51. Just Throw Your Weight Around
North Pocheon Guild Headquarters wasn't far from South Pocheon. The only issue was the monsters wandering the roads in between.
But monsters weren't much of a concern.
Kang Moo-hyuk wasn't moving alone, and with a solid A-rank hunter as his bodyguard, most monsters posed no real threat.
Besides, they periodically dispatched hunters to clear the routes, so the monsters had learned to steer clear.
"So why do I have to escort the Leader?"
"To keep things low-key, one A-rank is enough, but right now, the only free one is you, Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung."
"What about Manager Jang Deok-gu?"
"Mr. Jo's got a bad case of stranger anxiety. He'd see Manager Jang as a threat."
The moment Kang Moo-hyuk mentioned "Mr. Jo," Yeom Soo-hyung's blank expression twisted.
"What? We're going to see that guy? Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"If I'd told you ahead of time, you wouldn't have come."
"I can still turn back now."
"No U-turns. Do you know how much it costs to run this car through high-mana zones? We can't afford it. We're even skimping on periodic engine protection cartridge replacements."
"Ugh. Lately, you sound less like a Leader and more like a treasurer. Everything out of your mouth is about money."
"What can I do? That's the reality for a small guild."
They'd secured billions in loans from the bank, but with headquarters renovations, breeding facility construction, and other new ventures, the guild still had money pouring out everywhere.
Yeom Soo-hyung, who knew their tight finances all too well, couldn't bring himself to turn the wheel.
"Damn it! Seeing that guy's face is gonna jinx me for a year. I'll wait outside—you meet him alone."
They passed the checkpoint dividing North and South Pocheon and entered downtown South Pocheon, centered around Pocheon City Hall.
At the agreed-upon café, Kang Moo-hyuk got out of the car. Yeom Soo-hyung stayed planted in the driver's seat.
"You sure you won't come in? It's been a while—show your face at least."
"Hard to see his real face anyway. What's the point? We're not that close. Just handle your business and come back. I'll wait."
Yeom Soo-hyung refused flat-out, so Kang Moo-hyuk didn't push.
Mr. Jo had been a colleague from their Titan days, but he wasn't the type for smooth relationships. Before retiring, aside from Kang Moo-hyuk, you could count on one hand the people he'd actually talked to.
His gloomy personality played a part, but he deliberately kept people at arm's length. He'd caused headaches with various incidents too—especially for Yeom Soo-hyung, who'd gotten tangled up with him more than most. He shook his head with a grimace.
Pyo Beom-hee, with her nosy streak, might've welcomed him warmly, but she was tied up interviewing vacation returnees about the incident and couldn't join.
Kang Moo-hyuk entered the café, ordered coffee, and claimed a quiet corner table.
On a weekday morning, with only takeout customers, the empty interior felt eerily still—until the wind chimes on the door jangled loudly.
"Long time no see?"
A gravelly voice came from above. Kang Moo-hyuk looked up to see a square-jawed middle-aged man.
"Mr... Jo?"
"Who else? It's me."
His heavy-set features clashed with the light tone.
His voice was hoarse, like he'd swallowed gravel, but his speech bubbled like soda.
"Your face and voice change every time—how am I supposed to know? We're not strangers; you could've come as yourself."
"Like this? Back to normal?"
Suddenly, a young girl's voice popped out of the middle-aged man's mouth.
Kang Moo-hyuk grimaced. Uncle's face with a girl's voice—it was jarringly off-balance.
"That Doppelganger trait is impressive, even knowing about it, Miss Jo."
"Don't call me that. It's Mr. Jo. Why do you think I bother disguising as a guy?"
"The café's empty except for us—why bother?"
"Freelance spies have to hide even in the grave. Name, age, gender—all hidden for safety."
Mr. Jo, guild spy by trade, had an ironic obsession with his own security.
Thanks to that caution, even at Titan, few knew his real face—you could count them on one hand. Gong Du-ri, who'd been caught by him during a Titan hack, still thought of him as "Detective Uncle."
"Fine, just fix your voice."
"Enough chit-chat. Business time. You want Titan Guild intel?"
Switching back to his gruff tone, Mr. Jo cut to the chase.
"Funny thing. The former strategy team leader asking me about Titan. You could just call a few party leaders you're tight with."
"It's HR-related. Hard to ask around."
"True. Hunter placements are upper management's turf—your inquiries would get reported right away."
"An outsider digging in could spark misunderstandings."
"Plus that contract with Vice Leader Ma Tae-soo?"
The deal not to interfere with Titan.
Mr. Jo already knew details only Ma Tae-soo and Kang Moo-hyuk shared.
Normally, you'd bristle at someone snooping, but Kang Moo-hyuk just nodded calmly.
"As expected, you knew. That's the crux of this job. Titan has no reason to mess with Iron Will except me, and the only one there who'd antagonize me is Vice Leader Ma Tae-soo. But I haven't broken the contract. Sure, contracts are paper in this world, but suddenly voiding one isn't normal. No major incidents at the guild either. I figured I missed something, so I called you."
"Right. At least on the surface, nothing."
"On the surface? So hidden moves?"
"Nothing big—just what you'd expect. A guild master supporter and a neutral shareholder flipped to the vice leader. Not public yet, but Ma Tae-soo might take over soon."
Kang Moo-hyuk closed his eyes tightly.
In gates, maybe, but guild politics? Lee Cheol-jung struggled against Ma Tae-soo.
Once, Ma Tae-sik's blunder had pushed the vice spot, but that leverage had worn off.
I'm out of Titan now, no lingering attachments, but Lee Cheol-jung was better for me than Ma Tae-soo. So this is Ma Tae-soo's grudge?
Kang Moo-hyuk shook his head. Ma Tae-soo hadn't fully seized the throne yet, and even if he had, he wasn't the emotional type.
Titan, eyeing tier status, antagonizing Iron Will over rider wolves? Illogical.
"Vice Leader Ma Tae-soo is ambitious but not reckless. Any Iron Will ties with that shareholder?"
"Bingo. Sharp as ever. Found something juicy—good timing. Ever hear of 'Union Asset Management'?"
"Of course. Titan shareholder. They flipped to the vice leader? Yeah, makes it tough for Guild Master Lee Cheol-jung."
Tough? The momentum had already shifted.
Kang Moo-hyuk, knowing Titan inside out, found it odd.
Why would a major neutral shareholder suddenly back Ma Tae-soo?
Mr. Jo grinned meaningfully.
"Remember that favor? The hack via Gong Du-ri on Hanseong Enterprise. You asked me to dig."
"Why bring up Hanseong here...?"
"Union's funding traces to a Japanese financial firm. Someone visiting there also hits Hanseong."
Kang Moo-hyuk felt a chill down his spine. Bad premonition surged.
"Slayer Guild pulling strings?"
"Logical connection. But you signed an MOU with Slayer, right? Priority on rider wolves—why poke now? Their strategist isn't an idiot."
"Exactly. No reason."
"Learned this infiltrating Hanseong as an employee, per your request. Suspicious when Japanese buyers showed—turns out hunters. Hunters posing as salarymen at a mid-tier firm? Shady. Tailed one, led to Union. Didn't click till you mentioned Titan. Quite the thriller."
Kang Moo-hyuk pieced the puzzle. Gaps remained, but the shape emerged.
Union, major Titan shareholder, backs Ma Tae-soo. Ma Tae-soo starts shaking Iron Will. Union linked to Hanseong somehow. Hanseong is Slayer's satellite. But Slayer just strengthened ties days ago. Assuming Hanseong stays hidden, maybe weakening Iron Will for Slayer bailout and takeover. Swallowing rider wolves whole?
Not perfect, but outline clear.
Still, Kang Moo-hyuk leaned away from Slayer scheming.
The center of that other possibility?
"Mr. Jo, new job. Dig deeper on Hanseong-Union ties. Focus on Executive Director Kim Myeong-jun."
"Deal. Wire to the usual offshore account."
Mr. Jo left abruptly.
As Kang Moo-hyuk pondered, Yeom Soo-hyung entered.
"That guy who just left? Waved at me. Was it him?"
"Yeah."
"Still got that taste. Turning into some neighborhood uncle. Unique's an understatement—weird as hell."
"That unique trait makes her top spy material. We can call her this often thanks to Titan ties—respect her style."
Yeom Soo-hyung shook his head, shrugging off the image.
"So? Titan intel?"
"Looks like Vice Leader Ma Tae-soo’s involved."
"Ma Tae-soo? No way..."
Yeom Soo-hyung tilted his head. Kang Moo-hyuk probed.
"Why?"
"Nothing big. Just odd."
"What part?"
"You know his style—relentless, thorough. He finishes what he starts. This feels half-assed. I'd have swept all vacationers. Luring fourteen for what?"
"Swept..."
"Iron Will folks lack pride in the guild, right? Titan's prime for tier-up—I'd jump too. Even coming from there."
Danger flashed in Kang Moo-hyuk's mind.
"We need to head back. I missed something."
"Missed what?"
"Returnees. They might all be turned already."
Rushing back, Joo Se-ah blinked at Kang Moo-hyuk's expression.
"What happened? Your face..."
He summarized briskly.
"All returnees turned to Titan? Then why return...?"
"We'll check, but maybe to sway the rest."
"Those shameless bastards! Whoops, got crude."
Her face flashed fierce, killing intent flaring briefly before she composed herself.
Kang Moo-hyuk headed upstairs with her, quietly summoning Pyo Beom-hee.
"Returnee interviews done?"
"Who ordered? Already finished. Nothing juicy."
"Interview logs?"
"In the approval folder."
On his tablet, Kang Moo-hyuk scanned the thirteen returnees. Cross-checking profiles, he pointed to one.
"This one?"
"Who? Lee Jung-min? Not sure what you mean."
"Hunter eval: too timid for frontline, too cautious for mid. Peers agreed. Any unease in the interview?"
"Huh, yeah. Avoided eye contact. Awkward posture, legs shaking bad."
"Interrogate—would he crack?"
"Dunno. First chat today."
"You'd get a read."
"Whatever you're after, no need. Guild Master glares, he spills."
"Good idea. Hear that, Guild Master?"
Joo Se-ah blinked at the sudden callout.
"Me?"
"Just throw your weight around in front of Hunter Lee Jung-min."
Lee Jung-min tensed at the Leader's summons.
The office held not just Kang Moo-hyuk, but Joo Se-ah, Pyo Beom-hee, and the mysterious Yeom Soo-hyung.
Separately fine, together intimidating.
Joo Se-ah's glare was unbearable.
"Y-you called? What for...?"
"We know everything. Better spill."
Her threat paled his face instantly.
Lips glued, sweat fountained from his brow.
The Guild Master's natural pressure showed future S-rank might—beyond a C-rank's endurance.
Especially for timid Lee Jung-min.
His legs shook; Kang Moo-hyuk soothed.
"Guild Master's pissed, but no harm meant. Just questions. Answer well, you're fine."
To Lee Jung-min, it sounded like "Lie and regret it."
He slumped in resignation.
"A-ask away."
"Returnees—all took Titan's offer?"
"...Yes."
"To recruit holdouts?"
"Yes... that's it."
Kang Moo-hyuk fanned out the printed returnee list.
"Big moves like mass defection via insiders need a credible face. Anyone here?"
"..."
"Of course not. Low ranks, no bold leaders. Last question."
His desk tap drew eyes.
"Who did Titan want for that role?"
"H-how did you...?"
Lee Jung-min gaped.
"Knew there was a ringleader."
"Who?"
Joo Se-ah leaned in; he flinched, clamping his mouth, shaking his head.
"Can't say it myself."
"Hunters don't fold easy, rank be damned."
Joo Se-ah raised a fist—mock threat, but to cornered Lee Jung-min, real enough. Still, he held.
"My life's on the line. If they find out I snitched, I'm done."
"You're here—suspicion's on anyway."
Pyo Beom-hee's point twisted his lips near tears. Kang Moo-hyuk calmed him.
"No forcing. We suspect anyway. One more: What'd Titan tell him? No other leavers, so note? Verbal?"
"..."
"Won't talk? We'll have to push."
"No. Letter. Sealed item—tamper-evident. Didn't see contents."
He added hastily, fearing nitpicks.
Sealed letter means no trusted courier. No time for bonds in rushed op. Recent changes around Ma Tae-soo rule prep out.
Hard to sway without prior contact in comms-limited zone. High-rank traitor wouldn't act without backup.
Kang Moo-hyuk probed the unease.
"Anything else? Words, items?"
"Nothing... Wait, among returnees, heard one got something else from Titan."
"Who? What?"
"Overheard—don't know who. Mid-grade mana stones? Two, maybe."
"Two mid-grades?"
Joo Se-ah cocked her head. Valuable stuff. Lee Jung-min explained quick.
"Asked why others got none as signing bonus. Turns out, not his—to pass to letter bearer. He griped about it."
"Pricey, but not bribe-level. Signing bonus?"
"No. Not payment."
Kang Moo-hyuk answered gravely, suspicion dawning.
"Got a hunch?"
"Need to check."
"What?"
"Equipment room."
Strategic Tactical Supplies Warehouse.
Kang Moo-hyuk's rename after taking C Warehouse from Titan.
"Equipment room" casually, but official docs used full name.
En route, Joo Se-ah asked.
"Why there?"
"Mid-grade mana stones."
"Mana stones?"
"Wondered how Titan insiders commed—special zone limits calls. Suspects hadn't vacationed out."
"True."
"Mana stones clicked something."
"What?"
"Titan gear I greenlit in C Warehouse. Sealed near-junk—inefficient."
"What gear?"
"Satellite phone. Like car cartridges, enables high-mana comms. Burns one mid-grade per five minutes."
Joo Se-ah gaped at the waste. Even Slayer balked.
They hurried; Equipment Leader An Ji-il paused rust repairs.
"No raid—why this dump? Oh, Guild Master too... Team Leaders Pyo and Yeom? Trouble?"
"Satellite phones now?"
"That money pit? Why?"
"Need to check. Checkout logs too."
"Hold on. Hey, grab ledgers—nah, I'll find it."
Scanning logs, Kang Moo-hyuk saw An Ji-il return with a bulky phone—bigger than standard, face sour.
He shook it high, bellowing.
"Who tampered? Sealed—why broken? And one's missing! Who sneaked it out?!"
"No checkout record."
An Ji-il flushed furious at the log.
"Damn embarrassing. Pissed. Stealing without permission?! Confess before I crush you!"
A fidgety staffer behind—maybe threats, maybe leaders' aura.
Kang Moo-hyuk spotted his badge: Yoo Dong-su.
"Yoo Dong-su-ssi?"
"Y-yes..."
"You took the satellite phone?"
"N-not took! Expedition Leader wanted to see..."
"Expedition Leader?"
Joo Se-ah recalled vaguely, then remembered disbandment. Unneeded in non-gate special zone, like donut sans filling.
Pre-reorg, existed; holdouts used old titles.
Former Expedition Leader...
"Hunter Do Kyung-hoon. On my suspect list—not shocked."
Joo Se-ah caught up.
"Why him?"
"Lost expedition spot. Influence intact, but felt demoted. Unhappy. Rebelled on move, got worse with your young hunter training."
"Training why?"
"Looked like poaching his crew."
Pre-Kang, Joo Se-ah rarely mingled—factions controlled access.
No stage for skills; solo gates impossible, no sales for collabs.
Slayer poked, Taeseong siblings eyed—isolated. Grunts saw her precarious.
Kang changed that.
Leaders upfront—more threatening to Do Kyung-hoon than reality.
"Watched, giving chances... Crossed line. Time to cut the rot, Guild Master."
In the old resort's first-floor cafeteria, Do Kyung-hoon savored post-meal coffee leisurely.
His faction—ex-expedition crew, some hunters—surrounded.
Choi Mi-ran and Kim Seong-hyeon chatted at the edge.
"Still, this place grew on me. Resort vibes. Nicely done."
"Remodeled old buffet. Duh."
"First time? Goblin piss stench—nearly puked."
"Yeah. Leader's something. Handles fast. When'd he fix this?"
"Agreed. Hated him at parking lot. But not bad. Prioritized barracks, cafeteria. Tents sucked—good we had groundwater showers. Else, I'd quit."
"I'm here for Guild Master's training. Rare one-on-one."
"True. Post-monsters, feel bland. Better reactions, easier buffs/debuffs."
They blabbed obliviously.
Do Kyung-hoon overheard all.
Young ones leaning Leader/Guild Master. Scared of my bark now, but soon ignore orders. Move now.
Couldn't pitch Titan to youths—snitches could ruin it.
"Tch!"
Kang Moo-hyuk entered; Do Kyung-hoon clicked tongue. Joo Se-ah beside.
Eye contact screamed trouble. Their steps brimmed intent.
Units' eyes locked; faction tensed.
"Hunter Do Kyung-hoon, talk."
"Shoot, Leader."
Stiff—braced. Kang Moo-hyuk noted.
"Here okay?"
"Not running. Nothing to hide."
"Knew you were thick-skinned. Bold in my face."
"Not like Guild Master, red gates for breakfast."
Do Kyung-hoon smirked at Joo Se-ah's jab.
Kang Moo-hyuk signaled her down.
"You know why we're here. No long talk—resign."
"Why me?"
"Best for both. Resist, ugly."
"Manager Jang Deok-gu back tonight. For your sake."
Joo Se-ah backed. Ex-crew flinched at Jang. Do Kyung-hoon dreaded too, but couldn't fold—unrecruited holdouts.
Pulled pre-Joo insurance.
"Fine. Resign—full penalty? Mine's 30 billion."
"Know. Guild-requested exit: 30 bil. You quit: 100 mil. Sweet deal. Swayed old Guild Master—talented."
"I'm capable."
"Hoped you'd use it for Iron Will, not greed."
"Pay up? Broke now? Installments?"
Finance intel; victory smile.
He missed Hanshin billions loaned. Unshared, unbooked.
Kang Moo-hyuk unflinching.
"Lump sum."
"What?!"
"Can pay. But pisses me off. Don't wanna give trash like you."
Stunned, then rage at flip-flop. Toying? No—those flat eyes irked.
"What game?!"
"Mutual contract termination?"
Do Kyung-hoon gaped, laughed hollow.
"That's it? Won't pay a dime? Think I'd bite?"
"Take it. Or your deeds spread—traitor branding holdouts to rivals. No guild takes you."
"!!"
"Systematic poacher."
"Just rumors? Sorry, booked."
"Titan? Guarantee: no entry. I'll see to it."
"Titan's not your playground anymore. Deluded?"
"Try me."
"..."
"See if my word holds."