17. What the Hell Is This Madness?!
Choi Mi-ran decided to give Kang Moo-hyuk a light scolding.
Honk honk!
"What the hell now?!"
"Mi-ran noona, move your car a bit."
"I thought some asshole was making noise again. Seong-hyeon, it was you?"
The foreign car parked behind Choi Mi-ran's beloved ride belonged to Kim Seong-hyeon from the same party.
She decided to park first.
But then it hit her—she might lose sight of Kang Moo-hyuk. She hurriedly cupped her hand to her mouth and blew. Fwooo—
A cluster of light created by mana fluttered away like a butterfly, landing on Kang Moo-hyuk's collar just as he was about to step into the elevator.
"Okay."
Kang Moo-hyuk turned around in that instant. He glanced at his collar, then at Choi Mi-ran.
What? Did he notice? No way. There's no way a regular person could pick up on that, right?
Like the thief who fears his own footsteps. Though certain no one could detect her skill use, Choi Mi-ran flinched under Kang Moo-hyuk's gaze and averted her eyes.
Honk! Honk!
"Noona!"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. Kid, what's the rush?"
Urged by Kim Seong-hyeon, Choi Mi-ran ignored Kang Moo-hyuk's stare and pulled into an empty spot.
After parking, she checked the elevator—Kang Moo-hyuk was gone. She let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.
Huh? Me? Why? What's making me feel guilty?
Kim Seong-hyeon parked across from her. As he got out, he called over to Choi Mi-ran.
"Who was that guy earlier? Why'd you even use a tracking skill on him? Looked like a regular joe."
"Got some business with him later."
"Fall for him at first sight or something?"
"Yeah—no."
"Do whatever, just don't get caught using skills on civilians. I don't wanna eat any more penalties. Fines are one thing after another."
"We got more penalties left to eat? Aside from probation, I thought we were clear."
"That's why I don't wanna get kicked out. Got nowhere else to go."
"Pfft! With our connections? No way."
Unlike Choi Mi-ran, who brushed off his worries, Kim Seong-hyeon shook his head.
"Connections are connections, and the Witch is the Witch. Can't believe the guild master puts up with her this long. She's nothing like the rumors. Makes me scared of when she'll snap."
"That's overkill, dude. She's guild master now—think she'll go wild like back when she was just a member?"
"Who knows. That temper ain't going anywhere. You heard the rumors, right? The shit she pulled in the Slayer Guild lobby. You think someone's like that just holds back? She's biding her time. Catch one guy slipping, and boom."
Choi Mi-ran recalled Joo Se-ah's nicknames.
Witch, Calamity, Killer.
A toxic combo of ominous words.
And the rumors that went with them were brutal.
Folding seventeen villains in half at the waist, ripping the head off a twin-headed ogre—unbelievable feats.
The problem was, most of those rumors were true.
No exaggeration.
If anything, rumors swirled that they'd been toned down or covered up because they were too gruesome.
With someone like that quietly settling in as Taeseong Guild master, it'd slipped her mind.
Kim Seong-hyeon reminding her made goosebumps prickle up Choi Mi-ran's arms.
"Ah, whatever—as long as we don't get caught. He's a civilian anyway. My tracking skill's stealthy enough to rival A-rank. No high-level hunter's noticing that."
"A C-rank scrub like you matching A-rank?"
"A solid C+!"
Trouble's latched on.
Kang Moo-hyuk brushed off his collar as he stepped out of the elevator.
Invisible, but he could feel it.
Mana residue.
A skill.
Skills that mark someone like this are usually trackers...
Not a hunter, but ten years on guild rice meant he'd seen it all. He'd even cleaned up after his own hunters causing problems with skill use on people.
He had no idea what their game was, but a hunter wasting a skill on a civilian like him wasn't welcome.
Lucky it wasn't a curse skill? Still, using skills on civilians? For a major guild living off its parent company's image, they've got some real nutjobs.
Ever since his mana addiction flared up, Kang Moo-hyuk had grown sensitive to mana.
He could sense a hunter activating a skill the moment it happened—a side effect of the illness.
But it didn't mean he'd awakened as a hunter or could wield mana. His body still rejected it.
At least he wasn't seizing up from mana bursts like during that old outbreak.
Thanks to his father's treatment.
Not a cure, but it won't mess with my body anymore.
Ding!
-First floor.
Kang Moo-hyuk headed for the lobby information desk. Floors two and up required a security card or visitor pass.
"What brings you here?"
Unlike big corps with pretty receptionists as their "face," the desk had a different vibe.
Crisp, fit young men in black suits greeted him.
"Kang Moo-hyuk. Guild master said she'd let you know."
"Yes, we've been expecting you. For ID verification, please scan your face with this camera."
It was the standard security procedure he'd skipped last time thanks to an escort for the interview.
Mid-tier guilds and up did this routinely, but Kang Moo-hyuk was mildly surprised—prejudiced as he was against rootless Taeseong.
"I made them do that."
He turned at Joo Se-ah's voice from behind.
Guards and passing staff bowed to her.
Overkill, like greeting a corporate chairman.
Kang Moo-hyuk caught a glimpse of the rigid guild culture unique to Taeseong.
"Looks like there's a lot to fix."
"Damn right. That's why I hired you, Kang Moo-hyuk."
"It'll be a hell of a lot better than now, at least."
"Alright then. Time to sign the contract?"
Joo Se-ah started forward, then paused and reached for the back of Kang Moo-hyuk's neck.
A sharp, electric tingle—and the mana mark clinging to him vanished.
"Where'd you pick this up? Weird-ass skills they got around here."
"Courtesy of one of your hunters."
"Already? Before you're even official?"
"I was the one who marked her. First impressions here are a riot."
"Haa~ Sorry. Guess I gotta flip this place upside down."
"I'll handle that for you."
"Handle what?"
"The flipping. Consider it done."
"......"
Cold sweat beaded on Joo Se-ah's forehead.
For a split second, she sensed how far Kang Moo-hyuk might go. A bad premonition.
Taeseong Guild, 24th floor.
Joo Se-ah spread her arms wide, basking in the sunlight pouring through the broad windows.
"This'll be your office, Kang Moo-hyuk. Old vice master's spot. Threw it together quick, so interior's as-is, but swapped out all the furniture for new since you're moving in. My office is right above. Tell the secretary outside if you need anything."
As if he'd need more.
Kang Moo-hyuk was stunned by the office. Spacious as any guild master's, flashy decor, high-end furniture at a glance.
Nice treatment. Contract terms and salary are generous too. Yet Ma Tae-soo's picks and the study-abroad crew all quit? Means it's that hopeless.
From what he'd dug up, Ma Tae-soo's guy lasted two months, the study-abroad folks four.
Even the previous previous vice master was an experienced top hunter, and the immediate predecessor—a study-abroad star—had offers from top U.S. guilds.
Not the types to flame out that fast.
"Figured you'd be wrangling hunters, so I put some thought into it. Whaddya think?"
"Great. But I can't use it."
Joo Se-ah, used to Kang Moo-hyuk's curt style, guessed his meaning.
"Guild relocation's still up in the air, but we need an office ready."
"No. Not putting my office here."
"What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing. Just wanna base on 17."
"17?"
Joo Se-ah's mouth fell open silently.
17th floor... Strategic Tactics Team?
A nominal department in Taeseong, but still the guild's core.
Kang Moo-hyuk planned to oversee it personally.
"Get me a desk there. No office needed—open desk setup."
"Starting strong with the concept. Picking your first target already."
"And moving Management Team to 17 too."
"Managers as well?"
"Gotta manage the hunters. Basics first. Solid systems before anything."
Management Team.
Managers nicely put; hunter slaves less so.
Hell job. Highest turnover. Slave squad...
Joo Se-ah pictured them instantly.
"I'm a hunter too, but... most of 'em are total assholes. You dealt with Ma Tae-sik, right? Sure you can handle it?"
"That's exactly why. Now it's just you above me, guild master. No more tiptoeing, and it's been ages—should be fun."
"Ages? You managed before?"
"First department."
"You survived that?"
"Guild work's tough, but nothing next to gates."
Kang Moo-hyuk's diagnosis for this dumpster-fire guild: fix Strategic Tactics and Management first.
He kept the details from Joo Se-ah.
She'd pledged full support, but she was still a hunter. She'd view his moves through a hunter's lens.
No brakes before he even started.
"Fine. Gave you full ops authority. Office stuff's settled then."
"One more thing."
"Knew it. Shoot."
"Guild reform. Start with renaming. No dragging—now."
"Pedal to the metal, huh? Didn't expect this fast. Hm, nothing's coming to mind. Suggestions?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Got one in mind?"
"Nope."
"Then?"
"Contest."
"Con< em>test? No way... Internal, right? Like company-wide?"
"Portal ad. Leverage Taeseong Group's name for recognition."
"Whoa, crossing lines day one?"
Joo Se-ah freaked.
Guild name was identity. History, tradition, hunter pride.
Contesting it?
Letting civilians pick meant spitting on your hunters.
Civilians wouldn't get it, but hunters would riot.
"Hunters'll revolt. And slapping a random name on while using the parent corp? They'll lose it."
Family foaming at the mouth. Wait... kinda tempting?
Joo Se-ah thought of her blood kin, itching to devour her. Sounded good suddenly.
"If they flip over this, we're screwed. Mountains to fix."
"You say it like it's casual. How you gonna handle the fallout?"
"You knew when you signed on. This is nothing next to our contract."
"Ugh, yeah... forgot about that."
Joo Se-ah groaned, recalling the contract.
The real bomb was elsewhere.
She was still agonizing over upholding it.
"Last thing. After lunch, gather everyone in the auditorium."
"Why? Inauguration speech?"
"Gotta. Formality matters. They need to know my face, name, title—for smooth ops."
"Heh?"
"Why the look?"
"Mr. Disruptive Life preaching formality. Doesn't fit."
"To break form, you gotta know it first. I've seen this guild to the bone. Parts that suck get changed. No authority before, but you gave it. Time to break it right."
Kang Moo-hyuk spoke flatly, calmly, but Joo Se-ah read his resolve.
She muttered without thinking.
"Still the same old you."
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Talking to myself."
Joo Se-ah took a deep breath, steadying herself.
She'd lacked resolve for the contract.
After announcing his inauguration, backlash loomed—but no turning back now.
"Kang Moo-hyuk. No—proper formality. Gotta use your contract title."
She extended her hand.
"Let's make it work, Director Kang Moo-hyuk."
Kang Moo-hyuk eyed the hand, then clasped it.
"Likewise, Guild Master Joo Se-ah."
"Why the sudden gathering?"
"What, noona? Thought you went hunting that guy."
"Dunno. Tracking broke. Car's still parked. Probably some outside contractor in a meeting. No clue where he went."
The auditorium, spanning a full floor, filled with guild members.
Hunters were under half, but staff filled the rest.
Choi Mi-ran, who'd pegged it as a do-nothing guild, was shocked at the headcount.
-Ah, testing. One-two!
Mike in hand atop the stage, Joo Se-ah silenced the buzz instantly.
She didn't rule the guild, but no one ignored her charisma.
"That guy! Him, that's...!"
Choi Mi-ran pointed at the man following Joo Se-ah onstage.
Hands behind his back, he stood surveying the crowd coolly.
"Who?"
"Yeah—the parking lot dude... Why's he up there?"
No preamble—Joo Se-ah cut straight in.
-Gathered you to introduce our new family member. He'll do it himself.
Murmurs rose at "new family."
Guild master introducing personally? Obvious: vacant vice master spot.
Odd part: no rumors, filled overnight.
Joo Se-ah handed him the mic.
He stepped forward leisurely, scanned the room, then brought the mic to his lips slowly.
Leisure bordering on frustrating.
The crowd fell silent, staring up.
Quiet turned to dead air—like a muted TV, no breaths audible.
Eerily fixated on him.
-Hello. I'm Taeseong Guild's new Director, Kang Moo-hyuk.
Plain greeting.
But it rocked the house.
Gentle waves to tsunami.
Chaos drowned his next words.
Choi Mi-ran's eyes bulged, yanking Kim Seong-hyeon's collar in frenzy.
"Director? Not vice master—director? He said director, right?"
"Guh! Ack! Noona, let... go..."
"Not the point! Director?! He didn't fuck up, right? It's director?!"
"Y-Yeah. Cough. Director."
"What the actual fuck?!"