243. What the Hell Are You Doing Right Now?
Unlike the excited Billy, Ulvert remained ice-cold.
"First things first... How exactly do you know Director Kang?"
"Thomas."
"Thomas?"
"Not you—Thomas. My name."
Thomas gave an awkward smile as he replied. Ulvert's gaze sharpened.
"Names aren't important. Stop dodging and answer the damn question."
"Touchy, huh? What difference does it make if you know?"
Thomas dropped his smile, meeting the man's stare head-on.
"For all we know, you could be pulling strings for Ithaca."
"Oh? How many times have they screwed you over? Didn't think of that, did I? No wonder you're paranoid."
"You mocking me?"
"I've been saying it from the start—wrong target. Yeah, I'm with Ithaca, but I hate those bastards. Don't pin it on me."
"A shit-stained dog or a rag-stained dog—they're all mangy mutts, aren't they? So spit it out before you see something ugly."
"Ooh! Nice paraphrase on that translation. This item's got some real power."
The girl's sudden exclamation shattered the brewing tension like glass.
Ulvert glared at her. Things had turned ugly the moment Ithaca Guild came up—no way sweet words were flying now.
"Where does this thunderbolt-headed brat butt in without reading the room? Tsk!"
"What? 'Brat'? Wow, translation's on point. So real it's pissing me off. Should I curse in Korean? Hey, you Yankee fucker, shove your shitty dick up your ass then ram it in your hole, you cunt, asshole, motherfucking bastard. Twat."
Ulvert shot to his feet.
"You wanna fight right now?"
"What? Did it come through clear?"
Ulvert and the O.C. hunters, led by Billy, bristled with outrage, hands twitching toward weapons as if ready to draw blades on the spot.
Thomas, who'd heard the curses too, stood frozen on Ulvert's side, face pale with shock.
"Hunter Go Eul-ji. Even for you, that's a bit..."
"You're not on our side? Why're you over there?"
"Yeah! Why's an Ithaca Guild rat pretending to be with us?!"
Ulvert barked in irritation. Pushed back by the man's fierce glare, Thomas shuffled back to Kang Moo-hyuk's side.
Kang Moo-hyuk, who'd let the negotiation table descend into chaos, finally stepped in.
"Let's wrap up the social pleasantries. Time's short."
"Social pleasantries? This is a shitshow."
"That's how it works—trash talk, throw punches, make friends. Korean style."
"What kinda hellhole is Korea? Don't hunters draw blood when they fight? And that makes you buddies?"
"Kids grow up scrapping, don't they? That's how they bond. That one's still a minor. Social skills are rough around the edges. Cut her some slack."
"You pit kids against each other from the cradle? Child abuse as daily life. What a barbaric country."
"Director, something's off with the translation on that part."
No Song-rin pointed at the tie pin translation artifact.
Kang Moo-hyuk eyed the tie pin curiously.
"Sabotaging on purpose? This thing's moods swing wild. Anyway, enough joking."
"Hey, Billy. They're saying it's a joke. What the hell are these lunatics on about?"
"We want Ithaca handling defense for LA's east side. If they pull it off, they'll pitch in on the hive raid too."
"Not lunatics—psychos. Ithaca kids got bullets in their heads? Risking their necks for no pay? I want the oversight gig bad, but not with these clowns. Wasted time. Let's go, Billy."
Ulvert stood to leave, signaling no more talk.
"Don't you wanna pay back Ithaca for all the shit they've pulled? With interest?"
Ulvert paused.
"If I'm right, you've got plenty of cards to play against them. But swinging wild might spark a war, so you're holding back. Need a sword arm?"
Ulvert turned.
"You offering to swing it for us?"
"Swing? I'll stab, twist, dance the blade for you."
"Hah? Entertaining guy. Knows just where to scratch. But you got the chops?"
"Chops? Not sure. But I've got solid backing."
"So you can pull it off?"
"Dip a toe in. If we seem unreliable, pull out then."
* * *
After meeting O.C., Kang Moo-hyuk's group crossed to LA's east side, reaching Ithaca Guild HQ past midnight.
Fights raged across the city, but guilds were syncing up in the west and center—with O.C. joining—the tide had swung hard toward the hunters.
East side stayed grim. Ithaca, meant to anchor it, played defense on the bare minimum.
"No signs of pulling out."
Jang Deok-gu scanned the towering Ithaca HQ in the middle of the boulevard.
Kang Moo-hyuk ordered Go Eul-ji.
"Any movement inside? Alert if they're shifting key gear."
"Should've checked during the minefield. I'm no detection hunter."
"Means you're excellent all around."
"Sounds like you wanna use me everywhere, Director."
"Heavens, kid. Finally caught on? Shocking you just now."
No Song-rin cackled. Go Eul-ji bristled.
"I'm not low enough to hear that from you. Guild's official slave."
"Slave? Who?"
"From what I know, you've topped official and unofficial missions. More than even the Guild Master."
"Brat, where'd you pull that bullshit..."
"Word from Team Leader Pyo. Year-end bonuses, performance review—she was shocked. Not just this year, cumulative—you're numero uno. Congrats. Bet your bank's fat. Not jealous, though. Don't wanna live like a slave."
"Hey! If I'm first, you're second!"
Go Eul-ji flinched.
"What? You just flinched. For real? You're actually second?"
"Damn it. Don't exploit a student that hard."
"Puhaha! Graduating soon? You'll be top next year? Jackpot—I'm your future self. Kuhahaha!"
"Don't jinx it like that. Say something, Director. You've got a conscience—guarantee holidays next year?"
"..."
"Why're you quiet?!"
"Guild managers are conscienceless by trade. Sorry, but expansion plans mean busier next year."
"Unfair. I quit."
"Sorry. You just reaffirmed your contract. Unauthorized quit? See you in court. After chatting with the Guild Master, negotiating terms."
"That 'chat' with fists?"
"No idea."
"Fine. Use me moderately."
"Moderately... As I said, my conscience is..."
"Yeah. Just don't work me to death."
"Don't be too disappointed. Who knows? Might hit S-rank next year. S-ranks can renew or quit—no stopping them. Do what you want then."
"S-ra... Talking like that keeps you safe."
Go Eul-ji sighed, waving the white flag—no other choice.
I'll hit S-rank out of spite. Then ditch this guild for good.
The moment she resolved to chase S-rank for real.
But even at S-rank, can I shake Director Kang? Guy wiped a Chinese S-rank.
Sudden chill up her spine.
* * *
Ithaca vice master Powel sought Guild Master Dolores again with fresh news.
"Who?"
"Thomas Lee. The mage you force-fed pricey magic to—you know."
"Oh, that half-baked one? Reports said he's useful. But why him?"
"Showed up at HQ with weirdos."
"Weirdos?"
"Koreans."
"Thomas is Korean-American, right? Dragged in Koreatown locals?"
"Five total minus Thomas—one civilian, rest high-rank hunters. From Korea. Civilian named Kang Moo-hyuk. Wants to meet you."
"Kang Moo-hyuk?"
Dolores twirled her light brown bangs, digging through memories.
"Oh, right. That noisy Korean guild director lately. Rumor mill's buzzing. But why? We ever cross paths?"
"Nope. Not our main biz."
"Why? Few Rider Wolves would look badass."
"Sure, nice to have. But stirring guild beef? Pass. If our side biz leaks from drama, we're screwed. O.C.'s already sniffing. No upside contacting him."
"Pity. Wanted to ride Rider Wolves."
"Anyway, he wants to see you. What now?"
Dolores chewed her lip—her thinking habit. Cute quirk on a beauty who drew eyes anywhere, but the chill aura from her gaze screamed major guild boss.
"Timing's off. Bee swarm's raging, other guilds acting nuts."
"If it bugs you, send 'em packing."
"Nah. That'd bug me more. Let 'em in. Got nothing else. See what bullshit they spout."
Soon, Kang Moo-hyuk's group reached the Guild Master's office.
Dolores lounged on the sofa to greet them. Sprawled center, arms draped over the back—rudely casual for guests.
As Kang Moo-hyuk extended a hand for intros, Dolores just nodded from her seat, chin-jerking at the opposite sofa.
"Sit. I don't do formalities."
Kang Moo-hyuk withdrew his hand.
"Suit yourself?"
He flopped onto the indicated sofa like it was his.
"Well, damn. Fun guy? Foreigner balls, huh? Not scared in my face. Impressive."
"Yeah. Got worse in my guild. Used to this vibe."
In the taut tension, Go Eul-ji fumbled in her pocket for her smartphone.
Worse than you? She's talking about Guild Master, right? Gotta record. Tell her I record too.
She rustled carefully but couldn't find it without looking—tough to activate the touch screen blind. Even as a telekinesist sensing objects, buttons were tricky.
"You there. What the hell are you doing right now?"
Dolores's eyes locked on Go Eul-ji.