120. Now I'm Really Curious?
Kang Moo-hyuk's mind reeled at the name on the business card, but he first arranged for Yi Suk-young to stay within the guild.
He had planned to follow up with testimonies from Seo Soo-ji's group and interrogations of the mysterious hunters, but seeing the card changed his mind.
If this is the Hyeon Jeong-geon I know... then whatever that 'thrill-seeker(?)' has touched? I won't touch it with a ten-foot pole.
Thrill-seeker.
That was Kang Moo-hyuk's term for Hyeon Jeong-geon. Nothing else fit. The man found motivation in excitement and stimulation.
Hyeon Jeong-geon loved creating, intervening in, and manipulating thrilling incidents.
The one silver lining is that he has his own code of ethics, in his twisted way.
His former colleagues from Titan saw him as sly and cunning but competent—a solid hunter.
Kang Moo-hyuk had no doubts about his abilities. But from working together, he knew Hyeon Jeong-geon was dangerous. There were times he'd been convinced the man could turn into the worst kind of villain with one misstep.
Even Ma Tae-soo, the vice guild master, avoided using him.
Ma Tae-soo, who would recruit even Ujungdo alumni if they were useful, had shunned Hyeon Jeong-geon.
Yet that man had stuck by Kang Moo-hyuk's side as a close aide for two years. They'd accomplished much together, but the near-disasters were countless. Even now, Kang Moo-hyuk could hardly believe how he'd cleaned up some of those messes.
I need to reassess the situation. Sort through the testimonies so far and what I know about Makyung. Only then will patterns emerge.
First, he simplified things.
He pulled out a notepad and listed connections by location, person, and chronology in order of likelihood. It was his go-to method for mapping complex cases.
He started with Russia—the origin of Makyung intel and the first sign of suspicious activity.
Russia → Char Guild → Makyung → Chinese Guilds → Gate → Mysterious Device → Yi Suk-young (Witness) → Korean Hunters (Pursuers) → Sinuiju → Hyeon Jeong-geon → North Pocheon → Baekho Guild → Kim Myeong-jun → Tae Su-cheol
"Eliminate the disconnected points first..."
Kim Myeong-jun was the start. He linked to Baekho Guild, but Tae Su-cheol had no ties to Makyung.
Considering Taeseong Group's connection to Joo Se-ah, it wasn't odd for Kim Myeong-jun—tasked with sabotaging her—to link with Taeseong's eldest son. Likely just brokering deals.
What about Baekho Guild?
Baekho was ambiguous. For a tier guild, its reputation was abysmal, but no hard proof tied it to Makyung.
The Korean hunters chasing Yi Suk-young might just be clients. Or, per Go Eul-ji's testimony, Baekho could be deeply involved, even trying to eliminate those hunters.
But assigning Park Beom-il—a top-tier asset—felt off.
The real sticking points are Hyeon Jeong-geon and Sinuiju.
Sinuiju made sense as Yi Suk-young's escape route. But Hyeon Jeong-geon was too sudden.
Of course, one of Kang Moo-hyuk's known risks popping up now raised alarms.
Too suspicious to call coincidence.
The card suggested he was brokering in Sinuiju now.
It might suit him. He always chased thrills, and no place in Korea matched Sinuiju's spectacle. Brokering there fit perfectly.
Gazing at the notepad, Kang Moo-hyuk's eyes lingered on "Korean Hunters (Pursuers)" and he muttered.
"Korean hunters pursuing from a gate in a Chinese guild's Makyung sector? That's worth digging into."
He picked up the receiver and dialed the Guild Cooperation Department.
The voice on the other end belonged to Park Chung-su, the section chief who'd accidentally become Iron Will's liaison after taking Kang Moo-hyuk's first call.
After brief pleasantries, Kang Moo-hyuk cut to the chase.
"Section Chief Park, can you get me a list of hunters who've naturalized to China? Nothing major—just scouting talent. Good persuasion might bring them back with citizenship restored."
He fabricated a plausible excuse to avoid worry.
"Yes, legal transfers only, no illegals. And the Chinese guilds they joined. Might need for negotiations. No, not all—just the guilds with the most Korean recruits, ranked by that. Include guild sizes per Chinese rankings. Oh, and any joint hunts or business with Korean guilds. China runs on 'guanxi,' right? Easier to reach through familiar guilds."
He couldn't outright ask about Baekho's Chinese partners.
Mentioning a tier guild's China ties might tense up the department.
They were already jittery from Russia and Makyung mentions. Dragging in China would burden their limited international reach.
But the principled, sharp Cha Gil-ju might dig into Baekho regardless.
Baekho was a heavyweight even Slayer eyed warily. Better to investigate personally than stir trouble.
-Yeah, Chinese do get loyal over guanxi—hunter world too. Got it. I'll check and call back.
Luckily, guanxi sealed it without suspicion.
Still missing pieces for judgment, but Kang Moo-hyuk felt he couldn't stay desk-bound anymore.
This blend of chance and design felt bigger than a spark.
He fiddled with the card nonstop, tapping it on the desk in thought.
"Can't just ignore without talking."
He dialed the number on the card.
After rings, a click, then a familiar voice.
-Yes, 'Anything You Need' Brokerage. Hyeon Jeong-geon speaking.
The voice stirred old memories, playful tone confirming it.
"You're making it too obvious if you planned this. Section Chief Hyeon."
-Aigoo, who is this? Team Leader Kang Moo-hyuk—no, Guild Leader now? Nearly messed up with a big shot. Been well? Worried when you left Titan. Now leading Korea's most promising guild. Haha. Or did you make it promising?
"Skip the flattery. What's with Yi Suk-young? Why risk it like this?"
Straight to the point, Hyeon Jeong-geon clapped his knee in affirmation.
-Knew you'd catch on. Wasn't sure the card would reach you—fifty-fifty.
"North Pocheon's a dead end. Why send Korean hunters chasing from Makyung across the border there? Tricking her it's safe assumes sacrifice. Suspicious intent."
A hint of anger edged Kang Moo-hyuk's voice—rare for his even keel. It underscored Hyeon Jeong-geon's unique ability to irk him. Impressive, in a way.
-Hahaha. Sure, some intent... but
"Malicious toward Yi Suk-young."
-No grudge against her.
"Sending her to North Pocheon assumes her death."
-Yeah, bad luck might kill her. She had no better options.
Kang Moo-hyuk scoffed.
"If she died in North Pocheon, her effects would've reached me. Card found. That's malice."
-Overthinking. Hunters dispose of bodies—monster bait, no traces. Low odds I'd choose that relay.
"Unless you had reason. You're that type, President Hyeon Jeong-geon."
-What if I just couldn't get Iron Will's direct line? Card was safest.
"Not the answer I want. Hiding something."
-After years together? Tsk, no trust. Feels like you have malice.
Silence stretched. Hyeon Jeong-geon broke it.
-Assume you're right. Why the roundabout contact? Card might not deliver.
"Maybe Yi Suk-young couldn't know? If caught, her spilling you'd contact me directly? Card's disposable, but a direct request risks exposure. Better no contact than that risk. Speculation."
-Knew you'd be the solution.
Odd words, deep sigh—like hot breath through the line.
-Guild Leader. Come to Sinuiju?
"Sorry, schedule's packed. No time for a Sinuiju jaunt. State your business over phone or come down."
-Want to, but can't leave. Too sensitive for phone.
"No reason to accommodate you."
-No. You must come. Serious shit here.
Serious?
A word Hyeon Jeong-geon had never uttered.
Not his style.
Even in Titan, with half the raid team shredded mid-gate, no such term.
Ignoring felt like regret waiting.
This is why I avoided him. Should've never called. Talking makes ignoring impossible.
Chills prickled his arms from foreboding.
"Soon as I wrap urgents, I'll call. We'll set a meet then."
-As soon as possible. Talk soon.
Call ended; Kang Moo-hyuk summoned No Song-rin.
"What do you need?"
"Trip to Sinuiju. Check the situation."
* * *
Sinuiju.
Korean soil, abandoned by Korea.
Border hub with easy land-sea access, once a trade post and Yalu timber hub. Peaked over 300,000 population, but the Great War ruined it.
Post-war, North Korean hunters resisted absorption, using it as a rebel base.
Then the "Little War"—major outbreaking—expanded Makyung, leaving Sinuiju the sole unblocked border city to China. Nearly 400,000 gathered.
Half Chinese or ethnic Koreans; quarter descendants of purged North hunters; rest hidden criminals, brokers, and hangers-on.
Gotham of the hunter era—hope long gone, a modern slum writ large.
"President Hyeon says eat my rice? Then don't stir shit here."
"Talkers don't bring blades."
"If words worked, I'd have. Act like a broker—lick asses quietly. No rallying."
"They won't anyway. All scraping by."
"Last warning. Aid North folk again like last time? No meals for you. Got it?"
"Hah, Chinese lapdog now? Have conscience, kin. Don't fleece your own."
"Funny, you begging kinship. Hyena."
"Not for laughs. Awkward even to me. Faces known—no gain fighting. Let it slide."
"Hmph. Prosper. Stay clean."
"Bye. Not far."
Unwelcome guest gone, Hyeon Jeong-geon checked last night's text.
"Faster than expected. Kang Moo-hyuk."
He sent a location, muttering.
"Wonder how you'd handle this. Really curious now?"