147. This is Uncomfortable Even for a Pro?
“Guild Master, do I seem pathetic to you?”
—What’s that out of nowhere?
“No, just someone said my jokes aren’t funny.”
—Agreed.
“Hmph. Well, at least we share the same sense of humor.”
—What?
“Nothing. Talking to myself.”
—No matter what anyone says, Director Kang’s gags are objectively unfunny. I can’t figure out why you even try with those lame jokes.
“A light joke in business is a skill that loosens up a stiff atmosphere.”
—The problem is your skill hits like a blizzard. If you don’t want to freeze everyone to death, maybe tone it down.
“……”
—So, how’d it go?
“I had it out with the Chairman yesterday. Sure, he’ll try to stab me in the back at the first chance, but that’s just a matter of not showing any openings.”
—Not that. I figured you handled that fine. Did you get the shot?
“Ah, yes. My father came by this morning. After the injection, I felt better right away. No aftereffects, and all my vitals are back to normal.”
—Lucky.
“What about?”
—Your dad, Director Kang. He’s the one researching a cure for an incurable disease.
“I respect him for that too. Sticking to one field of research for so long is impressive in itself. Especially when there’s no money or fame in it.”
—Not that. Your illness, his son’s… Sigh, what am I even saying? Sometimes you seem totally oblivious, Director Kang. Can’t read the room or what?
“I’m sharp. You’re overlaying our father-son dynamic onto your relationship with your dad right now…”
—See? Proved it. You’re clueless.
“……”
Kang Moo-hyuk found himself at a loss for words more often than usual today.
Having successfully chided him, Joo Se-ah brought up work with a satisfied tone.
—So, what’s next?
“We’re halting the backdoor listing through Taeseong Machinery.”
“Long time no see, Director Kang Moo-hyuk.”
Kang Moo-hyuk met with Oh Jeong-su, director of Hanju Group.
He fancied himself a fan of Kang Moo-hyuk and had been helping Iron Will Guild both overtly and covertly.
‘Of course, it’s not for free. He’s helping because he wants something.’
Hanju Group coveted the know-how of Iron Will’s director system. At the same time, they aimed to bolster Iron Will’s position to neutralize opposition to the director system when Hanju fully entered the guild business. If luck was on their side, they might even swallow Iron Will whole.
‘What they want most is a guild run by a non-hunter.’
And that non-hunter would have to be family for peace of mind.
For a chaebol family that always viewed hunters’ brute force with wary eyes, a family-run guild was irresistible.
Kang Moo-hyuk’s director system had emerged as the perfect alternative.
“I’m swamped, so straight to business.”
“Still charging ahead like always. That’s your charm, Director. Go on.”
“The Taeseong Machinery shares Hanju acquired—you’ll need to sell them back.”
“Sell them back? What about the backdoor listing?”
“Backdoor listing is on hold. New issues with the Chairman cropped up.”
“Whatever the issue, Taeseong’s Chairman won’t go down easy.”
“At my old job, I dealt with chronic shareholder risks from major guilds. We pushed the backdoor anyway because Taeseong’s owner risk outweighed it. But now that’s resolved, time to change plans.”
“Not great news for us.”
“Luckily, no change in Taeseong Machinery’s price since acquisition, so sell gradually based on market—no losses. Just giving you a heads-up to avoid any.”
Oh Jeong-su crossed his arms with a short groan, looking troubled. He rubbed his brow, pondering, then finally spoke.
“Shares were bought under a proxy, so unloading’s easy. But deciding on it isn’t my call. I need approval too…”
“Meaning you can’t walk away empty-handed.”
“Not sure what they’ll decide upstairs, but probably. Honestly, our Chairman saw big merit in gaining Iron Will shares, that’s why he accepted your proposal. Asking him to drop it? He’s not the type to let it slide.”
“I’ve heard Hanju’s Chairman Oh is as tough as Taeseong’s Tae Jin-seong.”
“Haha! Bit awkward agreeing since he’s my dad, but yeah, not an easy guy.”
“Doesn’t mean you have to take the hard road. I can guess a few ways he might play it.”
Oh Jeong-su’s mouth smiled, but his eyes darkened. Knowing how cold and calculating his father was, he worried about the backlash to come.
“This might be the last time we part smiling.”
“Don’t say that. Every industry’s the same—no eternal enemies or allies. Laugh today, cry tomorrow; fight today, grab collars tomorrow. Keep an open mind.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
“My business here’s done. Choice is Hanju’s. See you.”
Kang Moo-hyuk couldn’t return to Sinuiju yet. He had mountains of work.
First, he needed to settle Yi Suk-young’s status. She was the sole witness to events in Makyung.
Back in North Pocheon, Kang Moo-hyuk met with Yi Suk-young.
“Two options. One: stay with our guild, safety guaranteed until things quiet down.”
“What’s the other one neh?”
“Join as a member. Pay matching your rank, plus performance bonuses from hunts. You’ll get Korean citizenship, resident ID, and hunter license.”
“Anyone’d pick the latter neh? There’s a catch, right?”
“Yes. You go back into Makyung to gather intel on the gate you found.”
“Hmm……”
“Won’t send you alone, Yi Suk-young Hunter. I’ll assign top-tier talent.”
“Who’s that neh……”
“Someone you know.”
“Who’d that be neh?”
“Yes. From Sinuiju.”
“Came when called, but damn, you’ve got a solid setup here? Maybe even better than Titan? Whoa, Director’s office is definitely nicer.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon toured North Pocheon, impressed. A hunting ground with nothing but monsters—familiar with special zone hardships, Hunter Village fascinated him.
“A village smack in monster territory? Fun.”
“Looks fun, right? What do you think of our guild?”
“Why ask now? I see your game.”
“What game?”
“Recruitment pitch?”
“Sharp as ever. Reading my mind.”
“Cut the flattery. Show your cards. You hate working with me, yet here you are—got me confused.”
Kang Moo-hyuk grabbed the remote on the conference table instead of answering. A beam projector lit up the white wall.
“Makyung map.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon stared silently.
Not the updated terrain map, but an old one showing pre-change cities and features.
“Gate Yi Suk-young Hunter found: estimated between old Changchun and Jilin City.”
“Knew it. Using me as bait.”
“From Da Hong Dan County—Makyung outpost on Tumen River line—to there: about 320km. Only you can traverse stealthily and safely right now.”
“Not fun, just a hassle.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon frowned, hesitating to refuse outright.
Sensing it, Kang Moo-hyuk continued.
“You said Sinuiju’s serious. Linked Yi Suk-young’s pursuers to Chinese guilds there, and Makyung ties—guessed that, so you called me.”
“A bit? No idea what.”
“I do.”
“You do?!”
Hyeon Jeong-geon shot up.
We rolled together in Sinuiju yesterday, now he’s grasped Makyung? Impressive, but beyond expectations.
“Info from Russian friends. Know the ‘Blagoveshchensk’ incident?”
“Worked strategic team once. When you were team lead, right? Had to know big events’ whys and outcomes. Hurt my head studying history I didn’t care for.”
“Then you know.”
“Chinese blew a gate in Makyung near Russian border, yeah?”
“Remember the resources?”
“Not exact, but 60-70 trillion?”
“Nearly 100 trillion now, raw materials only.”
Reciting hunter history, a possibility hit Hyeon Jeong-geon.
“No way—another ‘goldmine’?”
“Yes. Resource-rich gates found. Five of them.”
Five.
Blagoveshchensk baseline: over 500 trillion. Processed? Astronomical value.
“Sinuiju was a joke.”
“Gates bursting isn’t the issue—resources regrow. But what happens in that day? Unpredictable.”
“Gate open, boss can emerge anytime.”
“Could be red-grade or higher.”
“Heard Blagoveshchensk flattened Russian border. Even one’s no joke.”
“Boss is bad, but monster migration’s worse. Displaced by outflow, domino effect. Could flood Korea. War.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon sighed. No choice. Lived free, assassin life, but didn’t want unrelated civilians dying.
‘Working with Kang Moo-hyuk brainwashed me? Damn!’
Kang Moo-hyuk waited, no pressure.
Finally, Hyeon Jeong-geon spoke.
“Why now? Why me? Wait till Sinuiju stabilizes, send a team.”
“Lost Sinuiju—Chinese guilds might act. Need intel to counter. Can’t spare forces now; small elite to stay hidden. Makyung survival’s tough. Know your Titan assassin survival training. No better fit.”
Hyeon Jeong-geon raised hands in surrender.
“Don’t know Makyung terrain. Dangerous even for me. Take time.”
“Yi Suk-young Hunter guides.”
“Ugh? Prison village folks no?”
“Why? Their crimes?”
“They know I used her as bait to meet you by now.”
“They do. I told them.”
“And send me with Yi Suk-young?”
“Only she knows exact location.”
“She okay with me?”
“Yes. Promised fair reward. She’s pro. You’re the ultimate pro, right?”
“This is uncomfortable even for a pro?”
“If it pricks your conscience, protect her to bring her back safe.”
Thus, Hyeon Jeong-geon’s Makyung expedition was set.