18. Isn't This Negligence of Duty?
Kang Moo-hyuk waited for the commotion to die down before speaking.
"Most of the members here probably have a negative image of the Leader position because of what happened before. It's the same in the standard hunter training courses and even in the guild exam prep books, where it's cited as a prime example of failed guild management. I'm not going to deny that. The old Leader system was a total mess."
There was no inflection in Kang Moo-hyuk's voice.
He wasn't seeking understanding or agreement.
He was just calmly stating his thoughts.
"But just because it failed back then doesn't mean we should assume it'll fail again. I don't think that's the attitude of guild members who are supposed to consider all possibilities."
"You all know there are plenty of cases where failed strategies from the past ended up succeeding later. Just like those, I'll prove the Leader system works—with results."
Kang Moo-hyuk paused briefly, scanning the audience. Signs of agitation were clear. Some were glancing around in confusion, turning on local broadcasts on their phones and whispering.
He waited for his words to sink in before continuing.
"There will be a lot of changes. Some members might not like that. I won't abandon anyone who can't keep up. But I can't work with those who refuse to. As Leader with full authority over the guild, I'll decisively exclude them."
"I look forward to working with you."
Kang Moo-hyuk bowed, but there was no applause.
Joo Se-ah didn't try to drum any up with claps either. She spoke into the mic he'd handed her.
"Dismissed. Get back to work."
The guild's number one and number two left the auditorium, but the members stayed glued to their seats.
They were dumbfounded by what had just happened.
The Leader position was already unfamiliar—something they'd only heard about—and now he'd basically declared war on top of it.
And the Guild Master had let it slide.
Everyone could feel it.
Something was different this time.
Soon, the shock from the inauguration began to fade.
Was this even an inauguration? It felt more like a storm had blown through.
Before that feeling fully dissipated, members started huddling and exchanging opinions.
"Whoa, how'd they all band together like that? The Guild Master and Leader are both ice-cold."
"Hey, when was the last Leader system? It's been so long I can't remember. Does anyone know how badass the Leader power really is?"
"Team Leader, what are we supposed to do with this in PR? Should we put out a press release? Non-hunter Leader... If we leak this, the other guilds will eat us alive."
"So who's he planning to fire? Crazy. What if Group HQ finds out?"
No one realized it yet.
The storm hadn't even started.
"What the hell is all this?"
Back in the office, the Strategic Tactics Team members spotted the Equipment Team bustling around and asked.
But the answer came from behind them.
"Just making space for my desk here."
It was the new Leader from the auditorium.
"Um, Leader... There's a Vice Guild Master office on the 24th floor, though..."
One team member ventured cautiously.
Kang Moo-hyuk nodded at him.
"I know. But this spot seems better. And the Management Team will take the other one."
"Pardon?"
The entire Strategic Team chorused in surprise.
The spot he'd pointed to was their team's lounge—a perk exclusive to them, separate from other offices.
Sunny windowside with plush sofas, free drip coffee, snacks galore, even a gaming console.
No wonder they were shocked at losing paradise.
'Team Leader, do something.'
"Team Leeeader..."
The members shot pleading looks and whiny voices like ants marching toward their leader.
Jo Choong-hyeon, at the back, had no choice but to step forward on their behalf.
"Leader Kang. Leave the lounge as is."
"Why? Coffee's in the pantry. There's a communal lounge on the 10th floor too."
"Our Strategic Team carries a different burden than other departments. We need ample rest. One slip from fatigue, and hunters die."
Kang Moo-hyuk frowned at Jo Choong-hyeon's response.
"I know what the Strategic Team does."
"No, you don't. That's why you're so quick to scrap the lounge..."
"But."
"..."
"Isn't claiming privileges as an excuse for your workload negligence of duty?"
"Pardon? Negligence?"
"Yes. Negligence. A guild's an organization. Prioritizing perks over duties because your job's tough—what else do you call that?"
"Harsh word choice. Anyone'd think you came here to pick a fight."
Jo Choong-hyeon snorted derisively.
'Jo Choong-hyeon. B- rank. 14-year vet tanker. Retired from field due to declining skills. Reassigned to Strategic Team Leader.'
Kang Moo-hyuk recalled the team leader's profile. He was dismissing him just because he wasn't a hunter.
Even so, picking a fight over something as simple as office rearrangement?
Irritated by the provocation from the start, Kang Moo-hyuk shot back.
"Saw it online. Kids these days call it 'fact-bombing.' People often mistake facts for fights. Stings the conscience. Or embarrassment. If it feels like I'm picking one, that's on your interpretation, Team Leader."
"Ha? Our Leader's got a sharp tongue."
"Sweet sometimes too. But you'll need to stick around to taste that."
Jo Choong-hyeon felt outmatched. The lounge was just a pretext—he'd feigned outrage on his team's behalf when his turf was encroached. But he hadn't even broken even. Pushing further would make him look petty.
'Silver-tongued hire? Better not half-ass this or I'll get caught out.'
Even in guild politics, brute force was risky. Plenty of stronger hunters in the guild alone. He needed plausible deniability.
That was how he'd held onto his position.
He decided to back off.
"Fine. Whatever. Don't know why you're bringing managers up, but gotta support the new Leader's enthusiasm."
"Thanks. Makes me feel secure with your backing, Team Leader."
"But. I might play nice, but don't expect the same from other team leaders. Go in guns blazing, and you'll just piss everyone off. Makes work hell."
"Appreciate the advice. I'll keep it in mind."
As Kang Moo-hyuk turned to leave, the team members—who'd been holding their breath—finally exhaled.
They'd just wanted to defend their lounge, and suddenly the air had turned toxic.
'What just happened?'
'Power play already?'
'Even the last Vice Guild Master just smiled and greeted on day one. This one's... intense.'
"Oh. And."
He turned back to the exchanging glances.
"Prepare a meeting. I'll review guild forces before setup's done. Hunter stat evals, tactical assessments, ops logs from last three years, raid strategy plans... Start there. See you in an hour."
The moment he left, the team tore at their hair.
"What the hell? Review all that?"
"We even organized it?"
"Tactical evals probably aren't updated. No proper raids lately."
Jo Choong-hyeon bellowed at the panicking crew.
"Leader said prep the meeting! How long you gonna slack? Fake it till you make it!"
Spurred by his yell, they scrambled.
Jo Choong-hyeon slipped out amid the chaos, heading to the emergency stairs.
He pulled a cigarette, lighting it just before the filter, then grabbed his smartphone.
"Chief Secretary. Strategic Team Leader here. Got something urgent to report."
Minus Jo Choong-hyeon, the Strategic Team fidgeted, stealing glances at Kang Moo-hyuk.
Embarrassing stacks covered the desks.
Missing docs, disorganized messes.
It had taken nearly two hours—way past one—meaning they were never organized to begin with.
No ground to refute his negligence claim.
They pretended to review files, eyes darting.
After an hour of silent perusal, Kang Moo-hyuk set down a report stack and spoke.
"Stat records are spotty. How often do you scan hunters' physiques, Team Leader?"
"Once a year."
"Most do it twice—semi-annually. Quarterly for rookies."
"That's for mid-tier guilds and up."
"Taeseong may not match mid-tiers in skill, but scale-wise? Am I wrong?"
"Hate to say it, but our hunters' talents don't keep up. Slow growth kills nurturing results, and the few we develop poach to other guilds. System's dead."
Kang Moo-hyuk nodded in understanding.
But understanding didn't mean letting it slide. He wanted to overhaul it now, but this was recon for redesign.
Rushing would make a ragged mess.
Patiently, he pressed on.
"Got it. Then why skip vets?"
"Vets... have circumstances."
The excuse felt fishy sans personal gripes, but scanning the vet list, Kang Moo-hyuk got it.
"Weird. Average age 29.7—prime time. But no mid-range; all early 20s or mid-to-late 30s."
"..."
"Skill drop-off?"
"Not always. Vets have assets youth can't match—except overwhelming stat gaps."
"I know. Not all decline with age. Plenty in their 40s still field-active, even 50s. But only with consistent self-care, nonstop training, real combat. How many here hunt aggressively?"
No one answered his chiding tone. Few could name any confidently.
Kang Moo-hyuk tossed a slim booklet onto the conference table center.
Raid strategy Operations Log
"The thickest doc should be here—and it's thinnest. Same for raid plans. Reporting broken? Lost files? Or scheduling issue—you know best. No excuse. Demanding a lounge on top? Truly shameful, no?"