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

"This isn't really a place for introductions, is it? To the interrogation room."

At No Song-rin's snide response, Yeon Jung-moon gave a light laugh and withdrew his extended hand.

"With your level of skills, I doubt you're a freelancer. Can I ask which guild you belong to?"

"We're not exactly close enough to discuss that, are we?"

"Can't we become friends from now on?"

"Why should I?"

"Are you planning to do this forever? If this is how you're going to be, it'll be hard for you to leave here."

"Is that a threat? What a shame, though. I've received threats on my life before, so it doesn't work on me anymore."

No Song-rin thought of Kang Mu-hyuk.

'If you're going to threaten someone, you need to at least be at his level.'

Controlling all the information and situations. In a favorable location, with an undeniable strength---that was what made a threat complete.

Even No Song-rin, who lived in a world where deceit and threats were the norm, had never experienced such an inescapable threat before. And it came from an ordinary person, no less. Seeing others fall under Kang Mu-hyuk's grip later on gave him some understanding, or perhaps comfort.

Being on the same side as Kang Mu-hyuk was quite reassuring. Noticing that his opponent wasn't shaken at all, Yeon Jung-moon shrugged his shoulders to lighten the mood.

"It seems there's been a misunderstanding. I'm just explaining the situation to you."

"I think you're the one who misunderstood. Do you know why I came in here quietly? Because the kids were next to me, I held back. The thing I hate most is hearing kids cry. If they get hurt and start bawling, it's a pain. But now the kids aren't here, are they? Just know that I can leave whenever I want."

No Song-rin made a threatening face, but Yeon Jung-moon responded with a pleased expression.

"That's exactly it. You gave up the fight because you didn't want the kids to get hurt. I found it strange that a Hunter of your level entered so quietly. At least I don't think you're a bad person."

"I think you're misunderstanding something."

"I've already heard the situation. The underground passage is like a playground for the kids around here. They go there often. This time, it seems they went into a closed-off area. They're adventurous kids and often cause trouble, but this time they wandered into a smuggling route. We received the report and came out to check."

"So, it's a management failure."

"That's right. It was our mistake. But I was quite surprised to hear that a Hunter who encountered the kids emerged without any conflict and accompanied our members to headquarters. Normally, when someone is caught using that route, they put up a fight to avoid capture. They know what happens if they're caught."

"What happens?"

"Execution."

No Song-rin whistled. Then laughed bitterly. He knew it was that kind of neighborhood, but...

"Experiencing it firsthand, it's quite brutal."

"It's a place we can't protect without taking firm action."

No Song-rin sensed a determined will from Yeon Jung-moon. It was a kind of intensity he hadn't seen in Ujungdo. But it was a familiar feeling. It was the same atmosphere as those who had captured him in Ujungdo.

'Ah, another trauma. Damn it! Not only do they act just like those guys from the Investigation Agency, they even have the same crazed look in their eyes.'

No Song-rin knew from experience that dealing with such people was the hardest. Kang Mu-hyuk was like that, and so was Ju Se-ah. The ones he found difficult always had different air to them.

Feeling like he was losing his momentum, No Song-rin changed the subject.

"Honestly, there's no reason for me to reveal my personal information to people I don't trust."

"What kind of trust are you talking about?"

"I heard this place is a village of people related to former North Korean Hunters. But you don't use terms like 'Hunter' or 'activity squad.' You don't even use the northern dialect. I'd believe you if you were from Seoul. I don't know about anywhere else, but here in Sinuiju, isn't it quite suspicious?"

Yeon Jung-moon chuckled, "I was just trying to make it easier for you to understand. Actually, it's not natural for me, so I'm breaking a sweat inside. I sometimes mix up the terms myself."

"What kind of consideration is that? Just speak comfortably."

"Oh yeah?"

"Suddenly being casual? Hey, when I said speak comfortably, I didn't mean that.... Never mind. Do as you like."

Yeon Jung-moon spoke to the grumbling No Song-rin, "The rumors have already spread throughout the city. The Chinese sent dozens of Hunters and even two high-ranking Hunters to catch an outsider, but he escaped their pursuit. He apparently looks a lot like you and used a pocket knife-like weapon."

"So what? You're going to report me? Turn me in?"

"Of course not. We're not that close with the Chinese. Let's get straight to the point. Will you help us? We'll compensate you handsomely."

No Song-rin was wary.

Asking for help and promising a lot of money before even explaining the situation?

'People who do that are usually scammers. Or it's something dangerous.'

No Song-rin hid his suspicion for now. It was something he learned from Kang Mu-hyuk. Get them to reveal information by showing agreement or curiosity without revealing your own intentions.

It felt like he was increasingly following in the footsteps of his boss in this line of work.

"I heard people in Prison Village are penniless. I'm expensive. How are you planning to hire me?"

"We're only short on money because our market is limited to the Chinese factions in Sinuiju. It's not because we lack hunting skills. Of course, it's hard to come up with a large sum right away."

"So if not money... Are you offering goods?"

"You can go anywhere, whether it's Seoul or wherever. If you sell the monster loot we give you, it should fetch you a good price."

"Alright. As long as it's ample. So, what do you want me to do? Don't just test the waters, tell me straight."

At No Song-rin's added comment, Yeon Jung-moon answered without hesitation.

"Assassination."

"What?"

"There's a guy named Hyun Junggeon. He's an outsider. He's trying to disrupt the peace our village has maintained for a long time."

Until dawn, Kang Mu-hyuk asked and listened to many things from Hwang Dongsu.

Family relationships, his father's disappearance, the hardships his mother faced because his father was engrossed in work outside and neglected the family---trivial family matters.

His mother's illness was also due to the strain of managing the household alone. Though Hwang Dongsu awakened as a Hunter and could support the family, it was too late. His mother was slowly dying from her illness.

While it wasn't particularly important information for Kang Mu-hyuk, he quietly listened to Hwang Dongsu talk about his life.

'Though I explained to him how helping me would benefit him, there's no trust between Hwang Dongsu and me yet. If a better offer comes along, he could turn his back on me at any time. Even if it's brief, I need to form some sort of relationship. Since he didn't kill me outright and chose to talk, he's not inherently evil. I just need to create enough of a bond to make him hesitate before betraying me.'

Though it was for a thoroughly calculated reason, for Hwang Dongsu, who had harbored much resentment, having someone listen to his story was enough. So, Hwang Dongsu continued talking about himself. As he talked, bits of information about the village, which Kang Mu-hyuk was curious about, gradually came out.

"...And so, after handling various tasks, I ended up here."

Hwang Dongsu's nickname was "Mangnani(meaning a ruffian and also an executioner)."

He wasn't given the nickname because he had a bad reputation. It was because he could decapitate both monsters and Hunters in a single strike.

Hwang Dongsu's skills were recognized not only by the people in Prison Village but also by the Chinese Hunters. His beheading sword became his trademark in Sinuiju.

He reached this level without any guild support, advanced hunting systems, or modern training backup.

An A-Ranker.

Truly a pearl in the mud.

'By northern standards, he's a rank 3 high-grade huntsman. There are Hunters with ranks higher than A-Rank. There are three A-rankers in Prison Village.'

Yeon Jung-moon, Cheon Deok-soo, and Hwang Dongsu.

'There used to be four, right?'

Kim Byungju, the husband of Lady Uijudaek, was an A-Ranker, but Cheon Deok-soo betrayed him and handed him over to the Chinese guild, 'Falling Blossoms,' and he lost his life.

Afterward, Cheon Deok-soo led his followers and sided with the Chinese, acting as their stooge.

Yeon Jung-moon opposed him. He, too, was of the same rank as Cheon Deok-soo and Kim Byungju, and organized a patrol to protect the village. He kept Cheon Deok-soo in check and prevented Chinese Hunters from entering Prison Village recklessly.

Hwang Dongsu stayed neutral, neither siding with anyone nor forming a group. Many young people followed him, but he didn't force them or try to lead them. This earned him a better reputation.

'But suddenly, Hyun Junggeon, who is as strong as them, entered the village. He's a person who would cause trouble just by standing still. That too in a power structure that barely maintains balance. And he started investigating the Chinese guilds, including Falling Blossoms.'

When Hyun Junggeon first came to the village, they were able to maintain a friendly relationship because of supplies like food. But that was no longer the case. Hyun Junggeon's actions, which disturbed the Chinese guilds, threatened the very existence of the village.

At this point, Kang Mu-hyuk could guess why Hyun Junggeon and he were attacked.

'Someone in the village sold Hyun Junggeon out to the Chinese. He was probably being watched from within the village.'

From here, things started getting complicated.

That was because both Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo were suspicious. Not only Cheon Deok-soo, who was a lackey of the Chinese guilds, but also Yeon Jung-moon, who led the patrol to eliminate threats to the village, wouldn't let a troublemaker like Hyun Junggeon exist.

Still, Hyun Junggeon had once been considered a benefactor of the village. They would've found it hard to deal with him personally, so they could've tried to use the Chinese.

"Guild Leader, then what should I do from now on?"

Looking at Hwang Dongsu, who now treated him with respect, Kang Mu-hyuk organized his thoughts and spoke.

"This village needs dialogue more than violence. Do you agree?"

"Yes. Although relations aren't good now, all the neighbors here used to live like family. We need to avoid bloodshed. That's why both Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo tried to avoid fights as much as possible."

"But Hunters inherently don't listen to those without power."

"That's true."

Hwang Dongsu gave a bitter smile.

"Then, let's first make them listen."

"How do we do that?"

"You said there are quite a few young people who follow you?"

"Yes, but... You're planning to use them?"

"Why? You don't like it?"

"They're still naive. Just as innocent. It doesn't sit right to use them..."

Kang Mu-hyuk stared intently at Hwang Dongsu. Hwang Dongsu held his breath, wondering what he did wrong.

After a short, yet not brief silence, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke, "Would they have become Hunters without that kind of resolve?"

"No, it's not that. I'm ready to risk my life for the village. But..."

"No. I'm not talking about you, Hunter Hwang Dongsu. I'm asking if the young people in this village who follow you, who haven't joined any group yet, haven't they made the same resolution as you."

"...."

Ignoring Hwang Dongsu's internal conflict, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Although I said we'll solve the problem through dialogue as much as possible, I can't guarantee there won't be any sacrifices. Saying we can solve this without any bloodshed while everyone's pointing knives at each other is hypocritical and deceitful. We need to prepare for any eventuality. If you don't like that, I can't work with you."

"If we gather the people... Will we be able to change this village, as you said?"

Kang Mu-hyuk responded as if he had been waiting for the question.

"No."

"If we can't change it, why go through all the trouble..."

"Changing the village isn't my job. It's the job of the people here. As you can see, I'm not a Hunter. I can't fight alongside you. But I can show you the way. It's up to the people here to choose it."

"You're asking us to choose a path that could lead to the death of the village people?"

"It was your choice to come to kill me for your mother's treatment, and it was also your choice to listen to me. Now it's time to make another choice. Whether to fight, bear the risk and sacrifice, or to avoid it."

After a long time of bowing his head, Hwang Dongsu finally looked Kang Mu-hyuk straight in the eyes. Even without words, it was clear what his choice was.

Kang Mu-hyuk nodded.

"Gather everyone. Let's set the stage before dawn."

Hyun Junggeon, who had escaped to the outskirts of Sinuiju, pointed at the two people facing him and confirmed once again.

"So, you're from the Iron Will Guild?"

"Not me. I was hired. Only she's from Iron Will."

Looking at the girl Mr. Cho pointed to, Hyun Junggeon frowned. He hadn't noticed in the dark underground passage, but now under the bright moonlight, his opponent looked quite young.

"A kid?"

"Yeah, a kid. Got a problem with that?"

"Wow, kids these days sure aren't afraid of anything, huh?"

"Not of people weaker than me."

"You think you're stronger than me?"

"If you've got a problem, let's fight. But do you really think you can take me on? You looked pretty weak earlier."

At Go Eul-ji's provocation, Hyun Junggeon let out a chuckle.

It was foolish to judge Hunters by age, but he still didn't think a high schooler would be stronger than him if they were in the same rank. It wasn't overconfidence, but rather skepticism about how much experience a high schooler could have in dealing with monsters or Hunters.

Also, Hyun Junggeon was a veteran when it came to dealing with people. He had faced more people than monsters and didn't even want to bother pointing out the many weaknesses he saw in the girl in front of him.

As the atmosphere turned confrontational, Mr. Cho intervened, "With the passage blocked, the night is short. We need to find a new route back into Sinuiju. Are we really going to fight like this? And Eul-ji, watch your mouth. Why do you always have to pick a fight?"

"I learnt from grandpa. In this field, if you get looked down by others, you'll be pushed out immediately. From my experience, it's not wrong. If you just give in, they always try to win."

"Your grandpa... Haa, he fought in the Great War. That's why you're like this. I don't care since I'm not in your guild, Guild Leader Kang will have a hard time in the future. And if your Guild Master finds out about this..."

"Why do you always bring up the Guild Master? What are you trying to do? Threaten me?"

"You're right. It's a threat. If you keep causing trouble, I'll report it to your Guild Master."

Hyun Junggeon interrupted their conversation, "Since you mentioned Guild Leader Kang, let's deal with that first. The fact that Iron Will sent you means you're aware that something happened to Guild Leader Kang, right?"

"Is he alive?"

"For now."

"What? That's not a great answer."

"He's not at immediate risk of dying. But there are some problems."

"Speaking of problems, we have one too."

"What problem?"

"First, the rescue team is just the two of us. There's no support from the guild."

Hyun Junggeon rubbed his forehead.

"This is killing me. So it's not just some members that are weird, but the whole guild is weird too, huh?"

Somehow, Hyun Junggeon was starting to like this guild more and more.