143. Next Room, Please.
“Preparations are complete.”
In response to No Song-rin’s report, Kang Moo-hyuk sketched a mental map.
A containment line centered on the underground passage they were evacuating through.
The monsters were advancing slowly but steadily toward it.
“The Slayer guys are bitching up a storm. ‘How long do we have to keep this up?’ Total chaos. Shouldn’t have linked the messages. Should’ve just dealt with their leader directly. Even hearing it secondhand makes my ears ring.”
“Hold the line until the next containment point. Ignore the grunts’ chatter.”
“Already on it.”
No Song-rin picked at his ear while sending the message.
A new final containment line appeared on Kang Moo-hyuk’s mental map.
After buying more time like that, a message came from Mr. Jo. Evacuation complete.
“Everyone, fall back. All expedition members to the underground passage. Go Eul-ji, final order. Can you handle it?”
Go Eul-ji, who had been lying in the corner wheezing without so much as twitching her lips, slowly sat up.
“Not like I have to catch every last mob. Roughly, sure.”
Kang Moo-hyuk nodded and reviewed the final plan once more.
“Start from the outermost ignition points and blow them. You remember the locations?”
“Yeees. Roughly.”
“Once you’ve triggered them all...”
“Yeah, yeah. I know, I got it. Light ’em up and push the flames inward. But seriously, aren’t you working me to the bone here? Just hire a mage already.”
“Mages are hard to poach. FA market’s not great for them either. And this op isn’t something you’d hand to a solo mage quest under normal circumstances. Without your mobility and durability...”
“Who asked for a lecture? I’m just saying I’ve been busting my ass.”
“......I’ll upgrade your LA concert hotel room.”
“Kya! The boss is better than my grandpa. How do you read me so well? Gimme vacation after this op.”
“As long as you want.”
As Kang Moo-hyuk spoke, the expedition hunters receiving the retreat order began pouring into the underground passage entrance one by one.
Once even Seong Seon-je and So Sang-yeop entered the passage, monsters latched onto their tails and pursued.
A bull-headed monster, the Minotaur, burst in wielding a massive axe, but nearby hunters swarmed it and shredded it in seconds.
“First time meeting. So Sang-yeop.”
“Yes. Kang Moo-hyuk. I’ve heard of you, Leader So.”
“What, monsters swarming and you’re exchanging greetings? Aigoo! Hello, Leader Kang. I’m Gam Woo-young. How’s Se-ah noona? Whoa, this ogre bastard. Look at that thick skull—smashes like pottery and it’s still kicking? How the hell did the Chinese catch these?”
Seong Seon-je shoved the chatty Gam Woo-young toward the monsters as an apology.
“Sorry. My team member’s being rude.”
“No issue. Fitting for the expedition’s next ace.”
“You mean a mess?”
“Genius types are all like that, right?”
At those words, a sharp-eyed man passing by shot Kang Moo-hyuk a glare.
Kang Moo-hyuk recognized him.
Ha Hye-seong. Slayer’s current ace. Took the spot after Joo Se-ah left the guild? Probably pissed I mentioned Gam Woo-young. Doesn’t like his rival’s sparring partner/disciple.
Ha Hye-seong had a long rivalry with Joo Se-ah, so he wasn’t on good terms with her. It made sense he’d dislike Gam Woo-young, who was like her sparring partner or protégé.
Go Eul-ji, looking the same way, caught his irritated glare.
“What’re you staring at? Pissing me off.”
She glared back, jutting her chin.
Ha Hye-seong snorted and walked past.
“Did that jerk just ignore me? Wow, haven’t felt this since the instructors. If I was in form, I’d...”
“Who’s this? Stood out on the prison yard.”
Seong Seon-je latched onto Go Eul-ji like he’d been waiting. He’d had his eye on her since arriving in Sinuiju.
The one who’d flung enemy hunters out of the village on the exercise yard.
He’d already pegged her trait as telekinesis.
Kang Moo-hyuk, cane steadying his unsteady frame, cut in to block the interest.
“No thanks on the interest in our prospect.”
“New face screams rookie. Not FA, and no tampering allowed pre-contract. Hiding her tight.”
“She’s our guild master’s deputy assistant.”
“Secret weapon, huh.”
Kang Moo-hyuk wasn’t hiding her as a secret weapon—he just didn’t want her spilling that the contract was idol-driven.
They’d hooked her with personal connections for concert tickets and fan meets, but Slayer could straight-up host a private concert.
If needed, they’d buy her agency. For one entertainment company to snag Go Eul-ji Hunter, Seong Seon-je would pounce.
Knowing Slayer’s funds and pull, blocking contact was key.
“Kwek! Quack! Kwok!”
“Whoa, this ogre! Still alive? And what’s with the college MT vibe over there? Gonna chit-chat forever? You’re Se-ah noona’s deputy assistant? Cool, nice to meet ya. I’m your oppa Gam Woo-young. What’s your name?”
Even mid-wrestle with monsters, Gam Woo-young wedged into the convo. Meaning the mobs weren’t a real threat. Still, his nonstop yapping wearied even Go Eul-ji, who sighed and shook her head.
“Slayer’s got a lot of crazies too.”
“Looks good. Go Eul-ji Hunter, how’s topside?”
Kang Moo-hyuk checked the time and asked. Go Eul-ji closed her eyes, sensing around.
Seong Seon-je and So Sang-yeop marveled in unison.
Hoo, sensing the whole village?
Spotting monsters beyond obstacles. Not just a prospect.
Confirming her stellar spatial awareness, they took new note of Iron Will’s strength.
Go Eul-ji opened her eyes.
“Village is mobbed. Some trying to head back out.”
“Then start now.”
“Yessir!”
Go Eul-ji blasted through the monsters and out the passage.
Kang Moo-hyuk and the hunters evacuated along the secured underground route out of the village.
Moments later.
A massive explosion echoed from somewhere. They chained continuously. Boom-boom-boom, like a giant stomping, then a train roared past, vibrating the concrete walls right overhead.
Heat seeped from above. Gam Woo-young swallowed dryly at the intensity.
“Hot even down here? Topside must be insane. Burning a whole village to the ground, though. Kang Moo-hyuk... Yeah, our guild couldn’t handle him.”
* * *
Go Eul-ji detonated every mana stone planted from the village edge inward.
Flames raced along pre-soaked oil and wooden homes, spreading in a flash.
The prison village filled with monster screams.
Some tried fleeing outward, but Go Eul-ji wasn’t having it. She circled the village stream, manipulating the blaze.
Filling gaps the fire missed, boosting weak spots with wind gusts.
Trapped without escape, the monsters burned to ash in the inferno.
“Plenty of kindling—burns nice.”
Looping the village, pushing flames inward, she birthed a massive fire tornado.
And it reached the patrol warehouse stocked with mana stones by the prison village hunters.
Boom! Kwang! Kwarung! Puuung! Kuwaaaa!
A mushroom cloud rocketed skyward like a nuke. Go Eul-ji paled.
“Ha, haha... The dam was a joke. Now the whole village? Boss really is scary.”
* * *
With monsters wiped in one go, Go Eul-ji contained the flames from spreading beyond the village.
Everything inside torched, the fire starved and died down.
“Good they targeted the village first. Sinuiju nearly went up. The moved areas are scorched, though.”
Unlucky but fortunate for Seong Seon-je. They’d come to claim Sinuiju—ruined city meant wasted expedition.
“More worried how to console villagers who lost their homes.”
Ryeon Jeong-mun, representing the prison village, raised a practical issue.
Kang Moo-hyuk, who’d razed it, bore responsibility.
“Got that covered. Post-mini-war, government stockpiled mass air tents for refugees. Relief supplies too. These folks are now ROK citizens—eligible. Contacted them; first batch en route. Tent life short-term; we’ll sort the rest step by step.”
As they discussed urgent matters—resident registration, food supply, defense plans, urban cleanup, security—a visitor arrived.
“Team Leader Seong, Se-ah noona’s here.”
Guided by Gam Woo-young, Joo Se-ah entered the borrowed building at the village entrance.
Seong Seon-je noted her battered armor coat—she’d fought elsewhere.
Wondered where she was. Handled the Dandong assault alone? Possible for her, but tough.
Joo Se-ah scanned the office and zeroed on Kang Moo-hyuk.
“Leader Kang, you okay... Oh, Team Leader Seong? Leader So too? Long time.”
“No need hiding Leader Kang’s health from me, Guild Master Joo. Already heard.”
“Can I tell?”
Ignoring Seong Seon-je, Joo Se-ah asked Kang Moo-hyuk.
“Yes. Can’t hide in this state.”
“Then quit messing around—hospital first. Room ready at Taeseong Hospital.”
“After urgent stuff.”
“What’s more urgent than not dying?”
“Lingering Chinese hunters in Sinuiju, plus Joseonjok who helped them—fates unclear. Chase from city, use them, whatever—need decisions.”
“Just be Sinuiju mayor. Spot’s open.”
“One guild’s enough. Once security stabilizes, hold elections here. Government officials manage interim.”
“Joking—don’t take serious. Anyway, hospital. Dump the rest on Team Leader Seong. Handles well.”
“Guess how Guild Master Joo sees me.”
“Reliable, but... Huh? Wait, Guild Master. Still got work...”
As Joo Se-ah tried dragging him out, her smartphone buzzed. Timely call? Just the ring, but tension hung heavy.
“Yes, Joo Se-ah. Yes? Yes. Yess... Got it.”
“Who?”
“Chairman got ambushed.”
Only one she called Chairman: Taeseong Group owner Tae Jin-seong. Her father. Others panicked at her calm reaction.
Kang Moo-hyuk pondered briefly, then asked steadily.
“Chairman okay?”
“Survived. Safe.”
Kang Moo-hyuk sighed in relief, piecing it together.
Baekho Guild... Already moved? With Mr. Jo diverted here for Sinuiju, they strike now. Task him with investigating.
No more delaying Taeseong affairs.
Chairman gone now? Iron Will’s situation complicates further.
Time to end it.
“Taeseong Hospital. Chairman there?”
“Probably. His hospital.”
“Business to do—admit me there.”
“Going to work at the hospital... Sketchy, but goal met. I’ll prep the room.”
“If possible, next to the Chairman’s.”