Get Out on Your Own
Byun Jeong-cheol had the break room all to himself.
Employees who came out for a cup of coffee turned right back around without a word upon seeing him sprawled on the sofa.
The hunters frowned and steered clear as well. It wasn't fear so much as disgust.
The only sound in the break room was the blaring noise from his smartphone.
One hunter approached Byun Jeong-cheol, who was lost in his game, and kicked the sofa.
"Hey, the leader wants you."
"Leader? What for... Oh, they sending me 'cause I decked that manager prick?"
"You screw up again? I told you to chill out."
"Ki-young, you too? I went easy. Didn't kill the bastard."
Lee Ki-young rubbed his forehead like he had a headache.
He'd gotten a harsh warning from Jang Deok-gu just yesterday—one that cut deep. His mood was sour, and orders from above were to keep it quiet. No more trouble.
But this guy...
"Anyway, they want you in the strategic team's meeting room. Go."
"Ugh, acting all high and mighty like a leader. Tsk!"
"Party leader's seat is empty right now. Don't stir shit—play nice. Got it?"
"This make any sense? A non-hunter as leader. Shouldn't that make him vice guild master? Why we gotta listen to that punk?"
Lee Ki-young almost explained the difference between leader and vice guild master but stopped. No point—the guy would just let it go in one ear and out the other. Waste of breath on that thick skull.
He put up with it because they were both from Ujungdo, but this bonehead kept causing problems without thinking. Cleanup always fell to Lee Ki-young, who'd joined around the same time.
'If he wasn't senior party leader, I'd have kicked this asshole out first.'
Lee Ki-young shook his head and left.
Byun Jeong-cheol chuckled at his phone for a while longer, then got up at the sound of people passing by. He'd forgotten, he muttered, standing.
"Ah, what a pain. Guess I gotta go? Don't wanna hear it from the party leader."
He puffed out his chest, strutting past the staff like he owned the place, and headed up to the strategic team.
Kang Moo-hyuk glanced at the wall clock while reviewing Byun Jeong-cheol's personnel file.
It had been a while since the call, but no sign of him.
Word was he'd been told to come. Confirmed he was in the guild. Still no show?
'Arrogant as they say.'
Kang Moo-hyuk felt no anxiety or irritation.
He'd expected it. Same as when he'd first become strategic team leader at Titan.
Taeseong was even less organized back then. No point getting heated before it started.
Right as the second and minute hands aligned at the top, the door creaked open and a face poked in.
Byun Jeong-cheol.
He sauntered in late, grinning shamelessly.
"You called?"
"Have a seat."
Byun Jeong-cheol flopped into the offered chair, slouching back like it was a bed.
"You know why I called, right?"
"Dunno. Some kinda interview?"
"About the violence against Management Team Deputy Baek Seung-hoon."
"Oh, that?"
"..."
"So? You gonna make me pay up or what?"
"Pay up's for dogs. Let's call it a settlement."
Byun Jeong-cheol snorted at Kang Moo-hyuk's deadpan response to the joke.
"Dog or man, punch 'em the same."
"Of course, after your sincere apology. Then disciplinary proceedings."
"Disciplinary? What, kick me out?"
Byun Jeong-cheol glared with murderous intent.
Kang Moo-hyuk didn't flinch, just adjusted his posture.
"We'll review CCTV, witness statements, and issue fair punishment. If it's expulsion, accept it like a hunter."
"Fuckin' bullshit."
"Watch your language."
"Hey, leader boy."
"Leader, Byun Jeong-cheol Hunter."
"The hell gives you the balls? One punch and you're shitting blood, done."
Byun Jeong-cheol shot up, leaning forward, fist in Kang Moo-hyuk's face.
"Leader. Let's be smart. We're guildmates. Fire the manager scum—why make a fuss?"
"Know why we call non-hunters members too?"
Byun Jeong-cheol scowled at the sudden question.
"What bullshit..."
"Comradeship. We fight together."
Byun Jeong-cheol grimaced, thinking it nagging, but let Kang Moo-hyuk continue, assuming surrender.
As he sat, Kang Moo-hyuk went on.
"Great War wasn't just hunters vs. monsters. Soldiers fought. Civilians supported. Cooks fed fighters. The weak mended clothes, gave shelter."
"What, how old are you? Great War was ages ago."
"Thirty years. Before I was born. Not even a generation, yet hunters forgot."
"So?"
"Managers aren't slaves. They're supporters keeping you in top form. Origin of the support position."
"History lesson now?"
Kang Moo-hyuk leaned forward.
"Don't harm managers—or any member. Or outsiders. Sincere apology. Self-reflect in dorms till discipline drops."
"You're crazy."
"No remorse, huh."
"Who'd listen to a non-hunter? Even hunters don't talk like that. Think leader's some big shot? You picked the wrong guy..."
Beep beep beep beep beep beep!
Kang Moo-hyuk held a finger to his lips as his phone rang.
"Shh. Phone. Urgent."
"What the—?"
"Yes."
He held the phone to his ear, nodding silently to the voice.
"Understood."
He hung up, placed the phone before Byun Jeong-cheol.
"Byun Jeong-cheol Hunter. Saw your file. Ujungdo."
"Nothin' special. Just threw punches."
"Before you came, checked Ujungdo via contacts. That call was the answer."
"Fuck, what the hell..."
"Hey, Byun Jeong-cheol."
"!!"
Kang Moo-hyuk's icy tone froze him.
Unable to admit cowering to a civilian, Byun Jeong-cheol glared viciously, raising a hand.
Getting kicked out anyway—leader or manager, same difference.
But Kang Moo-hyuk spoke first.
"No record of you at Ujungdo?"
Byun Jeong-cheol's limbs went limp mid-rise, collapsing back.
Kang Moo-hyuk stood slowly, staring down. Byun Jeong-cheol couldn't meet his eyes.
"What if the hunters vouching for you as Ujungdo alum find out?"
"Th-that..."
"They'd be pissed, right?"
"..."
"Don't want them collecting your payout..."
Byun Jeong-cheol swallowed dryly, looking up.
"...Know when to get out on your own."
Byun Jeong-cheol's unfocused eyes shook.
"Kim Reporter. How many exclusives have I given you? Solo interviews too. But bribing our staff for sneaky scoops? Not cool."
"Gotta spread it around or they get pissy."
"Don't want much. One more day. Solo in return."
"Something hotter."
"You'll know tomorrow night. While others rage on leader system, Korean papers lead. Deal?"
"Will do."
Joo Se-ah turned after hanging up. Kang Moo-hyuk nodded, satisfied.
"That work?"
"Yes. Well done. Finish Guild Cooperation Dept meeting tomorrow morning, get confirmation, run article next day."
Joo Se-ah ruffled her hair, shaking off tangled thoughts.
"Ugh, so complicated. Pretend to leak by mistake, act all weird. Can't just bribe and advertise?"
"As I said before..."
"I know. Divert attention. Need real scoop, not paid fluff. Kim Jung-min's sharp."
"Must be cautious. Leader system revives backlash from old guilds. Big corps unhappy with major guilds' monopoly on monster bodies, gate resources—they'll eye us. Guild could get crushed in whale fights. Better as leaked exclusive for credibility."
"Yeah, old farts hate leader spot. Need distraction."
"Yes. Special zone claim article key. Bury issue with issue."
Joo Se-ah asked worriedly.
"That enough?"
"Missed monsters from special zones cost plenty yearly. Local guild means defense duty—Pocheon, north Gyeonggi welcome. Gov't gets media push. Interests tangle; won't act fast. More likely factional infighting."
"If not?"
"Make 'em."
A chill ran down Joo Se-ah's spine. Kang Moo-hyuk's scheme too vicious.
Ex-tier guild ace, she foresaw the fallout.
Major guilds vs. corp guilds.
Like ox-chicken rivalry, but poked right, no backing down.
'Thought only blocking leader system pushback. Not starting a brawl...'
Impressed anew by Kang Moo-hyuk's moves.
Results trickling despite early stage.
Guild finally stirring after stagnation.
What had she done?
Bitter self-mockery soured her mouth.
Joo Se-ah changed subjects to shake self-reproach.
"Byun Jeong-cheol expelled?"
"Yes."
"Heard. But assault team's line... Rep won't take it quietly."
"No issue. He's voluntarily leaving."
"That's the problem. Not the type to go quietly."
"I know."
"You do?"
"Yes. That's why voluntary."
Joo Se-ah shuddered again.
Kang Moo-hyuk's calm voice continued.
"A warning. How they take it, their call."