59. Sounds Like It'll Get Fun From Now On.
Kang Moo-hyuk feigned ignorance as he asked about information he'd already uncovered during his Titan Guild days.
Baek Seong-bin, sensing as much, replied.
You already know all this, and yet here you are asking anyway.
Kang Moo-hyuk nodded in lieu of a response.
Baek Seong-bin was an orphan. Before that, he'd had parents—and a younger sister.
His family had been shattered by monsters.
It had happened during the chaos Kang Moo-hyuk himself had endured in the past. Everyone in his family but him had perished.
A commonplace tragedy in this era, one anyone could witness anywhere.
Precisely because it was so ordinary, no one in Taekwondo Guild—not even Jo Ik-jun or the others—had paid it any mind. For hunters, stats mattered more than sob stories.
But Kang Moo-hyuk, having lived through that same tragedy, empathized deeply with people like him. He understood the emotions that drove them.
He knew the rage that boiled inside when monsters stole away someone precious—and how it bound you.
'Revenge takes root deep in your mind.'
You couldn't forget that day's scene, asleep or awake. Kang Moo-hyuk himself still hadn't escaped it.
He suspected Baek Seong-bin was trapped by the trauma of that day.
The reason you're called trash-tier, Hunter Baek Seong-bin. The reason you charge recklessly at monsters instead of staying cool-headed. It's not just blind faith in your healing factor. Anyone could guess that much.
Baek Seong-bin affirmed it silently. Kang Moo-hyuk pressed on with conviction.
If you were just some ordinary trash, you wouldn't throw yourself away to save your comrades and civilians. Of course, the process and results were both poor. You did save a lot of people, mind you—separate from your shitty record. But hunting can't succeed on sacrifice alone. Someday, your way will lead to total collapse.
Baek Seong-bin flinched, his shoulders trembling at the sharp criticism.
It was a flaw he recognized all too well. He'd repeated it to himself endlessly, trying to fix it—but when the moment came, his body moved on its own. He couldn't bear the screams and suffering. He'd even sought counseling behind his guild's back, but it hadn't helped.
He knew his reckless leaps put the whole party at risk. He knew some sacrifice came with the job. Still, he couldn't ignore anyone in danger.
As his head grew heavy, Kang Moo-hyuk spoke up.
That's all just data from the guild's evaluation system. In truth, it's the most vital mindset for any hunter. The sense of responsibility and sacrifice you carry, Hunter Baek Seong-bin. In this day and age, hunters who talk like that are rarer than hen's teeth. Does that explain why I'm recruiting a so-called trash hunter like you?
Baek Seong-bin stared straight through him.
'This guy's... way different from the rumors.'
Kang Moo-hyuk was fairly well-known among A-rank guilds. Especially those near Titan in Yeouido—they knew him well.
Fame bred rumors.
The more he shone, the more scandals piled onto his record—mostly malicious ones spread by Titan's rivals.
Taekwondo Guild, being A-rank themselves, had the intel to sift truth from lies, so they had a decent read on him.
Baek Seong-bin had heard about him from Jo Ik-jun. Not directly to his face, just overheard in passing—but enough times to piece it together.
Jo Ik-jun held him in high regard. He'd raved that Taekwondo would've hit tier status ages ago with him around.
Cold, bold, calculating, ruthless negotiator.
That assessment stuck in Baek Seong-bin's mind, making the man before him feel alien.
This wasn't the Titan strategic team leader Jo Ik-jun always griped about.
Those eyes burned hotter than anyone's.
Not cold at all—just so deep they seemed dark and intimidating.
The real Kang Moo-hyuk was far from icy.
Baek Seong-bin's mouth itched. His lips twitched, tongue moving on its own. This could change me. Feels like I'd regret passing it up.
Of course, I won't force you with contract clauses. I'm just sharing my thoughts, trying to convince you...
I'll transfer.
Once the words were out, Baek Seong-bin panicked. His mouth had moved faster than his brain.
Kang Moo-hyuk's response was straightforward.
Quick decision. Good. We'll handle the procedures.
His crisp demeanor eased Baek Seong-bin's nerves.
And so, Baek Seong-bin's transfer was set.
* * *
Pyo Beom-hee stood before the gate they'd just cleared.
A successful raid should've buzzed with chatter and activity. But the air hung eerily still, like the silence after a breath is stolen.
People were there—over a hundred milling about at a glance—but all dead quiet.
Pyo Beom-hee knew this vibe all too well. She'd seen it countless times.
'Heavy casualties. Bad timing on my part.'
Normal post-raid scenes were all backslaps and laughs, but a bloody one turned into a funeral parlor.
The chaos let her slip in unnoticed. Everyone too distracted.
Crow Guild was a promising B-rank pushing for A. This gate had been their all-in shot.
Even a failed raid from a top B-rank shouldn't look this sloppy. She couldn't wrap her head around it.
'Did they take irrecoverable losses? Heard they threw in the full expedition and attack teams.'
Get wrecked that bad on a win?
It'd ruin them. A non-tier B-rank losing mains? She'd seen it collapse guilds before.
Like the gate ahead, cracking like shattered glass—destined to splinter and get absorbed.
'Maybe perfect timing after all. Sucks for Crow, but poaching from a sinking ship like this? Easy pickings. Hope the target's unharmed.'
Finding the guy on Kang Moo-hyuk's recruitment list was simple.
A sudden shout pierced the hush—a hunter raging like a madman.
Fuck! You call that a strategy? And they expected us to take the boss? Does the strategy chief even have a brain?!
Chill out. Read the room.
What makes you so smug, Captain? Giving shit orders and still acting high and mighty? If it's too much, step down! Or hand orders to me.
A B-rank calling shots? Ha! Spoiled as the guild's golden boy, huh? Or is the juice finally wearing off? Stagnant growth and all that mouth—where do you get off mouthing off?
You think A-rank makes you god? After getting kids killed? Was this raid doomed from the start? Your bosses playing favorites, letting guildmates die? Speak up if you've got excuses.
Gyeong Su-hyeok. Last warning. Cross that line, and I won't let it slide.
This fucker. A warning now? I crossed it. What're you gonna do? Kill me like the ones inside?
The hunter called Gyeong Su-hyeok jutted his chin at the expedition leader, closing in.
Defiance inside a gate meant summary execution, but this was post-raid. Common flare-up among heated hunters.
But sometimes, flare-ups turned bloody. People died.
Hunter infighting happened plenty.
The expedition leader, goaded by stares, finally snapped—drawing his sword.
Gyeong Su-hyeok reacted late, grabbing his weapon. Rank gap was huge. No chance against a preemptive strike, let alone an ambush.
He never dreamed the leader would swing. Sure, he'd mouthed off in anger—but it was fair guildmate gripe.
Poking at 'lineage politics' stung, but worth a blade?
Life flashed as he watched the attack, injustice spilling out.
Shiiit—!
Thwack!
'Thwack?'
Eyes squeezed shut against the impending sword, Gyeong Su-hyeok peeked at the impossible sound.
An astonishing sight unfolded.
The expedition leader clutched his solar plexus, staggering back.
You... what the—cough!
A woman slowly withdrew her kick, straightening up.
Pyo Beom-hee tsked at him pityingly.
Tsk tsk. No honor in stabbing family. Hell, that's not even basic decency.
You're from another guild, looks like. Mind your own house and fuck off.
Dunno the details, but own your mistakes—apologize. Or soothe things. Yelling fix shit? Oh, and you apologize too. Tempers are high, so don't poke. Even if the boss fucked up, that was reckless.
Gyeong Su-hyeok gaped, dumbfounded, as she scolded her own savior.
The whole scene felt surreal.
Leader's eyes murderous, and she's casually lecturing?
'At least A-rank? She just owned the expedition leader—gotta be minimum that.'
Her poise pegged her as A-rank in his mind.
But the enraged leader didn't gauge her—grinding teeth, charging.
That's enough. While I'm still nice.
Pyo Beom-hee flared her aura.
No weapons, but her blade-sharp intent made nearby hunters shiver.
The leader froze. Now he sensed her level.
Wh-who... are you?
Good. Good. Now you're ready to talk.
Pyo Beom-hee reined it in instantly. Freely toggling aura meant at least A-.
Same tier as Crow's expedition leader.
But the famously hot-tempered leader tensing up showed she outclassed him.
Rank-wise even, but temper? No contest—as he scowled and bellowed.
Who the hell are you to crash our guild and make a scene?!
Aigoo, my bad—slipped my mind.
Pyo Beom-hee pulled a business card wallet from her jacket pocket. She fished out a crisp black card with silver edging and offered it forward.
The leader reached instinctively—but it wasn't for him.
She turned, handing it to Gyeong Su-hyeok.
M-me?
Pyo Beom-hee, Iron Will comms team leader. Here to recruit you, Gyeong Su-hyeok.
Iron Will...? Recruit me?
Yeah, boss fed me a ton to sell you on it... but damn, this guy's just like the rumors. Face says long talk's a waste.
Pyo Beom-hee side-eyed the leader with blatant mockery.
His face flushed purple, but he didn't dare lunge.
What's the buyout? I'll wire it—hand over Gyeong Su-hyeok. You'll join us, right?
Uh? Yeah... no, wait—what the hell's going...?
Okay. That's a clear 'yes.'
No, not that 'yes.' I need to know what's happening first.
So you wanna stay in Crow?
She thumbed back at the leader.
Seeing his goblin scowl, Gyeong Su-hyeok flashed to the sword swing moments ago.
He'd stomached plenty of guild bullshit before, but this crossed into contempt territory.
'With that temper, he won't let me live.'
No brainer. No choice.
Al-right. I'll transfer.
Sweet. Personal deal's done. B-rank buyouts are standard—send a contract copy with the amount. I'll compare to their offer. You know the drill, Captain. No funny business.
The leader exploded.
Iron Will got no business ethics? What the fuck is this?!
Ethics are for the ethical. You don't strike me as the type.
Iron Will, huh? Oh, riding Joo Se-ah's coattails? Or those rider wolves? Either way, poach like this and you won't last. Think we'll sit idle?
Pyo Beom-hee's smile vanished mid-threat, her face frosting over.
And the guy who tried killing your precious guildmate is what?
Th-that was just a graze...
A graze, huh? Loaded with mana.
Urk!
She leaned to the grinding leader, whispering inaudibly.
Our boss said you're the type who won't talk—so other means are fine.
...
Guilds don't air dirty laundry, rule is. But today? Family biz like a company. Slush funds. Illegal potion smuggling. Money's nice, but too reckless.
!!
Keep acting up, and this goes to Hunter Investigations.
She patted his shoulder; he didn't budge.
Let's go, Hunter Gyeong Su-hyeok.
Pyo Beom-hee led him out.
He followed like spellbound, glancing back uneasily.
Don't worry. They won't touch you.
What'd you say to him...?
Nothing much. Hmm, didn't notice before—but I'm starting to take after our boss.
Huh? Oh, Guild Master Kang Moo-hyuk? But what's that mean all of a sudden?
Sounds like it'll get fun from now on. With the threats.
* * *
North Pocheon, Iron Will Guild HQ.
Joo Se-ah leaned on the second-floor railing, gazing at the unfamiliar hunters gathered below in awe.
Damn, you actually pulled them in. Didn't think they'd show.
Didn't even hit half the list.
Half? This is gold. Thought we'd be lucky with one or two.
She wasn't joking. She'd eyed Kang Moo-hyuk's list skeptically.
She trusted he wasn't bullshitting, but knew the industry cold—no illusions.
How'd you hook 'em? No money, no fame—what leverage?
Kang Moo-hyuk scanned the scattered hunters.
They're not randos.
Obviously. You don't spit without reason. Files say they're solid skill-wise.
No. I mean, I picked ones with something more than skill first.
More than skill?
How to put it... uh... By other guilds' reports, they'd probably call 'em...
Call 'em?
Flawed hunters.