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

"What? The same grandpa who sent me to fight an ogre when I was just a C-ranker is now saying this?"

Han Byung-gu, feeling embarrassed, cleared his throat as Go Eul-ji gave him a look of disbelief.

"Ahem! That was all for your own good..."

"If you help me two more times for my own good, your only granddaughter might not be any more. You need to learn what 'moderation' is."

Feeling cornered, Han Byung-gu avoided his granddaughter's gaze. Go Eul-ji, with a smirk, said, "Guild Master told me that I'm now a full-fledged Hunter. She said it's my duty to protect others, not to be protected. That's the Hunter's mission. I can't keep relying on you forever, right? I can't just keep training either. I've joined a guild, and if I want to pull my weight, I need to do my part."

Han Byung-gu felt a lump in his throat as his granddaughter, whom he had always thought of as merely strong but still young, spoke maturely. He quietly hugged her.

"You've grown up... You've really grown up."

"Grandpa..."

Just as the two were about to share a touching moment, Han Byung-gu noticed a piece of paper fluttering from Eul-ji's back pocket.

<Melonia Music Awards>

• Performers: BTA, Red Velvet, ThatZY...

"What is this?"

"Ah, my ticket!"

"Good grief! Hunter's mission, huh? Falling for a bribe like this, and talking about a Hunter's mission?"

"Of course, the mission is important, but Hunters need to enjoy some cultural life too. We risk our lives fighting monsters and searching for missing team leaders. A little fun like this should be fine, right?"

"Oh, dear. I should have stopped you back when you started chasing after those singers, whatever they are called."

"Singers? My dear oppas. And it's BTA. If it weren't for them, what would my life be? Just chasing after monsters all the time? The reason I've grown up well without going astray is all thanks to them."

"I tried to raise you to be a perfect Hunter without any weaknesses, but you fell for a concert ticket? This is all Kang's fault! On second thought, there's no need to save that guy. Let him die!"

"He can't die. I haven't received my LA concert tickets yet."

As the two bickered, the car came to a stop.

"Chairman, we've arrived."

The two sulked and looked out the car window with their arms crossed as the driver quietly got out of the car.

Han Byung-gu and his granddaughter. A veteran who has been in the Hunter industry for a long time and a rising star who has undergone rigorous training since childhood. The driver knew well that their expressions of affection could be quite rough. When they started arguing like this, it was best to give them some space.

After a while, their heavy breathing subsided. Go Eul-ji unlocked the door and stepped out of the car.

"Grandpa, I'm off then."

"Make sure to find him."

"Okay."

"Take care of yourself."

"Okay."

"If you think it's dangerous, run away."

"Okay."

"And stop watching those idols."

"Oka--- huh? No, that's not happening."

"Anyway, be strong and do your best like my granddaughter should. Got it?"

"Don't worry. I'm Go Eul-ji."

Their eyes met, and no more words were needed. She closed the car door firmly. Through the window, she could be seen receiving a motorcycle key and supplies from the driver.

Soon, the roar of the motorcycle engine filled the air and gradually faded away.

Han Byung-gu murmured quietly to himself, "Right. Once they've grown up, you have to let them go. Time flies so fast, Yeji. Your daughter has grown up so much already."

Hyun Junggeon, preparing to leave the hideout, uttered, "The neighbors around here are pretty friendly with me, so don't worry. I'll go out and check the situation, gather some information."

"If it gets dangerous, leave this place right away."

Kang Mu-hyuk unexpectedly gave Hyun Junggeon permission to abandon him. Hyun Junggeon opened his eyes wide in surprise.

"I may lack shame, but I have loyalty. I wouldn't leave after bringing someone all the way to a dangerous place like Sinuiju, especially someone who's unwell."

Kang Mu-hyuk, leaning against the headboard of the bed with a cushion, pointed to himself before replying, "I'm just suggesting a viable option. If you hesitate when the time comes, you'll end up achieving nothing. You've raided dungeons before, right? The principle is to have a card you can discard in a crisis. Right now, I'm that discardable card."

"Wow, my head hurts. That's Hunter talk. You're not a Hunter, Guild Leader."

"The Chinese forces taking over Sinuijui not just about losing one city. It's a critical issue that could significantly impact Gate security. I'd rather have you escape from here and join North Pocheon. Tell Guild Master Ju Se-ah what you know. That's how we can stop their plans."

Hyun Junggeon scratched the back of his head.

'Was he always like this?'

Even during the Titan days, there were several times when the raid team got into trouble. Naturally, sacrifices were made, and the blame was directed at the raid leader and the strategy team leader.

Bearing the anger and cries of the bereaved families while staying in that position was not something that could be done with ordinary determination. Especially for a non-Hunter. Since Kang Mu-hyuk was a non-Hunter, he faced even more attacks whenever there were sacrifices. It was a role Hyun Junggeon didn't want to handle.

Maybe it was that aspect that allowed him to work with Kang Mu-hyuk.

Of course, the main reason was that it was fun.

"Don't you know my specialty? Unless I reveal myself from the start, no one will know I'm there if I've planned to hide until I cut their throat."

"Oh, that's right. I forgot after all this time. After all, you were Titan's best 'assassin.'"

"Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say the best. It's not something to brag about... Anyway, take care of yourself. I'll be back soon."

Not long after Hyun Junggeon left, a plump woman with a kind expression came up to the attic.

"Hello. I'm Ui Judaek, and I help out with the jeongji for Mr. Hyun."

"Hello. What does 'jeongji' mean?"

"Oh my, look at me. I used the northern dialect again. Hoho. It means kitchen. I'm practicing using the standard language, but I always slip up like this. Hoho. You must not have eaten anything since yesterday, so I brought breakfast. Since you're a patient, I made some porridge. I hope it's okay."

"Ah, thank you. You speak the Seoul dialect very well."

"People here speak standard language well. We learn from watching drama CDs. Everyone's wish is to live down south."

Kang Mu-hyuk realized that by 'down south,' Ui Judaek meant south of Pyongyang. She sighed and continued, "It's too barren here, making it hard for children to grow up. Even if the hunting grounds are good, they're dangerous. It's tiring to constantly deal with the 'traitors.' Oh dear, I'm being silly in front of a guest. Take your time eating, and leave the bowl next to you. I'll come by later to clean up."

"Mom!"

A boy came up the attic stairs with a loud thud, calling for Ui Judaek. His clothes were shabby, with worn-out elbows and knees that had been patched multiple times, and the collar was frayed with old stains that wouldn't come out even after washing.

Compared to other children Kang Mu-hyuk had seen, it was clear this boy lived in much worse conditions. Even poor kids in Seoul would seem wealthier than him.

"Why are you making such a fuss? What did I tell you? Be careful."

"That's not the issue. Deok-soo's gang is outside."

Ui Judaek's expression turned fierce. Kang Mu-hyuk realized then.

'She's a Hunter?'

Her loose clothes and apron were hiding the muscles of a trained tank.

"Gilyoung, stay here."

Ui Judaek left her son beside Kang Mu-hyuk and went downstairs.

Kang Mu-hyuk watched her feet as she walked. Now aware of her identity, her steps looked different. Her steps were heavy but didn't have her heels touching the ground first, a movement seen in tanks who needed agile movements. Hunters who spent their lives in hunting grounds often had this habit in their everyday movements.

'There's a joke that half of the former North Korean residents living in Sinuiju are Hunters. A housewife with solid tanking skills. Her rank seems low, but her skills are good, probably from experience in the hunting grounds.'

Each guild had different standards for evaluating tanks. However, guild officials, especially strategy team leaders, tried to evaluate Hunters according to global trends. Kang Mu-hyuk was one of the strategy team leaders who actively embraced advanced Hunter systems more than anyone else.

For him, one of the most important aspects of evaluating a tank was their steps.

'These days, multi-tanks or dealing tanks are in trend. Hunters who only focus on defense lack tactical flexibility. They need to handle various roles to deal with unexpected situations. Quick movement is essential. Hunters in this area might be better in that aspect because they mainly operate in complex hunting grounds.'

Kang Mu-hyuk got up from the bed. Suddenly standing made his vision go dark. As he swayed from dizziness, the boy, Kim Gilyoung, supported him.

"You're sick, mister. Don't get up."

Kang Mu-hyuk looked down at the boy with interest. Unlike Ui Judaek, who still had a slight northern accent, Gilyoung spoke standard language fluently, almost like kids from the south.

"You're good at speaking Seoul dialect too."

"Oh, this? I learned it from a young age. They said if we don't want to be looked down on when we go south, we need to speak properly first. All my friends are good at speaking the Seoul dialect. The adults keep nagging that someday we'll leave this prison. We even got hit with spoons if we used the northern dialect. Hehe."

Kang Mu-hyuk could feel how strong the desire of the people in this prison village to leave Sinuiju was. No matter how difficult it was, they all wanted to support their families in a safer and more prosperous place.

'It won't be easy. Not without government policies or social consensus.'

The coup of North Korean Hunters after the Great War left a significant scar in South Korea's history. Even decades later, the descendants of the old North Korean Hunters were still seen by many as potential threats who might betray the country.

"Since you're helping me, can you help me over to the window?"

"Of course. I'm strong."

Despite his confident claim, the boy wobbled as he helped Kang Mu-hyuk to the window.

Kang Mu-hyuk looked outside through the small attic window. Though the window was small and patched with nailed boards, he could see enough of the outside. Five men stood in the yard, scattered around with a delinquent posture, smoking cigarettes.

"Those guys are Cheon Deok-soo's gang. They're really bad."

Soon, Ui Judaek came out into the yard. Cheon Deok-soo's gang stomped out their cigarettes. Judging by the swords at their waists and spears on their backs, they were all Hunters.

Though the window didn't open, and he couldn't hear the conversation, their expressions and posture indicated it wasn't a friendly chat.

"Which one is Cheon Deok-soo?"

"He's not there. These are all Cheon Deok-soo's underlings."

"They don't look like they're on good terms."

"Their boss is my dad's enemy. When I awaken as a Hunter, I'll definitely take revenge."

Kang Mu-hyuk glanced at the boy who spoke of revenge. There was a fierceness in his eyes unusual for someone his age.

'For him to control his anger like this at such a young age, he must really hate them. He'll be interesting to watch if he becomes a Hunter.'

Realizing he was assessing Kim Gilyoung like a promising prospect, Kang Mu-hyuk smiled wryly and turned his gaze back outside.

"I know they're your enemies, but what exactly makes them bad?"

"Why? They're traitors to the Chinese. That's why they don't get along with the patrol officers."

"Patrol officers?"

"They're the guys who protect our village. They prevent the Chinese from invading, but Cheon Deok-soo's gang always interferes. But Captain Yeon Jungmoon is really strong, so Deok-soo's gang doesn't dare to mess with him."

'Who is Yeon Jung-moon?'

From Kim Gilyoung's words, Kang Mu-hyuk realized he knew nothing about the prison village.

The information No Song-rin sent had an overview of Sinuiju, but it lacked details about the prison village. There was no mention of factions like Cheon Deok-soo's gang or the number of residents and Hunters.

Even though he was currently trapped in the prison village to avoid the Chinese Hunters, Kang Mu-hyuk realized he needed to have an understanding of at least the basic information, as he could escape at any moment.

'Come to think of it, where is No Song-rin? Has he returned to headquarters? Or is he still waiting outside Sinuiju?'

Thinking No Song-rin could have been useful now, Kang Mu-hyuk asked Kim Gilyoung.

Perhaps misunderstanding Kang Mu-hyuk's contemplation, Kim Gilyoung clenched his fist and said, "Don't worry, mister. Despite how she looks, my mom is the chief here. Even Cheon Deok-soo's gang wouldn't dare to mess with her."

"That's reassuring. By the way, Gilyoung--"

"Yes?"

"I'm curious about something. Could you tell me about this village? I suddenly want to know more about people like Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo, you see."