《The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success》


 Prologue

    Prologue


    An explosive noise.


    Such a deafening sound he had never heard before in his life.


    At the otherworldly roar that was on an entirely different level from thunder, Kang Mu-hyuk screamed. His own voice surprised him, but it was soon drowned out by the cries of the refugees.


    Rubbing his ears to regain his hearing, he finally realized his hand was empty.


    His mother, whom he had been holding tightly onto, was nowhere to be found.


    As he looked around, he noticed a familiar figure.


    "Dad! I can''t see Mom! Mom''s gone!"


    Unfortunately, Kang Mu-hyuk''s cry did not reach his father.


    His father was seemingly entranced and not even trying to escape. Instead, he was moving toward the direction where the monster''s roar originated from.


    Startled, Kang Mu-hyuk hurriedly grabbed his father''s sleeve.


    "What are you doing? That''s where the monsters are!"


    As his father turned around Kang Mu-hyuk was so shocked that he let go of his hand.


    He wasn''t familiar with this gaze.


    Cold eyes. No, eyes that werepletely devoid of emotion.


    Although his father had been neglectful of his family, he had neverined, thinking it was because of his job.


    At that moment when their eyes met, Kang Mu-hyuk realized he had been greatly mistaken.


    ''This man doesn''t care about his family at all.''


    A voice that confirmed his thoughts followed, "I have to retrieve my research materials. You go ahead."


    "But Mom''s gone! You''re not even worried!"


    "She must be somewhere. She''s resourceful, so she must have gone ahead. Go look for her."


    "What are you even talking about...?"


    Kang Mu-hyuk tried to hold on to him in disbelief, but his father had already disappeared into the raging chaos.


    "..."


    Left alone, Kang Mu-hyuk stared nkly in the direction where his father had vanished.


    Since that day, Kang Mu-hyuk became a voluntary orphan. His mother went missing, and he cut ties with his father.


    Now, fifteen yearster, while on the verge of turning thirty, Kang Mu-hyuk was fighting on the front lines against the monsters that had torn his family apart.


    Titan Guild Strategy and Tactics Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk.


    This was the profession he chose since he couldn''t be a Hunter as there always existed a bottom tier in the world.


    Thepetition for the strategy and tactics team meetings of a sessful A-ss guild was intense all around the year.


    Every single n and strategy dealt with the lives of Hunters, so it was natural for one to devote their full attention to every moment.


    In that sense, the strategy and tactics team, which was responsible for strengthening the guild''s power and nning hunts, could be considered the second most important department after the guild''s expedition force.


    It was a Monday morning and the participants in the meeting were still struggling to shake off the remnant workload of the weekend.


    Team leader Kang Mu-hyuk''s voice, bothnguid and sharp, echoed in the meeting room, "Once the tracking team uploads the footage about the estimated 4-star Named, code-named ''Garuda,'' Manager Kim should inform the analysis team to organize and report to me. Don''t just skim over it likest time because of its low rank. Make sure you even interview the tracking team members thoroughly."


    "Yes, team leader."


    "And the equipment department. Deputy Oh, how''s the upgrade for the ampule grade in this standard equipment set proceeding?"


    "The price just doesn''t add up when trying to upgrade from a tier 2 to a tier 1. These days, wherever you go, the price of potions is skyrocketing due to the so-called ''Potion Famine.'' They must be hoarding them until the price reaches the limit."


    Deputy Oh Chang-su shook his head vigorously.


    Kang Mu-hyuk knew that Oh words weren''t a mere exaggeration. He wasn''t a person who would whine without reason, not to mention he was quite capable. If Oh was having a hard time, it meant things were really tough.


    It was more about the season than their abilities. In the fall, it was only natural for the prices of potions and ampules to rise as they prepared for monster subjugation that migrated south from the Gaema teau across the Yalu River in search of food.


    ''I can''t wait for the prices to drop in winter either.''


    Upgrading ampules was key to strengthening the guild. The more they dyed, the further behind they would fall inpetition with other guilds.


    Moreover, there was no guarantee that the prices would drop even in the winter when hunting became scarce due to the emergence of new gates.


    So, what could they do? They had no choice but to push their team members.


    Of course, as a team leader, he would mobilize all his connections and inquire everywhere, but first, he had to firmly encourage his dispirited team members who were tired of the slow progress.


    That was why the guild had appointed a non-Hunter as the head of the Strategy and Tactics team for the first time in the industry. It wasn''t for nothing that they paid a high sry to a non-Hunter.


    "You know, right? We''ve staked our lives on this project. We sweat, but the Hunters have to bleed. Don''t take your work lightly."


    Deputy Oh bit his lip. He was a person who couldn''t hide his dissatisfaction. Kang Mu-hyuk gestured for him to speak his mind.


    "The price won''t budge with just effort. Everyone is reluctant, saying the break-even point hasn''t reached 55 lons per tick."


    "How much are they asking for?"


    "At least 800,000."


    "It has gone up quite a bit, hasn''t it? With tier 1 being 50 ticks... that''s 40 million won."


    Kang Mu-hyuk frowned, looking troubled. His goal was clear.


    It was a policy to upgrade all ''ampule Kits'' (Hunter''s first-aid supplies), which could be considered a lifeline for Hunters.


    The most important thing here was the equipment for the first team. If the top teams'' equipment was upgraded, the lower teams would naturally inherit the previous top teams'' equipment, and the overall power of the guild would increase.


    Acquiring weapons, armor, essories, and other artifacts would be best, but it was too costly to distribute them to all members.


    On the other hand, ampule kits were the most effective way to preserve the guild''s power as long as one didn''t die instantly.


    The price was lowerpared to artifacts. Of course, for ordinary people, spending hundreds of billions on single-use items might seem excessive.


    The expression ''spending money like water'' was most fitting for these potion-rted items. Because of this, the guild''s shareholders disliked the project. Even the guild master, who was pressured by the shareholders, didn''t seem very keen on it.


    The current guild master had raised the Titan Guild, once considered bottom-tier, to A-ss, but he was not well-versed in management.


    He had ambitions grand enough to aim for the position of a Tier 1 guild, but he wasn''t very skilled at ying hard-to-get during negotiations.


    As a result, he would always feel frustrated after dealing with the smooth-talking board members and shareholders.


    Perhaps it was because the guild master disliked such calctions and politics that Kang Mu-hyuk was able to rise to this position. After all, his ability to win people over was universally acknowledged.


    ''If you put it nicely, it''s negotiating. If you put it badly, it''s brown-nosing. Damn, I hate to admit it, but it''s true.''


    Kang Mu-hyuk sighed, thinking about the guild being pushed around by the shareholders.


    Hunters were people too. No matter how good money was, it was wrong to view Hunters as mere numbers.


    From the perspective of someone who relied on the guild for their livelihood, he couldn''t look kindly upon the current guild leadership, who cared more about the shareholders than the guild members.


    "I''ll talk to the finance team about allocating more budget, so keep an eye on the market prices. Alright, let''s conclude today''s meeting here. Report separately if anything unusuales up."


    Somehow, the morning meeting drained all the energy from the team members. It was just the beginning of the week, but it already felt like Thursday.


    The moment Kang Mu-hyuk left the conference room, he furrowed his brow. His team members following him hesitated.


    "I''mte. I''m sorry."


    As the sly voice greeted him, a sh of anger crossed the eyes of Kang Mu-hyuk, who was usually so emotionless that he had earned the nickname ''Mister Buddha.''


    Leaning back in his chair with his feet stretched out on the desk was a rookie.


    ''Did this guild really go to the dogs? How on earth did the strategy team recruit someone like him...?''


    Titan was an A-ss guild. Although the history of the Hunter industry was a mere 30 years, prestigious guilds had their traditions. To catch up with the so-called ''Tier guilds,'' a good reputation was necessary.


    In that regard, the young hunter before him could be seen as an example of why the Titan guild couldn''t rise above A-ss.


    "Sorry? Listen, Mr. Ma Taesik, is that what a person who has beente on Monday should say? A guild is also apany. Isn''t attendance management basic in apany?"


    Grinding his teeth, Kang Mu-hyuk approached Ma Taesik, only to hold his nose. A strong smell of alcohol and cigarettes wafted from Ma Taesik.


    "What is this? The smell of alcohol? Did you miss the weekly meeting because of drinking?"


    "No way. Have you ever seen a Hunter get drunk?"


    "Then what?"


    "You know it too, Team Leader Kang. How important camaraderie is among Hunters. Just having a drink with industry peers we get along with, exchanging various information. That''s why I''m a littlete. Please understand, Team Leader Kang."


    Understand? The one who caused an ident and was demoted from an expedition team?


    ''I shouldn''t have taken him in.''


    Ma Taesik was the younger brother of Ma Taesu, the vice-guildmaster.


    As the youngest of three brothers, there was an age gap between him and Ma Taesu, the eldest. But it was the fact that both brothers had be Hunters and even sessfully raised their family by today''s standards.


    Unlike the serious Ma Taesu, Ma Taesik, thete-born, had a reckless demeanor.


    Bing a Hunter and having an elder brother as the vice-captain, one could only imagine how ridiculous his social life must have been.


    The problem was that he hadmitted such reckless behavior even within the expedition team.


    Relying solely on his connections, he had harassed a female Hunter in the expedition team.


    At this point, even as the vice-guildmaster''s brother, the matter couldn''t be easily covered up.


    What kind of department was the expedition team? It was the core of the guild. The highest elite gathered there, and thus, their influence was strong.


    However, a neer who had just joined the team, and one who had joined through connections rather than skill, dared to have malicious intentions toward a key Hunter on the team.


    ''Hunter Lee Jin-joo should have smashed his head.''


    Instead, she had broken all of his arms and legs. Thanks to that, he disappeared for a while and only managed to returnst month.


    And then, he was demoted.


    To be honest, even if they had fired a Hunter who wasn''t that skilled and caused trouble, there would be no objections.


    However, as the vice-guildmaster''s brother, they ended it with a demotion.


    This was South Korea, a country where academic, social, and blood ties mattered. The ce they had sent him to after demoting him was Kang Mu-hyuk''s Strategy and Tactics team.


    Frankly, it was hard to consider the Strategy and Tactics team a demotion. It was an important department, just like the expedition team. However, it was considered one step below the expedition team, so the term "demotion" was used.


    Kang Mu-hyuk regretted not being able to refuse the vice-guildmaster''s earnest request to ept Ma Taesik.


    ''Every guild has its waste, but putting them in a core department crosses the line.''


    So far, Kang Mu-hyuk had avoided getting involved with Ma Taesik. The other team members also treated him as if he didn''t exist as much as possible.


    With so much work to do, they didn''t want to waste their emotions unnecessarily. But they couldn''t let it go any longer. Perhaps the stress had built up to the point where it was difficult to control their emotions.


    He issued an ultimatum.


    "Mr. Ma Taesik, starting today, you will serve night duty for a week. Refusal is not an option."


    "A week? That''s a bit difficult."


    "Considering the vice-guildmaster''s face, I''m letting it end at that. If you don''t follow my ''order,'' I''ll take immediate action with the HR team."


    "No, why would you go as far as involving the HR team? Is it because you''re not a Hunter? Our team leader, you really don''t know our world. Stop acting like a child and let''s move on nicely."


    For a moment, Kang Mu-hyuk felt like he heard something snap in his head.


    "Who''s the one acting like a child?!"",

 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    It was an explosion.


    It was a loud noise that he had never heard before.


    Kang Moo-hyuk screamed at the explosion that waspletely different from thunder.


    It was a very loud sound, but it was immediately buried by the screams of the refugees.


    Only then did he realise that his hands were empty after he rubbed his deafened ears.


    His mother, who was holding his hand tightly, was nowhere to be found.


    He looked around and saw a familiar back.


    Dad! Mom, I cant see mom!


    Unfortunately, Kang Moo-hyuks cries did not reach his fathers ears.


    Instead of fleeing, his father headed towards the monsters shrieks, as if he had been possessed by something.


    Surprised, Kang Moo-hyuk quickly grabbed his fathers sleeve.


    What are you doing dad? Thats where the monsters are!


    His father looked back. Kang Moo-hyuk was surprised and let go of his hand.


    It wasnt a look he knew. His father had cold eyes. No, his eyes were empty.


    Even though he was a father who abandoned his family, I neverined, understanding that it was because of his job.


    As soon as Kang Moo-hyuk made eye contact with his father, he realised that he had been mistaken so far.


    This man, he doesnt care about his family.


    There was a voice that confirmed his thoughts.


    I need to bring the research data with me, so go ahead.


    I said mom is gone! Didnt dad hear me?


    She must be somewhere. I know youre able to find her, so go ahead. Go find her.


    What are you talking about now


    Kang Moo-hyuk was dumbfounded and tried to catch him, but his father had already disappeared into the thick smoke of the explosion.


    What I do


    While remaining alone and muttering, Kang Moo-hyuk stared nkly at the direction where his father had disappeared.


    After that day


    Kang Moo-hyuk became a voluntary orphan. His mother disappeared and he lost contact with his father.


    Fifteen yearster, he is now in his thirties. Kang Moo-hyuk was active on the front lines fighting the monsters that made his family like this.


    It was a job he had chosen because he didnt awaken as a hunter.


    The meeting of the strategic tactical team of the leading A-ss guild was extremely intense 365 days a year.


    Every n, every strategy, deals with the life of a hunter, so its only natural to pour your heart and soul into it every time.


    In this regard, the strategic tactical team, which strengthens the guilds strength and establishes hunting ns, can be said to be the second most important department after the guilds expedition team.


    Monday morning.


    When those who attended the meeting were still struggling to get over the aftermath of the weekend.


    The sluggish but clear voice of team leader Kang Moo-hyuk echoed in the meeting room.


    Team leader Kang Moo-hyuks tired and low voice sounded in the meeting room.


    Estimated 4-star Named. As for the additional report about the code name Garuda, when the search teams video was uploaded, Chief Kim notified the analysis team to organize it and handed it over to me. Even if the ranking is low, dont just make superficial references likest time, and arrange an interview with the members of the search team.


    Yes, team leader.


    And the equipment part. Deputy Oh, upgrade the ampoule grade to this standard set of equipment. Hows it going?


    If we tried to raise the existing grade 2 to grade 1, the unit price will not match. These days, the price is skyrocketing because of potions everywhere. Well probably keep it until the upper limit price is reached.


    Deputy Oh Chang-soo shook his head.


    Kang Moo-hyuk knew that what he said was not an exaggeration. He is not weak-minded, and he has good capability. If hes having a hard time, then its really hard.


    This is due to the season factor rather than his ability. In autumn, it was natural for the price of potions and ampoules to rise, as it was time to prepare for subjugating the monsters that had gone south in search of food from the Gaema teau and beyond the Yalu River.


    But I cant wait until the winter when the price drops.


    Ampoule upgrade is the key to strengthening the guild. If we dy it, we will fall behind in thepetition with other guilds. Also, there is no guarantee that the price will decrease as in winter, hunting bes rarer when new gates appear.


    So what can he do? He has no choice but to encourage his team members. Of course, as the team leader, hes going to put all his personal connections to ask around, but he needs to tighten up his cking team members first because they too are tired of slow progress. Thats why he became the first non-hunter in the industry to upy the position of strategic tactical team leader in the guild. Which isnt just earning a high sry as a non-hunter.


    You see, we put our life and death on this project. We sweat, but the hunters have to bleed. Dont work in vain.


    Deputy Oh pursed his lips. He couldnt hide his dissatisfaction. Kang Moo-hyuk gestured with his head to give Deputy Oh what he needed to say.


    The price is not worth the effort. Everyone expresses disapproval, saying that 55-ron per tick was not suitable.


    How much does it cost?


    At least 800,000.


    Its definitely risen a lot, because the first grade is 50 ticks so its 40 million won.


    Kang Moo-hyuk frowned, saying, That was difficult.


    His goal is clear. His n is to upgrade all ampoule kits (first-aid items for hunters), which can be called hunters life preservers.


    What matters here is the first team kit. If the equipment of the higher-ranked team is strengthened, the lower-ranked team will naturally take over the equipment of the existing higher-ranked team, which will increase the overall strength of the guild.


    The best way is to provide artifacts such as weapons, armor and essories, but it is too expensive to distribute among all personnel. On the other hand, ampoule kits were the most effective way to maintain the guilds strength if they didnt die immediately.


    They are also cheaper than artifacts. Of course, spending hundreds to hundreds of millions of dors on one-time use may seem excessive to the general public.


    It is this potion that fits the expression of spending money like water.


    Because of that, the guild shareholders did not like the project. The guild leader, who was suffering from the shareholders, also seemed reluctant. The current guild leader, who had raised the Titan Guild from rock bottom to A-tier, was distant from the management.


    His ambitions were big enough to aim for a first-rate guild, but he couldnt bid his way out of the negotiation process.


    As a result, he is always fed up with fussy board members and shareholders.


    Perhaps Kang Moo-hyuk could rise to this position because the guild leader hated such calctions and political skills. One thing that everyone acknowledges about his ability is to coax people.


    To put it nicely, its a negotiation, to put it badly, its a shit. Damn, Im gonna have to say something to upper executives again.


    Kang Moo-hyuk sighed, recalling the guild situation being swayed by the shareholders.


    "


    "


    Hunters are people too. No matter how good the money is, you cant just look at hunters as numbers. He couldnt see the current guild leader in a good light who is more wary of shareholders than guild members from the perspective of eating up the guild chain.


    I will check with the finance team to see if they can allocate more budget, so keep an eye on the market price. Now, thats all for todays meeting. If there is anything out of the ordinary, please report it separately.


    Somehow, all the team members were exhausted from the meetings that were being held all morning.


    Its just the start of the week and it already feels like Thursday.


    Kang Moo-hyuk frowned as he left the meeting room. The team members following him also stopped.


    Imte. Im sorry.


    When a sly voice greeted him, he usually had little change in his emotions, so Kang Moo-hyuk, who was even nicknamed Mr. Buddha, became angry.


    A neer leaned back in a chair and stretched his legs on the table.


    Is this guild going to copse? Why is there someone like him in the strategy team


    Titan was an A-tier guild. Although the hunter industry itself has a short history of only 30 years, there was a tradition of a prestigious guild. Reputation was necessary forters to pursue prestigious tier guild. In that sense, the young Hunter in front of him could be seen as an example of why the Titan Guild couldnt be above A-tier.


    Sorry? Look, Ma Tae-sik-ssi. Is that what someone who has beente since Monday had to say? The guild is also apany. Isnt attendance a basic requirement in apany?


    Kang Moo-hyuk, who was approaching Ma Tae-sik through gritted teeth, covered his nose. The smell of alcohol and tobo wafted from Ma Tae-sik.


    What is this? The smell of alcohol? Did you miss the weekly meeting because of alcohol?


    No way. Have you seen a hunter get drunk?


    Then what?


    Team Leader Kang already knows. How important friendship is between hunters. Just having drinks with the same industry colleagues and exchanging all kinds of information. Thats why Im a littlete. So, Team Leader Kang, please understand.


    He wants me to understand? The guy who made an ident and was demoted from the expedition team?


    I shouldnt have taken charge of a guy like this.


    Ma Tae-sik was the younger brother of Ma Tae-soo, the vicemaster.


    There is a slight age difference from Ma Tae-soo, the eldest son of the five brothers, but they were a sessful family by todays standards due to the brothers bing pair hunters.


    In contrast to the serious Ma Tae-soo, Ma Tae-siks behavior is trash because he is ate child1and spoiled.


    How ridiculous social life was, for such a man became a hunter and his eldest brother was a vicemaster.


    The problem was that Ma Tae-sikmitted an immature act in the expedition team. He was so confident in his backer that he touched a female hunter who was part of the expedition team. At this point, it couldnt be properly covered up no matter how hard it was.


    Whats the expedition department? That is the essence of the guild. Because the best elites are gathered, the right to speak is strong. But a young man who had just joined the expedition, who hade with personal connections rather than his skills, dared to act indecently as the hunter leading the expedition.


    Hunter Lee Jin-joo should have split his head.


    Instead, she had broken all of Ma Tae-siks limbs. Thanks to that, he didnt show up for a while and only returnedst month. And demotion. To be honest, he wasnt apetent hunter and he who caused the ident wouldnt say anything even if he was immediately dismissed.


    However, since he was the younger brother of the vicemaster, he was eventually demoted. After all, Korea is also a nation of school ties, regional ties, and blood ties. So he was sent to Kang Moo-hyuks strategic tactical team with his neck attached.


    To be honest, I couldnt see that him being in the strategic tactical team could be considered as a demotion. It was a department as important as the expedition team. However, it was a department one step below the expedition team, so the word demotion was used. Kang Moo-hyuk regretted receiving Ma Tae-sik because he couldnt refuse the vicemasters earnest request.


    Every guild has trash, but putting it into the core department has crossed the line.


    Until now, Kang Moo-hyuk has not tried to get involved with Ma Tae-sik. His team members also treated him as a nobody as much as possible. He didnt want to waste his emotions for no reason, even though he had a lot of work to do. But he couldnt watch over him any longer. Perhaps it was difficult to control his emotions at the moment due to stress. He issued an ultimatum.


    Ma Tae-sik-ssi, please be on night duty for a week from today. No refusal.


    A week? Thats a bit difficult.


    Ill see the vicemaster so please be on duty until then. If you do notply with my order, Ill take immediate action to the HR team.


    No, why does it have to be the HR team? Is it because youre not a hunter? Our team leader, you dont know much about this world. Lets not be childish and move on nicely.


    At that moment, something seemed to have snapped in Kang Moo-hyuks head.


    Whos the one childish?

 Chapter 2: If You Enjoy Seeing People Die

    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

    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


    1. Millennium Guild


    1. 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.


    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.


    1. Guilds can participate in the Gatekeeper raid in the order they have registered.


    1. Guilds must start their raid within two hours of registering.


    1. Guilds that ignore the order or intrude on a raid ahead of their rank will have their Gate raid qualifications suspended for six months.


    1. 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.


    1. 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

    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.


    Mage Killer.


    Walking Cmity.


    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

    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 7: You were determined, but you were not the one

    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 Qu0026A 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?

    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 nave. 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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: 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.


    ---


    "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 didnt do it because I was a Hunter."


    "Werent 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-soos eyes twitched. His son had called him ''Dad'' instead of using his name. Pretending not to notice, he retorted, "Oh, really? Hey! Didnt your mom say she fell for my humor and thats why she married me?"


    "Mom was kind. If it was me, I would have dumped you right away."


    "Thats 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


    **Chapter 15 epted**


    Six monthster.


    In the office of Taesungs 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 Im 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.


    "Youre 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.


    "Ill 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’s Pursuit of Glory

    Chapter 16: Against the Clock: The Team Leader¡¯s 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''."


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------n",

 Chapter 17: What a Mad World!

    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-rans 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


    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. Theres no chance a non-Hunter would notice that, right?


    Despite feeling certain that she wouldnt 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 dont get caught using skills on non-Hunters. I dont 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.


    Thats why I dont 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. Im surprised our Guild Master has held her temper for so long. She''s nothing like the rumors say. Its scary, not knowing when shell explode.


    That''s an exaggeration. We''re all guild members now, do you think she would act like she did before?"


    I dont know. Do you think being a Guild Master changes a person''s nature? Havent you heard the rumors? About her causing a scene at the yers Guild lobby. Do you really think such a person could remain calm? Shes 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 Ogreunbelievable 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 dont get caught its 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?


    Im 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 wasnt 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?

    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.


    u0026lt;Raid Strategy


    "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?"n",

 Chapter 19: That Does Pique My Interest

    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. Im 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?"


    ---


    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. Youve 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."


    ---


    "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 Huh!"


    "What are you 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: A Blow Landed

    Chapter 20: 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 21: A Blow Landed

    Chapter 21: A Blow Landed


    **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."n


    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’s Beginners Luck

    Chapter 22: Even If It¡¯s 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

    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

    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.


    ---


    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.


    "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 hes 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."n",

 Chapter 25: The Curious Man They Call Guild Leader

    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

    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..."


    Taesung Guild Personnel Recruitment Project


    "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?"


    Kim Gwi-nam. C-Rank. Tank. 3 years since joining.


    "Exactly. We thought the new Guild Leader might do something special, but suddenly training? Ah, this new Guild Leader is doomed too."


    Hong Ju-il. C-Rank. Dealer. 3 years since joining.


    "But... If we don''t train, we''ll stay at C-Rank forever."


    Min Dae-hyun. C-Rank. Supporter. 1 year since joining.


    "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."


    Seong Jin-soo. C-Rank. Mage. 3 years since joining.


    "What''s all this fuss about? It''s just training, why are we wearing full gear?"


    Yang Soo-jin. C-Rank. Dealer. 2 years since joining.


    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

    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."


    ---


    The Guild Leader system! Revival after 20 years!


    The challenge of the Taesung Guild. The gamble of Guild Master Ju Se-ah.


    Kang Mu-hyuk, the first non-Hunter Strategy and Tactics Team Leader in the industry. Takes office as Guild Leader of Taesung Guild,


    All about the Guild Leader. Why revive a failed system?


    "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

    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.


    Association Detective


    "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.


    Ma Taesu, Vice Guild Master


    "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.


    Guild Master Sa Mun-Hyuk


    "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

    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 wont 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.''"


    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.


    Regarding the relocation of Taesung Guild.


    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."


    "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."n",

 Chapter 30: Threats Are Second Nature

    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.


    Taesung Guild, we sincerely wee your affiliation with North Pocheon.


    Ju Se-ah, the milky white Hunter, please be the goddess of Pocheon.


    Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, Pocheon supports you.


    "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

    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

    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.


    Host: "I heard that the guild relocation to North Pocheon and the deration of the local area reflect the opinions of the newly appointed Guild Leader, Kang Mu-hyuk. As the Guild Leader is a civilian, there might be differences in opinion with Guild Master Ju Se-ah who''s a Hunter. How do you find working together?"


    Ju Se-ah: "I really like it. I can hand off all the work and take a break." (Panelughs) "Just kidding. First off, I don''t think it makes sense to differentiate between Hunters and civilians in guild work. Guild Leader Kang is a former Strategy and Tactics Team Leader of the Titan Guild. He was the industry''s first and only non-Hunter Strategy and Tactics Team Leader. Titan is a big guild worthy of being called a Tier-ed guild, right? Such a significant guild acknowledged Guild Leader Kang. In a way, I have more to learn. I''m a beginner Guild Master, after all. If it were a game, it''d be like ''Bronze?'' Haha, I''m good at hunting monsters, but not so good at games. Is the analogy a bit off?"


    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

    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?

    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

    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?

    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: As You Wish; In My Own Way

    Chapter 37: 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 38: As You Wish; In My Own Way

    Chapter 38: 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 39: Brace Yourself For Whats Coming

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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

    Chapter 44: There Was A Reason For The Annihtion


    "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.


    Toxin 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!"


    Brave 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

    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.


    Summoning


    ''If we assume that being was summoned, then the conclusion is simple.''


    He recalled the three elements of the summoning.


    Summoner, Sacrifice, Price.


    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?


    This chapter is missing , we are fix soon !

 Chapter 47: Not Worth The Money

    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

    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

    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 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 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 its a little bit disrespectful to tell them. But it''s also a shame to just keep my mouth shut. Instead, lets 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."


    "Whats 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 Im 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

    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

    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

    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?

    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

    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

    Chapter 56


    "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. Resums 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

    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

    Chapter 58


    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?

    Chapter 59: No ce 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

    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

    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


    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


    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


    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!

    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 Id 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, isnt 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, Im 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 cant, 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 jokesCough!"


    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?

    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 didnt 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?


    Its 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 dont 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 wasnt 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 werent 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 didnt 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 dont 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 dont 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


    "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?

    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-ahs 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?"


    "Thats 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?


    ''Thats where the question lies.''


    Why hadnt 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 wasnt 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


    "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.


    "Ill 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"


    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


    "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?"


    "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

    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.


    ''Its 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-mans 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. Hed 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 ha 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


    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 deadonly 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


    "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?

    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-joos 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 likeYes, 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 officials 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 orche 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.


    "Ive 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 citys 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 arent many ces in the sewer system where an orc could hide."


    "Ill 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 doesnt affect the operation."


    "Going into the sewers might be dirty, but its 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

    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.


    Iron Will Guild''s Leader Kang Mu-hyuk Bullies Pocheon City Councilmen. Guild Tyranny Continues.


    Who is Responsible for Fence Management?


    Iron Will Was Unaware of the Orcs Approaching South Pocheon.


    "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?

    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

    Chapter 69: A n With A High Probability of Sess


    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

    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

    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.


    Giant 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!"


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