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

Chapter 135 - I hope you're joking right now

"Are you really okay with this? If you get caught, you might die."

"You made a promise, didn't you? That you'll expose their true colors completely. Ask them to end the siege in exchange for taking me. It would be great if they agree right away, but if they don't and attack instead..."

"It'll be war."

"It'll be unfavorable in many ways."

"You might die before it even gets unfavorable. You will be entering right into the heart of the enemy camp. We might not be able to save you."

"You take care of yourself. I've made my preparations. Let's hurry and check out what Zhang Zhongxun is scheming."

Cheon Deok-soo pushed Kang Mu-hyuk's toward the village outskirts.

As they left the narrow alley, a fairly wide stream came into view. The sewage from the prison village, which lacked proper sanitation facilities, flowed through it as dirty water. A stone bridge connected the path to the village entrance at the opposite side. On the other side, people were lined up left and right. Zhang Zhongxun stood among them.

Cheon Deok-soo crossed the bridge, exchanging a subtle glance with Kang Mu-hyuk. He grabbed the back of Kang Mu-hyuk's neck and pushed him forward.

Zhang Zhongxun spoke through an interpreter he had brought with him.

"You really kept your promise."

"It was a promise, huh? Not an order?"

"Let's say it was a polite request instead of getting emotional. But, where is Hyun Junggeon?"

"He resisted so much I beat him into a chunk of meat. If you want him on the table, I'll bring him over."

"I'll put him on the table myself. After confirmation."

"Now that we've handed over Kang Mu-hyuk, we'd like you to end the siege and leave."

"Sure. Now, hand him over."

Zhang Zhongxun approached to receive Kang Mu-hyuk personally.

Cheon Deok-soo was slightly taken aback, wondering if this was really the end. What if Zhang Zhongxun took Kang Mu-hyuk and actually lifted the siege? He was not sure whether to be happy or disappointed.

As Zhang Zhongxun took over Kang Mu-hyuk, Cheon Deok-soo spoke up involuntarily, trying to stop him.

"But what do you plan to do with him once you take him?"

"He's a hostage."

As soon as Zhang Zhongxun answered, a knife shot out from his sleeve. He pushed Kang Mu-hyuk aside and stabbed Cheon Deok-soo's heart with all his might from below.

"Argh!"

Cheon Deok-soo, not expecting a sneak attack from the start, reacted too late.

In the split second he was about to be struck down.

"I told you to be careful."

Just before Cheon Deok-soo fell, Kang Mu-hyuk's kick flew in, striking Zhang Zhongxun's wrist.

"What?!"

Shocked by Kang Mu-hyuk's unexpected attack, Zhang Zhongxun was momentarily stunned. It was a completely unforeseen attack. No, it was an impossible attack from the start.

'Wasn't he supposed to be an ordinary person?'

The aching pain in his wrist felt surreal. While Zhang Zhongxun was confused, displaying an opening, Cheon Deok-soo swung his fist. The blow targeted precisely at the temple was blocked by Zhang Zhongxun raising his arm.

Although he avoided a direct hit, Zhang Zhongxun couldn't completely dissipate the force of the tank-like punch and rolled backward. Expecting a counterattack, he quickly got up and took a stance. The Hunters nearby reacted a bit late and drew their weapons.

Zhang Zhongxun stopped his men, who were about to rush in, and pointed a trembling finger at Kang Mu-hyuk.

"H-how?!"

Kang Mu-hyuk ignored Zhang Zhongxun and spoke to Cheon Deok-soo.

"See? They were aiming for you. Still think it's not convincing?"

"Y-you.... Who are you?"

Cheon Deok-soo asked, feeling the same way as Zhang Zhongxun.

"Are you curious? The answer is simple."

Tzzzzzt!

"I'm not Kang Mu-hyuk. And---ah, ahem!"

As his voice changed, he gradually transformed into Hyun Junggeon.

Everyone present, including Cheon Deok-soo, was shocked.

"I'm not going to your table, you bastard."

"Hyun Junggeon.... So you had this trick up your sleeve?"

Zhang Zhongxun gritted his teeth as he glared.

"Huh? Hyun Junggeon? Oh, right. I am Hyun Junggeon. How does it feel to be caught off guard?"

"Kill them all!"

"No, I'm asking you how it feels. Why---urgh!"

Boom!

With Zhang Zhongxun's command, the Chinese Hunters started unleashing their powers.

"Hey, let's run... Huh? He's already gone?! Hey, you sneaky bastard!"

The one who was Kang Mu-hyuk shouted angrily and chased after Cheon Deok-soo, who was far ahead of him. As he quickly caught up to Cheon Deok-soo, the latter shouted.

"Who are you? You're not Hyun Junggeon!"

"I'm Mister Cho. Don't blame me. It was Guild Leader Kang's order. He said it was a small favor. I don't trust that guy---ah, you idiots! How can you just swing attacks at me powers like that?! Do you have a death wish?!"

Bang!

"Later. I'll deal with you later. Hiic! That was close. I remember your face, you jerk!"

The stone bridge collapsed without leaving a single pillar erected. Fortunately, Cheon Deok-soo and Mister Cho managed to cross just before it crumbled. However, losing one bridge didn't matter to the Hunters. They used their superhuman physical abilities to leap across the stream in a single bound.

"This is pretty simple. They're moving just as Mr. Kang predicted."

Cheon Deok-soo raised his hands above his head. The walls of the poor neighborhood behind them crumbled as a group of men sprang out. They were armed with bows, throwing knives, and spears for long-range attacks.

"Show them what we've got!"

Dozens of mana imbued attacks intercepted the Chinese Hunters who were jumping across the stream.

The Hunters, unable to dodge in midair, were hit and fell into the water. Some sustained fatal injuries and were carried away by the current. Those who avoided critical hits emerged from the filthy water, coughing and spitting out sewage, only to be greeted by a barrage of follow-up attacks.

"Guh!"

"Cough!"

"Damn you Bangtz bastards... ugh!"

"Didn't I say I'd remember your face? Take this!"

Mister Cho gleefully threw a dagger to get his revenge.

"Hyun Junggeon!"

A furious Zhang Zhongxun shouted as he leaped across the stream in a single bound. Arrows tried to turn him into a pincushion, but they were ineffective. Either the mana around his body deflected his attacks or they missed.

Landing on the opposite bank in one move, Zhang Zhongxun drew his sword and aimed at Mister Cho.

'A whip sword?'

Mister Cho stepped back, dodging the snake-like, flexible blade that coiled towards him. Despite his confidence in his S-rank level evasion skills, he couldn't underestimate the bizarre angles of the whip sword's attacks.

"Are you just going to keep watching?"

"I've been waiting for this!"

"These Bangtz bastards don't know we've been going easy on them. How dare you dogs bare your teeth?!"

"A dog calling others dogs huh? You son of a bitch."

"Uaaah, Hyun Junggeon!"

"What? What's with the sudden outburst? Why are you only targeting me? Have you gone mad?"

Zhang Zhongxun deftly avoided Cheon Deok-soo and continued to target Mister Cho.

What Mister Cho didn't know was that the insults translated by the interpreter Kang Mu-hyuk had given him were so vile that even the Chinese found them offensive. Unaware, Mister Cho kept provoking him, causing Zhang Zhongxun to become half-crazed with rage.

Thanks to Zhang Zhongxun focusing on Mister Cho, Cheon Deok-soo had a moment to assess the situation. The defensive line that had initially held back the enemy's crossing of the stream was gradually being pushed back.

Tankers with shields were slowly crossing the dirty water, followed by melee fighters who were hiding their bodies behind them. On the opposite side, the ranged dealers had started a belated counterattack. Due to the sheer number of Hunters, the number of wounded on their side was increasing.

'Damn! Due to Zhang Zhongxun's rampage, I didn't notice before. They have a good commander on the other side. The defense line at the stream is finished for now.'

Cheon Deok-soo immediately signaled.

"Everyone, retreat! Retreat!"

"Well, then, I'm off  too."

"Where do you think you're going?! Leave your head here, Hyun Junggeon!"

"Persistent bastard. Take this!"

The smoke grenade on the ground obscured Zhang Zhongxun's vision, causing him to lose track of his target. Hiding in the poor neighborhood, Mister Cho let out a sigh of relief.

"Phew, good thing I sold out Hyun Junggeon."

Zhang Zhongxun went on a rampage over Mister Cho's superb dodging skills, but he did not pursue the retreating prison village Hunters. Though his chest was filled with rage, his head remained cool.

Zhang Zhongxun took deep breaths to calm his anger and checked on the remaining Hunters crossing the stream.

The Hunter who had been interpreting earlier approached him from behind.

"I-I'm sorry. I ordered the others using 'telepathy.' I've also given orders to the remaining Hunters."

"No, you did well, Wen Hao. It was a very good decision. Thanks to me keeping those two occupied, our subordinates suffered less damage."

"Shall I order them to be chased?"

"There's no rush. Judging by their preparations, they seem to have noticed our plan. There's likely something inside as well."

"Do you think it's the work of that Kang Mu-hyuk?"

"I've heard he's quite sharp. Neither Cheon Deok-soo nor Yeon Jung-moon has the brains for this. Impressive."

Zhang Zhongxun recalled what he knew about Kang Mu-hyuk. Even the rumors among the Korean guild industry were enough to assess the operations Kang Mu-hyuk planned during his time with Titan. Some raids were extreme, but it was clear he was extraordinary.

Plus, relocating the former Taesung Guild, now Iron Will Guild, to North Pocheon and establishing a base there showcased his skill, rivaling that of the famed strategist 'Zhang Liang' from the Han dynasty.

'No, it's still too early to praise a non-Hunter from a small country as that extraordinary. But I must acknowledge his ability to rope in the likes of Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo.'

He planned to use or kill Kang Mu-hyuk, but Zhang Zhongxun changed his mind. He decided to capture him alive and win him over. A smart, non-Hunter individual could be a valuable asset to use and discard as needed.

While Zhang Zhongxun sorted his thoughts, Wen Hao asked again, "Then, should we maintain the siege and deploy the assault team in Dandong?"

"That would hurt my pride. Even if the higher-ups sent the assault team to handle this easily, it's disgraceful to borrow their hands to deal with these Sinuiju scum. Once the job is done, we'll have them clean up and take the credit."

"Then, we should prepare a solid attack force with only the Hunters from the Goryeo Alliance."

"Select three elite attack teams. We'll strike the center from three directions."

"Yes, sir! I'll prepare immediately."

While Mister Cho, disguised as Kang Mu-hyuk, was being kept busy by Zhang Zhongxun. The real Hyun Junggeon was infiltrating the inside from the outskirts of Sinuiju. He moved around several tall buildings, surveying the surroundings.

"It should be around here. They've hidden it well, but it's not like there are many buildings in Sinuiju to search."

Having wandered for a while without much success, Hyun Junggeon frowned.

"As always, Guild Leader Kang is really great at giving me the most annoying tasks. If it wasn't fun, I'd just let it go. But this one looks fun, so it's a pity to pass it up. Tch."

At that moment, his eyes caught something glinting on a rooftop.

"There it is. Time's running out. Let's get back to my main job for a change, shall we?"

Shiver!

"What's this? Goosebumps again? Is my body getting weak lately? Why do I feel this murderous aura?"

After asking Mister Cho to transform into him, Kang Mu-hyuk made a call using a satellite phone.

"This is Kang Mu-hyuk. Are you busy?"

"It's lunchtime."

"I heard you usually don't go out for lunch and just grab something quick."

"Who told you that? I dine lavishly. Lobster, steak, the works."

"Guild Master Ju Se-ah."

"Good grief, does leaving the guild mean you can just spill other guilds' secrets? What happened to the confidentiality agreement?"

"We're just talking about eating."

"For a Slayer Guild Strategy Team Leader, even meal times are confidential. Isn't that why you asked Guild Master Ju about something so trivial, Guild Leader Kang?"

"While that wasn't my main intention, I didn't expect this conversation to drag on because of it. I'm pressed for time, so let me get straight to the point, Team Leader Sung Seonjae."

"Sure. I'm busy too, so please be quick."

"I'm in Sinuiju right now."

"What are you plotting this time?"

Sung Seonjae immediately asked in a mistrustful tone. Kang Mu-hyuk replied, "I'm about to die."

"So, what's the plot here?"

"Save me."

Kang Mu-hyuk requested in a dry voice. Sung Seonjae's tone grew serious.

"What are you up to now? Planning to overthrow the country? If you're joking, it's not funny."

"I'm not trying to overthrow the country; I'm planning to take over Sinuiju."

"!!"

"My opponent is a Chinese guild based in Sinuiju. I formally request assistance from the Slayer Guild."