115. My Mouth Is Attached to My Fist.
Knock knock.
Before the room's owner could even invite her in, Pyo Beom-hee pushed the door open and strode inside.
"Guild Leader Kang."
"Yes."
"Busy? Got a sec?"
Kang Moo-hyuk rubbed his tired eyelids, stretched his shoulders that had hunched over from hours of work, and let out a long yawn.
"I'm never not busy, so anytime works. What's up?"
"Couple issues."
Pyo Beom-hee handed over the tablet tucked under her arm and hopped up to sit on the edge of his desk.
"Pulled a list of hunters entering the Hunter Village who need special watch. The ones worth keeping an eye on."
Kang Moo-hyuk scanned the document on the screen and frowned.
"Got some A-ranks here. Even a Named. Weren't we set on no A-rank or higher entries?"
"It's not just A-ranks. This list is the tip of the iceberg—the noteworthy ones. Tons of no-affiliation hunters swapped in for original reservations. And that's without even sorting today's entrants yet."
"Definitely a problem. How'd so many get in?"
"Individual bookings are fine, but parties. The policy allowing party member swaps for injuries or schedules—handing over permissions there. Turns out our entry passes are trading online. Some even used brokers."
"Knew it. The entry permission transfer system's the snag."
Kang Moo-hyuk grimaced, the issue hitting right where he'd expected.
Pyo Beom-hee blinked in surprise at his nonchalant reaction.
"'Knew it'? What? You knew?"
"Yeah. I designed it that way on purpose."
"What the hell? On purpose?"
"Needed a filter."
Perplexed by the cryptic answer, Pyo Beom-hee demanded more details.
Kang Moo-hyuk flicked through the tablet screen as he explained.
"Running a risk assessment right now. But no base model from Taeseong days, so resetting everything from scratch."
"Risk assessment? You got the manpower for that? Hell, do you even have the skills?"
It wasn't unreasonable for Pyo Beom-hee to be shocked. What Kang Moo-hyuk was doing wasn't simple busywork.
Guild Risk Assessment Model
Something only major A-rank-plus guilds—or solid mid-tiers—tackled.
It analyzed threats like rival guild ops, high-rank hunters, gate clears, monster hunts, government policies, public opinion. Diagnosed risks in hunting, management, disputes, supplies. Predicted incidents and prepped countermeasures.
The catch: massive manpower and costs.
Variables everywhere meant models failed often, but big guilds coped within margins. Essential for them.
"No bandwidth for full modeling, hence the grind. Need that filter."
"Ah, 'minimum viable sample'?"
"Exactly. Prioritizing guilds eyeing us first. If they're bending rules to enter, they're a threat or ally—either way, they'll impact Iron Will. Better to poke one hole and control the flow than get blindsided."
Pyo Beom-hee shook her head in disbelief.
"Hah? You're insane, Guild Leader Kang. Doing that soul-crushing work solo. Wait till the guild grows. Always making extra work for yourself—top in Korea."
"Guild Master's rank-up killed any delays. Can't bet on keeping S-rank secret forever. Prep now."
Iron Will was a freak case, rare even globally.
C-rank capability, but business scale near B—excluding gates. Rider Wolves pushed it toward A potential.
Rep from Rider Wolves and orc war raids matched Slayer's with civilians. Joo Se-ah's fame helped.
Plus an S-rank hunter. Firepower rivaled tier guilds. Average excluding her lagged, though.
Growing too fast. Top-heavy fraction now. Wobbling with every step—not ideal.
Members dreamed big, but Kang Moo-hyuk saw the tightrope clearly.
One enemy kick at weak spots, and it could crumble entirely.
Pyo Beom-hee got it, dropping risk assessment talk.
Ex-Titan, she knew. Risk weeks turned guilds paranoid. Solo? Insane.
No one to lighten his load—that's our guild's issue. Sigh. Wonder what other ex-coworkers are up to. Still dodging Titan? Or burned out after that mess.
She recalled Titan colleagues booted like her.
Kang Moo-hyuk offered all jobs when she joined. Only four signed, including her. The rest? Game-changer if they did.
One slick operator popped up—talented but reckless.
Hyeon Jeong-geon. Solid skills despite the attitude. Where the hell is he? No contact.
As Pyo Beom-hee sighed, Kang Moo-hyuk asked.
"Couple issues, right? What's next?"
"Oh yeah. Member gripes. Patrol duty. Too vast for current staff. Crowded too."
"Sorting soon. Hunters hit hunting grounds hard, less monster cleanup. Recruiting too. Comm team, keep 'em calm meantime."
"Calm? They're just sucking it up. Whining nonstop. Am I babysitter or what?"
"Fast as possible. Comm team, care for 'em."
"Can I hit 'em?"
"'Care,' not 'hit.'"
"Joking. Gotta work. Later."
"I know it's not a joke."
As Pyo Beom-hee grabbed her tablet and turned, Kang Moo-hyuk called again.
"Emphasizing: no Titan-style beatdowns!"
"I'll try."
"Not try—"
She shut the door before he finished.
He tuned her out. Playful talk, but she followed orders.
Then the list nagged him. Hadn't vetted everyone.
Bothers me I skimmed it.
Overloaded workload. No time for per-person checks.
Everyone swamped. Risk eval needed guild insight, hunter traits—veteran analysts only.
Impossible for talent-starved Iron Will.
Pray it passes quiet. Safeguards in place anyway.
Uneasy feeling lingered.
"Just call Joo Se-ah!"
Pyo Beom-hee scowled at the Mana Howling echoing as she exited the building.
She headed to the community center.
Lobby: a cocky guy terrorizing members despite his own mess.
Her temple vein throbbed.
"Who the hell's kid you think our Guild Master is? Quit yelling for her!"
The man tilted his head at her sharp tone.
Huh? Tough one?
Unfazed by his Mana Howling, he demanded her ID.
"Who're you?"
"Who're you?"
"Don't know me?"
"Hence asking. Visitor? Manners—introduce first."
"Park Beom-il."
Murmurs rippled.
"Park Beom-il? That Baekho tiger?"
"Fight junkie here? A+ rank."
"Hunting Joo Se-ah? Provoking?"
No need for intros—Pyo Beom-hee knew the fame.
Baekho Guild expedition 1st party leader. Different tier from Slayer.
Infamous martial tanker, challenging any strong hunter.
Terrifying to most, but not her.
Fought the Tyrant. This guy's nothing new.
Pre-Titan her? Tense. Now post-Tyrant and A-rank up? Meh.
Park Beom-il pressed.
"You?"
"Iron Will Comm Team Leader, Pyo Beom-hee."
"Comm what?"
"Like your guild's management team."
"Gofer?"
"Watch your tongue. Not thugs like your guild."
He glared, incredulous.
"Thugs? Who? Tier guild vs. C-rank trash? Laughable."
"Rude. Can't compare brute idiots to elegant intellectuals like me."
"Loose lips sinking ship?"
"Call properly. 'Whoa' my ass—from a kid?"
"Kid?!"
Her barbs fueled his scowl. Tiger Face earned.
Not a civvie. Hunter knew Baekho rep. Yet stiff? Irksome.
"Sigh. Tried nice."
"Same. Behave or else."
"Nice? Ha!"
He clenched fist.
Crack!
Her hand struck first. He palm-blocked inches from face.
Snarling teeth bared.
"Comm team? Hands faster than mouth."
"My mouth's on my fist."
He sneered.
"Lightweight. Tickles."
"Fists ain't my best. But this'll sting."
"What?"
His body crumpled like truck-hit, soaring out the lobby window in a shatter.
Stunned hunters gawked.
Pyo Beom-hee eyed the culprit.
"Morning."
"Eul-ji, you're late."
"Not caught yet. Play dumb, Team Leader?"
"Lucky Guild Master's out."
"Knew and skipped."
Pyo Beom-hee chuckled at the guild's youngest star. Joo Se-ah feared, yet slacking like a high schooler ditching study hall.
Ballsy or dense?
Go Eul-ji pointed outside.
"Who's the morning screamer? Break's over, already pissed and noisy."
"Hit without knowing?"
"You said hit."
"When?"
"Chin flick like this."
"Grab. Not hit."
"Didn't hit. Tossed."
"Same diff."
Park Beom-il stormed back, murderous.
"Bitches. Toss me and flirt?"
Transforming: muscles bulged, hair lengthened, fangs protruded, pupils slitted.
Baekho's star: Beastman Transformation.
"Transformers tanky. Hate that. Poison stick?"
"Oh shit. Broke glass. Deducted from pay?"
Black aura swirled her. Go Eul-ji's hand aimed.
Battle ready—shadow loomed behind Park Beom-il.
He whirled; blade met jaw first. Warning.
"Park Beom-il. Trouble here's bad."
"Jang... Deok-gu."
"Still stalking our Guild Master? Sorry, clingy guys ain't her type."
Park Beom-il ground teeth at the tease.
"Slayer too. Blocking again?"
"Go nice. No blood in new nest."
"Gonna fix you someday."
Despite bluster, he reverted.
Those women tough, plus Jang Deok-gu? 3v1 no-go.
Seemed reckless, but tier expedition pro: cold calculus. Wanted duel, not brawl. Not waste strength pre-Joo Se-ah.
Hunters shocked at retreat.
Park Beom-il? Backing down?
He hated the stares. Face lost twice.
Damn. Don't know Jang Deok-gu.
He did.
Villains' villain.
Executioner merciless to scum.
Shadow dweller over light. Unknown to most, but high-ranks knew: Weapon Master. Mastered all arms to extremes. Tricky—style shifted per weapon.
No sure win. Life-on-line mutual destruction likely.
To save face:
"No fuss. Just settle unfinished Slayer duel with your Guild Master."
"No fight, no settle."
"You and Seong Seon-je blocked every time."
"Quiet spell broken? Dial it back. Teetering now."
"Scared she'll embarrass you?"
Jang Deok-gu tempted to toss him to Joo Se-ah. S-rank fist might fix him.
Can't. Fight reveals her rank. No ruining Leader's plans over punk.
Kang Moo-hyuk assigned patrol for this.
"Chance someday. Not now. Quit before ejection."
"Fine. Not my day."
Compliant exit puzzled Jang Deok-gu.
Pyo Beom-hee cleared.
"Show's over. Back to work."
She ordered Facilities for window. Nodded to Jang Deok-gu as he left.
She pulled tablet. Busy, unsorted watchlist. Today's untouched. But Park Beom-il? Flag.
Go Eul-ji sidled up.
"That old guy's who? Saw near Guild Master before."
"Dunno exactly. Leader said mentor? Guardian? Something."
"Mentor? Explains scary face."
"Knows your grandpa too. Met?"
"Ignore Association stuff. Only grandpa teachers."
"Grandpas?"
"Grandpa's pals."
Pyo Beom-hee spotted familiars, sighed.
"Damn. Shoulda flagged these front. Back-loaded?"
Her skim too, but assumed Titan-style priority sort.
Details like this plagued Kang Moo-hyuk.
Realizing guild flaw, she vowed fix. Warn at least.
Solo tough. Needed mobile suppressor.
Agile, subduer. Busy otherwise. Lee Jin-joo? No Song-rin? Nah, swamped. Who...? Aha!
"Eul-ji, free now?"
"Training. Skip, Guild Master kills."
"She's out."
"Huh, true?"
"One job with me."
"Job? Rather train."
"Yeah. BTA photobook unreleased B-cuts."
"What to do?"
Path from community center to Hunter Village.
A loitering hunter tailed Park Beom-il.
"Tae-seop? Wait at dorms. Why follow?"
"How'd it go, Party Leader?"
"Fine, see? Tough nuts."
"Expected. No pedigree, but won't expose Guild Master easy."
"Hoped. Seong Seon-je's rigid. Thought clear, but worse here."
"Worse?"
"Nasty fucker."
Party member Go Tae-seop sighed cautiously.
"Personal done. Now official."
"Know. Not forgot."
"Time short."
"Week guaranteed per entry."
"You caused scene. Eject soon? Finish first."
He frowned at the nag.
"Fuck. Wasting premium talent. Brass clueless."
"You're brass."
"Upper brass. Tch! No witch fight. Stress city. Intel?"
"Tailing."
"Finally? Not pruned?"
"Watching chance. Crowded eyes."
"Tch! Slow. No reliable from them. Customers only, or smash."
"Joo Se-ah turf. All behave sans you."
"Fuck it. Direct. Their hands too slow."
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