190. This is Kang Moo-hyuk.
Kang Moo-hyuk's reason for accelerating the Makyung operation was, as expected, Nikolai Kamenisky.
'Kamenisky isn't just some brute-force hunter. He's one who knows how to use his head and set traps.'
In old terms, a man of both letters and arms.
That was why even Darden was struggling against Kamenisky's checks.
'He's hunted as many hunters as monsters. The fact that he hasn't shown up during the Makyung gate battles means he's operating separately.'
He was undoubtedly laying a trap somewhere, waiting.
And the target of that trap was.
"Huanglong Guild."
Or perhaps,
"S-rank."
From the information on the guilds involved in the Sinuiju incident, Kang Moo-hyuk estimated that at least four guilds were leading this Makyung crisis—a coalition.
Huanglong, Nakil, Yeokcheon, and Daemyeong.
These four had backed the stateless guilds in Sinuiju.
Among them, the ones with S-ranks were Huanglong and Nakil.
Huanglong's Sword Dragon had suffered severe injuries in his clash with Joo Se-ah and withdrawn, leaving only Nakil's S-rank.
"Demon of Namsan."
Kang Moo-hyuk recalled Sim Wol, Nakil Guild's S-rank hunter.
'Even in Namsan Island, full of the worst villains, she's called a demon.'
Namsan Island was China's equivalent of Ujungdo.
A hunter prison for locking up villains.
China's Namsan Island was one of the world's four most infamous prisons, alongside Russia's Black Owl Penitentiary, America's Area 66, and Europe's Hunter Correctional Bureau. Compared to them, Ujungdo was practically a dormitory.
Not only had she earned the moniker of demon in such a place, but she'd emerged with an S-rank. She was no hunter to take lightly.
'That's why I prepared Joo Se-ah, our guild master, and the Tyrant...'
But Kamenisky seemed intent on taking on the demon alone.
'Of course, Kamenisky is among the longest-serving current S-ranks. His skills are impeccable, and his combat experience is unmatched.'
Even so, battles between S-ranks offered no guarantees.
The strong of yesterday could fall to today's tomorrow—it happened all the time.
That was precisely Kang Moo-hyuk's concern.
'If Kamenisky dies... Russia plunges into chaos.'
On the flip side, if Sim Wol died?
'With China's pressure, Russia won't be able to shelter Kamenisky outright. They'll distance themselves, narrowing his position inevitably.'
It was an unavoidable inevitability.
With Darden plotting against Kamenisky under Russian government orders, killing Sim Wol would let Russia exploit China's rage—tightening his leash or curtailing his influence through intrigue.
"Damn it. That's why I planned to use the Tyrant."
Kang Moo-hyuk had intended to offload the China S-rank kill to Igor.
Joo Se-ah had agreed. She'd egg him on while eliminating any interference—as the facilitator.
Igor, with his tyrannical nature, would relish fighting a strong foe and not balk at facing the demon.
Even if Darden caught on late to Kang Moo-hyuk's scheme, he'd be deep in Makyung—out of contact.
'If Igor kills Sim Wol, Darden's position shrinks. With Kamenisky's precedent, the Russian government will slip a noose around his neck.'
With China and Russia at odds, Korea could naturally advance into Makyung—that was Kang Moo-hyuk's masterstroke.
Korea taking the pivotal role.
"Yeah, rethinking it, striking first is still the answer."
Kang Moo-hyuk picked up the satellite phone from C Warehouse.
* * *
"Got it. We'll move right away."
Joo Se-ah ended the call with Kang Moo-hyuk. She'd meant to ask after his health belatedly, but the battery—powered by a high-grade mana stone—had fully drained, cutting them off.
"That's a tempting gadget. Calls work in Makyung?"
Igor, leaning against a tree trunk, eyed the satellite phone in Joo Se-ah's hand intently. His gaze screamed envy.
"You selling?"
"Dream on."
"Looks inefficient, though. Barely five minutes on a high-grade stone? Blows billions per call—needs improving."
"What're you getting at?"
"Russia's gate tech is world-class. Since we're partnering, why not collaborate there too?"
Igor was an S-rank, violent tendencies aside—meaning vast hunting experience.
Plus, surviving in Makyung since the Upu Mangbau incident, a device for contact in harsh terrain naturally piqued his interest.
"Talk to our Director Kang and your brother about it."
"Guild master's order's enough—why bridge the gap?"
"Cut the crap and get to work."
"Oh! Finally?"
Igor sprang up, thrilled.
"Alright, where to?"
"Shenyang City Gate."
"Shenyang?"
Igor recalled its location—close to China.
"What for? Fighting's on the other side. To snap Chinese necks, we hit the battlefield."
"Russia's won all other battles. Retaking takes time. But Shenyang Gate's intact—perfect new frontline."
"Chinese ain't total idiots, even if stupid. No way they'd blow a gate near their turf. Unless...?"
"We blow it."
At Joo Se-ah's declaration, Igor's lip twitched—not panic, but amusement.
"Turn China's east into another Tumen River? Your director's idea? Ballsy plan."
"Not actually blowing it. Lives matter, country or not."
"Then what?"
"Threaten to."
"Then?"
"Ambush their counter-forces."
"Ah, now it clicks. That's the China S-rank, huh?"
"For that, you're soloing Shenyang Gate."
"Me alone?"
"Russia's hitting other gates—fits the Tyrant targeting Shenyang. I'm publicly 'severely injured.' Two S-ranks? They'd swarm. One-on-one tempts a fight."
Even as she spoke, Joo Se-ah marveled at the plan.
'Fighting Sword Dragon was my call, but leveraging it? Director Kang's scheme.'
Facing Bi Weon-jun across the Yalu from Sinuiju and Dandong, instinct screamed: Don't let enemy S-rank linger.
Makyung plotters would move eventually—with an S-rank intact, things could spiral.
Trusting her anti-magic trait and iron body, she'd chased Sword Dragon from the ring.
Injuries were deep, but her trait hid perks beyond physics and resistance.
One: absurdly fast recovery.
Not troll-regen or healing factor immortality—just rapid healing. Potions or therapy multiplied it exponentially.
Post-battle wounds, with focused care, meant faster return than anyone.
Kang Moo-hyuk exploited this for the plan.
Dragging World Hunter Federation and four Far East nations into S-rank elimination? Beyond Joo Se-ah's wildest dreams.
Feigning nonchalance, she ground her teeth.
"Mainly, those smug Chinese bastards irk me. Time to punch the 'superpower' hunters where it hurts."
* * *
Gwan Hong was swamped by reports flooding from Makyung.
'All our long-prepped gates snatched.'
Lightning raids left no counter-time.
Russia as foe didn't mean no spies—chaos bred info-sellers for cash.
Gwan Hong had infiltrated Kremlin and key agencies.
No way they'd miss the Russian guild coalition's moves.
'Striking before intel...'
Someone charismatic enough to rally the coalition and silence Kremlin emerged.
"Not the Tyrant."
Not all S-ranks commanded universal respect.
Thus, Tyrant's brother Darden was cleared too.
Only one in Russia wielded such sway.
"Desert of Ice Reaper?"
As if confirming, fresh reports hit before a day passed.
"Kamenisky in Jilin City?!"
"Gate opener destroyed, fortunately."
"Silver lining. Obliterated beyond recognition?"
"W-well..."
"Spit it out."
"Smashed just enough to disable... Gah!"
Gwan Hong seized his subordinate's throat. The man choked, legs kicking futilely—no resistance.
"Just disabled? You call that reporting?"
He hurled the man through walls. Guild members outside flinched away. The subordinate crawled back, prostrating.
"Forgive me."
"Idiots. Intact form means options! Spin public opinion, we're global pariahs!"
Realizing his fury, the subordinate kowtowed.
"Deathly sin. Dispatch elite strike team..."
"Dumbass—suicide against S-rank?!"
Kicking him through more walls, the man went still.
"Clean it."
Gwan Hong ordered empty air. Hunters soon dragged the corpse.
'Shouldn't use goryeomongdungi after all.'
The killed hunter was a defected Korean—hence no mercy. Replacements aplenty.
"No choice. Mobilize Sim Wol."
Solo against Kamenisky? Slim odds. He drafted orders northing Dandong expedition for support, plus Nakil's prized spearmen.
But next news shattered it.
"Damn... Shenyang City Gate too?"
A vital hit.
Shenyang was excluded—too uncontrollable even for him.
Jilin results showed opening it would ravage China's east.
Sealed, now stolen.
'By the Tyrant... Russia means business.'
One puzzle: Kamenisky and Igor teaming up?
Bad blood predated Igor's pardon. One caused chaos, the other cleaned—natural friction.
Not incomprehensible—both under Russian sway.
Either way, two S-ranks moving? Dire for allies.
"If only Bi Weon-jun weren't injured..."
Best card: lone Sim Wol.
Pick one front.
'Shenyang has time—they can't blow immediately. Jilin first.'
Device exposed? Cornered. Denials wouldn't erase suspicion, shrinking Huanglong's leeway.
Gwan Hong resolved to hit Kamenisky first.
Then, a call.