#306. Just Wait a Little!
“Why the long face all of a sudden?”
“Just... talk of bombs brings back old memories.”
No Song-rin flinched.
‘No way, Table Mountain?’
Had he touched on Guild Leader Kang's trauma?
Seizing the opportunity, he asked cautiously.
“Some bad memory...?”
“Not bad, exactly. More like regret.”
“Table Mountain after all, huh...”
“Huh? How'd you know? I was just thinking that.”
“I'm your right-hand man, aren't I? It was so outrageous, it became infamous. Obvious guess.”
With the topic open, No Song-rin decided to probe deeper.
“So, what part do you regret? Did someone get badly hurt or... die?”
“No. Injuries and deaths are part of raids. If you're scared of that, you can't do this job. What I regret is... couldn't we have done a more perfect raid? Without blowing the mine, minimizing hunter sacrifices. Was there really no way to take down the boss like that? Blowing the mana stone mine was a real waste, right? They say it's in the trillions, but considering potential value, even more.”
“Huh? Mana stones? Not... Seo Dae-gil?”
Fortunately, No Song-rin's voice trailed off so weakly that Kang Moo-hyuk missed the name Seo Dae-gil.
Kang Moo-hyuk continued, dredging up the memory.
“Some say it was a shame to blow the mine, there must've been another way, better to deal with the tier guilds. But anyone who's been in the industry knows how complicated and headache-inducing that would've been.”
“Why? Tier guilds too proud to team up with low-ranks?”
“That's part of it. But you couldn't even offer mine shares as bait. If money could hire tier guilds, chaebols would've jumped in ages ago.”
“Money moves ghosts, they say. Tiers are the same. China's and Russia's fighting over mines in the Makyung—why not?”
“Why share what you can eat whole?”
“Eat it whole?”
“Think about it. Gate days from outbreaking. Raid failure. Boss strategy dropping hunters off a cliff—extreme difficulty. If the gate bursts with the boss still inside, the guild's done for. Would Titan be the only one proposing joint raid?”
No Song-rin pieced it together from his industry experience.
Raid failure halves guild strength. Many salivating over the mana stone mine.
Outbreaking causes monster wave in the city—raiding guild takes the blame.
Even if they lose the whole mine, no one to complain to. Prime prey.
“Every capable outfit must've swarmed it.”
“Beyond known facts, tons of backroom deals. Flame Guild's leader—who was tackling Table Mountain—was so pissed, refused tiers even in death. Nearly blew up with the guild. Barely convinced him: blow the mine, finish raid. Close gate after guardian—future secured.”
“Whoa, first I've heard that.”
“Of course. Even Team Leader Pyo doesn't know. Dig all you want behind me, no finding it.”
“Pardon?”
Sweat beaded on No Song-rin's forehead.
“You knew?”
“Gong Du-ri reported it. I ordered her to watch—you and Go Eul-ji caught on.”
“Knew it. That Gong team leader. Mouth like a vault.”
“Not loose-lipped—doing her job right.”
“Wondered why the sudden contest talk. Building up to this?”
“Contest's real. This separate. Waited for timing—perfect chance.”
“Sudden gut punches your specialty, huh.”
“Like I said before, my specialty is...”
“Yeah, threats. Got it. Loud and clear.”
Kang Moo-hyuk crossed his arms, smirking.
“No Song-rin Hunter, still tied to Kim Myeong-jun, right?”
“Wha—no! Misunderstanding! He sniffed it out—no contact lately! For real! Believe me!”
No Song-rin stammered excuses. Bukpocheon day one flashed back.
Non-hunter threatening high-rank hunters.
Even forgot Kang was civilian—felt real threat.
Now suspected? Blood drained from his body.
Yes. He feared Kang Moo-hyuk. Got too cozy, that's all. Maybe illusion.
What he'd seen, heard, endured—not normal human feats.
“Lucky we filled seats and guild survived then. Future? Don't give cause for suspicion after boarding Iron Will.”
No Song-rin nodded silently.
Kang Moo-hyuk softened, back to gentle.
“Stop digging behind me. Do constructive work. Contest—great ideas.”
“Not my ideas.”
“You sparked it—your credit. I don't steal.”
“Prefer you steal? Hate spotlight.”
Ignoring him, Kang Moo-hyuk assigned tasks.
“Anyway, picked hunt methods contest and more for Pyo Team Leader. Help project.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why me?”
“Proposer steps up.”
“Didn't propose.”
“Other tasks?”
“Always busy. Training, studies...”
“Busy? Digging on me?”
“Now wanna do it. Leave to me.”
No Song-rin mustered nonexistent zeal, heading out.
Kang Moo-hyuk stopped him.
“Oh, tell Pyo Team Leader—send Go Eul-ji Hunter yeot from guild.”
“Yeot? As fuck you?”
“Yes.”
“Ruthless as ever. Threatening a kid too. Makes sense, accomplices...”
“Send chapssaltteok too.”
“Tteok curse?”
“What? Suneung tomorrow. No college, but acing's yeot-worthy. Gotta hook her up.”
Watching Kang let Go Eul-ji slide, No Song-rin felt oddly down.
Suneung day always notoriously cold.
This year followed—brutal cold wave, record-breaking.
Some called it normalized climate as Earth temps dropped.
Indeed, temps declined since gates appeared.
Irony: unlike halted civilization, mass deaths, Earth breathed easier.
Environmentalists claimed gate perk: culled humans killing planet, stopped factories/cars—delayed extinction.
Radicals: hunters hunting monsters poison Earth—halt raids.
Can't control population artificially? Let nature purge.
They saw gates/monsters as Earth's revenge.
Born: anti-hunterism. Group: anti-hunter anti-guild terror cell Mirage.
“Damn cold. Crisp air. Perfect for revolution.”
Brown curly-haired foreigner stood before new gate at Bukhansan base.
Ground soaked blood. Guards mangled beyond recognition.
He prayed before gate, murmuring, then entered.
“Fools. Gates as cash cows. Sinners, face gate judgment.”
Gate swallowed him.
Soon, gate shook.
Bukhansan trembled. Birds fled skyward. Ominous light pierced heavens from gate.
Gate opened under it.
Suneung morning, Korea pauses briefly.
Student processions rivaled kings. Workers delayed for them, cops ferried to halls.
Juniors cheered seniors—events at gates. Yeot on doors, frantic pen runs to stores.
Go Eul-ji watched leisurely on TV, calling.
“Grandpa said even Great War, Suneung held except first gate year. Korea's education fever—respect. Nari, you good to exam hall?”
-Bus now. Me fine. You? Quiet around.”
“Me? Still bed. PJs, lounging.”
-What? Bed? Still home? Exam?!”
“Close. Fly before close.”
-Right, hunter. Forget sometimes.
“I forget I'm examinee.”
-Still take it. Memories.
“Hours brain-wracking in cold? Pass.”
-You graduate-job instant. Already guild? Lucky—no job hunt.
“Monster gore, tank guild master punches? Hard pass.”
-Haha, that's... Huh? What's that?
“What? Something?”
-Bridge now, something flying from sky... Kyaa—!
Boom!
Kim Nari's scream drowned in crash.
“Nari! Nari!”
Go Eul-ji bolted up, yelling.
No reply. Call dropped. Redial—no signal.
“Accident? No way...”
Ominous. TV blared sharp tone.
Go Eul-ji reached wardrobe. Black armor coat flew to her hand.
Crash!
Window shattered. She soared.
‘Nari, just wait a little!’
Sonic Boom
Bang!