19. That Sounds Tempting.
While Kang Moo-hyuk was getting a handle on the guild, Joo Se-ah sat in the guild master's office with her arms crossed, lost in thought.
Knock knock!
"Come in."
"You called for me?"
Jang Deok-gu entered at Joo Se-ah's summons.
"What do you think of Kang the leader?"
"He's already digging into our internal affairs. Said he's heading into a meeting with the strategic team."
"What's there to figure out? He got all the docs via email and read 'em before coming."
"It's a necessary step. He's making sure you all know what I know."
"Are there guild members who don't know our problems?"
"It's about sharing them. To fix it, we need to pinpoint exactly where the context lies. The first step in solving any problem is knowing it yourself."
"How's a guy who's spent his life on the front lines supposed to know all that?"
"He's been around this scene for years. Sharp instincts."
Joo Se-ah stared daggers at Jang Deok-gu. He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze and asked,
"What? Why are you staring like that?"
"You really should've been the vice guild master, Uncle."
"No way. Being perceptive is one thing—playing politics is another."
"Come on, I bet you'd crush it."
"I'd manage 'fine' if pushed. But Taeseong isn't a place where 'fine' cuts it."
"Ugh! Right in the feels... You and Kang the leader seem cut from the same cloth sometimes."
"I'm not that heartless. If I were like him, I wouldn't even be by your side right now, Guild Master."
"Who's saying heartless? Just saying you're similar."
"I'll pass on that assessment."
Jang Deok-gu waved both hands in firm denial. Joo Se-ah muttered, It's true though, then got back to business.
"So, what do you think? Can Kang the leader wrangle those three idiots?"
"Three idiots? Not wrong, but that's a bit blunt. Hmm. They're idiots, sure, but they're entrenched old-timers loyal to the guild. They won't roll over easy."
"We can't normalize without smashing those three factions, though?"
"Leave that to Kang the leader. Our job is to support his plan with everything we've got. Heard you got homework too, Guild Master?"
"Ah, that homework... Sigh. Might have to meet someone I really don't wanna see."
Joo Se-ah shuddered at the mere thought, twisting her body in disgust. Then, with a misery loves company vibe, she added,
"But what about this? Now Jang Hunter's got homework too."
"Haven't heard."
"That's why I'm telling you now. Special mission from me."
"Can't refuse?"
"Obviously. You know what I'd say. Refusal's a no-go."
Joo Se-ah grinned smugly at the reluctant Jang Deok-gu.
"Keep an eye on Leader Kang Moo-hyuk for a bit."
"Surveillance?"
"Can't predict what he'll do next."
Quitting time had come, but not a soul in the strategic team dared slip out.
Kang Moo-hyuk was glued to his desk like a poltergeist.
His furious keyboard clacks echoed off the office walls.
With the management team's spots still empty from the unfinished shuffle, it rang out even louder.
"What're you all doing? Not heading home?"
The typing suddenly stopped.
Employees meerkatted over their partitions at Kang Moo-hyuk's words, mumbling awkwardly.
Can we really leave?
Won't look bad if we bail early?
The strategic team was already guilty of shoddy docs—a triple crown of omissions, inaccuracies, and zero planning from a core guild department.
They had no prep for the whirlwind leader crashing in, leaving them peeking nervously.
They wondered if they needed to pull an all-nighter to fix the mess.
"Didn't hear the leader? Everyone, go home."
As they stewed, Team Leader Jo Choong-hyeon stepped up and cleared the air.
It looked obedient to the leader's order, but his tone and face dripped sarcasm.
Kang Moo-hyuk ignored him and added,
"No work? Then head out. Can't have you wiped when it counts."
Now they got a read on him.
Guy holds grudges.
Still harping on the break room fiasco?
No rebuttals possible—just mounting embarrassment each mention.
Staff filtered out, glancing back. Last was Jo Choong-hyeon.
Office empty, he finally grabbed his jacket.
"Staying longer?"
"Tons of docs left to review. Some tweaks too. Don't mind me—head home."
"Alright."
Jo Choong-hyeon dipped his head lightly and left. Much later,
Kang Moo-hyuk checked the time and paused.
Clock nearing 10 p.m.
Day one intel gathering done, he figured this was a marathon and called it, heading out.
Approaching his lone car in the underground lot,
Clack clack.
Loud, rhythmic high heels echoed.
Turning, a man in a black suit.
"Leader Kang Moo-hyuk?"
"That's me."
"Got a moment?"
Polite words, but the undertone screamed arrogance. Kang Moo-hyuk's eyes sharpened.
"Sure."
He followed without asking where, leaving the man flustered.
He recovered, saying,
"We'll take our car."
A luxury sedan backseat led to a high-end salon.
Not for partying—soundproofed for discreet talks.
"Go on in."
The man opened the door, pointing inside.
Kang Moo-hyuk entered without hesitation.
Spacious, not claustrophobic despite the secrecy.
Round central table ringed by plush sofas. Opposite, a middle-aged man poured himself cognac.
Door shut, he noticed and eyed Kang Moo-hyuk, smiling faintly and offering the seat to his right.
"Don't just stand. Sit here, Leader Kang Moo-hyuk."
Kang Moo-hyuk undid his suit button and sat silently.
"Have a drink first."
He took the glass, let it fill, then set it down.
"Suspicious much? First one's usually a shot. Good stuff—no mixers."
"Don't like booze."
"Missin' out on life's fun."
"Not here for fun."
Kang Moo-hyuk's blunt cut the smile from the man's face.
Lips still curved, eyes cold.
"Not asking who I am?"
"Didn't know on the way. Do now."
"Who?"
"Taeseong Group, Strategic Planning Director Tae Su-man. Chairman Tae Jin-seong's second son."
"Did your homework for joining our guild. Titan A-rank, strategic team lead—makes sense. Solid basics."
Tae Su-man laughed heartily, clapping Kang Moo-hyuk's shoulder.
Kang Moo-hyuk straightened his collar, brushing it off.
"Not basics. Just checked."
"Checked what?"
"Who'd come first? Had to know faces from news pics."
Tae Su-man's eyes widened, whistling.
"Knew I'd call, huh?"
"Yeah. Faster than expected. Team Leader Jo seems tight with you."
"Real study. Knew he's my guy."
"Lines don't matter. What do you want? What do I get?"
"Ha! Straight shooter. No blocks. I like it."
Tae Su-man slapped his knee, diving in.
"Simple. Get cozy with me. And Jo team leader while at it."
"Then what?"
"You're leader now. What's next?"
"Guild master spot?"
"First non-hunter ever. One-of-a-kind. You did strategic lead—why not first non-hunter guild master?"
A faint smile ghosted Kang Moo-hyuk's lips. He grabbed the glass, downed it, slammed it down crisply.
"That sounds tempting. Tell me more."
"Argh, why do I gotta tail that guy?"
"Why am I stuck shadowing with you, sis?"
Choi Mi-ran and Kim Seong-hyeon paced an alley across from a secret club in the entertainment district.
They'd followed Kang Moo-hyuk in, but VIP-only reservations barred entry. They camped outside.
"All your fault, sis."
"My fault how?"
"Acted like you knew the leader to Expedition Leader. She sends us."
"No one watch TV? Name rings a bell. I searched—popped right up. You freaked at the news and jumped in too. Your mess, why blame me?"
Cornered, Kim Seong-hyeon pivoted.
"But seriously shocked. Leader was Titan's strategic team head? Hottest guild—A-rank! Word is tier guild soon. Our leader from there? Expectations up?"
"Ugh, you dummy. Think it'll work?"
Kim Seong-hyeon bristled at Choi Mi-ran's jab.
"Why not?"
"Read the room. Day one, terrorized strategic team. Guild master's pull lets him rampage. But Jo team leader easy? HQ connections. Our expedition leader grabbed another line. She didn't send us for nothing. See? Day one, shady dude calls leader. What’s that mean?"
"What?"
"War's on. Rolling stone crashes in? Can leader survive the fallout? Even hunter ex-vice bailed."
"Yeah... But Titan..."
Choi Mi-ran thumped her chest in frustration.
"Titan big deal?"
"Huge."
"Pfft! Non-hunter strategic lead? Hunters carried it. Our guild master tried everything, gave up, grabbed him."
"Don't think—huh!"
"Why—mmph!"
Kim Seong-hyeon tilted his head, then clamped his mouth.
He muffled Choi Mi-ran's question, yanking her into shadows away from streetlight.
Sensing trouble, she whispered,
What's up?
That guy there.
Who?
Kim Seong-hyeon pointed to a dim corner. Choi Mi-ran lit her eyes with a skill, peering closely.
Whoa? Speak of the devil. Rolling stone's already moving.