129. At Least Today.
“Baekho Guild's putting on a show of force in front of North Pocheon? Demanding we hand over the hunters who chased Yi Suk-young, huh?”
Hyeon Jeong-geon, having heard the situation in North Pocheon from Mr. Jo and Go Eul-ji, grew wary of Baekho Guild's movements.
Here, he shared the same concern as Kang Moo-hyuk.
Is it just peripheral involvement, or are they deeply entangled?
He leaned toward the latter. Coincidentally, the timing of their pressure on Iron Will aligned perfectly with when he and the others had been trapped in the prison village.
Even if it was a simple commission, a tier guild like Baekho wouldn't make such a noisy fuss over it.
In that sense, Joo Se-ah's judgment is spot on. Protecting the guild comes first, no matter what. You never know what reckless types like Baekho Guild might pull. And she didn't stop there—dispatching hunters for the leader's rescue? That's impressive. Not just bulldozing through with brute force like the rumors say.
Having worked with Kang Moo-hyuk on the strategic tactics team, Hyeon Jeong-geon had a clear read on the situation.
Put aside the complications for now. Focus on the two big priorities right away.
Rescuing Kang Moo-hyuk and securing the syringe.
When he voiced his thoughts on that, Mr. Jo and Go Eul-ji reacted unexpectedly.
“Is the leader okay? You look sick.”
“Kang Leader needs a syringe? What's that about?”
Hyeon Jeong-geon was taken aback by their responses.
“You both... didn't know about Kang Leader's illness.”
“Spill the details. What's wrong with him?”
Go Eul-ji pressed. Hyeon Jeong-geon clamped his mouth shut. He could guess why Kang Moo-hyuk hadn't told them about his condition.
A guild master's or vice master's health can spell disaster for the organization. Once the illness leaks, it breeds distrust on its own. Gives the opposition ammo.
Kang Moo-hyuk wasn't even a hunter. In this industry, one push off the cliff and you're done. Returning to guild leadership with a disease like that? Near impossible.
That'd be a problem. If Kang Leader steps down, what happens to Big Profit from here on out!
As Hyeon Jeong-geon hesitated, Go Eul-ji prodded him.
“Hey, why're you clamming up? Spill it already.”
“That's not for me to say. Better hear it straight from Kang Leader himself.”
“Oh my god, I've seen this in dramas. When someone's really bad off, they dodge questions like this. Sniff... Is Kang Leader dying?”
“What kinda crap were you listening to? It's manageable with the right meds.”
“Kang Leader can't die. If he does, I'll get dragged back to Grandpa.”
“Hey, Mr. Jo. Does she always ignore people like this?”
“In Korea, only two people can rein her in: Kang Moo-hyuk and Joo Se-ah. Not even blood ties work. She's pure my-way-or-the-highway.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon and Mr. Jo found common ground on the irrelevant bit as they hashed out next steps.
Mr. Jo's conclusion was straightforward.
“Either way, someone's gotta head back in.”
“We bailed out so sudden, I didn't get a chance to ask the leader where to snag another syringe. Escape's the endgame anyway, so yeah, gotta go back.”
“Infiltration route?”
“The spot we just came through is the only exit I found. It's probably sealed now, so we'll need a new way in.”
“Then let's lay it out. We've got two options right now.”
Mr. Jo held up two fingers.
“What are they?”
“One: Go Eul-ji sneaks in. Two: I do.”
“What's the difference?”
“Go Eul-ji's a telekinesist. High-rank, too, despite her antics.”
“What's wrong with my antics?!”
Go Eul-ji snapped, but Mr. Jo ignored her and pressed on.
“She can infiltrate from the air. Tough to pinpoint in the dark, but a vertical drop from way up high should dodge most detection.”
“Veto. The Chinese have a high-level detection skill user—almost passive. She'd get spotted instantly.”
“Even if spotted, no biggie. At my level, I can zip in before they react.”
“You're underestimating Sinuiju. They've got intercept teams. Their skies can shred flying monsters. Even an A-rank takes heavy fire up there and struggles. And if you get tagged on the way in, they might assume rescue's here and storm the prison village. With Kang Leader's condition, blocking them while escaping? Impossible.”
Now Go Eul-ji was the one stonewalling.
Mr. Jo raised his hand.
“Then me going in's the best bet.”
“What's your specialty?”
“You saw it in the tunnels, right? Hiding like a pro.”
“I can hide pretty well myself. But that perimeter's not just guarded by people. It's stacked with detection and scouting gear.”
“Fine by me. I don't mind getting spotted.”
“What're you talking about?”
“I'm just gonna waltz right in.”
“??”
* * *
Hwang Dong-soo gathered his followers in the dead of night.
It was late, but mustering them was easy. Prison village folk ran a 24/7 emergency network like clockwork, neighborhood by neighborhood like mutual aid groups. Naturally, his young crew had their own line.
About thirty young men crammed into Yi Suk-young's house.
At Kang Moo-hyuk's request, she cleared out the main room and porch. Familiar faces, some she'd raised like little brothers since childhood—no complaints about the midnight ruckus.
While Hwang Dong-soo was still out of sight, the young hunters started buzzing about why he'd called them.
“Why'd Brother Dong-soo summon us this late?”
“How should I know? He called, so here we are.”
“Middle of the night like this? Must mean he's made up his mind.”
“Made up his mind about what?”
“You know... that thing.”
“That thing... you don't mean...”
The rowdy house fell silent in an instant. Hope that the long-requested move from Hwang Dong-soo might finally happen.
Then Yi Suk-young emerged from the kitchen.
“You all must be hungry gathering at night. Have some snacks to tide you over.”
She and Kim Gil-young hauled out trays of simple treats.
“Sister-in-law, no need. Why do it yourself? Send the kid.”
“Hey, maknae. Sis's hands are killing her. What're you doing?”
“Aigoo, enough. Can't even split an orc, but worried about a tray? Eat up. Dong-soo's coming soon.”
The clamor from downstairs echoed up to the attic.
Kang Moo-hyuk asked Hwang Dong-soo beside him.
“They treat Yi Suk-young... Madam with real respect.”
“Yeah. Sister Ye-bun married Brother Byeong-ju, who everyone admired, and she's always been like a big sis or mom to the neighborhood kids.”
“And Cheon Deok-su's crew?”
“Not much different there.”
“So someone threatened a woman like that.”
Hwang Dong-soo fell silent. Cheon Deok-su came to mind.
The bastard who'd split the village in two.
He hated him, yet raged at the fact that without him, the village wouldn't function.
Even he himself snuck meds and food for his mom from that guy's black market.
And he'd even resolved to kill two people for her treatment as bait.
Embarrassing, but I've been too checked out from village affairs. No more excuses about Mom's illness. Time to fix it now. Get her treated, too. I've already thrown in with this man—gotta see it through.
Hwang Dong-soo glanced down at Kang Moo-hyuk. He was deep in thought. They'd only met hours ago, but he'd gauged his temperament. Best to wait quietly when lost in contemplation.
Keeps nagging at me. Yi Suk-young...
Kang Moo-hyuk recalled her facing Cheon Deok-su's gang at the house.
From his overhead angle, lip-reading couldn't catch the words, but the vibe was off.
Obviously bad blood, yet her expression as she turned away was poignantly sad. Not the venomous glare at her husband's killer's underlings. More like a kid sharpening a knife for revenge.
Before Cheon Deok-su betrayed and sided with the Chinese, the whole village was like family. I get the emotions, but...
No matter how he rationalized it, something off lingered in Yi Suk-young's face.
Mana addiction makes me oversensitive. Pick up every damn expression, exhausting.
As the disease worsened, thoughts accelerated, every overlooked detail flooded back vivid. Forgotten memories sharpened, piecing into clear mental images.
Body decayed, mind sharpened—a bizarre trade-off.
Kang Moo-hyuk had Sinuiju mapped in his head. The first brushstroke of his plan was underway.
“Looks like everyone's here. Let's head down.”
“Phew... Think it'll go smooth?”
“Nervous, huh.”
“Honestly... embarrassing, but scarier than hunting high-level beasts.”
“It's fine. I'm always scared.”
“Pardon?”
The man serene before an assassin admits fear—Hwang Dong-soo blinked in confusion.
Kang Moo-hyuk rose slowly from the bed.
“Nothing's scarier than bearing responsibility for lives, fates. You've just realized that, Hunter Hwang Dong-soo.”
“......”
Hwang Dong-soo was speechless. Only now did the weight hit: dozens of young lives downstairs in his hands.
“Ugh.”
“Careful.”
Hwang Dong-soo steadied the wobbling Kang Moo-hyuk.
Kang Moo-hyuk patted his shoulder lightly.
“Don't let the pressure crush you. Shake it off. I won't leave you carrying it alone.”
Hwang Dong-soo's tremors vanished like a lie at the encouragement.
“Let's go. At least today, no one dies.”
“Yes!”
* * *
Jang Jung-shin stood atop a building overlooking the prison village.
Ten stories—rare height in Sinuiju.
He sensed tonight would drag. The usual shrouded village felt sentimental, knowing its history neared its end.
All that grinding, and now with the grand plan so close, still causing trouble. At least Kim Byeong-ju's gone.
The steadfast hunter with unyielding eyes.
The one Jang Jung-shin respected in this trash heap of a prison village.
Plenty outranked him, but few matched his depth of mind and iron will. Different nation, ethnicity—but as a fellow hunter, worthy of respect.
Didn't sit right letting him die like that. Me, acknowledging a hunter, snuffed over smuggling. But orders from the organization come first.
Jang Jung-shin had tasked Cheon Deok-su with Kang Moo-hyuk and Hyeon Jeong-geon, planning to raze the village at noon. Mainland reinforcements were ready.
To avoid detection in Sinuiju, they waited across the Yalu in Dandong.
Cheon Deok-su served well enough. Kept the village in check, no major issues. Ruled Sinuiju quietly, boosted my rep upstairs. Hate to waste him, but can't read the bastard's guts. Better ditch a black-hearted snake than risk it. Ryeon Jeong-mun's the issue.
Assassins for him were inbound—no big worries.
“Tomorrow should be fun.”
Jang Jung-shin grinned cruelly.