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

As this monster was first discovered in Africa, it was named according to the unknown naming conventions, and the name was given by the one who discovered or terminated it.

Originally, Oopoomangbawoo referred to a species of birds belonging to the Pelecaniformes order found in Africa, Neolb-jeok-buri-hwang-sae in Korean and as Shoebill in English.

A common example of the Pelecaniformes order was the pelican. This monster also had a beak similar to that of a pelican. It had large wings used like arms and a body resembling that of a bird, but it was embarrassingly tougher and harder in comparison to that of a pelican.

Its appearance easily reminded people of the Shoebill, so it was called Oopoomangbawoo in Africa.

[TN: Because Oopoomangbawoo means shoebill]

However, there was a different true reason why this monster was called Oopoomangbawoo.

“It literally attacks and eats animals smaller than itself. Even when it's full, if there are small creatures nearby, it will kill them first, store them under its jaw, and eat them later. This habit is so set that it's practically considered a law, with no exceptions.”

The Oopoomangbawoo reached 5 meters in height. There were countless smaller creatures in the world besides it.

Particularly humans.

The presence of the Oopoomangbawoo landing in a city was sheer terror itself. Everything in sight could be considered prey.

“The hunting part itself is not difficult. In terms of combat power alone, it's at best about 3 to 4 stars, I guess. But the difficulty level of the conquest is quite high. Especially if it's in that particular city.”

Although Ju Se-ah had never hunted the Oopoomangbawoo personally, as it was a monster one couldn’t encounter easily, she had seen videos of it. She was also aware of the horrors that ensued after a successful hunt.

"I've seen it in the association's archives as well. Each time it's struck, it emits a tremendous amount of poisonous energy, right? Moreover, the moment it's killed, its body explodes, contaminating the surrounding area for tens of kilometers. If we mess with it rashly, we could make the land uninhabitable for decades."

"A Hunter with mana might be able to withstand it somewhat, but for ordinary people, it's toxic enough to immediately kill them. The best method is to block it before it enters the city, but once it's inside, you can't just hunt it down recklessly. It makes sense now why the top guild in Vladivostok hasn’t been able to do it yet."

Kang Mu-hyuk took another look at the documents.

The monster that came in from the ‘Northeast Three Provinces,’ known as the Demonic Realm.

If the Oopoomangbawoo had moved south instead of eastward, it might have set foot on the Korean Peninsula.

"So, how do you plan to catch it? With just one person at that."

"The hunting will need only one person, but to be exact, a total of two people are needed, including one for assistance."

"Whether it's one person or two, it's the same thing. As I said, even I can't just lay a finger on that monster because of its poisonous energy. Not unless we plan on giving up on Vladivostok."

"The documents here state that the Tsar Guild of Vladivostok has prepared a containment facility. It's described as a top-grade sealed ground that can block the spread of the poison while allowing the subjugation of the monster."

"Are you planning to lure it there? I’m sorry to say this, but that won’t be easy. This creature has a habit of not easily leaving its territory once it settles. Trying to force it is impossible when you fear that it could release poison. That's why even the Tsar Guild hasn't conducted a raid."

"There is a way to do it. I’m sure the Tsar Guild knows about it too. But they just haven't been able to use it."

"They know but haven’t been able to use it?"

Ju Se-ah furrowed her brows. Why wouldn't they try the method if there existed one? It didn't make sense to her.

"That’s because Igor holds the key to that method."

Ju Se-ah immediately knew who Kang Muhuk was referring to.

Russia's poster S-rank Hunter, Igor Dudnik.

As arrogant as he was strong, and as brutal as he was arrogant.

As a Hunter, he truly lived up to the nickname ‘tyrant.’

He had caused so much trouble here and there that if the Russian government had not sided with him, he might have been branded a villain long ago. That was how dangerous he was.

"You’re right. They couldn't ask that lunatic

."

"It's not that they didn’t ask for his help because he's a lunatic. It's because Igor's guild wants to take over Vladivostok, so the Tsar Guild can't afford to bring him into this."

From here on, it was a matter of politics.

Even a S-rank Hunter known as a lunatic couldn't go against the system as long as he was under the government's protection.

Russia strictly regulated the expansion of guilds between cities, never permitting it without a valid reason.

But, Igor could easily use the pretext of the Oopoomangbawoo raid to naturally expand into Vladivostok.

For the Tsar Guild, which had a monopoly on Vladivostok, this was something they absolutely wanted to avoid.

"Hold on. If it's something only Igor can do... Don’t tell me it’s-?"

Ju Se-ah’s eyes widened as he recalled something about Igor. She had a vague idea of the method Kang Mu-hyuk was hinting at.

"Yes. It's because of his unique trait. And we have someone with a similar trait in our guild as well."

"Why do we have to go to Russia?"

"Come on, doesn’t it sound great? Think of it as a vacation, Team Leader Yeom."

Pyo Beomhee patted Yeom Soohyung’s shoulder, who still had a dumbfounded look on his face even after going through immigration. Yeom Soohyung kept grumbling, not convinced at all.

Pyo Beomhee reassured him and then called Kang Mu-hyuk while settling him into a corner seat.

"Hey, Captain Kang. The plane’s about to take off."

"Team Leader Yeom, the Gigant’s use is allowed only until level 2. As per the calculations, it should be slightly bigger than the Oopoomangbawoo. If Team Leader Yeom goes berserk, put him to sleep immediately."

"Then, wouldn't that mean failing that test or whatever?"

"Nothing we can do if we fail. Returning safely is your topmost priority."

"Okay. We'll prioritize safe return as the mission's top priority."

Pyo Beomhee nodded and then asked again, needing reassurance amidst her anxiety.

"But are you sure it won't attack as long as the Gigant’s bigger than it? If that doesn’t happen, things could really go south. The federation arranged for this mission. If we mess up, we could end up being embarrassed and possibly giving the Russians a leg over us."

"We've already confirmed the fact that the Oopoomangbawoo destroys smaller structures but leaves high-rise buildings untouched."

"Maybe the monster has an eye for expensive real estate?"

-...

Kang Mu-hyuk fell silent for a moment, seemingly at a loss for words, then spoke up.

"As far as I know, there hasn't been a monster discovered yet that can calculate material value, but..."

"I was kidding. Just kidding. You didn't take that seriously, right?"

"Ah, a joke? I was actually wondering for a moment if such a case existed. Anyway, we have a previous record of this approach’s proof."

"Really? Then why didn't I know about it? I've received audiovisual training on unique monsters, you know."

"The specifics haven't been made public. But there's room for deduction."

"Jeez, your deductions. What is it?"

"The first person to subjugate Oopoomangbawoo was a shaman. The most prominent Hunter in Africa."

Given that Africa was full of Hunters who kept their identities hidden, not many were well-known. So, only one person came to Pyo Beomhee’s mind.

"Kwabena?"

"Yes."

The man of Tuesday.

The nickname didn't carry any special meaning. It was simply that he had awakened as a Hunter on a Tuesday, so he adopted the name “Kwabena” as per Ghana’s naming convention, which meant ‘born on a Tuesday.’

This simplicity, paradoxically, made him even more famous due to his unique position as a shaman.

"What about Kwabena?"

"Shaman class has a skill similar to Team Leader Yeom's Gigant."

"A shaman skill... You mean Earth Giant?"

"Yes. He lured and hunted the Oopoomangbawoo using that skill."

Pyo Beomhee immediately caught on to a loophole in Kang Mu-hyuk's argument.

"But that's not certain, right? Africa doesn't have many densely populated areas. Maybe he caught it in the wilderness."

"I've looked into that as well. I don’t know about Kwabena’s hunting ground, but I found out what happened in the hunt after him. Do you know how the second and third Oopoomangbawoo hunts turned out?"

"Of course. There was massive damage. They might have caught it easily, but one small town was wiped out because of its poison. I saw the video during training."

"And the fourth one was successful. It happened in England."

"Why is that relevant?"

"Kwabena is Ghanaian. Ghana was a colony of the UK and is a member of the Commonwealth. Naturally, exchange within the Hunter community is quite active. And the person who exterminated the Oopoomangbawoo in England was Sir Tristan."

"And he's a giant from Europe as well!"

"Coincidentally, he is close to Kwabena. Unlike the second and third times, it would have been easier for him to get information. In the light of events, even knowing the meaning behind the name ‘Oopoomangbawoo’ is already enough of a hint at its raid-strategy."

"Okay, I'll give you that. Considering all that you said, let's give it a shot and see."

"And if the plan fails, please proceed with the wrap up plan we discussed beforehand."

"Honestly, I can't guarantee that."

"If you can’t do that either, it’s okay. Just withdraw from there without doing anything."

"Easy for you to say. Anyway, I got it. I'll call if anything comes up once we arrive."

Just as Pyo Beomhee was about to end the call, Yeom Soohyung, who was sitting in a daze until then, snatched Pyo Beomhee's smartphone when he heard Kang Mu-hyuk's voice leaking from it.

"You said the orc hunt would be the last time!!!"

"I never said that. I said I wouldn't stop you if you decided to leave the team."

"Yet you're sending me on another hunt after saying that?"

-Well, you didn’t leave, did you? And from what I've heard, you've been consistently practicing with the Gigant. I took it as a sign you were willing to return.

Yeom Soohyung glared at Pyo Beomhee. When he found his secret practice had been exposed, that meant the person who had been helping him must have ratted him out. Pyo Beomhee whistled and avoided his gaze.

Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking, "You won't have to engage in direct combat this time. Once you enter Stage 2 transformation, just lure out the ‘Oopoomangbawoo’ and trap it in the facility prepared by the Tsar Guild. It’ll most probably be easier for you to maintain your sanity than before."

"Fine, I'll complete the task at hand, especially since a whole city's safety is at stake."

"Let's renegotiate your salary when you return. Welcome back."

Yeom Soohyung tossed the phone in irritation.

"Hey! That's mine, you middle-aged uncle!"

"You caught it. What’s the big deal?"

"Wow! Just because it’s not yours, you just don’t give a shit"

"Seems better than idiotically ratting others out."

"Ayy, come on. Not like I can’t buy a new phone. Hahaha."

-Announcement, passengers. Passengers boarding Russian Airlines flight 5437, please board the plane.

When the boarding announcement was made, Pyo Beomhee perked up her ears as if she was grabbing onto a lifeline and dashed off.

"Looks like it's time to board. Let's go."

Yeom Soohyung sighed in resignation and followed behind.

"I keep feeling I'm getting entangled."

Having finished the task at hand, Kang Mu-hyuk checked his watch.

"6 o'clock. It’s been two hours. They should have arrived in Vladivostok by now."

Once there, a representative from the World Hunter Federation was supposed to show Yeom Soohyung and Pyo Beomhee around.

‘Less showing them around, and more likely grading them.’

Given that they said failing the mission was not a concern, Kang Mu-hyuk speculated they’d judge them based on the process then.

Ring!

The direct line, which rarely rang even once a day, was buzzing insistently.

Kang Mu-hyuk anticipated something had happened as he answered the call.

"Kang Mu-hyuk speaking."

"It's Kim Myung-jun. I'm contacting you because something amusing has happened."

"This phone is not for amusement."

-Jeez, don't be so rigid. It's about the Slayer Guild.

"Did they clash with the Iga Clan or something?"

-Huh? You knew about it? Slayer has made a move. It looks like they're going after the Iga Clan.

Kang Mu-hyuk's eyes twitched slightly at Kim Myung-jun's counter-question .

‘They found out way too quickly.'

Even for Korea's top guild, their adversary was an elite assassination unit of an organization representative of Japan.

They were experts at disguising their identities and camouflaging their hideouts, with their skill sets in a whole different dimension compared to ordinary guilds.

"Where is it happening?"

-You expect me to spill such valuable information for free?

"Are you sure you just don't know?"

-Oh, come on. Do you think I'd fall for that cheap trick? A slight scratch at my pride isn’t enough to make me talk.

"I was actually preparing to leak a few pieces of information to the Slayer Guild anyway. Even without me saying anything, they would doggedly follow up on the source of that information, right? After all, they’ll need to determine whether it's true or false. And even I can't guarantee what might be exposed in that process."

-Hey! You’re just threatening me for fun at this point!

Kang Mu-hyuk didn’t talk back and waited, as time passed silently with neither side speaking.

Kim Myung-jun, though wanting to stubbornly stand his ground, realized he was the one at a disadvantage and had no choice but to give in.

"My goodness, I guess it's not easy to pick your nose without getting your hands dirty after all. And if I leave it be, only my nose will get dirtier. I'll give you the address, so let's see our Captain Kang show off his skills, yeah?"

After ending the call, Kang Mu-hyuk took a look at the address given by Kim Myungjun. It was different from the one Mr. Cho knew of. He picked up the phone again and called Mr. Cho.

-Ah, what is it now?

"I'm going to give you an address. Please keep an eye on what happens there."

-What address?

"Apparently, the Slayer Guild is planning to ambush the Iga Clan."