I'm Curious About That Leader
"Whoa. This is really something fresh, huh? When have we ever heard those guys talked about like this? How the hell did you manage to get that spoiled brat kicked out? Our leader's got some real talent."
Thwack!
"Ugh...!"
No Song-rin drove his fist into the gut of Lee Ki-young, who was standing in front of him.
Lee Ki-young, gasping for breath as he collapsed, endured the pain and quickly returned to his position. At ease, he stared fixedly at the wall in front of him, maintaining his rigid stance.
"Can't even keep one kid in line while I'm away for a bit?"
"I'm sorry."
"How am I supposed to handle outside business like this, Ki-young?"
"I have no face to show you."
Lee Ki-young didn't even make eye contact with No Song-rin. Those from Ujungdo knew just how nasty his temper could be. Having grown up in rough streets since childhood, he was relentlessly persistent.
That persistence bred possessiveness, wielding a charisma that commanded his subordinates. That's why he could be crueler than anyone when something slipped from his grasp.
That was the reason he was furious about Byeon Jeong-cheol, regardless of whether the man was useful or not.
'Just because someone's from Ujungdo doesn't mean they can't return as a hunter. But no proper guild would take him in. What kind of lunatic stuck a former party leader from there into Taeseong? I'm just a petty crook, but a former party leader...'
Lee Ki-young had done his time eating prison rice too, but he thought it was a problem to recruit these lunatics as core guild hunters from the start.
At least since Joo Se-ah took over as guild master, they weren't causing outright incidents anymore—that was a relief, at least.
But Joo Se-ah wasn't the only one to watch out for. What about Jang Deok-gu? If they clashed with him...?
'That'd be a nightmare. Hell, with Jang Deok-gu around, can this even be called a normal guild?'
No Song-rin punched Lee Ki-young a few more times before withdrawing his fist.
"Byeon Jeong-cheol isn't the point anyway. You know why that bastard never really joined our family, right? He's not trustworthy. The real issue is how this leader guy will play it from here. Unlike the previous one, he's way too proactive with the guild. Could mess with our business."
"Should we handle him quietly?"
"What about Jang Deok-gu?"
"If we don't get caught..."
"Ha?! You think that guy would stay quiet without evidence?"
"No, he wouldn't."
"And the guild master is a problem too. She's left us alone so far because we haven't crossed the line."
"Isn't it a line we'll have to cross eventually?"
"Not right now, at least. Damn, having a regular civilian as leader is a real headache. A hotshot hunter vice guild master would've been better. They wouldn't bother dealing with the likes of us."
No Song-rin crossed his arms, lost in thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Leave it be for now. If we poke him and he digs deeper, it'll be trouble. Let the minor stuff slide. Pretend to listen well. Be good. You get what I mean?"
"Yes. Understood."
"And deal with Byeon Jeong-cheol. He dared to quit without my permission? Time to show him what happens."
"Yes."
'No matter how I look at it, he's shady.'
To be recognized as A- rank, the average of the four major stats needed to be between 80-83 points, with at least two ranks including mana reaching A-.
Even if all other stats were A-, if mana wasn't A- rank, or if only mana qualified, promotion wouldn't be granted.
Based purely on measured base stats, No Song-rin was an impeccable A- rank.
Even among A- ranks, detailed stats and tactical evaluations could vary wildly, but his monster hunting record showed he wasn't lacking in experience by any means.
This level would make him a regular party member in an A-rank guild, or an elite or ace in a B-rank one.
"Too bad he's got a 'non-rank'—one stat short of the cutoff. Makes sense the raid faction rep wouldn't be a bare-minimum 'stat-scraper'."
This was the sticking point that kept nagging at Kang Moo-hyuk.
Taeseong Guild was far below B-rank in performance evaluations.
No Song-rin was too good for a place like this. He could've transferred to a top guild ages ago.
'Sure, being from Ujungdo is a hurdle. But damn, why does this guild have so many Ujungdo types?'
Joo Se-ah had explained that former guild masters had brought in outsiders to solidify control, piling them up like stakes.
Proper hunters wouldn't come to a Taeseong-level guild, so they'd scraped together those with disqualifying backgrounds out of desperation.
But at A- rank, Ujungdo origins weren't an issue.
Criminal records only mattered for large A-rank+ guilds; B-ranks and below would at least consider recruiting them. Below C-rank, they'd take the risk to snag that rank.
Even without Taeseong, places eager to recruit him were everywhere if he looked around.
"Yet he came to Taeseong?"
And not even for big money?
Given Taeseong's dismal gate-clearing record, raid bonuses, dispatch fees, and hazard pay were practically nonexistent.
Gate clear bonuses and loot shares were the biggest slices, but with no opportunities, they were pipe dreams.
In an industry where allowances dwarfed base salaries, those extras were a hunter's lifeline.
Hunters' base pay seemed overflowing to civilians, but it wasn't enough—they spent as much as they earned.
Think pro baseball players buying their own gear. Hunters did the same.
Considering the eye-watering cost of hunter equipment, base salary alone couldn't cover it.
Guilds provided ampoule kits and standard gear, but most hunters customized weapons to fit like a glove. A weapon's difference meant life or death.
'Plus, No Song-rin's been off stat checks for two years. He could've hit full-rank by now—no big stretch, just one point shy on agility.'
Kang Moo-hyuk suspected No Song-rin's true motives.
Was his presence in Taeseong mere coincidence, or something more?
If ulterior motives, was it collusion with external forces or his own faction?
If external, Taeseong Group? Or some other outfit?
'Not enough intel.'
Mana addiction's flashes of insight and sharp judgment needed data to ignite.
Kang Moo-hyuk called the contact from the Byeon Jeong-cheol matter.
"Dig into No Song-rin for me. Ujungdo alum. Send basic profile via email. I'll settle the fee with the last one."
* * *
The bar street frequented by Taeseong Guild members.
Business had been slow amid the guild's sunken mood, but with juicy gossip as drinking fodder, they started gathering after work in twos and threes.
After first round at a pork belly joint doubling as dinner, the staff plopped down at a beer hall for round two, spilling the tea.
"Heard the rumor?"
"What rumor?"
"Our new leader. Ex-Titan."
"Titan? The hotshot one lately?"
"Yeah. Was their strategic team leader too."
"No way a non-hunter... Wait, wasn't there news about a non-hunter strategic team leader before?"
"Yep. That's our leader. Google it—pops right up."
"Whoa, first time a non-hunter's headed strategy."
"Gotta be why he snagged leader spot."
A man nearby, downing a 500cc draft in one go, perked up at "leader."
'Leader?'
He peeked around the potted plant blocking his view. Familiar staffers came into sight.
'Guild folks? Leader? What happened while I was out on dispatch?'
He eavesdropped to get the lay of the land—and caught shocking info.
"Heard the big drama today?"
"Byeon Jeong-cheol the hunter?"
"Yeah. Assaulted a manager. Leader handled it—he's out as of today."
'What? Byeon Jeong-cheol quit the guild?'
"No way he'd listen to words. Probably stormed out in a huff."
"Got a buddy in management. Says the leader..."
"Welcome!"
The server's greeting drowned the next table. The man stood up outright.
"What're you doing?"
"Huh? Dong-pa hyung?"
Startled by the sudden voice, he whipped around—busted eavesdropping on the staff.
"Baek Hyeong-gyu, hunter?"
"Na Dong-pa, hunter! Y-you're both back...? Haha..."
Baek Hyeong-gyu scratched his head awkwardly, waving. The staff racked their brains—had they badmouthed anyone?
Private chat or not, badmouthing hunters to their face was taboo.
"Why the awkward vibe? What's up?"
Baek Hyeong-gyu ignored Na Dong-pa's question, beer in hand, and approached the staff.
"So, Byeon Jeong-cheol really quit?"
"What? That guy?"
Na Dong-pa followed, suddenly interested, but Baek Hyeong-gyu ignored him again, wedging into the staff circle.
"Uh, well..."
"My bad, my bad. Drinks on me tonight. Keep spilling."
As the staff hesitated then opened up, Na Dong-pa dragged a chair over too.
The two hunters, faces blank after the rundown, stared at each other.
"So the new guy's not vice guild master—he's leader. And he cut Byeon Jeong-cheol, the manager-beater, in one day?"
"More like he quit voluntarily..."
"That psycho wouldn't leave alone."
Baek Hyeong-gyu nailed it, fearing twists. He figured the leader pulled strings.
"The sauna thing blows my mind more. That real?"
Na Dong-pa, who'd been quiet, asked. A staffer replied.
"Saw it myself. Got called from expedition team for a sauna errand."
"Jang-sunbae isn't the sauna type. Met Do Kyung-hoon, the expedition leader...? Why move now after playing nice?"
Unfamiliar stirrings in the guild during their absence.
Baek Hyeong-gyu and Na Dong-pa didn't care how the guild flowed, but unknown shifts irked them.
"Hyung, think we should swing by the office after so long?"
"Yeah. Kinda curious about this leader guy."
* * *
Next morning, 10 a.m.
Kang Moo-hyuk, with a meeting at the Guild Cooperation Office, led Joo Se-ah to the Government Seoul Office.
They parked in the pre-arranged basement; a civil servant approached.
"Hello. Park Chung-su, from our call."
"Joo Se-ah."
"Kang Moo-hyuk."
"Security direct elevator reserved. This way."
Kang Moo-hyuk was pleased only Park Chung-su greeted them.
'Fewer who know, the better.'
His leader inauguration article was about to drop.
Good or bad, guilds' eyes would turn.
If word leaked they were at Guild Cooperation then, interference could've hit before progress.
Large guilds tabooed the leader system outright—some hunters might smash it on sight.
Park Chung-su led not to the department head's office, but a small corner meeting room.
Inside, a hawk-nosed middle-aged man in gold-rimmed glasses welcomed them warmly.
"Cha Gil-ju, department head."
"Taeseong Guild Master Joo Se-ah."
"Taeseong Guild Leader Kang Moo-hyuk."
"Modest digs, sorry. Sneaking this, apologies. Sit."
As they sat at Cha Gil-ju's offer, Kang Moo-hyuk spoke first.
"Thanks for squeezing us in on short notice."
"Had a minister appointment originally."
"..."
"But you mentioned North Pocheon ties, and he yielded right away. Means it's crucial. Special zones are more hazard than resource right now."
"Might flow differently soon."
Kang Moo-hyuk slid prepared documents forward.
Cha Gil-ju took them, unfolding carefully. He adjusted his glasses per page, eyes alight with interest.
Face-to-face, he read every word meticulously, not skimming.
Kang Moo-hyuk and Joo Se-ah waited patiently.
"Whew~ Not the full picture. These plans lead somewhere, but no payoff. Like half a blueprint."
"To see the other half, pay the price. Shall we?"