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

Chapter 4 - What a Lowly Scheme

A woman with a wide-brimmed white beach hat, a body-hugging black and white dress, and high heels that suited her well was looking at the Gate through her sunglasses.

Her vibrant outfit was entirely out of place with regards to the brutal scene unfolding before the Gate. As dazzling as her attire was her beauty. Men might have wanted to strike up a conversation with her, but no one dared approach.

It seemed as if everyone knew her. At the same time, they appeared reluctant to be near her, keeping their distance while watching her.

Unfazed by the surrounding gazes, the woman focused her attention on the Gatekeeper.

Then, a man approached the woman, who had been left alone. He bowed politely at the waist.

"You have arrived?"

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes, Guild Master."

"Then, shall we go and negotiate?"

"I'll accompany you."

At first, Kang Mu-hyuk suspected that the Immortal Guild's listing was a mere mistake. Otherwise, a small guild with only twenty-three Hunters in their pool would have no reason to aim for the first place in the Unknown Raid.

'Unless they want to commit collective suicide or destroy the guild.'

But his joke turned out to be true.

The situation Na Dohyun revealed after requesting it be off the record and entering the command post was something Kang Mu-hyuk never expected.

"So, you're saying you really tried to destroy the guild?"

"Yes. Now that I say it, I can't help but feel ashamed and pathetic."

The incident began like this:

A trusted core Hunter of the guild, who was responsible for managing the party, put their name on the raid list.

He claimed that the two recent raid abandonments were also the acts of the traitor, disguised as mistakes.

'Why did you leave the guild app authority of the Hunter who made these mistakes twice untouched?'

There were many suspicious aspects, but it wasn't within Kang Mu-hyuk's range of concern. Whether it was betrayal or mismanagement, it wasn't the most important issue at the moment.

"In hindsight, I think they might have targeted us since the first two outs. Trusting a founding member too much was the problem."

At Na Dohyun's excuse, Kang Mu-hyuk and Park Min-soo exchanged glances, feeling absurd.

'Do you trust people with a guild? You should trust the system.'

'Why would they cause such an incident at a Gate where an Unknown was generated!'

The Immortal Guild was causing trouble for other guilds due to its inability to maintain internal discipline.

Kang Mu-hyuk wanted to give them a piece of his mind, but as the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader, he decided to resolve the situation in favor of the Titan Guild.

"Dealing with the traitorous Hunter is your business. Let me make a suggestion."

"Yes, please go ahead."

"An Unknown Raid is too difficult for the Immortal Guild alone. If you drop out and get three outs, the damage will be significant, so why not join us and..."

"Can I make a suggestion before I hear yours?"

Interrupting Kang Mu-hyuk, a woman unexpectedly barged into the command post.

Na Dohyun turned his head toward the uninvited guest.

"You, you...!"

Na Dohyun glared at the man who followed the woman into the room.

Thunk!

The sound echoed through the barracks. Kang Mu-hyuk realized that this man was involved in the current situation.

However, Kang Mu-hyuk couldn't take his eyes off the woman next to the man. Although her face was hidden behind sunglasses, he recognized her immediately. She was quite famous. Anyone in the industry would know about her.

Park Min-soo also seemed to recognize her as he displayed a surprised expression.

"Ju Se-ah...?"

The ace of the Tier 1 guild 'Slayer.'

'So the famous Hunter Ju Se-ah was their backup. No wonder they've been so bold.'

Ju Se-ah was a skilled Hunter acknowledged by everyone. She was equally famous. There were many nicknames for her that suited her reputation.

?The Indomitable Witch.?

?Mage Killer.?

?Walking Calamity.?

These ambiguous nicknames applied to both monsters and Hunters alike.

Even Na Dohyun, who belatedly recognized her, forgot his anger and stiffened.

Kang Mu-hyuk recalled the latest information about Ju Se-ah.

'Didn't she declare herself a free agent recently? I know her 10-year contract with the Slayer Guild has expired. Why join a guild like Immortal?'

Individuals couldn't earn Gate-crashing rights. They had to at least lead an attack team or establish a guild, however small. In other words, they had to be a solo business owner or a corporation.

As far as Kang Mu-hyuk knew, Ju Se-ah had no current affiliation.

In other words, she had no reason or even the qualifications to be where Gates were present.

If she did have business here...

'It must be with the Immortal Guild.'

He had a feeling she would ruin his plans.

"Hunter Ju Se-ah, it's quite presumptuous to intrude without permission..."

As Kang Mu-hyuk raised an objection, Ju Se-ah raised her hand to stop him. He closed his mouth at the simple gesture.

Her charisma, which was called the best on the front lines of Gates, was difficult for non-Hunter civilians to withstand. It was the same for fellow Hunters.

Ju Se-ah's bombshell announcement followed immediately.

"It's not official yet, but I've started running a guild. Guild Master Na Dohyun, let's proceed with merging our guilds."

What kind of absurd statement was that?

A concise, straightforward explanation and proposal.

Ju Se-ah's blunt speech left Kang Mu-hyuk flustered. Turning to the side, he saw Park Min-soo's eyes widen as well.

'Ju Se-ah is a guild master now? Where? No, more importantly, why is she trying to merge with a smaller guild like this?'

Questions piled up one after another.

"A merger between Immortal Guild and Taesung Guild. I refuse any opposition."

Kang Mu-hyuk was annoyed by her manner of speech, which was similar to his own. In many ways, he disliked this woman.

But Taesung? Where was that again?

He couldn't recall any memories of it. However, Park Min-soo seemed to know. He approached Kang Mu-hyuk and whispered.

"Taesung Group. It's a guild under their umbrella."

"Taesung Group?"

Kang Mu-hyuk's objection wasn't because he was unfamiliar with the Taesung Group; it was due to the faint presence of the Taesung Guild.

Unlike receiving the support of a conglomerate group, the Taesung Guild was the lowest-ranked guild in the Hunter industry, with no stake in it whatsoever.

That was why Kang Mu-hyuk, who was well-versed about the information within the industry, couldn't think of it immediately.

The guild was a case where the common saying was true: Hunters were moved not by power or money.

'Hunters may love money, but they hate being bound even more.'

The idea of controlling Hunters with money was the reason most large corporations failed when entering the guild business.

'So, an ace from the top-tier strongest guild went to become the guild master of such a corporate guild?'

And that too, in a weak guild?

Although they could always draw in money, they had nothing to boast about in terms of tradition or skill.

To put it more harshly, the guild's establishment was its greatest achievement, and it had recruited the industry's top icon.

'No matter how great, there's nothing a single Hunter can do in a guild. That's why prestigious guilds are prestigious. They've built a system and gathered talent. Taesung doesn't have that kind of infrastructure.'

Kang Mu-hyuk despised another category.

He acknowledged that Hunters were the top profession in the world of profit-making activities, but on the other hand, he considered them as the last bastion to protect the world from monsters.

A profession where desire and duty coincided.

However, corporate guilds focused only on desire. He didn't like the idea of the best Hunter going to such a place. Naturally, his tone revealed his feelings.

"If you've become a guild master, I hope you'll uphold the basics between guilds."

Ju Se-ah took off her sunglasses. Her face alone seemed to brighten the gloomy atmosphere.

There were times when a handsome face could dominate the mood, but in Ju Se-ah's case, it was the aura emanating from her entire body that intimidated people.

"Titan Guild, Team Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, right? I've seen you in articles before. Nice to meet you."

Ju Se-ah offered her hand for a handshake, but Kang Mu-hyuk just glanced at her hand without taking it. At the sight, Park Min-soo, who had been watching from the side, became restless.

"It seems Team Leader Kang's feelings are hurt. But what can you do? You're trying to snatch a fish we've already caught. We had to cut in because we were in a hurry. So, please don't be too angry."

"A fish you've already caught... the way you're going about this merger is quite... low. You must have learned a lot from the corporate guild."

"I just met you for the first time today, and you have a sharp tongue. But is the Titan Guild any different? Can you confidently say that?"

"..."

"See? You can't say anything. Well, anyway, it doesn't matter. For Hunters, the means or methods aren't important. We have to finish our job, even if it's low, for the sake of our goal."

As Ju Se-ah held out her hand to the side, a Hunter following her handed over a document envelope.

"Guild Master Na, please take a look at this. These are the merger conditions."

Na Dohyun, still glaring at the betrayer, took the document Ju Se-ah had offered.

Inside the envelope was a rather thick bundle of documents compiled into a booklet. When Na Dohyun opened the cover and read the first page, his eyes widened in shock. The fine wrinkles around his eyes twitched. He appeared uncomfortable, swallowing dry saliva every time he turned a page.

"Is this what they call a condition...?"

"Oh dear! You don't seem pleased, do you? Well, seeing that, I suppose you wouldn't be worried about the three outs. It's understandable."

Upon witnessing Na Dohyun's reaction, Kang Mu-hyuk sighed and turned towards the entrance.

"Party Leader, let's go. It doesn't seem like a situation for us to intervene."

"Should we?"

Without questioning further, sensing the awkward atmosphere, Park Min-soo followed Kang Mu-hyuk out.

"We'll be on our way."

As Kang Mu-hyuk gave a light farewell and turned away, Ju Se-ah approached him.

"By any chance, Team Leader Kang, would you like to join our guild?"

"Is that a scouting offer?"

"We'll double your salary, and your position will remain the same."

"Well, I don't think Titan and Taesung are quite on the same level."

"Ugh, you really know how to hurt someone. Well, I can't refute that. But you know, there's a huge difference between A-class and first-tier. A non-Hunter Strategy and Tactics Team Leader? How long can you hold onto that position?"

"I wish you success in your business."

Ju Se-ah shook her head vigorously, watching Kang Mu-hyuk leave.

"He's still stubborn."

Ju Se-ah looked back at Na Dohyun and spoke.

"Now, shall we finish discussing the merger?"

"Why did you just leave? No matter what, Ju Se-ah isn't part of Slayer anymore. We don't have to back down."

"The situation has completely changed. I gave up because the outcome was obvious regardless of what we did."

"Excuse me?"

"Did you see the expression on the Guild Master's face while he was reading the documents? He must have been caught with some kind of weakness."

"A weakness?"

"Most likely, it was provided by the party leader who betrayed the guild. If it's not an issue of the three outs, it must be a serious crime that even a Hunter can't escape. It's not a negotiation, it's a threat. We can't win in that kind of situation."

Park Min-soo trusted Kang Mu-hyuk. It wasn't just because of his performance thus far.

Sometimes, Kang Mu-hyuk could be overly sharp. Some people said he had a good sense, while others said he had keen insight. At times, it was astonishing, as if he could read minds.

Kang Mu-hyuk had established himself as a Strategy and Tactics Team Leader because of those abilities.

Seeing what others couldn't, discerning the hidden truth beneath the surface, and moving forward without hesitation once a decision was made.

He prepared for what was needed to be prepared, avoided what was needed to be avoided, and fought when necessary.

Although it sounded simple, these choices were not easily made.

He made decisions without hesitation, as if he could foresee the future.

Kang Mu-hyuk had played a role of a cheat code in the growth of the Titan Guild so far.

Those experiences even made the arrogant Hunters acknowledge him.

With lingering regret, Park Min-soo asked again, "Did you know this would happen, Director?"

"I'm not a god... When something unexpected happens, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Even if the Team Leader says so... isn't it just a matter of three outs if we take over the Immortal Guild? Not only the merger, but all other administrative tasks will also be suspended. I don't know what they're relying on to do this..."

"Three outs isn't confirmed yet."

"It's an Unknown. It'll be difficult even for Hunter Ju Se-ah to handle it alone. The power of the Taesung Guild is obvious. Since there are no issues with other Hunters transferring, their existing power will remain the same."

"Do you know the nickname of Hunter Ju Se-ah?"

"Nickname? Indomitable Witch, Mage Killer... Oh?!"

"Yes. She has a great compatibility with magic-type monsters. She must have been confident to jump in."

There were still many unanswered questions, but Kang Mu-hyuk decided to accept the situation as it was.

Gate securing failure.

There was no more meaning to the scene than that.

Numerous Gates were created in a year. In a small land like South Korea, there were many guilds. Even the newly rising Titan Guild would occasionally fail to secure a Gate. Fretting over it would only drain one's energy. They had to know when to give up.

"Party Leader Park, why don't you take this opportunity to observe Hunter Ju Se-ah's raid directly? Unlike inside the Gate, the Gatekeeper hunting is out in the open."

"Should I?"

Contrary to his previous complaints, Park Min-soo's eyes sparkled with anticipation, and he moved to secure a good spot.

After parting with the party leader, Kang Mu-hyuk looked through the Immortal Guild data sent by Kim Mangi.

Hunter profiles, Gate raid subcontracting contracts, financial statements, and more.

Just by briefly skimming through it, several suspicious points were visible.

Ordinary people would have to scrutinize the documents for days, comparing the subtle indicators. But as he had always been since childhood, Kang Mu-hyuk had an extraordinary intuition that allowed him to roughly detect them.

'A small guild with a considerable business scale. And the profits are disproportionately low compared to the scale. Moreover, there are many hunts, but the cost of consumables and equipment is barely anything. Considering the level of the Hunters, it's incomprehensible. In such cases, usually...'

Embezzlement, betrayal.

Or even.

'A cover guild for a large guild.'

A lower guild used for tax evasion purposes or for handling dirty jobs.

They were, in other words, cleaners.

This was a serious criminal act prohibited by law.

Kang Mu-hyuk's intuition was sure of this.

'It has to be that much for the threat to work.'

But did Ju Se-ah know about it and still touch it? Or was there another reason?

Either way, it was a dangerous move.

Even for Ju Se-ah.

"Ugh, who am I worrying about right now? I have a lot of work to do right away."

Kang Mu-hyuk contacted the headquarters to resolve the situation and ordered the withdrawal. It was a fruitless result considering the fuss they had made to dispatch. This was true for all guilds in Yeouido.

They were hit by a guild that couldn't even reach Class B, just as Team Leader Cho Ikjoon of the Taegeuk Guild had said, "It's said that words become seeds... Anyway, what should I write in this report?"

At that time, Kang Mu-hyuk's only concern was filling in the blank spaces of the report.

Unaware that a tiny spark was about to engulf him.