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

The collision of fist and foot created an incredible noise that was discomforting 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 glance, 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 Ironclad 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 blade.

The green light wrapped around the blade suddenly vanished, replaced by a red heat as though the metal was burning.

He swung the blade in an X shape in the air, and sparks flew from the floor and ceiling, melting the path where the blade passed. The heat of a furnace could be felt from the blade as it targeted Ju Se-ah.

Kang Mu-hyuk sensed that it was a skill that converted mana into heat energy. Skills related 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 nonchalant 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 clash 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-jun landed 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 glance but fearlessly followed the command.

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 contemplating, looking down at Ju Se-ah, who was driving back the Hunters rushing with various weapons through the broken window.

'I can't completely eliminate Kim Myung-jun here. Evidence will be left outside the Gate. I'll become hostile to the well-organized Slayer Guild again. The fact that I was aware of Hanseong Corporation would be uncomfortable, whatever the reason.'

Conversely, Kim Myung-jun also wouldn't be able to report Ju Se-ah's rampage to the Slayer Guild.

He would have to explain the cause of this fight, which would reveal his connection to another organization, linked to Japanese Hunter circles. It was clear that Slayer would stir up trouble and chase Kim Myung-jun.

After some calculation, 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 this commotion to become known.

'Unusual relationships with Union, suspecting and probing a proposal to the Slayer 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 annihilation 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 villa.

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 would come either, so I gave up on running away. Damn, who lets their Guild Master behave like that?"

Kim Myung-jun glared 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 place 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 Slayer to Hanseong Corporation to Union, was robust. Even the great Slayer didn't know. How the secret had leaked out was completely beyond understanding.

Being from Slayer 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 overcome 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 the command 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 and combine 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 welcomed Jang Deuk-goo's involvement.

"The thread goes where the needle goes."

All tricks were blocked. Kim Myung-jun and Director Jung exchanged glances. 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 collar, 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 elasticity repelled the blade. 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 already come 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 feeling comfortable?"

"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, completely."

"The Guild Leader has become 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 delayed."

"Let me hear it first."

"We'll replace 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 been completely 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 will come."

"There may be something you want. For example, if the Union supports the Vice Guild Master again."

"!!"

"That would roughly balance 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 accomplishments 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 is completed."

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 become the foundation of Titan later on, but now, looking back, it clearly showed how much faith Kang Mu-hyuk's words instilled.

Ma Taesu thought accepting 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 the last cent."

"So who is it?"

"Hunter Lee Jin-joo."