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

Kozlov, having escaped through the efforts of Pyo Beom-hee and Yeom Soohyung, hid in a safe house.

Just as Pyo Beom-hee had said, it seemed Igor was primarily targeting the two Hunters from Korea, as he didn't pay much attention to Kozlov's escape. Far from chasing after him, he even retreated.

While part of the reason for his early withdrawal was to avoid clashing with the Tsar Guild, the fact that Kozlov was associated with the federation also contributed to the decision not to chase him.

Upon entering the safe house, Kozlov immediately contacted the federation, which connected him directly with Alex. After learning the full situation from him, Alex briefed Kang Muhyuk.

"The tyrant, huh... It's the exact worst-case scenario I was afraid of."

-Our local agents have yet to figure out why he has come to Vladivostok.

"You're saying that agent said I need to go to Russia?"

-He says Hunter Pyo Beom-hee requested it.

Kang Muhyuk tried to understand the true intention behind Pyo Beom-hee's request.

'Only an S-ranker can face an S-ranker. After all, even if it's not for fighting, the ability to  deter combat is always useful. But if she called for me, that means...'

She clearly thought the federation wouldn't deploy an S-ranker for the sake of protecting them.

'Whether she considered various aspects thoroughly or made an instinctive judgment, Team Leader Pyo's expectations won't be far off. Because an S-ranker wouldn't be mobilized for a mission involving external federation personnel that's not deemed critical.'

Her decision to release Kozlov was likely based on the same logic.

After all, if only the two Hunters from Korea were targeted, it would remain a matter concerning the Iron Will Guild, but capturing Kozlov would escalate it to an issue concerning the federation.

Alex's reluctance to readily offer help suggested he anticipated the same to happen.

In the end, it implied that to resolve the situation, the guild would have to step in directly.

Certainly, the federation, being partly responsible for this situation, wouldn't completely ignore it.

'I'll have to leverage that weakness. If I handle this case well, we can use it to our advantage for a long time.'

Kang Muhyuk quickly formulated a rough plan and spoke up.

"I'll go to Russia. But there are a few things the federation needs to sort out for me."

-We'll help as much as we can.

"Firstly, our Guild Master needs to be able to set foot on Russian soil. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has put her on a blacklist, preventing her from getting a visa, you see."

-By the way you mention it, it seems you're suggesting an unofficial route. We will try to mobilize the Russian political circles to allow for a temporary entry procedure just for this occasion.

"That will take too long. And it would be hard to keep it secret."

-Then, what would you suggest?

"The ways to sneak into another country are obvious, aren't they?"

-You don't mean...

"We'll sneak in. Is it possible to bribe the Vladivostok coast guard? I would also like you to 'persuade' the radar stations."

Alex quickly grasped what Kang Muhyuk meant. 'Persuading' meant offering bribes.

In Russia, it was a tactic rampant even in the past, but it became a commonplace negotiation method after the world changed due to the widespread monsters. This was largely because the vast territory made it difficult for central government authority to reach every corner.

That was why, the Russian government delegated law enforcement to local guilds in the provinces, which was one of the reasons why the Russian government restricted city expansions by guilds---to prevent power struggles among them.

"I'm not sure how far the Tsar Guild's influence extends in Vladivostok. But with the appearance of the tyrant, they must be feeling the heat. I wonder how much of a helping hand they'll need. I'd appreciate it if the federation could make contact with them quickly on this matter."

Before Alex could even organize his thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk had already outlined a route for negotiation with the Tsar Guild, leaving Alex no choice but to sigh and agree.

In an emergency, Hunters followed the one who made the first move when there was no clear standard to follow.

Kang Mu-hyuk might not have been a Hunter, but he had preemptively proposed a solution tailored to the urgent situation.

Alex, quick on the uptake, couldn't help but be impressed by Kang Mu-hyuk's swift decision-making despite his limited knowledge of Russian circumstances.

-When will you depart?

"Fortunately, there's a flight to Vladivostok tomorrow afternoon. I'll be on that flight. The Guild Master will take care of urgent matters first and then prepare to leave separately tomorrow night."

-Even if you use a port close to Russia from Korea, the distance by sea is considerable. If she plans to move under the cover of night, it would be difficult to enter Vladivostok before dawn, wouldn't it?

"I have that part planned out as well. I'll contact you with the details once everything is set."

After ending the call with Alex, Kang Mu-hyuk contacted the Guild Cooperation Agency.

"This is Kang Mu-hyuk from Iron Will. I need to speak with Director Cha Gil-joo, please. Yes, it's urgent."

The brief wait while the on-duty staff connected him to Cha Gil-joo felt like forever to Kang Muhyuk.

'Given the situation, I should probably go to the Cooperation Agency and talk in person...'

He had to be cautious in his movements ever since he heard from Mr. Cho about the Hunters from the Iga Clan lurking around South Pocheon.

With Go Eul-ji standing by at the guild's headquarters with her exceptional detection abilities, they could defend themselves. However, with the guild's elite forces all away, stepping outside could pose a danger.

'Maybe it's fortunate we dealt with the Iga Clan tonight. Leaving those troublemakers behind while heading to Russia would have been quite uncomfortable.'

A moment later, Cha Gil-joo's voice sounded through the receiver.

-You were looking for me urgently, Team Leader? What's the matter?

"Director, I need a boat."

-A boat?

"Yes. A very fast one."

While Kang Mu-hyuk was busily moving around all night, Ju Se-ah was meditating in a car with the engine turned off.

She was running countless simulations in her head in preparation for the battle.

She always did this before a raid.

"Ten minutes to go, Guild Master."

As Lee Jin-joo, sitting in the passenger seat, spoke up, Ju Se-ah slowly opened her eyes.

Even in the darkness, her eyes shone, conjuring the illusion of moonlight reflected on piled snow, shining coldly.

"Get the tools ready."

"Tools, you say?"

Lee Jin-joo was momentarily taken aback by the choice of words, reminiscent of gangsters heading out for a fight, and chuckled awkwardly. Meanwhile, No Song-rin, who was in the driver's seat, popped the trunk open.

"Our Guild Master is really something. Are we going to see the witch's skills in full display today?"

As No Song-rin stepped out of the driver's seat, excited, Jang Deuk-goo, who got out of the back seat, gave him a warning look.

"Don't mess around. Make sure no one escapes; catch them all."

"You think only telling me that is enough? There's only four of us here. We should leave the rest to Slayer."

Hardly had No Song-rin finished talking back when five scary looking black SUVs entered the alleyway.

"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. As expected, you people just can't change, can you? Oh, right, that's your old stomping grounds, right, Guild Master?"

"It doesn't matter."

Ju Se-ah surveyed the Hunters who had disembarked from the vehicles. There were sixteen in total, all familiar faces. There were also individuals she had almost no interactions with. There were around five or six of them whose Ju Se-ah only knew the names of at most.

This meant they were a strike team operating outside of the Expeditionary force.

Among them, one particularly caught Ju Se-ah's attention as he approached.

"It's been a while, witch."

"Were we close? When did we decide to talk without formalities, Hunter Ha Hyesung?"

"Why so serious? We're not even in the same guild anymore."

"I never smiled while talking to you when we were in the same guild either."

"Don't get too ahead of yourself. I'm not the same person who used to clean up your messes. And you're not the same as you were before either."

"Of course. Because now, I'm the head of a guild. You're here to work. So, let's keep it professional, yeah, Ha Hyesung?"

A Hunter standing next to Ha Hyesung snickered at Ju Se-ah.

"What? Hey, Miss Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Just because you're riding high these days, you think you can look down on the Slayer Guild? You're just a lowly C-grade Guild Master after all..."

Ha Hyesung silenced the Hunter with a gesture. The Hunter looked disgruntled but complied with his command.

However, Ha Hyesung's attention was more on Jang Deuk-goo standing behind Ju Se-ah than on his subordinate.

'Jang Deuk-goo. I've only heard of him, but this is my first time seeing him in person... He's got quite a fierce look.'

A gaze that seemed to say he'd slice them all if they prattled on just a bit more, Slayer or not.

Ha Hyesung had just saved his team member's life, in a manner of speaking.

"I apologize, Guild Master Ju Se-ah. I was too rude. I guess I was just happy to reminisce about the old times."

"I'll accept your apology. Let's talk about work."

"Sure."

Ju Se-ah cast Ha Hyesung with a surprised look.

'Well, look at that! Knows how to hold his tongue now, does he? Maybe he's grown a bit?'

Ha Hyesung had always been at odds with Ju Se-ah, even when she was with Slayer. Their very existence irritated each other. They would growl at each other at the drop of a hat... It was strange to see Ha Hyesung holding back.

'Ayy, as if. Seong Seon-jae must have warned him.'

Ha Hyesung, who was aggressive enough to bare his teeth at Ju Se-ah, Slayer's ace, feared only one person in the guild: Seong Seon-jae.

If Seong Seonjae had warned him, Ha Hyesung wouldn't dare act rashly.

'I need to teach her a lesson one of these days. Tch! Seriously, Team Leader Seong just had to be soft-hearted in unexpected ways.'

As Ju Se-ah suspected, Ha Hyesung had been repeatedly warned by Seong Seon-jae.

He grumbled to himself and reached out his hand. The Hunter who had mocked Ju Se-ah a moment ago handed him a tablet.

Ha Hyesung held out the tablet to Ju Se-ah, saying, "These are the blueprints for the apartment where they're hiding. It's an old building that was supposed to be redeveloped a long time ago, so most residents have already moved out."

"We can fight all we want without worrying about civilians, then."

 Ju Se-ah reviewed the blueprints, checking the areas assigned to each guild.

'They perfectly assigned the right numbers and levels of personnel. Doesn't seem like they're fooling around.'

The logical attack route made it clear that it was put together by Seong Seon-jae. Despite not liking him, Ju Se-ah acknowledged that when it came to combat, he was a trustworthy person.

Ha Hyesung continued with his explanation.

"I found something interesting here. Despite the demolition deadline having passed a while ago, the building hasn't been demolished yet."

"Is there a specific reason for that?"

"I looked into it, and it turns out that the construction company that bought this place is primarily owned by a Japanese company. There, one of the Yakuza guys is acting as the president, a common tactic they use - a figurehead president. In other words, this place is a stronghold for the GAA. It seems they've fed quite a bit of money into the political circles to win this project. It wouldn't be surprising if there are booby traps, given they've used it as a stronghold for so long."

"Well, it wouldn't matter much if I get caught in them, but you better be careful. Don't get hurt and then whine for help."

"As if. Just try not to embarrass yourself by whining about how you couldn't catch any of them."

After a prolonged stare-off, the two parted ways as their respective guild members notified them of the operation time.

They exchanged one last barb.

"I hope you fall backwards and break your nose, Hunter Ha Hyesung."

"I hope you fall out of a tree, Guild Master Ju Se-ah."

Crash! Thump! Boom!

Startled by the consecutive explosions, Ryushin quickly opened his eyes and calmly checked the time.

3:11 AM.

'It's the perfect time to ambush. Did they catch us off guard?'

He had thought that one of the baits he had cast out would work, but it seems he wasn't the only one casting bait.

'No wonder Seong Seon-jae retreated too easily. Tch!'

As he got up from his place, the bedroom door burst open noisily.

"Leader! We're under attack from the Slayer Guild! We need to evacuate immediately!"

"Why all the fuss? If they've attacked, we just need to counterattack. This is our front yard. Activate the circle, and even Seong Seon-jae won't be able to break through."

"It's not Seong Seonjae!"

"What?"

"It's Ju Se-ah!"

Bang!

This explosion sounded much closer. Screams and shouts were already near at hand.

"Didn't Ju Se-ah leave the Slayer Guild?"

"I don't know how, but they've teamed up to attack us."

"These bastards! Where's their self-respect? They were just fighting each other to the death, and now they team up?!"

It was a rare moment when Ryushin's usually impassive face showed a crack.

'With Ju Se-ah here, activating the circle would be useless. Since magic and special abilities don't work on her.'

She herself was like a walking bomb.

Ryushin assessed that even mobilizing all his forces for battle couldn't guarantee victory. They could descend into hell together with the Slayer Hunters, but they still couldn't stop Ju Se-ah.

Her solidity and toughness, making a mockery of others of the same A+ rank who fell short, was why the Japanese Guild Alliance had failed to assassinate her so far.

"Stall for time! Burn all important documents! Activate all traps! Do whatever it takes to hold off Ju Se-ah!"

"Got it!"

After sending his subordinate out, Ryushin donned his battle gear.

Now was not the time to escape alone.

'If I retreat now, they'll immediately catch up to me. I need to lure them deeper in, inflict damage, and then escape. Otherwise, I won't be able to show my face at the federation meetings. I can't let my career end like this.'

With a grave expression, Ryushin picked up his sword.

"Ju Se-ah... Crack! Let's see how long you can keep this up. I'll be watching you until the very end."