Why Are Those Eyes Burning So Hot?
No sooner had the name Ithaca Guild been mentioned than Fisher scowled.
"Sure, we can chalk it up to Call My Name being one of LA's prestigious guilds. But comparing us to those Ithaca trash? That's an insult."
"Quite the strong reaction. Well, I've heard the rumors. Ithaca dances on the razor's edge between illegal and shady dealings, thriving on risky ventures. And that their interests clash with Gunpowder's at certain points."
"They always slip through the cracks without getting caught. In reality, illegal operations are their bread and butter. If they ever make an offer, you'd be wise not to get tangled up with them."
"Is that a warning?"
"Sincere advice. Hang around a stinking place too long, and the smell rubs off on you."
"Coming from Gunpowder, LA's hometown heavyweight, Ithaca does sound like a trash guild.... But that raises a question."
"What kind?"
"Even a guild dipping into illegal business has limits, no matter how well they dodge the law. So why does the Hunter Crime Division let them slide?"
Fisher couldn't answer. It wasn't that he didn't know.
Collusion between politics and business. Collusion between officials and police.
It was the dirty underbelly everyone in the hunter world knew about.
But it wasn't embarrassment over exposing LA's hunter scene flaws to an outsider that kept his mouth shut.
He held back because he suspected Kang Moo-hyuk's intent in steering the conversation toward Ithaca.
'He dragged Ithaca into this on purpose. Call My Name was just a dummy.'
The question was why mention Ithaca.
'Does he think bringing up our rival Ithaca gives him leverage in the deal?'
He racked his brain, but the answer was no.
'We've shown from the start we're willing to pay top dollar for the Rider Wolves. We don't need any negotiating edge.'
LA—a city with some of America's top guilds.
One of its major guilds had come in with their pride on the line.
Just play nice and smile through the talks, and they'd score big. Why poke the bear?
As Fisher pondered deeper, Kang Moo-hyuk continued.
"This Rider Wolf deal boils down to one thing: who can give me what I want."
Fisher wasn't thrown by Kang Moo-hyuk circling back to the main topic. He could guess what the man desired.
'Mentioning Ithaca, then abruptly shifting to the deal. Do those guys have something he wants?'
A hunch, but no confirmation.
Fisher decided to probe.
"What is it you want?"
"Who knows. I haven't decided yet."
"You came to America without even thinking it over? I don't buy it, but let's say. Then can the San Diego negotiating guild deliver it? If it's not rude, mind sharing which guild that is?"
"Who knows if they'd like that? No matter how I spin it, they won't be thrilled before the official announcement. Of course, it's not a done deal we'll trade with them no matter what."
Kang Moo-hyuk was being evasive, but Fisher got the drift.
'Whoever meets the conditions gets the deal.'
Not spelling them out meant they were tricky to reveal. Fisher figured sussing out those conditions was part of the negotiation itself.
"Fine. Next time, I'll bring something you'll like. Oh, right! This was our proposed term for today. For your reference."
Fisher pulled a folded document envelope from his pocket, set it on the table, and left the room.
When Kang Moo-hyuk didn't check inside, No Song-rin glanced over curiously.
"Not opening it?"
"No need. We set the price anyway."
"Then can I? Wonder how much they offered."
Kang Moo-hyuk nodded, and No Song-rin tore open the envelope, unfolding the single-page purchase proposal.
"One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thou... Whoa. This price for real? Per wolf?"
Jang Deok-gu snatched the proposal from the tongue-clicking No Song-rin. He scanned the price and gave a wry smile.
"At this rate, no need to insist on domestic shipments."
"We can't handle U.S. volume for a while anyway. As you know, the Rider Wolf business runs on prioritizing domestic supply first."
"So, bait for the Federation trials, then."
"Less bait, more like securing future customers on a business trip."
Watching their exchange, No Song-rin muttered in disbelief.
"What? You're not even planning to sell Rider Wolves, but you're stirring up this much fuss? How do you plan to clean up the mess later...."
"That's for the Federation. It's their trial. We baked responsibility for this into the trial coordination from the start."
No Song-rin recalled the Federation talks but drew a blank on what Kang Moo-hyuk meant.
"You sure you're not mistaken? Unless my ears failed me, I never heard them agree to take responsibility anywhere."
"Didn't they promise my safety?"
"No way...."
"Even if things go south, they'll get me back to Korea safe."
"And that's your plan...."
No Song-rin was too stunned to continue.
The trial terms did include guaranteeing Kang Moo-hyuk's safety. But to No Song-rin, that was for unavoidable circumstances.
Kang Moo-hyuk was straight-up using it as a shield to scam the forces across all of California—LA, Las Vegas, San Diego.
California alone boasted 40 million people and nearly twice Korea's landmass.
Facing a region rivaling a nation without flinching showed impressive nerve, but pulling off cons was another matter.
"I get No Song-rin Hunter's concerns. But no need to worry. Federation support is our last resort. We just stick to the plan."
No Song-rin shook his head and blurted something random.
"You know the three big lies in Korean hunter circles?"
"Can't say I do."
"Slayer's going under, Joo Se-ah's dying, and the last one's Kang Moo-hyuk saying 'don't worry.'"
"News to me."
"Of course. It's just our guild's inside joke. Please, get a clue. Every time you say 'don't worry' and kick off some wild scheme, my heart skips beats fearing it'll stop. The team's whining they might not outlive you at this rate."
"Have I ever dragged the team into a deathtrap?"
"It's a figure of speech. Point is, you operate on another level."
Kang Moo-hyuk reflected on his slightly over-a-year tenure as leader.
North Pocheon relocation, goblin tribe raid, orc tribe war, Russia Upu Mangbau incident, Sinuiju battle, Tumen River defense, Northeast subjugation, Makyung war, and more.
That was just the obvious stuff. Classified ops like S-rank fights and dismantling Baekho Guild stayed under wraps.
"Yeah, been busy. No wonder you're all on edge about dying young. Hunters care about work-life balance these days. Gotta avoid burnout, huh?"
"You're missing the point a bit."
"Noted. More vacation, better welfare."
"That's not... Sigh, forget it. Do your thing. I'll stay out of it."
As No Song-rin sighed and gave up, Kang Moo-hyuk smiled.
"Kidding. Burnout was a joke. I know what you mean. But seriously, no worries. At least out West, no major guild will blow up even if I make bold requests."
"What do you mean? No issues West-side?"
"North American monster ranches cluster East. Supply too. Not like Korea's tier guild priority, but 90% of shipments go East for reasons. West can't even dream of monster mounts. Despite gates popping 1.4 times more often than East."
No Song-rin smacked his forehead.
"So we're the top dog? Might hook 'em up with mounts?"
"Starting shipments end of year. Can't deliver right away filling domestic, but betting on future beats scraping East scraps. Especially for near-top Western guilds like Gunpowder—they need Rider Wolves to climb."
No Song-rin reflected on Kang Moo-hyuk's explanation.
'Worrying about the leader was pointless. He always has a plan.'
As No Song-rin nodded in understanding, Kang Moo-hyuk pondered another scheme inwardly.
'Pushing hard on the Thomas Lee front, but no need to spell it out. Either way, Ithaca needs shaking up.'
Mana addiction cure clues, and the hunter potential post-cure.
For those two goals, he'd dragged Ithaca in forcibly. Just making Gunpowder wary of them was useless alone. But it laid groundwork for future moves, tailored to the plan.
He expected variables in such a risky scheme. Improvise the rest.
That's when Kang Moo-hyuk locked eyes with Jang Deok-gu. He looked like he had plenty to say but stayed silent.
Deep-minded and taciturn, he rarely stepped in unless vital. Same here—sticking to backing Kang Moo-hyuk.
As Kang Moo-hyuk prepared a grateful nod—
Ding-dong.
The bell rang.
"Another guild?"
No Song-rin opened the door casually.
And there stood—
"Eul-ji? What brings you here?"
Go Eul-ji.
"Concert?"
"Tomorrow. Leader in?"
"Yeah. Come in. Huh? Wait—who's that?"
No Song-rin glared at the man peeking from the doorframe.
"Thomas Lee. Here to see Leader Kang Moo-hyuk."
"Why's a hunter after the leader?"
"This guy's saying the leader came to the States looking for him."
Go Eul-ji's blunt recap left No Song-rin baffled.
"What the hell?"
"Heard from Eul-ji here. Seems I share a condition with Leader Kang Moo-hyuk."
Thomas explained, and No Song-rin's face darkened instantly. He drew the karambit from his left wrist sheath, aiming at Thomas's throat.
"You nuts? Why swing a blade on sight?"
"Eul-ji, you can't blab the leader's illness like that!"
"No oppa, try chatting with this guy. You'd crack under interrogation too. Dude's got a motor mouth. He dug up my whole life story on the way here."
Go Eul-ji shot Thomas a wronged glare, signaling for backup, but Thomas obliviously reframed it.
"You attacked me on sight too, right? Iron Will greeting ritual?"
"No, context matters. And I was defending you just now—didn't notice?"
"Not sure why sides matter, but yeah, hard to compare without context. So what's the deal?"
Thomas turned to No Song-rin.
No Song-rin replied flatly, politely.
"Leader's illness is top secret. Spouting it to a stranger? Suspicious."
"But blade to throat first meeting's fine."
"Learn why later. Preemptive. Got beef? Outrank me. America's hunter world's the same, no?"
"Fair. Rank is law for hunters."
Thomas conceded neatly, disarming himself.
Go Eul-ji suddenly became the pack mule, handed mage-exclusive items and gear.
"Sigh, came for a concert, now lugging this crap?"
"Not heavy. Mage gear's lightweight by default."
"Not the luggage—you."
"Oh, me? Metaphor. Korean idioms trip me up. Sorry."
Even sarcasm flew over his head—a talent in itself.
Go Eul-ji reconfirmed their total mismatch and entered.
Thomas followed, blade at his back, and spotted Kang Moo-hyuk in the living room instantly.
A man radiating a familiar aura.
The hollow eyes he faced daily in the mirror now stared back.
One difference.
What makes it burn so hot?
Deep in those seemingly empty eyes boiled an unidentified fervor.
Suddenly, curiosity gripped Thomas—more than his own illness.
What lay in those eyes?
"Not the timing I expected, but glad we meet. First time. Kang Moo-hyuk."