shiver down her spine. Kang Mu-hyuk''s intention was too malicious. She was a Master of a Corporate Guild, but until recently, she had been an Ace of a Tier-ed guild, so she could predict how things would unfold. Large Guilds and Corporate Guilds. Although they watched each other like hawks, it was obvious that neither would easily back down if a fight started in this way. ''I was just thinking about how to block the tacklesing at the Guild Leader system, but I didn''t expect him to start a fight this way....'' She thought it was impressive as she mulled over Kang Mu-hyuk''s actions again. Even though it wasn''t yet in full swing, it was starting to produce results one by one. The guild, which had been standing still all this time, finally seemed to be moving. What had she been doing all this time? A self-mocking smile soured her taste. Ju Se-ah shook off her self-me and changed the subject. "By the way, you''re expelling Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol, aren''t you?" "Yes, that''s what happened." "I''ve heard the news. But he¡¯s from the assault team... I''m not sure if their representative will go quietly." "There should be no problem. Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol is leaving voluntarily." "That''s the problem. He''s not the type to let things go just because he''s leaving voluntarily." "I''m aware of that." "You are?" "Yes. That''s why I rmended voluntary expulsion." Ju Se-ah shuddered once again. Kang Mu-hyuk continued in his indifferent voice. "It''s a kind of warning. How they receive it is up to them." Chapter 25 - The Curious Man They Call Guild Leader "Wow. This is so refreshing. Is this the same guy we used to talk about? How on earth did you manage to get rid of that idiot? Our leader is truly talented." Smack! "Urgh...!" Noh Song-rin''s fistnded on the abdomen of Lee Gi-young, who was standing in front of him. Gasping, the fallen Lee Gi-young bore the pain and quickly returned to his ce. He maintained a stationary posture, staring straight at the wall in front of him with fervent determination. "Can''t you keep an eye on one kid while I''m away?" "I apologize." "Do you expect me to handle outside matters in this state, Gi-young?" "I''m deeply sorry." Lee Gi-young didn''t even make eye contact with Noh Song-rin. The ones from Ujungdo knew what a vile character he was. Perhaps his persistence, stemming from a rough childhood, had made him obsessively determined. That obsession spawned a possessive desire and allowed him to exercise charisma that swayed other Hunters. He could be more brutal than anyone else when something slipped out of his hands. He was angry, regardless of whether Byun Jeong-cheol was useful or not. ''Just because he''s from Ujungdo doesn''t mean he can''t return as a Hunter. But a proper guild would never ept him. What kind of lunatic would insert Party Leader Noh into Taesung? Sure, I''m a small-time yer, but Party Leader Noh is...'' Lee Gi-young too had risen from humble beginnings, but he thought there was a problem in epting these lunatics as the core Hunters of the guild. It was somewhat fortunate that after Ju Se-ah assumed the Guild Master position, she didn''t tantly cause trouble. And Ju Se-ah was not the only one to be cautious about. What about Jang Deuk-goo? If one shed with him...? ''That would be horrifying. Well, can this guild even be considered a decent guild, with Jang Deuk-goo in it?'' Noh Song-rinnded a few more punches on Lee Gi-young before pulling back his fist. "What really matters isn''t Byun Jeong-cheol. You know why he couldn''t really join our family, right? He wasn''t worthy. The question is how that new Guild Leader will behave in the future. Unlike his predecessor, he''s overly active in the guild. It could interfere with our business." "Should we handle him secretly?" "What about Jang Deuk-goo?" "As long as we don''t get caught..." "Hah?! Do you think he''d behave if there''s no evidence?" "That''s not it." "And the Guild Master Ju is a problem too. She has let us be so far because we haven''t crossed the line." "But isn''t it a line we have to cross eventually?" "Definitely not now. Oh, this is a headache. A non-Hunter bing the Guild Leader is troublesome. I would rather have a sessful Hunter as the Vice Guild Master. At least he wouldn''t want to deal with us." Crossing his arms, Noh Song-rin sank into thought for a moment before shaking his head. "For now, leave him be. It''ll be trouble if we provoke him and he digs deeper. Concede to him as necessary. Pretend to obey. Nicely. Do you understand?" "Yes, I understand." "And handle Byun Jeong-cheol. He dares to leave without my permission? He needs to be taught a lesson." "Yes." ''No matter how you look at it, it''s ufortable.'' Hunter Stat Evaluation (Percentile/Rank) Noh Song-rin ? Stamina 81 / A- ? Strength 83 / A- ? Agility 79 / B+ ? Magic Power 80 / A- ? Physical Resistance 61 ? Magic Resistance 45 ? Average of the 4 Primary Stats 80.75 / A- To be recognized as an A- rank, the average score of the four primary stats had to be between 80 and 83, and at least two ranks, including Magic Power, had to reach A-. Even if all the other stats were A-, if Magic Power wasn''t A- rank, or if only Magic Power met the qualifications, the promotion was not recognized. Judging by the basic measured stats alone, Noh Song-rin was an impable A- rank. While there could be stark differences among those in the same A- rank based on detailed stats and tactical evaluations, he was by no means a Huntercking in experience, given his monster hunting history. With his capabilities, he was qualified to be a regr party member in an A-rank guild, or even an elite or an ace in a B-rank guild. ''Sadly, he''s in a ''Rain-rank'' (rank with one stat falling short of the standard). Well, it''s unlikely that the representative of the Assault Team faction would be a ''Water-rank'' (rank that just meets the minimum stat requirement).'' The point that kept bothering Kang Mu-hyuk was right here. Taesung Guild was a guild that fell far short of B-rank in skill assessment. Noh Song-rin was too valuable a rank to be in a ce like this. He should have transferred to a higher guild sooner. ''Of course, the fact that he is from Ujungdo is a hindrance. But why on earth does this guild have so many members from Ujungdo?'' Ju Se-ah had said it was the result of external figures brought in by previous Guild Masters to seize control of the guild. Perhaps, given theck of proper Hunters at the Taesung guild level, they had hastily gathered Hunters with disqualifications. But at the A- rank, being from Ujungdo was no longer a problem. Criminal records were scrutinized in A+ andrger guilds, but it was worth considering for recruitment from B-rank, and for C-rank and below, it was a rank worth recruiting even at the risk. Even if it wasn''t Taesung Guild, there would have been ces willing to recruit him at any time with just a little scouting. ''But, he came to Taesung after all?'' And it was not like he was getting paid a lot either? Given Taesung''s situation, where gate conquest achievements were drastically low, allowances for conquests, dispatches, and danger were virtually non-existent. The gate clear bonus and the loot distribution were the biggest pieces of the pie, but with no opportunities, they couldn''t even dream of making extra. In an industry sry structure where the extras outweighed the base, these various allowances were important ie sources for the Hunters. Hunters'' base sries might seem overflowing to the general public, but they weren''t sufficient. This was because they spent as much as they earned. Think of it as a baseball yer. Baseball yers also bought and used equipment suitable for their bodies with their own money. It was the same for Hunters. Considering the dizzying cost of Hunter equipment, relying solely on a sry without any allowances wasn''t viable. Of course, the guild provided support in the form of Ampule Kits or standard equipment, but most Hunters used custom gear that fit their hands perfectly. The difference in weapons could determine life or death. Moreover, Noh Song-rin had not had his stats measured for two years. By now, it wouldn''t be surprising if he''d reached ''Grass-rank'' (a rank that meets the qualifications for all stats), as he only fell slightly short in the Agility stat. Kang Mu-hyuk had doubts about Noh Song-rin''s identity. Was his presence at Taesung Guild simply coincidence, or was there some hidden scheme at y? If there was a scheme, was it in collusion with external forces, or an independent power y? If it was an external force, was it rted to Taesung Group, or another organization? ''The information is insufficient.'' The shes of inspiration and urate judgment brought about by mana addiction could only be triggered when ample information was collected. Kang Mu-hyuk made a phone call to the same person he''d contacted about the Byun Jeong-cheol case. "Look into Noh Song-rin for me. I heard he''s from Ujungdo. Send me the basic personal details by email. I''ll settle the cost together with the previous task." A strip of bars frequented by the members of Taesung Guild. It had been quiet for a while due to the subdued atmosphere in the guild, but since the incident worth gossiping about urred, small groups started gathering after work. Employeesing out from a pork belly restaurant where they''d had dinner for the first round nted their buttocks in a beer hall for the second round, where they unloaded heaps of stories. "Did you hear the rumor?" "What rumor?" "The new Guild Leader who just took office. Apparently, he''s from Titan." "Titan? That high-flying one nowadays?" "Yeah. And he was the Team Leader of the Strategy and Tactics Team too." "Hey, what would a non-Hunter... wait. Wasn''t there news about a non-Hunter Strategy and Tactics Team Leader a while back?" "Yes. That''s our new Guild Leader. If you search it up, it pops right up." "Wow, this is the first time I''m seeing a non-Hunter taking on the role of a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader." "He must be at that level to have clinched the Guild Leader position." A man who was chugging a 50 draft beer at a nearby table pricked up his ears at the employees'' conversation. ''Guild Leader?'' He peeked out beside a flower pot blocking his view. There were a few familiar employees in sight. ''These people are from our guild, right? Guild Leader? What happened while I was away on a few days'' trip?'' He was quietly eavesdropping on the conversation to understand the situation when he heard some surprising news. "Did you hear about today''s bombshell?" "You mean Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol?" "Yeah. The one who assaulted a manager. The Guild Leader resolved that issue. That Byun guy left the guild today." ''What? Byun Jeong-cheol left the guild?'' "No way, would anyone listen to what Hunter Byun says? He probably couldn''t control his temper and left." "I have a friend from our training days in the management team. He was saying the Guild Leader..." "Wee!" The waitstaff''s greeting drowned out the rest of the conversation at the nearby table, prompting the man to stand up. "What are you doing now?" "Huh? Brother Dongpa?" The man was surprised by the sudden approach and turned around. In doing so, he exposed that he had been eavesdropping on the employees. "Hunter Baek Hyeonggyu?" "Hunter Na Dongpa! Both of you are back...? Ha ha..." An embarrassed Baek Hyeonggyu scratched his head and waved. The employees were busy racking their brains, wondering if they''d just been bad-mouthing anyone. Even in private, uttering words that could get them in trouble with a Hunter was taboo. "Why''s the mood like this? What''s going on?" "So, is it true that Byun Jeong-cheol really left?" "What? Byun Jeong-cheol?" Na Dongpa also showed keen interest and quickly joined them, but once again, Baek Hyeonggyu, acting as if he wasn''t present, slid in between the employees and sat down. "Uh, that is..." "Ah, my mistake. I''ll cover the drinks today. Just continue with what you were saying." When the employees, noticing the situation, began to speak, Na Dongpa pulled up a chair and sat down next to them. After a while, the two Hunters exchanged stupefied nces. "So, the neer isn''t a Vice Guild Master but a Guild Leader, and he expelled Byun Jeong-cheol, who assaulted a manager, in a day?" "Expelled is a strong word, it was more like a voluntary departure..." "That lunatic would never leave on his own." Baek Hyeonggyu firmly countered the employees'' timid words, worried that they might be misinterpreted. He had concluded that this Guild Leader had yed some kind of trick. "What I can''t believe more is the sauna incident. Is that true?" As Na Dongpa, who had been silently listening, asked this, one of the employees responded. "I saw it myself. I had to run an errand to the sauna when I was called from the expedition team." "Senior Jang is not the type to enjoy saunas. He met with Team Leader Do Gyeong-hoon... Why did a man who has been quiet so far make a move now?" During the few days he was away, there had been mysterious movements within the guild. Both Baek Hyeonggyu and Na Dongpa were Hunters who didn''t care how the guild flowed, but they didn''t like movements they were unaware of. "Bro, it looks like we need to visit the office for the first time in a while, right?" "Right. I''m curious about this Guild Leader." The next day, 10 am. Kang Mu-hyuk, who had scheduled a meeting with the Guild Cooperation Division,muted to the Seoul Government Office building with Ju Se-ah in tow. As soon as they parked in the basement, as previously arranged, an official approached them. "Hello. I''m Park Choong-soo, who spoke with you on the phone." "I''m Ju Se-ah." "I''m Kang Mu-hyuk." "We have a direct elevator for security. Please, this way." Kang Mu-hyuk was satisfied with only Park Choong-sooing out to greet them. ''The fewer people who know, the better.'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s Guild Leader appointment article was just about to be released. Whether good or bad, all guilds would be paying attention. If news that Ju Se-ah and Kang Mu-hyuk had visited the Guild Cooperation Division ovepped with this, they had no idea what kind of interference might ur before they could proceed with their work. The Guild Leader system itself was an obstacle to therge guilds, and there were sure to be Hunters eager to sabotage it outright. The ce Park Choong-soo guided them to was not the Guild Cooperation Division but a small conference room in the corner of the building. As they entered, a middle-aged man with a bulbous nose and gold-rimmed sses weed them warmly. "I''m Cha Gil-joo, the head of the division." "I''m Ju Se-ah, the Guild Master of Taesung Guild." "I''m Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader of Taesung Guild." "We''re a bit cramped here. We''re sorry for the inconvenience since we''re conducting this covertly. Please, have a seat." As soon as Cha Gil-joo took his seat of authority, Kang Mu-hyuk began speaking. "Thank you for making time for us, despite our urgent meeting request." "I originally had a meeting with the minister." "..." "But as soon as I mentioned the North Pocheon base, they readily conceded. That indicates its importance. The special activity area is more of a dangerous zone than a resource gathering area, at least for now." "Perhaps the flow will change a bit in the future." Kang Mu-hyuk pulled out the documents he had prepared and handed them over. Cha Gil-joo cautiously received the papers and began to review them. Each time he turned a page, he adjusted his sses. His eyes were filled with a curious light. Despite havingpany, he didn''t skim through but read meticulously, word for word. Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah waited patiently until he finished reading. "Hoo~ You didn''t show me everything. All these various ns are heading somewhere, but there''s no actual result. It feels like I''m only seeing half of a blueprint." "To see the other half, you need to pay a worthy price. What will you do? Would you like to see it?" Chapter 26 - Guild Leader, Please Proceed Cha Gil-joo went deep in thought before he decided to speak. "After seeing it, I probably won''t be able to resist... But isn''t it inappropriate to open the wallet first when I can''t even eat? The wallet of a public servant is tight. We can''t carelessly swipe cards. Especially public servants in an ambiguous position like me. After all, the final approval descends from above." Following Cha Gil-joo, who pointed his index finger at the ceiling, Kang Mu-hyuk raised his head, then lowered his gaze before speaking, "So, would a menu that''s safe for the division head to eat and also decent to disy to the higher-ups suffice?" "I''m not sure such a thing exists." "Seems like you''re already interested in something. I''ll take one of your most curious questions." Cha Gil-joo was taken aback. Generally, business owners who were awarded government contracts or proposed projects would package everything with all sorts of pleasing excuses, even if they didn''t possess the necessary requirements. Moreover, the guild, although it was a subordinate in name, in reality, held the upper hand. They often pressured the government with a mix of coercion and bluffs under the name of persuasion. Of course, this was a negotiation method that could only be implemented by arge guild. But the Guild Leader of the Taesung Guild asked him to question outright. And that too, just one question. In such an unpleasant situation, Cha Gil-joo was already carefully selecting the question he should ask. This surprised him. ''He works in a strange way.'' Arrogant circumstances, but polite manners. A way of speaking that sparked curiosity first. Somehow, it felt amusing. It was the first time he felt this way while being on this job. Suddenly, Cha Gil-joo realized why Kang Mu-hyuk, contrary to his initially polite impression, was acting so boldly. ''I shouldn''t have mentioned the minister.'' He had mentioned the minister so the other party would feel pressured, but it had rather be his weakness. If the content mentioned earlier was overturned, it would drive Cha Gil-joo into an awkward situation. If he were to tell the minister that things had now gottenplicated, it would only damage his own dignity. ''I let my guard down because he''s a non-Hunter. Hended a polite blow. But then again, he''s not an ordinary person since he''s a non-Hunter leading a guild.'' For a moment, he had this thought. Could we also achieve something with this person? They called it the Guild Cooperation Division, but truthfully, it was just a runner center that catered to the guilds'' whims and addressedints. No, they were a punching bag that was knocked around without being able to solve anything. They couldn''t even dream of having independent projects or equal negotiation rights as they were overwhelmed by the guilds. Even worse, when they upset the guilds, incidents and idents caused by monsters would subtly increase. This ''subtle'' was crucial. There was no evidence to use them of negligence, yet the damage to human life couldn''t be ignored. It was this kind of ''subtle.'' Several calctionsplicated his head within an instant. "Ha, I''ve be a real public servant." "Pardon?" "No, nothing. I was just having various thoughts. So, I''ll ask one question. Putting everything else aside, the most important issue is... Pocheon is considerably broad." "That''s right. It''s very broad." "Could your Taesung Guild handle this area with its current power?" Kang Mu-hyuk admitted with a brisk smile. "We can''t handle it." "Guild Leader Kang, if you say that... Hmm. I have nothing to say. I can''t cover it all by myself. But it''s the truth." Ju Se-ah, seemingly agitated, stood up and then sat down again as she agreed. "Well... Then, how do you n to resolve this? If you promote it as the first special hunting ground and then problems arise, it will be tough for the responsible department. Not to mention, it would be a terrible thing for the citizens of South Pocheon." "When the guild''s relocation is announced, many of the current Hunters will likely leave. The scale of the guild will decrease even further." "What on earth..." "We don''t have the funds or the reputation to recruit skilled Hunters. From supporters to managers and facilities, everything will be downgraded significantly." "..." Cha Gil-joo stared at Kang Mu-hyuk as he listed problems instead of solutions. "Nheless. The anxiety of the citizens of South Pocheon... We must definitely solve that problem. I can''t guarantee 100%. There''s no such thing as a perfect defense n. But we are going there to create a situation much better than before. To do that, I propose this method." Kang Mu-hyuk took out a document he had prepared in advance and handed it over. "This is..." "The title is, as you can see, grand. But it should be a good menu to show off." Inside the car returning to the guild. Ju Se-ah, who was driving, grumbled, "Damn, I''m speechless. It should be a good menu to show off? You acted as if you were in a movie." "I didn''t say it in a funny way." "It''s not about being funny or not! Should you show that n so easily?" "I made it with the intention to disy." "No, more than that, did you prepare it in advance knowing he would ask? How?" Instead of replying, Kang Mu-hyuk opened his briefcase. Inside, files filled with documents were visible. "Do you think I''m a newbie? Of course, I prepared everything." "Huh? You''re a total scammer. I thought you wereying a mat." ''Well, I knew he would mention that problem first.'' Kang Mu-hyuk recalled the profile of Division Head Cha Gil-joo. Since the Titan era, he had thoroughly kept tabs on the Guild Cooperation Office. Although there was no opportunity to work together due to the guild''s stingy policy on government quests, he had always viewed Cha Gil-joo favorably. ''He was a civil servant who volunteered for the Guild Cooperation Division, a ce everyone else loathed. He started at the bottom, unearthing the corruption within the organization, going as far as ousting his superiors.'' Even though he had done the right thing, his past actions garnered him the sort of reputation that drew resentment within the civil service system. Whistleblowers were always in an awkward position, regardless of the system they were in. That said, despite all the hostility, he ended up as the head of the Guild Cooperation Division. Kang Mu-hyuk had suspicions that the corruption scandal itself could have been Cha Gil-joo''s n. ''Opportunist or idealist? Looking at his past actions, he certainly moves ording to a n he has drawn up for himself. And all his ns have always been...'' Human-centered. In that respect, Kang Mu-hyuk had always considered Cha Gil-joo as someone he could work with. "If that was the case, you should have just shown everything. Why did you ask him to choose one?" Ju Se-ah questioned. Snapping out of his train of thought, Kang Mu-hyuk answered, "I wanted to see what he would check first. Even if I don''t know everything about a person, I can get a glimpse of their work style and perspective." "And?" When Ju Se-ah probed further, Kang Mu-hyuk nced at her. "I didn''t answer why I didn''t show him all of the ns, did I? I''m not the type to make such a fuss just to figure out one thing." "No gambler shows their hand, right? Especially in the Hunter industry, where stakes are people''s lives. If you reveal everything all at once, you never know where you might be hit from." "So you''re saying you don''t trust Division Head Cha?" "In guild matters, you can''t trust people." "Then what?" "You have to trust the system. While Chief Cha Gil-joo is the head of the Guild Cooperation Division, he does not have the final authority. He must report to his superiors and get their approval, which is the system. And at the peak of that system, there''s always a person." "So you''re saying you can''t trust the system either." "Yes, don''t trust anything." Ju Se-ah, still unustomed to Kang Mu-hyuk''s speech and way of handling things, shook her head. "Anyway, tonight the inauguration article will be out. Starting from tomorrow, there will be a lot of chatter. Tch! I''m going to receive a lot of annoying calls. Just thinking about the noise is giving me a headache already." "You''re the Guild Master, you''ll manage." "Why the sudden praise?" "That''s your specialty, isn''t it?" "Specialty?" "Being a Tanker." "You''re saying I''m a punching bag." "How about being hit with words instead of fists?" "Honestly, I''d prefer fists." "You have the highest physical and magic resistance, don''t you? Use this opportunity to build up some resistance to verbal attacks as well." "After all, if we''re talking about damage done by tongue, the Guild Master is not any less than an average dealer. I''d really love to go on a raid with you once." "The opportunity wille." It was then, when Ju Se-ah was stewing over Kang Mu-hyuk''s remarks. Ding! Kang Mu-hyuk checked his phone that vibrated in his pocket. [Cho Chung-hyun, Strategy and Tactics Team Leader] Training is ready. He read the message with a meaningful nce and said, "Aside from the raid, there''s something else I''d like your help with, Respected Guild Master." "What? Why the sudden formal ''Respected Guild Master?'' It makes me nervous. Just call me the old-fashioned ''Guild Master.'' It suits me better. So, what do you need help with?" "Training." "Training? Out of the blue?" "Hunters have gathered in the training hall. While they''re there, how about helping our guild''s promising recruits train?" "Why are they doing something they''ve never done before?" "Exactly. We thought the new Guild Leader might do something special, but suddenly training? Ah, this new Guild Leader is doomed too." "But... If we don''t train, we''ll stay at C-Rank forever." "Dae-hyun, training is just training. We have to face reality. The reason we''re stuck at C-Rank is because the guild hasn''t been capturing gates properly." "What''s all this fuss about? It''s just training, why are we wearing full gear?" Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah were watching the rookie Hunters, who had joined within the past three years, from the waiting room of the underground training room. "17 people in total, all within three years of joining. So, those five are the central figures among the rookies." "Rookies are to die for. I told them to warm up, and they''re just sitting around. Ah, these guys really have no room for improvement. I should just get rid of all of them." Watching the rookies through the monitor, Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head. "I wonder... Is there really no room for improvement?" "The basics aren''t even there. Their hunting style probably won''t be much different, right?" "In that case, let''s see them hunt." "Where? Is there a nearby gate we could use?" "Here." "We haven''t prepared any monsters, though?" "They''re ready." Kang Mu-hyuk grinned, manipting the controller to turn off the lights in the training room. The sudden darkness caused the rookies to buzz with confusion. Switching the camera to infrared mode, Kang Mu-hyuk grabbed a microphone. "I''m transmitting the situation. We''re in a dark forest. An ogre has appeared. Detain the ogre until the main forces arrive. They''ll be there in five minutes. Good luck surviving." Looking at the flustered Hunters on the monitor, Ju Se-ah asked Kang Mu-hyuk, "When did you prepare an ogre? It must have cost a pretty penny to capture it alive. Besides, can C-Rankers even withstand an ogre? That sounds dangerous." "Our budget for this month is pretty tight. Where would we find the funds to prepare an ogre?" "Then how is the ogre..." "Guild Master. Please go ahead." "...Me? Why do I have to... Could it be, I am the ogre?" "You have a short reach, so just take a weapon like a mace with you. Try to fight with a little less strength, say around the level of an ogre." Ju Se-ah red up, incredulous. "What? How can you ask a woman to y the role of an ogre? What! Do I look like an ogre to you? Despite my looks, I''ve won five beauty pageants among Hunters..." "Weren''t you the one who imed to have beaten an ogre bare-handed in your prime? There''s even a video of that. Doesn''t that make you stronger than an ogre? I thought you''d be perfectly capable of ying its stand-in. Haven''t you forgotten use 3, paragraph 2 of the contract?" "use 3, paragraph 2? What was that..." "It''s about training requests. The Guild Master can be called upon to serve as a training instructor at any time at the request of the Guild Leader. If the request is denied without any special schedule or reason..." "Enough. Okay, I got it." Speechless, Ju Se-ah obediently picked up a mace with a chain from the weapon disy at the entrance, gripping it firmly in both hands. "Alright. The woman stronger than an ogre is going in. Bang!" Chapter 27 - Thats Why Im Here Now If stat evaluation focused on a Hunter''s physical abilities, tactical assessment zeroed in on their ''performance.'' The utmost efficiency in quickly and safely dispatching monsters. In the past, there was no objective information to determine a Hunter''s level other than assessments based on stats. However, as the Gate era lengthened, and as the age of major wars passed, giving way to the era of guild prosperity, various quantitative and qualitative evaluations were developed to gauge a Hunter''s ability. Among them was a prominent index like the ''Appropriate Monster Suppression Time.'' This index scored Hunters based on how quickly they were able to hunt a standard monster for each rank, solo, while wearing standard equipment. Of course, the results varied greatly depending on position, skills, and main mission sessions, but it was useful as reference material to help understand one''s basicbat ability. There were dozens of other evaluation items. Unlike Hunters obsessed with rank orymencking industry knowledge, stakeholders like Kang Mu-hyuk evaluated Hunters with more emphasis on tactical assessment than stat evaluation. "First is Hong Ju-il, right? Suppression time is 3 minutes 47 seconds, ''Great.'' That''s an average for dealers. His coping ability seemscking for this mission. Or is he overconfident in his skills? Perhaps it''s a strong personal trait." On the monitor, the figure of Ju Se-ah, slowly approaching Hong Ju-il, was being reflected. She was intentionally making a lot of noise. Like an ogre expressing its dominance over the forest with its entire body, everyone nearby could distinctly feel her presence. The Hunters'' reactions varied at this point. Some stood still, looking ufortable, some retreated to hide, others faced her fearlessly. Since it was a test doubling as training, there wasn''t a particr pass mark. From the start, having Ju Se-ah as the opponent set the bar incredibly high. But Kang Mu-hyuk had no choice but to frown from the start. "There''s absolutely nomunication." The first response was a failing grade. Even though the goal was to observe the process rather than the result, this was disappointing. "I wonder if they can endure for 5 minutes? It''d be good if at least one reusable guy shows up from all this." Whooom! Whooom! Whooosh! Whooosh! The iron ball attached to the end of a chain created a chilling surge of wind current as it swung. The close-range mace, connected by rings forming a chain, was often used against monsters with high regeneration. For instance, with regards to trolls rather than cutting them it was more effective to crush them since they recovered slower that way. The hefty iron ball guaranteed lethal destructive power just by the centrifugal force it generated when it was swung. However, the mace was not a popr weapon. Firstly, itcked versatility. Its size and shape made it inconvenient to carry around. And most crucially, itcked ''mor.'' Hunters were often more preupied with the ''look'' of their weapon than its functionality. For lower rank Hunters survival was the top priority, and they paid little attention to appearances. However, as they climbed ranks, visibility also became a factor in their choice of equipment. Unless it was a special case, there was no Hunter who used the ugly mace as their primary weapon. Therefore, there were few Hunters skilled in the use of the mace. Of course, this didn''t apply to Ju Se-ah. She was adept at using any weapon that was effective for killing monsters. "One minute has already passed. If you can stay unscathed for the rest of the time, there''ll be a special bonus. Ah? By the way, I won''t be using any skills." At Ju Se-ah''s voice ringing out in the darkness, the Hunters were taken aback. ''She was an Ogre, but now she''s an S-ss Hunter?'' ''No, an Ogre might even be better. This is almost like the final boss of a Red Gate, isn''t it?'' Ju Se-ah''s statement divided the Hunters'' approach. ''This is a chance to impress an S-ss Hunter. She''s the top Hunter in Korea, after all. If I perform well this time, I could move up!'' ''She''s a walking cmity, right? The nickname of the S-ss... I need to keep a low profile if I want to survive long and thin.'' ''If she''s not using skills, maybe it''s worth a shot? It''s dark, too. If I hide, she might not be able to find me.'' ''What do I do? What do I do? What do I do~?'' The Hunters decided to use skills to conquer the darkness first. These were the Hunters Kang Mu-hyuk criticized right from the start, but as they hadpleted the regr training, they possessed fundamental skills. They chose skills that allowed them to identify their opponents, not just blindly lighting up the area. ''Night Vision.'' Hong Ju-il''s vision turned green. Ju Se-ah entered his line of sight, which had been shrouded in a ck curtain. "Uh..." She was right in front of him. Thump! "Ugh...!" Hong Ju-il, who got kicked in the stomach and couldn''t even gulp down his breath, copsed. The front of the protective armor he wore had caved in. Ju Se-ah stepped over the unconscious and drooling Hong Ju-il as she moved on. The rookies, who had used the same darkness perception skills or those that discerned the situation through sound, were shocked by their fallen colleague and scattered in all directions. "I can hear your footsteps." Ju Se-ah chased after the scattering Hunters, hopping excitedly. To the rookies, the spacious training room, which took up a whole floor, felt as cramped as a cage. Every time the mace whipped up the wind, Hunters fell screaming. They wondered how the S-ss, who imed not to use skills, could find them so well. They even suspected that she was secretly using skills. "Two minutes left. But now there are only seven of you left?" When Ju Se-ah reported the mid-game situation, the surviving Hunters finally looked around. She had been running around like she was herding rabbits, but somehow she had taken down ten of them. ''Damn it! Even an Ogre wouldn''t be this scary.'' As Kim Gwi-nam gritted his teeth and held his breath, someone whispered in his ear. "Bro, running away is useless. We should fight together." ''Dae-hyun.'' Unlike Kim Gwi-nam, a tanker with a low rank and no messaging skill, Min Dae-hyun, a supporter, had prioritized obtaining functional skills overbat skills. Min Dae-hyun exhausted his remaining energy while simultaneously unleashing a flurry of deceptive skills intended to distract Ju Se-ah, staying true to his role as a supporter. He disrupted her bnce, blurred her vision, and confused her hearing. Although they were minor, these skills were quite useful in hunting. The problem was the vast rank difference between him and Ju Se-ah. Not only that, but she also surpassed them in both physical and magical resistance. Nevertheless, Ju Se-ah purposely received the full brunt of his skills and patiently waited. It was a fitting penalty for her role as an Ogre. Surrounded by the remaining rookies, Ju Se-ah let out a sigh. "Forming a party in the middle of a fight isn''t too bad. But you only set up a formation after more than half becamebat-incapable. If you''d done this from the beginning, at least you could have set up a scrum (tanker wall). You all get a failing grade." With a strict critique, Ju Se-ah charged in. ''Finally, we''ve formed arge group, but it looks hopeless. About two minutes left. Can we hold out?'' For the first time since joining the Taesung Guild, Min Dae-hyun started to enjoy himself. When Ju Se-ah had first appeared, he felt chills run down his spine. He thought he was terrified in front of the strongest Hunter, but after more than half the Hunters were out, he realized it was a thrilling tension. Excitement. As the sense of crisis heightened, adrenaline pumped. His brain worked more actively within this thrilling pleasure. Thanks to this, he found the leisure to follow Ju Se-ah''s movements. "Whoa! Here shees!" Ju Se-ah was seen charging. The target was the tanker, Kim Gwi-nam. Not wanting to see the frontline crumble before the fight even began, Min Dae-hyun cast his skill immediately. ''Trip over a pebble and fall!'' A trivial skill that merely raised a bump on the ground. Due to his low proficiency, the best he could do was trip someone up, but in the dark, it might just work... ''...Oh, hell no. Does she have eyes on her feet too?'' His spine chilled at the sight of her easily evading and hitting Kim Gwi-nam''s shield with her mace. With the sound of collision deafening his ears, the shield bent. As Kim Gwi-nam dropped to his knees, Ju Se-ah swung an uppercut-like blow with her mace without mercy. In shock, Min Dae-hyun quickly stretched out his hand. A thin line of mana sprung from his hand and wrapped around Kim Gwi-nam''s ankle, yanking him away. The mace just grazed the shield. "Huh." Ju Se-ah''s lips curled as she slid across the ground, chasing after the fleeing Kim Gwi-nam. Min Dae-hyun quickly gave orders to another party member. "Soo-jin, try to draw her attention." Frightened and unresponsive, Yang Soo-jin snapped back to reality and fired an arrow. But Ju Se-ah easily dodged and caught up with Kim Gwi-nam. As Ju Se-ah tried to grab the mana line and pull it back, Min Dae-hyun hastily cancelled his skill. And Kim Gwi-nam, left behind, was... "Gwak!" "Now there are six left." Ju Se-ah finished him off. ''Ugh! I''m sorry, Gwi-nam.'' Min Dae-hyun fell back, racking his brain on how a party without a tank could hold out. "You have one minute left." The voice of the new Guild Leader flowed out from the speaker. One minute. A mere 60 seconds. A glimmer of hope had briefly appeared with the finish line in sight. However-- "One minute? Okay. That''s enough." For Ju Se-ah, it was ample time, not enough to apply any pressure. ''Is that... Is that enough?'' Min Dae-hyun let out a shriek as he watched Ju Se-ahh closing the distance in an instant. ''Considering this test was meant to sort out and organize things before the relocation....'' "All 17 of you out." Kang Mu-hyuk switched on the training room lights at the announcement of the test''s end by Ju Se-ah, who was addressing the camera. ''There was an unexpectedly useful Hunter.'' The teststed five minutes, but the actual running time was just over four minutes. In reality, the 17 rookie Hunters had barely shown anything of substance. They were simply trampled on. The problem was theck of tactical movement to withstand the entire five minutes, as stipted in the mission. ''If they''d made some decisive orders, they could have managed. Not one of them was willing to step up and take the lead.'' As he first witnessed the abilities of the rookie Hunters, Kang Mu-hyuk was left with the impression that they weren''t as bad as he''d thought. There were Hunters who attempted counterattacks in their own way. It wasrgely thanks to Ju Se-ah''s generosity, but at least they didn''t just stand and die. That in itself was meaningful. Facing Ju Se-ah would result in the same oue even if they were from Titan. ''Well, the difference in skill among C-rank rookies is paper-thin. The real issue is...'' Theck of assertiveness. The first hurdle separating promising candidates and average rookie Hunters was who made the first move. This was the reason why the unwritten rule in the Hunter industry was ''Follow the one who acts first in a crisis.'' It was a proverb any seasoned Hunter was aware about. It was this difference that elerated a Hunter''s growth. "There''s one with potential. The rest are on hold. We should push with him at the center of the rookies." Just as Ju Se-ah, who had finished the test and entered the waiting room, heard Kang Mu-hyuk''s n, she let out a dismissive snort. "I''m sure you know this as the former Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. A supporter can''t be the center of a party. Even if it looks naive, it''s an immutable truth that the tank stays at the core." "I agree with that. But what I''m talking about is amander who rys orders." "Usually, that''s a tank or a dealer with a lot of experience. There are limits to a supporter who stays in the rear." "By staying in the rear, they can secure a wider field of vision." Upon seeing Kang Mu-hyuk actively participating in the hunting strategy, Ju Se-ah seemed to have a realization. "Is this also rted to that C warehouse?" "For now, I''ll decline toment." "Fine. I''m the type to save the good stuff forter. I''ll wait until the resultse in. But don''t you think it''s about time to show some vision to the guild members? With the guild relocation news tomorrow, they''re going to be frantic. Mass resignations could ur." Ju Se-ah spoke with worry, but Kang Mu-hyuk just shrugged as if unconcerned. "We''ll just leave them be. That was the n from the start. The move to North Pocheon will help weed out useless forces. I''d be thankful if the factions that get in the way leave. When you suddenly get hit on the head, your true nature tends to reveal itself in one way or another. We''ll be able to confirm who''s with us and who''s not at this point." "From the receiver''s end, it must be really bewildering. I knew you had a bad personality, but your hobbies are nasty too." "Thanks to that, we''re here now." "This isn''t even funny. Bringing out the Guild Leader system. What did the princess of Taesung eat wrong? Have the car ready. Send a message to Guild Master Ju Se-ah that we should meet. Let''s head to the Taesung Guild." "Yes, Chairman." Chapter 28 - Do Not Stand in the Way "When the guild''s relocation is announced, we''ll need to decide on the location for our headquarters. Do you have any ces in mind?" "I have a few." At Ju Se-ah''s question, Kang Mu-hyuk nodded and touched his tablet. A map appeared on the 150-inch monitor installed on the Guild Master''s office wall. "The current Special Activities Zone consists of a vast area made up of parts of the North Pocheon, Gwanin-myeon, Yeongbuk-myeon, Idong-myeon, Yeongjung-myeon, Changsu-myeon, and Ildong-myeon [TL: These are all third-order administrative division - a subdivision of a second-order administrative division in Pocheon] The northeast part is a part of the Gwangju Mountain Range, so the area is highly defensible due to the mountains that lead out to nds. However, the ces bordering South Pocheon are t, and there are many golf courses built in the past, which are open on all sides. We could install an electric fence, but it''s not entirely effective in preventing the asional monster incursions. With all this in consideration, I''ve marked several potential locations." Ju Se-ah stared intently at the boundary of South Pocheon marked on the monitor. The map, meticulously prepared by Kang Mu-hyuk, disyed the prospective headquarters and some basic information about each. She picked one and pointed to it. "In that case, we should ce the headquarters near the boundary. It''s close to the city and transportation is convenient. Our response will also be easier. How about here? The ce where Art Valley used to be. It says it was closed due to difficulties in management. There are suitable buildings to use as our headquarters and plenty of space for training grounds. As it''s a hard ce to deal with, wouldn''t Pocheon City agree to hand it over?" "It''s not going to bepletely free. We''ll have to negotiate with Pocheon City and pay a certain cost." "Will it be expensive?" "Considering the relocation cost and the severance pay for defectors, the budget is tight. Even if we suggest making payments in installments... Well, fundamentally it''s not the condition I want. Although it''s close to the city, it''s a bit far from the boundary." Kang Mu-hyuk deleted Art Valley from the map, causing Ju Se-ah to scratch her head and scan the other locations. "Then, how about here? Pocheon Adonis Country Club. It has a wide area for training grounds being a golf course, and we can use the clubhouse as our headquarters. It''s on the frontline towards the city. Plus, it''s a ce that went out of business due to the monster threats." "It''s not a bad ce, but it''s not suitable for carrying out the projects we have in n and exercising our resource collection rights." "What? Then, all these marked ces are the same. If we remove all of them, the only ce left... Guild Leader Kang, you can''t possibly mean...?" "Yes. Here, not on the boundary, but inside North Pocheon. We''ll ce our headquarters there." "Can... Can people even live there?" "There''s a very good ce. Right here. Sanjeong Lake." A resort appeared as Kang Mu-hyuk marked a new location. It was a ce that had beenpletely closed off after bing a monster den. "This resort offers expansivend,rge-scale buildings, and an optimal location for an offensive clearing operation rather than a passive defense on the boundary line. Apart from having to clear out the settled goblin horde, this ce meets all the conditions Iid out in the n. Moreover, all the gate resources are clustered around these northern mountains. Even if Hunters who enter here gather resources, it would only be burdensome to carry around during hunts. We can handle resource collection on their behalf, store their items, and with a small payment, this ce can be utilized as a midpoint resupply point." "You n to do business targeting Hunters?" "There are quite a number of frence Hunters visiting North Pocheon every year. Steady monster generation also brings a lot of guild-registered Hunters whoe here to maintain theirbat skills. However, most of them can''t prate deep into the north due to supply issues. I intend to draw them in and run businesses like amodation, item sales, and leisure site development. It would serve as a swift ie source for the guild, and it''s also a substitute method for exploring the Special Activities Zones, which makes it difficult for us to regrly dispatch our Hunters due to the guild''s manpower shortage." Ju Se-ah had never seen such a way of running a guild. No, she hadn''t even heard of it. While it was amon business model in the corporate world, theycked the means to manage the Special Activities Zones. Guilds also didn''t consider the Special Activities Zone business as the thrill of gate assaults and monster hunting expeditions was more enticing. It was the same in the yer Guild where Ju Se-ah had served for 10 years. Scratching her head in bafflement, she mulled over Kang Mu-hyuk''s exnation. When she put aside the prejudice that this wasn''t the usual guild method, it started to seem usible. ''Special Activities Zones do not have gates created. The area itself is essentially a gate. Although it provides benefits like resource purchasing rights, tax exemption, and free ess to various concession businesses, who can run a business where monsters keep popping out? People won''t even visit. But what if we consider Hunters as customers...?'' A ce that no one ever bothered about suddenly transformed into a goldennd teeming with numerous possibilities. Finally, Kang Mu-hyuk dropped a line thatpletely turned Ju Se-ah''s mind around. "Ultimately, this resort is free." They were in the middle of a meeting about the guild''s relocation. Ring, ring, ring, ring! Ju Se-ah''s smartphone rang boisterously. At the familiar ringtone, Kang Mu-hyuk pretended to recognize it. "Same ringtone as mine. This one is so old that you have to download it separately." "I''ve been using it for over 10 years, so it''s familiar." Giving a light response, Ju Se-ah frowned as she looked at the caller ID on her smartphone. "Who could it be?" Instead of answering, she showed the screen to Kang Mu-hyuk. "Is that detective the same person I know?" "Right. The Association''s chairman. Why is this detective suddenly contacting me, causing a fuss?" Ring, ring, ring, ring! Kang Mu-hyuk''s phone also started ringing boisterously. "It seems the news has spread. Considering the calls I''m getting." "Let''s handle this in a divide-and-conquer manner for now." Ju Se-ah made the suggestion lightly, but the guild was in chaos. The most intense battlefront was the public rtions team. Every telephone was ringing off the hook. The Strategy and Tactics Team was expected to be next, but they had strategically chosen to hang up their phones ahead of time. Then, the Hunters were hit hard. Hunters from other guilds were reaching out using personal connections. However, they had nothing to say about the Guild Leader. They had no decision-making power, and they were inherently indifferent to the guild''s internal affairs. Furthermore, as it was a remote guild that had been ignored by other guilds, the sudden attention was overwhelming. Not to mention, none of these calls were pleasant. They were all about probing the structure of the leadership or trying to extract some information. So many Hunters just turned off their smartphones entirely. With the Hunters of Taesung Guild bing harder to reach, the management team was put under fire. Since the role of the managers was to control the Hunters, Hunters from other guilds put pressure on them to extract at least a shred of information. However-- "Questioning Hunter Jo Dong-jin about guild decisions won''t do any good. Of course, asking me wouldn''t help either. Even if I knew, I couldn''t tell you." "Hey, aren''t you Dong-jin''s manager? Dong-jin and I were training mates. It doesn''t do you any good being so stiff?" "You are training mates with Hunter Jo Dong-jin, not with me, aren''t you?" "Wow, this girl answers back without hesitation? Hey, what''s your name? I''ll mention you to Dong-jin and give him a piece of my mind! Or, what kind of guild is this without any system? Were they teaching you to respond like this? I knew it when they brought some guy with no lineage as the Guild Leader..." "I''m Oh Jeong-yeon, deputy manager of the management team. Even if you are Hunter Jo Dong-jin, you can''t reprimand me for such a matter. And..." "Oh, this is too much. And what? What?!" "Who does some random Hunter think he is, calling our Guild Leader names?! Are you calling your Guild Master ''this guy, that guy?'' Watch yournguage!" Bang! Oh Jeong-yeon hung up the phone with such force as if to break it. "Hah?! Are they kidding? The Guild Leader is his friend? They''ve been looking down on us more than once or twice. They act as if they''re so important. Tsk!" This reaction wasn''t exclusive to Deputy Manager Oh Jeong-yeon. Following the Byun Jeong-cheol incident, a trend supporting Kang Mu-hyuk had formed within the management team. Knowing this atmosphere well, Management Team Leader Kim Dong-yong unplugged the incessantly ringing telephone line and spoke. "Just hang up on all of them. It''s a waste of energy to deal with each call rted to the Guild Leader. Let''s focus on our work during that time." As the lines ofmunication with the Taesung Guild started to go down, the sparks flew toward the group''s headquarters. Protest calls and interview requests from reportersing in to the extent of interrupting business led to the drastic action of unplugging phones in the group as well. It was a matter that could bring trouble to the group, so it would not be surprising if the Chairman lost his temper. Surprisingly, the Chairman''s office was quiet. Instead, the Chairman''s eldest son and Vice Chairman, Tae Soo-cheol, was furious. "Order toe to the group immediately." "Butst time, the Guild Master Ju Se-ah refused..." "Not her, the Guild Leader." "Excuse me?" "Kang Mu-hyuk. I wanted to ignore him when he made contact with my brother, but he has be too noisy. We should have controlled him earlier." The fire that had spread here and there was now starting to catch on in other guilds as well. The most zing ce was the yer Guild, Ju Se-ah''s former affiliation. Leaning against his Italian luxury desk, the man reading the articles stroked the namete beside him, thinking of someone in his mind. "I knew he wasn''t the type to live quietly. But this is crossing the line too much. A Guild Leader... What does our expedition leader think?" At Sa Mun-Hyuk''s question, the yer Guild''s Expedition Team Leader, So Sang-Yeop, remained silent. Displeased with his attitude, Sa Mun-Hyuk chuckled lightly and said, "Well, I guess it would be hard to say anything about the friend that Team Leader So cherished." "Even if we don''t provoke her, she won''t be left alone from all sides. Since we have old grudges, why not just leave her alone at this point?" "I would like that. But others told me not to. Didn''t she make a scene even in the lobbyst time? What would be of our face?" "If we hadn''t provoked her first, nothing would have happened." "After swallowing up the Immortal Guild and stabbing us in the back, we just let her be?" "We were the ones who left a bad taste in her mouth over the re-contracting issue." "I can''t tell whose side you''re on. Ju Se-ah or me?" "Of course, I am on the side of the yer Guild. But I''m just saying that there''s no need to unnecessarily turn an oldrade into an enemy." So Sang-Yeop was an Expedition Team Leader who had more power than the Vice Guild Master in the yer Guild. Even for the Guild Master, he was a Hunter who couldn''t be ignored. The reason why Sa Mun-Hyuk did not directly attack Ju Se-ah was precisely because of So Sang-Yeop. ''He''s not disloyal to the guild either. It''splicated in many ways.'' Sa Mun-Hyuk swallowed a sigh inside and took a step back outwardly. "Since it''s interesting to see, let''s just watch for now. But if it affects us or dampens the industry atmosphere, I can''t just watch forever." It was an ambiguous statement. The Guild Leader system itself was already causing trouble in the Hunter industry. However, So Sang-Yeop nodded, knowing that the Guild Master had made a significant concession to save his face. "If things go in a bad direction, I will go and warn her." "Wee, Inspector." "Association President. Hey, call me Association President." "You''re always calling people this and that." "Really, you never watch your words. This guy." The old man, Han Byung-Gu, who was holding a cane, belched out a deep voice as if he had just eaten a train carriage, contrary to his appearance, and drew up his mana. He brandished his cane, aiming a strike at Ju Se-ah''s head. Nimble as a cat, Ju Se-ah dodged the swinging cane, leaving only an afterimage in her wake. Having failed tond even a single hit, Han Byung-Gu''s anger erupted, his voice booming. "You brat, just one hit. Is it too much to ask to take just one hit?" "If I took a hit from your cane, Sir, even I''d be knocking on heaven''s door. You don''t know the meaning of moderation, do you?" Just then, Jang Deuk-goo, who had entered the Guild Master''s office, maneuvered his way between the two, carefully bncing a tray with coffee and green tea, trying to hide his gasping breaths. "Could you both stop throwing your mana around? The secretary can''t even get in, she''s so scared. At my age, should I be serving tea? President, green tea is your preference, right?" At Jang Deuk-goo''s admonition, Han Byung-Gu reluctantly lowered his cane and settled back into his seat. He lifted his green tea to his lips, only to put it down again without a sip. "Is this a tea bag? Real green tea should be brewed with tea leaves." "Don''te to a poor guild and nitpick, just drink it. It''s not like it''s in water." "A subsidiary of a conglomerate and you''re this stingy." "Could you please get to the point?" "You''re still impatient, I see. Fine. I won''t beat around the bush. Where''s that Guild Leader of yours? Fire him right away." Upon hearing these words, a vein popped out on Ju Se-ah''s forehead. "Has senility finally caught up with you? Are you nning to fire people from other guilds now?" "It''s not senility, it''s advice as the Association President. It''s my duty to make sure guilds don''t go out of line and cause problems." "That duty is just an excuse for you not wanting to be bothered, isn''t it?" "What does a whelp who hasn''t even lived through the Great War know? Don''t you know that keeping Hunters in check is even more headache-inducing than dealing with bosses?" "Even though I didn''t experience the Great War, I''m not ignorant of its brutality. It was a decision I agonized over." "If stirring up trouble was your decision, then you still have a long way to go as a Guild Master. How about taking this opportunity to quit being a Guild Master and look for a suitable ce in another guild? Think of it as a sabbatical. If the yer Guild is an issue, I can help you find a ce." Han Byung-Gu''s strong stance seemed to cool Ju Se-ah''s heated expression. With cold eyes, she scrutinized the wrinkles on Han Byung-Gu''s face before speaking. "Listen, Association President. I respect your achievements. But you don''t need to block the path of young Hunters because you''re worried about what others might think..." Chapter 29 - Those Who Are Afraid Will Break First From mainstream media to individual streamers. Various media and forums were bustling with news and discussions about the Guild Leader system that had been resurrected after 20 years. However, before the shock of this could subside, people''s attention was diverted from the guild by a piece of exclusive news the next morning. Bang! "What the hell is this about? The Taesung Guild is moving? And to Myeongseong City? Where on earth is that?!¡± Upon hearing the news about the guild''s relocation for the first time, Tae Soo-cheol banged his desk in frustration. It wasn''t the guild''s move that upset him. It was his own ignorance about this information that infuriated him. Seeing Tae Soo-cheol''s face redden with anger, his secretary cautiously spoke up. "Actually, it''s for the better. If Guild Master Ju Se-ah, who was a thorn in your side, is pushed to the frontier, won''t she naturally fall from the chairman''s gaze?" "Will she, really? The youngest is the one you worry about more when she''s out of sight." "Surely the chairman won¡¯t go to that extent¡­" "If it were my father from the past, maybe not. But he''s grown weak these days. There''s no guarantee that he won''t be swayed by affection." Tae Soo-cheol was discontented with the situation he couldn''t control. He believed that everything excluding himself was merely a pawn. If he couldn''t make a direct move, he at least needed the pawns to move within his sight to be satisfied. Known to the world as a cool and rational person, he had been acting until he could secure the chairman''s seat. His true nature was that of a tyrant, a man consumed by the desire to destroy anything he couldn''t possess. ''Is all of this the trick of that Kang Mu-hyuk guy? He came out of nowhere. He''s really getting on my nerves.'' Tae Soo-cheol checked the time. "Hasn''t he arrived yet? It''s almost 10 o''clock." "Would he dare bete? He has an appointment with you." "I don''t like him at all." The person Tae Soo-cheol was waiting for was Kang Mu-hyuk. As soon as the article about the new Guild Leader was released yesterday, he had called him to the group, but Kang Mu-hyuk only promised to visit the next day citing various reasons and then abruptly cut off contact. Even if he had agreed to postpone the meeting until the next day, shouldn''t he havee and waited 30 minutes early? It was hard to stomach the insolence of a mere Guild Leader of a subsidiary guild, ignoring the potential next owner of Taesung. Just as the clock struck ten, the inte rang. "Vice Chairman, Guild Master Kang Mu-hyuk from Taesung Guild is here." "Send him in." He was disgustingly punctual. It wasn''t a good first impression. The man who entered the Vice Chairman''s office had neatlybed hair, sharp eyes, and a cold impression, but otherwise, he looked quite ordinary. There was no particrly outstanding feature, but there was a strange atmosphere about him that couldn''t be ignored. "I am Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader of Taesung Guild." Tae Soo-cheol sent his secretary away, sat down on the sofa, and gestured for Kang Mu-hyuk to sit. "Sit down." Kang Mu-hyuk sat down on the right side of Tae Soo-cheol, who was seated in the host''s spot. Then, he slightly leaned his upper body towards Soo-cheol. He didn''t meet Soo-cheol''s eyes but lowered his gaze to the chin of Soo-cheol, disying a posture of readiness to listen to anything. The way he sat, as though he was an extension of Soo-cheol''s right arm, felt so familiar and natural. ''Look at this guy,'' Tae Soo-cheol, who initially intended to start aggressively, had a change of heart. Where else could he find such a clear demonstration of surrender? With his whole body, he was asserting his position beneath Soo-cheol. ''Is he cunning, or is he a deeply dark character?'' It was inevitable to have doubts, but one couldn''t simply reject a person who entered with a bowed head. In order to manage the vast territory of Taesung, one needed to clearly distinguish between friends and foes. Even someone who was neither friend nor foe had to be used if they seemed useful. While Soo-cheol was mulling over this, Kang Mu-hyuk opened his mouth. "I apologize for my rudeness yesterday. There were many watching eyes, so it was difficult to move immediately." "Well, it happens. One can''t always make time when working. So, you''ve taken up the position of Guild Leader? It must be noisy around you. Any difficulties?" "While Taesung is not treated well among the guilds, we are still part of arge conglomerate. We can''t be ignored, even if we are looked down upon. I didn''t realize when I was outside, but the shadow of Taesung Group isrge enough to block the harsh sun when we''re powerless." ''Does he acknowledge that the guild is an organization under the group?'' Soo-cheol interpreted the core of Mu-hyuk''s words and slightly tilted his head. ''So, he moves the guild without informing the head office? To the provinces, no less?'' Soo-cheol was about to heighten his guard due to the contradiction between words and actions, when Mu-hyuk abruptly pitched his next words. "I did inform Director Tae Soo-man... As you must have heard from the report, this could be a great opportunity to topple Guild Master Ju Se-ah." Soo-cheol flinched. ¡®Did they plot this just a while ago? Was this the content they exchanged? Why is he telling me this?¡¯ Rapidly putting together his thoughts, Soo-cheol reached the easiest conclusion. ''Ah, he''s a newbie to the world of corporate power structures since he''s been living off guild crumbs.'' From an outsider''s perspective, Tae Soo-cheol was the confirmed sessor of Taesung Group. It was known that the session dispute had ended long ago, and the crown prince had already been decided. The reality was that it was right before the rebellion of the second prince. An outsider couldn''t possibly know this. Upon reaching this point, Soo-cheol felt a new resentment toward Tae Soo-man. It was a favorable act to suppress Ju Se-ah, but attempting to capture the Guild Leader and turn the guild into his appendage was intolerable. To verify his thoughts, Soo-cheol looked at Mu-hyuk. "Director Tae Soo-man must have promised you something good. He told me to handle that part myself." "As the first non-Hunter Guild Leader in the industry, I am satisfied. I''m grateful for such a good offer." "No need for such formalities. If you work with me, everything you do will be solid from now on." "I look forward to it." Tae Soo-cheol decided he should appease, rather than anger, Kang Moo-hyuk in order to wrestle him away from Tae Soo-man''s grasp. The Taesung Guild might be an ugly duckling in its own industry, but it had the potential to turn into a swan, depending on how it was utilized in the corporate management game. Of course, his father, the chairman, was not too keen on the guild and had been avoiding it. But Tae Soo-cheol, who was to be the next owner of Taesung, had a different perspective. ''A joker that could simultaneously eliminate Ju Se-ah, that would be killing two birds with one stone. Maybe this guy could be the wild card I need.'' He had intended toy down the gauntlet when he summoned him, but seeing Kang Moo-hyuk''s potential usefulness, Tae Soo-cheol swiftly changed his approach. "Why not exin your future ns to me? Rather than bothering the busy Executive Director Tae Soo-man again to listen." "If I had known that I would be speaking directly to the Vice Chairman, I would have prepared a presentation." "There''s no need to be so formal. Just speak openly and honestly." "Very well. I will speak ''openly and honestly.''" ¡ª At the same time, the employees of the Taesung Guild were in a state of panic. The sudden news of the guild relocation. No one inside knew about it, which meant it had been conducted secretly. Or it could have been fake news. The employees were desperately hoping for thetter. "Apany announcement just came out!" "Ah, please let it be a mistake!" With trembling hands, the employees checked the announcement that had been posted on the guild''s intr. The information inside was no different from the news. The relocation was already a confirmed matter. "North Pocheon... Do we really have to go there? Do we have to?" "What the hell! Is this even possible? A sudden relocation? And to a Special Activities Zone? That''s a monster den!" "They''re epting resignations here. They say only those who want to go will go." "Do they want us to be jobless?" "Let''s hold a strike. We can''t just ept this relocation." As the employees'' mental states were torn apart, the Hunters belonging to the guild were equally flustered. Choi Mi-ran covered her face and groaned. "Damn, if we go there, the only advantage of this guild will disappear, right?" "Did we have an advantage?" "Being a Seoul guild." "Ah, right." Kim Seong-hyun nodded in agreement. "So, what if we don''t go?" "Are you nning to quit?" "Just hypothetically." "If you quit, you''ll be jobless. Are you going to be a frencer?" "That''s a bit..." "Do we have any other ce to go?" "No." "Then, we have no choice but to be dragged along." While most of the other Hunters'' reactions weren''t much different from these two, there were some who took it quite differently. "What on earth is going on? Guild relocation on top of the surprise appointment of the new Guild Leader? Hyeonggyu, what do you think?" "It should be interesting, right? Our guild has been too quiet until now. Besides, this new Guild Leader is an interesting fellow. We haven''t even seen his face yet, but this audacious driving force, I like it." "What about going to North Pocheon?" "People live there too, don''t they? All ces where people live are the same." "There aren''t any people there. Only monsters live there." "Hmm. All a Hunter needs are monsters, right?" Hunters like Baek Hyeonggyu and Na Dongpa, who did not belong to any particr factions, generally showed interest in the guild''s relocation. On the other hand, Hunters who had formed power bases, like the assault team faction, had their minds crowded with their own calctions. "This is going to be a problem. Leaving Seoul." "Is there any word from above?" "They just told us to wait and see. I don''t like this." In response to Lee Gi-young''s question, Noh Song-rin sighed. "We don''t have enough information. I can''t understand the intention of moving to North Pocheon." "Should we poke around the Guild Master''s secretary office?" "With Jang Deuk-goo there, do you think we could? Even if we could, they wouldn''t know much. Look at how this issue was pushed. No one knew about it until it came out in the news. This must be the work of the new Guild Leader, right?" "That''s the rumor." "I guess I''ll have to see the Guild Leader myself. I can''t just ignore him when he keeps creating these strange situations." "What about Jang Deuk-goo?" "He only said it wasn''t allowed outside the guild. Inside the guild should be fine. I need to have a very constructive conversation." ¡ª "There are a lot of resignation applications. It''s only been a short time since the announcement was posted. There''s no loyalty, no decency." Ju Se-ah grumbled. Beside her, Jang Deuk-goo skimmed through the list of resignation applicants that wereing up in real time and replied, "It''s less than I thought. I thought everyone would quit immediately." "There are indecisive people too. They''ll probably all quit soon, don''t you think? What surprises me more is the small number of Hunters submitting withdrawal applications." "Is that surprising? Isn''t this a guild where you can collect a sry without hunting? This is a divine workce that even public corporations would envy." "It''s sad that I can''t deny that. Guild Leader Kang was right. We can''t work with these people. We need to flip the guild upside down before we can do anything." Ju Se-ah wasn''t particrly worried about this part. Everyone was just holding their breaths and looking at each other for the moment, but she already anticipated that there would be more defectors in the future. What she was really worried about was something else. "My former workce is strangely quiet. I thought they''d immediatelye and make a mess. I didn''t expect the old man from the association to be the first one to nag." "If it''s Guild Master Sa, he wouldn''t act haphazardly. If he''s determined to attack, he''ll wait for the right moment to strike when he can bring you down, Guild Master." "I know that man is more thorough than anyone. I should probably stop stirring things up for a while. I think I''ve already overstepped my limits." "It''s probably toote. Guild Master Sa is a person who takes everything to heart because he is petty." "I know that too. Who do you think taught him to hold grudges? If he bites me, I bite back. The one who''s scared will let go first." Chapter 30 - Threats Are Second Nature Noh Song-rin couldn''t make sense of his current predicament. He looked around the interior of the vehicle he was riding in. The driver was Jang Deuk-goo, the one beside the driver was Kang Mu-hyuk, and sitting next to him in the backseat was Ju Se-ah, arms crossed, ring ahead. Her expression alone made it clear that she was unhappy. ''How did ite to this?'' Noh Song-rin recalled the events of just an hour ago. He had been inspecting the Strategy and Tactics Team when he heard Kang Mu-hyuk had arrived for work, so he went up to the 17th floor. "Pleasure to meet you, Guild Leader Kang. I''m Noh Song-rin." "Oh, right... You''re from Ujungdo, right? I''ve heard you''re the representative there." "I hope you won''t be too prejudiced just because I''m from Ujungdo. I am a reasonable person, ready to converse at any time." "Sounds good. Being reasonable." "Could you spare a moment to talk privately?" "Uh. What to do? I have to go somewhere right now." "It''s an important conversation about the future of the guild." "Oh, the future. Would it be okay if we discuss it in the car on the way? It''s a great setting for such conversations." At that moment, Noh Song-rin had thought the istion of a car ride would be suitable for confidential discussions. So, he dly epted and got into the car. Ah, shoot! ''Who would have thought the destination was a site visit to Pocheon.'' And not only was Kang Mu-hyuk going, but also the Guild Master and her right-hand man, making it an ufortable gathering. "Since all the key members of the guild are here, it''s a good opportunity to discuss guild matters openly. It''s hard to gather such people." "Ha ha... I, I see." Noh Song-rin turned his head to the front passenger seat and offered a forced smile with a hardened face to Kang Mu-hyuk. Seeing him smile and talk as if he were being considerate made Noh Song-rin want to punch him. Ju Se-ah, watching Noh Song-rin, was equally annoyed. ''Why did this guy have to tag along?'' During her over a year-long tenure as the Guild Master, she had only had direct encounters with him twice. It wasn''t so much because he was from Ujungdo, but because he was more interested in anything but the role of the Hunter. ''As if Guild Leader Kang wouldn''t know about our awkward rtionship.'' But he had brought him along anyway. Making him sit not in the front passenger''s seat but next to her, she thought there must be a reason. ''This guy is up to no good.'' Kang Mu-hyuk had given her a hint before getting into the car. "Just give him a hard stare." She didn''t know what for, but sheplied. That was part of the deal, after all. "It''s nice weather. A perfect ce to discuss the future of the guild. Somehow, I feel like we will make good progress today." "..." "..." North Pocheon had shrunk to just under 50% of the old Pocheon area. The poption too had reduced from over 150,000 to less than 50,000. Those with financial freedom had relocated to other regions, but those whose assets were primarily tied to thisnd could not escape the threat of monsters. Previously, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and livestock farming had collectively supported the local economy. However, currently, most industries, with the exception of agriculture and livestock farming, couldn''t avoid their downturn. They had barely stayed afloat thanks to government subsidies, but the moment they relocated, the support would cease, preventing them from leaving recklessly. "Doing business is tough, and jobs are hard to find. Young people are constantly moving out. The lives of the older citizens of Pocheon are gradually getting tougher. In the midst of all this, the news of the Taesung Guild choosing North Pocheon as its base has given great hope to the struggling citizens of Pocheon. As the mayor, I want to express my deep gratitude and look forward to working closely together." "We''ll be depending on you in many ways. We''re the ones asking for your favor." The city hall officials busily moved around to capture the moment of Ju Se-ah and the Mayor of Pocheon shaking hands in a photograph. It had been an unannounced visit, kept away from the media. The official MOU concerning the defense and development of Pocheon would have its own asion, but at least today''s meeting was undoubtedly encouraging for the citizens of Pocheon. "We didn''t arrange a special ce since you said you wanted to look around Pocheon... Are you sure you''re okay without a guide?" "There could be dangerous ces. We can escape anytime if something goes wrong, but we can''t risk putting others in danger in case of any problems." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s response, the mayor nodded his head. He had a good impression of Kang Mu-hyuk. The role of the local government head of Pocheon, a position even the political circle was hesitant about. Problems would constantly arise every day without any gains. If handled well, it was fortunate, but any mistake would lead to more than just criticism. The least severe consequence would be facing the public''s wrath, a task that would have been challenging for anyone other than him, a Pocheon native. How could he not have a favorable impression of Kang Mu-hyuk, who stepped forward to make Pocheon his base? "In that case, after taking a good look around Pocheon, we''ll arrange a meeting where we can exchange various opinions openly, Mayor." "We''ll be waiting at any time. We won''t hold back in supporting the Taesung Guild." Kang Mu-hyuk left the mayor behind and moved only with the Taesung Guild members. In front of the city hall, a significant number of citizens had gathered, unbeknownst to when the rumor had spread. They unfolded banners and pickets on the path where Kang Mu-hyuk''s party would exit. "What''s this? Those embarrassing lines?" Ju Se-ah examined the citizens who hade out to greet them. Most of them were old or middle-aged, but among them were also students in school uniforms. The signs that made Ju Se-ah blush and call cheesy were mostly held by these young people. "We''re off to a good start. For a local guild, bonding with the locals is important. If you''re popr, it''s generally more convenient to sway public opinion in various ways." "Cashing in on such innocent kids isn''t really what I''m interested in, Guild Leader Kang." "It''s not about exploiting their innocence, but about meeting their expectations. The difference may be as thin as a sheet of paper, but as long as we show results, our sincerity won''t be doubted." Listening to the conversation between the Guild Master and the Guild Leader, Noh Song-rin was considerably shocked. ''Why do they sound like this? Did these two reallye here to save Pocheon? Or are they just putting on a show in front of me?'' The resurrection of the Guild Leader system, the relocation of the guild, and the North Pocheon headquarters; he had thought that the guild''s changes, which had been rushing non-stop, hid some sort of plot. At least, he saw it as a preliminary operation for the rearrangement or copse of internal forces within the Taesung Guild. However, witnessing it firsthand, their actions somehow felt sincere. Was there any guild at that time that established such a policy? All they cared about was getting lost in their own desires to conquer the Gates, intoxicated by the cheers of the public, merely protecting the country from monsters. What they were left with was money and honor. Hunters were the pinnacle of power in this era. As long as Gates existed, this structure was destined to be more solid over time. But these two seemed to discard such trends as nothing significant. They did not consider the profit and loss. In many ways, it was a praiseworthy move. ''But that doesn''t mean I''ll go along with it. All I need to do is to feed myself well and live a good life. Sacrifice? Duty? Responsibility? Such nonsense is outdated. It''s far from the mindset of modern Hunters.'' The boundary dividing Pocheon into north and south was divided around Yeongpyeongcheon (stream), which flowed into the Hantangang River, and Geumjusan Mountain between Ildong-myeon and Yeongjung-myeon. Although part of the Special Activities Zone was included within the boundary fence, it was an area with a faint mana, so monsters rarely appeared. Thanks to that, they were able to draw a boundary line using geographical features and concentrate on the monsters asionallying down to the south. Kang Mu-hyuk''s group passed the Manse Bridge, which was the starting point and entrance of that boundary as they entered the Special Activities Zone. As they were able to travel by vehicle using the roads, they were able to check deep into Yeongjung-myeon. Completely empty streets, vacant shops, and houses came into view, along with the overgrown schoolyard of a middle school. asionally, low-ranking monsters showed themselves, but they were nothing more than fodder that would flee in panic even at the mere exertion of Ju Se-ah''s aura through an open window. The group parked their car at the Yeongjung Bridge, a boundary point where dangerous monsters began to appear. A dpidated agricultural special product promotion exhibition hall was visible in front of the bridge. In fact, they nned to use it as an outpost when relocating the guild and wanted to check it out firsthand. Noh Song-rin, seizing this moment, approached Kang Mu-hyuk and subtly started a conversation. "Guild Leader Kang, do you have any intentions of having a conversation with me?" "Ah, I apologize. I tend to not pay attention to other things when I''m working. You want to have a one-on-one discussion without the Guild Master, I presume?" ''He knows and he''s ying dumb.'' Contrary to his inner turmoil, Noh Song-rin managed to muster a faint smile and nodded. "I will have a private conversation with Hunter Noh Song-rin for a moment," Kang Mu-hyuk announced. Noh Song-rin was taken aback by his frankness. ''So tant!'' Instead of interfering or following as he had expected, Ju Se-ah merely waved her hand in a gesture of seeing off, showing little concern. Kang Mu-hyuk moved with Noh Song-rin to the center of the Yeongjung Bridge. "We''re far enough away now that we won''t be overheard. Shall we engage in some constructive conversation?" "That''s what I was hoping for. I want to request that you reconsider the guild relocation." "That will be difficult. It''s already been announced to the press, and as you''ve seen, discussions are underway with the Pochen City Hall. We''ve evenid out the relocation n and gotten approval from the group''s head office." Upon realizing that all the obstacles he had hoped might deter them were already taken care of, Noh Song-rin''s face hardened. ''Can''t I just brush it off with words?'' At this point, he had to exert his influence within the guild and put some pressure on them. "You must know this since you''ve be the leader of Taesung Guild," Kang Mu-hyuk fixed him with an intense stare as Noh Song-rin dropped the honorifics. "I''m the head of the so-called Assault Team faction, one of the three major factions. At my say-so, a third of the guild''s power could evaporate. Deserters are already appearing within the guild due to the news of the move out of Seoul. What do you think will happen if I agree with them?" "The guild will be nothing but a signboard." "You say it as if it''s someone else''s problem." "If Hunter Noh Song-rin and the Hunters who follow you just stay in the guild, wouldn''t that solve the problem?" "It''s not exactly a good situation to be voicing hopeful thoughts, is it?" "It''s not a hopeful thought. It''s amand." "Amand?" Taken aback by the cold look in Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes, Noh Song-rin''s eyebrows twitched. ''Impertinent, for a non-Hunter.'' Kang Mu-hyuk squinted as if recalling something. "You know about the incident with Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol, right? That kept me quite busy. I had to investigate the high-ranking factions within the guild." "Were you busy doing a background check?" Noh Song-rin''s shoulder twitched, a threat designed to disy his overflowing vitality. Ignoring the threat, Kang Mu-hyuk continued calmly, "As you may know, I''m from Titan, so I have some excellent connections. Among them is a persistent investigator who can be quite doggy once theytch onto something." "And so, what did you dig up?" "The yer Guild." "!!" "There''s a high-ranking officer from Ujungdo in there. That''s a fact confirmed by Ju Se-ah." Maintaining aposed expression, Noh Song-rin responded. "What are you trying to say? There''s more than one or two people from the inner city. The way you talk, it''s as if I''ve been colluding with those inner city folks. Why would I? I even joined the Taesung Guild before the current Guild Master. Do you intend to link me to the bad blood between the Guild Master and the yer? Seeing you trying to pin me on an innocent person with such baseless conjectures, I doubt you''llst long as the leader." "I don''t intend to provide any substantial evidence. Don''t ask me how I know either. It''s my weapon. But since when is evidence that important in this field? This is a ce where people can disappear overnight based on mere suspicions, isn''t it? Who knows this better than you? Hunter Noh. Song. Rin." A word momentarily flitted through Noh Song-rin''s mind. Murder. Dead bodies tell no tales. Sensing the surge of mana from Noh Song-rin, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly spoke. "Me dying won''t change much. The Guild Master and Hunter Jang Deuk-goo are already aware." With that, Kang Mu-hyuk waved his hand towards the other side of the bridge. Following his gaze, Noh Song-rin turned around. At the entrance of the bridge, Ju Se-ah was raising her hand in response. She waved back with a disinterested look, which made it all the more terrifying. ''Damn it. It''s a trap.'' Both Ju Se-ah and Jang Deuk-goo were stronger Hunters than Noh Song-rin. He would stand no chance if either of them attacked. Moreover, North Pocheon was a ce with virtually no people. It was almost like inside a gate. People could die without anyone noticing, and the cause of death could easily be excused. If one were to be monster food, even traces of them would be impossible to find. It was a perfect ce to dispose of a body. As this thought crossed his mind, Noh Song-rin felt his stomach churn. ''Were they nning to get rid of me from the beginning?'' Kang Mu-hyuk leaned against the bridge railing with his back turned to Noh Song-rin, and gazed down at the water of Yeongpyeong Stream as he spoke. "There''s no need to go as far as Guild Master Ju Se-ah. If you kill me, it''ll be justification for Hunter Jang Deuk-goo to kill Hunter Noh Song-rin. Of course, that''s the worst-case scenario if our conversation fails." "What do you want?" "You have three choices." "Three?" "First, obediently follow me to North Pocheon and assist Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Second, simply quit cleanly." "Whether I assist or quit, either way, I''ll be branded a traitor by the yer''s Guild and be punished." "So you admit it. That you have a rtionship with the yer." "If I have a rtionship, then yes. That''s a big if." "Well, let''s assume you do have a rtionship with the yer. I rmend you choose the third option." "And what''s the third?" "I propose you be a double agent." "A, a spy?" Noh Song-rin looked back at Kang Mu-hyuk in disbelief. Feeling Noh Song-rin''s intense gaze on him, Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking. "Listen well to the yer''s Guild and bring the information to me. Pretend to help the Taesung Guild and report to the yers that you''re biding your time. If you bnce it well, you should be able to safely cross either side. I''ll adjust the timing as needed." "What if I stab you in the back?" "We''ve decided to move the headquarters of the Guild to North Pocheon to a resort near Sanjeong Lake. It''s deep in the mountains. A dangerous ce where a Hunter could die at any time." "You said you wouldn''t make threats?" "Is that what I''m doing right now?" Swallow. His saliva involuntarily slid down his throat. ''Damn, I''ve been cornered.'' Whichever of the three choices he made, Noh Song-rin''s life was effectively held hostage by others. Whether it was Ju Se-ah, the yer''s Guild, or Kang Mu-hyuk. His life was in their hands. ''Who would''ve thought he''d plot like this without being a Hunter. He''s not to be underestimated.'' Noh Song-rin quickly put his mind to work. Just as Kang Mu-hyuk had said, the presence or absence of evidence didn''t matter. What was important to Hunters was power! Power was justice,w, and authority. Noh Song-rin decided to bow his head for now and hope for a better future. "I''ll... ept the third choice." "I''m d. It''s nice to fill all the seats in the car on the way back." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Noh Song-rin became even more convinced. He really would have killed him if he resisted. "You''re more sinister than you look. Your leadership skills are quite impressive." "I don''t have good leadership skills." "Then?" "I just have a knack for threats." Chapter 31 - The Right Time Will Come The night before the field survey in Pocheon. A sharp voice of a middle-aged woman prated the basement of an old detached house. "Hey, Gong Du-ri! Stop messing around with theputer and eat your meal!" "I''m fine. I ordered a hamburger." "Fast food again? What''s the point of me cooking if you''re not going to eat it?" "Your food doesn''t taste good, mom." "I''ll just, snap your mouth shut!" "Why are you always so violent? This is why I don''t want to get married. I''m afraid I might end up like dad." "You''re talking about marriage, but you can''t even get a girlfriend." "Who says I don''t have a girlfriend?" "As far as I know, the only girlfriend you have is a roll of toilet paper, you rascal." "Mom!" "You''re my son, but I doubt any girl would want to date you. Who would like a guy who''s cooped up in the house all day? If you want to have even a female friend, you need to stop ying games and get a job already!" "This is not a game. Not everything I do on theputer is a game. And I''m earning my keep even if I''m not employed." "Oh, please, my dear." The bickering with his mother had ended and peace had returned to the basement when the doorbell rang. Gong Du-ri pressed the remote control he had nearby. The front door opened and footsteps could be heard. "Delivery is here." "Oh, Team Leader Kang. On the table over there... Please wait for a moment. I''m almost done." Kang Mu-hyuk ced the bag on the table and nced at the task Gong Du-ri was focused on. "Are you hacking the guild system again? I told you it wouldn''t work." "Damn, foiled again. Who the hell is this guy? No matter how hard I try, I can''t break through- Ugh!" Only when Kang Mu-hyuk''s fist hit his head did Gong Du-ri remove his hands from the keyboard. "Ah... Damn..." "If you get caught, I hope my name doesn''te up. I don''t want a stain on my record." "I won''t get caught. I won''t. Look all over the world. You wouldn''t be able to count the people who could catch me on one hand." "You should''ve kept a closer watch on the guild, Gong Du-ri. They say a leopard can''t change its spots, and you got caught opening confidential documents from Titan and got kicked out. And you''re still doing this kind of stuff here?" "I wasn''t caught online. I was caught offline." "That''s nothing to be proud of. You should be thankful that we didn''t turn you into the police." "Thanks to that, you''re making use of me like this. Hehe." Gong Du-ri slid his wheeled chair over to the table like a sled. As he ripped open the hamburger that Kang Mu-hyuk had brought, he stretched out his hand. "Youe to me when you''re in a hurry. Hurry up and give me my fee. I went through the correctional department''s database for Ujungdo''s criminal record." "Where''s the other data?" "Here." As Gong Du-ri handed over the USB, Kang Mu-hyuk took out a thick envelope from his pocket and threw it to him. Gong Du-ri wiped his sauce-stained hand on his pants before opening the envelope to check its contents. "Ah, the smell of money is the best. I wondered what was going on when you called me after so long, doing all these odd jobs. You said you were out of Titan, did you find another job?" "It''s the Taesung Guild. Haven''t you seen the news?" "Oh, Taesung? The big corporation, right?" "Yes. I''ve taken a position as a Guild Leader there." "Wow, Guild Leader! Look at you, climbing the ranks. Mr. Team Leader Kang. But Guild Leader, is that like a Guild Master? The sry must be good, right?" "Yes. It''s pretty substantial. I need to use yourputer for a bit." Kang Mu-hyuk opened theptop next to him and checked the data stored on the USB. During the brief moment Gong Du-ri took to devour his hamburger set, Kang Mu-hyuk managed to cram an overview of the data into his mind. He mulled over the information, considering how to utilize it. "But what''s in there? I heard that there''s someone from the correctional department working as a subcontractor at the yer Guild''s item manufacturing nt. It''s not even a guild. You asked about Noh Song-rin and his prison mate. Why did you want to know?" "I''m not entirely sure yet, just specting a few things." "What kind of spection?" Kang Mu-hyuk sifted through the information he''d pieced together so far in his mind. ''Ju Se-ah, the Guild Master, is the youngest daughter of Taesung Group''s Chairman Tae Jin-sung. She joined yer 10 years ago, when she was in her teens. She was well-known as a promising neer, being the youngest Hunter to ever join a Tier-ed guild. The following year, Taesung Group established their own guild. yer Guild did the initial consulting. Could they be connected somehow? Noh Song-rin joined Taesung 4 years ago, on the rmendation of the then Guild Master, Choo In-ho. Choo In-ho had previously served as the Expedition Team Leader for the mid-level guild ''Great Honor,'' and after retiring from Taesung, he moved to yer Guild. And then there''s this guy.'' Kang Mu-hyuk stared intently at the man in the photo on the monitor. Kim Myung-jun. A Hunter imprisoned in Ujungdo on suspicion of murder. He was in Ujungdo at the same time as Noh Song-rin, and somehow managed to secure release after 7 years. He was now an Executive at a small-to-medium enterprise specializing in post-item processing. ''An A-rank Hunter living a quiet life in a suit? That''s tantly suspicious.'' Based on this information, Kang Mu-hyuk came up with two strong conclusions. Firstly, a manufacturingpany affiliated with the yer Guild. This kind of disguise was simr to the way sub-guilds were operated. Though ostensibly a small-to-medium enterprise, there was a high chance that it operated internally like a guild. ''The most suspicious thing is the janitor. A former murderer from Ujungdo is now an Executive, with no sign of managing the business. Even Titan tried to set up a simr organization. All Tier-ed guilds have at least one.'' Titan Guild would never have allowed such an organization while Kang Mu-hyuk was the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. He wasn''t sure what happened after he left. ''And the other possibility is a ploy against the Taesung Guild.'' Chairman of the Taesung Group seemed to disy no interest in the guild, apart from his daughter Ju Se-ah, judging by his actions. This differed from other major corporations that seemed to use personal military forces or problem-solvers. Could a Tier-ed guild have imnted a spy within the seemingly indifferent corporate guild? "A subsidiary guild, perhaps?" "Why all of a sudden are we talking about a subsidiary guild? Isn''t that illegal like the lower-rank guilds?" "Well, a subsidiary guild is slightly different from a lower-tier one. It''s not so much illegal as it is a kind of tacitly allowed workaround." In the guild industry, the terms ''lower-rank guild'' and ''subsidiary guild'' held distinct nuances. A lower-rank guild was an illegal organization to the core, its very existence shrouded in secrecy. Most of what they did was criminal in nature. In contrast, a subsidiary guild was, in all official respects, totally unconnected, not bound by any contractual rtionship - utterly unrted. However, anyone in the industry recognized that such a guild was under the influence of a higher-rank guild. They were often used as scapegoats to take the fall in difficult situations or used to skip out on obligations. Simply put, they yed the role of a punching bag. "Why is this? I also want to know. Suddenly, it seems interesting." "Your ignorance is your bliss, Mr. Gong Du-ri. If you dig too deep and get tracked, I can''t guarantee your safety." "Ah, that''s not the case. In the offline world, Hunters might be dominant, but online, I''m the king." "Please give up your unnecessary curiosity, and dig a bit deeper here." "Where? Hanseong Corporation? Why thispany?" "There will be more than one Executive from Ujungdo among the employees. Please find out their employee profiles and what kind ofpany this is." "This ce doesn''t have much security, and the corporate system is so poorly constructed that there won''t be much information to extract through hacking. It''s apany that solely deals with metalwork." "We will have to separately investigate the offline aspect." "Are you nning to use that detective guy?" "Who else would I secretly ask for help besides my oldrades?" "Ah, this is something. I really don''t feel like gathering former workce colleagues. I don''t have any good memories from there. If you''re going to do that, you might as well get me a job at Taesung. I also want to wear a badge from arge corporation. I''m going crazy from my mother''s nagging." "A suitable opportunity wille soon." Present. Field survey site in Pocheon. Noh Song-rin grumbled a few times, kicking the ground before finally climbing into the car. Ju Se-ah approached Kang Mu-hyuk and asked quietly. "What were you talking so long with Noh Song-rin about?" "Just a few constructive discussions." "With him? You''d have a more constructive conversation with an orc." "Whether he''s an orc or not, I don''t know. He''s more understanding than you''d expect. Let''s return to the guild now." ''It would be better if the Guild Master didn''t know yet. It''d be a problem if she stirred things up at the yer Guild again.'' Upon returning to the guild the next day, Ju Se-ah heard a shocking deration from Noh Song-rin in the morning. "I wholeheartedly support the Taesung Guild''s relocation to North Pocheon and registration of connections. I will assist Guild Master Ju Se-ah to ensure a smooth transition." "Um... So, uh... Some kind of plot? Or maybe a hidden camera?" "A plot? That''s disappointing. It''s not a hidden camera either. I simply resonated with Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk''s vision. I felt that this is the direction I need to be heading in." ''Kang Mu-hyuk, what kind of scam has this guy pulled again?'' While Ju Se-ah was meeting Noh Song-rin with an ambiguously distorted expression, Kang Mu-hyuk went to find Choi Mi-ran. "Hunter Choi Mi-ran. It''s been a while since we first met in the parking lot on the day of the inauguration." "Yes? Yes... Haha... I was impolite to you back then...." "No, it happens. You must have thought I was an outsider." "Well, yes. I''m a little gruff if it''s not someone from the guild. I''m quite shy." "Anyway, since we''ll be relocating the guild soon, I''ll leave the parking issue as it is. You can use the parking spaces as you originally did." "Guild Leader. About the guild relocation... Are we really moving to North Pocheon?" "Yes. We''re going. Next month." "Eh! So soon?" Kim Seong-hyun, who had been lingering nearby, suddenly interjected. "Is there any problem?" "No, it''s not a problem... It''s just so sudden." As Kim Seong-hyun''s face contorted, Kang Mu-hyuk crossed his arms and nodded as if understanding. "Hunter Kim Seong-hyun is right, it does seem a bit rushed. I assume many others will be quite startled." "Exactly. We''re just grunts, but it would have been nice if you had exined why we should ept this guild relocation...." Choi Mi-ran, thinking it was an opportunity to voice the dissatisfaction she had been unable to express until then, chimed in. Kang Mu-hyuk made a show of contemting seriously, then spoke. "Well, how about this?" "What do you suggest?" "Gather the Hunters who are discontented or anxious about this move. We may not have a full meeting, but I can personally listen to your concerns and see what can be resolved. How about that?" "Oh? Would you do that? Everyone''s been worried about what to do. That''s good news." Kang Mu-hyuk rolled up his sleeves, tapped his watch, and said, "Let''s discuss this over lunch. I''ll book a restaurant. How many people cane?" "About 54 in our group chat? Maybe about thirty cane?" "I''ll book a generous space and let you know the restaurant reservation. Everyone cane from your side, and we can discuss the future of the guild over a meal." "Guild Master. Is it true that Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk from Taesung has proposed taking over Warehouse C?" "I doubt the official news is out yet. You found out fast. We''ve already exchanged contracts." At Lee Cheoljung''s response, Ma Taesu narrowed his eyes. It was a tant hostility, but Lee Cheoljung disregarded it lightly. "You must be pleased, Vice Guild Master. You can get rid of the guild''s white elephant." "Ha? Truly delightful. I can share good news with the board and shareholders." "It''s not bad news for you either. The fact that Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk is taking over Warehouse C means he has no lingering attachments to our guild." Feeling as if his true feelings were exposed, Ma Taesu flinched. Kang Mu-hyuk had a definite fondness for Warehouse C. He had signed a pledge never to return to Titan, but Lee Cheoljung could have brought him back at any time if he chose to. However, by taking over Warehouse C, Kang Mu-hyuk ayed any lingering worries about his return. In a way, Kang Mu-hyuk had made it clear to Ma Taesu that he would never return to the Titan Guild. ''Handing over Warehouse C wasn''t all good, though. It eliminated one of the Guild Master''s weaknesses. Was this a final gift from Team Leader Kang?'' Warehouse C and Kang Mu-hyuk. The Guild Master had eliminated one weakness and discarded a potent weapon. Which one was a gain? It was still unclear. "Do you think Team Leader Kang really believes Warehouse C will seed? It doesn''t look promising to me." "I feel the same. That''s why it''s been collecting dust in the warehouse for years. But then, I have a feeling it won''t fail either. You know Team Leader Kang''s character, right? If it doesn''t look good, he cuts his losses quickly. He is decisive in hismitments. If he''s dragging this on like this, there must be something. Though he has moved to another guild now, it will be interesting to watch." Lee Cheoljung was smiling as he spoke, but Ma Taesu wasn''t feeling as easy. Amidst the upheaval in the industry due to the revival of the Guild Leader system, news broke that the Taesung Guild was relocating and had chosen the North Pocheon Special Activities Zone as its home. The Guild Cooperation Division weed this decision, announcing that it would spare no support at the government level. Each guild missed the timing to protest against the Guild Leader position and public opinion formed in the direction of waiting and watching. Even some of the guilds underrge corporations watched with interest. An unprecedented game of wait-and-see began in the guild industry. ''If Team Leader Kang leaves Seoul, it''s not bad for me.'' But why was he so anxious? It felt like he had temporarily thrown a disaster ma far away. Who knew when it might snap back? ''Let''s not worry about that side for now. The most important thing right now is to take over Titan. I need to focus here.'' As long as things went ording to n, it wouldn''t matter whether Kang Mu-hyuk returned or not. Ma Taesu wanted to peacefully hand over Warehouse C and sever ties with Kang Mu-hyuk as soon as possible. Chapter 32 - Its Been Only Three Years Forty Hunters sat at ten round tables. Surveying therger-than-expected crowd, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke. "I feel we haven''t had enough opportunities to interact with each other. Today, while enjoying our lunch, please feel free to share anything you want to say, any questions you might''ve had, anything you''d like me to know, and I promise to respond sincerely." As soon as he finished speaking, Kang Mu-hyuk took a bite of sweet and sour pork. Despite the inviting food spreadvishly throughout the reserved high-end Chinese restaurant, none of the Hunters made a move to eat, simply looking around uneasily. "The jjamppong [A type of spicy noodle dish] here is killer. Let''s eat and talk." With Choi Mi-ran slurping up jjamppong with her chopsticks in the heavy atmosphere, a few other Hunters began to touch their food as well. In no time, Choi Mi-ran had consumed half a bowl of jjamppong, and raised her hand. "Guild Leader, do we need to raise our hands to speak?" "Do as you feelfortable." "Why are we going to Pocheon?" At her question, the eating once again came to a halt. The most burning question. While the sudden reason for the guild''s relocation was puzzling, the choice of Pocheon as a destination was equally mystifying. "The main reason is the growth of our guild. We thought it wouldn''t be easy for the Taesung Guild topete in Seoul, which is crowded withrge, medium, and small guilds." "If we relocate and the Hunters quit, the guild''s size will shrink even more." A young Hunter tucked in a corner entered the conversation as if he had been waiting for his chance. Kang Mu-hyuk turned to look at the young Hunter straight in the eyes. Under his impassive gaze, the younger Hunter averted his eyes slightly. "Is the guild moving a bit too far into the countryside?" Kang Mu-hyuk threw in a light joke, but nobodyughed. It wasn''t really a joke made to induceughter. When Kang Mu-hyuk, who usually maintained a straight face, made a joke, there were few people who would y along, regardless of their rtionship with him. He didn''t seem to mind and continued talking. "I am well aware that being part of a Seoul-based guild is a significant condition for young Hunters. It was one of the reasons why the Titan Guild could grow when I was the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. But the Titan Guild wasn''t originally based in Seoul. It was rather a guild based in Chungcheong, outside the metropolitan area. Then how could Titan enter Seoul? Why did Seoul, which poses high barriers to entry for provincial guilds, make room for a guild from Chungcheong, not even in the metropolitan area? That has a lot to do with the growth of young Hunters like you." "Do you mean ranking up?" Kim Seong-hyun, who had taken the initiative to contact his colleagues and prepare the gathering, asked eagerly. "I mean all stats in tactical evaluation, including ranking up. More precisely, it should be called ''step up.''" "''Step up?''" Kang Mu-hyuk started to exin. "Young Hunters, after awakening, acquire the basics through a year-long regr course organized by the nation and the association. After that, they are trained through individual activities or guild activities. However, for frencers, all they can do is learn through real-life experiences, and many guilds do not have a system to pass on solid know-how. Perhaps if a guild has a lot of practical experience, this gap can be filled to some extent, but Taesung Guild is one that''scking quite a lot of practical experience." "So much so that we practically have none." Someone grumbled, and the Hunters around him nodded in agreement. There weren''t just a few gates secured, but even expeditions to blocked areas were non-existent. It was alsomon to give up even good spots during the winter northern defense because they couldn''t be distributed. The only hunting experience they had was when monsters asionally appeared in the Gangwon Province area or when they went hunting individually. Standing from his seat, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke to the Hunters. "While operating in the provinces, Titan standardized individualbat, party tactics, and raid operations, and trained young Hunters to internalize these standards. The Hunters who grew during that time are now the main forces of the current Titan. Now, I want to present a vision of growth to all of you. North Pocheon is the toughest area outside the metropolitan area. Gates don''t spawn, but monsters respawn steadily. Gate resources can be found from time to time, and you can also obtain medicinal herbs that help Hunters grow. And the most important point is--" Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was about to speak, the door of the Chinese restaurant opened. "Ah? Am I a littlete?" The person who uttered this question was Ju Se-ah. Following behind her was Jang Deuk-goo. "We were just about to start eating, Guild Master. What would you like to eat?" "I''ll have Jjamppong." "I''ll have fried rice." The Hunters were tense at the sight of the former guild number one and number two casually ordering their food and sitting down. Kang Mu-hyuk, not at all looking like someone who had been interrupted during an important conversation, leisurely ordered their food from the waiter, and continued speaking. "The main point of the guild relocation is that Guild Master Ju Se-ah here will personally train young Hunters." "!!" All the Hunters became rigid. They collectively gasped in silence. Kang Mu-hyuk''s n elicited a greater response than he could have imagined. An opportunity for rank-up that young Hunters were most desperate for. Receiving training doesn''t necessarily mean that your rank would increase, but being educated by a high-ranking Hunter meant that the probability of it happening increased. Moreover, it was Ju Se-ah, who was contending for the position of the strongest in active service! There had been no proper training sessions in the guild due to internal factional fights until now. But now, a top-tier instructor suddenly appeared. Where else could they find a more perfect instructor than this? Kang Mu-hyuk was sure. ''This is a special benefit. They can''t not take it.'' There was a noticeable difference in sensation between each rank. There was a significant difference in destructiveness and efficiency in hunting as well. There were numerous Hunters who stayed in C rank or B rank until retirement. If they wanted to get even close to A rank, they had to grow intensively from a young age. In that respect, Kang Mu-hyuk''s n had hit the nail on the head in capturing the hearts of the young Hunters. "If you want to learn, follow me. I''ll make sure you level up. Both your rank andbat skills." As Ju Se-ah drummed the table with her wooden chopsticks and spoke, a quiet cheer resonated throughout the restaurant. Kang Mu-hyuk quietly added, "Moreover, the practical experience in North Pocheon will have a booster effect in enhancing the guild members'' skills." The gathering that was called for a discussion had subtly turned into a persuasion session, but the Hunters weren''t even aware of it. The n of Ju Se-ah bing an instructor was that shocking. Kang Mu-hyuk, seeing the Hunters visibly shaken, added another nail to the coffin. "And remember, the obligation to stay in the local area is only for three years." ?Please decide the new ''Guild Name'' and ''Slogan'' for Taesung Guild.? "We aspire to be a guild that protects our citizens. Please decide on a guild name that symbolizes a new sense and innovation." "Wow, the prize money is quite substantial? And it''s not hard to participate? Should I try?" "What name did youe up with?" "Hehe, where are you trying to giarize from? Move over, move over." Those who saw the ad took great interest in the guild namingpetition. Before announcing thepetition, the Taesung Guild''s publicity team worked to stimte responses. On top of that, Ju Se-ah herself agreed to a TV interview. Her media exposure had been lowpared to her high recognition, but agreeing to an in-studio interview on the 9 o''clock news led to an explosion in ratings. Kang Mu-hyuk, who was watching TV, alternately looked at Ju Se-ah''s interview and hisputer monitor and nodded approvingly. ''Good. She did as instructed. Her acting tone is a bit off, but it''s endearing because it''s appropriately clumsy. Her appearance is definitely appealing. The gap between the image of the strongest Hunter and a normal woman in her mid-twenties brings synergy.'' What he was looking at was the livements on the news and the posts on the Hunter-rtedmunity board. Themunity was abuzz with Ju Se-ah''s interview. -So she''s the strongest Hunter who''s also a beginner Guild Master. -They say her beauty is outshining celebrities. Is she really a Hunter? ©¸If she''s outshining, someone will die. ©¸Here''s the link to the video of her smashing an ogre''s head with her bare hands. (link) ©¸Don''t you know about the 17 vs 1 legend? ©¸She knocked out all the viins!! -Too pretty for a Hunter. Long live Ju Se-ah. -I''m a ''Grand Master'' for our clueless Guild Master Ju. Give me a call, I may not be able to get you to Diamond, but I can at least get you to tinum. ©¸Breaking news. Hunter Ju Se-ah is known as a ''Bronzie.'' ©¸Grand Master? More like Grandma. ©¸Crossed the line with that joke? ©¸There''s always these people in every game, guys who take it too seriously. Why do they have to fight over everyment? -What are you doing, Riot Games? Hurry up and make a champion modeled after her! ©¸Bnce breaking imminent. ©¸Tanker boom iing. ©¸Is there any way this game won''t get ruined? She''d dominate in Mid or Jungle. -Our Guild Master Ju, even her jokes are cute. -But who is this Kang Mu-hyuk guy? A non-Hunter who was a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader and now Guild Leader? Is that impressive? ©¸If a non-Hunter made it to the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader in Titan, that''s saying something. Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy was a resounding sess. Using Ju Se-ah as bait, he significantly raised the guild''s profile. After watching her own interview, Ju Se-ah kicked her nket in embarrassment. But media y wasn''t the end of Kang Mu-hyuk''s job. That was just a small part. The really important part was personnel management. "We''ve filled most of the immediately necessary Hunter positions..." When he first came to the Taesung Guild, Kang Mu-hyuk had intended to sift through the various faction Hunters, but after realizing there were myriad problems that needed immediate solutions, like the goblin tribe lurking in the old location, he changed his n. He decided to keep the current force as it was, establish their position, and then slowly rece members or dissolve the factions to bring them under Ju Se-ah''smand. ''I''ve got the Taesung Group faction on board by using the Guild Master''s demotion as bait and the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader is cooperating. I''ve got the Assault Team faction on board by threatening Noh Song-rin. Now all that''s left is Do Gyeong-hoon. The time should be ripe for the rumors about convincing the Hunters from the expedition team faction to reach him... When will hee?'' Do Gyeong-hoon gritted his teeth. "Kang. Mu. Hyuk." He''d let his guard down. No, he''d underestimated him. Titan Guild''s Strategy and Tactics Team Leader? The petty squabbles between that guild''s Guild Master and Vice Guild Master wasmon knowledge among insiders. He had thought that Kang Mu-hyuk was just a lucky guy who managed to secure the team leader position amidst the political strife. ''Politics is not to be taken lightly. The fact that our guys were swayed... This guy is not ordinary.'' Getting Choi Mi-ran to gather the young Hunters was a masterstroke. Using her, whocked not only skill but also awareness of such organizational dynamics, was ingenious. If Choi Mi-ran had been a bit more cunning, she wouldn''t have gathered the Hunters at the Guild Leader''s suggestion. Or at the very least, she would''ve reported to him first. He was annoyed at her stupidity, but he couldn''t just rashly dismiss Choi Mi-ran. Apart from her loyalty, she yed a subtle role in setting the atmosphere within the faction. A case ofpensating for ack of skill with sociability. That was probably another survival instinct. ''In any case, it''s like I got hit in the back of the head from an unexpected ce. Noh Song-rin dering his support was one thing, but the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader''s easypliance was suspicious. Even if this wasn''t a warning from Jang Deuk-goo, he''d be a tough opponent to deal with words, right?'' Even though he had been cornered and had lost the initiative, Do Gyeong-hoon did not rashly seek to meet with Kang Mu-hyuk. He believed it would be a certain defeat to face an opponent whose weapons were unknown. This had been his secret to survival so far as a Hunter in a medium-small guild. "I guess I can''t do this alone. Is it time to meet those guys?" Do Gyeong-hoon thought of the guild''s outsiders he had been reluctant to meet. Their numbers weren''trge, but they maintained a bnce as a fourth force. ''Even Guild Leader Kang would probably get a headache trying to deal with those entric guys.'' In the meantime, he just needed to secure his own subordinates. "You thought I''d be easily pushed away? Ha! Let''s see who wins this." Chapter 33 - They Had Waited Too Long "The guild name chosen through thepetition is ''Iron Will,'' symbolizing unyielding resolve. It seems to suit your nickname, Guild Master." The guild name matched well with Ju Se-ah, who was also known by the epithet ''The Indomitable Witch.'' With the guild name decided, Kang Mu-hyuk began the preparations for the guild relocation in earnest. Contrary to the expectation that more than half would defect, almost 90% or about 117 Hunters chose to remain. These individuals were the chosen troops to reim the Sanjeong Lake Resort, upied by arge goblin tribe. On the other hand, about 80% of the regr staff had applied for resignation. Kang Mu-hyuk requested that they stay until the guild relocation wasplete. Given that it was barely a month''s duration and they were offered an additional bonus, the staffplied without anyint. Afterward, he nned to fill vacancies through public recruitment, leaving only the bare minimum of necessary personnel. "All that remains is the capture of Sanjeong Lake." Once the goal was set, Ju Se-ah sprang into action. "Guild members, we have less than a month left. That means we need to train desperately. Consider it as if you are dead." Here, a problem arose that was trivial if one thought it trivial, or serious if one thought it serious. There were too few hunters of rank A or higher who could serve as trainers. No matter how remarkable Ju Se-ah was, it was difficult for her to manage dozens of Hunters alone given the physical constraints of time. Even the few who were qualified to be trainers were uncooperative when it came to training. Lowering the standard to B+ was an option, but the gap between A- and B+ held more significance than just a single rank. In order to acquire one''s own hunting techniques, one had to at least advance to A rank. For Ju Se-ah, who was aiming for S rank beyond A, this was all too obvious. "Are you mocking the horse-riding stance? Thinking of it as the basic of basics? Don''t set that ''basic'' by your standards. If you train properly in the horse-riding stance, you should be able to withstand an ogre''s club barehanded. Hey, your posture is breaking down. If you get caught using mana, you''ll be stuck doing it all day!" Kang Mu-hyuk dragged Noh Song-rin over as he watched Ju Se-ah struggling. However, he was a Hunter who caught humans better than monsters. Hisbat style was more instinctual and experience-based rather than systematic. Of course, even that was firmly grounded in fundamentals. Moreover, his patience wascking when it came to training others, leading to injuries among the trainees. The biggest issue was the content of his training. "This weapon is a ''Karambit knife.'' It''s only about the size of a fist and curved, you insert your index finger into the ring at the base of the knife, and hold it so that the de is underneath your hand. It''s a small melee weapon with good portability and can be concealed easily, often used in assassinations of Hunters. I''ve used it a few times..." "What are you teaching the members?!" Having witnessed Noh Song-rin''s lesson, Ju Se-ah immediately drove him away. With no choice, even Jang Deuk-goo stepped up as a trainer, tirelessly drilling the young Hunters. "Physical techniques or weaponry skills can''t be improved in a short period. So the instructor here will make sure you''ve got party tactics ingrained in your very flesh," was the edict. Jang Deuk-goo was a man who kept his word, always. And so, he literally ''beat'' party tactics into their bodies. "Argh!" "Ple, please spare us...." "Urk!" As the Hunters rolled about, trying to survive the violence that mimicked realbat, their bodies naturally began to memorize countermeasures. Kang Mu-hyuk, who had been observing the training, raised an objection to Ju Se-ah, looking ufortable. "If they get seriously injured like this, it could hinder our operations." "I was trained by Hunter Jang Deuk-goo when I was young. It might look painful, but it doesn''t cause any serious harm. They can endure it." "When you were young...?" "Sixteen? Or was it fifteen?" "Weren''t you awakened at fifteen?" "That''s genius education. That''s how you improve." ''Isn''t that child abuse?'' Kang Mu-hyuk had seen several Hunters referred to as geniuses. Each had their own training style, most of which seemed dangerously unhinged. This didn''t align with Kang Mu-hyuk''s belief in systematic and efficient training, but since he wasn''t a Hunter himself, he had no room to criticize the training of the elite. All Kang Mu-hyuk could do was to ensure the Hunters had solid fundamentals. "Raising your rank alone isn''t enough in hunting. Information is vital when facing monsters. It''s this information that determines individual tactics and party strategies. You might have learned the basic theory in regr training, but there''s a significant disconnect with reality. From now on, I''ll lecture on everything from reconnaissance to emergency response strategies, and post-battle field management in the evenings. There will be intermittent tests as well. If you can''t pass these tests, you''ll need to have a one-on-one consultation with Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Of course, with her fists." Busy non-stop with the Hunters'' lectures and preparatory work, Kang Mu-hyuk soon felt his limits. ''Something isn''t flowing smoothly.'' Unlike his time at Titan, when he had a fully developed system and the support of experienced departments, Iron Will Guild''s system was not only crude, but also outdated. Kang Mu-hyuk had to be attentive to everything, and even the report system was a mess, leading to issues often being discovered only after they had significantly progressed. This was not a problem that could be resolved quickly. Finally, Kang Mu-hyuk requested Ju Se-ah to augment their manpower. "We need experienced personnel. And at a department head level." "Sry isn''t a problem... But would such talents be willing to join our guild?" "I know a few worth calling. I''ll just use a few of them." At LG Electronics Service Center. "Ji-il, can you take over my line today?" "Me? Why?" "I''ve got something to take care of today. Could you help?" "Didn''t you also neglect your work yesterday, manager? Do you know how many service requests are backed up? Are you telling me to handle all of that too?" "Come on, we''re all family here. Can''t you do a little extra? Why make a fuss about such a thing?" "Last time, and the time before that. Do you even know how many times this has been? If you had any sense of shame, you would know when to stop." "Shame? Your words are harsh, Ji-il. Are you going to keep this up?" "I can''t do this. Do it yourself or don''t." Ding-dong. "Customer number 121." "An Ji-il!" An infuriated Manager Oh seized An Ji-il by the shoulder. An shook him off and took his seat at the counter. Manager Oh wanted to spin him back around again, but the re An shot over his shoulder made him falter. Just then, a customer approached the counter, leaving Manager Oh with no choice but to tolerate An''s behavior. The customer ced a number ticket marked 121 on the desk and tapped it lightly. "Team Leader An Ji-il." "Who... Kang, Mu-hyuk... You little!" Upon seeing Kang Mu-hyuk, An Ji-il sprang forward, grinding his teeth. He clutched at Mu-hyuk''s cor, but Mu-hyuk, whose cor had been seized, spoke calmly. "Did you see the news? I''ve taken the helm at the Iron Will Guild, formerly known as the Taesung Guild." "And so what? Are you going to give me a congrattory bun? I wanted to punch your smug face, this is perfect." "Forget the congrattory bun, I left the Equipment Team Leader position open." "Bug off, brat. Are you looking to be stabbed in the back again?" As An Ji-il boldly thrust his middle finger forward, Mu-hyuk reached out and folded it back down, saying, "We''ve taken over the ''C'' warehouse at Titan." "What, you took over? That ''damn C warehouse?''" "That project. The person who started it should finish it. We''ll give you full authority, so pleasee to our guild and wrap it up." An Ji-il seemed to copse onto his seat as if his legs had given out. ''He''s bringing it up again? I thought he had given up? Wasn''t that why he kicked me out?'' Confused, Manager Oh, who had been watching from the background, interjected. "Excuse me, sir. This is a service center. If you don''t have anything to repair, could you make way for the next customer?" "I apologize for the inconvenience." Mu-hyuk took out a business card and ced it on the counter desk. "I''m in a bit of a hurry. Please get back to me by tomorrow." "Hey! Are you serious?" An Ji-il quickly grabbed at Mu-hyuk''s sleeve as he tried to leave. Mu-hyuk nodded his head. "Yes. This time, I intend to do it right." In an office adorned with refined, antique decor, a woman dressed in a sophisticated ck dress and ck horn-rimmed sses busily attended to her duties. Knock-knock. "Come in." A female employee, seemingly a secretary, entered the room. "Director, a man named Kang Mu-hyuk is in the lobby." "Kang Mu-hyuk? Huh? The person who never showed his face?" "What should we do? He said he didn''t make an appointment..." "He''s determined to see me anyway. Just tell him toe up. Let''s see what he has to say." A momentter, Kang Mu-hyuk entered the office. "Long time no see, Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee. Oh? Here, you''re an Executive, right?" "Call me however you like. Anyway, it''s nice to see you after so long." With a smile on her face, Pyo Beom-hee opened her arms as if to embrace Kang Mu-hyuk. "But what audacity do you have to seek me out?" Thwack! "Ouch!" Caught off guard by a punch to his abdomen, Kang Mu-hyuk cringed in pain. After a deep breath to suppress the throbbing pain, he straightened himself and managed to speak. "If a Hunter hits a person, it''s grounds for awsuit." "But I''ve quit being a Hunter." "But you still have the license, right? If you wanted to quit, you should have canceled itpletely." "I''ve been busy and didn''t have time. Stop bbering and take a seat. What''s going on?" As Kang Mu-hyuk took a seat at Beom-hee''s request, he looked around at the numerous framed pictures adorning the office walls. They were pictures of handsome men and beautiful women, fully decked out, striking various poses. "I didn''t expect you to make a living like this." "Got tired of the Hunter grind. Still, one has to earn a living, right? When an entertainment agency offered to scout me, I switched right away. It''s not like you were going to protect me from Ma Taesu, right?" "I still feel sorry about that." Kang Mu-hyuk thought back to Beom-hee''s career. It was as unique as that of a non-Hunter Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. She was the first Hunter to be a management team leader in the industry. Aside from Beom-hee, there were no cases of a Hunter heading the management team, also known as the Hunter grindhouse. That record still stood. Beom-hee scolded Kang Mu-hyuk as if ming him. "You should be. Anyway, what could a novice Strategy and Tactics Team Leader do against Ma Taesu? I saw iting and threw in my resignation first." Recalling the situation back then, Beom-hee let out a dryugh. In response, Kang Mu-hyuk bowed his head. "No, what I meant was, I feel sorry for making you the management team leader. It was like caging a lion." Beom-hee waved her hand dismissively. "No, it was like that back then. If not me, who else could have held the reins of those wild horses? It was my choice. At first, I was shocked by Team Leader Kang''s proposal, butter I found I had a knack for taking care of those kids. Thanks to that, I have this job now. I love it here. I feel younger looking after the idols and actors. Even dealing with the power-tripping TV producers is refreshingly different." "I heard the rumors. They say you''re doing well." "Wherever I go, I do well. So, what''s your business? I saw the news. Don''t tell me you''re here to invite me to the Taesung Guild?" "It''s not the Taesung Guild anymore, it''s the Iron Will Guild now. And yes, that''s exactly why I''m here." "Why? Why should I go there?" "I''m not thinking you should, it''s just a proposal. Is the position of Management Team Leader okay with you?" "Didn''t you just say you were sorry? And now you want me to do that again?!" "Judging by the fact you didn''t outright refuse, I guess you''re considering it." "No. It''s not that." "You''ve had several years off, it''s time for your return. After all, Team Leader Pyo, you can''t live without monsters, can you?" "..." "I won''t let you hear the jeers of being a Hunter''s babysitter like before. We''re nning to change the team name and job descriptionpletely. From now on, Iron Will will only focus on monster hunting. I''ll take care of theplicated tasks." Pyo Beom-hee sighed deeply, setting her sses on her head as she washed her face roughly with dry hands. Between her fingers that covered her face, there seemed to be a glimpse of moisture glistening. "Ha... Alright, I should go." Kang Mu-hyuk silently handed her a handkerchief. Pyo Beom-hee epted the handkerchief and looked at the desk. On Kang Mu-hyuk''s side, a small picture frame was ced with only the backside visible. It was so old that it could have been considered an antique. It was cracked here and there, and the stand was weathered. Although it didn''t fit with the surrounding interior, to Pyo Beom-hee, it was the most important treasure. "Family photo... It''s the same as before, isn''t it?" "Yeah. I have to go for the kids there. It''s time." Pyo Beom-hee put her sses back on. "I''ve waited too long." "I''m sorry. I waste. It was fortunate for me that other guilds left Team Leader Pyo alone." "I didn''t fit anywhere else. The gate is a world that views people as money. That''s why I came to the idolpany. They don''t bother me if I say I''m retired." Pyo Beom-hee picked up the picture frame on the desk and stroked it. Unlike the sharp gaze she had while working, it was a gentle gaze lost in memories. When she took her gaze away from the frame, her eyes were ame. Her intense gaze fixed on Kang Mu-hyuk. "Team Leader Kang, I''ve had this feeling since you arrived. That it was time. This time, I can fight properly, right? Without being beaten around." "Of course. That''s why I called for Team Leader Pyo." "Good. I''ll wrap up here right away." "Can you hand over your duties so quickly?" "That was the condition when I was scouted. I said I could return to being a Hunter at any time." "I''m d. We''re so short-handed that we''re on the verge of copsing." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Pyo Beom-hee asked as if she had forgotten. "What about the others? Did you call them?" "I''ve managed to contact a few. Things will finally start rolling now." Chapter 34 - What Will You Give To A Man With An Empty Pocket? The house of Gong Du-ri, known as the loudest in Sangdo-dong, began its morning with the booming voice of Mrs. Kim, who was once again trying to break her own record. "Gong Du-ri! Where are you going so early in the morning?!" "I''m moving out. You told me to leave yesterday, remember?" "What the hell are you talking about? I meant you should get out and do something." "I got a job." Mrs. Kim''s eyes widened as she clung tightly to her son. Now that she thought about it, he was dressed in a suit. Unfamiliar with such a sight, she questioned him suspiciously, "A job? Is this another scam?" "Room and boarding included, full insurance coverage, a healthy paycheck. It''s from Taesung Group. They said I''ve been scouted by a bigpany." "Oh my! What''s happening? Is this real, my son?" "Your tone seems very different from earlier. Anyway, they said it''s urgent, so I''m heading out now. I''ll call a moving serviceter for the rest of my stuff." "You''re leaving?" "I have to stand on my own now." "We''ll discuss thatter. Ho ho, my dear son. You should have breakfast before you leave." "I don''t have time. I need to leave now if I don''t want to bete." "Alright. You''re a busy man now. Will you be home for dinner? I''ll prepare something delicious." "Goodness, I told you, I''ll be staying there for a while. I probably won''t be able toe back. Anyway, I''ll be off now." "My son, take care." As Gong Du-ri hurriedly opened the front door and left, Mrs. Kim waved him goodbye. Gong Du-ri was excited about his first day at Taesung. He was an elite in the field of cybersecurity, but due to his innate curiosity, he had left his digital fingerprints all over the ce. The only way for an isted hacker to survive was through crime. Fortunately, he could eat his fill thanks to Kang Mu-hyuk. Now he was wearing the badge of a bigpany. It was an overwhelming feeling. ''Awesome, I''m part of a bigpany now.'' With a newfound lightness in his steps, Gong Du-ri set off for work. ''Bigpany, my ass.'' He had been overjoyed when he heard Kang Mu-hyuk had secured him a position in Taesung Group. But the ce he was hired was a guild. Still, Taesung Guild was part of the group. Though he was suspicious as the name had been changed recently, Gong Du-ri looked at the face standing next to him and grimaced again. "Kid, it''s been a while? I hope this time you won''t y around with your keyboard. You might get hurt." "I didn''t expect to see you, Team Leader Pyo. Ha ha...." The person who caught Gong Du-ri snooping through confidential documents in the Titan Guild was Pyo Beom-hee. His nemesis and natural enemy. Gong Du-ri quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze. No matter how much he disliked her, a rabbit couldn''t re at a tiger. Not wanting to get entangled with Pyo Beom-hee, he nced around and noticed a stranger. A two-meter-tall hulk with a beard covering his face. "Who''s that bearded old man?" "Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung from the Support Team. He''s a guy who''s always holed up in the warehouse. You wouldn''t have seen him." An Ji-il was the one to respond to Gong Du-ri''s question as he happened to walk into the office. Seeing An Ji-il, a fellow Equipment Teamrade from Titan and a non-Hunter like himself, Gong Du-ri couldn''t help but exim in delight, "Ji-il! You''re here too?" "Why? Am I not allowed to be?" "No, it''s not that... You don''t particrly like Mr. Kang, do you?" "Do you choose a guild based on people? You choose based on the work." "I chose based on the money though..." As An Ji-il was exchanging greetings with others, Kang Mu-hyuk entered the office. By his side was Ju Se-ah. "Wow, Ji-il! Ju Se-ah, it''s Ju Se-ah!" "I know, just calm down." An Ji-il was quick to quell Gong Du-ri''s excitement. Kang Mu-hyuk scanned the room before speaking, "Wee, everyone, to our Iron Will Guild. This person here is Guild Master Ju Se-ah." "Nice to meet you. I''m Ju Se-ah. It''s a pleasure to have all of you in our guild based on the rmendation of Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. I look forward to your contributions. Thank you in advance." p, p, p! Gong Du-ri, who had been apuding, quickly stopped when he saw others were silent. "We have people who haven''t yet joined as they are finishing up other tasks, but we have the roles we need immediately filled, so let''s get started right away." Gong Du-ri, disappointed to be inducted into a guild rather than a subsidiary of the Taesung Group, had hoped for some grand weing ceremony, but the mention of starting work immediately took the wind out of his sails. Kang Mu-hyuk then briefed each individual about their tasks. "Gong Du-ri, you will be working as the Team Leader of the Situation Room Operator Team." "Team Leader?" "You will also be in charge of system security. Please check the security system right away. Check the firewall as well. If there are any leaks, make sure to patch them up." Caught off guard by the unexpected promotion, Gong Du-ri went wide-eyed as Kang Mu-hyuk handed him his assignments. He nodded awkwardly, quickly realizing that his responsibilities were too overwhelming to handle alone and urgently raised his hand. "Wait a minute. You expect me to do all that alone?" "Obviously you can''t do it alone. There''s a team. Use them appropriately. Managing manpower is also part of a Team Leader''s duties, so it''s best to get used to it." "A Team Leader''s duties... Right. Haha..." "Am I to take charge of Storage C?" When An Ji-il proactively stepped up to ask, Kang Mu-hyuk handed him a USB. "This is a monster extermination n to prevent interference with the guild''s relocation. Please select the equipment that fits my requirements. We can''t move everything right away due to storage space constraints. The rest will be taken over after the guild relocation." "I''ll check it out." "I''m on the management team, right?" "Yes. Team Leader Pyo, I''ll introduce the team members separately. Luckily, the management team had the fewest resignations due to the guild''s relocation, so it''ll be easier for you to coordinate with them." Kang Mu-hyuk nced at thest man standing. He was a mountainous figure, his head nearly reaching the ceiling. "You, Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung, will be in charge of the Support Team." "Will my duties remain the same?" "Yes." "Can I manage my people as I see fit?" "As long as you''re not bullying them." "I''ll give it a shot." After assigning the new recruits to their respective departments, Kang Mu-hyuk went up to the Guild Master''s office at the summon of Ju Se-ah. As soon as he entered, she unleashed her curiosity, "Who was that bearded man earlier?" "That''s Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung." "You know I wasn''t asking for his name." "He used to be a Hunter." "Right? I knew he was a Hunter! I thought I might have seen him. But a support team? At first nce, he could be an A-rank guild''s main tanker." Ju Se-ah''s surprise was understandable. The support team was colloquially called the pack mules. Their role was to manage hunting supplies, overseeing the warehouse, and moving goods -- a team known for its demanding work, despite the limited variety of tasks. Thus, few peoplested long in that position. "It''s already strange that the Management Team Leader is a Hunter. But the Support Team Leader, too? And not just any Hunter, but one of a high rank? What a waste! Is Titan overflowing with Hunters?" "In reality, Team Leader Yeom is a B+ rank. He retired from hunting due to personal reasons. When I said he used to be a Hunter, it''s because his Hunter qualifications have been revoked." "Revoked?" "I can''t discuss personal matters." "Never mind, I don''t need to know... But B+? Not A- or higher? That''s odd. That can''t be right... Have I lost my touch?" As Ju Se-ah tilted her head in confusion, Kang Mu-hyuk kept his lips sealed. Her senses hadn''t failed her. ''Team Leader Yeom is indeed a bit unique.'' Just as Ju Se-ah was blessed with physical and magical defensive powers beyond her rank, Yeom Soo-hyung also had his special qualities. The oddity that Ju Se-ah sensed probably pertained to this, Kang Mu-hyuk thought. "Have I satisfied your curiosity?" "I have no further questions. You wouldn''t tell me everything, anyway. As long as he does his job, it''s fine with me." "We don''t have much time left. The uing subjugation mission will take ce with a minimum of high-rank Hunters, so intensify the Hunter training, please." As Kang Mu-hyuk stood to leave, Ju Se-ah asked him another question, "So, are we really proceeding with only B-rank Hunters or lower?" "This operation aims at an overall skill improvement for the future. Unless a significant risk emerges, we''ll stick to strict party y." "But wouldn''t it be better if I step in, solve things quickly, and focus on securing our guild''s position?" "If you, Guild Master, can cover the entire North Pocheon region 24/7, feel free to do so." "I see what you mean. I was just a bit worried." Seeing the troubled look on Ju Se-ah''s face, Kang Mu-hyuk questioned, "Is it really that bad?" "No, it''s not that it''s hopeless... It''s just that after looking at the yer Guild, I can''t help but worry when I look at our members..." "Compared to the Tier-ed Guild, even our A-ss seemscking." "The issue is that Goblins have such arge level disparity. From what I saw in the reports, it seems like arge tribe that has maintained its poption for a long time. I think there will even be a considerable number of evolved ones." "There might even be irregrs." "That''s what I''m saying. We don''t know what kind of mutants will show up." Goblins had an extremely fast reproduction cycle, with one generation onlysting a few months. As long as there was enough prey, they could quickly multiply into hundreds or thousands. No matter how vast a special habitat, there was a limit to its scale, but this tribe had already existed for more than a decade. Having gone through dozens of generations, the overall level of the tribe must have increased. Among them, there were likely to be exceptional mutant monsters, also known as irregrs. Kang Mu-hyuk had also taken this into ount. "We will prepare, but we may have to anticipate some sacrifices." Ju Se-ah focused more on the word ''prepare'' than ''sacrifice.'' As his track record at Titan disyed, Kang Mu-hyuk was a reliable person when it came to hunting. "Then, I''ll also do my best to prepare." As time passed, Kang Mu-hyuk stopped by his office with only one day left before the start of the operation. He had spent some time in the guild''s dormitory and hade to pick up a change of clothes. Moreover, he needed to restock the injection and medicine that alleviated mana addiction. After a quick shower and packing his things, Kang Mu-hyuk used aser syringe on his arm, a needleless device. It was more expensive and harder to find than a regr syringe, but it was easy to use and didn''t leave needle marks, so he had bought them in bulk. The drug was administered once every two weeks, but it didn''tpletely suppress the disease. If there was an outbreak likest time, caused by arge outflow of mana from the Gate, he would need to immediately administer another dose just to cope. As the drug circted through his body, he felt a slight dizziness. It was a nauseating feeling, but it gradually disappeared as he sat with his eyes closed. "Phew, it doesn''t feel great, but at least it''s not getting worse." Shaking off the nausea, Kang Mu-hyuk muttered to himself and took his belongings down to the parking lot. ''Is this the norm? Is it clich¨¦ to be waiting in the parking lot these days?'' Kang Mu-hyuk identified the men blocking his path. They didn''t seem hostile. They kept a polite distance, appearing to have a purpose. "The Chairman wants to see you." "The Chairman?" At this point, there was only one person he could think of when someone mentioned ''The Chairman.'' ''The Chairman of Taesung Group, Tae Jin-sung.'' In fact, ''at this point'' was a real nuisance. He had been quiet during the guild name change and even during the announcement. But now... Kang Mu-hyuk was just about to head to Pocheon when he was called upon. ''One could say this is when I''m most vulnerable.'' Quite fitting of a chaebol who leads one pir of the national economy. If it wasn''t intentional, he was certainly a wretched old man. ''I expected to meet him someday, but...'' Chairman Tae Jin-sung had an interest in Ju Se-ah, which was a meal worse than sacrificial offerings. The fate of her guild, which would determine hering and going, was entrusted to a new Guild Leader, him, Kang Mu-hyuk. It was only natural that The Chairman would take an interest. He could avoid it, but it was not a summon he should avoid. It urred to him that this was an opportunity to see what The Chairman was thinking. "Lead the way." The first impression Kang Mu-hyuk had of The Chairman was, ''He looks like her.'' The stubborn gaze was identical to Ju Se-ah''s. The power of genes that couldn''t be hidden. He had no emotion when he entered the neighborhood where only the wealthiest people in South Korea lived, yet he admired the most unnecessary ce. "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." A pair of lips, as stubborn as his gaze, were opened. Kang Mu-hyuk replied, feeling lucky that Ju Se-ah did not inherit those lips, "Yes." "I see you''ve been mingling here and there." It was a simple expression, but Kang Mu-hyuk felt a quiet tension inside. ''He must be referring to his sons that I met. But he said ''see,'' not ''hear.'' Is he implying that he personally looks after the group?'' The subtle expression revealed a confidence that he hadplete control over the group. If he tried to hide or deceive, it could lead to a mess right from the start. While he had no intention of doing so, Kang Mu-hyuk replied with extra caution, "I can''t afford to refuse a helping hand. If someone throws me even cold rice when I''m hungry, I have to gratefully ept it." "Hmm, that''s a good attitude. A man with nothing, who tries to keep his pride, only hurts himself." "Exactly. A man with nothing should always keep his pocket open." It was a demeaning metaphor, but Kang Mu-hyuk went along nonchntly. At his response, one of Tae Jin-sung''s eyebrows raised noticeably. He squinted at Kang Mu-hyuk, examining him closely. Looking at a person like this could feel so unpleasant. It was like the gaze of evaluating a product. Kang Mu-hyuk, unaffected by Tae Jin-sung''s gaze, asked, "What are you going to give to a man with an open pocket, Chairman?" Chapter 35 - As You Wish; In My Own Way "You have quite the nerve, to demand something from me before I even ask you to. This is the first time, excluding Se-ah, that I''ve had such an encounter. Then again, given your leadership, I suppose you have a habit of shamelessly getting into ridiculous situations." "Chairman, I took your first words in that way. You said I know how to pull the strings well, didn''t you? You suggested that instead of trying to get hold of everything and making a mess, wouldn''t it be better to focus on one sure thing? At least, that''s how I understood it." "I like your brevity. It seems Se-ah has found a good worker." Nodding his head, Tae Jin-sung seemed satisfied. "What can I do for you? Revoke the guild name change? Prevent the relocation to North Pocheon? Please, tell me what you want." "You can keep the guild name and move wherever you want. But--" "..." "My demand is just one thing. You''re hunting goblins, right? I want you to fail spectacrly." "!!" Kang Mu-hyuk clenched his teeth then loosened his jaw to ask, "What degree of failure are you talking about?" "People need to die for Se-ah to snap out of it. She''s seen a lot of deaths since she was a child, so one or two wouldn''t affect her at all. If at least half are wiped out, that should be enough. She needs to see firsthand the consequences of her recklessness." Heat surged in Kang Mu-hyuk''s heart. His cool head heated up. ''Don''t get angry yet. Anger won''t solve anything.'' Kang Mu-hyuk repeatedly reminded himself as he kept his gaze low, not daring to make eye contact with Tae Jin-sung, lest his boiling anger be revealed. Regting his breathing surreptitiously, he spoke, "Do you need to go through all this trouble? Why not just disband the guild?" "Why? Don''t want to do it?" "Gambling with people''s lives requires staking your own. I fear that my life might be at stake because of this matter with Guild Master Ju Se-ah. As you know, Guild Master Ju Se-ah is the top Hunter in South Korea. Even if you, Chairman, promise to protect me, she''s not someone I can avoid." "You''ve found a good excuse to refuse. But shouldn''t your concern be trying to get out of here before you try to dodge Se-ah?" No sooner had Tae Jin-sung finished speaking, a man, who appeared to be the Chairman''s bodyguard, red at Kang Mu-hyuk. Although he stood at a distance, his chilling gaze made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Kang Mu-hyuk felt his skin being pricked. His body responded with a minor shiver to the intimidating aura. He felt the flow of mana. ''A Hunter, indeed.'' Certainly, he was no ordinary man. Among the Hunters he had met, few possessed such a strong aura. Kang Mu-hyuk, still not quite ustomed to sensing mana, couldn''t miss the sizable quantity radiating from his opponent, who seemed to make no effort to hide it. ''At least A-rank, perhaps?'' Contrary to public opinion that Tae Jin-sung had no interest in guild affairs, he kept a high-level Hunter by his side. ''I thought he was an old man with little interest in hunting businesses.'' Kang Mu-hyuk felt the need to reassess his judgment of the Chairman. "If you''ve epted, then proceed as nned to Pocheon. Follow my orders there. Understood?" Kang Mu-hyuk rapidly organized his thoughts. What was the best course of action avable to him at this moment? For starters, if he didn''t ept, he could be killed on the spot. The involvement of a Hunter in itself was a means to make Kang Mu-hyuk disappear from this world without anyone knowing. His body could be thrown to a mountain monster, with his bones never to be recovered. Monsters were the perfect partners in disposing of a body. ''But lying would also be problematic. I could evade the situation for now, but not the repercussions.'' Even though it was difficult forrge corporations to influence the Hunter industry, Iron Will Guild wasn''t free from such corporations since it was under the Taesung Group. It was clear that Chairman Tae Jin-sung would obstruct him in some way. A way to navigate around this had to be found. As Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind was swiftly churning, Tae Jin-sung gestured at him with his chin. "If you understand, then leave. Director Jung, escort our guest." Along with the order, the Hunter moved. Feeling apulsive need to not back down, a lightning bolt of insight struck Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. He hastily knelt down and spoke. "Wait, Chairman, shouldn''t I also gain something if I am to take a risk?" "Heh, even in this situation, you''re keen on your own benefits. Aren''t you feeling guilty about betraying your director?" "If the role you want me to y is that of a traitor, then I should do as you say." "Right, what do you want?" At the end of the conversation, the chilly voice squeezed Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk organized the thoughts swirling in his head and said, "Obviously, the position of a Guild Master. I need your promise to guarantee at least the Team Leader''s position." After a moment of silence, Tae Jin-sung opened his mouth. "Show me results first." ''Results... Does he see killing someone as merely a result?'' "Once you show the results, the reward shall follow." As Tae Jin-sung added, a resolute light red in Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes. "Results. I will show them, in my own way." Dozens of trailer trucks raced down the national highway to the gloomy city center. The streetscked energy. The few who were out for ate lunch proved it wasn''t a ghost town. People filled the streets, their attention stolen by the procession of trailers. Eventually, they spotted the words ''Iron Will Guild'' on the sides and back of the trailers. "It''s Iron Will!" "Atst..." Those who had been desperately waiting for news from the Iron Will Guild, more than any other Korean citizens, could recognize the newly changed guild name. The citizens of Pocheon believed the Iron Will Guild would bring hope to their city. Inside the lead SUV assigned to lead the trailers, Kang Mu-hyuk kept tapping on his tablet PC, double and triple-checking his ns. Ju Se-ah sitting next to him, shot him a sidelong nce and asked, "How about it? Are you confident?" "I''ve never been confident while nning a hunt," Kang Mu-hyuk replied. "I just do my best to formte the best possible n, devise alternatives in case it goes wrong, and if those don''t work, I look for new solutions. That''s all." "Ah~ You always take light-heartedments so seriously. What am I going to do with you?" Ignoring Ju Se-ah''s grumbling, Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes were on the map of North Pocheon. In particr, he scrutinized the area around Sanjeong Lake. It was a monster ecology map, built on the testimonies of frence Hunters who had gone hunting in that Special Activities Zone. ''I''ve confirmed the Goblin tribe, and based on their appearances, I''ve predicted their range of activity... But the information is too old. At some point, Hunters stopped hunting near there and the data hasn''t been updated.'' The reason was clear. The area surrounding the south of Sanjeong Lake, including Sahyang Mountain and Gwaneum Mountain, was infested with monsters that were challenging to confront. Hunters likely didn''t see the need to head up north while hunting these monsters. Monsters that, based on old information, should have stayed further north. Their habitats had now moved southward unnoticed. ''They were pushed out. By the goblins.'' North Pocheon was a hotspot where formidable monsters such as the Watusi Snake, Squirrel Snake, and Indria, which Hunters couldn''t ignore, had settled. What size must the goblin tribe have be to push these monsters out? ''No. It''s not about the size of the tribe. No matter how many rabbits, they can''t beat a tiger. The rabbits must have turned into wolves. In a pack, even a tiger could be pushed out.'' Looking at the sporadically collected information, there were slight differences in the goblins'' appearances. The goblin seen by the first witness was slightly different in size and appearance from the one seen a few yearster. The individuality of the intelligent, tribal monster, evolving and adapting to the environment over generations, was clearly disyed. Taking his eyes off the tablet, Kang Mu-hyuk asked Ju Se-ah, "How prepared are the Hunters?" "The party y is smooth as long as it''s not a 5-star monster. But honestly, the overall level is so low that I can''t guarantee that even for a 4-star." "And for raid hunting?" "Well, by your standards, Guild Leader Kang, we''re far from ready." "So the calction doesn''t work." "Mainly because theyck proper hunting experience." After pondering over the map again for a while, Kang Mu-hyuk made a decision. "Let''s start by checking our information-gathering capacity. Afterward, we can either activate the party y or proceed with a frontal attack." Summer had taken a step further into the season. The forest was filled with the noisy sounds of cicadas, making it feel like a concert hall. A group of green-skinned dwarfs walked side by side in the middle of the forest path. Its ears were elongated and triangr, drooping towards the back. The nose was hooked, and warts dotted across its face. Its eyes, sharp and gleaming, were the size ofrge marbles, and it stood just above five feet tall. Unlike the smaller counterparts, this creature had a robust physique and well-defined muscles. The weapon it carried was not a standard poison sting or a stone axe, but a proper iron sword and shield. ''It''s certainly bigger than the average goblin, isn''t it?'' Two eyes gleamed through the wind-rustled underbrush. Once the goblins disappeared from sight, the Hunter who had been observing them spoke quietly into his earpiece. "Headquarters, this is Alpha Three. Five goblins are moving from Yeowu Peak toward the Green Pension. They are soldier types." "Are they on Yeowu Hill Road?" "Yes, they are moving along the path." "It seems they are a new pack. We''ll tag them with the identification number ''A6''. Return to the base camp after changing shifts at 17:00." "Understood." Once he finished reporting, the Hunter crouched down beneath his camougeting again. He didn''t forget to spray the area with a solution made from earthworm juice, preventing the spread of human scent. Only the cries of cicadas filled the forest once more. "Five goblin soldiers moving west on Yeowu Hill Road." Following Kang Mu-hyuk''s instructions, the operator in the control room manipted the equipment, and a green circle with a ''5'' appeared on the 120-inch monitor. ''There are 89 scouts that have been wandering outside. The scouting range has extended beyond theke to Mangbong Mountain and Yeowu Peak. Except for the t road on the west, the radius is almost four kilometers. The tribe isrger than we initially presumed.'' Kang Mu-hyuk scrutinized the map centered around the base camp. The camp was set up in an elementary school in Nogok Vige, 7.5 kilometers south of Sanjeong Lake. Because of the severe mana distortion,munication was not smooth, so they had set up temporarymunication antennas on the peaks of Gwaneum Mountain and Sahyang Mountain, the left and right gates leading to Sanjeong Lake. All this was possible thanks to An Ji-il, who had repaired the equipment brought out from Warehouse C. Because of his efforts,munication was avable as far as Yeowu Peak in the northeast with Sanjeong Lake in the center. ''Not many Hunters in Iron Will have the telepathy skill. It''s a popr skill monopolized by top guilds, so it''s hard to acquire. If Team Leader An hadn''t devised it after years of research, this operation would have been much more difficult.'' Kang Mu-hyuk still thought that the future of hunting depended on Project C. "But why do we operate scouts, Guild Leader? I saw that the equipment team has drones." In the corner of the control room set up in the old elementary school office, Gong Du-ri asked while operating the device. "Each time you fly one, it uses a low-grade mana stone. Its efficiency isn''t great, so 20 minutes is the max limit." "Are they using low-grade ones? Wow, that''s one expensive drone." "Besides, flying drones only heightens the goblins'' vignce. The reason we ced the camp in the south, not the easier-to-ess west side of theke, is to stay out of the goblins'' line of sight." There were two major routes to Lake Sanjeong: Route 78 running east-west, and Route 387, which prated the north-south direction. The goblins actively moved in the west, where the retreat was easier, while firmly blocking the narrower intersections in the southeast. Even from these patterns of behavior, it was clear that they were a highly intelligent goblin tribe. ''Obviously hobgoblins, and maybe even goblin chiefs or n heads.'' Arge tribe with a well-established map system. The Sanjeong Lake Goblin n was a more difficult adversary than anticipated. "Continue to gather information for a few more days, upload it to the DB as youpile it, and share it on the outer board..." [ED: DB is DataBase.] It was at the moment when Kang Mu-hyuk was providing instructions. rm! "This is Delta Two! Squirrels! Squirrels iing!" An urgent voice echoed through the radio. In contrast to the urgency in the radio operator''s voice, Kang Mu-hyuk calmed him down with aposed voice. "Don''t you know how to report properly? Calm down and report as trained." "I''m sorry. A group of squirrels are gathering. They seem to be moving south soon. There are about twenty." "Has Delta Two''s position been exposed?" "No. They do not seem to be aware of it yet." "Approximate distance?" Kang Mu-hyuk looked at the monitor, and Gong Du-ri skillfully disyed the location of Delta Two. ''Sahyang Mountain entrance, 2 kilometers. A 30-minute walk, but with the average speed of a squirrel, it wouldn''t even take 10 minutes.'' Kang Mu-hyuk assessed the situation and issued an order. "Delta Two, hold your position. Keep watch for follow-up monsters." "Yes. Understood." "Team Leader Gong, tell the ranged attack prevention team and the outpost to retreat." "Yes, sir." Kang Mu-hyuk grabbed another microphone attached to the operator''s equipment and brought it to his mouth. When he pressed the button next to the microphone, a short rm sound spread throughout the camp. At the rm, Hunters and staff flinched. Then Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice rang out. "Announcement to the entire camp. First-ssbat readiness initiated. Situation spread. More than twenty squirrels are moving south from the north side of Route 387. We are entering defense mode in the camp. Over." After issuing the order, Kang Mu-hyuk immediately opened the office door and went outside. He wanted to check the readiness of the Hunters. As the hallway was chaotic, Kang Mu-hyuk went to the central entrance. There, Ju Se-ah was already outside. She was frowning as she looked around the schoolyard. The expression on Kang Mu-hyuk''s face, who was standing next to her, was not much different. "They can''t seem to get it together. Just because of twenty squirrels." "They are the trickiest among the three-star monsters... But this is definitely a problem." Ju Se-ah sighed naturally at the sight of the flustered Hunters. It was fortunate they were stumbling, yet finding their way back to their positions. Kang Mu-hyuk felt like he was carrying a heavier stone than Ju Se-ah''s sigh. ''If it continues like this, we''ll be annihted by the goblin tribe, even without Chairman Tae Jin-sung''s demand.'' Chapter 36 - Friend or Foe? "Never thought Ju Se-ah would have ties with him." Sung Seon-je, the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of the yer Guild, was engrossed in a report, seemingly intrigued. "What are you doing at a caf¨¦ at this hour, Ding-Dong?" Sung Seon-je asked, looking up at a guild member who had suddenly popped his face in between him and the report. "What is Hunter Kam Woo-yeong doing here? There''s a Red Gate expeditioning up soon. Aren''t you going to attend the final check?" "Take it easy. The expedition team is always prepared. I just came out for a short coffee break. Ah? This person..." "Can you step out for a second?" Kam Woo-yeong, upon ncing at the photo attached to the report, feigned recognition. Sung Seon-je tried to dismiss him with an annoyed wave of his hand, but Kam Woo-yeong quickly leaned in and snatched the report to start reading. "This is that guy you''ve been keeping an eye on, isn''t it? He''s been promoted under Se-ah recently, what was his name again? Kang, Kang, Kang Mu-hyuk! Right?" Sung Seon-je snatched back the report, furrowing his brow. "Now that you''re a Party Leader of the Expedition team, Hunter Kam Woo-yeong, act with some charisma that belongs to a party leader. How long will you act like a rookie?" "What can I do if it''s my nature? I''m not good at taking on responsibilities. Haha." Scratching the back of his head andughing awkwardly, Kam Woo-yeong reached out to take the report again. When Sung Seon-je quickly hid the report behind him, he sourly asked, "But why do you have another guild leader''s resume? Are you trying to sneak him away from Se-ah?" "And what if Ju Se-ah causes a scene in the guild lobby again? Would you, Hunter Kam Woo-yeong, stop her?" "Are you insane? I wouldn''t dare confront the witch." "Part of my job is to avoid creating such troublesome situations." "So you''re not recruiting him? But why this guy?" "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk is someone I''ve been watching for a while now." At Sung Seon-je''s response, Kam Woo-yeong''s eyes widened. Sung Seon-je was a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader with a meticulous standard for evaluating Hunters. The fact that he''d been keeping an eye on a non-Hunter, and from another guild no less, suggested one of two things. Enemy or recruitment target. ''He''s not the type to memorize names out of simple curiosity.'' The Sung Seon-je that Kam Woo-yeong knew categorized people into two types. Useful or not. He remembered those who were useful and didn''t even acknowledge the others as people, even if they were from the same guild. The remembered ones were also divided into two. Friend or foe. Kam Woo-yeong was curious about this division. "You''re not really trying to recruit him, are you? If you are, tell me in advance. I''ll schedule my leave when Se-ah arrives." "I thought about it before. When I''m absent or in an emergency, I want someone to step in." "Wow~ The sessor of perfectionist Team Leader Sung? I don''t like that. He seems like a picky person." When Kam Woo-yeong expressed his dislike, Sung Seon-je corrected him sharply. "He''s not a sessor, he''s a stand-in. More like a deputy team leader. In the Tier-ed Guild, having a ''spare'' for any job is crucial for stable operation." "Whatever the case, if you consider him as your sessor, he must be an exceptional individual. And he isn''t even a Hunter." "He''s not a sessor, he''s a stand-in. Ahem, anyway, he''s a good asset. I decided to keep an eye on him, but missed the timing as Titan grew to the point where it''s a threat to the Tier-ed Guild." As he spoke, Sung Seon-je nced at the report, a hint of regret visible in his eyes. Kam Woo-yeong, who had not anticipated this reaction, was quite taken aback. "What kind of abilities does he have for our Strategy and Tactics Team Leader to praise him so highly?" "The Table Mountain operation." "Excuse me?" "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk has a few distinctive records under his name. However, the Table Mountain operation alone settles any dispute about his abilities." "Table Mountain? What''s that?" Kam Woo-yeong didn''t understand immediately. The operation Sung Seon-je spoke of was a hunting case from five years ago when he had just debuted as a rookie. Although Sung Seon-je was cold and particr, he was a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader who was fairly kind to capable Hunters. He exined Kang Mu-hyuk''s record to Kam Woo-yeong. "The Table Mountain operation was the campaign that earned the Titan Guild recognition as an A-ss guild. The key architect behind that operation was Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." Table Mountain was one of the terrains found in South America. It got its name from its tabletop-like shape, with a t mountain extending above a sheer cliff that seemed as if it had been cut straight down. At the time, a simr terrain was found within a gate, and coincidentally, a boss monster was perched on top of it. The summit of Table Mountain wasn''t veryrge, and the only way to get to it was by climbing the cliff. The boss would attack the Hunters who had managed to scale the cliff even before they could form a battle line, causing them to fall. Even for Hunters, falling from a height reaching 1,000 meters was lethal, unless they were top-tier. All the Hunters who had embarked on the operation were annihted by the boss''s ambush. The guild that had imed the gate had to dere that they were giving up on the boss operation. They were in a situation where they had to proceed with the gate destruction procedure. During this time, Kang Mu-hyuk, who had been paying attention to the released gate information, formed an alliance with the guild and embarked on a joint operation. Noticing that the underlying geology of Table Mountain was made of sandstone and mana ore, he transformed the mountain into a huge mana ore bomb. He sessfully concluded the subsequent operation by causing Table Mountain to explode, thereby taking away the boss''s defensive advantage and inflicting massive fall damage on it, just as the boss had done to the Hunters. "Wow, that''s insane. To destroy a mountain just to defeat the boss." "What''s crazier is that the temporary estimated value of the mana ore in Table Mountain was at least 3 trillion won." "3, 3 trillion?!" "I couldn''t have used that method myself. It would have been too wasteful." Despite the inefficiency of spending 3 trillion won on a single raid, paradoxically, Kang Mu-hyuk''s daring operation attracted great attention among some influential Hunters. "He''s somewhat simr to Se-ah in that aspect, isn''t he?" "Are you referring to his recklessness?" "More like, he smashes first when ites to monsters." "..." "I''ve hardly seen anyone as obsessed with hunting monsters as Se-ah. She could probably burn more than three trillion if necessary to hunt monsters." Sung Seon-je had previously mentioned that he missed the opportunity to recruit Kang Mu-hyuk because of Titan''s rapid growth, but the real reason was different. The unspoken reason why he gave up on recruiting him. Or, more urately, why he didn''t recruit him was clear. ''Prioritizing hunting monsters without hesitation over money. Although they try to make a profit where possible, if the sess of hunting and the guild''s profit are contradictory, money bes secondary. Such a decision does not suit arge guild like ours.'' In fact, Sung Seon-je had once analyzed data from a significant raid led by Kang Mu-hyuk from the perspective of the yer Guild. That data was none other than the estimated revenue. The final revenue, calcted using the yer Guild''s methods rather than Kang Mu-hyuk''s, was conservatively nearly twice as much. If Titan had prioritized profit over the opportunity cost of raids, wouldn''t they have already be a tier-ed guild? "Well, no matter what, the idea is quite unique. I''m curious what kind of raid would happen if Se-ah and Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, two steep slopes, collide." "Those two are now gathered in one guild. In many ways, we should keep an eye on them." At Kam Woo-yeong''s words, Sung Seon-je, whose gaze was directed towards North Pocheon, nodded. ''I don''t want to get involved with her, so it''s fortunate that she went to North Pocheon. Because she''s out of sight of us. I don''t like suffering losses every time I sh with her, regardless of the oue.'' The fact that Kang Mu-hyuk had managed to distance Ju Se-ah from Seoul was enough to make him useful in Sung Seon-je''s eyes. Unable to stand watching the members bustling about, Kang Mu-hyuk issued a few directives. "Close the shelters first so they can''t enter through the windows!" The windows of the elementary school main building were open to the north and south walls. The south side was safe as long as Hunters didn''t prate it through the yground, so naturally, the north side was vulnerable to defense. When Kang Mu-hyuk designated the elementary school as the base camp, he pointed out this part. The main building was a ce for non-Hunter staff to stay, so it needed a minimum safety. Although the instation cost them time and money, they brought in an instation-type shelter, which could be used in the defensive zone of the Yalu River to prevent the southward migration of monsters in Manchuria, and blocked all the windows on the north side. In any case, they nned to remove it from the elementary school and reinstall it once they reimed the Sanjeong Lake Resort, so they had boldly spent on it despite their limited resources. "Deploy long-range dealers on the rooftop. Even if you can''tnd a hit, I hope you can drive them to the yground so they can''tfortably advance." With these instructions, the Hunters'' tasks were sorted out. The fewer choices there were, the faster the decision-making process tended to be. No matter how motley the crew, no matter how short their training period, they were all Hunters with experience, and thus, they were able to swiftly take on therge monsters. "Are we going to be overrun by squirrels here? If so, we might as well quit being Hunters. If we don''t quit, I''ll make sure we do. I swear on it." Perhaps it was due to the weight of Ju Se-ah''s stern warning, but the Hunters redoubled their efforts. "Gwi-nam, you break through aggressively! We''re going to support you. Our first party''s mission is more about drawing aggro than defense. Use aggressive skills to pin them down as much as you can." Min Dae-hyun, a first-year Hunter of the Iron Will Guild, found himself leading a party. The main forces in this hunt were low-ranked Hunters, including rookies. The thought of having high-ranked Hunters backing them was reassuring, but the knowledge that every single party y would be evaluated by the guild master and the team leader made them all the more anxious. ''Ugh, why did they appoint me as the party leader?'' After Ju Se-ah personally tested the rookie Hunters and suddenly delegated the party leadership to him, Min Dae-hyun found that his rtionship with his fellow Hunters, whom he had been on friendly terms with, had turned awkward. Although he thought it would be hard for him to ry orders effectively, once they actually began, there was no time to dwell on such matters. Surprisingly, he found himself calmly handing out orders to his seniors. ''Keep calm. Just do what you''ve been taught. What did the team leader say?'' "There are three basic elements in hunting. First, information; second, urate information; third, more information. If you have a prior understanding of the monster''s type, habits, and strategies, you''re already halfway there." Min Dae-hyun thought about the squirrel-like creatures. ''About two meters in length, teeth, and ws as weapons. It uses the tendrils on its tail to draw out a creature''s blood and body fluids, and its fur serves as armor. Its maximum speed...'' Its characteristics were not significantly different from other animal-like monsters, but its agility was the most challenging part. It was nimble when climbing walls or trees and swift on t ground, managing to change direction freely. ''Keep them at bay and stand our ground against such creatures? Our defenses would be instantly breached. It''s better to meet them head-on.'' Aggro management was easier when on offense than defense. It was the basics of hunting. However, most Hunters rarely charged at the monsters first in a party y. It was because they could deal more damage with less stamina when counterattacking. Although sturdy Hunters had been popr due to this, the recent American-style trend had led to the poprity of multi-tankers who could respond faster and more aggressively. Thanks to this, even domestically, the trend toward defense-centric tankers was gradually changing. ''Come to think of it, our guild master is quite the special case. The best ''defense-only'' tanker and yet notcking in speedpared to the dealers. The real overpowered characters are always overpowered. How convenient must it be to enter a party y with such a Hunter?'' Min Dae-hyun found his mind wandering while tying down a squirrel-like creature in a skirmish with Kim Gwi-nam using his skills. He had unknowingly distanced himself from the tension. That allowed him to give orders with a calm and quick mind. "Good judgment, Hunter Min Dae-hyun." Kang Mu-hyuk, who had been carefully observing the orders of each party, noticed the movements of Min Dae-hyun''s party. "That''s the rookie you were interested inst time, right?" "Yes." "Phew, I''m relieved he''s not screwing up. His movements are quite decent." Ju Se-ah also nodded at the appropriate hunting movements and replied. Her tone suggested she was proud that she''d at least trained one of them well. "Despite initial worries, they seem to be holding off quite well." "At this rate, the second and third lines won''t even need to step in." Kang Mu-hyuk looked at the second and third lines that Ju Se-ah pointed out. The second line consisted of seasoned Hunters with ranks from C+ to B-, the main forces of Iron Will in their own right. Their number wasn''trge, but they were the Hunters who excelled in individual tactics during hunts. And then there was the third line. ''Hunters of rank B+ and above....'' The most potent, but also the most problematic force in Iron Will. Assembled there were high-ranking officers from the three major factions of the guild, a ticking time bomb, so to speak. ''Especially those neutral Hunters keeping bnce among the guild factions. Thankfully, they''re maintaining the bnce for now....'' Baek Hyeonggyu and Na Dongpa. Nine Hunters led by the two powerhouses, oddly positioned in the ''Old Taesung Guild.'' The only reason the Taesung Guild managed to barely function was thanks to this neutral faction. ''Their inclinations are hard to figure out, apart from their hunting records.'' Were they really allies, or enemies? Kang Mu-hyuk found himself paying more attention to the back lines than the hunting scene. Chapter 37 - Something Amiss ''What a cocky brat! He treats me like a nobody, doesn''t he? Is this revenge for that parking lot incident?'' Choi Mi-ran was out on a hunt for the first time in a while without Kim Seong-hyun. Most of her new party members were fresh low-rankers. Having been paired with the mainstay Hunters of the guild expedition team, as a senior it was a considerable humiliation for her to be partying with these greenhorns. However-- Her rank was C+. Despite having awakened more than ten years ago, she was an unfortunate Hunter who hadn''t managed to reach B-. The Strategy and Tactics team considered this her limit, and her colleagues'' thoughts were no different. Still, she could bear it because her role was not to deal direct blows to the monsters but to handle various tasks of the party as support. Luckily, Choi Mi-ran had a good sense for strategy, which earned her good scores in tactical evaluation, more so than her stat ratings. Perhaps that was why Kang Mu-hyuk entrusted her with the task of issuing party orders. "Ugh, frustrating! Even if the Squirrel is fast, this is too much. Can''t yound a single stab? Hey, Tanker! Did you eat your shield for breakfast? Hold it tight and take hits with your body!" "Shit... A forever C+ acting all superior." The Tanker, who had been getting admonished by Choi Mi-ran, muttered hisints. "..." Choi Mi-ran heard the defiant discontent of the Tanker but chose to let it slide for the time being. Personal feelings had no ce duringbat. Regardless of her low rank, she knew how a Hunter''s demeanor should be. In contrast, the Tanker was swinging his shield as if it were a weapon while half-heartedly following orders. The rest of the party members were the ones suffering because of it. When the Squirrel finally escaped the range of Choi Mi-ran''s party, she reorganized their formation and shot the Tanker a re. "Hey, did you just curse at me?" "Huh? Me? No, I didn''t say ''shit,'' I said ''C-shit.'' It matches your rank, right, senior? Did I hurt your pride by mentioning your rank? Well, I''m sorry about that." Was he trying to pick a fight, or dodge one? ''He''s poking at me gently, huh?'' This was amon urrence for Choi Mi-ran outside of the guild. Hunters who had ceased to grow for a long time were not respected anywhere. Seniority and guild favoritism had no bearing in the world of Hunters; it was a dream too far. She was very well aware that she was being treated as a senior, if only just barely, because of the Taesung Guild and because she had caught the eye of the expedition team leader, Do Gyeong-hoon. ''Endure, endure. I can''t mess up the hunt to deal with this brat. I''m already on thin ice with the Guild Leader. I''ll find a time to deal with himter.'' Unlike Choi Mi-ran, who still believed she was in bad graces with the Guild Leader due to the incident at the parking lot, Kang Mu-hyuk was evaluating her quite objectively. ''Choi Mi-ran. A supporter with a high tacticalprehension ability. Initially evaluated as a promising frencer with good growth potential upon entry, but has been stuck in C+ rank for five years. Why is that?'' While there were geniuses who reached A rank a few years after awakening, there were also Hunters who could never cross the threshold to B rank in their lifetime. Taking this reality into ount, Choi Mi-ran could be seen as a Hunter who had already reached the end of her growth. But-- ''Considering the time of awakening and current age, her hunting record is too scarce. She couldn''t enter the gate at the time when she should have grown a lot.'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s thoughts were different. Compared to the same-rank Hunters of top guilds and her peers, Choi Mi-ran had an insignificant hunting experience. He diagnosed this as the reason for Choi Mi-ran''s stagnant growth. "The Squirrel is escaping." "We should consider that one lost." As Ju Se-ah said, it wasn''t so much an escape as it was a loss. The Squirrels that had gradually begun to lose their ground had escaped from the encirclement by more than half. They only managed to capture about eight. Among these, they were only able topletely kill five. The remaining three were in the process of being finished off, with their legs or tails severed. "We failed topletely block their escape. If we were inside a gate, this would have been a failing grade." Inside the gates, escaped monsters often circled back, a frequent urrence. Therefore, each guild had a mobile party tasked with blockading missions. This was the case with Iron Will as well, but the party responsible for the blockade had dangerously overextended themselves in an attempt to capture the monsters, requiring aid from other parties. Because of this, the formation copsed and they let the Squirrels escape. "It''s fortunate that none of our Hunters died. I think we need to review today''s battle using the footage from the cameras installed at the camp." Kang Mu-hyuk directed the respective teams with the treatment of the injured and the camp''s maintenance. He was about to send out a scout team for any potential attacks when--- "Boss, you shoulde to themand center." The voice of Gong Du-ri sounded through his earset. "What''s going on?" "It''s the Watusi Snake. It has engaged in battle with ''Beta Two.''" "!!" The Watusi was, simply put, a monster that could be thought of as an African buffalo. It had horns growing on both sides of its head, and these horns could grow to the extent that the distance between the tips could reach up to 2.4 meters. That was why they called it a snake monster, which had enormous horns resembling the Watusi, the ''Watusi Snake.'' ''It''s a top 4-star monster, known for its horn attack and physical defense. It''s going to be tough for the scouting party.'' It was not just tough, it was a desperate situation. At this moment, Ju Se-ah, who was sharing themunication line with Kang Mu-hyuk, said, "I''ll go. Where is it?" "Guild Master." As Kang Mu-hyuk looked at Ju Se-ah, she shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I know that Guild Master can''t intervene every time. But they''re people who are still underprepared. We should try to save the Hunters first." Kang Mu-hyuk pondered over his best cards besides Ju Se-ah, but the truth was there weren''t any suitable options. To face the Watusi, they needed a party with experienced B-rank members. However, the Hunters in each party varied in speed, making timely reinforcement a difficult task. They would probably be defeated one by one as soon as they arrived. In that case, sending a solo A- rank to finish the job was the best way, but among the Hunters he could immediately send, the only trustworthy candidate was Jang Deuk-goo. But he, being a tanker, had his weaknesses in speed. Naturally, the optimal solution that came to mind was Ju Se-ah. Soon after, Kang Mu-hyuk had no choice but to nod in agreement. "I''m counting on you." "Okay." Just as Ju Se-ah was about to step off, having received the party''s location, she looked at Kang Mu-hyuk''s contemtive face and feltpelled to leave him with some advice. "Guild Leader Kang, I understand we aren''t looking for the easy way. But let''s not choose the dangerous path needlessly." With that, she took off, and in no time, her figure had disappeared from the field. Kang Mu-hyuk watched her figure, now a dot disappearing beyond the horizon, with concern. ''Squirrels and then a Watusi Snake before even battling Goblins? Both species are not the ones to be so openly aggressive. Both were aiming precisely at the base camp, and attacking the scout team too... It doesn''t seem like a coincidence.'' Kang Mu-hyuk turned his steps toward the situation room, trying to ascertain what he might have missed. When she arrived on the scene, the first thing Ju Se-ah encountered was a horned snake nearly 15 meters in length. The Watusi Snake was in the middle of eating. It was simr to an anaconda on Earth, wrapping its prey tightly until it suffocated and then swallowing it whole. The Hunters were fighting back, trying to free their capturedrade from the Watusi Snake, but theycked the firepower to prate its skin. "You snake bastard!" Ju Se-ah ran towards the Watusi Snake with fury in her eyes. Sensing danger, the Watusi Snake snapped its mouth shut and re-coiled itself, leaving its meal behind. With spring-like sticity, it swiftly created a distance between them and was about to retreat with its food. It seemed to have recognized her as a formidable foe due to the threat it felt earlier. Hunting beyond hunger was taboo. Being a beast-like monster, it decided to back off despite its reluctance. "Who said you could run?!" Suddenly sensing her near, the Watusi Snake was taken aback. It had thought it had gained enough distance. Was that not the case? Since it couldn''t escape, the snake decided to attack. Turning its head, it brandished its horn. Even stronger monsters wouldn''t attack recklessly due to this horn. Even if they were to win, they might suffer fatal wounds. If they were weakened, they would die. This instinct, no different from that of a wild beast, was fundamental to Gate monsters. "Who''s charging with a horn?!" Ju Se-ah, leaping to the height of the snake''s head,nded right on top of its snout and grabbed hold of its horn. At that moment, the Watusi Snake believed it had won. It trusted in the toxicity contained within its horn. Fsssst! As Ju Se-ah''s hand holding the horn started turning ck, she looked down at the Watusi Snake indifferently and said, "Poison? What poison?" As if her words were a signal, the spreading poison began to recede. Having driven out the poison in a brief moment it took for a gust of wind to blow from the snake''s nostrils, Ju Se-ah raised her fist above her head. Gong Du-ri, who was watching from the side, spoke up, "Don''t you worry about the Guild Master? We should send backup." "If the Guild Master didn''t specifically request it, it''s fine." "Even with a snake nearly 20 meters long?" "It might be a bit of a struggle, but it won''t be dangerous. There''s something more important to worry about." Ju Se-ah waspletely unbothered. It was Kang Mu-hyuk''s calm that she counted on. Though the situation with the Watusi Snake was different from others, a mere 4-star monster would never bring the indomitable witch to her knees. ''Right now, the priority is to understand the situation.'' Ju Se-ah wasn''t asking the Hunters to report back to her without a reason. She was hoping to get Kang Mu-hyuk''s advice on this peculiar situation. ''Even though North Pocheon is wide, it isn''t big enough for dozens of Watusi Snakes.'' Kang Mu-hyuk flicked through the notebook files he had organized, recalling simr cases. "Here it is." The Watusi King Cobra. ''Also known as the King of Snakes.'' Not only the Watusi Snakes but also all snake monsters below 4-stars, were under the rule of this King Cobra. ''What''s strange here is that no matter how powerful the King Cobra is, it wouldn''t fill such a narrow area with its minions. After all, the King Cobra itself is a species that evolves from a mature Watusi Snake through shedding its skin. That requires abundant prey and a considerable amount of time. This isn''t some sort of goblin that mindlessly multiplies its numbers...'' Suddenly, something shed through Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. "No way... Is that what it is?!" Understanding the situation, his face turned even darker. Chapter 38 - The More Friends, The Merrier Ju Se-ah walked into the courtyard, her hands each holding a massive horn. Drenched in a bluish fluid, her walking figure was so eerie it sent chills down one''s spine. Yet, some found her appearance beautiful. Like a Goddess of War. With the trophies of her victories in her hands, Ju Se-ah walked as proudly as a ''queen'' rather than a witch. The horns she dragged along the sports field drew two solid lines. The Hunters observing her were tense, filled with a mix of emotions pertaining to shock, fear, and awe. Having fought with dozens of Watusi snakes, she returned without a single injury, making her seem hardly a human. Kang Mu-hyuk came out to meet her, having seen her through the control room window. "You''ve done well." Ju Se-ah threw the horns to her sides. The thud alone conveyed their substantial weight. "I eliminated seventeen. Lost about four as they scattered in all directions. Send the disassembly team to collect the horns and hide. Oh, and don''t touch these horns. They''re still full of poison since I ripped them off as they were. Use heavy machinery to box them with a seal." "I''ll pass it along." Ju Se-ah brushed off the hair stuck to her face as she added, "So, have you given any thought to the current situation? From my experience, all I could think of was the King Cobra." "Let''s talk after you''ve cleaned up." "Hmm, seems like it''s not the King Cobra then. It did feel a bit strange. Alright, I''ll take a shower. Prepare the briefing for me." Kang Mu-hyuk seized a ssroom and summoned the A-rank Hunters and above. In addition to them, even the team leader of the Strategy and Tactics team and his staff were called. They were the real force behind the guild. As Ju Se-ah entered after the shower, Kang Mu-hyuk stood in front of the chalkboard with chalk in hand. He wrote ''Goblin'' on the board. And then, with a swift flourish of arrows, he filled in the rest. Goblin -> Goblin Soldier -> Goblin Warrior -> Goblin General -> Hobgoblin -> Goblin Chieftain -> Goblin Warhead "As you all know, this is the evolution order of Goblins." "So, what of it?" Expedition Team Team Leader Do Gyeong-hoon asked in a gruff tone. His faction of young Hunters had been charmed by Kang Mu-hyuk''s persuasive talk, which had not sat well with him. Kang Mu-hyuk ignored his attitude and continued his exnation, "Fundamentally, Goblins are a patriarchal society." "Patriarchal? Monsters have such things?" "In North America, they study these creatures'' ecology and habits in a field called ''Monsterology.'' In Korea, it''s still considered a fringe study, but in advanced Hunter nations, research in this area is actively underway. ording to it, most humanoid monsters are known to have a patriarchal societal structure." During his time in Titan Guild, Kang Mu-hyuk epted the world''s Hunter theories faster than anyone else in the country. The international trend of treating monsters not merely as prey but as subjects of academic study intrigued Kang Mu-hyuk, who was keen to adopt this perspective. If he hadn''t been regrly using foreign research forums, he would have found it difficult to detect the odd undercurrent running through the present situation. "Now, back to the main point. There are instances where the patriarchal society of goblins suddenly transitions to a matriarchal one," Kang Mu-hyuk exined. He erased ''Goblin Warhead''---indicating the chief---and reced it with the word ''Matriarch.'' "It happens when the position of the chief is taken over by a female, not a male." "A female?" "In Monsterology, they call such a creature a ''Godmother'' or ''Mother Guardian.'' In ournguage, it would roughly trante to ''Matriarch.''" Matriarch. Seven years ago, it was first discovered in Brazil. At that time, an A-ranked guild engaging in goblin extermination lost half of its power and retreated. At Kang Mu-hyuk''s brief exnation, the guild members nched. If an A-ranked guild was forced to retreat, it was something the Iron Will Guild wouldn''t be able to handle. "Of course, the case of Brazil could be attributed to the Amazon, a tropical forest where they were able to proliferate freely. But I suspect the situation in North Pocheon, with its considerably smaller area, will be somewhat different." Monsters that had grown covertly in the vast jungles of the Amazon were on apletely different scale, both in terms of evolution and numbers. It was spected that countless undiscovered species and tribes of monsters still lurked in the wilds of the Amazon and Africa. "So, what does this ''Matriarch'' goblin have to do with our current situation?" Ju Se-ah asked the question, to which Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t immediately respond. Instead, he pointed to one species written on the ckboard. "The only known caster-type among goblins is the Hobgoblin. However, this Matriarch has also been confirmed as a caster-type. The difference is that instead of offensive magic, she can use extensive mind magic." "Do you mean that the goblin controlled the Watusi Snakes?" "It''s not just the Watusi, the Grey Squirrels are also being suspected." "Couldn''t it be a coincidence?" Do Gyeong-hoon interrupted again, in a somewhat confrontational tone. This time, Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he began to sketch the rough terrain of North Pocheon on the ckboard. "Centered around Sanjeong Lake, in the north there is Myeongseong Mountain, and above that is Cheorwon. To the east is Mangbong Mountain, to the south are Sahyang Mountain and Gwaneum Mountain, and to the west lies the in leading to Yeongbuk. ording to testimonies from previous frencers, the goblin territory was only centered around Sanjeong Lake, and the rest, like the Watusi Snakes and the Grey Squirrels, were scattered across thisrge area. Particrly in the case of the Watusi snakes, a few were even spotted in the southern part of Cheorwon, which we confirmed through the Guild Cooperation Division." "By any chance, are there no Watusi Snakes in Cheorwon now?" "Yes. Since about two years ago." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s definitive answer, Ju Se-ah''s lips tightened. Considering the food chain, it was odd to have so many Watusi snakes in such a narrow area. However, it was also unnatural for creatures that usually lived in burrows and only emerged to hunt to swarm out in droves. However, the appearance of a monster that had only once been recorded in history was an unexpected variable. For the experienced Hunter, this kind of uncertainty was not a good thing. "I''ve been saying it''s strange from the start. Does it make sense that Watusi Snakes and Grey Squirrels were driven out of their habitats by mere goblins?" Baek Hyeonggyu, the only neutral faction Hunter who attended the meeting, muttered. Kang Mu-hyuk picked up on his words and continued, "The Indria are the same. Monsters that prey on goblins wouldn''t have a reason to avoid them. We should have been suspicious from there. This is entirely my fault for nning this operation." "Hmph! Why did you push the n so hastily...." Do Gyeong-hoon, who intended to me Kang Mu-hyuk, closed his mouth at the sharp nce of Jang Deuk-goo. Ju Se-ah asked, "Do you have a countermeasure?" "I believe I should first apologize for this matter." "Do you mean that the subjugation will be difficult?" "Of course it''s difficult. When is hunting ever easy? However, what I am apologizing for is that we have to withdraw the original n." "The n..." "We''ll go all-out hunting from now on. And Guild Master..." "Yes, go ahead." Ju Se-ah''s eyes lit up as Kang Mu-hyuk called her name. "Please prepare with full armaments. I intend to throw all the top-ranking Hunters of the guild into battle." While preparing for the full-scale battle, Kang Mu-hyuk entrusted the base camp to Ju Se-ah and went down to South Pocheon. He borrowed a conference room from Pocheon City Hall with their permission to meet a guest. "I am Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader of the Iron Will Guild." "I am Oh Jung-su, the director of Hanju Hotel and Resort." No matter how much one looked at him, he was in histe thirties. A man far too young to hold a director position at argepany. Kang Mu-hyuk paid attention to the man''s surname, Oh, and scanned through the personal information he had researched about the key figures in the Hanju Group. "By any chance, your father is..." "Yes. Correct. My father is the chairman of the Group." "I didn''t expect the owner toe personally." "Originally, the head of the resort development department was supposed to take over this task. However, I volunteered and asked to be assigned to the resort. Not long ago, I was in the chemical division." Kang Mu-hyuk tilted his head. Oh Jung-su, the second son of the Hanju Group Chairman. He couldn''t help but wonder why he willingly left the thriving chemical subsidiary to join the declining hotel subsidiary, evening to Pocheon in secret without any attendants. ''Did he lose out in a power struggle for session? It''s hard to say without knowing the internal situation. Surely he''s not here to im rights to Sanjeong Lake Resort?'' Seeing Kang Mu-hyuk''s suspicious gaze, Oh Jung-su spoke up before a misunderstanding could form. "I have no intention of iming that Hanju Resort belongs to ourpany. We have already given up. Besides, the Iron Will Guild hasn''t even acquired it yet, right?" "That sounds like your mind might change after we''ve obtained it." "Among Hunters, they call snatching an item a ''jack,'' right? Ourpany is not so brazen as to ''jack'' the spoils fought for in blood by others. Rather, it''d be more urate to say that I''ve personallye because I am interested in you, Guild Leader." "Me?" "I''m a fan of yours. Since your days in Titan." Oh Jung-su blushed as if embarrassed, then continued speaking. "I am embarrassed to admit this, but my childhood dream was to be a Hunter. Thankfully or unfortunately, I never Awakened, so I became a businessman. However, you became a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader despite not being a Hunter, even dramatically transforming your guild into an A-ranked guild through your exploits in various raids." Many people misunderstood Kang Mu-hyuk, both ordinary people and Hunters. Most thought of him as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of an A-rank guild, but in reality, he, as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader, was the one who made Titan an A-rank guild. The difference in perception was vast as ifparing the heavens to the earth. Thanks to this, there were many who saw him as a lucky nobody, which made it easier for him to y his cards close to his chest. This was why Kang Mu-hyuk did not intentionally highlight his achievements. Oh Jung-su was urately speaking to Kang Mu-hyuk''s career trajectory. "And now you have be the first non-Hunter guild leader. As your big fan, I had to get involved. So, even at this age, I asked my father to let mee here directly." Kang Mu-hyuk examined Oh Jung-su''s eyes carefully. ''It doesn''t seem like he''s lying... But it doesn''t feel like he''s telling the entire story either.'' Perhaps due to his heightened senses after contracting mana addiction, he could read the ambition and desire in his opponent''s eyes. Kang Mu-hyuk took a stab in the dark based on his own intuition. "I heard Hanju has disbanded its guild. Are you nning to establish it again?" "..." "And you, Director Oh Jung-su, are nning to sit in the position of the guild master, or rather the guild leader''s seat." "Haha, as expected... Did I reveal my hand too much?" As Oh Jung-su readily admitted, Kang Mu-hyuk was able to understand why he hade to this meeting in person. "Are you interested in learning how to run a guild?" "I guess there''s nothing I can hide from you. Yes, that''s correct. I intend to sign an MOU between the Iron Will Guild and the future Hanju Group Guild regarding guild establishment and operation." "Do you really need to do that with us? As the Hanju Group, you should have ways to secure a fairly decent guild as a sponsor." "That would be because I''m your..." "Not because you''re a ''big fan.''" "...The barriers between guilds have gotten higher. They all seem to be wary. I had no idea that the guild leader system would be such a threatening system to the existing guilds. It''s not easy to maintain a mutually equal cooperative rtionship." Seeing the bitter smile on Oh Jung-su''s face, it seemed he had already contacted several ces. The neglect and oppression faced by corporate guilds were probably more than he had imagined. When had the Chairman''s son ever been treated in such a manner? Even considering the Titan, known as the prospective tier-ed guild, it would have been difficult to receive decent treatment unless one was a top three chaebol in Korea. "A strategic alliance. That''s not impossible. But we don''t really need to carry Hanju on our backs." "I''m not suggesting you carry us, but rather form a tripartite rtionship." "In which aspect?" "Not the boundary of South Pocheon, but Sanjeong Lake. I''ve heard you''re aiming to set up your guild headquarters at the resort." Kang Mu-hyuk gnawed at the flesh inside his cheek with his mrs. There were no eternal secrets, but this one had leaked too quickly. Externally, it was a simple monster eradication operation. In order to hide the conversion of the resort into a headquarters, they had even stacked construction materials in a single closed golf course in South Pocheon after consulting with Pocheon City. But the fact that rumors had already spread... ''Was it from the Guild Cooperation Division?'' As the matter began in earnest, it would have been hard to maintain secrecy as several government departments would be involved. If arge corporation knew, then the tier-ed guilds would have known about it as well. While Kang Mu-hyuk was processing theplex situation in his head, Oh Jung-su continued speaking. "If you are nning to use the resort as your headquarters, you''ll need a lot of materials and equipment in the future. As you know, our Hanju has a strong footing in the fields of life science and chemistry, such as potions and ampules. We''re also involved in various sectors rted to the Gate business. Wouldn''t various coborations be possible in this regard?" "The same applies to the Taesung Group." "It might be a bit forward to say this, but I know that the chairman of the Taesung Group doesn''t think highly of the Iron Will Guild. The fact that you''re connected to the Guild Master is hardly a secret in our world." The wealthy had their ownmunities, and there were rumors that circted only in their world. A league exclusive to them, whose details could not be casually mentioned by others. Rumors within the sturdy fence where public secrets became non-public. Oh Jung-su, a member of this circle, was talking about the rtionship between Ju Se-ah and Chairman Tae Jin-sung. This was as much as saying, "Let''s not beat around the bush anymore and reveal our intentions." ''Although I may not be able topletely secure cooperation from Taesung, there''s no need to unnecessarily expand their influence. But could Hanju be the alternative?'' Kang Mu-hyuk, who had been weighing the pros and cons in various aspects, said, "As Director, you''re right that the way guilds look at us isn''t too favorable. They would not be pleased about the entry of a conglomerate into the guild industry under a non-Hunter leadership. It could turn into a rtionship with more losses than gains." "We also don''t n to establish a guild right away. We will proceed after umting enough know-how. However, our intention is to build a trustworthy rtionship starting with Iron Will before moving to other guilds and corporations." Kang Mu-hyuk caught a peculiar nuance in Oh Jung-su''s remarks for a moment. Initially, he had approached it with the intention of realizing the dream of establishing a guild as a private fan, but now he prioritized thepany''s perspective. ''And hisst tone suggested he wasn''t the main yer.'' That meant there was an intent from someone higher up. It was obvious who would be higher than Oh Jung-su, the son of the chairman. ''It would be the chairman or the eldest son. If the sessor has not yet been decided, it would be the chairman. Unless he''s to listen to the son who will be his rival.'' The second son steps up ording to the chairman''s intentions? Setting up a guild was already not an easy task, but considering a non-Hunter under a non-Hunter guild leader system, this wouldn''t be an ordinary project even for the entire group. ''The more vulnerable the power, the better it would be for Iron Will.'' With a slight smile, Kang Mu-hyuk said, "Come to think of it, it seems the more friends we have, the better." Chapter 39 - Brace Yourself For Whats Coming On the border of North Pocheon. Checkpoint 2-B. An unexpected argument was taking ce at the iron-fence checkpoint managed by a privatepany. "Hey, why are you doing this to us? We have guests, aren''t you going to open the gate?" "Can''t do it right now. Iron Will is inside. It would be a problem if we ran into them." "We''re not going in that direction. We''ll just hang around the periphery ande back." "And is that at your discretion? What if your guests want to go further in? Weren''t you saying the customer''s always right?" "Both of us are living a life ruled by money, is this really necessary? You let Dongsoo''s gang in just a few days ago, didn''t you?" "That was for a hunting trip. You, Mr. Do Dae-su, you''re here for sightseeing. We can''t take responsibility if a civilian gets hurt." "When have you seen me cause an ident? Don''t talk like that. Now, take this and let us in. Please save my face. The guests are watching." With a jerk of his chin, Do Dae-su gestured behind him and slipped a bundle into the checkpoint manager''s pocket. The bundle was a bit thicker than usual, stirring the manager''s greed as it slid into his inside pocket. After a few moments of hesitation, the manager coughed awkwardly and unbuttoned the part of his jacket where the bundle had been inserted. That was the okay sign. Do Dae-su gave the manager''s shoulder a pat, followed by a wink. "Safely. Without getting caught. Got it?" "Got it. Always buying needless worries." Having sessfully negotiated, Do Dae-su returned to the parked vehicles. Two SUVs and a minibus sandwiched between them. Among the three vehicles, he boarded the minibus. From the outside, it looked like a typical minibus, but the interior was quite different. The seats were spaced widely apart and were asrge and plush as business-ss airne seats. With luxurious leather seats reminiscent of a limousine and even a wine fridge. And within it, bottles of alcohol aplenty. The sight of three men and three women rolling about, gulping down bottles of booze in broad daylight was disgustingly obscene. Nheless, Do Dae-su smiled innocently and closed the bus door. "Alright, dear customers. The gate has finally opened. Shall we start today''s monster tour?" "What''s all this?" Ju Se-ah asked, looking at the unfamiliar trailer. The logo on the trailer was familiar. H.A.N.J.U. A major corporation, teetering on the 10th rank in terms of size,parable to the Taesung Group. If Taesung Group had a stronghold in the Gate materials sector, Hanju held a significant stake in the fields of biotechnology and chemistry. The vehicle she was looking at belonged to the chemical subsidiary of that Hanju Group. "It''s a sealed container. Could the inside be..." "Yes. Ampule kits. The healing potions are all Grade 1, and the rest are Grade 3. We''ve received an entire set of 230, more than enough for the guild members to use." Ju Se-ah''s mouth fell open. Even the cheapest healing potion was a high-end item worth between 40 and 50 million won. Moreover, it wasn''t just a single item, but a full set of Ampule kits. Though the rest of the potions were only of Grade 3, they had brought items such as hemostasis, detoxification, purification, stamina, and elemental resistance potions, which could only be utilized during an expedition. When evaluated in terms of price, each set was close to 300 million won. Depending on the situation, it could even soar close to 500 million won. There were ordinary people who would say that a Hunter''s equipment being only 300 million won was cheap, but if one considered that a single-use consumable item cost 300 million won, even Hunters could not disregard such an amount. ''The problem is that it''s not something you can buy even if you have the money.'' Of course, Ju Se-ah had used this set as basic equipment during her time in the yer Guild. But since she left, she hadn''t even been able to look at it. Advanced equipment and potions were more easily secured in the order of Tier-ed Guilds, A-rank, and B-rank. The basic policy of the suppliers was to prioritize distributing the limited resources to capable guilds. It was because the skilled Hunters would yield the best results, which in turn provided better value for money than any advertisement could. The reason why the Titan Guild had difficulty upgrading to a Tier-ed Guild was precisely because of the difficulty in securing such high-level equipment. "So, Hanju provided you with this?" "I received it from a friend. As a token of friendship." "..." "Why are you looking at me like that?" "It''s quite extravagant for just friendship. Is that friendship perhaps some sort of threat or conspiracy?" "It is a somewhat calcted friendship. They wanted the know-how for establishing and running a guild. We''re nning to sign an MOU." "Wow, with Hanju? For friendship? They have a bad reputation. Isn''t this like poking a ho''s nest? Even if I''ve given you full authority, couldn''t you at least tell me about the less urgent matters beforehand? Isn''t that the least bit of courtesy toward a Guild Master?" Ju Se-ah bit her lip and red. Unlike her usual lively re, it was a harsh look that would make an ordinary person cower. Ignoring her sharp gaze, Kang Mu-hyuk replied, "Didn''t I tell you now? Post-reporting. It''s in the contract." "By any chance, is there another post-report that you haven''t made yet?" "Yes. I met the Chairman beforeing here." "The Chairman? My father? Why are you telling me this now?" "I had forgotten." "What else is there to forget!" "He was spouting such petty nonsense. It wasn''t worth listening to. Ah? Given that he''s the Guild Master''s father, did I speak too disrespectfully?" "No. I''m not going to take sides due to a biological rtionship, so it doesn''t matter. But what did he say? He''s a bit of a loose cannon, so I doubt he said anything pleasant." "He definitely didn''t say anything pleasant. He was ying with people''s lives." Kang Mu-hyuk ryed the conversation he had with Chairman Tae Jin-sung. Upon hearing the whole story, Ju Se-ah wore two expressions at once. She showed anger towards Tae Jin-sung who had tantly ordered to sacrifice half of the guild members. The second was the disbelief towards Kang Mu-hyuk who had concealed such an outrageous threat andmand. "So, you''re telling me about this grave matter just now? Goodness, I can''t believe it." "I''m not one to speak carelessly without a n. I needed time to organize my thoughts." "So, does that mean you''ve managed to sort things out?" "I do have a few ideas in mind. But the current situation surpassed my expectations, so I''m still holding off on any decisions." "Is it because of the goblin queen?" "Yes. I fear we may not be able to avoid sacrifices." "...So, in the end, regardless of your intentions, you''re abiding by the chairman''s words. Right?" Ju Se-ah sharply pointed out the crux of the matter. As Kang Mu-hyuk remained silent, she ground her teeth and added, "Guild Leader, is that really what you thought? To wait and observe during the Hunt because someone might die? That if someone dies, you won''t have to think too hard for a solution? If that''s the case, it''s disappointing." "I''m not wishing for anyone''s death. I''ve only considered all the possibilities. I''m still thinking of ways to avoid the worst-case scenario. Isn''t that my role?" "No. It seems you misunderstand something, Guild Leader. The mere fact of leveraging someone''s sacrifice is frustrating. I''m quite upset." Ju Se-ah looked at Kang Mu-hyuk with an unprecedentedly cold gaze. Kang Mu-hyuk calmly met her eyes and slowly opened his mouth. "Guild Master, it seems you''re not yet suited for your position." "What did you say?" Ju Se-ah narrowed her eyes at his unexpected response; she had wanted an acknowledgment of his mistake. "During your time at the yer''s Guild, you held vital positions like Expedition Team ace, soloing first pick strategy, and boss tool yer, right?" "So? What are you trying to say?" "In all those positions, you only needed to ''do well.'' But have you ever taken responsibility for someone''s life? Have you ever been in that position?" "I''ve always risked my life in hunts. I''ve fought on the front lines so others wouldn''t die." "So, has there ever been a time when no one died during a hunt?" "..." Ju Se-ah remained silent, her lips tightly sealed. A perfect hunt, where no one died or was injured, was impossible. While there were rare instances when such things didn''t happen due to good luck, repeated hunts brought death as an inevitable cost. Vacancies were quickly filled, but those who left never returned. That was an unavoidable truth, even if one stood at the forefront of the Gates. At Kang Mu-hyuk''s simple and obvious question, Ju Se-ah couldn''t rashly reply. She vaguely sensed what he was trying to say. Acknowledging her silence, Kang Mu-hyuk nodded and continued. "The Strategy and Tactics team leader or Expedition team leader establishes several priorities during a raid. Who will be the next inmand if the seniors are absent, what the tanking order will be, the rotation of night watch, meal times, when to use the bathroom, etc., down to the tiniest detail. But there''s one thing we decide on first among all these. Do you know what that is?" "..." "It''s who to save and who to abandon." "What do you mean..." "In case of a raid failure, and when safe retreat is deemed impossible, the first priority is whom to save, and whom to abandon." This was something Ju Se-Ah had never experienced before. After she had joined the expeditionary team, the yer Guild had achieved a 100 percent gate conquest rate. There had been no need for ast resort, nor to hear about its process. While they called her an unshakeable ace Hunter, the guild wouldn''t ce such a burden on a young woman in her mid-twenties. It was less about considering Ju Se-ah, and more about a choice to effectively use a skilled Hunter. Kang Mu-hyuk had roughly figured out this circumstance. Titan too tried not to burden the young Hunters with the life and death of the party as much as possible. There was a time for every Hunter to possess the spirit of responsibility toward the party over the individual, and the raid party over the party. Ju Se-ah had been trained as the strongest Hunter, but she hadn''t been educated as a capable raid team leader or a Guild Master. This was because she hade out from the yer Guild at that point. Kang Mu-hyuk thought that it was about time for Ju Se-Ah to start learning what the position of a Guild Master entails. "During the times of the Great War, it was an unspoken rule set in ce for future raid strategies. To protect humanity while alive, is preparing for the future. Have you heard of this saying? The descendants hunt the next monster with the experience and sacrifices of their ancestors. This is..." "I know. It''s a phrase carved into the wall of the Hunter Association." "Guild Masters who are heavily invested in hunting, strategy and tactic team leaders who handle countless lives... They always keep this in mind. It''s a cold-hearted choice. I don''t particrly like it either. But hunting must continue. That''s why Hunters exist." ''But still, to speak of someone''s death so casually... I don''t like it.'' She understood it in her head, but her heart wouldn''t ept it. Ju Se-ah still believed she could catch two rabbits at once. To kill all monsters, without anyone''s sacrifice. This was the confidence she could have as she was raised as a super elite. Even if it was difficult now, it would eventually be possible. She truly believed so. ''It seems like she''s not convinced. But, just the fact that she''s considering this is a good thing.'' If the past ten years had been the first act of Hunter Ju Se-ah, the following would be the second act of Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Kang Mu-hyuk added the final words. "I am not a Hunter. But as a Guild Leader, I am prepared to give up on the lives of guild members. However, I do not intend to devalue their lives. I won''t avoid hunting. I''ll do my best to prevent it. Guild Master, I hope you approach it with the same determination." Even though it was just words, Ju Se-ah felt a lump in her throat. What saved her from this was ironically an emergency signal. At the ear-piercing sound, Kang Mu-hyuk turned on his previously off headset and responded. "What''s happening?" "The Goblin tribe has moved its forces to the west!" "!!" "This little fe here is a Goblin, one of the monsters most simr to humans, just a bit shorter. Fortunately, these young ones came out to hunt, so we didn''t need to go too deep. We''re lucky. So, want to take a whack at it?" Do Dae-su had securely tied the goblin''s hands and feet and tossed it on the ground, then handed a club to his customer. The man holding the club had bloodshot eyes from alcohol and drugs. His pupils were unfocused, and his nose bled from the stimnt he''d snorted. Thump! "Kieeek!" "Damn, this little guy screams well. Does the hit feel different? Is it because it''s a monster?" The club swung through the air several times. With every swing, the goblin screamed and turned into a bloody mess. The women beside them cheered with a golf-like ''nice shot'' in support of the man. When the goblin finally stopped breathing, the man turned his club to the next captured goblin. "Hey, stop it. Let me kill some too. Let me slice it with this sword." "Sir, be careful handling the sword. You might get hurt." "President Do, show me a proper stance. Like this? I''ve seen it many times in movies." "It''s hard to swing with one hand. It''s better to hold it with both hands." People, having tasted blood using various weapons on the remaining goblins, soon ran out of energy and copsed into the minibus. Some threw up due to the smell of blood, but not because they found it disgusting or scary. They vomited because they had too many drinks. While they were resting, the duty of burying the dead goblins and cleaning up fell to the Hunters. If they left the corpses as they were, all sorts of monsters would swarm in, so it was best to clean up to avoid trouble. Watching the Hunters work, Do Dae-su lit a cigarette. A Hunter sidled up to him and asked in a low voice, "Bro, isn''t this business going to go bust after this time?" "What do you mean, ''bust?''" "Iron Will Guild or something moved in, didn''t they? iming this as their territory, we mighte under their control." "That''s for the guys whoe to hunt. Are we gathering or hunting profitable monsters? We''re just providing a monster-hunting experience for rich kids. Even if we get caught, we''ll just pay a fine. It''s just a matter of making enough from a single run to cover the fine." At Do Dae-su''s words, the Hunter nodded. There was certainly no legal ground to sanction the monster hunting experience tour. The market itself was a ''blue ocean,'' and it wasn''t widely known as it was a game only for the rich. Of course, the drugs they were using were illegal, but would the policee all the way to the Special Activities Zone? Even if they got caught, Do Dae-su had always been just an observer, not a supplier, so he had plenty of ways out. Do Dae-su patted the Hunter''s shoulder, saying, "The participation fee is a thousand per person. We also charge for the liquor, equipment use, and additional costs depending on the type of monster." "That''s right. You pull in several hundred million won just by amodating one team." "Yeah, that''s it. Could C-rankers like us earn this kind of money from hunting? It''s a more profitable business to milk rich kids who just want to see blood and relieve stress through violence, like Hunters. Don''t worry about useless things, let''s go knock off the next monster." After grinding out his cigarette on the ground with his foot, Do Dae-su led the customers to the next hunting ground. "Were the goblins a bit nd for you? Well, let''s try a fiercer creature next time. Now, let''s get going." After Do Dae-su and his group left... A wolf ran towards the spot where they had been. Surprisingly, a goblin was riding on the wolf. The goblin hopped off the wolf, sniffing the air, and then picked up a cigarette butt on the ground. Its eyes, reminiscent of yellowed whites, shone with a thin, vertically stretched ck line. The goblin found the wheel tracks on the ground and let out a loud cry toward the direction the vehicle had gone. "Kyaaaaaaa!" Chapter 40 - My Style War was inevitable, but battles could ur by chance. This was true even for the movement of the goblins. The Goblin Matriarch had long been aware of the presence of the Iron Will guild, who had set up their base camp on the south side of the Sanjeong Lake. As the size of the tribe increased, she had predicted that they would inevitably sh with the humans. With the onset of war, she had made ns for when and how to counterattack. However, there were clear limits to a monster''s patience. Frustration exploded within her at the humans who continued to scratch at her nerves by observing them without attacking. Eventually, she decided to mobilize the monsters under hermand and carry out a preliminary skirmish. At first, the results were quite favorable. They had confirmed that the humans dealing with the Grey Squirrels were not as strong as they thought. However-- The human who faced off against the Watusi Snake was different. The sight of her sent chills down her spine as if she was looking at an ogre, not a human. Could that creature even be called human? A monster that caused dozens of Watusi Snakes to tremble in fear? Even an ogre would have difficulty doing that. The Matriarch realized that she couldn''t defeat this monster unless she perfectly trapped it. "To the tribe''s nest. Deceive them." Deciding that the surefire strategy was to lure the ogre-like human into the tribe and trap her, the Matriarch began to contemte how to bring her in. Just then, a good bait rolled in. Humans were ying apart from their territory for some reason. Their numbers were not small. She would capture these humans and use them as bait. New news arrived shortly after the Matriarch sent out a goblin squad with her n. The humans had audaciouslymitted the atrocity of killing the tribe''s young one. The Matriarch was furious. Every goblin was her child. The young ones were especially cherished. The future of the Goblin tribe. That future was supposed to make her stronger. The Matriarch took this as a challenge to herself and issued an order. "Sacrifice the humans. Revenge with blood." The goblin elite soldiers left the tribe. For an act of bloody revenge. The Lee Dong-soo gang was a partyposed of frence Hunters. They were a regr party formed by those who had been frencing for several years and worked well together. While a few members were asionally added as needed, the seven who gathered today usually moved as the main members. "Aish, this ce has a lot of mobs and the level is just right, but carrying the loot is a pain. Ah, it''s so annoying." "The taxes they take are high too. It feels like I''m paying to hunt." The reason why the North Pocheon hunting ground was not popr, as the party members mentioned, was clear. They couldn''t make much money. Despite the variety and number of monsters, the biggest reason they couldn''t make money was the burden of carrying the loot. "If we could at least freely use a car, it''d be one thing, but carrying the harvest with backpacks and pole carriers... Tsk! Boss, that''s what I''m saying! I told you we should''ve gone for that DMZ Gate gig." Due to the high concentration of mana in the northern region of North Pocheon, a designated special activities zone, vehicles had to be equipped with ''Engine Protection Mana Cartridges'' to operate. Even in the central region, where the mana dispersed in the atmosphere was less dense, vehicles could not be run for long without a ''Mana Moisture Prevention Cover'' on the hood. All of this was a matter of cost, a matter of efficiency. It was an excessive waste of money for frencers. To catch monsters that could earn them money without spending it, Hunters had no choice but to roam only in the southern part of North Pocheon or park their cars and move on foot. Ultimately, it was something they had toplete with their bodies. Dragging a rear car around somewhat solved the burden of luggage, but this solution only worked in t areas. Since most profitable creatures tended to be found in steep mountainous regions, even rear cars had their limits. "Would things get better when Iron Will steps in?" "What''s going to improve?" "They''re nning to make it their base of operations, or so the rumors say. Apparently, they''re willing to buy monster by-products and gathered materials at prices lower than the current Special Activities Zone tax rate. If they buy at a good price, we should be thankful." "Is having a base some kind of master key?" "Though the tax-rted benefits from other bases might be negligible, it''s different in Special Activities Zones." "Huh, you''re right when I think about it." The party member, who had nodded in agreement, suddenly copsed as if the bones in his neck had been removed. Lee Dong-soo spotted the arrow embedded in the party member''s neck faster than the victim realized what had happened. "Ambush!" At his shout, the party members scattered, each finding cover behind trees and rocks. Lee Dong-sooy t on the ground, clutching the back of hisrade''s head as the man gasped for breath. He took out a low-grade potion vial from his waist, trying to use it, but a volley of arrows flew their way without missing a beat. "Urgh..." "Gak...!" The critically injured party member left defenseless, was unable to dodge the arrows and went lifeless. Attempting to save him, Lee Dong-soo even took an arrow to the shoulder. When the party member died, he used therade''s body as a shield. It was a cruel choice, but it was the best decision for survival. There was no cause for me in the hunting field for using a corpse in such a way, especially after the breath of life had already left it. The arrows relentlessly targeted the party members. Lee Dong-soo shouted towards hispanions who could not even stick their heads out from behind their cover. "Dammit! How many enemies?" "Multiple, about 50 to 60 meters ahead!" "How many is multiple?!" "Roughly over twenty!" The supporter who used a detection skill responded. Though the skill''s uracy and range werepromised due to the user''s low proficiency, it was still a valuable asset as it provided basic information. Lee Dong-soo looked left and right. He was looking for a direction to retreat. Noticing a party member peering ahead through a gap in the rocks, he asked, "Can you see the enemy from there?" "They''re hiding in the bush, I can''t tell what they are. Probably humanoid monsters." "Who wouldn''t know that? If they''re shooting arrows, of course, they''re humanoid. What next, are they dragons?" Frustrated with his party members, Lee Dong-soo contemted abandoning them and running away. As the highest-ranking member in the group, he could use his team as bait to escape. ''If there are twenty mobs with bows, shouldn''t I be able to run away alone? ...Damn, if any of them make it out safely, I''ll be the one with a tarnished reputation. If the rumor spreads, my frencing days are over.'' Frencers cared most about their reputation. If one was tagged as a scoundrel, no party would take them in. The only solo hunting possible was joining in on the quests issued by the Guild App, which wasn''t particrly profitable. At best, it would attract the attention of a guild for a potential scout. So, frencers couldn''t just run away unless the situation justified it in everyone''s eyes. Of course, many Hunters would misjudge the situation and die as a result. Thanks to this, a Hunter who could urately discern when to fight and when to run was highly respected among frencers. ''But when will this arrow attack end? I can''t move like this...'' Suddenly, Lee Dong-soo felt a chill run through his body. An arrow attack that doesn''t advance but only suppresses. If their goal was to firmly hold them in ce so they couldn''t escape! "Hey! Check the rear!" The supporter couldn''t carry out Lee Dong-soo''s order to scan the area. Choking, he clung to the handle of the dagger embedded in his heart. Upon seeing this, Lee Dong-soo shouted a warning. "It''s a Goblin Assassin!" A goblin assassin, a warrior ss specializing in assassination. It was an evolution he had only read about in textbooks. "F*ck!" Lee Dong-soo hoisted the corpse he''d been using as a shield. Thunk, thunk! The sound of arrows hitting the body was distinctly audible. In a moment, the body had turned into a porcupine. It was exactly the time Lee Dong-soo had wanted, the brief respite allowed him to move to where the supporter had died and swing his sword. "Die, you little runt!" The Goblin Assassin, busy extracting its dagger from the supporter''s chest, couldn''t avoid Lee Dong-soo''s sword. Its head split open and fell to the ground. Having eliminated the assassin, Lee Dong-soo turned around and issued an order. "Everyone, retreat! If we stay here, we''ll all die..." His words echoed emptily. Lee Dong-soo was unable to finish his sentence. There were no party members left to receive his orders. Goblin Assassins were slowly rising from the shadows where the party members had taken cover. "Damn, I should have just taken a government quest." Lee Dong-soo''s curse became hisst words. "Mark the confirmed goblins." At Kang Mu-hyuk''smand, Gong Du-ri''s hand moved swiftly. Various shapes marked with numbers appeared on therge monitor. Circles represented Soldier-ss, and squares represented Warrior-ss. And triangles were... ''A General-ss Goblin outside the vige?'' And there were two of them being disyed. Scouting wouldn''t be 100% sessful, so there could be more hiding somewhere. The reason for this assumption was that the number of confirmed goblins exceeded 300. The typical General Goblin moved with a force of around a hundred goblins. The undetected ones were undoubtedly somewhere in the field. "Have the Hobgoblins been found?" he inquired. "No reports yet." "Commander, additional information has juste in. I will disy it on the screen." The color of some squares etched on the screen changed with the operation report, exchanging contact with each reconnaissance group. "Green, red?" "Assassins and Riders." Just then, Ju Se-ah, who had entered themand room, identified the shapes and approached. Since it was a predetermined shape indication, she recognized it at a nce. "Emptying the tribal quarters and mobilizing as many as Warrior-ss is unexpected. It appears the Goblin tribe is stronger than we anticipated." "Should I act separately and proceed to divide and conquer?" "It doesn''t matter if you''re the Guild Master, without guild members'' help, you can''t catch all the goblins running in every direction. It would only drain your strength and aplish nothing substantial. It would be better to form an attack force. Are the members ready?" "They are ready. Whether they can fight as prepared, that''s another matter." A stern expression uncharacteristic of Ju Se-ah caught his eye. She looked somewhat tense. She was a veteran who had countless experiences with Red Gates. She had even ventured into a ck Gate as a Hunter. Despite her evolution, it was unlikely that she was frightened of mere goblins. ''A typical problem of a one-man guild is apparent. The members are holding her back. And despite being called a witch, she''s not toxic. I can''t tell whether having such a guild master for the first time is a good thing or not.'' Kang Mu-hyuk felt he had caught a glimpse of Ju Se-ah''s essence. She was someone who could ruthlessly tear apart monsters and viins but couldn''t bear to see people around her getting hurt. In many ways, she seemed to be more of a hero than a witch, that kind of a Hunter. This was also the conclusion he had drawn after secretly investigating her ten-year track record in yer. Perhaps the reason for her departure from the yer Guild was linked to Ju Se-ah''s own beliefs. "But why would they suddenly move their main force? This ispletely different from what you predicted, Guild Leader." Kang Mu-hyuk believed that the Goblin Matriarch must have seen Ju Se-ah''s full potential when she hunted the Watusi Snake. As seen in the Amazon case, it was known that the Matriarch had a connection with the monsters she controlled with her psychic abilities. She could immediately verify what the controlled monster saw and heard. "Yes. I thought that since the Matriarch saw the Guild Master, she would certainly avoid a direct fight and try to draw us into a trap. The Brazilian Guild was tricked in the same way. However, this is apletely different pattern. We still haven''t determined whether this is a trap or another operation. For now, we need to strengthen our defense and gather more information. Depending on the situation, we might even consider a strategic retreat." Kang Mu-hyuk proceeded cautiously. Since he wasn''t a Hunter, he had to proceed cautiously in such unforeseen situations. However, Ju Se-ah had different thoughts. On the field, in the crossfire, Hunters who had experienced battle possessed a unique sense of smell known only to them. Some called it intuition, while othersbeled it instinct. Regardless of how one defined this sense, Ju Se-ah felt that now was the time to act. "How about the east entrance of Sanjeong Lake?" "You mean Route 78? Why all of a sudden..." "Regardless of what''s happening, the goblins are currently gathering in the west. They''re alert to our guild in the south. But what about the east?" Kang Mu-hyuk realized what Ju Se-ah intended to say. "You mean a surprise attack?" "I''ve never seen a Goblin Matriarch myself, but most creatures that userge-scale mental magic are oftencking in directbat ability, right?" "Yes, aside from psychic magic, it''s a rather unremarkable creature. But it''s particrly adept at leading the tribe." "Aren''t we supposed to just take down the Matriarch in this raid? Once the Matriarch is gone, it''ll be just like any other goblin extermination, won''t it?" A spark of inspiration shed through her mind. Kang Mu-hyuk looked at the monitor disying Sanjeong Lake. ''Considering the area around theke and the environment, there can''t be more than a thousand, even if we overestimate. Taking the food supply into ount, perhaps half of that? It would still be arge-scale operation. However, it''s small for a tribe that managed to produce a Matriarch. But, that doesn''t mean a tribe with at least two Goblin Generals would be weak.'' It was enough to send out two Goblin Generals. The fact that the Matriarch could deploy such power outward implied the presence of goblins of even higher rank within. Since the Matriarchckedbat prowess, her safety would be paramount. Assuming that there was a clear limit to gathering food, they couldn''t possibly increase their numbers haphazardly. "I think this goblin tribe is focusing more on evolution than on size. They may even have fewer goblins than the size of the confirmed tribe. Of course, I can''t conclude this for certain." Kang Mu-hyuk suspected that the Goblin Matriarch might be concealing the true size of the tribe. Could they have been deceived into thinking the tribe wasrger due to the overwhelming number of goblin scouts and the massive tribe? The Matriarch was an entity with substantial intelligence. "If the number of goblins is small, even if they''re elite, we could prate their defenses with a small elite force of our own and cut off the Matriarch''s head," Ju Se-ah stated definitively. She made no further argument, leaving the final decision to Kang Mu-hyuk. After a moment of contemtion, Kang Mu-hyuk ran his hands through his hair and sighed. "Phew! Taking this approach is not my style, Guild Master." "I admit it. It''s my style. Just this time." As Kang Mu-hyuk spoke in a half-permissive tone, a spark of excitement lit up in Ju Se-ah. Her first raid as a Guild Master. She had hunted a few powerful monsters before, like a part-time job, but this was her first time leading as a guild, not an individual. The pounding of her heart filled her ears, a testament to her anticipation. "I''ll add a bit of spice to that n," he said. "Spice?" "There''s something I need to prepare in advance. Merely seeding in the hunt isn''t enough." At the hint of a smile ying on Kang Mu-hyuk''s lips, Ju Se-ah felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding. Chapter 41 - Please, Let This Work Ju Se-ah''s strategy was audacious. Following the east highway, she aimed to charge straight into Sanjeong Lake and assassinate the goblin matriarch. The n was simple but with a definite purpose---once sessful, half the battle against the goblins would be considered over. "Even if their defenses arex, there will be at least a few guards," Jang Deuk-goo warned. "The matriarch may have other monsters. We should first send in dealers specializing in stealth-based assassin skills to eliminate them." Ju Se-ah shook her head. "Regardless of whether they are able to learnte or slowly, the matriarch will eventually be aware of it. Another monster under her control could be an interference. It would be better to act quickly and strike before the goblins can prepare." Jang Deuk-goo''s advice was for Ju Se-ah''s safety, but she was eager to leap into danger. She had confidence. Even if the goblins had set traps, she was sure she could break through them. It might pose a bit of a challenge, but she believed it wouldn''t be a significant danger. Naturally, worrying about a Hunter on the verge of S-rank seemed ridiculous. Yet, Jang Deuk-goo didn''t like the fact that Ju Se-ah had to be the one to take the lead and break through the traps. Was it because he had known her since childhood? Even though he knew she was strong, he was always on edge, like a child left on the water''s edge. "We''re not as sturdy as you, Guild Master. Considering the variable of goblin matriarch, I oppose rashly charging in," someone added. Unexpectedly, he was joined by Do Gyeong-hoon. Jang Deuk-goo and Do Gyeong-hoon weren''t on good terms; Jang Deuk-goo had even threatened him in the sauna. However, Do Gyeong-hoon pointed out the dangers since he was included in this mission. Ju Se-ah had set a minimum rank of A- for party members required for this hit-and-run mission. Although few in the guild were of that level, it was just enough to form a single party. Reluctantly, being part of the goblin matriarch assassination party, Do Gyeong-hoon had no choice but to voice his displeasure. "If you''re scared, drop out. I don''t want to be held back by someone scared," she replied. Persuasion? Plea? These were actions that didn''t suit Ju Se-ah. Nor had she forced amand. She had merely pricked on the Hunter''s pride. With just that, Do Gyeong-hoon was rendered speechless. If he opted out now, he would be branded a coward. Hunters lived on pride, and as an A-rank veteran Hunter, he had a significant responsibility. If he backed down now, he would bebeled as a coward and an idiot. ''Why are the others just standing there? Especially that guy, Noh Song-rin. What''s gotten into him today? Why is that weakling staying quiet?'' The usually uncooperative Noh Song-rin was quietly preparing for the hunt without voicing anyint. At this point, backing out would embarrass him to the others in the party. With that, Do Gyeong-hoon had to indicate his participation through silence. "Isn''t it wonderful when everyone agrees like this?" Ju Se-ah nodded in satisfaction before speaking. "It seems we have no moreints. Let''s get moving if you''re ready. Let''s go hunt some goblins." As Ju Se-ah moved east, Kang Mu-hyuk prepared the rest of the guild members. He distributed the Ampule kit sets they had received from Hanju Group and brought out the new equipment. "I had a tough time fixing these. Didn''t have time to conduct repairs, so I just wiped off the dust and oiled them. I''ve checked to ensure they work, so we''ve gotten rid of the faulty ones, but they were left neglected for a long time, so there might be problems during use." An Ji-il, the Equipment team leader, was distributing the items he had brought out from Warehouse C to the guild members. Most were grouped into party-sized sets, so distribution was quick. However, exining how to use the equipment was a challenge. Fortunately, it wasn''t overlyplicated, not to mention he had taught his team while he was repairing the equipment. The base camp turned noisy with team members demonstrating to the Hunters how to use the equipment using gestures and steps. Kang Mu-hyuk examined the equipment An Ji-il had set aside. He was filled with fresh nostalgia upon seeing these items after such a long time. "What''s with those gloomy eyes?" "I never thought the day woulde when these would be used in realbat." "It would''ve been impossible at Titan. Those bastards only saw my work as scrap." "Very expensive scrap. They were nning to start a project with it at Titan too, until you got involved in an unsavory incident." "If a project copses just because I leave, then it says it all. Even if they had gone ahead with it, they wouldn''t have been sessful. Too many loudmouths there." Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t refute An Ji-il''s words. It was the oue he had anticipated, but it was impossible for him to not feel a lingering regret in his tone. As a result, his mood soured. In the end, the limitation of a non-Hunter moving a guild was evident. ''That''s why Iron Will is important. It''s rare to find an open-minded Hunter as Guild Master Ju Se-ah. If we can''t do it here, it''ll be even more difficult elsewhere.'' Kang Mu-hyuk, thinking of Iron Will as hisst resort, sat in the Guild Leader''s seat. However, there were those all around him who wanted to ruin this opportunity. Right away was Chairman Tae Jin-sung, who had no interest in the guild''s survival. He wouldn''t bat an eyelid at the death of dozens of Hunters and only pursued his own goals. ''I can''t let such a man have his way with the guild.'' Kang Mu-hyuk reaffirmed his resolve and muttered to himself, "Chairman Tae Jin-sung, the guild belongs to those who risk their lives. It won''t go your way." Kang Mu-hyuk moved the Hunters towards the southern intersection of Sanjeong Lake, along National Road 387. More than a hundred Hunters had formed twenty parties for arge-scale raid. Unlike usual, Kang Mu-hyuk was on the field to personallymand the raid. For a non-Hunter civilian to enter the field was a decision fraught with danger. It wasn''t courage, but arrogance. He was nothing but a burden. Kang Mu-hyuk, who had been with the guild long enough, knew this all too well. Yet he still stepped forward because he had faith. There were two things to consider. "Why are you showing your face at the front when you can''t even handle a single goblin? Just fall back like the other guild staff." One of his reliance was on Pyo Beom-hee. Although she was currently leading the Management team, she was an A-rank Hunter who waspetitive even in Tier-ed guilds, a veteran with plenty of experience. She had opted not to participate in Ju Se-ah''s strategy and had escorted Kang Mu-hyuk instead. At the same time, she had also taken on the role of providing a remedy to the situation if anything went wrong with the main force. Even with her long disappearance from the field, she was a top attacker and head of the party even in Titan. It was a task she could handle. "I have Team Leader Pyo, don''t I? I won''t at least die. And I have this, which will save my life when it bes dangerous." Kang Mu-hyuk patted the holster around his waist as he spoke. Inside it was a gun. "You said you were broke and yet you''ve brought that expensive thing? The cost of bullets isn''t cheap." In areas dense with mana, electricity, and radio waves were rendered useless. Even gunpowder weapons werepletely ineffective. Although there was a workaround, it came at a price. Naturally, that price wasn''t easy to pay. Especially the mana bullets, which even medium-tier guilds had to think twice before using due to their extremely low efficiency despite the huge cost. The cost of firing one round wasparable to that of a top-grade potion. Among monsters, only lower-tier ones like goblins would die with one shot of a mana bullet. And even then, if the shot missed or didn''t hit a vital spot, it was a waste of money. Kang Mu-hyuk, too, had only brought the Gate-specific pistol as ast resort. He had no intention of using it. Recalling his miserly self in the impoverished guild, he smiled bitterly. "But will she pay attention to us? The Matriarch, I mean." "She''ll have plenty of eyes scattered around the base camp. ording to the records, for a monster, the Goblin Matriarch is highly sensitive to information. She reacts in an overly sensitive manner to the enemy''s movements, let''s say." Kang Mu-hyuk added to his analysis of the Goblin Matriarch. "Typically, mobs with mental magic tend to eliminate the most threatening factors in the battlefield first, despite having a lower aggro percentage on the tank. The Matriarch is the same. She''s been reported to manage this aspect even more meticulously. With a hundred Hunters moving, she definitely won''t stay idle." "So, if we move up, she''ll respond immediately?" "She''ll likely block the narrow road. There''s a high probability that she''ll ce Watusi Snakes or other monsters on the mountain path to prevent us from bypassing. Our main force''s role is to feign a breakthrough to distract her. Meanwhile, Guild Master Ju Se-ah will take down the Matriarch." It was an operation to act as bait in order to increase the sess rate of Ju Se-ah''s strategy. If they could disperse the goblins to the south in addition to the ones that had already moved west, the tribe would naturally be an empty house. Pyo Beom-hee stuck out her tongue at Kang Mu-hyuk who had even grasped the behavior pattern of the Matriarch. The Goblin Matriarch, which had only appeared twice in the world''s records so far. It was rather astonishing to be able to glean this much from the scarce information at hand. In Korea, where strategies relying more on Hunter''s experience and independent judgment were the norm, Kang Mu-hyuk''s approach was particrly unique. "Clearly, it''s a tough mission. But looking at your expression, you seem confident, Guild Leader Kang?" "The sess of our Guild Master is of utmost importance. Ironically, I''m not overly worried about that. Barring any major upheaval, we will likely be dining at Sanjeong Lake tonight." Just as the Iron Will Guild was nearing Sanjeong Lake, news reached the situation room, which was on the verge of closing down. "What do you mean, hostages?" "There are people captured by the goblins in the west. We have not confirmed the exact number, but it is estimated to be about sixteen." "We have been evacuating and blocking the area for two weeks... Could it be?" Kang Mu-hyuk quickly understood the situation. Hunters didn''t listen even when the city of Pocheon tried to stop them. Furthermore, North Pocheon was an area that the government had given up on. There must have been plenty of tricks and collusion with the ''Minheon'' (private Hunters). ''Just as they say, the n starts to fall apart the moment it''s created. This is the perfect example.'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind began to whirl. Do Dae-su felt like he was about to die. ''No, I might actually die...'' When he first encountered a goblin rider during his journey to the hunting ground, he wondered what on earth was happening. A goblin rider was a prized breed among the warrior ss. The loot or items they carried weren''t extraordinary, but the wolves they rode were a different matter. Anyrge guild that frequently visited gates would salivate at the sight. This was because the rider''s wolf, once tamed, would serve a new master if its original one died. This applied to humans as well. In other words, humans could also ride wolves like riders. Rider wolves were generallyrge and powerful monsters that possessed great stamina and didn''t get tired easily. In a Gate where modern means of transportation were useless, riding one of these wolves felt just as good as driving a Bugatti or a Lamborghini. In fact, their price was even higher than most sports cars, except for some limited editions. At this point, the issue wasn''t about tourists. The jackpot was shimmering in front of his eyes. Why would he worry about a trivial tourist business? Thus, Do Dae-su made a detour to capture the goblin rider. "Damn! I was just being a little greedy..." He should have noticed when the goblin rider didn''t run away and just lingered around them. This was a trap. As he approached, dozens of riders sprang out from behind a hill where they had been hiding. It was an ambush. The riders targeted the wheels of his vehicle as soon as they revealed themselves. Realizing that they were trying to immobilize him before the hunt, Do Dae-su immediately abandoned his slow minibus and switched to an SUV. Ignoring the screams and cries bursting out from inside the minibus, he escaped. Though his skills were inadequate, Do Dae-su''s judgment, honed by the wiles of the Hunter world, was spot on. By sacrificing the passengers in the minibus as bait, Do Dae-su and his crew managed to escape. No, they had believed they had escaped. "Boss, the engine''s dead. It won''t start!" "Damn it! A spear''s lodged in the engine, of course, it''s not going to work!" Do Dae-su yelled in a fit of panic. Among the numerous spears embedded in the car hood, one appeared to have struck the engine directly. Surrounding the immobilized vehicle, the goblin riders formed a circle, creating a blockade. "But why are they so calm? They''re not attacking." "I''m so scared, I might pee myself." The riders were forming a blockade withoutunching an attack, steadily tightening their ring. Do Dae-su instructed his party members. "When I give the signal, kill the rider in the front line. Then, steal his wolf and escape." It was a daring strategy, appropriate for the desperate situation they found themselves in. However, there was a world of difference between nning and execution. Do Dae-su''s n only had merit if they could easily overpower a goblin rider. No doubt, a goblin rider of the warrior rank was a monster that Do Dae-su could handle one-on-one. The issue was that the riders were grouped into units. Since he had neither learned nor experienced how to deal with this aspect, Do Dae-su had devised a n based on his shallow knowledge. He was forced to pay the price for his miscalcted strategy, immediately. ''We can''t break through.'' Due to the riders continuously circling them, Do Dae-su and his crew couldn''t step a foot out of the encirclement. In an attempt to forcefully break the blockade, one of the Hunters was even torn to shreds. Seeing that no other Hunter dared attempt a break-out. Even Do Dae-su''s fighting spirit dwindled upon seeing the Hunter being reduced to chunks of meat. ''The only strange thing is that they''re not charging. Why are they just surrounding us and not attacking? They could have killed us already if they wanted to.'' It was when Do Dae-su was wondering about this. One side of the encirclement opened, and the goblins dragged something in. "That... That''s..." What was being dragged in, strung together like dried fish on a rope, were the tourists that Do Dae-su had brought along. Do Dae-su noticed that they were still breathing. They were sprawled out, unable to support themselves, but their chests rose with each breath, suggesting that they had only passed out. Seeing that two out of six were missing, it seemed the others were dead. Even if they had managed to escape alive, they were as good as dead in this particr hunting ground. "Boss, it looks like they''re asking us to surrender?" "Seems like it, doesn''t it?" Goblins taking prisoners? It was an absurd proposition, but the situation suggested otherwise. ''We''ll end up dead anyway at this rate. Maybe we should pretend to be crazy and surrender?'' Carefully, Do Dae-su ced his weapon down on the ground and raised his hands. "If you don''t want to die, put down your weapons." As soon as the boss made his decision, the rest of the Hunters had no choice but to follow suit. They knew that without their fighting spirit, all it would lead to was a miserable death. Fortunately, Do Dae-su''s gamble paid off. The goblins didn''t attack; instead, they tied them up with ropes. Although they had saved their lives for the moment, they were now prisoners of the goblins. Faced with a bleak future, Do Dae-su was led away, his head bowed in defeat. If there was anyst glimmer of hope, it was this: ''I have no choice but to trust the Iron Will Guild... Please, seed in your goblin subjugation.'' Chapter 42 - Ill Pray For Your Soul The goblins'' response was quicker and more assertive than expected. "Guild Leader, there''s a clump of goblins up ahead on the road." Kang Mu-hyuk stepped forward to verify the tense Hunter''s report. The goblins were, indeed, huddled together blocking a narrow path with their makeshift barricade set up. ''They''re organized like an army.'' Kang Mu-hyuk looked around. To the right was high ground, to the left lower. Given the physical abilities of the Hunters, this slight difference in terrain wouldn''t restrict them too much. Moreover, the formation of the goblins was perfect for nking and ambushing. ''This is just too good to be true.'' It was as if they were beckoning them into a trap. Whether they had noticed or not seemed irrelevant to them. Perhaps they had monsters under the control of the Goblin Matriarch hidden away. "What should we do? Should we attack?" With Ju Se-ah leading the top Hunters, who could be considered leaders of each faction, the chain ofmand naturally gravitated towards Kang Mu-hyuk. Curiously, each faction didn''t maintain its own second-inmand. Whether this was due to power dynamics or trust issues, he wasn''t sure, but it wasn''t a bad development for Kang Mu-hyuk. "No, we''ll wait until they make the first move." After all, the primary task of the main force was to create a distraction. It would be sufficient to just buy time until Ju Se-ah could strike the Goblin Matriarch. If the monsters stayed put, it would be a wee reprieve. ''The variable would be the goblin troops outside the block. Will they return to the vige to fortify their defenses, or will they attack us from behind?'' Kang Mu-hyuk thought they might choose thetter. The Matriarch would know that this main force was her greatest threat right now. ''They also must have calcted that stalling for time would be advantageous for them. If so, they might be nning to use part of their forces to eliminate the threat.'' The most efficient method would be an ambush from the rear, encircling them. There happened to be goblin riders stationed outside the block. Their mobility was more than enough for this task. Could they already be rushing in from behind? ''Let''s not worry about that for now. We have already anticipated such a scenario and prepared ordingly.'' The immediate focus was on the goblin force before them. Kang Mu-hyuk checked his wristwatch. ''It''s about time for them to start. We can''tmunicate with them, so we''ll have to rely on the Guild Master''s quick wit to handle the hostage situation. I can only hope the casualties will be kept to a minimum.'' Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t harbor the fantasy of saving all the people captured by the goblins. He was more proactive than any other Hunter with regard to saving people, but he also faced reality more clearly than anyone else. This was true considering himself, too. ''That''s my weakness. Talking about sacrifices without shedding blood. If the Hunters can ept this point, our future ns will be easier.'' He could stand before the Hunters because he always bore in mind that he was a non-Hunter. Ironically, the fact that he hadn''t awakened became a weapon for him in some ways. Constantly repeating this to himself, Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t take his eyes off the front line. Bing bong! Bing bong! The rm on the wristwatch rang out. Simultaneously, Ju Se-ah stirred into action. "Let''s go." Jang Deuk-goo surveyed the faces of the Hunters who followed her. The party wasposed of five members, including Jang Deuk-goo, with whom she''d been partnering for a long time, Noh Song-rin, who was still cooperating quietly under the influence of Kang Mu-hyuk, Do Gyeong-hoon, who remained full ofints, and Baek Hyeonggyu, a neutral powerhouse of the minority faction within the guild. They were all at least A-rank Hunters. ''Two tanks, two melee DPS, one ranged DPS. It''s a shame we don''t have a supporter or a mage.'' He felt bitter about the party''sposition. Within the A-rank ranks, the missing roles were not only challenging to fill but trying to recruit such positions from within their Iron Will Guild was also like plucking a star from the sky. Especially the mage ss, they were nearly extinct. Evenrge guilds could only raise one or two promising talents who possessed magic characteristics and talents. The future of the guild would likely depend on how many of these scarce positions they could fill. ''Even if the goblin subjugation is safely aplished, the road ahead will be harsh.'' He nced at Ju Se-ah''s back, who was leading the charge. Jang Deuk-goo was reminded of something she had mentioned when she was younger. ''I''ll kill all the monsters. So nobody will die.'' He thought of her as someone walking a particrly perilous path. Back then, he had just considered her audacious. Now, Ju Se-ah was aiming for the S-rank. ''But that''s a difficult path, even for an S-rank. It might even be impossible.'' As her rank increased, as she devoted herself more to hunting, Ju Se-ah, realizing that achieving her goal alone was difficult, sought the power of the guild. But a guild was not the justice organization she had thought. They were a group that prioritized power and wealth. Her aspirations faded with that. So she left the guild and attempted to form a guild she could lead herself. Knowing that it wasn''t easy, Ju Se-ah had to bow her head to the father she so despised. Even though it was a guild she had acquired that way. ''The Taesung Guild was a dead-end alley in itself. It had been blocked for a long time. From all sides.'' When she realized that, she was isted. A situation where moving forward or retreating was difficult. Ju Se-ah had no room to breathe in an industry structure dominated by politics and vested interests, rather than skills and willpower. That was when Kang Mu-hyuk appeared, providing her another chance. Jang Deuk-goo didn''t really like Kang Mu-hyuk, but he admitted he was a capable leader. ''So it''s even more tense. After Guild Leader Kang has set the stage this far, if the actual Hunters falter when they need to exert their strength, we''ll have to abandon our dreams and everything.'' Jang Deuk-goo''s meditation couldn''t continue any longer. Suddenly, Ju Se-ah sped up, soaring up a hillside. She looked down the road and struck the surrounding hills, causing an explosive noise as the cliff crumbled. And then, goblins sprouted from the exposed hole. Ju Se-ah crushed the goblins'' heads with her fists, shing knuckles on each hand. The event happened in the blink of an eye, leaving no room for anyone to interfere. No, there was no need for interference. The monsters were weakpared to the full strength of the party. But more than that... ''How is the tank so fast? Even for an S-rank Hunter, this is absurd. Their reaction speed seems superior to mine.'' Do Gyeong-hoon, a close-range dealer who specialized in agility, was taken aback by this speed. Who would have thought Ju Se-ah was a tank? The Tier-ed Guild''s hunting records were confidential, so no one knew about Ju Se-ah''s dazzling achievements outside of the guild''s official promotion. However, her movements confirmed that she was an ace Hunter even in the yer Guild. Unlike Do Gyeong-hoon, who was simply stunned, Noh Song-rin felt a cold shiver run down his spine. ''If I hadn''t epted the Guild Leader''s proposal back then and had run away... Gulp. I wouldn''t have even been able to collect my bones.'' He had never thought of himself as slow, but he had no confidence that he could outrun Ju Se-ah. She was uncharacteristically fast for a tank. While everyone was lost in their thoughts, Ju Se-ah didn''t stop and moved on to her next target. She hadn''t killed every goblin hidden along the way. She only dealt with those that were in her way or showed signs of attack. Even that was done in the blink of an eye, allowing her to quickly break through the mountain road. "As expected, the west is unguarded." Upon reaching the mouth of the Sanjeong Lake, she saw watchtowers scattered here and there. These were crude watchtowers, made by tying branches together onto existing buildings, marked with the symbols of the goblin tribe. However, the sight of them armed with bows and axes was rather impressive. As Ju Se-ah''s party revealed, the sound of bells and whistles echoed from every direction. The goblins'' panicked cries resounded in the air. "The scale isrger than expected." After surveying the goblins charging with weapons in hand, Ju Se-ah gave an order. "Hunter Jang Deuk-goo, keep the rest of the goblins pinned down." At her statement of sticking to the n even upon seeing more goblins than expected, Do Gyeong-hoon couldn''t hold his tongue. "There are too many. There appear to be a fair amount of evolved species, too. Without any area-of-effect skills, we''ll be exhausted against them. Even A-ranks have limits to their stamina and mana, Guild Master." "How much time do you need?" Jang Deuk-goo cut off Do Gyeong-hoon''s argument. "Not much. Five minutes. That''s more than enough time to take down the Goblin Matriarch." "Huh? Is that a joke?" Baek Hyeonggyu, who had been silent up until now, spoke up. Suddenly, all eyes turned to him. Embarrassed, Baek Hyeonggyu scratched his head and fell silent. It was a joke that didn''t sound like one, but thanks to that, Ju Se-ah had a chance to catch her breath. She hadn''t pushed herself too hard, but her breakthrough was somewhat strenuous. As evidence, the rest of the party was catching their breath. They quickly regained their breath, but they were significantly drained. It was hard enough just keeping up with Ju Se-ah, who was nearing S-rank. Ju Se-ah had noticed the state of his party members a littlete, but she didn''t allow the strategy to falter. "Well then, I''ll count on you," she said. With a nod, Jang Deuk-goo drew the weapon slung across his back. "Leave it to me." ¡¶Humans have invaded our haven. There will be no mercy.¡· The goblin matriarch gathered the remaining high-ranking goblins in the n. The momentum of the humans was more formidable than anticipated. She was reminded of the human who had been hunting the Watusi Snake. If her hunch was right, their goblin n was in a great crisis. ¡¶Prepare yourselves.¡· At hermand, which sounded like the scraping of metal, the goblins brought forth the hostages. With their hands and feet chained, the humans were led forth with dog cors around their necks. They were Do Dae-su''s party and the tourists. The Hunters, at least, managed to maintain theirposure as they were led out, but the civilian tourists cried and stumbled over the floor. When they couldn''t walk properly due to trembling legs, the goblins dragged them forward, pulling on the leashes around their necks like they were dogs. "Oh, I don''t want to die." "Please, save us." Finally, the hostages were thrown before the matriarch. Do Dae-su knelt on the ground, looking up at the enormous goblin standing before him. ''What on earth is this? I''ve never seen this one before, not even in the manual.'' The goblin, standing at a height of around three meters with a body to match, looked like a pufferfish with cheeks swollen as if full of food. Unlike goblins, it even had hair on its head. The long braided hair and clothes it wore led him to guess it was a female. ''The female goblin is the highest rank here? Could it be a Warhead?'' Warhead, ruling as the leader of the goblin tribe. Since he had never seen one, he had no choice but to make an assumption based on the rumors he had heard. ''No, it''spletely different.'' The Gate was an unknown world. The monsters that emerged from it were also unknown. Battling against these unknowns was the job of a Hunter. Hunters felt fear when fighting unknown entities. The reason why Hunters could enter the Gates and hunt monsters was, because they were able to erase the unknown from the unknown creatures, thanks to the information provided by their predecessors. Knowledge meant an absence of fear. It was no wonder that Unknowns were the hardest monsters to fight against. If even known information about a monster, which was already terrifying, were absent, it would manifest as an unknown terror. Do Dae-su trembled at this unfathomable fear. ¡¶Silence!¡· Unable to bear the humans'' cries, the goblin matriarch roared threateningly. The humans, who had no way of understanding the goblinnguage, were terrified by the monster''s roar. The goblin matriarch frowned and raised a hand as a signal. A nearby goblin soldier grabbed a human male by the head. "Ugh!" The man''s head was gripped by the matriarch''s hand as he felt the sticky fluids from her grasp. "Pl-please, let me li-!" Before he could finish his plea, the goblin matriarch drew a short knife and slit the begging man''s throat. Blood gushed from his neck, as if from a movie scene. The matriarch lifted the man up, bringing her mouth close to his neck. The sight of her sucking blood from the bleeding wound was not just eerie - it felt surreal. At a time like this, even the mostposed of Hunters couldn''t help but be shaken. A goblin soaked in blood, drinking blood. No, could that even be called a goblin? "Is it a vampire, not a goblin?" At the unexpected voice, the hostages turned their heads. A woman held a goblin, its tongue lolling out, in both hands. Even to her own kind, the sight of her wringing the squirming creatures'' necks and flinging them side to side was harrowing. Do Dae-su realized she was Ju Se-ah. She was a well-known figure, after all. Tourists recognized her too, shrieking as though they''d seen a ghost. "Please, save us! We''ll give you any amount of money!" "Hunter Ju! M-my father is at the Blue House! I will speak well of you, so please..." Understanding why the only hope for survival was pleading like this... Do Dae-su was speechless at the sight of the customers treating Ju Se-ah as if speaking to himself. ''Do they see Ju Se-ah as some neighborhood Hunter? Not knowing she''s a person who their own parents can''t mess with.'' The way politicians or the wealthy treated Hunters wasn''t due to their social status. What hung in their hearts was pure power. To themon people, a Hunter was a hero, but to those in power, they were a threatening presence. A Hunter was a potential terrorist, capable of violence at any moment. One could learn how third-world countries had fallen to Hunters by looking at history. In that sense, these novices were seriously misunderstanding the situation. Of course, Do Dae-su, who was familiar with thews of power in the Hunter world, also misunderstood the high-ranking Hunters. The high-ranking Hunters Do Dae-su saw were not as reckless as he thought. Regardless of people''s circumstances and thoughts, Ju Se-ah looked troubled. ''People are being held captive?'' An unexpected situation. ''Can I save them?'' The problem wasn''t defeating the goblin matriarch. Each hostage was being held by a goblin, and if she rushed in carelessly, someone would certainly die. ''I''ll only save as many as I can.'' It was one of the principles taught during Hunter''s standard training. Hunters were called saviors and heroes of humanity, but they weren''t perfect. If they tried to save everyone indiscriminately, they could end up severely injured or causing everyone to be killed. Choice and focus. It might have been a cruel strategy for the humans who were targeted, but it was equally painful for the Hunters. Ju Se-ah hesitated no longer. A light of mana shimmered from the knuckles of her hands. She looked toward Do Dae-su and said, "Don''t worry, I''ll save you." "Th-thank you." "You might get a bit hurt, but I''ll try my best." "Yes, I trust you." "Well, if things go wrong and you die, I''ll pray for your soul." "Yes. Don''t worry... Wait, what? Hold on!" In an instant, Ju Se-ah''s figure disappeared. Chapter 43 - Cant You See That? The hostages, taken captive, hadn''t been able to discern Ju Se-ah''s movement which was as swift as a breeze. This was true even for the Hunter who was captured with them. The goblins, too, had lost sight of her. However, that didn''t mean everyone failed to notice Ju Se-ah. Only the shining eyes of the Hobgoblins betrayed her presence. They were a rare breed of goblin, born with magic coursing through their veins. Though they were essentially albinos, gic mutants, it was clear that they were monsters far beyond the norm of goblins. Three Hobgoblins cast spells in alignment with Ju Se-ah''s anticipated path. Giant rocky hands erupted from the ground, reaching out to ensnare Ju Se-ah. Ju Se-ah didn''t falter, however, charging straight into the abruptly formed barrier. The Hobgoblin, with a satisfied smile thinking the human was overconfident, was left speechless by the following scene. The rock hand shattered like a cracker in front of the human. The Hobgoblins tried to hastily conjure a stone spear to skewer her, but their attacks were futile. "Mage Killer." This title distinguished her among the world''s best tanks. It was earth attribute magic that exerted physical force. Even that couldn''t withstand Ju Se-ah, who boasted an unparalleled defense. With a horrifying screech, Ju Se-ah crushed an iing stone spear with her fist while rapidly closing the distance. In an instant, she crushed the Hobgoblin''s head, not even giving it the chance to scream. The remaining two Hobgoblins on either side tried to cast spells in desperation, reaching out with their hands. But she grabbed their wrists, twisting them painfully, and mmed them together like cymbals. Their heads burst, noses shattered, and the Hobgoblins slumped over, defeated. As she tossed their bodies onto the ground, arrows from the goblin snipers whistled through the air toward her. "Iron Body." Ju Se-ah fortified her body with mana to block the arrows. Crossing her arms in an X shape, she protected her face, a vulnerable area. Although a basic skill, it became an invincible barrier whenbined with Ju Se-ah''s attributes. Every time an arrow struck her body, it made a hollow, metallic noise, simr to striking an empty iron can. Through the gap between her arms, she spotted the hostages. Thankfully, her attack hadn''t prompted the matriarch to kill the hostages. Instead, she moved them further back, as if to keep them from being taken. ''Good. If this continues, they won''t harm the hostages until they''repletely cornered. As expected of goblins, they''re smart enough not to kill the hostages recklessly.'' Ju Se-ah scanned the path leading to the goblin matriarch. Fourrge goblins with feathered bands wrapped around their heads were lined up, guarding her, it seemed. ''A tribe with four goblin chieftains. And they''re not even the final boss, but the mid-boss. Why haven''t I discovered these brutes before?'' Four goblin chieftains signified an advanced tribe, arge tribe where four tribes hade together. A Warhead, the tribal leader, would emerge from such a tribe. However, instead of a Warhead, the goblins of North Pocheon had evolved into a tribe with a matriarch. How could such arge tribe not venture down to South Pocheon? It was strange. North Pocheon was a narrow area, a ce where quantitative growth was limited. They hadpensated with qualitative growth, but these underdeveloped monsters were species that instinctively prioritized reproduction. Even with the presence of a Matriarch, patiently waiting for the right time was far from the violent nature of these monsters. Moreover, the problem was not so simple as to why they did not expand their power to South Pocheon. It was even more strange that they did not catch the eye of frence Hunters who frequented North Pocheon. ''Is this also due to the Matriarch''s influence?'' Ju Se-ah thought that the Matriarch might be a more vicious monster than she had assumed, and decided to give it her all. She dashed into the midst of the four goblin chieftains. Among the bodies that were toorge to be considered goblins, Ju Se-ah appeared frail and delicate. The axes and spears in the chieftains'' hands struck her. Ju Se-ah epted them with her bare body as if there was no need to dodge. Unlike other goblins, her body shook from side to side when hit by their powerful strength. Through the torn guild jacket a dark armor revealed itself. Custom armor tailored perfectly to her physique. It seemed to be made of leather and did not make a loud noise even after being struck with a weapon. It was as tough as average metal armor, difficult to scratch. As soon as Ju Se-ah put strength into her whole body, the armor tightened as if it were a muscle. ng! Bang! Ding! The change in the sound of impact startled the chieftains. Ju Se-ah seized the opportunity to twist the arm of the chieftain with the axe, snatching the weapon. Then she threw the axe straight toward the Matriarch. Thud! "Damn!" The axe aimed for the head lodged in the shoulder. A chieftain had clung to her ankle and stretched out, causing her aim to go astray. Everything happened in a split second, and the Matriarch realized toote that she had been attacked. She let out a scream that seemed to tear across the air. That scream was the start signal for the goblins to rush towards Ju Se-ah without distinguishing between front and back. She reached out mechanically to the goblins clinging to her like a swarm of ants. One by one, diligently eliminating the monsters. The piled-up bodies of the goblins decreased her maneuvering space. Theyered goblins began to bury her like a sandstorm. Even as pirs of blood gushed out, the goblins kept crawling up. However-- ¡¶She can''t be stopped.¡· The Matriarch thought that the sacrificial attacks of the goblins were useless. Even if she marshaled all the monsters shemanded, it would only buy time, the result would not change significantly. And there was nowhere to run. This was the world of those humans. Once out of the gate, she could not survive without bing even stronger. As the Matriarch groaned in pain, she managed to maintain her fading consciousness and looked at the hostages. She did not think that threatening her with them would make her opponent obediently listen. ¡¶There''s only one way.¡· The Matriarch decided to use herst resort. She looked over the hostages and then stabbed a dagger into the chest of one of the Hunters she had picked. Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, the Hunter couldn''t dodge and screamed out in agony. ¡¶Sacrifice.¡· The Matriarch held the dead Hunter above her head, collecting his dripping blood. "Uh...." "Jungoo!" Screams, wails, cries, and groans of the crowd fuelled the excitement of the ritual. Drops of blood, trickling from the top of the Matriarch''s head, streaked her face, flowing over her neck and chest, soaking her entire body. ¡¶Impure. Evil. Innocent. Faces that differ. Things that never meet.¡· The Matriarch recited the incantation. It sounded more like the growling of a beast than anguage, yet it undeniably carried magical power. Boom! At that moment, the hill where the goblins were piled up crumbled with a shockwave. Ju Se-ah, who had just emerged from rummaging through the goblin grave, witnessed the Matriarch performing the ritual. A monster drenched in human blood. A familiar sight, yet one she could never be ustomed to. Images from the past shed through his mind. Her mother. Her friends. Her elderly neighbor. Death still felt unfamiliar. A spark ignited in Ju Se-ah''s eyes. "You goblin bastard!" Ju Se-ah emerged, dragging the goblin chieftain by its arms and legs. The chieftain was already dead, but he clung to it with a determination to protect the Matriarch. She charged, ripping off the chieftain''s arm. ¡¶Something nameless.¡· Ju Se-ah, who had quickly arrived in front of the Matriarch, threw a punch aimed at her heart. Her fist pierced through her chest, protruding from her back. The Matriarch mumbled as if exhaling herst breath. ¡¶Reveal. Your existence.¡· A ck aura swirled and erupted from the pierced heart of the goblin Matriarch. Suddenly, the goblins began to glow frenziedly. Goblins, who had beennguid as if they had all the time in the world, suddenly let out a monstrous roar and attacked the Hunters. ''Something must have happened to the Matriarch.'' The immediate thought was of Ju Se-ah''s heroics. Kang Mu-hyuk suspected that she had ced the Matriarch in danger. Otherwise, those creatures, who should be biding their time until the goblin force returned from outside, wouldn''t be rushing to their deaths like this. "Retreat, Guild Leader." Cho Chung-hyun, the Strategy and Tactics team leader, stepped forward. He was in charge of the attack order. Kang Mu-hyuk moved to the rear. Pyo Beom-hee also withdrew following him. "Tanks from each party, move forward!" At Cho Chung-hyun''s call, Hunters d in heavy armor stepped forward with their shields. ording to the prearranged signal, long-range dealers who were pulling their bows secured their positions on the right hill. Some goblins aiming for these ''long-dealers'' climbed the hill, and in response, the melee dealers armed with light armor took the lead with the auxiliary tanks. The Iron Will members were on edge. They had experienced joint operations of several parties several times, but it was their first time with arge-scale attack force of 100 Hunters. Moreover, this wasn''t a raid to hunt arge boss monster, but a war raid whererge forces shed. Even therge guilds called Tier-ed guilds rarely experienced such war raids. Except for the age of Great Wars, the number of cases itself could be counted on one hand, so it was hard to find experienced individuals, except for some old-generation Hunters. In the midst of the fierce struggle for position between the Hunters and monsters, a weighty voice came through Kang Mu-hyuk''s right earpiece. "Guild Leader, just as predicted, the goblin riders areing." He wore earpieces in both ears, each tuned to a different channel. The left was for immediatemunication with the attack team, while the right was connected to a lone Hunter tasked with guarding their rear. Raising a hand to his right ear, Kang Mu-hyuk replied, "Team Leader Yeom, can you hold them off?" The voice belonged to Yeom Soo-hyung, a former member of the Titan Guild who had been scouted for the role of the support team. He was one of the two cards Kang Mu-hyuk had prepared, other than Pyo Beom-hee. "Isn''t that why you brought me? This is a bit different from what was promised." "I apologize. We didn''t bring you here to fight." "We''re not in a position to argue, so I''ll let it slide this time. But I''d rather not have to step into the hunt in the future." "I''ll make a note of that." "I''ll definitely hold them off. You take care of the situation in front." Pyo Beom-hee, who had been listening to themunication with Yeom Soo-hyung, tapped the sword sheath at her waist and spoke up, "What''s up? An ambush? Is it my turn to step in now?" "No, you can leave the rear to those behind." "Then, why did you leave me here under the guise of an escort?" "Team Leader Pyo, you''re not suited for defense. In Titan, you were a primary attack tool. Outside the Gates where defense was important, you were virtually useless. Even your tactical evaluation hit rock bottom outside the Gates." "If insults were counted as a Hunter ability, Guild Leader, you''d be S-rank by now." "It''s not your role to defend, Team Leader Pyo." "Then why me? Why go to all this trouble?" "Just in case. As insurance in the unlikely event that our operation fails." "What insurance is needed to hunt goblins? Guild Leader Kang, you worry too much. It''s a w. It''s good to be thorough, but if I lived like you, I''d have a nervous breakdown." Pyo Beom-hee shook her head and joked, but Kang Mu-hyuk did not rx his vignce. Seeing his worried expression, Pyo Beom-hee erased her smile and asked, "Are you worried about the Goblin Matriarch?" "Yes." "Don''t worry. We have Ju Se-ah, the Indomitable Witch, and the Walking Cmity. Even to the monsters, she''s a witch and a cmity. Besides, isn''t the Matriarch a magic type? And Ju Se-ah is known for smearing herself with all kinds of resistance attributes. She''s a Mage Killer. The Matriarch will be a walk in the park for her." "In theory, yes. Ju Se-ah is the perfect counter against magic types... But there''s something that''s been bothering me." "What''s bothering you?" "The Goblin Matriarch who first appeared in the Amazon. The result was undoubtedly the annihtion of an A-ranked guild, but there were many inexplicable aspects to the process." "Could it be that the goblins were just a superior tribe?" "That was my conclusion, and Guild Master Ju Se-ah who reviewed the data agreed." "And?" "What''s bothering me is that the Brazilian guild was clearly winning in the early and mid-stages of the raid. Thetter half is poorly documented due to the annihtion of the attack team." With only limited information, Kang Mu-hyuk had nned this operation. He filled the gaps with his experience and imagination. Of course, it was possible due to the cheat key named Ju Se-ah. But what might lie in the remaining, unseentter part? Something unseen, as though shrouded in mist, was disturbing Kang Mu-hyuk''s senses. "It''s just a goblin anyway. Although it''s a Gate that kills humans, a goblin would never be able to take down an S-rank... Wait, what are you looking at?" Pyo Beom-hee felt something odd about Kang Mu-hyuk, who had stopped mid-conversation and was looking elsewhere. She turned her head in the direction Kang Mu-hyuk was gazing at. A clear sky greeted them, a stark contrast to the bleak ce where the war against monsters was unfolding. "What''s the matter? You startled me. There''s nothing there." Pyo Beom-hee felt Kang Mu-hyuk''s strange gaze on her. "Nothing? You don''t see that?" "My eyesight is -2.5 in both eyes. What on earth are you asking me to look at?" Kang Mu-hyuk turned his eyes away from Pyo Beom-hee and looked back at the distant sky. It was clearly in the direction where the Sanjeong Lake was. ''You can''t see that?'' In his sight, sinister ck energy was fiercely surging upward into the sky. Chapter 44 - There Was A Reason For The Annihilation "Gasp!" Kang Mu-hyuk felt a suffocating sensation. His heart rate quickened, and his body trembled violently. It was a precursor symptom of mana addiction. "Guild Leader Kang, what''s wrong? Are you hurt?" Pyo Beom-hee eximed in shock, propping up the staggering Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk braced his legs. He couldn''t afford to copse. He might not be a Hunter, but as the Guild Leader, he needed to be sturdy. If his team members found out about his illness, it would only cast further doubt on his leadership, which was already under question. Fortunately, no Hunter noticed Kang Mu-hyuk''s anomaly as they were all engrossed in the battle against the goblins. ''That ck thing... Is it mana?'' Sometimes, instinct could be more urate than reason. Much like the intuition of an experienced Hunter, Kang Mu-hyuk''s keen senses perceived the ominous aura rising towards the sky. He noticed that this unseen entity was a different kind of mana, something not even an A-rank Hunter could see. It urred to him that he might be seeing this due to symptoms brought on by his illness. Struggling to breathe, Kang Mu-hyuk took a metal case out of his chest pocket. As his fingers were trembling, the case slipped from his hand, but Pyo Beom-hee caught it. "The, in... injection..." Watching the barely coherent Kang Mu-hyuk, Pyo Beom-hee didn''t ask what was in the case and opened it. Inside were neatly arranged syringes. Being a Hunter, she was familiar with various emergency equipment and recognized the objects asser injectors. "Your butt?" No, no. Gathering all his strength, Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head. "What a shame." Pyo Beom-hee promptly took out a syringe and injected the substance into Kang Mu-hyuk''s arm. A momentter, Kang Mu-hyuk''s paleplexion returned to normal. He surveyed his surroundings. Thanks to the quick treatment, it seemed no one had noticed. Looking at him with sympathetic eyes, Pyo Beom-hee spoke, "Is this an aftereffect from when you were hurt by Ma Taesik?" "How did you know about the Ma Taesik incident?" "Just because Ie from Titan doesn''t mean I don''t know a thing or two... Quit changing the subject!" "I have a slight chronic illness. It''s nothing serious. It''s not fatal. As long as I take my injections and medicine, I''m fine." It was an exnation that was half true, half false. With a skeptical gaze, Pyo Beom-hee asked again, "Really?" "Do you think I would be here doing this if I had a terminal illness?" "We''re hunting monsters. As Guild Leader Kang, it would be insane not to." Left speechless by her irrefutable argument, Kang Mu-hyuk attempted to change the subject but something else came to mind. "There''s something else I want to ask." "What is it?" "Can we break through that goblin troop ahead?" "Breakthrough? It depends on the goal. The conditions? Annihtion? Or securing a route?" "Your task is to escort me to Sanjeong Lake as quickly as possible." Pyo Beom-hee looked towards the front where the battle was raging at full force. With a slight bounce, she leaped nearly three meters into the air. After briefly assessing the situation from above, shended lightly and continued, "It might be possible. But it would be better to annihte them before moving on. If we move, it leaves our rear vulnerable." "If we put all our energy into Team Leader Pyo, it might be possible, but it will take time. Additionally, speeding up the pace of our strategy might lead to casualties. Weck the strength to change the strategy midway." Most guild strategy and tactics teams would often refer to raids as ''paper war.'' It was a term for wars fought with ns previously crafted on paper. The sess or failure of a raid was usually determined during the nning stage. Because the training and equipment were set ording to it, changing the n in the middle of the raid was difficult. Of course, a raid had many variables, and improvisation was important, but one had to stick to the main line of the strategy to avoid problems. Sessful oues were only possible when unnned actions were backed by sound reasons and capabilities. If it failed, the Hunter had to bear the full brunt of the consequences, so they couldn''t just change it haphazardly. Kang Mu-hyuk decided that a tactical change would be toxic to the Iron Will guild in its current state. "Hunting isn''t as easy as it sounds. If you insist, Guild Leader Kang, we might be able to break through. Why do you ask?" "I think we have a new variable." "Variable?" "I have amunication channel that only I use. It connected briefly, then got cut off. I think something happened to the Guild Master." Kang Mu-hyuk maintained his expression and lied. ''There''s no time to exin. And I don''t have the confidence to make you understand.'' How could he exin the ominous ck mana that only he could see? Just talking about mana addiction would take an eternity, and he didn''t understand the phenomenon himself. He didn''t have the ability to exin something he didn''t know. Pyo Beom-hee was suspicious but decided to follow Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. She was well aware of his abilities, and his instincts had always been extraordinary, so she trusted him. Even if she couldn''t entrust him with her life, she felt secure when it came to monster hunting. "Well then. It''s been a while since I''ve swung a sword, so why not." As Pyo Beom-hee took off her jacket, her muscr upper body d in dark leather armor was revealed. She put on a ck ''armor coat'' that reached down to her knees, and her aurapletely changed. While she was getting ready forbat, Kang Mu-hyuk also put on his armor coat. He might not be able to use it as well as a Hunter, but it would provide some protection. He then reached out to Cho Chung-hyun through his left earset. "Yes, Guild Leader." "Starting now, Team Leader Pyo and I will be leaving our posts." "Is there a problem?" "It''s part of our prearranged n. We will break through the goblin unit. I trust and leave all orders here to you, our Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. I''ll also call for reinforcements, just in case." The reinforcements were Yeom Soo-hyung, who would be dealing with the goblin riders. The rest of the information was far from a kind exnation, but Cho Chung-hyun didn''t pry. The Guild Leader had negotiated with Tae Soo-man, the second son of the Taesung group, and obtained his cooperation. Since he wasmanded by Tae Soo-man to assist Kang Mu-hyuk, there was no need for further inquiries. Even though curiosity was natural, it was a Hunter''s priority to first focus on the monster in front of them during a hunt. "Understood. Is there anything I can assist with?" "When I give the signal, aggressively push the tanker line. I will prate the gaps created as the goblins'' ranks falter." Afterward, Kang Mu-hyukid out the order of priorities to Cho Chung-hyun in case any issues arose. Pyo Beom-hee, who had been checking her weapons and Ampule kits, finished her preparations and approached Kang Mu-hyuk. "It''s been a while since we were on the field, hasn''t it? It''ll be a bit dangerous. You''ll see things that might be hard to watch." "I''d appreciate your care." "Then, excuse me." As Kang Mu-hyuk took a deep breath, Pyo Beom-hee caught his waist with her left hand. In the next moment, his view rose. The Hunters were located below his feet. And in the blink of an eye, he was stepping on the head of a goblin. "Now!" Amid the wavering view, a disoriented Kang Mu-hyuk signaled to Cho Chung-hyun as if he was groaning. As the tanker line pushed back using their skills, the goblins that were in their ranks lost bnce and fell over. Taking advantage of the sudden panic, Pyo Beom-hee jumped into the midst of the goblins and swung her sword. ¡¾Toxin Strike¡¿ It was a skill unique to Pyo Beom-hee, who had the characteristic of extracting poison from blood and breath. Poison skills were rtively easy to learn but difficult to handle. The biggest issue was the requirement of preparing the poison in advance. Handling it was precarious for fear of being self-poisoned, and if one was not careful, it could lead to major idents. The worst-case scenario was contaminating other party members. The utility of poison was well known to any Hunter, but this was why not just anyone could use it. However, when a poison-rted skill was in the hands of Pyo Beom-hee, the story was entirely different. Her awakened abilities were specifically specialized for poison. She was able to safely extract and use the poison from the body, making it a skill solely for her use. Even though goblins also used various kinds of creature poisons, including paralytic poison, they were as insignificant as fireflies before the moonlight. In the blink of an eye, the skin of the surrounding goblins turned horribly discolored and they foamed at the mouth. As monsters well-versed in poison, the goblins recoiled in surprise when they realized how potent Pyo Beom-hee''s poison was. A space opened up around Pyo Beom-hee. At the sight of her prowess, which he hadn''t witnessed in a while, Kang Mu-hyuk swallowed dryly from the tension. "Your power is as remarkable as ever." "If you''re surprised by this much, you''re in trouble. I''m going to show you that I''ve not been idle." Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes widened in surprise. He was well aware of Pyo Beom-hee''s capabilities, so he hadn''t considered anything beyond what he already knew. His calctions were limited to what he knew. But now-- ''I didn''t expect this.'' The skill performance Pyo Beom-hee was demonstrating against the goblins surpassed the old Pyo Beom-hee he knew. ''She''s covered her weaknesses. I can make more diverse use of Team Leader Pyo.'' Pyo Beom-hee felt a chill at the eager look in Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes, as he considered how to leverage her. "Why is it so chilly?" The thought that she shouldn''t have boasted about her progress brushed past her mind. At the moment of breaking the goblin matriarch''s breastbone and piercing her heart. Ju Se-ah felt a sharp twinge. A ck aura erupted and clung to her arm. She quickly kicked the abdomen of the Matriarch, withdrawing her body. The ck mist that attempted to entangle her lost its grip and swayed erratically. Once she distanced herself from the Matriarch, the ck aura was no longer visible. However, a lingering presence still orbited her vicinity. Ju Se-ah couldn''t tear her gaze away from the now lifeless Matriarch. The hostages did not cheer. The goblins neither turned their faces away nor charged forward, they merely stared incessantly at the dead Matriarch. "Ugh...." "Huuh..." At the hostages'' groans, Ju Se-ah snapped back to her senses. Saliva dribbled from their mouths, their eyes lost focus. They appeared utterly disoriented. It wasn''t only the humans; the goblins disyed the same symptoms. Ju Se-ah soon realized her condition was no different from the others. Thanks to her high magic resistance fiercely counteracting, she had narrowly avoided losing consciousness. However, her body waspletely immobilized. She had no idea how much time had passed. Whether for a brief moment or a long period, she remained in a trance. Any person, even an exceptional Hunter, would sumb to fear when they lose control over their body. But Ju Se-ah didn''t yield. She gritted her teeth and endured, attempting to break free from this confinement. The Indomitable Witch. Strong monsters, powerful viins, no matter how desperate the situation, her unyielding spirit upheld her. ''Move. I have to move.'' The ck aura continuously flowing from the Matriarch''s body showed signs of ceasing. She didn''t know what had transpired. But instinctively, she felt an impending misfortune lurking behind it. Move... move... move. "Move!" ¡¾Brave Heart¡¿ With a shout that made her vomit blood, her heart surged with heat. Finally, she managed to take a step forward, breaking free from the intangible restraint. "Huff! Pant, pant...." In the brief moment of catching her breath. tter! Ju Se-ah heard the sound of some beast''s hooves. Close. It was very close. "Drzuphlem shikadoo." A delicate voice tickled her ears. "Caw!" Ju Se-ah vomited blood and slumped down. Struggling, she turned her head towards where the voice hade from. The Matriarch had copsed unexpectedly. Her insides were empty, leaving only a husk. She could not even be a hunk of meat, her flesh merely rolled about the floor in a pulpy mass. In her wake, a ck aura swirled and formed a shape. However, for some reason, Ju Se-ah couldn''t see it. All she could see in her eyes were some symbols or patterns. Two ovepping circles,rge and small, with an unidentified string of characters inserted between them. A sinister pattern symbolizing a uterus. It seemed like some kind of mark, but its meaning waspletely unfathomable. ''An unknown? I''ve never heard of such a monster.'' A monster that wouldn''t even allow its form to be seen. Could it even be called a monster in the first ce? The monster, revealing itself only through a symbol, spoke. "Drzuphlem shikadoo. So vopt piddychel aepick." Ju Se-ah chewed her tongue and yelled back at the unfamiliarnguage. "What, what...are you saying? Kuhuck!" As she managed to barely support her stumbling body, a familiar voice echoed from behind her. "Foolish human. Do not stand before me." "Kang... Kang Mu... hyuk." "I wonder why I can hear it." Kang Mu-hyuk stood nonchntly next to Ju Se-ah. "There was a reason why the Brazilian guild was annihted." At his words, Ju Se-ah nodded her head. Kang Mu-hyuk spoke towards the entity that was visible but couldn''t be seen. "Are you... The one who invited me?" Chapter 45 - A Pending Catastrophe Kang Mu-hyuk took a step forward. Ju Se-ah, in a trembling voice, tried to stop him. "It''s, it''s dangerous." "It''ll be fine. It called me over first." "Called you?" "More than that, I''m worried about the others." Kang Mu-hyuk nced back over his shoulder. Ju Se-ah''s gaze followed him. "Old man Deuk-goo... And the others too?" At the entrance of the resort, the guild members, seemingly bewitched, stared with vacant eyes, their bodies rigid. "We regrouped by theke and came here together. But for some reason, it seems I am the only one permitted to stand here. The others are unconscious." As Kang Mu-hyuk took another step forward, Ju Se-ah forced herself up to her feet with great effort. Regardless of what was in front of them or why it was happening, she could not let Kang Mu-hyuk go alone. As they synced their steps and advanced toward the unknown entity, symbolsposed of shapes and letters wavered before them. Only then could they see the symbols clearly. They wereprised of clusters made from light, particles emitting ck darkness, each as tiny as a grain of sand, formed into a shape. It was a disy of darkness and light coexisting together. The light distorted the surrounding scenery and absorbed the sunlight. As the surroundings darkened and sunlight returned, it seemed to wait, greedily consuming the light. Staring at the scene, it felt like they were being drawn into a ck hole. That was when Ju Se-ah saw it. It was a hand, frail and pale. Just as it seemed to reveal its shape, it extended its palm toward her. The unknown entity gently pushed her away, seemingly not granting her permission to approach. Despite the nausea causing her to retch, Ju Se-ah managed to take another step forward, but her body faltered. Even though she was on the brink of copse, she forced herself to stay upright on one knee. ''Why is Kang Mu-hyuk okay?'' A question suddenly urred to her. "Didn''t I say? It seems I''m the only one invited." Kang Mu-hyuk''s response, as if he''d read her mind, sent chills down Ju Se-ah''s spine. His excessive calmness in the face of such an entity, despite not being a Hunter, was troubling. ''He''s not a Hunter, yet he can withstand that thing? Has he changed after dying anding back to life? No, that alone can''t be the reason he''s so confident in front of that monster. Something''s off.'' Kang Mu-hyuk, too, was aware of the discrepancy Ju Se-ah felt. But he didn''t know why he was perfectly fine. He simply epted the situation as it was. "Guild Master, don''t push yourself. If it wanted to kill us, we would already be unable to escape. The fact that it hasn''t killed us yet means there''s a reason." Kang Mu-hyuk, who was a step ahead, extended his hand to prevent Ju Se-ah from advancing further and looked directly at her. She responded with a look of disbelief. "How can you... be so calm in a situation like this?" "I am sufficiently bewildered. My stoicism is a family trait." "This isn''t about your family trait." Regting his ragged breaths, Kang Mu-hyuk addressed the invisible entity. "I ept your invitation. But, what exactly are you? ...I''m not qualified to know? Then why did you call me? Hmm. ...You didn''t call me? ...I just heard it? What does that mean?" Ju Se-ah turned her head inquisitively, wondering what Kang Mu-hyuk was up to. He was talking to himself. There seemed to be another voice only he could hear. It looked like madness. Kang Mu-hyuk ignored Ju Se-ah''s gaze and continued speaking, "I heard your voice. But if you didn''t call me, then what the hell did? ...What? Mana? What does it mean that the mana called me... Ugh!" Suddenly, he felt a crippling pain in his chest. "Crack. Edge. Whoo." A symbol approached with these vocalizations. Under this pressure, Kang Mu-hyuk was rendered speechless. Cold sweat drenched him in an instant. At first, he couldn''t breathe, but he gradually felt the oppressive force lessening. At some point, Ju Se-ah had positioned herself in front of him. With his breath finally returning, Kang Mu-hyuk barely managed to repeat the iprehensible words of the being to Ju Se-ah. "A blessing? And a curse at the same time? What''s... the blessing, and what''s the curse...?" He couldn''t see it, nor could he read its expressions. Yet, Kang Mu-hyuk somehow felt it. He could tell it was observing him with interest. "I have a question. What are you?" The symbol did not respond, nor did the voice of the mana sound anymore. Kang Mu-hyuk was about to ask again but closed his mouth. The reason was Ju Se-ah''s slumped shoulders. She, who had been protecting him from the pressure, seemed to be at her limit. Kang Mu-hyuk folded his curiosity, deciding instead that he needed to resolve the situation. ''I don''t know what kind of magic this is. An entity summoned by the goblin matriarch...'' A very small number of Hunters possessed a simr skill. ¡¾Summoning¡¿ ''If we assume that being was summoned, then the conclusion is simple.'' He recalled the three elements of the summoning. The ''sacrifice'' seemed to be a human offering. One of the hostages had been bleeding to death. The ''price'' for summoning was usually mana. Particrly for strong summons, arge amount of mana was required as a price to exist in this world. But what if the summoner was already dead and the summoned being did nothing? The conclusion was simple. ''The summoning is iplete.'' At least he was able tomunicate with the being. Kang Mu-hyuk thought there might be room forpromise at this point. ''There''s no other way. It''s an opponent I can''t defeat with strength.'' All he could do was try. As soon as he made up his mind, he changed the subject. "The being that summoned you is already dead. Do you still have a reason to stay here? You probably don''t have any mana left to resist. Wouldn''t it be better for you to return without overdoing yourself?" It was a gamble. His previousparison with summoning was based on spection. ''Please let it be correct.'' And he hoped it would understand. ''Please!'' Fortunately, the gamble paid off. The symbol, in response, twisted its lipless mouth into a smile and began to retreat. ''Did it just smile...?'' It was the feeling of seeing something he couldn''t see. The unseen being left with augh, slowly fading until it vanished entirely. "What a monstrous absurdity." Ju Se-ah voiced her impressions with a voice as though dying and slumped down onto the ground. Beginning with her, all the goblins that were around copsed onto the ground. It wasn''t simply a matter of losing consciousness. They were foaming at the mouth, their eyes rolling back in their heads. The hostages were in the same condition. Kang Mu-hyuk got closer to check. They had all stopped breathing. Taken aback, Kang Mu-hyuk nced toward where his fellow Hunters had been. All of them had copsed. He quickly rushed over and ced his finger under the nose of Pyo Beom-hee to check for a pulse. "Phew, it seems she just fainted." In this vast resort, only Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah remained conscious. "If something like that appears again, it''ll be a disaster." Ju Se-ah, who barely got herself together,mented while shaking her head. "I agree." They both let out long sighs simultaneously. It felt like they had be empty shells, having exhausted all their energy, strength, and even their spirit. For some reason, no one present at the scene, apart from Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah, remembered anything about the unknown being summoned by the Goblin Matriarch. For the time being, Kang Mu-hyuk decided to withhold information about that being. He saw no need to stir unnecessary fear, let alone having no way to exin it. Instead, he attributed the fainting of the A-ranked Hunters and the death of the goblins to the magic of the Goblin Matriarch. The death of the hostages was no exception. Upon hearing the circumstances, Jang Deuk-goo shook his head in disbelief. "The Goblin Matriarch was a monster beyond our expectations. I understand now why the Brazil guild was annihted. To think that she could use such terrifying magic." "Yes. If it weren''t for our Guild Master, we all would have been in serious trouble." Kang Mu-hyuk echoed Jang Deuk-goo''s sentiment. He chose to me everything on the Matriarch''s magic and wrap things up. Kang Mu-hyukter reported the details about the Goblin Matriarch to the Hunters Association. He had things to investigate. He requested the report''s ssification as confidential and included a query about the summoning. If the report were to be shared with the World Hunters Association in the future, inquiries rted to the Goblin Matriarch who appeared in the Amazon might arise. "Let''s keep the matter of that being a secret between the Guild Master and me. We''ve filed the report, so we might get some responses." At that time, Kang Mu-hyuk was merely tossing out bait, but the report he wrote wouldter bring about a massive storm. Somethingpletely unforeseen, even by Kang Mu-hyuk himself. "We haven''tpletely dealt with the scattered remnants of the goblins yet, but the area around the guild headquarters has been stabilized." "Ah, I see... Ugh! What is this smell... Ugh!" "I apologize. We haven''t finished cleaning yet. We''re trying hard to clean up, but the goblins have defecated everywhere... Haha. But soon a professional cleaning and remodelingpany will arrive, so it will get better quickly." Oh Jeong-yeon, who had changed her team name to the Communication Team through organizational restructuring from the Management Team, was guiding the staff of the Guild Cooperation Division. Most of them had only performed their duties from their desks or beyond the Gate. Having never experienced a monster-infested field firsthand, they looked skeptical no matter how much Oh Jung-yeon reassured them about their safety. "Then, I''ll guide you to the temporary campsite we''re using. For now, you can unpack your luggage at the lodging there and from tomorrow, you can inspect the guild''s nned site and the future location of the cooperation division," Oh Jung-yeon led the stiff-faced employees of the cooperation division. At that moment, one of the staff members raised a hand to ask a question. "Will we have a chance to meet the Guild Leader today?" It was Park Choong-soo. He was the employee who had first received Kang Mu-hyuk''s call in the Public Comints Division, which was why he was selected by the Cooperation Division Director Cha Gil-joo. In addition to the official site inspection, he had been tasked with delivering a message from Director Cha. "Unfortunately, the Guild Leader went to Seoul today." "Seoul?" Had he known this, there would have been no need toe here... With a disappointed look, Park Choong-soo asked again, "Then, the Guild Master, perhaps..." "She also went along. She said she had some business to take care of." "When will she be back?" "She said she has a lot of things to deal with. Perhaps... In about a week? But to be precise, you''d have to ask her secretary." Unconsciously, Park Choong-soo grabbed at his hair. ''We''re doomed.'' The first ce that Kang Mu-hyuk sought out in the busy building of the former Taesung Guild was the Chairman''s office of Taesung Group. "I remember you. You were Director Jung, right?" "The chairman wishes to see you." "What am I to do with this? I''m very busy at the moment." "The chairman is very angry. I kindly request you not to disrespect him." "You have a polite way of saying you''ll use force. Well, what can a weak person do? If I don''t want to be hit, I should go. Alright. Let''s go. It''s not as if avoiding it would solve anything." Chapter 46 - How About Parting From The Guild? Chapter 46 How About Parting From The Guild? The ce where Chairman Tae Jin-sung had summoned him was not the residence they''d first met at. It was a lodge prepared in a quiet ce on the outskirts of Seoul. A fairlyrge plot ofnd that was used privately, and the only people in the vicinity were the Chairman''s attendants. The sedan carrying Kang Mu-hyuk came to a stop at the entrance to the lodge. The security guard protecting the lodge ran over to open the rear seat. At a nce, it was a polite attitude fitting for entertaining a guest, but it could turn into the exact opposite depending on the Chairman''s decision. "This way." Kang Mu-hyuk moved towards the ce led by Director Jung. As he neared the entrance to the lodge, a strange sight caught Kang Mu-hyuk''s eye. A man was seen sipping a beverage at a shaded table under a parasol. Unlike the other guards, he seemed nothing special at first nce, but for some reason, his eyes kept being drawn to him. Kang Mu-hyuk slowed his pace, unable to take his eyes off the man, and scrutinized him closely. Finally, as the man turned his head and their eyes met, a stinging sensation pricked the back of his neck. An ufortable feeling. It felt like he had seen something unsettling and dangerous. He stopped in his tracks and stared intently at the man. Only when the man''s face emerged from the shadow did his features be clear. ''That person is...!'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes twitched. "Chairman is waiting for you. Please, quickly..." Director Jung tried to hurry Kang Mu-hyuk but stopped abruptly when he saw the man rising from under the parasol. "It''s fine. It''s fine. Nobody''s going to die if we make that gentleman wait a bit." The man faced Director Jung with a smirk and casual tone before he extended his hand to Kang Mu-hyuk as if to shake it. "My name is Kim Myung-jun. I work under Chairman Tae, handling various tasks." "I''m Kang Mu-hyuk. I am also, in effect, under Chairman Tae. In a way, we''re like family." Kang Mu-hyuk grasped Kim Myung-jun''s hand. A stench wafted from his mouth---a foul smell without the odor of falsehood. Kang Mu-hyuk knew who the man was. ''Kim Myung-jun. Executive of Han Sung Enterprises. Originally from Ujungdo, a prison mate of Noh Song-rin. Ackey of the yer Guild.'' This was the man from Han Sung Enterprises who had urged Noh Song-rin to get Gong Du-ri to hack. He hadn''t expected him to pop up here. No, on second thought, it wasn''t strange. Chairman Tae had created the Taesung Guild with the support of the yer Guild, and although Han Sung Enterprises seemed to be a small-to-medium-sized business that handled item post-processing, it reeked the stench of the yer Guild. The connection between Chairman Tae and Han Sung Enterprises was overflowing. ''Maybe Director Jung is also part of Han Sung Enterprises. I wondered why such a capable Hunter would be under Chairman Tae. It''s not inconceivable if one thought of him as an outsourced manpower.'' Kang Mu-hyuk quickly assessed the situation in his mind and spoke without being shaken. "Would you care to give me a business card? We might end up doing business together in the future." "Shall I?" Kim Myung-jun fumbled awkwardly with his hand inside his jacket''s breast pocket, then his outer pockets and waistband before scrunching up his face. "Aigoo! What to do? I forgot my business card. Haha, what''s so important about a scrap of paper like that? If the Chairman needs it, he will be able to connect you to me." "You must be close with the Chairman." "It''s not so much that we''re close, but he often seeks me out because I do my job well." "You must be a contract employee then. I''m what you''d call a regr employee." At this jestingment, Kim Myung-jun''s lips quivered and then sealed shut. It was because the words indirectly implied that he wasn''t a member of the group. As Kang Mu-hyuk attempted to continue the conversation, Director Jung interrupted, "The Chairman is waiting." Kang Mu-hyuk raised his eyebrows. Director Jung''s tone was one of asking permission from Kim Myung-jun. ''Director Jung seems to be wary of Kim Myung-jun. The hierarchy is clear.'' Kim Myung-jun didn''t hold him back any further. He said to Kang Mu-hyuk, "Go on then. Rich and powerful people seem to grow more impatient as they age." "That''s too bad. You seem to be one of the few people I could have a real conversation within this dreary ce." "It''s not just today. We will meet again." "Next time, I hope it''s a bit longer." Kang Mu-hyuk turned back the way he hade. Director Jung continued to guide him, his face still expressionless. ncing back, Kang Mu-hyuk saw Kim Myung-jun wave with a smiling face. To anyone watching, they might have seemed close. "Not being a Hunter sure makes one brash. I can understand why Ju Se-ah''s recent actions have been so aggressive. With a guy like that around. This will make things bothersome." Kim Myung-jun spoke to himself, wiping away his smile, clicking his tongue a few times as he watched Kang Mu-hyuk''s retreating back, his expression one of genuine difficulty. "What about the promise?" The question was abruptly thrown out with a menacing face. Tae Jin-sung, while wiping away umted dust, had tightened his characteristically stubborn lips. "It failed. Guild Master Ju Se-ah was just too good." "Is it not because youck ability?" "Rather thancking ability, it felt unfair." "Unfair?" "What''s the use of ruining my career to just take over the guild?" "You''re not hungry enough, that''s why. You have to starve to realize howfortable and well-fed you are now." Tae Jin-sung clicked his tongue, scolding. Kang Mu-hyuk snickered, and whether it was because he felt the insolence in that gesture or not, a vein popped on Tae Jin-sung''s forehead. "If you ughter the cow just because you''re hungry now, how will you nt the next crop? Ultimately, the foundation of the guild is the Hunters. There''s no reason to follow a failed non-Hunter leader. You knew that when you easily agreed to my request for the Guild Master position, didn''t you?" "You asked for that position, knowing all that?" "If I hadn''t made that proposal, would my sincerity have been conveyed? I probably wouldn''t have been able to face the Chairman then." "And now you think you can?" At Tae Jin-sung''s words, Director Jung, who had been standing at the entrance to the study, stepped forward. Kang Mu-hyuk felt a tant killing intent from behind him as he continued to speak, "When I work with someone, I value a ''win-win'' situation. Back then, I was caught off guard and couldn''t make a proposal that would satisfy the Chairman." "Looking at your long-winded speech, it seems like you''re trying to fish something out. Keep going." Kang Mu-hyuk inhaled deeply before speaking, as if exhaling his words, "The point is, isn''t it okay if Guild Master Ju Se-ahes under your shadow, Chairman?" "One is simply not in my shadow just because one is in the guild." "I don''t know the reason, but I know that you treat the guild as your own child. So here''s what I propose. What aboutpletely severing the connection of the child you''ve already let out from the family register?" "Stop beating around the bush and get to the point." "Please list the Iron Will Guild." "!!" At the sudden proposal, Tae Jin-sung''s eyes widened. Listing the guild? Even for an A-rank guild, that was a challenging task. In fact, there were very few A-rank guilds that had been listed. Most were Tier-ed Guilds. But for Iron Will, barely making it to C-rank, to even speak of listing was absolutely stupefying. It was natural for Tae Jin-sung to make a face as if he had been unexpectedly pped. ''Without Guild Master Ju Se-ah, it''s a guild that would generously be ssified as C-rank. As it stands with Iron Will.'' Kang Mu-hyuk knew his proposal was outrageous but thought it wasn''t entirely impossible. The reason was precisely the existence of the Taesung Group. Perhaps Tae Jin-sung sensed Kang Mu-hyuk''s intentions as he scoffed incredulously. "If you''re tossing that proposal thinking ''Taesung will make it work,'' then it''s quite disappointing." "I know there are a few ambiguously listedpanies among the dozens of Taesung affiliates. It happens that Taesung Machinery is struggling right now. It wouldn''t be bad for us to take over, with a decent appearance arranged." "Hmph! You mean to say you would even attempt a backdoor listing? To my knowledge, there has been no guild that has used such a method." "That''s because it''s a guild." "Because it''s a guild?" "Most people still don''t think of a guild as a business. Neither do the Hunters." "Earn that much money and not think of it as a business? That''s a humorous thought." "That humorous thought is reality. It''s even ambiguously expressed in the Guild Law." Seven years ago, the National Assembly tightened the Guild Law''s shackles to prevent tax evasion by guilds making significant profits. But it was challenging to define a guild, an organization closely tied to monster security, solely as a business entity. Loose and ambiguous legal provisions could be interpreted as either a cor or an earring. Moreover, the public still tended to see guilds as some sort of heroic group. Hunters defined themselves somewhere between profit-driven activity and heroic deeds. Therefore, guild operations flowed differently from ordinary business activities or economic structures. Even if someone noticed these loopholes, it was regarded as a sacred area by someone and couldn''t be easily touched. "So, let''s say we list it. What do I gain?" Tae Jin-sung asked, as if testing the waters. "Firstly, you naturally bring Guild Master Ju Se-ah into the group. Having been at Titan, I''ve seen that a corporation isn''t something the Guild Master can control at will. In Taesung, the guild, which is currently a semi-independent organization, officially bes a group-listed affiliate." "...The second is?" Tae Jin-sung couldn''t deny the thrill in his ears, even though he considered it reckless. Kang Mu-hyuk, who had noticed that subtle change in emotion, spoke up at once. "When it bes a corporation, we can even turn the Guild Master into a contracted sried worker. Guild Master Ju Se-ah has no significant stake in Iron Will. It''s not the Hunter''s rank that dictates the power, but the shareholders." Before he knew it, Tae Jin-sung''s hand, which had been wiping the de, had stopped. That evening. Kang Mu-hyuk sought out a luxury bar to secretly meet someone. It was the same VIP bar where he had met Tae Jin-sung''s second son, Tae Soo-man, but the difference was that today''s host managed the ce directly, so the security was even more stringent. As Kang Mu-hyuk sat down in the private room set with fine whiskey and appetizers, the door opened and the host entered. The protagonist was Oh Jung-su of Hanju Group. "It''s been a while, Guild Leader Kang. I never got to congratte you on the sessful suppression of the Goblins in North Pocheon. I shoulde to visit Sanjeong Lake sometime." "Thank you. I couldn''t ask someone as busy as Director Oh toe and visit. I should be the one visiting." "Is everything going smoothly?" "Between thest Ampule Kit and the constructionpany connection this time, thanks to your help, it''s progressing well." "Oh, don''t mention those, haha. I feel ufortable just giving you the phone number of a medium-sized constructionpany we asionally worked with since our Hanju Group couldn''t directly intervene." They sat down and poured each other drinks, but neither of them touched it to their lips. After exchanging pleasantries and updates, Kang Mu-hyuk brought up the main subject. "Have you bought the stocks?" "I''ve bought as much as possible since it''s not that expensive, but..." "We can''t proceed in the name of Hanju." "Yes. We have people managing that. We''re collecting it under a different name, so it won''t be noticeable. But why Taesung Machinery...?" "That''s still a secret..." "Hanju and Iron Will, aren''t they friends? On the same boat." "Well, it would be shameless to hide it from the one who is helping. We''re trying to secure a friendly stake." Contemting Kang Mu-hyuk''s response, Oh Jung-su asked with an incredulous look. "Are you nning to acquire Taesung Machinery through Iron Will?" "Yes. We''re preparing for the public listing through them." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s definite answer, Oh Jung-su''s face turned to one of utter shock as he froze. Chapter 47 - Not Worth The Money Ju Se-ah was basking in the wind on the rooftop of the entirely deserted old Taesung guild building. Even the helicopter that was usually on standby on the helipad had been moved to South Pocheon. In the ghost building, devoid of both people and belongings, shrouded in an eerie silence, Ju Se-ah silently admired the Seoul skyline. As the sunset cast its fiery glow before gradually fading, the rooftop iron door opened. "Are you still here? I checked the Guild Master''s office and found it empty." "Seeing as it''s myst day in this building, I''ve been here longer than I thought. On my first day at the guild, I arrived too early and saw the sun rise from here. I thought everything would work out then. I thought we would be sessful and that we would leave one day, but I didn''t know it would end like this." "How did you expect to leave?" "I hoped we would be at the level of the thriving Tier-ed guilds in Samseog-dong, or the A-rank ones clustered in Yeouido." "That was an impossible dream for the Taesung Guild." Ju Se-ah raised her eyebrows and shot a re. "Ah, really. You have such a knack for killing the mood. I had just set a nice atmosphere, and you ruined it." "Regardless of the time, a leader should face reality. This applies even to Guild Masters." "Hah, I really wonder how you''ve grown so much..." "Pardon?" "No, nothing. It''s just me talking to myself. More importantly, did you meet my father... I mean, Chairman Tae Jin-sung? How did that go?" "Yes. Even though Chairman Tae is known as a ruthless businessman devoid of any emotion, it seems that he has a soft spot when ites to his daughter." "He''s just being greedy. He''s not one to be moved by emotions. He still thinks he can manipte me at will." Though she referred to him as her father, the way Ju Se-ah talked about Tae Jin-sung was dry and devoid of emotion, as if all feelings had beenpletely worn away. Kang Mu-hyuk was surprised at her attitude, which didn''t even portray a hint of resentment. Although he didn''t have a good rtionship with his father, at least he expressed his anger. Ju Se-ah seemed to feel nothing toward Tae Jin-sung that could be described as familial affection. ''Whatever the case, it''s good for me if the Guild Master doesn''t care about him. I can act without hesitation in dealing with the Chairman.'' Kang Mu-hyuk thought the two had certain simrities. Perhaps that was why Tae Jin-sung was interested in Ju Se-ah. A sessor who was more like him than anyone else. Maybe his arrogance in believing that no one but himself could protect the empire of Taesung had turned into an obsession for the sessor who resembled him the most. Yet a question would arise here. ''But why would he involve the Guild Master, who only ever worked as a Hunter, especially his daughter, over his eldest son, who had diligently taken business sses for over a decade? That too, to the point of shaking up the stable session structure.'' The Chairman wasn''t young enough for such a gamble. He could drop dead tomorrow and nobody would find it strange. There wasn''t time to prop up a new sessor in ce of the existing one. ''Or is there something else I''m unaware of.'' The Chairman''s actions remained a mystery. While lost in thought, Ju Se-ah asked a question, "So, what''s the next n? If we leave things as they are, Chairman Tae Jin-sung will have full control of the guild. If things go wrong, we may have to leave the guild." "From here, it''s all about demonstrating our abilities. Like defending managerial rights in a corporation, we need to garner friendly stakes to keep control over the guild." "The problem is that gathering those friendly stakes is not easy." "That''s why we need an ally." "An ally? Whom..." "Didn''t you make a friend not long ago? Hanju Group." Ju Se-ah''s expression became strangely ambiguous, as if she didn''t know whether to agree or disagree. "Hanju? Can we trust them?" "It''s not a matter of trust. They want something from us. For now, it''s enough to exchange what we can give each other." "Exin in detail." Ju Se-ah crossed her arms and listened intently. Kang Mu-hyuk rolled his eyes upward, gathering his thoughts before he continued. "The most suitablepany to take from Taesung Group right now would be Taesung Machinery. The Hanju Group is secretly buying their stocks. Iron Will won''t immediately act upon acquiring Taesung Machinery, but if they do attack, they will appear as a knight in shining armor at a crucial moment." "Well, if you say so, Guild Leader Kang. But will Hanju alone be enough to protect the guild? Hanju and Taesung share a lot of business areas. They''re rivals in their own right, and allying with one could cause misunderstanding among other shareholders. If shareholders friendly to Taesung raise any gs, we might just end up with more enemies." "We n to resolve that by finding other allies who are on our side." "Other allies?" Ju Se-ah racked her brain but couldn''t think of anyone suitable. Other allies she didn''t know about. When had they managed to establish such connections? Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked. "Who? Who are these allies?" "They are your brothers." "I must have misheard. Brothers? Who?" "Tae Soo-cheol, Tae Soo-man. Those who wish for your sess more than anyone." Tae Soo-cheol thought back to the secret meeting with Kang Mu-hyuk. ''The Vice President is in his fifties. The Chairman is almost eighty. By now, he should have taken over the group or at least stepped into frontline management... Yet, the Chairman still maniptes the group. He''s healthy enough to do so, unlike a typical man in his seventies. At this rate, he might not even take the Chairman''s seat in his sixties.'' Daring to voice a thought that even his confidants dared not speak. Either he was insensitive or clueless. But Kang Mu-hyuk''s words struck a nerve. It was a concern that Tae Soo-cheol himself had all these years. His peers, even some much younger scions of chaebols, frequently held frontline management positions. Some even took control of the group in theirte thirties. But until now, he had endured, confident that he was the only sessor to Taesung. ''Still, out of nowhere, he brings in an illegitimate child...'' At first, when he handed the group''s guild over to Ju Se-ah, Tae Soo-cheol epted it, albeit reluctantly. Ju Se-ah was one of the top Hunters in Korea, after all. Tae Soo-cheol had agreed to her appointment as Guild Master with the casual thought that a solid guild would be a good addition to the empire he would inherit. ''That was my mistake.'' From the beginning, the Chairman, his father, had never trusted him. Ju Se-ah was a threat to Tae Soo-cheol. Whether she intended it or not, she had be his most dangerous adversary. Her presence had caused rifts, even rekindling the ambitions of brothers who had surrendered long ago. ''When looking at history, it''s understandable why the victor in a royal session often kills his brothers. After all, a king must not leave any threats behind.'' And so, Kang Mu-hyuk''s proposal piqued his interest. The circumventing public listing of the guild, followed by the separation of its subsidiaries. It was a method that could drop Ju Se-ah far away from Taesung, without leaving any lingering effects. However, there was one sticking point. "He''s too proactive. It seems like he knows too much. He proposed to me without any hesitation at this point. He''s not afraid at all, even though it''s a dangerous move to strike at the Chairman. We''re talking about a mere manager of a subsidiary." Of course, Kang Mu-hyuk''s audacity and drive were noteworthy. Who would have thought he would get permission for a backdoor listing from his father? There would inevitably be obstacles to the backdoor listing, but there was nothing that Taesung couldn''t ovee. The most challenging mission was getting permission from Tae Jin-sung, which surprisingly went smoothly. The problem was the very situation of him reaching out to them for the independence of the guild. Despite being promised the position of Guild Master when Ju Se-ah was removed, he still insisted on nning the separation of the subsidiaries. "Did he get attached to Se-ah?" He had never trusted him from the beginning, but there was something perplexing about Kang Mu-hyuk''s attitude. It was difficult to infer if he was a friend or foe. He seemed like an enemy, yet he continually left room for doubt, making him appear as an ally. It was a crafty trick, making him hard to discard. Even when they thought about getting rid of him, they couldn''t bring themselves to do it. Tae Soo-cheol had no choice but toe to an awkward conclusion in the end. "There''s nothing wrong with being cunning, as long as his tricks are aimed at my father." "Alright, let''s start the work in earnest." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, the remaining staff in the guild were taken aback. They all had the same thought. ''So, what we''ve been doing until now wasn''t ''in earnest''?'' After the Goblin extermination mission in North Pocheon, most of the original staff had quit, leaving few members. Thus, the guild''s tasks were overflowing. The concept of home became meaningless once they entered North Pocheon, and going home had be someone else''s guild''s problem. As the work grew hectic they thought they might copse from overwork, the senior staff stepped up as representatives to confront the Guild Leader directly. "Isn''t this too much? Are we ves or what? The dormitories aren''t even fixed yet, it''s so ufortable, and now you''re telling us to work without weekends!" "That''s right!" "We demand work-life bnce!" Ding! Dong! Drring! "Huh? What''s this?" "Eh?" Smartphone notifications rang out at just the right moment. They had just restoredmunication near Lake Sanjeong. For a while, they had only used their smartphones as clocks, so the staff awkwardly checked their notifications. "!!" The staff alternated between looking at the number disyed on their screen and Kang Mu-hyuk standing in front of them. Their expressions asking what this was all about. Some even rubbed their eyes, refusing to believe it, and checked again. "It''s payday." "It''s a few days early... No, more than that... Isn''t this a mistake? This... This seems like a lot..." One staff member held out his smartphone, asking for confirmation. Kang Mu-hyuk nced at the deposited amount and nodded. "It''s correct. You all worked hard this time, right? That''s the bonus, calcted with all those considerations." "..." "From now on, we n topensate all staff ording to their effort. I think the conversation went off track. Are you finding the work difficult because there''s a lot to do these days?" The staff exchanged nces, then one by one, they all stepped forward with a smile. "Oh my! Yes, there is a lot of work. But it''s natural to be busy for the guild''s advancement." "The juniors wereining so much that I tried to cajole the Guild Leader a bit. Just for show, of course. You know how it is, a gesture like this calms them down. Haha." "We''ll soothe their concerns ourselves in the future. Guild Leader, you can concentrate on the guild business without worry." Ju Se-ah, astonished, looked at the employees whose faces had instantly changed from discontent to satisfaction. "I, known for changing faces in the Hunter world, may be hypocritical saying this, but people can be so deceptive. I wondered why Guild Leader Kang deposited the sries a few days earlier, and it turns out this was his ploy. How did he know that there would be a group protest?" "There are some employees who can be said to be on my side. I have been keeping a real-time check on the employees''ints." "As expected, you are a reliable leader. To be able to handleints this quickly." "Regardless of East or West, there''s no solution as sure as financial treatment." Kang Mu-hyuk, who had just nipped the budding seeds of a strike, began to push forward with projects that had only existed on paper until now. It began lightly with a guild emblempetition. Thepetition was held with a focus on introducing the Special Activities Zone of North Pocheon while promoting the Iron Will Guild, which stillcked recognition. There were also active renovations to the guild headquarters. The main issue was the main building where guild work took ce and the dormitory where the employees stayed. Fortunately, there were existing facilities so there was no need to build anew. Instead, cleaning and upscale remodeling work were carried out. The construction was done by a medium-sized constructionpany introduced by the Hanju Group. Kang Mu-hyuk requested the constructionpany to prioritize subcontractors from small and medium-sized businesses in Pocheon. This was because Iron Will promoted itself with the slogan of going together with the localmunity as a local guild. The next important task was receiving goods from the C warehouse from the Titan Guild. This seemingly trivial transportation task turned out to be a big deal. The northern part of North Pocheon had a high concentration of mana, so regr engines did not work. They had to rent a vehicle coated with mana-blocking, but the cost of the mana stones used as fuel alone was not small. ''I need to set aside some of the funds for the acquisition of Taesung Machinery. There''s a lot of money to be put in the future. Hanju gave me a good price for the byproduct of the Watuhsi Snake, but I''ve almost used it all up. I can''t waste any more... Hmm, do I have to go there to secure ample funds?'' Eventually, Kang Mu-hyuk had to leave Pocheon and go directly to Samseong-dong. [yer Guild] Looking up at the logo embedded in the highest floor of a skyscraper, Kang Mu-hyuk entered the lobby. The yer Guild''s lobby was dazzling. It wasn''t because of the expensive furniture and interior design. The exhibits filling the spacious guild lobby overwhelmed Kang Mu-hyuk. ''Is this... possibly a ''Trachelop''? My goodness. It''s not a model but the real thing. To use such a valuable bone for exhibition...'' It felt like visiting a museum. Various specimens of monsters they had hunted were on disy in the lobby of the yer Guild. Among them were monsters that could be sold at a decent price if sold as weapon parts or material. Kang Mu-hyuk naturallypared the Titan, where he used to belong, and the yer. He admired the Tier-ed guild anew. Titan may be called the best among A-rank, but there was still a gap with the Tier-ed guild, he reaffirmed. Not to mention, Iron Will couldn''t even get its name near theirs. While admiring the full-body skeleton of a giant dinosaur monster, Kang Mu-hyuk muttered without realizing it, "I heard about it, but... There''s nothing like squandering money. If they want to intimidate the visitors, they''re definitely getting their money''s worth." "It''s not as worth it as you''d think. We don''t have many visitors to the guild." Kang Mu-hyuk looked at the man standing next to him. The man, who had been looking up at the dinosaur monster with him, offered Kang Mu-hyuk a handshake as he looked him in the eye. "Nice to meet you, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. I''m Sung Seon-je from the yer Guild." Chapter 48 - The Contract First, Please Kang Mu-hyuk took the hand that Sung Seon-je offered, quickly scrutinizing his counterpart. Despite his generally cold impression, a smile lingered on his lips. Maintaining his hospitality smile, Sung Seon-je sized up Kang Mu-hyuk. His scrutinizing gaze felt palpable, like the look of someone assessing another. It was a look that Kang Mu-hyuk himself possessed. Could it be considered an upational hazard? Anyone in the position of a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader naturally began to see people in this manner. ''So that''s what the Guild Master meant by not being fooled by appearances. I see.'' Ju Se-ah was on guard against Sung Seon-je while Kang Mu-hyuk spoke with a salesperson''s smile etched on his face. "You recognized me immediately. I didn''t expect to see the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader from the yer Guild so soon." "Aren''t you famous these days? I just happened to have my lunchte as I saw you as I came in. Did youe looking for me?" "You''re quick to catch on." "I handle most of the external affairs after all." "I tried to make an appointment, but as soon as I mentioned the Iron Will Guild, I was immediately cut off. Our Guild Master''s reputation doesn''t seem very good." "Not many can handle Hunter Ju Se-ah, or Guild Master Ju''s personality. It''s quite impressive that you, as the Guild Leader, can work with her while managing that personality." "Well, I haven''t experienced the Guild Master''s personality first-hand. She''s usually reasonable and easy tomunicate with." "That reasonable person turned this lobby into a battlefield not too long ago. Ha ha. I didn''t send a bill, though, due to our old friendship." "If the Guild Master got angry, there must have been a reason." For a moment, Sung Seon-je''s smile faltered. He quickly regained his stoic expression, but couldn''t hide the subtle twitch of his nose. ''Is he trying to pick a fight?'' Kang Mu-hyuk implied that the reason for Ju Se-ah''s tantrum was to be med on the yer''s side. With that, Sung Seon-je decided to change the setting. "Instead of standing here, shall we move to my office?" The conversation during the elevator ride mostly involved light personal updates. About the relocation of the Iron Will Guild, public opinions on Goblin subjugation, and obligatory conversations about maintaining health while working. As they spoke, Kang Mu-hyuk recalled Sung Seon-je''s career. ''yer''s Guild Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. A-Rank Hunter. 36 years old. Once he was a more sessful Hunter than the current Guild Master Ju Se-ah.'' He was expected to be the next S-Rank, but one day he suddenly stepped back from fieldwork and moved to the strategy and tactics team. At that time, it was assumed that the move was to aim for the position of Expedition Team Leader, but heter devoted himself solely to desk work. Although he never officially dered it, he essentially retired from active duty. ''He is top-notch, as a Hunter and as well as a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. There''s nothing good about having a long conversation with such a person.'' The 19th floor. The elevator stopped and they crossed a quiet hallway to enter an office where several secretaries were at work. The office was excessivelyrge for a team leader. It was on par with a top-tier corporation executive. ''Even for the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of the yer''s Guild, this is a bit much.'' Kang Mu-hyuk felt a sense of unease. It was an extravagance that did not suit the extreme efficiency-oriented man. As the secretaries hurriedly tried to rise from their seats upon the leader''s arrival, Sung Seon-je waved them down and personally opened the door to his private office. It was farrger than the secretary''s room where several people were waiting. Its luxury was equally impressive. He ushered Kang Mu-hyuk inside, closing the door behind them. "What would you like to drink?" he asked. "I''m fine, thank you. I have a lot of guild matters to attend to, so I can''t stay long," Mu-hyuk replied, promptly getting to the point as his counterpart''s eyes widened in surprise. "I appreciate that. I respect people who value their time. So, tell me, what brings you here?" "I havee to sell something. I wanted to see if you would be interested in purchasing it." "Do you think Iron Will has anything worth selling to our guild? Ah, don''t take it the wrong way. I''m not belittling you, just considering the scale of our respective guilds." "I''m not offended. It''s a fact." "I''m relieved. I can be quite straightforward and end up hurting people''s feelings. Most people get angry when faced with reality. But it seems Guild Leader Kang is different." He gave a thumbs-up topliment his guest, but Kang Mu-hyuk''s face remained emotionless as he spoke. "I obtained some good items from the recent Goblin raid. They are probably the items that the yer guild needs most at this moment." "Us? Now you''ve piqued my interest. No more suspense, let''s hear it." His hands rubbed together in anticipation as he leaned forward toward Kang Mu-hyuk. "I want to sell Rider Wolves. Fifty billion each." His counterpart furrowed his brows, calcting for a moment before opening his mouth. "How many do you have?" "Twenty in total." "A trillion? The price falls pretty neatly. It''s a rare Gate beast, I get it. But it seems a bit expensive. Were the Goblins in North Pocheon golden or something?" [ED: Golden Goblins are considered auspicious beings in Korean Mythology. While a golden goblin is something that brings fortune and wealth.] "Isn''t the supply in our country scarce? And it''s not like importing them is easy. From a market perspective, I think this is actually cheap. Of course, the price may drop in the future." "In the future?" "We''re nning to add a ranch to our guild''s new business line. The Rider Wolves we obtained this time will be useful. We will probably be able to continuously produce a supply of Rider Wolves. Come to think of it, it''s just like a golden Goblin." His counterpart felt his mouth turning dry. ''The first Gate Beast ranch in the country? And they are wolves... If they seed in breeding, the Iron Will Guild would rapidly rise in the ranks. They might even overshadow an A-tier, no, a Tier-ed Guild.'' From his perspective, Kang Mu-hyuk''s words were spot on. Rider Wolves were worth their weight in gold. Foreign guilds that had their own ranches were busy enough dealing with their own Gate creatures. Tier-ed guilds, including the yer Guild, were trying their best to import from abroad, but ''Tiny Ponies,'' resembling small horses, were the best they could manage. And even those were in short supply. He didn''t ask whether the Rider Wolves breeding project would be sessful. If there was a n, then that confidence was well justified. ''The problem is, why would he reveal such a secret so easily?'' Before he could ask, Kang Mu-hyuk beat him to the punch. "If my goal was to sell at a high price, it would have been better to gather the Tier-ed Guilds and put them up for auction. There would have been no need for me toe to the yer Guild." "Exactly my point. Why the yer Guild? Especially when you''re not on good terms with our Guild Master. Surely you''re not thinking of winning us over?" "Well, that''s...." Kang Mu-hyuk remembered the conversation he had with Ju Se-ah a few days ago. "No matter how much we need the funds. Selling the wolves to the yer guild? I''m against this deal. We can''t give our baby wolves to those guys!" "Since when were they baby wolves?" "High-priced ones at that, so of course they are my cubs." "Excellent. It''s only proper for a Guild Master to have an attachment to the Guild''s assets. Seems like you are finally taking on the role of a Guild Master." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s sarcastic apuse and words, Ju Se-ah bristled. "Are you mocking me?" "Of course not. But we still have to do business with the yer." "Why?" "Rider wolves are like the goose thatys golden eggs. With our current power, we can''t protect the goose." "Even when I am here?" "365 days a year, 24 hours a day. If you''re confident enough to camp next to the wolves and guard them, then it''s no problem. In the old days, people used to keep vigil for three years. Why don''t you give it a try?" "So... What''s the n?" In response to Ju Se-ah''s pressing question, Kang Mu-hyuk pointed with his index finger. "Firstly, we need to secure funds for guild operations. We''re almost out right now. We just barely managed to cover the acquisition costs of C Warehouse by pulling funds from the group. We are also struggling to get our shares in the backdoor listing through the acquisition of Taesung Machinery. At the very least, we need to prepare funds to reorganize the guild headquarters and run it stably." "And the second point?" "Secondly, we need to ensure safety. We will redefine our rtionship with the yer Guild. Frankly speaking, your animosity with the top guild in the country was the worst choice for our guild." "Who wants to be hostile? It was their provocation that made me react. They are not so easy guys. They mayugh it off during the deal, but they will wipe their mouths and stab you in the backter. I can assure you. My hand could even seize a sword." "Who would dare challenge the hand that resists even Drake''s Breath?" "That''s how untrustworthy they are. Don''t you understand metaphors?" "I might not know metaphors, but I do know the rules of dealing with untrustworthy people." "What kind of rules?" "We''re going to establish a contract for a continuous supply, not a one-off deal." "Wolves?" "Yes. I n to give over 50% of the sales share of the exported wolves." "That means..." "We will be partners." "Guild Leader Kang." At Sung Seon-je''s voice, Kang Mu-hyuk snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh, I apologize. I was just sorting out some thoughts. You asked me why I came to the yer first, right? Firstly, those who need a mount like the Rider Wolf the most are the yer. They are the ones most actively attacking therge Gates. A mount is necessary if they want to speed up." "Even a newly awakened Hunter knows that." "Next, I want to improve the rtionship between Iron Will and the yer. More precisely, I want to clear up the bad blood between yer and Guild Master Ju." "Just with twenty wolves? They aren''t even free. That seems like a low price." At Sung Seon-je, who was stroking his chin and appearing difficult, Kang Mu-hyuk reassured him quietly. "Of course, we need to establish a continuous rtionship. That''s why we''re proposing a partnership. We will give you the right to purchase half of the wolf''s supply first." "All of it." "..." "We will purchase all of the supplies in the future. Of course, we''ll have to adjust the price." "That''s difficult. We can''t afford to be hostile with other Tier-ed guilds by selling exclusively to one guild." "Even if I make it so that you can''t sell to anyone else?" Sung Seon-je''s expression changed. It was an emotionless, nk expression. He didn''t give off Hunter''s intimidation. His voice wasn''t lowered. He just spoke calmly. The voice of the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of the yer Guild was enough to be picked up in your ears even if you were talking in your sleep. "Let me repeat myself, it''s impossible." Kang Mu-hyuk replied, without any inflection in his voice. "I guess the negotiation has broken down." As Sung Seon-je stood up and brushed off his hands, Kang Mu-hyuk added. "I don''t mind. It''s already out of my hands." "Out of your hands?" "I proposed the Rider Wolf Breeding Program through the Guild Cooperation Division. It''s nice to pull in some government subsidies, but the best part is what you''ll see on the news at nine o''clock tonight. The higher-ups are quite pleased. It''ll be a significant achievement. The news headline is going to be ''South Korea is now a proud supplier of Gate Mount.'' The approval rating will rise. And after this, I will make simr proposals to other Tier-ed guilds, excluding the yer Guild. Ah, but since the Titan is my home guild, it would be nice to pass a few over." The mention of Titan was intentional. The yer, a Tier-ed among Tier-eds couldn''t have a wolf that even an A-rank could? The need for a wolf was secondary, it was a matter of saving face. For a while, the two red at each other. It was a fierce battle of eyes as if they could kill each other hundreds of times with just their gazes. They did not harbor ill intentions, but their tongues were always prepared to strike at each other. How much time had passed? After a while, Sung Seon-je broke into a subtle smile. "So, how''s your bank ount looking?" "You should sign the contract first." Kang Mu-hyuk also smiled back and offered the contract he had prepared in advance. After Kang Mu-hyuk left with the contract stamped with the yer Guild''s seal, a man entered Sung Seon-je''s office. To be precise, he came out of the office. The ce he exited from was a secret door hidden in the wall. The door was so well hidden that it was impossible to find with the naked eye. "Borrowing someone else''s office for a show is quite useless, I see." "Rather than a show, I arranged the ce so the Guild Master could see it himself." The man Sung Seon-je referred to as Guild Master was Sa Mun-Hyuk, the Guild Master of the yer Guild. In other words, this was not Sung Seon-je''s office, but Sa Mun-Hyuk''s. It was no wonder Kang Mu-hyuk felt ufortable in the office. "He''s certainly a worthy sessor that the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader had earmarked. He''s just like you. No, in some ways, he''s even more cunning." "Do you want him? Shall I pull him out?" "No, I don''t want to see his face again." "Ha, it seems the Guild Master is helpless against Hunter Ju Se-ah." "If we fight, it''s war. I can''t just let it slide as cute anymore." Compared to Sung Seon-je who was speaking with a smile, Sa Mun-Hyuk spoke seriously. He then spoke his true thoughts as a Guild Master. "Rider Wolf, though? He brought a very appetizing item." "He packaged it beautifully too. He directly manipted the media using the government, didn''t he? If we get greedy, it won''t just end with a tarnished reputation, regardless of Tiers. He threatens that it will increase our enemies among other Tier-eds, so we can''t easily interfere." "You must be wanting a higher approval rating for next year''s elections. The timing is perfect. Should I say you''re lucky?" "Luck won''t do much without ability. He''s good at taking advantage of the situation. The opponent, I mean." Sung Seon-je acknowledged Kang Mu-hyuk with a nod, causing Sa Mun-Hyuk to appear puzzled. "Quite unusual for you not to feel aggrieved after taking a hit." "Why should I feel aggrieved? Twenty Rider Wolves. That would immediately free up the supply for our Second Division. Reconnaissance will be easier as well. The area of the current Gate is reported to be quite vast. Furthermore, obtaining a Gate creature without going through the hassle of importing them can be considered an attractive deal." "But you didn''t get them all." "I never intended to acquire them all from the start. It was merely like haggling with a merchant to knock down the price. I was also curious about his response. The negotiation turned out to be more entertaining than expected, hence a satisfying deal." As Sung Seon-je was babbling, Sa Mun-Hyuk shook his head and made a displeased face. "I''ve given you full authority on such matters, so I won''t interfere... But seeing that arrogant punk thriving twists my stomach. It''s like the saying ''Seeing a cousin buynd hurts the stomach.'' A guild supplying Rider Wolves? Iron Will''s reputation will soar overnight." "Still, if we can receive a steady supply of wolves, forgetting a grudge or two is a profitable venture." "Let others say what they want. There are countless Gates to clear. I don''t have time to squabble with that thunderbolt. You handle the Rider Wolf case. Thanks to him, I''m content that we can advance your n." [TL: "Thunderbolt" is more colloquially used in a figurative way to mean someone who is loud or aggressive. In this case, it refers to Guild Master Ju Se-ah.] The reason Sung Seon-je couldugh despite being outmaneuvered by Kang Mu-hyuk? It was due to a long-harbored n of his. "I had intended to secure the ultimate ''Dragon Horse,'' but instead, we''ve acquired the superior Rider Wolves. It must be divine guidance toplete my n." "Call back our people who went on a business trip to the American Monster Ranch. They''ll only be wasting their time there. Prepare to move to the next stage once we''ve filled our quota of wolves." Sung Seon-je''s passion was ignited after a long time. A ray of hope had shone on the project that he had half-given up on. ''A hundred Rider Wolves. With that many, we''ll dominate Asia''s Gate hunting!'' Chapter 49 - Lets See What He Can Do [Breaking News] Iron Will Guild Announces Entry into the Tamed Monster Breeding Business. [YTG 8 o''clock News] Tenth in the world, second in Asia. A Gate ranch for mounts is established. [MBG Newsdesk] Korean Gate Industry, Is It at a New Turning Point? The industry was abuzz with the evening news. Those who made a living as Hunters began to watch Iron Will closely. The Tier-ed Guilds, in particr, paid attention. Rider Wolf. Although in Korea it was whimsically referred to as ''Rider Wolf,'' its value was not something to be scoffed at. Even abroad, there was great interest in the wolf species as mounts. It wasn''t long after the Tier-ed Guilds contacted Iron Will that they were approached by Japan and China. Not only that, but it also caught the attention of the leading Hunter nations in North America and Europe. This was because Rider Wolf was the firstbat-type tamed monster a Hunter could handle. Previously, the tamed monster most suitable forbat was the ''Dragon Horse'' originating from the United States. The Dragon Horse, being closer in form to a horse rather than a monster, was more akin to a war horse. In contrast, Rider Wolf had value as a mount but was also a species that could fight on its own. It could even fight independently without a rider. If the business seeded, the Iron Will Guild had the potential to leap from ater to the breeding business to one of the leading groups. "In the current situation, there''s no use in talking to foreign guilds. Being holed up in North Pocheon is a blessing in disguise. There are only a few lines connected to the Guild Cooperation Division, so we won''t be bothered by phone calls for a while." "That''s convenient. So when will Guild Leader Kang return?" "I still have work to do in Seoul." "You should take it easy. You''re not a Hunter. Even though you''ve recovered from a serious illness, overworking like this could harm your health." "Hunters rest after a hunt, but desks don''t have days off. Guild Master, you rest up for the next hunt. Things will get busy." "What are you nning now..." "I''ll head back as soon as I finish up. The meeting time is approaching, so I''ll hang up now." Kang Mu-hyuk ended the call without answering Ju Se-ah''s question. The female attendant who had escorted him opened an old-fashioned sliding door, lined with traditional Korean paper. Inside the room, a bespectacled middle-aged man rose from his seat. As Kang Mu-hyuk entered, the man extended his hand with a smile. "I''m Lim Baekgyu of Hanshin Financial Group." "I''m Kang Mu-hyuk of Iron Will Guild. Thank you for agreeing to this sudden meeting despite your busy schedule, Director." "After seeing such news, how could I refuse when you asked to meet?" Lim Baekgyu offered him a seat. Before Kang Mu-hyuk even began to discuss the matter at hand, the dishes that Lim Baekgyu had pre-ordered arrived. Kang Mu-hyuk had thought it would be a light meal with some apanying drinks, but it turned out to be a culinary course that even gourmets would appreciate. Engrossed in dividing his time for various tasks, Kang Mu-hyuk frequently stole nces at his wristwatch and secretly sighed as he picked up his spoon. He didn''t particrly enjoy the process of socializing over a meal, filled with this and that kind of chatter. But Lim Baekgyu was his opposite, enjoying the food and chatting animatedly for a long time. Sensing hispanion''s preference, Kang Mu-hyuk appropriately adjusted his pace. Only after a few rounds of alcohol, which he didn''t particrly enjoy, did Lim Baekgyu finally get to the point. "By the way, I''m curious about the reason you asked to meet me." "When a guild seeks a bank, the reason is obvious. It''s money." "Considering you contacted me directly, it seems you need quite a substantial amount." "There are many expenses, from building a wolf breeding facility to reconstructing the North Pocheon guild headquarters." "So you contacted me only after breaking the news?" "If the guild''s value increases, the loan limit naturally goes up." "Indeed. Especially when it''s the first of its kind in Korea and one of the few mounted monster breeding facilities in the world. You''vee to the right ce. From our standpoint, we wee you. In these times, there''s no investment as efficient as a guild. Our group was just looking for new investment opportunities." "That''s why I sought you out, Director. I heard that you are in charge of finding investment opportunities and that the total amount of the business is substantial." "Excellent. This is good timing. You''vee to the right ce." Lim Baekgyu lifted his ss as if to toast in celebration, and then gulped down the strong Andong soju in one go, his eyes taking on a different light. "But what I''m curious is, couldn''t the parentpany of Iron Will provide sufficient support for those achievements? I''m talking about Taesung." "We can''t keep burdening the parentpany forever. As much as a guild is a money-eating hippo, financial independence is essential in the long run." "Or perhaps you need funds that aren''t influenced by the parentpany?" Lim Baekgyu had the seasoned wisdom that matched his graying hair, worn like the passage of time itself. It was why Kang Mu-hyuk had sought him out. He was cautious, insightful, and discreet about his professional life. Industry reputation also acknowledged his persistence, having wed his way up from a humble background. ording to the financial director of Titan Guild, Kang Mu-hyuk''s former workce, he was meticulous but efficient, and a good person to work with. He seemed aware, to some extent, of the ufortable rtionship between Taesung Group and Iron Will, sharp as spicy ginger. "It seems that the rtionship between Guild Master Ju Se-ah and Chairman Tae Jin-sung isn''t as good as the rumors suggest." "It''s business. Personal feelings have nothing to do with it." Kang Mu-hyuk firmly drew the line. Though not widely known, the rtionship between Ju Se-ah and Chairman Tae Jin-sung was a whispered rumor among the upper echelons of society, so it wasn''t surprising that Lim Baekgyu knew about it. But having that rtionship known as a source of conflict was a different issue. Lim Baekgyu understood Kang Mu-hyuk''s point and returned to the main topic. "So, what is the size of the loan you''re looking for?" "I need to refinance 300 billion won in debt, and require an additional 500 billion won." "It''s not a small amount, but it''s not too much either. It''s within the expected range." "There may be a need for more, depending on the situation." "Hmm... That exceeds my expectations. Considering the scale of the Iron Will Guild and the level of the Hunters affiliated with it, there are limits if we only look at profitability without coteral, even if the breeding farm seeds. If we just proceed, it will have to be called gambling." Kang Mu-hyuk took a USB drive out of his pocket and ced it on the table. He then picked up a ceramic liquor bottle and filled Lim Baekgyu''s ss. "This data should help with the loan approval. There are estimates for additional business revenue besides the breeding farm business, and the guild''s projected earnings. By the way, news about the MOU negotiations with the yer Guild will be out tomorrow." "The yer Guild?" "Yes. We have already agreed in principle, and are working out the details." Lim Baekgyu put down the ss he was about to drink from in astonishment. It was shocking enough for him, a heavy drinker, to momentarily refuse the alcohol. ''Thinking about the rtionship between the yer Guild and Guild Master, this is almost miraculous. I heard that he was no ordinary man when he took over as Guild Leader, but... How did he persuade them? Anyway, if he has drawn up the n to this extent, it would be harder to refuse the loan.'' Lim Baekgyu marveled at the thoroughness of his opponent and took the USB drive. "I''ll check what I can do and get back to you." ... The item post-processing specialistpany ''Hanseong Enterprises'' was just an ordinary small-to-medium-sized business without a single patented technology, but the work never ceased for some reason. The factory ran well, there was no overtime. Employees were paid fairly, and the welfare benefits were quite good for a small business. There was no fuss over delivery deadlines, and no management harping about insufficient sales. While some found the striking difference between theirpany and other inferiorpetitors strange, it wasn''t a big problem. Regr pay and early departure times made everything okay. The employees loved thepany, and it was even selected by the government as a business promotingbor-management harmony. At least on the surface, there was nothing wrong with it; it could even be called a very excellent small-to-medium-sized business. But there was a shadow over this otherwise average and goodpany. It was that Hanseong Enterprises was a satellite guild managed by the yer Guild. "It''s surprising how well this ce runs. The management doesn''t even care." A man, visiting Hanseong Enterprises with a Japanese buyer''s qualification, said to Executive Kim Myung-jun. His fluent Korean appearance suggested that he was either a Korean expatriate in Japan or a Korean working there. "They just pick the right people and leave them to it, and it runs on its own." "Youe to work diligently. Are you preparing for retirement?" "I do work hard. It''s a cover anyway. People should be devoted to their main job. You, Chae Dae-su, you were the one singing about wanting early retirement. You''re the one who needs to prepare for retirement." "The higher-ups have to let me go. Since it''se up, let''s talk about that main job we haven''t discussed in a while." Chae Dae-su, who had been leaning against the sofa in a disheveled posture, straightened his back. The off-kilter salesman had vanished, and he had transformed into a vigorous appearance as if he had just returned from the battlefield. Kim Myung-jun spoke with a slight tension. "So. Why have youe?" "The Iron Will Guild." "A guild? It''s the first time you''ve put the guild first, not Ju Se-ah. Is it because of the wolves?" "I thought Ju Se-ah would be the only problem, but another thorn in our side has appeared. The higher-ups are uneasy." "We can''t control something like a wolf variable." "That doesn''t mean we can just leave it be. The elders do not wish for the revitalization of Korea''s Hunter scene." "That''s not my responsibility. My orders were to prevent Ju Se-ah from growing. Themand was to kill her influence as a Hunter, as assassination is hard. Thanks to that, I allied with the yer Guild, which had no future. I think I''m doing fairly well so far." Kim Myung-jun shrugged lightly in protest, but Chae Dae-su shook his head. "You have to understand the real intent of the order. Ju Se-ah is a potential S-rank, isn''t she? She may have already ranked up. Regardless, the cutting of Korea''s S-rank after the Great War is because we don''t want Korea to be a Hunter powerhouse again. But the Rider Wolf crosses the line. Given time, it could shake Asian, even the world market. Inevitably attracting global attention and much interaction. We could rise to prominence again." "You''re utterly merciless, regardless of nationality. Yet, you have some blood from this side." "I''m Japanese, though." "Using a Korean name?" "It makes it easier to operate. And what use is nationality in today''s world? Especially to a Hunter." Kim Myung-jun nodded. Indeed, the era of questioning a Hunter''s nationality had ended with the Great War. Since then, it flowed with money and power. Even in Asia, where national sentiment was stronger than in the West, it was still swayed by greater wealth and power. ''Well, I''m taking money from that side, so I have no room to talk. But then again, isn''t Japan full of pride in its homnd? Calling a Hunter who changed nationality a traitor while saying that? It''s a funny irony.'' Without changing his expression, Kim Myung-jun sneered, and Chae Dae-su spoke as if scolding. "Now, you must use your experience from Ujungdo. How will you do it? By shaking things up using the yer Guild? Or the Taesung Group?" "That''s been overused and has be stale. Besides, yer isn''t Ju Se-ah''s enemy for the time being." "Not an enemy? What do you mean?" "It will be in tomorrow''s news, but we''ll be joining hands with Iron Will because of the Rider Wolf incident." "Hmm... The thing I feared is starting to happen. The alliance between yer and Ju Se-ah is dangerous. Whatever the case, it seems you need to handle the situation quickly. Do you have any ideas? If you need support, feel free to request it." In Chae Dae-su''s worried voice, Kim Myung-jun opened his mouth with a smile. "His name is Kang Mu-hyuk. There''s a new leader in the Iron Will Guild. That friend. His former workce was Titan." "Titan, you say?" "You have a connection, right? You''ll need to step in from that side." "A connection with Titan is useless when ites to Hunters." "What about Hunters? We''re not going to dance with swords against Ju Se-ah. Try contacting Titan''s Vice Guild Master." "The Vice Guild Master... You mean Ma Taesu? As far as I know, he''s not an easily manageable person." "Ma Taesu is greedy. I''m going to touch upon that. Let''s see what he can do." Chapter 50 - Just Relax and Dont Worry Chapter 50 Just Rx and Don''t Worry "Missing persons?" Kang Mu-hyuk, who had just returned to the Guild headquarters in North Pocheon, was taken aback by the unexpected report. In the wake of the Goblin Tribe Raid, the Hunters had been given staggered vacations for rest. As this was a long-awaited break, some of the carefree Hunters, especially the younger ones, were expected to indulge in pleasures and returnte. It wasn''t an issue that should have been mentioned with such a serious face by Pyo Beom-hee. "Who hasn''t returned?" "It''s not just anyone. Half of the people who went on vacation haven''te back." Only then did Kang Mu-hyuk realize the severity of the situation. Not one or two, but half of them. Something seemed to have gone wrong. "The number of vacationers this time was twenty-seven, right?" "Thirteen of them are missing." "What about the emergency contacts?" "They''re all turned off. Smells fishy, doesn''t it? They might have been attacked. After all, the Wolf Ranch is worth that much." "Even if they''re tempted, they won''t use such noisy methods at this point when we''re in the spotlight." Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head at Pyo Beom-hee''s opinion, but he didn''t deny the possibility of an attack. ''It could be a different method other than violence.'' Even before Kang Mu-hyuk joined, Iron Will hadn''t been on good terms with the yer Guild, thanks to Ju Se-ah. Since reviving the role of Guild Leader, they had been in a prominent position within the industry. Anyone could harbor resentment. But the situation changed right after the announcement of the Rider Wolf. Rather than being hostile, the industry''s view was that coboration would benefit the guild. There was no longer a valid reason to sabotage. "What should we do? Should I go and check it out?" As Pyo Beom-hee was about to head toward Seoul, Kang Mu-hyuk stopped her. "No, Team Leader Pyo, you stay and guard the guild. We have someone else to check." "Who?" "Hunter Noh Song-rin. He''s perfect for this kind of thing." ... Hexagram, a famous club in Gangnam. Noh Song-rin sucked hard on the cigarette between his lips, gazing at the long queue to enter on a bustling Friday night. His superhuman lung capacity burned the cigarette down almost to the filter. The ash broke off and fell to the ground. He spat out the butt. Itnded on the shoe of a guard at the club entrance. Sparks flew over the smoothly polished leather. The guard furrowed his brow but did not show anger. It was a professional habit. Not to act rashly before identifying the other party. People living in the age of Hunters, especially those involved in the darker side of things, needed to be more careful. While the club guard was no criminal, his job did often put him in conflicts. A wrong move against a Hunter could cripple him, and it was not a far-fetched possibility. Noh Song-rin headed for the entrance, ignoring the line. "Sir, please join the queue if you wish to enter." "Is Taekwoo here? Kim Taekwoo. He''s a VIP here, isn''t he?" "I can''t disclose the customer''s personal information..." "Who told you to announce it? Just tell me if he came or not." "That''s not within my authority." "If you don''t know, I''ll go and check." As Noh Song-rin stepped inside, a guard blocked his path. "If you want to enter, stand in line..." "What did you say?" The guard''s body wobbled for a moment. The man had merely tapped him on the shoulder, but it felt as if a robust man had thrust him away with force. ''He must be a Hunter.'' Before the guard, who had fallen to the ground, could respond, other guards who hadn''t grasped the situation yet blocked Noh Song-rin''s way. "Just find Taekwoo. Kim Taekwoo of Iron Will Guild. I heard he''s a regr here." Only after the word ''guild'' was mentioned did they all realize that their opponent was a Hunter. The guards'' eyes trailed behind him. A man emerged from a corner. He was the club''s entrance manager. Though his job title seemed contrived, it was a different matter if the man was a Hunter. Though responsible for admissions, he held some real power. Noh Song-rin scanned him up and down before snorting. "You must be at least C-rank. A fellow of C-rank dealing with people instead of monsters? And in a bar?" "..." "You ran away from the Gate, didn''t you?" The words were clearly tinged with mockery. The man flinched. The fact that his rank had been instantly recognized meant that his opponent was of higher rank. Being the entrance manager of Gangnam''s most popr club, it was no surprise that he''d seen many high-ranking Hunters, but his opponent was rubbing his wounds, and anger surged within him. A runaway from the Gate. A loser too afraid to enter the Gate and hunt monsters. Even if it was true, it wasn''t an easy thing to admit. "You''re talking big. Rank isn''t some noble title. I don''t know how great a Hunter you are, but who are you to boast when it''s none of your busin¡ª ack!" Noh Song-rin''s outstretched hand grazed the man''s right ear. The sharp hand sliced through his earlobe as blood spurted out with a sharp pain. Next, his wrist twisted like a hook and he grabbed the back of the man''s head, clutching his hair as if tearing it out. Noh Song-rin yanked the head toward himself and kicked the man''s ankle. The man''s body spun in mid-air before floating. There was no chance to break his fall. Due to the nimble footwork, the man rolled helplessly on the ground. There was an absence of physical shock, but the mental blow delivered was great. People who had paid no mind to a typical Friday night skirmish were taken aback by the sudden violence. Seeing arge man treated in such a way was an umon sight. A few regr club-goers, knowing that the beaten manager was a Hunter, were even more surprised. Some tried to take out smartphones to film, but when Noh Song-rin nced over his shoulder and exuded an intimidating aura, they dared not press the button. Humiliated and in a daze, the man managed to lift his head. Noh Song-rin was looking down at him. Shudder. It was a cold, no, an indifferent look. As if he didn''t matter at all. Instinctively, the man looked away, his spirit broken. "Hunters are ranked by their status. You''re here acting like this because you don''t know that." "Gulp!" The surrounding area fell silent at the unexpected violence. Only the sound of a man swallowing his saliva could be heard. Noh Song-rin spoke to the guard beside him. "Should we wait any longer?" "Yes, yes?" "Kim Taekwoo. Iron Will. He''s probably ying in a room somewhere. Show him in." ... "Drink up! Tonight, it''s on me! Hahaha!" With fluttering eyes, Kim Taekwoo gulped down his drink. Half he drank, half he spilled. Even though his rank was low, he was still a Hunter. Normally, he wouldn''t get easily drunk, but that day, he acted as if enchanted by the alcohol. At the U-shaped table, friends seated on either side of Kim Taekwoo raised their sses and cheered in celebration. They too had somewhat lost their taste, celebrating him with dazed expressions. "Are you really transferring to the Titan Guild?" "There might be some penalty fees, but my contract rank is not high, so it won''t cost much. Titan has agreed to cover it anyway." "Aha! So that''s how it is." At a voice that seemed both unfamiliar and familiar, Kim Taekwoo turned his head. Unnoticed, the door of the room had opened. The moment he saw the face peering in, Kim Taekwoo''s face turned pale. "No, Noh Song-rin¡­" "Am I your friend? Do you want to die?" "Gulp! N-no, sir!" The rxed look in Kim Taekwoo''s eyes instantly tightened. ''How did that person get here?'' Noh Song-rin was a person avoided even by his guildmates. It wasn''t just because he was an elite. His unique aura and fierce demeanor made him untouchable. Even a different faction member like Kim Taekwoo was tense around him. After Noh Song-rin had been reined in by Kang Mu-hyuk, he became the guild''s disciplinary leader. It was a role perfectly suited for a Hunter that everyone found difficult and intimidating. Before, people kept their distance as if he didn''t exist, but recently, since he started to crack down on the guild members'' behavior, he had be even more undesirable. It was only natural for Kim Taekwoo to be fully alert. Nevertheless, his eyes gradually rxed again. Seeing Kim Taekwoo''s spaced-out reaction, Noh Song-rin quickly scanned the table. He noticed the red powder scattered around the table. Noh Song-rin dabbed the powder as if wiping dust and sniffed it. The sharp sting that shot up his nose, apanied by a sweet scent, made the back of his neck tingle. "Mimong moth powder, huh? It''s not illegal, but we''re not ordinary people. Is it permissible for a Hunter to use this? An A-rank guild with a guy who can''t even manage himself properly?" Mimong moth powder replicated the effects of monster skills and was used as a hallucinogen. Unlike drugs, it did not cause significant harm to the body except for slight paralysis, but that was only for ordinary people. In the case of Hunters, it caused a dulling of the senses when ingested. It could have detrimental effects during a close fight with monsters. It was something even more to be avoided than alcohol for a Hunter. Certainly, in a guild with standards, it would never have been allowed. Noh Song-rin walked into the inside of the U-shaped table, the corners of his mouth lifted in a smirk. Kim Taekwoo flinched and backed away, but he was blocked by the back of the sofa, and there was no ce to escape. "Taekwoo, you''re going to Titan? I''ll congratte you." "Huh? Th-thank you?" "Yes. It''s an A-ss Guild, isn''t it? Soon it''ll be a Tier-ed, and that''s not a strange guild. It''s something to be congratted for." He thought it was wrong to leave the room decently, but suddenly he was congratted. And that too, by Noh Song-rin! "I''m not sure if they''ll ept a drug addict who enjoys moth powder though?" He thought he had found an escape, but he plummeted in an instant. Kim Taekwoo was sweating profusely as he begged. "Th-that is... Boss Noh. You won''t tell Titan, will you? Please......" "We''ve eaten from the same guild, so it¡¯s a little bit disrespectful to tell them. But it''s also a shame to just keep my mouth shut. Instead, let¡¯s just rx and tell me." "What, what are you... talking about?" "The reason for not returning from vacation. Because of Titan? Tell me more." ... "Titan, you say? I understand. Thank you for your hard work." "What¡¯s with the Titan all of a sudden?" Kang Mu-hyuk hurriedly ended the call with Noh Song-rin, and Ju Se-ah urged. "The recent non-returnees have received transfer offers from Titan." "All of them?" "At least, the Hunters who have not returned, apparently." "Wow, unbelievable. Even if it''s Titan, taking the Hunters without an official request to the affiliated guild? And those who willingly epted that. Not only abandoning the guild without notice but also willing to pay the penalty? These guys have no basis at all?!" Ju Se-ah gritted her teeth nervously. Crack, a sound like teeth breaking, resonated through the office. She was not angry about the Hunters'' transfers themselves. In this industry, taking Hunters away wasmon. That was why most guilds set high penalties to keep their main Hunters. Or they astronomically raise the funds of the transfer use. However, even in an industry where betrayal wasmonce, there were rules to be followed. When a transfer offer came in, the minimum courtesy to the affiliated guild had to be maintained. The higher the guild''s standing, the more often honor had to be prioritized over money. In a world where you were dismissed if ignored, being taken lightly meant the end. The Titan guild and the non-returnees had touched this taboo. "Iron Will''s position is far below Titan''s. A guild with no dignity to cherish or loyalty to keep. We are making gradual progress in guild reform, but that''s still our level." "So you''re saying we should just let this go?" As Ju Se-ah squinted her eyes in displeasure, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly added. "Guild Master. You must not do as you did in the yer guild if you go to Titan." "What would I do?" "Make a mess." "You think I just cause trouble all the time? I''ll stay quiet if I¡¯m not provoked." "Who would provoke the Guild Master... huh?" Kang Mu-hyuk nodded, recalling the gap between Titan and yer. Certainly, within yer, there were Hunters or Parties that could provoke Ju Se-ah, but Titan had none. Of course, if the top-ranked Hunters in Titan were to join forces, they could probably contend, but it was unlikely to end well. If a quarrel broke out, whether they won or lost, the situation would be burdensome. From Ju Se-ah''s perspective, she might have wished for someone to provoke her first, but the best strategy was to avoid even encountering them face to face. "Are you hesitating because it''s your former guild?" she asked. "It''s not so much hesitation as a word of caution, given that I can''t figure out their secret motives. You might inadvertently get entangled and find yourself in a difficult position." "Secret motives?" Kang Mu-hyuk rubbed his chin, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He had a knack for calming those around him. As he paused, Ju Se-ah sensed something unusual and waited patiently. "By Titan''s standards, the Hunters on this vacation are of lower overall skill. But why would they want to recruit them?" "That''s... why indeed? It certainly doesn''t make sense. Ah, discussing this makes me feel rather self-conscious." "And why are they antagonizing us at this particr time?" Kang Mu-hyuk was referring to the time when the issue with the Rider Wolves had arisen. At a time when most guilds, especially Tier-ed guilds and A-rank guilds aspiring for higher status, wanted to acquire even one wolf, it was irrational to antagonize Iron Will. Although Kang Mu-hyuk had changed affiliations, he harbored no ill feelings towards Titan. In fact, as a former guild, it had given him a head start, signifying that a good cooperative rtionship could be built. "We need to find out the reason first. Only then can we understand their moves and respond ordingly." "Do you have a way to gather information? Do you have any close contacts within Titan?" "The information that can be obtained from internal sources is obvious, except for the top executives. No matter how close I might have been to them, the guild will alwayse first. They won''t talk easily, and the background of such arge-scale transfer movement will be hard to find out." "Then how do you n to approach this?" "There''s a ce I use for situations like this. In fact, I''ve recently tasked them with something, so it seems like a good time to meet." Chapter 51 - You Just Have to Control the Weight The distance from the North Pocheon Guild headquarters to South Pocheon was not that far. The only problem was the monsters roaming about on the way back and forth. But monsters were not a serious concern. It wasn''t as if Kang Mu-hyuk was moving alone; having a reliable A-rank Hunter as a bodyguard, ordinary monsters couldn''t threaten him. Moreover, since Hunters were periodically deployed to clean the path, the monsters had even learned to stay away from the area. "So why do I have to escort the Guild Leader?" "If you move in a small group, one A-rank should be enough. But right now, the only avable A-rank is Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung." "There''s also Division Head Jang Deuk-goo." "Mr. Jo is very shy, isn''t he? Division Head Jang will be considered a risk factor." At the mention of "Mr. Jo," the previously expressionless face of Yeom Soo-hyung twisted. "What? You''re going to meet that guy? Why are you telling me now?" "If I''d told you before, you wouldn''t havee." "I can still turn back now." "U-turning isn''t possible. Do you know how much it costs to drive this car in a high mana density area? We can''t afford it. Even the cost of periodically recing the engine protection cartridge needs to be saved." "Ugh, looking at your recent work, you seem more like a treasurer than a Guild Leader. Every time you open your mouth, it''s about money." "What can I do? That''s the situation of our small guild." Even though they had borrowed several billion from the bank, the guild still had many expenses. Between headquarters maintenance, ranch facility construction, and other new business projects, money was always required. Knowing the financial pinch all too well, Yeom Soo-hyung couldn''t bring himself to turn the wheel. "Damn it! Whenever I see that guy''s face, I feel like I''ll have bad luck for at least a year. I''ll wait outside; go meet the Guild Master alone." The car entered South Pocheon city center, passing through the checkpoint that separated North and South Pocheon, and headed towards the Pocheon City Hall. Upon arriving at the designated cafe, Kang Mu-hyuk got out of the car. Yeom Soo-hyung remained in the driver''s seat. "You really won''te in? It''s been a while; why not at least see his face?" "It''s hard enough to see his real face anyway, and we''re not exactly close friends. Just go and do what you need to do. I''ll wait here." With Yeom Soo-hyung''s firm refusal, Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t press any further. Mr. Jo was a colleague from his previous job at Titan, but he was not someone with smooth human rtions. Up until his resignation, the number of people he had conversed with could be counted on one hand. His gloomy personality yed a part, but he himself had drawn lines with people. He had caused various incidents that had put those around him in difficult positions. Especially Yeom Soo-hyung, who had been unusually involved, so he shook his head with a resentful expression. If it had been the meddlesome Pyo Beom-hee, he would have greeted her happily, but unfortunately, she was interviewing those returning from vacation rted to the recent incident and couldn''t join them. Kang Mu-hyuk entered the cafe, ordered coffee, and sat in a corner, waiting. It was a weekday morning, and aside from a takeout customer, the interior was utterly vacant. A sense of destion was beginning to envelop the room when a painting hung on the entrance door rattled noisily. "It''s been a while, hasn''t it?" A deep voice sounded from above. When Kang Mu-hyuk looked up, a middle-aged man with a chiseled chin was standing there. "Mister... Jo?" "Yes, indeed. Who else could it be?" His casual tone didn''t match his serious appearance. His voice was raspy, but his speech was as effervescent as soda, bubbling with energy. "How am I supposed to recognize you? Your face changes, your voice changes every time. Why don''t you juste as yourself? It''s not like we don''t know each other." "Like this? Just be myself, you mean?" Suddenly, a young girl''s voice sprang from the middle-aged man''s mouth. Kang Mu-hyuk scowled. A young woman''s voiceing from a middle-aged man''s face; it was a dissonance difficult to overlook. "That ''doppelganger'' trait is amazing, even when I know about it, Miss Jo." "Don''t call me that. Call me ''Mr.'' Do you think I be a man for fun?" "It''s just us in the caf¨¦, why bother?" "A frence spy must guard everything, even in their grave. You must hide everything, name, age, gender, to be safe." Mr. Jo was a guild spy, and ironically, had an obsession with his own safety and security. Thanks to his cautious nature, even in his previous job at Titan, there were only a handful of people who knew his real face. Even the head investigator at Titan, who had captured him in an ident, knew him only as Mr. Detective. "Enough with the voice, please change it." "Enough with the pleasantries. Let''s talk business. You want to know about Titan Guild?" With that, Mr. Jo''s voice turned gruff again, and he got down to business. "It''s strange though. The former team leader of the Strategy and Tactics teames to me for information on Titan. A few phone calls to some team leaders you''re acquainted with would give you all you need." "It''s rted to the HR team. It''s difficult to inquire there." "Indeed, Hunter personnel are handled by higher-ups, so if Guild Leader Kang makes contact, it will be reported right away." "If an outsider pokes around, it might lead to misunderstandings." "You have a contract with Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu, right?" A contract with Titan Guild to not interfere. A fact known only to Ma Taesu and Kang Mu-hyuk, but Mr. Jo had already figured it out. Ordinarily, this would have angered him, but Kang Mu-hyuk calmly acknowledged it. "You knew, of course. That''s the crux of this request. No matter how I look at it, the only reason for Titan to mess with Iron Will is me, and the only person in Titan who would be hostile to me is Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu. The problem is, I haven''t breached the contract. Of course, contracts in this world are as fragile as paper, but still, it''s not typical for them to be broken all of a sudden. As far as I can see, there''s no particr incident in the guild. I thought I might be missing something, that is why I came to you, Mr. Jo." "That''s true. At least on the surface, there''s nothing unusual." "On the surface? So, was there some hidden movement?" "It''s nothing unexpected? A shareholder who supported the guild master and a neutral shareholder who sided with the vice guild master. It hasn''t been revealed to the public yet, but maybe soon Ma Taesu will be the guild master." Kang Mu-hyuk tightly closed his eyes. On the matter of guild politics, it was difficult for Guild Master Lee Cheoljung to handle Ma Taesu, although it might be different in other situations. Once, he had inadvertently pushed the vice guild master forward due to his younger brother Ma Taesik''s mistake, but even this seemed to have run its course. ''Now that I''ve left Titan, I have no regrets, but Guild Master Lee Cheoljung, who was friendly to me, would have been better than Ma Taesu. So, is this some kind of grudge of Ma Taesu?'' Soon, Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head horizontally. He hadn''t fully ascended to the position of guild master yet, and even if he had, he was not a person who would move emotionally. It was hard to logically ept that Titan, aiming for the Tier-ed Guild, would antagonize Iron Will who was capable of supplying them with Rider Wolves. "Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu may be ambitious, but he''s not someone without reason. Is there a matter involving Iron Will and the shareholders?" "Bingo. You''re sharp as ever? I''ve found something interesting. I was lucky. Have you heard of ''Union Asset Management''?" "Of course, I know. It''s one of Titan''s shareholders. Did they side with the vice guild master this time? Hmm, it certainly won''t be easy for Guild Master Lee Cheoljung to win." It was not just that it wouldn''t be easy; the game seemed to be already tilted. Kang Mu-hyuk, who was well aware of Titan''s internal affairs, found this puzzling. Why had the powerful shareholder, who had been maintaining neutrality, suddenly shifted to Ma Taesu''s side? Mr. Jo spoke with a significant smile. "You remember asking me for that favorst time? The ce Gong Du-ri hacked, Hanseong Enterprise. You asked me to dig into what''s behind it?" "Why Hanseong Enterprise all of a sudden..." "The funds for Unione from a Japanese financialpany. I heard that the person pulling the strings there also visits Hanseong Enterprise." Kang Mu-hyuk felt a chill down his spine. A bad premonition suddenly surged up. "Did the yer Guild bribe them by any chance?" "Usually, it would connect that way. But you even made an MOU with yer, didn''t you? Holding the priority to receive Rider Wolves, why would they bother? Their Strategy and Tactics team leader isn''t a fool." "That''s exactly it. There''s absolutely no reason for them to." "I found out by snooping around as a staff member in the matter of Hanseong Enterprise that you asked me to investigate. From the time the Japanese buyer started visiting, it felt odd. The identity was a Hunter. A Hunter disguised as a sryman in a small enterprise? Completely suspicious. So I followed and Union came up. At first, I didn''t know, but when you mentioned Titan, it was strangely connected. It was very thrilling." Kang Mu-hyuk looked at the puzzle pieces he had been given so far. There were many missing pieces along the way, but he could roughly make out the picture. One of the major shareholders of Titan, Union Asset Management, had supported Ma Taesu. Ma Taesu had suddenly started to shake Iron Will. Union Asset Management was suspected of having some rtionship with Hanseong Enterprise. Hanseong Enterprise was a satellite guild of the yer guild. But the yer had only a few days ago decided to strengthen cooperation with Iron Will. Of course, it could also be a ruse to weaken Iron Will, assuming that the Hanseong Enterprise hadn''t been exposed. If Iron Will could not recover on its own, yer might intervene and take over. Were they nning to devour the entire Rider Wolves? It wasn''t perfect, but the rough outline was drawn. However, Kang Mu-hyuk was still weighing more on a different possibility rather than the conclusion that the yer guild had caused the confusion. And at the center of that possibility: "Mr. Jo, let''s make an additional request. Please dig deeper into the rtionship between Hanseong Enterprise and Union Asset Management. Specifically, focus on Hanseong Enterprise''s Executive Director Kim Myung-jun." "Okay. Send the payment to that old foreign ount." Mr. Jo got up and left the caf¨¦. Yeom Soo-hyung came in as Kang Mu-hyuk was lost in thought. "The guy who just left waved at me. Was that him?" "Yes." "His taste is still the same. Changing into such a neighborhood old man. Anyway, it''s more than unique, it''s downright unpleasant." "Isn''t that unique trait the reason he''s recognized as a top investigator? Being able to call him so often is thanks to the connection from the Titan times, so we should respect his taste at least." Yeom Soo-hyung shook his head to dismiss Mr. Jo''s appearance. "So, anything new from the Titan side?" "It seems that Ma Taesu''s witch has intervened." "Ma Taesu? That''s unlikely..." Yeom Soo-hyung''s head tilted in disbelief, and Kang Mu-hyuk, finding his reaction strange, asked: "Why do you say that?" "No, it''s nothing big. It just feels weird." "What part are you referring to?" "You know his style. Extremely persistent and meticulous. Once he starts something, he finishes it. But this time, it''s somewhat clumsy. If it were me, I would have swept up all the vacationers. What''s he trying to do by coaxing just fourteen people?" "A sweep?" "Honestly, current Iron Will guild members have no pride in their affiliated guild, right? But if it''s Titan, the most likely to be promoted to a Tier-ed guild, even I would have jumped right in. Of course, I came from there, too." Suddenly, a danger signal shed in Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. "We must return to headquarters immediately. It seems I''ve missed something." "Missed something?" "The returnees. Perhaps they all may have already defected." Upon seeing Kang Mu-hyuk return hastily to the headquarters, Ju Se-ah drew a question mark in her head. "What happened? Why the expression?" Kang Mu-hyuk quickly summarized the key points and exined the situation. "They all might have gone to Titan? Then why the return...?" "We''ll have to check now. Maybe they''re trying to persuade the remaining guild members too." "These damned, despicable brats! Oh, dear? I seem to have lost myposure." In a moment, Ju Se-ah, who had exuded an air of vitality with a fierce expression, calmed down and regained hisposure. Kang Mu-hyuk secretly called for Pyo Beom-hee and headed to the dressing room with Ju Se-ah. "Have you finished the interviews with the returnees?" "Whose orders, you say? It''s already done. But there wasn''t much to it." "Did you fill out the interview records?" "They''re uploaded in the approval folder." Kang Mu-hyuk turned on his tablet and checked the names of the 13 returning vacationers,paring them with the profiles of the members he knew. While scanning, he singled out one and asked: "What about this person?" "Who? Lee Jungmin? Well, I''m not sure what you mean." "In the individual Hunter evaluation, it says hecks audacity for the front lines and is timid for a middle position. The peer evaluations were simr. Was there anything uneasy about him during the interview?" "Oh? Now that you mention it, he did seem a bit like that. He couldn''t make eye contact, his posture was awkward, and his legs were shaking badly." "If questioned, will he easily confess?" "I wouldn''t know. It was the first time I spoke to him today." "Since you''ve spoken to him directly, you should have some insight." "I''m not sure what you''re trying to dig up, but we probably won''t need an interrogation. Our Guild Master could make him spill everything with just a re." "That''s a good idea. You heard that, Guild Master?" Kang Mu-hyuk looked at Ju Se-ah. Ju Se-ah, taken aback by the sudden mention, asked, "What do you want me to do?" "Just put some pressure on Hunter Lee Jungmin." ... Lee Jungmin was highly tense, being called by the Guild Master. In the office, not only was Kang Mu-hyuk present but also Ju Se-ah, Pyo Beom-hee, and the very suspicious Yeom Soo-hyung, whose activities and identity had been heavily questioned. They hadn''t seemed so intimidating individually, but together, thebination was quite overwhelming. Especially Ju Se-ah, ring with her eyes, was so intimidating that he couldn''t even look at her. "You, you called for me? What''s the matter...?" "We know everything, so you''d better confess." As Ju Se-ahid down thew, Lee Jungmin''s face turned pale in an instant. His lips seemed glued together, unable to part, but cold sweat flowed like a fountain from his forehead. The natural aura exuding from the Guild Master indirectly demonstrated the power of the next S-rank, something never to be endured by a mere C-rank Hunter like him. Moreover, Lee Jungmin had an even more timid personality,cking the strength expected of a Hunter. Kang Mu-hyuk, noticing Lee Jungmin''s shaky legs, gently added, "The Guild Master is quite angry. But we''re not here to torment you. We just have a few questions for Hunter Lee Jungmin. Answer them properly, and there will be no problems." Kang Mu-hyuk''s words were soothing, but to Lee Jungmin''s ears, they sounded like a threat: ''You better not lie, or it won''t be fun.'' In the end, he gave in and hung his head low. "Go, go ahead and ask." "The returning vacationers. Have they all fallen for Titan''s transfer offer?" "...Yes." "The purpose of the return is to recruit the remaining members of the guild?" "Yes... That''s right." Kang Mu-hyukid out the pre-printed list of returnees on his desk, fanning them out like a fan. "In a bold move like arge-scale transfer through an insider, the guild members need a trustworthy person in charge. Was there someone who took on that role among them?" "..." "Of course not. There are no great characters to scheme such a big event with their low rank and nature. Now, then. Let''s ask the final question." Lee Jungmin''s gaze focused on Kang Mu-hyuk as he lightly tapped the desk. "Who did Titan want to assign this role to in the guild?" We''d have to cut out the rotten part. "H-how did you..." Lee Jungmin was unable to continue his words at Kang Mu-hyuk''s probing. "There was a ringleader after all." "Who''s that guy?" Ju Se-ah pushed his face forward, prying. Lee Jungmin flinched in surprise, then covered his opening mouth with his palm and shook his head. "I cannot say with my mouth." "Hunters, regardless of rank, are not the tribe that listens to words." As if to show his power, Ju Se-ah pushed her fist forward. Though she was pretending to threaten, Lee Jungmin, cornered as he was, couldn''t tell. But he still did not speak. "My life is at stake. If I''m caught revealing this, it''s all over." "You''d be suspected even for being called here, wouldn''t you?" At Pyo Beom-hee''s pointed words, Lee Jungmin twisted his lips, almost about to cry. Kang Mu-hyuk calmed him down. "I won''t force you. There are a few people I can guess even if you don''t say. Instead, let me ask one more thing. What did Titan say to him? Since no one has left the guild other than vacationers, it seems like they must have left a note or something. Or was it conveyed verbally?" "..." "If you won''t open your mouth even about this, then I''ll have no choice but to use force." "No, it''s a letter. Of course, I don''t know the content. They used an item that leaves a mark when opened, so I couldn''t tamper with it." Lee Jungmin hastily added, fearing he might be caught in a trap. ''Using a sealing item to send the letter in such secrecy means there was no one trustworthy enough to be a messenger. No one to trust means that things were proceeding quickly without enough time to interact. Since the recent change in Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu''s action, preparing in advance would have been even more difficult.'' It would have been hard to win over the ringleader''s heart without prior interaction, with just a few words written in a Special Activities Zone with restrictedmunication. Besides, a high-ranking Hunter who would betray the guild wouldn''t be foolish enough to carry out a n without trust. Kang Mu-hyuk asked again to confirm the doubtful part. "Was there nothing else besides the letter? Any messages or objects to deliver?" "There was nothing else... Ah? Come to think of it, among the conversations we had, the vacation returnees, that is. Anyway, I heard that one of the members received something else from Titan." "Which member? What object?" "I just overheard it, so I don''t know who, but it seemed to be mana stones... Ah! I heard they received two intermediate mana stones." "Two intermediate mana stones?" Ju Se-ah asked, her voice rising in disbelief. Intermediate stones were quite valuable. Lee Jungmin quickly exined the whole situation to avoid any misunderstanding. "I found out when I asked if it was a substitute for the contract money that no one else received. But it turned out to be an object not for the person himself but to be handed over to the person who brought the letter. So, I heard they were disappointed." "Intermediate mana stones are expensive, but not to the point of distress. Hmm, is it like a deposit?" "No. It''s not an object bestowed as a reward." Kang Mu-hyuk answered Ju Se-ah''s question, his face bing solemn. There was a knowing look in his eyes. "Is there anything you''re suspicious of?" "We must check it first." "What is it?" "The equipment room." ... Strategic Tactical Supply Warehouse. That was the new name Kang Mu-hyuk had given to C-Warehouse after taking it over from Titan. It was casually referred to as the equipment room, but the official department name was used in the documents. On the way to the equipment room, Ju Se-ah asked, "Why are we going to the equipment room?" "Because of the intermediate mana stones." "Mana stones?" "The question that came to me after hearing Hunter Lee Jungmin''s words was how Titan and the insider could havemunicated. It''s difficult tomunicate with the outside due to the special characteristics of the Special Activities Zone. The people on my suspected insider list haven''t taken a vacation yet." "That makes sense." "But the moment the clue about intermediate mana stones came up, something suddenly urred to me." "What was it?" "An equipment that I had approved for development when I was with Titan in C-Warehouse. Its efficiency dropped sharply, and it was almost sealed as scrap..." "What kind of equipment?" "A satellite phone. A device that allowsmunication within high mana density areas like the vehicle engine protection cartridge. But it chews up one intermediate mana stone for every five minutes of use." Ju Se-ah was horrified at the extreme waste of one intermediate mana stone for just five minutes of use. Even the yer Guild, where she had been before, would have found such costs burdensome. They hurried to the equipment room and arrived in no time. An Ji-il, who oversaw the equipment team, was servicing rusty equipment. He stopped his work when he saw Kang Mu-hyuk. "There''s no raid, so what brings you to this shabby equipment room? Ah, Guild Master is here too... Team Leader Pyo, Team Leader Yeom as well? What on earth happened?" "Can we check the satellite phone now?" "Why this expensive equipment?" "I need to check something. Please give me the ledger for iing and outgoing equipment as well." "Hold on a moment. Hey, bring the ledger for the iing and outgoing, and over there... no, I''ll find the equipment myself. It''ll be faster." Kang Mu-hyuk was examining the equipment ledger when An Ji-il came out with something. It was a satellite phone, several timesrger than a typical one, and the expression on his face as he held it was far from pleasant. An Ji-il held the satellite phone aloft and shook it violently in anger. "Who touched this? I sealed it, why is it open? Moreover, one is missing. Who took out the equipment without permission?!" "It''s not written in the ledger who used the satellite phone," said Kang Mu-hyuk. As Kang Mu-hyuk thrust the papers forward, An Ji-il''s face turned a mottled red with rage. "Darn it... how embarrassing. I''m really angry. Who took the equipment out like this without my permission? Confess before I find you and crush you! Huh?!" Perhaps because of An Ji-il''s threats, or the grave atmosphere created by the Guild Master and the Guild Leader, there was a staff member who looked uneasy. Kang Mu-hyuk spotted him and approached. On the badge pinned to his chest was the name ''Yoo Dong-soo.'' "Mr. Yoo Dong-soo?" "Yes, yes..." "Did you take the satellite phone, Mr. Yoo Dong-soo?" "I didn''t take it out, the Expedition Team Leader asked me to see it...!" "Expedition Team Leader?" Ju Se-ah momentarily groped for the memory of who the Expedition Leader was, then realized that the expedition team had been disbanded. A guild without an expedition team was like a steamed bun without filling, but under the circumstances of the Special Activities Zone, unable to conquer the Gates, it had be a needless organization. But until the guild''s restructuring, it had been a bona fide department, and among the members unfamiliar with the new organizational chart, they were still called by their old titles. The former Expedition Leader... "Hunter Do Gyeong-hoon. I''m not surprised he''s one of the suspected insiders." Kang Mu-hyuk said, and a beatter, Ju Se-ah responded. "Why would he?" "His position as Expedition Leader was taken away. Though he didn''t lose his influence, he would''ve felt demoted on the surface. He must have been discontented. Moreover, he''d shown resistance to the Guild''s move, and he must have grown uneasy as the Guild Master trained the young Hunters." "Why would the training matter?" "He must have seen it as an attempt to take his people away." Before Kang Mu-hyuk''s appointment as Guild Leader, Ju Se-ah had never directlymunicated with the Hunters. Each faction openly controlled the Hunters, making it difficult to even create a close rtionship. Nor could she provide a stage for them to show their skills. Guild Master couldn''t go out to conquer the Gates alone, and there were no staff with the ability to coborate with other guilds. In addition to that, the yer Guild kept picking fights, and Taesung Group''s disparate brothers also applied pressure, leaving them isted and surrounded by enemies. To the ordinary members, the Guild Master''s position seemed precarious. No matter how capable Ju Se-ah was, she could only appear weak. But since Kang Mu-hyuk''s arrival, the guild had gradually changed. The changes within the guild after the Guild Master and Guild Leader made their stance known, felt more threatening to Do Gyeong-hoon than the actual pressure they exerted. Perhaps he didn''t even realize how it felt. "All this time, I gave you a chance, and only watched.... but this has crossed the line. Let''s go, Guild Master. We must cut away the rotten parts now." In the cafeteria set up on the first floor of the previous resort building, Do Gyeong-hoon was leisurely enjoying his coffee after his meal. Around him were seated those who could be considered his faction, including former expedition members and some Hunters. Among them, Choi Mi-ran and Kim Seong-hyun were seated, enjoying their afternoon tea time. "Ah, but I like it here anyway. It feels like a resort, and I love it. It''s decorated so beautifully." "It used to be a remodeled buffet ce. Of course, it would be nice." "Do you know how much of a mess it was when we first came here? I thought I was going to throw up from the smell of goblin urine, yuck." "Now that you mention it, yes. The Guild Leader, he really does things quickly. When did he get this ce fixed up?" "Well, I agree with that. When I first saw him from the parking lot, he seemed a bit off, but experiencing it shows he''s not a bad person. He finished the construction of the amodations and restaurant for the members first. Remember how ufortable it was living in the tents? At least there was groundwater to shower with, otherwise, I might have quit." "I stayed because I would miss the Guild Master''s training. It''s special private tutoring that''s hard to find anywhere else." "True, after fighting alongside the Guild Master, monsters seem nd. My reaction time improved, and since everyone''s movements have be better, it''s easier to apply buffs and debuffs." Choi Mi-ran and Kim Seong-hyun chattered thoughtlessly. Thanks to them, Do Gyeong-hoon could hear all of their conversation. ''Youngsters do seem to be leaning towards Guild Leader and Guild Master. Right now, they may be scared of my scolding, but soon, mymands will fall on deaf ears. If I need to make a move, it has to be now.'' This situation had prevented him from even suggesting a transfer to Titan to the young Hunters. If a traitor appeared and the word got to the Guild Leader, it could ruin everything. "Tch!" Do Gyeong-hoon clicked his tongue as he noticed Kang Mu-hyuk entering the cafeteria, followed by Ju Se-ah. The moment their eyes met, he knew something was wrong. The emotions seemed to be charged in the steps that were approaching him. As Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah entered, the dining members'' eyes focused on them. Tension could be felt by some of the Hunters aligned with Do Gyeong-hoon. "Hunter Do Gyeong-hoon, let''s talk." "Please speak, Guild Leader." Kang Mu-hyuk noticed Do Gyeong-hoon''s stiffness as he looked at him. "Are you sure we can really talk here?" "I''m not running away. I have nothing to be ashamed of or to hide." "I knew you were thick-skinned from before, but to speak like this in front of me? You must have quite the nerve, Mr. Do Gyeong-hoon." "I''m not as bold as the Guild Master, who treats Red Gates like a daily meal." At Ju Se-Ah''s provocation, Do Gyeong-hoon chuckled faintly and replied. Kang Mu-hyuk signaled to the clenching-fist Ju Se-Ah to calm down, then spoke. "It seems you know why we''re here. I won''t speak at length. Please resign now." "Why should I?" "Because it will be good for both of us. If you resist, it won''t end well." "Come evening, Director Jang Deuk-goo will arrive. It would be wise to listen, as I''m really saying this for Mr. Do Gyeong-hoon." Ju Se-Ah interrupted Kang Mu-hyuk. The party leaders of the old expedition team, who knew well about Jang Deuk-goo, shivered. Do Gyeong-hoon also wanted to avoid him, but he couldn''t back down and lose face. The reason was that he hadn''t yet recruited members beyond his close aides. Do Gyeong-hoon had no choice but to pull out the insurance he''d set before Ju Se-Ah became a Guild Master. "Fine. Let''s say I''m resigning. Will you properly provide me with the penalty fee? It''s 30 billion won." "We know. 30 billion won if you resign at the guild''s request. 100 million won if you quit yourself. Apletely unfair contract. You''ve really yed the former Guild Master. Your ability is quite good." "I am quitepetent." "I wish you had used that ability in Iron Will. Don''t use it for your own greed." "So will you give it or not? Oh, is the guild short on money now? Should I take this in installments?" Knowing the guild''s financial situation through the finance team, Do Gyeong-hoon wore a triumphant smile. But there was something he didn''t know. It was a loan of several hundred billion won received from Hanshin Financial Group. Kang Mu-hyuk had not yet shared the details with the finance team, and since the amount wasn''t in the ount, it remained unknown. From Do Gyeong-hoon''s perspective, it was significant bluffing, but thanks to the loan, Kang Mu-hyuk could respond without faltering. "I''ll give it to you. All at once." "What?!" "Well, I can give it. But it makes me angry to give it to someone like you. Even if I have the money, I hate to give it to you." Do Gyeong-hoon was flustered when he agreed to give the penalty fee but then capriciously changed his mind. He became angry. Was he toying with people? No, it was more the emotionless gaze of Kang Mu-hyuk that irritated him. "What kind of game are you ying?!" "How about this? Mutual agreement to terminate the contract." Do Gyeong-hoon''s mouth fell open. A hollowugh escaped. "So that''s what it was. You didn''t want to give a single penny? You think I''ll ept that?" "You should ept this offer. If not, the deeds you''vemitted here will be spread all over this ce." "!!" "I''ll brand you as a treacherous Hunter who systematically poached the guild''s Hunters to another guild. You won''t be able to find a ce anywhere." "Is that all, spreading rumors? What can you do about it? I already have a prior agreement." "You think you can just join Titan? I assure you, you won''t be able to join Titan. I''ll make sure of that." "Guild Leader, this isn''t the Titan that once felt your influence. Are you under some kind of illusion?" "Then try it." "..." "Let''s see if my words hold weight or not." Chapter 52 - I Will Live Up to Your Expectations Do Gyeong-hoon flinched. Without giving him a chance to gather his thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking. "No matter how lucrative the Hunter''s game is, or how high the rank, there are still taboos that must be observed. You trusted Titan and went too far. Are you prepared to pay the price?" Kang Mu-hyuk had already devised a n to handle the situation before meeting with Do Gyeong-hoon. The solution included permanently barring Do Gyeong-hoon from the industry. He could make sure there would be no ce for him in at least a mid-tier guild. There was no punishment as cruel as an A-rank Hunter like Do Gyeong-hoon having to roam around small and medium guilds for the rest of his life. Do Gyeong-hoon felt that Kang Mu-hyuk''s threat was not an empty one. The influence of this non-Hunter was impressive. He had to admit that he had beenpletely overpowered. ''Damn it. Where did thise from? I was caught too easily. Should I have tried to dodge this instead?'' Now it was not just a matter of leaving the guild. His entire Hunter career might be over. Moreover, his own faction of Hunters was wavering. While his closest confidants were steadfast, the younger Hunters, who were unaware of the deal with Titan, seemed uneasy. Perhaps they believed that Do Gyeong-hoon was abandoning them. But exining and calming them down wasn''t an option. The situation was far from favorable. It wouldn''t be a problem if only the Guild Leader was watching, but Ju Se-ah was the issue. Her wide-eyed stare was burdensome even to an A-rank Hunter like Do Gyeong-hoon. ''I didn''t think this through in my panic. Any suspicion I dispel now will not easily fade. I shouldn''t have agreed to talk here.'' Despite Kang Mu-hyuk''s suggestion to move elsewhere, Do Gyeong-hoon remained in the cafeteria because of Ju Se-ah. After all, Hunters were closer to fists than words. Do Gyeong-hoon didn''t believe that Hunters were within the bounds of thew. Otherwise, the chaos in South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the necessity for moderation wouldn''t be exinable. What about Jang Deuk-goo The fact that such a person could roam the city freely was a w in the national system. Although Ju Se-ah had never used her power against guild members, her infamy---particrly as a walking cmity---was well-known. Do Gyeong-hoon thought that he might be a target of that disaster. His naive assumption that being in a crowded ce would protect him had backfired. He had publicly be a traitor. Do Gyeong-hoon felt the need to assert his strength. However, he didn''t have the wit to handle a battle of skills with a Hunter. All that was left was to exercise his influence within the guild. "Guild Leader Kang, you do know who''s backing me, right? Vice President Tae Soo-cheol of Taesung Group is supporting me. Do you threaten me knowing that?" "Just a Vice President?" Kang Mu-hyuk threw back the mocking smile that Do Gyeong-hoon had given him. "No matter if you''re a Guild Master or a Guild Leader, with just one word from Vice President Tae Soo-cheol..." "I wonder too. With one word, what will happen? Who will truly support us?" As Kang Mu-hyuk calmly smiled, Do Gyeong-hoon felt a sudden regret. ''Could it be? The vice-president too?'' His thoughts went there, and his tongue became paralyzed. By this point, it was clear that something had been deliberately prepared. Otherwise, despite mentioning the vice-president, he would not have acted so rigidly. He was greatly to me for being careless even though he knew they had already been in contact. In reality, there had been no interaction between Kang Mu-hyuk and Tae Soo-Cheol regarding this incident. But Kang Mu-hyuk knew which side Tae Soo-cheol would choose. ''He''s someone who can abandon any side if it doesn''t benefit him.'' Kang Mu-hyuk, who pushed Ju Se-ah far away from Seoul, and Do Gyeong-hoon, who harbored dissatisfaction and received support from external forces to dismantle the guild. Unlike his father, Tae Soo-cheol intended to privatize Iron Will in the future. Unaware of this, Do Gyeong-hoon simply misunderstood that he was trying to eliminate hispetitor for inheritance. Tae Soo-cheol had no reason to think highly of him. "Hunter Do Gyeong-hoon. If you have nothing more to say, please leave the guild headquarters now. And don''t forget to return the satellite phone equipment on your way out." Kang Mu-hyuk ordered the expulsion of the tightly closed-mouthed Do Gyeong-hoon and then looked around at the surrounding Hunters. "Those who have decided to transfer to Titan, please leave together. We will handle the termination of the contracts separately through awyer." Before Do Gyeong-hoon and his group packed up to leave the guild, Kang Mu-hyuk set out first. It was to finish the business with Do Gyeong-hoon. He went up to Seoul and headed straight to Yeouido. Titan headquarters. Noh Song-rin was waiting there. "I did receive a call, but this situation seems to have escted quite a bit." "You don''t know yet." "You mean it''s going to get even bigger?" "You should ask them." Kang Mu-hyuk gestured to the camera with his chin. Noh Song-rin realized he had been under surveince from the guild entrance. As evidence, as soon as he entered the lobby, a man seemed to be waiting and approached. "It''s been a long time, team leader. No, I should call you Guild Leader now." "I didn''t expect Hunter Jang I-hyun to greet me. Using the team leader of the 1st party of the Great Titan Guild as a guide, Vice Guild Master is too much. If you feel undervalued, just let me know. Iron Will is always open." "It''s an honor to receive a scouting offer from you, Guild Leader. But the treatment isn''t bad. At least a party leader must serve you, so I came out to avoid being rude. Let''s discuss the rest in the office." Upon arriving at the Vice Guild Master''s office, Jang I-hyun slightly blocked Noh Song-rin''s way. Noh Song-rin red at him with a hostile look. "What is it?" "It''s courtesy for the subordinates to step out when two people have a private talk." "What? Are you ying the loyal servant? Are all A-rank guild Hunters so rigid?" "You must not have evene close to A-rank to say that. This isn''t rigidity; it''s discipline." "Ah, is this you picking a fight? Shall we see the skills of that arrogant A-rank guild Hunter?" "It''s not about picking a fight, but if you wish to test me, I''m more than willing." Both Noh Song-rin, gritting his teeth, and the expressionless Jang I-hyun stood face to face, so close their breaths could mingle, when Kang Mu-hyuk stepped in. "That will be enough, Hunter Noh Song-rin. If a guest strikes the host, it would be a problem for me." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Jang I-hyun wore a shocked expression. He sighed, forgetting the quarrel that had just urred. "If you say so, it really seems like you are no longer a person of Titan. Quite disappointing." "Heh!" Noh Song-rin chuckled from the side as if he found the situation delicious. "Please wait quietly without causing unnecessary problems." "Am I some adolescent troublemaker? I do have some discernment." "Are you referring to the discernment that got you caught in Ujungdo?" "Heh!" "Ugh...!" In a fit of revenge-likeughter, Jang I-hyun made Noh Song-rin groan. Kang Mu-hyuk implored again before entering the office of Vice Guild Master. Time had passed, but Kang Mu-hyuk was still greeted with the same appearance he had known from his days at Titan. Ma Taesu greeted Kang Mu-hyuk with the same gentle demeanor, unchanged from before. "Sit." Kang Mu-hyuk had barely taken a seat before Ma Taesu as he got straight to the point. "I will let the Hunters who have decided to transfer go. But please don''t shake things up anymore." "To pretend to concede with such trivial kids. Bing a leader has made you quite the sly snake. Or were you always like that?" "This is not a favor, but a request. I''ll be polite up to this point." "Request? Polite? Your jokes have certainly increased. Or has your gall grown? Hahaha!" Ma Taesuughed heartily. He shook his head as if it were preposterous. There was no respect in his attitude from the start. "Shall we continue?" "Next time, it won''t end with a funny joke." Kang Mu-hyuk seemed to forget to blink. He stared piercingly at his opponent as he spoke. "If you desire the Guild Master position, solve it within the guild. Don''t meddle with another''s guild that''s minding its own business." "You knew after all. Have you already figured that out? I thought I was being discreet. But stopping now will be difficult. This is business, after all." "For business, it feels quite malicious in the way it''s schemed." "It''s a little bit of venting, too. You know there''s some resentment between us." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded. "Yes, there are still unresolved feelings between us. Well, I will vent some as well." "To me? You? This is going to be exciting." It was a challenge. Ma Taesu was ignoring Kang Mu-hyuk. He still saw him as a team leader. He thought he was capable but limited since he wasn''t a Hunter. That, too, was one thing that hadn''t changed. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t reply but stood up. "I''m d you''re looking forward to it. I''ll be sure to meet your expectations. Farewell, then." "Take care. You won''t go far." Ma Taesu was surprised when Kang Mu-hyuk suddenly announced that he was leaving without achieving anything, but he didn''t show it. Instead, he sent him off with an air of nonchnce. ''I thought he would grovel a bit more.'' He felt a nagging sense of unease deep down, but no matter how he thought about it, it seemed unlikely that Kang Mu-hyuk could do anything to harm him. ''Pompous brat. Try and challenge me. I won''t even flinch. At most, he won''t sell me the Rider Wolf.'' He had already found a solution to that problem. The main shareholders from Union Asset Management had offered to supply riders through a Japanese route. It might not be as good as the Rider Wolf, but in the current situation where purchase priority was given to the Tier-ed Guild, the opportunity wouldn''t likelye to a mere A-rank Titan. ''Had it not been for that offer, I might have hesitated... Anyway, I ended up receiving help in various ways. But why did the Union tell me to counter Iron Will?'' A fleeting doubt crossed Ma Taesu''s mind, but he quickly dismissed it as unimportant, given that the Guild Master''s position was close at hand. ... As soon as Kang Mu-hyuk left Titan''s headquarters, he picked up his smartphone. A lively female voice answered at the end of the ringtone. "Huh? What''s up? It hasn''t even been a day; why are you calling already? There''s no progress yet." "I have something to ask you." "What is it?" "You said you saw Union''s representative and Executive Kim Myung-jun that time, right?" "From afar, not up close. I caught a glimpse while delivering coffee." "Then, who seemed to be in charge?" "What are you talking about all of a sudden?" "I''m asking who appears to be the boss, the one giving the orders. How did they look?" "I don''t know. There was no clear clue as to who was above the other. From their tone and expression, they seemed to be on simr levels." "Since there can''t be two bosses, perhaps both are subordinates. Understood. Contact me if you gather more information." No sooner had he hung up than Noh Song-rin asked, "What''s this about Kim Myung-jun?" "Come to think of it, he and Hunter Noh Song-rin were ssmates at Ujungdo, weren''t you?" "ssmates with a scumbag who puts a leash on his peers? That jerk ruined my nose at yer, thanks to which the Guild Master caught me by the scruff of the neck too." Noh Song-rin grumbled. Kang Mu-hyuk chuckled, and then exined the situation. It was top-secret information shared with only a few trusted people, including Ju Se-ah, but he revealed it to hear Noh Song-rin''s opinion about Kim Myung-jun. After hearing the exnation, Noh Song-rin scoffed. "Kim Myung-jun? No way~! He''s too big-headed to go to the mighty yer Guild and propose a business first. He''s not one to be under anyone." Kang Mu-hyuk found something strange in Noh Song-rin''s answer. "Wait! What did you just say?" "What? That he''s not one to be under anyone?" "No, not that. You said he proposed business to the yer Guild?" "Ah! That? Yes. It''s about founding the Hanseong Enterprise. Kim Myung-jun proposed that to yer." "!!" Chapter 53 - The Fault Lies with the One Who Did Wrong "Why? What went wrong?" As Kang Mu-hyuk''s words were cut off, Noh Song-rin looked puzzled. ''It doesn''t make sense.'' Up until now, Kang Mu-hyuk had been suspecting that the entity that had released Kim Myung-jun from Ujungdo was the yer Guild. It wasn''t because of any evidence. It was a logical inference. It was because it didn''t make sense for a murderer who was imprisoned in Ujungdo for killing several Hunters to be released as a model prisoner after only serving for 7 years. Of course, it wasn''tpletely unheard of. asionally, there were cases where prisoners received a reduction in their sentences by being drafted for impossible hunting missions. Or a powerful influence could illegally extract them. ording to the records, Kim Myung-jun had never gone hunting after he left Ujungdo. Naturally, Kang Mu-hyuk had assumed thetter was the case. It was only logical. After being released, he joined a secretive satellite guild of the Tier-ed Guild, which was disguised as a small business. The yer Guild''s n to use Kim Myung-jun as a cleaner. ''I thought so.'' But if Noh Song-rin was right, then Hanseong Enterprise was actually founded on Kim Myung-jun''s suggestion, not as a result of yer''s creation. Of course, if the yer hadn''t thought about it at all, it wouldn''t have happened. It was right to think that Kim Myung-jun had intervened just at the needed time. ''Then, Kim Myung-jun was released in a different way.'' A sh of insight struck Kang Mu-hyuk. Union, Hanseong Enterprise, Kim Myung-jun, yer Guild. And finally, he reached a conclusion. "Kim Myung-jun was not merely a servant of the yer." "What?" "He might have been under the yer''s influence, at least on the surface... but perhaps he was also coborating with another force." "Another force?" "It seems like we''ve finally identified our negotiation target." "What are you talking about? I can''t figure out what''s going on." Noh Song-rin asked again at the sudden mumble, but Kang Mu-hyuk deferred his answer. He made a call somewhere. "I understand. We must meet urgently. ... Serious? Well, it may not end well." ... "Yes. This is Kim Myung-jun. Who is this? Ah! Iron Will. It''s Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, isn''t it? I haven''t even given you my contact information, how did you know? So, why did you call? Ah, I see? Tonight? That''s fine. I''m good with it. Unfortunately, I have to workte tonight. What? You''lle over yourself?" Kim Myung-jun tapped his desk a couple of times with his finger. "That''s fine. Yes. 8 PM. I''ll be waiting." After ending the call, Kim Myung-jun stared at the phone. An internal number connected from the administrative team. He tried to recall whether he had told Kang Mu-hyuk that he was with Hanseong Enterprise. ''I met him only once at Chairman Tae''s vi. The conversation was short, and I never left any clues about my identity. Director Jung''s mouth is tight, so it wouldn''t have slipped out. But suddenly after poking around with Titan, he contacts me in just a few days?'' It was too slight a connection to simply attribute to mere coincidence with Kang Mu-hyuk. Kim Myung-Jun searched through his contacts on his smartphone. [Noh Song-rin] -Connection is unavable, diverting to voicemail. "Hmm, is he still in North Pocheon? This is really inconvenient since they moved the guild." Even nting a spy was useless if the call wouldn''t go through. It was disturbing. Normally, avoidance would be the best strategy, but he couldn''t just shrink away and protect himself in a situation like this. Furthermore, hiding itself would raise suspicion. Whether Kang Mu-hyuk''s intention was mere social activity or probing into the Titan matter, Kim Myung-Jun had to avoid any actions that might give him unnecessary leverage. "There''s no harm in being cautious, though," he mused. Kim Myung-Jun''s hand quickly dialed on the phone. "It''s me. Everything alright? Come to the headquarters." ... Despite the sun setting, many people were still working in the industrial area on the outskirts of Seoul where Hanseong Enterprise was located. The small and medium enterprises handling item-rted processes were enjoying a boom, and that was why. However, the number of employees working overtime was significantly lower than during the day. Before heading to Hanseong Enterprise, Kang Mu-hyuk parked his car on a quiet road. "I might have left the old phone at the guild, but I''m anxious they might suspect something if we don''tmunicate enough." "It should be fine this time. Themunication lines haven''t been set up yet since we just got into North Pocheon. For now, keep up the current stance, working as a double spy." "Are you really sure about going in alone? Kim Myung-Jun. He''s a very dangerous man." "He seems to be someone who protects himself as much as he is dangerous. It should be fine. I''ve insurance, haven''t I?" "You trust me? I''m not confident... What if you end up stepping on the axe you trust?" "I don''t trust the axe." It was a puzzling response. Noh Song-rin felt disappointed, more by the fact that he felt untrusted than by the words themselves. Kang Mu-hyuk dropped Noh Song-rin off and headed towards Hanseong Enterprise. Watching his retreating figure, Noh Song-rin stuck out his tongue. "He''s really gutsy, going alone into a ce that even scares me. Is he really not a Hunter?" ... Hanseong Enterprise was different from the nearby factories, bustling with machinery; there was no overtime work there. Most of the employees had left, but signs of life were still felt here and there. A person was even seen smoking in a hidden corner. Kang Mu-hyuk instinctively realized that they were Hunters. As he passed the factory''s main gate, the metal door closed with a loud, grating noise. Checking the rearview mirror, he saw two people pushing the doors as it closed on either side. ''The personal guards from Ujungdo, as Hunter Noh Song-rin mentioned.'' Though it was a low metal door, a suffocating pressure that seemed to block his retreat settled around his neck. But Kang Mu-hyuk was not perturbed. His opponents were Hunters who were better at catching people than monsters. They were the kind he despised. He could not allow himself to show fear to such an opponent. He straightened his chest and got out of the car. The spirited energy from various ces pricked at his skin. To Kang Mu-hyuk, who had high sensitivity to mana due to mana addiction, the energy was felt vividly. "Where should I go for Executive Kim Myung-jun''s office?" He asked the Hunter who was crouching closest. The Hunter was startled, as if stung by a bee, by the unexpected question. He''s not a Hunter, but he''s not trembling? He tilted his head with this thought. Unaware that the ash was falling from the cigarette in his mouth, the Hunter hesitated for a moment, then quickly stood up and pointed to an annex building next to the factory. "Third floor, right corridor." The path he walked without guidance was utterly deste. He intended to kill his energy with a rough atmosphere. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t fall for it, calmly heading to Kim Myung-jun''s office. As he knocked on the door, a deep voice answered. "Come in." Kim Myung-jun greeted Kang Mu-hyuk, leaning back deeply into the sofa. It was a rude gesture to have a guest stand while he sat. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t care and freely sat down on the opposite side of the sofa. "The atmosphere for workingte here is good. Everyone looksfortable. And no one seems toin if you don''t work." "I do enjoy a very free atmosphere." "You''ve been too free. You must be busy running a business, and yet you worry about someone else''s guild." "...What do you mean?" "Exactly what I said. Union, Titan. Do you have anything else to say?" "Oh, that? I had momentarily forgotten. Chairman Tae Jin-sung keeps pestering me about it. I''m reluctant, but what can I do? A supplier must do as the bigpany says." "These days Hunters are also supplying?" "Large conglomerates like the Taesung Group needpanies like ours sometimes. They may act haughty, but they have to protect what they have, even by illegal means if necessary. A necessary evil, shall we say?" He was a crafty one. Slyly shifting the me to Tae Jin-sung. Since Tae Jin-sung had originally disliked Ju Se-ah being in the guild, it was not strange at all. ''But he admitted it too easily. He was prepared and answered immediately. How can someone whose identity and actions should be secret be so frank? Liars be honest usually when they need to hide something else.'' He narrowed his eyes. In contrast, Kim Myung-jun met him with a smiling face. Kang Mu-hyuk took a breath and spoke calmly. "Then, please step back." "You should say that to Titan. Even though we asked them, they are the ones actually moving." "Titan doesn''t seem to want to listen. They''re ming it on the Union." "Then you should go to Union." "Weren''t you the one who controlled the Union, Executive?" "Control is a bit of a harsh word." "Why? From what I see, you seem to have a very close rtionship with them. Shall we dig into it?" "You keep crossing the line." Kim Myung-jun''s smile disappeared from his face. ''It''s still okay,'' thought Kang Mu-hyuk. It looked like a high-stakes gamble, a negotiation where lives were on the line, but Kang Muh-yuk did not feel threatened at all. Had Kim Myung-jun been an indiscriminate killer, he would never havee in the first ce. Kang Muh-yuk assessed Kim Myung-jun as craftier and more self-preserving than anyone else. Even if he was to take action, he would examine everything thoroughly and move only when he could create a perfect alibi. So now was not the time. The line hadn''t beenpletely crossed yet. Noh Song-rin had opposed this n. Why was a madman called a madman? Because he exceeded expectations, he had said. Kang Muh-yuk had agreed with that opinion. However, Kim Myung-jun was no longer a criminal moving alone like before. The yer Guild, Union Asset Management, and Taesung Group were all entangled, narrowing the path of fortune. Even then, they were not all on the same side. Forces clinging to Kim Myung-jun with different objectives; in times like these, maintaining bnce and secrecy was key. ''Therefore, they can''t directly attack me.'' He stated his calctions without hesitation. "Does the yer Guild know about Union? They say you use Japanese funds. Most of the Japanese financial capitaling into Korea is linked with the Yakuza, isn''t it? The Yakuza have a close rtionship with Japanese Hunters. yer wouldn''t like that." "..." Silence. Another sign of affirmation. Since the sacrifices of the Great War, the yer Guild, the mainstay of Korea''s fallen Huntermunity, had been consistently keeping Japanese Hunters at bay. By bringing up this point, Kim Myung-jun had put himself in a bind. Even though he was a coborator rather than a servant of the yer Guild, the difference in power was profound. He could not withstand being at odds with the yer Guild on Korean soil. At this point, Kim Myung-jun had no choice but to raise his hands. "So what do you want?" "I won''t ask why. Just back off from the Iron Will Guild. Now and in the future. Whether you do it directly or use other means, stop it all." "Now you''re openly crossing the line." "It seems like a rather generous request, doesn''t it?" "Is it not a threat?" "If that''s how you hear it, well." "There''s no problem in epting, you see." "..." "You''ll continue to use that as a leash. From what I see, we will keep shing. It would be troublesome to stumble over the yer Guild every time." There was a chill in his voice. "So. Will you be the one to cross the line this time?" "Don''t feel too aggrieved. You knew it too. That this was a tiger''s den. It''s your fault foring in so defenseless." Kim Myung-jun picked up a cigarette from the table and put it to his lips, lighting it, then stood up from the sofa and turned his back, walking to the window and puffing smoke as he shouted outside. "Hey! Clear this away!" Squeak, the door opened. Kang Muh-yuk looked up at Kim Myung-jun''s back from his seated position. "You''re not even a Hunter, you should''ve taken care of yourself. You trusted your mind too much--" Kim Myung-jun''s hand paused as he was about to shake off the cigarette ash, his lips twisted in a malicious grin. Reflected in the dark window was a strange face, the ss mirroring the office scenery. Kim Myung-jun''s mind was momentarily ensnared by the eyes ring at him through the window, and the burnt cigarette ash dropped with a thud. Spitting out the half-burnt cigarette, he turned around. "You think I came alone? Besides, the one who did wrong is the one at fault," he said. Kim Myung-jun turned his gaze to Kang Mu-hyuk. Their eyes met. It was a cool and emotionless look, devoid of triumphant satisfaction or ecstasy. A shiver ran down his spine, ever so slightly. To be regarded with such absence of emotion... He finally realized that the negotiation a moment ago had been nothing but a job to Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk was not a man afraid of his work. "How did you get in here? I didn''t sense anything." The words sounded funny once he''d said them. The cause was too apparent. If a Hunter close to S-rank decided to infiltrate, who would notice? Ignoring him, a conversation happened between Kang Mu-hyuk. "I told you, Guild Leader Kang? No need for a brawl if words will suffice. Sadly, words failed us this time," said the voice. "I expected that much and summoned you for it." "A Guild Leader who calls in a hitman... Well, I have some pent-up stress myself, so I''ll forgive you just this once." "You must not kill him." The Walking Cmity approached with a fluttering ck armor coat. Kim Myung-jun gritted his teeth and shouted. "Ju Se-ah!!" Chapter 54 - So Who Is It? Kim Myung-jun kicked the desk. The desk that sprang into the air obscured his view as it fell towards Ju Se-ah. Ju Se-ah, unfazed, thrust her fist forward. From the opposite side, a kick arrived smashing through the desk. The collision of fist and foot created an incredible noise that was diforting to the ears. Kang Mu-hyuk scrunched his face and retreated a few steps. Meanwhile, Kim Myung-jun stumbled backward and drew his belt. At a nce, it was obviously no ordinary leather. An ethereal green shimmer gleamed under the fluorescent lights. Kang Mu-hyuk, recognizing the material, warned, "It''s made of Irond Crocodile scales!" "I know that too!" Ju Se-ah shouted, pulling on her gloves. Kim Myung-jun swung his belt like a whip. The once floppy belt stiffened and began to whip like a de. The green light wrapped around the de suddenly vanished, reced by a red heat as though the metal was burning. He swung the de in an X shape in the air, and sparks flew from the floor and ceiling, melting the path where the de passed. The heat of a furnace could be felt from the de as it targeted Ju Se-ah. Kang Mu-hyuk sensed that it was a skill that converted mana into heat energy. Skills rted to fire were threatening, whether the opponent was a monster or a Hunter. Ju Se-ah also understood the principle of the skill and responded by forming a wall of mana around himself. This alone was enough for her, who had elemental resistance. "Even you, Ju Se-ah, must find this a bit dangerous?" "My clothes might burn. This is a new uniform, you know. Do you know how expensive an armor coat is?" "...Are you ignoring me now?" "I''ll decide whether to ignore you after watching some more. You''re not scaring me." Kim Myung-jun''s face twisted at Ju Se-ah''s nonchnt response. Facing Ju Se-ah, whom he had only known through rumors and data, the pressure was no small thing. The impact of their first sh still made his feet feel numb. Kim Myung-jun hid the lingering pain on his foot. He seemed to understand why everyone talked about Ju Se-ah. "Ha, this is ridiculous. Facing me with mere defensive gloves and no weapon? That''s overconfidence." "Everyone says that until they get hit. Funny how they never realize they''re talking about themselves." As Ju Se-ah approached, cracking her knuckles, Kim Myung-jun moved with a shout. "Yaaah!" "Huh?" Crash! Kim Myung-jun, who seemed about to charge, suddenly threw himself out the window. Ju Se-ah''s face was one of astonishment. "Damn! That cunning Kim." Ju Se-ah checked outside the window, brushing aside the shattered blinds. It was the third floor, but for an A-rank Hunter like him, it was no problem. As Kim Myung-junnded on the ground, his personal guards began to gather around him. "Guild Master, if we want to take care of this quickly, we should catch him here." "Don''t worry. Even like this, I''ve never let prey escape once I''ve marked them." Ju Se-ah followed Kim Myung-jun and jumped down. Kim Myung-jun didn''t even look back as he ordered his guards. "Stop that woman. Stall her as much as you can." The guards recognized Ju Se-ah at a nce but fearlessly followed themand. Kim Myung-jun went to a car parked nearby and opened the trunk. It wasn''t a full set for Gate usage, but he pulled out his favorite weapons and a maroon-colored armor coat, albeit reluctantly. "Surely you''re not just going to rush in blindly trusting only the numbers?" Ju Se-ah muttered in disbelief, pushing her way through the attacking Hunters. While throwing punches, she recalled what Kang Mu-hyuk had warned her. "Don''t kill. Be gentle. This is not the Gate. It''ll be troublesome if you kill them, no matter how bad they are." Kang Mu-hyuk was contemting, looking down at Ju Se-ah, who was driving back the Hunters rushing with various weapons through the broken window. ''I can''tpletely eliminate Kim Myung-jun here. Evidence will be left outside the Gate. I''ll be hostile to the well-organized yer Guild again. The fact that I was aware of Hanseong Corporation would be ufortable, whatever the reason.'' Conversely, Kim Myung-jun also wouldn''t be able to report Ju Se-ah''s rampage to the yer Guild. He would have to exin the cause of this fight, which would reveal his connection to another organization, linked to Japanese Hunter circles. It was clear that yer would stir up trouble and chase Kim Myung-jun. After some calction, Kang Mu-hyuk made a bold decision. As proof, Kim Myung-jun was activating a barrier he had installed in Hanseong Corporation, called a Hunter. A faint yellow curtain spread from the wall into thin air. Kang Mu-hyuk knew this barrier. It had the effect of blocking noise and light from escaping outside. It was clear that Kim Myung-jun didn''t want thismotion to be known. ''Unusual rtionships with Union, suspecting and probing a proposal to the yer Guild, but the fact that Kim Myung-jun was actually colluding with the Japanese Hunters! Seeing such an extreme reaction from someone who usually thinks of himself first, he must realize that it''s a dangerous game.'' The thought that they might choose total annihtion had made preparing Ju Se-ah effective. While Kang Mu-hyuk was sorting out his thoughts, Kim Myung-jun approached Ju Se-ah. "Director Jung!" With his shout, a shadow that had been holding its breath in the darkness leaped out and attacked Ju Se-ah. It was an unexpected surprise attack, but Ju Se-ah dodged it easily. "So you were involved here too." Kang Mu-hyuk recognized the shadow that had revealed itself as Chairman Tae Jin-sung''s security chief. He wasn''t taken aback, having suspected him since he had met Kim Myung-jun at the chairman''s vi. Ju Se-ah dusted off her hands as if just warming up. "Only two A-ranks? You should''ve brought more." Only after Ju Se-ah stopped did the personal guards catch their breath and falter, but most were already incapacitated. They owed their lives to Ju Se-ah''s mercy. Kim Myung-jun stood next to Director Jung, looking defeated. "So much for the surprise attack. She''s a monster." "You should have run away instead. Now I''m in a bind. To think my opponent is Ju Se-ah." "I didn''t know that woman woulde either, so I gave up on running away. Damn, who lets their Guild Master behave like that?" Kim Myung-jun red at the main building''s third floor with an indignant expression. Kang Mu-hyuk. He hadn''t thought the guy would be this unreasonable. What kind of Guild Master would descend to such a shabby ce on the words of a subordinate? The Guild Master''s hindquarters weighed a thousand units; although they might sweat profusely, it was typical for them not to move if it was not a position worthy of their status. Of course, in smaller guilds, the Guild Master had to run around to the point of sweating at the soles of their feet, but no one saw Iron Will or Ju Se-ah as the Guild Master of an insignificant small guild. Such typical prejudices clouded Kim Myung-jun''s judgment. "Or did they never underestimate us from the start? That''s why they deployed full power from the beginning... Damn! This makes no sense!" The security, leading from yer to Hanseong Corporation to Union, was robust. Even the great yer didn''t know. How the secret had leaked out waspletely beyond understanding. Being from yer made no difference for Ju Se-ah. Unless one was a top-ranking executive, it was impossible to grasp all the guild''s internal affairs. Although one might hear rumors, they knew that nothing more than the authority of a young ace Hunter had been given. ''Whatever the reason, Kang Mu-hyuk must have thought Ju Se-ah would settle it,'' Kim Myung-jun thought. As he thought of Kang Mu-hyuk, a way to ovee this crisis came to his mind. "Hey, you there. Grab the guy sticking his face out on the third floor. We''ll use him as a hostage." He issued themand to the Hunter in the rear through a message skill. The Hunter nodded and quietly retreated. Ju Se-ah noticed the movement but stood still. Kim Myung-jun had prepared to stall for time andbine forces with Director Jung, but he was puzzled when the other side didn''t react. However, he soon realized why Ju Se-ah was indifferent to the Hunter going after Kang Mu-hyuk. "Kraak!" With a scream, a familiar man appeared at the building''s first-floor entrance. The Hunter Kim Myung-jun had sent was dragged out by the neck. "Damn! I forgot about Jang Deuk-goo." Kang Mu-hyuk had been keeping Noh Song-rin on standby just in case, but Ju Se-ah had even brought Jang Deuk-goo, feeling uneasy. His lips were sealed, his skills were outstanding, and above all, the only reliable person was Jang Deuk-goo. For Kang Mu-hyuk, it was not yet time to discard the card of Noh Song-rin being a double spy, so he weed Jang Deuk-goo''s involvement. "The thread goes where the needle goes." All tricks were blocked. Kim Myung-jun and Director Jung exchanged nces. At that moment, Ju Se-ah charged. The two who had been caught off guard rushed forward to meet her. The surrounding Hunters also swarmed in after her. Ju Se-ah dodged Kim Myung-jun''s longsword, grabbed his cor, and kicked Director Jung in the abdomen. The Hunters aimed at her back while she knocked Kim Myung-jun down with a swing. Kim Myung-jun did not remain idle. His sword struck Ju Se-ah''s forearm, but it merely evaporated like steam against the mana shield. A firm sticity repelled the de. The dagger thrown by Director Jung, aiming at a weak spot, did not touch at all. The Hunters struck Ju Se-ah, feeling like they were hitting a rock, but each time they did, they were the ones to take damage. Roars and screams mingled, but they could not pass over the barrier of Hanseong Enterprises. After a fierce storm raged, the only one standing unscathed was Ju Se-ah. Kim Myung-jun spat blood and staggered to the ground. Director Jung gasped for breath, cornered. Both were unharmed in life, but they had suffered internal injuries and needed rest for the time being. "It''s absurd. To be beaten so much that mana backflows. Kkukkuk! Is this why I was so wary of Ju Se-ah?" Kim Myung-jun muttered to himself, more stunned by the mental shock than the pain. Ju Se-ah looked down at him and said, "It seems you are now ready to talk." Ju Se-ah turned around. Kang Mu-hyuk had alreadye down after the situation was cleared. By his side, Jang Deuk-goo was on standby, just in case. Kim Myung-jun, who had been waiting for a chance, gave up his guarded stance. "You did well, Guild Master. Executive Director Kim Myung-jun, there is some more to our earlier conversation. Do you want to hear it?" Karak, Ptui! Kim Myung-jun spat the boiling blood in his throat and raised both hands. "I understand for sure. That we can''t do anything with force... I surrender. I will listen to what you have to say." ... "The notification must have been sent by now." At the end of his sentence, a smartphone rang. Kang Mu-hyuk checked the caller ID on the screen. "That person is impatient." "It seems urgent." Ju Se-ah looked at the name on the screen with slight curiosity, amused. [Ma Taesu, Vice Guild Master] Kang Mu-hyuk took the call after a brief pause. "This is Kang Mu-hyuk." "Are you feelingfortable?" "It''s fortunate that I could meet your expectations. Calling right away." "I don''t know what magic you used. But yes, I admit it. Guild Leader Kang''s skill. Persuading an opponent to attack himself, only to aim at my neck. It would have been better if you had taken charge of this from the beginning." "It''s something I used to do a lot. You would know better, Vice Guild Master." A rough breathing sound, calming anger, was heard for a moment before the voice came through. "Fine. I''ll withdraw the transfer contract, as you requested." "Withdraw? Just take them all. We don''t need them either. Just don''t take Do Gyeong-hoon." "Do Gyeong-hoon? Ha! He''s still an A-rank; can you let him go so easily? It will be a big hit to Iron Will." "We must cut what needs cutting,pletely." "The Guild Leader has be firm." "It''s more like being fortified. I learned this from you, Vice Guild Master." "...So be it. Then, I''ll withdraw the Union''s support for the Guild Master." "There''s one more thing." "There''s another demand?" "Interest must be added if the repayment is dyed." "Let me hear it first." "We''ll rece the penalty for the Hunters taken from our guild with the Titan''s side Hunters." "What?!" Even without seeing his face, one could almost picture Ma Taesu''s expression. It must have beenpletely twisted. Comparing the abilities of Iron Will and Titan''s Hunters, the deal was absurd. Even among the same rank, there was a significant difference in the level of Hunters. This was why the assessment of Hunters didn''t end with rank alone. The disparity was even more pronounced in the individual tactical evaluation. This distinction was often a matter of talent. Before Ma Taesu could protest vehemently, Kang Mu-hyuk added, "It''s not a one-to-one exchange. Just one person will suffice." "That sounds like an even worse proposition. You won''t pick up some strange fellow, but rather someone skilled. A party leader at the very least, right?" "You''re quick to notice. Fortunately, it''s not a party leader. I''m thinking of bringing someone from the expedition team." "Party leader or not, it''s all the same!" Ma Taesu exploded in anger. Even when he made the call, he was just barely holding back his boiling insides. But what? Take away a party-level Hunter? After screaming loudly, he felt some of the fiery anger escape from his pent-up chest, leaving his head feeling cold. He checked a few details in silence before speaking again. "Isn''t that a terribly losing proposition for me? I may covet the Guild Master''s position, but not enough to weaken the guild''s overall strength. Let''s call it off. Another opportunity wille." "There may be something you want. For example, if the Union supports the Vice Guild Master again." "!!" "That would roughly bnce things out." There was a sound of sucking in a fruitless breath. After a slight pause, Ma Taesu said, "What about the Guild Master? Aren''t you and him on special terms?" "I have honored our friendship as much as I could. I paid him back with enough aplishments during Titan. Now I must work as Iron Will''s leader." "Can you keep that word?" "Please call a shareholders'' meeting as soon as the transfer ispleted." At that moment, Ma Taesu had to admit one thing about Kang Mu-hyuk. The belief that he always kept his promises. Even during Titan''s time, he kept his promises even if it meant taking a minor loss. He hadn''t realized back then how much trust would be the foundation of Titanter on, but now, looking back, it clearly showed how much faith Kang Mu-hyuk''s words instilled. Ma Taesu thought epting it wouldn''t be bad. Instead, it was good. However, he couldn''t just give in. If an expedition team''s Hunter was simply snatched away, public opinion would plummet. Conditions had to be set. "You know as well as I do, party leaders or expedition team members can''t be transferred without their consent." "I have no intention of forcibly taking someone if they are unwilling on your side. I will get their agreement first." "Fine. I''ll permit it on the condition that the other party agrees. You''ll take care of the transfer fee, right? The current penalties for the riff-raff will be woefully insufficient for an expedition team''s Hunter." "Of course. I''ll match it to thest cent." "So who is it?" "Hunter Lee Jin-joo." Chapter 55 - I will now speak about the vision Lee Cheoljung visited his regr sushi restaurant for the first time in a while. He found his reserved seat and sat down. It was ate lunch, and despite being a small restaurant, it was quite empty. A littleter, he heard someone approaching the next table. He poured a ss of the alcohol he''d pre-ordered and greeted the person. "How was I supposed to know if you said to meet therest time?" "You knew, didn''t you? What''s this? Drinking already? It''s still broad daylight." Kang Mu-hyuk naturally epted the ss offered by Lee Cheoljung. They ordered sushi and shared the bottle of sake, taking turns to toast. "You''ve wet your lips now, so tell me. You didn''t just call me for nothing." "Vice Guild Master will soon hold a shareholders'' meeting." "Without telling me? It''s always been his n, so I''m not surprised." "This time it''s different. Union Asset Management is joining hands with Vice Guild Master to form a new board of directors. They are nning to rece the guild leader. Probably one of the guild leader''s sides has already sided with them. I don''t know everything about the internal situation, but check your side that has been keeping their distancetely." "I don''t need to look into it; it must be the Dynamic Collection guys. No wonder they''ve been avoiding drinking with metely. Damn, I thought they were just scared of my drinking. Anyway, how did you know about this? You left the guild quite a while ago." Kang Mu-hyuk nced sideways into Lee Cheoljung''s eyes. His voice was calm, but his eyes were filled with suspicion. It was an attitude befitting a guild leader; a position that required constant vignce. Knowing this, he was neither particrly hurt nor upset. He himself likely had a simr perspective. "I happened to get involved. In the process of resolving the matter, I made a deal with the Vice Guild Master. I secured some benefits using the Union." "Seems like this will work against me quite a bit?" "Yes. It may be hard for you to ignore this time. I''m sorry to have to tell you this." Lee Cheoljung let out a low sigh. He fully understood what Kang Mu-hyuk meant. The fact that he had made such a decision as the leader of the Iron Will guild. And telling him about it was a consideration, out of old loyalty. "I heard the HR team was moving actively. I knew Iron Will was the target too. I thought the Vice Guild Master was simply plotting revenge against you. So I left it alone. It wasn''t the time to butt heads with the Vice Guild Master. I wanted to wait for the right time. So, I can''t me anyone orin about disloyalty." "You have nothing to apologize for. It was a natural choice in your position." "You aren''t sorry either, I suppose." "It was a fair deal, and I thought it was profitable. For both me and the guild master." Lee Cheoljung silently raised his ss to Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk also lifted his ss and clinked it lightly. Clink. They drained the remaining alcohol in one go. The sushi they had ordered arrived, but Lee Cheoljung didn''t even pick up a piece. He was about to stand up. "Thanks for letting me know. But stopping this fight now won''t put an end to it entirely. We were bound to sh at some point. I''ll have to find a way." "There''s not much time. It''ll be hard to get through this unscathed." "We can''t just fall apart because we''re short on time." "We have to buy time." "Hmm, you''re not one to talk nonsense. You must have a way. How?" Kang Mu-hyuk handed over a note. As Lee Cheoljung unfolded the twice-folded paper, a phone number was written inside. "It''s a bit of a crude method, but it''s effective... You''ve probably heard of the ''proxy disruptors.''" Lee Cheoljung knew what proxy disruptors were, so he tilted his head in confusion. Proxy disruptors were those among small shareholders who attended shareholder meetings and demanded money for obstructing the proceedings, especially in shareholder meetings where sensitive issues were abundant. They caused havoc like ghosts. "They might work with regrpanies. But if they pull that stunt with a listed guild, they know exactly what will happen, don''t they?" "There''s a group of proxy disruptors made up of Hunters. They contract with listed guilds for special purposes during shareholder meetings. They''re pretty high-ranked. If you try to force them out, the meeting hall will be destroyed, so even the high-ranking members can''t recklessly interfere. They will dy it somehow. Give them a call. You''ll be blocked from the entrance next time, but this meeting will surely be disrupted. Meanwhile, persuade the shareholders or find another way, to exploit weaknesses." "Heh! How did you even...?" The proxy disruptors Kang Mu-hyuk referred to, were another business of a woman known as Mister Jo. With her ability to change faces and voices, she organized a team to obstruct guild shareholder meetings. In her business of selling information, she had stumbled upon various requests and discovered a new business opportunity. Mister Jo found that there were surprisingly many listed guilds who wanted to obstruct shareholder meetings. But ordinary proxy disruptors didn''t dare risk their lives to interfere, so they didn''t even venture near guild shareholder meetings. She had discovered a blue ocean in that niche market and couldn''t just let it pass. "Anyway, I have an appointment, so I''ll get up now." Kang Mu-hyuk picked up a piece of sushi and stood up. As he was about to leave the sushi restaurant, Lee Cheoljung suddenly became curious. "Guild Leader Kang, what did you trade with Ma Taesu? If it''s hard to tell, you don''t have to." "The transfer of a Hunter." "Who?" "Hunter Lee Jin-joo." "What?! Lee Jin-joo? Hey, that''s not right." "Sign the transfer agreementter. Let''s consider this debt paid." "Hey, hey!" ... "Team Leader Kang... or should I say Guild Leader now? Anyway, I didn''t expect you to want to meet me. What''s the matter?" "Hunter Lee Jin-joo. I''ll get straight to the point. A transfer to Iron Will. What do you think?" "..." Lee Jin-joo was momentarily at a loss for words and faltered. It was a proposal she hadn''t anticipated at all. No, it was an absurd proposal to begin with. To move from the Titan, which was viewed as the next Tier-ed Guild, to Iron Will, treated at best as a C-rank? Iron Will had been gaining some fametely, butpared to the Titan, it was like a firefly under the moon. Certainly, Iron Will had potential, possessing one of the few monster breeding farms in the world. However, a guild''s worth was spoken through skill and achievement. Most of those achievements came from Gate hunting. Iron Will was decidedlycking when it came to achievements. "You think I would ept that proposal? My goodness, Guild Leader Kang, since you left Titan, your judgment has been off. Go outside and ask any Hunter. No, ask ordinary people if you want. Ask them which one they would choose. A hundred out of a hundred would choose Titan." "I understand. A hundred out of a hundred, a thousand out of a thousand would be Titan. But if Hunter Lee Jin-joo was one of those hundred or thousand, she would have no choice but to choose Iron Will." Lee Jin-joo paid close attention to Kang Mu-Hyuk''s subtle tone. She was an ambitious Hunter, aiming to be a Tier-ed Guild''s first female expedition leader. Therefore, she was sensitive to the interests, family affairs, or moods of those around her. To climb higher, not only individual skill but also the support of the Hunters backing her was important. Kang Mu-Hyuk, waiting for her to gauge the atmosphere, opened his mouth again. "If you return to the guild and confirm it, you''ll see that a temporary general meeting will soon be held at the request of the Vice-Guild Master." "Nothing special, that''s obvious news. When has the Vice-Guild Master not coveted the Guild Master''s position?" "A few shareholders, including Union Asset Management, have agreed to support the Vice-Guild Master." "!!" "And there''s a rumor that Ma Taesik is returning to the expedition. It''s awkward between you and the Vice Guild Master since the incident when he was attacked, isn''t it?" "Even knowing that, you ask like a snake. Now you''re finally acting like the old team leader." "The Vice Guild Master won''t immediately expel a Hunter with the skill of Hunter Lee Jin-joo if he bes Guild Master. He has some discernment. He''ll at least honor the contract period. But you''ll have to give up the expedition leader position. Unless you go to another guild. Even if you do, it won''t be easy to remove a stuck stone that rolled in midway." "So?" "This transfer matter has already been discussed between the Vice Guild Master and me. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have dared to meet a Titan-affiliated Hunter openly." Lee Jin-joo involuntarily groaned. If the conversation hade this far, the Vice Guild Master''s intent was clear. A statement that she was inconvenient. An indirect way of telling Lee Jin-joo to leave. ''Guild Leader Kang Mu-Hyuk is not a liar. If I look into it even a little, it will soon be revealed. He won''t lie about something that can easily be uncovered.'' Lee Jin-joo trusted the credibility of the former Strategy and Tactics team leader. If she had known how Kang Mu-Hyuk had arranged her transfer and the story behind it, she would have been displeased, but paradoxically, she trusted his handling of the matter, so she didn''t worry about it. Certainly, even if she had known, it probably wouldn''t have changed much. Kang Mu-hyuk spoke with finality. "The Guild Master will also sign the transfer agreement." "The, the Guild Master too...?" "Of course, that''s only possible if Hunter Lee Jin-joo agrees to the transfer." Lee Jin-joo''s face darkened. Being quick-witted, she understood her situation in an instant. The current expedition team leader was lost for sure. ording to Ma Taesu''s nature, once he became the Guild Master, he would ride on that authority and throw his weight around. The current expedition team leader, being extremely sensitive to guild politics, might have pretended ignorance and been consistent in doing so. She tightly closed her eyes at the too-obviously foreseeable future. "That''s enough for the situation exnation. Now I will tell you about the n." Strangely, from that moment on, Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice began to sound sweet. "We''ve dismissed Iron Will''s current expedition team leader. The position is vacant. We''ll nominate Hunter Lee Jin-joo for that ce. We''ve also disbanded the existing expedition team, and we''ll form a new one centered around Hunter Lee Jin-joo. Just like we coordinated your hunting style before." Lee Jin-joo''splexion rxed. She had confidence in Kang Mu-hyuk''s abilities when it came to guilds and hunting. She herself had benefited from those abilities right away. She had been a magic swordsman, cursed with short-rangebat despite having magic abilities, and Team Leader Kang had repositioned her as the core of the expedition. She found herself naturally paying attention to Kang Mu-hyuk''s continuing words. "Iron Will''s base is a Special Activities Zone, so it''s far from the Gates, but we won''t neglect the Gate conquest. First, we''ll umte experience by forming alliances with guilds struggling with Gate conquest. Additionally, we''ll help Hunter Lee Jin-joo learnbat abilities and Red Gate know-how through Guild Master Ju Se-ah''s guidance. Of course, I''ll also support expedition strategy and operation." Lee Jin-joo focused on the name Ju Se-ah. A Hunter younger than herself, but stronger than anyone in South Korea. A Hunter worthy of the title of the strongest, and one she respected, especially as a fellow female Hunter. Initially hesitant about Iron Will''s scale, the presence of Ju Se-ah weighed heavily once her mind inclined slightly. "Well, it''s not bad. If it goes as nned. But doesn''t Iron Will need too much time to reach the target level? Even if we reach that level, it seems like it will be inadequate to sessfully form an expedition team." "We have a n that will considerably shorten that time." "A n? Really? Is that even possible? If it''s possible, other guilds wouldn''t be begging like that." "While establishing expedition tactics is a matter of training and will take time, we intend to start a n for the overall quantitative and qualitative improvement of the guild immediately after Hunter Lee Jin-joo''s transfer. It may sound clich¨¦, but please trust me and transfer to Iron Will." There was no wavering in Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes. Before she knew it, Lee Jin-joo was nodding her head. Chapter 56 - Will You Permit it or Not? "Vote for Ma Taesu? All of a sudden? Is this whimsicality boiling over, or is it a joke? Withdraw support for Ma Taesu at one moment, and then push for him again." "Does it matter either way? If youply with the two requests I have made, our deal will be over." "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, are these two things really all you require from our agreement?" "Executive Kim, you''re not one to be forever tied to promises. Let''s end it cleanly. These two things will suffice. I''m not threatening you to give me more." "I can''t deny that." Kim Myung-jun was ufortable. Was this really the end? It was an overly clean deal, considering it was a demand from the winner who had control of both the weaknesses and the lifeline. ''He is an utterly unpredictable person.'' He heard that it wasn''t even a difficult task, just a few phone calls, and he even added the condition that he could refuse if it felt unfair. A different kind of person, who would cling and stretch to death once they caught a human''s weakness, unlike himself. It was only natural for Kim Myung-jun, who fundamentally distrusted people, to suspect Kang Mu-hyuk. He deduced the underlying situation. ''There must have been a deal with Ma Taesu''s side. What could it be?'' When he resolved to look into it, Kang Mu-hyuk''s warning came in like a ghost. "You don''t need to bother finding out. Everyone will know in a few days. I hope you don''t break the peace you''ve just restored by moving around secretly." "Don''t worry, Guild Leader Kang. I have some shame, too. Hahaha." "I don''t know about shame, but you seem quick-witted, so I''ll tell you this. Continuing to hold hands with those rted to the Union may be dangerous. Shake hands and step away at the right moment." Kim Myung-jun was taken aback. ''Does he indeed know? Or is he just probing?'' Kang Mu-hyuk mentioned not the Union itself but another power behind it. That was why he tried to kill him but failed because of Ju Se-ah. Now, capturing Kang Mu-hyuk wouldn''t keep the secret either. He had no choice but to hope that Kang Mu-hyuk would keep his mouth shut. Kim Myung-jun feigned arrogance and joked, "Familiarity breeds fondness. Are you worrying about me?" "It seems like you''re not the only one who might bleed." Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice suddenly grew heavy. At the change, Kim Myung-jun flinched. It seemed polite, but it was a word that could not be taken lightly. This man was not to be underestimated. Kim Myung-jun raised his alertness and replied, "Even if there''s blood, I''ll see it first. Of course, I don''t know if it will be mine, or yours, or someone else''s." "The deal is over with this. I hope we don''t get entangled again." As the call ended, Kim Myung-jun rubbed his chin and smiled bitterly. "Not get entangled? ...That''s not for me to decide, Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." ... Lately, Choi Mi-ran had been feeling disoriented. "Nothing is working out. Like a duck egg in the Nakdong River. I never thought Team Leader Do would stab me in the back like this." "It''s still somewhat of a relief for us. The members who followed Do Gyeong-hoon, believing they would join Titan were really screwed." Kim Seong-hyun''s body shivered uncontrobly. He had even dropped the honorifics after the betrayal by Do Gyeong-hoon, who had been the expedition team leader. Not long ago, he had been considering leaving the guild. Whether he would follow Do Gyeong-hoon, who could be considered the leader of the expedition team faction, one of the three factions of the old Taesung Guild, or stay with Iron Will as he was. He had been quite swayed because of rumors that he could enter Titan by following Do Gyeong-hoon. That was when Choi Mi-ran stopped him. "Do Gyeong-hoon is not someone to be taken lightly." Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk mentioned that Do Gyeong-hoon didn''t leave in a clean manner; he was driven out while secretly sneaking members away. He left the industry with what could be considered a thuggish act, and the Guild Leader wouldn''t leave it at that. In retrospect, Kim Seong-hyun''s decision to stay with the guild alongside Choi Mi-ran was an outstanding choice. It was a matter of life and death. The members who signed contracts with Titan joined as nned, but Do Gyeong-hoon was kicked out without even approaching Titan''s entrance. The non-contracted members who followed him were ruined in an instant. They became unemployed in a blink of an eye. They could work as frencers, but thefortable life backed by guaranteed sry and guild support was now gone. "How does it look to you, Sister?" "What?" "Our guild, going forward." "Well, we''re stuck in North Pocheon... but we have Rider Wolves. Maybe it won''t be bad? It will take some time, though." "True, the beast farm definitely has a vision. There are only a few in the world, after all. Moreover, Rider Wolf is almost the only battle-type mount." "When ites to vision, we should prioritize the Guild Master and the Guild Leader." Kim Seong-hyun naturally nodded in agreement. Ju Se-ah''s power was arguably the best in Korea, and Kang Mu-hyuk''s guild management spoke through the results. The synergy that perfectly filled each other''s shorings was a rare coborative example in the industry. However, Kim Seong-hyun thought that this was both a strength and a weakness of the guild. "Still, it''s a bit unsettling with just the two of them. It''s not like they''ll perform a raid alone. Right now, there are dozens of Hunters who have left the guild." "We are indeed short on numbers. That''s why we''re struggling now." Choi Mi-ran''sint was understandable. They were so short on patrol parties that they were reusing and tripling the patrol duties on the move routes every day. Being Hunters, simple patrols weren''t hard, but considering the area of North Pocheon, they were digesting a tight schedule with no leisure time. If Kang Mu-hyuk hadn''t shared the personnel reinforcement n with the members, a riot might have broken out earlier. "But is that possible? Listening to the Guild Leader, he intends to make a qualitative upgrade in personnel reinforcement. Honestly, Hunters with high ranks and skills wouldn''te to North Pocheon." "What do I know? A person filled with wicked thoughts, whether he threatens or cheats, he''ll have some way." "I honestly don''t know whether you think well or ill of the Guild Leader." "I admit the ability, but I doubt the character. The first impression was lousy, wasn''t it... huh? Isn''t that an orc over there?" From a distance on a hill by the road, Choi Mi-ran spotted a monster lurking nearby and pointed at it with her finger. Kim Seong-hyun stretched his neck and narrowed his eyes. "The dark blue skin color is a bit off-putting... But there are many types of orcs. That ugly thing is definitely an orc," he said. He immediately pulled out a tablet containing local information and searched for ''orc.'' "There''s no record of an orc in other parties'' work logs, and it''s not in the North Pocheon Monster Manual either." "A newly summoned one, maybe? They say that in the Special Activities Zone, mobs randomly respawn sometimes." "Even so, it''s an orc." "You say that after the trouble we had with the goblin not long ago? Orcs can be more annoying than goblins if they level up." "If it''s just been summoned, it probably hasn''t evolved yet. What should we do? Shall we go and kill it?" "Climbing the mountain is a hassle... Um, and orcs never travel alone. There might be friends nearby. They''re stubborn and always end up in nasty fights. I don''t want to get all bloody. Let''s just leave. Report it, and someone else will deal with it." Choi Mi-ran was reluctant to go hunting, feeling grumpy. She didn''t want to sweat over catching an orc that hadn''t even approached the South Pocheon route. They ignored the orc and moved on. Even after they disappeared, the orc kept a close watch on the road. A few sinister faces suddenly appeared behind the orc. It was the orc pack that Choi Mi-ran had anticipated. Seven orcs sniffed the wind, catching the scent of humans mixed in the breeze. The lead orc let out a grunt that sounded like words and pointed to the south. The orcs moved in the direction indicated by the finger. ... What the Iron Will Guild needed most at that moment were, firstly, people, and secondly, more people. Not only Hunters but also regr office members were in short supply. The office staff who had been there until recently had finished their contracts and returned to Seoul. "I know the contract was only until the pacification of North Pocheon, but we should have asked the regr staff to stay a bit longer," someonemented. Faced with a mountain of unexpected work, Ju Se-ah spent the whole day staring intently at her monitor. As the party leader of the yer Guild and a veteran of the expedition''s ace team, she was ustomed to raid nning and paperwork. Still, she was on the brink of surrendering to the never-diminishing pile of work. "Hunters, catching monsters is their calling, so there''s nothing to be done. But for ordinary people, North Pocheon is a difficult environment to endure. In a ce without even a pub for a beer after work, maintaining work-life bnce is impossible, especially for those with families." "Hunters struggle with that too. Especially the young ones who like to spend money they earn from hunting monsters. It''s a hardship for them." At Ju Se-ah''s reply, Kang Mu-hyuk turned from his work to stare intently at her. Although she had been in this field for over ten years, Ju Se-ah was still only twenty-five. It was the age when Hunters typically began to engage in serious hunting, but asionally she would speak like a Hunter on the brink of retirement in their 30s or 40s, perhaps because she was considered a veteran. "Why?" "No, I agree with that opinion. North Pocheon certainly seems to have difficulty satisfying the inclinations of young Hunters these days. Most consider guild work not a calling, but a mere upation." "So what do you n to do? We can''t just keep doing desk work. Even patrolling or running parties are to the point of exhaustion. We may even need to borrow the hands of a goblin." "We can''t just let anyone in. Thanks to Do Gyeong-hoon, we have cut away many rotten parts. We can''t pour rotten water into ces where new flesh needs to be filled." "Is our C-ss guild in a position to be picky?" "Realistically, it''s hard to bring in decent Hunters." Kang Mu-hyuk''s typing speed quickened. The sound of the keyboard keys ttered loudly in the office. Ju Se-ah, who thought Kang Mu-hyuk was venting his stress on the keyboard, spoke to restrain him. "You''ll break the keyboard that way. See? Why did you even spur the calm members to chase Do Gyeong-hoon? You should have calmly and kindly extinguished the urgent fire first. What will you say when Hunter Lee Jin-jooes to work? ''You lured me here promising to make me an expedition leader, but there are no members? Wow, this is a total employment scam?'' I won''t help even if you''re dragged by your hair." "Hunter Lee Jin-joo is not that aggressive. She''s not unaware of our situation. She must have made the transfer decision with some resolve. Of course, the best situation is not to get dragged by the hair." "So how will you achieve that best? If you''re going to look in the draft or FA market, you can''t guarantee quality there." "That is included in the ns I showed you before, but I don''t intend to rely on that primarily. We have to look at that long-term. Instead, haven''t we already found a good method?" "A good method? When?" Instead of answering, Kang Mu-hyuk increased his speed, pounding on the keyboard. Then he stopped suddenly after a moment. Silence filled the office. He clicked his mouse a few times, walked over to Ju Se-ah''s desk with a tablet, sat down, and handed it to her after manipting it. Ju Se-ah, taken aback, epted the tablet and checked the screen. Resum¨¦s with photographs and career details were disyed. She asked, flipping through each one, "What is this?" "It''s a recruitment list. We''ll try making transfer offers to guilds with good resources, like Hunter Lee Jin-joo." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s reply, Ju Se-ah checked the tablet again. "Will this work? Their careers are no joke. Mid-rank guilds are one thing, but A-rank guilds? Unless shot in the head, neither the guild nor the Hunters would ept. No, even if I were shot in the head, I wouldn''t send them." "Of course, it''s not a 100 percent chance, but it''s still worth a try." Ju Se-ah said nothing. The Kang Mu-hyuk she knew was not one to bluff. Nor was he someone who would believe in uncertain odds. He must have presented the recruitment list because he saw a chance of sess. She aimlessly scanned the tablet again. ''Can we really bring them in? There are so many above B-rank. Ah, there''s even an A-rank? And someone with Red Gate experience. Huh? I know this person!'' Ju Se-ah looked at Kang Mu-hyuk with her eyes narrowed, her face buried in the tablet. "So what do you want me to do?" "Nothing more. Just unlimited discretion concerning recruitment?" "We already agreed on that when we wrote the contract. I''ve never hindered you until now." "You haven''t used it so far, but the contract also includes a use that the Guild Master can refuse. That''s why I''m asking for your consent in advance. The recruitment from now on might be, well, quite radical. I need your firm assurance that you won''t interfere with the recruitment I''m pushing." "Ah, what''s going on? Why are you making me so anxious?" "Will you allow it or not?" Without any further exnation from Kang Mu-hyuk, Ju Se-ah sighed. "Ugh. You''re not the type to quit if I say no, anyway. Go ahead, do it. Do as you please, Guild Leader Kang." "Then, I will contact Taeguk Guild for our first recruitment." Chapter 57 - No Whining Later On The Taegeuk Guild was an A-rank guild with a strong backbone, situated in Yeouido, just like the Titan Guild. Its history was even longer than that of the Titan. It was a guild that had survived the Great War era with pride. However, in recent times, it had been overshadowed by the more recently established Titan Guild, leading to rising resentment. Cho Ikjoon was recognized for his abilities as the Strategy and Tactics team leader of such a prestigious and historic guild. His strength was his decisive resolution that was, contrary to appearances, sharp as a knife. His determination was evident in the meeting that day. The other guild members were so intimidated by his decision that they held their breath and looked to him for cues. "We are going to discard Hunter Jung Ho-yeon, whose body is broken. Why? Why is everyone so quiet? Ah?! Was my expression too much? Sorry. I was being insensitive. Let me rephrase. We''ll dismiss him. Inform the HR team and proceed with the process. This deputy, you seem to have something to say. Go ahead." The suddenly targeted deputy hesitated before cautiously opening his mouth. "Hunter Jung Ho-yeon still seems to want to be active. Although his body isn''t in great shape due to the lingering effects of thest hunt, he is responding well to potion treatment, and with rehabilitation, he could approach his former prowess..." "Do you really think it''s just the aftereffects of thest hunt?" "Pardon?" "He''s as broken as he can be. Of course, he might manage in a short battle. But he can''t handle a Gate. Regr life may be fine, but his body can''t be fixed with treatment or rehabilitation." "But the medical team says..." "Sleeping pollen powder, hallucinogenic mushroom spores. Apparently, it''s trendy among some Hunters to mix these into a cocktail. If a Hunter uses it long-term, concentration drops, and recovery slows. Jung Ho-yeon was fond of it. That''s why his injuries never healed. Make sure to keep an eye on your affiliated Hunters. Manage their bodies well. If they ruin themselves using such trinkets, warn them that they will be dismissed right away." "Yes. Understood." "Oh, I almost forgot. The head of the medical team is also dismissed as of today. Inform HR." The employees looked on in puzzlement. Was this action taken because of the misjudgment of Jung Ho-yeon''s condition? Cho Ikjoon answered their question. "The reason is bribery and the concealment and maniption of Hunter''s information. He took the money that Jung Ho-yeon offered him, that person." Only then did they understand Cho Ikjoon''s decision and a chill ran down their spines. How much did this man know about what was happening within the guild? Even though the guild''s interference was extensive, knowing so perfectly the state of the Hunter''s bodies and the employees'' corruption was astonishing. They were reminded once more of just who Cho Ikjoon was. "That''s it for today''s meeting. I have a guest appointment." ... Cho Ikjoon subtly sensed a changed atmosphere from Kang Mu-hyuk as he drank his coffee. He had always been a challenging opponent, but now there was a sense that he had grown significantly in a short time. ''Did the position make the man, or did he always have this much skill?'' He exhibited the vigor of a Hunter attacking a Gate, even though he was not a Hunter. Cho Ikjoon admired this inwardly but hid his feelings, yfully engaging Kang Mu-hyuk. "Hey, how long has it been? Since Seogang University Gate, was it?" "It''s been a long time, Team Leader Cho Ikjoon. Nothing''s happened on your end, has it?" "A lot''s happened. I''m just d there were no major idents. Oh, by the way, you''re a Guild Leader now, right? It feels odd to be informal with you now. What should we do, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk? Should we get down to business?" Cho Ikjoon''s tone suddenly shifted to a more formal one mid-conversation. For a moment, the usual lighthearted demeanor was reced by a dignified presence befitting the Strategy and Tactics team leader of the Taegeuk Guild. "A C-ss remote Guild Leader isn''t anything special. Just do as before." "Indeed, it''s awkward to be formal between us. Speakfortably. Be at ease." "I''m not sure what our rtionship is, but I''ll get to the point." "All right, what is it?" "I''vee with a request for a transfer." "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. It''s inappropriate to discuss this here." "Why did your tone suddenly change? You said to be casual." "The rumor about you snatching Lee Jin-joo from Titan has spread. Who are you trying to pull a fast one on? I''ll pretend I didn''t hear." "Won''t you even hear out a proposal between us?" "Between us? It''s nothing special. I won''t listen. I won''t." Cho Ikjoon covered his ears, refusing to listen, but Kang Mu-hyuk ignored his reaction and spoke. "I propose to recruit Hunter Baek Seong-bin." "What? Why him of all people?" "You said you wouldn''t listen, didn''t you?" "Hey, darn it! Making me curious and then saying something like that?" "He''s still with the Taegeuk Guild despite being called a waste. If you don''t like him, cut him off in one stroke. That''s what Team Leader Cho would say." "A lottery ticket. I''ve kept him around with the feeling of having an unscratched lottery ticket. Even without that, I was nning to put him on the discharge list next quarter." "You''ll worry about it. You''ll keep dying it to the next quarter, and that will go on for years. What, has it been 5 years?" "4 years and 1 month... No, just throw away someone with a Healing Factor? I''m not indecisive. Even Guild Leader Kang would feel the same if he had Baek Seong-bin. Too valuable to throw away, but a headache to keep. Aplete nuisance." Kang Mu-hyuk thought about Baek Seong-bin. ''A possessor of significant Healing Factor. Counterbnced by a low understanding of tactics. An independent personality. A reckless tanking style, relying solely on healing. More than once, his inability to manage aggro had put other party members in danger. There were actual casualties.'' But strangely, there were no deaths among the party members. Kang Mu-hyuk focused on that part. ''ording to the data, there were several worst-case scenarios that were extremely difficult to handle. Yet strangely, nobody died. That was true outside the Gates as well. Even when the situation on the ground was bad, civilian casualties were rare.'' Baek Seong-bin''s instances of ruining operations were numerous. So much so that he upied a significant portion of the incident reports submitted to the Hunter Association when unexpected serious idents urred. The information on that particr case was made public, and essible to any Hunter or guild official. It was like a manual to avoid some kind of ident. Kang Mu-hyuk formted several hypotheses and investigated Baek Seong-bin. Unfortunately, he couldn''t even propose a transfer, as the Titan Guild and Taeguk Guild were rivals in Yeouido andpetitors for the spot of Tier-ed Guild. However, Iron Will, having no vested interest, was worth a try. "So you''re going to let a lottery ticket that could pop at any time rot forever? It''s not a good decision for Hunter Baek Seong-bin or the Taeguk Guild," he challenged. "I know that. But now that Guild Leader Kang hase forward, I''m even less inclined to give it." "I will sell five Rider Wolves." "What?" "But it''s for the next shipment." "..." "You''re targeting the Red Gate, right? You''repeting with Titan. Red is a war from capturing the Gatekeeper. If you have Rider Wolves, it''ll be enough reason to coborate with a top guild targeting Gatekeepers. You can get more stakes in future raids too." "Huh? Guild Leader Kang... You haven''t lost your touch in throwing out offers." Cho Ikjoon always liked this about Kang Mu-hyuk. He knew clearly when to y hard to get and when not to. Sometimes, he made irresistible proposals. He never overdid it, always creating a win-win situation. Thanks to this, the always-growling Taeguk and Titan Guilds developed a rtionship where they could coordinate and cooperate when Kang Mu-hyuk was the Strategy and Tactics team leader. "But five is too few. It''s not free, and we''re paying for it. We need at least ten..." "Fine. I''ll sell ten. But I won''t consider any circumstances for the future shipment." It was a firm stance to end the deal with a one-time transaction. Cho Ikjoon realized he had gotten a bit greedy. He quickly changed his tune. "I mean, that''s just talk. Talk. Five is not so bad, actually." "Supply issues will be resolved in time, so think long-term." "Does that mean you''ll continue supplying us?" "I won''t write a contract. That privilege is for the yer Guild alone." "You''ll supply without a contract? What does that mean?" "It means I''ll personally take care of it as the Guild Leader." "Damn! Fine then." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Cho Ikjoon chewed his lower lip. ''Does he intend to take control? Damn, this is like handing over the leash. But it''s a shame not to take it, and it''s ufortable to ept it.'' Even as he thought of it as a curse, Cho Ikjoon concluded he had no choice but to ept. "Baek Seong-bin, Baek Seong-bin... Hmm, Rider Wolves..." Previously, when he heard the news of the Rider Wolves, Cho Ikjoon''s feeling was simply ''screwed.'' With Kang Mu-hyuk''s previous employer being the Titan Guild, and the Taeguk Guild being on bad terms with them, he was worried there might be discrimination in purchasing wolves. The Tier-ed Guilds would all be aiming for it too. As an A-rank guild aiming for a Tier-ed Guild, he couldn''tg behind. It seemed difficult, but he pondered whether there might be some way to make it work. That was if the opponent were anyone but Kang Mu-hyuk. But those worries had beenpletely dispelled. Could Baek Seong-bin really be the problem? ''It''s a waste, but... It''s a cake I can''t eat right now. No, I might not be able to eat it ever. Rather than letting it rot, it''s better to agree to this transfer.'' Finally, Cho Ikjoon, who had both his hands raised, cautiously warned. "Hunter Baek Seong-bin. His potential is certain. But he might not pan out. You''re aware of that, and you still want to take him with you?" "Don''t you know my job before I became the Strategy and Tactics team leader at Titan?" "What did you do again...? Ah, a Hunting coordinator." "I''ll have to train him well." "You worked on Lee Jin-joo before, didn''t you? That was the work of Guild Leader Kang, right? You must have hooked her with that. But Lee Jin-joo is like an open lottery ticket. The odds of such a ticket are extremely low. There will be no whiningter that Baek Seong-bin is a mess." "I thought you were worrying about it, but it turns out you just wanted to say that. You don''t have to worry about that point. I have no intention of whining. Team Leader Cho, don''t you try to whine either." "Some crazy guy sold the Rider Wolf!" ... "It turns out the rumor that I was sold for wolves was true." The character of Baek Seong-bin, having seen him directly, was not timid. No, the word reticent would be more fitting. ''His quiet nature is due to his unsociable personality.'' Watching Baek Seong-bin''s actions in hunting, they were far from timid. How could a timid person charge at an Ogre''s fist, with his intestines bursting out? A healing factor didn''t mean he couldn''t feel pain. Rather, charging in despite knowing such pain marked him as quite a courageous person. Many Hunters with the healing factor attribute had fallen to mediocrity, afraid of the pain. Kang Mu-hyuk felt that some packaging was necessary for the transfer. "It''s not that you were sold for wolves. It''s that we wanted to bring Hunter Baek Seong-bin even if it meant giving up our guild''s greatest asset." "I know very well what the guild thinks of me. Everyone calls me useless. You brought such a useless Hunter by giving up the Rider Wolf? I know the value of Rider Wolf these days since it''s a big issue. You paid too high a price to transfer me." "Too high? I don''t think so. It''s not like we''re giving away the wolves for free, we''re just allocating a supply. I rather think I got a bargain. That I could get Hunter Baek Seong-bin for just that." "What do you see in a Hunter who''s a mess except for the healing factor?" Baek Seong-bin did not hesitate to belittle himself. His words were toocking in confidence for a B+ rank Hunter of the Taegeuk Guild. But Kang Mu-hyuk did not sense any despair or disappointment in Baek Seong-bin''s eyes. Rather, he felt determination. There was no wavering in the gaze, and he knew how to look people straight in the eye. Kang Mu-Hyuk spoke, confident that his judgment was right. "Healing Factor. It''s an incredibly rare trait. Recovering from injuries almost instantly. Of course, it''s impressive. That''s why the industry values it highly. But do you know this? There''s almost no Hunter with the Healing Factor trait who''s reached the top. This is true even on a global scale. Why do you think that is?" "Well, I don''t know." When Kang Mu-Hyuk pointed out something Baek Seong-Bin had never considered, he responded in confusion. "It''s because of overconfidence. As long as they don''t lose their head, they hardly die, so they can''t even feel a sense of crisis. They don''t know how to take risks, so their growth is slow." "Just because of that...?" "It''s not ''just'' that. Theck of crisis awareness and excessive confidence steal Hunter''s ambition and sense of achievement. Not everyone is like that, but a significant number of Healing Factor owners I''ve seen have had simr problems. Some of the well-known ones have ovee this to some extent through mental discipline, but even then, the limits were clear." "I''ve never thought about that. I didn''t have the luxury to think about issues like confidence when I couldn''t even fend for myself. It''s a world that doesn''t resonate with me." "That''s precisely why I want to recruit you, Hunter Baek Seong-Bin." "What? What does that mean...?" "You be desperate, don''t you? In situations where people are dying. More than anyone else." "..." "It wasn''t mentioned in your personal details, but... Hunter Baek Seong-Bin, have you ever lost someone to a monster in the past?" Chapter 58 - It Seems to be Getting Interesting from Now On Kang Mu-hyuk had asked questions about things he had already learned during his time with the Titan, pretending as though he didn''t know. Baek Seong-bin guessed this and spoke. "You''re asking even though you already know." Instead of replying, Kang Mu-hyuk merely nodded. Baek Seong-bin had been an orphan. Before that, he had parents, and a younger sister too. His family had been torn to pieces because of a monster. Baek Seong-bin''s entire family had been transformed, all due to the chaos that Kang Mu-hyuk had experienced in the past as well. Amon tragedy that anyone living in this era could witness anywhere. Because it was such an ordinary tragedy, none of the Taeguk Guild members, including Cho Ikjoon, paid attention to Baek Seong-bin''s past. What mattered to a Hunter wasn''t the story but the stats. Yet Kang Mu-hyuk empathized with the hearts of those who had suffered simr tragedies, having experienced one himself. He knew well what emotions they had lived with. He knew what it felt like to lose loved ones to a monster, how the boiling rage could bind itself around oneself. ''Revenge embeds itself deep in your mind.'' He couldn''t forget the scenes of that day, even in sleep. Kang Mu-hyuk was still trapped. He suspected that even Baek Seong-bin was still trapped by the trauma of that day. "The reason Hunter Baek Seong-bin is called subpar, the reason he charges irrationally at monsters without being calm, I can guess that it''s not simply relying on his Healing Factor." Baek Seong-bin confirmed this with his silence, and Kang Mu-hyuk continued with certainty. "If he were just a regr subpar Hunter, he wouldn''t risk his life to save hisrades and people. Of course, the process and result were both bad. Not to mention, it''s separate from the fact that he saved many people despite his poor performance. But hunting cannot be sessful with sacrifice alone. Someday, your method will fail." Baek Seong-bin''s shoulders twitched at the painful criticism. He knew the problem, always reminding himself to correct it, but when faced with the situation, his body moved of its own ord. He couldn''t bear the screams and pain of the people. He even secretly sought psychiatric counseling without informing his guild, but it did not easily improve. He knew that his impulsive actions made the party more dangerous and that hunting involved some sacrifice, but he could not ignore someone in danger. Around the time his hanging head grew heavy, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke again. "All of this is just data determined by the guild''s evaluation system. In fact, that is the attitude a Hunter should prioritize; the mindset that Hunter Baek Seong-bin has. In today''s world, there are hardly a handful of Hunters who talk about responsibility and sacrifice. Do you understand why I want to recruit Hunter Baek Seong-bin, who is called subpar?" Baek Seong-bin stared piercingly at Kang Mu-hyuk. ''This man, he''s a lot different from what I''ve heard.'' Kang Mu-hyuk was fairly well-known among the A-rank guilds. Especially the guilds located in Yeouido, the neighbors of the Titan Guild, knew him well. Fame was often followed by rumors. As Kang Mu-hyuk''s activities increased, various rumors were attached to his record, most of which were infamy. It was the doing of those who wanted to keep a check on the Titan Guild. The Taeguk Guild, another A-rank guild, had the ability to filter out rumors and therefore had a certain understanding of Kang Mu-hyuk''s true nature. Baek Seong-bin had heard about Kang Mu-hyuk from Team Leader Cho Ikjun. It wasn''t mentioned directly in front of Baek Seong-bin. He had only overheard it in passing, but since it was mentioned frequently, he almost fully understood the content. Cho Ikjun had highly praised Kang Mu-hyuk. He had even praised that if he had been in the Taeguk Guild, it would have be a Tier-ed Guild much earlier. Rational, bold, calcting, and a ruthless negotiator. To Baek Seong-bin, who had Cho Ikjun''s assessment clearly etched in his mind, Kang Mu-hyuk''s appearance now seemed unfamiliar. The Kang Mu-hyuk of the Titan Guild that Cho Ikjun always had on his lips was entirely different from the person in front of him. With eyes hotter than anyone else''s. Those piercing cold eyes weren''t actually cold, but so deep that they felt dark and frightening. The actual Kang Mu-hyuk he faced was far from cold. Baek Seong-bin''s mouth felt itchy. His lips instinctively moved, and his tongue stirred on its own. Could this be an opportunity to change himself? Somehow, he felt he would regret missing it. "Of course, I don''t intend to recruit Hunter Baek Seong-bin by invoking a mandatory use. I just want to exin my thoughts and persuade you..." "I will transfer." He was surprised after the words came out. Baek Seong-bin was shocked that his mouth had moved before he could even think. On the other hand, Kang Mu-hyuk''s reaction was crisp. "Quick decision. Good. Then, let''s proceed with the process." The opponent''s neat attitude gave Baek Seong-bin a sense of relief. Thus, Baek Seong-bin''s transfer was decided. ... Pyo Beom-hee was standing in front of the Gate that had just been conquered. After the conquest, the area around the Gate should have been busy and noisy. But for some reason, the surroundings were eerily silent. It wasn''t that there were no people. At a nce, there were over 100 peopleing and going, but all were maintaining silence. Pyo Beom-hee knew this atmosphere well. It was a scene she had experienced countless times before. ''The damage seems significant. I picked a bad day.'' After a sessful conquest, people should be celebrating andughing, but the area in front of a heavily damaged Gate was as solemn as a mourning hall. Thanks to this chaotic atmosphere, nobody stopped Pyo Beom-hee from entering the scene. It meant they were all too distracted. The Crow Guild was a promising guild aiming for an A-rank. This Gate was a challenge that they had poured all their efforts into. Even if it was a failed raid, it was iprehensible for a top B-rank guild to show such vulnerability. ''Could it be they suffered irrecoverable damage? I heard they deployed both the Expedition team and the elite Attack Force team.'' Would they suffer a significant blow from such a strategy? Even if they seeded, it would not be a sess. Rather, the guild''s lineage might have been severed. He had seen countless times how a B-rank guild that was not even top-tier would crumble once it had lost its main force. After the attack, it would shatter slowly like a breaking windowpane, just like the Gate before her eyes, and would likely be absorbed by other guilds. "Maybe the timing was just right. It didn''t work for the Crow Guild, but recruiting from such a guild is rtively easier. Anyway, the Hunter we are recruiting should be safe." It wasn''t difficult for Pyo Beom-hee to find the person on the recruitment list he received from Kang Mu-hyuk. Suddenly, in the silence, a scream rang out, and a Hunter wildly dashing caught her eye. "Damn it! Is this how you n and expect us to take down the boss? Does the Strategy and Tactics team leader have a brain?" "Calm down. Can''t you read the room?" "How can the team leader be so arrogant? Handing out orders like that and acting all high and mighty? If the position is too much, step down! Or pass the orders to me." "Orders from a B-rank? Hah? Come on, the guild''s top prospect turned out to be a mess. No, is the drug effect over now? How dare a stagnant guy only talk?" "If you''re an A-rank, is that all? Killing all the kids? Was this raid supposed to fail like this? Didn''t you higher-ups kill the guild members, while ying your own games? If you have a mouth, try to justify it." "Kyung Soo-hyuk. I''m warning you. If you cross the line there, it won''t just pass." "You damn fool. Warning me now? I crossed the line. What will you do? Kill me like those who died inside?" The Hunter called Kyung Soo-hyuk approached the expedition team leader, raising his chin. Protests during an expedition could be punished immediately, but that only applied inside the Gate. What was happening now urred after the Gate raid. An emotional sh between Hunters was amon urrence. But sometimes, it led to violence and death. Among Hunters, such incidents were not umon. Finally, unable to contain his emotions due to the onlookers'' stares, the expedition team leader drew his sword. Kyung Soo-hyuk reacted btedly and grabbed his weapon, but there was a big difference in rank. He was caught off-handed and couldn''t defend properly. He never dreamed that the expedition team leader would swing his sword. Although emotions were high, his protest was something he was fully entitled to as a guild member. He had touched a nerve by mentioning the guild''s internal issues, but this was hardly a reason to be attacked with a sword. Watching the opponent''s attack as if a kaleidoscope was flowing, he vented his frustration. "Damn it!" Thump! ''Thump?'' Just before the sword touched his chest, Kyung Soo-hyuk, who had closed his eyes tightly, slowly opened his eyelids at a sound that could nevere from a sword strike. A surprising scene unfolded before his eyes. The expedition team leader had been kicked back a few steps, clutching his vitals. "You... what? Cough!" The woman who had kicked him was slowly retracting her leg and straightening her stance. Pyo Beom-hee chided the expedition leader as if finding him pathetic. "Tsks, tsks. Threatening a family member with a knife isn''t honorable. No, it''s something that''s fundamentally wrong." "From what I can see, you seem like someone from another guild. Mind your own business and scram." "If you don''t know the situation, admit your mistake and apologize. Or at least try to calm the person down. Will it be solved by scolding them? Ah, and you should apologize too. Everyone seems to be overwhelmed with emotions. This isn''t the time to provoke each other. Even if your acquaintance did something wrong, still. You''ve been too rash." Watching Pyo Beom-hee who scolded the expedition team leader after all her efforts to save him, Kyung Soo-hyuk was so stunned that he couldn''t respond. The situation was strange from the beginning. The expedition team leader''s eyes were filled with fury, and yet, he was being scolded so casually. ''Could it be an A-rank? From the way she''s rebuking the expedition team leader, she must at least be that level.'' With Pyo Beom-hee''sposed attitude, Kyung Soo-hyuk guessed that she was an A-rank Hunter. However, the expedition team leader, his anger rising to the tips of his hair, didn''t even consider gauging his opponent''s abilities and continued to close the distance, grinding his teeth. "Stop right there. Listen while I''m still speaking nicely." Suddenly, Pyo Beom-hee raised her momentum. She had no weapon on her body, but the surrounding Hunters trembled at the energy rising like a de. The expedition team leader''s footsteps stopped as well. Only then did he realize the level of his opponent. "Wh-who are you... you?" "Good. Good. Now you''re ready to talk." Pyo Beom-hee quickly reined in her energy. To control energy so freely, she had to be at least A-rank. The same level as Crow Guild''s expedition team leader. But just from seeing the expedition team leader, notorious in the guild for his nasty temper, anxiously control his emotions, it was clear that the opponent was even higher. He might have been bested in rank, but he would never be bested in temper. The expedition team leader glowered in anger. "Who are you to cause a ruckus in someone else''s guild?!" "My goodness, look at me. I almost forgot." Pyo Beom-hee took a stiff, ck business card framed in silver from his jacket pocket and offered it. The expedition team leader carelessly tried to take the card, but it wasn''t intended for him. Pyo Beom-hee turned and offered it to Kyung Soo-hyuk. "Me, me?" "I''m Pyo Beom-hee, the team leader of Iron Will Guild. I came to recruit you, Kyung Soo-hyuk." "Iron Will? Recruitment, you say?" "Well, I had to hear a lot from our Guild Leader about you... Goodness, that guy''s personality is just as I heard. Seeing his attitude, it seems like there''s no need for long-winded talk." Pyo Beom-hee nced at the expedition team leader out of the corner of her eye, clearly with a mocking look. The expedition team leader''s face turned red and pale at being ignored and belittled, but he didn''t dare charge forward. "What''s the buyout for the transfer? I''ll deposit it into your ount, so hand Kyung Soo-hyuk over to us. You''ll join our guild, won''t you?" "Yes? Yes... No, that''s not what I mean... What on earth..." "Okay. You clearly said ''yes''." "No, not that ''yes.'' First, you need to understand the situation we are dealing with." "So, you want to continue with the Crow Guild?" Pyo Beom-hee pointed over her shoulder with her thumb at the expedition team leader standing behind her. At the sight of the expedition team leader, who had a face as wicked as a goblin, Kyung Soo-hyuk recalled the moment when the man had swung his sword at him just a short while ago. He had seen all sorts of behavior, both tolerable and intolerable, in the guild before, but this time, he was more than disappointed; he was contemptuous of such an overstepped line of conduct. ''With that kind of personality, that man won''t leave me alone.'' There was no need to think about it. There was no choice. "Okay, fine. I will transfer." "Good. The personal agreement is done. The B-rank buyout is the same all around, so send me a copy of the contract with the buyout amount written. Compare it with what they offered. You, the team leader over there, know this as well. Don''t y games." The expedition team leader shouted in anger. "Does Iron Will have no decency? What is this, right now?!" "Decency is for those who keep their morals. It doesn''t seem like you''re one of them." "You said Iron Will, right? You''re trusting Ju Se-ah and acting boldly, huh? Or is it the Rider Wolf you trust? Either way, if you do business like this, it won''tst long. If you steal guild members like this, do you think we will just sit back?" Throughout the tense atmosphere, Pyo Beom-hee''s expression remained unchanged. She spoke with a cold, frost-settled face. "What about the guy who tried to kill that precious guild member?" "That, that was just a slight..." "A slight, you say? With your mana concentrated." "Kuh!" Pyo Beom-hee approached the grinding expedition team leader and whispered in his ear so that others wouldn''t hear. "Our Guild Leader said this. If you can''tmunicate, you are the type to use other means." "..." "Guilds shouldn''t interfere with each other''s business. That''s the rule. But I''ll just interfere a little today. A guild being run like a family business. Embezzlement. Illegal potion trafficking. No matter how much you love money, you went too far." "!!" "If you keep acting crookedly, should I report this to the Hunter Investigation Agency?" Pyo Beom-hee then patted the expedition team leader''s shoulder, but he didn''t move an inch. "Let''s go, Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk." Pyo Beom-hee took Kyung Soo-hyuk and left the scene. Kyung Soo-hyuk followed her as if he were possessed by a ghost, constantly looking back as if he was unsettled. "Don''t worry. He won''t touch Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk." "What did you say to him?" "Nothing much. Hmm, I didn''t realize it before, but it seems I''m starting to resemble our Guild Leader." "Excuse me? Ah, you mean Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, right? But what do you mean all of a sudden?" "It seems like I''m going to enjoy threatening more." ... North Pocheon, Iron Will Guild Headquarters. Ju Se-ah, leaning against the railing on the second floor, looked down at the unfamiliar Hunters gathered in the hall and was impressed. "You''ve really gathered quite the force. I really didn''t think they woulde." "We couldn''t fill even half of the people on the list." "Never mind half; where would we find even this many? I thought it would be a blessing if even one or two came." Ju Se-ah''s words were no joke. She had looked at the recruitment list handed over by Kang Mu-hyuk and was skeptical. She knew Kang Mu-hyuk was not one to speak nonsense, but her understanding of the industry''s reality kept her from harboring any illusions. "But how did you entice them? Whether it was money or honor, we had nothing to offer." Kang Mu-hyuk spoke, ncing around at the Hunters scattered here and there. "The Hunters over there. They are not just anyone." "Of course. They are Hunters handpicked by Guild Leader Kang. ording to the data, they are people with guaranteed abilities to some extent." "No, that''s not it. I mean, they are people who saw something before their skills." "Saw something before their skills?" "What should I say? Hmm... Based on other guilds'' reports, perhaps..." "Perhaps?" "Hunters with ws, shall we say?" Chapter 59 - No Place to Return? Ju Se-ah''s eyebrows twitched. It was a look of displeasure. "The term ''Hunters with ws'' is a bit off," she said. "Of course, it''s an informalment. After working for a long time as the Strategy and Tactics team leader to quantify and categorize the Hunters'' abilities, they begin to look like merchandise to me. It''s a term often used in themunity. Guild Master should be aware of this too." Ju Se-ah almost reflexively asked, "Did you see them that way too?" It would have been a rude question, but thankfully she didn''t voice it. Of course, she didn''t think Kang Mu-hyuk would be hurt or angered by such a question. She redirected her thoughts and asked, "So what''s this ''merchandise''... I mean, what''s the problem?" "It varies. Hunters struggling with ipatible hunting styles, ever-promising talents that never bloom, discord with fellow members, severe financial problems due to overspending or gambling, conflicts with other guilds, addiction to medicine, and so on. Most are problematic resources that are hard to manage within the guilds. Thankfully, it was rtively easy to recruit them if the conditions matched." "Wait a minute. Did I hear you right? Addiction to medicine? That wasn''t in the data." "It''s nothing serious. Not drugs, but, well, it''s a bit tricky to exin. Simply put, it''s a potion addiction." "That doesn''t sound like a minor issue. It means thebat effectiveness is noting out as per the stats." When Ju Se-ah pressed further, Kang Mu-hyuk dodged the question. "There are a few more cases, but... I''ll have to tell you about thoseter." "Wait a minute. That''s even stranger. Why can''t you tell me? You keep doing this." "That''s why I didn''t mention it in the materials. Personal matters only create unnecessary prejudice." Ju Se-ah crossed her arms and let out a sarcasticugh. Despite being given full authority, the situation was already making her sweat. She was afraid of what else might be lurking behind. "Huh? I''m d I really didn''t listen. It''s not prejudice; I might have downright suspected you." "Suspected?" "That you''re a spy trying to ruin the guild." "As I''ve said before, my pretending to be close to the Chairman and your brothers was to deceive them..." "I know, I know. That''s not what I''m talking about. I was joking... Ah, forget it. I can''t even joke around." After his mana addiction had manifested, Kang Mu-hyuk became insensitive to personal emotions and social interactions. On the flip side, he became adept at reading people''s intentions through their actions and expressions. He immediately realized Ju Se-ah''s concern. "I can''t say there''s no problem, but you don''t need to worry. They are valuable resources that can provide significant synergy when used appropriately." "That''s expected. They''re Hunters you brought in, after all. But as a Guild Master, I can''t help but worry. There''s no such thing as a hundred percent guarantee. Even if the potential is set aside, if these Hunters were dismissed from other guilds with all limbs intact, there must be a reason. This recruitment policy is risky." "That''s a good attitude. Even though I hold all the power in the guild, you, as the Guild Master, should always doubt and prepare. But I have high expectations. I believe we can create the guild we previously envisioned." "What kind of guild is it?" "It''s too early to say since we''ve only just begun." "Then, give me a hint." Kang Mu-hyuk hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth. "The Hunters gathered there seem to do as they please, but they have one thing inmon." "What''s that?" "Yes. They are clearly motivated." "What''s motivating them?" Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was about to answer, the sound of metal hitting the floor rang out. A lively rhythm apanied the ttering footsteps. Looking in the direction of the sound, a familiar face appeared. Ju Se-ah greeted the person, saying, "Wee, Hunter Lee Jin-joo. The way here must not have been easy?" "It wasn''t so bad, seeing a mob running in the meadow on my way to work." Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes were drawn to her hairstyle. From long ck hair to dark blue bob. It was a drastic change from their previous meeting. Feeling his gaze, Lee Jin-joo smiled awkwardly and said, "Ah? This? I felt like I needed to pay attention to my image now. I have to start branding myself so I won''t be ignoredter." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded at Lee Jin-joo''s words. The change in her style was not simply an image transformation. The branding she spoke of was about the ''nicknames'' people called her. For example, in Ju Se-ah''s case, nicknames like "Indomitable Witch," and "Mage Killer." A Hunter''s nickname was influenced by skills orbat style, but appearance yed its part as well. If only the appearance was impressive, it would be aughingstock, but if supported by ability, it could have a powerful promotional effect. "That''s a good idea. As an Expedition leader of a guild, having a memorable nickname helps with appeal. Is that hair color because of Hunter Lee Jin-joo''s skill, the ''Blue me''?" "Don''t you remember? This branding style. It''s a n Guild Leader Kang devised before." "Me?" Kang Mu-hyuk struggled to recall. If he had advised Lee Jin-joo, it would have been during his days as a hunting coordinator. Based on a Hunter''s hunting type, skills, and stats, he devised the optimal style and trained ordingly. ''If I nned it, it must have been then. Why can''t I remember?'' Feeling puzzled that even his extraordinary memory failed him, Lee Jin-joo answered, "Of course, it was just a passingment, more like a joke." Lee Jin-joo set aside Kang Mu-hyuk, who was still wearing a puzzled expression and spoke to Ju Se-ah. "Guild Master, the greetings to the new Hunters. Shall I take care of it for you?" "Feel free to do as you like. We''ll have to form the next expedition team from them, after all. Judging by the proper equipment they''ve brought, it seems they''ve thoroughly prepared for the initial fight." Lee Jin-joo bashfully smiled. As Ju Se-ah had pointed out, she was indeed in her raiding gear. From boots reinforced with metal on the heels and toes to armor tanned from monster hide, and even a cloak engraved with magic circles rted to elemental resistance. Particrly, the longsword hanging at her waist, adorned with several gems, caught many eyes. ''Expedition members indeed have high-grade personal equipment. To match this properly would twist my waist.'' Kang Mu-hyuk was worried about the guild''s finances for the establishment of the expedition team. Suddenly, the noisy hall grew even louder. Lee Jin-joo looked over the railing and down below as she spoke. "If you gather Hunters from different affiliations like this, there''s no chance of them staying quiet. This worked out well. There''s no need to create tensions on purpose." Suddenly, Lee Jin-joo''s eyes shed a brilliant blue. Kang Mu-hyuk nced at the scene of the disturbance and cautioned her. "Take it easy. Don''t handle it like you did with Ma Taesikst time." ... "Ah, perhaps the times when I was in the management team were better..." Oh Jeong-yeon looked around at the Hunters who were picking fights here and there, herplexion pale. Although it hadn''te to blows yet, the atmosphere was turning tense from verbal arguments. She thought a different future awaited when she had changed the department namete from management team tomunication team, having dealt with Hunter''s problems before. Of course, the previous injustice was gone. However, the drudgery had not changed. It was fortunate that Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee had influence; if it had been a non-Hunter team leader as usual, the Hunters would have acted as they pleased. The problem was that all the Hunters who had rented this hall were neers. Even Pyo Beom-hee''s authority did not carry weight. One must know who to threaten or obey. ''I almost forgot. These are Hunters, right? Ah, I wish I could tell the Guild Leader and silence them all.'' That was thest resort. She wanted to take responsibility for her work, at the very least. "But that... Isn''t someone supposed to stop that?" The problem was that the situation in the hall was gradually getting out of Oh Jeong-yeon''s control. She looked to the right. "You, you brat. You''re from that guild, right? You guys really beat up our guild membersst time, huh? You bottom-feeder, picking on the lower ranks. If you had messed with me, you''d be dead!" "What, you jerk?! That''s because you guys stole our mobs and started it, right? Stole it, then got beaten. What? Did they think they could take it with them? Surely they didn''t count on a scrub like you?" "Wanna see if I''m a scrub or not?" "Everyone always has a decent n. Until they get hit, that is." This time, she looked to the left. "Hey, bro, you just red at me. Is there something you don''t like?" "Just that your eyes look like shit. You were the one who red first." "This is just how I was born. Got a problem with that?" "It''s not a problem, but I do have a fist, punk. You sure do talk big for someone who looks so young. Want to get hit?" "What are you babbling about, old man? If you''re so confident, just try it." Though the intensity varied, such bickering continued throughout the hall. Oh Jeong-yeon looked up at the ceiling, letting out a resentful sigh directed at the Guild Leader for the first time. "How on earth did he gather Hunters with such dog-like personalities...?" The Kang Mu-Hyuk she knew was not a careless person. Though his expressions were dry and nd, sincerity shone through when dealing with people. The way he handled an incident where a colleague was unjustly assaulted by a Hunter made it clear. Likewise, his reform and improvement of the management department, which had been ignored and called "Hunter whipping," proved it too. She believed he couldn''t have gathered such Hunters without thinking. Her faith in the Guild Leader was firm. Crash! "Maybe I was wrong this time..." Seeing the Hunters beginning to fight in earnest, breaking a table in half, Oh Jeong-yeon felt despair. "Since it''s the first day, I''ll overlook this--!" "You damned piece of--!" Just before fists flew, the wrists of two Hunters were caught by someone''s grip, and they copsed to the ground. Faces twisted in pain turned toward an unexpected guest. Though they were moderately muscr, slender armspared to other Hunters were pinning them down. "!!" The hall became quiet in an instant. A fully-armed female Hunter, Lee Jin-Joo, silenced them with her presence alone, not even giving them a nce. The Hunters, as if by agreement, closed their mouths and focused on her. The sound of someone swallowing dryly was the only thing that represented the Hunters'' feelings. ''She is so heavily armed, yet I barely sensed her approach.'' ''Even with a high rank, physical abilities have clear limits. It''s an unusual strength, not fitting her size. Could it be a trait or skill type?'' Although they were all problematic, they were skilled Hunters. They realized in an instant that the newly-appeared female Hunter was far above them. "You all look wonderful, boiling with energy. I can expect something from this expedition team." At the word "expedition team," the mood changed. Expectation rather than tension. Through Lee Jin-Joo''s impact and words, it was clear that she had the authority to select expedition members. The expedition team was the guild''s elite force. Their treatment was assured. Although the Iron Will Guild was small in scale, from the rider wolves monster farm to the existence of Ju Se-ah, known as a future S-rank, it was a very promising guild. Being selected for the expedition team at the beginning was no different from securing one''s future. "Still, considering it''s the first day and you''re all joining together, how about showing some courtesy to each other?" She suddenly changed her loose stance, starting to rein in the Hunters. "You all, I heard most of you had conflicts with your previous guilds." Lee Jin-Joo released the two Hunters she had been gripping in her hand, but no one was able to stand up. She slowly raised her head and straightened her posture. Meeting the eyes of each Hunter, a smile formed at the corner of her mouth. "Then, you have nowhere to go back to, do you?" In an instant, eyes filled with anticipation turned to cries of despair. ... "Oh dear! Why am I going through all this trouble as if I''m enjoying a movie?" Mr. Park, engaged in livestock farming in South Pocheon, dragged his aching, worn-out body along the dawn road. After the division of Pocheon, he was unable to leave due to the barn that contained all his assets. Had the barn been in North Pocheon, designated as a Special Activities Zone, he could have left without regret. However, since the barn was in South Pocheon, he had no choice but to stay and continue his livelihood. In the darkness before dawn had even broken, Mr. Park tended to his barn and straightened his back. He exhaled into the somewhat chilly air. Koohoo! Kookhuk! "Eh? What''s this sound now?" Suddenly, Mr. Park felt hot steam behind him. He turned around, thinking it was the breath of a cow, but... "Koohoo~ Koohoo~ Koohoo!" He found himself looking up at a massive figure and promptly wet himself. Its skin was dark and wrinkled, and it was well over 2 meters tall. Its nose was t, and its open mouth revealed teeth like saw des. Mr. Park did not know that this monster was called an orc. He didn''t know even at the moment of his death. Without even closing his eyes, his lifeless body was torn apart by the orc''s mouth. The orcughed grotesquely, seemingly enjoying itself. Next to it, other orcs wildly chased after the crying, fleeing cows, hacking them apart with enormous axes. They seemed to be starving, feasting like it was a party. A cloud of unprecedented darkness loomed over South Pocheon. Chapter 60 - One tends to watch ones mouth outside of the home Detective Kim Buyong gripped his throbbing, hangover-afflicted head as he drove. His mind was clear, but his stomach churned. He longed to gulp down a bowl of hangover soup and sweat out his nausea in a sauna, but a sudden call to a crime scene forced him to rush to the scene. The wheels of his car slid several times on the muddy ground, still wet from yesterday''s rain. There were quite a few unpaved roads in South Pocheon. It was all the result of the chaos that urred when North Pocheon turned into a Special Activities Zone. As the poption of Pocheon plummeted, the tax revenue decreased. Thus, in less popted areas, they did not pave the roads. It was full of infrastructure that was broken during themotion and had not been repaired yet. The national subsidy received due to it being a designated disaster area was busily invested in creating jobs to fill the employment gap. Lately, however, the Iron Will Guild''s decision to establish the Special Activities Zone as their base had sparked hope for economic revitalization. Indeed, Iron Will prioritized Pocheonpanies for its headquarters construction, food material purchases, and various other fields. Thanks to that, outsiders had increased, and so had the police workload. Not that it was aint. A dying city wasing back to life. "The number of incidents has increased as well. Ugh! Oh, my head. Huh? What''s this? Why is the scene such a mess?" The view outside the car window was filled with vigers. The small number of police officers looked strained just to hold the police line, but fortunately, the people were orderly, staying outside the line and merely watching. As Kim Buyong got out of the car, a junior detective who had been managing the crowd ran up to him. "Detective Kim, why didn''t you answer your phone?" "I drank too much at the team dinnerst night and passed out." "Exactly, you should drink less. You always say you''re going to die and then drink like you want to die, honestly." "How can I refuse a drink offered by the chief? Wait until you''re my age. If you want to be a team leader, you have to endure those asions." "So you still have thoughts of promotion?" "I have three kids. I have to get ahead to make a living." The two detectives showed their IDs to the police at the line and entered the crime scene. "I heard the gist of it. Murder?" "It is murder, but..." "What''s making you hesitate?" Kim Buyong couldn''t continue his sentence. A foul smell stung his nose. Even before he saw the scene, the smell of blood and rot vibrated at the tip of his nose. As they entered the barn, the scene revealed was not merely gruesome, but rather ghastly. "What, what is this? Ugh---" "You''re usually not so squeamish. What''s wrong?" "It''s, it''s the alcohol. Wueeack!" "I understand. The rookies who saw the scene for the first time all threw up. I was a bit nauseous myself. I''ve seen a few murder scenes before, but this is my first time seeing something like this." It was Kim Buyong''s first time too. A human head was stuck in the middle of a barn pir. What seemed to be entrails of some sort were tightly wound around the pir. He didn''t even want to imagine what part it might be. The surroundings were sttered with blood, and the floor was strewn with flesh and innards. In a certain ce, there was not even a ce to step foot. "Does it look like a human''s doing?" "Detective Kim thinks so too. A human couldn''t do this. And look here." "Is this, by any chance, a cow''s head?" "Yes. From the decay, it seems a few days old." "The head''s been stuck on a stake?" "I''ve seen something like this in a book before. A totem or something. It clearly looks like some shamanistic ritual, doesn''t it?" "You think it''s a monster''s work?" "There are signs of it being torn apart and eaten raw. If it''s the work of a monster, it''s not a solitary one. Probably a group of them roaming around." Kim Buyong realized the seriousness of the situation. Not just one or two? How did they pass through the electric fence without getting detected? Though there were a few breaches in the past, the rms allowed for immediate response. But this time, they had crossed unnoticed. ''No, that''s not the important thing. The whole of Pocheon could copse at any moment.'' It was problematic that the monsters were roaming around, but even more difficult if they dispersed in all directions. The damage was secondary; the primary concern was that it would instill fear in the citizens of South Pocheon. Amunity that was just beginning to stabilize could copse entirely. "Report it above. I don''t think we can handle this on our own." ... Kang Mu-hyuk spent his days in a whirlwind, assessing the abilities of the newly joined members. The gap between the abilities assessed through documents and reputation was being filled by evaluations written by Team Leader Lee Jin-joo, who was overseeing the process herself. Leader Lee Jin-joo, sunk deep into the conference room sofa as she added to her evaluation, "Hunter Baek Seong-bin is definitely good. Solid, enduring. But he doesn''t feel like a main tanker. Maybe a sub-tanker. Hecks patience." "That''s fine. We''re not going to train him as a tanker anyway." "What? If you''re not going to make a Hunter who''s solid and has a Healing Factor into a tanker, what will you use him for?" "If not a tanker, then a dealer. What else could it be?" "That''s quite random, isn''t it? He''s not even fast on his feet." "Not all dealers have to be fast. His speed isn''t bad, and he loves to jump out. We should let him jump out all he wants." "Well, you did push the magic swordsman style onto me, too. At first, I thought it was a crazy idea. Even the guild master opposed it. But in the end, it was a great sess. There''s precedent, so I have nothing to say." "Team Leader Lee Jin-joo was a case that worked well. Not all my attempts were sessful." "If a batter hits .300, he''s considered good. You were far above that, Commander. It was an umon sess rate in the industry." "Hunting coordination is not baseball. When deciding the future of a Hunter, you need to focus on failure rather than sess. urately understanding the limit to which you can recover from a failure is key." Team Leader Lee Jin-joo shrugged her shoulders. ''He was being so serious about a subject she had tossed out casually. If only he could fix that pedantic part, he wouldn''t have shed with the Vice Guild Master. Well, I don''t have much to say about the Vice Guild Master either.'' With a knock, Ju Se-ah entered the conference room. Lee Jin-joo immediately straightened her posture. "It''s okay. Make yourselffortable. We''re not a guild that fusses over such things." "No, it''s not okay. If the guild master bes too casual, it could create a bad image in the eyes of others. You would know well as a former yer, but every little action of the members reflects on the reputation of the guild master. A minimum level of formality is necessary." Kang Mu-hyuk hadn''t given any particr caution, but Lee Jin-joo knew to conduct herself properly. Having been a key figure inrge guild expeditions, it was not just about being skilled at hunting. If she wanted to be considered for a position as expedition leader, she needed to take care of even the invisible aspects. Ju Se-ah found her statement a bit distant, but quickly understood her words and nodded, moving on. "You were out of your seat. Where have you been?" "I was patrolling the area." "Patrolling?" "We''re short on hands, even with the new members. I have no choice but to fill in for the time being." Kang Mu-hyuk scratched his head. It was regrettable. In other guilds, it would be unheard of for the guild master to handle such trivial tasks. On top of that, Ju Se-ah was one of the top-tier Hunters. She was not meant for mere patrolling. This time, even Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t advise Ju Se-ah to maintain her dignity as a guild master. If Ju Se-ah didn''t step in, the fatigue level of the other Hunters would increase. "While we''ve greatly improved in terms of qualitypared to previous members, numbers still matter. If we can''t fill the shortage, it''ll hold us back in the long run." "I''m nning to solve that issue soon." "How?" "I have a backup n in case we can''t fill the required number through transfers. I''ve mentioned it to the Guild Master before." "Before? A draft? The winter season ising up." "A draft is like ying a prearranged card game." Lee Jin-joo interjected, tilting her head. Kang Mu-hyuk spoke. "Sure,rge guilds have the first pick of outstanding school graduates. But frencers, except for a few renowned Hunters, are mostly outside the mark of HR managers." "But frencers don''t have any objective data. That''s why theye out in drafts. And rumors are the only things we hear. asionally, if a hunting scene is made public and acknowledged, scouts from all over the country flock in. How can a small or medium-sized guild like ourspete? This transfer worked out because we were able to y ording to some personal circumstances." As Ju Se-ah pointed out, skilled frencers preferredrge guilds. At the least a medium-sized guild was considered tempting. Those frencers who were merely filling in numbers received no special treatment even in small and medium-sized guilds. Though supported better than independent hunting, it was not enough to give up a free hunting lifestyle. The longer one remained a frencer, the harder it became to adhere to a guild''s discipline. Only a medium-sized guild that could offer something more would be worth considering for membership. "Teaching the neers from the beginning was doable, but the frencers pick up strange habits, so it bes difficult. It''s also hard to check on them before recruiting," one of them said. "So we must look for raw talents that haven''t lived the frence life for too long. A regr one-year course at the school doesn''t help us sift through all the raw talents. Among the top performers, there were Hunters who fell behind due to stalled growth. Conversely, there were also Hunters who grew significantly after being pushed out to frence by small and medium guilds," another exined. "Such Hunters received investments and organized private attack teams, and even went on to establish guilds." "If you hadn''t been in the Taesung Guild, Guild Master, you would have chosen that route too, wouldn''t you?" "I have a reputation, you know. And confidence in my abilities. If Team Leader Lee Jin-joo were to leave the guild to form an attack team right now, investors would flock to her." "I''d refuse even if investors were to flock to me. There''s a failed case among my seniors. Outside the guild, one is left cold and hungry," Lee Jin-joo replied, shuddering as if she had experienced the wild life herself. "Anyway, there are ways to replenish our ranks, right? If so, I will trust the Guild Leader and n the training curriculum." "Go easy on them. Don''t hurt the members by following the yer standard likest time." "Th-That time... Okay, okay. Tsk! Did you think I couldn''t handle that? It was a lower-rank training course after all. How will they get stronger if treated like that?" While Ju Se-ah was grumbling, the door to the conference room opened a crack. "Are you busy?" "Team Leader Pyo, what''s the matter?" "A call came in on the hotline. Some monsters seem to have escaped in South Pocheon." ... "Can you believe this? Didn''t Iron Will promise to protect South Pocheon and make it their base? Yet the monsters crossed the iron fence. What were they doing to let it get to that point?" "Councilman Kim, please calm down first..." "Does this look like a time to calm down? Where is the Mayor now? At this time, right now. Tsk! Anyway, we, the city councilors, should take the lead in condemning this, regardless of party lines." The South Pocheon City official in charge ofmunication with Iron Will was sweating as he tried to calm the raging city councilors. The councilors believed they were in control. When the secondary benefits became apparent due to Iron Will choosing the Special Activities Zone, they wanted to intervene in various interests. On the other hand, the executive realized that Iron Will was actually in control. The section chief felt the need to defuse the overheated atmosphere before the councilors could cause any trouble. "It''s a bit unfair to say that it was Iron Will''s fault. The management of the iron fence has not yet been transferred to them. Since they''ve just settled in, it was arranged for us to take care of it until they established a system." "Do you think we''re making a fuss because we didn''t know that? The problem is that you haven''t transferred management since dering a base." "The deration of a base was made some time ago, but the actual recapture wasn''t that long ago..." "Tsk! The Manager doesn''t seem to understand what I''m saying. This will be on the evening news today. It will be sted nationwide. It''s making us look ipetent. How are we going to quell the anger and anxiety of the Pocheon citizens?" "How can the media even know about this..." Only then did the Manager grasp the context of the situation. They caught a whiff from the media in less than a day? Doubt crept in. Information on Gates or monsters was handled with extreme confidentiality, whether by the government or local authorities. It meant legal control over the reporting. The police who witnessed the scene had their lips sealed, and except for the initial reporter, no residents had seen the scene directly. In other words, the media couldn''t have known unless someone deliberately leaked it. ''Using public opinion to pressure Iron Will and then grill them? Damn, even against the guild that''s helping save Pocheon?'' It was frustrating. Just as he was at a loss on further persuading the city council members, the door to the conference room opened. "Ah? You are...?" The one who revealed himself in the conference room was Kang Mu-hyuk. He feigned recognition of the Manager, with whom he had met a few times. "Manager, we have met before, haven''t we?" "Ah, yes. But why are you here?" "I received a hotline call. A monster has crossed into South Pocheon. You''ve had a hard time. I''ll take it from here." The city council members who btedly recognized Kang Mu-hyuk flocked to him. "You are Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk?" "Let''s deal with this matter first." Kang Mu-hyuk whispered to the Manager and then looked at the council members. "Starting from this moment, the City Council building will operate as themand center for the extermination of the monster that has invaded South Pocheon. Those who are not rted to the control center will be evacuated." "What, what? What are you saying..." Before the council members could protest, burly men entered the room. At a nce, their toned bodies revealed they were Hunters. They pushed the council members'' backs with their bulging arms. The council members resisted but couldn''t overpower the Hunters. In the end, all they could do was protest. "You are making a mistake now!" "What is this outrage?! Do you know who we are to do this......!" "Do you think we''ll just stand by?!" Ignoring the council members'' loud protests, Kang Mu-hyuk issued instructions to the guild''s situation room members entering behind him. "Team Leader Gong Du-ri, how long will it take for the system to be set up?" "If the inte is working, it will be quick. Device setting is the issue. Everything else will be connected to the guild headquarters, so information sharing will be immediate. It''ll be done within three hours." "The members are already deployed in the field. Information sharing is vital for smooth operations. Don''t set an overly generous time frame; halve it. Finish the setup in an hour and a half." "Ugh, you are demanding. Yes. I''ll finish it quickly." Gong Du-ri and his team members immediately set off to work. The Manager, who had been bewildered by the sudden situation, cautiously spoke up. "Excuse me, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." "Yes. Do you have a question?" "What''s happening here... The council members earlier, and now this. If you kick them out like this, it could lead to problemster on." Without a word, Kang Mu-hyuk pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket. At first, the manager did not recognize the paper, but he soon recognized the familiar writing. "This is a copy of the contract between our city and Iron Will." "It''s a photocopy of the relevant use. Please check the part specified in Section 3." "This is... the content that allows the forced conscription of the city hall as the main headquarters." "I intentionally added that." "You did? Intentionally... why?" "I have some experience dealing with regional life in my previous workce. There were many problems, but the most annoying were the local politicians." The manager nodded naturally. Though he couldn''t say it as a civil servant, he too was frustrated by politicians'' tendencies to meddle in matters that would be beneficial for them. Kang Mu-hyuk spoke as if understanding the grievances from his counterpart. "Work was urgent, but the politicians'' talk always got in the way. Persuading them in an emergency is difficult and time-consuming. That''s why I included the use. It''s easier to shut them up by kicking them out of the room rather than keeping them at a distance. After all, people tend to watch their mouths outside their own home." Chapter 61 - It Must Be Time to Feel Hungry "Have you seen the video I sent you?" "Yes, I have." "What do you think, Guild Leader? These scoundrels who''ve done this, with the tribe''s mark and traces of a meat-eating ritual. It''s them, right?" "It probably is them, as Team Leader Lee Jin-joo thinks." Kang Mu-hyuk had reyed the bleak scene from the video several times. Human heads were impaled on pirs, surrounded by the entrails of a cow. Cow heads were also nailed to the barnyard fence, lined up neatly. The sight resembled a ritual conducted by tribal monsters. A structure particrly decorated like a totem, momentarily woven together with grass and branches. It was a scene he had witnessed before. ''Orcs.'' During his time with the Titan guild, Kang Mu-hyuk had encountered orcs a few times at the gate, so he knew their habits well. Research on orc tribes and their totemic symbols had also progressed significantly since they were made public through the Hunter''s Association. Therefore, the totem in the video raised even more suspicion. ''This totem is rather unexpected. Victory... joy... what are they celebrating? A full meal? Killing humans? Whatever it is, it''s not something tomemorate, especially with a totem. It''s iprehensible.'' The cow heads, lined up on either side, symbolized improvement or victory, while the head and entrails festooned on the pir signified joy. A totem usually seen only in orc tribes after a battle. It was an utterly baffling expression. Had the orcs fought a war somewhere? In South Pocheon, they were a group without any notable achievements to erect such an borate totem. Lee Jin-joo felt the same dissonance. "No matter how dim-witted and irrational orcs are, they don''t erect totems without meaning. Totems are sacred rituals and historical records to them. That''s why some argue that orcs should be ssified as a race simr to humans, rather than monsters." "Simr to humans? Nonsense! They''re anything but human. People who say such things must have never stepped into a Gate. There''s no one as barbaric and cruel as orcs." "That''s why we need to find them more quickly. There could be more victims. Can you track them?" At Kang Mu-hyuk''s question, Lee Jin-joo seemed to struggle, scratching her head. "You know how skilled those orc brutes are at hiding, right? If they dig somewhere within the city instead of the Gate, it bes a headache." "What about their traces?" "It''s been some time, rain has washed away their footprints and droppings. The tracking skill was also interrupted midway. It seems to be deliberately erased. Looking at this, they don''t appear to be ordinary orcs." Wrinkles etched into Kang Mu-hyuk''s forehead. Even the experienced Lee Jin-joo, a veteran from the Expedition team had missed a trace, which meant that this was no ordinary orc. Seeing that even measures had been taken to resist skills was making it more worse. "The fact that a monster erases its own traces is a hunter''s instinct. It means it''s evolved quite a bit." Like goblins, orcs were also tribal, evolving monsters. The more they gathered, and as time passed, they became stronger and smarter. Novice Hunters who didn''t know any better were pleased if they caught goblins or orcs. The rewards, in terms of items, were quite good considering the difficulty of the hunt. However, experienced Hunters despised it. If it was a small tribe, it was fortunate, but if it formed arge tribe, it was more troublesome than any other monster. If they happened to encounter an orc tribe that had reached the final stage of evolution at the Gate, they would consider abandoning the raid. From then on, the level of the raid had to be escted almost to the level of a war. ¡°How did they get over the electric fence without getting caught? Even if monsters have crossed before, they''ve never done it without being noticed.¡± "The police and Pocheon City conducted a joint investigation. They found traces of digging." ¡°A tunnel? Huh, they''re not just ordinary, are they? In terms of monsters.¡± "The victim lived alone, so there was no family to discover him sooner. That''s why we had to gather information about the cattle shed from the neighbors. We checked how many cows were being raised and how many were missing." ¡°Why the cows... Ah, to gauge the scale? They must have feasted on beef... So how many orcs do you think crossed over?¡± "Judging by the traces of the cows being eaten, we estimate a small group of about ten. It''s been two days since they fed, so they should be getting hungry about now." ¡°If they''re hiding somewhere, you mean they''ll reveal themselves soon?¡± "Yes. Hunger is an instinct that orcs can''t resist." ¡­ In a back mountain, like those found anywhere in South Korea, where birds chirped leisurely, footsteps could be heard on the path taken by peopleing for spring water. Suddenly, the rough breath of a wild beast was heard. "Kuruk." With a t nose and short, sharp ears, protruding lower fangs, bluish skin, yellow eyes with bulging veins, and horizontal, dted pupils, the impression was so hideous that it caused a tingling sensation just by looking at it. The orcs hade down the mountain. Hiding in the bushes, they observed people leaving early for work, like Hunters choosing their prey. Soon, the orcs discovered easy and appetizing prey. [Nuri Star Kindergarten] Small humans getting off the yellow iron wagon looked soft-skinned just by a single gaze. "Kurukuruk. Kururuk. Kuokuker." Unlike the inly dressed other orcs, an orc adorned with colorful feathers sent a signal. ''There are many humans. Wait until the surroundings calm down.'' The orcs that received the order hid deep in the bushes. Eagerly waiting for the soon-to-arrive time of the feast. ¡­ "Ugh, everyone else seems so rxed. And here I am, dying." Frence Hunter Kim Su-jeong was sitting in a caf¨¦, lost in thought as she looked out at the scenery. It was a weekday afternoon, the time when she should have been busily moving around hunting grounds. With nothing to do, she couldn''t help but feel frustrated. "Normally at this hour, it''s empty. Everyone else is at work or school." "Shut up, Seong-ju. If you hadn''t shared a bad intel, I wouldn''t be sitting here sucking my thumb all week." "No, I swear the information was solid. The source was reliable too." "That so-called cousin of yours who works at the Guild Cooperation Division? Seriously, tell me the truth. Does this legendary cousin even exist?" "Do you think I''ve been fooled all my life? Why would I lie about something like eating well? My cousin really did say that Iron Will is going to open a hunting ground in North Pocheon soon. He hinted that there would be various benefits if we get in first. We, the low-level Hunters, should really take advantage of such events." "But look at this mess. It''s not like we''re unemployed. We should have gone to the Jirisan Special Activities Zone instead. Themission is high, but at least there are plenty of mobs... Ah, who am I to me? My fault for trusting you." "I''m telling you, it was supposed to be announced this week. Just wait and see. Iron Will is going to have an enormous big event." Seong-ju, a member of the same party, thumped his chest in frustration. Kim Su-jeong spoke, feeling as if she were attempting to scoop up water that had already been spilled. "Enough, enough. Going to Jirisan now will be just as futile since they''ve started limiting entry. Staying here for a few more days won''t kill us. Money on my card is running low, but... let''s just wait a little longer." "I''m telling you, really..." Ignoring Seong-ju''sints, Kim Su-jeong leaned on the table and looked out the window. Across the street, she could see children running around a yground beyond the fence of a kindergarten. It was ate autumn day that had been pleasantly warmed by the rare sunlight, a day that made Kim Su-jeong want to travel somewhere as she sighed. "The weather is so nice~ I wish I could go back to kindergarten like those kids over there. I wouldn''t have to worry about making a living." "Worrying about equipment is more pressing than food and shelter." "Ugh, that damn equipment, equipment, equipment! Since bing a Hunter, it''s all about buying equipment every month and running a deficit. I shouldn''t have awakened, tsk! I thought being a Hunter would mean a good life, but who knew I would be overwhelmed by debt? I would have been better off as a regr office worker." "True. Joining a decent guild would be better, at least." "Yeah, a guild. Not a small one, but at least a mid-sized one. Then we wouldn''t have to struggle like this. An orc, right?" "What? Why did your speech suddenly change?" "No, seriously. Look at that. Isn''t that an orc?" "Are you starting to see things now after singing the hunting song? Why would there be an orc here, an orc?" Then, sliding down the slope connected to the roadside, orcs appeared before their eyes. Kim Su-jeong and Seong-ju looked at each other with their mouths agape. Then simultaneously, a cheer erupted from both of them. "We hit the jackpot!" They chuckled as they picked up the equipment boxes they had set aside. But they were taken aback when they saw the orcs heading toward the kindergarten. ¡°These crazy bastards!¡± ¡°Hey, hurry up and stop them!¡± ¡­ ¡°Detective Kim, if you''re tired, just hand the wheel over to me. Stop dozing off.¡± ¡°Ugh, this damn post-meal drowsiness. The sun is just right for it.¡± ¡°It''s not drowsiness, it''s because you came straight from duty yesterday. Even if promotions are good, take it easy.¡± ¡°These are crazy times, aren''t they? I need to show some energy now.¡± Kim Buyong couldn''t bear it any longer and pulled over to switch driving with his junior. As he sat in the passenger seat, Kim Buyong fastened his seatbelt and reclined his seat, intending to catch some shut-eye. Just as his junior was adjusting his seat¨C Bang! With a loud impact, the vehicle rocked and tilted towards the passenger side, then flipped onto its side. ¡°Aaargh! What, what is it?¡± ¡°Ugh¡­.¡± ¡°Hey, Taeho, are you alright?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ yes. Other than a strained neck.¡± Kim Buyong was hanging upside down, thanks to his seatbelt. In contrast, his junior, who had been adjusting his seatbelt, rolled and was pressed against the overturned car''s roof. ¡°A traffic ident? How did this happen?¡± ¡°I don''t know, I just¡­¡± Then¨C Bang! A heavy impact struck the overturned car''s floor. Then, something fell by the passenger window. Thick ankles, the color of dark blue skin, as big as an adult thigh. It was the lower half of a monster. ¡°An, an orc¡­.¡± Kim Buyong immediately recognized it from the retreating figure outside the car window. He had never heard of orcs inhabiting North Pocheon, but orcs were well-known monsters even to ordinary people. The two detectives instinctively realized that this orc was the culprit behind the incident at the barn. His junior quickly flipped himself inside the narrow car and opened the door. ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± ¡°We have to catch it. There''s a kindergarten up ahead.¡± ¡°Damn it. Do you think an orc is easy? It''s still a monster.¡± ¡°An orc will die if you shoot it in the head.¡± ¡°Hey, hey!¡± Before Kim Buyong could say anything, his junior dashed outside, chasing after the orc with his gun drawn. Kim Buyong was worried about his junior. He was much younger and belonged to a generation that had not experienced the past monster chaos. He seemed to think lightly of the orc, having only heard rumors about it. ¡°Damn it! If guns work on it, is it even a monster?¡± Kim Buyong tried to follow in haste, but whether it was due to the shock of the car flipping or not, the seatbelt wouldn''te loose. ¡°Why isn''t this working? Wait, wait, Taeho. Don''t act alone!¡± ¡°You''ll be toote!¡± Kim Buyong cried out in desperation, but his junior, in his haste, pulled the hammer back, aiming at the orc. Just as he was targeting the back of the orc''s head¨C ¡°Thump!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± With another shadow cast over his back, the junior fell like a puppet with its strings cut. Thump, roll. ¡°Taeho!¡± Locking eyes with his junior, whose head had just rolled to face him, Kim Buyong screamed as if vomiting blood. Chapter 62 - I didnt move here to end up like this! Kim Buyong locked eyes with the orc that had killed his junior. There wasn''t even time to grieve for the death of his junior; he had to struggle to survive. ¡°Damn!¡± He hastily reached for the gun holstered at his waist. Perhaps due to his urgency, the holster p wouldn''t open easily. The orc approached, brandishing an axe de asrge as a human torso. ¡®Damn it! Who would have thought the day woulde when I¡¯d actually have to use a gun.¡¯ The memory of his seniors joking about Pocheon being one of the few areas in South Korea where carrying firearms was a regr urrence shed through his mind like a zoetrope when he was first assigned here. He had thought it was nothing serious back then. Only after facing the monster did he realize. This was the ce for it. He drew his gun and put a finger on the trigger, without even taking time to aim, he pointed the gun out the window. Then it hit him. ¡®The window is closed, isn¡¯t it?!¡¯ Though it was neither bulletproof ss nor something that could actually obstruct a bullet, the sudden realization that something was in the way caused his mind to freeze in panic. At that moment, the approaching orc swung its axe at the car door like a golf club. The window shattered, sending fragments flying. Kim Buyong screamed and cringed. Fortunately, the axe was stuck in the metal part below the window. In a frantic reaction, he pulled the trigger, shouting. ¡°Arrgh!¡± Bang! Bang! Bang! The unaimed bullets missed pathetically. The gun only served to make the orc more cautious. Startled by the noise and the sight of stones breaking on the ground, it put distance between itself and Kim Buyong. This cautiousness now gave Kim Buyong an opportunity. As the orc moved away, he found a moment of respite. He lifted the gun and shot at the orc''s chest as it entered his view. Bang! ¡°Gruagh!¡± The orc screamed and staggered but didn''t fall. Even the prating power of a magnum couldn''t pierce the orc''s thick chest muscles. Feeling fortunate that he hadn''t loaded his gun with the ineffective terror bullets designed for monster encounters, Kim Buyong fired the remaining two bullets. ¡°Die!¡± Both bullets hit the orc. One even struck its head directly, but somehow it didn''t die. Although the impact made the orc kneel on one leg, it seemedrgely unaffected. Only then did Kim Buyong remember why monsters were considered dangerous. Creatures with exceptional mana reactivity that could neutralize modern firearms. It wasmon knowledge, but he never thought that even orcs, known to be among the weaker monsters, would be immune to guns. A new shadow loomed over the astonished face of Kim Buyong. It was another orc. The orc swung its axe down at Kim Buyong, then pulled it back. ¡°F*ck, monster...¡± The de of the axe becamerger andrger in Kim Buyong''s eyes. He knew he had to dodge, but his body was frozen in terror, unable to respond. Darkness descended, and his vision went ck. ng! Bang! ¡°Ah...!¡± What darkened his view was a human back. A person bracing against the orc''s attack with their back against the car door. Though the car''s metal panel was dented, the person was unharmed. Only a moment toote did Kim Buyong think of the one being capable of blocking a monster head-on. "Heh, Hunter!" At Kim Buyong''s cry, the suddenly appeared Hunterughed derisively. "So, I''m a Hunter... Uh, what''s the big deal?!" ¡­ Kim Su-jeong, who had been engaged in a strength contest with an orc, crossing her sword with its axe, was taken aback. She had lunged at the orc, thinking it was nothing, but it had far exceeded her expectations. "Yikes, why is this orc so strong?" Had it been a Gate or a Special Activities Zone, she would have observed the monster carefully before attacking, but as this was downtown and there was a person who looked like a police officer in apparent danger, she had intervened without thinking... ''Is this really an orc?'' She never thought she would be overpowered in a one-on-one fight. ''No, I¡¯m not using my full strength, so am I slightly superior?'' Frankly, this alone was absurd. Kim Su-jeong was a C-rank. Orcs were D+ or C- ranked creatures that anyone could easily catch, the next easiest after goblins. Not long ago, she had heard a rumor that the Iron Will guild had struggled against a tribe of evolved goblins, but as Iron Will was a rtively unknown guild, she had ignored it. Moreover, evolved goblins were considered challenging by many in the industry. ''There was no news of evolved orc tribes here.'' Orcs were not even mentioned in the North Pocheon monster ecological information. That meant they must have appeared rtively recently, and it was a reasonable judgment that these were orcs that had not evolved, having inhabited the area for a short time. It appeared that a few of them had gathered, but she had felt confident enough to handle them. ''But what''s with this one?'' An orc equal to a C-rank? It was unfamiliar. As unfamiliar as it was, it sent shivers down her spine. ''Three of these... Wait. The kindergarten! A few went in there. I wonder if Seong-ju is okay?'' She had been worried about Seong-ju who had taken on the orc that had gone into the kindergarten, but Kim Su-jeong could not afford to pay attention to that side anymore. The remaining two orcs were approaching her. ¡­ "Orcs have been discovered. A report has been made to the police." "Location?" Gong Du-ri immediately pinpointed the coordinates on the monitor. The marked location on the South Pocheon map was zoomed in. "Shineup-dong?" "Next to Cheongseongsan Park." "The darkest ce is under thempshade. It''s right nearby, right?" Kang Mu-hyuk muttered to himself, grinding his teeth. It was fortunate that they had been discovered quickly, but the location of discovery was not good. The orcs had already entered Pocheon City, the most densely popted ce, and if monsters had broken in, there was concern that the damage would also be substantial. "Issue deployment orders to the nearest party, and contact the other parties in the city to build a cordon near the coordinates as they arrive on the scene. Delegate the location assignment by sharing the map with each party leader, but as soon as they are in position, have them share their location with the situation room immediately." As the operators conveyed Kang Mu-hyuk''s orders to the field, Gong Du-ri reported a new situation. "Here''s some additional information. There''s a kindergarten near where the orcs were found." "You don''t think the orcs are targeting..." For a moment, Kang Mu-hyuk recalled the way orcs chose their prey. An easy opponent rather than a strong one, prey on a young beast rather than an adult. This was the same even for orcs that had be stronger through evolution. Despite their appearance, they were extremely cunning and retained the habits of their weaker days before evolution, preferring to hunt with minimal injury. "If harmes to the children... I swear, I''ll grind all the orcs in thisnd to dust." Kang Mu-hyuk struggled to calm his turbulent heart, outwardly striving to maintain hisposure. A leader must always maintain their absolute cool-headedness, he repeated to himself over and over. "And I heard gunshots." "Gunshots? There must have been police." He momentarily hoped. Could they dy until the Hunters arrived? The answer was ''No.'' He knew all too well the peculiarities of the police in the border region near the Special Activities Zone. Always carrying firearms, fully loaded with live ammunition without nks. They often practiced shooting, and received quarterly training on how to act when encountering monsters. They assumed they could encounter monsters at any time, even when dealing with humans. It was all because of the Special Activities Zone that had split Pocheon in half. But education wasn''t always effective. There were not a few examples of over-relying on firearms and charging at monsters, even though guns could only handle the weakest of monsters at best. If the monster''s rank was only a bit higher, it was difficult to get anything more than slowing it down or drawing its attention. Could they barely knock it down by shooting several bullets into its vital organs? Kang Mu-hyuk thought that the police might not be safe either, but still clung to a glimmer of hope, wishing they could at least buy some time. ''Maybe even if the police can¡¯t, I can save the children....'' It was a cruel calction, but there was no way to save everyone. He issued the bestmand he could make at that moment. "Share the new information with the scene. Don''t pick and choose, just get there quickly." ¡­ "Tch! Thrown into a worthless job as soon as I arrive. Orcs and low-level monsters might be big to some, but for a B-rank Hunter like me, it''s hard to even cover the cost of potions. And there are only a few of them? But how many Hunters have been deployed here? All the new recruits, right? Everyone seems to be doing their own thing. Isn''t this aplete loss?" The endlesslyining man was wearing goggles as sunsses. Those around him knew who he was. He was a rather infamous Hunter. And not in a good way. So no one spoke to him. But someone couldn''t just let his words go. "Money isn''t the important thing here, Mr. Seo Dae-chi. The purpose of the guild is to protect people." "That''s what old-timers say. Who are you, did your family get killed or something?" Seo Dae-chi''s mocking words made Baek Seong-bin''s face turn rigid. "Oh? Really? I was just saying. Sorry about that. But is there anyone around here who hasn''t lost someone? Don''t act so serious. I dislike those who make a fuss." "Lost someone? Is it unusual for people to die?" "Hey, stop whining. I don''t want to hear it." "I can''t understand why the Guild Leader brought someone like you in. You don''t know responsibility or duty, and youck even dignity, like a hoodlum." "Are you picking a fight?" "I''m not a fool to pick a fight with an object rather than a person." "Look at this kid? You talk back? Let''s see if your tongue still moves after you''ve been stabbed. Say it again." "If you were human, you would value life over money..." Baek Seong-bin stopped speaking and looked down at his left shoulder. The tip of a knife had somehow dug into his skin. It wasn''t a fatal wound, but it was in a position where, if he were an ordinary person, a tendon might have been severed, and he could have been crippled. "Seo Dae-chi!" Kyung Soo-hyuk, who had been watching their fight, shouted. Though they had not known each other for long, they were, after all, colleagues from the same guild. He had no intention of intervening in a verbal fight, but a fight involving bloodshed was intolerable. Seo Dae-chi, unaffected by Kyung Soo-hyuk''s intervention, pulled out his knife. Blood sttered from Baek Seong-bin''s shoulder. "Thought I was joking when I said I''d stab you? My hobby is warning with jokes¡ªCough!" This time, Seo Dae-chi''s jaw twisted. Baek Seong-bin''s left hand had struck him, and Seo Dae-chi staggered back a few steps. "Animals are always beaten with sticks." Wiping the blood flowing from his torn lips, Seo Dae-chi nced at Baek Seong-bin''s left shoulder. "What''s this? The stab wound has healed already? Do you have a Healing Factor? So that''s why you dared talk back to me?" "I spoke not because I trust my trait but my belief. After seeing you use a knife because you didn''t like what you heard, I''m sure of it. You have no right to be in this guild." "What? You impose your beliefs on others too? This pisses me off. I hate your kind." Seo Dae-chi lifted his goggles. Baek Seong-bin flinched. White eyes. Eyes without ck pupils, entirely white, seemed to ensnare him subtly. ''Is that the famous White-eyed Seo Dae-chi?'' It certainly made him ufortable just looking, but it wasn''t scary. Both were ready to draw their weapons at any moment. Kyung Soo-hyuk, who could no longer just watch, stepped between them, shield in hand. "Both of you stop. We''re in the middle of an operation. Don''t be idiots, fighting among yourselves. If you want to fight, I won''t just stand by as the party leader." "I thought you were a good party leader, being so quiet. Are you a meddler? There are too many annoying people around... Shall we clear them out?" As the atmosphere grew tense among the three members of the five-person party, the remaining two distanced themselves, grumbling. It was a gesture that they would remain spectators till the end. "Damn, even if you get caught, you act like lunatics. Don''t involve me, sort it out yourselves." "Is this my third disaster this year? What kind of party messes up all year long? I thought things would be different in Iron Will, but it''s the same here too. Tsk!" The first hunting mission since joining, and the situation was on the verge of making the party members the prey instead of the monsters. At that moment, a voice sounded through the earsets that everyone was wearing. ¡°Situation alert! Pocheon City, Sinui-dong, Nuribyul Kindergarten. Orc spotted. At least a toon-sized force. Rying to all parties currently searching Pocheon City¡­¡± "Everyone, return to the vehicles." The moment Kyung Soo-hyuk, the party leader, issued the order, Baek Seong-bin moved faster than anyone else. Instead of running to the car, he stopped a motorcycle that wasing from the opposite direction. "Hunter Baek Seong-bin, what are you doing?" Kyung Soo-hyuk asked. "I''m with Iron Will Guild. It''s an emergency. I need to borrow your motorcycle," Baek Seong-bin replied, ignoring Kyung Soo-hyuk and addressing the motorcyclist. "Eh? I have to make a delivery right now...." Before the motorcyclist could say anything more, his vehicle was snatched away by Baek Seong-bin and ced on the ground. The motorcyclist''s bike was stolen so swiftly and effortlessly that he had no time to resist. While the driver was still in shock, Baek Seong-bin twisted the throttle and zoomed away. "Hey!" Kyung Soo-hyuk tried to grab him but was a step toote. Baek Seong-bin narrowly escaped his grasp. Kyung Soo-hyuk watched Baek Seong-bin''s retreating back and turned towards the parked cars. "Ugh, without even his equipment... Damn it, this isn''t why I transferred here!" Seo Dae-chi also began to move, letting out a hollowugh. Looking back at the distance where Baek Seong-bin had disappeared, leaving only an afterimage, he shook his head back and forth. "That guy, he might be even crazier than me. Or perhaps just a troll." Chapter 63 - Is this truly a situation I despise? CRASH! ¡°Ugh!¡± Yoo Seong-ju was flung back to where he''de from with great force, crashing into the front gate pir of the kindergarten. Part of the stone wall at the main entrance was shattered. ¡°Kyaaaak!¡± ¡°Euaaang! Aaang!¡± The screams of the kindergarten teachers and the crying of the children filled the narrow yground. The noise was enough to induce dizziness. ¡®Did I hit my head? Is my skull ringing? Ugh! I feel dizzy.¡¯ The orcs turned their attention to the children. Sensing the danger, Yoo Seong-ju, even before steadying his shaky vision, got up and shouted. ¡°You thick-skulled pigs! This way, over here!¡± Though they couldn''t understand his words, the orcs seemed toprehend Yoo Seong-ju''s insults. The irked orcs turned their gaze. Standing before them was the feather-adorned orc who had sent Yoo Seong-ju flying earlier. First, Yoo Seong-ju, who had caught the orcs'' attention, yelled at the people. ¡°Take the children and escape inside! Quickly!¡± Despite the chaos, the kindergarten teachers pushed the children''s backs and evacuated into the building. Some children with wobbly legs ran, holding the sides of the adults. The orcs did not pursue them. To orcs, natural-born Hunters, they looked like rats scurrying into a hole. Yoo Seong-ju knew this too but had no other choice. Scattering in all directions would only provoke the orcs, and unexpected casualties were bound to happen. It was better to gather in one ce and hold out until help arrived. ¡®I''ve bought some time at least¡­. Whether Hunter support arrives in time is the key.¡¯ He gripped his shield tightly, extending his sword above it, threatening the approaching orcs. The feather-adorned orc spread its arms, and the rest of the orcs stopped. Carrying an axe on its shoulder, it approached Yoo Seong-ju and suddenly swung it down. WOOSH! The sound of the shield bending under the blow echoed. With the uncharacteristic force of an orc, Yoo Seong-ju was forced to one knee. In his unsteady position, he struck back, swinging his sword from beneath his shield. He aimed for the orc''s ankle, intending to reduce its mobility and power, but the orc easily avoided the attack by lifting its foot. ¡®I thought orcs were stupid creatures that only knew how to swing their axes?¡¯ Staring in astonishment at this opponent, who moved more skillfully than the orcs he had faced before, Yoo Seong-ju hurled his body to the side. The axe crashed into the spot where he had been, pursuing him like a hammer striking the ground. He rolled around wildly to escape its range, not even sure how many turns he took. The feather-adorned orc stopped pursuing andughed into thin air, clearly mocking him. ¡°Damn it! Since when were orcs this strong? Isn''t this cheating?¡± The feather-adorned orc sent a signal to its subordinates, who turned away from Yoo Seong-ju, no longer interested. Yoo Seong-ju''s confidence that he could face them alone was apparent. The orcs were trying to enter the building, and Yoo Seong-ju''s heart raced with urgency. He thrust forward with his shield, charging with all his might. The orc twisted its body like a bullfighter to evade the attack, then aimed its axe at his waist. Yoo Seong-ju tensed his legs and activated his charging skill, although a little toote. As eleration took hold of his body, the background seemed to push backward, and the axe sliced through thin air, missing its target. Yoo Seong-ju swiftly leaped into the midst of the orcs, shing his sword against his shield as he used a skill. ¡°Howling invasion!¡± Kiiiiing! A tank''s unique skill designed to agitate the monsters¡¯ wild nature and draw their aggro was activated. The orcs within the range of the skill all turned their heads towards Yoo Seong-ju. ¡°Where do you think you''re going?! We should y a bit more!¡± Yoo Seong-ju gritted his teeth, determined. However, a familiar shriek shattered the atmosphere. ¡°Kyaaaak!¡± Kim Su-jeong tumbled through the front gate. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to y with you, Sister.¡± ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? Ah, it hurts.¡± Kim Su-jeong staggered back, rubbing her tingling arms. Yoo Seong-ju''s anger red when he saw the orcs following her in. ¡°Why did you bring more orcs?!¡± ¡°They''re not orcs, you idiot! They''re more like ogre cousins! Dumb, but strong......¡± Kim Su-jeong joined Yoo Seong-ju, and they stood with their backs to each other. They were surrounded, but both were calm. ¡°It''s been a while since we''ve had to exert ourselves.¡± Kim Su-jeong shook out her left arm. Metal began to spread from the wrist of her mana-filled gauntlet. The metal soon enveloped her forearm and transformed into a slender hexagonal small shield. ¡°Are we going with two tanks instead of targeting the dealer?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like we have any other options. We can''t beat them just by ourselves.¡± ¡°I hope someone arrives soon from Iron Will.¡± ¡°Let''s pray we don¡¯t die first.¡± ¡°If necessary, be prepared to run.¡± Kim Su-jeong couldn''t bring herself to respond. Could she really abandon the children at the kindergarten? Even though it was a decision for survival, she knew she would be gued by guilt for a long time. In her life as a Hunter, she had had to make such decisions before, always apanied by regret. ¡°Let''s keep that as ast resort, really thest.¡± ¡°Understood. Stay alert, Sister.¡± Just as the orcs charged, a sudden loud noise rang out. Boom! Crash! Before they could even identify the noise, a collision sent one of the orcs tumbling to the ground. ¡°Watch out for the motorcycle...!¡± Suddenly appearing, a man had struck the orc with his motorcycle. Another nearby orc swung its axe at him. The man leaped to dodge, though his motorcycle was reduced to scrap metal with a single blow. However, hisnding spot was ill-chosen; hended right among the orcs. Another orc nearby attacked. Too close to evade, it was toote. He extended his arm to block the axe de. The axe struck with a dull sound, slicing into his flesh, sttering blood. Fortunately, his arm wasn¡¯t severed due to the strong physique, but the sound of bones cracking resonated in the air. The man extended his sword without even screaming, clenching his teeth. The orc tried to draw its axe, but when the man tensed his forearm, it faltered, momentarily caught off guard. Seizing the opportunity, the man''s sword pierced through the ck orc''s shoulder. He then aimed for its neck, but the orc, dropping its axe, twisted its body just in time to dodge. The method of tearing flesh and striking bone was a violent way to fight. Pulling the axe from his shaking arm, the man calmly surveyed his surroundings and nodded. ¡°The children seem to be safe. It''s fortunate we weren¡¯t toote.¡± Kim Su-jeong and Yoo Seong-ju looked at the man with exasperation. Then, they witnessed his trembling arm suddenly moving as though perfectly fine. ¡°Healing... factor?¡± ¡°Behind!¡± Yoo Seong-ju urgently shouted. The man reacted even before the warning. An axe was lodged in the spot where he had been standing. A feather-adorned orc followed with a kick. The man didn¡¯t dodge; instead, he hurled himself forward, catching the foot just before itnded. The orc''s body tilted. Without missing a beat, the man wrapped both legs around the orc''s supporting opposite foot. As he pressed down on its ankle, the orc was forced to kneel. The orcshed out at the man''s face with its left fist. The man turned his head, narrowly dodging, and quickly rose. He then jumped at an opportune height and delivered a knee kick to the orc''s head. The orc, shocked at the temple, shook its head and swung its arms wildly. The man dodged the attack and raised his sword to strike down at its head. But the strike did not reach the orc''s head. Another orc had rushed in, blocking the man''s sword. Yet another orc, reacting a beatte, pounced on the man. The man raised his sword, deflecting the axes, then jumped back towards where Kim Su-jeong was standing. ¡°These are no ordinary orcs, just as the information indicated.¡± Their strength, the way they coordinated, their skill with weapons, and their manner of fighting. It felt like facing an experienced Hunter rather than an orc. As the encirclement broke and the two groups distinctly separated, Kim Su-jeong, who had judged a moment of respite, cautiously asked, ¡°What are these orcs, exactly?¡± ¡°Evolved orcs.¡± ¡°Seeing that you know about these orcs here, you must be part of the Iron Will Guild?¡± ¡°I am from Iron Will, but I don¡¯t know much about these orcs. How they came to be in Pocheon is still unclear.¡± ¡°Still unclear? Then how did...¡± ¡°Let''s save the conversation forter. The orcs are moving. I''ll take the lead; assist me from both sides.¡± The man issued a simple order. It was a formation that relied on the Healing Factor. From the looks of it, the unfamiliar two Hunters seemed like frencers. Judging from their equipment and abilities, their rank seemed modest at best. They had held on so far bravely. If need be, they would have to resort to tactics that threw their bodies in the way to minimize damage. ¡®I don¡¯t know how much I can cover these two, but I have to brace myself.¡¯ However, contrary to the man''s determination, the orcs'' movements veered off from his expectations. Suddenly, the orc bolted from the kindergarten and began fleeing toward Cheongseong Mountain. "Is, is it over?" The man hesitated, about to give chase. He was reminded of the words he had heard not long ago after being struck by the guild''s attack leader. "Think before you move. Don''t act impulsively. If you don''t break this habit, you''ll be treated as a punching bag all your life." ''Orcs are fundamentally Hunters. Moreover, this one is an evolved specimen. It might set traps. I can''t catch the orc in the mountains alone. It''s better to wait and seek reinforcements.'' The man sheathed his sword, alert to his surroundings. Realizing that the fight was entirely over, Kim Su-jeong copsed in ce, feeling more mentally drained than physically. Yoo Seong-ju also sat down heavily next to her. Could the orc be that strong? Especially the feather-adorned orc, the mere thought of it made her tremble. It didn''t even seem to have used all its power. It had toyed with her. ''That guy almost caught such a creature. At least B-rank? His skill was not inferior to that of renowned guild Hunters. Iron Will is noughing matter as a C-rank guild.'' Seeing no further threat, the man turned around and expressed gratitude to the two Hunters. "I''m d the two of you held off the orcs. The children could have been seriously hurt. Ah? I apologize for thete introduction. I''m Baek Seong-bin of the Iron Will Guild." "I''m Kim Su-jeong." "I am Yoo Seong-ju." "Are you frence Hunters?" "Yes, yes." "There might be a post-incident report. Could you exin the situation at our guild?" "Ah, yes. That''s fine. I will cooperate if it''s about hunting monsters." "Thank you." "Could I meet Guild Master Ju Se-ah?" Kim Su-jeong asked with twinkling eyes. Ju Se-ah was a female Hunter that many looked up to. Her anticipation was natural. "I''m not sure. As far as I know, the Guild Master is at the headquarters. You might get to see the Guild Leader though." Kim Su-jeong bowed her head in disappointment, but Yoo Seong-ju secretly clenched his fist. ''The Guild Leader is the real power in the Iron Will Guild. If things go well, I might get some benefits when developing a hunting ground?'' ¡­ "The orc was quick to judge. Seeing the continually joining Hunters, it probably thought more would join. It''s just a guess, though." Kang Mu-hyuk stared intently at the Pocheon map on the screen, listening to Lee Jin-joo''s report. ''Where could it be hiding?'' Late-arriving Hunters had searched Cheongseong Mountain, but the orc was nowhere to be found. Just like at the barn, even its tracks had disappeared. It was strange, considering there shouldn''t have been enough time to erase them. The only usible spection was that the orc possessed a unique skill or item to erase its tracks. The evolution stage must have significantly progressed. "Considering there were several, not catching even one is a problem, right? Despite being B-rank. How did Hunter Baek Seong-bin, whom you tested directly, perform?" "Your battle sense, bold use of Healing Factor, and tactical movement were all splendid. However, as in this case, there is the drawback of impulsively acting in situations where monsters threaten people. Even considering that, I don''t think your skills arecking to the point where you''d let an orc slip away so easily." "But the failure of the hunt was because the orcs'' rank was higher than expected." "The more they band together, the more troublesome they are. At that level, there''s a high chance that they''re forming arge tribe somewhere." Suddenly, he was reminded of the time with the goblin tribe. Therge tribe solidly united under the rare species known as the Goblin Matriarch. At that time, though threatening, he had not considered them to be at an unbeatable level. ''But the Matriarch''s summoning was dangerous. Enough to make even the Guild Master prepare for death.'' Although he had been hiding it from other guild members, Kang Mu-hyuk had not forgotten the existence of the Matriarch for a moment. Therefore, he had significant concerns about the unprecedented evolution of the orc tribe. "For now, the Guild Master is handling the search for the orc tribe." "Ah? So that''s why the Guild Master stayed in North Pocheon. No wonder, even though she said she would also evaluate the new members'' tactical execution, I wondered why she didn''te to see it herself." "While the Guild Master is struggling, we must produce results. Let''s recheck the geography of Cheongseong Mountain and increase the search force. There''s nothing caught on nearby CCTV yet, so they must be hiding somewhere." Kang Mu-hyuk turned his eyes back to the map. ''I have a feeling this won''t be easy.'' ¡­ Ju Se-ah was roaming the area of North Pocheon alone. It was because of Kang Mu-hyuk''s special request. ''A tribe-type monster that evolved rapidly. A very tricky situation indeed. Hmm, trauma from the Matriarch''s time? Guild Leader Kang seems to be overly concerned.'' Of course, she hadn''t forgotten about the Goblin Matriarch either. Rather, she was under more stress than Kang Mu-hyuk. Even now, when she closed her eyes at night, she would encounter the beings summoned by the Matriarch in her nightmares. Despite that, Ju Se-ah believed that what had happened during the Matriarch''s time wouldn''t repeat itself this time. ¡°Orcs have nothing to do with summoning. Even if they have evolved, they''re monsterspletely inept at magic.¡± With some pointless self-talk to change the gloomy atmosphere, Ju Se-ah set out again to search but couldn''t find any trace of the orcs. ''It''s strange. If there''s an orc tribe, there should be some sign of them. I don''t even see a single orc snout.'' The southern road, which she patrolled daily, and its surroundings were obviously devoid of them, and there was no trace in the western areas she asionally checked due tock of personnel either. The southwest, excluding a part of the low mountain, was mostly t, so there wasn''t a suitable hiding ce for a monster tribe. So, the remaining options were the east and northeast where the mountains continued. These areas were rugged but not wide enough for arge tribe to settle. "Are they not in North Pocheon in the first ce?" Ju Se-ah blurted out the words, then flinched and touched her mouth. She was reminded of the area beyond the boundary of North Pocheon to the north. Cheolwon County. In the early days of the Gate era, it was and abandoned in chaos. Even the monsters were reluctant to approach the ce, due to the tens of thousands ofndmines that had been scattered to stop the monstersing down from the copsed North Korea. "If they are there..." If the orc tribe had survived there for a long time¨C "Wouldn''t that lead to a really unpleasant situation?" Ju Se-ah somehow had a bad feeling about it. Chapter 64 - Where Are They Hiding? "Guild Master? She said she''s going back north to investigate something." "North?" Kang Mu-hyuk cocked his head in confusion. Pyo Beom-hee had delivered the message without question, but for Kang Mu-hyuk, who knew precisely what Ju Se-ah was working on, this information only raised more questions. ''Investigate the north?'' The headquarters of Iron Will were situated at the far end of North Pocheon, in the northern region. The area was a narrow stretch ofnd connecting mountains, bordered by Sanjeong Lake. In other words, it was unlikely that the orc tribe could be hiding there. "Did she say anything else?" "Nothing much. She took a ''Gate Kit'' and an ''Exploration Kit'' with her when she left." "An Exploration Kit?" "She said it would take a few days." A hypothesis darted through Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. Given that Ju Se-ah, always straightforward in her expression, had ambiguously mentioned "the north," it was possible that naming a specific location would be too sensitive. Moreover, the fact that Ju Se-ah, who could handle most monsters with her own abilities, took an Exploration Kit suggested she had discovered something significant to camouge herself. In South Korea, there were only a few ces that would require a Hunter of Ju Se-ah¡¯s caliber to exercise such caution. Just north of North Pocheon was one such ce. A location that even Kang Mu-hyuk had pushed to the back of his memory. ''Cheolwon?'' For most South Korean Hunters, Cheolwon was an area to be avoided at all costs. It wasn''t even considered a viable option. Even if monsters could resist modern weapons, they weren''t invincible. Areas like Cheolwon,den with minefields and trenches, were inhospitable, especially for tribe-like monster orcs. Monsters didn''t farm; their survival depended on hunting. But the mine-infested region made hunting more trouble than it was worth, a ce even Hunters avoided due to the risk of them stepping on mines. ''If the Guild Master chose to go there, there must be apelling reason. She''s seasoned in hunting, after all.'' The instincts of an experienced Hunter sometimes surpassed Kang Mu-hyuk''s expectations. Such instincts often teetered between keen insight and sheer bravado. The factor that distinguished the two was battlefield acumen. At the pinnacle of this acumeny expeditions. Ju Se-ah was an efficient ace and party leader who had consistently been part of the Tier-ed Guild expeditions. Her intuition and judgment were certainly worth respecting. "Why have you gone silent all of a sudden? Is something wrong? Wait, don''t tell me. Is the north Cheolwon? Did the Guild Master head into Cheolwon? Why would she go to that hellish ce?" "That¡¯s right. Your reaction, Team Leader Pyo, is typical. Normally, no one would consider going to Cheolwon to investigate." But what if the orcs were truly hiding there? ''That¡¯s where the question lies.'' Why hadn¡¯t the orcse down to North Pocheon until now? And why had they decided toe down to the southern regions? "Something must have changed. There''s only one most likely variable that''s different from before." The Goblin Matriarch had disappeared. "Monsters aren''t exactly friendly with each other. In a world of limited resources, if it''s tribe against tribe, power struggles are inevitable. In that respect, the Goblin Matriarch would have definitely been a natural enemy to the Orcs." Orcs, being more physical-type monsters, distanced themselves from magic as they were particrly vulnerable to mental attacks. The Goblin Matriarch was a top-tier entity in this area, so naturally, they would be cautious about making any moves in the south. As Ju Se-ah opened up new possibilities, Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind began to sketch out dozens of scenarios. During a very brief pause in the conversation with Pyo Beom-hee, his thoughts continuously advanced, already forming contingency ns. "So you''re lost in thought again, huh?" "Ah? Sorry, I got caught up in a few things." "I won''t say anything since you''re the boss working on the big picture. But shouldn''t we first deal with the Orcs that have infiltrated South Pocheon?" "Right. We''ll need to take care of them first to prepare for any subsequent threats." Pyo Beom-hee didn''t ask further, sensing that Kang Mu-hyuk''s answer was more of a monologue. However, she became alert when the word ''threats'' came out of his mouth. She realized he wasn''t just talking about the Orcs that had infiltrated South Pocheon. "So, where are you hiding?" Kang Mu-hyuk red at thest known CCTV footage of the Orcs. ¡­ Thend Ju Se-ah stepped onto had rejected human presence for decades. Cheolwon County. North Korea had copsed two weeks after the first Gate, termed Hellgate, opened. The government hurriedly constructed a defensive line along the armistice zone to hold back the monsters flooding down from the north. Troops were stationed near the armistice lines stretching from Paju City, Yeoncheon County, Cheolwon County, Yanggu County, Inje County, to Goseong County, and arge number of mines were scattered. In Cheolwon County, which was a major invasion route for the monsters, half of the mines deployed along the entire defensive line were installed, amounting to tens of thousands. Even before the birth of Hunters, mines were continually added to the point where even the military wasn¡¯t aware of the exact number anymore. After the chaos subsided, the area stretching from the DMZ to Cheolwon became a chaotic zone, mixed with monsters and mines, rivaling the ''Majing'' of China''s northeastern three provinces. That was why some people even called it the Penins''s Majing. "It''s strange that the monsters in Cheolwon haven''t ventured out yet. The government has designated this ce as ''restricted,'' but they''ve never attempted to reim it. This ce is peculiar." Even after reiming old North Korean territories, leaving such a hazardous area in the center of the Penins was inexplicable to Ju Se-ah. In hindsight, it seemed like the government was deliberately controlling information about Cheolwon. It was never covered in the media. Guilds and rted institutions treated Cheolwon as if it were non-existentnd. If it weren''t for the recent orc invasion, Ju Se-ah would have never thought about Cheolwon, a ce that had been thoroughly forgotten. Click¡ª "Huh?" Boom! Suddenly, the ground beneath her exploded. Soil and dirt flew into the air, and as the dust settled, Ju Se-ah appeared, unscathed but shaken. It was a close call; her armor coat could have been torn to shreds had she not acted fast to protect herself. "How much does this cost?" Sure, the armor coat could withstand a few mines, but it was essentially a consumable item. She couldn''t help but feel it was wasteful to use it when not battling monsters. Underneath the coat, the armor she wore was custom-made and she was not thrilled to see it being damaged by a mere explosive, rather than a monster. Treating her gear with the caution one might reserve for a designer handbag, Ju Se-ah meticulously inspected her equipment. Then she surveyed the rice paddy ahead, peppered with mines. A few scattered bones hinted at the explosive fate of some unlucky creatures. Standing there, Ju Se-ah made a troubled face. "I¡¯ll have to use up all my mana to get through this." She regretted not bringing a supporter. While she could create a shield using mana, her self-applied mana control technique was far less efficient than a supporter''s skill. Besides, she might exhaust her mana reserves before even leaving this potentially extensive minefield. What was more, the noise from the explosions might attract monsters. There was no point in drawing unnecessary attention to herself when she had no idea about the number and types of monsters in Cheolwon, or how its monster ecosystem functioned. Lost in thought, something caught her eye. "There''s always another way." Ju Se-ah spotted utility poles lining the perimeter of the rice paddy. Some were knocked over, but they were sturdy enough to walk on. "Ha!" Ju Se-ah climbed onto a pole and jumped to the next, making her way across as if hopping on stepping stones. Along the way, she encountered some monsters but none posed a significant threat. What struck her as odd, however, was that the monsters seemed to avoid stepping on the mines. Growing curious, Ju Se-ah descended from her perch to investigate, only to step on a second mine. Boom! "Damn it! How are these creatures moving so freely?" Observing the monsters more closely, Ju Se-ah soon found her answer. ''Smell? They detect the mines through smell?'' Her suspicion was quickly confirmed. A monster resembling a wild boar, known as ''Tusked Snout,'' was sniffing the ground and altering its direction ordingly. Although it was a short distance if the creature went straight, it made a long detour to reach the asphalt road it seemed to prefer. It appeared that it had learned over time that the road was a safe zone in Cheolwon. Following the path of the Tusked Snout, Ju Se-ah climbed onto the road. The open road stretched out to the north. She adjusted the bag on her shoulder and reached back to check the hilt of the longsword that rose over her shoulder. It had been a while since she had brought out her primary weapon instead of her fists. "Geez, it''s not like I''m entering a Gate or anything. Did I overdo it by bringing all my standard equipment?" Perhaps it wasn''t Kang Mu-hyuk who was tightly bound by the shadow of the Goblin Matriarch but herself. With a wry smile, she moved on. ¡­ "Ah, the dust." "Is this your car, sis? I can''t tell if it''s a supercar or a junker." Choi Mi-ran frantically dusted off her car, but it was a futile effort. The dust wasn''t there for a day or two. The car had been left in the guild''s exclusive parking lot near North Pocheon for months, making it almost impossible to restore to its original color without a steam wash. Her colleague Kim Seong-hyun clicked his tongue. "You should''ve left it with a managementpany like other Hunters." "Do you know how much they rip you off?" "Then you should''ve sold it like I did. I told you repeatedly that you won''t need a car in Pocheon." "No way. I can''t sell this one. Do you know how hard I worked to get it? I even took out a full loan for it and haven''t paid it all off yet." "Then just install a mana cartridge. You need at least an engine protection device to drive it in the special zones." "Do you know how expensive that is? If I drive this in North Pocheon, even a loan shark couldn''t cover it." Watching the indecisive Choi Mi-ran, Kim Seong-hyun fell into serious contemtion. ''Should I really trust her on the hunt?'' Though her rank hadn''t risen beyond C+, Choi Mi-ran was a decent supporter in the hunting field. She was quick-witted and diligent. Though her skills were few, their variations were effective enough that shecked nothing when capturing monsters of her level. But what concerned him was her temperament. ''Her personality is a ticking bomb.'' It was fortunate, at least, that she had be somewhat more reserved since the new team leader had taken over. Choi Mi-ran, having brushed off most of the dust, started the car. "Get in." "We''re going in this? I''m gonna be embarrassed." "You sold your car. We''re short on search personnel, so we have to get there quickly. We''ll go in my car." "When have you ever been diligent... Ah, it''s for the bonus, right? The one for the orc necks?" "If you''re a Hunter, it''s all about the money! I''m going to be a ve to capitalism!" "Stop with the cringy slogan. It''s not like you''re bing a Pirate King or something." Grudgingly, Kim Seong-hyun opened the passenger door. "Hold your equipment so it doesn''t scratch the car." "Yes, yes, I''ll be careful not to hurt your precious car while getting i¡ª" Suddenly, a shadow loomed overhead. Kim Seong-hyun halted his attempt to get in the car and looked back. At the same time, a dark piece of metal flew into his field of vision. "...Damn!" Crash! As Kim Seong-hyun rolled on the ground, a scream erupted from inside the car. "Ah, my car!" Kim Seong-hyun could see what had attacked him. It was an axe. And the one wielding the weapon was¡ª "Hey, I can''t see from here. What is it? What hit us?" "Sis, it''s an orc! An orc!" "An orc, my foot. Why would they be¡ª?" "Behind! Behind!" Kim Seong-hyun urgently warned without further exnation. There were two orcs. In addition to the one that had attacked him, another was approaching the driver''s seat. Choi Mi-ran hastily checked the rear view through the side mirror. She saw the face of a familiar monster. She quickly abandoned her attempt to get out of the car and instead dove towards the gearshift. An axe embedded itself in the roof above the driver''s seat. Crash! "Stop! Damn orcs!" Chapter 65 - Please Follow My Order Kang Mu-hyuk, engrossed in locating the hidden orcs, received a report from his operator that made him question his hearing. "Orcs have attacked?" Not just that, they had specifically targeted hunters. Could it be a coincidence? ''Impossible.'' Kang Mu-hyuk had the locations of the attacks marked on a map. "Where are the attack locations?" As soon as the marked locations appeared on the screen, Kang Mu-hyuk realized he recognized the ces. ''One is the guild''s private parking lot, and the other is... the National Army Pocheon Hospital.'' Although the National Army Pocheon Hospital had no connection to Iron Will, the Hunter Association operated a special wing in the hospital building, leased from the Ministry of Defense. Before Iron Will established its foothold, North Pocheon had been a hunting ground for frence and novice hunters. Many were inexperienced and prone to injuries. To aid the growth of these new hunters, the Hunter Association had arranged special beds at the National Army Pocheon Hospital. While small in scale, it was a significant facility, staffed by hunters dispatched by the association. "Thankfully, there were no casualties in the parking lot except for damaged cars. What about the hospital?" "A capable hunter party happened to be visiting arade and coborated with the dispatched team from the association to eliminate all the threats." "How many?" "Two." So far, seven orcs were known to exist, with one suspected to be at themander level. ''I missed two at the parking lot. So, four have shown themselves. Where are the other three? No, before that, are these seven all there is?'' As Kang Mu-hyuk sank into thought, Gong Du-ri cautiously asked, "What should we do with the reinforcements we sent?" "What? We sent reinforcements? Who?" "Uh... it was an on-site decision... to go?" "Who took the liberty to go?!" "The Head of Strategy and Tactics..." Kang Mu-hyuk gave a hollowugh. ''Why is Cho Chung-hyun appearing here?'' Cho Chung-hyun was, in name, the head of Iron Will Guild''s Strategy and Tactics Team. He was also the right-hand man to Tae Soo-man, the second son of the Chairman of Taesung Group and the Chief Strategic nner. ''If he''s moving, is Tae Soo-man intervening?'' Kang Mu-hyuk considered various scenarios but couldn''t find a reason why Tae Soo-man would issue such an order. Then he realized he was overthinking it. Simplifying the problem rified everything. ''It¡¯s because of me.'' Kang Mu-hyuk had been working to marginalize the Strategy and Tactics Team recently. He had Tae Soo-man''s support for now, but there woulde a time when he''d have to turn his back. He couldn''t leave Tae Soo-man¡¯s men in the guild then. He had shifted most of the team''s responsibilities onto himself, nning to gradually reduce Cho Chung-hyun''s influence. ''He must have sensed his waning influence within the guild. He¡¯d be desperate. He would have felt the pressure to do something. Especially since Do Gyeong-hoon, one of the guild''s three major factions, was fired, he must have felt some emotional shift. Is he trying to make amends by taking action?'' Cho Chung-hyun''s situation was easy to guess. The fear of losing one''s position was amon sight during the transfer seasons at Titan. However, acting so selfishly during an important operation that involved human lives was inexcusable. ''It''s my mistake. I should''ve cut him off sooner.'' Of course, it wasn''t an easy decision. To avoid Tae Soo-man''s scrutiny, he needed to keep his eyes and ears close. Acting hastily and removing Cho Chung-hyun could lead to significant retaliation from Tae Soo-man. The timing wasn''t right yet. "What''s the point of rushing there now? Everything''s alreadypromised. Tsk! Where was Team Leader Cho in charge of?" "That''s..." "What is it?" "The area Team Leader Cho was in charge of was the previous lines of... that person." Gong Du-ri couldn''t continue speaking and instead disyed the relevant area on the screen. "The area''s beenpletely breached?" Kang Mu-hyuk muttered as if he couldn''t believe it. The encirclement was entirely broken. ''Can''t do anything about what''s already happened. Time to clean up.'' Kang Mu-hyuk checked the time of the attacks on the parking lot and the hospital. As expected, the Orcs first attacked the hospital closest to downtown, andter Orcs were found in the parking lot. The dyed report from the hospital was due to it being under the jurisdiction of the Association, not Iron Will. With Cho Chung-hyun focusing on the hospital, the Orcs had taken advantage of the gap and moved toward the parking lot. ''These creatures move as if they''re nning. Just like humans.'' There was no evidence, but enough reason to suspect. Until now, they had assumed the Orcs were merely evolved and possessed minimal intelligence. Hence, they had built an encirclement and conducted simple searches. But they hadn''t expected the creatures to counter-attack. "Do we need to strategize as if we''re fighting hunters, not monsters?" Hearing Kang Mu-hyuk''s mumble, Gong Du-ri spoke as if something was odd. "Isn''t it weird that these creatures know the geography too well? They attacked the hospital and parking lot rted to hunters as if they already knew. It''s like they''re using a map hack in a game where they knew where the base, turrets, and enemies are." "Wait, what did you just say?" "What? Map hack?" "No, after that." "Turrets? Base?" A lightning bolt of possibility streaked through Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. ''If we assume they''ve evolved enough intelligence to survey the geography, they''d know where the vulnerabilities are. The reason for the ineffective attack is secondary. What''s troubling is that the whereabouts of the remaining three are unclear...'' If the enemy weren''t Orcs but rather intelligent beings, what would he do under the same circumstances? "Base." Kang Mu-hyuk echoed the word Gong Du-ri had mentioned. "I would attack the base." As soon as his words ended, the sound of a distant explosion filled the air. ¡®In the parking lot, the hospital, and the city hall¡ªa typical diversion. They''d scattered a small number of troops to disperse our focus. This was a strategy usually employed against lower-tier monsters. The purpose of striking the base at this time¡ª¡¯ Kang Mu-hyuk approached the window and opened it. Through the billowing smoke, he saw Orcs. "What''s their game? Creating chaos... What are these Orcs up to?" There were no Hunters in city hall at the moment. They''d all gone off in pursuit of the Orcs, who were assumed to have fled. Somehow, time had to be stalled until the nearby Hunters could be summoned. Kang Mu-hyuk fumbled at his waist. His hand gripped the emergency handgun he''d prepared. ''If ites to this...'' He burst out of the building. "Team Leader Gong, send an emergency call to the nearby Hunters!" "Wa-wait! Guild Leader! Hey, where do you think you''re going?!" Gong Du-ri tried to stop him, but couldn''t catch Kang Mu-hyuk who was already on the move. ¡­ In front of the city hall''s main building, where the electric car charging station had been destroyed. Thick smoke lingered due to the explosion, and people were screaming and running away in every direction. Two Orcs began by smashing nearby cars and then charged at fleeing civilians. A pregnant woman was their first target. "Ahhaaaa!" Bang! With the sound of a gunshot, an Orc copsed. But it wasn''t dead¡ªonly writhing in considerable pain. "Run!" Kang Mu-hyuk yelled at the pregnant woman without taking his eyes off the Orc. Despite her trembling legs, she mustered a mother''s strength and tried to crawl away. As the Orc bared its fangs and reached out again, Kang Mu-hyuk pulled the trigger. Bang! "Gruaaargh!" The Orc, which had even resisted bullets from a revolver, groaned in pain. ''Lucky that these bullets are worth their price. Good thing they work here.'' Kang Mu-hyuk was not using ordinary bullets. Mana bullets. Bullets imbued with mana. While the power was significantly reduced due to mana interference in Special Activities Zone or Gates, they still could deliver significant damage to monsters in non-magical areas. Against arge or high-ranking monster, it might have been a different story, but these bullets could inflict considerable pain on an Orc. This was true even for evolved Orcs. No matter how much they evolved, there were inherent limitations to their species, and the Orcs before him were nothing more than low-tier soldiers. It was fortunate that Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t see any of the feather-adorned Orcs he''d been concerned about. ''Good thing I took firearms training.'' The tactical training he''d received since his days as a field support agent during the Titan era was proving to be immensely helpful now. Each mana bullet cost as much as a potion, but it was a small price to paypared to human lives. He hadn''t stocked up on many due to their expense and the rarity of situations that required their use. A few missed shots could have been disastrous. Kang Mu-hyuk aimed at the head of the Orc, which was struggling to rise despite its pain. "Groooar!" Suddenly, another Orc lunged at him from the side. Kang Mu-hyuk rolled along the ground, putting distance between himself and his pursuers. With the orc chasing after him, he aimed his gun low and pulled the trigger in haste. The orc that had been tailing him let out a scream and stumbled to its knees. As Kang Mu-hyuk stopped his roll and aimed his gun again, the other orcs quickly took cover behind a vehicle. Even monsters can''t shrug off pain. During his descent into the parking lot, Kang Mu-hyuk had been conservative with his limited bullets, nning his moves carefully. No matter how he thought about it, the best he could do was inflict as much pain on the orcs with his gun and stall for time. Things had gone as nned, giving him a moment to catch his breath. "Whew¡­" Just then, one of the orcs in the distance moved. One orc pushed forward, using apact car as cover. The other circled around, using parked cars as shields. ''Clever tactic for an orc. Still, they''re not the brightest creatures.'' Kang Mu-hyuk retreated, aiming to secure a shooting angle without being encircled. However, the multitude of cars made it too easy for the orcs to hide. Even in this critical moment, Kang Mu-hyuk remainedposed. ''I''ve bought some time with the gun, but it won''tst for long.'' His n was to hold out as long as possible until nearby hunters could join the fray. If that failed, he would resort to suppressive fire while retreating. Though his expression was neutral, he was inwardly sweating, scanning for escape routes, when suddenly¡ª "Hey, long time no see! I heard some noise and came to check it out. You look familiar." At the unexpected voice, Kang Mu-hyuk turned his head. The orcs also shifted their attention. He recognized the voices. One woman, one man. The woman had spoken. Their attire suggested¡­ ''Hunters?'' Their gear was sparse, but they were unmistakably hunters. They were not members of Iron Will, his guild. He would have known them if they were. "Hey, orcs. Just the two of you? Where are your friends?" "Graagh?" "Right, we''ve met before. At the kindergarten. That was a tough day." "Hey, think we can handle these guys one-on-one?" Only then did Kang Mu-hyuk understand who they were. They were the two frence hunters he had cooperated with at the kindergarten a few days ago. He had only learned about them through reports his staff had written. ''Were they still around?'' His memory pulled up the details from the report. By all ounts, their skills seemed to be fairlypetent. ''I overlooked their unusual two-tanker party setup. The report indicated they wouldn''t be easily defeated by orcs, even if they couldn''t dominate them.'' Before they knew it, Kang Mu-hyuk shouted orders. "Hunter Yoo Seong-ju, take the front line. Hunter Kim Su-jeong, switch to a support dealer formation." "Huh?" "What are you talking about? And how do you know our formation...?" Confused by the abruptmand, the two looked at Kang Mu-hyuk in bewilderment. Unfazed by their puzzled stares, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke again. "I apologize for the inconvenience, but for now, please follow my orders." Chapter 66 - Why Are You Here? Kim Su-jeong was having a peculiar experience. ¡®What''s going on? Why is it like this? Something''s different.¡¯ A brave new world, perhaps? Her field of vision had broadened in a way she had never experienced before. Something was fundamentally altering her hunting style. Though there was no significant change in her approach, she felt different. What surprised her more was how this new way felt even morefortable than before. ¡®The person who just barks orders from behind is leading, but somehow, the battle feels easier. I mean, these are the same orcs that gave me so much trouble just a while ago,¡¯ she thought. Perhaps because her thoughts had drifted, her focus on the marked orc loosened. Seizing the opportunity, the orc swung its axe, aiming to separate Kim Su-jeong from Yoo Seong-ju. "Hunter Kim Su-jeong! To your left! Turn counter-clockwise! Hunter Yoo Seong-ju! Turn right and meet up!" Just when she faltered, an opportunemand struck her ears. At the sound of Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice, Kim Su-jeong instinctively responded. Following his directions, the broken connection between her and Yoo Seong-ju was miraculously restored. Any fool could understand that the intent of the orders was to keep them from being separated. ¡®Is this the famed Iron Will Guild Leader?¡¯ She had been skeptical at first. But since his face had appeared on TV and in the media multiple times, she quickly recognized that the man issuing the orders was Kang Mu-hyuk. ¡®He''s not even a Hunter... Being a Guild Leader isn''t for just anyone, huh?¡¯ There was something captivating about the other man''s voice. His judgement was precise. He had analyzed thebat style of a hunter he had never seen before and issued orders that effectively blocked the orc''s movements. As Kim Su-jeong regained herposure, the orcs resumed their frantic attempts to stop the two hunters. ¡®Kim Su-jeong is a bit clumsy with a shield. She has a tendency to obscure her vision when blocking iing attacks. Although they''re a two-tanker party, she probably mainly yed as a damage dealer. However, she''s quick and has a good sense. If she masters the multi-tanker strategy, she''d make a solid force,¡¯ he thought. On the other hand, Yoo Seong-ju was what one could call a pure tanker. His defense was firm, and his counterattacks were precise. If he could gain tactical flexibility, he would show considerable growth. "The issue is that neither of them cannd a decisive blow." Bothcked attacking power. Had these been ordinary orcs, the battle would have been over by now. They showed no special skills. There had been several decisive chances, but they were all wasted. It was now clear why they were frencers. "Who are those people?" Suddenly, a familiar voice caught Kang Mu-hyuk''s attention. He turned to see who it was. "Team Leader Lee Jin-joo¡­" "Ah, our Guild Leader. Long time no see, even brought a gun, huh? Sorry for beingte." Sorry? Kang Mu-hyuk noticed the beads of sweat on Lee Jin-joo¡¯s forehead. Even while speaking, she took careful breaths, steadying her shoulder movements. For someone of Lee Jin-joo''s caliber to show such signs of strain despite not having engaged in intensebat was unusual. Hunter Lee Jin-Joo was assigned to a location that was quite far away. Even if she arrived, other hunters should have been there first. She probably ran all out to get there. If Lee Jin-Joo, a magic swordsman, had sprinted with all her might, using magic as well, she would have arrived much faster than those traveling by car. Naturally, such exertion would have drained both her mana and stamina. Still, the fact that she could afford to do so spoke volumes about her confidence and awareness of her role as an expedition team leader. It was always the one at the front who could afford to appear untroubled despite difficulties. Kang Mu-hyuk inwardly nodded, realizing that Lee Jin-Joo, who had just be a novice expedition team leader, was aware of this fact. Pretending to be unaware, he responded, "It''s Hunter Kim Su-jeong and Hunter Yoo Seong-ju. You remember them, right? They bought us time during thest kindergarten attack." "Ah, those frencers? Whatever the case, they''ve bought us some valuable time again." "I think we''re fated to be connected to them. They''re not half bad, skill-wise. They''re young talents who could use a bit more polishing." "Fate is only fate if you live to tell about it. They seem to be struggling a bit. I''ll finish this off." Lee Jin-Joo stepped forward and unsheathed her sword. Just looking at the de, so sharp it seemed it could cut your gaze, was enough to make your teeth ache. Her eyes, dark as obsidian, began to ze. Azure mes. Blue fire momentarily red in her eyes before subsiding. Then, her sword burst into purple mes. The moment the tip of her superheated sword pointed to the sky, Lee Jin-Joounched herself off the ground. In an instant, she wedged himself between two orcs. Her sword danced gracefully, weaving blue will-o''-the-wisps in broad daylight. The orcs were cleaved apart, their bodies engulfed in mes. The sword returned to its original color. Lee Jin-Joo sheathed her sword and turned around. "You both did well. I owe you my life," said Kang Mu-hyuk. Kim Su-jeong and Yoo Seong-ju couldn''t conceal their astonishment upon seeing Lee Jin-Joo. Despite their best efforts, the orcs they couldn''t subdue were defeated in an instant. Mouths agape, they were approached by Kang Mu-hyuk. "I know it was unexpected when I gave the order. Thank you for your cooperation. I''m Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader of the Iron Will Guild." Both shook Kang Mu-hyuk''s extended hand, exchanging hurried greetings. Looking at their bewildered faces, Kang Mu-hyuk threw out an unexpected proposal. "This might not be the best ce to discuss it, but how would you like to join our guild?" "What?" "I heard you''re frencers. I''m formally extending an invitation." "Whaaat?!" ¡­ Kim Su-jeong and Yoo Seong-ju were standing at a distance, casting sidelong nces at Kang Mu-hyuk. "What do you think he''s doing, Seong-ju?" "What do you mean, what is he doing? He''s inspecting the orc corpses." "Why?" "It''s natural for a hunter to look at the monsters they killed... wait, he''s not a hunter, is he?" Yoo Seong-ju corrected his own misconception. Then Kim Su-jeong''s question began to loomrge in his mind as well. "Why would someone who''s not even a Hunter pay so much attention to the corpses?" "Exactly, that''s what I''m saying." As they spoke, Kang Mu-hyuk was closely examining the corpses, sharing opinions with Lee Jin-joo who was beside him. Kim Su-jeong watched him silently for a while before abruptly speaking. "Why do you think they really asked us to join? Out of gratitude?" "You heard it too. They were impressed." "But what exactly impressed them feels a bit ambiguous, doesn''t it?" "True... Being impressed by one''s ability to summon monsters is a bit questionable." It was unclear whether they were joking or simply inept at expressing themselves, but even taking that into ount, Kang Mu-hyuk''s assessment had its inexplicable aspects. It was as absurd as saying one should be a gangster because they look like they''d excel at causing idents. "Ugh! Why is he suddenly sticking his nose in an orc''s foot?" "Maybe the rest of it got burned?" "He doesn''t happen to have a fetish for the smell of orc feet, does he?" "..." "Why are you looking at me like that? I mean, think about it. The offer to join is absurd to begin with. Who knows, maybe something''s a bit off with the guy." "Off, but his orders were quite appropriate, weren''t they? His capabilities were admirable." "Many geniuses are also madmen. Maybe because he''s not sane, he got a strategy and tactics team leader position in an A-ss guild. Think about it, which guild would entrust that position to someone who''s not even a Hunter?" As Kim Su-jeong added her rational doubts, the very person who had given her cause to doubt was observing the foot of an orc more closely. "This filth on the foot. It smells like sewage." "Orcs inherently have a terrible smell, Guild Leader." "No, no. Team Leader Lee Jin-joo, try smelling it up close. It''s different from the usual monster stench." "I''ll pass. I''m already sick of the monster odors just from the gates. Also, you''re the Guild Leader, so maybe you should get up now." "Wait a moment. This smells like¡ªYes, sewer!" "What?" Kang Mu-hyuk abruptly stood up and ran toward the main gate. Lee Jin-joo followed him, bewildered. He looked around before checking the CCTV above the guardhouse. Then, after spotting another CCTV camera mounted on a utility pole across from a traffic light, he took out his smartphone and made a call. "Team Leader Gong, tell the city hall to secure the CCTV footage from the entrance and the parking lot. Notify the police to get cooperation on footage from the road in front of the main gate too. Ah, yes. Since we''re looking for the time when the orcs appeared, it shouldn''t take long." By this point, even Lee Jin-joo could no longer contain her curiosity. "What''s going on?" "I think I''ve figured out why the orcs weren''t found despite the deployment of hunters and police. They''ve likely been moving through the sewers. That''s why no one detected them." "Moving through the sewers... Ah! They hid there?" "There were no reports of orcs despite them reaching the city hall through all these open areas. They appeared out of nowhere. They must have been using the sewers, which is why they went undetected." "Are the sewers in our country really that big? Big enough for orcs to roam around?" "We''ll have to find out." Kang Mu-hyuk went to the City Safety Bureau of Pocheon City Hall. Despite the chaos caused by the orc intrusion, he was able to locate the person in charge of sewage systems, thanks to the guidance of a public official. "Orcs, you say? Hmm¡­ It''s probably possible. Not all, but we have reced a significant portion of the pipes with diameters ranging from 1,000mm to 1,500mm about five years ago. We had to upgrade the sewage system because of frequent flooding in the city. Particrly, the sewage tunnels connected to the stormwater pump stations are wide enough to walk through." "Stormwater pump stations?!" Upon hearing the sewage official¡¯s words, Kang Mu-hyuk''s suspicion turned into certainty. "Is there a map to check where theserge-diameter sewer pipes are installed? Also, any information on the sewage tunnels?" "Normally, I''d need approval from my supervisor to release such information, but he''s not at his desk right now¡­" "It''s urgent." "Is this rted to the orcs?" "There are still some that haven''t been caught. This will help in capturing them." Kang Mu-hyuk thought about the orcs who had escaped from the parking lot and the one adorned with feathers. Especially the feather-adorned orc¡ªhe estimated it to be of the rank of amander-of-ten, by orcish warrior standards. Having undergone evolution, it was deemed more dangerous than a small group of orcs. "I''ll send you the files via email. Treating it as urgent should suffice." Realizing the gravity of the situation, the official responded without dy. Regardless of the ethics of a situation, the world of public service was difficult to navigate without managerial approval. But when it came to monsters, quick coboration was the best way to resolve issues. Kang Mu-hyuk shared his email address and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for your cooperation." "No, I should be the one asking for a favor. Please, do ensure you get rid of all those orc scum." Kang Mu-hyuk returned to the Council building with Lee Jin-joo. As soon as they entered themand center on the fifth floor, Gong Du-ri arrived with a tablet to report. "I¡¯ve checked the footage you sent. Look here. Next to the water level room outside the sidewalk. Can you see? A manhole opens under the gpole, and then the orcse out." "Incredible. Those orcs are really cunning." Even Lee Jin-joo, who had experienced all sorts of battles, found it remarkable. She had fought evolved orc tribes before, but never in an urban setting. She had never imagined that the orcs would utilize the city¡¯s infrastructure to hide. Moreover, their cunning exceeded that of any orcs she had hunted before. "Team Leader Gong, I''m going to send a file now. Put it up on the screen." Gong Du-ri disyed a map of the sewage system on the screen. Centered around Pocheon City Hall, the neatly arranged sewage system extended throughout the city. "Mark the location of the guild parking lot and the hospital." "Yes?" "Wow! Does the sewer end perfectly connected to them?" The location of the sewer lines aligned eerily well with the site of the incident, drawing a sigh of admiration from Lee Jin-joo. Although there were breaks in the sewer lines due to the distance from the city center, portions were connected via streams. "Fortunately, there aren¡¯t many ces in the sewer system where an orc could hide." "I¡¯ll form a party immediately. If we enter each entrance simultaneously, we should be able to corner them." "Some hunters will likelyin about going into the sewers. Make sure to keep their morale high so that it doesn¡¯t affect the operation." "Going into the sewers might be dirty, but it¡¯s still better than being inside a gate. Inside those, you often can''t brush your teeth for more than a month. Consider this pre-training." Lee Jin-joo quickly devised a n of action and took the lead into the sewers, map in hand. It didn''t take long for the hunters, considered elite members of the Iron Will Guild, to find and eliminate a couple of orcs presumed to have fled from the parking lot. However, the feather-adorned orc remained elusive. Upon receiving the report of the unsessful search, Kang Mu-hyuk muttered to himself, his face suddenly showing realization. "So that''s why the orcs staged a diversion. It was to help that one escape." With the help of the military and police, Kang Mu-hyuk scoured the areas near the wire fences. The next day, just as he suspected, freshly dug earth was discovered near the fence. It was like the tunnels dug when the orcs had infiltrated South Pocheon. Surveying the scene, Kang Mu-hyuk looked toward the north. He had a hunch about where this particr orc had gone. "North... Cheolwon, perhaps?" Somehow, he felt that this incident was just the beginning. ¡­ At the very moment Kang Mu-hyuk lost track of thest orc, Ju Se-ah was witnessing an unbelievable spectacle in Cheolwon. "What is this!" Against the backdrop of the vast reservoir stood a massive gate. "Why is there a gate here? And why..." Why was it wide open?! Chapter 67 - Prepare the Seal Rows of orcs stood beneath the Gate. They did not seem like disorderly monsters. Far from it, they weren''t perfectly aligned with a palpable sense of order. It was almost like an army. Around them various totems were erected, fitting the orcs. The totems were woven from branches and wildflowers but mainly consisted of dismembered monster corpses that were nearly unrecognizable. ''Quite the aesthetic. As if anyone would mistake them for anything other than orcs.'' Ju Se-ah wrinkled her nose. The air was thick with the foul stench emanating from the decaying totems. She knew that the more totems made from corpses, the more aggressive the orcs would be. She suspected that these very orcs were responsible for the depletion of monsters in Cheolwon. However, the totems weren''t the most important aspect. ''They can freely enter and exit through the Gate. They''ve even built a settlement in front of it. This isn''t a mere outbreak. They''re consolidating power around this Gate.'' Ju Se-ah crouched low and hid in the bushes, inching as close to the Gate as possible without giving herself away. She needed a closer look. Although she wasn''t trained in the specialized ranger position, she had taken on simr missions before and approached skillfully. No matter how evolved these orcs had be, they were unlikely to detect her subtle movements. Furthermore, the noise from therge congregation of orcs was enough to mask any minor sounds she might make. ''No Gatekeeper in sight. Have they vacated the post because it''s been open for too long? Or did they sh with the orcs and were removed?'' Either scenario was usible. Monsters from the same Gate didn''t necessarily get along, and even within the same species, rtions could be hostile depending on the tribe. This time, she focused on the orcs. ''Spears, swords, even armor, and shields. They look wretched, but they''re well-armed. A tribe advanced enough to have mastered cksmithing? Cheolwon doesn''t have any notable iron mines that I know of. Could there be a mine within the Gate?'' If their weapons were crafted from minerals mined within the Gate, then regardless of the cksmithing skills, those weapons would be incredibly durable. Minerals harvested from Gates inherently contained mana and were far superior to any metals found on Earth. In fact, some intentionally broke open Gates to permanently secure these mines. During the era of the Great War, any open Gate was considered a disaster that needed to be sealed. However, with the corporatization of guilds, if a mine or an herb spawn point was discovered within a Gate, the government would intervene and ssify it as a strategic asset. But what if such a strategic asset was being utilized by a tribe of evolved orcs? ''That would be... a war-level mission. They''ve managed to keep this Gate a secret until now.'' Based on the sheer scale of the forces outside, this was not just a tribe of orcs; it was practically an orc kingdom. And a war-level mission meant that tackling it would be beyond the capabilities of one or two strong Hunters. No, it would be difficult even for a modest-sized guild. Even in the midst of battle, war required supply and rest. Hunters were called superhumans, but they were still ''humans'' who had transcended human limits. As humans, they would get tired eventually. This was true even for S-rank Hunters. Neither mana nor physical stamina were infinite. While they could fight much longer than other Hunters, they still had limits. Ju Se-ah, who had been observing the orcs, suddenly recalled those who had infiltrated South Pocheon. It was then that she understood what the gathered army of orcs was nning. ''They''re heading to Pocheon!'' War. These creatures were actually preparing for war. The orcs that had descended to South Pocheon were a sort of reconnaissance unit. ''I need to contact the guild quickly.'' Ju Se-ah recalled the C-storage equipment recently included in her exploration kit. She remembered the satellite phone that Do Gyeong-hoon had used to contact the Titan Guild; it was inside her backpack. Stealthily, she moved away from the gate and took out the satellite phone. Crackle---Crackle--- "Why isn''t this working? Is it broken... Ah, right! The mana density!" Ju Se-ah recalled the words of An Ji-il, the Equipment team leader, when she received the exploration kit. "This satellite phone enables long-distancemunication even in areas with mana interference. However, it may be inoperative in areas with excessively high mana density. It should work in North Pocheon, but the connection may break in ces filled with mana, like where the Gate has opened." During his time in Titan, Kang Mu-hyuk did try to address this issue, but the project was left iplete due to it being canceled by the guild. "I''ll have to move further away from the Gate and try again." While cautiously stepping back and keeping an eye on the front, Ju Se-ah suddenly felt a presence approaching her location. "Kwerr! Kwerr! Kwerr!" The coarse breathing of the orcs reached her vicinity. She quickly hid herself. She wouldn''t be fazed even if a hundred orcs came at her, but she wasn''t reckless enough to engage in battle without any information right in front of an open Gate. Moreover, there was nothing to gain by alerting the orcs to her presence. To gain a tactical advantage against such arge army of monsters, it was crucial to keep them in the dark about her awareness of their movements. ''I need to catch them off guard. If I''m to find a weakness in the orc tribe, I can''t be discovered now.'' Her intent to sneak away was good, but the ce she had retreated to posed a problem. A sensation she had felt several times since arriving in Cheolwon came through the soles of her feet. ''Landmine!'' Ju Se-ah reacted with superhuman speed. The instant before thendmine exploded, she enveloped her feet in a spherical barrier made of condensed mana. mes and shockwaves violently convulsed within the barrier. While light escaped, heat and sound werepletely contained. Gritting her teeth, Ju Se-ah wrapped both hands around the explosive force of thendmine and suppressed it. "Eeegh...!" Containing all the explosive force was a task requiring a high level of mana control. It was more demanding than merely destroying, exploding, or blocking things with mana. Ju Se-ah exerted her full strength to suppress the explosion, weaving a barrier of mana. Only after breaking out in a sweat did the explosion subside. However, in the meantime, she was discovered by two approaching orcs. "!!" Just as the orcs reached for their weapons slung on their backs, intending to shout to their nearbyrades, Ju Se-ah lunged at them. Almost flying across the ground, she closed the distance in an instant and wedged herself between the two orcs, grabbing each by the neck. In order to leave no trace, not even blood or bodily fluids, she strangled the orcs'' necks with both hands. Unable to even let out a proper moan, the suffocated orcs frothed at the mouth before their necks snapped, falling limp. Holding the lifeless bodies of the orcs who hadn''t even drawn their weapons, Ju Se-ah expanded her senses to scan the area. She still felt the presence of a few more orcs lurking around. She leaped into a tree, still holding the orcs in her hands. Momentster, another group of orcs passed the spot where she had been. After they were gone, she descended and quickly found a way to slip away. She hid the orc corpses in a nearby abandoned house. Finally escaping the orcs'' watchful eyes, Ju Se-ah sprinted back through the path she hade, aiming for an area where she couldmunicate. Though she ran as fast as the wind, it strangely felt slow. Ju Se-ah grew anxious. ''The guild is still not ready for a War-tier raid. It wille down immediately. I need to hurry and prepare a strategy.'' ... As soon as the operation wasplete, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly evacuated themand control center. The media scrutiny began just as the operation ended. Even a slight slip-up could result in misinterpretations, leading to distorted news stories. Iron Will was still a fledgling guild, in many respects both internally and externally. It was crucial to prevent the members from bing agitated by unnecessary disputes. ''Even tier-ed guilds can''t perfectly control this. Hunters do as they please. If the media stirs things up, it only leads to rumors and disrupts discipline.'' Iron Will had already received more attention than most guilds of its level. They had numerous enemies, and with a star Hunter like Ju Se-ah, gossip naturally sold well. Some tabloids even churned out rumors about a rtionship between Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah, making it better to give no room for such spections. "We couldn''tpletely block it. Not that I nned to block it anyway." Of course, things in the world didn''t always proceed as nned. Pyo Beom-hee greeted the recently returned Kang Mu-hyuk with a displeased expression. "Look at these headlines. Quite tant. Seems like the work of those councilmen, doesn''t it? All local media, like Pocheon Times and Voice of Pocheon. And other inte media are spreading it." In line with her role as the head of a department that had integrated public rtions work by changing the department''s name from the existing Management team to the Communication team, she had already identified the sources of the media reports. However, he had no intention of responding. The motives behind these articles were all too obvious. "If we acknowledge them, they''ll only be more energized. Now we have people who won''t rest until they''ve created false usations. Let''s keep quiet for now and issue an official statement when things cool down." "It seems like thewmakers really want to harass me. I''m thankful that all the phone lines except the hotline are inactive." "Exactly. Being out in the sticks has its advantages at times like this. Normally, the phones should be ringing off the hook. Though, the reporters would have to know how to contact us to be annoying. Oh, would it even matter? There''s no smartphone reception here anyway, and they can''t risk their livesing to North Pocheon, where monsters roam freely." Pyo Beom-hee, suddenly aware of the advantages of their guild''s location, chuckled repeatedly. She chatted with him until he entered his office. "So, that''s why our Guild Leader came to headquarters so quickly? To avoid the reporters? The city hall area must be swarming with them by now. I feel a bit sorry for them." "It''s not because of the reporters." "Then why?" "A single orc has escaped alive. I have a bad feeling. I think we should make some preparations." "That sounds grand. Preparing for just one orc?" "It''s an evolved orc. To evolve to that extent, the n must berge and the period of evolution must be long. Orcs, who are known for blindly charging in, even used their subordinates as bait to escape. There must be a reason." "Guild Leader Kang, don''t look so serious when you say that. Whenever you do, something bad always happens." "Call a meeting in the equipment and support team leader''s conference room. Oh, and also invite Hunter Noh Song-rin and Team Leader Lee Jin-joo. Team Leader Pyo, you should join too." "Judging by your face, this isn''t a trivial matter, is it? Will those four suffice?" Kang Mu-hyuk hesitated momentarily before speaking. "Add Hunters Baek Hyeonggyu and Na Dongpa as well." Pyo Beom-hee''s eyes widened; the names of the two Hunters were unexpected. Baek Hyeonggyu and Na Dongpa were from the neutral parties even when the old Taesung Guild''s three main factions were flourishing. Their abilities were exceptional, but because they only took on quests without deeply involving themselves in guild matters, they wentrgely unnoticed. When Taesung changed its name to Iron Will, during the conquest of North Pocheon, and even when Do Gyeong-hoon siphoned off guild members, Kang Mu-hyuk did not significantly involve them. That said, they were not idly sitting around. They had been diligently fulfilling the tasks assigned by the guild. They had been maintaining a polite but distant rtionship, and now, suddenly, he was calling even the neutral parties to a meeting. ''Is something happening that requires mobilizing all of the guild''s resources?'' Kang Mu-hyuk had once remarked that the neutral parties were a force that should eventually be integrated into the guild. His acknowledgment implied that their skills were assured. In other words, calling them meant there was a reason substantial enough to warrant it. Pyo Beom-hee asked in a slightly tense tone, "A fight. Is there more toe?" A shadow crossed Kang Mu-hyuk''s otherwiseposed face. "Perhaps? I wish it were an unfounded worry, but..." Just then, the phone on his desk rang. "It looks like the internal line is restored." "Only between the main building and the equipment room. The other buildings are still not connected." Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the somewhat unfamiliar handset, it having been a while since hest used one. "Yes, this is Kang Mu-hyuk. Ah, Team Leader An Ji-il. I was just about to call you for a meeting... The Guild Master is on a satellite phone? ... What''s the matter?" Kang Mu-hyuk listened intently for a while before he hung up, uttering a single sentence to An Ji-il. "Team Leader An, please prepare the seal from Warehouse C." Chapter 68 - Do You Feel Lighter Now? "Move quickly!" "Grab only the essential documents, discard or leave the rest! Have you ever seen an orc read?" "Leave personal belongings, just get yourselves out!" "Immediately release only the battle-essential gear from the equipment room; the rest of the C-Project items, seal them! Hurry up!" Kang Mu-hyuk issued an evacuation order for the entire guild. Since the guild headquarters was located in a Special Activities Zone vulnerable to monster attacks, there was a pre-established evacuation manual. The guild members dived into their designated tasks ording to the information they had been trained on. Although they had practiced sufficiently, there were still kinks to work out, evident from the sporadic noises arriving from various quarters. Kang Mu-hyuk realized that time was of the essence in coordinating all these activities and he set his priorities. Moving the most valuable guild assets first was the decision. The C-Warehouse, given the bulk and weight of the equipment it contained, couldn''t be handled in a short amount of time. So, they opted to use a coagnt made from the digestive juices of the earthworm-like monster ''Stone Bug,'' mixed into concrete, to pour into the warehouse. Once used, the substance would solidifypletely within hours, making it hard to break into unless a special solvent was applied. Other guilds also kept this material on hand for emergencies. Kang Mu-hyuk first went to the support team. It was because of the Rider Wolves. With no specific department for animal care, the support team had been looking after them as a stopgap. "Following the headquarters evacuation manual, we''ll proceed to evacuate strategic assets first. Rider Wolves are the top priority. We''ll assign a trailer first. Team Leader Yeom should take the females and the pups to South Pocheon. Look after them in the secured barn there. The males---excluding the young ones we''dbel as ''Seed Wolves''---will be deployed inbat." "A barn? Where is it?" "It''s the barn of someone who was sacrificed by the orcs recently. It''s currently empty and has already been cleaned up. There might still be the smell of blood, but that''s familiar to the Rider Wolves, so it shouldn''t be a problem. We''ve made arrangements with Pocheon City, so use it as a temporary shelter until everything is settled." "Good thinking, foring up with that location so quickly." After dealing with the C-Warehouse and the Rider Wolves, there wasn''t much else to take care of at the guild headquarters. All that remained was sending nonbatants to South Pocheon. "We hardly own anything, so packing up is easy. We came with a truckload when we first arrived, after all," Pyo Beom-hee said with a hint of irony. Because Kang Mu-hyuk had taken only what was absolutely required, leaving the rest. "Have all the employees been sent out?" "Except for the team leader in charge of the equipment and Gong Du-ri, who''ll handle the operations." "Why am I the only one left? I''m just a civilian!" Gong Du-ri retorted while pulling his hair. "Come on. We need someone to hit the keyboard." "But Team Leader Pyo can do that too!" "I have to swing a sword. You want to swing it instead?" "No, I''ll just stick to the keyboard." Gong Du-ri knew that Pyo Beom-hee could indeed be dangerous, so he immediately dropped the subject. He had been severely burned in the past for dismissing her as a joke. "I apologize Team Leader Gong, but I''ll need someone to handle the operations while I look over the orders. There''s no such thing as a safe ce on site, but I''ll keep themand vehicle as far back as possible. I''ll also leave behind minimal personnel as escort, so don''t worry too much." "Heh, the way you''re giving orders informally, it''s like we''re already in the heat of battle. What can I do? We''re stuck in this situation. I''ll just take it as fate and tap away on the keyboard." "Ah, and also--" Kang Mu-hyuk whispered something into Gong Du-ri''s ear. He didn''t intend for it to be a secret, so Pyo Beom-hee also heard. Her eyes widened in surprise, and so did Gong Du-ri''s. "Really? You''re serious?" "I said it''s real, so take care of it right away." "Ah, what a waste." Gong Du-ri sighed repeatedly and stepped outside to carry out Kang Mu-hyuk''smand. Pyo Beom-hee, seemingly feeling regretful on Gong Du-ri''s behalf, asked once more for confirmation. "That instruction just now, I get that it''s a necessary evil in the current situation. But when this crisis is over, it''ll be a loss, won''t it? Are you okay with that?" "What''s there to regret about something beyond my control? Right now, the priority is to win." "I suppose that''s what it takes to get everyone moving, huh?" Convinced, Pyo Beom-hee nodded, and Kang Mu-hyuk issued a newmand. "Team Leader Pyo, gather your team members. I''ll exin the strategy for dealing with the orcs." "You already have a n?" "Well, I had something from before. Refined it a bit in South Pocheon." "A pre-nned strategy? Assuming we had to abandon headquarters like now? I hate to say this, having experienced your leadership, but this won''t be an easy n, will it?" "It''s not an easy situation, is it?" Kang Mu-hyuk conveyed what he had to say, ignoring her unease. "Also, please tell Team Leader Lee Jin-joo toe to my office separately." ... Knock! Knock! "You called for me, Guild Leader?" "Come in. Close the door behind you." Lee Jin-joo felt tense. Closing the door meant that what was to be discussed shouldn''t leak outside---a phrase uniquely used by Kang Mu-hyuk. She sat down where Kang Mu-hyuk indicated. He sat opposite her and cautiously began speaking. "I have a special mission for Team Leader Lee Jin-joo." "For me?" "Yes. Among the new recruits, assemble two parties from Team A and head to Cheolwon. The Guild Master will be waiting for you." "You''re pulling out our top forces? Is this for some sort of dying action or a surprise attack?" "The expedition has its own role to y." "Expedition? You''re not suggesting... we''re going for the Gate now, are you?" Kang Mu-hyuk mped his mouth shut and looked at Lee Jin-joo. Silent affirmation. ''Two parties plus me and the Guild Master. Just 12 people for the Gate? This doesn''t seem right.'' Lee Jin-joo was baffled but didn''t immediately refuse. Instead, she pointed out a practical issue. "Even if we were to attack the Gate, our numbers are too few. We need to consider the possibility of getting overwhelmed. Sure, I could escape, and so could Guild Master, but what about the rest of the members? It''s as good as sending them to their deaths. Ultimately, we have to take down the boss before this ce falls apart. It''s likely to go awry." "You''re right. With limited numbers, lower ranks, and inadequate support, someone will die if we enter the Gate under such pressing time constraints." The situation would be the same even if Ju Se-ah were present. She couldn''t protect everyone and lead the attack at the same time. Clearing a Gate required everyone to perform their roles to the best of their abilities; otherwise, it amounted to mere babysitting. "And you want us to attack a Gate while we are already engaged in battle here?" "We have no choice but to consider the worst-case scenario." "Worst-case scenario?" "Do you recall the Orc Disturbance in China five years ago?" "Huh?" Lee Jin-joo understood what Kang Mu-hyuk was getting at. The Orc Disturbance. It was a War-level mission that took ce in China. After the leader of the vanquished orc tribe escaped to Inner Mongolia, he gathered the orc forces there and increased his strength, eventually causing a catastrophic event. At that time, tens of thousands were killed in China due to a surprise attack by the orcs. Despite having numerous Hunters because of itsrge poption, China''s vastnd also meant there were many ces to defend. That was why they couldn''t station enough forces even in small cities near Inner Mongolia to fend off therge-scale orc attacks. Kang Mu-hyuk was looking beyond the immediate battlefield. Under no circumstances did he intend to allow this situation to spread beyond Cheolwon and Paju. "Orcs at the level of tribe chiefs are not only strong but also specialize in reproduction and evolution. They''re quite vengeful too. If their forces here are wiped out, they''ll quickly notice and flee. If they happen to move to the Gema teau or Manchuria and absorb the scattered orc tribes there, we''re looking at long-term ramifications. We may be tied down on the Yalu and Tumen River fronts not just in winter, but year-round." "That''s definitely a situation we''d like to avoid." Lee Jin-joo was convinced of the reason Kang Mu-hyuk insisted on attacking the Gate simultaneously. Having Hunters tied down year-round on the northern defense line, where monsters usually only swarm in early winter? It was hardly a situation thatrge guilds, let alone frence Hunters, would wee. The absence of Hunters would lead to social chaos, a result that had to be avoided at the national level. "Great. For my first mission as the Expedition leader, there are way too many lives at stake. Feeling a bit weighed down here." "The real challenge starts now. I''ll help lighten that burden." "Excuse me?" Ding! Just then, a cheerful alert broke the heavy atmosphere, it was from theputer on the desk. Kang Mu-hyuk rose from his seat and checked the monitor. "The notification I''ve been waiting for has arrived." "Notification?" "Check the guild app... Ah? Smartphones don''t really work well here, do they?" At Kang Mu-hyuk''s sudden mention of the guild app, Lee Jin-joo cocked her head as if confused. Still staring at the monitor, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke to her. "I had Team Leader Gong Du-ri post an announcement on the guild app a while ago. Would you like to take a look?" Lee Jin-joo moved next to Kang Mu-hyuk. ? Outbreak Alert Cheolwon Gate (Tentative) now open. Approximately 1,000 fully-armed evolved orcs advancing south toward Pocheon. Presence of an Orc Lord-grade boss within the Gate (assumed). Presence of mana-iron mine and other various mineral resources (assumed). "What is this..." "You do know that anyone can enter an open Gate regardless of their rank, right?" "Did you use the mine as bait?" "The guild that takes down the boss first will gain rights to the mine. That''s the rule." Lee Jin-joo was stunned. The bait Kang Mu-hyuk had thrown was too tempting for any guild to easily ignore. She felt a pang of regret for even contemting that another guild could stake a im on it. "So, what you mentioned earlier is..." "If we do this, even if no guilds show up to stop the orc army, there will be plenty who aim for the Gate. I can''t say for sure how strong the other guilds will be, but even the Orc Lord will have a hard time holding on. Prioritize blocking escape routes over boss raids for the expedition." Lee Jin-joo pursed her lips, offering no response. Kang Mu-hyuk asked in a calm tone, "Do you feel a bit lighter now?" ... yer Guild Strategy and Tactics Team Leader''s Office. p, p, p, p, p! After checking the guild app notification on his smartphone, Sung Seon-je pped his hands for a moment before speaking. "Incredible. A Gate with a mine? So, Cheolwon is not a minefield but a gold mine. If we go in, we''ll strike it rich." At this point, anypetent Strategy and Tactics team leader would start to have doubts. Was this information real? Could it be a lie to deter the orc army? Or maybe a ploy to use other guilds'' power for free? ''I may not know much, but Kang Mu-hyuk has credibility. Even if he has ulterior motives, if there''s a mine, we can''t overlook it.'' But the real issue was something else. ''If he posts it like this, everyone will try to avoid the orc army and aim only for the Gate. Kang Mu-hyuk would know that. Does this mean he can handle a thousand evolved orcs with Iron Will''s power alone?'' He was not someone to boast without reason. Nor was he someone whose bluffs should be easily dismissed. Sung Seon-je tapped his fingers on the desk. Tap! Tap! Tap! The tapping sped up beforeing to an abrupt stop. "As much as I''d like to go to Pocheon to watch, I don''t want to be a sucker who can''t even eat what''s given." Sung Seon-je promptly picked up the phone and connected to the situation room. "It''s me. You saw Cheolwon Gate, right? Call in the entire First Team." ... "Long live the Guild! Long live the Guild!" Beneath a guild emblem emzoned with a Taegeuk mark, Cho Ikjoon raised both his hands and cheered. He took a few hops and immediately called the situation room. "Head to the Cheolwon Gate! Mobilize all the helicopters! Make sure to book all the avable civilian helicopters before other guilds get to them! Render them immobile! What? Of course, the remaining helicopters are for our members and their equipment. How many years have you been doing this? You should know that. Oh, also call all the ckers who messed up thest raid! What? A vacation? What vacation when we''ve got work to do? This is our chance to make up for this year''s shorings! If you mess up again, I''ll personally rip you apart and feed you to the orcs!" Cho Ikjoon equipped himself, intending to personally oversee the situation. He put on an armor coat with arge Taegeuk mark on the back before leaving his room. As he took the elevator to the situation room, he thought of a man who had been a neighbor until just recently. ''I''m physically farther away now, but somehow I hear more about you. Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. You really stand out wherever you go.'' He didn''t believe Kang Mu-hyuk had provided false information. He wasn''t the type to get blinded by immediate gain. When it came to work, even rivals could trust him not to post unreliable information. "Wait, how do we n to handle the orc horde?" As the head of the Strategy and Tactics team, his mind was on the Cheolwon Gate, but another part of him was concerned about Pocheon. For some reason, Cho Ikjoon was more drawn to Pocheon than to Cheolwon. "Argh! Darn it, if it weren''t for the profits, I''d go there. Ah! I''m curious, so curious!" While Cho Ikjoon was fidgeting with curiosity, other guilds began to make their moves. The Titan Guild was the quickest to act. Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu, who happened to be at headquarters, took charge personally. "Regardless of whether I like Kang Mu-hyuk or not, he''s not the type to talk nonsense. Owning the mine will boost our performance. It''s good for appealing to the shareholders. Gather all the Hunters under me." While some guilds raced to act quickly, others moved cautiously, gauging the situation. Most were guilds that had no connection to Kang Mu-hyuk. They had heard rumors of his efficiency but had never experienced it themselves, so they were skeptical. Some mid-tier guilds moved on a break-even basis, and some smaller guilds joined in, hoping for even a small slice of the pie. That moment of hesitation determined the oue of the stake race for the Cheolwon Gate. Chapter 69 - A Plan With A High Probability of Success Kang Mu-hyuk had meticulously nned the operation, readied the Hunters, and even deployed a task force in anticipation of unforeseen variables in conquering the Gate. Yet, he still felt it was insufficient. ''If this were a regr raid, we would have had ample time to prepare thoroughly. The current situation leaves no room for improvisation. But I can''t afford to be careless either.'' He had to brainstorm alternative strategies to improve their odds, even if just slightly. "I apologize for not meeting you face-to-face, and instead making this our first interaction over the phone, Chairman Han Byung-gu." "What brings you to call me, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk?" Even though the other party seemed to feign ignorance, Kang Mu-hyuk found it irritating. ''He must have seen the guild app,'' he thought to himself. In such urgent circumstances, dealing with someone who was already well-informed about the destruction caused by monsters would not beforting. Kang Mu-hyuk recalled Han Byung-gu''s history. ''A first-generation Hunter. One of the few survivors of the Great War era. Current Chairman of the Hunter Association. Although he holds no real power, his disciples have significant influence in various aspects of the Huntermunity. That is the extent of his influence.'' Back in his time with the Titan, there had been no asion for Kang Mu-hyuk to personally meet Han Byung-gu. Han would only bother with individuals who were either Guild Masters of at least an A-rank guild or Hunters with top-tier skills. Ju Se-ah was a ssic example of someone who had earned Han''s recognition purely through skill. For someone not even a Hunter, like Kang Mu-hyuk, a meeting with Han Byung-gu would be impossible under normal circumstances. If it weren''t for the assistance of the Guild Cooperation Division, even this phone call wouldn''t have been possible. "So this influential person dislikes the guild leader system? Thisplicates matters; future coboration will be tough." Kang Mu-hyuk was aware that Han Byung-gu was skeptical of the Guild Leader position. Han had openly stated that it was nonsensical for an ordinary person who had never been on a hunt to lead Hunters. Kang Mu-hyuk, who always kept an ear to the industry news, couldn''t have missed this. Given that Han belonged to a generation that had faced the pitfalls of the early Gate Era, his prejudice was somewhat justifiable. However, clinging to past setbacks should not be the role of the older generation when ites to shaping the future. Faced with the dilemma of how to persuade Han Byung-gu, Kang Mu-hyuk reached a conclusion. ''This man won''t change. There''s no point in asking for favors or trying to persuade him. A hungry old tiger only moves when it sees prey. So, what is the prey this man desires?'' Monster extermination. Hunters who had survived the Great War era typically had a visceral reaction towards monsters. This was the point Kang Mu-hyuk needed to exploit. "Are you not going to continue speaking? I postponed a meeting to take this call from the Guild Cooperation Division. Why are you silent? Time moves fast for an old man like me. Will I get to hear what you have to say before I die?" "I''ve done some quick calctions, considering that time is of the essence for me as well." "What? Time is of the essence? Seriously, always pretending to be so busy. So, what''s this calction about?" "It''s about whether or not this call is a waste of time." "Huh? Haha, look at you, acting so high and mighty just because you''re running a small guild." "Mr. Association President, right now, a thousand orcs are moving south. Our guild has no intention of letting them reach South Pocheon. But if you''re going to keep picking fights with the Hunters who are risking their lives to protect citizens, then what''s the point in continuing this call?" ..... "You should know well, having lived through the era of the Great War. The battle against monsters is a battle against time." ..... "Shall we continue this call?" "...I apologize. Go on." "We need support." "I''ve been gathering forces, but the situation is too abrupt; it''s going to take time. I can send emergency standby troops, but their strength would be just a drop in the bucketpared to the orc army. It will take a while." "Any support will do. What about youing down yourself first, Mr. President? We need someone with experience from the era of the Great War." "Ha! What, you''re trying to put an old man to work? No Hunter has ever dared to suggest such a thing. Is it because you''re not a Hunter that youckmon sense?" "Let me reiterate, we don''t have time. Are youing, or not?" "Agh! You and your Guild Leader are cut from the same cloth. Unfortunately, I can''te. Didn''t the Guild Cooperation Division tell you? I''m in Japan on business for the World Hunter Association." ''Of all times, he has to be away now.'' Kang Mu-hyuk felt a sense of difficulty and at the same time saw the limitations of the Hunter Association. The system that had long dominated the industry was no longer functioning properly. What use was the association if it couldn''t provide help when it was most needed? Kang Mu-hyuk quickly regained hisposure. One n had failed, but he needed to let go of his regrets and prepare for the next step. "Please request help from guilds that are under your influence, Mr. President. We need support as quickly as possible." "It''s embarrassing to say, but these young ones don''t listen to me anymore. They''re not willing to take losses." "Mr. President." "What is it now?" "If you''re embarrassed at this stage, isn''t it game over? If you don''t n on retiring and bing a backroom senior, stop being embarrassed. Goodbye." "What? You little---Hey, hey!" Ignoring the president''s trailing words, Kang Mu-hyuk hung up the phone. He sshed water on his face and swallowed hard. "Hmm, I''ve gone and done it." Thest bit of rudeness was intentional. An old Hunter left with nothing but past glories, stubbornness, and pride. Provoking such a Hunter might yield some results. ''If nothinges of it, so be it. But I can''t just sit around waiting for that.'' Kang Mu-hyuk connected a call with the Guild Cooperation Division for another mission. "Chief Cha Gil-joo, this is Kang Mu-hyuk. I have a favor to ask." ... ''Ah, this guy''s temperament is almost as bad as my own. Daring to scrape at my pride. What''s he nning, trying to get something out of me?'' Han Byung-gu pondered in silence, wrestling with his thoughts before letting out a deep sigh. ''I may not like the guy, but I can''t ignore the Orc problem. I don''t want to see Ju Se-ah causing a fusster. No choice then. I''ll have to open my purse strings.'' He then dialed a number. After a few emotionless dial tones, someone on the other end picked up. "Eulji, looks like I need you to step in." ... "Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung, I''m aware that you''ve lost your Hunter''s license." "Again?" "I apologize for summoning you to the field so frequently." "Why do you keep doing things that require apologies?" "ording to the emergency provision for nonmercial activities, I formally request your return to the field." "And if I refuse?" "You''ll have to do it this time, whether you like it or not." Yeom Soo-hyung sighed deeply, ring his nostrils. "I allowed you back during the Goblin Rider incident because we had no choice. But this can''t go on. This time with the Orc tribe, it''s not like we can afford to be leisurely. An ident could easily happen. Still want me to fight?" "Yes." "What if I promise to stop after this? Would you still ask me to go? The initial contract didn''t include me acting as a Hunter, as far as I know." "Then we have no choice. After this mission is over, we''ll have to let you go." Facing Kang Mu-hyuk, who didn''t bat an eye at the prospect of losing a talent he''d gone to great lengths to acquire, Yeom Soo-hyung shook his head resignedly. It was only four years ago that he vowed never to hunt again. ''Why do I keep getting pushed into battles?'' He knew Kang Mu-hyuk well enough. There were nopromises when it came to killing monsters. If the North Pocheon was breached, the next would be South Pocheon. Lives were at stake, which only fueled Kang Mu-hyuk''spulsion even more. Yeom Soo-hyung knew that Kang Mu-hyuk was right, but he doubted whether he was fit for intensebat in his current state. A thousand evolved Orcs. These were not opponents he could afford to underestimate, unlike the Goblin Riders who were of lower ss. Moreover, he''d never faced a horde of this size even during his active years. Even for a battle-hardened Yeom Soo-hyung, it meant going all out. The burden was immense, as he had to fight a battle with no retreat while not being sure if he''d ovee his past traumas. ''I may have to use my special abilities. Can I really control that power? If not, I could be more dangerous than the Orcs. It was like that before... and I''m not sure even now. Kang Mu-hyuk must know this, right?'' Sensing Yeom Soo-hyung''s concern, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke first. "Team Leader Pyo will apany you. She will act as a brake in case of emergencies." "I''ve failed before. I''m not someone who can just break any seal." "This time it''s a different kind of seal. Team Leader Pyo vouched for it." Yeom Soo-hyung let out a long sigh and spat on the ground. "Damn it. All I had to do was carry stuff." "I apologize for forcing you into this hunt." "Don''t know if you''re truly sorry. Tsk! Do I have my equipment? It must be stuck in some Titan warehouse. I can''t do much without it." "We took it out when we acquired Warehouse C. Team Leader An Ji-il should have it ready." "You''re pretty prepared, aren''t you? Seems like you nned to fully reinstate me at some point." "I didn''t expect that point toe this soon." "Let''s give it a try then. After that... I don''t know." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded, seemingly understanding. "That should suffice. I will arrange eight parties. Please take charge of the northern route as the raid leader. All you need to do is hold off the enemy troops while we deal with the main Orc force." "Forty people plus Pyo Beom-hee... that''s still too few against 200 Orcs. Our guys aren''t exactly the best." "That''s precisely why I''m asking for your help, Team Leader Yeom. We have no other option." "Threaten first and then tter, eh? Quite crafty." Yeom Soo-hyung grimaced, but given the circumstances, he epted the proposal. Suddenly, a thought urred to him, and he casually asked, "Can we really trust Pyo Beom-hee''s guarantee?" "...Yes." "Hey, you took your time answering." "I just remembered something urgent. I''m busy, so I''ll leave now." "Hey, Guild Leader Kang! Hey, Kang Mu-hyuk!" ... "Team Leader!" "Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk, I have to go out now. Is it urgent?" Lee Jin-joo, having put on his equipment and prepared to leave, was met with Kyung Soo-hyuk pressing the issue. "Why am I not on Team A? Not to boast, but I''m confident that among the new recruits, I''m within the top ten." Lee Jin-joo, slinging her backpack over her shoulder, gestured toward theke. "Are you burdened by the idea of fighting a thousand Orcs?" "It''s not that Orcs scare me. This is a matter of pride." "Ah, is that it?" With a cheery p of her hands, Lee Jin-joo suddenly grew serious. "I know. Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk is skilled. Additionally, Hunter Baek Seong-bin is decent, and Hunter Seo Dae-chi could also be on Team A." "Are you saying ... it''s because of their feud? You''re saying I''m dragged down because of their fighting?" "You were the party leader of that team, right? Why should I employ someone who can''t even control their own team members? Cheolwon could be just as dangerous as here. I don''t have the luxury to babysit unmanageable team members. Do you think you can control those two?" Kyung Soo-hyuk was at a loss for words. He had no confidence in that. Seo Dae-chi was, in a softened description, a problematic individual worthy of being called a ''double-trouble guy if not a viin.'' Baek Seong-bin seemed to have an impulse disorder; he turned into a berserker at the sight of monsters. "How should I deal with those guys?" Kyung Soo-hyuk spoke in a raised voice, clearly frustrated. "I, I mean... then we should exclude those two. Why me...?" Lee Jin-joo nced at the Gatewatch attached to her backpack, took a moment, and set her backpack on the ground. "You had quite a few issues in your previous guild, didn''t you? Always losing your temper, refusing orders." "That''s because the orders were unfair!" "Learn another way. Don''t let your anger guide you into making bad decisions." "..." "I had to learn it the hard way too. I showed those who told me I couldn''t because I was a woman, or because my attributes were ambiguous." Kyung Soo-hyuk felt as if he wanted to crawl into a mouse hole. His face felt hot, almost worryingly so. ''Ah, this is embarrassing. I look like a child throwing a tantrum.'' Observing Kyung Soo-hyuk''s expression, Lee Jin-joo nodded her head, picked up her backpack, and started walking again. "Ah, and also, you''ve been assigned to the second attack squad, right? The one that deals with the special forces. You''ll be appointed as the party leader. Work well with Seo Dae-chi and Baek Seong-bin. Ah, I''mte. Good hunting. See youter." Kyung Soo-hyuk mulled over her words for a good while after she left. Then it finally clicked. "She put those two in again?" Profanities flowed freely from Kyung Soo-hyuk''s mouth. ... Twenty trucks rolled toward the Sanjeongke. Each truck, with a 2.5-ton carrying capacity, was filled to the brim with soldiers and cargo. Kang Mu-hyuk greeted them and climbed into the first truck. Alongside An Ji-il, he began loading additional items before leading the convoy westward, where Jang Deuk-goo was located. "What is all this?" "Landmines." "Landmines?" "Yes, we got approval from the Ministry of National Defense through the Guild Cooperation Division. Since the copse of North Korea,ndmines are always ready in high-risk areas. We managed to get some from the nearby Pocheon military base." Jang Deuk-goo responded with an incredulous look. "Guild Leader, you do know that the mana dispersed in the air of the Special Activities Zone will cause gunpowder to fail, right? Even if you bury them, there''s a high chance they''ll be duds. It would be better to ce them behind the barbed wire at South Pocheon." "I''m aware that they won''t work here. But when will we ever cover thatrge area?" "Then why...?" "The Guild Master said that those Orcs can smell thendmines." Jang Deuk-goo and most of the Hunters nearby couldn''tprehend Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. Not wasting any more time, Kang Mu-hyuk lifted the veil on his n. "We''re outnumberedpared to the Orcs. To avoid being surrounded, we need to restrict their movements. We''ll buryndmines in this sector. Orcs that have experienced how dangerous mines can be will hesitate to move once they catch the scent." The Hunters widened their eyes in astonishment. Was it because he was a civilian? This was not a thought any Hunter would typically have. ''But it''s definitely worth a try.'' Jang Deuk-goo inwardly admired him. Although he had always thought Kang Mu-hyuk was impressive, his respect had been primarily for Kang Mu-hyuk''s skills in guild management. Sure, he had seen Kang Mu-hyuk''s raid records, but they were all just figures on paper. He had always considered the sess of the Goblin Tribe raid to be more about good nning than genuine skill. The irony of Kang Mu-hyuk---a man who didn''t actually hunt monsters---creating a battle strategy hadn''t been lost on him. Naturally, regardless of his abilities, he hadn''t considered Kang Mu-hyuk to be particrly reliable in actual hunting. ''I have to admit it. You''re incredible, Kang Mu-hyuk. Even setting aside the sess or failure of this operation,ing up with an overall strategy and finding alternatives to fill in the gaps is not something an ordinary person can do. But...'' Having understood Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy, Jang Deuk-goo, like a seasoned Hunter, found a potential weakness. "Let''s assume the orcs pick up on the scent. If arge number of them rush in, there''s a chance that one might identally step on a mine. They couldpletely ignore it too. If the mine doesn''t go off, we''ll be the ones getting counterattacked," Jang Deuk-goo pointed out. "That''s a valid concern. If the mine doesn''t go off, they''ll know they''ve been duped. Which is why we need this." Kang Mu-hyuk reached out to An Ji-il. He opened the case An Ji-il handed him and pulled out an object resembling a car cigarette lighter. "This is what we used to detonate the mana stone mine in the past. It''s fitted with an ignition stone and can be triggered remotely or set to explode at a specific time. Basically, it''s a mana stone time bomb. It''s also used to blow up waterfalls. What do you think will happen if we nt several of these and blow up a few orcs right at the beginning? Will they still underestimate the power of the mines?" "..." "I can''t guarantee the sess or failure of the operation, but from the orcs'' perspective, I don''t think they''ll be too thrilled." Chapter 70 - It Wont Be Pleasant Kang Mu-hyuk had meticulously nned the operation, readied the Hunters, and even deployed a task force in anticipation of unforeseen variables in conquering the Gate. Yet, he still felt it was insufficient. ''If this were a regr raid, we would have had ample time to prepare thoroughly. The current situation leaves no room for improvisation. But I can''t afford to be careless either.'' He had to brainstorm alternative strategies to improve their odds, even if just slightly. "I apologize for not meeting you face-to-face, and instead making this our first interaction over the phone, Chairman Han Byung-gu." "What brings you to call me, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk?" Even though the other party seemed to feign ignorance, Kang Mu-hyuk found it irritating. ''He must have seen the guild app,'' he thought to himself. In such urgent circumstances, dealing with someone who was already well-informed about the destruction caused by monsters would not beforting. Kang Mu-hyuk recalled Han Byung-gu''s history. ''A first-generation Hunter. One of the few survivors of the Great War era. Current Chairman of the Hunter Association. Although he holds no real power, his disciples have significant influence in various aspects of the Huntermunity. That is the extent of his influence.'' Back in his time with the Titan, there had been no asion for Kang Mu-hyuk to personally meet Han Byung-gu. Han would only bother with individuals who were either Guild Masters of at least an A-rank guild or Hunters with top-tier skills. Ju Se-ah was a ssic example of someone who had earned Han''s recognition purely through skill. For someone not even a Hunter, like Kang Mu-hyuk, a meeting with Han Byung-gu would be impossible under normal circumstances. If it weren''t for the assistance of the Guild Cooperation Division, even this phone call wouldn''t have been possible. "So this influential person dislikes the guild leader system? Thisplicates matters; future coboration will be tough." Kang Mu-hyuk was aware that Han Byung-gu was skeptical of the Guild Leader position. Han had openly stated that it was nonsensical for an ordinary person who had never been on a hunt to lead Hunters. Kang Mu-hyuk, who always kept an ear to the industry news, couldn''t have missed this. Given that Han belonged to a generation that had faced the pitfalls of the early Gate Era, his prejudice was somewhat justifiable. However, clinging to past setbacks should not be the role of the older generation when ites to shaping the future. Faced with the dilemma of how to persuade Han Byung-gu, Kang Mu-hyuk reached a conclusion. ''This man won''t change. There''s no point in asking for favors or trying to persuade him. A hungry old tiger only moves when it sees prey. So, what is the prey this man desires?'' Monster extermination. Hunters who had survived the Great War era typically had a visceral reaction towards monsters. This was the point Kang Mu-hyuk needed to exploit. "Are you not going to continue speaking? I postponed a meeting to take this call from the Guild Cooperation Division. Why are you silent? Time moves fast for an old man like me. Will I get to hear what you have to say before I die?" "I''ve done some quick calctions, considering that time is of the essence for me as well." "What? Time is of the essence? Seriously, always pretending to be so busy. So, what''s this calction about?" "It''s about whether or not this call is a waste of time." "Huh? Haha, look at you, acting so high and mighty just because you''re running a small guild." "Mr. Association President, right now, a thousand orcs are moving south. Our guild has no intention of letting them reach South Pocheon. But if you''re going to keep picking fights with the Hunters who are risking their lives to protect citizens, then what''s the point in continuing this call?" ..... "You should know well, having lived through the era of the Great War. The battle against monsters is a battle against time." ..... "Shall we continue this call?" "...I apologize. Go on." "We need support." "I''ve been gathering forces, but the situation is too abrupt; it''s going to take time. I can send emergency standby troops, but their strength would be just a drop in the bucketpared to the orc army. It will take a while." "Any support will do. What about youing down yourself first, Mr. President? We need someone with experience from the era of the Great War." "Ha! What, you''re trying to put an old man to work? No Hunter has ever dared to suggest such a thing. Is it because you''re not a Hunter that youckmon sense?" "Let me reiterate, we don''t have time. Are youing, or not?" "Agh! You and your Guild Leader are cut from the same cloth. Unfortunately, I can''te. Didn''t the Guild Cooperation Division tell you? I''m in Japan on business for the World Hunter Association." ''Of all times, he has to be away now.'' Kang Mu-hyuk felt a sense of difficulty and at the same time saw the limitations of the Hunter Association. The system that had long dominated the industry was no longer functioning properly. What use was the association if it couldn''t provide help when it was most needed? Kang Mu-hyuk quickly regained hisposure. One n had failed, but he needed to let go of his regrets and prepare for the next step. "Please request help from guilds that are under your influence, Mr. President. We need support as quickly as possible." "It''s embarrassing to say, but these young ones don''t listen to me anymore. They''re not willing to take losses." "Mr. President." "What is it now?" "If you''re embarrassed at this stage, isn''t it game over? If you don''t n on retiring and bing a backroom senior, stop being embarrassed. Goodbye." "What? You little---Hey, hey!" Ignoring the president''s trailing words, Kang Mu-hyuk hung up the phone. He sshed water on his face and swallowed hard. "Hmm, I''ve gone and done it." Thest bit of rudeness was intentional. An old Hunter left with nothing but past glories, stubbornness, and pride. Provoking such a Hunter might yield some results. ''If nothinges of it, so be it. But I can''t just sit around waiting for that.'' Kang Mu-hyuk connected a call with the Guild Cooperation Division for another mission. "Chief Cha Gil-joo, this is Kang Mu-hyuk. I have a favor to ask." ... ''Ah, this guy''s temperament is almost as bad as my own. Daring to scrape at my pride. What''s he nning, trying to get something out of me?'' Han Byung-gu pondered in silence, wrestling with his thoughts before letting out a deep sigh. ''I may not like the guy, but I can''t ignore the Orc problem. I don''t want to see Ju Se-ah causing a fusster. No choice then. I''ll have to open my purse strings.'' He then dialed a number. After a few emotionless dial tones, someone on the other end picked up. "Eulji, looks like I need you to step in." ... "Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung, I''m aware that you''ve lost your Hunter''s license." "Again?" "I apologize for summoning you to the field so frequently." "Why do you keep doing things that require apologies?" "ording to the emergency provision for nonmercial activities, I formally request your return to the field." "And if I refuse?" "You''ll have to do it this time, whether you like it or not." Yeom Soo-hyung sighed deeply, ring his nostrils. "I allowed you back during the Goblin Rider incident because we had no choice. But this can''t go on. This time with the Orc tribe, it''s not like we can afford to be leisurely. An ident could easily happen. Still want me to fight?" "Yes." "What if I promise to stop after this? Would you still ask me to go? The initial contract didn''t include me acting as a Hunter, as far as I know." "Then we have no choice. After this mission is over, we''ll have to let you go." Facing Kang Mu-hyuk, who didn''t bat an eye at the prospect of losing a talent he''d gone to great lengths to acquire, Yeom Soo-hyung shook his head resignedly. It was only four years ago that he vowed never to hunt again. ''Why do I keep getting pushed into battles?'' He knew Kang Mu-hyuk well enough. There were nopromises when it came to killing monsters. If the North Pocheon was breached, the next would be South Pocheon. Lives were at stake, which only fueled Kang Mu-hyuk''spulsion even more. Yeom Soo-hyung knew that Kang Mu-hyuk was right, but he doubted whether he was fit for intensebat in his current state. A thousand evolved Orcs. These were not opponents he could afford to underestimate, unlike the Goblin Riders who were of lower ss. Moreover, he''d never faced a horde of this size even during his active years. Even for a battle-hardened Yeom Soo-hyung, it meant going all out. The burden was immense, as he had to fight a battle with no retreat while not being sure if he''d ovee his past traumas. ''I may have to use my special abilities. Can I really control that power? If not, I could be more dangerous than the Orcs. It was like that before... and I''m not sure even now. Kang Mu-hyuk must know this, right?'' Sensing Yeom Soo-hyung''s concern, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke first. "Team Leader Pyo will apany you. She will act as a brake in case of emergencies." "I''ve failed before. I''m not someone who can just break any seal." "This time it''s a different kind of seal. Team Leader Pyo vouched for it." Yeom Soo-hyung let out a long sigh and spat on the ground. "Damn it. All I had to do was carry stuff." "I apologize for forcing you into this hunt." "Don''t know if you''re truly sorry. Tsk! Do I have my equipment? It must be stuck in some Titan warehouse. I can''t do much without it." "We took it out when we acquired Warehouse C. Team Leader An Ji-il should have it ready." "You''re pretty prepared, aren''t you? Seems like you nned to fully reinstate me at some point." "I didn''t expect that point toe this soon." "Let''s give it a try then. After that... I don''t know." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded, seemingly understanding. "That should suffice. I will arrange eight parties. Please take charge of the northern route as the raid leader. All you need to do is hold off the enemy troops while we deal with the main Orc force." "Forty people plus Pyo Beom-hee... that''s still too few against 200 Orcs. Our guys aren''t exactly the best." "That''s precisely why I''m asking for your help, Team Leader Yeom. We have no other option." "Threaten first and then tter, eh? Quite crafty." Yeom Soo-hyung grimaced, but given the circumstances, he epted the proposal. Suddenly, a thought urred to him, and he casually asked, "Can we really trust Pyo Beom-hee''s guarantee?" "...Yes." "Hey, you took your time answering." "I just remembered something urgent. I''m busy, so I''ll leave now." "Hey, Guild Leader Kang! Hey, Kang Mu-hyuk!" ... "Team Leader!" "Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk, I have to go out now. Is it urgent?" Lee Jin-joo, having put on his equipment and prepared to leave, was met with Kyung Soo-hyuk pressing the issue. "Why am I not on Team A? Not to boast, but I''m confident that among the new recruits, I''m within the top ten." Lee Jin-joo, slinging her backpack over her shoulder, gestured toward theke. "Are you burdened by the idea of fighting a thousand Orcs?" "It''s not that Orcs scare me. This is a matter of pride." "Ah, is that it?" With a cheery p of her hands, Lee Jin-joo suddenly grew serious. "I know. Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk is skilled. Additionally, Hunter Baek Seong-bin is decent, and Hunter Seo Dae-chi could also be on Team A." "Are you saying ... it''s because of their feud? You''re saying I''m dragged down because of their fighting?" "You were the party leader of that team, right? Why should I employ someone who can''t even control their own team members? Cheolwon could be just as dangerous as here. I don''t have the luxury to babysit unmanageable team members. Do you think you can control those two?" Kyung Soo-hyuk was at a loss for words. He had no confidence in that. Seo Dae-chi was, in a softened description, a problematic individual worthy of being called a ''double-trouble guy if not a viin.'' Baek Seong-bin seemed to have an impulse disorder; he turned into a berserker at the sight of monsters. "How should I deal with those guys?" Kyung Soo-hyuk spoke in a raised voice, clearly frustrated. "I, I mean... then we should exclude those two. Why me...?" Lee Jin-joo nced at the Gatewatch attached to her backpack, took a moment, and set her backpack on the ground. "You had quite a few issues in your previous guild, didn''t you? Always losing your temper, refusing orders." "That''s because the orders were unfair!" "Learn another way. Don''t let your anger guide you into making bad decisions." "..." "I had to learn it the hard way too. I showed those who told me I couldn''t because I was a woman, or because my attributes were ambiguous." Kyung Soo-hyuk felt as if he wanted to crawl into a mouse hole. His face felt hot, almost worryingly so. ''Ah, this is embarrassing. I look like a child throwing a tantrum.'' Observing Kyung Soo-hyuk''s expression, Lee Jin-joo nodded her head, picked up her backpack, and started walking again. "Ah, and also, you''ve been assigned to the second attack squad, right? The one that deals with the special forces. You''ll be appointed as the party leader. Work well with Seo Dae-chi and Baek Seong-bin. Ah, I''mte. Good hunting. See youter." Kyung Soo-hyuk mulled over her words for a good while after she left. Then it finally clicked. "She put those two in again?" Profanities flowed freely from Kyung Soo-hyuk''s mouth. ... Twenty trucks rolled toward the Sanjeongke. Each truck, with a 2.5-ton carrying capacity, was filled to the brim with soldiers and cargo. Kang Mu-hyuk greeted them and climbed into the first truck. Alongside An Ji-il, he began loading additional items before leading the convoy westward, where Jang Deuk-goo was located. "What is all this?" "Landmines." "Landmines?" "Yes, we got approval from the Ministry of National Defense through the Guild Cooperation Division. Since the copse of North Korea,ndmines are always ready in high-risk areas. We managed to get some from the nearby Pocheon military base." Jang Deuk-goo responded with an incredulous look. "Guild Leader, you do know that the mana dispersed in the air of the Special Activities Zone will cause gunpowder to fail, right? Even if you bury them, there''s a high chance they''ll be duds. It would be better to ce them behind the barbed wire at South Pocheon." "I''m aware that they won''t work here. But when will we ever cover thatrge area?" "Then why...?" "The Guild Master said that those Orcs can smell thendmines." Jang Deuk-goo and most of the Hunters nearby couldn''tprehend Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. Not wasting any more time, Kang Mu-hyuk lifted the veil on his n. "We''re outnumberedpared to the Orcs. To avoid being surrounded, we need to restrict their movements. We''ll buryndmines in this sector. Orcs that have experienced how dangerous mines can be will hesitate to move once they catch the scent." The Hunters widened their eyes in astonishment. Was it because he was a civilian? This was not a thought any Hunter would typically have. ''But it''s definitely worth a try.'' Jang Deuk-goo inwardly admired him. Although he had always thought Kang Mu-hyuk was impressive, his respect had been primarily for Kang Mu-hyuk''s skills in guild management. Sure, he had seen Kang Mu-hyuk''s raid records, but they were all just figures on paper. He had always considered the sess of the Goblin Tribe raid to be more about good nning than genuine skill. The irony of Kang Mu-hyuk---a man who didn''t actually hunt monsters---creating a battle strategy hadn''t been lost on him. Naturally, regardless of his abilities, he hadn''t considered Kang Mu-hyuk to be particrly reliable in actual hunting. ''I have to admit it. You''re incredible, Kang Mu-hyuk. Even setting aside the sess or failure of this operation,ing up with an overall strategy and finding alternatives to fill in the gaps is not something an ordinary person can do. But...'' Having understood Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy, Jang Deuk-goo, like a seasoned Hunter, found a potential weakness. "Let''s assume the orcs pick up on the scent. If arge number of them rush in, there''s a chance that one might identally step on a mine. They couldpletely ignore it too. If the mine doesn''t go off, we''ll be the ones getting counterattacked," Jang Deuk-goo pointed out. "That''s a valid concern. If the mine doesn''t go off, they''ll know they''ve been duped. Which is why we need this." Kang Mu-hyuk reached out to An Ji-il. He opened the case An Ji-il handed him and pulled out an object resembling a car cigarette lighter. "This is what we used to detonate the mana stone mine in the past. It''s fitted with an ignition stone and can be triggered remotely or set to explode at a specific time. Basically, it''s a mana stone time bomb. It''s also used to blow up waterfalls. What do you think will happen if we nt several of these and blow up a few orcs right at the beginning? Will they still underestimate the power of the mines?" "..." "I can''t guarantee the sess or failure of the operation, but from the orcs'' perspective, I don''t think they''ll be too thrilled." Chapter 71 - Such a Miserable Turn of Events Just yesterday, the two Hunters had been strolling around Sanjeong Lake, dreaming of a bright future. Today, they were dragging their feet as if they were prisoners heading to the gallows. "Ugh, I should''ve known when they said the boss was a hero for saving a kindergarten, and that she had a promising future." "Sister, did anyone ever say that?" "Didn''t they?" "Nope, never heard that. Really." "That''s odd. I thought I heard it." "Well, I did hear that I''m good at drawing monster aggro. Not sure if that''s apliment or an insult. But, well, that turned out to be true." "Indeed. Just our luck, right? A thousand orcs as a wee gift for joining the guild." Kim Su-jeong shook her head so vigorously that her cheeks wobbled. "Anyway, we shouldn''t have signed up." "Exactly. I told you we should think more carefully. What''s the n now that we joined so recklessly?" "Come on! The Guild Master herself is training us. It''s a rare privilege you can''t even buy. Why are youining only to me?" "Because... I got swept away by the atmosphere... Anyway! A thousand orcs, okay? Have you seen their muscles? They''re tough, and their skin doesn''t take damage easily. We could be doomed." The thought of facing an orc army was overwhelmingly daunting. As Yoo Seong-ju put it, even a one-on-one fight would be challenging. Among them, there could be captains and generals. One wrong move and it would all be over in an instant. "Should we run?" "If we run, we''re burying our careers. Do you want to be a frencer forever? Even that would be precarious. We could be cklisted by the Hunter Association or Guild Union." "Come on, surely they wouldn''t do it just for running away..." "You don''t know how the world works. Haven''t you heard of the rule that Hunters on the scene must intervene during a monster threat? It''s the first thing they teach during training. Be careful." "As if many Hunters follow that. I''ve seen many look the other way and run." "That might work for frencers. But we''re now part of a guild. Unless it''s the guild''s policy to run, fleeing aftermitting to fight will... Basically, it''ll be the end of our hunting careers." "Ah! I must be insane. I got blinded by wealth and fame." "A C-rank nobody talking about wealth and fame." Kim Su-jeong tore at her hair in frustration as Yoo Seong-ju rolled his eyes. Just then, a shadow abruptly appeared between them. "Feeling a bit worried, are we?" "Ka, Kang Mu-hyuk! ...Guild Leader?" Kim Su-jeong yelped in surprise at the sudden appearance of Kang Mu-hyuk. He had just handed over the explosives to Jang Deuk-goo and happened to spot them upon his return. "I''ve been so busy that I couldn''t provide proper attention to our newest members. I''m truly sorry to have you involved in such arge-scale raid right after joining." "No, we know you''re busy ... and that this is unavoidable." Yoo Seong-ju managed to reply calmly. But as always, Kim Su-jeong''s mouth was the problem. "Then, can we perhaps cancel the contract...?" "Su-jeong, just hold on a second. Don''t make a fool of yourself." Yu Seong-ju spoke to Kim Su-jeong without moving his lips, as if he were ventriloquizing. Surprisingly, Kang Mu-hyuk answered cheerfully. "Of course, it''s possible." "Wow---" "How much is the penalty for breaking the contract, again?" "---Ah,e to think of it, hunting orcs seems like it will be a valuable experience. Haha..." Kim Su-jeong forced a smile, her face rigid. She couldn''t remember the exact amount, but she knew it would be difficult to pay it off right away. ''I should have known; the terms were too good. I didn''t even consider the high penalty.'' Regardless of her internal turmoil, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke calmly. "Don''t worry too much. One way or another, we''ll manage with the special task force. If ites to it, just hide behind a Hunter with a lot of facial hair, a team leader named Yeom Soo-hyung. We worked together back at Titan; he''s a very skilled Hunter. If you fight beside him, you won''t face much danger. Plus, you''ll be a great help to him; he''s a tanker." "He''s from Titan?" "Yes. Do you also know Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee? The one who guided you on your first day here? She''ll also be assigned to the attack squad. She used to be with Titan as well and is an A-rank Hunter, so she''ll be of great help." The two felt somewhat relieved. The fact that their Guild Leader had assigned Hunters from his previous workce, Titan, meant that they were not disposable assets. Moreover, both team leaders were high-ranked. It seemed they could afford to rx a bit. "As expected, you''ve thought of everything, haven''t you?" "Well, we were worried you might overlook us, given the grand scale of the operation over there... Not that we don''t trust you, but---" "Never think that. The northern defense line is actually more critical. If they hold, things will be easier for us here. Ah, and by the way, if you ever see Team Leader Yeom''s eyes rolling back or hear him growling, move away quickly. The further, the better." As they were feeling relieved, Kang Mu-hyuk''s offhandment suddenly tightened the atmosphere. "What''s wrong with his eyes?" "Growling? What?" "Anyway, happy hunting." Leaving behind these cryptic warnings, Kang Mu-hyuk left the scene. The two who were left exchanged nces, harboring uneasy premonitions. "What did thatstment mean?" "I don''t know exactly, but it feels... Ominous?" ... "Shall we begin?" Kang Mu-hyuk personally drove themand vehicle and settled in the Sanjeong Lake parking lot. As the person in charge of Project C, An Ji-il had other duties and had left his post, leaving only Kang Mu-hyuk and his aide as civilians in the area. The parking lot was in open terrain, located between the western first attack team and the northern second attack team. If either position fell, it would immediately be the frontline. This was Kang Mu-hyuk''s own method of diversion; given the risk of the operation, he had chosen to be with the Hunters. Of course, not everyone was in sync with his determination. "Safe, you say? Where''s safe around here?!" "There are two Hunters guarding us." In response to Gong Du-ri''s shrill objection, Kang Mu-hyuk pointed outside the vehicle. Two Hunters were stationed just as he indicated. Gong Du-ri recognized their faces as well. "They''re just C-Rank!" "It''s a solid C+, actually!" "Ha, did you hear that?" "How could we not? You left the door open and shouted." "For the record, I''m a B-Rank, Guild Leader. I''m on a different level than Miran." "Kim Seong-hyun! I''m already pissed that we had to scrap our old vehicle. Don''t make me angrier." Choi Mi-ran growled, causing Kim Seong-hyun to shrink his neck and avert his eyes. Amid the tense atmosphere, Kang Mu-hyuk lowered his head and spoke. "Both of you, I''ll be counting on you in case of emergencies." "To be honest, we might handle one or two orcs, but if a hordees, it''ll make little difference, Guild Leader." "As long as you can handle one or two, that''s enough. If we have to consider the worst-case scenario, we''re all dead anyway. In that case, running away is the best option. We should try to avoid such situations in the first ce." Confused, Kim Seong-hyun let out a nervous chuckle. Was this encouragement, or a cautionary tale? Choi Mi-ran also looked at Kang Mu-hyuk with a puzzled expression, unable to make sense of his oddly encouraging words. Ignoring her gaze, Kang Mu-hyuk closed the vehicle door. "Let''s begin. Check partymunication." "Comms check. Standby. Reporting from 1st Attack Squad, 1st Party." Gong Du-ri cheerfully confirmed the orders, his voice belying the earlier fuss, as he put on his headset. As the order came through, the voices of Hunters began to emanate from the speaker. "101 Party. Okay." "102 Party. In position." "103 Party. Arriving in 30 seconds." "104 Party...." After reports from all 14 parties hade in, Kang Mu-hyuk issued the overall orders. "Jang Deuk-goo, you''ll takemand on-site." "Let''s give it our best." "The defense teamprising parties 4, 5, and 6 will be led by Hunter Na Dongpa. Hold on as long as you can. Once you get the cue, retreat immediately. Before that, you cannot falter." "I appreciate the timely cue." "The assault team will be led by Hunter Noh Song-rin. If the barrier falls, kill all visible orcs." "Not my usual area of expertise, but sure, let''s collect some orc heads this time." Hearing the confident voices of veteran Hunters, Kang Mu-hyuk nodded in approval. He had deliberately broadcasted themunications over the public channel so that all Hunters could hear. ''No matter how good the strategy, it''s worthless if the troops can''t work together. Fear is usually the cause of that. Nothing boosts morale like hearing the voice of a strong Hunter or a capable officer. It should have some effect.'' Being a Hunter, a so-called superhuman, didn''t mean one wasn''t afraid of monsters. Even Kang Mu-hyuk, who was known for facing monsters head-on, never forced Hunter to hunt recklessly. He always kept in mind that the very existence of monsters stirred the primal fears of humans. Understanding the fear allowed them to prepare their strategy with greater precision. Deeming that the atmosphere had sufficiently ripened, Kang Mu-hyuk switched to the team leader''s private channel. "Team Leader Jang Deuk-goo, can you go in for a brief scouting mission with Parties 1 and 2?" "We can''t go too deep with 800 of them anyway." "I''ve ced fast Hunters in Parties 1 and 2. Let''s hit them lightly, pull back, and gauge their reaction. Also, check if we can partially pull them out. If there are any followers, take them down if the numbers are manageable; if it''s overwhelming, fully retreat. In the minefield, time the explosions to hit the orcs." "What if they manage to avoid the minefield? Do we take them down or do we run?" "Lure them into the ambush set by our snipers. There should be no orcs leaking out. After that, guide them towards the valley with the waterfall. The mines will limit their movements, making it easier to trap them in the valley. From there, you can rendezvous with the holding unit to block the orcs." "Even in a narrow valley, we can''t hold out long with just five parties." "We don''t need to hold out for long. Just until the orc''s main force enters the valley. Buy us time until the moment we can blow up the dam and the valley." A brief silence flowed through the channel, followed by a deep sigh. "This sort of thing is best suited for the stubborn Guild Master. Fine, we have no choice. If we don''t, we all die anyway." Kang Mu-hyuk closed allmunication channels and let out a long breath. ''Every time I feel it. The inability to fight directly...'' He muttered aloud, venting his pent-up feelings. "It''s truly heartbreaking." ... The battlemenced to the north of Sanjeong Lake, handled by the second attack squad, starting from "Gungyero." "Here theye." A short shout echoed as the orcs revealed themselves. The narrow path was so tight that three or four orcs could barely pass through shoulder to shoulder. The orcs hesitated when they saw the Hunters. It seemed they were aware of the Hunters'' presence but didn''t expect a face-off. However, once they confirmed the smaller number of Hunters, their behavior changed. Shaking off their initial hesitation, they began to roar aggressively. "Ugh! These orc bastards are all throat..." "Damn, I can''t see the end. Isn''t it way more than 200?" "Have orcs started bulking up too? Look at that armor. He''s at least twice the size of the others." The Hunters, seeing the evolved orcs for the first time, were shaken. They weren''t seasoned Hunters, so they naturally were intimidated by the size and number of the orc troops. ''Getting pushed back by a monster''s intimidation is a losing game.'' Yeom Soo-hyung''s instincts sounded the rm. A hunt required courage more than skill, or if not, arrogance, and if that was too much, sheer stubbornness. Entering a hunt with a defeated mindset meant it was already halfway through failure. As Yeom Soo-hyung was steeling himself, calcting the best moment for a pre-emptive strike--- A Hunter suddenly stepped forward. "Don''t cower before these monsters! What''s the point of having a Hunter''s license then?" It was Baek Seong-bin who squared his shoulders, seemingly ready to charge into a troop of orcs at any moment. "Newbie, huh? Full of spirit. A good example for the disheartened lot," Yeom Soo-hyung thought. Sensing that the tense atmosphere among some of the disgruntled Hunters was beginning to ease, he decided to let Baek Seong-bin be. No one stepped in to stop or rece him, so Baek Seong-bin pushed the envelope further by taunting Seo Dae-chi, a person he didn''t particrly like. "Seo Dae-chi, are you scared too?" Caught off guard by the sudden provocation, Seo Dae-chi clicked his tongue. "Tsk, tsk. A fool who doesn''t know when to keep quiet. In any case, rookies like you always end up like this---dead. Think your Healing Factor makes you invincible? Don''t worry, I''ll definitely kill more than you, so just focus on your own survival." "How about a wager then?" "A wager?" "Who kills more." "Ridiculous." "Consider it epted then. The bet is in cash. You like money, right? How about 100 million won? If you lose, you leave the team. Scared you''ll lose?" "This punk, if you die, that''s going to be problematic. Hey, if you do die, make sure to leave your ount password behind." "Fine, let''s start right away!" Baek Seong-bin impulsively dashed forward. Yeom Soo-hyung was taken aback. "This lunatic!" Yeom Soo-hyung grabbed the back of Baek Seong-bin''s head as he rushed by and mmed him to the ground. "Kuh-ruk!" "I knew you''d do something like this," Yeom Soo-hyung said, irritated while ncing back at the smirking Seo Dae-chi. "Pyo! Why the hell was this crazy guy assigned here?!" "Well, he does have a Healing Factor. He''s somewhat promising." "A Healing Factor? What is he, a Cerberus? Does he have two or three heads?" "What''s a Cerberus? Not even a dad joke. Anyway, you''re not funny." "It''s not a joke---" Pyo Beom-hee, approaching leisurely, suddenly drew her sword. The nearby Hunters also raised their weapons in unison. Yeom Soo-hyung felt the air tighten. "Besides, look, the orcs are charging." Before even turning his head, Yeom Soo-hyung felt a heavy vibration through the ground. When he looked forward, a horde of orcs was charging aggressively. They neither branched out nor formed any formation; their intent to break through the front and wreak havoc was palpable. "Damn, the rookie stole my thunder," Pyo Beom-hee said, pointing ahead. "We need to block that big one first to stand a chance in this fight." "I know." Yeom Soo-hyung sized himself up. His skin-tightbat suit clung to him like a second skin, almost rubbery in its sticity. The arm guards and shin protectors were noticeably thicker, serving as small shields when stretched out. Feeling the texture of the specialized armor he hadn''t worn in a long time, Yeom Soo-hyung took a step forward. "Pyo, takemand." "Okay. Have a st for once." "If I mess up, make sure to cover for me." "You talk too much now. When did you be such a chatterbox?" "Maybe I''ve just be more cautious." Muttering to himself, Yeom Soo-hyung elerated. With each step, he became faster and faster until he finally bent his waist backward, using the forward momentum to sprint ahead. Several orcs at the forefront hurled their axes. The gleaming des whizzed through the air, aimed directly at Yeom Soo-hyung. At the deadly approach, some of the Hunters screamed in terror and shut their eyes. Pyo Beom-hee, unfazed, muttered to herself, "He''s not just some old guy with a long beard, you know." Yeom Soo-hyung puffed out his chest as if ready to catch the axes with his body. ''Making me exert myself right from the start,'' he thought. At that moment, his muscles tensed and his veins bulged visibly. ¡¾Giant Transformation¡¿ Yeom Soo-hyung''s body began to change dramatically. ''Ugh!'' His chest muscles swelled, his shoulders widened as if their joints had popped out, and his neck thickened and extended upward. There was a sound like the snapping of bones. His pelvis twisted, and his rock-solid abdomen stretched like rubber as his thighs and calves thickened and elongated. His hands and feet grewrge enough to be likened to pot lids. Already towering at 190 centimeters, Yeom Soo-hyung transformed into a giant that reached a height of three meters in an instant. His sturdy chest deflected the axes thrown by the orcs. "Uh-uh-oo." Yeom Soo-hyung let out a sound, unclear whether he wasughing or groaning. His eyes zed, but his artiction was garbled as if he had troublemunicating. "Wha...?" Startled by the human transformation, the orcs suddenly stopped in their tracks. Those in the back ranks, not yet aware of the situation, bumped into the halted orcs ahead of them, disrupting their formation. Seizing the moment, Yeom Soo-hyung lunged forward. "Urr-uh-oo!" As his massive body plowed through the orc ranks, screams and shouts erupted from all directions. Axes struck him like they were chopping at an oak tree. But normal attacks had little effect on Yeom Soo-hyung. Only strikes with full force could even begin to hurt him, and even then, his agility far outpaced his size, making it difficult for any significant blows tond. If by some chance an attack did seed, the ck armor he wore exhibited a rubber-like sticity that repelled the force. The orcs weren''t the only ones thrown into disarray. "The team leader is..." "He can transform into a giant? We had that ability in our country?" Caught off guard, the Hunters heard Pyo Beom-hee bellow at them. "What are you doing? This is our chance! Charge, all of you!" Chapter 72 - This Is Definitely Something Lee Jin-joo met up with Ju Se-ah to ry Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy. Ju Se-ah had only heard the general outline of the n and didn''t fully grasp its intricacies until Lee Jin-joo filled her in. "Ah, that man is something else. I knew he was reckless, but I had no idea he nned to flood the headquarters." "He may look like a reasonable person, but he does have a daring side. There''s no denying that his methods are effective, though." "True. If it''s a thousand orcs, maybe sacrificing a building isn''t such a bad trade-off after all." Lee Jin-joo felt that Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah were surprisingly simr. ''I''ve heard rumors. They say if it''s a monster, he goes all in to catch it. Could she be as aggressive as him?'' Ju Se-ah didn''t object to Kang Mu-hyuk''s n. While others might have found it startling, she considered it reasonable. In order to win with a disadvantaged force, one had to craft the best strategy, even if that meant suffering substantial losses. Trying to save a few bucks at the risk of Hunter''s life was a method she despised the most. In that sense, Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah were well-matched business partners. "So, what are we supposed to do? Did the Guild Leader give any specific orders?" "Yes. He said to hand over the hunting to another guild and to prevent the boss from escaping. If the Orc chieftain escapes, it could trigger another orc uprising like the one in China." "Ah, so that was his intent? I thought he might want me to stay and directly engage with the boss. Then again, managing the orcs while attacking the Gate simultaneously would be too much. I had sensed he was scheming something when other guilds started showing up." Understanding Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Ju Se-ah immediately abandoned the Gate. She believed his judgment was urate. There was no need to stretch themselves when they had already called in enough people to take down the boss in their stead. On the other hand, Lee Jin-joo, who was familiar with Titan''s operational style, was concerned. Guilds usually prioritized profit. To risk the guild''s fate while handing over the big rewards to another guild... "Are you okay with this?" "With what?" "With letting the boss escape. I understand the Guild Leader''s personality, but it''s a significant loss for the guild." "As long as someone makes sure the monster is dead, I don''t mind. I''m not particrly obsessed with money. If we get greedy here, we could end up with nothing." Lee Jin-joo nodded in agreement, then spoke in a subtle tone. "Still, there are a few guidelines the Guild Leader wants to convey, just in case. I didn''t hear all the details, but he said they are preparations for the future." "That man and his thoroughness. So, what did he say?" "In case you do end up engaging the boss or initiating a raid, do this..." Looking around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, Lee Jin-joo whispered into Ju Se-ah''s ear. After listening to Kang Mu-hyuk''s instructions for some time, Ju Se-ah involuntarily uttered her impression. "Wow, he''s something else." "Annoying, isn''t it? I feel the same way." Ju Se-ah was about to add a few more words to Lee Jin-Joo''s agreement when she hesitated as she sensed someone approaching them. Lee Jin-Joo also caught on a beatter. After recognizing who it was, she discreetly said to Ju Se-ah, "That''s Cho Ik-Jun, the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader from the Taegeuk Guild. He mostly dealt with Guild Leader Kang back during his time in the Titan. Not someone you''d want to engage with for long." "If he''s from Taegeuk Guild, he''s A-rank. Must be a tough one for him to mess with the Guild Leader." Cho Ik-Jun gave them ample time to recognize him as he approached slowly and initiated the conversation. "Nice to meet you. I am Cho Ik-Jun from the Taegeuk Guild, in charge of the Strategy and Tactics Team." "Ah, nice to meet you. I''m Ju Se-ah." Ju Se-ah offered a polite smile and shook hands with Cho Ik-Jun, who was also grinning. Despite the exchange of pleasantries, she remained on guard. ''If he went toe-to-toe with Guild Leader Kang, he''s no ordinary snake.'' Cho Ik-Jun shifted his gaze sideways. "And you must be Hunter Lee Jin-Joo. It''s been a while." "Indeed, Team Leader Cho." "Why so serious? Concerned about the Gate operation? Or is it North Pocheon that worries you?" "Let''s cut to the chase; we''re all busy." At Ju Se-ah''s blunt interruption, Cho Ik-Jun hesitated momentarily before getting to the point. "How about we coborate on this uing Gate operation? Our Taegeuk Guild could join forces with you." "Well, we have our own ns." "Look, I know the situation with Iron Will quite well. ying hard to get won''t do. Even with your abilities as the Guild Master, a solo operation is tough. The only significant forces you have are yourself and Hunter Lee Jin-Joo." "It''s not about ying hard to get. We have the option to choose our partners." "Partners? Who? Surely not the feuding yer Guild? I heard Titan''s Vice-Guild Master hade personally. Guild Leader Kang would most likely avoid associating with them. Do you really think any other guild is willing to be an equal partner with Iron Will at this moment?" "Can your side adjust to that?" "Of course, we know who Guild Leader Kang is, and we highly regard your capabilities, Guild Master Ju. I''m sure we can arrive at a reasonable agreement." Ju Se-ah stroked her chin, seemingly in deep thought, her eyes directed at the ground. ''I didn''t expect things to align so perfectly. Is this turning out exactly as Kang Mu-hyuk predicted?'' She recalled the advice Guild Leader Kang had shared with her. Although it wasn''t based on a guarantee, it highlighted several likely scenarios. "If Team Leader Cho Ik-Jun from the Taegeuk Guild approaches you, it''s best not to take his words at face value. He''s not the type to share good fortune. If he proposes a partnership first, there''s a high chance he''s there to sabotage you. There might be the rare asion when he''s genuine, but it''s better to assume it''s all a scam." Ju Se-ah considered the words carefully, all the while maintaining herposure. "Judging by the current situation... It seems like you''re trying to stake your im before making deals with other guilds," said Ju Se-ah, discerning the intentions behind the numbers. She was not just an experienced Guild Master; she had been a Hunter for over 10 years in the Tier-ed Guild. However, she had never been in a position of responsibility in these kinds of negotiations, which made her somewhat inexperienced. But with proper guidance from a mentor, she was not to be underestimated. In the world of Hunters, rank and charisma derived from one''s power were significant. Ju Se-ah shined brighter than anyone else because of that charisma. Taking a firm stance, Ju Se-ah narrowed her eyes at Cho Ikjoon and spoke, "We''ve had our disagreements with yer, sure. But now we''ve formally entered into an MOU, a partnership. Do you think joining hands here is such a big deal? Even enemies in this field set their differences aside for money. If you can im a Mining Gate, old grudges can easily be forgotten. Likewise, Titan''s Vice Guild Master, Ma Taesu, is thirsty for achievements to be a Guild Master. It''s a mutually beneficial rtionship." "Do you really think those are the kinds of people to think so simply?" retorted Cho Ikjoon. "You probably know Team Leader Sung Seon-je better than I do. And if we''re talking about Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu, he''s more like a sly fox. We should consider ourselves lucky if we don''t get bitten..." "Team Leader Cho Ikjoon!" Ju Se-ah cut him off sharply. Her voice wasn''t just raised; it carried a trace of mana that momentarily shook Cho Ikjoon. It might be considered rude under normal circumstances, but in this setting, it was an unspoken part of the power struggle that always took ce. Cho Ikjoon couldn''t get angry; he had used simr tactics himself, even against Kang Mu-Hyuk. His surprise came from the fact that he had never been on the receiving end before. Lee Jin-Joo, who had been watching their conversation nervously, thought, ''Should I step in if things escte?'' She was tense because verbal disputes often led to physical fights, something she had experienced many times. Especially with Taegeuk Guild, with whom rtions had been so vtile that a skirmish could erupt at any time, at least until Kang Mu-hyuk became the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. Breaking the palpable silence, Ju Se-ah rxed her stance and spoke, "I appreciate your concern for our situation, but we''ll do without the excessive meddling." Faced with Ju Se-ah''s overwhelming presence, Cho Ikjoon had no choice but to concede defeat. That was his principle. When the table has been turned, leave without regrets. Gamblers usually fail because they stubbornly hang on without realizing that the game has changed. Once you reach that point, even if your head is broken, you have to smile bitterly. Because in this world, the only way to at least save face was to recognize one''s defeat gracefully. ''Poking Ju Se-ah was like a gamble anyway. There''s no point in putting on airs now; it won''t end well,'' Cho Ikjoon thought as he hid his disgruntled feelings and decided to back off. "It''s unfortunate. We could''ve been great partners." "The opportunity isn''t limited to today," Ju Se-ah replied. Ju Se-ah deliberately left an impression. It would be troublesome to be hostile just because the negotiation had fallen apart. Today''s enemy could be tomorrow''s ally, after all. After Cho Ikjoon had left, Ju Se-ah exhaled the breath she''d been holding. "Phew. How does Guild Leader Kang handle this sort of thing all the time? Taking down a boss feels much simpler." "I''ve always considered the Guild Leader as my role model, but I just can''t get used to situations like this. If the other party were someone like Cho Ikjoon, I''d probably getpletely outyed," Lee Jin-Joo chimed in. The moment Lee Jin-Joo mentioned Cho Ikjoon, Sung Seon-je shed across Ju Se-ah''s mind. To her, Sung Seon-je was that sort of being---a monster lying in wait to devour her if she let her guard down. He was an annoying and repulsive person, even more so than his rank suggested. And that Sung Seon-je was here. Ju Se-ah became newly aware of the danger. Any situation wouldn''t be strange at this point. ''I need to keep up my wit if I don''t want to be eaten.'' ... The sight of hundreds of monsters marching was a rare spectacle, even for Hunters. However, itcked the grandiosity found in movies. The orcs looked ferocious, their massive size intimidating. The grinding sounds of crude iron armor and the dull echoes from their axes gave off a tension that tightened the chests of those who heard it. Some of the orcs tore into the limbs of hunted deer as they moved. The still-living deer''s piercing shrieks spread all around. Among the captured prey were not just animals but also other monsters. To the voracious orcs, all life forms seemed like meat to be consumed. It was a march that encapsted not just the wilderness, but a primal fear. ''It''s been a while since I''ve felt my stomach churn like this.'' An Ji-il was filming the scene from a safe distance. He was hiding at a crossroads leading to Sanjeong Lake, having sprayed himself with camougeting and a spray that confused a monster''s sense of smell from his scouting kit. Though he was assigned to live-stream the footage, Kang Mu-Hyuk had not actually approved of this. It was a highly risky endeavor. On the other hand, An Ji-il felt a sense of mission and volunteered for the task. The C Project that Kang Mu-Hyuk had nned and An Ji-il was implementing. The stakeholders of Titan had dismissed it as a ''money-draining warehouse,'' but An Ji-il had faith that the items in that warehouse would someday lead the charge in monster extermination. He was delivering information on the orc army to Kang Mu-hyuk while also testing the improved equipment for this very reason. "Guild Leader Kang, are you watching the footage?" "Yes. Can you zoom in?" "I''ve made some upgrades, but I''m not sure how far the resolution can go. Usually, I can''t even test it because mana crystals are too expensive." "For now, go ahead and use a mid-grade mana crystal. I''d be satisfied if I could just distinguish their armor." "Alright, no holding back then." An Ji-il turned a knob to zoom in on the orc army. The lens he had painstakingly crafted, as there was no ce to specially process monster corneas, shined. It disyed a higher resolution than he had anticipated, revealing the faces of the orcs to Kang Mu-Hyuk. An Ji-il moved the camera slowly, allowing Kang Mu-hyuk to assess the situation with the orcs. "Hold on. Move it to the left. Yes, towards the front. Stop. Now, back to the right. Just a little more." Following Kang Mu-hyuk''s instructions, the camera soon captured an orc that was different from the others. The creature was asrge as an ogre, but it wore no armor. Instead, its body was covered in red tattoos that resembled totemic symbols with magical implications. "Found him... He''s a general-level orc. I knew he was here." "That one does look vicious. Is he their leader?" "Seems like no ordinary orc. This tribe must have evolved considerably. Their chieftain might even be Lord-level. Won''t be easy on the Gate side either." "I''m no monster expert, so it''s not exciting for me. But being able to zoom in on that guy''s face from this distance means this modification is a huge sess." Beep. "Ugh! Of course, it consumes more mana crystals, though. Damn, how do we deal with this inefficiency? One mid-grade mana crystal for just five minutes. It''s breaking my neck." "Don''t be disappointed. At least we''re making good use of the short-rangemunication device. We''ll mass-produce them soon. Once they be widespread, the changes you and I have been hoping for will begin." "Don''t jump the gun. You never know what''s inside until you open the lid. Just like what happened with Titan." "It''s my job to prevent that from happening," Kang Mu-hyuk reaffirmed, reigniting his enthusiasm. "No matter what, we''re going to change everything." ... The change Kang Mu-hyuk spoke of was already underway within the guild. "He''s finally here." After confirming the lead orc unit, Jang Deuk-goo initiated the operation. He waited for the orcs to pass the road and then struck their left nk. The orcs were initially taken by surprise, but Iron Will''s Hunters were just as disoriented. "Dealers, you idiots! You''ve moved too far forward! Who said to get pulled in?! You want to end up in an orc''s belly? Should I shove you in myself?!" "S-sorry!" "Tighten up! Move only where we''ve buried mines. That''ll make those orc bastards flinch." Jang Deuk-goo attacked a section of the orc unit, experiencing firsthand the revolutionary change that the C-warehouse tech, as mentioned by Kang Mu-hyuk, was bringing. "It''s a mess, but we''re taking no damage. It''s a miracle. Or is it because of this equipment?" When targeting the goblin previously, he''d thought that the device was just convenient for scouting, but once he began issuing party-wide orders, he understood its true potential. A hunting party all connected in real time. With real-time wirelessmunication, he could issue immediate and precise orders to individual Hunters. It significantly reduced mistakes and maximized efficiency. ''Messaging skills are more convenient, but not everyone can have them. They''re scarce and expensive to boot.'' On the other hand, anyone could use the short-rangemunication device. One of the biggest reasons low-rank Hunters failed to coordinate effectively was their inability tomunicate their own status during battle, as well as ack of awareness of their party''s movements. If close-rangemunication equipment could address this issue, the number of low-rank Hunters dying from misinterpreting orders would undoubtedly decrease significantly. "C Warehouse... This is definitely the real deal." Jang Deuk-goo reaffirmed Kang Mu-hyuk''s growing presence as he directed the battle. Chapter 73 - It Will Surely Happen Hunters were running for their lives, frantically pursued by a horde of orcs. "If I''d known it''d be like this, I wouldn''t have learned the Sprint skill." The dealer had gone as far as taking out a loan to learn the skill, thinking that quick feet would be a lifesaver. Now he found himself as the first target in an engagement with orcs. And not just any orcs. He had be a provocateur to a veritable army of hundreds of them. "Talk about bad luck." There weren''t many orcs directly behind him, but the moment one caught up, a whole swarm of others would inevitably follow. The Hunters ran as if their very lives depended on it. "Woah!" "Hey, are you out of your mind? That''s a minefield!" "Damn it, they mostly don''t even go off." Boom! A loud explosion and orcs'' screams echoed from behind. "See? One in twenty actually detonates." Due to the high concentration of mana in the air, explosive weapons were generally useless here. But when buried in the ground, the reduced mana concentration allowed for a low probability of explosion. Boom! "Another one?" "More like one in ten, now." Startled by the repeated explosions, the lead Hunter of the party momentarily lost his bnce and tumbled. He quickly recovered with agile grace, but in that brief moment, he''d lost his sense of direction. Behind him were orcs; ahead, mines. Panic set in, and he began to lose track of where the mines were buried. "Where was it again?" A Hunter following him shouted as he nudged him from behind. "There''s a marker up ahead!" Only those who set them up could recognize the small, ground-level markers. Despite their inconspicuous size, the tops were painted yellow, making them visible to the keen-eyed Hunters. "Stop messing around and follow me!" A Hunter who had been running in the second row skillfully took the lead, zigzagging his way forward by following the markers. The rest of the party followed suit without hesitation. The Hunter at the very back kept a watchful eye on their rear. Maintaining just enough distance from the pursuing orcs was essential, so he often nced back to gauge the gap. After the mine explosions, the orcs were clearly slowing in their pursuit. "I got lucky. The orcs have be a bit more cautious after tasting those mines. The raid leader said he''d set off a few more if needed... Ugh, the mere thought is terrifying. I don''t want to be running through a minefield that''s actually exploding." The image of Jang Deuk-goo, who was leading the raid, crossed his mind. The man would undoubtedly have pressed the detonator, whether people were in the area or not. "Just a little further to the rendezvous point! Hang in there!" The orcs didn''t recklessly pursue them; instead, they adhered to a limited path, running shoulder to shoulder. asionally, their sniffing at the ground suggested they were using their sense of smell to detect mines. The orcs had be more cautious, especially after two mines had already exploded. Their slower pace gave the Hunters a window to focus on their escape. But that didn''t mean they were safe yet; caution was still imperative. Either infuriated by the elusive humans or growing ustomed to dashing through the minefield, the orcs began to speed up. "Full throttle! Speed up! We''ve got an orc captain on our tail!" "Damn it! We did sign up for a raid, but this is ridiculous! Are we monster bait or what?" "After this raid, I''m definitely quitting the team. For real, I''ll throw in the towel... No, not there! Turn left!" Finally, the Hunters reached their target location. It was a spacious area with no mines around, cleverly hidden by trees and shrubs, making it invisible from the outside. The pursuing orcs began to flood into the designated meeting point. At a nce, there seemed to be at least twenty of them. Party One immediately took a defensive stance. With no designated tank in the group, they lined up in a row, spacing themselves out to avoid interfering with each other''s evasive maneuvers. It was a makeshift formation, designed to share the burden of the orcs'' attacks. Without hesitation, the orcs charged at the Hunters, who skillfully dodged the onught. The orcs, growing increasingly angry at the nimble moves of the Hunters, doubled down on their aggressive pursuit. "You guys are done for." As one of the Hunters skillfully evaded an attack and leaped back to create distance, a shadow descended behind the orc ranks. The snarling orcs suddenly closed their mouths and looked back. Instinctively, they felt the presence of something malevolent. ''So it''s just three orc captains. Guess at this scale, you don''t get the bosses just by simple baiting. I was thinking of reducing the number of troublesome foes forter.'' With a sigh of slight disappointment, Jang Deuk-goo unsheathed his sword, eliciting cheers from the Hunters. "Team Leader!" "Please sweep these bastards off the field!" "You orcs are all dead now." Jang Deuk-goo broke the triumphant mood with a single utterance. "Seems like everyone''s in high spirits. Good. After we deal with these, we''ll lure the main force." At Jang Deuk-goo''s deration, even the Hunters fell silent, and an eerie calm settled over the area. ''What the hell? It was dicey even now, and you''re saying you''ll bring hundreds more?'' The color drained from the Hunters'' faces. "Screw it! I''m really quitting!" ... Jang Deuk-goo tormented the orcs by repeatedly engaging and disengaging. Though the power disparity was negligible, navigating through a maze of mines restricted the orcs'' aggressive nature. A few impatient orcs chased after him off the safe path, only to be lured into mana stone mines and blown up. This deterred other orcs from recklessly charging in. ''It looks like they''ve had some bad experiences with mines in Cheolwon. They don''t blindly follow the scent.'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy worked well. Had it not been for the mines, getting close to the encircling orcs would have been risky. At best, they would have been restricted to long-range attacks to gauge reactions. The issue, however, was the sheer number of orcs, which was bing a limiting factor. "Team Leader 1, what do you think? Can we proceed with the lure?" Kang Mu-hyuk, who was astonishingly tuned into the situation despite not being on-site, contacted at just the right moment. Jang Deuk-goo clenched his teeth. It was a sign that the situation was not good. "We''ve destroyed the Sanjeong Bridge 2 andid mines along the stream. But I can''t guarantee that the orcs will only move upstream and not sidestep the trap." "They will go upstream. The Buso Stream has been blocked and hasn''t been maintained for a long time. It''s only ankle-deep. Given that they avoid mines, they''ll have no choice but to follow the water." "I sincerely hope so." "If they don''t take the bait, I suggest you and your team retreat to an ambush site. We''ll switch to n B, albeit less effective. We intend to lure them closer to the headquarters before detonating the explosives." "That won''t capture even half of the orcs." "Better half than none." "Don''t jump to conclusions yet. There''s still a tactic I can try." "A tactic?" "If the Guild Leader went to the trouble of setting all this up, the rest is up to us Hunters. It''s time to showcase our field expertise." "May I ask, is your expertise simr to that of Guild Master Ju Se-ah?" "It was my expertise first. Seems like you''ve forgotten. I have trained Guild Master Ju Se-ah since she was a teenager. That means she learned everything from me." "...Understood. No more questions then. Given the circumstances, I can''t strictly advise against it." "Expect to see traditional tanking at its finest." "I''ve always thought your style was unconventional, but I hope that this ''traditional'' method stays within the bounds ofmon sense. Please don''t overdo it." ... Yeom Soo-hyung felt dazed throughout the battle. As if intoxicated or half-asleep. His erged body felt as though it was being possessed and controlled by someone else. The more he exerted himself, the deeper his consciousness submerged. ''I''m okay for now. I can handle up to Level 1.'' A giant at three meters. That was the limit to which he could exert himself while still maintaining control. Pushing himself, he could somewhat manage Level 2, but his memory would be patchy beyond that point. ''As long as I don''t go up to Level 3. But if I sink too deep into Level 2, I''ll unwittingly move to Level 3. Let''s end this at Level 1. No more than that... I''ve already seen too many sacrifices. Yes, Level 1. Level 1. Level 1. Level 1... Maybe Level 2... Yes, Level 2. Level 2. Level 2....'' "Team Leader Yeom!" Zing! "Aaargh©¤" Jolted by a crushing impact to his head, Yeom Soo-hyung woke up. He had almost been consumed by his dreamlike state. Before, he could manage at Level 1, but this time he momentarily lost control. He shuddered. What would have happened if Pyo Beom-hee''s backup was just a bitte? ''Have I weakened? Or have I gotten stronger?'' He couldn''t be sure if the problem was his mental strength or if his abilities had enhanced. In a moment of confusion from Yeom Soo-hyung, Pyo Beom-hee quickly scaled his back and raised a sheathed sword high over her shoulder. Just as she was about to strike at his head, Yeom Soo-hyung hastily ducked. "Arooo." "Oh? Woken up, have you? Seriously, why do the people around me always need to get hit before theye to their senses?" "Uuuuuu." "Feeling wronged? If you''re wronged, then don''t lose focus. If you lose focus again, instead of the sheath, the de will pierce you, filled with mana. Aye, step on that orc captain over there!" Thud! Caught in the wrong ce at the wrong time, the orc who had been trampled underfoot was squashed without even letting out a scream. "Now, keep your focus. Go get those orcs." Pyo Beom-hee jumped down to the ground. Orcs rushed at her from all sides, but the moment her mana-infused de shed, their skin darkened and they writhed on the ground, foaming at the mouth. Pyo Beom-hee then stuck her de into the throats of the fallen orcs before moving on to her next prey. ''Damn! It''s not an instant kill? These orc bastards have too much stamina. Their resistance to poison is no joke.'' She wanted to use a stronger poison, but she couldn''t afford to do so in the heat of battle. The poison wasn''t selective, it could affect allies as well as enemies. Pyo Beom-hee could somewhat control its direction, but various factors like wind or humidity could make it spread indiscriminately, requiring a wless hunting strategy before use. ''What''s really problematic is that I have to save energy because of that giant.'' Pyo Beom-hee had to be prepared for the eventuality that Yeom Soo-hyung would go berserk after advancing to the second or even third phase as a giant. A repeat of past tragedies had to be avoided. That was why she had been refining her poison skills for a long time, even developing a specificbination just for Yeom Soo-hyung. Given the giant''s high resistance and increased stats, using her poison skills required an enormous amount of mana. "I hope we don''t have to go any further, ahh, that''s dangerous. Even though I''ve killed quite a few, this is taking too long. Clearly, youck intelligence and skills." There was no choice but to hold on while they decimated the orc forces, just as ordered by Kang Mu-hyuk. Satisfied with her early momentum, Pyo Beom-hee issued a new order. "Lead tanks of each party to the front! Keep Yeom Soo-hyung, the squad leader, in the rear! We''re in defensive mode! Build a wall and control the line properly! If anyone breaks formation, I''ll kill them myself!" ... While both sides were engaged in intensebat, a presence was felt in the guild headquarters that should have been empty. Inside Kang Mu-hyuk''s office, someone other than the owner was picking up the phone. "So, you''re Cho Chung-hyun?" "Yes, Chairman." "I know you work under my second son. Considering you reached out to me, it seems my son must have disappointed you." "That''s a misunderstanding. I work for the Taesung Group, not specifically for Director Tae Soo-man." "Then, I suppose we can move on to the first order of business." "Tae Soo-man will soon be the Chairman, won''t he? When I serve Tae Soo-man, it means I''m serving Chairman Tae Jin-sung." "Heh. You have quite an eloquent way with words for a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. But let me tell you, I don''t put much stock in loyalty pledged merely through words." "I know what you desire, Chairman. And I will fulfill it for you." "What I desire?" "I''m referring to eliminating Ju Se-ah''s nest. A fledgling without a nest naturally searches for its mother, doesn''t it?" "Ah, I see you''ve heard about my proposal to that friend of mine, Kang Mu-hyuk, was it? It was back during that Goblin incident. I told him to take out a few of the guild members." A chill ran down Cho Chung-hyun''s spine. When the Chairman said "a few," he wasn''t just talking about one or two people. The man would stick to no ethical limits when it came to achieving his goals. He saw human lives as nothing more than numbers. ''This is Chairman Tae Jin-sung. True to his nickname, a man without a shred ofpassion.'' For a moment, Cho Chung-hyun felt shaken by the Chairman''s sheer indifference, but he quicklyposed himself. "I heard it from Director Tae Soo-man. Guild Leader Kang tends to be quite candid with Director Tae Soo-man. That includes your conversations, sir. Thanks to that, I''ve gained some trust from Director Tae Soo-man, but that approach also makes a lot of enemies." "So, Kang suggested an alternative way to acquire the guild. Do you have any other ideas?" "That would take too long. Do you trust Kang Mu-hyuk, Chairman? Giving him time might enable him to pull off some unpredictable moves. From what I see, neither Guild Leader Kang nor you should be trusting people in business endeavors." A brief silence came from the other end of the line. Cho Chung-hyun waited anxiously. ''It''s a gamble. My standing in the guild has been shrinking. Even Director Tae Soo-man has started listening more to Kang Mu-hyuk. I was supposed to monitor the Guild Leader, but somehow, the tables have turned. If this continues, I''ll end up being marginalized.'' His mistake during the recent Orc incident had driven him into a corner. He had no choice. Cho Chung-hyun was certain that once this issue was settled, Kang Mu-hyuk would aim for his neck. Finally, the elder''s breathing came through the receiver, followed by his voice. "You''re fighting the Orc army now, aren''t you?" "Yes. This is the perfect opportunity." "And your n?" "Ruining the operation that Kang Mu-hyuk hasid out. That would spell the end for Iron Will." "It seems like a n where I have nothing to lose. Give it a try. Show results, and you''ll be duly rewarded." Cho Chung-hyun clenched his fist tightly. ''I did it!'' Concealing his tion, he spoke as calmly as possible. "As you wish, Chairman. It shall be done." Chapter 74 - I Cant Allow That! At the entrance to the road leading to Sanjeong Lake, Jang Deuk-goo stood alone, blocking the path of the orc horde. Behind himy a copsed bridge, and the dried riverbed beneath revealed its floor. He stood before the bridge, greeting the orcs like a bulwark. The orcs hesitated, not charging forward recklessly. They seemed to have noticed thendminesid out before them. While the number of mines was insufficient considering the number of orcs, it was enough to serve as a first line of defense. ''I need to lure them into the valley along the stream,'' thought Jang Deuk-goo. His gaze fell upon a towering Orc General in the midst of the smaller orcs. A monstrous creature, filled with malevolence down to its eyes---exactly the general-level orc Kang Mu-hyuk had warned him about. Deuk-goo realized that under no circumstances could he allow hisrades to confront this monstrosity. ''If I want to take him down solo, I''ll need to be at least A-rank,'' he mused. ''Such audacity for an orc.'' Of course, being a general, the orc was never alone. Jang Deuk-goo knew that he would first have to deal with its escorts before he could focus on the monster itself. The Orc General issued some kind of order to another orc. One orc cautiously moved toward Jang Deuk-goo, seeming to be mindful of thendmines below. ''Checking, are they?'' As the orc came within range, Jang Deuk-goo reached into his pocket and triggered a detonator. Boom! The lower half of the orc was blown away. While the damage was greater than what could be achieved by ordinaryndmines, the orcs appeared unaware of the difference between North Pocheon and Cheolwon explosives. Mistaking mana-stone bombs for merendmines, the orcs hesitated. The Orc Generalmanded another orc, who this time entered the minefield without hesitation. Jang Deuk-goo detonated another mine. With another explosion, another orc was blown away. The general then sent two more in quick session. ''Testing me, huh?'' Unfazed by the heartlessmand, Jang Deuk-goo gritted his teeth and triggered the detonator again. Now only one remained in his pocket. He realized what the Orc General was trying to do. "Crafty bastard," he muttered. He sensed the general''s resolve to break through, even if it meant sacrificing dozens of his troops. ''No easy hunts, I see. Should I get ready for battle?'' Jang Deuk-goo took a segmented staff divided into five parts from his belt. Each segment had grooves, and when ced next to each other, they adhered like mas. When the five segments connected, they formed a long pole. He drew a short sword from his waist, and connected it in the same manner, transforming it into a spear. Behind him, two short, broad-ded curved swords crossed in an X shape. Around his waist and ankles, knives and daggers of various sizes were hidden. Unlike Hunters who usually carried a main weapon and a few secondary ones, Jang Deuk-goo was excessively armed. ''It''s been a while since I''ve been fully armed like this. Had I known I''d be facing an orc army alone, would I have prepared even more?'' Though Jang Deuk-goo was heavily armed, it was astonishing to note that he wasn''t fully armed. In mainstream society, not many people knew about him. Excluding the viins, those who were not aware of him referred to him as the ''Weapon Master.'' There wasn''t a weapon he couldn''t handle, and he wielded most of them at a high level of mastery. Ju Se-ah''s proficiency in various forms of martial arts, from boxing and shield techniques to swords and spears---let alone daggers and even unconventional weapons like nunchucks---owed much to Jang Deuk-goo''s influence. Having made his preparations, Jang Deuk-goo nted his spear into the ground. He looked down at the objectsid out on the floor, items he''d prepared while dering loudly that he would bring an Orc army to Kang Mu-hyuk. "I''ve never done this deliberately before, only by mistake. Wonder how they''ll react," he thought. In the meantime, an Orc approached. Jang Deuk-goo pressed the final detonator. Though more Orcs entered the minefield, no more explosions urred. "Looks like my luck ends here. They''re not triggering anymore." The Orc in the lead nced back at its general and let out a roar after safely crossing the minefield. Jang Deuk-goo pulled out his spear and lunged, shing the Orc''s neck. The headless creature wobbled, spraying green fluid. Blood sttered all over Jang Deuk-goo. It had been a while since he''d been drenched in monster fluids. Wiping his face with his sleeve, he thrust his spear toward another Orc just exiting the minefield. As the impaled Orc grabbed onto the spear, Jang Deuk-goo lifted it and swung it at a third Orc. That Orc, now transformed into a blunt weapon, spilled its intestines due to the impact. Staggering from the collision with its kin, another Orc met its end as Jang Deuk-goo charged and crushed its head with his fist. All of this happened in an instant. From the Orcs'' perspective, it was an overwhelming disy of martial skill, but the Orc General remained unfazed and sent in more troops. Having dealt with the vanguard, Jang Deuk-goo leaped backward to his original position. "If you keep crossing the line, I''ll have no choice but to cross it too," he muttered, picking up an object that had fallen near his feet. It was a long pole with something haphazardly woven on top---something that, at a nce, appeared to be a firework. The Orc General stared intently at the pole that suddenly soared into the air. Decorated with branches, grass, and unidentifiable flesh, it was a totem! Jang Deuk-goo broke the totem while grinning. ... Gong Du-ri couldn''t contain his curiosity and asked Kang Mu-hyuk, "So, what method is Team Leader Jang Deuk-goo nning to use? You seem to know something." Kang Mu-hyuk frowned, recalling hismunication with Jang Deuk-goo. ''Too many variables. It may not go as nned. No, it''s too dangerous to begin with.'' It was a method Kang Mu-hyuk had briefly considered but had immediately dismissed due to its extreme risk to the Hunter who would use it. ''If the Guild Master were here, she might have used it.'' Still, upon reconsideration, it seemed there was no other certain way to provoke them. Whether Jang Deuk-goo could pull it off was another question. He let out a sigh before opening his mouth. "Likely, it has to do with damaging the totem." "The totem?" "In the academic field studying Gates, there''s a branch called Monsterology. Some schrs in that field found the totems of orcs to be quite interesting, so much so that one went beyond simple research and delved deep into the subject." That schr had even attempted tomunicate directly through the totem, going beyond mere interpretation of its meaning. "He had sought the help of a friendly guild leader to bring the totem into a Gate. Then, he identally broke the totem." "And then?" "All the orcs in the Gate charged at him with the intent to kill. Even as Hunters fought them back, the orcs focused solely on targeting the schr. In the end, the schr died, and all the Hunters who had entered with him were wiped out." Had it not been for a backup team that arrivedter to drive the orcs away, and a dying Hunter who left a trace of what caused this disaster, it would have be an untold story. ''Later, even that schr''s curiosity and the Hunters'' sacrifices were exploited.'' After this incident, Hunters considered the number of orcs in the Gate and sometimes used a totem-destroying tactic. However, due to the reckless nature of the orcs'' attack, the strategy caused significant coteral damage and was eventually abandoned. "Hold on a second. You want to use that tactic in front of hundreds of orcs now? Even if the team leader is the mentor of the Guild Master, can he really withstand that?" "I... I''m not entirely sure about that." "What? You''re not sure?" Gong Du-ri looked at Kang Mu-hyuk with puzzled eyes. And for good reason; he had never seen Kang Mu-hyuk being unaware of something rted to Hunters and monsters before. Even if Kang Mu-hyuk was not in the know about it, he had never shown it openly, which added to the surprise. "It''s because I don''t have information on Hunter Jang Deuk-goo." Kang Mu-hyuk had stored details about every guild member in his mind. For regr employees, he remembered their work abilities, specialties, and experiences. For Hunters, he knew everything from their ranks to their weapons, skills, and tactical assessments. However, there was one Hunter he had no information about; Jang Deuk-goo. ''A+ Rank. All I know is that he''s particrly feared by those from Ujungdo.'' He had tried to inquire within the guild among those from Ujungdo, but as he was still building connections there, he couldn''t ask directly. Even if he had, he doubted they would have provided a straight answer. Despite attempting to learn through external sources, he found little information. It was as if someone had deliberately obscured the data. Kang Mu-hyuk had even considered asking for an investigation through Guild Master Ju, but Ju Se-ah sensed this and advised him against it. He didn''t pry further. If Ju Se-ah mentioned it specifically, he assumed she had a good reason. Considering her rtionship with Jang Deuk-goo, Kang Mu-hyuk cleanly stepped back. He didn''t want to create unnecessary discord while he was in the process of building trust with the Guild Master. Pushing aside the thoughts that continuously sprang to mind in rtion to Jang Deuk-goo, Kang Mu-hyuk softly muttered, "If he says he can handle it, then he probably can. After all, he is the Hunter who trained the renowned Ju Se-ah." ... "Now, I''ve crossed the line. What will you do?" Jang Deuk-goo crushed the totem lying on the ground with his foot. He then took out another totem he had prepared and smashed it to the ground, breaking it. "ROOOOAR!" The Orc General let out a furious roar. With a glint in his eyes, the General snatched the axe from a nearby orc and hurled it towards Jang Deuk-goo. Jang Deuk-goo had assumed he was at a safe distance, but the axe flew towards him faster and more urately than he had anticipated. CLANG! After being pushed half-step back, Jang Deuk-goo dodged the axe effortlessly. The axe embedded itself deep into the ground, leaving only the handle exposed. Any other Hunter would have been startled by this. ''It''s more effective than I thought...'' Jang Deuk-goo paused, gripping the axe handle embedded in the ground. As his forearm muscles bulged, he slowly pulled the heavy weapon out. Despite its weight, equivalent to a human torso, he skillfully twirled it in the air. ''But just to be sure, should I drive a nail in?'' Before he could finish his sentence, Jang Deuk-goo''s shoulders were thrown back. Mana enveloped his entire body, granting his muscles superhuman flexibility, strength, and intensity. His arm swung like a whip, and with heightened senses, he aimed and threw the axe at the Orc General. The Orc General grabbed another orc by the neck, using it as a shield. The flying axe shattered the orc''s head and continued towards the General. However, having initially struck the orc, the axe''s speed decreased, allowing the General to dodge easily. The orc''s head exploded like a smashed watermelon, with brain matter and blood sttering everywhere. The General casually tossed the lifeless orc aside, and the surrounding orcs tore it apart, feasting on its flesh. "ROOOOAR!" The Orc General roared again, his scream filled with rage, reaching Jang Deuk-goo. For an average Hunter, this would have been an intimidating disy, but Jang Deuk-goo merely frowned. "Save your meal forter." The orcs feasting on their kin signified a desperate resistance. The Orc General, too, chewed on the flesh of the dead orc, ring at Jang Deuk-goo. Tapping his earpiece, Jang Deuk-goo connected to the public radio channel, announcing for all to hear, "I''m bringing in the guest. Prepare to receive him." ... "Is that an orc or an ant? They''re swarming!" Baek Hyeonggyu eximed, his eyes wide in disbelief, as he watched the orcs chasing after Jang Deuk-goo. "What on earth did he do to make the orcs so mad?" Na Dongpa, wearing a helmet, wondered aloud. He looked at the approaching orcs with a mix of concern and anticipation, then turned to see a waterfall behind them. Although not vast, it had a significant drop. The sluice gates were closed, halting the flow of water. Beyond it was a mountainke, and in the parking lot, Kang Mu-hyuk, the leader, would be waiting. "Is everything going ording to n so far?" Na Dongpa raised his shield and stepped forward. Five other tanks followed him, forming a wall. A few steps behind them, the damage dealers (DPS) positioned themselves, and at the very back, the ranged damage dealers took their ces. Twenty in total. No matter how narrow the valley was, they were but a speck of dustpared to the hundreds of orcs advancing toward them. There was already a shortage of Hunters, and it was difficult to allocate arge force when they needed to retreat quickly in case the waterfall exploded. Thus, they had settled for this arrangement. At least, thanks to Jang Deuk-goo adding two more parties, they managed to form a ''half-raid'' of twenty people. "It''s been a while since we all hunted together," someone mused. Thump-thump-thump-thump! The valley resounded with vibrations, caused merely by the stomping feet of the orc army. Facing the dreadful cries head-on, the Hunters braced themselves. "Nobody dies! We have a dinner party tonight!" At Na Dongpa''s shout, the orc army descended upon them. ... "Ahh! Are these orcs insane? They''re still pushing forward even after getting stabbed!" "DPS, attack from the side! Share the aggro!" "Hey, the formation is breaking! Back me up! Don''t spare your skills!" "Potion! Potion! Spray it on the wound! Damn it, I told you not to leave your position!" Gong Du-ri wanted to cover his ears. He had raised his hand several times to turn off themunication. Even just hearing the voices conveyed the ferocity of the battle before him. Screams and groans were transmitted clearly. Unlike the Titan hunt, which felt distant, the struggle was happening right here, right now. Kang Mu-hyuk was also listening intently. Although anxious, he patiently waited, fiddling with the detonator in his hand. ''Press button one, then retreat. Ten secondster, press button two.'' He was so tense he mentally rehearsed this simple action hundreds of times. Then it came. "Team Leader! Huff! Now, all... Huff! The orcs are... Ahh! Inside!" At Jang Deuk-goo''s voice, Kang Mu-hyuk reflexively moved, cing his finger over the detonator. "Detonate! Prepare for fallback!" He pressed the first button and issued the retreatmand. ''Why can''t I hear an explosion?'' Kang Mu-hyuk pressed the detonator again. But there was no response from the dam area. Based on his experience of blowing up the Mana Stone mine, he had an idea of the scale of the explosion he had set up. It should have been more than enough to cause a massive st. "What''s going on? Why isn''t it exploding?" Jolted by Jang Deuk-goo''s voice, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly opened the door of themand vehicle and stepped outside. Choi Mi-ran and Kim Seong-hyun, who had been waiting outside, looked at him puzzledly. Ignoring them, Kang Mu-hyuk aimed the detonator toward the dam area and repeatedly pressed the button. "Damn it!" Frustrated, Kang Mu-hyuk turned back and headed for the driver''s seat. "Everybody, get in the car!" At the frantic shout, the two Hunters scrambled into the vehicle, clueless about what was going on. "What''s happening? Even Na Dongpa''s group can''t hold on much longer!" "Guild Leader, it seems something is wrong with the detonation device." "Wrong?" "I''ll go check it out myself. Just hold on a little longer, please." "Hey, Guild Leader..." "Hurry up!" Kang Mu-hyuk mmed on the elerator as soon as he started the vehicle. The heftymand car lurched forward, speeding toward its destination. ''I checked and double-checked. Why now?'' Although it''s amon saying in the Huntermunity that raids never go as nned from the moment they begin, the ramifications of a malfunction in this detonation device were too fatal to be dismissed as a mere mistake. "If this goes wrong..." Many people would die. Kang Mu-hyuk clenched his teeth. ''Even if it costs me my life, I can''t let that happen!'' Chapter 75 - A Major Setback "Whoa! Boss, drive more carefully!" Choi Mi-ran shouted, but her plea fell on deaf ears as Kang Mu-hyuk was unresponsive. Kim Seong-hyun, puzzled by the Guild Leader''s behavior, turned to Gong Du-ri. "Why is the boss driving like a madman?" he asked. "A bomb hasn''t exploded... I mean---Ah, my tongue..." Gong Du-ri bit his tongue as the vehicle swayed violently. He couldn''t finish his sentence, but the two Hunters gathered enough to get a vague understanding of the situation. ''Something''s gone wrong with the n, hasn''t it?'' ''Is this dangerous? Should we grab the boss and bail out now? Or should I just go for it? Ah, this feels really bad.'' As soon as theirmand vehicle arrived at the floodgate entrance, Kang Mu-hyuk bolted out without even turning off the engine. The two Hunters assigned to escort him had no choice but to follow suit. The floodgate looked like a small dam, stretching only 51 meters in length, and the entire structure was visible at a nce. Kang Mu-hyuk immediately inspected the closest locations where mana stone bombs should have been ced. "Gone... Here too... And here too..." Frantic, he scoured every nook and cranny of the floodgate. The spots where the mana stone bombs should have been were all empty. Catching up to him, Choi Mi-ran nced over his shoulder at the supposed locations of the bombs. "What''s the matter? Are the bombs missing? Why would they be missing? Did someone take them?" Her casual question was a lightning bolt to Kang Mu-hyuk''s consciousness. A reel of possibilities rted to the current situation yed quickly in his mind. ''Someone... Took them?'' This was a hastily prepared operation; there was no time for outsiders to interfere. That meant it had to be an inside job. Someone discontented within their ranks was the most likely suspect, someone who would benefit by putting the guild in jeopardy---or rather, someone who had to avoid losses at all costs. A face instantly popped into his mind. ''Cho Chung-hyun.'' He was the most suspicious candidate. But even then, questions remained. ''That''s still not a good enough motive. Would he really risk lives just because he''s about to be marginalized? There''s no gain in inheriting a guild that''s left as a mere shell. Executive Tae wants to own the guild, not destroy it. Cho Chung-hyun isn''t reckless enough to defy him. Damn, that''s not the point right now. I need to set aside these issues and fix the immediate problem.'' Shaking off his thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk addressed the two Hunters. "It looks like someone''s stolen the mana stone bombs. Let''s head to the waterfall for now. It''s within the line of sight of the Hunter Na Dongpa and his party, so they wouldn''t have been able to remove the bombs so easily." "Do we have to blow up the waterfall too?" "If the waterfall remains intact, the power of the water attack will be diminished. But we don''t have the luxury to worry about that now. We need to put out the immediate fire." "At least there''s a way. A silver lining amid the bad news." Just as Choi Mi-ran sighed in relief, the sound of pping echoed from somewhere. p! p! p! "Who''s there?!" A sense of dread washed over Kim Seong-hyun as he drew his sword and stepped in front of Kang Mu-hyuk. A momentter, Choi Mi-ran also unsheathed her weapon. "I knew it. You''re not fazed at all, and youe up with a solution right away. The more I see, the more I''m impressed." It was a familiar voice. From behind a pir, a shadow stretched out, and Cho Chung-hyun walked into view. "Team Leader Cho?" Choi Mi-ran stared at him, her eyes filled with disbelief. Kim Seong-hyun swallowed nervously. ''The situation suggests that Team Leader Cho is the culprit... What was his rank again?'' He was already mentally preparing for a fight. "It was you after all, wasn''t it? I was hoping it wouldn''t be." "So, you already identified the culprit? This is why I dislike you. You keep stealing my thunder." "Hunter Cho Chung-hyun, there''s still a chance for you. Hand over the mana stone bomb. You''ll only face expulsion." Upon hearing Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Choi Mi-ran felt a chilling aura. She had never felt such a sinister energy from someone who wasn''t even a Hunter. "If I was going to hand it over easily, I wouldn''t be here, now would I? Guild Leader." "True, if you were going to do that, you wouldn''t havemitted the act in the first ce. I never expected you to either, you bastard." "Ah, Guild Leader, you swore. You must be flustered. Haha. Does that mean I''ve hit a nerve?" "Where is the mana stone bomb?" Cho Chung-hyun rummaged in his pockets and threw a small object the size of a palm in front of Kang Mu-hyuk. "I''ve destroyed the rest. One left, huh? Take it as a souvenir for your journey up there." Pointing skyward, Cho Chung-hyun sneered at Kang Mu-hyuk. Leaving one bomb was his way of mocking him, a testament to the long-standing grudge he held. Kang Mu-hyuk slowly bent over and picked up the remaining bomb. He stared at it intently, as if making a resolution. "Hunter Kim Seong-hyun. Hunter Choi Mi-ran." "Yes." "Huh? Yes." "Keep him restrained here." "Us?" Choi Mi-ran questioned with shaky eyes, whereas Kim Seong-hyun calmly epted the order. "Our ranks are simr, but... He has a slight edge." "With the two of you, it should be doable. If you find it hard to subdue him, feel free to kill him." "!!" "Oh my God... How scary." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s sternmand, Kim Seong-hyun was taken aback, and Choi Mi-ran shuddered, letting out an ambiguous moan. Both were Hunters who had little to do with killing. In fact, Hunters who had actually experienced killing were rare in the industry. Unless you were a Hunter from an A-rank or front-line guild, facing various conflicts, or belonged to a viin or an illegal guild, killing was not a subject to be discussed lightly. "Very well, do me the favor." The moment Kang Mu-hyuk turned his back, Cho Chung-hyun unsheathed his sword and charged. "Where do you think you''re going?" ng! "Sorry, Mr. Cho Chung-hyun. It''s an order from the Guild Leader." "Kim Seong-hyun, you little---!" "I don''t know! I don''t know!" Choi Mi-ran reached out nervously. Her hand was aimed at Cho Chung-hyun''s face. Cho Chung-hyun thought he could easily fend off Choi Mi-ran''s attack with his body and paid her no mind. Suddenly, his vision shed. Light swallowed up all forms in front of him. Kim Seong-hyun''s figure blurred and then went dark. "Damn it! What trickery---!" Thud! Taking advantage of Cho Chung-hyun''s hesitation, Kim Seong-hyun''s kick struck his abdomen. It was fortunate that he had closed his eyes in sync with Choi Mi-ran. Blinded, Cho Chung-hyun wildly swung his sword as he retreated, trying to keep Kim Seong-hyun at bay. ''I should''ve attacked while he couldn''t see...'' Kim Seong-hyun regretted hisck of resolve to kill. It was his shortfall that he hadn''tnded a fatal blow when he had the chance. But it was already toote. Considering who his opponent was, he quickly let go of his regrets. He readjusted his stance cautiously. ''I''ve been out of the field for a while, but he''s a Hunter with much more experience than me. I can''t be reckless.'' Cho Chung-hyun, who had regained his vision quickly, was seething with anger over the cheap trick. "You damn C+ ranker." "A solid C+!" Ignoring Choi Mi-ran''s snark, Cho Chung-hyun checked behind them. Meanwhile, Kang Mu-hyuk had turned the car and was heading toward the waterfall. Grinding his teeth, he tried to feignposure. "As expected. I''m prepared. The Guild Leader wille back here anyway. I just need to deal with you two first." "I wonder... Can you handle us two-on-one?" "If you were going to say that, you should''ve stabbed me earlier!" Cho Chung-hyun lunged at Kim Seong-hyun, roaring. ... Kang Mu-hyuk drove roughly on the unpaved road. The vehicle swayed as if it would flip over any second. From behind, he could hear the screams of someone rolling on the floor. ''If it''s just the two of them, they can hold their own. Just hold out a little longer. The waterfall is near...'' Just then, three figures appeared in his field of vision, blocking the narrow path to the waterfall. Kang Mu-hyuk''s focus intensified to an extreme level. His thoughts raced, disassociated from reality. The cursed blessing of mana addiction. In that instant, he saw every wrinkle and fuzz on their faces, even capturing them talking from an astonishing distance. He quickly read their lips. ''Here hees. Get ready.'' ''Isn''t this dangerous? If we mess with the Guild Leader and get caught, we''re screwed...'' ''Team Leader Cho will cover our back. Dead men tell no tales.'' ''Did we finalize things with the group? Is it really okay to go through with this?'' ''Damn it! We''vee this far; there''s no turning back now! We''ve been promised a spot; we have to trust the team leader.'' ''Cho Chung-hyun''s faction!'' The reason why Cho Chung-hyun had been soposed, even as the situation escted, became clear. He had strategically blocked the path in advance. ''Those who are supposed to fight against the Orcs are here unarmed.... They didn''t intend to fight from the beginning. He was nning on betraying me from the start.'' Kang Mu-hyuk pondered his options. In roughly ten seconds, they would make contact. There was no way an ordinary person could overpower a Hunter. Winning was out of the question; even breaking through seemed impossible. ''The only chance lies in...'' Being a member of the Strategy and Tactics team, Cho Chung-hyun was generally weaker in the field. He belonged to the weakest of the three main factions in the old Taesung guild. Kang Mu-hyuk quickly analyzed theposition of the Hunters. The moment he saw their faces, information about them popped into his head. [Yu Jung-geol, C-] [Park Ho-chan, C] [Choi Hae-min, C-] As expected, there was no one with a B-rank. In that case... ''Ram them with the car!'' If he couldn''t kill them, could he at least force his way through? He had no choice but to bet everything on this slim chance. Kang Mu-hyuk floored the elerator. The RPM soared, and themand vehicle roared as it elerated. Gong Du-ri hurriedly fastened his seatbelt and screamed, "Find a safe ce!!" Boom! Crash! Their bodies jolted with the sound of the collision. For a moment, it seemed like he saw a Hunter flying toward theke through the car window. The sky flipped, and the ground sank beneath them. Kang Mu-hyuk realized the car had been overturned. ''Idiots. They tried to stop the car with their bodies?'' Choke! He gasped for air, ovee by a crushing pain in his chest. "Haa...haa...ugh!" With trembling hands, Kang Mu-hyuk managed to unfasten his seatbelt and fell onto the overturned roof of the car. Looking back, he saw Gong Du-ri hanging upside-down, his arm elongated by the force. His chest area was swelling and deting; it looked like he had passed out. Kang Mu-hyuk tried to exit the car, but the door wouldn''t budge. Just then. Creak! Rip! Screech---Bang! The sound of warping metal filled the air as the door was ripped off its hinges. "Our Guild Leader is tougher than he looks. Thanks to you, some of my guys got hurt. One even fell into the water. Does workers''p cover this?" "If you want workers''p, go get a job somewhere." "An unscrupulous employer, even at death''s door. Just stay put; this will be over soon." A menacing hand gripped Kang Mu-hyuk by the cor. Bang! A mana bullet fired from the revolver Kang Mu-hyuk had just drawn. "Argh! Ahhh!" The price ofcency was steep. A point-nk shot aimed at the eye was not merely painful. The Hunter experienced both intense agony and a world that had gone half-dark. "Choke, choke. That, you can im as workers''p." "Gah... You... Bastard..." Although he was a Hunter, he was an inexperienced C-rank Hunter from a C-rank guild. Lacking any significant skills other than being awakened, and thus having a grim future, he had neither the ability nor the determination to rise through the ranks without sumbing to the temptation offered by Cho Chung-hyun. Endurance to withstand physical defects and pain was, from the get-go, an unlikely resource for him. His vision, along with his future, had grown dark. Fear crept into his mind, overshadowing his anger. In the end, the injured Hunter had no energy left to even think about Kang Mu-hyuk due to physical and emotional pain. "Pathetic bastards. It''s embarrassing enough to get beaten by a non-Hunter, let alone whining about being in pain." From behind, Park Ho-chan, a C-rank Hunter who had been silently observing the situation, kicked away the revolver aimed by Kang Mu-hyuk. The sound of a wrist snapping and bone breaking filled the air. He grabbed the back of Kang Mu-hyuk''s head and dragged him outside. Then, gripping his throat with one hand, he lifted him up. Dangling in the air, Kang Mu-hyuk''s face flushed red as he gasped for air; his vision blurred. ''So, now I''m seeing all sorts of nonsense.'' As his brain was starved of oxygen, he even began to see imaginary objects flying in the sky. "Guild Leader, I won''t listen to anyst words. Sorry, but I need you to die for my advancement." The moment Park Ho-chan''s grip tightened, Kang Mu-hyuk mustered thest of his strength and mumbled hoarsely. "Enough... Enough talk. Forget thest words, just... Just eat this, you son of a... " "What?" Suddenly, something ''thudded'' into the chest pocket of Park Ho-chan''s shirt. Instinctively, Park Ho-chan lowered his head. Something was shing through the gap in his pocket. "What is this...?" Click! At the same moment, he heard a sound, as if a switch had been flipped overhead, Park Ho-chan''s gaze shot upward. He saw it clearly. He saw the firing pin cover on the device in Kang Mu-hyuk''s hand flip open. "Hey, you sh---" Just as Park Ho-chan was shaking Kang Mu-hyuk in an attempt to hastily pull out the object from his pocket--- "This is a gift from your boss." Boom! An explosion erupted from Park Ho-chan''s chest. Chapter 76 - Even a Real Ogre Would Struggle Yu Jung-geol, who had been hit by a car and fallen into theke, heard an explosion just as he emerged from the water. "What the---what just exploded?" Rushing up to the road, he finally discerned the cause of the explosion. "..." He was at a loss for words. One man was rolling on the ground with his eye grievously injured. Another had a hole in his chest. "Did some B-rank Huntere along or what?" Looking around, he quickly identified the reason for the disaster. A revolver and a firing mechanismy on the ground. He wasn''t aware of the specifics, but it was clear that these two items were responsible for the mayhem. After all, no ordinary person could do this to two Hunters, regardless of their rank. "Pathetic. You think you''re something just because you''re a rank higher? To get beaten by someone who''s not even a Hunter---there are limits to your carelessness. Hey you, quit your whining and get up. You can get regenerative treatment for your eye. Or use a prosthetic. Seriously, creating a fuss just because your eye hurts a little. Tsk! Come on, we''ve got to wrap this up." "My eye isn''t just hurting, you prick..." Grabbing his face with both hands, Yu Jung-geol kicked the prone Hunter and walked over to Kang Mu-hyuk. "I thought this was going to be easy. But even as the Guild Leader, you put up quite a fight. Don''t resent it too much; it''s just the nature of the underworld." Yu Jung-geol grabbed Kang Mu-hyuk by the cor and raised him to the appropriate height. He clenched his fist, preparing to finish him off with one strike, aiming to at least spare him any further pain. "Are you Kang Mu-hyuk?" Just as he was about to swing his fist, a young girl''s voice startled him from the side. Turning his head, he saw a petite girl squatting down and talking to Kang Mu-hyuk. Despite her small frame, she wore a billowy cape, and her hair, which didn''t match her innocent face, was tied up in a tight bun. "You, who are you?" Ignoring Yu Jung-geol''s question, the girl held up her smartphone to Kang Mu-hyuk''s face. On the screen was a picture of him. "Ah, I finally found you. What kind of guild operates in a ce where there''s not even a single bar of signal? No calls, nothing---I thought I was going to die of frustration. And the resort building''s empty, too. Huh? Seems like you''ve got a few broken bones. Ouch, that must hurt. Can you even talk?" Talking nonstop, she then attempted to help Kang Mu-hyuk up. It was then that Kang Mu-hyuk finally managed to turn his head. "You! Who the hell are you?!" Feeling a sudden surge of unease at the girl''s nonchnt demeanor, Yu Jung-geol screamed. Redirecting his fist, he aimed for the girl''s head. Thud! "A shield?" His fist was deflected, causing a sharp pain to shoot up his arm. "Want to get rid of him?" The girl pointed at Yu Jung-geol, and Kang Mu-hyuk nodded. The woman rose from her seat. She was only tall enough to barely reach the chest of Yu Jung-geol, standing at around 160 cm or so. But for some reason, she felt muchrger to him---as if she were looking down on him. "Thankfully, it''s not toote. If you had died, I would have owed my grandfather this month''s allowance. My brothers have a concert next month, and I almost couldn''t get the tickets." She twisted her neck from side to side and the bones echoed with a cracking sound. "What?" Yu Jung-geol felt as if his vision had shifted strangely. There was no other way to exin why he seemed to be lying on his side. As he drifted further from consciousness, he realized one fact. ''That cracking sound came from my own neck?'' That was hisst thought. "Is this guy also a bad one?" Before Kang Mu-hyuk could respond, the young woman reached out and snapped the incapacitated Hunter''s neck. "I came here to hunt orcs but ended up killing these petty viins instead. And they''re small fry. Ugh, not even worth any money. Just ruined my mood." As if her mouth was truly dry, she smacked her lips and looked down at Kang Mu-hyuk''s pale face. She pped her palm against his forehead. "Oh dear, you''ll die at this rate. Hold on, this potion is expensive, you know? Even my grandfather doesn''t use it freely, but I''ll make an exception for you. What, you''re not going to drink it? It''s a gift,e on. Open up." "I can''t drink it. I''m already at my limit; I''ll die." "Jeez, you worry too much. I know a potion can be harsh on a regr human''s body, but it''s not lethal. Just take a small sip as emergency treatment." "I have a condition. I can''t consume anything with mana in it without medication." "Can''t drink a potion? Wow, you''ve got some odd disease, missing out on the good stuff." She took a sip of the potion as if drinking a vitamin beverage, contradicting her earlierment about its expensive nature. Kang Mu-hyuk wondered who she was. What he was sure of was that she had saved him. Was she an ally? Or an enemy who had helped him for some purpose? He remained tense, still uncertain. ''She''s definitely high-ranked. That wasn''t a shield earlier. Nor was it any other kind of magic. But the fact that an attack was blocked in mid-air means...'' He had a feeling he knew what her ability was. "You''re a telekic, aren''t you?" "Bingo." "So it was you who was flying earlier. No illusion there. An A-rank Hunter?" "Yes, A-. My grandfather told me. You''re pretty perceptive, huh? I didn''t even use my full strength, and you figured me out." "Your grandfather?" "Yep. You''re the one my grandfather was talking about, right? Saying I shouldn''t be embarrassed? Well, thanks to that, I''m the one who ended up tired. I had to rush over so quickly that I didn''t even have time to change, just threw on this cloak." Kang Mu-hyuk finally noticed that the girl''s attire, hidden beneath her cloak, was not a uniform but a school uniform. He realized that her naive responses were indicative of her youthful innocence. ''No, she''s not naive. Even if the opponent had done something to deserve death, the ease with which she killed indicated that she was incredibly confident in her abilities. That''s probably why she has no awareness of security. She knows she could kill anyone if they betray her.'' Kang Mu-hyuk discerned the hidden vtility in her seemingly careless actions. He rapidly scanned through his mental directory of known individuals. ''A-Rank. Female. A minor. A psychic-attribute Hunter. As far as I know, I''ve never heard of such a Hunter. The possibility that she''s deliberately hiding her skills is high. I don''t know why she would do that, but I can guess who sent her.'' He had to confirm onest thing. "Is your grandfather Han Byung-Gu, the president of the Hunter Association?" "Sharp as tongs. Yes, he''s my maternal grandfather." From a few questions, Kang Mu-hyuk learned more about the girl. Her name was Go Eul-ji. She was the maternal granddaughter of the Hunter Association president, Han Byung-Gu, and an A-Rank psychic-attribute Hunter. Given that psychic Hunters were generally considered stronger than others at the same rank, her destructive power was clearly significant. ''A well-trained psychic is no less powerful than a high-ranking mage. Wait a minute! An A-Rank psychic? That could be possible, couldn''t it?'' A new n suddenly shed across Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. Forgetting his pain, he grabbed Go Eul-ji''s shoulders and asked, "What''s the range and destructive power of your psychic abilities?" "Why the sudden question?" "This is urgent! My guildmates would be wiped out!" Faced with the sudden forcefulness from Kang Mu-hyuk, who looked as pale as a corpse, Go Eul-ji hesitantly replied, "Um, I can probably level a high-rise building, I guess?" "How many floors? What''s the area?" "How would I know? Do you count the grains of rice when you eat? Or measure the volume of air when you breathe? Just approximately." "Let''s say there''s a concrete structure that''s about 50 meters long, 8 meters wide, and 5 meters tall. Can you destroy it in one go?" Caught off guard by the mathematical question, Go Eul-ji scratched her head in difort before answering, "Ugh, I hate math. Hold on. 50 meters, 8 meters, 5 meters? Destroy it in one go, you say? It would be tough, but it might be doable. I''d have to try it to be sure. Why?" "We came here to hunt orcs, remember?" "Right." "Then let''s go hunt some orcs." ... Cho Chung-hyun gritted his teeth. The two brats before him had not only failed to crumble but had actually pushed him back. ''That supporter... was it Choi Mi-ran? I underestimated her because she''s perpetually stuck at C+. She''s more bothersome than I thought.'' If Kim Seong-hyun had fought him one-on-one, even if they were of the same rank, he would have finished him off by now. The difference in experience was that vast. But the supportive moves from his ally, Choi Mi-ran, were keeping him from delivering the decisive blow. He was waiting for an opportunity to take her out first. However, Kim Seong-hyun wouldn''t allow it. Just as Choi Mi-ran was supporting him, he too fought fiercely to protect her. Their coordinated movements indicated this wasn''t a partnership formed overnight. "The Guild Leader didn''t pair them together for nothing," He thought. Kang Mu-hyuk had recently dismantled existing parties within the guild, regrouping Hunters based on efficiency at a ''Tactical Adjustment Meeting.'' A few pairings were exceptions, and these two were among them. At first, he thought they were grouped together for easy surveince of remnants loyal to Do Gyeong-hoon still in the guild. But now, it seemed like the decision was based purely onbat efficiency. He felt uneasy. He had Hunters lying in ambush to capture Kang Mu-hyuk, but what if things went awry and he managed to bring a bomb? ''That would be a disaster. I need to kill Kang Mu-hyuk and get rid of these two,'' He thought, as their swords shed, elevating the tension. Then he noticed something strange. Choi Mi-ran was looking in an odd direction. "Seong-hyun, look at that..." Following her cue, Kim Seong-hyun swung his sword broadly and retreated. Instinctively, he put distance between them as well. Following Choi Mi-ran''s upward gaze, he looked up. Floating in the sky was a woman looking down upon them. "Who is that?" Choi Mi-ran murmured nervously, first to notice. Being airborne alone indicated the Hunter was immensely powerful, likely a mage skilled in long-range attacks. The question was whether she was friend or foe. "You two down there! Are you under Kang Mu-hyuk''smand?" "Huh? Uh... Yes, we are." "Correct, we are." "Okay, stay clear. Actually, stop inching around and get away from the dam area." Watching the two Hunters hesitantly back away, he sensed danger. "Hey! Who are you?" "Mmm, just as I thought. You do look like the bad guy. I don''t need to care whether you live or die. Now, let''s get this started." As she stretched her hand downward, the dam trembled. It definitely trembled. "What is this... Damn it!" With his shout, cracks began to form on the concrete making up the dam. From the first signs of instability to total copse, it was a matter of moments. He had no chance to dodge. Like a giant toppling a bamboo hut, the dam shattered, sending chunks of concrete flying in all directions. Caught off guard, he was engulfed by the rushing water. Even a B-rank Hunter had no chance against the pressure of 460,000 tons of water. The massive stream overflowed the narrow valley, even sweeping away the trees nted along the riverbank. The waters of theke surged like a runaway train, racing toward the waterfall. A massive explosion reverberated through the air. "Boom!" "Wow, talk about good timing on that explosion, huh?" Immediately Go Eul-ji felt slightly dizzy. After releasing the psychokic energy she had focused on herself, she gently touched down on the ground and took a few deep breaths. "Phew~ I''m drained. Did I overexert myself? Should''ve taken it easy. Can''t believe he had me do such hard work on our first encounter. If it weren''t for Grandpa... Does he think I''m a ve or something? Ugh, might as well blow off some steam. Maybe it''s time to hunt some Orc necks, it''s been a while." ... Jang Deuk-goo, at the forefront, was holding his own despite being surrounded by Orcs. However, the remaining Hunters were in tatters. Several were severely wounded, and some had even died. With no time for grief ormands, all the Hunters could do was hold on for dear life. If Jang Deuk-goo hadn''t acted as a shield at the front, they might have already been swept away by the Orcs'' tactics. "Damn it, Kang Mu-hyuk! This is not what we agreed on!" Baek Hyeonggyu, who had already been uneasy about this operation, silently cursed Kang Mu-hyuk. There was nothing else he could do. Just as he thought they might have toy their bones here, he heard Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice. "Detonating now. Everyone, fall back. Thirty-second countdown." As if he had been waiting for this, Jang Deuk-goo roared. "Everyone, retreat! I''ll hold the rear!" Unleashing all the strength he had been conserving, a flurry of attack skills erupted from Jang Deuk-goo. His finely honed mana control sent waves of energy crashing into the Orcs. Had it not been for the Orc warrior stepping forward to absorb the attack, the surrounding formation could have been easily broken. Seizing the opportunity, the Hunters turned and ran. The tanks threw down their shields and carried the wounded. "Ropes!" At the shout of Na Dongpa, several ropes descended from both sides of the waterfall. The Hunters grasped the ropes and began climbing the cliff. It wasn''t very high, but the heavy equipment and wounded made it no easy task. Nevertheless, their extraordinary physical abilities allowed them to reach the top in no time. "Team leader!" Measuring time in his head, Jang Deuk-goo leaped with just three seconds to spare. The Orcs, eyes wide, followed closely behind. They couldn''t let the one who destroyed their sacred totem leave unscathed. Just as Jang Deuk-goo reached the bottom of the waterfall, he heard the sound of an explosion above him. With a powerful leap, he managed to grab onto a rope midway up the cliff. Rocks tumbled down and a subsequent torrent of water shook him wildly as he clung to the rope. Even though he wasn''t hit directly, holding on was a herculean effort. The aftermath of the explosion sent a dual assault of rock and water raining down on the heads of the Orcs. The Orcs let out indiscernible shrieks, either screams or yells, as they were swept away by the rushing water. Even the warrior-level Orc, who stood a head taller than the rest, was no exception. Only the Orc warrior managed to hold out a little longer, but in the end, he too couldn''t withstand the divine punishment unleashed by theke. Battered by the forceful stream of water beside him, Jang Deuk-goo struggled to reach the surface. Exhausted, he slumped down, flipping his drenched hair back as he surveyed the chaos below. "460,000 tons... it''s easy to say that number. This is not a level that even an A-rank could handle." "Even real Ogres wouldn''t be able to withstand this," Na Dongpa chimed in, his tone tinged with disdain, as they both watched hundreds of Orcs gettingpletely submerged. "They won''t all drown to death, but the damage will be significant," Jang Deuk-goo sighed, rising to his feet. "It''s not over yet. Bring the Rider Wolves. We''ll start cleaning up the remnants of the Orcs." Chapter 77 - Not Something I Want to See on the Nine OClock News "Gi-young, was that an explosion just now?" "Yes." "I''ll be right down." Noh Song-rin opened his eyes, rising from where he had been reclining against the wolf. He sat up and stroked the shaggy wolf''s fur. The wolf, massive as a bull, might have looked intimidating to others, but being a Rider Wolf, it didn''t shake off the touch of someone it recognized as its master. Rather, it seemed to enjoy it, closing its eyes and leaning its head into Song-rin''s hand. "These guys will fetch a good price." "Huh?" "You''ve seen how goblins ride them, haven''t you? These beasts are fierce. But look at them now, obedient as puppies. Loyal to their owners and brave in battle. They''re going to be a hit." Watching Noh Song-rin bring up this subject seemingly out of nowhere just before a hunt, Lee Gi-young drew an imaginary question mark over his head. "Add to that, we''ve taken care of Do Gyeong-hoon and made Cho Chung-hyun look like a fool. Filled those empty slots with some pretty useful folks, too. And that Lee Jin-joo? Not sure how you managed to get her on our side. She seemed pretty formidable. No need for any goblins when you can just sort everything with a magical club." It was then that Lee Gi-young realized Song-rin was talking about Kang Mu-hyuk, their Guild Leader. Everything that had happened was due to his efforts. Noh Song-rin slowly stood up, and the wolf followed suit, stretching itself. "Think about it, we''re talking about a thousand evolved, militarized orcs here---a war-level mission. What do you think happens if we, a single guild, manage to pull this off?" "Well, I''m not exactly a strategist, but..." "We''ll get famous, very famous." "Uh, yeah, I suppose that''s true." "But that''s just it. It won''t suddenly make us an A-tier guild. It''s hollow glory. Our Hunters don''t level up, and we''ve already blown our budget fixing the headquarters. Where are we going to find the money to fix it again? Selling these wolves? We need time to get that business rolling. We don''t even have that many males to sell. So, this raid is basically all risk and no reward. Just scars disguised as glory. And if we mess up, we risk crumbling the foundation we''ve built so far. It may not be much, but it hurts more when a humble home takes a hit." "I, I see what you mean. Haha..." Lee Gi-young was utterly confused about what Song-rin, the leader of his faction, was trying to get at with all this talk. Despite his abrasive personality, Song-rin was a straightforward man. A brute force problem solver, never someone to mince words. But ever since following the Guild Leader on a field trip to North Pocheon before relocating the guild, he had changed. ''He''s be even more unpredictable. It''s good that he''s less hot-tempered, but still.'' Had the Guild Leader struck some sort of deal with him? Even the support during the guild relocation was suspicious. Not to mention, the way Song-rin handled Byun Jeong-cheol, who had left the guild without permission and gone off the grid, was uncharacteristically lenient. Normally, he would have pursued the guy to the ends of the Earth, but this time he even retracted a decision for retaliation, saying the guy looked pitiful for what happened to him at the hands of Kang Mu-hyuk. In Gi-young''s eyes, Song-rin seemed to have grown weaker for some reason. "What are you daydreaming about?" "Huh? Oh, nothing..." "Don''t lose focus. We have a hunt ahead of us." When Noh Song-rin red at him, Lee Gi-young stiffened but eventually nodded. ''Damn, he hasn''t gotten weaker at all. Just his gaze alone sends shivers down my spine.'' pping his hands, Noh Song-rin directed the attention of the Hunters toward himself. p p "Listen up, everyone. We''ve got the signal, so prepare yourselves. Time to go hunting." "What about the Orc General?" One of the Hunters asked, checking his weapons. "What do you mean, ''what about?'' Think you can take him down?" "A solo fight would be too much, but a party might be able to handle it." "Look, whether it''s a drowning rat or a warrior, a warrior is a warrior. Even if you could take him down, it''ll consume time. We''re sidelining any Orcs above the rank of warrior. Our goal is to quickly eliminate the rest of the Orcs. That''s why we''ve mobilized the Rider Wolves. Speed is of the essence. Make sure no Orc makes it back to Cheolwon alive, got it?" "Yes, sir!" "And if you happen to encounter a general-ss enemy, don''t engage. Contact me; I''ll deal with it." "Got it!" "Good. Mount your wolves. Let''s move out!" The earth trembled as if a herd of bison was stampeding from afar. Noh Song-rin vaulted onto the back of a Rider Wolf that had trotted up next to him. The wolf was equipped with a saddle and stirrups. Unlike horses, there were no reins, only handles attached to the saddle. Rider Wolves, being part monster, had a pathological disdain for reins. This saddle was specially designed by Kang Mu-hyuk in consultation with An Ji-il. It was a small detail, but Noh Song-rin could feel Kang Mu-hyuk''s presence in it. At first, he had followed the man because he had no other choice, under the threat of force. But after seeing him subdue Kim Myung-jun of Hanseong Corp, he was slowly starting to see things differently. ''Strength doesn''t make you a survivor; it''s because you survive that you be strong. By that standard, Kang Mu-hyuk is the weakest of the weak. But in the end, even Kim Myung-jun yielded. Even that lethal viper was outsmarted by our uGild Leader. Who would have thought? This raid might make the guild falter, but so what?'' Noh Song-rin set his foot in the stirrup and gave the wolf a light kick. The wolf shot forward like an arrow, and the other Hunters followed. The wind brushed back his hair, and Noh Song-rin felt his cluttered mind clear. ''If it''s our leader, he''ll probably wave his magic wand and solve everything. Then I''ll stick by the winner because that''s how I win.'' The river that was at its bottom overflowed. The fields, abandoned for years and overrun with weeds, filled with the overflow. The abandoned farmhouses and buildings near the river were quickly submerged. The guild headquarters was no exception. Though located on slightly elevated groundpared to the valley, its proximity to Nakcheonji waterfall and riverside construction made it vulnerable to flooding. Luckily, no one was in the building, but the Orcs caught in the flood were experiencing a literal hell. The pressure of 460,000 tons of water was a problem, but the armor they wore was an even bigger one. These evolved Orcs wore armor made of crudely forged mana steel, which was unbearably heavy. Countless Orcs sunk, bing water spirits. Even those who managed to remove their armor and swim shed with others still in armor, resulting in broken skulls and shattered bones. The raging torrent swept the orcs into the canyon walls, mercilessly battering them. It was a gruesome scene as the mass of orcs became the architects of each other''s demise. The few orcs that managed to escape fared no better. Waiting for them were Hunters, grim as reapers, ready to strike. "Fifty meters ahead, two orcs sighted. We''ll handle them right away," a voice from the front-line party reported through short-rangemunication. Upon receiving the report, Jang Deuk-goo gave his parties autonomy to hunt the orcs as they saw fit. Dozens of Hunters and their wolves followed the low riverbanks, where the water level wasn''t too high to impede movement. They swiftly cut down the orcs that had been swept away by the current. Though numbering in the hundreds, the disorganized, fatigued, and injured orcs were no match for the strategically coordinated Hunters. asionally, they encountered elite-level orcs, but the Hunters deliberately ignored them, focusing on the weaker ones. Even when elite orcs attacked, they couldn''t catch the swift wolves with their exhausted bodies. "Scram." "Squeal---" Of course, elite orcs were no exception for Jang Deuk-goo himself. A group attack might have fazed him, but alone, they could not stop him. "Announcing to all parties, has the General been found yet?" Reports arrived in from various parties, but there was still no sighting of the orc General. Growing uneasy over the absence of their most dangerous foe, Jang Deuk-goo thought, ''Can''t let that one escape. If it evolves into a Lord, it''ll be a headache... Huh? What''s that?'' Jang Deuk-goo narrowed his eyes as he spotted a familiar figure lying sprawled on the riverbank. "Speaking of which, I haven''t seen his party. Doesn''t look like he was done in by orcs. Guild Leader Kang, Cho Chung-hyun is lying here, soaking wet. Do you know anything about this?" There was a pause on the other end of themunication channel. Jang Deuk-goo sensed that something was off. "---Team Leader, bring him to me immediately. We can''t afford to let him get away." "What''s going on?" "That bastard deactivated the mana stone bomb at the floodgates. We could''ve all ended up dead." "What?!" "Damn it, I knew he would do something like this!" "Why would Team Leader Cho do this..." Voices tinged with disbelief echoed across themunicationwork, deliberately left open by Guild Leader Kang. Jang Deuk-goo understood Guild Leader Kang''s intentions. ''Making internal discord public during tough times, eh, Guild Leader Kang?'' Knowing the situation, it was better to feign ignorance or even fuel the fire. "I''ll bring him in, and beat him up just enough to keep him alive for you." "Wh-who are you?" Pyo Beom-hee stared nkly at the woman who had suddenly leaped from the sky into the middle of the orc formation. Such was the intensity of her arrival that not just the battling Hunters but even the snarling orcs hesitated for a moment. Even Yeom Soo-hyung, whose mental state had been erratic due to exhaustion, ceased fighting, attesting to the woman''s remarkable feat. Bang! "Is she a mage?" Whizz! Whack! "What kind of spell lets you uproot trees and throw them?" Woosh! "She doesn''t seem to have any casting dys, though." Crack! "Still, flipping the ground like that must be an ''Earthquake'' spell, right?" The identity of the woman didn''t matter; the orcs were retreating, and that was what counted. As the Hunters cheered at the sight, only Pyo Beom-hee recognized who the woman might be. "Telekinesis. At that level, she''s likely an A-rank. In arge-scale battle like this, she''s as strategically valuable as a mage. Must be an ally Guild Leader Kang called in." Lost in her thoughts, Pyo Beom-hee was brought back to reality by a groan from above. "Ugh... Ohh..." "Ah, poor guy. Looks like you''re hitting your limit. Good thing we got back up just in time. Just hang in there." Pyo Beom-hee leaped up and gripped Yeom Soo-hyung''s hair while perched on his shoulder, then pulled several ampules from her pouch and drank them down. The fluids in each ampule were dark, almost murky. Some even smelled foul. The Essence of Poison. Her body mixed various poisons as if she were a human sk, creating entirely different types of toxins. "Ugh, the smell. Everything about my ability is great except that it really ruins my breath." Pyo Beom-hee aimed her freshly mixed toxin at the nose of Yeom Soo-hyung, who had transformed into a giant. The poison wasced with potent mana. Since his resistance to poison would increase upon bing a giant, she had devised a method to neutralize it. Evidently, her efforts paid off. Yeom Soo-hyung staggered and finally knelt down. Gradually, his body reverted back to its original size, and he copsed, unconscious. "Back in the entertainment world, I took care of idols. Now, I''m tending to a bearded old man. Talk about a life of contrasts." Pyo Beom-hee sat on the unconscious Yeom Soo-hyung, using him as a makeshift chair. As she tried to gauge her depleted mana, the battle---or rather, the massacre---seemed to be winding down. The woman who had scared off the orcs returned, stretching as if loosening her tense muscles. "Ah, what a relief. I was so stressed about exams. Nothing like killing some orcs to blow off steam. Why do they even bother evolving?" Witnessing the woman''s behavior amid a field of dead orcs, Pyo Beom-hee arrived at a single conclusion. "Looks like she''s a loose cannon too. Definitely seems like someone Guild Leader Kang would call in." She decided it was best to avoid getting involved with her. Jang Deuk-goo had really roughed up Cho Chung-hyun. Though being swept away by water yed a part, most of the damage was from Jang Deuk-goo''s own hands. His mana flow was disrupted to the point that it would take considerable time to recover even if he did nothing but rest. When Kang Mu-hyuk saw him, he approached and drew his revolver with his free hand. Bang! "Gah!" The strength of Hunter''s body and the special terrain weakened the bullet''s magical properties. Still, it was painful for Cho Chung-hyun, given his battered state. "Does it hurt? You can''t feel pain when you''re dead. Five Hunters died because of you. They would still be alive if the explosion had urred just a little sooner." "Heh, Guild Leader Kang, isn''t this a bit much? This is South Korea, a country ofws. You''re going to punish me with revenge? That doesn''t sound like you. Maybe if it were Noh Song-rin..." Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! "Choke! Cough! Damn it! Stop! What the hell are you..." "Be d it''s just a revolver. If it had been a machine gun, a year''s budget for mana bullets wouldn''t have been enough." Even though the target was a Hunter, Kang Mu-hyuk''s trigger-happy behavior left Choi Mi-ran, who was watching from behind, shivering as if she herself had been shot. She found herself recalling their first meeting with the Guild Leader. They had argued over a parking spot in a parking lot, and the memory made her swallow hard. "Seong-hyun, remember that time in the parking lot? If the Guild Leader had a gun back then, do you think he would''ve shot me too?" "What a bizarre thing to say... Ah, you mean the parking lot incident? Nah, it wasn''t serious enough for him to shoot." "Are you kidding? He obliterated Do Gyeong-hoon and his minions, wiped out Orcs, and didn''t you see earlier? All of Cho Chung-hyun''s men were taken down. One of them even had a hole in his chest." "Weren''t Do Gyeong-hoon and his minions our problem to begin with?" "Ugh, when you put it like that, it doesn''t make me feel any better." "So what do you want me to say?" "Anyway, we need to be more cautious around him. It would be unfair to get shot just because we rubbed him the wrong way." "Geez, you take the fun out of a joke... Wait, you''re not joking, are you?" Kim Seong-hyun shook his head vigorously at Choi Mi-ran''s solemn expression. ''He doesn''t seem like the type to just randomly shoot people... Well, maybe it''s better that she is wary of him. He''s really unpredictable, after all.'' While the two Hunters were concerned with trivial matters, Kang Mu-hyuk was deciding what to do with Cho Chung-hyun. Jang Deuk-goo knocked Cho Chung-hyun unconscious, as it was better not to let him hear what would be discussed next. "Guild Leader, what should we do with this guy?" "As much as I''d like to kill him, several Hunters have seen us capture Cho Chung-hyun. We can''t just dispose of him in such a manner. Plus..." "Plus?" "We need to find out who''s pulling his strings." "You mean the Director Tae Soo-man?" "Tae Soo-man wanted to own a guild; he never wanted to destroy one." "So the one who wants to destroy the guild is...?" Chairman Tae Jin-sung. The name of the grizzled tycoon crossed Jang Deuk-goo''s mind. "You''re thinking of the same person as I am, aren''t you? It''s probably him behind all this. No evidence, but still." "What will we do once we find out?" "We''ll turn the matter over to the investigators before the Guild Master returns. He needs to be dealt with legally." "Before the Guild Master returns? Isn''t this a serious issue? Shouldn''t we wait for the Guild Master''s opinion?" "Do you think Guild Master would just leave Cho Chung-hyun be? She''d probably have to deal with a funeral service, and who knows? She might even confront Chairman Tae Jin-sung. We might end up watching the copse of Taesung Corporation." "Ahh, that temper of hers. Can''t argue with that." "I don''t want to see our Guild Master on the nine o''clock news." Chapter 78 - Now Its My Turn "Wow, Cho Chung-hyun just went flying like that? The spectacle is so intense, I''m at a loss for words." Avoiding a punch that whooshed past his shoulder, Noh Song-rin let out a sarcasticugh. The revtion of Cho Chung-hyun''s scheme by Kang Mu-hyuk continued to be a hot topic across the publicmunicationwork. The impact it had on the Hunters was significant. If Do Gyeong-hoon, who had recently left the guild over some unsavory issues, was considered a traitor to the guild organization, then Cho Chung-hyun had betrayed the very members he was supposed to lead. What was more, he had sacrificed them to monsters. The ensuing fury was indescribable. Especially for Hunters who had any affiliation with Cho Chung-hyun, the bacsh was vehement. They were quick to condemn him, fearful of any repercussions that might affect them. A strategic move to distance themselves before it was toote. "Is anyone even focused?! Pay attention to the orc in front of you!" Frustrated by the ongoingmotion, Jang Deuk-goo yelled at the top of his lungs. As if on cue, the Hunters immediately went silent. Rumors had already spread about how Jang Deuk-goo had handled Cho Chung-hyun. Adding to his pre-existing reputation, the first-hand ounts of his violent tendencies spread fear among the Hunters, fueling the rumors even further. Ironically, this unattributed fear enhanced the gravitas in Jang Deuk-goo''s words, ultimately strengthening Kang Mu-hyuk''s grip on the group. "It seems like different styles lead to the same end---using fear as the most reliable tool. The Guild Leader sure knows how to manipte people, without getting his hands dirty," Noh Song-rin chuckled again. Another punch swept past, barely missing his ear; it was a close call, grazing the air with a whooshing sound. Annoyed by the theatrics, Noh Song-rin tossed aside the weapon he had been holding and drew his karambit knife from his waist. It was a curved knife that fit perfectly in one hand. The de, sharpened on both the inner and outer sides, gleamed in the sunlight as it reflected off the water-filled rice paddies. "Once you''re down, we can pretty much wrap this up. So stop resisting and make it easy on yourself, alright? I want to get this over with and go watch the traitor''s spectacle." Hooking his index finger into the ring at the end of the karambit''s handle, he held the knife in a reverse grip. The de danced in front of the Orc General, mesmerizing it. Compared to the sword he had discarded earlier, the karambit was much shorter. But for some reason, it felt more menacing to the Orc General. Although the Orc General had been boldly pressing on even after he lost his weapon, it sensed that this shorter knife was different. It hesitated, pulling back its reckless fist and approaching cautiously. "Quoo. Quooa." "So you think so too? I also want to end this quickly." The Hunters who were dealing with the Orc General''s guards looked at Noh Song-rin, who was conversing with the monster as they shook their heads. When the battle had started, their leader had definitely seemed off his rocker. "He even tossed aside a weapon that has a range advantage to fight with that short knife. He probably won''t even use any skills. A freaking weird hobby, dismantling monsters with just a weapon. Can''t figure out what goes on in the heads of A-rank Hunters." Would he act the same way when he reached A-rank? Lee Gi-young shook his head vigorously. "That''s something only our team leader would do. He''s a nutjob after all." Seizing the opportunity while Noh Song-rin engaged with the Orc General, Lee Gi-young muttered behind his back. "Alright, here I go!" Noh Song-rin crouched low to the ground and charged forward. The Orc General lifted its left foot to stomp on him. Thud! Nimbly dodging the attack, Noh Song-rin twisted the general''s left ankle. The general wobbled. Seizing the opportunity, he sliced the top of the general''s right foot with his karambit. The general swung its right arm without even letting out a scream. Noh Song-rin narrowly evaded the swing and retreated. The Orc General hesitated, puzzled. What was this human climbing? A shiver ran down its spine as it felt Noh Song-rin climbing up its back as if scaling a mountain. A karambit knife dug into the region near its wings. "Koo-wang!" "It''ll be over soon. Just stay still." Though the meaning was unclear, the whispering voice was chilling. The general let out a scream, one born more of iprehensible terror than pain. The other orcs sensing the general''s crisis tried to intervene, but the Hunters wouldn''t let them. The Orc General twisted both hands toward its back, but its thick muscles prevented it from reaching. Noh Song-rin drove his mana-infused left fingers deep into the general''s back and held firm. With the karambit knife in his other hand, he jabbed and sliced at various points on the general''s back and shoulders. The Orc General thrashed about in an attempt to shake Noh Song-rin off, but it was futile. Green blood soaked the general''s back and the ground. Finally, the general threw its massive body onto the ground in an attempt to crush Noh Song-rin. "Hey, I told you to stay still." Just before the general''s back hit the ground, Noh Song-rin leaped off and moved onto the orc''s upper body. He then took a mount position and sliced through both shoulders with his karambit. The general''s arms went limp. Noh Song-rin had precise knowledge of Orc anatomy and had cut only the tendons. The sight of a giant orc incapacitated by a much smaller human was more frightening than ridiculous, both to the orcs and the Hunters. Noh Song-rin brandished his karambit knife in front of the general''s eyes and grinned. "Who told you to rush in? Didn''t know humans could be so terrifying, did you?" "Koo-waaaa!" The Orc General''s death cry marked the grand finale at North Pocheon. "By now, the situation at North Pocheon should be nearing its conclusion. Do you think everything''s okay?" "If Guild Leader Kang''s operation went ording to n, there shouldn''t be any major issues." Lee Jin-joo nced sideways at Ju Se-ah. Her expression wasn''t just words; she genuinely looked unworried. Even though they were inside the Gate where satellite phones couldn''t be used, Ju Se-ah seemed unfazed. ''Does she trust the Guild Leader that much?'' They''d only been working together for a few months, but she wondered how one could have that much trust. "Guild Leader Kang and Guild Master seem to sync really well as if they''ve worked together for years. Anyone would think you''ve known each other for a long time." "..." After a brief moment of silence, Ju Se-ah spoke, "I trust my own judgment. He''s someone I chose to help grow the guild, so naturally, I support him." "Handing over authority is easier said than done. When I was with Titan, the first and second inmand were always at odds. Despite once trusting each other with their lives." Lee Jin-joo''s gaze drifted to Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu, who was quickly dealing with the minions to reach the Orc Lord. But there was another force already engaged with the bodyguards of the Orc Lord. Ju Se-ah clucked her tongue upon seeing those trying to capture the Orc Lord. "As expected, they''re quick. yer..." The guild she had once been a part of. Seeing the abilities of her former colleagues in action after so long reminded her just how formidable they were. "How much time and resources would it take to run an elite squad of this caliber?" Perhaps she could never have built such a force in her lifetime. After all, the strength of a tier-ed guild like yer couldn''t be bought with money alone. And even if you managed to amass such power, maintaining it was another Herculean task. Keeping a guild from falling apart was often more challenging than creating one in the first ce. "Uh-oh, the Lord is trying to escape. And we still have plenty of strength left. Quick thinking for an orc. Still, it won''t be easy for it, surrounded by Hunters like this. What should we do, Guild Master?" Lee Jin-joo nced subtly at Ju Se-ah, gauging her preferences. They hadn''t gone hunting together before, so she was still feeling out Ju Se-ah''s leadership style. When no response came, Lee Jin-joo subtly asked again. "The n was to prevent its escape, but capturing it would serve the same purpose. Perhaps it''s something we can handle?" "It might be too difficult for just us," Ju Se-ah replied cautiously. "I think it''s doable. If you and I go in as an assassination team, it should work. Your abilities would allow you to tank alone, and an orc is just an orc, even if it has evolved into a Lord." Feeling slightly deted by Ju Se-ah''s pessimistic assessment, Lee Jin-joo added some quick tactical insights. "It''s not that. I''m worried about interference from over there." Lee Jin-joo followed Ju Se-ah''s pointing finger. It was the yer Guild''s headquarters. And the man standing at the center of it. "Sung Seon-je..." Any industry insider would recognize him: the "Azure Dragon of yer Guild." Known for his formidable field skills, he had garnered exceptional achievements since bing the Team Leader of the Strategy and Tactics team. "Do you see the Hunter standing next to him?" "The one with the twin swords on his back?" "He''s probably here because of me. Remember the name: Gam Woo-young, the leader of yer Guild''s Expedition Team 3. He may be frivolous, but he''s skilled." Gam Woo-young was strikingly handsome, almost pretty; one could easily mistake him for a celebrity rather than a Hunter. Lee Jin-joo wasn''t moved by his appearance; what bothered her was that this was a man Ju Se-ah personally marked as capable. Sensing her gaze, Gam Woo-young turned his head toward her. He waved at Ju Se-ah, who gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. "So, you two have a good rtionship?" "Good or bad, it''s hard to say." "Why?" "We''ve fought a lot. And I don''t mean just verbal sparring; I mean with swords." "..." Lee Jin-joo couldn''t wrap her head around it. A close rtionship that involved sword fights? What kind of guild was yer? ''Sung Seon-je, deploying snipers, and even involving an expedition team. I never expected he would go so far. And of all people, Gam Woo-young. Complicated, and his bad attitude hasn''t changed.'' Ju Se-ah was tempted by the Orc Lord as well. Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy was more a guideline than a hard rule. Ultimately, the decision was hers to make. And if there was an opportunity, why not seize it? That was the way of the Hunter, after all. "I guess I should talk with the Taegeuk Guild." "Didn''t the Guild Leader warn you against getting involved with Cho Ikjoon?" "I''m sure by now, they''re getting desperate too. The situation has changed. Now it''s ''my turn''." Though it was a bit of an understatement, Ju Se-ah was right on the money. Cho Ikjoon was on edge, to say the least. "Damn it! At this rate, we might as well kiss this quarter''s revenue goals goodbye." It wasn''t that the Taegeuk Guild was slow in their raids; it was just that they paled inparison to the progress of the yer Guild. Cho Ikjoon had tried to form alliances with various guilds to counteract yer''s monopoly, but those blinded by greed showed no interest in coboration. In the midst of this, as Cho Ikjoon scrambled to gather opinions, the yer Guild brazenly entered the Gate before even finishing the area clearance. Guilds that sensed the urgency quickly followed suit, shattering any hope for an alliance. Even inside the Gate, Cho Ikjoon didn''t give up. He tried to seize any opportunity in the chaos, but the yer Guild left no room for mistakes. They broke through every obstacle swiftly and effortlessly. "This isn''t even an expedition; it''s not even a formal raid team. Damn it! The gap between us stings. It''s not like our guild members are low-ranked. How the hell did they train to outpace us like this?" Other guilds felt the same way. The yer Guild appeared monstrous in their effectiveness. The guilds that had entered the final stage of the Orc Lord raid were seven in total. All of them were either Tier-ed or A-rank. There was no guild socking in ability that they would obviously fall behind. "Or should I consider it eight?" Cho Ikjoon looked at the person approaching him. "You seem to be struggling quite a bit, Team Leader Cho." "We''re both in the same boat, Guild Master Ju. No point in mincing words. Today is our only chance to clear this Gate. We don''t have time to make small talk." "Fifty-fifty." "..." "Let''s split the raid loot that way." "But our contributions are unequal, that''s a bit..." "Do you see the Hunters standing next to Team Leader Sung Seon-Je?" Cho Ikjoon looked at the Hunters Ju Se-Ah pointed out. Most were unfamiliar faces. "No need to strain yourself to remember their faces. yer doesn''t disclose the identities of expedition members, except for party leaders. Besides, that particr party leader was promoted not long ago, and he''s also a formidable yer, not unlike me." "!!" Cho Ikjoon was more shocked by the mention of another formidable yer than the fact that they were part of an expedition. "Who is this party leader?" "The guy with the twin des." "His name?" "Gam Woo-young." "So, you''re saying if we make a move, those guys will block us." "It''s a sniping strategy. I will lead the charge. If they intervene, I will personally mark them." "Understood. Fifty-fifty it is." "Deal. Let''s make this work." Cho Ikjoon shook the hand Ju Se-ah extended to him. Water began to recede from the guild headquarters building. Kang Mu-hyuk sighed deeply as he surveyed the damage, soaked in fatigue. The lobby was inplete disarray. Every ss window was shattered, and the water damage made it clear that repairs would be costly. Other facilities like the dining hall and the training room on the lower floors were also extensively damaged, making it unlikely for the guild''s regr operations to resume any time soon. The only silver lining? Themunication lines, into which they''d sunk the most money, were intact. Later, Kang Mu-hyuk received the final report from the attack team that had been hunting the Orcs, and he let out a sigh of relief. "It''s fortunate that there are no more casualties. We''ve defeated the general, so there''s nothing more to worry about." Though it seemed like everything had been resolved, the real challenge was just beginning. The neutral Hunters, who could be considered the unsung heroes of the raid for stopping the orc battalion, were not willing to speak with Kang Mu-hyuk. Understandably, they couldn''t look favorably on him, given that they had lost a long-timerade. Acknowledging their feelings, Kang Mu-hyuk withdrew for now. Conversations would have to wait until the anger and sorrow had diminished. "There might be Hunters among them who want to leave. Perhaps all of them might." The war was over, but Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t afford to rest. He had to keep thinking, despite his battered condition. Bang! "Wow, you looked like you were about to die, and now you''re okay?" A lively young woman kicked the door open as she barged into his office. It was Go Eul-ji. "I took some medicine and potions. Aside from my right-hand bone not being fully healed, I''m slowly recovering." "Why the sudden formality? Something wrong?" "...Well, I haven''t properly thanked you yet. Thanks to you, Go Eul-ji, I was able to get out of a tight spot. I''m truly grateful." "Ew, too formal. I came here on my grandfather''s orders. Thank him if you must." "I will, but I still wanted to express my gratitude to you." "Just words?" "Is there something you''d like?" Suddenly, Go Eul-ji twisted her body and joined her thumb and forefinger to make a circle. "Um, some money... I''m still a student, you see... My grandfather won''t let me join the guild... Not that I''m asking for a lot. I just need to buy merchandise of my favorite band and theirtest album..." "..." "The cost of all that isn''t much. I need a lot of tickets and the albums for the fan meeting lottery, you see... So, my allowance falls short... Hey, I''m embarrassing myself by asking, and you''re not saying anything? I saved your life. Give me somepensation." As he watched Go Eul-ji making a fuss, Kang Mu-hyuk found himself lost in thought for a moment. ''Unaffiliated... A golden opportunity has justnded right in front of me.'' Suddenly, Go Eul-ji''s extortion attempt seemed almost cute. "So, are you giving it to me or not? I''m not usually this desperate, but there isn''t much time left for my favorite band''s fan meeting. So---" "Does your grandfather know you''re going around extorting money like this?" "What? Extorting? This is the first time I''ve ever helped a guild!" Seeing Go Eul-ji getting agitated, Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes gleamed. ''As expected. She''s rtively unknownpared to her skill level; just as I suspected.'' At this point, it was clear. Go Eul-ji was a weapon nurtured by Chairman Han Byung-Gu. "Which group are you a fan of?" "Really?" "Oppas who like me. Which idol group are they from?" "They''re called BTA, those world-famous singers... Wait, why are you asking? Are you trying to make fun of me for being childish?" "Hold on a moment." Suddenly, Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the receiver and dialed an extension. "Team Leader Pyo, do you know BTA? Yes, the male idol group. Ah, they were affiliated with the entertainmentpany you used to work at? That''s convenient. Remember how we rescued some people from thatpany from monsters a while back? Do you think you could get tickets for a BTA fan meeting? No, it''s not for me. It''s for a youngdy who helped us out today. Yes, yes. Please check and get back to me. Feel free to use the guild coboration line." "Wh-what are you doing...?" Kang Mu-hyuk hung up the phone and spoke, "As you can see, our team leader has some influence in the entertainment industry. A few years ago, during a concert, monsters invaded. She ended up saving many people, including the staff and idols. I''ve also heard that she''s quite friendly with some female idols." "Ah, was that during the Yeojoo International Festival?" "Right. She worked there for a bit, thanks to connections made during that incident." "Is this for real? Tickets to a BTA fan meeting?" "The tickets are a token of our gratitude. As a special perk for joining our guild, how about a dinner voucher with BTA?" "Where do I sign?" "President, you have a call on line three." "Hmm? A call at this time?" "Grandpa!" "Ah, my ears, you little rascal. How did you know exactly when I''d be taking a break to call me? So, how did things go in North Pocheon?" "I joined Iron Will! Keep that in mind!" "What, what? What is this nonsense...?" Doo-doo-doo-- "Kang, Kang, Kang Mu-hyuk, that son of a--! I saved him, and now he''s taking away my granddaughter? I''m going to wring his neck!" "President, please, we''re still in a meeting. Ah! Security Team 1 and 2, the President is having an episode. Stop him, quick!" Chapter 79 - I Have a Favor to Ask Just as Han Byung-Gu''s anger began to subside, someone knocked on the door of the waiting room. Knock, knock! "Huh? Is it thatte already? Mr. President, it seems they''vee to escort us to the conference room. We should hurry." Expecting staff from the guild to have arrived, the President''s secretary opened the door. However, the faces that greeted her werepletely unexpected. Not the Japanese staff who organized the event, but two foreigners dressed in dapper suits. One was blond, and the other had surprisingly white hair. Just by the aura emanating from them, anyone could tell they were not ordinary men. For a moment, tension filled the air as the nearby security personnel, all of them being Hunters, sensed the dangerous vibe from the two men. "We''re not here to fight," a voice like rolling pearls sounded from behind the two men. They stepped aside, revealing a slender silhouette d in a robe. ''A woman? Who is she?'' The secretary was even more on edge now, although the woman''s face was still concealed. Her mere presence was overwhelming, even more so than Han Byung-Gu. "Everyone, leave us." "But President---" "I know them. Have a seat. It''s been a long time; we can''t discuss things standing." At Han Byung-Gu''s nod, his aides reluctantly left the room. As soon as the door closed, the robed figure sketched an intricate geometric pattern in the air with her hand. A luminous rune traced her movements. Only after thepleted symbol was integrated into the door did the woman remove her robe, revealing her face. "This is the Tranquil Garden spell. Sound won''t leak outside." "It''s been a while, A. I thought we''d never cross paths again in this lifetime." "Perhaps, Han Byung-Gu. But I always thought we''d meet at least once, even if it had to be at a funeral." "Still as sharp-tongued as ever. Would the guild even send you to a funeral? They''d be too busy keeping you under wraps." "And yet, here I am." "What brings such a high and mighty elf out of her forest?" The woman called A had elongated ears, emerald hair reminiscent of a fresh summer forest, and eyes like azure autumn skies---a being straight out of folklore. "I had a good reason toe out, Mr. Han." At that moment, a blond middle-aged man chimed in with a smile. "What''s this? Picked up Korean as a hobby, Alex?" "A lot has changed in the guild while you were stuck in Korea. It''s an item imbued with a trantion skill." Alex tapped his tie pin lightly. "Did you make it? Impressive technology, embedding skills into items. Though I''m not thrilled that the guild has a monopoly on it." "You''re not in a position toin, considering you refused to rejoin the guild," interjected the white-haired man. "Who''s this brat?" "What? A brat?" "Quiet, Raven." "Tch!" "Raven? What a strange name to go by." "Don''t let the name fool you. He''s quite skilled." "Regardless, I have a meeting to get to, so get to the point." "The afternoon meeting is likely canceled, Mr. Han Byung-Gu." At A''s words, Han Byung-Gu sensed something amiss. "Canceled?" "More like rescheduled. It''s now a social gathering for representatives of various countries'' Hunter organizations to chat informally. Attendance is, of course, voluntary." "Ha, so they''ve basically given the big yers permission to conspire behind closed doors." "You don''t usually like such events anyway." "There''s a difference between me choosing not to go and being prevented from going." "I apologize for that." "There''s no need for you, A, to apologize. Anyway, countries like China, Japan, and Russia would prefer to exclude Korea." "Alex! That''s because of you guys, isn''t it?!" Han Byung-Gu was visibly angered. Bad memories rted to the guild surfaced. "During the Great War, myrades were at the front lines. They saved the world and died doing it. And what did we get in return? Exclusion? Wasn''t it you whopletely isted Korean Hunters?" "That was because of the surrounding countries being scared of the potential of Korean Hunters." "Did the alliance not encourage that?" The atmosphere grew tense as if a fight was about to break out. Both locked eyes, and even Raven, who was standing by, raised his energy as if to intervene. A intervened just in time. "Alex. Raven. Step back." "I''m sorry." Her voice, which had always been soft, turned cold as ice. Alex bowed his head and retreated a few steps. Raven did the same. "Mr. Han Byung-Gu. This meeting was arranged to meet you." "What do you mean?" "The meeting was originally supposed to take ce in sgow, Ennd. But the alliance deliberately changed it to Tokyo, nearer to Korea. They need your help to enter Korea without drawing attention." "Damn it! I wondered why the meeting was again in Japan like two years ago. I thought the Japanese lobbied for it. Why not have it in Korea then?" "We wanted toe sooner, but we''re using the meeting to avoid drawing attention. If it were held in Korea, wouldn''t that make the surrounding countries noisy?" "Heh! Can''t argue with facts. But why do you want toe to Korea?" A gestured to Alex, who handed over arge envelope to Han Byung-Gu. Opening it, Han Byung-Gu took out the documents inside. The first thing he noticed was the English title, followed by a Korean one. "What is this..." "It''s a report submitted to the Association by a Korean guild called Iron Will. We arranged this meeting because of the word ''summon'' mentioned in the report." "Why?" "It seems deliberately left vague." "Guilds often omit information for their own benefit. What''s so special about this one?" Despite his casual tone, Han Byung-Gu felt uneasy. ''I''ve never heard of A stepping out of the forest since the Great War. If she''s taking action, something''s definitely not good.'' As if reading his thoughts, A spoke, "After the Great War, there had only been a few instances where I had ventured out. The most recent trip was to the Amazon in Brazil." "The Amazon?" "Yes, even there a Goblin Queen appeared." "Photos are attached to the back of the document." Upon hearing Alex''s words, Han Byung-Gu flipped through the papers. When the printed photographs appeared, he paused, staring intently at the gruesome images before him. Torn and shredded flesh. ckened pools of blood. If weapons hadn''t been scattered around, it would''ve been impossible to identify these mangled bodies as Hunters. "These are scenes I haven''t seen since the Great War." "The A-rank Brazilian guild had tried to subjugate a tribe of evolved goblins in the Amazon. They were wiped out." "An A-rank guild was wiped out by goblins?" "Technically, it was because of a creature summoned by the Goblin Queen. If the Brazilian guild hadn''t captured the event on film, we wouldn''t have been able to understand the full story." A added to Alex''s exnation. "So you''re saying that the summoning mentioned here is rted to the Goblin Queen in North Pocheon?" "Possibly." Han Byung-Gu pondered for a moment before speaking, "So what do you want?" "Let us meet the person who wrote this report, Kang Mu-hyuk." Ju Se-ah moved. Lee Jin-joo assisted. Iron Will''s expedition followed them, attacking the orcs based on their lead. The Taegeuk Guild also coordinated their moves. To cover the fewer numbers of Iron Will Hunters, they spread their wings to the sides, encircling the orcs. The Orcs, who were overwhelmed by just the humans attacking them harshly from the front, were unable to respond at all to the surrounding Hunters of the Taegeuk Guild. In a single breath, Ju Se-ah crushed the head of a high-ranking orc, clearing the path to the road. Just as expected, Gam Woo-young blocked their way. Ju Se-ah transferred the vanguard role to Lee Jin-joo and faced Gam Woo-young. "Ah, I really don''t want to fight with you, Se-ah." "And yet you look pretty excited about it?" "Do training and real battles feel the same? Go easy on me." Gam Woo-young drew his twin swords... Thwack! "Ugh!" "Ah, nice block!" Gam Woo-young dropped his sword hand and crossed his arms in an X, blocking Ju Se-ah''s kick. "Wait, isn''t it a rule not to attack during transformations?" "Who do you think you are, Sailor Moon? Just transform already." "I wield swords instead of magic wands!" Gam Woo-young lunged forward, swinging his arm. Ju Se-ah switched feet and kicked him squarely in the face. Twisting his body to dodge the attack, Gam Woo-young lowered his stance and hoisted Ju Se-ah''s left thigh onto his shoulder. Ju Se-ah immediately put force into his supporting foot and leaped up. From an unstable position, she twisted her body andnded a flying knee kick to Gam Woo-young''s temple. Thud! "Blocked it again? You''ve really improved, especially in closebat." "I was always average. You were the one who was outrageously good." Rubbing his tingling arm, Gam Woo-young stepped back. Ju Se-ah didn''t charge this time. She sensed that her opponent was keenly focused on a counter-attack. "You have a good eye, not falling for it." "You and I have fought over a thousand rounds, haven''t we? Your intentions are too obvious." With a swift motion, Gam Woo-young drew his sword. "Transformationplete." In Ju Se-ah''s hand, a sword had also appeared. "Ah? You''re starting with a sword this time?" "It seems like your skills have improved." "Not at all. I haven''t improved a bit. You can start with fists as usual." "The skill of a yer''s swordy has clearly evolved. You''ve improved significantly." "Ah, who do you think you''re fooling? If you keep trying your best like that..." For a moment, a shadow crossed Gam Woo-young''s eyes. His voice, jovial just moments before, took on a chilling tone. "I might actually want to cut you down." Ju Se-ah raised the corner of her lips at the revtion of Gam Woo-young''s true character after a long time. "When you act uncharacteristically serious, it makes me want to rearrange your face." The two locked eyes and smiled. They grinned, showing even their teeth, but to an outsider, their expressions seemed as if they were looking at sworn enemies. "Since it''se to this, I''ll take the title of ''the strongest'' from you." "In your dreams." Screech! A sound impossible for a sword to make echoed through the Gate. Kang Mu-hyuk received an unexpected phone call in his office. -You''re the one picking up. Instead of replying, Kang Mu-hyuk stared at the phone. It was one of the lines dedicated to Guild Cooperation. These damn bureaucrats! Frustrated, he sighed and put the phone to his ear. "Disappointed that it''s not Cho Chung-hyun, Chairman?" "Rather than disappointed, it''s a shame that things are going as expected." "I''m not sure what you were expecting, but it''s a bit disappointing from my end. I thought you''d trust me with the work here." "As you age, you grow impatient. So, I find myself upied with various matters." Kang Mu-hyuk clenched his teeth. ''You consider toying with human lives a matter of upation?'' ''You''ll eventually be just another target to be eliminated.'' Suppressing his anger, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke calmly. "It''s better to carefully test the waters. If you step on a fragile stone, you''re likely to fall into the water." "How dare you advise me?" "Consider it a friendly reminder." "You''ve survived such incidents and yet you speak. Quite reliable, I must say. Still, I wonder if you can pull this off to the end." "Taking the reins from Guild Master Ju Se-ah is no easy task. It requires persistent and gradual progress." "So, no definite answer?" "No one can give a definite answer when ites to the Guild Master. She''s known as a witch in this industry. And the term ''indomitable'' precedes that title. Stubborn people need to be persuaded." "I''m well aware of her stubbornness. I''m talking about my trust in you." "Didn''t you say you trust me?" "I trust your capability, that''s all." Kang Mu-hyuk felt a cold sweat trickle down his back. It was impossible to gauge the true intentions of this cunning old man. If they were face to face, perhaps he could read his facial expressions, but it was hard to tell over the phone. "So, what do you want?" "Is Cho Chung-hyun dead? If he''s alive, send him to me." "..." "Is that a problem?" It was then that Kang Mu-hyuk understood what Chairman Tae Jin-sung wanted. ''Cho Chung-hyun means nothing to the Chairman. He wants proof of loyalty. He wants me to submit.'' Or perhaps to rebel. Kang Mu-hyuk, more than anyone else, despised this kind of betrayal when dealing with the lives of Hunters. Failing to bring justice to the guilty. This was a request that struck at his very core. ''From the beginning, the Chairman didn''t particrly care about what Cho Chung-hyun was up to, whether he seeded or failed. If he fails, he must think he could make trouble for me.'' Still, lying about Cho Chung-hyun being dead was not an option. The guild members already knew he was alive. No matter how tight the security, a secret was bound to leak somewhere. And if anyone could find out through the grapevine, it was Chairman Tae Jin-sung. ''The time isn''t right. If I oppose the Chairman now, even the slight chance I''ve gained will be lost. He''s a man who''s lived by control. He may not trust me, but I have to show that I am under his influence.'' Kang Mu-hyuk decided to bow his head in deference. "Speak up if you don''t like it. I have no intention of making you begrudgingly bring him in," said the voice on the other end of the call. "No, it''s not that I dislike the idea. Why would I defy someone who can offer safety? I was just hesitating because the guy tried to kill me. I am human; I get angry too." "I understand. When one''s life is threatened, one has no choice. All right, consider him sent." After hanging up, Kang Mu-hyuk stared out of the window for a moment. Below the crumbled waterfall, the water was almostpletely drained. A messy parking lot and bent streetmps came into view. The gloomy atmosphere was intensified by the absence of any passersby. He gathered his thoughts and contacted Pyo Beom-hee. "Please bring Cho Chung-hyun." Shortly afterward, Pyo Beom-hee arrived, dragging Cho Chung-hyun, who was bound with ropes made of special materials used forrge monsters. "The Chairman says you''re to be released." Upon hearing this, Cho Chung-hyun, his face swollen and bruised, lifted his head. A hint of color returned to hisplexion. "Heh heh heh! I knew switching sides was the right move." Contrastingly, Pyo Beom-hee''s expression crumbled. "You''re releasing him?!" "We have no choice." Pyo Beom-hee was aware he couldn''t defy the Chairman at this stage. But it was still infuriating to release the man who had almost fed the entire guild to monsters. "Call the Chairman to express your gratitude," Kang Mu-hyuk ordered as he had Pyo Beom-hee untie the ropes. Cho Chung-hyun dialed the number with a winner''s grin. "Yes?" "Chairman, it''s Cho Chung-hyun. I owe my safe exit to you. Thank you." "The loser dares to prattle. If you''re that embarrassed, you should''ve scampered off." "I---I''m sorry." Chastised, Cho Chung-hyun bowed his head. But the call had already ended. He carefully set down the phone, flustered. "Go see the Chairman. I can''t provide transportation, so you''ll have to manage that yourself." "So you''re just letting me go?" Pyo Beom-hee was visibly irate, but Kang Mu-hyuk firmly ordered him to release Cho Chung-hyun. "Go." As Kang Mu-hyuk personally opened the office door for him, Cho Chung-hyun walked out with a bewildered look. Watching Cho Chung-hyun leave the building, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke to Pyo Beom-hee, who was visibly bristling with discontent. "Call Hunter Jang Deuk-goo." Not long after Pyo Beom-hee left, Jang Deuk-goo entered the office. "You called for me, Boss?" "Yes, I have a favor to ask." Chapter 80 - To Save One, Another Must Die "Unfair, isn''t it? A body that doesn''t even get pierced by a sword." Gam Woo-young spat out the blood and phlegm caught in his throat and tightened his grip on his sword. Ju Se-ah approached with a limping gait. Her armor coat was tattered. As if in disdain, she flung off her ck coat behind her. Beneath, a dusky armor, darker than a moonless night yet lighter than an overcast sky, was revealed. "I rather liked that outfit. It was expensive, you know." "Damn it! I knew you were hitting harder than usual. You amped up just because your clothes got torn? Ah, so petty. I''ll bill you for this through yer. I made some money on this raid; I can afford it." Gam Woo-young nced at a corner of the battlefield in a tone of contempt. Ju Se-ah followed his gaze. The climax of the Orc Lord Raid was in full swing. Most of the orcs guarding the boss were lying on the ground, and the Lord was burning itsst vestiges of vitality to resist. At the center of this hunt stood Sung Seon-je. "He usually stays out of the field, doesn''t he?" "He''s been getting involvedtely. Ever since you left, there''s been a bit of a power vacuum." "The guild isn''t going to fall apart without me. He''s probably just acting out." While battling Gam Woo-young, Ju Se-ah had been monitoring the raid. She reviewed it briefly in her mind. The overwhelming breakthrough led by Lee Jin-joo, empowered by her ability ''Blue me,'' was almost inconceivably dominating. Of course, the orcs being vulnerable to magic also contributed. Blue me, although a personal ability, essentially manipted elemental forces and was rted to magic. In a chaotic battle where Hunters and monsters were intermingled, area-of-effect spells couldn''t be deployed, so Lee Jin-joo''s close-quarters mage-fighter style shone even more brightly. She had effortlessly reached the Lord, but that was when the problem arose. "Bringing in the Titan was unexpected." yer, brimming with pride as South Korea''s number one guild, had allied with A-rank guilds to interfere. Already disliking Ju Se-ah, Kang Mu-hyuk, and Lee Jin-joo, Ma Taesu had epted yer''s proposal and blocked the path of their rival, the Taegeuk Guild, from Yeouido. Meanwhile, yer was focusing on the Lord. "They''re going to great lengths to keep you, Ju Se-ah in check, aren''t they?" "Team Leader Sung still doesn''t trust you, it seems. He wants to finish this before I deal with you." "Ah, just a bit short, wasn''t it?" "You pulled even them? Nice attempt. You did manage to slow us down." At Ju Se-ah''s observation, Gam Woo-young looked around with a bitter taste in his mouth. Hunters were sprawled everywhere, either knocked out or moaning in pain. His own party members, whom he had called in swallowing his pride to pin down Ju Se-ah, had ended up like this. At least she hadn''t used lethal force; the injuries would heal. ''The difference inbat power isn''t thatrge. I knew it, but her stamina and defense are beyond imagination. Unless it''s a short-term battle where I pour out all my firepower instantly or a prolonged battle where I overwhelm her with numbers, I can''t beat her in a one-on-one fight at this rank.'' Could he find someone in S-rank, perhaps? Gam Woo-young was annoyed by the irrationality of the match-up, where a single characteristic could divide victory between those of the same A+ rank. Ju Se-ah felt the same way about the irrationality. ''Whether it''s Woo-young or the rest of those guys, it''s the same. We all fought without using our final moves. I mean, it''s not a life-or-death battle, so it''s understandable. But still, it feels unexpectedly intense! Even without draining my energy, it would have been hard to take it easy. Tsk! Why do people with so much already have to be so greedy?'' Then the death roar of the Orc Lord resounded. Sung Seon-je, who had decapitated the Lord, stood calmly atop its body. Lee Jin-joo, who had narrowly missed the Lord, pounded the ground in frustration. She ground her teeth and shot a re at Ma Taesu, who was also grinning back at her. This raid was a microcosm of the current state of guilds in South Korea. The yers always win, and the lesser guilds get to pick at the scraps. If you refused to scavenge, you would starve. Or you could hunt in zones where the yers weren''t present. No matter how big a guild was, they couldn''t monopolize every Gate. Ju Se-ah despised this yer-dominated world. ''The yer isn''t interested in protecting anyone. All they care about is profit, the power to manipte the world, and just enough honor to make that happen. They pick sides based on a facade of justice. The reason why the Hunters in this country can''t grow is because guilds like these are at the top.'' That was why she had refused to renew her contract and left. Once, she too had believed the yer was a just guild. She had convinced herself that witnessing unjust acts was merely a necessary process for the greater good. But she realized it was all hypocrisy, and decided she couldn''t create the world she dreamed of within the yer Guild. So she left, and despite the difficulties, she had no regrets. Gam Woo-young sheathed his swords and spoke. "Still, today the difference was paper-thin. Be more alert next time. If you''re sloppy, I''ll beat you." "Even if you attack again, the oue will be the same." "Maybe not next time? We have promising team leaders in the wings, you know." "I''d rather sort out the hierarchy in one go, less annoying that way." "Haha. As expected. You''re still going strong, aren''t you Ju Se-ah? Did you know? You''re the only one who can give the yer expedition leader a run for his money." "It''s not much of an honor." Gam Woo-young burst intoughter and rolled on the ground. Finally, Ju Se-ah sheathed her weapon as well. "Tell Team Leader Sung that I congratte him on securing the mine. And also that the price of wolves will be going up." "Wow, how stingy. This is why monopolies are scary." "Time to cough up what you''ve swallowed. Ever heard of trickle-down effects? Act like a big guild and y big." "Not my money, so why should I care? I''ll ry the message. Got a good lesson today, after all." Ju Se-ah turned her back without hesitation. Gam Woo-young, who had been intently watching her, shouted loudly. "Miss Ju! The Guild Master''s seat suits you well!" Ju Se-ah didn''t turn back, but merely waved her hand as she left through the Gate. And so, the Orc Tribe raid came to an end. Cho Chung-hyun walked southward along the national highway. Given his past crimes, he didn''t even have a vehicle, so he was fully on foot until the checkpoint. "Whew, should I be thankful that I''m not being dragged to Ujungdo?" As he left, he deliberately wore a smug smile in front of the guild members he encountered on the way out. He didn''t want to show even a shred of vulnerability, not when his imminent death was on the line. Sure, he was being dishonorably discharged, but it wasn''t as if he would be branded a pariah like Do Gyeong-hoon; he was going to continue working under the Chairman. The problem? His failure to deliver on his grand promises meant there was little chance he would hold a significant role under the Chairman moving forward. In the grand scheme of life, it was as if he stood at the edge of a cliff, barely leaving room to step back. ''Will an opportunity like today evere again?'' A chance to climb higher, even if it meant forcing someone else to sacrifice. Whether such a golden opportunity would return, he didn''t know, but one thing was certain: If a simr situation were to arise again, he would act without hesitation. With that thought, he felt somewhat at ease. After all, it was not as if he lived in this world alone. As long as he thrived, it didn''t matter what happened to others. Having this mindset would prevent his heart from wavering when a decisive moment arrived. With distance growing between him and the guild, tension dissipated. Words spilled out in the deste path. "Kang Mu-hyuk... The Guild Leader made a mistake in letting me go. I''ll repay this debt." It was then. "People never change." "!!" The sky darkened as he walked the mountain path, and a towering silhouette slowly rose from under the shadows of trees that lined both sides of the road. "So, Jang... Deuk-goo..." Overwhelmed by the aura of Jang Deuk-goo, who looked down upon him while riding a Rider Wolf, Cho Chung-hyun felt his courage wane. "Ever since my days as an Enforcer, even before that, I''ve met many like you. And they''ve all faced their punishment." "Are you saying you''ll drag me to Ujungdo?" Jang Deuk-goo dismounted from the wolf. He didn''t reply but began to stroke the wolf''s fur as if tearing it. "You know what? Not a single one of those who were punished ever showed genuine remorse or repentance. They only spoke of the misfortune of meeting me. No one ever confessed their guilt; they all drew their swords and resisted." At that, Cho Chung-hyun froze like ice. The reason people from Ujungdo feared him. No one had ever witnessed it, but the cursed obscenities carved on a prison wall pointed to him. ''The worst misfortune a viin could encounter...'' Jang Deuk-goo turned from the wolf and looked at Cho Chung-hyun. His eyes were devoid of emotion. Chilling. "If I can''t punish viins, what''s the point of being an Enforcer? That''s why I quit." "Do you intend to kill me? You think the Chairman will let this slide? That will put Ju Se-ah and Kang Mu-hyuk in a tight spot, the guild might even fall apart. Do you think the Chairman will forgive rebellion against him?" "No one will know. They''ll think you ran because you didn''t want to answer for your failure. Even if they did find out, would you be worth it? To Chairman Tae Jin-sung?" "How could he not know? I even talked to him on the phone..." Cho Chung-hyun didn''t even notice Jang Deuk-goo drawing his sword. His mind raced to Kang Mu-hyuk. ''The Guild Leader had me call him... Had me leave without a vehicle... Made sure the guild members saw me leave...'' Was it intentional? Was it to leave evidence that he had acted ording to the Chairman''s instructions? "Of course, he''ll have his suspicions. But as I said, you''re not worth the trouble." Jang Deuk-goo slowly advanced. "The Guild Leader told me to tell you. A viin who trivializes the lives of hisrades and the safety of civilians cannot be let free." "If you kill me, regardless of the reason, my death will be a scandal. Rumors will spread that you''re a murderer. Can someone like Kang Mu-hyuk bear it?" "This is a Special Activities Zone. There won''t be any witnesses, nor will they find your body." Jang Deuk-goo quickened his pace and, in the next moment, a sword had reached his target''s throat. Cho Chung-hyun couldn''t stop it. He couldn''t even dodge. He could only watch as the de thrust toward his heart. "Son of a--" Thud! "Gargh..." Jang Deuk-goo twisted the sword, severing Cho Chung-hyun''s sternum before pushing his face aside and pulling out the sword. With a dull thud, a life of meaningless death fell to the ground. "You don''t have to worry about the Guild Leader. He was already prepared." Dark clouds had begun to gather from the other side of the dimming sky, as rain started to fall. Perhaps the heavens were weeping for the guild members who died today, thought Kang Mu-hyuk, looking out of his office window. ''Was there too much water in theke? It must be evaporating... No, was it supposed to rain today?'' He had discarded any unnecessary emotions. There was no room for sadness or self-loathing in the role of a Guild Leader who had ordered an assassination. If he wanted to mourn, it should be for the dead, though even that was a luxury. His gaze shifted to the tablet on his desk. It was a document he''d prepared, detailing his thoughts on rebuilding the guild, after sending off Jang Deuk-goo. He received a message from Ju Se-ah. All was done, it said. Some minor injuries, but no fatalities. They were returning. It finally felt over. Relief hit him, and reality followed. Without any rest, he immediately got to work and thus couldplete the n. ''If I were the Guild Master, I would certainly seize the opportunity to target the Orc Lord. Though it failed, it was within the range of my expectations. No regrets. Just proceed as nned.'' Turn crises into opportunities. It wasn''t the worst situation. In fact, this war would elevate Iron Will to a new level. ''If there''s anything seble within the guild right now, I''ll sell it.'' The thought amused him. ''A person who just ordered a killing is calmly making his next n. My emotions are getting numb. Is this because of some illness, or is it my true nature?'' Kang Mu-hyuk recalled his conversation with Jang Deuk-goo. ''I don''t know much about Hunter Jang Deuk-goo, but I do know that people are afraid of you. They are not the type to fear someone just because they''re a bit violent. Although it''s just rumors, there''s always some truth in them. Like you killing viins brutally.'' ''So what are you saying, Guild Leader?'' ''Eliminate Cho Chung-hyun. He will kill someone else, somewhere else. We can''t afford to let him go.'' ''Is that an order?'' ''You''re free to refuse. The choice is entirely yours.'' ''Hah! Funny. While you may not say it directly, this is a gamble involving the reputation of the Guild and the Guild Leader, isn''t it? Team Leader Pyo mentioned it. You''re releasing Cho Chung-hyun because of Chairman Tae. The bacsh will be severe.'' "This is a matter of life and death. Chairman Tae Jin-sung doesn''t risk his life for such things. That''s the difference between him and me. It''s also why my neck is on the line. Though, of course, Cho Chung-hyun isn''t worth it." "Risking your life, you say?" "I was prepared for this when I became the Guild Leader." "Fine. Since we both made the bet with the Guild Master, we have to see it through to the end. I don''t know about other things, but on this one matter, we agree. To save someone, someone else has to die. That''s the way of the world, isn''t it? Cho Chung-hyun had iting." "As bitter as it is, not everyone gets a happy ending in this world. This stays between us, not including Guild Master." "Do I look like a bbermouth to you? Besides, the Guild Master is too dull to understand." There was no concern that things would go awry. With Jang Deuk-goo dispatched, Cho Chung-hyun''s fate was essentially sealed. The surprising part was that he had issued an order he had despised in the past. Themand felt gritty as if sand had been sown in his mouth. Leading a guild meant being prepared for this, but actually doing it felt unnervingly easy. ''Let''s leave it at that. No need to waste any more effort.'' Kang Mu-hyuk snapped out of his thoughts and picked up the receiver. The saying goes, ''strike while the iron is hot,'' and he intended to do just that. "Please ry this to Team Leader An Ji-il. Tell him to pass it on to Team Leader Gong." Chapter 81 - S-Rank Scammer, Is That What You Call It? Ju Se-ah had a gaze that hovered somewhere between anger and frustration. "I''ve heard about what Cho Chung-hyun did. I also know he went to the headquarters." She didn''t borate on what ''going to the headquarters'' meant, but it was clear she suspected that Tae Jin-sung was behind Cho Chung-hyun''s betrayal. She avoided putting her feelings into words, a minimal effort to maintain herposure so as not to act impulsively. ''It''s good she didn''t rush over there,'' Kang Mu-hyuk thought. ''She seems to understand the responsibilities thate with being a Guild Master. If she had directly confronted the Chairman about Cho Chung-hyun, it would''ve been problematic.'' As Cho Chung-hyun''s ultimate fate was still unknown, Kang Mu-hyuk changed the topic to divert Ju Se-ah''s attention. "It may sound harsh, but we don''t have the luxury of worrying about someone who has already left the guild." "You''re as pragmatic as ever," Ju Se-ah remarked. "Even after all that has happened, are you doing alright physically?" "Thanks to potions, I''m mostly recovered. My bones are still mending, but I''m almost there," Kang Mu-hyuk said. Except for his right hand wrapped in a cast, he looked rtively fine. Ju Se-ah was a little concerned about his pallor, but she knew that the rapid consumption of stamina due to potions wasn''t umon for average people. "So, what''s the next step?" she asked. "We need to rebuild the guild, obviously." "We all know that." "It''s not just about rebuilding. We need to level up beyond that." "Level up? Not a restart?" "We''ve already fought two war-level raids against evolved goblins and orcs that C-rank guilds would never experience. If we stay where we are, the only way is down. Although it may be a bit early, it''s time to boldly take the next step." Ju Se-ah sighed deeply, leaning her elbows on the table and resting her chin in her hands. "The issue is money, I presume? Is the bank loan you securedst time not enough?" "That money is already tight, just covering our future projects. If we use it for immediate repairs, leveling up will be off the table." "The missed mine investment is a sore point, then. Had we sold shares, we could have had some emergency funds. Should we expedite selling the Rider Wolves?" "The Rider Wolves are not yet at that stage. Only the adult males can go, and their numbers are limited. We need to increase their poption." "So, we have to refurbish the breeding grounds as well. Money is short on the iing end but there are plenty of expenses. What a headache!" "That''s why I''ve thought of a few alternatives." Kang Mu-hyuk pressed a button on the remote control. A beam screen that had been folded up against the office wall lowered. He then operated hisptop and started a video. "What is this?" Ju Se-ah couldn''t take her eyes off the screen for a while. Scenes she hadn''t seen because she was in Cheolwon shed by breathlessly. When the video finally ended, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "These were shot by the upgraded Gate-specific cameras Team Leader An Ji-il has installed. The video was only basically edited by Team Leader Gong, without the use of professional editors." "Why would you..." Ju Se-ah tilted her head, puzzled. asionally,rge guilds would upload raid videos. These were propaganda videos, intended to show the guild''s efforts to protect the public or to align with a country''s political intentions. Those videos were usually as dazzling as movies, having been expertly edited for promotional purposes. In stark contrast, the video just released was raw and brutal, exactly as Kang Mu-hyuk had described it. "From now on, we''re going to abandon the image of being a C-rank guild. Instead, we aim to be seen as a guild of justice, guardians for the citizens," Kang Mu-hyuk dered. "What?!" Ju Se-ah''s puzzlement only deepened. They had been discussing financial issues, and now suddenly the guild''s image was on the table? "Don''t guilds usually worry about branding only when they''ve reached a sustainable point? We''re not some consumer goodspany. The impact of publicity on revenue is virtually nil. If anything, it''s a waste of money." Aware of Ju Se-ah''s skepticism due to what she had observed in the yer, Kang Mu-hyuk hastily added an exnation. "Most guilds see publicity as a waste because they''re eitherrge-scale or corporate. They only consider image-building when they feel they have no other choice. This is partly because guilds have a unique characteristic; the general notion is that as long as they''re good at hunting, that''s enough." "That''s not an entirely wrong perception," Ju Se-ah conceded. "But I don''t see how this resolves our guild''s situation. I''m worried that this will only agitate our members'' traumas. The regr staff are already concerned about staying in North Pocheon because of the recent events. Hell, even among the Hunters, there''s a good number who are feeling unsettled." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded in agreement. "North Pocheon also has such an image: dangerous and impoverished, not unlike our guild. That''s why we''re going to take this opportunity to improve the image of the area as well." "How so?" "We''re going to make it a holy site." "A holy site?" "As I''ve said, what is the Iron Will Guild? It''s a guild of justice. We fought against the Orc army and protected the citizens of South Pocheon. This ce shouldn''t be seen as dangerous, but rather as a pilgrimage site. It sounds grandiose, but it''s merely another form of image-making. However, that image will change everything." Ju Se-ah looked at Kang Mu-hyuk as if he was incredulous. ''What on Earth is going on in this man''s head?'' It was apletely novel idea, one she had never considered before. Was it because he wasn''t a Hunter? That could be part of it, but it seemed more like Kang Mu-hyuk was inherently a person who refused to be ordinary. "Even if we grant that we make this a pilgrimage site and totally change the guild''s image, it still doesn''t seem like the problem is solved," Ju Se-ah pointed out, refusing to be swayed by Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. "It is solved." "How? We''re still a struggling guild with no money. Shouldn''t we fix that image first? Frankly, I''d prefer to be known as a wealthy guild." Kang Mu-hyuk smiled calmly and responded, "Sometimes, an organization''s image can indeed turn into money." A college student sitting in a cafe, preparing for his finals, stretched his stiff body. He then noticed his friend next to him wasting time on a NewTube video instead of studying and gave him a nudge. "If you fail this semester again, won''t your parents kick you out? Focus on your studies, man." "Just one more video, then I''ll study." "What''s so important? Did you find a pretty streamer or something?" His friend suddenly shoved his smartphone in front of him. "Have you seen this?" "What is it?" "It''s a video that''s just been uploaded on NewTube. It''s of Orcs and Hunters fighting." "Ah, what did I tell you? Just a bunch of low-level orcs. Hey, there are videos of famous foreign guilds taking on boss raids on NewTube. Why are we watching this?" "It''s not just a fight, man. It''s a war. A full-blown war." "A war?" "Yeah, you know North Pocheon, right? The guild that just went in there. They''re fighting against an orc army." "Come on. How big of a deal could it be? Let''s just watch." The two college students watched the video ying on their smartphones. There was no sound, but the visuals were grand. From the start, they were overwhelmed by the sight of orcs lined up along the road. Moreover, these orcs looked different than those they had seen online. Somehow, they appearedrger, and their skin was significantly darker, making them look much more formidable. Among them, an orc with tattoos covering its entire body stood out for its immense size, looking so terrifying that one could question whether it was actually an orc. The scenes where the Hunters engaged these monsters were incredibly tense. The situation seemed precarious enough to make them wonder if someone might get grabbed and torn apart at any moment. Here and there, explosions rocked the ground where the orcs stood, resembling scenes from a war movie. Among all the breathtaking moments, the highlight was a Hunter standing alone in front of the orcs after breaking their ranks. The scenes of the Hunter cutting down the charging orcs armed with spears and swords brought a sort of exhration. Comments were already flying about, dubbing him ''AoE Gear,'' and the chat was going wild. But the real showstopper entered at the end of the video. The waterfall exploded, unleashing an immense torrent of water. The scene where the water swept away the orcs elicited an involuntary gasp from both viewers. The video concluded with Hunters riding on wolves charging into the fray. "Hey! What... What is this? This isn''t a movie, is it?" "Apparently, it''s real. Look at the channel name. It says it''s the official channel of Iron Will Guild. The video description says it''s a war-level mission. You can even see the Guild Leader and Ju Se-ah in the channel banner." "It could be fake, you know." "Who would go through all the trouble to make a fake channel like this? This isn''t even CGI. It would have cost billions to make something like this." "Wow, I''m speechless." The war-level raid against the orc army wasn''t just shocking to the two college students. The video set the inte aze within hours of its release. -Have you seen the Iron Will video? It''s insane. ©¸ What''s so great about fighting orcs? ©¸ You obviously haven''t watched it. If you had, you wouldn''t say that. ©¸ I''m a Hunter, I know. Those are evolved ones. Fighting them is no joke. ©¸ Evolved my ass. Where are you getting this nonsense? Lol. ©¸ You know nothing about hunting, do you? ©¸ I know more than you. ©¸ (Comment deleted due to inappropriatenguage.) -Is the video real? They say there are thousands of orcs? ©¸ A Gate burst open near Cheolwon, they say. ©¸ Source? -Video summary: AoE Gear. Epic waterfall. Awesome wolves. The end. ©¸ What are you talking about? ©¸ Lol, agreed. ©¸ Agreed x2. -But Iron Will doesn''t just have Ju Se-ah, right? Who is that guy with the spear? ©¸ Where is Ju Se-ah, by the way? -What would have happened if they lost? South Pocheon would be in chaos, right? ©¸ Just thinking about it is horrifying. ©¸ I live in Yangju, right below Pocheon. ©¸ I''m in Dongducheon, right next to it. ©¸ I''m in Uijeongbu too, scary stuff. The war in North Pocheon wasn''t only limited to inte buzz. News agencies were covering it as breaking news. -Breaking News: Orc Army Advances in North Pocheon. What will be the oue of the war? -This is YTM News. You may recall the incident where orcs invaded South Pocheon, wreaking havoc on the area. At the time, the Iron Will Guild was criticized for allegedly covering up the incident, but in reality, they were preparing for an emergency operation to counter the orcs''rge-scale attack... -This time, the Battle of North Pocheon was jointly handled by the Iron Will Guild, the Guild Cooperation Agency, and the Hunter Association... -Behind this precious victory were also unfortunate sacrifices. It has been reported that the Iron Will Guild suffered dozens of casualties in this battle, a fact that has led to great sorrow... -The city of Pocheon has announced that it will set up a memorial altar for these heroic Hunters who sacrificed themselves to protect the citizens of Pocheon. The altar will be open to all citizens of South Korea for remembrance... Following the media coverage, the government also held an official press conference. Cha Gil-joo, the head of the Guild Cooperation Division, issued a statement at the government press center. "This incident urred when a Gate, which had not been discovered in Cheolwon, opened. Fortunately, the Iron Will Guild promptly took action, preventing potential harm to the public..." The government''s officialment stirred up a nationwidemotion. The most sensitive reactions came from the guilds and the Hunters. Among them, various guilds sensed that the status of Iron Will was quickly reversing. Even the yer Guild, at the pinnacle of all guilds, caught on to this atmosphere. "It''s bad. We can''t even boast about acquiring the mine anymore," Sung Seon-je, who was watching TV, snorted. Gam Woo-young, who was sitting next to him, asked curiously, "Why?" "Didn''t they announce that while Iron Will was defending, Ju Se-ah went out to conquer the Gate? What if the people think that if we had redirected that force to North Pocheon instead, Iron Will wouldn''t have had any casualties?" "Isn''t it natural for people to die in hunts? Guilds prioritize profit and loss. That''s why Kang Mu-Hyuk posted the gate information on the guild app in the first ce." "That''s what Hunters think. People might feel betrayed. If they think we attacked the Gate for profit instead of saving people, the situation could turn against us anytime. We should keep a low profile for now. Iron Will won''t particrly antagonize us, so they won''t say anything either." Understanding Sung Seon-je''s point, Gam Woo-young nodded and then mused, "By the way, who came up with the idea of trapping the orcs withke water? It gave me goosebumps watching it. I''ve never seen a raid carried out like that before." "..." Unlike Gam Woo-young, Sung Seon-je had seen a raid like this before. Or more urately, he had read about one. ''Table Mountain Raid.'' A strategy that involved blowing up an entire mana stone mine surrounded by cliffs, causing the boss at the top to fall. The boss was so damaged by the fall that it couldn''t resist effectively and was quickly defeated by the Hunters. ''Kang Mu-hyuk. He''s not just good at guild management; he''s also strong in the field.'' Sung Seon-je briefly imagined having a yer with both Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah under his control. If it weren''t for that damn monster-killing prioritization, he would have recruited him as a yer. ''Just the thought excites me. If he were here, I could have returned to the field as well. If this setup had be a reality, the yer Guild could have been the best in Asia, not just Korea. What a pity!'' With that thought, he looked at Gam Woo-young. The old n might have failed, but he was devising a new one. It was still in its formative stage, but he was confident that once his n wasplete, he would be able to challenge the global market. "Whatever happened, we also scored this time," Gam Woo-young remarked. "In any case, it''s a win-win situation," Sung Seon-je added. "Well, if you call this a win-win... Kang Mu-hyuk is practically an S-rank scammer," Gam Woo-young stated. "Is this the rumored Korean Rider Wolf?" The dark gray wolf running energetically in the video had an allure that made it desirable at first nce. Pausing the video, the man who had been staring at the wolf for a long while spoke to his secretary, who stood silently beside him like a shadow. "To think that such a magnificent creature exists on this penins. This is utterly uneptable. Ry this to Kim Myung-jun: Now that Ju Se-ah has spread her wings, we can no longer leave her be." Chapter 82 - Please Take Care of That Person "Today''s hot topic is an interview with Ju Se-ah, the Guild Master of Iron Will Guild in North Pocheon, via video call. Hello, Guild Master Ju Se-ah." "Hello." "First, we''d like to extend our condolences to the Hunters who lost their lives in the recent Orc Tribe Raid." "Yes, thank you. Our guild members appreciate the warm support and interest from the public..." The video, which someone had thoughtlessly yed in a noisy ssroom without headphones, was soon drowned out by the chatter of the students. "Wow, look at Se-ah! Look at those eyes. She''s so charismatic!" "Ju Se-ah has it all. Top-tier Hunter and she''s gorgeous. Hunters usually have great physiques, but look at her proportions. And her face is so petite!" "She''s not just beautiful; her heart is beautiful too. Did you see how she held off the orcs? Other guilds didn''t even help. Typical of someone from the yer Guild. She risked destroying her own guild headquarters just to hold them off in North Pocheon." The room was filled with praise for Ju Se-ah and the Iron Will Guild. To most people, the image of a Hunter was essentially heroic. Adults with more life experience might understand the ws and limitations, but to naive teenagers, they could only appear morous. Moreover, the recent Orc Tribe Raid had genuinely showcased heroism, propelling Iron Will''s poprity to its peak. Even those who were initially skeptical of Hunters had begun to see them in a new light. It was to the point where the guild was being referred to as the "National Guild" or "Protectors of Korea," a narrative consistently pushed by various media outlets and the government. Guild officials might scoff at this perception, but public opinion was a force to be reckoned with. As everyone focused on the happenings in North Pocheon, some students couldn''t care less. Kim Nari carefully took out a ticket sandwiched between her textbooks. ''Only a few days left. Did I actually manage to get a ticket?'' The ticket had characters from an animation featuring members of BTA. She had opted for a physical copy instead of a digital one. Kim Nari looked at the ticket as if she could not believe she was the owner. Each album purchase had allowed her a single entry into the ticket raffle. Despite her limited allowance, Kim Nari had only been able to buy one album. Yet, against all odds, she had won. Thump! Suddenly, three female students surrounded Kim Nari and snatched the ticket from her hand. "Look at this girl, drooling over her idol tickets again." "What''s this? BTA? Wow, how did you manage to get this? People say it''s impossible to get even if you have the money. Should we sell it?" "Give it back!" As Kim Nari reached out her hand, one of the girls lifted the ticket above her head and sneered. Another girl poked Kim Nari''s forehead and shoved her, causing her to fall to the ground. The girl holding the ticket scowled menacingly. Rip! The ticket was torn to shreds. Kim Nari screamed. "No!" She tried to gather the pieces of the torn ticket floating in the air, but thest shred was blown away by one of the girls, who kicked Kim Nari back to the ground. "Looks like she''s lost her nervetely. Trusting in that Eul-ji girl, huh? Looks like we need to remind her of her ce." It was only then that Kim Nari regretted her actions, as unpleasant memories resurfaced. Her shoulders quivered at the thought of the deeply ingrained, branded fear of violence she had experienced. "What''s all this fuss about?" "Ah, Eul-ji!" At the sound of the name, Kim Nari couldn''t help but cry out in relief. The three female students who were confronting her turned around, startled. Just then, Go Eul-ji walked into the ssroom. She tossed her bag onto her desk, nced at the girls, and then turned her gaze towards Kim Nari, who was on the floor. "I''m in a good mood right now, so why don''t you all just leave. And don''t bother Nari anymore. Nari, get up. Let''s go to the cafeteria." "Mm..." The three girls remained frozen until Go Eul-ji started leading Kim Nari out of the ssroom. The other students in the room cast sidelong nces, some of them tinged with mockery. Feeling slighted, one of the girls blurted out. "What''s so great about this orphan showing upte for school during lunchtime?" Kim Nari froze at her words. Although Go Eul-ji was her only close friend in school, the expression on Eul-ji''s face became chilling. However, the next moment, Eul-ji''s hair seemed to flutter in the wind, as if summoning courage. "Eul-ji, hold back. We can''t do this here." Kim Nari tightly grasped Eul-ji''s arm. Go Eul-ji took a deep breath, closed her eyes momentarily, and then reopened them. "Listen, Jin Seonmi. Stop acting childish. We''re almost twenty, in our senior year. Don''t humiliate yourself. I''m in a good mood today, so I''ll let you go." Although Go Eul-ji''s mouth was smiling, her eyes were icy cold as they locked onto Jin Seonmi, the apparent leader of the three girls. Jin Seonmi red back, but couldn''t bring herself to do anything more. "Let''s go, Nari." Go Eul-ji took Kim Nari''s hand and they left for the corridor. "Wow, you really stood up for me, Nari. If you were a bitte, I would have knocked them all down." "You can''t let people find out you''re a Hunter. You said your grandfather would scold you, right? And using your powers on regr people is illegal." "How long do I have to keep hiding my abilities? They''re telling me to live quietly until I''m twenty. Isn''t that torture? With these abilities, this face, and this body, they want me to live a quiet life? Isn''t that just torment?" "Your grandfather must have his reasons, even if I don''t know about your face and body." "Look at you, subtlyplimenting me." "When did I..." "Anyway! My grandpa worries too much. He only calls me when he needs me. And why is he so stingy with my allowance?" As Go Eul-ji grumbled, Kim Nari quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of allowance, did you get the tickets? Time is running out." "Ah, right, the tickets! You mean the ripped one, for the BTA guys, right? I managed to get them." "Um, yes. But because of that..." Thinking of the ripped ticket, Kim Nari felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. It wasn''t a digital ticket but a paper one with a serial number, so she couldn''t even get a reissue due to anti-forgery measures. It was a ticket she had secured as if she had used up all the luck in her life. The only reason she didn''t burst into tears was thanks to Go Eul-ji. "Don''t worry. I got the tickets, two of them, including yours." "Really?!" "And they''re not just any tickets. They''re VIP--- Ow!" "Gooo Eul-jiii." "Hagak! Senseiii..." Go Eul-ji nced sideways, identifying the person who had just pinched his cheek. It was his homeroom teacher. "What time do you think it is? What studentes to school at lunchtime? And you were just disciplined for tardiness not too long ago. If it weren''t for your grandfather begging me with tears in his eyes, you''d be suspended by now." "Th-that''s not it..." "Let''s have a talk, it''s been a while." "Ah, Grandpa, help!" Suddenly, Go Eul-ji was dragged away by the teacher, leaving Kim Nari alone in the hallway. ''I''ve been keeping it a secret even at school. Every time there''s trouble, it''s always Go Eul-ji who has to suffer,'' Kim Nari thought, gazing affectionately at her retreating figure. Kang Mu-hyuk was in a meeting with Hongik Workshop, a well-known mid-sizedpany famous for producing the brand ''Hanul.'' Lee Sechung, the master craftsman and representative of Hongik Workshop, carefully scrutinized the proposal Kang Mu-hyuk had submitted. He took off his sses, rubbed his tired eyes, and finally spoke. "So, you want us to take over the supply of Rider Wolf gear?" "Yes, I have faith in Hongik Workshop''s ability to guarantee quality." "No, what I mean is, why us? Numerousrge corporate workshops are drooling over such a contract. Plus, you have Tae Jin-sung, don''t you?" "You may or may not know, but we originated from Tae Jin-sung." "Maybe so, but things have changed, haven''t they? Your guild has now be the next most popr guild after the legendary yer Guild. The brand value and publicity effect for your group must be tremendous. Don''t you intend to focus on your guild now?" As Lee Sechung pointed out, Iron Will had be a popr guild that everyone in South Korea knew about. The guild not only had immense poprity but also an image of sacrificing their lives to fight monsters for the people. The younger generation was captivated by the cool battle scenes, while the older generation remembered the heroes from the ''Great War Era'' and the ''Gate Copse.'' This was a carefully crafted image by Kang Mu-hyuk and his guild''s PR department. ''What people see is only on the surface. No matter how famous we be, our foundation is weak. Chairman Tae Jin-sung knows that.'' Kang Mu-hyuk hesitated to say that the Chairman wanted to dissolve the guild, so he concocted a different reason. "The poprity is temporary. To manage sustainably, we need to establish a solid business." "So, you''re saying that''s why you want to coborate with us?" "Creating Wolf Gear, we can make at most around a hundred sets at a time. Large corporations won''t match the unit price. There''s no reason for a parentpany to undertake unprofitable work. Our guild may easily get work from a parentpany, but we can''t grow indefinitely like that. We need to show potential for growth so that evenrge corporations won''t consider it a meaningless investment." Lee Sechung sighed, put his sses back on, and revisited the proposal. "We can''t match the unit price either. These special designs require handcrafting and the volume is too low for mass production." "That''s fine. We''ll price it high. We''ll make sure that anyone who buys a Wolf will have no choice but to buy the gear." "If that''s the case, arge corporation could invest in production as well." "As you''ll see in the next chapter of the proposal, the entire concept of our North Pocheon headquarters aims to attract mid-size and small-size enterprises. We''re nning to create a market whereas manypanies as possible can advertise, funded by government subsidies. While we won''tpletely exclude products fromrge corporations, we intend to prioritize mid-size and smaller businesses for our key ventures." Lee Sechung quickly scanned through the documents attached to the back of the proposal. It was certainly an enticing offer. The key point was not just the mass production of "Wolf Armor," but the inclusion of a store that would sell gship items and equipment from Hongik Workshop. ''It looks sweet on the surface, but feels like it''ll rot your teeth if you bite into it,'' he thought, unable to gloss over this detail. "Fine, let''s say a massive Hunter outlet is created here. To bring this ce to life, it would need a lot of Huntersing in. Even if Hunters doe to the Special Activities Zone for hunting, how will you attract enough consumers to handle the inventory of such arge area? I don''t think people woulde all the way to North Pocheon just to shop. It would be a different story if this were built in the metropolitan area," Lee Sechung pointed out, cutting to the core of the issue. Kang Mu-hyuk responded immediately as if he already had a n. "You''ve seen the video of the Orc Tribe Raid, haven''t you?" "Yes, I''ve seen it, but..." "The Sanjeong Lake has disappeared." "Well, of course, it would. They drained it." "The proposal doesn''t specify this, but the drained area is where the outlet will be built. In addition, there are many abandoned amodations to the south. We n to refurbish those into budget amodations. High-end hotels are also in the ns. It will include restaurants as part of revenue-generating operations, arge supermarket for essentials, training grounds, a brokerage for monster byproducts, currency exchange, repair shops, and a casino exclusive to Hunters..." "Hold on, hold on. I don''t quite follow what you''re saying." "In simple terms, we''re going to create a theme park designed for Hunters within the hunting ground." "Excuse me?" "We''re creating a Hunter vige where one-stop services are avable. You won''t have to leave the Special Activities Zone to get your equipment fixed, prepare for hunting, handle the byproducts, or enjoy food and entertainment." Lee Sechung''s eyes widened in astonishment. For a moment, his business instincts tingled. ''This could work.'' Being a seasoned veteran in the industry, Lee Sechung was well aware of the struggles faced by Hunters. The reason Hunters with a fair amount of experience didn''t make good use of Special Activities Zones was simple: inconvenience. ''But what if all that inconvenience could be eliminated?'' Hunters would naturally flock to the area. Where Hunters gathered, money followed. Even if they imed to be broke from buying equipment, they always had money set aside for good food and drinks. These were people who found joy in gastronomy and entertainment, living under the constant stress of an unpredictable life. "That''s a really brilliant idea. Did you n this from the moment you considered making the Special Activities Zone a base?" "We were dyed because of the Orc situation. And we alsocked funds. We''re still short, which is why we''re seeking investors," Kang Mu-hyuk spoke in a subtle tone. Catching on to his intent, Lee Sechung smiled. "Our meeting today seems to have another, real business proposal." Kang Mu-hyuk grinned as he pulled out a new proposal. "If you''re interested, I''d like you to read this one as well." "Ah, I really can''t stand these guys. They seem sloppy, but they''re so meticulous that there''s no way to find a w," Mr. Jo had transformed himself into a man selling fish-shaped buns and was doing business across the street from a certain building. He didn''t care about the surrounding opinion that his buns were so tasteless that it was a wonder he was in business at all. He wasn''t really there to make money; it was a disguise, so the fewer customers, the better. Mr. Jo surreptitiously nced at the building on the opposite side. [Korean Hunter Association] "Why the hell did Kang Mu-hyuk ask me to investigate this ce? It''s thest ce I want to get involved with." Having learned of the existence of Go Eul-ji, Kang Mu-hyuk had asked Mr. Jo to look into the Hunter Association. He wanted to know if there were other hidden talents like Go Eul-ji, or what Han Byung-Gu was up to. However, the next moment, Mr. Jo encountered a situation he hadn''t anticipated at all. "A street vendor who''s a Hunter? Korea is quite peculiar, isn''t it?" A voice, sweet butced with an indiscernible power, struck Mr. Jo''s ears. Mr. Jo responded calmly, "Oh my, I have no idea what you''re talking about. What''s a lovely youngdy like you---" "So you can see through my disguise? I am hidden through magic, you know." "Ah, no, that''s not what I---" It was then that Mr. Jo noticed the ears peeking through the gaps in the robe worn by the woman, and he tensed up. He realized that the person in front of him was not human. ''I''m toopetent for my own good. Seeing things I shouldn''t see... What in the world is she? A monster?'' Just then, two men appeared behind the mysterious woman. Both were Hunters. ''Foreigners?!'' And they were clearly not underlings; they were skilled individuals. ''These kinds of people are in the Hunter Association? This is highly suspicious, Kang Mu-hyuk!'' Cursing Kang Mu-hyuk internally, Mr. Jo picked up a fish-shaped bun and offered it to the woman. "Would you like to have a bun, perhaps?" "Oh, thank you. But I do feel guilty receiving this from you." The woman, who epted the bun, shed a bright smile and then ordered the two Hunters behind her. "Please apprehend this gentleman for now." Chapter 83 - The One Who Misses Takes the Next Step "Alex, Raven. Don''t hurt him." Upon hearing A''smand, Alex and Raven sprang into action. Mr. Jo kicked over a street stall to obstruct their view. Fish-shaped bun machines, sweet bean paste, and dough flew through the air toward A. Alex stepped in front of her, swatting the items away. Raven destroyed the street stall as he reached out for Mr. Jo. The moment Mr. Jo was caught by Raven''s hand, only afterimages remained, and his actual body vanished. Unperturbed, Raven expanded his senses. This was a basic skill any Hunter mastered, but an A-rank Hunter like Raven had almost supernatural sensing abilities. He located his invisible foe and lunged at him. "Ah, what a nuisance!" Mr. Jo, who had been climbing up a utility pole,nded back on the ground, narrowly avoiding the lunging Raven. He showed no emotion but was internally startled by how quickly Raven had discovered him. ''He found me even though I was disguised as a fish-bun vendor. Does he have some special ability?'' Mr. Jo prided himself on being unparalleled in the arts of stealth and disguise. Even against an A-rank, he didn''t feel inferior. Yet, it was suspicious how quickly his opponent found him. As Raven swiftly pursued, Mr. Jo threw a smoke bomb on the ground. This wasn''t just any smoke; it contained paralyzing substances extracted from the ''Toxic Lizard.'' However, Raven seemed unaffected and threw a punch towards Mr. Jo. ''What kind of monster is this? Even A-ranks flinch at this smoke!'' Mr. Jo twisted his body like a spinning top to dodge. The punch hit nothing but air. Three times in a row. The number of times Raven had missed his target. ''He''s not A-rank. At best, B+. But he evades like an eel.'' By this point, it was clear that the opponent had extraordinary abilities. "Raven, he''s moved beyond the detection zone." Hearing Alex, Raven dusted off his hands and turned around. "I didn''t expect to find another assassin-ss Hunter in Korea of my level. Where is he from?" "Who knows? I didn''t feel any hostility, just curiosity? That''s probably it. I had a lot of questions. It''s a shame. Shall we go back?" "Yes, I''ll escort you." As A waved her hand, the surroundings seemed to change. In reality, nothing had; it simply felt as though the air had lightened. Simultaneously, the once-empty street bustled with people. While the area around A filled with pedestrians, a two-meter radius around her remained empty. The only ones aware of her presence were Alex and Raven. And one other person. ''A skill that makes both her space and presence unnoticeable? What exactly is she? She even noticed me. If I wasn''t hiding among people like this, I''d have been exposed.'' Having quickly changed his appearance and attire using his Doppelganger abilities, Mr. Jo pulled his hat down and left without regret. Kang Mu-hyuk received a call from Mr. Jo and sank into thought. ''A run-in with foreign Hunters in front of the Hunter Association? And one of the women had long ears, like she was not human? Used something like spatial magic?'' The woman''s identity was a secondary concern; if they were foreigners involved with the Association, he had some ideas. ''Han Byung-Gu, the President of the Hunter Association, was active during the Great War era. Korea was the center of the world''s Huntermunity back then. It yed a role in the current World Hunter Federation structure. If these are foreign Hunters visiting the Association, it''s pretty obvious who they are.'' The World Hunter Federation. It was an organization whose name was familiar to even ordinary people. Despite its fame, its actual influence seemed insignificant, even among Hunters. ''From the perspective of average Hunters, maybe. But in reality, the Federation wields significant influence over top-tier Hunters and elite guilds. Some even say that the most powerful and wealthy guilds are members of the Federation.'' If his adversary was from the Federation, then the woman''s identity could be inferred from that alone. ''Her long ears don''t conclusively prove anything, but she does resemble an elf from a movie. There were rumors before that Ain-species appeared on Earth. The Federation had dismissed those as baseless. Could those rumors have been true?'' While it was a stretch to connect long ears to the Ain-species, he couldn''t help but let his thoughts wander in that direction. ''Whatever the case, the Federation, which hardly paid any attention to Korea, has suddenly contacted the Association. Could it be because of my report?'' His report was shared with the Federation whenever new or threatening monsters appeared. Kang Mu-hyuk had intentionally added the keyword ''summoned'' when mentioning the Goblin Matron. Experiencing an unknown entity had made him more cautious. Although it may not be rted, his intuition told him that he might meet with Federation representatives soon. He had already prepared a n for when he would have to deal with the Federation, so there was no need to panic. However, he had separate concerns. ''The Federation taking action isn''t a good sign. I hope nothing''s amiss.'' A month had passed since the Orc tribe raid, but the Iron Will Guild was still a hot topic in media and public discussions. However, the Huntermunity was buzzing about Iron Will for a different reason. It all started with an announcement that appeared on the guild app one day, neatly organized like a card news article. [Iron Will Guild opens North Pocheon Special Activities Zone.]
  • Hunt various monsters in North Pocheon hunting ground, with designated routes for different ranks and parties.
  • Enjoy tax-free benefits at Iron Will headquarters'' monster byproduct purchase service.
  • Shop for supplies, repair broken equipment, and rx at Iron Will headquarters.
  • Why waste time and money traveling? A clean, affordable Hunters'' vige awaits you.
  • Enjoy a coffee while studying the monster encyclopedia. Turn your hunting into a business. Network with other Hunters at the caf¨¦.
  • Whether you''re a beginner, wanting to keep up with new hunting trends, or need hunting expertise, end your worries now. Register for courses led by top-tier instructors.
  • Rent exclusive Iron Will Guild hunting equipment. Once you experience the convenience, you won''t go back. Wee to a new world.
  • Criminal activities by powerful Hunters within the Special Activities Zone will be dealt with directly by Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Beware, troublemakers.
  • Special consideration for couples. Opening on December 26th. See you in North Pocheon.
"What is this? What''s with this cheeky advertisement?" Ju Se-ah looked at the actual project Kang Mu-hyuk had told her to expect and her face turned incredulous. What she saw was full of whimsical phrases that appeared to be a joke. "Ah? Are you saying this because of the meeting? The phrase ''will be dealt with directly'' is not meant literally. You don''t have to get involved every time. Just consider it a warning." "No, that''s not it. This looks like some kind of local amusement park advertisement." "I told Team Leader Pyo to handle it, and it dide out a bit light-hearted. But the concept is set that way, so it''s fine." "..." Ju Se-ah was momentarily confused. ''What kind of concept is this? It looks so cheap. What''s the scheme this time?'' As always, Kang Mu-hyuk began to exin after a brief pause. "Since we can''t construct outlets or hotels yet, we''ve focused on refurbishing existing motels and targeting a lower-ranked customer base." "But even so, this concept seems too budget-oriented, doesn''t it?" "Our guild''s capacity can''t handle an influx of high-ranked yers. Even though the dominant Goblin tribe has disappeared and the overall monster level in North Pocheon is rising, the hunting grounds are still not at a level to amodate high-ranks. High-ranks will seek out appropriate locations for the sake of their reputations. Announcing it with this B-grade vibe will naturally filter them out." Ju Se-ah had already reviewed the business n, so she understood the overall picture, but she didn''t expect it to start this way. After all, Kang Mu-hyuk had always been very serious in his approach. However, upon further thought, she realized it wasn''t a bad starting point for Kang Mu-hyuk''s long-mentioned agenda of leveling the ying field among Hunters and making hunting gear more essible. It was easier to disseminate Iron Will''s methods through the less impressive low-ranks than the demanding high-ranks. Ju Se-ah resigned herself to the guild''s advertisement and decided to move on to the next report. "Let''s wait and see about this. Any issues with manpower?" "For lodging management, food courts, and sanitation, we prioritized hiring local residents through the ''South Pocheon Mutual Cooperation n.'' The area already has few job opportunities, so essential staffing was smooth. However, for the checkpoint security, we outsourced it to Hanju Group''s security firm as they require basic training. We n to concurrently train newly hired staff." "You intentionally left out Taesung, didn''t you?" "It would be awkward to entrust the Gate to them." "People will talk. They''ll say you should look after your family business first." "We addressed that by citing regtions against unfair internal transactions. Since the Guild Cooperation Division sent out an official warning, we had no choice but to outsource." "I must say, you''re quite crafty." "Craftiness bes the standard when backed by the government." Next was the issue of funding. Ju Se-ah frowned as if she was nauseated just looking at the numbers. "We''re already tight on funds for the headquarters'' repairs, where did you pull all this money from?" "We established the ''North Pocheon Reconstruction Fund'' with Hanshin Financial Group, whom we had previously borrowed from. ording to guildws, it''s guaranteed by a Credit Guarantee Fund, so we quickly reached our initial target. A second round of funding is also being prepared." "I know that even if it''s stipted in guildws, it''s hard to get such a fund approved..." "The Guild Cooperation Division pushed for it, and we had support from members of the National Assembly, so it was easier than expected." "Support from the National Assembly too?" "Having taken a few photos and mentioned it during the interview, they took care of it quite well. You know how sensitive South Korea has always been to national security issues. When monsters became a matter of national security, politicians from all sides were willing to step up. Of course, there''s an election next year, so they''re probably even more attentive," Kang Mu-hyuk said casually, but it was far from easy. Ju Se-ah was well aware of how the Guild Master of the yer Guild, Sa Mun-Hyuk, coborated with politicians. Providing campaign funds was a given, and they even offered themodity of ''violence'' to some politicians. The guild had wealth, power, and military strength, but they couldn''t ignore the influence of democratically elected representatives. Unless they wanted to overthrow the country, they had to cooperate with them in some way, so they ran the guild with moderatepromises. ''Before questioning ethics or conscience, our guild doesn''t have the capability to act like Sa Mun-Hyuk. How did he manage this? I heard he influenced public opinion, but he never said how it was done. How can anyone know?'' After addressing a few more items on the agenda, they concluded the meeting. Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was organizing the documents, the phone in the conference room rang. Just as Ju Se-ah was about to stand and leave, she answered the call. "Hello?" "Ah, fortunate that you picked up, Guild Master. This is Assistant Oh Jeong-yeon from themunications team. We have an external call for you. Would you like to be connected?" "Who is it?" "Hunter Association President Han Byung-Gu." "Why would he be calling?" "Excuse me?" "Nevermind. Connect me, please." Upon hearing the mention of the Association, Kang Mu-hyuk stopped what he was doing. "Guild Master, put it on speakerphone." Complying, Ju Se-ah switched to the speakerphone and put the receiver down. "Ju Se-ah, Guild Master, it''s been a while. No problemstely?" "Why are you so smooth all of a sudden? nning to spout some nonsense?" "You rascal! I was trying to be formal, and you''re ruining the mood!" "Shouldn''t the only time we observe formalities be at your funeral? I''ll make sure to wear ck." "Tsk, tsk. Even if the Legendary-tier item, Three Rivers Five Rings, is involved, nobody but you would dare treat me like this." "I learned how to defeat monsters before I acquired Three Rivers Five Rings. If you have nonsense to spout, I''ll just hang up." A sigh came from the other side of the phone. "Fine, you stubborn brat. Let''s get to the point. I''d like to meet your Guild Leader. Whether youe or not is up to you." "Why our Guild Leader?" "Come and find out, won''t you?" "How do I know it''s not a trap?" "What would I gain from setting a trap?" "It''s just your image. Youe off as sinister." "You...you little...oh my, my blood''s boiling. How could such an impudent brat be the next-generation S-rank? Heaven is truly indifferent." "Maybe I turned out this way because I''ve been dealing with you. You should reflect on yourself first." Even if she couldn''t see him, she knew his face would be turning different shades of red and blue. Kang Mu-hyuk had heard enough of the needless bickering and intervened. "President Han, this is Kang Mu-hyuk. Is this about the Alliance matter?" "..." "Your silence suggests I''m correct. You took longer to contact us than I expected." The tension was palpable as the voice on the other end of the phone spat out, "You''re stirring up so much trouble, it''s hard to keep track of you. Wait, that''s not the point. You tricked my granddaughter into signing a contract with your guild, didn''t you? We''re getting awyer to nullify that." "Minors are also responsible for contracts they sign as Hunters. So, yourwyer won''t be of much help." "What kind of guild recruits an idol, for heaven''s sake? Are you as senseless as your Guild Master?" "What does it matter to you, old man?!" As the conversation once again escted into bickering, Kang Mu-hyuk hurriedly interjected, "Please ry this message to the Elders of the Alliance. We should meet in a secluded ce." After a brief pause, an unfamiliar voice responded, "So, it seems your man was the scout fromst time. We''ll meet today, Guild Master Kang Mu-hyuk. Just tell me the ce." "The location will be provided by us. After all, shouldn''t the party with regrets be the one to move?" Kim Myung-jun hadtely found himself in a bind. Thanks to this vexing issue, he had many sleepless nights and had lost his appetite. "Damn it. How am I supposed to deal with Ju Se-ah?" He felt that the higher-ups were acting too hastily. They wanted him to disrupt Iron Will, and even if he wasn''t going after Ju Se-ah directly, he would inevitably sh with her. Of course, there were many ways to counteract her moves, but the problem was that he couldn''t act recklessly. "If I mess with the People''s Guild now, when they''re the talk of the town, I''ll be the one who gets burned. What am I supposed to do about the yer? If something goes wrong, the Union can just fold and withdraw, but I''d have to either stay here and take the heat or go underground---maybe even flee the country." Sitting on the opposite sofa, Chae Dae-su finally spoke, "Are you considering other options?" "What do you mean?" "Didn''t you also hold back on the Titan matter?" "..." "I didn''t report it to the Elder considering our long-standing rtionship. And it seemed like it wouldn''t be a big hit to you, so I went along with your tempo. But if you sit back and mess this up again, I won''t be able to overlook it." "Who are you to overlook me?" "I''m merely rying the Elder''s wishes as his proxy." Hearing these words from Chae Dae-su, who imed to be merely a messenger, made Kim Myung-jun realize how badly the situation had deteriorated. Kim Myung-jun eyed him coldly. ''It''s difficult to make a move immediately because of Kang Mu-hyuk. Even though we didn''t sign any contract, we essentially have a peace treaty. If I stab them in the back now, it''s an all-out war. But I can''t oppose them at this moment either. I need to buy some time.'' With a sigh, Kim Myung-jun closed his eyes and nodded, "Let''s think of a way to handle this." "I hope a good solutiones to mind." Chapter 84 - I Heard He is the Mastermind "I never expected to meet you in such an open ce." A was standing on the in, enjoying the breeze with her eyes closed. She seemed to be savoring the peculiarities of the Special Activities Zone¡¯s wind for quite some time. Kang Mu-hyuk observed her closely. ¡®Mana... It¡¯s flowing around that woman¡¯s body.¡¯ The woman in the robe was caressing the wind that contained mana. With every gesture of her hand, the mana surged tumultuously. And with each movement, sparks of mana became visible to Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s eyes as well. The mana shimmered a green hue. It wasn''t ominous like the energy summoned by the Goblin Matron; it had an essence that brought a sense of coolness and refreshment. Oddly enough, it seemed that only Kang Mu-hyuk could see these phenomena. Even the Hunters, who were supposedly closer to mana than anyone else, appeared blind to them. ¡®I can¡¯t figure out what this phenomenon is. It seems to be rted to mana addiction, though.¡¯ While Kang Mu-hyuk was lost in thought, A showed interest in Ju Se-ah. "Is the person next to you Duke Ju Se-ah?" ¡°You have a peculiar way of speaking.¡± ¡°Wow, it''s surprising that a human can be as strong as a Duke. By the standards here, you would be S-rank. And your potential could even surpass that.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not quite there yet....¡± ¡°There''s no need for modesty. You are already at S-rank, you just don¡¯t realize it yourself. A slight catalyst is all that''s needed to awaken that realm.¡± Ju Se-ah was at a loss for words. Who was this woman to so confidently im she was S-rank? It was a strange feeling to be informed of a level she herself had not perceived by another. ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Han. The S-rank you''ve been longing for has finally emerged in South Korea.¡± ¡°Are you teasing me, Alex? How can there be an S-rank that even the person themselves does not know?¡± ¡°A¡¯s discernment is urate. ording to the Federation Elders, surpassing one''s own limits happens in an instant and is often realized btedly. Once you feel and can wield that power, you will soon be officially recognized as S-rank.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk was more preupied with the men standing on either side of the robed woman than the fact that Ju Se-ah had be S-rank. ¡®I¡¯m not surprised that the Guild Master bing S-rank is just a matter of time, but those two men pique my interest.¡¯ While every Hunter present was at least A-rank, the men guarding the woman seemed particrly powerful. Excluding Ju Se-ah, they were among the strongest in South Korea. Kang Mu-hyuk, ironically not a Hunter, felt the pressure in a way he hadn''t experienced with any of the numerous Hunters he had met before. Whether it was due to mana addiction or not, the oppressive sensation weighed heavily on his shoulders. He tried to shake off the pressure without showing it outwardly. That was when A spoke to him. ¡°Since you seem to have a grasp of our situation, shall we introduce ourselves properly? I am A Frei from the World Hunter Federation.¡± ¡°Miss A!¡± As A suddenly lifted the hood from her head, Alex eximed in surprise. Han Byung-Gu, who had arranged the meeting, let out a groan as if he had not anticipated her revealing her identity. ¡°Your ears...¡± Ju Se-ah, surprised by her appearance, was unable to continue her words. In contrast, Kang Mu-hyuk introduced himself without any hint of emotional fluctuation, as if his pulse remained steady. ¡°I am Kang Mu-hyuk from the Iron Will Guild.¡± ¡°You''re not surprised?¡± ¡°As previously mentioned in our conversation, I suspected that you might be Ain-type, so that was no surprise to me." "Aha, that scout from before! That person must have leaked my information, right? That person was truly remarkable. It''s rare for these two here to miss anything. If it''s not too much trouble, may I know how you noticed me and came to observe the Hunter Association?" "I wasn''t specifically keeping the alliance in mind. I merely paid closer attention to the Association President for other reasons." "Are you kidding me? First, this guy sweet-talked me into sending reinforcements, and now, on top of luring away my granddaughter, he''s boldly digging around the President of the Hunter Association of Korea? Did you learn your audacity from your Guild Master?!" At Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Han Byung-Gu bristled and interjected. Naturally, Ju Se-ah couldn''t stand by without getting involved either. "Yes, old man. I learned that audacity from you." "Why are you dragging me into the stuff you learned from that scoundrel?" "Well, you taught Mr. Jang, old man. I learned it indirectly from you. In the end, I learned from you as well." "By that logic, aren''t you a student of my student? Is this how you treat the master of your master?" "When is it that Mr. Jang is a student, huh? You said he was a pathetic thing, taught him a few things out of pity, then when he got cocky, you kicked him out, didn''t you?" "Goodness, that''s why you''re such a mess, having learned from such a pathetic thing." "And what shall we call the one who taught the pathetic thing and the mess?" The two went back and forth, neither willing to concede. Kang Mu-hyuk and A moved away, distancing themselves from the quarrel. As the noise faded, A introduced Alex and Raven in turn. No sooner had the introductions finished than Alex brought out a document, getting straight to the point. "The Goblin Matron report. Did Mr. Kang write this?" "It''s about that matter, I see. Yes, I wrote it." "Do you happen to have information on the Goblin Matron?" "I''m aware that an A-ss guild from Brazil in the Amazon was annihted. I don''t know the exact details, though." "You''ve managed to gather that much from a report from abroad. That''s quite impressive." "It''s a hobby of mine. I like to follow raids and monster information from other countries." "The report doesn''t mention why they were wiped out. What do you think, Mr. Kang?" "Does it pertain to summoning?" "..." Alex hesitated for a moment. ''Did I overestimate him, or does he really know something?'' As they tried to discern each other''s intentions, A spoke up. "The alliance refers to it as an ''unknown entity''." "Oh, A, please..." "Alex, why hide it? He''s the only person who survived the summoning. We are the ones who are at a loss." "Only? It sounds as if there are more instances than just the Amazon case." "That''s correct. A notable example would be the ''Necromancer of Sader'' incident." "Sader?" "The incident that took ce in the African nation of Chad." "Chad... Are you talking about the undead uproar? That was because of a necromancer?" "Yes, that''s right. In the local tribalnguage of the area, Chad is referred to as Sader. The tribe that first encountered it named it ''The Necromancer of Sader''." Kang Mu-hyuk recalled the raid records he had seen in the past. It was definitely mentioned that a Gate in one of Africa''s unstable regions burst open, resulting in a surge of undead. The number of undead was significant, escting the situation to a war-level mission. Subsequently, the corpses began to rise in session, leading to a joint response from the surrounding nations. Eventually, the mission was escted to an apocalypse-level crisis, and only by mobilizing Africa''s top Hunters were they able to narrowly avert disaster. "I''ve heard that a significant number of Hunters lost their lives during that time. Because of that, half of Africa has now be a den of monsters and viins. Did that necromancer emerge from the Gate?" "No, there was no Gate. That was just what was reported externally." "Didn''t you just say that the necromancer came out?" "It didn''te out. More precisely, the necromancer was created. It transformed an ordinary human being." "Created?! Transformed from a person?" Ju Se-ah, who had just ended a dispute and joined them, asked in astonishment. Kang Mu-hyuk knew why she was particrly shocked. She had a history of hunting necromancers during her time in the yer Guild. Therefore, she knew better than anyone the terror of a necromancer. The thought of such a monster being created outside of a Gate was naturally rming. He felt the same way. A nodded and continued, "In the end, the entity that the necromancer summoned at thest was what annihted the African Hunters. However, the cause that created the necromancer was found elsewhere. We suspect that it was made by an ''unknown entity'' as well." "What was the cause?" "It was due to a certain book." "A book?" "We have a suitable term for it here. Thewbook of the dead. We''ve named it the ''Necronomicon.''" ¡ª "Crazy! The ''Iga n'' has entered Korea?" It was natural for Kim Myung-jun to be surprised. Without warning, one of the Japanese guild alliances'' assassination squads had entered Korea. Moreover, the identity of the assassination squad was none other than the elite Iga n, said to carry on the legacy of ninjas. They were famous for being ''Iga Ninjas,'' affiliated with Hattori Hanzo, a retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu. "Ninjas are just a y on words. It''s just that they couldn''t find a name for the assassination organization, so they borrowed the name of ninjas. Damn them. Do they think this is the Warring States period?" Kim Myung-jun could not hide his vexation. It was because of the yer Guild. Would they be unaware of the Iga n''s entry, the guild that trembled at the mere mention of Japanese influence? In Japan, it might be unknown, but in Korea, they reigned like kings. Even if it took time to identify them, it was highly likely that they had noticed any interference from the Japanese Hunters in Korea. ''Even a stray dogmands half the respect in its own yard. No matter how much the Korean Huntermunity has declined, the yer is not a force to be taken lightly. The alliance is underestimating this ce too much.'' With the informationwork of the yer Guild, even the slightest clue could lead to a relentless pursuit and the uncovering of his connection to the Japanese side. Perhaps the moment of decision was approaching. The current predicament suggested as much. It was a catch-22 situation. Whether the operation seeded or failed, his identity was likely to be revealed. ''Well, I''ve held on for quite some time. There hasn''t been any major change in the domestic Huntermunity, after all.'' With that thought, he realized the reason behind the current debacle. "Kang Mu-hyuk... Damn! Nothing''s been going right since that guy became the Guild Leader. Of all people, he had to stick with Ju Se-ah!" He had made a mistake in taking it lightly when he heard that an ordinary person had be a Guild Leader. He should have intervened actively from that point on, sowing discord between the Hunter Association and other guilds that looked down on the new leadership structure. Kim Myung-jun calmed his excitement with a deep breath. ''What''s the use of holding on to the past?'' His eyes narrowed into slits like a serpent¡¯s, the very eyes Noh Song-rin had once said could turn cruel at any moment. ¡°He¡¯s in Korea now, so I suppose I should meet him.¡± Kim Myung-jun set out to rendezvous with the leader of the Iga n, at a location provided by Chae Dae-su of Union Asset Management. The appointed meeting ce turned out to be quite unexpected. ¡­ "Kyaaak! Oppa!" "BTA! BTA! BTA!" The stage was alive with upbeat dance music and mboyant dance moves. It was behind the scenes at a grand theater, thronged with thousands of spectators. ¡°My name is Handa Ryushin.¡± ¡°You seem to enjoy noisy ces. Indeed, here we can avoid attracting attention. I am Kim Myung-jun, executive of Han Sung Enterprises.¡± Kim Myung-jun offered a handshake in fluent Japanese, but Handa Ryushin didn¡¯t even spare a nce as he spoke. ¡°I''m here purely for business. Iga n is involved in the entertainment industry. The purpose of my visit is to attract Korean idol concerts to Japan.¡± ¡°While you¡¯re at it, you¡¯re also aiming for Ju Se-ah, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°How could we possibly go after Ju Se-ah? We''re not even ranked S. We never overestimate our abilities.¡± ¡°But whye to Korea¡­¡± ¡°To hunt a long-lived one, one must first bring down the horse.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡­¡± ¡°Kang Mu-hyuk.¡± Kim Myung-jun swallowed hard. ¡°I heard he¡¯s the culprit.¡± ¡ª ¡®Damn it, why does it have to be in Japanese? I can¡¯t understand a thing. Something about Kang Mu-hyuk. Maybe I should acquire a trantion skill, huh? Oh? Too expensive?¡¯ Mr. Jo was lurking in the shadows, eavesdropping on their conversation. Normally, he would have his minions monitor Hanseong Corporation or tap their phones, but he personally shadowed Kim Myung-jun whenever he moved. He had set out today without much thought, only to stumble upon Kim Myung-jun meeting with a suspicious figure. ¡®If they¡¯re speaking Japanese, it must be rted to the Union. Given the high caliber of the Hunter, he¡¯s likely from some guild in Japan. Too risky to get closer, though? There are too many around concealing their presence. Kim Myung-jun seems aware of it but hasn''t pinpointed their exact locations. Well, only someone like me would notice their positions anyway.¡¯ Mr. Jo was acutely aware of the hidden Hunters¡¯ positions around him, while they werepletely oblivious to his presence¡ªa testament to his superiority in the same profession. ¡®Come to think of it, I¡¯ve heard about these kinds of guys in Japan... Ninjas, was it? Could these be them?¡¯ A Hunter group stuck in a bygone era, specializing in assassination, infiltration, and espionage. Mr. Jo thought of the ninjas fostered by the various guilds in Japan. ¡®Heh, whatever the case, these guys reek of money. Kang Mu-hyuk, my dear customer, I¡¯ll add a little extra to your bill for thest association job.¡¯ ¡ª "Ugh, it''s so irritating." "Huh? Eul-ji, what did you say?!" "Nothing." "What?!" "I said it''s nothing!" Amidst the roaring cheers, Go Eul-ji raised her voice and swung her fan club''s light stick, singing along to BTA''s song. While Kim Nari soon turned her attention back to the stage, Eul-ji could not concentrate. It was the sensations of movement behind the stage that were distracting her. ''Why the heck are there so many Hunters at an idol fan meeting? They aren''t bodyguards. It''s really bothersome.'' Before the concert started, as she was checking when BTA would appear on stage, she had used her abilities only to inadvertently detect some suspicious presences. Go Eul-ji''s specialty was telekinesis. Commonly referred to as psychokinesis, this power was more than just manipting physical forces. It was, more precisely, an ability to dominate space. The term ''telekinesis'' had been broadly applied as it involved moving objects within space. Dominating space held far more tremendous potential than merebat strength. Kang Mu-hyuk was well aware of this, which was why he thought it was like a treasure falling from the sky and had immediately recruited her. ''Especially that over there. Wow! If it wasn''t for my ability, I wouldn''t have noticed. They''re hiding so well that you can''t even tell something''s there. Ah, that really gets on my nerves. If I don''t concentrate for even a moment, I feel like I''ll lose track of them.'' Externally, Go Eul-ji appeared to be an ordinary high school girl who loved idols, but she was also a top-tier A-rank Hunter. Instinctively, she was on guard due to a stealthy and sticky aura in her surroundings, despite her attempts to ignore it. Eul-ji felt anger towards those ruining the long-awaited fan meeting she had been looking forward to. ''I have a meal voucher to eat with the BTA oppas anyway, should I just st these pests away? No, no, that would be disrespectful to the other fans. Ugh... Be patient, just be patient.'' Chapter 85 - A Statement Need Not be Said Out Loud. Go Eul-ji tried to ignore it, but she couldn¡¯t calm down her impulses. It was a side effect from her grandfather¡¯s forceful method of training her through rote learning. She couldn¡¯t bear doing nothing when danger was in her vicinity. ¡°Uah, screw being considerate to others!¡± ¡°I know, right? You just can¡¯t keep it in, right? Aaaaaaah~ Oppa!¡± The moment Kim Nari cheered almost as if she was screaming, suddenly a thought crossed Go Eul-ji¡¯s mind. ¡®The person hiding there doesn¡¯t seem like he¡¯s allies with the group on the lower floor. If I secretly mess around with him a little bit, the other group will probably handle him, right? After all, they must be in a pinch too. And then, I can admire my dear BTA all I want. Okay.¡¯ Go Eul-ji didn¡¯t have to watch Mr. Cho. She was keeping a watch on him regardless. She could sense and mess around with anything and everything in the space she upied. She used her powers secretly without letting anyone catch on. The power she released was so miniscule that even Mr. Cho couldn¡¯t detect it. Zoooom! Go Eul-ji controlled her mana as it traveled through space. The screw holding the backstage disy stand that Mr. Cho was standing on, came loose. It titled slightly and everything on top of it came tumbling down. Mister Cho hurriedly stretched out his hand, but he couldn¡¯t hold back his voice. ¡°Who was it?!¡± ¡°Daare (who was that)?!¡± Kim Myung-jun and Ryushin shouted out together. The bodyguards of Igo n rushed out of the shadows, surrounding the source of the noise. But Mister Cho had left that ce already. Igo n Hunters sent a message about the presence of an intruder through their skill aftering across the traces of the dust being swept due to someone¡¯s presence. ¡°I think he¡¯s gone. Do you think it was the yer Guild?¡± Kim Myung-jun shook his head at Ryushin¡¯s question. ¡°I know the yer Guild keeps watch over the Japanese hunter scene, but there¡¯s no way they can act this quickly. At best, they might figure out that someone has entered South Korea.¡± ¡°The n members, and even I couldn¡¯t detect this person. This person has got to be extremely skilled. Where else would someone that talented be from if not the yer Guild?!¡± Those words were clearly of someone looking down on the Korean Hunter scene. Kim Myung-jun didn¡¯t think of Ryushin as overconfident. After all, he and his n members were just that talented. But he got the feeling that Ryushin underestimated the Korean Hunters. The words theymonly used often appeared in Japanese news too, like ¡°Fallen Penins¡¯s Hunter Scene¡±. That was enough evidence of how much they looked down upon the Korean Hunter Scene. ¡°There are some seriously talented Hunters in Korea outside of the yer Guild too.¡± ¡°It seems my words offended you. I meant that they hid despite someone as skillful as you being right here. It seems I unintentionally looked down on you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what this is about. I¡¯m just saying there are actually amazing, talented Hunters here.¡± ¡°Makes sense. Ju Se-ah¡¯s here too after all. But of course, she was formerly a member of the yer Guild.¡± \ Ryushin forcefully mentioned Ju Se-ah in the middle of the conversation, but Kim Myung-jun started thinking of Kang Mu-hyuk. ¡®He¡¯s not even a Hunter. Why did I think of him first?¡¯ Kim Myung-jun had alreadybeled Kang Mu-hyuk as more dangerous than Ju Se-ah. He figured Ju Se-ah could raise the level of an individual or an organization at best, but Kang Mu-hyuk was capable of revolutionizing the entire Hunter World. In that sense, the Japanese Hunter Association could be unintentionally targeting a vital point of the Korean Hunter World. Though, of course, there was no reason to tell Ryushin that. Kim Myung-jin was kind of a twisted person. He wasn¡¯t so nice to help even with bad feelings involved. ¡®Also, if Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s gone, that won¡¯t benefit me much. Iron Wall has a lot of enemies. They¡¯ll be crushed before they can grow if there¡¯s only Ju Se-ah on their side. If that happens, I¡¯m going to lose my life trying to be on the lookout for Ju Se-ah. What a hassle. Ju Se-ah needs to grow within limits, for me to do the same.¡¯ He was at the forefront of the forces aiming to kill Ju Se-ah, yet at the same time, it was such an irony that both their destinies were tied to each other. It suddenly struck Kim Myung-jun. That this crisis was just a veiled opportunity. He thought the sess or failure of this operation had nothing to do with him and that rather, there was a higher chance of it hurting him. But by changing his way of thinking, he could use the situation to his advantage. ¡®I need Kang Mu-hyuk first. Unlike the members of yer and the Japanese Hunters, at least that guy listens to others. Should I reach out to him?¡¯ Oblivious of Kim Myung-jun¡¯s wicked thoughts, Ryushin decided to leave the scene for now. ¡°We can¡¯t be at a ce that has already been breached any longer. Let¡¯s end our meeting today now.¡± ¡°How should I get in touch with you?¡± ¡°About that, I¡¯ll get in touch with you.¡± Kim Kyung-jun could sense that he didn¡¯tpletely trust him. It wasn¡¯t in discrimination. Rather he was intrinsically a distrusting guy. ¡®I guess there¡¯s no trust on both sides.¡¯ So it was better to carve out a way for himself in advance. ¡®Necronomicon...¡¯ A¡¯s exnation kept going. The number of cases like ¡®Amazon Goblin Matron¡¯ and ¡®Necromancer of Sader¡¯ were way more than Kang Mu-hyuk had thought. Since this was internationally known, there were instances of information maniption and even cases without any no record at all. The World Hunter Federation concluded that all of this had a connection to a ¡°mysterious being.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t just about its connection to summoning. Though the phenomena involved were different, in several instances, the end result was annihtion of those involved. But this case had a different ouepared to prior cases.¡± ¡°You¡¯re referring to our guildmaster and I making it out alive, right?¡± ¡°Yes. You two are not just valuable as witnesses. I think you could even find a clue about these mysterious phenomena and beings. Do you have a lead that could be of help? It doesn¡¯t have to be something huge.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk fell into deep thought. ¡®Something out of the ordinary? I saw that ominous ck mana during the summoning ritual of the Goblin Matron. The other Hunters didn¡¯t see it. And the exnation for this difference in us is probably....¡¯ Mana Poisoning. That was the most reasonable factor he could think of that could have caused this. ¡®Revealing the issue of mana poisoning isn¡¯t an important matter. It is a ticking time bomb that I haven¡¯t taken care of yet. But it isn¡¯t going to explode right away. However, this very disease will reveal my weakness. I need a mechanism to protect myself.¡¯ Seeing Kang Mu-hyuk racking his brains gave A anxiety. She could see something was definitely the matter. But she didn¡¯t say a word, and waited patiently. Her experience taught her that forcing him to speak up would only ruin things. Humans tend to be doubtful if you approach them too openly, so she was especially careful. Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s eyes that were looking into the distance just happened to find their focus at that moment. He spoke as he looked to his side. ¡°Before I tell you, I¡¯d like to request you to keep this a secret, Chairman Han Byung-gu.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t say much for my other qualities, but I¡¯m known for being tight-lipped. Don¡¯t worry. You can proceed.¡± ¡°A person¡¯s tongue is thest thing you can trust in this world. I can¡¯t believe a promise made with empty words.¡± ¡°You want me to draft a contract or what?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not the one who needs to make the contract.¡± ¡°What?¡± Kang Mu-hyuk turned his gaze once again and nced at A. ¡°Miss A, you must make me a promise.¡± ¡°Me?¡± A pointed her finger at herself with her eyes widened. Standing next to them, Raven went into a fit of rage. He grabbed Kang Mu-hyuk by the cor. ¡°Oi! Don¡¯t you know who you''re in front of? What the hell kinda prank is this?!¡± ¡°Who the hell are you to step forward as you wish?¡± Raven flinched on btedly, seeing Ju Se-ah¡¯s hand on top of his. ¡®When did she grab me?¡¯ All she did was slightly grab his shoulder, yet he couldn¡¯t budge. She was exuding a murderous aura enough to paralyze his whole body. He soon regretted doing this. A figured Ju Se-ah had already reached S-rank but didn¡¯t know how to fully draw out her powers yet. So she thought of her as no different than an A+ranker. ¡®Despite having the same ranks, there¡¯s such a huge gap between them?¡¯ But it wasn¡¯t Raven who¡¯d back out from the scuffle. Now that it hade to this, he tried lifting Kang Mu-hyuk by the cor even if he had to force his way through. As his stance changed, his veins began to bulge out. His muscles got thicker, and the mana he exuded changed in nature. All of this took the form of muscr strength. Ju Se-ah didn¡¯t see it directly like Kang Mu-hyuk, but she sensed this change. ¡°You¡¯re using some pretty odd power. But who do you think you¡¯re trying to show off to, huh?¡± Thud! ¡°!!¡± As soon as Ju Se-ah exerted strength with her teeth clenched, Raven¡¯s hand left Mu-hyuk¡¯s cor and he fell to his knees. Ten times the force of gravity seemed to be pressing down on his shoulder. The ground caved in where his knee hit down. ¡®I lost in terms of strength?¡¯ Raven bit his lips trying to squeeze out any strength he had in him. ¡°Stop it!¡± ¡°But, Alex...!¡± ¡°You should be ashamed, Raven. Miss A was quiet about it. How could you just jump at him as you wished? Or you should¡¯ve at least won. You can¡¯t even assess your opponent¡¯s capabilities. Look at yourself!¡± Raven lowered his head at Alex¡¯s reproach of his actions. Once the matter seemed to have worked out, Ju Se-ah also let go and stepped back. ¡°Get up now, Raven. Kang Mu-hyuk wasn¡¯t discourteous towards me. If he¡¯s going so far to say that, this must be a matter of difficulty for him. This request is simply a fitting price to pay for his burden.¡± A helped Raven up, and nced at Kang Mu-hyuk. After all that suddenmotion, Kang Mu-hyuk was simply looking at himself. ¡®I can¡¯t believe howposed his gaze is. You¡¯d think he belongs to our race after seeing those eyes.¡¯ Was that why he seemed trustworthy? A spoke up. ¡°Kang Mu-hyuk, what promise do you want me to make?¡± ¡°I want you to guarantee you¡¯ll keep this a secret. The matter I¡¯m about to speak of could be my weakness.¡± ¡°So that promise applies to Han Byung-gu too.¡± ¡°I mean, he¡¯s dying to take me out. I¡¯m just saying this because he¡¯s surely going to use this to drag me down.¡± ¡°You brat! Do I look that petty to you? I wouldn¡¯t be so selfish when there¡¯s the threat of a Gate!¡± ¡°You said you¡¯d kill me over a call when I scouted Go Eul-j!?¡± ¡°That was.... It was a matter of my little grandchild. No grandpa would just let it slide. A. It¡¯s not that. Why are you looking at me that way? You think I¡¯d actually kill him?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. From what I remember, you once said you¡¯d kill a Hunter and you did...¡± ¡°That guy was a viin!¡± Kang Mu-hyuk pointed to han Byung-gu in all his rage, and said to A, ¡°Did you see? In addition to promising confidentiality, I want you to guarantee my safety too.¡± ¡°Um.... It certainly seems that¡¯s the case.¡± ¡°A.... Why are you acting like you get it?¡± A paid no attention to Han Byung-gu¡¯s sulky words. ¡°So how do you want me to make the promise? After all, you said you don¡¯t trust a person¡¯s word.¡± ¡°Of course, by writing up a contract.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not just asking me for silence, right? To be honest, I can¡¯t pay you back with much. Except for teaching you magic. But of course, humans can¡¯t seem to learn it, maybe because they¡¯re so used to skills.¡± ¡°The Federation will take care of the price. What do you think, Mister Wilkinson?¡± Alex sighed seeing A who had a bothered look on her face. ¡°I can only do so much within my authority. How much do you want?¡± ¡°First categorize my secret as Federation¡¯s special intel. That way, even those in charge of the Hunter Federation won¡¯t easily tell someone.¡± ¡°Hmph! Just because the Federationpels silence doesn¡¯t mean that¡¯ll stop thempletely.¡± ¡°So are you saying you¡¯ll leak it? Do I have to doubt the autonomy of the Chairman of the Association that represents the Korean Hunter World now?¡± ¡°That¡¯s... Ehem. Ehem! All you got is that yappity mouth.¡± Ju Se-ah snickered seeing Han Byung-gu get worse every time he opened his mouth. Han Byung-gu tried shooting daggers at the Guildmaster and the leader with his eyes, but couldn¡¯t even squeak in response to Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s statement. Kang Mu-hyuk took that as a sign of his eptance to the situation. ¡°And the second guarantee I want is for my safety as you just said.¡± ¡°Guarantee of your safety?¡± ¡°Not sure if you know, but our guild recentlypleted a war-rank mission. The raid was beyond the guild¡¯s capacity, so we took a lot of damage. On top of that, we have the Rider Wolf.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying someone¡¯s after the treasure.¡± Alex instantly understood what Kang Mu-hyuk meant. ¡°Within South Korea, supply contracts set up a minimum safety mechanism set when ites to Tier Guild supply contracts. But it¡¯s failing to resolve the expected interference from nearby nations. If our Guild Leader bes an S-ranker as Miss A checked, we¡¯re worried it won¡¯t simply be them trying to suppress us, but also proactively attacking us.¡± ¡°There¡¯s certainly a group that doesn¡¯t see the Korean Hunter World in a positive light. So? I¡¯ll say this in advance. We can¡¯t directly dispatch troops. China and Japan are active supporters of our Federation. We can¡¯t offend them.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to dispatch troops. You just need to make a statement of support.¡± ¡°Statement of support? Just so you know about this too, the Federation is currently refraining frommenting on specific guilds in public.¡± ¡°You don''t have to make a statement by saying it out loud.¡± ¡°If not out loud, then...?¡± ¡°I want the Federation¡¯s support in breeding Rider Wolf.¡± ¡°Support?¡± ¡°I know the Federation has influence over the US political world. The US political circles are drawing a lot of funds from the guilds. Asian guilds aren¡¯t the only ones who want Rider Wolf. We want to learn the know-how of the Auto Ranch that the US is developing. I want the Federation to arrange that.¡± ¡°!!¡± ¡°Strange people?¡± The intelligence team¡¯s report made Sung Seon-jae¡¯s nerves stand on end. That was because the intel came from Japan. Manager Lee Kang-san, in-charge of Japanese intelligence, scratched his head, and spoke as he looked at the document. ¡°None of their movements made us think ¡°this is it!¡±. But what was suspicious was that some Japanese warehouse issued equipmentnded in the Incheon Airport. That means there¡¯s someone who¡¯s going to use that equipment, right?¡± Sung Seon-jae thought the same. ¡®The alliance has some secret organizations, so they can¡¯t chase people. That¡¯s the limit. So they monitored the movement of equipment. I can¡¯t believe we caught this. Aren¡¯t they looking down on us too much?¡¯ He suddenly became suspicious. Wasn''t this way too easy? ¡°Aren¡¯t they being too negligent by tantly using airnes?¡± ¡°But they didn¡¯t try to trick or hide it.¡± ¡°Why do you say that?¡± ¡°They came in a diplomatic bag.¡± ¡°Jeez, the Japanese are basically pushing this intel in front of our faces. I softened up a few Japanese ambassadors just in case. I can¡¯t believe they actually did this...¡± Sung Seon-jae asked Lee Kang-san in a cool and calm manner. ¡°What should we do?¡± ¡°Where are they delivering it to?¡± ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of finding that out.¡± ¡°They came in secretly. So they can¡¯t be upright people. Since they¡¯re hiding, they won¡¯t juste out openly. These guys look down on Korea, so they wouldn¡¯te as tourists. High chance they chose someone from within the country to get here. Try digging into the Yakuza businesses connected to the Alliance. We¡¯ll find something.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Lee Kang-san made a note in his diary and asked with caution. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we make preparations too?¡± ¡°What preparations do you mean?¡± ¡°Like asking for cooperation from other Tier Guilds by letting them know about this...¡± Sung Seon-jae smiled bitterly at Lee Kang-san¡¯s suggestion. ¡°I would¡¯ve done that already if that was possible. Everyone is busy just trying to survive. At least we ought to have our act together.¡± Chapter 86 - You Sure Have a Great Face ¡®This matter is rted to the mysterious beings, so obviously the Federation would keep it confidential, like he wants. But associating with the famous US Auto Ranch for breeding wolves means he can get protection of the guild in question and draw the interest of the US political world. The Federation arranging this itself would create a statement of support, and that is practically a guarantee of his safety.¡¯ Alex thought Kang Mu-hyuk was no pushover. An exclusive MOU between Iron Wall and the North American Ranch meant they could enter into the US and carry on their business anytime, since Rider Wolf was just that attractive as a product. ¡®Of course, getting a good deal won¡¯t be easy.¡¯ Good products didn¡¯t always sell at the price that they were worth. South Korea had lost all the power it had within the Hunter Scene. A country without influence or power asking for help? The North American guilds would undoubtedly try to suck them dry as much as possible. This concern kicked out the option of being provided by foreign helppletely from kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s mind. ¡®But through the Federation, they¡¯ll be guaranteed the bare minimum equal right. Yet the strange part is that Mister Kang is trying to gauge the Federation¡¯s influence as the Federation ims to be a non-profit organization on the outside.¡¯ The flow of his thoughts had barely reached there when Alex realized his mistake. Considering Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s actions until the present, this might¡¯ve been the obvious decision. After all, there were so many loopholes. Even though the country was an outlier within the Hunter World, a regr non-profit organization couldn¡¯t force the Hunter Association Chairman to take action or begin preparation for the worldwide threat from the mysterious beings. iming that the Federation was powerless was also pointless as they had juggled with the African incident where tens of hundreds of people were sacrificed, without anyone finding out. ¡°See. I told you, didn¡¯t I? He¡¯s a damn thief, I tell you.¡± Han Byung-gu tapped Alex¡¯s shoulder, who had a baffled look on his face. ¡°You seem to be enjoying this, Mister Han.¡± ¡°How could I? My heart pains to see you frown for so long.¡± Alex shook his head at Han Byung-gu¡¯s idle talk and his eyes met A¡¯s. ¡°Alex, is it hard for the Federation to agree to Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s offer?¡± Alex was racking his brain worrying about how to lead this negotiation, and a few words by A threw it all out the window. ¡®Ugh~ She knows it already, yet-¡¯ Human-to-human interactions didn¡¯t affect A as she was an elf, but she wasn¡¯t born yesterday. She had a grasp on the present situation. Only, her priorities were different. For her, eliminating a threat to this world was more important than the Federation¡¯s honor or any damage they¡¯d suffer. That was the reason she intentionally revealed a loophole to Kang Mu-hyuk right now. For the sake of cing the Federation at a disadvantage in the negotiations. The Federation existed to bring stability to the world from the Gates, but the power and wealth they had umted in that person were also of great interest to them. In fact, recently, they seemed to be controlling the world more and more from the shadows. An organization like that had no right to judge Kang Mu-hyuk in the same way as A. Alex kept looking at A and Kang Mu-hyuk for quite long, and let out a sigh. ¡°Mr. Kang, you sure have a talent for putting people in a pinch. I¡¯ll just get to the point. The Federation is more than capable of fulfilling your request.¡± ¡°Can I have that in writing?¡± ¡°Sure, that won¡¯t be a problem.¡± This short chat was enough to give Kang Mu-hyuk a rough idea of where these people stood inside the Federation. ¡®That was a heavy decision, yet a pretty quick response. The suggestion was within his powers. He didn¡¯t hesitate because of that. Seeing how he¡¯s being wary of A, who¡¯s an elf, one can tell the race holds a significant position in the Federation.¡¯ Alex extended his hand. ¡°Now that we¡¯ve discussed your conditions, do I have to write a contract now for you to tell me?¡± ¡°Miss A¡¯s guaranteeing it. We can take our time writing the contract.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk sped his hand. Both of them wouldn¡¯t go back on their word. Han Byung-gu, on the other hand, was surprised that this ridiculous deal had actually been made. ¡®The Federation¡¯s giving in? Hell¡¯s gonna freeze over. Kang Mu-hyuk... He¡¯s amazing. He managed to gain the North American Hunter World¡¯s backing right here. As long as the Federation goes forward with a firm stance on this, everything will be fine. This is going to cause quite the uproar in the Korean Hunter Scene too.¡¯ A spoke up, seeing that the negotiation was over. ¡°What happened on the day you took down the Goblin Matron?¡± ¡°I saw ck mana. It exuded a very ominous aura.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Raven shouted, even after being silenced when Ju Se-ah overpowered him. ¡°You could ¡®see¡¯ the mana? He¡¯s a total fraud. Alex! Everything was a waste of time.¡± ¡°Calm down, Raven.¡± Alex signaled Raven to back off, and asked again. ¡°Mr. Kang. You saw mana?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think your inability to see it makes it impossible for others to see it.¡± ¡°I mean to say, it¡¯s impossible for the humans on earth.¡± ¡°Miss A, does that mean that it¡¯s possible for other species who are not humans on earth?¡± Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s question turned the arrow towards A. ¡°I couldn¡¯t see it until I crossed over to this world.¡± ¡°Meaning, after you arrived here, you were able to see it.¡± ¡°Yes. I do not know the reason behind it though.¡± ¡°Then I assume the green colored mana I see floating around you isn¡¯t me hallucinating.¡± ¡°!!¡± A¡¯s eyes widened. Her silence prompted Alex to ask her. ¡°Miss A, is he telling the truth?¡± A acknowledged it with just the nod of a head. Not a single member of the Federation could speak up. They were just gawking at Kang Mu-hyuk. Only after the lingering shock disappeared did A say a word. ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s lying. I can¡¯t believe someone from Earth can see mana. This is shocking. May I ask how you became capable of seeing it? Were you born with it?¡± ¡°From here on out, I need you to promise you¡¯ll keep this a secret.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll keep this ssified as per our promise.¡± ¡°I suffer from mana poisoning.¡± ¡°Mana Poisoning?¡± Kang Mu-hyuk took a deep breath and exined further. ¡°And I had a conversation with the ¡®mysterious beings¡¯ you speak of.¡± ¡°!!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just impossible to meet you these days. I feel like we¡¯re growing apart.¡± No Song-rin quietly stared at Kim Myung-jun, who was seated in a private pavilion of a high-end Korean restaurant. Seeing him just standing there, Kim Myung-jun tapped thepletely set table. ¡°Have a seat. Let¡¯s have a drink, yeah?¡± No Song-rin took off his shoes and got up on the pavilion. His teeth kept ttering, and body was trembling. The cold weather was certainly chilling, but not for Hunters. His fear for Kang Mu-hyuk was what made him feel chilly. ¡®It¡¯s not the fact that he¡¯s an A-ranker. He may be a rank higher than me, but this isn¡¯t the first fight where my opponent had the upper hand.¡¯ Then what was the reason she feared him? Afterimages of the crimes he hadmitted, the times he dominated those foolish crowds through fear, along with his nerves of steel in the showdown with the yer Guild. It wasn¡¯t any of the above. Kim Myung-jun subdued all the viins of Ujungdo with just his overwhelming aura. He acted like a calm, easygoing, good person, but in reality, he was a monster who¡¯d devour anything. Devouring human life for his own benefit was especially a piece of cake for him. Not that most viins were any different, but Kim Myung-jun was the most extreme and stealthiest of them all. As No Song-rin sat down, Kim Myung-jun poured him a drink. He didn¡¯t mind that No Song-rin didn¡¯t take the ss, and just continued with what he wanted to say. ¡°You rarely get in touch these days. I¡¯m sure it must be hard since you¡¯re in North Pocheon. But if youe out of there like today, shouldn¡¯t you at least inform me? You haven¡¯t changed your mind, right?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t take Kang Mu-hyuk lightly. He¡¯s not an easy opponent. You gotta be careful.¡± ¡°I¡¯m well aware. He got me, not long ago, you see.¡± ¡°You met him?¡± Kim Myung-jun put down the bottle of liquor and observed No Song-rin¡¯s expression. ¡®Does he really not know? Or is he acting like he doesn¡¯t?¡¯ The same look as always. As if terrified, No Song-rin couldn¡¯t meet his gaze, as always. ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always felt this, but you sure have a great face. Well, _that is _why I keep you by my side.¡± No Song-rin grit his teeth and barely managed to spit out the words. ¡°I can¡¯t stay long. I have other ns after this.¡± ¡°You¡¯re diligent with your work in the guild.¡± ¡°Kang Mu-hyuk recently took out Do Kyunghoon and Cho Choonghyun. Now that he busted 2 of Taesung¡¯s 3 greats, I¡¯m next. Beingte to the schedule will only bring unnecessary suspicion.¡± ¡°If you say so.¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°Give me Kang Mu-hyuk''s contact. Holed up in North Pocheon or not, I need some way to get in touch with him. I tried finding it through the guild cooperation agency, but the yers agents keep getting in the way. I can¡¯t have Sung Seon-jae finding out, you see.¡± Noh Song-rin immediately typed in the number and passed it over when Kim Myung-jun extended his smartphone. ¡°It¡¯s Chief Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s personal number. He won¡¯t be there to receive it right now.¡± ¡°Where is he?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not really one to reveal his schedule, so I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know anything. Try to be useful. That''s why I keep you around.¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t trust me. He¡¯ll find me suspicious if I try to act close.¡± ¡°Makes sense. You¡¯re not exactly someone people wanna get close to, Keke.¡± Kim Myung-jun saved the number and then waved his ss in the air. Noh Song-rin raised his ss in response, and toasted in the air. Both downed their shots at the same time and stood up. Noh Song-rin left first. Kim Myung-jun sat back down and poured himself another drink. ¡°He doesn¡¯t have a great face after all. You can never tell what he¡¯s thinking.¡± Back at the Hunter Association, A recalled her meeting with Kang Mu-hyuk during the day. ¡®Mana Poisoning...¡¯ As per the Federation¡¯s intel, it was known to be an incurable illness.. It was so rare that there had hardly been any research conducted on it, and no one who had contracted it had survived. Kang Mu-hyuk had found a way to manage his mana poisoning to some extent, and though it was unclear whether it was due to the disease or its side effects, he had be able to see mana with his eyes. ¡°If what Mr. Kang says is true, he¡¯s not just a witness. Having a conversation with a mysterious being is a huge deal." ¡°Isn¡¯t he lying about that?¡± Raven challenged Alex''s words. However, Alex did not agree. ¡°Someone who has never seen mana couldn''t have described the mana particles swirling around Miss A." "The part about having a conversation with that being didn''t seem like a lie either." A vouched for Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. Members of their race knew how to feel the emotions of living beings. It wasn''t just about being quick-witted; they could literally read and understand the exact emotions of other people. There was hardly anyone on Earth who could deceive her. "Alex, given this, how should the Federation respond?" "We must honor the contract that has already been promised. We could add a few uses to strengthen our cooperation going forward." "What about him joining the Federation?" ¡°That¡¯s...¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is it difficult because he¡¯s not a Hunter?¡± ¡°The membership screening is strict. There are hardly one or two new members a year. The fact that he''s not a Hunter would also be considered in the screening." ¡°Having him join the Federation would make it easier for us in the future. If he bes a human asset of the Federation, we can openly protect him." "That''s true, but... Mr. Han probably won''t like it." "Ah? I forgot about him. Yeah, he really hates the Federation." "I''m also not confident that I can persuade the Elders." ¡°Jeez. I forgot about their stubbornness too. They weren¡¯t like this during the Great War. Time has really turned them into rigid people. So, there''s no way? I want to get him to join though." The previous discussion didn''t matter. The important thing was thest words A had uttered. "There''s no other way. He has to undergo the Federation¡¯s screening." "The screening might be harsh for Mr. Kang..." "Since Mr.Kang is not a Hunter, we''ll have to avoid the usual monster-hunting type of screening." "Then what?" "We have to give him a problem to solve." "Isn''t that the method for selecting amander? That''s not easy at all." "This is the only way the Federation can evaluate someone who isn¡¯t a Hunter. Even for this, we will have to convince the Elders." ¡°So you mean that convincing them is up to me.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± A chewed on her lip, a habitual thing when she was deep in thought. Soon, she gathered her thoughts and said, "There¡¯s no other way. Please contact the Federation. It¡¯s been a long time. Tell them we¡¯re calling for a roundtable meeting." Chapter 87 - I was wondering why its been so quiet lately ¡°I didn¡¯t know mana poisoning could have this effect! You can see mana?¡± Ju Se-ah let out a sigh of disapproval. Kang Mu-hyuk apologized immediately after hearing the sigh from the Guild Master. ¡°I apologize for not informing you about this before.¡± ¡°Do you know what you should be apologizing for?¡± ¡°Yes, I do. I was toote to report it to you. But I had no way to exin how this phenomenon took ce in events where I wasn¡¯t meeting strange beings for the first time or in danger. So, I was nning to tell you after figuring out the details.: ¡°But that¡¯s not what I¡¯m... phew!¡± Ju Se-ah stopped talking after another sigh. She hated it. ¡®Jeez. He¡¯s not even thinking what¡¯ll happen to him.¡¯ No wonder Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s icy and rigid demeanor was pissing her off. Ju Se-ah decided to hold back her desire to hit him and said, ¡°The monster we saw that day, whatever it was, wasn''t something we could deal with right away. I kept it a secret to avoid causing unrest among others, but in truth, even I¡¯ve been trying hard to forget that memory, so I''ve been acting oblivious about it. I haven''t felt so powerless and unable to put up any substantial resistance since well over ten years ago.¡± ¡°It was definitely a monster that would cause a disaster no matter where it appeared in the world.¡± ¡°What I mean is that you don''t have to bear this burden alone. No single person in the world can handle it by themselves. You just need to report when you think it''s necessary, as you always have. But the issue rted to mana poisoning is directly connected to your health and, consequently, to the guild''s safety. It is something I should be aware of.¡± ¡°There won''t be any problems with my health. I can control it so it doesn''t interfere with my duties as a leader, even though it''s notpletely cured.¡± ¡°It''s notpletely cured?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kang Mu-hyuk bit his tongue. How could he make such a mistake? He had anticipated and prepared for this situation when he¡¯d mention the aftereffects of mana poisoning, but Ju Se-ah''s slightly unexpected reaction caught him off guard. ¡®I can¡¯t believe I disyed such a weakness. I still have a long way to go.¡¯ While Kang Mu-hyuk reflected on his mistake, he also felt relieved that, despite his numbing emotions, there was still a human side to him. "Haah~ Let''s set that aside for now. So, is there anything else I need to know? For example, how you''re managing the illness." ¡°I''ve been taking medication regrly. And getting injections, too." "I heard there''s no cure for it. Where did you get the medicine?" "My f-My father researched physiology and bacteriology in the field of Gate Bio. And my uncle worked in Gate Mechanical Engineering. The two of them are working together to find a treatment." ¡°Seeing how they made such progress on a disease known to be incurable, both of them must be famous in the Gate science field." "Not many people would know. They haven''t been active publicly for quite some time now, you see. It''s been about 15 years." Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s casual mention of ¡°15 years¡± made Ju Se-ah feel nauseous for a second. Noticing Ju Se-ah''s darkening expression, Kang Mu-hyuk tilted his head and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You look upset." "No, it''s just... I was reminded of something from the past. Something unpleasant..." A past significant enough to unsettle the look on the face of Korea''s top Hunter. It didn¡¯t seem like a trivial matter. Kang Mu-hyuk wanted to dig in further, but he had no choice but to dy his questions for an iing call. "Take the call. Seeing how they directly contacted you, it must be urgent. And let''s keep this conversation for another time when we''re free." Ju Se-ah gestured with her finger in the air as if to warn that he couldn¡¯t evade this topic, and then sat down on the sofa. ''I think we''ve covered everything we need to talk about though.'' Kang Mu-hyuk pondered hard about what else needed to be discussed in this conversation as he picked up the call. ¡°Kang Mu-hyuk speaking.¡± -This is Kim Myung-jun speaking, Captain Kang. The moment the cheerful sound voice came from the receiver. Beep! ¡°Huh? Why did you hang up?" "Someone dialed the wrong number." "But who would call that number by mistake..." ¡°It must be a spam call.¡± Ring! Ring! ¡°If they¡¯re calling again, it does not look like spam.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk had no intention of answering, so Ju Se-ah approached and picked it up. ¡°Hello.¡± -By the sound of it, you must be Guild Master Ju Se-ah. I''m Kim Myung-ju-... Beep! ¡°It must be a voice phishing fraud.¡± ¡°That''s scary. Voice phishing... For someone to be able to harm you just by using a voice alone. I think you¡¯ll have to change the number after all." The phone rang continuously even after that. Kang Mu-hyuk was about to disconnect the phone line but stopped himself. The direct line was established for emergencies, so of course, he couldn''t just rashly cut it off. He decided to answer the call, feeling he had no other choice. ¡°Kang Mu-hyuk speaking.¡± -Hey, look. Captain Kang. Let¡¯s talk, yeah. For god¡¯s sake. "How did you get this number?" -I have my ways. Kang Mu-hyuk caught on to the possibility of No Song-rin giving it to him. "Didn''t we agree to live without crossing each other¡¯s ways?" -How can people in the same industry not cross ways in such a small world? "So, what do you want?" -Let''s meet and talk. "Is that necessary?" -Look, this is a matter concerning your life. "Is that it?" Kim Myung-jun was slightly taken aback by Kang Mu-hyuk''s nonchnt response. ¡®Wouldn¡¯t a normal person at least act surprised when I say that?¡¯ He wondered if Kang Mu-hyuk was taking him lightly, but Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s forever calm tone left Kim Myung-jun with a flustered look on his face. Then, he realized maybe that was what Kang Mu-hyuk was aiming for. He took that as Kang Mu-hyuk wanting more rity on what he said. -Foreign interference in the Korean Huntermunity. Is that a good enough reason to meet? "Finally the conversation is getting somewhere. Is it the Japanese?" Kim Myung-jun barely held back his urge to curse at Kang Mu-hyuk''s irritating demeanor. -Have you heard about the assassination unit of the Japan Guild Alliance? "Fine, let''s meet. Maybe I can give you what you want." Kim Myung-jun was trying to hide his intentions, and barely stopped himself from raging out at Kang Mu-hyuk''sst remark. ''Jeez, he listens and moves on as he pleases. He could be a fortune teller.¡¯ Unlike the awe he was in within his mind, Kim Myung-jun answered calmly. -You''re not going to like my choices anyway. Pick the ce and time, and let me know. "Of all ces to choose..." In the outskirts of North Pocheon, in a deserted vige that had be uninhabited due to declining poption, Kim Myung-jun stood face to face with Kang Mu-hyuk. Beside them, Ju Se-ah was scowling. Maybe because of the memory from their past harsh encounter, his legs went numb. ¡®Did I make a mistakeing here alone?'' But bringing his subordinates was pointless, since they wouldn''t stand a chance against Ju Se-ah. At best, they''d act like human shields. They couldn''t stop her anyway. So it was better to meet them alone rather than to create unnecessary misunderstandings. Kim Myung-jun tried to shake off his nervousness by starting the conversation. "Congrattions on seeding at the Orc Tribe raid.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing to congratte us for.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. It''s more a matter of worry than celebration. Your publicity team is pretty talented. You gained Guild-tier fame just from orcs. You sure know how to do business. You must be quite disliked in quite a few circles." "Get to the point." ¡®I was trying to shake him up before getting down to business. But I guess,¡¯ Kim Myung-jun smacked his tongue in disappointment. ''As I thought, it doesn¡¯t work on him after all. That means he¡¯s well aware of the situation then.'' Kang Mu-hyuk knew all too well that fame beyond one''s capabilities could be a poison. He wasn''t going to fall for Kim Myung-jun''s provocations. Thus, Kim Myung-jun continued, "Have you heard of the Japanese ''GAA¡¯?" "The Guild Association Alliance, right?" "People often refer to it as the Japanese Guild Alliance. It''s not an official group, though." "Unofficial or not, when such dangerous powers gather together, it''s as good as an officially recognized organization." "You¡¯re right. It''s backed by Japanese political circles, so even without an official tag, they¡¯re not powerless. In fact, it has a significant, albeit discreet, influence in Korea as well." "What are they scheming?" "Did I mention the assassination group affiliated with the alliance?" "They''ve entered Korea. What''s their objective?" "They¡¯re a group called Iga n." Kim Myung-jun slyly diverted the conversation. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t rush and listened carefully. ¡®Tch. He¡¯s no fun.¡¯ Seeing no reaction from Kang Mu-hyuk, Kim Myung-jun frowned and continued. "The alliance has many assassination groups like the Iga n, Fuma, Koga, Saika, Shispa, etc. All these names are derived from ninja ns. I don¡¯t get what kind of fascination Japanese people have with ninjas, that named them all this way." "So your point being?" "Iga n is considered the elite of the elite among them. This time, they''vee to Korea to take you out." This time, he went straight to the point without dragging it out. He was looking forward to seeing him flustered after hearing the shocking news that an elite assassination group from the Japanese Huntermunity was targeting him, yet Kang Mu-hyuk remained expressionless as always. Kang Mu-hyuk turned towards Ju Se-ah who stood beside him with her arms crossed like a statue and said, ¡°Why do they wanna kill me? I¡¯d get it if they were after you.¡± "This is my first time hearing a Captain suggest targeting their own Guild Master instead. Why not just write down my address for them?" "That''s a good idea, Guild Master." ¡°What about it is good?¡± "Aren¡¯t you suggesting we set up a trap? With your skills, we¡¯ve got good odds of sess." ¡°Jeez, I shouldn¡¯t have said anything.¡± Realizing Kang Mu-hyuk was being serious, and not joking, Ju Se-ah shut up. Kim Myung-jun tried to break the awkward silence with more exnation. "Anyway, that''s the kind of people they are. If I had to say why they specifically want to kill Kang Mu-hyuk, it''s probably to hold you back from growing too much as a Guild Leader." "We''ve already grown as much as we can. Why would they bother crossing the seas to stop us?" "Whether you¡¯re an S-ranker or not, their goal is to make you unable to do anything by yourself. It''s a way to constrain you without having to fight you." "Howe?" "You have many enemies, including yer, right? An individual''s strength shines during raids. And guilds prepare for those raids. But if you can''t even participate in raids, what good is being an S-ranker?" "And you''re the one ying the role of the saboteur. Isn¡¯t that right?" ¡°...¡± Kim Myung-jun was visibly surprised that Ju Se-ah, not Kang Mu-hyuk, hit the nail right on the head. ''Did Kang Mu-hyuk give her a clue? Or...'' Was Ju Se-ah changing? While he was searching for an excuse for her sharpment, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke. "We already knew about the assassination group entering the country. And the reason you''re telling us this... is pretty obvious too. After all, as a Korean Hunter, you¡¯re just an outsider in the Japanese Huntermunity, where pureblood ideology is rampant, so you couldn¡¯t gain their trust. To avoid being hunted after you have fulfilled your purpose, you can''t just let them kill the prey. In fact, for you to climb higher, you need the prey to stir up more trouble, don¡¯t you? Only then will the master feed you for fighting." "It''s reallyfortable to talk to you after all, Captain Kang. No need for extra exnations, simple and clear cut." "So what do you want?" "What you mentioned earlier." "A trap? You want to eliminate the Iga n?" As Kang Mu-hyuk expressed skepticism, Kim Myung-jun quickly exined his reasoning. "It''s not about setting a trap in return. Because if yer catched on to Iga n¡¯s presence, that¡¯ll put me in a pinch. Whether the assassination attempt on you seeds or fails, and worst scenario, if things go wrong, I¡¯ll be exposed. Has anyone survived after being targeted by the yer Guild on Korean soil? And even if I flee to Japan and settle there, would they wee me? Simply maintaining the status quo is the answer to this." "And using the Guild Master as an excuse to get more _aid _from the GAA just happens to be an icing on the cake?" ¡°You could say that¡¯s a bonus for my performance.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t ask further and simply nodded. "We''ll think it over and contact you." "I''ll be waiting for you toe to a positive conclusion." ''Eul-ji, you brat! Let¡¯s settle this today!'' Fuming, Han Byung-gu returned home and stomped up to the second floor, kicking Eul-ji''s door open. ¡°Oi, no way! Not Iron Will!¡± ¡°Hello, Mr.Han.¡± ¡°Oh? Oh my, Nari. So you were here too. I thought it was only Eul-ji in here. Hahaha.¡± "Don¡¯t you know what etiquette is, Grandpa? Just barging into ady''s room. No matter how old-fashioned a Hunter you are, you should know where to draw the line. I mean, you have a social position you need to match up to. You really don''t know the first thing aboutmon sense." Han Byung-gu shrugged and scowled at Go Eul-ji, shaking her head. "Etiquette? Respect? Common sense~? And is it someone with mon sense _who joined a banned guild just because of an idol?" "Just because? It was for the BTA fan meeting, and there was a meal coupon** **too!" "Eul-ji is right about that, Mr. Han. I mean, it''s _BTA _we''re talking about." "Right?" With Kim Nari''s support, Go Eul-ji smiled brightly. Han Byung-gu pped his forehead. What did he do wrong? How did he do so wrong to the point his granddaughter fell for these pale ass, girly boys? ¡®No. I did nothing wrong.¡¯ Then, one must find out who the wrongdoer was. There was only one conclusion. "Kang Mu-hyuk! That rascal! How dare he brainwash my granddaughter!" "Hey, wait. Where did Captain Kange from? What did he do wrong for you to target him?" "Y-You brat... Are you taking Kang Mu-hyuk''s side now?" "Taking sides?" "Ueck! Kang Mu-hyuk! Screw the alliance or whatever, this is war!" Eul-ji used telekinesis to hold back Han Byeung-gu, who looked like he was ready to dash off to North Pocheon right then and there. For a moment, the powers of the two top Hunters shed, spreading energy waves in all directions. Crash! Smash! "Aak!" Kim Nari screamed as the windows shattered and objects flew around the room, but she was fine. Eul-ji was protecting her. "Ah, I did it again. How many times do my room''s windows have to be broken?" "Eul-ji, you brat! I''m cutting off your allowance starting today!" "Eh, it''s okay. I get a sry now. It''s just the base pay since I don''t go on raids, but it''s still pretty generous, you see. They even removed the raid obligation use for me since I''m a student and a minor. Getting paid to do nothing? Sweet!" "You... You..." ¡°Captain Kang Mu-hyuk told me. A Hunter, even if a minor, can join a guild without the consent of a guardian or custodian. I had no clue about that. Honestly, Grandpa, you went too far. Not only do you stop me from engaging in economic activities but you also try restricting me using my allowance? You did a great job fooling me for thest 10 years, Mr. Han Byung-gu." For a moment, Go Eul-ji felt as if something had snapped inside Han Byung-gu. ¡°I pampered you for so long, but I guess it¡¯s time for the medicine, huh?" "Medicine?" "The rod of love." "That''s not medicine; that''s violence... Aargh! What era do you think we''re living in? You''re still using outdated disciplinary methods like that? Grandpa, your fist is a lethal weapon!" "Nari, I''m sorry, but could you go home for today? It looks like Eul-ji is going to be in a lot of pain, you see." "No way. You''re staying at our house tonight." "Ha, you¡¯re gonna get hurt in front of a friend? My granddaughter, you¡¯re causing trouble for others." "Don''te near me. Don''te past that doll... Ah, I told you not toe past it. Grandpa, what are you looking around for? You can look around all you want, there''s no weapon her-... Ah, when did I put that sword there? Anyway, don''te any closer... Ahhh!" Kim Nari carefully closed the room door and stepped out into the corridor. A short whileter, the sound of something breaking came out. Kim Nari slightly opened the door and peeked in, and a cool breeze fluttered her bangs. Looking at Go Eul-ji''s room, with one of its walls no longer there, she let out a sigh. "It''s been a while. I was wondering why it''s been so quiettely." Chapter 88 - She really is the best after all The next morning. As usual, Han Byung-gu woke up at dawn and felt his blood pressure rise for the first time in a while after seeing a message he received on a messaging app. "Th-This brat..." -I''m running away from home. Don''t look for me. ?(?^?^?)? Han Byung-gu immediately extended his senses to check Go Eul-ji''s room on the second floor. He didn''t detect any sign of anyone there. "Ah, right. The room was destroyed yesterday, wasn''t it?" He remembered making her sleep in the study because of the hole punched through the wall. He quickly checked the first floor, and indeed it was quiet. "That brat, even if I was asleep, I can''t believe she escaped without me noticing. Hahaha... Crunch! I put all this effort into teaching her, and now she''s using those skills to run away?!" After grinding his teeth for a while with a flushed face, Han Byung-gu took a deep breath to calm down his anger and rechecked the message. The emoticon showing her excitement about running away caught his eye. Anger surged again. "The emoticon makes it even more infuriating!" "So? You ran away from home?" "Where should I sleep?" Seeing Go Eul-jie to the guild at dawn and confidently announce that she had run away from home, Han Byung-gu entered his mind. ''This is going to be a headache. Now he''s going to create a fuss about how I kidnapped her.'' He caught on to Go Eul-ji''s ratchet personality at their first meeting, so he was prepared to be stuck in such predicaments from the start. Although he wasn''t hugely concerned about her, since he was nning to get her out of there as she gradually improved, he also didn''t want this friction with Han Byung-gu to continue. Kang Mu-hyuk asked as he washed his face with water, clearly not yet fully awake. "There''s no way you flew here from Seoul. So how did you get here?" "I have a bike. My grandpa said Hunters should be able to maneuver around on their own, so he bought it for me. It even has cartridges, so I can use it in special operations zones." "Even if the streets were cleaned, there would still be quite a few monsters roaming around at dawn... But then again, that''s not really a problem for you." "Ah, no wonder they were annoying me so much. I even caught a few of them. As a gift." "Gift?" "For the little wolves." "The little... You mean the Rider Wolves?" "I saw themst time. They looked pretty cute." "We''re feeding them with enough meat already. There''s really no need to go out of our way to feed them monsters you hunted down..." "Didn''t you say they lived with goblins before? Then, they''re practically wild animals. Would domestic meat sit right with wolves who survived on monster meat? We gotta feed them freshly caught monsters to keep them in high spirits." Watching Go Eul-ji punch the air as she spoke, something suddenly crossed Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. Something that Yeom Soohyung, the temporary caretaker of the Rider Wolves had mentioned. ''Is it because people are raising them now? They''ve be more docile than before. They''re still fierce when hunting, but not as much as when the goblins were raising them. They''d be more valuable if they were a bit wilder.'' "Was that the reason?" "What do you mean?" Kang Mu-hyuk let out augh without realizing it. It was a problem he had been mulling over for a while, and this was how he got a clue to it? The solution wasn''t proven, but it was worth trying. "I''ll give you a room." "Whoo!" "Just so you know, there''s no Wi-Fi here yet." "Damn it..." "Also, I''ll arrange the meal with BTA soon. I''ll give you concert tickets as well." "Whoo!" "But in return, you need to either get permission from your grandfather, or go back home in a few days. I''ll let your grandfather know that you''re here." "Boo~" "The sun hasn''te up yetpletely, so you should first get some sleep first and©¤" "Shh!" Go Eul-ji''s expression suddenly changed. Her youthful look from moments ago disappeared, revealing the face of an experienced Hunter. The previously rxed atmosphere also turned sharply intense. Kang Mu-hyuk also tensed up, sensing something was off. "What is it?" "The world is really small. I can''t believe I''m meeting it here again? Damn rat." "?" "Over there!" Suddenly, Go Eul-ji extended her hand toward a corner of the office. Out of thin air, a ck shadow appeared. "Urgh!" The shadow seemed to be suspended in the air as if an invisible hand was clutching its neck. "Gotcha!" Go Eul-ji pushed through the space and grabbed the shadow with both hands. The shadow wriggled desperately. "Oh?" It seemed impossible for the shadow to escape, but it slipped out of Go Eul-ji''s grasp and headed for the window. The moonlight shining through the window revealed the shadow''s form. The face was unfamiliar, but not unknown. Kang Muhyuk recognized that face. "Mis... Wait! Go Eul-ji......" "Where are you trying to run away?!" Go Eul-ji charged toward the retreating shadow by the window, activating her telekinesis. Crash! The moment the office window shattered, the shadow leaped out. Go Eul-ji also threw herself out of the building, following the shadow. In mid-air, they tangled and shed. Every time Go Eul-ji tried to bind the shadow with her telekinesis, it escaped with incredible timing. Whenever she thought she had caught it, the shadow would slip away using some strange, unknown skill. It was the first time someone had managed to escape her telekinesis to this extent. Go Eul-ji didn''t stop trying to overpower them until they hit the ground. She was ready to cramp and crush this entire area if need be. Meanwhile, Kang Mu-hyuk, left alone in the office, stood by the window where the wind blew in. He looked down at the chaos in the division''s front yard. Emergency rms sounded from all directions. "Damn it, Mr. Cho..." He didn''t expect to have two uninvited guests in the middle of the night. He felt Mr. Cho had probablye timing his visit for when he would arrive at work. "If I don''t stop this quickly, he''s going to be upset." Mr. Cho, although not a guild member, was a VIP who brought in important intel due to past connections. Given her nature, she could easily walk away if she felt slighted. Mr. Cho could usually evade capture even against top-tier Hunters, but she found herself at a disadvantage against Go Eul-ji''s powerful telekic abilities. But only because it was her against Go Eul-ji, she wasn''t easily captured. Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was about to turn and catch the elevator-- Boom! The surroundings instantly went silent, as if a giant had descended on earth. Below, the voices of Go Eul-ji and Mr. Cho could be heard. "C-Cough! W- Wait a moment. Let''s talk this out... C-Cough!" "Guild Master Ju Se-ah... So, the thing is, I''m not a thief... Ugh! Y-You can ask Captain Kang. I''m telling you I''m not a thief..." Grabbing the neck of the two uninvited intruders who barged in there in the middle of the night, Ju Se-ah looked up. Meeting her gaze, Kang Mu-hyuk nodded and spoke. "They''re both my guests." And with that, the situation was resolved. "This is really upsetting. Why would I bring such high-quality intel with that brat here?" "I''m sorry that she attacked you, Mr. Cho. But sneaking in, especially at dawn, is rude. A phone call would have sufficed." "That was... I just wanted to take a look... Got curious about this so-called Hunter Vige you advertised. Thought I''d drop by and also drop some intel while I do some sightseeing." "Were you sightseeing? Or scouting the ce?" "Well... eh, woah, this ce is nice. Director Kang, you''ve made it big, huh? Haha, I knew you''d go far." Hearing Mr. Cho''s awkward excuse, Kang Mu-hyuk then turned to Go Eul-ji. Feeling a bit guilty, Go Eul-ji shrugged her shoulders and scratched her head. "It''s just that, I thought he was some bad guy. Honestly, anyone would if someone sneaks in like that. I mean, what is he, some stealing cat... Watching us secretly like that, anyone would..." "Anyone wouldn''t usually break the window, though." "...Y-yes, you''re right. I know I shouldn''t break windows but-... Haha. Will thate out of my sry?" As Kang Mu-hyuk silently shook his head, Go Eul-ji let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, thank god. The new merch for the BTA ising out so... Right! Speaking of which, this guy was at the fan meeting too! Do you have any idea how annoyed I was? I was worried he might ruin the performance! Be thankful I only scared him a bit." "Hold on. Now that you mention it, you used your telekinesis earlier, didn''t you? So, were you the one who messed with me that time? Would you look at that? And they say you always meet your enemy on a single-log bridge. Looks like we need to settle the score today, huh?" "Settle what? You''re one to say that! Just thinking about how I couldn''t fully enjoy the concert that day. Ugh! I''m so mad! Let''s take this outside, yeah?" As the two growled and butted heads, Ju Se-ah stepped in between them. "Both of you, stop." Thump! Bang! "Ugh, Guild Master Ju..." "Ouch! Even Grandpa doesn''t hit my head... Ah!" Ju Se-ah put her hand forward for a handshake. "Captain, is this kid the new recruit? The one you mentioned then." "Yes. She''s Chairman Han Byung-gu''s granddaughter ." "No need to say it, I can tell. She''s exactly like her grandfather." "Me?! No way!" Ju Se-ah ignored Go Eul-ji''s outcry and turned her attention to Mr. Cho. "Is this the informant you mentioned before?" "Yes. She''s the best in Korea." "I told you I''m the best in the world!" "Didn''t the Hunter''s Association catch you?" "Well, maybe the best in Asia then..." Ju Se-ah turned her head away from Mr. Cho, who was modestly negotiating her title, and said, "Regardless of everything else, when ites to being clueless about the situation, these two seem to be the best in the world." ""What about me?!"" The two uninvited guests shouted at the same time, growling and ring at each other. Kang Mu-hyuk also nodded, agreeing with Ju Se-ah''s observation, and then addressed Mr. Cho. "By the way, you attend idol fan meetings too?" "Do you think I went there for some idol nonsense? It was for work." "How dare you call my dear BTA members nonsense... My goodness, this is ridiculous. Wanna get beat the shit out of you by a fan of that ''nonsense''-... Ack! Eek, that hurts. Not my hair..." When Ju Se-ah red, Go Eul-ji quickly shut her mouth. She had just experienced Ju Se-ah''s terror a moment ago. Even though she was bound by telekinesis, maybe because her resistance to special abilities was high, it was virtually useless on her. She tightened her grip on her even more, but she broke free with brute strength and just pounced on her. It was like a scene straight out of a horror movie. Mr. Cho chuckled, finding the situation amusing, but under Ju Se-ah''s burning gaze, Go Eul-ji had no choice but to remain silent. With Go Eul-ji quiet, Kang Mu-hyuk continued the conversation. "Does that have to do with the intel you''re here with?" "Yeah, this is superb intel. You''ll have to pay a pretty penny for it, heh!" "What''s the information?" "Don''t be shocked now. The Japanese sent an assassination squad to kill you." "..." "Huh? Why aren''t you surprised? I even used a trantor to get this information. Or, are you too shocked to react?" Ju Se-ah pointed at Mr. Cho and asked Kang Mu-hyuk, "Is he really the best?" "For now... Yes, he is the best." "I think we seriously need to consider changing our informant." "What''s with this atmosphere? What is it? Why are you acting like that?" Kang Mu-hyuk ran his hand through his hair and scratched the back of his head before speaking to Mr. Cho. "We already know that the Japanese Guild Alliance sent an assassination group called Iga n to kill me. Your information is a bitte this time." Mr. Cho was visibly startled, her mouth pping open and closed. ''Did he make a deal with another informant? No, more importantly, I''m...te? That can''t be right.'' Go Eul-ji, grasping the situation, now mocked Mr. Cho in turn, as if finding karmic satisfaction. "The best, she says. Oh, how embarrassing. And to think she got caught by me too. If she''s the best, then anyone and everyone could be the best." "No, no. This can''t be true. R-Right, it can''t. Yeah, if only I knew Japanese, I could have gotten the information faster... No, the trantion item. Right. I gotta buy it even if I have to take a loan." As Go Eul-ji teased Mr. Cho, causing her to cover her ears in distress, Ju Se-ah sighed once again. "You''re saying that''s our informant, our best prospect? I didn''t sigh this much even over theplete chaos the guild was in before you arrived. Suddenly, I find myself missing the yer Guild." "While we''re on the topic, I have a favor to ask, Guild Master." "What is it?" "Please take Go Eul-ji under your wing as her mentor." "Eek!!!" Go Eul-ji screamed. Ju Se-ah took a good, long look at Go Eul-ji before one corner of her mouth curled up. "The Guild Master as a mentor? Kid, you''ve hit the jackpot. Let''s give it a try. It''ll be fun." Go Eul-ji couldn''t bring herself to protest against Ju Se-ah. Instead, she just red at Kang Mu-hyuk. ''I think I shouldn''t have run away. Grandpa, I miss you.'' Just then, Mr. Cho, on the verge of tears from frustration, shouted out loud. "I know where they all are, you know!" Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah simultaneously turned to look at Mr. Cho. Kang Mu-hyuk, looking down at her, said to Ju Se-ah, "It seems she really is the best after all." "You''re right. The best. Indeed." Chapter 89 - This guy鈥檚 even more dangerous "So, you didn¡¯t call me here for the food, then, huh?" "No, ma''am. I told you, BTA is the most important." "What did you just say?" As Pyo Beomhee red at her, Go Eul-ji curled like a mouse in front of a cat. ''What''s with thisdy? Her lips look like she¡¯s smiling. But her eyes are fierce.'' Perhaps because of Ju Se-ah¡¯s military style discipline, Go Eul-ji quickly realized her mistake. "M-Ma¡¯am?" "Yep, that¡¯s right. Don''t forget it now." Kang Mu-hyuk steered the conversation back on track as it began to derail. "Stop joking around and focus now, Go Eul-ji." "Yes, yes¡­" "Mr. Cho. Please proceed with the briefing." Mr. Cho crossed her arms and began to break down the situation in a calm and orderly manner. "Combining what the Captain heard and the intel I''ve obtained, our adversaries are from the Japanese Guild Alliance''s assassination organization called Iga n. I''ve only heard of them in rumors, but they''re notorious for being extremely cruel. They probably handle all the dirty work for the alliance. Anyway, they''ve entered Korea. On the face of it, they are here as entertainment industry professionals for on BTA''s concert in Japan, but their real objective is to assassinate Captain Kang." "What?! Assassins targeting my-... Yes, I''ll be quiet. No, I''m not trying to be sassy. This isn''t a defiant look in my eyes. My eyes just naturally look fierce." Ignoring Go Eul-ji, who quickly backed down under Ju Se-ah''s re, Mr. Cho continued. "The exact reason for the assassination isn''t clear, but it seems to be a tactic to pressure Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Given that Iron Will is rapidly growing. The Japanese have always used all sorts of means to prevent Korean Hunters from rising." "So, the entertainmentpany Iga n made contact with is ''BigBro,'' right, Mr. Informant?" Pyo Beomhee asked, and Mr. Cho nodded. "That''s right. Your former workce." Mr. Cho was visibly tense in front of Pyo Beomhee. Pyo Beomhee was oblivious of Mr. Cho''s identity, but she, on the other hand, knew Pyo Beomhee quite well. In fact, the two once worked together at the samepany. ''Back then at Titan, she was my superior.'' Mr. Cho had been hiding as an ordinary staff member in the management department of the Titan guild before his identity was exposed to Kang Mu-hyuk. At that time, she was in a precarious situation. She had infiltrated the yer Guild to extract confidential information but nearly found herself on a one-way trip to the afterlife after getting caught by Sung Seon-jae. It was a blunder made by her at thest minute during her inexperienced years. The ce where she temporarily sought refuge from yer¡¯s pursuit was Titan. Cornered and desperate, she immediately applied to a job posting for new recruits at Titan that came at the perfect time and even got epted. Even the yer Guild couldn''t meddle within another guild''s affairs, so they couldn¡¯t use their influence inside Titan. It was a decent ce to ride out the storm. ''But of all ces, it was when Captain Kang was at the division.'' Back then, Kang Mu-hyuk was working in the management team. It was thanks to Guild Master Lee Cheoljung''s consideration to have him experience various departments before letting him settle down into the strategy team. ¡®And so, through various twists and turns of fate, I ended up here. I owe him from back then, and that¡¯s why he still has a leg up over me.'' While Mr. Cho didn¡¯t have a bad business rtionship with Kang Mu-hyuk, there was a slightly unfair aspect to it. As Mr. Cho was lost in thought, Kang Mu-hyuk exined the mission to Pyo Beomhee. "Team Leader Pyo. Please go to BigBro Entertainment and check on the situation there. Pretend you¡¯re visiting regarding Go Eul-ji''s dining event, and we¡¯d like you to also find out what kind of schedule Iga n has in Korea." "Should I find out which hotel they''re staying at as well?" "Mr. Cho has already figured that out. Instead of hotels, they''ve bought a few apartments to stay in." "They sure have a lot of money, those rascals. Some people have to live in a studio in the flood-stricken North Pocheon." "Guild members'' amodations are safe, as far as I know. Did that area suffer damage from the flood too? If there''s a problem, we can take immediate action..." "I¡¯m just saying. Jeez, can¡¯t you take a joke? So, should I proceed right now?" "Yes. We have a lot of work to do, and we can''t have a sword hanging over our necks. The n is to handle this quickly and quietly." "You¡¯re going to BigBro? Me too! I want to go too!" Ju Se-ah immediately caught Go Eul-ji by the nape of her neck when she enthusiastically jumped with her hands up. "You¡¯re not going anywhere. You''re going to train with me." "Ueek! Tr-tr- training?!" Go Eul-ji, had no say in the matter, and was dragged away by Ju Se-ah. Ju Se-ah nned to hear Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s request while also testing Go Eul-ji''s abilities at the same time. Watching Go Eul-ji being led away like a cow to ughter, Pyo Beomheemented, "She¡¯s still in high school, right? I heard she¡¯s the association president''s granddaughter." "Yeah. She''s young, but her skills and potential are top-notch. She awakened at the age of 9, and I heard Han Byung-gu, the association president, trained her rigorously, Sparta style." "How much did that old man push that little kid? Last time I saw her, she was beating those orcs to pulp. Seeing how she does everything as she pleases, she¡¯s clearly a Hunter through and through. Judging from her audacity, she''s S-rank material." "Maybe." "Huh? Do you really think she could be an S-ranker?" "She''s growing at a rate simr to Guild Master Ju Se-ah at that age. The world just doesn¡¯t know it yet. Chairman Han Byung-gu, won''t be able to keep her hidden and train her in secret forever. Now is the time for her to get some realbat experience and a great mentor. Of course, she¡¯s gonna need protection too." "Guild Master Ju is surely a good choice... Putting those together when they¡¯re cut from the same cloth puts me on edge." "I agree that there¡¯s an aggressive side to her, but you could say Guild Master is the ideal when ites to hunting." "The i-ideal, you say... Haha. Our dear Captain, I guess you haven¡¯t had enough of a taste of our Guild Master to know why she is called a witch or a disaster yet." Meanwhile, Go Eul-ji, who already had a taste of that bitterness before Kang Mu-hyuk, was horrified on hearing the training routine from Ju Se-ah. "Dig up the ground?" "It''s not simply digging. You¡¯re finding thendmines that were swept away during the recent flood." "How am I supposed to find those? I heard there''s way more than just one or two." "Aren''t you a telekic? I know that your ability isn¡¯t limited to just moving objects and beating monsters. To be exact, it¡¯s about upying space. Try using that power to its fullest." "Still, doing it underground is a bit... And to search such a wide area..." Go Eul-ji looked appalled at the sight of the vast expanse ofnd before her. The range Ju Se-ah set for training was everywhere the water had swept through. You could say it was essentially the entire western side of Sanjeong Lake. "This is not training. You¡¯re just grinding me. Asking me to search for mines that you couldn¡¯t take care of yourself. This is tyranny by an employer. It''s underage childbor exploitation." Ju Se-ah didn''t stop Go Eul-ji''s outburst. Instead, she tempted her with a method Kang Mu-hyuk had suggested. "There''s a BTA solo concert in LA a few months from now, right? Wanna get flight tickets for it?" "Where should I start? Up to Cheolwon?" Watching Go Eul-ji rush to find the mines without so much as a squeak, Ju Se-ah shook her head. "Even with a carrot dangling in front of you, to think you could manipte a top-ss telekic using an idol... The Captain was right; this is a profitable deal." "So, Chairman Tae suspects Kang Mu-hyuk?" "Yeah, but that¡¯s it. Beyond that, he didn¡¯t show much of a reaction. After all, to the chairman, he¡¯s a nobody." Kim Myung-jun, mulled over the words of chairman¡¯s secretary Jeong, whom he ced close to the chairman, while stroking his chin. ''Cho Choonghyun has disappeared? Well, given what she''s done, no one would say anything if he did kill her. But would Kang Mu-hyuk really go that far? Or could she have run away in fear that she¡¯d fail?'' Unable to easilye to a conclusion, Kim Myung-jun sought Secretary Jeong''s opinion. "What do you think, Secretary Jeong?" "I''d say she''s been killed. Don''t you think the same, Director Kim?" "You¡¯re not wrong about that. But even though Kang Mu-hyuk is aggressive, he adheres to a fundamental moral code." "Well, you are a great judge of character, so she must have fled." "But the thing is, that guy nevers acts like you¡¯d expect him to." "So, you think he killed her?" "I''m not sure..." "Even if it¡¯s not Kang Mu-hyuk, there¡¯s plenty of people in Iron Will who could¡¯ve done it. Guild Master Ju Se-ah took down many Hunters. And then there''s Jang Deuk-goo, above all." "That''s right! Jang Deuk-goo! How could I forget him?" Jang Deuk-goo never let criminal Hunters off the hook. Half of the hardcore criminals in Ujungdo twitch at the mention of his name. Kim Myung-jun racked his brains once again. ''The question then is, ''Was it done on someone''s orders, or did he just do it randomly?'' This will determine who to get involved with and how?'' No matter how much Iron Will tried to break away from Taeseong, they couldn¡¯t help but be affected by their parentpany. ¡®I wish it¡¯s Kang Mu-hyuk. After all, I gotta have a card up my sleeve to y against him myself as well." A convened the Elders of the World Hunter Federation. This meeting, called the Round Table, consisted of seven permanent members, four non-permanent members who change every two years, and four subspecies members representing the federation''s forests andnds. Additionally, two non-Hunter members representing global politics and economics were summoned to the Round Table, making a total of 17 members. "I apologize for having to meet you all through a video conference from afar, and not in person." -It''s alright. It''s nice to have something to do when everyone is free. The one to warmly wee A was the chairperson, Exhisar, sitting at the head of the Round Table. He had long white hair and a long beard let down, with an intrigued look in his eyes. On the contrary, the other members, excluding the subspecies, had an unhappy look on their faces. It was not that they disliked A, but rather the agenda she had mentioned beforehand did not sit well with them. A, sensing the atmosphere, cautiously expressed her gratitude again. "I know everyone is busy, so thank you for making the time despite that. Is everyone here?" -It¡¯s not like the world is ending. As usual, the two non-Hunter members are absent. They''re quite busy people, you see. "We can¡¯t do anything about that." -So, what''s the reason for convening the Round Table, Ms. A? "As I mentioned, it''s to propose the entry of a new member." Exhisar intentionally feigned ignorance and asked. -But I was under the impression this isn¡¯t the time for new members¡¯ entry. "Yes, I''m aware. That''s why I''ve convened an emergency Round Table." -But there''s a regr meeting scheduled in three months. "I came to the conclusion that this matter was too urgent to postpone." -But what''s so important that you''d call an emergency Round Table Meeting to have a non-Hunter member join? "This candidate...has met the unknown being." -Well, we already know that. Of course, surviving such an encounter is rare, but that alone hardly seems sufficient reasoning for making him a member. "And this person has had a conversation with that being too." At A''s words, the look in the eyes of the members projected on the screen noticeably changed. Exhisar straightened his robe and sat upright, then tapped his gavel, which had a ck hue floating around it. -Indeed, this is not a matter to be postponed. We will now begin the meeting to evaluate the entry of a new member. -My name is Kang Mu-hyuk. Hearing a voice he didn''t particrly want to hear, Han Byung-gu responded curtly. "What is it? Did you call because of the federation?" -No. I reached out because I have a few things to confirm. "What is it?" -I understand you''re somewhat of an expert on Japan. You have some formerrades there, right? "So?" -I was wondering if you might have any information on the recent activities of the Japanese Guild Alliance. "The Alliance? What about those petty rascals?" Han Byung-gu''s eyebrows went up, his face expressing disgust just from hearing about it. -We''ve received information that Hunters havee from Japan recently. Apparently, the overall atmosphere around them seems subtly different for them to be simple guild members. "Atmosphere? What about it? It¡¯s not the first time those Japanese brats are being ¡­ a nui...sance." Suddenly pausing, Han Byung-gu¡¯s intuition woke up. ''This guy wouldn''t call for a stupid reason. I don¡¯t have a good feeling about this. A matter rted to the Alliance, huh... Could it be-?'' With a bad premonition, Han Byung-gu frowned and asked, "Where did you get this info? Through whom did you get it?" -Purely coincidental. "Yeah, so tell me what that ''coincidence'' is?" -It has to do with your granddaughter. "Why would Go Eul-ji be involved?!" -Your granddaughter was arranging a fan meeting and dining event with BTA, and the entertainmentpany responsible for it turned out to be Japanese. But the thing is, this Japanesepany seems quite suspicious. Han Byung-gu felt a chill down his spine. ''Could they be targeting Eul-ji?'' The Japanese Huntermunity was alwaysmitted to killing the Korean Huntermunity. After the Great War, several talented individuals could have challenged for S-rank, but all of them retired or died under varying circumstances before reaching that stage. Behind all these incidents was the Japanese Huntermunity lurking in the shadows. Although they had refrained from directly confronting Ju Se-ah, their malicious intent towards the Korean Huntermunity remained the same. That was why Han Byung-gu was so careful to hide and nurture Go Eul-ji. He wanted to keep her hidden from the world until she became the best. "Ah? And don''t worry, your granddaughter is safe here with us. Well, then. Please contact us as soon as you get any information." "What? Why is she there..." Beep~ Beep~ "How dare this damn brat hang up on me again?!" Han Byung-gu finally realized, "This guy is even more dangerous than the Japanese." He resolved once again that he¡¯d get his granddaughter to leave the guild. Chapter 90 - I guess I dont have to just sit still after all, huh? "You made that call on purpose, didn¡¯t you?" "Oh, you noticed that?" At Kang Mu-hyuk''s counter-question, Joo Se-ah frowned. "It feels like you¡¯re mocking me." "No. I was impressed. Because now you''re paying attention to things you never cared about before." "Do you take me for a fool? I can''t help but notice it when you¡¯re being that obvious with it." "I can tell you Chairman Han Byung-gu won¡¯t feel that way. Because he¡¯ll feel his weakness has been poked." "That old man has always been a fool anyway. But, ¡®weakness¡¯?" Then, a loud explosion was heard from somewhere. The sound was pretty faint perhaps due to the explosion being far in distance. Startled migratory birds were soaring through the sky outside the window. The sound of the explosion came once again, echoing like the bell of a mountain temple. Joo Se-ah clicked her tongue, ncing in the direction of the explosion. "I told her to find the mines, yet she¡¯s practically plowing thend. Tsk, that habit of using brute force of hers needs to be fixed before anything else." "That¡¯s why I left her to you, Guild Master. No matter how harsh Chairman Han Byung-gu was in training her, he couldn''t have grilled her mercilessly. Especially in terms of mental fortitude, it would¡¯ve been difficult for him to push his own kin to the very limit." "That''s why the kid has so many screws loose. The weakness you mentioned earlier. It''s her, isn¡¯t it?" "Yes. The reason why he didn''t recruit a powerful Hunter like Go Eul-ji to the guild or expose her to the association''s external activities, and treated her like a precious gem is because the chairman wanted to protect his granddaughter from external forces." Joo Se-ah agreed with Kang Mu-hyuk''s words since she herself had gone through simr experiences. The only difference was that while she was a weed that had to endure harsh storms, Go Eul-ji was a flower in a greenhouse. "Her talent is indeed undeniable. She might be an S-ranker someday. But of course, if she continues living as she is right now, she''ll never ovee that wall." "Being S-rank material means being exposed to just as much danger. If it weren¡¯t for your unique traits, you might have encountered several assassins by now." "I did, in the past. Quite a few. But I killed them all." Joo Se-ah''s eyes turned cold. Kang Mu-hyuk nodded as if he had guessed as much. "In today¡¯s time, unless they''re S-rankers, they wouldn''t even attempt to assassinate you. But, given that S-rankers are national-level assets, they can''t just secretly enter Korea. So, this time, they''re aiming for the chicken instead of the pheasant." [TL/N: meaning the next best target] "The chicken?" "Yes, the chicken." When Kang Mu-hyuk pointed to himself, Joo Se-ah burst intoughter. "Pfft! Kekekeke, Hahaha, ah~ I¡¯m pretty sure that chicken isn''t usually that smart. Maybe the Japanese should rethink their use of the word ''birdbrain''?" "''Birdbrain''...Are you trying to mock me right now?" "Um, maybe a little?" Joo Se-ah smiled, pinching a small gap between her thumb and index finger. Teasing Kang Mu-hyuk after such a long time was refreshing for her. "It''s a joke. I¡¯m kidding. Why are you so serious?" "That¡¯s just how I usually look." "I don''t recall it being that way in the past." "What?" "Nothing. I was just ying." Joo Se-ah mumbled a response, trying to brush off her remark. Kang Mu-hyuk spoke up, "Anyway, at present, even S-rankers can''t be sure of victory. You¡¯re a true S-ranker who lives up to her name after all, aren¡¯t you? Certified by dignitaries of the World Federation." "It feels like you''re actually mocking me this time?" "You¡¯re right. That was a joke." "That''s too corny." "It''s gic for me. Being bad at making jokes." "¡­What a thing to inherit." Joo Se-ah suddenly found herself at a loss for words because just the mention of gics reflexively brought Kang Mu-hyuk''s illness to her mind. Since Kang Mu-hyuk first discovered his condition at Taesung Hospital, she knew as well that mana poisoning was hereditary. Though it was a casual joke from him, Joo Se-ah found herself speechless. Not minding the awkward atmosphere, Kang Mu-hyuk continued to speak. "Anyway, watching over Japan''s actions over the years, the Chairman must have felt a sense of danger. After all, Japan has a history of cutting off promising Hunters before they even get to grow. So, he¡¯ll try to protect Go Eul-ji in any way possible. He might issue a direct warning to the Japan Guild Alliance, or he might step forward to show his power. Either way, we don''t have to step in, so the risk is less." "What about Team Leader Pyo Beomhee? We''re also taking action." "I¡¯m saying we won¡¯t be not stepping forward officially. Officially." When Kang Mu-hyuk emphasized the end of his statement, Joo Se-ah''s expression changed. "Oh, officially? So, ''officially,'' we''re not taking any action?" Her gaze turned cold as she looked towards the south. Towards South Pocheon, Seoul, and somewhere across the sea, where conspirators might be plotting. She sent a chilling gaze. Joo Se-ah muttered softly, "This time, I guess I don''t have to just sit still after all, huh?¡± "Oh my! Chief Pyo?!" "It''s been a while, Team Leader Lee. How is everyone?" "Of course, they''re doing well. Had I known you wereing, I would''ve told everyone to clear their schedules. They would''ve loved to meet you." Wearing a visitor''s badge, Pyo Beomhee entered the marketing team''s office and was greeted warmly by her former colleagues. The enthusiastic response from the staff was not only because they were d to see her but also due to the stable poprity she had earned while working with them. The marketing team leader led her to the conference room and personally brewed some whole bean coffee for her. "Did youe here because of that meal voucher? The President has already approved it, so you don''t have to worry about it." "You think I came here for work? I just came to visit you guys." "My goodness, yet you didn¡¯t get in touch with us even once after you left." "Try being stuck in North Pocheon. You can''t even make a phone call there, let alone ess the inte." "Ah, right, I saw the newsst time. I''m d you didn''t seem to be hurt. It was fascinating seeing a former colleague fighting monsters." "All I did was take down a few orcs. Ande on, you saw me at the festival back then too." "But you were working at Titan back then." As they chatted, Pyo Beomhee, who sipped her now lukewarm coffee, casually asked, "Speaking of the festival, I heard BTA has a concert booked in LA for next year. I heard they''re going to release a new song there." "The word gets around really fast. It hasn''t even been officially announced yet. But no wonder. It''s all over the fan clubs, so it''s not exactly a secret." "I also heard rumors about a concert in Japan. When is that happening?" "That got out already? But they haven''t even signed the contract yet." "As if there are any secrets in this industry. The fan clubs are super fast these days. I tell you, they¡¯re almost CIA agents." "By fan club, do you mean that the kid from the guild? The one who got the meal voucher this time." "Yeah. Her damn captain keeps telling us to give her concert tickets and everything. She''s from a well-off family in our industry, but she''s pretty talented, so we scouted her by using BTA." "Pfftha! I can¡¯t believe you lured a Hunter into a guild using idols! Maybe our entertainmentpany should start a guild." "So, about the concert in Japan? It must be tough for thepany to handle it directly there, with the ce being so tight-knit. Are you working with a partnerpany?" "From what I know, probably yeah. They mentioned Jace''s office or something. It¡¯s a Japanese idolpany." Pyo Beomheei''s eyes sparkled at the marketing team leader''s words. She was about to ask another question when she felt a heavy energy behind her back to the right. She nced through the door. "Hello, Mr. President?!" "Hello!" That energy was getting closer along with the voices of the marketing team members. Knock, knock! The conference room door opened with a knock, and a familiar face popped in. "Oh my, Chief Pyo, or should I say Hunter Pyo now? I heard you were here. You should havee up. What are you doing here?" "Nice to see you, President Yu." And the person following behind him. Unlike her nervousness within, Pyo Beomhee looked at him with a carefree expression. "¡­¡­." The man looked at Pyo Beomhee as well, their eyes meeting. A chill ran through the room as if an air conditioner had been turned on. Yet Pyo Beomhee felt her back getting damp. Though she was calm on the outside, an invisible war of nerves unfolded between the two. As an awkward silence ensued, President Yuughed heartily, attempting to defuse the tension. "Oh my, I have a guest with me, yet I''m all over the ce. I was just showing him around thepany. Right! Let me introduce you. This is Chief Pyo, who used to be a part of ourpany. Now, she''s with the Iron Will Guild. We may not work directly with Hunters, but it''s good to have connections here and there so- Haha." The man¡¯s eyebrows twitched at the mention of ¡®Iron Will.¡¯ Just as the interpreter next to President Yu was about to trante his words, Pyo Beomhee greeted him first with a smile. ¡°Hajimete o ai shimash¨­. aian''uxo-rugirudo no pyobomuhyi desu. (Nice to meet you. I''m Pyo Beomhee from the Iron Will Guild.)" The man looked down at Pyo Beomhee''s extended hand and then firmly grasped it. "I¡¯m Handa Ryushin." "About that woman we met today, she''s with Iron Will, right? Did you look into her?" "Yes, ording to the intel from Kim Myung-jun, it seems to be a coincidence." "On what basis do you say that?" Ryushin carefully listened to his subordinate''s report. Pyo Beomhee was a former employee of BigBro Entertainment. And before that, she was a Hunter affiliated with the Titan Guild. ording to the facts known, she got acquainted with BigBro and other entertainment officials after rescuing them from a monster intrusion during the Yeoju Festival performance. One of their guild members was a huge fan of BTA, so she came for their concert tickets while also moving forward with the meal event. "Considering the date set for the idol meeting, it was arranged long before our arrival in Korea." "What did the intelligence officer from the alliance say?" "Nothing much different from Kim Myung-jun." "So, we can rely on the information." Ryushin felt something was off. Given the circumstances, it didn''t seem like she was sent after they caught onto their presence. Yet, the timing was way too perfect to be mere coincidence. ''Besides, for her to have been a former colleague from Titan. Her close connection with the target is pricking me. To think we¡¯d encounter her there. Was I too careless?'' Ryushin was a cautious man. He couldn''t rush into an operation with suspicions bothering him. "Send some men to keep an eye in North Pocheon." "We have an intelligence officer, so why..." "Iron Will¡¯s location is way too secluded. As hard as it is for people to leave the ce, it¡¯s just as hard to get information out of there as well. I mean, we don''t know much about Iron Will, do we?" "There''s no need to worry about a C-ss guild like¡ªUrgh" Thump! With a pain akin to his stomach being sted through, the subordinate flew through the air and crashed into a wall, which partially crumbled, sending concrete dust flying. He staggered, trying to get to his feet, wincing. "Since when did you start questioning what I say?" "I-I''m sorry, n leader. It''s just that they seemed too insignificant for you to worry about..." "A tiger gives its all even when hunting a single rabbit. Not to mention, if a real tiger needs to drag a rabbit out of a cramped hole, shouldn''t it be prepared to put in this much effort?" Ryushin resolved to reevaluate his n from the beginning. ¡®It seems my men are taking this too lightly, since they think it''s just an assassination of a civilian who¡¯s not a Hunter. This is a good opportunity. I need to use this chance to rein them in.¡¯ Ryushin stood up. "Tell everyone to gather at the dojo. I¡¯m gonna teach them myself." "Y-yes, sir!" "I could tell just by looking. He''s a notch above me. Must be A+ ranker. He didn''t have any intention of hiding his strength at all. Anyway, he must have recognized me too. I couldn''t avoid him since we met so suddenly. So I justid it all out that I''m from the Iron Will Guild. I bet he''s probably wondering whether I came there on purpose, or if it was a coincidence." Hearing Pyo Beomhee, Kang Mu-hyuk thought they avoided the worst-case scenario. The worst would be them finding out Iga n''s identity had been revealed. "Just in case, I''ve asked Kim Myung-jun to run some information. Hide what needs to be hidden, show what needs to be shown. The Japanese alliance might have several information lines, but nothing''s as fast and urate as getting it from a local informant." "Do you trust him?" "His position and life are on the line, so he wouldn''t betray us. If he wants to keep me in check, he''ll y his tricks in a way that doesn''t involve the Iga n." "So we''ve bought some time for now, huh?" "Not for long. The yer Guild will start moving soon." "Huff huff huff..." Tanaka desperately ran through the alleyways. The Embassy Road in Seongbuk area, was usually deserted at night, but it felt even particrly devoid of people tonight. ¡®Damn it! I shouldn''t have taken that money... I can''t believe they even camped out in front of the embassy.¡¯ That monster blocked the car with his bare body. Even when he reversed, he didn¡¯t even budge. Tanaka sensed the terrifying reality of the Hunters to his bones. Left with no choice, he abandoned the car and ran, driven by instinct even though he thought he¡¯d get caught soon. ¡®If I can just make it inside the embassy somehow...¡¯ But that was as far as Tanaka''s wish went. A man suddenly appeared, blocking his path. "Mr. Tanaka, where are you running off to?" "Gasp!" "I told you to speak up while we¡¯re being nice, didn¡¯t I?" "S-yer..." "Yes, that¡¯s right. At least you know. Then you must know you can''t run, right? Don''t force me so your family has to see something unpleasant. Let''s get this done smoothly, yeah?" "I¡¯m a personnel of the embassy. If you harass me, this could escte to a diplomatic issue." Tanaka squeezed out his voice to threaten him, but the man just ignored him, blowing air at his fingers after cleaning out his ears. "Pretty big bluff for someone who¡¯s not even an ambassador. So tell me why¡¯d the _oh-so-dignified _embassy personnel gamble himself into debt. You tried to cover for the embezzled operation funds by taking our money, didn¡¯t you?" "Th-that¡¯s..." "If you knew you¡¯d end up choking on the money you stole, you shouldn¡¯t have taken it. Or you should¡¯ve taken more and just went with it. At least make your stance clear. You did a shitty job stealing it and then ran away. That¡¯s why you¡¯re in this mess. Honestly, I don¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass. Just informing the Japanese alliance that you leaked Iga n¡¯s information is enough to end all of this." Tanaka hung his head low, his face gaunt. His sweat ran cold, and he felt dizzy. ''If that gets out, I¡¯m...dead.'' He had no choice but to make a decision. The man stepped closer to Tanaka. "Where are they?" Instead of answering him, Tanaka pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over to him. Written on the paper was an address. "You stingy man. You were all prepared to give it up, yet you go around ying hide and seek with me in the middle of the night. Hahaha!" The man, satisfied, tucked the note into his pocket and in return, threw an envelope to Tanaka. Tanaka, somewhat bewildered, caught the envelope and looked back and forth between it and the man, as if asking what it was. "Who do you think we are? Butchers? Did you really think we were going to kill you? You said it yourself, you''re a personnel of the embassy. You did a good deed, so of course, you should be rewarded for your effort." Tanaka realized the meaning of this money. It was a bribe, basically asking for his future cooperation. Rather, it was a shackle. Without any further ado, the man turned away and walked out of the alley. He pressed his smartphone to his ear, checking the note. "It¡¯s me, Woo Byung-gi. Please tell Team Leader Seong that the location of the goods has been confirmed." Chapter 91 - One Person Is Enough The artificial yet meticulously beautiful garden was quiet. Were it not for the sound of water hitting the basin below, dripping from the filled flume of the bamboo fountain, one would think the ce was deserted. What broke this silence was a voice filled with anger emerging through the handset receiver.
  • Zone Leader Yoshimura.
"Chairman Han."
  • Though there''s no trust between us, I thought we agreed to shed as little blood as possible.
"That''s why I haven''t touched your precious Ju Se-ah."
  • Get your words straight. You didn¡¯t choose not to touch her. You _can¡¯t _touch her.
Yoshimura made a throaty noise to express his displeasure. Han Byung-gu did not stop there but pressed him further.
  • Tell me which Zone Leader the men who are in Korea are affiliated with.
"Men who¡¯re in Korea?"
  • The Assassin Group! Don''t y dumb. I''ve already confirmed it before contacting you.
"Assassin group? I''ve never heard of such a thing." Han Byung-gu fell silent for a moment. Yoshimura was once arade-in-arms and had long since turned into an enemy, but he was not thick-skinned. He would rather attack openly and directly than cunningly hide his intentions and scheme plots. That was why, after careful consideration of all his former colleagues from the Japan Guild Alliance, he got in touch with him. ¡®Did another Zone Leader act independently, without Yoshimura¡¯s knowledge, or have his acting skills improved?'' Han Byung-gu decided it was time to back off. He had already achieved his goal for making the call. Having warned Yoshimura who had influence within the alliance, some change was bound to happen. He¡¯d have to decide his next steps after observing those changes. -Let me ask you onest thing. Please, do not forget the tragedy of the ''Battle of Nine Dragon Ridge (Guryong Ridge).'' With those words, Han Byung-gu hung up the phone. Yoshimura couldn''t put the handset down. ¡®Nine Dragon Ridge...'' Nine Dragon Ridge was one of the fiercest battlefields during the Great War. A graveyard for Hunters, resembling nine dragons coiling around. Though the battle ultimately led to a glorious victory, the hidden stories behind it still remained a scar for the old-generation Hunters that were still alive. Mentioning this battle was akin to Han Byung-gu mentioning the Maginot line. He didn¡¯t mean to expose the secret history but to remind him of its consequences. "Seeing how Chairman Han mentions Nine Dragon Ridge, he must be really angry... Sigh, that damn incident won''t leave me even in my old age." Muttering to himself, Yoshimura pped his hands. The sliding door opened, and a man who was kneeling bowed his head. "Make preparations for a visit to the Alliance. Looks like we¡¯ll have to go for an outing after a long while." After ending the call with Yoshimura, Han Byung-gu visited North Pocheon with A and her group. It was for the contract between the Iron Will Guild and the World Hunter Federation. It was nned to proceed gradually over time, but with the opening of North Pocheon scheduled for the end of December, they decided to take advantage of the currentck of attention on the matter and resolve it quickly. Han Byung-gu was acting as the mediator for this contract, attending to ensure that the agreement was properly followed by taking opinions from both sides. "The details have been exchanged in advance, so what''s there to talk about at length? Let''s sign this and be done with it." Han Byung-gu urged them. As Ju Se-ah was checking the contract, she casually asked, "Aren''t you going to see your granddaughter before you leave?" "You, seriously...!" "What are you getting angry about?" "Clearly, you''re doing this on purpose. You brat! Yes, our family is a mess! Satisfied?" "Jeez, it''s not like I said anything wrong. Why are you suddenly self-criticizing? You¡¯re putting me in an awkward position." "Oh, this is so frustrating. What did I ever see in you...¡± "It''s a bit weird saying this myself, but, well, I''ve always been pretty good-looking, you know." Ignoring the bickering duo that seemed to be at odds whenever they met, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke to A. "There seems to be a slight change here. The part about the animal keeper here. Instead of a North American ranch, it says the Federation will dispatch one themselves?" "Yes. Though this information is confidential, the Federation is also raising tamed monsters. In fact, our know-how, breeding facilities, and technology are more advanced than other ranches." Alex, who was well-versed in the Federation''s affairs, answered on behalf. Kang Mu-hyuk found the modified use suspicious. "The new use seems quite generous. I mean, the Federation wasn¡¯t even willing to get involved in this before." "Of course, we have prepared a contract with the original conditions as well. If you find this one burdensome, you can revert to the original." "A different condition than before means there must be something more that you want." "It''s nothing big. Just a few troublesome matters the Federation would like you to handle on our behalf." Kang Mu-hyuk pondered deeply. ''The Federation, no less powerful than World-tier Guilds, is asking me for a favor, even though it ims to have no real authority?'' Something did smell fishy. As Kang Mu-hyuk disyed signs of suspicion, A spoke up. "Three trials. Our Federation doesn''t just partner with anyone. Only those who pass these trials are given the opportunity to join hands with us." "Partnering with North American guilds would certainly make business smoother in many ways. But that would also mean just as much increased interference, because maximizing profits is practically their primary goal. However, the Federation doesn''t expect anything from Iron Will. We have enough money, power, and influence; there''s not really a need for us to extend a helping hand to a C-grade Korean guild." Alex quickly added. "Aren¡¯t you going through with this contract because you have something to gain from that C-grade guild?" Kang Mu-hyuk retorted. "World peace benefits all of humanity. But that doesn''t mean Iron Will has to sacrifice its small interests for a greater cause. Iron Will will get its benefits, and we pursue peace. Isn''t that a win-win situation?" Despite the seemingly noble rhetoric, Kang Mu-hyuk was not convinced and became certain. ¡®They could¡¯ve easily gained cooperation through the existing contract. Seeing how they added a more forceful contract use means there¡¯s something more to it.'' Kang Mu-hyuk had no choice but to act oblivious to this. As per the written contract, there was nothing to lose. In fact, it was a tremendous gain. There might be procedural issues with foreign capital investing in domestic guilds. Despite the Federation''s financial support or loans being possible, the real allure was the ability to share the Federation''s systems and infrastructure. ''But why am I hesitating then? Thatck of information is making me uncertain.'' As Kang Mu-hyuk was lost in thought, Han Byung-gu tapped Alex on the shoulder. "Wait a moment. Let¡¯s have a chat somewhere else. You too, A." "Should I move?" As Kang Mu-hyuk made a move to stand up, A gestured for him to stay. "It''s okay, Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk." As A murmured something, a mana barrier enveloped Han Byung-gu and A''s group, making their voices inaudible. Their voices couldn¡¯t be heard. Apletely isted ce. Ju Se-ah admired the sight. "That''s impressive. I can''t even feel their presence inside. It''s definitely not a skill. What could it be?" "It must be magic." "Magic? It doesn¡¯t quite seem..." "It''s probably a different type of magic that A uses, not the skill-based magic we''re familiar with." Kang Mu-hyuk stared intently at Han Byung-gu and A''s group, or more precisely, at their lip movements. ¡®As I thought that¡¯s not Korean. The lip shapes are different. What should I do? If it''s not Korean, it¡¯s hard to lip-read...'' But Han byung-gu was speaking Koeran. The fact that he could still understand the others means they had been using anguage-rted skill tomunicate. Kang Mu-hyuk focused solely on Han Byung-gu''s lips.
  • Are you trying to enlist him as a Federation member? Even though he''s not a Hunter?
  • Amander? That''s a cheat key. And the Elders agreed to let that slide?
  • I didn''t realize that the mysterious being was so important. The higher-ups sure moved their heavy asses quickly.
  • So, how will they test him? Are they going to make him do something unreasonable?
  • My goodness. And how did they say they came up with that? He''s going to have a tough time.
  • Make sure they adjust it suitably. The result doesn¡¯t matter, but be careful; he''s no ordinary guy. This could escte quickly.
  • Just closing the eyes and letting it be. It''s still not a bad offer, so let''s not dwell on it.
As soon as the conversation concluded, the mana barrier disappeared. Kang Mu-hyuk had managed to piece together Han Byung-gu''s words just then. ¡®Even though it¡¯s limited, I''ve got the gist of what I need to know. If the Chairman, who dedicated his life to the development of Korean guilds, is willing to consider it, it must not be a bad offer. But what does bing a member entail? I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll face just as many restrictions as the benefits I get.¡¯ As Kang Mu-hyuk pretended to check the documents while waiting, A spoke to him. ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting. Mr. Han Byung-gu just had a lot of unnecessary concerns unlike how he used to be.¡± ¡°Huh? Wait till you get older. I bet you''ll end up just like me.¡± ¡°I''m actually older than you.¡± ¡°Ugh...¡± ¡°A is older than the old man here? Wow, to think he lectured me on Elders first.¡± Ju Se-ah teased with a disbelievingugh, but Han Byung-gu didn''t really respond, maybe because he didn¡¯t have aeback. Pushing the contract forward, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke up. ¡°I have a few more questions I''d like to ask.¡± ¡°Ask away.¡± ¡°Does the support mentioned here apply to that neck tie pin as well?¡± Alex flinched at Kang Mu-hyuk''s question, and shot a re at Han Byung-gu. ¡°This technology is a Federation secret. We can¡¯t have someone bbing about it everywhere, even if that person is you, Mr. Han.¡± ¡°It wasn''t me!¡± Han Byung-gu strongly denied it with a wave of his hand, and Kang Mu-hyuk came to his defense. ¡°Mr. Chairman didn''t tell me. It''s just that every time you spoke, mana moved through the tie pin. It seems like a skill rted to interpretation... I haven''t heard of any modern items being developed with embedded skills yet. I guess the Federation has exclusive technology for that.¡± ¡°Mana... You can see it as well? Impressive. You¡¯re right. It is the Federation¡¯s technology. We''ve managed to encapste skills within objects. Of course, the process isplex and the cost is significant, somercialization is still a challenge.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head at the subtle refusal. ¡°It seems there''s been a misunderstanding. I''m not asking you to share the technology.¡± ¡°Oh? So you''re asking if you can get it. Of course, if you sign the contract, we could give you a few of these.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that either, but I''ll dly ept it if you offer.¡± Alex realized his mistake at having inadvertently promised to give something he wasn''t obliged to. Though he didn¡¯t think it was a waste, he felt somewhat outmaneuvered in the negotiation. ¡°To be precise, I¡¯m asking if it''s possible for you to provide technical support for the equipment of the Iron Will Guild.¡± ¡°Equipment?¡± Kang Mu-hyuk asked them to wait for a moment and then had An Ji Il bring several pieces of equipment from Storage C. A put on her robe, trying to minimize the number of people who knew of her identity. Once Kang Mu-hyukid out the equipment, Alex showed interest. ¡°These aremunication devices.¡± ¡°They can be used in special operation zones and even inside Gates.¡± ¡°Even inside the Gates?¡± ¡°Their efficiency drops, so they¡¯re only good for short-rangemunication, but they have the advantage of not needing expensive message skills.¡± Alex looked quite astonished, because he fully grasped the implications of Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s words. ¡°So even low-rank Hunters could use it.¡± ¡°Exactly. A lot of inexperienced low-rank Hunters often have idents because they can''t properly exchange orders. By mass producing this equipment, those needless sacrifices could be drastically reduced.¡± ¡°What exactly are you asking of us?¡± ¡°We''d like technical support to improve and reduce the cost for mass production.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s just about improvements, right?¡± ¡°We''ll also need manufacturing facilities and a distribution and saleswork.¡± Alex rubbed his chin, pondering for a while before asking, ¡°Do you have more equipment besides these?¡± ¡°We have a whole warehouse full of them!¡± An Ji-Il was caught off guard after suddenly being called. As he realized what was happening when he stood there nkly, his excitement burst out and he shouted. Alex¡¯s eyes widened, startled by the outburst, and heughed. ¡°Remarkable. Not everything there may be useful, but we might find quite a few items of the Federation¡¯s interest if we dig through it.¡± "They''re all useful!" An Ji-Il shouted again, his excitement palpable. ¡°Alright then. I''ll have to discuss it with the Federation''s development department, but we''ll consider it positively.¡± "Ooh, yes!" An Ji-Il clenched his fist in victory, his enthusiasm evident. Seeing his excitement, Kang Mu-hyuk thought he made a mistake. ¡®Damn it. We should¡¯ve gotten more out of it. Now that they''ve seen how much we want this, we might be at a disadvantage.'' Seeing An Ji-Il''s joy, Alex turned back to Kang Mu-hyuk with a satisfied smile. ¡°It seems we''ve done as much as we can for you, Captain.¡± Alex signed the contract and pushed it forward. Kang Mu-hyuk sighed on the inside and handed the contract to Ju Se-ah. She signed the contract without finding any fault with the quick negotiation. Though the Guild Master wasn¡¯t included in the discussion, she approved it immediately because they agreed on certain terms beforehand and she had given full authority to the Captain. After taking a satisfactory look at the concluded contract, Alex moved on. ¡°Now, shall we discuss the trials?¡± ¡°divostok.¡± The Federation assigned Kang Mu-hyuk a mission in the closest location possible, considering he couldn¡¯t travel far due to guild responsibilities. They agreed to inform him about the second and third missions only after he was done with the first one. ¡°It''s not going to be easy. Are you sure you should have taken this on? ¡®Oopoomangbawoo¡¯ , seriously? Honestly, this is madness.¡± ¡°They said they wouldn''t hold me ountable if we failed. And that it wouldn¡¯t break the contract either.¡± ¡°What the hell kind of trial is this, anyway? I mean, they said it doesn''t affect the contract.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk was also constantly suspicious of that. ¡®I think it is rted to the membership they talked about. The word _trial _seems to imply that failure equals disqualification. But then, they mentioned that it doesn¡¯t matter if we fail. They didn¡¯t talk much about that, so I don¡¯t know.¡¯ While reviewing the document containing the first trial''s details multiple times, Kang Mu-hyuk was more engrossed in uncovering what might lie beneath the surface of the trial than worrying about the trial itself. Noticing his preupation, Ju Se-ah asked, ¡°Aren''t you worried about the trial?¡± ¡°I am worried.¡± ¡°It doesn''t seem like you''re that worried?¡± ¡°Well, they said it¡¯s okay if we fail, didn¡¯t they? There¡¯s no penalty either.¡± ¡°Well, yeah. It''smon to lose on a mission in our field, but it''s still frustrating. And if we fail, we¡¯ll be looked down upon in future coborations too.¡± ¡°We haven''t failed yet.¡± ¡°This is practically setting you for failure. I mean, it''s ¡®Oopoomangbawoo¡¯!¡± Kang Mu-hyuk checked the monster captured in the photo. A bird-type monster with the plump body of a penguin and the beak of a pelican. Though it couldn¡¯t fly, its appearance resembled a bird, so that was how he ssified it. ¡°Even I can''t handle this one cleanly. Besides, I¡¯m on the Russian intelligence agency''s list, so I won¡¯t even be able to get a visa easily.¡± ¡°Do you mean the SVR, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service? What about them?¡± ¡°I beat the shit... Let''s say, I had an encounter with some Russians during the time with yer. Long story short, the only way I can get there is if I¡¯m smuggled there.¡± ¡°We weren''t nning to include you in the raid team anyway.¡± ¡°Then, who are you sending? Hunter Lee Jin-joo? Are you going to dispatch the Expedition team? When even divostok''s top guild failed to handle it." Kang Mu-hyuk ced the photo of the ¡®Oopoomangbawoo¡¯ on the whiteboard, securing it with a ma, then pointed at it. "For this trial, we''re in luck. We don¡¯t need to go far. One person is enough." "One person? No way!" Chapter 92 - I Keep Getting Entangled Oopoomangbawoo. In regional Africannguages, it meant ''the killer of small animals.¡¯ As this monster was first discovered in Africa, it was named ording to the unknown naming conventions, and the name was given by the one who discovered or terminated it. Originally, Oopoomangbawoo referred to a species of birds belonging to the Pelecaniformes order found in Africa, Neolb-jeok-buri-hwang-sae in Korean and as Shoebill in English. Amon example of the Pelecaniformes order was the pelican. This monster also had a beak simr to that of a pelican. It hadrge wings used like arms and a body resembling that of a bird, but it was embarrassingly tougher and harder inparison to that of a pelican. Its appearance easily reminded people of the Shoebill, so it was called Oopoomangbawoo in Africa. [TN: Because Oopoomangbawoo means shoebill] However, there was a different true reason why this monster was called Oopoomangbawoo. ¡°It literally attacks and eats animals smaller than itself. Even when it''s full, if there are small creatures nearby, it will kill them first, store them under its jaw, and eat themter. This habit is so set that it''s practically considered aw, with no exceptions.¡± The Oopoomangbawoo reached 5 meters in height. There were countless smaller creatures in the world besides it. Particrly humans. The presence of the Oopoomangbawoonding in a city was sheer terror itself. Everything in sight could be considered prey. ¡°The hunting part itself is not difficult. In terms ofbat power alone, it''s at best about 3 to 4 stars, I guess. But the difficulty level of the conquest is quite high. Especially if it''s in that particr city.¡± Although Ju Se-ah had never hunted the Oopoomangbawoo personally, as it was a monster one couldn¡¯t encounter easily, she had seen videos of it. She was also aware of the horrors that ensued after a sessful hunt. "I''ve seen it in the association''s archives as well. Each time it''s struck, it emits a tremendous amount of poisonous energy, right? Moreover, the moment it''s killed, its body explodes, contaminating the surrounding area for tens of kilometers. If we mess with it rashly, we could make thend uninhabitable for decades." "A Hunter with mana might be able to withstand it somewhat, but for ordinary people, it''s toxic enough to immediately kill them. The best method is to block it before it enters the city, but once it''s inside, you can''t just hunt it down recklessly. It makes sense now why the top guild in divostok hasn¡¯t been able to do it yet." Kang Mu-hyuk took another look at the documents. The monster that came in from the ¡®Northeast Three Provinces,¡¯ known as the Demonic Realm. If the Oopoomangbawoo had moved south instead of eastward, it might have set foot on the Korean Penins. "So, how do you n to catch it? With just one person at that." "The hunting will need only one person, but to be exact, a total of two people are needed, including one for assistance." "Whether it''s one person or two, it''s the same thing. As I said, even I can''t justy a finger on that monster because of its poisonous energy. Not unless we n on giving up on divostok." "The documents here state that the Tsar Guild of divostok has prepared a containment facility. It''s described as a top-grade sealed ground that can block the spread of the poison while allowing the subjugation of the monster." "Are you nning to lure it there? I¡¯m sorry to say this, but that won¡¯t be easy. This creature has a habit of not easily leaving its territory once it settles. Trying to force it is impossible when you fear that it could release poison. That''s why even the Tsar Guild hasn''t conducted a raid." "There is a way to do it. I¡¯m sure the Tsar Guild knows about it too. But they just haven''t been able to use it." "They know but haven¡¯t been able to use it?" Ju Se-ah furrowed her brows. Why wouldn''t they try the method if there existed one? It didn''t make sense to her. "That¡¯s because Igor holds the key to that method." Ju Se-ah immediately knew who Kang Muhuk was referring to. Russia''s poster S-rank Hunter, Igor Dudnik. As arrogant as he was strong, and as brutal as he was arrogant. As a Hunter, he truly lived up to the nickname ¡®tyrant.¡¯ He had caused so much trouble here and there that if the Russian government had not sided with him, he might have been branded a viin long ago. That was how dangerous he was. "You¡¯re right. They couldn''t ask that lunatic." "It''s not that they didn¡¯t ask for his help because he''s a lunatic. It''s because Igor''s guild wants to take over divostok, so the Tsar Guild can''t afford to bring him into this." From here on, it was a matter of politics. Even a S-rank Hunter known as a lunatic couldn''t go against the system as long as he was under the government''s protection. Russia strictly regted the expansion of guilds between cities, never permitting it without a valid reason. But, Igor could easily use the pretext of the Oopoomangbawoo raid to naturally expand into divostok. For the Tsar Guild, which had a monopoly on divostok, this was something they absolutely wanted to avoid. "Hold on. If it''s something only Igor can do... Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s-?" Ju Se-ah¡¯s eyes widened as he recalled something about Igor. She had a vague idea of the method Kang Mu-hyuk was hinting at. "Yes. It''s because of his unique trait. And we have someone with a simr trait in our guild as well." "Why do we have to go to Russia?" "Come on, doesn¡¯t it sound great? Think of it as a vacation, Team Leader Yeom." Pyo Beomhee patted Yeom Soohyung¡¯s shoulder, who still had a dumbfounded look on his face even after going through immigration. Yeom Soohyung kept grumbling, not convinced at all. Pyo Beomhee reassured him and then called Kang Mu-hyuk while settling him into a corner seat. "Hey, Captain Kang. The ne¡¯s about to take off." "Team Leader Yeom, the Gigant¡¯s use is allowed only until level 2. As per the calctions, it should be slightly bigger than the Oopoomangbawoo. If Team Leader Yeom goes berserk, put him to sleep immediately." "Then, wouldn''t that mean failing that test or whatever?" "Nothing we can do if we fail. Returning safely is your topmost priority." "Okay. We''ll prioritize safe return as the mission''s top priority." Pyo Beomhee nodded and then asked again, needing reassurance amidst her anxiety. "But are you sure it won''t attack as long as the Gigant¡¯s bigger than it? If that doesn¡¯t happen, things could really go south. The federation arranged for this mission. If we mess up, we could end up being embarrassed and possibly giving the Russians a leg over us." "We''ve already confirmed the fact that the Oopoomangbawoo destroys smaller structures but leaves high-rise buildings untouched." "Maybe the monster has an eye for expensive real estate?" -... Kang Mu-hyuk fell silent for a moment, seemingly at a loss for words, then spoke up. "As far as I know, there hasn''t been a monster discovered yet that can calcte material value, but..." "I was kidding. Just kidding. You didn''t take that seriously, right?" "Ah, a joke? I was actually wondering for a moment if such a case existed. Anyway, we have a previous record of this approach¡¯s proof." "Really? Then why didn''t I know about it? I''ve received audiovisual training on unique monsters, you know." "The specifics haven''t been made public. But there''s room for deduction." "Jeez, your deductions. What is it?" "The first person to subjugate Oopoomangbawoo was a shaman. The most prominent Hunter in Africa." Given that Africa was full of Hunters who kept their identities hidden, not many were well-known. So, only one person came to Pyo Beomhee¡¯s mind. "Kwabena?" "Yes." The man of Tuesday. The nickname didn''t carry any special meaning. It was simply that he had awakened as a Hunter on a Tuesday, so he adopted the name ¡°Kwabena¡± as per Ghana¡¯s naming convention, which meant ¡®born on a Tuesday.¡¯ This simplicity, paradoxically, made him even more famous due to his unique position as a shaman. "What about Kwabena?" "Shaman ss has a skill simr to Team Leader Yeom''s Gigant." "A shaman skill... You mean Earth Giant?" "Yes. He lured and hunted the Oopoomangbawoo using that skill." Pyo Beomhee immediately caught on to a loophole in Kang Mu-hyuk''s argument. "But that''s not certain, right? Africa doesn''t have many densely popted areas. Maybe he caught it in the wilderness." "I''ve looked into that as well. I don¡¯t know about Kwabena¡¯s hunting ground, but I found out what happened in the hunt after him. Do you know how the second and third Oopoomangbawoo hunts turned out?" "Of course. There was massive damage. They might have caught it easily, but one small town was wiped out because of its poison. I saw the video during training." "And the fourth one was sessful. It happened in Ennd." "Why is that relevant?" "Kwabena is Ghanaian. Ghana was a colony of the UK and is a member of the Commonwealth. Naturally, exchange within the Huntermunity is quite active. And the person who exterminated the Oopoomangbawoo in Ennd was Sir Tristan." "And he''s a giant from Europe as well!" "Coincidentally, he is close to Kwabena. Unlike the second and third times, it would have been easier for him to get information. In the light of events, even knowing the meaning behind the name ¡®Oopoomangbawoo¡¯ is already enough of a hint at its raid-strategy." "Okay, I''ll give you that. Considering all that you said, let''s give it a shot and see." "And if the n fails, please proceed with the wrap up n we discussed beforehand." "Honestly, I can''t guarantee that." "If you can¡¯t do that either, it¡¯s okay. Just withdraw from there without doing anything." "Easy for you to say. Anyway, I got it. I''ll call if anythinges up once we arrive." Just as Pyo Beomhee was about to end the call, Yeom Soohyung, who was sitting in a daze until then, snatched Pyo Beomhee''s smartphone when he heard Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice leaking from it. "You said the orc hunt would be thest time!!!" "I never said that. I said I wouldn''t stop you if you decided to leave the team." "Yet you''re sending me on another hunt after saying that?" -Well, you didn¡¯t leave, did you? And from what I''ve heard, you''ve been consistently practicing with the Gigant. I took it as a sign you were willing to return. Yeom Soohyung red at Pyo Beomhee. When he found his secret practice had been exposed, that meant the person who had been helping him must have ratted him out. Pyo Beomhee whistled and avoided his gaze. Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking, "You won''t have to engage in directbat this time. Once you enter Stage 2 transformation, just lure out the ¡®Oopoomangbawoo¡¯ and trap it in the facility prepared by the Tsar Guild. It¡¯ll most probably be easier for you to maintain your sanity than before." "Fine, I''llplete the task at hand, especially since a whole city''s safety is at stake." "Let''s renegotiate your sry when you return. Wee back." Yeom Soohyung tossed the phone in irritation. "Hey! That''s mine, you middle-aged uncle!" "You caught it. What¡¯s the big deal?" "Wow! Just because it¡¯s not yours, you just don¡¯t give a shit" "Seems better than idiotically ratting others out." "Ayy,e on. Not like I can¡¯t buy a new phone. Hahaha." -Announcement, passengers. Passengers boarding Russian Airlines flight 5437, please board the ne. When the boarding announcement was made, Pyo Beomhee perked up her ears as if she was grabbing onto a lifeline and dashed off. "Looks like it''s time to board. Let''s go." Yeom Soohyung sighed in resignation and followed behind. "I keep feeling I''m getting entangled." Having finished the task at hand, Kang Mu-hyuk checked his watch. "6 o''clock. It¡¯s been two hours. They should have arrived in divostok by now." Once there, a representative from the World Hunter Federation was supposed to show Yeom Soohyung and Pyo Beomhee around. ¡®Less showing them around, and more likely grading them.¡¯ Given that they said failing the mission was not a concern, Kang Mu-hyuk spected they¡¯d judge them based on the process then. Ring! The direct line, which rarely rang even once a day, was buzzing insistently. Kang Mu-hyuk anticipated something had happened as he answered the call. "Kang Mu-hyuk speaking." "It''s Kim Myung-jun. I''m contacting you because something amusing has happened." "This phone is not for amusement." -Jeez, don''t be so rigid. It''s about the yer Guild. "Did they sh with the Iga n or something?" -Huh? You knew about it? yer has made a move. It looks like they''re going after the Iga n. Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes twitched slightly at Kim Myung-jun''s counter-question . ¡®They found out way too quickly.'' Even for Korea''s top guild, their adversary was an elite assassination unit of an organization representative of Japan. They were experts at disguising their identities and camouging their hideouts, with their skill sets in a whole different dimensionpared to ordinary guilds. "Where is it happening?" -You expect me to spill such valuable information for free? "Are you sure you just don''t know?" -Oh,e on. Do you think I''d fall for that cheap trick? A slight scratch at my pride isn¡¯t enough to make me talk. "I was actually preparing to leak a few pieces of information to the yer Guild anyway. Even without me saying anything, they would doggedly follow up on the source of that information, right? After all, they¡¯ll need to determine whether it''s true or false. And even I can''t guarantee what might be exposed in that process." -Hey! You¡¯re just threatening me for fun at this point! Kang Mu-hyuk didn¡¯t talk back and waited, as time passed silently with neither side speaking. Kim Myung-jun, though wanting to stubbornly stand his ground, realized he was the one at a disadvantage and had no choice but to give in. "My goodness, I guess it''s not easy to pick your nose without getting your hands dirty after all. And if I leave it be, only my nose will get dirtier. I''ll give you the address, so let''s see our Captain Kang show off his skills, yeah?" After ending the call, Kang Mu-hyuk took a look at the address given by Kim Myungjun. It was different from the one Mr. Cho knew of. He picked up the phone again and called Mr. Cho. -Ah, what is it now? "I''m going to give you an address. Please keep an eye on what happens there." -What address? "Apparently, the yer Guild is nning to ambush the Iga n." Chapter 93 - So, do you not need it? Sasaki Norio, the president of the Japan Guild Association Alliance, also known as ''JGAA,'' faced the most unwee of guests. "Mister Yoshimura, a zone leader meeting? It''s not even a regr meeting. You think the busy zone leaders wille? Just convey your message through me." "Right, I almost neglected the procedures. I won''t make this long. Did you send an assassin group to Korea?" "To Joseon, you mean? Surely not. In such peaceful times, who would engage in such actions?" "You''re still calling it Joseon. What era are you living in, still using such outdated terms? Tch tch! That''s why Northeast Asia is always in chaos. You look down on your neighbors." "I think it''s you who are unaware of the times. Japan is no longer the nation that is weak in Hunter power and once trembled before the military might of the USA or its neighbors. We live in an era where strength dominates. Strength turns into money and power. There''s no rule saying we must forever remain stuck in this archipgo, constantly battered by earthquakes and typhoons." Yoshimura barely suppressed a sigh that threatened to burst forth on its own. He too wished for Japan''s glory, but his vision differed from that of the expansionist members of the Alliance. He dreamed of a world where monsters could no longer harm humans, a world where people helped each other progress. ''Though the Great War was dismal, we fought with the hope that such a world woulde...'' But as soon as the war ended, people took a frightening turn. As soon as the powerful Korean Hunters sacrificed themselves toy the groundwork for victory, the power hungry rushed to fill the power vacuum left behind. Japan was among those. Yoshimura regretted those times to this day. He was ashamed of his foolishness for following his nation like a sheep rather than his own dream. That was why he established the GAA, to control the forces without a purpose, but before he knew it, the alliance was swallowed up by the power hungry. ''I went into seclusion because I couldn''t stand to watch it all. But now, it has reached a point where I can''t just leave it be. I was negligent.'' Yoshimura sat on the sofa, arms crossed, ring at Sasaki across from him. Sasaki felt intimidated by his gaze. It was understandable, given that Yoshimura was rated among the very top of A+ rank Hunters for hisbat strength, whereas Sasaki wasn''t a strong enough Hunter to withstand Yoshimura''s aura. He secured the position as alliance leader more through political maneuvering than actual strength, so he couldn''t handle Yoshimura. "So, you''re saying you didn''t send them?" "Ugh, y-you''re being too much. I mean, I''m the leader of this Guild Alliance. If you pressure me like this..." "Oh my, I got too carried away. My apologies." While Yoshimura reined in his intimidation and even offered an apology, his eyes continued to exert silent pressure. Sasaki let out a pained sound and spoke with a hint of displeasure. "Do I have any right to meddle in the zone leaders'' affairs? Even now, you''re the only one pressuring me here." "So you mean another zone leader took this action independently." "...I''m sorry, but I cannot say any more." "I don''t need to hear it from you to know who it is. Sorry for bothering you when you''re busy with my silliness." Yoshimura rose from his seat and left the office. Left alone, Sasaki sank into the sofa and vented his frustration. "If this is how it was going to be, it would have been better to have one of the zone leaders here. Acting like a big shot giving orders from his mansion... Hah! Now I see why no one stays in this position for long." In a tranquil temple on the outskirts of Tokyo, as the bell''s gentle echo resonated, a visitor exuding a menacing aura arrived at the temple. "Stop, Mister Yoshimura." Yoshimura''s path was blocked by a monk sweeping the floor. "I guess even Hunters like cosying as monks these days." "I apologize for obstructing your visit. It''s just that the elder ordered not to let anyone in." "Haha, has that young man be old enough to be called an elder? Time sure flies. So, did he also say he wouldn''t meet me?" "How could I, sir?" A middle-aged man pounced on Yoshimura with an answer. A man with half-white long hair tied back, wearing a white uniform, slowly came up to Yoshimura. Yoshimura greeted him with a sarcastic tone. "You came all the way out here to greet me, elder. I don''t know how to react, Kishin-kun." "Han-san got in touch with you, right? You''re right. I sent them." Yoshimura frowned. He couldn''t believe he confessed so readily as soon as they met as if he was waiting for this. "You''re not even trying to hide it." "Why do I need to hide it? You''re an honored serviceperson of the Japanese Huntermunity. I should be seeking your understanding and advice instead." "You want to seek advice from me? I can''t believe what I''m seeing. To think I''d see the day when a S ranker treats me this well." Yoshimura forced augh, dumbfounded by the whole situation. Unaffected, Kishin continued, "There''s a limit to how many things we can let slide. We can''t stand idly when Ju Se-ah''s trying to spread her wings." "You''re too obsessed with a mere A+ rank Hunter. The rank difference between you and her is only one, but the gap differential is huge." "With her talent, Ju Se-ah has great potential to reach the S rank. And the moment she bes S rank, she''ll be a disaster for us. We must obstruct her in any way we can." Kishin''s voice was calm, yet the determination in his voice was clear. Yoshimura realized that Kishin would not back down from his stance regardless of what he said to him. Rather, he anticipated this even before he came there. He only came here hoping to somewhat lower the tension after Han Byung-gu''s warning. But in the face of those eyes shimmering with madness, Yoshimura felt the futility of his efforts. "So, who are you nning to kill? Surely you''re not targeting Ju Se-ah again after all this time?" "She has already be a Hunter too formidable for anyone but myself to take down. Not to mention, it''s impossible to sneak into the Korean penins undetected by the South Korean government." "Then, who?" Kishin replied with a smile. "When the general is strong, you gotta aim for the horse first. Isn''t that the basic principle ofbat?" "A Japanese assassination group has entered the country, you say?" -Publicly, they''ll deny it. It''s more of an unofficial infiltration. "So, essentially, you''re saying any unofficial incident on Korean soil is of no concern to you." -On the other hand, it''s also a deration that we''re prepared to do whatever it takes. Han Byung-gu gritted his teeth as he spoke. Kang Mu-hyuk, asked a question to see if he could get more information. "Do you know who the target might be?" -There could be several. It might be Guild Master Ju Se-ah, or some other guild. It might even be my granddaughter. As you''ve probably noticed, she has a very promising future. "Whatever the case, as long as Go Eul-ji is here, there''s no way she''ll run into the assassins." -I''m d she ran away considering the situation. I''ll handle the matter in my own way. I''m entrusting my granddaughter to you for the time being. "We''ll also try taking action in various directions." -It''s probably best for you to stay put, as much as possible. "These people could be targeting our guild too. Sitting back and just watching isn''t exactly in my nature, you see." -Do whatever you want. It''s not like you or the Guild Master is the type to sit quietly and take orders from others. I''ll hang up now. When he ended the call with Han Byung-gu, Kang Mu-hyuk was surrounded by four Hunters. Ju Se-ah, Jang Deuk-goo, Lee Jin-joo, Noh Song-rin. The Iron Will Guild''s strongest members were briefed by Kang Mu-hyuk on the whole story and were on standby just in case. "Now, even if we strike at the Iga n, we''ve created an escape route for ourselves." "So leaking information to the old man wasn''t just a ploy to get the association to move?" "That''s also an option. The most crucial part was handling this situation while drawing boundaries to ensure there''s no other attack. With Chairman Han Byung-gu starting to keep Japan in check, at the very least, they won''t tantly send more assassins." "I don''t mind if theye again." Ju Se-ah smiled faintly, with only her upper teeth showing, which seemed creepy from certain angles. "Not everyone is as strong as you, Guild Master. Someone could get hurt too. Repeated damage inflicted to us is one problem, but constantly having our time wasted on Japanese forces is even worse." "So let''s make sure this ends here. Do we have to join hands with the yer Guild and go after that Iga n, or whatever it''s called?" Lee Jin-joo spoke with a hint of excitement, her cheeks flushed. Although she wasn''t pleased about conflict among Hunters, if it involved Japanese Hunters, the story was different. The animosity between Korean and Japanese Hunters ran deep. Kang Mu-hyuk waved his hands dismissively. "The yer Guild isn''t in such a disadvantageous position to be begging us to join hands with them, especially not after the orc incident. Because of that we''ve already taken on the image of a guild of justice, a guardian guild. If we also get the title of having defended the Korean Huntermunity from Japanese malice on top of that, it would be a blow to the yer Guild''s pride." "Who knows we''re going after the assassins?" "That''s a separate issue, Lee Jin-joo. We can''t underestimate the other Tier guilds." "Other Tier guilds?" "Yes. They won''t step forward as actively as the yer Guild due to fear about how things might turn out, but you should assume they''re always watching and listening. The more eyes and ears there are, the more mouths there are, and with more mouths, word tends to get out. The top guildpetitors and power yers are especially sensitive to such rumors. They''re all gonna have their ears up. And things like that stack up and be your image." Ju Se-ah answered on behalf of Lee Jin-joo. She had firsthand experience with the nature of Tier-ed guilds. They keep up their appearance of being dignified, prioritizing honor, but they were always the first to act calctive for their own benefit. While the yer Guild at least upheld the cause of protecting the Korean Huntermunity, the rest of the Tier guilds were extremely chicken-hearted in matters concerning Japan. "Exactly. Rumors eventually be reputation, and reputation, in turn, allows you to exert influence. Basically, the yer Guild didn''t be the best in South Korea just because they''re strong or wealthy." Lee Jin-joo mulled over Kang Mu-hyuk''s addedment. She considered his every single action and word as lessons on bing a true leader of an expedition. This time, Ju Se-ah asked Kang Mu-hyuk, "So, what should we do?" Kang Mu-hyuk replied while picking up his phone, "First, we have to put the yer Guild in a disadvantageous position." Just as Sung Seonjae was about to step out of the car, his smartphone rang. He tried ignoring it for prioritizing the task at hand, but the timing of the call felt icky to him. Not to mention, the disyed number bothered him. ''Guild Cooperation Agency?'' Ultimately, he couldn''t ignore it and answered the call. "Hello, this is Sung Seonjae." -Kang Mu-hyuk speaking. Sung Seonjae''s expression soured at those words. "You''ve really got great timing. This doesn''t seem like a coincidence. Did you know already before calling me?" -You''re going after the Iga n. "I wonder how you found out. I thought our security was tight." -They''re targeting me. Naturally, I had to track them down as well. And so, I just ended up crossing paths with the yer Guild." Sung Seonjae''s eyes widened in surprise at Kang Mu-hyuk''s exnation, but then he was convinced after he realized why the assassins were targeting Kang Mu-hyuk. "Do you get it now? Being next to Guild Master Ju Se-ah naturally attracts danger to you. Since the Japanese can''t target her directly, they''re trying to hit those around her. We''ll handle it this time, but you''re gonna need to be more careful in the future." -That''s okay. We''re handling it better than the yer Guild. "Better than us? Ha, well, I guess it''s harder to assassinate someone holed up in North Pocheon." -I meant that we don''t get fooled by false information. "False information?" -Do you actually think the Iga n is hiding there? Sung Seonjae momentarily pulled the smartphone away from his ear. Through the car window, the dim outline of a factory site was visible. It was an industrial park on the outskirts of Seoul whose construction had halted midway. With the development in the surrounding area also being stopped, it was an ideal hiding spot. He put the phone back to his ear and responded, "Are you saying we''ve been fooled?" -It''s not so much that you''ve been fooled as it is that the Iga n was just that thoroughly prepared. Sung Seonjae couldn''t confirm or deny it. The moment he heard Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, he instinctively felt something was off, but as the brain of South Korea''s top guild, he couldn''t just retreat based on the words of a C-tier guild''s Team Leader. At this point, it was a matter of pride. Even if this was a trap, he had to check it out. ''Damn, just one sentence from Kang Mu-hyuk, and I turn into an idiot who can''t tell crap apart from chocte.'' Sung Seonjae chuckled bitterly and then spoke. "So, do you have the real information?" -I can share it with you if you want. Sung Seonjae''s expression turned cold. "Look, Team Leader Kang. You''re being too obvious. Trying to eat stuff raw will give you a stomachache. Didn''t you learn that at Titan?" [TN: (Meaning trying to "free stuff"i.e. "That doesn''t require any effort or cost" will give you a stomachache i.e. get you in trouble) ] -Guild Master Lee Cheoljung indeed loves sushi. "Are you really going to act like this? You''re going way too far with the joke." -So, do you not need it? Sung Seonjae scratched his forehead, lost in thought for a moment, then finally spoke. "Give me 10 minutes. Let''s talk again in exactly 10 minutes." -Understood. I''ll be waiting. Chapter 94 - We鈥檙e gonna shoot an action scene The yer Guild''s strike team was created to immactely deal with conflicts with other guilds. The team wasn''t listed in the organization''s chart. Their mechanism was pre-briefing the Hunters who were strong with regards to face-to-facebat and had a strong sense of duty from among the members of each party, and summoning them only when necessary. In fact, this method weakened the team''s organization. It was less efficient than continuously training and executing operations repeatedly with a single purpose. However, the strike team''s very purpose was sinful, which would have made it problematic if other guilds protested or if it became a political issue. It inevitably became a team in name only, as if turning a blind eye. Among the strike team, Gam Wooyoung was the famous Hunter rumored to be strong in personalbat. Using his message skill, he boldly entered through the unfinished factory''s main Gate. "Team Leader Sung, I couldn''t bring many people because I was worried about drawing attention. Will it be okay if I proceed alone?" "We received the address in a suspicious manner. It was way too easy. It might even be a trap. As a way to reduce the risk factor we will secure the surrounding area and wait." "Wow! Then what about me? So is it okay with you if I get thrown into a trap?" "We need to crush the trap head-on, even if it''s just to warn the enemy. We chose a decisive force that could eliminate them rather than nning a half-baked operation." A smile flickered across Gam Wooyoung''s lips. "A decisive force, huh... Hehe! As expected, the Team Leader trusts me.'' As he nodded in satisfaction, a message from Sung Seonjae made him frown. "Though if Hunter Ju Se-ah was in your ce, she would have charged in without any hesitation." "Ah, so I''m just a chicken taking the ce of the pheasant, huh?" [TN: (substitute// the next best thing)] Sung Seonjae reassured the grumbling Gam Wooyoung. "It might take more time, but Hunter Gam Wooyoung, you''ll prove to be even more significant than the pheasant. Regardless of Hunter Ju Se-ah, you are our guild''s next ace." "Tch! You really know how to put someone through a rollercoaster." Even with the battle ahead, Gam Wooyoung hummed a tune as he entered the factory. The ceiling, punctured here and there, allowed moonlight to illuminate the interior. The steel frame was exposed, and the structure felt wide, like an open field with few walls. Overhead, the building was designed to have five floors, but it was still just a skeleton, with no floor visible. "Wow, this is so obvious." His skin tingled as the nape of his neck felt chilly. His spine went cold, and his feet felt hollow, just like the sensation of riding the Viking at an amusement park. Gam Wooyoung felt exhrated by the murderous aura surrounding him. "How did you know I like this kind of thing?" Gam Wooyoung licked his pte with his tongue, rolling it slowly as if savoring delicious food. The moment he swallowed the saliva filling his mouth--- Swoosh! Dozens of silver beams poured towards Gam Wooyoung from the darkness. He darted to the right and a weaponnded in the spot he had just vacated. ''Shuriken!'' The windmill-shaped throwing stars used by Japanese ninjas caught his eye. It was burrowed deeply into the concrete, but the unique shape was instantly recognizable. Those killer weapons followed the spots that Gam Wooyoung dodged. He continued to sidestep, narrowly avoiding the lethal weapons. When it became too difficult to evade the lethal weapons arriving from all directions, he drew the right twin sword to strike them down first--- Boom! "Damn it! Now they''re even throwing exploding ones?" Gam Wooyoung drew his left sword as well. A red de and a blue de. The Blue-Red Divine Twin Swords. It was a custom-made lethal weapon forged from the fangs of a Blue and Red Twin-Headed Serpent he had caught himself. "45 meters in the front, two; 30 meters to the left, three; 40 meters to the right, two; upper left diagonal..." As he dodged, Gam Wooyoung was assessing the directions from which the lethal weapons were emerging. Now that he had a rough idea of the enemies'' locations and numbers, it was time to counterattack. Gam Wooyoung aimed for the closest group on his left first. In multi-enemybat situations for Hunters, it wasmon sense to break through one side of the encirclement and then proceed clockwise or counter-clockwise to deal with the rest. Such tactics were second nature to him. "You''re all deaaaad now... Huh?" What fell over Gam Wooyoung as he charged was a metal. Given that it couldn''t be cut easily even when he struck swiftly, it seemed to be made of a special material. The''s effectiveness was not just due to its toughness. "Arghhh---ughhh---f-f-fuckkk---electric shockkkk." The that captured Gam Wooyoung was not just any. It was a special made from a superior grade item known as ''Electro Stone,'' which has ''lightning'' properties. As soon as his capture was confirmed, two enemies emerged from the darkness and approached slowly. Just as they got close and tried to stab him with swords resembling rapiers, a sword shining brighter than the weak moonlight seeping into the factory, tore through the. The light from the sword even sliced through the enemies who had approached Gam Wooyoung. Thud! Thump! "Gotcha, bastards?! Did you really think I''d be caught by something like this......" Gam Wooyoung was surprised to see the enemies fall without even a scream. "What the, these guys? Could it be these guys were......?" His thoughts were cut short. A shing light from below wrapped around him. Boom! The abandoned partially constructed factory construction site filled with a st, as if the entire ce had turned into a giant speaker. "Team leader, how long do we wait? We heard an explosion. If something happens to the Party Leader Gam ..." "Trust me, our next ace is not as easy as he appears." The Hunter leading the strike team fell silent at Sung Seonjae''s reply. He had no choice but to agree with Sung Seonjae. ''Indeed, Hunter Gam Wooyoung was the only one in the guild who fought hundreds of battles against that witch.'' Some in the guild avoided dueling with Ju Se-ah because of pride, fear, or concern that it would turn into a massacre. But Gam Wooyoung was different. He was not afraid of defeat. He did not avoid pain or shame. He challenged again after hundreds of defeats and even when he was close to death. With each defeat, he grew stronger. Eventually, he shed his status as a prospect and was cast in expeditions, triumphing in various raids. Now, he had reached a position where no one would criticize him even if he didn''t undergo hard training. Yet, despite gaining high honor and wealth, he continued to challenge Ju Se-ah and lose. With each loss, he became tougher. After Ju Se-ah left, Gam Wooyoung gradually became the center of the Expedition team. No one in the guild doubted Gam Wooyoung. The Hunter who had just spoken with Sung Seonjae suddenly realized something and eximed, "This must be your method of training. I heard this was how you conducted real battles during Hunter Ju Se-ah''s time too. It''s said that lions push their cubs off cliffs... Truly, as expected of you, Team Leader Sung." "That''s just because Ju Se-ah was tough." "..." At the moment the Hunter found himself at a loss for words. Then the noise suddenly ceased and Gam Wooyoung walked out through the entrance he had entered. He was dragging his steps, his royal blue armor coat torn here and there, and the bodies of enemies he was dragging in each hand testified to the scuffle that had urred. Gam Wooyoung threw the corpses in front of Sung Seonjae. Sung Seonjae nced down at them indifferently. "They''re puppets. The kind the Japanese sometimes use. Except for a few controlling them from the inside, the rest were all dolls. They even self-exploded them right there! I destroyed the core of thest puppets right away and secured the evidence." "That was a very efficient trap. If they have a self-explosion feature, they must be quite expensive. If everyone had rushed in recklessly, there might have been some casualties," Sung Seon-je mused as he inspected the puppet closely. His smartphone rang at that moment. He checked the time and answered the call. "You''ve really timed this call perfectly." -Did the hunt go well? "It left a bad taste in my mouth. Just like you said, it was a bust." -Then, you must have decided what to do next. "It seems you and I are on the same page." Sung Seonjae was annoyed by Kang Mu-hyuk from the yer Guild''s perspective but he personally admired him. ''From the moment we received the wrong information, everything started going ording to Kang Mu-hyuk''s n. Using that is another matter. I never thought someone would set up a game like this against the yer.'' Seeing someone dealing so openly after a long time felt more refreshing than unpleasant. -I''ll give you the address. Guild Leader Ju Se-ah will be waiting for you. "Before tonight ends. Let''s strike while the enemy feels relieved thinking they''ve fooled us." -I''ll set the time of the attack at dawn. "3 AM. Anyter, and we risk involving civilians." -Yes. We''ll make the preparations. Sung Seonjae remembered the address Kang Mu-hyuk provided and ordered the Hunters to withdraw. Gam Wooyoung, who had been listening to the call, asked with a puzzled look, "It seems he knows where they are hiding. Aren''t we going there?" "If we move directly from here, the enemy will notice. We need to withdraw and send another strike team." "Who?" "Party Leader Ha Hye Sung." Gam Wooyoung''s face soured at the mention. "It sounds like Se-Ah is conducting a joint operation with the Alliance. Is it okay to send Hye Sung?" "Ha Hye Sung is the Expedition party leader and our current ace. He knows how to separate personal matters from professional ones." Sung Seonjae got into the car with Gam Wooyoung and made a call. Although their task here was finished, his work as the Strategy Team Leader was just beginning. Handling the aftermath was crucial when problems arose. -This is Woo Byung-gi speaking. "The embassy staff. Was it Mr. Tanaka?" -Yes. "Ensure he''s secured before I get to the headquarters." -Understood. "Good work, Mr. Cho." -That was it? Following Sung Seonjae around? "We can''t afford to have them strike the Iga n first and cause problems." -My goodness, they say there''s no one to trust in this business but to have me shadow him even after making arrangements with them because you can''t trust them. Team Leader Kang, you''ve really been corrupted. "I''ll deposit the pay for hiring you into your ount. Please, bear with it a little longer until the operation is over." No sooner had the call ended than another phone lying next to him rang. Kang Mu-hyuk checked the time disyed on the office monitor. [Seoul 21:21] [divostok 22:21] He picked up the receiver. -Hello, Mister Kang? "Team Leader Pyo? I heard the raid was scheduled for tomorrow. Is there any issue?" -Bang! Kang Mu-hyuk pulled the phone away from his ear due to the sudden explosion sound. Sensing that the situation was not good, he urgently called out to Pyo Beom-hee. "Team Leader Pyo?! Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee!" -Whoa, that scared me. "What''s going on?" -I don''t know! We were suddenly attacked! Noisy talking in Russian could be heard in the background. "You''re under attack?!" Kang Mu-hyuk''s question was met with only the sound of chaotic shouting and screams; no direct answer came through. A momentter, Pyo Beom-hee''s voice was heard again. -I''ll escape first and then call you! Ask the federation about the rest... That was thest thing she said before the call was cut off. Kang Mu-hyuk stared nkly at the handset. "What on earth is happening?" Rewinding time to when Pyo Beom-hee arrived at divostok''s Knevichi International Airport... [divostok 19:37] "Team Leader Kang? Yeah. I just met the guide from the federation. No. The raid is scheduled for tomorrow. For now, we''re heading to the hotel. Seems like the Tsar Guild also has preparations to make. Well, we can have a shot of vodka and a good night''s sleep before work. Ah, we won''t have too much. Just a bit to wet the throat. Ha-ha. Alright. I''ll contact you before we start working. Yeah, don''t worry. Take care of your side of things too. Good night, darling." As soon as the call with Kang Mu-hyuk ended, Pyo Beom-hee raised both hands in excitement. "Hurray! Freedom!" "Freedom? How many hours do you think that''llst?" Just after retrieving his carry-on from the conveyor belt, Yeom Soo-hyung shook his head in disdain. "Ah, seriously. Tch! You''re always making such a fuss. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me, who once roamed the dazzling world of entertainment, to be trapped in North Pocheon? Those few hours are precious to me." "Weren''t you busy managing idols?" "I''m just saying. You really don''t get it, do you?" Yeom Soo-hyung pondered over where he might have misunderstood. In the meantime, the man who was the federation''s guide smiled and said, "The hotel you''ll be staying at has a nice bar. The west side of the city might be paralyzed due to the Oopoomangbawoo, but ces that sell alcohol are still open." Pyo Beom-hee alternated her gaze between the man and the tie pin tucked into his left breast pocket. ''Such a fascinating item. We don''t need an interpreter at all.'' It was an item loaned by the federation for this mission, embedded with interpretation skills. Kang Mu-hyuk showed considerable interest in this item, even going so far as to specifically request that Pyo Beom-hee not return it after the mission but to bring it back with her if possible. While drooling over the item''s capabilities, Pyo Beom-hee spoke. "Hey, are the people here in Russia just desensitized, or do they trust their guild that much? Oopoomangbawoo is quite a dangerous monster. We''re talking about a situation where a city could be wiped out if things go wrong, yet instead of evacuating, they''re selling alcohol?" "People here are a bit tough, I guess? Haha. Of course, there''s also a lot of trust in the Tsar Guild. After all, it''s the guild that has been protecting divostok, which is not more than a few dozen kilometers from the border of the demonic realm. While it may be difficult to subdue Oopoomangbawoo entirely, keeping it from leaving the western corner is manageable enough. Plus, it''s quite cold here during winter. It would be hard for a poption of 700,000 to find a ce to evacuate to." Pyo Beom-hee understood immediately. It was the same situation in Pocheon, where they were from. Just as there were those who couldn''t leave despite living next to a special operations zone, those who had established their lives in divostok could not easily leave the city. Pyo Beom-hee and the group unpacked their luggage in a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city. "I''m in the room next door. This room is for you, Hunter Pyo Beom-hee, and the one next to it is for Hunter Yeom Soo-hyung. The raid is scheduled for 2 PM tomorrow, so please rest well today. I''ll see you in the morning. Ah. The bar is on the 17th floor of the hotel." Pyo Beom-hee tossed her luggage aside and headed straight for the elevator. In a high-end hotel lounge, fitting its luxurious ambiance, it was elegant yet cozy. "I wanted a bit more raucous atmosphere." As someone who primarily enjoyed the act of drinking over the setting, she didn''t mind the decor and settled down with her drink. "Ah! This is it! This is the taste. Russian alcohol isn''t bad at all." As she continued drinking, her expression suddenly turned fierce. ''What''s this? This crude poison?'' The moment she took a sip from the new bottle she received, Pyo Beomhee could tell. It was a tingling, sour taste. It was so subtle that most might overlook it, but she, with her expertise in handling poisons, couldn''t be fooled. Pyo Beom-hee quickly discerned theponents of the poison. ''Paralysis, sleep. Is it a Red Venom Toad? This isn''t cheap stuff. Just a messybination. How long until it kicks in? A few minutes? It won''t work on me, though.'' Pyo Beom-hee staggered deliberately as she stood up. "Ah, I''m getting drunk. I should head to bed then." As she approached the elevator, two men positioned themselves on either side of her. ''Hunters.'' The setup was so clich¨¦ it was almost amusing, but she figured that those who hadced her drink wouldn''t care about such details. ''I thought this trip to Russia was going to be healing for me, but it looks like we''re about to shoot an action scene.'' Chapter 95 - Please call our Team Leader As Pyo Beom-hee got on the elevator, two men followed her in. She pressed the button for the 11th floor, and the two men pressed for the 10th floor. The men standing on either side of her just stared at the descending floor numbers. A suffocating silence descended in the space, as if the air had vanished. After getting off the elevator, Pyo Beom-hee pretended to stagger after being poisoned, making her way to the room with difficulty. As she clutched her head and sneakily checked behind her, the closing elevator doors reopened, and the two men got off. Pyo Beom-hee entered her room, unable to bear it any longer, and threw herself onto the bed. She felt someone peering inside from the door. Sensing the next room, she sent a message to Yeom Soohyung using a message skill. "Team Leader Yeom, it seems like someone''s after us. They even used poison on me. Can you believe it?" "I know. There was poison in the bottled water in the fridge too. Not deadly poison, but still. Not to mention, they''re tantly announcing it here. I couldn''t rest at all because of the murderous aura around me." Upon hearing Yeom Soohyung''s response, Pyo Beom-hee expanded her sensory perception. Although it wasn''t her area of expertise, Pyo Beom-hee definitely felt a prickling energy all around. The men who had followed her were also lingering in the corridor. She first checked on Yeom Soohyung''s condition. "Did they get you?" "I''m in a giantified state trying to neutralize the poison." "Giantifed state? Are you okay?" "Don''t worry. It''s just the first level. All that adaptation training wasn''t for nothing, you know." "No, I meant, is your room okay?" "..." "I''m not joking, for real. If you''re 3 meters tall, how much do you weigh? Won''t the floor give out?" "The floor''s fine. The bed, not so much." "Just y dumb at checkout. Say it wasn''t you. No, let''s just send the bill to the federation. We came here because of them, right?" "What''s more important is that I''m dying here crouching in this cramped room." Pyo Beom-hee imagined Yeom Soohyung in his giant form. Since they hadn''t started the operation yet, he wouldn''t have been able to wear his special fitting suit that expanded using magic. The thought of him crouching naked in a small room made herugh. "Ha, that means you must be naked, right? Even if you wear the armor coat, it''d look like a trench coat then." "Sorry to disappoint, but I already put it on before boarding the ne." "Darn it. I was about to rush over, take a picture, so I get to tease you for life." "Stop joking around. What should we do? Attack first?" Normally, Pyo Beom-hee would haveunched an attack before Yeom Soohyung even asked, but they were in Russia. A country where powerful public authority dominated society, yet more violent forces coexisted, and corruption in the Huntermunity was rampant. Launching a preemptive strike in a hotel located in the middle of a city, not even in some secluded area, could inadvertently lead to being framed for something they didn''t do. Causing trouble here could result in at least a travel ban like Ju Se-ah experienced, or in the worst case, being imprisoned in ''ck Owl Prison,'' known as the Ujung-do of Russia, which was considered the world''s worst Hunter prison. Despite the federation''s influence reaching around the globe, in countries with different political systems or dictatorships like China and Russia, there was naturally less freedom to act. Pyo Beom-hee was worried about these aspects. "I don''t want to be locked up in the Owl Prison. I heard they cram two people into a 1.5 pyeong (about 5 square meters) cell. If I get stuck there with you, I might get squished into dried fish." "So, you''re suggesting we wait, right?" "At least until they make the first move. We need to be cautious. Let''s consult with the federation''s guide... What was his name again? Kobi? Corona? Coco?" "Kozlov." "Right, Mr.Ko. Let''s decide after consulting with him." It was when Pyo Beom-hee was about to send a message to Kozlov. Crack! "Huh? What''s wrong with the door? I barely touched it." The uninvited guest effortlessly tore off the door and entered the room. "!!" Pyo Beom-hee felt chills down her spine. A massive presence that she had entirely failed to notice until just now filled the room. A long shadow cast by the hallway lights followed the man inside and spoke to him. "Is it this room, or the next one?" "I''m sorry. We haven''t checked that yet." "Well, does it matter? We can just teach them a lesson first and then ask." The moment the intruder stepped into the room, the wall by the entrance crumbled, and a de shot out of it. The intruder tilted his head, easily dodging the attack. The one who attacked through the wall was Kozlov. He shouted towards Pyo Beom-hee. "Ms. Pyo Beom-hee! Are you alright?!" "You''re the one who''s not going to be alright." It was the intruder who responded instead of Pyo Beom-hee, aiming a punch at Kozlov. Kozlov infused his sword with mana and swung it at therge shadow. ng! "Ugh!" Surprisingly, the sh between fist and sword ended in the fist''s victory. The impact tore through Kozlov''s hands on the sword. It was fortunate that he didn''t lose his weapon, given the immense force behind the punch. ''An A-rank dismissed my attack so easily?'' Only then could Kozlov see the intruder''s face under the dim lighting. "Y-You''re..." "Looks like the federation''s dog is getting too cocky." The intruder spun around to deliver a backspin blow. His left hand aimed for Kozlov''s temple. Kozlov hurriedly raised his left arm to block but was not spared. His left arm bone broke, and he was mmed to the ground. The intruder, having inflicted serious injuries on Kozlov with a single blow,ughed at him. "I won''t kill you. Dealing with the federation is a bit of a hassle, you see." At that moment, Pyo Beom-hee made her move. Taking advantage of the intruder''s momentarypse in attention, she expelled the poison she had been holding in her mouth. The colorless, odorless poison, potent enough to incapacitate even a decent Hunter, failed to affect the intruder. All it did was make him hesitate for a moment. As the intruder quickly shook off the effects of the poison and prepared to move again, Pyo Beom-hee leapt backward and shouted. "Team Leader Yeom!" As Pyo Beom-hee called out, the wall behind the bed she was lying on exploded, and a gigantic fist struck the intruder. "Mr. Igor!" The subordinate of the intruder, caught off guard by the sudden attack on his boss, cried out in confusion. "Run!" Yeom Soohyung quickly shrank his giant form and leaped into the room, hurling himself towards the window. Crash! Shatter! Pyo Beom-hee, clutching the fainted Kozlov by her side and grabbing his sword, followed Yeom Soohyung and jumped out. The room they left behind quickly returned to silence. The intruder, who had been crushed against a wall, slowly extricated himself from the debris and dusted off the dirt on his body. "So the guy who could get bigger was in the next room." He appeared unscathed from the attack just moments before. However, his subordinate, standing next to him, fidgeted ufortably, unsure of what to do just with the dust umted on his boss''s shoulder. The intruder walked over to the window, where the chilly air was flowing in, and looked down. He saw his targets scaling the hotel wall by embedding a sword into it, climbing down like rock climbers. In the blink of an eye, they touched the ground and sprinted away with all their might. The intruder leisurely watched his targets escape. "These §¬§à§â§Ö§Ö§è (Koreans) were quite something. To think they''d run when I''m right here. I came since I was getting bored stuck in Moscow, but this turned out to be quite fun." "They can run, but they''re still in divostok. I''ll have them chased down immediately." "No, let it be. It''s not easy to find people who dare to revolt in Russia." "Excuse me?" "As Russian men, how can we leave the hospitality of our guests to someone else?" "You can''t mean... h-here? No. Mr....." Before his subordinate could react further, the intruder had already jumped out of the window. "...Igor." Left alone, the subordinate wrung his head in frustration, watching his bossnd on the street below. "Ah... It''s not just about Oopoomangbawoo or the Korean Hunters anymore. Igor will destroy the city, wait no, this isn''t the time for this. Everyone, follow Mr. Igor! We can''t let him get away!" His shout caused a stir in the corridor. In a construction site blowing with eerie wind, Pyo Beom-hee supported Kozlov, seating him at a corner of a building that was merely a skeleton. "Who was that monster earlier?" "Pfk, Huk... A soldier." As Pyo Beom-hee adjusted Kozlov''s broken bone, he answered his question. He clenched his teeth and bore the pain, reacting btedly due to being momentarily distracted. "This isn''t just a simple fracture; it''spletely shattered. What are we going to do now? All the potions are in the carrier... Ah! The armor coat! They said they wouldn''t resupply it if I lost it. Ugh, I''m going to get an earful again." Pyo Beom-hee scratched her head in irritation. "Ah well, can''t be helped, can it? If you don''t get treated in time, it''ll take a long while for the bone to heal, Mr. Ko." "I just survived after meeting the tyrant, so what''s ate-healing bone to me?" Pyo Beom-hee then chose some suitable lumber from the construction site, cut it, and made a splint. Meanwhile, Yeom Soohyung asked, "The tyrant. Are you talking about Igor Dudnik?" "That''s right." "He was a big shot, after all. No wonder the punch left a nasty aftertaste." Yeom Soohyung flexed his hand open and close. Even though he struck him in his giant form, the attack seemed to have hardly impacted the opponent. Although he had pushed with his weight, the moment his fist made contact, it felt like hitting a wall. Instinctively deciding not to confront but to flee was a wise choice. "But I heard Russia doesn''t allow guilds to expand into other cities, right? That''s why the Tsar Guild didn''t even ask for help from the tyrant. Then there''s no reason for the tyrant to be here." Pyo Beom-hee asked, puzzled. Kozlov shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I''m not sure why Igor came to divostok either. If the Kremlin knew about this, they wouldn''t just let it slide." "Regardless, we need to get out of here. I mean, we can''t fight an S-ranker. Hiding might be the better option... What do you suggest, Mr. Kozlov? We''re not familiar with the local situation, so it''s hard to make a decision." "As you said, Mr. Yeom, it''s better toy low. You were targeted way too precisely. It''s clear that information has leaked from somewhere. It''s too risky to go to the Tsar Guild right now since we can''t trust them either." "Is there somewhere we can hide?" "There are a few safe houses." "Good. Let''s head there for now." "Just a moment. Let''s contact Team Leader Kang as well." Right after Pyo Beom-hee dialed the number on her smartphone, someone emerged from the shadows of the construction site. It was baffling how such a giant, making even therge Yeom Soohyung seem small, had managed to approach without making a sound. Pyo Beom-hee murmured the identity of the figure with a grimace on her lips. "The tyrant..." Even she, who lived by the motto of finding joy in everything, couldn''t help but be serious in this moment. The dial tone echoed in her ear through the smartphone, but she had no time to pay attention to it. ''Why isn''t he answering the phone?'' The call couldn''t be their lifeline, but Pyo Beom-hee felt a growing sense of urgency. Igor, maintaining a careful distance, pointed at Yeom Soohyung. "Hey, you." "..." "You have the giantification trait, right? Let''s see you change. I want to see how strong you are." "Why would I listen to you?" Yeom Soohyung retorted sarcastically, prompting a smirk from Igor. Just then, the ringing of the smartphone stopped. "H-hello, Team Leader Kang?" In the next moment, Pyo Beom-hee lost the chance to hear Kang Muhyuk''s voiceing from the smartphone, as the murderous aura from the monster before her surged dramatically. "You''re asking me why? Because... If you don''t transform right now, you''ll die?" Igor leaped high into the air towards them. The fist he raised above his head came down in the dead center of the group. Boom! "Whoa! That scared me." Even as Pyo Beom-hee was thrown into the air, she did not remove the smartphone from her ear. -What''s happening? "I don''t know! We''re suddenly under attack!" The construction site became chaotic. Outside the unfinished windows, a line of unidentified Hunters appeared. "I''ll try to escape and then call back! Ask the federation guys about the rest..." Pyo Beom-hee couldn''t finish her sentence. Igor, who had quietly approached, snatched the smartphone from her and smashed it. Pyo Beom-hee was shocked that her smartphone was snatched right before her eyes, since she was unable to react to the jab as swift as a breeze. ''I''m quite confident about my speed but this is--'' Igor held the fist that had just smashed the smartphone, his grip filled with enough power to demolish a block. Everyone present felt the terrifying force concentrated in his hand. "You''re not needed here, so could you please leave?" Faced with an unending assault that left no room for resistance, Pyo Beom-hee half gave up. "Ah, darn it, S-rank is practically a cheat key." Just as Igor''s fist was about to hit Pyo Beom-hee''s face-- "Kuhaaak!" Yeom Soohyungpleted his transformation into a giant in an instant and tackled Igor. "That''s more like it!" Even as he was sent flying by Yeom Soohyung''s tackle, Igorughed heartily. Pyo Beom-hee, seizing the sword from Kozlov who was behind her, said, "Kozlov. I''ll clear a path for you, so get out of here." "What? What about you two? Let''s go together." "Against that guy?" Pyo Beom-hee pointed at Igor who had inted his size even more than Yeom Soohyung. A side of the wall crumbled as the battle between the two giants unfolded. Naturally, Yeom Soohyung was at a disadvantage. Even hastily employing a second-level transformation, he couldn''t match up against Igor. "We''re the targets, not you." "If you stay here, you could get killed." "If that was the case, he would have taken us out already. He wouldn''t be ying around like that." Kozlov agreed with Pyo Beom-hee''s reasoning. Though S-rankers and A-rankers might not seem much different at a nce, in reality, there existed an insurmountable wall between them. It didn''t make sense for the group to still be standing unharmed until now. Despite knowing this, Kozlov still couldn''t bring himself to leave. As Yeom Soohyung staggered, looking like he wouldn''tst much longer, Pyo Beom-hee urgently said, "I''m not telling you to just run away. Escape and call our Team Leader for help." "By Team Leader, you mean..." "Kang Muhyuk! Unless an S-ranker intervenes, he''s the only one who can handle this situation!" As soon as the call was abruptly cut off, Kang Muhyuk tried calling Pyo Beom-hee back, but this time the connection didn''t go through at all. He immediately contacted the Hunter Association. Han Byung-gu was not avable, but thanks to a heads-up given earlier, after going through several security procedures, he could connect to Alex. -What''s the matter, Mr. Kang? "Our team members in Russia were cut off during a call. Thest thing they mentioned was that they were attacked. What''s the contact number for your liaison over there?" -An attack? Please hold on. I''ll check and get back to you. The call ended, and it was a while before he received a response. -We''re also unable to connect to our line. It seems something has happened for sure. "What about the Tsar Guild?" -We''ve spoken with them. We can''t know all the details, but the confirmed fact is that the hotel where members of the Iron Will Guild members were staying was attacked. The divostok news is reporting it as a terrorist attack. "A terrorist attack? In Russia? Isn''t there a clear top in the divostok guild scene? Running amok there sounds like suicide for terrorists." -Exactly. As has always been the case with Russia, they''re probably controlling the media narrative. "Fine. Let''s say, for the sake of argument, it''s terrorism. Does the federation only get its information from the news when it sends our guild members into such danger? I distinctly heard it was an attack." Pressed by Kang Muhyuk, Alex offered an awkward exnation. -Russia is one of the few countries where the federation doesn''t have a branch, only a contact office. Of course, that''s not to say we''re shirking responsibility. We''ll do our best to figure out the situation... Hold on, Mr. Kang. We''ve just received a message from the local contact. Please don''t hang up; wait a moment. Alex''s voice faded, and then there was silence. Kang Muhyuk waited patiently, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Perhaps Oopoomangbawoo had breached the defense line, or the Tsar Guild had betrayed them, or maybe... "Hmm, that would indeed be the absolute worst." As if he didn''t even want to entertain the thought of the true worst-case scenario, Kang Muhyuk shook his head, and then he heard Alex''s voice again. -Mr. Kang. "Go ahead." -It looks like you will have to go to Russia. Chapter 96 - I Hope You Fall Out of a Tree Kozlov, having escaped through the efforts of Pyo Beom-hee and Yeom Soohyung, hid in a safe house. Just as Pyo Beom-hee had said, it seemed Igor was primarily targeting the two Hunters from Korea, as he didn''t pay much attention to Kozlov''s escape. Far from chasing after him, he even retreated. While part of the reason for his early withdrawal was to avoid shing with the Tsar Guild, the fact that Kozlov was associated with the federation also contributed to the decision not to chase him. Upon entering the safe house, Kozlov immediately contacted the federation, which connected him directly with Alex. After learning the full situation from him, Alex briefed Kang Muhyuk. "The tyrant, huh... It''s the exact worst-case scenario I was afraid of." -Our local agents have yet to figure out why he hase to divostok. "You''re saying that agent said I need to go to Russia?" -He says Hunter Pyo Beom-hee requested it. Kang Muhyuk tried to understand the true intention behind Pyo Beom-hee''s request. ''Only an S-ranker can face an S-ranker. After all, even if it''s not for fighting, the ability to deterbat is always useful. But if she called for me, that means...'' She clearly thought the federation wouldn''t deploy an S-ranker for the sake of protecting them. ''Whether she considered various aspects thoroughly or made an instinctive judgment, Team Leader Pyo''s expectations won''t be far off. Because an S-ranker wouldn''t be mobilized for a mission involving external federation personnel that''s not deemed critical.'' Her decision to release Kozlov was likely based on the same logic. After all, if only the two Hunters from Korea were targeted, it would remain a matter concerning the Iron Will Guild, but capturing Kozlov would escte it to an issue concerning the federation. Alex''s reluctance to readily offer help suggested he anticipated the same to happen. In the end, it implied that to resolve the situation, the guild would have to step in directly. Certainly, the federation, being partly responsible for this situation, wouldn''tpletely ignore it. ''I''ll have to leverage that weakness. If I handle this case well, we can use it to our advantage for a long time.'' Kang Muhyuk quickly formted a rough n and spoke up. "I''ll go to Russia. But there are a few things the federation needs to sort out for me." -We''ll help as much as we can. "Firstly, our Guild Master needs to be able to set foot on Russian soil. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has put her on a cklist, preventing her from getting a visa, you see." -By the way you mention it, it seems you''re suggesting an unofficial route. We will try to mobilize the Russian political circles to allow for a temporary entry procedure just for this asion. "That will take too long. And it would be hard to keep it secret." -Then, what would you suggest? "The ways to sneak into another country are obvious, aren''t they?" -You don''t mean... "We''ll sneak in. Is it possible to bribe the divostok coast guard? I would also like you to ''persuade'' the radar stations." Alex quickly grasped what Kang Muhyuk meant. ''Persuading'' meant offering bribes. In Russia, it was a tactic rampant even in the past, but it became amonce negotiation method after the world changed due to the widespread monsters. This wasrgely because the vast territory made it difficult for central government authority to reach every corner. That was why, the Russian government delegatedw enforcement to local guilds in the provinces, which was one of the reasons why the Russian government restricted city expansions by guilds---to prevent power struggles among them. "I''m not sure how far the Tsar Guild''s influence extends in divostok. But with the appearance of the tyrant, they must be feeling the heat. I wonder how much of a helping hand they''ll need. I''d appreciate it if the federation could make contact with them quickly on this matter." Before Alex could even organize his thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk had already outlined a route for negotiation with the Tsar Guild, leaving Alex no choice but to sigh and agree. In an emergency, Hunters followed the one who made the first move when there was no clear standard to follow. Kang Mu-hyuk might not have been a Hunter, but he had preemptively proposed a solution tailored to the urgent situation. Alex, quick on the uptake, couldn''t help but be impressed by Kang Mu-hyuk''s swift decision-making despite his limited knowledge of Russian circumstances. -When will you depart? "Fortunately, there''s a flight to divostok tomorrow afternoon. I''ll be on that flight. The Guild Master will take care of urgent matters first and then prepare to leave separately tomorrow night." -Even if you use a port close to Russia from Korea, the distance by sea is considerable. If she ns to move under the cover of night, it would be difficult to enter divostok before dawn, wouldn''t it? "I have that part nned out as well. I''ll contact you with the details once everything is set." After ending the call with Alex, Kang Mu-hyuk contacted the Guild Cooperation Agency. "This is Kang Mu-hyuk from Iron Will. I need to speak with Director Cha Gil-joo, please. Yes, it''s urgent." The brief wait while the on-duty staff connected him to Cha Gil-joo felt like forever to Kang Muhyuk. ''Given the situation, I should probably go to the Cooperation Agency and talk in person...'' He had to be cautious in his movements ever since he heard from Mr. Cho about the Hunters from the Iga n lurking around South Pocheon. With Go Eul-ji standing by at the guild''s headquarters with her exceptional detection abilities, they could defend themselves. However, with the guild''s elite forces all away, stepping outside could pose a danger. ''Maybe it''s fortunate we dealt with the Iga n tonight. Leaving those troublemakers behind while heading to Russia would have been quite ufortable.'' A momentter, Cha Gil-joo''s voice sounded through the receiver. -You were looking for me urgently, Team Leader? What''s the matter? "Director, I need a boat." -A boat? "Yes. A very fast one." While Kang Mu-hyuk was busily moving around all night, Ju Se-ah was meditating in a car with the engine turned off. She was running countless simtions in her head in preparation for the battle. She always did this before a raid. "Ten minutes to go, Guild Master." As Lee Jin-joo, sitting in the passenger seat, spoke up, Ju Se-ah slowly opened her eyes. Even in the darkness, her eyes shone, conjuring the illusion of moonlight reflected on piled snow, shining coldly. "Get the tools ready." "Tools, you say?" Lee Jin-joo was momentarily taken aback by the choice of words, reminiscent of gangsters heading out for a fight, and chuckled awkwardly. Meanwhile, No Song-rin, who was in the driver''s seat, popped the trunk open. "Our Guild Master is really something. Are we going to see the witch''s skills in full disy today?" As No Song-rin stepped out of the driver''s seat, excited, Jang Deuk-goo, who got out of the back seat, gave him a warning look. "Don''t mess around. Make sure no one escapes; catch them all." "You think only telling me that is enough? There''s only four of us here. We should leave the rest to yer." Hardly had No Song-rin finished talking back when five scary looking ck SUVs entered the alleyway. "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. As expected, you people just can''t change, can you? Oh, right, that''s your old stomping grounds, right, Guild Master?" "It doesn''t matter." Ju Se-ah surveyed the Hunters who had disembarked from the vehicles. There were sixteen in total, all familiar faces. There were also individuals she had almost no interactions with. There were around five or six of them whose Ju Se-ah only knew the names of at most. This meant they were a strike team operating outside of the Expeditionary force. Among them, one particrly caught Ju Se-ah''s attention as he approached. "It''s been a while, witch." "Were we close? When did we decide to talk without formalities, Hunter Ha Hyesung?" "Why so serious? We''re not even in the same guild anymore." "I never smiled while talking to you when we were in the same guild either." "Don''t get too ahead of yourself. I''m not the same person who used to clean up your messes. And you''re not the same as you were before either." "Of course. Because now, I''m the head of a guild. You''re here to work. So, let''s keep it professional, yeah, Ha Hyesung?" A Hunter standing next to Ha Hyesung snickered at Ju Se-ah. "What? Hey, Miss Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Just because you''re riding high these days, you think you can look down on the yer Guild? You''re just a lowly C-grade Guild Master after all..." Ha Hyesung silenced the Hunter with a gesture. The Hunter looked disgruntled butplied with hismand. However, Ha Hyesung''s attention was more on Jang Deuk-goo standing behind Ju Se-ah than on his subordinate. ''Jang Deuk-goo. I''ve only heard of him, but this is my first time seeing him in person... He''s got quite a fierce look.'' A gaze that seemed to say he''d slice them all if they prattled on just a bit more, yer or not. Ha Hyesung had just saved his team member''s life, in a manner of speaking. "I apologize, Guild Master Ju Se-ah. I was too rude. I guess I was just happy to reminisce about the old times." "I''ll ept your apology. Let''s talk about work." "Sure." Ju Se-ah cast Ha Hyesung with a surprised look. ''Well, look at that! Knows how to hold his tongue now, does he? Maybe he''s grown a bit?'' Ha Hyesung had always been at odds with Ju Se-ah, even when she was with yer. Their very existence irritated each other. They would growl at each other at the drop of a hat... It was strange to see Ha Hyesung holding back. ''Ayy, as if. Seong Seon-jae must have warned him.'' Ha Hyesung, who was aggressive enough to bare his teeth at Ju Se-ah, yer''s ace, feared only one person in the guild: Seong Seon-jae. If Seong Seonjae had warned him, Ha Hyesung wouldn''t dare act rashly. ''I need to teach her a lesson one of these days. Tch! Seriously, Team Leader Seong just had to be soft-hearted in unexpected ways.'' As Ju Se-ah suspected, Ha Hyesung had been repeatedly warned by Seong Seon-jae. He grumbled to himself and reached out his hand. The Hunter who had mocked Ju Se-ah a moment ago handed him a tablet. Ha Hyesung held out the tablet to Ju Se-ah, saying, "These are the blueprints for the apartment where they''re hiding. It''s an old building that was supposed to be redeveloped a long time ago, so most residents have already moved out." "We can fight all we want without worrying about civilians, then." Ju Se-ah reviewed the blueprints, checking the areas assigned to each guild. ''They perfectly assigned the right numbers and levels of personnel. Doesn''t seem like they''re fooling around.'' The logical attack route made it clear that it was put together by Seong Seon-jae. Despite not liking him, Ju Se-ah acknowledged that when it came tobat, he was a trustworthy person. Ha Hyesung continued with his exnation. "I found something interesting here. Despite the demolition deadline having passed a while ago, the building hasn''t been demolished yet." "Is there a specific reason for that?" "I looked into it, and it turns out that the constructionpany that bought this ce is primarily owned by a Japanesepany. There, one of the Yakuza guys is acting as the president, amon tactic they use - a figurehead president. In other words, this ce is a stronghold for the GAA. It seems they''ve fed quite a bit of money into the political circles to win this project. It wouldn''t be surprising if there are booby traps, given they''ve used it as a stronghold for so long." "Well, it wouldn''t matter much if I get caught in them, but you better be careful. Don''t get hurt and then whine for help." "As if. Just try not to embarrass yourself by whining about how you couldn''t catch any of them." After a prolonged stare-off, the two parted ways as their respective guild members notified them of the operation time. They exchanged onest barb. "I hope you fall backwards and break your nose, Hunter Ha Hyesung." "I hope you fall out of a tree, Guild Master Ju Se-ah." Crash! Thump! Boom! Startled by the consecutive explosions, Ryushin quickly opened his eyes and calmly checked the time. 3:11 AM. ''It''s the perfect time to ambush. Did they catch us off guard?'' He had thought that one of the baits he had cast out would work, but it seems he wasn''t the only one casting bait. ''No wonder Seong Seon-jae retreated too easily. Tch!'' As he got up from his ce, the bedroom door burst open noisily. "Leader! We''re under attack from the yer Guild! We need to evacuate immediately!" "Why all the fuss? If they''ve attacked, we just need to counterattack. This is our front yard. Activate the circle, and even Seong Seon-jae won''t be able to break through." "It''s not Seong Seonjae!" "What?" "It''s Ju Se-ah!" Bang! This explosion sounded much closer. Screams and shouts were already near at hand. "Didn''t Ju Se-ah leave the yer Guild?" "I don''t know how, but they''ve teamed up to attack us." "These bastards! Where''s their self-respect? They were just fighting each other to the death, and now they team up?!" It was a rare moment when Ryushin''s usually impassive face showed a crack. ''With Ju Se-ah here, activating the circle would be useless. Since magic and special abilities don''t work on her.'' She herself was like a walking bomb. Ryushin assessed that even mobilizing all his forces for battle couldn''t guarantee victory. They could descend into hell together with the yer Hunters, but they still couldn''t stop Ju Se-ah. Her solidity and toughness, making a mockery of others of the same A+ rank who fell short, was why the Japanese Guild Alliance had failed to assassinate her so far. "Stall for time! Burn all important documents! Activate all traps! Do whatever it takes to hold off Ju Se-ah!" "Got it!" After sending his subordinate out, Ryushin donned his battle gear. Now was not the time to escape alone. ''If I retreat now, they''ll immediately catch up to me. I need to lure them deeper in, inflict damage, and then escape. Otherwise, I won''t be able to show my face at the federation meetings. I can''t let my career end like this.'' With a grave expression, Ryushin picked up his sword. "Ju Se-ah... Crack! Let''s see how long you can keep this up. I''ll be watching you until the very end." Chapter 97 - Upset? Me? There was no trace of forgiveness from Ju Se-ah''s hands. She ruthlessly knocked down the Iga n Hunters rushing at them. ''I''m already too busy catching these damn monsters. Don''t get in my way, damn it!'' She had been suffering from the assassination attempts from Japan and all kinds of disruptions for a long time. Although she overcame them all, some resentment had built up. However, since the opponent was thergest force in the Japanese Hunter world, there was no opportunity for revenge. She had no choice but to endure until now--- ''As if tormenting me wasn''t not enough, now they dare go after Kang Mu-hyuk? When he''s not even a Hunter?'' Japan had now crossed the line. "Stop the witch!" "Trap! Trap!" "Damn it! We were focused on stopping Ju Se-ah, and because of that we''ve been breached everywhere else as well!" "Spread out the magic circle and hold them back!" Even as they were being pushed back unterally due to Ju Se-ah''s advance, the Iga n Hunters activated various items and traps to mount a defense. The battle grew fiercer as they neither ran away nor held back. Despite the countless explosions and screams, no sound leaked outside of the old apartmentplex. It was because the yer Guild used expensive items to block out the noise. It was the same type of item that Kim Myung-jun had installed at Hanseong Corporation. With no need to be conscious of her surroundings, Ju Se-ah began to use her power in earnest. [Iron Skin] It was just a basic enhancement skill for tanks, but when used by Ju Se-ah, its effect was on a different level. Her body itself turned into a lethal weapon. Thrusting her fist forward while she charged was akin to being hit by a ten-ton dump truck. Ju Se-ah put away her weapons and swung her iron fists, burrowing through the Iga n Hunters. She ignored most counterattacks. Even direct hits barely made an impact on her and des were also useless. When the enemy attacked with mana-filled strikes, she simply wrapped mana around her body to enhance her own traits. At this point, the Iga n Hunters had no choice but to resent the gods. ''This is seriously unfair!'' Those were the genuine feelings of the Iga n Hunters. But being a Hunter was all about talent. And that talent included their traits as well. "Ugh... Uuuuugh...." "Huhh...." Ju Se-ah and the Hunters who resented the gods, ally sprawled on the floor. Theirst dying breaths were mixed with curses, but the pronunciation was slurred and unclear. However, Ju Se-ah understood what they meant. After all, the assassins who had died at her hands before had also blurted out simr resentments and curses. She looked back at the scene of the bloodbath she had caused and responded, "Don''t resent me. You tried to kill me, so you were prepared to die, right?" With that, Ju Se-ah had broken through the defense line. Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap. Ryushin, who sat upright with a katana on hisp, red toward the entrance at the sound of the continuous footsteps. Soon, Ju Se-ah appeared. "I feel so sorry for Ha Hye Sung. Turns out I''m the one who caught the boss." "You know how to speak Japanese?" "No. It''s the power of this item." Ju Se-ah was using a trantion item she had received from the World Hunter Federation. It was something that Kang Mu-hyuk had practically seized from Alex. "I thought the only way was to acquire the very rare trantion skill. Looks like I have another thing to report to the higher-ups." "You must think you can escape from here, huh?" "Well, what will stop me?" "......" Ju Se-ah fell silent at the rapidly escting murderous aura. It was covert but distinctly perceptible. ''Is it because I heard that Elf talking about S-rankers? Somehow, my senses seem sharper than before.'' Ju Se-ah then crossed her hands, charged with mana, in an ''X'' shape. Suddenly, a blinding energy beam burst through the wall and exploded near her head. Ryushin, who had been smiling at the sess of his trap, soon contorted his face. ''She blocked that? How?'' The trap that attacked Ju Se-ah moments ago was a booby trap meticulously crafted by the Alliance''s technological division. Not only was it powerful, but it was also so stealthy that even the elders acknowledged its effectiveness. As Ryushin panicked, Ju Se-ah drew her sword and shattered walls on both sides. The traps hidden behind the wallpaper were split in an instant. "If this is the reason you were acting up, then that''s disappointing." Gritting his teeth, Ryushin stood up and drew his sword. "Chiksho!" (Damn it!) ng! The two swords crossed in confrontation. Facing Ryushin, who was ring through the des, Ju Se-ah said, "Is that all the swearing you know? If you''re going to curse, at least have a standard. Like this. You fucking son of a bitch! Should I suck the water out of your eyes and shove it up your ass?" "How can you curse so vilely... Truly, people from Joseon are barbarians." "Those whoe at peaceful people with swords are less barbaric? That was me being moderate. Consider it a kindness for someone who''s about to die." Even on the verge of a life-and-death battle, the way Ju Se-ah chatted leisurely felt out of ce to Ryushin. ''No matter how strong Ju Se-ah is, isn''t she way too rxed? ...No way. She can''t have surpassed the wall, right?'' Ryushin tried to shake off the ominous feeling and put more strength into his sword. Ju Se-ah pushed back. The shing des emitted a tearing cry as they couldn''t withstand the pressure. The shrill sound of metal filled the living room. "Still, you''re holding up like the boss should, huh?" With a brief evaluation, Ju Se-ah shook Ryushin off. He stumbled backward, losing his bnce. Seizing the moment, Ju Se-ahunched a lightning-fast triple sh. Ryushin swung his sword in rm. ng! sh! ng! "!!" He managed to block Ju Se-ah''s attack with half luck, or perhaps she wasn''t using her full strength. ''Was Ju Se-ah''s swordsmanship always this good? Is she not relying solely on her physical strength?'' Ryushin realized he was grossly mistaken about Ju Se-ah all this time. In fact, the entire Japanese Huntermunity had misunderstood her. Having trained in swordsmanship for a long time, he instantly recognized how refined her strike was just moments ago. A level of skill that couldn''t be mimicked with just a day or two of training. While it was true that all Hunters be familiar with their weapons through realbat experience, Ryushin knew better than anyone that to reach a level beyond that required more than just battle experience. "Well done. Not many can react to that attack. You''re not entirely unskillful then, I guess." Ryushin bristled at her tone, which seemed like a master of swordsmanship instructing a junior, or appraising a much inferior opponent. "Save your condescension for after you''ve taken my attack!" Ryushin unleashed the secret sword technique of his own style. "Ninjutsu: Nine Ghosts Divine Style Secret Technique." "Wheel sh!" As Ryushin lifted his sword upward to catch Ju Se-ah''s gaze and then swung it downward, he turned around and hid the sword behind him. He twisted his body like a pretzel, grazing the sword next to his left thigh. From the side, it looked like arge circle resembling a cartwheel, as the sword that had fallen downwards was swung upwards again in a strike. The series of movements, swift as lightning, was clean and devoid of any superfluity. At a nce, it was evident that this was a sword technique honed over a long period. The sword de, full of mana, rose from between Ju Se-ah''s legs. Thud! The sword''s rotation stopped instantly. At its end was the sole of Ju Se-ah''s foot. "H-how could you... block it like this?" Frozen, Ryushin stared at Ju Se-ah in disbelief. There was no greater humiliation than this. His secret technique was stopped by merely a foot. "What''s so great about hiding your sword and swinging it as a trick?" "This is impossible." "Whether it''s possible or not, talk after you block this first. By the way, do I really have to shout out the sword technique?" "Wh-what kind of joke is that..." "Uh... let''s just call it ''Downward Strike''." Crack! No sooner had she finished speaking than Ryushin failed to block the swiftly falling sword. Ju Se-ah''s sword had passed from the crown of his head to his groin. Thud! Ju Se-ah said to the already dead Ryushin, "Stoping for me now because I''lle to you when it''s time." "Why am I here?" Not even a day after defeating the Iga n, Ju Se-ah found herself in Najin, North Hamgyong Province. The reason for her being there was simple. Kang Mu-hyuk asked her to go there. She also knew why he asked her to do that. To stow away to Russia. The reason for needing to stow away was straightforward. "It''s all because of that crazy Russian bear." Igor Dudnik. An S-rank Hunter known as the Tyrant of Russia. This man had kidnapped two team leaders from Iron Will, who had gone to handle the Oopoomangbawoo. It was an absurd situation. Why would an S-ranker possibly want to kidnap Korean Hunters? The answer to that was simple. "The Tyrant(§ä§Ú§â§Ñ§ß) Guild, to which he belongs, is targeting divostok because the longer the Oopoomangbawoo issue drags on, the more the Russian government will doubt the capabilities of the Tsar Guild and naturally look for alternatives." Ju Se-ah steeled herself as she mulled over the information she received from Kang Muhyuk. "It''s been a while. The Russians are really tough. Looks like I''ll have to put in some effort this time." The ce Ju Se-ah arrived at was a secluded dock at Najin Port, not a port whererge vessels like container ships docked, but a marina where small boats were moored. Upon reaching the meeting ce, an old fishing boat, which seemed out of ce among the fancy yachts, was floating there. "You''re Guild Master Ju Se-ah, right? We''ve been waiting for you. Please step aboard." The man was the captain of the small fishing boat, which could be described as a dinghy. However, in reality, he was an agent of the National Intelligence Service. Najin, being a smuggling port adjacent to Russia, was a ce through which all sorts of illegal goods, including drugs, were brought into Korea, and it was infested with notorious criminals. Naturally, cing surveince agents was essential. Aboard the boat, Ju Se-ah sighed as it moved slowly forward with the noise of the outboard motor. When the lights of the port had disappeared over the horizon, Ju Se-ah could no longer hold back and asked, "You''re not nning to go all the way to divostok on this, are you?" "Didn''t you hear? You''ll have to switch boats along the way." "Switch boats?" "Just in time, there it is." A single light floated in the vast sea. To anyone else, it might have been too dark to see, but to Ju Se-ah, a Hunter, the shape of a boat with a singlentern lit was clearly visible. "An airne?" "Not an airne, it''s a WIG (Wing In Ground) craft. It''s a hybrid that mixes the advantages of both airnes and ships, so it''s quite fast. A seane might be faster, but if you get caught entering Russia by air, there''s no way out." "Something like that actually exists?" "The general public might not know, but our country is actually a powerhouse in developing WIG crafts. They are used for various purposes like passenger transport, coastal surveince, and military objectives." "So, the incredibly fast boat that Team Leader Kang prepared was this." "Yes. It''s a little less than 200 kilometers from here to divostok. We''ll meet a boating from there and it should take us no more than two hours to set foot onnd." A guild member was suddenly kidnapped by an S-rank Hunter. Yet how could he think of something like this in that situation? ''I thought I knew Kang Mu-Hyuk to some extent but...'' Somehow, the more she knew, the more he seemed like a stranger. ''Well, at least it''s good he''s not an enemy. But now, as a Guild Master, I have to stow myself? I can''t believe he''d make his Guild Master go through such troubles.'' Ju Se-ah ground her teeth in frustration. "Team Leader Kang, just take the Guild Master position, please. Stop doing this to me." Just before Ju Se-ah was about to stow away, Kang Mu-Hyuk had arrived in divostok. Before meeting Kozlov, who was supposed toe and pick him up, he had a call with Cha Giljoo. -It was urgent, so Iplied with your request. But Ju Se-ah must not be caught in Russia at any cost. Their intelligence agency is highly influential. If they find out about the illegal entry, this could spiral into a diplomatic issue. "Don''t worry. The route near Najin Port is one that''s kept on low down in divostok as well. I''ll make sure to wrap everything up so there''s no need for you to worry." -At least, the National Intelligence Service was thrilled. A WIG craft, of all things. They didn''t expect it to be used for smuggling into Russia and seemed quite weing of the idea. How did you know about it? That was a part Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t reveal. Because it was a method often used byrge guilds in emergencies. He coughed and changed the subject. "I''m sorry, but I think I need to go now." -I wish you luck. As soon as the call ended, one person approached him. "By the way, why did you choose me, Captain?" The one who questioned him was No Song-rin. He was puzzled about being selected as Kang Muhyuk''s escort for the trip to Russia. "I mean, there''s Hunter Jang Deuk-gu and Captain Lee Jin-joo as well." "When both I and the Guild Master are away, the Expedition leader takesmand of the guild. It''s only logical for Captain Lee Jin-joo to stay back." "What about Jang Deuk-gu? He would work well together with Guild Master Ju." "Captain Lee Jin-joo hasn''t been in the guild for long. To maintain order within the guild, we need someone who is familiar with the internal affairs and strict enough to prevent members from acting recklessly." "He seems more scary than strict..." "He''s scary for external enemies as well. We must leave a bastion to protect the guild in case of emergencies." "So, you''re saying I''m not reliable enough." No Song-rin said, sounding somewhat upset. ''Upset? Me?'' He was surprised to find himself thinking this way. Chapter 98 - Who proposed it? Although he had recently changed sides, fundamentally, Noh Song-rin was a double agent. Of course, it was something he was forced into doing, more or less under coercion by Kang Mu-hyuk, but unexpectedly, he found it enjoyable. It wasn''t just fun; he had a knack for it. Dealing with Kim Myung-jun was still scary, but not enough to intimidate him when he was acting. He himself found that part quite fascinating. ''Seeing how all of this has continued to this point, is it natural for me to be on Kang Mu-hyuk''s side? My goodness, well, isn''t this flustering?'' Noh Song-rin thought Kang Mu-hyuk chose to take him to Russia because he was a ''nobody,'' but Kang Mu-hyuk thought differently. ''Jang Deok-gu may be more brutal than anyone else in front of an enemy as a Hunter, but he''s not the right person for a mission that requires bending or breaking thew. There''s no Hunter better suited for doing bad deeds than Noh Song-rin after all.'' Kang Mu-hyuk needed someone for the rough tasks in this matter. Noh Song-rin was the right person for the job, as he would use any and every means possible when fighting against fellow Hunters. "That must be Kozlov." The face of the man waiting at the arrival hall matched the local guide''s photo Alex had sent in advance. "Mr. Yuri Kozlov?" "You must be Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. And this is..." "I''m Noh Song-rin." "Pleased to meet you. Shall we talk while moving? I''ve prepared a vehicle." Kozlov hurried them along as soon as he shook hands with the two. "There are still eyes of the Tyrant Guild all over the ce. And it seems the Tyrant is staying somewhere in divostok as well." "Where did you get that information?" "We are in contact with the Tsar Guild. There''s no ce in this city with better intelligence than them." "But you were ambushed, weren''t you? Without any prior warning at all." "I have no excuse for that part. But if the opponent is the Tyrant, it''s understandable. After all, he is an S-ranker, and his guild is among the top tiers in Moscow. So it''s not entirely iprehensible that we failed to detect such a sudden strike." "They say in divostok, even God doesn''t know what the Tsar Guild doesn''t. This is unexpected." "The Tsar Guild is not God. Being humans, they are bound to make mistakes." Despite it not being his fault, Kozlov couldn''t lift his face. Yet, he defended the Tsar Guild. ''Is he siding with the Tsar Guild implying nothing could''ve been done? Is he trying to avoid conflict as a mediator, or is he being cautious since he is of Russian origin?'' Kozlov, although affiliated with the federation, was mostly a local liaison operating in Russia. He couldn''t help but be sensitive to the power struggles among Russian guilds. Kang Mu-hyuk, understanding his situation, asked, "I didn''t mean to fault you for not detecting the Tyrant''s surprise attack in advance. What''s important now is the current location of the Tyrant. Have you identified any possible hiding ces?" "Unfortunately, we haven''t pinpointed his location yet. The Tsar Guild''s intelligence team is also working at full capacity, but there''s so much disruptive information that it''s difficult to sift through." "Then, we should start from the source of that information." "You mean, the intelligence team? I''m not sure how you mean to start from there...?" When Kozlov asked, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke as if it were nothing. "The one who sold Team Leader Yeom Soohyung''s information to Igor Dudnik. We need to root out the spy first to get to work." "!!" Cold sweat ran down Kozlov''s back. The guild and the federation had suspected the presence of a spy, but they hadn''t been able to address it directly due to Igor''s immediate presence in divostok. The Tyrant''s presence was just so intimidating that even divostok''s top guilds were thrown into panic. But in the middle of this chaos, an outsider was stepping in to catch the spy? Which guild would allow that? Catching the spy would be problematic in itself. It would tarnish their reputation, essentially announcing themselves as a broken guild. In the macho culture of Russia, guild members were like brothers. Betrayal by such a ''brother,'' let alone the traitor being caught by an outsider, would be more than just a humiliation; it would be akin to kneeling in submission. ''I was told to be on my guard when meeting Kang Mu-hyuk, but... This seems more challenging than I anticipated.'' Tsar Guild''s master, Anton Ivanov, looked incredulously at the foreigner who had requested a private audience with him. Though he arranged for the meeting at the behest of Kozlov, since he was familiar with the federation liaison, all the wordsing out of the visitor''s mouth displeased him. Had they not been sitting across from each other at a respectable distance, he might have lost his temper and struck his head on impulse. ''Does this man have nine lives or something? He''s not even a Hunter but his tone of speaking is no different from asking for a death wish.'' Seeing that Mu-hyuk had a title unheard of in Russia, made Anton wonder if Korea and Russia viewed Hunters very differently. Yet, recalling that Hunters, regardless of nationality, age, or gender, were all the same kind of bastards, he figured that they would not be so different after all. In a word, the behavior of the Korean in front of him could be said to have crossed the line by any standard of either country. "So what you''re saying is we should catch the spy first. And you say you''re going to catch him yourself? Within an hour?" "There''s no certainty. I''m just saying let''s exclude the most likely few cliques. If it works, we catch him, if not, we don''t." "Hey, Dmitry. Am I the fool here, or is this guy speaking an aliennguage? I can''t understand a single word he''s saying." Anton shrugged his shoulders towards the Vice Guild Leader, Dmitry, making a joke. Then he immediately became serious and added, "Look, Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. Let me start with a premise. We don''t dislike Koreans that much. Rather, we see them as good business partners, much better than those untrustworthy inders(Japanese). I ask for your understanding so that you don''t forget that." "..." "And now, onto my point... Oi, Korean. What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think you''re invincible because you have the Federation behind you? If you don''t want a hole in your head, just get lost." At Anton''s murderous aura, No Song-rin, who was beside Kang Mu-hyuk, fiddled with the outside of his pocket. He felt the curved de of a Karambit knife. ''If I keep following Team Leader Kang here, I''m going to die of a heart attack first.'' The Tsar Guild, while a provincial city guild in Russia, could be considered between Tier and A-rank in scalepared to Korean guilds. In terms of mobilizing Hunters, even Korea''s Tier guilds had nothing on them. Why would he desperately meddle with such a guild, touching upon a topic that shouldn''t be messed with, as if he was seeking death? Having faced so many threats, Kang Mu-hyuk had grown ustomed to surviving such a murderous aura and opened his mouth, "Russian guilds consider their members as family and brothers, right?" "Do you think I''d let a spy be for such a lousy reason?" "It''s the same in Korea. We call guild members family, meaning we live and eat together." "Huh? Here I was thinking about your point. Are you asking me to save your family? Are you trying to seek my sympathy?" "It''s not that..." Kang Mu-hyuk, indicating he had something urgent to say, leaned forward toward Anton, who was sitting across from him. Anton perked up his ears, curious about what was to be said. "I''m going all out to save my family, so it''ll be every man for himself." "!!" "Please take that as my will here." Having concluded that politely, Kang Mu-hyuk straightened up and leaned back on the sofa. "You son of a-!" "Ugh, Master Anton! Please, hold back, endure! Killing Team Leader Kang will only make things worse!" "Let go, Kozlov! That guy''s threatening me now? How dare someone who''s not even a Hunter mess with me?!" "Calm down, Guild Master! We still have the Oopoomangbawoo matter. If we act rashly, divostok could be blown away." Anton barely calmed down by the efforts of Kozlov and Dmitry. No Song-rin, who had instinctively grasped the Karambit knife, took a breath and whispered into Kang Mu-hyuk''s ear. "Are you crazy, Team Leader?" "This much is fine. As they said, as long as we have Oopoomangbawoo, they can''t harm us." "What kinda bullshit is that..." Kang Mu-hyuk negotiated as if he was in a different world and No Song-rin was about to say something to him, but then gave up. It looked risky, but Kang Mu-hyuk was always sessful in leading a situation, so he didn''t have anything to say to him. Kang Mu-hyuk added another word to Anton, who was trying to calm his excitement with deep breaths. "So, stop whatever operation you''re nning by having our people kidnapped, yeah?" "What are you talking about all of a sudden?" "So the Tsar Guild didn''t know that a Tyrant wasing to divostok? Plus, you didn''t notice that he was going to attack our members? And on top of that, you don''t even know where he''s hiding. You expect me to believe that?" "Hmph! You think an S-ranker is a random rank like a card in deck? If we say we can''t do it, no one can." "Exactly. The Tyrant is an S-ranker. Not someone who''d hide and cower somewhere. And with his personality, there''s little chance he''d hide." "What about Igor''s nasty temper?" "Let''s just admit it now." "What do you want me to do right now..." "The spy who leaked our information to the tyrant. Tsar Guild. Isn''t it you guys?!" Silence fell among the people. Kozlov, who was shocked btedly, red at Anton and shouted. "What is this about, Guild Master Anton? Is what Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk said true?" "Hahahaha!" Anton burst intoughter. Kozlov frowned, and Kang Mu-hyuk could not rx his serious expression. As the atmosphere turned cold, Anton waved his hand and said, "Ah, sorry, sorry. How can I notugh when he made such an absurd usation? Look, Team Leader Kang. Why would we leak information to Igor, who is targeting us? A novel''s beginning and an end gotta match for it to be appreciated. You wrote this shit up way too poorly. How can we expect to get anywhere with that?" Kang Mu-hyuk spoke, extending his index finger. "Firstly, you inform the Tyrant that we''ve found a solution to theOopoomangbawoo issue. Secondly, you entice the Tyrant to attack the Iron Will members." "Hey, your basic premise is already wed. Let''s assume, for argument''s sake, that we did entice the attack. But then we''re supposed to solve the Oopoomangbawoo situation. With the Iron Will Hunters at risk of dying in the attack, who would devise such an uncertain n?" Anton interrupted Kang Mu-hyuk. Unperturbed, Kang Mu-hyuk responded to his question, "Uncertain? Not at all. There''s no need for the Tyrant to kill our members. In fact, killing them could pose a problem. After all, the Tyrant is shackled by the Russian government. Acting on a kill-first basis is only possible in awless state. The natural choice would be to keep them alive for negotiations. Should I continue?" Anton failed to stop Kang Mu-hyuk from continuing. "Third, this is where it gets important. Thirdly, use divostok''s media andmunity to publicize the Tyrant''s atrocities. Portray him as a despicable character who kidnaps the solvers of the Oopoomangbawoo situation in an attempt to take over the city. The public, already at their breaking point over the Oopoomangbawoosituation, would condemn the Russian Federal Government. Thus, make it impossible for the central government to protect the Tyrant, forcing him to let go of divostok." "Hmph! Now that''s truly a real piece of fiction!" "Beforeing to divostok." "..." "I asked the Federation for a favor. I asked them to allow me to use their best intelligence asset. irvoyance, was it?" "irvoyance!" Kozlov was so shocked that he covered his mouth. Anton, noticing his reaction, asked, "irvoyance? Do you know about it?" "I''m not high enough in security clearance to know exactly what irvoyance is. But I do know it''s the Federation''s top intelligence asset. To think they''d let you use it... It seems the Federation really values you, Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." "What exactly is irvoyance?" "I''ve heard it''s an intelligence asset that, given the right conditions, will surely find out any information it''s tasked to discover." "I gave the Federation two keywords." As soon as Anton finished exining, Kang Mu-hyuk interrupted. "divostok and Igor Dudnik. I asked them to find out where he was hiding. They might have found him by now. We''ll soon uncover the location he is hiding that even the Tsar Guild couldn''t find him. Shall we discuss this again when that timees?" Anton suddenly ruffled his hair. "Damn it! Dmitry, that''s why I don''t do this stuff!" "G-guild Master..." "Yes, I released the information. Now that we''re on the topic, let me ask. How the hell did you know?" "There''s something else I''m curious about." "Curious about? I don''t know what that is, but I''m more curious here!" Anton snapped, but Kang Mu-hyuk kept his mouth shut. Anton didn''t hold out long and dered surrender. "What are you curious about? Tell me." "Who proposed this n?" A asked Alex about an unresolved doubt. "Alex. Did Kang Mu-hyuk really ask for the ability to use irvoyance? There''s no way the Round Table would allow that." "He didn''t exactly ask to use irvoyance. He didn''t even know of its existence." "How did he use irvoyance then?" "He just asked me for a few favors." "Favors?" "One of the things he asked for was to be informed about what the Federation''s top intelligence asset was. How it works, how powerful its intelligence capability is, whether our agents in Russia are aware of its existence, and so on. He requested information." "Just information?" "Yes. Being affiliated with the Federation, everyone knows one or two rumors about irvoyance, so it wasn''t particrly difficult to fulfill his request without revealing its true identity." "And what does he n to do with just that?" "Well, I didn''t hear exactly. But from what I''ve gathered, it seemed to involve a threat? Negotiation? Something along those lines... Anyway, it was one of the things he intended to use as material." "Material? For what purpose?" "I don''t know the details, but it seems Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk had been suspicious of the Tsar Guild from the beginning." Chapter 99 - I will make you pay for this! Kang Mu-hyuk''s suspicion of the Tsar Guild stemmed from the incident when Yeom Soohyung''s group was attacked on the day they entered divostok. The Federation had started negotiations with the Tsar Guild right after he decided to go on the raid,te on the night before Yeom Soohyung''s group was to leave the country. It was a nine-hour flight from Moscow, where the Tyrant Guild was located, to divostok, and two hours from Korea. Meaning, that without prior leakage of information, it was physically impossible for the Tyrant to have arrived first and waited for them. ''If there was a leak, the Tsar Guild, a party with a vested interest, is likely to have the motive for it, rather than the Federation.'' Of course, he didn''t suspect the entire Tsar Guild from the beginning. Initially, he thought an individual guild member had strayed. Betrayal in exchange for money or membership in the Tyrant Guild. Having gone through the incidents with Do Kyung-hoon and Cho Choong-hyun before, he emphasized even more on that aspect. However, another suspicion sprouted from the fact that the Tsar Guild, despite knowing divostok better than the back of their hand, failed to find the whereabouts of the Tyrant at all. ''Moreover, the reactions from the divostok administration and the local council were suspicious. Despite the fact that the area was under the jurisdiction of the Tsar Guild, they were more hurried to denounce the Tyrant than to solve the problem.'' When the Federation contacted the Tsar Guild regarding Ju Se-ah''s smuggling into the country, Alex sensed this subtle atmosphere and reported it to Kang Mu-hyuk. Of course, there was no certain information. He was just expressing dissatisfaction with the typicalid-back nature of the Russian bears, with whom the message never got through. ''Taken separately, these signs might not seem unusual, but they were too unsettling to just overlook. They were matters that required to be checked somehow.'' Consequently, Kang Mu-hyuk had to unfold one of the stories he had prepared in advance to clear his doubts. Fortunately, Anton was not familiar with this kind of fight. The reason was his hasty nature that he sensed while conversing with him. "It doesn''t matter who ordered it, you answer first. How did you find out?" "You mean someone indeed nned this." "Jeez. Am I talking to a ghost? With every word you say, you just get everything out of me. I''d even believe you if you said you were a mind reader." "No wonder, it didn''t seem like something you''d plot, Guild Master Anton, and as I thought, there was someone else involved." "What do you mean it doesn''t seem like something I''d do? Are you mocking me?" "Is it possible for you to summon that person in charge here?" "This damn Korean. Are you not listening to me?" Anton, frustrated,ined to Dmitry, who sighed and asked on behalf of the irritated Guild Master, "Why are you looking for the person in charge?" "Because I need to understand their intentions." "Intentions?" "It just seems like the n is too grandiose just to embarrass the Tyrant and make him withdraw from this city." "You''re implying they have ulterior motives?" The atmosphere around Anton, which had been light until a moment ago, shifted. As he asked with a stern face, Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head. "I can''t definitively say there''s another motive involved. It''s just that I need to confirm." "And you''re saying you want me to drag my people in for this confirmation of yours?" "We''ll have to wait and see if that person is actually one of your people." As Kang Mu-hyuk made his meaningful remark, Anton almost cursed out loud. ''This guy really has a snake''s tongue.'' He was smoothly flicking his tongue, and there seemed to be no way to avoid his temptation. The problem was that he got the feeling that ignoring the raised suspicions could significantly shake the entire Tsar Guild. "He''s trustworthy. We''ve worked together for a long time. He''s a local here. Not an original member, but no one has worked harder than him for the growth of the Tsar Guild." "Again, I''m not asking for an exnation, but confirmation. I can''t trust anyone until I''ve verified them." Anton ultimately couldn''t ovee the snake''s temptation. "Dmitry. Bring Makar." Makar, who was called to the Guild Master''s office, noticed there were not enough chairs and brought one in from outside to sit at the side of the table. Anton introduced them, as Makar faced Kang Mu-hyuk, skipping over No Song-rin. "This is Makar Voronin, our Deputy Director of Intelligence. Makar, this is Kang Mu-hyuk, Team Leader of the Korean Iron Will Guild." Makar seemed surprised by the unexpected meeting but soonposed himself and addressed Kang Mu-hyuk. "But why did someone from the Korean Guild call for me?" "I want to hear the reasons for the operations against Igor Dudnik." "Guild Master, surely you didn''t disclose the n to an outsider?" Instead of answering, Makar frowned and looked back at Anton. Anton scratched his neck, seemingly troubled, and averted his gaze. "It wasn''t the Guild Master who said it; Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk found out about it." Dmitry stepped in to defend Anton. Makar scrutinized Kang Mu-hyuk with newfound admiration. "I don''t know how you knew, but you are impressive. I thought we maintained decent security." "You still haven''t answered. Why did you do it?" As Makar tried to change the subject, Kang Mu-hyuk asked bluntly. Makar answered straightforwardly, "Isn''t the answer too simple? Because we can''t beat an S-ranker with strength." "So you carried out these operations? Even to the point of involving our people?" Kang Mu-hyuk disyed anger, but Makar shrugged nonchntly as if it was a shame. "I''m sorry about that. But I have no regrets. The Oopoomangbawoo situation was a crisis for divostok but also an opportunity for the Tsar Guild. As much as public opinion against the Tsar Guild worsened when half the city stopped functioning, the Tyrant Guild''s overwhelming expansion intensified. We inevitably needed a solution to this dilemma." "So you used the Oopoomangbawoo situation? Risking the fate of the city and even endangering Hunters who offered help?" "There was no other n or way out. Had we avoided the immediate threat, and only blocked it sloppily, the Tyrant Guild would have targeted divostok again someday. There''s no guarantee that we could stop them then, either. We decided to act now, while all eyes in the Russian Federation were on us, to ensure the Tyrant Guild wouldn''t dare to make a move in the future." It was a logical exnation, but Kang Muhyuok continued to feel a sense of unease. At first, he couldn''t figure out why, but as he listened, he soon realized what was causing this feeling. "Every word is true. So you did it out of loyalty for your guild? I can understand that." "Thank you for understanding. Right now, we are also doing our best to resolve this situation, so please..." "But." "??" "You keep mentioning only the Tyrant Guild. Unlike the others who prioritize the Tyrant. As you said earlier, an S-ranker has just that much presence and power. Yet, you hardly mentioned the Tyrant." When the Tyrant was mentioned, Makar''s eyebrows twisted. A sh of anger swept through his eyes. It was such a minor change that no one, except Kang Mu-hyuk, whose observational skills were beyond ordinary, noticed. Makar, who had been pressing his lips tightly, carefully opened his mouth. "The job of the head of the intelligence team is to judge the movements of organizations, not individuals." "Ah, is that so? I was just wondering if talking about the Tyrant was ufortable for you." "......" "......" "Maybe it''s because I''ve recently experienced some unpleasant incidents, but I''ve developed a kind of illness where I can''t rest until I confirm what''s happening. I''m about to start that verification now. I hope you''ll understand." "Mr. Kang, you sure have a talent for making conversations difficult. So, what are you asking for our understanding?" Kang Mu-hyuk, unfazed by Makar''s seemingly mocking tone, said, "I''m about to leak a piece of information to the Tyrant. About a person named Makar Voronin, the head of the Tsar Guild''s intelligence team. It would also be a good idea to inform us about the operations you n to conduct against the Tyrant Guild from now on. Oh, and I should probably add to find out more details about you before that." "Hey, you, just because we''replying with you, what the hell are you trying to pull here? Makar has been my right hand for over 10 years. He''s one of our people, family as you said! He''s a native of divostok and a loyal person. If we start doubting him, then no member of the guild is free from suspicion!" Anton stood up in anger. Kang Mu-hyuk looked up at him without flinching. "You need to think carefully here, Guild Master Anton Ivanov." "Think what?!" "Whether every member of the Tsar Guild really can be trusted." "!!" As Anton was at a loss for words, Kang Mu-hyuk red at Makar and continued, "There''s a reason why Igor Dudnik is called the Tyrant, right? Until he received the government''s protection, he was unrestrained and caused various problems. He has many enemies within Russia too, doesn''t he?" "......" "Before I inform the Tyrant about you, I''ll ask onest thing. Is your target the Tyrant, the Tsar Guild, or are both part of your n?" "Phew©¤" Makar sighed deeply and hung his head. That was when it happened. Something glittering seemed to fly from his possession towards Kang Mu-hyuk''s face. "I knew it." Noh Song-rin blocked the attack with a karambit knife. What fell to the floor was a small lethal weapon resembling a shuriken. As soon as Makar''s attack failed, he leaped back. Seizing the moment, Dmitry lunged forward, tackling his lower body as if hugging it. Makar was the intelligence team leader of the Tsar Guild, but his own strength was merely at B-rank. From the start, his attack was doomed to fail, and escape was impossible. "This bastard! Was Team Leader Kang telling the truth?!" Anton, furious, strode towards Makar, who was held by Dmitry. His aura filled with murderous intent, and his expression distorted to the point one might mistake him for a demon. "Don''t kill him!" If Kang Mu-hyuk hadn''t intervened, Anton might have really kicked Makar''s head in. A B-ranker couldn''t possibly remain unscathed from an A+ rank Hunter''s kick. Kang Mu-hyuk approached Anton and said, as if puzzled, "It would have been better for you to deny it to the end. There''s no physical evidence, only circumstantial evidence." "Killing you seemed like the better idea. I thought you''d uncover all my ns if I let you live." "There are four A-rank Hunters here. Didn''t you know the attack would fail?" "......" "You''re hiding something more. Another n? Information? Ah, you leaked information. What did you leak?" Kang Mu-hyuk read the slight changes in expression and interrogated his opponent. Realizing Kang''s intention, Makar mped his mouth shut. "Oopoomangbawoo... The Tyrant... The Tsar Guild... Something that would trouble the both of them? Something..." Kang Mu-hyuk probed him with various questions, gauging his reactions. Then, a certain possibility came to mind. "You must''ve needed to incite conflict, so you left alone what was difficult to mess with right away since it could expose your intentions, right?" "......" "Something that won''t get noticed, is easy to mess with and canplicate matters. So far, we''ve been the biggest victims of this situation. Damn it! Was that it?!" Kang Mu-hyuk ground his teeth as he spoke. "Don''t tell me, did you sell out our Guild Master this time?" "We''ve arrived, Guild Master Ju se-ah." The WIG craft stopped at the rendezvous point and sent a shing signal, and at a slight distance, a light turned on. Soon after, the sound of an engine approached, and a small Russian fishing boat drew near. Ju se-ah opened the door, stepped out onto the wing of the WIG craft to climb up, and expressed her gratitude to the pilot. "Thank you for your efforts. Have a safe journey on your way back." "It was an honor to help you, Guild Master." "Me? I''m just the Guild Master of a mere C-rank guild." "Didn''t you rank first in this year''s beauty rankings for Hunters? I''m a fan. Haha!" "Do they still do that? I thought it had been discontinued..." Ju se-ah gave a rotten smile, but the pilot couldn''t see it in the darkness. She trailed off and stood on the wing, ready to jump onto the approaching boat. At that moment, something came flying with the intense light of bursting mes. ''An attack?'' Only then could she see that the man standing on the deck was carrying something on his shoulder. Having participated in several joint operations with the military, Ju se-ah immediately recognized what it was. ''That''s an anti-tank missile?!'' Ju se-ah quickly drew her sword and split the missile that was aimed at the WIG craft, causing an explosion like thunder that shook the quiet sea. She attempted to climb aboard the fishing boat through the spray but had to throw herself to intercept another iing missile. After intercepting two missiles, Ju se-ah fell into the sea. As she surfaced, swallowing seawater, she shouted. "Get out of here quickly!" Startled by her roar, the pilot hurriedly turned the WIG craft''s bow. Before the WIG craft could gain speed, another missile wasunched, but Ju se-ah, floating in the vast sea without a foothold, couldn''t chase after the missile. With no other choice, she threw her sword to smash the missile. "Ah, that was an expensive sword... I won''t be able to recover if it sinks into the water! Ugh! I''ll definitely make you pay for this!" Having confirmed the WIG craft''s safe escape, she was ready to counterattack immediately. She had expected a follow-up attack but... "Who are these guys? They fired missiles and then ran away? In front of me?" The fishing boat had already disappeared far into the distance. Ju se-ah, known for never letting her prey escape whether it was a monster or a viin, found it challenging to pursue a vessel by swimming. She soon recalled her predicament. "How far was it from here to divostok? Wait, more importantly, which way is north?" And this, the strongest Hunter of the Republic of Korea was cast adrift on the cold winter sea under a cloudy sky without a single star. Chapter 100 - Be Careful Kang Mu-hyuk had requested the use of the World Hunter Federation''s intelligence resources. -You really want me to look into that? "If I don''t get permission to use irvoyance, I don''t have any other choice." -We can find out enough even without irvoyance. The Federation''s intelligence isn''t limited to that alone. However, this could be problematic in a different sense. "I trust you know you''re not in a position to refuse my request." -Ha! Okay then. I will look into it and get in touch with you. "I''ll leave that to you then." After ending the call with Alex, he immediately left the headquarters of the Tsar Guild. "Please lend me your car." Following Kang Mu-hyuk''s request, Anton, who emerged from behind him, handed over his car keys withoutint. Although he didn''t know his motive for such an action, in the end, Makar''s honeyed words fooled him. It was not just embarrassing but it could even threaten the existence of the guild with some lurking n. He felt both shame and gratitude towards Kang Mu-hyuk who had revealed this. Kang Mu-hyuk once again emphasized how dangerous Makar was. "Seeing that he didn''t make any excuses and simply revealed his identity, there must be more to it. The n isn''t just to inconvenience the Tyrant. It might ultimately be designed to stage a conflict with the Tsar Guild in mind." "You mean there might be another conspirator within the guild. I''ll verify that." As Anton saw off Kang Mu-hyuk, he felt indebted. Knowing he was on a dangerous path, he couldn''t help but intervene. "Are you really going? If Igor has made his move, it might already be toote." "Our Guild Master isn''t someone who would be defeated so easily. Rather than that, I''d appreciate it if you properly handled Makar Voronin''s interrogation." "That''s our specialty." "But no meaningless torture. I''m asking for a proper interrogation." "He may have betrayed us, but he was one of us. We won''t be too harsh. But do you really not need any support? If it''s urgent, I can assign a few men to you." It was a question Anton had already asked, but still, he inquired again. As he had felt before, this Korean seemed to have as many lives as a cat. Going to meet possibly the worst S-rank disaster in Russia, without any backup, just the two of them, was practically a suicide mission. "Thank you for the offer, but I will decline. Minimal escort will be suffice. Any more might actually lead to misunderstandings of an attack and be dangerous." Kang Mu-hyuk, pointing towards No Song-rin, politely declined Anton''s proposal. Even though he was headed into what could be a perilous situation, his expression was not at all dark. It was only No Song-rin, who had to take on the role of that minimal escort, whose countenance fell. However, contrary to Anton''s concerns, Kang Mu-hyuk had something he was counting on. ''He didn''t kill Team Leaders Pyo and Yeom but took them instead. It must mean he didn''t want to spill any blood. Perhaps letting Mr. Kozlov go was also a way tomunicate this intention? If my guess is correct, negotiation might be a possibility...'' Of course, there was a slight unease that it might just be a whim. The Tyrant was notorious for being unpredictable and temperamental. When he went out to the parking lot and pressed the car key, the red sports car honked. Kang Mu-hyuk was about to open the driver''s seat when No Song-rin stopped him. "Are you nning to drive yourself? Weren''t you in a hurry? Let me do it instead." Kang Mu-hyuk handed him the car keys. It''d be better if No Song-rin drove since they had to speed up. With a Hunter''s reaction speed, even if he floored the elerator, he would drive the car more safely than Kang Mu-hyuk himself, who was a regr person. "Team Leader Kang! I will go as well!" Kozlov, who had followed a step behind, ran up to them. "I''d be better than a navigator. I was born and raised in this city and know the alleyways well. I''ll guide you through the fastest route." "We''re going to a dangerous ce." "I owe Hunter Pyo Beom-hee and Yeom Soo-hyung. I can''t just leave them be; it wouldn''t sit right with my pride as a Russian man." Kang Mu-hyuk silently pushed the passenger seat forward and got into the back seat. "Alright. Let''s go together. Take the fastest route." Ju Se-ah swam in the direction where the ship had disappeared. It was the end of the year. Around this time, the average temperature in divostok would be minus 12 degrees Celsius, with lows dropping to minus 16 degrees. The sea temperature hovered around 2 degrees. It was an environment impossible for a human to withstand bare-skinned. Even if a Hunter was superhuman, exposure to such extreme conditions for a long period would inevitably lead to hypothermia and loss of physical strength. She knew from experience that staying in the water for extended periods was not good. ''Come to think of it, when was thest time I fell into the water?'' Ju Se-Ah had once experienced underwaterbat against a water snake monster, ''Naga,'' in a Gate. At that time, the sea was a bigger problem than the monsters. Due to the resistance of the water, not only was her movement restricted, but body temperature and stamina, supplies, and the expedition''s advance and retreat were all problematic. Hunters, being superhuman, initially thought of the water as no big deal, but once in it, even Hunters were at a disadvantage. Ju Se-ah remembered that time and checked her current state. ''I know how to swim. I can maintain my body temperature by circting mana. I''m confident about my stamina. And my equipment is light since Team Leader Kang took it in advance. I lost my de, but luckily it wasn''t custom-made. The problem is...'' Indeed, it was whether the situation would end just by getting tond. ''If it were me, I wouldn''t just end it by making someone fall into the water.'' There must be traps set up. However, it was difficult to find a direction fornd other than where the boat had moved in such a cloudy night when not even the stars were visible. ''They probably turned on the light deliberately to let me see the boat before moving.'' As if to proim, if you dare to follow us, then go ahead. "The ones who show off tantly are the ones that are really worth beating up. You''ll regret this." Ju Se-ah steeled herself and after two hours of swimming, she reachednd. She had swum against the current flowing along the Russian coast from the north at an inhuman speed. Thanks to that, she was even more physically exhausted, but Ju Se-Ah did not waste a breath as she leaped onto the high breakwater of the wharf. Though she looked like a drenched mouse, barefoot, her eyes resembled those of a fierce beast. Arge searchlight shone in the direction Ju Se-Ah was ring at. She, spotlighted as if on stage, looked down and steadied her breath. ''They''reing.'' She felt the presence of numerous Hunters. They were at least B rank, up to no higher than A+. Some exuded a force that even a fully prepared Ju Se-Ah could not look down on. It was a critical moment of crisis, but she smiled instead. Her hair stood on end. Her spine tingled. Her toes felt ticklish. A thrill. It was the feeling of something awakening inside her. ''This is it, this is it. This is how you get stronger.'' She knew that she had been in a rut regarding her skills. Originally a practical fighter who grew stronger through tough battles, she hadn''t been on a proper raid since leaving the yer Guild. This had slowed down her progress. Despite everyone elevating her with the term ''almost S-rank,'' she herself was anxious, unable to climb any higher. The wall she felt she was facing began to crumble during a recent fight with the Goblin Matron. More precisely, it was due to that ''mysterious being'' the Matron had summoned. ''I almost died then. It had been a long time since I thought I might die. No, it was the first time I was truly terrified of being obliterated.'' She overcame that fear and stood in front of the ''mysterious being'' to protect Kang Mu-hyuk. After that, everything changed. She didn''t know exactly what changed, but something was different. It was A, the Federation''s Elf, who noticed the change that she couldn''t even grasp herself. ''I need to confirm if I''ve truly ovee that wall this time.'' At that moment, as Ju Se-Ah took steps towards the hostile gazes directed at her. "!!" She felt a sudden retreat of Hunters, who had been hidden behind the strong lights, surrounding her. And then, along the breakwater, a shadow approached slowly, alone. The footsteps were casual, as if out for a midnight stroll, but they carried intimidation that was more palpable than the dozens of hunters before. Finally, the shadow that hade close enough to see a face asked. "Are you Ju Se-ah?" "Who the hell are you?" "Igor Dudnik." "Huh? Starting with the final boss?" A Hunter, upon hearing the name of the Tyrant, should have been trembling... But Ju Se-ah''s response was nothing but nonchnt. Igor, pleased by her demeanor,ughed heartily. "You should be leveling up by catching the small fries, but I''m sorry it''s the boss first." "There''s no need to be sorry. You having some upper hand is what I need to make it worthing all the way to Russia." To Ju Se-ah, who was brimming with confidence, Igor spoke as if it were truly a pity. "Too bad I found outte, huh? I had no idea my underlings were plotting such fun. Had I known earlier, the hospitality would have been better." "Why? So you coulde out to greet me on a yacht if you knew?" "I could have seen the skills of Korea''s strongest Hunter before she got tired. Wanted to fight you while you were still fresh." With every exchange, the tension escted. The murderous aura intent emanating from Igor, that dominated the space, kept prodding at Ju Se-ah here and there. Ju Se-ah did not react to every single action of his and focused all her concentration on Igor''s Adam''s apple. She repeated the visualization of slicing through Igor''s neck with a refined murderous aura dozens of times. "They say you were the best during the Great War. You Koreans are fun after all." Igor, realizing where Ju Se-ah was aiming, stroked his own neck and lifted the corners of his mouth on both sides. At that moment, Ju Se-ah lunged forward. The strike she swung struck at Igor''s neck. Igor jerked his head back just in time to narrowly avoid the edge of her hand, and then clenched his fist and struck Ju Se-ah''s face. Ju Se-ah''s head whipped around. Blood from her mouth sttered onto the ground. When was thest time she saw her own blood? The sound of ripping air followed where Igor''s punch had just missed. "Oh! You''ve got quite a solid body..." Before he could finish his sentence, Igor''s chin rocketed upwards. Ju Se-ah withdrew her kicking leg and spun around,nding a backkick into his sr plexus. Igor, who had rolled back several steps along the path they had walked, quickly got up. "You''re better than I expected. That fist of yours has a spicy kick to it." "That''s my foot." "Whatever it is, I love fighting with bare hands." "I said it''s my foot." "Tch! You''re ruining the mood by not ying along." "We''re shooting a romance here. Why should I set the mood for you?" Igor''s face flushed red, feeling as though his opponent was mocking him. Wherever he went, all Hunters feared him or admired him. But now, a Hunter from a small penins was treating him like this? "It seems I need to show you a taste of Siberia''s cold." "You talk too much. Is gossiping your special trait? Cut the chatter ande at me, you Siberian Husky." "......" What did that mean? Why suddenly mention a breed of dog? Was this a provocation? It was impossible to understand what she meant. One thing was certain---oddly, it irritated him. ''Whatever it is, she must be nning to hit me with a counterattack when I rush in, annoyed. It''s so obvious that it''s not even funny.'' Igor saw through Ju Se-Ah''s strategy. Then he responded to the provocation. "You''re dead today!" Alex unknowingly let out a groan as he read the information sent from the Federation headquarters. "Ugh, didn''t see this messing. We were just supposed to give them the test..." It was supposed to be a simple process of verifying Kang Mu-hyuk''s Federation membership by catching Oopoomangbawoo. But somehow, the situation had be twisted, leading to aplicated and confusing state of affairs. In that respect, the information Kang Mu-hyuk requested was significantly meaningful in resolving the case. . . . "Nazezhinsky..." Alex also checked the information on the Nazezhinsky area. Nazezhinsky was a priority development area located 30 kilometers from divostok. It could be considered a satellite city, simr to a new city in Korea, and it was arge-scale project that was constructed with the goal of housing 300,000 people. ''Right, it was a project, right? Since it''s gone now.'' Such arge nned city had turnedpletely into ruins 14 years ago, due to some incident. "So Igor Dudnik and the Tsar Guild were involved in that incident." While looking at the list of Hunters and civilian staff from Nazezhinsky who had joined the Tsar Guild, Alex broke into a cold sweat. Though they had joined at different times, their purpose was probably the same. Revenge. It seemed they had been preparing for over ten years for that one single goal. ''Oopoomangbawoo was the trigger. The Federation''s trial set the fire.'' Simply put, the timing was terrible. To have walked into the situation just as those from Nazezhinsky were determined to take their revenge. After reviewing the past incident, Alex''s face grew even more troubled. ''Igor wasn''t targeting divostok for no reason. Or more precisely, should I say the Dudnik brothers?'' Alex opened the additional documents attached at the end of the report. It was information specifically requested by Kang Mu-hyuk. After taking a deep breath, he flipped over the cover. "Ugh, the bad feeling is always right. Kang''s prediction was correct. This is the worst-case scenario." Alex, after letting out a few heated sighs that had built up in his chest, picked up the phone. "This is Alex, Team Leader Kang. Yes. It seems your suspicions were correct. Please be careful." "That''s always the problem with my little brother, always getting carried away. This is why I wanted to proceed secretly." Darden Dudnik, the vice guild master of the Tyrant Guild, shook his head as he watched Igor fighting on the breakwater. The breakwater was no longer functioning as such. The tripodal tetrapods stacked to block the rough waves seemed more like sandcastles than concrete as they crumbled and scattered in all directions. With every punch and kick, it was like a bomb had exploded, leaving one''s ears ringing. Darden admired the scene. "That woman is quite something, holding up against my brother''s punch. Normally, after taking hits like that, most would be a bloody mess, unrecognizable to the point you couldn''t tell if they''re a human or a monster." "Isn''t it because the Guild Master is going easy on her, having found a sturdy toy to y with after so long?" One of the Tyrant Guild members tried to ingratiate themselves with Darden. But Darden clicked his tongue and replied, "You think he''s joking with those hits? Could you take a punch from my brother even if he was joking?" "W-well..." "He has already gone too far. It''s crossed the line of yfulness. Looks like he''s getting more serious... I just hope it ends here." As always, Darden was sensitive when it came to the disruption of his ns due to Igor''s whims. Then he received new intel from his subordinate. "A sports car at the entrance? With Anton''s license te number?" "Yes. But the people inside are said to be Korean and someone from the Federation." "They''re quick on the uptake. Seems our spy might have been caught, huh?" "What should we do?" "Bring them in. Politely. But don''t kill them." "Yes, sir." Chapter 101 - I hope not "I see. I understand. I can''t really say. Well, using that will depend on the situation. Whatever happens, the Federation will also have to take some risks since the reason we came here in the first ce was because of the Federation''s test. We should just hope it doesn''t go that far. Well then, I''ll contact you again." After finishing the call with Alex, Kang Mu-hyuk made eye contact with Kozlov through the rearview mirror. Kozlov, who was curious about the content of the call, asked, "What''s going on?" "I spoke with the Federation. It seems that this situation arose due to bad blood between the Tsar Guild and the Tyrant." "Bad blood?" "Do you know about the ''Tragedy of Nazezhinsky''?" "Naze... zhinsky... Of course, I know. Every Russian knows of it." Kozlov, who was sitting in the passenger seat and giving directions, bowed his head. Suddenly, the mood in the car turned solemn, and only the voice of No Song-rin asking for directions broke the silence. Kozlov asionally nced at Kang Mu-hyuk through the rearview mirror. He seemed reluctant to talk about Nazezhinsky. But when their eyes met, he sighed and opened his mouth. "I''m not sure about the exact timing, but it must have been over 10 years ago. It was the incident when the Gate between divostok and Nazezhinsky copsed. I heard that when that happened, even a powerful boss monster crossed through the Gate. The monsters from the Gate headed towards Nazezhinsky, and I heard that most of the citizens there fell prey to them without being able to evacuate properly." "Do you know what happened after as well?" "I don''t know anything beyond the government''s announcement. That''s the case for most Russians. Besides, back then, I wasn''t a Hunter, so I had no way of hearing such information from another source." "They say the Tsar Guild lured the boss monster to Nazezhinsky. To protect their own turf in divostok, that is..." "What does that have to do with Igor?" "Apparently, at that time, the ones guarding the Gate at Nazezhinsky were the father and sister of the Tyrant, that is, the family of Dudnik brothers, Igor and Darden who are the current Tyrant Guild Guild Master, and Vice Guild Master." "So, is that why the Tyrant Guild has been so persistent in moving into divostok despite the Russian government''s dissuasion?" No Song-rin, who was driving, got distracted, causing the car to sway momentarily. Returning to theirne, Kang Mu-hyuk straightened his posture and said, "That''s right. It would be right to see it as revenge." "But what''s strange is that the Tsar Guild seems unaware of that. They just think they''re trying to take over divostok. If it''s about the incident where the Tyrant''s sister died, there would have been a lot of talk at the time, and the Tsar Guild should have known." When No Song-rin asked doubtfully, Kang Mu-hyuk answered, "Back then, the Tyrant wasn''t an S-ranker. He was just a so-so Hunter from a middle-sized guild, trying to make ends meet, with his dad as the Guild Master. In contrast, even at the time of the incident, the Tsar Guild was the top guild in divostok. They wouldn''t have needed to figure out the circumstances of a smaller guild. Moreover, the current Tsar Guild Master wasn''t the Guild Master back then." "So, the matter just got buried and forgotten," Kozlov said bitterly and Kang Mu-hyuk nodded. "That''s only the case from the Tsar Guild''s point of view. For them, the incident ended there, but there are still those who remember the tragedy and have been sharpening their knives." "Those who remember? Sounds like there are others besides the Tyrant brothers?" "Markar Voronin. They say he''s a survivor from Nazezhinsky. He wants to punish the Tsar Guild for their crimes." Screech! Suddenly, No Song-rin hit the brakes. Not long after entering the port, a group blocked their way. "Looks like they''re from the Tyrant Guild. They seem rather manageable. What should we do, Boss? Should we just push through?" Kang Mu-hyuk stuck his head between the driver and passenger seats to look straight ahead. His senses, now more sensitive than ever, were catching the mana of the surrounding Hunters. The dense concentration of mana was clearly visible to his eyes. Kang Mu-hyuk closed his tired eyes and rubbed his eyelids. Then his head started to throb. ''Seeing how clearly the mana is visible to me, it must be time to take the medicine. Looking at it for too long is tiring.'' While mana poisoning had the perk of making it easy to gauge the level of Hunters more urately, the way he was bing increasingly sensitive to the detection of mana over time was also proof that the medicine''s effect was waning, so it wasn''t entirely a good thing. He felt the drug''s effects diminishing, but he couldn''t take it in advance due to the issue of tolerance. Fortunately, his body was not yet exhibiting any abnormalities. He had to endure as long as he could. He was already used to dealing with a bit of a headache. With the vehicle stopped, Kang Mu-hyuk took deep breaths to manage his headache and organize his thoughts. ''Looks like there''s one A-rank Hunter in the front. The B-rank Hunters are the ones surrounding us. On this side, there are two, A and A-. It''s not impossible to break through them, but we didn''t exactlye here to fight either. The problem is how they will react.'' At that moment, a voice that eased Kang Mu-hyuk''s worries was heard. "I''m warning you Koreans! Do not try to pull any foolish stunts and surrender quietly! Then, the Vice Guild Master promises not to harm you! So, don''t resist..." They got out of the car. The Hunter Nikyev, who Kang Mu-hyuk guessed was the only A-ranker among those surrounding them, stopped talking and stared at them intently. His gaze was particrly drawn to thest man who got out of the car. The first two who got down the car were definitely Hunters, but thatst man seemed to have no power, yet Nikyev couldn''t take his eyes off him. ''Is he their leader? I heard he''s not a Hunter, but he certainly looks the part.'' Kang Mu-hyuk stepped forward and said, "I came to have a word with your leaders. Could you show me the way?" Nikyev almost let out a snort ofughter. ''Is he trying to say he''s a guest here and not a prisoner? He''s got guts.'' Why did it matter? In front of Igor Dudnik, everyone would turn into a coward anyway. For some reason, Nikyev wanted to see him cower. He nodded happily. "Since you were obedient, I''ll show you the way to the Vice Guild Master." Darden was about to tell Igor to end the fight when he heard from Nikyev that a Korean named Kang Mu-hyuk was requesting a talk, so he just let him be. ''He''s from the same guild as that woman, right? It''d be good to scare him a bit.'' Not long after, Kang Mu-hyuk and his party reached the location. Kang Mu-hyuk was more distracted by the battle at the breakwater than Darden. "Don''t worry, we have no immediate ns to kill your Guild Master." "That sounds like you''re saying you could kill her any time you want." Kang Mu-hyuk turned his head to look at Darden. Darden was surprised by his unshaken gaze. "I''ll get straight to the point. Please return our team members." "I''ll consider it if you promise not to attack Oopoomangbawoo." "Don''t you even care the slightest bit about the pain and fear the citizens of divostok will experience?" "There are plenty of ces in Russia where people can''t set foot because of monsters. That pain is not unique to this city. Moreover, you''re not Russian, are you? Go back to the warm south. Leave this ce to us." "..." "If you keep hesitating like that, your Guild Master will die." At that moment, a subtle surge of mana was emanating from Darden''s body. It seemed like he had used a skill, but it didn''t appear to require a significant amount of mana. "So it''s a message skill." It was obvious to whom the message was sent. Afterward, with a loud shout, Ju Se-ah, who was attacked, fell behind Kang Mu-hyuk''s group. The broken asphalt debris flew around. Among them, Ju Se-ah coughed up blood. "Cough, cough... Wh-what is this? Our Guild Leader is here, huh? This is quite a sight, not fitting for a Guild Master''s dignity at all." "Are you okay?" "An S-ranker hit me. How could I be okay?" "Yet you''reughing. Did you hurt your head?" "Ah, you mean this? I think I''ll get the hang of it in a bit..." Arge figurended next to Ju Se-ah. Darden said to him, "If you''ve had your fun, let''s call it now. At this rate, you might kill the opposing Guild Master before negotiations even start." "You want me to hold back? The time for that has long passed." Darden flinched as he turned to look at Igor. "That blood..." Igor''s lips were split, bleeding. His hair was disheveled, and though no severe injuries were visible, signs of him being hit were evident. "This bitch, is she really A+ ranker? She''s been taking it seriously for a while now and is still standing. Something''s off here." While Darden was flustered, Ju Se-ah staggered to her feet. "You''re not tired of hitting, are you? I''d be disappointed. I still have a long way to go before I hit back as much as I''ve been hit." "She''s really so goddamn annoying. Fine, I''ll kill you with all I''ve got." "Both of you, please stop for a moment!" Kang Mu-hyuk hurriedly intervened to prevent the two from shing again. "What''s your deal now?" "Guild Leader Kang, I''m fine. His fist has the impact of a cotton candy." Provoked by Ju Se-ah, Igor bristled with a murderous aura, which Darden could not just watch silently. "Brother!" At Darden''s shout, Igor turned around. "Don''t forget what''s truly important because of this fight." Instantly, Igor''s murderous aura vanished. The change was so abrupt that Kang Mu-hyuk was dumbfounded. Darden was just as confused. He felt there was something unusual about Igor''s reaction. ''Igor is perceiving that woman as an enemy. To him, an enemy is only someone strong enough to be a threat to him. Could it be that the woman is an S-ranker?'' As a lull suddenly fell, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly spoke before another fight could break out. "Nazezhinsky!" Both Igor and Darden red at him simultaneously. "You''ve been used by the survivors of Nazezhinsky. Do you realize all of this is a conspiracy they''ve plotted?" "Pfft! Here I was wondering what it would be." Darden let out a scoff, and Kang Mu-hyuk''s expression hardened. "As I thought. You knew already." "Of course. Did you think we''d be swayed by those scum? From the moment they first approached us, wagging their tails, wanting to destroy the Tsar Guild, we saw right through their dark intentions." "Does that include their intention to bring the Tyrant Guild''s reputation to the ground?" "Of course. But it doesn''t matter. Because people only see the results. Even if theyin now, as long as we handle it somehow, they''ll forget this ever happened." Darden crossed his arms and confidently continued, "For example, we frame it like this: ''We, the great Russians, will resolve Oopoomangbawoo with our own strength, not with outside forces!'' This is our justification. Having interfered with the Tsar Guild''s affairs won''t be a big issue. Why? Because Igor Dudnik, Russia''s pride and an S-rank Hunter, will step forward to protect us." Kang Mu-hyuk understood the n Darden had devised. It wasn''t just about solving the Oopoomangbawoo issue and pushing out the Tsar Guild to take over divostok. Through this incident, he aimed to revive the Tyrant''s image in the public as well. Just as Kang Mu-hyuk had done with the orc tribe raid, oveying the image of a guardian guild on Iron Will. ''Would the survivors of Nazhensky have been unaware of this?'' It seemed somewhat imusible to think they were being knowingly used. To Kang Mu-hyuk, Makar definitely seemed to harbor hostility even towards the Tyrant. ''Listening to Darden, it seems they figured out about the n to tarnish the Tyrant''s image on their own, not from Makar. That means Makar was indeed preparing to corner the Tyrant politically along with the fall of the Tsar Guild. And that got exposed.'' In other words, the intention was to cause trouble for both sides. In a way, the Tyrant and Makar were in the same boat. Both had lost family in Nazezhinsky due to the choices of the Tsar Guild. Yet, to think Makar also intended to turn the de of revenge against the Tyrant. He couldn''t fathom why. ''I don''t know about other things, but one thing is certain. They prepared for this revenge for over 10 years. Makar will never let things go as Darden intends.'' The expression of Makar, who seemed calm even when captured, came to his mind. This series of events wasn''t over yet. He had a premonition that something unpredictable would happen if they stalled for time. With no other choice, Kang Mu-hyuk decided he had to use thest resort he had informed Alex about, which could be considered a threat or a scam. ''I''ll have to apologize to the Federation... but it''s important to restrain the Tyrant Guild for now, so-'' He recalled the contents of Alex''sst report, which had confirmed his suspicions, and spoke. "It seems you are the na?ve ones here. Do you really think the survivors of Nazezhinsky will just leave you alone?" "..." "They were clearly disying hostility towards your Guild Master. Did they really get used by you, unaware of how things would turn out?" "So what''s your point?" Instead of asking why Kang Mu-hyuk was saying such things, Darden asked him what he intended to convey. ''That means I hit a nerve.'' It was clear that there was something yet unrevealed between the Tyrant and the survivors of Nazezhinsky. "The survivors of Nazezhinsky have more influence than you think in many ces." "Many ces? The divostok administration? The Kremlin? It doesn''t matter to us which one. We''re fine. We can just listen to theints. No one has the guts to say anything to an S-ranker anyway." "Do you think just the Kremlin is the end of it? Even with the support of the Russian people, they don''t even have the slightest bit of power to stop a Hunter." Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head, causing Darden to tilt his head in confusion. Everyone around them drew question marks over their heads, not understanding the situation. Just when everyone became curious, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke up. "The World Hunter Federation. Did you know that the Federation also had a hand in the background of this incident?" "What bull crap..." "Mr. Yuri Kozlov." Kang Mu-hyuk turned to look beside him. Kozlov, facing him, had shaky eyes. "I hoped it wasn''t you." Kozlov remained silent. Darden,pletely failing to grasp the situation, asked irritably, "What the hell did this Federation guy do?!" Kang Mu-hyuk sighed and answered, "Mr. Kozlov from the Federation is also a survivor of Nazezhinsky." Chapter 102 - Now theres only one way ''As you suspected, our liaison Yuri Kozlov was involved in this matter. He, too, is a survivor of Nazezhinsky.'' Kang Mu-hyuk recalled the conversation he had with Alex, with Kozlov sitting in the front seat. He noticed Kozlov fidgeting his lips as if pretending to be flustered and said, "We''ve already found out all there is to know, so stop the act, Mr. Kozlov." The bewildered expression on Kozlov''s face disappeared instantly upon hearing Kang Mu-hyuk''s confident voice. Looking resigned and with a heavy heart, he looked down at the floor and replied, "So, during the call with the Federation headquarters, you didn''t just talk about Makar. You knew my true identity and still acted calmly. That''s quite spine-chilling." "Acting isn''t just for someone who harbored a grudge against Nazezhinsky for over ten years and infiltrated the Federation now, is it?" At the mention of ''grudge,'' Igor''s shoulders twitched. Darden was visibly gesturing to him to restrain himself. Kang Mu-hyuk was once again convinced that there was something entwined between the Tyrant and the survivors of Nazezhinsky. Kozlov nced over at the Dudnik brothers and asked, "How did you know? Did you use irvoyance?" "There was no need to use irvoyance. There were several suspicious aspects. It''s just that you weren''t a suspect." "Suspicious aspects?" "Born in Russia, and an Alliance attach¨¦ stationed in Russia---so far, nothing suspicious. But being a Russian liaison who operates more in divostok than in the capital, Moscow? Normally, it might not be a huge deal, but in situations like these, it''s said one should even tap a stone bridge before crossing." "That''s because I was born here. What if I used that as an excuse?" "Giving your hometown as a reason isn''t a bad move. But it''s clearly strange for you to have enough connections to arrange meetings with the head of the city''s top guild, despite working in a Russia where the Federation isn''t particrly wee." "Maybe I have an unusual personality. Doesn''t seem like enough reason for suspicion, does it?" Kang Mu-hyuk nodded as if acknowledging the point, then shrugged and continued, "What was really suspicious was that our members'' hotel information was leaked in advance. At first, I thought it was a mistake on the Tsar Guild''s part. We also captured Mr. Makar thanks to that suspicion after all. But then, I wondered, was Makar really the only spy? It struck me that if a Hunter who had been active in the Tsar Guild for over 10 years could betray them, then anyone could." "So you suspected me, an agent of the Federation who isn''t even a member of the Tsar Guild?" "That too was thanks to Mr. Makar. I just suspected everyone. So I had a background check done on all the people around, and I ced you, who was least likely to be suspected, at the top of the list and asked the Federation. And as expected, it turned out you are a spy." Kozlov muttered in disbelief, "No wonder events kept unfolding in a strange manner ever since you captured Makar. Never did I expect things to fall apart like this. I shouldn''t have listened to Pyo Beom-hee''s request." Heeding Pyo Beom-hee''sst request to call Kang Mu-hyuk was the root of all this trouble. Kozlov honestly thought having a civilian Guild Leader over wouldn''t make much of a difference. He had to report to the Federation anyway, so he informed them that Pyo Beom-hee had requested for Kang Mu-hyuk''s help, thinking to keep the details of the situation intact. But as soon as Kang Mu-hyuk arrived at the airport, he stirred up the Tsar Guild and ended up capturing all hisrades who had been hiding their identities for over ten years. He himself tried to follow him to somehowplete his mission but ended up being yed in the palm of his hand. As Kozlov was feeling defeated, Kang Mu-hyuk asked him, "I have a question. I understand the rtionship between the Tsar Guild and the Nazezhinsky survivors, but what''s their rtionship with Igor Dudnik?" "What rtionship do you think? They''re the mortal enemies of our family!" Igor shouted, baring his teeth. Kozlov retorted angrily, "Enemies? That''s for us to say, you lunatic murderer!" "Murder? Isn''t it natural to repay blood with blood?" "When you take revenge on innocent people, that''s called ughter." "Innocent? The people of Nazezhinsky are all the same. Pretending not to know what they did very well. They beat up a well-liked mid-tier Guild Master, making him the scapegoat. If I had known there were survivors, I would have stayed for days to kill them all---" "Igor!" Darden stepped in, cutting him off. Igor mped his mouth shut, his shoulders quivering with uncontainable anger. An intensity not even shown when facing Ju Se-ah was visible in his rage. Kozlov shared that fury. His normally amiable face twisted like a demon''s. Having shed the mask he wore for over a decade, now exposed, he seemed almost relieved to unleash his murderous intent. "Don''t think this is the end. We will curse you. We will seek our revenge someday." To the overt malice, Igor responded with a weary voice, "Darden, how long are we going to let this continue?" "We were nning to deal with the Tsar Guild''s business and eliminate them all anyway. elerating the n doesn''t change anything." Kang Mu-hyuk realized the Dudnik brothers intended to eliminate Kozlov. ''No matter the crime, I can''t just let a Federation member be killed. At the least, I need to understand the full story.'' Stepping forward, Kang Mu-hyuk warned, "Mr. Kozlov is an agent of the Federation. The Federation will handle his case. My mention of the Federation was a warning for mediation of the dispute between Tyrant and Tsar, the two guilds. I cannot condone this kind of violence." Even as he intervened, Kang Mu-hyuk was not sure if his words could stop Igor. He didn''t know the exact story, but their rtionship was fraught with more resentment than they realized. They were bound together by a malice beyond their wildest expectations. The original n was to use Kozlov''s maniption of the Federation as a threat, suggesting that the Federation would intervene and mediate, thereby buying some time. However, this incident had been driven by emotion, not reason, from the start. The primal emotion of revenge was not something that could be resolved with a few words. Kang Mu-hyuk acknowledged his own miscalction. At the same time, he understood why Makar had seemed soposed even while being captured. ''Did he think it didn''t matter what he did as it would ultimately lead to disaster? Damn, if only it wasn''t for the Tyrant. If only it wasn''t for the S-ranker, there would be a way.'' This world was ultimately a world of power. He knew it, but now it hit him hard. "Listen, Korean. If you don''t want to die, don''t interfere anymore." Igor pushed past Kang Mu-hyuk. It wasn''t a heavy push, but Kang Mu-hyuk staggered back. Had No Song-rin not supported him, he would have fallen in an unsightly manner. Kozlov drew his sword and aimed it at Igor. Despite being treated with the finest potions, the arm Igor had injured still throbbed painfully. ''Just one hit. Even just one would be enough. Let mend just one blow on that bastard''s face.'' Recalling the faces of his family, now blurry in his memory after more than a decade, Kozlov charged his sword with all his mana. ¡¾Critical de¡¿ Crash! Mana dispersed and the sword shattered. "Just... like that...?" Not a single scratch was on Igor''s fist. "I''m sorry for letting you live for 14 years. I should have killed you sooner. Now die and disappear from my sight." Igor''s fist aimed at Kozlov''s heart. Kozlov tightly closed his eyes. Thump! "!!" The fist, unable to fully extend, was blocked. Ju Se-ah stood in front of it. "What are you doing?" "Guild Leader Kang." Ignoring Igor, who was seething with murderous aura, Ju Se-ah looked for Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk, relieved that Ju Se-ah had blocked Igor''s attack, was also amazed at how she did it and responded, "Yes." "I''m not sure of the situation, but this person isn''t supposed to die here, right?" "He didmit a crime, but in this situation, it''s hard to pinpoint whose fault it is. Judgment like this without a trial won''t help resolve the situation." "Okay. Got it." "Your opponent is the Tyrant." "I know." "It''s dangerous." "Kinda. I think I''ve got the hang of it." Only then did Kang Mu-hyuk notice the power struggle between Igor and Ju Se-ah despite her confident voice. Ju Se-ah''s forearms, which were blocking Igor''s fist with their palms pressed together, bulged with veins. Igor''s face was flushed red as well. As both exerted force on their legs, the ground cracked as if caving in. Mana was already entwined between the two. A stray strand of manashed out at Kozlov, who was nearby, knocking him back and rendering him unconscious. Kang Mu-hyuk recognized this phenomenon from somewhere he had heard about. "It''s dangerous, Guild Leader. This is a domain battle, something only the powerful can engage in. Please step back." No Song-rin pulled Kang Mu-hyuk back. He acted calmly but was quite startled. ''Creating a mana domain is something only S-rankers are capable of. Is our Guild Master really an S-ranker?'' Darden was equally astonished. Nikyev, standing beside them, stuttered while pointing at Ju Se-ah. "V-Vice-Guild Master... that is... really..." "Shut up. I can see it too." He should have realized something was off when Igor had a strange reaction to fighting that woman. ''An S-ranker? Was she hiding her strength on purpose, or did she just be an S-ranker? Either way, it doesn''t make sense. You can''t just start using that power right away if you be an S-ranker.'' Darden remembered the time his brother became an S-ranker. Even after realizing his power, it took him a while to be able to draw it out. Using that power required realbat training and some catalyst. The tragedy 14 years ago became the catalyst for it. Perhaps his brother became a Tyrant because the first time he used his S-rank power, it was directed in the wrong direction. "It''s more likely she was hiding it." It had to be that she was hiding it. If not, it would mean that his brother had awakened this new monster. And now, the problem was that this monster was standing in their way. When everyone was at a loss for words, unable to act, Kang Mu-hyuk made his move. He instructed No Song-rin to secure Kozlov and then circled around to approach Darden. "If two S-rankers fight, whoever wins, the victor won''te out unscathed either. You might lose yourst remaining family." "That means your Guild Master could die too, right?" "So, will you just let them fight as it is?" "Damn! What a mess. You really made a disaster out of this." Although Darden misunderstood it as an intentional situation, Kang Mu-hyuk did not respond. Letting the opponent misunderstand the situation as intentional would serve as a brake. ''After all, I can''t say I didn''t expect Ju Se-ah to be an S-ranker.'' Even when the Federation''s Elf A had dered she crossed the wall, it was kinda risky, but toe to such a critical realization so dramatically when he was in desperate need. Kang Mu-hyuk thought that the heavens had helped him. As Darden remained silent, Kang Mu-hyuk was about to ask again. Then-- Dadada dada dadada! An inappropriately cheerful ringtone echoed in the serious atmosphere. Ju Se-ah, knowing who still used such an outdated ringtone, looked at Kang Mu-hyuk. While watching the sh of the S-rankers, Kang Mu-hyuk answered the phone. "Yes, Alex. What? The news? What do you..." As Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes widened, Darden''s smartphone rang, followed by ringtones of the surrounding Hunters. Everyone checked their messages and gasped in shock. Amidst the growingmotion, sensing the tense atmosphere, Ju Se-ah said to Igor, "Hey, Russian uncle. I don''t think this is the time for us to fight. What do you say? Shall we continue anyway?" "Even facing death, you don''tin, huh?" Despite his harsh words, Igor stepped back. No matter how reckless he might be, he wasn''t a fool to continue fighting when something was obviously wrong. ''Besides, I''m dying to know. What in the world is happening?'' Ju Se-ah resolved his unspoken curiosity. "Guild Leader Kang! What''s happening?" Kang Mu-hyuk lowered the smartphone he had been holding to his ear and said, "Oopoomangbawoo has... started making its move." Just before being locked in the guild''s Hunter-only detention room, Makar saw hisrades being brought in. Members of the guildposed of Nazezhinsky survivors. ''We tried not to get caught by timing out our joining of the guild. But we got caught too easily. I didn''t know Guild Master Anton was so skilled.'' While the documents sent from the World Hunter Federation yed a crucial role, Makar, now imprisoned, had no way of knowing that. "It will take some time to capture all your co-conspirators who are out on assignments outside the guild. Think it over in the meantime. You were family, after all; I don''t want to see you in a sorry state." Vice Guild Master Dmitry left the ce with a threat, but Makar did not flinch. On the contrary, he even felt relieved. ''It seems they haven''t figured out what it means for us to be from Nazezhinsky yet.'' The Tsar Guild was obviously well aware of the tragedy of Nazezhinsky. However, the Hunter who had been the Guild Master at the time had retired, and most of the leadership who followed him had also left active duty. As for the few who were left, Makar had gotten rid of them by staging idents or by plotting to have them eaten by monsters. ''Will Kozlov be alright? For the remaining n, at least he must not be caught. Being part of the Federation might keep him off the suspect list, but...'' Suddenly, that Korean guy came to mind. ''Kang Mu-hyuk.'' Somehow, he had a hunch that Kozlov wouldn''t be safe either. Makar, who had been bound hand and foot and stuffed into a corner, opened his eyes. It was because he sensed someone approaching the entrance. Creak! "Makar!" "Olga!" It was a weed face. She was Makar''s lover. "What happened? You weren''t caught?" "Well, I''m not from Nazhensky, am I?" "Right. Yes. That''s true." Olga was a woman who knew Makar''s secret. Moreover, she understood him andforted his wounds. For Makar, Olga was the only breath of relief for him inside the Tsar Guild, the cause of his rage. "It was wise to keep our office romance a secret. What about the guard in front?" "I used a sleep poison. It was left over from what I used on the Koreans at the hotel. It didn''t work on them, but it seems to work well on the guild members here." "Who knew it woulde in handy like this? What about the Guild Master?" "He mobilized the entire Expedition squad to capture ourrades. He said they need overwhelming force to capture them without injury." "Hmph! Thanks to the Guild Master''s mercy, we''re getting this opportunity." Olga released the special restraint used to tie Makar. Rubbing his stiff hands, Makar nced outside the door. "We have to get out of here. What happened to ourrades?" "They''ve all been captured. Because of the information sent by the World Hunter Federation." As Olga shook her head, Makar clenched his teeth. "If it''s the Federation... Kozlov must be caught, too. Did they get everyone?" "Except for those who didn''t join and are helping from the outside, it''s just a matter of time." "It''s possible that in this n, only the Tsar Guild will break and Igor will remain unharmed. Or maybe both will get out scott free." After pondering deeply, Makar''s face turned resolute as if he had made a decision. "Olga, you need to get out of this city." "Let''s go together. This is enough. Let''s run away and hide." "No. I still have things to do." "Wh-what are you going to do?" "There''s only one way now." After a moment''s hesitation, Makar continued. "I''m going to release Oopoomangbawoo." Chapter 103 - I want to talk with you Kang Mu-hyuk made a proposition to Darden. "What will you do? Will you end this here? You wouldn''t want the city to be contaminated with poison, would you?" "If Oopoomangbawoo has awakened, there''s no hope for this ce anyway. At least half will be tainted with poison, no matter how poorly done." If it were Oopoomangbawoo before it became active, one could hope to cautiously lure it out using a giantized Hunter. The reason was because that creature, true to its name, had no mercy for things smaller than itself, but conversely, it became docile towardsrger beings. However, once it began to move actively, that method wouldn''t work. There was no choice but to forcefully drag it out, and resistance would be fierce. It was obvious that the venom released during the fight would ruin the city. "Even if we are able to subdue Oopoomangbawoo, the city will be destroyed, we wouldn''t escape the me. The people from Nazezhinsky will make sure to direct the resentment of the citizens of divostok towards us. I don''t need to follow their tune." Kang Mu-hyuk scoffed at Darden who was still calcting profits and losses amidst this situation. "You people are not Hunters." "What?" "A Hunter is someone who hunts monsters. Whether they face criticism or praise. Only those who hunt monsters regardless of any situation, without minding everything else, are called ''Hunters.'' Though of course, revenge might be more important than hunting in Russia, but at least in Korea, we prioritize hunting monsters and saving people." Kang Mu-hyuk''s words provoked Igor. He felt as if he was being criticized. "Hey, §¬§à§â§Ö§Û§ã§Ü§Ú§Û(Korean). Don''t be yapping. You''re testing my patience right now." "You''re the one who needs to tone it down. Our Guild Leader hasn''t even said anything wrong, so what?" Sparks flew between Ju Se-ah and Igor. The halted fight seemed ready to reignite at any moment with hostile res being exchanged. Darden broke the tension with ament, "Not a bad try. Touching on our professional conscience, huh? But save that for the Federation. After Nazezhinsky 14 years ago, we stopped believing in conscience, pride, and duty. Only the weak spout that nonsense. I saw with my own eyes what happens to those who believe in that. Betrayed. Exploited. And eventually killed. So©¤" Darden paused for a moment. Then he snarled at Kang Mu-hyuk, "Don''t try to force your ridiculous beliefs on us." Despite the adversary''s intimidating and almost mad gaze, Kang Mu-hyuk was unfazed and retorted, "So, what you''re saying is that you''re scared right now?" "This son of a......!" Darden growled and stepped towards Kang Mu-hyuk when Ju Se-ah warned him, "Don''t move. Unless you want to die." "I''ll kill you quicker than I kill him, woman." "Try me." While Ju Se-ah kept Igor in check, No Song-rin, who had been tending to Kozlov, stood behind Kang Mu-hyuk with a karambit knife suddenly in hand. Even Nikyev, a subordinate of Darden''s, armed himself, causing Darden to halt. Kang Mu-hyuk spoke again. "We''ll take the me." "What?" "I''m saying that we''ll take the resentment of the citizens of divostok on ourselves." "Are you trying to scam us right now? What''s this nonsense now?" "We''ll take on the Oopoomangbawoo raid. In return, release our team members. After all, the giant trait has be useless now, hasn''t it?" "..." Dardenpared the strengths of the Tsar Guild and these Koreans. There was no escaping the impending tragedy, even with the still unbelievable inclusion of the woman suspected to be an S-ranker. ''The tricky part about Oopoomangbawoo is that it continuously leaks poison during battle. The amount of poison it sprays increases when it''s injured or agitated.'' The poison was so virulent that once it hit the ground, itpletely turned the surrounding area into and of death. If by chance they managed to kill it, the poison powerful enough to engulf an entire city would spread instantaneously. Hunters could resist it, but for ordinary people, it''d mean instant death. Even if people were evacuated safely, the loss of abandoning a city that was the foundation of all their lives would be difficult to recover from. It meant theplete economic copse of a region. ''I can''t believe he''s going so far as to step into a situation where there''s nothing to gain. Look at him acting like a Hunter.'' With that thought, Darden was startled. Unconsciously, he had been carrying an understanding of what a Hunter''s duty was, what the essence of their existence meant. It was a thought that had never crossed his mind before. And the one who had awakened that thought was. ''Kang Mu-hyuk... somehow the more I talk to him, the more annoying he gets.'' He no longer wanted to be in the same ce as him. Darden realized that agreeing to Kang Mu-hyuk''s demands wouldn''t really be a loss for the Tsar Guild. In fact, depending on the oue, it could be quite beneficial to use. If the hunt failed, they could simply turn their backs, and if it seeded, they could exploit the situation of the damaged city to implicate the Tsar Guild as well. "Fine. We''ll release them." "We''ll be taking Kozlov with us." "Alright. We''ll allow that too." "Darden!" Igor shouted. Without even looking at his brother, Darden said, "Take them away before our Guild Master loses his temper. Your guild members will be sent straight to the Tsar Guild." As Darden made his decision, an infuriated Igor punched the ground. The asphalt shattered, and the earth caved in, forming a sinkhole. Ju Se-ah, looking down at Igor who had sunk into the ground, did not let her guard down. But Igor did not argue further and leaped away from the scene. The howls of a wild beast echoed behind him as he disappeared into the distance. "Guild Master. I know you must be tired, but I think you need to prepare for the raid," Kang Mu-hyuk approached Ju Se-ah and spoke. Ju Se-ah smiled faintly and whispered into Kang Mu-hyuk''s ear, "Tired, yes. I swam through the winter sea, after all. My body is definitely not in its normal state." Ju Se-ah was not someone toin about being weak just from swimming in cold water. Kang Mu-hyuk understood what she meant. "Do you mean... Did you overexert yourself just now?" "Yes. I bluffed. It was my first time using that power... so it seems I''ve strained myself by forcing it." Kang Mu-hyuk led the group as naturally as possible to where the sports car was parked. He first helped Ju Se-ah into the back seat and thenid the unconscious Kozlov next to her. No Song-rin took the driver''s seat, and Kang Mu-hyuk was about to get into the passenger seat when Darden, who hadn''t noticed Ju Se-ah''s condition, spoke to Kang Mu-hyuk. "I''m telling you this just in case. Your Guild Master is now on the target list of the intelligence agency. She even illegally entered the country. If this raid goes wrong too, it''s going to be a diplomatic issue." "We''re ready for that." "By the way, we have some connections in the intelligence agency too. If you run into trouble,e find us. We''ll see if you can talk as well as you did today then." "Thank you for your consideration. But you guys better focus on your conduct. Well, then." Kang Mu-hyuk left those words behind and quickly got into the car. Darden grimaced and yelled, but his voice was drowned out by the loud exhaust of the sports car. Spitting in the direction where the sports car carrying Kang Mu-hyuk had disappeared, Darden muttered, "Thought I was rid of one annoying nemesis. Seems like another stubborn one has appeared. My damned luck." "I... I tried to stop him. That person... I didn''t know Makar would do that." In front of Anton, Olga muttered as if confessing, her eyes gray with what seemed like regret over her decisions, pondering if there had been a better choice. "Olga. You were foolish. Makar isn''t as good as you thought." Olga buried her head, almost touching the table. "You probably heard from the Vice Guild Leader. It turns out that Makar was scheming during several raids where the guild elders were sacrificed. He harmed his own family. And you wereplicit in it." While Makar was out having escaped, the survivors caught by Anton from Nazezhinsky easily confessed to their deeds. It was not a gesture of cooperation. It was a curse mixed with anger and swearing. It was a time of denunciation, for shouting why their revenge was justified. "But Makar clearly told me! He said he would only threaten to get the Tsar Guild to acknowledge the wrongs they did in Nazezhinsky and to obtain a formal apology and not go further." "Did you believe the promise of a man who killed hisrades and used monsters to take people hostage? He''s a terrorist, Olga." Olga didn''t speak anymore. Seeing how she didn''t pursue Makar or flee, it seemed she was aware of her wrongdoing. "It''s going to be hard to just let this slide. Once the Oopoomangbawoo case is settled, the authorities won''t stay quiet. I''ll defend you as much as I can, but... it''s probably best to be prepared." "If you make a mistake, then you gotta be punished." Anton sighed as he left the interrogation room. Despite her long service to the guild, he didn''t have an ounce of forgiveness in him for her having been blinded by love andmitting such acts. Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah were watching through the ss window of the interrogation room. With aplex look, he followed Anton to the guild leader''s office and asked, "What''s the current situation with Oopoomangbawoo ?" "It''s quiet for now. Other than some destruction immediately after it became active, there''s been no significant movement." "Has there been any trace of Makar?" "Since he entered the area where Oopoomangbawoo is active, there hasn''t been any confirmation. The Hunters who followed him had to retreat due to Oopoomangbawoo''s activities." "Given the situation, should we assume that this Makar is controlling Oopoomangbawoo?" At Ju Se-ah''s words, Kang Mu-hyuk nodded. Anton sighed in agreement. After getting seated into the guild leader''s office, Anton continued the conversation. "What will we do about Kozlov''s safety?" "He should be left to the Federation. There may be some grievances with the Tsar Guild, but there''s no helping it." "That''s actually for the best. The Federation has been a headache for us as well. The bigger issue is dealing with Oopoomangbawoo. A single rampage devastated a whole street. Fortunately, there were no people there because we evacuated in advance... but we can''t do anything about the poison. Right now, it can still be purified, but if it gets any worse, the ce will be uninhabitable." "The preparations for the raid areplete. We''ve received word that our guild members have been released from Tyrant, so we can go hunting anytime they arrive." Anton grimaced at Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. "The stage for solving this with giantization traits is over. The entire city will be contaminated with poison before we can get it into the barrier box we prepared." "That was ''n A.'' There''s also a ''n B.''" "n B?" "We can''t be 100% sure, but it should work as we prepared in advance. The real problem is catching Makar. We don''t know what else he might do. It would be problematic if he causes trouble during the raid." "That''s why our guild''s scouting party is on standby. We''ll deploy them immediately to find him. But what is this n B..." Just as they were about to ask about n B, Anton''s smartphone rang. It was on the table, so the screen was immediately visible. [Makar Boronin] Everyone fell silent. Anton hesitated for a moment before he reached for the phone. Kang Mu-hyuk extended his hand to stop Anton and said, "He must be agitated from messing things up. Don''t provoke him." Anton nodded and answered the call. "Makar..." -Guild Master, I will switch to a video call. Suddenly, the call switched to a video, and Makar''s face appeared on the screen. Under the nearly spent, blurry halogen light, he seemed to be floating in the darkness, with only his head visible. -Is Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk there? Make sure he''s visible too. Anton nced at Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk nodded, and they moved closer together so both could appear in the smartphone camera. -Impressive. Being there means you''ve escaped safely from the Tyrant''s hands, I assume? "You''re the one who''s bold. Or should I say reckless? I didn''t expect you to contact us first." -Because my intention is not ughter. I''m offering a chance for dialogue. "Lunatic mad! Then why did you dare mess with Oopoomangbawoo?!" Anton gritted his teeth and shouted. -Guild Master, if you wish, I can wait until all the citizens of divostok have evacuated the city. Of course, that''s unless you n to send your members in the meantime. "..." -Of course, you can''t do that, can you? After all, doing so would diminish the status of the Tsar Guild. Considering the chaos that would ensue and the cost of restoring a paralyzed city, the Tsar Guild wouldn''t be able to escape responsibility either. As the head of the guild''s intelligence team, I understand how difficult guild management can be. "How absurd. Are you pretending to be a guild member now?" -Are you still pretending to be a saint? "What?" -Don''t pin all this on me. Because this is about the Tsar Guild. It''s about punishing your guild for the crimes itmitted. "What are you talking about?!" -You''re not going to say you don''t know about the Nazezhinsky incident now, are you? "Are you saying the tragedy of Nazezhinsky is our fault? That''s ridiculous." -Go ask the retired former Guild Master what he did 14 years ago. Where did the tragedy start? Go ask him that ande back. "I''m somewhat aware of the circumstances of this matter as well." Kang Mu-hyuk interjected. Anton, realizing there was a story he didn''t know, was at a loss for words and looked questioningly. Kang Mu-hyuk responded to him. "There was a powerful boss monster that emerged from the Gate opened by the outbreak, right? I heard that the Tsar Guild lured that boss monster and other monsters to Nazezhinsky to protect divostok. Of course, I''m not sure if that''s true." "That can''t be! The former Guild Master wasn''t that kind of person!" Anton erupted in anger, and a scoffing sound came from the screen. -The Federation''s intelligence is impressive indeed. Even the current Guild Master doesn''t know the stories you know. But is Kozlov safe? "He''s safe for now. But let''s finish talking about you. What do you need to hear? What should we do to prevent you from meddling with Oopoomangbawoo?" -You''re difficult but at least you get what I''m saying. I''m not asking for much. "I heard from Olga. Would an official apology from the guild suffice? If what you''re saying is true, we''re willing to apologize." Anton responded positively, but no expectation could be seen on Makar''s face. Kang Mu-hyuk felt uneasy about that part. ''He''s too calm, not agitated at all. A n over ten years in the making just fell through. Whatever we do, he''s bound to cause trouble.'' Makar continued. -I don''t even expect that anymore. It''s a story that will anyway be buried... a story that will be forgotten anyway, isn''t it? It''s a world that only remembers tragedies only when they be their own... "So, what do you want?!" -Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. I want to talk with you. One on one. Chapter 104 - Youre just a villain "It''s a trap. Did you forget? He tried to kill you." When Anton tried stopping Kang Mu-hyuk, Makar eagerly suggested. -If you really can''t trust me, you can bring a bodyguard, but only one. And it should be someone who only follows your orders, not from the Tsar Guild. Ah, I think that fierce-eyed person who blocked my attackst time would be good. As Makar openly suggested No Song-rin, Kang Mu-hyuk initially suspected it was a trap. However, he soon realized that the current situation did not exin his actions. ''Now that everything is exposed, what''ll he gain by catching me? He''s way too clever for this to be just simple retaliation. He even has the patience to have waited over ten years for revenge. He mentioned the condition about the bodyguard casually, but he must have thought of it beforehand.'' Moreover, he didn''t even ask for the release of hisrades, meaning he wasn''t thinking about the aftermath. He must have some other intent. It seemed that there were things he could only say to Kang Mu-hyuk in the absence of the Tsar Guild involved. ''Whether I go or not, Makar is going to proceed with his n. Team leaders Yeom and Pyo need time to get acquainted with the raid n. I should meet him first and stall for time.'' Kang Mu-hyuk readily epted Makar''s request. "Where?" "Team Leader Kang!" Anton eximed in shock. Makar smiled and added. -I figured you''d ept the offer. Ulichyamira, Yumasheva 79. It''s a supermarket so it should be easy to find. See you in an hour." Anton red at the screen. As their eyes met, Makar added as if he had forgotten. -Oh, right! Almost forgot. I meant to show you this. Soon after, the smartphone screen switched to the rear camera, and a separate monitor came into view. On the monitor, a massive creature was seen crouching. "Oopoomangbawoo..." Anton couldn''t continue his words. Seeing the surrounding buildings damaged here and there, it was clear this wasn''t a recording of a past scene; it meant it was live. ''How did he install the camera?'' Makar responded as if answering his question. -I installed it way back. "Way back? Were you nning to provoke Oopoomangbawoo from the start?" -That''s not the important part. Look down there, look at that. Makar manipted the monitor to zoom in on one side of the video. -The oval, round thing. It''s an egg. Laid by Oopoomangbawoo. "!!" -Do you know what this is? He turned the rear camera back and showed a small switch resembling a car remote. -It''s a detonator for a bomb installed in Oopoomangbawoo''s egg. "You can''t be serious...!" -I''ve ced a small bomb under the egg. There were two in total; I''ve already triggered one. That''s why Oopoomangbawoo got agitated. The remaining one hasn''t gone off yet so it didn''t go far. It''s still in the nest, protecting it but what will happen if the other one also explodes? Anton bit his lower lip at Makar''s threat. "Are you telling us not to try to pull any stunts?" -You''ve understood well. Just stay quiet while I talk with Guild Leader Kang. Even if you send Hunters, they won''t be able to stop me from pressing this detonation switch. "Th-this bastard... You''ve crossed the line of what I can tolerate." Kang Mu-hyuk calmed down the enraged Anton. "See you in an hour. Okay, then." He hung up the call without waiting for Makar''s response and said, "We don''t have time. Please have the Tsar Guild prepare a raid team to support the Oopoomangbawoo raid." "Is there really a way out?" "I will share the raid ns with you. You can judge after you see them." Released from the Tyrant Guild, Pyo Beom-hee was relieved to see familiar faces in the Tsar Guild. While Kang Mu-hyuk was away, she got the lowdown from No Song-rin and gasped in surprise. "Wow, Mr. Ko was a spy? Inside the Federation? That is a proper betrayal!" "Thanks to this, we''ll have a lot more to leave out from the Federation in the future." When Kang Mu-hyuk responded so casually, Pyo Beom-hee was once again impressed by how he handled the whole chaos. "I just asked Kozlov to call you thinking, ''somehow it will work out.'' I didn''t think I''d actually be released. What''s your secret? How did you manage to convince the Tyrant to let us go?" "Because we needed both of you to capture Oopoomangbawoo." "What does that mean? If it weren''t for Oopoomangbawoo, you would have just left us there?" "Of course not." "Whatever happened, I don''t have the courage to face you right now." Yeom Soo-hyung, who had fallen into a trap of the enemy and became a prisoner, thus hindering Kang Mu-hyuk''s efforts, bowed his head in shame. As someone strict with himself, this was a blow to his pride. "So, Oopoomangbawoo has started making its move? It seems very agitated. Will the original n still work?" "Even if Team Leader Yeom had be a giant and tried to lead him away, it would have failed. Because of the egg, there was no way Oopoomangbawoo would have quietly followed. That''s why we need Team Leader Pyo." "Me?" "When we sent you to Russia paired with Team Leader Yeom, it wasn''t just to support him. We had a n B in mind." "What''s n B now?" "It''s about your trait, Team Leader Pyo. We need to control Oopoomangbawoo''s poison." "This man. Why do you wanna kill me?" Pyo Beom-hee was shocked and jumped up. "With Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee''s ability to control poison, shouldn''t a regr raid work out somehow?" "You''re taking revenge on me right now, aren''t you? After saying that it''ll ''somehow work out''? Please tell me you''re joking." "I''m serious." Pyo Beom-hee looked distressed. "Do you realize how potent Oopoomangbawoo''s poison is? A Hunter can resist it with mana, but that only works as long as their mana holds out. I bet I''d run out of mana before I could control all the poison. And do you know how much of the poison there is? Even I won''t be able to contain the amount of poison which is enough to destroy a whole city." "What if we prepare a vessel for it?" "A vessel?" Kang Mu-hyuk picked and showed her a picture on his smartphone. "What''s this? This ck and round thing." "It''s something borrowed from the Federation. They call it ''Poison Well''." "Poison Well?" "It''s a unique-grade artifact that can store and extract poison." "Gasp! U-Unique!" Pyo Beom-hee was startled and dropped the smartphone. Even though she wasn''t physically holding the Poison Well, she picked up the smartphone with reverence, as if it were a sacred relic. "You borrowed a unique-grade item?" "I originally intended to get an item that could hold poison through the Guild Cooperation Agency, but there was nothing suitable to handle Oopoomangbawoo''s poison. Luckily, I found this when I searched the Federation." "No. That''s not the point. It''s a unique grade! There are only a few of those even in Korea! And they just lent it out like that?" "They made a mistake, after all. It''s not like we asked them to give it; borrowing it was something they couldn''t easily refuse. Moreover, artifacts with special abilities like the Poison Well are hard to find a proper handler for. They agreed to lend it when we promised to make good use of it and return it since it had been sitting in storage for so long." Ju Se-ah, filling in for the stunned Pyo Beom-hee, who was overwhelmed by the thought of handling a unique artifact, raised an objection. "Even if the Federation sends it, wouldn''t it be difficult for it to arrive in time?" "It''s already in Russia, currently being transported from the airport." "That quickly?" "As I said, we had prepared n B in advance. When we heard that things had gone awry in Russia, we immediately requested it from the Federation, and fortunately, it arrived just in time." Ju Se-ah was astounded, throwing up her hands. ''I really want to open up his head and see. How far ahead is he thinking?'' While most raids prepared ns B, C, and D, Kang Mu-hyuk did that at apletely different scale. Who else could manage to extract a unique artifact from the Federation? Especially for a raid on a creature like Oopoomangbawoo, where there existed few historical examples and strategies, devising new methods was no small feat. ''And all that on top of there''s the matter with the Tyrant, turning this whole thing into chaos.'' Besides, he had Ju Se-ah smuggled into the country, and even exposed the identities of the traitors conspiring in the Tsar Guild and the Federation. It was astonishing to think back on how he managed to methodically solve tasks that would overwhelm most people. "You will have 30 minutes to learn how to control the Poison Well. I will stall Makar in the meantime, so please wait at the designated location. There''s no time to brief the rest of the n, so please refer to the n document." "Just 30 minutes...?" Before Pyo Beom-hee couldin, Kang Mu-hyuk left the room with No Song-rin, leaving Ju Se-ah behind to console her. "You know Guild Leader Kang can be a bit sudden, don''t you? I''ll support you, so let''s try to make it work." "Well, we''ve been through a lot together, so it''s not that I don''t know him. But he seems worse than before." "As serious as the situation is, it can''t be helped." Pyo Beom-hee understood that too. This wasn''t her first time experiencing a raid organized in haste, and for a veteran like her, the raid n document was sufficient. Because if the poison could be handled, Oopoomangbawoo would not be a difficult opponent. However, that didn''t mean her mission was easy. Handling the unique artifact, the Poison Well, was challenging in itself. People often thought artifacts worked just by holding them, but in reality, they were quiteplex to operate. Countless artifacts were such that any misuse could harm not only monsters but also oneself or one''s teammates. Moreover, dealing with poison was an even more sensitive matter. And now a unique-grade artifact? It wasmon knowledge that the higher the grade, the more difficult it was to control. Pyo Beom-heemented in a dying voice, "No matter how much I think about it, I must have done something wrong to have Guild Leader Kang assign me this task." Kang Mu-hyuk headed to the address Makar had given. He saw a fairly spacious supermarket by the roadside. It was a single-story building, and the area looked like a ghost town, giving the market an eerie feel. As agreed, No Song-rin was the only guard with him. However, at a considerable distance, Hunters sent by Anton who were trailing them were on standby. They were there to capture Makar if necessary. Kang Mu-hyuk repeatedly warned them to keep their distance. Only after Anton repeatedly assured him that he would not act rashly, with the Oopoomangbawoo on his mind, did Kang Mu-hyuk step into the supermarket. As he walked deeper inside, a voice from the darkness stopped Kang Mu-hyuk in his tracks. "You really came." No Song-rin blocked the front. "You don''t need to be so guarded. I really called you here just for a conversation." "Before we talk, I just have one question." "Go ahead." "It''s purely hypothetical, but does this egg have anything to do with Oopoomangbawoo entering divostok?" "Why do you think that?" "Just looking at the pre-installed camera and the bombs, it''s too contrived to say that Oopoomangbawooid the egg after settling here, don''t you think? It doesn''t seem like a coincidence." Makar pped his hands at Kang Mu-hyuk''s suspicious tone. "I haven''t known you long, but I''m really impressed." "That means you brought Oopoomangbawoo to divostok." "Of course, it''s unlikely that Oopoomangbawoo came to divostok by coincidence. They say heaven helps those who help themselves. Such luck wouldn''te to me on its own." "Did you steal the egg to lure Oopoomangbawoo here?" "When I first discovered Oopoomangbawoo in the Demonic Realm, I rejoiced. I thought heaven was giving us a chance to get revenge. After spending a long time fostering discord with the Tyrant Guild and utilizing the Tyrant''s grudge, the moment to shine had arrived. But we were missing a spark to ignite this powder keg." "And that''s when the Federation made the expedition offer?" "That was truly the helping hand of the heavens. Who knew there was another Hunter with giant transformation ability? It was the perfect opportunity to mobilize those hesitant Dudnik brothers." Makar''s voice was excited. He seemed genuinely delighted. Kang Mu-hyuk, damping his spirits, said, "But it ultimately failed. I ruined your n. Wasn''t it more of a judgment from heaven against you, rather than help?" "Judgment. Judgment, you say..." Makar''s voice, which had been lively just moments ago, fell to a somber tone. "Who is it that should be judged? You tell me." "..." "Is it the Tsar Guild, which lured Gate monsters and boss monsters to Nazezhinsky, causing the death of 300,000 citizens? Or is it Igor Dudnik, who, after losing his father and sister who died defending the city from monsters, resented the survivors andmitted a massacre? Tell me who should the judgment be brought upon." "So 700,000 divostok citizens should die too?" "I told you. People remember tragedy only when it bes their own." Makar twisted his face into a mad smile as heughed. "Don''t be ridiculous! Do you think tragedy is so easily forgotten? Tragedy can only be forgotten when it no longer urs. I can just look at you, and tell. You can''t forget, can you?!" Kang Mu-hyuk countered Makar''s madness with anger, then shouted with an even more fierce expression. Suddenly, Makar pointed at Kang Mu-hyuk andughed brightly. "Yes, exactly, that''s it. That''s why I wanted to talk to you." "What?" "Whether my n fails or seeds, it ends with my death or capture. Honestly, I don''t care about my own safety. But the world needs to know about this. So how should I let this story be known?" "..." "I originally nned to take over a broadcast station, but that n fell through. And with most of myrades captured, who would I tell? The inte? It''s dominated by the Russian government. They could manipte it any time, and the inte can be shut down too. And I can''tin to the Russians. Who can live in Russia after opposing the guilds?" "So you''re telling a foreigner instead? Why would you trust me?" "I don''t trust you. Instead, I''ve looked into your background. Kozlov sent it to me, you see." Kang Mu-hyuk had been focusing on the detonator that Makar had been fiddling with from the beginning. His hand movements, squeezing and releasing, were bing faster. It was clear that the time to end what Makar had nned was approaching. Makar''s speech quickened. "You lost your family to monsters, and your dream of bing an awakened Hunter is over now as well. Despite that, you still joined the guild and became the head of the Strategy Team, right? As a civilian too, that is! A person who fights to the end. That perseverance. You''re like us. Like you said, you also can''t ever forget that time. Because like us seeking revenge, you too seek revenge against the monsters. I''m sure you''d make an excellent messenger." Kang Mu-hyuk calmly looked at Makar. His gaze held neither sympathy nor empathy. "You''re mistaken." "??" "I have no intention of bing a messenger for someone obsessed with revenge." "You might understand us if you think about it a bit more..." "But let me make one thing clear." "What..." "You''re nothing but a viin exploiting the tragedy of Nazezhinsky." Chapter 105 - We鈥檙e starting the Raid "Viin, you say..." Makar red at Kang Mu-hyuk, baring his teeth. "The guy who massacred civilians is being called the pride of Russia. Just because they put an ''S'' in front of his rank, he''s being called a hero. What exactly is the difference between him and me? Is it because I will kill more people that I''m being called a viin?" "..." "No, honestly, I don''t care. It doesn''t matter what the living call me. But the dead... The revengeful spirits of the Nazezhinsky, at least, will thank me. It''s enough as long as those people call me a hero." "Are you done with your ramble? I''m warning you. Don''t do anything stupid." Makar picked up the explosive device. "There''s no such thing as stupid actions for revenge." That was when No Song-rin moved. Already quick as he was, he charged at Makar with determination, and Makar couldn''t react in time. No Song-rin''s mana-infused sword sliced through Makar''s wrist. The severed wrist, spraying blood into the air, fell to the ground. "Aaaack!" "Hey! Didn''t Russia teach you that if you strut your hand about, your wrist will fly off, you terrorist?" No Song-rin kicked the severed wrist with his foot. The trail of blood reached Kang Mu-hyuk. "Kehehehe... I''m also a Hunter. Of course, I learned not to mess around in front of a high-ranker." Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the explosive device that was clutched in the severed hand. He felt something off the moment he picked it up; it subtly differed from the form he had first seen. "This is... No Song-rin...!" Before Kang Mu-hyuk could even warn, Makar''s unsevered left hand pulled out another explosive device and activated it. "I told you, you can''t stop it." A light glowed from the monitor behind Makar. It was a small me, but it was clear. With the explosion, the body of Oopoomangbawoo trembled. Smoky fumes like scorched earth emitted from Oopoomangbawoo''s body. As the smoke cleared, a broken egg was revealed, and at the same time, the furiously thrashing Oopoomangbawoo was visible. Though it could not be heard, it seemed to be howling. Following this, the building, which had only some steel and concrete left, copsed, and the camera transmission was cut off. "700,000 for one wrist. As they say in this business... It''s quite the profitable deal, isn''t it? Hahaha!" "No Song-rin! Kill that bastard, but notpletely to death!" "Okay! Huh? You want me to kill him or not?" "We''ll kill him half to death and send him to the ck Owl Prison." "ck Owl... It might be better to just die." No Song-rin quickly subdued Makar, remembering the Russian prison known for its notoriety to the extent that Ujungdo could be called cute inparison. Kang Mu-hyuk immediately took out his smartphone and made a call. "Guild Master, we couldn''t stop it. It seems they were on guard after all." -It''s okay. Even if you couldn''t stop it, Oopoomangbawoo was a target we needed to hunt anyway. It''s just a matter of whether it happens sooner orter. "I just wanted to be more thoroughly prepared." -The preparation for the raid is sufficient. Guild Leader Kang, you did everything you could. Now, leave it in the hands of the Hunters. A word spoken by Ju se-ah crossed Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. ''Hunter.'' As Makar said, that was something he couldn''t be. ''If I had be a Hunter, maybe I would have caught more monsters.'' But even though he hadn''t awakened, he no longer felt regrets. Since he had learned how to fight monsters even without being a Hunter. Kang Mu-hyuk issued an order on his smartphone. "divostok time, 03:47 AM. As of now, we''re starting the Oopoomangbawoo raid." At dawn, with the temperature dropping further, a corner of the city felt colder with its lights out. Hunters from the Tsar Guild breathed out white puffs of air as they waited. Not far away, the howling of Oopoomangbawoo resonated eerily. Ju Se-ah used the message skill on all of them. "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk''s order has been issued. We''re starting the raid now." The Hunters, who heard her voice simultaneously, were surprised. Everyone, grouped by party, was busy confirming whether what they just experienced was real. ''Is this real? Did she really deliver a message to the entire raid squad at once?'' The message skill she used was a simple one that didn''t consume much mana, but the difficulty increased sharply as the number of people receiving the message simultaneously rose. Only Hunters with a knack for mana management or innate talent could finely control it. So, most Hunters used one-to-one messages. You had to be at the level of party leaders to deliver simultaneously to 3-5 people. ''Ju Se-ah isn''t known for mana-rted traits... Did she really deliver a message to dozens of people with her personal energy alone?'' Dmitry, the Vice Guild Master leading the Tsar Guild''s raid team in ce of Anton, tried hard not to show his astonishment. He attempted to hide his unease from his guild members. He had heard of the stature of Korean Hunters during the era of the great war. Especially divostok, being geographically close to the Korean Penins, had urban legends of nearly impossible hunting feats achieved by Korean Hunters. Dmitry grew up listening to those legends. Fourteen years after miraculously saving divostok from a nightmare, the Tsar Guild became the new legend, but Dmitry''s generation knew the potential of Korean Hunters better than anyone. ''There was the Hunter with the giant trait or the one with the poison trait. Even the one who said he''s Guild Leader Kang''s bodyguard seemed formidable. Is this a sign of the resurgence of Korean Hunters starting with Guild Master Ju Se-ah?'' Despite the checks from China and Japan, Dmitry felt a strange emotion as he saw them trying to spread their wings again. Ju Se-ah''s voice echoed in his head. "Vice Guild master Dmitry, let me make it clear once again. I will be the one to issue the orders for this raid." "Since you''re at the helm, I''ll trust and follow for now. But if there''s even a slight hesitation, it''s immediately a baton touch." "Hesitation isn''t in my nature. I wish you a good hunt." "I wish the same for you." Oopoomangbawoo demolished all the buildings near its nest. It didn''t just destroy buildings smaller than itself as before but also smashedrge buildings it hadn''t touched previously. Led by Ju Se-ah, three members of the Iron Will party blocked the path Oopoomangbawoo was moving through. They were hiding among the still intact buildings, but the Oopoomangbawoo''s chilling cry resonated like a hawk swooping down on its prey, definitely signaling that it wasing this way. "This distance here is the Maginot line. There are still citizens behind us who haven''t evacuated, so we must hold it off here." "Guild Master, are you sure we don''t need to evacuate people? If things go bad, we might get the me." Yeom Soo-hyung asked with concern, and Ju Se-ah shrugged. "What can we do? This is Russia. Evacuating citizens isn''t something we foreigners can handle. Even if we could, it''s difficult to evacuate at dawn, and there''s not enough time now." "Whether it''s Korea or Russia, the adult''s always have a problem. Just think we need to send them to a safe ce. Why should we have to shoulder economic or political issues too? People''s lives are the most important." Pyo Beom-hee grumbled, and Ju se-ahughed. "Guild Leader Kang is the one who deals with those adult problems for us. We just need to focus on the raid this time as well. Pyo Beom-hee, are you confident you can handle that item?" "Ugh! Erm... Honestly, I''m not sure. My confidence dropped as soon as I touched it. It''s as good as it is willful. I guess it thinks it''s all that because it''s a unique grade." Pyo Beom-hee held up the ck crystal orb in his hand as if it were a horrendous object, keeping it at a distance from his body. "Still, the fact that you get to wield a unique artifact is already huge. I haven''t even touched anything like that yet. I think it''s a good experience." "Didn''t yer also have a few unique grade pieces of equipment?" "I''m not seasoned enough." "A guild member of 10 years?" "They said they''d give me a usage permit if I re-sign the contract." "Ah... how petty. You must''ve made a lot of earnings for yer." "I hadn''t thought about it like that. Now that you mention it, it really does feel petty. But that must mean the unique artifacts are truly that remarkable." "Here ites." Yeom Soo-hyung''s warning cut off the conversation. A building at the end of the street started to lean and then copsed in an instant. "It''s about the height of the 3rd or 4th floor. Around 7 meters? It''s almost fully grown." "It''s a close call even with a second stage transformation. n A would have been risky as well." "Since that operation was scrapped anyway, we have to go ording to the new n." "I''ll provide support." Yeom Soo-hyung''s body swelled. It was a controlled first stage transformation. Although only half as tall as Oopoomangbawoo, Yeom Soo-hyung''s gigantification had a clear advantage, unlike regr tankers who couldn''t facerge monsters head-on. Oopoomangbawoo, noticing Yeom Soo-hyung''s presence, charged with a roar. It lookedical with its short legs wobbling, but the sight of buildings crumbling as it collided with them was noughing matter. Yeom Soo-hyung also picked up speed and charged to meet it. "You think I''d just let you pass?!" Crash! Yeom Soo-hyung pressed close while shing at Oopoomangbawoo''s wings. He wasn''t holding any weapons due to the fear of poison. Oopoomangbawoo tried to split his head open with its beak as if he was unarmed. Something resembling a mannequin popped out from the slightly open beak and dangled. Yeom Soohyung was curious about the identity of these objects, but his mission was a priority. He dodged the beak and embraced Oopoomangbawoo''s waist. Oopoomangbawoo, whose charge had been abruptly stopped, repeatedly struck Yeom Soo-hyung''s back with its degenerated, flying wings that couldn''t fly. Despite its powerful impacts, Yeom Soo-hyung clenched his teeth and endured. Without itsrge size and poison, the monster wasn''t frightening. Knowing this well, he focused entirely on restricting Oopoomangbawoo''s movements. Once he had a moment, Yeom Soo-hyung raised his head to look at Oopoomangbawoo''s beak, which had been bothering him. With every scream, he could see the identity of the mannequins popping out of the beak. ''Humans?'' He blinked several times, but it was no mistake. Oopoomangbawoo''s pelican-like beak also served as a storage for food. It was used to store prey that it didn''t immediately eat. And right now, that beak was full. ''They said there were some casualties when it first entered divostok... This isn''t just ''some'' casualties.'' Considering the time it had been in the city, it meant that a significant number of humans had been hunted as prey. "Don''t be ridiculous, you fucking monster!" Enraged, Yeom Soo-hyung raised his head and leaped up. His headbutt struck the lower part of Oopoomangbawoo''s beak. As Oopoomangbawoo fell backward, the prey it had been storing in its beak spewed out. Not only humans but also pets like dogs and cats, and livestock such as cows and pigs, were mixed in. The stench of rotting corpses permeated the air. At the same time, a pale ck smoke spread from the beak that had been hit. Yeom Soo-hyung realized his mistake. He had thought it would be fine as long as there were no wounds, but the poison had spewed out through the skin upon a certain impact. He quickly circted mana to protect his body and grabbed Oopoomangbawoo''s lower body with both hands to prevent it from getting up. Then he heard Pyo Beom-hee''s voice from behind. "Don''t hit it just because you''re angry!" Pyo Beom-hee held a poison dagger in her left hand while stretching her right hand towards the swirling poison in the air. As the dagger emitted a dark light, the poison gathered towards her hand and was soon absorbed. "It''s tricky to handle this. Don''t get it to release too much at once. Chip away at its health little by little." "How long will it take with this big thing? Damn, it''s going to be an all-nighter." Yeom Soo-hyung grumbled but tightened his grip on the Oopoomangbawoo. Meanwhile, Ju Se-ah climbed onto Oopoomangbawoo''s upper body. She raised her sword high. Although it was a borrowed sword and not familiar in her hand, she quickly adjusted her stance, as she wasn''t particr about weapons. "For now, I''ll cut this much." Without hesitation, her sword shed through Oopoomangbawoo''s chest, creating a nearly 2-meter-long wound. Thick, grass-green blood gushed from the gash. At the same time, a poisonous mist seeped from its entire skin. Pyo Beom-hee gasped in shock as she controlled the poison dagger. "Eek! Th-this is too... muchhhh." She could utter no more words. Her teeth were clenched, her eyes bloodshot as she focused intensely on controlling the poison. The hand holding the poison dagger alternated between turning ck and returning to its original color. ''If this thing dies... this city is going to be seriously wrecked. The poison is even more potent than I thought.'' Having barely managed to absorb the poison, Pyo Beom-hee was panting heavily, already drenched in sweat though the battle had just begun. Ju Se-ah checked on her condition and asked, "Are you okay?" "It''s my specialty, but with this amount of poison and its potency... I''m not sure if I can make it to the end." "Even I don''t think you canst until we kill this thing." Ju Se-ah assessed the situation and immediately modified the strategy, contacting Dmitry. "We''re changing from n B-1 to B-3." "I''ll prepare the containment box. Can you bring the creature over?" Ju Se-ah looked over at Yeom Soo-hyung, who was in a scuffle with the Oopoomangbawoo. ''I can''t believe he''s wrestling with a monster.'' It was a unique sight never seen in a typical raid. ''It''s a bit unsightly... but it''s not like I''m the one doing it.'' "It looks like it will work out somehow." "Just lead it three blocks north. We''ll confine it there and then proceed with the conquest." Ju Se-ah told Pyo Beom-hee. "We switched to n B-3. That might leak less poison than if we capture it here. But still, it will leak a bit on the way. Please handle it carefully." "Pl-Please, go easy." Due to the sharp tension all night, Darden felt tired. Taking advantage of the Tsar Guild''s inactivity, he briefly dozed off. ''Is this a dream?'' It was like a lucid dream; suddenly, a scene from 14 years ago unfolded before his eyes. News had spread that a boss monster, which had crawled out of an opened Gate, was heading towards Nazezhinsky. The city was engulfed in fear. The Hunters from several smaller guilds guarding this ce had also panicked along with the citizens. The Hunters had abandoned the government''s orders and their contracts with local authorities and fled. The Hunters who abandoned their posts knew they would face penalties that would prevent them from hunting in Russia again, yet they deserted the battlefield. The power of the boss monster was just that terrifying. "Let''s run away, Father. There''s no hope." Darden was shocked by the voice that burst from his own mouth. An event from 14 years ago felt as vivid as something happening now. "If we run away now, the guild could go bankrupt because of the penalty. No, bankruptcy isn''t the problem, we might have to seek asylum in another country." "You want to kill all the guild members for that reason?" "We won''t kill them. They just need to work as much as they were paid for. Let''s hold out until the citizens have escaped." "What if the monsters attack before we can run?" "Then what can we do? We fight until the boss arrives, then we''ll get out." "You always make it sound so easy. You think if that monster gets a hold of us, it''ll just let us go?" "Does that make it okay to just abandon people?" At Darden''s displeased expression, his father smiled wryly. "We are Hunters, Darden. I''m not saying we should always sacrifice ourselves. But we must protect people as much as we can within our capabilities. If we can''t do that, we can''t call ourselves Hunters." "Who cares? I only said it because Igor and Elena were anxious. They listen to everything you say. Tch! You think I said that because I wanted to?" Dardenined, but the look on his face was okay. He was proud of his father. Even though he was just a Guild Master of a small, insignificant guild, he was a role model for Hunters. ''And he was betrayed and died because of that very duty of a Hunter.'' "Vice Guild Master," Nikyev entered the room just as Darden had woken up. "What is it?" "The Koreans have started the Oopoomangbawoo raid." "Hmph! In the end, they''re opening the gates of hell." As Darden scoffed, Nikyev cautiously spoke. "But there''s something about it... The situation is unfolding quite strangely." Chapter 106 - It might be difficult "Strangely?" "All in all, it seems the raid will be sessful." "And the poison?" "It seems the poison part has been solved too. ording to the observation team''s report, there is a Hunter who can control poison." "Poison control? That''s quite a rare skill, isn''t it? Did the Tsar Guild have such personnel?" "It''s probably that female Hunter. The Korean Hunter you released." Igor, who had just entered the hotel room, answered Darden''s question. Despite being the Guild Master, Darden did not me his brother''s irresponsible behavior for disappearing on his own at the harbor, but he became very agitated over the fact that Igor didn''t share such important information with him. Nikyev, noticing his displeasure, excused himself from the room. "Did you know that there''s a Korean Hunter who uses poison?" "I had a run-in with one at the hotel. Judging by its potency, it wasn''t something like a poison potion. It''s probably a trait or type of skill." "Why would you tell me this only now..." "It wasn''t even a dangerously powerful ability, and I didn''t care because I didn''t think they''d prepare another card to y against Oopoomangbawoo, other than the guy with the giantification ability. You probably would havee to the conclusion that she was incapable of neutralizing Oopoomangbawoo''s poison even if you had known that." Igor interrupted Darden, making an excuse. Darden couldn''t argue with his brother''s words. Indeed, he had never thought that there could be someone in Korea, a country on the edge of the Hunter world, who could restrict Oopoomangbawoo''s poison. Or rather, he hadn''t even thought such a method could exist in the first ce. "You can make up for theck of ability with items. There must be some good item to control poison. I don''t know about Korea, but that is certainly a possibility for the Federation." "You seem quite calm given the situation for someone who stormed out in anger. Did you cool your head somewhere?" "I''ve done some thinking for a change." At Igor''s calm voice, a sudden anxiety overtook Darden. "I thought you and I shared the same goal. Revenge." "Of course, I''m thinking of revenge." "But that''s not your priority, is it?" "What are you implying by saying that?" "divostok. Isn''t controlling this city under the guise of revenge your real priority?" "That is our revenge, Igor." "More like your ambition." Darden felt breathless up to his chin. He had to say something, but he just couldn''t open his mouth. Despite Igor not making any particr threat, Darden felt a heavy weight pressing down on his shoulders. Darden soon realized why. It was because of the look in his eyes. His brother''s disappointed gaze made him feel insignificant. "It''s not your fault. I''m grateful enough for your merits in raising the guild in ce of your ipetent brother, and negotiating with the government to help me escape the status of a fugitive. But don''t deceive yourself. Wasn''t revenge a tool to justify your ambition? I don''t like that part." "Igor... Do you think we are strong? Do you think there''s nothing to fear because you are an S-ranker? In the end, those without power get trampled, just like our father did, just like the day our sister Elena died. To ovee all this, we need to be stronger. You, me, and the guild." Darden ranted, but Igor''s eyes remained full of disappointment. "It seems you''ve already forgotten the resentment from that time." "Igor!" Igor turned away. Darden grabbed his shoulder, but a murderous aura passed through the moment he touched it. Darden flinched and inadvertently let go of Igor. Igor left the hotel room. Left alone, Darden stumbled back and slumped into a chair. "Ambition? What''s so wrong with that? Our family broke precisely because wecked ambition... Igor." Kang Mu-hyuk handed Makar over to the Tsar Guild and joined Anton waiting in themand vehicle. "How is the situation?" "Fortunately, it''s going ording to n. A load off our minds." Kang Mu-hyuk looked around at the monitors mounted on the vehicle''s wall. From the equipment checking the vitals of the Hunters deployed on the mission to the monitor that was live-streaming the Oopoomangbawoo raid, it was fully equipped. ''It''s not some remarkable technology, but for some reason, the introduction of such technology seems to be dyed in Korea. Is it a difference in awareness? Or is it due to the conservative tendencies throughout the Huntermunity?'' The raid was entering its final stage. Yeom Soo-hyung, who had transformed into a giant, forcibly pushed Oopoomangbawoo back, and Ju Se-ah cut off the monster''s resistance at every point, driving it into the containment box. During the process, Pyo Beom-hee quickly handled the leaking poisonous energy. Soon the Oopoomangbawoo was put into the cubic containment box measuring 20 meters in width, breadth, and height. The Tsar Guild''s hunters were deployed without dy. Anton shook his head as he looked at the containment box. "This is made of a special material to create a space that won''t leak poison outside. The guild''s coffers are empty because of this. Haha." Anton half-joked with a bit of whining, but Kang Mu-hyuk was genuinely admiring it. ''Considering the amount of special material that goes into a facility of that size, our guild wouldn''t even attempt it. And yet, a mere local guild in Russia has such financial power. We''re still far behind.'' While Kang Mu-hyuk was engrossed in various thoughts watching the raid process of the Tsar Guild, the video suddenly turned off. Thinking it was a simple malfunction, he switched to another camera, but they were all dead as well. "What''s going on?" Anton urged the operator, but there''s no way the broken machine could be repaired. Kang Mu-hyuk had a bad feeling. Anton quickly sent a message using his skill to the Vice Guild Master, but received no response. "Can you not get through to him?" "No one else is responding either. Rather, the message skill isn''t reaching them at all. This usually happens only when they''re too far away or in a special terrain within a Gate...!" Anton suddenly stopped as a thought struck him. Kang Mu-hyuk spoke out loud what he thought. "S-rankers can manipte space, right?" "No way..." "It seems the Tyrant has arrived." Ju Se-ah was standing in front of the containment box, facing Igor. She had been trying to send a message using the skill to Kang Mu-hyuk to inform him of the situation here, but couldn''t get through. ''They said S-rankers are known for their little tricks like these. Is this what it meant?'' Pyo Beom-hee and Yeom Soo-hyung, who had already been brutally defeated once, shrank back at the murderous aura emanating from Igor. Ju Se-ah pushed them back and stepped forward. "Guild Master, should we just run? This is a disaster." "That''s simr to my nickname." "No, you shouldn''t be going on about nicknames or whatever. That is an outrageous opponent we really can''t do anything against." When Ju Se-ah showed no signs of backing down, Pyo Beom-hee urgently tried to stop her. "Don''t worry. It''ll work out somehow this time, too." "This time... What?" Ju e-ah drew her sword. Igor took out a gauntlet-shaped w from his waist and wore it on both hands. The long, sharp, hook-shaped des, three on each hand, gleamed. "We''re not exactly here to chat over vodka, are we?" "Let''s finish the fight we couldn''t finish earlier." "I''m not one for chit-chat, but I''m curious. What are you going to do after you finish?" "I''m going to release Oopoomangbawoo. And it''s time to end the bad karma from 14 years ago, too." "I''ve heard the story. But isn''t there forgiveness, reconciliation? Something like that?" "I''ll think about it after killing them all." Igor charged. The de of the right w aimed for Ju Se-ah''s face. Ju Se-ah ced her sword between the des to block it. Then, the remaining w sprung from the ground. Ju Se-ah did not dodge; instead, she moved closer to Igor to avoid it. In an instant, as their foreheads almost touched, both pulled their heads back without precedence and then headbutted each other. Bang! With a collision sound hard to believe to havee from human heads, surprisingly, it was Igor who was pushed back. "Ugh! Damn stonehead..." "Phew. You''re not so easy either." Ju Se-ah blew a stray lock of hair out of her face with her breath. She tapped her forehead, pretending to be rxed, but she couldn''t hide the tension. Igor, infuriated by being pushed back, swung his w. It seemed a thoughtless swipe, but the force tore the ground as if a backhoe had been used. "Our Guild Master is shing with the Tyrant, right? The S-ranker." "Uh, yeah..." As Ju Se-ah disyed herself to be on par with Igor, Pyo Beom-hee got overly excited. Yeom Soo-hyung was equally shocked. They were unaware that Ju Se-ah had surpassed the barrier to S-rank. "How annoying!" Ju Se-ah, who had been retreating from Igor''s attacks, attempted a counterattack. Though it was too fast for an ordinary Hunter to see, Ju Se-ah sessfully wedged her sword between the des of Igor''s left w. She tried to break the de. Sensing her intention, Igor rapidly drew out his mana. Ju Se-ah responded in the same manner. The sh of mana resulted in an explosion. Both the sword and the w''s des shattered. Ju Se-ah and Igor simultaneously kicked at each other''s diaphragms. Igor was sent skidding across the asphalt, and Ju Se-ah was mmed against the wall of the containment box. The impact was severe, prompting her to quickly check the box''s condition to ensure no poisonous energy had leaked. "Phew, fortunately, it''s intact... Argh!" As she regained her posture, Igor charged and threw a punch. It wasn''t aimed at Ju Se-ah. She barely managed to block it before he could hit the box. "Look, you Russian nutcase, let''s at least protect what needs to be protected." "That should be fun. You protect, I destroy." "This crazy©¤" When Igor made another move to attack the box, Ju Se-ah threw herself to block him. But this attack was a feint by Igor. The next moment, the mana-infused w pierced Ju Se-ah''s abdomen. "Guild Master!" "Guild Master Ju!" Pyo Beom-hee and Yeom Soo-hyung shouted as they attacked Igor. With a single gesture, Igor shook them off. Unlike before, he did not hold back, and the two Hunters were knocked down in one blow, unable to move. "Those who try to protect others are always the first to die, whether they''re strong or weak. They don''t realize it''s better to look after themselves first... huh?" Suddenly, Igor felt that his right hand was light. It wasn''t the feeling of piercing flesh. Looking down, he saw broken des. His w was shattered. ¡¾Iron Skin¡¿ ¡¾Dragon Scale¡¿ "Disappointed, right? Since I''m tougher." "You......" Before Igor could finish speaking, Ju Se-ah''s right hook struck his left temple. As he staggered to the side, her left fist struck his cheekbone as if not to let him go. Igor barely regained his bnce. He tried to counter the next attack but lost sight of Ju Se-ah. As he turned around looking for her, a chilling sensation surged from below. By the time he realized, it was already toote. Ju Se-ah had ced her hands on the ground and stretched out her leg straight up towards the sky. Igor''s jaw jerked upward as his head snapped back as if it had been pulled to the back. Ju Se-ah picked up the broken de from the ground and sharpened it with mana. A de of mana surged forth, aiming for Igor''s throat. ¡¾Avatar¡¿ "Damn it!" Igor, who had grown to nearly half the size of the box in an instant, raised his hand high. His giant palm came crashing down like swatting a fly. Ju Se-ah employed all her defensive skills to block it. Crash! "This... rascal, to the very end..." Igor''s strike hit the box. He retreated in his giant form and turned his back. "It''ll be better for you to clean up this ce." "Are you running away?" "A duel is fine, but there are things I still need to finish first." "Scared, aren''t you? Yeah you. If you''re scared of me, just say so." "Childish provocations. You''d better spend that time waking her up. To stop that poison." Igor pointed to where Pyo Beom-heey unconscious. Ju Se-ah checked the wall of the box where Igor''s palm had struck. Poisonous energy was leaking. Reluctantly giving up on attacking Igor, she rushed to Pyo Beom-hee. After checking on both Pyo Beom-hee and Yeom Soo-hyung, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew, that''s a relief. They''re just unconscious. Team Leader Pyo, wake up! Come on, wake up!" Ju Se-ah shook Pyo Beomhee to wake her, but when she didn''t regain consciousness, Ju Se-ah rummaged through the ampule kit strapped to Pyo Beom-hee''s waist. She pulled out aser-injection ampule and inserted it into Pyo Beom-hee''s shoulder. As soon as the potion in the ampule was fully absorbed, Pyo Beom-hee opened her eyes. "Ugh! Cough cough! I was just unconscious, why give me a stimnt... Cough! More importantly, are you okay, Guild Master?" "I''m a bit battered, but I''ll manage." "Guild Master, are you an S-ranker? How... And what about Igor?" "I know you have a lot of questions, but the most important thing right now is that." Ju Se-ah pointed to the leaking poison from the broken box. The poisonous energy had turned a deeper color than before. "Guild Master Ju Se-ah, this is Dmitry. Can you hear me?" Just then, Dmitry''s message came through. "Yes, I can hear you." "I was inside and the box suddenly broke and took me by shock. The message skill isn''t working. What''s going on?" "The Tyrant attacked. He smashed the box." "The Tyrant? Where is he now?" "He broke it and left." "Where to... No, that''s not the issue right now. We just subdued Oopoomangbawoo, so the poisonous energy is at its peak. But the box is broken..." "Can the box be repaired? Is it difficult?" "It''s made of special material, so we can''t fix it quickly. It''s also not easy to find the materials." "We''ll have to find a way to manage on our own." "Please do." Kang Mu-hyuk, along with No Song-rin, drove towards the box at full speed. On the way, they saw Igor, who had turned into a giant, crossing the park. "Wow, that guy is unbelievably huge. Just the thought of an S-rank giant is horrifying, but it''s even worse in person." "Let''s go faster. I''m worried about the Guild Master and the two team leaders." Upon arrival at the box, the scene was chaotic. One wall of the box was also broken, allowing the poisonous energy to escape. Realizing the danger, No Song-rin stopped Kang Mu-hyuk from getting out of the car. "It''s okay. Team leader Pyo is absorbing it with her poison well skill." Pyo Beom-hee was in front of the box, controlling the poison. The Poison Well was ferociously eating at not just the poisonous energy that had already escaped from the box but also that which continued to flow out. However, Pyo Beom-hee''s condition did not seem good. Her skin turned ck and then returned to its original color repeatedly. "Guild Master!" "Guild Leader Kang, why are you here? It''s dangerous." "We saw the Tyrant passing by. What happened?" "As you can see, he smashed the box and left." Kang Mu-hyuk was puzzled by Igor''s intention. If he had juste to settle the score with Ju Se-ah, he wouldn''t have left so easily. There were a few suspicious aspects, but he couldn''t delve deep into it. The situation at hand didn''t allow for it. "How about Team Leader Pyo? Is she okay?" "It might be difficult." "Can''t she stop it with her Poison Well?" "The Poison Well is fine, but... things aren''t looking great for Team Leader Pyo." Chapter 107 - Lets cut it off here Having briefly heard the situation from Ju Se-ah, Kang Mu-hyuk approached to check on Pyo Beom-hee''s condition. "Don''t get any closer. The poison asionally sshes." Before Kang Mu-hyuk could even reach the line drawn on the ground by Ju Se-ah, he stopped. Pyo Beom-hee''s condition was far more dire than it seemed from afar. Herplexion was ashen. The cold sweat on her forehead was far from being a few droplets but rather streaming down her cheeks to her chin. Her hands were ckened as if burned by fire, unable to return to their original color. The look in her eyes, fixated only on controlling the poison without even ncing at Kang Mu-hyuk, was dangerously unstable. "How long do you think she''llst?" "Hard to say. She''s already at her limit... But one thing is certain, Team Leader Pyo will copse before she can absorb all of Oopoomangbawoo''s poison." "Then it means we have to give up on divostok." Ju Se-ah hesitated for a moment before answering. "There is one method we could try." "What is it?" "I''ve heard about it before. S-rankers have the freedom to manipte mana, which allows them to use various techniques that couldn''t even be attempted before. The reason Team Leader Pyo is struggling now is because shecks the mana to control all the poison." "Are you talking about ''mana transfer''?" "I can''t think of any other way." Kang Mu-hyuk found it difficult to make a decision. Lending one''s mana to another was fraught with many dangers. There were actual cases to prove this. A guild in North America, a Tier-ed Guild, once conducted an experiment to maximize their mage''s powers by transferring other Hunters'' mana to a mage, but the oue was a disastrous failure. All the Hunters involved in the experiment ended up incapacitated, the worst possible oue. The conclusion of the experiment was that ''only S-rankers can do it.'' ''The problem is that Guild Master Ju hasn''t been an S-ranker for long. It''s extremely difficult, or rather, dangerous, to attempt such a thing without sufficient training.'' As Kang Mu-hyuk hesitated, Ju Se-ah made the decision for him. "This is what raids are like. There is always danger, no matter how weak the monster." "I apologize. I should have nned for the presence of the Tyrant..." "How could you have calcted the whims of a powerful madman? I''m prepared. We can''t let Team Leader Pyo carry the burden alone. Guild Leader Kang, you should leave the city in case of an emergency. As far away as possible." "I will stay as well." "Are you crazy? What if it fails? You''re not even a Hunt-..." Ju Se-ah swallowed her words. She almost made a slip of the tongue. Not awakening as a Hunter was a sore point for Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk continued her unspoken words. "Of course, I''m not a Hunter. But what kind of Guild Leader abandons their team and runs away?" "There are plenty of them." "Well, I am not one of them." "This isn''t the time to talk about responsibility. No one thinks you''re a coward, Guild Leader Kang. So please go somewhere safe..." "It''s not about responsibility. It''s the least I can do to keep fighting in the future." Kang Mu-hyuk''s rational mind knew that Ju Se-ah''s judgment was the right choice. But his heart was shouting not to run away. ''Is it the guilt of having dragged Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee back into this field? Or is it because of my own inferiorityplex from not bing a Hunter?'' Whatever the reason, it didn''t matter. ''If there''s no reason, I''ll just create one,'' Just as Ju Se-ah mentioned. If he was going to keep fighting in the future, now was not the time to avoid it. "Phew~ Okay. This makes my shoulders even heavier. After all, it means I have to seed somehow, right?" Seeing Kang Mu-hyuk''s firm resolve, Ju Se-ah could no longer dissuade him. ''He''s not someone who''d stopped just because someone told him anyway.'' And it wasn''t like he was being unreasonable, that was just who Kang Mu-hyuk was. She hired him knowing the kind of person he is. There was no way he''d run away. "You will seed." "Of course. We have to seed if we want to avoid a disaster for our team members. Just to be safe, stay back a bit." Kang Mu-hyuk moved away from where Ju Se-ah turned her steps towards Pyo Beom-hee, going in the opposite direction. He was angry at Igor for creating this situation. But after carefully considering his actions, he calmed down. ''If what the Guild Master said is true, the Tyrant knew about Team Leader Pyo. So, he was targeting her while breaking the box. That means he wasn''t nning to destroy divostok. Why then would he go to the extent of attacking this ce and breaking the box?'' For him to havee here just to finish the duel with Ju Se-ah, he retreated way too easily. That would be uncharacteristic of the tyrant, who is known for his pride. Suddenly, Kang Mu-hyuk realized Igor''s true intent. "Makar!" He turned around and looked at Ju Se-ah. If the only person who could stop the Tyrant was tied down here. Then Igor must be after- ''It''s not just Markar. It''s all the survivors of Nazezhinsky.'' Kang Mu-hyuk hurriedly called Anton, but only the call waiting tone drew longer. Themand vehicle was overturned, and Hunters were strewn about the wrecked camp. Most were rendered incapable ofbat. Anton, sitting and vomiting blood, looked at the smartphone ringing on the ground. [Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk] ''Guild Leader Kang... It seems he has noticed Igor''s n... but this time it''s toote.'' Crunch! A heavy foot stepped on the smartphone. The ringing stopped, and Anton looked up at the owner of the foot. "Igor Dudnik. You must know the meaning of attacking a fellow Russian guild without any reason, right?" "I didn''t kill anyone, did I?" "You put divostok at risk. The absence of the city''s protective guild leads to aw enforcement vacuum. Yet you attacked our guild? That''s treason!" "Isn''t this kind of disputemon in these hunting grounds? I know you guys have done simr things." "Do you think fights at the Gates and attacks within the city are the same?" "From the moment Oopoomangbawoo appeared, this city has been no different than a hunting ground. If you''re a Hunter, stop whining." "What''s your reason for doing this to us?!" "You know already. Nazezhinsky." "That again? What exactly happened there for you to do this?" Anton stood up, spitting out a mouthful of bloody phlegm. His legs had given out from the beating, but as the master of divostok''s leading guild, his pride wouldn''t allow him to remain seated. Even if the opponent was S-ranker, he thought he must die with dignity, for the guild''s spirit not to copse. "If we''re talking about culprits, your kind should have been chewed up and obliterated thousands of times over. Every single stone of your guild should have been pulled out and ground into dust." "Lunatic..." "Be thankful that the Russian government supports you. They''ll recognize your merit of having defended divostok. Soon, my brother will take over this city, or it will fall to Oopoomangbawoo if the raid fails. Either way, you''ll lose this city now." "Don''t think we''ll fall that easily." "Well. It wasn''t that hard, was it?" Igor looked around smugly. This had happened just three minutes after he arrived at themand camp. Since it was a unteral defeat, Anton had no words to retort. "Until now, it was a warning from Igor of the Tyrant Guild." "What?" "From now on, I speak as a Tyrant. You know Makar? Where is he? Where did you put the survivors of Nazezhinsky?" "Ha? Why? So you can kill them all or what?" "..." "Are you serious? Are you out of your mind?" "They are now ghosts of a vanished city. It''s time they disappeared. It''s not a bad offer for you. It''s good to get rid of such vengeful people." "Don''t be ridiculous. You think we''re murderers like you?" "If you won''t tell me, then you''ll see why I got the nickname ''Tyrant''." Igor ced his foot on the head of a Hunter who had fainted nearby. Anton knew well what kind of person he was, having long targeted divostok. He didn''t make idle threats about breaking things or killing people. "Do I need to show you for you to decide?" "Ugh..." "Well, not that I mind. It''s not like I haven''t seen blood before." Ultimately, Anton had no choice but to submit. The Kremlin was far away, and the fist was near. "Tell me what you want." "Huh?" "What''s the meaning of this?" "Why have you dragged us all out here?" People from Nazezhhinsky had gathered in the empty square, led by their former guildmates. Even though their restraints had been removed, the ominous atmosphere prevented anyone from recklessly trying to escape. Their oldrades had silently guided them to the square and turned away as soon as they arrived. It began to snow from the sky, but the darkness engulfed the square, making it invisible. Other than the sound of snow being crushed underfoot, the square was silent. Themotion in the square was due to thest person who was dragged out. "Makar!" Everyone crowded around him. The fact that Makar, who could be seen as the leader of the Nazezhinsky survivors, was safe meant that there was still hope. But no one dared to approach him after seeing the bandage tied around his right hand. "You, that hand..." Makar did not meet the eyes of his dumbstruckrades and looked out nkly over the square. "It''s like an execution ground." "What?" "The ce they''ve set us free. I wonder if one of us could survive if we ran now." "What are you saying, Makar?" "Seeing the daring actions you''ve taken, it looks like you have quick wits quite befitting of that." A somber voice echoed out of the darkness. That voice was filled with murderous intent. The survivors of Nazezhinsky immediately went into battle mode. "Th-the Tyrant..." Someone confirmed the identity of the opposite side with a trembling voice. The Tyrant, stepping into the light of the streetmps with his arms spread, made the Hunters feel surrounded. They instinctively knew. They would not survive this. Therades exchanged nces with each other. After that, a Hunter from the leadership of the Nazezinsky survivors approached Makar. "Makar, you should run. We''ll buy you time." "Good thing Kozlov isn''t here." "At least you and Kozlov need to make it out alive." "Sorry, but even if we scatter in all directions and run, we can''t escape from that guy. We''ll all be dead before we get out of this square." Makar spoke skeptically, but the Hunter gritted his teeth and desperately pleaded. "That''s why we are risking our lives to hold him off! Run now!" Makar was pushed by the chest but still had no intention of running. Instead, he moved towards Igor. Hisrades hesitated and missed the timing to stop him. Igor also walked towards Makar and spoke. "Is your operation over now?" "Your patience is really something. After all the fuss about waiting 14 years for revenge and you even gave us time to n." "You think only those of you hiding in the Tsar Guild can do that?" "There''s something I want to ask before I die." "I''m not the type to listen tost words." "Why did you kill the people of Nazezinsky 14 years ago?" "You want to know the reason they were killed? Would knowing change anything?" "Why did you kill them, you bastard?!" Makar threw his remaining left fist. Igor didn''t even bother to block it. Makar''s punchnded in Igor''s abdomen. It was a blow with all his might, but Igor did not flinch. Igor grabbed his fist and crushed it. Severe pain surged, but Makar did not utter a groan. "Our families died. Wasn''t it because your people instigated it? The citizens'' assembly, the council, the administrative office, the guild members from Nazezinsky, all in cahoots. No one warned that a boss monster had entered the city, and they drove my father to a dead end." "So you killed just everyone? Just because they were citizens of Nazezhinsky?" "The ones running away had already received evacuation orders. But not a single one spread that information. They knew they could survive only if my father''s guild was blocking the way. Go on, tell me. Did you really not know that? Ah, or are you going to say that all of you here were too young to know at that time? If that''s the case, then what is your revenge? It seems you remember that well enough." None of the survivors from Nazezhinsky could reply. Only Makar spoke up. "You might be right. Let''s say, the citizens were selfish. But that doesn''t justify a massacre." "The Tsar Guild was selfish too. That''s what caused this mess. What about you who brought Oopoomangbawoo into this city? Aren''t you being selfish too? Conveniently interpreting things for your ownfort." "When you''re weak... Who''s going to make you repent? Who''s going to bring judgment on you?!" "Man, you sound just like my younger brother." "!!" It was then that Makar realized. ''What''s different between him and me?'' He had a vague idea, but actually facing and speaking with him, it kept feeling like he was talking to a mirror. "As expected of the talkative ones. There''s no one who can mention a reason for revenge that''s morepelling than blood." Igor reached out his hand. Makar, who didn''t notice the signs, was grabbed by the cor and lifted into the air. "There''s no need to attach all sorts of qualifications to revenge. You just need to see blood and feel satisfied." "Pity. I won''t get to see your blood." "Just die quietly. Let me be at ease." "You''ll also see your blood soooon... urgh!" Igor snapped Makar''s neck in an instant. Makar copsed on the floor, and Igor stepped over him. The sound of breaking bones and bursting flesh echoed across the square. "Makar!!!" The survivors of Nazezinsky charged at Igor all at once. Even knowing the oue, their attack was fearless and resolute against an S-rank Hunter. "I''m tired of this. Let''s end it." As Igor''s body grew, snowkes whirled down from the sky. As the day broke. "It''s over." Watching the swirling mana calm down, Kang Mu-hyuk muttered. Ju Se-ah, who had been supporting Pyo Beom-hee, copsed. Pyo Beom-hee, too, gasped for breath as she clung to the flickering Poison Well, lying face down on the ground. Her skin, which had been ckened, had mostly returned to its original color, but the tips of her fingers remained ck. "Guild Master, Team Leader Pyo, are you all right?" Ju Se-ah just nodded weakly to Kang Mu-hyuk, who had rushed over, indicating she had no strength to reply. Yeom Soo-hyung and No Song-rin, who had been on guard, nodded at Kang Mu-hyuk that Pyo Beom-hee was safe. As Kang Mu-hyuk approached Pyo Beom-hee and saw her fingertips, he was startled. "Ah, this? I ''m just lucky. No need to spend money on pedicures now." Kang Mu-hyuk forced a smile at Po Beom-hee''s joke, knowing she was joking to reassure others. "You did a great job." "If you know we do a great job, give us plenty of vacation days at least." "Yes. I''ll make sure to be generous with the vacation days." After the Korean Hunters confirmed their safety, Dmitry cautiously approached. He and the Hunters of the Tsar Guild had also been standing guard in case of an emergency. "Last night, we lost Makar and all the Nazhezinsky survivors to Igor. Our members, including the Guild Master, have been injured and are undergoing treatment." "The oue is obvious." "Yes. There are no survivors." "We''ve ovee the crisis in divostok... Now, what remains is how to deal with the Tyrant." "Annoying as it is, we have no way to deal with an S-rank Hunter." "If not with strength, we must use something else." Kang Mu-hyuk clenched his teeth. Dmitry cocked his head. "Please convey to Darden Dudnik that we should meet." "What? Darden?" "This tiresome ill-fated rtionship. Let''s cut it off here." Chapter 108 - The tragedies come to an end Darden rented out the entire hotel lounge where he was staying to wee the party led by Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk identified their other side of the negotiation. ''Vice Guild Master Darden, the Hunter who attended to usst time. His right-hand man''s name was Nikyev, right? I''m not sure who the other one is.'' As Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze settled on thest person, Anton whispered in his ear, "That''s Lev, the Expedition squad leader from Tyrant guild." Darden, like Kang Mu-hyuk, scrutinized the opposing party. ''Kang Mu-hyuk, Ju Se-ah, Anton. As expected.'' He offered a seat to Kang Mu-hyuk without any change in expression. A massive tableden with refreshments was ced between them as both sides red at each other. "First, congrattions on sessfully subduing the Oopoomangbawoo. Honestly, I didn''t expect to meet so soon. I thought you''d surrender a bitter." At Darden''s words, Anton twitched in his seat, clearly eager to overturn the table and start a fight. Darden''s cronies also bared their teeth at his aggressiveness. However, the moment Ju Se-ah picked up a fork, the situation flipped. "I''ve never tried stabbing someone in the head with this. Well, it looks like a three-pronged spear, so it probably doesn''t matter, I guess." "..." "..." As Darden''s spirit died down, Anton let out a chuckle. ''That''s why everyone babbles so much about S-rank this, S-rank that. Who would''ve thought Guild Master Ju was an S-ranker? Seeing their reaction, I''m sure it''s not a lie.'' Anton felt immensely satisfied as he managed to turn the tables, usually being one step behind Igor. As the situation settled, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke up. "I, of course, thought you wouldn''t refuse this meeting." "You seem very confident after just one sessful raid." "Didn''t you say something like this yourself? After the Nazezhinsky incident 14 years ago, you stopped believing in conscience, pride, or duty. So, I thought what else do you believe in." "So, what do I believe in?" "Profit." Kang Mu-hyuk''s tone turned cold. "If revenge came first, you should have acted like the Tyrant, not so calcting. You seemed too focused on securing divostok. That''s why I thought you would never refuse this meeting." "What a joke. Even solving the Oopoomangbawoo issue, we''re still at an advantage. Ah? Are you acting tough because of your S-ranker here? Well, it''s not like she''ll stay with the Tsar Guild for a thousand years, ten thousand years, or forever. How long can she protect them?" As Darden received no reply from Kang Mu-hyuk, he pressed harder, thinking he had the upper hand. "Even if you try to sway the Kremlin, in Moscow, our main stage, you''ll be outmatched politically. And with the current crisis, the recovery of the Tsar Guild''s injured members will take a considerable amount of time. To fill that gap, you''d need outside help. Do you think the administration will wait that long? With a monster policing vacuum? It''s only a matter of time before this city falls to the Tyrant Guild." "Time is not on your side either. How long do you think the Tyrant Guild can hold out?" Darden frowned at Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. "It''s enough that you went beyond and took a prisoner who uses poison skills. But I''m curious what tricks you''re nning to pull now. Go ahead, try babbling with that trap of yours." "Even the stray dogs know the Kremlin''s influence isn''t what it used to be. Don''t drag politics into guild fights. It will turn into a dogfight." "So what are you going to negotiate with?" "The fact that divostok was nearly annihtedst night has been reported to both the city council and the administration. The one who plotted this was Igor Dudnik." "Wasn''t it you who just said not to drag politics into this?" "I''m warning you. We don''t mind a dogfight if necessary." "......" "Politicians are human too. If they realize they''ve narrowly escaped death, do you think they''ll care about the Kremlin or anything else for that matter?" Darden realized his mistake in assuming that this Korean in front of him was ignorant of Russian affairs. ''Could Anton have informed him? No. Even a whole night wouldn''t be enough to exin the subtle currents of the current Russian political scene. And even if he knew, leveraging that knowledge to negotiate in this manner with me would be even harder.'' As Kang Mu-hyuk mentioned, there were quite a few regions discontented with the central government. The vastness of Russia was the problem. It meant more monsters and significant gaps in Hunter-led security. The reason for guaranteeing the rights of each city''s guild in Russia was no different. Resources were naturally unevenly distributed, leading to wealth and security resources flowing predominantly to major cities. As a result, the discontent in areas left out was growing. The fact that the guilds hadn''t turned into warlords like in South America or Africa was thanks to the so-called new Russian spirit of pan-vic nationalism and a strong Hunter force. Kang Mu-hyuk knew that severing that weak link could lead to the copse of the Russian Federation, and he was using this as leverage against Darden. While it might not spark a great revolution, it could certainly be a catalyst for one. Darden did not want to be that starting point. "What would happen if I announced that the Russian central government, instead of ensuring the safety of its regions, conspired using Moscow''s major guilds to take over divostok? With such a scenario, even the Kremlin wouldn''t be able to support you, even if you are an S-ranked guild." "Hey, who do you think you are bluffing in front of? Don''t you know how hollow nder without evidence sounds? Even if it were possible, do you have the guts to handle the aftermath?" Kang Mu-hyuk hit the nail on the head, but Darden, true to his Tier Guild status, was unshaken and retorted. "All 28 Hunters from the Tsar Guild, originating from Nazezhinsky, are dead. The cause of death: the Tyrant''s merciless ughter. Don''t bring the tragedy of 14 years ago back into Russian politics. And for your information, I can just go back to Korea." "This bastard......" "Also." "??" "Our Guild Master here could repay you the same way your brother did to the Tsar Guild. I saw the hotel guest list; you''ve brought quite a few Hunters, haven''t you? Can you handle that?" Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes were steady as he openly threatened, knowing Igor was in the Tyrant Guild. ''He''s doing this because he knows Igor isn''t here right now. Damn, if only Igor hadn''t touched Oopoomangbawoo, I wouldn''t have to meet this man.'' If divostok had simply fallen to Oopoomangbawoo, they could have pretended not to know, but since Igor leaked the poisonous energy right before they were about to seed, he gave them a reason to hold the Tyrant Guild ountable. Darden had foreseen this issue and had chosen not to participate in the raid after figuring out Makar''s intentions. "What do you want?" "We''re not asking for too much. Withdraw from divostok and draft an agreement that you won''t target this ce again, okay? Of course, you''ll need to pay reparations. Guild Master Anton, how much did you say that containment box was?" Anton suppressed augh internally, then turned serious and handed over the prepared invoice when Kang Mu-hyuk asked. Darden frowned as he received the invoice. "That''s the cost of a few Gates." "Isn''t that pocket change for Moscow''s top guild? Anyway, if our Guild Master gets involved, all the Hunters here would end up half-crippled. Don''t waste money on unnecessary medical expenses. Oh, by the way, Guild Master Anton, you''ve generously taken care of the Tsar Guild Hunters'' medical expenses too, right?" "I''ve even included the period they can''t go hunting." "Mr. Darden, you won''t get another chance like this. To settle the issue your brother caused with just a bit of money." Kang Mu-hyuk deliberately goaded Darden with conspicuous air. Darden, unlike at the beginning, now felt a powerful impulse to turn the tables. But he soon had to discard that option, knowing how Igor had dealt with the Tsar Guild Hunters. ''We didn''t bring the elite, but the area we have to cover in Moscow is substantial. We can''t afford to lose Hunters in vain here.'' Had hee to divostok to expand the guild''s influence, only to lose Hunters and diminish it? It was a reversal of roles. "Fine. I''ll dly pay." "Ah? And one more thing. Erect a memorial in Nazezhinsky." "What?!" "Don''t get excited. It''s not about confessing your sins. Erect it for all who were sacrificed there 14 years ago. Your family was among them, right? To honor them under the names of the Tsar Guild and the Tyrant Guild. For your information, Guild Master Anton has already agreed." Darden was boiling inside. ''Would Igor ept this?'' This thought came before the anger. In a way, erecting a memorial for the citizens of Nazezhinsky could be seen as humiliating for the Dudnik brothers. It could appear as a denial of their family''s vengeance. Yet, from another angle, erecting the memorial could be seen as a deration to forget the grudge from 14 years ago. It was as if Darden was giving up any justification for targeting divostok. ''That could induce a sense of selfcency.'' After some reflection, it seemed possible to persuade Igor with the pretext of signifying a huge memorial for his father and sister. "Alright, I ept that too. Anything else?" "None." "I hope we never meet again. I''ve never seen a Korean as detestable as you." "If you honor the agreement well like a Tier-ed Guild should, there won''t be a reason to meet again." Darden gritted his teeth as he watched Kang Mu-hyuk nonchntly conclude the negotiation. ''I''m backing down this time, but don''t think I''ve given up on this ce.'' "Guild Leader Anton, once you return, tidy up the mess the Tyrant Guild made this time, and as soon as the money is deposited, spread it right away." Inside the limousine returning to the Tsar Guild headquarters, Kang Mu-hyuk suddenly made the suggestion. Anton responded in surprise. "Wouldn''t that mean breaking the agreement from our side?" "How long do you think a man like Darden will keep the agreement? As soon as he''s out of this unfavorable situation, he''ll target divostok again." "But what about the Tyrant''s deed? We have leverage, would he move rashly?" "People are creatures of forgetfulness. If we announce it now, the divostok administration and the parliament will be furious, but as time passes, the effect will wear off. It''s unlikely Darden won''t take any precautions by then." Anton realized that this was indeed likely. He was well aware of Darden''s cunningness and persistence. Even if his brother was an S-ranker, in Moscow, known as the Dragon Pond-Tiger Den, he had grown the Tyrant Guild into a Tier-ed Guild in just ten years---a testament to his capabilities. However, the potential for retaliation from a sudden betrayal was daunting. Reading Anton''s concerns, Kang Mu-hyuk added, "The information will be spread among guilds that are hostile to the Tyrant Guild. I understand the Tyrant has made many enemies due to his rash ways. Russia doesn''t have just one S-ranker Tyrant, and there will be enough checks and bnces. Of course, without viting the agreement." "Not viting the agreement... Ah? I see." The agreement led by Kang Mu-hyuk seemed meticulous, but it specifically limited the confidentiality use to politics, the administration, the press, and the inte. Furthermore, there were many loopholes if the incident became known to hostile guilds. If it was imed that the intelligenceworks of the guilds targeting the Tyrant Guild had acted, how would one uncover the truth? The enemies of the Tyrant Guild also had the power equivalent to the Tier-ed Guild, which made such a n feasible. "They may suspect you, but for a while, you won''t have the leisure to worry about divostok. They''ll be busy fending off the attacks from other guilds. It would be even better if they just copse like that." "Do as our Guild Leader says, Guild Master Anton. In these matters, he''s someone you could say goes beyond an S-ranker. I bet even the erection of the memorial has a plot to it." Ju Se-ah, who was sitting opposite in the limousine, joined in the conversation, causing Kang Mu-hyuk to grimace. "What plot are you talking about now? It''s just a good thing to do." "So you''re saying you have no ulterior motive with the memorial?" "Well, no but..." When Anton sent an inquisitive look, Kang Mu-hyuk exined. "The first was that we needed a symbol to conclude the tragedy of Nazezhinsky. No onememorated their sacrifice, people forgot, and the victims could not. This memorial may notfort all the families of the victims, but it can be a starting point." "And the other reason?" "The second is a message to Darden. I''m not sure if he understood, but... it was a message." "A message?" "It means we no longer want to be associated with Nazezhinsky. Darden may be bad-tempered, but he''s smart. If he''s grasped the intent I''ve shown, he''ll probably think we consider this matter over and let his guard down, believing that he has enough time to reorganize his guild. By providing this room, we aimed to keep him from breaking the agreement immediately." Anton inwardly clicked his tongue. The negotiation table, which seemed to be an open fight revealing true intentions, was in fact a gambling table of deceit and concealment. Anton, realizing this just now, felt intimidated by Kang Mu-hyuk who seemed simple at first nce. ''Darn! Now that I think about it, he hasn''t shoved an invoice in my face yet, has he? The amount he might ask for is already horrifying. He seems to hold grudges... I better be generous to avoid harboring any resentment, right?'' He thought he would need to hit the calctor again once back at the guild. Awaiting Kang Mu-hyuk at the Tsar Guild was an unexpected figure. "Pavel Akinfeyev, former Guild Master of the Tsar Guild." "I summoned him." Anton, unaware of the tragedy in Nazezhinsky, had summoned the retired former Guild Master. He believed that the Pavel he knew would never sacrifice Nazezhinsky. However, the truth is always cruel, and he wanted to confirm it directly from the person involved. Anton had chosen Kang Mu-hyuk as the notary for this truth verification. "I''ve heard from Guild Master Anton. That this Oopoomangbawoo incident and the Tyrant''s attack originated from the tragedy in Nazezhinsky 14 years ago." The old man, with deep wrinkles on his face, searched for his cigarette as he began to speak. Kang Mu-hyuk examined the elderly man. The old man''s right leg was a prosthesis. Despite his estimated age in the documents being in his fifties, he looked old enough to be in his seventies. Noticing Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze, the old man said, "Are you wondering about my appearance? It''s because my mana circuit is broken. I lost my leg due to the Gate copse 14 years ago." "I heard that the Tsar Guild lured boss monsters and other creatures from the Gate to Nazezhinsky to protect divostok." "Guild Leader Kang, perhaps you could phrase that a bit..." "No need, Guild Master Anton. It''s also my fault for hiding the details of the tragedy back then." The old man looked distant, lost in thought, and then puffed on his lit cigarette. "To put it bluntly, we never chose which of the two cities, divostok or Nazezhinsky, would be sacrificed." "Are you saying the truth is different?" "Look at this guild now. Doesn''t something seem off?" "..." "I mean the members of this guild. There is no connecting generation between the current and the past members. It''s like a generation has been cut out with scissors. Why do you think that might be?" Kang Mu-hyuk instantly grasped the reason behind the old man''s question. "Was the guild annihted?" "The boss monster was powerful. The guild was decimated, and we failed to stop the boss. It wasn''t us who drove it away. It just headed towards the demonic realm. Originally, we should have pursued it towards Nazezhinsky, but half of the guild members were dead and the rest were severely injured, so we were unable to do anything." Kang Mu-hyuk could tell that the other party wasn''t lying. Putting the truth aside, theposition of the members of the Tsar Guild, representing divostok, was certainly unusual. It was starkly different from ordinary guilds for Hunters, who should be in their mid-career, to dominate the leadership. A rapid generational change must have taken ce. "If the guild''s strength has crumbled to that extent, I understand why you couldn''t attempt luring tactics or other operations. But why didn''t you disclose this situation to everyone?" The old man continued. "It was a time when everything had copsed and hope was needed. Saying that we had repelled the monsters with our own strength was more reassuring to the people than just saying the monsters had retreated. Besides, this ce is close to the demonic realm. The absence of the Tsar Guild, which protects divostok, would bring great chaos. We had to be the pir that supports this city. One that never wavers." The old man took out an obsolete copied CD from his pocket and handed it over. "This is part of the footage from the raid taken by a journalist after it ended. I snatched it from him. It''s notplete, but you can see the extent of the damage the Tsar Guild suffered." With those words, the old man left the guild. He declined Anton''s invitation to stay a few days, saying the memories of that time kept haunting him. Kang Mu-hyuk and Anton reviewed the video on the CD. The footage contained a truly horrific scene. The journalist who recorded the video was intoxicated with journalism, his voice filled with excitement to inform the world. However, the video ended with a much younger and fully able former Guild Master intervening. "In the end, it all stemmed from a misunderstanding." Antonughed bitterly. He couldn''t believe the cause of this grudge was so absurd. It felt utterly meaningless, wondering what all this blood had been shed for. Kang Mu-hyuk reaffirmed his resolution. "Indeed, all of this is because of the monsters. They all need to disappear so such tragediese to an end." When Kang Mu-hyuk visited Pyo Beom-hee in the hospital, he received another unexpected piece of news. "I think I''ve be an A+ ranker." Kang Mu-hyuk looked back at Ju Se-ah. "Her mana is definitely different from before. I''m not sure why exactly, but it might be because she surpassed her limits handling the Oopoomangbawoo''s poisonous energy. I''ve experienced it a few times myself, you see." Immediately after hearing Ju Se-ah''s confirmation, Kang Mu-hyuk added more tasks for when he returned to his country. ''I guess I''m gonna have to add a few more items to the invoice I''m submitting to the Federation.'' Chapter 109 - A strong-rooted tree does not sway in the wind Korean Hunters Association. "Oh my, you''re quite hasty. Did you rush here from the airport as soon as you returned to the country? I heard about it. You had a tough time in Russia. Good job." Han Byung-gu greeted Kang Mu-hyuk''s group and guided them to Alex. While walking through the hallway, Kang Mu-hyuk was puzzled to find out that the Federation''s guest staying at the association was Alex. "It seems Ms. A is not here." "She went back to the U.S. because of the trouble you threw her way." "Trouble?" "The traitor, I mean." "Are you talking about Kozlov?" "Since it was one of our own who messed up the Federation''s business, it''s quite a blow to their reputation. A was also very angry about it. Since the Round Table gave him this assignment, it''s embarrassing for them too." "That means... The Federation feels very sorry for us, right?" "That''s right. It''s quite embarrassing." "They feel so sorry they think they shouldpensate for something, right?" "Well, yes, but... what''s with that expression? You''re not thinking of getting even more out of them, are you?" Kang Mu-hyuk did not respond and entered the room where Alex was. "Mr. Kang, d you returned safely.... What is this?" As soon as he saw it, Alex inadvertently took the folded note Kang Mu-hyuk was holding out. "You know it already, don''t you? Thanks to the Federation, I had way too much of a hard time with this incident to just let go. I have a lot of work to do and I don''t think I''ll be able toe to Seoul for a while, so I thought I should give this to you in advance." Only then did Alex realize that the note was a sort of invoice. "Haha... As always, you''re meticulous with your calctions." "I wrote down about thirty things." "Thirty things... You say?" "That would feel like I was nitpicking too much, so I just condensed it into one thing." "You could have just said it out, There was no need to write it down on a note..." "Sometimes, writing is better than speaking. After all, you can prepare yourself mentally before reading." Suddenly, Alex felt that maybe thirty demands would have been better. ''I''m someone who''s even tackled a Red Gate. It''s the first time I''ve been scared to unfold a piece of paper.'' Alex carefully unfolded the note like defusing a bomb. "!!" Inside the note was a simple sentence in English, but Alex''s thoughts were not simple. "One unique item should roughlypensate for the hardships our guild members endured." "Uh, roughly... Haa, Guild Leader Kang. The artifact you''re requesting is of unique grade. No matter the hardships you suffered, this request is a bit too much." "The Federation''s guide betrayed us, and an S-rank Hunter attacked us. Amidst that, one of our members was taken prisoner. We were also caught in an insider terrorist attack by a cooperative guild, seeking revenge for past events, and we risked our lives to prevent the Oopoomangbawoo poisonous energy from spreading through the city. Ah, and we also shed with a Tier-ed Guild from Moscow. In that situation, even having ten lives wouldn''t have been enough. I''m telling you, this situation indeed qualifies as ''unique,'' Mr. Wilkinson." Alex''s mouth was sealed as if the cat got his tongue. As Kang Mu-hyuk had pointed out, it was clear that Alex himself would not have been able to resolve the situation. No, resolution was not the issue; even making it out alive would have been difficult. Let alone anything else, the Tyrant was truly dangerous. Fortunately, Alex had at least a minimal conscience, unlike many Hunters. The only thing he could say was: "This is not something I can decide on my own." That was all he could manage. Kang Mu-hyuk, anticipating this, had prepared his proposal in advance. "Please emphasize that it''s not a demand for the antidote but a request for its loan." "But it is a long-term loan. Even if they agree to lend it out, there would be much talk just about setting the period of the loan." "As far as I know, there is currently no owner of the Poison Well in the Federation because there is no Hunter with the poison trait, right? Though we''ve attached the condition of a long-term loan, we will immediately hand it over if a Hunter with poison traits joins the Federation." "I understand your conditions. However, letting a unique item make rounds outside the Federation raises the possibility of theft." "The user is an A+ ranker. Unless an S-ranker is the thief, it''s unlikely to be stolen under normal circumstances. Besides, the value of the Poison Well is rtively low for its grade, unless one is a Hunter who uses poison. Of course, the trait of poison itself is quite ''unique''." Alex felt that Kang Mu-hyuk had a lot of umted frustration against him. Otherwise, he wouldn''t keep emphasizing the word ''unique.'' ''So he''s telling me to ept this invoice while I can, huh? Jeez. This guy never lets go of a chance. Everything else about him is all good, but he''s too greedy when ites to this stuff.'' Kang Mu-hyuk continued, looking to drive the point home. "As you know, Alex, the utility of a unique artifact varies greatly depending on the user. The more it''s used, the more situations it''s adapted to, the more data is umted on its methods and scope of use. It''s more beneficial for the Federation to conduct research on Poison Well through our guild than to just lock it away in a vault. In fact, I found that it significantly expands tactical options when it is used in practice." "Given what you''ve said, I''ll put together a formal report for the Round Table. Lady A might be able to push it through as an agenda item." Alex dered his surrender. At the same time, he decided to pass this difficult decision up the chain. "Then please add one more thing to the report." "What might that be?" "Tell them that they haven''t repaid Korea''s debt from the Great War. If they want to gloss over this matter again, they might as well take off the Federation''s signboard." Alex''s face turned pale. ''How can I bring that up, Mr. Kang?!'' Faced with Kang Mu-hyuk''s resolute expression, all he could do was inwardly exim. After a long absence, Kang Mu-hyuk returned to the guild without showing any particr reaction. Instead, he spent his days more quietly than usual, busy as always. It seemed as though the fierce struggle in Russia had taken ce years ago. Most members didn''t even know that Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah had been to Russia, thanks to the secrecy required by their mission. Even the key members of the guild, Lee Jin-joo and Jang Deuk-goo, were still in the dark about what had happened in Russia. Kang Mu-hyuk had decided to exin things in personter, and it was likely rted to Ju Se-ah''s promotion to S-rank. He seemed reluctant to make Ju Se-ah''s rank upgrade public. "I''m having a bad feeling about this," Ju Se-ah muttered to herself. "What do you mean?" Jang Deuk-goo interjected. "Isn''t he too quiet? That workaholic. He is just wandering around like a retired Hunter nkly staring into nothing." "Isn''t he just checking preparations for the Hunter Vige opening on the 26th?" "Well, that''s obvious, but it feels like he left his soul in Russia." Ju Se-ah felt unnervingly uneasy. It was an unfamiliar sight. Or was it? His absent-minded demeanor somehow didn''t feel new. ''He was cunning as usual when driving the Federation people into a corner,'' she thought. She went to Pyo Beom-hee, who had worked with Kang Mu-hyuk the longest, hoping he might know something. But contrary to her expectations, Pyo Beom-hee was calm. "I''ve seen this a lot. Makes sense. You must not have seen him like this. After all, you didn''t see him during the Titan days." "What was he like during the Titan days?" "He was always tense, indifferent, and cold, except in one particr situation." "One situation? What kind?" "Whenever he had to make a decision." "A decision?" "Every time he has to make a very important decision, he just takes his time to think things through leisurely. At those times, he looks like he has a screw loose." Ju Se-ah cocked her head in confusion. An important decision? Then, what about the life-or-death decisions he had made in an instant up to now? What could be more important than those? ''Well, it must be different from decisions that have to be made in seconds on the brink of death, right?'' Suddenly, Ju Se-ah became curious about what decision Kang Mu-hyuk was about to make. "Team Leader Yeom, have you seen Guild Leader Kang?" After finding Yeom Soo-hyung, who was organizing the storeroom that had been sealed after the orc tribe raid, Ju Se-ah looked up to the sky. Yeom Soo-hyung, who was moving heavy and enormous boxes, was in the midst of using his Giant Skill. Working in a giant state was more a part of training than work efficiency. ''Maybe the one who was most affected by this trip to Russia wasn''t Team Leader Pyo, who became an A+ ranker, but Team Leader Yeom.'' Yeom Soo-hyung seemed to be taking action to return to the Hunter profession that he had unconsciously been avoiding. He was also preparing to reapply for his license soon. "He went to Storage C, saying he was going to check on something." Yeom Soo-hyung, who could nowmunicate without stuttering even in his first-stage transformation, pointed towards the shelter where the weapons team resided. "Thanks." Ju Se-ah was able to find Ahn Ji-Il, who had been practically living in the weapons storeroom. "Guild Leader Kang? I think he mentioned checking on Hunter''s Vige earlier." "Did he say anything specific to you?" "Nothing special. He just made sure that enough of the rental weapons were prepared." "So it wasn''t about Storage C then?" Muttering to herself, Ju Se-ah headed to the newly refurbished lodging area at the old Sanjeong Lake, which originally had motels, pensions, restaurants, and supermarkets. They had prepared arge amodation facility using extensive infrastructure renovation and container houses. "Wow, it''s even more amazing now that I see it again. Who knew that that haunted vige could look like this?" Ju Se-ah marveled as she looked around Hunter Vige anew. Even though it was merely a renovation of the existing infrastructure, the neatly arranged roads were impressive on a second look. The newly established stores were also a fresh sight. Restaurants that had been selected from Pocheon city applicants and several franchise businesses were busy preparing to wee customers. Looking at this street alone gave the feeling of having stumbled upon a famous food alley or a caf¨¦ street. ''I can''t believe that he pushed all the construction costs onto the government and businesses. Now that I think about it, didn''t those weapons store''s entering business bear the burden too? Using others'' money like one''s own sure is a superpower, I tell you.'' Moreover, most of the construction was entrusted to Pocheonpanies. The workers were primarily from Pocheon, and the restaurants that were set up also focused on Pocheon citizens, in line with the promise made when North Pocheon was chosen as the guild''s base to stimte the local economy. Hunter Vige was truly a result of a n faithful to the revitalization of the local economy. Ju Se-ah walked around the ce for a long time but couldn''t find any trace of Kang Mu-hyuk. "Where on earth could he be wandering off to? He''s not even a Hunter, yet he''s got great stamina." While Ju Se-ah was wandering around, Kang Mu-hyuk was lingering near a waterfall that had copsed during the orc tribe raid. The broken dam above the waterfall had been dismantled, and construction to consolidate the ground was underway behind it. Although the site for arge-scale Hunter Outlet was still far frompletion and thus deserted, it was a good ce to clear his thoughts without distractions. After nkly watching the construction site until sunset, Kang Mu-hyuk dusted himself off and stood up. "Alright. Shall we start with that then?" "Really? You want to do this?" "Yes. It''s our base, isn''t it?" Ju Se-ah scratched her head at the sudden n Kang Mu-hyuk brought up. ''I wondered what decision he was making... What on earth does this mean?'' Ju Se-ah mulled over Kang Mu-hyuk''s suggestion once more. "We''re here in North Pocheon. It''s a special operations zone. It''s a dangerous ce." "I know. That''s why I''m proposing we strengthen patrols with guild members, aren''t I?" "But on opening day, there will be many other Hunters here. You''re suggesting we invite the citizens of Pocheon into that chaos?" "People from Pocheon are already entering and living in Hunter''s Vige." "Those people are here to work and live on-site." "That''s why I''m saying we just open up for a few days, not turning anyone away whoes. We''ll charter buses to run between the checkpoint and the guild. With Hunters apanying as escorts, there won''t be any problems. And with the Hunters who will be entering along with them, it''ll be even better for safety." "Are you serious? What is this, a safari? Busesing in?" Ju Se-ah red up, and Kang Mu-hyuk became serious. "What''s with the sudden serious mood?" "After the incident in Russia, I realized we really needmunication. It''s our base of operations, after all. I believe it''s important to show the people of Pocheon how we work, how we live, and what kind of monsters we deal with. Wouldn''t that truly make us a local guild?" "Ah, the Nazezhinsky affair... Hmm, you''re right. It was all because they didn''tmunicate with each other, right?" "Yes. It was a tragedy born from misunderstandings that umted because people acted withoutmunication, only considering their own circumstances. I felt the same during the orc tribe incident. Had the war with the orcs not urred, we couldn''t have avoided responsibility for the breached fence either. And same goes for the criticism that would follow if someone was sacrificed. We could have been shaken up badly by the media. I want to prevent such situations in advance." "By inviting the citizens?" "We''re nting the belief that our guild is not just for Hunters, but a ce where citizens can also be together. So they can say "This is ''our guild''" as well. A strong-rooted tree does not sway in the wind." Chapter 110 - Part 2 Prologue "Huff---Huff--" A woman, running through a dense, wild jungle, clutched her pounding heart. It had been a long time since she had run to the point of gasping for breath, since bing a Hunter. ''That''s why I said we shouldn''t enter the demonic realm!'' She med the party member who urged them to go in. She shouldn''t have believed when that person assured them that it would be fine if they didn''t go too deep. She shouldn''t have been tempted by rumors of a party on the Yalu River defense line scoring a big catch. She regretted all her choices now. ''After surviving the winter defense war, I should''ve gone straight home. Phew, what''s the point of ming someone else? I was the fool for believing in it. There isn''t even anyone left to me anymore...'' All six members of her party who entered with her fell prey to mysterious assants. She was the only survivor. If monsters hadn''t luckily burst in just before her imminent death, she might have ended up buried in the damp swamps of the cursed forest herself. But the crisis wasn''t over yet. She couldn''t see them, but her sixth sense warned her that the pursuers were very close. She was about to be caught any moment. Then, an idea shed through her mind. ''Right! There was a swamp, wasn''t there?" Following the path, there was a long swampy river. She slid down the river bank slope, untied thesso for monsters from her waist, chose a solid spot at the edge of the swamp, and drove her dagger deep into the ground, tying the rope to the handle. "We''ve almost caught up to her! If we lose her, we''ll die!" As a desperate shout rang out from not too far away, she threw herself into the swamp. She tried to hide in the swamp, but, unfortunately, she sank too slowly. It seemed she wouldn''t be able to hide before the pursuers arrived. She mobilized all her mana and dived deeper like swimming. It was risky to go too deep as she might not be able to get out, but she didn''t have any time to hesitate because being caught meant immediate death. Fortunately, the pursuers only appeared after she had fully hidden herself. "Ha, that North Korean woman is lucky. It just had to be when we encountered the ''Three Horned Rhino''." "Looks like a scout dealer. She''s fast. Had we known, we would have brought someone with long-distance running skills." "Anyway, if we lose her, we''ll be in trouble. We gotta catch her. It''ll be a problem if this gets out." After catching their breath, the pursuers tightened their pursuit and quickly moved out of the area. Shortly after,rge bubbles surfaced in the nearby swamp. Coughing, the woman emerged from the swamp covered in sticky mud like a y doll. She wiped her eyes with much difficulty, pulled the rope, and crawled out of the swamp. As soon as she reached drynd, she copsed with relief, having escaped the pursuers. "I thought I was going to suffocate." After catching her breath briefly, she quickly stood up and turned in the opposite direction in which the pursuers had gone. Her pursuers would be on the original path she was headed for towards the Tumen River. She shuddered, remembering the party members who had been killed by the pursuers. ''I should go far around the Yalu River side to avoid them. Better to encounter monsters than those madmen. If I''m lucky, I might make it out alive.'' The woman took just the dagger she previously nted in the ground and left the area. Chapter 111 - Why is he trying to appoint someone new? "Ah, I can''t take it anymore, even if you kill me. Guild Leader Kang, this is a breach of contract. Grounds for leaving the guild. I''m not a mine detector!" Go Eul-ji suddenly burst into Kang Mu-hyuk''s office and flopped down on the floor. A shadow loomed over her head. When her eyes met the owner of that shadow, she got started, causing her to jump up. "Gasp! G-Guildmaster Ju. H-howe you''re here...?" "I should be asking you that. Why did youe here and not to me? Were you going toin to Guild Leader Kang?" Just then, Ju Se-ah, who was with Kang Mu-hyuk, quietly clenched her fist. Go Eul-ji quickly waved her hands in denial. "No, I just came to hang out, just to hang out... Could you please put down your fist first?" "Didn''t you say you were quitting?" "Ugh, just think of it as the whims of a teenage girl and let it slide. You know how bizarre that age can be? I''m not saying I won''t clear mines anymore, just that there''s nothing left to clear. I''ve removed them all. Like all of them." "Really? What if one explodester? You''re getting one punch for one mine that explodes, yeah?" "What is this? A center for bullies, why are you so-... definitely not sophisticated, I would never say that. Yeah, of course, I got all of them. You could never be unsophisticated, Guildmaster. You''re the epitome of intellect itself. Ha ha... No, please, I already told you, put away the fist." Go Eul-ji shook her head in dismay and backed away, casting a shield around herself, tenyers thick. Others might think it an overreaction, but she had a bitter experience of being hit hard by Ju Se-ah for insubordination in the past. The shield she had put up back then had shattered with just one hit, all too easily. It was a horrifying sight. If it had been a real fight, she would have been dead. Because of that memory, Go Eul-ji felt even tenyers were not enough. ''Something''s fishy. My shield isn''t that weak. Even for an A+ ranker, it shouldn''t break from just one hit.'' Watching the wary Go Eul-ji, Ju Se-ah smiled ndly. "Rx. People would think I''m abusing you. I don''t hit people without a reason." "That means, if there is a reason, you do hit people." "You?" "...Ma''am." "Seeing how your first thought is getting hit, that must mean you''ve done something wrong?" "..." Go Eul-ji was at a loss for words. She felt she had done something wrong, but didn''t exactly know what it was. Though she might seem tough having spent her adolescence hunting monsters instead of attending school, she was actually the granddaughter of the Chairman of the Korean Hunters Association, a key figure in Korea''s huntingmunity. Since she was naturally a figure supported and elevated by others, she was quite naive about the ways of the world. Ju Se-ah was the first person, besides her grandfather, to treat her so casually. Unustomed to such treatment,tely, she had be more sensitive. ''What did I do wrong? Was it because I brought up the contract breach? Or because I came toin to the Guild Leader? Or maybe it was because I offended her? Could it be because I secretly broke the leg of the chair in the Guild Master''s room?'' Over 10 reasons crossed her mind in just a second. Go Eul-ji tried to deflect, hiding her guilt. "Honestly, getting one person to remove all the mines in North Pocheon is likebor exploitation. I''m still a minor, you know. Even if you''re going to use me, there should be limits." "A Hunter, even a minor, is responsible for their actions. That was the excuse you gave your grandfather when you joined our guild." "That''s not the same as this. How else was I supposed to convince my grandfather?" "Don''t act only as it suits you. The moment you became a Hunter, you became a professional. When you join a guild, you can''t im to be a child anymore. And this isn''t work; it''s training." "This is training? You might as well tell me to catch a truckload of monsters." "Want to catch them?" "Yes, just assign me a hunting ground. I''ll go right away and--" "Hunting ground search, supply nning, securing equipment, byproduct disposal, hiring porters, writing post-hunt reports, etc. Can you do any of that alone?" "Well, that''s..." "Others have always done that for you, right? You just hunt. You still have a lot to learn. And as far as this training is concerned, I''m pretty sure Guild Leader Kang already promised youpensation for that." Go Eul-ji couldn''t argue back. Her grandfather always emphasized skill. Practical experience was a secondary element that could be acquiredter. In the end, all she could do was grumble. "They work me even on Christmas Eve during my vacation. That''s too much." "That''s why I sent you home early, to be with your family, Miss Runaway." "Was that really sending me home? I crawled back on my own." Feeling it was unfair, Go Eul-ji grumbled. She had confidently run away, never expecting to fall into a trap set by Guild Leader Kang whom she trusted. Suddenly being told to ept Ju Se-ah as her guardian, she was sent to find mines as a form of training. She was tasked with locating and removing all the mines in the areas swept by the water monster when the dam at Sanjeong Lake burst. ''If I knew this would happen, I wouldn''t have blown up the dam back then.'' Exhausted from endlessbor, and despite her grandfather noting to pick her up, she eventually went home on her own. "Go Eul-ji, good work. Take this and cool off." Watching them quietly, Kang Mu-hyuk soothed Go Eul-ji as he took an envelope out of the drawer and handed it to her. "What... what is this? Is it a bonus? Ah, but it''s too thin. You didn''t just put a measly fifty thousand won or so in here, did you? Could it be, one big bill? Should I get my hopes up? Teehee... Eek? Ahh, this is-!" Upon taking out the contents of the envelope, Go Eul-ji trembled as if she had been electrocuted. "It''s tickets to the concert of the group that you like. You failed to book it and begged team leader Pyo for them, didn''t you? They included one for your friend too, so have fun." "Th-the front row... Oh my God! I knew it. I trusted you, Kang Mu-hyuk!" "You think he''s your friend?" "I trusted you, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk!" "Since it''s tonight, enjoy the concert. We''ll see tomorrow." "Yes. I''ll enjoy tonight and tomorrow... Tomorrow? Tomorrow?" "Yes." "Tomorrow''s Christmas..." Go Eul-ji confirmed again. Kang Mu-hyuk asked with a puzzled look. "Do you have a family gathering? I checked, and Chairman Han Byung-gu had other ns." "My grandfather doesn''t even have Sundays off." "Oh, maybe a date then? Do you have a boyfriend?" "If I had a boyfriend, would I be digging on Christmas Eve? Are you picking a fight right now?" "Well, true, I kinda anticipated that." "Wait. You anticipated that? So, you think I can''t get a boyfriend? It''s not that I can''t, I just haven''t." "I don''t know much about your dating potential. But I meant no boys would approach you seeing the chairman." "Well, my grandpa doesn''t leave the best impression but... Hmm~ It seems like you meant something else?" As Go Eul-hi red suspiciously, Kang Mu-hyuk sheepishly avoided her gaze. "Anyway, it''s good you don''t have one. See you tomorrow." "Good I don''t have a boyfriend? Wait, before that, you can''t just skip over it so easily. It''s Christmas. Jesus''s birthday. A public holiday. Doesn''t anythinge to mind?" "Are you a Christian?" "No, I''m not religious." "Well, you won''t be going to church then. Get to work then." Go Eul-ji sighed deeply, after the conversation returned to square one. The Guild Leader was not someone you could reason with verbally, especially considering that he could even render her outspoken grandfather speechless. It was so bad that her grandfather didn''t even shit in the direction of North pocheon. ''Honestly, if he can exhaust even grandpa, can he even be considered human?'' She was afraid of the repercussions from Ju Se-ah and so hesitated to skip work. "Everyone is working through the end of the year. As a member of the Iron Will guild, you should be contributing too? Right?" "Yes, just... put down your fist when you''re talking. I get it." Persuaded (?) by Ju Se-ah''s words, Go Eul-ji dered her surrender. Then, a realization suddenly struck her. ''Wait. Wasn''t it Guild Leader Kang who assigned me next to the Guild Master? Damn, was I set up?'' Go Eul-ji then understood that she had fallen into Kang Mu-hyuk''s scheme. After Go Eul-ji left, Ju Se-ah resumed the interrupted conversation. "Let''s continue with what we were discussing. So, are we keeping the Russian matter confidential?" "Especially regarding your rank. I intend to limit the sharing of this information to the personnel dispatched to Russia and Hunters Jang Deuk-goo and Lee Jin-joo." "And not inform the government?" "If they find out, they''ll publicize it everywhere. It''s been a while since we had an S-ranker." Ju Se-ah nodded in agreement. "True, it would be a significant national matter, so they won''t just overlook it. But it''s a pity, right? With the influence of an S-ranker, we could negotiate countless concessions and benefits." "I share your feelings. But, the world doesn''t run on strength alone. The guild isn''t yet capable of handling you. There''s a risk of it falling apart under external pressure." Kang Mu-hyuk spent several days weighing the pros and cons of disclosing Ju Se-ah''s rank. The conclusion was to keep it hidden. Without sufficient support from the guild, an S-ranker would only serve as a reason for scrutiny. Aside from increased pressure from Japan and China, the perspective of domestic Tier-ed guilds towards Iron Will would also change. From a dark horse to a dangerouspetitor. They could terminate contracts rted to Rider Wolf and even block their market channels. ''Wolf shipments are not urgent yet, but once they start using underhanded methods, there''s no countermeasure. Once they''ve nned to do it, solving this will be difficult until they see blood spilling, and the aftermath even more so. Trying to handle each and every one will exhaust us before anything else.'' They could pressure the Hunter equipment suppliers, sweep up all the potions, or exclude frence entrants from North Pocheon from guild quests, effectively bullying them with no solution avable. "It used to feel like reaching S-rank would solve everything. Bing a Guild Master showed me the reality is entirely different." "People misunderstand that S-rank is a cure-all. After the Great War, once the national systems adjusted to the Gate territories, the limit of an S-ranker''s personal power was evident. Tyrant is one example." Before his brother Darden raised the Tyrant guild to a Tier-ed guild, Tyrant had been a wanderer. Had Darden not negotiated a pardon with the government, there would have been no ce in Russia for him. "S-rankers are human too. They need to eat and sleep. They need ordinary people''s help for basic needs. Unless they are robbers or terrorists, an S-rank''s influence is minimal beyond violence." "That violence is acknowledged because it protects people from monsters. The problem is the abundance of fools who don''t understand this." During the conversation, Ju Se-ah suddenly thought of something. "Speaking of Tyrant, about my rank. We might be cautious about telling others, but what about the Russian side?" "I talked with the Tsar Guild. They also think it''s better to cooperate with us, and they''ll stay silent upon our government''s request as well." "And the Tyrant Guild? Their Vice Guild Master. Tyrant''s brother is known for his foul temper. I bet he''s pretty angry at us" "Darden will also probably keep quiet." "Why? He''s clever enough to know revealing my rank could trouble us." "Tyrant being at a stalemate with a Hunter from the minor Hunter nation of Korea? That itself would show weakness. With the onset of attacks from hostile guilds aimed at the Tyrant Guild, they can''t afford to lose momentum." "Don''t tell me... you advised the Tsar Guild to let the other Russian guilds know about what Darden did in divostok so that-... ?" Ju Se-ah continued, now certain of Kang Mu-hyuk''s intentions. "That advice wasn''t just for the Tsar Guild. You intended to keep Darden too preupied to bother us, didn''t you?" "I also nned to direct Darden''s grudge primarily towards the Tsar Guild. Even if the source of the leak is discovered, the Tsar Guild will be implicated first. If any issues rted to the Tyrant Guild arise in Russia, the Tsar Guild will warn us first." "From the Tsar Guild''s perspective, the Tyrant Guild is amon enemy for both of us. They will inevitably have to rely on us, as we have an S-ranker, right?" "Maintaining our guild''s influence in divostok, which is close to the Korean Penins, will be useful in many ways going forward." Ju Se-ah shook her head, appalled by Kang Mu-hyuk''s boldness in treating the top guild in divostok merely as a useful tool. ''Suddenly, I feel sorry for Darden. And for the Tsar Guild too. In the end, they are the ones who will blow up. Maybe getting entangled with Guild Leader Kang was their greatest misfortune...'' Kang Mu-hyuk tidily resolved an issue that even Tier-ed guilds would approach cautiously and brought up a new problem. "Let''s settle the Russia issue like that. Now, there''s a tougher problem left." "Is there another problem? A hard one?" "Internal conflict." "...You''re talking about the Taesung Group, right?" "It''s almost six months since you promised Chairman Tae Jinsung." "But we already achieved results." "But the criteria for those results are ambiguous. The conditions were set vaguely from the beginning to ensure that you could never win." "That''s my fault. I was too overwhelmed at the time to think that far." Ju Se-ah awkwardly scratched her head. "Rather than regretting what we can''t change, we need to find a solution for the future. Before that, I need your help, basically your confirmation." "How can I help?" "Since I took over as a Guild Leader, actually even before I took over, there''s been one thing I haven''t understood about the guild." "What is it?" "Tae Jinsung, the chairman. Why is he trying to appoint a new sessor?" Chapter 112 - Hard Hit from the start Ju Se-ah couldn''t respond. Kang Mu-hyuk, noticing her hesitation, said, "It seems even you didn''t know." "I never even considered that matter. I pay no interest to anything beyond guild and hunting. I only learnt of this fact through you that my existence fueled the session dispute within the Taesung Group." Kang Mu-hyuk empathized with her situation. She was a woman whose life''s goal was hunting monsters. The reality of being a chaebol or a group''s chairman felt less real to her than a ck Gate opening in the middle of Seoul. Even if such opportunities came her way, she wouldn''t give them a second nce. He exined the current situation again, as if reviewing it, "Chairman Tae Jinsung had already chosen his eldest son, Tae Sucheol, as his sessor over 10 years ago. Although the formal session process had not started, it was a well-known fact in the businessmunity." "I was aware of that." "But one day, the chairman suddenly started pushing Tae Sucheol out. It was time to prepare for the session, but he stopped the process of transferring shares. Moreover, while he appointed him as vice-chairman, giving the impression that he was the representative of the group, ironically, he removed him from major business operations. Officially a vice-chairman, but in reality, it was a ceremonial position without any real power." "That was indeed strange. But what does that have to do with the guild? Of course, I''m still part of the group, so it''s notpletely unrted." "The timing coincidentally oveps with when you joined the Taesung Guild." Ju Se-ah knew this, but hearing it from Kang Mu-hyuk made it sound different, almost as if the offer to be the Guild Master of Taesung Guild by the Chairman was a bait to reel her in. Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Afterwards, the chairman didn''t stop at merely having you join Taesung Guild. He wanted to bring you into the mainpany, even going so far as wanting to change your surname to Tae and officially register you in the family registry." "I refused, though. I didn''t want to share the same surname as that man." Ju Se-ah recalled her biological father, a man who never showed his face even after her mother passed away. He had sent just an attendant to take her in after the funeral, her awakening as a Hunter being the only reason. The reason that she seemed useful despite everything. After achieving results in training, he helped her join the yer Guild. Only after she had made a mark in several raids and was recognized as a potential S-ranker, did they acknowledge her as the daughter of the Taesung family and introduce her to the world. ''After treating me as if I didn''t exist all that time... I really despise him.'' Ju Se-ah sneered. Pretending not to notice her hurt feelings, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Adding family rtions to the family register may seem merely ceremonial. But if it''s a chaebol''s family register, it''s a different story." "How so?" "As the Guild Master, you be an official candidate for the sessor of the Taesung Group. A very strong candidate for that." Ju Se-ah grimaced, shuddering as if the mere thought made her skin crawl. "I''m barely managing the guild as it is. If it weren''t for you, the guild might have been ruined by now. I''ve gotten a bit better, but that''s only when ites to the guild. I know nothing about running a business. Even the second son or the eldest daughter of the Taesung family might be a better choice." Ju Se-ah shrugged as if the idea was out of the question. Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head. "It''s not that simple. Effectively, Tae Suman, the second son and Tae Sooyoung the eldest daughter were pushed out by Tae Sucheol ten years ago. The chairman is a ruthless person. He does not put the losers back in the ring." "Still, they would be better off than I have been, living half my life as a Hunter." "We don''t know what''s inside the chairman''s mind, but something about you must have appealed to him as a sessor." "Doesn''t that sound too spective? Even if I had the qualities of a CEO, it''s hard to understand him suddenly discarding a perfectly capable and able eldest son." At Ju Se-ah''s point, Kang Mu-hyuk snapped his fingers. "Exactly. That''s the crux of it. There must have been some conflict that made the chairman look away from his other children. Discovering what that is and how to use it could be the key to your independence." "Representatives from each media outlet, please board the bus that corresponds to the ticket number you were given. We need to verify your identity, so do not sit in a seat other than the one assigned on your ticket." Following the guidance of Oh Jung-yeon, the assistant manager of the Iron Will Guild''smunications team, over a hundred people hurriedly gathered their belongings. They were participants in a 1-night 2-day Hunter Vige experience event taking ce just before the opening of North Pocheon. Since it was held during the Christmas holiday, there were numerousints. However,despite all that, as it was the day the hottest guild in South Korea opened its headquarters, no one opted out. But, of course, theints of the reporters who had to go on assignment couldn''t be helped. "Ah, seriously, why Guild Master Ju? Why? On a day like today, she should let us rest. It would have been better to open at the beginning of the year. The opening date is as peculiar as you are." Kim Dalpil, a seasoned reporter from the Korea Newspaper''s Hunter section, grumbled as he boarded the bus. "But why did they even ask us to bring cameras? In a special operations zone? Where mana prevents us from taking a single photo." "Do you know?" "Still, Mr. Kim, you have some connections with Guild Master Ju since her days in yer. You even got an exclusive interview about the local basest time. Haven''t you heard anything?" A fellow photojournalist prodded him, but Kim Dalpil, unusually, hadn''t received any tips from Ju Se-ah. Maybe he was more annoyed by that than having to work on a holiday. "I hate covering special operation zones anyway. The entry procedures are a hassle, and the articles depend entirely on your writing since there are no photos." "Foreign media get support with special equipment. We''re still far behind." "Advertising rates are different over there. The market for Hunter entertainment is nothing inparison. It''s so bad that there are paparazzi who only shoot famous Hunters. Those paparazzi are even former Hunters themselves. Tch! They should be hunting monsters, not doing this." Kim Dalpil clicked his tongue in frustration. He had been begging his superiors for gate photography equipment until he was blue in the face, but the cost was astronomical. Plus, they scolded him about where they would get the funds to handle the mana stones. ''Now that I think about it, how did Iron Will film that raid? It''s hard even for a C-ss guild to manage such equipment. Moreover, it seemed to have higher resolution than foreign equipment. Is it a new model I don''t know about?'' The public was always thirsty for Hunter issues. Amidst this, Iron Will''s video of the orc tribe raid was like rain in a drought. The strategy of sweeping away a monster army with water was bold, and the blitzkrieg led by Rider Wolf was as exhrating as any movie. It was unclear whether it was intentional, but thanks to that video, Iron Will rose from obscurity to prominence overnight. Just then, Oh Jung-yeon, who overheard their conversation on passing by, hurriedly called people to attention. "Sorry! Please, everyone, pay attention here! There''s something I forgot to mention! There''s a reason we asked you to bring your filming equipment! That''s because there are ''anti-mana zones'' installed in parts of Hunter Vige! Please be mindful of this and refer to the distributed instructions to film within those boundaries!" The journalists buzzed with reactions to Oh Jung-yeon''s announcement; it waspletely unexpected information. "An anti-mana zone? Really? Iron Will is setting up something that pricey?" "Has any guild in Korea ever installed an anti-mana zone? Isn''t that equipment imported from abroad?" "Only Tier-ed guilds have those." "And even Tier-ed guilds can''t operate it all the time. I heard the maintenance costs are astronomical." Curiosity reced the irritation of the officials who had been annoyed by the holiday coverage. People btedly began to realize that North pocheon was an unknown world to them. All they knew about North Pocheon was that it was a special operations area and the home base of the Iron Will Guild. They had neither seen nor heard what North pocheon looked like after it had secured its position through two massive war raids. The journalists, knowing the limits of a C-ss guild from long experience, naturally had no expectations. But now, given such a substantial topic from the start, their interest was piqued. ''Guild Master Ju really hit hard from the start. Is it her doing, or the Guild Leader''s? Either way, I''m suddenly looking forward to this.'' Kim Dalpil clenched hisptop bag, eager to start writing an article right away. Mr. Cho grumbled as he answered the phone, annoyed at being woken from a deep sleep. The unwee caller was Kang Mu-hyuk. "Guild Leader Kang, are you out of your mind? Do you know what time it is? You woke me up." -It''s 8. A perfectly reasonable time to be awake. "Sleeping in on a holiday is practically a national rule." -It''s 8 o''clock. And today isn''t a holiday; it''s the day before it. "Ah, shoot. It''s still the 24th? I thought I''d wake up on the 26th. I can''t even tell if it''s night or day with the curtains drawn. Sigh." -Have you been sleeping for two days? "Christmas is off-season for singles. I envy bears that hibernate. Even sleeping is a struggle." -Ah? Mr. Cho, you''re single too? "''Too?'' What''s that supposed to mean? Making me feel like shit. You''re single too. Tch!" -Enough about being single. Let''s talk about work. Could you look into the Taesung Group for me? "What? Taesung? Why?" Kang Mu-hyuk briefly exined the conversation he had with Ju Se-ah. After hearing everything, Mr. Cho responded nonchntly. "So, what you''re saying is, look into what happened between the chairman and the vice-chairman, the father and son." -And not just the apparent facts but also what happened behind the scenes. "Hmm, chaebol secrets are only interesting if they''re about secret births. Why else would they be fodder for dramas? A father and son fighting is hardly a story. It''s not thrilling, just dull." -So you think the same too. "What do you mean? About it being dull?" -That they fought. Didn''t you immediately think that Chairman Tae Jinsung and Vice Chairman Tae Sucheol had a fight after hearing about them? "If it wasn''t a fight while drunk, all human conflicts are essentially the same. Love, money, rtionships. If it''s a wealthy family, it''s usually about money or people. But why would someone with a secure position as the sessor take a stand against the chairman? Even to the point of being pushed out of the sessor position? That''s a bit weird." Mr. Cho, like a professional spy, pointed out sharply. Kang Mu-hyuk, too, had always been doubtful about this part and couldn''t easily answer. So, he had no choice but to fully entrust this to Mr. Cho. -With your sharp intuition, please take a thorough look and contact me. "Geez, giving me such a sticky situation at the end of the year. I shouldn''t have taken a job at Titan. I went in to avoid Seong Seon-jae and ended up being hooked by you." -It was my greatest fortune to have met you, Mr. Cho. "Easy for you to say." -You can start the investigation from when Guild Master Ju Se-ah joined yer. "That''s over 10 years ago, isn''t it? I''m not sure if there''ll be anything to find due to the time psed. I''ll give you an estimate after starting the work." Mr. Cho hung up the phone and checked the time. "8:10... Even the rich unwind on Christmas Eve. I''m awake now. How about I start by digging into the nightlife of the Taesung family''s eldest son?" Christmas evening. Despite the holiday nearing its end, the festive mood was still in full swing. The streets were overflowing with people. The economy, which had been stagnant for decades after the Great War, had been reviving in recent years. The world was just beginning to recover the vibrancy it had before the era of the Gates. During the year-end holiday season, Hunters, like everyone else, experienced an off-season. Unless there was an urgent Gate to tackle, they enjoyed wrapping up the year joyfully. Some Hunters, whose annual earnings were modest, targeted special operation zones that frencers had left, or sought guild or government-issued quests to fill their empty bank ounts, but most were on break. However, this year-end felt slightly different. Hunters, who typically would be enjoying leisure activities, were busy checking articles and videos appearing online. They paused their usual drinking sessions to share opinions about the news from Iron Will''s Hunter vige, in private settings, at work, and in group chats. "A special operations zone, really? Since when do special operations zones have restaurants and pensions? It''s practically a resort." "They also buy monster byproducts, right? They only take 10% as a fee, not even as tax. It won''t even be included in your ie." "As if? How can it not be counted? Won''t the guild report it for taxes?" "Special operation zones are tax-exempt. They are an exception even in the tax reporting obligations under the Guild Law." "Look at you, when did you studyw?" "Just look it up online. It''s all there. To give more context, previously when we operated in special operation zones, 30% was taken, right?" "And it was counted as ie too." "Right. Essentially it was double taxation, but since Hunters are ssified as high-ie earners, they taxed us directly." "So, it''s not like that anymore? Plus, there''s no need to go back and forth for byproduct disposal or supplies since everything can be handled in one stop at the Hunter vige. Sounds quite profitable, doesn''t it?" "Is it opening tomorrow?" "Should we pack up and go check it out?" "It''s by reservation. This time it''s fully booked, so I''ve signed up for the next avable slot." "Ah, I should have signed up earlier." While frence Hunters were focused on the Hunter vige and the fee-rted information, the guilds were also focused on the special operation zone itself. "Who knew they''d utilize special activity zones like that? The remaining ones are Mount Jirir and Kaema teau, right?" "And Sinan." "That''s over a thousand inds, though. Since we''d have to take a boat, that''s out of the question." "Most ces are connected by bridges now though." "It''s difficult to n the routes. It won''t even generate thebor costs. What do you think about making the special operations zone our local base?" "Move after we''ve just settled? That would make just maintaining the guild itself overwhelming." "Right, it''s a bit much, isn''t it? Setting up something like that is a strain for small guilds. Maybe it would be different for at least an A-rank one." "Why would an A-rank go there? They''re already living well." "Ha, it''s really a dilemma, isn''t it? It looks appealing, but when you really think about it, there''s nothing to gain. Still, you want it but you can''t have it since you''re afraid of going hungry." "I really want to crack open Kang Mu-hyuk''s head. The way he handled the orc tribe and created Hunter Vige is impressive." "I''ve heard rumors that it''s better not to get entangled with him. They say he''s a tough one." The opinions of the smaller guilds were generally simr. Staking the fate of a guild on making the special operation zone their base was considered madness. No matter how desperate, in this case, the consensus was that it was a matter of backing, or rather, ack thereof. In this way, during the year-end and New Year''s season, all eyes of the Hunters were on North Pocheon. And finally, December 26 dawned. Chapter 113 - Theyre C-rankers? North Pocheon Gate No.6. Of the seven gateways on the railroad fence separating the north and south sides of Pocheon, this is the gate with ess to Route 387, which led to Sangjeong Lake. Normally, it was so quiet that only spider webs and weeds thrived, but today was different. It was bustling with more people than it had since the time North Pocheon citizens had to evacuate south. At the risk of a bit of exaggeration, it was even livelier than when Sanjeong Lake was a popr tourist spot. "Wow! This is a special operations area? It looks like an entrance to an amusement park." Amidst the noisy crowd, frence Hunter Seo Suji looked around in surprise. Although she had visited this ce several times during her rookie years, back then, it was almost treated like an abandoned hunting ground. At best, it served as a ce for beginners to get a feel or at most for potential guild members to coordinate their movements during orientation. But today, the area around the Gate was overflowing with Hunters, not just that, but also a lot of civilians. Everyone was busy takingmemorative photos with the gate entrance as a backdrop. On both sides of the Gate, there were stalls for simple snacks and stands selling souvenirs. The shops were packed with a sea of people. What impressed Seo Suji the most here was a massive billboard towering behind the gate''s fence. "Wow, did the hunting industry go through a ceremony of capitalism as well?" "When has the Hunter scene not been driven by money?" "Mr. Taejin!" Seo Suji greeted the middle-aged man who had joined in the conversation. "Why are you sote?" "There was more traffic than I expected. It''s my first time seeing this much traffic in Pocheon." "That''s why I told you to be quick. Even if we can''t scout the ce, we should at least get here early and get a feel for the atmosphere." "We can''t even enter before it opens anyway. Get a feel for the atmosphere? Come on. It''s not like we''re allying with another party." "You''re always soid-back. What about Cheoljin?" "I don''t know. When I talked to himst night, he seemed to be running around a lot. Hunters don''t pass out from drinking either. Shouldn''t he be here by now?" "These people, seriously! Drinking before a hunt... Ah, let''s not even talk about it. If it weren''t for our connection at Gangbyeon Expressway, I would''ve switched to a different party a long time ago." Seo Suji recalled when this party was first formed. At that time, there were two other people besides the current members. One was part of a solid mid-tier guild, so unfortunately, we couldn''t be together, and the other was not a Hunter. ''Kang Muyhuk, the Team Leader. No, he''s a Guild Leader now, right? I wonder how he''s doing. Well, he''s probably doing better than me. He''s the hottest celebrity these days.'' Back then, even though he was the Strategy Team Leader of the A-rank guild Titan, she wasn''t envious of him even when she was down. Why? Because he wasn''t a Hunter. She believed there was a limit to how far a non-Hunter could rise in this field. She believed even his team leader position was the result of sheer luck. Surprised by the sudden gate outbreak, she quickly followed his orders, but inwardly, she felt humiliated to be a non-Hunter. ''That non-Hunter is now the biggest hotshot. Haha...'' After the Gangbyeon Expressway incident, Kang Mu-hyuk became the Guild Leader of the guild where Ju Se-ah was the Guild Master, and his guild seeded in even war-level raids, bing the hottest guild in South Korea recently. Seo Suji also took notice of Iron Will. Naturally, she became interested in the special area in North Pocheon, and since they were starting an unheard-of hunting ground service called "Hunter Vige," she couldn''t help bute and see. "Alright, it''s almost time for our reservation time. Let''s go catch the shuttle bus." "By the way, what would happen if I hadn''t made the reservation? You said you would do it but almost forgot. I registered just before the deadline, or we would have been sucking our thumbs. Lucky it wasn''t firste-first-serve but a lottery system." "Wait till you''re my age. You start forgetting things you never used to forget." "What is this? Like your vitamins that you forget to take?" The two chatted about different things that happened during the end-of-year break as they headed to the station. Fortunately, Lee Cheoljin also arrived on time. He was cing his luggage at the end of a line of suitcases in front of the bus. He waved when he saw Seo Suji and Yu Taejin. "Seriously, when are you ever early? Why are you onlying now?" "I was already here first. My luggage is up front." "Mine is there too." "Haha, am I thest one then? Sorry, sorry. But I made it just in time, didn''t I?" "I was thinking we could meet early and grab a meal... What is this smell? Ugh, you reek of alcohol. How much did you drink that you still reek of alcohol? Don''t tell me you''re nning to hunt while drunk? Even if you''re a Hunter, this is too much. Your liver must be rotting. Didn''t I tell you to restrain yourself before a hunt? Ah, you damn pain in the neck!" Seo Suji scolded as she hit Lee Cheoljin on the back, causing him to stiffen up. "Ouch! What kinda woman hits so hard?!" "Oh, you dare block it? Oh? You''re using skills now?" "You hit me for real. Just without using mana. You''d break a normal person''s spine. Don''t use the strength you use to draw a bow on me." "You got hit because you deserve it." "Yeah, yeah, did I drink because I wanted to? You know it''s the off-season at the end of the year. But this year, since I had to start activity right after Christmas, I had to cancel all my ns. That''s why I had to even drink ahead at the alumni meeting." "Look at you, Mr. Popr. Attending all those drinking ns?" "You know how important connections are in this field. You need to show your face to secure more hunting trips. Need to have one or two people ready in case someone in the party drops out." "How much more can you meet people? Going on aboutworking, huh? Just take care of the connections you already have. Before the damn party disbands." "Now, now. The married couple. Stop your spat and load the bags onto the bus. At this rate, they''ll leave without us." Yu Taejin intervened to stop the argument. Both shouted at him, not pleased with his remark. "Who are you calling a couple?!" "She''s not my type, bro." "You think you''re my type?" "Ouch! Hey, don''t pinch with the hand you use for the bowstring. Your grip is like a gori''s." "Gori? Want to see what it''s like to be torn apart by a gori, huh?" And the argument continued. Yu Taejin shook his head in disbelief and left them to take care of their luggage. As soon as the luggage was loaded, people crowded towards the bus doors. Iron Will guild staff stood in front of the buses shouting loudly. "We will check your ID and reservation. For civilians, please show your ID or driver''s license; for Hunters, just the Hunter''s license. Please have them ready for a smooth check-in." The boarding process was strict. Entry to North Pocheon was by reservation only. Reservations had to be made under real names, and if in a party, could be registered under the party leader''s name. Seo Suji and her group also lined up in the queue. Just then-- "What the-?" Someone cut in line by bumping shoulders with her. Seo Suji furrowed. Given the soreness in her shoulder from the contact, this person was clearly not a civilian. But then again, no one would dare cut in line in a ce full of Hunters. And a fellow Hunter cutting the line? That meant they were looking down on her. Seo Suji grabbed that person''s shoulder and held them around. A pretty but grimy face was revealed under the hood she wore. ''Huh? Looks like she hasn''t washed in days. Did shee back from hunting?'' The dirty appearance was enough to frown upon, but the smell was even worse. Seo Suji, hiding her shock, confronted the person. "Hey, get in the line." "S-Sorry, I was in a hurry." "Why are you speaking like-... Are you from the North?" "That''s... Anyway, sorry for cutting in line." The woman quickly ended the conversation and moved away. And she, Seo Suji, who had been angry, felt awkward and scratched the back of her head. "She just left? Makes me feel embarrassed for getting angry." "What a thing to see. Why is a North Korean here?" Watching the woman who spoke with a northern ent walk away, Yu Taejin tilted his head. Seo Suji nced at him and said, "Anyone could tell from a mile you''re old.What do you mean, a North Korean? We''ve been unified for a while now. You know that''s a discriminatory remark?" "It''s not discrimination; it''s just how the adults spoke when I was young." "If someone heard you, they''d think there''s a few decades of age difference between you and me." "When I was young, everyone referred to North Korea as North Korea. You are from the generation after Gates, so you wouldn''t know." Seo Suji agreed with Yu Taejin. Although there was only a small age difference between her, in her mid-twenties, and Yu Taejin, in histe thirties, they were indeed frompletely different generations. Yu Taejin, who was born towards the end of the Gate Wars and saw the copse of North Korea during his childhood, belonged to the generation that faintly remembered the times before the unification of the Korean penins. "But what about a Hunter from the North? What''s so surprising about that?" "Have you ever seen a Hunter from the old North Korea?" "Well, maybe a few times during the Yalu River defense battle?" "Not in the north. I mean down south." "Hmm... now that I think about it, I strangely don''t remember any. Why is that?" "Why? After the Great War, the North Korean Hunters rose up once. They got crushed then. Since then, they hardlye down south of Pyeongyang. Well, there aren''t many North Korean Hunters left, except for the newly awakened ones." "Ah? I heard about it in Hunter History ss during regr training. The ones from the north went over to China, right?" Lee Cheoljin chimed in, pretending to know, and Yu Taejin added, "The situation in Korea was a mess after the Great War, so a lot of people changed their nationality. It was not a big deal. But it was different for the North Koreans. It was almost like an asylum." "Why would they seek asylum? Our country is such a good ce to live." "They havemitted crimes, haven''t they? They tried to overthrow the government and failed, so they had to flee. Those who stayed have to live cautiously." "Is that still the case, even after all this time?" "Countries like ours, with a lot of historical ups and downs, are not forgiving of attempts to overthrow the regime. And back then, you''d wake up to find several countries had copsed, so it was a sensitive time. Once you''rebeled, it''s hard to shake it off. Naturally, the scrutiny was harsh, but more than anything, the government discriminated against North Korean Hunters. The skilled North Korean Hunters couldn''t take it since they were treated like potential criminals." "Ah, whatever. I barely passed the Hunter History ss. I really hateplicated stuff." "If you''re going to be a Hunter, at least stuff your head with this basic knowledge." Lee Cheoljin clicked his tongue. Seo Suji shuddered at the headache-inducing conversation and covered her ears. As their conversation continued, it was Seo Suji''s party''s turn. They checked their IDs and boarded the bus. Not long after, they felt the engine vibrations. It was a heavy rumble, different from ordinary buses. While civilians excitedly looked out the windows, the Hunters felt difort. "I tell you, these mana cartridge buses have terrible ride quality." "Is this the time toin about ride quality? We should be grateful to be riding a bus in a special operations zone. In Mount Jiri, we''d have to rely solely on our legs." "That''s why I hate special operations zones. You have to pack all your gear when you enter, and even if you score some loot, you have to carry it out on your back. I need to rank up and join a decent official raid team, where at least you have the luxury of hiring porters." Seo Suji turned her gaze out the bus window as Lee Cheoljin''s kept nagging. Traffic officers controlled the road filled with tourists. Soon, the gate opened and the bus entered the special operations zones. It felt as if they were heading into an unknown world. Seo Suji, who had been employed by the Green Gate Raid guild, felt a strange excitement simr to the first time she entered a gate. Not long after the bus picked up speed, she spotted something following close by. "A Monster!" Seo Suji''s bounced in her seat. It was called a ''Saw-Beak Ostrich.'' It was a bird-like monster resembling an ostrich, but it had a beak shaped like a saw de. It wasn''t difficult to handle, but it''s fast legs and saw-like beak were quite threatening. "Is it going to sh the bus? Shouldn''t we go out and deal with it?" Worried, Seo Suji got a reassuring pat on the shoulder from Yu Taejin, who then pointed behind the ostrich. "Look over there." His finger pointed towards a dense thicket. From between the bushes, two shadows emerged and quickly caught up to the Saw-Beak Ostrich. "Wolves...? Is someone riding them?" "Those must be the Iron Will''s Rider Wolves. They look more impressive than I thought." The civilians on the bus were eager to capture the scene on their smartphones, but unfortunately, devices did not work inside the special operations zones, it would only work due to the Anti-Mana Zone in the Hunters'' Vige. As they expressed their disappointment, one of the Rider Wolves leaped and mmed into the rear of the Saw-Beak Ostrich. The ostrich tumbled to the ground, and a Hunter''s sword shed atop the pursuing wolf. The ostrich''s head flew into the air as it tried to regain bnce. And that was that. It all happened in a sh. The ordinary passengers on the bus cheered in admiration, while the Hunters internally sighed. "Wow, wiped out in an instant..." "Is this what it feels like to have reality hit you? They didn''t even cut it with a mana sword. Just shed by the speed of the running Rider Wolf." "I don''t know its rank, but it''s clear that the Rider Wolves are awesome." The reactions of other Hunters were simr to Seo Suji''s party. After dealing with the monster, the Rider Wolves moved alongside the bus, waving coolly before gradually falling back. Then, another party of Rider Wolves ryed forward to escort the bus. "These people are supposed to be C-rankers? I''d believe it if you told me they were A-rankers." The perception among the Hunters that Iron Will was merely a C-rank guild was gradually fading in light of the Rider Wolves'' prowess. "Approval for the poison well''s rental has been granted. A made an effort for you. Director, you just need to send us the usage data of the poison well every month." "Thank you. I will start sending the data from the end of next month." After ending the call with Alex, Kang Mu-hyuk turned his head towards the window. He saw a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed sses and a hooked nose holding a teacup and looking out the window. "I''m sorry, Commissioner. It was difficult to postpone the call with the Alliance." "Not at all. Rtions with the Alliance are important not only for Iron Will but also for the government. You did the right thing to handle it immediately." Guild Cooperation Agency Commissioner Cha Giljoo, who usually talked by phone, was at the Iron Will guild headquarters today, as there was a serious matter at hand. Kang Mu-hyuk anticipated the reason for his visit. ''Is it about the Russia issue?'' He deliberately changed the subject. "I was actually nning to invite you, Commissioner. With the business model I proposed at our first meeting is finally taking shape, we haven''t had the chance until now. Since you''re here, why don''t you take a look around Hunters'' Vige?" "I''ll postpone that forter. I have to check on something more important." "A matter serious enough for you toe in person, huh... What is it?" "It''s about the progress report rted to divostok. There were some gaps there." "Really? Were there?" Kang Mu-hyuk looked puzzled, but Cha Giljoo didn''t let it go. "I''m talking about the part where Guild Master Ju Se-ah was attacked during smuggling. There''s a gap until you join up with her at the port." "Joining at the port and then moving by vehicle. What''s strange about that?" "We also have informants in Russia, not as good as before, but still. I know that two Hunters who were captured by the Tyrant Guild during the Oopoomangbawoo raid joined you. Tyrant Guild wouldn''t have just released them without a reason. It implies you must have negotiated with the Tyrant Guild between the time of the raid and the attack on Guild Master Ju Se-ah... But there''s no mention of that." Kang Muhyuk realized the point where Cha Giljoo''s suspicions had started. "It seems that the matter I requested you for has indeed sparked your curiosity, Commissioner. Considering that you even involved the National Intelligence Service to check on everything in divostok." "That matters about the Demonic Realm as well. We always keep an eye on it every year due to the northern defensive battles. But when you suddenly told me to pay attention to the Russian line, I naturally had to associate it with this incident in Russia." "As I''ve mentioned before, the reason I asked you to pay attention to the Demonic Realm is because of the Tyrant Guild. Our rtions with them have be strained because of this incident. I don''t know about Vice Guild Master Darden, but the Tyrant is quite emotional and unpredictable. If they were to cause trouble, it would most likely happen along the border areas adjacent to our country. I''m merely trying to prevent such a situation in advance." "That''s exactly the problem. Normally, I would have turned a blind eye, even if you didn''t say anything. Since we have benefited a lot, unless it was something that could harm the nation, I wouldn''t have delved into it." Kang Mu-hyuk understood the implications of Cha Giljoo''s words and his expression hardened. "You mean the situation is not normal." "Yes. Hunters from China and Russia are flocking to the Demonic Realm in unusuallyrge numbers this year. Whether this has something to do with the potential situation you mentioned, or if it''s just a coincidence, I intend to find out." Chapter 114 - Call Ju Se-ah! Men, in contrast to the excited atmosphere, loitered in front of the gate. They smacked their lips regretfully as they watched the bus enter the hunting grounds. "Shoot! We''re toote!" "This is bad. Who would''ve thought she''d go into North Pocheon. I thought we had her cornered with ''Butterfly'' (a tracking skill). We were too careless." "Butterfly isn''t foolproof. Anyway, that North Korean woman was smart. If you want to hide, this is the ce." "What should we do?" "What do you mean what do we do? We''re going to take her down and catch her." "They''re checking IDs here, right? Our Korean nationality has been revoked. Our Hunter''s licenses are from China. We can''t get in." "Damn, the higher-ups said to handle it within three days. Do you know what happened to the guys who lost her in the Demonic Realm?" "What happened in Sinuiju? We nearly had her and then she slipped right through our fingers. Brokers are cunning, gotta give them that. iming to protect their ''clients'' and all. They''re really just ''ck Merchants''. Anyway, if we don''t catch her here... Ugh, just the thought is horrifying." With that statement, the men felt a wave of anxiety. Their lives were luxurious due to their change of nationality from Korea to China, but they also faced significant responsibilities. Their loyalty to the guild and the Chinese government was always tested, and they faced ruthless punishment when failing toplete their tasks. In China, Korean-descent Hunters were treated little better than dogs kept well-fed only to be exploited. Even the guilds that supposedly treated them better were no different. Some Hunters regretted their choices, but there was nothing to be done about the spilled milk. Fear of repercussions prevented them from reiming their original nationality once they became Chinese Hunters. Their only remaining option was to do their best toplete the mission. "Should we jump over the fence?" "Forget it. I saw the Iron Will guys riding wolves around." "We can just get rid of them." "It''s not just one or two of them; you''ll get caught right away. Are you confident you can if you bump into Ju Se-ah? That woman can fold an ogre in half. I''d rather not get caught by the witch." "Damn, Ju Se-ah just had to make this her turf. What a headache." After much deliberation, the men had only one option. "Let''s go in. But we''re not sneaking around." "What else if we don''t sneak in?" "There''s a guy in Yongsan who''s great at forging stuff. He doesputer hacking too. Even the Ujungdo guys use him." "What about the tickets? It''s by reservation here. I heard it''s booked till January." "We''ll have to buy them. With money. It''s being traded on the Market." "Damn, it''s going to be expensive there. Do we have no other choice?" "Just keep an eye on the gate while the rest of us wait until we get the stuff. I''ll report back to the higher-ups." The men quickly scattered each to their roles after setting the n. Kang Mu-hyuk mulled over the conversation he had with Director Cha Gil-joo. ''Demonic Realm... These kinds of movements right after I warned them to watch the north? Now I understand why Director Cha is being sensitive.'' Even if Darden harbored hatred, direct disruptive actions on the Korean penins were limited due to inter-state rtions. If the Tyrant Guild was up to something, it could only happen in the Demonic Realm, adjacent to the border. The vast Demonic Realm region, epassing parts of Manchuria and the Russian border, was frequently visited by Hunters from the surrounding three countries. It wouldn''t be strange for the Tyrant to take out his frustrations on Korean Hunters in that area, recalling what he did to Nazezhinsky. Moreover, he could potentially drive powerful monsters towards the Korean border areas. Such tactics weremon around the world and clever enough to leave no evidence, making it difficult to me someone. Unless there was a Stage 3 alert, low-ranked Hunters were usually on the perimeter of the border, so there was a high chance of exponential increase in the initial damage. Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t ignore the possibility of such a scenario, hence his warning. Be wary of the Demonic Realm. ''If an S-rank acts out pettily, it''s not a prank but a disaster. If the Tyrant really moves, our Guild Master will have to stop him. Of course, if hees at us with guerri warfare, even that option of ours will be futile. More importantly, revealing that we have an S-ranker on our side would hurt us even more. Ultimately, everything would get messed up.'' Kang Mu-hyuk continued to ponder how to respond to the possibility of Tyrant Guild''s involvement, when he suddenly remembered Cha Gil-joo mentioning China. ''This is a headache. Did Russia cause China to respond, or was it the other way around?'' Russia and China were rivals contesting the Gate rights in the Far East. With the transformation of the northeastern three provinces into Demonic Realm and the blurring of national borders, bloody conflicts among Hunters weremon. Each time, the governments of the involved countries either issued statements ming each other or, led by the guilds, buried the fact that a conflict had even urred. As nations are staking their lives to reim the Demonic Realm, naturally, if one side made a move, the other followed regardless of the reason. All this time, Korea had stepped back from thepetition between these two countries. The shrimp barely managed to protect its back in a whale fight. However, the Oopoomangbawoo incident slightly changed the flow of events. "divostok is the Far Eastern base for Russian Hunters heading to the Demonic Realm. Having formed a cooperative rtionship with the Tsar Guild that controls it, we naturally have a route to enter the Demonic Realm, though we''re far from capable." That was why Kang Mu-hyuk was concerned about the Demonic Realm. Whether he wanted it or not, if something happened in the Demonic Realm, all rted forces would inevitably be sucked in like a ck hole. If Iron Will meddled carelessly, they could be instantly pulverized. Still, it couldn''t be ignored. ''Indeed, entering the Demonic Realm isn''t a matter of choice; it''s inevitable. The domestic Gate market is already saturated. At some point, the Korean Huntermunity will have to expand northward to continue growing. It was with this in mind that I reached out to Russia...'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s worries weren''t baseless. There were already groups preparing to enter the Demonic Realm. yer Guild. Their desire for Rider Wolves wasn''t just about Gate conquests. The quantity they wanted was excessively high for that alone. Kang Mu-hyuk predicted that yer''s ultimate destination would be the Demonic Realm. yer, aiming to be not just the best in Korea but the top in Asia and a world-ss guild, would naturally look northward. Since this coincided with the ns he had in mind during his time at Titan, he could figure out their intentions. And now, in charge of Iron Will, this thought was still valid. However, the approach to entering the Demonic Realm had changed from the original n. "We must wait for yer to move up." Not a solo entry, but an alliance. Or cooperation. Considering the vast area of the Demonic Realm, even a Tier-ed guild would feel the burden of tackling it alone. Plus, the conflicts with China and Russia had to be factored in. Ultimately, the strength and leadership to unify the Korean Huntermunity were needed. Regardless of whether he liked yer or not, no other guild in Korea currently wielded as much influence as they did. "Without sufficient information, I can''t make a decision." While the Korean Huntermunity''s intelligence about the Demonic Realm wascking, Kang Mu-hyuk had his own card to y. He picked up the phone and connected to a newly established line. "Secure the call." -Yes, Director. Where should I connect you? "Russia, divostok." After getting off the bus, Lee Sookyoung was indifferent to the admiring looks of other Hunters towards Hunters'' Vige. With her life in immediate danger, she had no leisure to tour hunting grounds or facilities. She had only one reason foring to this ce, where she had never stepped foot before. The old South Koreannd. Survival. ''They say Ju Se-ah the Hunter is here, so those bastards can''t act rashly.'' The past few days had been a continuous series of chilling moments. She had managed to shake off her pursuers in Demonic Realm, but it seemed they might have a tracking skill, as they had followed her right up to the Yalu River crossing. With no other choice, she hid in the crowded northern border city of Sinuiju. Sinuiju was infamous for its congestion, being close to the Demonic Realm and a border city adjacent to China, yet somehow her pursuers had managed to track her down like ghosts. She exhausted all her strength to shake them off, and realized it was difficult to continue eluding her pursuers. She thought it better to hide in a remote area, a ce they wouldn''t think to look for her. That was why she chose North Pocheon. As they were closing in on her, she heard about the opening of North Pocheon Hunters'' Vige, where Ju Se-ah was located. ''I''ve heard a lot about Comrade Ju Se-ah.'' Disaster, killer, witch. With such ominous nicknames, it was clear what her personality was like. Although it was rare to find a Hunter with a good-natured personality, Ju Se-ah was a Hunter nobody wanted to associate with. Wasn''t she the one even the yer Guild had given up on due to her cruelty and brutality? While she couldn''t ask such a fearsome Hunter for help, Lee Sookyoung thought that the pursuers would not dare to act rashly if she was near Ju Se-ah. She inquired about an illegal broker skilled in Hunter matters. From the broker, she managed to secure a ticket into the special operations zone of North Pocheon. She had to spend all the money she had saved during her five years as a frence monster Hunter, but it was worth it for her life. ''Even after five years of hunting monsters, to be penniless after buying a single entry ticket to a hunting ground... How pathetic of a situation am I in? I should have learned Seoul dialect earlier instead of wasting effort on Culture Language(Pyeongyang dialect). I can''t even hide my origin now. With this damn mooth(mouth) of mine, all I can do doing dailywork(frence) hunting. How would I save any money?'' After brieflymenting over her circumstances, Lee Sookyoung acted like an experienced Hunter who had roamed in the Demonic Realm for a long time, and proceeded with the n she had prepared. She decided to arrange for camping equipment first. There was no guarantee that the pursuers wouldn''t follow her here. If there was nowhere else to hide, it was better to hide within the hunting ground. ''I have to survive. Dying here would feel unjust. Wasn''t I at least an A-rank Hunter?'' Just as in Demonic Realm, Lee Sookyoung once again fortified her will to survive. From the entrance parking lot of Hunter Vige, Seo Suji couldn''t close her gaping mouth. "Wow, this ce is the proper deal!" She wasn''t the only one surprised. Although there were some differences, other people''s reactions were simr. It was indeed surprising because deep within the Special Operations Zone, where monsters roamed, there stood a vige. As soon as they entered the vige, the lineup of restaurants and cafes captivated the group. "People say you gotta see Mt. Geumgang after a meal. Let''s eat first." At Lee Cheoljin''s suggestion, Seo Suji quickly scanned the restaurant signs but couldn''t decide easily. "I can''t decide at all. What should we eat?" "Let''s have ribs. When you think of Pocheon, you think of Idong ribs." After much deliberation, they entered a rib restaurant. It was an odd time between breakfast and lunch, but the ce was already full. Most of the customers were Hunters. You didn''t have to identify them by their clothing or demeanor; the piles of ribs on each table were a giveaway. The meal, which started with 30 servings for three or four people, could not have been for the average person''s stomach. Lee Cheoljin immediately gged down a server as they sat down. "Auntie, 30 servings of ribs, please." "Why are you ordering so much from the start?" Seo Suji scolded him. Lee Cheoljin shook his head and retorted. "Isn''t it a Hunter''s rule to eat ten portions per person? You need that much to use any type of energy." "But it''s morning?" "It''s lunch now. We missed breakfast. We have to make up for the lost calories." Soon,rge trays of meat arrived at the table one after another. Lee Cheoljin began grilling the ribs with care. It didn''t take long for the three of them to go through 30 servings. The tables were unusuallyrgepared to typical restaurants. The grill in the middle was also quite wide, almost three times the size of those at ordinary barbecue ces. In the start, they thought about why it was so huge, but they realized its benefit as they cooked. "Maybe it''s because the grill is so big? We''re not interrupted while eating. I always got annoyed at restaurants because the cooking couldn''t keep up with the eating pace." "Definitely. Since a guild operates the ce, they seem to really understand Hunters." The group, moved by the meticulous attention to the small inconveniences Hunters felt in regr restaurants, quickly devoured the pile of ribs. They were also surprised again at the checkout. "Wow! They take cards here!" "Using a card inside the Special Operations Zone... That''s really amazing!" The surprises didn''t stop there. They continued as they picked where to stay. "All the pensions are full. If we knew this would happen, we would have booked rooms first before eating." "Let''s go to a motel then." "I don''t like motels." Several types of amodations were avable in the vige, with motels being the mostmon. However, with their remodeled interiors and services, these motels were closer to mini-hotels. But the problem with such nice amodations was: "A million won per night? For a motel room?" The lodging fees were also expensive. But for Hunters, such costs were not a problem. "That''s pretty cheap?" Outside, people may look down on frence Hunters, but a capable party could earn in one hunt what ordinary people wouldn''t dare dream of. The reason they always talked about money was because as much as they earned, they also spent a lot. From repairing and recing Hunter weapons to life-saving potions. Money seemed to drain out as if there were a hole in their bank ounts. Naturally, their sense of money was different from that of ordinary people. "This level of service at this price in the middle of a hunting ground? Maybe not outside, but here it''s a steal." Unlike typical motels, the amodations they chose hadrge windows, and after settling in, the group went out to explore Hunters'' Vige. Specifically, they wanted to check out the Hunter Community Center and the training curriculum promised to low-rank Hunters, which had been advertised by Iron Will. They were also interested in other content such as guild rental equipment and tax-free weapons shopping. All of these were things every frence Hunter craved. The more Lee Cheoljin toured Hunters'' Vige, the more he was impressed. "Bro, once you get a taste of this ce, who would want to go back to Mt. Jiri?" "That ce is far from Seoul, and the terrain isplicated, and really annoying. Inparison, this ce has more nds, making hunting easier. Still, I bet the more profitable monsters are likely over there." "But here, they don''t deduct taxes." Yu Taejin nodded at Lee Cheoljin''s remark. Although a 10%mission was deducted when handing over monster byproducts, it was much better than the 30% tax imposed elsewhere. Additionally, it was convenient that they didn''t have to go outside for byproduct processing, which reduced travel time. Using Hunters'' Vige as a camp meant no need for camping out. Just being able to rest adequately outside of hunting was heaven for Hunters. "Let''s finish looking around." Seo Suji, looking around here and there, eagerly led the group onward. A day after entering the special operations zone, Hunters began to move in earnest. No matter how many leisure activities Hunters'' Vige offered, they were here to hunt, after all. Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Hunters crowded into themunity center. This ce offered a variety of services, including the exchange of information among Hunters, maps of hunting grounds provided by Iron Will, real-time price changes of byproducts, and sales brokerage. Hunters who entered individually without a party used a matching program provided by the guild. The coordinators of Iron Will took into ount the Hunters'' ranks, positions, weapons, and hunting styles to form ideal party members. This system was distinct from the usual method where Hunters formed parties through a guild app''s bulletin board. Themunity center was set up in the main lobby of Iron Will Guild''s headquarters. Previously, it was a space for Iron Will members, but Kang Mu-hyuk had suddenly transformed the lobby and cafeteria into amunity center. The lobby, now bustling with Hunters, saw minor disputes arise as Hunters from various regions gathered together. Whenever such disputes urred, Iron Will members would intervene and give them a warning. "Causing trouble can lead to expulsion. Expelled Hunters will be banned from entry for one year." For frence Hunters, being unable to enter the special operations zone meant difficulty in joining parties. This warning was effective for frencers whocked a steady ie. However, Hunters are naturally defiant. It was jokingly said that the higher the rank, the worse their hearing. Despite the warnings, some Hunters tantly ignored them. "Did you say that to me?" A man, who seemed to be wearing muscles instead of armor, turned around. He had just been causing a scene at the reception desk. The member issuing the warning stepped back, startled by his gaze. ''Damn it, he''s definitely high-ranked. What''s a guy like him doing here?'' The man scoffed. "Even the receptionist here... You guys really can''t understand simple requests. Did I ask for too much? I just asked for Ju Se-ah to be called!" Hisst words, charged with mana, made nearby Hunters stagger. Several of Iron Will''s civilian staff even fainted. Hunters quickly caught the falling staff, preventing any serious injuries. That was when it happened. "Is Ju Se-ah your damn dog?! What makes you think you can just call her like that?!" A voice as thunderous as the man''s rang out through the center. Chapter 115 - My mouths on my fist Knock knock. Before the room owner could invite her in, Pyo Beom-hee opened the door and entered. "Guild Leader Kang." "Yes." "Are you busy? I need to talk." Kang Mu-hyuk rubbed his sore eyes and stretched his shoulders, which had been hunched over from long hours of work. "There''s never a free moment, so anytime is fine. What''s the matter?" "There are a few issues." Pyo Beom-hee, holding a tablet at her side, handed it over and sat on the desk. "Here''s a list of Hunters entering Hunter Vige who need to be paid special attention." After reading the document that appeared on the screen, Kang Mu-hyuk said with a troubled expression, "There are some A-rank Hunters here, even some well-known ones. Didn''t we agree not to grant entry to anyone above A-rank?" "It''s not just about A-rank. That list is just the noteworthy ones. A lot of non-affiliated Hunters took the ce of original reservations. Plus, I haven''t even sorted out today''s entrants yet." "That''s definitely a problem. How did so many get in?" "Individual reservations are fine, but the parties are the problem. The problem is with the policy of transferring authority when changing party members due to injuries or scheduling issues. Turns out our entry tickets are being traded online? Some are being traded by brokers." "As expected, the system for transferring entry rights is giving us trouble." Kang Mu-hyuk grimaced as the problems he suspected were indeed surfacing. Pyo Beom-hee widened her eyes at his nonchnt reaction. "Expected? What do you mean? You knew?" "Yes. We deliberately created this system." "What do you mean deliberately?" "We needed a criterion to filter people through." Confused by his cryptic response, Pyo Beom-hee demanded a more detailed exnation. Kang Mu-hyuk continuously touched the tablet, flipping through the screens as he spoke, "I''m currently conducting a risk assessment. But during Taeseong''s time, there was no base model, so we had to reset everything and start from scratch." "Risk assessment? Do we even have the personnel for that right now? No. More importantly, are we capable of it?" It wasn''t unreasonable for Pyo Beom-hee to be surprised. The task Kang Mu-hyuk was undertaking was no simple feat. Usually, this was an area handled byrge A-rank guilds or well-established mid-tier guilds who were expanding their scope. It involved examining factors that could pose risks to the guild, such as activities of other guilds, high-ranking Hunters, Gate raids, monster hunting, government policies, and public opinion trends. The goal was to diagnose elements like hunting, management, disputes, and supply crises, then predict future events and prepare response strategies. The problem was that this task required substantial manpower and cost. Given the industry''s high variability, even well-modeled scenarios often went awry, butrge guilds could manage that within a margin of error and thus deemed it essential. "We''re struggling because we don''t have the resources for ''full modeling''. That''s why we need criteria to filter out the risks." "Ah? So, these people are a ''Minimum viable sample'', right?" "Yes. Initially, we wanted to identify guilds interested in ours first. The fact that they''d go through loopholes to gain entry means they pose either a threat or potential for cooperation with Iron Will. It''s easier to manage if we deliberately create a gap for them to enter, rather than being blindsided by an uncontroble situation." Pyo Beom-hee was astounded. "Huh? Seriously, you''re something else, taking on such a maddening task alone. You could just expand the guild and then proceed. South Korea''s always the best at making things harder for itself, isn''t it?" "With Guild Master ranking up, we couldn''t dy any longer. We couldn''t be sure how long we could keep the S-ranker''s existence under wraps. We had to prepare in advance." Iron Will was an unusual case, not just in Korea but globally. The guild''s capacity was at C-rank, but the scale of operations, excluding Gate activities, was close to B-rank. Considering the potential of the Rider Wolves, A-rank wasn''t a far call. The guild''s reputation, too, wasparable to the yer Guild among the general public, thanks to image-building through the Rider Wolves and the Orc War Raids. Ju Se-ah''s poprity also yed a significant role. Now that they had an S-rank Hunter, their force wasparable to Tier guilds. Of course, the average skills of Hunters in the guild, excluding Ju Se-ah,gged behind other guilds, which was an issue. ''We''ve grown faster than I expected. Right now, we''re a top-heavy guild. Wobbling at every step. It isn''t exactly a pleasant experience.'' While the ordinary members were inted with dreams of sess, Kang Mu-hyuk saw clearly just how precarious their tightrope walk was. If the enemy forces ever target Iron Will''s weaknesses, we couldpletely crumble. Kang Mu-hyuk''s words made Pyo Beom-hee realize she couldn''t discuss the risk assessment any further. She knew too well from her time at Titan Guild how sensitive everyone became during risk assessment week---it was unthinkable for one person to handle it alone. ''It looks like our guild''s problem is theck of people to share the load. Ah, I wonder what all my former colleagues are doing now. Still testing the waters because they''re scared of Titan? No, maybe they''re sick of this industry... After what they went through at Titan'' Pyo Beom-hee recalled her former colleagues who had been ousted from Titan. When she joined Iron Will, Kang Mu-hyuk had sent offers to all of them, but only four, including herself, had joined. If the rest had joined, they would have been a formidable force for Kang Mu-hyuk. One particrly talented but annoying former colleague came to mind, ''Hyun Junggeon, that guy may have been nonsensical, but he was definitely skilled. Where the heck is he now? I can''t reach him at all.'' As Pyo Beom-hee sighed in frustration, Kang Mu-hyuk asked, "You mentioned a few issues?" "Ah, right. There are some grievances from our members, particrly about patrol duties. This ce is too vast for our current numbers to manage, especially with the number of visitors." "That''ll be solved soon. Once Hunters start hunting regrly, the need for routine monster clearing will decrease. We''re also considering more Hunter recruitment. For now, please ask themunications team to handle it." "You think they can handle it just with you saying handle it? They''re barely holding out. Lately, I can''t tell if I''m a babysitter or a Hunter, with all theining." "I''ll resolve it as quickly as I can, so please tackle themunications team." "So I can tackle them to the floor?" "Not tackle them to the floor. I mean, deal with them." "Lighten up, I was just joking. Anyway, I''m off to work." "I know it wasn''t a joke." As Pyo Beom-hee picked up her tablet and turned to leave, Kang Mu-hyuk called out again, "I want to emphasize once more, we can''t operate like we did at Titan!" "I''ll try." "Don''t just try..." Before Kang Mu-hyuk could finish his sentence, Pyo Beom-hee had closed the door and left. He dismissed any worries about her; despite her joking manner, she was not one to ignore work instructions. Suddenly, Pyo Beom-hee remembered the list she had shown. It bothered her that not all the names on the list had been checked. ''The fact that I couldn''t take a look at it is bothering me.'' Regrettably, Kang Mu-hyuk was overwhelmed with work. There simply wasn''t enough time to physically check each person and handle things immediately. The other staff members were in the same situation. Everyone was swamped with work. Moreover, assessing the risk levels based on the guild''s interests or Hunters'' tendencies wasn''t a task that could be delegated to just anyone. Without a seasoned analyst who had long experience in the industry, it was difficult to produce a reliable report. Given Iron Will''s rapid growth, theck of skilled personnel made it an impossible task. ''I can only hope this passes quietly. Well, I''ve prepared some safety measures, so it should be fine.'' Contrary to his thoughts, a foreboding feeling lingered. "I said, call Ju Se-ah!" Pyo Beom-hee frowned at the ''mana howling'' she heard as she was leaving the building. She turned towards themunity center. In the center''s lobby, a man standing arrogantly, despite causing inconvenience, was intimidating the members. Veins throbbed on Pyo Beom-hee''s forehead. "Is Ju Se-ah your damn dog?! What makes you think you can just call her like that?!" The man tilted his head at Pyo Beom-hee''s sharp voice. ''Huh? She''s not an easy one, huh?'' Despite being exposed to the mana howling and remaining unscathed, the man immediately questioned her identity. "Who are you?" "Who are you?" "Don''t you know me?" "That''s why I''m asking. Introduce yourself first when youe to someone else''s base." "Park Beomil." The name stirred murmurs among the crowd. "Park Beomil? The tiger of the White Tiger Guild?" "Why is the brawler here? Isn''t he an A+ ranker?" "He''s looking for Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Did hee to pick a fight?" Even without others informing her, Pyo Beom-hee knew who this famous man was. He was the leader of the first expedition party of the White Tiger Guild, another Tier-ed guild like yer. Known as a martial arts tank, he was famous for seeking out and challenging strong Hunters wherever they might be. While his name alone could make most Hunters tremble, to Pyo Beom-hee, he was hardly a surprising opponent. ''I''ve even fought the Tyrant, what''s new about this?'' She might have felt tense in the past, but having dealt with the Tyrant before and ranking up to A+, facing Park Beomil didn''t stir any feelings in me. Park Beomil asked again. "So, you are?" "Iron Will Guild''s Communications Team Leader, Pyo Beom-hee." "Commu-what team?" "It''s simr to other guilds'' management teams." "Ackey, then?" "Careful with your tongue. Ackey? We''re not a thuggish team like yours." Park Beomil red at her disbelievingly. "Hey, thugs? That mouth of yours? Jeez. Really, how dare youpare a Tier guild to a C-rankckey? Ridiculous." "Of course, that would be rude. How can youpare a strong idiot to an elegant intellectual like me?" "Oi, just coz you have a mouth doesn''t mean you''re qualified to talk." "If you''re going to call someone, do it properly. What''s ''oi'', huh? Little punk!" "What? Punk?" As Pyo Beom-hee retorted without backing down, Park Beomil, known to be tiger-faced, looked even more fierce. He wasn''t dealing with an ignorant civilian. Even as a member of a C-rank guild, she was still a Hunter. She knew very well what the White Tiger Guild was like. Yet her stubborn attitude really irritated him. "Ah, I tried to be nice about this." "Oh yeah? I think you should listen to me and be obedient while I''m being nice." "Obedient? As if?!" The moment Park Beomil clenched his fist. Crack! Pyo Beom-hee''s hand struck faster. Park Beomil blocked her fist with his palm right in front of his face. He bared his teeth and growled. "So much for being from the Communications Team, you use your hands better than your mouth." "My mouth''s on my fist." Park Beomil scoffed. "Is that why it''s so light? It just tickles." "I use something else better than my fist. But that one''s pretty heavy, you know?" "What?" Suddenly, Park Beomil''s body crumpled as if hit by a dump truck and he was flung through the lobby window to the outside. The Hunters, holding their breath during the confrontation, were confused by the sudden turn of events. Pyo Beom-hee turned to look at the protagonist who caused themotion. "Good morning." "Eulji, you''rete today." "I haven''t been caught yet. Just pretend you didn''t see me, Team Leader." "Be thankful the Guild Master isn''t here because of an external schedule." "I knew. That''s why I camete." Pyo Beom-hee chuckled sardonically at the guild''s youngest rising star. His demeanor, scared of Ju Se-ah yet nonchntly taking her chances, reminded her of a high school student trying to skip night study sessions. ''Is she bold or just dense?'' Go Eulji pointed out the broken window and said, "But who is that guy making a racket from this morning? It''s annoying enough having toe in during vacation, let alone deal with this noise." "You hit someone without even knowing who they were?" "You told me to hit him." "When did I?" "Like this, with a chin gesture." "I just said to grab him. I didn''t say to hit him." "I didn''t hit him. I threw him." "Same difference." At that moment, the thrown Park Beomil burst in through the broken window, seething with rage. "These people, throwing someone around and then just chatting away?" His body was transforming. His muscles swelled even thicker, and his hair grew longer. His canines jutted out over his lips, and his round pupils elongated horizontally. This was the ''therianthropy,'' a trait of Park Beomil, the representative Hunter of the White Tiger Guild. "I hate dealing with shapeshifters; they have high resistance. Wonder if the poison will work?" "Ah, right. The broken window. Am I going to get in trouble for this? What if they deduct it from my sry?" A dark energy swirled around Pyo Beom-hee. Simultaneously, Go Eulji''s hand reached toward Park Beomil. Both parties were ready to fight when a shadow loomed behind Park Beomil. Noticing it, Park Beomil turned to strike first, but the shadow struck with a de first. A cold de tip touched Park Beomil''s jaw, and a warning was issued. "Hunter Park Beomil. By behaving like this here, you''re putting us and yourself in a tough spot." "Jang Deok-goo..." "Still following our Guild Master around? Sorry, but clingy men aren''t her type." Jang Deok-goo taunted him, and Park Beomil gritted his teeth. "You annoyed me back in yer, too. Are you blocking me here as well?" "Leave while I''m asking nicely. Don''t want to see blood in my new house." "I''ll give you a lesson someday too." Despite hisbative words, Park Beomil reverted to his original form. ''These two women seem capable enough, and with Jang Deok-goo on top? 3 against 1 is too much.'' Though he often appeared reckless, Park Beomil, as a member of a Tier guild expedition, was prudent in battle. He recognized his disadvantage and retreated. What he sought was a duel, not a brawl, and he didn''t want to waste his strength before even meeting Ju Se-ah. The Hunters were surprised to see him back down. This was Park Beomil. Known as a brawler, it was unheard of for him to retreat without a fight. Park Beomil was annoyed by the Hunters'' stares. Both the process and oue had damaged his pride. He felt grossly misunderstood. "Damn! These people don''t know who Jang Deok-goo is." Park Beomil knew Jang Deok-goo well. The viin among viins. An enforcer ruthless enough to be called a demon among criminals. He had operated in the shadows for longer than in the light, and while not well-known among average Hunters, high-ranked Hunters knew him as the ''Weapon Master.'' There was no weapon he couldn''t handle, and he mastered them all to the extreme. The sheer variety of weapons he could wield made fighting himplicated; hisbat style changed depending on the weapon he chose. Park Beomil didn''t think he would lose to him but couldn''t guarantee victory either. A definite fact was that a life-risking confrontation was inevitable, and he anticipated it would most likely end in a draw. To avoid showing that he felt outmatched, Park Beomil spoke up. "I didn''te here to cause a disturbance. I just want to settle the score that couldn''t be settled back in yer times." "Settle what score? We''ve never even fought." "Wasn''t it always you and Sung Seon-jae stopping me?" "You were quiet for a while; got the itch to fight again? Keep it in check. You''re already on thin ice here." "Why? Afraid your Guild Master will be embarrassed?" For a moment, Jang Deok-goo felt the urge to just throw Park Beomil at Ju Se-ah. Maybe then he''d learn his lesson after tasting an S-rank punch. ''But I can''t let them fight. If they do, no matter how much we try to hide it, the fighter will feel something''s different.'' That would make it impossible to keep Ju Se-ah''s S-rank status hidden. He couldn''t wreck the chief''s ns just to teach one arrogant Hunter a lesson. Kang Mu-hyuk putting him on patrol must have meant he was supposed to quell such disturbances. "Your time wille, but not now. Back off before we have to kick you out." "Fair enough. Today''s not my day, it seems." Park Beomil withdrewpliantly, and Jang Deok-goo watched him go, puzzled by his uncharacteristically submissive behavior. As Park Beomil left themunity center, Pyo Beom-hee stepped in to manage the situation. "Alright, show''s over. Everyone back to work." She instructed a staff member to call the facilities team to repair the broken window. Jang Deok-goo nodded at Pyo Beom-hee and then turned away. Pyo Beom-hee nodded back lightly and pulled out her tablet. Busy as she was, she hadn''t been able to check all the individuals of interest. She hadn''t even managed to filter out the entrants for the day. But now that she had identified Park Beomil, she felt he shouldn''t just be overlooked. As Pyo Beom-hee focused on her tablet, Go Eulji approached her with a question. "But who is that old man? I think I saw him next to the Guild Masterst time." "I don''t know exactly either. From what I heard from Guild Leader Kang, he''s like the Guild Master''s mentor or guardian or something simr." "Mentor? No wonder. He looked intimidating." "Ah? I heard he also knows your maternal grandfather. Haven''t you seen him before?" "I don''t pay much attention to association affairs. Would a few of the grandpas who taught me know him?" "Grandpas?" "Yes, friends of my maternal grandfather." While not taking her eyes off the tablet, Pyo Beom-hee sighed when she came across some familiar names. "Shoot. These guys should have been listed at the front. What were they thinking putting them at the back?" It was her fault too for not checking everything, but she had assumed that things would be organized by priority, as they were back in her Titan days. This detail connected with the difficulties Kang Mu-hyuk was facing. Realizing the guild''s oversight, Pyo Beom-hee decided it was necessary to handle it, at least to prevent problems. But it was difficult alone. She needed someone to assist. "Someone with mobility and good at overpowering. I''m too busy with other things to move around. Maybe Captain Lee Jin-joo or Hunter Noh Song-rin... No, they''d be busy too. Then, who should I entrust it to... Ah!" Just then, the right person came to mind. "Eulji, you''re not busy right now, are you?" "I have training. If I skip, the Guild Master will kill me." "The Guild Master isn''t here right now." "Oh? Now that you mention it, that''s right." "Just help me with one thing." "One thing? I don''t really want to skip training to work." "I see. The unpublished B cuts of the BTA photo album." "What can I help you with?" At themunity center en route to Hunter Vige. A Hunter loitering there followed Park Beomil. "Taeseob? I told you to wait at the room. Why are you out here?" "How did it go, party leader?" "Can''t you see I made it here fine? They really won''t let me fight her." "That''s to be expected. Even if they are a guild without a background, they wouldn''t expose their Guild Master that easily." "Even so, I had some hopesing here. Seong Seon-jae is so rigid. Nothing gets through to him at all. I thought there''d be no one to stop me here, but there''s even worse people here." "Worse?" "Yeah, a really nasty one." As a member of Park Beomil''s party, Go Taeseob sighed deeply and spoke cautiously, "You''ve tended to your personal matters, now you need to deal with the official ones." "I know. I haven''t forgotten." "You know we don''t have much time, right?" "Once we enter here, aren''t we guaranteed a week?" "But you caused a problem, didn''t you? We might receive an eviction notice soon. We need to finish our business before that happens." As Go Taeseob reprimanded him, Park Beomil frowned. "Damn it. To kick around high-level talent like me. I don''t understand what those higher-ups are thinking." "You are one of those higher-ups." "My higher-ups. Tsk! Can''t even fight the witch. Staying here will only add to my stress. What about the information we followed up on?" "It''s been confirmed." "Only now? And it''s not handled yet?" "We''re looking for the right opportunity. There are too many eyes around here." "Tsk! So damn slow. There''s no one reliable among those guys. If they weren''t clients, I''d flip them over in a heartbeat." "This is Guild Master Ju Se-ah''s territory. Except for you, every Hunter has to behave." "Damn it, I''d rather die than stress out over it. Let''s go. If we rely on others, it will take forever. We''ll have to do it ourselves." Chapter 116 - Please save me Before heading out on a hunt, Seo Suji and her party visited the Hunter vige''s shopping district to restock their supplies. Each store was merely a modr building with factory-made containers, but they were finished with modern exterior materials giving a sophisticated impression. The businesses that opened there were mostly medium and small enterprises. They took advantage of the opportunity presented by the temporary restriction onrge corporations entering the area until thepletion of the shopping mall at the site of the old dried up Sanjeong Lake, byunching proactive marketing campaigns. They also meticulously decorated the interiors to appeal to young Hunters and thoroughly trained their store staff. Massive discount events were a bonus. Perhaps it was thanks to providing a shopping space as pleasant as famous outlets, the Hunter vige''s shopping district was bustling with Hunters from the first day of opening. "Are they really selling it this cheap? Wow~ Even though it''s a grand opening event... Isn''t this almost a giveaway? Should I take out a loan to fill my backpack with these?" Although the price set for the dagger, which might not be recoverable if thrown, could be seen as expensive by the standards of ordinary people, for Hunters, even if it was disposable, it wouldn''t be too much even for 100 million won if it could save their lives. Lee Cheoljin caught Seo Suji, whose eyes were sparkling at the equipment. "Hey, our budget right now is..." "Oh my, f*ck. A Grade 3 Stamina Booster at this price? I have to buy this!" Ignoring Lee Cheoljin''s dissuasion, Seo Suji dashed into the potion shop. Lee Cheoljin sighed into the air. "Right. As if you have ever listened to me. Do whatever you want. All we''ll have left is debt." "Don''t act like that. These seem like pretty good items, and it might be good to pick up a few. And the prices are great too." Yu Taejin burst intoughter and patted Lee Cheoljin on the shoulder before following Seo Suji. As Yu Taejin also let loose on shopping, Lee Cheoljin could no longer hold back. He was a tank too, more desperate than anyone to prepare his equipment. Although he couldn''t afford as expensive equipment as members ofrge guilds or regr raid teams, at least minimal preparation was essential. And the items in this shopping district were clearly cheaperpared to other ces. The quality was also good, as guaranteed by the Iron Will Guild. "Ah, f*ck it. What''s one more loan going to do?" The store was bustling with customers. At a nce, you could see the shelves looked sparse. It seemed like there wasn''t much stock left. They had to secure whatever items they could see first. Seo Suji swiftly lunged towards the disy shelf, reaching out her hand. The moment she picked up a potion from the disy, a hand slipped through a tiny gap. That hand quickly snatched away the few remaining bottles. The movements were so quick that while Seo Suji was flustered, the other party had already taken all the remaining stock. "Wh-what? Who cut in line..." "Sorry, but this isn''t cutting in line. It''s fairpetition." "Again?" As Seo Suji suddenly spoke without a tone of respect, Lee Sookyoung''s expression changed. "How dare you? Sounds like that''s how South Korean mammies(moms) teach their kids to talk. I apologized yesterday for my mistake, but not this time." "What, mammy? What about my mom? Did you just curse at me?" "Curse at you? What are you talking about? I just can''t understand this Seoul dialect of you people." "Well, the North dialect is no different." "Since we can''t understand each other, let''s just go our separate ways. It''s tiring ust talking to you." As Lee Sookyoung turned away, Seo Suji grabbed her shoulder. "You can leave, but have some conscience, and leave half the potions." "Did you leave your potions with me?" "I grabbed them first." "Whether you grabbed them or made soup with them, keep that to yourself. I''m going to take these potions." "Hey!" Lee Sookyoung shook off Seo Suji''s hand roughly and headed to the counter. "Oh, look at her! You''re just ignoring me now?" Seo Suji strode after her. At that moment, Lee Cheoljin blocked her. "Hey, don''t." "Let go! Okay, fine. I won''t fight. I''m just going to talk..." "Have you ever not started a fight after picking one with someone? Just don''t do it." "That depends on her answer." "Look outside before you talk." Lee Cheoljin pointed outside the window where a Hunter in a ck coat was passing by. The Hunter was wearing an armor coat with the Iron Will Guild emblem and a band marked ''Patrol'' on his forearm. Unlike other Iron Will Guild members who usually patrolled in pairs, this one was alone and had a youthful, almost student-like face. But in this business, you couldn''t underestimate anyone based on their face alone. Underestimating women or children could lead to big trouble. "If you cause trouble in the Hunter vige, you''ll get kicked out, remember? Don''t forget you signed the use prohibiting entry during the reservation." Seo Suji bit her lip tightly as she red at Lee Sookyoung''s back. Lee Sookyoung was packing potions into a shopping bag and leaving the store. "Ugh, if we met outside, I would have given her a piece of my mind." Despite the clear murderous aura, Lee Sookyoung did not look back. She waspletely ignoring her. ''She looks like she has a simr rank yet she''s ignoring me till the end? Just you wait. Next time, I won''t hold back.'' After purchasing supplies in the shopping district, Seo Suji''s party received a map of monster distribution at themunity center and then went out hunting. Frencers who entered with their individual qualifications had to arrange party members through the center, but Hunters like Seo Suji''s group who already had a formed party only gathered minimal information and moved out immediately. Unfortunately, as the North Pocheon hunting grounds had only opened the day before, there was hardly any substantial information to note at the center. While they obtained information on the hunting grounds, frequent spatial distortions and changes in vegetation causing monster spawns made it risky to blindly trust that data. So, they needed to do some exploration as well. Interestingly, the information gathered from such exploration turned out to be quite valuable. High-quality information was handed over to the center with an information fee attached. From the center''s perspective, it was beneficial as they could easily obtain updated regional information, and for Hunters, it was convenient because they could profit without spending time selling the information themselves. Though there were fees for the information brokerage service, considering the value grade of the information and the limits on the number of sellers, the costs were reasonable and trustworthy. Essentially, it was a deal where neither buyers or sellers had to worry about being cheated. When the quality of information was a bit lower, another tactic was to release it for free under one''s own name. Just having Hunters remember the name of the information provider was a good way to build recognition. Recognition could lead toworking, andworking was advantageous for joining parties. It was aworking method worth considering for novice Hunters. "We better move fast if we want to snatch anything up. But let''s warm up our bodies first." Yu Taejin, the party leader, led the group to a nearby hunting ground close to the site of Sanjeong Lake. It was a ce where low-level monsters were mingling together. It was a choice made to revive their dulled senses from the extended break and to synchronize their movements. Seo Suji plucked her bowstring, speaking with anticipation. "Ugh, if we just find one wild herb site during this hunt, it''d be a jackpot. Look at this guide. Iron Will has put up a substantial reward. Of course, we''d need to pick and sell everything before reporting it. Themission here was 10%, right?" "That''s for by-products. For herbs, it''s 15%, and for ores, it''s 20%." "What? Why is it so expensive?" "Because processing the collected materials is tough. If you sell it outside, the tax alone takes 30%. Selling here definitely makes more business sense." "Yeah, better to handle it here than carrying it around wrapped up. Wait, why are there so many people?" When they finally reached the hunting grounds, there were quite a lot of Hunters already there. There were almost more Hunters than monsters. "Looks like everyone had the same idea." Yu Taejin frowned. After squeezing in a few kills, Seo Suji''s group decided to move locations. "My body''s still not fully warmed up, but we have no choice. Let''s go further out." "Yeah, there''s so many people here it''s annoying." Yu Taejin unfolded the map. "Which way? West? East?" To the east was Idong-myeon, centered around Sanjeong Lake. '' Baekun Valley in Idong-myeon generally had higher-level monsters. Particrly threatening were the creatures known as ''pping Goris.'' These creatures could tten their prey with a p using their human-body-sized palms. They also lived in groups. Attacking one meant engaging the whole group, so people typically avoided them unless necessary. "The hide from these goris is lucrative... but it''s too much for the three of us." "What about the south?" "There''s a lot of stuff there. But mostly it''s fast creatures like ''Three-striped Raptors'' or ''Saw-beak Ostriches.'' We''d just suffer if we''re not quick enough." "But there''s a lot to harvest from them, right? Feathers, ws. We could manage it with bow pulling, couldn''t we?" "Why bother tracking them only to get exhausted?" Lee Cheoljin pointed out Seo Suji''s suggestion. Yu Taejin agreed. "We''re a half party, aren''t we? Even full parties struggle in open areas like this. Unless we''re all fast dealers." "So, west?" "Well, they say there''s a mix of orc and goblin remnants out west. The southwest has too many tough ones for us. Maybe the north is better. We''ve caught Flying Squirrels and Razor Frogs before." "Ugh, I don''t wanna climb any mountains." "Stop whining." The north of North Pocheon was mountainous. Originally, the terrain of North Pocheon was gentle, but after the creation of the special zone, thendscape changed over the years. It became terrain difficult for ordinary people to navigate. The problem was that it was just as tough for Hunters. More precisely, it was inconvenient. The rough andplex terrain limited visibility. Lack of visibility made it difficult to handle sudden encounters with monsters. They could potentially run into monsters that were beyond the capabilities of their party. In such situations, rangers specialized in scouting were extremely effective. Rangers are ssified as dealers in a broad sense, but among Hunters, sses are further subdivided. This ssification arose from the need to urately understand skills and hunting styles. Seo Suji was a Hunter specialized in the ranger ss. Although she was just a fourth-year frencer, she demonstrated skillsparable to those affiliated with guilds. However, knowing Seo Suji''s impulsive nature, Lee Cheoljin was worried. "Are you sure this is the right path?" "Of course, it is. Have you lived your life being fooled by everyone?" "If I had a dime for every time you tricked me, I wouldn''t be able to count them all even if I bent my fingers several times. Let''s focus this time, for god''s sake." "Oh,e on, I''m being serious now. I''m totally serious right now." "I''m even more worried when you say you''re serious." "Don''t worry. ording to my ''geomancy'' skill, there''s movement over there. It''s definitely Razor Frogs. About five or six of them, that sounds good?" "Just make sure you pull them properly. The rest of us will handle it, just focus on supporting." "You always underestimate me. I''ll use this chance to really show what I can do. Look, we''re almost there. Just around this rock---what the?" As Seo Suji rounded a rock, she was confronted by a familiar face. The problem? That person, to be exact the North Korean Hunter, Lee Sookyoung, was surrounded by other Hunters and appeared to have been stabbed in the abdomen. The familiar person, Lee Sookyoung, cheerfully shouted towards Seo Suji''s group. "Comrade, team members! Why did you onlye now? Please, save me quickly." "What is she talking about..." As Lee Sookyoung waved her hand, begging for help, the Hunters turned their heads towards Seo Suji''s group. The intense re made Seo Suji break into a cold sweat. "...There''s been a misunderstanding, guys." The tips of their des then turned towards Seo Suji and her group. Kang Mu-hyuk received a call from Russia. "It''s been a while, Guild Leader Anton. I didn''t expect you to call personally." -I heard you requested information from our side while I was away. "If you''re contacting me directly, it must be no small matter," said Kang Mu-hyuk. Anton let out a sigh before speaking. -No news from the Demon Realm is ever trivial, but this time it''s particrly nasty. "How bad is it?" -Do you know about the goveshchensk incident? Kang Mu-hyuk swallowed hard, aware of the incident. goveshchensk. The city was originally the capital of the Russian province of Amur. It was adjacent to Heilongjiang Castle in the three northeastern provinces, but after the creation of the Demonic Realm, it fell within its boundaries and was no longer habitable. Seven years ago. A Gate containing vast resources was discovered here. It held treasures of such value that the Russian government mobilized even the Tier guilds from Moscow. The value was such that it amounted to 3% of Russia''s GDP at the time. A staggering 48 billion dors, which is approximately 60 trillion won in Korean currency. This was just the value of the resources themselves; when considering the added value from processing and selling these resources, it was indescribable. Russia soon decided to initiate an Outbreaking of this Gate, choosing only to eliminate the boss and guardians while leaving the core intact. However, at this point, China intervened. Initially, China tried to take control of the Gate, but since it was close to the Russian border, it was difficult for China to intervene. After several bouts, China gave up on the Gate. Of course, they didn''t back down quietly. They were driven by a spiteful intention: if they couldn''t have it, they would make sure that others couldn''t either. "So you are referring to the incident where China blew up the Gate." -Yes, that''s correct. Depending on the rank of the Gate, it''s a method that could revert a vast area back to the prehistoric era. This method is unusable in cities, but in the Demonic Realm, they would have had no reservations. I knew the Chinese were capable of crazy actions, but I didn''t expect them to go that far. That incident only escted the conflicts afterward. There was a time when the sh was almost akin to war, and despite the governments of both countries controlling the information, the goveshchensk incident eventually became known worldwide. Kang Mu-hyuk was not pleased with the possibility of such a massive event urring again. Lately, Korean Tier guilds had begun showing increased interest in the Demonic Realm, which was different from before. Should Korea venture northward into the Demonic Realm, they could be entangled in these disputes. "How does this timepare to back then?" -3 Russian Tier guilds, 8 A-rank, 13 medium-sized guilds. Just the total number of known affiliated guilds ranks up to 24. Including smaller guilds that have piggybacked with them, it''s too many to fully ount for. "All that force for just one Gate?" -Not just one. "Excuse me?" -This time, from what we know, there are five Gates. "!!" Chapter 117 - Its not such a bad proposal After ending a call with Anton, the Guild Master of Tsar, Kang Mu-hyuk put aside his piled-up tasks and delved into deep thought. ''There are five Gates at the level of the goveshchensk Gate... No matter how I think about it, this seems suspicious. Could Gates of such magnitude really have appeared all at once?'' Even Kang Mu-hyuk, who knew the entire history from the World Hunter Scene''s History down to thest detail, had never encountered such a phenomenon anywhere. ''Well, let''s assume that Gates are inherently beyondmon sense. Let''s also consider the ongoing conflict between Russian and Chinese Hunters as a factor exacerbating the situation. Considering the money involved with Gates, of course, there was a chance of bloodshed.'' However, despite considering all these issues, the current phenomenon was still suspicious. Although there was no evidence or sign to doubt, Kang Mu-hyuk felt uneasy about the events unfolding in the Demonic Realm. ¡°I can¡¯t even take immediate action. How frustrating...¡± The problem was that Kang Mu-hyuk, or rather, Korea, was a third party in this incident. Korea had no stake in the Demonic Realm nor any justification to get involved. Even if profit could be used as a justification, Iron Will was not capable of interfering. At best, only the yer Guild in Korea might be able to get involved, but given the scale of the guilds involved from Russia and China, even this was not an easy task. ''I should at least share the information with Director Cha Gil-joo. I''ll reassure him that it has nothing to do with the divostok incident. Plus, knowing the movements in the Demonic Realm could help us prepare in case of an emergency.'' Just when Kang Mu-hyuk was about to pick up the receiver. The phone on his desk rang first. Kang Mu-hyuk checked the number disyed on the phone¡¯s screen. It was a number he knew very well. ¡°Ah, right. There was this matter too.¡± He organized his thoughts while the phone rang a couple more times before he answered it. ¡°Yes, Director. What can I do for you?¡± Tae Suman. The disgruntled voice of Tae Suman, the strategic nning director of the Taesung Group and the owner''s second son, came through the receiver. -It''s so hard to hear your voice unless I reach out myself. ¡°I¡¯ve been busy, as you know.¡± -Hmm, busy? A mocking snort came through. -Of course you were busy, getting rid of Cho Choonghyun and all. And clearing out all of my people there~ What¡¯s next? Are you going to do the same to me? Despite his sharp tone, Kang Mu-hyuk replied calmly, ¡°Didn''t you call me well aware of the fact that Cho Choonghyun was coaxed by the chairman? He even came for my life. I couldn¡¯t touch him because of the chairman, and had to quickly push him out of the guild. And this oue isn¡¯t bad for you either, Director.¡± -All this was for my benefit? Even cutting off the entire Strategy Team? ¡°The existing Strategy Team was under Cho Choonghyun¡¯s control. There was no telling who might be under the chairman''s influence. It was better to cut them all off rather than suffer sorting them out.¡± -And now, I have no alternative but you, Guild Leader Kang, isn''t that right? ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m your only option, but rather, focus on the fact that no one else who mighte in would be a better alternative than me.¡± -¡­¡­. Tae Suman was silent for a moment. With Cho Choonghyun gone, he couldn¡¯t learn the full details, but he had gathered from a mole he had ced within the chairman¡¯s office that there had been a power struggle between Kang Mu-hyuk and the chairman. From the outside, it seemed like Kang Mu-hyuk merely bowed his head in submission, but the reality was different. The chairman was merely testing loyalty, and Kang Mu-hyuk had deftly ducked under the swinging de. And this part precisely. Kang Mu-hyuk having remained safe until now meant that he had passed the chairman¡¯s test. That alone was proof enough of Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s capabilities. ''Cho Choonghyun disappeared just at the right time. The chairman probably won''t care. Moreover, he doesn''t see Kang Mu-hyuk as a threat. Rather, he seems to consider him a tool to tighten his grip on Se-ah. Otherwise, theck of follow-up action despite the suspicious disappearance of Cho Choonghyun wouldn¡¯t make sense.'' This was not only because Cho Choonghyun wasn''t considered important, but also because Kang Mu-hyuk''s utility was deemed greater. The same was true for Tae Suman. Eventually, he had to ept the choices imposed by Kang Mu-hyuk. He didn''t trust him, but as long as they could use each other, it was beneficial to cooperate. -How ridiculous! I got fooled by your honey-coated words before. Now I don¡¯t even have a choice. Even if you plot to cut me out now, I have to fall for it, darn it. ¡°Cutting you out isn¡¯t that simple now, is it? Director.¡± -So you''re saying you''d cut me out if you could? ¡°I¡¯m hanging on under you, Director. If you get cut, I¡¯ll fall too. Unless I''m nning tomit suicide in front of the chairman, I have no intention of turning against you.¡± As long as they had amon enemy, they were in the same boat. That was the rtionship between Kang Mu-hyuk and Tae Suman. -Fine. Well, we don''t work based on trust anyway. But still, there needs to be some assurance if we''re going to work together. ¡°How should I prove it?¡± -It¡¯s simple. Se-ah. No, I mean Guild Master Ju Se-ah. I heard she came into headquarters today. Kang Mu-hyuk sensed a tremor in Tae Suman¡¯s seemingly simple question. ''Anxiety, tension. He¡¯s afraid of Ju Se-ah getting her foot in the door. In that case...'' Use what can be used. It just so happened that he had made ns for this. Kang Mu-hyuk was waiting to see what results Ju Se-ah would bring from her meeting with the chairman. Kang Mu-hyuk shifted from an attitude of seemingly dependending on him to a more proactive stance. "Are you curious why she came in?" -Well, she''s busy with the opening of Hunter Vige, and she still came here. So yeah I guess? ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. Just a summons from the chairman.¡± -You don''t know why? "They didn''t tell me the details." -You''re Guild Leader Kang, you wouldn''t just not know. "Of course, I have my suspicions." -What are those? "It¡¯s time for the half-year promise the chairman made with the Guild Master to be evaluated." -Ah, that promise at the chairman¡¯s birthday party? Whether to close the guild or not. "No, it¡¯s not feasible to discuss that right now. Even the chairman couldn¡¯t shut down a guild that has shown such performance overnight. He dislikes actions that could tarnish the group¡¯s reputation." -Then what? "It could be that she has to quit the guild at all costs to join the group." -!! After a pause, the sound of Tae Suman swallowing dryly could be heard over the phone. After giving Tae Suman a moment to collect his thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke. "Director, it seems about time we meet again." -A busy man like you is suggesting a meeting now? Is there some good news? "This proposal won¡¯t be too bad for you either." Ju Se-ah visited the Samsung-dong headquarters to meet her biological father, Tae Jinsung. Despite not working at the headquarters, her face alone was enough to get her a pass. This was because she was recognized not so much as the chairman¡¯s daughter but as Korea''s top Hunter. "Guild Master Ju Se-ah, the chairman has been waiting for you." The secretary who met her from the elevator escorted her to the royal level chairman¡¯s office. Standing at the door, Ju Se-ah took a deep breath. ''I''d rather deal with Gates. This ce, jeez...'' Despite being an S-ranker, it was still an ufortable ce, not because of monsters. "You''re here already. Don''t linger at the door. Come on in." Hesitating for a moment, Tae Jinsung¡¯s clear voice called out from inside. Ju Se-ah frowned and swung open the door to the chairman¡¯s office. ¡°Did you awaken as a Hunter now? How did you know I was outside the door?¡± ¡°If you sigh that loudly, even an old man as deaf as me would hear. Come and sit down.¡± Tae Jinsung moved from his desk to the sofa. Ju Se-ah closed the door and sat on the farthest edge of the sofa from him, mirroring the emotional distance between father and daughter. It might have looked awkward to others, but the chairman didn¡¯t mind. ¡°Shall we have a cup of tea?¡± ¡°It''s not like we¡¯re here for tea time, are we, Chairman?¡± Ju Se-ah retorted curtly. ¡°So you don¡¯t even call me father anymore.¡± ¡°When have you ever seen me as your daughter?¡± ¡°I thought of you as my daughter, that''s why I offered you the Guild Master position and even talked about adding you to the family register.¡± ¡°Both were just tricks to bring me into the group because you needed me.¡± ¡°You knew that, and yet you epted the Guild Master offer.¡± ¡°You keep talking as if it was a favor. That¡¯s usually called a deal. Don¡¯t talk like you¡¯ve been giving it to me unterally.¡± "From what I know, a lot of the group''s money went into this?" "Compared to recruiting Korea''s top Hunter, that''s mere pocket change." Tae Jinsung looked at Ju Se-ah, who responded without missing a beat, with a newfound interest. Perhaps his gaze made Ju Se-ah curious, so she asked. "Why?" "You''ve gotten bolder. Even the way you speak has changed." "Really?" "You''ve started to resemble that guy under you." "Under me? Are you talking about Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk?" "That''s not a good influence you''ve picked up." "It seems I''ve learned well if you don''t like it." "We might as well get to the point if we''re just going to upset each other the more we talk." "When have you ever cared enough to get upset?" "Don''t be disrespectful." Tae Jinsung red with wide eyes, and Ju Se-ah met his gaze without flinching. After a moment of staring each other down, Tae Jinsung clicked his tongue and looked away first. He was displeased that his youngest daughter was not intimidated by his re. ''All my other children avoid my gaze, but this one is defiant. Tsk tsk.'' Even though she was a Hunter who faced monsters, her boldness was more a matter of temperament than her profession. She wasn''t afraid of him. Tae Jinsung was certain that even if Ju Se-ah weren''t a Hunter, she would still stand up to him. This was one of the reasons he wanted her in the group. "Let''s skip the pleasantries. The guild will remain as is; you''reing into the group." "The great chairman of Taesung Group is changing his tune now?" "I promised I wouldn''t dissolve the guild, not that you would get where to stay. Recall exactly what I said." Reflecting on that memory, indeed he had said: ''I''ll give you six months. Normalize the guild by then. If you cannot, I will dissolve it.'' Ju Se-ah realized she had been naively misled. "How can a chaebol be so stingy?" "A single word can change the figures in business. If you couldn¡¯t catch that, it shows your capabilities as a Guild Master arecking. You still have much to learn." Though it was petty, Ju Se-ah felt arguing would only make her look weaker, so she kept her mouth shut. Instead, she brought up a prepared remark. "Even so, I never said I¡¯d abandon the guild to join the headquarters." "Are you trying to argue?" "Hardly. Do you think arguing would make you just let it go? We never put anything in writing. There wasn''t even a clear verbal agreement." "So you want to dere it as invalid?" "I don''t handle things so loosely. I''ll consider that as your proposal." "A proposal?" "I''ll join the headquarters. Please prepare a position for me." "Interesting." "But I will continue to lead the guild as well. I will still operate as the Guild Master, so there will be many days I won''t be in the office here." Tae Jinsung quickly grasped where Ju Se-ah''s proposal wasing from. "Did that Guild Leader tell you to do this?" "Expecting you would say that, Guild Leader Kang told me to convey that yielding to you in some aspects is profitable for us both. He advised me to avoid taking the hard path and settle things reasonably. He thought you would understand that." As soon as Ju Se-ah finished speaking, Tae Jinsung burst into sardonicughter. "So, in other words, you''re telling me to yield reasonably as well." "Ah, and he added one more thing. If you try to have everything, you will lose everything." Tae Jinsung stared intently at Ju Se-ah. Actually, it was more like he was ring through her at Kang Mu-hyuk behind her. ''She needs to be cajoled and appeased, huh? She''s doing pretty good.'' While he was pleased that Ju Se-ah had made somepromises, the thought of the inscrutable Kang Mu-hyuk pulling her strings annoyed him. He felt an irrational desire to be childish toward Kang Mu-hyuk, who was achieving what he himself could not. "Well, seeing how he has persuaded you, his silver tongue must still be in fine form. Such people are difficult to handle. Be careful. Once the oil catches fire, it burns up in an instant. And it will burn both foes and friends alike. Better keep your distance if you don¡¯t want to get burned." "The guild is my responsibility. I handle all personnel decisions." "Take it as advice." Ju Se-ah¡¯s sharp tone prompted Tae Jinsung to change the atmosphere. "The guild''s listing ising up soon. I don¡¯t like negotiating with something that¡¯s going to be part of the group anyway, but it¡¯s better if things are amicable. Being proactive usually brings more enthusiasm. Fine, continue managing the guild affairs. But when called,e quickly to the headquarters." "Unless it''s urgent." "Even if it¡¯s not urgent, make time." "We¡¯ll have to negotiate that. I can''t help it when I¡¯m hunting monsters." Tae Jinsung was surprised that his daughter, whom he expected to be more stubborn, had made apromise and nodded again. "Alright, I¡¯ll consider that." On the surface, Tae Jinsung epted everything with a benign smile, but his thoughts were cunning. ''It''s hard to take the first step, but once you start walking, runninges in an instant. You might dislike it, but you''ll have to move ording to my ns.'' Kim Ahyoung Age: 27 Affiliation: Secretary''s Office, Vice Chairman, Taesung Group Mr. Cho nced between the woman who had just entered the cafe and the photo disyed on his smartphone. "That''s her. Just as the information said, shees to this cafe after lunch." Since the cafe was popr and located near Taesung Group''s headquarters, the assistant often purchased snacks here for the vice chairman''s afternoon enjoyment. After selecting a dessert, Mr. Cho approached Kim Ahyoung, who was sipping her coffee, under the pretense of picking up a napkin from a nearby service table. Waiting for the right moment, he slipped a substance into her coffee cup as she looked away. ''It¡¯s harmless to the body. It just causes frequent urination.'' Shortly after, Kim Ahyoung hastily made her way to the restroom after taking a few more sips of her coffee. Mr. Cho followed her at a distance. Waiting outside the restroom stall Kim Ah-young had entered, he listened for the sound of the toilet flushing. As soon as she came out, he took action. "Hah!" Whether the sleeping powder took effect or not, Kim Ahyoung suddenly copsed, her legs giving out beneath her. Mr. Cho quickly grabbed her and dragged her back into the restroom stall, locking the door. ''This transformation requires direct contact, which is bothersome. Am I shooting a damn movie every time or what?'' Inside the stall, he took a deep breath, and his appearance began to change. It was Kim Ahyoung''s face now. "Ah, ahh." Having confirmed the change even in his voice, Mr. Cho grabbed the ID and smartphone, swapped clothes with Kim Ahyoung, and then made a call. "It¡¯s me. I''m in the third stall of the restroom. I¡¯ll infiltrate Taesung; handle the rest. Erase her memoryter when I call you. She won¡¯t wake up for at least five or six hours." After delegating the cleanup to another member, Mr. Cho infiltrated Taesung Group. With Kim Ahyoung''s appearance and employee ID, no one suspected a thing. ''I''ve infiltrated the ce sessfully. Now, how about I see what I can find in the vice chairman¡¯s office?'' He casually greeted the other office assistants and arranged the desserts he had bought in the pantry before sitting at a desk as if nothing was amiss and listened intently in the direction of the vice chairman''s office. He used an eavesdropping skill that could easily listen through even a concrete wall. Soon, he heard the vice chairman talking on the phone. -Apparently, Se-ah ising to the headquarters. ''The witch at Taesung?'' -We can''t dy it any longer. ''Who is he talking to? I can¡¯t hear the other side.'' -We have no choice. Let''s use the method we used before. ''What method? What¡¯s he talking about? I can only hear his side.'' -We won''t hesitate anymore. Please contact the White Tiger Guild, Mr. Kim Myung-jun. ''!!'' Chapter 118 - Murder Was the One Thing You Shouldnt Have Done The unknown Hunters nced back and forth between Lee Sookyoung and Seo Suji''s party. Eliminating the target was crucial, but they couldn¡¯t leave witnesses behind. Their murderous aura gradually became evident. In the tense atmosphere, Seo Suji had only one thought: ¡®We¡¯re screwed.¡¯ Conflicts among Hunters were somon that there was nothing strange about dozens of disputes in a single hunting ground each day. Bloodshed was frequent, and it wasn¡¯t unusual for people to die. If the body was fed to monsters, erasing all evidence, it created the perfect crime. However, witnesses changed everything. If a report was filed with the Hunter Investigation Agency, the perpetrator would be sent straight to Ujunjdo. Even if they managed to escape, they would be hunted by investigators or bounty Hunters looking for a reward. So it was obvious what they would do with witnesses to the murder. ¡®Why did she have to act like she knew us? It makes us look like we¡¯re on her side. Not that they¡¯d let us go even if we weren¡¯t. Ugh~ I hate everything about her.¡¯ As Seo Suji¡¯s mind wandered, one of the attackers targeting Lee Sookyoung lunged at her. The Hunter swung his sword aiming for her neck. Seo Suji anticipated the attack, but she was off guard at the time, making it impossible for her to react in time. Fortunately, Yu Taejin was prepared. He intercepted the attack, deflecting the sword with his own. Then, with a swift front kick, he struck the assant in his stomach, pushing him away. Another Hunter took advantage of the chaos and swung a weapon at Yu Taejin, but this time Lee Cheoljin blocked it with his shield. The Hunter that followed was forced to dodge an arrow shot by Seo Suji, who quickly regained herposure, causing him to lose his timing and fall back. "Everyone, on alert! I don¡¯t know who these guys are, but they¡¯re not gonna talk things out," Yu Taejin shouted this to his team as the enemy Hunters formed ranks and began putting on pressure on them with their attacks. Six of them in total. One was assigned to the North Korean woman, while the remaining five advanced towards Seo Suji¡¯s group. They had longswords or daggers, no shields, and their armor was light. None of them were tanks; they were all damage dealers. No magic users or ranged attackers like archers were visible. Although some mages disguised themselves as damage dealers, from their quick movements, they looked like specialists in closebat. When a party has only damage dealers, their objectives are usually specific; assassination, ambush, or pursuit. Such an inefficientposition of members is unsustainable even for hunting low-level monsters. So, their target was likely a person, not monsters. These Hunters specialized in killing people. Yu Taejin bit the inside of his cheek. ¡®If we¡¯re unlucky today, someone might die. No, we might all be killed.¡¯ As if signaled by his ominous thought, his enemies made their move. ¡®Damn it, I thought this year, my bad luck would leave me alone.¡¯ The battle began with Lee Cheoljin at the front. One Hunter engaged him to keep him upied as he was the tank, while three rushed at Yu Taejin. One more targeted Seo Suji, who was preparing her next arrow from the rear. "Who said you could get close to me?!" Seo Suji yelled as she fixed an arrow and used her ¡®Backdash¡¯ skill to slide away, increasing the distance. The approaching Hunter''s sword shed through the air where she had been, and she released her arrow using that window of chance. Unfortunately, the enemy was ready for a counterattack and ducked to avoid the arrow, continuing his charge. "Suji!" Lee Cheoljin turned to assist her, but the Hunter he was fighting persistently targeted his vital points. Even though Lee Cheoljin deflected the attacks with his shield, he was effectively pinned down. Compared to the others who were fighting others one-on-one, Yu Taejin¡¯s situation was much worse. With three Hunters of a simr rank as him attacking him at once, Yu Taejin was lucky his head wasn¡¯t already rolling on the ground. ¡®These guys are skilled. This isn¡¯t how you move when fighting monsters. They¡¯re after people.¡¯ It goes without saying that hunting monsters and hunting Hunters werepletely different tasks. Hunters who had never fought other Hunters often didn¡¯t realize this. Treating a Hunter like a monster could get you killed in a blink of an eye. Yu Taejin, with his extensive experience, had encountered plenty of de shes with other Hunters and understood the difference well. ¡®Damn it! Of all things, I¡¯m stuck with double daggers... And they¡¯re all wielding longswords. They¡¯re not letting their guard down and are countering me perfectly. Ugh! I don¡¯t know how much longer I can hold out.¡¯ His body was umting wounds. Though he narrowly avoided fatal injuries, his blood-soaked body was steadily losing strength. The moment his steps faltered from fatigue would be his ticket to the afterlife. He resisted fiercely, rolling on the ground to evade attacks. ¡®Taejin won¡¯tst much longer. He doesn¡¯t even have time to drink a potion. And the guy on me isn¡¯t even trying to fight seriously, just poking at me. Even when I deliberately show openings, he doesn¡¯t take the bait. They¡¯re waiting for Taejin to fall. Damn it! We¡¯ll be done for at this rate.¡¯ Lee Cheoljin grew increasingly anxious seeing Yu Taejin in danger. A path to certain death was unfolding. He decided to take a risky gamble. ¡°Come at me, you bastard!¡± He shouted, abandoning his shield and charging unguarded. Despite the perfect opportunity tond a fatal blow, the Hunter assigned to Lee Cheoljin dodged to the side like a matador, strictly adhering to his role. It was Lee Cheoljin¡¯s gambit. He didn¡¯t stop his charge. Realizing Lee Cheoljin¡¯s intention, the Hunter shouted a warning. ¡°Hey! Watch out!¡± The Hunter who had been attacking Lee Sookyoung had his back turned towards Lee Cheoljin. Lee Cheoljin threw his sword. The Hunter turned his head at thest moment, but toote to react; the sword lodged into his spine. ¡°Argh!¡± Though the wound wasn¡¯t deep enough to be fatal, Lee Sookyoung wouldn¡¯t miss the chance. ¡°Die!¡± A blue-glowing dagger shot from Lee Sookyoung¡¯s hand, piercing the Hunter¡¯s neck. ¡°Huff, huff... Comrade, I¡¯ll repay this debt.¡± ¡°Forget the debt. Get over here and help us even the numbers,¡± Lee Cheoljin said as he pulled his sword from the dead Hunter¡¯s back. ¡°Ugh!¡± ¡°Aaargh¡ª¡± Yu Taejin and Seo Suji¡¯s screams rang out simultaneously. Lee Cheoljin quickly assessed the situation. ¡°Damn it, two and two...¡± Just as Lee Cheoljin had guessed, the enemy had swiftly shifted one of the Hunters attacking Yu Taejin to Seo Suji. Seo Sujiy on the ground, bleeding from both legs, while Yu Taejin was unconscious, bleeding profusely. ¡°This is a real pain.¡± The Hunter who stabbed Yu Taejin in the side wiped sweat from his forehead and grimaced. He gestured towards Yu Taejin with his chin. ¡°Finish him.¡± ¡°W-wait!¡± Seeing the Hunters raise their swords, Lee Cheoljin shouted desperately. But his cry was in vain. ¡®No.¡¯ He lunged towards hisrades, but he was too far, and his body felt heavy. Just then, amand came from somewhere. ¡°Freeze.¡± It was a soft voice, but everyone stopped as if spellbound. ¡°Wh-what the hell¡­fuck?! Why can¡¯t I move¡­?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t move. Urgh!¡± The Hunters froze in ce, their swords still raised to strike Seo Suji and Yu Taejin. Lee Cheoljin and Lee Sookyoung were also immobilized. Thud! A woman in a ck coatnded among them. Lee Cheoljin recognized the armor coat she was wearing. ¡®Iron Will!!¡¯ A wave of relief washed over him. For someone to subdue all these Hunters effortlessly meant she was overwhelmingly powerful. He was reassured that no more blood would be shed. ¡°P-please help us. They attacked us first. We need to treat our party members©¤¡± ¡°Later.¡± ¡°What?¡± The woman didn¡¯t even look at Lee Cheoljin, her gaze fixed on the bushes. ¡°Deal with that hideous thing first.¡± The bushes rustled in the direction she pointed. ¡°Well, well? Isn¡¯t this the little kid from before? Are you from Iron Will?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb.¡± Pushing through the bushes came Park Beomil of the White Tiger Guild, who caused amotion at themunity center earlier. Goo Eul-ji disliked his nonchnt attitude with his hands casually shoved into his pockets. The Hunters were on edge at the sudden appearance of new people. The woman who came down from the sky and immobilized them all, and the man who came so close without them noticing¡ªneither seemed like Hunters who¡¯d be out in such a remote ce. In the midst of the strange situation, Park Beomil spoke. ¡°We can¡¯t have met by chance in the forest out of the blue. Did you follow me?¡± ¡°Follow you? We were just keeping an eye on a troublemaker. Our team leader Mr. Pyo thought you might cause some trouble. We were just going to observe, but we couldn¡¯t let things slide because of what you were about to do.¡± ¡°What was I about to do?¡± ¡°You were about to kill everyone just now. Your mana was practically oozing out.¡± The Hunters¡¯ eyes widened. What did he just say? Kill everyone? Who? Could he mean all of us? Questions swirled in their minds, but they dared not interrupt the conversation. Park Beomil grinned, showing his teeth, but his eyes remained cold. It was a chilling expression that Go Eul-ji was familiar with. ¡®That¡¯s not the face of someone who¡¯s only killed once or twice.¡¯ Facing Park Beomil¡¯s murderous re, Goo Eul-ji stared back, her expression equally intense. ¡°Hey, mister, don¡¯t smile like that. It makes me want to beat you up.¡± ¡°Why is everyone in your guild so damn rude? Is it because they all take after your Guild Master? No manners.¡± ¡°Oh, do you not remember the scene you made earlier, Mr. Polite?¡± ¡°What?¡± Park Beomil''s mrs jutted out like fangs, and his red gums were tearing. His eyes were bloodshot, and his breathing grew rough. ¡°Party leader, stop!¡± Just then, Go Taeseob, who just followed up with them, stopped . ¡°Don¡¯t stop me. I have to get rid of them anyway. I might get rid of you too.¡± ¡°Calm down. She is a member of Iron Will. If, as she says, she was ordered to keep an eye on you from above, killing them here could escte the issue. This could turn into a guild-wide conflict, not just a personal matter.¡± ¡°Guild?¡± ¡°Yes, so please hold back.¡± As his voice became calmer, Park Beomil asked again, ¡°If I mess with her, do you think Ju Se-ah will get involved?¡± ¡°She might¡­ no, let''s not go down that path. You can¡¯t stir up trouble and pick a fight with Guild Master Ju. I¡¯ll report this to the Guild Master.¡± ¡°Tch!¡± Park Beomil''s aggression subsided. He nced around at the Hunters restrained by Go Eul-ji and then sent a message to Go Taeseob. ¡¸Then, what about them?¡¹ Go Taeseob pondered the situation. They needed to get rid of them, but they couldn¡¯t do it in front of an Iron Will member. Letting them go was also not an option. ¡®No matter how much the client wants this done, it¡¯s risky to go ahead while also dealing with an Iron Will Hunter. Given Ju Se-ah''s personality, it could lead to an all-out war. The party captain might enjoy that, but our best move is to retreat and look for another opportunity.¡¯ Go Tae-seob assessed the situation and made his decision. His judgment ability was why the guild master paired him with Park Beomil. ¡¸Let¡¯s just take the clients and leave.¡¹ Park Beomil nodded and selected the Hunters who had targeted Lee Sookyoung. ¡°You, you, you, and you. Ah, almost forgot¡ªbring that dead guy too. How about we call it even like this?¡± Goo Eul-ji shook her head at his proposal. ¡°This is our turf. Anyone causing trouble here is our responsibility. Don¡¯t think you can just gloss over this.¡± ¡°You little brat, you¡¯re quite stubborn. Do you even have an ID? Acting like a schoolkid.¡± ¡°You¡¯re seriously asking a Hunter about their age? Don¡¯t act like an amateur, old man.¡± ¡°Taeseob, can¡¯t I just teach her a lesson?¡± ¡°No, you can¡¯t. Hey, Iron Will member. Let¡¯s keep this simple. We¡¯re not taking everyone, just the ones we came for. Don¡¯t push our leader¡¯s buttons; back off. We¡¯ve alsopromised.¡± ¡°Compromise? You¡¯re really annoying,¡± Go Eul-ji clicked her tongue in frustration. Go Taeseob sensed something was off about her confidence. ¡®She seems to know our leader. Facing an A+ ranker and not showing any fear? Do they have another force nearby?¡¯ While Go Taeseob wondered about the situation, Park Beomil specifically assessed her abilities. ¡®This kid... Her rank is definitely below mine, but I didn¡¯t sense her at all. She must have been tailing us from beyond my detection range. Her method of attack, flying down from the sky... Is she a mage?¡¯ His guess was off, but it wasn¡¯t entirely his fault. Go Eul-ji''s disyed abilities resembled those of a mage. Moreover, telekics were extremely rare. There were but a few telekics in Korea who could take down an A+ rank for even a bit, and Go Eul-ji wasn¡¯t a known telekic to him. As the tense standoff continued, Go Taeseob pressured them more. "What are you going to do if we¡¯re annoying, huh?" he said, as mana began to rise from his body. Goo Eul-ji clicked her tongue again. "It pisses me off that you think you can take me out anytime." With that, Go Eul-ji soared into the sky, and the Hunters she restrained followed her into the air. Seeing her control multiple targets without even preparing a spell, Park Beomil finally realized her identity. ¡°Telekinesis!¡± Park Beomil quickly picked up Lee Cheoljin''s shield from the ground and infused it with mana. The shield, now sharper than any sword, flew towards Go Eul-ji. "I told you not to kill her!" Go Taeseob tried to stop him, but it was toote. The edge of the shield, augmented with Swift Throw skills, aimed straight for Go Eul-ji. She pulled a dagger from her chest. The dagger was shaped like a hairpin with borate decorations, looking more like an ornament than a weapon. Go Eul-ji used her telekinesis to braid her long hair into a single strand, then pinned it with the hairpin. The hairpin glowed with a soft golden light, and her eyes matched the glow. ¡¾Tenfold Shackles¡¿ With a gesture, she summoned tenyers of barriers. Instead of simply stacking ten barriers, it was a high-level skill that involved wrapping ten transparent chains around the shield, binding it. Tick, tick. Crack! ¡®I poured a ridiculous amount of mana into it. Is it because of the rank difference? The chains are breaking one by one. Can I hold out?¡¯ Go Eul-ji continued to ascend, not so much to evade the attack but to escape any follow-up strikes. Her judgment was correct. The shield reached its limit after breaking the tenth chain. It followed her at a snail''s pace, eventually getting blocked by the barrier and falling to the ground. ¡°Damn it, if I had known she was a telekic, I would¡¯ve taken her out immediately. That ability is really sneaky,¡± Park Beomil gritted his teeth. Go Taeseob, gazing up at the now distant Go Eul-ji, spoke with admiration. ¡°Telekinesis is so versatile. If they mess with you like that, there¡¯s nothing you can do unless you¡¯re a mage.¡± ¡°I went easy on her. I should have used a more powerful skill. Tsk!¡± ¡°Still, I¡¯m surprised she managed to block your attack while carrying all nine of them. And she doesn¡¯t seem to be A+ ranker,¡± Go Taeseob made this remark, watching as Go Eul-jipletely exited the scene. Park Beomil scratched his head in frustration. ¡°So, this mission¡­ it¡¯s a bust?¡± ¡°Yes. We underestimated Iron Will. Didn¡¯t expect them to have someone that powerful. Do you think we¡¯ll get in less trouble if we report this information to the Guild Master?¡± ¡°That guy? No way.¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re probably right.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. If we stay in North Pocheon any longer, we might run into someone annoying.¡± Park Beomil thought of Jang Deuk-goo and frowned. ¡®Is today some special day? Why is it one piece of bad news after another?¡¯ After calming Tae Suman and informing the guild cooperation agency about the incidents in the Demonic Realm came the report from Mr. Cho Plus, that report included quite an unpleasant figure.
  • Guild Leader Kang, are you listening?
¡°Ah, yes. Sorry, I was distracted. I just didn¡¯t expect this person.¡±
  • That¡¯s not surprising. Kim Myung-jun and White Tiger Guild are both sons of bitches. Especially White Tiger Guild, with all the bad rumors. If not for their achievements as a Tier guild, they¡¯d be considered a viin group.
¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, it seems Kim Myung-jun acted as a broker connecting Tae Sucheol with White Tiger Guild, even if we don¡¯t know the exact details of their deals.¡±
  • That guy sticks his nose everywhere. Does he think he¡¯s some kind of secret organization mastermind?
¡®He is one.¡¯ A cleaner for the yer Guild and an ambitious spy for the Japanese Guild Association Alliance. There was no way someone connected to the Taesung Group didn¡¯t have anything to do with Ju Se-ah. ¡®Could it be that what Kim Myung-jun did through Tae Sucheol is the reason Chairman Tae Jinsung wants to disown his eldest son? Hm, that¡¯s a bit odd.¡¯ Kim Myung-jun wasn¡¯t only connected to Tae Sucheol but also Tae Jinsung. Mr. Jeong, the chairman¡¯s escort, was under Kim Myung-jun¡¯smand. Mr. Jeong, an A-rank Hunter, was thoroughly beaten by Ju Se-ah when he hit Kim Myung-jun but was still high-caliber protection for the chairman and managed Tae Sucheol¡¯s affairs. Something didn¡¯t add up. ¡°I request additional investigation into Kim Myung-jun and White Tiger Guild.¡±
  • Seriously, now you want to dig into a Tier guild? Do you know what kind of people White Tiger Guild are? If you meet the yer Guild, you just say fck and tell them you¡¯ve had one of those days and they let you go, but with White Tiger, you¡¯ll get exhausted cursing fcking m##$%#%$ little piece of sh***^@@ and still not be done.
¡°There''s no need to infiltrate them. Just get as close as you can without being detected.¡±
  • Come on, you know I don''t do things halfway.
At that moment, Bang! ¡°Guild Leader Kang, we¡¯ve got a major problem! It¡¯s a murder case!¡± The door burst open as if it were about to break, and Go Eul-ji entered. Behind her were nine Hunters, bound up like cocoons. Among them, three were faces Kang Mu-hyuk recognized. Before Kang Muhyuk could fully grasp the situation, Mr. Cho¡¯s voice came from the receiver.
  • That voice that sounds like it just ate a train. Go Eul-ji, right? Still a troublemaker? Just hearing her voice annoys me. Anyway, request received. I¡¯ll get back to youter, Guild Leader Kang.
Kang Mu-hyuk carefully ced the receiver down and spoke gravely. ¡°Phew... Go Eul-ji. No matter how much trouble you¡¯ve caused till now, you should not have resorted to murder.¡± Chapter 119 - It鈥檚 okay for me to do this Kang Mu-hyuk let out a heavy sigh as he looked at Go eul-ji. "I''ll assign a legal team to you. First, turn yourself in. Hmm... Although you''re a minor, as a Hunter, you''ll get severe punishment for harming someone. Be prepared." "What are you talking about? Are you saying I''m the one in the wrong here?" "...Ah? No, you''re not." "What''s with the long pause?" Kang Mu-hyuk cleared his throat and asked a question to change the atmosphere. "So, who are those people tied up over there?" Nine Hunters, floating in the air with their limbs tightly bound by monster-suppressing ropes. Go Eul-ji scratched her head and replied, "I''m not exactly sure, but probably these four and those five are one group. Originally, there were six in the group of five, but one died. These four killed him." The party of four protested at GoEul-ji''s exnation. "Mmmp! Mmmp mmmp." "Mmm, mmmp mmmp mmmp." "You''ve gagged them too." "They were too noisy." "Let''s leave them as they are for now. Tell me everything from the beginning, in detail." Go Eul-ji exined what he knew. The rampage of White Tiger Guild''s Park Beomil at themunity center, the order from Pyo Beom-hee to monitor him, the fight between two parties she encountered while tailing Park Beomil, and how she stopped Park Beomil who tried to eliminate them all and then escaped. "I stopped tailing and intervened because I thought they''d all get killed if I left them alone. The funny thing is, Park Beomil tried to take those five. He practically advertised that they were his targets. He didn''t expect me to escape with all of them. Haha, you should''ve seen the shocked look on his face! It was priceless." Go Eul-ji shrugged and wiped under her nose with her thumb. ''Ahem. This is how good I am. Come on, praise me already.'' As Go Eul-ji boasted about her brilliant judgment, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke up. "But Go Eul-ji, Team Leader Pyo gave you the mission. Why did youe here?" "Huh? Why are you asking that all of a sudden instead of praising me...?" "What? I couldn''t hear you, speak up." "No, it''s just that... Team Leader Pyo was busy. She wasn''t around. And there''s no phone signal here. I couldn''t just keep waiting, so I brought them here." "Okay. I got a rough idea of what happened." Kang Mu-hyuk guessed that Pyo Beom-hee assigned the task to Go Eul-ji because of the list she brought to him. Even if she had released Jang Deuk-goo as a watcher, it would be difficult to individually control Hunters who could cause problems. Especially if someone like Park Beomil, a ticking time bomb, was roaming around. Since Pyo Beom-hee was responsible for managing Hunter care and incidents at Titan Guild, it must''ve been particrly concerning. In that sense, Go Eul-ji was an optimal choice. She didn''t have any assigned tasks, and her telekic mobility and restraint abilities would be helpful in controlling Hunters. ''Go Eul-ji handled it well this time, but... having even a brief battle is a risky oue. I can''t believe she fought a foe two ranks higher than her... Had she gotten hurt or died, it would have escted into a conflict that couldn''t be overlooked.'' If that happened, Ju Se-ah would have taken action, and a war might have broken out. Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t sure if he could stop her. Having grasped the situation, Kang Mu-hyuk moved on to the next issue. He pointed at each of the Hunters. "White Tiger Guild targeting was probably not those five, but these four." "Huh? The group of four? But he was just going to leave them alone." "That''s because you intervened midway. You mentioned there was another person beside Park Beomil, right? That''s likely Hunter Go Taeseob." "He has the same surname Go as me, huh?" "Park Beomil has strongbat power butcks leadership. So Go Taeseob is in charge of the party''s order. He''s cautious and doesn''t overdo himself. That''s why White Tiger Guild pairs them together for any mission. To effectively control Park Beomil." "Wow~ Even though White Tiger Guild is high-tier, how do you know all that without even seeing them, Guild Leader Kang?" "It''s the basic knowledge a Strategy Team leader should have. Not just for Tier guilds, but for key figures in A-rank and mid-sized guilds as well. I also keep tabs on notable Hunters in smaller guilds." "With your brain, you wouldn''t have any trouble with memory-based subjects. I wish I could borrow it just for exams." Ignoring Go Eul-ji''s envious look, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Given Go Taeseob''s personality, if he knew you were from Iron Will Guild, he would have tried to avoid a confrontation. While most Hunters have an ''all or nothing'' attitude, seasoned Hunters know what to take and what to leave." "So they spat out what they couldn''t eat?" "It was a rational decision in its own right, but it''s like a thief being on edge. When caught stealing, they usually try to take at least their belongings with them to erase the evidence." "Ah, so that''s why they tried to take them away? To silence them?" When Go Eul-ji made a throat-slitting gesture, the five Hunters tied together flinched. Kang Mu-hyuk looked around at the nine Hunters, each with a different expression. The five, who looked troubled and serious, aside, the four who hadmitted murder seemed more at ease. However, one of the four still looked uneasy and had a paleplexion. "Those three over there. Hunters Seo Suji, Lee Cheoljin, and Yu Taejin---I know them from the Gangbyeonbuk Expressway incident. I also know their identities. So, you must be the one they were targeting. Go Eul-ji, release this person so she can speak." Soon, the pressure gagging the Hunter that Kang Muhyeok pointed to was released. However, the body remained bound. Kang Mu-hyuk spoke, "I am Kang Mu-hyuk, the leader of Iron Will Guild." "I''m Lee Sookyoung." When Kang Mu-hyuk introduced himself, Lee Sookyoung blinked in greeting, as she couldn''t move her head. ''She''s from the North?'' A spark of interest shed in Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes. He asked nonchntly. "Hunter Lee Sookyoung, I have one question. Why were they targeting you?" The moment Tae Suman, who was in the VIP room of the high-end salon where he first met Kang Mu-hyuk, saw Ju Se-ah enter, he frowned. "I didn''t expect you toe." "Guild leader Kang is busy. I''m busy too. I''m just visiting Seoul, so I thought I''d see you. I need to get back soon." "Visiting? Not meeting with the Chairman?" "That too, while I''m at it." Ju Se-ah walked to the sofa opposite Tae Suman and threw herself onto it. Her posture was rude, but as she ced her arms on the back of the sofa, Tae Suman felt a peculiar sense of pressure. It wasn''t because of her arrogant attitude. It wasn''t the aura of being Korea''s top Hunter either. There was no sense of intimidation or the typical Hunter''s aura of domination. It was just a familiar look in Ju Se-ah''s eyes that made him feel a d¨¦j¨¤ vu. As if he were looking at his father. "Did Guild Leader Kang outsmart me? This is flustering. I didn''t expect to meet my dear youngest sister here. I didn''t think of him as one of my people, but I thought he might be a business partner at least. People really have no principles." "This kind of work was never for people with principles. Let''s skip the small talk and get to business. My dear Brother." "You''ve be quite the sly one. Calling me brother." "If I can take a whole guild by calling you that, isn''t that a profitable deal? I can even act cute for you. My dear brother~" "Just stick to what you usually do. It doesn''t suit you." "Not working? Well, being cute isn''t my specialty." Feeling his energy being drained from the start, Tae Suman continued the conversation. "Anyway, about taking a guild? You? Who said they''d just give it to you?" "I''ll take the guild. You take the group. Isn''t that a good deal? It feels like I''m getting the short end of the stick though." Tae Suman was momentarily at a loss for words. Though she was being indirect, she was essentially proposing an alliance. "So, can I take that to mean you''re not interested in the group?" "I''m only interested in hunting monsters. But if anyone tries to interfere, well, I''ll have no choice but to take over the group too. Conversely, if you leave the guild alone and let it be independent, I can support you." Tae Suman stared silently at Ju Se-ah. Her thorny manner of speaking was the same, but unlike before, she had be quite skillful in negotiation. She had polished her ability to turn situations to her advantage, albeit to a certain extent. ''No wonder her manner of speaking reminded me of someone. She must have learned a thing or two from Kang Mu-hyuk.'' After organizing his thoughts, Tae Suman spoke. "How do I know you won''t go to my brother and say the same thing?" "Our dear older brother is greedy. Do you think he''d want to lose something that was originally his? I don''t want to get stabbed in the back after partnering with him either." "I''m just as greedy." "A dog is a dog. But it''s better if the dog looks and sounds cuter, isn''t it?" "Jeez, the way you talk." "You''re not at the age where you want a cute little sister either, are you? Try asking the Chairman for that. He still seems fit enough for ate child." The more he talked to Ju Se-ah, the more infuriated he became. She wasn''t a cute sister before either, but now she was more of a troublesome one. Tae Suman felt the need to adjust the terms of the negotiation to avoid being dragged into her pace. "Fine. You take the guild. But no independence. You can do whatever you want within the group. I won''t interfere." "Hey there, Mr. Tae Suman." "..." "If you try to take everything, you''ll lose everything. You can''t beat the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman while satisfying all your greed. Just give up where it''s necessary." Ju Se-ah was threatening him with a nk expression, and then suddenly added something else as if she had just remembered it. "Oh, and if you don''t honor the agreement after taking over the group, you will have trouble." "Even a verbal contract is a contract, huh? If you''re that worried, I can write a note. Want one?" "No need. Who knows what shady things you''d do with it. You''re not trying to put a leash on me with a piece of paper, are you? Besides, I don''t need any contract." Ju Se-ah lightly ced her hand on the table. With a crack, the marble top shattered, splitting the table. "In the Hunter world, there''s a saying: ''Why use words when you have a good fist?'' A Hunter of my level can handle things quietly. I''ll leave the details of the way I''ll handle things to your imagination." "Ha? You''re even threatening me now? Our little sister has grown up, huh?" "Someone told me recently that it''s okay for Korea''s top Hunter to do this. I hope you''re not my first recipient of that." Tae Suman unconsciously swallowed dryly. Kang Mu-hyuk temporarily detained the Hunters who tried to kill Lee Sookyoung in a special facility. Seo Suji''s group was also isted forter testimony. Although he had fought alongside Seo Su-ji''s group during the Gangbyeonbuk Expressway incident, Hunters could betray their allies depending on the situation and their interests, so he couldn''tpletely trust them. Kang Mu-hyuk invited the now-free Lee Sookyoung to take a seat. "Would you like some coffee?" "Do you have something sweet?" "Something sweet?" "That yellow sweet fruit drink. After a few near-death experiences, I crave something sweet." "Oh, orange juice? I don''t have any because I don''t usually drink sweet things." "Then, I''ll just have coffee with sugar." Kang Mu-hyuk brewed a hot coffee and served it to Lee Sookyoung. In the now more rxed atmosphere, he asked again. "Alright, I''ve dismissed everyone to make it easier for you to talk. To help resolve this, I need to know the situation. Why did you, a Hunter from the North end up being chased here?" "Honestly, I''m not sure either. It seems to be rted to something I saw at the ''Monster Convergence Zone''... but I have no idea what it was." "In the Demonic Realm? What did you see?" The mention of the Gate seen in the demonic realm made Kang Mu-hyuk tense up. As it was, the conflict between China and Russia in the Demonic Realm was intensifying. Was it really a coincidence that Lee Sookyoung fled all the way here at this time? Could what she saw bepletely unrted to the incidents he knew about? Kang Mu-hyuk''s instincts sharpened. Lee Sookyoung continued her story. "I saw a monster door. In American terms, it''s called a Gate. I saw it, but... it seemed strange." "How was it strange?" "Usually, a monster Gate has a ''gatekeeper'' standing guard. If there isn''t one, it means the Gate has been cleared, right?" "That''s correct." "But if the Gate was cleared, it would make sanse (sense) to unlock it with a key and enter. Instead, they had some strange device extracting forcee (force) fields from the Gate." "A device?" "A red forcee (force) field was covering the monster Gate. It looked like it was blocking something. Like it was preventing monsters froming out." "Blocking the Gate?" Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t think of anything immediately. As far as he knew, there was no method to seal or block a Gate. The only thing that came to mind was a ''closing bomb.'' ''But that''s hard to use except in Demonic Realms due to its side effects.'' The closing bomb. It was ast resort to forcefully close a Gate. The method was simple. If a Gate couldn''t be cleared before the outbreak date, they would just blow up the entire external Gate. The problem was that this method couldn''t be used in a city. Blowing up a Gate had the effect of an EMP bomb, effectively showering the entire city with electromaic pulses, destroying all electronic devices. Furthermore, it rendered the use of power impossible. Depending on the size of the Gate, the region could be without electricity and fuel for anywhere from a few years to several decades. In short, it would revert the area to the Stone Age. Even without destruction by monsters, the city would effectively die. ''It''s probably not just a device to block the Gate. It must be for a different purpose, or it''s being used differently than originally intended. The question is, what is it for? Is it something worth killing people to keep them silent?'' Kang Mu-hyuk already suspected that the Gate Lee Sookyoung saw was one of the five Gates mentioned by the Tsar Guild, and he was thinking of how to respond. "Still, it wasn''t a bad choice toe to the North Pocheon ''Hunter Activity Group'' based on the Sinuiju middleman''s advice. It''s fortunate I met an activity leader who understood me and saved my life." Kang Mu-hyuk felt a chill run down his spine at Lee Sookyoung''s casual remark as she sipped her coffee. "Wait a moment. Are you saying someone suggested youe to North Pocheon?" "It wasn''t exactly a suggestion. They just mentioned this Hunter vige. I made the decision myself. Thatrade even got me away from my pursuers, showing great loyalty." It was rare for Hunters from the North toe down to the South. Even if their lives depended on it, there were many rumors in the North that made Hunters hesitant toe South. Kang Mu-hyuk knew well how Ju Se-ah was portrayed in Northern rumors---as practically a monster, a human scum. Despite that, he found it curious that Lee Sookyoung came all the way to North Pocheon. ''A middleman ''means a broker. A Sinuiju broker risked danger to help her escape? Something''s off.'' Of course, Sinuiju brokers were known for their dedication to clients. But their level of service depended on how much was paid. The more you paid, the better the service. It was unlikely that a Northern Hunter like Lee Sookyoung could afford an expensive service. "Do you know who the broker was who suggested North Pocheon? Their name, age, or origin?" "Well, the name was... Ah! They gave me a ''self introduction card.''" Lee Sookyoung rummaged through her belongings and pulled out a worn wallet, handing over a business card. Kang Mu-hyuk took the card and read the name. "Ha? Why is his name here?" Chapter 120 - Im Getting Really Curious Now The name on the business card made Kang Mu-hyuk''s head spin. He decided to have Lee Sookyoung stay within the guild for now. He was nning to proceed with the testimonies from Seo Suji''s party and the interrogation of the unidentified Hunters, but the business card made him change his mind. ''If this is the Hyun Junggeon I know... no way will I touch any matter that unpredictable thrill seeker(?) has meddled in.'' Thrill seeker. That was how Kang Mu-hyuk defined Hyun Junggeon. There was no better way to describe him. A person who found motivation in excitement and thrill. Hyun Junggeon enjoyed creating, intervening in, and manipting sensational incidents. ''At least he has his own set of principles.'' Former Titan colleagues knew Hyun Junggeon as a sly, shrewd, but highlypetent Hunter. Kang Mu-hyuk had no doubt about hispetence. However, from his experience working with him, Hyun Junggeon was a dangerous individual. There were times when Kang Mu-hyuk was convinced that one misstep could turn Hyun Junggeon into the worst viin. ''Even Vice Guild Leader Ma Taesu was reluctant to use him.'' Ma Taesu, an efficiency-oriented person who would even use people from Ujungdo if they were useful, was wary of Hyun Junggeon. Such a person had been Kang Mu-hyuk''s close associate for two years. They had aplished much together, but there had been countless dangerous moments. Thinking back, Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t believe how he had managed to handle those situations. ''I need to review the situation again. I need to organize the testimonies so far and the information I have about the Demonic Realm to see the bigger picture.'' First, Kang Mu-hyuk simplified the situation. He took out a notepad and listed the connections in chronological order based on ces and people. It was a method he often used to get an overview ofplex incidents. He started with Russia as the starting point. It was the source of information about the Demonic Realm and the first indication of suspicious activity. ¡ºRussia ¡ú Tsar Guild ¡ú Demonic Realm ¡ú Chinese Guild ¡ú Gate ¡ú Mysterious Device ¡ú Lee Sookyoung (witness) ¡ú Korean Hunters (pursuers) ¡ú Sinuiju ¡ú Hyun Junggeon ¡ú North Pocheon ¡ú White Tiger Guild ¡ú Kim Myung-jun ¡ú Tae Sucheol¡» "Now, if I remove any connections that make no sense then..." He started with Kim Myung-jun. Although connected to the White Tiger Guild, Tae Sucheol had nothing to do with the Demonic Realm. Given the connection between the Taesung Group and Ju Se-ah, it wasn''t strange that Kim Myung-jun, tasked with hindering Ju Se-ah, was linked to the eldest son of Taesung. He was likely just acting as a broker. ''Then, what about the White Tiger Guild?'' The White Tiger Guild was ambiguous. Despite being a Tier guild, it had a terrible reputation, but there was no certainty about it being involved in the Demonic Realm. The organization behind the Korean Hunters chasing Lee Sookyoung could have been just a client. However, given Go Eul-ji''s testimony about their intent to eliminate the Hunters, they could be deeply involved. What was unsettling was that White Tiger Guild had assigned Park Beomil, one of their top fighters, to the mission. ''The most troubling aspects are Hyun Junggeon and Sinuiju.'' It wasn''t odd that Sinuiju, the city Lee Sookyoung escaped through, was involved. But Hyun Junggeon was too unexpected. Of course, the mere appearance of someone whom Kang Mu-hyuk considered a dangerous individual at this point heightened his vignce. Too suspicious to be a coincidence. Judging by the business card, Hyun Junggeon seemed to be working as a broker in Sinuiju. Maybe brokerage suited Hyun Junggeon well. He was always seeking thrills, and there was no ce in Korea more spectacr than Sinuiju, making it a fitting job for him. While looking at the memo, Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes fixed on the part that said ''Korean Hunters (pursuers),'' and he muttered to himself. "Korean Hunters chasing someone at a Gate in the Demonic Realm managed by a Chinese guild? I need to look into this." Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the phone and connected to the Guild Cooperation Agency. The person on the other end was Chief Park Choongsu, who had ended up as Iron Will''s contact at the agency after receiving Kang Mu-hyuk''s call for the first time. After a brief exchange of greetings, Kang Mu-hyuk got straight to the point. "Chief Park, could you get me a list of Hunters who naturalized to China? It''s nothing major, just looking for potential recruits. We might be able to bring them back through nationality recovery." Kang Mu-hyuk made up a usible reason to prevent the Guild Cooperation Agency from unnecessary worrying. "Yes, not illegal immigrants, just those who followed the proper procedures will do. And could you also provide the list of Chinese guilds they joined? It might be necessary for negotiations. No, I don''t need to know everything, just the ones with the most recruits in order. Also, please include the guild sizes ording to Chinese rankings. Oh? And if they''ve had any joint hunts or business dealings with domestic guilds, please include that too. ''Guanxi''(Connections) matters a lot in China after all, doesn''t it? If they''ve worked with domestic guilds, it''ll be easier tomunicate through those guilds." Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t bring himself to ask directly if any of these Chinese guilds had worked with White Tiger Guild. Mentioning a Tier guild''s dealings with China might make the Guild Cooperation Agency go on high alert. Even just mentioning Russia and the Demonic Realm had made the department head uneasy; he couldn''t bring China into this as well. It would be a burden for the Guild Cooperation Agency, since theycked international capability. However, the straightforward and intuitivemissioner Cha Giljoo might investigate White Tiger Guild without considering the repercussions. White Tiger Guild was a major guild that even the yer Guild didn''t easily overlook. Rather than causing unnecessary trouble, Kang Mu-hyuk decided it was better to do the research himself.
  • You''re right, Guild Leader. Chinese people tend to be generous when ites to guanxi. It''s no different in the Hunter industry. I''ll check and get back to you.
Thankfully, mentioning guanxi made Chief Park agree to Kang Mu-hyuk''s request without suspicion. Though still missing some necessary pieces for his judgment, Kang Mu-hyuk felt he couldn''t stay at his desk any longer. This incident, influenced by aplex intery of coincidences and inevitabilities, seemed unlikely to end as a small spark. He kept fiddling with the business card, tapping it on the desk as he pondered. "Letting this go without talking to him must be bothering me." He picked up the receiver and dialed the number on the business card. After a few rings, there was a click, followed by a familiar voice. "Yes, this is Hyun Junggeon, the CEO of ''Get Anything Done.''" A voice from old memories, full of mischief, made Kang Mu-hyuk certain. "You''re making it too obvious that you set this up." "Oh my, who do we have here? Team leader Kang Mu-hyuk. Oh wait, it''s Guild Leader Kang now, right? I almost made a big mistake, speaking informally to such a high-ranking person. How have you been? I was quite worried when I heard you left Titan. But now you''re the head of the most promising guild in Korea. Haha, or should I say, you made it the most promising guild?" "Enough with the insincerepliments. What''s this about Hunter Lee Sookyoung? Why did you handle this so dangerously?" In response to Kang Mu-hyuk''s direct question, Hyun Junggeon chuckled and pped his knee. "As expected, you figured it out. I wasn''t sure if my business card would reach you. Honestly, it was a fifty-fifty chance." "North Pocheon is a dead end. These people chased her from the Demonic Realm to beyond the border. You surely didn''t think they would not chase her to North Pocheon, did you? Sending Hunter Lee Sookyoung there, iming it was a safe ce, you must have had some ulterior motive." There was a slight edge of anger in Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice. Considering he rarely showed any change in emotions, it was an unusual sight. Conversely, it meant that few people could unsettle him as much as Hyun Junggeon. In some sense, it was impressive. "Haha, well, it''s not like I didn''t have any intentions, but..." "And your intentions were quite malicious towards Hunter Lee Sookyoung." "I hold no ill will towards Lee Sookyoung." "Rmending North Pocheon as a destination inherently involved her being potentially sacrificed, didn''t it?" "Well, I did think she might die if she was unlucky. But I''m sure she knew she had no other options." Kang Mu-hyuk responded incredulously. "Had she died in North Pocheon, her belongings would eventually be reported to me, and you must have figured that I''d get your business card as well. If that''s not ill will, what is?" "Oh, you''re exaggerating things now. You know how Hunter corpses are disposed of, don''t you? There''s nothing left of the body if monsters eat them, so why would I choose a means of getting in touch with you that has such a low probability?" "If you had no other choice, well then, you''re the type of person who would do that, Hyun Junggeon, I mean Mr. CEO." "What if I just didn''t know Iron Will''s direct contact number and this was my way of passing the card? My connections couldn''t get the number anywhere." "That''s not the answer I want. You''re still hiding something." "Despite our years of working together, my goodness, you don''t trust me. I''m the one who''s sensing ill will from you, Guild Leader." The conversation paused, with a long silence. Hyun Junggeon couldn''t hold back and opened his mouth again. "Alright, assuming you''re right. Why would I go through such aplicated method to contact you? The card might not have even reached you." "Well, maybe because you couldn''t have Hunter Lee Sookyoung find out? Because it would be bad if she got caught, and word came out that you tried to contact me. The business card could be discarded without much thought, but if she was caught while trying to contact me directly on your orders, it could lead toplications. You might have thought it better to risk no contact at all. It''s just a guess though." "As expected... I knew you could be a viable solution." He deeply sighed after he uttered those words for some unknown reason. It was as if you could feel the hot breath steaming from Hyun Junggeon''s mouth. "Guild Leader, would youe to Sinuiju?" "Sorry, but my schedule here is packed. I don''t have the luxury to head up to Sinuiju. If you have important business, either youe here yourself, or tell me over the phone." "I''d love toe here, but unfortunately, I can''t leave my ce. And it''s hard to exin over the phone." "I have no reason to amodate your situation." "No. You have toe. Something very serious is happening here." Seriously? A word Hyun Junggeon had never used before came out of his mouth. ''He''s not one to say something is serious unless it really is.'' Even during the Titan Guild days, when half of the raid team was wiped out while tackling a Gate, he had never used that word. For some reason, Kang Mu-hyuk felt he would deeply regret it if he didn''t heed Hyun Junggeon''s request. ''This is why I didn''t want to get involved. I shouldn''t have made the call. Once I talk to him, I can''t just ignore it.'' Kang Mu-hyuk looked at the goosebumps on his arm, feeling an ominous premonition. "I''ll contact you as soon as I handle some urgent matters. We''ll set up a meeting then." "I hope we can meet as soon as possible. Goodbye." As soon as the call ended, Kang Mu-hyuk summoned Noh Song-rin. "What did you call me for?" "It seems you need to visit Sinuiju. Please investigate the situation there." Sinuiju. A city in Korean territory, but abandoned by Korea. It was a hub for border trade and a distribution center for Yalu River timber, given its convenientnd and water transportation as a border city with China. Once, it had a poption exceeding 300,000, but it became apletely ruined city after the Great War. After the Great War, when North Korean Hunters resisted being absorbed into South Korea during the reunification, it became a stronghold for rebel Hunters. Following the period known as the ''Small War,'' during which arge-scale outbreak urred, the Demonic Realm expanded. As the only city not blocked from the Demonic Realm and still bordering China, it became home to nearly 400,000 people. Although the poption wasrger than at any other time in the city''s history, half were Chinese or of Korean-Chinese descent, another quarter were descendants of defeated North Korean Hunters, and the remaining quarter were criminals hiding their identities, brokers, and merchants living off them. Oftenpared to Gotham City in the Hunter era, Sinuiju became a modern slum devoid of hope. "Mr. Hyun, shouldn''t you know better if you want to keep making a living?" "Come on. Why would you bring knives into the conversation?" "If you were someone who could be reasoned with, I would have done that already. Live quietly, like a broker, kissing your clients'' asses. Don''t stir things up by bringing people into this." "The people don''te anyway. Everyone''s too busy trying to make a living." "This is myst warning. If you get caught helping those Northern bastards again likest time, I''ll make sure you can''t swallow anything down that throat. Got it?" "Ha, this rascal. You''re really just a puppet for the Chinese now. As fellow countrymen, have some conscience. Stop exploiting your own people." "Wow~ you talking about countrymen is hrious. Fucking hyena." "I didn''t say that to be funny, but it does sound awkwarding from me. Anyway, it''s not good for either of us to keep seeing each other. Just let it slide, yeah?" "Hmph! Run your business well. Don''t get caught." "Have a safe journey. Don''t go too far." After the unwee visitor left, Hyun Junggeon checked the message he receivedst night once again. <31st, 10 o''clock. You choose the location and let us know.> "Quicker than I thought. Kang Mu-hyuk." As he sent the location, he muttered to himself. "I wonder how someone like you would handle this ce. I''m really getting curious now." Chapter 121 - Yes, This Is What The Demonic Realm Is About At the end of a secluded alleyway stood a crumbling bar. A lone customer opened the creaky door and walked in. As he sat at the long bar where the bartender was, a man who had been sipping alcohol since broad daylight took an interest in him. "Hey there, pal. You''re not from around here, are you? Just looking at you, it''s obvious you''re an outsider." "Who the hell would im this shithole as their hometown? Everyone living in Sinuiju is just a drifter." "Well, damn, aren''t you prickly? Judging by the way you don''t have a dialect, you must be from Seoul, huh?" "You''re not speaking in a dialect either, so you must not be from here either, right?" "Half the people in Sinuiju came from elsewhere after causing trouble." "I didn''t cause any trouble. I just came back to my hometown after a long time." "Hometown? You just said you weren''t from here." "It''s not much of a hometown. My parents had me here while fleeing during the war. We moved south not long after. I just meant it''s the ce I was born." "Still, it''s a homing of sorts, isn''t it? No one returns to Sinuiju even if they make it big. You''re like a salmon swimming back. In that sense, can I buy you a drink? Hey, waiter. A whiskey for my friend here." Just like in a Western saloon, a ss filled with brown liquid was roughly ced on the table. "On the rocks." "Oi, men drink it straight." "On the rocks." "Are you one of those iced coffee diehards? I seriously don''t understand people who drink their alcohol with ice." The other man asked the man drinking whiskey with ice. "It''s kind of fate to meet in such a dingy bar, so let''s introduce ourselves, yeah? I''m Park Daeman. And you are?" "No Gushim." "That''s such an entric name. So old-fashioned." "Are you going to keep yapping? You''re ruining my drink." "Ah, sorry, sorry. Sitting here drinking during the day just gets so boring." "Why does a bored man like you keep looking at his watch? If you have ns, just leave. Don''t be a bother." "There''s just something I need to check." "What? You want to see when the drugs kick in?" "!!" No Gushim turned his head to look at the man. The man felt a chill run down his spine. He wasn''t the same hazy-eyed person from a moment ago. "Did you think no one would notice if you put ''paralysis powder'' in the drink? I thought this ce was an information broker. Human trafficking in broad daylight, in a bar no less? Where do you n to sell a Hunter? China? I''ve heard there are crazy bastards over there who dissect Hunters." "Fuck©¤!" The man reached for the dagger at his waist, but No Gushim was faster. He grabbed the man''s head and mmed his face into the bar table, repeatedly, making a noise like a hammer striking. The table''s surface cracked, and the man''s nose was smashed, with his front teeth flying into the air. "Urgh!" No Gushim grabbed the man by the scruff of his neck and kneed him in the stomach. The man copsed to the floor, vomiting all the alcohol he had drunk on an empty stomach. "Just because I''ve been living quietly under the Guild Leader''s watch, now all sorts of scum think they can mess with me, huh?" No Gushim red at the bartender, who was armed. The passerby he saw when he came in was locking the door. The man who had been dozing at the table in the hall had a sinister look in his eyes. More men emerged from the restroom, the storeroom, and down the stairs from the second floor, surrounding No Gushim. "Whew, this is ridiculous. It''s not even the middle of summer, but I guess it''s time to deal with some dogs. Do you really think you can take me on? You''ve got a long way to go." "W-Wait. Cough©¤ Wait a moment! This isn''t human trafficking. We are actually information brokers. Guys, put the knives down! Unless you all want to die." As No Gushim pulled out a small knife that fit snugly in his hand, the man rolling in the vomit on the floor urgently shouted. The surrounding Hunters sheathed their weapons and stepped back. No Gushim smirked. "Good judgment." "Can you put the knife away too?" "Is it true? That you guys are information brokers? Even after drugging me with paralysis powder?" "An outsider, especially a Hunter, came straight to our information brokerage. This bar isn''t in a prime location, and even with a map, it''s hard to find. Of course, we were suspicious. We nned to subdue you first and then question you." "By torturing me?" "N-No. We were just going to restrain you and confirm your identity..." "Fine. Whether it''s true or not doesn''t matter. I didn''te here to shed blood. I just need some information." No Gushim picked up the ss on the bar, poured out the liquor, and held it out to the awkwardly standing bartender. "On the rocks." The bartender hesitated. The man who had been on the floor nodded to him. The bartender picked up a different bottle from the one he had used before and filled the ss with ice and liquor. No Gushim downed the whiskey in one shot and said, "I have a job for you to do." "First,e inside." "No. How do I know what''s inside?" "We don''t do that to customers." "Didn''t you just try that on me?" "Well, that was just..." The man tried to exin again, but realizing the conversation was happening in circles, he swallowed his words. ''He caught on about the paralysis powder, pretended to drink the whiskey, and swung his fist without any hesitation. This guy is a seasoned high-ranking Hunter.'' The man realized that No Gushim was the same as him. Someone who lived with illegality andwlessness as a habit. The only difference was that No Gushim was at a higher level. "Is No Gushim your real name?" "I asked for information, not an interrogation." "What information do you need?" "The general atmosphere in Sinuiju, and a lot of this and that." "If you put it that vaguely..." "As expected of a new business, you''re really dull, aren''t you? But that''s why I came here." Though it felt like he was being looked down on, the man couldn''t get angry because No Gushim was right. ''He came here deliberately. He knows we just opened recently. Far from this being opening day luck, we''re fucked from the start.'' What this violent customer implied was that he had chosen a less capable information broker to avoid being traced. New brokers had few connections and limited means to share information. Given his skills, tailing him would likely be useless too. ''Using a new broker means he''s not looking for high-value information.'' Information that they could obtain simply by putting in some legwork. He was using an information broker just to save time. Even with his limited experience as an information broker, the man could discern that much. "Please give us more details." "The guilds dominating Sinuiju, the rtionships and power dynamics among Hunters, key figures, recent issues, and all rumors and incidents in the Huntermunity. Also, public opinion and the general mood of the citizens here. Ah, and information rted to brokers, especially about a guy named Hyun Junggeon. He runs a shady shop called ''Get Anything Done''. I want detailed info on him. Got it?" "How will you pay? You know we don''t ept cards or bank transfers here." "Do you think this is my first transaction? Here." No Gushim pulled out a thick envelope from his chest and threw it over. Upon checking inside, it was the exact right amount. Meaning, he was familiar with the prices in this world. ''It''s hard to ask for more. He must be well-versed in these matters.'' No Gushim turned his back without looking back. As he red at the man blocking the exit, the man stepped aside. Half-opening the door, No Gushim said, "Send the data in a file to the address on the envelope by tonight." "Yes. I''ll deliver it by 9 PM." "I thought I''d never see Sinuiju again in my life. What am I doing here? Even going so far as to use my grandfather''s name?" A cheap motel on the outskirts of Sinuiju. No Gushim, no, No Song-rin,y on a squeaky bed, staring at the ceiling. He reflected on Sinuiju in a ce that could barely be called a motel. He didn''t have any memories of it, but this was the city he was born in. His impression of Sinuiju was simply ''shit.'' It was as harsh and messy as he had heard from his grandfather and father. He wondered why Kang Mu-hyuk sent him here to gather information and gauge the city''s atmosphere. ''No, it''s even worse than back then. At least during that time, everyone was equal before the monsters.'' Now? Even among humans, there was a divide between Hunters and civilians. The long-standing ss divide between rich and poor remained, and discrimination between South Koreans and North Koreans existed even within the Korean Penins. ''Sinuiju tantly embodies all those forms of discrimination in one location.'' Sinuiju was not only terrible in terms of discrimination but also in many other aspects. The asphalt roads were cracked everywhere, and there wasn''t a single intact sidewalk. Traffic lights changed randomly or werepletely out of order. Cars took precedence over people, and if a Hunter caused an ident, it would be covered up without anyone knowing. Streetlights and utility poles were broken or evenpletely uprooted. The problems extended beyond just the social infrastructure. Homeless people were everywhere, and pickpockets were encountered on every block. Robbery was rampant, with criminals openly brandishing knives. On his way to his lodging, No Song-rin encountered thieves trying to steal his wallet five times. Sometimes the thieves kidnapped people. It wasmon for people to be bought and sold like ves in the markets. These humanmodities were treated like livestock. Education and medical facilities were nonexistent in such a ce. The only major hospital in Sinuiju was notorious for its tant greed for money. Most citizens of Sinuiju did not enjoy the benefits of health insurance avable to all South Korean citizens. Sinuiju was reputedly Korea''s ''Agbogbloshie,'' known as the worst city in Ghana, Africa. Sinuiju after the Great War, became one of the mostwless cities in the world, a ce where death was rampant. While it wasn''t as bad as Agbogbloshie, Sinuiju was simrly irredeemable. People outside of Sinuiju knew about this but kept it quiet because it was easier to ignore. Even the South Korean government eventually gave up on it. As long as the corruption and crime within Sinuiju did not spill out, they simply left it alone. ''Thank God that both of them passed away early. Seeing what has be of this ce would have made them sad. After all, despite all this, they had some good memories here during the evacuation.'' No Song-rin''s grandfather was an ethnic Korean from Liaoning Province. During the chaos of the Great War, he fled south with his family to escape the monsters. No Song-rin was born in Sinuiju shortly after the Great War ended and spent his early childhood there. Having never set foot in China, he had a strong sense of being Korean. However, growing up hearing stories from the Great War, ces beyond the Yalu River, and Sinuiju itself didn''t feel unfamiliar to him. Somehow, Kang Mu-hyuk knew this and sent him to Sinuiju. "No, even if he didn''t know, he would''ve sent me anyway. That''s the kind of person he is." Given his knack for cing people precisely where they were needed, No Song-rin was the most likely Hunter in the guild to be dispatched to Sinuiju. He had never revealed his past, and since it wasn''t a story anyone would dig into, this mission must''ve been a coincidence. As he realized this, No Song-rin felt again that he was tightly caught in a trap. "It feels like I''m bing more and more like Guild Leader Kang''s minion." He muttered to himself sullenly. Knock, knock! The sound of knocking reached his ears. No Song-rin''s vignce instantly shot through the roof. Standing diagonally next to the wall by the door, No Song-rin spoke quietly. "Who is it?" No answer. The presence he had felt just moments ago had already vanished. While gathering mana in his distant right hand, he cautiously turned the doorknob. There was no one outside. Instead, there was a white envelope ced where his foot could kick it. No Song-rin realized that this envelope was from the information broker he had visited earlier that day. He carefully opened the envelope and found a USB drive inside. "Bloody Rascals. I was worried they were rookies, but they seem to have their act together." No Song-rin took the envelope inside and locked the door. He pulled out aptop from his backpack and plugged in the USB drive. Opening the folder, he saw numerous files. After ncing through a few files, No Song-rinpressed the documents with a program and sent them to Kang Mu-hyuk with a short message. After sending the email, No Song-rin realized there was something else he needed to add. He picked up his smartphone. "Huh? Why isn''t it working?" The phone disyed no signal. Aware of the unstable wirelessmunication infrastructure in Sinuiju, he tried the phone in the room, but it was also dead. With a sense of foreboding, he checked hisptop and saw that the inte connection, which had been working moments ago, was now cut off. "This is way too clich¨¦." As he pulled out his karambit knife from his pocket-- Bang! The door was shattered as masked assants burst in. No Song-rin charged at the intruders. The lead attacker hesitated, not expecting No Song-rin to counterattack. No Song-rin blocked the attacker''s vision with his open palm and then stabbed a short de into his neck. Grabbing the cor of the copsing body, he threw it at the following assants, scattering their formation. No Song-rin moved among them, stabbing, breaking arms, and twisting necks. Within moments, he had taken down a dozen attackers, but their numbers didn''t seem to dwindle as they continued to flood into the room. "Fucking human wave tactics. Are you guys fucking Chinese?" Cursing at the silent attackers, No Song-rin stepped back. The room was bing cluttered with bodies, limiting his movement. He could no longer fight effectively in the cramped space. Gathering mana throughout his body, he rammed himself into a windowless wall like a dump truck. Crash! The concrete crumbled like a sandcastle. No Song-rin twisted his body in the air as he exited the building. Despite the five-story drop, hended lightly without any issues. But what awaited him were... "Roar!" "Yeah, this is what the Demonic Realm should be like. You guys just let monsters roam the streets, huh?" They were ''ogres,'' known as the nightmare for Hunters below B-rank. Five of them. ''Are there people in Korea who can control monsters? I heard there were a few in China.'' The ogres weren''t the only ones. He sensed presences in the alleys, some at a simr rank to himself. "What overwhelming hospitality in my hometown. One more visit here and I might have every bone in my body broken to pieces." No Song-rin''s face twisted into a fierce expression. Kang Mu-hyuk left the guild early in the morning, saying he would be back from Sinuiju by the end of the day. Upon hearing his exnation, Ju Se-ah insisted on tagging along. "Sinuiju is no yground. It''s dangerous there. Let mee with you." "We''ll be meeting outside Sinuiju. Their local forces won''te out, given they''d be wary of the Korean guilds. The person we''re meeting today isn''t dangerous. Besides, I already sent No Song-rin ahead to Sinuiju, so he''ll join me. No need to worry." Despite Kang Mu-hyuk''s polite refusal, Ju Se-ah shook her head firmly. "Even outside the borders, things aren''t that great. Sinuiju may be Korean territory in name, but once inside, it''s awless zone. Who would think of it as part of Korea? No way. I''ll be your bodyguard. Be grateful for having an S-rank guard." Kang Mu-hyuk stared intently at Ju Se-ah, who seemed to be making a fuss. "Wh-what''s wrong?" "Are you just trying to get out of work?" Gulp. "Desk work is work too. If the Guild Master also leaves during busy times, the guild won''t work. I''d rather not leave my post, but I have no choice." "It''s not that I don''t want to work. I''m just worried about you. Fine, I''ll stay here and watch over the office." "I''ll need you to look after the guest Hunters while I''m gone." Kang Mu-hyuk entrusted Ju Se-ah with looking after Seo Suji''s party and Lee Sookyoung. With the true nature of the incident still unclear, there was a risk of assassination attempts. Since he nned to be gone only briefly, he arranged for them to stay and wait in the guild building. Having sessfully left Ju Se-ah behind, Kang Mu-hyuk headed out of North Pocheon, feeling relieved as he made a call. "Yes, it''s me. I''ll stop by on the way. Yes, it''s time for a check-up today. I''m out of medicine too. Yes. I just need to go to the Pajub, right? Let Uncle know, please." Chapter 122 - Quite interesting, isnt it? Kang Mu-hyuk stopped by the Paju Book City before heading to Sinuiju. To be precise, it was where the Book City had once been. Although it had survived the Great War, it waspletely destroyed during the Minor War. Unlike the Great War, which had clear battle lines, the Minor War had random Gate generation. Although it couldn''tpare to the Great War in terms of scale, the Minor War was a chaotic period with no clear front lines. Even though it was a short war,sting only a few months, several viges disappeared during that time. This affected both cities and rural areas alike. The cmity of the Minor War also reduced the Paju Book City to ruins. Nowadays, it served as a hub for reconstruction efforts as the book city had transformed into a corporate city. The ce Kang Mu-hyuk visited was one of these buildings. The exterior, remodeled from a warehouse, was unremarkable, but the equipment inside was rare and hard to find anywhere else. The person who made this equipment was Kang Mu-hyuk''s uncle, Yoon Ildo. "You''re here?" "Where''s Father?" "Oh! What''s this? You''re actually looking for your father? Did fighting with monsters revive your love for your father as a son?" "Well, I need the check-up done quickly. I''m busy." "You heartless kid. You used to be cuter when you were younger. I wanted a cute nephew, you know." "Stop talking about your grown-up nephew like that. If you want something cute, why don''t you get married and have a child yourself?" "No thanks. I don''t want to bring a child into this harsh world." "Are you sure it''s that, not just you can''t bring a child into this world, huh? Mom once told me something about you being single until you were thirty..." "Hey, you brat! Don''t make-up things about yourte mother. She never said that, you rascal." Yoon Ildo''s face turned red as he grumbled. "So, where is dad?" "Haaa, you really make me want to say ''f*ck you'' instead of ''nephew''." "You and dad saved my life, so you''re free to curse me that much." "You make me regret saving you. Your Guild Master must be something else, dealing with you." "Why are you guys yapping so much? If you''re here,e in and get ready for the check-up." A voice interrupted them, and they both looked up. Kang Chang-soo was looking down at them from the second-floor railing. His ck-rimmed sses framed his eyes with crinkled crow''s feet, and dark circles hung heavily below them. Kang Mu-hyuk greeted him with a slight nod, as if he were greeting a stranger. Kang Chang-soo also gave a brief nod before turning away. "Like father, like son. From the side, it looks like you''re using a cloning technique. Let''s go. It''ll take some time to do the tests we missedst time." Yoon Ildo shrugged and started up the stairs, with Kang Mu-hyuk following behind. The second floor was filled with various research equipment. As Yoon Ildo prepared for the inspection, something caught Kang Mu-hyuk''s eye. A document was disyed on aputer monitor. It was a thesis. "Is this for submission to an academic society?" "How did you know?" Kang Chang-soo asked as he tied a rubber band around Kang Mu-hyuk''s arm to draw blood. "I saw the website on the taskbar before." When Kang Mu-hyuk was diagnosed as terminal, he scoured various organizations for a cure. He remembered seeing that website during his search. He checked the thesis title. "''A Study on the Effects of Mana Poisoning on the Brain''?" It was a typically boring title for his father''s paper. "It won''t be popr." "It''s not meant to be popr. Your Mana Poisoning isn''t fully cured yet. It could suddenly worsen or the medication could stop working. We need more clinical trial subjects for aplete cure. That''s why we need to publish results, so people with Mana Poisoning can see it. It''s a disease that everyone has given up on curing. When they see it, they''ll sign up. The more participants we have, the better for us." "Even though the initial treatment is dangerous and could be fatal?" "We need their consent, of course. They''ll probably agree. It''s a choice between a certain death or a glimmer of hope. That''s why we need desperate people." The lighthearted conversation belied the serious implications of the clinical trials. Kang Mu-hyuk was lucky. He had found a way at the brink of death. The treatment was incredibly risky. He had faced death multiple times during the initial treatment. With no other options, they had to proceed with an imperfect treatment, making his survival nothing short of a miracle. "This doesn''t sound like a conversation between a father and son. Why so stiff?" Yoon Ildo informed them that he was ready. Kang Chang-soo handed over a gown simr to a hospital patient''s attire. "Change into this." The examination didn''t take as long as expected, but it stillsted the entire morning. As Kang Mu-hyuk changed back into his suit after the check-up, Kang Chang-soo spoke. "The blood test results will take some time. The other metrics are still within the normal range, but you should stille in for regr check-ups just in case. Don''t skip them likest time." "I can''te that often. I have a mountain of work. Besides, the Guild Master will get suspicious if I keeping for check-ups, thinking I have a health problem and insisting oning with me. If the test results show anything strange, she''ll definitely interfere. I only managed to get away today by making up an excuse." "Once every quarter. That''s the minimum. You live in a special operations zone with concentrated mana, so if you don''t want to die, stick to the schedule. You need to live long and kill lots of monsters. Here, take this. It''s a three-month supply of injections and pills." Kang Mu-hyuk noticed something odd about the package handed to him by Kang Chang-soo. "The color of the injections is different this time." "I''ve made some adjustments. They have better mana suppression capabilities. You mentioned having a hard time with the increased mana concentration while hunting goblins in North Pocheon, right? The mana distribution is unstable in special operations zones. This injection should help you withstand mana surges, like those that happen when Gates open. Just like it happened on Gangbyeonbuk Expressway." He was likely referring to when the Goblin Matron spewed ck mana, summoning strange creatures. Kang Chang-soo had improved the medication based on his son''s feedback. "That''s good. I''ve been feeling sluggish because of the mana in the special operations zone. I have been having a hard time since I ran out of injections." "Since you''ve missed a few doses, take the pills now to bnce it out. Inject the medicine before bed tonight. Contact me immediately if you experience any side effects." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded and took the pills first. The medication stabilized his body, which had been disrupted by exposure to the special operations zone''s mana. After several hours, he would take the injection. "Alright, I''ll see you at the next check-up." As he was stepping out of the building, he received a call from Park Choong-su from the guild cooperation agency. "Yes, Chief." "I heard you were on a business trip, so I called your smartphone. You answered the call at a good timing. I''m sorry it took so long to get the information you requested. We had trouble getting cooperation from China, so we had to verify it with our own data." "Can you send it to my email?" "I sent it a little while ago, so you should be able to see it now." "Thank you for your hard work." "No problem. Let me know if you need anything else." Before grabbing the steering wheel, Kang Mu-hyuk checked his email. He quickly scanned the list of Hunters who had defected to China and then focused on the guild list. Some guilds had nearly a hundred Korean defectors. "Yellow Dragon Guild. Ranked third among Chinese guilds. They''ve coborated with White Tiger Guild in the past. And another one... Anti-Heavens?" Reviewing the guild information, Kang Mu-hyuk found the situation intriguing. Yellow Dragon and Anti-Heavens. Both guilds had arge number of Korean defectors and were linked to White Tiger Guild. They were also in opposition to each other. It was particrly interesting that the Anti-Heavens Guild had been established specifically to counter the Yellow Dragon Guild. ording to the information, the name ''Anti-Heavens'' originated from the concept of rebellion, opposite to what Yellow Dragon symbolized---the emperor. Kang Mu-hyuk sent the information to Ju Se-ah and then called her. "Yes, Guild Master. I just sent you an email. In the list, you''ll find the names of the defected Hunters. Please check if any of them match those who attempted to kill Hunter Lee Sookyoung. If there''s a match, we need to formally raise the issue with the guild, so make sure to record their testimonies." After spending the entire morning on tests, it was evening by the time Kang Mu-hyuk arrived in Ryongchon County near Sinuiju. The sun was already setting behind the western mountains, as it was winter. Originally, they were supposed to meet in the morning, but due to Hyun Junggeon''s circumstances, the appointment was rescheduled for the afternoon. This worked out well, as it allowed him to get his mana poisoning check-up done. If he had had more time, Kang Mu-hyuk would have met up with No Song-rin to hear about the situation in Sinuiju firsthand before meeting Hyun Junggeon. However, worried about beingte for his appointment, he skipped this step. The email from No Song-rin was sufficient for understanding the situation in Sinuiju. ''If Hyun Junggeon says it''s serious, it''s likely an issue with Sinuiju or the Demonic Realm. Seeing as he insists on meeting me personally, it must mean he can''t leave his post for long. He probably wants my help... but I just don''t get what he''s up to yet.'' Kang Mu-hyuk contacted Hyun Junggeon using the number he had given him earlier. -You''re here? Where are you? Ah, Ryongchon Station? That''s not far from where I am. Follow Route 1 until just before entering Sinuiju. There''s a ce called Robam Station between Pohyang Station and Rakwon Station, just before crossing the bridge. Kang Mu-hyuk entered the location into his navigation system, but nothing came up. Hyun Junggeon continued, as if anticipating this. -It probably won''t show up on your navigation. It''s an old P''y?ng?i Line station that''s been closed. I''ll send you the coordinates. It''s a secluded ce, perfect for a secret meeting. See you soon. Kang Mu-hyuk drove to the location Hyun Junggeon had provided. He arrived at a quiet rural station overgrown with weeds, where a chilly wind swirled around his ankles. Not far from the station, he saw a railway bridge. This section, originally part of the P''y?ng?i Line, was supposed to be part of the Gyeongui Line, but the bridge had been closed since there were no trains going to Sinuiju. As a result, thest station before Sinuiju was Ryongchon Station. As he parked in front of the station and got out of the car, Hyun Junggeon walked out of the station. "It''s been so long, huh, Guild Leader Kang?" "Let''s skip the small talk and get straight to the point." "Why so stiff? Is it because you kicked me out of the guild? Don''t worry about it. I''ve already forgotten all about it." Kang Mu-hyuk responded firmly to Hyun Junggeon, who was waving his hand dismissively. "Expelling you was the best decision I could make at the time. I have no guilt about it." "No guilt? Then why did you me my dismissal on Ma Taesu? The other members think Ma Taesu kicked me out." "For internal unity, we needed amon enemy. If that offended you, I apologize. But thanks to your departure, we were able to hold on a bit longer." "It''s fine. I would''ve done the same. I was getting tired of Titan anyway, so it worked out." "Are you going to keep talking about the past?" Kang Mu-hyuk cut off the nostalgic conversation and pressed for answers. Hyun Junggeon''s yful expression changed. "You wouldn''t havee just on a whim. You''ve looked into the situation in Sinuiju, haven''t you?" "I understand it''s 5 minutes away from turning into a total mess." "5 minutes? It''s already 10 minutes into the mess." "What''s been happening during those ten minutes?" "Have you heard of Yellow Dragon, Anti-Heavens, Sundown, and Great Order?" These were names Kang Mu-hyuk recognized from the list he reviewed that morning. "They''re Chinese guilds." "Already up to speed, huh?" "I just happened to find out." "When coincidences pile up, they be a fate you can''t escape. Dealing with the Chinese is exactly that kind of fate." "Didn''t you already intend for me to find out when you sent Hunter Lee Sookyoung to North Pocheon?" "Most people wouldn''t get that far. Some never find out. But I figured you would." "So?" "The people I just mentioned are the big shots in Sinuiju. They aren''t visible, but they''re there. I''m sure there are other guilds as well, but I haven''t been able to identify all of them. I face way too much interference in the middle." Kang Mu-hyuk asked what he was curious about. "How is this connected to Hunter Lee Sookyoung? I heard she''s from Hamgyeong Province and was active near the Tumen River." "I was investigating those guys and found out they were looking for a female Hunter from North Korea near Hamgyeong Province. A Hunter who escaped from the Demonic Realm to Sinuiju. That''s how it all started. Luckily, I''m good at tracking people, so I got to her first, posing as a broker. After hearing her story, I realized she had sensed something strange in the Demonic Realm. She didn''t know what it was, though." "I heard that too. It seems the Chinese guilds are up to something in the Demonic Realm. Do you know anything about it?" "I couldn''t find out everything, but I did catch wind of another n." "Another n?" "Before whatever they''re doing in the Demonic Realm, they''re trying to take over Sinuiju as a preliminary step." Kang Mu-hyuk''s brow furrowed. He immediately grasped the gravity of Hyun Junggeon''s words. It was a situation severe enough for Hyun Junggeon to call it serious. "They''re setting up a beachhead." "Exactly. Those bastards are slowly creeping into Korean territory. Quite interesting, isn''t it?" Chapter 123 - Even if they say it鈥檚 not interesting When Kang Mu-hyuk saw Hyun Junggeonughing as if he was finding this amusing, he cut him off sharply. "That''s not funny." "Why the straight face? You''re the one who always creates all the fun on your own." Kang Mu-hyuk red at Hyun Junggeon again. Faced with his fierce gaze, Hyun Junggeon wiped the amused smile off his face. Ignoring Hyun Junggeon''s demeanor, Kang Mu-hyuk continued. "Just because there''s a beach hold doesn''t mean you can enter the Korean Penins as you please. There are other countries to consider, and it''s even harder to make an overt attempt to take control." "Right. Even though they''re not as powerful as they used to be, Korean Hunters still have a lot of experience. They won''t go down easily. Plus, with the UN resolutions, it''s tough for Hunters to dominate foreign markets." "So, what''s happening in the Demonic Realm must be a preparation to use the beach hold. A situation where we know Sinuiju is falling but can''t stop it. Or a situation where they can''t pay attention to it." "You could consider them aspletely separate incidents too." "Is it really unrted?" "It''s just a possibility. In reality, it smells too fishy. Even without evidence, it''s too obvious a story. It''s enough to raise suspicion." "Is that why you called me? Because you don''t want to see an obvious story y out? To ruin it?" "No matter how much I think about it, there''s no one better at screwing over monsters or Hunters than you, Guild Leader. I''m not a patriot, but I can''t stand seeing Chinese people causing a ruckus in my house." At that moment-- "I knew it. You were pretending to be oblivious, but you knew everything. Mr. Hyun." A man speaking in Chinese was standing across the street. Kang Mu-hyuk could feel the hostility radiating from him. He tapped the tie pin with the trantion skill he received from the alliance. Instantly, the Chinese words started making sense. "It''s been hard to see you because you''ve been hiding in the ''Prison Vige.'' Now that you''vee out, I''m at a loss. Mr. Hyun." "Haha... Zhang Zhongxun. A big shot suddenly appeared?" From their conversation, Kang Mu-hyuk confirmed two things. First, the Prison Vige. ording to the information sent by No Song-rin, the Prison Vige was a slum. It was named that because it was centered around the former Sinuiju Prison. The reason this ce was notable in Sinuiju was that most of the residents in the slum were either descendants of former North Korean Hunters or newly awakened Hunters following in their footsteps. They were a formidable force that stood their ground even with Chinese Hunters taking control. ''Here I was wondering how Hyun Junggeon was safe all this time after bothering the Chinese Guilds. So he was in the Prison Vige.'' The next noteworthy point was the Chinese man in front of him, Zhang Zhongxun. ''The expedition leader of ''Falling Blossoms,'' a foreign guild based in Sinuiju. ording to No Song-rin''s information, he''s an A-ranker. He''s definitely a big shot in Sinuiju.'' Even though ''Falling Blossoms'' was known as a guild based in Sinuiju, his presence here meant that Hyun Junggeon was indeed working for one of the Chinese guilds he mentioned. Kang Mu-hyuk realized the gravity of the situation just by the fact that a Hunter of Zhang Zhongxun''s status had moved personally to deal with Hyun Junggeon. "Mr. Hyun, unnecessary curiosity shortens your life..." "Yes, yes, I know, I know. Even with my limited Chinese, I get it. Knowing too much will get me killed, right? Why are all viins so damn yappy?" "Ha? Viin?" Zhang Zhongxun snorted disdainfully. "If I''m a viin, does that make you a hero? To me, Mr. Hyun, you''re just an extra. A speck of dust that will disappear today. I came here personally to clean up someone as insignificant as you. You should be grateful." "That''s a long-ass ramble for someone whose main point is I''ll kill you." Zhang Zhongxun approached. He drew a from his back. The rising moonlight shone over the cold de. Hyun Junggeon''s reflection was visible on the de. He sneered at Zhang Zhongxun. "Even dust can be a nuisance if you stir it up. Did you think I''d just go down easily?" Suddenly, he drew a gun from his coat. It wasn''t a pistol but a submachine gun. Although small enough to fit in his hand, it was unmistakably a submachine gun. "Where did you get a gun...!" Tat-tat-tat-tat! As Hyun Junggeon gleefully pulled the trigger, Kang Mu-hyuk ducked and moved towards a vehicle. Zhang Zhongxun didn''t even try to avoid the barrage of bullets. The gray armor coat he wore provided strong physical protection, but even without it, his resistance as an A-rank Hunter rendered the bullets useless. "A futile struggle." With an exasperated sigh, Zhang Zhongxun quickly closed the distance between them. His sword shed at Hyun Junggeon''s neck. "Keok!" The sword cut through empty air. What he sliced was Hyun Junggeon''s afterimage. Beneath the de, Hyun Junggeon had barely ducked his head and was smirking. His extended arm touched Zhang Zhongxun. With his palm open, he precisely twisted Zhang Zhongxun''s vulnerable side. "Did you think I was a civilian just because I used a gun?" Zhang Zhongxun realized he had been deceived. ''There was no information anywhere that this guy was a Hunter...'' The price for his mistake was a rib. Hearing the sound of his bone breaking, Zhang Zhongxun gritted his teeth and swung his sword again. But Hyun Junggeon was already out of his reach. Just as Zhang Zhongxun was about tounch another attack, the sound of a car engine roared in his ears. Suddenly, headlights blinded his vision. Hyun Junggeon leaped onto the vehicle driven by Kang Mu-hyuk, pushing his hand into the roof to support himself. Zhang Zhongxun tried to regain his sight using his night vision skill, but Kang Mu-hyuk turned off the headlights just in time. The abrupt darkness rendered Zhang Zhongxun temporarily blind. Kang Mu-hyuk drove the car straight at Zhang Zhongxun. The bumper crumpled as Zhang Zhongxun rolled over the hood. Cracks appeared on the windshield, and hended on the roof. Hyun Junggeon, lying t on the roof, nudged him off like a volleyball toss. "Goodbye. Let''s not meet again, yeah?" Thud! "Urgh! You bastards!" As Zhang Zhongxun tumbled to the ground in humiliation, he threw his sword at the driver''s seat. Hyun Junggeon deflected it with a throwing knife. "You''re really persistent." "Look out ahead!" Amid Hyun Junggeon''s taunting of the receding Zhang Zhongxun, Kang Mu-hyuk''s warning came. Hyun Junggeon turned his head forward. Hunters were emerging from the trees on both sides of the road. "I''m not good at direct confrontations!" In an instant, dozens of throwing knives shot out from Hyun Junggeon''s coat. The Hunters surrounding the vehicle fell back, groaning as the des targeted their vital points. But the danger wasn''t over. More Hunters pursued the vehicle, rapidly closing the gap. Hyun Junggeon smashed the passenger window and climbed inside, shouting. "Guild Leader Kang, is this the best you can do? Step on it!" "I knew I shouldn''t have gotten involved with you." Kang Mu-hyuk gritted his teeth and pressed harder on the elerator. The engine roared in protest as it propelled the heavy SUV forward. The car, following the railroad tracks, soon reached a river. It was a tributary of the Yalu River, but it was quite wide and deep. A railway bridge loomed ahead. Kang Mu-hyuk tried to drive onto the road, but Hyun Junggeon quickly stopped him. "Turn right, and it won''t end well. There are enemies hidden there." "Then where?!" There was only one option. Before Hyun Junggeon could answer, Kang Mu-hyuk swerved the steering wheel. The car broke through a barricade and onto the railway bridge. The vehicle shook violently due to the train tracks. The Hunters quickly caught up as the car slowed down. "Damn it, do we have to fight?" As Hyun Junggeon prepared himself, Kang Mu-hyuk saw through the rearview mirror that the Hunters were spreading out along the bridge''s sides. "Mr. Hyun, do you trust me?" "What are you talking about out of nowhere? Then tell me. Do you trust me?" "No." "Right, that''s normal. In this line of work, that''s how you survive. But that''s not very helpful right now." "But I do trust your skills as a Hunter. So, I''ll leave the rest to you." "The rest?" Suddenly, Kang Mu-hyuk turned the steering wheel. Towards the river. The vehicle broke through the guardrail and flew off the bridge. It plunged into the river below. Airbags enveloped the driver''s and passenger''s seats. Ssh! The Hunters on the bridge looked down at the car sinking and bubbling. Zhang Zhongxun, who arrivedte, berated his subordinates. "What are you staring at?! Idiots! Hyun Junggeon is a Hunter! Do you think he''ll die from that?!" "You mean he''s a h-Hunter?" "What did you say, you rascal?! "He''s a h-h-h-Hunter"?!" "Ugh! Ack! Ugh...!" Infuriated by their ignorance, Zhang Zhongxun mercilessly beat the responding Hunter. After the Huntery there, a bloody mess, Zhang Zhongxun, panting heavily, gave them anothermand. "What are you doing?! Get down there and find them! If you don''t catch Hyun Junggeon today, you''re all dead!" Not far from the bridge, on the riverbank of Sinuiju, Hyun Junggeon climbed out of the water. With one hand, he dragged Kang Mu-hyuk. He pulled the limp Kang Mu-hyuk out of the water by his cor. "Ugh..." "Are you hurt? Of course, he is, idiot. He drove straight into the river. If it weren''t for me, your head would be cracked open, not just your limbs. Mr. ''Kang Muttonhead''." Hyun Junggeon''s taunt met with Kang Mu-hyuk''s weak response, his voice strained from pain. "It was a better chance than trying to break through them when they had us surrounded." "Look, you''re not a Hunter. Regr people don''t make decisions like that. Do you think this is an action movie? You weren''t like this before. How did you be so reckless?" "I trusted you to handle the rest. And you did protect me by risking yourself." "What if there was no water in the river? It''s the dry season now." "I knew there would be water. I read that after the construction of the Sinuiju Dam, several reservoirs were created to store water. This ce included." "Huh? You may be on the verge of death, but that tongue''s pretty lively, huh?" Hyun Junggeonughed in disbelief. In the end, it was a good decision, but Kang Mu-hyuk''s disregard for his own life was shocking. He was like his past self from Titan, yet somehow different. ''He''s beyond my expectations. This is getting more interesting.'' Hyun Junggeon was pleased with the changed Kang Mu-hyuk. "Guild Leader Kang, if you''re like this from the start, how much more fun are you nning to give meter?" Kang Mu-hyuk, pale-faced, coughed weakly. "Cough, cough... I said it''s not funny..." "Hey, what''s wrong with you... Damn, you''re bleeding from the back of your head... I told you not to trust me. Hey, Guild Leader. Stay with me!" Hyun Junggeon hoisted Kang Mu-hyuk onto his shoulder. Pursuit would begin soon. He needed to find a safe ce and treat Kang Mu-hyuk before that. "Don''t die from the start. The real fun is just beginning." When Kang Mu-hyuk opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. His vision, still unfocused, swirled with dizziness. When he closed his eyes, an earthy smell filled his nostrils. His hearing returned as he swallowed several times. Though his body was still heavy and his head felt cloudy, the surroundings became clearer. He barely managed to open his eyes and looked around carefully. He was in an attic with wooden beams, a space not often seen these days. The low ceiling almost touched his head when he stood, and the sunlight sneaked through a narrow window, barely visible from outside. He realized a night had passed. With his senses returning, he became fully aware of his surroundings. "Where am I...? Ugh! My head..." Kang Mu-hyuk felt the bandages wrapped around his head. However, he instinctively knew his headache wasn''t just from the injury. ''Mana poisoning is ring up.'' It felt like he was thrashing in the water. His head was heavy, and the world spun as if he''d lost his sense of bnce. The feeling, slightly different from ordinary symptoms, made his whole body feel weak. ''Come to think of it, I didn''t get my injection yesterday. Still, it''s strange. Missing it by one day doesn''t usually worsen my condition this badly. Is it because of the aftermath of the ident?'' While Kang Mu-hyuk pondered over his suddenly worsened condition, Hyun Junggeon climbed up the stairs. "Oh? You''re awake. Man, that was a close call. If I didn''t have a stashed potion, you might have been a goner." "A potion?!" Kang Mu-hyuk was startled. "Yeah, a potion. Why? Afraid it might have been a bad one? Don''t worry. It was a low-grade one, but it was legit." Only then did Kang Mu-hyuk realize why his body was in this state. The potion had triggered the initial symptoms of mana poisoning. "Damn it, potions are poison to me." "Poison? What are you talking about?" "My clothes. There should''ve been a case in my jacket. Where is it?" "If you mean the case... Oh, the one with the syringe? I threw it away. It was all broken." Hearing Hyun Junggeon''s innocent words, Kang Mu-hyukughed bitterly. "Ugh? This is driving me crazy. I shouldn''t havee after all." "Jeez, this is driving me crazy. What is this ce?" No Song-rin was lost. Or rather, was there even a path to follow in the first ce? He was in the sewers beneath Sinuiju. While fleeing from the endless onught of enemies, he had no choice but to open a manhole and hide. "They say this underground was dug for wartime use. When did they convert it into sewers?" When he was young, his father had told him about the underground facilities in Sinuiju. He''d always wondered how big it was, imagining it as a secret base for children or an emergency shelter for people. But now that he was here, it was unbelievably vast. Even excluding the parts converted into sewers, it seemedrge enough to amodate the entire poption of Sinuiju, if slightly exaggerated. Moreover, the underground wasn''t just one level. There were second and third levels. As he wandered, he sensed movement at the end of a sewer passage. ''Five.'' No Song-rin hid his body in the shadow of a bent passage. ''Their footsteps are quiet. Are they trained assassins?'' A shadow stretched long as it moved towards him, illuminated by a light in the darkness. The figure slowly approached where he was hiding. No Song-rin gripped his karambit tightly. ''Eliminate them as quickly as possible and escape.'' The moment the faint shadow touched his feet, No Song-rin sprang from the shadows with murderous intent, aiming to overpower his opponent. "Die!" "Aaaah!" "Uaaaaack!" No Songrin''s feet froze at the piercing screams. "Th-these guys... what are they?" "Ueeeeeeng!" "Uaaaaang!" "Waah! Waaah~!" In his confusion, No Song-rin looked down. He saw dwarfs barely reaching his waist. They were looking up at him, crying---his worst fear, more terrifying than any monster. "Wh-why are kids here? Hey, who are you? Why are you here?" "Waaaah!" "Waaaah~!" "Stop crying. Oi, I hate this kind of thing. If you keep crying, I will scold you! I''ll eat you up!" Panicked by their incessant crying, No Song-rin tried to threaten them, revealing his murderous intent, but that was a mistake. "Waaaah!" "Waaaah!" "Oh... what have I done..." Seeing the children grabbing his pant legs and wailing, No Song-rin felt his mind start slipping into confusion. Chapter 124 - Calling for Help "So, what you''re saying, Guild Leader Kang, is that you have mana poisoning and you''re vulnerable to mana? And without that syringe, your life is hanging by a thread? Wow, don''t you have a thrilling life." "Since you also gave me a potion, I could have a seizure at any moment. If I''m lucky, I mightst a few days. Or things could gradually get worse." "And if you''re unlucky?" "In the worst-case scenario, my symptoms could re up, and I could die today." Hyun Junggeon mouthed a silent ''Wow.'' He wasn''t amazed by the tragedy of someone who''d devoted their life to hunting monsters being struck down by a fatal disease. What astonished him more was Kang Mu-hyuk''s calm demeanor in the face of a terminal illness. ''How can someone with a fatal disease be so unfazed? Even if he has medicine, the syringes he needs are all broken, and the ce is crawling with Chinese Hunters looking for us.'' Kang Mu-hyuk picked up a small stic case from his belongings on the bedside table and continued speaking. "At least there''s a silver lining. I have this oral medication left. It won''tpletely control my symptoms, but it''ll help me manage the immediate crisis. Though, without the syringe, it''s only a half-ass measure, so it''s still pretty risky." "So, you think it''ll buy us some time?" "Normally, we''d prepare for the worst-case scenario. But right now, if we don''t stay optimistic, we can''t even have this conversation. Let''s assess the current situation first and then decide on a course of action." Hyun Junggeon nodded and extended a finger on each hand, wiggling them as he spoke. "Good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" "Is there even any good news in this situation?" "There is. The good news is that all of your injuries are healed. Your broken arms and legs, and your head injury, are almost fully treated thanks to the potion." "And the bad news is that the potion might kill me?" "That''s part of it, but the immediate concern is thatmunication in this area is cut off." "This area, meaning Sinuiju?" Kang Mu-hyuk tilted his head in confusion. "No matter how influential the Chinese Hunters are, Sinuiju is technically Korean territory. Shutting down an entire city to catch two people seems excessive." "When I said ''this area,'' I meant just this prison vige." "I expected it, but this is indeed the only ce we can hide after all. So, this is your hideout?" "Did you know I was here?" "I heard you talking to Zhang Zhongxun earlier." "When did you learn Chinese?" "I have an interpretation artifact. The tie clip on the table there. It''s sponsored by the World Hunter Federation." "The Federation?" Hyun Junggeon feigned a calm response but was inwardly shocked. Since the Great War, the Federation had had no ties with Korea. There were rumors that a Hunter Association Chairman had been active once, but officially, Korea was a peripheral yer in the global Hunter scene. The Federation''s influence was on apletely different level. The idea that Korea''s C-ss guild was associated with the Federation was shocking. ''If Guild Leader Kang is connected to the Federation...'' It was reasonable to suspect that something significant, involving the entire Korean Huntermunity, was brewing behind the scenes. Reading Hyun Junggeon''s thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk added, "It''s not like we''re pushing some grand project because it''s the Federation. I met them through Chairman Han Byung-gu''s introduction." When Kang Mu-hyuk mentioned the words ''project'' and ''Han Byung-gu,'' Hyun Junggeon''s thoughts became even moreplicated. Big or small, it meant there was a project with the Federation. And Han Byung-gu, of all people. Despite the rumors of him being a washed-up, toothless tiger, his status in the Korean Huntermunity and his symbolic presence to the Korean people couldn''t be denied. ''Usually, this is something you''d hide. If he intended to show off, he''d have told the media already. Why is he telling me this now? What''s he plotting?'' As before, Hyun Junggeon felt uneasy, still unable to grasp Kang Mu-hyuk''s true intentions. He was thinking Kang Mu-hyuk might just have all the fun himself before he could even get the chance. There were times at Titan he stabbed him in the back. But of course, Hyun even considered that to be part of an entertaining game. Fundamentally, he had a unique moral code that med the victim. "We got sidetracked for a moment. Let''s get back to themunication issue. Is this kind ofmunication disruptionmon in the prison vige?" "It''s notmon, but it''s not unheard of either. This is the most underdeveloped area in Sinuiju, which is notorious for its poor infrastructure. Cut a few cables and turn off some base stations, and it''s back to the Joseon Dynasty." "Then let''s go Joseon style. How about sending someone to contact the outside world? Get a message to Iron Will from a ce wheremunication works." "You think those who cut off ourmunication would let people slip through? These Chinese guys are very thorough. The prison vige is in chaos right now. They''ve blocked all routes and are controlling movement." "Controlling movement means..." "No one from the vige can get in or out." Kang Mu-hyuk, puzzled by the situation, asked, "If they block traffic, supplies will be cut off too. Are the people here just going to stand by? As far as I know, even the Chinese Hunters don''t dare mess with this ce lightly." "They don''t. The people here are like mad dogs. Once they bite, they don''t let go." "And?" "Even mad dogs have families. They''re not afraid to fight, but they fear their parents and children getting hurt. In a big battle, it''s always the civilians who suffer. So, they won''t fight inside Sinuiju unless absolutely necessary." "Showing strength while avoiding conflict? A good strategy." "In our terms, it''s a reasonablepromise." "It''s also the excuse of the weak. Just scraping by today. If China really intends to take over Sinuiju, this mindset won''tst long." Kang Mu-hyuk''s assessment sounded like a jab, but it was just a straightforward statement. Hyun Junggeon pointed out a more pressing issue. "We might be the ones to fall first." "What does that mean?" "I went out to look around and heard something. Zhang Zhongxun warned the prison vige. If they don''t hand over you and me, he won''t lift the siege. They have to choose between starving to death or capturing us and turning us over." Kang Mu-hyuk''s expression became more serious than ever. "Looks like merely hiding won''t be enough to get out of here alive. We need more information." While Kang Mu-hyuk was trapped in Sinuiju, North Pocheon was also having a rough day. Ju Se-ah was stuck in North Pocheon, unable to trace Kang Mu-hyuk''s whereabouts since he went out of contact overnight. "So, what do those White Tiger Guild people want?" "They want the Hunters we have detained in our guild''s basement." "The ones Team Leader Kang captured?" "Yes." Hearing Jang Deuk-goo''s report, Ju Se-ah rested her chin on her hand and fell into deep thought. ''Why didn''t they do anything when Eulji captured them if they were going to cause such a fuss now? This seems suspicious no matter how I look at it.'' Last night, the White Tiger Guild suddenly upied the entrance to North Pocheon, expelled the management office staff, and staged a show of force. By dawn, they even crossed the barbed wire fence and approached the guild headquarters, posing a threat. Although Jang Deuk-goo and Hunter Lee Jin-joo led the reserve expedition team to repel them, it seemed more like they were trying to show they coulde in anytime rather than being intimidated. Ju Se-ah thought the White Tiger Guild''s movements were somehow rted to Kang Mu-hyuk''s sudden loss of contact. There was no concrete evidence, but the timing of their show of force was too perfect. "It''s like they know something and have tied me down." "So you think it''s rted to Guild Leader Kang after all?" "It''s suspicious enough when you run into trouble in a hunting ground, let alone when a Tier-ed guild as significant as them acts this petty." "It''s the White Tiger Guild after all." Ju Se-ah nodded at Jang Deuk-goo''sment. "I know they''re thugs. But they''re not brainless. They never act unless there''s something to gain, which makes it even more suspicious." "Regardless, we need to move quickly. We don''t know what kind of danger Guild Leader Kang might be in. We have to decide whether to break through those bastards or destroy them." Jang Deuk-goo had no intention of resolving things through dialogue. Since his days as an executive, there had never been a case where White Tiger Guild''s conflicts were resolved amicably. Whether the opponent was a Hunter or a guild, it didn''t matter. The industry''s consensus was that getting caught by them meant not even bones would be left. Knowing well the White Tiger Guild''s notorious reputation, Jang Deuk-goo considered ''fist over words'' to be the top priority strategy. His confidence in facing the Tier Guild came from Ju Se-ah''s presence. "No, I must stay at headquarters." After a long contemtion, Ju Se-ah spoke, and Jang Deuk-goo asked curiously. "I thought you cared about Guild Leader Kang. This is unexpected." "As the Guild Master, I can''t leave the guild, especially not with such a rogue guild in front of us." "You''ve softened up a lot. Should I be impressed or disappointed?" "Even Guild Leader Kang would have made the same judgment. Saying that protecting the guild is the top priority for a Guild Master." As Ju Se-ah made up her mind, Jang Deuk-goo suggested another option. "Then, how about sending a search team to Sinuiju, led by either me or Captain Lee Jin-joo?" "Neither of you can go. No, we can''t afford to take any of the guild''s top fighters. Given the power disparity with the White Tiger Guild, we can''t avoid sacrificing our members even if I reveal my power. One hand can''t block ten thieves, and we don''t know what tricks they might pull. They wouldn''t openly challenge us in South Korea, but..." "The problem is that our opponents are those madmen. They''re masters at scheming behind the scenes." "Yes, that''s true. But I also believe that Guild Leader Kang would have managed to protect himself somehow." "Then, you''re saying we should wait until the White Tiger Guild withdraws?" "Of course not. If I did nothing, I wouldn''t be qualified as a Guild Master." "What are you nning to do?" Ju Se-ah ced her hand on the receiver and said, "I''ll use whatever cards I have. I''m going to call in some very reliable helpers." The White Tiger Guild''s vice master, Eum Youngjin, was on the phone with someone while looking at the fence that marked the boundary of North Pocheon. "Mr. Jang, are you sure the person who met the troublemaker is really Kang Mu-hyuk?" -There was a lot of noise about it on TV for a while. One of our guys recognized his face. It''s definitely Kang Mu-hyuk. "This is getting tangled in a strange way." -We''re searching now, so just buy us some time. It''ll be troublesome if Ju Se-ah heads to Sinuiju. "Ju Se-ah isn''t just troublesome. Since she transferred to Taesung, she''s been quiet, but she''s not called a cmity or witch for nothing. There''s a reason cmity is called cmity. It strikes like a bolt from the blue. Fortunately, it seems she''s be more prudent since taking the Guild Master position. She''s cautious about leaving her post." -I don''t like Hunters being exposed while chasing that North Korean Hunter woman, but it''s more threatening that Kang Mu-hyuk might bring back some information from Hyun Junggeon. "Handle it as quickly as possible. The government is already demanding an exnation." -Understood. There are some hindrances, but it won''t take long. Goodbye. After ending the call, Eum Youngjin looked over the guild members who had set up arge tent and were settling in for the long haul. Then, he noticed a vehicle speeding towards the special operations office. The White Tiger Guild Hunters, who had been turning away visitors, stopped the vehicle. After a brief altercation, there was a dull thud followed by loud shouting. Eum Youngjin approached the vehicle to see who had the audacity to challenge the White Tiger Guild. Around the vehicle, Huntersy sprawled out, groaning. Enraged, Eum Youngjin decided to confront the person responsible for knocking down his guild members. "Who dares to cause a disturbance and ignore the warnings of the White Tiger Guild?!" "That would be me, Eum Youngjin." "Why are you here...?" "Have you forgotten who I am? Just because you''ve moved up, does that mean you no longer recognize a senior? Are you making a mockery of the association Chairman?!" "Oh, it seems Ju Se-ah is indeed bing quite the Guild Master, calling in the association Chairman. You''re not here to mediate and tell us to back off, are you?" "Look at you. Wearing the Tier Guild badge and getting all cocky, are you?" "We made you the association Chairman, so you should live out the rest of your days quietly, ''senior''." Despite Eum Youngjin''s provocation, Han Byung-gu only changed color without losing his temper, unusually suppressing his anger. "I''m not here to mediate. This isn''t a kids'' fight; it''s a fight among adults, and I''m too old for Hunters'' fights." "Then why are you here?" "Why do you think so? I came to see my granddaughter." "Granddaughter?" "Grandpa!" At that moment, a voice came from near the fence, and Eum Youngjin turned to see a schoolgirl anxiously pacing by the fence. Behind her, riding a Rider Wolf, was... "Ju Se-ah." Eum Youngjin was startled to realize he had spoken her name aloud. Just her presence made him tense up. "Because someone like you is blocking the way, my granddaughter, who was on a field trip, couldn''te home and got stuck there. Satisfied now?" "Chairman, go ahead and take your granddaughter." When Ju Se-ah waved and shouted, Han Byung-gu changed his frown to a smile and walked towards the fence. Eum Youngjin couldn''t stop him. He didn''t even ask if the girl was really his granddaughter. They resembled each other enough. Even if she wasn''t, he had no way to verify and no reason to stop them. ''She looks young enough to still be a student. Even if she''s a Hunter, she can''t go help Kang Mu-hyuk. They wouldn''t use the Chairman for such a minor trick. It''s better to let this be.'' Their appearance as a grandfather and granddaughter looked natural enough. "Grandpa, why were you sote? I''m hungry." "All right, all right. Let''s go. Since we''re in Pocheon, how about we get some ribs on the way?" "Yay, eating out sounds great." "Get in the car." As the two got into the car, Eum Youngjin red at Ju Se-ah across the fence. "Guild master Ju, are you trying to show off your connections by bringing the association Chairman? Sorry, but his influence is a thing of the past. You''ve wasted your effort." "I''m going to beat you." "What?" "I''m definitely going to beat you up. Twice. Three times." "Are you mocking me right now?" "But not today. Later. I swear, I will." Eum Youngjinughed in disbelief but stopped when he saw the deadly intent in Ju Se-ah''s eyes. They were the eyes of a witch. Eyes containing cmity. The thought crossed his mind that this cmity could one day strike him out of nowhere. Ring! Ring! Ring! "Yes, hello. Oh! Guild master Ju Se-ah! How did you get this number? I guess Guild Leader Kang must have given it to you. So, howe you''re calling me today instead of Guild Leader Kang? Huh? A job? Man, does this guild ever take a break from just ordering people aro-... How much? Say that again. How much? ...Whoa, ma''am. So, what do you want me to do? Oh my, of course. In this industry, there''s no one more reliable than Mister Cho. Yes. Sinuiju. Okay. Ah, with Go Eul-ji? Alright. No. That won''t work. We won''t work with... What? Double? Hmm... What? Triple? Oh, our respected client. So, where do we meet? Sure. I won''t cause any problems with that kid. I''m a pro. Then, about the payment... Huh? Hold on. A text... Oh my, an advance payment? Wow, you''re so cool. Paying such arge sum all at once? As expected of Korea''s best. You''re so generous. Haha. Yes. I''ll find him for sure. Don''t worry. If he''s not dead, I''ll bring him back safely. Even if he''s dead, I''ll bring him back in a coffin. Yes, goodbye." Click. "Guys, wake up. We''ve got a job. Since we got an advance, let''s get that motivation going and work hard, yeah?" Chapter 125 - Was he always that kind of a person? "Grandpa, let''s go quickly. We need to save Guild Leader Kang." "Are you sure about this? Even though Se-ah recruited another skilled Hunter, Sinuiju is not an easy ce. I can''t go because my face is too well-known. Which means there will be no one to help you. Honestly, I''m notfortable sending you to such a dangerous ce." "What? The same grandpa who sent me to fight an ogre when I was just a C-ranker is now saying this?" Han Byung-gu, feeling embarrassed, cleared his throat as Go Eul-ji gave him a look of disbelief. "Ahem! That was all for your own good..." "If you help me two more times for my own good, your only granddaughter might not be any more. You need to learn what ''moderation'' is." Feeling cornered, Han Byung-gu avoided his granddaughter''s gaze. Go Eul-ji, with a smirk, said, "Guild Master told me that I''m now a full-fledged Hunter. She said it''s my duty to protect others, not to be protected. That''s the Hunter''s mission. I can''t keep relying on you forever, right? I can''t just keep training either. I''ve joined a guild, and if I want to pull my weight, I need to do my part." Han Byung-gu felt a lump in his throat as his granddaughter, whom he had always thought of as merely strong but still young, spoke maturely. He quietly hugged her. "You''ve grown up... You''ve really grown up." "Grandpa..." Just as the two were about to share a touching moment, Han Byung-gu noticed a piece of paper fluttering from Eul-ji''s back pocket.
  • Performers: BTA, Red Velvet, ThatZY...
"What is this?" "Ah, my ticket!" "Good grief! Hunter''s mission, huh? Falling for a bribe like this, and talking about a Hunter''s mission?" "Of course, the mission is important, but Hunters need to enjoy some cultural life too. We risk our lives fighting monsters and searching for missing team leaders. A little fun like this should be fine, right?" "Oh, dear. I should have stopped you back when you started chasing after those singers, whatever they are called." "Singers? My dear oppas. And it''s BTA. If it weren''t for them, what would my life be? Just chasing after monsters all the time? The reason I''ve grown up well without going astray is all thanks to them." "I tried to raise you to be a perfect Hunter without any weaknesses, but you fell for a concert ticket? This is all Kang''s fault! On second thought, there''s no need to save that guy. Let him die!" "He can''t die. I haven''t received my LA concert tickets yet." As the two bickered, the car came to a stop. "Chairman, we''ve arrived." The two sulked and looked out the car window with their arms crossed as the driver quietly got out of the car. Han Byung-gu and his granddaughter. A veteran who has been in the Hunter industry for a long time and a rising star who has undergone rigorous training since childhood. The driver knew well that their expressions of affection could be quite rough. When they started arguing like this, it was best to give them some space. After a while, their heavy breathing subsided. Go Eul-ji unlocked the door and stepped out of the car. "Grandpa, I''m off then." "Make sure to find him." "Okay." "Take care of yourself." "Okay." "If you think it''s dangerous, run away." "Okay." "And stop watching those idols." "Oka--- huh? No, that''s not happening." "Anyway, be strong and do your best like my granddaughter should. Got it?" "Don''t worry. I''m Go Eul-ji." Their eyes met, and no more words were needed. She closed the car door firmly. Through the window, she could be seen receiving a motorcycle key and supplies from the driver. Soon, the roar of the motorcycle engine filled the air and gradually faded away. Han Byung-gu murmured quietly to himself, "Right. Once they''ve grown up, you have to let them go. Time flies so fast, Yeji. Your daughter has grown up so much already." Hyun Junggeon, preparing to leave the hideout, uttered, "The neighbors around here are pretty friendly with me, so don''t worry. I''ll go out and check the situation, gather some information." "If it gets dangerous, leave this ce right away." Kang Mu-hyuk unexpectedly gave Hyun Junggeon permission to abandon him. Hyun Junggeon opened his eyes wide in surprise. "I mayck shame, but I have loyalty. I wouldn''t leave after bringing someone all the way to a dangerous ce like Sinuiju, especially someone who''s unwell." Kang Mu-hyuk, leaning against the headboard of the bed with a cushion, pointed to himself before replying, "I''m just suggesting a viable option. If you hesitate when the timees, you''ll end up achieving nothing. You''ve raided dungeons before, right? The principle is to have a card you can discard in a crisis. Right now, I''m that discardable card." "Wow, my head hurts. That''s Hunter talk. You''re not a Hunter, Guild Leader." "The Chinese forces taking over Sinuijui not just about losing one city. It''s a critical issue that could significantly impact Gate security. I''d rather have you escape from here and join North Pocheon. Tell Guild Master Ju Se-ah what you know. That''s how we can stop their ns." Hyun Junggeon scratched the back of his head. ''Was he always like this?'' Even during the Titan days, there were several times when the raid team got into trouble. Naturally, sacrifices were made, and the me was directed at the raid leader and the strategy team leader. Bearing the anger and cries of the bereaved families while staying in that position was not something that could be done with ordinary determination. Especially for a non-Hunter. Since Kang Mu-hyuk was a non-Hunter, he faced even more attacks whenever there were sacrifices. It was a role Hyun Junggeon didn''t want to handle. Maybe it was that aspect that allowed him to work with Kang Mu-hyuk. Of course, the main reason was that it was fun. "Don''t you know my specialty? Unless I reveal myself from the start, no one will know I''m there if I''ve nned to hide until I cut their throat." "Oh, that''s right. I forgot after all this time. After all, you were Titan''s best ''assassin.''" "Well, I wouldn''t go as far as to say the best. It''s not something to brag about... Anyway, take care of yourself. I''ll be back soon." Not long after Hyun Junggeon left, a plump woman with a kind expression came up to the attic. "Hello. I''m Ui Judaek, and I help out with the jeongji for Mr. Hyun." "Hello. What does ''jeongji'' mean?" "Oh my, look at me. I used the northern dialect again. Hoho. It means kitchen. I''m practicing using the standardnguage, but I always slip up like this. Hoho. You must not have eaten anything since yesterday, so I brought breakfast. Since you''re a patient, I made some porridge. I hope it''s okay." "Ah, thank you. You speak the Seoul dialect very well." "People here speak standardnguage well. We learn from watching drama CDs. Everyone''s wish is to live down south." Kang Mu-hyuk realized that by ''down south,'' Ui Judaek meant south of Pyongyang. She sighed and continued, "It''s too barren here, making it hard for children to grow up. Even if the hunting grounds are good, they''re dangerous. It''s tiring to constantly deal with the ''traitors.'' Oh dear, I''m being silly in front of a guest. Take your time eating, and leave the bowl next to you. I''lle byter to clean up." "Mom!" A boy came up the attic stairs with a loud thud, calling for Ui Judaek. His clothes were shabby, with worn-out elbows and knees that had been patched multiple times, and the cor was frayed with old stains that wouldn''te out even after washing. Compared to other children Kang Mu-hyuk had seen, it was clear this boy lived in much worse conditions. Even poor kids in Seoul would seem wealthier than him. "Why are you making such a fuss? What did I tell you? Be careful." "That''s not the issue. Deok-soo''s gang is outside." Ui Judaek''s expression turned fierce. Kang Mu-hyuk realized then. ''She''s a Hunter?'' Her loose clothes and apron were hiding the muscles of a trained tank. "Gilyoung, stay here." Ui Judaek left her son beside Kang Mu-hyuk and went downstairs. Kang Mu-hyuk watched her feet as she walked. Now aware of her identity, her steps looked different. Her steps were heavy but didn''t have her heels touching the ground first, a movement seen in tanks who needed agile movements. Hunters who spent their lives in hunting grounds often had this habit in their everyday movements. ''There''s a joke that half of the former North Korean residents living in Sinuiju are Hunters. A housewife with solid tanking skills. Her rank seems low, but her skills are good, probably from experience in the hunting grounds.'' Each guild had different standards for evaluating tanks. However, guild officials, especially strategy team leaders, tried to evaluate Hunters ording to global trends. Kang Mu-hyuk was one of the strategy team leaders who actively embraced advanced Hunter systems more than anyone else. For him, one of the most important aspects of evaluating a tank was their steps. ''These days, multi-tanks or dealing tanks are in trend. Hunters who only focus on defenseck tactical flexibility. They need to handle various roles to deal with unexpected situations. Quick movement is essential. Hunters in this area might be better in that aspect because they mainly operate inplex hunting grounds.'' Kang Mu-hyuk got up from the bed. Suddenly standing made his vision go dark. As he swayed from dizziness, the boy, Kim Gilyoung, supported him. "You''re sick, mister. Don''t get up." Kang Mu-hyuk looked down at the boy with interest. Unlike Ui Judaek, who still had a slight northern ent, Gilyoung spoke standardnguage fluently, almost like kids from the south. "You''re good at speaking Seoul dialect too." "Oh, this? I learned it from a young age. They said if we don''t want to be looked down on when we go south, we need to speak properly first. All my friends are good at speaking the Seoul dialect. The adults keep nagging that someday we''ll leave this prison. We even got hit with spoons if we used the northern dialect. Hehe." Kang Mu-hyuk could feel how strong the desire of the people in this prison vige to leave Sinuiju was. No matter how difficult it was, they all wanted to support their families in a safer and more prosperous ce. ''It won''t be easy. Not without government policies or social consensus.'' The coup of North Korean Hunters after the Great War left a significant scar in South Korea''s history. Even decadester, the descendants of the old North Korean Hunters were still seen by many as potential threats who might betray the country. "Since you''re helping me, can you help me over to the window?" "Of course. I''m strong." Despite his confident im, the boy wobbled as he helped Kang Mu-hyuk to the window. Kang Mu-hyuk looked outside through the small attic window. Though the window was small and patched with nailed boards, he could see enough of the outside. Five men stood in the yard, scattered around with a delinquent posture, smoking cigarettes. "Those guys are Cheon Deok-soo''s gang. They''re really bad." Soon, Ui Judaek came out into the yard. Cheon Deok-soo''s gang stomped out their cigarettes. Judging by the swords at their waists and spears on their backs, they were all Hunters. Though the window didn''t open, and he couldn''t hear the conversation, their expressions and posture indicated it wasn''t a friendly chat. "Which one is Cheon Deok-soo?" "He''s not there. These are all Cheon Deok-soo''s underlings." "They don''t look like they''re on good terms." "Their boss is my dad''s enemy. When I awaken as a Hunter, I''ll definitely take revenge." Kang Mu-hyuk nced at the boy who spoke of revenge. There was a fierceness in his eyes unusual for someone his age. ''For him to control his anger like this at such a young age, he must really hate them. He''ll be interesting to watch if he bes a Hunter.'' Realizing he was assessing Kim Gilyoung like a promising prospect, Kang Mu-hyuk smiled wryly and turned his gaze back outside. "I know they''re your enemies, but what exactly makes them bad?" "Why? They''re traitors to the Chinese. That''s why they don''t get along with the patrol officers." "Patrol officers?" "They''re the guys who protect our vige. They prevent the Chinese from invading, but Cheon Deok-soo''s gang always interferes. But Captain Yeon Jungmoon is really strong, so Deok-soo''s gang doesn''t dare to mess with him." ''Who is Yeon Jung-moon?'' From Kim Gilyoung''s words, Kang Mu-hyuk realized he knew nothing about the prison vige. The information No Song-rin sent had an overview of Sinuiju, but itcked details about the prison vige. There was no mention of factions like Cheon Deok-soo''s gang or the number of residents and Hunters. Even though he was currently trapped in the prison vige to avoid the Chinese Hunters, Kang Mu-hyuk realized he needed to have an understanding of at least the basic information, as he could escape at any moment. ''Come to think of it, where is No Song-rin? Has he returned to headquarters? Or is he still waiting outside Sinuiju?'' Thinking No Song-rin could have been useful now, Kang Mu-hyuk asked Kim Gilyoung. Perhaps misunderstanding Kang Mu-hyuk''s contemtion, Kim Gilyoung clenched his fist and said, "Don''t worry, mister. Despite how she looks, my mom is the chief here. Even Cheon Deok-soo''s gang wouldn''t dare to mess with her." "That''s reassuring. By the way, Gilyoung--" "Yes?" "I''m curious about something. Could you tell me about this vige? I suddenly want to know more about people like Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo, you see." Chapter 126 - Sit Down "Brother Deok-soo! I''m back." "So, what did they say?" "What do you think? Kang Mu-hyuk, was it? They want us to bring that guy Kang Mu-hyuk, from the southern Hunters'' squad. Remember that smuggy(arrogant) bastard? What''s his name? Right, Hyun Junggeon. They say he''s hiding somewhere around here with Hyun Junggeon. We''re supposed to bring them in." "By when?" "They want him immediately, but I managed to push it to tomorrow." Cheon Deok-soo stared into the distance, lost in deep thought, and then finally spoke after a while. "Avoid any conflict with Yeon Jung-moon''s son and search thoroughly. If they cause trouble, inform me immediately." "Yes, understood." Kang Mu-hyuk felt cramped in the attic because of the kids sitting around the bed in small groups. ''I just wanted to hear more about the prison vige.'' Kim Gilyoung, excited, had gathered all his friends from the alley. The kids, who rarely talked to anyone outside the vige, sat around with bright, curious eyes. ''I feel like a monkey in a zoo. But having more people talking means getting more information.'' Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t disregard the informationing from the kids. In fact, since they spoke without any prejudice, about the things they saw and heard, they revealed quite a lot of facts to him. Plus, the kids were quite mature for their age, speaking coherently and clearly. "Captain Yeon Jung-moon is so cool. I want to grow up and be like him." "But his face is too scary. I prefer Mr. Hyun. He looks like a nobleman from Seoul. I want to marry someone like him when I grow up." "I heard Deok-soo caused a scene at Old Man Gong''s housest time?" "No, Deok-soo''s not that bad. Deok-soo''s the one who brought coal to Old Man Gong''s house." "How do you know?" "I saw him when he passed by. He had coal dust on his clothes." "Maybe he was bringing it to his own house. He''s not the type to be that attached." "Sometimes the Chinesee into the vige, and it''s scary. Last time, I almost peed my pants when I saw one in the prison warehouse. He wasughing anding towards me, and I was trembling, but Hwang Dongsu saved me. He said something to the Chinese guy in Chinese, and the guy got scared and ran away." "What? Hwang Dongsu, the delinquent from Granny Hwang''s house? What got into him?" "I don''t care if that delinquent dies, but Granny Hwang is in big trouble. She''s not in good health. I hope she''s keeping warm, now that winter is here." Though the conversation had turned into a random chatter among the kids, Kang Mu-hyuk gathered a lot of information. From trivial vige news to the power dynamics within this ce. The prison vige was mainly divided between the factions of Cheon Deok-soo and Yeon Jung-moon, but there were many Hunters like Hwang Dongsu who moved independently. Some Hunters moved in small groups without formingrge parties, while others tried to absorb different Hunters by introducing a guild-like system. "What is this? Who are these kids?" Hyun Junggeon, who had just returned to the hideout, asked, looking bemused at the attic scene. "Mr. Hyun!" The small girl who had said she wanted to marry someone like Hyun Junggeon clung to his leg. The other kids swarmed around him as well. "Oh, you brats. There''s a jar with cookies over there. Gilyoung, take it out and share it nicely with everyone." "Okay!" As if they hadn''t just greeted him warmly, the kids rushed out with the jar of cookies. Hyun Junggeon called out to them. "Remember, it''s a secret that we''re here!" "Okaaay~!" The children''s loud voices quickly faded away. "This ce is a madhouse. We can''t call this a hideout. What''s wrong?" "What do you mean?" "You were staring so intently. It looked like you had something to say... Ah, worried the kids might talk about this ce? You don''t need to worry. They may be young, but they''re very discreet and thoughtful. Living here made them mature too fast. When I was their age, I was busy causing trouble." "No, it''s just surprising how popr you seem to be with the kids. I didn''t expect it." Kang Mu-hyuk genuinely looked surprised, and Hyun Junggeon awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "Popr? I wouldn''t go that far." "Well, it seems you donated a lot of rice, coal, and other things when you came here. That''d make you popr." "The kids mentioned that? It''s nothing. People naturally get wary when an outsideres into the vige. It was a strategic move. No one hates free food and clothes. I didn''t have much use for my earnings, so I shared them like housewarming gifts." "But it was quite a lot, enough for the whole vige to have a feast." "Feast? There was a time when the price of rice in Sinuiju skyrocketed, and people were starving to death. The Chinese were controlling it to torment us. I brought a truckload, and everyone was thrilled. They were just happy to have a full meal." Kang Mu-hyuk stared silently at Hyun Junggeon, who awkwardly cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Stop nitpicking. That''s not important right now. Cheon Deok-soo''s gang has made a move. Oh, you might not know. Cheon Deok-soo is one of the two major powers in this vige." "I know. One of the two main factions in the prison vige." "The kids told you?" "I found out today. When seven kids chatter non-stop for three hours, you learn things even the National Intelligence Service would fail to uncover." "Haha, those kids do talk a lot. They''re probably excited to see an outsider after so long. The adults are all too busy surviving to give them much attention. The alleys are so cramped, and there''s no proper school, so they have nowhere to gather." "There''s no school?" "They have a makeshift one. Some educated folks teach, but it''s far from enough. Schools aren''t the only things they don''t have here. There''s no hospital, no fire station. If someone gets seriously injured, they''re as good as dead. If you have a potion, you''re lucky, but most people can''t afford them, so they often die from illness. Fires are even worse." "So the people here can''t fight back against the Chinese Hunters'' tyranny." "If they''re driven out of Sinuiju, they have nowhere to go. Where would they go? To the Demonic Realm? Or head south? They''d be lucky not to be arrested." Hyun Junggeon, who had been speaking heatedly, paused to calm his breath. "Anyway, I couldn''t find a way out of here yet. There''s no way to contact the outside." "You said you were a broker. What about your usual routes?" "My usual routes are blocked, and the local brokers are also cut off. It''s like being on an ind in the middle of thend." "I see... Oh, cough, cough! Ugh..." "What''s wrong? Are you okay?" Kang Mu-hyuk suddenly started coughing violently as if he was choking. The fit subsided after a while, but his face had turned pale. "Th-the medicine..." Hyun Junggeon brought him a pill, which Kang Mu-hyuk chewed and swallowed without water. As time passed, color began to return to his face. Hyun Junggeon ced the pill bottle on the table and said, "This seems to work. Seeing how you recovered so quickly after coughing like you were dying." "It''s just a temporary fix. Every time I cough, I lose energy. At this rate, I''ll end up in a wheelchair. I need an injection before it gets worse." "Alright, I''ll go out again and find a way to contact Iron Will. There must be a loophole somewhere." "Don''t overdo it. Just check it out ande back." "You know me, I''m Hyun Junggeon." That night, Hyun Junggeon did not return to the hideout. "Dongsu, you know how generous our leader is, right? If you catch this guy, Kang Mu-hyuk, you''ll get a handsome reward. The Chinese underestimated him and took a blow, it seems. You know how strong Hyun Junggeon is. Besides you, there aren''t many here who can handle him. You need to take care of your mother. You can''t go hunting while you''re looking after her, so you need to make money somehow, right? If you catch him, our leader will talk to the Chinese to get you ess to a hospital in the city." The proposal from the man who was childhood neighbour tempted Hwang Dongsu. Hwang Dongsu had always kept his distance from Cheon Deok-soo''s gang, as he didn''t like moving in packs like a Baekdu Mountain tiger. But he couldn''t refuse a one-time offer like this. Dongsu was one of the best Hunters in the prison vige, known for his resemnce to his missing father. He often caught valuable monsters. But what was the point of obtaining expensive materials? He couldn''t sell them freely. The people of the prison vige could only sell monster materials within Sinuiju. If they were caught selling to the Chinese ck market on the Tumen River or Shandong Penins, their business would be over. They could have livedfortably if they had sold elsewhere, but their lineage as North Korean Hunters condemned them to inequality. The only buyers for their materials were the Chinese Hunters who controlled the Sinuiju market. If they fell out of favor, their livelihood was in immediate jeopardy. Food supply, movement restrictions, medical treatment---all controlled by the Chinese. It was natural to resent them, but the promise of getting his mother treated made Hwang Dongsu decide to turn a blind eye just this once. "Do you know where they''re hiding?" "It''s obvious. There aren''t many ces. It must be with someone close to Hyun Junggeon." "There are only a handful people here who haven''t received help from Hyun Junggeon. I''m the same." "So, are you saying no?" "..." "Byungju''s house. His wife must be hiding them." "If you know, why don''t you go and catch them?" "Like I said, it takes someone like you or our leader to catch Hyun Junggeon. Or maybe Yeon Jung-moon. We can''t ask Yeon Jung-moon. Just go and catch them. They don''t need to be alive. We''ll handle the rest." After a long sigh, Hwang Dongsu finally spoke, seemingly having made up his mind. "For the sake of the vige people and thete Byungju, I can''t enter that house while his wife is awake. I''ll handle it quietlyte at night." "Fine. Do it your way. We have until noon tomorrow. We''re counting on you." It was a deep, dark night with only antern for light, as electricity was unreliable. Everyone had gone to bed early to save batteries and oil, and the alleyways were lit only by moonlight. In that darkness, Hwang Dongsu moved. He boldly infiltrated Ui Judaek''s house as if it were broad daylight and soon realized something was wrong. ''I don''t feel anyone''s presence.'' He was trying to sense Hyun Junggeon''s presence. On the first floor of the shabby house that looked like it could copse in a storm, he could sense the presence of Gilyoung and his mother. But upstairs, there was only the presence of an ordinary person, presumed to be Kang Mu-hyuk. There was no trace of Hyun Junggeon anywhere. ''No Hunter canpletely hide their presence while resting. It takes too much effort. Could he be hiding, expecting an intrusion? No way. How could he stay like that not knowing when someone woulde?'' Normally, he would have retreated due to the eerie feeling, but this was his only chance. He had to catch him by noon tomorrow to get his mother to the hospital. Prepared for the worst, Hwang Dongsu climbed up to the attic. A person was lying on the bed. Hwang Dongsu checked the face to confirm the target. Then he was startled. "You''re not asleep?" "Mr. Hyun hasn''t returned yet. I''m worried." Only then did Hwang Dongsu realize why he couldn''t sense Hyun Junggeon''s presence. He wasn''t there at all. Relieved that he didn''t have to face a formidable opponent, he suddenly noticed the strange calmness of the man before him. "How strange? You''re not screaming or anything. An ordinary person seeing an intruder should be scared, yet you''re so calm. That''s not easy for most people. Whatever you do, it''s clear why the Chinese are desperate to catch you." Kang Mu-hyuk struggled to sit up, propping himself with great effort. "It''s because it''s dark. I can''t see the scary face of our night guest, so there''s nothing to be scared of." "A night guest? I''m not a thief." "That''d be an insult to thieves. Thieves only steal things; they don''t break in to take innocent lives." "I won''t make excuses. I have my reasons." "And those reasons are your mother''s illness? Or food? What did they promise you?" "!!" Hwang Dongsu was stunned into silence. The man knew his circumstances. ''Is this a trap?'' Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking, "Using a formal tone that''s rarely used these days, a low voice. Sturdy build and tall, unkempt long hair, a big scar on your face. You''re Hwang Dongsu, right? The delinquent of the prison vige?" "Who are you?" "You came to kill me, didn''t you? Don''t you know? I''m Kang Mu-hyuk." "How do you know me? I''ve never seen you before." "Stop standing there and sit down. Keeping your head up must be tiring." "What kind of trick is this? Exin yourself!" "Sit down, Hwang Dongsu. Unless you want to see your mother die." Chapter 127 - Let鈥檚 Start From Here First ''I managed to sneak in somehow... Hm, as expected, other ces are heavily guarded. They''ve even set up booby traps and rm spells. For just one Hunter and one civilian, that''s a lot of spending. The facts I know must be truly critical after all.'' Hyun Junggeon made full use of his stealth abilities to find a route out of the prison vige. Unfortunately,munications were still down in this area. Putting away his smartphone, which showed no signal bars, Hyun Junggeon continued searching for a way to escape outside of Sinuiju. Perhaps the heavens rewarded his perseverance, for he finally discovered a path through an underground tunnel. Although Zhang Zhongxun''s men were guarding this ce too, the underground passage was so vast andplex that even Zhang Zhongxun didn''t know all the routes. "I might just be able to find a way out." Walking through the pitch-dark tunnel, Hyun Junggeon thought about his next n. Even if he could contact Iron Will, there were still numerous things to consider. How to rescue Kang Mu-hyuk, what stance to take regarding Sinuiju afterward. If he had to intervene, should it be through negotiations or battle, and so on. ''If blood is to be shed, it''s better to minimize it. Should I return to my old job? Honestly, I don''t like assassination. It ends too easily. If Kang Mu-hyuk''s life weren''t at stake, this situation would actually be quite enjoyable.'' Just as his thoughts were about to get tangled in disappointment and temptation, a sensation swept over his entire body, instantly nking his mind. "Damn it!" It was a close call. A thin rapier had just pierced the spot where Hyun Junggeon had been standing moments before. ''When did they-!'' A stealthy ambush so silent that he didn''t even sense it. ''It''s an assassin.'' Hyun Junggeon realized the attacker was a fellow Hunter like himself. He hid himself deeper into the darkness, trying to suppress his presence as much as possible. Using his stealth skill to their fullest, he tried to escape the enemy''s notice. ''My God. The problem is I know someone is here, yet I can''t feel anything?'' Despite scanning the surroundings intently, Hyun Junggeon was shocked to find no trace of any life form. During his days as an assassin for the Titan guild, he had secretly killed many enemies who were a threat to the guild. Most of his targets were viins, and although some had no criminal record, they had secretlymitted evil deeds, ultimately meeting their end by his de. This made him a highly recognized professional assassin in terms of secret killing. ''It''s been a long time since I fought someone like this... No, this is the first actually. I''ve faced many strong Hunters, but never one who surpasses me in stealth and assassination.'' Later, Guild Master Lee Cheoljung exposed and dismantled the Titan Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu''s private assassination group. Kang Mu-hyuk was the one who had noticed and orchestrated that. Hyun Junggeon, angry at losing the thrilling games he enjoyed, chose Kang Mu-hyuk as his final assassination target in Titan. He then infiltrated the strategy team as an experienced recruit, settling there while plotting how to kill Kang Mu-hyuk in the most painful way, eventually bing the deputy team leader. ''I''m straying from the matter at hand. Focus, focus. A slip-up could mean my funeral today.'' Regaining his lost focus, Hyun Junggeon realized that even a briefpse had been a mistake. An overwhelming force pressed down on him. Instinctively, he leaped aside to avoid it. Boom! "Shit! What kind of assassin uses such loud weapons?!" "I''m not an assassin." "What?!" "I''m a professional spy." The shock of being outmaneuvered was short lived. Dozens of daggers flew out of Hyun Junggeon''s hands at the same time. "Gasp, you''re not an easy target, huh?" Despite the noisy and iling movements of the enemy, which were no different from those of a novice, strangely, none of Hyun Junggeon''s daggers hit their mark. As if attacking shadows, all the daggers ended up stuck in the floor and walls. The opponent yelled out in frustration. "You''re the one shooting dangerous weapons at me!" "Are you really saying that to me after seeing the hole your attack created?" "I didn''t do that." "What?" "Ah, that was me." A voice came from behind. It was the second time in his life that he had been caught off guard from behind. To think both times had happened on the same day. "Oh, damn it. This is far from fun." Swish! [Tenfold Shackles] Invisible chains wrapped around Hyun Junggeon''s body in an instant. "I''m especially missing my personal weapon today. I should''ve stolen it when I left Titan." "What? You''re from Titan?" "Do you know Titan?" "Oh. Now it all makes sense. No wonder it was strange. There''s no way we''d lose contact for no reason." "You''re the only one who gets it. Can''t you tell me what''s going on? Why suddenly bring up Titan?" "Huhu, pretending to be oblivious now won''t help you. A professional spy like me can tell just by looking into your eyes. You''re one of Ma Taesu''s men, right? Upset that Kang messed up thest mission?" "I did make a lot of enemies working under Ma Taesu...but it seems like you''re off target?" "Look at this guy, still ying dumb, huh? Hey, what did you do with Guild Leader Kang?" "Guild Leader Kang? You mean Kang Mu-hyuk?" "Look at him, Eulji, this guy''s a fucking good at acting. I don''t think talking will get us anywhere with him." "What should we do?" "Beat him up." "That''s my specialty." "W-wait a minute. I think there''s a misunderstanding here...." "Beat him up until he talks!" "Hey, listen to me... Ugh! Agh! Oi, you bastards...! Ugh! I won''t... Argh!" "Wow, this guy''s no joke! He''s still holding out after that? Even Park Beom-il from White Tiger was knocked out after this attack. What should we do, Mr. Cho?" "My philosophy is simple. No man is strong in front of a beating." "Got it, I''ll keep pounding him." After a barrage of shouts and screams echoed through the tunnel, Hyun Junggeon finally went limp. No matter what they hit him with, the pain persisted despite him using all his mana to defend. "You bastards... Guild Leader Kang... w-was working with... such brutes? Ugh." "Huh? Mr. Cho, this guy seems to know Mr. Kang." "Stop. Oi, stop hitting him. Dude, chill, limits, yeah? You were the same when you attacked me in the past." "You gotta give me clear signals." "Oi, listen. Oi, he''s not breathing. Put him down. Hey, breathe. Breathe!" Mr. Choid Hyun Junggeon on the ground and attempted CPR. Suddenly, Hyun Junggeon regained his breath, swung his legs, and wrapped them around Mr. Cho''s neck. In a sh, he rolled with Mr. Cho, held his back, and pressed a dagger from his pocket to her throat. "You bastard, you tricked me?!" "You jerks, listen to me! I''ll slit her throat!" "Wow, goosebumps. How is he so good at acting like he''s dead?" "Don''te any closer. Or I can''t guarantee this guy''s life." "I don''t really care. We''re not that close." "Oi, Go Eul-ji, you fuc©¤!" Hyun Junggeon let out a dryugh as he watched the two, unsure if they were joking, acting, or serious. "Mr. Kang... He was working with these fun guys alone? How annoying." "You don''t seem sane to me either." Even as a hostage, Mr. Cho didn''t stop talking. At that moment, the sound of dozens of footsteps echoed from the other end of the tunnel. "They''re over there!" "I heard an explosion from that direction!" "Your voice is too loud. They heard everything!" "That''s because of you guys!" "Let''s stop arguing and just run, yeah? We''ll talk once we get out of here." Hyun Junggeon flinched. That was because he heard the voice of the man he had restrained, Mr. Cho,e from a few steps away. He wasn''t holding anyone anymore. He was holding a dagger against empty air. "When did he... You''re quite skilled, huh?" "I told you, I''m a professional spy. If I couldn''t do this much, I''d be out of business." "What are you two doing? Let''s get out of here first!" "Ha?" Hyun Junggeonughed heartily and followed the two. Kang Mu-hyuk''s threat left Hwang Dongsu with no choice but to sit quietly on the chair next to him. ''Did he take my mother hostage? Is this all a trap? Damn it, he''s definitely an ordinary person. I don''t get what on earth is going on.'' Hwang Dongsu red at Kang Mu-hyuk, who was watching him silently. "I swear, if anything happens to my mother, I will rip you apart." "Now we can finally talk. Don''t worry. Nothing will happen to your mother." "How can I believe that?" "Because I haven''t done anything." "What?" "I haven''t done anything. I haven''t taken her hostage. In fact, I don''t even know where your house is." Hwang Dongsu stared at Kang Mu-hyuk with a bewildered expression. It took him about five seconds to understand what he was saying. "But earlier, you clearly..." "I''m not the one who''s going to harm your mother." "If it''s not you, then who?" "Disease. I heard she''s very ill. Non-external wounds can''t be cured with potions. There''s no proper medical facility in Sinuiju to treat her. Maybe advanced mana therapy at arge hospital might help." "As if I don''t know that? Hey, do you even understand the situation here? We can''t afford such luxuries. People in the prison vige can''t." "Exactly. No matter how much money you have, the people of Sinuiju can''t ess those services." "You''re not mocking me, are you? This is ridiculous." "But I can treat your mother, Mr. Hwang." "What... What did you just say?" "You must know who I am." "Yeah, Kang Mu-hyuk..." "Not just my name." "Well... I''m not up-to-date with the world..." "I am the leader of the Iron Will Guild. Iron Will is part of Taesung Group, the fifthrgest conglomerate in the country, which has one of the best medical foundations in the country. I can arrange for your mother to receive treatment there." Hwang Dongsu felt his strength drain. Leaning back in his chair, he stared nkly at the ceiling. Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "I''ve heard a lot about this ce today. It''s very different from what I read in texts. It''s hard to ignore. So, I''ve been thinking about what to do. But then, you showed up here. So, I decided to start with you." "Start with what?" Hwang Dongsu''s voice trembled with unease. He couldn''t even look Kang Mu-hyuk in the eyes, feeling it was better not to. Kang Mu-hyuk added, "Let''s start by taking over this ce." "Name!" "No Song-rin." "Age!" "36." "upation!" "Oi. Can''t you just tell by looking? I''m a Hunter. You guys call us huntsmen. You know it. Why do you keep annoying me by asking over and over?" "Affiliation!" "Jesus. What is this? The Hunter Investigation Agency? This is giving me trauma. Tch! Don''t cross the line while I''m going easy on you. Who do you think you are to act like this?!" "Us? We''re the patrol unit guarding this vige. You''re acting very suspicious right now!" "God. I can''t beat them up. Oi, all I did was make a few kids cry, and you''re treating me like a criminal for that?" "You got caught sneaking into the vige through a closed underground tunnel. Do you know that route is used for smuggling? Drugse through there too. So why should we trust and let you go?" "Wow, just my rotten luck. I followed you quietly to avoid making a scene, and now I have to endure this humiliation. I hate druggies the most. What do you take me for? Should I just beat you all up and run?" Creak! "Enough." A man suddenly opened the door and walked in. The person interrogating No Song-rin stood up straight and saluted him. "Wee, Captain!" "Finally, someone in charge. If you''d been anyter, I would''ve turned this ce upside down. Even though I''ve be more patient, there are limits." "You bastard! How dare you act rude in front of the Captain!" "Let it be. Step out for a moment. I need to talk to him." "Yes, sir." No Song-rin realized the man before him was a big shot when he saw how quickly the subordinate responded to his superior''s orders. ''I think his rank is simr to mine? Hmm, I can''t say for sure. He''s hiding his energy quite well.'' The man extended his hand for a handshake. "You seem to be a rank-3, high-grade Hunter like me. My men were rude to you. I apologize for thete introduction. I''m Yeon Jung-moon." Chapter 128 - The Whole Guild is Weird, Huh? "This isn''t really a ce for introductions, is it? To the interrogation room." At No Song-rin''s snide response, Yeon Jung-moon gave a lightugh and withdrew his extended hand. "With your level of skills, I doubt you''re a frencer. Can I ask which guild you belong to?" "We''re not exactly close enough to discuss that, are we?" "Can''t we be friends from now on?" "Why should I?" "Are you nning to do this forever? If this is how you''re going to be, it''ll be hard for you to leave here." "Is that a threat? What a shame, though. I''ve received threats on my life before, so it doesn''t work on me anymore." No Song-rin thought of Kang Mu-hyuk. ''If you''re going to threaten someone, you need to at least be at his level.'' Controlling all the information and situations. In a favorable location, with an undeniable strength---that was what made a threatplete. Even No Song-rin, who lived in a world where deceit and threats were the norm, had never experienced such an inescapable threat before. And it came from an ordinary person, no less. Seeing others fall under Kang Mu-hyuk''s gripter on gave him some understanding, or perhapsfort. Being on the same side as Kang Mu-hyuk was quite reassuring. Noticing that his opponent wasn''t shaken at all, Yeon Jung-moon shrugged his shoulders to lighten the mood. "It seems there''s been a misunderstanding. I''m just exining the situation to you." "I think you''re the one who misunderstood. Do you know why I came in here quietly? Because the kids were next to me, I held back. The thing I hate most is hearing kids cry. If they get hurt and start bawling, it''s a pain. But now the kids aren''t here, are they? Just know that I can leave whenever I want." No Song-rin made a threatening face, but Yeon Jung-moon responded with a pleased expression. "That''s exactly it. You gave up the fight because you didn''t want the kids to get hurt. I found it strange that a Hunter of your level entered so quietly. At least I don''t think you''re a bad person." "I think you''re misunderstanding something." "I''ve already heard the situation. The underground passage is like a yground for the kids around here. They go there often. This time, it seems they went into a closed-off area. They''re adventurous kids and often cause trouble, but this time they wandered into a smuggling route. We received the report and came out to check." "So, it''s a management failure." "That''s right. It was our mistake. But I was quite surprised to hear that a Hunter who encountered the kids emerged without any conflict and apanied our members to headquarters. Normally, when someone is caught using that route, they put up a fight to avoid capture. They know what happens if they''re caught." "What happens?" "Execution." No Song-rin whistled. Thenughed bitterly. He knew it was that kind of neighborhood, but... "Experiencing it firsthand, it''s quite brutal." "It''s a ce we can''t protect without taking firm action." No Song-rin sensed a determined will from Yeon Jung-moon. It was a kind of intensity he hadn''t seen in Ujungdo. But it was a familiar feeling. It was the same atmosphere as those who had captured him in Ujungdo. ''Ah, another trauma. Damn it! Not only do they act just like those guys from the Investigation Agency, they even have the same crazed look in their eyes.'' No Song-rin knew from experience that dealing with such people was the hardest. Kang Mu-hyuk was like that, and so was Ju Se-ah. The ones he found difficult always had different air to them. Feeling like he was losing his momentum, No Song-rin changed the subject. "Honestly, there''s no reason for me to reveal my personal information to people I don''t trust." "What kind of trust are you talking about?" "I heard this ce is a vige of people rted to former North Korean Hunters. But you don''t use terms like ''Hunter'' or ''activity squad.'' You don''t even use the northern dialect. I''d believe you if you were from Seoul. I don''t know about anywhere else, but here in Sinuiju, isn''t it quite suspicious?" Yeon Jung-moon chuckled, "I was just trying to make it easier for you to understand. Actually, it''s not natural for me, so I''m breaking a sweat inside. I sometimes mix up the terms myself." "What kind of consideration is that? Just speakfortably." "Oh yeah?" "Suddenly being casual? Hey, when I said speakfortably, I didn''t mean that.... Never mind. Do as you like." Yeon Jung-moon spoke to the grumbling No Song-rin, "The rumors have already spread throughout the city. The Chinese sent dozens of Hunters and even two high-ranking Hunters to catch an outsider, but he escaped their pursuit. He apparently looks a lot like you and used a pocket knife-like weapon." "So what? You''re going to report me? Turn me in?" "Of course not. We''re not that close with the Chinese. Let''s get straight to the point. Will you help us? We''llpensate you handsomely." No Song-rin was wary. Asking for help and promising a lot of money before even exining the situation? ''People who do that are usually scammers. Or it''s something dangerous.'' No Song-rin hid his suspicion for now. It was something he learned from Kang Mu-hyuk. Get them to reveal information by showing agreement or curiosity without revealing your own intentions. It felt like he was increasingly following in the footsteps of his boss in this line of work. "I heard people in Prison Vige are penniless. I''m expensive. How are you nning to hire me?" "We''re only short on money because our market is limited to the Chinese factions in Sinuiju. It''s not because weck hunting skills. Of course, it''s hard toe up with arge sum right away." "So if not money... Are you offering goods?" "You can go anywhere, whether it''s Seoul or wherever. If you sell the monster loot we give you, it should fetch you a good price." "Alright. As long as it''s ample. So, what do you want me to do? Don''t just test the waters, tell me straight." At No Song-rin''s addedment, Yeon Jung-moon answered without hesitation. "Assassination." "What?" "There''s a guy named Hyun Junggeon. He''s an outsider. He''s trying to disrupt the peace our vige has maintained for a long time." Until dawn, Kang Mu-hyuk asked and listened to many things from Hwang Dongsu. Family rtionships, his father''s disappearance, the hardships his mother faced because his father was engrossed in work outside and neglected the family---trivial family matters. His mother''s illness was also due to the strain of managing the household alone. Though Hwang Dongsu awakened as a Hunter and could support the family, it was toote. His mother was slowly dying from her illness. While it wasn''t particrly important information for Kang Mu-hyuk, he quietly listened to Hwang Dongsu talk about his life. ''Though I exined to him how helping me would benefit him, there''s no trust between Hwang Dongsu and me yet. If a better offeres along, he could turn his back on me at any time. Even if it''s brief, I need to form some sort of rtionship. Since he didn''t kill me outright and chose to talk, he''s not inherently evil. I just need to create enough of a bond to make him hesitate before betraying me.'' Though it was for a thoroughly calcted reason, for Hwang Dongsu, who had harbored much resentment, having someone listen to his story was enough. So, Hwang Dongsu continued talking about himself. As he talked, bits of information about the vige, which Kang Mu-hyuk was curious about, gradually came out. "...And so, after handling various tasks, I ended up here." Hwang Dongsu''s nickname was "Mangnani(meaning a ruffian and also an executioner)." He wasn''t given the nickname because he had a bad reputation. It was because he could decapitate both monsters and Hunters in a single strike. Hwang Dongsu''s skills were recognized not only by the people in Prison Vige but also by the Chinese Hunters. His beheading sword became his trademark in Sinuiju. He reached this level without any guild support, advanced hunting systems, or modern training backup. An A-Ranker. Truly a pearl in the mud. ''By northern standards, he''s a rank 3 high-grade huntsman. There are Hunters with ranks higher than A-Rank. There are three A-rankers in Prison Vige.'' Yeon Jung-moon, Cheon Deok-soo, and Hwang Dongsu. ''There used to be four, right?'' Kim Byungju, the husband of Lady Uijudaek, was an A-Ranker, but Cheon Deok-soo betrayed him and handed him over to the Chinese guild, ''Falling Blossoms,'' and he lost his life. Afterward, Cheon Deok-soo led his followers and sided with the Chinese, acting as their stooge. Yeon Jung-moon opposed him. He, too, was of the same rank as Cheon Deok-soo and Kim Byungju, and organized a patrol to protect the vige. He kept Cheon Deok-soo in check and prevented Chinese Hunters from entering Prison Vige recklessly. Hwang Dongsu stayed neutral, neither siding with anyone nor forming a group. Many young people followed him, but he didn''t force them or try to lead them. This earned him a better reputation. ''But suddenly, Hyun Junggeon, who is as strong as them, entered the vige. He''s a person who would cause trouble just by standing still. That too in a power structure that barely maintains bnce. And he started investigating the Chinese guilds, including Falling Blossoms.'' When Hyun Junggeon first came to the vige, they were able to maintain a friendly rtionship because of supplies like food. But that was no longer the case. Hyun Junggeon''s actions, which disturbed the Chinese guilds, threatened the very existence of the vige. At this point, Kang Mu-hyuk could guess why Hyun Junggeon and he were attacked. ''Someone in the vige sold Hyun Junggeon out to the Chinese. He was probably being watched from within the vige.'' From here, things started gettingplicated. That was because both Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo were suspicious. Not only Cheon Deok-soo, who was ackey of the Chinese guilds, but also Yeon Jung-moon, who led the patrol to eliminate threats to the vige, wouldn''t let a troublemaker like Hyun Junggeon exist. Still, Hyun Junggeon had once been considered a benefactor of the vige. They would''ve found it hard to deal with him personally, so they could''ve tried to use the Chinese. "Guild Leader, then what should I do from now on?" Looking at Hwang Dongsu, who now treated him with respect, Kang Mu-hyuk organized his thoughts and spoke. "This vige needs dialogue more than violence. Do you agree?" "Yes. Although rtions aren''t good now, all the neighbors here used to live like family. We need to avoid bloodshed. That''s why both Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo tried to avoid fights as much as possible." "But Hunters inherently don''t listen to those without power." "That''s true." Hwang Dongsu gave a bitter smile. "Then, let''s first make them listen." "How do we do that?" "You said there are quite a few young people who follow you?" "Yes, but... You''re nning to use them?" "Why? You don''t like it?" "They''re still naive. Just as innocent. It doesn''t sit right to use them..." Kang Mu-hyuk stared intently at Hwang Dongsu. Hwang Dongsu held his breath, wondering what he did wrong. After a short, yet not brief silence, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke, "Would they have be Hunters without that kind of resolve?" "No, it''s not that. I''m ready to risk my life for the vige. But..." "No. I''m not talking about you, Hunter Hwang Dongsu. I''m asking if the young people in this vige who follow you, who haven''t joined any group yet, haven''t they made the same resolution as you." "...." Ignoring Hwang Dongsu''s internal conflict, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Although I said we''ll solve the problem through dialogue as much as possible, I can''t guarantee there won''t be any sacrifices. Saying we can solve this without any bloodshed while everyone''s pointing knives at each other is hypocritical and deceitful. We need to prepare for any eventuality. If you don''t like that, I can''t work with you." "If we gather the people... Will we be able to change this vige, as you said?" Kang Mu-hyuk responded as if he had been waiting for the question. "No." "If we can''t change it, why go through all the trouble..." "Changing the vige isn''t my job. It''s the job of the people here. As you can see, I''m not a Hunter. I can''t fight alongside you. But I can show you the way. It''s up to the people here to choose it." "You''re asking us to choose a path that could lead to the death of the vige people?" "It was your choice toe to kill me for your mother''s treatment, and it was also your choice to listen to me. Now it''s time to make another choice. Whether to fight, bear the risk and sacrifice, or to avoid it." After a long time of bowing his head, Hwang Dongsu finally looked Kang Mu-hyuk straight in the eyes. Even without words, it was clear what his choice was. Kang Mu-hyuk nodded. "Gather everyone. Let''s set the stage before dawn." Hyun Junggeon, who had escaped to the outskirts of Sinuiju, pointed at the two people facing him and confirmed once again. "So, you''re from the Iron Will Guild?" "Not me. I was hired. Only she''s from Iron Will." Looking at the girl Mr. Cho pointed to, Hyun Junggeon frowned. He hadn''t noticed in the dark underground passage, but now under the bright moonlight, his opponent looked quite young. "A kid?" "Yeah, a kid. Got a problem with that?" "Wow, kids these days sure aren''t afraid of anything, huh?" "Not of people weaker than me." "You think you''re stronger than me?" "If you''ve got a problem, let''s fight. But do you really think you can take me on? You looked pretty weak earlier." At Go Eul-ji''s provocation, Hyun Junggeon let out a chuckle. It was foolish to judge Hunters by age, but he still didn''t think a high schooler would be stronger than him if they were in the same rank. It wasn''t overconfidence, but rather skepticism about how much experience a high schooler could have in dealing with monsters or Hunters. Also, Hyun Junggeon was a veteran when it came to dealing with people. He had faced more people than monsters and didn''t even want to bother pointing out the many weaknesses he saw in the girl in front of him. As the atmosphere turned confrontational, Mr. Cho intervened, "With the passage blocked, the night is short. We need to find a new route back into Sinuiju. Are we really going to fight like this? And Eul-ji, watch your mouth. Why do you always have to pick a fight?" "I learnt from grandpa. In this field, if you get looked down by others, you''ll be pushed out immediately. From my experience, it''s not wrong. If you just give in, they always try to win." "Your grandpa... Haa, he fought in the Great War. That''s why you''re like this. I don''t care since I''m not in your guild, Guild Leader Kang will have a hard time in the future. And if your Guild Master finds out about this..." "Why do you always bring up the Guild Master? What are you trying to do? Threaten me?" "You''re right. It''s a threat. If you keep causing trouble, I''ll report it to your Guild Master." Hyun Junggeon interrupted their conversation, "Since you mentioned Guild Leader Kang, let''s deal with that first. The fact that Iron Will sent you means you''re aware that something happened to Guild Leader Kang, right?" "Is he alive?" "For now." "What? That''s not a great answer." "He''s not at immediate risk of dying. But there are some problems." "Speaking of problems, we have one too." "What problem?" "First, the rescue team is just the two of us. There''s no support from the guild." Hyun Junggeon rubbed his forehead. "This is killing me. So it''s not just some members that are weird, but the whole guild is weird too, huh?" Somehow, Hyun Junggeon was starting to like this guild more and more. Chapter 129 - At Least For Today "What? The White Tiger Guild is staging an armed demonstration in front of North Pocheon? Demanding the release of the Hunters who were chasing Lee Sookyoung?" Hearing the situation in North Pocheon from Mr. Cho and Go Eul-ji, Hyun Junggeon became concerned about the White Tiger Guild''s movements. He had the same worries as Kang Mu-hyuk on this matter. ''Are they just helping each other, or are they deeply connected?'' He leaned toward thetter. Coincidentally, Iron Will was being pressured at the same time as when they were trapped in the prison vige. Even if they were hired, a Tier guild like White Tiger wouldn''t be making such a loud move. ''In that sense, Ju Se-ah''s judgment is wless. Protecting the guild is the top priority, no matter what. Who knows what those reckless White Tiger guys might do. Not only that, but dispatching Hunters to rescue the leader is quite something. They aren''t just bulldozing their way through as the rumors say.'' Having worked with Kang Mu-hyuk in the strategy and tactics team, Hyun Junggeon had a clear view of the current situation. He set aside theplicated issues and focused on two major things for now. Rescuing Kang Mu-hyuk and securing the injections. When he mentioned this, Mr. Cho and Go Eul-ji reacted unexpectedly. "Is the Guild Leader sick?" "Mr.Kang needs serum? What''s that about?" Their response surprised Hyun Junggeon. "So, the both of you...didn''t know about his illness." "Tell us more. What''s wrong with him?" Go Eul-ji urged. Hyun Junggeon kept his mouth shut. He could guess why Kang Mu-hyuk hadn''t disclosed his illness. ''The health of a Guild Master or Vice Guild Master can pose a risk to the organization. Revealing the illness bes a reason for distrust. The opposing forces also know of your weakness.'' Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t a Hunter, and once ousted from the industry, that would be it. Returning to the guild industry with an illness would be difficult. ''I can''t have that happening. If Mr.Kang steps down from his position, what about the big fun ahead!'' While Hyun Junggeon hesitated, Go Eul-ji pressed him. "Why are you mming up? Speak up." "It''s not my ce to say. It''s better if you hear it directly from Guild Leader Kang." "Oh my. I saw this soap opera. When someone is really sick, they avoid answering. Is Guild Leader Kang dying?" "Were you even listening? He''s fine as long as he gets the medicine." "I can''t have the Guild Leader Kang die on me. If he does, grandpa will drag me back home." "Oi, Mr. Cho. Is she always this bad at listening to others?" "There are only two people in Korea who can control her. Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah. Not even her family can manage her. She''s always been a my-way person." While Hyun Junggeon and Mr. Cho shared a nonsensemon ground, they began to formte their next steps. Mr. Cho''s conclusion was simple. "Whatever happens, we need to go back in." "We escaped so suddenly that I couldn''t ask the Guild Leader where to get the injection. We need to get him out, so we''ll have to go back in anyway." "Which route do we use to infiltrate?" "The ce we just came through was the only exit I found. It''s probably blocked now, so we need to find another way in." "In that case, we have two options on our side." Mr. Cho held up two fingers. "What are they?" "One is Go Eul-ji infiltrating. The other is me infiltrating." "What''s the difference?" "Go Eul-ji is a telekic. Despite how she acts, she''s a high-ranker." "What''s wrong with how I act?!" Go Eul-ji protested angrily, but Mr. Cho continued the conversation unbothered, "We could infiltrate from the air. It''s hard to pinpoint the exact location in the dark, but if we do a vertical drop from a very high altitude, we shouldn''t be easily detected." "That''s out of the question. The Chinese have a guy with a high-level detection skill. It''s almost passive, so he''ll notice right away." "It doesn''t matter if they notice. I''m quick enough to slip in unnoticed." "You''re underestimating Sinuiju. They''ve got an interception team. The skies over Sinuiju are tough even for flying monsters. Even an A-ranker would struggle to withstand multiple hits from the air. Even if you make it, getting detected would immediately alert them, and they might enter the prison vige thinking a rescue team has arrived. Given Guild Leader Kang''s current situation, escaping while fending them off is impossible." Go Eul-ji fell silent. Then Mr. Cho raised his hand. "Then, I guess it''s best if I go." "What''s your specialty?" "You saw it in the underground tunnel, didn''t you? I''m good at hiding." "I''m pretty good at hiding too. But that perimeter isn''t just guarded by people. There''s a ton of equipment specialized in detection and search." "It''s fine. I don''t mind being detected." "What do you mean?" "I''m just going to walk in openly." "??" Hwang Dongsu gathered his followerste at night. Even during the night, the assembly wasn''t difficult. The people in the prison vige always had an emergency contactwork ready just in case. Moreover, like a mutual aid society, they were connected by neighborhoods. Naturally, the young people following Hwang Dongsu had their own line ofmunication. Around thirty young men gathered at Ui Judaek''s house. Ui Ju-daek offered the master bedroom and the living room at Kang Mu-hyuk''s request. She knew them all, and since she had even raised some of them like younger siblings, she wasn''t annoyed by thete-nightmotion. While Hwang Dongsu hadn''t shown up there yet, the young Hunters started specting about the reason for the gathering. "Why do you think Dongsu called us at this hour?" "Do you know what''s going on? I just came because he told me to." "If he called us thiste, he must have made a decision, right?" "What decision?" "You know, that thing?" "That thing... You don''t mean..." The noisy house suddenly fell silent. There was an expectation that something they had long requested of Hwang Dongsu might being to fruition. At that moment, Ui Ju-daek emerged from the kitchen. "Everyone, you must be hungry,ing here at night. Help yourself to some snacks." Ui Ju-daek and Kim Gilyoung carried trays of simple refreshments. "Ju-daek, hand this over to me. Why would you do this stuff? Have your son do it." "Hey, young one(little one). My hands are about to break. What are you doing?" "Jeez, whatever. Even an orc can''t break them. How could a tray? Just eat up. Dongsu will be here soon anyway." Themotion on the first floor was loud enough to be heard in the attic. Kang Mu-hyuk, who was with Hwang Dongsu, asked, "Everyone seems to treat Ui Ju-daek with great respect." "Yes. She''s the one who married the much-respected Byungju, and she''s like a sister and mother to the local guys." "What about Cheon Deok-soo''s gang?" "They''re... Not much different." "Yet they threatened her." Hwang Dongsu couldn''t say anything because he was reminded of Cheon Deok-soo. The one responsible for splitting the vige in two. He hated him, yet he was frustrated that the vige couldn''t function without him. Even he had to secretly get his mother''s medicine and food from that guy''s ck market after all. Plus, he himself was ready to kill two people, in exchange for his mother''s treatment. ''It''s shameful, but I''ve been too indifferent to the vige''s affairs. I won''t use my mother''s illness as an excuse anymore. I need to set things right now. And make sure my mother gets treated. I''ve alreadymitted to this person, so I have no choice but to see it through.'' Hwang Dongsu looked down at Kang Mu-hyuk. He seemed to be deep in thought. Although they had only met a few hours ago, Hwang Dongsu had a rough grasp of Kang Mu-hyuk''s nature. It was best to wait quietly when he was deep in thought. ''It keeps bothering me. Ui Ju-daek...'' Kang Mu-hyuk recalled the time when Ui Ju-daek faced Cheon Deok-soo''s gang at her house. From his vantage point, he couldn''t hear the conversation, but the atmosphere was clearly bad. It was evident that they didn''t get along well, yet the expression on Ui Ju-daek''s face as she turned away was sorrowful. She didn''t have the venomous look of someone facing the underlings of her husband''s killer. Instead, it was more like the eyes of young Gilyoung sharpening his knife for revenge. ''Before Cheon Deok-soo betrayed them and joined the Chinese, the whole vige lived like a family. It''s not that I can''t understand those feelings, but...'' No matter how he thought about it, Kang Mu-hyuk sensed something unsettling in Ui Ju-daek''s expression. ''When the mana poisoning res up, I be overly sensitive. It''s exhausting to read so many unnecessary expressions.'' As his illness worsened, his thoughts sped up, and every scene others might miss reyed vividly in his mind. Memories long forgotten became clear, and the gathered information formed a distinct picture in his head. A strange phenomenon where his mind grew sharper even as his body deteriorated. Kang Mu-hyuk was mentally mapping out Sinuiju entirely. He was just beginning to paint the first strokes of his n. "Seems like everyone''s here. Let''s go down." "Phew~ will it work?" "You seem nervous." "Honestly... I''m more scared than when facing high-level monsters." "It''s okay. I''m always scared." "What?" Hwang Dongsu, puzzled by the man who remainedposed even before an assassin, asked again. Kang Mu-hyuk slowly rose from the bed and said, "There''s nothing more terrifying than being responsible for someone''s life. Hunter Hwang Dongsu, you''ve just realized that." "..." Hwang Dongsu was speechless. Only then did he fully grasp that the fate of dozens of young people gathered downstairs was in his hands. "Ugh." "Be careful." Hwang Dongsu quickly supported Kang Mu-hyuk as he staggered while getting up. Kang Mu-hyuknded a light pat on Hwang Dongsu''s shoulder and said, "Don''t be overwhelmed by the burden. Shake it off. You won''t bear the weight alone." Hwang Dongsu''s trembling stopped as if by magic, thanks to Kang Mu-hyuk''s encouragement. "Let''s go. At least today, no one will die." "Yes!" Zhang Zhongxun stood on a building overlooking the prison vige. Though the building was only ten stories high, it was a rare high-rise in Sinuiju. He felt that tonight was particrly long. Though he had always seen the vige shrouded in darkness, he felt sentimental knowing its days were numbered. ''After causing so much trouble, now it''s finallying to an end. I guess it''s a relief that Kim Byungju isn''t around anymore.'' A Hunter with steadfast and unwavering eyes. The only person Zhang Zhongxun acknowledged in the so-called garbage heap prison vige. There were many Hunters ranked higher than Kim Byungju, but few had his depth of mind and strength of will. Though they belonged to different nations, he was respectable as a fellow Hunter. ''I didn''t feel good about killing him that way. To let a Hunter I respected die over mere smuggling? But what could I do? The orders of the organizatione first.'' Zhang Zhongxun nned to crush the prison vige by noon after having Cheon Deok-soo deal with Kang Mu-hyuk and Hyun Junggeon. He had already brought the necessary forces from the maind. If he brought them in directly to Sinuiju, they might be discovered. So they were waiting in Dandong city across the Yalu River. ''I''ve used Cheon Deok-soo well enough. Thanks to him, I managed to control the prison vige without major issues, maintaining peace in Sinuiju, and raising my reputation with the higher-ups. Though it''s a shame to discard him, it''s better to do that than to keep him when I don''t even know what he''s thinking. The real problem is Yeon Jung-moon.'' But he had brought assassins to deal with him, so it shouldn''t be a big issue. "Tomorrow will be interesting." Zhang Zhongxun smiled cruelly. Chapter 130 - Yes, It鈥檚 Possible Mr. Cho, who had secretly infiltrated Sinuiju, approached the vicinity of the prison vige. As Hyun Junggeon had said, the surveince around the prison vige was tight. Every checkpoint had several Hunters with various surveince skills stationed there. On top of that, there were expensive detection devices and booby traps. ''Look at them. Normally, a guild of at least A-rank would be using this stuff. They must have tons of money. What are they so afraid of that they''re making such a fuss just to capture two people? Oh, what''s that? A Snub-Nosed Mole?'' Mr. Cho saw a monster; the Snub-Nosed Mole. A four-legged, 2-meter-long creature that resembled a mole with a pig-like snout. Its nose, which upied half of its face, functioned exactly as its appearance suggested. ''Those guys have an incredible sense of smell. If I just go in there, I''ll be caught immediately.'' Mr. Cho opened the leather pouch on the opposite side of his ampoule kit on his belt. He took out a small spray bottle and sprayed it on himself. It was a special hormone extract that disrupted the sense of smell of monsters. Mr. Cho made the recipe himself and it was not avable on the market. ''It''s worse than Hyun said. These guys aren''t easy opponents. To think they can tame monsters to this extent.'' He had heard rumors about Hunters who could tame and handle monsters. Since this trait was not yet discovered in Korea, little was known about how it worked, but the mere ability tomand monsters provided a significant advantage in hunting. ''There''s nothing as convenient as being able to use the traits and skills of monsters. In theory, it''s like handling dozens of different traits.'' Mr. Cho paid extra attention, carefully examining his surroundings to identify all potential threats before making his move. His target was the lodging where the Hunters rested after their shifts. It was a motel rented for them to rest in rotation. Since there were many rooms, they didn''t have to gather in one ce. They didn''t expect anyone to breach their perimeter and infiltrate the rear lodging, so the security wasx. Mr. Cho sneaked into the room where a low-ranking female Hunter was sleeping alone. Before entering, he had already filled the room with his special sleep gas. The potent gas, which a C-ranker couldn''t withstand, had filled the room. He waited about five minutes for the gas to dissipate before opening the door. The Hunter waspletely unconscious, deeply asleep. "She''s decently pretty. Just the right person to use." Mr. Cho ced his hand on the female Hunter''s forehead. After a moment, a Hunter with the same face as the one lying in the bed was looking down from above. "Oh, right, I need to copy the clothes too." Mr. Cho ced his left hand on his own clothes and his right hand on the Hunter''s clothes on the bed. In an instant, the clothes Mr. Cho was wearing changed to match the clothes he touched. "This was worth the effort." The clothes Mr. Cho wore looked ordinary but were actually a rare artifact. They were a masterpiece made from his own hair with the doppelg?nger trait and special fibers. That artifact had the ability of ''copying clothes.'' ''It took a lot of effort to make this. Collecting all that hair.'' Mr. Cho smirked, thinking back to the time and effort he had invested in creating this unique tool. ''Well, let''s get to work.'' With his disguiseplete, Mr. Cho quietly slipped out of the room and began his infiltration mission. Mr. Cho collected hair strands that fell out while washing his hair and picked up the ones that dropped when he rolled around. He even collected hair clippings in a bag when he went to the hair salon, and he even tried buying adult magazines iming they would help his hair grow faster. He was teased a lot by his work partners when they found out. ''This is all because of Kang Mu-hyuk.'' The reason he decided to create the clothes-copying artifact was because of Kang Mu-hyuk. When he was undercover at Titan to avoid the yer Guild''s pursuit, he never imagined he''d meet a weirdo who remembered every outfit he had ever worn. He had been suspiciously wearing the same clothes a few times with different faces over several months, which Kang Mu-hyuk noticed, leading to their current rtionship. Mr. Cho was still inexperienced at the time, but he never imagined someone would be keeping track of the guild employees'' outfits. Since then, Mr. Cho started working on an artifact that could disguise not just his face but his clothes as well, and he had finallypleted it recently. "Well, let''s go now, shall we?" Mr. Cho took the ID card out of the Hunter''s wallet to check the name and boldly left the motel. He didn''t encounter anyone in the hallway but ran into another Hunter as soon as he stepped outside. "Hey, Xu Jing Lei." The moment he saw the man waving at him, Mr. Cho''s face stiffened. ''Damn it, Chinese.'' He realized a critical mistake. ''Am I an idiot? I changed my face and copied the clothes but forgot thenguage.'' Since his activities were limited to Korea, he had never had to disguise himself as a foreigner, which led to this mishap. "What''s wrong? Are you still upset about what happenedst time? I swear it wasn''t me. I wasn''t cheating. It''s a misunderstanding. Please listen to me." Not understanding a word, Mr. Cho responded with an ambiguous smile. ''Just smile. Smile. No one hits a smiling face.'' Seeing her smile, the man smiled brightly as well. "Does that smile mean you forgive me? Wow, you''re a real trooper. I was wrong this time. I''ll do better from now on. So, how about we, um, you know, over there?" The man pointed to a shady alley while grinning, and Mr. Cho smiled back. ''Why is this guy''s smile so creepy?'' The man put his arm around Mr. Cho''s shoulder and started dragging him. Mr. Cho could only follow along, smiling. Then-- "You bastard!"(in Korean) "Xu Jing Lei? You''re speaking Korean...Ugh!" Mr. Cho struck the man unconscious with a single blow and stomped on him several more times. "This guy is a real pervert. How dare he?" Realizing he had attacked reflexively without checking his surroundings, Mr. Cho looked around. After confirming no one was around, he sighed in relief. "Almost ruined the operation because of a pervert. Tsk. I swear I''ll buy a trantion item after this job." Mr. Cho touched the man''s body. Her face soon transformed into his. Her frame also expanded, turning her slender body into a muscr one. Just like at the motel, Mr. Cho rummaged through his pockets and checked the ID of the unconscious man. Then he dragged the man and stuffed him into a trash bin, ensuring he wouldn''t wake up for several hours by making him inhale a sleeping agent through his nose. "Let''s see. What''s this guy''s name... How do you read these characters? Damn it, no English transcription on this one. And my phone doesn''t work here, so I can''t even look it up. Do I need to carry a dictionary around? Who even learns Chinese characters nowadays? Ah, this guy is Chinese, right?" Grumbling in a rough voice, Mr. Cho disappeared into the darkness. When Hwang Dongsu emerged from the attic, the young Hunters upying the maru and the main room stood up and bowed their heads. "You''re here?!" When Hwang Dongsu didn''t acknowledge their greetings, the Hunters cautiously raised their heads. ''Huh?'' They all looked at Hwang Dongsu with the same thought. Then they noticed the man he was helping stand up. ''Who''s that guy?'' ''Why is he taking care of someone who looks like a sick chicken?'' ''He doesn''t look like a huntsman.'' As questions filled everyone''s mind, Hwang Dongsu, who had helped Kang Mu-hyuk down, spoke. "He is the one I serve." With that one sentence, everyone present was shocked. "Did I hear that wrong?" "Brother, what''s going on? Did I hear that wrong?" The young Hunters, who had gathered with the hope that Hwang Dongsu would lead them, were left bewildered. "Serve me? You said that so weirdly out of the blue. Of course, they reacted this way." "I apologize, Guild Leader." Seeing Hwang Dongsu bowing and apologizing, the young Hunters were shocked again, unable to speak. Hwang Dongsu was someone highly respected, a cherished younger brother of Kim Byungju, the anchor of the vige. His skills were exceptional, and if it hadn''t been for his mother''s illness, Kim Byungju had imed he was the one to lead the vige after him. They thought such a person was finally stepping up, but suddenly, he was bowing to someone who wasn''t even a Hunter? It was a huge shock. Before they could recover from the shock, Kang Mu-hyuk began to speak, "I''m from down south, North Pocheon. I''m Kang Mu-hyuk, the leader of the Iron Will Guild, where Hunter Ju Se-ah is the Guild Master." His brief introduction was enough to make an impact on the Hunters here. "J-Ju Se-ah?" "The top Hunter in Korea!" "Why would youe here...?" "Quiet!" At Hwang Dongsu''smand, the murmuring subsided. "Please continue." By now, Hwang Dongsu''s polite speech wasn''t even surprising. The Hunters focused on Kang Mu-hyuk''s next words. "I''ll get straight to the point. I intend to make sure that everyone in this vige receives a resident registration card(government ID)." "!!" "Hunters will receive certificates indicating their affiliation with the Republic of Korea as official Hunters." "!!" "Children will get educational opportunities, the elderly will receive medical benefits, and everyone will be able to find their rights and fulfill their responsibilities as members of the nation. From now on, you will no longer be Hunters with no affiliation. If you wish, Iron Will Guild will make a ce for you. I offer you the chance to be reborn as citizens of Korea and as members of the Iron Will Guild." "I-is that... really possible?" Someone asked in a trembling voice. Hearing their long-cherished wish spoken out loud, they found it hard to believe. "I guarantee it." "Even if it''s you, is this really possible?" The attitude showed that even Hwang Dongsu''s guarantee wasn''t enough to convince them. It was understandable. They were descendants of traitors who had been marginalized, endured inequality, and survived through istion for decades. Who would believe them? Not the South Korean government, nor the people who still remembered the old tragedies. Because of this, none of the Hunters here ever dared to dream of such a thing. It was a dream that couldn''t be achieved with the bravado of an individual. "Tell us. Do you really think this is possible?" Kang Mu-hyuk addressed the Hunter questioning. "Yes. It''s possible." Dawn was breaking. Hwang Dongsu sent people to both Cheon Deok-soo and Yeon Jung-moon at the crowing of the morning rooster. "What did he say? What''s Dongsu up to?" "He''s saying they''re forming their own faction now." "You guys must be out of your minds! Are you just running your mouth without thinking?" "We''ve delivered Dongu''s message to you. Since it''s the first day, let''s not get into a fight and have breakfast together. Come to Byungju''s ce at seven." After the messenger left, Cheon Deok-soo was deep in thought. That loner suddenly wanted to form a faction? The news of Hwang Dongsu''s actions quickly spread among Cheon Deok-soo''s group. "What? Did he go crazy? I sent him to kill Hyun Junggeon and the Seoul guy, and now he''s doing this?" The man who had ordered Hwang Dongsu to assassinate Hyun Junggeon and Kang Mu-hyuk shouted. Cheon Deok-soo, who hade out to cool his head, heard the voice. "What?! You told Dongsu to kill Hyun Junggeon?" "N-no, Deok-soo. That''s not it." Whack! "Ugh!" "You little punk! Did you ignore my orders? Didn''t I tell you not to mess with Dongsu no matter what?" "I''m sorry. But we needed to handle Hyun somehow without shedding blood... Gah!" "You''re still speaking?!" Cheon Deok-soo hit his subordinate several more times. It looked fierce, but it wasn''t enough to cause serious injury. Even though they were his subordinates, they knew each other, whether it be parents or siblings. He ended it with just enough of a disy to set an example. After using some force, he felt his head cooling down. He regained hisposure and called another subordinate. "Go immediately and tell Yeon Jung-moon I need to meet him now." Chapter 131 - Because We Need to Take Over Sinuiju "Why is it so noisy this early in the morning? Doesn''t anyone sleep here?" No Song-rin, detained in the patrol detention facility of the prison vige, woke up because of themotion in the building. He got up while scratching his neck and approached the door to peek outside. Through the small window in the specially treated iron door, he could see it was dark outside. Unlike the detention room, there was a faint light entering from the end of the hallway through a crack in the door. ''I underestimated this ce because it''s falling apart, but the prison is quite sturdy. So it used to be an old prison site. The detention facilities are surely good.'' No Song-rin carefully examined the iron door and walls. "Let''s see. Breaking out of here secretly doesn''t look easy. If I try to force myself out, it''ll be noisy. Hmm, even if I get out, Yeon Jung-moon is guarding the ce. Fighting him isn''t ideal. Should I wait for the right moment?" Even if he managed to escape from here, it would be hard to leave the vige immediately. He had heard that Chinese Hunters were surrounding the vige, so escaping without a sh seemed unlikely. In a way, there was no better ce to hide than here, so he had quietly let himself be captured, but he was now regretting it because it was more suffocating than he thought it would be. "I shouldn''t have said no. I could have pretended to ept the assassination job and just bolted." No Song-rin recalled Yeon Jung-moon''s proposal. ''If you get rid of Hyun Junggeon, I''ll give you all the valuable spoils.'' No Song-rin had immediately refused the offer. It was because of the name Hyun Junggeon. An old colleague that Kang Mu-hyuk had investigated through him. He heard he was working as a broker in Sinuiju but never expected him to be connected to the prison vige. Plus, the fact that the leader of the guys maintaining order here had requested his assassination gave him an idea of how notorious he must be. "Well, if he worked with Guild Leader Kang, he can''t be an ordinary guy." No Song-rin muttered as he tried to go back to sleep. Just then, the door at the end of the hallway opened and someone entered. No Song-rin nced out through the iron bars. A shadow stretched long on the floor. Light footsteps approached. Soon, a face peeked into No Song-rin''s view. "Uncle?" "Huh? Oh, it''s you, that kid from before? The one crying in the underpass. You cried loud enough to make my ears bleed." "Wh-when did I? I wasn''t crying! I just had something in my eye." "Liar. You ran off crying and ratted me out." "Ratted you out?" "You reported me. Snitched on me." "Oh, you mean when I told the patrolmen?" "Yeah, you sneaky tattletale." "It''s not sneaky. I just told my dad." "Dad?" "My dad is in the patrol team here." "So, you sneakily told your dad? You''re no man. I''ll rip off your willy." "It''s not sneaky. And I''m a man. I won''t let you rip it off." "Sure, you''re a man. But you''re a sneaky one." "No, I''m not. I told you, it''s not sneaky." "Sneaky pants." "Ugh, waah..." "Hey, hey, I''m sorry. Don''t cry. You''re not sneaky. You''re not a sneaky pants. Just don''t cry." "Sniff. I''ll let it go this time. Sniff." "Haa. What the hell am I doing here with this kid?" No Song-rin wasmenting his situation when he noticed something odd. "Why are you here? Isn''t it time for kids to be in bed?" "I woke up because it was so noisy outside." "Where''s the guard?" "I don''t know. They''re all been busy since morning." "What kind of ce is this? This is worse than that time with Taesung. Kidsing and going in a prison." "This is not a prison. It''s our home. And our school." "Home? School?" The child nodded. "What? They even put kids in jail here?" "No, I said it''s our home. All the kids you saw yesterday live here too." Unfamiliar with the child''s way of speaking, No Song-rin took a moment to process what he had said. "So, you and your dad and your friends all live here in the patrol station?" "Yes. We have houses in the yard here. The school is next to it. We all live together." "Wow, what a mess. What''s with this environment for kids? A prison as home and school?" "That''s the name of our vige." "Oh, right." The name ''prison vige'' struck No Song-rin anew. ''Even if it''s a closed prison, if kids like him live in a ce like this, they''ll end up like someone like me. Well, there''s no way to escape from here anyway. Poor kid.'' As No Song-rin gazed down at the child through the small window, a sudden idea shed through his mind. "Hey, kid. Do you know someone named Hyun Junggeon? I heard he lives in this vige." "Yes, I know him. Mr. Hyun is the one who gives me tasty treats." "Oh! Then I have a favor to ask." "What will you give me?" "Look at you. Are you negotiating with me right now?" "My dad said never to work for free. And to make sure to do the job right if you''re paid properly." The kid made a circle with his thumb and index finger, shaking it.(TL note: That means he''s asking for money) No Song-rinughed in disbelief. "What should I do? I don''t have any money right now. As you can see, I''m locked up." "Then forget it." The kid turned his back on No Song-rin. It was hard to believe this was the same kid who had been crying just moments ago. However, his slow steps and the way he kept ncing back showed he was still interested. No Song-rin noticed the kid''s amateur acting but pretended to be fooled. "Wait! Alright. Okay. If you do me this favor, I''ll buy you ten boxes of snacks." "I don''t do credit transactions." "I''ll add interest and buy you a mountain of snacks." "How much is a mountain? How many boxes?" "It would fill your room to the brim." "I don''t have a room." "I''ll fill your house." "Hmm... But I can''t let you out. Dad will scold me." "Just deliver a message for me." "To whom?" "To Hyun Junggeon. The one who gives you snacks, right? It''s not too much to ask you to pass on a few words to that nice uncle, is it?" "That should be... Alright, I guess? He''s a nice uncle. Okay, just a moment." "Oi, where are you going?!" The kid left the hallway and returned shortly with a pen and paper. Hey on the floor, scribbling for a while, then stood on tiptoe to hand the paper to No Song-rin. "What''s this?" "A contract. Bad people can cop out after making a promise." "Did your dad teach you this too?" "No, my uncle next door did." "As I thought, this ce isn''t good for kids. But I''m not a bad person." "Bad people say they''re not bad. And you''re in jail. That means you''re a bad man, right?" "Well, there''s a thing called adult circumstances... Haa, it''s hard to argue with that. Well, I''m not exactly a good person either." "Sign here." No Song-rin read the contract. The scrawled letters spelled out ''Contract.'' It even mimicked the proper terms for both parties. At the bottom was the kid''s name. "Oi, kid, I''m Party A. The one who pays is supposed to be Party A." "The desperate one is Party B." "Ugh. Did your uncle teach you that too?" "No, thedy across the street did." "What kind of education do kids get here?" No Song-rin stopped arguing and signed his name under "Party B." Satisfied, Cheol-i asked, "So, what do you want me to say?" "Go to Hyun Junggeon and tell him that someone sent by Kang Mu-hyuk is here. And that my name is No Song-rin. Ask him toe see me. It''d be even better if he could get me out." From early in the morning, Hwang Dongsu''s orders had the patrol in disarray. On top of that, Cheon Deok-soo''s request for a meeting stirred the entire vige. "It could be a trap. You know the Chinese have been on edgetely, right?" "Boss, Hwang Dongsu is also suspicious. Suddenly forming a faction this early in the morning? It doesn''t make sense." Despite the various concerns, Yeon Jung-moon settled the matter with one sentence. "No matter how much of an enemy Cheon Deok-soo is, have we ever avoided a meeting?" None of his close aides could refute Yeon Jung-moon''s question. Cheon Deok-soo was often called a Chinese pawn and a traitor, but whenever there was an issue in the vige, he always resolved it through dialogue rather than violence with Yeon Jung-moon. Even when conflicts arose among their subordinates, they never escted into violent incidents due to the strong organizational control of the two leaders. In addition, although their rtionship had be distant, everyone in the vige still knew each other, leading to cautious interactions. "If you''re so worried, summon Deok-soo to the patrol station. If he has no ulterior motives, he''lle without hesitation." As expected, Cheon Deok-soo epted Yeon Jung-moon''s invitation. Just as the dark sky began to lighten, Cheon Deok-soo arrived at the patrol station with only a few subordinates. "How about we settle this just the two of us as always?" "Sure, let''s do that." Yeon Jung-moon dismissed his men. Once they were alone in the office and the surroundings werepletely silent, Cheon Deok-soo spoke up. "Hwang Dongsu. If he acts like this, we can''t just stand by." "Right. It''s a disruption to the vige''s bnce. We agreed not to mess with Dongsu to maintain our bnce." "What should we do? If the bnce of power we''ve created copses, the entire structure will waver." "What else can we do? We have to persuade him. He invited us to breakfast; let''s go and hear what he has to say." "What if he doesn''t listen? He''s so damn stubborn." "Then we have no choice but to go all the way..." Yeon Jung-moon didn''t finish his sentence, but Cheon Deok-soo understood what he meant. "Still, let''s avoid going that far if possible. It would be painful for all of us." Mr. Cho had been changing into various disguises throughout the night, avoiding suspicion as he broke through the encirclement. Finally, he sessfully infiltrated the prison vige. "Is this it?" After wandering through the maze-like prison vige, he found what he was looking for: Ui Judaek''s house. "If Hyun Junggeon''s description is correct, this should be the ce. One, two, three. The third house. But why are there so many Hunters? This is different from what he said. Well, if I go in, I should get something." Mr. Cho transformed into Hyun Junggeon, whose appearance he had copied in advance, and climbed down from the roof where he had been hiding. The Hunters around Ui Judaek''s house noticed him a bitte. Mr. Cho cautiously approached, worried they might attack. "Huh? Mr. Hyun?" "Oh, you''ve been through a lot. But why are you here...?" "Dongsu called us. We''re here to guard Guild Leader Kang. We''re keeping watch." "Ah, Guild Leader Kang? Where is he now?" "He''s in the attic. Should I call Dongsu for you?" "No, it''s alright. I was here before, so no need to trouble him. Haha." "Look who it is? Isn''t it Mr. Hyun?" Suddenly, a man who recognized him approached, making Mr. Cho tense. ''Who is he?'' Fortunately, a Hunter nearby identified the man. "Dongsu, Mr. Hyun just arrived. He says he wants to see the Guild Leader." "Oh, I see. Please,e with me. He''s waiting for you." "No need for such trouble... I can find my way." "We can''t be rude to someone who came with the Guild Leader for the sake of the vige." Seeing the respect the Hunters showed to him disguised as Hyun Junggeon, Mr. Cho immediately realized that Kang Mu-hyuk had done something significant here. ''What did he do to tame the notoriously wild people of Sinuiju? And he''s not even in good health.'' Mr. Cho, led by Hwang Dongsu, entered Ui Judaek''s house. Climbing the stairs without railings to the attic, he saw Kang Mu-hyuk, leaning against a bed with a stern face. Kang Mu-hyuk was jotting down something in his notebook while looking at a map. "Guild Leader Kang, Mr.Hyun Junggeon has returned." "Haha, Guild Leader Kang..." As Mr. Cho waved and took a few steps forward, Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze sharpened. "Your stride is different." "What? What''s different about it?" "Also, Hyun Junggeon hunches his shoulders slightly when he walks. It''s an upational habit. Who are you?" "Damn it. Who notices such things---ugh!" Before he could finish speaking, a fist shot toward Mr. Cho''s head. Hwang Dongsu''s punch swept through the attic. Mr. Cho, pushed back by the force, spun mid-air. "Where do you think you''re-?!" As Mr. Cho tried to move out of the attack range, Hwang Dongsu lunged at him. "Damn it, this guy is strong." Mr. Cho countered Hwang Dongsu''s next punch with a kick. Although she didn''t particrly enjoy fighting, she never backed down from one. But she was not suited for a direct, unarmed confrontation. Even if she had an advantage in rank, she could tell from Hwang Dongsu''s attacks that he was not below her. "Resisting is pointless! Tell us who you are!" "Get your fists out of my face and then talk!" As Mr. Cho dodged or blocked every attack, Hwang Dongsu drew the sword from his waist. "Hey, I said stop with the fists, not pull out a sword! And with mana? Stop! Stop! Guild Leader Kang, it''s me. It''s me!" Mr. Cho tried to change her appearance. She aimed to transform into the middle-aged man she used to meet Kang Mu-hyuk... ''Damn! I deleted that saved disguise!'' She had forgotten that, due to her ability''s ten transformation slots, she had deleted the appearance Kang Mu-hyuk knew. Out of the forms she had, which one would Kang Mu-hyuk recognize... Whoosh! Glossy ck hair extended down to her waist. Her small face, white skin, delicate features, sharp jawline, and a petite figure appeared. Despite her sharp gaze, she had a tiny build. "It''s me. I said it''s me, Guild Leader Kang. Do something about this guy." It was Mr. Cho''s true form: Cho Si-won. "Do you know her, Guild Leader?" "Who are you?" "Oh,e on. You''ve forgotten this face? This pretty face?" "How dare you use deceitful tricks in front of the Guild Leader? I can''t let this slide!" "Hey, put the sword away! Kang Mu-hyuk! Are you really doing this?" "Hunter Hwang Dongsu, lower your weapon. She''s on our side." "What?" "I was just joking. It''s been a while since I''ve seen Mr. Cho''s real face. Did you delete the detective''s look?" "You knew it was me from the start?" "Yes. I recognized it by your sliding walk." "You fucking.... Hey! Why is there a sword at my neck?" "Weren''t you about to curse at the Guild Leader?" "Do you pull swords for cursing around here?" "Depends on the situation." Mr. Cho turned her head and cursed silently. As she silently vented her frustration, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke, "Mr. Cho, if you''vee here, I assume the Guild Master sent you. And if you took on Hyun Junggeon''s form it means you met him. The Guild Master didn''te personally. Is there trouble at the guild?" "See. That''s why it''s so great talking to you. You''re right. The Guild Leader is stuck there because the White Tiger Guild is creating a fuss there. I met Hyun Junggeon, and Go Eul-ji is with us. Now, we just need you to get out of here. You need an injection to survive, right? I was pretty shocked to hear you were sick." Hwang Dongsu flinched at the mention of taking Kang Mu-hyuk away, or rather, at the mention that he could die. It was because of what Kang Mu-hyuk had promised him. Kang Mu-hyuk, contemting Mr. Cho''s words, finally spoke, "Not right now." "What? Why?" "Because we need to take over Sinuiju." Chapter 132 - Gonna Have to Rein Him In Mr. Cho froze as if someone had pressed the stop button on him. ''What did I just hear?'' It took a moment for her thoughts to restart before she could finally speak. "What are you going to do about Sinuiju again?" "I said we''re going to take it over. We''ll upy this ce." "If that was possible, wouldn''t someone have done it already?" "It''s not about possibility but necessity. Until now, no one thought it necessary to risk taking over Sinuiju." "And now it''s necessary?" "What I''m about to do isn''t just out of necessity; it''s something that must be done." "I don''t understand a word you''re saying. Is it necessary or not?" "If I had to choose one, it''s the former. But now isn''t the time to argue about that." "What kind of cryptic talk is this? If we''re not discussing that, what are we discussing?" "Survival. We need to find a way for this vige to survive first." "Worry about your own life!" Mr. Cho yelled, but Kang Mu-hyuk calmly checked his own body and dismissed it lightly. "Yes. Well, it seems I still have some time." Mr. Cho was about to retort again, but Hunters who had heard themotion btedly rushed up the stairs. She quickly transformed into Hyun Junggeon. "Dongsu, is everything alright?" "It''s fine. Nothing''s wrong, so go back downstairs." "Yes. Oh, and I brought what you requested. What should I do with it?" "Oh! You got it in no time, huh?" "It''s an order from you, after all. Hehe." "Bring it here." The item he brought up to the attic a bitter was a staff. Hwang Dongsu inspected the staff, smiled in satisfaction, and respectfully handed it to Kang Mu-hyuk with both hands. "It''s made from ebony wood grown in the Demonic Realm. It''s hard, tough, and resistant to moisture." "Thank you. I was having trouble standing." "Guild Leader Kang, what''s with just a thank you? This is ''Demonic Realm''s Ebony''! It''s expensive. Wow, looking at the grain, it looks at least 10 years old. Must''ve been hard to find. How did you get it?" Mr. Cho eximed in admiration while appraising the staff instead of Kang Mu-hyuk. Rising from the bed, Kang Mu-hyuk took the staff from Mr. Cho, who looked at it regretfully, and leaned on it. "Ugh..." With great effort, he managed to stand and took a few steps before nodding in approval. "It''s nice." "That''s it? You''re using ''the Demonic Realm''s Ebony''?" "Mr. Cho." "What?" "Coming here means you entered through the middle of the Chinese Hunters'' camp, right?" "Of course. I didn''t fly in." "Did you observe their movements? Any unusual activity?" "Unusual? Hmm..." Mr. Cho recalled the route he had infiltrated. "There were a lot of people awake for the early hour, so I heard a lot of stuff. But honestly, I couldn''t understand a word they were saying." "Many Hunters were awake?" "Yeah. They weren''t up all night, just up early, I guess? They were sharpening weapons and stuff. The kids were pretty diligent." Kang Mu-hyuk turned to Hwang Dongsu. "You said it was Cheon Deok-soo who ordered Hyun Junggeon and my assassination, right?" "Yes. The Falling Blossoms Guild instructed Deok-soo''s gang to capture us dead or alive by noon tomorrow." "That means after giving orders to their spies in the prison vige, they were preparing separately..." "If he doesn''t bring you to them, they might be nning to barge in. To catch you themselves." Mr. Cho''s suggestion made Kang Mu-hyuk shake his head. "Yeon Jung-moon won''t sit still. ording to Hwang Dongsu, the Hunters in the prison vige are quite skilled. Although the Chinese Hunters outnumber them, these are seasoned fighters who''ve hunted in the Demonic Realm with limited equipment. They have considerable experience fighting non-affiliated Hunters from China and Russia. Moreover, the prison vige is their home ground. Even if they win, the cost would be significant." "There''s no need for them toe in here in the first ce. They''ve cut offmunications andpletely surrounded the area after all. Rather than shedding blood, giving us more time would be a better choice for them." Hwang Dongsu added. Right after he finished speaking, he felt a chill run down his spine. "Guild Leader, don''t tell me..." "Yes. It looks like they have other ns." "What other ns?" Mr. Cho frowned. She understood the hidden meaning there as well. Hunters don''t sharpen their des for no reason. They would have checked their weapons before heading out to the field, but if they''re doing it again without having fought? And if almost every Hunter is checking their weapons? It means a big battle is imminent. "Mr. Cho, I need you to go outside the vige again." "Go outside?" "Observe the enemy''s movements." Mr. Cho swallowed hard at Kang Mu-hyuk''s firm tone, which had already dered the Chinese Hunters as enemies. "This job wasn''t worth four times the pay. I should have asked 8 times." "I''ll give you something better than 8 times your fee." When Kang Mu-hyuk handed over a tie pin, Mr. Cho drew a question mark over his head. "What''s this?" "It''s an interpretation artifact." "Gasp!" "It allows you to understand and speak with the Chinese Hunters." "Even speak?" "Sufficient as payment, right?" "Oh, Guild Leader. Of course, it is. This is worth more than just 8 times the pay. Haha!" "In return for the change, you can do me a small favorter." "Well, dly. Giving me such a precious item, of course... Wait, why do I have a bad feeling about this?" "With your skills, Mr. Cho, it should be no problem." "I''ve been tricked more than a few times." "But you''ve never failed, right?" "Well, that''s true... But this feeling of being tricked is just a feeling, right?" "Please scout and report back. As soon as possible." "Okay. Got it. Since you''ve given me this, I''ll do it." Just as Mr. Cho was about to leave the attic, someone peeked in from the stairs. "Who''s that now?" "Gilyoung, what brings you here?" Hwang Dongsu asked gruffly. Kim Gilyoung stood there, not quite entering the attic, looking hesitant. He was afraid of Hwang Dongsu, thanks to the exaggerated rumors behind his nickname, the mangnani(TN: Ruffian// Executioner). "What is it?" Noticing that the boy had something to say, Kang Mu-hyuk asked again. Kim Gilyoung, who was halfway up the stairs, stepped up and opened his mouth. "Um, there''s a kid in town named Cheol-i. He said he has something to tell Mr. Hyun." "That''s strange. Cheol-i is the son of Patrol Squad Leader Park Jungnam. He has no reason to seek out Hyun Junggeon so early in the morning." Hwang Dongsu whispered information about the boy named Cheol. Before Kang Mu-hyuk could ask, Kim Gilyoung continued, "But after hearing him, I thought I should tell you too, Mr. Kang." "Me?" "Yes. A man named No Song-rin was talking about you and Mr. Hyun." "Huh? Why is his nameing up here?" Mr. Cho, disguised as Hyun Junggeon, spoke in a peculiar tone, making Kim Gilyoung''s eyes widen. Though Kim Gilyoung found the altered Hyun Junggeon''s appearance strange, he couldn''t dwell on it as Kang Mu-hyuk addressed him. "Ha? Was Hunter No Song-rin with the patrol squad? Should I consider myself lucky or consider him unlucky...? Gilyoung, could you tell me more about what you heard?" Kim Gilyoung ryed the story he heard from Park Cheol-i. "Got it. Thanks. Could you go downstairs for a bit while we talk?" "Yes." After listening to the whole story, Kang Mu-hyuk sent Kim Gilyoung away. Once the boy left, Hwang Dongsu, who had been silently listening, spoke up, "Guild Leader, how skilled is this No Song-rin?" "He''s on par with you, Hunter Hwang. Rank is one thing, but he''s fought in tough environments, making him a formidable Hunter." "Then this is strange. This ce isn''t fit to hold a high-level Hunter." "I agree. He''s not someone who would be captured quietly. If he''s staying put, there must be another reason. I thought he might have returned to North Pocheon becausemunication was cut off, but it seems we''ve caught a lucky break." "We should keep his affiliation with your side hidden for now. If the worst happens and he''s taken hostage, we''ll be at a disadvantage." "No need to worry about that. We just need to make sure he doesn''t be a hostage." "Pardon?" "Mr. Cho. I need to ask another favor. On your way out, secretly get Hunter No Song-rin out. There''s a skilled patrol member heading here to keep an eye on you, so you can use that opening." "Secretly? How am I supposed to sneak him out? Everyone''s already awake. Even if I manage to sneak him out, they''ll notice he''s gone in no time." "I told you, there won''t be anyone skilled enough to stop you. You still have that item, right?" "That item?" "Put them to sleep. You don''t need to put everyone to sleep, just the ones inside and outside the patrol building. Even if they find out, dy that as much as possible." "Ugh! Do you know how much the materials for that cost..." "More than the interpretation artifact? I know the production cost." "Guild Leader Kang, seriously... Haa~ you''d probably survive even if you were dropped into the Demonic Zone." As Mr. Cho chuckled in frustration, Kang Mu-hyuk added, "Oh, I almost forgot. One more thing." "Really squeezing out everyst bit, huh? What is it?" "Themunication is cut off here. We need you to activate the base station repeater so we can contact the outside." "Contact them? To make a call?" "Yes. If my assumption is correct, we need to prepare ordingly. I asked around earlier and marked it on the map... Where is it?" As Kang Mu-hyuk looked for the map he had been studying earlier, Mr. Cho waved his hand dismissively. "You want to make a call? Then there''s no need for that." "No need?" "Eul-ji mentioned something... What was it? Oh right, a satellite phone. Guild Leader Ju said to contact you immediately. It works even in the Demonic Zone, right? I''ll bring it to you on my way out." "Haha... This is a real stroke of luck." Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo arrived at Ui Judaek''s house precisely at 7 o''clock. Hwang Dongsu''s subordinates, who had been blocking the entrance, made way for them. Yeon Jung-moon scanned them. ''Their eyes are unusually determined. This isn''t just about forming a new organization. Something must have happened.'' Cheon Deok-soo, noticing Yeon Jung-moon''s contemtive state, said, "Let''s go in." Unlike the firmly nted pirs, the patched-up nks forming the house''s foundation let the wind seep through, and the smell of food wafted outside. Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo paused without opening the door. Their subordinates didn''t understand why they were just standing there but sensed the heavy atmosphere and awkwardly retreated. At that moment, the door quietly opened, and Hwang Dongsu peeked out. "Why aren''t youing in? Are you too ashamed to face Byungju?" "Why would you bring up old matters?" "Hwang Dongsu, you''re no saint yourself. What''s got you causing such amotion in Kim Byungju''s house?" Cheon Deok-soo, ring, tried to provoke him, but Hwang Dongsu didn''t take the bait. "I didn''t invite you to fight today. Let''s eat first, then talk." No Song-rin, who had been leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open. The previously bustling surroundings had gone eerily quiet. "What''s going on? Why is it so silent?" He looked toward the iron door. Wisps of steam-like smoke were seeping in through the cracks. It was clear that the smoke wasn''t from a fire, nor was it fog. No Song-rin immediately surrounded his airway with mana and cautiously swirled the mist with his hand that was imbued with mana. "Ugh, this feels grossly sticky. Anesthetic? Sleep-inducing? I''ve seen a monster use something like this before." "Angler Hippo." "Right, that one! ...Who are you?!" "Aren''t you quick to react? Tch tch." A strange face appeared through the small window of the iron door. "Who the hell are you? Why are you getting on my nerves already? Did Hyun Junggeon send you?" "I am Hyun Junggeon." "Huh? That punk. He did a good job. I wasn''t expecting much." "Guild Leader Kang sent me." "Kang Mu-hyuk? He''s here?" Creak, the door opened. "Come out." "Okay." "Here, take this." "What''s this?" "Medicine. Go to this location, and you''ll find Guild Leader Kang." "What the hell are these scribbles? How am I supposed to find this ce...?" "I''m busy. Gotta go." "Hey!" Before No Song-rin could grab him, Mr. Cho, disguised as Hyun Junggeon, vanished without a trace. Watching the space where the figure had just been, No Song-rin muttered in disbelief. "As expected of someone who worked with Guild Leader Kang. Rude ass rascal. I''ll have to rein him inter." H-h-h-h-h-h! "What''s with the sudden shivering? Not like you''re peeing yourself." Seeing Hyun Junggeon shivering, Go Eul-ji looked at him with suspicion, prompting him to quickly exin. "Just felt a sudden chill." "Hunters don''t catch colds. Yet you say you''re feeling cold?" "I know, right. But I can''t point it out. What''s with this ominous and filthy feeling I''m having?" Chapter 133 - Did I Hit the Nail on the Head? A small table was set in the main room with some radish soup without any meat or kimchi. Still, the rice, which was hard toe by in the prison vige, made the table look plentiful. There were exactly three servings of rice and soup. It wasn''t that the leaders didn''t dine with their subordinates, but rather it meant the leaders wanted to talk among themselves. Hwang Dongsu sat down at the table without a word and picked up his spoon. The other two also took their seats. Without saying much, Hwang Dongsu took a spoonful of soup, mixed it with his rice, and began to eat heartily. The other two had no choice but to start eating as well. As if they were in sync, the three of them finished their meals almost at the same time. At that moment, Ui Judaek entered with scorched rice tea and ced it next to Hwang Dongsu. Her appearance made Yeon Jung-moon flinch. Cheon Deok-soo also averted his gaze. "Burp! Sister-inw, your cooking is as great as always. It''s amazing that a radish stew without a single piece of meat can taste this good." When Hwang Dongsu spoke, he turned around as Ui Judaek smiled faintly. "As per the Gaeseong style, I would add beef, chicken, and pork. But I just boiled it like soup because there was no meat. I''m d you found it tasty anyway. How did you two find it?" "It was delicious." "Ahem. Well, it was alright." "I''m d it suited your tastes. Have a good conversation." As Ui Judaek opened the main room''s door to leave, Kim Gilyoung was visible through the opening. He was ring at Cheon Deok-soo. "A child doesn''t belong in the discussion of adults'' matters." Ui Judaek scolded her son. Hearing her voice, Cheon Deok-soo turned around and met Kim Gilyoung''s eyes. Kim Gilyoung didn''t look away from Cheon Deok-soo and replied, "I came to see my enemy''s face." "Kim Gilyoung!" "I don''t wanna hear it. I''ve seen him now. If I just be a Hunter now..." Kim Gilyoung turned and ran. Ui Judaek watched her son run off for a moment, then nced back toward the main room before closing the door. Cheon Deok-soo turned his gaze with a troubled look on his face. "Let''s talk now that we''ve finished eating. What does all this mean? You suddenly want to form a faction?" When Yeon Jung-moon pressed him, Hwang Dongsu answered, "Just as I said. I want to gather the people who follow me and create something like your two factions." "Hwang Dongsu! Man! The reason we haven''t messed with you until now is because you were alone without any power. But if you act like this, we can''t let you slide any longer either!" Cheon Deok-soo yelled. But Hwang Dongsu, unfazed, replied calmly, "Brother. We may have grown distant now, but weren''t we once like brothers? Just for today, let me call you like I used to." At the sudden softness in Hwang Dongsu''s voice, the look on both their faces turned strange. They simultaneously felt a sense of difort at this side of Hwang Dongsu, who was usually as fierce as a beast. "Fine, since we''re already talking, I''ll call you brother too. Let''s be honest. What are you really plotting?" "First, let''s correct a few misunderstandings." "Like?" "First of all, I am not the "yuongsoo(leader)" of our faction." "What?" Cheon Deok-soo''s face twisted. If Hwang Dongsu wasn''t the leader, then who was? Yeon Jung-moon also had questions, but he was calm when questioning him back. "If it''s not you, then who is it... Don''t tell me it''s sister-inw(Ui Judaek)?" "It''s not her either." "Then who..." At that moment-- Thud, thud, thud, thud. A strange noise that interrupted the conversation emerged from outside. It was a dull sound of something hitting the floor, asionally mixed with the faint sound of dragging footsteps. Soon, the old hinge creaked and groaned as the door opened. At the same time, Hwang Dongsu stood up. Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo couldn''t turn their heads towards the door. They were too bewildered, almost as if they were dreaming, to believe what was happening before their eyes. Hwang Dongsu was bowing. "You''ve arrived." "What on earth are you..." "This is the person I serve." Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo turned around with wide eyes. "Nice to meet you. I''m Kang Mu-hyuk." The man leaning on a cane looked extremely frail. Hisplexion was pale, and his lips were colorless. He looked like he could copse and die with a slight push. "He''s not a huntsman. How could a guy like this... Ah?" Cheon Deok-soo mumbled to himself and then remembered the name Kang Mu-hyuk, closing his mouth. He realized who he was. The person the Chinese had demanded to be brought, dead or alive, by noon today. But he wasn''t a huntsman. ''I thought he must be quite skilled since he was with Hyun Junggeon. But he''s not even a huntsman? Wait a minute! If he''s not a huntsman, how could he have gotten Dongsu to...'' As if reading Cheon Deok-soo''s thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk responded. "You''re right. I''m not a Hunter." "From the way you speak, you''re from the South. Even if you''re not a Hunter, you must have something going for you if Dongsu is willing to follow you. What organization are you with?" "I''m from the Iron Will Guild." When Kang Mu-hyuk answered, Yeon Jung-moon asked again, slightly surprised. "Iron Will? You mean where Ju Se-ah is...?" "That''s correct. I serve as the Guild Leader there." Immediately, Yeon Jung-moon''s gaze turned wary. Just being from the guild led by Ju Se-ah was enough to be cautious of him. Considering the rumors about Ju Se-ah circting in the North, it was like dealing with a ticking time bomb. "So, what brings you to this cold northern region?" "The Chinese." Before Kang Mu-hyuk could answer, Cheon Deok-soo interrupted. "What about them?" "They ordered to kill Hyun Junggeon and the guy with him. He''s that guy. Apparently, Hyun Junggeon called him to Sinuiju. But to think he''s in league with Ju Se-ah''s Hunters... Those Chinese bastards must be out of their minds." "Hyun Junggeon called him?" Yeon Jung-moon scrutinized Kang Mu-hyuk. ''Hyun Junggeon is an inscrutable man. He may seem calm on the surface, but he''s not someone who lives in peace. If someone like him had called this man, he must be important. No, considering he''s already swayed Dongsu, he''s a dangerous man. Hm, he looks like a sick person, though...'' But letting his guard down was not an option. Yeon Jung-moon''s gaze sharpened even more. Kang Mu-hyuk waited until his opponent had enough time to organize their thoughts before speaking. "I''m the one who called you two here, not Hunter Hwang Dongsu." "Why did you call us?" "How long do you think you can live in this vige, in Sinuiju?" "What? Are you threatening us now?" "Brother Deok-soo, let''s listen to what we has to say for a bit more." "Dongsu, you... Ha, seriously. I have a short temper. If you''re going to beat around the bush, I''m leaving." The moment Cheon Deok-soo stood up, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke the words he had been holding back. "I n on uniting all the Hunters in this vige. The goal is to expel the Chinese Hunters. To drive them out of Sinuiju." A silence descended in the room. Yeon Jung-moon''s lips moved slightly as he processed Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. But he couldn''t say anything. ''What''s this guy''s deal? Is he just crazy?'' Cheon Deok-soo couldn''t step forward either. He didn''t understand the meaning at first. But as he slowly understood, his face twisted, and finally, his anger boiled over as he shouted. "Now I see why the Chinese want him dead! Are you out of your mind? Do you know what you''re saying? You''re standing in front of me, Cheon Deok-soo, and dering war to take over this vige? There''s no need to listen to this lunatic anymore! Just kill him and hand him over to the Chinese!" "Brother, don''t act rashly." Hwang Dongsu pointed a chopstick at Cheon Deok-soo. Cheon Deok-soo let out a hollowugh. "Are you threatening to stab me now? Even using ''Qi''?" "You''ve gathered your qi as well, haven''t you?" "If you''re defending this madman even after hearing his crazy talk, you must be insane too. We''ll just beat up all the lunatics today and go back to the way things were." Thunk! The moment Cheon Deok-soo raged, Kang Mu-hyuk''s cane moved forward. He also took a step closer. "Are you angry?" "What the hell is he on about?" "You''re getting angry." "Isn''t that obvious? Why would you turn this vige into a battlefield?" "There''s one thing I''m curious about. It keeps bothering me. If you could clear this up, I think I can decide which direction to go in." Cheon Deok-soo stared at Kang Mu-hyuk in disbelief. Kang Mu-hyuk continued, undeterred. "Weren''t you, Hunter Cheon Deok-soo, a henchman for the Chinese guild? Someone might listen to you and think you''re someone protecting this vige." "..." "Quite unbefitting of a man who handed over the most respected Hunter in the vige to the Chinese guild." "You bastard! How dare you!" "Stop it!!" As Cheon Deok-soo lunged forward, Yeon Jung-moon extended a hand to block him. "Guild Leader Kang, you''re provoking Deok-soo too much. You''re risking your life way too much here." "All I have is my life, so I have to at least risk that to have a conversation with Hunters like you. And you called facts provocations. Normally, there''s a suitable phrase for this. ''Hitting the nail on the head.'' Did I hit the nail on the head just now? Which part exactly?" "Don''t insult the dead. Don''t create trouble here. Bury the past. That''s the unspoken rule of this vige. We''ve lived that way. It''s not something an outsider should meddle in." Yeon Jung-moon''s ent, which had been close to standardnguage until a moment ago, broke down with northern dialect asionally mixed in. But his expression looked more ufortable than when he was using standardnguage. Cheon Deok-soo, simrly, seemed less angry and more like he wanted to flee the situation. Thud. Kang Mu-hyuk sat down. No, rather than sitting down, it was more urate to say his legs gave out beneath him. "It''s hard to stand. Well, since I''m sitting, let''s talk about a few more strange things. In a certain vige, there are two factions with opposing goals. Despite this, they''ve never had a major conflict, never shed blood, and would resolve shes with words rather than fists. And these are Hunters." No one spoke. Even Hwang Dongsu, who wasn''t directly involved, held his breath. Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "I have a pretty good grasp of Hunter history, but this is unheard of. It''s like something out of a fairy tale. Peace without war. So, I thought, are these two really at odds? And one more thing." Although Kang Mu-hyuk merely raised one finger, Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo flinched. "Why does Ui Judaek, no, Mrs. Jung Yebun, only verbally express hatred towards Cheon Deok-soo, who handed her husband over to the Chinese guild?" "What do you mean..." Hwang Dongsu couldn''t contain his curiosity any longer and tried to step forward, but Kang Mu-hyuk stopped him with a gesture, forcing him to step back. "I have a strange constitution, you see. I''m quicker to notice things than others. I can tell what someone is feeling just by looking at their face, which can be troublesome. When Mrs. Jung deals with Hunter Cheon Deok-soo''s subordinates, she curses them verbally, but there''s a sense ofpassion in her eyes... Well, maybepassion isn''t the right word. Affection. Yes, that''s it. Affection. It''s the same when she deals with them. On the other hand, young Gilyoung''s eyes are filled with venom. Of course, this is just my personal view. If you say it''s not the case, there''s nothing I can do." The room felt as if only Kang Mu-hyuk was present. His voice echoed, reverberating among the people. "When I let my imagination run with that idea, more questions emerged. Themon link between everyone here: Kim Byungju. Yes, Mrs. Jung''ste husband. How did an A-rank Hunter die so easily?" Kang Mu-hyuk looked up and alternately gazed at Yeon Jung-moon, Cheon Deok-soo, and Hwang Dongsu. "None of you know the details, not even Hunter Hwang Dongsu, who was like a sworn brother. But the two of you must know something, right? Since you were with him till the end?" "Please stop pressuring them, Guild Leader Kang." As the door opened, Ui Judaek entered. "My husband was mistaken. We should have fought back then. We shouldn''t have avoided it." ''As expected, Guild Leader Kang was right. These guys are preparing for a fight. Five guilds in total. At this rate, the vige will be a battlefield. It''s better to prepare for escape than for a fight.'' Havingpleted his scouting near the enemy guild''s headquarters, Mr. Cho was about to slip away. But then a voice caught his attention. "When is the support unit from Dandong supposed to arrive?" "They said they''ll move once the cleanup starts. With them on our side, not a single North Korean rat will escape." "Hahaha! Finally, we''ll get rid of that rotten tooth." Dandong? Support unit? Mr. Cho was shocked. ''These bastards... They''re not just fighting; they''re nning to kill everyone!'' Chapter 134 - Thats My Area of Expertise "Not Dongsu. Don''t call him. If he dies, who will take care of his mother?" "Then, what about you, Brother? Deok-soo and I are orphans, so it doesn''t matter for us, but you have a family to take care of." "This is all for the sake of my child. I need to make sure he can live a bright life, right? For that, he needs to survive first." "You want him to live in a world without a father?" "You worry about yourselves. If I die, that''s the end of it. But it''ll be hell for those left behind. Especially Deok-soo, I really feel sorry for you." "So, you''re saying you''ll go to that hell yourself? Let me have a bit of peace." "Someone like me with a family will always be an easy target for the Chinese. If they take a hostage, we won''t stand a chance against them. Even Dongsu is already struggling enough trying to take care of his sick mother." "Brother Jung-moon, honestly, why do you have to go? You didn''t steal from the Chinese and sell their goods, so why should you take responsibility?" "You''re right. The ones who caused the trouble are at fault. But could you sleepfortably knowing you sent those kids to their deaths? If we let them die, we''ll no longer be one of their own for the vigers. That''s exactly what the Chinese want -- to make us resent each other." "Do you think we don''t know that? It''s just so damn unfair! Those bastards are blocking our food and hunting. They''re trying to starve us to death! We''re stuck here listening to their crap about catching the culprits instead of being able to fight back!" "So, you want to fight? We''ll all die." "That might be better." "Enough. We''re out of time. Onest thing. Deok-soo, people will curse you for betraying me. Don''t let it get to you, stay strong." "Why are you worrying about that when you''re going to die?" "Jung-moon, gather your team and do a good job defending against the Chinese. Work well with Deok-soo. Hang in there." "..." "From today, we''re no longer sworn brothers. Live as strangers, while you wait for the right time." "That was thest thing my husband said. Even though I knew he was going to his death, I couldn''t stop him." The one most shocked by Mrs. Ui Judaek''s story was Hwang Dongsu. In the past, he saw it as Cheon Deok-soo selling Kim Byungjoo to the Chinese, and Yeon Jung-moon forming a patrol squad to oppose them. After that, Dongsu realized that brutal power dynamics took precedence over brotherly bonds. So, he lived alone, distancing himself from everyone... Little did he know that it was his sworn brother''s way of protecting him. Dongsu looked back and forth between his two brothers. Cheon Deok-soo, who endured being called a traitor by the vigers and an enemy by his sworn brother''s son without everining. Yeon Jung-moon, who led the vige''sst line of defense and fought against the Chinese Hunters. Hwang Dongsu felt deeply ashamed. He had been using his mother''s illness as an excuse to escape reality, but he realized it was all his own doing. ''I thought meeting Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk gave me hope? Ridiculous, you coward. I was just using it as an excuse.'' In the solemn silence, no one dared to speak until Kang Mu-hyuk pped his hands, breaking the stillness. "Regret and reminiscence are all fine, but I''d love to give you time to sort out your feelings. Unfortunately, we don''t have that luxury. Now that the misunderstandings are mostly cleared up, let''s move on to the next topic." "You bastard! After hearing Byungjoo''s story, you still dare to speak?" "You''re the one who needs to shut up. Do you think I''m joking right now?" "What did you say?" Cheon Deok-soo was stunned that an ordinary person, struggling to stand, had the audacity to insult him. Kang Mu-hyuk clicked his tongue and red at Cheon Deok-soo. "After talking with you, it''s clear. We can''t leave this vige to you anymore. It''s amazing you''ve held on this long." "You''re quite rude, Kang Mu-hyuk. We''ve protected this vige. It''s not a ce for an outsider like you. You should step back." "If you''re referring to how you''ve maintained the status quo, Yeon Jung-moon, wait no. If what you''re referring to is how you''re slowly dying like frogs in a boiling pot. Then just die alone. Don''t drag the vigers down with you." "What the...?" "Because you''ve been living in this isted ce, you''ve be like real frogs. You don''t even realize the enemy is stoking the fire outside the pot." "Stoking the fire?" "The reason the Chinese Hunters are after me, the reason they want to kill Hyun Junggeon. Have you thought about it?" Yeon Jung-moon flinched as if he had been struck. He was already overwhelmed just dealing with the immediate issues. He had no time or capacity to delve into the underlying causes. He hadn''t even considered it. It was inexcusable. Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "They want to take over Sinuiju. They need to keep that fact hidden until they''ve secured this ce, so they''re trying to kill us. If they want to control Sinuiju, which ce do you think would be the biggest obstacle?" The answer was obvious-- The prison vige. Yeon Jung-moon had a rough idea of the reason. ''The Chinese don''t trust us. It''s a mutual distrust.'' Even if they surrendered, they''d always be seen as a potential threat capable of betrayal at any moment. Their identity was closer to being Koreans than the Chinese, making them even more distant. ''If their goal is to take over Sinuiju, we''ll always be treated as a group that might stab them in the back.'' Regardless of the vige''s intentions, that was how the Chinese guild viewed them. It would be easier for them to simply eliminate the threat. Realizing the implications of Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, Cheon Deok-soo burst out. "Th-that can''t be! Zhang Zhongxun and the Falling Blossom leaders all promised me. They said they''d leave us alone if we didn''t cause any trouble!" "Did you believe that?" With that single line, Cheon Deok-soo was rendered speechless. He knew. He knew they couldn''t be trusted. But without that belief, the current peace wouldn''t exist. It was an irony where he had to believe the unbelievable. Cheon Deok-soo felt like all the blood in his body was draining to his feet. "Oi, you might as well believe Captain Kang. There aren''t many who went against his words and came out unscathed." At the sudden, unexpected voice, everyone in the room bristled. Everyone except Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk turned to the window, where the familiar voice hade from, and spoke. "A bitte, aren''t you?" "Finding this ce with only that shitty map is a miracle, Guild Leader. Next time you send someone, maybe you should sign them up for an art ss." No Song-rin grumbled, holding up a piece of paper from outside the window. "I didn''t draw it." "It''s so bad it makes me wonder if the person who drew it even has fingers. Did you draw it with your toes? Huh? Guild Leader, your face looks like a corpse. What''s going on? Did these people mess with you?" No Song-rin climbed into the room through the window while ring at everyone. Hwang Dongsu stayed calm since Kang Mu-hyuk had already informed him, but Cheon Deok-soo, wary of the unexpected intruder, gathered mana to prepare for any possible threat. "Wh-who are you? How did you get in here?" "What, you wanna fight?" No Song-rin also gathered mana to counterattack, but Yeon Jung-moon intervened to calm Cheon Deok-soo. "Deok-soo, calm down. He''s a Hunter of our level. Fighting here will hurt my sister-inw too." "You know him, Brother?" "No Song-rin. I only know his name. He''s probably closer to Kang Mu-hyuk here than to me." "Whoa? Look who''s here, Captain Yeon, huh? Well, I''m not exactly close to Guild Leader Kang personally. More like a workce superior?" When No Song-rin drew a line, Kang Mu-hyuk casually remarked, "Even so, we''ve been through a lot together. It''s a bit sad to be called just a workce superior." "Huh? I mean... More like a guildrade..." "I''m kidding." "..." "The mood is just too stiff." "The Guild Master said your jokes weren''t funny, and now I get it. Even Jang Deuk-goo would be funnier than that." "I''m not that bad." "Hmph! You''re both two peas in a pod." No Song-rin replied curtly while looking at the ceiling. The rest of the people, caught off guard by the awkward atmosphere, couldn''t bring themselves to join the conversation. "Instead of wasting your talent on unfunny jokes, why don''t you tell us what we should do? Everyone here seems lost." No Song-rin steered the conversation back to the main topic, and Kang Mu-hyuk spoke. "It''ll be hard to avoid a fight. They''ll probably attack soon to destroy this vige. It''s already toote to prepare, but we can''t just die quietly, can we? We need to get ready to fight as best we can." "What if you''re wrong? What if we prepare for a fight and it ends up provoking them? Then we''re really done for." "Hunter Cheon Deok-soo, you''re quite skeptical. If you''d used that skepticism against them, it would have been better." "Are you picking a fight with me right now?" "I''ll give you proof for that suspicion. But we can''t just sit idle until it''s confirmed. First, we need to prepare for a fight without being detected as much as possible. Hunter Yeon Jung-moon, I''ve heard from the Hunters here that there''s an emergency n." "There is. An evacuation n and a defense n. But it''d be vulnerable for such arge-scale attack." Kang Mu-hyuk rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a folded map. "This is..." "I''ve made some adjustments to the n. Most people here were already familiar with the original content, so it was easier for them to figure it out." Yeon Jung-moon reluctantly took the map and unfolded it. A separate sheet of paper fell out from between the folds. He gathered the scattered papers from the floor. Although densely written, the contents became remarkably clear when matched with the numbered sections on the map. "It''s a defense n for arge-scale assault unit." "I''m not asking you to believe me. It''s hard to trust someone you''ve just met today. But consider the catastrophe that will happen if what I say is true. By then, it will be toote to turn back." Yeon Jung-moon''s eyes wavered. He couldn''t take his eyes off the map and the defense n. ''I''m realizing once again, I''m not cut out to lead arge organization. Compared to this, my n is child''s y.'' Even with a quick nce, it was clear. Kang Mu-hyuk had already thoroughly understood the vige''splete forces. Otherwise, he couldn''t have devised such a detailed defense n. "Brother Jung-moon, do you really believe him?" "Quiet." Shutting Cheon Deok-soo up, Yeon Jung-moon spoke. "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, even if what you say is true, and even if we follow this n, honestly, I don''t see a way to stop them. If we give you full authority over the Hunters in this vige, can you protect it?" "Defense is my area of expertise. And making things work, one way or another, is my job." Yeon Jung-moon''s eyes, which had been clouded, became clear. "If I confirm that you''re right, I will hand over all authority in this prison vige to you." "Alright. If things go as I suspect, I''ll do my best and protect you." Noon was approaching as the sun stood overhead. The winter sun felt quite intense. Sweat beaded on the foreheads of those secretly evacuating further into the vige. The backs of the Hunters assisting the evacuation were soaked with sweat. Most of them still seemed incredulous about the situation, their eyes filled with disbelief, but the control of the three brothers including Yeon Jung-moon quieted any dissent. As Kang Mu-hyuk''s n cautiously proceeded, Mr. Cho returned. "You''re quitete." "How could I find my way with that awful map?" Since Mr. Cho still appeared as Hyun Junggeon, No Song-rin voiced his frustration, reflecting his feelings about the struggle to find the way. Mr. Cho took out a satellite phone from her backpack and handed it to Kang Mu-hyuk without minding the ramble. "As you instructed, I told Eulji to stand by and informed Mr. Hyun to stay within Sinuiju. I also contacted Dr. Kang or whatever his name is. Luckily, they had thepound, so the injection..." Mr. Cho nced at No Song-rin midway through speaking. Kang Mu-hyuk nodded. "It''s okay to say it. I''ve exined everything to Hunter No Song-rin." "Anyway, they said it would take about two days to remake the injection. Can you hold out until then?" "I can''t guarantee it. We''ll have to hope for the best." "You''re not one to leave things to luck." "This is beyond my control." "What about those Chinese guys? There''s a huge number of them. Can you do anything about them?" "That''s why we need the satellite phone. It would''ve been better if it arrived sooner, but it''s good we have it now." "Even with my skills, getting in and out of that encirclement in broad daylight was tough." "Yes, I know. You did well. Now, can you tell us what you saw and heard out there?" Mr. Cho detailed the guilds involved in the siege, their scale, the formation of the encirclement, and the level of the Hunters. He also mentioned Dandong. "So, their reinforcements are in Dandong?" "They said they''d cross the bridge once the operation begins. I didn''t have time to go there, but from what I heard, it''s an elite assault unit. It seems their n is to trap everyone in the vige with no escape and then deploy those guys topletely annihte the ce." "If that assault unit is going to intervene, it''s more serious than we thought. We''re already outmatched in a straight fight." "Then should we bail now? With Mister No, Eul-ji, Mr. Hyun, and me, we could probably get you out through the underground passages." "What about the people here?" When No Song-rin red, Mr. Cho chuckled. "Is this the kind of character you are?" "And you''re this kind of guy?" "My job is to get Kang Mu-hyuk out. Your Guild Master ordered it." "No matter what the Guild Master says, the opinion of those on site takes precedence. The person in charge here is Guild Leader Kang." "So, Guild Leader Kang? Are you really going to fight? I''d rather bow out. I''ve done enough." "If you''re going to leave, hand over the interpretation item." "Hey, you can''t take back what you gave me. I''m already just scraping by with hazard pay." "Then keep it. Just keep your promise. You agreed to do me a small favor." "You want to use that favor now?" "I might die any moment. What good is saving it?" "I have the feeling the small favor is not going to be so small." "Just hear me out. Come here for a moment." "What? My ear? Why are you being so secretive?" Kang Mu-hyuk gestured with his hand. When Mr. Cho leaned in, Kang Mu-hyuk whispered in his ear. Mr. Cho''s face twisted as he heard what the favor was. "You son of a... Scammer! How is that a small favor?!" "With this, we dere the formation of the ''Goryeo Alliance,'' an alliance of five guilds centered around the Falling Blossoms Guild. Yeonju, please say a few words." "Is there anything I need to say? Just let Mr. Zhang handle it." "It''s no longer a single guild like the Falling Blossoms Guild. You need to show your authority." "Well then, shall I?" Yeonju stood in front of the guild leaders and started a light speech. Zhang Zhongxun stepped back and watched his back. ''He''s just a puppet, but I really can''t stand him. If it weren''t for the orders from the elders, I would have found someone smarter. Tch. Well, he is easy to manipte.'' After Yeonju''s unappealing speech, Zhang Zhongxun stepped forward again. "Now, let''s deal with the Bangtz (a derogatory term for Koreans). From today, Sinuiju will belong to the Goryeo Alliance." Chapter 135 - I hope youre joking right now "Are you really okay with this? If you get caught, you might die." "You made a promise, didn''t you? That you''ll expose their true colorspletely. Ask them to end the siege in exchange for taking me. It would be great if they agree right away, but if they don''t and attack instead..." "It''ll be war." "It''ll be unfavorable in many ways." "You might die before it even gets unfavorable. You will be entering right into the heart of the enemy camp. We might not be able to save you." "You take care of yourself. I''ve made my preparations. Let''s hurry and check out what Zhang Zhongxun is scheming." Cheon Deok-soo pushed Kang Mu-hyuk''s toward the vige outskirts. As they left the narrow alley, a fairly wide stream came into view. The sewage from the prison vige, whichcked proper sanitation facilities, flowed through it as dirty water. A stone bridge connected the path to the vige entrance at the opposite side. On the other side, people were lined up left and right. Zhang Zhongxun stood among them. Cheon Deok-soo crossed the bridge, exchanging a subtle nce with Kang Mu-hyuk. He grabbed the back of Kang Mu-hyuk''s neck and pushed him forward. Zhang Zhongxun spoke through an interpreter he had brought with him. "You really kept your promise." "It was a promise, huh? Not an order?" "Let''s say it was a polite request instead of getting emotional. But, where is Hyun Junggeon?" "He resisted so much I beat him into a chunk of meat. If you want him on the table, I''ll bring him over." "I''ll put him on the table myself. After confirmation." "Now that we''ve handed over Kang Mu-hyuk, we''d like you to end the siege and leave." "Sure. Now, hand him over." Zhang Zhongxun approached to receive Kang Mu-hyuk personally. Cheon Deok-soo was slightly taken aback, wondering if this was really the end. What if Zhang Zhongxun took Kang Mu-hyuk and actually lifted the siege? He was not sure whether to be happy or disappointed. As Zhang Zhongxun took over Kang Mu-hyuk, Cheon Deok-soo spoke up involuntarily, trying to stop him. "But what do you n to do with him once you take him?" "He''s a hostage." As soon as Zhang Zhongxun answered, a knife shot out from his sleeve. He pushed Kang Mu-hyuk aside and stabbed Cheon Deok-soo''s heart with all his might from below. "Argh!" Cheon Deok-soo, not expecting a sneak attack from the start, reacted toote. In the split second he was about to be struck down. "I told you to be careful." Just before Cheon Deok-soo fell, Kang Mu-hyuk''s kick flew in, striking Zhang Zhongxun''s wrist. "What?!" Shocked by Kang Mu-hyuk''s unexpected attack, Zhang Zhongxun was momentarily stunned. It was apletely unforeseen attack. No, it was an impossible attack from the start. ''Wasn''t he supposed to be an ordinary person?'' The aching pain in his wrist felt surreal. While Zhang Zhongxun was confused, disying an opening, Cheon Deok-soo swung his fist. The blow targeted precisely at the temple was blocked by Zhang Zhongxun raising his arm. Although he avoided a direct hit, Zhang Zhongxun couldn''tpletely dissipate the force of the tank-like punch and rolled backward. Expecting a counterattack, he quickly got up and took a stance. The Hunters nearby reacted a bitte and drew their weapons. Zhang Zhongxun stopped his men, who were about to rush in, and pointed a trembling finger at Kang Mu-hyuk. "H-how?!" Kang Mu-hyuk ignored Zhang Zhongxun and spoke to Cheon Deok-soo. "See? They were aiming for you. Still think it''s not convincing?" "Y-you.... Who are you?" Cheon Deok-soo asked, feeling the same way as Zhang Zhongxun. "Are you curious? The answer is simple." Tzzzzzt! "I''m not Kang Mu-hyuk. And---ah, ahem!" As his voice changed, he gradually transformed into Hyun Junggeon. Everyone present, including Cheon Deok-soo, was shocked. "I''m not going to your table, you bastard." "Hyun Junggeon.... So you had this trick up your sleeve?" Zhang Zhongxun gritted his teeth as he red. "Huh? Hyun Junggeon? Oh, right. I am Hyun Junggeon. How does it feel to be caught off guard?" "Kill them all!" "No, I''m asking you how it feels. Why---urgh!" Boom! With Zhang Zhongxun''smand, the Chinese Hunters started unleashing their powers. "Hey, let''s run... Huh? He''s already gone?! Hey, you sneaky bastard!" The one who was Kang Mu-hyuk shouted angrily and chased after Cheon Deok-soo, who was far ahead of him. As he quickly caught up to Cheon Deok-soo, thetter shouted. "Who are you? You''re not Hyun Junggeon!" "I''m Mister Cho. Don''t me me. It was Guild Leader Kang''s order. He said it was a small favor. I don''t trust that guy---ah, you idiots! How can you just swing attacks at me powers like that?! Do you have a death wish?!" Bang! "Later. I''ll deal with youter. Hiic! That was close. I remember your face, you jerk!" The stone bridge copsed without leaving a single pir erected. Fortunately, Cheon Deok-soo and Mister Cho managed to cross just before it crumbled. However, losing one bridge didn''t matter to the Hunters. They used their superhuman physical abilities to leap across the stream in a single bound. "This is pretty simple. They''re moving just as Mr. Kang predicted." Cheon Deok-soo raised his hands above his head. The walls of the poor neighborhood behind them crumbled as a group of men sprang out. They were armed with bows, throwing knives, and spears for long-range attacks. "Show them what we''ve got!" Dozens of mana imbued attacks intercepted the Chinese Hunters who were jumping across the stream. The Hunters, unable to dodge in midair, were hit and fell into the water. Some sustained fatal injuries and were carried away by the current. Those who avoided critical hits emerged from the filthy water, coughing and spitting out sewage, only to be greeted by a barrage of follow-up attacks. "Guh!" "Cough!" "Damn you Bangtz bastards... ugh!" "Didn''t I say I''d remember your face? Take this!" Mister Cho gleefully threw a dagger to get his revenge. "Hyun Junggeon!" A furious Zhang Zhongxun shouted as he leaped across the stream in a single bound. Arrows tried to turn him into a pincushion, but they were ineffective. Either the mana around his body deflected his attacks or they missed. Landing on the opposite bank in one move, Zhang Zhongxun drew his sword and aimed at Mister Cho. ''A whip sword?'' Mister Cho stepped back, dodging the snake-like, flexible de that coiled towards him. Despite his confidence in his S-rank level evasion skills, he couldn''t underestimate the bizarre angles of the whip sword''s attacks. "Are you just going to keep watching?" "I''ve been waiting for this!" "These Bangtz bastards don''t know we''ve been going easy on them. How dare you dogs bare your teeth?!" "A dog calling others dogs huh? You son of a bitch." "Uaaah, Hyun Junggeon!" "What? What''s with the sudden outburst? Why are you only targeting me? Have you gone mad?" Zhang Zhongxun deftly avoided Cheon Deok-soo and continued to target Mister Cho. What Mister Cho didn''t know was that the insults tranted by the interpreter Kang Mu-hyuk had given him were so vile that even the Chinese found them offensive. Unaware, Mister Cho kept provoking him, causing Zhang Zhongxun to be half-crazed with rage. Thanks to Zhang Zhongxun focusing on Mister Cho, Cheon Deok-soo had a moment to assess the situation. The defensive line that had initially held back the enemy''s crossing of the stream was gradually being pushed back. Tankers with shields were slowly crossing the dirty water, followed by melee fighters who were hiding their bodies behind them. On the opposite side, the ranged dealers had started a bted counterattack. Due to the sheer number of Hunters, the number of wounded on their side was increasing. ''Damn! Due to Zhang Zhongxun''s rampage, I didn''t notice before. They have a goodmander on the other side. The defense line at the stream is finished for now.'' Cheon Deok-soo immediately signaled. "Everyone, retreat! Retreat!" "Well, then, I''m off too." "Where do you think you''re going?! Leave your head here, Hyun Junggeon!" "Persistent bastard. Take this!" The smoke grenade on the ground obscured Zhang Zhongxun''s vision, causing him to lose track of his target. Hiding in the poor neighborhood, Mister Cho let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, good thing I sold out Hyun Junggeon." Zhang Zhongxun went on a rampage over Mister Cho''s superb dodging skills, but he did not pursue the retreating prison vige Hunters. Though his chest was filled with rage, his head remained cool. Zhang Zhongxun took deep breaths to calm his anger and checked on the remaining Hunters crossing the stream. The Hunter who had been interpreting earlier approached him from behind. "I-I''m sorry. I ordered the others using ''telepathy.'' I''ve also given orders to the remaining Hunters." "No, you did well, Wen Hao. It was a very good decision. Thanks to me keeping those two upied, our subordinates suffered less damage." "Shall I order them to be chased?" "There''s no rush. Judging by their preparations, they seem to have noticed our n. There''s likely something inside as well." "Do you think it''s the work of that Kang Mu-hyuk?" "I''ve heard he''s quite sharp. Neither Cheon Deok-soo nor Yeon Jung-moon has the brains for this. Impressive." Zhang Zhongxun recalled what he knew about Kang Mu-hyuk. Even the rumors among the Korean guild industry were enough to assess the operations Kang Mu-hyuk nned during his time with Titan. Some raids were extreme, but it was clear he was extraordinary. Plus, relocating the former Taesung Guild, now Iron Will Guild, to North Pocheon and establishing a base there showcased his skill, rivaling that of the famed strategist ''Zhang Liang'' from the Han dynasty. ''No, it''s still too early to praise a non-Hunter from a small country as that extraordinary. But I must acknowledge his ability to rope in the likes of Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo.'' He nned to use or kill Kang Mu-hyuk, but Zhang Zhongxun changed his mind. He decided to capture him alive and win him over. A smart, non-Hunter individual could be a valuable asset to use and discard as needed. While Zhang Zhongxun sorted his thoughts, Wen Hao asked again, "Then, should we maintain the siege and deploy the assault team in Dandong?" "That would hurt my pride. Even if the higher-ups sent the assault team to handle this easily, it''s disgraceful to borrow their hands to deal with these Sinuiju scum. Once the job is done, we''ll have them clean up and take the credit." "Then, we should prepare a solid attack force with only the Hunters from the Goryeo Alliance." "Select three elite attack teams. We''ll strike the center from three directions." "Yes, sir! I''ll prepare immediately." While Mister Cho, disguised as Kang Mu-hyuk, was being kept busy by Zhang Zhongxun. The real Hyun Junggeon was infiltrating the inside from the outskirts of Sinuiju. He moved around several tall buildings, surveying the surroundings. "It should be around here. They''ve hidden it well, but it''s not like there are many buildings in Sinuiju to search." Having wandered for a while without much sess, Hyun Junggeon frowned. "As always, Guild Leader Kang is really great at giving me the most annoying tasks. If it wasn''t fun, I''d just let it go. But this one looks fun, so it''s a pity to pass it up. Tch." At that moment, his eyes caught something glinting on a rooftop. "There it is. Time''s running out. Let''s get back to my main job for a change, shall we?" Shiver! "What''s this? Goosebumps again? Is my body getting weaktely? Why do I feel this murderous aura?" After asking Mister Cho to transform into him, Kang Mu-hyuk made a call using a satellite phone. "This is Kang Mu-hyuk. Are you busy?" "It''s lunchtime." "I heard you usually don''t go out for lunch and just grab something quick." "Who told you that? I dinevishly. Lobster, steak, the works." "Guild Master Ju Se-ah." "Good grief, does leaving the guild mean you can just spill other guilds'' secrets? What happened to the confidentiality agreement?" "We''re just talking about eating." "For a yer Guild Strategy Team Leader, even meal times are confidential. Isn''t that why you asked Guild Master Ju about something so trivial, Guild Leader Kang?" "While that wasn''t my main intention, I didn''t expect this conversation to drag on because of it. I''m pressed for time, so let me get straight to the point, Team Leader Sung Seonjae." "Sure. I''m busy too, so please be quick." "I''m in Sinuiju right now." "What are you plotting this time?" Sung Seonjae immediately asked in a mistrustful tone. Kang Mu-hyuk replied, "I''m about to die." "So, what''s the plot here?" "Save me." Kang Mu-hyuk requested in a dry voice. Sung Seonjae''s tone grew serious. "What are you up to now? nning to overthrow the country? If you''re joking, it''s not funny." "I''m not trying to overthrow the country; I''m nning to take over Sinuiju." "!!" "My opponent is a Chinese guild based in Sinuiju. I formally request assistance from the yer Guild." Chapter 136 - You think I Asked because I dont know that? Sung Seonjae, bored with the repetitive paperwork, suddenly felt wide awake. It was shocking enough that he was in Sinuiju, a ce that was part of Korea but couldn''t be called Korean territory, but asking to be rescued? ''The'' Kang Mu-hyuk? And not assistance? But rescue? It was hard for him to ept Kang Mu-hyuk''s request readily through the receiver. Leaving aside the fact that he had to dig into his wicked motives yet, he didn''t even know what the current situation was. Plus, dealing with the Chinese guild meant-- ''He''s saying he''s going to war. Was he always this extreme?'' As he remained silent, unsure of how to respond, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "I assume you''re hesitating because you don''t know enough about the current situation. Things are urgent here, so I can''t exin everything. But it is true that the Chinese guild is trying topletely take over Sinuiju right now." "We''ve already given up on Sinuiju anyway. Do we really need to get involved? Especially when it means shedding blood?" "We haven''t confirmed it yet, but the Chinese guild is connected to top-tier guilds in maind China. Sinuiju is just a stepping stone for them to gain Hunter rights on the Korean Penins. If we don''t respond proactively..." "That''s it?" "..." Sung Seonjae yawned lightly, pretending to be bored, and asked again, "Come on, you''re ''the'' Kang Mu-hyuk. Don''t just try to get by with information everyone knows already. You must have something that will pique my interest." "I''ll give you Sinuiju." "Hmm, still the same nasty habit of bargaining with something that isn''t yours." "You''re aiming for the Demonic Realm, aren''t you? Sinuiju would be a good foothold." "The foothold in North Hamgyong Province is better. Rason City has well-established infrastructure, and the Tumen River area provides better ess to the Demonic Realm. There''s also less chance of shing with the Chinese." "But there are people here." "People?" "The descendants of former North Korean Hunters. You must be aware of them if you''ve investigated Sinuiju. The people of the prison vige. These are Hunters and their families who have lived in the Demonic Realm for decades. They have a thorough understanding of the ecosystem, distribution, vegetation, geography, and resource extraction areas of the Demonic Realm. Even if the yer Guild advances into the Demonic Realm, it would take years just to gather and organize this information. The cost and effort during that time would be considerable. These people are a valuable human resource that can speed up the yer Guild''s progress by years. For your information, the people fighting alongside me now are exactly these individuals." "Wow..." Sung Seonjae, genuinely impressed, pped while holding the receiver between his shoulder and ear. "You almost convinced me. Try a little more." "You are quite greedy. I''m offering you something hard to obtain no matter how much money you have." "That''s because there are still a few problematic points. You need to present solutions for those as well. For example, Sinuiju is the perfect size for a headache if we were to take it over, don''t you think?" Sung Seonjae added. "No matter how small Sinuiju is, it''s still a city. Once we drive out the Chinese, it will be an empty ce. It will be practically impossible for us to defend it while targeting the Demonic Realm. The few years those North Korean Hunters might save us? It''ll all go to waste." "We can have other tier guilds join. Form a coalition specifically for Sinuiju and the Demonic Realm. Establish a joint strategy pact and position the yer Guild as the chair. I assume you weren''t nning to enter the Demonic Realm alone anyway." "Your idea is good, but do you think they''ll listen to us? I may be a tier guild leader myself, but those tier guild members don''t listen to a word from anyone." "But we have Rider Wolves, don''t we? The difference between having Rider Wolves in the Demonic Realm and at the gates is huge. Mobility, transport, and efficiency are worlds apart. I''ll use that as leverage to bring them in." Nodding in approval, Sung Seonjae kept the call connected while picking up another phone to dial a number. "It''s the strategy team leader. Prepare the expedition team. Equip them with Type 1bat gear. The opponents are Hunters. Secure enough helicopters for full transportation. Gather the members within an hour and keep them on standby until further orders." After issuing the orders, Sung Seonjae spoke to Kang Mu-hyuk. "Okay, we''re prepared. But sending them out depends on your answer to the next question." "Do you need justification?" "See, it''s always easy to talk to you. Even if we deal with the Chinese guild, it doesn''t end there. We''ll also have to deal with those backing them. Even if it''s Korean territory, it''s a ce we''ve half abandoned. Even minor disputes lead to bloodshed in Sinuiju. We need at least a liable justification to handle the Chinese without them intervening." "That issue can be solved easily." "Easily?" Sung Seonjae was genuinely surprised. In a way, thisst issue was the most difficult to solve. Sinuiju was included as a candidate base in the yer Guild''s ns for advancing into the Demonic Realm. But conflicts with China had pushed it to a lower priority. No matter how much he thought about it, there was no solution. A justification was needed to keep the Chinese guilds quiet. Without justification, it would mean direct confrontation with the Chinese guilds. Even for the yer Guild, a direct confrontation with China was a huge deal. "The justification is the protection of Korean citizens." "Citizens? Are there any Koreans living there... Wait. Don''t tell me you mean those North Korean people?" "Yes." "That''s even more far-fetched. If you''re relying on the government or the Guild Cooperation Agency, you''re making a misjudgment. People sensitive to public opinion would never approve such a risky move." "It''s difficult but possible." Kang Mu-hyuk''s resolute answer shook Sung Seonjae. Logically, it didn''t add up. Yet, somehow, Kang Mu-hyuk''s assurance felt achievable. ''As a strategy team leader, my judgment is "no". But as a Hunter, my gut says "go for it". Ha, this really puts me in a tough spot. If we make a wrong move, we''ll be the ones to suffer.'' In his contemtion, Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice rang out like an rm. "I can hear explosions in the distance. The battle has started. There''s no way for me to get out of here. If yer doesn''t help, I''ll be buried here today." "If you''re hoping to make me feel guilty or something, it''s a wasted effort." "I''m emphasizing that you''re missing a golden opportunity. If not today, yer, no, the entire Korean Huntermunity, will never be able to dream of the Demonic Realm. Do you think time will solve this? What the Korean Huntermunity didn''t have so far isn''t time or skill, but opportunity. Why do you think people say "go for it even if you can''t do it" even when taking on a hard-to-beat boss in a gate?" "Yes, I know, I know. Because it''s obvious we won''t get another chance if we miss this one. Because we still have to catch it somehow." "And because it''s not impossible. There must be some calctions in your head that tell you it''s doable if I solve the justification issue." Sung Seonjae groaned in frustration. Even though they hadn''t crossed paths many times, it was always like this. He would barge in with a headache of a proposal that he couldn''t ignore. And he always used a way of speaking that left people uneasy. There was no one more annoying than him. ''The fact that he''s a smart nuisance is even more irritating.'' Putting aside the regret of Kang Mu-hyuk not being simpler to handle, Sung Seonjae spoke. "I need to report this to the guild master. I know it''s urgent, but hang in there. If you resolve the justification issue, we will support you as quickly as possible." "Thousands of lives are at stake. I hope we get a good oue." "I promise on my name. Support wille for sure. If the guild master refuses, I''ll go alone. Some will follow me then. So, hang in there." "And one more favor. We need to call in Guild Leader Ju Se-ah. But the White Tiger Guild has blocked Northern Pocheon. Exining it will take time, so I''ll tell youter. For now, can you get them to back off?" "The White Tiger Guild... Seriously, why is a tier guild causing such a ruckus? As you know,rge guilds don''t directly fight each other because of their influence. There''s no reason to either. But I think I can stop their provocations. The problem is defending the headquarters in Northern Pocheon, right?" "That should be enough. I''ll be waiting." As soon as the call ended, Sung Seonjae contacted the guild master, Sa Munhyuk. "Guild master, it''s me. I have an urgent matter. I need your approval." "Yes, this is Cha Giljoo. Oh? Director Kang Mu-hyuk. I was surprised since your number didn''t show up. What''s the sudden call about... Sinuiju?" Guild Cooperation Agency Director Cha Giljoo tensed up at Kang Mu-hyuk''s abrupt mention of Sinuiju. After hearing a brief exnation about the situation in Sinuiju, he unconsciously ruffled his neatlybed hair. "So, an unknown Chinese guild is scheming something in the Demonic Realm that could significantly impact the Korean Penins? And trying to take over Sinuiju is part of their n? I don''t have any idea how much of this I can believe. Do you have any evidence? ...Of course, you don''t. But it sound like you''re somewhere noisy... A battle? What do you mean©¤ ack!" A sudden explosion made Cha Giljoo pull the receiver away from his ear. Rubbing his ringing ear, he quickly called out to Kang Mu-hyuk. "Guild Leader Kang! Are you okay?" Hearing that he was fine, Cha Giljoo felt relieved but also realized that Kang Mu-hyuk was in serious danger. "Whatever''s happening, is there something I can do to help immediately? ...What? What do you mean by that? Former North Korean Hunters? That''s not within my power. Public opinion aside, epting that proposal would open the government to attacks from the opposition. There''s no reason to bear such a political burden..." "Guild Leader Ju Se-ah has be an S-ranker." "!!" "She''s the first Korean S-ranker since the Great War Era. You know the influence and symbolism that carries. This news will overshadow any issue. But please keep it a secret for now. The threats from Japan and China are serious. Assassins mighte, or there could be other forms of attacks." "I-is that really... true?" "We will be the ones to decide how to announce the S-rank news. In return, we can assist in a way that supports the government. We''ll also decide the timing. By the time of the election this year, we''ll prepare for the government to dere that we have an S-ranker." Cha Giljoo, who had been sitting rigid with tension, rxed and slumped back in his chair. Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking. "We''ll attack the Chinese guild in Sinuiju. If you resolve the nationality issue, China won''t be able to interfere directly." Boom! Boom! Kang Mu-hyuk flinched at the explosions nearby. Although they were considerably far, if the defense line broke, the enemies could reach his location in an instant. He picked up the satellite phone and dialed the number for his final arrangements. "Guild Leader Kang? Are you okay?! What''s going on? Where are you?" As Ju Se-ah''s voice poured out nonstop, Kang Mu-hyuk waited until she paused before bringing the receiver to his mouth. "Sinuiju." "Do you think I don''t know that?" "We''re in the middle of a battle." Boom! Boom! The timely explosions prompted Ju Se-ah to ask urgently. "What''s that sound? Are you fighting? What is this battle about? Why are you fighting?" "The enemy is a Chinese guild in Sinuiju. I''m here fighting alongside the former North Korean Hunters against them." "Why are you exining so calmly like it''s someone else''s problem? So, what should I do? You''re asking for help, right?!" "I heard about the White Tiger Guild. yer will handle them. The yer Guild''s expedition team has agreed to help." "yer? What''s going on now? No, never mind that. Should I head to Sinuiju immediately? Where do I go?" "I''m sorry for not giving you enough exnation, but there''s something else I need you to do." No Songrin looked at Mr. Cho, who had transformed into Hyun Junggeon, with a disgusted expression. "I just can''t get used to it. This doppelg?nger trait, I''ve never heard of such a thing before. So you can transform into me too? That feels really icky." "I have choices, you know. I don''t want to have your face either." "How old are you? You''re rude and have zero manners. I should just stab you." "Put away your sword and handle that guy first." No Songrin held a Hunter firmly in his grasp. As he pressed with more strength on the face he was pinning down, the Hunter was unable to move, his face pressed against the ground. No Songrin turned his sword away from Mr. Cho and stabbed the Hunter in the neck. The Hunter vomited blood and died, and No Songrin handed the body to Mr. Cho. "Here, transform." "You really are from Ujungdo. You kill without hesitation." "If it''s kill or be killed, you kill. Wouldn''t you kill?" "I usually avoid killing, but today''s an exception since my neck''s on the line." Mr. Cho ced his hand on the dead Hunter''s forehead. After a moment, he transformed into the Hunter. He copied the attire as well and put on the Hunter''s gear. Watching theplete transformation, No Songrin looked at Mr. Cho with amazement and reminded him. "You know what you''re supposed to do, right? Stalling for time. Mess up the order in them as much as possible." "Using a pro spy like me for such a dangerous task, Jeez. Kang Mu-hyuk, I hate you. I''ll put a curse on you." "If you''re going to hold a ritual, count me in." "Do you hate Guild Leader Kang?" "Yeah, a lot. I''m tied to him just like you." "Tied to him? I''m just working for money." "I get a sry too." "Despite your feelings, isn''t it your job to protect Director Kang?" "Yeah, for now. I figure I have to keep him alive to survive myself. I can''t get out of here on my own." "I can''t believe you''re boasting about being stupid, huh. Tch tch. Hey, put away your sword!" "Stop provoking me. I''ve killed many people already today... Ah, damn it!" Mr. Cho smiled at No Songrin and gave him the middle finger before disappearing. The sword''s target was gone and it shed through empty air. Grumbling, No Songrin hid the body and left the area. "I don''t know if this will really work. No. We''ll just have to hope it does, right?" Chapter 137 - Well Become Heroes Thud! "Hahaha! You bastards, stop running and fight us head-on!" "Beating these scum from the penins with clubs is the most fun." "You cowardly Bangtz bastards. You''re good at dodging, aren''t you? Come out! If you don''t, I''ll burn your entire vige to the ground!" The Goryeo Alliance Hunters didn''t wait for an answer to their threats and unleashed their skills. The vige was burning. The shacks cried out with soot instead of the vigers who had fled to the rear. Crackling, the fire slowly spread to the wooden shacks. The heat shimmered like a mirage, distorting the view of the vige. "These bastards! Drinking their potions like water and acting all high and mighty! They can''t even fight barehanded!" "Damn it, our basic equipment is too inferior. Everyone, preserve your weapons! We don''t have more supply!" "How are we supposed to fight while preserving our weapons?" In the midst of the sparks flying through the smoke, the Prison Vige Hunters were being pushed back one after another. The Goryeo Alliance Hunters, excited by the sight of their enemies fleeing, took it easy chasing them while barraging them with their skills. With the encirclement firmly in ce, there was nowhere for them to run. At that moment, someone burst out from the smoke. "Is it an enemy?!" "You can''t even recognize an ally?" The man who emerged, his face covered in soot, had the ''Falling Blossoms'' guild mark on his chest. "What are you doing here?!" The man immediately grabbed the cor of the Goryeo Alliance party leader present at the scene. The party leader tried to shake off his hand, but it didn''t budge. He quickly realized that the person was a much higher-ranked Hunter than himself. His tone naturally became more respectful. "What do you mean what are we doing, sir? We''re catching the Bangtz." "Didn''t you get the orders from above? We''re supposed to regroup at the center." "That''s where we''re heading. The old Sinuiju Prison." "Heading there, my ass. Not that center. I meant the middle of the route. We need tobine our forces and strike at once." "That''s not the order I got." "What the hell are you talking about? Do you think the center is as easy as it is here? You know these guys are tough, right? Didn''t it seem weird to you that you breached this ce so easily?" "Th-that''s..." "It''s because everyone else has already gathered elsewhere!" "Ah...?" "What do you mean ''Ah''? You idiot! What''s your name? Which guild are you from?" "Wang Shuying from ck Dragon n." "ck Dragon...? Ha! You don''t know who I am, do you?" "No." "I don''t know who you are either. Why? Because you''re nobody. But why don''t you know me? Because I''m a bigshot. You''ve ever seen someone as important as me in person!" The party leader thought something was off, but he rationalized it thinking the man in front of him was a higher-ranked Hunter. He knew well enough from his own experience that Hunters with higher ranks had worse tempers. If he was at fault here, that was because of his lower rank. "What are you doing, you punk?" "Huh?" "Now that you understand, shouldn''t you be moving? Get to the center quickly! What, do you need me to drag you there?" "N-no, sir. We''ll head there right away." Just as the party leader flinched and was about to rally his members, the man called him back. "Wait." "W-what''s wrong, sir?" "Where''s the rest of the ck Dragon n party? You need to bring them too." "Well, I only know their approximate location... I''ll go find them." "Find them? In this fire? Tch! Do you even have a brain? You slowpokes can''t even see now. Setting fires? Ha. Tell me where they are. If we''rete, I''ll get chewed out by Commander Zhang Zhongxun. Are you going to join me then?" The mention of Zhang Zhongxun made the party leader pale. Zhang Zhongxun may have been known as one of the ''Five Forces of Sinuiju,'' but in reality, he was the top Chinese Hunter in Sinuiju in terms of skill and reputation. His influence was befittingly vast, and it was no big deal for him to ruin the life of a small guild Hunter. After informing the man the location of the rest of the party, the party leader left in a hurry. Once the surroundings became quiet, the man turned and walked into the mes. In the heat, his appearance transformed like a mirage. He now looked exactly like the party leader who had disappeared earlier. "Ah, I''m so tired. How many more roles do I have to y today? At this rate, I won''t even make enough for an interpretation item." The man, whose voice had also changed to match the party leader''s, thenpletely vanished without a trace. "This is strange. They''re advancing too slowly. Is it because of the fire?" Zhang Zhongxun, who was leisurely directing the attack from the outside, kicked the innocent ground with a displeased expression. Wen Hao, also one of the Five Forces of Sinuiju and Zhang Zhongxun''s close confidant, was busy leading the attack on the front lines. Because of that, he had no reliable subordinates to depend on. Zhang Zhongxun considered venturing in himself but he needed to maintain overallmand, so he couldn''t act recklessly. Without clearing the entire vige for an unobstructed line of sight, any hasty involvement would only create confusion in the overall n. "Theseplicated buildings are taking too much effort. Tsk!" The only constion was that the 1st attack squad from the ''Falling Blossoms'' guild in the center was advancing smoothly. Though the enemy was resisting strongly, it was clear that if the attack squads on the nks pushed a bit harder, the bnce would soon tip in their favor. ''Still, it''s slow. Are the other guilds less capable than I thought? Or are the North Koreans better than I expected? Well, it''s a matter of life and death, so of course, they wouldn''t retreat easily.'' Zhang Zhongxun wanted to check the situation of the nking attack squads, but there was no way to do so without sending a messenger. The reason was simple-- "If I had known it would be like this, I would have secured more support for the telepathy skills from above." The reason was there weren''t enough people with skills that allowed direct message exchanges between Hunters. However, waiting indefinitely for a breakthrough was not Zhang Zhongxun''s way of doing things. If there was an obstacle, it had to be cleared by force or some strategy. "Send a messenger to the second squad. Assess the situation and tell them to break through to the rendezvous point within an hour, no matter what." Kang Mu-hyuk carefully studied the vige map he had received from the patrol. No Song-rin, feeling uneasy, shook his head at the sight. ''Does he have a heart of steel? Wait, does he have a heart at all? We may be at the rear, but explosions are echoing everywhere. This is really nerve-wracking.'' While No Song-rin took a defensive stance every time an explosion was heard, Kang Mu-hyuk remained unexpectedly calm. It was because things were still going ording to his n. ''As expected, they haven''t fully identified each other''s faces. It''s a hastily assembled attack squad. With Mr. Cho''s abilities, we can easily confuse them.'' Although it was called an alliance of five guilds, their organizational abilities were like scattered grains of sand. If they had enough people with direct message skills, it might have been different. But unlessmands were given face-to-face, most parties were probably just following initial orders. "Guild Leader Kang, Mr. Cho says he has sent another party to the center. He''s asking what to do with the others." "Send them to the left. Have them go to the far left side of the vige, as far from the center as possible." Kang Mu-hyuk adjusted the enemy party markers on the map and gave his orders. After rying the instructions to Mr. Cho via the message skill, No Song-rin asked a question he had been curious about. "But how did you know they don''t have enough message skills?" "Since China has a lot of Hunters, they have just as much a shortage of message skills. Due to extreme winner-takes-all practices, it''s rare for them to appear on the market, and when they do, the top guilds snatch them all up." The shortage of message skills. It was a chronic issue in the Chinese Huntermunity. It wasn''t necessarily the case that skill acquisition wascking. The problem was the greed of the guilds. Large guilds, even if skill books rotted away, wouldn''t supply them externally. They hoarded them like secret martial arts manuals in wuxia novels, treating the acquisition of skills as their exclusive domain. So, the alternative was the import of skill books. At one point, China bought up the entire global supply of message skill books, causing a worldwide shortage. rmed by China''s monopoly, other countries began treating message skills as strategic resources and restricted their distribution. Even with reduced supply, China still hadn''t solved its message skill shortage. Kang Mu-hyuk, seeing through this, had based his strategy on that information. "Sinuiju is considered a backwater from China''s perspective. Moreover, the Hunters here belong to lower-tier groups, not major guilds; in other words, they''re non-essential. There''s no way they''d invest in unimportant assets. Besides, they probably thought the high-ranking Hunters from major guilds equipped with message skills could control the situation without additional investment. Thisck ofmunication is what led to the current chaos. It''s a prime example of greed consuming the system." "Y-You''re amazing. How did youe up with this n? Wait a minute, but not all of themck message skills, right? How did you identify which parties didn''t have them?" "It''s because of the initial setback. We conducted guerri warfare to observe how quickly and in what manner the enemy responded. Among the parties, except for the central oneposed of the Falling Blossoms guild, there were some that responded sluggishly. This showed that they were reluctant to make their own decisions. We disrupted their formation using those parties, causing disarray among the other parties as well." No Song-rin broke out in a cold sweat internally. Considering they were once pushed to the brink, Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy seemed not just bold but reckless. It was shocking that a non-Hunter had stayed calm and held his ground despite the explosions going off right in front of him. Fortunately, they had managed to mobilize their elite forces in time to stop the assault in the center. If they had been a bit slower in assessing the situation... "Wait a minute. Did you gather our elite forces in one ce to block their main force?" "By ensuring their supporting forces didn''t fulfill their role, we now only need to stop their main force. With the elite squad we have, we are as strong as they are, even without factoring in equipment and supplies." The elite forces of Prison Vige, including Yeon Jung-moon, Cheon Deoksoo, and Hwang Dongsoo, were not to be underestimated. If necessary, even No Song-rin could be deployed. Stopping the first assault squad led by Wen Hao of the Falling Blossoms guild was the most crucial aspect of Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy. Realizing this was all part of Kang Mu-hyuk''s n, No Song-rin couldn''t help but admire him. "I always feel this, Guild leader Kang, you''re truly remarkable. With this, we might actually hold out until reinforcements arrive." "Yes, we might." Kang Mu-hyuk responded calmly, but internally, he was anxious. ''It''s a relief they''re sending in elites. The most dangerous scenario would be if they pushed from all directions with overwhelming numbers. The front lines would copse instantly. Please, let their prideful Hunters stick to their n...'' Human wave strategy He hoped the enemy wouldn''t resort to the one strategy he most feared. The old Sinuiju prison site was filled with people for the first time in a while. Located at the center of the vige, it was the furthest from the front lines. Its high concrete walls and sturdy detention facilities made it the perfect refuge. But despite the number of people, it was quiet. asionally, there were children sobbing in response to distant explosions, but considering their age, they were remarkably calm. Among them were a few daring, fearless youngsters. "Ah?!" "What''s wrong, Cheol-i?" "This is Mr. No''s!" "Mr. No? Oh, the Hunter No Song-rin? The one with Guild Leader Kang?" Park Cheol-i, who had been wandering around the patrol building with other kids, found No Song-rin''s karambit knife in a confiscated items box at the prison entrance and made a fuss. Kim Gilyoung, who didn''t understand what was happening, took the karambit knife from Park Cheol-i. "Ugh, why is it so heavy? It''s so small though." "All Hunter gear is heavy." Kim Gilyoung swung the karambit knife. His upper body swayed under the weight, but wielding the knife made him feel like a Hunter. Longing to be a Hunter and avenge his father, Kim Gilyoung''s heart started to race. He felt an unfounded confidence that he could do something great if given the chance. "Even Hunters would have trouble without weapons, right?" "Why are you asking something that obvious?" "Then Mr. No would be struggling without his weapon too, right?" "Huh? Well... Yeah, I guess." "Let''s take this to him." "What? No way! The adults told us not to go outside because it''s dangerous." "But we''re not fighting. We''re just delivering a weapon." "Still, we can''t..." "Cheol-i, think about it. If Mr. No can''t fight and we lose, we''re in big trouble too. So, what do we need to do? We need to win. But we can''t win without weapons. What if your dad gets hurt because we lose? But if we deliver this and he wins? We''ll be protecting the vige. Your dad won''t get hurt." Just as Kim Gilyoung admired Yeon Jung-moon, the vige protector, Park Cheol-i admired his father, a patrol officer. His dream was to be a Hunter and a distinguished patrol officer like his father. Nodding at Kim Gilyoung''s words, Park Cheol-i agreed. It made sense to him. As long as they didn''t fight, it would be fine. Eventually, Kim Gilyoung''s words convinced him "Alright, but let''s just deliver it quickly ande back." "Of course. Let''s go. The other kids will be jealous when we tell them. You and I will be heroes." Enthralled by the word ''hero,'' Park Cheol-i grinned and took the karambit knife. Chapter 138 - Oh, This is Giving Me Butterflies The path swept by mana was in chaos. Shacks swayed in the sword wind, and the dirt ground was rutted up from running feet alone. A tank, who had been overwhelmed by the enemies'' skills, was thrown as he crashed into a persimmon tree. The trunk cracked and broke. At that moment, a dealer, who had been waiting for an opportunity, pounced forward. "Die!" "Just what one would expect of you bastards! You shameless bastards! What about our promise?" The sword of mes burned the air. When the air collided with a mana-infused sword, sparks flew everywhere. The heat was so intense that it could melt flesh if not protected with mana. The ground burned, and the shacks turned to ashes. The front yard''s water tank melted, and the liquid metal flowed likeva. "Team 1! Are you just going to let your tank die?! Team 2, what are you doing?! You won''t have anyone to me if you run and die!! Get in there now!" Cheon Deok-soo''s roar slowly sorted out the tangled battle lines. He was sweating coldly. One mistake and a whole party could disappear. In a fight with no reinforcements or support, the loss of one party could be fatal. ''Even all this is thanks to us fighting in our backyard. If the fight was anywhere else, we would''ve died ten times over by now.'' It was only possible to face them head-on thanks to Kang Mu-hyuk''s trick of diverting the rest of the enemy''s attack squads here and there. As time passed, the situation was getting worse. "Cheon Deok-soo." Amid the Hunters'' shouts, a familiar voice came through. Cheon Deok-soo turned to look at the Hunter ring at him. "Finally found you." "Wen Hao!" Wen Hao stabbed the ground with his spear and leapt high, attacking Cheon Deok-soo. Cheon Deok-soo also drew his twin swords to confront him. The spearhead was entangled between the des that intersected in an X above his head. As the weapons shed, both poured their mana into them. It was a tense moment where even a slight dy could cause them to lose their weapons. High-rank Hunters used this technique to fight for long periods without wasting mana, but now it had turned into a personal tactical battle of timing to catch each other off guard. They applied force to their gripped weapons and their faces drew closer. "You annoying bastard. Just die quietly." "Where on earth is there a huntsman who''d die quietly? You should be the one to take it easy and die!" Cheon Deok-soo exerted great strength and flicked the spear away. Wen Hao retreated, jabbing his spear repeatedly. It was a move to maintain distance. Cheon Deok-soo evaded and relentlessly pursued. The narrow alley became a dueling ground for the two Hunters. The other Hunters, who had been fighting fiercely, could no longer engage and withdrew to catch their breath. The twin swords and spear drew chaotic afterimages as they swept the surroundings. All the obstacles that had been in the way were shredded into scattered wreckage. If those obstacles were people, they wouldn''t have left even a drop of blood behind. The sight sent a chill down the other Hunters'' spine, who swallowed dryly and prayed. They prayed for their respective leaders to win. Because if not, they would be the next victims. Kim Gilyoung regretted it. So did Park Cheol-i. ''We shouldn''t havee here.'' At the same time, both felt relieved. It was a good thing they hadn''t brought their friends. The battlefield was more vast than the children had imagined. The fight had mixed to the point where the front lines were meaningless. The two children screamed and ran amidst the fierce melee. "Aaaaah!" "Eeeek!" Every time Hunters shed above the alley, sparks flew everywhere. Wherever the sparksnded, fires started. Where there existed rubber or stic, acrid smoke rose and obscured the view. Whenever it seemed like the wind was blowing through the unseen ck smoke, the two dove to the ground. Although they did that out of fear, it saved their lives. A storm of mana brushed past their heads and blew away the house behind them. "Uaaaackk!" "This is all your fault. Ugh, please someone save us." A few Hunters from the prison vige saw the children but couldn''t help. They had no leeway to turn around, or they''d lose their heads immediately. Some of them recognized him as the son of a patrol colleague, but they had no time to help. All they could do was hope that the children would run as far as possible while they distracted the enemy. "L-let''s go. We have to get out of here somehow." Kim Gilyoung grabbed Park Cheol-i''s cor and pulled him up. Park Cheol-i''s legs had given out, haunted by the terrifying scene earlier. But he wasn''t scared enough to just cry like an ordinary child. The words his patrolman father always emphasized as his shout echoed in his ears. ''When you''re evacuating, never stop moving. Keep going.'' Park Cheol-i moved instinctively. He forced his trembling legs to run. The karambit knife in his arms felt so heavy. He wanted to throw it away. "We made it! We''re out! Uncle Kang is probably at our house! We just need to pass three more intersections!" As the explosions and mes died down, Kim Gilyoung, now safe, looked back at Park Cheol-i, who was following him. "Huh...?" Park Cheol-i had copsed. His left arm was gone. The blood sttering in the air seemed unreal. The ground was soaked with dark red, and Park Cheol-iy there groaning. It all felt like a dream. And above them, a house without its pirs was copsing. "Cheol-iiiiiiii!" "I can''t stand it any longer. How many hours are they dawdling? Just a few outsiders joined them and we have to face this disgrace?" Zhang Zhongxun finally learned from ate report why the attack team was dying their advance. Someone had intervened and messed up themand structure. And he realized that this someone was likely Hyun Junggeon, who had taken another person''s face. Moreover, even the central attack team, mainlyposed of the Falling Blossoms Guild, was slow. Despite the risks they took to actively use the parties, their momentum mysteriously broke at crucial points. It felt like someone had set traps and was waiting. ''That someone must be Kang Mu-hyuk. Damn it. He''spletely looking down on us.'' Zhang Zhongxun thought of the attack squad waiting in Dandong. The force there was powerful enough to change the situation in an instant if deployed. ''No, not yet. I can''t be branded as ipetent.'' It was an elite attack force ready to enter Sinuiju, just across a single bridge from Dandong. If he had called them from the start, the result would have been different. Calling them now would not only harm his pride but also cast doubt on hispetence. Zhang Zhongxun decided to swallow his pride. He gave orders to all the Hunters of the Goryeo Alliance. "Deploy all five of Sinuiju''s top fighters. Tell them to strike the enemy''s head. Tell the rest to break the encirclement and enter the vige." Kang Mu-hyuk continuously issuedmands while looking at the map. The messenger was No Song-rin, who had a messaging skill. Fortunately, several high-ranking officers, including Yeon Jung-moon, Cheon Deok-soo, and Hwang Dongsu, had messaging skills. The Demonic Realm was as rewarding as it was dangerous. Even though skill books were rarely found outside Gates, the long years of hunting had borne fruit. For Kang Mu-hyuk, it was a fortune among the countless misfortunes. "Yeon Jung-moon''s Team 3, head to the persimmon tree intersection. Hwang Dongsu''s Teams 4 and 5, standby in Youngcheol''s front yard." Kang Mu-hyuk gave orders using familiarndmarks to the prison vige Hunters. Assigning numbers to different zones was efficient, but it took time for the Hunters to memorize them. With no other choice, Kang Mu-hyuk created a vige map with the help of the vigers and memorized it all. "Guild Leader, Youngcheol''s ce ispletely gone." "What about Byungsoon''s ce a block behind?" "Wait a moment... Yes, it''s still there." "Tell them to wait there for an ambush on the way to Sinuiju Prison. Cheon Deok-soo''s Teams 1 and 2 hold their ground and have Teams 3 and 4 nk them." No Song-rin frowned while rying Kang Mu-hyuk''s orders. "Cheon Deok-soo is going to have a hard time." "Why?" "He''s up against a guy named Wen Hao." Kang Mu-hyuk immediately recalled the name Wen Hao. He was mentioned in the documents No Song-rin had obtained from an informant. ''One of The Five Top Fighters of Sinuiju. A-Rank. Evenly matched with Cheon Deok-soo. They''ve sent in a sniper to target our high-ranking Hunters at this point? Despite our efforts to avoid it, we''ve been tailed.'' The Five Top Fighters of Sinuiju. It wasughable how they gave themselves such titles in the small town of Sinuiju, but here, it meant they were the top powerhouses. The problem didn''t end there. Kang Mu-hyuk realized that the Five Top Fighters of Sinuiju were starting to make their move. As if to confirm his intuition, messages continued to arrive for No Song-rin. "Hwang Dongsu and Yeon Jung-moon have also encountered those so-called Five Top Fighters or whatever they are. And one of them is with the patrol unit. Uhm, they might all be wiped out there. What should we do? Should I go?" "If you leave now, ourmunicationwork will copse." "You''re pretty cold." "We knew sacrifices were inevitable. But if we let emotions take over, we all die. This is the time to stay cool-headed." Even as he spoke firmly, Kang Mu-hyuk bit his lip. ''My job is to protect. I can''t get lost in sentimentality.'' He needed toe up with a n immediately. He wanted to call in another Hunter with a messaging skill and send No Song-rin to help, but no ally Hunter seemed capable of leaving their ce right now. Kang Mu-hyuk checked his wristwatch. It was just past 2 PM. ''Two hours... We could say we''vested this long. But even if I think about the guild''s helicopter speed, we need to hold out for at least another hour for any help to arrive. Should I get the Guild Master out here?'' No matter how quickly the yer Guild could respond, Ju Se-ah could move faster alone. Although he was thinking about it, Kang Mu-hyuk decided against calling Ju Se-ah from her original position as ast resort. Using her now would be like robbing Peter to pay Paul. ''I still have a few cards left. But if I use them now, I won''t have them when I need them most. Will I have to create a situation where I can use them as I intend?'' Kang Mu-hyuk reviewed his strategy. Limited manpower, outdated equipment, and almost no potions. He separated what he had to give up and what he had to protect in order to fight with resources that were inferior to the enemy''s. The top priority among the things he had to protect was the people of the prison vige. He had to defend Sinuiju Prison, where they were currently based. However, hisst resort involved putting that priority in danger. ''If I skip the pre-nned response stages, there''s no turning back.'' Just then-- Creak, the door opened. "Uncle Kang!" A young voice echoed through the house. "Gilyoung? How did you get here...." Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind was racing. Kim Gilyoung, covered in scratches and blood, was standing there. Kang Mu-hyuk quickly assessed his condition. "It''s not your blood, right? Don''t tell me the patrol base was attacked?" "No. It''s fine over there. But Cheol-i...." "Cheol-i? Park Cheol-i?" When No Song-rin asked, Kim Gilyoung nodded. "We came out to bring Mr. No Song-rin his knife... It''s my fault. I suggested it...." "Hey, kid. So, did Park Cheol-i die?" No Song-rin''s expression turned cold. Kim Gilyoung flinched at his demeanor but gritted his teeth and answered. "He was still breathing when I left. But he lost a lot of blood... Ugh, his arm is gone... sniff... He''s trapped under a copsed house. I tried to get him out... hic... He was crying out in pain... Please save him, uncle." No Song-rin couldn''t answer. He didn''t even look at Kang Mu-hyuk. ''I can''t let one kid ruin the fight. Hunters are dying, so what''s one kid?'' Damn it! "Guild Leader, may I step out for a bit?" "We''d be in a hard spot if you leave now." "I know we''d be in a hard spot. But I have to go. Unless you order me to stay." "Then let''s say it''s an order." No Song-rin clenched his teeth. He couldn''t understand why he couldn''t ignore a kid. When did he start thinking about children? It was out of character for him as a Hunter. He was almost grateful that Kang Mu-hyuk refused. He was confused, and Kang Mu-hyuk spoke up. "Save the boy named Cheol-i." "What?" "I have to make a decision too. This dilemma came at the right time. It cleared my head. We''re moving to the final phase now." Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the satellite phone. Brrrring! Brrrring! Hyun Junggeon pulled out his smartphone, which was vibrating violently in his pocket. The sticky blood on his hands bothered him, so he wiped them on a piece of clothing lying on the ground. The clothing belonged to a person. A dead Hunter who was bleeding out and couldn''t even close his eyes. Hyun Junggeon frowned at the extra blood on his hands, wiped them on his pants, and answered the phone. "Yes, Guild Leader. No, about halfway? Haven''t finished them all. Why? It''s not the scheduled time yet." "We''re moving to the final operation." "Already? Isn''t that thest resort?" "The enemy has brought in their elites. They''ll soon tighten the encirclement and barge in." "So they''re trying to pin down our high-rank Hunters and overwhelm us with numbers. The Chinese tactics are always the same." "Yes. It''s easy to read but hard to counter. It''s the most fatal method for us right now." "So you want to use it now? You might regret itter." "If there is ater." "True." Hyun Junggeon shook the ck-ded dagger in his hand, flicking off the blood. Although he left most of his equipment with the Titan Guild, he kept this as hisst resort. Five dead Huntersy around him. After confirming they were all dead, Hyun Junggeon said, "Then I should proceed with the final mission now?" "If you can. If it''s too difficult, retreat. That mission was a plus option anyway." "Of course I''ll take care of myself. It''s not my first day in this business. See youter." Hyun Junggeon turned off his smartphone. From now on, he couldn''t afford to take things leisurely. "Okay, now. Let''s cut off Zhang Zhongxun''s head, shall we?" "Hello. Uaah, Guild Leader Kang! Why are you just calling now? I was bored. You''re safe, right? When are we going home?" "Hunter Go Eul-ji. In ten minutes. Execute the final operation." "Final? Wow, my first gang fight. Oh, this is giving me butterflies." Chapter 139 - If you want to use me, come to me as a dragon Kang Mu-hyuk gave his final orders to No Song-rin. "Have everyone retreat after 5 minutes. Ry to the top Hunters, including Mr. Cho, to conduct dying actions. See you at the patrol base." Then he asked No Song-rin to burn the map with mana. Although they might need the mapter, it didn''t matter because he had already memorized all the information. Rather, he was worried that the n would be exposed if the enemy got their hands on it. Watching Kang Mu-hyuk, who was staggering and holding onto his cane, made No Song-rin''s steps heavy. "Will you be okay? Going there alone?" "The path to retreat is still secure, so I''ll be fine." "That''s not what I meant..." "Gilyoung will help me. It''s still bearable. That kid, Cheol-i. I hope you''re able to rescue him." "Th-... Oi, kid. Take good care of the Guild Leader Kang." "Yes. I''ll make sure to escort him safely to the base." No Song-rin followed the information given by Gilyoung to find where Park Cheol-i was. Fortunately, it was a more urate description than the note Mr. Cho handed over. After running anxiously, he soon found the debris of a copsed building. No Song-rin listened carefully under the rubble. He heard faint breathing and groans of pain. He carefully cleared the debris and spoke. "Cheol-i. Park Cheol-i." At first, there was no answer, but after a while, he heard a trembling voice. "U-Uncle N-No...?" "Uncle No? If anyone hears that, they''ll think I''m some old... man." No Song-rin flinched when he found Park Cheol-i through the debris. The boy was missing an arm. Although he knew about it, facing it in reality left him at a loss for words. At times like this, he missed Kang Mu-hyuk''s eloquence more than his own rank. "Uncle... This." From under the still uncleared rubble, Park Cheol-i handed over something he was holding dearly. A karambit knife. It was not particrly expensive or some special consumable weapon. Standing outside the rubble, No Song-rin hesitated for a moment before stepping back slightly. From a blind spot where Park Cheol-i couldn''t see, he took off the sword he had on his waist and roughly threw it nearby. Then, to ensure the boy''s safety, he cleared the remaining debris and epted the knife. "Uncle, your knife... Now you can fight, right?" Park Cheol-i and Kim Gilyoung had misunderstood something. There was amon belief that Hunters had to use their main weapon to exert their full power. Unfortunately, the karambit knife wasn''t No Song-rin''s main weapon. It was just a matter of preference. Plus, at No Song-rin''s level, unless it was a Hunter of equal rank, the choice of weapon didn''t significantly affect him. No Song-rin didn''t bother to point this out. Instead, he gripped the karambit knife firmly and replied. "Yeah. I got it for sure, kid." No Song-rin checked Park Cheol-i''s condition. ''To think he''s still alive after losing so much blood. It''s a miracle. The manaceration helped too. In fact, did cutting off and cauterizing the arm reduce the blood loss? But it won''t regenerate because of that. The rest... Somehow, the bleeding has stopped on its own.'' Park Cheol-i, noticing No Song-rin''s uneasy expression, asked tearfully, "I won''t be able to be a Hunter now, will I? Because I don''t have an arm..." "You haven''t even awakened yet. What are you worrying about?" "Still..." "There are plenty of Hunters missing a limb. There''s even a famous one-armed swordsman among the top Hunters. It all depends on you." "Oh, I see. So I can do it?" "Yeah. As long as you try hard... Damn it, what am I saying? This doesn''t even suit me... Hey, are you sleeping? Snap out of it, kid!" No Song-rin lightly tapped Park Cheol-i''s cheek as he suddenly lost consciousness. He hurriedly checked his pulse. Fortunately, it was strong. He stared intently at the boy''s face. Park Cheol-i''s eyes were stained with tears. "If it weren''t for that damn contract. Ugh!" Clearing the rest of the debris and carefully lifting the child, No Song-rin sensed a presence around him. It was an enemy party of six. He activated the interpretation artifact he had used during the Russian expedition and had yet to return. He really wanted to ask. Was all this necessary? He wanted to hear their excuses. "There''s another one of those Bangtz punks here." "Seems this one didn''t get far." "Looks like he waste because he was saving the kid? O! Sorry, but we can''t just let you go. Heh." "I guess there''s no need to even ask. As expected. Let me go? You''re not the one who should be saying that." No Song-rin ced Park Cheol-i on the t ground and gripped the karambit knife in a reverse hold. "Is this guy crazy? There are six of us." "Let''s take him out quickly. We''ll be in trouble if we''rete to the prisonpared to other parties." They aimed their weapons and approached, smirking. No Song-rin asked, "Do you know what I hate the most?" "What nonsense is this idiot spouting now?" "The sound of kids crying. I really hate it. So---" "Someone shut this crazy bastard up. He''s pissing me off. Tch!" "Why the hell are you making kids cry and pissing me off?!" No Song-rin charged. The karambit knife, which had been warm in Park Cheol-i''s embrace a moment ago, was now cold. As the de shed several times, jets of blood spurted into the air. The six Hunters fell, their throats slit, unable to offer any real resistance, making gurgling sounds. "You f*cking bastards." Spitting on the dead Hunters, No Song-rin carried Park Cheol-i and left the area. Go Eul-ji received a call from Kang Mu-hyuk while en route to the patrol base. When he ordered the execution of the final operation, a sense of tension surged. -I''ll confirm once again, Hunter Go Eul-ji. There are at least three or four anti-aircraft gun squads forrge monsters, maybe more. There are also many long-range mages and snipers. "It''s definitely a hassle. With that many, even an average mage would hesitate to infiltrate from the air. After all, you''d be exposed from all directions. And on the ground, you can''t dodge anything." -You''re right. It''s difficult for ordinary Hunters. As I thought, it''s too much even for you, huh, Go Eul-ji? "Ueck. What do you mean, too much?! Guild Leader Kang, my grandfather always told me something. ''This is no normal kid.'' I''m not an ordinary Hunter." For a moment, Kang Mu-hyuk wanted to argue. ''He probably meant something else.'' That was more about her personality than her skills. But he held back with superhuman patience. -Then, I''ll trust you. In 10 minutes. Start the operation. "Don''t worry. I''m the Go Eul-ji. I''ll show you what an extraordinary Hunter can do." She ended the call and started a timer on her smartphone. Setting it for 10 minutes, she sat down and closed her eyes. Meditating with deep breaths, the timer soon went off. Go Eul-ji slowly opened her eyes. "Let''s see who wins, shall we?" Boom! Go Eul-ji kicked off the ground and soared into the sky. "Ron!" "Ugh, again? How is this guy getting such good cards today? How many games is he going to win?" "Hehehe! Looks like all your sry for this month is going into my wallet." In a corner of Sinuiju, on the rooftop of a half-copsed building, Hunters were enjoying a peaceful game of mahjong, starkly different from the intensity of the prison vige. Just as they were about to start a new round, one Hunter with a cigarette in his mouth suddenly looked up at the sky in surprise. "Oh? Damn! Six o''clock! The sensor went off! Ugh, it''s big!" "What is it? A wyvern?" "No... It''s a Hunter." His detection skill not only tracked entities but also measured their power by their magnitude. He mistook the magnitude for arge monster since he felt something big, but he soon realized the truth and was shocked. "It''s a high ranker! An A-rank Hunter!" "Commence interception!" "Prep the anti-aircraft guns! Get the mana stones!" The long-range dealers who had overturned the mahjong table beganunching skills and arrows into the sky. This building wasn''t the only one that had begun attacking. Anti-air defense units spread all around began their response. Anti-aircraft gun barrels turned skyward. Charged with mana stones and electricity, the anti-aircraft guns quickly heated up and spat fire. These massive guns, consuming vast amounts of power, were almost useless outside of base defense, but they boasted excellent performance against airborne monsters and magic-wielding Hunters. But-- "What the hell? They''re not hitting her!" "Don''t try to bring her down! Just push her away! Don''t let her get close!" "Argh!" Boom! Bang! Crash! Kwang! The building where the mahjong game had taken ce became as much of a battlefield as the prison vige. The mahjong yers were swiftly annihted as well. Other buildings continued to spew beams of light. "Wow, that''s a scary high school kid." Passing by an anti-aircraft position and seeing the building get demolished, Hyun Junggeon broke out in a cold sweat. If he had been up there, even he would have been seriously injured. "When Guild Leader Kang said she was the secret weapon during the operation nning, I thought he was kidding. But he really meant it. Wasn''t Iron Will supposed to be C-rank? This guild is full of surprises." Unlike the tense moments earlier, Hyun Junggeon now had a smile on his face. "Maybe I can join them? Guild Leader Kang doesn''t like me, but maybe if I take a pay cut... It seems more fun than Titan." Go Eul-ji ascended rapidly to a height beyond detection skills, overlooking Sinuiju and surveying the entire city. Her ability, named Telekinesis, was more urately a power to understand and control space. When it was first discovered, people saw only the aspect of moving objects in the air and categorized it as a psychic ability. But as Hunters'' levels increased, they realized it wasn''t limited to telekinesis. However, the name never changed once it was given. "It''s hard to fully figure out everything from this distance. I guess I''ll have to confront them directly." Go Eul-ji inhaled the cold northern air deeply. "Ugh, my throat is freezing." She muttered,ining about the sharp pain in her throat, then suddenly began going down. At first, she free-fell without using her power. As she fell from the sky, just before entering the detection skill range, she aimed her head downwards and began to fly at high speed. ''Ugh, my eyes. I should''ve brought goggles. Who would''ve thought I''d be flying in the sky? Whoa! They''re starting to attack? Let''s pick up speed then.'' Boom! Bang! Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom! Fireworks exploded in the sky. Light shed and burned the air. Their destructive power was enough for Go Eul-ji to suffer a major blow if hit directly. Fortunately, the attacks didn''t reach her. The barrage only struck the afterimages left by her high-speed flight. But she wasn''t entirely unscathed. She had to engage in tactical retreats, unable tond and had to focus on evasive maneuvers. As she zigzagged through the air over Sinuiju, more and more firepower concentrated on her. She waited for the right moment. ''Anti-aircraft guns aren''t invincible.'' Being massive in size and resource-heavy weren''t the only drawbacks. There were good reasons why anti-aircraft guns weren''t the mainstay. ''Good. The barrage of attack is thinning now. They must be cooling the barrels or swapping mana stones.'' Go Eul-ji grabbed this opportunity. ¡¾Divine Punishment¡¿ Above her raised hand, a hammer withyers of gravity appeared. And the moment the hammer struck down. Boom! Crash! An anti-aircraft gun encampment was crushed along with the entire building. "That''s it! Don''t act out, you bastards!" Bang! In the moment she paused to use her skill, a spell hit her directly. She instinctively put up a barrier, and wasn''t injured, but Go Eul-ji looked annoyed. ''Useless shit attacking me. Draining my energy. I still have many more of them to deal with.'' For the first stage of the final operation, Go Eul-ji had to dismantle this anti-air defensework. To ensure the safety of the iing support helicopters, it was crucial to clear this obstacle in advance. ''If I break the encampments with my skills, I''ll have to stop each time, and I''ll get attacked in the process.'' That would drain her energy and consume time. Go Eul-ji knew Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t have time to spare. Calling her earlier than expected was enough to give her an idea of the situation. She recalled her rigorous training with her grandfather. ''The best hunting is thoroughly calcted. But sometimes you have to take risks. Especially to protect people, you must do your best within the bounds of self-protection.'' Go Eul-ji took out a hairpin from her pocket. Telekinesis wrapped around her hair. She tied her hair into a bun and pinned it with the hairpin, muttering to herself, "I have no choice, Grandpa. I''m doing it the way I was taught." The hairpin glowed, and Go Eul-ji''s eyes glowed with the same light. "Well, let''s push it a bit." ¡¾Sonic Boom¡¿ Boom! Go Eul-ji''s body elerated to the maximum. "Eighty percent of Yeon Jung-moon''s squad has retreated! Seventy percent of Hwang Dongsu''s units have retreated to. The rest... They won''t make it." "Cheon Deok-soo''s squad is... Half. There''s no certainty about the fate of the other huntsmen." Hunters were flocking to the patrol base, which used to be the old Sinuiju prison. Both enemies and allies. Although they were forming defensive lines leaning against broken concrete walls, the walls provided little real protection. They served merely as psychologicalfort. People entered the underground of the central building. It was too cramped to amodate everyone, so children, women, and the elderly were prioritized. The rest were in the sturdier prison cells. Kang Mu-hyuk stood in the empty yard. Danger was everywhere. It was better to be with No Song-rin formand purposes. "Is the child okay?" "I handed him over to someone they call a healer. But without medicine, I don''t know what will happen. If we lose here, it''s all over anyway." "If we want to get him treated outside, we need to win first." "Do you think we can win this? I strongly feel like we''re screwed." "We''ve done everything we could. They''re fighting with all their might too. Now it''s just a matter of who strikes first." As soon as Kang Mu-hyuk finished speaking, new messages started flooding in. All bad news. "They say the Chinese have arrived from the south and the north. Oh? The west too. Now the only ce left is the east... At this point, does it even matter? Damn, it looks like my life''s ending here." Kang Mu-hyuk wondered if he could have made better choices. He ran through dozens of simtions in his head, but no matter how he nned, there was no way to avoid bloodshed. The only way left was to hope for the enemy''s mercy. ''If they had that much of a conscience, they wouldn''t haveunched this attack in the first ce. There''s no way out. We''ve lost contact with Mr. Cho. Did he manage to escape on his own?'' At this point, rying orders was meaningless. Even if No Song-rin was deployed, there was no way to hold up the defensive lines that were copsing from all directions. Eventually, the walls of the base began to crumble. Chinese Hunters appeared over the fallen concrete debris. The Hunters from the prison vige, barely alive and retreating, were more like walking corpses than defeated soldiers. Still, fighting here without proper equipment or supplies showed their bravery. If they weren''t skilled, they would have fallen long ago. From the south, Yeon Jung-moon, from the north, Hwang Dongsu, and from the east, Cheon Deok-soo were all retreating, backs turned. They were also in bad shape. "There are too many of them. I wonder how many we can kill." No Song-rin grumbled as he took his ce in the now-vacant west. "Why aren''t those bastardsing at us?" Cheon Deok-soo spat blood and steadied his breathing. He was puzzled that the enemy was just surrounding them without attacking but tried to regain some strength before the final fight. Then the eastern ranks parted as out stepped Zhang Zhongxun. Kang Mu-hyuk extended his hand to No Song-rin. "Hunter No Song-rin. Hand me the interpretation artifact." "Are you taking back what you gave me?" "It''s the guild''s property." "Tch! I was nning to take it to my grave though." Kang Mu-hyuk epted the interpretation artifact and stepped forward. Zhang Zhongxun spoke. "Are you really Kang Mu-hyuk?" "You''re asking if I''m real at this point?" "Looks like you are the real one." "So what will make you want to stop the attack after surrounding us?" "This battle was quite impressive. I never thought a non-Hunter would give us such a hard hit." "Not just one hard hit, I think we gave you two or three." "Ha! You''ve got a sharp tongue. Makes sense. You need guts to mess with me, Zhang Zhongxun." With an air of assured victory, Zhang Zhongxunughed heartily. A power differential that could clearly not be overturned. And having the perfect upper hand. It was natural for him to revel in his victory. "I have a proposal." "Let''s hear it." "How about bing my subordinate? I''ll make you my Vice-Guild Master. You can use your abilities under me. It''s a shame for you to die like this, isn''t it?" Kang Mu-hyuk gazed at the sky, lost in thought. Zhang Zhongxun waited patiently. After a moment, Kang Mu-hyuk responded, "I''ve always had a superior, so being a subordinate doesn''t bother me. But not under you." "Why? Do I seemcking? That''s because you don''t know me well." "Someone once said it''s better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon. But if given the choice, I''d rather be with the dragon." "What are you saying...?" "At best, you''re just ackey for a Chinese guild. If you want to use me,e as a dragon, you snake." Zhang Zhongxun''s expression changed. "So you won''t listen to reason, huh? I''m embarrassed that I was tempted by your abilities. I''ll kill you as you wish." Zhang Zhongxun waved his hand. The atmosphere among the Hunters from the Goryeo Alliance turned deadly. Hunters armed with mana-infused weapons charged. "Damn it, Guild Leader Kang! Is this really the end? Do we have nothing left?!" No Song-rin shouted angrily, and Kang Mu-hyuk responded, "Of course..." Enemy Hunters swarmed toward Kang Mu-hyuk. Cheon Deok-soo stepped in front to block them. "We do." Boom! A light descended from the sky, crashing into the ground. The charging Hunters were blown back in the direction they hade from. "Am I not toote, Guild Leader Kang?" "Perfect timing. Begin the final phase, Hunter Go Eul-ji." "Yes, sir!" Chapter 140 - I Can鈥檛 Let Them Set Foot on Korean Soil "Team Leader Sung, something''s off with the sky. There are explosions everywhere, and it''s really noisy. Looks like a huge fight broke out." The yer Guild''s future ace, Gam Wooyoung, said this as he stuck his head out of the helicopter. "Close the door. It''s too loud." "Yes, sir." Despite his seemingly indifferent tone, Sung Seonjae was also focused on the sky above Sinuiju. ''Who is that? If that''s an enemy, we''re in trouble.'' Destructive power beyond the force he felt. Maybe if it was because of the special abilities, but the force controlling the sky over a city alone was not something to be taken lightly. ''Even if they belong to Iron Will, they''re still a headache. Ju Se-ah is already enough of a problem. It''d be better if they were a Hunter from old North Korea. That way, at least we could try to persuade them.'' Hearing the increasingly intense sounds of battle from afar, Sung Seonjae urged the pilot. "Let''s hurry. We''re already runningte." Since the best of the yer Guild had been mobilized, they had to make the most of it. ''Kang Mu-hyuk isn''t supposed to die yet. He''s not on our side, but he''s a much better business partner than Ju Se-ah.'' Only remnants of light remained where Go Eul-ji had passed. A long trail of light stretched like a meteor, followed by a sonic boom. The shockwave that trailed behind shook the streets of Sinuiju. Windows shattered, and car rms red uncontrobly. The anti-aircraft guns couldn''t keep up with Go Eul-ji. The mages casting spells couldn''t even react, and the Hunters with enhanced eyesight and agility in archer positions couldn''t respond either. Flying through the sky, Go Eul-ji felt something rising in her throat. ''Gulp. Ugh, this fishy taste in my mouth. I''m way too nauseous. Maintaining this for long was definitely too much.'' Forcing herself to change direction, she swooped towards the anti-aircraft encampment that had been targeting her. The anti-aircraft guns btedly adjusted their aim, but it seemed they wouldn''t make it in time. The Hunters on standby around them poured their skills into forming a barrage, but all missed their mark. ''You''ve had your fun shooting at me, haven''t you? Take this now!'' Shielding herself, Go Eul-ji flew past the building housing the anti-aircraft guns. Crash! Smash! Windows exploded. Thud! Thud! Boom! And the anti-aircraft guns that were bolted to the rooftop were torn out. "Whoa!" "Hold on tight... Ah!" Hunters were flung into the air. One Hunter who had tried to get close to intercept Go Eul-ji had half his body turned to mush. After a few more swoops, all the anti-aircraft artillery went silent. The spells stopped, and no arrows flew. "Whew~" As Go Eul-ji exhaled, the light enveloping her body disappeared. She pulled out a health recovery potion from the ampoule kit on her waist and drank it. She mixed in a mana recovery potion and a nerve stabilizer as well. Her pounding heart and throbbing veins calmed down. "This is exhausting." But there was no time to rest. She flew straight towards the prison vige. From the sky, the vige looked utterly devastated. It was no longer a ce anyone could call home, with everything burnt and copsed. She expanded her senses to find Kang Mu-hyuk. Thankfully, she found him quickly. A ce where Hunters were gathered, with one non-Hunter among them. It was Kang Mu-hyuk. A battle was about to start there. "Why is he always in the middle of a fight when he''s not even a Hunter?" Go Eul-ji felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu as shended in the yground. Boom! A crater formed on the ground. She sent the Hunters charging at Kang Mu-hyuk flying. "I''m not toote, right, Guild Leader Kang?" "Just in time." The awaited reinforcement. Kang Mu-hyuk also felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, as if he had seen this situation somewhere before. "Final stage. Please start, Hunter Go Eul-ji." "Yes, sir!" Go Eul-ji''s hairpin began to glow again. A sh sparked in her eyes. Zhang Zhongxun noticed that the opponent was about to do something serious. The amount of mana being gathered was immense. "What the hell is this now? Everyone, stop her! Stop whatever she''s trying to do!" As Zhang Zhongxun gave the order, Hunters charged from all sides. "Stop her!" With Yeon Jung-moon''smand, the Hunters from the prison vige also began their counterattack. Zhang Zhongxun no longer held back and charged towards Go Eul-ji. He was intercepted by Cheon Deok-soo. "Where do you think you''re going? You''re fighting me." "You traitorous bastard!" "Forgotten already? You betrayed us first." Watching Cheon Deok-soo and Zhang Zhongxun sh, Go Eul-ji spoke. "Guild Leader Kang, but this won''t work on A-rank Hunters. Its range is limited. It''ll only work around here." "We don''t need it for A-rank Hunters. What''s important now are the lower ranks. And I''m aware of its range. That''s why we retreated to the prison." "Wow, I''ve got more guts than the average person, but Guild Leader Kang, you''re literally risking your life. You let yourself get surrounded for this? Phew. Good thing I trained and led the guild, or we''d be screwed. You were really lucky." "Yes. This is what the mine-clearing training was for." "Huh? Wasn''t that the Guild Master''s idea?" "The training to pick out mines buried in the ground. It was a way to supplement our guild''sck of wide-area magic and non-lethal suppression power. We wanted to control the battlefield by clearly distinguishing between friend and foe. That training bore fruit earlier than expected. We''re fortunate." "Fortunate? I almost crapped my pants doing that!" "You''re not an ordinary Hunter, Go Eul-ji. Show them." Go Eul-ji was at a loss for words and gaped. "Grandpa was right. You really do have a sly mouth. Makes me want to punch you." "I''m your superior." "Kick me out of the guild then!" "Should I cancel the LA concert tickets?" "Ayy,e on, I just have to get rid of them, right? Use me as much as you want, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." "I''ll book you a hotel. Right next to the concert hall." "Whoa!" Excited by the unexpected guild perks, Go Eul-ji increased her output. At that moment-- "Huh?" "Wh-what is this?" "M-my body... Argh!" Suddenly, the bodies of the Hunters from the Goryeo Alliance began to rise into the air. However, they didn''t rise very high. They were just immobilized. While their limbs could still move, they couldn''t leave their spots. Of course, being fixed in ce during a fight was a terrifying experience in itself. "All of you... Get out!" With a sweeping motion of her arms, Go Eul-ji sent the Hunters flying in all directions. All that remained on the yground were the prison vige Hunters and the high-ranking Hunters known as the Five Top Fighters of Sinuiju. "What is this...?" Wen Hao muttered in disbelief. Despite their lower ranks, it was astonishing that hundreds of Hunters had been swept away. "Don''t be fooled! Use the telepathy skill to check! They''re not dead; they were just pushed outside the vige boundaries!" Zhang Zhongxun yelled, Wen Hao and the rest of Five Top Fighters quickly contacted their subordinates who had the messaging skill. Soon, they realized that, as Zhang Zhongxun had said, the Hunters were back outside of the vige. ''C-Can he say dismiss this so easily? Hundreds of Hunters... And on top of that, only the enemy Hunters were selectively thrown out? What kind of monstrous spatial awareness is this?'' Wen Hao felt a chill as he looked at the small girl who was panting heavily. Maybe this was the kind of talent that could be an S-ranker. "Huff, huff... Guild Leader Kang, I swear I can''t do this again." "You''ve done enough. We''ve bought time." "Bought time? How ridiculous." Pushing Cheon Deok-soo aside, Zhang Zhongxun shouted. "We can just call our subordinates back! They''lle back and wipe you all out... Urgh!" In the middle of his threatening tirade, Zhang Zhongxun suddenly groaned in pain. He reached for his back, where a dagger had pierced a small gap that his basilisk leather armor didn''t cover. "Wow, this is expensive stuff, huh? I aimed for a vital spot, but missed?" The person admiring from behind, with eyes gleaming, was an unfamiliar face. Tchtchcth! "It''s me." "Hyun Junggeon...!" "Huh? Oh, I''m Hyun Junggeon!" "You bastard!" "Commander Zhang!" Wen Hao threw his sword, but Hyun Junggeon had already moved out of the way. Kang Mu-hyuk weed him as he approached. "Mr. Cho. You didn''t run away?" "I stick to my contracts. I was waiting for the right moment." "If things were unfavorable, I think you would''ve fled though." "Eul-ji, you''re still a kid, so you don''t know this world well. I''m a professional spy. Professionals earn their pay. Even if it means bringing your Guild Master Mr. Kang''s body... Oops!" "See? You were nning to sneak out after we died." With the tables turned, Wen Hao gathered the remaining Five Top Fighters of Sinuiju. He spoke while guarding Zhang Zhongxun. "It would be wise to retreat for now and attack again. They''re exhausted and won''t be able to chase us except for a few high-rankers. We can handle those." "I agree. We''ve been publicly humiliated. We''ll pay them back for this grudge immediately." As Zhang Zhongxun showed signs of retreating, Kang Mu-hyuk pointed to the sky. It was to the south. "If youe again, you''ll die." Following Kang Mu-hyuk''s finger, Zhang Zhongxun''s face twisted into a grimace. Since he had the vision of a Hunter, he could see twenty helicopters approaching from a distance. "Did you call reinforcements? But Iron Will is only C-rank, right? You think you can stop us with just that?" "No, it''s yer." "What? Why... Why are they here...?" "Gotta have at least yer to keep those in Dandong from making any rash moves." "You knew about our forces... How...? You''re lying, no way!" "Check for yourself if you think I''m lying. Even if I didn''t know about Dandong, I would''ve called them. I like to ensure a clear victory. If you take half-ass measures, certain people just keep crawling. Like snakes." "You bastard!" "Commander Zhang! This isn''t the time for this. We need to retreat now!" Wen Hao forcibly pulled him away. Zhang Zhongxun knew it was time to retreat, but withdrawing like this meant nothing but disgrace. The guild he actually belonged to wouldn''t overlook such a colossal failure. "Your lifees first." At Wen Hao''s words, Zhang Zhongxun ground his teeth and turned to leave. [yer won''t back down easily. Tell them to open the Gates. Contact Dandong as well.] Startled by the sudden telepathic message, Wen Hao froze. [Really open the Gates? Sinuiju will be unusable. And if we call in the attack squad from Dandong, it will mean full-scale war with the yer Guild. The Korean Huntermunity may be in ruins, but they are an exception.] [What exception? A small country without a single S-rank. Let''s show them what happens when they mess with a major power.] Zhang Zhongxun slowly retreated. Cheon Deok-soo was about to pursue him, but Kang Mu-hyuk stopped him. "The threat isn''t over yet. Tend to the wounded and set up a defensive perimeter." "But we have reinforcements now. We can win." "The elite attack squad from Dandong is on standby. Who knows what other tricks they have up their sleeve. We''ll have to fight those guys eventually when the urban warfare in Sinuiju begins. There''s no need to rush and risk danger now. Time is on our side from now on." Cheon Deok-soo obediently followed Kang Mu-hyuk''s orders. At first, he had been wary of him, but without the leadership Kang Mu-hyuk had shown today, the vigers would have all perished here. Before long, helicoptersnded on the patrol base''s yground. Sung Seonjae was the first to disembark. "I kept my promise, Guild Leader Kang." "I''ll keep my promise too. Sinuiju will fall, and we''ll even take the demon realm." "Stupid." Xiao Zhan, who was in charge of the attack squad waiting in Dandong, was annoyed by Zhang Zhongxun''s message. "If he was going to fail, he should''ve failed alone. He makes a mess and leaves the cleanup to me?" "What should we do, Mr. Xiao Zhan?" At his subordinate''s question, Xiao Zhan yelled, "What do you think?! We can''t just go back. At least we need to show those yer bastards our faces. I hear Sung Seonjae is quite a character. Maybe bringing back his head will make the higher-ups less angry?" "Better than nothing." "Then we''ll do it. It''s a shame Ju Se-ah left the yer Guild. If she were still there, I would''ve caught her and offered her as a gift." Xiao Zhan gathered the attack squad. Those who had been drowning in alcohol, those who had been obsessed with women, and even those who had been gambling all day long. They were human scum, but they were skilled in fighting Hunters. That was why the guild had hired them. At the top of these scum was Xiao Zhan. "Everyone, gather up. We''re crossing the Yalu River Bridge. Once we''re in Sinuiju, kill all the Koreans." The Yalu River Bridge, known in Korea as the Amnok River Steel Bridge, was the only one left standing after the great war and the minor wars, having been reinforced to remain sturdy. The Dandong attack squad marched confidently towards Sinuiju. They were eager to indulge in ughter, something they couldn''t do freely in China due to the watchful eyes of their superiors. Causing trouble and fleeing would only lead to being hunted down by the guild''s assassination squad. So, they could only unleash their desires during expeditions like this. As Xiao zhan led them across the bridge, he spotted something. A figure sitting on the railway in the middle of the bridge. At a nce, it appeared to be a woman. "What''s with that girl? She looks pretty decent." As one of his subordinates stepped forward eagerly, Xiao Zhan held him back. "Stay still if you don''t want to die." "Captain, what''s wrong? You want her all to yourself?" "Idiot. Tch! Everyone, wait here." Xiao Zhan waved his men back and approached the woman alone. When he was ten steps away, the woman stood up. "From here on, it''s Korean territory. Where are you going? Got a visa?" "I''m honored to finally meet the famous witch." "So you know me, huh? Who are you?" "You wouldn''t know my name. But I''d like you to remember it. I''m called Xiao Zhan." "Oh? You''re Xiao Zhan?" "You know me?" Xiao Zhan felt pleased that his opponent recognized him. "Of course. You''re trash among trash. A waste product. Worse than uranium. You''ve got a lot of nicknames." "Haha... Hearing that from a foreigner feels strange." "Why are you acting like it''s the first time you''ve heard it?" "It feels so strange. I want to kill once, twice and third time, over and over again. It''s such a shame I can only kill you once. How unfortunate, Ju Se-ah!" "Looks like Guild Leader Kang was right. I couldn''t let someone as dangerous as you set foot on Korean soil, after all." Chapter 141 - Issuing New Orders ''Xiao Zhan. A+ rank. Sorcerer.'' Ju Se-ah recalled Kang Mu-hyuk''s instructions. Do not reveal your S-rank status, and under no circumstances should anyone be killed. The reason was that the Chinese guild behind those people was presumed to be an alliance, not a single entity. With Kang Mu-hyuk already having to worry about Sinuiju and the Demonic Realm, he didn''t want to provoke an all-out war. He hoped that even if the fight escted, it would be after they had made the necessary preparations. ''It''s a difficult order, but at least he said it''s okay to cripple them.'' Thinking about the scale of their counterattack, Ju Se-ah''s body reacted. Though invisible, her skin tightened, her muscles contracted and optimized, and the blood flow in her veins quickened. Her bone structure condensed like a dragon. Every cell transformed for the singr purpose ofbat. Since bing aware of her S-rank status, Ju Se-ah had been able to fully observe her physical changes. Recognized as the best tank, she could now control her physical and magical resistance more freely. "Witch. Your skills are well-known. They say you have a very sturdy body? I''m curious just how sturdy it is." Xiao Zhan extended his hands to the sides. [Water Dragon] Two streams of water erupted from the blue waters of the Yalu River. The water, resembling dragons, flew towards Ju Se-ah, breaking part of the bridge that blocked their path before striking her directly. The water dragons'' attack didn''t stop there. They coiled around Ju Se-ah, trapping her tightly. ''High-speed, high-pressure water streams. The fact that it''s suffocating is just a bonus. How long can she hold out?'' Xiao Zhan grinned like a child ying with a new toy. Then, within the clutches of the water dragons, Ju Se-ah moved. Her hand reached for the sword at her waist. The pressure seemed to make her movements slow. "Haha, are you going to cut the water with a sword?" [Rapid sh] The first draw of the sword from its sheath. For a moment, the water dragon appeared to be torn apart, but it quickly regained its form. "Even kids don''t use these little tricks. What''ll you do with that?" Xiao Zhan sneered at Ju Se-ah''s struggle. [Rapid sh] A series of shes followed, making the water dragon tremble. "Tsk tsk. Use something decent, Ju Se-ah. With such pathetic skills..." [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] [Rapid sh] sh after sh, dozens of times, cut through the water again and again. One of the water dragons couldn''t withstand the power and was destroyed. The other dragon began to shake as if about to fall apart. ''No way... Even if it''s a basic sword skill, a single-target skill like that requires focused power, but there''s no dy?'' Xiao Zhan gritted his teeth and reached out. "That''s impressive, but we''re on a river!" New columns of water surged up, pinning Ju Se-ah down. The previous water dragon that fell apart was revived. But, the brief moment when the water dragon''s grip on Ju Se-ah loosened was enough for her. As the dragon''s restraint on her ckened, she started spinning, just before new water dragons could pounce. [Spinning sh] Her sword traced a 360-degree arc. With a single swing that cut in all directions, Ju Se-ah leaped. The water dragons swirled around, following the trajectory of her sword. The ascending dragons reached for the sky, resembling a dragon ascending to the heavens. ''Unbelievable. She can link skills seamlessly from Rapid sh to Spinning sh, adding a jump? Forcibly turning a skill''s path, even for a Hunter, her body can''t withstand...'' Suddenly, Xiao Zhan remembered Ju Se-ah''s trait. It wasn''t clearly known, but it was revealed to be resistance to all forces and extreme physical enhancement. Then he realized why Ju Se-ah was considered Korea''s strongest Hunter. Why surrounding countries like China and Japan, and even the Western Hunter nations, were so wary of her. ''She wasn''t just a tough tank.'' A Hunter capable of movements that surpassed the basic principles of skill activation. It was simple to exin, but very few Hunters could achieve it in reality, embodying the unknown potential. "Is that it?" The water dragon ascended, created by her sword. Droplets of water sparkled in the sunlight. A rainbow appeared and faded behind her as Ju Se-ah approached Xiao Zhan. "You''re not the only one who can control wind!" Xiao Zhan, in a fit of panic, drew a weapon from his waist. It was a short, metallic staff that resembled a conductor''s baton, with a ''Baltic Sea'' Gate-origin amber jewel set at the tip aimed at Ju Se-ah. The yellow transparent jewel had a small skull in it which wasn''t just a decoration. It was a magical symbol made from the specially treated skull of the troublesome monster ''ck Fairy.'' "Fancy goods you''ve got there, huh?" Recognizing the staff''s nature, Ju Se-ah prepared herself. She maximized her resistance to all elements. Noticing Ju Se-ah getting ready, Xiao Zhan shouted. "Do you take me for a fool?!" Xiao Zhan was well aware of Ju Se-ah''s nickname, the Mage Killer. Sorcery, broadly speaking, was a type of magic. Direct attacks would be ineffective. So, he had to take a tactical approach rather than a direct offensive. [Wind Dragon] A gust of wind pushed Ju Se-ah back. As the small storm hit her, she nted her feet into the concrete of the iron bridge, holding her ground. When she didn''t budge, Xiao Zhan mmed the staff into the ground. The tremor from the staff caused the bridge to ripple. The wave reached Ju Se-ah. The bridge deck was lifted, and the concrete footing she used as a brace was torn away. Seizing the moment, the wind dragon blew Ju Se-ah off. She flew past the Yalu River Bridge to the riverside. Landing on the golden sand, Ju Se-ah looked at Xiao Zhan from a distance, as if to say, ''Not bad.'' "Let''s go! Everyone!" At Xiao Zhan''s shout, the attack team crossed the bridge at full speed. Ju Se-ah waited until all of them had taken their positions. Xiao Zhan sneered at herposed demeanor. "You''re way too overconfident. Seeing as you were so kind as to even wait for us, huh?" "You''ve crossed the border. This is illegal entry into the country. Even the Chinese government won''t defend you if you cause trouble in another country." "So, you stepped back on purpose? Just for such a flimsy excuse? Well, it doesn''t matter. We just need to eliminate the witnesses." "Until now it was all ording to our Guild Leader''s n. Now, it''s my turn." "Your turn?" "They say one of the most remarkable skills of a sorcerer is ''Earth Sorcery,'' right? I''ve let youe to this side, so go ahead and show me what you''ve got. That way, you won''t whine about losing a fight on water." "Hah! I thought fighting while getting beaten up was your specialty." Mana gathered around Xiao Zhan''s staff. Ju Se-ah also focused on gathering her mana. ''Giving a sorcerer time is a foolish move but-.'' When Ju Se-ah was A+ rank, she might have hesitated to face a sorcerer with a fully equipped attack team head-on. This was because a well-prepared sorcerer was one of the most daunting opponents to face. But now... ''He''s the perfect sparring partner to test my rank-up changes.'' [Earth Armor] Xiao Zhan''s spell made sand climb up the legs of dozens of Hunters. The sand wrapped around their entire bodies and then hardened. It soon took on the form of full-body armor, shining in a way that made it hard to believe it was made of sand. "Impressive, but it''ll take more than ying with dirt to beat me." "This is just the beginning." [Red Hare] Next, the sand gathered into dozens of warhorses. "Done. Terracotta Army." The Hunters, now armored, mounted the horses. As they got on the horses, their aura changed. They felt several times stronger than when they stood alone. "Oh! Abo skill." A highly advanced technique thatbined two skills into one. Ju Se-ah could now understand why Xiao Zhan was so renowned even in the Demonic Realm. ''Sorcerers are tricky like this. They can design skills to take the shape they imagine. It''d be great if Korea had Hunters like this.'' Considering the power of the Hunters with full buffs, they truly had the destructive force of a cavalry unit. Facing such a powerful enemy, Ju Se-ah''s first thought was, ''What a shame.'' Noticing that she wasn''t nervous at all, Xiao Zhan ground his teeth. "I wonder how long you''ll keep that confident attitude." "When will you realize you''re just a small fry?" "Ugh, charge!" At Xiao Zhan''smand, the cavalry unit began their assault. Zhang Zhongxun moved to a secret location, known only to a few officers, after dealing with the Goryeo Alliance Hunters. He walked with a visible look of displeasure. His angry footsteps echoed through the underground passage. Wen Hao, trailing behind, carefully asked to avoid irking his superior. "Are you really going to release them? We still have the attack team in Dandong. If they join forces with Xiao Zhan, their army will be many times stronger. Even the yer Guild will struggle to face that many enemies." "Don''t rely on Xiao Zhan." "Pardon?" "He''s too unpredictable. He acts high and mighty but avoids getting hurt at crucial moments. He has a terrible temper and loses sight of things when he gets angry. He''s stronger than me, but there''s a reason the higher-ups don''t trust him." "But we can''t deny that he and his attack team are strong. Especially inrge-scale battles, they''re even more formidable." Zhang Zhongxun burst into loudughter, so loud that the passage echoed. It was augh that felt both refreshing and somehow hollow. "Kang Mu-hyuk knew about Dandong. Do you think he''d leave the ce undefended?" "No way. No matter how cunning he is, he wouldn''t have the capacity to worry about Dandong as well." "I hope it''s just my paranoia.... It feels a bit awkward to say this as someone who lost, but it feels like we''ve been yed by Kang Mu-hyuk. I''m starting to suspect that he nned this from the moment we arrived in Sinuiju. We should have killed him back then." Wen Hao also felt uneasy. It was clearly a winning battle. Anyone could see that only an idiot would lose here. But in the end, they retreated. They won the battle but lost the war. It was the most unpleasant kind of defeat. So why did this happen? Was it because of the yer Guild''s involvement? ''No, we could have ended the fight earlier.'' Or was it because of that female Hunter who blew their forces away from the vige perimeter? ''Her abilities were impressive, but even that was a matter of split-second timing. It wasn''t enough to change the overall oue.'' The main reason was that the prison vige Hunters unified. And they figured out their ns. ''All of this was led by Kang Mu-hyuk. Yes, he was the problem.'' An ordinary person with no power had derailed a war involving hundreds of Hunters, a top-tier Chinese guild''s ns, and the city of Sinuiju. As these thoughts crossed Wen Hao''s mind, his foreboding turned concrete into a tangible threat. "Then, should we send a confirmation message to Xiao Zhan...?" "Leave him be. Let him get a taste of it. As long as he draws attention, that''s enough." Zhang Zhongxun stopped talking as they arrived at their destination. A massive underground chamber spread out before them. Below, countless shadows swarmed. Eerie cries echoed off the walls. Zhang Zhongxun raised his voice slightly to continue. "We failed to take Sinuiju. I hope this calms down, but with the yer involved, it probably won''t end here. That means we need to achieve at least the minimum result that our superiors want." "I had grown fond of this city. I didn''t want to use this." "Don''t regret it. While Xiao Zhan distracts them, we just need to finish our work." Wen Hao swallowed hard. What they were about to do was a high-risk, high-reward operation. They wanted to avoid it if possible. ''If other countries find out... If it gets out that we did this... The international bacsh will be fierce. It''ll be the worst possible oue...'' But considering their overall n, which disregarded public opinion, this was a minor issue. "Tell the Tamers. The target is the prison vige. After destroying it, release control. We''ll issue the finalmand and return to the maind. Eliminate any evidence." "Yes, sir." Wen Hao left to carry out the orders. Zhang Zhongxun looked down at his feet and muttered. "If we can''t have it, we might as well destroy it. Sinuiju is just a tool after all." Kang Mu-hyuk dispatched Mr. Cho and other quick-footed Hunters to Sinuiju city. "They''vepletely lifted the encirclement?" "They''re retreating towards the Yalu River. It looks like they''re giving up on Sinuiju." No Song-rin, who ryed the iing messages, tilted his head in puzzlement. Sung Seonjae, standing nearby, also found it strange, his eyes gleaming with suspicion. "Despite our intervention, they''re giving up way too easily. It''s bothering me that they''re abandoning such a well-crafted n without a proper fight, especially with an attack team in Dandong." "Team Leader Sung is right. Zhang Zhongxun isn''t someone who''d be convinced so easily. He''s been managing Sinuiju for a long time, waiting for the right moment. Plus, if he retreats now, he won''t be in a good position either." Sung Seonjae agreed with Kang Mu-hyuk. "Indeed, given the previous examples of the top Chinese guilds, they aren''t lenient about failures." "Then, what do you think their next move will be? Do you think they''ll really withdraw?" "Well, if the information is correct, Sinuiju is a bridgehead. It''s an ideal base to cause chaos in the Korean Huntermunity and exploit any openings. Retreating anding back is less effective than staying and fighting." "That leaves one way then..." "You''re right, it''s the only way." As Kang Mu-hyuk and Sung Seonjae frowned at the same time, No Song-rin grumbled, not understanding. "Hey, don''t just keep it to yourselves. What are you talking about? What''s the only way?" Kang Mu-hyuk turned to No Song-rin and said, "If I were Zhang Zhongxun, I''d destroy Sinuiju. I don''t know how yet though." "Destroy an entire city?" "This ce is a forward base for someone wanting to invade the Korean Penins. But for someone who wants the opposite, it''s a defensive base. From an invader''s perspective, it''s better to destroy it." As Sung Seonjae added, No Song-rin finally understood. "Breaking down the door makes it easier to enter, huh." "Yes. And it''s easier to rebuild. They have enough money and resources." No sooner had Kang Mu-hyuk finished speaking than No Song-rin received another message. "Captain Kang, it''s a message from Mr. Cho..." "..." "Arge number of monsters are swarming in. From all directions... To this ce." Unlike the flustered No Song-rin, Kang Mu-hyuk remained calm. Sung Seonjae turned with a wide grin. "I was thinking about taking the ce without having to exert myself. But I guess we''re not destined for an easy life, either you or me." "Command authority? What do you want to do about that?" "For monster hunting, our expedition team here should be enough." "But the number of Hunters is limited. Our primary goal is the safety of the people. Many Hunters are injured, and there are many elderly and sick vigers. That''s way toorge a scale for just the expedition team to cover." "I''m not an idiot who would argue overmand authority in an emergency. Besides, I''m unfamiliar with the terrain here. So, Guild Leader Kang, why don''t you give the orders? I''ll follow withoutint." "Thank you for the quick decision." Kang Mu-hyuk bowed his head in sincere gratitude and spoke. "Then, I''ll be issuing new orders." Chapter 142 - I Wanted to Let You Know "Over here! This way, quickly!" "Those who can move, help each other. For the severely injured, make stretchers. As for those in a critical condition,y them on carts." "Do we have any more potions? There are too many injured people. We''ve used up all our supplies." "For civilians, mix the potions with a diluent. What do you mean you don''t know what a diluent is? Then, since it''s urgent, just mix the potion with water. In a 10 to 1 ratio for now. Don''t use it on frail elders; it could cause shock. For children, make it 15 to 1. Don''t eyeball it. Use the droppers in the ampoule kits I gave you." The expedition team from the yer Guild efficiently led the evacuation without needing specific instructions from Sung Seonjae. Being an elite Hunter of the Tier Guild didn''t just mean they were good at fighting.Their ability to handle any mission perfectly is what gave them the elite status and made them the best in Korea. "It''s really convenient not having to ry detailed orders," Kang Mu-hyuk thought, impressed. The current Iron Will Guild could only dream of such organizational strength. Although the elite members of his previous guild, the Titan Guild, could manage this too, the yer Guild handled everything faster, more efficiently, and more proactively. This proactive approach might seem trivial, but it was actually the difference between Tier and A-rank. Each of these members could act as a potentialmander for any raid. "This is somewhat humiliating. Our guild pales inparison. And they are only a few members." As No Song-rin mentioned, there were only four Hunters from the yer expedition team here. The rest were deployed elsewhere for other operations. These four were directing the evacuation with the Hunters from the prison vige. He got goosebumps realizing he had just witnessed a fraction of the yer Guild''s power, which he''d only heard about. "But Guild Leader Kang, are you really going to use that operation n?" "Yes. That way, we can make the least sacrifices." "You''re right about that but... In this city, you want to use that?" "If not here, we can''t use it." No Song-rin looked at Kang Mu-hyuk with a resigned expression. ''He usually seems calm, but when dealing with monsters, he can be a bit extreme. I almost feel sorry for the monsters. Huh? A message?'' No Song-rin reported the new information to Kang Mu-hyuk. "The yer team leader has secured the defense line. The monsters have reached the vige boundaries. They said they''ll dy them. How long do they need to hold out?" "As long as possible. Mr. Cho is scouting the exit route with the guides, which is taking some time. Quite a few people are injured." "True, even I got lost in there. The underground path is soplex, it''s like a maze." "But thanks to it, we have a way to escape." Although it was Kang Mu-hyuk''s n, No Song-rin expressed his concerns. "But will the Chinese just let us escape? If they block the entrance, we''ll be in big trouble." "They won''t block it. Even if they want to, they can''t. Especially since very few people know about the smuggling route. It''s narrow andplicated, so it takes a long time forrge groups to get through, but it''s much better than nothing." Kang Mu-hyuk picked the smuggling route used during the incident that led to Kim Byungju''s death. It was ironic that the path, which led to the death of the vige''s leader, now became a way for the vigers to survive. When the Chinese Hunters first attacked, he considered using this route to evacuate the vigers. The problem was that the enemy had blocked the underground path, making it impossible to reach the smuggling route. But now, with the siege lifted, they could escape if they had guides. No Song-rin nodded and added another reason. "Yes, and we have the yer Guild." "That''s true, but more importantly, there''s no reason for them to block us. Their target is the city, not the vigers. They sent monsters to the prison vige just to vent their anger. The real n is to have the monsters spread throughout Sinuiju to destroy the city. Ironically, this gives us a chance to save Sinuiju." Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t looking at No Song-rin as he spoke. He looked pale and on the verge of copsing, but his eyes shone with determination. ring at the invisible horde of monsters, he muttered, "Monsters... Not a single one will escape from here today." "Wow, this is the first time I''ve seen Team Leader Sung hand overmand to someone else, and it''s not even the expedition leader but someone outside the guild, no less." Gam Wooyoung whistled in surprise at Sung Seonjae''s unexpected decision. He had heard about Kang Mu-hyuk from Sung Seonjae before, but seeing him acknowledge someone in person felt different. He began to understand why Ju Se-ah entrusted Kang Mu-hyuk with full authority. Ha Hyesung, who was observing this from the side, gave a subtle warning to the straightforward junior. "Watch your mouth." Ha Hyesung nudged with his chin towards the direction of the yer Guild''s expedition leader. "Ah!" Gam Wooyoung quickly shut his mouth, realizing he had been disrespectful to one of the three Hunters he respected the most. The youngest expedition leader of the yer Guild, So Sangyeob. The highly skilled tactician of the yer Guild, whom Sung Seonjae praised for making it possible for him to confidently assume the role of Strategy Team leader without any worries as Sung Seonjae was the expedition leader then. A Hunter with unparalleled personal skill, charisma as a leader, andmand ability as an expedition leader---he was truly a perfect Hunter. He was also very proud, so handing over hismand in front of everyone would likely be displeasing. This was why the expedition members who''d usually be joking around were silent. Contrary to their worries, So Sangyeob remained calm. In fact, he seemed excited. "No, it''s my first time too. Seeing the strategic team leader amused. To be honest, I was taken aback by this n. Kang Mu-hyuk. He''s as audacious as they say." To everyone''s surprise, So Sangyeob agreed with Gam Wooyoung. He too was watching Kang Mu-hyuk with interest. ''Sung Seonjae. Ju Se-ah. The people these two tried to choose or have chosen. Considering their stakes in the Korean Hunter scene, it''s impossible not to be interested in Kang Mu-hyuk. I bet part of the Tier Guild has been keeping an eye on him for a while.'' This exined why Sung Seonjae handed the expedition''s orders to Kang Mu-hyuk. He wanted to see what the expedition could achieve and gauge his capabilities. ''I am curious too.'' Contrary to the expedition members'' worries, Sung Seonjae and So Sangyeob had agreed beforehand to temporarily hand overmand to Kang Mu-hyuk. Without this agreement, even Sung Seonjae couldn''t have made such a decision on his own. "Leader. The monsters areing." A brief report was heard. So Sangyeob snapped out of his thoughts and ordered the entire expedition squad. "None of you will rush ahead just because you''re excited, right? Save your stress relief forter. Hold your positions well. Our goal is to help people retreat safely. Don''t disgrace yourselves by letting the defense line fall." Seeing So Sangyeob acting as usual, the expedition members answer with more rxed looks on their faces. "Leader, don''t wreck the city just because you''re pissed off." "Why worry about a ce that''s going to be destroyed anyway?" "Let''s make Ju Se-ah regret leaving our guild." "Sssh!" "Why bring up Ju Se-ah now?" "This guy can never read the room." "What? What did I say wrong?" The expedition members rebuked the Hunter who mentioned Ju Se-ah and finished their preparations for battle. So Sangyeob gave the order, "Engage the monsters just enough until we receive the order that the retreat isplete. Let''s enjoy watching our leader Kang Mu-hyuk''s n." "Roooaaar!" The battle began with an ogre''s roar. "Cough!" Xiao Zhan forced down the blood welling up in his throat, gripping his staff tightly. His clenched teeth were stained red. His bloodshot eyes seemed ready to burst at any moment. ''I pushed myself too hard.'' He consumed potions like water and poured out his mana recklessly, causing severe side effects. In normal circumstances, he''d never make this mistake. But this wasn''t a normal situation. ''That monstrous woman. Is there really no one at our rank who can rival her? They call her a mage killer, and she''s really living up to the name against me. No matter how much of a cheat her abilities are, it feels like I''m facing an S-ranker.'' Unknowingly, Xiao Zhan was close to the truth. Unfortunately, he couldn''t fathom that his opponent was actually an S-ranker. The gap between A+ and S-rank seemed like just a single wall, but it was an insurmountably high one. If oveing that wall were easy, S-rankers would be asmon as pebbles on the ground. "Your circr formation was good, your group buffs were decent, and your tenacious targeting of weak points was impressive. But your mistake was having me as your opponent." Ju Se-ah stood holding a Hunter in each hand. The Hunter in her left hand, caught by the scruff of the neck, had his earth armor shattered from his face down, crumbling to the ground. The one in her right hand, held by the hair, had his arm bent at an unnatural angle, groaning in pain. "You monstrous woman..." Around Ju Se-ah, dozens of Huntersy sprawled. Broken weapons were nted in the ground, and the terracotta warriors had reverted to sand. The riverbank, ravaged by a raging water dragon, had been carved into winding water channels where the river flowed in. "Do I look like a monster to you? Maybe I look that way to you because you''re too weak." Ju Se-ah tossed the Hunters aside and waded through the knee-deep water, making her way to shore. She finally stood before thest remaining Hunter from the Dandong assault team, Xiao Zhan. Not that she was unscathed herself. "You certainly have the right to say that... After all, the only damage you took is a torn armor coat." "That''s the problem. This coat is expensive. Our guild is still quite poor. After bing the Guild Master, I find dealing with numbers more scary than fighting monsters. Thankfully, we have apetent Guild Leader." "What the hell are you babbling about right now?" "If it weren''t for thatpetent Guild Leader, you''d all be dead today. Be grateful your heads are still attached to your body." Suddenly, Xiao Zhan noticed the Hunters lying around. ''None of them are dead?'' The gap between him and Ju Se-ah felt even more immense. It was amon belief that skill levels varied even within the same rank, depending on one''s abilities and talents. ''The difference is just too huge. Could it be... No way©¤ Ugh!'' Ju Se-ah''s fist buried into Xiao Zhan''s stomach. "Don''t space out. It makes me want to hit you." "Cough! You''ve already... hit me..." "Ah, sorry. My hands are a bit fast." Xiao Zhan, clutching his stomach, fell to his knees, burying his face in the sand. Though he hadn''t fainted, he was already in no condition to continue fighting. Ju Se-ah spoke to the back of his head, "Take your men and go back the way you came. If you cross over to South Korea again, I''ll kill you. For real." Her mockingughter echoed in Xiao Zhan''s ears, distant and haunting. [Commander Zhang, all our Gates are open. Sinuiju will soon be in ruins.] [Good. See you at the rendezvous point. Tell everyone to gather there.] [Yes, sir.] Zhang Zhongxun, having given orders to Wen Hao, moved to escape Sinuiju through the underground tunnels. Regr monsters that were not even Gate bosses, couldn''t stop the yer Guild. They were barely a hindrance. ''Once things settle, they''lle after me.'' Even the fallen Korean Huntermunity had exceptions like the yer Guild. Especially Sung Seonjae, who was so outstanding that American guilds had tried to recruit him. Despite his current desk job, Sung Seonjae, along with Ju Se-ah, was still considered a high-priority threat even in China. It was only natural that Zhang Zhongxun would avoid confronting the yer Guild. Despite the urgency of the situation, his steps were sluggish. "Damn it! That stab earlier wasn''t just a simple knife wound." The spot where Mr. Cho, in the appearance of Hyun Junggeon, stabbed him throbbed painfully. He performed emergency first aid with potions, but whatever had been done to the dagger that stabbed him left him in poor condition. ''Since the antidote potions didn''t work, it''s not poison. My senses are dulled; it feels like I''m walking through water.'' Even though it was just a minor strike, Zhang Zhongxun thought he might need some time to recover. "As I thought, you''re sluggish." "Ugh!" It was only upon hearing someone''s voice that Zhang Zhongxun realized he was being attacked. Something wriggled into his leg through a cut on his thigh. Concentrating his mana to block it was useless. He could only barely evade the next attack and assume a defensive posture. Hyun Junggeon stood where there had been darkness moments before. "Hyun Junggeon...!" "You didn''t even notice meing close after Mr. Cho drugged you. That stuff really works wonders, doesn''t it?" "What are you talking about?" "Oh? Looks like Mr. Cho transformed before he stabbed you? That makes sense. It would take that kind of trickery to catch someone as cunning as you off guard. His power does look quite fun." Zhang Zhongxun, still not understanding Hyun Junggeon''s words, thought his opponent was mocking him. "Stop right there. Are you mocking my defeat?" "I''m not mocking you; I just came to say goodbye. It was fun while itsted. You hiring the Korean-Chinese Hunters to torment us, asionally sending assassins, even burning down our office." "It would have been more fun if I had taken your head." "Ha ha. I''m curious about what that feels like, but you don''t deserve to take my head. You don''t act at a scale that huge." "So you dide to mock me after all?" "Oh? You''re right. That''s how it turned out. Let me correct myself then. I came to mock you. How does it feel to see your schemes fall apart? It''s not so easy here, is it?" Zhang Zhongxun, enraged by Hyun Junggeon''s unpleasant smile, emitted a murderous aura. Drawing his sword, he extended his mana de, ready to go all out from the start. "I''ve never liked the look of your face." "Really? That''s a shame. I actually quite like you." Hyun Junggeon also drew a dagger with a ck de, channeling mana into it. "Guild Leader Kang said that to prevent you from targeting Sinuiju again, we need to remove the core." "That guy called me a snake''s head, and not a dragon''s. Calling me the core is an honor." "You''re the one who knows Sinuiju''s situation inside out and led this n. The guild here revolves around you. Without you, they won''t touch this ce for a while unless they decide to force their way in." "So if I manage to survive and return, you''re the one who''s in trouble?" "Yes, if you survive." "!!" As Zhang Zhongxun tried tounch a surprise attack, his body suddenly froze. rms went off in his mind. ''Damn it! There was something off about that stab earlier, wasn''t there?'' Seeing the confusion on Zhang Zhongxun''s face, Hyun Junggeon gave him the answer. "What''s in you now isn''t poison. It''s not some other drug either. It''s something different." "What did you do to me?" "You don''t need to know that. I''ll tell you now; my final mission is to assassinate you, Zhang Zhongxun." "What''s the point of saying that? Anyone can see that, you idiot!" "I wanted you to know. That you''re an idiot. That you seriously messed with the wrong person." Despite the dire situation, Zhang Zhongxun didn''t give up. He resolved to take Hyun Junggeon with him to the afterlife. Hyun Junggeon, as if mocking this resolve, prepared to go all out. "I won''t getcent like you. Overconfidence is fatal for an assassin. So I''ll show you everything I''ve got, even what I hid from Guild Leader Kang." Hyun Junggeon''s body started to disintegrate, fading into the shadowspletely, leaving only his voice behind. "Die." Darkness descended upon Zhang Zhongxun''s vision. Chapter 143 - Please Get Me The Room Next To His "We''re all set." Kang Mu-hyuk mentally mapped out the area with No Song-rin''s report. They nned the blockade with the underground passage they were using for their escape as the center. The monsters were slow but steadily advancing toward them. "The guys from the yer Guild are grumbling non-stop. They''re asking how long they have to keep doing this. I shouldn''t have connected the message link with them. I should''ve just connected to their leader. Even though I''m not hearing it in my ears, it''s still deafening." "Hold them off until the next blockade. Ignore messages from regr members." "I''m already doing that." No Song-rin scratched his ear and sent a message. In Kang Mu-hyuk''s mental map, the final blockade was newly drawn. As more time passed, they received a message from Mr. Cho that the evacuation wasplete. "Everyone, retreat. All expedition team members enter the underground passage. Go Eul-ji Hunter, the final order. Can you handle it?" Go Eul-ji, who had been lying silently in a corner, slowly got up. "It''s not like I have to kill all the mobs. Yeah, I can roughly handle it." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded and exined the final n again, "Just set off the fire points starting from the outermost one. You remember the locations, right?" "Yes, roughly." "After you activate them all..." "Yes, yes, I know. Set them on fire and push them inward. But aren''t you making me work too much here? Just hire a mage." "It''s tough to transfer a mage. Free agents rarely work out well. Plus, this mission is too challenging to be given as a solo quest to a mage without your mobility and defense capabilities." "I never said I wanted a lecture. I''m just telling you about all the hard work I''ve been doing." "...I''ll upgrade your hotel room for the LA concert." "Ah, as expected of our dear Guild Leader. You understand me better than my grandpa. Haha! After this mission, I''m taking a vacation." "As much as you want." While Kang Mu-hyuk was talking, the expedition team members who received the retreat order began gathering at the entrance of the underground passage. Once Sung Seonjae and So Sangyeob also entered the passage, monsters chased after them, tailing closely. A minotaur monster with arge axe charged in, but nearby Hunters quickly surrounded and took it down. "Nice to meet you. I''m So Sangyeob." "Same here. I''m Kang Mu-hyuk. I''ve heard of your reputation, Captain So." "Are you seriously exchanging greetings right now while the mobs are barging in? Oh! Hello, Leader Kang. I''m Gam Wooyoung. How''s Se-Ah doing? Oh wow, look at this ogre. It''s still moving even after I smashed its head. How do the Chinese guys deal with these things?" Sung Seonjae pushed the chatty Gam Wooyoung towards the monsters and apologized on his behalf. "Sorry about that. He can be a bit rude." "No worries. He has the personality of an up-anding ace." "You mean he''s a mess, don''t you?" "Isn''t that how geniuses often are?" At those words, a sharp-eyed man who was passing by red at Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk recognized him immediately. ''Ha Hyesung. The current ace of the yer Guild. He took over after Ju Se-ah stepped down. Is he upset because I mentioned Gam Wooyoung? He must be feeling threatened by Gam Wooyoung''s growth.'' Ha Hyesung, who had long been a rival to Ju Se-ah, naturally wouldn''t like Gam Wooyoung, who was kind of like Ju Se-ah''s sparring partner or disciple. Go Eul-ji, who was watching in the same direction, noticed Ha Hye Sung''s irritated look. "What are you looking at? Disgusting." Go Eul-ji red back and raised her chin defiantly. Ha Hye Sung snorted and walked away. "Did he just ignore me? Wow, it''s been a while since anyone other than my old instructors made me feel this way. If I were in better shape, I''d..." "Who is she? She was quite impressive in the prison yard." Sung Seonjae, who had been observing Go Eul-ji since they arrived in Sinuiju, seized the moment to express his interest. He had already figured out that her ability was telekinesis. Kang Mu-hyuk interrupted, nting his cane firmly to stabilize his staggering body, as if to block Sung Seonjae''s interest. "Please refrain from showing interest in our promising member." "She must be a new recruit since she''s a new face. It''s not like she''s a free agent nor can we engage in tampering (pre-contract negotiations, unfair contract changes), yet you''re hiding her so tightly." "She''s our Guild Master''s apprentice after all." "A secret weapon, then." It wasn''t because she was a secret weapon. Kang Mu-hyuk interrupted Sung Seonjae to prevent any slip of the tongue from Go Eul-ji that might reveal she had joined because of K-pop stars. While he could offer her concert tickets and fan meetings through personal connections, the yer Guild could hold a personal concert for her. ''They could even buy thepany those stars are in if they needed to. If they could secure Go Eul-ji Hunter with just one entertainment agency, Sung Seonjae would definitely go for it.'' Knowing the financial power and influence of the yer Guild, it was important to block any prior contact. "Argh! Grr! Rawr!" "Oh, this ogre! Aren''t you dead yet? And over there, is this some kind of college retreat? How long are you going to chat? And you''re saying you''re Se-Ah''s apprentice? Me too. Nice to meet you. I''m Gam Wooyoung. What''s your name?" Even while wrestling with the monsters, Gam Wooyoung managed to join the conversation. It meant the monsters weren''t much of a threat. But, his chatter was exhausting even for Go Eul-ji, who sighed and shook her head. "The yer has quite a few crazy people." "I think that''s enough. Go Eul-ji, what''s the situation above?" Kang Mu-hyuk asked, checking the time. Go Eul-ji closed her eyes and began to sense her surroundings. Both Sung Seonjae and So Sangyeob watched in amazement. ''Wow, she can sense the entire vige?'' ''She detects monsters even outside hurdles. She''s more than just a promising rookie.'' They realized Go Eul-ji''s exceptional spatial awareness and gained a new appreciation for Iron Will''s capabilities. Soon, Go Eul-ji opened her eyes. "The vige is packed with monsters. Some of them are trying to get out." "Then start right away." "Yes, sir!" Go Eul-ji swiftly moved through the monsters and exited the underground passage. Kang Mu-hyuk and the other Hunters followed the pre-secured underground path to escape the vige. After a while, they heard a massive explosion from somewhere. Continuous explosions sounded like a giant pounding the ground. The concrete walls vibrated as if a train was passing right in front of them. They felt heat above them. Gam Wooyoung swallowed dryly in the intense heat. "If it''s this hot down here, it must be insane up there. Still, burning down an entire vige...? Kang Mu-hyuk... He''s definitely someone our guild can''t handle." Go Eul-ji detonated all the mana stones ced around the perimeter of the vige. The mes quickly spread, fueled by the pre-scattered oil and the wooden houses. The vige prison filled with the screams of monsters. Some monsters tried to escape to the vige outskirts, but Go Eul-ji didn''t allow it. She moved along the vige stream, controlling the mes. She covered areas the fire didn''t reach and intensified weaker spots with wind, fanning the mes. The monsters were trapped and turned to ash in the inferno. "With all this kindling, the fire''s burning nicely." As she circled the vige, pushing the mes inward, she eventually formed a massive fire tornado. This fire even reached the mana stones that the prison vige Hunters stored in the patrol warehouse. Bang! Boom! Crash! Boom! Kaboom! Roar! The explosion sent a mushroom cloud soaring sky-high. Go Eul-ji''s face paled. "Ha, haha.... Blowing up the dam was just a joke, huh? Now he''s burning down the entire vige? Our leader sure is a scary guy." Go Eul-ji ensured that the mes did not spread beyond the vige. As everything in the vige burned, and there was nothing left to fuel the fire, the mes slowly died down. "Thank God they targeted the vige first. If things went wrong, Sinuiju could''ve been wiped out. But of course the area the monsters moved to is now devastated," Sung Seonjae remarked, considering it a small stroke of luck in all the misfortune. After all, there would have been no point in mobilizing the expedition if the city they came to upy was in ruins. "The real issue is how to appease the vigers who have lost their homes," said Yeon Jungmoon, representing the vige, focusing on the more immediate and practical problems. Kang Mu-hyuk, who had caused the destruction of the vige, had to answer this. "I have a n for that. After the minor war, the government stockpiled arge number of air tents for refugees. There are also relief supplies. The people here are now citizens of the Republic of Korea, so they''re eligible for aid. I''ve already contacted them, and they''ll send over as much as they can immediately. Please stay in the tents for now, and we''ll work out the rest slowly." They discussed other urgent matters like resident registration, food supply, defense ns, urban maintenance, and public security. "Team Leader Sung, Se-Ah is here." Ju Se-ah, led by Gam Wooyoung, arrived at the temporary building at the vige entrance. Noticing her battle-worn armor coat, Sung Seonjae deduced she had been fighting elsewhere. ''So she was fighting somewhere else. Was she dealing with the attack squad in Dandong alone? For Ju Se-ah, it''s not impossible, but she must''ve gone through a lot.'' Ju Se-ah entered the office and immediately looked for Kang Mu-hyuk. "Leader Kang, are you alright... Oh, Team Leader Sung? Captain So Sangyeob? Long time no see." "No need to hide Guild Leader Kang''s condition, Guild Master Ju. We''ve already heard about it," Sung Seonjae said. "Can I tell them?" Ju Se-ah asked Kang Mu-hyuk. "Yes. I can''t hide it in this state anyway." "Then, instead of standing around, let''s get you admitted to the hospital. I''ve arranged a room at Taesung Hospital." "Let me take care of these urgent matters first." "What''s more urgent than your life when you''re at death''s door?" "There are Chinese Hunters still in Sinuiju, and also Korean-Chinese Hunters who helped them. We need to decide whether to drive them out of the city or use them." "Just be the mayor of Sinuiju. The position is vacant anyway." "Handling a single guild is overwhelming enough. Once order is restored, they''ll hold an election here too. In the meantime, government officials will manage in emergency mode." "I wasn''t being serious. Don''t take everything so seriously. Anyway, let''s go to the hospital. Leave the remaining work to Team Leader Sung. He''s more capable than he looks." "I can see how you think of me," Sung Seonjae replied. "Team Leader Sung is trustworthy and capable, but... Oh? Wait a moment, Guild Master. I still have work to do...." Ju Se-ah tried to forcibly drag Kang Mu-hyuk away, but her smartphone rang. The timing of the call created a tense atmosphere, despite it being just a ringtone. "Yes, this is Ju Se-ah. What? Yes. Yes... I see. Understood." "What''s the call about?" "They say the Chairman was ambushed." The only person Ju Se-ah would call Chairman was Tae Jinsung, the owner of the Taesung Group and her father. Her calm reaction to the news that her father had been attacked surprised everyone else. Kang Mu-hyuk, after a brief moment of thought, asked calmly, "Is the Chairman alright?" "He made it out alive, thankfully. They say he''s safe." Kang Mu-hyuk sighed in relief, having pieced together the situation. ''The White Tiger Guild... They''ve moved already, huh? Of all times, they chose now when the Guild Master diverted Mr. Cho to handle the Sinuiju situation. I need to ask Mr. Cho to look into this.'' He realized he could no longer put off dealing with the Taesung Group''s matters. If the Chairman disappeared in the current situation, Iron Will''s circumstances would be even moreplicated. It was time to bring things to an end. "Taesung Hospital. The Chairman is there, right?" "I assume so. It''s his hospital." "I''ll get admitted while taking care of the matters there as well." "Going to the hospital to work... I don''t like that, but at least I got what I wanted. I''ll have a room prepared." "If possible, please get the room next to the Chairman''s room." Chapter 144 - No Relationship Lasts Longer Than a Hateful One Kang Mu-hyuk hoped nothing unexpected would happen in his absence. The Chinese side couldn''t act immediately. It''d be too much for them to mobilize Hunters again after the attack squad in Dandong was wiped out. There was no benefit for them. Sung Seonjae concerned him the most. Entrusting Sinuiju to Sung Seonjae, who could leverage Korea''s top guild and its influence to the maximum, was like handing a cat a fish. That was why he left Ju Se-ah in Sinuiju. ''Though it''s hard for her to match up to Sung Seonjae when ites to plotting, our Guild Master has her ways to directly counter such tricks.'' Sung Seonjae knew Ju Se-ah too well. He would''ve anticipated her fatigue from dealing with the aftermath and cleanup. Conversely, Ju Se-ah also knew Sung Seonjae inside out. She used force when dealing with the yer Guild because it was the most effective method. ''Honestly, no guild in the country can brawl with the yer Guild. Our Guild Master picking fights with them just proves how amazing she is.'' Kang Mu-hyuk provided two reasons for leaving Ju Se-ah in Sinuiju. "Guild Leader, you should handle the issues of the prison vige residents'' food, clothing and shelter since you have close ties to the Guild Cooperation Agency. We''ll leave security to the yer Guild. Once the city stabilizes, we''ll proceed with the Sinuiju Ltd. Guild Alliance proposal I mentioned. If you have any other opinions, please let me know." "I''m fine. How about you, Team Leader Sung?" "The people here don''t seem to want to make decisions in your absence,anyway, Guild Leader Kang. So we''ll just have to wait." Sung Seonjae smiled knowingly. He had already figured out Kang Mu-hyuk''s intentions. And Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t worried that his opponent had figured out his ns either. ''Team Leader Sung must know that crossing the line would destroy our rtionship. As long as we are useful to each other, there''s no need to be enemies.'' They had an unspoken agreement. With the Sinuiju matter temporarily settled, Kang Mu-hyuk boarded a helicopter bound for Seoul. On the rooftop of Taesung General Hospital, the helicopternded on the helipad marked with arge ''H.'' The medical staff approached and wheeled him into a wheelchair. After various examinations, they moved him to a VIP room. Kang Mu-hyuk contacted his father to check on the progress of the making of injections. "Can''t you take care of your medicine properly? Lose them one more time, and I''ll charge you extra." "I already handed over my sry ount to you. Can''t you provide that level of service?" "Your sry as a Guild Leader doesn''t evene close." "My sry''s aren''t on the higher end, though." "The cost of your medicine isn''t just on the ''higher end'', you see?" "If it''s not enough, I''ll sell my apartment. I can take a loan too." "I''ll handle it myself if I need to. I''ll send the medicine as soon as it''s ready." After receiving medication from the hospital that alleviated the symptoms and pain of mana poisoning, even though it couldn''t treat the disease, Kang Mu-hyuk requested information about the chairman''s attack incident from Mr. Cho. Fortunately, before Mr. Cho hade to Sinuiju, he had instructed his employees to keep an eye on the Taesung Group. A dayter, the awaited information arrived along with a man with a gentle impression. "Hello, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk? I work under Mr.Cho. My name is Man Suro." "Mansur? Are you Arab?" "No. It''s ''Man Su-ro.'' By the way, I''m not rich. I''m being worked to the bone by that... I mean, Mr. Cho." "So the surname Man exists too, huh?" "Yes. Our family''s from Gaesung. There are fewer than 200 people with that surname in Korea. Not many know about it." "But why are you here instead of Mr. Cho?" "Mr. Cho took a sudden vacation after working overtime in Sinuiju, so I came personally." "I was wondering where he disappeared to... But why go through the length ofing personally? You could''ve called." "He ditched... I mean, went on vacation without leaving your number." "Huh?" "If you don''t mind, may I start the briefing? Because of the sudden vacation, there''s a lot of work piled up." "Please, go ahead." The briefing was short. Unidentified assants had attempted to assassinate Chairman Tae Jinsung at his vi, where Kang Mu-hyuk had been summonedst time. But there was something unusual about this incident. "In short, Mr. Jeong, who was in charge of Chairman Tae Jinsung''s security, eliminated the assassins. Is that right?" "Yes. ording to our investigation, the assassins were five B-rank Hunters. Normally, the chairman would have been a dead man, but Mr. Jeong is an A-ranker. We suspect the assassins were from the White Tiger Guild. But the strange part is Mr.Jeong himself. No one around him knows his name. He''s just known as Mr. Jeong. We tried facial recognition, but nothing came up in the database. We suspect he''s using either stic surgery or some item to alter his appearance." Kang Mu-hyuk had a guess as to why Mr. Jeong''s identity couldn''t be verified. ''That''s because he''s helping Kim Myung-jun. His hidden identity means he was handling all sorts of covert operations. He''s likely one of Kim Myung-jun''s close aides from Ujungdo. But the odd part wasn''t about Mr. Jeong''s identity. ''Kim Myung-jun. What is he plotting? He''s the one who got Chairman Tae Jinsung''s eldest son, Tae Sucheol, in touch with the White Tiger Guild. But Mr. Jeong, Kim Myung-jun''s ally, stopped the White Tiger Guild''s attackers who were hired. Something doesn''t add up.'' As Kang Mu-hyuk was wrestling with the seemingly illogical intentions of Kim Myung-jun, he managed to solve the puzzle once he became aware of where he was. ''Kim Myung-jun... Taesung... Tae Jinsung... Ah? I see. It was because of Guild Leader Ju Se-ah.'' Kim Myung-jun was a janitor for the yer Guild, an agent for the Japanese Guild Alliance, and also a contract agent in the underworld of Hunters. Among these roles, the most prioritized one was being a spy for the Japanese Guild Alliance. And the reason the Japanese Guild Alliance used Kim Myung-jun was because of Ju Se-ah. ''Kim Myung-jun is scared of being killed after being used by the Japanese Guild Alliance. Failing could also be a reason for that.'' In other words, whether Ju Se-ah seeded or disappeared, it would be a problem either way for him. To ensure his own safety, maintaining the status quo was the best option for Kim Myung-jun. This was confirmed during the ''Iga n Incident,'' the assassination organization of the Japanese Guild Alliance. ''He wants to have both Tae Jinsung and Tae Sucheol, father and son, in his hold.'' He met the demands of both sides but ensured the oue never favored one side too much, making decisions within a range eptable to both. That was Kim Myung-jun''s strategy. ''Now I get why No Song-rin called Kim Myung-jun cunning. He definitely deserves to be in the darkness of Ujungdo.'' While Kang Mu-hyuk organized his thoughts, Man Su-ro, who had been watching, spoke up. "Um, the briefing is over." "Oh, yes. Sorry to keep you waiting. Your clear briefing was very helpful. Thank you." "No problem. I''m just doing my job for money. Haha, please use our services again. Dear customer." After Man Su-ro left the hospital room, Kang Mu-hyuk felt the need to adjust his n slightly. "Looks like some stuff needs to be done before seeing the chairman." His target was Kim Myung-jun. ''He''s not an easy person to deal with, so I need to make some preparations beforehand. Hm, normal threats won''t be enough to intimidate him. So, what should I do?'' Kang Mu-hyuk reviewed the cards he had or could prepare. After much contemtion, he came up with a n. "In that case, I''ll have to make an abnormal threat." Kang Mu-hyuk nned to propose an offer he couldn''t refuse. "What brings you to get in touch with me less than a day after arriving in Seoul?" This was not a mere greeting. Sung Seonjae was genuinely curious about why Kang Mu-hyuk had reached out. ''It''s not because he''s worried about Sinuiju or doesn''t trust me.'' Just as Sung Seonjae thought, Kang Mu-hyuk proposed somethingpletely unexpected. "I wanted to check a few things regarding the future establishment of the Sinuiju Alliance." "Is it something urgent that needs to be decided immediately?" "Not urgent, but necessary to address for future guild nning." "Go ahead." Sung Seonjae responded with a curious expression. "Basically, you''re okay with bringing in other Tier guilds, right?" "Of course. And also, handing over the choice of those Tier guilds to us." "What about the White Tiger Guild?" "There''s no need to include a guild with such a bad reputation. Honestly, their quality is too poor." "That''s precisely why I got in touch with you." "Because of the White Tiger Guild? Or the decision-making authority to choose the guilds?" "No. The issue of just the Tier guilds monopolizing Sinuiju. It''s already an issue that we''ve included the Hunters from former North Korea, but it could also give the impression that Tier guilds are hogging Sinuiju. People might startining about it being an ''exclusive league'' of theirs." "We''ve worked hard to im an area the country had practically abandoned. Will people reallyin about that? Moreover, you almost died. Don''t you deserve a share more than anyone else?" "People in this field have no shame in face of greed." Sung Seonjae couldn''t deny Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. But, his tone turned cold when it came to his own interests. "If necessary, we can shut the mouths of both the government and the media." Kang Mu-hyuk knew Sung Seonjae wasn''t fond of the government. As Korea''s representative guild, the yer Guild had received both scrutiny and favor from those in power, leading to frequent friction that was troublesome for the guild. Aware of the yer Guild''s circumstances, Kang Mu-hyuk wanted to use Sung Seonjae''s concerns to his advantage. "Is there a need to take the hard route? Let me guide you smoothly." "I don''t n on taking the rough path either. If there''s a paved road, tell me." "Mix in some A-rank guilds." "A-rank guilds?" "And include a small government stake." "I''m not fond of that idea." "Just give the authorities a reason and a nominal hold over Sinuiju." Sung Seonjae immediately understood Kang Mu-hyuk''s intention. "So supervise Sinuiju instead of the guild? That''s quite a clever trick. How will you handle the Guild Cooperation Agency? They''ll notice. Cha Giljoo is no pushover." "I''ll handle him. It won''t be a big problem." Sung Seonjae hesitated briefly. Before he could think otherwise, Kang Mu-hyuk added, "Team Leader. Mixing juice with alcohol doesn''t turn it into juice. A cocktail is still alcohol, and drinking it will get you drunk. If we serve something this big, everyone will get drunk. The key is that we just need to stay sober, right?" Sung Seonjae chuckled at Kang Mu-hyuk''s persuasion. "Seeing how eager you seem about this, you must want something, right? I feel like I should agree now just to satisfy my curiosity about what I want." "Just allow us to rmend two of those A-rank guilds." Titan Guild Ma Taesu felt irritated after receiving a call from an unwee person. "It''s been a while, Vice Guild Master. How have you been?" "Considering our rtions, shouldn''t you be more curious about me being alive or dead rather than my well-being? So, Guild Leader Kang, you''re still alive? I heard the White Tiger Guild was messing around. Seeing as you called, I guess you''re not dead yet." "News travels fast." "I always keep an ear open for bad news about you." "Then you probably haven''t heard the good news yet." "Good news?" Ma Taesu''s face scrunched up naturally. "As of yesterday, we took over Sinuiju. Together with the yer Guild." Despite the brief conversation, Ma Taesu felt deeply shocked. He fully understood the significance of taking over Sinuiju. His face, initially filled with annoyance, now showed a mixture of astonishment and anticipation. "You didn''t call just to brag. Is your good news beneficial for me too?" "That depends on you, Vice Guild Master." "Tell me." "We n to use Sinuiju as a base for advancing into the Demonic Realm. We''ve already discussed it with the government and the yer Guild." "No matter how impressive the yer Guild is, isn''t it too soon to venture into the Demonic Realm?" "That''s why we''re forming an alliance with a few Tier guilds specifically for this purpose." "And?" "We''re adding a few A-rank guilds to the mix. Iron Will has the right to rmend two of those guilds. As you know, being part of this alliance could be quite profitable." "Iron Will...?" "We have a significant stake in the Sinuiju campaign." Ma Taesu saw through Kang Mu-hyuk''s intentions. He was offering a condition to rmend Titan for the Sinuiju alliance. But why? "We don''t exactly get along." "I''m not one to base business on personal rtionships. I do this out of necessity." "That''sughable. What''s in it for me? Why should I ept this? In the end, the Guild Master will get the benefits of joining the alliance. You''re close with him, aren''t you?" "Let''s frame it as your project. I''ll support you. The shareholders and members will be thrilled." "What?! Are you suggesting I break away from Lee Cheoljung, the Guild Master?" "As I said, it''s a proposal based on my needs. Unfortunately, Guild Master Lee Cheoljung doesn''t have what I need." Ma Taesu didn''t quite understand what Kang Mu-hyuk was getting at. Whether it was him or Lee Cheoljung, they were both part of Titan. ''But reaching out to me instead of the Guild Master means it''s not about the guild''s assets. The only asset Kang Mu-hyuk could want from me is the information I hold. What could that be?'' With a light-hearted intention of hearing out his demands, Ma Taesu responded, "Let''s hear it then." "There was apany that helped take Hunter Do Kyunghoon and his members from our guildst time, right? It''s one of Titan''s shareholders." "Union Asset Management?" "You''re aware that there''s a lot of suspicious activity around thatpany, aren''t you?" "Hah! Do you think I''m crazy? Why would I mess with a shareholder?" "Vice Guild Master, you love insurance, don''t you? A Japanese financialpany that hired you to shake up Iron Will. Despite your dislike for me, you must''ve had your suspicions. Am I wrong?" Ma Taesu neither confirmed nor denied it, but he asked, "What about them?" "Give me all the data you have on Union Asset Management that would hurt if made public. I won''t question the source." For a moment, Ma Taesu wavered at Kang Mu-hyuk''s proposal. ''Damn demonic rascal. He''s making it hard to refuse, timing it perfectly.'' Recently, Ma Taesu had faced scrutiny from the shareholders. His ns to oust Lee Cheoljung had repeatedly failed, causing some to start viewing Lee Cheoljung''s abilities in a new light. This meant Ma Taesu didn''t have many opportunities left. And now, arge-scale project proposal? In coboration with Tier guilds and the top guild, yer? He needed to check out the status of Sinuiju, but he knew Kang Mu-hyuk wouldn''t lie about this. ''As annoying as he is, I must admit he''s a good business partner.'' Sensing Ma Taesu''s hesitation, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Despite everything, we''ve spent time together in Titan, haven''t we? Even if we don''t have a fond affection, there''s a kind of affection from hatred. They say rtionships born out of hatest the longest." "More like a rtionship with zero affection." "So, what''s your answer?" "Should I send it to your old email?" "You''ve made an excellent choice. I guarantee you won''t regret it." Chapter 145 - That鈥檚 way too much to handle Shanghai, Wukang Road. The cafe street on Wukang Road was famous for being part of the old French Concession in China. During the Great War, the street was half-destroyed, and lost its old charm. However, the area was restored as much as possible, making it a popr spot for tourists visiting Shanghai. In front of a cafe with parasols set up for the sunlight, two men sat with a lot of coffee and desserts in front of them. Yet, neither of them seemed to enjoy the refreshments. Unlike the bustling atmosphere around them, they remained expressionless. The man with white hair spoke first. "So, Sinuiju was a failure?" "Looks like it." "Ridiculous. After all this time plotting, to have everything fall apart just before the grand n. What happened to Zhang Zhongxun?" "We''ve lost contact. He didn''t show up at the spot where he was supposed to meet Wen Hao." "Did he run away because he was scared of being punished?" "He''s not that irresponsible." "Then, did they take him out?" "Probably." "What about Dandong? What did Xiao Zhan say?" "Being defeated by Ju Se-ah must''ve been quite the shock for him. It''s also hard for him to move because of his injuries." "They were crushedpletely. If he has any shame left, he won''t show his face. Tsk tsk." "Xiao Zhan and the attack squad were defeated too easily. There''s word that we need to reassess Ju Se-ah''s level." "S-rank?" "No, we don''t have enough information yet. However, she has always been known as a mage killer. She was a natural enemy for Xiao Zhan. Her physical defense would be among the top even globally. It''s hard to confirm without testing her against another S-ranker. We should focus more on her traits." "Indeed, if the Japanese, who get riled up about anything involving Korea, are quiet, it''s more likely she''s not an S-ranker yet." "The same goes for the Korean government''s actions. If an S-ranker had emerged, it wouldn''t be this quiet." "You''re right. Their politicians are indeed noisy, as is the media. Unlike us, their party doesn''t lead the people." "Our party''s power isn''t what it used to be either." "You''re saying some dangerous words. Just because we''re Hunters doesn''t mean we''re above the state. Keep such thoughts to yourself." "......." The conversation paused. They both took a sip of their drinks, looking displeased. "So, what''s the next n?" "We can''t help losing Sinuiju, but we can''t have the yer Guild take it either." "I''ve heard they are interested in the Demonic Realm." "While we were focusing on Russia, it left many gaps in the penins. Evenst time, for this very reason, a North Korean Hunter discovered a Gate." "What if we readjust the perimeter?" "Then Russia''s side would bex unless we deploy more personnel." "We can''t do that. We''re already stretched thin. The Demonic Realm is just too vast." "Then we need to start Emergency n 2." "n 2... So the penins is busy?" "Yes. Our primary target is Russia anyway. Korea is the secondary target. It''s time to choose and concentrate." "Agreed. I''ll personally inform the higher-ups." "Thank you. And there''s one more thing." "What is it?" "We need to improve the top-tier information on Iron Will, where Ju Se-ah is the Guild Master." "Isn''t that guild the least powerful?" "To be precise, we need to gather information on the man who''s the Guild Leader." "The leader? I''ve heard of him. He''s a civilian, right? Why him?" "ording to Wen hao''s report, Zhang Zhongxun tried to recruit him." "A civilian?" "Yes. Zhang Zhongxun may not be perfect, but he has a good eye for people. That''s why he was entrusted with Sinuiju. Also, although it''s unverified, there''s a theory that the Guild Leader was behind the failure in Sinuiju. It''s worth investigating." "Strange, Guan Hong, to think you''re interested in a non-Hunter." "We need to reduce variables. I don''t want to repeat the same mistakes." "Alright. I''ll raise that issue as well. What''s the leader''s name?" "Kang Mu-hyuk." Having obtained information about Union Asset Management through an agreement with Ma Taesu, Kang Mu-hyuk made some necessary arrangements and then headed to the hospital room where Chairman Tae Jinsung was admitted. He had requested a room next to the Chairman''s from Ju Se-ah, but for security reasons, he could only be admitted to the floor directly below. Since the Chairman had been ambushed, one entire VIP floor was vacated to prevent anyone froming close to the room. Kang Mu-hyuk wheeled himself into the elevator in the wheelchair. When he arrived at the top floor''s VIP sector, security guards blocked his path. "No one is allowed in here. Please leave." Kang Mu-hyuk observed the guards. ''The entrance guards aren''t Hunters. The Hunters must be at the back.'' It was a standard protection protocol to prevent Hunters from being ambushed. Knowing he wouldn''t be able to see the Chairman immediately, Kang Mu-hyuk addressed the guards. "I''m Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader of Iron Will. Guild Master Ju Se-ah sent me. I''d like to speak with Mr. Jeong." "Hmm, Miss Ju Se-ah sent you?" The guards recognized Kang Mu-hyuk. He had been on TV and had met the Chairman several times, so they knew who he was. The issue was that he mentioned Ju Se-ah''s name. The guards were well aware, despite the secrecy, that Tae Jinsung''s confidence was entrusted to Ju Se-ah. It was an open secret that she could be the next group leader. Given that one of her close associates hade, they couldn''t just ignore him. Plus, he was requesting to see Mr. Jeong, the head of security, not the Chairman, which made the request less problematic. Kang Mu-hyuk had calcted this and asked for Mr. Jeong specifically. "Please wait a moment." One of the guards ryed the message, and shortly after, Mr. Jeong came out of the VIP ward. "It''s been a while, Guild Leader Kang." "You don''t seem very pleased to see me." "Well, it still hurts from the time Guild Master Ju Se-ah beat me up so--" Mr. Jeong''s tone was hostile, likely due to the memory of being beaten up alongside Kim Myung-jun when Kang Mu-hyuk visited Hansung Corporation. Feigning ignorance, Kang Mu-hyuk replied calmly, "Shall we talk privately for a moment?" "If it''s nothing important, just say it here." "Our Guild Master ns to visit Hansung Corporation again soon..." "Are you kidding me right now?" "...But. I guess it''d be better to just talk, wouldn''t it?" "Damn it! You''re saying if not words, then fists, right? What is it now?" "Kim Myung-jun''s contact number has changed. It seems like he blocked us intentionally. Please tell him we''d like to meet. I''m staying in the room on the floor below. Thanks." Without waiting for a response, Kang Mu-hyuk turned his wheelchair around. He didn''t need an answer. Mr. Jeong would report to Kim Myung-jun anyway, who was way too much of an overthinker to ignore his message. Even if he didn''t feel like it, he''de. As Kang Mu-hyuk expected, Kim Myung-jun visited him with a fruit basket that afternoon. "Yes, this is No Song-rin." -It''s me. "Director Kim? What is it? The number is different." -Too many people had my old number. I picked one of my spare numbers to use. "What''s this about?" -Mr. Jeong said Kang Mu-hyuk is looking for me. Do you know anything about that?" "I''m not with him right now." -Aren''t you in North Pocheon? "I''m in Sinuiju." -Sinuiju? "Yes, with Guild Master Ju Se-ah." -What''s Ju Se-ah doing there? "I''m still figuring that out. The yer Guild is here too." -The yer Guild? What do you mean? "That''s... Ah! Guild Master Ju ising now. I''m sorry, but I''ll have to contact youter. Goodbye." -Hey, No Song... No Song-rin hung up the phone before Kim Myung-jun could say anything more. Contrary to what he said, Ju Se-ah was nowhere near him. After confirming that Kim Myung-jun didn''t call back, No Song-rin dialed a familiar number. "Yes, Guild Leader. I received a call from Kim Myung-jun, as you instructed. Yes, I mentioned Sinuiju briefly. Knowing his personality, he''lle by soon. I''ve reported to Guild Master Ju to station Go Eul-ji nearby just in case. She''ll arrive shortly. Yes, no problem. That was part of our deal before entering North Pocheon, wasn''t it? Since my life is in your hands, I have to perform my role as a spy well. Yes, I don''t think he''s noticed yet. Though, he won''t stay in the dark for long. Be careful; he''s not someone to take lightly." Knock, knock. "Yes,e in." The door to the hospital room opened, and in walked Kim Myung-jun in a neat suit. It hadn''t even been an hour since No Song-rin ended the call. Kim Myung-jun entered with a smile, swinging a fruit basket as if visiting a close friend. "Hey, Guild Leader Kang, you should take better care of yourself. How much are they overworking for you to end up in the hospital?" "I''m fine. Just a bit of overwork." Kang Mu-hyuk had arranged with Ju Se-ah to have his admission reason listed as overwork. He was certain that Kim Myung-jun would bypass medicalws and privacy regtions to check his hospital records. ''Does this make me a criminal for falsifying medical records?'' Though it bothered him slightly, he had no intention of revealing his actual condition to someone from Ujungdo, especially a Hunter. ''With Go Eul-ji stationed in the next room, I''ve prepared enough to handle any crossing of lines.'' Kang Mu-hyuk thought about how frustrated Kim Myung-jun would be as he sat up at the edge of the bed. He casually ced the fruit basket on the table and got straight to the point. "Why did you want to see me?" "Your number changed, so I had to get in touch. I heard the Chairman was admitted, and Mr. Jeong was my only contact." "Let''s not beat around the bush, shall we?" "Fine, if you prefer it that way." "You don''t look well, but you seem rather pleased." "I enjoy my work." "I changed my number to avoid this, you know. Let''s keep it short, Guild Leader Kang. That''s all I can handle." "Union Asset Management." "Damn it. That''s way too much to handle." Kim Myung-jun loosened his tie and sat on the sofa, clearly irritated by the turn of conversation. "You''re close with Hansung Corporation, aren''t you?" "I told you, don''t beat around the bush." "I have documents on Union Asset Management''s corruption, including ties to Japanese guilds. Enough to bring down the wholepany." "We agreed not to mess with that side, didn''t we?" "We agreed not to involve the yer Guild. But Union is different. Even the Hunter Investigation Agency would drool over this." "What are your reasons that you''re going that far?" "Tae Sucheol. White Tiger Guild." "Haa, I guess this won''t be short either, huh? How did you find out?" Kim Myung-jun sighed deeply, ruffling his hair. "Sorry, but I was just the middleman." "If you tell me about the dealings between White Tiger Guild and Tae Sucheol, I''ll destroy the documents. I won''t use them again either." "A good broker keeps their mouth shut. Don''t you know that?" "If Union goes down, your heavy mouth will find itself sinking in the East or West Sea. Not by me, but by the Japanese. I''m not that reckless." "If only you couldn''t speak. Even the mob and Yakuza would have to bow to you." "So, will you make the deal?" "Fxxk! Tae Sucheol? Damn it! Alright, hold on." Kim Myung-jun fiddled with his smartphone for a moment before speaking again. "I sent you a file. Check it and then destroy it. If you don''t, I''m not making any deals with you again. Not sure this feels like a proper deal anyway." "Don''t worry about that. I don''t go back on my word." "And Sinuiju. What''s that about?" "Word travels fast, huh? Did you get that from your yer informant?" "That''s none of your business." "We''ll discuss that separately soon." "Meet again? No thanks. I''ll find out by myself." "Sorry, you see what my condition is. I won''t be able to send you off." "Ugh! Don''t pretend to be friendly. It''s even more infuriating. And get rid of the guy in the next room." Kim Myung-jun red at the wall before leaving the room. After he left, Go Eul-ji entered. "That guy is something, isn''t he? He kept an eye on me the whole time." "He''s a well-known figure even in Ujungdo." "Oh, so he''s a bad guy? I thought so." Kang Mu-hyuk gestured for her to stop as he checked his smartphone. ''An audio file?'' He quickly connected his earphones. "This is...!" Chapter 146 - If you wanted to catch me off guard, you almost succeeded Chairman Tae Jinsung woke up in the middle of the night. His sleep had increased noticeably after being injured in an ambush by intruders. Since he had no fixed bedtime, his waking hours were also irregr. ''Ugh, I must be getting old.'' The hospital room, dimly lit by a faint nightlight, was dark. When he turned his head, he saw light pouring in through the uncurtained window, casting shadows on the ceiling. The shadows flitted about like a chaotic y. It was then-- Thud! A mysterious sound hit the hospital floor. "If you''re up, let''s have a chat, yeah? Mr. Chairman." Tae Jinsung turned his head towards the dark interior. A shadowy figure rose from the sofa, leaning on a long cane, approaching slowly with repeated tapping sounds. "Kang Mu-hyuk..." "Is this how you handle things?! You bragged about being a Tier Guild but you can''t do anything right!!"
  • Vice Chairman Tae Sucheol, this isn''t our fault.
"What?!"
  • The information was wrong from the start! We didn''t hear anything about an A-rank Hunter protecting the chairman.
"You mean M-Mr. Jung? I didn''t know about that either."
  • We did our best. Because of the previous assassination failure, we deployed skilled B-rank Hunters this time. But if the bodyguard is a high-rank Hunter, there''s nothing we can do.
"Then just use an A-rank..."
  • It''s not like we''re starting a war. You want us to use an A-rank Hunter to kill an old man? That''s ridiculous.
"Why are you being so serious about it?" Tae Sucheol was annoyed by the way he spoke. Even if he was a Hunter, how dare he look down on someone older and with higher social status like himself! For someone like him who''d looked like a crown prince his whole life, it was humiliating. As if he sensed this, the Hunter''s voice turned calmer. Although he was a civilian, he was the heir to a conglomerate. Fighting over emotions was a waste when they were both on the same boat, holding each other''s weaknesses.
  • Vice Chairman, even if we are a Tier Guild, there are few high-rank Hunters who aren''t well-known. These types of Hunters are usually called ''Ghosts'' in our field. Ghosts themselves are valuable assets to the guild. Using a Ghost against an A-ranker means losing the advantage of their anonymity.
"Then use another high-ranking..."
  • Are you trying to advertise that White Tiger Guild tried to kill the Taesung Group chairman? Hunters have all sorts of skills and traits in the world. Even if we try to hide it, there are cases where it can''t be hidden. We can''t take that risk.
"So what are you suggesting we do?!"
  • Just stay quiet for now. As long as our trail isn''t found, you won''t be harmed. We''ll get more opportunities again.
Kang Mu-hyuk looked down at the old man, known as a giant in the business world. The face, once full of vigor, now disyed signs of exhaustion. Age spots were scattered across his face, and his deeply wrinkled skin resembled a cracked dry field. ''But his eyes are still as fierce as ever.'' Tae Jinsung, lying down, red at Kang Mu-hyuk and said, "Visiting a patient in hospital in the middle of the night? You''re quite a rude guy." "Ah? Here, this cane is a get-well-soon gift. It''s made from expensive wood from the Demonic Realm." "Giving a used item as a gift?" "It''s secondhand but I barely used it. A day or two? Please ept it as a token of my sincerity. You''ll need it more than I do." "I don''t need a cane yet." "You will soon." "..." "I secretly looked at your medical chart." "Isn''t it illegal to look at someone else''s medical records?" "They just showed it to me. Of course, that''s illegal too, but in this line of work, you can''t get anything done if you only follow thew and morals." "Looks like I need to switch up the hospital staff." "It''s no use recing the staff. Why do you think the hospital showed me your medical records?" Tae Jinsung silently looked up at Kang Mu-hyuk. He had built Taesung into one of the leading conglomerates from a mere footnote in the business world. He had inherited the group in his 30s and endured the Great War. Even the chaos of the Minor War hadn''t brought him down. Major guild owners treated him with caution. Most people couldn''t withstand his gaze, but Kang Mu-hyuk received it calmly, as if he was a man without emotions. It was the chairman who eventually averted his eyes. Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking, "Although your life isn''t in immediate danger, they said you''ve been exposed to aggressive mana. You won''t be able to maintain your previous health. Or rather, it will worsen. Like any old person, the aging you had dyed with various Gate elixirs will elerate." "Hmph! It''s natural for an old man to die of old age. Why are you so excited about that? What an evil taste you''ve got." "It might be cruel to tell this to someone who survived a near-death experience, but since you''ve made others do cruel things, just listen." "..." "Time is no longer on your side. The hospital knows this, which is why they handed your medical information to me, someone who works with Guildmaster Ju Se-ah." "So, they''re already choosing sides, huh. Listen here, Kang Mu-hyuk. I am Tae Jinsung! I still have a long way to go before I die... Ugh!" Tae Jinsung, in a fit of anger, tried to get up but copsed back onto the bed due to the intense pain. Kang Mu-hyuk approached the bed, setting the cane beside him, and said, "It might be bearable now, but you won''t be able to live like before, looking 10 or 20 years ahead. What will you do about the session issue?" "Why do you care about that?" "I don''t. I was worried when I didn''t know, but now I know why this happened to you." "What?" "The reason you tried to get rid of Vice Chairman Tae Sucheol." "!!" Kang Mu-hyuk took out his smartphone and yed a file.
  • Ah, Dr. Kim. It''s Tae Sucheol. You said my father had a health check-up recently? How was it? No problems, right? Ah, that''s a relief. Good to hear he''s healthy. Ha ha, living to 100? He might just do that. He''s never had any serious illness, so...
The rest of the content was mundane, just some medical opinions from the doctor. Tae Jinsung listened to the recording till the end and scoffed. "Now you''re into wiretapping?" "It''s a file from five years ago." "..." "An acquaintance gave it to me, but it seemed useless at first. The content didn''t reveal much. When I first heard it, I wondered why they handed me such an insignificant recording. It just sounds like a filial son caring about his father''s health, doesn''t it?" "..." "So I called the person who gave me the file and asked the reason. They only said one thing." "..." "Would a son who cares about his father''s health do that?" "..." "I realized it immediately. The vice chairman is very interested in your health. When will you fall ill? When will you die? When will he inherit the group?" "So! So what?!" "You''re nearing eighty. The vice chairman is in his fifties. Though your health''s declining now, before you could have lived to ny or a hundred with all the health-boosting herbs from the Gate. The vice chairman would then be in his seventies or eighties. What would he do with the group then? He''d have way too little time left, and there''s no guarantee he''ll be as healthy as you." Tae Jinsung''s chin quivered. He couldn''t contain the fury boiling over from having his family''s dirtyundry exposed. Kang Mu-hyuk had no intention of stopping there. "Other heirs of the same age as the vice chairman have already taken the helm. There are plenty of younger chairmen, too. How long can he stay a vice chairman and the heir? He must be tired of waiting. He probably wished for you to disappear." "Stop it!" "So the vice chairman involved White Tiger Guild to have you killed, but failed. Afterward, you found out he was behind it. That''s why, instead of the children who had already lost in the session race, you turned to Guildmaster Ju Se-a---" "I said stop! How dare you, you arrogant rascal!" "Even if you don''t want to hear it, listen. Because of you, people who didn''t want to die but did." "Security! Security! What are the guards doing?!" "How do you think I got in here?" Tae Jinsung stopped shouting. Despite his fury, his reason was still intact. The years that had suddenly beset his old body had not yet reached his mind. Breathing heavily but gradually calming down, Tae Jinsung faced Kang Mu-hyuk, who leaned in closer. "Chairman, your era is ending. The vice chairman failed in his assassination attempt but achieved his goal. You have to think about the future. Will you let someone like him sit in the chairman''s seat? For the record, the Guild Master won''t sit in the chairman''s seat. Once again, time is not on your side. And our guild doesn''t need to be desperate for your choice. If we wait, we''ll win." Tae Jinsung felt as if he couldn''t breathe. His eyes still glinted fiercely like a tiger''s, but they were gradually losing their strength. He finally realized he was an old tiger, and it was time to leave behind only his hide. "Should I consider it fortunate that Se-ah has you, or unfortunate that the group might get ruined because of you?" "The Guild Master isn''t interested in the group." "So she can catch a few monsters? Or take over a guild? I can''t believe I tried to use a madman who wants to overthrow one of Korea''s leading conglomerates. It was the biggest mistake of my life." "Time is running out." "I know. I''m more aware of my health than anyone, even without you saying it." "That''s not what I mean. I mean the news of your declining health bing public. As your health deteriorates, your influence on the group will also decrease." "So what do you propose? Should we oust Sucheol immediately? Unfortunately, even I can''t do that without a valid reason. When I appointed him as my sessor, the people I handed over are now entirely his. If I could''ve ousted himpletely, I would''ve done so long ago without theseplications." Kang Mu-hyuk straightened his posture, tapping the armrest of the patient bed. "There''s a way to oust him." "What?" "There''s a definite reason for disqualification, isn''t there?" "Don''t tell me..." "No matter how harsh the world is with monsters rampaging, the virtue of ''filial piety'' still holds in Korea. The people you handed over won''t follow a scoundrel." "Don''t you think I''ve considered that? There''s no evidence. I can''t oust him on suspicion alone." "What about White Tiger Guild?" "What about them?" "Those who take on dirty jobs don''t trust their dirty clients. They must have evidence. It''ll take some time, but I''ll get that evidence." "White Tiger Guild is a Tier-ed Guild. They''re hard to touch. If it takes too long, it''ll be useless given my health." "I''m in more of a hurry than you. I don''t want to y the inheritance game forever. I want to focus on the guild''s main work. Once this is over, I''ll be happily catching monsters." "Huh? Happily? I''ve been through the Great War and the Small War. I''ve supported Hunters. I know how tough it is. That''s why I tried to get Se-ah out of it. It''s far from an easy path." Tae Jinsung scoffed. Kang Mu-hyuk responded with a snort. "It''s even less of a path for you to mock." Despite the cold contempt and rage in his eyes, Tae Jinsung felt a chill in his chest that surpassed his anger. As rumored, this man would do anything to catch monsters. He''d destroy Taesung Group if it got in his way. This proposal might be hisst straw of patience. "I admit it. I''m at a disadvantage now. I''ll have to take your hand." "Even if you switch gears, you won''t be able to let go of my hand." "..." "That was a joke." "If you wanted to catch me off guard with a foolish joke, you almost seeded. Because that was really pathetic." "..." Chapter 147 - This is uncomfortable even for a professional "Guild Master, do you think I''m pathetic?" "What are you talking about out of the blue?" "Well, someone said my jokes aren''t funny." "I can''t argue with that." "Hmm, I don''t know about other stuff, but it seems you share the same sense of humor." "What are you talking about?" "Never mind, just talking to myself." "Regardless of what others say, it''s true your jokes aren''t funny, Guild Leader Kang. I don''t see why you keep making them." "In business, a light joke can diffuse tension. It''s a useful skill." "The problem is your jokes are like a blizzard, that freezes everyone. Unless you''re aiming to give us frostbite, maybe tone it down." "..." "So, what''s going on?" "I had a showdown with the Chairman yesterday. He might still try to stab us in the back when he gets the chance, but we''ll just have to stay alert." "Not that. Did you get the injection?" "Oh, yes. My father came by this morning. After the injection, I feel much better. No side effects, and my vitals are back to normal." "I''m jealous." "Of what?" "Your father. He''s working to cure incurable diseases." "I respect him for that too. It''s amazing to dedicate yourself to one field for so long without seeking wealth or fame." "Not that. I mean, curing his own son''s disease... Jeez, sometimes I think you''re oblivious, Guild Leader Kang. Can''t you read the room?" "I''m quite quick at reading the room. You''re justparing our father-son rtionship to yours with your father...." "My god. Look at you talking. You really don''t know how to read the room." "..." Today, Kang Mu-hyuk found himself at a loss for words more than usual. Ju Se-ah, having made a sessful jab at Kang Mu-hyuk, moved on to business with a satisfied expression. "So, what''s next?" "We''re going to stop the backdoor listing through Taesung Machinery." "It''s been a while, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." Kang Mu-hyuk met with Oh Jungsu, a director from Hanju Group. Oh Jungsu, iming to be a fan of Kang Mu-hyuk, had been assisting the Iron Will Guild in various ways. ''Of course, it''s not for free. He''s helping because he wants something.'' Hanju Group aimed to learn the inner workings of Iron Will, which operated under the guild leader''s system. They also wanted to strengthen Iron Will''s position so that when Hanju Group officially entered the guild business, they could minimize resistance to the guild leader''s system. With some luck, they might even get their hands on Iron Will. ''What''s most needed is a guild that can be managed by non-Hunters.'' Such non-Hunters would need to feel like part of the family to feel secure. For a conglomerate always wary of Hunters'' power, a family-run guild was an irresistible idea. Thus, Kang Mu-hyuk''s guild leader system emerged as a viable alternative. "Work is piling up, so let''s get to the point." "You''re as direct as ever. Well, that''s part of your charm, Guild Leader. Go ahead." "The shares of Taesung Machinery that Hanju Group purchased. You''ll need to sell them back." "Sell them back? What about the backdoor listing?" "The backdoor listing is off. A new issue hase up with the chairman." "I don''t know what the issue is, but Chairman Taesung won''t back down easily." "In my past position, I navigated the chronic risks linked torge guild shareholders. I chose to pursue a backdoor listing, assessing that Taesung''s owner risk was more severe. With that issue now resolved, we must alter our n." "This isn''t wee news for us." "Fortunately, there''s been no change in the stock price since the acquisition of Taesung Machinery shares. If you release them slowly, ording to market conditions, you won''t incur any losses. I''m telling you this to prevent unnecessary losses." Oh Jungsu folded his arms and let out a short groan, looking troubled. He rubbed his temples and spoke after some hesitation. "The shares were purchased under a borrowed name, so getting rid of them isn''t difficult. But making that decision isn''t within my authority. I need to get approval as well...." "So, you''re saying it''s hard to back out without any profit." "I''m not sure what decision will be made at the top, but it''s likely. Honestly, our chairman saw significant merit in gaining a stake in Iron Will, which is why he epted your proposal. Asking him to give that up won''t go over easily." "I''ve heard that Chairman Oh of Hanju is no less formidable than Chairman Tae Jinsung." "Haha! Since he''s my father, agreeing to that is kind of, you know. But he certainly isn''t an easy person." "Simply because someone isn''t easy to deal with doesn''t mean you must opt for the tough road. I can think of a variety of responses you might get." Oh Jungsu smiled, but his eyes were somber. Knowing how cold and calcting his father was, he worried about the repercussions. "This might be thest time weugh together." "Don''t be overly confident. Everywhere is much the same; there are no eternal adversaries orpanions. One day you mightugh, the next you might cry, or the opposite. Always keep an open mind." "Thank you for the advice." "Well then, I''ve said what I came to say. The decision is up to the Hanju Group. I''ll get going then." Kang Mu-hyuk still couldn''t return to Sinuiju. He had a mountain of tasks ahead of him. First, he had to deal with Lee Sookyoung, the only witness to the events in the Demonic Realm. He returned to North Pocheon and met with Lee Sookyoung. "You have two options. One is to stay with our guild and have your safety guaranteed. You can remain here until things settle down." "And the other option?" "Join our guild. You''ll receive a sry appropriate to your rank and bonuses based on your hunting results. You''ll also get a South Korean resident registration card and a Hunter license." "The second option is clearly better. What are the conditions?" "You''ll need to return to the Demonic Realm. We need you to gather information on the Gate you found there." "Hmm..." "Of course, we won''t send you alone. One of our top Hunters will apany you." "Who would that be?" "Someone you know." "Someone I know?" "Yes, a person you saw in Sinuiju." "I came since you called me. This ce is pretty well set up. Might even be better than Titan. Wow, the Guild Leader''s office is definitely nicer." Hyun Junggeon admired North pocheon, having seen the harsh environments of special operation zones filled with monsters. The Hunter Vige was quite intriguing to him. "A vige right in the middle of where monsters roam? Interesting." "Looks fun, doesn''t it? What do you think of our guild?" "Why ask such an obvious question? I can see right through your intentions." "What do you mean?" "This is an invitation to join, isn''t it?" "You''re impressive indeed, seeing right through me." "Don''t tter me. Come on and show your true colors already. It''s flustering to see someone who doesn''t like working with me act like this." Instead of answering, Kang Mu-hyuk picked up a remote control from the conference table in his office. He operated it, and a projector disyed an image on the white wall. "It''s a map of the Demonic Realm." Hyun Junggeon looked at the map without a word. It wasn''t a detailed map of the new terrain but an old map showing the former cities andndmarks. "The Gate discovered by Hunter Lee Sookyoung is estimated to be here, between the old cities of Changchun and Jilin." "I knew it. You want to use me." "It''s about 320 kilometers from the frontline base in the Demonic Realm along the Tumen River line to this location. Currently, you''re the only one who can discreetly and safely cover this distance." "This is far from fun. It''s just a hassle." Hyun Junggeon frowned, hesitant to outright reject the task. Sensing his reluctance, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Hunter Hyun Junggeon, you mentioned that something serious was happening in Sinuiju. You must''ve noticed the connection between those chasing Hunter Lee Sookyoung, the Chinese guilds in Sinuiju, and the Demonic Realm, right? And that''s why you called me." "Well, kind of? But I''m not sure what it is." "I do." "You do?!" Hyun Junggeon jumped up from his seat. It felt like just yesterday they were struggling together in Sinuiju, and now Kang Mu-hyuk already knew about the situation in the Demonic Realm. He knew Kang Mu-hyuk was capable, but this was beyond his expectations. "I got the information from a Russian friend. Have you heard about the ''goveshchensk'' incident?" "I was part of the strategy team when you led it, remember? I had to know the details of major incidents. I studied a lot of history back then---it was a headache." "Then you know what kind of incident it was." "Isn''t that the one where the Chinese blew up a Gate near the Russian border in the Demonic Realm?" "Do you remember the resource deposits in that Gte?" "I don''t know the exact amount, but wasn''t it around 60 to 70 trillion won?" "In today''s terms, it was close to 100 trillion won in raw materials alone." As Kang Mu-hyuk recounted the history of world Hunters, a realization struck Hyun Junggeon. "Don''t tell me another ''gold mine'' has appeared?" "Yes. A resource-rich Gate has been discovered. In fact, there are five of them." Five Gates. Using the goveshchensk Gate as a reference, the total value exceeded 500 trillion won. Considering the value of processed Gate resources, the potential worth was astronomical. "Sinuiju was just a distraction." "The issue isn''t just the Gate explosion. Resources can always regenerate, but we can''t predict what might happen in the 24 hours following the explosion." "Because the Gate will remain open, you mean? Gate bosses can emerge at any time." "Depending on the situation, a monster of Red grade or higher could appear." "I heard during the goveshchensk incident, the nearby Russian border was destroyed. Even one of those monsters would be a nightmare." "The boss is a problem, but the biggest concern is the mass migration of monsters. Monsters disced by those emerging from the Gate could start a domino effect. They might swarm into Korea. It could lead to war." Hyun Junggeon sighed. This wasn''t optional. Despite his reckless lifestyle and years as an assassin hunting other Hunters, he didn''t want to see innocent people die. ''Is this because I worked with Kang Mu-hyuk? He''s affected me without me realizing it. Damn it.'' Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t push or persuade further, simply waiting for Hyun Junggeon''s decision. Finally, Hyun Junggeon spoke. "Why now? Why choose me? Why not form a team once Sinuiju stabilizes?" "Having lost Sinuiju, we don''t know what the Chinese guilds might do next. We need information to prepare. It''s hard to pull forces away now, and to avoid being detected, we need a small, elite team. Surviving in the Demonic Realm isn''t easy either. I know you received survival training during your time as an assassin with Titan. There''s no better candidate than you, Hunter Hyun Junggeon." Hyun Junggeon raised his hands in surrender. "I don''t know the Demonic Realm''s geography well. Even for me, wandering unknown ces is risky. It''ll take time." "Hunter Lee Sookyoung will be your guide." "What? Can''t you use someone from the prison vige instead?" "Why? Because you did something wrong to her?" "By now, she probably knows I used her as bait to meet you." "She knows. I told her." "And you still want me to go with her?" "She''s the only one who knows the exact location of the Gate." "Is she okay with this?" "She is. We promised her amplepensation. She''s a professional, and so are you, Hunter Hyun Junggeon." "This is ufortable even for a professional." "If your conscience bothers you that much, do your best to ensure Hunter Lee Sookyoung returns safely." Thus, Hyun Junggeon''s exploration of the Demonic Realm was decided. Chapter 148 - What Are You Looking For? "We don''t need to follow his orders. Go ahead with it as I told you." "Yes, Chairman." Director Oh Jungsu barely left the chairman''s office before contacting the vault keeper in Myeongdong. This individual oversaw the group''s slush funds, making him valuable for acquiring stocks under borrowed names, as required in the current scenario. "This is Oh Jungsu. Prepare to dispose of Taesung Machinery stocks. When I give the signal, you have to handle it quickly." After ending the call, Oh Jungsu felt the urge to smoke again. He tried to quell it with gum, but it didn''t help. "This is why I can''t quit smoking." Finally, he had his secretary buy him some cigarettes and went up to the rooftop. Employees who came to enjoy a post-lunch break quickly bowed and fled upon seeing the chairman''s son. "Jeez, I thought this ce would be empty at this hour." Standing in the deserted rooftop garden with a cigarette between his lips, he coughed as the nicotine and tar hit his lungs after a long time. After a few puffs, the familiar feeling returned, and his muddled head started to clear. "This is the stuff. Whew~ Trying to quit this would make anyone sick." Oh Jungsu took out his smartphone and looked at Kang Mu-hyuk''s number in his contacts. His finger hovered over the call button several times before he slipped the phone back into his pocket. "I''m sorry to you, but this is business. No hard feelings, Mr. Kang Mu-hyuk." Kang Mu-hyuk had been tense, staring at hisputer since early morning. ''I heard Chairman Oh of Hanju is as impatient as Chairman Tae Jinsung. He''ll probably be busy from the crack of dawn. I wonder what move he''ll make?" He monitored portal site news while also requesting Hanju-rted information from his team working with Mr. Cho. By 9 a.m., he saw it. "As I thought." As soon as the stock market opened, the news popped up. Taesung Machinery''s stock began to fluctuate. Man Suro, who had briefed him at the hospital on Mr. Cho''s behalf, contacted him. "A few minutes ago, the tabloids came up. The small investors are flocking. The stock will hit the upper limit soon. If we leave it, Hanju will bail, and the small investors will be ruined." "Let''s respond immediately. Leak rumors that there''s no merger n through your channels. We''ll handle the rest from here." Kang Mu-hyuk called journalist Kim Dalpil, who had connections with Ju Se-ah. "Reporter, can you publish the article we discussed yesterday now?" "Things are already heating up. Are you sure I can post this?" "It''s true. There is no merger. You can use both my name and the Guild Master''s. If necessary, mention the chairman in follow-up articles." "But Hanju Group will be angry, and Taesung Group won''t stay quiet if the guild intervenes. They''ll contend that a subsidiary interfered with the holdingpany. Is that okay with you?" "I warned Hanju to back off quietly, but they didn''t listen and went after quick cash. If we don''t intervene, small investors will suffer. By the time the group figures out what''s happening and reacts, it will be toote. Chairman Tae Jinsung''s opinion matters most, right? We just need to stop him." "Alright. Sending the article now. Done. Other newspapers will probably pick it up right away." "Thank you." "Don''t forget about the Sinuiju matter. We''ll set an interview date soon." "For now, we request an embargo on the Sinuiju matter. It''s sensitive." "I understand. I don''t want to ruin my chances of an interview by spilling it." Having executed the n, Kang Mu-hyuk could only wait. Soon, the red upward-trending graph began to descend. The sudden flurry of merger news and corrections seemed to be regarded as a temporary market hup. "Not long till it''s time." Ring! Ring! "Talk of the devil. Hello, this is Kang Mu-hyuk." "It''s Oh Jungsu." "Go ahead." "Did you know?" "You chose the cheapest option. Pushing up the stock to grab more slush funds isn''t going to get you much." "You hit a sore spot. But a few words turning that small amount into hundreds of millions is a good deal." "You didn''t call just to chat. What is it?" "Our chairman is really pissed. He''s going to hit you with some dirty tricks. It''s going to be a hassle, but you''d better handle it smoothly." "Why are you telling me this?" "Old times'' sake, I guess. Despite everything, I''ve always rooted for Iron Will and you. Like I said before, I''m a fan." "Thanks for the heads-up. Are you nning to target the Hanju Resort in Sanjeong Lake? The one we''re using as our headquarters?" "Haha... You guessed it. I was embarrassed to bring it up." "The Hanju Resort hasn''t been legally Hanju''s property since it became a special operations zone." "Legalities don''t matter. It''s the chairman''s intentions that count. He thinks he can at least make it difficult for you, even if he can''t win. He''s pretty persistent." "No offense, but your chairman has... Quite the personality." "I can''t argue with that." "I guess our friendly rtionship ends here." "You said it yourself: no permanent friends or enemies. Maybe we''ll have a better time next go-round. Hopefully, we''ll meet with a smile then." "Thanks for all your help. Take care." Kang Mu-hyuk quietly put down the phone. A legal battle with Hanju Group was on the horizon, but at least a major issue was addressed. His work, however, was far from over. "I wish Hanju had stayed quiet, but they had to poke the bear and draw blood. Now the piranhas smell it." One of those piranhas wasted no time contacting him. "I never thought I''d see you make a mistake like this." "It wasn''t a mistake. It was within expectations, Chairman." "Whether it was a mistake or not, you''ve cut off your own support. We need to recalcte our approach. Come see me, and let''s have lunch together." "Hospital food isn''t great. I''ll see you at 1 PM, after lunch." After hanging up, Kang Mu-hyuk had to pull up a n he''d been postponing. "Guild Master, it''s me. Yes. Please call Hunter Yeon Jung-moon. Along with his sworn brothers too." The next day, Tae Jinsung looked much brighter than before. Kang Mu-hyuk realized again how mischievous this old man could be. ''Now that he''s in a favorable position, he looks ten years younger. Or maybe he thinks annoying me is the secret to a long life.'' Tae Jinsung greeted him warmly. "Come on in. Seeing you so often, I might get attached. Though I hate to admit it." His smile was gentle, but the stubbornness and greed were written all over his face. Just thinking about dealing with the two old foxes of Taesung and Hanju gave Kang Mu-hyuk a headache. He wasn''t scared, but their constant meddling with guild matters was frustrating. ''Once the guild is independent, all this will be in the past. I just need to hold out a bit longer.'' He entered the room, smiling at Tae Jinsung. "Some say there are people you just can''t get close to. I don''t know about other stuff, but I agree with that point." "Better watch yourself when I''m smiling." "I''ve always brought meals that suit your taste, haven''t I? I''d say I''m pretty good at keeping you happy." "What''s the point if the food is poisoned? The chef profits, but I suffer." "Then today, I''ll have to taste the meal you''ve prepared." "Meal? Oh, please. I said let''s renegotiate. Pay me back for yesterday''s meal." "Why should I?" Tae Jinsung looked incredulous at Kang Mu-hyuk''s shamelessness. "Are you seriously asking because you don''t know? You personally covered up the backdoor listing issue. It looks like a scheme to make the guild independent. Now that I''ve caught on, if the method we agreed on yesterday fails, you won''t have any options left. If you wanted to stay ahead of me, you should have kept a hold on that backdoor listing lifeline. That way, I''d know that even if I try something else, you have other ways to counter." "That''s why I told Hanju to back off quietly. Too many people would''ve been hurt if I ignored it." "That was a nasty move. I didn''t expect you to team up with Hanju. But you didn''t choose your ally well. Hanju''s old man is extremely greedy." "Not as greedy as you." "You''re getting bold. Do you still think you hold the upper hand? We''re both holding each other''s lifelines." Kang Mu-hyuk approached the chairman''s bed. He saw the cane he''d given as a gift and picked it up. "Using it, huh? It''s pretty good, right?" "It''s expensive, fits well in the hand." "I got it from Sinuiju. Made by a Hunter. They''re descendants of old North Korean Hunters, living in what''s called the Prison Vige. They''re skilled not just with their hands but also in hunting. They know a lot about the terrain and monsters in that area." "I still don''t get your way of speaking. What are you getting at?" Kang Mu-hyuk stroked the cane and continued. "I registered a guild with just those people. Their IDs were just issued. They got Hunter licenses too, recognized as Korean Hunters." "And what does that have to do with this?" "I''m experimenting with a new guild structure. Three strong Hunters as chairs, with the Guild Master position vacant. They can appoint a new master by consensus." "!!" "You''ve probably figured it out by now. My lifeline isn''t just Iron Will. I can quit being the Iron Will Guild Leader anytime. If you keep pushing, Guild Master Ju Se-ah will move to Sinuiju. We''ll hunt monsters with a new guild." "Ha? You''d abandon the Hunter Vige and Rider Wolves too? Interesting idea. Have you forgotten why Se-ah epted my offer to lead Taesung Guild? No matter how great a Hunter she is, creating a guild is a different matter. She''s here because of Taesung''s support." Kang Mu-hyukughed sharply. Tae Jinsung frowned, not because of theugh but because of a bad feeling. Bad feelings involving Kang Mu-hyuk usually came true. "This is top secret, but since you''re her biological father... Should I say it? It feels wrong to hold back, but also wrong to share..." "Stop testing my patience. Just say it." "Guild Master Ju Se-ah is now an S-rank Hunter." "!!" "If we announce this, quite a few Hunters will follow us from Iron Will. I''m not boasting. It''s just the reality. With Sinuiju and Iron Will Hunters plus an S-rank Hunter, we have a solid foundation." "Hmm..." "As for the Rider Wolves, our contracts with Tier guilds under Iron Wille with hefty penalties. I doubt you''ll be able to supply the wolves on time without my help. Monster ranching is no easy task. Without the groundwork I''veid, it will be tough... Unless Taesung''s funds can handle it. Even so, it won''t be inexpensive, as I made sure the penalties are substantial." Kang Mu-hyuk had increased the penalties to create future negotiating leverage rather than focusing on immediate supply, but he kept that part to himself. Despite the teasing tone, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke like he was reading from a textbook, making Tae Jinsung grit his teeth. He knew it already, but this confirmed how formidable an opponent Kang Mu-hyuk was. "You''re not that irresponsible about monsters. If you take everything away, what happens to North pocheon? The citizens will suffer from monsters again, and the people in Hunter Vige will lose their jobs. Investments will stop or be withdrawn. Would Hunters go to a ruined ce?" Kang Mu-hyuk countered with a smile. "As I said, no permanent friends or enemies." "What''s that supposed to mean?" "There''s a use in the Guild Act aboutpulsory enforcement rted to territory. It''s long, but in short, if a guild can''t fulfill its role in its territory, the government can forcibly transfer the rights to another guild." "..." "Chairman Oh of Hanju Group would love that. He''s been eager to take over North pocheon." "Huh, you''ve got no pride or dignity in business, do you?" Tae Jinsungughed bitterly. Kang Mu-hyuk handed him the cane, his face serious. "Chairman, I''m not doing business right now." "..." "I''m fighting to the death. Whether it''s against monsters or people. What do you expect from someone who''s truly fighting for their life?" Tae Jinsung was utterly defeated. Chapter 149 - Should I go back to Kim Myung-jun? "Hey! You lost their attention! You can''t even do that?!" "Second party DPS team, stall for time! Support-tank, assist the main tank! Focus all attacks on one point!" An eleven-member small raid party. Usually, hunting parties are made up of six people, but in the Demonic Realm, at least ten was the minimum. The Demonic Realm was unpredictable, and the monsters here were generally tougher than those in other hunting grounds. Sometimes, regr-sized parties would go hunting, but only if they were skilled or arrived from the north. The reason was that the skilled ones were confident in their abilities, while the northern Hunters had fewer members to form a full party. People unfamiliar with the Demonic Realm might wonder why northern Hunters don''t just team up with Hunters from other areas, but in reality, mixed parties were rare. It was a matter of trust. Hunters generally drew a clear line between the north and the south. Northern Hunters thought southern Hunters were cautious cowards, while the south saw the north as potential backstabbers. asionally, northern Hunters were hired as guides, but these parties were usually rookies exploring the Demonic Realm for the first time. Even then, disputes arose because guides were often underpaid. This worsened the rumors and reduced interaction between the two groups. Newbies looking to challenge the Demonic Realm bore the brunt of this situation. "Ugh, my back! We barely managed that. Who did the pulling(drew the attention of monsters)?" "Who else? Our high-horsed main tank." "Dude! Who are you ming? The guide should''ve done a better job. Who leads us to tightly packed monsters? He didn''t even do basic scouting properly. Tsk! If I hadn''t held them, we would''ve been wiped." "So let''s use northern guides. What are newbies like us doing here?" "How can we trust northern guides? If they backstab us in the Demonic Realm, we''re done for. Better to map it ourselves." "When we get out, let''s buy maps from the Demonic Realm experts. We might get lost and die otherwise." "We can see all the Demonic Realm maps we want. They''ll just have the main paths everyone uses. Prime hunting spots are kept secret. And they''re expensive. Better to explore and map it ourselves. We might get lucky." "Shh!" The ranger on long-distance scouting duty signaled for silence. Everyone shut up. The ranger put an ear and hands to the ground. After a while, his face turned pale. "Damn it! Over a hundred! Run!" "From where?!" "Northwest! Damn it, they''re fast!" Other Hunters felt the ground shake too as distant explosions echoed. Without a word, they turned and ran. "What about the loot...?" "Leave it!" They couldn''t grab the monster spoils or their gear. In a hunt, survival was key. Boom! Roar! "They caught up---!" The tall trees in the Demonic Realm snapped, and a massive horn burst out, impaling the ranger''s waist. The horn tore through his body, splitting him in two. The ranger''s halves flew through the air and hit the ground. Dozens of iron-like hooves trampled over him, leaving nothing but a bloody mess. "Three-horned buffalo!" "Climb the trees!" A monster that looked like a bull, stretching to about 4 meters long. It''s tough skin and bulging muscles make it deadly for lower-ranked Hunters, as just colliding with it could be fatal. When the ''Three-Horned Buffalo'' passed by, it left no grass standing. The Hunters scrambled up trees to avoid the initial charge, but even the thickest trees couldn''t withstand the buffalo. No matter how strong, the trunks fell before its three horns. Those Hunters who managed to leap to another tree found themselves unlucky if that tree also fell. Hunters who hit the ground were trampled by the buffalo''s march. Three Hunters, who were lucky enough to stay on trees that didn''t break, breathed a sigh of relief. Though they pitied their fallenrades, they were just d to be alive. "Weren''t these things supposed to live deep in the Demonic Realm? Why are they here...?" "Think about thatter. Let''s get out of here. We need to warn the Tumen River guards and get out." "Damn it! I lent Duchil money for gear." "Seriously? Is that important to you right now?" "It was a lot!" "How much?" Even amid the chaos, a Hunter was curious about the debt but got no reply. Instead, a strange cry rang out. When the curious Hunter turned, a massive hand grabbed his face. ''A Human-Faced Monkey!'' This monster had the creepy habit of tearing off human faces and wearing them. It tore off not just the Hunter''srade''s face, and then even grabbed the Hunter''s. The Hunter quickly swung his ax at the monster''s arm. Green blood sttered. The ax cut through red muscle, showing yellow bone, but it didn''t cut through. ''Damn it! I didn''t channel my mana right.'' In that hurry, he made a mistake, and in that instant, he lost his life. Crunch! The Hunter''s skull was crushed. Thest remaining party member leaped up, swinging his greatsword. His mana-powered de split the monster''s head. But... "Gasp!" Another monster from a nearby tree pounced. The Hunter swung his sword again, slicing the monkey in half. "How does that taste, you damn monkey...?" He couldn''t finish his insult. He felt a cold hand grab his head. Snap! Blood dripped from his dangling feet. The noisy forest suddenly fell silent. Kang Mu-hyuk checked his phone as he left the chairman''s hospital room. It had been buzzing with messages during his meeting. The texts were from Tae Suman. "He didn''t care the least bit when he heard his father copsed, but he''s quick to reach out when money''s on the line. What a family!" Chairman Tae Jinsung''s health leave was officially due to overwork, not assassination threats. Other family members had inquired about his condition, but it wasn''t out of concern. They were prepping for the inheritance battle that would start the moment he passed. After confirming Tae Jinsung''s safety, the family members all tried to visit him in the hospital, but he sent every single one away. With Tae Jinsung effectively in hiding, his children were on high alert, closely monitoring his condition. Meanwhile, news about Taesung Machinery reached Tae Suman, understandably making him anxious. Kang Mu-hyuk wanted to ignore him but decided Tae Suman was still useful, so he called. "You finally decided to call me. How kind of you!" "I just finished meeting the chairman." "What?! The chairman? Why?" "It''s nothing major. I''m also hospitalized here, so he wanted to see me." "A man who fainted wants to see you? And you just happen to be in the hospital too? Do you think I''m that gullible? At least make up a believable story." "If you don''t believe me, there''s nothing more to say. We need trust to talk. I''ll hang up now." "Wait!" "Yes?" "Are you serious?" "You said you don''t believe me." "If I were in your shoes... fine. I''ll believe you." "I''m d we''re rebuilding trust. Aren''t you happy too?" Teeth grinding could be heard through the phone, but Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Whatever I discussed with the chairman, this much is true: Guild Leader Ju Se-ah will never be the group chairman. I ensured that." "You want me to believe everything you say?" "If you don''t, there''s no need for this call..." "Fine, I''ll believe you. What else did the chairman say? What about Taesung Machinery?" "He didn''t say much, but he knows about Taesung Machinery." "So he knows I secretly secured shares?" "No, he only knows about the Hanju deal." "Thank God." "Still, stay low for now. The atmosphere is tense." "Tense? Why?" "That''s something you''ll need to figure out on your own. I need to be careful too because I don''t know where the blowback will hit next." "Wait, that means you know something..." "I''m hanging up now. I''m busy, you see." Kang Mu-hyuk ended the call without listening any more. Tae Suman called back immediately, but he didn''t answer. Tae Suman also sent persistent texts, which he ignored. Only when he was driving out of the underground parking lot did the messages stop. "He should start gathering information now. Whether he bribes guards or whatever, he''ll find out about the chairman''s situation. I''ve cast the bait, now I just wait for the fish to bite." Kang Mu-hyuk wanted Tae Suman and the other children to naturally learn about the assassination attempt on Tae Jinsung. "And they''ll start suspecting each other." They''d quickly figure out who benefits most from the chairman''s disappearance. Tae Suman alone wouldn''t stand a chance. ''An anti-Tae Suman faction will form. I''ll buy time and work on my ns while they fight.'' Park Cheol-i leaned against the corner wall of an empty room, staring nkly at the ceiling all day. His butt hurt on the hard floor, and every time he shifted, his left sleeve fluttered in the air. Several friends visited, but he didn''t show his face. He didn''t want to see anyone. He couldn''t see the person he wanted to see the most anymore. Click! Click! The locked doorknob shook, then the door burst open with a crash. "Hey, kid. Why are you locking yourself in here? I heard you''re not even eating the meals the neighbordy brings you." "Mr.... No?" "Mr. No? What''s that? Just call me uncle or bro. Uncle No Song-rin? That''s weird. Maybe that''s why foreigners just use names. It''s tooplicated here." "I''ll just call you uncle." "Whatever makes youfortable." When Park Cheol-i stopped talking, the conversation ended. No Song-rin just stared at the kid, making him ufortable until he finally spoke. "So, why are you here?" "That kid, Gilyoung said you haven''t left the house since you were discharged. Is it because your arm hurts?" "No, it doesn''t hurt anymore. And this isn''t our house; ours burned down." "Roof plus walls is a house. This ce looks better than your old one. Even if it was taken from Chinese people, Hunters lived here, so it''s clean inside. You''re lucky." "It''s just temporary." "Temporary or not, it''s your house for now." "So?" "What do you mean so? We stick to the contract." "Contract?" No Song-rin pulled out a piece of paper. It wasbeled as contract in messy writing, signed by both him and Park Cheol-i. Seeing the contract made Park Cheol-i burst into tears. "Hey, don''t cry... Haaa, forget it. Cry all you want. Cry. Kids cry." No Song-rin ced the contract in front of the boy, who crawled over and hugged it, sobbing. "Dad... h-heugh, haa, heugh..." No Song-rin realized why he was crying. ''Come to think of it, his dad taught him about contracts, right?'' Park Cheol-i grew up in a single-parent household. His mother passed away due to frailty after giving birth to him. Recently, he lost his father in a battle with Chinese Hunters. On top of that, he lost one of his arms, which must have been extremely tough for a child not yet ten years old, both mentally and physically. No Song-rin thought of his own childhood, losing his family during the war and living alone. If he hadn''t be a Hunter as a teen, he might have died as a vagrant. ''At least this kid has someone to look after him. But who had it worse, him or me?'' Not good with words, No Song-rin didn''t try tofort him. He just moved closer and let Park Cheol-i cry into his coat. The coat got soaked with tears and snot, but he didn''t mind. After a while, the crying subsided. "Sorry, uncle. I soaked your coat." "Kid, this is expensive. The Guild Master will scold me." "A-A lot?" "But it''s waterproof, so it''s fine." "Phew..." "Are you done crying?" "Yeah, but I might cry again. It keeps happening." "Try to do it when I''m not around. I hate... Seeing kids cry." "Oh? Okay." "Just don''t cry too much. I lost my parents when I was young too. Cried a lot, but it didn''t solve anything. Food didn''t fall from the sky, and the cold didn''t go away. So don''t cry too much." "Okay." Silence fell again. No Song-rin suddenly remembered. "Oh, right. The contract." "Huh?" He made a call. A short whileter, the doorbell rang. People entered, carrying boxes. "Where should we put these?" "Anywhere by the wall." They started stacking boxes. Soon, the living room was filled with boxes, leaving only a narrow path. More boxes came in, filling the bedrooms and balcony, then the room where Park Cheol-i was. With no space left, they were told to leave boxes in the hallway. "What is all this?" "The contract. Snacks. To fill your house." No Song-rin opened a box, spilling snacks onto the floor. Crackers, choctes, and more. It was a mountain of snacks. "I fulfilled the contract. Share with your friends. Gilyoung and the others were worried about you." "Uncle..." Without looking back, No Song-rin left. "See you around." Park Cheol-i followed him. "Uncle!" Feeling a tickle at the back of his head, No Song-rin resisted the urge to look back and jumped out the window. The fifth floor was nothing to him. Hanging from the hallway window, Park Cheol-i shouted, "See you again!" No Song-rin awkwardly waved and left. "This was so unlike me." That evening... "This mission suits you the best, Hunter No Song-rin." Kang Mu-hyuk''s words left No Song-rin speechless. Why was he giving this dang mission to me? "Damn it. Should I go back to Kim Myung-jun?" Chapter 150 - I have a bad feeling! "Where are we?" Even after racing over 400 km east along the Amnok River, No Song-rin still couldn''t believe the reality. "Where do you think we are? We''re almost at ''Daehongdan County.'' The ce is known for its potatoes. Want to get some tornado potatoes when we get there? Oh, look, that must be Mt. Baekdu." Kang Mu-hyuk was enjoying the scenery like a tourist behind the wheel. Lee Sookyoung leaned out the window of the passenger seat, took a look, and nodded. "Yep, that''s Mt. Baekdu." "During the Titan incident, I couldn''t see it because we were working at the Northern Defense Line near ''Cheongjin City.'' How about you? You went for a raid in ''Hoeryeong City'' before." "That''s 100 km from Daehongdan. You can''t see Mt. Baekdu from there. After leaving Titan, I was stuck in Sinuiju. Hunter Hwang Dongsu, same goes for you, right?" Hyun Junggeon replied casually and looked out the opposite window. Hwang Dongsu answered while gazing at the towering mountain from the seat next to No Song-rin. "Yeah, I''ve seen it a few times while hunting in the Demon Realm. But it''s my first time seeing it from ournd. Except for Dandong, we couldn''t go out of Sinuiju..." Hwang Dongsu couldn''t finish his sentence as he felt nostalgic. In the end, it was No Song-rin who was the most ufortable, squished in the middle of the back seat. "Guild Leader, why do I have to go to the Demon Realm as a member of this party?" "I already exined that, didn''t I?" "Yeah, I heard what you said. We have to check the Gate that China is supposedly plotting something around." "Exactly, Hunter No Song-rin. You''re spot on." "No, I mean, why do I have to go?" Kang Mu-hyuk reached out his hand, and Lee Sookyoung took out a document from an envelope and handed it to him, who looked at the document and passed it back. No Song-rin reluctantly received it and asked, "What''s this?" "It''s your personal tactical assessment, Hunter No Song-rin. You scored high in survival skills, top tier in infiltration and reconnaissance, and your performance in Ujungdo is already proof of yourbat skills." "Cho Choonghyun wrote this, didn''t he? I don''t trust that traitor''s evaluation." "The Vice Guild Master before me wrote this. It has detailed evaluations of key high-rank guild Hunters. This is why you were selected for this exploration team. Congrattions." "Why is that something to be congratted for?!" In response to No Song-rin''s outburst, Kang Mu-hyuk added, "Kim Myungjun keeps contacting you, right? Trying to dig about Sinuiju." "Well, I am a spy." "Giving limited information with different excuses can only go so far. I''ve spread the word within the guild that you''re part of the Demonic Realm exploration team. Kim Myungjun will find a way to get some information out. If not, I''ll leak it myself. And once you''re in the Demonic Realm, he won''t be able to contact you, so there won''t be any reason to be suspicious either." "Kim Myungjun isn''t that naive. He was already suspicious of mest time. He''ll figure out the double agent act soon enough." "He''s cautious and won''t act like he knows anything until he''s sure. Keeping things ambiguous is his specialty." "I get what you''re saying, but why is he holding a knife to my throat?" No Song-rin pointed to Hwang Dongsu sitting next to him. "Are you a spy?" "Being called a spy by a North Korean is really something. Didn''t you hear me? I''m a double agent. Ha, Guild Leader, do I really have to go with these guys?" "Hunter Hwang Dongsu has extensive experience navigating the depths of the Demonic Realm. He''ll be useful." Hearing Kang Mu-hyuk''s rational responses to every emotional appeal, No Song-rin gave up. ''Right, give up, it''s easier. But the Demonic Realm won''t be easy.'' No Song-rin looked around at the other passengers. Hyun Junggeon, Hwang Dongsu, Lee Sookyoung, and himself. Kang Mu-hyuk was there for administrative tasks and to gather information. Ultimately, the four of them would enter the Demonic Realm together. Except their guide, Lee Sookyoung, they were all high-ranking Hunters, who proved their skills in the Sinuiju incident. It was a top-tier party, rarely seen at the Northern Defense Line. The problem was that they were going to explore the Demonic Realm. ''And the Chinese will be watching us closely.'' Any unexpected situation could get them killed in the Demonic Realm. Since reaching A-rank, No Song-rin had tried to avoid dangerous ces as much as possible. This was thest ce he wanted to be. Wondering why they were entering through Daehongdan, he asked, "Why are we going through Daehongdan instead of entering the Demonic Realm directly from Sinuiju? I heard the terrain is rough there." "Because Sinuiju is blocked by Dandong. It''s now fully part of South Korean territory, so there are many eyes watching any Demonic Realm entry from the Amnok River. Evenrge Chinese guilds can''t monitor the entire Korean border. That''s why we''ll take the Mt. Baekdu route or the Tumen River line." Kang Mu-hyuk''s concerns were valid. They couldn''t fully figure out the situation beyond the Amnok River, but considering the scale of the Chinese guilds'' schemes in the Demonic Realm, border control was something they could perfectly expect. The Chinese guilds hadn''t yet started monitoring other entry routes besides Sinuiju precisely because he acted quickly. "We''re almost there." The tilted sign seemed to wee them before a gust of wind from a passing car knocked it down. No Song-rin''s sharp eyes caught the scene. He looked back at the poles left without a sign and couldn''t take his eyes off it. ''Bad feeling! I knew it! I have a bad feeling about this!'' Daehongdan got its name from the red fields of azaleas and royal azaleas that bloomed in spring, abruptly ending at the rapids, with dae meaning huge, hong meaning red, and dan meaning rapids. The Noeun Mountain Range ran east-west through the county''s center, with towering mountains over 1,000 meters high forming the southwestern border, making it a strategic point for the northern defense line against the Demonic Realm. "Mmm, it''s cold, phoo----" Kang Mu-hyuk shivered despite his heavy parka, while the other Hunters seemed perfectlyfortable in their thin Ironwill armor coats. These coats offered protection against the cold, heat, water, des, and bullets with just a bit of mana. Hunters were also naturally resistant to extreme temperatures. "It''s freezing here because it''s January. Daehongdan''s average temperature is around -20 degrees Celsius now," Lee Sookyoung said that as she handed a warm pack she was rubbing with her hands to Kang Mu-hyuk, who gratefully pressed it to his face. Kang Mu-hyuk''s face gained some color back, but it didn''t make a huge difference. "Let''s get our entry permits at the front post first. Then we''ll head to the local Hunters'' association. Lee Sookyoung, you know someone there, right?" "Yeah, everyone there knows me. That''s where you get the best information. Southerners don''t know about it; here, it''s all about connections." "Alright, everyone take a break in the waiting room. I''ll handle the paperwork myself." Kang Mu-hyuk quickly took care of the entry procedures. By the time they finished their coffee and snacks, he was back. "Morning entry ends at 8 AM, and afternoon entry starts at 2 PM. We have three hours. Let''s eat and you can pick up the gear the guild sent. I''ll visit the association with Lee Sookyoung." They drove to a nearby town, found a butcher shop, and had a light meal, though they each ate enough for ten people. Kang Mu-hyuk watched them eat with satisfaction as he felt the expensive meal was worth it even though it cost him a lot. No Song-rin felt like Kang Mu-hyuk was a farmer fattening the pigs, and that made him feel like he couldn''t digest it. "Aren''t you eating more? We''ve got a big task ahead, you should fill up," Kang Mu-hyuk said. "Feels like we''re heading to a ughterhouse," No Song-rin replied. "The Demonic Realm is dangerous, but this party was created ordingly. With your skills, you won''t be ughtered. Just avoidbat as best you can, and you''ll be fine." "Sometimes I wonder, do you really not know or just pretend not to?" No Song-rin sighed. "If you have suggestions about the party, I''m all ears. What do you not like?" No Song-rin gave up. Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t someone he could deal with. "I''ll go to the association with Lee Sookyoung. The guild should''ve sent someone to the town hall. Pick up the gear and check it." "Wait, Guild Leader!" He heard a familiar voice, and turned to see Choi Miran, looking out of ce in Daehongdan with her fur coat as she waved at him. Behind her, Kim Sunghyun bowed politely in a guild armor coat. They were the first guild members Kang Mu-hyuk met in the old Taesung Guild parking lot and the members who acted as bodyguards when Cho Choonghyun had prevented the dam explosion. "Hunter Choi Miran, Hunter Kim Sunghyun. You brought the gear?" "Yep, we''re just the escorts. The people that Team Leader Ahn Ji-Il sent will handle the actual distribution." "You could''ve just waited at the town hall; no need toe out here." "We''ve got to eat too, you know. After all, we''re doing this for a living. Plus, I wanted to try Daehongdan''s tornado potatoes." "Are you here on a sightseeing tour? Tired of North Pocheon already, huh? Escorting isn''t normally your gig, is it?" "W-well, uh... Ahem! This is guild work too. We''re not goofing off." "Who said you were?" Choi Miran''s guilty confession made Kim Sunghyun shake his head. Once again, she was the one who switched their work shifts. Though it meant she had to pull two extra night shifts, she enjoyed the change of scenery from North Pocheon. "Alright then, let''s meet at the town hall in an hour after you eat." Kang Mu-hyuk decided to let it go. Minor mischief like this was nothing for Hunters. In Titan, drunken brawls with other guilds or frence Hunters were moremon. Sometimes, they even assaulted civilians, which was a major headache. This was just a cute little misadventure. Kang Mu-hyuk and Lee Sookyoung visited a three-story building near the town hall. Though not tall, it spread wide, indicating a significant floor area. "Inside isn''t much. They renovated an old potato factory, that''s why it''s so spacious." "Just having a ce like this proves the association''s clout." "You''re right. It may look simple, but they have substance. Most info about the Demonic Realm and rumors from the Tumen River bordends end up here. Oh, I''ve kept you outside too long, Guild Leader. It''s cold; let''s hurry inside." As Lee Sookyoung reached to guide him to the entrance, snowkes began to fall. Kang Mu-hyuk looked up, worried about driving in the snow. "!!" What was piling up on the ground wasn''t snow. It was powder falling from jellyfish-like creatures floating in the sky. Kang Mu-hyuk shouted, "Spore flowers!" Without even looking up, Lee Sookyoung tackled Kang Mu-hyuk to the ground. Bang! Chapter 151 - This happened faster than I thought? Lee Sookyoung shielded Kang Muhyuk with the armor coat as explosions and mes erupted behind them. Debris flew everywhere from the wrecked building. She rolled with him to escape the st zone. Finally safe, she looked up and shouted, "Why is there a bomb flower here?!" The bomb flower, also known as the spore flower, was officially named the ''Bomb Spore Flower.'' This monster floated like a balloon and scattered explosive seeds. These seeds would drift like dandelion fluff and scatter with the wind. When the fluff''s parachute-like fibers gave out, the seed would drop straight down. Uponnding, it wouldbine with pre-sprinkled pollen, expanding the st radius. This defense mechanism eliminated predators when the seeds were most vulnerable. "Thanks for saving me." "We''re not safe yet! They''re exploding everywhere!" The union building''s roof was half-destroyed. Screams and shouts echoed inside. Hunters burst out, smashing windows and walls, followed by small creatures. "Those are ''Spore-seeds''!" Lee Sookyoung threw Kang Muhyuk into the SUV''s passenger seat and slid over the hood to the driver''s seat. Another explosion rocked the area as she started the engine. "To City Hall!" Kang Mu-hyuk barely finished shouting before she floored the elerator. The tires screeched as the car sped off, the spot they left exploding momentster. "Look out!" A ''Spore Seed'' crawled out of a crater ahead. It looked like a walking flower, about 50cm tall. If it found a host, it would grow quickly, spread its seeds, and could turn a small city into a battlefield if not dealt with fast. "Run it over!" Before Kang Muhyuk could finish, Lee Sookyoung hit the gas harder. The creature let out a strange scream as it was crushed under the wheels. They saw it mangled and lifeless when they checked the rearview mirror. "No Song-rin''s not answering. They must be under attack too." He put his phone away, wishing Lee Sookyoung had messaging skills. He opened the sunroof cover and saw seeds flying in the sky. "Those little bastards were hard to notice, but thanks." Lee Sookyoung looked between the road and the sky while avoiding the falling seeds with Hunter''s precision. They dodged the sts, but the creatures clung to the car. She swerved to shake them off. Kang Muhyuk held onto the handle, getting back the bnce and yelled, "Ignore them! They can''t get in the car!" "What?" "They attack living things but are weak against inanimate objects. They can''t even break ss or plywood." Even Hunters like her rarely saw the Bomb Spore Flower. She''d experienced explosive attacks but never knew Spore Seeds were weak against inanimate objects. It made sense since there were no buildings or cars in the Demonic Realm. Hunters from the North were usually trained through connections and real-life experience, not formal education. So, it wasn''t surprising she didn''t know about this weakness. "How do you know that?" she asked, skeptical. "I saw them a lot during the Minor War." He was well-acquainted with the Bomb Flower, not just from research. He lost his mother sixteen years ago, during the ''Gate Hole'' incident. He still clearly remembered the nightmare of falling seed bombs, and he saw Spore Seeds attacks up close. He red at the Spore seeds clinging to the car. "Get to City Hall. We need to save people first." City Hall was equally chaotic. No Song-rin thought a war had broken out when the bombs started falling. Initially he suspected the Chinese, but he understood what the situation was when he saw the floating spores. "Damn it, it''s the Bomb Spore Flower." Recognizing the threat, he quickly evacuated everyone inside. He had also experienced the Minor War as a rookie hunter and the Spore Seed waves particrly annoyed him. Bang! An explosion rocked the rooftop before he could finish speaking. Hyun Junggeon clicked his tongue in frustration. "It''s already breached." "Evacuate people from the fifth floor and block the doors! Hey, you two." "Y-yes, sir!" "Me?" No Song-rin grabbed Choi Miran and Kim Sunghyun, who were evacuating to City Hall. "Help Mr. Hyun on the roof. Don''t let any more breaches happen! Destroy any Spore Seeds you see!" Spore Seeds were crawling out of the parking lot which has turned into a war zone. "Why isn''t everyone taking cover?!" Hwang Dongsu shed at the Spore Seeds with his sword, protecting the civilians as they fled inside. But he couldn''t block them all. "I wish that telekic kid was here." No Song-rin missed Go Eul-ji. Close-range Hunters could only sh and block, while magic or psychic Hunters could stop the seeds before they fell, making them much more efficient. "At least it''s cold. So all the windows are closed." The Spore Seeds, frustrated by the closed windows, turned their attention to the Hunters and tried to follow people inside. No Songrin and Hwang Dongsu guarded the doors until everyone was safe. "What about the Guild Leader? Shouldn''t we rescue him?" "He''s not the type to die here. Plus, he''s with that North Korean woman, so they should be fine." Right then, a vehicle skidded to a stop on the road with a loud noise. "See? They''re fine." The car plowed through the Spore Seeds at the entrance, crashing into the door. It drifted to a stop, showing its side. Hwang Dongsu nted his sword in the ground and charged at the car, strengthening his body with mana. He stopped the car by bracing against its side, preventing a full collision. Lee Sookyoung jumped out and started fighting the Spore Seeds as Hwang Dongsu tore open the dented car door. "d you''re safe, Guild Leader." "You handled things well here." "That backstabber is something else." "Just call her a spy. What''s with calling her a backstabber!" No Song-rin grumbled as he sliced through the Spore Seeds. Kang Mu-hyuk nodded in acknowledgment and stepped into City Hall. "Let''s get inside. Secure the doors." The other Hunters followed, taking out Spore Seeds as they went. Hwang Dongsu was thest to close the door, and No Song-rin lowered the shutters just in case. Kang Mu-hyuk looked around the lobby. People were in shock. Some were even having seizures, after the monster attack. He told Lee Sookyoung to knock out a person who was causing a fuss and pointed to a man lying on the floor. "You''re an official, right?" The man, with an ID badge around his neck, nodded. "Yes... Yes, I am..." "Where''s the emergency management office? You have a system to send emergency texts, right? Each local government should have one." "Yes, it''s on the second floor." "Let''s go. Send a text with information on how to deal with these monsters. Hwang Dongsu, stay here and guard this ce." "Yes, Guild Leader." As they quickly climbed the stairs, Lee Sookyoung asked, "Why do civilians need to know about these monsters? Shouldn''t they just run?" "They need to stay inside. Some people always try to run outside and get caught. Many died that way during the Minor War," No Song-rin exined. Kang Mu-hyuk added, "Staying inside is safest. Without urate information, people get anxious and don''t trust the system, so they go outside. Many died that way before." The hallways to the emergency office were crowded with panicked people, but some officials were trying to calm them and close the curtains. Kang Mu-hyuk noticed their effective response and murmured, "They handle Spore Seeds well here. Closing the curtains was smart." "I sent guild members to help. Mr. Hyun went to guide people and give instructions." "Hunter Hyun Junggeon?" "The rooftop was breached. He''s evacuating the fifth floor and securing it, also blocking more bombs froming in." "Thanks to you, this ce is safe. We can set up a response team here." In the emergency office, officials were already sending out emergency texts and contacting the government about the situation. "Over there," said the official guiding Kang Mu-hyuk, pointing to aputer. Kang Mu-hyuk pushed aside the official sending texts and took over. "Wh-who are you?" "We''re experts at this. Stay back." When No Song-rin gently pushed the protesting official, they realized they were Hunters when they stumbled easily at the light push. "You''re Hunters?" "Yes. Our Guild Leader is over there. We''ll take over until the danger is over." Ignoring legal protocols, they assumedmand as the situation demanded decisive action. No Song-rin''s presence and reputation kept others quiet. He knew showing some force would prevent objections. "We''ve sent out the evacuation alerts. Now, we need to contact local Hunters." "Eliminating Spore Seeds is next, but the guild is a mess. We should contact defense contract Hunters," suggested Lee Sookyoung. Kang Muhyuk shook his head. "The defense force won''t move." "What?" "A monster attack means the Tumen River line is also at risk. They''ll strengthen the front lines." "Then, we should get support from nearby cities..." "There''s no time." "What do you mean?" "If Spore Seeds run out of hosts..." Howl! A chilling howl echoed from somewhere. Kang Muhyuk and No Song-rin rushed to the window and pulled back the curtain. "This is faster than I expected," said Kang Muhyuk. No Song-rin sighed. "They can''t wait any longer with their kids being hungry. The mothers are moving" Chapter 152 - Its all about how you use them The Bomb Spore Flower was ssified as a nt-type monster but it was a parasite which fed on living beings, not soil or water---and it could move at will. Actually, the reason it was ssified as a nt-type monster was simply because it looked like a flower. The problem was that it had an animal-like maternal instinct, which was unusual for a nt. As per monster schrs, its maternal instinct drove it to spread its seeds, using an explosive burst of dust to eliminate predators and get the seeds moving. Most maternal creatures(except humans) don''t interfere once their offspring are independent, yet this monster was different. It personally moved to help its seeds if they were starving. "The mother ising down." The jellyfish-shaped mother floating in the sky slowly starteding down to the ground. One could only see two mothers from the county office, but given the number of seeds scattered across the area, there were likely dozens. "This moved to phase 2 way too quickly." "It''s because we responded so fast." "It would''ve been better to finish this before moving to the next stage..." "We need to gather the Hunters, Guild Leader." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded in agreement with No Song-rin''s suggestion. He was on the same page. They didn''t have enough time to go after the mothers all over the area, while dealing with each seed''s attacks one by one. They needed to prepare for the next stage. They had to gather the Hunters at any cost, and fast. "If we reach phase 3, it''ll be a raid then. Can we handle that given the situation? Without a proper raid team?" "Under normal circumstances, it''d be difficult." Kang Mu-hyuk looked at No Song-rin, then at the ground, then at the ceiling. "But luckily, we''ve got three high-rankers to keep things under control, don''t we? And a liaison to coordinate with the veterans here." Behind him were all the four members of the Demonic Realm Exploration Party, including Lee Sookyoung. Conveniently enough, they were specialists in tanking, dealing damage, and recon. If Lee Sookyoung were to bridge the gap with the unaffiliated Hunters here, things could go smoothly. "No Song-rin, join Hunters Hyun Junggeon and Hwang Dongsu in the strike team to eliminate the mothers near the office." "Yes, I''ll handle it right away." "And you, civil servant!" "Yes? Yes, sir." "I have to ry an order to the Hunters through the emergency broadcast service. Please draft it up right away." The civil servant looked a bit uneasy. "But... wh-what about the chain ofmand here...? Even in a small county office, there''s still a clear system..." Civil servants were really touchy about responsibility. Kang Mu-hyuk was well aware of this since he''d dealt with them plenty from the time the Titan Guild was just a local guild. So, one had to make sure they didn''t feel too burdened when one was working with them. "Is the county governor around?" "He left earlier for an appointment... And we haven''t been able to reach him." He was probably dead. "What about the deputy governor?" "He went with him as well..." "If both of them are gone, then in a monster emergency, the head of the safety management department is the one responsible, right?" Kang Mu-hyuk turned to a middle-aged man sitting at the head of the situation room. Despite a stranger walking in and giving orders, he stayed silent. Maybe No Song-rin''s rough face kept him from stepping up, or maybe he was just panicking in the crisis. Kang Mu-hyuk asked him again, trying to snap him out of it. "Sir, I get it---dealing with a monster invasion isn''t exactly something you''re used to." Who would be, besides Hunters? Even for Hunters, suchrge-scale events happened rarely unless they were a part of a big guild raid team. Managing this at a city or county level would need someone with raid leader experience to be in charge. "Under Article 9 of the Guild Rtions Act, a person-in-charge from a prominent guild can take overmand in case of emergencies. Do you agree to let the Iron Will Guild take control of this situation?" A ''person-in-charge from a prominent guild'' usually refers to someone from a big A-rank or higher guild. The leadership positions included are Guild Master, Vice Guild Master, Expedition Leader, or Raid Leader. As a Guild Leader, Kang Mu-hyuk technically didn''t fall into this category. Thew didn''t officially recognize his role yet. But, as per past cases, a Guild Leader could be considered equivalent to a Vice Guild Master. Plus, the definition of a rge guild" was pretty vague. The use was based on social consensus, considering factors like size, revenue, and influence. Was Iron Will arge guild? In terms of Hunters, size, achievements, and revenue, the answer would be ''No.'' But influence? ''Arge corporation guild, Guild Master Ju Se-ah, and being based in North Pocheon, our guild is definitely the talk of the town these days.'' So, it was open to interpretation. "Yes...I''ll leave it to you." Of course, the mid-level civil servant was panicking in the middle of this mess, and didn''t have the presence of mind to argue. Kang Mu-hyuk quickly wrapped up the formalities and sat the civil servant in front of theputer. "I''ll dictate; just send the message as soon as you''re done." The civil servant was practically nudged into the chair. He stared nkly at Kang Mu-hyuk, waiting. "Effective immediately, at 1:17 PM. All Hunters in Daehongdan County, except those with the Tumen River Defense Force." "...Except for the Tumen River Defense Force. All Hunters in Daehongdan County..." The civil servant mumbled while he typed. "Are temporarily transferred under the Iron Will Guild." "Temporarily... transferred... under the Iron Will Guild." "The current situation is ssified as a war-rank raid." "The current situation... ssified..." "So we shall form the Daehongdan Strike Force." "...Strike Force." "Assembly point is the county office. Assembly time is 2 PM. All Hunters are to bring every strategic asset and tactical gear they have. That''s all." "...That''s all." "Sender: Iron Will Guild Guild Leader, Kang Mu-hyuk." Frence Hunter Wang Gicheol came to the Kaema teau in search of work, and had stopped by in Daehongdan after hearing that the area near the Demonic Realm was pretty much a goldmine. It didn''t take him long to put together a party and just as they were about to enter the Demonic Realm, everything blew up. Bombs started raining down from all directions. In the chaos, Mr. Kim, who he''d just exchanged introductions with, was killed. Wang didn''t even know him long enough to remember his name. When the explosions stopped, he thought he could finally catch his breath, but then tiny nt monsters started charging at him. They weren''t hard to handle individually, but there were just way too many of them. He had a strong feeling that if he ignored them and they clung to him, he''d be screwed, so he went all out to take them down. As he kept fighting, he noticed his party members weren''t around anymore. He could feel his stamina and mana draining fast. He needed somece to get ready forbat. That was when he spotted a convenience store. He went inside to rest, locking the door behind him, and found a terrified part-time worker trembling under the counter. He told the worker he was a Hunter and managed to calm him down. While he hid and grabbed a quick bite, he noticed something odd: the monsters couldn''t get inside the store. They couldn''t even break the ss. So, Wang Gicheol decided to stay put, hoping that the guild forces or the defense units would handle the rest. When he realized he would protect him, the part-timer treated him like a king. Then, a text message arrived. "What the hell? A raid? Are they nuts? Do they expect me to go there and get killed? And this isn''t even a proper raid team... Wait, Iron Will? Kang Mu-hyuk?" Frencer or not, there wasn''t a single Hunter in Korea who didn''t know that guild and that name. Especially after the Hunter Vige opened up---they became even more famous. Even Wang Gicheol tried to get in when the reservation site opened, clicking like crazy. Even his lightning-fast Hunter reflexes couldn''t get him in there, which just shows how fierce thepetition was. That was how famous they were. "What''s Kang Mu-hyuk doing here? Shouldn''t he be in North Pocheon?" That was a natural thing to think about. "Kang Mu-hyuk? Isn''t he from Ju Se-ah''s guild? That''s the guy who''s a Guild Leader even though he''s not a Hunter." The part-time worker was clearly into Hunter stuff, so he chimed in on Wang Gicheol''s muttering and started talking. "He''s the real deal, though. I mean, Ju Se-ah wouldn''t make him leader if he wasn''t special." "Did you see the video? The one where they took down the orc tribe? Who would''ve thought we''d see a water battle strategy in action like that? Using water to hunt monsters? That was genius." "I read somewhere that he led the wolf rider project as well. It caught the attention of Hunters abroad, and they were blown away when he fortified the area with the yer Guild. You know guilds are full of industrial spies these days. After all, having strong backing really helps." After going on and on about Kang Mu-hyuk, the part-timer finally asked, "But why is he here?" Wang Gicheol thought about the same question earlier. Then the part-timer voiced a reasonable doubt. "Could it be fake? Maybe they''re using his name to get people to cooperate in this emergency. Public servants might be bluffing." "I don''t think it''s a lie. Public servants wouldn''t throw around the name of an ordinary person, especially someone with no raid experience. If they were bluffing, they''d be more likely to use yer Guild''s Sung Seonjae." "So, is it really him?" "Who knows... But this is an emergency message, right? This is a system for local governments to send texts like this. But the county office would have to be pretty bold to pull off something like this. And from what I know, Kang Mu-hyuk is no regr guy." "He''s definitely something else." "Yeah, but in Hunter circles, the opposite of ''ordinary'' is ''crazy.'' Kang Mu-hyuk is no ordinary crazy guy, especially since he''s not even a Hunter." The part-time worker didn''t fully understand what Wang Gicheol meant by ''crazy.'' They both thought of the word atpletely different levels. ''But he''s the good kind of crazy...'' For Hunters, the line between good and bad depends on how many Hunters die and whether the hunt was a sess. Kang Mu-hyuk took down the Goblin tribe in North Pocheon and the Orc tribe in Cheorwon, and no one ever said he got a lot of Hunters killed. And that was despite both being war-rank missions. ''Calling this a ''war-level raid'' means things could really escte. So, going solo could get you killed. Sticking together is usually the smart move inbat. But then again... that''s not always the case. Um, sitting around for too long might end up totally screwing me. This is tricky, huh?'' He couldn''t ignore the name "Kang Mu-hyuk" that kept nagging at him. Normally, the person-in-charge''s name wouldn''t be on a message like this. It was a subtle way of pressuring others, "Get the dang message and show up." When that thought crossed his mind, Wang Gicheol felt a sudden restlessness. He may have been a frencer, but he had five years of experience under his belt. He wasn''t just experienced; his instincts were razor-sharp. Sure, his old teammates used to call his instincts an arrowhead. Because it always flew away into the distance. But this time, he had a gut feeling. He knew he had to go. If Kang Mu-hyuk was leading this raid, there was a good chance of sess. This might be his golden ticket to getting on Kang Mu-hyuk''s radar. Maybe, just maybe, he couldnd a spot in Iron Will if things went his way. ''Is it okay to get my hopes up a little?'' Wang Gicheol jumped up from his seat. "Hey, kid. Make sure you lock up this ce." "Huh?" "I''m heading out for a raid." "So, the front lines near the Tumen River in Daehongdan are secure?" "Yes, as per the news from the militarymander there." Kang Mu-hyuk drew a blue line on the situation room map with a marker. It was a symbol that the Tumen River frontline was holding. "Has Central Command said anything? They should be aware of what''s happening here by now." "They sent an emergency ops unit from the Kaema teau and asked nearby guilds for support... but it sounds like their first priority is Hoeryeong City..." "They won''t make it in time there either. Guilds will only move once they''ve assessed the situation." "Yes. If you''re right, Hoeryeong City will be in chaos too." Kang Mu-hyuk drew a red line toward Hoeryeong City, about 80 kilometers northeast of Daehongdan. "Hoeryeong is a pretty big northern city, so it''ll take significant damage, but there are plenty of guild headquarters and Hunters there. They should be able to handle it somehow. The real issue is making sure no other battlefronts fall... but let''s focus on the monsters already inside Daehongdan since that hasn''t happened yet." "Are you sure we don''t need to call for the Defense Force?" "If we pull the Defense Force and the frontlines copse, defending here will be pointless. Unaffiliated Hunters and guild Hunters are supposed to defend the region in an emergency. It''s standard procedure to conscript them first." "But they''re Hunters... I don''t think they''ll willingly follow orders..." The civil servant hesitated, daunted by No Song-rin''s intimidating presence. He was too scared to openly criticize the Hunters. "I get it, Hunters tend to do their own thing. Most of them are probably too busy looking out for themselves. But not all of them. Some are locals, and there must be some who still care about their duties as Hunters. Others might have their own motives. But so what? Their intentions don''t matter. It''s all about how we use them. And if they don''t show up, it''s our job to find another way." Kang Mu-hyuk said this partly to steady himself. Inside, he was really worried about what would happen if no one showed up. And that worry became a reality. "This is it? No way." Only three Hunters stood before Kang Mu-hyuk. One of them was Wang Gicheol. ''Damn it. Damn my arrowhead intuition!'' Chapter 153 - This is Like Hitting the Jackpot Kang Mu-hyuk had to get a grip on the situation. ''Hunters can be selfish, but this is way too strange.'' There was a reason only three of them had shown up. "Everyone''s scattered in small groups. They''re having a hard time getting through those damn nt monsters. There are just too many of them. Luckily, some Hunters with messaging skills managed to get in touch with us, and since we were the closest to the county office, we came here to ask for help..." "When you say ''we,'' you sound like there''s a group. So why are you here alone?" "Well... we ran into the mother of those nt monsters on the way, so..." Kang Mu-hyuk immediately got the picture. "How many of you were there?" "Four..." "We had five people." "You too?" A nearby Hunter, who had been quietly watching, cautiously chimed in. Seeing how he didn''t seem to be grieving that much over his lostrades, they probably weren''t that close. Kang Mu-hyuk massaged his throbbing forehead. Nine of them in total. Seven dead, and two barely escaped. They were really lucky. Taking on a mother creature with just four or five people and having two survivors was nothing short of a miracle. But someone was even luckier. "And what about you? How many in your group died hunting?" "M-me? I came alone. I hid myself and snuck in..." "..." "..." The other two Hunters were stunned, their mouths gaping like fish. They nearly died getting there, while he just strolled in unharmed. Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t wrap his head around it. Monsters were swarming like ants near the county office. Only someone seriously skilled could break through that without a scratch. But Wang Gicheol, in Kang Mu-hyuk''s eyes, didn''t seem like a top-tier Hunter. At best, he might be a B-rank. And that was being generous. His mana level was more like a C+. "Out of nowhere, there was this big explosion, and all the monsters swarmed towards it. I slipped in during the chaos." High-ranking Hunters like No Song-rin had already cleared the area near the county office, so he made it through without a hitch. In other words, the other two Hunters'' party had been fighting on the front lines, allowing him to slip in safely. "You''re lucky." "Yeah. I guess I''ve always been a bit lucky." Shitty intuition, though. Wang Gicheol was the poster child for a Hunter who lived off pure luck. Despite his terrible intuition often leading him into monster-filled zones, he somehow always walked away unscathed. This time was no different. He''d blindly wandered into a monster-infested area, only to find himself at the county office without a scratch, thanks to another party drawing all the attention while they fought the mother creature. Sure, they said a Hunter''s life was seventy percent luck and thirty percent skill, but in his case, it might as well be ny percent luck and ten percent skill. ''Haaa, I didn''t think they were this reckless.'' Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t help but feel disappointed in their choices. Just by following the basicbat protocols, their party could''ve made it out safely. He even had No Song-rin''s group clear the area to help them get in safely. But instead, they charged straight into the lion''s den. Kang Mu-hyuk suddenly realized that these guys were frencers and couldn''t help but sigh. ''I''ve heard frencers don''t get the best training... but it must be even worse up north.'' Plus, even seasoned Hunters didn''t run into bomb-spore flowers every day. They probably figured the mother creature would be just as weak as her spore seeds. That was why they agreed so easily to contact the county office for others. It wasn''t necessarily a bad call. Usually, the strength of a monster''s spore seeds mirrors that of the mother. It was not a hard rule, but it was true for most monsters. These Hunters judged the situation based on the basics. Kang Mu-hyuk realized he''d have to make some serious changes to his n. He needed to think on the go with time running out. "Follow me. Let''s talk while we check out the situation room map." The walls of the situation room were lined withrge maps. One showed the entire Korean Penins and the area around the Tumen River. The other was a detailed map of Daehongdan County. The Daehongdan map took up an entire wall, showing every alley, house, and even the tiniest corner shops. Kang Mu-hyuk handed a marker to the two surviving Hunters. "Mark where your party started and the spots where you''ve made contact with other Hunters. Write down the number of Hunters you know about. Themunication tower is down, so smartphones are useless. If there''s any ce you can reach with your messaging skill, link us up." "Uh, the guy with the messaging skill died..." "I can do it. I''ve got it." With that, they managed to map out the Hunters who were stranded. Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t help but frown. "They got themselves trapped while running around like headless chickens." There were many of them. They''d identified 71 Hunters. The problem was, they were scattered all over the ce in groups of two or three, sometimes five or six. ''I can see exactly how this happened.'' They kept breaking up while trying to dodge danger, and got stuck. It was the kind of mess one would sometimes see when they give new recruits in a guild a surprise test. In cases like this, big guilds would cut all the Hunters loose unless they had some rare talent. A Hunter who was destined to make it big would disy signs even as a rookie. If they couldn''t handle low-level situations, their future wasn''t bright. Of course, guilds didn''t expect perfection. They just wanted the basics. But these Hunters showed aplete failure to grasp even the basics. The map was the proof. It was a clear example of why they were frencers. Kang Mu-hyuk pointed to the numbers marked for each party and asked, "Over here at number 3. This is thergest group with seven people. Why are they trapped in that tiny store?" "Uh, h-hold on. Let me check." Moe Ilju, the Hunter with the messaging skill, spent a while sending and receiving messages. To be exact, he was waiting for a reply since the messaging skill had to be ryed. The messaging skill only worked between Hunters who had met and registered by touching palms. These frencers didn''t see each other much or only hunted together once or twice, so it took one or two connections to get any news from other parties. "Oh? Yeah. Got it. Ah, that makes sense... Guild Leader, group number 3 says they got trapped while trying to run from the monsters." "..." After checking in on a few parties, Kang Mu-hyuk got a pretty good grasp of the situation. ''Points 3, 6, and 11. These spots have the most spore seed clusters, and there are a lot of mother creatures nearby. Phase 3 will probably kick off in one of these areas.'' Kang Mu-hyuk cleared his thoughts and nced over at Lee Sookyoung. "Get all the Hunters who are clearing the monsters outside toe back. We''re going to start the strategy briefing." "So? You''re going to do it personally?" "Yeah," Kang Mu-hyuk nodded at No Song-rin. "But Guild Leader, you''re not a Hunter. You should stay here in themand room and give orders. Why are you heading out on a hunt?" "With more Hunters, I''d do that. But right now... We just have three so..." Kang Mu-hyuk had a solid reason for insisting on joining the raid. ''Once those bomb-spore flowers hit phase 3, it''s going to be like a boss fight. We can''t even win based on our headcount because of the spore seeds. The gap between our ranks is too big. We need to optimize our partyposition to deal with this.'' They didn''t have enough intel on the 71 Hunters. Trying to connect with them one by one using the messaging skill was taking too long. By the time everyone got together, Daehongdan would be a wastnd. In other words, they had to put together the best possible party right here and now and adjust it as more Hunters joined, to make the raid as effective as possible. "I get why you''re doing this... But anything could happen out there. We can''t guarantee your safety." "Maybe if we had gear from Warehouse C, it''d be different, but we don''t, so we have to make do with what we''ve got. At this rate, if we don''t do anything, it''s not just the Hunters---everyone here will be annihted. The mother creatures are already on the move, probably tearing down buildings and attacking people." "I''ve dealt with these things before, so I know that... But this just isn''t right," No Song-rin said, pounding his chest in frustration. He knew Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t going to back down. Even he knew this n was their best shot. ''Damn it, if I only had experience as a raid leader.'' Kang Mu-hyuk had no other choice because none of the Hunters here had ever led a raid. Usually, a seasoned raid leader would be on the front lines, but the Hunters here were at best at the level of party leaders. Hwang Dongsu was a brawler who relied on experience over tactics, Hyun Junggeon was a former assassin who dabbled in strategy, and Lee Sookyoung was just a frence Hunter. No Song-rin did establish a small group back in the days of the Taesung Guild, but the guild''s situation at the time meant they never got involved in any major raids. Since he was from Ujungdo, he was better at scuffles rather than systematic raids. The Orc Tribe incident was his only experience with raid parties, and even then, he just followed Kang Mu-hyuk''s n to the letter. "So, No Song-rin, can you put together a raid party?" "That''s... I''m not confident. You can''t just throw people together and call it a raid party. It''s not that simple." "Hoeryong City won''t send reinforcements for a while. We''ve got to work with what we have here. And right now, I''m the only one who can put together the best raid party and give the right orders." "Kang Mu-hyuk''s right, No. He''s got a real talent for this kind of thing," Hyun Junggeon said with a smirk, backing up Kang Mu-hyuk. "Don''tugh. I can see right through you." "Oh? Was I too obvious? But what can I say? It''s never boring around the Guild Leader." Despite their short time together, No Song-rin could tell that Hyun Junggeon was almost as sneaky as someone from Ujungdo''s ''Heart.'' No Song-rin once was close to being like that himself, but seeing Kim Myungjun, he felt he wasn''t so bad. Hyun Junggeon, on the other hand, was even more devious than Kim Myungjun. It was exhausting just thinking about what kind of viin he might''ve be if he hadn''t been working with Kang Mu-hyuk. ''Why am I worrying about him? Acting like a justice warrior? I must be losing it.'' Kang Mu-hyuk made his final point clear. "I''ll hang back during the final battle. Let''s decide on the rest of the decisions as the situation unfolds." "Haaa, there''s no point talking to him. He won''t listen. Fine, let''s do this. Gotta jump when the higher-ups say jump." Hunter roles were generally split into two big categories: Tanks and dealers. And within those, there were more specific roles. Take dealers, for example. They were divided into ranged and melee. Then, there were archers, often called "bowmen," and swordsmen, referred to as "swordsmen." Archers might branch into rangers depending on their scouting and survival skills, or snipers if they focus on long-range precision or quick, decisive hits. There were plenty of other smaller roles, too. Tanks were the same. One was "pure tanks," who focused on defense, and "hybrid tanks," who could juggle multiple roles. Pure tanks could be further broken down into "defenders," who prioritized defense, and "attackers," who focused on dishing out damage. Defenders with shields could be categorized into "armor knights," who had single-target defensive skills, and "pdins," who provided buffs to the whole party or raid. Individualbat styles formed even more sub-roles, but their list was endless. That was why the media usually just called them all "tanks." Even among Hunters, unless they were putting together a party or raid, they didn''t get too caught up in the details. ''Hunter Hwang Dongsu isn''t the most reliable choice for a main tank, but given his high rank, we don''t have another option. Still, he''s tougher than a B-rank tank.'' Kang Mu-hyuk assigned Hwang Dongsu as the main tank and formed the first party around him. Broadly looking, Hwang Dongsu was a tank, but more specifically, he was an attacker who wielded a greatsword rather than weapons in both hands. While dual-hand weapons specialized in securing the party''s safety by quickly gathering the attention of nearby monsters with continuous strikes, the greatsword style''s strengthy in its toughness, delivering powerful hits that kept a single foe locked in battle. ''That''s why a greatsword warrior needs to be tough as nails and needs proper armor to match that.'' But Hwang Dongsu, havinge from the Sinuiju prison vige, had never once worn full gear in his time as a Hunter. Quite ironically, the fact that he''d managed to hunt with almost no protection, without ever getting seriously injured, meant he was incredibly strong. ''Imagine what he could do with the right gear.'' And that vision was now ying out before their eyes. "Screech!" "Screech!" "Screech screech!" He charged forward, slicing through monsters with his massive greatsword. "A berserker." He was shredding them all, not just the spore seeds, but even the mother creatures. "I expected this when I nned this armor, but after seeing it live... This is like hitting the jackpot." Chapter 154 - I will dedicate myself to your grand cause The mother nt of the bomb spores crashed into the building. Screams echoed as spores darted through the copsing walls, and people scattered in panic. The mother nt didn''t chase after the fleeing crowd. Instead, it watched calmly, almost like a proud parent observing its offspring hone their hunting instincts. Soon, a deathly silence settled. The spores clung to people''s faces and greedily drained their life force. Those who were unlucky enough to be hosts withered visibly. The more aggressive spores sucked them dry so fast that they died before they werepletely drained. When a host perished, the spores separated themselves from it and sought out fresh prey. When they eyed the upied spots, they had to back off because there wasn''t any room left totch on. At that moment, a group of humans burst out of an alley, slicing through the spores. Even the mother nt was within the range for their counterattack with their greatswords. But with spores clinging to their ankles, they missed their chance to take it down. The team searched the wreckage. No one was left alive. They stopped looking for survivors and headed straight for their next target. They progressed very slowly as they battled the relentless onught of spores. "No. 7 secured! All temporarily joining Hunters, report to themand team! Everyone, move to No. 2! Party 2, take the lead, with Hunter Mo Ilju at the front!" Hwang Dongsu and his team fell back on Kang Mu-hyuk''s orders as No Song-rin''s team took the lead. Mo Ilju guided them. He prided himself on his knowledge of the area. He was one of the three who made it to the county office alive and had been instrumental in helping Kang Mu-hyuk locate the 71 isted Hunters using his messaging skill. He checked his phone to confirm the location of No. 2. It showed a photo of the map that Kang Mu-hyuk had marked. Kang Mu-hyuk shouted urgently when he noticed this, "Eyes forward! To the five-way intersection near the Hongdan Caf¨¦! Real estate agency!" "Y-yes, sir!" Knowing they of thend and strategic points was raiding 101, but with everything happening so fast, memorizing all 21 locations was nearly impossible. For someone like Mo Ilju, with little raiding experience, just keeping up with the flood of information was a monumental task. ''How can anyone memorize all that? Only someone crazy could do it.'' Mo Ilju felt a wave of frustration. No Song-rin, who was backing him up, gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "Don''t stress about it. He just loses it when people''s lives are on the line. Damn, these spores are persistent." As No Song-rin shed through the spores, Kang Mu-hyuk rallied the new recruits and began gathering intel. "Name, rank, position, main weapon, specialty, and hunting style. Quick rundown, starting from the right." The first Hunter to catch on to his orders spoke up, "Jeon Seungjo. B-Rank. Ranged dealer. Bow. I specialize in rapid and quick shots, with a stance-dealing style." As Jeon Seungjo introduced himself, the other three Hunters followed suit, sharing their details. Kang Mu-hyuk quickly sized them up and restructured the party. ''Four dealers, two archers. Stance-dealing sounds fancy, but really, it just means they''re the stand-still-and-shoot type. Probably the kind who just fires away without much thought.'' At first nce, it might seem normal for an archer to stay put while shooting, but for Hunters who could maintain their stance even while moving, staying in one spot meant ack of adaptability or little sense for mobilebat. This style wasmon among frencers who didn''t think much about tactics---basically, the kind of ''brainless dealers'' that raid leaders hate to deal with. Seeing a Hunter unsuitable even for lower-tier hunting grounds on the front lines of Daehongdan was baffling. ''No, I shouldn''t rush to form a judgment. I''ll see how they perform in action. But they mightg behind during mobilebat while trying to deal, so I''ll have to stick them close to Hyun Junggeon.'' So far, they''d only secured three bases, with 13 members total: two tanks and eleven dealers, 7 of whom were ranged. Only a few of them had solid skills or standard hunting styles. The only good news was that the two tanks were locals from the north. They were experienced on the front lines, so they instinctively knew how to be the main tanks for parties 4 and 5 and also served as backup tanks for the raid. And the other dealers, all from the local guild, weren''t too bad in terms of hunting instincts. "Jeon Seungjo, Kim Namhoon, and Lee Byunggi, you three join Hunter Hyun Junggeon''s Party 3 on the right. Follow the party leader''s orders. Hunter Chae Chiwoon, move to the rear left with Party 4." After Hunters positioned themselves, the raid group gradually took shape while going through a few skirmishes, assessing their skills and hunting styles along the way. But Kang Mu-hyuk was fully aware of how unstable the bnce of his makeshift raid team was. Aside from Hwang Dongsu, the tank lineup was barely enough, even as backups. At best, they could manage monsters of the same level as them in a small party. But relying on them for a boss-level raid? That was a stretch. When skills fall short, they at least need gear to make up for it, but the frencers'' armor was just mid-quality ''Crocodile Jaw Hippo'' leather or mass-produced alloy from small-time manufacturers. Mass-produced gear was a joke---low-purity Gate minerals and far from artisan quality. These off-the-shelf pieces rattled every time they moved, and that was a dead giveaway of their shoddy build. "Shouldn''t we just go after the mother nts directly?" Lee Sookyoung asked this as she worried that gathering the Hunters would take longer than nned. "The mother nts will take off if they feel threatened. We don''t have any magic forces for aerialbat, nor the long-range firepower to bring them down, so once they''re in the air, we''d have a hard time catching them." "Couldn''t Huntsman Hwang Dongsu... I mean, couldn''t Hunter Hwang Dongsu just take them out in one go?" Lee Sookyoung asked again while correcting herself as she was still getting used to the northern term for Hunter, but Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head. "That time was just a stroke of luck. We turned a corner and ran right into the mother nt, so it couldn''t escape. Its floating lung got shredded in the first strike, so it couldn''t breathe. If we hadn''t hit its flight organ, it would''ve gotten away." This was the main reason they couldn''t easily take down the bomb-spore flower mother nts. The real problem wasn''t just that the mother nts were quick to flee---it was that the raid team simply wasn''t skilled enough. "We won''t be able to take them down in time." "What do you mean by ''in time''? Why are we in such a rush?" "Well..." Before Kang Mu-hyuk could finish, No Song-rin interrupted, "Guild Leader! The spores are pulling back!" "Whoo!" "Did we win? We won, right?" "We made it!" The Hunters cheered, thinking the retreat meant victory, but Kang Mu-hyuk had a different take. "Which direction?" "Towards Number 3." "That''s one of the ces we expected. Hunter Lee Sookyoung." "Yes?" "Do you still have those map photos from the operations room?" "Yes, I took them just in case." "Hunter Mo Ilju! Hunter Wang Gicheol!" The two Hunters stepped forward at Kang Mu-hyuk''s call. "Lee Sookyoung, take these two and round up the rest of the team." "What about you, Guild Leader?" "The third phase of the bomb-spore flower wave is about to start. We''re entering raid mode now." The Hunters'' cheers quickly faded. Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t help but feel he was unlucky. "Of all things, a bomb-spore flower. And it''s arge-scale wave mode. The third phase is basically a boss-level raid. Plus, we''re mostly working with frencers. There might be casualties." But at the same time, he felt a bit lucky. ''At least it''s a spore flower with a predictable attack pattern. And thank God we have three A-rank vets. The fact that the Hunters haven''t bailed yet is a good sign. Even if it''s tricky, the raid difficulty isn''t too bad---we should be able to pull through.'' Area 3 was a rotary where several roads met. It wasn''t a huge space, but the roundabout made it feel like a small za. They passed damaged buildings and people lying on the ground on their way there. Their faces were covered with spores. The Hunters took out every spore they encountered. It was toote to save the people, but they couldn''t let the spores feed, grow, and escape the area. Of course, the spores needed time to mature, and the raid was the top priority, but they couldn''t just ignore seeing humans being devoured by monsters. Still, Kang Mu-hyuk gave a clear, no-nonsense order. "Don''t bother with them. We can''t clear them all out anyway. Once someone''s been hit by a spore, it''s over unless we respond right away. Focus on the raid. If we lose here, who knows how far these things will spread." The Hunters shuddered at the harsh reality of his words. It wasn''t easy leaving behind the people convulsing with vines wrapped around their faces. Hunters usually put their own safety first, but even they felt a nagging sense of unease they couldn''t quite shake off. "There, in the center of the rotary. They''re already starting to merge." Noh Song-rin pointed towards a field packed with spore seeds. Behind them, mother creatures were flying in, tangling together. As more mothers gathered, they grewrger, eventually fusing into a single massive entity. The spore seeds extended thorn-like tendrils outward as if they were protecting the mothers. This created a barrier that looked like a wall of barbed wire. Sensing the attack squad closing in, the monsters hunched down in response. Kang Mu-hyuk gave his orders after assessing the monsters'' movements. "Party 1, break through the center. Parties 2 and 3, support from the left and right wings---don''t let Party 1 get isted. Parties 4 and 5, cover the left; 5 and 6, maintain the right nk. Stand by to push the entire line forward when I signal. Thest two parties, hold the center and be ready to reinforce any breach or swap out with tired teams." With that, Kang Mu-hyuk had the entire attack squad advance, leaving just one Hunter with messaging skills at his side. Each party had Hunters who could ry orders instantly, thanks to their messaging skills. Normally message skills were hard to find among frencers, but since this was the entrance to the Demonic Realm, these Hunters were surprisinglymon. After confirming the squads'' positions, Kang Mu-hyuk sent the go-ahead signal. "Party 1, move out!" Hwang Dongsu thrust his greatsword forward like a battering ram. Equipped with tank gear designed for Demonic Realm exploration by Iron Will, he charged like a bulldozer plowing through the field of spore seeds. The wall in front of him was ripped apart in an instant. When the greatsword lost momentum after slicing through thick, paper-like obstacles, the spore seeds closed in from both sides. Hwang Dongsu channeled mana throughout his body. His core---arms, shoulders, spine, and lower body---anchored him to the ground like steel stakes. In an instant, a giant windmill-like force swept through, carving a path in the field of spore seeds. Hwang Dongsu let out a deep breath he''d been holding. It felt like they had pushed through a significant stretch, but the path ahead was still thickly barricaded. He realized he''d have to factor in the energy drain he hadn''t ounted for. When he started thinking too much, he slowed down and his reactions dulled. Kang Mu-hyuk, noticing this, sent a message through a Hunter. "Parties 2 and 3 are on their way to support. Don''t stop---keep pushing!" Hwang Dongsu snapped back to reality. ''Right. What''s the point of overthinking? The Guild Leader will handle all of that. All I have to do is--'' Follow orders. "Alright, let''s try again, shall we?" The party members, who had barely managed to catch their breath after chasing the relentless main tanker, cried out in terror. "Again?!" "C-can''t we get a break...?" "We''re gonna die at this rate!" Without replying, Hwang Dongsu infused his sword with mana and shed forward. Dozens of spore seeds were scorched by the mana mes. "If anyone''s dying first, it''ll be me. If you stop here, I''m leaving you behind." And with that, he charged forward. The Hunters had no choice but to follow, grumbling as they went. Falling behind meant they''d die for sure. "Damn it! You think you can do anything you want if you''re a high-ranker?!" "I''m going to sue you after this!" "You crazy bastard... Can''t you take it easy?!" "By now, the Tumen Riverfront should be in chaos." "I''m worried we might''ve acted too soon." "Doesn''t matter even if Korea stops the monster wave. As long as they''re thrown into chaos, it''s a win. Our real target is Russia." "I''m worried it won''t just end with them being in chaos. You know what kind of monster the Gate Boss here is. If it''s lured the wrong way and it heads down to Dandong, that city''s as good as gone. The Party''s not going to like that." "Since when has the Party cared about the lives of the people? Focus on the bigger picture. If this n works, the Demonic Realm will belong to us. Russia and Korea won''t dare to interfere. This is the start of the great Unification Guild of the People. Just trust me, Guan Hong." "Yes, Mr. Bi Wenjun. I will dedicate myself to your grand cause." Chapter 155 - I Said Get Outta Here!! The raid leader''s job was crystal clear: tomand. Tactics to take down the target. Just like the ultimate goal of a raid was victory, the real skill of a raid leadery in how efficiently they achieved that victory. Among Hunters, raid leaders usually fell into three categories. nning-types, Instinctive-types, and On-site types. The ''nning-types'' were exactly what they sounded like---someone who gathered every bit of info before the raid and crafted the perfect strategy. The strategy and tactics team usually handled this role, so it wasmon for raid leaders to emerge from this department. Being a nning-type might sound like the most reliable approach, but when it came to raids, this type wasn''t looked upon favorably. nning-types were essential, but when things went off-script, they were no help at all. Even if they nned for every possibility, monsters always found a way to surprise you in the chaos of the raid. When they did, a nning-type raid leader couldn''t keep up and this made them practically useless. That was why this type of a raid leader was bing a thing of the past. The second type, ''Instinctives,'' were a mystery, even to someone like Kang Mu-hyuk. They relied on their instincts that they''d honed through countless hunts, and tapped into knowledge they gained consciously or unconsciously. This let them carve out a path to victory on the fly. Instinctive leaders shone brightest in raids. Bosses and named monsters each had their own unique skills. One could prepare for a monster about which they had a lot of information, but with an ''Unknown,'' one never knew what to expect. Instinctives could somehow sense when the boss was about to use a skill. They might not know which exact skill they''d use, but the best Instinctive leaders could tell if it was a single-target, area-of-effect, or even a buff or debuff. Ju Se-ah was a prime example of this type. Lastly, there''s the ''On-site Leader.'' Also known as the ''Calctive'' type raid leader. This was the mostmon type of raid leader, but very few were truly great at it. The On-site Leader took the meticulous information-gathering of the nning-types andbined it with real-time analysis and adaptability on the front lines. This was what you''d call the ideal raid leader. Examples include So Sangyeob, the current expedition leader of the yers, and his predecessor Sung Seonjae. Sung Seonjae, in particr, was hailed as the greatestmander in South Korean Hunter history. It was pretty ironic that instinctive raid leaders like Ju Se-ah thrived under suchmanders. Kang Mu-hyuk watched the raid unfold while biting the inside of his lip. ''My ultimate goal is to be an On-site Leader, but since I''m not a Hunter, I''m stuck being a nning-type.'' That was why he was not a raid leader but a strategist. But... ''What''s going on?'' What he saw in front of him. ''Flow of mana? Waves? Currents?'' The final phase of the Bomb Spore Flower wave. The Giant Bomber! Kang Mu-hyuk could see the mana spewing from the fused boss monster. Except for during a Gate Outbreak, mana bing visible was unheard of. Even Kang Mu-hyuk, who was well-versed in all things Hunter-rted and Gate research, had nevere across this before. But Kang Mu-hyuk had experienced it once before. When a mysterious being was summoned by the Goblin Matriarch. After something triggered it, since then, Kang Mu-hyuk could now see mana with his eyes. He also saw mana when he met Ai from the World Hunter Federation. It was a clear and refreshing mana, different from the ominous vibe he got from that mysterious being. That was when he first realized there were different kinds of mana. And now-- With the appearance of the Giant Bomber, he could clearly see mana again. ''Is this simr to what happened before, or is this a new symptom from almost dying recently?'' Kang Mu-hyuk had already figured out that seeing mana was one of the symptoms of mana poisoning. But since this was his first time seeing the mana of a boss monster, he wasn''t sure if this started with the Goblin Matriarch or if it got worse after the Sinuiju incident. ''That''s not the problem right now. What matters is...'' This was going to be helpful. He felt more confident in his perception of mana than ever. Kang Mu-hyuk climbed to the rooftop of a two-story building with a clear view of the raid and started issuing orders. "Ry this to the main tank. Countdown to Flower Bomb activation. Ten. Stand by... Go! 10, 9, 8, 7..." Through the Hunter whom he assigned at his side as a messenger, he had him ry the boss''s skill activation timer via message skill. At the front line, Hwang Dongsu ryed the order to others at the count of ''9''. At ''5'', he unleashed a shockwave skill by striking the ground with his sword, holding the boss''s attention to himself. Meanwhile, the party members retreated. At ''2'', he made a wide sh with his greatsword. It pushed back the boss, and Hwang Dongsu retreated. Zero. The Giant Bomber''s jellyfish-like head rained seed bombs in all directions like a shower head spraying water. Boom! Boom! Boom! The bombs exploded on impact and burnt everything around them. The seeds that got caught in the st were annihted. As its offspring were killed, the boss let out a screech that was like nails on a chalkboard. "Ry this to the main tank: Take over the role of after-aggro. Make sure they keep the monster locked down---so it doesn''t slip out. Change positions. Each party, shield your tank. Push the seeds out of the way to clear space for the tank." The Hunter sent Kang Mu-hyuk''s orders to the field without missing a beat. Keeping up with the nonstopmands was overwhelming. The biggest raid the Hunter had been part of before this was a 12-man team. Even then, the orders weren''t this detailed. Usually, it was just "hold aggro" orints about how they needed to deal more damage. But the problem was, these orders weren''t the end of it. "New spore seed squad at 3 o''clock. Fourth party tank, grab aggro within the area. Damage dealers, crowd control them. Pull them in one by one and take them out." "Party 2, No Song-rin. Large seed cluster at 10 o''clock. Use Stripe strategy. Detailedmands go to the party leader." "Party 3, Hyun Jeonggeon. Your line''s breaking. Recover your position." "Party 6, support Party 3. Ranged dealer, don''t let yourselves get surrounded. Hold the nks with suppressive fire. Be precise with your area skills---no random sts." Kang Mu-hyuk kept it simple for the high-ranked Hunters who were used to raid tactics, leaving the finer details to their judgment. For the rest, he made sure his orders were clear and straightforward. He used standard party terms every Hunter should know but exined in detail how to respond and issued clear instructions. The Hunters were amazed as they followed Kang Mu-hyuk''s orders to the letter. ''Was raiding always this easy?'' ''Seriously? This is nothing! Why was I even worried?'' ''Iron Will is just a C-rank guild? How incredible must the top guilds be? If a non-Hunter can do this, the rest must be on a whole other level!'' The Hunters, who had been on edge, were now full of misunderstandings thanks to how smoothly the raid was going. And who could me them? No one was getting hurt or stressed out during this raid. But the person who was the most surprised by this smooth raid was Kang Mu-hyuk himself. ''If seeing mana makes this possible... Is this what an instinctive raid leader feels?'' When mana concentrated around the Giant Bomber''s head, that meant it''d be the Flower Bomb. When it moved toward the legs, it was about to do the Tentacle Sweep. When it gathered at the mouth, it meant Cannon Shot. He could almost perfectly predict the boss''s skills and timing. "We''ve done well so far, but..." That didn''t make this raid easy by any means. The reason there hadn''t been any crisis so far was thanks to their main tank''s skill. Kang Mu-hyuk had given Hwang Dongsu a pretty tricky strategy for dealing with the Giant Bomber. "Usually, fire magic is the best way to take down the Giant Bomber, but since we don''t have that, you''ll have to carefully slice it up with a mana sword, like you''re burning it bit by bit. But make sure each cut only takes off less than 0.5% of its body. If you cut off more, the fallen pieces will merge with other spore seeds and turn into mid-boss-level monsters. But if you cut off less, that''ll cause problems. The spore seeds will eat the pieces and get stronger, but that''s easier to deal with than the monsters. If you can''t urately judge the size, just think of cutting a bit less than a quarter of the boss''s tentacle." This made the Giant Bomber trickier to deal with than other bosses. One needed enough attack power to slice through the boss''s body in one blow, mana control to pace yourself for the long haul, and patience. Qualities only high-rank Hunters possessed. If there were other high-rank damage dealers, they could''ve finished it off while the tank held aggro(attention), but No Song-rin and Hyun Jeonggeon were busy keeping the seeds from surrounding them. Kang Mu-hyuk knew that without them, the line would break immediately. So, if other Hunters felt the raid was easy, it was thanks to these high-ranking Hunters'' hard work. ''If the spore seeds bunch up and surround us, it''ll be like a minefield. If their headcount increased, it''ll be annoying, but as long as we keep the line, it''s just a matter of time before we handle the rest.'' A risky but manageable strategy. ''We might not even need the Hunter Lee Sookyoung brought as backup. We could win this easily if this keeps up.'' But Kang Mu-hyuk had momentarily forgotten a Hunter''s old saying: When three Hunters gather, one of them''s bound to be an idiot. One of the first party''s damage dealers watched Hwang Dongsu''s careful work and thought: ''Why is he taking so long to kill it like that? It doesn''t even seem that tough. Why not just sh it a few more times?'' Despite Kang Mu-hyuk''s strict order not to interfere except for holding aggro(attention), the Hunter thought one more sh wouldn''t hurt, raised their mana sword and cut off one of the boss''s tentacles. Kang Mu-hyuk saw this, and shouted: "Damn it! Emergency! Hyun Jeonggeon, No Song-rin! Burn those fallen tentacles now!" He was quick with issuing the order, but the improvised raid team''s weakness showed itself at this moment. The Hunter sending messages identally ryed it to the wrong person in the rush. By the time he realized and fixed his mistake, part of the party had already left their positions. To make matters worse, the low-rank Hunters couldn''t handle the severed tentacles quickly enough. The three severed tentacles began absorbing the surrounding spore seeds. Seeing this, Kang Mu-hyuk gave themand: "Everyone, retreat." He turned his back and ordered a retreat without any hesitation. Lee Sookyoung was a highly skilled Hunter. Although she had fled to North Pocheon after being chased by Chinese Hunters in the Demonic Realm, her activity in a wide range around Jilin City, where the Chinese had hidden a Gate, proved how skilled she was. This was one reason why Kang Mu-hyuk had tasked her with gathering the rest of the Hunters. Plus, she was a local who had hunted for a long time around the Tumen River, including Daehongdan. So, Lee Sookyoung knew many of the Hunters active in Daehongdan. Using her connections, she formed a second raid team with Hunters she knew and trusted. ''We don''t have the time to waste on hunting monsters. The Guild Leader wants us to cut down the time we spend out here. If I can prove my skills here, I can shoot up my position in the guild.'' Lee Sookyoung was motivated. As this was the first guild she had joined, she wanted to climb up as high as possible. That was why she had epted the mission to explore the Demonic Realm. The higher the risk, the greater the reward. Instead of living cautiously as an average Hunter, she wanted to seed through adventure. That was why she hunted in the dangerous Demonic Realm. Kang Mu-hyuk had given her some tips, but organizing the raid to meet his expectations wasn''t easy. She didn''t have a high rank, but Lee Sookyoung was skilled in administrative tasks. Just as she had almost gathered the remaining Hunters at the marked base, a message suddenly arrived from the vice-chairman of the Frence Hunters Association. "Hunter Lee Sookyoung." "Yes, Vice Chairman. What is it?" "I heard from a fellow Hunter that Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk is saying something over the message skill. He''s looking for you." "What did he say?" "Retreat. He''s telling everyone to retreat and regroup at the county office." "Retreat... You say?" Lee Sookyoung sensed that something had gone wrong. She was about to ask for a message to be sent to Kang Mu-hyuk for more details when she suddenly heard the sound of arge army running, as if in boots. "What the...? What is that?" A scream followed, ill-matched with the southern dialect. The Hunters turned their eyes in that direction. "Flower monsters... They''reing in hordes!" Spore seeds and an unknown giant monster were rushing down the road. Lee Sookyoung, in a panic, shouted, "R-run!!" Chapter 156 - It鈥檚 Already a War The Hunters carefully backed out of the roundabout, keeping an eye on their rear. They were cutouts with their movements, but not their words. Curses were flying everywhere. "Son of a bitch! Why the hell would you mess with that monster?! You couldn''t follow a simple order?!" "What''s wrong with you, man? Huh? I told you not to mess with it! You just had to not mess with that dang thing. Are you deaf or something?!" "I knew something was off. Everything was going way too smoothly. I was wondering why there weren''t any trolls around, and then I realized---you''re the damn troll, you moron!" "Dumbass!" The Hunter getting yelled at protested angrily, "How was I supposed to know this would happen? I barely touched it! And why didn''t you warn me properly? Seriously, you can''t expect me to know everything if you don''t exin it! This is what happens when a non-Hunter leads the raid." "This guy''s really asking for a beating. Useless trash like you has no right to open your mouth now! Want me to rip your tongue out? Stop making excuses." "Shut up before I use your ribs as a pickaxe in a coal mine." "..." After getting thoroughly berated with some colorful northern curses, the Hunter slunk away to the corner of the party, unable to defend himself anymore. "Alright, that''s enough. We''re not done yet. I have a n, so everyone calm down and focus on the retreat." Kang Mu-hyuk stepped in to stop the Hunters from bickering. He wasn''t defending the Hunter who messed up, but he was trying to prevent anything that might disrupt the group''s unity. While the high-rankers held off the enemies at the rear, Kang Mu-hyuk called for Hyun Junggeon. While Hyun Junggeon stepped out briefly, Kang Mu-hyuk had the tanks fill the gap. "Why did you call me? I''m already swamped." "Let''s run them around a bit." "Run them around...?" "We need to buy time to regroup the raid. You''ll lure them, Hyun Junggeon." "Excuse me, Guild leader? You do know I''m an assassin, right?" "Yes, I''m aware." "You want a melee fighter like me to lure them around? Isn''t that usually the range dealer''s job? That''s the normal thing to do." "Then who should we assign as the ranged dealer here?" Kang Mu-hyuk gestured toward the other Hunters. Hyun Junggeon looked around and sighed. Plenty of Hunters had bows, but none of them seemed reliable. He even doubted whether they could properly do a ''backshot'' (shoot while moving backward), which was basic for any ranged dealer. Before he could say anything, Kang Mu-hyuk offered a solution, "Isn''t it only natural for you to go? You''re fast. You have movement skills, escape skills, survival skills---you''ve got it all. Sure, you''re melee, but you''re skilled with throwing daggers too. You''ve got plenty of throwing daggers on you, right? Plus, you have AOE skills. And if it gets really tough, you must have some ace up your sleeve, right?" "A-ace up my sleeve...?" "You used to be Ma Taesu''s treasured ace assassin. You must have something." Hyun Junggeon started to sweat. The mention of an ''ace up the sleeve'' made him think of the special technique he used to take down Zhang Zhongxun in Sinuiju. ''Does Kang Mu-hyuk know about my technique? But I''ve never shown it. No, I must be overthinking. There''s no way he knows. Even Ma Taesu doesn''t know. He''s just bluffing. ...But it''s Kang Mu-hyuk. He might know...'' Hyun Junggeon studied Kang Mu-hyuk''s face. A perfect poker face. He used to be a bit more approachable, but now Kang Mu-hyuk felt like an imprable wall. He couldn''t read him, so he couldn''t think of a good excuse to say no. So, he changed the subject entirely. "Let''s be honest. You had this nned from the start if things went sideways, didn''t you?" "What''s the point if I say that or not? You already know. Come on, we''ve worked together long enough for you to know." "We only worked together for a year or two." "Two very intense years. Enough to count as a decade for others." "Damn it, I forgot there''s always this risk. It''s been a while so I forgot about it. Why did I join you?" In his mind, Hyun Junggeon saw shes of his past in Titan with Kang Mu-hyuk. Back when he was the deputy head of the strategy and tactics team. Kang Mu-hyuk back then was more sociable, but just as sharp, and the coldest of all during operations. No matter how tough the mission, no Titan member dared to reject an order from him. Even those who used to belittle him for being a non-Hunter couldn''t talk back. He didn''t hold anything over the Hunters. He didn''t appeal to their emotions. He wasn''t even sociable enough to make requests as a favor. He simply created situations where they had no choice but to follow. Kang Mu-hyuk never bothered trying to persuade Hunters with logic. He justid out the options and let them pick, though their choices were usually as narrow as ''A or A.'' It had been a long time since he was the victim of that. Hyun Junggeon finally surrendered to Kang Mu-hyuk''s orders. "Alright, so where do I lead them, and for how long?" "Outskirts of Daehongdan County. Keep going until you run out of throwing knives." Hyun Junggeon looked down at himself as he patted his gear. He had throwing knives stashed everywhere---his belt, boots, inside his armored coat, and even his vest. "All of them?" "Yes. Everyst one." "Man, if I use them all, I''ll be running all day!" "Huff huff... They''re not following us anymore, right?" "They went off somewhere else." Finally, the Hunters, including Lee Sookyoung, let out a collective sigh of relief. Seeing hundreds of monsters stampeding down the road was like a scene straight out of a nightmare. Among them were three hulking beasts, just a bit smaller than the biggest one, but still so terrifying that the thought of facing them one-on-one made you feel like you''d be toast. "By the way, who was that guy?" At the mention of ''that guy,'' all the Hunters thought of the same person. The man whom the monsters were chasing. No, the man who was leading the monsters. At first, the sheer number of monsters terrified them, but then they saw a man skillfully dodging and taunting the monsters as he ran. They blinked in disbelief, as they rubbed their eyes to make sure they weren''t seeing things. He had perfect timing, striking and retreating with precision. He used his skills boldly yet he was spot on with them. But the guts it took to drag that horde of monsters behind him? Not just anyone could pull off. Lee Sookyoung answered their questions. "That''s Hunter Hyun Junggeon. He''s from North Pocheon, part of the Iron Will Guild. He''s directly under our Guild Leader''s orders." "Our Guild Leader?" "Yes, I''ve recently joined Iron Will, Vice Chairman." The vice chief seemed genuinely shocked by Lee Sookyoung''s words. And it made sense for him to react that way---after all, it was nearly impossible for a Hunter from the north to join a southern guild. "To be honest, that''s not even the most surprising thing. Ourrades in Sinuiju were recently liberated from the Chinese. They''re now recognized as Korean Hunters, and they''ve even formed their own independent guild." Lee Sookyoung''s statement left not only the vice chairman but all the northern Hunters present in stunned silence. They stood with their mouths hanging open, unable to find words. Lee Sookyoung proudly raised her chin. "It''s all thanks to the great feats of our Guild Leader. If you all want to survive, just trust and follow him. If you follow his lead, you''ll be blessed, even if you''re sleeping." The northern Hunters nodded solemnly, while the southern ones were baffled by what seemed like an outdated propaganda speech. If anyone didn''t know better, they might have mistaken Kang Mu-hyuk for a North Korean leader. Even the southern Hunters had to give credit to Kang Mu-hyuk''s reputation. He was the Guild Leader of a guild led by Ju Se-ah. He held tremendous power, and was practically second only to the Guild Master, so even if he was not a Hunter, one couldn''t dismiss him. Besides, after Kang Mu-hyuk became the Guild Leader, Iron Will went through an incredible transformation. From dering North Pocheon as their base to the Rider Wolf incident, the Orc Tribe raid, and the opening of Hunter Vige, Iron Will has been at the center of every major event in the Korean Huntermunity. Among frencers, there were rumors about something extraordinary going on within Iron Will. "Let''s hurry to the county office. The Guild Leader must have something nned for us." Frencer Hunters were used to reading the room and following the crowd. They quickly fell in line behind Lee Sookyoung. If things went south, they''d cut their losses and move on to another area, but for now, following the person who was the first one to act was the safest bet---a rule of thumb in the Hunter world. With no better options, they trailed behind Lee Sookyoung to the county office. And that decision ended up saving their lives. With the time Hyun Junggeon bought, Kang Mu-hyuk was able to set up a solid defensive perimeter around the county office. He regrouped the Hunters Lee Sookyoung had brought along, reorganizing them into a defense-focused unit, and started nning the next raid. When the Hunters returned after fighting the monsters, the county officials watched them with anxious eyes. The tense atmosphere was enough to tell them that the raid had failed. At least the Hunters had made it back safely, right? When they saw the grave look on Kang Mu-hyuk''s face, none of the officials dared to say anything optimistic. They simply remained silent, as the heavy mood weighed them down. Kang Mu-hyuk noticed their worried faces but didn''t bother with exnations. He was content with them staying out of his way, as he didn''t want any unnecessary interference. But then, a voice interrupted him from an unexpected direction. "Um... Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk?" "I know. Don''t worry. We''ve re-strategized. We''ll handle the situation. We had to retreat due to unforeseen circumstances, but the raid force is still intact. We''ve also managed to lure away some of the target monsters..." Kang Mu-hyuk began to exin, so he could cut off any rumors before they started, but he quickly realized that the person wasn''t here to question him about the raid. "Did something happen?" "The government sent us an official notice. It''s from the Guild Cooperation Agency, but..." The official couldn''t bring himself to continue and handed the paper to Kang Mu-hyuk with a trembling hand. Kang Mu-hyuk skimmed through the document in no time. No Song-rin noticed the change in Kang''s expression, and asked, "What''s going on? DOesn''t look like good news." Handing over the document, Kang Mu-hyuk responded, "Wushan has been breached. Hoeryong took a pretty big hit too. It doesn''t look like they''ll hold out much longer." No Song-rin was unfamiliar with where Wushan was. He looked puzzled but was shocked by the news about Hoeryong. "If Heoryong''s defense line falls... Doesn''t that mean North Hamgyong Province is done for?" "If Yuseon County and Wushan town to the west of Hoeryong can hold the line, we might be okay. But at this rate, Yuseon will fall too. And when that happens, Daehongdan''s next." "What? Is a war about to break out?" "It''s not about to start. It''s already happening." Kang Mu-hyuk fixed his gaze on the map in the situation room. The Tumen River Line was a critical defense line on the Korean Penins, stretching from Mount Baekdu and following the river through Daehongdan, Wushan, Yuseon, Hoeryong, Hakpo, Jongseong, Pungin, Aoji, and Josan-ri. If this line falls, both North Hamgyong and Yanggang provinces will fall. ''Except for a few cities, these two provinces have small poptions. So evacuation and defense is easier. But the real problemes if the impact reaches Jagang or South Hamgyong, west of Yanggang. Because that''s where...'' The Kaema teau was-- A special operations zone like North Pocheon. Monsters rarely came out from this mountainous region due to the strong mana flowing through it, but it was also packed with extremely dangerous creatures. Think of it as North Pocheon on steroids. ''If those creatures and the monsters flocking down from the Demonic Realm get together, all hell could break loose.'' If the monsters from the Demonic Realm settle in the Kaema teau, they could disce the existing dominant creatures. This could create monster waves across the region. Or, the influx of simr monsters could result in a rapid poption boom. ''Either way, we''re going to see a monster wave. It''s just a matter of when.'' If that happened, the Korean Penins''s defensive line could get pushed back all the way to Mount Myohyang. That would mean losing all of the North and East Kaema teau, including Hamgyong, Yanggang, and Jagang provinces. ''If things get that bad, even deploying all the top-tier guilds won''t be enough to reim the territory quickly. It''s a huge area, and tracking down the monsters scattered across the northern mountains and fields will be grueling. And if a Gate opens in the monster-upied territory while the defense line is pushed back, we''ll be dealing with a real nightmare. The economic damage will be bad enough, but the lives we''ll lose will be devastating.'' The government needed to make a decisive move before things spiraled out of control. But judging by the official notice, it looks like things have already gone wrong. "Do they not understand how urgent this is? What are they thinking?" No Song-rin, who had finally finished reading the document, let out a sarcasticugh. "Guild Leader, if we leave this as is, we''re screwed. They''re telling us to retreat to Baegam and Cheongjin and defend there? Even if we call in reinforcements from the guilds, they won''t get here in time." "The folks on the Tumen River Line know that as well." "So why doesn''t the Guild Cooperation Agency get it? If we''re going to stop them, we need to be ready to die defending the Tumen River." Kang Mu-hyuk replied to No Song-rin''s question, "The Cooperation Agency doesn''t have that kind of authority." "What?" "This is probably the order from the Ministry of National Defense." Chapter 157 - We鈥檙e going all in The front-line defense base of Wushan was calm and peaceful as it was every day. Except for the asional monster cry or a stray beast wandering down from the mountain slopes, it was just another quiet small town. The monster hunting season that had begun in early winter had ended now and many of the Hunters who had gathered to earn merit points had already left. Local merchants had tasted the profits of the season, and began reducing their orders. The market traders were preparing to pack up and leave. But something strange disturbed the peaceful city. "Hey, Mr. Jang, look at that! What''s that?" "What do you mean?" "That thinging down from the sky." "Isn''t that a balloon? It''s floating around." "A balloon would be going up. But this thing ising down. Oh? There''s a lot more of them!" The man shaded his eyes with his hand, as he looked up at what appeared to be balloons spewing out strange, unidentified objects... "What the...?" BOOM! KABOOM! "Aaaaaak!" "Arghk! Uaaaaah!" Buildings started copsing. Roads cracked open, and the ground caved in. People were being torn apart, bing unrecognizable lumps of flesh. Some were crushed under fallen utility poles, others were electrocuted by broken power lines, and those who avoided the explosions found their heads smashed by debris. Even drivers, startled, crashed their vehicles... It wasn''t just the bombing; people were caught in all sorts of disasters and idents, losing their lives. The victims didn''t understand why they were dying, but some experienced Hunters, hardened by their years of battling in the Demonic Realm, immediately recognized the cause of the air raid. "It''s a bomb flower!" "Contact the Wushan front-line military!" "Evacuate everyone! Once those spore seeds get to them, we can''t save them anymore!" "Damn it! Why are these things here? They''re supposed to be deep in the Demonic Realm!" Wushan was arger city than Daehongdan, so even after many Hunters had left the city, those who were left behind were a significant number. Some were regrly dispatched there from the guild branch, and they quickly organized a response team. The emergency contactwork between the guild support parties was swiftly activated. Even in the midst of chaos, the teams assigned to various areas of Wushan found their ces and took action. While the initial damage was severe, their quick response prevented secondary damage by stopping the spore seeds from growing into full monsters. In the subsequent phase of descent of the mother creatures, Hunters assigned to each areaunched counterattacks to suppress them. Unlike Daehongdan, they seemed to be managing the situation without progressing to the third phase. But then... "Frontline! Frontline!" "It''s an ogre!" "Is the mana cannon charged?!" Large monsters, including ogres, started emerging from the frontline. The only ''mana cannon'' specifically designed to deal withrge monsters in Wushan was fired. Mana mines buried across the river exploded. Some small monsters managed to cross the river, dodging the mines, but were ultimately brought down by the soldiers'' mana-infused bullets. Yet, this was only a temporary solution. The mana bullets were more for suppression and deterrence than for killing. Even if hundreds were fired, they might only asionally hit a vital spot. Plus, they were expensive, so they couldn''t fire those bullets endlessly. The soldiers were only buying time until the Hunters could arrive. The militarymander saw how the front-line defense was fighting and believed they could hold out until the Hunters arrived. But this was a grave miscalction. Suddenly, a sh of light burst from the front line, sweeping across the trenches. Thest thing themander remembered was the blinding light. "My leg...!" "My arm... Oh no..." "Medic! Where''s the medic?!" "They''re all dead! The whole unit was wiped out!" Soldiersy on the ground, missing limbs, bodies without heads, faces unrecognizable except for the names on their uniforms. The battlefield turned into a scene of absolute chaos in an instant. Unable to fend off the monsters any longer, the survivors abandoned even the wounded and fled. Ordinary people couldn''t fight against monsters. And then it happened. ¡¾Pyro Spear¡¿ Out of nowhere, a fiery spear flew in, decapitating the ogre that was about to grab a soldier. Following that, mana-infused swords and arrows rained down on the frontline. The ogre, unable to withstand the concentrated damage, copsed. "Oh, thank God, the Hunters are here!" "We made it... We can actually live." A squad of Hunters appeared at the front line, quickly engaging the monsters. "Everyone, fall back! The North Wind Guild has got this!" "Take the wounded and retreat!" "Hey, you dregs from Vanguard Guild, cover the right! The Divine Combat guild people left to take care of the left!" "Their name is way too over-the-top, and their skills are just average. Anyway, got it. Windy, this spot''s yours." Just as the Hunters secured their positions and the front line began to stabilize, the same deadly sh of light that obliterated the trenches earlier struck again. Boom! Crash! "P-potion, now!" "Fuck! What the hell is going on?!" Unlike the soldiers who were wiped out in a single blow, the Hunters managed to withstand the sudden attack, though there were consequences. The tanks and those with defensive skills managed to survive, but those hit directly were killed. Even the survivors took heavy damage and had to pull back from the fight. As the smoke cleared, the Hunters finally identified their attacker. "Oh no... It''s an Agora Magos!" The Agora Magos, a magic-type monster first discovered in Greece. It had the appearance of a shriveled, mummified creature, carrying a staff and a spellbook. Its look, draped in tattered robes, reminded people of an ancient priest, hence the name ''Agora Magos,''bining the Greek words for ''priest'' and ''marketce.'' Normally, Hunters would go wild for a chance to snag a magic spellbook from this monster, but it was notoriously tough to hunt when surrounded by a horde of other monsters. "Ranged units! Can you take that thing out?" "We''ve tried! It''s got a barrier, so no dice!" "What about magic?" "It''s clearly way stronger than us. Attacking it is just wasting our mana." "So we need to take it down up close." The North Wind Guild party leader scanned the battlefield. The monsters were swarming in, making it hard to figure out a clear n to reach and defeat the Agora Magos. ''It''s even casting spells while avoiding the monsters. I knew these things were smart, but not this clever. How do we handle this? Should we coordinate with the other guilds...?'' As the party leader hesitated, another wave of magic swept across the battlefield. This time, the Hunters were ready, expertly blocking and dodging the attacks. Those without skills to defend themselves took cover behind the tanks or jumped into trenches, digging themselves deeper to avoid the magic. They dodged the spell, but the real issue was the flood of monsters that followed. The Hunters, already worn out from defending against the magic, struggled as both small andrge monsters charged in. The party leader gritted his teeth and ryed themand, "Fall back! Head into the city! Activate the emergencywork! We''re moving to urban warfare!" In Hoeryong City... Hoeryong, unlike most frontline cities, boasted a poption of 150,000, making it thergest fortress in North Hamgyong Province. It served as a base for many Hunters who hunted in the Demonic Realm. The city had well-developed infrastructure, with plenty of entertainment districts and luxury lodgings catering to the Hunters. It was home to the mid-sized ''Northeast Wind'' Guild and several famous raid teams, making it the strongest hub of Hunter forces along the Tumen River. Yet, the city had never faced a real monster threat since the Minor War. But today was different. Smoke was rising from all directions, buildings were in ruins, and the air was filled with screams and cries. Hoeryong General Hospital was overwhelmed, with more dead bodies than patients, and the streets were still littered with corpses that no one had the time or energy to clean up. "What''s the situation on the front line?" "We barely managed to hold it." The exhausted Guild Master of the Northeast Wind Guild, Ma Param, was searching the city for any remaining monsters. Even after taking down most of the monsters that had ravaged the city, he couldn''t afford to rest. "I''ve never seen a monster wave like this before." "Wasn''t there something simr during the ''Gate Hole'' incident?" "It''s been nearly 20 years since the Minor War. I''ve only ever heard about it, never actually been through it myself." "I have a feeling this isn''t over yet. The scouts who''ve been out beyond the line are saying the monsters are acting strange. What do you want to do?" "What do you think?" "Evacuate the city. We can rebuild our HQ buildingter, and our assets are safe in other cities. As long as the Hunters make it out alive, we can bounce back anytime. But if you want to defend the guild, we need to think this through." Ma Param gave Deputy Guild Leader Park Jinseon a hard stare. "I''m staying." "Damn it, I knew you''d say that. So you''re nning to die fighting here?" "If you want to run, then run. Tell the members too. I''m not forcing anyone to stay." "If they were the running type, they''d have bolted long ago. They stayed because of you, even after getting better offers from other guilds. But let''s pull back for now. The vibe is off. No need to get everyone killed." Ma Param ignored Park Jinseon and grabbed his shield and sword. He had a decent shield, fitting for a Hunter in charge of a mid-sized guild, but it was battered all over. The sword was chipped, on the verge of breaking, and he wasn''t sure if it could even slice through goblin skin anymore. The signs of fierce battles were clear. Even in the hunts within the Demonic Realm, he had never been in such a dire situation, and Ma Param was feeling the danger more than anyone. "If you run just because it''s dangerous..." "..." Ma Param slung his shield over his back and patted Park Jinseon on the shoulder. "Who''s going to protect the people?" "Ahh, I must be out of my mind, following you instead of joining the yer... I used to be a promising rookie back in the day..." "I know, I know. You were one of the top prospects. Weren''t you in the same ss as Ju Se-ah?" "If you know, be good to me. Before I quit." "You once said you quit being a tank because you saw Ju Se-ah tanking." "Th-that was just an excuse. Honestly, anyone would want to quit after seeing her tank against an ogre bare-handed, not needing a shield or armor. Back then, she was still just a kid. Yet she pulled out a minotaur''s horn with her bare hands andughed... Even now, thinking about it gives me chills." Ma Param pushed the shivering Park Jinseon forward with augh. "You''re going to make my ears bleed with all that rambling. I know. Ju Se-ah is amazing. Help me out here. Still, I haven''t seen a better tank than you, except for Ju Se-ah. In terms of technique, I think you''re even better." "Ehem, ayy,e on but... At least you recognize my skills." "Yeah. So let''s go. You''ve rested enough, right?" "Ugh, if only you weren''t so unlikable." "Come on, let''s show these monsters why we''re the owners of Hoeryong City." As Ma Param moved ahead, Park Jinseon followed. The shadows sitting nearby also stood up. Dozens of Hunters followed Ma Param. On their torn armor coats and cracked chest tes, a mark with three lines was engraved. And below that, words written in flowing cursive. Guild Cooperation Director Cha Giljoo had just stepped out of the Blue House. Unlike his usual calm demeanor, his face was flushed with anger today. "Director Cha." "National Security Advisor." "Don''t take it too personally. It''s just how the system works." "This isn''t the time to be talking about the system. The Joint Chiefs'' response isn''t a n to deal with the monsters." The National Security Advisor led Cha Giljoo to a quiet spot. Lighting a cigarette, he said, "The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is in a pinch too. With North Korea unified and the copse of the three northeastern provinces, the threat from the north has disappeared. Even the U.S. Forces in Korea have withdrawn. They left only a Defense Cooperation Office, and returned to defend their maind. There''s a lot of talktely. People are questioning whether the Joint Chiefs are even necessary. There are also rumors of military downsizing. The Ministry of Defense must be feeling the pressure too. After all, the n to set up the Hunter Corps was scrapped after the guild raised a fuss. They''re probably trying to use this situation as an opportunity to secure their position. They seem determined to do whatever it takes in coboration with the Joint Chiefs. I hope you can understand." "The problem isn''t my understanding. Retreating to set up a new frontline in the rear? That''s a secondary response. The first priority should be holding the Tumen River line. The monsters will break through before then, and the final defensive line against the monstersing down from the Demonic Realm will fall." "Look, I get it, the Korean Hunter scene might not be what it used to be, but we''re not that far gone. And considering that several points along the Tumen River front have been breached, the military''s strategy to narrow the front for defense isn''t entirely wrong." Cha Giljoo felt a growing sense of frustration deep inside. No matter how hard he tried to exin, the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs, and the Blue House just didn''t seem to grasp the gravity of the situation. The drop in poption near the Hamgyong border following the Great and Minor Wars seemed to be clouding their judgment. ''Hunters aside, the people up north have limited voting power. They''re just looking out for those who can actually vote.'' While it wasn''t openly stated, it was obvious the Blue House didn''t want monsters appearing down south and giving the opposition any ammunition. If a Demonic Realm monster ever showed up in Gangwon Province, votes would start dropping faster than one could blink. Government officials were so caught up in the uing election that all they could think about was tightening the front lines and blocking any threats. They were naively optimistic, thinking they could handle the situation by protecting the key cities in North Hamgyong Province with the Hunters they''d rallied from the guilds. "Look, Director Cha. You need to start paying more attention to this stuff. Next year''s political scene is aplete fog. We don''t know if we''ll hold onto power or lose it. You''ve got to start thinking ahead. From here on out, it''s all political. Get the guilds on board and round up the Hunters who''ll back us. That''s what the Cooperation Agency is for, isn''t it?" Director Cha felt a deep wave of disillusionment wash over him at the Security Advisor''s words. ''Korea''s monster defense system is nothing but a fa?ade. As long as the Cooperation Agency stays just another bureaucratic cog, we''re going to face a huge price when things really start to go south.'' The moment Kang Mu-hyuk saw the official document, he wasted no time in calling North Pocheon. "Hunter Jang Deukgu, get word to Captain Lee Jinjoo. Tell her to get the expedition ready and start moving north." -But we''re not fully ready yet. "The Tumen River line is in serious trouble. I''m ordering the guild to go all in. Just in case, put the entire guild on high alert, open up Warehouse C, and send the expedition team up to Chongjin City. We''ll handle the equipment distribution depending on the situation." Chapter 158 - I鈥檒l put an end to him Ju Se-ah''s hair whipped around in the biting wind, so she quickly tied it back with the beard of ''Little Mizuchi,'' by using it as a makeshift hair tie. It was a creature she''d caught in the past. "Should''ve brought a hat. The wind''s no joke by the river." Her ponytail swayed wildly, but at least it kept the hair out of her face, which was better than nothing. Recently, she had gotten into the habit of walking along the banks of the Yalu River every morning and evening. The freezing midwinter wind was in full swing, but it wasn''t a problem for a Hunter like her. Watching her stroll through the destendscape, with nothing eye-catching but the river''s flow, Gam Wooyoung looked puzzled. Having been her mentor for so long during their yer days, Gam Wooyoung knew Ju Se-ah''s habits well. "I thought for you a walk meant ying mobs after lunch. If you were sightseeing at a Red Gate or something, that''d make more sense to me. Are you feeling down because you haven''t killed anything recently? Why are you acting so out of character?" Everyone who knew Ju Se-ah agreed with Gam Wooyoung. Some shrugged it off, thinking maybe she''d changed a bit since bing a Guild Master. But in reality, she was out there every day for a different reason. It was because of a man walking on the opposite side of the river, over a kilometer away, who was always there, making eye contact as they walked in sync. "Pil Mungun. So, the big fish finally shows up, huh?" In Korean, Pil Mungun, and in Chinese, Bi Wen Jun. He was the Vice Guild Master of the Yellow Dragon Guild and an S-ranker. Seeing him strolling with his hands behind his back across the Yalu River every day had pushed Ju Se-ah to start these unusual walks herself. "What''s he up to? Is he nning to cross over if things go sideways?" This was the scenario Ju Se-ah feared the most. As an S-ranker herself, she knew exactly how dangerous another S-ranker could be. They were capable of things far beyond the imagination of ordinary people or even Hunters. It''d be understandable even if monsters themselves were to call them monsters. That was how dangerous S-rankers were. Plus, Bi Wen Jun was a renowned magic swordsman from China. ''I''m not scared of magic, but I have to admit it''s pretty damn effective.'' Magic had the power to cause mass destruction and ughter. Battling a mage wasn''t usually tough for Ju Se-ah, but she had to give credit where it was due. If an S-rank mage decided to unleash their power on Sinuiju, the city might as well brace for total annihtion. ''Until now, he was hiding under a cloak, just giving off a vague hint of his presence, so I wasn''t certain. But today, he''s openly showing his face and letting his energy flow freely, not caring who notices. I should warn Guild Leader Kang when he arrives. We don''t know what kind of factor he could be.'' As she was keeping an eye on the opposite bank, her phone suddenly rang. Tatata tata tatatata "Hello?" "It''s me, Guild Master." "Why are you calling? You said you''d be back after sending out the exploration team. Hurry up. There''s someone really nasty over here." "Nasty?" "The ''ck Dragon'' is in Dandong." "ck Dragon? You mean Bi Wen Jun?" "Yeah, that guy with a nickname straight out of a cheesy martial arts novel. My anti-magic resistance really can''t stand hearing all this talk about ck Dragons and Two Emperors, Five Sovereigns, and the Four Heavenly Kings. The Chinese are really into that stuff." "Eh, they''re not huge fans of witches or cmities either..." "Tsk! Do you have a death wish?" "..." Kang Mu-hyuk on the other end went quiet, not because Ju Se-ah''s threat scared him, but because the mention of Bi Wen Jun, the ck Dragon, got him thinking. Ju Se-ah waited patiently. ''He''lle up with some n again, right?'' She wasn''t afraid of Bi Wen Jun. She had a natural advantage against magic, so if anything, he should be the one fearing her. That didn''t mean she wanted to pick a fight, though. They saw this with Tyrant Igor. S-rankers were basically walking weapons of mass destruction. When two nukes went at it, there was nothing left but rubble. Hunters spilling blood over monsters didn''t make sense---that was Ju Se-ah and Kang Mu-hyuk''s philosophy. "Not that I''d shy away if a fight came to me, though." Ju Se-ah figured Mu-hyuk wouldy out a strategy, but what he said next was unexpected. "The Tumen River line is now under a war-level mission. Actually, it''s a national-level mission." "A national... what? That sounds like a full-scale war. What''s going on over there? It''s not even on the guild app yet." "The government''s probably keeping things under wraps until they have a n. The app''s down for maintenance, after all." Ju Se-ah checked the guild app on her phone. Sure enough, Mu-hyuk was right. "So, what''s the situation?" "Wushan''s fallen, and Hoeryong''s hanging by a thread. In Daehongdan, a raid''s about to start." "If it''s serious enough for a raid, did some boss-level mob show up?" "Not quite a Gate boss, but the bomb spore flower has entered its final phase." "Ugh! That jellyfish-looking flower? Those things were the worst back in the Minor War..." "Even if we handle the spore flowers, the Daehongdan front won''t be secure. That''s why I''ve put the guild on standby with my authority. The warm-up protocols should be kicking in now." "Good move. So, should I head over there, then?" "We were nning to call you in for the Agora Magus near Wushan." "Agora Magus is easy pickings for me." "But after hearing about the news on ck Dragon, even that''s looking tough now." "Why? Worried he might cross over to Sinuiju? That''s why I''m on patrol, but would he really do that? Though, considering guys like the Tyrant, we can''t just leave them be..." "I suspect this whole Tumen River situation is something the Chinese cooked up." As Mu-hyuk spoke with such certainty, Ju Se-ah''s expression tightened. "And what makes you think that?" "The Demonic Realm Gate. The series of incidents involving the Chinese guild and Sinuiju didn''te together overnight. The bigger the n, the more it has to work like a finely tuned machine. And the Yellow Dragon Guild is known for its persistence. But with Sinuiju disrupted, they''ll need to turn another cog in the machine until things are fixed. I think this incident is that other cog." "Got any proof?" "No, just circumstantial evidence and gut feelings. But think about it---right when the monster army hit the Tumen River line, the ck Dragon popped up in Dandong? That''s too obvious to be a coincidence. It''s almost like they don''t care if they''re caught." "True, S-rankers are famous for staying put. No way they''de to some backwater for no reason." "The ck Dragon is known for being a deep strategist. Who knows what he''s nning? Guild Master, keep a close watch on him in Sinuiju. If necessary, you can disclose your rank to Seong Seonjae, but only if he swears to keep it secret." "Really? To Seong Seonjae? That seems riskier than the ck Dragon." "The government will soon call for backup from the top-tier guilds. We can''t have yer leaving Sinuiju. If word gets out about the ck Dragon, they might use that as an excuse to pull out of Sinuiju. Even a yer team could take heavy damage against an S-ranker." Ju Se-ah thought of Seong Seonjae, a meticulous man who hated losing more than anything. She was confident that the yer Guild''s Expedition force could hold their own globally. But fighting against an S-ranker was a different story. It was a harsh reality, but an S-ranker was worth more than even the top forces of a Tier-ed guild. If push came to shove, Seong Seonjae wouldn''t hesitate to abandon Sinuiju. Ju Se-ah knew exactly what needed to be done. "So, Guild Leader Kang, what you need now is full authority over the guild." "Guildmand authority wasid out in our contract." "No, I''m also talking about the power topletely mobilize the guild. No sense in splitting our forces when we need everything focused up north. I bet you''ve considered that once or twice." "I won''t deny it. That''s what I was thinking in a worst-case scenario." "Stop testing the waters and just do it. Move all Hunters north, except for the admin staff. I''m handing over allmand to you, and I''ll move on my own." Click! "You recorded that, didn''t you?" "It''s better to be sure." "As if I''d go back on my word." "In this business, you never know. They say you can''t even trust your own family." "Fair point." "Alright, I''ll pull out of North Pocheon. Oh, and one more thing---what you meant by moving on your own." "Keeping him in check." "Huh?" "The ck Dragon. You wanted me to keep an eye on him, right? Well, I''m not exactly the patient type. I like to take more... proactive approach." "Don''t tell me... Guild Master. Whatever you''re nning, please put an end to it..." "Yeah. I''ll put an end to it. To The ck Dragon." "Guild Master?!" Ju Se-ah ended the call and sprang into action, kicking off the ground with a powerful leap. She soared hundreds of meters,nding on a sediment bank in the middle of the river, then took another jump to cross the Yalu River. Bi Wen Jun watched as Ju Se-ahnded in front of him. He carefully assessed her with his dull gray eyes, peeking out from beneath what looked likeyers of pitch-ck hair. At first nce, his eyes appeared sleepy, but they also seemed like eyes that had seen beyond the ordinary considering his reputation as the ''ck Dragon.'' His dark blue armor coat glinted with a metallic shine. Ju Se-ah approached him slowly, stopping just three steps away. "Looks like you''re all geared up for a fight, huh? Seeing how you''re taking a leisurely walk in full battle attire." "You know Chinese?" "Obviously, I''ve got fancy gear with it. Why bother learning about our Chinese guests when I can speak perfectly good Korean? The only Chinese I know is for ordering jjajangmyeon." "Jjajangmyeon isn''t even our food." "That''s why I said Chinese guests. I only use thenguage when I''m ordering from a Chinese ce, you see." "I don''t understand you. Am I not good enough at Chinese, or is there something wrong with the trantion item?" "Who knows? But you''ll understand this much, right?" "..." "Oi, did you guys mess up the Tumen River?" Bi Wen Jun''s lips slowly curved into a smile. And in the next moment, the remaining light of the sunset split apart. Winds whipped around them, stirring up sand from the riverbank and forcing the river water to flow backward. The water surged against its natural course, and a dyed boom, like the sound of tearing space, echoed around them. Ju Se-ah looked down at the crimson de protruding from her left forearm, then turned her gaze back to Bi Wen Jun. "So, you really are an S-ranker. Ju Se-ah." "Well, that''s quite the grand answer, huh? So, is it a yes or a no?" "What about you? Yes? No?" "You''ll find out when my fist meets your face." "Good, straightforward. The truth is decided by the winner, after all." Ju Se-ah''s fist and Bi Wen Jun''s sword shed again, sparks flying in every direction. "Did the Guild Master hang up on you?" No Song-rin asked cautiously, seeing Kang Mu-hyuk scowling at the phone. Kang Mu-hyuk sighed and ced the receiver down as if to brush off any lingering doubt. "The Guild Master will manage things herself." "Not sure what that means, but you sound like you''re hoping she can handle them more than trusting her." "She''ll handle it. Let''s keep our focus on what we need to do." Kang Mu-hyuk ignored No Song-rin''sment and steered the conversation back. "Are we all set?" "There''s not much to prepare. We''ve evacuated the locals near the ambush spot, knocked down any buildings in the way to clear the line of sight, and that''s it. Hunters may not be builders, but they sure know how to tear things down, right? All units are in ce." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded and issued a newmand-- "Alright, let''s start the second raid." Chapter 159 - Leave it all to me Kang Mu-hyuk announced a ''Raid Retry'' and made his way to the operations room, where he pulled down a map from the wall. The erged version of Daehongdan County''s downtown area map was so big it covered an entire wall. He threw the map onto the floor and shoved nearby desks out of the way. Lee Sookyoung quickly rushed over and cleared away any cumbersome items. The civil servants caught on to Kang Mu-hyuk''s intentions, and lent a hand as well. They quickly cleared a space and Kang Mu-hyuk spread the map on the floor. He grabbed a whiteboard marker and marked an ''X'' at every crossroads. For straight roads and narrow alleys without crossroads, he spaced the markings evenly. It was only after a while, hepleted a map showing a pattern that followed the main roads and extended to the outskirts of the downtown area. "Isn''t this...The route used for Hunter Hyun Junggeon''s ''Mocking Turnaround'' tactic?" "Mocking Turnaround... Oh, the looping wheel tactic? Yes, it''s the ''Aggro Luring Tactical Line.'' It loops around Daehongdan." Lee Sookyoung recalled the memorable name of the strategy and asked, "Why did you mark the route for the looping wheel?" "Hunter Hyun Junggeon has unique skills for someone being an assassin ss. He can taunt and deal area-wide damage. While he distracts the monsters, we n to implement the ''Group Pulling'' strategy." "What is Group Pulling?" "It''s a hunting strategy where we lurerge groups of monsters in smaller clusters to take them out bit by bit. It''s particrly effective against monsters with low intelligence." "Oh? You mean a bait-and-lure hunt? We know about it. We''ve used something simr before too." Lee Sookyoung was initially confused by the unfamiliar Hunter terminology, but she quickly disyed her determination to learn and adapt. Kang Mu-hyuk reviewed the strategy and exined the tactics to her while he carefully studied the map in front of him. He examined the map for a while, then turned to the county officials and said, "Can you bring in the people responsible for water and sewage, roads, construction, building, and the city''s power grid?" A short whileter, the road team, water and sewage team, and officials from the construction and urban development departments arrived in the operations room. "Who''s in charge of the roads?" he asked. "That would be me." "This map looks quite old. I can tell by its faded color. ording to the border defense n revised five years ago, the roads were supposed to be widened to amodaterge trucks and helicopterndings. But I don''t see any markings for that here. Are there any newly built or modified roads?" The road official scrutinized the map for a moment, then pointed to several locations. "Here. And here. Oh, we also cleared this area to serve as a makeshift helipad." "Please mark those spots," Kang Mu-hyuk said as he handed over a blue marker. While the road official updated the map, Kang Mu-hyuk turned to the water and sewage official. "I understand that the local evacuation n included underground facilities connected to the sewage system for emergency evacuations. Are those facilities in ce?" "We started nning them, but we didn''tplete the project." "Isn''t that a mandatory requirement?" "There wasn''t enough budget, so we had to push back the construction after starting a few sections." The water and sewage official scratched his head and looked embarrassed. Kang Mu-hyuk handed over a red marker and instructed, "Start by marking thepleted locations. For the fire hydrants, mark them with a triangle." "I''m afraid I don''t remember all the hydrant locations offhand. I''ll need to check the records," the water and sewage official replied, then left to gather the necessary data. The construction official, who was visibly nervous, asked, "What information do you need from me?" "Mark any structures built for monster deterrence and any buildings over five stories tall. Have those also been dyed due to budget issues?" "No, those projects went ahead as nned. I have all the locations memorized. And as for five-story buildings, there aren''t many in this small town." "Just mark the ones that exist. Use a green pen---a circle for buildings and a square for facilities." Kang Mu-hyuk then spoke with the city power grid official, discussing what was needed and getting their input. It didn''t take long before the map was fully detailed. He then summoned No Song-rin, Hwang Dongsu, and the leaders of each party to the operations room. The leaders stood around the map, which was now filled with numerous markings, and they felt a growing tension. It looked like an borate operation had been nned. The Hunters, who had experienced Kang Mu-hyuk''smands before, felt a surge of anticipation. Even those who hadn''t joined the guild in time were eager to hear about the new raid strategy that the leader of the most talked-about guild had prepared. "I''m handing new orders. From now on, the raid''s objective is to evacuate civilians from the designated operation zones. And..." Gulp! "Demolish the buildings." "??" North Pocheon was abuzz with activity. Even frence Hunters entering the Hunter Vige could feel the heightened sense of urgency. At a certain point, the guild members seemed to vanish, and the Hunters were puzzled. "Where are all the Iron Will members? This morning, they were everywhere." "Yeah, I had something to ask them, but they''re never around when you actually need them." "I mean, it makes sense. How long can they keep up such intense patrolling? They''re bound to rx a bit after tightening things up early on." "They''re the ones running these special zones like they''re theme parks, remember? Who knows what kind of bizarre stuff they''re up to now?" "But does it really matter what they''re doing? Where else can you find a hunting ground as convenient as this? Sure, ces like Mount Jiri or the Kaema teau have higher per-turn rewards, but they''re such a pain to get around, and it''s not worth it in terms of time. There''s no ce better than here." "Come on, finish your coffee, and let''s get out there. Let''s take it easy today, shake off the fatigue from yesterday''s hunt. Oh, and we need to stop by themunity center on the way. Gotta sell those herbs I picked yesterday before they dry out." However, when the Hunters reached themunity center before heading out, they found themselves in a predicament. The center was temporarily closed. Thankfully, there was a makeshift tent outside handling by-product purchases, but the narrow space was crowded with Hunters, and it slowed everything down. Some of the less patient Hunters started to grumble, but with guild members in ck uniforms darting around nearby, things didn''t escte into a brawl. When they saw vehicles being loaded withrge crates, big enough to fit a few people, the Hunters knew something was up. "What''s going on? Did something happen?" "It looks like they''re gearing up for a raid." "Check them out---they''re not wearing their usual light armor; they''re in full te armor." Someone stood watching the crowd of Hunters from the guild headquarters. It was Jang Deukgu. "As expected, as long as the hunting grounds are open, keeping the Hunters from talking is a lost cause. Shutting the grounds down might just have been smarter," Jang Deukgu mused. "There wasn''t much of an option, Captain Jang. Plus, Guild Leader Kang has his own reasons," replied Pyo Beomhee, who had just walked into the office. "Even so, it doesn''t sit right with me to leave the special zones to frencers. It''s like we''re handing over our headquarters'' defense to outsiders." "The special zones are usually patrolled by frencers anyway. It''s only a bit different here because of the Hunter Vige. We''ve kept the minimum number of staff, so it should be fine." "I''m worried about leaving the guild unmanned, especially when we don''t know how bad things are in the north. And there''s still the unresolved issue with the White Tiger Guild." "Recruitmentes first. Guild Leader Kang would rather let the headquarters be destroyed than risk losing any of his people. He''d abandon the Hunter Vige if it came down to it." "The issue is that it''s not just the Guild Leader who thinks that way---the Guild Master does too." "Well, birds of a feather flock together," Pyo Beomhee said with a shrug. She handed over a tablet. The screen disyed a document for the equipment issuance check. Jang Deukgu reviewed the boxes for various ampule kits,mon use weapons,mon use armor, and items from Warehouse C. He signed at the bottom. He handed the tablet back to Pyo Beomhee and asked, "How''s the warm-up progressing?" "The team''s a bit out of practice since they''ve mostly been on patrols. Captain Lee Jinjoo is running the expedition, and Team Leader Yeom Soohyung is just now getting the frontline raid squad organized." "I''ve been consistent with their basic training, but their ranks aren''t that high. It''s been a while since they''ve seen real action, so they''ll probably be a bit lost at first. Most of them are still rookies when ites to hunting." "At least they''re better than they used to be. For thebat conditioning phase, they''ll head to Cheongjin City. The hunting briefing will take ce in the vehicles. The rushed nature of this operation also gives us a chance to evaluate how well the previous training sessions have paid off. It''s a good chance for the guild." "What about the equipment check? It''s been a while since we pulled out the A-Type gear for standard hunts." "As far as the equipment goes, Team Leader Ahn Ji-Il has been maintaining it meticulously since the Titan days. It''s always in top-notch condition, ready for use anytime." "The operations room will also be set up in Cheongjin City. Make sure Team Leader Gong Duri has the operators ready for a mock scenario drill." "I''ve already grilled them about that." Jang Deukgu felt fortunate to have Pyo Beomhee by his side. The guild had issued a sudden full-scale mobilization order, and with both the Guild Master and Guild Leader absent, it was a daunting challenge. This was a process he wouldn''t have dared tackle alone. Most of the team members were not exactly veterans; they were mostly inexperienced Hunters. It wasn''t like leading a bunch of clueless amateurs, but trying to prepare the guild''s defenses with these under-experienced Hunters was like trying to make a blind man climb a mountain. He let out a quiet sigh, and then a message arrived in from Lee Jinjoo. "The expedition team''s gear is prepped. We''ll head out first, Raid Leader." "Alright. From now on,mand on the ground is yours, Expedition Leader. Happy hunting." "Thank you, Raid Leader Jang Deukgu. Wishing you a sessful hunt too." *** As they evacuated citizens near the operation area to the county office, they destroyed structures that monsters could use to block and some buildings to set up their desired terrain. They finished cing traps and choosing ambush points as nightfall approached. Daehongdan County, now cloaked in darkness, looked like a ghost town. It was a territory inhabited only by monsters. Kang Mu-hyuk, relieved that the Tumen River line in Daehongdan County was still quiet, sent a message to Hyun Junggeon. [Man, this has to go in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest time running in circles. Why are these damn monsters only chasing me?] "Well, maybe because you''ve been pulling them perfectly?" Lee Sookyoung quipped as she busily ryed messages between Kang Mu-hyuk and Hyun Junggeon. [Damn it! Having fun? To hell with it! I should have just killed him when I had the chance. Bing the Vice Team Leader wasn''t worth getting stuck in this mess.] "He''s asking for yourmand," Lee Sookyoung said. She cut through the banter and delivered the message directly. "Tell him, when he gets the signal, follow as we lure him." "He says follow the instructions." [Follow instructions? What?] Kang Mu-hyuk turned to a county official and gave an order, "Activate the guiding lights." The official made a phone call, and soon after, Hyun Junggeon messaged back. [What''s this about? Only a few streetlights along the path are lit?] "They''ve turned on the lights," she ryed. "Tell him to lure the monsters along those street lights. Also, inform him we''ll be doing group pulls at each ambush point." [We''ll handle the monsters as theye. Just keep them running along the lit path.] [What? You want me to keep running them around? What was I doing all this time then? Is this how you treat a new recruit? This isn''t even fun anymore!] "Guild Leader, Hunter Hyun Junggeon says you can leave it all to him." Lee Sookyoung shed a thumbs-up, signaling to Kang Mu-hyuk. He thenmanded the raid team. "Begin with Hunter No Song-rin." [We''re starting at the intersection near the food stalls. Going in now.] Chapter 160 - Run for Your Lives! On their way after getting their mission orders, Choi Miran suddenly smacked her forehead as if something had clicked. "Oh, shoot!" "What''s up?" "Oh~ My~ God!" Kim Sunghyun gave her a skeptical look as she started making a big deal out of nowhere. "What kind of mess did you get us into this time?" "It''s not that... I just realized something. This is my first time on a raid team." "First time? We''ve done this before with goblins and orcs, haven''t we?" "No, not those. I''m talking about a boss-level raid. This is my first time going after a real boss. Not counting Gate bosses, of course..." Kim Sunghyun thought back and realized she was right. During the goblin raid, the whole guild was involved, so it wasn''t really an individual raid. And during the orc raid, she was busy guarding Kang Muhyuk, so she missed the actual fight. Besides, they hadn''t faced any bosses in those raids. Ju Se-ah took down the goblin matriarch, and the yer Guild dealt with the orc lord at the Cheolwon Gate. "That makes this my first real raid as well." "Exactly. All these years with the guild, and this is our first raid... What have we been doing with our lives?" "Well, it''s not that unusual. Most Hunters never get to join a raid." "But we''re guild members! This is embarrassing." "Even in the guild, only the elites get to join raids." "So, does that mean we''re elite?" "Don''t tter yourself." "What? Can''t we even dream a little?" Choi Miran snapped, feeling insulted. Kim Sunghyun quickly waved his hands in defense. "We''re just on a thrown-together raid team right now. If this were an official guild raid, we wouldn''t stand a chance. Just focus on moving up from C-rank." "I''m not in C-rank, you jerk! I''m C+! And that''s almost maxed out, damn it!" "Almost maxed out? How much more do you need to level up?" "Ever heard of te bloomer''? Big potential takes time to fill up." "You''re so big, you might kick the bucket before you ever fill up." "Death doesn''t care about age. Want to be the first to find out?" Choi Miran threatened with a knife, and Kim Sunghyun backed off, shaking his head. As their argument grew louder, the frence party leader turned around and scolded them. "H-hey, keep it down back there! Are you guys new to raids or what? Keep your guards up!" "Oh, right. Sorry about that." Kim Sunghyun bowed his head apologetically, while Choi Miran muttered under her breath. "Look at him, all high and mighty just because he''s a B-rank. He''s only been part of parties too just like us." "Hey, youngdy. Watch your mouth." "Yeah, yeah. Should I just zip it up for good?" Choi Miran shot back sarcastically. She was already in a foul mood because of the party leader who kept criticizing them since they formed up. At first, his critiques seemed fair, but he had been nitpicking Choi Miran and Kim Sunghyun from the start, making it feel personal. He criticized everything from their understanding of the mission details to checking their gear, things any guild Hunter would know. He even questioned theirpetence as Hunters, trying to provoke them. Kim Sunghyun, who was easygoing, didn''t want any trouble, but Choi Miran was different. She didn''t like a non-guild stranger judging her. "All she has is a dang Iron Will badge. Acting like she''s all that.Seriously." "Yeah, I am all that. So what?" The party leader stopped and turned around. Choi Miran stood up to him, ring fiercely. The other Hunters also stopped, watching the argument. They were frence Hunters who followed the party leader for hunts and were used to scrappy fights like this---it was just part of life in the wild. Sensing the tension, Kim Sunghyun quickly stepped in to separate them. "Ayy, what''s going on with you two? Come on, let''s keep it together. This isn''t the time for petty arguments. We''ve got a job to do." Just then, spore seeds burst out from a narrow alley and attacked the Hunters who were watching. "Ahhh!" Kim Sunghyun reacted instinctively to the scream. He drew his sword faster than anyone else and sliced the spore seed attacking their teammate in half. Another spore seed charged, but a Mana Rope skill caught it mid-run, tripping it and causing it to fall. The tied-up spore seed rolled around, dragging other nearby spore seed down with it. "The more we do this, the sharper we get. That training with Jang Deukgoo is starting to pay off," Choi Miran said. "Yeah, Raid Leader Jang''s drills really helped. I moved without even thinking," Kim Sunghyun replied. Kim Sunghyun quickly dealt with the spore seed that had lost its footing. All of this happened before any of the other Hunters could react. The party leader nced at Choi Miran, who had responded to the sudden attack even while arguing. "What are you looking at?" she asked. "Oh, nothing... Just, you know, impressed," he replied. The party leader looked back at his frencerades. They had been slow to react, and none of them had tried to save a teammate. They had only raised their shields and weapons to protect themselves. Meanwhile, the two guild members had saved theirrade quickly and dealt with the remaining monsters. ''Is this normal for these Iron Will guild members? They didn''t even break a sweat,'' he thought. He used to be annoyed seeing lower-ranked Huntersfortably settled in such a prestigious guild. He had even wondered how these fools had managed to join a guild at all. But now, he thought he finally understood why. The party leader realized he could no longer underestimate them. Boom! An explosion sounded in the distance. Kim Sunghyun called out, "Party Leader." "Y-yeah?" the leader replied. "We need to get back to the mission before it''s toote." "R-right. Let''s get back to the mission... Yeah, let''s do that," the leader said. The party leader, feeling intimidated, awkwardly turned his back to them. A worrying thought crossed his mind---maybe he''d be stuck as a frencer forever. [This is Party 5. The mother just passed through. The three brothers also passed by.] [Cut off the tail first.] The raid team slowly attacked the back end of the massive monster horde being lured by Hyun Junggeon. Every time they crossed a road, a designated Hunter would attack a small group, separate them from the pack, and lure them to an ambush spot. Hidden Hunters would then finish them off. It looked like a simple tactic on the surface, but setting it up took a lot of preparation. They tore down structures to turn the streets into a maze. They toppled some buildings to block paths or cut off escape routes. They lured the monsters over an underground drain and copsed the floor to trap them. When there were too many monsters, they smashed open fire hydrants to create a water screen and then picked them off one by one. Sometimes, they lured the monsters into houses with yards, shut the gates, and hunted them down inside. The city''s infrastructure was getting wrecked, but they used the spore seeds'' tendency to be unable to react with inanimate objects to their advantage. This allowed them to conduct the raid with minimal damage. "The rear is all cut off. Now pull back the middle." "Damn! One of the guards is chasing us!" "Lead it toward Party Leader Hwang Dongsu!" "Party Leader No has a guard on the other side too. Knock down the Go Club building! Didn''t you hear me? Block the path!" Reports of the intense battle were ryed to Kang Muhyuk through messages. [Down! Down! One guard down!] [50 monsters are tailing us near Lee Seungjoo''s orthopedic clinic. Requesting backup.] [This is Party 8. We''re heading over for support.] [Hunter No Song-rin also seeded in the hunt! Two guards down, one left to go.] As the number of spore seeds dwindled, the main creature''s pace slowed. Even when Hyun Junggeonunched provocative attacks, it didn''t pursue further. A gap formed between the main creature and the spore seeds in that short window. Kang Muhyuk, informed of the situation, gave new orders, "All parties, head to the fire station intersection. Maintain your current formation and wait at your positions. On mymand, attack from all sides." The raid team gathered at the alleyways. Hyun Junggeon slowed down deliberately. This was the moment they had been waiting for. Hunters burst out from every corner andunched their assault. Unlike their first raid, where the spore seeds formed a tight scrum and held their ground, this time, they attacked individually and were easily picked off. Aside from their numbers, the spore seeds weren''t particrly powerful. Without the main creature''s support, they couldn''t withstand the hunters, who were now in perfect positions. "Now it''s just the mother and one of her sons left." "I''ll handle the main creature. Spy Hunter, take down the guard." "Ugh, always with the ''Spy Hunter'' nonsense!" Hwang Dongsu charged at the main creature, ignoring the taunt. No Song-rin followed, grumbling. While Hwang Dongsu kept the main creature busy, No Song-rin took down the remaining guard. Without its spore seed army, the main creature couldn''t stand up to the high-ranking Hunters. With No Song-rin and Hyun Junggeon joining in, the mother creature''s body shrank rapidly. Hearing that only the mother creature remained, Kang Mu-hyuk updated the orders, "The spore seeds are gone, and the threat of the guards is neutralized. No need to chip away anymore. Launch a full assault." The Hunters, fueled by their earlier frustrations, attacked the mother creature with ferocity. It didn''t take long for the mother creature to bepletely obliterated. The Hunters burned any remaining bits of its squirming flesh while doing the cleanup. "Phew, we finally got them all." "Man, I was wondering how we''d catch so many. But we managed it somehow." "It''s dawn already. I''ve never fought this long before. I''m totally out of it." "Yeah, that was one hell of a fight." The Hunters dropped to the ground, gasping for breath. Exhaustion hit them like a freight train. Those who had used up all their mana feltpletely spent andy limp on the ground. Unlike the Hunters who were rxing after the fight, the Iron Will guild members remained on high alert. The A-rank Hunters weren''t as tired and could afford to stay vignt, while the others kept their guard up thanks to the tough training they had undergone in the guild. Choi Miran and Kim Sunghyun were running on empty, but they didn''t copse. They kept scanning their surroundings. "I heard other cities got hit too. This probably isn''t over, is it?" "Can''t you tell by looking at Party Leader No Song-rin? If he''s getting serious, then you know things are bad." "Damn it, I shouldn''t havee. I came to take it easy, and now look at this mess I''m in." "If you stayed at the guild, you''d be busy getting ready for deployment anyway. Everyone''s heading up to Cheongjin." "Cheongjin''s gotta be better than here. At least it''s a proper city. Oh man, I could use a bath." "I just want to sleep...Huh?" Kim Sunghyun suddenly looked up at the brightening sky. The other Hunters noticed it too and looked up. There was a bright light in the sky, like the sun. "Did we stay up all night? When did the sune up?" "That''s not the sun. It''s still nighttime." "Then why is it so bright?" "Up there." "Huh? What''s that?" "I''m not sure, but I''ve got a bad feeling. Wait, is it moving?" "What? Seriously?" Choi Miran raised her hand to block the re and get a better look, but the sun-like light in the night sky disappeared. Suddenly, a burst of mes erupted right next to her. A fiery hand shot out and grabbed her around the waist with a scorching grip. "Huh?" Boom! "Ahhh!" With an explosion, balls of fire scattered everywhere. Choi Miran leapt back in shock. "Miran!" Kim Sunghyun shouted. He grabbed Choi Miran and pulled her back to safety. "Ugh, my stomach, my stomach! Did it burn a hole through me?" "You''re okay, you''re fine. That guy blocked it." Choi Miran realized she was unharmed because Hwang Dongsu had blocked the attack. He was standing where Kim Sunghyun pointed, holding his greatsword, having intercepted the mysterious creature''s strike. "Wow, A-rank really is something else, huh?" Choi Miran cheered and pped, but when she saw Hyun Junggeon and No Song-rin''s joint attack fail, she quickly changed her tune. Even with one high-ranker holding it off and two more attacking, they didn''t even make a dent. "Cough!" What the hell? An A-rank coughing up blood? Hwang Dongsu staggered back, coughing up blood. His shoulder was scorched, the skin burned and smoking as if his blood had evaporated into steam. Hwang Dongsu dropped his greatsword and retreated. Choi Miran was shocked to see the greatsword still floating in the air even after he had let go. There was a hole burned into the side of the greatsword. The metal around it was glowing red-hot, more like it had melted than been pierced. A hand emerged from the molten gap and threw the greatsword to the ground. The fiery creature scanned its surroundings. "A bird...?" Choi Miran could see a being covered in mes. It had a long, bird-like beak with four eyes arranged horizontally above it. Feathers resembling a rooster''sb red on its head, and golden wings fluttered on its back. This was the same creature that had tossed Hyun Junggeon and No Song-rin aside earlier. Its hands were covered in snake-like scales, ending in sharp ws. It looked like a winged humanoid with the head of an eagle and the body of a snake. Feeling the intense threat, the Hunters stood up and got ready for a fight. "Everyone, get down!" No Song-rin shouted. The Hunters were too stunned to react. Kim Sunghyun was in the same boat. Then, still on the ground, Choi Miran instinctively grabbed onto the hem of Kim Sunghyun''s clothes and pulled him down. Suddenly, a fiery whipshed out, sweeping across the area. The Hunters, who had beenughing and celebrating their raid sess just moments ago, were caught in the onught. Some were killed instantly, staring down in shock at their severed waists. Others tried to block with their shields, only to have them melt away in the intense heat. Some lost their weapons and even their hands. More than half the Hunters were wiped out by that one attack. "Everyone, run!" Hyun Junggeon shouted this time. No Song-rin grabbed Hwang Dongsu and pulled him back. Choi Miran and Kim Sunghyun had a gut feeling that if they didn''t run now, they would end up dead. They took off without a second nce. A few Hunters were too frozen with fear to move at first, but when they saw others scattering in all directions, they quickly followed suit. Another fiery whip swung toward them from behind. "Don''t mess with me." [Darkness Synchronization.] Hyun Junggeon''s body shattered into fragments. The hundreds of fragments shattered further into thousands, then tens of thousands. Like grains of sand, the particles flowed into the darkness, enveloping the ming bird. "Die." Kang Mu-hyuk received a shocking report. "A bird made of fire?" It was fully engulfed in mes and looked like a miniature sun in the sky. It had wings, walked on two legs, had the head of an eagle, and limbs like a reptile. It used a fiery whip that either melted or sliced hunters apart. Half of the raid team was decimated by just one attack, and even Hunter Hwang Dongsu was injured and forced to retreat with Hunter No Song-rin. Learning that Hunter Hyun Junggeon was holding the line, Kang Mu-hyuk bit down on his lip. "Hunter Lee Sookyoung, tell Hyun Junggeon to fall back. He must retreat, no matter what!" "What? Okay... Got it." While Lee Sookyoung sent the order, Kang Mu-hyuk turned to the officials. "Everyone, evacuate the county office. We''re pulling back to Daehongdan. Send out an emergency alert to all county residents. Tell them to use any means---cars, on foot, whatever---to get out. Also, alert the Tumen River defense line. Order them to retreat immediately!" "Why are you doing this? Why tell everyone to flee now? Wasn''t the raid over?" an official asked. Kang Mu-hyuk answered sharply, skipping any further exnation. "A monster has shown up that we can''t handle with our current strength. If we stay here, everyone will die." Chapter 161 - Would you mind listening for a moment? "Director Cha Gil-joo, before we begin with the questions, let''s reconfirm that this hearing is an informal gathering due to the confidential nature of the Guild Cooperation Agency''s work. Do you agree?" "Yes, I agree." "Alright then, let''s start the hearing on the Tumen River Line copse that urred in the North Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces over the past 33 days." Lawmakers from both parties began the hearing with their opening statements. They focused on the Tumen River Line copse, which the public has referred to as the ''Tumen River War.'' They reviewed key events in chronological order to assess whether there were any issues with the response to the disaster and defense and to identify areas for future improvement. After a brief summary, an oppositionwmaker took the mic and began questioning. "As everyone knows, Wushan was breached on the first day, right? That night, Daehongdan was struck by a disaster. The next day, Hoeryongpletely copsed. Director Cha, why didn''t you call an emergency assembly when the core of the Tumen River Line was copsing? If you had mobilized the Hunters right after Wushan fell, we wouldn''t be facing threats at the doorstep of Hyesan and Chongjin." "First, let me correct you. Calling an emergency assembly is not within the authority of the Guild Cooperation Agency." "Not within your authority?" "Correct. And the official term for an emergency assembly is the Hunter Mobilization Order. The President, who is the Guild Leader-in-chief of the military, has the power to issue a mobilization order. The Guild Cooperation Agency''s role is to request support from the guilds, which is just a rmendation without any binding force..." "So, it''s the President''s responsibility, then?" "No, I''m just rifying the system''s specifics." "So, are you saying the Guild Cooperation Agency is not at fault? Shouldn''t you have provided urate reports to the President to ensure a clear understanding of the situation?" Cha Gil-joo almost blurted that he had reported it, but he chose to remain silent. A ruling party member sitting across subtly shook his head, silently pressuring him. If Cha Gil-joo mentioned he had reported to the President, it could lead to mistrust not only in the government but also in the current ruling party. The election was just around the corner. In politics, power wasn''t about right or wrong; it was about having it or losing it. It wasn''t the time to casually bring up significant matters that could sway the vote. Cha Gil-joo didn''t want to bear the stigma of betraying the government. If he were removed as the Director of the Guild Cooperation Agency, who knew what would happen to the rtionships he''d built with the guilds? He could end up as a powerless agency head, unable to garner the guilds'' cooperation as he had before. Hoping for apetent and virtuous sessor was like rolling the dice. That was why he had to hold onto his position at all costs. He took a deep breath and began to speak. "The initial report waste. When Wushan fell, themunication tower was destroyed, so we only understood the situationter through militarymunication lines. Hoeryong also fell due to a sudden surprise attack, and the front line couldn''t hold for long. On top of that, the city hall was the first to be hit, which caused chaos." "That''s strange. Didn''t Daehongdan, with its weaker defensespared to Wushan or Hoeryong, report the situation more quickly?" "That''s because Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader of Iron Will, was there, enabling a swift initial response." "That''s odd too. Iron Will''s base is in North Pocheon. Why was the Guild Leader in Daehongdan?" "We haven''t figured that out yet." Cha Gil-joo pretended not to know, even though Kang Mu-hyuk had hinted about exploring the Demonic Realm. Bringing up the China issue in Parliament without evidence was risky. If he made strong statements to win public support, it could escte into a diplomatic issue beyond control. "You haven''t found out yet? It''s been almost a month." "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk has been fighting on the front lines in Chongjin with his guild members since the incident began. Due to frequentmunication disruptions, we''ve been unable to receive proper reports." A ruling partywmaker chimed in, clearly frustrated. "So, wirelessmunication is challenging. But as I understand it,ndlines are still up, right?" "Landlinemunications prioritize reports from the military and the Tier Guild Alliance forces." "Then, why not write a report and send it with a messenger? Can''t you make such a simple request?" "Hunters on the battlefield barely get two to three hours of sleep a day. They fight around the clock. Even after battles, the Guild Leader is busy evacuating the wounded and managing supplies. For someone like that, doing desk work is unreasonable. I''m a considerate person. I couldn''t ask someone in a warzone to provide a mere report." "A mere report? A mere report? To uncover the truth about this incident, the government needs urate information..." When the oppositionwmaker''s time ran out, the microphone was turned off. The ruling partywmaker took over with another formal question. "So, Wushan was attacked by that... Agora Magos? Some kind of magic-wielding monster? And as for Hoeryong, they were overwhelmed by sheer numbers? And Daehongdan managed to fend off those infamous bomb spores from the Minor War, but then suddenly a named monster appeared and took out half of their raid team. No matter how strong a named monster is, can it really wipe out more than thirty Hunters with a single attack?" "Yes, the Daehongdan raid team was put together hastily, so they were vulnerable to attacks from powerful named monsters." "But there were three A-rank Hunters in that team, right?" Despite being a member of the ruling party, the question had a sharp edge. Even though the hearing was unofficial, its contents would undoubtedly leak to the press. To make an impression on the public, they needed to appear tough and not go easy on government officials. Cha Gil-joo, sensing this, calmly responded, "This monster, codenamed ''Garuda,'' is a named monster estimated to be 4-star. As you all know, the star level of a named monster doesn''t really signify much. The 4-star category here is based on the level of the base monster before it evolved into a named monster. Garuda is an evolved form of the 4-star monster ''Harpy.'' While a Harpy itself isn''t particrly threatening, Garuda should be considered a field boss-level threat. Naturally, it would be difficult to hunt it down without a fully prepared raid team from a major guild." "Isn''t it kind of ironic to call it a ''field boss'' and then p a 4-starbel on it? People who aren''t familiar with the hunting world might think, ''Can''t these Hunters even handle a 4-star?''" "Webel the monster based on its pre-evolution level because it''s a reference for its evolved form''s capabilities and its potential. Even if a named monster bes more powerful, its inherent potential is limited by its original level. A 4-star named monster isn''t on par with an 8-star one. This categorization is essential in the field, and it follows global standards..." "Okay, okay, enough with the lecture. What I meant was, how did youe by this information?" "Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader, passed it on through the Titan Guild. When he worked as the Strategy Team Leader at Titan, their target for the final monster raid was the Garuda." "So why is that monster still around causing havoc? Did the raid fail?" "Kang Mu-hyuk left Titan before the raid happened. Afterward, due to internal issues at Titan, assembling a raid team got dyed, and in the meantime, Garuda entered the Demonic Realm, and they gave up on the raid." "So, once again, Kang Mu-hyuk is involved, huh?" "Involved isn''t the right word; it''s more like his actions are relevant to the situation." "Still, it''s his fault, right? And Titan Guild''s as well. If they had taken care of it back then, those 10,000 people in Daehongdan wouldn''t have died, isn''t that right?" Cha Gil-joo understood that the ruling partywmaker was searching for a scapegoat. They wanted someone easy to me for the government''s slow response, which had resulted in the copse of the northern defense line. He feltpelled to defend Kang Mu-hyuk. They couldn''t afford to throw him under the bus. It wasn''t just a matter of Kang Mu-hyuk''s skills; it was also because Ju Se-ah''s value had drastically shifted. An S-rank Hunter. This was top-secret information known only to a select few, including himself, the President, and a handful of close aides. Thewmakers were still in the dark, which was why they were looking to pin the me on someone easy. But considering Ju Se-ah''s trust in Kang Mu-hyuk, letting him take the fall was out of the question. The government''s rtionship with the S-rank Hunter could be damaged before they even secured her cooperation. Since revealing the existence of the S-rank Hunter was off the table, per Kang Mu-hyuk''s request, Cha Gil-joo needed another approach to defend him. "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t let 10,000 die; he''s the one who saved 30,000 lives. If he hadn''t acted quickly, every resident of Daehongdan would have been dead that day. And if his high-ranking Hunters hadn''t risked serious injuries to lure Garuda away, no one would have made it out alive." The ruling partywmaker seemed poised to speak again, but Cha Gil-joo pressed on, "Monsters are like natural disasters. Why do you think it''s called the Demonic Realm? Because it''s a ce where you never know what''s going to happen. ming someone for not going through with a raid they nned in the past makes every guild strategy leader a criminal. And holding someone ountable who already left Titan is just unreasonable. Remember, this is the same guy who led a war-level mission against the Orc tribes in North Pocheon. Considering he''s still on the frontlines in the north, fighting against monsters, you can''t dismiss his contributions so lightly." When Cha Gil-joo turned up the heat with his words, the ruling partywmaker shot him a look. Why are you going off at me? We''re on the same side! y along! Cha Gil-joo pretended not to notice and avoided eye contact. Soon enough, the ruling partywmaker''s speaking time ended, and another oppositionwmaker took over the microphone. "Just as expected. I''ve called Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk to testify. Guild Leader Kang, pleasee in." An aide passed the message outside, but even after a long wait, Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t show up. "Guild Leader Kang, why aren''t you entering?" The oppositionwmaker, clearly flustered, called out for Kang Mu-hyuk multiple times. The aide even stepped outside the hearing room. After some time, the aide returned and whispered to thewmaker. "What? He returned on his way here." "Yes, he was on his way to Seoul but turned around because the Iron Will Guild entered into battle." "What''s a civilian going to do there? Isn''t hunting the Hunters'' job?" Oppositionwmakers were outraged, using him of disrespecting the legitive process and threatening to leak this to the press to damage his reputation. Cha Gil-joo watched thesewmakers and ced a hand on his throbbing forehead. ''This is a damn circus. There''s a war raging up north, and they''re ying political games here. Democracy''s all well and good, but this isn''t the time for petty squabbles.'' Feeling a wave of helplessness wash over him, Cha Gil-joo was frustrated by the fact that the head of the Guild Cooperation agency, who should be supporting the Hunters on the frontlines, was stuck here in pointless arguments. After days of sleepless battles, Kang Mu-hyuk finally found a moment to rest on the sofa in his office, but an unwee visitor showed up. "Oi, you''re Kang Mu-hyuk, right?" "What''s this about, Strategy Team Leader Ryuhyuk?" The man named Ryuhyuk, wasn''t fond of Kang Mu-hyuk. It bothered him that a civilian had once been a strategy team leader in an A-rank guild. Someone who doesn''t even know what it was like to fight on the frontlines nning a raid where Hunters'' lives were on the line---it made Ryuhyuk feel like it decreased his status as a strategy team leader. And now, Kang Mu-hyuk was a Guild Leader. His frustration grew even more, especially since he had a lot of issues with themand structure including a Guild Leader. "Why isn''t the yer Guild showing up?" "Why are you asking Iron Will about the yer Guild''s business? That''s like me asking the White Tiger Guild about your Wanderer Guild." "Why are you lumping us in with those dirty bastards? They didn''t even send any support, those cheap jerks." Ryuhyuk grumbled, but Kang Mu-hyuk answered casually without an apology, "Also why would you say yer isn''t here? Two full strike teams were mobilized." "The main force isn''t here, though. Why is their Expedition Team in Sinuiju?" "You''ll have to ask someone from yer about that." "You think I don''t know? You''re the one who proposed the Sinuiju alliance to the Tier Guilds, right? And you nned all this too. I don''t know how you convinced Sung Seonjae, but it''s pretty clear the yer Guild''s expedition team being stuck there is connected to you." "There''s a reason for everything. That''s why the Guild Cooperation agency is also understanding about the yer Guild being stationed in Sinuiju, isn''t it?" "Now, you''re ying word games? You think no one knows Iron Will is cozy with the Guild Cooperation agency?" Just as Ryuhyuk reached out, trying to grab Kang Mu-hyuk by the cor, a sharp rended from his right side. Ryuhyuk''s hand hesitated. His hand that was about to grab Kang Mu-hyuk''s cor slowly retreated. Instead, he turned his gaze to a corner of the office. In the shadows, a man sat leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, one eye half-open, staring intently. "Jeez, you''re intense. Mr. Jang Deukgoo, no one''s going to eat your Guild Leader, so take it easy with the killing intent." "Are you looking down on our Guild Leader just because he''s a civilian?" "Honestly, I don''t respect him." "Our Guild Master appointed him as the Guild Leader. By disrespecting him, you''re insulting our Guild Master." "What kind of twisted logic is that?" "If a dog bites you, even nonsense starts to make sense. Want to find out?" Jang Deukgoo slowly stood up. His eyes were now wide open, a cold, threatening aura radiating from him. ''This is the old Jang Deukgoo. He''s been hunting monsters non-stop. That must be why he''s murderous. There''s also the rumor going around that Ju Se-ah got hurt. Is that why he''s even more on edge? If I brawl with him now, I''m bound to bleed too.'' Ryuhyuk shoved his hands into his pockets, signaling that he wasn''t looking for a fight. "In your guild, the Guild Leader is like a Deputy Guild Master. You''re a Tier Guild, you should at least maintain your standards." Leaving those words, Jang Deukgoo sat back down and closed his eyes again. Even someone as tough as him, who could make other Hunters tremble, was exhausted from the relentless hunts. He was there to escort Kang Mu-hyuk but needed to take advantage of any brief breaks. "Now that it looks like you two have sorted things out, let''s go over a few points. On second thought, it seems unfair that only the yer Guild is in Sinuiju. So, I''m considering making some adjustments. Would you mind listening for a moment?" Kang Mu-hyuk subtly shifted the me for the conflict to Jang Deukgoo, making Ryuhyuk chuckle. It was clear he wanted to discuss the matter with a third party, not directly with the person involved. Knowing that most Tier Guild strategy team leaders were shrewd, Ryuhyuk caught on to Kang Mu-hyuk''s game and asked, "What kind of adjustment?" "Well, the Wanderer Guild also agreed to join in Sinuiju, right? Redirect your Expedition Team there. In return, please add another strike team to match the numbers yer Guild currently has deployed." Chapter 162 - Where Is She Right Now? After Ryuhyuk left, only Jang Deukgoo and Kang Mu-hyuk were left in the office. Jang Deukgoo spoke as if he were half-asleep, "I don''t get what you''re up to." "What do you mean?" "You''re not just giving in to the Wanderer Guild''s demands, but sending all the Expedition Teams from the local Tier Guilds to Sinuiju? And using Ryuhyuk as a messenger for the other guilds? It looks like he''s trying to present himself as a master negotiator to extend his influence. Why don''t you take control instead? That''s usually your style." "If I step in, they''ll just think I''m a puppet for the yer Guild. Whatever I do wille under suspicion. Besides, I''m too busy hunting monsters to waste my energy on such tiring tasks." Jang Deukgoo tilted his head, confused. Kang Mu-hyuk''s excuse about being too tired didn''t seem like something he would normally say. It was more believable to think Kang Mu-hyuk had some ulterior motive. He wouldn''t just let the Expedition Teams withdraw without gaining some advantage. ''It''s not just letting them be; he practically encouraged them to take the other guilds'' Expedition Teams with them.'' While he was thinking about the reasoning behind this, Kang Mu-hyuk added, "They''ll be more motivated if they feel they have some authority. Power may be everything in the Hunter world, but having a good reason for your actions is important. If we abandon the Cheongjin defense line without a reason, both the government and the public will react badly. They won''t miss this opportunity to criticize us. You know what happens to a guild that loses public support." "They end up like the White Tiger Guild." For every controversy about a Hunter''s actions causing a social issue, the media would drag the White Tiger Guild into the spotlight. They used the guild''swless behavior as an example to tarnish its reputation. The government subtly encouraged this narrative. That was because while other guilds at least pretended to cooperate with the government, the White Tiger Guild was focused only on its interests. It ignored government policies and proposals, stubbornly doing things its own way, which didn''t sit well with those in power. Despite the pressure from the government and the media, the White Tiger Guild managed to hold its position among the Tier Guilds, which disyed their resilience. Some even suggested that if the White Tiger Guild had managed its public image better, it could have formed a strong alliance with the yer Guild. This sentiment was widely shared even among Hunters, leaving the White Tiger Guild as the ck sheep of the Huntermunity. "That''s right. If a guild keeps acting selfishly like the White Tiger Guild, they''ll eventually get the short end of the stick. A Hunter''s greatest weapon isn''t just their strength; it''s being seen as a hero by the people. As long as they maintain that image, even the government can''t easily push them around. Just as the government relies on public support, guilds also can''t cross certain boundaries. It''s a delicate bnce of power." "So why give them that pretext and send them off to Sinuiju? Even if they are a bunch of nuisances, the Tier Guilds'' Expedition Teams are a critical asset here." "We got a strike team in return, didn''t we? Plus, the fighters needed a break. It''s better to pull back the exhausted Hunters and bring in fresh troops." "But the Expedition Teams are the elite of their guild. I''m not looking down on the Tier Guilds'' strike teams, but they don''t quite measure up to the Expedition Teams. Handling creatures like Garuda or Agora Magos is already tough, but facing other powerful named monsters on top of that would be pushing it." As Jang Deukgoo mentioned the named monsters, the mood in the room dropped. He scowled, and Kang Mu-hyuk''s gaze turned cold as he looked into the distance, beyond the wall. Right now, there were four major threats at the Cheongjin defense line: 1. Garuda, a named monster that evolved from a 4-star Harpy. 2. Agora Magos, a 5-star monster that isn''t technically a named monster but is marked as highly dangerous in the monsterpendium. 3. Abomination, the worst kind of named monster, known as a Hunter Killer in North America, whose original form is still a mystery. 4. Armored Lizard, an unknown monster not found in any database, given a temporary codename. "The Abomination is a big issue too, but there''s a strong chance that the Armored Lizard is a named monster too." Kang Mu-hyuk nodded. He was also suspicious that a new named monster might have appeared. The situation clearly made you wonder why the Demonic Realm was given this name. "The reason the front line is holding for now is that these creatures have all staked out their own territories. Ryuhyuk used the yer Guild as a cover because he''s worried about losing forces while fighting these named monsters we know so little about. Pulling out the Expedition Team under these circumstances is risky." Jang Deukgoo pointed out this problem. "The Tier Guilds are aware of that. They''re not going to throw the strike teams under the bus if the Expedition Team withdraws. They''ll make sure they''re prepared to avoid losing Hunters. They won''t rush into the fray, but their concern lies elsewhere." "What else are they concerned about?" "The more they fight, the morebat data about the expedition Hunters leaks out. The Tier Guilds don''t like their elite forces'' tactics being exposed. That''s why, even though they''ve been fighting on the same front for nearly a month, they don''t really coordinate with each other. This whole issue with the yer Guild is just an excuse." Jang Deukgoo hadn''t spent much time inside a Tier Guild, but thanks to his experiences with Ju Se-ah, he understood what Kang Mu-hyuk meant. It was simr to the Hunter Investigation Agency, where he used to work. The agency''s top investigators often concealed their identities, not just for safety but also to prevent theirbat techniques from being exposed. Since many confrontations with Hunter criminals happened with both sides knowing little about each other, any leaked information could put the investigators at a disadvantage. Guilds were in the same boat. Monsters were the main enemy, but that didn''t mean you could trust other humans. Sometimes, humans could be even more dangerous than monsters. This distrust was especially strong in Korea, given how they were betrayed by the global Huntermunity after the Great War. Kang Mu-hyuk used this distrust to reveal the true motives of the Tier Guilds. "It was just a matter of time anyway. They would''ve found an excuse to switch out their forces sooner orter. I just nudged the direction of that switch a bit. To where I need them." "Where do you need them? Sinuiju?" "Yes. Sinuiju is where they''re needed right now." A thought suddenly struck Jang Deukgoo. "Captain, while we''re on the topic of Sinuiju, can I ask you something?" "Of course. Ask away." "Where is Guild Master Ju Se-ah?" "..." "Where is she now?" Meanwhile, Seong Seonjae was standing by the lower Yalu River, not far from Sinuiju. Next to him was Gam Wooyoung, who looked nervous as he took in the sight before him. "This ce... It wasn''t always like this, was it?" "No, it wasn''t. No matter how powerful nature is, it doesn''t just change thendscape like this overnight." They looked at the river, which had split into two branches. Instead of the usual sediment-filled delta, a mountain had suddenly risen up, as if a giant dragon had thrashed around. This was far from a typical river delta. "It looks like a giant sshed around here." "Well, they were in fact giants. One from China and one from Korea had a fight here." "Se-Ah actually reached S-rank, huh... I knew she would get there someday, but hearing it actually happened is still hard to believe." "Let me remind you again. The fact that Ju Se-ah reached S-rank is a secret for now." "Even from the Expedition Team?" "I haven''t reported it to the higher-ups yet." Seong Seonjae''s ''higher-ups'' were just the Guild Master and the Deputy Guild Master---only two people. Gam Wooyoung realized this and was stunned. "H-How can you keep this a secret? I know about it too. What if they find outter?" "We just have to keep quiet. If the higher-ups find out, it could throw all my ns off. And remember, Hunter Gam Wooyoung, you found out by ''ident.'' I was nning to keep it to myself," Seong Seonjae said, emphasizing the word ''ident.'' Gam Wooyoung looked up at the sky. "I didn''t mean to find out. I just happened to overhear when I picked up the office phone... It wasn''t on purpose, I swear." "It''s alright. It was my fault for not noticing the phone was connected without an extension line when we quickly set up themunication lines." "Right? So, it''s not my fault..." "But of course, I''ll have to deal with the fact that you were eavesdropping on my call with Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk." "Y-you knew about that? Haha..." Gam Wooyoung tried tough it off, nervously shuffling into a corner, but Seong Seonjae beckoned him back. "Do you know why I brought you here, Hunter Gam Wooyoung?" "Gasp! Don''t tell me you''re nning to silence me?" Gam Wooyoung blurted out, quickly shifting into a fighting stance. Seong Seonjae just sighed and said, "Stop fooling around and look over there." He pointed toward the battlefield. "The opponent is the ck Dragon, China''s renowned Magic Swordmaster, and on our side, Korea''s top tank, the Witch. Since you''re a swordsman yourself and have sparred with Guild Master Ju Se-ah many times, you should be able to piece together their battle tactics, right?" "Well, sort of." Seong Seonjae gestured towards where thendscape had started to change, and Gam Wooyoung began to analyze. "I''m not too familiar with ck Dragon''s techniques, but that massive gap in the middle of the river looks like one of Se-Ah''s moves. From the footprint shape, it seems to be her ''Giant Footprint'' skill. She''s known for favoring refined techniques over raw power, but when facing an S-rank, I guess she didn''t have the luxury to be choosy." "ck Dragon responded with a defensive maneuver. It looks like a technique using his sword... Notice how the earth around the footprint is fanned out? That''s the sign of his dispersing sword energy." "Next was her punch. It altered the river''s flow. The opposite bank ispletely demolished. Only she would throw a punch that powerful." "ck Dragon didn''t defend; he counterattacked. He swung his sword, and Ju Se-ah''s punch cleaved the riverbank apart. The terrain shifted again there." Seong Seonjae and Gam Wooyoung examined the scene together, reconstructing the intense battle between two S-rank Hunters. After more than an hour of discussing their observations and walking to where the sea came into view, they reached a shared conclusion. "S-rank Hunters aren''t human," they both mused. Seong Seonjae remarked, "I''ve beening here daily for thest month to check this out." "Every day?" "At first, it was to collect battle data on Guild Master Ju Se-ah. But, strangely enough, I kept feelingpelled to return." "Why? It''s impressive, sure, but it''s not that different from what we usually see when fighting massive creatures in a Gate. Remember when we fought that dragon-like thing in the Red Gate? That was even more intense... or was it about the same?" "The marks left behind from that fight were from humans. This ce offers a rare chance to see the raw power of two S-rank Hunters. From now on, Hunter Gam Wooyoung, I want you toe here every day and study this battle. If you do, you''ll discover something new each time." "Something new?" "When you can see what I see, let me know. I''ll show you the next step then." Gam Wooyoung felt like he was listening to a riddle he couldn''t quite figure out. "Well, I guess I''ll do what you say for now..." "In that case, why don''t we go over the battle again?" "Again?" Just as Seong Seonjae turned to move upstream, his smartphone buzzed loudly. ncing at the screen, he noticed it was a call from the Sinuiju office. "What is it?" He listened intently to the person on the line, his face bing serious as he looked down. "Other Tier Guilds areing this way? Got it. I''ll head there right away." He ended the call with a disapproving click of his tongue, which made the ever-curious Gam Wooyoung ask, "Is something up? Why is someone elseing here?" "Six Tier Guild expeditions, including the Wanderer Guild, have decided to set up camp in Sinuiju." "Out of nowhere? Is Cheongjin okay now?" "Okay? Not a chance. It looks like Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk yed another one of his tricks again." He tried to understand Kang Mu-hyuk''s move, but he didn''t have all the pieces. One thing was clear: the situation wasn''t stable enough to justify pulling back the Tier Guild expedition teams to Sinuiju. Would Kang Mu-hyuk really sit back and let the front lines weaken? This had to mean he had some other n in mind. ''This might be connected to Guild Master Ju Se-ah''s mysterious disappearance.'' Chapter 163 - We鈥檙e Not Exactly That Close, Are We? "We''re not exactly that close, are we?" At Dalian City People''s General Hospital, Guan Hong, the strategist of the Yellow Dragon Guild, headed to the VIP room where his superior, Bi Wen Jun, was recovering. The entire floor was reserved, with guild Hunters on guard to prevent any unauthorized entry. After passing through heavy security Guan Hong reached the room. He took a deep breath and knocked softly. A deep voice emerged from inside, "Come in." Once he entered, he saw Bi Wen Jun half-reclined on the bed, reading a book. "How are you holding up?" "Well, there''s only so much a potion can do. Internal injuries take time to heal. The Japanese were making a big deal about Ju Se-ah, and now I understand why." "It''s remarkable she managed to wound you. Plus she only recently advanced to S-rank." Guan Hong realized his mistake as soon as he spoke. Mentioning Bi Wen Jun''s injury could be seen as an insult to the guild''s reputation. In China, reaching S-rank was called ''Shattering the Heavens'', a title that symbolized greatness. Bi Wen Jun was a Hunter who embodied this greatness and was beyond criticism. But Bi Wen Jun didn''t seem offended. He continued calmly, "We didn''t go all out. If we had, one of us would surely be dead, maybe even both of us. Even though we held back, the fight was intense enough to put me here in the hospital." "So, what about Ju Se-ah?" "She won''t be moving much either. While I''ll be out of action for a while, she''s in a simr situation. I may not be the only S-rank in China, but Ju se-ah is the only S-rank in Korea. Plus, we have another ally we can rely on. Considering everything, this isn''t a bad result." Guan Hong had already found out about the fight between Bi Wen Jun and Ju Se-ah before he visited. The battle was so intense that it changed thendscape near the Yalu River. It was incredible that such destruction happened even though neither side fought at full power. Bi Wen Jun was known as a strong fighter even before reaching S-rank. Him choosing to rest, suggested that the fight had a significant impact. Just as Guan Hong was thinking about Ju Se-ah''s strength, Bi Wen Jun spoke again. "Your report waste this time, wasn''t it?" "I apologize for not visiting sooner." "Anyone who enters into the Demon Realm doesn''te back quickly, right? I understand. So, how did it go?" "The other Gates are under control, but we had some problems with the Gate in Jilin City," "What kind of problems?" "We couldn''t lure out the Gate boss." "Well, that''s why it''s called a boss, right? Monsters don''t always do what you expect." "I apologize." "And where is that creature now?" Guan Hong had been ready for a scolding, but Bi Wen Jun didn''t seem too worried. However, Guan Hong knew not to rx. Bi Wen Jun''s tolerance often depended on his mood. He seemed calm now because he wasn''t particrly annoyed. "We''re not sure exactly where it is, but we think it''s between Jilin City and the Tumen River defense line. We couldn''t pinpoint the exact location because our reconnaissance team was wiped out," "I''ve heard about the Tumen River situation. Even if you didn''t corner the boss, you did cause an artificial monster wave on that side. North Korea is in chaos now. That''s what I''d call a partial sess." "Yes, but it seems we need to rethink some parts of our strategy," Guan Hong suggested carefully. This was the main reason he hadn''t rxed. He needed to bring up a sensitive topic with his superior. Even though Guan Hong was making the suggestion, the overall n was Bi Wen Jun''s, so he had to be careful not to offend him. "What do you suggest?" "Maybe we should keep the Shenyang Gate sealed for now." "Why is that?" "To the south, there''s Dalian and Dandong. To the west, Chifeng and Chengde are close by. Beijing is just 600 km away. With our unreliable method of drawing out the Gate boss, we can''t predict where it might head. The risks are too high, especially with the capital at stake." Bi Wen Jun closed his book and tapped the cover with his fingers, deep in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "What about the Russian Gate? That one is critical." "There''s no issue there. Even if something unexpected happens, it won''t affect the maind. We can stick to the main n for that Gate." "Dandong might be okay, but it''s too risky for Dalian and Beijing. We also have to consider the Chairman''s standing. Alright, let''s put the Shenyang Gate on hold. We''ll n an expedition thereter. Stick to the original n for the rest." "Yes, thank you for your decisive judgment." Bi Wen Jun looked at Guan Hong, whose head was bowed low, and spoke softly. "We don''t have much time left. Make sure everything is handled without any mistakes." Guan Hong felt a cold sweat on his neck and bowed even lower. As the Expedition teams from each Tier guild moved to Sinuiju, additional strike squads were deployed to Cheongjin. To fill the gaps left by the departing Expedition teams, the guilds assigned their best forces to the strike squads. Ampoules and consumable equipment were made temporarily tax-free, and with the help of the guild cooperation office, they secured significant government support. Any shortages not covered by government orders were left to the private sector. In return, the guilds participating in the war werepensated for their losses through tax deductions. Even with these measures, obtaining key supplies was still difficult. They tried to negotiate exports from nearby countries like Japan and China, but they were turned down. Emergency airlifts from the U.S. and Europe were arranged, but the global supply of potions was already tight, and the costs were too high to bring in enough supplies. Products ''Made in India'' were concerning due to a higher risk of severe potion addictionpared to other brands, and products from Southeast Asia were less effective. Russian-made potions were also avoided in Korea because they were seen as unreliable. With these supply dys, there was unrest on the front lines. The government, having no other choice, enforced a mandatory requisition under the guise of "patriotic support." Mid-sized and small guilds not involved in the war were forced to sell their potions and consumables. This led to an outcry among the guilds. Theints department at the guild cooperation agency was overwhelmed with guild representatives. Phones rang non-stop, and some representatives shouted angrily. Without help from the Hunter Investigation Agency, some government officials might have been hurt. "Listen, if you''re going to take our supplies, at least pay a fair price. Our guild bought those ampoule kits for 980,000 won each, and now you want us to sell them for 550,000? Who even uses the average annual price as a reference?" "Our potions are from a top-tier brand. They should be priced at a minimum of 60 ticks. But look, the smallerpanies'' ampoules go for around 50 ticks each, right? There are premium potions that offer higher recovery rates per tick, but still, setting the price based only on the minimum ticks? Isn''t that a bit unfair?" "Yes, I get it. War is hard. But you have to understand, there''s a big difference in scale between massive guilds like Tier or A-rank and mid-sized guilds like ours. Those big guilds can easily replenish their stock even after clearing out their warehouses, but for us, if we don''t hustle and clear even the smaller Gates, our guild could be in serious trouble. How are we supposed to go out on hunts without potions? And if a Gate breaks loose, who''s going to be responsible?" "What? North Pocheon? How could the Iron Will guys be C-rank? They''ve got Ju Se-ah on their side, and their territory is pretty lucrative. They even took over Sinuiju, right? It''s not fair to expect us to fight on the front lines just because they''re there. And from what I hear, even the Tier guilds aren''t throwing all their power into it. They''re only doing it because they know they can manage." The grievances of the guilds stemmed from the self-serving nature of the Hunters, but they also resulted from long-standing frustrations that had finally reached a boiling point. The ever-growing gap betweenrge and small guilds, the distrust toward the government that had been demanding sacrifices from Hunters since the Great War, and the anti-Hunter sentiment that viewed Hunters as a danger and called for their powers to be curtailed and controlled by the state---all these factors had driven the guilds to adopt a more defensive, isted stance. The Guild Cooperation Agency was overwhelmed, its operations almosting to a standstill due to constant shes with guild representatives. It was then that Kang Mu-hyuk contacted Cha Gil-joo. "What brings you here?" "We need more troops." Cha Gil-joo was momentarily speechless. He knew the situation on the front lines, but where could he find more forces? He thought about suggesting to the President to issue a draft order. ''But if we do that, there will be problems after the draft. The government would have to make several concessions, and they wouldn''t want to take on that kind of political risk.'' When Cha Gil-joo didn''t respond, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke again. "It seems the government and the media don''t fully grasp the reality here." "No, we''re quite aware of it." "I see what''s being aired on the news. Some outlets are barely mentioning it, treating it like some distant turmoil in Africa or South America. Are they downying it deliberately because of the uing elections?" "Well, on that point... I''m sorry, but there''s not much I can do about it." "I have to admit, I was a bit surprised when I saw the National Assembly summon me for this unofficial hearing. Calling a Guild Leader from the front lines? Seems like things are too calm back there." "I didn''t expect them to call you as a witness either." "It seems our esteemedwmakers don''t really know what''s happening on the ground here. If you''re okay with it, I''d like to invite them to Cheongjin," "Invite them... to Cheongjin?" Cha Gil-joo was surprised. He knew how dangerous the front lines were. Bringing politicians to such a ce would be risky. They would only get in the way. He understood the intent was to show thewmakers the urgency and get more proactive support, but he doubted they''d agree to go to Cheongjin. "We could even arrange for a few cameras to follow them. It''d make for some great footage, don''t you think?" "Well, I''m not exactly sure what you''re aiming for here." "Oh, nothing much, just thought I''d help them with their election campaigns." "Wait, election... campaigns?" "Yeah, give the ones chasing votes a chance to get them, and let the Hunters who want more potions have a go at getting more." Cha Gil-joo was puzzled by Kang Mu-hyuk''s proposal. What was the n here? Bringing politicians to Cheongjin to somehow get more potions? These were the same folks who''d been bragging for over ten years about making this country one of the top ten in global Hunter rankings. Everyone knew that politicians'' promises during election time were empty. They''d put on a show in Cheongjin for the cameras and then leave as if they''d done enough. And if they realized how dangerous Cheongjin really was, they wouldn''t agree to go. "Setting everything else aside, if their safety isn''t guaranteed, I doubt any politician would agree to head to Cheongjin." "That''s where youe in, Director." "You want me to convince them to go to Chongjin? Honestly, I''m not sure I can do that." "No, not convince them. We need to set it up so that they feel they have no choice but to go." "And how do we manage that?" "We need to make some adjustments to the battle progress report we submit to the National Assembly." Realizing what Kang Mu-hyuk meant, Cha Gil-joo was struck dumb with shock. ''He''s asking me to falsify government documents?'' Kang Mu-hyuk was finally crossing the line. ''Then again, has he ever cared about crossing lines?'' Even Cha Gil-joo was starting to question his sense of right and wrong. "The Witch... What brings you here?" "Isn''t this the Demonic Realm? A ce full of monsters. Where else would suit me better?" Ju Se-ah gazed at the man before her, barefoot and disheveled, clutching a monster by its throat. The man tilted his head, pondering, before letting out a sarcasticugh. "Huh? I heard you went down with Bi Wen Jun. Guess that was a lie. You look perfectly fine. So, how did Bi Wen Jun''s sword taste?" "It wasn''t as thrilling as when I fought you. Pretty tame, actually." "Hahaha! I suppose if you could walk away from a fight with me, there''s no way you''d go down to someone weaker like Bi Wen Jun." "Or maybe I''m just too strong. He wasn''t much of a challenge once his magic was blocked." "Magic users are all show and bother. A true Hunter takes down monsters with nothing but their own hands. By that measure, the only real Hunters here are you and me." "Still as confident as ever, huh? I heard rumors that you were down in the dumps after I knocked you around." "Talking back now just because I gave you apliment? Should we settle this for real?" The man snapped the monster''s neck and moved toward Ju Se-ah. Ju Se-ah grinned and replied, "Not today. I''m here on a different business." "What business could you possibly have besides fighting? We''re not exactly friends, are we?" Ju Se-ah extended her hand. "I''m here to propose an alliance, Igor Dudnik." Chapter 164 - Something big is about to happen Kang Mu-hyuk needed toe up with a solid n. ''Just trying to hold them off won''t work.'' The defense line, which stretched from Cheongjin along the East Sea down to Hyesan, south of Mount Baekdu, was barely holding on. Baekam County was in a particrly dangerous position. It was located on the Baekdu teau, the highest point in Korea. The Sky-Touching Mountain Range stretched north to south from Mount Baekdu, and the Hamgyong Range extended southwest to northeast from the Gaema teau. This made Baekam County a perfect ce for monsters to roam. In war, high ground usually gave an advantage, but it was different when dealing with monsters. If they sneaked down the steep mountainsides, even the most skilled Hunters might not spot them. A single monster could kill hundreds of civilians in a moment, so missing even one was not an option. ''Hunters can''t perfectly cover a 150-kilometer defense line.'' In theory, they could cover every inch if all avable Hunters were used. But in reality, this wasn''t possible. Hunters vary greatly in skill. Not every Hunter can handle a powerful monster alone. Often, at least a small team was needed to defeat them, depending on the type of monster. Sometimes, a half-raid team was required, and asionally, a full-raid team was necessary. If there were many monsters, even if they weren''t very strong, it was difficult for small teams to handle them. One needed enough manpower to manage the situation. ''If a ''named'' monster appears, the entire area could be in danger very quickly. To keep the Hunters safe, we can''t just send them out without a n. We have to use small scouting teams and deploy strike forces to where the monsters are moving... But who knows how long this strategy will work?'' Hunters were stationed at key points along the defense line. The main defense strategy was to scout around these bases and respond when monsters were spotted. If any monsters got past the initial defense, sniper teams positioned at the back would take them out. Kang Mu-hyuk wanted a more dynamic and aggressive defense strategy using elite forces, but his n couldn''t proceed without control over all the guilds. While others failed to suggest anything beyond a defensive strategy, the defense line was starting to feel the strain. Though the warning signs were subtle, Kang Mu-hyuk, who had been tirelessly gathering and analyzing information, knew the situation was dire. ''The Hunters are getting tired, and supplies are starting to run low, even if only slightly. The Tier guilds are hesitant to send their Hunters. The small and medium guilds are afraid of taking losses, so they''re staying out of it. Given that, unaffiliated Hunters are avoiding the risky areas. Meanwhile, the number of monsters moving south keeps increasing.'' That wasn''t the only problem. With electionsing up, the government was downying the crisis and the damage at the front lines. The media, afraid of the monsters, wasn''t doing any real reporting and was just repeating the government''s statements. If the Tier guilds hadn''t stepped up to do the bare minimum, the defense line would have already been breached. During a leadership meeting at the Iron Will guild, Lee Sookyoung, who was constantly by Kang Mu-hyuk''s side like a secretary, asked curiously, "I hear the Tier guilds have a lot of influence down south. Why aren''t they letting people know what''s really happening here?" "That''s because Tier Guilds are gaining more power by keeping quiet. The government knows that if the guilds decide to pull out, everything would fall apart, so they''re making a lot of concessions. They''re already giving them tax exemptions on their purchases. I wouldn''t be surprised if the Tier Guilds are stockpiling supplies while they have the chance." It was a game of mutual exploitation between the government and the guilds, and that was why the crisis wasn''t being resolved quickly. Kang Mu-hyuk knew it was time to act. He couldn''t wait any longer; he needed to take the lead. He didn''t know how far-reaching the consequences would be, but he couldn''t dy in getting rid of the monsters and protecting the people. "Talking only gets you so far. From now on, we need to let our actions speak for us." If they wouldn''t move on their own, we''d make sure they have no choice but to act. Hunters always followed the first one to take action. Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the phone. "Yes, it''s me, Kang Mu-hyuk. I need to discuss something with Guild Leader Anton Ivanov." divostok''s top guild, Tsar, was led by Anton Ivanov. After receiving a call from Kang Mu-hyuk, Anton found himself deep in thought. "If it was just a minor inconvenience, I would''ve outright refused but-...." Kang Mu-hyuk''s proposal was too important to ignore. Anton took out a top-secret map of the Demonic Realm. This map waspiled by the Tsar Guild based on their expeditions. It showed the distribution of monsters, vegetation, and resources in the Demonic Realm. It also highlighted the most recently updated Gate locations. "Mudanjiang." The ce he pointed to with his hand was Mudanjiang, a major city in Heilongjiang Province that had now be part of the Demonic Realm. Mudanjiang, now part of the Demonic Realm, was about 240 kilometers northwest of divostok, practically within reach. The city was currently in ruins but had once been home to three million people. The area it covered was about the size of Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Chungcheong provincesbined, making it densely packed with monsters. Being an urban area, it also had many tribal-type monsters hiding in the buildings, making it difficult to deal with. ''This ce is tricky because if you attack one monster, they all swarm you. Most of these tribal monsters are bipedal and have flimsy hides, so unless they drop valuable artifacts, it''s not worth the effort. We''ve avoided it because it was too much trouble, but now it''s be a major problem.'' A Gate had recently appeared there. If the Gate opened, it could trigger a massive migration of tribal monsters being pushed out. ''Normally, as per the ''Demonic Realm Treaty,'' it would be up to the guild, whether Chinese or Russian, that found the Gate first to take action. But this time, it''s not going to be so straightforward.'' The Demonic Realm Treaty between Russia and China required both countries to cooperate against the monster threat in the Demonic Realm. It had provisions to keep governments out of guild conflicts and disputes among Hunters. Thanks to this treaty, incidents in the Demonic Realm hadn''t escted into wars between nations, but the battles between Hunters from both countries had be fiercer. In this world, Gates were as valuable as gold, so when a promising Gate was found, treaties didn''t matter; it was every man for himself. The Mudanjiang Gate was a prime target. It was so valuable that even though a Chinese guild had initially imed it, many Russian guilds were also interested. "So it''s all fake? A conspiracy? I had my doubts, but I never thought the Tumen River incident would actually be a Gate outbreak. I knew those Chinese guys were a bit unhinged, but now they''ve really gone off the deep end." Anton turned Kang Mu-hyuk''s words over in his mind. ''The Tumen River incident is probably due to the Jilin City Gate. Seeing so many monsters heading south, the Gate boss is likely somewhere between Jilin City and the Tumen River. This means the monsters in that area have all fled south to the Korean Penins. So, if the Mudanjiang Gate opens, where would the Gate boss go? If all the Gates known to Russia open at the same time, we could be facing the worst-case scenario.'' Gate bosses recognized each other once they emerged. Monsters were not allies, so they fought for territory. But, strong monsters usually avoided direct confrontation with each other, as if they were cautious about getting hurt. ''To the northwest of Mudanjiang is Harbin, to the north is Jiamusi, and to the southwest is Jilin. So, the Mudanjiang Gate boss''s only option is to head east.'' This meant divostok could also be in danger. Kang Mu-hyuk''s final words echoed in Anton''s mind. ''We could be facing another Nazhezhinsky incident all over again.'' Anton realized he couldn''t remain idle. He told his secretary to prepare a vehicle and called his Deputy Guild Leader. "Let''s head to the divostok council. We need to have a word with Moscow." "It''s great to have you back, but... What''s this all about?" Darden waved a business card at Igor, who was tearing into a steak with his bare hands. "A Witch gave it to me. Said to get in touch." "The Witch... you mean Ju Se-ah? Are you saying she actually tracked you down in the Demonic Realm?" "Well, you weren''t answering her calls, so she decided to bother me instead." Darden looked at the card again. It had some Korean writing on it that he couldn''t read, but there was also an English name printed below. This made it clear who it belonged to: Kang Mu-hyuk. ''Dealing with this guy is always a losing game. I''ve been avoiding the Tsar Guild''s constant interference, but now they''re reaching out to my brother. They''re persistent, I''ll give them that.'' Darden was at a loss for words, genuinely shocked. He never thought they''d use Igor to get to him. Using an S-rank Hunter as a mere messenger was unheard of. Plus, Ju Se-ah was the Guild Master, which meant she was Kang Mu-hyuk''s superior. Treating a superior that way wasn''t something you''d see in any other guild. ''The most surprising part is that my brother actually listened to Ju Se-ah''s pitch and came to me about it.'' Igor wasn''t called "the Tyrant" for no reason. When he got angry, even his own brother didn''t matter. He never listened to anyone. It was only after Darden managed to negotiate with Moscow that Igor stopped being known as Russia''s worst viin. Darden couldn''t ignore this. He was too curious about how they had managed to get through to his stubborn brother. "I''m surprised you listened to the Witch and brought her card back. I was expecting a full-blown fight, honestly." "I almost did." "Then why didn''t you...?" "She brought booze. And jerky. I''d been stuck in the Demonic Realm for a while, so I hadn''t had a drink. I finished all the liquor I had. You can''t punch the person who brings more, right? It''d be a waste." "Booze? Ha?" Dardenughed in disbelief, but Igor continued, "So, we had a few drinks and talked. After a while, it sounded pretty reasonable." "What did you talk about?" "She wants to form an alliance." "An alliance?" "Yeah, she mentioned taking down the Chinese. She also said a Gate''s about to open. If you want the full story, call the number on the card." "Hah! What a joke. In this game, today''s friend is tomorrow''s enemy. It rarely works the other way around. Why should we trust them for an alliance? What''s in it for us?" "They im they''ve got something you need." "Something I need?" Darden tilted his head, puzzled. What could a Korean possibly offer him? Even if they had an S-rank Hunter, his Tyrant Guild was far ahead in size and resources. But curiosity began to stir inside him. ''No, even being curious means I''m falling into that guy''s trap.'' As Igor continued eating, Darden struggled with the idea of whether to let himself be swayed by Kang Mu-hyuk''s schemes or to hear him out before deciding. His face changed expressions several times as he battled this internal dilemma. "You''re driving yourself nuts. If you''re that curious, just call him. If he''s sending his Guild Master as a messenger, he must have something important to say. You''ve got nothing to lose with that Kang guy. If you don''t like what he says, just hang up." Igor''s words snapped Darden out of his thoughts. "Right. If it doesn''t sound good, I don''t have to go along with it. I''ll call him and decide after that, just like you said." Darden dialed the number on the card. After several rings, a voice answered, sounding like he had just woken up. "This is Kang Mu-hyuk." "It''s 10 p.m. here. I suppose it''s early morning over there? Did I wake you?" "It''s 4 a.m. Given that you knew the time and still called, you must have been quite curious." Darden clenched his teeth. It bothered him that Kang Mu-hyuk had read his intentions so easily. His tone turned harsher. "Sending your Guild Master to my brother tells me you''re the one in a hurry. Should I just hang up?" "We''ll be holding an official conference in divostok soon." "What?" He was ready to start a war of nerves, but the mention of divostok caught him off guard. Despite himself, his interest was piqued, and he was even more irritated to realize it. Darden vowed that if he ever saw this sly fox again, he''d tear him apart, but for now, he listened carefully. "I understand you''re having some difficulties because of the Oopoomangbawoo incident. And the support from the Kremlin isn''t what it used to be, right?" Everyone familiar with the guild scene knew that the Tyrant Guild, Moscow''s top-tier guild, was involved in the Oopoomangbawoo incident. The problem was that, in Russia, it was an unwritten rule that guilds didn''t encroach on each other''s territory. The Tyrant Guild, since they were under Moscow''s control, was seen as though they were trying to tighten central authority over regional guilds by seizing their territory. Plus, the Tyrant Guild had tried not just to take over divostok but topletely wipe out an entire city. One could imagine how the local guilds and self-governments felt about that. Already struggling to maintain control over Russia''s vastnds, the Kremlin had no choice but to distance itself from the scandal involving the Tyrant Guild. Seizing this opportunity,rge guilds that had long held grudges against the Tyrant Guild began to encroach on its businesses and hunting grounds wherever they could. Since Kang Mu-hyuk was the one who orchestrated this mess, Darden''s anger only grew. "Are you trying to provoke me?" "I''m offering to mediate a reconciliation between the divostok local government and Moscow. Tyrant Guild can take the lead on this. On the other side, the Tsar Guild will step in." "!!" "Moscow will have to make some substantial concessions, but it could help appease the grievances of the other autonomous regions." Darden thought carefully about Kang Mu-hyuk''s proposal, then raised a few concerns. "Even if divostok and Moscow make peace, why would the other autonomous regions go along with it? I mean, it''s not like divostok speaks for them." "No, but in a crisis, people tend to pull together." "Pull together? Those scattered grains of sand?" "Something big is going to happen in the Demonic Realm soon." "Something big? What are you talking about?" "There''s a chance Eastern Russia could vanish entirely." Chapter 165 - Time to give them a proper show Tired~! "What''s wrong with her?" Baek Sungbin just shook his head at Kyung Suhyuk''s question. Despite Eulji''s tired, zombie-like look, none of the Hunters asked if she was okay. This wasn''t surprising. Eulji was the strongest in the group, except for their captain, Lee Jinjoo. She wasn''t just a little stronger---she was far more powerful than anyone else. Her strength wasn''t the only thing people noticed. Eulji was also known for her fiery temper. On the first day after the Iron Will Guild called for full mobilization, Eulji joined the team. Someone thought they could mess with her because she looked young. It was a big mistake. Shepletely destroyed that person, showing everyone her true strength. The one who faced her wrath? It was Seo Daechi. Before joining Iron Will, Seo Daechi was known for being a greedy, ruthless person. As a frencer, he had to be tough to survive, and he was known for being brutal. So, when the Guild Leader recruited him, people were confused. At first, when Eulji beat him, everyone was pleased. But after she took down a few more strong members of the team, the others realized they should avoid her. No one felt bad for Seo Daechi, but they didn''t want to end up like him either, so they stayed clear of Eulji. Baek Sungbin pulled Kyung Suhyuk aside and whispered, "I don''t know what''s going on, but she looks angry. Let''s keep our distance before we get dragged into it." "But you''ve got a healing factor, so even if she hits you, you''ll be fine." "A healing factor doesn''t mean it doesn''t hurt. Did you forget what she did to Seo Daechi?" "Good point. That was the first time I ever heard him scream. This is the same guy whoughed when his shoulder got pierced by a Kshnikov''s ws. Nobody stands a chance against Eulji." "I heard the Guild Master is training her. I guess they have the same personality too." "If you ask me, she was born that way." "Shh! She''s looking this way. Don''t make eye contact." As Eulji turned her head, the two Hunters quickly looked away, pretending to focus on something else. The other Hunters nearby did the same, acting like they were busy with other things. Battling monsters day and night was exhausting, but having someone like Eulji on their team was even more draining. Still, nobodyined about her being there. Even though they were tired, they knew that at least the monsters were truly dead. Every monster she fought was left in pieces. The guild might lose some money because the corpses were a mess, but for the Hunters risking their lives, Eulji was the best ally they could ask for. Plus, in Iron Will, whichcked magical firepower, Eulji wasn''t just valuable---she was a treasure. She handled monster hordes all by herself, something the rest of the team couldn''t manage. Other guilds'' strike squads had Hunters who could cast wide-area spells, but a mage like Eulji, who could work alone, was rare. Because of her, Iron Will saved a lot of energy. Their overall power didn''t match other guilds, but no one was seriously injured, and they had Eulji to thank for that. "Alright, everyone, gear check!" Lee Jinjoo called out as she walked into the clearing where the team was resting. Kyung Suhyuk raised his hand and asked, "Captain, are we heading out?" "The Guild Leader ordered us to stand by. Something about him working on a strategy." "Haaa. See. Just because we got done with hunts doesn''t always mean something good for us. We''ve probably gone out twice as much as the other guilds." "Eulji handled half of those all alone, so what are youining about?" "That''s the problem! Why am I the only one doing all the hard work?" Eulji yelled in frustration. Lee Jinjoo replied, "Because you''re the ace of this Expedition team." "A-ace...?" Smile~ "Wait, no! I shouldn''t be happy about this!" "Oh? You''re not falling for it this time? You''ve grown up, huh?" "Ace or not, I''m still a minor! I didn''t even pull all-nighters for my finals, and now I''m stuck with night shifts for a whole month? This is outrageous! I should report this to thebor board!" "Hunters aren''t under thebor board''s jurisdiction." "What about the Guild Cooperation Agency?" "Not them either." "The investigation bureau?" "What are you? Catching viins now?" "The association..." "Oh,e on. Are you seriously going to be cheap and pull the family card?" Eulji ran through every organization she could think of, but none of them seemed to care about unfair treatment toward Hunters. "Seriously? There''s no ce that protects Hunter rights?" "Hunter rights? Why would you need those? It''s a high-paying job. Everyone says being a Hunter is the number one dream job of the future. Honestly, where else can you find a 3D job like this?" "What''s 3D?" "Dirty, dangerous, and downright exhausting." "Oh, got it." Kyung Suhyuk almost corrected her but decided against it. He had learned that they weren''t the type to listen to reason. He had only known them for a short time, but he had already figured that out. Instead, he pointed out the real problem. "Look, jokes aside, we need backup. We might be able to push through physically, but if these hunts keep going, we''re all going to lose it mentally." He said that while tapping his head, and Eulji agreed. "Exactly. I''m going to lose it if this keeps up. The constant monster screams, seeing blood and guts everywhere, and hearing bones crack---it''s really starting to get to me." "In the start, didn''t you say hunting monsters helped you blow off steam?" "Yeah, because games are fun when they''re a hobby. But try being a pro gamer, ying all night with no sleep. That doesn''t sound fun." "Hunting isn''t supposed to be fun." "I know, I know. But school''s starting soon! I''m in my final year, the one even S-rank Hunters wouldn''t mess with! Are you going to let me miss school? What if I can''t graduate because of low attendance?" "You said you weren''t going to college." "Whether I go or not, high school is mandatory. I''m paying taxes now, and I want to fire things up for myst school year. Why won''t anyone help me out? We should go on strike! Or at least, captain, can you talk to the leader and get us some vacation time?" "You could fire things up here too if you really want to." Lee Jinjoo lit a blue me in her palm and yfully twirled it around her arm. Eulji flinched and stepped back. "Come on, Captain! Just because you ranked up doesn''t mean you can bully your team. If you keep this up, people will say you''re abusing your power." In truth, Lee Jinjoo was likely the biggest winner from this defense mission. Kang Mu-hyuk had predicted she''d reach A+ rank soon, but the constant battles sped up her progress even more than expected. Inrge guilds, A+ was the minimum rank for an Expedition leader, and now Lee Jinjoo was finally on par with others. She smiled and let the me die out. "Just hold on a little longer. We''ll have a n soon." "Relief troops?" "No, a counterattack." "What? Counter- what?" "Yeah, we''re going to take them all down." Eulji didn''t look happy about the idea of another hunt, but the rest of the team stirred with excitement. Baek Sungbin stepped in for Kyung Suhyuk, who was still too embarrassed after his shaky performance during the orc tribe raid. "When you say ''all of them,'' do you mean the named ones too?" "Of course. If we leave them alive, catching all the others will be for nothing." "Do you really think we...can take them down?" one of the team members asked without thinking. Lee Jinjoo shook her head and replied, "Don''t worry. Another team is handling that part." Meanwhile, a convoy of cars sped down the East Coast Highway. The highway had been fully opened for about ten years and stretched all the way to Najin City. It served as a crucial supply route to the northern defense line, making it one of the safer routes. But with monsters around, there was never a guarantee of safety, so guards were stationed just in case. Given the importance of the passengers, it was a necessary precaution. This wasn''t just any group. The convoy carried politicians with strong influence and news crews ready to film their campaign activities. The government couldn''t afford to ck off on security. Hunters from the association had been assigned to provide protection. The Guild Cooperation Agency had devised the n, and the government was happy to go along with it. Even the Chariman of the association got involved personally. From the government''s perspective, it was a great opportunity to create the impression that the government, officials, and the public were working together, so they were very enthusiastic about the proposal from the Cooperation Agency. "I love this picture. Even Picasso wouldn''t be able to understand what''s what here." "You mean it''s a mess, right, Chairman?" "We''re almost at Cheongjin now. Let''s be honest. This whole n wasn''t your idea, was it, Director?" Han Byunggu asked, ncing at Cha Gil-joo. Cha Gil-joo smiled faintly and didn''t respond. "Figures. It was ''that guy,'' wasn''t it? I must''ve been out of my mind when I agreed to visit my granddaughter. What a fool I am." "If you''re going to see your granddaughter, you could just go. You don''t need all these formalities, do you?" "Well, my granddaughter''s a full-fledged Hunter now. If I visit her as a doting grandpa while being the association chairman, that guy will have a field day mocking me. I''m just tagging along under the guise of official business." "Ah, so that''s why Guild Leader Kang told you to phrase it that way. I didn''t know your granddaughter joined Iron Will." "I shouldn''t have helped him. Now I''m roped into this... But let''s set that aside," Han Byunggu said, his gaze sharpening. "What''s that guy scheming this time?" "Scheming? He''s just trying to win over the politicians." "Come on, let''s be real. You know as well as I do that he''s got something shady up his sleeve. You''ve seen it enough times. Once he draws his sword, he cuts down anything in his way, whether it''s radish or anything else, right?" "We''d be lucky if it''s only the radishes he''s cutting." "Exactly. When he gets going, it''s not some crazed berserker---it''s the Grim Reaper himself. Whoever crosses him is done. And this time, he called a bunch ofwmakers. If he goes for their heads, the whole country''s going to be in uproar. Makes me think I should''ve stayed out of this." "We can only hope he''s not aiming to take any heads." "And yet, here I am, dragged into this mess, swapping out battle reports. The fact that you got into my car means you''ve got something to say. I don''t know what his angle is, but he wouldn''t involve me without a reason. So, what''s the y, Director Cha?" Cha Giljoo nced at a passing sign that read After confirming they were close to their destination, he finally spoke. "He didn''t say much. Just..." "Just what?" "He said to just y your part as the sidekick." "Sidekick? Me?" "Both of us, actually. I still don''t know what exactly he''s nning." "So, you''re helping him without even knowing the n?" "We need to do something. If we keep dragging this out, there''s no telling what might happen." Cha Gil-joo''s words made Han Byunggu drop the subject. He didn''t need to ask more because he understood. He had been strategizing when to step in, nning to bring in the Hunters trained by the association. If he felt frustrated, it was clear that Cha Gil-joo, who was responsible for coordinating with all the guilds across South Korea, must be even more stressed. Han Byunggu knew about Cha Gil-joo''s past and could guess why he was cooperating with Kang Mu-hyuk. ''Director Cha, just like me, like him, like Se-ah---we''re all in the same boat.'' Annihtion of all monsters. If it weren''t for that shared goal, Cha Gil-joo was not the kind of person to have stayed in the Guild Cooperation Agency, dealing with all the chaos. "Well, we''re past the point of no return. Let''s go see just how far this sword dance will go." Meanwhile, No Song-rin gave Kang Mu-hyuk a curious look. "What''s with the sunsses?" Sunsses weren''t part of Kang Mu-hyuk''s usual style. He casually removed them and yed with the frame between his fingers. "Today, I need to look a little more... scary, you see." "Are you nning to fight someone?" "Not really a fight. More like setting the stage with some dramatic ir in front of the actors." No Song-rin frowned, confused by Kang''s cryptic words. Just as he was about to ask more, Kang Mu-hyuk gestured toward the road ahead. "Speak of the devil. Heree the actors." A procession of ck sedans appeared in the distance, heading toward Cheongjin City. "Is everything ready?" "I''ve already given Captain Lee Jinjoo the word. She''s ready to move at any moment." "Good. In that case..." Kang gave a nod, slipped his sunsses back on, and muttered under his breath, "Time to give them a proper show." Chapter 166 - I鈥檓 going to use that legacy Ma Param, the Guild Master of Northeast Wind guild, had just returned after dealing with a sudden outbreak of ''Wildfire Oxen'' near Cheongjin City. These creatures looked like regr cattle, but they breathed fire from vents on their heads and sides. They could set everything in their path on fire. If they reached the city, they could easily cause a disaster by igniting power lines or gas mains. Fortunately, the Hunters of Northeast Wind guild were experienced from countless battles in dungeons. They managed to take down the Wildfire Oxen before they reached the city. As usual, theypleted the mission without any major problems. But, their expressions were serious. Northeast Wind guild had originally been based in Hoeryong City, but the city fell after constant waves of monsters. The guild had to retreat to Cheongjin. Even though they were a small guild, they were proud of being an elite force. They had almost 100 sessful hunts with very few casualties. But one hunt had been different. It cost them half of their members. Most of the fallen were founding members, and their deaths left a heavy sadness. "Damn it! Abomination! All because of that fucking lump of meat..." "It killed Youngjae. I will take revenge." Yet, the remaining members did not let their grief stop them. They sharpened their skills and started nning revenge on the abomination that caused the deaths. Even Hunters from Seoul''s Tier Guild were impressed by their focus and determination. While all of this was happening, the guild members noticed politicians walking through downtown Cheongjin. The politicians were forting'' the citizens, but it seemed more like they were on a sightseeing trip. "Do these politicians even know how bad things are?" "Fucking bastards. They don''t send the support we asked for and here they are fucking taking pictures, not to help us." "If they had done their jobs right, Cheongjin wouldn''t be in this mess..." "Hey, let''s go throw some eggs at them." A few of them got a carton of eggs, but Ma Param quickly stopped them. "If you throw those, you might actually hurt someone. Do you want to spend the rest of your life in jail? Stop now." Frustrated, the guild members turned their anger toward the person who invited the politicians to Cheongjin. "Who brought these clowns here?" "It''s election season. Of course, they''re crawling out like locusts." "But it doesn''t look like they came on their own." "What do you mean?" "Look over there, that guy." The man that the guild member pointed to had just removed his sunsses. The other Hunters didn''t recognize him right away, but a few sharp-eyed ones did. "Isn''t that Kang Mu-hyuk?" "Kang Mu-hyuk? The leader of Iron Will?" "Yeah, what''s he doing here? The guys from Iron Will fough pretty hard core. I thought they were pretty good. Don''t tell me he invited these politicians." "So, he''s been ying both sides, huh? Just look at him, sucking up." Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t bowing or scraping, but it was clear he was guiding the politicians. He looked like a polite and obliging Guild Leader. "Don''t let it bother you. He''s not a Hunter. All he can deal with is politics. We have our work, and they have theirs," Ma Param said, trying to calm the guild members. After the deaths of theirrades and a month of constant fighting, everyone was tense. One mistake could lead to big trouble, and when Hunters got into trouble, it was never a small issue. "Before the next hunt, make sure you restock and check your gear." As Ma Param turned to leave, his guild members followed him. Like clockwork, they headed to the central supply depot in Cheongjin City. What they didn''t know was that Kang Mu-hyuk was the one who had set up the supply depot. Kang Mu-hyuk had designed a system where all Hunters, except those in the Tier Guild, could get potions and supplies from the central depot whenever needed. But, few people knew about this. Most Hunters saw fighting monsters as a personal battle. They viewed civilians as nothing more than people to protect. So when something bothered them, their frustration naturally boiled over. Kang Mu-hyuk, on the other hand, believed the monster war was everyone''s fight. He thought civilians had a role to y, just like Hunters. For example, civilians gathered resources after a hunt, ran food stations, organized supplies, and evacuated the injured---tasks that Hunters didn''t worry about. Unaware of this, Hunters often dismissed Kang Mu-hyuk as someone who was just all talk. Even if they knew what he did, they likely would still see themselves as superior because they were the ones risking their lives. Even the Northeast Wind Guild, which prided itself on saving people, couldn''tpletely escape this elitist mindset that most Hunters shared. But of course, Kang Mu-hyuk never revealed how he felt about being treated this way. In fact, there was nothing to reveal---he simply didn''t care. To him, a useful Hunter was one who could do a good job ying monsters. As long as they weren''t harming civilians and could take down monsters, he didn''t mind if they were a little arrogant. So, it wasn''t by chance that, while smiling for photos with the politicians, Kang Mu-hyuk noticed the Northeast Wind Guild. ''They''re... the Northeast Wind Guild, huh?'' A mid-sized but incredibly fierce guild in everyone''s eyes who were making a name for themselves by taking down monsters like no one else. Even the Tier Guild had to admit their skill. There was no way Kang Mu-hyuk hadn''t heard of them. He remembered what he knew about the guild: Guild Master Ma Param and Vice Guild Master Park Jinseon. They were a small, elite guild of 79 members. In the battle against the Abomination, they had lost 34 members. Five more were left disabled and had to retire. With only 40 members left, they barely had enough to form a full raid team. Yet their exceptional skill---or perhaps their burning desire for revenge---allowed them to cover a significant portion of Cheongjin''s defense. Kang Mu-hyuk respected them. ''They''re not just strong fighters. What''s truly impressive is...'' Even after losing so many members to the Abomination, they didn''t retreat from the frontlines. The Abomination was a named monster evolved from an ogre. Even in the U.S., where Hunters were highly advanced, those who survived encounters with the Abomination often came away with serious trauma. Many couldn''t hunt again for a long time, and some never recovered from the PTSD, forcing them into retirement. That was how terrifying the Abomination was. But the Northeast Wind Guild, despite losing half their members, hadn''t abandoned the battlefield. One could attribute this to them frequenting the Demonic Realm for countless dungeon raids as if it were their own backyard, so one might think they were extraordinarily strong. But anyone who truly understood the fear caused by the Abomination wouldn''t judge them based on such a simple mindset. ''The Northeast Wind Guild. They''re definitely going to be a useful card.'' Kang Mu-hyuk repeated the guild''s name in his mind, then shed a wide smile at the politicians. "Gentlemen, how about we take a trip to the frontlines for an inspection?" The politicians hesitated. One of the senior members of the ruling party, who had served three terms, spoke up. "Guild Leader Kang, are you sure it''s safe?" "Don''t worry. You''ve seen the reports. Things have stabilized a lot, and we''re pushing the monsters north. It''ll be fine." "Still... You know how unpredictable those monsters can be..." "We''ve got Hunters from the Association here, haven''t we? And don''t forget, the chairman of the Association himself is with us. Even if something goes wrong, we''ve got Chairman Han Byunggu, the hero of the Great War, watching over us. Isn''t that right, Chairman?" Kang Mu-hyuk gave a yful wink at Han Byunggu, but Han Byunggu frowned, looking ufortable. Just then, Cha Gil-joo, standing beside him, nudged Han in the ribs and whispered, "Sidekick. Sidekick." "Huh?" It finally clicked for Han Byunggu that Kang Mu-hyuk was setting him up. Clearing his throat, Han Byunggu quickly responded, "Protecting the assembly members? No problem at all. We''ve got this cepletely locked down." With Han''s reassurance, thewmakers started to rx. Seeing the mood shift, Kang Mu-hyuk stepped in to close the deal. "And wouldn''t it be a missed opportunity if we didn''t go? We have all these reporters here. Showing the public that ourwmakers are inspecting the frontlines for their safety will put people''s minds at ease. They''ll be more eager to vote, don''t you think, Assemblyman Kim?" Kang smoothly turned to Assemblyman Kim, a veteran opposition politician aiming for his fourth term. Assemblyman Kim, always ready to seize a voter-friendly moment, clenched his fist for the cameras and timed his response perfectly. "Of course! We in the opposition party will never shy away from danger when ites to protecting our people''s safety and well-being. That''s the core value our party stands for." Grinning and striking a seemingly well-rehearsed pose for the cameras, Kim delivered his words like he was campaigning. The ruling party couldn''t just let him steal the spotlight. With the northern region already in chaos,munity and civil groups were increasing pressure, and they couldn''t keep using monster security as an excuse to avoid the media forever. "Oh, absolutely. Assemblyman Kim has made an excellent point. Our ruling party takes great pride in stepping up during times like these, ensuring our people feel safe and secure so they can focus on their daily lives." While the politicians exchangedpliments and posed for the cameras, Han Byunggu leaned closer to Kang Mu-hyuk and whispered, "What, are you trying to get yourself a nomination or something? Why are you doing them such a big favor?" "If I wanted to get into politics, I''d be in Yeouido, not out here in Cheongjin." "It''s just that when you''re being all nice, it makes me nervous." "I''m often told I''m the kind of guy who doesn''t need rules. I''d love to meet a Guild Leader who is nicer than me if he exists." "You''re the only Guild Leader in existence." "...Fine, then, let''s say I''d love to meet anyone else in this business who''s nicer than me." "Comparing yourself to hot-headed Hunters? What''s the point? For a regr person to be able to figure out who''s kinder, you or a Hunter, they''d have to be a sociopath to answer that question." "Not all Hunters are bad, you know." "The problem is, you look more like a viin than even those bad Hunters you''re talking about." "..." As the politicians continued praising the Association''s chairman, a few cameras shifted toward Kang Mu-hyuk. Han Byunggu gave a polite wave for appearances'' sake. Kang Mu-hyuk also offered a small smile that barely lifted the corners of his mouth from his expressionless face. As soon as the cameras turned away, his smile disappeared. Han Byunggu resumed their conversation, "So, what''s the n?" "It''s nothing grand. Just simple. I just want people to see what''s really happening here." "And how do you n on doing that?" "This ce gets hit by monsters multiple times a day. There''s no Gate, no special hunting zone, no dungeon. So, filming everything shouldn''t be a problem. And if we catchwmakers freaking out, it''ll make quite a show." "And what''s the point of humiliating thewmakers?" "We need to make them angry. And we''ll show the public what happens when this ce falls---how many lives are lost. Let them see the real horror." "But why stir up trouble when things are quiet? What''s the point in pissing them off? If you scare the public, airports will close, people will start hoarding, and chaos will break out." "How much longer are we going to let politics get in the way while people die? The public needs to see the truth. The danger is growing, and we need to shatter the illusion that they''re safe." Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice turned cold. Han Byunggu could feel that the situation was more serious than he had realized. So he had to ask. "And after that? What''s your next move?" "They''ve been doing something interestingtely---summoning busy people as they wish." "You mean the hearings?" "Exactly. I n to join in that fun. Publicly." "And what will you gain from doing it publicly?" "I''ll promote myself." Han blinked, surprised. "Promote what?" "That I''m the one who''s going to end this war." "??" "I''m going to end the war, and in return, I''ll demand full authority." At that moment, Han finally understood the weight behind Kang Mu-hyuk''s words. "You don''t mean... You''re going to use that?!" "Yes. I''m going to use the past legacy from the time of the Great War." Chapter 167 - Aren鈥檛 you here to take me? The congressmen believed Kang Mu-hyuk and headed toward the edge of Cheongjin City without hesitation. They didn''t question him much. That was because in downtown Cheongjin, the worst damage was just cracked roads and broken windows. Aside from that, a few ces were wrecked, but the city didn''t seem too badly affected. The only different aspect from other cities was that the streets were empty. But this made sense since most of the locals had fled south. In the northern part of the city, however, things were different. Buildings had copsed in rows, and the streets were filled with tens, thousands of charred cars. Utility poles and streetmps had been uprooted and were sticking out of buses. Thankfully, there were no bodies, thanks to locals who had collected the dead. The scene looked like a disaster movie, and one could hear people swallowing their saliva. Some congressmen worried about safety, but Kang Mu-hyuk reassured them not to worry. "Named monsters have long been staying near Sky-Touching Mountain Range and the Hamgyong Mountains. They rarely came this far. Since the Hunters'' defense was strong, apart from the initial damage, the city didn''t face other threats. If we just set up strike teams, we can easily wipe out any named monsters in the future, so there''s no need to stress." Only after hearing Kang Mu-hyuk''s briefing about the city''s safety, did people rx. But those people didn''t realise that Kang Mu-hyuk''s face, who was friendly to them just now like the words he was speaking, had changed into a cold, serious expression. The congressmen and a broadcasting crew gathered near the copsed toll gate in northern Cheongjin. The broadcasting crew had nned a live broadcast with the Guild Cooperation Agency, so they prepared for it. Since they hadn''t shown live battlefield footage in a while, they had high expectations for it. The reporter held the mic with the congressmen in the background. The producer gave the cue signal, and just then, the light on the camera connected to the studio turned on. Bang! Suddenly, an explosion rang out in the distance. It was quite far away, so the sound echoed like church bells. Most people flinched, but no one made a big deal out of it. In fact, the broadcast team weed it, thinking it added a sense of realism to the scene as fitting background noise. As the producer twirled his finger in the air, the announcer began speaking. The intermittent sound of explosions seemed to keep time with the announcer''s words. "This is the northern toll gate of Cheongjin City. Not long ago, monsters descended down from the Tumen River defense line..." Before he could finish, a much louder explosion went off. More explosions followed, each one getting closer. The announcer stopped talking and turned toward the sound. The producer didn''t even say cut. He and the cameraman followed, subconsciously pointing the camera in the direction of the noise. Smoke began rising from the horizon. It slowly climbed high into the sky. The smoke spread in all directions and then settled around the area like a thick fog. "Huh?" The smoke wasing right at them, even though there wasn''t any wind. "Wh-what''s that?" "Shouldn''t we be dodging that?" But before they could decide, the smoke reached them. Suddenly, the ground started to tremble. It was a deep, rhythmic thud, like the earth had a heartbeat. The trembling grew louder and stronger. Confused, people began asking, "What''s happening?" and "What''s going on?" Just then, someone pointed through the smoke, noticing a giant shadow moving inside. They tried to shout a warning, but when the thing finally came through the smoke, they were left speechless. A huge snake, several meters long, slid into view, flicking its forked tongue. "Ahhh!" "Uaaah! R-run...!" Screams echoed from all directions. As people tried to back away and escape, the snake''s sharp eyes scanned the area. It was as if someone had pressed the stop button, and everyone froze in ce. They wanted to call for help from the Hunters standing behind them, but no sound came out of their mouths. For some reason, the Hunters were also standing still. The association chairman acted like nothing was happening, and the head of the Guild Cooperation Agency hadpletely turned his back. People wondered if they were in a nightmare. Some were drooling and crying. A few wet their pants, and others fainted where they stood. They struggled in silence, but their bodies couldn''t move,pletely overpowered by the monster''s skill. But not everyone was stuck. Footsteps echoed in the chaos. Just one person. Kang Mu-hyuk calmly walked through the crowd, who stood frozen like statues. His steps were slow and confident. "That''s a Smoke Snake. We call it the ''Fog Snake'' here in Korea." He backed away while facing the people. Then, pointing behind him, he turned around and walked toward the Smoke Snake. Suddenly, he started giving a briefing. "The Smoke Snake is arge reptile monster, simr to the Watusi Snake, another well-known snake monster. Its size ranges from around 15 to 25 meters. Smoke emerges from gill-like slits under its jaw, and it usually hides inside this smoke. It also uses a skill to paralyze its prey with its gaze. To block this, you can either resist it with mana or, like this..." Kang Mu-hyuk turned back to face the people and pointed to his face. "Just wear sunsses or something to protect your eyes." He turned back to the snake and walked closer to the Smoke Snake. "And unlike most snakes, they travel in packs. Like this." As soon as he said that, the smoke lifted. One by one, shadows appeared from within the fog. There were eight Smoke Snakes in total. Around them, Hunters were locked in battle. The noise of the fighting, which had been going on the whole time, only reached people''s ears once they could see what was happening. They had been too shocked to notice it before. The eerie shrieks of the Smoke Snakes, the shouts of the Hunters, and the explosive sounds of skills all mixed together in a fierce battle. Fights were breaking out everywhere, but the Smoke Snake right in front of Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t move. It simply stared down at the people, watching them. "This battle is being handled by the Iron Will Guild''s Expedition team. As promised, your safety is guaranteed." At that moment, a small shadow dropped from above Kang Mu-hyuk''s head. Thud! The figurended hard on the ground, almost breaking it. It was a small girl. She reached out her hand toward the Smoke Snake, and the creature, like a puppet on strings, was pushed back by her touch. Kang Mu-hyuk removed his sunsses and gave her an order. "Hunter Go Eul-ji, take care of this one too." Go Eul-ji muttered quietly, just loud enough for Kang Mu-hyuk to hear, "First hunting, and now you''re making me put on a show? Don''t grill me so dang hard, Guild Leader." She thrust her hand forward, and the massive body of the Smoke Snake floated up, following her hand''s movement, and sailed to where the other snakes were engaged in battle. As soon as the snake''s gaze broke, the people copsed, gasping for breath. They watched as Kang Mu-hyuk walked over to the broadcast team. He almost snatched the microphone from the stunned reporter, while the camera kept rolling. Despite the chaos, the crew didn''t cut the feed. Normally, they would have switched to a standby screen, but they couldn''t miss the chance to broadcast the monster battle happening live right in front of them. Plus, Cha Gil-joo had already given a heads-up to the station''s higher-ups. Kang Mu-hyuk helped the shaky cameraman up and stood in front of the lens. "This is just everyday life here," he said. He grabbed the camera, pointing it at the battlefield. "Hoeryong: 22,421 dead. Wushan: 31,111 dead. Daehongdan: 10,017 dead. And 141,763 are missing. There are countless other victims we haven''t counted yet." Each time he mentioned the deaths, he bit his lip in growing frustration. "This information is not being controlled under the so-called Monster Security Act. The media isn''t trying to find the truth." He turned the camera back to himself. His face filled the screen, and his breath fogged up the lens. "South Korea is copsing right now. Thousands are dead in the north. If this ce falls, none of you will be safe either." The cameraman regained hisposure and acted professionally. He stepped back and zoomed out. The battle scene appeared again, showing the copsed toll gate and the broken road. Kang Mu-hyuk pointed at it. "This is your future." Just as he was about to say more, the live broadcast light on the camera went off. He caught on to the fact that someone had cut the feed. ''Well, thatsted longer than I expected.'' He already had enough footage. It was live, and everyone who was watching would have seen it. The government couldn''t hide it anymore either. Now, the media had no choice but to speak up. If they stayed silent even after witnessing this scene, they''d be seen as indifferent or ipetent. If people began to doubt the media''s role, it would be practically their downfall. Now, the fight would continue on its own. Whether anyone liked it or not. After the shocking broadcast, online forums exploded with questions and discussions. I looked up old articles, but they downyed it. ©¸ "Bastards. I heard monsters are all over the city." ©¸ "But there was nothing about this on social media.Someone would''ve posted about it." ©¸ "North and South Hamgyeong shut down their inte." ©¸ "What about the refugees? How''d they stop people who escaped from speaking up?" ©¸ "Gil-joo, was it? I heard they blocked everyone from going further south." ©¸ "Seriously? Is this a democracy or a dictatorship? They''re just shutting people up." ©¸ "Don''t you know about the Monster Security Act? The government can block news." We''ve always known they were idiots, but they went up there after blocking the news and took pictures like it was something to be proud of. Did they go there to kill themselves since they were sorry to the citizens? ©¸ "As if." ©¸ "They''re the kind of guys to shit on the walls." ©¸ "They were fooled into going there too." ©¸ "What are you talking about?" ©¸"Check the news." ©¸ "Gasp! Lol It''s real!" The media, feeling the pressure, started publishing dramatic headlines. Among these, the news that caught the most attention fromizens was why the congressmen went to the battlefield. The news was that someone had falsified the war report and sent it to the National Assembly. The ridiculous behavior of the congressmen who went to Cheongjin for their election campaigns was widely criticized. One congressman, who wet his pants in fear, became an inte meme and spread online. A few dayster, even more absurd news appeared, leaving the public dumbfounded. Soon, articles criticizing Kang Mu-hyuk, the one who revealed the truth about the incident, began to pop up everywhere. Even the congressmen joined in, pushing the narrative against him. From ims of a coup against the legiture to vulgar insults, the attacks were relentless. At times, there were even scandals suggesting that Guild Master Ju Se-Ah appointed Kang Mu-hyuk as Guild Leader because of a personal rtionship, implying it wasn''t based on his abilities but on favoritism. Contrary to Kang Mu-hyuk''s ims, the situation at the site was not controlled at all, and people testified that lives were actually in danger. There was also opinion that it was a reckless act thatpletely disregarded the safety of civilians, including the broadcast crew. An unidentified witness even described Kang Mu-hyuk as a delusional narcissist, iming he was obsessed with heroism. Baseless and harsh criticisms followed, saying things like he had gone mad or that wearing sunsses was just an attempt to look cool. As the political diversion gained momentum, the National Assembly began to take action. They summoned Kang Mu-hyuk for a closed-door hearing under the ''Monster Security Act.'' If he refused, they expressed their intent to forcefully bring him in, citing legal provisions. But-- Public opinion was not going the way the government and the National Assembly had hoped. They even tried to use police forces to bring Kang Mu-hyuk to the hearing, but with Iron Will Hunters on high alert in the middle of the battle in Cheongjin, this was no easy task. In the end, they considered sending agents from the Hunter Investigation Agency, but the agency''s chief refused, stating their role was limited to catching viins. In the end, the Ministry of Justice had to interpret the provisions of the Guild Cooperation Act. When the Ministry pointed out the use that requires the investigation agency to assist in summoning guild members who oppose the government during emergencies, the investigators finally took action. Cheongjin City. "You''ve grown bold, haven''t you? What exactly are you trying to do?" "Senior Jang. You''re not going to get anything by pushing me like this..." "So, what''s your n? Are you really going to take our Guild Leader?" Jang Deukgoo stood in front of the room where Kang Mu-hyuk was, casually fiddling with the handle of his sword. The investigators flinched at his seemingly insignificant movement. In front of the legendary senior Hunter of the investigation agency, the investigators couldn''t make a move. "So, are you saying you''ll cut us down, Jang Deukgoo?" One investigator stepped forward from behind the others, who were frozen, unsure of what to do. "Nah Sangmyun... You''ve been promoted to First ss, huh?" Jang Deukgoo looked at the three-sword insignia on the cor of Nah Sangmyun''s white armored coat. Investigator Nah Sangmyeon drew the sword from his waist. It was a long sword with an eye-catching handle. "If you touch an investigator, you know you''ll be sent to Ujungdo, right? Even if you''ve been out of the game for a while, you wouldn''t have forgotten that." "Even if I go to Ujungdo, it won''t be because of you. I''ll deal with you first, then turn myself in." "Ooh, still as scary as ever. Alright, bring it on then." Without hesitation, Jang Deukgoo drew his sword. Sangmyeon followed suit, unsheathing his weapon. The other investigators backed away down the hall, not bothering to stop them. "You''re one to talk." Neither of them was willing to back down, and the tension grew. Suddenly, the door swung open. "What are you guys doing? I''m ready." "Already?" Jang Deukgoo, who had been full of hostility moments ago, shrugged and put his sword away. Na Sangmyun, still holding his weapon, frowned, confused by the sudden change. "What are you ying at?" Kang Mu-hyuk replied, "What do you mean? Aren''t you here to take me?" "..." "Let''s go. To the hearing." Chapter 168 - Yes, It was Indeed an Overstepping of Authority Thud! The gavel hit the desk hard and flew into the air. The head of the gavel broke off and rolled on the ground. After that, the room fell silent. Themittee members had entered the hearing room. Each of them had a different expression. Some looked troubled, some seemed unsure, and others simply crossed their arms, saying nothing but letting their gestures speak for themselves. The chairman had thrown the gavel. He fixed his angry expression and calmed himself. After taking a few deep breaths, he made a final remark to the assembly before walking out. "We will take a short break. We''ll reconvene in an hour. Be prepared. The next session will be a public hearing. Also, get me a new gavel." He handed the broken gavel to his assistant and left. The members of the ''Hunter Special Committee'' gathered in small groups. They talked among themselves, ignoring party lines. "Weren''t Taesung and Iron Will on bad terms?" one asked. "That''s what I thought. There were rumors that Ju Se-ah, the Guild Master, was Tae Jinsung''s illegitimate child. Their rtionship wasn''t supposed to be that good." "Then why is Chairman Tae pushing for the public hearing?" "Tsk, tsk! Are you serious? Do you really think their rtionship is that bad? Blood is always thicker than water. And believe me, no daughter truly hates her rich dad. Isn''t Ju Se-ah the Guild Master of Iron Will because Chairman Tae pulled some strings?" "Now that you mention it, my daughter and I argue sometimes, but it''s not because we hate each other." As they began to rx, the chaotic situation started to settle down bit by bit. But even though they could now understand the situation, it was still confusing why the chairman agreed to Chairman Tae Jinsung''s request for a public hearing, especially after losing his temper. "It''s not that strange. He''s just repaying what he owes." "Chairman Jung Woosu? He has a reputation for being squeaky clean. We''ve had a hard time because nothing we do can sway him." "He didn''t take any money." "Then what did he take?" "He owes him a life instead." "A life? Whose life?" "Not his own. His wife''s." "His wife? What do you mean?" "Years ago, Chairman Jung''s wife was very seriously sick. At that time, he was just a rookie human rightswyer with little real influence. Chairman Tae got her admitted to his hospital right away and saved her life. Now it''s time for him to pay him back." "Hah, Chairman Tae really knows how to n ahead, doesn''t he? Grooming rookies like that." "Is there anyone here who hasn''t been influenced by Chairman Tae? We just didn''t know things would end up like this." Thewmakers all frowned, their expressions bitter. They didn''t care much about their parties being embarrassed in Cheongjin City in front of monsters. What really mattered was that the defense situation in North Hamgyong Province had been fully exposed to the public. This would start to create cracks in public support for the two-party system. Public opinion was turning negative, and the polling numbers showed it. Suddenly, the third party, which only had 21 seats and barely counted as a negotiating group in the National Assembly, started to gain poprity. Regions like Chungcheong, Hwanghae, and even Hamgyong---areas known for having traditionally moderate voters, including former North Korean territories---were shifting their political loyalties. If this kept up, the country would move from a two-party to a three-party system. The two major parties had tried to distract the public by using the Cheongjin incident as an excuse to demand ountability. They nned to keep the investigation a secret and only share a carefully edited oue with the public. But Chairman Tae Jinsung''s involvement had ruined their n. They wanted to refuse him, but they had epted too much from him to ignore his request. It was almost funny how one word from a chairman of a conglomerate had forced the hearing to go public, while public pressure and media attention had hardly made them flinch. Now, with no idea what their opponent had nned for the public hearing, anxiety spread among them. As the tension grew, onewmaker sighed and made a suggestion, "Instead of standing around, why don''t we grab some tea? It might help if we align our questions." "You''re right. If we work together, taking down a single Guild Leader--- who''s not even a Hunter---will be a piece of cake." A car had just crossed the Mapo Bridge and entered Yeouido. Kang Mu-hyuk was driving through the Guild District, which used to be Yeouido Park. Soon, the National Assembly building would be in view. He looked up at the tall guild buildings, which looked like skyscrapers, while listening carefully to his smartphone. "Thank you, Chairman." -- How did you know I had so many political connections? "My previous job was with an A-rank guild. Actually, I''m passing by it right now. Brings back memories." -- Enough with the small talk. "Even A-rank guilds regrly bribe politicians. Do you think major corporations care about what''s legal or illegal? Everyone knows politicians are just tools for the super rich." -- As if it''s ever been any different. "It''s different now. Back then, it was a mutually beneficial rtionship." The connection between politicians and conglomerates used to be a bnce of power, where they could either sh or thrive together. But that bnce was disrupted when monsters appeared. "After the Great War, guilds became powerful. After the Minor War,panies in Gate-rted industries took full control of society. It''s no wonder that politicians bend over backward to represent their interests. Everyone in the industry knows the Hunter Special Committee was created because of the deep-rooted ties between politics, corporations, and guilds. But now, those ties are more like master-servant rtionships at this point." -- Because of that, I had to use a valuable card on something trivial. "If you have a strong hand, you can make bigger bets. I''m thankful you used that card for me." -- I didn''t do it because I like you. "I know. I''m not exactly the most likable person. But at least I''m nice to look at." -- Stop with the jokes. You sound too frivolous. "I''m just saying that I''ll be in the public eye. People may im looks don''t matter, but in reality, they do." -- No need to exin. I get your point. Tae Jinsung cleared his throat to ease the awkward mood. Kang Mu-hyuk kept talking, "What I''m really saying is, we both have things to gain. It''s in our best interest to cooperate." -- And that''s what the public hearing is about? I don''t see how this benefits me. "It''s just part of the process. A step toward getting what you really want." -- Let''s see what you can do. I''m expecting results. "Yes. Please wait. I''ll give you something truly special." As Kang Mu-hyuk entered the National Assembly, he ended the call. The vehicle stopped in front of the National Assembly building. Many media outlets and reporters had already gathered, swarming around his car. It had been less than an hour since the hearing went public, but the media had caught wind and rushed over. This was no ident---Tae Jinsung had arranged everything in advance. Behind Kang Mu-hyuk''s car, several tinted SUVs arrived. inclothes investigators from the Hunter Investigation Agency stepped out. However, they stayed close to their cars to avoid being recognized. The investigators moved ahead of Kang Mu-hyuk''s car. They formed a path to the door and opened it for him. As soon as Kang Mu-hyuk stepped out, the sound of cameras clicking filled the air. shes went off everywhere, and the scene became chaotic. It was like a bustling marketce. The noise of ovepping voices was so loud it sounded like a differentnguage. "How do you feel about appearing at the hearing?" "What do you think of the forced summons, with even the Hunter Investigation Agency involved?" "Where is Guild Master Ju Se-ah? Did she say anything about you attending the hearing?" "Guild Leader Kang, some say your actions in Cheongjin City were too extreme. What''s your response?" Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t answer any of the reporters. Instead, he turned back toward his car and leaned inside. The reporters went quiet, curious about what he was doing. Kang Mu-hyuk pulled out a piece of clothing and shook it hard to remove the dust. People nearby coughed from the dust, and some even stepped back, covering their mouths. As the crowd moved away, a small space cleared around Kang Mu-hyuk. With more distance, the garment became visible. It was a ck coat, trimmed with gold embroidery along the edges. The coat was armored but so dirty with dust and dirt that it looked gray in some ces. Kang Mu-hyuk put on the dirty armored coat. The Iron Will Guild logo on the chest immediately caught everyone''s attention. With that single piece of clothing, he transformed from an ordinary person into a Hunter. For a brief moment, the chaos faded, leaving only the sound of camera shutters echoing in the air. "As the Guild Leader of the Iron Will Guild, I will answer the questions at this hearing sincerely." It was as if a spell had been broken as soon as he spoke. The silence was shattered and reporters resumed bombarding him with questions as he made his way into the main building. In his office, Chairman Jung Woosu watched the scene unfold live on television. He frowned and pointed at Kang Mu-hyuk, sneering at his assistant. "That guy''s Guild Leader? Ha! He''d make a better politician." It was a decent bit of showmanship. Kang Mu-hyuk had chosen to put on his armored coat in front of the cameras instead of arriving already dressed. This move made it clear to everyone that he wasn''t just a regr person---he was the leader responsible for a guild. Plus, even the coat itself told a story. Covered in dust, it looked as if he had juste from the battlefield. The contrast between the pristine suit underneath and the dirty coat was intentional. "Still, appearances matter. The public will only see that coat. Chairman, it''s time. Shall we go?" The assistant tapped his wristwatch, prompting Jung Woosu to rise. He adjusted his suit in front of a mirror near the office entrance. Since his opponent had donned full armor, he found it only fitting to ensure his own sharp appearance as well. As he straightened his clothes, Jung Woosu muttered, "I may have allowed the public hearing, but nobody said I had to surrender control of its content. Chairman Tae, I owe you nothing now." As with most hearings, they didn''t jump right into the main issues from the start. Beforeunching their attacks,wmakers went through formalities. They needed to justify their positions, protect themselves, and set the stage to avoid taking the me. As officials, they had to follow decorum and prevent any controversy from spiraling out of control. The groundwork was crucial to keep the hearing focused to keep pointless chatter from escting. Only after the formalities werepleted did the real questioning start. "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, you''re used of falsifying the Cheongjin City war report. Did you do that?" "My intention was to make sure people understood the reality of the battlefield---" "Don''t drag this out! Just answer yes or no." "..." "Guild Leader Kang, the Guild Cooperation Agency is a government department, right?" "Yes, that''s correct." "Then why did a mere guild use a government department for its private reasons? Isn''t that a form of state corruption?" "The role of the Guild Cooperation Agency is to support guilds so they can effectively deal with monster threats---" "Are you lecturing me? Do you think we don''t know what the Cooperation Agency does? Just answer the question properly." "..." Time passed, with Kang Mu-hyuk mostly listening to the questions and giving unclear answers. Even the viewers watching the hearing on TV were starting to lose interest. The hearing was neither exciting nor focused, and Kang Mu-hyuk''s responses were vague. With nothing gripping happening, the hearing''s ratings began to fall in real time. As the public''s attention drifted, Chairman Jung Woosu nced at one of his party''s opposition members. "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, there are many suspicions surrounding you. Let''s talk about the Cheorwon Gate incident. Before the Orc Tribe raid, some of the orcs crossed into South Pocheon because the North Pocheon fence wasn''t patrolled properly, which caused many casualties. Is this true?" "Although it has nothing to do with the Cheongjin City incident, yes, it''s true." "Whether it''s rted or not isn''t for you to decide. The point is that it''s true, right?" "Yes." "And what about the Sinuiju incident? It''s not well-known yet, but... Didn''t you handle that as well? Our investigation shows hundreds died, and families of former North Korean Hunters who took part in a coup gained South Korean citizenship. You arranged for that as well, didn''t you?" "Yes, I did." The questioningwmaker''s eyes widened in shock. "Isn''t that odd? A civilian---not even a Hunter, but the Guild Leader of a mere C-rank guild, not a high-tier one---was involved in both the Cheorwon Gate incident and the Sinuiju incident. These events are serious national security risks. Doesn''t that show aplete disregard for the government? If you had worked with the government, I might understand. But no, you led a war with hundreds of Hunters, took control of a city, and brought coup participants in as new South Korean citizens. Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to act like you represent the government?" Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t respond with words. Instead, he stood up suddenly. He stared down at thewmaker who had just yelled at him. Thewmaker instinctively leaned back in his chair. "You''re right. It was an overstepping of authority." "Are you admitting it now?" thewmaker asked. "Yes. What I did was an overstepping of authority because those with authority who should have done it turned a blind eye, so I had to step in." Chapter 169 - Id like to make a formal request Kang Mu-hyuk''s statement was, in essence, a provocation. He was basically saying, "You didn''t handle things properly, so I had to step in." The seasoned politicians, some serving their third or fourth terms, didn''t miss the underlying message. But if they responded with outrage and attacked, it would only backfire. That would make it look like they were admitting guilt. Since their opponent was using an unconventional tactic, they needed to counter with solid reasoning. Thewmaker opposing Kang Mu-hyuk adjusted his sses and stayed calm. He looked up at Kang Mu-hyuk and spoke steadily, "Overstepping authority means acting beyond your legal power. Especially when dealing with monsters or Hunters, we must follow thew. If not, we risk bing awless region like Africa or South America. Don''t we have our own history with the North Korean Hunter coup?To protect South Korea''s freedom, democracy, and the rule ofw, we cannot allow overstepping, no matter the reason." Though thewmaker addressed Kang Mu-hyuk, his real audience was clearly the citizens watching the broadcast. Behind him, an aide discreetly checked a smartphone, checking real-time chat reactions to the hearing broadcast. When thewmaker looked at him, the aide gave an okay sign, showing that the feedback was positive. Encouraged by this, thewmaker spoke with more confidence, "Well? Is there anything wrong with what I just said?" "No, everything you said is correct." "Then, as someone who put the legitors and media in danger in Cheongjin City, you should admit your mistake and face the consequences." "If you''re asking for legal ountability, I''ll ept it." Thewmaker, surprised by Kang Mu-hyuk''s quick agreement, straightened up, feeling even more confident. ''I was nervous because I''d heard he was known for his smooth talk in the guild circles, but it seems he''s not that big of a deal. After all, he''s surrounded by uneducated Hunters. What can he even do? If I handle this right, my approval ratings will soar. This election is practically in the bag.'' Even though he felt confident in his victory, he knew not to push Kang Mu-hyuk too far. After all, Kang Mu-hyuk was appointed by Ju Se-ah, the top Hunter in South Korea. With her influence, there were limits to how much pressure he could apply. He wanted to offer his opponent a way out, but the offer had toe from the legiture''s generosity. "We fully understand how hard guilds and Hunters work to protect people from monsters. While there have been clear legal vitions, we also know that the situation on the ground can be different. That''s why Kang Mu-hyuk''s actions should be treated with leniency. So..." "But this isn''t a courtroom, is it?" "Excuse me?" "You''ve been going on about the legiture as if you''re passing judgment like the judiciary. We aren''t here to decide guilt or innocence, are we?" "Didn''t you just admit to your wrongdoing and promise to reflect on it? That''s what I heard." "I said I''d ept legal responsibility." "Are you ying word games with me? It''s the same thing, isn''t it?" Kang Mu-hyuk, turning more boldly toward the camera than thewmaker had, spoke up. "I was referring to Article 17 of the Guild Law, which covers emergency provisions. I''m willing to take responsibility for the legal limits on how much a guild can intervene in emergencies." Thewmaker was fuming, "Isn''t that just dodging responsibility? Citizens were killed by the orcs, and there was a full-blown war involving hundreds of Hunters in Sinuiju. Are you really trying to escape responsibility by citing emergency provisions?!" Even though the microphone had been switched off, thewmaker''s voice echoed loudly through the chamber. Kang Mu-hyuk stood casually with his hands behind his back and looked thoughtfully at the ceiling as he replied, "I feel deep sorrow for the citizens who lost their lives to the orcs. But before we go further, I want to talk about the failure at the North Pocheon fence. At that time, border security wasn''t under our guild''s control yet. Later, it was revealed that some of the Gate staff were taking bribes to arrange illegal civilian tours. If you n to me that on our guild, I wonder how many other guilds could pass such a strict standard." Guilds worked tirelessly to hunt monsters, but even their best efforts didn''t always yield perfect results. Sometimes, a monster would slip through and attack civilians. Sometimes, a Gate wasn''t secured, which forced entire areas to evacuate. Casualties and property damage became asmon as car idents. If every incident like that led to ming the guilds, they would be more cautious about taking on monster hunts or Gate missions. By pointing out the mismanagement at North Pocheon before Iron Will took over, Kang Mu-hyuk put thewmaker in a tough spot. Thewmaker knew these cases well, so he couldn''t easily argue back. But Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t finished. He brought up the Sinuiju situation too. "Sinuiju is the same. Let''s talk about the territory. Congressman, whosend is Sinuiju?" "...It''s part of South Korea''s territory." Thewmaker answered reluctantly. It was a perfect trap. Despite the blurring of borders after the Demonic Realm formed, South Koreans still viewed Sinuiju as theirnd. Thewmaker knew that by responding, he was walking into Kang Mu-hyuk''s trap. But staying silent would make it seem like he didn''t believe in Korea''s territorial im, so he spoke up. "Yes, it is Korean territory. But a Chinese guild tried to take it over." "In that case, you should have informed the government and let them handle it diplomatically..." "As I said earlier, it''s not the Chinese government, it''s a Chinese guild. The Demonic Realm has cut off ess to the Liaodong Penins, so these guilds operate with almost independent power. If our government steps in, then China''s government will too. Then, it''s no longer a fight between guilds; it''s a war between nations. Cities bordering the Demonic Realm aren''t going to be solved with diplomacy. Do you think China would just hand over a city their guild already controls? If we make a weak protest, Sinuiju will quietly be Chinese territory." "That''s an insult to our government! Take that back!" Feeling the pressure from Kang Mu-hyuk''s words, thewmaker raised his voice, trying to regain control of the situation. Even his aide''s signals about the online reactions weren''t favorable. Chairman Jung Woosu, wanting to support thewmaker, subtly turned his microphone back on, even though there was no formal request for more time. None of the otherwmakers objected. With the support of his colleagues, thewmaker regained his confidence andunched a counterattack. "Let''s say, for argument''s sake, that what you''re saying is true. What then? Are we supposed to start a war using guilds? And you want to use Hunters with a history of coups to do it?" "Let me rify that. The coup was carried out by an earlier generation of Hunters, before they became citizens. It has nothing to do with the current residents of Sinuiju. You''re not suggesting guilt by association in a democracy, are you?" "Hunters are a special case! They have that kind of power, and everyone knows what they did. Who''s going to trust them?" "Exactly. Hunters are a unique case, just like the Demonic Realm. That''s why China and Russia have signed treaties to keep governments from interfering in Hunter conflicts within the Demonic Realm." "Ugh..." Thewmaker fumbled, unable to find the right words. What was supposed to be extra speaking time to help thewmaker had now turned into Kang Mu-hyuk''s advantage. Kang Mu-hyuk pressed forward, not letting up. "Sinuiju has always technically been part of Korea, but in reality, it wasn''t. Since it borders the Demonic Realm, Chinese Hunters treated it like a part of the Realm, much like Dandong. They even tried to take it for themselves. But the Hunters in Sinuiju, descendants of North Korean refugees, couldn''t just stand by while Chinese guilds moved in. That''s when one of my old colleagues asked for help, and with time running out, I had no choice but to intervene under Article 17 of the Guild Law. As you all know, we sessfully expelled the Chinese Hunters, fully reiming Sinuiju as South Korean territory." Nobody in the room could muster a response to Kang Mu-hyuk''smanding words. Although this was supposed to be a hearing, it was clear that thewmakers were on the defensive. Chairman Jung Woosu was about to call for a recess, but before he could, Kang Mu-hyuk added one final remark. "And once again, let me remind you, Sinuiju is now entirely part of South Korea." Jung Woosu regretted not stopping Kang Mu-hyuk earlier. As an experienced politician, he didn''t need to check the public''s reaction to know how much of an impact Kang Mu-hyuk''s words would have on viewers at home. Frustrated, Jung Woosu banged his gavel. "We will now take a short break." Bang, bang, bang! "Before we break, I''d like to make one morement." Kang Mu-hyuk looked straight at Jung Woosu. He requested another chance to speak. It was an unusual request, but ignoring it wasn''t an option. This hearing was as much a public spectacle as a formal inquiry, and thewmakers were the judges. Denying Kang Mu-hyuk''s request in front of arge audience would make them look weak. "Make it quick." Jung Woosu''s reputation was already damaged, so there wasn''t much more to lose. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t waste any time. "I came here for a hearing about the Cheongjin City incident, but it feels like we''ve been dancing around the real issues and avoiding the important questions." "Isn''t the Cheongjin incident just another example of you overstepping your authority, like what happened in Sinuiju?!" Thewmaker, still upset from being embarrassed earlier. He snapped back in frustration. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t even nce at him and kept saying, "Cheongjin City is going to get much worse. The defensive line could retreat all the way back to Gangwon Province." "Who says we''ll let it get that bad? The government is already working on countermeasures." A ruling partywmaker grumbled, trying to criticize Kang Mu-hyuk. "Countermeasures alone won''t be enough." "And why do you say that?" Noticing the grave expression on Kang Mu-hyuk''s face, Chairman Jung Woosu asked. "The copse of the Tumen River defense isn''t just because of the monsters heading south. It''s mainly due to an outbreak at the Gates near Jilin Province." "An outbreak..." "I believe the Gate boss hase out. If the boss starts moving south, what''s happening now will seem small inparison. Also, there are signs that several other Gates are about to open. We could face chaos on the same level as thest two wars." Though Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t see it, the online chatrooms were exploding. Viewers glued to their screens couldn''t look away. People eating lunch seemed to forget to chew. Some spilled coffee on themselves, and others let their cigarettes burn down to their fingers without noticing. Taxi drivers didn''t move when the light turned green, and passengers didn''t tell them to go, even as the meters climbed. For a brief moment, all of South Korea seemed to stop. Everyone still remembered the pain of the Great and Minor Wars. As if waking the country from its daze, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke again, "That''s why I''m officially requesting something from the government and the National Assembly." "W-what are you asking for?" Jung Woosu stammered, finally snapping out of his shock. Kang Mu-hyuk took a deep breath and then spoke, "Please authorize the creation of a Unified National Strike Force." Chapter 170 - That guy鈥檚 not as nice as you think Dragon yer Guild. The Dragon yer Guild was a prestigious name in the Hunter world, even acknowledged by the famous yer Guild. It has a long history and is one of the pirs of the Tier Guild. The guild was founded by Jeon Yejun, a legendary hero from the Great War and South Korea''sst known S-rank Hunter. He formed the guild by gathering people who had lost their families to dragons, which were considered the most dangerous monsters at the time. Initially, it was a raid group, but it grew into a n, andter, his son transformed it into a full-fledged guild. In the global Huntermunity, Jeon Yejun was revered as the strongest Hunter the world had ever known. Many believed that if Jeon Yejun had not died while ying the final dragon during the ''Guryong Ridge Raid,'' one of the toughest battles of the Great War, the Dragon yer Guild would now be the top guild, not only in South Korea but also in Asia. Over time, the guild continued to thrive, and recently, the 4th guild leader was appointed. The new leader''s name is Jeon Yesung. He''s the grandson of Jeon Yejun and son of Jeon Yejin, the first guild leader. The Jeon family is now a well-known Hunter dynasty, and Jeon Yesung is considered one of the most skilled Hunters in South Korea. At 34, his rise to leadership in the Tier Guild seemed natural to the guild members. The Jeon family, now three generations deep, is renowned as a distinguished Hunter dynasty. Jeon Yesung himself is not only one of the most skilled Hunters in South Korea but also highly respected within the Dragon yer Guild. At the young age of 34, Jeon Yesung''s rise to the leadership of the Tier Guild was seen as a natural event by the guild members. For the past two years, ever since he took over, Jeon Yesung has received a lot of attention, being praised as a prodigy in the Hunter world. However, in thest six months, the attention has shifted away from him, leaving him disappointed. The Dragon yer Guild has recently been overshadowed by the yer Guild, and Jeon Yesung believes this is due to weaker brand recognition. He is determined to bring himself and his guild back into the spotlight to regain their former glory. Jeon Yesung was watching TV when the man who had stolen all the attention from him appeared on the screen. That was the only reason he was even watching the hearing. -Please authorize the creation of a Unified National Strike Force. -If you grant me full authority over the raid, I''ll restore the Tumen River defense line and take down the demonic realm boss. Hearing this, Yesung shot up from his chair in his office. "That guy''s trying to steal my spotlight again, huh?" Sitting in his office, Ye-seong abruptly shot up from his chair at the voiceing from the TV. "That guy''s trying to steal my spotlight again, huh?" Ye-seong''s frustration wasn''t just about the man on TV. It went deeper, all the way back to his grandfather, Jeon Yejun. His grandfather had led thest Unified National Strike Force during the Guryong Ridge Raid in the Great War. For Yesung, his grandfather wasn''t just a hero; he was the symbol of South Korean Hunters.And rightfully so. Now, a non-Hunter was trying to take that legacy away, and Yesung was furious. "I stayed quiet because of Se-ah when she crearted the guild leader system, but I didn''t think this guy was this oblivious of his ce and would get so out of control." Grinding his teeth, he muttered, "There''s no way they''ll approve this, right?" He turned up the volume on the TV, focusing on the chairperson''s next move. The camera zoomed in on Jung Woosu, the chairman holding the gavel. His hands were shaking, and he lookedpletely shocked by the proposal. Finally, the chairman spoke. -This hearing is adjourned. Bang! Bang! Bang! It wasn''t a recess---it was an official closure. Jung Woosu stormed out of the room, followed by other officials, while the camera showed Kang Muhyuk watching them leave. Momentster, the scene switched back to the studio where panelists whispered among themselves. The host, holding notes, began exining the Unified National Strike Force to the viewers. Yesung threw the remote. Crash! "What is this, a K-drama? How can you just end it like that?!" Looking at the cracked TV with distorted images, Yesung sighed in frustration. He took a deep breath, calming down. Once his anger faded, he started thinking more clearly. "So... a unified stroke force, huh? Will this actually happen? A lot of people will want to be part of it. But even if it''s approved, no one''s going to let a civilian lead it. If they try, I can''t just sit by and allow it. The Tier Guilds will stop it anyway... So, the leader''s position will be up for grabs." He began piecing together what could happen next. His sharp judgment showed that he wasn''t just riding on his grandfather''s legacy---he had real leadership potential. "Whatever happens, I need to be ready. This could actually be the perfect opportunity. I''ll make sure I be the leader of this unified strike force. The grandson, following in his grandfather''s footsteps---that''s a good look. If I pull off this raid, I might even knock the yer Guild out of the top spot." His anger quickly turned into an opportunity. Yesung started making calls from his contact list. "Ah, Representative Yu! It''s me, jeon Yesung. First time we''ve talked since my inauguration, right? How''ve you been?" "If you give me full authority over the raid, I''ll restore the Tumen River defense line and take down the Demonic Realm boss." Han Byunggu clicked his tongue as he watched. Tsk, tsk. I knew this wasing, but even hearing it now still makes me dizzy. Why isn''t Se-ah stopping him?" "Our guild master can''t control Guild Leader Kang either." Next to him, Go Eul-ji, munching on a slice of pizza, chimed in. She had hidden in Han Byung-goo''s car trunk and escaped to Seoul when he visited Cheongjin City. On their way back to Seoul, Han Byunggu heard a strange noise from the trunk while sitting in the back seat. He stopped the car and opened the trunk. He was in for a surprise. There she was, his granddaughter, snoring and drooling, curled up in the small space. Embarrassed, Han couldn''t meet the eyes of Cha Giljoo, the director apanying him. Later, after Lee Jinjoo had hunted a smoke snake, she realized Go Eulji had "deserted." By then, it was toote to bring her back. Kang Muhyuk, already informed by Han Byunggu, wasn''t worried. It was a shift change for the rear assault team, so he figured it was the perfect time to let her have a break. In fact, Go Eul-ji had left not out of recklessness but exhaustion from constant battles. Although sheined, she stayed to avoid putting anyone at risk. Her departure during a shift change caused no disruption. So that''s when she left. Knowing she had been overextending herself since the Sinuiju battle, KangMuhyuk let her leave without fuss. Han Byunggu watched as his granddaughter wolfed down her fifth pizza. "Did Guild Leader Kang now feed you or something?" "The food there was terrible. Total army slop." "You''ve never been to the army. How would you know?" "The soldiers run the kitchen there. I''m probably the only high school girl who ate military food three times a day for a whole month! I''m basically famous---a ''military-certified high school girl.'' Haha, sounds funny when I say it out loud, right, Grandpa?" "You think that''s funny? Your jokes are getting as bad as your guild leader''s." "No way. I''m not that serious. There''s no one less funny than him." Go Eul-ji shot back immediately, her face turning serious. She then stacked four slices of pizza, eating them all at once, followed by chugging a can of c. She burped loudly and patted her stomach, satisfied. Now full, she turned to the TV she''d been ignoring. "Hey, Grandpa, what''s this Unified National Strike Force? Is it different from a strike team team?" "That''s a team where they can call any Hunter in South Korea." "Pfft, that''s it? Guilds team up for raids all the time." "The difference is, the Unified National Strike Force is mandatory." "Mandatory? Like a draft?" Even though she was still in high school, Go Eul-ji hadpleted her Hunter education, so she had a good understanding of how the system worked. Unlike most awakened Hunters who trained at regional academies, she had gone through a special curriculum with the association, which kept her somewhat unknown to the public. Proud of her sharpness, Han Byunggu patted her head affectionately and continued, "A draft means using all the country''s Hunters like soldiers. But with the unified strike force, the leader gets to hand-pick the Hunters they want. So, it''s more like a partial draft." "So, the team leader gets to choose? They''ll probably only pick the best, huh? Sounds like an all-star team." "Exactly." "How do they choose the raid leader?" "The leader is appointed by a temporarymittee, which includes the government, parliament, the association, and the major guilds. It doesn''t matter what affiliations they have. Once the leader is chosen, they have full control over the team''s makeup and can use any resources needed for the raid, backed by the government." "Resources?" "Mainly items" "Wait, does that include named items...?" "If necessary, yes." That''s when it dawned on Go Eulji just how much power the Unified National Strike Force had. Named items, or artifacts, were only used by the top Hunters or kept as guild treasures. These weren''t items that were handed out easily. The fact that they could use those items meant only one thing. "That''s insane!" "Yeah, you could say it''s a big deal," "The Tier Guilds will be protective, right? They won''t want to give up their items." "Of course, Tier Guilds won''t give them up without a fight." "But isn''t it basically like a draft?" "They''ll have to lend them unless they want to burn bridges permanently." "Oh, so it creates tension?" "That''s why being the raid leader is so difficult. They have to manage the raid, negotiate with the guilds, and keep the Hunters happy." "Ugh! Guild Leader Kang''s signing up for all of that? Is he a pervert?" "Watch your words. What do you mean, pervert?" "I mean, who willingly takes on that much stress? I already thought it was weird when he started taking down orcs. The guy''s not even a Hunter, but his eyes light up when monsters are involved. It''s freaky sometimes. I''m just thankful he''s on our side. If that''s not a pervert, what is?" Han Byunggu found himself nodding along. "Honestly, it might be a blessing he''s not a Hunter." Even now, as a non-Hunter, who knew what he might pull off? Just the thought of what he could do as a Hunter was exhausting enough. "Anyway, once the unified strike force is up and running, you''ll get called too. So, get ready." "Huh? Me? Why would they pick me?" "There''s no one better than you at taking out the minions before the boss fight," "How many mages do you know that can handle a mission solo without backup? If I were Kang Muhyuk, you''d be my first choice." Suddenly, Go Eulji felt a chill as something clicked in her mind. "Wait... could it be? The reason Guild Leader Kang gave me time off..." "You''re finally catching on. That guy''s not as nice as you think," "Nooo! Kang Muhyuk youuu~~~!" Meanwhile, long after the hearing was over and the cameras were packed up, Kang Muhyuk remained in the room, waiting. He didn''t have a specific time arranged, but he was confident someone would show up. Finally, Jung Woosu''s aide arrived. "The assemblyman would like to meet with you privately." Kang Muhyuk followed the aide to Room 406 in the main parliamentary building. It wasn''t Jung Woosu office. It was the room where the Hunter Special Committee usually held full meetings. Inside the vast room, Jung Woosu was the only one there. After the aide left, it was just the two of them. Jung Woosu held up his switched-off phone and replied, "Ever since the hearing ended, the calls haven''t stopped. Even the VIP gave me a call. He usually doesn''t get involved. Your proposal really stirred things up at the top. Dropping this kind of problem right before an election... well, I''m sure you''ve made some enemies." "I don''t care. I didn''t vote for the president anyway," "Oh! So, you''re on our team?" "Well, I can''t say. It''s a secret ballot, after all." "For someone who respects the four democratic principles, you sure like bending the rules." "My stance is consistent. Let''s invoke Article 17''s emergency use and be done with it." Jung smiled, much friendlier than he had been during the hearing, and said, "Alright, let''s leave that for now. That''s not the real issue. I need to confirm one thing." "Go ahead," "Did a gate actually open in the demonic realm?" "Yes. One has already opened, and at least four more are waiting in line." Chapter 171 - All Hunters Are the Not Same "Four...more?" "At least." Kang Mu-hyuk had long suspected that China was hiding more Gates in the Demonic Realm. He didn''t trust Russia''s intelligencepletely, not because he doubted Russia itself, but because he knew how tricky Chinese guilds could be. There were conspiracy theories that Japanese Hunters were involved in the ''Kowloon Ridge Massacre'' during the Great War. But China wasn''t innocent either. They had promised reinforcements but diverted them, leaving Korean Hunters to fight dragon attacks alone. Because of that, Korea failed the raid and lost their S-rank Hunter, Jeon Yejun. However, they couldn''t even protest against China or Japan because both nations used Korea''s absence to strengthen their positions. "And that''s just how the Demonic Realm works. There are ces so forbidden that entry is outright impossible." It was very possible that Russia had missed a Gate. Jung Woosu, still trying to gather his thoughts, wiped his face with his hands. "Where did you get this information?" "Russia." "From them? But how..." Jung trailed off, not fully believing Kang''s story. It made sense that Russia would keep a close eye on China, but the real mystery was how Kang Mu-hyuk had gotten his hands on that intel. Kang Mu-hyuk took off his armored coat, tossed it over a chair, and sat down. "This might take a bit." "Take your time." Kang crossed his arms and started organizing his thoughts. If he revealed everything, it would expose a few things---like the rise of the Tyrant Nazeszhinsky, the Hunter Alliance''s dealings, and Ju Se-ah''s recent promotion to S-rank. Many people already knew about Ju Se-ah''s rank. But the more he said, the harder it would be to keep everything secret. Dying the full truth was the smartest n. Especially with politicians---those people could leak secrets even with their mouths sewn shut. Even if they were acting together, Kang Mu-hyuk needed to be careful. ''If the information gets out, Japan will make a move.'' Japan had its ws in every corner of Korea''s government, economy, and Hunter guilds. It made it nearly impossible to keep things confidential. With the chaos in the north, Japan''s interference could make things even more unpredictable. Kang Mu-hyuk couldn''t tell the whole truth, so he had to tweak the story a little. "The story actually goes far back. It starts with the yer Guild." His mind worked fast as he crafted the story. It slipped easily from his lips. "The yer Guild, seeing the domestic market was hitting its limit, made a long-term n to expand into the Demonic Realm." "It''s one of those quiet rumors circting in the political scene---about a Tier Guild having its sights set on the Demonic Realm," "What if Guildmaster Ju Se-ah''s move to Taesung Guild was actually part of yer''s n?" "What do you mean...?" "Even though yer is Korea''s top guild, tackling the Demonic Realm alone would be tough. That''s why Taesung Guild was formed, to help expand their reach." "That doesn''t make sense. I heard Ju Se-ah and yer didn''t get along." "On the surface, yes." "On the surface? So it''s all for show?" "The other Tier Guilds aren''t fond of yer. If Ju Se-ah heads a new guild to support yer, of course they''re going to interfere. Plus, with Taesung Group''s funding involved, rival guilds will do everything they can to take control." "Wait, are you saying Taesung Group is pulling the strings?" "Say what you want, but Taesung Group is Ju Se-ah''s family." Even a well-informed politician who''s a member of the National Assembly would find this theory believable. Taesung Group had long-term ns to dominate the Gate industry. But with limited share of the current market, and limited resources like monster corpses and Gate materials, they needed a new way forward. That was when Ju Se-ah made her move to create an alliance between yer Guild and Taesung Group. Kang Mu-hyuk felt the lieing together smoothly. He added more details to the story. "They were preparing to enter the Demonic Realm, but they hit a roadblock with China." "Well, of course. China''s been deeply involved in the Demonic Realm. After all, it''s theirnd." "It''s not just about the territory. They''re simply untrustworthy." Jung Woosu nodded in agreement. Bordering China meant constant trouble with Hunters, not just in the Demonic Realm. "Korea''s proximity to China and the influence of Chinese Hunters in Sinuiju made it even more important to approach with caution." "Wait, is that why Sinuiju...?" "Shh! There''s a lot more to that story. I''ll tell you another time." Kang Mu-hyuk was careful not to over-exaggerate the story. He knew that adding too many details could raise suspicion. Thest thing he needed was a sharp politician asking too many questions. "So, with China in the way, yer started looking to form an alliance with Russia. They targeted the divostok faction, which was happening to operate without Moscow''s support. They needed a third party, and that''s where the Guild Cooperation Agency came in. But a direct approach could have leaked the information, so they used Taesung Guild''s base in North Pocheon as a cover to form the alliance." "My god... North pocheon is connected to the Demonic Realm too..." Jung Woosu''s shock was understandable. Each event---from North Pocheon to Sinuiju to the Demonic Realm---was monumental. Realizing it was all part of yer Guild''s n made their influence feel even more powerful. ''This story''s getting bigger by the minute. I''ll have to match stories up with the Guild Master, Director Cha Gil-joo, and even Team Leader Seong Seonjaeter.'' With that, Kang Mu-hyuk had fully exined how he got the information from Russia. From this point, he no longer needed to lie. He described how Lee Sookyoung found a Chinese Gate during a hunt in the Demonic Realm. Even without adding unnecessary details, it still took time to exin the copse of the Tumen River''s Defense Line. "We kept everything secret until now because no one could be trusted but with China potentially triggering the Gates intentionally, we can''t stay quiet any longer. Russia will make their move soon too. A few guilds won''t be able to handle this. That''s why I proposed creating a unified national strike force." When Kang Mu-hyuk finished, Jung Woosu sighed deeply. He ran a hand through his hair, which had be messy during their conversation. "How much time do we have before the Gate bosses down?" "I don''t know. It could be tomorrow, or it could be months from now." "It''s too uncertain. We don''t even know if the boss really exists, and we have no proof. Is there any way to diplomatically approach China to get the location?" "If they were willing to talk, they wouldn''t be blowing up Gates in the Demonic Realm. Remember the goveshchensk incident I mentioned? They destroyed a Gate just because they couldn''t get their hands on it." "But that was the Hunters, wasn''t it? Couldn''t the government have a different stance?" "The Chinese Communist Party went through a civil war after the Great War, and to secure their power, they aligned themselves with the Hunters. Sure, they can''t force guilds to follow their orders, but they''ll work together whenever it benefits both sides. It''s always the same when something happens in the Demonic Realm---they''ll act like they know nothing." "What about the internationalmunity then...?" "The second our government starts digging into this Demonic Realm issue, China willunch retaliatory attacks. Japan will probably jump in too. You saw what happened after the Great War, didn''t you? How the sacrifices of Korean Hunters affected national rtions. We still don''t have enough power to confront China''s tyranny." In the end, this meant that Korea had to handle the problem alone. Jung Woosu felt a sense of crisis for the first time in his political career. Up until now, the Special Hunter Committee had just been a battlefield for party interests. Hunters didn''t listen to politicians anyway, so what policies could they possibly propose? What future could they imagine? It had always seemed easier to just bribe the Hunters and maintain a convenient rtionship. Jung Woosu had lived his life going with the flow, but now the pressure was suffocating him. Soon, he realized it wasn''t just stress weighing him down. The idealism of his early political career suddenly returned to him---the dreams of serving the people, dedicating himself to the nation, and working for humanity''s prosperity and world peace. It was a sense of duty. "If this goes wrong, my political career is over." "And I''ll probably be cklisted from the Huntermunity." "You say that like it''s nothing, but your neck''s on the line. You''ve got a pretty sweet gig." "But isn''t it better than watching people die?" "Yeah, you''re right." Jung Woosu closed his eyes for a moment, then bit his lip. Suddenly, he stood up. "So, what you need from me is to propose the formation of a unified strike force?" "And make sure it passes quickly." "The President might veto it. You know President Kim Sangjin''s son-inw is part of the First Guild, right?" "No matter how powerful the First Guild is, at the end of the day, its members are still Hunters." "And that goes for every other guild out there," he added. "What''s that supposed to mean? Of course Hunters are the members in a guild." "Not all Hunters are the same. When a crisis hits, that''s when the real ones show up." "Guild Master! Thud The door suddenly flew open with a crash as a huge man stormed into the office. Well, almost. Hisrge frame got stuck in the doorway, his shoulders wedged in the doorframe. He awkwardly hunched his shoulders, trying to squeeze through. But it didn''t work---he was just too big. With no other choice, he turned sideways and sidestepped through the door. "Guild Master!" "Yoseob, I''m not deaf yet. And how many times do I have to tell you? Doors are for opening, not smashing through. If you break one more door, next time I''ll smash your thick skull." "Well, my skull isn''t exactly easy to crack, so no worries. But seriously, why aren''t we moving up?" "Moving up where? We''re on the 9th floor---it''s the top floor of the building." "No, I mean up there!" "Oh, that? Just hold your horses. We''re bolstering our ranks with the spring recruitment, and we''ll be up for a guild evaluation soon. We''ll definitely make C-rank this time. And after a few Gate raids, our Dog Fighting Guild will hit B-rank in no time." "When did I ever ask about guild evaluations? I''m talking about Cheongjin City." "Why would you want to go there?" The Guild Master Lee Changgu asked, frowning. Yoseob was already a handful, and now he was talking about heading to the war zone in the north. Something about it made Changgu uneasy. "Don''t tell me you want us to go up there?" "Why not?" "Jeez, I should''ve known. No wonder things were finally quiet for a bit, too." Despite Yoseob''s massive build and rough appearance, he was actually one of the smartest Hunters around. He studied raid strategies like a professional and took great care of the guild members, making him very popr. But after promoting him to raid leader, his hunting frequency dropped. Instead, he spent most of his time volunteering, which drove Changgu up the wall. And not just any volunteering---Yoseob was out doing monster clean-up in small, out-of-the-way viges. Whenever Yoseob went on one of these missions, it felt like he''d be gone for ages before returning to the guild. Though it frustrated Chang-gu to no end, he couldn''t bring himself to kick Yoseob out. Because when it came to skills, Yoseob was one of the best. ''Let''s be honest, this guy isn''t cut out for C-rank... He''s easily a B-rank, maybe even higher.'' In fact, back when Yoseob was a promising rookie, several major guilds had scouted him. But Yoseob insisted on including a use in his contract about volunteering. The bigger guilds, whose schedules were packed, couldn''t make exceptions for him, so they didn''t take him. At one point, Lee Changgu made a bold move, figuring he had nothing to lose. He offered Yoseob a spot in the guild, even though they couldn''t match the sry offers from the bigger guilds. Instead, he handed Yoseob a nk contract and asked him to name his terms, and that he''d agree. ''That was a stroke of luck for me... Though in return, I got a persistent pain in the ass ever since.'' And that was how a rising star, someone who could''ve easily joined an A-rank guild, ended up at Dog Fighting, a second-tier guild. Now, with their promotion to C-rank just within reach, he couldn''t believe Yoseob was suddenly talking about volunteering for the war in Cheongjin City. "What''s a freshly minted A-rank like you nning to do up there?" "The same thing all Hunters do in hunting grounds---hunt monsters. What else?" "And if you die up there? What then?" "Haven''t you been watching the news? If that ce falls, everyone''s dead. Guild promotions and rankings won''t matter anymore." "Damn it, that Kang Mu-hyuk really got into your head, didn''t he?" "No one''s putting ideas in my head. This is just who I am. So, quit trying to stop me and let''s go," "And what, you think I''m going to send our guild members straight into a death trap?" "We don''t have to be on the front lines. We can help from somewhere less dangerous." "If we had enough manpower for that, we''d already be promoted." "So, you''re just going to sit here and make money?" "The big guilds can handle it,." "Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk''s guild is only C-rank, though." "Iron Will? You know there''s a huge range within C-rank. In terms of size, they''re basically B-rank. With the corporate backing they have and those Rider Wolves, they''re practically A-rank. The only reason they''re still in C-rank is because they''re short on high-ranking Hunters. And that civilian keeps trying to get involved in Hunter business? What can he even aplish?" Byun Yoseob, clearly annoyed, shot back. "Whatever he''s trying to do, it''s still better than sitting around doing nothing like certain Hunters. Fine, if you''re not going, I''ll go alone. I''m out." "Hey! Hey! Don''t just... and he''s gone. Yeah, I saw thating. Haa... Secretary Oh! Get in here." Changgu called, waving to his secretary, who was peeking out from behind the broken door. "We can''t let our best guy go and get himself killed. Get in touch with the team members. Tell everyone to report for duty." Chapter 172 - Youll Find Out Soon Enough Kang Mu-hyuk was the reason Byun Yoseob from the Dog Fighting Guild pushed so hard for his Guild Master to go to Cheongjin City. That evening, after the hearing ended, Kang Mu-hyuk held a press conference. The media wanted to talk about the national unified raid team, but Kang Mu-hyuk had a different message. "We''re calling for volunteer Hunters. You can find the recruitment details on the Guild Cooperation Agency website starting at midnight tonight. You can fill out the consent form and head to Cheongjin City Hall." "The volunteer raid team will get basic gear and ampoule kits. Frence Hunters can also earn extra points towards national contribution. The team will be led by Hunter Association President Han Byunggu." "Hunters, we need you to protect the country from turning into another Demonic Realm. Pleasee to Cheongjin City. That''s all." He ended the press conference abruptly without taking any questions. But no one was upset, because everyone knew he was heading straight to the battlefield. As soon as Kang Mu-hyuk got into the car, Chief Oh Jungyeon, who had been waiting inside, handed him a tablet. "Guild Leader, here are the documents for approval. This one is for financial expenses. The next one is a repair bill for the equipment in Warehouse C. Then there''s a facility management report for the Hunter Vige. And here''s the document about this month''s ampoule kit supply." Usually, Oh Jungyeon managed themunications team, but because Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t have a personal secretary, she was temporarily doing that job. On top of that, with Team Leader Pyo Beomhee was also heading to Cheongjin City, she was handling various guild tasks, no matter which department they were from. Kang Mu-hyuk used the car ride to deal with the stack of guild documents that needed his approval. Although he had given Oh Jungyeon the authority to handle small matters, anything rted to finances required his personal review. "Chief Oh, how many documents need my signature?" "There are 27 simple approvals, and 19 that need your review." "What needs reviewing?" "The most urgent one is the potion supply issue. Hanju has told us they''ll only supply ampoule kits until next month. I''ve shortlisted six domesticpanies, bothrge and small, and four importers for you to consider as new suppliers. I''ve organized all the details, including potion grades and pricing, so you''ll need to make the final decision." "No need to exin it all now. I''ll read through and ask if I have questions. But Hanju is giving us until next month?" "Yes, until the 10th." "It''s going to be tough to choose a new supplier and ce an order. But I guess we should be thankful for the month''s notice. I thought they''d cut us off right away after what happened." "Director Oh Jungsu from Hanju Group sends his apologies. He said giving us an extra month was the best he could do." "Well, considering Chairman Oh''s personality, we should be grateful. This will take a while, though. Do you think you''ll be okay? We''ve got a long drive ahead." "We''ll be fine. Once we get to Cheongjin City, I''ll take the backup vehicle to return to the guild whenever you''re ready." "Alright. I''ll try to get through this as quickly as possible so the return trip isn''t too long." Kang Mu-hyuk got straight to work, not stopping for a break. Luckily, by the time they were passing Hamheung City, he had finished all the approvals. "I''ll switch cars at the next rest stop." Oh Jungyeon called the support vehicle trailing behind. She switched cars at a rest stop about 10 kilometers further down the road. "Thanks for all your hard work. I know the guild keeps you busy. Sorry for dragging you all the way out here." "It''s no problem. There are people risking their lives on the front lines; this is the least I can do." "Be careful heading back, and reach out if anythinges up." "Please take care of yourself, sir." After giving a deep bow, she got into the backup vehicle and headed toward North Pocheon. Kang Mu-hyuk settled back into his car. His body felt heavy, sinking into the leather seat. He was exhausted, but sleep wouldn''te. He rubbed his tired eyes and stared out the window. The highway was nearly empty, with only a few street lights breaking the darkness. The sky was pitch ck, with no moonlight at all. He focused on the road markings as they passed by, his mind starting to drift. Just as he was about to nod off, his phone rang and startled him awake. "Yes, Director." "Did I wake you? You sound like you were sleeping." "No, I was just dozing off a bit. I''m on my way to Cheongjin City now." "You must be wiped out. Dealing with politicians can really take a toll." "It was exhausting, but it was worth it this time." "I heard. My summons to the prosecutor''s office has been canceled." "That''s great news." "I''m not so sure. They''ve only hit pause for now. The forgery charges are still hanging over me, so I''ll probably be called back in once this is all over." "Do you think they''re trying to manipte you?" "Seems that way. Looks like they want to control the cooperation agency from the top, by basically telling me to y along." Cha Gil-joo said with a bitter tone. A dry, cynicalugh followed from the other end of the line. Sensing the mood, Kang shifted the conversation. "How''s the volunteer corps situation? Any problems?" "No, apart from a quick call from the Blue House just to check in, it''s been quiet so far." "Well, that''s a relief." "Since you made that statement on live TV, they wouldn''t dare get in the way. If they tried to stop people willing to fight monsters, they''d never survive the public bacsh." "If it wasn''t election season, they might have thrown up some procedural hurdles. But we didn''t give them time to overthink it, byunching the website right away. They''re probably too busy scrambling right now, but trust me, they''ll try to rein it inter. Stay alert." "Don''t worry. The horse has already bolted, and it''s practically a wild one. No reins left to grab." "A wild horse, huh?" "We''ve been flooded with calls from Hunters, even before the website went live. The cooperation agency staff haven''t even gone home---they''re all pulling overtime to keep up." Kang Mu-hyuk was silent for a moment. Judging by Cha Gil-joo''s excited tone, the response from the Hunters had far exceeded expectations, even more than what Kang Mu-hyuk had anticipated. Still, he stayed calm. "We can''t get ahead of ourselves just yet. Who knows how long the interest willst or how many will actually register on the site. Even if they do, we might not see many showing up in Cheongjin City." "Time will tell. So, how are you nning to run the unified strike force?" "I''ll start by selecting a raid captain." "Weren''t you nning to lead the raid yourself?" "That was never the n, and I''m not in a position to do so." "Then why take full control over everything?" "Because it makes organizing the team a whole lot easier." "What do you mean?" "It''s simple. If some civilian tried to step in and lead the raid, do you think the Hunters would ept it?" "Oh, right. They''d demand that a qualified Hunter take charge, especially for something as big as a unified raid." "If the argument over appointing the raid captain heats up, it''ll drown out any debate over reviving the unified strike force. Plus, the top guilds will start thinking along these lines..." "What will they think?" "We gotta secure the raid captain position for ourselves." Cha Gil-joo was left speechless this time. It was a brilliant tactic. The unified strike force had the authority to choose any Hunter and could mobilize resources by force. For the guilds, this meant almost unlimited power. Even though it was a temporary power, depending on how they handled it, it could greatly boost the guild''s prestige and influence. Once the team was formed, it could also be re-formedter. That was why deciding the leader at the start was so important. By ying on their pride to not let a civilian take the lead and ambition to control the raid''s power, Kang Mu-hyuk had managed to bury the whole debate about forming the team. Now, the only remaining question was: who would lead the raid? Cha Gil-joo, while admiring Mu-hyuk''s strategy, realized the next phase wouldn''t be easy either. "So, the key issue is who bes the raid captain?" "Don''t worry, I''ve already taken care of that." "You''ve already solved it? When?" Kang Mu-hyuk smiled slightly. "You''ll find out soon enough." Ring! Ring! "Yes, this is Sung Seonjae." "This is Jung Woosu from the Unified Raid Personnel Committee." "Go ahead." "Hunter Sung Seonjae, we are appointing you as the captain of the National Unified Strike Force." "I see." "You have the option to decline, and if you do, there will be no consequences. Do you ept the role of raid captain?" "Yes, I ept the appointment as the Unified Strike Force Team Captain." "Themittee confirms that Hunter Sung Seonjae has epted the role of National Unified Strike Force Raid Team Captain. You are now authorized to recruit any Hunter in the country and mobilize any resources, with government support. It''s a heavy responsibility, but on behalf of the people, we wish you luck." "I will make sure the monsters are defeated." "Good luck." After hanging up, Sung Seonjae immediately called another number. "Guild Leader Kang, I got the call. As you predicted, they appointed me as raid captain." "Even though the process was official, people will still have a lot to say." "I''ve handled more difficult people before. That''s part of the fun." "Shall we begin?" "Yes, send the raid member list to the guilds." "Damn it! They really pulled a fast one on me!" Ryuhyuk, the strategy chief of the Wanderer Guild, another tier Guild, mmed his fists on his desk in anger. The news had juste out that the Unified Strike Personnel Committee had appointed Sung Seonjae of yer as raid captain. But Ryuhyuk wasn''t angry at themittee or Sung Seonjae. His frustration was directed at Kang Mu-hyuk. "I can''t believe they considered contribution points based on the forces deployed at the Cheongjin-Hyesan defense line. If I had known, I would''ve stayed in Cheongjin! Kang Mu-hyuk... Is this why he sent our expedition team to Sinuiju?" Ryuhyuk had pulled his guild''s forces back to the rear because he was upset that yer''s forces had stayed in Sinuiju. He even convinced other guilds to move their forces to Sinuiju as well. In the process, since Ruhyuk had handled the negotiations, he secured a leadership role, overseeing northern affairs for the major guilds, except yer. Plus, he also deployed two raid teams In Cheongjin, along yer''s, so no one could use them of not doing their part. Until now, everything seemed to be going well. "I never expected yer to secretly strengthen their raid team or deploy their best Hunters..." While other guilds had sent just enough forces to maintain appearances, yer had reced their regr forces in Cheongjin with elite Hunters. Meaning, unlike their outer appearance of being a step back in Sinuiju, it was the yer Guild who mobilized most of their forces. Because of their proactive defense, themittee ended up choosing a raid captain from the guild with the strongest reputation. "Kang Mu-hyuk... I should''ve known when I saw that smug face. So, you''re just as the rumors say, huh? I won''t forget what you did to me." Yet, he couldn''t figure out the other reason why Kang Mu-hyuk had sent him to Sinuiju. Meanwhile, Guan Hong was struggling to focus on the Demonic Realm. It was because the top guilds in Korea had unexpectedly gathered their forces in Sinuiju. "Every major guild is here, except White Tiger. What are they nning?" His lord, Bi Wen Jun, was recovering from his duel with Ju Se-ah, who was also injured and recovering. The Dandong raid team and Xiao Zhan were out of action as well. In terms of forces, they were far behind the guilds gathered in Sinuiju. "We can''t let this continue. I need to pull back some of our forces to prepare just in case." Although this would weaken their position in the Demonic Realm, he knew he had to prevent the forces in Sinuiju from advancing further. Guan Hong contacted the strategy team of the Yellow Dragon Guild. "Withdraw the expedition team and send them to Dandong." Chapter 173 - Putting some serious muscle into this, huh? Kang Mu-hyuk sent the list of raid members, which he had organized with Sung Seonjae, to the Guild Cooperation agency. Director Cha Gil-joo looked over the list and contacted the guilds. The Hunters had various reactions. Someined, others felt proud to be chosen, and a few found it annoying or thought it would be easy. Others simply treated it as part of their job. At the Tier Guild in Seoul, particrly the Wanderer Guild: "Gong Jungmoon, Na Youngsik, and Choi Taesu, you three have been selected for the unified strike force." Gong Jungmoon, the most senior of the group, asked with confusion, "Just the three of us? From Tier Guild? Isn''t there a mistake, captain?" "Do you know how many Gates we are handling right now? Plus, we''ve already sent two teams to the Cheongjin defense line. If we sent everyone, we''d have to close up shop. We settled on just you three, so don''t embarrass yourselves there." "Do we look like the type to embarrass anyone?" "I''m just saying, don''t cause any trouble. You know Sung Seonjae will be there, right? Don''t give him a reason to make things harder for the Guild Master." "Oh, Sung Seonjae... I really can''t stand that guy." "Who does? He should be stuck with paperwork in strategy, not out in the field. Why he insists oning, I''ll never know. If So Sangyeob were leading, I''d at least understand." "I don''t like So Sangyeob either." "Is there anyone in the yer team you actually like? Just be d it''s not Ju Se-ah." "Ju Se-ah or Sung Seonjae, they''re both crazy. They''ve just got different styles at being that way. The difference is one''s strong, and the other''s sneaky." "Either way, if I hear Wanderer messed up, I''ll make sure you hate me more than Sung Seonjae." Meanwhile, at the Green Wings Guild, also a Tier Guild in Jeju, "Gye Myungsik, Do Dohee, Moon Ilsu, and Seo Sein? Wow, they really picked the four biggest troublemakers. You couldn''te up with a worse team even if you tried." "Haa, Captain, that''s a bit much. We''re still part of the expedition team, after all. If anyone heard you, they''d think we''re always causing trouble." "Sein, it''s just you who needs to do a good job. Behave, yeah?" "Myungsik, should I kill ''just'' you?" "Me? You? Even Dohee just beat the shit out of you. Kekek" "Hey, that was in the game. She is a Grand Master, for crying out loud." "Exactly. Why did a Silver ranker like you think you could take on a Grand Master?" "You were the one who hid your rank and used an alt ount to log in. You''re so cheap. You lied about your rank over a bet?" "Even in real life, you wouldn''t stand a chance against me." "Wanna bet on that?" "Bring it on." Do Dohee and Seo Sein grabbed each other by the cors, their tempers ring. The Green Wings expedition captain quickly intervened, hitting both of them on the head, as if ying whack-a-mole. Smack! Smack! "Ow!" "Ahhh... The tank just hit us in the head..." "You rascals! Get moving and head to the Demonic Realm, now!" At the Busan branch of the Tier Guild, known as the Warrior Guild: "Go." "Nope, not happening." "Sung Samshik, while I''m asking you nicely---go." "No way." "You want to die?" "No." "Go." "I told you I''m not going. You go." Watching the two Hunters argue, the other members of the Warrior Guild shook their heads in frustration. A Hunter who had arrivedte and wasn''t aware of the situation asked his teammate, "What''s going on with Sung Samshik and Jung Dushik?" "Samshik got selected for the unified raid, but he is refusing to go." "Oh, so Dushik''s trying to convince him?" "Yeah, if Samshik doesn''t go, Dushik, being the senior, has to." "Wait, only one of us got picked?" "No, two." "So why''s Dushik acting like that? Who''s the other guy?" "Dushik." "Huh? I thought if Samshik doesn''t go, Dushik has to. Why are they arguing about who''s going?" "The captain''s ying with them. He said only one has to go, so now they''ve been arguing for three hours. Tch tch. Stubborn idiots." "Just tell them the truth and send them already. They did thisst time too---argued for three days straight." "The captain wants to see how long they''ll keep going. He even said if they''re still at it when he gets back, he''ll kick them off the expedition entirely." "These stubborn fools. They''re both going to end up kicked out." Soon, most of the Hunters, tired of watching the argument, walked away. But the two kept going. "Go." "Nope." Their argument continued until the expedition captain returned. When he saw the same scene ying out, he lost his temper and yelled, "GET OUT, YOU IDIOTS! If you keep this up, I''ll kick you both off the team!" "Thank you so much foring. Really, thank you. Your presence will make a big difference. Yes, thank you again." Kang Mu-hyuk moved through the crowd gathered in the parking lot of Cheongjin City Hall, shaking hands and offering thanks at every step. Most of the crowd consisted of Hunters, with frencers making up arge portion of the group. Since the volunteer corps recruitment announcement, hundreds of Hunters had arrived each day for the past five days. In less than a week, they had surpassed their target of 500 members, reaching almost 3,000. Kang Mu-hyuk had been making a habit of showing up regrly at the volunteer raid registration office. He did this so often that it seemed like he was a politician on a campaign trail. "What''s he up to,ing here every morning and night like this? His fingerprints are going to rub off after all those handshakes." Han Byunggu muttered from the fifth floor of City Hall, watching Kang Mu-hyuk with disdain. "He''s just trying to show his appreciation to the Hunters for stepping up, right? After all, to them, Guild Leader Kang represents the leadership of the volunteer corps. He''s probably trying to boost morale by showing that leadership is engaged." Cha Gil-joo exined, defending Kang''s actions. But Chairman Han shook his head. "You still don''t know that guy, Director Cha. That guy isn''t the type to waste time every morning just for a little goodwill. I''ve never met anyone as crafty as him, even during my active service. If we had someone like him during the Great War, China and Japan would have been the ones suffering like we were." "Haha, you make him sound like a viin." "He''s worse than a viin. He''s the ultimate schemer, someone who thrives in chaos." "Well, things aren''t as chaotic as they were during the Great War, so you probably don''t need to worry so much." "Maybe not, but back then, we didn''t have to worry about principles or justifications. We epted the madness. Push it too far, though, and that madness bes dangerous. We''re on the edge of that right now." Down below, Kang Mu-hyuk continued mingling with the volunteer Hunters, making sure to leave asting impression before moving on to his next task. The Hunters in the parking lot had arrived individually, so they met casually outside. However, guild leaders who mobilized entire guilds for the volunteer corps needed a more formal meeting ce. None of the guilds participating wererge or even mid-sized, but the fact that some guilds had joined as a group carried a lot of weight. It wasn''t out of admiration for their sense of duty or justice. Instead, it was because guilds that had worked together for a long time were more effective on the battlefield than individual frencers. On the first day, the Dog Fighting Guild appeared. Within five days, 17 small and mid-sized guilds had gathered in Cheongjin. Unfortunately, most were either unranked or lower than C-rank guilds. asionally, a C-rank guild showed up, but they barely provided any significant reinforcements. Today was different, though. For the first time, a guild close to B-rank had expressed interest in joining the volunteer corps. Kang Mu-hyuk met with the Guild Master and Vice Guild Master of the Twins Guild in the City Council''s meeting room. "It''s been a while, Guild Leader Kang. I''m Oh Cheoljin, master of the Twins Guild." "I''m Oh Cheolsu, the vice-master." Kang Mu-hyuk knew the twins well. They were twin Hunters who had failed to stop an Oldster Sorcerer at the Ichon Hangang Park Gate on Gangbyeon Buk-ro, which caused an outbreak. At the time, Kang Mu-hyuk hadn''t met them in person due to his mana poisoning ring up after handling the incident. However, he had heard about their reputation as loyal Hunters. Their guild was known for being incredibly close-knit because the twins always led from the front, risking their lives. Although their ranks hadn''t reached A+, their guild was considered close to B-rank thanks to the high average rank andbat skill of its members. Kang Mu-hyuk shook hands with the leaders of the Twins Guild, recalling thetest updates about them. "Thank you foring all this way to support us. I heard both of you were recently promoted to A-rank---congrattions, Guild Master Oh Cheoljin and Vice Master Oh Cheolsu. There''s even talk of a B-rank upgrade soon." "Thank you. We''re honored that you know about us. Honestly, we owe it all to you, Guild Leader Kang." "Me?" "Yeah, back at the Ichon Gate. If you and Guild Master Ju Se-ah hadn''te to help us, we wouldn''t have survived." "Oh, that incident...?" "Exactly. Barely making it through gave us the breakthrough we needed to rank up. A lot of our members advanced in rank after surviving that day. Without your help, our guild would''ve been wiped out after the failure at Ichon Gate. We''re here to repay that debt." Though this wasn''t Kang''s original n, the Twins Guild''s support was a great boost for him. Smiling gratefully, Kang said, "You''ve been a tremendous help. I can''t thank you enough." "We should be thanking you. We''ll give our best to defend the line." In the convention room of the Grand Hotel in Cheongjin City... Although it was a local city hotel, the Grand Hotel in Cheongjin---home to the top guilds of North Hamgyong Province---offered amenities that rivaled the best five-star hotels in Seoul. Half of Cheongjin had been destroyed by the monster invasion, but the Grand Hotel, located in the southern part of the city, had escaped the devastation of war. As a result, it was chosen as the site for theunch ceremony of the National Unified Strike Force Raid Group. Dozens of Hunters and hundreds of support staff sat at their tables, which werebeled with their guild names. The Hunters enjoyed the endless flow of food, chatting,ughing, and drinking freely. !! But the lively atmosphere changed in an instant. A man had just entered the room. It was Sung Seonjae. He wasn''t showing off any overwhelming aura, nor was he wearing shy gear. But somehow, his mere presence demanded the attention of every Hunter in the room. Sung Seonjae''s reputation, his achievements, the monsters he had in, and the viins he had defeated---all were well-known. His skills were so impressive that before Ju Se-ah, he had been considered a prime candidate for S-rank. The Hunters of the yer Guild followed him in. ''So Sangyeob, Ha Hyesung, Gam Wooyoung, Go Wonmae... and even Yeo Mungi? Looks like the yer Guild is bringing out their top Hunters.'' Jeon Yesung, the Dragon yer Guild''s Guild Master, was the only one from his guild chosen to join the raid. He was still actively hunting on the front lines, and his push to join the strike force had been too strong for the Guild Cooperation Agency to ignore. Sung Seonjae had reluctantly appointed him as a vicemander. Despite being a Guild Master, Jeon''s skills made the decision a wise one. After the yer Guild members took their seats, Sung Seonjae stepped up to the podium at the front of the room. "Alright, now that everyone''s here, let''s start theunch ceremony." The Hunters from the yer Guild pped, and the rest of the Hunters joined in, though with less enthusiasm. As the apuse faded, Sung Seonjae began his speech. "First, let''s announce the key roles for this raid so we can get familiar with each other. I''ll begin with myself. I''m Sung Seonjae, your raid leader---though I have much to learn. As vicemander, we have the esteemed Guild Master Jeon Yesung of the Dragon yer Guild." Sung Seonjae gestured toward Jeon Yesung, who stood and gave a quick bow as a short round of apuse followed. "Next, our raid advisor will be Chairman Han Byunggu. He''s currently busy organizing the volunteer corps and couldn''t join us today, but I''m sure none of you need an introduction to him. Now, moving on... Ah! Our strategist. Our strategist will be none other than Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk of the Iron Will Guild." The moment Kang''s name was mentioned, the room buzzed with whispers. Chapter 174 - In a Different Class Strategist. Most Hunters were not familiar with the role. At least, it was unknown to those who hadn''t experienced the Great War. But everyone in the convention room knew what it meant. Many guild members who were together now had gone through the Minor War. In that process, they had encountered the legacies left by the Great War, either directly or indirectly. The Unified Strike Force Team was one such legacy. Although the Minor War arrived and ended quickly, preventing the team''s official formation, people had already discussed it. Plus, even Hunters who didn''t know about the team had learned about it after Kang Muhyuk mentioned it during a hearing. The Hunters chosen for the mission had been briefed on the team''s structure and purpose. So, they understood the role of the Strategist right away. But their reaction wasn''t positive. "Appointing a civilian as a Strategist? By doing that, the strike force is practically epting the guild leader system!!!" Jeon Yesung, who had just be the deputy raid leader, voiced the concerns of the others and expressed anger. He was upset, partly because he hadn''t been informed by Sung Seonjae, the raid leader, despite his position. But mainly, it was because a civilian, rather than an experienced Hunter, had been given the Strategist role. The role of Strategist had originally started with military personnel, not Hunters. In the past, non-Hunter leadership had caused serious issues, so Hunters were sensitive to civilians being put in charge. Now that the Strategist was directly involved in raids, it was natural for them to react strongly. ''Hmph! Sure, during the early days of the Great War, military officers were made Strategists. But things are different now. Monsters aren''t some schoolyard game, and we can''t trust our lives to someone who doesn''t even know how hunting works.'' Sung Seonjae had expected this kind of reaction and stayed calm. "I didn''t know some of you still had issues with the old guild leaders system. I thought we had all moved on from that." "Who said we''d moved on? We''ve just been waiting. And now you''re telling me we''re appointing a civilian as Strategist for something this serious? Team Leader Sung, have you been away from the field too long to see how ridiculous this is?" "It''s not ''Team Leader,'' it''s ''Raid Leader.''" yer Guild Expedition Leader So Sangyeob stepped forward and corrected the title Jeon Yesung had just used. It was his way of saying, "The ceremony''s over---give the guy the respect he deserves." Jeon Yesung shot him a sharp re. He was clearly displeased that So Sangyeob had taken it upon himself to point out the so-called slip-up. But it wasn''t really a mistake. Jeon had deliberately refused to acknowledge Sung Seonjae as the official leader. To add fuel to the fire, So Sangyeob and Jeon Yesung were the same age. They had both awakened as Hunters around the same time. They had also gone through the Hunter curriculum together. In other words, they were rivals. People couldn''t talk about Jeon Yesung without mentioning So Sangyeob, and vice versa. Naturally, they weren''t exactly friends---especially since they were part of guilds in the same tier. As the tension between the two mounted, Sung Seonjae stepped in, "The authority to appoint positions rests entirely with the raid leader. I''m pretty sure you know that. Isn''t that right, Deputy Leader?" "Don''t try to deceive us, ''Leader.'' There''s no mention of ''entirely'' anywhere in the rules. If I recall correctly, there''s a sub-use that allows for consultation with the executives of the strike force." "Oops, you got me. Looks like someone''s been doing their homework." Even though his lie was exposed, Sung Seonjae didn''t flinch. He didn''t show the slightest hint of shame. Instead, he confidently owned up to it, leaving Jeon with nothing to say. Sung Seonjae smiled, trying to ease the tension. "I understand where you''reing from. But for now, we need to fill these positions quickly. If you have anyints, we can talk about adjustments afterward." "Don''t try to gloss over this. Do you think I don''t know you? This is your scheme. You''ll push this through and then conveniently ''forget'' about any objectionster." "Scheme? Come on! You might be the master of the Dragon Guild, but our expedition leader is one of the pirs of the yer Guild---and he''s your senior. How about showing a little respect?" "So Sangyeob, why do you keep jumping into conversations between superiors? Is that your idea of respect?" "You''re not above me." "I''m the deputy leader." "Then act like it and show our leader some respect. If you do that, I''ll treat you the same." Seeing So Sangyeob bared his teeth, Jeon Yesung backed off, realizing that pushing too hard, even as a Guild Master, wasn''t always the best strategy. "And speaking of respect, where''s this so-called Strategist? I get that Chairman Han Byunggu is busy, but a civilian who''s never even seen a monster doesn''t show up to theunch ceremony? That''s a problem for me." Other Hunters around them nodded in agreement. The guy had made such a big deal about the unified strike force during the hearing. Now, when it counted, he was a no-show. It almost seemed like he was avoiding the inevitable bacsh from the Hunters. Since the man in question wasn''t present, Sung Seonjae answered for him. "Guild Leader Kang Muhyuk is really busy. He told me he''d be a bitte. Today is mostly a formality anyway, so all he has to do is show his face, right?" "Oh, what''s he doing? Special training to awaken or maybe eating mana stones?" "I didn''t know there was special training for an awakening? If that exists, I''d love to know about it." "Wow, are you really ring at me over a joke?" "Oh, a joke? I thought the almighty Guild Master actually believed the fake news that eating mana stones causes an awakening." Sung Seonjae''s words were full of sarcasm. The room suddenly went cold. Dragon yer Guild members stood up, their eyes burning with anger. Chairs scraped the floor and fell over, filling the room with noise. As the Dragon yer Hunters became aggressive, So Sangyeob took a step toward Jeon Yesung. The yer Guild members stood up as well, ready for a fight. The air was thick with tension. If someone had thrown a knife, a fight would have broken out. Just then, the door to the convention room opened, and a man walked in. The loud creak of the hinges broke the silence, and all eyes turned to the door. It was Kang Mu-hyuk. He looked between the two guilds, who were ring at each other. He checked his watch and said, "What''s going on? You haven''t sorted this out yet? I camete on purpose to give you time to settle things." Jeon Yesung immediately caught the meaning behind Kang Muhyuk''s words, and his anger rose. "This guy''s got to be kidding. You left us here to argue while you stayed out of it? Who the hell are you trying to y games with?!" Jeon released his Hunter''s aura, trying to intimidate Kang Mu-hyuk. He expected Kang Mu-hyuk to crumble under the pressure, since no ordinary person could handle the presence of a Hunter. But, to everyone''s surprise, Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t seem affected at all. He just shrugged and said, "Anyway, sorry for beingte. I thought this would be a good chance for everyone to get to know each other, but I got tied up with something more urgent. Let''s get started, shall we?" As Kang Muhyuk walked calmly to the stage, Jeon Yesung was left confused. ''What...? This is not how things were supposed to go... What''s with this guy?'' Even though Jeon had toned down his aura to avoid going too far, the pressure from a Hunter---no matter how weak---should have been enough to scare any civilian. Jeon Yesung was confused. He couldn''t understand how a civilian could resist his aura. In the confusion, he missed his chance to argue. Meanwhile, Kang Mu-hyuk casually handed a USB to the staff in charge of the ceremony. He gave them some instructions before stepping up to the stage. As Kang walked to the center, Sung Seonjae sat down. The other yer Guild members followed his lead. Jeon Yesung, now without anyone to confront, felt awkward, and returned to his seat. With the tension gone, arge projector screen descended from the ceiling. "Please disy the first file." Kang asked the staff member with the USB. Momentster, arge map appeared on the screen. It showed the northern defensive line of the Tumen River, focusing on the Demonic Realm. Kang turned on aser pointer and pointed to the map. "Here is the Jilin City Gate, 235 kilometers northwest of Mt. Baekdu. Then, 250 kilometers east, there is the Mudanjiang Gate. Another 250 kilometers northwest brings us to the Harbin Gate. North of Mudanjiang, 252 kilometers away, and 300 kilometers east of Harbin, is the Jiamusi Gate. Finally, there''s a suspected Gate somewhere south of Changchun. In total, there are five Gates clustered in the central and eastern regions of the Demonic Realm. The Jilin City Gate is already open, and the others will open soon." Each time Kang pointed to a gate, a red dot appeared on the map. The Hunters, now fully focused, paid close attention to the scenario. They were some of the top Hunters in the country, so they quickly understood the seriousness of the situation. That''s why they couldn''t speak up. The positioning of the Gates was unsettling. Everyone could tell things were not looking good. Kang said the worst case scenario everyone was thinking about. "You''ve all been through the academy, so this should be familiar. But let''s go over it again, just to be sure." As he spoke, the red dots on the map expanded into circles. The circles ovepped, showing areas of danger. "The distances between the Gates range from 200 to 300 kilometers. As you can see, they are all within the detection range of the boss monsters. You know what will happen if these Gates open at the same time." "The bosses will start moving in opposite directions." One of the Hunters mumbled. The room was so quiet that his voice echoed. Embarrassed, he cleared his throat. Kang responded to his words, "Exactly. Jilin''s boss will move south, Mudanjiang''s east, Jiamusi''s northeast, and Harbin''s boss will likely move either north or northwest. As for the Changchun Gate, although we don''t know its exact location, the boss will probably move south or west." On the screen, arrows appeared from each Gate, showing where the bosses would likely go. "The three nations bordering the Demonic Realm will all face attacks from the Gate bosses. But the country that will suffer the most is Russia." Three out of the five Gates were directed toward Russia because of the vast size of itsnd. Kang Mu-hyuk moved to the next slide. It showed the same map, but now with arger area for the Demonic Realm. "This is how the Demonic Realm will expand if we don''t hunt the Gate bosses early." Even a rough estimate showed that the new area was almost 30%rger than before. The most rming part was the expansion to the south. Sung Seonjae muttered, "It''s like we''re going back to the days before North and South Korea unified." The entire northern part of the Korean Penins had be part of the Demonic Realm. "This is a conservative estimate. If it oveps with the Gaema teau Special Operations Zone, the area could expand even further." "What''s the basis for calcting such arge expansion?" Jeon Yesung questioned the calctions. But this time, he wasn''t trying to argue---he was serious unlike his fight earlier with Sung Seonjae. Before anything else, Jeon Yesung was a Hunter, and he took great pride in his family, especially his grandfather, a hero of the Great War. He wasn''t foolish enough to focus on power struggles when a crisis was looming. "It''s based on the first expansion of the Demonic Realm during the Minor War, and the second expansion during earlier Gate outbreaks. There might be a small margin of error, but we don''t expect the area to be any smaller than this." The Hunters nodded at Kang Mu-hyuk''s reply. They understood that this wasn''t just a guess. Sung Seonjae observed the Hunters, who had grown quiet and serious, smiled inwardly. ''Did he aim for this, or was it luck? The ones who were ready to kick Kang Mu-hyuk out as the strategist can''tin now.'' Sung Seonjae was sure Kang Mu-hyuk intended for this to happen. Kang Mu-hyuk had brought this information on purpose, knowing it would change the conversation. It was a smart political move---using a crisis to silence dissent. Now that there was a real threat, no true Hunter would waste time on petty arguments. ''There might still be someintster. But anyone who stirs things up now wouldn''t be fit to call themselves a Hunter. I kept this in mind when picking the strike force as well. Jeez, as expected, he''s in a different ss. It''s a shame he''s stuck in a small guild like Iron Will... if only it weren''t for Ju Se-ah...'' Sung Seonjae found himself wanting Kang Mu-hyuk for his own team. After working with him, he saw Kang Mu-hyuk''s true value. Just as Sung started to feel relieved that the conflict had settled, the door to the convention room opened again. Everyone''s attention shifted to the entrance. Everyone frowned and their faces quickly turned to confusion. Kang Muhyuk, almost to himself, said what everyone was thinking, "Why is the White Tiger Guild here...?" Chapter 175 - Why are you blocking me? It was two days before the Unified Strike Team''s inauguration. "Vice Guild Master Eum Youngjin." "Go ahead, Mr. Guan Hong." "Aren''t you way too crappy at carrying out your part of the deal? Didn''t you say you''d handle the domestic matters? There''s just too much that doesn''t sit right with me, especially the Unified Strike Team. Even if we wanted to help you, White Tiger Guild has to do its part first, don''t they?" "Of course we''ll be just fine even without your handouts." "That should be the case. We joined hands so we can all have a good share, but if you can''t keep up, we might just eat your share. Look after your own te, yeah?" Eum Youngjin felt the overwhelming urge to smash his phone. ''If I''d known this would happen, I wouldn''t have gone to China for Hunter training. All it did was make me the mediator between White Tiger and Yellow Dragon Guild. Sure, itnded me the Vice Guild Master spot. But if I had known I''d be stuck dealing with this, I would''ve passed it on to someone else.'' ''Where does this guy get off threatening me like this... I''ve never liked them. Jeez. No matter how much of a hard time it is for us, I hate working with Yellow Dragon Guild.'' Frustrated as he was, he couldn''t walk away from the contract. Too much had already been put on the line. He was worried about the Guild Master''s reprimands. But he was also stuck between a rock and a hard ce. Staying quiet would only make him look weak. So, he couldn''t afford to sit still either. Eum Youngjin voiced his concerns, "Before that, shouldn''t we start by talking about the failure at Sinuiju? Was that our fault too?" "Both sides are equally to me for Sinuiju." "Huh? That''s absurd. Wasn''t Sinuiju under Yellow Dragon''s control?" "If the yer hadn''t interfered, we would''ve finished the job. Oh, and don''t forget Iron Will Guild. Those nobodies got involved, and White Tiger couldn''t even manage to stop them." "This all happened because Iron Will brought in yer. When yer is involved, our hands are tied domestically as well. We can''t move openly and have to act sneakily in the dark unless you want a war.""And that''s why you''re stuck in second or third ce, aren''t you? Or was it fourth? Maybe fifth?""Watch it. If you won''t y by the rules, neither will we.""My point is, to catch a tiger, you have to enter the tiger''s den.""The tiger''s den?" "Join the Unified Strike Team.""And do what exactly?""Disrupt it or gather intel. That''s White Tiger''s business to handle.""Our guild wasn''t selected for the raid.""Then find a way in.""If you can''t manage that, how are we supposed to pull off anything big together?""I''ll discuss it with the Guild Master.""I''ll be waiting for your call." It was one day before the Unified Strike Team''s inauguration.Cha Gil-joo, head of the Guild Cooperation Agency, had been on the phone with White Tiger Guild''s Vice Guild Master for a while. Most of the conversation involved just listening.''He''s talking way too much. Something feels off.''White Tiger Guild was the type to ignore requests from the Guild Cooperation Agency unless they were desperate. And even then, they wouldn''t ask nicely; they resorted to threats.They''d drop hints like, "That Gate could blow up identally," or "A monster might escape during transport."Then they''dugh it off as a joke. Cha Gil-joo knew these "jokes" weren''t just jokes because few had alreadye into fruition. When incidents like that urred, they usually remained unsolved. White Tiger Guild was the prime suspect, but there was no solid evidence. The Hunter Investigation Bureau kept a close eye on them. No matter how shady White Tiger was, they were still a Tier Guild. No one could pin anything on them. So naturally, Cha Gil-joo couldn''t help but be rough with his words. "So, what you''re saying is you want to join the Unified Strike Team?" -Our Guild Master feels guilty for not sending a team to defend the Cheongjin line. We''d like to take this chance to contribute to society and the nation by sending our elite team to join the raid. "Vice Guild Master, let''s cut the nonsense." -What nonsense? "We''ve been dancing around this long enough. I''m tired of the games. Let''s cut to the chase. The answer''s no." -No? "The selection of members for the Unified Strike Team is entirely up to yer, the current team leader. Even the government can''t interfere with that authority, and it''s clearly outlined in the team''s regtions." There was a long pause on the other end. Not a single sound, not even breathing. Cha Gil-joo could tell the other person was getting frustrated. Soon, Eum Youngjib spoke again, his tone was much calmer than before. -You know, Mr. Cha, you''ve always struck me as someone who lives like there''s no tomorrow. "Is this another one of your threats?" -Threats? What a misunderstanding. I''m just amazed at your political skills. Maybe it''s because you don''t have a family? It''s like you''re not scared of anything. "Why? Does it disappoint you that you can''t use my family as leverage, like you did with my predecessors?" -I''m just pointing out the irony. Someone who lost their family to monsters is now blocking the path of Hunters trying to fight them. How are you going to handle the bacsh from that? "Listen here, Mr. Eum Youngjin!" Cha Gil-joo couldn''t contain his anger and shouted. But Eum Youngjin remained calm as ever. -I''m listening. "Does White Tiger Guild really think they have the right to talk about service and contribution? You''re the only Tier Guild that didn''t send support to the Cheongjin defense line. If you wanted to talk about helping, you should''ve acted sooner." -And that''s why we''re offering to send aid now. "Don''t try to y your tricks on me!" -You know what real tricks look like, don''t you? We don''t make idle threats. "So, what are you going to do? Are you going to release another monster onto the streets this time?" -Of course not. Simple tricks lose their edge if you overuse them. "I don''t care how clever your tricks are. Making threats when the country''s in trouble is a bad look." -Good or bad, why don''t you ask the people who might get caught in an unfortunate ident? "..." Both Cha Gil-joo and Eum Youngjin knew that threats like this couldn''t be made too often. If White Tiger Guild got too wild, the other Tier Guilds would be forced to step in. White Tiger Guild liked to call them governmentckeys. But the truth was, maintaining the country''s system was important to all Hunters. The big guilds wanted their rights protected. But they still wanted to function within a system of order. No one wanted the chaos one would see in ces like Africa or South America. So there was a limit to how far White Tiger Guild could push their threats. But with their history, both sides also knew they couldn''tpletely ignore the possibility of White Tiger following through. -Just joking, as always. The silence broke as Eum Youngjin was the first to back off. But of course, it wasn''t a real concession. It was more of a final warning. Cha Gil-joo knew he had to stop here. That was how one dealt with guilds. Trying to win against them would only lead to problems. It was better to avoid those issues from the start rather than deal with the fallout. "I''ll check with the Unified Strike Team." -Of course, they''ll say no. Just set things up and look the other way. We''ll take care of the rest. "You want me to let Hunters go after each other before they even deal with the monsters? I can''t allow this chaos. Here''s what I suggest instead." -What are you proposing? "The real issue here is that your guild doesn''t have a good enough reason to join the raid, right?" -Are you offering to give us one? "Create a full raid party and send them to Cheongjin. Then I''ll step in and mediate." -Hmm~ That sounds good. But do you think one party is enough? We''rete to the game, so let''s go all out. We''ll send three raid parties. Cha Gil-joo hesitated. He was unsure of what White Tiger''s real intentions were, but he couldn''t turn down the offer of three Tier Guild raid parties. Even though White Tiger was problematic, their strength as a Tier Guild couldn''t be underestimated. And as long as they dealt with the monsters, that was all that mattered. If their participation could save lives, Cha Gil-joo was willing to make a deal with the devil. "Alright, but promise me one thing: You''ll follow the raid leader''s orders at all times." -Of course, following the raid leader''s orders is standard practice when hunting monsters. "I expect you to keep your word." It was the day of the Unified Strike Teamunch. "White Tiger Guild..." White Tiger Guild''s Vice Guild Master, Eum Youngjin, strolled in. He paused as he passed a table at the far end of the hall. The table had a sign that read "Green Wings." Casually, he grabbed a juicy piece of steak from a te and popped it into his mouth. "Why do you all look like you''re chewing on something bitter? This steak is great." Suddenly, the Hunter sitting next to him stabbed his fork into the table with a reverse grip. The fork sank so deep that only the handle was visible. "Who said you could eat my food?" Eum Youngjin calmly nced between the still-quivering fork and the Hunter. There was a sign in front of the Hunter too, reading "Green Wings." "Mind your manners. I''m Eum Youngjin, White Tiger Guild''s Vice Guild Master. Based on seniority, I outrank you by a long shot." "Since when do Hunters care about seniority? We''re not in the military, Eum Youngjin." As the Hunter began to stand, another member of Green Wings, Gye Myungsik, grabbed him by the shoulder to hold him back. As sparks flew between their eyes, Park Beomil from White Tiger Guild, who was standing behind Eum Youngjin, jumped in. "If it''s not about seniority, it should be about skill. How about we settle this with a fight? Winner gets to be the ''hyung'' (older brother)." "Ah,e on, old man. Itching for a fight, are we? Fine, let''s see what you''ve got." Do Dohee smirked, leaning in with a challenging grin. As if sayinge at me if you can. Park Beomil''s shoulders tensed as his sharp canines extended. This signaled his transformation into a beast. But before he could fully shift, his party member Go Taeseob blocked his way. "Green Wings''s infamous troublemaking squad strikes again. Our party leader doesn''t fight just anyone." "Oi, you think I''m just anyone?" "Did you just call us troublemakers? You wanna taste the de, huh?" Do Dohee and Seo Sein both snapped, their tempers ring. At this point, even Moon Ilsu, who had been sitting quietly, couldn''t hold back any longer. "Unbelievable. I thought for once we could get through an event without drama." Despite his annoyed tone, he was clearly gearing up for a fight. "This is a circus. Dealing with Green Wings is bad enough, but now White Tiger too? Taming an ogre would be easier than this mess." Jeon Yesung from Dragon yer Guild sighed. He took a sip of wine and turned away from the chaos. He made it clear he had no intention of getting involved. In an instant, the mood of theunch ceremony descended into chaos. Members of the Warrior Guild were making bets on who would win. The Wanderers Guild egged on the fight, saying it would make the perfect bar snack. The serious atmosphere that Kang Mu-hyuk had set up earlier evaporated in an instant. "Why is White Tiger Guild even here...?" Kang Mu-hyuk muttered under his breath. Seong Seonjae, overhearing him, asked, "Didn''t you invite them, Guild Leader Kang?" "We don''t need trolls in a serious raid like this, unless they''re here to stir up trouble." "In that case, we need to resolve this quickly." "We can''t just attack them without reason.If they''re not causing trouble, let''s hear them out." At Kang Mu-hyuk''s suggestion, Seong Seonjae stepped forward, "Vice Guild Master Eum Youngjin, what brings you here?" "There seems to be a mistake in the process. It doesn''t make sense for White Tiger Guild to be left out of the Unified Strike Team." "Any guild that didn''t contribute to the Cheongjin defense is excluded." "There''s no issue there. We''ve just deployed three full raid parties to the Cheongjin defense line. Feel free to request support for any front that needs it." The Hunters in the hall were shocked. Deploying three raid parties was a force equivalent to yer''s team. It seemed like White Tiger Guild might be angling for control of the raid. Sensing the unease, Eum Youngjin quickly added to calm their nerves. "We have no intention of disrupting the current structure of the raid team. We just want to do our part to protect the country, even if it''s from the sidelines." But no one believed him. Even if they didn''t show it, everyone thought there was something more going on under the surface... "Wee to Cheongjin! You deployed three raid parties? You''re always wee here, Vice Guild Master Eum Youngjin!" ...Except not everyone. Kang Mu-hyuk greeted Eum Youngjin with enthusiasm. He rushed forward as if he was about to pull him into a hug. He grabbed Eum''s hand and shook it vigorously. It wasn''t Kang Mu-hyuk who was ufortable in this flustering situation---it was Eum Youngjin. He was caughtpletely off guard by the unexpected warmth. "Uh, yes..." Eum Youngjin knew all about Kang Mu-hyuk. Honestly, who didn''t? Lately, every major incident shaking South Korea seemed to involve him in some way. Though most weren''t aware, Kang Mu-hyuk was the one who had thwarted Yellow Dragon Guild''s schemes in Sinuiju. That knowledge made it impossible for Eum Youngjin to feelfortable. ''Why do I feel so uneasy? What''s this guy up to?'' It was two days before the Unified Strike Team''sunch. "Director, we need to be ready for the group behind the Sinuiju incident. If we leave them unchecked, they might interfere with the raid or cause trouble in the Demonic Realm." Kang Mu-hyuk''s concerns prompted a cautious question from Cha Gil-joo who had secretly arrived in Cheongjin. "Are you suggesting Guild Master Ju Se-ah ...?" "The Guild Master has other matters to attend to. Fighting them head-on won''t do us any good. We can''t afford to deplete our resources before the raid. They''ve got the numbers on their side." "So... Negotiation, then? Is that why you called me?" "To negotiate, you need something to give them. But what they want is control over the entire Northeast Asia Hunter scene. They''lle at us with demands we can''t ept." "Then, what''s the n...?" "We need time. To buy that time, we have to make them think they''re in control." "Make them think they''re in control?" "The Tier Guild expedition in Sinuiju will keep Dandong in check. Soon, Russia will start targeting the Gates. They''ll be too stretched to worry about us. They can''t easily interfere in matters within Korea unless it''s about the Demonic Realm. So the only help they''ll have left is from local allies." "Local allies?" "I asked Section Chief Park Choongsu to look into guilds with connections to the Chinese guilds." "So, there''s a traitor?" "It''s not exactly a shock, is it? Hunters don''t care about national borders. But these ones... they''ve taken things too far." "White Tiger Guild." "Exactly. They''ll make their move. They''ll try to force their way into the joint raid." "I''ll stop them. There''s no way they''re getting in." "Why stop them?" "Excuse me?" "If they want to help, let them. Better to make them useful." Cha Gil-joo was stunned. White Tiger Guild was nothing but a parasitic leech, as far as he was concerned. "People say one couldn''t fix people who were broken and use them---so how are you going to use them?" Seeing the look on Cha Gil-joo''s face, Kang Muhyuk smiled slyly. "No need to fix them. Broken things can still be useful in their own way." Chapter 176 - Get in touch The opening ceremony was chaotic due to the power struggle. But ultimately, the conflict was patched up and the event ended without any major issues. The Unified Strike Force set up its base camp at Cheongjin Municipal University. The university was close to the Grand Hotel. They needed a proper training ground to work together effectively. Although the hotel was ideal for amodation, it was too cramped for the Hunters to move around properly. Mostrge guilds had custom-built training facilities made of special materials. But in a remote area like Cheongjin, there was no such infrastructure. The university, which had arge open area, was the best alternative. And in the center of it, the biggest university was chosen as their headquarters. In therge lecture hall of Cheongjin University, Kang Mu-hyuk gathered the Hunters and briefed them. They had been warming up with raid drills for the past few days. The aim was to outline the primary objective for the Unified Strike Force. The first mission of the strike force was to raid four named monsters from the Demonic Realm. These monsters had crossed into the Korean Penins. "We''re going after ''Garuda'' first." In the dimly lit lecture hall with curtains, Kang Mu-hyuk pointed at the giant screen. The monster''s image was disyed on the screen. It had a humanoid shape with wings. It was bipedal, with a bird''s head and a snake-like body. "Why go after that one first?" He disregarded the rule about waiting for permission to speak. The Hunters were unruly, so a few days earlier, they''d set a rule. They had to raise their hands before talking. Otherwise, it would turn into total chaos. But no one called him out. Kang Mu-hyuk didn''t seem bothered. "It''s a serious threat because it can fly. Unlike other monsters, Garuda might not gradually move south. It could suddenly appear in Seoul without any warning." "If it shows up in Seoul, it''s as good as dead. There are so many interception squads andrge guilds there. If the magic forces engage in an aerial battle, no named monster would stand a chance. Even I could bring it down." Gong Jungmoon, a confident mage from the Wanderer Guild spoke. Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head. "A lot of people would die or get hurt. And Garuda''s mobility is beyond what any of you can imagine." "How do you know that? You haven''t even fought it." "The Titan Guild was the first to attempt a raid on Garuda. That was my former guild. I was the one who developed the raid strategy. We gathered as much information from the reconnaissance team as possible. Once you see this, you''ll understand. Here are Garuda''s current known specs." Kang Mu-hyuk switched to the next slide. Instead of a full-body photo of Garuda, a precise illustration appeared. It resembled Leonardo da Vinci''s Vitruvian Man, with its limbs spread out. "Height: 2.5 meters. Weight: 1.5 tons. Wingspan: 2.8 meters when folded, 6 meters when extended. Maximum flight speed: 348 meters per second---supersonic speed. It might be even faster, though that hasn''t been confirmed yet. As for its attack patterns..." When Kang Mu-hyuk finished briefing them about Garuda, the Hunters all shared the same reaction. "Did Titan really try to go after that thing?" It was understandable that they were shocked. In short, Garuda was a named monster that no A-rank guild could handle. Kang Mu-hyuk cleared up their confusion. "It wasn''t this powerful at first. It was initially discovered in the Geumgang teau Special Operations Zone about two years ago. The raid was called off when it escaped into the Demonic Realm right before the operation. It hasn''t been seen since. Based on the size difference from the initial data, it''s safe to assume it has evolved several stages." The Hunters nodded in agreement, muttering their thoughts to each other. "I thought Titan had suddenly be a powerhouse." "Without the wings, it doesn''t seem all that scary." "We could probably take it down with just one party. What should we do afterward?" The Huntersughed confidently. Seong Seonjae stood up from his seat. He strolled up to the podium where Kang Mu-hyuk stood. His hands were casually stuffed into his pockets as he spoke in aid-back tone, "Like the others said, it''s not that tough when it''s stuck on the ground. The real issue is when it''s airborne. You know how it goes---monsters be a whole lot more dangerous just by flying around like a bug. But if it''s flying that fast and using skills? One wrong move, and you''re done for..." Seong Seonjae pulled his right hand from his pocket and tapped the screen. "Listen closely. Don''t get cocky and end up dead. Stay sharp. It''s great that you''re confident---you''re all elite members of top-tier guilds---but right now, you''re too rxed. Is this a side gig for you? Do you act this casual when entering Gates with your guilds? Get serious. If we lose this thing, hundreds, maybe thousands, will die in an instant. What if it crashes into a small town without anti-air defenses? Every Hunter there will be wiped out. We''re thest line of defense, and we have to take it down. Got that? Now sit up straight!" His harsh words made the Hunters, who had been lounging, sit up properly. A few still slouched with an air of defiance. These were the veterans---experienced Hunters on par with Seong Seonjae and the White Tiger Guild. Seong Seonjae didn''t push them further. They were seasoned enough to keep themselves in check, unlike the hotheaded younger Hunters. Of course, if even the veterans had started cking off, Seong Seonjae would''ve stepped in, regardless of their rank. Kang Mu-hyuk nodded slightly in thanks to Seong Seonjae for stepping in at just the right time. Seong Seonjae returned the nod and got straight to business. "Strategy leader Kang Mu-hyuk, when''s the raid?" "We haven''t pinpointed Garuda''s exact location yet. We know it''s somewhere in the Sky-Touching Mountain Range, but we''re still searching. We should find it soon." "Alright, let''s be ready to raid as soon as it''s located." "Yes. We''ll make sure all equipment is checked and the potions are fully stocked." "That wraps up today''s briefing. There''s a night party check-up at 8 PM, so don''t go too far and stay on standby." The Hunters dispersed, grumbling like students assigned to extra sses. At that moment, Jeon Yesung approached Kang Mu-hyuk. "Strategy leader, I have a question." "Yes, what is it?" "Why isn''t Ju Se-ah, your Guild Master, with the team? There''s no tank like her." Eum Youngjin of White Tiger Guild, still lingering in the lecture hall, cast a nce at Kang Mu-hyuk. With a Hunter''s sharp ears, it wasn''t a question they''d miss. Kang Mu-hyuk hesitated, stalling for a moment before responding. "She''s on a secret mission." "A secret mission, huh? I''d like to know more about that." Suddenly, Seong Seonjae cut in. He''d been paying attention to Eum Youngjin, only for Seong Seonjae to butt in. His unexpected interruption caught Kang Mu-hyuk off guard. Tension made him swallow dryly. He shot Seong Seonjae a side eye as if asking, ''Wasn''t this already settled?'' ''Settled? I was just acting oblivious. But now I''m really curious. Where is she?'' The unspoken exchange between them sent sparks flying. Jeon Yesung found it odd that Seong Seonjae didn''t know Ju Se-ah''s whereabouts. ''Even if things between yer and Ju Se-ah aren''t what they used to be, this is strange. It''s clear their guilds are still working together. And during the formation of the Unified Strike Force, there was no mention of her. But as soon as I ask Kang Mu-hyuk, Seong Seonjae jumps in? Do they think I''m stupid?'' Jeon Yesung, leader of the Tier Guild, wasn''t naive enough to take their words at face value. Naturally, he could only assume they were putting on an act. "Look, enough with the games. You''ve got me sitting here as deputymander, and now you''re messing with me? If you don''t want to talk, just say so. Fine. If this is how it''s going to be, I guess I don''t need to report or handle things properly either, huh?" "No, it''s not an act." "I have no idea what you mean by that...?" Kang Mu-hyuk and Seong Seonjae both protested seriously. But Jeon Yesung only saw it as more of the same double-dealing. "Well, who''d have thought I''d end up as an outcast in the Unified Strike Force? You, strategy leader and themander, best of luck with that." Jeon Yesung muttered as he exited the lecture hall. Even Eun Youngjin, who had been lingering behind, soon followed. Once the room was empty, Seong Seonjae let out augh. "I was just putting on a bit of theater, but he fell for it so easily it''s almost embarrassing." "Perfect timing, though. We can only dodge questions for so long. I''m running out of decent excuses, so I appreciate the assistance." "But seriously---are you really not going to tell me either?" "It''s still an uncertain n, so I can''t talk about it freely." Seong Seonjae didn''t know every detail of Kang Mu-hyuk''s personality. But he''de to understand his working style. Kang Mu-hyuk never mentioned anything unless it was likely to happen. When hemitted to something, he made sure it got done. Of course, his methods weren''t always conventional. But Seong Seonjae had already figured out how Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind worked. ''Like they say, birds of a feather flock together'' A straight path driven by a single goal---defeating monsters. Having dealt with Ju Se-ah, Seong Seonjae understood Kang Mu-hyuk''s relentless focus. "Whatever it is, it must be bigger than a named monster or Gate boss, right?" "Yes. It''s far more dangerous." For something to pose a danger to an S-rank Hunter... ''The Demonic Realm, then.'' And something tied to China or Russia. Only another S-rank could pose a serious threat to someone at that level. It wasn''t a stretch to assume those two countries were involved. Seong Seonjae couldn''t help but picture the power shift in Korea''s Hunter scene tipping toward Iron Will. Even before thinking about the Unified Strike Force, he had to calcte his next move. As a former strategist for the yer Guild, he ran the numbers in his mind. After mentally running the numbers, he winked at Kang Mu-hyuk. "Once this mission is over, how about a meal with Guild Master Ju Se-ah, Guild Leader Kang?" Picking up on Seong Seonjae''s intentions, Kang Mu-hyuk crossed his arms. He pretended to mull it over. "You''re moving a little fast. I should probably listen to some other offers first. Plus, the Guild Master isn''t exactly fond of her old workce." "Comining about a former job is the same whether you''re in an office or out here hunting. As dirty and unfair as it is, finding a better partner than yer will be tough." "I''ll mention it." "I''m expecting good news." Eun Youngjin stepped out onto the field and made a call. "Ju Se-ah''s still nowhere in sight. Judging by how Kang Mu-hyuk dodged the question, Mr. Guan might be right---maybe they''re hiding an injury." "That''s probably why they''ve gathered the Tier Guild teams in Sinuiju." "Tier Guild Expedition filling in for Ju Se-ah? That''s a bit of a reach. Sure, she''s Korea''s top Hunter, but it''s not that drastic." "They''re likely responding to us gathering forces in Dandong." Guan Hong gave a vague answer, but Eun Youngjin wasn''t buying it. He already had a good sense of what was happening in Sinuiju. ''After the Tier Guild Expedition gathered, the Yellow Dragon Guild moved into Dandong. These guys are definitely hiding something.'' It hadn''t even crossed Eun Youngjin''s mind that Ju Se-ah had ascended to S-rank. He was too focused on Yellow Dragon Guild''s schemes. He was also affected by Seong Seonjae''s and Kang Mu-hyuk''s maniptions. So, he couldn''t think of anything else. ''Seems they don''t know about Ju Se-ah''s rank-up yet. Not that it''ll do them any good. White Tiger Guild is full of opportunists. They''re ready to jump ship the moment they smell trouble. If they find out Ju Se-ah is S-rank, they''ll abandon ship in a heartbeat. Keeping that under wraps is the smartest move." Even though he was on the same boat as White Tiger Guild, Guan Hong had kept his ticket separate. He was making sure Ju Se-ah''s situation stayed hidden. Of course, he had an idea as to why Kang Mu-hyuk was also keeping Ju Se-ah''s information secret. Japan-- China, being the powerful nation it was, thought they could simply crush any opposition with brute force. But Japan, with their small-inder mentality, has been persistently interfering with the growth of Korean Hunters at every turn. Japan''s guild federation, known as the Guild Association Alliance, was even considered a nuisance in China. It was no surprise that Kang Mu-hyuk wanted to avoid them. ''Tipping off Japan to get them to interfere could be useful. But it''s not worth losing White Tiger Guild. Besides, Japan isn''t someone we can manipte as we please.'' As Guan Hong thought about this, a clever n began to form in his mind. ''Still, it would be a waste to leave Japan out of this. I''ll find a way to use them.'' He hurriedly tried to end the conversation. "Then, if there''s any new info, get in touch." Without waiting for a response, Guan Hong hung up. He left Eum Youngjin on the other end with a furrowed brow. "He''s avoiding the topic. There''s definitely something going on. Kang Mu-hyuk is up to something with Ju Se-ah. Either way, we need to prepare." Japan. Kishin Takeru, one of the most powerful leaders in the Guild Association Alliance, had been quietly waiting for the right moment. He had been waiting ever since his assassination squad, the Iga n, had been wiped out in Korea. As tensions in northern Korea started to rise, Kishin was pleased. He quickly reactivated some sleeper agents he had nted in Korea earlier. While another group was infiltrating Korea and waiting for orders, a suspicious piece of intel made its way to Kishin. "Ju Se-ah has disappeared?" "ording to reports, she''s in secluded training." "Training?" Kishin''s expression darkened. Secluded training, often called "secret training," was usually shrouded in mystery. This was because the results were ssified. Hunters only went intoplete istion for two reasons---either they were retiring or preparing to rank up. But for Ju Se-ah to be absent while the north was in turmoil, and even the legendary Unified Strike Force from the Great War had been reassembled? That was not something he could just brush off. Still, Kishin, being Japan''s most powerful Hunter, decided to approach the situation cautiously. "What''s the source of this information?" "Three sources." "One of them must be Kim Myung-jun." "The other two are the ck market and China." "China?" Kishin raised an eyebrow. The ck market made sense---those information brokers had their hands in everything worldwide. But China...? "We have awork in China as well." "That''s just surface-level stuff. Information on Ju Se-ah wouldn''t be that easy toe by..." "China doesn''t see Korea''s Hunters as a real threat the way we do. Even when ites to someone like Ju Se-ah, they arrogantly believe there''s no way she could surpass them as a major power. So, they might let such info slip without a second thought." Kishin mulled it over. If this information was false, it wouldn''t matter. But if it was true, how should he respond? His decision didn''t take long. He quickly devised a n to get closer to Ju Se-ah. "There''s a department in the Korean government called the Guild Cooperation Agency, right? Get in touch with them." "What should I tell them?" "Say that as their neighbor, we can''t just ignore their troubles. Japan is ready and willing to offer assistance." Chapter 178 - Was I too impulsive? Kang Mu-hyuk informed Seong Seonjae about the proposal from the Japanese Huntermunity. They needed to move up their raid schedule as a countermeasure. Seong Seonjae, looking serious, replied, "If we get involved now, the information about Guild Master Ju Se-ah might slip out." "I feel the same way," "Those Japanese Hunters keep trying the same tricks. It was like this when I was still active. Part of the reason I became Strategy Team Leader was that I found it more interesting. But I also knew that if I stayed on the front lines, I wouldn''t be able to avoid their schemes." Kang Mu-hyuk was surprised by this. Before Ju Se-ah, Seong Seonjae was seen as the next likely S-rank Hunter. But one day, he suddenly retired. To be more urate, he didn''t fully retire but shifted to the strategy team leader role. This was basically his exit from active duty. Many people didn''t understand why he made this decision. Some thought it was just a temporary break. Hunters, especially those called geniuses, often get burned out after hunting for years. Many assumed Seong Seonjae would return after a short break, but he never did. Now, Kang Mu-hyuk realized that Seong Seonjae''s choice to leave was a nned escape from Japan''s tricks. It all made sense why Seong Seonjae was so obsessed about taking down the Japanese Hunters so much. Seong Seonjae opened and closed his mouth a few times before deciding to speak again, as if finally having resolved something. "You know that Hunters need to constantly push themselves to rise in rank. If a Hunter isn''t growing, it''s because they chose the safety of easier hunts. When I became strategy team leader, it was my way of saying I wasn''t aiming for more." His voice held a touch of disappointment, but his face looked calm, as though he had no regrets. Kang Mu-hyuk found this strange. For a Hunter as talented and passionate as Seong Seonjae, putting down his sword and working behind a desk should have been hard. Yet, he seemed strangely content with his choice that he should be angry about. It didn''t seem to fit. "I may not be a Hunter, but giving up the chance to be S-rank just because of the Japanese threat doesn''t seem right. You don''t seem like someone who would run away from danger." "Even after I became strategy team leader, there was still pushback. The yer Guild may be a Tier guild in Korea, but back then, it wasn''t strong enough to challenge Japan. So, I made the most logical decision. I focused on maximizing yer''s potential while nning for the future. The role of strategy team leader was perfect for that." "I know yer has grown a lot under your leadership, but it''s notparable to the value of an S-rank Hunter. Japan''s power in the global Huntermunityes from the number of S-rank Hunters they have. Wouldn''t it have been better to stay active..." Kang Mu-hyuk''s words faded away as a new thought crossed his mind. ''Was that even possible?'' He reconsidered his thoughts. If he were in Seong Seonjae''s position, could he have made the same choice? He couldn''t be sure. Seong Seonjae noticed Kang Mu-hyuk''s contemtion and smiled slightly. "As expected from you, Guild Leader Kang. Did you catch on?" Kang Mu-hyuk, usually calm, took a deep breath to gather himself before responding. "How long have you been the Strategy Team Leader? About 10 years?" "11 years." "11 years... that was right when Guild Leader Ju Se-ah joined yer. People praised her talent and said she was destined to be the next S-rank." "Yes. I bet everything on Guild Leader Ju." Kang Mu-hyuk sighed deeply. Suddenly, everything made sense. Ju Se-ah''s easy departure from yer, the guild''s repeated concessions during conflicts, the silence after public embarrassments, and Seong Seonjae''s strangely friendly attitude toward her despite their poor rtionship. All these things, though they seemed minor, were now clear. The past situations were handled in ways that didn''t raise red gs, so Kang Mu-hyuk had never questioned them before. Seong Seonjae continued speaking. "I''m finally opening up about this, but it all came down to probabilities. With my skills, how long could I avoid Japan''s tricks? Could I even be S-rank before they found me? Even with the guild''s protection, there was no guarantee. That''s when I noticed Guild Leader Ju Se-ah. Her brilliance and incredible talents impressed me. I was confident that if I could get her to A+ rank, no one could touch her unless an S-rank stepped in personally. After that, whether she became S-rank was entirely up to her." Kang Mu-hyuk was amazed by Seong Seonjae''s decade-long n. But something still didn''t make sense. "If that was the n, why let Guild Master Ju''s contract expire? Surely you could have found a way to keep her." "It''s because of her personality." "Her personality? Ah..." Kang Mu-hyuk quickly understood. "Monsters..." "Yes. To her, the guild''s profits don''t matter. Like you, her only focus is on hunting more monsters." Seong Seonjae dreamed of growing yer Guild into the top guild in the world, not just in Asia. To stand against the Japanese Hunters, the guild needed power and numbers, which required money. "I raised her to A+ rank. I believed she would eventually be S-rank---the only S-rank in the guild. No, she would be the only S-rank in all of Korea. At that point, the guild''s influence and the entire Korean Hunterndscape would revolve around her. But once we reached that stage, her personality would make it impossible for me to build the guild the way I wanted." "But it still doesn''t make sense. Letting someone with the potential to be S-rank leave as a free agent is strange. Did Guild Master Sa Munhyuk know about this n?" "As sharp as ever. No one in the guild knew, except me." "!!" "I''m the one who encouraged Guild Leader Ju Se-ah to reject yer''s renewal offer." "But why?" "She reached A+ rank and had already caught Japan''s attention. It was time to distance her. She was my rival. If she stayed, my position within yer would weaken." Kang Mu-hyuk was confused. Internal power struggles within rivals in guilds weren''t unusual, but giving up a future S-rank Hunter to secure authority felt like cutting down a tree to reach its fruit. However, Seong Seonjae''s next words rified everything. "Guild Leader Kang, after you became the head of the Unified Strike Force, I told Guild Master Sa Munhyuk that I nned to step down as Strategy Team Leader." "Don''t tell me... Are you going back to active duty?" "When I heard that Guild Master Ju Se-ah had reached S-rank, I was thrilled. It meant I could finally start the final phase of my n." "And now, with Japan''s involvement confirmed?" "All of Japan''s attention will be on Guild Leader Ju. Even though I said I''d step down, I won''t make an official announcement for now. I''ll keep my position for a while. Japan won''t even think about me." Kang Mu-hyuk shook his head. "You seem to be missing something. For this to work, you''ll need to be S-rank yourself, right?" "Do you think that''s impossible?" "I wouldn''t know. I''m not a Hunter." Seong Seonjae''s face disyed confidence. Kang Mu-hyuk knew he wasn''t one to brag, but he also understood that reaching S-rank wasn''t something you could just decide to do. Kang Mu-hyuk wasn''t convinced that Seong Seonjae would reach S-rank. "Let me tell you something: When I decided to be Strategy Team Leader, I had already seen a vision. Guild Master Ju probably had a simr experience." Kang Mu-hyuk took a sharp breath. In South Korea, if anyone was the authority on Hunter-rted theories, it was Kang Mu-hyuk. He quickly understood what Seong Seonjae meant by "vision." Vision, as it was called internationally, was a phenomenon Hunters experienced as they near the final rank---S-rank. ording to interviews with early S-rank pioneers, a Hunter at A+ rank would only see the path forward once hunting no longer seemed to offer a way to advance. Some people saw the vision on the verge of death, others through meditation, and some during intense battles against powerful monsters. Essentially, experiencing the vision meant you were eligible to try to reach S-rank. However, seeing the vision didn''t guarantee an immediate ranking up. A Hunter could rank up the next day, or it might take a decade. In some cases, they might never rank up. But Seong Seonjae seemed confident. "If I hadn''t seen the vision, this whole n would''ve just been a gamble." "Even after seeing it, it''s still a gamble." "Let''s call it a challenge with low odds." "And I''m pretty sure that challenge isn''t over yet. You need to be S-rank for it to end." "I saw the aftermath of Guild Master Ju Se-ah''s battle with the ck Dragon in Sinuiju. The more I looked, the more it reminded me of the vision I''d seen before. It''ll take some time, but I''m confident it''s not impossible." "So taking the lead of the Unified Strike Force was part of your n to return to active duty. I should''ve realized this when you agreed so quickly. I thought you were just trying to increase yer''s stake." "Who could''ve known? I made this n over 11 years ago. That''s why I''m grateful to you, Guild Leader Kang. You helped Guild Master Ju Se-ah settle in so quickly." "Is that why you''ve been so cooperative with my proposals, like the Rider Wolf, the Sinuiju incident, and others?" "No, those were just good proposals. They were interesting. I''ve never met anyone who could captivate me like you have. It''s been a lot of fun." Kang Mu-hyuk had many questions in his mind, but he didn''t voice them. He didn''t need to. Most of the answers could be inferred from what he already knew. But there was one thing he needed to rify. "So why are you telling me this now? You kept it from even the yer Guild Master." "As I mentioned earlier, I''m stepping down as Strategy Team Leader." "..." "What do you think about taking over as Strategy Team Leader of yer Guild? You could do a lot in that role." Seong Seonjae sat in the university president''s office, which he used as hismand center, and reflected on what had happened earlier that day. "Was I too impulsive?" When he heard that Japan had caught wind of things and offered their support, he realized it was the perfect opportunity to bring Kang Mu-hyuk on board. So heid his cards on the table. Well, not all of them, but he revealed part of the 11-year n he had kept to himself. He was confident that Kang Mu-hyuk wouldn''t go around bbing about their conversation, so he felt safe sharing the secret. Normally, he wouldn''t have been so open. ''But what could I do? I couldn''t help myself. The way he handled the Rider Wolf, the Sinuiju incident, his n to push into the Demonic Realm, and even pulling Russia into the equation---it''s way beyond anything I imagined. The fact that he''s not even a Hunter doesn''t matter.'' He had tried to lure him in by offering full control of yer. Kang Mu-hyuk''s fixation on hunting monsters, with little regard for guild profits, was a problem. But if they could establish a stable foothold in the Demonic Realm, that could offset the issue. And if Seong Seonjae managed things right, he could maintain bnce. Had Kang Mu-hyuk sensed Seong Seonjae''s sincerity? That was probably why he didn''t refuse the offer. ''Although, he didn''t ept it either.'' Kang Mu-hyuk set a condition. He told Seong Seonjae to be S-rank first. Only then would they begin negotiations. ''And he''s not wrong. With someone like Ju Se-ah as an S-rank, it makes sense I haven''t caught Japan''s attention yet. yer Guild''s name alone isn''t enough.'' Seong Seonjae nodded at Kang Mu-hyuk''s condition and stepped back for now. ''It wouldn''t be fun if it were too easy anyway. Guild Leader Kang, I look forward to the day we can work together.'' Chapter 179 - Its time to throw some bait ''Dealing with Japan is troublesome enough, and now there''s more on my te.'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind was cluttered with Seong Seonjae''s overly ambitious n. That was because, in some sense, Seong Seonjae had both Ju Se-ah''s current position and the future of Korea''s Huntermunity neatly in his hands. Moreover, it was oddly coincidental that it was simr to the lie he had told Jung Woosu in the National Assembly. This made him feel quite embarrassed. Even more unsettling was the offer to recruit him. ''The sincerity in his expression seems genuine...'' No matter how much he thought about it, he feltpletely misaligned with Seong Seonjae''s outlook, just like he felt with Ju Se-ah. ''Does he think he can control me? Or does he believe that the might of the yer Guild will ultimately consume me?'' While he hadn''t seriously entertained the idea, he was confident, even if he did end up in the yer Guild. Reflecting deeper, Kang Mu-hyuk had tomend Seong Seonjae''s intricate strategy. A ten-year n that involved one''s life and future was not for the faint-hearted. He also deliberated on how best to use Seong Seonjae''s scheme. Should he get in on it or take it apart? ''There''s no point in ruining it for now. It would be beneficial if another S-rank emerged.'' To Kang Mu-hyuk, the guild''s dynamics or benefits were trivial concerns. His excitement came from the possibility of having more S-rank Hunters and the corresponding increase in monsters they could hunt. His only benchmarks revolved around whether other guilds and Hunters obstructed or facilitatedbat against monsters. ''But ultimately, the problem at hand doesn''t change. The approach now is rapid execution. We gotta wrap it up before Japan intervenes.'' Once he secured Seong Seonjae''s approval, the raid ns proceeded smoothly. Kang Mu-hyuk gathered the strike force in a lecture hall for a briefing. "Our primary target, Garuda, is believed to be located on the north nk of the Sky-Touching Mountain Range. I will now outline our strategic raid formation." Kang Mu-hyuk illuminated the screen with images and names of the strike force members. The members were organized by name, affiliated guild, primary role, and specialized position. So Sangyeob - yer, Main Tank, Defending Lancer Gam Wooyoung - yer, Dealer, der Ha Hyesung - yer, Secondary Tank, Assault Soldier Go Wonmae - yer, Dealer & Support, Care Archer Jung Dushik - Warrior, Dealer, Warrior Seong Seonjae - yer, Dealer & Commander, Knight Yeo Mungi - yer, Dealer, Elemental Wizard Na Youngsik - Wanderer, Tank, Pdin Moon Ilsu - Green Wings, Dealer, Sniper Yoon Daemyung - High and Low, Dealer, Ranger Gye Myungsik - Green Wings, Tank, Royal Guard Sung Samshik - Warrior, Dealer, Warrior Gong Jungmoon - Wanderer, Support, Enchanter Do Dohee - Green Wings, Dealer, der Seo Sein - Green Wings, Dealer, Assassin Jeon Yesung - Dragon yer, Tank, diator Choi Taesu - Wanderer, Dealer, Magic Swordsman ..... ... ... "Forplete profiles of the raid teams, please check the materials provided." The announcement of the teams stirred the ssroom, especially with the noiseing from the back. In the midst of themotion, Eum Youngjin raised his hand to request the floor. Kang Mu-hyuk acknowledged him. "Yes, Hunter Eum Youngjin." "Strategy Leader, why isn''t our White Tiger Guild listed here?" "I''ve slightly adjusted the raid lineup. The White Tiger Guild will lead the first-line attack on Agora Magos. You''ll receive the monster profiles and raid proposals right after this briefing." "I''m hearing this for the first time. Are we strategizing separately?" "It''s not just the White Tiger Guild. The Armored Lizard will be tackled by the yer Guild." Eum Youngjin''s eyebrows twitched. "Don''t tell me we''re doing a concurrent raid?" "Yes, although the Abomination will be handled by abined force due to its notoriety." Eum Youngjin pondered Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy. ''Initially, I thought we were being sidelined. Could the urgency for a concurrent raid indicate a pressing need?'' He chose to focus on the modification for a concurrent raid. "Raids aren''t child''s y. They should be handled safely and systematically, not like cooking beans with a sh of lightning." "Ah,cking confidence, are we?" "Excuse me?" "Agora Magos is challenging, but it''s not a named beast. I assumed White Tiger Guild was well-equipped to manage it. Was I wrong?" It was a loaded question. To contradict Kang Mu-hyuk would be tobel White Tiger Guild as incapable. Eum Youngjin was caught off-guard by the straightforward provocation. It wasn''t a clever tactic but a juvenile one. However, to a Hunter driven solely by pride, there was no greater challenge. Conceding defeat, Eum Youngjin shifted his focus to the yers. "If that''s your rationale, isn''t the Armored Lizard also unnamed? Yet the yers are also tasked with the Garuda raid." "It''s about the prestige and reputation the name holds. They''re different. Don''t you see that?" Ha Hyesung of the yers, seated in the front, mmed the table and looked back. "You want me to be honest? Our guild could handle all the named monsters here by ourselves. What''s the point of this Unified Strike Force? Not all Tier guilds are created equal, you know." "Hold on. I can''t agree with that." Before Eum Youngjin could reply, another objection came from a different direction. "Are you suggesting our Dragon yer Guild is less capable than the yer?" "Guild Master Jeon Yesung, I don''t wanna say this, but when did the Dragon yerst do anything worth notice? It''s unsightly to see you still strutting around as if you''re riding high from the Great War." "Rude brat. Hey, So Sangyeob, you''d better keep your juniors in check." "What? Brat?!" "Enough, Hunter Ha Hyesung." "But sir, I didn''t say anything wrong..." Under So Sangyeob''s stern gaze, Ha Hyesung fell silent. So Sangyeob then turned to Jeon Yesung. "If our guild member misspoke, I would correct him. But, since he spoke a hard truth, I''m at a loss for how to handle that, Guild Master Jeon." "So Sangyeob..." "Ugh! Goosebumps! He''s basically saying he does look down on other Tier guilds." "You''re the ones puffing up your chest against the yer name tag." Seo Sein and Do Dohee from Green Wings then interjected, cutting off Jeon Yesung. Their words sparked an esction as representatives and "provocateurs" from each guild got louder. The scene quickly descended into a chaotic brawl, with physical altercations breaking out, furniture splintering, and chairs buckling under the tumult. To an outsider, it would seem like an apocalypse, yet Kang Mu-hyuk, observing, considered itparatively tame. "There''s still some rationality here. They haven''t resorted to mana, at least." "This is why they say creating chaos among Hunters is a cakewalk." "Exactly. I was about to mention... Oh? Hunter Go Eul-ji? Why have youe in so early?" "I was supposed to be introduced to the strike force, but since no one called me in, I entered. It seems I don''t need further exnation. This is a disaster about to unfold." Crash! The door mmed with such force that the metal trembled. The sudden sound turned every Hunter''s gaze toward the entrance. There, three figures stood. Two were unfamiliar, and one was recognizable. "This may be a bit out of order, but allow me to introduce everyone. Here''s Hunter Go Eul-ji, and by the door, from left to right, are Hunters Pyo Beomhee, Yeom Soohyung, and Jang Deukgoo." Kang Mu-hyuk quickly refreshed the disyed party roster on the screen. Jang Deukgoo - Iron Will, Dealer, Weapon Master Yeom Soohyung - Iron Will, Tank, Giant Pyo Beomhee - Iron Will, Dealer & Supporter, Poisoner Go Eulji - Iron Will, Dealer, Telekic "This team is tasked with a special mission." The focus of the Hunters shifted to the newly introduced members. ''Jang Deukgoo...'' Jang Deukgoo was a name that every elite Hunter in major guilds recognized, especially among Hunters in higher circles like the expedition team, though he remained rtively unknown in smaller guild circles. During the uproar, Eum Youngjin, who had been pushed to the background, criticized the special task force. "What is this? Nepotism? They''re all from Iron Will!" Kang Mu-hyuk rified immediately. "They are members of our guild, but they possess the necessary traits for this raid." "Are theypetent enough? C-rank guild members?" "Mister, are you challenging me?" Go Eulji flicked his wrist dismissively, and Eum Youngjin let out a derisiveugh. "Hehe... Kids these days are fearless, eh?" "What is he talking about? If you get scared easily, you shouldn''t be hunting." Go Eul-ji snapped back, and Eum Youngjin, seething, climbed onto the table with a weapon in hand. ''Just scare her a little.'' Eum Youngjin''s attempt to intimidate was quickly thwarted. A crushing, unseen force weighed him down. He recalled Go Eulji''s profile disyed on the screen. "A telekic..." Go Eulji''s hands were extended toward Eum Youngjin. At that moment, Park Beomil from the White Tiger Guild recognized Go Eul-ji and abruptly stood up. "You! You''re the brat from that time!" It was clear she was the Hunter who had thwarted Park Beomil''s attempt to capture Lee Sookyoung. "They say you always find your foe in a dire situation. This time, I''ll teach you a proper lesson." Park Beomil took a stance to attack Go Eulji, his eyes shifting color, indicating the onset of his transformation. But he was immobilized. [ck Mist] Suddenly, he was enveloped in a dark fog. Park Beomil turned to identify the user of the skill that was constraining him. "Aha, I recognize you too. Pyo Beomhee, was it?" "Don''t mess with our kid." "You started it by messing with our Vice Guild Master first." "He drew his sword; it''s self-defense." "This ahjumma keeps annoying me since thest time." "What? Ahjumma?" The mist grew denser, and Park Beomil momentarily felt dizzy. ''Poison?'' It was a poison potent enough to affect him and make him dizzy. He was an A+ rank Hunter skilled in beast transformation and resistant to various poisons. He braced himself for transformation, wary of the mist. "A telekic, a poison master, and the infamous Jang Deukgoo. Plus another with a unique role. They seem sufficiently capable. If we''re done with the introductions, I''d like to move on to the briefing." Seong Seonjae''s remark had the yer guild members resume their seats as if the disturbance had never urred. With the conflict defused, Eum Youngjin sheathed his weapon, and Park Beomil and Pyo Beomhee also lost their fighting spirit. The other Hunters naturally found their way back to their spots. "Alright, our guild members, please sit down over there. We''ll restart the briefing now." Go Eul-ji, eyeing Kang Mu-hyuk as he resumed the briefing, thought to himself. ''Guild Leader Kang is really scary. He must have orchestrated this fight deliberately.'' She had been secretly observing from a window and had witnessed the entire altercation. It seemed the nned raid organization discussion by Kang Mu-hyuk would be glossed over. "Ah, and for your information, the named raid will conclude within a week, and the boss raid will be finalized next week." Kang Mu-hyuk''s casual announcement as if he was announcing the lunch menu stirred the room once more. Go Eulji shrugged and murmured, "Easy, isn''t it? Chaos." "I need to get to sleep early for tomorrow''s raid." "Do you think I came herete at night because I wanted to?" "You could just call me." "You blocked my number!" "Did I?" Kim Myungjun red and huffed at Kang Mu-hyuk as he checked his smartphone. "Frustrating, wasn''t it, not being able to call? So, keep your old number and stop dodging my calls." "Are you retaliating because I changed my number?" "I''m just saying we should help each other when it''s urgent." "How is this helping? You''re always threatening me." "If a certain someone weren''t so keen on betrayal, I wouldn''t be doing this either." Kim Myungjun realized that arguing was pointless and got straight to the point. "The Guild Association Alliance wants me to find out about your real intentions." "For epting their support proposal?" "That''s the thing. You agreed too quickly. You should y hard to get and throw a tantrum to keep me from getting exhausted. So, what''s your game?" Kang Mu-hyuk suddenly turned serious. "Do I have to just tell you that just because you ask me?" "Why are you suddenly getting serious? In our rtionship." "What exactly is our rtionship?" "Mutual support. Cooperation. Loyalty." "Loyalty?" "Maybe not loyalty... An annoying affection, perhaps? Anyway, let''s continue this give and take. I even informed you about the issue with Taesung''s eldest son." Kang Mu-hyuk did some quick mental calctions. Kim Myungjun, while not the most pleasant person, was highly useful. If he failed to continually prove his worth to the Guild Association Alliance, he was at risk of being discarded. After his calctions were done, a picture of the future came to his mind. "You''re right. I need to be making things less exhausting for you, so I guess I should throw some bait Japan''s way." "Suddenly you''re concerned for me? I find that somewhat unsettling." "How about a coboration? It''s been a while." Chapter 180 - Which guild is she from again? It was D-day for the Garuda Raid. Around a hundred civilian AI drones scanned the Sky-Touching Mountain Range. High above in the sky, the military medium-altitude drone KUS-FS5 circled over what was believed to be Garuda''s location, tracking its every move. Before long, the report came into themand vehicle for the Unified Strike Force. "Garuda sighted." "Where exactly?" "At the summit of Nampo Taesan." Nampo Taesan was a towering 2,485-meter mountain located about 40 kilometers northwest along the (Sky-Touching) Macheonryeong Mountain Range from Baekam. It was a critical point in the defense line connecting Cheongjin and Hyesan. This mountain was the eighth-highest peak in South Korea, and it had steep slopes, making it difficult to approach. "Can we confirm the location?" "Getting the coordinates and video feed now." The screen inside themand vehicle, modified from arge bus, lit up with a map as the coordinates were sent through. They pointed straight to Nampo Taesan in the Machunryeong (Sky-Touching) Mountain Range. As the map shifted left, an aerial view of the mountain peak appeared on the screen. "Zoom in." "Yes, strategy leader." Following Kang Mu-hyuk''s request, the operator, dispatched by yer, twisted the dial to zoom in on the footage. At the summit of Nampo Taesan, seven ridges of almost equal height extended in a cross formation. The camera zoomed further onto the tallest ridge. There it was---Garuda---a massive figure huddled up with its huge wings wrapped tightly around its body, looking like an enormous egg. The remains of monsters, likely its prey,y scattered across the area. Some of the remains appeared to be human. The ground was smeared with blood and guts. It seemed Garuda had feasted and was now resting in sleep. This behavior was typical for a top predator ruling its domain. The operator, watching the scene unfold, muttered under his breath without even realizing it. "Why is it staying there?" Kang Mu-hyuk had the same question in his mind, even if he didn''t say it out loud. He was curious why Garuda hadn''t moved further south and decided to settle in that spot. While research was being conducted worldwide on monster behavior, many mysteries still surrounded named monsters, especially those that evolved under rare conditions. In Garuda''s case, there had only been two confirmed sightings in India, so information about it was incredibly limited. ''It evolved from a harpy, so it has simr traits, but unlike other named monsters, it doesn''t form groups and even practices cannibalism. Could it have just chosen the mountain peak as a preference, or is there another reason behind it?'' At first nce, it might seem that Garuda was simply staying in a high ce to spot enemies from a distance. Since it can fly, escaping would also be easy. However, looking at it from another angle, Garuda wasn''t the type of monster to run. It was a predator through and through, built for hunting. A high vantage point that provides a wide field of vision would be ideal for its predatory needs. Depending on how one viewed it, the interpretation of its habitat could vary. But this wasn''t the kind of information that would immediately affect the raid. Kang Mu-hyuk shook off the unnecessary thoughts and ryed his orders. "Deploy the attack squads. Helicopters, take off. Parties 1 and 3 from the south, 2 and 4 from the east, and 5 and 6 from the west. Special ops, stand by at the base of North Taesan. Keep the UAV locked on the mountain peak, and use the drones to scout out the Hunters'' paths along the slopes." Although Sung Seonjae would take overmand once the attack teams were on the ground, Kang Mu-hyuk was still in charge since the deployment hadn''t started yet. The helicopter icons on the map moved in real-time on the left side of the screen. As all seven helicopters neared their designated positions, something changed on the right-hand screen. "Huh? The Garuda is...?" At the operator''s words, Kang Mu-hyuk turned his head sharply. Garuda was now standing upright with its wings fully extended. It lifted its head, ring into the sky. Its bloodshot red eyes seemed to focus on the UAV, even though it was too high to be seen with the naked eye. ''It knows we''re here. How?'' Kang Mu-hyuk immediately realized that Garuda had sensed the UAV''s presence. Whether it was due to heightened instincts, exceptional eyesight, or perhaps some kind of skill, it was clear that Garuda was aware it was being watched. The operator, breathing heavily as if facing Garuda himself, asked Kang Mu-hyuk, "Strategy Leader, should we pull the UAV back?" "Garuda''s known flight range is between 7,000 and 8,000 meters. It shouldn''t be able to reach the UAV flying at 11,000 meters." "But if our estimates are wrong, we could lose the UAV." The operator, disying the experience expected from a yer veteran, expressed a reasonable concern, and Kang Mu-hyuk nodded in agreement. "Alright, raise it to maximum altitude and keep it on standby for support." "Yes, sir. I''ll take it up to 15,000 meters." Kang Mu-hyuk kept his gaze locked on Garuda as he lifted his earpiece to inform the raid teams. "H1 to C2, ry this: The target has spotted the UAV. It may detect the raid teams as they approach, so proceed with caution..." Before he could finish, Garuda disappeared from the screen. The operator monitoring the radar cried out in rm. "It''s moving west!" Garuda flew toward the western helicopters with terrifying speed, as if it wereunched like an anti-air missile. Each team''s operator scrambled to warn their helicopters, but there was no time to react. A flurry of simtions raced through Kang Mu-hyuk''s mind. He quickly made his decision. "All teams, abandon the initial strategy. Land immediately and regroup with the main force. From there, C2 will takemand of the field. Everyone else---" "C5 and C6 have vanished from the radar!" "We''ve lost GPS on them too!" Kang Mu-hyuk clenched his teeth. He knew Garuda had evolved to a new level, but detecting and closing the distance from so far away was beyond his expectations. There was no choice now but to y his trump card. "C7, Hunter Go Eul-ji." "Is it already time for the hero to make his entrance? Over." "Commence the interception mission. You''re backing up the west. Further orders wille from C2. Receive the Garuda pulling point." "Yes, sir. This first raid is really fun. Over." "There''s no need to say ''over.'' Just keepmunication open with the party leader and move out." "Got it. Heading out now." "C5! C6! Garuda''s closing in fast!" The operator''s warning echoed through thems. Kim Jinsung, leader of party 5, calmly addressed his team. "Hey, Yuk Sungju. Long-range snipe. You can do it, right?" "I may not be as good as yer Go Wonmae, but I''m as good as Moon Ilsu." "No matter how infamous Moon Ilsu is for being a troublemaker, he''s still a member of the Green Wings. Don''t get too cocky against a Tier guild." "Let me show you why I was picked, even though I''m not in a Tier guild." Party 5 wasn''t part of a Tier guild; they were Hunters from an A-rank guild. But that didn''t make them any less formidable. They might be one rank lower, but their skills were on par with the Tier guild Hunters. Among them, Yuk Sungju''s role was sniper. He opened the side door of the helicopter and leaned halfway out. With his left foot on the skid, he pulled the bow from his back. As his mana infused the bow, it expanded dramatically. The main rotor was almost within reach, causing the pilot to shout in rm. "Don''t let it hit the rotor!" "Don''t worry. Focus on angling the helicopter toward the monster!" At Yuk Sungju''smand, the helicopter repositioned. With the helicopter in ce, he knocked an arrow. His Eagle Eye skill activated, and Garuda, racing toward them from kilometers away, came into his view. He charged the arrow with aiming, enhancement, sniping, and piercing skills before letting it fly. The mana st from the arrow shook the helicopter. Momentster, Yuk Sungju cursed. "Damn it! I missed it!" From Party 6''s helicopter, another arrow flew. This one was aze with fire, unlike Yuk Sungju''s piercing shot. Yuk Sungju prepared another arrow, quickly realizing the ming shot missed as well. Garuda was still heading their way, barely slowed by the earlier shots. He gritted his teeth and loaded a wide-area shockwave skill into the next arrow. The helicopter shook again as the arrow fired. "How about this time?" "It''s too damn fast. Missed again." Kim Jinsung frowned at Yuk Sungju''s report. Party 6unched another attack, but the same reports continued---Garuda was still closing in. Kim Jinsung made a quick decision. "Land the helicopter." "There''s nowhere tond!" Below them was nothing but dense forest. There was no clearing in sight. "Part Leader, I can fire one more shot. I''ll use the auto-tracking skill. In the meantime, everyone else, prepare to evacuate." Yuk Sungju shouted as he aimed. Kim Jinsung gave the pilot an order. "Drop the helicopter as low as you can!" As the helicopter descended, another arrow flew. However, judging by Yuk Sungju''s grim expression, it wasn''t a sess. "It''sing!" Yuk Sungju jumped out as he shouted, and the rest of the team followed. Kim Jinsung and another party member grabbed the pilot and co-pilot, broke through the door, and leaped out. Something massive ripped through their helicopter, which exploded momentster. A deafening roar followed, and following that, Party 6''s helicopter crashed. Party 5 Hunters hadnded safely. The pilots were shaken from the fall but unharmed. Kim Jinsung saw that Party 6 had also safely made it out, but they hadn''t been able to save their pilots. They had been dyed by taking that final shot, following Party 5''s lead. Noticing this, Kim Jinsung cursed. "Party 6 leader... Oh Seyoon, you idiot! Why the hell were you so slow? And you call yourself part of a Tier guild member?" "Save the cursing forter and keep an eye on that fucking bird!" Oh Seyoon''s warning refocused the Hunters. But Garuda only hovered above them, watching, without making a move. Then suddenly, it turned its head to look elsewhere. "What''s that rascal bird doing now?" A Hunter with detection skill quickly reported new intel. "Something''s flying in from the north! It''s fast... Almost as fast as Garuda..." Garuda spread its wings and shot into the sky. Something pierced through the spot where the monster had just been. The air screamed as a shockwave shook the trees. Using his enhanced vision, Yuk Sungju identified the iing figure. "The Special Ops kid?" "What?" "That telekic girl. That was her just now." Kim Jinsung finally remembered Go Eulji. "She''s... That fast?" As he watched the aerial battle between Garuda and Go Eulji, Kim Jinsung was left speechless. He had never heard of telekic Hunters moving at such speeds. At best, they could match a fast sports car. At least, that was the limit of what he knew. But Go Eul-ji was keeping up with Garuda, matching the monster''s speed in the sky. Not only was she fast, but she wasn''t falling behind in terms of attack or defense either. "What guild is she from again?" "Iron Will." "So Iron Will doesn''t just have Ju Se-ah and Jang Deukgoo, huh?" "Looks like it." The Hunters shared the same thought as they watched the intense aerial battle unfold between the human and the monster. Chapter 181 - I鈥檒l do what I can [This is the raidmander. Withdraw the current formation. All units proceed to assembly Point Two. Implement n C. Special ops, execute your roles. Over.] Sung Seonjae''s message echoed in Go Eul-ji''s head but she struggled to understand it. Rapid changes in direction at the speed of mach 1 put great strain on her body and mentally, she was out of it. Her eyes were safe because of eye strengthening skills she developed in Sinuiju. However, her build had its limits unless in the position of a tank. ''Ugh, just keeping up with it is already too much for me.'' Typically, humans could endure up to 10G. Even this was barely manageable for trained fighter pilots in G-suits. Go Eul-ji was experiencing an overload of about 15 to 20G on average. Her body was being pressed down by as much as 30G. She had no choice but to face this while chasing after Garuda, which was sharply changing direction at supersonic speeds. Of course, she was fully utilizing her ability to manipte space to withstand the gravity. But, there was one fact she had overlooked, regardless of her abilities. ''Uaaah, I''m getting motion sickness! I should have taken some meds.'' Even the most seasoned Hunters weren''t immune to nausea. Pyo Beomhee was concerned for Go Eul-ji who had the task of luring the named monster, so she sent Eulji a message. [Eulji, buy some more time, and when I send you the signal, bring him to Assembly Point Two. You know where, right?] [...] [Why aren''t you replying? Did you forget again? Lead him to Janggunbong.] [Ah, right. Janggunbong, of course.] The site was mentioned in the briefing. Go Eul-ji remembered the name but not the location. She wanted to ask but didn''t, scared of the nagging she''d have to hear. Instead, she relied on her spatial detection skills. She had honed these skills through demining drills. Hunters with exceptional physical abilities were effortlessly running along the rugged mountain paths. They showed no signs of significant struggle, even while carrying two civilians. If they continued like this, they would likely gather at the assembly point soon. Go Eul-ji thought that she needed to catch Garuda''s attention first. She realized it would be difficult to carry out the operation by just chasing it. She decided to use her ''Original Skill,'' which utilized her unique traits. ¡¾Tenfold Shackles¡¿ This technique aimed to bind Garuda with ten strands of gravitational chains. Unfortunately, Garuda sped up and escaped before beingpletely restrained. ''So this is how you''re gonna y this, huh? Alright. First, I need to catch up with its speed.'' ¡¾Sonic Boom¡¿ In an instant, thendscape was pushed back. The world seemed to stop. The bird appeared frozen in mid-air. Go Eul-ji quickly caught up to Garuda. Startled, Garuda red at her. She elerated even more and spread shockwaves in all directions. Garuda''s wings wobbled dangerously. It lost its bnce and strayed from its path. Spinning dizzily and plummeting, Garuda barely regained its bnce. It stopped in mid-air. "That''s right. Stay right there." Go Eul-ji came to a sudden stop. She exited the realm of Mach. The shockwave trailing behind her surged upwards with a deafening roar. She lifted her hands high. The gravity, stackedyer uponyer in the space, was highlypressed. An unseen colossal hammer of gravity came crashing down towards Garuda. ¡¾Divine Punishment¡¿ Garuda felt the invisible force. It crossed its hands above its head and lifted them. But just before the divine punishment fell, it changed its mind. It shot upwards, and a supersonic spear surged toward the gravitational hammer. Boom! The sound of paper tearing echoed throughout Nampo Taesan mountain. Startled mountain birds took flight all at once. They fell back down again. Monsters hiding in various parts of the forest panicked and rushed outside the mountain. "Ugh!" The shock from the divine punishment reverberated through Go Eul-ji''s hands. Her palms tore as blood sttered as her wrists and shoulders ached. But, she had no time toin about the pain. The Garuda was not pushed back. Instead, it flew towards Go Eul-ji. In an instant, Go Eul-ji created a defense shield with tenyers. When Garuda collided with it, nineyers shattered. The tenth shield cracked. Garuda stopped in front of Go Eul-ji. It puffed its cheeks and let out a strange cry, as if expressing its frustration. "Coo-wo. Coo-wo." "You''re pretty good." Despite blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, Go Eul-ji did not make a sound of pain. Garuda spread its wings wide. Its feathers stood stiff like des as it tried to envelop her. Startled, Go Eul-ji shot herself down. The wings collided where she was just before with a p. A chilling metallic sound echoed. ''So the wings are made of metal. It will be hard to tear them off.'' Go Eul-ji turned her back to the ground and looked up at Garuda, who pped its wings as it surveyed its prey. The dull eyes scanned her. Then, it suddenly puffed up its body. The feathers on its dog form transformed back into hundreds of des. "nning toe to me?" Go Eul-ji figured out Garuda''s intention. It was a high-speed dive attack from above. She concluded that a powerful attack wasing, and she could not take it head-on. She deliberately stayed closer to the ground. "Miss, and your head''s gonna crack." Go Eul-ji waited for Garuda like a bullfighter. She nned to evade Garuda''s attack. The moment it plunged into the ground, she would unleash her best attack. What was initially a simple baiting mission turned into a life-or-death situation. However, since the odds were now in her favor, she did not avoid the confrontation. Just then, she got a message from Beomhee. [Eul-ji, lure it over! Go around to the north peak of Nampo Taesan without being detected, then head south!] Go Eul-ji''s eyes twitched. Should she retreat, or should she face it? In an instant, she calcted the battle with Garuda. The result showed that she was at a disadvantage. It was a monster that could break through even divine punishment with its bare body. Even if she dodged its attack and countered, she could not guarantee victory. The overwhelming power of a named monster was beyond what an A-rank Hunter like Go Eul-ji could handle. "See youter." Go Eul-ji quickly exited the battlefield. She sent a message that said, [I''m on my way.] Sung Seonjae sent the two helicopter pilots, rescued by the fifth party, back in the helicopter he had arrived in. He then established the strike force''s formation. Once the positions and missions of each party were set, he checked the roles of each Hunter. "Go Wonmae." "Yes, Team Leader... I mean, Raid Leader." "The fifth party sniper missed the shot. Can you slow down the Garuda?" "The fifth party''s sniper is Yuk Sungju from Raven Guild, right? He is a skilled guy. Did he miss?" "Just answer my question. Can you catch it, or not?" Sung Seonjae was a member of the same guild as Wonmae, but he was hard to approach. After he became the Unified Raid Commander, his tone felt even sharper, so much so that no one would believe he had been away from the field for nearly ten years. Go Wonmae spoke nervously, "How much faster is it?" "At least 1.5 times faster than estimated. It also changes direction quickly." "Hm, with that level of agility... I think I can impede its movements." "Come on. Debuffing is your specialty. The guild invested so much in the skill book. Now it''s time to show what you can do. Slow down the Garuda as much as possible." "Yes. I will give it all I got." Next, Sung Seonjae called for Yeo Mungi of the second party. Being the yer Guild''s premier mage he was, he spoke up before Sung Seonjae could give him an order. "I''ll prepare the frost spells. Once Wonmae slows it down, I''ll immediately lock onto the target." "Great. I trust you." Next was Gong Jungmoon of the third party. Another mage Hunter, he was an enchanter from Wanderer Guild, he was capable of casting various buffs. "Seeing how you came to see me specifically, you want me not to act as usual, right?" "Yes. Fast creatures are tricky to catch by aggro. Expect the aggro to be erratic. Don''t focus buffs solely on the first party; apply them to the tanks of the engaging party." "That''ll be quite chaotic, especially if I need to minimize the buff dy showtime." "You have the necessary skills to do it." "It''d be embarrassing to mess up after hearing that. You''re really putting on the pressure." "ording to Hunter Go Eul-ji, who is tasked with pulling, the creature has formidable attack strength. Make sure the defense is properly reinforced." After giving detailed orders to the key members of each party, Sung Seonjae finally addressed the special task force. He was particrly interested in Pyo Beomhee. "How much poison can you use?" "Enough that I don''t have to cower in front of anyone?" "With that unique item, it should be strong enough to handle Red Gate monsters, right?" Sung Seonjae pointed to the talisman essory securely fastened to Beomhee''s armored coat. She flinched. The talisman, disguised as an essory, was actually the rare unique item ''Poison Well.'' It was nearly impossible to find something like it domestically. This item, leased long-term from the World Hunter Federation, had raised Beomhee''s status far beyond that of a typical A+ rank Hunter. The unique item''s abilities were exceptional, making it highly coveted by others. That was why she had camouged it to keep it hidden, but Sung Seonjae had seen through her disguise with ease. He noticed her difort and spoke reassuringly, "No need to be surprised. Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk told me about it." "Guild Leader Kang?" "Yes, he also exined how it could be useful in our operations---whether it''s blocking monsters or poisoning them." "Well then, I guess there''s no need for a long exnation. How can I assist you?" "The other Hunters will restrain Garuda. Could you poison it? I''m not expecting a lethal dose---just slow it down as much as possible." "I''ve got a pretty strong paralysis poison mix. I''ll give it a try." "Yes, it sounds good. And Hunter Yeom Soohyung." "M-me?" "I''ve heard about your Giant trait as well. If an opportunity arises, I''ll give you orders separately. Please be ready to act at any time." Yeom Soohyung nodded without further questions. Sung Seonjae nced at Jang Deukgoo as well, but only gave him a slight nod without saying a word. This was Sung Seonjae''s way of giving Jang Deukgoo a ''free role.'' Jang Deukgoo nodded back with a small motion. "It''sing. The eastern slope of Nampo Mountain," reported a Hunter with detection skill. Sung Seonjae shouted, "Everyone, to your positions! The Garuda raid begins now!" As soon as Garudaunched its first attack, the raid was out of Kang Mu-hyuk''s control. That was the limit of the strategy leader''s role. Being a non-Hunter, he couldn''t interfere directly in the raid. Especially against a named monster, there was nothing an ordinary person could do. ''Strategy leader was just a position held by military officers during the early and mid-stages of the Great War anyway. But by theter stages, experienced Hunters with hunting knowledge took over the role.'' In thete stages of the Great War, Hunters who took on the role of the strategy leader were directly involved in raids and gave orders on site. But that didn''t mean Kang Mu-hyuk''s role was insignificant. He was the one who nned all the formations and strategies for this raid. Although the raidmander''s final approval was needed, Sung Seonjae hardly made any changes to his n. Not only that, but Kang Mu-hyuk was involved from the very start of the unified strike''s formation. He selected elite members from each guild and got their cooperation. He even arranged the loan of equipment from the guilds without much trouble and negotiated with the guilds to resolve any internal conflicts within the strike force. While most of his work was behind the scenes, out of sight, it was vital, yet the Hunters didn''t fully grasp the importance of the strategy leader. In the midst of all this, Sung Seonjae was the one person who recognized Kang Mu-hyuk''s value in resolving all these issues. This was the biggest reason he sought to recruit Kang Mu-hyuk. ''I can''t just be satisfied with being a strategy leader. As long as the raid isn''t over, I''ll keep doing whatever I can.'' But even Sung Seonjae made the mistake of subconsciously thinking Kang Mu-hyuk''s role was limited to the time before the raid began. Kang Mu-hyuk, sensing that something was off, checked the raid informationing from the UAVs and drones. ''This is strange. What is this? This isn''t like a usual raid. Has Garuda always been this sensitive? Could it detect enemiesing from such a far distance? Flying monsters can move around without being affected by the boss monster, so there was no reason for it toe south.'' As he went over the information about Garuda again, he finally reached a conclusion. ''Wait a minute. Garuda evolved from a harpy, right? Then... Could it be...?!'' Chapter 182 - This One is Really Not an Easy Opponent Not much was known about Garuda''s behavior. What was known came from studying harpies, which were simr to Garuda. This meant that Garuda acted like a harpy in some ways. If one thought about it that way, it made sense why Garuda came back to Korea and settled on a mountain top. ''One of Garuda''s main habits is eating its own kind.'' Harpies ate their own when they were mating. ''It''s like how a female mantis eats male mantis after mating.'' Kang Mu-hyuk wondered if Garuda''s eating habit was part of its reproduction behavior. If that was true, it answered another question: Why did Garuda return to Korea? ''When harpiesy eggs, they return to where they were born. It''s like how salmon swim back to their home rivers.'' If this idea was true, it also exined why Garuda chose to settle on a mountain top. ''Harpies ascend to high ces when theyy eggs.'' Kang Mu-hyuk asked the operator, "How many drones do we have avable, aside from the ones filming the raid?" "We have about 20 drones as spares, just in case some get damaged." "Send a few of those drones to the peak where Garuda was previously inhabited." "We can send five drones. Should we send them all?" "Yes, send all of them." "Alright, sending them now." Soon after, the operator reported that the raid team had started fighting. Kang Mu-hyuk nced at the battle footage but quickly focused back on something more important: Garuda''s nest. ''If Garudaid eggs, or if they''ve already hatched, we have to destroy them.'' Multiple flying named monsters like Garuda would be a disaster. Garuda was faster than any monster they had found so far and could easily get past current air defenses. Kang Mu-hyuk watched the drone footage flying towards the peak of Nampo Taesan mountain, hiding his nervousness. "They''ve arrived at the peak where Garuda was." "Disy it on the main screen." The operator adjusted the controls, and the drone footage appeared on the big screen. Immediately, people let out quick screams. Then, they let out the breath they had been holding. What had looked faint from far away now appeared clear in high definition. The video disyed a horrible scene of ripped-up monsters, their limbs and bits of flesh scattered everywhere. Guts of unknown origin were spread out, and dried blood was sttered across the ground. Among the remains were intact bodies, and one of them was human. The body''s head had been pulled off and stuck onto a tree branch. Some operators turned away, feeling sick, and one even vomited. One operator grimaced and mumbled to himself, "Ugh, did Garuda leave them to eatter?" "It''s marking its territory." Kang Mu-hyuk answered, even though the operator didn''t really ask that to get an answer. The other operators stared at Kang Mu-hyuk in shock, wondering how he could stay so calm while looking at the gruesome footage. "There.. Zoom in on the center." Kang Mu-hyuk said calmly. One of the operators, who had just been feeling sick, instinctively followed themand and moved the drone controls. "What are you looking for?" "The nest." "What?" "I''m looking for Harpy... I mean the Garuda''s nest. It might haveid eggs, so don''t miss anything. Check carefully." Hearing the word ''nest,'' the operators'' faces changed. They were from the yer Guild, so they had experience supporting raids. They knew what a nest could mean and could imagine the trouble Garuda''s offspring might cause. The operators focused harder than usual, scanning the footage carefully. Kang Mu-hyuk assigned one of the five drones to each operator, and they began searching the mountain peak. But no matter how hard they looked, they couldn''t find what he was looking for. There was no nest made of twigs and feathers like a harpy''s, and they couldn''t see any signs of where Garuda had been resting on the ground. ''Am I wrong? Or maybe it hasn''tid eggs yet?'' Or there might be another reason. It could just be part of Garuda''s usual behavior. It would be nice if that were true, but Kang Mu-hyuk''s gut feeling kept telling him something was wrong. ''What am I missing?'' Kang Mu-hyuk decided to try a different approach. "Contact themand posts in Cheongjin and Hyesan cities, and the outpost in Baekam County. Ask them to send the monster distribution charts and the list of monsters they''ve hunted. Oh, and get the information on the sacrificed Hunters as well. I need it as soon as possible." The Unified Strike Force hid on the southern slope of Janggun Peak. Go Eul-ji, flying from the north, stopped above them and used her Divine Punishment skill on Garuda again. Garuda broke the gravity hammer the same way as before. But now, it was flying even faster, making it more dangerous. Go Eul-ji felt that even tenyers of her shield weren''t enough. Instead, she hit Garuda with her Tenfold Shackles skill, which slowed it down. Ten invisible chains wrapped tightly around Garuda. Even though the chains broke quickly, it gave the strike force just enough time. The first to act was Go Wonmae. ¡¾Binding Arrow¡¿ The arrow shot up and wrapped around Garuda''s wings. A yellow rope, connected to the arrow, stretched down to the ground. "I got it!" Go Wonmae was a ''care archer,'' a long-range fighter who used all sorts of debuffs and the Mesmerization skill. A care archer slowed down, bound, stunned, put enemies to sleep, or hypnotized them so the team could hunt more safely. Plus, he was also capable of dealing strong damage as a dealer, so after using his mesmerization skill to bind the monster, he switched to the main dealer and led the attack. This kind of position was rare, even in all of Asia, not just the yer guild. "Wonmae, hold on tight! I''ll take care of the other wing as well." Yeo Mungi rushed forward, his robe fluttering behind him. He pointed his staff at Garuda. ¡¾Freeze¡¿ Crack! The moist air quickly froze, and frost covered Garuda''s wings. The wings stopped pping, but somehow, the Garuda still floated in the air. "That thing''s wings aren''t the only thing keeping it flying, huh?" Yeo Mungi realized the secret to Garuda''s quick flighty elsewhere. But for now, the most important thing was the hunting mission. "Alright, how about this?" ¡¾Crystal Peak¡¿ An ice prison grew out from the frozen wings, trapping Garuda inside. Then... ¡¾Frozen Pir¡¿ A pir of ice rose from the ground and wrapped around the prison, sealing Garuda inside. "Wow, Mungi! It''s been a while since you''ve showcased this much skill." "Hmph! This is nothing," Yeo Mungi shrugged and smiled, though a bit proudly. Gam Wooyoung ran toward the base of the ice pir, followed by other melee dealers from different parties. "What are you waiting for? Get that thing down here so we can finish it off!" "Hold on. Do you think magic maniption is that easy?" Yeo Mungi replied, now sweating as he worked to control the mana, adjusting the spell he had already cast. The tall ice pir slowly lowered to the ground, bringing Garuda with it. Inside the ice prison, Garuda struggled to break free. The frost on its wings began to crack and fall off, and the wing wrapped by the arrow thrashed wildly. The rope of light connected to the ground looked like it might snap. "Good job." Pyo Beomhee said, patting Go Eul-ji on the shoulder after she finished her task of luring Garuda. Then, she stepped forward, the Poison Well in her hands swirling with poisonous energy. Go Eul-ji saw what Pyo Beomhee was nning and warned her. "Be careful. That thing''s not an easy opponent. Honestly, I''m not sure if the poison will work." "I think so too. I didn''t have time to feed enough poison to the Poison Well, so I''m a little worried. But it''s better than doing nothing." Pyo Beomhee passed by the waiting damage dealers and got close to Garuda, which had finally been brought to the ground. ¡¾ck Mist¡¿ Pyo Beomhee used the special skill connected to her unique item, ''Poison Well.'' This allowed her to control poison from far away, which she did earlier by using a sword or using her physical strength. The poison mist she created entered Garuda''s nose and mouth. "Roaaar!" The Garuda twisted its body to fight back, but it was no use. Its body turned ck. "Ugh, Iron Will''s hardcore. If a Hunter faced that, they''d be dead." Just as Gam Wooyoung said, anyone could tell that the poison was so deadly that anyone could tell it was dangerous. Pyo Beomhee was using a strong poison on the Garuda because she knew that just using paralysis poison wouldn''t be enough. She even added poison that she absorbed from the Oopoomangbawoo in there. Plus, she mixed in the poisons she had and the ones provided by the guild. This also made her the strongest poison sorcerer in Korea. Soon, Garuda wobbled and fell to one knee. Its eyes became unfocused, and its tongue hung out of its beak. Sung Seonjae ryed an order to Yoon Daemyung from the second party. "Hunter Yoon Daemyung, check Garuda''s condition." Yoon Daemyung, a ranger from the High and Low guild, had skills that allowed him to check the state of monsters. ¡¾Object ID¡¿ Yoon Daemyung''s eyes turned white as he examined Garuda''s body. After a moment, his eyes returned to normal. "It''s poisoned!" Once Yoon Daemyung gave the okay signal, Sung Sunjae shouted, "Attack the Garuda on three! Yeo Mungi, get ready!" "Yes." "One, two, three. Go!" At the signal, Yeo Mungi released his skill. The ice prison holding Garuda disappeared, and the damage dealers rushed in to attack. Gam Wooyoungnded the first strike with a huge swing of his sword. But... Thud! Gam Wooyoung''s sword was caught in Garuda''s hand before he couldnd his hit. He locked eyes with Garuda. It''s once dull eyes were now shining brightly. ''It tricked us!'' When Gam Wooyoung realized that Garuda had been pretending to be caught, he was about to warn the other Huntersing to attack it. Just then, the poison started pouring out of Garuda''s ckened body and sprayed from its beak. The poison shot toward a Hunter charging from Garuda''s right side. "Argh!" Pyo Beomhee reached out and retrieved the poison back from the poisoned Hunter, but this made her lose focus on Garuda. Garuda''s left wing pped, sending ice particles into the air. Its right wing pped wildly, shaking off the arrow that had pinned it down. With the skills restraining its wings now broken, Garuda wrapped its wings tightly around itself, preparing to defend itself. "Cut off the wing joints!" Sung Samshik of the Warrior Guild charged forward from behind the Garuda, aiming for Garuda''s exposed back. His quick thinking showed why he belonged to a Tier guild. But seeing that Sung Seonjae yelled, "Fall back!" At the same time, he sent a message to Gong Jungmoon. [Defend Sung Samshik!] Gong Jungmoon reacted instinctively, reaching out to Sung Samsik. ¡¾Reduce Damage¡¿ Just as Sung Samshik was shielded by the damage-reducing skill, Garuda sent razor-sharp feathers flying in all directions. Sung Samsik stopped in shock and swung his sword wildly, trying to block the feathers. He managed to deflect some, but because of the close distance, he couldn''t block them all. In the end, Seven feathers hit his body. Luckily, Sung Samshik twisted his body to reduce the damage, protecting his head and avoiding a fatal injury. Gong Jungmoon''s skill also helped prevent a serious wound. The other Hunters had moved back when Sung Sunjae ryed the warning, so they weren''t badly hurt. "This one is really not an easy opponent." Sung Sunjae looked up at the sky. The Garuda, already back in the air, was watching the Hunters below. "Fighting against such an annoying monster on my first raid back is already bad enough. But this rascal dares to look down on us?" Sung Sunjae''s eyes burned with madness. This wasn''t his usual calm, logical self. Raw and unfiltered. Like the old Sung Seonjae. This was the true Hunter Sung Sunjae. A deep growling voice rose from within him. "I''m going to rip off those damn wings!" Chapter 183 - That鈥檚 why she鈥檚 got S-Rank potential ¡°This was it!¡± Kang Mu-hyuk had been struggling with the data for what felt like a long time. Suddenly, he shouted out, unable to hold back. The operators inside themand vehicle turned their attention to him. Without providing any further exnation, he pointed at several spots on the map disyed on the screen as he began issuingmands. ¡°Here, here, and here. Send drones to these areas, too. As many as you can.¡± ¡°What? Why those ces?¡± The locations he pointed out were peaks scattered across South Potaesan and North Potaesan. ¡°Just hurry up!¡± Startled by the urgency in his voice, one of the operators started deploying drones but then hesitated. ¡°But Garuda¡¯s attack earlier destroyed a lot of the drones on-site. We don¡¯t have many left. How many should we send¡­?¡± ¡°How many do we still have?¡± ¡°52.¡± ¡°Only half of them?¡± Garuda¡¯s feather barrage had managed to destroy half of the drones that were filming the raid. The other half were still monitoring the ongoing battle, but they had been moved farther away for safety. Because of this, even the high-speed cameras could only capture blurry shapes. ¡°Well, we have no other choice. Send three drones to each of the five locations. Do it right away.¡± This meant taking 15 drones, leaving only 39 at the scene. It was a decision that went against the yer guild¡¯s original n to keep a detailed record of the raid for future tactical analysis. Still, the operators followed the order without hesitation. This was thanks to Sung Seonjae¡¯s earlier advice to follow Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯smands without question. ¡®He¡¯s such a mystery. We¡¯re right in the middle of a brutal raid, and his mind is somewhere else. Why did Team Leader Sung tell us to listen to him?¡¯ The operator couldn¡¯t help but feel confused as he adjusted the controls. The drones started heading to five different peaks in the northern region. These areas didn¡¯t seem to have any connection to the raid. Kang Mu-hyuk kept his eyes on a sub-screen across from the main disy, watching the feeds from all 15 drones carefully. ¡°There, video 7. Zoom in on that.¡± The drone showed a dense forested ridge, just below the mountain¡¯s peak. At first nce, it looked like any other mountain scene. ¡°Send a drone inside.¡± ¡°There are too many branches. It¡¯s hard to maneuver. It could crash into the trees.¡± ¡°Get as close as you can without hitting anything. Try to capture the view from above.¡± The drone skimmed over the top of the forest. The thick leaves often blocked the view, but sometimes there were gaps that allowed brief glimpses inside. After following the ridge for a while, the drone finally spotted something. Kang Mu-hyuk''s fist clenched tightly. ¡°There!¡± But the drone stopped just a moment toote. ¡°Move back a bit. Swing the camera a bit to the right. Stop. That¡¯s it.¡± There were figures moving busily inside the forest. ¡°Lower it down.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t go any lower¡­¡± ¡°Just crash it. We only need to see what¡¯s there.¡± The operator almost shouted back in protest. ¡®Do you even know how expensive these drones are?!¡¯ He kept hisposure, not letting his emotions show. After a moment of hesitation, he closed his eyes tightly and pushed the controls forward. The drone tilted downward, diving through the branches. It scratched against sharp pine needles before crashing under the dark forest canopy. It tried to level out but got caught on the branches and eventually mmed into the ground. He attempted to make it lift off again, but even though he sent the signals, the drone did not respond. The only relief was that the camera was still working. The operator let out a sigh of relief. If the camera had been damaged, he was certain the stubborn guy, who didn¡¯t understand how expensive this high-tech equipment was, would have just sent another drone crashing down without a second thought. ¡°Turn the camera. To the right. There. Zoom in. Put it up on the main screen.¡± Following Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s instructions, the footage switched to the main disy. The operators, who had been watching closely, gasped at what they saw. ¡°As I thought¡­ I figured this is what it was.¡± The screen showed dozens of harpies. Nestsy at the base of each tree, filled with unhatched eggs and newly hatched chicks crying out. The operators, staring at the footage with their mouths open, mumbled to themselves. ¡°Are those¡­ Garuda¡¯s chicks?¡± ¡°There are so many of them?¡± The chicks, being fed by the harpies in the nests, looked just like smaller versions of Garuda. ¡®So Garuda is male.¡¯ Ordinarily, male harpies were devoured by the females after mating. But Garuda was a superior breed, an apex predator that had reached the top of the evolutionarydder. There was no way it would be devoured by a lesser species that harpy was. That was why they had overlooked it. They assumed Garuda had consumed the males andid the eggs herself. The Garuda they had captured in India was also reported to be female. This was why Kang Mu-hyuk felt uneasy when they couldn¡¯t find Garuda¡¯s eggs. He began examining the monster distribution along the Cheongjin-Baekam-Hyesan defensive line. He found evidence of harpy hunts and checked thest known locations of parties that hadn¡¯t returned. The points of convergence were around the outskirts of South Potaesan and North Potaesan. This could only mean there was a harpy nest nearby. As the data came together, Kang Mu-hyul¡¯s mind raced through various scenarios. He had just confirmed the most likely one. ¡°This bastard... A monster with a harem?¡± Garuda had essentially built himself a pce here. He gathered many females for himself, ensuring they would hatch his brood. In time, Garuda¡¯s kingdom would take shape. Once that happened, all these chicks would mature and disperse. The resulting devastation would be¡­ ¡®It¡¯s horrifying just to think about.¡¯ An army of named monsters was on the brink of forming. Given Garuda¡¯s speed, the existing air defense systems would be useless. Wiping out an entire city would be as easy as crushing a fly. Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the phone in themand vehicle. ¡°Hunter Lee Sookyoung, please report to themand vehicle. We need to ry a message to the Unified Strike Force.¡± *** Garuda, enraged by the raid team that had managed to corner it, thrashed wildly, attacking everything around it. Each strike was powerful enough to tear apart an ordinary Hunter. But these weren¡¯t ordinary Hunters. They were the elite, the best from each guild. When it came to defense, even a named monster like Garuda couldn¡¯t easily break through these Hunters. ¡®The real issue is that attacking is just as tough for us.¡¯ Melee fighters and tanks had to counter Garuda¡¯s attacks as soon as they got close, but Garuda¡¯s speed was overwhelming, keeping them on the defensive. If Ju Se-ha were here, she could have absorbed Garuda¡¯s attacks and pinned it down, but regr Hunters couldn¡¯t manage such a feat. The ranged attackers were in a simr bind. Go Wonmae¡¯s arrows hadnded a few hits, but they weren¡¯t enough to bring the beast down. The mages had slower reaction times, so they couldn¡¯t help much either. Even Yeo Mungi, Korea¡¯s most famous mage, struggled because the role relied on high damage but had slow casting speeds, making it hard tond hits. Garuda wasn¡¯t a monster that could be taken down by spamming attacks, and if the mages used their magic too quickly, they would run out of mana when it mattered most. Garuda seemed fully aware of its speed advantage, darting around and attacking nonstop. ¡®If it would juste at me, I might be able to counter.¡¯ Strangely, Garuda wasn¡¯t targeting Sung Seonjae. Whether it was because it instinctively knew he was the strongest, or it was mere chance, Sung Seonjae couldn¡¯t find an opportunity to strike. He thought about using the Go Eul-ji strategy. It was the only move that might tip the scales in their favor. If he could just knock Garuda down for a moment, he was sure he could take out one of its wings. But after checking Go Eul-ji¡¯s condition, he shook his head. ¡®She¡¯s drained a lot of her stamina and mana just to lure the Garuda. Even after taking a potion, she still looks pale. Should I wait a little longer for it to kick in?¡¯ Sung Seonjae¡¯s assessment was urate. If Go Eul-ji had been at the same rank as him, the situation might have been different, but expecting a newly ranked A-rank Hunter to take on a named monster was wishful thinking. The fact that she had managed to hold her ground against Garuda for this long was impressive. Sung Seonjae noticed something familiar about Go Eul-ji, a hint of the same tenacity he saw in Ju Se-ah. He sensed a kindred spirit. ¡®Iron Will is scary. Were they grooming another potential S-rank prospect besides Ju Se-ah? Even if I tried to recruit her, she probably wouldn¡¯te.¡¯ Since he had seen her in Sinuiju, he knew she was no ordinary Hunter. But now, seeing her in action against a named monster, he began to glimpse her true potential. Even in the heat of battle, Sung Seonjae was already scheming about how to bring her into his team. This showed that there was still some breathing room in the Garuda raid. Even while his mind was upied, Sung Seonjae was setting up a trap for Garuda. ¡®Garuda isn¡¯t just some mindless beast. It¡¯s smart. It¡¯ll definitely try to find a weak spot to exploit.¡¯ And to Sung Seonjae, the strike force¡¯s weak point was obvious. ¡®Here ites!¡¯ The air portal. For a while now, Garuda had been hovering near the air portal. So far, the enchanter¡¯s support had allowed even the more fragile attackers to fend off Garuda¡¯s strikes without much trouble. But Garuda had caught on, and Sung Seonjae had a hunch that it was nning to target the air portal. He watched as Garuda began its dive toward the portal, sword in hand. With his shield held tight, he prepared for a counterattack. Garuda¡¯s feathers shimmered as it flew, catching the sunlight as it closed in on the portal. The Hunters¡¯ eyes were locked on it, waiting to see who would be the target. Then, Garuda began its descent. It briefly disappeared in the re, causing the Hunters to lose sight of it. Only Sung Seonjae tracked its movements. ¡¾Shield Wall¡¿ ¡¾Blowing Aura¡¿ ¡¾Sharp Cutting¡¿ In the blink of an eye, Sung Seonjae activated three skills. The first skill turned his shield into an imprable wall, blocking Garuda¡¯s beak from hitting the air portal. With the second, he angled the shield, releasing energy that deflected Garuda¡¯s attack and pushed it off course. Then, with thest skill, his sword aimed for Garuda¡¯s wing, ready to slice through it, but... Thunk! In a split second, Garuda stepped on the shield, dodging out of the way. Sung Seonjae¡¯s sword missed the wing and instead sliced cleanly through Garuda¡¯s right ankle. As blue blood spurted out, Garuda recoiled, and Sung Seonjae clicked his tongue in frustration. ¡®This thing¡¯s tougher than it looks.¡¯ With his well-aimed strike missing, Sung Seonjae knew Garuda wouldn¡¯t fall for the same trick again. Now, he had to prepare for the possibility of Garuda fleeing out of fear. ¡®I can¡¯t let it do that. What¡¯s the best move? Should I send Go Eul-ji up there?¡¯ As he was considering his options, a message popped up. [Commander, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk asked me to pass on a message.] It was Go Eul-ji¡¯s voice. After hearing Kang¡¯s n, Sung Seonjae nodded. [So, Garuda¡¯s nest, huh¡­ It¡¯s a smart strategy. It might abandon its young, but harpies are fiercely protective, even vengeful, when their offspring are threatened. This just might work.] [Alright, I¡¯ll slip out quietly so Garuda doesn¡¯t notice.] [Hunter Go Eul-ji, you need topletely wipe out the young, the eggs, and the harpies. Can you do that?] [My mana¡¯s still a bit low, but harpies? That¡¯s no big deal. But can you handle things here? That thing¡¯s fast, like a mosquito on steroids.] [We might not be able to capture it, but it won¡¯t catch us either. Even if they¡¯re not quite at Ju Se-ah¡¯s level, the Hunters here are top-tier.] Sung Seonjae smirked, recalling how Go Eul-ji was trained under Ju Se-ah. By Ju Se-ah¡¯s standards, no one else really made the cut. Even Sung Seonjae had to admit he couldn¡¯t quite match her at the moment. [Oh, and try to capture one or two of the young alive.] [Alive?] [We need them as bait to stop Garuda from running.] [Aha, bait? You¡¯re just as devious as our Guild Master, huh?] [Is that apliment?] [Not at all. Since when do people get praised for being devious? Did you hit your head when Garuda attacked? Or does ¡®devious¡¯ mean something else at yer? I¡¯m confused.] [.......] Even the strongest Hunter in the yer guild was left speechless by Go Eul-ji¡¯s sassyment. [Anyway, I¡¯ll go catch Garuda¡¯s young. You stay alive, got it?] With her final words, Go Eul-ji signed off, and Sung Seonjae found himself thinking of an old saying among Hunters: The more gifted a Hunter, the less they cared about politeness. ¡®Yep, that¡¯s why she¡¯s got S-rank potential.¡¯ That phrase could easily apply to him too, but Sung Seonjae decided to skip over that part and simply admire Go Eul-ji¡¯s spunk. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 184 - After You鈥檙e Dead Sung Seonjae issued amand to the long-range attackers, making sure Garuda wouldn¡¯t spot Go Eul-ji sneaking out of the raid. "Keep Garuda on its toes. Don¡¯t let it have a moment to look away." The snipers and spellcasters across the teams focused their firepower. Garuda, sensing the attack, increased its speed and soared through the skies. Even though it had lost a leg, it showed no signs of fleeing, almost as if it didn¡¯t see the battle as a disadvantage. ¡®Its nest must be nearby; that¡¯s why it can¡¯t afford to flee. We can¡¯t let it think we¡¯ve found its nest either.¡¯ In essence, this raid had to end one way or another. The Hunters would either be wiped out, or Garuda had to be brought down. Of course, there was a third possible oue: Garuda could abandon its nest and retreat, with the possibility of breeding againter. But Sung Seonjae doubted Garuda would choose to retreat so easily. ¡®Harpy creatures have a strong sense of kinship. Especially when ites to their offspring, their instinct to protect is overwhelming. They don¡¯t just leave their young behind. Garuda is simr, so it won¡¯t flee unless it truly feels its life is in danger.¡¯ This meant that pushing Garuda to its limits wasn¡¯t the goal. The key was to keep it busy just long enough for Go Eul-ji to rescue the hatchlings. And when the right moment came, they nned to unleash their secret weapon. ¡°Guild Master Jeon, prepare that item.¡± Jeon Yesung frowned at Sung Seonjae¡¯s order. ¡°I¡¯ve reminded you countless times since you asked for it, but this is a weaker version of the original. It won¡¯t be able to catch a creature that fast.¡± ¡°There will be an opening soon. Use it when I give the signal.¡± Jeon Yesung didn¡¯t argue further. Even though he didn¡¯t know when the right moment woulde, he trusted that Sung Seonjae¡¯s confidence wasn¡¯t misced. ¡°Time it well. We only have one shot. If Garuda gets wind of this, that cunning creature won¡¯t fall for it again.¡± *** Go Eul-ji made her way down the mountain ridge, tangled with skeletal branches. Under normal circumstances, Garuda would have spotted her, but the all-out attack kept it too busy to notice her slipping away. She descended from Janggunbong, heading for the coordinates Kang Mu-hyuk had given her, but then she hesitated. ¡°Wait¡­ Where am I?¡± She scanned the area, but the mountain range looked the same in every direction. She didn¡¯t want to ask for directions, fearing she¡¯d be scolded for not paying attention during the briefing. Just when she was wondering which way to go, a timely helper appeared. A drone circled above her. ¡°Are you guiding me?¡± The drone darted off to the northwest. Go Eul-ji followed, gliding just above the rugged terrain of the mountainside. The scenery around her changed quickly. Although she wasn¡¯t moving at breakneck speed, the drone¡¯s path along Mount North Potaesan rocky basalt terrain made it hard to navigate the uneven ground. One wrong move, and she¡¯d be diving headfirst into the earth. Yet, Go Eul-ji moved forward with steady confidence. asionally, she even performed acrobatic maneuvers, flying dangerously close to the ground. Hunters, despite their resilience, still felt pain, and no one would want to be scraped across rough stone. But she was fearless because she had absolute confidence in her ability to control her flight. As she flew, she didn¡¯t rely only on her sight¡ªshe used her powers to sense the area around her. That was when she noticed something. ¡®Huh? There¡¯s a lot of pping going on here...¡¯ Just as Go Eul-ji reached the valley, the drone slowed down, hinting that the forest on the other side was her destination. [Hunter Go Eul-ji, don¡¯t let a single one escape.] Lee Sookyoung delivered Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s orders. Go Eul-ji gave the drone a thumbs-up to show she understood, then continued over the ridge. ¡°Whoa, that¡¯s a lot of them.¡± Her eyes locked onto dozens of nests hidden within the forest. The nests were cleverly concealed by trees and shrubs, but Go Eul-ji¡¯s area-sensing abilities made it impossible for them to hide. Thinking of Garuda, she nned to make quick work of this and head back. The moment she stepped into the nest area, a piercing screech echoed through the air. Three harpy sentries swooped in, screeching and trying to threaten Go Eul-ji as she approached the nests. ¡°Oh,e on, you noisy brats. Scream all you want; it won¡¯t make a difference.¡± Go Eul-ji raised her hands and pped them together. Smack! In an instant, the three harpies shrank as if crushed, leaving nothing but a stter of blood on the ground. More harpies swarmed down, their sharp ws and beaks shing as they dove at her. Another p echoed, and the harpies, now visibly fewer, dropped from the sky. A chilling, sinister light flickered in Go Eul-ji¡¯s eyes, making it hard to tell who the real monster was at that moment. She crushed the attacking harpies one by one, advancing steadily as if she was swatting away flies. As she moved deeper into the nests, the sounds of tiny, bird-like cries filled the air. The baby harpies looked like Garuda, but they had cute, bright eyes and tiny, fluttering wings. A few looked older, their eyes already showing a hint of the same fierceness as Garuda¡¯s. Those ones swung their little arms and snarled at Go Eul-ji. For a moment, as she watched the baby harpies, a group of adult harpies descended from above, aiming for a surprise attack. ¡°Even monsters know how to y tricks, huh?¡± Go Eul-ji lifted a ratherrge Garuda hatchling by the scruff of its neck. The little one thrashed, its feet kicking at her arm. Though it couldn¡¯t fly yet, its ws were razor-sharp, capable of slicing through flesh. But against the protective barrier around her arm, it couldn¡¯t even scratch her. The moment the hatchling let out a sharp, pitiful cry, the harpies froze in their tracks. Their feathers, which had been bristling like daggers, softened and settled. ¡°Even you monsters care for your own, huh?¡± That sight enraged Go Eul-ji. It stirred up bad memories. ¡°My parents were like that, too. When they were facing down monsters. So¡ª¡± She recalled fragments of a childhood long forgotten. Her parents, who died in the Minor War. The idea of creatures that ughtered people caring for their young sickened her. ¡°Resent me after you¡¯re dead.¡± An enormous, invisible hammer came crashing down on the harpies. BOOM! The harpies, along with the coniferous forest around Go Eul-ji, were obliterated, reduced to an unrecognizable mess. She swiftly snapped the neck of the Garuda hatchling she held, then raised her hammer once more, bringing it down upon the nests with a vengeance. A deafening noise, like the pounding of a giant¡¯s hammer, echoed through the area. The nests disappeared, and the Garuda hatchlings and eggs within were crushed to pieces. ¡°Alright, all done. Except for you.¡± Go Eul-ji headed toward a nest on the outskirts, deliberately left untouched. It was meant to serve as bait, a way to capture a Garuda hatchling alive. Inside the nest, she found two newborn chicks, their eyes not yet open, alongside an unhatched egg. She lifted the two hatchlings and the egg into the air, and they emitted a low, continuous wail. Go Eul-ji knew exactly what this sound meant. It was the call of a harpy chick, crying for its mother. ¡°Trying to call for mommy or daddy? Sorry, but I¡¯ve blocked that already.¡± She had cast a barrier around the entire nest area, preventing any sound from escaping. Having fought harpies before, under her grandfather¡¯s guidance, she knew their habits well. If these hatchlings called Garuda over, it would ruin everything. She might have been just a high schooler, but she had more monster captures under her belt than many veteran Hunters. When it came to catching monsters, she was easily in the top 1% of experts. ¡°Alright, bait¡¯s set. Now let¡¯s reel this one in.¡± Go Eul-ji headed back to Southern Mount Potaesan. *** The Garuda raid had been going poorly due to the creature''s surprising speed, but once Go Eul-ji secured the hatchlings, the scales tipped in their favor. The moment she presented the hatchlings and eggs, scattered among harpy feathers, Garuda went into a frenzy and lunged straight at her. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be acting up like that.¡± Without hesitation, Go Eul-ji snapped the neck of one of the hatchlings and lifted another, using it as a shield. Garuda hesitated, unable to bring itself to attack her. Sung Seonjae gave the signal to Jeon Yesung. ¡°Now!¡± Jeon Yesung finally revealed the weapon he¡¯d been hiding on his back. It was a spear with a hook-like head. As he extended the shaft, it morphed into a longnce. He gripped the handle firmly at the end of thence. ¡®Dragon-yer harpoon.¡¯ This was the prized weapon of the Dragon-yer Guild. Once considered a legendary item, the harpoon in Jeon Yesung¡¯s hand was now just a rare or epic-grade knockoff. It was a degraded imitation of the original used in the famous Battle of Nine Dragon Ridge (Guryong Ridge) raid. Despite its name, it couldn¡¯t actually kill dragons, but it was more than enough to ensnare a distracted Garuda. Jeon Yesung scowled at the thought of using a fake, but he threw the harpoon anyway. The handle stayed in his grip while the spear shot forward, cutting through the air. Garuda spotted it just a fraction toote. ¡°Screeeeech!¡± The moment the dragon-yer harpoon pierced through Garuda''s wing, Jeon Yesung firmly anchored the handle into the ground. Garuda iled, trying to take off, but an invisible force kept dragging it down. Suddenly, the areas under Garuda¡¯s wings and near its tailbone, which had been hidden by its feathers, were exposed. Tiny openings appeared there, and air began to ripple through, releasing bursts of hot steam. ¡°Aha, that exins it. I always wondered how it could fly without using its wings.¡± Go Eul-ji snapped her fingers, as if she had just unraveled the mystery behind Garuda¡¯s speed. With a swift motion, she ended the life of thest hatchling. Garuda let out a furious roar, shaking the ground beneath it. ¡°Damn, the harpoon¡¯sing loose...¡± The handle, which Jeon Yesung had driven deep into the ground, suddenly jerked up into the air. Jeon Yesung hadn¡¯t expected this. The harpoon was supposed to be anchored by a skill that held it firmly in ce, and now he was cursing his mistake under his breath. Then, a massive shadow loomed behind him. Jeon Yesung spun around to see what was blocking out the sun. ¡®That¡¯s Iron Will¡¯s...¡¯ It was Yeom Soohyung. In his giant form, he grabbed hold of the dragon-yer harpoon¡¯s handle, which had been threatening to break free along with Garuda. Garuda, which had momentarily tasted freedom, was once again shackled. Yeom Soohyung yanked it down, mming it forcefully into the ground. The Hunters, momentarily awestruck by Yeom Soohyung¡¯s rare giant transformation, snapped back to their senses as Garuda crashed to the ground. Without missing a beat, the Hunters charged at Garuda. Feathers shot out in all directions, but they were ready. They had anticipated this counterattack. Easily deflecting the feathers, they closed in, and their weapons tore through Garuda. Garuda¡¯s tough, resilient body¡ªfitting for a named monster¡ªcouldn''t be easily cut. Parts that didn¡¯t give way in a single strike were shed repeatedly until they were beyond repair. Meanwhile, Garuda was bombarded with a mix of debuff skills: poison, magic, paralysis, and more. The goal was clear: make sure it couldn¡¯t escape again. The Hunters were relentless. Feathers and scales fell off, and the proud crest on its head, like a rooster¡¯sb, was ripped apart. Garuda was left in a miserable state, bleeding green. Even as it released bursts of hot air from the holes on its body, making a desperate attempt to fight back, it was now grounded, reduced to an easy target. Finally, Jang Deukgoo¡¯s sword found its way to Garuda¡¯s heart. Sung Seonjae followed by severing its head, ending Garuda¡¯s struggle. Once they confirmed Garuda was truly dead, Go Eul-ji went ahead and crushed the remaining eggs. ¡°Jeez, these flying monsters are always tougher to deal with than their rank suggests.¡± Someone¡¯s muttering sent a shiver down the spines of the entire raid team. ¡®If the raid had been postponed¡­ if the Unified Strike Force hadn¡¯t been assembled¡­ a whole army of Garudas would have emerged from that nest.¡¯ If Garudas had swarmed the Korean Penins, there would have been no way to fend them off. The issue wasn¡¯t just Garuda¡¯s strength¡ªit was a matter ofpatibility. No Hunter, other than Go Eul-ji, could match Garuda¡¯s speed and maneuverability. That was when the Hunters, who had once looked down on Kang Mu-hyuk, began to see him in a new light. Their opinion of Kang Mu-hyuk, the nonbat strategy leader, had shifted. He hadn¡¯t fought on the front lines, but there was no denying he was the one who orchestrated the entire operation. ¡°Garuda raidplete. Time to head back.¡± Sung Seonjae felt the change in the atmosphere and dered the end of the raid. *** The Agora Magos and Armored Lizard raids, which were happening alongside the Garuda raid, also wrapped up sessfully. The guilds responsible for these raids were top-tier, and while there were a few minor injuries, there were no casualties. As the Hunters took a breather, Kang Mu-hyuk was already nning for the next challenge. ¡®Abomination.¡¯ The evolved form of an ogre, known as a Hunter Killer. When it was first discovered in North America, it wiped out an entire small town, along with all the Hunters who tried to stand in its way. It was a dangerous beast. Kang Mu-hyuk was deep in thought, figuring out how to tackle this monster. ¡®The simplest solution would be to bring in Guild Leader Ju Se-ah for a one-on-one showdown.¡¯ Ju Se-ah had taken on ogres barehanded even when she was at A+ rank. Now that she had reached S rank, the Abomination would have a reason to worry. ¡®The problem is, bringing her in would throw all my other ns out of bnce.¡¯ China, Russia, and now even Japan. Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s grand vision of bringing the forces of Northeast Asia and the Russian Far East together would be at risk. He believed that using Ju Se-ah strategically for future maneuvers in controlling the Demonic Realm was far more crucial than dealing with the Abomination raid. ¡°Looks like there¡¯s no other option. We¡¯ll have to go by the book. This is going to be a long fight.¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 185 - Ill Tell on You to the Guild Master Sung Seonjae drew his sword. The metal shone brightly, reflecting his face like a mirror. He looked at his own eyes in the de and steadied himself. ¡°The first time I hunted an Abomination, it was a nightmare. I didn¡¯t know how to kill it. But now, after many sessful hunts around the world, we''ve learned what we need. It is dangerous, yes, but not impossible.¡± When Abominations first appeared in North America, no one knew how to defeat them. People called for S-rank Hunters, but the timing was bad. All the S-ranks were busy fighting at a Red Gate, so they couldn¡¯t join the Abomination hunt. With no other option, only the best of the remaining Hunters were chosen. After many failed raids, they finally seeded on the ninth attempt. However, victory came at a high cost. Many lives were lost, and this led to calls for better prevention in the future. As a result, a new rule called the ¡®Double S 11¡¯ was created. Thisw required that at least one S-rank Hunter to always stay on standby in North America. Before this, the Hunter Law had rules about S-rank Hunters from Articles 11 to 21, which were known as the ¡®Regr 11.¡¯ But the new, stricterw became known as the ¡®Super S 11.¡¯ Due to this rule, S-rank guilds in North America had to ensure at least one S-rank Hunter on standby when others went on Gate raids or overseas missions. This made it important for them to coordinate their schedules. Thus, the ¡®Super S¡¯ coalition was formed. At first, it only managed S-rank schedules, but over time, Super S became a powerful organization and a key yer in the global Hunter industry. ''Korea has also entered the S-rank era now, starting with Ju Se-ah. I¡¯m not sure if I''ll be an S-rank, but if I do, and if more S-rank Hunters emerge after me¡­'' A Korean version of Super S could be possible. Unlike in China and Japan, where S-rank Hunters often fought each other, Korea might be able to unite its strength. Even if they werete to join, they could still build a solid foundation andpete with the other two nations. ''Damn it, this is not the time to think about that. My habits from the strategy team keep acting up. I should worry about thatter. For now, I need to focus on taking down the Abomination.'' Just thinking about the Abomination made many strategies and ns rush through his mind. But Sung Seonjae pushed those thoughts away and pointed his sword forward. ¡°Roar!¡± A loud roar sounded from the Abomination, directly towards the location where Sung Seonjae¡¯s sword was aimed. He turned to Go Wonmae and issued amand. ¡°Wonmae! Start!¡± Go Wonmae nodded and switched the arrow on his bow. This arrow had a distinctive red shaft, but what stood out was that it had no arrowhead. Instead, there was a sharp, narrow tube at the front, which helped with bnce. This was a Blood Bamboo Arrow. It was made from ¡®Blood Bamboo,¡¯ a nt that only grew in Red Gates. There were rumors that anything hit by this arrow would be drained of all its bodily fluids. The arrow was a consumable item, but it was considered a unique weapon and a strategic asset. The yer Guild only had 72 of these arrows. The raw materials were rare, and making them was difficult, so they carefully collected and reused any parts that were still intact after each use. The arrows were shorter than usual, simr to those used during the Joseon era. Because of their shorter length, a special tube simr to a half cut barrel was attached to the bowstring to shoot them properly. Go Wonmae attached the half sliced barrel to his bow and carefully nocked a short Blood Bamboo Arrow. [Piercing Shot] The arrow was infused with a skill that allowed it to pierce through monster flesh. When it hit the Abomination, it didn¡¯t pass all the way through. Instead, the 5cm tube lodged itself in the thick hide. But this was not a failure. It was exactly what they had nned. Green fluid started to drip from the tail end of the arrow stuck in the Abomination¡¯s body. "Perfect." Go Wonmae clenched his fist in satisfaction. At that moment, the Abomination¡¯s head snapped toward Go Wonmae. Its dark, threatening eyes gleamed as it charged at him, crossing several dozen meters in an instant. "Save the victory poses until after we¡¯ve won¡­ Ugh!" yer expedition leader So Sangyeob stepped in front of Go Wonmae, holding his shield against the Abomination''s charge. The impact was strong, making the shield bend slightly and sending vibrations through So Sangyeob''s entire body. He was pushed back, while Go Wonmae braced himself against So Sangyeob¡¯s shoulder. Still sliding back, So Sangyeob activated a skill to steady himself, nting his feet firmly. He then raised his spear over the shield, aiming for the monster''s eye. The Abomination blocked the spear with its forehead and shoved both So Sangyeob and Go Wonmae aside with great force. As they lost their bnce, the Abomination lunged forward, trying to grab So Sangyeob¡¯s head. Ha Hyesung saw his superior in danger and intervened. He brought down his greatsword on the Abomination''s arm, forcing its hand to m into the ground instead. The Abomination then turned its attention to Ha Hyesung, but he wisely stepped back to avoid further attacks. Right after that, Gye Myungsik, the royal guard of Green Wings, caught the Abomination¡¯s attention. He used a powerful skill that burst against its back, but the Abomination¡¯s aggressive swipe shattered the edge of Gye Myungsik¡¯s shield. Gye Myungsik quickly dropped the shield to avoid injuring his arm. The Abomination targeted him, but diator Jeon Yesung intercepted it, using a grappling hook to entangle its arm. ''Damn, this stubborn thing¡­ It¡¯s even dragging this along,'' Jeon Yesung muttered. Watching the chaotic battle, Sung Seonjae nodded with approval. ''Creating a team solely made of tanks was a smart move.'' They had formed two specialized teams made up of Korea¡¯s top 0.1% tank-ss Hunters to face the Abomination. They also ced spare weapons and shields around the area, ready to switch out whenever their equipment got damaged. During the first raid in North America, the team had underestimated the Abomination''s strength, which led to lost gear and a retreat. Kang Mu-hyuk, learning from this, made sure there was plenty of disposable gear. Although these items were of high-quality against regr monsters, they were essentially single-use when fighting the Abomination. ¡°Man, if this wasn¡¯t funded by the government, there¡¯s no way we could afford this extravagance. These weapons are expensive, but the des are bending like twigs. I¡¯m scared my main weapon might snap if I use it.¡± Gam Wooyoung whistled as he returned from an attack, picking up a fresh sword from the ground. His custom Blue-Red Divine Twin Swords remained sheathed on his back, while the weapon he had just used was broken. The broken de was still lodged in the Abomination''s side, only piercing the skin without hitting its vital organs. ¡°Go Wonmae, aim for the weak spots!¡± Sung Seonjae ordered, as the previous three arrows had missed their mark. Go Wonmae shouted back in frustration. "That thing is targeting me every time I shoot! Aggro means nothing against it!" ¡°You have five tanks assigned to protect you, and a unique item in your hands. If you can¡¯t handle that, you might as well quit the expedition." ¡°This n was Kang Mu-hyuk''s idea, wasn¡¯t it? Damn, I should¡¯ve known better than to fall for his smooth talk.¡± Go Wonmae recalled Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s ttering words, which had painted him as the key yer in the raid. ¡®Hunter Go Wonmae, you''re the best long-range attacker in yer, no, in all of Korea. No one else could take on this role. This entire strategy depends on your skills, Hunter Go Wonmae. I haveplete faith that you¡¯ll make this a sess.¡¯ Go Wonmae realized that the sweet words were a disguised death sentence. If he had paid more attention, he might have seen that the core of this n was a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the Abomination. He had followed along with the n to get acknowledged by Sung Seonjae for hispetence, only to find himself in a perilous raid. Still, there was one thing he didn''t know. ¡®I should keep quiet about the fact that I agreed to this n.¡¯ That Sung Seonjae had given the final okay to this n for the Abomination raid. *** Thirteen hours into the raid, more than forty Blood Bamboo Arrows were embedded in the Abomination¡¯s body. Despite its immense physical strength, it had tried to escape several times, but Go Eul-ji, with her incredible speed, quickly caught up and kept it in check. Whenever the situation became critical, Jang Deukgoo stepped in. As a master of all weapons, he turned the battlefield, which was littered with various weapons, into his personal yground. While other Hunters had their favorite weapons, Jang Deukgoo could deal maximum damage with anything he picked up. Even the once-dominant Abomination began to weaken as the Blood Bamboo Arrows drained its blood. Its skill ¡®Bulk Up,¡¯ which it used to regain the upper hand, was made useless by Yeom Soohyung¡¯s timely intervention. However, Yeom Soohyung was seriously injured and had to leave the raid. Although his rank was lower than the others, his Giant traits allowed him to hold his own. Still, against a Named monster, there were limits to what he could do. "Hunter Yeom Soohyung has already done a whole lot by neutralizing a skill that can only be used once a day," Sung Seonjae said. The end of the battle was finally in sight. The Abomination had no more tricks left. All it had was its physical stamina, but it still managed tost another seven hours, stretching the fight to a full twenty-hour ordeal. As Sung Seonjae bit down on a stick of ¡®Goblin Moss Powder,¡¯ an emergency ration for Hunters, he shook his head in disbelief. "Even with all our resources and a solid n, it still took us a whole day to bring it down. Now I understand why they call it the Hunter Killer." Its incredible physical defense, immunity to poison and magic, and unmatched stamina and regeneration made it a nightmare to deal with. "It''s like Ju Se-ah," he thought aloud. "Se-ah noona? That¡¯s harsh. I mean, no matter how ogre-like she is, she¡¯s still much better-looking than this thing," Gam Wooyoung joked despite his exhaustion. Sung Seonjae sighed. "I¡¯m talking about its defenses and resistance." "Oh, that? Yeah, I knew that. Just messing around. I guess you could call it the Ju Se-ah of the monster world. Hmm¡­ If I think about it, there¡¯s a resemnce." "Busted! I¡¯m totally telling our leader you said she looks like an Abomination," Go Eul-ji teased, ring yfully at Gam Wooyoung. Gam Wooyoung turned pale and sped his hands together, pleading, "Come on, we¡¯rerades! Pretend you didn¡¯t hear that. If she hears that, I¡¯m dead." "Hide that for free?" "What¡¯s with you, kid? Why are you so calcting?" "See you at the funeral, then. I¡¯ll bring a condolence gift." "Of course. Hunters should be calctive. You¡¯re on your way to bing a top-notch Hunter. So, what do you want?" "An advance payment." "..." As Sung Seonjae listened to their banter, he snapped back intomand mode, "The raid isn¡¯t over yet! Can¡¯t you both stay focused till the end?" "Yes, sir," they replied, slightly subdued. Despite their lighthearted exchange, the other Hunters could also feel the raid drawing to a close. At that moment, it wasn¡¯t just those two who were paying attention. Someone else had been listening closely to Sung Seonjae¡¯s words. *** ''Resembles Ju Se-ah? I see. This whole raid could be a test run for a strategy to take down Ju Se-ah," thought Eum Youngjin, who was participating as a support dealer. Kang Mu-hyuk hadn¡¯t given the White Tiger Guild any major responsibilities, but Eum Youngjin didn¡¯t mind. After all, the raid wasn¡¯t his main objective anyway. Eum Youngjin was carefully watching the movements of the integrated strike force while also keeping a close eye on Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s actions. The information he gathered ended up in the hands of Gwanhoon from the Chinese Yellow Dragon Guild. In short, he was acting as a spy. ''I was nning to disrupt the raid whenever I found an opening, but... Without knowing where Ju Se-ah might be hiding, I can''t act recklessly.'' The possibility that she was lying in wait somewhere kept him from making any careless moves. Disliking her was one thing, but everyone knew that there were very few Hunters in Korea who stood a chance against her. Park Beomil, who was a brawler, had confidently said he could take her down. However, in Eum Youngjin¡¯s eyes, even someone from his guild would probably struggle against her. With that in mind, this Abomination raid could be seen as a sort of practice run against a possible Ju Se-ah. ''Of course, she¡¯d have a wider range of tactics, but we got some valuable hints on how to deal with an opponent with strong defense and resistance.'' Eum Youngjin decided he would use the data he collected today to draft a specialized formation just to counter Ju Se-ah. That alone made this raid a sess. *** ''Sung Seonjae needs to drop that bit of info at just the right moment.'' Kang Mu-hyuk thought. This raid wasn¡¯t only aimed at defeating the Abomination; the White Tiger Guild was also a target. The n had been a spur-of-the-moment idea, inspired by how Ju Se-ah¡¯s traits resembled those of the Abomination. ¡°I¡¯d love for them to believe they have a shot at taking down Guild Master Ju Se-ah.¡± That kind of false hope wouldn¡¯t be useful right away, but it could lead them to make a risky move at a critical time. He was counting on that gamble to trap them, making escape impossible. Kang Mu-hyuk was carefully setting up a trap involving the Yellow Dragon and White Tiger Guilds. Recently, Japan¡¯s guild association alliance had also joined in. This meant the trap couldn¡¯t be simple. The strength of the opposition was too great to rely on just one or two strategies. Instead, a series of interconnected traps was needed to catch the enemy, one after another. The trap''s snares grew tighter and more secure as the raid continued. Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was about to add moreyers to the n, he received a brief report over themunications line. The Abomination had been taken down. A chorus of cheers erupted from the operators. ¡°Yes! Finally...!¡± they shouted. The operators had been awake almost all night and were just as exhausted as the Hunters. Kang Mu-hyuk, however, did not join in the celebration. Instead, he focused on gaining a clear picture of the situation. ¡°What¡¯s the casualty count?¡± he asked. Instead, he focused on gaining a clear picture of the situation The response came: No deaths. Seven were injured, with two in serious condition, but none were life-threatening. They had been given potions, and would be sent to a hospital for further treatment. The operators also promised to send coordinates for a helicopter pickup. ¡°I¡¯ll have a transport helicopter on its way. Good job, everyone.¡± Chapter 186 - Hes not the type to stop there Kang Mu-hyuk had more than just reconnaissance in mind when he deployed drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. He had two additional reasons. The first was to turn the footage into educational material on raid tactics. In South Korea, only top-tier and A-rank guilds had ess to strategic data from high-level Hunters. Even if a B-rank or lower guild grew to the size of an A-level, their raid quality didn''t improve overnight. The footage from the raid against four powerful named monsters could serve as a crucial reference for managing raid operations. It was also needed to show newly awakened trainees a chance to see how top-tier Hunters operate. The goal was to encourage them to improve by providing clear targets for growth. Simrly, it would set an example for aspiring frencers and high-ranking Hunters. And the second reason¨C "The named monster ¡®Abomination,¡¯ once feared as a ¡®Hunter killer¡¯, a creature that brought horror in North America, has been subdued by Korea''s Unified Strike Force.¡± ¡°This footage shows the raid on the airborne named monster ¡®Garuda,¡¯ which flies at supersonic speeds. It was discovered to haveid dozens of offspring, giving birth to them which shocked the industry. Professor Kwon Seungjin, a leading figure in monster biology,mented¡­¡± ¡°Commander Sung Seonjae of the Unified Strike Force announced this morning that they n tounch a raid against a Gate boss believed to be hiding within the Demonic Realm.¡± ¡°Chinese guilds have reiterated that the Demonic Realm is Chinese territory, expressing regret over the Korean Unified Strike Force''s advance into the Demonic Realm. ordingly, raising the possibility of escting international tension." ¡°The Kremlin fully supports the Korean strike force¡¯s operation¡­¡± The point was that raid videos could be used to influence public opinion. ¡°You¡¯ve made quite a stir, haven¡¯t you?¡± A¡¯s voice, an elf from the World Hunters'' Federation, arrived through the receiver. Kang Mu-hyuk muted the TV and responded, ¡°The Demonic Realm is a ce where Chinese and Russian interests are deeply intertwined. Until now, Korea hasn¡¯t had any influence there. With a passive attitude, we can¡¯t even im hunting rights, let alone solve any problems.¡± ¡°So you think things need to be escted to this kind of scale?¡± ¡°The bigger the issue, the simpler it bes.¡± Korea had indirectly dered its intention to advance into the Demonic Realm under the pretext of subduing the Gate Boss. Naturally, this threw China, which ims rights over the former northeastern provinces, into chaos. Adding to the mix, Russia¡ªChina¡¯s rival¡ªdered support for Korea, while Japan quietly got involved, iming to offer support. All four Far Eastern countries were now entangled. There was a risk of conflict, simr to the ¡®Hunter Wars¡¯ that had erupted in the Middle East. ¡°I hope your ¡®simple solution¡¯ doesn¡¯t lead to war.¡± ¡°I try to avoid conflicts between Hunters whenever possible. But sometimes, eliminating threats to humanity is necessary." ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were an anti-Hunter.¡± ¡°It¡¯s different from those radical terrorist groups. It¡¯s contradictory for Hunters to argue against hunting; it¡¯s just bacsh from those in power losing their privileges. I believe we need to eliminate those who justify human sacrifices for their own gain.¡± A didn¡¯t respond immediately. Kang Mu-hyuk''s opinion touched on a sensitive topic within the World Hunters'' Federation because of recent discussions. Hardliners in the Federation argued for more active intervention in Hunter conflicts, even by force if needed. A, a neutral, believed in adjusting the level of intervention based on the situation. As the hardliners gained power, she feltpelled to express her opposition to maintain bnce in the organization. So she couldn''t agree with Kang Mu-hyuk. She feared agreeing with Kang Mu-hyuk might bolster the hardliners. ¡°Let¡¯s move on. This topic isn¡¯t getting us anywhere. Why did you contact me when you¡¯re so busy with raid preparations?¡± ¡°The World Hunters'' Deration.¡± ¡°What about it?¡± ¡°I want you to hold a press conference addressing uses rted to gated terrains like the Demonic Realm and the Desert of Death.¡± ¡°Is this about China?¡± ¡°Yes. If governments start iming territories, it weakens control over gated terrains. Priority should be given to hunting rights, not national ims. I¡¯m asking the Federation to curb Chinese interference.¡± ¡°To do that, Russia would need to withdraw its support for Korea first, or it will seem one-sided." "You as well. Put pressure on them along with China." ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who nudged the Kremlin? I heard you stirred up anxiety in divostok and regional councils.¡± ¡°Maybe I gave them a push, but in the end, it was their decision." A was shocked. If he had any conscience, he should''ve at least tried to deny it. Kang Mu-hyuk was the one who managed to draw all four Far Eastern countries into the Demonic Realm, but he seemedpletely unaware of the potential dangers. A tried to pinpoint exactly what Kang Mu-hyuk had done. ¡°Even the atmosphere in the Japanese Guild Association Alliance isn¡¯t good because of the named raid. We said we''d do it together with Korea, but you acted alone. If this continues, it could lead to conflict, and there¡¯s nothing in the Demonic Realm to prevent that." ¡°There¡¯s not much they can do other thanin. That¡¯s how raids work. When an emergency arises, the first priority is to deal with it. We didn¡¯t sign any agreement to raid together, and we¡¯re not directly stationed in the Demonic Realm, so immediate action is impossible." ¡°But Japan might interfere in the future, and even with China and Russia involved, it¡¯s not a country that can be easily suppressed." ¡°Is the offer still valid?" She hesitated, caught off guard. The three trials of the World Hunters'' Federation. Kang Mu-hyuk thought it was a test for non-Hunters to join the Federation as a regr member. It was actually amander¡¯s test of the Federation. It was to ensure non-Hunters had the leadership to manage Hunters. The exams were suspended after the Federation¡¯s Russian branch leader, Yuri Kozlov, betrayed them, but A still wanted Kang Mu-hyuk to join. ¡°Yes, but why are you bringing this up now?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t passed the test yet, but I¡¯d like to use the Federation¡¯s resources at your discretion, as a future member. Is that too much to ask?¡± ¡°Are you trying to provoke an elf''s temper?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard from Hunter Alex that elves are calm by nature." ¡°Exactly. That means Guild Leader Kang, your request is unreasonable.¡± ¡°Why?" "Are you asking me to exin it to you?" "But the less influential Federation in the Far East could gain a foothold in the Demonic Realm then.¡± -!! A almost gasped as if stabbed in the neck. Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s remark hit a core issue within the Federation and aligned with hardliner views. Kang Mu-hyuk continued, ¡°I know the Federation¡¯s usual stance, but there¡¯s also the issue of the unknown. The Federation should raise its voice. Think about it: the Amazon, the Desert of Death, the Demonic Realm, the Russian Permafrost, the Grand Canyon. Sure, the Grand Canyon is U.S. territory, so it¡¯s easier for the Federation, where it has its HQ. But how many other ces can the Federation really influence?¡± "..." ¡°I¡¯m giving you a chance to reset the Federation¡¯s direction.¡± A thought Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s proposal should never reach the roundtable. Otherwise, it could divide the already struggling organization because of the clear visible benefit. Yet his next words made it clear this wasn¡¯t a matter she could ignore. ¡°I¡¯m suggesting this through Federation''s official channels because I prefer a quiet approach. I could involve the foreign press, but I¡¯m reaching out to you first." ¡°We¡¯re allies. You shouldn¡¯t threaten us like this." ¡°Sometimes, you need a bold move to simplify aplex issue. Sorry." A recalled reading a report about Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s actions in Russia. ''If he¡¯d made one mistake, he could''ve driven a wedge between Russia¡¯s central and regional governments. He¡¯s capable of shaking an entire country. He won¡¯t stop just because I refuse. He''ll do it no matter what!'' She realized she had no choice but to take on the responsibility. If the Federation was going to intervene, she had to be the one to bring it to the council. ¡°Okay. What do you want?¡± ¡°Have the Federation mediate to readjust rights over the Demonic Realm among China, Russia, Japan, and Korea." *** Meanwhile, in the Demon Realm¡­ Ju Se-ah roamed the area freely, without any disturbance. She inspected the Gates where China was scheming. ¡°No Red Gates, fortunately." ¡°Too bad. I would¡¯ve blown them up." No, there was one disturbance. Igor Dudnik. The Russian S-rank Hunter known as the Tyrant, sipped vodka and grinned behind her. ¡°This is close to the Russian border. If you blow up a Red Gate, Russia takes the biggest hit." ¡°You could always push it towards divostok." ¡°Still hung up on Nazezhinsky? You¡¯re ridiculous. An S-rank Hunter holding a grudge against the wrong people. If you want to act like a child, return to Moscow." ¡°I¡¯d like to, but your n seems more fun. Hehe. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re pulling this off. Was it your subordinate¡¯s idea? The one who embarrassed my brother in divostok?¡± ¡°Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk. And he¡¯s not a subordinate¡ªhe¡¯s arade." ¡°I didn''t know a non-Hunter, whether he''s a subordinate, lover, whatever would be that bold. I thought my brother was crazy, but it seems there¡¯s someone even worse in Korea.¡± ¡°As if there could be anyone crazier than you.¡± ¡°I don''t know about other stuff. But when ites to this, I¡¯d bet my money on Kang Mu-hyuk being the crazier one." Ju Se-ah couldn¡¯t disagree. Even she thought Kang Mu-hyuk''s n was pushing the limits. But without a hardline approach, it would be difficult to rein in the Chinese guilds. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have teamed up with the Tyrant for this operation. Igor took another swig of vodka from his aluminum sk. ¡°That¡¯s why I like Kang Mu-hyuk. He¡¯s a lot like me.¡± ¡°Like you? Absolutely not!¡± ¡°No, he is. If something¡¯s in his way, he crushes it. That¡¯s how I work. I¡¯m sure Kang Mu-hyuk understands that, so he joined forces with me." "..." ¡°Just watch. He won¡¯t stop here. I¡¯d bet a thousand cases of vodka that he¡¯ll end up controlling all the countries surrounding the Demonic Realm." Chapter 187 - Now is the perfect time to "you know" -The World Hunters Federation announced at an official press conference that it''d step in to mediate due to rising concerns over potential conflicts between the four Far Eastern countries bordering the Demonic Realm. As a result, Russia, Korea, and Japan¡ªexcluding China¡ªagreed to participate, and a meeting with the relevant parties would soon be arranged... Initially, China refused to allow the Federation to interfere, insisting it was a matter of their territory. However, they eventually had no choice but to join the negotiations. This was because China was a signatory of the ''Joint Response n for Gated Terrain,'' an agreement ratified by 127 countries at the UN after the Minor War. China had no grounds to outright reject the mediation. Even if they insisted their ims were correct, the fact remained that the Demonic Realm was awless zone. If the other three nations teamed up in a region where China had limited influence, it would be a major problem for them. Who knew what could happen in the Demonic Realm? Despite their poption and theirrge number of Hunters, it''d be tough for China to handle abined force of Korea, Russia, and Japan. So, they had to take the seat offered by the Federation. The negotiations were set up in Sinuiju, with Cha Gil-joo, the Director of the Guild Cooperation Agency, representing Korea. Officials from all four countries and the Federation gathered, and the world turned its eyes to Sinuiju. ¡°Negotiations in Sinuiju¡­ So it¡¯s now official that Sinuiju is Korean territory." Sung Seonjae winked at Kang Mu-hyuk as they watched the news. ¡°That¡¯s just a side effect. The real scheme is something else.¡± Sung Seonjae pondered his words, trying to figure out what the scheme was. He waited for a while as if being graded and said, ¡°China might be trying to attract global attention to restrict impulsive actions. And by involving Japan, which isn¡¯t even directly linked to the Demonic Realm, it looks like you¡¯re also targeting Japan." ¡°Yes, Japan was part of the n. But the main target is still China." ¡°Can you exin the scheme?¡± Sung Seonjae asked curiously. Kang Mu-hyuk took a pause before answering, ¡°Japan has been interfering with Korea to keep an eye on past rivals. They see it as a way to eliminate the future threat of S-rank Hunters, but it doesn¡¯t provide immediate benefits. Japan¡¯s involvement in this defense was likely due to information leaked from China." ¡°This must be about Ju Se-ah Guild Master¡¯s rank information. Since she fought against the Yellow Dragon Guild, they would know that Guild Master Ju has be S-rank." ¡°Yes, China¡¯s n was to leak this information to Japan, hoping to provoke them into keeping us in check. Judging by Japan¡¯s cautious reaction, the exact details weren¡¯t leaked¡ªjust hints that she was close to reaching S-rank." ¡°What does that have to do with these negotiations?¡± ¡°As you pointed out, Japan is far from the Demonic Realm and has no direct stake. By involving them, we give them a justification to engage under the guise of cooperation between the Huntermunities of both nations." Sung Seonjae pped his knee. ¡°Aha! You¡¯re solving two problems at once¡ªpushing the Ju Se-ah Guild Master issue to the back seat and turning them into an ally." ¡°Exactly. I¡¯m confident they won''t get in the way. In fact they¡¯ll sincerely help with the raid. Considering the benefits they¡¯ll gain from entering the Demonic Realm, it¡¯s an unexpected advantage for us." ¡°To have a stake in the Demonic Realm, Japan needs to prove itself through achievements. That means they have to be active in raids, right?¡± ¡°Plus, if Russia sides with us and the Federation applies pressure on China by enforcing the UN deration, even China, known for bullying in the international Huntermunity, will struggle to act unreasonably." ¡°But what if they insist on opposing us?¡± ¡°We have to lead them into checkmate." ¡°How?¡± ¡°It¡¯s simple. Just say this¡­¡± *** ¡°Alright then, the Chinese side, you raid the Gate boss." Liu Hongchai, head of the Hunter Management Bureau under China¡¯s Ministry of Security, couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing. ¡°Did you just suggest that we raid the boss, Director Cha?¡± ¡°You don''t wanna do this. You don''t wanna do that. You im the Demonic Realm as your territory, but you aren¡¯t taking responsibility for it. ording to international agreements, passing a country¡¯s monster threat onto another nation is illegal. The monsters pushed out by the Gate boss lurking in the Demonic Realm have broken through the Tumen River defense line, causing over 200,000 civilian casualties. If Representative Liu¡¯s ims are true, then the Demonic Realm is Chinese territory, and this is a clear act of aggression. It¡¯s illegal. China must eliminate the threat immediately." The interpreters were busy tranting the statement, and Liu Hongchai, who listened until the end, was left speechless. ''That was Tang and Yellow Dragon Guild''s scheme for China to extend its influence in the Demonic Realm. I can¡¯t ept this proposal.'' This was meant to be a way to get rid of the masterminds of the Chinese plot to strike Russia and South Korea. Opening the Gate and hunting the boss would lead to even worse consequences. ¡®If we avoid the raid, it¡¯s like admitting that it¡¯s not our territory. If this drags on, we¡¯ll have to change tactics or face consequences.¡¯ Desperate, Liu Hongchai prepared to argue and leave. Just then, Norio Sasaki, the president of the Japan Guild Association Alliance, intervened. ¡°Director Cha, it seems China isn¡¯t willing to organize a raid. Since we don¡¯t know when the Gate boss will head south, wouldn¡¯t it be better for Japanese and Korean Hunters tobine forces instead? China clearly can¡¯t manage the Demonic Realm alone, so we should step up." Japan¡¯s stance had been coordinated with Cha Gil-joo beforehand, aiming to prevent China from leveraging its usual stubbornness on the international stage. Yevgeny Prigogine, head of Russia''s Federal Gate Security Service, added, ¡°Russia also has elite Hunters on standby, ready to assist. We¡¯ve found additional Gates near the border with the Demonic Realm, and we¡¯d like to propose that the Far Eastern countries cooperate to close these Gates together.¡± He went even further, suggesting expanding cooperation throughout the Demonic Realm region. At this point, Liu Hongchai was cornered. He couldn¡¯t leave the negotiating table without facing dire consequences. The world was watching China, hoping for cooperation among the three countries, and the responsibility now rested on his shoulders. If things went wrong, that responsibility woulde in the form of a purge. Even if the party spared him, the Yellow Dragon Guild would not be as forgiving, leaving him stuck in a dilemma. He was at a dead end where he could neither ept nor reject the offer. His only option was to stall for time. ¡°What kind of nonsense are you talking about?! Do you think I don¡¯t see you all conspiring and threatening each other right now? Fine. If this is how you want to y, we will formally file awsuit at the ICJ (International Court of Justice). Since you all love the UN so much, let¡¯s meet there." The other three countries understood China¡¯s intentions even before the interpretation was finished. The ICJ had long been ineffective in dealing with Hunter and Gate-rted issues. Bringing in a powerless organization was just a tactic to buy time. Noticing Liu Hongchai¡¯s stalling tactic, Cha Gil-joo spoke in a calm, gentle tone, quite different from his earlier pressure tactics, ¡°Everyone seems a bit too heated. Shall we take a break?¡± *** Sung Seonjae was genuinely impressed when he realized what Kang Mu-hyuk was nning. ''The true aim of the Federation¡¯s mediation wasn¡¯t just to facilitate talks but to block Japan¡¯s interference and apply pressure on China.'' With this single move, China¡¯s options were severely limited. ''They can either put on the brakes or press harder on the elerator.'' Of course, China was more likely to elerate than slow down. They took great pride in calling themselves a great nation, and that attitude hadn¡¯t changed, even in the Gate era. When forced to choose between justification and profit, China would pick profit. But when the choice was between profit and honor, they would always choose honor. ¡°They¡¯ll probably push things forward. They aren¡¯t the type to back down, even if it means dying sooner." Kang Mu-hyuk said confidently. It was then that Sung Seonjae understood anotheryer of Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s n. ¡°You want China to cause trouble." ¡°Yes. Russia and South Korea will respond under the pretext of countering China¡¯s aggressive moves." ¡°What about Japan?¡± ¡°They could cause problemster. We need to finish everything before crossing the sea, ensuring they can¡¯t im any stake in the Demonic Realm." Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s n essentially meant going to war in the Demonic Realm, using Hunters. The justification woulde from the Korea-Russia alliance, but it would be the Hunters who would shed blood. If they won, the rewards would be immense. But if they lost, who would bear the consequences? No matter how skilled Kang Mu-hyuk was, he wasn¡¯t someone who could speak for the nation. Even the president wouldn¡¯t casually mention the possibility of war. It was shocking to hear a Guild Leader talk about risking the country¡¯s fate and potentially overturning the existing order in the Demonic Realm. Sung Seonjae mentally calcted the risks. ''Has he been nning this since the formation of the Unified Force? If that''s the case, I¡¯ve beenpletely fooled. I wanted to advance into the Demonic Realm, but not by going to war. This is a gamble. Even if it seeds, I might not get the oue I want.'''' During the Sinuiju incident, Chinese Hunters were dealt with, but that was limited to retaliating against stateless Chinese Hunters who had illegally upied Korean territory. However, the war Kang Mu-hyuk was now proposing was an entirely different situation. Sung Seonjae could not align himself with Kang Mu-hyuk''s n. ¡°I must have misjudged you, Guild Leader Kang. I didn¡¯t think you would take such a risky gamble. I¡¯m sorry, but if you intend to go to war with the Chinese guilds, the Unified Force and its associated guilds will not participate. I will make sure of that. Let me be very clear.¡± Sung Seonjae, who had been Kang Mu-hyuk''s closest coborator, suddenly dered that he was stepping away. Yet, Kang Mu-hyuk remained unfazed, even after hearing such a resolute statement from one of Korea¡¯s most influential figures. ¡°I understand your position, Team Leader Sung. Your reaction is exactly what I anticipated. I knew this would be your response, which is why I brought it up.¡± ¡°You mean you revealed your n even though you knew I wouldn¡¯t support it? Why would you do that?¡± ¡°Because I don¡¯t want Korean Hunters to shed any blood.¡± ¡°Are you saying there won¡¯t be a war?¡± ¡°No, there will be a war. But only one person needs to die.¡± *** Guan Hong bowed deeply, pressing his hands together in front of his chest. ¡°Wee, Shimwol-nim.¡± It was a rare gesture of respect, one reserved for only the highest-ranking members of the guild. However, Shimwol was not a member of the Yellow Dragon Guild. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Mr. Guan," said a graceful, elegant woman with her hair styled in a long braid. The coat of armor she wore bore the emblem of the Sundown Guild, the rival to the Yellow Dragon Guild, embroidered on her left chest. ¡°How¡¯s Bi Wen Jun? Isn''t he sick all the time after getting beaten up by the newbie?¡± Guan Hong understood who Shimwol-nim was referring to and responded, ¡°Ju Se-ah has only recently be an S-rank, but her defensive abilities are regarded as some of the best in the world. Bi Wen Jun didn''t fare well against her. It¡¯s no disgrace that he suffered a serious blow from someone like her, especially when a double-cross was involved.¡± ¡°Huh! A newbie is still a newbie. It¡¯s going to be tough for you. Make sure you handle this without making your master look bad.¡± Guan Hong simply bowed his head, remaining silent. Seeing no further response, Shimwol-nim lost interest and shifted the conversation back to business. ¡°So, what do you need me to do?¡± ¡°Nothing has been finalized yet. For now, your role is to fill Bi Wen Jun¡¯s vacant spot.¡± ¡°You¡¯re underestimating me. Even someone at the top can¡¯t order me around as he wishes. If you were just gonna act like a damn rock, why should an S-ranke here?¡± Shimwol-nim replied, applying subtle pressure. Sweating, Guan Hong finally managed to speak, ¡°We need to be ready because we don¡¯t know how Russia might respond.¡± Shimwol-nim, satisfied with Guan Hong¡¯s difort, released the pressure she was putting on him and asked, ¡°What about South Korea?¡± ¡°With Ju Se-ah gone, there''s no immediate threat from them." ¡°I heard there¡¯s a Korean Tier Guild in Sinuiju?¡± ¡°Our guild is also concentrating its power in Dandong to keep an eye on them." ¡°And what about Ju Se-ah?¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°She¡¯s injured, right? Now is the perfect time for you to, you know." Shimwol-nim said, sliding her thumb across her throat in a cutting gesture. ¡°Let¡¯s get rid of her.¡± Chapter 188 - When Opportunity Comes, You Gotta Grab It Yingkou City, Liaoning Province, China Yingkou City, a port city about 170 kilometers northeast of Dalian, served as China¡¯s northernmost border and a forward defensive line for the city of Dalian. After the Magying Penins expanded, and maind China was separated from the Liaodong Penins, Yingkou had be a critical defense point. With the Demonic Realm so close, battles with monsters were a daily urrence. However, thanks to the Anti-God Guild¡ªone of China¡¯s most powerful guilds¡ªthe city had remained safe from monster invasions. The people of Yingkou relied more on the guild¡¯s protection than on the Communist government¡¯s efforts. The Anti-God Guild¡¯s influence, with the nickname Guardian Guild of Yingkou, was symbolized by its headquarters, a gleaming 50-story skyscraper. Like the Anti-God Guild was a symbol of Yingkou, the symbol of the guild were the two leaders in charge of the guild. Both Guild Masters were recognized by distinctive nicknames instead of real names: White Phantom for the white-haired hunter, and ck Beast for the ck-haired hunter. In the penthouse on the 48th floor, White Phantom and ck Beast were in the middle of an urgent meeting. ¡°The Yellow Dragon and Sundown Guilds have moved." ¡°Who came from Sundown?¡± ¡°Shimwol." ¡°The Yellow Dragon¡¯s Bi Wen Jun and Sunset¡¯s Shimwol? Guan Hong didn¡¯t hold back. To think he¡¯d mobilize two S-ranks.¡± ¡°That kind of power is definitely something to be wary of, ck Beast.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind. But remember, this is the only time we¡¯re training with Yellow Dragon. Next time, when we¡¯re enemies again, I¡¯ll get rid of Guan Hong before anything else.¡± Anyone familiar with the Chinese hunter world would¡¯ve found ck Beast¡¯s words surprising. The Anti-God Guild and the Yellow Dragon Guild The Anti-God guild were sworn rivals of the Yellow Dragon Guild. The Anti-God Guild was formed by those who opposed Yellow Dragon¡¯s rule and wanted to resist their influence. Even if it was just temporary, an alliance between these two guilds was enough to shock the entire Chinese huntermunity. ¡°Promise me again, White Phantom.¡± ¡°You wanna check again even after I swore once?¡± ¡°If you fulfill your wish, I¡¯ll hand over the Anti-God Guildpletely to you.¡± ¡°I can promise it to you a hundred, thousand times. After this is over, I¡¯ll disappear.¡± ¡°Good. This time, I¡¯m gonna give you proper support as well.¡± White Phantom showed interest in ck Beast¡¯s words. ¡°The Great Order Guild will join us in the battle.¡± ¡°Those guys? It¡¯s been a while." ¡°They¡¯ll act as a decoy. You will focus on controlling the Korean penins. Go back to your hometown, White Phantom, and get your revenge. Consider it my parting gift to you.¡± White Phantom¡¯s face lit up with a wicked smile. ¡°I¡¯ll ept that gift dly.¡± *** The negotiations between Korea, China, Japan, and Russia dragged on for two more days without any progress. Even the World Hunters Federation was growing frustrated with China¡¯s arrogance. As national interests shed, emotions ran high, and the talks became more heated. Then, something happened that brought the negotiations to a standstill. Bang! Liu Hongchai, the head of the Chinese delegation, suddenly stood up and mmed his fist on the table, as if to break it, after an attendant whispered something in his ear. ¡°Director!¡± At this shout, the Russian representative Prigogine turned to him. ¡°What¡¯s got you so worked up?¡± ¡°Youe here iming to negotiate, and then you stab us in the back?!¡± ¡°Stab you in the back? What are you talking about?¡± ¡°At our Gate in the Demonic Realm¡­¡± Liu couldn¡¯t say anymore. The moment he mentioned the Chinese-controlled Demonic Realm Gate, it would imply that China was behind recent incidents in the Demonic Realm. Clenching his teeth, Liu Hongchai took a step back. ¡°Let¡¯s wait and watch. If you want blood to shed, we¡¯ll dly shed it." As Liu Hongchai left, Prigogine also rose to his feet. ¡°Director Prigogine, what¡¯s going on?¡± Cha Giljoo, looked up at him from the next seat and asked a question. ¡°It seems the Kremlin had a change of heart.¡± ¡°A change of heart?¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t misunderstand. We still support Korea. But it seems some impatient guilds had decided to take matters into their own hands. You know how Hunters could be¡ªselfish, to say the least. Now it¡¯s be a headache for us, too.¡± Prigogine¡¯s excuse was weak at best. His calm reaction to Liu¡¯s outburst showed he¡¯de to the table already aware of what was happening since he hadn¡¯t received any information separately during the negotiations. ¡°So, you knew about this in advance and didn¡¯t tell us?¡± "I was ordered to keep quiet as well. In Russia, if you leak confidential information, you¡¯re shot, unlike South Korea. While it¡¯s not like we always have to put our necks on the line, punishment is especially harsh these days. Still, since we''re in this together, I think it¡¯s okay to share some details." "What details?" "About ten minutes ago, the Russian Guild Alliance Forcesunched simultaneous attacks on four Gates in the Demonic Realm. They struck before the Gates even had a chance to fully open." "Allied forces? So you weren¡¯t nning to cooperate from the very start." "Of course not. It was just unfortunate timing. Orders from our superiors are beyond the control of people like us." Prigogine tried to distance himself from any responsibility, implying it was out of his hands. Cha Gil-joo understood that pressing him wouldn¡¯t lead anywhere. "Fine. We¡¯ll handle it on our end." "Good, that settles it." With that, Prigogine left the negotiating table. Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Sasaki, the Japanese representative, also stood up. "I expected the negotiations to be tough, but I didn¡¯t anticipate they¡¯d copse like this. This is beyond my authority now, so I¡¯ll report to my superiors and get back to you soon." Following Sasaki''s exit, the Federation officials, who had remained mostly silent throughout the talks, also began to leave. "The Federation¡¯s role ends here. Please tell Mr. Kang that while I appreciate this position, I won¡¯t continue in a role that yields no results." Soon after, Cha Gil-joo, now alone, contacted Kang Mu-hyuk. "This is Cha Gil-joo. Russia hasunched an attack on the Chinese Gate in the Demonic Realm. The negotiations are at a standstill. It looks like things will escte quickly. Korea might get drawn into the Demonic Realm conflict, so we need to respond swiftly." * * * When Kang Mu-hyuk heard about Russia¡¯s move, one name immediately came to mind: Darden. Though there was no direct evidence, Kang had his suspicions. Negotiating while fighting was Darden''s specialty. Kang Mu-hyuk asked the Tsar Guild to set up a meeting with Darden. If he called, they could hang up anytime. But with the central government being on eggshells around the local governmentstely, ignoring a request from the representative guild of divostok would be difficult. Despite his reluctance, Kang Muhyuk realized that Darden currently held the advantage. He had no choice but to react based on Darden¡¯s reactions. ¡®It¡¯s within expectations for Darden ato act for his own benefit. He must have stirred up trouble because he wants something. We need to see if we can turn things around.¡¯ The response arrived in under three hours. "He said he¡¯d meet you in Najin." "When?" "He¡¯s already in Najin." Kang Mu-hyuk raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Anton''s answer. Darden¡¯s arrival in Najin already was something he didn¡¯t understand. ¡®Given the travel time from Moscow, the operation must have been nned at least a day in advance. Yet there was no practical reason for him toe all the way here.¡¯ Kang Mu-hyuk felt a growing sense of unease. Something was happening beyond his knowledge. "Let¡¯s meet him immediately." * * * After four notorious monsters lurking in the northeastern part of the Korean penins were finally defeated, guilds, including both the integrated strike force and volunteer strike force, worked tirelessly to push back the remaining monsters. After several relentless days of hunting, they sessfully reimed the Tumen River front. The government publicly celebrated the recovery of the territory and announced a massive budget allocation to strengthen the Tumen River defense line. While a few monsters still roamed undetected, the main highways were now secure. Kang Mu-hyuk headed to Najin along the east coast road, apanied by Jang Deuk-goo, No Song-rin, and Lee Sookyoung. "This ce is a total ghost town." No Song-rin clicked her tongue as she surveyed the empty city center. With the monsters recently driven out, civilians hadn¡¯t returned yet, making the city eerily quieter than even the mountainous regions. As they followed navigation instructions toward the port, Darden finally came into view. Kang Mu-hyuk got out of the car, mmed the door shut, and strode toward Darden. ¡°This guy is fearless." No Song-rin quickly followed. Darden greeted Kang Mu-hyuk, ¡°You seem really angry.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not so much angry as curious about why you did this. Didn¡¯t like the reward I offered, huh?¡± ¡°Do you know what I realized after you beat me up in divostok?¡± ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know? Maybe you shouldn¡¯t act up.¡± ¡°You¡¯re really mad. Even your words are sharper.¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t havee all this way to talk nonsense. Let¡¯s get to the point.¡± Just then, a gust of wind blew, rustling Darden¡¯s coat. He put his hands in his pockets and tugged the coat around himself. ¡°I learned a valuable lesson. When times are tough, don¡¯t be greedy. Take what you can, but don¡¯t overreach. I got ahead of myself trying to take over a city. Since then, I¡¯ve held back.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you had no part in this?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. This Gate attack¡ªit wasn¡¯t me.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯te all this way just to clear your name, did you? Why are you here?¡± ¡°To give you a warning.¡± ¡°A warning?¡± ¡°The Reaper of the Frozen Land is on the move.¡± ¡°!!¡± A frown crossed Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s face, ¡°By the Reaper of the Frozen Land, you mean¡­¡± ¡°Niki Kamensky. Siberia¡¯s top ughterer has step foot in the Demonic Realm.¡± * * * Niki Kamensky. Known as the ¡°Reaper of the Frozen Land." He was another S-rank hunter from Russia. He typically operated in the Siberian Permafrost, a region in Russia that could be called the Demonic Realm of the country, so he rarely ventured into the actual Demonic Realm. However, his reputation was infamous throughout the hunter world. ¡®But why would Kamensky....?¡¯ Kang Mu-hyuk couldn¡¯t fathom why Kamensky had suddenly entered the Demonic Realm. But he understood why Darden hade all the way from Moscow. ¡°You were fighting with Kamensky?¡± ¡°More like he was watching me. I couldn¡¯t even think about making a call. That¡¯s why I came here.¡± ¡°Sounds like he pushed you around quite a bit.¡± ¡°I have you to thank for that, along with the fact that my brother wasn¡¯t around.¡± ¡°A bit unfair, don¡¯t you think? It¡¯s not my fault. Not like it¡¯s the first time the Tyrant¡¯s been running around everywhere.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯te here to me you, so don¡¯t be so harsh.¡± ¡°You¡¯re uncharacteristically polite today, almost like you¡¯re here to ask for a favor.¡± ¡°Tch! Your quick wit is so damn annoying.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hear it.¡± Darden hesitated before speaking. ¡°The operation you¡¯re nning in the Demonic Realm¡ªlet¡¯s handle one more thing.¡± ¡°No. Negotiations are over. I¡¯ll handle the Demonic Realm myself.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk immediately refused and turned to leave. Darden grabbed his cor. Instantly, Jang Deukgoo drew his sword, pointing it at Darden¡¯s chin, while No Song-rin lifted her arm, ready to protect Kang Mu-hyuk. ¡°I¡¯m not here to harm your leader, so rx with the murderous intent.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk raised a hand and spoke. ¡°You must¡¯ve made this suggestion despite knowing the operation I¡¯m nning. How do you possibly n on handling the consequences?¡± ¡°Can you handle it? Either way, one or two is all the same. When opportunityes, you have to grab it.¡± Darden¡¯s sparkling gaze red at Kang Mu-hyuk. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 189 - Suits My Taste Kang Mu-hyuk sensed a restless impatience in Darden. Although he didn¡¯t have concrete information, he could naturally infer Darden¡¯s situation from it. ¡®With the cooperation of the Guild Master and the Tyrant, Darden managed to escape the government''s pressure. In fact, he even managed to wash away the stain of causing division in the local government, and also gained the justification of fighting for Russia. But, if Kamensky had intervened, Darden would¡¯ve been left with no options.¡¯ Kamensky was no ordinary figure. He was an S-rank Hunter unaffiliated with any guild. Paradoxically, because he had no official power behind him, he wielded a great deal of influence. ¡®Between the central and local governments, the warlord-like guilds ruling each city, the constant threats from the Demon Realm, and the Siberian Permafrost, it¡¯s a wonder Russia has not devolved into anarchic zones like parts of Africa or South America despite so many threats. The presence of independent S-rank Hunters like Kamensky is actually what maintains this delicate bnce.¡¯ This was why Darden refused to let Kang Mu-hyuk eliminate Kamensky. He didn¡¯t want to risk plunging Russia into chaos. There was also another reason. ¡®Kamensky is a Hunter who has dedicated his life to ying monsters. He may not be a perfect person, but he¡¯s absolutely essential to the world. He¡¯s not someone who can be eliminated on a whim, just because he disrupted my ns.¡¯ Kamensky¡¯s nickname, the Reaper of the Frozen Lands, was well-earned. He usually resided in Siberia. He was known for his passion for hunting monsters in the frozen wastnds¡ªa treacherous area as dangerous as any Demonic Realm. Though he could have afforded a mansion with the earnings from his countless hunts, he hadn¡¯t bought a single house. Instead, he had set up a camp on the frozen border for moments of rest between battles. Over time, Russian Hunters who admired Kamensky gathered around his camp and formed a small vige. While they didn¡¯t operate as a formal guild, these Hunters were loyal to Kamensky, creating a force that no one could easily ignore. ¡®If he shed with the Demonic Realm forces, I can figure why.¡¯ Raiding the Gate. Naturally, this brought him into conflict with the Yellow Dragon Guild Hunters, who were stirring up trouble. ¡°Have you done the math?¡± Darden gave Kang Mu-hyuk time to think before speaking again. ¡°Without Kamensky, Russia would be in chaos. We can¡¯t let so many people suffer just for your convenience, Darden.¡± ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d be doing this purely for my convenience?¡± At those words, a new theory crossed Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s mind. ¡°Are you working with forces that want to eliminate Kamensky?¡± ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d be targeting the Reaper of the Frozen Lands all alone?¡± Kang Mu-hyuk considered who in Russia might oppose Kamensky. The first likely candidate was the Russian central government. ¡®No¡­ Would they really try to take down the only S-rank Hunter lending his power to them?¡¯ Next, he thought of the local governments. ¡®Kamensky is essentially neutral. While he might be a hindrance to Moscow, it would be foolish to eliminate him now, just as the central and local government conflict is easing over the Demonic Realm matter. That leaves the guilds...¡¯ After all, it was the guilds that had recently been going after Darden. Strange, though, that they¡¯d use Darden as their weapon. Besides, Darden was unlikely to take the lead in targeting Kamensky. After all, the tall poppy gets cut down first. ''Darden isn''t the type to make sacrifices like that.¡¯ Everyone seemed to have their own reasons for not wanting to pursue Kamensky,cking the motivation to go after him. ''Then let''s approach this simply.'' Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s attention turned back to Darden. He was one of the most selfish and cold-hearted people he¡¯d ever dealt with. ''Who could be the force behind Darden¡¯s actions?'' No matter how much pressure Kamensky put on him, it seemed unlikely that Darden would act so aggressively on his own. But what if someone was pulling the strings? Kang Mu-hyuk recalled Darden''s past. ¡°The dog of the central government.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°The Tyrant Guild joined forces with the central government to protect the government. Could this have been a Kremlin order?¡± ¡°You¡¯re fun as always.¡± Darden¡¯s subtle confirmation brought up a new question. ¡°But why would the central government want this?¡± Kamensky, known as the Reaper of the Frozen Land among Hunters, had a different nickname among the Russian people: Guardian of the Frozen Land. His camp was famously called the ¡®Guardian Wall of Siberia.¡¯ For the Russian central government, there was no one more valuable than Kamensky. Not only did he protect against monsters, but he also supported the government during times of national crisis. Darden¡¯s expression grew cold. ¡°Why? The answer is simple.¡± ¡°¡­?¡± ¡°Kamensky is like you. Different motives, though.¡± *** Back in Cheongjin, Kang Mu-hyuk reached out to the Tsar Guild in divostok. But, Guild Master Anton Ivanov was unavable. ¡°The Guild Master is at the Demonic Realm border with the Expedition team.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk pressed Vice Guild Master Dmitry for more details. ¡°Are they raiding a Gate of the Demonic Realm? For divostok, I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s the Mudanjiang Gate.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a bit disappointed you didn¡¯t share this information with us.¡± ¡°There were...circumstances.¡± ¡°Kamensky, right?¡± ¡°So you already knew. I suppose you¡¯ve spoken with Darden...¡± ¡°I also heard that Kamensky, after learning about the Demonic Realm Gate, pressured the central government to expedite their original n.¡± ¡°He even insisted that the information not be shared with South Korea or Japan.¡± ¡°So, Guild Master Anton put me in touch with Darden? After all, going against Kamensky would put the Tsar Guild in a pinch.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk began to understand Anton¡¯s intentions. The Tsar Guild was also a regional powerhouse, known as the Guardian Guild of divostok. Butpared to Kamensky¡¯s influence, it was a drop in the bucket. Yet Kamensky''s influence couldn¡¯t be easily resisted, especially with the backing of the central government. Moreover, under the justification of a Gate attack, any opposition to him was out of the question. If they resisted, and it turned out to be Kamensky¡¯s doing, the repercussions would be catastrophic. ''Darden is right. Kamensky''s obsession with hunting monsters has earned him too many enemies.'' As the central government¡¯s sole alternative, Kamensky wielded considerable sway. But now? ''We¡¯ve managed to secure the Tyrant''s cooperation by fully embracing the Tyrant Guild. The shift towards reconciliation with the local government has also lessened Kamensky''s grip.'' With this shift, the major guilds were beginning to plot, aiming to wrest control of the frozennds from Kamensky entirely. Despite the vast expanse of the frozennds, certain monsters there could fetch a high price. The stronger the monster, the more lucrative the hunt. But, tracking and hunting these monsters required significant preparation and resources, often demanding group coordination. Kamensky, on the other hand, could operate solo, without any of these obstacles. That was why people often said that this ¡®homeless¡¯ S-rank Hunter was the wealthiest person in Russia¡ªhe caught the most valuable monsters on his own. -Still, the reason the Guild Master decided to connect you with Darden was because of his rtionship with you. ¡°I know. I¡¯m not ming you. I just want a clearer picture of what¡¯s going on.¡± He had heard from the Russian negotiation team that they¡¯d shed with Chinese Hunters defending the Demonic Realm Gate. By now, after his discussions with Darden, the results should havee out. -The Russian Union has secured all the Gates except for the one in Harbin. Kang Mu-hyuk visualized the battleyout in his mind. ''Harbin is the farthest Gate from Russia''s border and, conversely, closest to the Jilin City Gate.'' Even though the Jilin City Gate had been taken out, the Chinese Hunters who had defended it likely hadn¡¯t pulled outpletely. ''Since there¡¯s no longer a need to guard Jilin City, those Hunters might have been redeployed to a nearby Gate.'' This would mean that Harbin Gate had been reinforced significantly. In short, the battleground would be intense. ¡°Where was Kamensky deployed?¡± -He hasn¡¯t shown up anywhere. ¡°He hasn¡¯t?¡± -He''s entered the Demonic Realm but is acting independently. ¡°Yet he¡¯s not participating in the Gate battle? Where exactly is he?¡± -That''s the mystery. He¡¯s left no trace. If an S-rank Hunter decides to hide, even top-tier trackers would struggle to find him. It was an action that defied logic. Kamensky, who had taken the lead in attacking the Demonic Realm Gate Raid, was now hiding. ''Even if no one can predict the movements of S-rank Hunters, this behavior is iprehensible.¡¯ Trying to understand Kamensky''s motives was futile; there was too little information avable to make any meaningful predictions. In the end, Kang Mu-hyuk was left with a decision. ''I need to elerate the n.'' He needed to act before the Yellow Dragon Guild had a chance to respond. *** Even if Russia managed to seize control of the Demonic Realm Gate, it wouldn¡¯t end there. Gates had deadlines for opening, and if they weren¡¯t properly handled, there would be an outbreak of monsters. To avoid this, the Gate either needed to be closed entirely or they had to capture only the boss and the guardian while keeping the Gate core intact to turn it into a permanent revenue source. However, there were two major obstacles to this approach. The first was defending against potential Chinese counterattacks while raiding the Gate. The second? "The Chinese have made something very interesting,." Kamensky had discovered arge device set up near the open Jilin City Gate. He stroked his white beard thoughtfully, titling his head. ''The gate¡¯s opening energy doesn¡¯t look full at all.'' Kamensky held the machine up to the Gate. The digital counter on the machine flickered, and a graph on the screen changed colors, rising before it teaued. The graph was yellow. ''Yet despite that, they managed to open the Gate?'' Opening energy referred to the amount of mana that required to umte for a Gate to fully outbreak. Humanity had learned to measure this energy after the Great War and the Minor War with years of research, which allowed them to predict Gate opening time and the ranks of the Gates. "Is this device connected to all of this?" Kamensky didn¡¯t know how the machine worked. He had never seen anything like it before, so he was naturally suspicious. After all, there was a suspicious object in front of a Gate. "What a shame. If I¡¯d known something like this existed, I would¡¯ve approached it more carefully. Now I¡¯ve destroyed it by ident." The Chinese Hunters who had been guarding the device were the ones who destroyed it. And there were sprawled on the floor around it with not a single one breathing. ¡°Even though the device was wrecked, I managed to secure some sort of evidence. Now, should I just set a trap and wait?¡± He unpacked his gear in front of the destroyed machine. It was nothing special¡ªjust a tent and some basic camping supplies. If it weren¡¯t for the weapons nearby, someone might have mistaken him for a camper rather than a Hunter. Kamensky lit a fire, grilled some meat, and drank cans of beer. asionally, monsters drawn by the smell approached, but each time they did, Kamensky casually took them down by throwing something, leaving them dead with impaled heads. After his meal, he boiled water and made himself a cup of coffee. ¡°Korean instant coffee¡­ Suits my taste. My Korean friends really know how to make this stuff.¡± His backpack was filled with Korean snacks, instant noodles, and other treats, even Korean-style mayonnaise. ¡°Oh, another oneing, huh? Monsters can¡¯t resist the smell, it seems.¡± He killed yet another monster before casually cooking himself some ramen. *** From a safe distance, a Chinese Hunter observed Kamensky in horror. ¡°The Reaper of the Frozen Lands¡­ He really is a monster.¡± If not for his long-range vision skill, he would have shared the fate of the monsters that kept approaching Kamensky. The Hunter turned around, determined. ¡°I need to inform Guan Hong-nim. If that device falls into enemy hands, it could spell disaster for the guild.¡± *** ¡°Did he leave? Alright, go and tell them. Just how much of a bigshot will you bring with you? I¡¯m looking forward to this. I hope you guys suit my taste too.¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 190 - This is Kang Mu-hyuk from Iron Will Speaking Kang Mu-hyuk decided to hurry up the Demonic Cult Operation partly because of Kamensky. ''Kamensky isn¡¯t just a Hunter who relies on brute force. He knows how to think strategically and set traps.'' In traditional terms, he was a master of both the pen and the sword, a quality that made it difficult for even Darden to keep him in check. ''He¡¯s hunted as many Hunters as he has monsters. Since he didn¡¯t show up during the Demonic Gate battle, he must be moving separately.'' Kamensky had likely set a trap somewhere, lying in wait. And the target of that trap was either ¡°The Yellow Dragon Guild¡± or ¡°an S-Rank Hunter.¡± From information gathered after the Sinuiju incident, Kang Mu-hyuk deduced that the force behind the Demonic Realm incident was a coalition of at least four guilds: Yellow Dragon, Sundown, Anti-God, and Daemyung. These guilds supported the stateless power in Sinuiju, with two of them, Yellow Dragon and Sundown, housing S-rank Hunters. Yellow Dragon¡¯s ck Dragon had been seriously injured in a fight with Ju Se-ah, so the only S-rank left was Sundown¡¯s own: Shimwol, the ¡®Demon of Namsan Ind.¡¯ Kang Mu-hyuk recalled Shimwol, the S-rank Hunter from the Sundown Guild. ¡®She¡¯s known for her ruthlessness. She earned her title as Demon of the Namsan Ind, the ce full of the worst of viins.¡¯ It was a prison much like Korea¡¯s Ujungdo. Namsan Ind in China was regarded as one of the world¡¯s four most notorious prisons, alongside Russia¡¯s ck Owl Prison, the U.S.¡¯s Area 66, and Europe¡¯s Hunter Correctional Facility. Compared to these, Ujungdo was practically a dormitory. Shimwol¡¯s reputation extended far beyond her time in prison¡ªshe emerged as an S-rank, making her a dangerous adversary. ''This is why I prepared Guild Leader Ju Se-ah and the Tyrant as backup.'' Kamensky, it seemed, had set out to hunt the demon on his own. ''Of course, Kamensky is among the oldest of the current S-ranks. His skills are wless, and his battle experience is unmatched.'' But in battles between S-ranks, no one could predict the oue with certainty. Today¡¯s victor could easily lose tomorrow. This uncertainty was exactly what troubled Kang Mu-hyuk. ''If Kamensky dies, Russia will fall into chaos.'' On the other hand, if Shimwol were to die? ''With pressure from China, Russia might have to distance itself from Kamensky, narrowing his influence.'' It was an unavoidable reality. If Darden, acting under orders from the Russian government, had orchestrated Shinwol¡¯s death to weaken Kamensky, they could use China¡¯s reaction to further restrict his influence. "Damn it. This is exactly why I tried to use the Tyrant." Kang Mu-hyuk nned to pass the responsibility of capturing China''s S-rank Hunter onto Igor. Ju Se-ah supported this n, acting as an ally to encourage Igor and clear any obstacles in his way. Igor, known for his reckless nature and love for fighting powerful opponents, wouldn¡¯t hesitate to go up against the Demon. Even if Dardenter realized Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s n, contacting Igor would be impossible since he was already deep in the Demonic Realm. ''If Igor kills Shimwol, Darden¡¯s influence will be weakened. With Kamensky as an example, the Russian government will tighten its grip on Darden.'' Kang Mu-hyuk''s strategy was that a sh between China and Russia would naturally give Korea an opportunity to advance into the Demonic Realm, positioning Korea as a central power. "Thinking it over again, the right move is to act first." Kang Mu-hyuk picked up the satellite phone he¡¯d retrieved from Warehouse C. *** ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll head out now.¡± Ju Se-ah said, ending her call with Kang Mu-hyuk. She had wanted to ask how he was doing, but the high-grade mana stone powering the phone had been drained, cutting off the call. "A phone like that in the Demon Realm. I want that." Igor said, eyeing the satellite phone in Ju Se-ah''s hand with evident interest while leaning against the tree trunk. "Want to sell it?" "Don¡¯t even think about it." "It seems pretty inefficient, though. It only runs for about five minutes on a high-grade mana stone. Must cost a fortune for each call. Could use some improvement." "What are you getting at?" "Russia¡¯s Gate technology is top-notch. Now that we¡¯re allies, why not coborate in that field as well?" Despite his wild demeanor, Igor was an S-rank Hunter with extensive experience. Given his years living in the Demonic Realm since the Oopoomangbawoo incident, his interest in a device that could work in extreme environments made sense. "Talk to Guild Leader Kang and your brother about it." "You''re the Guild Master. Your order is all we need. Why go through all this extra trouble?" "Stop talking nonsense and get to work." "Oh! Finally!" Igor leapt up in excitement. "Alright, where are we headed?" "Shenyang City Gate." "Shenyang?" Igor remembered the gate''s location¡ªclose to China. "What¡¯s the n there? The main fight¡¯s somewhere else. If you¡¯re aiming to take down Chinese Hunters, we should be on the battlefield." "Russia¡¯s already won the other battles, but reiming those Gates will take time. The Shenyang Gate, however, is still intact. It¡¯s the perfect spot for a new battlefield." "Chinese forces may be idiots, but they¡¯re notplete fools. They¡¯d never blow up a Gate so close to their own borders. So, why do you want to go there¡­ Are you serious?" "We blow it up." Igor¡¯s mouth twitched, an expression of amusement rather than confusion. "Are you nning to turn eastern China into another Tumen River? Was this your Guild Leader¡¯s idea as well? You¡¯re definitely thinking big." "I don¡¯t actually want to blow it up. Regardless of nationality, people¡¯s lives still matter." ¡°What¡¯s the n, then?¡± ¡°We¡¯re going to threaten to blow up the Gate.¡± ¡°And after the threats?¡± ¡°We intercept any forces that try to reim it.¡± ¡°Oh, I see now. So that force is going to be a Chinese S-rank, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s why the Battle of Shenyang City Gate is yours alone.¡± ¡°Just me?¡± ¡°Exactly. Russia justunched another Gate raid, so it wouldn¡¯t make sense for the Tyrant to suddenly target Shenyang. Officially, I¡¯m supposed to be seriously injured. If they only see one S-rank, they¡¯re more likely to engage. I wouldn¡¯t even want to fight unless it¡¯s one-on-one.¡± Even as she discussed the n, Ju Se-ah felt a sense of awe. ¡®While I chose to fight the ck Dragon, it was Guild Leader Kang¡¯s idea to use it strategically.¡¯ When she encountered Bi Wen Jun by the Yalu River, Ju Se-ah instinctively realized that a prolonged standoff with an enemy S-rank would only lead to more trouble. Since the Demonic Realm was part of their plot, there was no doubt they¡¯d act eventually. And if that S-rank Hunter was still intact by then, the situation could easily spiral out of control. So, drawing on her immense resilience and strength, she pushed the ck Dragon out of the fray. She sustained heavy injuries in the process, but she had certain unique attributes unknown to the public. One of them was an incredibly rapid recovery ability. While it wasn¡¯t the kind of healing that could regenerate a severed arm like a troll¡¯s or reattach a decapitated head, it still meant she could recover at an impressive rate. With the help of potions or other healing methods, her recovery speed increased dramatically. This meant that even after a brutal fight, with intensive treatment, she could heal faster than most. Kang Mu-hyuk saw this as an opportunity and built his n around it. The scale of the operation, involving the World Hunters Federation across four countries in the Far East and targeting S-ranks, was beyond anything Ju Se-ah had imagined. Trying to sound casual, she gritted her teeth and said, ¡°More than anything, I hated how the Chinese kept talking big. I wanted to give those guys, who keep bragging about being a ¡®Hunter superpower,¡¯ a real kick in the ass.¡± *** Meanwhile, Guan Hong was struggling to keep up with the reports flooding in from the Demonic Realm. ''All the Gates we spent so long preparing for have been taken.'' The attacks came so swiftly there was no time to respond. Even though Russia was the enemy, it wasn¡¯t a cepletely devoid of informants. Given the turmoil in society, there were always people willing to sell information for the right price. Guan Hong had eyes and ears in the Kremlin and among key local government offices. There was no way he wouldn¡¯t have heard about arge-scale assault by the Russian Guild Alliance. ''They struck before we could catch any intel...'' It seemed someone had risen with enough charisma to unite the Alliance and keep the Kremlinpletely silent. "It¡¯s not the Tyrant." Not all Hunters respect or follow S-rank Hunters. For the same reason, Darden, the Tyrant¡¯s younger brother, had also been cleared of suspicion. So, there was only one person in Russia who could wield such influence. ¡°Is it the Reaper of the Frozen Land?¡± As if to confirm Guan Hong¡¯s suspicion, another report arrived barely a dayter. ¡°Kamensky is in Jilin City?!¡± ¡°Luckily, the Gate device was destroyed.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s a blessing in disguise. They must¡¯ve broken it beyond repair so it¡¯s unrecognizable, right?¡± ¡°Well¡­ Actually¡­¡± ¡°What? Why are you hesitating?¡± ¡°They, uh¡­ Just broke it¡­ Enough to stop it from working.... Thud!¡± Infuriated, Guan Hong grabbed his subordinate by the throat. The man struggled for air, kicking his legs but offering no further resistance. ¡°What?! Just enough so it won¡¯t work? You call that a job well done?¡± He hurled the subordinate against the wall, sending him rolling into the hallway. The guild members flinched, clearing the way. The subordinate crawled back into the office, kneeling before Guan Hong. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°You idiots! Even if it doesn¡¯t work, leaving the prototype intact is a huge vulnerability for us! If this goes public, we¡¯ll be condemned worldwide!¡± The subordinate finally realized why Guan Hong was so angry and prostrated himself, begging for forgiveness. ¡°I¡¯ve made a grave error. I¡¯ll send an elite strike force right away and¡ª¡± ¡°Are you an idiot? Trying to send a squad so they can get themselves killed against an S-rank?!¡± When the subordinate stammered, Guan Hong kicked him again, sending him crashing through several walls. This time, he wasn¡¯t breathing. ¡°Get rid of him.¡± Guan Hong spoke to the empty air, and soon Hunters appeared, swiftly removing the body. ¡®This is why you can¡¯t rely on Gaori Bangtz.¡¯ (a derogatory term for Koreans) The dead Hunter had been a Korean defector, which made Guan Hong show no mercy. There were plenty of recements, after all. ¡°Fine. I have no choice but to call Shimwol.¡± Realizing Kamensky¡¯s strength, Guan Hong issued an order for the Dandong expeditionary force to head north as backup. He also requested additional support from Sundown Guild¡¯s elite spearmen. But then came another rming report. ¡°What? All the way to Shenyang City Gate?¡± This hit close to home. Shenyang was an area even Guan Hong hadn¡¯t dared touch due to its vtility. Opening a Gate there would wreak havoc across eastern China, just as Jilin Gate did for Korea. So it had been marked off-limits¡­ But now it had been taken. ¡®And the Tyrant of all people is the opponent¡­ So Russia really nned this out.¡¯ There was something questionable about Kamensky and Igor teaming up. The two S-ranks had never gotten along, even before they were officially pardoned. One was always causing trouble, and the other was busy cleaning up after him. Naturally, tension was inevitable. Yet, under the Russian government¡¯s influence, they¡¯d somehow united, which was somewhat understandable. Whatever the reason, having two S-ranks move in tandem was a dangerous turn of events for Guan Hong and his allies. ¡°If Bi Wen Jun hadn¡¯t been injured, I wouldn¡¯t be so worried.¡± The only card Guan Hong had left was Shimwol. Now, he had to make a decision between two fronts. ''The Shenyang Gate still has a little leeway before it openspletely. Jilin City should be the priority.'' If the device''s purpose were to be discovered, they''d be cornered. Even if the device was destroyed, the Yellow Dragon Guild¡¯s movements would be heavily restricted because of suspicion. Resolved, Guan Hong decided to strike Kamensky first. Just then, his phone rang. ¡°This is Kang Mu-hyuk speaking from Iron Will.¡± Chapter 191 - Your fault for not making better choices Bam! One punch crushed his sternum, ruptured his organs as if pressed by a machine, and snapped every joint in his spine. The Hunter copsed, blood pouring from his mouth, nose, and ears. Around himy others with simr fates, sprawled lifeless on the cold ground. Those still standing had no choice but to keep fighting. ¡°Run!¡± At this shout, dozens of Hunters fled in all directions. But Igor wasn¡¯t just going to watch them escape. He stomped down hard, sending a shockwave through the ground, binding the Hunters¡¯ movements. Some managed to get away, but they didn¡¯t get far¡ªsomeone was blocking their path. ¡°J-Ju Se-ah...¡± ¡°Ah, so you recognize me. I must be famous.¡± They had escaped the Tyrant only to be trapped by the witch. Realizing they were cornered, the Hunters lunged at Ju Se-ah. ''All I need to do is check on the Tyrant and leave the ones who fled to the other side be. I just need to finish off those who saw me.¡¯ Ju Se-ah drew her sword. Normally, she relied on her usual martial arts, but this time, she wanted to end things decisively. ¡°More than 200,000 people died because of you. When you reach the afterlife, say sorry to them. Though there will be no forgiveness for you.¡± *** Kang Mu-hyuk felt uneasy about leaving the Shenyang City Gate solely for Ju Se-ah. The entire purpose of this operation was to give S-rank Hunters the advantage in reiming the Gate. But with Kamensky¡¯s sudden involvement, things could spiral out of control. Though he didn¡¯t know Kamensky¡¯s precise location, he knew the man wouldn¡¯t sit idle. ¡®He¡¯ll likely scheme something and try to use this as an opportunity to strike at the Yellow Dragon Guild.¡¯ If Kamensky¡¯s actions aligned with his own n, the Yellow Dragon Guild, which could only mobilize one S-rank Hunter, would have to make a difficult choice. ¡®We don¡¯t know Kamensky¡¯s intentions, so it¡¯s hard to gauge the bait¡¯s appeal. Our only option is to give off a scent strong enough to draw attention to our bait.¡¯ Kang Mu-hyuk visited Sung Seonjae and disclosed Ju Se-ah¡¯s n. He exined the current situation, including Kamensky¡¯s unexpected involvement. Sung Seonjae¡¯s response was lukewarm. ¡°Going after the demon? Using the Tyrant? It¡¯s a solid n¡­ But regardless of sess, I¡¯m concerned that even attempting to assassinate an S-rank could escte into an international conflict.¡± ¡°The series of incidents¡ªlike the seizure of Sinuiju, the opening of the Demonic Realm Gates, and the Tumen River attack¡ªwere all based on China¡¯s ambitions to dominate the Korean Penins. They provoked us first. If we just sit back, we¡¯ll look weak. Who¡¯s to say something like this won¡¯t happen again?¡± ¡°So, the idea is to eliminate an S-rank as a warning and align with Russia¡­?¡± Sung Seonjae raised eight fingers. ¡°There are the ¡®Eight Martial Emperors¡¯ in China. How do you n to deal with all of them?¡± The Eight Martial Emperors. They were China¡¯s elite S-rank Hunters. Sung Seonjae pointed out the risk; if they all retaliated, Korea wouldn¡¯t be able to withstand it. "Russia has five S-ranks. We have one. That makes the score 6 to 8. If you take out Shimwol, it¡¯s 6 to 7. That¡¯s doable. Plus, Japan has three S-ranks, so China can¡¯t act too recklessly either." ¡°If you¡¯re trying to fight Hunters by crunching numbers, you might as well enjoy sports. This isn¡¯t a game where things go as nned.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just about numbers¡ªit¡¯s a strategy based on real evidence.¡± ¡°What kind of strategy?¡± ¡°Because China¡¯s like a house of cards.¡± Sung Seonjae nearlyughed out loud, understanding exactly what Kang Mu-hyuk meant by that. China had the most S-ranks after the United States, but its influence on the international Hunter scene was minimal. The reason? China¡¯s S-ranks were alwayspeting with each other. ¡°There¡¯s no organization like ¡®Super S¡¯ in China to represent S-ranks¡¯ interests, as there is in the US. The Communist Party tried to manage them under one system, but with the various factions and regional warlords within the Party, unity was almost impossible. Expecting cooperation among them is absurd when even the Eight Martial Emperors, who possess superhuman abilities, can¡¯t be controlled by ideology or censorship.¡± ¡°What about exceptions like the ck Dragon and the Demon (Shimwol)? If the Yellow Dragon and the Sundown Guild can join forces, doesn¡¯t that mean other S-ranks could also get involved?¡± ¡°It was honestly a surprise that the ck Dragon and the Demon sided together. But they don¡¯t truly work together¡ªit¡¯s like mixing oil and water. In fact, after the ck Dragon left to fight Guild Leader Ju Se-ah, the Demon didn¡¯t budge. Now that the ck Dragon has retreated, the Demon will take the lead.¡± Hunter confidence at times relies on arrogance. Hunters tend to get cocky at C-rank and even more so at B-rank, which has led to issues like Hunter bullying and violence. If they cross a certain line, they risk bing the next Ujungdo convicts. The only time Hunters regained some humility was when they faced someone of a higher rank. But S-ranks were different¡ªthey didn¡¯t have a rank above them. When rankless elites gather, tensions are inevitable. Even in Super S, reputed as the most democratic Hunter organization, S-ranks rarely faced each other directly; instead, their guilds act on their behalf. Sung Seonjae, a former Hunter and now Strategy Team Leader, couldn¡¯t dispute Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s logic. He understood this dynamic better than anyone. He realized that, despite his reservations, the priority was to get the job done. ¡°Well, since you¡¯ve already started, I suppose I don¡¯t have a choice. What can I do to help?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t ignore the White Tiger Guild anymore. I¡¯ll tie them up with the Yellow Dragon Guild. But just letting them go would be a shame. I¡¯ll use what I can from them, then get rid of them.¡± *** Kang Mu-hyuk went to meet Eum Youngjon, the Vice Guild Master of the White Tiger Guild, with an unexpected request. ¡°I¡¯d like to speak with the Yellow Dragon Guild. Please get me in touch with them¡± ¡°The Yellow Dragon Guild?¡± Eum Youngjin shrugged, pretending not to know what was going on, but he was actually taken aback. It wasn¡¯t that the rtionship between the Yellow Dragon and White Tiger was being exposed¡ªthat could have happened at any time. There was another reason he was caught off guard. ¡®He¡¯s way too outspoken.¡¯ Although the Hunter industry was often seen as a world where brute strength ruled, beneath the surface, it was as ruthless and deceptive as international politics and diplomacy. In fact, it might even be scarier. Unlike diplomats who rely on political rhetoric, in this world, people negotiate with their lives on the line, often literally with a knife in hand. When survival was at stake, one had to act as if they didn¡¯t know things they did and pretend to know things they don¡¯t, all while maneuvering to take advantage of any opportunity. But Kang Mu-hyuk wasn¡¯t subtle¡ªhe charged right in, as if daring someone to crack his skull. And he wasn¡¯t your regr guy. It was no wonder Eum Youngjin was thrown into confusion. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about, Strategy Leader.¡± He denied it. Kang Mu-hyuk pounded on him, "The reason the White Tiger Guild went through all that trouble to join the Unified Strike Force¡ªit¡¯s all because the Yellow Dragon Guild made you do it, isn¡¯t it? Oh, wait, that expression says it all. They didn¡¯t force you. It¡¯s more like a¡ª¡®cooperative rtionship¡¯? If that sounds better, let¡¯s call it that.¡± Eum Youngjin scowled. Even though Kang Mu-hyuk wasn¡¯t a Hunter, he spoke with no fear, as if he were looking down on him. ¡®Riding on Ju Se-ah and Sung Seonjae¡¯s influence, he¡¯s got some nerve, fucking nobody!¡¯ Despite his irritation, Kang Mu-hyuk held the rank of Strategy Leader, so Eum Youngjin had to y along, replying with a forced smile. "We¡¯ve coborated a few times at the guild level, but we¡¯re not really close to the Yellow Dragon Guild." ¡°I know you¡¯re not close. After all, who considers their master a friend?¡± Eum Youngjin¡¯s eyes shed with anger. "Are you calling our guild a servant?" ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s eyes narrowed. Eum Youngjin¡¯s fists clenched with suppressed rage. ¡®Should I just kill him with one blow and make it look like an ident?¡¯ But a wave of murderous intent from nearby made him unclench his fists. ¡®Who is it? Sung Seonjae? Jang Deokgoo?¡¯ As he got rid of his killing intent, the other disappeared too. Eum Youngjin broke into a cold sweat. Not being able to sense his opponent¡¯s location meant that they were either on par with him or even stronger. Seeing Eum Youngjin back down slightly, Kang Mu-hyuk pressed harder, confident since he¡¯d already set up security measures but still hadn¡¯t received a clear answer. ¡°Here¡¯s my theory. The Yellow Dragon Guild orchestrated the Tumen River incident, and the White Tiger Guild assisted. If the Chinese Huntermunity infiltrates the Korean Penins while Korea¡¯s monster defense is weak, the White Tiger Guild steps in to take control of the industry. Sounds usible, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Eum Youngjin gritted his teeth; Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s guess was dangerously close to the truth. ¡°Don¡¯t make baseless usations without evidence.¡± ¡°Evidence? Who needs that?¡± ¡°You think spreading lies will make people believe you? You¡¯ll only look like a fool.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a bit troubling. So, what should we do? I know¡ªhow about this? First, we expose the true face of the White Tiger Guild throughout the industry. Murder, robbery, assault, moneyundering, illegal item trading¡ªeverything. Then, we testify to this at the Tier Guild and the Guild Cooperation Center, building their reputation as a ruthless guild willing to do anything. And if we suggest a link between the White Tiger Guild and the Yellow Dragon Guild? Hey, these two have a lot of business together¡ªwho do you think people will believe?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a lie!¡± ¡°Lie? Are you sure it¡¯s a lie?¡± ¡°¡­ ¡­¡± ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter. If everyone else says you¡¯re a bad guy, then you are. And you¡¯re also ¡°actually¡± a bad guy.¡± Despite the killing intent emanating strongly from Eum Youngjin, he couldn¡¯t act against Kang Mu-hyuk because of the overwhelming pressure that was still directed at him. Kang Mu-hyuk drove his point home. ¡°Your fault for not making better choices in the past.¡± ¡°¡­ ¡­ Hmph. Let me say it again: I deny any allegations regarding the Yellow Dragon Guild.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s assume that¡¯s true. What¡¯s next?¡± ¡°However, since I do have some connections with the Yellow Dragon Guild, I can provide you with their contact information.¡± ¡°Good. You know how to handle people well, Vice Guild Master Eum Youngjin. This was a productive conversation.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t mention it. I hope we can clear up misunderstandings through dialogue like this in the future as well.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk and Eum Youngjin shook hands, both smiling brightly as though they hadn¡¯t just been arguing. But beneath his forced smile, Eum Youngjin¡¯s face showed his frustration. ¡®This jerk. Just wait¡ªI¡¯ll catch you and kill you.¡¯ *** ¡°My name is Kang Mu-hyuk from Iron Will. Team Leader Guan Hong.¡± For a moment, Guan Hong doubted his ears. ¡®How did he get my contact information?¡¯ The only ones who could have leaked it were in the White Tiger Guild. ¡®Did they betray me?¡¯ When Guan Hong didn¡¯t respond, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, ¡°The rumors about the White Tiger Guild are pretty terrible. But maybe they¡¯re not true; after all, they were quite cooperative.¡± These words helped Guan Hong regain hisposure. ¡°Divide and Conquer? You must¡¯ve read The Art of War. Trying to make me doubt others?¡± ¡°I got sidetracked. I know you¡¯re busy with the Shenyang Gate situation, so I¡¯ll get to the point.¡± ¡°Shenyang City?!¡± The mention of Shenyang City startled Guan Hong. Angered that his ufortable situation had been exposed, he expected his opponent to rx and push him. ¡°The Tyrant has taken control of the Shenyang City Gate. Russia ns to destroy it, just like you did with the Tumen River.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk was specting based on Lee Sookyoung¡¯s previous observations of a device in the Demonic Realm and the fact that the Jilin City Gate opened precisely when China needed it. Could China have the ability to force open the Gates? Even though his statement was just a well-educated threat, Kang Mu-hyuk knew that Kamensky had evidence of a device at the Jilin City Gate. This made Guan Hong take his words seriously. For China, Korea, and Russia, this was now a shared problem. ¡°The Reaper and the Tyrant¡­ Was it a diversion? Impressive.¡± From Guan Hong¡¯s response, Kang Mu-hyuk inferred Kamensky¡¯s location. ¡®We took control of Shenyang City, and Russia attacked other Gates. But Guan Hong referred to a diversion involving an envoy, meaning Kamensky has already moved.¡¯ So where would Kamensky target next? The only strategically significant point remaining in the Demonic Realm was a single Gate. ¡®The Jilin City Gate?¡¯ But wasn¡¯t the Jilin City Gate already opened and used to destroy the Tumen River? ¡®Then, there¡¯s still something in Jilin City causing issues for the Yellow Dragon Guild. Perhaps it¡¯s the device that Hunter Lee Sookyoung saw¡­¡¯ Having quickly pieced together the clues, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, directing Guan Hong¡¯s anger toward another target. ¡°The Tyrant¡¯s younger brother is quite the strategist. Even I was surprised. I didn¡¯t expect him to go that far.¡± Guan Hong knew who he was talking about¡ªthe Tyrant¡¯s younger brother was someone like himself. ¡®Darden! How dare you mess with me?¡¯ Usually, he¡¯d have reacted calmly, but with two S-ranks attacking simultaneously and the ck Dragon incapacitated, Guan Hong was overwhelmed. ¡°So why did you contact me?¡± ¡°In one hour, we¡¯ll be informing the Chinese intelligence agency about the Shenyang Gate situation. The Communist Party leadership will hear about it too.¡± ¡°What?!¡± ¡°If things blow up there, Hebei Province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region will also be affected. I hope you make the right choice before then.¡± Chapter 192 - Can it be stopped? A total of twenty people. Four parties. The Yellow Dragon Guild¡¯s half-raid team and guerri unit, known as ¡®sh Strikers,¡¯ swiftly moved through the forest. The leader of the attack team, running at the front, looked back and shouted orders as they ran. ¡°We¡¯ll circle around the forest and block the entrance to the Harbin Gate. Party 4, prepare the switch while the rest of us guard the Gate until it¡¯s open!¡± Following his orders, the Hunters entered Harbin City and immediately engaged the Russian Hunters who were guarding the Gate. ¡°Damn it, it¡¯s those sh Strikers again!¡± ¡°Requesting backup¡­ Khak!¡± The Russian forces had no time to respond to the swift assault by the sh Strikers guerri unit. With the Yellow Dragon, Sundown, and the newly arrived Daemyung, and Anti-God Guild¡¯s forces now on the battlefield, most of the troops were on the western defense line. Although the Russian Hunters stationed at the Gate were formidable, the sh Strikers team had the upper hand. Utilizing their advantage, they executed a wless ambush. The Russian Hunters, caught off guard, were quickly pushed back, with no escape route when they finally found their allies behind them. They had no choice but to fight to thest. ¡°If I¡¯m going down, I¡¯ll take at least one of them with me!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be reckless! Just hold out! Reinforcements are on the way!¡± The Russian Hunters fought desperately, but their resistance didn¡¯tst long. Support only arrived after thest Russian Hunter was struck down. Reinforcements approached from the front. ¡°Damn it, what¡¯s going on at the front lines? If they told us to strike from behind, they should¡¯ve held them in ce.¡± ¡°Captain! These guys are the Fire Bear Raiders!¡± One of the sh Strikers Hunters recognized the enemy. The Fire Bear Raiders were a notorious team from St. Petersburg¡¯s Bloody Sunday guild, known for their expertise in hunting down other Hunters. They were frequent adversaries in the Demonic Realm and were familiar to sh Strikers, who had grown confident that they were the boss here. The sh Strikers raid leader spotted a familiar face, drew his sword, and shouted. ¡°Lysenko! Crawled all the way here just for a losing fight, huh?¡± ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t Wujing! Nice to see you. Let¡¯s talk¡ªafter I knock you down.¡± With Lysenko and Wujing leading the way, Hunters from both sides threw themselves into battle. This was a hunt for humans, not monsters. Mana-charged swords shed, and chaotic spells filled the air. Axes swung down on heads as though splitting logs. Bones broke through skin, and blood sprayed like a fountain. Some Hunters tried to pour potions on their wounds to stop the bleeding, but it was toote. One Hunter died leaning against a wall, the life gone from his eyes. Others weren¡¯t as fortunate¡ªa Hunter¡¯s body was burned to ashes by magic and scattered in the wind, while another was reduced to an unrecognizable pulp of blood and flesh. The fightsted only about ten minutes, yet both sides lost nearly half of their strength in the fierce sh. Now, the two raid leaders were calcting the best moment to retreat. ¡®No matter how much we fight, this won¡¯t end until everyone¡¯s dead.¡¯ ¡®We¡¯ve managed to halt the sh Strikers, so we can count this as a strategic victory. Better not get greedy.¡¯ Both leaders began preparing to withdraw, cautiously keeping an eye on each other. A group of people entered the battlefield, moving through the ruins. The copsed buildings were the only indication that this had once been a city. ¡°Watch out! It¡¯s a tomahawk!¡± The Hunter who shouted the warning didn¡¯t survive long; his head was severed in an instant. It was a bipedal bear, gnawing on the Hunter¡¯s neck. This bear carried an axe simr to the ones used by Native Americans, which was why Hunters called it a ¡®tomahawk¡¯ rather than by its official name, ¡®Warrior Bear.¡¯ ¡°Wujing, let¡¯s call it quits here. Better to avoid ending up in that bear¡¯s stomach.¡± ¡°Hah! Thanks to that monster, you get to keep your life. Take good care of yourself. I¡¯ll deal with you someday.¡± Wujing and Lysenko stood far apart, exchanging words, while the Hunters on both sides¡ªwho had just been trying to kill each other moments before¡ªnow shifted their focus to the new intruders, their swords drawn. ¡°Form up in Party Formation 3! Tanks, set up a shield wall!¡± ¡°Northern advance! Tighten the formation! Bring the wounded inside the line!¡± About twenty Warrior Bears watched the Hunters as they got into battle stance, then began gathering the corpses scattered across the ground. ¡°Those sneaky bear cubs. They don¡¯t attack when they¡¯re at a disadvantage¡ªthey just snatch up the dead and run.¡± Someone ground their teeth in frustration, but inside, everyone was relieved. The Warrior Bears were formidable opponents, skilled enough inbat to make one wonder if they were truly monsters. Moreover, these bears were cunning; if they sensed their opponent was strong, they would just grab food or a weapon and retreat. As the Warrior Bears carried off corpses like prized treasures, the remaining Hunters stared at each other awkwardly. When the standoff lingered, Wujing was the first to make a decision. ¡°We¡¯re backing off. Slowly.¡± The sh Strikers had lost half its strength and could no longer be considered an attacking force. As a guerri unit, they had no nearby supply base and no reinforcements. In contrast, the Fire Bear Raiders could summon reinforcements at any time. Additionally, some of their equipment was damaged or lost during the battle, meaning their mission had already failed. There was no reason to continue fighting. Seeing the sh Strikers withdraw, the Fire Bear Raiders sat down to rest. Lysenko, hiding his exhaustion, contacted the Harbin Operations Department to report the situation and requested a team to guard the Gate entrance. He then began scouting the surrounding area. After a while, reinforcements arrived from their main base. But as the Fire Bear Raiders prepared to secure the area, another force emerged¡ªfrom the Chinese side. A new team appeared in the path where the sh Strikers had retreated. ¡°Well, I guess this is it for me.¡± Lysenko had missed his chance to retreat and was dragged into yet another battle. *** White Phantom of the Anti-God Guild stood across from Sinuiju. He looked down at the Yalu River, which reflected the lights of the city. The old Yalu River Bridge, partially destroyed during the Korean War, swayed in the waves. White Phantom took in the scenery of Sinuiju with a hint of regret in his eyes. ¡°Has it really been 10 years?¡± 10 Years. It took ten years to cross this river. ¡°It was faster than I expected. At first, I had nned to cross the river again after 20 years, but luckily, I managed to cut that time in half. I guess I¡¯ll be able to go back in a few days.¡± But why did those few days feel like they passed so slowly? It was as if time itself had stopped. White Phantom felt both anxious and excited. ¡°What should we do when we get back? Should we deal with our enemies first? No, they¡¯re still useful, so let¡¯s wait. Should we confront the Korean government? No, that wouldn¡¯t be worth it. Then what would be the best move, Daecheol?¡± The one listening to White Phantom¡¯s words was Do Daecheol, the leader of the Hunters who followed him in the Anti-God Guild. ¡°Finding your cees first, no matter what you n to do.¡± ¡°Such a dull response. When someone is full of anticipation and nostalgia, you¡¯re supposed to match their mood or at least tter them.¡± ¡°If you want to fool around, find someone else. I¡¯m good at catching monsters and Hunters, but not ttery. Of course, if you order me to do it, I¡¯ll pretend to try.¡± White Phantom let out augh. It could havee across as unpleasant, but Do Daecheol¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°I take back what I said. How could I call such a funny guy boring? Anyway, Daecheol, you have a strange talent for being funnier when you¡¯re serious.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like a useful skill.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s a skill. At least it makes the stiff look on your face less awkward.¡± Only then did Do Daecheol realize that White Phantom was teasing him. But, he didn¡¯tin. He continued speaking with an indifferent expression. ¡°Please stop here and don¡¯t cross the river.¡± ¡°It¡¯s still early.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you goter or now.¡± ¡°No. It¡¯d be easier to cross once the monster from the Gate has moved.¡± ¡°Is this because of those idiots in Sinuiju?¡± ¡°I know you look down on the Korean Tier Guilds because you¡¯ve been through rougher battles in the Gobi Desert, but the ones in Sinuiju are Hunters from the Expeditionary Force¡ªthe best of the best. I¡¯ll feel more at ease if I deal with them first before going in.¡± Do Daecheol nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll move the n forward.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already sent someone into the Demonic Realm. It won¡¯t be long before we see results.¡± White Phantom turned his head to the northeast, thinking of the Gate boss that must be lurking somewhere in the Demonic Realm. ¡°How many lives will be lost before it can be stopped?¡± *** Guan Hong gritted his teeth as he made several phone calls to verify what Kang Mu-hyuk had said. It was only when the promised hour was almost up that he was able to confirm the truth. ¡°Really? The General Information Bureau has already obtained intel? Where did ite from? The market? Japan, Korea, Russia¡ªeverywhere? Okay, I understand. Please hold off on informing the party for now. Before we make an announcement, we need to find a solution for the Shenyang Gate. Yes, Director, I¡¯ll visit you soon. Alright.¡± Trembling, he put down the phone and gripped the armrest of his chair so hard that the stic split. The metal inside was bent. ¡°If the party found out, they¡¯d make it public to the people.¡± Guan Hong could see through Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s strategy. It was a straightforward move: while the Communist Party¡¯s leadership was in disarray over the Shenyang Gate, they would leak the information to the public through the media. China, which had lost the three northeastern provinces long ago during the ¡®Demonic Gate Turmoil,'' was likely to fall into panic once again. It was clear that the people of Hebei Province and Inner Mongolia, areas adjacent to the capital, would all evacuate, leaving northern Chinapletely paralyzed. In situations like this, having arge poption became a liability. When hundreds of millions moved at once, there was no way to control them. ''In the end, the party will put pressure on us. That¡¯s the easiest move for them. So, we have no choice but to resolve the situation in Shenyang City first.'' From the perspective of the guild¡¯s interests, it made sense to attack Jilin City. If the existence of the Gate opener was discovered, they would face criticism and sanctions from the internationalmunity. Guild activities would be severely restricted. ''It¡¯s checkmate. I can¡¯t avoid going to Shenyang either.'' ¡®If I had known this wasing, I would have destroyed the evidence at the Jilin City Gate first. I never imagined they¡¯d target a Gate that had already been opened.¡¯ Guan Hong took a deep breath to clear hisplicated thoughts. After a few deep breaths, his mind grew calm. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve made up my mind.¡± Guan Hong¡¯s eyes grew cold and determined. *** Kang Mu-hyuk went to meet with Sung Seonjae to ask for another favor. ¡°I¡¯m nning to move the Unified Strike Force.¡± ¡°But from what I know, we¡¯re not prepared to attack the boss yet.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not nning to attack the boss.¡± ¡°Then, what are you nning to do?¡± ¡°I need you to move to Jilin City.¡± ¡°Jilin City? Isn¡¯t Kamensky there now?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°Sending the Unified Strike Force there¡­ Guild Leader Kang, do you think the Yellow Dragon Guild is targeting Jilin City?¡± Kang Mu-hyuk paused, considering his answer. He ran through a few more scenarios and made a prediction. ''Human decisions aren¡¯t always based on reason alone. I don¡¯t know exactly what kind of person Guan Hong is, but one thing is certain: he¡¯s smart.'' One could see it in his n to destabilize Russia and Korea through the Demonic Realm Gate. ''He¡¯s smart and ambitious. The Yellow Dragon Guild isn¡¯t a ce that tolerates failure. He might take a risk.'' Having finished his calctions, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke again. ¡°I¡¯m not suggesting we go there to fight. Just to keep a close watch, in case something happens.¡± ¡°Keep watch? You¡¯re not suggesting we take on an S-rank threat, are you? Or are you saying there might be an expeditionary force joining us?¡± ¡°Possibly.¡± For the first time since bing Titan¡¯s Strategy Team Leader, Kang Mu-hyuk wasn¡¯t certain in his own words. Chapter 193 - Lets see who is the strongest in the Far East ¡°Why aren¡¯t there any attacks today?¡± The Russian Hunters in Harbin grew anxious as the Chinese Hunters, who had been pressing them hard, suddenly pulled back, leaving no trace of their forces. Scouts were sent to check Harbin¡¯s city center and the surrounding outskirts, but there was no sign of Chinese Hunters anywhere. This news reached the Russian Hunter Alliance headquarters and quickly spread to each guild. This time, the Tsar Guild, which had previously withheld information about the assault on the Demonic Realm Gate, shared the news with Kang Mu-hyuk. ¡°You mean Harbin has fallen under Russian control?¡± ¡°To be precise, it seems that China has given up on it.¡± ¡°They just gave up?¡± ¡°Harbin Gate had simr strategic importance as Mudanjiang and Jiamusi. But suddenly, the Chinese forces withdrew. We don¡¯t know the reason, so we¡¯re still on guard.¡± At that moment, Kang Mu-hyuk guessed what might be happening, though he kept his thoughts to himself. ¡°Thank you for the update.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll keep in touch regrly from now on.¡± The implication was to maintain their information-sharing rtionship and put aside the issues around Kamensky. Kang Mu-hyuk, seeing no benefit in cutting ties with divostok, agreed. ¡°Korea will soon enter the Demonic Realm as well. We look forward to our cooperation in this realm.¡± After ending the call, Kang Mu-hyuk looked over a map of the Demonic Realm. Thoughbeled a ¡®map,¡¯ it was more of a historical document from a time when thisnd was still inhabited by humans. He focused on one particr detail: geography. ¡®Harbin.¡¯ He pointed at the city on the map and traced a line southward with his finger. ¡°Jilin City¡­¡± It was over 200 kilometers south of Harbin. For a Hunter, however, that wasn¡¯t much of a distance. ¡®Each of the bases connecting the old cities regrly clears its roads.¡¯ There wouldn¡¯t be any monsters to interfere, and the Hunters could reach Jilin City quickly. Kang Mu-hyuk understood the strategy behind abandoning Harbin. ¡®Are they trying to fight Kamensky with Shimwol?¡¯ A deathmatch between the demons and the reaper. Kang Mu-hyuk was well aware that Guan Hong would hardly y fair in a fight where he could foresee the oue. They¡¯d need extra forces to slow Kamensky down and wear him out. ¡®Harbin¡¯s forces alone wouldn¡¯t be enough. Against S-ranks, they¡¯d serve as little more than a meat shield.¡¯ In that case, they¡¯d need the strongest nearby force. ¡°It has to be Dandong.¡± An Expedition from the Yellow Dragon Guild in Dandong The Yellow Dragon Guild had mobilized an expedition from Dandong. While its main role was to monitor Shinuiju, it couldn¡¯t ignore Jilin City, which held something valuable enough to justify even deploying S-ranks¡ªeven at the cost of leaving Dandong undefended. With the vast number of Hunters at its disposal, the Yellow Dragon Guild divided its expeditionary force into three teams. Losing one team wouldn¡¯t be a major setback for the guild. ''In other words, this is something important enough to risk losing an entire expedition team,'' thought Kang Mu-hyuk as he examined Shenyang City on the map. 340 kilometers from Jilin City It was farther than Harbin and along a less direct route. But for an S-rank, the distance wouldn¡¯t be much of an obstacle. ¡°I need to mobilize the Guild Master, the Tyrant, and the Unified Strike Force as well.¡± ***. Kamensky sat by a fire, boiling ramen noodles in a small Korean pot. He hade to appreciate the Korean style of eating noodles, finding the savory vor oddly satisfying. After years of practice, he had even be proficient with chopsticks. ¡°If there weren¡¯t small pleasures like this, life in this frozen wastnd would be miserable,¡± he muttered, this time speaking in Chinese. Just then, a shadow appeared within the firelight. Although the full moon had risen, the moonlight was dim in the Demonic Realm, and even a Hunter¡¯s sharp eyesight struggled to see the shadow¡¯s face clearly. ¡°Camping? What a filthy hobby¡ªcooking food in a ce swarming with monsters.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to go looking for them. They¡¯lle to you on their own. Try it out, Demon(Shimwol). It¡¯s more fun than you¡¯d think¡ªlike fishing.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me that nickname, old man.¡± Shimwol despised that nickname. It reminded her too much of her time on Namsan Ind¡ªa brutal ce for the weak and a living nightmare before she became S-rank. That Hunter Prison had been a torment, like the longest of death penalty. ¡°My apologies. As I get older, I find it harder to keep track of my manners. I was only trying to share with you the joys of fishing. I didn¡¯t mean to offend.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve never even touched a fishing rod. Let¡¯s skip the small talk¡ªboth of us are busy, right?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need a fishing rod to catch a big fish.¡± Kamensky chuckled, pointing up at the moon. ¡°Wait¡ªare you saying I fell for your bait?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. You came to the perfect ce to meet your end.¡± Before Shimwol could react, Kamensky charged, fists flying. ¡°Ugh!¡± She blocked with her crossed arms, feeling a heavy sensation. But Kamensky¡¯s punches came one after another, dozens in a heartbeat. Shimwol shook her body to dodge the punches. She blocked the ones she couldn¡¯t with her arms, swatting them away. She twisted her body to deflect the punches she missed, reducing the damage she took. But one of the strikes slipped through her guard andnded on her side, sending a shockwave through her core, shaking her entire body. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Shimwol countered with a sharp thrust, her long sword grazing Kamensky¡¯s chest. He staggered back, feeling the blow reverberate through his body. Quickly drawing on his mana, he gathered whatever was swirling in his intestines and vomited it out. Thick blood fell to the floor like phlegm.. Feeling much better, Kamensky moved to the disy case beside his tent. Shimwol, seeing this, pulled a five-section staff from behind her back. She swung it hard, like a whip, and it became a staff. She attached a short sword to the end of the staff, whipping it around until it transformed into a deadly polearm. ¡°Care to see the world¡¯s greatest spearperson in action?¡± Kamensky retrieved an enormous scythe from the shelf. Instead of a de, it appeared to have a huge scytherger than a person''s torso attached to the end of the staff. ¡°The Reaper¡¯s Scythe¡­ from the Red Gate, right? Looks like my trip here is going to be well worth it.¡± Shimwol swung her spear overhead, spinning it with a sharp crack that sliced through the air. Kamensky felt the force ripple through him. ¡°Demonic Spear¡­ Interesting. That will make a fine addition to my collection.¡± Kamensky lunged, scythe swinging down. Shimwol met his attack with her spear, their weapons colliding in a deafening sh. ng! For a second, they seemed pressed against each other, as if testing each other¡¯s strength. Then, they suddenly broke apart,unching into a flurry of strikes¡ªdozens of blows exchanged in mere moments. With each impact, their hands stung, their grips almost went numb. Strength VS Strength Mana surged through their weapons. The power of their sh sent gusts whipping in all directions. Kamensky¡¯s pot of ramen rolled across the ground, crushed to bits, while weapons spilled from the overturned disy case. The asphalt beneath them cracked, and the half-crumbled buildings around them finally copsed under the relentless force of their fight. The ruins had transformed into a wastnd. ''At this rate, this won¡¯t end.¡¯ Shimwol adjusted her attack method. She eased the pressure on his spear that was swinging forward and began swinging the shaft side to side. In an instant, Kamensky¡¯s scythe missed its target, slicing through the air. Just then, Shimwol¡¯s spear darted upward, aiming for Kamensky¡¯s arm. ¡°Hmph!¡± Kamensky scoffed, twisting only his wrist to redirect the scythe. His joints protested from the sudden movement, but he managed to intercept the spear de. As the danger passed, the chance came. It was Kamensky¡¯s turn. He thrust his scythe forward in a stabbing motion. Shimwol watched and inwardlyughed. Stabbing with a weapon like a scythe? She saw it as a wasted effort. Shimwol easily dodged the extended scythe by tilting her head. The next moment, a sudden chill ran down her spine. She quickly ducked, feeling the scythe¡¯s edge graze the back of her neck. The scythe turned and passed over where her neck had been. Shocked, she backed off, reaching up to touch the spot. When she pulled her hand away, she saw blood. ¡°Well, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen my own blood.¡± ¡°What a shame. It¡¯s been a while since I got to show off my skills, too. You¡¯re quite good at dodging,¡± Kamensky taunted, grinning. Shimwol red at him, cold sweat running down her back but acting calmly. ''I can''t beat this monster with just weapons alone.'' That single attack made it clear¡ªKamensky''s weapon skills were sophisticated. Every strike, even the simplest, carried a depth honed over his years as an S-rank Hunter. ¡°I¡¯d prefer if you just stood still and let me finish this.¡±. ¡°Enough warm-up. You¡¯ve been around long enough. It¡¯s time to die!!¡± ¡¾Spear Shadow Charge¡¿ Shimwol used an original skill she¡¯d developed through relentless training. Unlike Gate skills, which came from skill books, original skills required a rigorous mastery. The power they unleashed was on another level. ¡°This is a worthy sight.¡± Kamensky watched in awe as Shimwol¡¯s spear multiplied, splitting into dozens of radiant projections that shot toward him. Kamensky extended his scythe to full length and held it steady. He began spinning it in front of him, creating a barrier like an umbre. As he infused it with mana, a shimmering shield took form. ¡¾Protection of the Reaper¡¿ This was Kamensky¡¯s item-bound skill. While it drew on his mana, it was a unique ability that came with the scythe¡ªa rare feature of high-tier weapons. The shield expanded, growing stronger with each spin, deflecting the spears¡¯ light rays, which scattered in every direction. Shimwol didn''t falter. She activated another skill immediately. ¡¾Dragon Ego¡¿ From her Red Gate abilities, Shimwol conjured a dragon of mana. The spectral beast, its jaws wide, charged at Kamensky with a fearsome snarl. ¡¾Dimensional sh¡¿ Fight unique with unique. Kamensky didn¡¯t back down. He shed his scythe horizontally, slicing through the dragon. The impact distorted the surroundings, as if reality itself was torn apart. A massive explosion followed, obliterating everything in the vicinity. The concrete buildings nearby crumbled, fire hydrants shot into the air, and the street became a wastnd. Shimwol nted her spear into the ground and braced herself. She drew out mana to shield her body, and her armor coat became tattered. Her metal armor underneath revealed itself. As she poured her mana into it, the armor moved as if alive and wrapped itself almost instantly. Donning a helmet, she looked like a medieval knight, d in full te armor with a spear in hand. Kamensky was equally battered. His cloaky in rags, his clothes shredded, but fortunately, he was not naked. He wore brown leather armor and specialized fabric on his lower half. Though less imposing than Shimwol¡¯s armor, his equipment was of the highest quality from the Red Gate. As the dust settled, Kamensky advanced, scythe in hand, while Shimwol strode forward, gripping her spear. Shimwol felt a rare thrill. She hadn¡¯t encountered a fight like this in ages. ¡°Now, let¡¯s find out who¡¯s truly the strongest in the Far East.¡± Chapter 194 - Time to swat an S-rank fly ¡°It¡¯s started.¡± Diniger Gao, the third division captain of the Yellow Dragon Guild Expeditionary Force, stood up at the sound of a distant explosion. The 40 expedition members behind him also rose to their feet. ¡°Go in now.¡± With Diniger''s order, the expedition members began to move¡ªthough not all of them were eager. ¡°Do I really have to go in?¡± ¡°Sirinnai, are you defying orders now?¡± Diniger stopped walking and red at Sirinnai fiercely. There was an intensity in his gaze, and Sirinnai swallowed nervously, fluttering her long eyshes. But she spoke up, determined to say what was on her mind. ¡°You know, Captain, the guild is using us as pawns. They call this an expedition force, but in reality, they¡¯re just gathering Uyghurs so they can use us as much as they can, throwing us to the monsters or onto the battlefield like a meat shield whenever they please.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you know that when you joined?¡± ¡°Even if I knew, they should at least give us a chance to survive. Sending us into an S-rank battle is practically a death sentence.¡± Many of the raiders nodded in agreement with Sirinnai. They followed orders, but they all shared her sentiments. Diniger took in the tense atmosphere and spoke calmly. ¡°Isn¡¯t it thanks to this arrangement that our families are ¡®safe¡¯ and able to live decently?¡± At his words, the raiders'' expressions hardened. Sirinnai, clearly displeased, responded bitterly, ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Captain.¡± ¡°Take it as truth, not as a threat.¡± ¡°How can you talk so casually about the safety of our families when you¡¯re also Uyghur? Is it because of your mixed Han Chinese blood?¡± Diniger sighed, ''This again.¡¯ Diniger was of mixed Han and Uyghur descent. His name revealed his heritage: he took his mother¡¯s Uyghur name and added the Han surname ¡®Gao¡¯ from his father. Thanks to this heritage, he had been made captain of an expeditionary force made up entirely of Uyghurs, often referred to as the ¡®Death Row Squad.¡¯ It was a calcted move by the Yellow Dragon Guild to deal with minority Hunters. ¡°No matter how much people mock us as the ¡®death row squad,¡¯ I have no intention of sending you to your deaths. But I can¡¯t disobey the guild¡¯s orders either. If you want to run, I won¡¯t stop you. I¡¯ll just say you died fighting.¡± This was all Diniger could offer. Given the Uyghur Hunters¡¯ situation, he couldn¡¯t fully reassure or persuade them. He didn¡¯t even try. In fact, he even implied he would tolerate their desertion. But no Hunter had ever fled. They all knew that theirints were more empty grumblings than serious threats. As expected, a resigned look settled on everyone¡¯s faces. ¡°Can we¡­ survive?¡± ¡°At the very least, if we have to run, I¡¯ll be thest to leave.¡± Those words were enough for now. * * * The battle between Kamensky and Shimwol was fierce and a close one. Both fighters had hidden techniques, but they couldn''t use them carelessly without seeing an opening in the other. ¡®This old man¡­ I¡¯ve only heard rumors about him, but he¡¯s a real monster. No matter how much experience he has, this guy¡¯s gotta be aging backward.¡¯ As the fight wore on, Shimwol realized that the legend of the ¡®Reaper of the Frozen Land¡¯ was more than just a rumor. Kamensky, for his part, was equally impressed by Shimwol¡¯s prowess. ''They call her the giraffe born on Namsan Ind. She truly lives up to that title. If she keeps this up for a few more years, she¡¯ll be a serious threat.¡¯ Kamensky was also repeatedly impressed, but at the same time he was concerned. While the Demon of Namsan Ind would slowly reach her prime as a high-level Hunter, Kamensky knew time would eventually catch up with him. While it was true that higher-ranked Hunters aged slower, this, too, had its limits. Having awakened his abilitieste in life, Kamensky was already nearing eighty. ¡°Ugh!¡± ¡°Cha!¡± They shed again, their voices ringing out. From the point where the spear and scythe met, a wave of mana radiated in concentric circles. The asphalt peeled away, exposing the ground beneath. The pavement, already weakened, was torn up and scattered. The remaining ss windows shattered, and the building¡¯s exterior walls crumbled, revealing the steel framework within. The two fighters separated again, but Shimwol quickly closed the distance, her aggressive fighting style resembling that of Namsan Ind fighters. On the other hand, Kamensky slowly retreated, focusing on defense and counterattacks. To an untrained eye, he might have appeared to be on the losing end, constantly falling back. But, he was conserving his energy, strategically gaining the upper hand in every exchange. If not for Shimwol''s incredible endurance, she might have already faltered. Kamensky leapt onto a half-copsed ten-story building, bracing himself against the wall as he looked back. Shimwol was right behind him, her long spear slicing through the building, severing what remained of the structure. But Kamensky had already moved on, dashing towards the apartmentplex on the opposite side. Moving in a zigzag pattern through the apartments, Kamensky obscured her line of sight, further fueling Shimwol''s irritation. She steadied herself and took aim. "Old man. Are you just waiting for me to wear myself out? I''ll show you how pointless that is." Shimwol poured her mana into the spear, and at some point, the weapon seemed to draw mana from her in return. The spear, filled with powerful, turbulent energy, emitted a shriek as she swung it in a sweeping arc, parallel to the ground. ¡¾Spectral Strike¡¿ Shimwol¡¯s unique weapon. The Demonic Spear¡¯s special skill hit an apartmentplex. It sent strange, powerful energy streams tearing through the apartmentplex with a deep, resonant sound. Buildings crumbled in the wake of the attack, and the falling rubble was immediately torn apart by the waves of energy that followed, shredding everything in their path. Kamensky crouched on the ground, remaining motionless as debris rained down on him. Concrete bs piled over his head, but he stayed still, allowing himself to be buried. For any S-rank Hunter, taking on such weight would result in serious damage. Shimwol narrowed her eyes in suspicion as she observed his unorthodox response. ''Tch! This old man knows about my skills?!'' Her Spectral Strike skill was designed to attack anything in motion, driven by spirits embedded within the Demonic Spear. But if there was no movement, the spirits would not react, since they couldn¡¯t see or hear. Basically, a stationary target was safe from their attack. The fact that Kamensky had remainedpletely still under a copsing building disyed he understood the nature of her skills, Spectral Strike. For the first time in the fight, Shimwol felt a chill run down her spine. ''If he knows this much about me, then he¡¯se prepared. This isn¡¯t just some spur-of-the-moment fight¡ªthis is hunting. You nned this, Niki Kamensky!'' She shuddered at the cunning trickery of this veteran who had seen the Great and Minor War. But she was also an S-rank. Fear was not in her vocabry. Her apprehension quickly turned to anger. ¡°You dare treat me as if I''m some monster to be hunted?!¡± Through the thick dust and concrete debris, Kamensky¡¯s presence was unmistakable. Without hesitation, Shimwol charged toward him with her spear. ''As I thought, criminals have a short fuse. If you''ve reached S-rank, you should be able to control your temper at least.'' Kamensky sensied her approach. He wasn''t just reacting to her; he had anticipated her move. Kamensky waited patiently, ready to let Shimwol''s spear close in, as if he were about to impale himself on the de. Though they couldn¡¯t see each other clearly through the thick dust, both were timing their strikes with precise uracy. The fight was decided in a split second, a sliver of time divided into hundredths of seconds. They aimed for the same moment, but Kamensky, crouching low at thest second, carved out one more fraction of a second. "Ugh¡­!" When the dust finally settled, Shimwol stood with the tip of Kamensky''s scythe stuck in her side. Her armor was shattered, and the scythe twisted as if taunting her, drawing blood. The pain was severe, but Shimwol didn¡¯t even flinch. "Wow, you turned around at thest moment. Impressive.," Kamensky licked his lips in regret. His white hair and beard were coated in dust, but his sharp eyes gleamed like a predator''s. Because with that single move, he had secured a clear advantage. And thest¨C ¡®It¡¯s my victory.¡¯ Kamensky pulled the scythe from her side. Shimwol reacted a moment toote, and though she tried to turn the spear toward him, he would¡¯ve cut through her body first. But just then¡ª "Ugh!" Kamensky''s body jerked, a strange force gripping him for an instant. In that brief, nearly imperceptible moment, he lost focus. He got out of its hold and subconsciously turned his gaze away. ''Hunter? What the¡­ I missed it because I was too focused on Shimwol.¡¯ This slight distraction gave Shimwol her chance. Their weapons shed, and this time it was Kamensky¡¯s side that bled. His leather armor tore, revealing flesh shredded like rags. Kamensky quickly channeled his mana to close the wound on his abdomen forcefully. ¡°O what a reversal of tides, Reaper.¡± ¡°Congrattions. But wasn¡¯t this supposed to be one-on-one?¡± Kamensky replied. ¡°Are you calling me a coward?¡± ¡°I was just making sure. In this world, the one who gets hurt is the foolish one.¡± ¡°Well, I suppose age has caught up with me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll chalk it up to my own oversight for not considering this after preparing for everything else.¡± ¡°Tch! I don¡¯t like this situation either!¡± Shimwol nced back at the Hunters who had intervened in her fight. Among them, one wore the yellow cloak unique to the Yellow Dragon Guild''s expedition team. ''I didn¡¯t need your help, Guan Hong. I¡¯ll remember this humiliation.¡¯ Even though the expedition teamprised high-ranking Hunters, all they could do against an S-rank like Kamensky was to stall him with their lives or stop him for a bit with magic. He saved her life, but this only bruised her pride further. This alone was an example of how selfish Hunters, especially S-rank ones, were. Shimwol harbored a simmering resentment now, intent on wiping out the Yellow Dragon Guild¡¯s expedition team from existence someday. She was intent on wiping out anyone who knew her weakness. Getting out of that ce was as hard as getting in. One had to be alone. ¡°It¡¯s cooked just right.¡± Suddenly, an unpleasant voice, like scraping iron, rang out. Shimwol and Kamensky turned toward the source of the voice. "Haha. Igor Dudnik¡­¡± Kamensky recognized the figure and Shimwol¡¯s expression soured. "That guy¡¯s¡­ the Tyrant?¡± ¡°Call me Tyrant-nim,¡± Igor replied with a grin, baring his teeth. Shimwol suddenly felt that this ce could very well be her grave. ''No matter how injured Kamensky is, he''s still S-rank. And my body isn''t in great shape either. Fighting two S-ranks like this would just lead to a pointless death.¡¯ Shimwol considered sacrificing the Yellow Dragon Guild''s expedition force to create an opening for escape. But Igor acted first. Without warning, he transformed into a massive figure and a giant hand came crashing down on Shimwol¡¯s head. Shimwol stabbed at the center of his palm with her spear. The spear bent under the force, as if it would snap, but she couldn''t hold back the sheer weight pressing down. She was thrown to the ground, her spear still in hand. "Time to swat an S-rank fly.¡±. * * * "It''s me, Guild Leader Kang." -Yes, Guild Leader. Have you arrived in Jilin City? "The Tyrant has already made his move." -What''s the situation? "Both the Reaper and the Demon are injured. Just as you expected, the Yellow Dragon Guild expedition team is there as well." -Troops from Harbin will likely being down, too. "Aha, so that¡¯s why you had me wait up north?" -Handle the Harbin reinforcements. Make sure your identity isn¡¯t discovered. "Are you telling me to kill everyone?" -There''s no need to go after those who run. Covering your face is enough. "My beauty isn¡¯t something that can be hidden just by covering my face." -¡­ ¡­ . "I''m joking, I''m joking." -The joke sounded a little too heartfelt. "Let¡¯s move on. So, you¡¯re saying I should block off the Harbin reinforcements?" -Yes. And there''s one more thing. "What is it?" -It¡¯s about Kamensky. Chapter 195 - Dont Make Scary People Angry Igor noticed that Shimwol was trying to escape. ¡®I¡¯d run away too. Two S-ranks are impossible.¡¯ Plus, she was injured. Giving up on the fight was the right decision. Shimwol, pressed down by Igor''s huge palm, summoned her dragon. But, she was no match for his strength. She condensed mana into a spear shaft, and a de of mana bursted out from its tip. Igor felt a burning sensation in his chest. At the same time, blood spurted from the back of his hand. He quickly withdrew his hand and checked the wound¡ªit was a fairlyrge hole. "Was it a mosquito, not a fly? I saw blood today." "I¡¯ll suck you dry. Come at me." "Look at you. All talk even though you¡¯ll be dead soon. Anyone can see that you won¡¯t be able to get out of here alive today." Igorughed and took a step forward. With just one step, the ce where Shimwol had been was reduced to scorched earth. Shimwol climbed onto his giant foot. She tried to ascend the bridge as if rock climbing, but Igor kicked her away, forcing her to jump down. Even with preparation, it wouldn''t have been easy to face a monster that far surpasses human limits, like David and Goliath or the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk. The reason why the Tyrant was difficult to deal with was because of his Avatar''s skills. It felt like fighting arge monster rather than a Hunter. If we were to list the types of monsters that Hunters find difficult to hunt in order, they would be as follows: human-type, beast-type, magic-type, flying-type,rge-type, aquatic, and dragon-type. Of course, it wasn''t an absolute standard. There were monsters that were asionally humanoids but couldn''t be caught even if the entire top guild expedition team clung to them. This just held true generally. In that respect, the Tyrant''s trait could be said to be a cheat key. ¡®This guy has a real headache of the form.¡¯ Therge-type and a humanoid¡ªa formmonly referred to as a giant. It would have been difficult to hunt it without proper preparation. "Hahaha! Try struggling a little more!" Igor burst intoughter and kicked his feet and fists with excitement. Shimwol did not confront the attack head-on but instead used her movement skills appropriately to evade it. ¡®I don''t even have half my mana and stamina. Damn it. I got way too worked trying to catch Kamensky.¡¯ Compared to her, Igor was fresh. He had a power that could not be ignored even without having to use skills, so even a barrage of normal attacks didn¡¯t tire him. ¡®But I''m faster. If I keep recovering my stamina in this way and run away with all my I got...¡¯ A n came to mind, but she couldn''t put it into action. Because Kamensky, who had performed emergency aid just then joined the attack. Shimwol dodged the scythe swinging at her neck and grew angry. ¡°You sly old man!!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you say the loser¡¯s an idiot?¡± Shimwol had nothing more to say because he was repeating what she had said when the Yellow Dragon Guild expedition team had intervened earlier. Igor shouted in Russian. ¡°Hey, you damned old man! She is my prey. Don¡¯t even think about it. Get lost to your damn the frozen ground.¡± ¡°I had ns with her first. You leave.¡± ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me, you¡¯d be dead. I don¡¯t believe this.¡± ¡°You never know until the end.¡± Although Kamensky and Igor were speaking in Russian and Shimwol couldn''t understand what they were saying, she could tell just from the atmosphere what they were discussing. ¡°I can¡¯t let my head fall into the hands of those ignorant Russians. Get a taste of this and go back to Siberia!¡± ¡¾Metallic Dragon¡¿ A dragon with swords instead of scales leapt out from the tip of Shimwol''s nervously extended spear. ¡°Finally, we¡¯re getting into it. Alright, alright.¡± Igorughed and threw himself at the dragon. ¡¾Mountain Shield¡¿ He shed with the dragon sword, which transformed into a solid shield that could shatter anything reminiscent of a mountain range. There was a loud noise apanying the explosion. The Yellow Dragon Guild expeditionary force Hunters, who were retreating, covered their ears and crouched down. Then, the aftershock swept over them. ¡°Uaaaahh, Captain. If we stay here anymore, we''re really going to die!¡± Sirinnai screamed and mmed her hands into the ground. The other Hunters also nted their weapons in the ground to brace themselves against being blown away or grabbed whatever objects they could find nearby. A few who couldn''t hold out were blown away by the wind. Since they were all high-ranking, they wouldn''t be seriously injured by simple impact, but the mana stream mixed with the storm was the problem. The mana that was roughly scattered by the wind tore into the Hunters skin. ¡°Hold on! You need to hold on, no matter what!¡± This was the onlymand that Diniger could give. After a while, the wind died down, as if the heavens had listened to his wishes. The scenery that emerged was indescribable. One side of the city had beenpletely wiped out. And Shimwol was gone too. ¡°Tch. Sly bitch. Blowing up a big one and running away. Guess we both took one today, huh, old man¡­ Old man?¡± Igor looked for Kamensky, but he was nowhere to be found either. Soon, he realized that Kamensky had gone after Shimwol. Igor concentrated his senses and soon saw two figures moving quickly to the west. ¡°These rascals! Are you trying to have fun without me?! No way!¡± Igor shrank, releasing his Avatar state, and chased Shimwol. After he disappeared, the Hunters who remained at the scene sighed in relief at having returned alive from the gates of the afterlife and plopped down. ¡°How many people were hit?¡± Sirinnai, who was nearby, answered Diniger''s question, ¡°Nine flew away, among them, seven of them died. Two are probably still alive.¡± ¡°Seven in one attack¡­ and it wasn¡¯t even a direct attack.¡± It was mind-boggling. Top-ranking Hunters lost their lives simply because of the aftermath of the battle alone. Diniger felt it clearly. The difference between them and an S-rank was not just a difference of one rank. ¡°We¡¯re retreating. This isn¡¯t our fight.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I told you before. If we get involved here, we¡¯ll die.¡± ¡°If we disobey orders, we will still die.¡± Sirinnai could no longer protest. No one here could bear ill feelings toward Diniger''s words. As long as the safety of their family was in the hands of the Yellow Dragon Guild, they had no other choice. ¡°Still, we¡¯ve done enough. After all, before the Tyrant butted in, we created an opening to help her capture the Reaper of the Frozen Land.¡± ¡°That was also just luck being our side. Because we could approach him when he was distracted by Shimwol.¡± ¡°No, I think differently. I think you guys were unlucky.¡± The Hunters'' bodies froze at the sudden cold voice. They barely turned their stiff necks toward the sound. There stood a person standing who shouldn''t have been there. ¡°Tyrant¡­¡­!¡± Igor, who had gone after Shimwol, was standing there. ¡°I almost forgot.¡± They could tell what he had forgotten without even asking. Killing intent exuded from Igor. He cracked his neck audibly, taking a step forward, and muttered, ¡°Avatar.¡± *** ¡°Argh!¡± ¡°Ack!¡± Screams echoed from all directions. Shouts erupted amidst the groans. ¡°Magic! One-shot magic!¡± ¡°Damn it! It¡¯s working!¡± ¡°Tank Jin! Push with your body! Push!¡± ¡°Fuck. I can¡¯t stop it¡­¡± Neither melee nor ranked attacks, magic, poison, nor any debuff skills were effective against the enemy. ¡°Where did this monstere from¡­?¡± The main Hunters of the Yellow Dragon Guild, who hade south from Harbin, were already in despair at the high wall that blocked their path before even entering Jilin City. ¡°What is that guy? I can¡¯t believe Russia was hiding this damn monster.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know who he is, but I know he¡¯s S-rank. He¡¯s not for us to fight..¡± It was only natural for the Hunters to think this way. Their main enemies were the Russian Hunters. They could never have imagined that another force, or more precisely, South Korea¡ªwhich had already been involved in the Demonic Realm incident¡ªwould interfere. That was understandable, since South Korea never officially announced having an S-rank. The fact that Ju Se-ah was an S-rank was also a secret known only to the highest-ranking executives of the Yellow Dragon Guild and the allied guilds. ¡°Before, even for me, this number of Hunters would¡¯ve been hard to deal with. But after I reached S-rank, I don''t even feel anything fighting them.¡± Ju Se-ah was wearing an armor coat without the guild logo. It had a hood and a mask to hide her identity. She resumed her attack, pulling the mask up to the bridge of her nose. A tanker standing about 30 meters away hurriedly raised his shield. A heavy impact struck the shield handle. The next moment, the front of the shield was crushed, the handle bent, and his wrist and arm were broken. ¡°Argh!¡± A bone protruded through his skin. It was apound fracture. Then, his shoulder de stuck out, and the shock was transmitted directly to his body, leaving him unable to react. No one would have been this hurt even if a car traveling at 200 km/h had hit them. Maybe a dump truck weighing several dozen tons? No. It would still be less than this. The tank flew through the air like a broken kite. Ju Se-ah aimed for her next target. This time, it was a mage. The mage whose eyes met hers spasmodically fired a barrage of magic skills. The nearby debuff specialist supporters cast spells on her. ¡°Uh huh¡­ I¡¯m being dragged away.¡± ¡°Magic isn¡¯t working on her? It¡¯s like the witch¡­.¡± One of the Hunters suddenly thought of the most famous Hunter in Korea¡ªknown for strong magic resistance. Is that why he was called the mage killer? He recalled the Hunter¡¯s name from a memory he had overheard. ¡°Ju Se-argh!¡± Ju Se-ah pressed her foot on the head of the Hunter who had copsed on the floor before he could even say her name. As his consciousness faded, she raised her index finger over her mask. ¡®Ssh.¡¯. The Hunter became sure that this S-rank was Ju Se-ah. But, his memory ended there. His guts were torn apart, and he kept spitting blood from his mouth. Just before his death, he opened his mouth to reveal the enemy¡¯s identity to hisrades. ¡®Ju Se-ah. Witch... This guy¡¯s true identity is...¡¯ In the end, the Hunter died, only able to make the sounds of wind leaking out of his mouth. ¡°There¡¯s no hope for us. Everyone run!¡± ¡°Retreat! Retreat!¡± ¡°Scatter in all directions! If we stick together, we die!¡± The battle ended shortly after. Of the 121 Hunters who hade down from Harbin to Jilin City, only 70 returned alive. Even among them, half were seriously injured. They¡¯d need a year of rehabilitation before they could return to duty. ¡®Guild Leader Kang said there was no need to kill everyone, so this should be enough. The news needs to be spread to the Yellow Dragon, too.'' Ju Se-ah didn''t chase them. If she wanted to kill them, they wouldn''t even be able to run away. Even if they had managed to escape by any chance, it was safe to say that no Hunter could escape her pursuit. ¡°I¡¯m done here. I wonder if he caught Shimwol?¡± Ju Se-ah looked south. The highlight of this n. ¡®Eliminate Shimwol.'' Although the board was shaken by Kamensky''s intervention in the middle, Kang Mu-hyuk corrected it. The results would not change. ¡°Anyway, jeez, he¡¯s a scary guy. It¡¯s a good thing he¡¯s not a Hunter.¡± Ju Se-ah lowered her hood and headed towards Jilin City. ¡°So, I guess I should do my job to keep the scary guy from getting angry, right?¡± *** Kang Mu-hyuk provided Sung Seonjae with the Mana Stone satellite phone, an invention from Warehouse C as well. Thanks to this, the Unified Strike Force was able to contact Kang Mu-hyuk even after entering the Demonic Realm. "The more I look at it, the more amazing it seems. I can¡¯t believe you can contact someone even in the Demonic realm where mana interference makes it impossible tomunicate." ¡°I am receiving an investment share.¡± "Even in this situation, I respect your ability to make business proposals. Let''s talk about thatter. So, what are we going to do? I thought you said there¡¯d be no fighting." ¡°It¡¯s nothing special. But it¡¯s a top-tier mission in terms of priority.¡± "What is the top-priority mission?" ¡°Securing a witness.¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 196 - Our Guild Leader Asked to Convey This Message December website update Originating from Tianchi (Heaven Lake) on Baekdu Mountain, the Songhua River flows northwest. It passes through the Jilin Province, merges with the waters at Sancha River in the northwest, then alters its flow to the northeast. After passing through Harbin and reuniting with the Mudan River, it goes through Jiamusi and ultimately joins the Amur River (Heilong Jiang). Coincidentally, the Gates that the Yellow Dragon Guild was trying to force open were rted to the Songhua River basin. ¡°That was all in the past. The terrain has changed a lot now. It¡¯s hard to find anyone who knows this path except me.¡± Do Daecheol nodded at the exnation of the guide who spoke the Yanbian dialect. The terrain unfolding before his eyes waspletely different from what he had seen on the map. He had also been active in the Demonic Realm, but he had only heard of this ce through word of mouth. If it weren¡¯t for the orders of his master, White Phantom, he might never havee here again. That was how notorious a reputation the ce had. ¡°Wasn¡¯t this originally tnd?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t just tnd. There was ck soil. It had good soil fertility, so whatever you nted grew well.¡± ¡°But now a mountain has risen here?¡± The terrain of the middle and lower reaches of the Songhua River had changed significantly due to the interference of the Demonic Realm and the chaos caused byrge monsters in the past. China also lost its once prosperous agricultural areas, reced by towering mountains. The mountain had several peaks that rose and fell, and the old Songhua River flowed through the valley. The winding river water was so strong that even the most skilled Hunters would suffer if they fell into it. As tough as the terrain was, there were many strong monsters. But, Hunters did not visit this ce often even though strong monsters meant expensive rewards. Since not many people came here, naturally it meant very few knew the way. Because of this, Do Daecheol had a hard time finding a guide as well. Only after spending a lot of money and pretty good gear was he able to hire a guide in return. The guide gestured along the mountain ridge. ¡°The mountain came up a long time ago, and it has changed a lot since the Minor War. That¡¯s why there aren¡¯t many people who know the way here now.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t peoplee here? This is the best hunting ground there can be.¡± ¡°Are you asking because you don¡¯t know? Isn¡¯t this the ce?¡± ¡°What ce? Aah, you mean Guryong Ridge?¡± ¡°That¡¯s such a thing of the past. In the past, Hunters would tremble in fear when they raided Guryong Ridge, but these days, there are more Hunters who don¡¯t even know that this is Guryong Ridge.¡± ¡°Then, what is it called now?¡± ¡°The Grave. The Hunters who know this ce call it the Grave.¡± ¡°Grave? Whose grave?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just Grave. Whether it¡¯s a monster or a Hunter, they bury their bones.¡± The rumor that Do Daecheol had heard through eavesdropping was finally in front of his eyes with a specific name. Grave... Even if only half of the rumors were true, there didn¡¯t seem to be a more fitting name. Just that many Hunters had lost their lives in this ce. ¡®That''s why both China and Russia avoided this ce. The only people who came and went were either money-obsessed Koreans or fearless immature Hunters from unified Korea.¡¯ To be honest, Do Daecheol was hesitant too. If he hadn''t found a guide, he wouldn''t have gone there. But a mission was still a mission. He calmed his mind by recalling only the orders of the White Phantom. ¡®Themander said that the leader of the Jilin City Monster Cave went to the old Goryong Ridge site. This is such a good chance. How could we just let it go to waste? If we can just finish this n well, we can enjoy the old glory again.¡¯ The Yellow Dragon Guild had alsoe to the Grave to find the Gate Boss with the same idea, but they had to retreat without even being able toy a finger on the boss. In the aftermath of that failure, the Yellow Dragon Guild concluded that they could not control the Gate Boss, which led them to decide not to open the Shenyang City Gate. ¡®But we¡¯re different. Because we have ways that the Yellow Dragon guys don''t know.¡¯ Do Daecheol rxed his tension as he recalled the method he had prepared. If he could just properly implement the n, the White Phantom¡¯s n would bepleted. He took a step forward, vowing again and again that he¡¯d make it happen. ¡°Show us the way. We have to hurry to make it on time.¡± *** Kaminsky, in the end, caught up with Shimwol. ¡°Old man. So damn fast for your age.¡± The battle continued relentlessly. Igor joined a littleter and Shimwol prepared a powerful skill to escape once again. She tried to trick them with a powerful skill and flee, but her opponents weren''t ones to be fooled by the same method twice. ¡°Oho, where are you going?¡± ¡°Get out of the way, Tyrant!¡± ¡°If you keep trying to run away, you¡¯re gonna make me sad.¡± ¡¾Avatar¡¿ Igor''s height grew. His body swelled, and in an instant, he became a giant, reaching 20 meters tall. Shimwol ground her teeth at his power that ignored even thew of conservation of mass. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t fought the Grim Reaper. If my body hadn¡¯t been in this condition, I wouldn¡¯t have suffered such humiliation at your hands.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no Hunter in the world who fights while being considerate of their opponent¡¯s circumstances! I had high expectations since you¡¯re from the infamous Namsan Ind, but I guess you¡¯re just a shell of a high-ranker as well.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± The spear of the deep moon shook violently. The spearhead formed a crescent moon around her. ¡¾Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara¡¿ The number of hands holding spears seemed to have increased to several dozen. The number of spears also multiplied to several dozen. ¡®If even this doesn¡¯t work, I¡¯m really dead then.¡¯ Link Skill ¡¾Void Spear¡ªConsecutive Strike¡¿ Dozens of spears simultaneously turned into beams of light and enveloped Igor.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°I guess even if you¡¯re just a shell of an S-rankers, you¡¯re still an S-rank after all, huh? Hahaha!¡± Igor assumed the Taekwondo right-angled fist stance. He clenched his right fist and brought it to his waist, pulling his shoulder back. The moment his other hand grabbed his left waist, his right fist rotated and extended forward. At first, there was no change, but soon a huge, intangible energy resembling a mountain filled the space. ¡¾Judgement of Zemlya¡¿TL/N: Zemlya- Russian for Earth Igor''s original skill, named so because of its simrity to the the power of the earth god in vic mythology, collided head-on with Shimwol¡¯s attack. A blinding light blurred all the surrounding shapes and then erased them. There was an explosion iparable to the one that blew up the city center of Jilin City. Suddenly, a loud noise spread in all directions, and mushroom clouds rose into the sky. As the dust scattered in the air slowly settled, the scenery came into view. The sh between the two S-rank Hunters had created a gruesome scene. The few remaining traces of civilization could no longer be found. All that remained on thepletely empty ground was a pit hundreds of meters in radius and two Hunters half-buried inside it. ¡°Kekekeke! That was really dangerous. It¡¯d be hard to find a match for someone with your attack power even in Russia.¡± Igor staggered to his feet, his giant transformation undone now. The special suit and equipment he was wearing were all broken. Shimwol was pretty much in the same situation. Her beloved Demonic spear¡¯s shaft was broken, and her full-body armor had cracks all over. The helmet that covered her face waspletely torn and hung at the back of her upper armor. But what made her different from Igor was¨C ¡°So fucking solid. I thought your body simply grew in size. Coughl!¡± Her insides werepletely ruined. Her internal organs were so twisted that it¡¯d take at least a year to recover. Shimwol forced herself up, spitting out a handful of ck blood that had gushed into her mouth. ¡®He looks injured on the outside, but he doesn¡¯t actually have any major injuries. Even if I was in perfect condition, it¡¯d be hard to guarantee victory.¡¯ Kamensky had been famous for a long time. But Shimwol''s pride was hurt by having to admit she was weaker evenpared to the Tyrant who had be renowned worldwide as an S-rank around the same time as her. At that moment, something she had forgotten suddenly came to mind. ¡°Kamens... Ugh¡­ Ky.¡± Shimwol''s body shook. She looked down at the sickle that had pierced her spleen. She had no feeling in her lower body, as if her spine had been hit. Her legs gave out, and she fell to her knees. She gritted her teeth and looked back. ¡°Petty old man¡­.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t just hunt monsters. It¡¯s natural for me to be cowardly and petty. As a result, that difference between us is what got you killed.¡± ¡° ...¡± ¡°You were overconfident after bing an S-rank, Shimwol. You should¡¯ve hunted instead of dueling or fighting as well.¡± "You... you...." He didn¡¯t hear any further. Kamensky pulled the scythe out of Shimwol''s back and cut off her head. Igor stopped her severed head with his foot as it rolled down the slope of the pit. He carried the head back up the slope. Kamensky swung his scythe, shaking the blood off the de, then hid the weapon behind his body. The wound Shimwol gave him was throbbing. He had performed first aid, but the bleeding that had stopped started again since he pursued her in such a hurry. ¡®I''ve injured my organs. My mana and stamina are both low. On the other hand, that guy is totally fine. Am I getting old now?¡¯ Kamensky opened his mouth with a sharp pain, ¡°Is it my turn now?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve lived a long time, so you¡¯re quick to catch on.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about this a lottely. You too, Igor. And your brother Darden as well. Maybe I should¡¯ve gotten rid of you two brothers a long time ago.¡± Igor finally stood before Kamensky. He carefully ced the severed head on Shimwol''s neck, whose body was still sitting upright. Her body copsed, unable to bear the weight of her head. Igor nced at Shimwol sprawled on the ground, swept down the slope, and then turned to Kamensky. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about this several times before. If it weren¡¯t for you, old man, things would¡¯ve been easier for us in many ways. Then I would¡¯ve been able to get to divostok earlier andplete my revenge without any interference. I¡¯m getting angry just thinking about how you got in the way.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it just because you need someone to vent your anger on?¡± ¡°Well, maybe.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be easy to kill me.¡± ¡°Mayb not when you¡¯re fine, but it seems it¡¯ll be easy now.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t look okay either.¡± A woman''s voice suddenly interrupted Igor''s attack stance. He scrunched up his face in annoyance. ¡°Are you meddling again, witch?¡± Ju Se-ah was walking down from where Igor¡¯s gaze fell.. ¡°You may be a scumbag but I don¡¯t have any ill feelings towards you personally. I¡¯m just working here as well.¡± ¡°What work? Killing me?¡± ¡°No. Saving someone.¡± Ju Se-ah pointed to Kamensky. ¡°South Korea. I¡¯m Ju Se-ah from Iron Will.¡± ¡°You¡¯re an S-rank. Was there an S-rank in Korea?¡± ¡°Not until a while ago.¡± Kamensky''s face was filled with curiosity, even after his near-death experience. Fitting of a Hunter who had spent decades hunting monsters in the frozen ins, you could say. Ju Se-ah held out her palm, pushing Kamensky¡¯s attention away, and stood in front of Igor. ¡°Shall we have a second match? We couldn¡¯t finish it in divostok.¡± ¡°Did you know from the beginning that I was going after the old man?¡± ¡°Our Guild Leader asked me to convey this message to you.¡± ¡°I knew it. It was that sneaky guy after all. So, what did he say?¡± ¡°Stop messing around; go and catch monsters.¡± ¡°Huh? That fearless puck. How dare he...¡± ¡°He said to tell this to your younger brother.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°This time, I¡¯ll ask. Are you going to fight me or not?¡± *** ¡°Commander! Over here! He¡¯s still alive!¡± Sung Seonjae came running after hearing So Sangyeob''s scream. So Sangyeob was pouring a potion into the mouth of a Hunter who was lying on the floor in a miserable state. Next to him, Gam Wooyoung was feeding a potion to a female Hunter. She too was on the verge of death. ¡°They¡¯re the expedition team of the Yellow Dragon Guild. The rest?¡± So Sangyeob shook his head. Of the Yellow Dragon Guild expedition team, these two were the only ones still breathing. Sung Seonjae took out the ampoule kit and the yer Guild Master''s emergency medicine and treated them. Thanks to that, they were able to make it out alive. After finally catching his breath, Sung Seonjae decided to leave Jilin City. ¡°We¡¯re going back to the Tumen River.¡± Chapter 197 - This Wasnt In The Plan Do Daecheol wandered around the ''Grave'' following the guide. During the search, they encountered monsters frequently and fought them off. While advancing 500 meters, they had six battles. ¡°All these damn are so damn strong. Why do strong ones keep showing up so often?¡± Most of the monsters that attacked were strong ones typically seen at the entrance of the upper Gate, such as the three-tailed scorpion, spat-billed bird, and shelled monkey. Fortunately, Do Daecheol and his men were arge guild expedition force. They hade well-prepared for the hunt, so they wouldn¡¯t be easily defeated. But, the Grave was not afortable ce. ¡°Of course, this is why Hunters avoid this ce. They can¡¯t even set up camp because they have to keep moving. It¡¯s a more difficult ce than a Gate,¡± one of the men grumbled. Do Daecheol agreed with him, although he didn¡¯t say anything. ''Since you move around without a base, you get tired quickly and your stamina recovers slowly. Always being tense means your fatigue level is high. I guess there''s a reason it''s called the Grave.'' As time went by, the Hunters became more and more tired. At some point, the number of battles decreased, and even stronger monsters began to appear. The number of fights decreased, but the difficulty increased drastically. It was to the point they missed the entrance to the Grave, where they¡¯d encounter monsters every 100 meters. But they didn¡¯t back down despite the intense battles. They lost severalrades but didn¡¯t waver. Yet, even a Hunter had his limits. In the end, they were all so exhausted that they couldn''t tell who was alive and who died. If they fought any longer, everyone, including Do Daecheol, might have to give up on their lives here. Everyone regretteding here. They were anxious that at this rate, they¡¯d die without being able to aplish the n. Of course, the person who regretted it the most among them was the guide. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t have been so greedy for a sword...¡¯ He took on the job on the condition of receiving a magic-grade sword that was hard to get even with money, but he might end up dead before he could even use the sword. They were protecting him while he showed them the way, but once he was no longer needed, he began to doubt whether he would be as safe as before. ¡°Guide, is this really the right ce?¡± ¡°Just get over the hill, and it¡¯s right there.¡± ¡°Okay. That aside, why didn¡¯t you tell me that there are monsters here this strong?¡± ¡°Did you think I knew? It definitely wasn¡¯t like this before. If it had been, I would have died long ago. Something has changed.¡± Do Daecheol didn''t think the guide was lying. He wouldn''t havee in here knowing he was walking into his own death. If so, then he had to assume that something had changed recently, as the guide had said. He could guess the reason for the change. ''The leader of the Monster Gate. I don''t know who he is, but it''s clear that he''s taken seat here.'' After a few more battles, the party finally managed to get over the pass. As soon as they crossed the pass, the monsters stopped attacking them as if it had never happened. They felt that the end of their journey was near. The guide moved out of the forested area into an open space to check the terrain. ¡°We¡¯re here. This is the final battleground.¡± A gaping hole in the middle of a dense forest of trees. There were several huge sinkholes with a radius of tens to hundreds of meters. ¡°So this is where they took down the Nine-Headed Dragon(Tl/N:: Gu-nine ryong-dragon; Guryong)...¡± The site of the Guryong Raid, a legendary event always mentioned in the history of monster wars, was right before their eyes. Do Daecheol nced behind him and gestured. ¡°Kim Bokrye!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The woman named Kim Bokrye quickly approached and stood next to Do Daecheol. ¡°Do you know where it is?¡± ¡°Yes, I can feel it. It¡¯s the biggest hole at the end in that direction.¡± ¡°It must be a big one, huh? What do you think? Can you handle it?¡± ¡°My ability isn¡¯t offensive. It¡¯s about approaching in a friendly way, so it should work even the leader of the Demon Gate should be manageable.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll get it to the front somehow, so get ready.¡± Do Daecheol and his team moved toward the hole Kim Bokrye had pointed out. The sinkhole was massive, with a radius well over 300 meters. It was so deep that they couldn¡¯t see the bottom. A Hunter with detection skills tried to measure it, but their ability was canceled out by an unidentified energy. ¡°Bokrye? Did your ability get you there?¡± ¡°No, I can¡¯t form a connection yet.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no choice. Then, we have to head down. Only the minimum number of people will descend. The rest, stay here in defensive formation. Group 1, you¡¯re with me.¡± Do Daecheol led Kim Bokrye and five members of Team 1 down into the sinkhole. Two hours passed as they climbed deeper underground, hammering specially-made climbing tools called ¡®rock awls¡¯ into the walls. The light from the surface had disappeared entirely. Even Hunters with Night vision skills couldn¡¯t see their own hands or feet in the overwhelming darkness. Due to the raging wind in the valley, even the sounds of the allies'' breathing was barely audible. At some point, Do Daecheol¡¯s encouraging voice fell silent. The team could sense it. There was something here. The chilling wind that had been biting at their backs suddenly stopped. In its ce, the sinkhole became stiflingly hot. Sweat poured from the Hunters, soaking their clothes more than when they sweated during their descent. ¡®How are we sweating this much?¡¯ Do Daecheol knew something was off. Hunters wouldn¡¯t sweat this much just because it felt hot. ¡°Bokrye! It¡¯s close!¡± The Hunters instinctively turned around. In the empty darkness, two bright lights suddenly red to life. A long vertical pupil, set in a glowing yellow eye, moved from side to side. It was the eye of a massive monster. ¡°!!¡± In an instant, red light gathered beneath the creature¡¯s eyes. Part of its body became visible in the glow: scales covering its skin, with light and heat leaking through the gaps in its skin. ¡°Hold on tight!¡± Along with Do Daecheol¡¯s scream, mes erupted from the creature¡¯s mouth, shooting upward toward the surface. The destructive heat melted the sinkhole walls, causing the exit to widen significantly. The deafening roar of mes echoed through the space, shaking the walls. Hunters clung desperately to the cliffside, screaming. Then, as the monster stretched, it struck a portion of the wall, causing it to copse, and the Hunter who was there ended up falling. After a long bout of fire-breathing, the monster finally closed his mouth. Do Daecheol looked up. The exterior light, which hadn''t been visible just a moment ago, was now casting a faint glow inside. This meant that the hole had widened. The walls radiated residual heat, molten rock dripping like liquid fire. ¡°Captain¡­ Our guys up there¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say it. Just think about the mission.¡± Despite his firm words, Do Daecheol¡¯s heart was wavering. How could it not? ¡®A yong... Why is there a dragon here?¡¯ The Jilin City Gate Boss was none other than a yong¡ªor what the West would call a dragon. The only distinction was its oriental appearance, contrasting with the Western portrayal of dragons. Plus, its majesty was so terrifying that it was difficult to regard it as just a simple Gate boss. Before they could recover from his confusion, the dragon began gathering heat to breathe fire once again. Do Daecheol shouted, ¡°Kim Bokrye! Hurry up!¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m doing it!¡± Do Daecheol knew that she was already using her abilities, as blood streamed profusely from her nose. Instead of tears, blood flowed, and the blood vessels at the corners of her mouth had elongated. ¡®Of course it won¡¯t be easy. The opponent is a dragon.¡¯ The very next moment, Kim Bokrye spewed blood in a violent spray. Her arms and legs drooped. Just as she was about to fall, Do Daecheol hurled himself and grabbed her. Holding her close, he pounded an awl into the wall. But the wall, scorched and weakened by the dragon¡¯s heat, gave way under the weight. Daecheol and Kim Bokrye plummeted, hitting the wall several times as they fell. Finally, Daecheol abandoned the failing awl and infused mana into his arm, punching deep into the rock to stop their descent. His shoulder throbbed in pain, but they avoided death from falling. ¡°Captain! Are you okay?!¡± The frantic voice of the first toon leader echoed from above. But Daecheol couldn¡¯t respond. His eyes were fixed below, where he could see the dragon''s massive form entirely. On both sides of what appeared to be the chest area, there were four small hands attached. Although they were described as small, they were only small rtive to the dragon''s massive size, actually being asrge as a small building. Soon, Do Daecheol noticed an object in the dragon¡¯s hand. It turned out to be an unusually shaped skull. By looking at the skull, Do Daecheol could guess why the Gate Boss hade here. ¡°Dragon bones¡­¡± The Gate Boss hade here for the remains of the Nine-headed Dragons, left behind after the legendary battle at Guryong Ridge. Young dragons devoured the bones of their predecessors to inherit their strength. This was why dragons were always strong. ¡®The Yellow Dragon Guild made a grave mistake. This thing has been feeding on the Nine-Headed Dragons'' remains. This is out of our league.¡¯ As Do Daecheol''s body stiffened with despair, Kim Bokrye regained her senses.N?v(el)B\\jnn ¡°C-Captain¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re up?¡± ¡°R-Run...¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Fail¡­¡± ¡°Are you saying the mission failed?¡± ¡°Only¡­ half¡­¡± ¡°What do you...?¡± The dragon moved and ascended along the sinkhole. As the dragon thrashed about, the Hunters in Group 1 above fell one after another. The squad leader waspletely crushed by the dragon''s body, his bloodied form skimming past Do Daecheol''s side before dropping down. Do Daecheol reached out his hand toote, but the fallen group leader couldn¡¯t react and sank into the darkness. ¡°¡±Th-the dragon¡­ flew... moved¡­ but¡­ it can''t be controlled¡­¡± ¡°Bokrye! Wake up! Say that clearly!¡± ¡°Ahh. There goes... the dragon. Hehe... It¡¯ll burn everything to ashes.¡± In her final instant, Kim Bokrye looked at the dragon''s tail, vomited blood, and breathed herst. For the resonance ability user, she attempted to control a being beyond her strength, but the failed effort caused a bacsh she couldn¡¯t endure. In the end, Do Daecheol, now alone, muttered words into the void. ¡°This wasn¡¯t in the n. I didn¡¯t know it was a monster like that. What on earth have I¡­ done?¡± *** Kang Mu-hyuk stood in Cheongjin General Hospital, looking down at two Hunters lying unconscious in their beds. They were members of the Yellow Dragon Guild¡¯s expeditionary force, rescued from Jilin City. Sung Seonjae, who brought them here, asked him, ¡°Did Kamensky do this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more likely the Tyrant.¡± ¡°The Tyrant?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± They were alive because of Kang Mu-hyuk¡¯s instructions to do so. He had instructed Ju Se-ah and Igor to refrain from going out of their way to chase and kill Hunters during the mission, except for Shimwol. He told them that keeping some alive would actually be better. ¡®I was going to capture some of the Hunters who had made it out that way with the Unified Strike Force..¡¯ As expected, Igor''s nickname wasn''t earned in vain. True to Tyrant''s reputation, he nearly annihted them without leaving a single witness. If that had happened, it would¡¯ve taken the Yellow Dragon Guild a long time to realize that the Jirin City Gate operation had failed, causing setbacks to Kang Mu-hyuk''s n. ¡®Thank God that at least two of them survived.¡¯ It might just have been Igor¡¯s whim to spare them, or perhaps he had been too focused on capturing Shimwol. Either way, it was a reasonable possibility considering Igor. ¡°But how did you know this was the work of the Tyrant?¡± ¡°We had an understanding. Because I made a deal with Darden, the Tyrant¡¯s brother,¡± Kang exined, brushing off Sung Seonjae¡¯s suspicions. He ordered this, but what he said wasn¡¯t exactly false either. This operation had been orchestrated by Kang Mu-hyuk, and Darden agreed to it. By using a satellite phone, even within the Demonic Realm, Kang Mu-hyuk had managed to temporarilymand over the Tyrant¡¯s actions. With themunicationwork still active in the Demonic Realm, Darden had to agree, despite his dissatisfaction. ¡°So, why did you bring them here?¡± ¡°These Hunters were abandoned by the Yellow Dragon Guild. And as you can see, they¡¯re not Han Chinese.¡± ¡°An expeditionary force that isn¡¯t Han Chinese¡­ Ah, the Uyghur unit of the Yellow Dragon Guild.¡± ¡°Correct. Officially, they¡¯re called Expedition Team 3. Unofficially, they¡¯re known as the ¡®Death Row Squad,¡¯ a minority expedition team. The Yellow Dragon Guild practically threw them as prey against an S-rank. It was essentially a death sentence.¡± Sung Seonjae realized what Kang Mu-hyuk was nning. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that for securing the witness or whatever, you¡¯re gonna make them change sides?¡± ¡°The Great War. And even in the Minor War. China has taken countless Korean Hunters over the years during major incidents. There¡¯s now saying we can¡¯t take some from them in return, is there now?¡± Chapter 198 - Disappeared Ju Se-ah was back. With Kamensky. Kang Mu-hyuk went to Hoeryong City, which was undergoing reconstruction, to wee them. At the entrance to the copsed Tumen River front, he saw the twoing in after the soldiers. Kang Mu-hyuk went right up to the control line to greet them. Ju Se-ah, who hadn''t seen him in a long time, nced at the person next to her. She seemed to gesture that from here on out, she was going to leave everything up to Kang Mu-hyuk. Kang Mu-hyuk nodded and put out his hand for a handshake with Kamensky. ¡°My name is Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader of Iron Will.¡± ¡°Niki Kamensky.¡± Kamensky grabbed Kang Mu-hyuk''s outstretched hand.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ''He''s not a Hunter. But his eyes are unusual. It''s like looking at a Hunter who¡¯s out for a Gate raid.'' Kamensky had heard stories about Kang Mu-hyuk over and over again while crossing the Demonic Realm with Ju Se-ah, who had turned Igor back. ording to her, Kang Mu-hyuk was not to be taken lightly even though he was not a Hunter. Kamensky was hunting S-rankers because he was an S-rank Hunter himself, but this guy was an ordinary person who tried to hunt an S-rank. In the process, he dragged in the Tyrant and treated him like a piece on a chessboard. No sane person could do that. At the very least, he had to be either crazy or a genius. Or maybe both. Kamensky hoped it would be the former, because it was harder to deal with a smart, ambitious person than with a dumb, crazy person. But what if he was a smart crazy guy? ''There were a few guys like that. They all had a bad ending. I hope he¡¯s just crazy. Well, maybe I can find out if I talk to him.'' Kamensky was a veteran of both the Great War and the Minor War. He was good enough to operate without incident in Russia, where politics and weapons ran amok. He trained by hunting monsters in the frozennds of Siberia, known as the Demonic Realm, and he used his power to mediate when a big fight broke out between guilds. If there was anyone who disrupted the order, he¡¯d even directly punish them. If it was an organization, he¡¯d mobilize all avable power to pressure them to prevent them from acting rashly. Having been through all sorts of hardships, it was natural for him to know that Kang Mu-hyuk had not invited him to Korea simply to get to know him. ¡°We¡¯ve already booked a hotel for you, Hunter Kamensky. We¡¯ve also prepared a medical team. You should get treatment first and then get some rest.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Although he answered calmly on the outside, Kamensky was curious about Kang Mu-hyuk''s n. But, since his physical condition was in shambles, he decided to rest for a while before confronting him. He got rid of his impatience and got treatment at the hospital that Kang Mu-hyuk had guided him to. Whether it was because he received treatment with equipment that introduced thetest mana therapy or because of his S-rank strength, he regained his vitality after just a few hours of treatment. Of course, he¡¯d need about a month of rest before he could return to the field. Afterwards, Kamensky unpacked his luggage at a hotel in Hoeryong City. All he had was the Grim Reaper''s scythe, so he didn''t have any clothes to change into right away, but thanks to Kang Mu-hyuk''s preparations, he was able to avoid trouble. ¡°It¡¯s a shabby ce to host Russia¡¯s best Hunter, but please understand that this ce was a den of monsters until recently. When you feel better, we will move to a city in the rear and find good lodging.¡± The hotel that Kang Mu-hyuk guided was a tourist hotel in Hoeryong City. It had been hastily renovated to be used as temporary amodation for the Hunters guarding Hoeryong City. That was why far from having a suite room, all the rooms only had a few square meters and a bed. Even the amenities were simr to those found in a typical suburban motel. Fortunately, the view was good since it was on the top floor. Although it was just a half-copsed, deste cityscape, the night view was decent. ¡°The best Hunter? I¡¯m not even the best in Russia. Don¡¯t worry too much about this old man. In the frozen ins, sleeping on a stone was the norm for me. This is like a pce to me.¡± Kamensky was definitely different from other Hunters who pursued wealth and pleasure. Kang Mu-hyuk appreciated his easy going nature. Despite being able to indulge in luxury whenever he wanted, Kamensky had maintained his true nature as a Hunter for decades, serving as an example to all Hunters. ¡°Well, how about getting some rest and having dinner together tonight? I heard you like Korean food.¡± ¡°The only Korean food I¡¯ve eaten is snacks or Korean ramen. But since you seem to have put some thought into it, I¡¯ll happily look forward to dinner.¡± *** Unlike other tourist hotels that are just hotels in name, the dinner was excellent. Kang Mu-hyuk had already organised the restaurant building, whose owner had not yet returned. He had spent a lot of money to hire a Korean cuisine chef from Seoul. Normally, he would not go on a business trip just for a snobbish chef, but this time he came to Hoeryong City without hesitation now that his guest was a Russian S-rank. The status of an S-rank surpassed that of a national enemy, so it must have been an offer hard to refuse. Kang Mu-hyuk had Ju Se-ah sit on his right and Kamensky on his left. They continued to talk about various things while eating. The topic of conversation was mostly about hunting monsters in the frozennd. ¡°So I went after the Yeti to catch it, but this guy is fast and good at hiding. But that Yeti who killed hundreds of people ran away without attacking? That¡¯s when things got weird. I thought something was off and followed him. When I finally caught its tail, as expected, it wasn¡¯t just any Yeti.¡± ¡°It was an Unknown.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It was just as you said, Guild Leader Kang. The Yeti was a Yeti, but like a chameleon, it changed color to match its surroundings, and like a slime, it could change its shape in many ways.¡± ¡°Oh? Isn¡¯t that the ¡®Chameleon Yeti¡¯?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, Guild Master Ju. How do you like that name? I gave it that name myself.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a good name. I always had a hard time naming them because I came across so many unidentified monsters. Once, I even went to a naming center for help¡ªtoe up with a name for an unknown.¡± ¡°Hahaha! That¡¯s hrious! So did you name it then?¡± ¡°This is a secret, but I actually paid for three or four of those names. They¡¯re still listed in the monster guide. Later, my conscience got the better of me, so I stopped and just left it to the guild.¡± Ju Se-ah covered her mouth with her palm and whispered, while Kamenskyughed heartily and tapped the table in amusement. Kang Mu-hyuk yed along with them and Ju Se-ah followed along, the conversation flowed naturally, touching on a wide range of topics. From amusing hunting anecdotes to unexpected mishaps, the discussion eventually turned to Gate-rted information and raid strategies. Ju Se-ah even received an impromptu lecture on S-rankbat techniques. The conversation stretched on, bing lively and chaotic at times, but no one appeared bored. The reason was simple: all three shared amon obsession¡ªthey were all crazy obsessed with hunting monsters. Just as people with shared hobbies quickly bonded, the three had plenty to talk about as they shared their passion for hunting monsters. The dinner, which began at 7 p.m.,sted until nearly midnight. The ck sesame ice cream served for dessert hadpletely melted, and they barely touched the wine bottle. It was Kamensky who finally broke the rhythm, sensing it was time to get to the heart of the matter. ¡°Alright, the atmosphere is good. Before we get any closer with each other, let¡¯s get down to business.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay if we get closer.¡± ¡°You¡¯re putting me in a pinch here. I¡¯m afraid of the cost I¡¯ll have to pay if I get too close to you. So, why did you save me from the Tyrant? It seems to be rted to killing Shimwol.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk, who had been resting his chin on his hand while listening intently, straightened his posture. ¡°First, let me make it clear: your interference in the Demonic Realm was not part of my n.¡± The lively atmosphere from moments ago abruptly dissipated. ¡°I heard about that from Ju Se-ah on the way here. I¡¯m sorry, but as a Russian citizen, I can¡¯t just sit idly by while my country is in danger.¡± ¡°Patriotism, huh? That¡¯s a nice way to frame it. If you want to paint it like that, then go ahead.¡± ¡°Oh, there¡¯s no glossing over this. Let me ask you: why do you think I fought the Evil Demon on Namsan Ind?¡± ¡°You¡¯re mentioning Shimwol first.. Not closing the Gate.¡± ¡°You noticed that much? Hah, you¡¯re an interesting fellow. Keep going.¡± ¡°It¡¯s notplicated. Looking at your past actions, I could easily notice that this wasn¡¯t something you did just because the country was in danger.¡± ¡°Oh? What part gave me away?¡± ¡°goveshchensk.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°The incident where a Gate worth $50 billion in resources was destroyed in China. Most Hunters focused on the Gate¡¯s value, but what really caught attention was the sh between S-rank Hunters. And, of course, the Russian S-rank involved was none other than you¡ªHunter Kamensky.¡± ¡°What else?¡± ¡°Yarov Hunter Fair.¡± ¡°Hahaha. Not many people know about that. How did you manage to find that out?¡± The Yarov Hunter Fair was an event held in Yarov, a mid-sized city northeast of Moscow. It served as a hub for showcasing advanced Hunter systems, such as Hunter equipment and Gate theories, in cities worldwide every two years. ¡°I understand that at the time, the leader of the anti-Hunter terrorist group ¡®Mirage¡¯ attacked the fair. The leader of Mirage was an S-rank, and you rushed from the frozennds to fight them.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk listed more incidents. All involved S-rank threats, and Kamensky was at the center of each one. ¡°My mistake was not expecting you toe running all the way from the frozennds to the Demonic Realm. In fact, I didn¡¯t even consider your existence in this equation. I didn¡¯t realize you¡¯d fly here just to go after China¡¯s S-rank. Should I keep going?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s enough. What¡¯s your point?¡± ¡°I acknowledge your dedication to protecting the frozennds. Whatever your intentions, your efforts benefit humanity after all. However, recklessly seeking out and fighting strong opponents just to prove your strength isn¡¯t a good look.¡± ¡°Not a good look? For whom?¡± ¡°For the people of Earth.¡± ¡°What?¡± Kamensky froze for a moment, thinking Kang Mu-hyuk was joking. But when he saw Kang''s serious expression, he realized this was no joke. ¡®Is he lecturing me about not being reckless for humanity¡¯s sake? This ising from the man who eliminated the Shimwol? Does he have the right to say this to me?¡¯ Kamensky was momentarily speechless, his expression tinged with disbelief. Kang Mu-hyuk, sensing his thoughts, calmly exined, ¡°Shimwol deserved to die. She harmed people.¡± ¡°Are you saying I did too?¡± ¡°No. If that were the case, I would have let the Tyrant kill you.¡± ¡°And then, the witch would kill the Tyrant, who¡¯d be worn out from fighting me. The peak of highway chain killing, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± ¡°Eliminating all three S-ranks at once would have thrown the world into chaos. That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m condoning your actions.¡± ¡°Condoning?¡± ¡°It was reckless for you to move so freely in the frozennds. If the Tyrant had killed you, who would have taken responsibility for that region? The Hunters under you would have scattered, and the frozennds would have expanded uncontrobly.¡± The frozennds posed a greater threat than even the Demonic Realm. Its extreme cold made it uninhabitable for humans and challenging for Hunters. Plus, the monsters that appeared there were unlike any others, and for decades, Kamensky had been the one keeping them at bay. In that sense, Russia owed Kamensky a great deal. ¡®But I can¡¯t let appearances fool me. Kamensky wasn¡¯t motivated by duty or obligation. He thrived on the thrill of fighting powerful monsters¡ªand in the same way, strong Hunters.¡¯ Kang Mu-hyuk believed leaving such a dangerous individual unchecked wasn¡¯t an option . But neither was eliminating him. Kamensky, for all his ws, protected people and defeated monsters. Kang Mu-hyuk had brought him here, hoping to guide him. He couldn¡¯t control him, but perhaps he could act as a rudder, steering Kamensky toward more constructive paths. ¡°You need to understand how important your role is. If you leave the frozennds, not only will that region face threats, but the bnce of power in Russia will shift. Guilds will run amok. Just look at Darden. You¡¯ve provoked someone who aims to dominate the Russian Hunter world. Doesn¡¯t that clearly show you¡¯re considering fighting with the Tyrant?¡± ¡°If you¡¯ve analyzed me this thoroughly, there¡¯s no point in denying it. Yes, I pressured Darden because I wanted a shot at the Tyrant. But you yed a part in setting up this situation.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk groaned. ¡°divostok¡­¡± ¡°Exactly. You got it right away. You managed to win one over Darden there, putting his Tyrant Guild in a tight spot. One misstep, and he could¡¯ve reverted to being a wanted fugitive. Then I¡¯d have happily hunted him down. Of course, the Demonic Realm incident happened before that, so my ns changed. Anyway, fighting Shimwol made for a satisfying outing.¡± Kang Mu-hyuk had a new realization. Kamensky, despite being hailed as a Russian hero, was just like any other Hunter¡ªa wed individual with a singr obsession. ¡®Unfortunately, this won¡¯t be easy. I hoped he was a more responsible Hunter.¡¯ Still, Kamensky wasn¡¯t someone who picked fights with S-ranks for no reason. He fought only when there was a just cause: goveshchensk, the Yarov Hunter Fair, the Demonic Realm incident, Igor¡­ Every case apart from that also had justification. Kang Mu-hyuk decided he¡¯d have to wrap up the conversation with some proposals. After all, he couldn¡¯t reason with a Hunter¡¯s fighting spirit, but perhaps offering tangible benefits could pave the way for future cooperation. Just as he was gathering his thoughts, amotion erupted outside. Ju Se-ah, who had been silent throughout the discussion, turned toward the restaurant entrance. Momentster, someone burst through the door¡ªit was Noh Song-rin, his face pale with shock. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°The dragon¡­ Khabarovsk¡­¡± ¡°Khabarovsk? Tell me in detail what you mean.¡± At the mention of the Russian city, Kamensky leaned forward. Noh Song-rin took a deep breath and delivered the news. ¡°Khabarovsk has disappeared.¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!