186. He's Not the Type to Stop There.
Kang Moo-hyuk had deployed drones and unmanned aerial vehicles for more than just reconnaissance. There were two additional reasons.
The first was to use the footage as tactical training material for raids.
In Korea, tactical data from top hunters was virtually nonexistent outside of Tier guilds or A-rank guilds.
Even if lower B-rank guilds scaled up to A-rank size, that didn't automatically elevate their raid quality. In that sense, footage from this four-named-monster raid could serve as a guideline for strike team operations.
Moreover, it was essential to show freshly awakened curriculum trainees how the highest-grade hunters moved and fought.
The goal was to present visible role models for growth and ignite their drive for improvement. For the same reason, it offered prime specimens to freelancer hunters and promising rookies aspiring to high ranks.
And the second reason was...
...the potential for a public opinion campaign leveraging the raid footage.
"You've really stirred things up."
Aila Priga's voice, the elf from the World Hunter Federation, flowed from the receiver.
Kang Moo-hyuk muted the TV before responding.
"The Makyung is a tangled web of Chinese and Russian interests. Korea had no sway there before. A passive stance won't solve anything—hell, it won't even get us a seat at the table claiming hunting rights."
"So you're saying it needs to be on this scale?"
"The bigger the mess, the simpler the problems often become."
Korea had indirectly declared its Makyung entry under the banner of subjugating a gate boss. China, claiming rights to the old Northeast Three Provinces, had no choice but to flip out.
On top of that, Russia—China's arch-nemesis—backed Korea, and Japan dipped a toe in under the guise of support. Now all four Far East powers were entangled.
One misstep, and it could spark a war like the three Hunter Wars that erupted in the Middle East.
"I hope that simple solution doesn't involve war."
"I avoid hunter-on-hunter clashes as much as possible. But I do agree that some elements harmful to humanity need eradication."
"Didn't expect anti-hunter sentiments from you, Commander Kang."
"That's not the same as those terrorist groups' nonsense. Isn't it contradictory? Hunters claiming hunters must be eliminated—it's just sore losers from fallen elites lashing out. I'm simply saying we need to exclude those who treat human sacrifice as collateral for profit."
Aila fell silent. Kang Moo-hyuk's views touched on a hot-button issue debated within the World Hunter Federation lately.
The hardliners pushed for more aggressive intervention in hunter conflicts, even by force if needed.
Aila, a moderate advocating calibrated involvement based on circumstances, opposed them to balance the organization amid their rising influence.
She couldn't endorse Kang Moo-hyuk's stance—it might give hardliners ammunition.
"That's a topic that drags on without resolution, so let's skip it. To the point: why contact me amid raid prep frenzy?"
"The World Hunter Declaration."
"Why the declaration?"
"I'd like you to invoke clauses on gate-transformed terrains like the Makyung or Death Desert in a press conference."
"Because of China?"
"Yes. If the government claims territory, it weakens restraints on gate-transformed zones. Nationality shouldn't matter—hunting rights come first for everyone. Please put the brakes on Chinese government meddling."
"That means retracting Russia's Korea support first. It could look like favoritism."
"Reign in Russia alongside China through the Federation."
"Weren't you the one stoking the Kremlin? Agitating Vladivostok and regional councils to apply pressure."
"I gave it a nudge, but it was their call in the end."
Aila was floored by Kang Moo-hyuk's shameless admission.
Anyone with a shred of conscience would at least feign denial.
He'd herded all four Far East powers—packed with elite hunter forces—toward the Makyung, yet showed zero awareness of the risks.
She decided to pin him down precisely.
"Japan's guild alliance is souring over the named raid too. They say Korea planned it behind their back despite joint ops. This could fracture alliances into fights. No safeguards in the Makyung."
"Guild Alliance has no real moves beyond complaints. Raids are like that—emergencies demand immediate action. No binding docs for joint raids. Plus, not bordering the Makyung means they can't mobilize instantly."
"Japan might sabotage however. China and Russia won't buckle easily."
"About that offer for me. Still on the table?"
Aila hesitated at his abrupt pivot.
The World Hunter Federation's three trials.
Kang Moo-hyuk saw them as quals for non-hunter full membership, but they were commander tests. Non-hunters needed proven ability to lead hunters.
Paused during Russia's chaos after Yuri Kozlov's betrayal in the local branch, Aila still pushed for his entry.
"Of course. But why bring it up now?"
"Uncertain if I'll pass, but as a future member, may I borrow Federation resources at your discretion? Possible?"
"Teasing an elf's temper?"
"Alex the hunter said elves are remarkably composed."
"Exactly. You're making excessive demands."
"How so?"
"You want a step-by-step?"
"The Federation has low sway in the Far East. This expands your voice on the Makyung."
"!!"
Aila sucked in a sharp breath, struck at a vital point. Kang Moo-hyuk nailed the Federation's weakness—one aligning with hardliners.
He pressed on.
"I know the Federation's bystander stance. But unknowns like that demand more voice. Think: Amazon, Death Desert, Makyung, Russian tundra, Grand Canyon. Ah, Grand Canyon's U.S. soil, easy for HQ. How many global no-go zones can the Federation actually influence?"
"..."
"I'm handing you a chance to reset the Federation's direction."
Aila knew this proposal couldn't hit the Round Table agenda. It'd split the fractious group—the visible gains were too juicy.
But his follow-up made dismissal impossible.
"I'm proposing this through you via standard Federation procedure. Could call a presser with foreign press, but contacting you keeps it quiet."
"We're allies. No threats."
"As I said upfront, complicate to simplify. Apologies."
Aila recalled reports on his Russian antics.
One slip, and he'd have fractured Russia's central and local governments. The guy who could wreck a nation won't back off at refusal. He'll make noise.
She realized she'd shoulder it herself. For Federation intervention in her controllable sphere, she had to table it.
"Fine. What exactly?"
"Have the Federation mediate readjusting Makyung rights among China, Russia, Japan, and Korea."
* * *
Joo Se-ah roamed the Makyung unchecked.
She scouted gates where China plotted schemes.
"Luckily, no red gates."
"Pity. A red would've let me blow it sky-high."
No, one tagalong.
Igor Dudnik.
The Russian S-rank dubbed Tyrant smirked behind her, swigging vodka.
"Close to Russian border. Pop a red, and Russia hurts most."
"Just shove it to Vladivostok."
"Still on Nazinsky? Pathetic. An S-rank nursing grudges on innocents like a kid. Act childish, crawl back to Moscow."
"Tempting. But your crew's scheme sounds funnier. Heh. Didn't expect that. Your boss's plan? That Kang guy who punked my bro in Vladivostok."
"Commander Kang Moo-hyuk. And not a subordinate. Comrade."
"Subordinate, lover—whatever. Didn't peg a non-hunter for such ballsy moves. Thought my bro was the nutcase. Korea's got worse."
"Anyone as nuts as you?"
"Dunno else, but this op? Kang Moo-hyuk's the bigger psycho, guaranteed."
Joo Se-ah had no retort. Even she found Kang Moo-hyuk's plan excessive.
But she agreed soft measures couldn't curb Chinese guilds' rampage.
Otherwise, no alliance with Tyrant for this op.
Igor gulped more vodka from his aluminum flask.
"That's why I like him. That Kang Moo-hyuk. Cuts just like me."
"Like you? Never."
"Nah. Same vibe. Smash obstacles. My style. He knows it too—that's why he teamed with me."
"..."
"Watch. He's not stopping there. Bet he'll shake every Makyung nation. Vodka by the crateful."