Chapter 178. Was It Too Impulsive?
Kang Moo-hyuk informed Seong Seon-je of the proposal from the Japanese hunter world. He needed to advance the raid schedule in response.
Seong Seon-je began gravely.
"Intervening now could mean Joo Se-ah's information leaks out."
"That's my thinking too."
"The Japanese never tire of pulling the same tricks. It was like that even when I was active. I switched to strategist partly because this job was more interesting, but also because staying on the front lines meant I couldn't dodge their schemes forever."
Kang Moo-hyuk was startled.
Before Joo Se-ah, Seong Seon-je had been the frontrunner for the next S-rank. Then one day, he suddenly retired.
Or more precisely, he switched to strategist.
But that effectively meant stepping away from active duty.
Everyone questioned his choice. Some thought it was just a temporary break. Even geniuses called hunters sometimes burned out after endless hunts. They figured he'd rest and return, but Seong Seon-je never did.
Yet his retirement from the front lines had been to escape Japan's clutches.
It made sense why he'd want to devour Japanese hunters if he could.
Seong Seon-je's lips twitched several times before he swallowed his words. Then, as if resolved, he spoke.
"As you know, Leader, hunters must push themselves relentlessly to rank up. Those who don't are just playing it safe. In that sense, becoming strategist was a clear signal I wouldn't climb higher."
Regret tinged his voice, but his expression was refreshingly free of it.
Kang Moo-hyuk found this odd.
For a hunter brimming with talent and passion to sheathe his sword for a desk job wasn't easy. Facing something infuriating with such composure felt off.
"I'm no hunter myself. But giving up an S-rank bid over Japanese threats doesn't add up at first glance. You don't strike me as the type to run when your life’s on the line."
"Even after switching, I faced pressure for a while. Slayer's a top guild in Korea, but not enough to stand against Japan yet. It was the best choice—maximizing Slayer's power while preparing for the future. Strategist fit perfectly."
"I know Slayer surged under you. But an S-rank hunter is on another level. Japan's dominance in the global hunter scene stems from their S-rank numbers. Wouldn't staying active have been better...?"
Kang Moo-hyuk trailed off. A sudden hypothesis had struck him.
Is that possible?
He revisited his guess.
If he were a hunter, could he have done what Seong Seon-je did?
He wasn't sure.
Seong Seon-je read his mind and smiled faintly.
"As expected of Leader Kang. You caught on?"
Kang Moo-hyuk, rarely rattled, steadied his breath before replying.
"It's been about ten years since you became strategist, right?"
"Eleven."
"Eleven years... Joo Se-ah joined Slayer, and the next year she was hyped as the next S-rank prodigy."
"Yes. I bet everything on Guild Master Joo."
Kang Moo-hyuk exhaled heavily. Pieces were falling into place.
Joo Se-ah leaving Slayer so easily. Slayer yielding in clashes afterward. Their silence despite humiliation. Seong Seon-je's goodwill toward her despite tensions.
Minor things, really. Past events had resolved neatly enough that Kang Moo-hyuk hadn't dwelled on them.
Seong Seon-je continued.
"Clearing the air now— it was about odds. With my traits and skill, how long could I evade Japan's grasp? Could I reach S-rank before dying? Even with guild protection, no answers. Then Guild Master Joo caught my eye. Dazzling talent. Absurd traits. If I could raise her to A+, no hunter short of an S-rank could kill her. Her path to S-rank would be her own after that."
Kang Moo-hyuk marveled at the eleven-year gambit.
But one question lingered.
"If that was the plan, why let her contract expire? You could've schemed to keep her."
"Her personality."
"Personality? Oh."
Kang Moo-hyuk got it instantly.
"Monsters..."
"Yes. Guild profits mean nothing to her. Like you, Leader, her focus is solely on killing more monsters."
Seong Seon-je aimed to make Slayer the world's top guild, beyond Asia. To counter Japan, it needed power and scale—which meant money.
"I got her to A+. I figured S-rank someday. Slayer's one and only, Korea's sole S-rank. Everything—power, the Korean hunter scene—would revolve around her. But her mindset would've blocked the guild I envision."
"Still doesn't add up. Releasing an S-rank prospect as an FA? Did Slayer's Guild Master Sa Mun-hyeok know the plan?"
"Sharp as ever. No one in the guild knows but me."
"!!"
"I even nudged her to rebel against renewal."
"Why?"
"She hit A+, drew Japan's eyes. Time to distance her. A rival in Slayer shrinks my turf."
Kang Moo-hyuk couldn't buy it.
Guild power plays were common. But discarding a nurtured S-rank prospect for control was like chopping the tree for fruit.
Seong Seon-je's next words enlightened him.
"Leader, after you took unified raid command, I told Guild Master Sa I'd step down as strategist."
"No way—back to active duty?"
"When I heard Joo Se-ah hit S-rank, I was thrilled. Time for the final phase."
"And now Japan's move confirms it?"
"All their focus on Joo Se-ah. I'll 'step down,' but no announcement. I'll hold the post a bit. They won't even think of me."
Kang Moo-hyuk shook his head.
"You're overlooking something. This only works if you reach S-rank."
"Think it's impossible?"
"Who knows? I'm no hunter."
Confidence filled Seong Seon-je's face. Kang Moo-hyuk knew he wasn't one to bluff—but S-rank wasn't just willpower.
He doubted Seong Seon-je's odds.
"One thing: when I decided on strategist, I'd already glimpsed the vision. Guild Master Joo likely has too."
Kang Moo-hyuk gasped.
If anyone knew hunter theory in Korea, it was him.
He knew exactly what Seong Seon-je meant by "vision."
Vision.
Abroad, it was called "vision." The final step to the ultimate rank: S-rank.
Pioneer S-rank interviews said it appeared at A+ when hunting growth stalled.
Some saw it in near-death, others in meditation, some in monster marathons.
Seeing the vision meant you qualified for S-rank.
Not guaranteed, though. Could be tomorrow, ten years, or never.
But Seong Seon-je seemed certain.
"Without it, this would've been pure gamble."
"Even with it, it's a gamble."
"Call it a low-odds challenge."
"Hasn't ended yet. Only when you hit S-rank."
"I saw traces of Joo Se-ah vs. the sword dragon in Sinuiju. Staring brought back the vision. It'll take time, but doable."
"Unified command was your paving stone for return. Should've seen it when you agreed so readily. I thought you just wanted more Slayer stake."
"Who could've guessed? An eleven-year-old plan. That's why I'm grateful to you, Leader Kang. You helped Joo Se-ah settle fast."
"So you backed my rider wolf, Sinuiju, and Makyung ideas?"
"No, they were solid. Fun too. Never met anyone who perked my ears like you. Pure enjoyment."
Questions swirled in Kang Moo-hyuk's mind. But he didn't ask. Most were inferable from known facts.
One thing needed clarifying.
"Why tell me now? You hid it even from Slayer's master."
"As I said. I'm quitting strategist."
"......"
"Slayer's strategist spot. Interested? Plenty to do."
Seong Seon-je sat in the university president's office, now the raid leader's HQ, reflecting on the day's talk.
"Too impulsive?"
Hearing Japan had sniffed them out and offered support, he saw his chance to recruit Kang Moo-hyuk.
So he bared his soul—partly. Shared chunks of his eleven-year secret.
He trusted Kang Moo-hyuk wouldn't blab. Normally, he'd never voice such secrets.
Can't help the greed. Rider wolves, Sinuiju, Makyung push, pulling in Russia—way beyond my expectations. Non-hunter? No issue.
He dangled full Slayer reins. Her monster obsession ignored revenue, but stable Makyung entry would cover it. With his guidance, balance held.
Did he sense the sincerity?
Kang Moo-hyuk didn't refuse.
Didn't accept either.
He set one condition.
Reach S-rank first.
Then negotiate. Left it hanging.
Fair point. With Joo Se-ah's S-rank, I'm not there yet. Tier guild card alone falls short.
Seong Seon-je nodded to the condition and withdrew.
Too easy's no fun. Leader Kang, looking forward to working together.