92. One Person is Enough.
The garden, artificially crafted yet brimming with delicate beauty, lay in profound silence. Were it not for the steady trickle of water from the overflowing bamboo spout striking the basin below, one might mistake it for an uninhabited place.
The quiet was shattered by an angry voice leaking through the receiver.
— Yoshimura Banju.
“Chairman Han.”
— There's no trust between us, but we agreed to shed as little blood as possible.
“That's why I haven't touched your precious Joo Se-ah.”
— Watch your words. That girl's untouchable.
Yoshimura cleared his throat with a phlegmy rattle, expressing his displeasure.
Han Byung-gu didn't stop there and pressed him further.
— The ones inside right now. Which banju do they belong to?
“The ones inside?”
— Assassins! Don't play dumb. I've already looked into it and made contact.
“Assassins? Never heard of them.”
Han Byung-gu fell silent for a moment.
Yoshimura was a former comrade turned bitter enemy long ago, but he wasn't one to wear a thick face.
He'd rather come out swinging openly than hide his intentions and scheme slyly.
That was why Han Byung-gu had chosen him from among the old allies in the Japanese Guild Alliance—someone who could still be reasoned with.
'Is Yoshimura unaware of some other banju's solo act? Or has his acting skills improved?'
Han Byung-gu decided to back off here. The purpose of the call had already been achieved. Warning an influential figure like Yoshimura in the Alliance would stir some change. The next steps could wait for their response.
— One last request. Please don't forget the tragedy of the 'Nine Dragons Tomb Battle.'
With that single line, Han Byung-gu hung up.
Yoshimura couldn't put down the receiver.
'Nine Dragons Tomb...'
The Nine Dragons Tomb had been one of the fiercest battlegrounds of the Great War era.
A graveyard for hunters, coiled around by nine dragons.
Victory had been claimed in the end, but the hidden truths behind that battle remained a stain on the surviving old guard.
Mentioning it was like drawing a line in the sand—not exposing the shame itself, but reminding them of its consequences.
“If Chairman Han brought up Nine Dragons Tomb, he's truly furious... Sigh, even in old age, I can't escape these damn incidents.”
Muttering to himself, Yoshimura clapped his hands. A sliding door opened, and a man kneeling inside bowed his head.
“Prepare to head to the Alliance. It's been a while since I've gone out.”
After ending the call with Yoshimura, Han Byung-gu headed to North Pocheon with Aila and her group.
It was due to the contract between Iron Will Guild and the World Hunter Federation.
Originally meant to proceed gradually over time, but with North Pocheon opening by late December, they seized the moment before attention focused there to wrap it up quickly.
Han Byung-gu attended as the mediator, gathering both sides' views and ensuring compliance.
“We've exchanged details in advance, so no need for long talks. Sign and done.”
Han Byung-gu urged things along. As Joo Se-ah reviewed the contract, she tossed out a casual question.
“Not seeing your granddaughter?”
“You rascal!”
“Why get mad?”
“It's obvious you're doing it on purpose! Fine, our family's a mess! Happy now?”
“Well, it's not wrong. Why the sudden self-criticism? It's throwing me off.”
“Aigoo! I'm fuming. What do I even like about a punk like you...”
“It's weird for me to say it myself, but I'm pretty originally.”
Ignoring the two who bickered like sworn enemies whenever they met, Kang Moo-hyuk addressed Aila.
“There's a slight change here. The breeder section. Not North American ranches, but direct Federation dispatch?”
“Yes. It's classified, but the Federation raises taming monsters too. Our expertise, facilities, and tech surpass other ranches.”
Alex, well-versed in Federation matters, answered for her.
Kang Moo-hyuk found the altered terms puzzling.
“The added conditions are quite generous. You said the Federation found direct involvement awkward before.”
“We have the original contract ready too. If it's burdensome, we can revert.”
“Changing terms means you want something more.”
“Nothing major. Just handle a few headaches for the Federation.”
Kang Moo-hyuk pondered deeply.
'The Federation, powerless in name only but rivaling world-tier guilds in strength, asking me for favors?'
It smelled fishy.
As suspicion showed on his face, Aila spoke up.
“Three trials. We don't partner with just anyone. Only those who pass get the chance.”
“Linking with North American guilds eases business all around, but invites heavy interference. Maximizing profit is their core directive. The Federation doesn't seek anything from Iron Will—no money, power, or strength. Why beg from a Korean C-rank guild when we have plenty?”
Alex quickly added.
Kang Moo-hyuk countered.
“Isn't this contract happening because there's something to gain from that C-rank guild?”
“World peace benefits all humanity. No need for Iron Will to sacrifice for the greater good. You get your gains, we pursue peace. Win-win, right?”
Despite the lofty words, Kang Moo-hyuk didn't buy it and grew convinced.
'The original contract could've secured cooperation fine. Adding stronger terms means... something's up.'
He had to play ignorant despite suspecting. Per the contract, there were no downsides—only massive upsides.
Foreign investment in domestic guilds had procedural hurdles, but Federation funding and loans opened up. Sharing their systems and infrastructure was especially appealing.
'Why hesitate? Lack of info breeds doubt.'
As Kang Moo-hyuk mulled, Han Byung-gu tapped Alex's shoulder.
“Hold on. Come see me. You too, Aila.”
“Shall I step out?”
As Kang Moo-hyuk started to rise, Aila waved him down.
“It's fine, Duke Kang Moo-hyuk.”
Aila murmured something, and a mana barrier enveloped her group including Han Byung-gu.
Their voices cut off.
A completely isolated space.
Joo Se-ah marveled at the sight.
“Impressive. No presence inside at all. Definitely not a skill. What is it?”
“Magic.”
“Doesn't feel like magic...”
“Not the skill-based magic we know—probably another type Aila uses.”
Kang Moo-hyuk stared intently at Han Byung-gu and the group. Precisely, their lip movements.
'Not Korean. Lips don't match. Tricky... hard to lip-read non-Korean.'
Han Byung-gu spoke Korean, yet they understood—likely a language skill in play all along.
Kang Moo-hyuk focused solely on Han Byung-gu's lips.
‘Trying to make him a Federation member? But he's no hunter?’
‘Commander? A loophole. The elders approved that dodge?’
‘Didn't realize that unknown entity was so crucial. Even the fat asses moved for it.’
‘So how's the trial structured? Pushing too hard?’
‘How'd they snag such requests? He'll suffer.’
‘Tone it down. Results matter less, but his temper's no joke. Could blow up.’
‘No looking away. Not a bad deal—go for it.’
The conversation ended, and the mana barrier vanished.
Kang Moo-hyuk pieced together Han Byung-gu's words.
'Limited, but key info's out. The chairman, lifelong advocate for Korean guilds, wouldn't pass a bad deal. But what's this membership? Gains come with strings.'
Pretending to review documents while waiting, Aila addressed him.
“Sorry to keep you. Duke Han Byung-gu's fussier than before with needless worries.”
“Ha? Try aging yourself. You'll end up like me.”
“I'm older than Duke Han Byung-gu.”
“Urk...”
“Aila's your noona? Wow, and she pulled rank on you.”
Joo Se-ah smirked provocatively in disbelief, but Han Byung-gu had no retort.
Kang Moo-hyuk slid the contract forward.
“A few more questions.”
“Ask away.”
“This support listed—does it apply to that necktie pin too?”
Alex flinched at Kang Moo-hyuk's question, glaring at Han Byung-gu.
“This tech's Federation classified. Even Mr. Han can't blab like that.”
“Wasn't me!”
Han Byung-gu waved denial vigorously, but Kang Moo-hyuk backed him.
“Chairman didn't say. Mana flows to the pin whenever you speak—likely a translation skill. Never heard of skills embedded in modern items. Looks like the Federation monopolizes that tech.”
“Mana... You see that too? Impressive. Yes, Federation tech. Skills infused into objects. Process is complex and costly—no mass production yet.”
To his veiled refusal, Kang Moo-hyuk shook his head.
“Misunderstanding. Not asking to share the tech.”
“Ah? Then if you're contracting, we could gift a few.”
“Not that, but we'd gladly accept.”
Alex realized his slip—promising unneeded items.
Not a big loss, but it felt like losing ground in negotiation.
“Precisely, can you provide tech support for Iron Will's gear?”
“Gear?”
Kang Moo-hyuk asked An Ji-il to fetch some C Warehouse items.
Aila donned her hood to minimize witnesses to her identity.
Soon, Kang Moo-hyuk laid out the gear, drawing Alex's interest.
“Communication devices.”
“Usable in special zones or gates.”
“Even gates?”
“Short-range only due to efficiency drop, but no need for pricey message skills.”
Alex looked stunned, grasping the implications.
“Low-rank hunters could use them too.”
“Exactly. Inexperienced low-ranks botch orders, causing accidents. Mass adoption would slash pointless deaths.”
“What do you want from us?”
“Tech support to refine for affordability and mass production.”
“Not just refinement?”
“Manufacturing, distribution, sales too.”
Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully before asking.
“Any other gear?”
“The warehouse is full!”
An Ji-il, suddenly summoned and piecing it together, exclaimed excitedly.
Startled, Alex's eyes widened in laughter.
“Amazing. Not all useful, but digging might yield Federation interests.”
“All useful!”
An Ji-il yelled again, thrilled.
“Fine. I'll talk to our dev department—positive review.”
“Yes!”
An Ji-il pumped his fist. Kang Moo-hyuk inwardly winced.
'Damn. Needed to hold back more. They sniffed our desperation.'
Alex, smiling warmly at An Ji-il's joy, turned to Kang Moo-hyuk.
“Think we've given the raid leader plenty.”
Alex signed and pushed the contract forward.
Kang Moo-hyuk sighed inwardly, took it, and passed to Joo Se-ah.
The swift process left her no room to nitpick; pre-discussed and full authority delegated to the raid leader, she signed promptly.
Satisfied with the sealed contract, Alex said.
“Now, about the trials?”
“Vladivostok.”
Considering Kang Moo-hyuk's guild duties kept him from traveling far, the Federation assigned the nearest request.
Second and third would follow completion of the prior.
“Not easy. Shouldn't have taken this? 'Upu Mangbau'? Honestly, insane.”
“They said no blame on failure. Contract holds.”
“What kind of trial? Unrelated to contract, they say.”
Kang Moo-hyuk shared the doubt.
'Tied to membership? Trials imply failure = disqualification. Yet they downplay failure. Won't spill, so unknown.'
Re-reading the first trial docs repeatedly, he focused less on the test itself and more on hidden motives.
Sensing it, Joo Se-ah asked.
“Not worried about the trial?”
“I am.”
“Doesn't show.”
“Failure's fine, no penalty.”
“No. Botching requests is common here, but pisses you off. Future jobs, you'll get disrespected.”
“Haven't botched yet.”
“This is botch bait. Upu Mangbau!”
Kang Moo-hyuk checked the monster photo.
Penguin-plump body, pelican beak—avian classified despite no flight.
“Even I couldn't clean it neatly. On SVR lists anyway—visa hell.”
“SVR (Russian Foreign Intelligence)? Why them?”
“Slayer time, beat some Russians... Anyway, smuggling only way.”
“Guild master's off raid lists anyway.”
“Who then? Lee Jin-joo? Sending expedition? Vladivostok's top guild can't touch it.”
Kang Moo-hyuk pinned the Upu Mangbau photo to the whiteboard with a magnet, tapping it.
“Lucky trial. No need for many. One person is enough.”
“One person? No way!”