#320. I'm Getting Old Because of My Party Members
Kang Moo-hyuk informed Han Byung-gu of Thomas's existence. He omitted details about mana addiction but gave a fairly detailed, embellished account of the beehive raid that had forged their connection, explaining how Thomas had ended up joining Iron Will.
"Hey, you punk! Why the hell are you only telling me something this important now?!"
"Are you angry right now?"
"You think I shouldn't be? This could upend the entire Korean—no, Asian hunter world!"
"I don't get why you're angry."
"How can someone with a brain like yours not see it?!"
"It's just one more S-rank, right?"
"Exactly."
"That's good news, isn't it?"
"Of course it is!"
"So why are you mad? We have an extra S-rank."
"...Yeah. Why am I mad?"
Han Byung-gu realized he'd been outmaneuvered by Kang Moo-hyuk's words.
This isn't how it was supposed to go.
His original plan upon hearing about another S-rank besides Joo Se-ah had been simple: hand over the treasure vault full of unique items, then chew him out for hiding such crucial info. Kang Moo-hyuk would apologize and bow his head, letting Han seize the initiative and press the advantage.
Finally, I'd have one-upped Kang Moo-hyuk.
But how did the vibe flip like this?
Kang Moo-hyuk had a knack for making the obvious sound profound when he was at a disadvantage, and the improbable feel inevitable when he held the upper hand.
Han Byung-gu inwardly resented that talent. He didn't notice it in the moment, but it always dawned on him afterward—which only made it more infuriating. Ignorance would have been bliss.
"Anyway, I was worried about finding mage-exclusive items, but this solves it nicely. What's the staff's name?"
"It's right there underneath. What, you want the user manual too?"
"That'd be great. Does it really exist?"
"...It does."
"Perfect. First time handling an item like this—cuts down on trial and error."
Kang Moo-hyuk ran his fingers over the engraved text on the Illegan steel base beneath the crystal case.
World Tree Staff
Han Byung-gu glanced at the item name with a scowl.
"Fancy name. The full title's 'Staff Made from the Outermost Branch of the World Tree.'"
"Too wordy. Shortening it works way better."
"The elves would have a fit if they heard that."
"Elves?"
"That thing's made from a branch they snapped off what they call their 'mother tree.' They grabbed it in desperation right before the Great War wiped them out, but times have changed. If they saw it now, they'd demand it back on the spot."
"You should've led with that!"
Kang Moo-hyuk clapped his palms together in protest. Han Byung-gu grinned mischievously and fired back just as he'd been hit earlier.
"Why so mad? You got a unique item. Isn't that good? Good things make you happy, right?"
"It's a unique item we'd have to hide from the Federation to even use. Might as well not have it. You think it'd feel great to get something and then have it snatched away?"
"How was I supposed to know you had an S-rank mage?"
"Speaking of which, I was bluffing too. You think S-ranks grow on trees? Just hyping things up with a joke. And even if you did have one, you think the Americans would just sit by while we poach their S-rank? Our chairman's too pure for this world."
Kang Moo-hyuk's stern expression twisted Han Byung-gu's face.
"What? He's not real?"
"Sucks, doesn't it? Frustrating, right? That's exactly how I feel."
"You mocking this old man right now?"
"Just put yourself in my shoes."
"So is there an S-rank or not?"
"There is. Yes."
"Hell if I know if you're telling the truth anymore. I'd believe you if you said beans made the soy paste. I need to see this mage myself."
"Don't sneak a peek at someone else's secret weapon. No dice."
"Fine, then I won't give you the vault code."
"I memorized it."
"Didn't think I'd change it, huh?"
"You could change and memorize that long string?"
"I'm still sharp as a tack. Ever seen a hunter go senile? You think I'm some doddering old fool with dementia?"
"I'm worried about you. You've been in the game too long."
"Haven't hunted in ages."
"Not hunting."
Han Byung-gu knew what Kang Moo-hyuk meant by "active duty"—his role as chairman bridging guilds and government.
Kang Moo-hyuk pressed on.
"You're handing me the Great War legacies because you're thinking about your absence, right? You were thrilled Joo Se-ah hit S-rank, and you've pushed Go Eul-ji through brutal training—all to secure people for the future."
"Hah! How does your tongue spin like that?"
"My brain spins faster."
Han Byung-gu's ire rose at Kang Moo-hyuk's unyielding comebacks, but the concern in his words tugged at his heartstrings too.
With his mood softened, he offered an alternative.
"Then use that in a pinch."
He pointed to a medal opposite the World Tree Staff.
It looked like a rusted bronze medal, etched with indecipherable runes and shapes—clearly no ordinary trinket.
Kang Moo-hyuk checked the Illegan steel plaque.
Pandit Talisman?
"Heard of the Crimson Mage?"
"Just the name. Korean hunter history says you can't discuss magic without her."
"Most of her feats came from that item. Sure, S-rank talent helped, but understanding spell structures and tweaking skills? Impossible without the talisman."
"!!"
Kang Moo-hyuk kept a straight face gazing at the talisman, but inside, he was stunned.
Modifying and innovating spells was Thomas's specialty.
Can't pin down how the talisman works exactly, but pair it with Hunter Thomas? The synergy could be game-changing.
Plus, unlike the flashy staff, it was discreet and portable.
Kang Moo-hyuk pointed at it.
"Can you wrap this?"
"What? W-wrap? You think this is some item shop?!"
"Gotta hide it, right? Can't just carry it around."
"Oh, that kind of wrap? Watch your wording, punk. Sounded like you were treating a unique item like a gift."
"It is a gift. Might as well wrap it pretty for the surprise."
"You... Aigoo! Should've kept my mouth shut."
Han Byung-gu thumped his chest to calm down. Chatting with Kang Moo-hyuk somehow spiked his blood pressure out of nowhere.
Reaffirming that longevity meant avoiding Kang Moo-hyuk, he opened the crystal case and pulled out the talisman.
"Talking to you gives me a headache. Just take it and wrap it yourself."
"I'll come back with the guild master next time."
"Next time, come without me. Go straight down. I want nothing more to do with this."
* * *
Only days had passed since Baek Hyeong-gyu's funeral, but Iron Will Guild churned on like nothing had happened.
Unlike her initial outburst of rage, Joo Se-ah handled her schedule calmly, squeezing in personal training now and then.
Guild members whispered that her composure felt more unnerving.
The "witch" and "calamity" in her nicknames weren't for show—she wasn't one to stay quiet.
Watching her carry on unfazed felt like the eerie calm before a storm.
That tension permeated even the provisional expedition team.
Gyeong Su-hyeok sidled up to Baek Seong-bin mid-training.
"Hey, heard they're announcing a fifth party leader today, besides the original four."
"Who said?"
"Strategic team."
"Why would they talk expedition business?"
"One of the expedition admins married into the strategic team."
"No kidding?"
"Show some interest in your team, man. You know you sent wedding money?"
"Me? I never went."
"Your body didn't, but you sent cash through me."
"Ohhh, that guy."
Gyeong Su-hyeok scolded the clueless Baek Seong-bin.
"Even Seo Dae-chi knows this."
"No way. That guy's got zero interest in South Koreans."
"Better than you. He even showed up to the wedding."
"What? No shot. He see a ghost?"
"Everyone was buzzing, yeah. Wild seeing Seo Dae-chi at a wedding. Groom's dance was background noise."
Baek Seong-bin felt oddly outdone. Seo Dae-chi, social?
Gyeong Su-hyeok poked the bear.
"Come to think of it, he was at your funeral too. And some other staffer's parent's. Dae-chi's got you beat."
"This punk—always gotta say it!"
"Facts. Be real. What makes him the bad guy?"
"You asking 'cause you don't know? The rumors..."
"You seen it yourself?"
"What?"
"Those rumors. Witnessed any?"
"..."
Gyeong Su-hyeok pressed the silenced Baek Seong-bin.
"Seo Dae-chi. Training, duty, hunts—what's he do with downtime?"
"Booze, gambling. Lucky he skips drugs."
"Wrong. Your take shows how biased you are."
"What? Biased?"
"Dae-chi trains alone at the public gym."
"Why? Expedition has better facilities."
"Got curious, checked it out. Guess what?"
"Trains. It's a gym."
"Drop the snark. He was coaching low-rankers."
"!!!!"
Baek Seong-bin was more shocked than ever in his life.
Seo Dae-chi teaching? That selfish prick?
"Nah, you saw wrong."
"He's known there. 'Provisional expedition guy's teaching low-ranks.' Draws crowds wanting tips. Higher-ups notice too."
"..."
"That's why I'm telling you. If there's a fifth party leader, high chance it's him."
Baek Seong-bin gritted his teeth.
He was confident he matched Seo Dae-chi's skill. His healing factor made him more valuable in hunts, no hesitation sacrificing for others—he saw saving lives at personal cost as duty.
But Seo Dae-chi snagging party leader over him?
No way in hell.
Gyeong Su-hyeok drove it home to the fuming Baek Seong-bin.
"What are you even looking at? Broaden your view. Narrow sight feeds your impatience. Just my two cents—ignore if you want. I'm out."
Gyeong Su-hyeok left the statue-still Baek Seong-bin and exited the expedition building.
He kept glancing back, uneasy.
Shock therapy to fix him... but will it stick? It's all for your own good, Seong-bin. Don't hate your hyung—snap out of it.
Shaking off worries for his rare day off, Gyeong Su-hyeok lightened up.
"Whew, I'm getting old because of my party members. Time to party all night~"