#301. The Guild Master Doesn't Suit That Position.
Ma Parlam couldn't react to the unexpected proposal.
Kang Moo-hyuk handed over the prepared proposal document.
"These are the acquisition terms."
"No. I don't need to see it. I refuse."
"May I ask why?"
"Major guilds have tried to recruit me and my team members before, and they weren't the only ones. Their offers were top-tier in the industry. But no one took their hands. Do you know why?"
"Hmm. Because life in a big guild is too rigid?"
"Close enough. The guilds' top priority is profit. They schedule hunts purely for the money. But Nopsaebaram is different. If we were in it for the cash, there'd be no reason to base ourselves in Hoiryeong City. We could've just retreated to Chongjin City and avoided getting dragged into unprofitable hunts like this. None of my members hunt for the money."
"That's exactly what I like about you."
"Pardon?"
Kang Moo-hyuk clapped his hands, a broad smile spreading across his face. Ma Parlam looked utterly baffled.
"Why don't you at least take a look at the proposal?"
Ma Parlam couldn't refuse Kang Moo-hyuk's repeated urging any longer.
As a bare minimum courtesy to the benefactor who had resolved Nopsaebaram Guild's crisis, he had to at least pretend to read it.
As his eyes fell on the proposal, Kang Moo-hyuk elaborated.
"As you'll see, even if you're acquired by Iron Will, nothing will change from before. In fact, you'll be able to focus purely on hunting in an even better environment. Read Article 1 first."
Ma Parlam's gaze drifted over the lines of text floating on the page. His heart wasn't in it, so the words didn't stick, but he managed to pick out a sentence and read it aloud.
"Party A shall not exert any coercive force over Party B's hunting plans. Not exert? None at all?"
Without lifting his eyes from the document, he glared up at Kang Moo-hyuk. Kang Moo-hyuk nodded in agreement.
"Exactly as it says. You'll keep handling monsters crossing the Tumen River centered on Hoiryeong City, just like before. In fact, we'll provide support for costs and risks during hunts, byproduct disposal specialist teams, and more. If you want gate raids, we've prepared for that too. Of course, like all guilds, full raid operations require strategic team approval. It's detailed in the back—feel free to reference it."
Ma Parlam couldn't read any further. That single clause alone showed Iron Will was making a massive concession.
Guild acquisitions were usually about coveting another guild's forces or indirectly expanding into new territories.
Hoiryeong City might be one of the largest cities bordering Makyung, but in its current wrecked state, it was more of a money pit than anything.
So it had to be the former reason, yet attaching conditions that prevented free use of those forces made no sense to the recipient.
Especially promising support for money-losing, bottomless-pit hunts.
Ma Parlam had been branded a sucker in the guild world for operating at a loss, but he was a veteran hunter who'd rolled in the dirt. The offer was hard to believe.
Which was why he had to ask the primal question.
"What's in it for you?"
"Nothing, obviously. In terms of money."
"If it's not profitable, then why...?"
"If it were about money, would Iron Will have stood guarantee for Nopsaebaram's potion and gear purchases?"
"Because we're comrades who fought together?"
"Pfft!"
"D-don't laugh. It's embarrassing even saying it."
At Kang Moo-hyuk's chuckle, Ma Parlam flushed red.
"Ah, sorry. It wasn't funny—it just caught me off guard that a guild master still thinks that way."
"That's why they say you kick the blanket in regret. That's exactly how I feel."
"Not wrong, actually. The reason we supported Nopsaebaram isn't far off. You're right. It made no sense for a guild of real hunters like Nopsaebaram to shut down over unpaid potion bills."
"......"
Kang Moo-hyuk wiped the smile from his face and continued.
"And that's the reason for the acquisition too. Nopsaebaram suffering hunt disruptions over money issues? That'd be the world turned upside down. And there are more guilds like yours than you think. I'm gathering hunters who stake everything on monster hunting, not money. Strong or weak doesn't matter. If they're weak, I'll get them gear or skills to make them strong. Ranks can be bought with cash, but will can't. Does that answer why we're pushing this acquisition?"
Ma Parlam stared blankly at Kang Moo-hyuk, then suddenly patted his pockets. He stood and walked to the desk, rummaging until he found a pen. Without a word, he flipped through the proposal.
"Where do I sign?"
"You won't read the rest?"
"With that look on your face, asking makes me feel like the fool. That's even more embarrassing."
Though Ma Parlam was now actively positive about the acquisition, Kang Moo-hyuk shook his head.
"Still, read it all carefully and double-check. Consult your guild lawyer too. This is just a proposal. When acquisition talks get serious, you'll sign the formal contract then."
Only then did Ma Parlam notice there was no signature line, his face turning beet red at his own blunder once more.
Kang Moo-hyuk watched him hesitate, then carefully broached the subject.
"I'm really sorry to say this, but... Guild Master Ma Parlam, you don't suit that position. You shine brightest as a hunter."
Grasping the implication, Ma Parlam nodded vigorously.
"I've thought that plenty myself. Hunting monsters and running a guild are worlds apart. I've shouldered it because my friends believed in this version of me, but I've been wondering if I'm hitting my limit."
"From now on, set aside the guild's miscellaneous duties and focus solely on hunting. I'll handle everything else."
* * *
Starting with Nopsaebaram Guild, Kang Moo-hyuk made contact with seven other mid- and small-sized guilds he'd had his eye on.
And most responded positively.
All but one.
Dog Fighting Guild refused.
Dog Fighting's guild master, Lee Chang-gu, was a hunter with massive ambitions.
'Even if it takes time, I'll climb up with my own strength. Sure, joining an S-rank guild is tempting, but a dragon's tail beats a snake's head, right? Problem is that guy. He became a Kang Moo-hyuk fan during the volunteer army assault—if he hears the Iron Will merger rumors, he won't stay quiet. How do I convince him?'
Bam!
The door didn't just fly open—it smashed into the wall.
The hinges creaked and gave way, the guild master's office door crashing to the floor.
"Guild master!!"
"Yo-seop, I'm not deaf. And the door... sigh, whatever. Come in and sit."
Byeon Yo-seop strode in, then paused. His shoulders brushed both doorframes. Even hunching, his massive frame caught, so he turned sideways and sidled in crab-like.
Then he flung himself onto the sofa irritably.
Crunch!
"Yeah, yeah, break it. It's cheap recycled crap from the center anyway."
"Our guild master using recycled furniture. So frugal."
"Frugal? You break shit every time you visit! Expensive stuff's pointless. These are just disposable fillers."
"With your build, shouldn't you get sturdy gate ore furniture instead of weak crap?"
"Where's the money? We're scraping by on your gear."
"See? Frugal. Other guild masters flaunt gate-brand luxury to save face, but not ours. Love that."
"Cut the bullshit and say why you're here. Your praise makes me uneasy before pleased."
"Busted?"
"Big time."
Byeon Yo-seop cleared his throat a few times before getting to the point.
"Iron Will wants to merge, right?"
"How'd you know?"
"Vice guild master."
"That guy's got zero security. Always."
"Not the point."
"Not the point? Leaking guild secrets is huge. Where's the vice guild master? Drag him here and beat sense till he shuts up."
"Don't play mad to dodge."
"Busted?"
"Big time."
Lee Chang-gu scratched his head and sat on the opposite sofa.
"So what do you want?"
"Merging or not?"
"My turn. If no, then what?"
"Thanks for everything. Shame, but Dog Fighting ties end here..."
"Stop! You quitting?!"
"Someone's gotta survive. I'm going Iron Will."
"You got penalty fees? They covering transfer instead?"
"Remember? No penalties. That's why I joined."
"Right."
Only then did Lee Chang-gu recall Byeon Yo-seop's contract.
'Damn, gave that top prospect a sweetheart deal, and now it bites.'
Dog Fighting Guild was a barely C-rank mid-small guild.
Strong performers relative to size drew big guild eyes, but competing for talent meant shortcomings.
To win recruits, they offered wild terms others wouldn't: anytime rural monster extermination volunteer rights, zero quit penalties. Won that year's prospect, but...
'Feels more like his guild now.'
Couldn't cut him loose.
Byeon Yo-seop was high-rank, but his growth was historic.
All Lee Chang-gu's plans centered on him. Losing him made refusing Iron Will pure idiocy.
"Seriously leaving like this? What'd I not give you?"
"What'd I not give you, guild master?"
"Ugh. Touché."
"I know you treat me like a brother. Still, what's a hunter? Meaning's in slaying monsters. That's why they say it."
"Not some ghost-hunting marine—why emphasize the obvious?"
"Plenty of hunters don't even say the obvious. Saw it in the Northeast Defense as volunteer. Iron Will's full of true hunters. Wanna work under Leader Kang Moo-hyuk. Anyway, hunting off-season this year, apply second draft early next."
Lee Chang-gu yelped in shock.
"Second draft?! That's quitting!"
"Contract's under half-year left."
"You delayed renewal for this?"
"Decide. Release me or merge with Iron Will."
"You crazy..."
Couldn't spit the curse.
Lee Chang-gu realized checkmate.
Seemed guild master bowed to one member? Small guild limit. Stars swayed fates.
Knowing this, he'd raced to upgrade with Byeon Yo-seop aboard.
He tried cold assessment.
"Triple salary, double shares—still go?"
"You seen my spending? Gear if given."
"Vice guild master seat?"
"How, with vice master bro? Can't steal spots awkwardly."
"Fire that guy."
"Won't change my mind."
"Ha! Money-grubbers easier. Why recruit hunting nuts? Wouldn't dream if not joined!"
To near-tears Lee Chang-gu, Byeon Yo-seop cut coldly.
"Told you my dream joining: monster-free world."
"Possible?"
"Can't erase, but reduce. That's hunter duty, right?"
Nothing swayed him. Lee Chang-gu despaired, sighing.
"Snake head? Worm head impossible. Calling Leader Kang Moo-hyuk. Hear offer—if lowball, kill me, no merge. Got it? Then do you."
"Thanks, guild master. Rumors say good terms."
"Don't trust. Scammers image-craft. Who knows?"
"Try believing. Monster maniacs never bad."
Lee Chang-gu's wrinkles deepened at the odd criteria.
* * *
Go Eul-ji sneaked Seo Dae-chi's personnel file to No Song-rin.
"Tsk tsk. Not why I trained you."
"You told me."
Go Eul-ji glared; No Song-rin shrugged.
"What? Can't check comp without clearance. Had to snag original from archives."
"You ordered it, man. We're accomplices."
"Ahem, anyway, let's review."
No Song-rin slithered to the file; sensing odd vibes, Go Eul-ji yanked it back.
"Why? Let me see."
"Bailing if caught? Dodging?"
"Me?"
"Voice shaking. For real?"
"Between us, I'd screw you?"
"Ask freelancers outside. Trust Ujungdo alum?"
"That's discrimination!"
"No distracting. Seen Leader Kang—think you scam me? Mr. No, learned only bad from him."
"Yeah. Forgot you watched Leader up close. Sorry. Admit."
"Good. Cut tail alone? We all die. Got it?"
Joint liability confirmed, Go Eul-ji handed it over.
Opened Seo Dae-chi's file.
Checked career first. No Titan ties beyond freelance. Clean.
"What? Nothing?"
Go Eul-ji disappointed; No Song-rin wagged finger, clucking.
"Green. Rookie, watch. Dig family first. See. Mom, dad... all dead?"
"Yes. Learned."
"Wait. One bro. Family too... bro dead?"
"Great teacher. No showboating."
"Real wait. This bro... hunter."
"Hunter?"
No Song-rin pulled phone, opened net app.
North Pocheon hunter village now had free wireless.
Searched news for Seo Dae-chi's brother's name.
"Lemme see. Name... Seo Dae-gil?"
Top hit: news screen.
Short blurb only.