124. Calling in the Allies
“So, what you're saying, Director Kang, is that you've got this mana addiction thing making you vulnerable to mana? Without those syringes, your life's hanging by a thread. Man, your life's gotta be one hell of a thrill ride.”
“Even with the potion, there's no telling when it'll hit. If we're lucky, a few days. Or it could worsen gradually.”
“And if we're unlucky?”
“Worst case, the symptoms could flare up today and kill me.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon mouthed a silent whoa.
It wasn't shock at a monster hunter staking his life on the hunt now facing a deadly disease. What stunned him more was Kang Moo-hyuk's utter detachment toward his terminal illness.
A guy with a death sentence acting this nonchalant? Sure, he's got meds, but his emergency syringes are all smashed, and outside, Chinese hunters are swarming to nab us.
Kang Moo-hyuk picked up a small plastic case from his belongings on the bedside table and continued.
“The silver lining is that these oral meds are left. They won't fully control the symptoms, but they'll buy time through the immediate crisis. Of course, without the syringes, it's still only half-effective—same anxiety.”
“So we can buy some time with that?”
“We usually plan for the worst. But right now, staying positive is the only way the conversation even makes sense. Let's assess the situation first, then decide our direction.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon nodded, spreading one finger on each hand and wagging them.
“Good news and bad news. Which first?”
“Good news in this situation?”
“Yep. Your injuries are all fixed. Broken limbs, cracked skull—potion took care of nearly everything.”
“And the bad news is I might die anyway thanks to the potion?”
“That's part of it... but the real urgent issue is communications are cut off here.”
“Here meaning Sinuiju?”
Kang Moo-hyuk tilted his head, face full of doubt.
“Even with heavy Chinese hunter influence, Sinuiju is technically Korean soil. Shutting down a whole city to grab two people seems overkill.”
“I meant just the prison village here.”
“I figured, but yeah—only safe spot around. So this is your hideout, President Hyeon?”
“You knew? That I was here?”
“Overheard you talking with Jang Jung-shin earlier.”
“When'd you learn Chinese?”
“Translation artifact. That necktie pin on the table. Sponsored by the World Hunter Federation.”
“Federation?”
Hyeon Jeong-geon feigned casual surprise, but inside, he was floored.
The Federation hadn't linked with Korea since the Great War. Rumors swirled about their old chairman's activities, but officially, Korea was a backwater in the global hunter world—worlds apart from the Federation's influence.
A C-rank guild like Iron Will tying into the Federation? Mind-blowing on its face.
And Director Kang's connected to them? This isn't just guild drama—could be shaking up the whole Korean hunter scene under the radar.
Reading his thoughts, Kang Moo-hyuk added,
“Nothing grand. Just met through Chairman Han Byung-gu's introduction.”
The words “business” and “Han Byung-gu” twisted Hyeon Jeong-geon's mind further.
Business with the Federation, big or small. And Han Byung-gu, of all people.
Toothless tiger, has-been from a bygone era—plenty of trash talk, but no denying his stature in Korean hunters or his symbolic weight to the public.
Normally you'd hide that. If he wanted to brag, it'd be all over the news already. So why tell me? What's his angle? Can't read this guy.
Like before, Kang Moo-hyuk remained inscrutable, leaving Hyeon Jeong-geon uneasy.
Am I the entertainment here, or is he just playing me? Got backstabbed a few times working with him at Titan.
Of course, even that had been a fun game to Hyeon Jeong-geon.
He held a unique moral code: the one who gets hit deserves it.
“We veered off-topic. Back to comms. Does this kind of blackout happen often in the prison village?”
“Not common, but not rare. This place has the worst infrastructure in notorious Sinuiju. Cut a few cables, kill a few cell towers, and boom—back to Joseon era.”
“Then let's go old-school. Send a person out to contact the outside—reach a spot with signal and call Iron Will.”
“Think the bastards who jammed comms will let anyone slip through? These chinks are vicious. Outside's chaos right now. They've blocked every road, controlling all movement.”
“Controlling movement means...”
“No one in or out of the village.”
Kang Moo-hyuk sounded baffled.
“Block movement, you block supplies too. The locals just sitting still? I heard even Chinese hunters don't mess with this place lightly.”
“They don't. Folks here are rabid dogs—once they bite, they don't let go.”
“And?”
“Rabid dogs have families. They don't fear fighting, but hurting parents or kids? Terrifying. Big battles mean civilian casualties. They avoid fighting inside Sinuiju unless desperate.”
“Show force, avoid clash? Solid strategy.”
“In our terms, pragmatic compromise.”
“Excuse of the weak too. Just scraping by day to day. If China's really taking Sinuiju, that mindset won't last.”
Kang Moo-hyuk's assessment sounded snide at first, but it was straight facts.
Hyeon Jeong-geon pointed to a more pressing issue.
“We might drop first.”
“What now?”
“Overheard outside while scouting. Jang Jung-shin warned the village: hand over me and the director, or no lifting the siege. Starve or sacrifice us—pick one.”
Kang Moo-hyuk's face turned gravely serious, unlike before.
“Hiding alone might not get us out alive. Need more intel.”
* * *
While Kang Moo-hyuk was trapped in Sinuiju, North Pocheon was starting an uneasy day.
Joo Se-ah was stuck there, unable to track Kang Moo-hyuk after his overnight radio silence.
“So what do these tiger-or-cat bastards want?”
“The hunters we got locked in the guild basement.”
“The ones Director Kang locked up?”
“Yes.”
Hearing Jang Deok-gu's report, Joo Se-ah propped her chin on the desk, deep in thought.
They let Eul-ji snag 'em easy, but now this fuss? Suspicious as hell.
Last night, Baekho Guild had seized the North Pocheon entrance, booted the admins, and staged an armed standoff. At dawn, they crossed the fence, advancing near guild HQ to threaten.
Jang Deok-gu and Lee Jin-joo led reserves out, and they retreated—but less from fear, more like flexing they could invade anytime.
Joo Se-ah sensed Baekho's moves tied to Kang Moo-hyuk's disappearance.
No proof, but the timing was too perfect.
“Feels like they knew something and pinned my feet.”
“Linked to Director Kang Moo-hyuk?”
“Random street beef's suspicious enough. A tier guild pulling this sneaky shit? Major red flags.”
“Baekho Guild.”
Jang Deok-gu's point made Joo Se-ah nod instinctively.
“I know they're thugs. But they're not brainless. Never move without gain—that's why it's fishy.”
“Whatever. We gotta move fast. Director might be in danger. Bust through 'em or smash 'em—pick and decide.”
Jang Deok-gu had no illusions of talking it out.
No one ever resolved cleanly with Baekho. Hunter or guild—cross them, you get crushed. Industry gospel.
Knowing their brutality well, Jang Deok-gu prioritized the hunter creed: fists over words.
His confidence against a tier guild stemmed from Joo Se-ah.
“No. I need to stay at HQ.”
After long deliberation, Joo Se-ah spoke, leaving Jang Deok-gu puzzled.
“Thought you cared for the director... Unexpected.”
“Guild master's duty not to leave the guild empty. Especially with those fuck... cough, delinquent guilds out front.”
“Tempered a lot. Commendable or disappointing?”
“Even Director Kang would say the same. Protecting the guild is guild master's top virtue.”
With her resolve set, Jang Deok-gu offered an alternative.
“Then send me or Expedition Leader Lee Jin-joo with a search team to Sinuiju?”
“Neither. Can't spare top forces. Against Baekho's numbers, even showing my hand means casualties. Can't block ten thieves with one hand—who knows their tricks. They won't go full war in Korea soil, but...”
“Problem is they're the crazy ones. Pros at backstabs.”
“Yeah. But I trust Director Kang's handling his own safety somehow.”
“Wait 'til Baekho backs off?”
“No way. Hands off as guild master? Unfit.”
“What's the play?”
Joo Se-ah reached for the receiver.
“Play the cards we got. Calling in allies. Rock-solid ones.”
* * *
Baekho vice master Eum Yeong-jin stared at the North Pocheon fence while on the phone.
“Teacher Jang, that guy you met—the problem child—is he really Kang Moo-hyuk?”
“It was all over TV for a bit. One of my kids recognized him. Definitely Kang Moo-hyuk.”
“Getting tangled weird.”
“Searching now. Just stall while we handle it. Joo Se-ah heading to Sinuiju would be trouble.”
“Joo Se-ah's more than trouble. Quiet since Taeseong, but not for nothing called Disaster Witch. Why's a disaster a disaster? Strikes like lightning outta nowhere. Lucky she's settled as guild master—doesn't leave lightly.”
“Exposing our hunters chasing that North Korean bitch is awkward, but Kang Moo-hyuk might carry info from Hyeon Jeong-geon. That's the real threat.”
“Handle fast. Government's demanding explanations.”
“Yes. Some interference, but won't take long. Bye.”
Call ended, Eum Yeong-jin scanned guild members setting up large tents, digging in.
Then a vehicle sped toward the admin office.
Baekho hunters stopped it like all visitors—but after a scuffle, dull thuds and shouts erupted.
Eum Yeong-jin approached to see who dared defy Baekho.
Hunters groaned on the ground around the car. Fury rising at the pathetic sight, he decided to punish the culprit personally, consequences be damned.
“Who the hell ignores Baekho warnings and starts shit?!”
“Who? Eum Yeong-jin.”
“You... why here...”
“This punk's gotten mouthy? Success gone to your head—can't recognize your senior now? Mocking the chairman?!”
“Hah, Joo Se-ah's really guild master material. Calling the chairman. Not here to mediate or tell us to back off nicely, right?”
“Look at this punk. Tier guild hat's made you bold?”
“Put a chairman hat on you, live quietly the rest of your days, 'Great' senior.”
Despite the taunt, Han Byung-gu just flushed red, swallowing his usual rage.
“Not here to stop you. Adults' fight, hunters' blades—not my place at my age.”
“Then why?”
“Why? To fetch my granddaughter.”
“Granddaughter?”
“Grandpa!”
A girl's voice from the fence made Eum Yeong-jin turn.
A schoolgirl stomped anxiously at the fence. Behind her, mounted on a wolf...
“Joo Se-ah.”
The name slipped out; he flinched, realizing her mere presence tensed him.
“With an ugly mug like yours blocking the road, my granddaughter's stuck out there from field trip. Satisfied now?”
“Chairman, take your granddaughter and go.”
Joo Se-ah waved and yelled; Han Byung-gu switched from scowl to grin, heading to the fence.
Eum Yeong-jin couldn't block. Didn't ask if real—looked the part. No way to check, no grounds anyway.
Looks young, still a student. Spare one hunter, can't reach Kang Moo-hyuk. Waste to move the chairman for that. Best let it slide.
The pair looked convincingly grandpa-grandkid.
“Grandpa, why so late? I'm starving.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let's go. First time in Pocheon in ages—grab ribs on the way?”
“Yay, eating out rocks.”
“Hop in the car.”
As they boarded, Eum Yeong-jin glared at Joo Se-ah across the fence.
“Guild Master Joo, sneaky side, huh? Called the chairman on purpose? Flaunting connections? Sorry, his words don't sway anymore. Wasted effort.”
“Gonna spank you.”
“What?”
“Gonna spank you once. Twice. Three times.”
“You mocking me?”
“Not today. Later. Swear it—gonna spank you.”
Eum Yeong-jin gaped, then chuckled—but her eyes, brimming with killing intent, killed his laugh.
Witch's eyes.
Disaster-laden eyes.
The thought that disaster might strike him someday flashed through his mind.
* * *
Ring ring! Ring ring! Ring ring!
“Yeah, hello? Oh! Guild Master Joo Se-ah? How'd you get this number? Ah, Director Kang must've given it. Not him today—what brings the guild master? Huh? Work? Man, these guilds work people to death—how much? Say again. How much? ...Sigh, customer. So what's my job? Duh, of course. No one in this biz as reliable as Mr. Jo. Yeah. Sinuiju. Got it. With Go Eul-ji? Yeah. Fine. Don't work with that kid. Huh? Double? Hmm... Whoa! Double double? Sigh, customer. Where to link up? Obviously. No issues with the kid. I'm pro. Payment... Huh? Hold on. Text? Whoa, advance? Sis, you're badass. Lump sum like that? Korea's best. Generous as hell. Haha. Yeah. I'll be there. No worries. Bring him safe if alive. Dead? I'll haul the coffin. Yeah. Hang up.”
Click.
“Kids, rise and shine. Work. Work. Advance paid—let's fire up that work spirit.”