161. Could You Lend Me Your Ear?
“Cha Gil-ju, department head. Before we get to the questions, let me reconfirm that this hearing is unofficial due to the highly classified nature of the Guild Cooperation Office's operations. Do you agree?”
“Yes. I agree.”
“Then we'll begin the hearing on the Tumen River Line collapse incident that unfolded over the past 33 days in the Hamgyongbuk-do and Yanggang-do regions.”
The lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties kicked off the hearing with procedural remarks.
The discussion outlined the key events of the Tumen River Line collapse—known to the public as the “Tumen River War”—in chronological order.
They explained the purpose: to assess whether there were any issues in the response and defense measures, and to identify areas for improvement moving forward.
After laying out the rough overview, an opposition lawmaker took the mic for the main questioning.
“As everyone knows, Musan fell on the first day. That same night, disaster struck Da Hong Dan County. The next day, Hoiryeong City collapsed completely. Why didn't you issue an emergency mobilization until the central axis of the Tumen River Line had crumbled? If you'd mobilized hunters right when Musan fell, things wouldn't have reached Hyesan City and Chongjin City like this.”
“First, let me correct a misconception. Emergency mobilization isn't under the Guild Cooperation Office's authority.”
“Not under your authority?”
“That's right. And the precise term is Hunter Mobilization Order. That authority lies with the president, as commander-in-chief. All the Cooperation Office can do is request hunter support from guilds—it's just a non-binding recommendation...”
“So it's the VIP's responsibility?”
“No, I'm explaining the exact system here.”
“So you're saying the Guild Cooperation Office bears no fault? Shouldn't you have properly reported the situation to the VIP so they could grasp it accurately?”
Cha Gil-ju nearly said he'd already submitted the reports but clamped his mouth shut. A ruling party lawmaker across the table shook their head ever so slightly, applying silent pressure.
If word got out that he'd reported to the president, the blame could shift from the government to a no-confidence vote against the ruling party.
The election was right around the corner. Power wasn't about right or wrong—it was about holding or losing it. This wasn't the time to casually bring up issues that could sway votes.
Cha Gil-ju had no desire to bear the stigma of betraying the government.
If he were ousted as department head, the friendly ties he'd built with the guilds could unravel unpredictably. The office might revert to a powerless, plant-watering department unable to secure guild cooperation.
Hoping the next head would be competent and principled was a gamble.
That's why he had to hold onto his position at all costs.
He took a deep breath and spoke.
“The initial report was delayed. When Musan fell, the comm tower collapsed, so we only grasped the situation late via military lines. Hoiryeong faced a sudden ambush and the front line was wiped out almost immediately. On top of that, the city hall got hit first, throwing everything into chaos.”
“That's odd. Da Hong Dan County had even weaker defenses than Musan or Hoiryeong—didn't the report come in faster from there?”
“Iron Will's Kang Moo-hyuk was there, enabling a swift initial response.”
“That's strange too. Iron Will's based in North Pocheon—why was their leader in Da Hong Dan?”
“We're still investigating that part.”
Cha Gil-ju had gotten a heads-up from Kang Moo-hyuk about the Makyung scouting but played dumb.
Bringing up China in the National Assembly without evidence could spin wildly out of control. A hawkish statement might rally public support but ignite an unmanageable diplomatic crisis.
“Still? It's almost been a month.”
“Kang Moo-hyuk has been fighting on the front lines in Chongjin City with his guild since day one. Comms keep cutting out, so we haven't gotten proper reports.”
A ruling party lawmaker chimed in incredulously.
“Wireless is tricky, sure. But I hear landlines are still up?”
“Landlines prioritize military and Tier Guild coalition raid reports.”
“Then just have them write a report and send it by hand. Can't you manage that much?”
“Hunters on the front lines barely get three or four hours of sleep—if that. They're fighting nonstop, day and night. Even after battles, the leader's busy evacuating wounded and handling supplies. Desk work's impossible for someone like that. I'm not that shameless—I couldn't ask a warzone fighter for a damn report.”
“'Damn'? You call it a 'damn' report? The government needs accurate info to uncover the truth...”
The opposition lawmaker's time expired, and the mic cut off. The ruling party lawmaker took over with routine questions.
“Musan was attacked by that... Agora Magos? Some magic-using monster. Hoiryeong just got overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Da Hong Dan blocked the infamous bomb spore flowers from the Small War, but then a named monster appeared and wiped out half the raid team. Even for a named, is it possible to annihilate over thirty hunters in one attack?”
“Yes. The Da Hong Dan raid was hastily assembled, so they were vulnerable to a named that strong.”
“Even with three A-rank hunters in the mix?”
Even the ruling party lawmaker's tone was sharp.
Unofficial or not, hearing contents would leak to the press through back channels. To appeal to the public, they couldn't go easy on a government official.
Cha Gil-ju caught on and answered calmly.
“That monster's estimated at 4-star named level, codenamed 'Garuda.' As you know, stars don't mean much for nameds. The rating refers to the base monster's level before evolution. Garuda evolved from the 4-star 'harpy'—not threatening on its own, but Garuda's field boss-tier. No mid-tier guild's full raid can hunt it.”
“Field boss-tier, but still slapped with a 4-star? That's kinda funny, isn't it? Laypeople might think 'can't even stop a 4-star?'”
“We use the pre-evolution base level to gauge a named's potential and limits. No matter how strong it gets, its ceiling's fixed by that origin. A 4-star named can't match an 8-star. It's a field standard—global convention...”
“Okay, enough. You think I asked for a lecture? Whatever. How'd you learn about it?”
“Kang Moo-hyuk passed it via Titan Guild. Back when he was their strategic team lead, they targeted Garuda as their last named raid.”
“Then why's it rampaging now? Raid fail?”
“He left Titan before the raid. Internal issues delayed their team assembly, and meanwhile Garuda slipped from Gaema Plateau into Makyung. Raid fizzled out.”
“So Kang Moo-hyuk's involved again.”
“Not involved—just stating the facts.”
“Still his fault, right?! Titan too. If they'd caught it then, over 10,000 Da Hong Dan citizens wouldn't have died.”
Cha Gil-ju realized the ruling lawmaker was hunting for a scapegoat. To downplay the government's delayed response crumbling the northern line, they needed an easy target.
He felt compelled to defend Kang Moo-hyuk. The man couldn't be sacrificed here. Beyond his abilities, Joo Se-ah's value had changed everything.
S-rank hunter.
Top-secret info known only to him, the president, and a few aides. The lawmakers didn't know yet, so they were picking a convenient fall guy.
But with Joo Se-ah trusting Kang Moo-hyuk, making him the scapegoat was off-limits. It could sour relations before the government even approached the S-rank for cooperation.
Unable to reveal her yet per Kang Moo-hyuk's request, Cha Gil-ju defended differently.
“Kang Moo-hyuk didn't kill 10,000—he saved 30,000. Without his quick call, every Da Hong Dan resident would've died that day. His high-rankers drew Garuda off while taking heavy wounds. No one survives otherwise.”
The ruling lawmaker started to retort, but Cha Gil-ju pressed on, unsatisfied.
“Monsters are disasters. Why's Makyung Makyung? Because anything can happen. Blaming someone for a past failed raid makes every guild strategist a criminal. It's illogical for someone who quit Titan. Remember his war-scale mission against the orc tribe in North Pocheon. He's been on the northern front, holding monsters back. Don't dismiss that effort like this.”
Cha Gil-ju's aggressive push drew an eye signal from the ruling lawmaker.
Why fight your own side? Play along.
Cha Gil-ju pretended not to notice, averting his gaze.
Soon the ruling lawmaker's time ended, and another opposition member grabbed the mic.
“Knew it'd come to this. I've summoned Iron Will Leader Kang Moo-hyuk as a witness. Kang Moo-hyuk, come in.”
The aide signaled outside at the opposition's request, but Kang Moo-hyuk didn't appear after a long wait.
“Leader Kang Moo-hyuk. Why aren't you coming in?”
The flustered opposition lawmaker called repeatedly. The aide even stepped out. Moments later, the aide whispered to him.
“What? Turned back on the way?”
“Yes. He was heading to Seoul, but Iron Will entered combat, so he turned around.”
“A civilian—what's he gonna do there? Leave the hunting to hunters!”
Opposition lawmakers fumed. Ignoring the legislature—they'd smear him in the press despite his absence.
Cha Gil-ju watched, rubbing his throbbing forehead.
What a circus. War up north, and here they're playing games. Democracy or not, we need real action, not this foot-dragging.
Dizzy at the thought of the Guild Cooperation head bickering in Assembly while frontline hunters fought, Cha Gil-ju sank into helplessness.
After days of nonstop fighting without proper sleep, Kang Moo-hyuk finally caught a break and crashed on the office sofa—only for an intruder to show.
“Hey. You're Kang Moo-hyuk, right?”
“What's up? Strategic Team Lead Ryu Hyeok.”
Ryu Hyeok disliked Kang Moo-hyuk from the start. A non-hunter who'd led strategy at an A-rank guild? Infuriating.
Someone clueless about frontline gate fights dictating life-or-death raids? It diminished his own status as strategist.
And now leader of the guild. With widespread gripes about the leader system, it grated even more.
“Why aren't those Slayer Guild bastards coming?”
“Why ask Iron Will about Slayer Guild business? It's like me asking Baekho about your Na Geune Guild.”
“Why pair us with those backstabbing shits who won't even send support?”
Ryu Hyeok snapped, but Kang Moo-hyuk offered no apology—just a curt reply.
“And why didn't Slayer show? They sent two full raids.”
“No real heavyweights. Why's their expedition in Sinuiju?”
“Ask Slayer directly.”
“Think I'm blind? You proposed the Sinuiju coalition to the Tiers, right? You planned it. Whatever you pulled on Seong Seon-je, Slayer's expedition stuck there isn't unrelated to you.”
“There's reasons. That's why the Guild Cooperation Office understands Slayer's in Sinuiju.”
“Playing word games? Everyone knows Iron Will's in bed with the Cooperation Office.”
As Ryu Hyeok reached for Kang Moo-hyuk's collar, a fierce glare flashed from the right.
Ryu Hyeok froze. His hand, inches from Kang Moo-hyuk's jaw, pulled back. Instead, he glared at the office corner.
In the shadows, a man leaned against the wall, arms crossed, one eye cracked open in a stare.
“Damn, tense in here. Jang Deok-gu. Ease up on the killing intent—your leader's not lunch.”
“You mocking our leader 'cause he's a civilian?”
“Not exactly respect.”
“Our guild master appointed him. You're dissing her.”
“What kinda twisted logic is that?”
“Get bit by a dog, logic appears. Wanna try?”
Jang Deok-gu rose slowly. Both eyes now open, cold aura leaking from his half-lidded gaze.
Here comes prime Jang Deok-gu? Nonstop monster hunts got his bloodlust overflowing. Rumors Joo Se-ah got hurt too—explains the edge. Fighting him now? I'd bleed bad.
Ryu Hyeok shoved hands in pockets—peace signal.
“In your guild terms, leader's vice master. Tier guild? Protect your own.”
With that, Jang Deok-gu sank back, eyes shut.
Even a hunter who terrified others was worn from endless raids.
Guarding Kang Moo-hyuk, but he needed this breather too.
“Quarrel settled, so let's clarify. On second thought, Slayer alone in Sinuiju feels unfair. How about a tweak? Could you lend me your ear for a moment?”
Kang Moo-hyuk subtly shifted the dispute onto Jang Deok-gu, drawing a scoff from Ryu Hyeok. Treating himself as a neutral third party.
Tier strategists raised snakes in their guts—Ryu Hyeok caught on and asked.
“What tweak?”
“Na Geune's joining Sinuiju anyway, right? Send your expedition there. In exchange, add another full raid team here—Slayer-scale.”