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

Lee Jin-joo met up with Ju Se-ah to relay Kang Mu-hyuk's strategy.

Ju Se-ah had only heard the general outline of the plan and didn't fully grasp its intricacies until Lee Jin-joo filled her in.

"Ah, that man is something else. I knew he was reckless, but I had no idea he planned to flood the headquarters."

"He may look like a reasonable person, but he does have a daring side. There's no denying that his methods are effective, though."

"True. If it's a thousand orcs, maybe sacrificing a building isn't such a bad trade-off after all."

Lee Jin-joo felt that Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah were surprisingly similar.

'I've heard rumors. They say if it's a monster, he goes all in to catch it. Could she be as aggressive as him?'

Ju Se-ah didn't object to Kang Mu-hyuk's plan. While others might have found it startling, she considered it reasonable.

In order to win with a disadvantaged force, one had to craft the best strategy, even if that meant suffering substantial losses. Trying to save a few bucks at the risk of Hunter's life was a method she despised the most.

In that sense, Kang Mu-hyuk and Ju Se-ah were well-matched business partners.

"So, what are we supposed to do? Did the Guild Leader give any specific orders?"

"Yes. He said to hand over the hunting to another guild and to prevent the boss from escaping. If the Orc chieftain escapes, it could trigger another orc uprising like the one in China."

"Ah, so that was his intent? I thought he might want me to stay and directly engage with the boss. Then again, managing the orcs while attacking the Gate simultaneously would be too much. I had sensed he was scheming something when other guilds started showing up."

Understanding Kang Mu-hyuk's words, Ju Se-ah immediately abandoned the Gate. She believed his judgment was accurate. There was no need to stretch themselves when they had already called in enough people to take down the boss in their stead.

On the other hand, Lee Jin-joo, who was familiar with Titan's operational style, was concerned. Guilds usually prioritized profit. To risk the guild's fate while handing over the big rewards to another guild...

"Are you okay with this?"

"With what?"

"With letting the boss escape. I understand the Guild Leader's personality, but it's a significant loss for the guild."

"As long as someone makes sure the monster is dead, I don't mind. I'm not particularly obsessed with money. If we get greedy here, we could end up with nothing."

Lee Jin-joo nodded in agreement, then spoke in a subtle tone.

"Still, there are a few guidelines the Guild Leader wants to convey, just in case. I didn't hear all the details, but he said they are preparations for the future."

"That man and his thoroughness. So, what did he say?"

"In case you do end up engaging the boss or initiating a raid, do this..."

Looking around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, Lee Jin-joo whispered into Ju Se-ah's ear.

After listening to Kang Mu-hyuk's instructions for some time, Ju Se-ah involuntarily uttered her impression.

"Wow, he's something else."

"Annoying, isn't it? I feel the same way."

Ju Se-ah was about to add a few more words to Lee Jin-Joo's agreement when she hesitated as she sensed someone approaching them.

Lee Jin-Joo also caught on a beat later. After recognizing who it was, she discreetly said to Ju Se-ah, "That's Cho Ik-Jun, the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader from the Taegeuk Guild. He mostly dealt with Guild Leader Kang back during his time in the Titan. Not someone you'd want to engage with for long."

"If he's from Taegeuk Guild, he's A-rank. Must be a tough one for him to mess with the Guild Leader."

Cho Ik-Jun gave them ample time to recognize him as he approached slowly and initiated the conversation.

"Nice to meet you. I am Cho Ik-Jun from the Taegeuk Guild, in charge of the Strategy and Tactics Team."

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Ju Se-ah."

Ju Se-ah offered a polite smile and shook hands with Cho Ik-Jun, who was also grinning. Despite the exchange of pleasantries, she remained on guard.

'If he went toe-to-toe with Guild Leader Kang, he's no ordinary snake.'

Cho Ik-Jun shifted his gaze sideways.

"And you must be Hunter Lee Jin-Joo. It's been a while."

"Indeed, Team Leader Cho."

"Why so serious? Concerned about the Gate operation? Or is it North Pocheon that worries you?"

"Let's cut to the chase; we're all busy."

At Ju Se-ah's blunt interruption, Cho Ik-Jun hesitated momentarily before getting to the point.

"How about we collaborate on this upcoming Gate operation? Our Taegeuk Guild could join forces with you."

"Well, we have our own plans."

"Look, I know the situation with Iron Will quite well. Playing hard to get won't do. Even with your abilities as the Guild Master, a solo operation is tough. The only significant forces you have are yourself and Hunter Lee Jin-Joo."

"It's not about playing hard to get. We have the option to choose our partners."

"Partners? Who? Surely not the feuding Slayer Guild? I heard Titan's Vice-Guild Master had come personally. Guild Leader Kang would most likely avoid associating with them. Do you really think any other guild is willing to be an equal partner with Iron Will at this moment?"

"Can your side adjust to that?"

"Of course, we know who Guild Leader Kang is, and we highly regard your capabilities, Guild Master Ju. I'm sure we can arrive at a reasonable agreement."

Ju Se-ah stroked her chin, seemingly in deep thought, her eyes directed at the ground.

'I didn't expect things to align so perfectly. Is this turning out exactly as Kang Mu-hyuk predicted?'

She recalled the advice Guild Leader Kang had shared with her. Although it wasn't based on a guarantee, it highlighted several likely scenarios.

"If Team Leader Cho Ik-Jun from the Taegeuk Guild approaches you, it's best not to take his words at face value. He's not the type to share good fortune. If he proposes a partnership first, there's a high chance he's there to sabotage you. There might be the rare occasion when he's genuine, but it's better to assume it's all a scam."

Ju Se-ah considered the words carefully, all the while maintaining her composure.

"Judging by the current situation... It seems like you're trying to stake your claim before making deals with other guilds," said Ju Se-ah, discerning the intentions behind the numbers.

She was not just an experienced Guild Master; she had been a Hunter for over 10 years in the Tier-ed Guild. However, she had never been in a position of responsibility in these kinds of negotiations, which made her somewhat inexperienced.

But with proper guidance from a mentor, she was not to be underestimated.

In the world of Hunters, rank and charisma derived from one's power were significant. Ju Se-ah shined brighter than anyone else because of that charisma.

Taking a firm stance, Ju Se-ah narrowed her eyes at Cho Ikjoon and spoke, "We've had our disagreements with Slayer, sure. But now we've formally entered into an MOU, a partnership. Do you think joining hands here is such a big deal? Even enemies in this field set their differences aside for money. If you can claim a Mining Gate, old grudges can easily be forgotten. Likewise, Titan's Vice Guild Master, Ma Taesu, is thirsty for achievements to become a Guild Master. It's a mutually beneficial relationship."

"Do you really think those are the kinds of people to think so simply?" retorted Cho Ikjoon. "You probably know Team Leader Sung Seon-je better than I do. And if we're talking about Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu, he's more like a sly fox. We should consider ourselves lucky if we don't get bitten..."

"Team Leader Cho Ikjoon!"

Ju Se-ah cut him off sharply. Her voice wasn't just raised; it carried a trace of mana that momentarily shook Cho Ikjoon.

It might be considered rude under normal circumstances, but in this setting, it was an unspoken part of the power struggle that always took place.

Cho Ikjoon couldn't get angry; he had used similar tactics himself, even against Kang Mu-Hyuk. His surprise came from the fact that he had never been on the receiving end before.

Lee Jin-Joo, who had been watching their conversation nervously, thought, 'Should I step in if things escalate?'

She was tense because verbal disputes often led to physical fights, something she had experienced many times. Especially with Taegeuk Guild, with whom relations had been so volatile that a skirmish could erupt at any time, at least until Kang Mu-hyuk became the Strategy and Tactics Team Leader.

Breaking the palpable silence, Ju Se-ah relaxed her stance and spoke, "I appreciate your concern for our situation, but we'll do without the excessive meddling."

Faced with Ju Se-ah's overwhelming presence, Cho Ikjoon had no choice but to concede defeat.

That was his principle.

When the table has been turned, leave without regrets.

Gamblers usually fail because they stubbornly hang on without realizing that the game has changed.

Once you reach that point, even if your head is broken, you have to smile bitterly. Because in this world, the only way to at least save face was to recognize one's defeat gracefully.

'Poking Ju Se-ah was like a gamble anyway. There's no point in putting on airs now; it won't end well,' Cho Ikjoon thought as he hid his disgruntled feelings and decided to back off.

"It's unfortunate. We could've been great partners."

"The opportunity isn't limited to today," Ju Se-ah replied.

Ju Se-ah deliberately left an impression. It would be troublesome to be hostile just because the negotiation had fallen apart. Today's enemy could be tomorrow's ally, after all.

After Cho Ikjoon had left, Ju Se-ah exhaled the breath she'd been holding.

"Phew. How does Guild Leader Kang handle this sort of thing all the time? Taking down a boss feels much simpler."

"I've always considered the Guild Leader as my role model, but I just can't get used to situations like this. If the other party were someone like Cho Ikjoon, I'd probably get completely outplayed," Lee Jin-Joo chimed in.

The moment Lee Jin-Joo mentioned Cho Ikjoon, Sung Seon-je flashed across Ju Se-ah's mind. To her, Sung Seon-je was that sort of being---a monster lying in wait to devour her if she let her guard down. He was an annoying and repulsive person, even more so than his rank suggested.

And that Sung Seon-je was here.

Ju Se-ah became newly aware of the danger. Any situation wouldn't be strange at this point.

'I need to keep up my wit if I don't want to be eaten.'

...

The sight of hundreds of monsters marching was a rare spectacle, even for Hunters.

However, it lacked the grandiosity found in movies. The orcs looked ferocious, their massive size intimidating.

The grinding sounds of crude iron armor and the dull echoes from their axes gave off a tension that tightened the chests of those who heard it.

Some of the orcs tore into the limbs of hunted deer as they moved. The still-living deer's piercing shrieks spread all around. Among the captured prey were not just animals but also other monsters. To the voracious orcs, all life forms seemed like meat to be consumed.

It was a march that encapsulated not just the wilderness, but a primal fear.

'It's been a while since I've felt my stomach churn like this.'

An Ji-il was filming the scene from a safe distance.

He was hiding at a crossroads leading to Sanjeong Lake, having sprayed himself with camouflage netting and a spray that confused a monster's sense of smell from his scouting kit.

Though he was assigned to live-stream the footage, Kang Mu-Hyuk had not actually approved of this. It was a highly risky endeavor.

On the other hand, An Ji-il felt a sense of mission and volunteered for the task.

The C Project that Kang Mu-Hyuk had planned and An Ji-il was implementing.

The stakeholders of Titan had dismissed it as a 'money-draining warehouse,' but An Ji-il had faith that the items in that warehouse would someday lead the charge in monster extermination.

He was delivering information on the orc army to Kang Mu-hyuk while also testing the improved equipment for this very reason.

"Guild Leader Kang, are you watching the footage?"

"Yes. Can you zoom in?"

"I've made some upgrades, but I'm not sure how far the resolution can go. Usually, I can't even test it because mana crystals are too expensive."

"For now, go ahead and use a mid-grade mana crystal. I'd be satisfied if I could just distinguish their armor."

"Alright, no holding back then."

An Ji-il turned a knob to zoom in on the orc army.

The lens he had painstakingly crafted, as there was no place to specially process monster corneas, shined. It displayed a higher resolution than he had anticipated, revealing the faces of the orcs to Kang Mu-Hyuk.

An Ji-il moved the camera slowly, allowing Kang Mu-hyuk to assess the situation with the orcs.

"Hold on. Move it to the left. Yes, towards the front. Stop. Now, back to the right. Just a little more."

Following Kang Mu-hyuk's instructions, the camera soon captured an orc that was different from the others.

The creature was as large as an ogre, but it wore no armor. Instead, its body was covered in red tattoos that resembled totemic symbols with magical implications.

"Found him... He's a general-level orc. I knew he was here."

"That one does look vicious. Is he their leader?"

"Seems like no ordinary orc. This tribe must have evolved considerably. Their chieftain might even be Lord-level. Won't be easy on the Gate side either."

"I'm no monster expert, so it's not exciting for me. But being able to zoom in on that guy's face from this distance means this modification is a huge success."

Beep.

"Ugh! Of course, it consumes more mana crystals, though. Damn, how do we deal with this inefficiency? One mid-grade mana crystal for just five minutes. It's breaking my neck."

"Don't be disappointed. At least we're making good use of the short-range communication device. We'll mass-produce them soon. Once they become widespread, the changes you and I have been hoping for will begin."

"Don't jump the gun. You never know what's inside until you open the lid. Just like what happened with Titan."

"It's my job to prevent that from happening," Kang Mu-hyuk reaffirmed, reigniting his enthusiasm.

"No matter what, we're going to change everything."

...

The change Kang Mu-hyuk spoke of was already underway within the guild.

"He's finally here."

After confirming the lead orc unit, Jang Deuk-goo initiated the operation.

He waited for the orcs to pass the road and then struck their left flank.

The orcs were initially taken by surprise, but Iron Will's Hunters were just as disoriented.

"Dealers, you idiots! You've moved too far forward! Who said to get pulled in?! You want to end up in an orc's belly? Should I shove you in myself?!"

"S-sorry!"

"Tighten up! Move only where we've buried mines. That'll make those orc bastards flinch."

Jang Deuk-goo attacked a section of the orc unit, experiencing firsthand the revolutionary change that the C-warehouse tech, as mentioned by Kang Mu-hyuk, was bringing.

"It's a mess, but we're taking no damage. It's a miracle. Or is it because of this equipment?"

When targeting the goblin previously, he'd thought that the device was just convenient for scouting, but once he began issuing party-wide orders, he understood its true potential.

A hunting party all connected in real time.

With real-time wireless communication, he could issue immediate and precise orders to individual Hunters. It significantly reduced mistakes and maximized efficiency.

'Messaging skills are more convenient, but not everyone can have them. They're scarce and expensive to boot.'

On the other hand, anyone could use the short-range communication device.

One of the biggest reasons low-rank Hunters failed to coordinate effectively was their inability to communicate their own status during battle, as well as a lack of awareness of their party's movements.

If close-range communication equipment could address this issue, the number of low-rank Hunters dying from misinterpreting orders would undoubtedly decrease significantly.

"C Warehouse... This is definitely the real deal."

Jang Deuk-goo reaffirmed Kang Mu-hyuk's growing presence as he directed the battle.