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

Noh Song-rin couldn't make sense of his current predicament.

He looked around the interior of the vehicle he was riding in.

The driver was Jang Deuk-goo, the one beside the driver was Kang Mu-hyuk, and sitting next to him in the backseat was Ju Se-ah, arms crossed, glaring ahead.

Her expression alone made it clear that she was unhappy.

'How did it come to this?'

Noh Song-rin recalled the events of just an hour ago.

He had been inspecting the Strategy and Tactics Team when he heard Kang Mu-hyuk had arrived for work, so he went up to the 17th floor.

"Pleasure to meet you, Guild Leader Kang. I'm Noh Song-rin."

"Oh, right... You're from Ujungdo, right? I've heard you're the representative there."

"I hope you won't be too prejudiced just because I'm from Ujungdo. I am a reasonable person, ready to converse at any time."

"Sounds good. Being reasonable."

"Could you spare a moment to talk privately?"

"Uh. What to do? I have to go somewhere right now."

"It's an important conversation about the future of the guild."

"Oh, the future. Would it be okay if we discuss it in the car on the way? It's a great setting for such conversations."

At that moment, Noh Song-rin had thought the isolation of a car ride would be suitable for confidential discussions.

So, he gladly accepted and got into the car.

Ah, shoot!

'Who would have thought the destination was a site visit to Pocheon.'

And not only was Kang Mu-hyuk going, but also the Guild Master and her right-hand man, making it an uncomfortable gathering.

"Since all the key members of the guild are here, it's a good opportunity to discuss guild matters openly. It's hard to gather such people."

"Ha ha... I, I see."

Noh Song-rin turned his head to the front passenger seat and offered a forced smile with a hardened face to Kang Mu-hyuk.

Seeing him smile and talk as if he were being considerate made Noh Song-rin want to punch him.

Ju Se-ah, watching Noh Song-rin, was equally annoyed.

'Why did this guy have to tag along?'

During her over a year-long tenure as the Guild Master, she had only had direct encounters with him twice.

It wasn't so much because he was from Ujungdo, but because he was more interested in anything but the role of the Hunter.

'As if Guild Leader Kang wouldn't know about our awkward relationship.'

But he had brought him along anyway. Making him sit not in the front passenger's seat but next to her, she thought there must be a reason.

'This guy is up to no good.'

Kang Mu-hyuk had given her a hint before getting into the car.

"Just give him a hard stare."

She didn't know what for, but she complied. That was part of the deal, after all.

"It's nice weather. A perfect place to discuss the future of the guild. Somehow, I feel like we will make good progress today."

"..."

"..."

North Pocheon had shrunk to just under 50% of the old Pocheon area.

The population too had reduced from over 150,000 to less than 50,000.

Those with financial freedom had relocated to other regions, but those whose assets were primarily tied to this land could not escape the threat of monsters.

Previously, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and livestock farming had collectively supported the local economy. However, currently, most industries, with the exception of agriculture and livestock farming, couldn't avoid their downturn.

They had barely stayed afloat thanks to government subsidies, but the moment they relocated, the support would cease, preventing them from leaving recklessly.

"Doing business is tough, and jobs are hard to find. Young people are constantly moving out. The lives of the older citizens of Pocheon are gradually getting tougher. In the midst of all this, the news of the Taesung Guild choosing North Pocheon as its base has given great hope to the struggling citizens of Pocheon. As the mayor, I want to express my deep gratitude and look forward to working closely together."

"We'll be depending on you in many ways. We're the ones asking for your favor."

The city hall officials busily moved around to capture the moment of Ju Se-ah and the Mayor of Pocheon shaking hands in a photograph.

It had been an unannounced visit, kept away from the media.

The official MOU concerning the defense and development of Pocheon would have its own occasion, but at least today's meeting was undoubtedly encouraging for the citizens of Pocheon.

"We didn't arrange a special place since you said you wanted to look around Pocheon... Are you sure you're okay without a guide?"

"There could be dangerous places. We can escape anytime if something goes wrong, but we can't risk putting others in danger in case of any problems."

At Kang Mu-hyuk's response, the mayor nodded his head.

He had a good impression of Kang Mu-hyuk.

The role of the local government head of Pocheon, a position even the political circle was hesitant about.

Problems would constantly arise every day without any gains.

If handled well, it was fortunate, but any mistake would lead to more than just criticism.

The least severe consequence would be facing the public's wrath, a task that would have been challenging for anyone other than him, a Pocheon native.

How could he not have a favorable impression of Kang Mu-hyuk, who stepped forward to make Pocheon his base?

"In that case, after taking a good look around Pocheon, we'll arrange a meeting where we can exchange various opinions openly, Mayor."

"We'll be waiting at any time. We won't hold back in supporting the Taesung Guild."

Kang Mu-hyuk left the mayor behind and moved only with the Taesung Guild members.

In front of the city hall, a significant number of citizens had gathered, unbeknownst to when the rumor had spread.

They unfolded banners and pickets on the path where Kang Mu-hyuk's party would exit.

<Taesung Guild, we sincerely welcome your affiliation with North Pocheon.>

<Ju Se-ah, the milky white Hunter, please become the goddess of Pocheon.>

<Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, Pocheon supports you.>

"What's this? Those embarrassing lines?"

Ju Se-ah examined the citizens who had come out to greet them.

Most of them were old or middle-aged, but among them were also students in school uniforms.

The signs that made Ju Se-ah blush and call cheesy were mostly held by these young people.

"We're off to a good start. For a local guild, bonding with the locals is important. If you're popular, it's generally more convenient to sway public opinion in various ways."

"Cashing in on such innocent kids isn't really what I'm interested in, Guild Leader Kang."

"It's not about exploiting their innocence, but about meeting their expectations. The difference may be as thin as a sheet of paper, but as long as we show results, our sincerity won't be doubted."

Listening to the conversation between the Guild Master and the Guild Leader, Noh Song-rin was considerably shocked.

'Why do they sound like this? Did these two really come here to save Pocheon? Or are they just putting on a show in front of me?'

The resurrection of the Guild Leader system, the relocation of the guild, and the North Pocheon headquarters; he had thought that the guild's changes, which had been rushing non-stop, hid some sort of plot. At least, he saw it as a preliminary operation for the rearrangement or collapse of internal forces within the Taesung Guild.

However, witnessing it firsthand, their actions somehow felt sincere.

Was there any guild at that time that established such a policy?

All they cared about was getting lost in their own desires to conquer the Gates, intoxicated by the cheers of the public, merely protecting the country from monsters.

What they were left with was money and honor.

Hunters were the pinnacle of power in this era.

As long as Gates existed, this structure was destined to become more solid over time.

But these two seemed to discard such trends as nothing significant.

They did not consider the profit and loss.

In many ways, it was a praiseworthy move.

'But that doesn't mean I'll go along with it. All I need to do is to feed myself well and live a good life. Sacrifice? Duty? Responsibility? Such nonsense is outdated. It's far from the mindset of modern Hunters.'

The boundary dividing Pocheon into north and south was divided around Yeongpyeongcheon (stream), which flowed into the Hantangang River, and Geumjusan Mountain between Ildong-myeon and Yeongjung-myeon.

Although part of the Special Activities Zone was included within the boundary fence, it was an area with a faint mana, so monsters rarely appeared.

Thanks to that, they were able to draw a boundary line using geographical features and concentrate on the monsters occasionally coming down to the south.

Kang Mu-hyuk's group passed the Manse Bridge, which was the starting point and entrance of that boundary as they entered the Special Activities Zone.

As they were able to travel by vehicle using the roads, they were able to check deep into Yeongjung-myeon.

Completely empty streets, vacant shops, and houses came into view, along with the overgrown schoolyard of a middle school.

Occasionally, low-ranking monsters showed themselves, but they were nothing more than fodder that would flee in panic even at the mere exertion of Ju Se-ah's aura through an open window.

The group parked their car at the Yeongjung Bridge, a boundary point where dangerous monsters began to appear.

A dilapidated agricultural special product promotion exhibition hall was visible in front of the bridge.

In fact, they planned to use it as an outpost when relocating the guild and wanted to check it out firsthand.

Noh Song-rin, seizing this moment, approached Kang Mu-hyuk and subtly started a conversation.

"Guild Leader Kang, do you have any intentions of having a conversation with me?"

"Ah, I apologize. I tend to not pay attention to other things when I'm working. You want to have a one-on-one discussion without the Guild Master, I presume?"

'He knows and he's playing dumb.'

Contrary to his inner turmoil, Noh Song-rin managed to muster a faint smile and nodded.

"I will have a private conversation with Hunter Noh Song-rin for a moment," Kang Mu-hyuk announced.

Noh Song-rin was taken aback by his frankness.

'So blatant!'

Instead of interfering or following as he had expected, Ju Se-ah merely waved her hand in a gesture of seeing off, showing little concern.

Kang Mu-hyuk moved with Noh Song-rin to the center of the Yeongjung Bridge.

"We're far enough away now that we won't be overheard. Shall we engage in some constructive conversation?"

"That's what I was hoping for. I want to request that you reconsider the guild relocation."

"That will be difficult. It's already been announced to the press, and as you've seen, discussions are underway with the Pochen City Hall. We've even laid out the relocation plan and gotten approval from the group's head office."

Upon realizing that all the obstacles he had hoped might deter them were already taken care of, Noh Song-rin's face hardened.

'Can't I just brush it off with words?'

At this point, he had to exert his influence within the guild and put some pressure on them.

"You must know this since you've become the leader of Taesung Guild,"

Kang Mu-hyuk fixed him with an intense stare as Noh Song-rin dropped the honorifics.

"I'm the head of the so-called Assault Team faction, one of the three major factions. At my say-so, a third of the guild's power could evaporate. Deserters are already appearing within the guild due to the news of the move out of Seoul. What do you think will happen if I agree with them?"

"The guild will become nothing but a signboard."

"You say it as if it's someone else's problem."

"If Hunter Noh Song-rin and the Hunters who follow you just stay in the guild, wouldn't that solve the problem?"

"It's not exactly a good situation to be voicing hopeful thoughts, is it?"

"It's not a hopeful thought. It's a command."

"A command?"

Taken aback by the cold look in Kang Mu-hyuk's eyes, Noh Song-rin's eyebrows twitched.

'Impertinent, for a non-Hunter.'

Kang Mu-hyuk squinted as if recalling something.

"You know about the incident with Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol, right? That kept me quite busy. I had to investigate the high-ranking factions within the guild."

"Were you busy doing a background check?"

Noh Song-rin's shoulder twitched, a threat designed to display his overflowing vitality.

Ignoring the threat, Kang Mu-hyuk continued calmly, "As you may know, I'm from Titan, so I have some excellent connections. Among them is a persistent investigator who can be quite doggy once they latch onto something."

"And so, what did you dig up?"

"The Slayer Guild."

"!!"

"There's a high-ranking officer from Ujungdo in there. That's a fact confirmed by Ju Se-ah."

Maintaining a composed expression, Noh Song-rin responded.

"What are you trying to say? There's more than one or two people from the inner city. The way you talk, it's as if I've been colluding with those inner city folks. Why would I? I even joined the Taesung Guild before the current Guild Master. Do you intend to link me to the bad blood between the Guild Master and the Slayer? Seeing you trying to pin blame on an innocent person with such baseless conjectures, I doubt you'll last long as the leader."

"I don't intend to provide any substantial evidence. Don't ask me how I know either. It's my weapon. But since when is evidence that important in this field? This is a place where people can disappear overnight based on mere suspicions, isn't it? Who knows this better than you? Hunter Noh. Song. Rin."

A word momentarily flitted through Noh Song-rin's mind.

Murder.

Dead bodies tell no tales.

Sensing the surge of mana from Noh Song-rin, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly spoke.

"Me dying won't change much. The Guild Master and Hunter Jang Deuk-goo are already aware."

With that, Kang Mu-hyuk waved his hand towards the other side of the bridge. Following his gaze, Noh Song-rin turned around. At the entrance of the bridge, Ju Se-ah was raising her hand in response.

She waved back with a disinterested look, which made it all the more terrifying.

'Damn it. It's a trap.'

Both Ju Se-ah and Jang Deuk-goo were stronger Hunters than Noh Song-rin. He would stand no chance if either of them attacked.

Moreover, North Pocheon was a place with virtually no people.

It was almost like inside a gate.

People could die without anyone noticing, and the cause of death could easily be excused. If one were to become monster food, even traces of them would be impossible to find. It was a perfect place to dispose of a body.

As this thought crossed his mind, Noh Song-rin felt his stomach churn.

'Were they planning to get rid of me from the beginning?'

Kang Mu-hyuk leaned against the bridge railing with his back turned to Noh Song-rin, and gazed down at the water of Yeongpyeong Stream as he spoke.

"There's no need to go as far as Guild Master Ju Se-ah. If you kill me, it'll be justification for Hunter Jang Deuk-goo to kill Hunter Noh Song-rin. Of course, that's the worst-case scenario if our conversation fails."

"What do you want?"

"You have three choices."

"Three?"

"First, obediently follow me to North Pocheon and assist Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Second, simply quit cleanly."

"Whether I assist or quit, either way, I'll be branded a traitor by the Slayer's Guild and be punished."

"So you admit it. That you have a relationship with the Slayer."

"If I have a relationship, then yes. That's a big if."

"Well, let's assume you do have a relationship with the Slayer. I recommend you choose the third option."

"And what's the third?"

"I propose you become a double agent."

"A, a spy?"

Noh Song-rin looked back at Kang Mu-hyuk in disbelief.

Feeling Noh Song-rin's intense gaze on him, Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking.

"Listen well to the Slayer's Guild and bring the information to me. Pretend to help the Taesung Guild and report to the Slayers that you're biding your time. If you balance it well, you should be able to safely cross either side. I'll adjust the timing as needed."

"What if I stab you in the back?"

"We've decided to move the headquarters of the Guild to North Pocheon to a resort near Sanjeong Lake. It's deep in the mountains. A dangerous place where a Hunter could die at any time."

"You said you wouldn't make threats?"

"Is that what I'm doing right now?"

Swallow.

His saliva involuntarily slid down his throat.

'Damn, I've been cornered.'

Whichever of the three choices he made, Noh Song-rin's life was effectively held hostage by others.

Whether it was Ju Se-ah, the Slayer's Guild, or Kang Mu-hyuk.

His life was in their hands.

'Who would've thought he'd plot like this without being a Hunter. He's not to be underestimated.'

Noh Song-rin quickly put his mind to work.

Just as Kang Mu-hyuk had said, the presence or absence of evidence didn't matter.

What was important to Hunters was power!

Power was justice, law, and authority.

Noh Song-rin decided to bow his head for now and hope for a better future.

"I'll... accept the third choice."

"I'm glad. It's nice to fill all the seats in the car on the way back."

At Kang Mu-hyuk's words, Noh Song-rin became even more convinced.

He really would have killed him if he resisted.

"You're more sinister than you look. Your leadership skills are quite impressive."

"I don't have good leadership skills."

"Then?"

"I just have a knack for threats."