Just Three Years
Forty hunters sat at a dozen or so round tables.
Kang Moo-hyuk scanned the unexpectedly large group and spoke.
"I haven't had much chance to interact with you all until now. Enjoy your lunch, and feel free to speak your minds—ask whatever questions you've got. I'll answer with all sincerity."
With that, Kang Moo-hyuk picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour pork and popped it in his mouth.
He'd reserved the entire upscale Chinese restaurant, loading the tables with tempting dishes, but not a single hunter touched their food. They just eyed each other warily.
"The jjajangmyeon here is killer. Let's eat and talk."
Breaking the heavy silence, Choi Mi-ran slurped up her noodles with a fork. A few hunters followed suit and started eating.
Choi Mi-ran polished off half a bowl in seconds and shot up her hand.
"Boss, do I gotta raise my hand to speak?"
"Whatever feels natural."
"Why Pocheon, then?"
Her question halted the meal again.
The biggest curiosity.
Sure, the sudden guild relocation was puzzling, but why Pocheon of all places?
"The main reason is the guild's growth. Seoul's packed with major guilds, mid-tiers, and even small-to-medium ones. I judged Taeseong Guild couldn't compete effectively there."
"If we move and hunters quit, the guild shrinks even more."
A young hunter in the corner jumped in like he'd been waiting.
Kang Moo-hyuk locked eyes with him directly. The kid averted his gaze under the calm stare.
"We're heading pretty deep into the sticks, right?"
Kang Moo-hyuk tossed out a light jab, but no one laughed. It wasn't the kind of joke that landed with a smile anyway. Deadpan humor from someone like him—even if he was the boss—didn't go over well.
He continued without missing a beat.
"I know being in Seoul is a huge draw for young hunters. It was a key foundation for Titan Guild's growth when I was on their strategy team. But Titan wasn't always Seoul-based. They started as a guild in Chungbuk, outside the capital area. So how did they break into Seoul, where entry barriers are sky-high for regional guilds? Why did they make room for a guild from Chungcheong of all places? It's all tied to the growth of young hunters like you."
"You mean rank-ups?"
Kim Seong-hyeon, who'd rallied his peers to attend, jumped in eagerly.
"Rank-ups, plus every stat from tactical evaluations. More precisely, 'step-ups'."
"Step-ups?"
"New hunters go through a year of state- and association-run basics training after awakening. Then they train via solo gigs or guild work. Freelancers pick up scraps from real fights. Guilds? Few have proper systems to pass down know-how. Combat-heavy guilds close the gap somewhat, but Taeseong? We're sorely lacking in action."
"Lacking? We barely have any."
Someone muttered. The others nodded in agreement.
They rarely secured gates, let alone expeditions to block zones. Even the winter northern defense? They got scraps and bailed.
Hunting sprees in Gangwon now and then, or solo jaunts—that was it.
Kang Moo-hyuk stood up to address them directly.
"Titan built systematic individual combat, party tactics, and raid ops while grinding in the provinces. They drilled it into young hunters. Those same hunters are Titan's core now. I'm offering you a vision for growth. North Pocheon is the capital region's toughest zone. No gates spawn, but monsters respawn steadily. Gate resources pop up often enough, including herbs that boost hunter development. And the biggest point—"
The restaurant door swung open, cutting him off.
"Whoops, did I miss the start?"
It was Joo Se-ah.
Jang Deok-gu followed her in.
"We're just digging in, Guild Master. What'll you have?"
"Jjajangmyeon for me."
"Fried rice."
The former guild one-two punch sat casually, ordering like it was nothing. The hunters tensed up.
Kang Moo-hyuk, unfazed mid-pitch, called the server, placed their orders, and picked up seamlessly.
"The key to the relocation? Guild Master Joo Se-ah here will personally train the young hunters."
"!!"
The room froze, jaws on the floor in silent uproar.
Kang Moo-hyuk's plan hit harder than expected.
The rank-up opportunity young hunters craved most.
Training didn't guarantee jumps, but learning from a top-ranker skyrocketed the odds.
And from Joo Se-ah, contender for strongest active hunter? No way.
Faction beefs had blocked proper sessions till now.
Suddenly, a top-tier instructor drops in. Where else could they find better?
Kang Moo-hyuk was certain.
This is a perk they can't ignore.
One rank gap was night-and-day in feel. Hunting power and efficiency differed wildly.
Countless hunters stagnated at C or B till retirement. Reaching A+ territory demanded relentless early growth.
Kang Moo-hyuk's pitch nailed it.
"Wanna level up? Follow me. I'll make sure you do—ranks and combat skills."
Joo Se-ah tapped the table with her wooden chopsticks. Quiet cheers rippled through.
Kang Moo-hyuk added softly.
"North Pocheon's live combat will supercharge your skills too."
The "discussion" had turned into persuasion without them noticing.
Joo Se-ah's instructor gig was that explosive.
Kang Moo-hyuk drove it home.
"And everyone. The affiliation maintenance duty? Just three years."
▶Vote for Taeseong Guild's new 'Guild Name' and 'Slogan'!◀
"We aim to become a guild that protects the people. Help us choose a name symbolizing fresh vibes and innovation."
"Whoa, the prize is solid? Entry's easy too. Should I try?"
"What'd you put?"
"Heh, tryna copy? Scram, scram."
The ad sparked huge interest in the naming contest.
Taeseong's PR team had primed the pump beforehand.
Joo Se-ah even did a face-for-radio TV spot.
Her rare media turn—unlike her low profile despite fame—on the 9 PM news studio blew up ratings.
Watching the TV, Kang Moo-hyuk nodded between the interview and his monitor.
Good. Nailed the script. Acting's on point—awkward-cute vibe. Looks sell it. Top hunter clashing with everyday mid-20s girl? Synergy gold.
He checked live news comments and hunter forums.
Forums exploded over Joo Se-ah.
Kang Moo-hyuk's gambit crushed it. Joo Se-ah as bait skyrocketed guild buzz.
She watched her clip and kicked the blankets in embarrassment.
Media play was just a sliver. Real work? Talent management.
"We filled urgent hunter slots for now..."
He'd planned to cull faction hunters on arrival. But goblin nests at the new site and urgent issues flipped the script.
Maintain max current strength, settle in, then swap or disband factions under Joo Se-ah slowly.
Taeseong Group line's hooked with guild master ouster bait—strategy team's cooperating. Raid line's locked via No Song-rin's blackmail. Do Kyung-hoon's next. Time his expedition crew heard the pitch...
Do Kyung-hoon ground his teeth.
"Kang. Moo. Hyuk."
He'd underestimated—way underestimated.
Titan strategy chief?
Everyone knew their guild master and vice bickered. He'd pegged Kang as a lucky political climber.
Politics ain't a joke. My kids waver? Serious play.
Using clueless Choi Mi-ran to rally young blood? Masterstroke.
Weak skills, zero faction savvy—perfect pawn.
Smarter, she'd have skipped the rally or reported first.
Her idiocy irked, but dumping her? No. Loyalty aside, she was the vibe lifter.
Charisma patching skill gaps. Survival smarts.
Blindsided anyway. No Song-rin's support weirded me out. Strategy chief too compliant. Even without Jang Deok-gu's warning, straight talk loses here.
Cornered, Do Kyung-hoon avoided Kang anyway.
Fight blind? Auto-loss.
His survival secret as mid-guild hunter.
"Can't solo this. Time for those outsiders?"
He recalled the guild's fringe faction—not huge, but balance-keepers as the fourth force.
Even Kang'll headache those weirdos.
He'd rally his crew meantime.
"Think I'll fold easy? Hmph! Let's see who wins."