187. While We're At It, Let's Wipe Her Out.
The World Hunter Federation announced at an official press conference that it would mediate the conflict among the four Far East nations bordering the Makyung. Russia, Korea, and Japan—excluding China—agreed, and arrangements were soon made for representatives to meet...
China balked at the Federation's interference and mediation in what it claimed was its own territory, but in the end, they had no choice but to sit at the negotiating table.
It was because they were one of the 127 nations that had signed onto the UN's "Joint Response Protocol for Gate-ified Terrain" after the Small War.
They had no grounds to flatly refuse, and even if China was a hundred percent right, the fact remained that the Makyung was a lawless wasteland.
If the other three nations joined forces in a region where China couldn't exert its influence, it would be a disaster for them.
Worst case, who knew what could happen in the Makyung.
No matter how much they boasted a massive population and a hunter force to match, they couldn't hold out if Korea, Russia, and Japan teamed up against them.
They had no choice but to take a seat at the table the Federation had arranged.
The negotiations were set up in Sinuiju. Korea's representative was Cha Gil-ju, head of the Guild Cooperation Department.
Representatives from the four nations and the Federation gathered, drawing the eyes of the world to Sinuiju.
"Negotiations in Sinuiju... That pretty much officially recognizes it as Korean soil."
Seong Seon-je shot Kang Moo-hyuk a knowing glance as he watched the news about the negotiation team.
"That's just a side effect. The real aim is something else."
Seong Seon-je mulled over Kang Moo-hyuk's words. What was the real aim he mentioned? Feeling like he was being graded, Seong Seon-je ticked off points on his fingers.
"They're drawing global attention to keep China in check and prevent rash moves. And pulling in Japan, which has no direct stake in the Makyung, means you're targeting them, right, Commander Kang?"
"Japan was certainly part of the calculation. But China remains the primary target."
"Care to teach me the play?"
Seong Seon-je asked with genuine curiosity. Kang Moo-hyuk organized his thoughts briefly before answering.
"Japan's been obstructing Korea to keep their old rival in check. It's a scheme to eliminate a future threat—an S-rank—but it brings them no immediate gain. They probably got involved in this defense because of info leaked from China."
"Guild Master Joo Se-ah's rank info, right? After tangling with Geomryong, Hwangryong Guild knows she's S-rank now."
"Yes. They leaked it to Japan to put pressure on us. Though from Japan's hesitant reaction, it seems they didn't pass on her exact rank—just hinted she's on the verge."
"What does that have to do with these negotiations?"
"As you pointed out, Team Leader Seong, Japan has no skin in the Makyung game. They have to cross the sea. This gives a nation with no direct interest a pretext to get involved in the Makyung—under the banner of Korea-Japan hunter cooperation."
Seong Seon-je slapped his knee.
"Aha! Two birds with one stone. You're putting the Joo Se-ah issue on hold and pulling Japan to our side?"
"They won't interfere with the boss raid, either. Hell, they'll help for real. With the gains from entering the Makyung, it's like free cake falling from the sky."
"To stake a claim in the Makyung, they need results, so they'll be all-in on the raid?"
"Add Russia backing us and the Federation leaning on the UN declaration, and even China—the bully of the international hunter world—won't keep stonewalling."
"What if they do?"
"We corner them. No escape."
"How?"
"Simple. Just say this."
"Then China can raid the gate boss."
Liu Hongchai, representative from China's Hunter Management Bureau under the Security Department of the Communist Party, doubted his ears as the interpreter finished.
"You're asking us to take down the boss, Director Cha?"
"You can't have it both ways. You claim territorial rights but shirk responsibility. Under international accords, dumping your monster threats on other nations is straight-up illegal. The gate boss lurking in the Makyung pushed monsters that shattered the Tumen River defense line. Over 200,000 civilians died here. By your logic, the Makyung is Chinese soil, so you've invaded the Republic of Korea with monsters. Clear violation. Compensation aside, China has a duty to eliminate the immediate threat."
The interpreters scrambled to relay it. Liu Hongchai, having heard Cha Gil-ju out, couldn't respond to the proposal.
'The Party and Hwangryong Guild orchestrated this to boost our influence in the Makyung. Can't accept that.'
It was turning China's plot to strike Russia and Korea back on the plotters themselves.
Opening the gate and hunting the boss that emerged? Might as well not bother from the start.
'But dodging the raid undermines our territorial claim. Gotta drag this out or flip the table. Can't stay here or I'll get dragged in.'
Liu Hongchai decided to storm out with a tirade.
That's when Sasaki Norio, chairman of the Japan Guild Association, cut in.
"Director Cha, looks like China has no intention of raiding. We don't know when the gate boss might head south—wasting time convincing them means we should just do it with a Korea-Japan hunter alliance. If China can't control the Makyung themselves, we have to step up."
Japan's line was pre-coordinated with Cha Gil-ju.
To preempt China's usual stalling and playing dumb on the international stage.
"Russia has elite hunters ready. We can support anytime. Plus, several new gates have been detected near the Russia-Makyung border. On that note, Russia proposes to all Far East nations bordering the Makyung that we close these gates together."
Yevgeny Prigozhin, director of the Russian Federal Gate Security Bureau, upped the ante by proposing expanded cooperation across the entire Makyung.
At this point, Liu Hongchai couldn't just walk out.
The world would blame China for blocking the tri-nation alliance, and he'd bear the responsibility—likely in the form of a purge. Even if the Party forgave him, Hwangryong Guild wouldn't. He was trapped.
All he could do was stall.
"What nonsense is this?! Think I don't see you ganging up to bully us? Fine. We'll file with the ICJ formally. You UN lovers can all meet there."
The other three nations understood Chinese without waiting for translation.
When had the ICJ meant anything for hunter and gate issues? Dragging in a toothless organization screamed delay tactic.
Reading the Chinese rep's intent, Cha Gil-ju—unlike his heated attacks earlier—responded mildly.
"Everyone's getting a bit heated. Shall we take a break?"
Having heard Kang Moo-hyuk's aim, Seong Seon-je was genuinely impressed.
'The Federation's mediation wasn't about flexible resolution—it was to block Japan and pressure China.'
This one move severely limited China's options.
'Hit the brakes or floor the accelerator.'
Of course, China would choose the latter.
Their sky-high pride in being a "great power" hadn't changed since the gate era.
When pretext clashed with profit, they chose profit; between profit and honor, honor won. That was China's pattern.
"They'll accelerate things. They won't back down even if it kills them."
Kang Moo-hyuk stated it with conviction, and only then did Seong Seon-je spot the deeper plan lurking behind.
"You're hoping China screws up."
"We'll use their rampage as pretext for Korea and Russia to move."
"And Japan?"
"Useful now, troublesome later. Finish before they cross the sea, ensure they claim zero stake in the Makyung."
Kang Moo-hyuk's words amounted to waging hunter war in the Makyung.
Sure, Korea-Russia would supply the pretext, but hunters would spill the blood. Victory meant huge gains; defeat, unimaginable fallout.
No matter how brilliant Kang Moo-hyuk was, he didn't represent the nation. Even the president couldn't casually talk war—let alone a mere guild leader betting the country's fate to upend the Makyung order. It was absurd.
Seong Seon-je ran the numbers in his head.
'From the unified task force to this... all planned? Then we're completely played. I wanted Makyung entry, but not via war. This is a gamble—even success might not yield what we want.'
Even the Sinuiju cleanup targeted only Chinese stateless hunters illegally occupying Korean soil.
But the Makyung war Kang Moo-hyuk envisioned was another beast entirely.
Seong Seon-je couldn't sign on.
"I misjudged you, Commander Kang. Thought you weren't the gambling type. Sorry, but if you're warring with Chinese guilds, the unified task force and its guilds won't join. I'll make sure of it."
Seong Seon-je, who moments ago claimed to be Kang Moo-hyuk's top ally, now declared he'd turn.
Kang Moo-hyuk didn't flinch at the challenge from Korea's most fearsome foe if made an enemy.
"Good read on you, former Team Leader Seong. Right on cue. That's why I told you."
"You revealed the plan knowing I'd refuse? Why?"
"No need for Korean hunters to bleed."
"No war?"
"No. There will be war. Just one person's blood."
Gwan Hong bowed deeply, clasping his hands at chest level.
"Welcome. Lady Sim Wol."
It was courtesy reserved for the guild's top brass. But she wasn't from Hwangryong Guild.
"Long time, Teacher Gwan."
A refined beauty with hair slicked back into a single long braid.
The armor coat she wore bore the mark of Nakil Guild—rival to Hwangryong—on the left breast.
"How's Bi Wanjun? Not still wheezing from getting owned by the newbie?"
Gwan Hong understood who she meant and replied.
"Joo Se-ah only recently hit S-rank, but her defense is top-tier worldwide. Plus, bad matchup against Lady Bi. Inflicting a mortal wound and mutual destruction? No shame there."
"Hmph! Newbie's a newbie. Must be tough for you, cleaning up so she doesn't embarrass the boss."
Gwan Hong just bowed silently.
Bored by the lack of reaction, Sim Wol got to business.
"So, my job?"
"Nothing set yet. Just fill Bi Wanjun's spot for now."
"Undervaluing me. Even the Chairman doesn't waste me lightly. If I'm just standing around like a statue, why bother sending an S-rank?"
The subtle pressure hit. Gwan Hong broke a sweat before speaking.
"Precautions, since we don't know who's moving from Russia."
Satisfied with his strain, Sim Wol eased off.
"Korea?"
"Joo Se-ah defected, so no worries there for now."
"Heard Korean top guilds are in Sinuiju?"
"We're concentrating forces in Dandong to check them."
"So, how about Joo Se-ah?"
"What...?"
"She's hurt, right? While we're at it, wipe her out."
Sim Wol mimed slitting her throat.
"Let's end her."