Chapter 70: I Think We Have a Pretty Good Chance of Winning.
Kang Moo-hyuk set up a laptop and projector in the guild headquarters lobby and gathered the hunters together.
He waited for them to find comfortable spots to sit or stand, then projected the screen onto the blank wall.
"We don't have time for elaborate preparations, so I've just got this one map. Bear with me. Now, let's brief the operation to annihilate the orc unit."
The projection showed a map centered on Sanjeong Lake in North Pocheon.
"As you all know, the paths coming down from Cheorwon are mostly minefields. Intelligence suggests the orcs have figured out there's no mines on the asphalt roads. So we'll assume they're moving along the roads."
Kang Moo-hyuk picked up a laser pointer for the presentation and indicated the area north of Sanjeong Lake.
"First, National Route 387. It connects to the Gongye Road right where it ends, leading to Cheorwon. It's a narrow pass, but from Togojosu Reservoir—their base—it's the fastest straight shot here. Next, the west side: National Route 78. It's a bit of a detour, but it links through Yeongbuk-myeon to Cheorwon. The road's wider, making it easier for large forces to move, and good visibility makes it ideal for attacking headquarters too."
He typed numbers onto the map using the laptop.
"About 200 on 387, around 800 on 78. The orcs are split into two groups. Target: right here, Sanjeong Lake."
Someone raised a hand.
"Honestly, shouldn't we retreat at this point?"
"Sharp question, thank you, Team Leader Jo Choong-hyeon."
Kang Moo-hyuk's voice carried a thorny edge.
Jo Choong-hyeon flinched, aware of his past screw-up. Unable to withstand the pressure of possibly getting booted from the guild, he'd chased orc kills for a record, creating a gap in the encirclement—a mistake he couldn't hide.
Since he'd already burned bridges, he decided to go all-in, hanging provocations to assert his presence.
Tae Su-man, Taeseong Group's second son, was someone he banked on, but lately the guy's vibes were off. He seemed to view Kang Moo-hyuk in a favorable light.
Jo needed to prove he was the more loyal horse. And keep reminding the higher-ups of his influence in the guild.
'Damn it! How'd I end up like this? Pushed into a corner. All because of that Kang Moo-hyuk.'
With Kang Moo-hyuk not responding, Jo clenched his teeth and spoke first.
"Over a thousand evolved orcs. Our guild's still too weak for a head-on fight, don't you think?"
"Probably. Risky. We could all die here. So, shall we retreat?"
"……."
Jo shut his mouth as Kang Moo-hyuk casually overturned the tactic. His expression gave nothing away.
The other members were much the same. They secretly hoped for retreat but hemmed and hawed, unsure of the leader's intent.
As with Do Kyung-hoon, Kang Moo-hyuk was ruthless. Back in Taeseong Guild days, he'd culled long-time vets without blinking.
Even more shocking: Do Kyung-hoon, that brute, slunk away without a peep.
Surface mild, but whispers called Kang Moo-hyuk a tyrant worse than Do.
Kang Moo-hyuk let the heavy silence linger, then broke it.
"Retreat, and Nampocheon is right next door. Seven orcs caused chaos; imagine thousands. Then do we flee from there too?"
"That's why we ally with other guilds…."
"No force to handle a thousand orcs will arrive in time. Even if they do, doubtful they'd rush. How many guilds would risk their strength battling an orc horde just to help? Embarrassing, but Korean guilds prioritize their own safety and profits over citizens' lives. Put away those hopeful dreams. No support coming."
"Then what? You planning to get us all killed?"
Jo couldn't hold back, yelling. Irritated by Kang Moo-hyuk's evasive jabs.
"We'll win. That's it."
"How?!"
Kang Moo-hyuk pointed the laser at one corner of Sanjeong Lake on the map.
Nakcheonji Waterfall
"Here. We'll blow this."
"That's it."
As Kang Moo-hyuk wrapped the briefing, the lobby fell into stunned silence.
Even the rookies, who snarled at each other in groups, stayed mum.
Unable to bear the quiet, Baek Hyeong-gyu poked his colleague's side.
"Dong-pa hyung, ask something."
"W-what?"
"That plan puts us in the center. We're screwed."
"But with current guild strength, doesn't it make sense?"
"No, did he pick wrong? Us over that?"
"You think so too. Mid-tier skills, long-time teamwork. With Do Kyung-hoon's crew gone, who else for that spot? Monster-slayer No Song-rin over us newbies? Nah, it's us."
"Who doesn't know that?!"
Baek yelled at Na Dong-pa's frustrating loop. Too late, he covered his mouth, but eyes were already on them.
Kang Moo-hyuk's included.
"Yes, Hunter Baek Hyeong-gyu. A question?"
Baek scratched his head, cleared his throat, and stood.
"Ahem, nothing major… but is that plan really feasible?"
Na Dong-pa snickered beside him.
'That wasn't your real question.'
Baek ignored him, focusing on Kang.
"Which part concerns you?"
"The water attack idea, sure… but will bursting one dam drown the orcs? Never seen that in manuals or real ops."
"Historical example: Battle of Salu. Too far? Sun Tzu's Art of War. Romance of the Three Kingdoms works too."
"Opponent's monsters, not humans."
"Ah, my explanation fell short."
Kang nodded understandingly and elaborated.
"Sanjeong Lake was renovated for irrigation before becoming a special zone, boosting capacity. Plus heavy fall rain from typhoons—nearly full. 240,000 square meters, 460,000 tons. Like 50 soccer fields. Lure orcs, blast spillway and Nakcheonji Waterfall simultaneously. Factor drop height—even an ogre won't survive the torrent. Pretty good odds, I'd say. Questions answered?"
"No, but…."
The plan was chilling just hearing it.
How'd he calculate so precisely already? Prepared in advance. Maybe planned since retaking here.
And the headquarters? Doesn't he care?
Blowing the spillway would flood the remodeled resort HQ too. Three-km perimeter lake pouring out—building doomed.
Sunk all that cash, then trash it? Big balls or loose screw?
Most hunters thought it but held tongues.
'Blow HQ to kill orcs? Haha, rumors true. Monster-obsessed psycho. Thought exaggeration.'
Baek lacked guts for his real question.
Why neutral mid-tiers like them facing the horde head-on?
Na's reason fit, but Baek suspected worse.
Do Kyung-hoon treatment? Or loyalty test? Pick a side now.
Probe too deep, hear what he shouldn't.
Kang nodded, satisfied, issuing further orders.
"Hunters, gear up thoroughly. Party leaders, scout good hiding spots at your posts. When orcs scatter in flood, hit isolated groups—refine party tactics. Camo strict; hold till scout contact. Oh, no message skill? Grab short-range radios from An Ji-il's team. Review usage. Dismissed."
The lobby erupted like a flea market the moment Kang left.
Rookies tied to him by ties or grudges buzzed loudest.
"Whoa, brutal. Thought rumors fake. But real—flood lake for orcs? Wilder than looks."
"What rumor?"
"Titan Guild. As strat chief, blew whole mana mine for one boss."
"Whoa, overkill. Mana mine's jackpot central."
"Right? What psycho wastes that."
"No, it's true."
Baek Seong-bin, listening, chimed in. Hated seeing Kang dissed.
"For real? How you know?"
"Taeguk Guild alum. Rivals with Titan—always ears open."
Actually from Jo Ik-jun, but famous Yeouido raid anyway.
"Leader's led others; this lake's nothing."
"Whoa, fanboy. Sucking up hard—bet you crush on him."
Seo Dae-chi sneered, meddling.
Hated Baek on sight. Past spat aside, every move irked.
"Seo Dae-chi. Don't talk shit if clueless."
"Feisty now? Was goody-goody. But who doesn't know leader? I know better."
"What?"
"Advice: don't trust Kang. I'm saint compared to him."
"What the hell?"
"Easy. Learn slow—fun in discovery."
Seo pushed goggles up, flashed white eyes, chuckled, and left.
Baek glared at his back, unsettled.
Bastard. Spouting nonsense. Leader recruited Ujungdo reject like him.
White-eyed Seo teetered hunter-villain line.
Baek despised the ingrate.
'Cause trouble, I'll end you.'
Joo Se-ah looked up at helicopters swarming overhead.
Guild emblems on the ground were familiar.
Ones she knew from Tier Guild play: mostly majors. Slayer's stood out.
She frowned, displeased.
"Leader pulls this? Clever-ish… but proper raid with them freelancing?"
Orcs from village remains rushed where her gaze fell, shrieking at sudden choppers.
Hunters rappelled from hovering helis, skills bursting mid-air. Orcs panicked, but elite top guilds missed no gaps—sliced on landing.
Securing LZ, more hunters unloaded gear. Spears thrown by orcs? Caught by fresh deplaners.
"Seong Seon-je… showed up."
Far off, but he locked eyes like he knew, turning precisely.
Seong removed shades, mouthing at her.
No sound, but she knew the taunt—always the same.
'Don't overdo it, little miss.'
Crackle!
"Fine, Seong Seon-je. Let's see who wins this time!"
"No fighting this time, Leader Joo Se-ah."
"What're you doing, team leader?"
"Just greeting an acquaintance. But they look raring. Haha."