Chapter 145: Too Thick?
Shanghai, Wukang Road.
The café street on Wukang Road, famous as the old French Concession in China.
The street had been half-destroyed during the Great War, losing much of its former charm, but it had been meticulously restored to evoke the past, making it a must-visit spot for tourists flocking to Shanghai.
In front of a café with a parasol shading the sunlight, two men sat with coffee and an abundant spread of desserts before them.
But neither touched the treats. Unlike the lively atmosphere around them, their faces remained stoically expressionless throughout.
The white-haired man spoke first.
“So, Sinuiju is a bust after all?”
“That's how it turned out.”
“Unbelievable. After all that scheming over the years, to crumble like this right before the grand plan. What happened to Jang Jung-shin?”
“Contact's been cut off. He never showed at the rendezvous point with Won Ha-o.”
“Did he run off because of the reprimand?”
“He's not that irresponsible.”
“Then he was taken out?”
“Probably.”
“What about Dandong? What does Xiao Zan say?”
“Seems like getting beaten by Joo Se-ah hit him hard. Plus, he's too injured to move much.”
“No wonder he can't show his face after getting smashed without landing a single blow. Tsk tsk.”
“Xiao Zan and his strike team went down too easily. There's talk we need to reassess Joo Se-ah's level.”
“S-rank?”
“No. Not enough intel for that yet. But she's always been famous as a magic killer. Total counter to Xiao Zan. Her physical defense is top-tier worldwide—you could count them on one hand. Hard to confirm without testing her against another S-rank. We should focus more on her traits.”
“True. The Japanese are awfully quiet about Korean matters for once, which suggests she's not S-rank yet.”
“The Korean government's the same. If an S-rank popped up, they wouldn't be this subdued.”
“Those politicians are noisy. Media too. Not like here, where the Party leads the people.”
“Our Party's influence isn't what it used to be either.”
“Watch your mouth—that's dangerous talk. Hunters or not, we're not above the state. Keep thoughts like that in your head only. Don't voice them.”
“……”
The conversation lapsed. They wet their throats with displeased expressions.
“So, what's the next plan?”
“Losing Sinuiju was inevitable, but Slayer Guild taking it is a problem.”
“I know they've got eyes on Makyung.”
“Too focused on Russia—gaps everywhere on the peninsula. That's how that North Korean defector hunter spotted the gate last time.”
“Readjust the border?”
“Russia side gets sloppy. Unless we commit more manpower.”
“Can't. Already stretched thin. Makyung's just too vast.”
“Then activate Emergency Contingency Plan 2.”
“Plan 2... To keep the peninsula busy?”
“Yes. Primary target is Russia anyway. Korea's secondary. Time for focus and prioritization.”
“Approved. I'll handle the higher-ups personally.”
“Thank you. One more thing.”
“What?”
“We need a Priority-1 intel upgrade on Iron Will Guild—where Joo Se-ah is guild master.”
“Isn't that guild bottom-tier in strength?”
“Specifically, intel gathering on their guild leader.”
“Guild leader? Yeah, heard of him. Non-hunter, right? Why him?”
“According to Won Ha-o's report, Jang Jung-shin tried to recruit him.”
“A civilian?”
“Yes. Jang Jung-shin doesn't miss on people—that's why he got Sinuiju. Unverified, but some say that guild leader botched the Sinuiju op. Worth checking out.”
“What a mess. Gwan Hong, you're really interested in a non-hunter?”
“Minimize variables. Don't want repeats.”
“Fine. I'll greenlight that too. What's the guild leader's name?”
“Kang Moo-hyuk.”
After securing intel on Union Asset Management via his deal with Ma Tae-soo, Kang Moo-hyuk made some arrangements and headed to Tae Jin-seong's hospital room.
He'd asked Joo Se-ah for the room next door, but security concerns forced him to the floor directly below.
With the chairman's assassination attempt, one entire VIP floor had been cleared—no access allowed.
Kang Moo-hyuk wheeled into the elevator. Upon reaching the top-floor VIP sector, guards blocked him.
“No one's allowed in. Please leave.”
Kang Moo-hyuk sized up the guards.
Front door's non-hunters. Hunters are in the back.
Standard VIP protection protocol to prevent hunter ambushes.
He hadn't expected immediate access anyway.
“Kang Moo-hyuk, Iron Will Guild leader. Sent by Guild Master Joo Se-ah. I'd like to see Jeong Sil-jang.”
“Hmm, the young miss?”
The guards knew his face—from TV and prior meetings with the chairman.
But dropping Joo Se-ah's name was key.
They weren't blind or deaf. Everyone hushed it, but Joo Se-ah was the chairman's favorite—the next heir's confidante. Couldn't ignore her proxy entirely.
Plus, not demanding the chairman—just the security chief. Low risk.
Kang Moo-hyuk had calculated that.
“Please wait a moment.”
The guard relayed inside. Soon, Jeong Sil-jang emerged outside the VIP ward.
“Long time, Guild Leader Kang.”
“Not exactly welcoming.”
“Still stings from the beating courtesy of Guild Master Joo Se-ah.”
Recalling the thrashing alongside Kim Myeong-jun at Hanseong Enterprise, his tone was sharp.
Kang Moo-hyuk feigned ignorance, calm as ever.
“Care for a private word?”
“If it's nothing major, say it here.”
“Our guild master plans to visit Hanseong Enterprise again soon...”
“You're kidding?!”
“...But talking's better than alternatives, right?”
“Fuck! So fists if words fail?! What now?”
“Kim Myeong-jun's number changed. Seems blocked. Pass on a meeting request. I'm in the room below. Later.”
No waiting for reply, he wheeled away. No need—Jeong Sil-jang would report to Kim Myeong-jun, who overthought too much to ignore. He'd come, resentment or not.
As predicted, that afternoon, Kim Myeong-jun arrived with a fruit basket.
“Yes, No Song-rin speaking.”
—It's me.
“Executive Kim? What's up? Different number.”
—Sold too many numbers, ditched the old one. Picked a spare.
“So, what's the call...?”
—Jeong Sil-jang said Kang Moo-hyuk's looking for me. Know anything?
“Not sure. Not with him now.”
—Not in North Pocheon?
“Sinuiju.”
—Sinuiju?
“Yes. With Guild Master Joo Se-ah right now.”
—Why's Joo Se-ah there?
“Still piecing it together. Slayer Guild's here too.”
—Slayer? What the hell?
“That's... Ah! Guild Master Joo's coming. Sorry, call you back. Bye.”
—Hey, No Song...
No Song-rin hung up before Kim Myeong-jun could press.
But Joo Se-ah wasn't nearby.
Confirming no callback, he dialed a familiar shortcut.
“Yes, Guild Leader. As you said, call from Kim Myeong-jun. Yes. Dropped Sinuiju hint. With his personality, he'll show soon. Told Guild Master to station Go Eul-ji nearby just in case. En route soon. Yes. No issue. Wasn't that the deal before entering North Pocheon? You hold my life, so gotta spy well. Yes. Hasn't caught on yet. Won't last forever, though. Be careful. He's no pushover.”
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
Entering was Kim Myeong-jun in a sharp suit—barely an hour after No Song-rin's call.
He waved the fruit basket like visiting an old pal, grinning.
“Man, Guild Leader. Gotta take care of yourself. How hard did you push to end up hospitalized?”
“I'm fine. Just overworked.”
Kang Moo-hyuk had Joo Se-ah update his admission to exhaustion. Kim Myeong-jun would ignore privacy laws and check records.
Faked medicals make me a criminal too?
A twinge of guilt, but no way he'd show real info to a Ujungdo vet like this.
Go Eul-ji's next door. Prepped for crossings.
Kang Moo-hyuk sat up, perching on the bed's edge, plotting madly from Kim's view.
At the casual move, Kim Myeong-jun slammed the basket on the table and cut to chase.
“Why'd you want me?”
“Number changed—no contact. Chairman's here, so Jeong Sil-jang was only option.”
“We know each other—skip the bullshit.”
“Straight then?”
“Pale as hell, but you look... pleased?”
“Love the job.”
“Changed numbers to avoid this. Short and thick it is, Guild Leader.”
“Union Asset Management.”
“Damn. Too thick?”
Expecting the blow, Kim Myeong-jun yanked his tie loose and flopped on the sofa, irritated.
“You're tight with Hanseong Enterprise, right?”
“No bullshit, remember?”
“Got docs on Union corruption. Ties to Japanese guilds too. Enough to nuke a company.”
“We agreed hands off each other.”
“Slayer, yeah—via Hanseong. Union? Different. Hunter Investigation Agency'd drool.”
“What do you want, going that far?”
“Tae Su-cheol. Baekho Guild.”
“Hah, so much for short. How'd you learn that?”
Kim Myeong-jun sighed, ruffling his hair.
“Sorry, just the hookup. That's it.”
“Details on Tae Su-cheol and Baekho Guild deal, and I shred the files. Won't reuse 'em.”
“Brokers last long with sealed lips. Don't you know?”
“Union sinks? That heavy lip goes East or West Sea. Not me—Japanese. I'm not reckless.”
“If you talked less... Yakuza'd bow to you.”
“Deal?”
“Fuck! Tae Su-cheol? Shit! Hold on.”
Kim Myeong-jun fiddled with his smartphone, then spoke.
“Sent a file. Check and delete. No delete, no more deals. Dunno if this counts.”
“No worries. I keep word.”
“And Sinuiju. Spill.”
“News travels. Straw in Slayer?”
“Don't need to know.”
“Set a date soon.”
“Meet again? Nah. I'll dig.”
“Sorry, body's shot. No send-off.”
“Hmph! Drop the friendly act—pisses me off more. Clear out next door.”
Kim Myeong-jun glared at the wall and left. Go Eul-ji entered after.
“That uncle's sharp, huh? Kept probing, knew we were here.”
“Ujungdo celebrity.”
“Ah, bad guy? Figured.”
Kang Moo-hyuk silenced her gesture, checked his email on his phone.
Voice file?
Plugged in earbuds.
“This is...!”