#239. We'll Start From Their Side.
After the monster assault scattered everyone, the thousands left at the concert venue were evacuated to Gunpowder Guild headquarters under the protection of their hunters.
"Don't worry—just head there. It's the place Kang Battalion Commander mentioned, so it'll be safe."
Go Eul-ji slipped Kim Nari into the evacuation line. To move freely, she needed to park her friend somewhere secure first. Kim Nari didn't put up a fuss either. She didn't want to burden Go Eul-ji, who might face a major fight ahead.
"Don't get hurt. Wipe out those monster bastards quick. The guys are dropping a new single after this concert. We gotta catch their domestic tour together for the live show."
"Obviously."
Once the rescues wrapped up and even the Gunpowder hunters pulled out, only Kang Moo-hyuk's group and Gunpowder's general manager, Kayren Fisher, remained on site.
Fisher wanted to confirm the deal one last time.
"We'll protect these people at our guild HQ until the crisis ends, per Battalion Commander's terms. Just to double-check: post-resolution, the exchange proceeds as promised. Agreed?"
"That includes the mobile outposts too. You've got hunters on standby scattered across gates and hunting grounds? Lift activity restrictions, exterminate the carnivorous hornets in each zone as agreed, and I'll keep my end without fail."
"Yes. Operations are already underway. Normalizing the city is key. We can't move to phase two until the surface quiets down. But we can't cover all of LA alone."
"First, rally cooperation from mid- and small guilds linked to or persuadable by Gunpowder. I'll handle the rest."
"We can pull in majors like Call My Name using your terms as leverage. The issue is LA's east side. Ithaca has to step up for that."
"I'll take that too."
"Got a plan? They're a bunch of scumbags..."
"I'll find one. Gotta cross downtown to get there anyway. It'll take time—I'll think it over en route."
"Good luck."
Fisher paused mid-turn, then spun back.
"Oh, right—one more thing, just in case. If Battalion Commander's safety's at risk, run, no heroics. Don't rush in to save folks."
"Abandon the rescues?"
"Think bigger picture. Without this deal, we'd be pulling out. Assets are dispersed—no point risking a high-stakes raid for zero gain. Bottom line: if you're not safe, deal's off, we withdraw. So come back in one piece."
"I value my neck. Planning to outlast every last monster. No worries."
"Haha, you'll live forever at this rate. Battalion Commander's full of surprises. Drinks on me when it's done. See you."
Fisher took it as a joke. All monsters gone? Unthinkable.
Once he left, Kang Moo-hyuk turned gravely to No Song-rin.
"Did I just sound funny?"
"No."
"Then why'd he laugh?"
"Beats me."
"My humor too American-style?"
"English ain't my thing."
"Ah, yeah—translation artifacts lose nuance sometimes."
Go Eul-ji, watching from the side, sighed with a pallid face.
"I gotta hunt with these guys? Zero tension. Am I the only one pulling weight again? Ugh. Guild Master, I miss you."
"Joo Se-ah Guild Master's presence would smooth things, but no point lamenting absent forces."
"Don't go all serious now."
"I'm always serious."
"So that wasn't a joke?"
"Just stated fact. Guess I kill in America."
"Evidence?"
"Gunpowder exec we just met. Kayren Fisher, their GM. Solid hunter who pulls weight—and he vouched I'm 'funny.'"
Go Eul-ji stared, exasperated.
"Battalion Commander, you serious or clowning? Pick one."
"You know better, Hunter Go. No need for laughs right now."
"Nah, I'm lost."
"Yo, kiddo—American style."
"No Song dude, don't play along."
No Song-rin snuck Kang Moo-hyuk a wink behind his back.
"What? Got something in your eye...? Oh. Right. American style. I'm out of the loop—ain't tight with Yanks."
With Go Eul-ji backing off tactfully, the humor talk wrapped.
She pivoted topics, dropping it cold.
"So, plan? Skipping Gunpowder means side schemes."
"Gunpowder hits west LA, Call My Name central, linking mid/small guilds for hornet hunts. Leaves east."
"East... who?"
"Ithaca Guild."
"Ithaca? Ithaca, Ithaca... rings a bell."
"Thomas Hunter's guild."
"Oh, Thomas? But you said they're trash-tier. They gonna help?"
"Won't budge on words alone."
"Then push 'em?"
"How? We can't muscle a major solo. And when'd I ever 'push' a guild?"
"Baekho Guild."
"Wasn't me. Their guild master pushed."
"Whoa, dumping on Guild Master? Everyone knows you're the shadow boss."
"Guild secret. I categorically deny."
"Just us here?"
"Prep for Hunter Investigation Agency summons. Deny like this."
"What? You saying I'll get hauled in?"
"Hypothetical. Better safe."
"Real prep? Coach from No dude—he's the pro."
"Huh."
Kang Moo-hyuk and Go Eul-ji eyed No Song-rin.
He flinched, waving hands.
"Why me? I ain't connected."
"Connections mean bribes. Your trick's stonewalling in custody. Spill that know-how. Never lied in my life."
"Pfft! Kiddo... heh. Solid denial there."
"Do it like that—no issues."
Kang Moo-hyuk nodded along; Go Eul-ji scowled.
"Who corrupted me? I was pure as snow."
"Yes. Perfect."
"Puhaha! Kid, you slay here sans American style."
"......"
Kang Moo-hyuk and No Song-rin refocused after Go Eul-ji levitated them mid-air.
"Plan?"
"We'll talk. Rough 'em up if needed."
"They don't talk."
"Got a way to make 'em. No guarantees."
"Sounds sketchy... but gotta ask. What?"
"Know Ithaca's top legal foe?"
Go Eul-ji eyed him wearily as he dodged, jumping to lawsuits.
"Here we go. Who?"
"Gunpowder—we just saw 'em."
"Ride their coattails for threats? Backing a frequent foe might piss Ithaca off."
"Legal's above-board. Know their biggest shadow clashes?"
"Sigh. Who?"
"O.C.—Oort Cloud. Freelancer hunter org."
"Oort Cloud?"
"Bitter rivals grip mutual dirt."
Kang Moo-hyuk boarded the Hunter Investigation Agency vehicle.
"Let's move. We'll squeeze Ithaca—from their side first."
"This leads to Battalion Commander Kang? Not Investigation Agency?"
Thomas mulled Jang Deok-gu's question, then spoke.
"Yes. If Mr. Jang's intel holds, Kang Moo-hyuk's next move is set."
"Explain."
Jang Deok-gu wasn't grilling for blame—just needed fixes if wrong. Linking with Kang Moo-hyuk topped priorities. Bad guess meant course-correcting intel.
Thomas recited Kang Moo-hyuk's profile from Jang Deok-gu.
"He's a monster-extermination fanatic. Prioritizes protection. LA forces at his call: three total, four with me. Can't defend a city like that."
"Then stay Agency-side? Borrow their muscle?"
"Agency's villain-hunters. Monster defense? Paper plans. U.S. leans heavy on private guilds."
Jang Deok-gu got it—no explanation needed. Korea mirrored: hunters served state from duty alone. Private gigs meant wealth; no masochism under civvie bosses.
"Knowing Agency's useless, one play: rally LA guilds. Sway majors, rest flows easy."
"Why concert over majors?"
"Simple. Guilds ain't his. Talk's cheap—U.S. hunters ignore feds. Multi-stop tour needs minimal muscle. Go Eul-ji's telekinesist? Versatile for range, PvP, mobility—prime pickup."
Made sense.
Jang Deok-gu bought it, but doubts lingered.
"Fine. But can he sway guilds? Agency request seems smarter. Our commander's slick, but America's not Korea."
"No specifics. But guesses."
"Like?"
"Per Mr. Jang: he hit Agency to meet someone. East Coast messenger likely."
"Yeah. Commander pegged high odds."
"Agency meet, East messenger? Few in D.C. White House, Hunter Policy Director level to flex East clout and sway Agency."
"So?"
"As him? I'd hype the threat, seize guild leverage. Got Rider Wolves as bait."
"Wolves for talks?"
"Wolves alone? Nah. Third-gen-plus hornets? Raids grind. Needs bigger hook for risk. My bet: maneuvers LA guilds. Clears messenger first, plus pretext seals it."
"Could be at another guild now? Why stadium?"
"If smooth, Agency to stadium. Time for one stop en route. Gunpowder or Call My Name fit path; Gunpowder likeliest Agency chat."
Off on details, relations—but tracked Kang Moo-hyuk's moves.
Jang Deok-gu bought the logic, unaware.
'Keeps messaging outbound. In range, it'll connect. Hotel stasis? Useless. Stadium run keeps contact live.'
He'd follow Thomas.
Then—
Ya-hoo! Royal Master? Hear me?