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

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 balance 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 too late to say this, but I was strongly against you becoming the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader."

"I am aware."

"A civilian who knows nothing about hunting becoming 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 uncomfortable.

"I wish we could've smoothed things over with words, then I might have had a better working relationship 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 acceptance 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 a compliment."

"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 account, Kang Mu-hyuk sensed something strange.

'Is he implying something about 'other places'?'

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 accept 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 place. 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 it comfortable to deal with you, Team Leader Kang. To put it bluntly, it might be hard to get him out completely. 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's comfortable."

"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 a commonality 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 parent company 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 recommend 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 a large corporation, the story changes. But using the Vice-Guild Master recommendation as bait? It means they're having difficulty hiring people... Did something happen with the Slayer 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 guild later. 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 become enemies after returning from the Gate. Moreover, do you think there will still be a place 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 become sharper lately. 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 myself later?"

"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 his last 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 planned to have his lawyer 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 declaration 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 of land 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 becoming 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 you come 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 particularly 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."