Chapter 16: No Hope.
Kang Moo-hyuk stared silently at Joo Se-ah. She glared back without a word, arms crossed and legs folded in clear disapproval.
Meanwhile, Kang Moo-hyuk leisurely brought his coffee cup to his lips and surveyed the room.
That nonchalance made a vein throb on Joo Se-ah's forehead. She started to snap something but stopped herself.
What's with this guy? Not dying yet and he's this relaxed? And sending a resume through the guild app like it's a joke? He's baiting me, isn't he?
With no progress in what was supposed to be an interview, Kang Moo-hyuk spoke first.
"Nice building. Size-wise, it's on par with an A-rank guild."
"The guild's a mess, but it's still a major corp guild. Might as well use the spare buildings."
"The location's bad, though. How about relocating?"
"Relocating?"
"Yeah. Feng shui-wise, it's terrible."
"Feng shui~?"
Joo Se-ah furrowed her brow in disbelief.
A guy shows up after half a year claiming he'll be vice guild master, and his first suggestion is to move the guild.
He wasn't even vice guild master yet.
Even if he were, suggesting a guild relocation crossed the line.
It felt like he had no clue how the industry worked—how tough it was to break into Seoul, how brutal the regional bias was.
Ignoring her discomfort, Kang Moo-hyuk continued.
"First off, being in central Seoul is a weakness. Competing with top guilds here at your current level is impossible. Titan did the same, but for a solid foundation from the start, the provinces are better. Not too far down, though—too hard to climb back. The capital region might work."
"Hang on, you talk like re-entering Seoul is easy. You think a small guild might struggle, but you get why mid-sized ones can't 'in Seoul'? Even pro baseball would riot over a new team in Seoul. Someone like you should know better than spout nonsense. And that's got nothing to do with feng shui."
"Speaking of that. It's too close to the group HQ. You'll get constant interference in operations. Isn't fully taking control of the guild your top priority?"
"Well, yeah, but... you hiding in the mountains cultivating or something?"
The conversation veered off wildly, and Kang Moo-hyuk shot back.
"What nonsense is that?"
"Terminally ill folks do that. Head to the mountains for nature's energy as a last resort. Then enlightenment hits—mind reading and all. Ten years on Jirisan, ten on Gyerongsan. ...I'm asking if you've read my mind."
"Ah! No, nothing like that. Just search news or hunter forums a few times. And don't worry about the illness. I won't die anytime soon. Put that concern aside."
He did look healthier.
Colder, maybe, but no signs of illness.
Joo Se-ah stared in surprise.
"What? You're terminal, right? Not anymore?"
"Turns out the world doesn't want me dead. It's handled, more or less."
"You sure you're okay?"
"If I were sick, I wouldn't apply here. Being ill in this seat is a nuisance, right?"
"True. Yeah."
Kang Moo-hyuk refocused the drifting mood.
"Back to business. Change the guild name too. Something totally unrelated to Taeseong..."
"Hold up. Isn't this an interview?"
"Correct."
"So why are you asking questions? Not even hired yet, and you're calling all the shots?"
"What better pitch than spotting the guild's issues and offering solutions?"
Joo Se-ah was speechless. Logical, but she couldn't agree outright—complicated feelings.
Annoyed at losing control, yet her ears perked up despite herself.
Frustrating, but she wanted to hear more. A double bind.
Kang Moo-hyuk preempted her again.
"Go ahead, ask away."
"Uh, well... um, your motivation for applying... screw it! Just keep going. Change the guild name? That's pushing it. Probably won't fly."
"Why not? Banned? In the bylaws?"
"No, but group PR... they fund us big-time. They won't like dropping 'Taeseong'."
"Tried it?"
"Pardon?"
"You haven't even attempted. That's why it never crossed your mind."
"..."
This time, Kang Moo-hyuk leaned back on the sofa, arms crossed—a contrast to Joo Se-ah leaning forward.
He nodded to himself, then spoke slowly.
"That confirms it."
"Confirms what?"
"With you as guild master, Taeseong Guild stays the same forever. No hope."
"Hey!"
"But it's not hopeless. If you want, I'll outline the path now."
"What're you brooding over? Just don't hire him. Didn't think much of Kang Moo-hyuk, but he's got no manners. That proposal's basically handing over all your authority. Smooth talker—fits why he snagged that strategy team lead spot."
Having heard the interview details, Jang Deok-gu clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Joo Se-ah perched on the desk, deep in thought, then said,
"Did I even have authority to give?"
"Pardon?"
"Can't use it properly anyway. Got a final warning from Chairman—normalize the guild in half a year or get out."
"You're an S-rank on the cusp. Not certified yet, but effectively S in some ways. You can go anywhere. Failing guild ops isn't the end."
"Really? I cut ties with Slayer amid all that drama. Hard to go back. Doesn't suit me anyway. How'd I last ten years?"
Joo Se-ah grimaced in disgust and continued.
"Even in another guild, I couldn't lead my way—they prioritize guild profit. That's why I left Tier. Turned down all offers. No Korean guild would take my demands. Foreign ones too."
Jang Deok-gu, who knew her situation well, nodded. It was obvious.
She could join anywhere bowing her head.
No need for a next-gen S-rank, prime 20s S-candidate, to compromise.
But the industry separated monster-slaying skill from guild-building talent.
Under the current system, her vision was impossible.
Starting from scratch had clear limits—too long against Tier blockades.
Reluctantly, she'd bowed to her hated father for Taeseong Guild.
Betting on quick stability via funds and group infrastructure.
That assumes full group backing. Chairman uses the guild as bait to marry her in. Siblings worry about succession, inheritance shrinking—never saw that interference coming.
Even pondering the situation and Kang's interview, Jang Deok-gu found no answers.
Hard not to glance at Kang's proposal.
Maybe Joo Se-ah was deferring to him.
Torn, huh? Logic and gut pull that way, but her stubbornness is legendary. That's what got her through hunter hell. Pride issue too. Not quite damned if you do, but close.
Jang Deok-gu knew the answer she'd crave—relief.
"Accepting Kang Moo-hyuk's proposal is tough as a hunter."
"Right?"
"But why not? Nothing left to lose."
"You think...?"
"Do as you wish. That's your authority. If you can't use it soon, wield it your way one last time."
Joo Se-ah's eyes sparkled. Jang Deok-gu warned to temper her excitement.
"One thing: accepting means internal and external backlash, enemies everywhere. Prepare to fight them all."
Unlike her earlier hesitation, Joo Se-ah stated firmly.
"Don't worry. No one says I can't fight. Brains to Kang Moo-hyuk—he won't fold either."
"Understood. Decision made. Yes. Send the requested docs via email now. Start tomorrow."
Kang Moo-hyuk set his smartphone down, added a few notes to his laptop, and finished.
Saving to the cloud, he stretched and stood.
Kang Chang-su entered just then.
"So, starting at that guild tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Figured it would pan out."
"Prepared well? Tough neighborhood—you prepped long."
"Researched enough. Odds aren't zero. No alternatives."
Normal father-son talk felt alien; repertoire ran dry fast.
Only shared topic: illness.
"Meds?"
"Taking them properly. Gotta, to stay alive."
"Again: not cured. Stick to schedule for pills and injections."
"Inconvenient, but whatever. Treat it like diabetes. Manage it."
"Tolerance could build anytime. I'll perfect a fitting procedure before then."
"Test ahead next time. Nearly died from the first. ...Worst pain ever."
"Hard to get subjects. Impossible. How could I know? Hunters might endure, but I learned normals can't."
"A month teetering on death. Long rehab. Anyway, thanks for saving me. Here's to a cure. Gotta head home—lots to prep."
"Right. Don't miss next checkup."
After Kang Moo-hyuk left, Yoon Il-do sidled up.
"Bro-in-law, he's colder post-procedure."
"Side effect."
"Why always the worst ones? Hard to call it a side effect."
"True. Less emotional swings, hyper brain activity—net positive. Headaches as downside."
Sharper insight, observation, cunning emotional reads.
Always mechanical, now more so.
Kang Chang-su worried most about those eyes on people.
Sometimes, an alien gaze—like scanning him.
No MRI changes, but maybe brain impact?
Brain and mana: mysteries. Couldn't confirm changes.
Much research ahead.
Grateful he's alive. My work wasn't wasted.
Next morning.
Kang Moo-hyuk arrived at Taeseong Guild HQ in Yak-su Dong.
The 29-story building rivaled any major guild.
He entered the underground lot for parking—spacious, fitting the guild.
But spots were scarce.
Cars parked haphazardly, over lines.
Some hogged space for three.
All luxury imports worth billions.
"Total mess."
Finally parking, a horn blared.
A supercar ahead flashed high beams.
Kang Moo-hyuk shielded his eyes and got out.
"Move it! Clear your car!"
He opened the window to the shrieking woman, checked his spot.
"Empty spot next to you."
"Think I don't see?"
"Bad at parking? I can do it."
"Idiot! Those two spots are mine."
He stared silently; she got out.
Arrogant chin-up stride, toned muscles, hunter aura.
Obvious at a glance.
She scanned him top to bottom.
"Not guild staff. Not hunter. Newbie? Nah, too old. Experienced hire? Guest?"
"Staff or not—does it affect parking? No employee-only signs."
"Newbie perk. Parking's our guild rule."
"Rule says hunters take two, three spots?"
"Rank dictates perks. Standard everywhere. Civilian like you wouldn't get it."
"Rank, huh. Then Choi Mi-ran Hunter can't even claim two."
"What?!"
"Choi Mi-ran. 27. C+. Supporter. Nickname 'Crazy...' Eh, later."
"Wait—you know me? Who are you?"
"First meeting—info dump ends here. Even for rock-bottom Taeseong, C+ claiming two spots is overkill."
"F-full C+!"
"Sure, packed C+. Talk parking after B-."
"H-hey! Where you going? ...What the—did that jerk just dismiss me?"
Rage built. Who was he? Judging a hunter as a civilian.
Old traumas surfaced.
Draft, recruitment, salary negos.
Rank hobbling her career.
Stuck below next tier for years—fury boiled.
"Oh yeah? Perfect timing. I'll show you why I'm 'Crazy...'."