I Hoped It Wasn't You
“Understood. We'll see about using that—it depends on the situation. No matter what happens, the Federation will have to bear some responsibility. After all, that's why we came here in the first place: for their test. I hope it doesn't come to that. I'll be in touch.”
Kang Moo-hyuk ended the call with Alex and locked eyes with Kozlov through the rearview mirror. Kozlov, clearly curious about the conversation, asked,
“What was that about?”
“I was talking to the Federation. It seems there's bad blood between Char Guild and the Tyrant behind this incident.”
“Bad blood?”
“Have you heard of the 'Nadezhinsky Tragedy'?”
“Nadez...insky... Of course. Any Russian knows about it.”
Kozlov, who had been guiding from the passenger seat, bowed his head. The sudden somber mood left the car silent except for No Song-rin's occasional directions.
Kozlov occasionally glanced at Kang Moo-hyuk in the rearview mirror. He seemed reluctant to speak of Nadezhinsky. When their eyes met, he sighed and finally opened his mouth.
“I don't know the exact date, but it was over ten years ago. A gate between Vladivostok and Nadezhinsky collapsed. A powerful boss monster crossed over, heading straight for Nadezhinsky. Most of the citizens there didn't even have time to evacuate and were massacred.”
“Do you know the full story?”
“Only what the government announced. Most Russians are the same. And back then, I wasn't even a hunter, so I had no access to more details.”
“They say Char Guild lured that boss monster to Nadezhinsky to protect their turf in Vladivostok.”
“What's that got to do with Igor?”
“The ones guarding Nadezhinsky's checkpoint at the time were the Tyrant—that is, the current Tyrun Guild Master Igor Dudnik—and his brother Darden's father and younger sister.”
“So that's why Tyrun Guild pushed into Vladivostok so relentlessly, despite the Russian government's objections?”
No Song-rin, gripping the wheel, glanced sideways, causing the car to swerve briefly. As it straightened back into the lane, Kang Moo-hyuk steadied himself and replied,
“Yes. Revenge seems the right word.”
“But it's weird—Char Guild acts like they don't know. They think Tyrun just wants to swallow Vladivostok. An incident like the Tyrant's sister dying would've made waves back then; Char Guild should've known.”
When No Song-rin voiced his confusion, Kang Moo-hyuk explained,
“The Tyrant wasn't S-rank back then. He was just a hunter from a middling small guild scraping by under his father's leadership. Char Guild, on the other hand, was already Vladivostok's top guild. No need to keep tabs on some minor guild's troubles. Plus, the current Char Guild Master wasn't in charge yet.”
“It got buried and forgotten,” Kozlov said bitterly. Kang Moo-hyuk nodded.
“That's from Char Guild's perspective. For them, it ended that day. But those who still remember the tragedy have been sharpening their blades ever since.”
“Those who remember? Sounds like more than just the Tyrant brothers.”
“Makhar Boronin. A survivor from Nadezhinsky, apparently. He wants to punish Char Guild.”
Screech!
No Song-rin slammed on the brakes suddenly. They'd just entered the harbor area, blocked by a group ahead.
“Looks like Tyrun Guild guys. They seem manageable. What now, Boss? Punch through?”
Kang Moo-hyuk leaned forward between the seats, staring ahead.
His heightened senses, sharper than before, detected the mana of the encircling hunters. The thick concentrations were vividly clear to his eyes.
He closed his weary eyes and rubbed his eyelids. A throbbing headache followed.
Mana's too damn visible—time for meds, I guess. Staring too long tires me out.
His mana addiction let him gauge hunters more precisely now, which was great, but growing hypersensitivity to mana signaled waning drug effects. Not something to celebrate.
The signs of fading efficacy were there, but tolerance prevented preemptive dosing. His body was still stable, thankfully. He'd endure when he could. The mild headache was routine by now.
With the car stopped, Kang Moo-hyuk took deep breaths to manage the pain and sorted his thoughts.
One A-rank up front. B-ranks encircling. We've got an A and A-. Breaking through's possible, but we're not here to fight. Depends on how they react.
Just then, a voice eased his dilemma.
“Warning to those Korean bastards! Don't try anything funny—surrender quietly! Our vice master promised no harm if you do! So no resistance...”
People emerged from the car.
Nikolaev—the presumed sole A-rank among the encirclement—stopped mid-sentence, staring at them intently.
His gaze lingered on the last man to exit. The first two were clearly hunters, but this one felt powerless—yet his eyes wouldn't shift away.
That's the boss? Not a hunter, they said. But he's got presence.
Kang Moo-hyuk stepped forward.
“We're here to talk to your leadership. Mind guiding us?”
Nikolaev suppressed a scoff.
Prisoner acting like a guest? Gutsy.
Wouldn't last a second before Igor Dudnik, though.
For some reason, Nikolaev wanted to see them cower. He nodded readily.
“You talk sense. I'll take you to the vice master.”
* * *
Darden was about to tell Igor to wrap it up when Nikolaev reported a Korean named Kang Moo-hyuk requesting talks. He let it slide.
Same guild as that woman? Scare 'em a bit.
Soon, Kang Moo-hyuk's group arrived.
Kang Moo-hyuk's eyes were drawn to the breakwater battle, not Darden.
“Don't worry—we're not planning to kill your guild master just yet.”
“Sounds like you could anytime.”
Kang Moo-hyuk turned to Darden, his unflinching gaze startling him.
“Straight to the point: return our members.”
“Promise no Upu Mangbau raid, and we will.”
“What about the terror and suffering for Vladivostok's citizens?”
“Russia's full of monster-infested no-go zones. It's not unique to this city. And you're not even Russian—head back to your warm south. Leave this to us.”
“...”
“Keep hesitating, and your guild master dies.”
As he spoke, Darden's mana rippled subtly—a skill, but low-cost.
Message skill.
Obvious recipient.
A roar followed, and Joo Se-ah was hurled back toward Kang Moo-hyuk's group amid flying asphalt chunks. She coughed harshly.
“Cough cough... What the—? Boss is here? This is embarrassing for a guild master.”
“You okay?”
“Hit by an S-rank? You think?”
“You're smiling, though? Worried you hit your head.”
“Nah, this? I was this close to getting his rhythm...”
A massive figure landed beside Joo Se-ah.
Darden addressed him.
“Brother, had your fun? End it before we kill their guild master mid-negotiation.”
“Enough? Bro, we're way past that.”
Darden flinched at Igor's turned gaze.
“That blood...”
Igor's lip was split, bleeding. His hair disheveled, bruises visible despite no major wounds.
“This bitch really A+? She's tanking my full swings. Something's off.”
As Darden panicked, Joo Se-ah staggered up.
“Not tired of hitting? I'd be offended. I've got plenty left to return the favor.”
“You're pissing me off. Fine—full power, you're dead.”
“Both of you, stop!”
Kang Moo-hyuk urgently intervened as they clashed again.
“Who the hell are you?”
“Kang, I'm fine. It's all water punches.”
Igor bristled at Joo Se-ah's taunt, spreading killing intent. Darden couldn't stand idle.
“Brother!”
Igor turned at Darden's shout.
“Don't forget the important stuff amid the fun.”
Igor's intent vanished instantly. The abrupt shift left Kang Moo-hyuk stunned.
Darden was equally baffled. Igor's reaction felt off.
Brother sees her as a real enemy. To him, enemies are only threats—strong ones. She an S-rank or what?
In the lull, Kang Moo-hyuk spoke quickly.
“Nadezhinsky!”
Igor and Darden glared simultaneously.
“You've been used by Nadezhinsky survivors. Know this is their scheme?”
“Pfft! That's your big reveal?”
Darden laughed mockingly; Kang Moo-hyuk's face hardened.
“As expected. You knew.”
“Obviously. Think we'd let trash like them play us? From first contact, begging to smash Char Guild—we saw through their black hearts.”
“Even the plan to trash Tyrun's reputation?”
“Sure. But doesn't matter. People care about results. Handle it, and the hate fades.”
Darden crossed his arms smugly.
“Like this: 'Upu Mangbau? We'll handle it with great Russian power—no outsiders!' That's our justification. Messing with Char now? No biggie. Why? Russia's pride, S-rank Igor Dudnik, has our back.”
Kang Moo-hyuk grasped Darden's scheme.
It wasn't just claiming Vladivostok by solving Upu Mangbau and sidelining Char. He aimed to launder the Tyrant's image too.
Like Kang Moo-hyuk post-orc raid, overlaying Iron Will with guardian prestige.
Would Nadezhinsky survivors miss that?
Too convenient. Makhar seemed hostile to the Tyrant too.
From Darden's words, tarnishing Tyrun was their own insight, not from Makhar. So Makhar planned Char's fall and politically cornering Tyrun. They caught on.
Both sides set to ruin each other.
In a way, Tyrant and Makhar shared misfortune.
Both lost family in Nadezhinsky due to Char.
Yet Makhar targeted Tyrant too. Motive unclear.
One thing's sure: over ten years of prep. Makhar won't let it go Darden's way.
Makhar's serene capture face resurfaced. Not over. Delaying risked unknowns.
Kang Moo-hyuk resolved to use his last resort with Alex—threat, bluff, whatever.
Sorry, Federation... But pinning Tyrun is priority.
Recalling Alex's final report confirming his suspicions, he said,
“You're the naive ones. Think Nadezhinsky survivors will leave you be?”
“...”
“Their hate for your guild master was clear. You really believe they'll let it slide, or were you just useful idiots?”
“So what're you getting at?”
Darden skipped motive for intent.
Something hits home.
Undisclosed ties between Tyrant and survivors, clearly.
“Nadezhinsky survivors have more influence than you think.”
“Where? City hall? Kremlin? Doesn't matter—we shrug it off. No one dares bark at an S-rank.”
“Kremlin enough? Even with public support, they can't stop hunters.”
Kang Moo-hyuk shook his head; Darden tilted his. Everyone around puzzled.
As curiosity peaked, Kang Moo-hyuk revealed,
“World Hunter Federation. Know they're backing this from the shadows too?”
“What bullshit...”
“Yuri Kozlov.”
Kang Moo-hyuk turned. Kozlov's eyes wavered.
“I hoped it wasn't you.”
Kozlov fell silent.
Clueless Darden snapped irritably,
“What'd that Federation prick do?!”
Kang Moo-hyuk sighed.
“Federation's Kozlov is a Nadezhinsky survivor too.”