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

Chapter 59 - No Place to Return?

Ju Se-ah's eyebrows twitched. It was a look of displeasure.

"The term 'Hunters with flaws' is a bit off," she said.

"Of course, it's an informal comment. After working for a long time as the Strategy and Tactics team leader to quantify and categorize the Hunters' abilities, they begin to look like merchandise to me. It's a term often used in the community. Guild Master should be aware of this too."

Ju Se-ah almost reflexively asked, "Did you see them that way too?" It would have been a rude question, but thankfully she didn't voice it. Of course, she didn't think Kang Mu-hyuk would be hurt or angered by such a question.

She redirected her thoughts and asked, "So what's this 'merchandise'... I mean, what's the problem?"

"It varies. Hunters struggling with incompatible hunting styles, ever-promising talents that never bloom, discord with fellow members, severe financial problems due to overspending or gambling, conflicts with other guilds, addiction to medicine, and so on. Most are problematic resources that are hard to manage within the guilds. Thankfully, it was relatively easy to recruit them if the conditions matched."

"Wait a minute. Did I hear you right? Addiction to medicine? That wasn't in the data."

"It's nothing serious. Not drugs, but, well, it's a bit tricky to explain. Simply put, it's a potion addiction."

"That doesn't sound like a minor issue. It means the combat effectiveness is not coming out as per the stats."

When Ju Se-ah pressed further, Kang Mu-hyuk dodged the question.

"There are a few more cases, but... I'll have to tell you about those later."

"Wait a minute. That's even stranger. Why can't you tell me? You keep doing this."

"That's why I didn't mention it in the materials. Personal matters only create unnecessary prejudice."

Ju Se-ah crossed her arms and let out a sarcastic laugh.

Despite being given full authority, the situation was already making her sweat. She was afraid of what else might be lurking behind.

"Huh? I'm glad I really didn't listen. It's not prejudice; I might have downright suspected you."

"Suspected?"

"That you're a spy trying to ruin the guild."

"As I've said before, my pretending to be close to the Chairman and your brothers was to deceive them..."

"I know, I know. That's not what I'm talking about. I was joking... Ah, forget it. I can't even joke around."

After his mana addiction had manifested, Kang Mu-hyuk became insensitive to personal emotions and social interactions. On the flip side, he became adept at reading people's intentions through their actions and expressions.

He immediately realized Ju Se-ah's concern.

"I can't say there's no problem, but you don't need to worry. They are valuable resources that can provide significant synergy when used appropriately."

"That's expected. They're Hunters you brought in, after all. But as a Guild Master, I can't help but worry. There's no such thing as a hundred percent guarantee. Even if the potential is set aside, if these Hunters were dismissed from other guilds with all limbs intact, there must be a reason. This recruitment policy is risky."

"That's a good attitude. Even though I hold all the power in the guild, you, as the Guild Master, should always doubt and prepare. But I have high expectations. I believe we can create the guild we previously envisioned."

"What kind of guild is it?"

"It's too early to say since we've only just begun."

"Then, give me a hint."

Kang Mu-hyuk hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

"The Hunters gathered there seem to do as they please, but they have one thing in common."

"What's that?"

"Yes. They are clearly motivated."

"What's motivating them?"

Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was about to answer, the sound of metal hitting the floor rang out. A lively rhythm accompanied the clattering footsteps.

Looking in the direction of the sound, a familiar face appeared.

Ju Se-ah greeted the person, saying, "Welcome, Hunter Lee Jin-joo. The way here must not have been easy?"

"It wasn't so bad, seeing a mob running in the meadow on my way to work."

Kang Mu-hyuk's eyes were drawn to her hairstyle.

From long black hair to dark blue bob.

It was a drastic change from their previous meeting.

Feeling his gaze, Lee Jin-joo smiled awkwardly and said, "Ah? This? I felt like I needed to pay attention to my image now. I have to start branding myself so I won't be ignored later."

Kang Mu-hyuk nodded at Lee Jin-joo's words.

The change in her style was not simply an image transformation.

The branding she spoke of was about the 'nicknames' people called her.

For example, in Ju Se-ah's case, nicknames like "Indomitable Witch," and "Mage Killer."

A Hunter's nickname was influenced by skills or combat style, but appearance played its part as well.

If only the appearance was impressive, it would be a laughingstock, but if supported by ability, it could have a powerful promotional effect.

"That's a good idea. As an Expedition leader of a guild, having a memorable nickname helps with appeal. Is that hair color because of Hunter Lee Jin-joo's skill, the 'Blue Flame'?"

"Don't you remember? This branding style. It's a plan Guild Leader Kang devised before."

"Me?"

Kang Mu-hyuk struggled to recall.

If he had advised Lee Jin-joo, it would have been during his days as a hunting coordinator.

Based on a Hunter's hunting type, skills, and stats, he devised the optimal style and trained accordingly.

'If I planned it, it must have been then. Why can't I remember?'

Feeling puzzled that even his extraordinary memory failed him, Lee Jin-joo answered, "Of course, it was just a passing comment, more like a joke."

Lee Jin-joo set aside Kang Mu-hyuk, who was still wearing a puzzled expression and spoke to Ju Se-ah.

"Guild Master, the greetings to the new Hunters. Shall I take care of it for you?"

"Feel free to do as you like. We'll have to form the next expedition team from them, after all. Judging by the proper equipment they've brought, it seems they've thoroughly prepared for the initial fight."

Lee Jin-joo bashfully smiled. As Ju Se-ah had pointed out, she was indeed in her raiding gear.

From boots reinforced with metal on the heels and toes to armor tanned from monster hide, and even a cloak engraved with magic circles related to elemental resistance.

Particularly, the longsword hanging at her waist, adorned with several gems, caught many eyes.

'Expedition members indeed have high-grade personal equipment. To match this properly would twist my waist.'

Kang Mu-hyuk was worried about the guild's finances for the establishment of the expedition team.

Suddenly, the noisy hall grew even louder.

Lee Jin-joo looked over the railing and down below as she spoke.

"If you gather Hunters from different affiliations like this, there's no chance of them staying quiet. This worked out well. There's no need to create tensions on purpose."

Suddenly, Lee Jin-joo's eyes flashed a brilliant blue.

Kang Mu-hyuk glanced at the scene of the disturbance and cautioned her.

"Take it easy. Don't handle it like you did with Ma Taesik last time."

...

"Ah, perhaps the times when I was in the management team were better..."

Oh Jeong-yeon looked around at the Hunters who were picking fights here and there, her complexion pale.

Although it hadn't come to blows yet, the atmosphere was turning tense from verbal arguments.

She thought a different future awaited when she had changed the department nameplate from management team to communication team, having dealt with Hunter's problems before.

Of course, the previous injustice was gone. However, the drudgery had not changed. It was fortunate that Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee had influence; if it had been a non-Hunter team leader as usual, the Hunters would have acted as they pleased.

The problem was that all the Hunters who had rented this hall were newcomers.

Even Pyo Beom-hee's authority did not carry weight. One must know who to threaten or obey.

'I almost forgot. These are Hunters, right? Ah, I wish I could tell the Guild Leader and silence them all.'

That was the last resort.

She wanted to take responsibility for her work, at the very least.

"But that... Isn't someone supposed to stop that?"

The problem was that the situation in the hall was gradually getting out of Oh Jeong-yeon's control.

She looked to the right.

"You, you brat. You're from that guild, right? You guys really beat up our guild members last time, huh? You bottom-feeder, picking on the lower ranks. If you had messed with me, you'd be dead!"

"What, you jerk?! That's because you guys stole our mobs and started it, right? Stole it, then got beaten. What? Did they think they could take it with them? Surely they didn't count on a scrub like you?"

"Wanna see if I'm a scrub or not?"

"Everyone always has a decent plan. Until they get hit, that is."

This time, she looked to the left.

"Hey, bro, you just glared at me. Is there something you don't like?"

"Just that your eyes look like shit. You were the one who glared first."

"This is just how I was born. Got a problem with that?"

"It's not a problem, but I do have a fist, punk. You sure do talk big for someone who looks so young. Want to get hit?"

"What are you babbling about, old man? If you're so confident, just try it."

Though the intensity varied, such bickering continued throughout the hall.

Oh Jeong-yeon looked up at the ceiling, letting out a resentful sigh directed at the Guild Leader for the first time.

"How on earth did he gather Hunters with such dog-like personalities...?"

The Kang Mu-Hyuk she knew was not a careless person. Though his expressions were dry and bland, sincerity shone through when dealing with people.

The way he handled an incident where a colleague was unjustly assaulted by a Hunter made it clear. Likewise, his reform and improvement of the management department, which had been ignored and called "Hunter whipping," proved it too.

She believed he couldn't have gathered such Hunters without thinking.

Her faith in the Guild Leader was firm.

Crash!

"Maybe I was wrong this time..."

Seeing the Hunters beginning to fight in earnest, breaking a table in half, Oh Jeong-yeon felt despair.

"Since it's the first day, I'll overlook this--!"

"You damned piece of--!"

Just before fists flew, the wrists of two Hunters were caught by someone's grip, and they collapsed to the ground. Faces twisted in pain turned toward an unexpected guest.

Though they were moderately muscular, slender arms compared to other Hunters were pinning them down.

"!!"

The hall became quiet in an instant.

A fully-armed female Hunter, Lee Jin-Joo, silenced them with her presence alone, not even giving them a glance.

The Hunters, as if by agreement, closed their mouths and focused on her.

The sound of someone swallowing dryly was the only thing that represented the Hunters' feelings.

'She is so heavily armed, yet I barely sensed her approach.'

'Even with a high rank, physical abilities have clear limits. It's an unusual strength, not fitting her size. Could it be a trait or skill type?'

Although they were all problematic, they were skilled Hunters. They realized in an instant that the newly-appeared female Hunter was far above them.

"You all look wonderful, boiling with energy. I can expect something from this expedition team."

At the word "expedition team," the mood changed.

Expectation rather than tension.

Through Lee Jin-Joo's impact and words, it was clear that she had the authority to select expedition members.

The expedition team was the guild's elite force.

Their treatment was assured.

Although the Iron Will Guild was small in scale, from the rider wolves monster farm to the existence of Ju Se-ah, known as a future S-rank, it was a very promising guild.

Being selected for the expedition team at the beginning was no different from securing one's future.

"Still, considering it's the first day and you're all joining together, how about showing some courtesy to each other?"

She suddenly changed her loose stance, starting to rein in the Hunters.

"You all, I heard most of you had conflicts with your previous guilds."

Lee Jin-Joo released the two Hunters she had been gripping in her hand, but no one was able to stand up.

She slowly raised her head and straightened her posture. Meeting the eyes of each Hunter, a smile formed at the corner of her mouth.

"Then, you have nowhere to go back to, do you?"

In an instant, eyes filled with anticipation turned to cries of despair.

...

"Oh dear! Why am I going through all this trouble as if I'm enjoying a movie?"

Mr. Park, engaged in livestock farming in South Pocheon, dragged his aching, worn-out body along the dawn road.

After the division of Pocheon, he was unable to leave due to the barn that contained all his assets.

Had the barn been in North Pocheon, designated as a Special Activities Zone, he could have left without regret. However, since the barn was in South Pocheon, he had no choice but to stay and continue his livelihood.

In the darkness before dawn had even broken, Mr. Park tended to his barn and straightened his back. He exhaled into the somewhat chilly air.

Koohoo! Kookhuk!

"Eh? What's this sound now?"

Suddenly, Mr. Park felt hot steam behind him. He turned around, thinking it was the breath of a cow, but...

"Koohoo~ Koohoo~ Koohoo!"

He found himself looking up at a massive figure and promptly wet himself.

Its skin was dark and wrinkled, and it was well over 2 meters tall. Its nose was flat, and its open mouth revealed teeth like saw blades.

Mr. Park did not know that this monster was called an orc.

He didn't know even at the moment of his death.

Without even closing his eyes, his lifeless body was torn apart by the orc's mouth. The orc laughed grotesquely, seemingly enjoying itself.

Next to it, other orcs wildly chased after the crying, fleeing cows, hacking them apart with enormous axes.

They seemed to be starving, feasting like it was a party.

A cloud of unprecedented darkness loomed over South Pocheon.