142. I Wanted to Tell You That
“This way! Over here, hurry!”
“Anyone who can walk, support each other and move. For the severely injured, make stretchers and carry them. Lay the critical cases on carts.”
“No more potions? There are too many wounded. We’ve used up our stock.”
“For civilians, mix it with the diluent. You don’t know what diluent is? Then just mix it with water for now. Ratio of 10 to 1. Don’t use it on frail elderly—they’ll go into shock. For kids, 15 to 1. Don’t eyeball it; use the dropper in the ampoule kit I gave you and measure by drops.”
The Slayer Guild expedition team guided the evacuation with practiced efficiency, even without specific orders from Seong Seon-je.
Tier guilds’ elite hunters weren’t just fighters. They were the best in Korea because they executed any mission flawlessly.
Truly convenient. No need for micromanagement.
Kang Moo-hyuk was impressed. This level of organization was beyond what the current Iron Will Guild could dream of.
Titan Guild’s elites from his old job could handle it too, but Slayer did it faster, more efficiently, and more proactively.
It might seem minor, but that initiative was what separated tier guilds from A-ranks.
Each of them could lead a full raid party on their own.
“Kinda hurts my pride. Compared to our guild, they make us look bad. And there’s only a handful of them.”
As No Song-rin said, there were just four Slayer expedition hunters here. The rest were off on other ops. These four were directing the prison village hunters in the evacuation.
Getting a glimpse of Slayer Guild’s fabled power firsthand gave him chills.
“But Guild Leader Kang, you’re really going with that strategy?”
“Yes. It’ll minimize casualties.”
“True, but… in this city?”
“Nowhere else to use it.”
No Song-rin looked at Kang Moo-hyuk with a face like he’d thrown up his hands in defeat.
Usually so mild-mannered, but ruthless with monsters. Almost feel sorry for the beasts. Huh? Message?
No Song-rin relayed the new intel.
“Slayer team leader says the defensive line’s set. Monsters are hitting the village perimeter. They’ll hold and delay—how long do we need?”
“As long as possible. Mr. Jo and the guides are scouting the exit route; it’s taking time. Plus, lots of wounded.”
“Yeah, even I got lost in there. What kinda underground maze has paths that twisted?”
“But it saved us. We’ll use it as an escape route.”
It was Kang Moo-hyuk’s plan, but No Song-rin probed cautiously.
“Chinese hunters gonna just let us slip out? If they block the entrance, we’re screwed.”
“They won’t. Couldn’t even if they wanted to. Especially the ‘smuggler’s path’—very few know it. Narrow and complex, so large groups take time, but better than nothing.”
Kang Moo-hyuk had focused on the path used in the smuggling incident that killed Kim Byeong-ju.
The incident that killed the village’s leader figure was now ironically providing a way out for the villagers. Truly ironic.
He’d considered evacuating via the smuggler’s path when the Chinese first attacked.
Problem was, enemies blocked the underground tunnels, cutting off access. Now that the siege was lifted, guides would suffice.
No Song-rin nodded, adding another reason.
“Plus, Slayer’s here.”
“That too, but crucially, no reason to block. They’re after the city, not the village. Sending monsters first was just petty revenge. Real goal: monsters swarm Sinuiju, destroy the city. That choice backfired—now it’s our chance to save it.”
Kang Moo-hyuk spoke to No Song-rin but stared elsewhere. Pale and staggering like he might collapse, yet his eyes burned with fierce light.
He glared at the unseen monster horde and muttered.
“Monsters… not a single one gets out of here today.”
“Whoa, not even the expedition leader. First time seeing Team Leader Seong hand over command. To an outsider, no less.”
Gam Woo-young whistled in admiration at Seong Seon-je’s unexpected decision.
He’d heard about Kang Moo-hyuk from Seong Seon-je before, but seeing him acknowledge someone in person hit different.
Made sense why Joo Se-ah entrusted him with full authority.
Ha Hye-seong, watching from the side, shot her simpleton junior a warning glance.
“Watch your mouth.”
Scolding him, she nodded subtly toward where the Slayer Guild expedition leader stood.
“Ah!”
Gam Woo-young belatedly shut up. He’d been rude to one of his three most respected hunters.
Slayer Guild’s youngest expedition leader, So Sang-yeop.
The ace who let Seong Seon-je step back to strategy chief without regrets.
Flawless in personal skill, leadership charisma, character, and command. A perfect hunter.
His pride matched, so handing command to an outsider must sting.
That’s why even the banter-loving Red Gate crew was silent.
But contrary to their worries, So Sang-yeop was calm. Even expectant.
“Nah, first time for me too. Seeing the strategy chief look entertained. Gotta say, that plan blew my mind. Kang Moo-hyuk lives up to the hype—unconventional.”
Against expectations, So Sang-yeop agreed with Gam Woo-young. He watched Kang Moo-hyuk with interest.
Seong Seon-je. Joo Se-ah. People they chose or tried to. With their stake in Korean hunters, impossible not to care about Kang Moo-hyuk. Tier guilds have eyed him for a while.
So Seong Seon-je tested him with expedition command. To gauge his capabilities.
I was curious too.
Unlike the team’s concerns, Seong Seon-je had pre-approved handing temporary command to Kang Moo-hyuk with So Sang-yeop.
Otherwise, even he wouldn’t override the expedition leader unilaterally.
“Leader. Mobs incoming.”
A curt report came in.
So Sang-yeop snapped from thought and ordered the team.
“No rushing ahead just ‘cause you’re hyped. Vent stress elsewhere. Hold position. Our goal: help civilians retreat safely. Don’t punch holes in the line and embarrass us.”
With So Sang-yeop back to normal, the team relaxed and replied.
“Don’t trash the city just to look cool for the leader.”
“It’s doomed anyway—why care?”
“Let’s make Joo Se-ah regret leaving us.”
“Tsk!”
“Why bring up Joo Se-ah here?”
“Idiot has no tact.”
“What’d I say wrong?”
The team ribbed the hunter who mentioned the touchy subject, finishing battle prep.
So Sang-yeop commanded.
“Play with the monsters till the op order drops. Wanna critique Guild Leader Kang Moo-hyuk’s plan today?”
“Kwaaa!”
The fight started with an ogre.
“Cough!”
Sha Ojan forced down the backflowing blood, gripping his staff. His gritted teeth were blood-red. Veins bulged in his bloodshot eyes, ready to burst.
Overdid it.
Side effect from chugging potions like water and dumping mana. A mistake he’d never make normally. But this wasn’t normal.
Monster bitch. Really no match in her rank? Magic Killer lives up to it—total counter to me. Skill’s busted, but feels like fighting an S-rank.
Sha Ojan unwittingly neared the truth.
Regrettably, he didn’t suspect she was truly S-rank. A+ to S was just one wall, but impossibly high.
If easy to climb, S-ranks would overflow.
“Wheel formation was solid, group buffs good, persistent vital strikes decent. Too bad you faced me.”
Joo Se-ah stood holding a hunter in each hand. The one gripped by the collar had his earth armor crumbling from the face down. The hair-grabbed one groaned, arm twisted unnaturally.
“Monster bitch…”
Dozens of hunters littered around Joo Se-ah. Broken weapons stabbed the ground; warhorses turned to sand. The riverbank, ravaged by the water dragon, had streams letting river water in.
“I look like a monster? Maybe you’re just weak.”
Joo Se-ah tossed the hunters aside and waded out through knee-deep water.
Finally facing the last Dandong attacker, Sha Ojan.
She wasn’t unscathed either.
“You’ve earned the right to say that… since your armor coat’s only torn.”
“That’s the problem. It’s expensive. Our guild’s still broke. As guild master, fighting mobs is fine, but numbers scare me more. Lucky we got a competent leader.”
“What bullshit in this situation?”
“Without that competent leader, you’d all be dead today. Be grateful you’re still breathing.”
Suddenly, Sha Ojan noticed the downed hunters.
No corpses?
The gap felt wider. Ranks varied by traits and talent, sure.
But this huge? No way—
Crack!
Joo Se-ah’s fist slammed Sha Ojan’s gut.
“Don’t space out. Makes me wanna hit you.”
“Cough! Al—already… hit me…”
“Oh, sorry. My hands are quick.”
Thud. Clutching his gut, Sha Ojan knelt, face in sand.
Conscious but combat ineffective.
Joo Se-ah leaned to his ear.
“Take your kids and go back the way you came. Come again, I kill. For real.”
Her mocking laugh echoed like a witch’s to Sha Ojan.
After ordering Won Ha-o, Jang Jung-shin moved to escape Sinuiju via underground passages. Gate-boss-level monsters couldn’t stop Slayer Guild. At best, delay them.
They’ll hunt me once it’s over.
Even a fallen Korean hunter world had Slayer as an exception. Seong Seon-je was top-tier, even eyed by American guilds. Desk-bound now, but still a watchlist figure in China alongside Joo Se-ah.
Natural Jang Jung-shin avoided facing Slayer.
Yet despite urgency, his steps dragged.
“Damn! That stab wasn’t just a blade.”
The spot stabbed by Hyeon Jeong-geon—actually Mr. Jo disguised—throbbed.
Potion first aid done, but whatever the dagger did, his condition sucked.
Not poison—detox potions do nothing. Feels like wading through water; senses dulled.
A minor hit forcing Jang Jung-shin to rest awhile.
“Slow as expected.”
“Kuh!”
Only upon hearing the voice did Jang Jung-shin realize he was under attack.
Something forced into his thigh. Mana barrier failed. He barely dodged follow-ups, assuming defense.
Hyeon Jeong-geon stood where darkness had been.
“Hyeon Jeong-geon…!”
“Mr. Jo slipped you some meds, and you didn’t even notice me approach. Drug’s hitting hard?”
“What nonsense?”
“Oh? Stabbed in disguise? Yeah, had to be to tag Sinuiju’s kingpin. Fun trait, though.”
Still baffled, Jang Jung-shin assumed mockery.
“Know when to quit. Mocking my defeat?”
“Not mocking—just saying hi. Been fun: hiring Joseon hunters to harass, sending assassins, torching my office. All you.”
“Would’ve been funnier taking your head.”
“Haha. Curious, but you ain’t worthy. Too small-time.”
“Here to mock after all?”
“Huh? Yeah, kinda came out that way. Correction: here to mock. How’s it feel? Your scheme in ruins. Sinuiju’s no cakewalk either?”
Jang Jung-shin’s killing intent flared at the sneering Hyeon Jeong-geon. He drew his sword, extending a mana blade long. Full power from the start.
“Your face always pissed me off.”
“Really? I liked yours.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon drew his black dagger, infusing mana.
“Guild Leader Kang said to keep you from eyeing Sinuiju again, cut off the head.”
“He called me a snake head, not dragon. Honored.”
“You know Sinuiju inside out, led this plan. Guilds rallied around you. Without you, they won’t touch it awhile. Unless brute force.”
“So if I escape alive, you’re in trouble?”
“Yeah. If you escape alive.”
“!!”
Jang Jung-shin’s ambush halted, body snagged. Alarm blared in his head.
Shit! That stab had something!
Hyeon Jeong-geon answered the question over his face.
“Not poison in you now. Not drugs. Something else.”
“What’d you do?”
“Don’t need to know. Revealing now: my final mission’s assassinating you, Jang Jung-shin.”
“No shit? Obvious from the situation!”
“Wanted to tell you that. You’re an idiot. Messed with the wrong guy big time.”
Crisis moment, but Jang Jung-shin didn’t yield. At least take Hyeon Jeong-geon to hell.
Mocking his resolve, Hyeon Jeong-geon went all-out.
“Won’t get careless like you. Arrogance taboo vs. assassins. Showing my hand—even hid it from Guild Leader Kang.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon’s body crumbled. Form vanished in darkness. Voice remained.
“Die.”
Darkness flooded Jang Jung-shin’s vision.