Time to Throw Some Bait

Japan's already a headache, and now things are getting even more complicated.

Kang Moo-hyuk's mind was a whirlwind after hearing Seong Seon-je's absurdly grand-scale plan.

In a way, it felt like Joo Se-ah's current position and the entire future direction of Korea's hunter world were all laid out right in the palm of Seong Seon-je's hand.

And to top it off, it hilariously aligned with the lie he'd told Jeong Woo-su at the National Assembly, leaving him flustered.

But what gnawed at him most was the recruitment offer.

I could read sincerity in his expression...

No matter how he turned it over in his mind, he and Seong Seon-je were polar opposites, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just like him and Joo Se-ah.

Does he think he can control me? Or does he figure Slayer Guild's power will swallow me whole?

It wasn't even worth considering, but even if he did join Slayer, he was confident he could handle it.

After mulling over the situation repeatedly, Kang Moo-hyuk had no choice but to applaud Seong Seon-je's scheming depths once more. Crafting a ten-year plan with his own life and future on the line wasn't something an ordinary person could pull off.

At the same time, he pondered how to turn Seong Seon-je's scheme to his advantage.

Ride it out, or tear it down?

No reason to wreck it for now. Another S-rank is a win for everyone.

For Kang Moo-hyuk, guild power dynamics or profits were irrelevant.

All he cared about was that more S-ranks meant more monsters they could take down.

The guilds and hunters he opposed were judged solely by whether they hindered monster hunts—or helped. Or if they'd harm civilians.

Doesn't change the immediate problems. From here on, it's a race. Finish before Japan sticks their nose in.

With Seong Seon-je's approval secured, the raid schedule proceeded without a hitch.

Kang Moo-hyuk gathered the assault team in the lecture hall and kicked off the briefing.

"Our first target, Garuda, is believed to be perched at the northern foothills of the Machonryeong Mountains. I'll now announce the assault team composition tailored for this raid."

He pulled up photos and names of the team members on the screen.

Each listed name, guild affiliation, party position, and detailed role.

"Please check the distributed materials for detailed team profiles."

The lecture hall erupted as the assault team roster went public. The back rows were especially rowdy.

In the midst of the chaos, Eum Yeong-jin lightly raised his hand to request the floor.

Kang Moo-hyuk pointed at him.

"Yes, Eum Yeong-jin Hunter."

"Operations officer. Why isn't Baekho Guild included here?"

"We've made a slight adjustment to the raid schedule. Baekho Guild will lead a first-line assault team to raid Agora Magos. You'll get the monster profile and strategy proposal right after the briefing."

"First ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time hearing this. Handle it separately?"

"Not just Baekho. Armored Lizard falls to Slayer."

Eum Yeong-jin's eyes twitched.

"You don't mean simultaneous raids?"

"Correct. But Abomination's notoriety calls for a unified team."

Eum Yeong-jin propped his chin, mulling Kang Moo-hyuk's words.

I protested thinking they were sidelining us at first. Pulling out simultaneous raids means there's some rush...

He decided to push back on the plan change.

"Raids aren't kid games. We need steady, safe clears—not this lightning-quick nonsense."

"Oh? Lacking confidence?"

"What?"

"Agora Magos is tricky, but no named. I figured Baekho could handle it. Was I wrong?"

The answer was obvious. Denying it branded Baekho incompetent.

Eum Yeong-jin was stumped by the simple provocation. Childish, sure—but lethal to pride-driven hunters.

Conceding defeat, he pivoted to Slayer.

"By that logic, Armored Lizard's no named either. Yet Slayer's on Garuda."

"Different name value. Name value."

Ha Hye-seong, seated up front, banged the table and turned.

"Be straight. We could solo all these nameds. What's a unified team for? Not all tiers are equal."

"Hold up. Can't agree."

Before Eum Yeong-jin could retort, another voice cut in.

"Yongjabi inferior to Slayer?"

"Jeon Ye-seong Guild Master, hate to say it, but Yongjabi's glory days are ancient history. Strutting like Great War heroes? Embarrassing."

"Such a mouth on you. Hey, So Sang-yeop. Rein in your kids."

"What? Mouth?"

"Ha Hye-seong Hunter, ease up."

"But Captain, I didn't say anything wrong..."

So Sang-yeop's glare silenced Ha Hye-seong.

He turned to Jeon Ye-seong.

"Should scold my guildmate if wrong, sure. But facts? Hard to sugarcoat, Jeon Guild Master."

"So Sang-yeop..."

"Ugh! Goosebumps. So you're dissing all lower tiers too!"

"Aren't you the ones puffing up Slayer's chest?"

Seo Se-in and Do Do-hee from Green Narae jumped in, cutting Jeon Ye-seong off.

That sparked guild reps and "troublemakers" raising voices. It devolved into a marketplace brawl, then collar-grabs everywhere. Tables splintered, chairs collapsed amid the scuffle.

To civilians, pure pandemonium—but Kang Moo-hyuk watching thought it tame.

"Still got some sense. No mana use."

"That's why making a hunter oyster pan is easy as pie. Tsk tsk."

"Right? Just toss one word... Huh? Go Eul-ji Hunter? Why're you here already?"

"Told to wait for intro to the team, but no call, so I came. No need to explain, though. Five minutes to total shitshow."

BAM!

The lecture hall door slammed shut, nearly shattering. The steel door rattled.

Hunters' glares snapped to the entrance.

Three figures stood there.

Two strangers, one familiar.

"Order got messed up, but introductions: Go Eul-ji Hunter here. By the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠door, left to right—Pyo Beom-hee, Yeom Soo-hyung, Jang Deok-gu Hunters."

Kang Moo-hyuk updated the screen roster.

"Special task party."

Hunters' eyes locked on the last one.

Jang Deok-gu...

Not well-known in average guilds, but a legend among top-tier expedition hunters.

Pushed back amid the earlier uproar, Eum Yeong-jin jabbed at the special team.

"What's this? Parachute drop? All Iron Will."

Kang Moo-hyuk clarified immediately.

"Our guild, yes. But they have the traits needed for this raid."

"Capable? From a C-grade ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guild?"

"Old man. Wanna square up?"

Go Eul-ji flicked her hand; Eum Yeong-jin scoffed in disbelief.

"Heh... Kids these days got no fear?"

"What? If you're scared, don't hunt."

Go Eul-ji sniped back. Eum Yeong-jin gritted his teeth, hopped on a table—weapon drawn.

Just a bit of intimidation.

Eum Yeong-jin's intent to crush her spirit halted cold.

Intangible pressure weighed him down.

He recalled Go Eul-ji's profile on screen.

"Telekinesis user..."

Go Eul-ji's hands extended toward him.

Baekho's Park Beom-il shot up, recognizing her.

"You! That kid from before!"

Definitely the hunter who'd blocked him and his team chasing Yi Suk-young.

"They say enemies meet on a log bridge. This time, I'll crush you proper."

Park Beom-il assumed attack stance. His eyes shifted hue—beastman transformation prelude.

But he couldn't move.

[Black Fog]

Black mist enveloped him unnoticed.

Park Beom-il turned to the skill user restraining him.

"Oh ho. Face from before. Pyo Beom-hee, right?"

"Don't touch my kid."

"You started on our vice master first."

"Drew steel. Self-defense."

"This auntie's been annoying since last time."

"What? Auntie?"

The fog thickened.

Park Beom-il's vision spun briefly.

Poison?

Dizziness on an A+ hunter like him—with beast traits and poison resistances.

Park Beom-il tensed against the fog, ready to transform.

"Telekinesis, poison specialist. Evil ghost Jang Deok-gu. That last one's rare position too. Capabilities check out. Greetings done—let's resume briefing."

Seong Seon-je's word silenced Slayer members, who sat like nothing happened.

Hyper Go Eul-ji backed off; Eum Yeong-jin holstered his weapon, opponent gone. Park Beom-il and Pyo Beom-hee lost steam. Others returned to seats.

"Our guild, take seats there. Briefing resumes."

Go Eul-ji side-eyed Kang Moo-hyuk resuming, thinking:

Director Kang, scary director. That fight? Totally on purpose.

She'd peeked through the window, witnessing the whole spark-up.

The assault org chart slid by amid the mess.

"Oh, and FYI: Named raids wrap in a week. Boss raid settles next week."

Kang Moo-hyuk dropped it casually, like picking lunch. Chaos reignited.

Go Eul-ji shrugged, muttering.

"See? Oyster pan, easy."

"Raid tomorrow, gotta sleep early."

"Who'd visit this late for fun?"

"Phone would've sufficed."

"You blocked my number!"

"Oh? Did I?"

Kim Myeong-jun glared at Kang Moo-hyuk checking his smartphone, huffing hot breaths.

"No answer, so I came. Keep the old number live—don't dodge my calls."

"Revenge for me changing mine?"

"Mutual aid in a pinch."

"This mutual aid? Or constant threats."

"I'd play nice if someone wasn't itching to backstab me."

Kim Myeong-jun remembered arguing with this guy was pointless, cutting to chase.

"Guild Training Association wants your angle."

"On accepting the support offer?"

"Yeah. Too quick an OK. Play hard to get, throw a fit—saves me hassle. So? What's the play?"

Kang Moo-hyuk turned serious.

"You want reasons? My call."

"Why so stiff? Us pals."

"What 'us'?"

"Give-and-take. Loyalty."

"Loyalty?"

"Eh, loyalty's off... Hate-love? Anyway, scratch backs, eat together. Told you about Taeseong's eldest son."

Kang Moo-hyuk mentally crunched numbers.

Kim Myeong-jun: low morals, high utility. Fail to prove worth at Guild Training, he'd be cut anytime—nerves frayed.

Math checked out; next canvas emerged.

"Fair. To cover your ass, gotta toss bait Japan's way too."

"Sudden worry for me? Feels off."

"Wanna team up after ages?"