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

Kang Mu-hyuk had asked questions about things he had already learned during his time with the Titan, pretending as though he didn't know.

Baek Seong-bin guessed this and spoke.

"You're asking even though you already know."

Instead of replying, Kang Mu-hyuk merely nodded.

Baek Seong-bin had been an orphan. Before that, he had parents, and a younger sister too.

His family had been torn to pieces because of a monster.

Baek Seong-bin's entire family had been transformed, all due to the chaos that Kang Mu-hyuk had experienced in the past as well.

A common tragedy that anyone living in this era could witness anywhere.

Because it was such an ordinary tragedy, none of the Taeguk Guild members, including Cho Ikjoon, paid attention to Baek Seong-bin's past. What mattered to a Hunter wasn't the story but the stats.

Yet Kang Mu-hyuk empathized with the hearts of those who had suffered similar tragedies, having experienced one himself. He knew well what emotions they had lived with.

He knew what it felt like to lose loved ones to a monster, how the boiling rage could bind itself around oneself.

'Revenge embeds itself deep in your mind.'

He couldn't forget the scenes of that day, even in sleep. Kang Mu-hyuk was still trapped.

He suspected that even Baek Seong-bin was still trapped by the trauma of that day.

"The reason Hunter Baek Seong-bin is called subpar, the reason he charges irrationally at monsters without being calm, I can guess that it's not simply relying on his Healing Factor."

Baek Seong-bin confirmed this with his silence, and Kang Mu-hyuk continued with certainty.

"If he were just a regular subpar Hunter, he wouldn't risk his life to save his comrades and people. Of course, the process and result were both bad. Not to mention, it's separate from the fact that he saved many people despite his poor performance. But hunting cannot be successful with sacrifice alone. Someday, your method will fail."

Baek Seong-bin's shoulders twitched at the painful criticism.

He knew the problem, always reminding himself to correct it, but when faced with the situation, his body moved of its own accord. He couldn't bear the screams and pain of the people. He even secretly sought psychiatric counseling without informing his guild, but it did not easily improve.

He knew that his impulsive actions made the party more dangerous and that hunting involved some sacrifice, but he could not ignore someone in danger.

Around the time his hanging head grew heavy, Kang Mu-hyuk spoke again.

"All of this is just data determined by the guild's evaluation system. In fact, that is the attitude a Hunter should prioritize; the mindset that Hunter Baek Seong-bin has. In today's world, there are hardly a handful of Hunters who talk about responsibility and sacrifice. Do you understand why I want to recruit Hunter Baek Seong-bin, who is called subpar?"

Baek Seong-bin stared piercingly at Kang Mu-hyuk.

'This man, he's a lot different from what I've heard.'

Kang Mu-hyuk was fairly well-known among the A-rank guilds. Especially the guilds located in Yeouido, the neighbors of the Titan Guild, knew him well.

Fame was often followed by rumors.

As Kang Mu-hyuk's activities increased, various rumors were attached to his record, most of which were infamy.

It was the doing of those who wanted to keep a check on the Titan Guild.

The Taeguk Guild, another A-rank guild, had the ability to filter out rumors and therefore had a certain understanding of Kang Mu-hyuk's true nature.

Baek Seong-bin had heard about Kang Mu-hyuk from Team Leader Cho Ikjun. It wasn't mentioned directly in front of Baek Seong-bin. He had only overheard it in passing, but since it was mentioned frequently, he almost fully understood the content.

Cho Ikjun had highly praised Kang Mu-hyuk. He had even praised that if he had been in the Taeguk Guild, it would have become a Tier-ed Guild much earlier.

Rational, bold, calculating, and a ruthless negotiator.

To Baek Seong-bin, who had Cho Ikjun's assessment clearly etched in his mind, Kang Mu-hyuk's appearance now seemed unfamiliar.

The Kang Mu-hyuk of the Titan Guild that Cho Ikjun always had on his lips was entirely different from the person in front of him.

With eyes hotter than anyone else's.

Those piercing cold eyes weren't actually cold, but so deep that they felt dark and frightening.

The actual Kang Mu-hyuk he faced was far from cold.

Baek Seong-bin's mouth felt itchy. His lips instinctively moved, and his tongue stirred on its own. Could this be an opportunity to change himself? Somehow, he felt he would regret missing it.

"Of course, I don't intend to recruit Hunter Baek Seong-bin by invoking a mandatory clause. I just want to explain my thoughts and persuade you..."

"I will transfer."

He was surprised after the words came out. Baek Seong-bin was shocked that his mouth had moved before he could even think.

On the other hand, Kang Mu-hyuk's reaction was crisp.

"Quick decision. Good. Then, let's proceed with the process."

The opponent's neat attitude gave Baek Seong-bin a sense of relief.

Thus, Baek Seong-bin's transfer was decided.

...

Pyo Beom-hee was standing in front of the Gate that had just been conquered.

After the conquest, the area around the Gate should have been busy and noisy. But for some reason, the surroundings were eerily silent.

It wasn't that there were no people. At a glance, there were over 100 people coming and going, but all were maintaining silence.

Pyo Beom-hee knew this atmosphere well. It was a scene she had experienced countless times before.

'The damage seems significant. I picked a bad day.'

After a successful conquest, people should be celebrating and laughing, but the area in front of a heavily damaged Gate was as solemn as a mourning hall.

Thanks to this chaotic atmosphere, nobody stopped Pyo Beom-hee from entering the scene. It meant they were all too distracted.

The Crow Guild was a promising guild aiming for an A-rank. This Gate was a challenge that they had poured all their efforts into.

Even if it was a failed raid, it was incomprehensible for a top B-rank guild to show such vulnerability.

'Could it be they suffered irrecoverable damage? I heard they deployed both the Expedition team and the elite Attack Force team.'

Would they suffer a significant blow from such a strategy?

Even if they succeeded, it would not be a success. Rather, the guild's lineage might have been severed.

He had seen countless times how a B-rank guild that was not even top-tier would crumble once it had lost its main force.

After the attack, it would shatter slowly like a breaking windowpane, just like the Gate before her eyes, and would likely be absorbed by other guilds.

"Maybe the timing was just right. It didn't work for the Crow Guild, but recruiting from such a guild is relatively easier. Anyway, the Hunter we are recruiting should be safe."

It wasn't difficult for Pyo Beom-hee to find the person on the recruitment list he received from Kang Mu-hyuk.

Suddenly, in the silence, a scream rang out, and a Hunter wildly dashing caught her eye.

"Damn it! Is this how you plan and expect us to take down the boss? Does the Strategy and Tactics team leader have a brain?"

"Calm down. Can't you read the room?"

"How can the team leader be so arrogant? Handing out orders like that and acting all high and mighty? If the position is too much, step down! Or pass the orders to me."

"Orders from a B-rank? Hah? Come on, the guild's top prospect turned out to be a mess. No, is the drug effect over now? How dare a stagnant guy only talk?"

"If you're an A-rank, is that all? Killing all the kids? Was this raid supposed to fail like this? Didn't you higher-ups kill the guild members, while playing your own games? If you have a mouth, try to justify it."

"Kyung Soo-hyuk. I'm warning you. If you cross the line there, it won't just pass."

"You damn fool. Warning me now? I crossed the line. What will you do? Kill me like those who died inside?"

The Hunter called Kyung Soo-hyuk approached the expedition team leader, raising his chin.

Protests during an expedition could be punished immediately, but that only applied inside the Gate. What was happening now occurred after the Gate raid. An emotional clash between Hunters was a common occurrence.

But sometimes, it led to violence and death.

Among Hunters, such incidents were not uncommon.

Finally, unable to contain his emotions due to the onlookers' stares, the expedition team leader drew his sword.

Kyung Soo-hyuk reacted belatedly and grabbed his weapon, but there was a big difference in rank. He was caught off-handed and couldn't defend properly.

He never dreamed that the expedition team leader would swing his sword. Although emotions were high, his protest was something he was fully entitled to as a guild member.

He had touched a nerve by mentioning the guild's internal issues, but this was hardly a reason to be attacked with a sword.

Watching the opponent's attack as if a kaleidoscope was flowing, he vented his frustration.

"Damn it!"

Thump!

'Thump?'

Just before the sword touched his chest, Kyung Soo-hyuk, who had closed his eyes tightly, slowly opened his eyelids at a sound that could never come from a sword strike.

A surprising scene unfolded before his eyes.

The expedition team leader had been kicked back a few steps, clutching his vitals.

"You... what? Cough!"

The woman who had kicked him was slowly retracting her leg and straightening her stance.

Pyo Beom-hee chided the expedition leader as if finding him pathetic.

"Tsks, tsks. Threatening a family member with a knife isn't honorable. No, it's something that's fundamentally wrong."

"From what I can see, you seem like someone from another guild. Mind your own business and scram."

"If you don't know the situation, admit your mistake and apologize. Or at least try to calm the person down. Will it be solved by scolding them? Ah, and you should apologize too. Everyone seems to be overwhelmed with emotions. This isn't the time to provoke each other. Even if your acquaintance did something wrong, still. You've been too rash."

Watching Pyo Beom-hee who scolded the expedition team leader after all her efforts to save him, Kyung Soo-hyuk was so stunned that he couldn't respond.

The situation was strange from the beginning.

The expedition team leader's eyes were filled with fury, and yet, he was being scolded so casually.

'Could it be an A-rank? From the way she's rebuking the expedition team leader, she must at least be that level.'

With Pyo Beom-hee's composed attitude, Kyung Soo-hyuk guessed that she was an A-rank Hunter.

However, the expedition team leader, his anger rising to the tips of his hair, didn't even consider gauging his opponent's abilities and continued to close the distance, grinding his teeth.

"Stop right there. Listen while I'm still speaking nicely."

Suddenly, Pyo Beom-hee raised her momentum.

She had no weapon on her body, but the surrounding Hunters trembled at the energy rising like a blade.

The expedition team leader's footsteps stopped as well. Only then did he realize the level of his opponent.

"Wh-who are you... you?"

"Good. Good. Now you're ready to talk."

Pyo Beom-hee quickly reined in her energy. To control energy so freely, she had to be at least A-rank.

The same level as Crow Guild's expedition team leader.

But just from seeing the expedition team leader, notorious in the guild for his nasty temper, anxiously control his emotions, it was clear that the opponent was even higher.

He might have been bested in rank, but he would never be bested in temper. The expedition team leader glowered in anger.

"Who are you to cause a ruckus in someone else's guild?!"

"My goodness, look at me. I almost forgot."

Pyo Beom-hee took a stiff, black business card framed in silver from his jacket pocket and offered it.

The expedition team leader carelessly tried to take the card, but it wasn't intended for him.

Pyo Beom-hee turned and offered it to Kyung Soo-hyuk.

"Me, me?"

"I'm Pyo Beom-hee, the team leader of Iron Will Guild. I came to recruit you, Kyung Soo-hyuk."

"Iron Will? Recruitment, you say?"

"Well, I had to hear a lot from our Guild Leader about you... Goodness, that guy's personality is just as I heard. Seeing his attitude, it seems like there's no need for long-winded talk."

Pyo Beom-hee glanced at the expedition team leader out of the corner of her eye, clearly with a mocking look.

The expedition team leader's face turned red and pale at being ignored and belittled, but he didn't dare charge forward.

"What's the buyout for the transfer? I'll deposit it into your account, so hand Kyung Soo-hyuk over to us. You'll join our guild, won't you?"

"Yes? Yes... No, that's not what I mean... What on earth..."

"Okay. You clearly said 'yes'."

"No, not that 'yes.' First, you need to understand the situation we are dealing with."

"So, you want to continue with the Crow Guild?"

Pyo Beom-hee pointed over her shoulder with her thumb at the expedition team leader standing behind her.

At the sight of the expedition team leader, who had a face as wicked as a goblin, Kyung Soo-hyuk recalled the moment when the man had swung his sword at him just a short while ago.

He had seen all sorts of behavior, both tolerable and intolerable, in the guild before, but this time, he was more than disappointed; he was contemptuous of such an overstepped line of conduct.

'With that kind of personality, that man won't leave me alone.'

There was no need to think about it. There was no choice.

"Okay, fine. I will transfer."

"Good. The personal agreement is done. The B-rank buyout is the same all around, so send me a copy of the contract with the buyout amount written. Compare it with what they offered. You, the team leader over there, know this as well. Don't play games."

The expedition team leader shouted in anger.

"Does Iron Will have no decency? What is this, right now?!"

"Decency is for those who keep their morals. It doesn't seem like you're one of them."

"You said Iron Will, right? You're trusting Ju Se-ah and acting boldly, huh? Or is it the Rider Wolf you trust? Either way, if you do business like this, it won't last long. If you steal guild members like this, do you think we will just sit back?"

Throughout the tense atmosphere, Pyo Beom-hee's expression remained unchanged. She spoke with a cold, frost-settled face.

"What about the guy who tried to kill that precious guild member?"

"That, that was just a slight..."

"A slight, you say? With your mana concentrated."

"Kuh!"

Pyo Beom-hee approached the grinding expedition team leader and whispered in his ear so that others wouldn't hear.

"Our Guild Leader said this. If you can't communicate, you are the type to use other means."

"..."

"Guilds shouldn't interfere with each other's business. That's the rule. But I'll just interfere a little today. A guild being run like a family business. Embezzlement. Illegal potion trafficking. No matter how much you love money, you went too far."

"!!"

"If you keep acting crookedly, should I report this to the Hunter Investigation Agency?"

Pyo Beom-hee then patted the expedition team leader's shoulder, but he didn't move an inch.

"Let's go, Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk."

Pyo Beom-hee took Kyung Soo-hyuk and left the scene.

Kyung Soo-hyuk followed her as if he were possessed by a ghost, constantly looking back as if he was unsettled.

"Don't worry. He won't touch Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk."

"What did you say to him?"

"Nothing much. Hmm, I didn't realize it before, but it seems I'm starting to resemble our Guild Leader."

"Excuse me? Ah, you mean Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, right? But what do you mean all of a sudden?"

"It seems like I'm going to enjoy threatening more."

...

North Pocheon, Iron Will Guild Headquarters.

Ju Se-ah, leaning against the railing on the second floor, looked down at the unfamiliar Hunters gathered in the hall and was impressed.

"You've really gathered quite the force. I really didn't think they would come."

"We couldn't fill even half of the people on the list."

"Never mind half; where would we find even this many? I thought it would be a blessing if even one or two came."

Ju Se-ah's words were no joke. She had looked at the recruitment list handed over by Kang Mu-hyuk and was skeptical.

She knew Kang Mu-hyuk was not one to speak nonsense, but her understanding of the industry's reality kept her from harboring any illusions.

"But how did you entice them? Whether it was money or honor, we had nothing to offer."

Kang Mu-hyuk spoke, glancing around at the Hunters scattered here and there.

"The Hunters over there. They are not just anyone."

"Of course. They are Hunters handpicked by Guild Leader Kang. According to the data, they are people with guaranteed abilities to some extent."

"No, that's not it. I mean, they are people who saw something before their skills."

"Saw something before their skills?"

"What should I say? Hmm... Based on other guilds' reports, perhaps..."

"Perhaps?"

"Hunters with flaws, shall we say?"