71. It Won't Be Pleasant At All
Kang Moo-hyuk still felt it wasn't enough, even after devising the strategy, preparing the hunters, and deploying the expedition team in anticipation of any variables.
If it were a normal raid, I'd have taken the time to plan thoroughly. But the current situation leaves no room for that—everything has to be handled on the fly. And yet, I can't just sit idle.
He needed to explore other options to boost their odds, even slightly.
"I'm sorry we haven't met face-to-face and that our first meeting has to be over the phone, Chairman Han Byung-gu."
-What's a busy man like you calling me for, Director Kang Moo-hyuk?
Kang Moo-hyuk bristled at the feigned ignorance, despite the man surely knowing full well.
He's definitely seen it on the Guild App.
In this urgent situation, what was the point? A man who knew the monster threat as well as anyone shouldn't be playing games like this. It only made his stomach churn.
He recalled Han Byung-gu's background.
First-generation hunter. One of the few survivors of the Great War era. Current Hunter Association Chairman. No real executive power, but his disciples wield influence throughout the hunter world. That's the old man's strength.
Back at Titan, Kang Moo-hyuk had never even met him personally.
Han Byung-gu was a heavyweight who only deigned to meet vice guild masters of at least A-rank guilds—or top-tier hunters with the skills to match.
Joo Se-ah was a prime example, having earned his acquaintance through sheer ability.
For a non-hunter civilian like him, even getting a meeting was impossible without credentials. The Guild Cooperation Office's help had barely secured this call.
A man with that much influence hates the director system? This is a problem. It'll make working together tough down the line.
Kang Moo-hyuk knew Han Byung-gu viewed the director position skeptically.
He'd openly called it absurd for a civilian who'd never hunted to command hunters—a stance he'd repeated in meetings with guild masters. Kang Moo-hyuk, always tuned into industry whispers, had heard it all.
Coming from someone who'd lived through the early gate era's chaos, the prejudice had some basis.
But letting the past hobble the future wasn't the role of the old guard.
Pondering how to sway him, Kang Moo-hyuk reached a conclusion.
This man won't change. No point begging or persuading. An old tiger only moves when it's hungry. I need to toss him some bait. And what he craves is... monster extermination.
Hunters from the Great War era all trembled at the thought of monsters.
That was the angle to target.
-If you're going to start something, finish it. I put off a meeting to take this call from the Guild Cooperation Office—what's with the silence? Time drags for the young, but flies for this old man. You gonna make me wait till I die?
"Time is life for me too... I was just doing some calculations."
-What? Time is life? Ha! Everyone's so busy pretending to be busy these days. So, what calculations?
"Whether this call is a waste of time."
-Ho? Hohoho, look at this punk. Puts on a director hat at some small guild and thinks he's untouchable.
"Chairman. There's a thousand orcs marching south right now. Iron Will has no intention of letting them reach Nampocheon. But if you keep sniping at the hunters risking their lives to protect civilians, isn't it natural I'd see no point in continuing this call?"
-......
"You lived through the Great War—you know it well. A war with monsters is a race against time."
-......
"Can I keep going with this call?"
-......Sorry. Proceed.
"I need support."
-We're already gathering it. But it's so sudden— it'll take time. I can send the emergency standby team, but against an orc horde, it's a drop in the bucket. It'll be late.
"I don't need much. How about you come first, Chairman? We need your Great War experience."
-Ha! Trying to work this old man to the bone? No hunter's ever dared say that to me. Must be the lack of common sense from not being one.
"Let me say it again: time is short. Are you coming or not?"
-Argh! You're the spitting image of that insolent guild master of yours. Unfortunately, I can't go there right now. Ah, they must not have told you when the Guild Cooperation Office connected the call. I'm in Japan for World Hunter Federation business.
Speak of the devil. Of all times.
Kang Moo-hyuk felt the setback keenly. It also highlighted the Hunter Association's limits. A system too entrenched in the industry had ground to a halt. What good was an association that couldn't provide strength when needed?
He steadied himself. One plan scrapped—discard the regret, move to the next.
"For now, please request aid from guilds within your influence. As soon as possible."
-Embarrassing to admit, but the young ones don't listen to me anymore. No incentive for them.
"Chairman."
-What now?
"In this business, embarrassment is the endgame, isn't it? Unless you plan to retire to the back room as a forgotten old timer, stop being embarrassed. Goodbye."
-What? You little— Hey, hey...
Kang Moo-hyuk hung up without hearing the rest. He rubbed his dry face and swallowed a groan.
"Ugh, went too far."
The final rudeness was deliberate.
An old hunter left with only faded glory, stubbornness, and pride.
Provoke him, and something would come of it.
If not, oh well. But I can't just wait on that alone.
He called the Guild Cooperation Office for another contingency.
"Director Cha Gil-ju. Kang Moo-hyuk here. I have an urgent request."
"Aigoo, that punk's got a temper rivaling our guild master. Scraping at my pride on purpose—wants to squeeze something out of me, does he?"
Han Byung-gu sighed deeply after mulling it over in silence.
"Don't like the guy, but can't let those orcs run wild. And I don't wanna deal with Joo Se-ah throwing a fit later. No choice. Gotta shake down this old man's pocket change."
He made a call. After a few dry rings, someone picked up.
"Eul-ji. Looks like I need you to pull some weight."
"Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung. I know your hunter license is revoked."
"Again?"
"Sorry to keep dragging you to the field."
"Why keep doing things you gotta apologize for?"
"Under the temporary permit clause for emergencies—not profit activities. Formally requesting field return."
"And if I say no?"
"This time, you have to—even if you hate it."
Yeom Soo-hyung narrowed his eyes and snorted shortly.
"Gave in on the goblin riders—no choice. But keep this up, it'll be trouble. No room against this orc tribe like before. Could end in disaster. Still want me fighting?"
"Yes."
"What if I quit after? Still gonna push? Wasn't in the original contract."
"Then no choice. Let you go after this."
Even at losing a hard-won talent, Kang Moo-hyuk didn't budge. Yeom Soo-hyung shook his head.
Just four years since vowing never to hunt again.
Keep getting dragged to the battlefield.
He knew Kang Moo-hyuk's nature well. No compromise on killing monsters. North Pocheon falls, then South. With civilians' lives on the line, the man's obsession burned hotter.
Yeom Soo-hyung agreed he was right, but doubted his own state for intense combat.
A thousand evolved orcs.
No breathing room like goblin riders.
Scale beyond even his active days. Veteran or not, full effort required.
Uncertain if he'd overcome past trauma, facing a no-retreat fight weighed heavy.
Have to use the trait. Can I control that power? Mess up, I'm deadlier than orcs. Was before... still not sure now. Director knows that.
Sensing the worry, Kang Moo-hyuk spoke first.
"Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee comes too. She'll brake if needed."
"Failed before. Not some average brake can handle me."
"This one's no average. Pyo guaranteed it."
Yeom Soo-hyung sighed long and spat on the floor.
"Damn. Thought it'd just be hauling gear."
"Sorry to force the hunt like this."
"Dunno if you mean it. Tch! Got my gear? Buried in Titan warehouse somewhere. Need it for that power."
"Pulled it during C Warehouse takeover—just in case. Team Leader An Ji-il has it."
"Prepared, huh. Planned to drag me back fully someday—even without orcs."
"Didn't expect 'someday' so soon."
"Fine, try it. After... who knows."
Kang Moo-hyuk nodded understandingly.
"That's enough. Assigning eight parties. Take north path as raid leader. Block detachments in narrow pass while we handle main force."
"Forty plus Pyo Beom-hee... Still heavy against two hundred orcs. Kids aren't top-tier."
"That's why begging you, even if it strains. Calculations show no one else fits."
"Threat then flattery? Sly as ever."
Yeom Soo-hyung grimaced with a grin. Situation being what it was, he accepted.
Then, a sudden thought—he probed casually.
"But Pyo's guarantee—trustworthy?"
"......Of course."
"Hey, that pause was long."
"Just remembered something. Gotta go—busy."
"Director Kang! Hey, Kang Moo-hyuk!"
"Director!"
"Hunter Gyeong Su-hyeok. Heading out now. Urgent?"
Lee Jin-joo, geared up to leave, faced Gyeong Su-hyeok's rush.
"Why not A-Team? No brag, but among new recruits, I'm top ten confident."
Lee Jin-joo slung her pack, nodding toward the lake.
"Scared of a thousand orcs?"
"Not fear. Pride issue."
"Aha? That it?"
She clapped cheerfully, then sobered.
"Know you're skilled. Baek Seong-bin's solid, Seo Dae-chi fits A-Team too."
"So... because of their feud? Punishing me for their fights?"
"You were their party leader. Why use someone who can't control members? Cheorwon could be as dangerous. No babysitting leeway. Can you handle those two?"
Gyeong Su-hyeok was speechless. He couldn't.
Seo Dae-chi was a 'miracle he's not a villain' troublemaker. Baek Seong-bin turned berserk on monsters, impulse disorder or worse.
How to handle them?
"Th-that's... Then drop them. Why me..."
Lee Jin-joo checked her gate watch, set pack down briefly.
"Heard your old guild had issues. Charging in, defying orders."
"Unfair commands...!"
"Learn another way. Don't headbutt when heated."
"......"
"I did. Showed those saying no 'cause girl or vague trait."
Gyeong Su-hyeok wanted to crawl into a hole. Face burned.
Damn, embarrassed. Acted like a kid whining?
Lee Jin-joo nodded at his expression, shouldered pack, moved.
"Oh, and 2nd Assault assigned? Detachments. You'll be party leader. Seo Dae-chi, Baek Seong-bin. Handle 'em. Aigoo, late. Good hunting. See ya."
Gyeong Su-hyeok mulled her words after she rushed out.
Then snapped to the last bit.
"Put those two back in?"
Curses poured from his mouth.
Twenty military trucks rumbled into Sanjeong Lake.
Each 2.5-ton hauler packed with soldiers and cargo.
Kang Moo-hyuk greeted them, boarded the lead vehicle with An Ji-il, loaded more gear, guided to Jang Deok-gu in the west.
"What's all this?"
"Mines."
"Mines?"
"Guild Cooperation got Defense Ministry approval. Kept ready near hazards post-North collapse. Plenty at Pocheon base—picked 'em up."
Jang Deok-gu looked incredulous.
"Director, mana in special zones disables gunpowder. Buried better, but high dud rate. Better plant behind Nampocheon wire as backup."
"Common knowledge it won't work here. And covering that area now?"
"Then why...?"
"Guild master said orcs sniff 'em out."
Most nearby hunters didn't grasp it.
Kang Moo-hyuk unveiled the plan without dragging.
"Outnumbered by orcs. Limit movement to avoid encirclement. Bury here. They've felt mines' danger—smell'll freeze 'em."
Hunters gawked, stunned.
Civilian thinking? Not a hunter's idea.
But worth trying.
Jang Deok-gu admired inwardly. Impressed before as guild manager.
Knew raid record—paper achievements.
Goblin raid luck from good setup.
Ironic non-fighter planning monster hunts.
Capable, but not fully trusted in field.
Admit it. Impressive, Kang Moo-hyuk. Success aside, filling gaps in the big picture ain't ordinary. But...
Veteran eye spotted the hole.
"Say orcs smell 'em. But horde charges—someone steps wrong. Or ignores. Dud means counterattack."
"Exactly. Dud fools 'em. That's why this."
Kang Moo-hyuk reached for An Ji-il.
Opened case, pulled cig lighter-like device.
"Used to blow mana stone mine. Igniter for remote or timed blast. Mana stone timer bomb. Same for waterfall. Plant some, pop early orcs—then they feel mine power?"
"......"
"Can't guarantee win. But from orc view... won't be pleasant."