#278. As a Senior, I'll Teach You.
"You used your head well."
"That's what you have to say right now?"
Joo Se-ah snapped at Kang Moo-hyuk's admiration. Now's the time for compliments? But seeing his utterly relaxed expression, she reconsidered.
"Did you see this coming or something?"
"I'm not a god. How could I predict everything? You need some hint to prepare. Of course, I had my suspicions."
"What suspicions?"
"When I heard you'd gotten a U.S. visa, it seemed too easy."
"Yeah, even I thought that was weird. I tested the waters, but I didn't expect approval that fast. If it didn't work, I was gonna send another staffer."
Kang Moo-hyuk paused mid-sentence and glanced at the crime bureau agent. The agent caught on and stepped away.
Kang Moo-hyuk gave Joo Se-ah a look.
"Shall we take a walk?"
"I was feeling cooped up anyway. Let's get some air."
Kang Moo-hyuk and Joo Se-ah stepped out of the crime bureau building. They walked for a while until coffee crossed their minds, but the cafes weren't open yet. Smacking their lips in disappointment, they continued along the road. It was quiet, almost no cars around.
"No tail?"
"Nope. But is it safe to talk out here like this?"
"An S-rank shows up in the U.S., of course they'll bug us. That's their job."
"I'm no criminal."
"You're more dangerous than one."
"That hurts."
Joo Se-ah puffed out her cheeks in a pout.
Kang Moo-hyuk ignored her complaint and pressed on with his point.
"Same context, but continuing from earlier. Normally, an S-rank crossing borders is a national security issue on par with moving a strategic nuke. For your entry permit to come through so easily means they're betting the gains outweigh the risks."
"What gains?"
"Do you know about Bertrand Lefebvre, Guild Master?"
"Sure. America's poster boy S-rank."
"That he's originally French?"
"Obviously... Wait, you don't mean—"
"'Never say never'—that's a classic in our world. They probably planned to lure you in using Bertrand's case as precedent."
"Unbelievable. They know I fixed their mess, and they're still pulling this crap?"
Joo Se-ah ground her teeth, genuinely pissed.
Incurring the Guild Master's wrath. America's scheme just went poof.
Kang Moo-hyuk figured the U.S. government had misread her personality.
He continued laying out his thoughts.
"Politicians will frame the carnivorous wasp incident as an unlucky fluke—which it was. But it's prime material to exploit."
"Exploit how?"
"They'll say they handled it perfectly, drawing you to the U.S., and you solved it—perfect win-win. I'd go further and splash it across the media. It'd be a huge feather in the administration's cap."
"The nerve..."
"The headline alone sells itself: 'Korean S-rank Who Saved America—Joo Se-ah Naturalizing?' Views would explode. Plus, it'd stir public opinion to widen the gap between Korea and you."
"Nah, that's too far-fetched. You know my popularity back home? Unshakable number one in hunter polls. And what country mistreats an S-rank? Screw ranks anyway—my looks alone get me VIP treatment."
"..."
"Fine, I'll stop. Don't look at me like that..."
Kang Moo-hyuk straightened up at her banter.
"Korea still has plenty of factions uncomfortable with your presence. Tier Guilds won't suddenly see you as an ally just because you fought together once. You know that better than anyone."
"Ugh. Can't argue there."
"And don't forget Japan."
"Oh yeah, them. Been too quiet lately."
"Backroom deals are their specialty. They've got agents embedded in Korea's hunter scene and influence across the peninsula. Even if Tier Guilds stay quiet, politicians or media will fan the suspicions."
After a long walk, they spotted a taco food truck. With the city not fully back to normal, it was a rare treat.
Feeling peckish, Kang Moo-hyuk offered Joo Se-ah some.
"Taco?"
"Ten for me."
"That fill you up? At least twenty."
"On a diet. This figure takes work... Okay, stop staring. My bad."
"Guild Master, you could use a lesson in high-class jokes from me."
"Was that a joke?"
"Dead serious."
"..."
"You look uncomfortable."
"That's exactly the face you made earlier."
"Meaning... Ah, got it."
"You. Fi. Nal. Ly. Get. It? What's with the stiff reaction? So boring."
A crowd had gathered near the taco truck. They chatted idly while waiting in line. It took a while for the food, but they endured—no better eats around anyway.
Loaded with tacos and drinks, they sat on a nearby empty bench and picked up the conversation.
"Okay, I get the situation now. So, what's the plan? Can't stay stuck here forever."
"Hearing the exit ban reason sparked an idea."
"As expected of you, Boss. Spill."
Joo Se-ah's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Strategic materials smuggling, right? The unique queen materials. Just don't take them out."
"You're nuts? Leave them behind?"
"Didn't say leave them. Said don't take them."
"Same difference."
"Have them delivered."
"Stash 'em in a FedEx box? A unique item?"
"Air freight hits customs too."
"Then who? Dark side?"
"Not reckless enough to use crime syndicates in the U.S."
"Reckless? After all you've done?"
"I've always stayed within bounds."
"Ugh, if you can't talk straight... So, who?"
"The Federation."
"Federation? They do delivery...? The Hunter Federation?!"
Joo Se-ah yelped in shock.
Sure, Iron Will had some deal with them, but openly defying the U.S. government? The contract didn't cover that—they could refuse no problem.
Since he knew that best, Joo Se-ah worried he'd blackmailed them somehow.
"This isn't Korea. I can't cover for screw-ups here."
"This one's low-risk."
"F-Fine, let's hear it."
"Federation aircraft can't be searched anywhere in the world. More secure than diplomatic pouches."
"I know, but... Think they'll agree?"
"About that, Guild Master—I got a commission from the Federation recently..."
Suddenly, Joo Se-ah thrust out her arm, blocking Kang Moo-hyuk. Less protective, more wary.
He clamped his mouth shut and followed her glare.
"Nooo~! Sold out already?!"
A guy at the taco truck was tearing at his hair in despair. Beside him, a woman blushed and averted her eyes.
"I'm so embarrassed. He's not with me."
"Maria, every food joint here's closed. My stomach's about to eat my spine."
"Didn't you scarf thirty hot dogs a few hours ago?"
"That was lunch."
"It's not even dinner time."
"Snack time."
"Black hole in your gut?"
"Unfair. Hunter stomachs aren't like normies'."
"I'm a hunter too, asshole."
"Lowbies and highbies have different scales."
"Oh, sure, Your Highness. Lucky you. Why'd I ever get tangled with this guy."
"Maria, you're the one who dragged me here for your client."
"So when do we do the job?!"
They bickered like a comedy duo, but Joo Se-ah was on high alert.
As Kang Moo-hyuk picked up on the suspicion from her reaction and started to ask their identities—
"Just do the job. Right now? Hey, you're Miss Joo, right? Asian S-rank in the U.S. ain't common. Gotta be Joo Se-ah. Hey, let's talk."
The guy suddenly pointed at Joo Se-ah and approached.
She shot back coldly.
"Don't act like it's coincidence after tailing us. Who the hell are you, sneaking up all meek? Want a fight?"
"Think I'd come to fight? I'd lead with a preemptive strike."
"Name first."
"Me? Need a name? You know the type."
"S-rank with a beggar bird in his belly ain't common, yeah."
"Huh? Fresh insult. Beggar bird... Maria aside, been a while since anyone dissed me like that. Kinda pissed now."
"True though, right?"
"Maria, whose side are you on?!"
With no progress and tension rising, Kang Moo-hyuk intervened.
"Time for the point, Hunter Dwayne Dix."
"Huh? Who're you? Know me?"
"You come here without North American S-rank dossiers?"
Joo Se-ah whispered in Kang Moo-hyuk's ear.
"Boss, an S-rank like that?"
"Off-the-books hunter. S-rank not in the Super S registry. Obscure, but no slouch."
Dwayne eyed Kang Moo-hyuk differently.
"Heard Miss Joo had a slick sidekick. You Mr. Kang?"
"Kang Moo-hyuk."
"No need to memorize non-hunter names."
"You mocking our boss?"
"Hah, touchy S-rank newbie picks fights over nothing. Just wanna talk, why so hostile?"
"Schedule it proper. Don't cat-burglar us."
"Fresh S-rank meat with balls. Wonder if your fists match... Gahk!"
Bam!
Dwayne took Joo Se-ah's punch to the cheek and flew dozens of meters.
Taco-eaters nearby screamed and scattered. The street emptied in seconds.
Kang Moo-hyuk sighed, rubbing his temple with one hand.
"Sigh, Guild Master. What the hell?"
"Preemptive punch is a must."
"Guess the troublemaker's you, not me."
Clapping came from the side.
"Nice straight. Whoa, feels like my chest cleared up."
"Weren't you with that guy?"
"Guild Master Joo Se-ah, I'm Maria Lawrence, Dwayne Dix's lawyer. One request."
"Talk proper, schedule—"
"Can you hit him again?"
"??"
"Hey, Maria! Whose side are you on?!"
Dwayne staggered up, fuming.
"You're dead today, punk. As a senior S-rank, time for a lesson."