Gaepyeong
“Ugh! Guild master, drive a little more gently!”
Choi Mi-ran shouted, but it fell on deaf ears as far as Kang Moo-hyuk was concerned.
Kim Seong-hyeon, wondering what had gotten into the guild master, turned to Gong Du-ri.
“Team Leader Gong, why’s the guild master going berserk like this?”
“The bomb didn’t go off… quite the—argh, my tongue… ugh.”
Gong Du-ri bit her tongue as the vehicle rocked violently. Though they didn’t catch the full answer, the two hunters pieced together the situation.
Something’s gone wrong with the plan?
This is bad. Should we grab the guild master and bail now? Or should I just run? Damn, my gut’s screaming this is off.
The command vehicle screeched to a halt at the sluice gate entrance, and Kang Moo-hyuk jumped out without even killing the engine. The two hunters assigned to escort duty had no choice but to follow.
The sluice gate resembled a small dam, only 51 meters long—its entire structure visible at a glance.
The moment he entered, Kang Moo-hyuk checked the nearest spot where the mana stone bombs should have been planted.
“Gone… Here too… And here……”
He scrambled around like a madman, inspecting every corner. Every spot meant for the mana stone bombs was empty.
Choi Mi-ran, chasing after him, glanced over his shoulder and muttered.
“What? No bombs? Why the hell not? Who took them?”
It was a casual question, but it snapped Kang Moo-hyuk to attention. Scenarios flashed through his mind like a film reel, linking to the crisis at hand.
Someone… took them?
This was a hastily prepared op—no time for outsiders to interfere. That meant an inside job. No one would sabotage without reason. Someone dissatisfied, someone who gains from putting the guild in peril… Or maybe someone who avoids loss.
One face immediately came to mind.
The man Kang Moo-hyuk planned to boot once the orc crisis ended. The one who’d sniffed out that danger.
Jo Choong-hyeon.
The prime suspect. But doubts lingered.
Motive’s too weak. Even knowing he’s on the chopping block, would he risk lives? What’s the payoff? A gutted guild shell? Tae’s secretary wants the guild intact, not shattered. Jo’s not bold enough to defy that. Damn, not the time. Table it. Fix this first.
Kang Moo-hyuk shook off the thoughts. The immediate crisis came first. He addressed the two hunters.
“Someone’s swiped the mana stone bombs. Head to the waterfall. Na Dong-pa and his party can see that area—they wouldn’t dare tamper there carelessly.”
“Can’t we just blow the waterfall too?”
“Intact waterfall halves the flood’s power, but no time to nitpick. Put out the nearest fire first.”
“At least there’s a way. Silver lining.”
As Choi Mi-ran sighed in relief, a slow clap echoed from somewhere.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
“Who’s there?!”
Kim Seong-hyeon drew his sword, blocking Kang Moo-hyuk, a chill running down his spine. Choi Mi-ran drew her weapon a beat late.
“Knew you’d handle it coolly. No panic, straight to a fix. The more I see, the more impressed.”
A familiar voice.
A shadow stretched from behind a pillar, and Jo Choong-hyeon stepped out.
“Team Leader Jo?”
Choi Mi-ran glared suspiciously. Kim Seong-hyeon swallowed hard.
Situation screams he’s the culprit… What’s his rank again?
He was already simulating the fight in his head.
“You after all? Hoped not.”
“Already pegged me? That’s why I hate you—you keep stealing my spot.”
“Hunter Jo Choong-hyeon, chance remains. Hand over the mana stone bombs. We’ll call it dismissal.”
Choi Mi-ran shivered at the icy killing intent in Kang Moo-hyuk’s voice—a non-hunter’s menace hitting harder than expected.
“If it were that easy, I wouldn’t be here, guild master.”
“True. You wouldn’t have done it. Nor did I want this, you bastard.”
“……You swearing now? Caught me off guard. Haha. Means I hit you where it hurts?”
“Mana stone bombs. Where?”
Jo rummaged in his pocket and tossed a palm-sized object at Kang Moo-hyuk’s feet.
“Destroyed the rest. One left? Take it to Gaepyeong as a souvenir. When you head up there.”
Jo pointed skyward, mocking. Leaving one bomb was deliberate humiliation. That’s how much grudge he held.
Kang Moo-hyuk bent slowly, picking up the last bomb. Staring it down, he murmured resolute.
“Hunter Kim Seong-hyeon. Hunter Choi Mi-ran.”
“Yes.”
“Y-Yes? Yes, sir.”
“Hold this bastard here.”
“Us?”
Choi Mi-ran’s eyes wavered. Kim Seong-hyeon took it calmly.
“Ranks similar… but he’s got more field time.”
“Desk-jockey escapee like him? You two can manage. If he resists, kill him.”
“!!”
“Whoa… scary.”
Kim Seong-hyeon startled at the firm order; Choi Mi-ran whimpered, shoulders hunching.
Both were hunters far from murder. Few in the industry had blood on their hands—save frontline A-tier or villain guild vets.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
As Kang Moo-hyuk turned abruptly, Jo drew and lunged.
“Where do you think—?!”
Clang!
“Trouble, Mr. Jo. Guild master’s orders.”
“Kim Seong-hyeon, you little shit!”
“Screw it! Whatever!”
Choi Mi-ran lashed out irritably, aiming for Jo’s face.
Jo dismissed it—body could tank that.
Then his vision flashed. Light devoured shapes. Kim blurred, then black.
“Gah! My eyes… dirty tricks!”
Thud!
As Jo staggered, Kim’s kick slammed his gut—eyes shut from their long teamwork.
Blinded, Jo swung wildly, retreating to keep Kim at bay.
Should’ve gone for the kill…
Kim cursed inwardly. Hesitation from lacking murder resolve cost the fatal blow.
Too late. No dwelling—opponent seasoned. No rash charges.
Jo recovered fast, rage boiling at cheap skills from a perennial C+.
“Fucking hell, from a forever C+ hack.”
“Prime C+!”
Ignoring Choi’s taunt, Jo checked behind—they’d bought time; Kang Moo-hyuk was driving toward the waterfall.
He gnashed teeth, feigning calm.
“As expected. Prepared. He’ll circle back. Deal with you first.”
“Doubt it. You versus two? Tough odds.”
“Then you should’ve stabbed earlier!”
Jo roared, charging Kim.
* * *
Kang Moo-hyuk floored it on the dirt road, vehicle bucking wildly. Gong Du-ri’s screams rolled from the back.
Those two can handle him power-wise. Just hold a bit. Waterfall soon…
Three figures ahead blocked the narrow embankment to the waterfall.
Kang Moo-hyuk’s focus peaked. Thoughts raced, detached from reality.
Mana addiction’s cursed gift.
In a blink, wrinkles, peach fuzz—every detail crystal. Their lip movements clear despite distance. He read them instantly.
He’s coming. Ready up.
This risky? If we touch guild master and get caught, we’re screwed…
Jo said he’s got our backs. Dead men tell no tales.
Word from group side, but really pull this off?
Shit! No backing out now! Spot for us—trust the team leader.
Jo Choong-hyeon line!
Explained Jo’s leisure despite Kang’s escape—ambush pre-set.
These raid-bound hunters unarmed here… Never planned to fight. Betrayal from the start.
Dilemma. Contact in 10 seconds. Non-hunter versus hunters? No win, barely breakthrough possible.
Best shot:
Jo’s strategic team weak in field ops—weakest of old Taeseong’s three factions.
Faces ID’d, profiles flashed.
[Yoo Jung-geol, C-]
[Park Ho-chan, C]
[Choi Hae-min, C-]
No B-ranks. Then…
Ram them with the car!
No kill, but momentum might punch through?
All-in on slim chance.
He stomped accelerator. RPM redlined; engine roared.
Gong Du-ri buckled up, wailing.
“You said safe spot!!”
Vrooom! Crash!
Impact flung bodies. Glimpse of hunter sailing lakeside. Sky flipped, ground caved.
Vehicle rolled.
Brute force. Eat it with body?
Cough!
Pain crushed chest; ragged breaths.
“Hah… hah… ngh!”
Trembling hands unbuckled. Dropped to inverted roof. Checked back—Gong Du-ri dangled limp, unconscious by breathing.
Twisted for exit; door stuck.
Then.
Click! Crunch! Rip—bang!
Metal crumpled; door tore free.
“Guild master tougher than looks. Friends banged up thanks to you. One drowned. Workers’ comp cover this?”
“To… get comp, join… a company first.”
“Real sleazy boss. Mouth alive even dying. Stay put. Quick end.”
Rough hand grabbed collar.
Bang!
Revolver from Kang’s pocket spat mana bullet.
“Gurk! Arghhh!”
Close-range eye shot wrecked beyond pain. Half-world blackened.
“Cough. That’s comp-worthy.”
“Hng… you… bastard……”
C-grade newbie C- in C-guild.
Awakened but nothing special—dim future, no path but Jo’s bait. Lacked grit for pain.
Vision gone, future black. Fear before fury.
Injured hunter lost focus amid agony.
“Fucking idiots. Hunter-killer civvie? Whining hurts worse.”
Park Ho-chan, C-rank watching like big shot, kicked the revolver.
Wrist snapped, bone cracked. Yanked Kang by nape, gripped throat, hoisted.
Toes dangling, breath choked; face purpled. Vision blurred.
Hallucinating now. Flying things.
Oxygen-starved brain spawned sky phantoms.
“No last words, guild master. Sorry, but die for my rise.”
Grip tightened; Kang rasped desperately.
“Too… chatty. Skip words… eat… this, bastard……”
“What?”
Something thunked into Park’s shirt pocket.
Instinct dropped gaze. Glint from pocket gap.
“This……”
Click!
Tick like clock above; eyes flicked up.
He saw clear.
Kang’s detonator cover flipping open.
“You son of—……”
Hurling Kang, fumbling pocket—
“Yeah, Gaepyeong from your boss.”
Boom!
Park’s chest exploded.