Against the Clock: The Team Leader’s Pursuit of Glory

'Dealing with Japan is troublesome enough, and now there's more on my plate.'

Kang Mu-hyuk's mind was cluttered with Seong Seonjae's overly ambitious plan. That was because, in some sense, Seong Seonjae had both Ju Se-ah's current position and the future of Korea's Hunter community neatly in his hands.

Moreover, it was oddly coincidental that it was similar to the lie he had told Jung Woosu in the National Assembly. This made him feel quite embarrassed. Even more unsettling was the offer to recruit him.

'The sincerity in his expression seems genuine...'

No matter how much he thought about it, he felt completely misaligned with Seong Seonjae's outlook, just like he felt with Ju Se-ah.

'Does he think he can control me? Or does he believe that the might of the Slayer Guild will ultimately consume me?'

While he hadn't seriously entertained the idea, he was confident, even if he did end up in the Slayer Guild.

Reflecting deeper, Kang Mu-hyuk had to commend Seong Seonjae's intricate strategy. A ten-year plan that involved one's life and future was not for the faint-hearted. He also deliberated on how best to use Seong Seonjae's scheme.

Should he get in on it or take it apart?

'There's no point in ruining it for now. It would be beneficial if another S-rank emerged.'

To Kang Mu-hyuk, the guild's dynamics or benefits were trivial concerns. His excitement came from the possibility of having more S-rank Hunters and the corresponding increase in monsters they could hunt. His only benchmarks revolved around whether other guilds and Hunters obstructed or facilitated combat against monsters.

'But ultimately, the problem at hand doesn't change. The approach now is rapid execution. We gotta wrap it up before Japan intervenes.'

Once he secured Seong Seonjae's approval, the raid plans proceeded smoothly. Kang Mu-hyuk gathered the strike force in a lecture hall for a briefing.

"Our primary target, Garuda, is believed to be located on the north flank of the Sky-Touching Mountain Range. I will now outline our strategic raid formation."

Kang Mu-hyuk illuminated the screen with images and names of the strike force members.

The members were organized by name, affiliated guild, primary role, and specialized position.

<First Party>

So Sangyeob - Slayer, Main Tank, Defending Lancer

Gam Wooyoung - Slayer, Dealer, Blader

Ha Hyesung - Slayer, Secondary Tank, Assault Soldier

Go Wonmae - Slayer, Dealer & Support, Care Archer

Jung Dushik - Warrior, Dealer, Warrior

<Second Party>

Seong Seonjae - Slayer, Dealer & Commander, Knight

Yeo Mungi - Slayer, Dealer, Elemental Wizard

Na Youngsik - Wanderer, Tank, Paladin

Moon Ilsu - Green Wings, Dealer, Sniper

Yoon Daemyung - High and Low, Dealer, Ranger

<Third Party>

Gye Myungsik - Green Wings, Tank, Royal Guard

Sung Samshik - Warrior, Dealer, Warrior

Gong Jungmoon - Wanderer, Support, Enchanter

Do Dohee - Green Wings, Dealer, Blader

Seo Sein - Green Wings, Dealer, Assassin

<Fourth Party>

Jeon Yesung - Dragon Slayer, Tank, Gladiator

Choi Taesu - Wanderer, Dealer, Magic Swordsman

.....

<Fifth Party>

...

<Sixth Party>

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...

"For complete profiles of the raid teams, please check the materials provided."

The announcement of the teams stirred the classroom, especially with the noise coming from the back. In the midst of the commotion, Eum Youngjin raised his hand to request the floor.

Kang Mu-hyuk acknowledged him.

"Yes, Hunter Eum Youngjin."

"Strategy Leader, why isn't our White Tiger Guild listed here?"

"I've slightly adjusted the raid lineup. The White Tiger Guild will lead the first-line attack on Agora Magos. You'll receive the monster profiles and raid proposals right after this briefing."

"I'm hearing this for the first time. Are we strategizing separately?"

"It's not just the White Tiger Guild. The Armored Lizard will be tackled by the Slayer Guild."

Eum Youngjin's eyebrows twitched.

"Don't tell me we're doing a concurrent raid?"

"Yes, although the Abomination will be handled by a combined force due to its notoriety."

Eum Youngjin pondered Kang Mu-hyuk's strategy.

'Initially, I thought we were being sidelined. Could the urgency for a concurrent raid indicate a pressing need?'

He chose to focus on the modification for a concurrent raid.

"Raids aren't child's play. They should be handled safely and systematically, not like cooking beans with a flash of lightning."

"Ah, lacking confidence, are we?"

"Excuse me?"

"Agora Magos is challenging, but it's not a named beast. I assumed White Tiger Guild was well-equipped to manage it. Was I wrong?"

It was a loaded question. To contradict Kang Mu-hyuk would be to label White Tiger Guild as incapable. Eum Youngjin was caught off-guard by the straightforward provocation. It wasn't a clever tactic but a juvenile one. However, to a Hunter driven solely by pride, there was no greater challenge.

Conceding defeat, Eum Youngjin shifted his focus to the Slayers.

"If that's your rationale, isn't the Armored Lizard also unnamed? Yet the Slayers are also tasked with the Garuda raid."

"It's about the prestige and reputation the name holds. They're different. Don't you see that?"

Ha Hyesung of the Slayers, seated in the front, slammed the table and looked back.

"You want me to be honest? Our guild could handle all the named monsters here by ourselves. What's the point of this Unified Strike Force? Not all Tier guilds are created equal, you know."

"Hold on. I can't agree with that."

Before Eum Youngjin could reply, another objection came from a different direction.

"Are you suggesting our Dragon Slayer Guild is less capable than the Slayer?"

"Guild Master Jeon Yesung, I don't wanna say this, but when did the Dragon Slayer last do anything worth notice? It's unsightly to see you still strutting around as if you're riding high from the Great War."

"Rude brat. Hey, So Sangyeob, you'd better keep your juniors in check."

"What? Brat?!"

"Enough, Hunter Ha Hyesung."

"But sir, I didn't say anything wrong..."

Under So Sangyeob's stern gaze, Ha Hyesung fell silent.

So Sangyeob then turned to Jeon Yesung.

"If our guild member misspoke, I would correct him. But, since he spoke a hard truth, I'm at a loss for how to handle that, Guild Master Jeon."

"So Sangyeob..."

"Ugh! Goosebumps! He's basically saying he does look down on other Tier guilds."

"You're the ones puffing up your chest against the Slayer name tag."

Seo Sein and Do Dohee from Green Wings then interjected, cutting off Jeon Yesung.

Their words sparked an escalation as representatives and "provocateurs" from each guild got louder. The scene quickly descended into a chaotic brawl, with physical altercations breaking out, furniture splintering, and chairs buckling under the tumult.

To an outsider, it would seem like an apocalypse, yet Kang Mu-hyuk, observing, considered it comparatively tame.

"There's still some rationality here. They haven't resorted to mana, at least."

"This is why they say creating chaos among Hunters is a cakewalk."

"Exactly. I was about to mention... Oh? Hunter Go Eul-ji? Why have you come in so early?"

"I was supposed to be introduced to the strike force, but since no one called me in, I entered. It seems I don't need further explanation. This is a disaster about to unfold."

Crash!

The door slammed with such force that the metal trembled. The sudden sound turned every Hunter's gaze toward the entrance.

There, three figures stood. Two were unfamiliar, and one was recognizable.

"This may be a bit out of order, but allow me to introduce everyone. Here's Hunter Go Eul-ji, and by the door, from left to right, are Hunters Pyo Beomhee, Yeom Soohyung, and Jang Deukgoo."

Kang Mu-hyuk quickly refreshed the displayed party roster on the screen.

<Special Task Force>

Jang Deukgoo - Iron Will, Dealer, Weapon Master

Yeom Soohyung - Iron Will, Tank, Giant

Pyo Beomhee - Iron Will, Dealer & Supporter, Poisoner

Go Eulji - Iron Will, Dealer, Telekinetic

"This team is tasked with a special mission."

The focus of the Hunters shifted to the newly introduced members.

'Jang Deukgoo...'

Jang Deukgoo was a name that every elite Hunter in major guilds recognized, especially among Hunters in higher circles like the expedition team, though he remained relatively unknown in smaller guild circles.

During the uproar, Eum Youngjin, who had been pushed to the background, criticized the special task force.

"What is this? Nepotism? They're all from Iron Will!"

Kang Mu-hyuk clarified immediately.

"They are members of our guild, but they possess the necessary traits for this raid."

"Are they competent enough? C-rank guild members?"

"Mister, are you challenging me?"

Go Eulji flicked his wrist dismissively, and Eum Youngjin let out a derisive laugh.

"Hehe... Kids these days are fearless, eh?"

"What is he talking about? If you get scared easily, you shouldn't be hunting."

Go Eul-ji snapped back, and Eum Youngjin, seething, climbed onto the table with a weapon in hand.

'Just scare her a little.'

Eum Youngjin's attempt to intimidate was quickly thwarted.

A crushing, unseen force weighed him down. He recalled Go Eulji's profile displayed on the screen.

"A telekinetic..."

Go Eulji's hands were extended toward Eum Youngjin.

At that moment, Park Beomil from the White Tiger Guild recognized Go Eul-ji and abruptly stood up.

"You! You're the brat from that time!"

It was clear she was the Hunter who had thwarted Park Beomil's attempt to capture Lee Sookyoung.

"They say you always find your foe in a dire situation. This time, I'll teach you a proper lesson."

Park Beomil took a stance to attack Go Eulji, his eyes shifting color, indicating the onset of his transformation.

But he was immobilized.

[Black Mist]

Suddenly, he was enveloped in a dark fog. Park Beomil turned to identify the user of the skill that was constraining him.

"Aha, I recognize you too. Pyo Beomhee, was it?"

"Don't mess with our kid."

"You started it by messing with our Vice Guild Master first."

"He drew his sword; it's self-defense."

"This ahjumma keeps annoying me since the last time."

"What? Ahjumma?"

The mist grew denser, and Park Beomil momentarily felt dizzy.

'Poison?'

It was a poison potent enough to affect him and make him dizzy. He was an A+ rank Hunter skilled in beast transformation and resistant to various poisons. He braced himself for transformation, wary of the mist.

"A telekinetic, a poison master, and the infamous Jang Deukgoo. Plus another with a unique role. They seem sufficiently capable. If we're done with the introductions, I'd like to move on to the briefing."

Seong Seonjae's remark had the Slayer guild members resume their seats as if the disturbance had never occurred.

With the conflict defused, Eum Youngjin sheathed his weapon, and Park Beomil and Pyo Beomhee also lost their fighting spirit. The other Hunters naturally found their way back to their spots.

"Alright, our guild members, please sit down over there. We'll restart the briefing now."

Go Eul-ji, eyeing Kang Mu-hyuk as he resumed the briefing, thought to himself.

'Guild Leader Kang is really scary. He must have orchestrated this fight deliberately.'

She had been secretly observing from a window and had witnessed the entire altercation. It seemed the planned raid organization discussion by Kang Mu-hyuk would be glossed over.

"Ah, and for your information, the named raid will conclude within a week, and the boss raid will be finalized next week."

Kang Mu-hyuk's casual announcement as if he was announcing the lunch menu stirred the room once more.

Go Eulji shrugged and murmured, "Easy, isn't it? Chaos."

"I need to get to sleep early for tomorrow's raid."

"Do you think I came here late at night because I wanted to?"

"You could just call me."

"You blocked my number!"

"Did I?"

Kim Myungjun glared and huffed at Kang Mu-hyuk as he checked his smartphone.

"Frustrating, wasn't it, not being able to call? So, keep your old number and stop dodging my calls."

"Are you retaliating because I changed my number?"

"I'm just saying we should help each other when it's urgent."

"How is this helping? You're always threatening me."

"If a certain someone weren't so keen on betrayal, I wouldn't be doing this either."

Kim Myungjun realized that arguing was pointless and got straight to the point.

"The Guild Association Alliance wants me to find out about your real intentions."

"For accepting their support proposal?"

"That's the thing. You agreed too quickly. You should play hard to get and throw a tantrum to keep me from getting exhausted. So, what's your game?"

Kang Mu-hyuk suddenly turned serious.

"Do I have to just tell you that just because you ask me?"

"Why are you suddenly getting serious? In our relationship."

"What exactly is our relationship?"

"Mutual support. Cooperation. Loyalty."

"Loyalty?"

"Maybe not loyalty... An annoying affection, perhaps? Anyway, let's continue this give and take. I even informed you about the issue with Taesung's eldest son."

Kang Mu-hyuk did some quick mental calculations. Kim Myungjun, while not the most pleasant person, was highly useful. If he failed to continually prove his worth to the Guild Association Alliance, he was at risk of being discarded.

After his calculations were done, a picture of the future came to his mind.

"You're right. I need to be making things less exhausting for you, so I guess I should throw some bait Japan's way."

"Suddenly you're concerned for me? I find that somewhat unsettling."

"How about a collaboration? It's been a while."