#251. This Isn't a Trivial Matter.
Amid the ongoing commotion, an unfamiliar face entered the room.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I have a mission to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
"Who might you be?"
In response to Kang Moo-hyuk's question, Joo Se-ah answered instead.
"He's Robert Owen, the head of the World Hunter Federation's LA branch. As soon as we landed at the airport, things got crazy with the hornets, and he's the one who helped us out."
Only then did Kang Moo-hyuk realize he had never seen the branch head during his visit to the Federation's LA building.
"I should have scheduled a proper appointment when I visited the branch, but things were so hectic I didn't even think of it. My apologies."
"No need. Aila herself greeted you during your visit. Her presence is top-level classified even within the branch, so we cleared out several floors at the time. I was absent to bolster security, so it would have been hard to meet anyway."
Joo Se-ah eyed Robert curiously. His demeanor was completely different from how he treated her.
Cold? Or perhaps hostile?
One thing was clear: Robert didn't care much for Kang Moo-hyuk.
Kang Moo-hyuk seemed to notice but paid it no mind.
Robert didn't express it overtly either. He stuck to business.
"It's a message from Aila. She said she's relieved you're safe."
"No other words?"
"She's currently in flight, heading to LA. She'll arrive in about three hours. You can discuss the rest then."
"She's coming in person? Not a proxy?"
"Yes. She's coming herself."
"Is she traveling alone by any chance? The hornets have been dealt with, but it's still not safe."
"No need to worry. She's accompanied by her direct guards and some Federation-affiliated hunters."
"Her guards—what rank are...?"
"No need to worry about that either. They're not the type to fall to mere hornets. They're veterans who've worked with Aila on numerous operations."
Kang Moo-hyuk's thoughts grew complicated regarding why Aila was coming to LA.
As far as he knew, Aila had been handling highly demanding missions within the Federation—tracking unknown entities and resolving related issues. He remembered her clearly because her pursuit of that entity had connected her to him.
It was no surprise that her accompanying hunters would be top-tier.
Moreover, the only people he'd seen with her before were the likes of Alex Wilkinson and Raven.
Given her prowess in handling mana, which outclassed most mages, why bring along a bunch of hunters?
'She wouldn't deploy such excessive force unless she views this place as a danger zone.'
They had boarded the plane before communications were cut off. Naturally, they wouldn't have known about the carnivorous hornets yet.
'Yet she mobilized a team anyway—that means there's a reason she had to.'
Kang Moo-hyuk quickly reached that conclusion and tried to shake off the ominous premonition. Somehow, he had a feeling the hive raid wouldn't go smoothly.
"Mr. Owen, please confirm if we can meet as soon as Aila arrives."
"Of course. I'll be in touch."
Hamilton started the video conference with a weary expression.
On the screen, members of the National Security Council, including Vice President Mike Pence, were lined up on either side.
"Mr. Vice President, have you spoken with the President?"
-He's instructed to hold off until you return home.
"Is that the conclusion after staying up all night?"
-It's not a decision to be made lightly, Director Hamilton.
"If the direct line isn't working, arrange a one-on-one with the President through the White House if you have to. I'll convince him."
-Even if you speak directly, it won't make a difference. Anyone with even a passing interest in politics knows the strained relationship between the President and the Federation.
"At the very least, we can mobilize the Super S-ranks."
-That's awkward for us too. This administration's policy is a major overhaul of the hunter system. Whether it's major guilds or Super S-ranks, relations with the established powers are tense. Approaching them hat-in-hand would put us at a disadvantage in future negotiations.
Mike spoke firmly. Hamilton couldn't agree.
"Then we'll bow our heads."
-Director, it's not your head on the line. It's the President's, and the party's—we'd be on the defensive.
"Better than people dying. If bowing protects LA, I'd do it a thousand times. Why prioritize political infighting over such a grave threat?"
-Infighting? This is about the future of our nation—something we can't compromise on. Delaying reform could mean tens of thousands more deaths over the next few decades.
"So you're saying sacrifice the present to save the future?"
-That's not what I mean!
Mike burst out angrily—a rare sight for the mild-mannered Vice President.
Hamilton knew he shouldn't push the Vice President too hard. He was a soft touch, which was why he'd been appointed. Entrusting such weighty decisions to him meant things wouldn't progress smoothly.
"Then at least issue an evacuation order for LA city residents."
-Do you know how many people live in LA?
"Four million. Or less now, after today's deaths—maybe 3.9, 3.8, or even 3.5 million."
-Let's be realistic, no sarcasm. Evacuating a metropolis of four million takes time. The economic hit from lockdowns? Rebuilding even after they return would take years. Midterms are right around the corner. The President needs to win those for re-election.
In the end, it all boiled down to elections. Hamilton felt disappointed.
'What's the difference between the major guilds and the White House?'
These people, who had seized power on promises of hunter reform, were turning into the very targets they aimed to topple.
Disappointment aside, Hamilton believed he had to do his duty alone. He sidestepped to persuade them in the direction they wanted.
"For the midterms' sake, wouldn't it be crucial to eliminate this threat decisively? People won't vote for a government that lets crises fester."
-You don't seem to grasp political rhetoric, Director Hamilton. The midterms are over two months away. The crisis is now; the costs are in the future. By then, people will care even more about the LA fallout.
That final remark left Hamilton deflated.
-Stand by for now. I've ordered the hunter units there to follow your commands temporarily. I'll contact you if anything develops.
"Please, don't let it be too late."
All Hamilton could manage was a plea.
The screen went dark, and he slammed the keyboard. The impact made his hands ache.
Gripping his slightly swollen hand tightly, Hamilton ground his teeth.
'I don't think of myself as righteous, but I can confidently say I love this country. Something's clearly wrong here. Otherwise, votes over people? You need people to have elections.'
Hamilton felt a disillusionment he'd never known, even in his spy days.
"Sigh... Right now, the only one I can turn to is Raid Leader Kang Moo-hyuk."
Entrusting national monster security to a foreign civilian—it was absurd enough to draw a hollow laugh.
But he had no choice. He wasn't acquainted with LA guilds, nor did he have authority over them. Hadn't the eastern guilds even pressured the western ones from the White House's side? His only connection was Kang Moo-hyuk.
"No choice but to give it a shot."
"A raid? Possible."
"Really?"
Hamilton's hips lifted at Kang Moo-hyuk's firm declaration.
"Fortunately, we have two cards up our sleeve."
Hamilton knew one. He glanced at Joo Se-ah sitting beside Kang Moo-hyuk.
S-rank.
What could be more reliable?
Moreover, from what he'd gathered, Joo Se-ah possessed tanking prowess at the pinnacle. Superior to any North American hunter.
Kang Moo-hyuk continued.
"Guild Master Joo Se-ah being in the US right now can only be described as heaven-sent."
"Huh? But Guild Master came to the US 'cause she hates work—ack!"
Go Eul-ji chimed in cluelessly, only to get knocked away by Joo Se-ah's fist.
For a split second, Go Eul-ji's Tenfold Chains skill restrained Joo Se-ah, but it only stalled her momentarily—she couldn't be stopped.
The exchange was so fast that Hamilton only caught the final head-flick.
Coughing awkwardly at the guild's unfamiliar dynamic, he asked,
"What's the second card?"
"A member of the World Hunter Federation's Round Table is in LA right now."
"The Round Table?!"
Hamilton's shock was understandable.
The Federation's supreme decision-making body, the Round Table.
Its members included honorary positions, but even the US President was among them. Their influence extended to politics.
"Iron Will Guild's forces with an S-rank hunter form a top-tier party. Add Federation support, and we can form a main strike team."
"Wouldn't that still fall short?"
"We'll have to rely on the LA guilds for the rest."
"They're committed to helping with the hive raid, but how aggressively? Honestly, I doubt they'll commit full strength."
"That's where your resolve comes in, Director."
"Me?"
"First, one question: How far can we leverage the White House name?"
It was a blunt admission of using the White House outright.
Hamilton bit his lip.
"Frankly, I have nothing to offer right now. Upper levels have put the brakes on. I don't have authority to lead the LA crisis on the White House's behalf."
"Politics aren't my concern—I wouldn't know. But there are ways."
"Tell me. I'll do whatever I can."
"You must keep that promise."
"Naturally. Even if it costs me my position, I'll see it through."
"Take a trip to Sacramento."
The unexpected response left Hamilton speechless.
Kang Moo-hyuk elaborated.
"The current California governor's at odds with the President, right? Midterms coming, eyeing the next presidency. Party popularity's dipping too. Politicians gain name recognition by playing in big waters, don't they? Let's enlarge the stage."
Hamilton stuck out his tongue.
"You really know nothing about politics?"
State Department Deputy Secretary Liam Spencer rushed to find the Secretary upon hearing the fresh news.
But the Secretary was in a National Security Council meeting, unreachable. The aide promised to pass a note once it ended, but who knew how long that would take.
Unable to wait, Liam headed straight to the White House, anxious.
"Get word to the Secretary. It's urgent."
"The mood inside is foul. Anything short of earth-shattering will just piss him off."
"This isn't a trivial matter. Korea's S-rank just entered the country."