So, Do You Not Need It?
Sasaki Norio, president of the Japan Guild Union—commonly known as the Guild Alliance—found himself facing the most unwelcome guest imaginable.
"Summoning the Domain Lords' Council, Yoshimura Duke? It's not even a regular meeting. Do you really think those busy domain lords will gather? Just tell me through me."
"Right, I nearly overlooked protocol myself. I won't drag this out. Did you send an assassination squad to Korea?"
"To Joseon, you say? Perish the thought. In these peaceful times, who'd do such a thing?"
"Still calling it Joseon, eh? What era do you think this is, spouting outdated names like that? Tsk tsk. That's why Northeast Asia's always in an uproar—you lot looking down on your neighbors."
"You're the one blind to the changing times, Duke. Japan isn't the weak hunter nation scrambling to the U.S. or neighbors anymore. This is a world ruled by power. Power is money, power is authority. There's no law saying we have to cling to this island chain, battered endlessly by earthquakes and typhoons."
Yoshimura barely suppressed a heavy sigh.
He too yearned for Japan's glory, but not in the expansionist direction dreamed by the Alliance members.
A world where monsters couldn't harm humans. A world where people helped each other and progressed. That was his vision.
'Even amid the Great War's horrors, we fought with hope for such a world...'
But people changed the instant the war ended.
From the moment Korea's mighty hunters sacrificed themselves to turn the tide of victory, ambitious opportunists filled the power vacuum. Japan was among them.
Yoshimura still regretted it. Chasing national momentum over his own dreams had been foolish.
That's why he formed the Guild Alliance to rein in those aimless powers—but somewhere along the way, it was devoured by the very ambitious sorts he sought to control.
'I secluded myself because I couldn't stand the sight. But now... I can't ignore it anymore. My failing.'
Yoshimura crossed his arms on the sofa, glaring at Sasaki across from him. The intensity in his eyes made Sasaki shrink back.
No wonder—A+ rank pinnacle fighter Yoshimura's presence was too much for Sasaki, who wasn't a powerhouse hunter.
He'd claimed the presidency through politics, not prowess, and couldn't handle Yoshimura.
"So you didn't send them?"
"Urgh. You're too much. I'm the Guild Alliance president, you know. Treating me like this..."
"My apologies. I got carried away."
Yoshimura reined in his aura and even apologized, but his eyes still pressed silently.
Sasaki groaned, irritation plain on his face.
"Do I have any right to meddle in the domain lords' affairs? Even you're pressuring me like this."
"So it was another domain lord's solo act."
"...Sorry, I can't say more."
"I know who without asking. Sorry to waste your time, busy man."
Yoshimura rose and left the office.
Alone, Sasaki slumped into the sofa, venting his frustration.
"If that's how it is, one of the domain lords should sit here. Hiding in mansions like big shots, issuing orders... Hoo! Now I get why no one lasts long in this chair."
A serene mountain temple on Tokyo's outskirts.
As a faint bell echoed, a visitor radiating menace arrived.
"Halt, Yoshimura Duke."
Blocking him was a sweeping monk.
"Hunters playing monk these days?"
"Forgive me for barring your path, Duke. The elder said no visitors."
"Ha, that kid's old enough for 'elder'? Time flies. So he won't see me either?"
"As if, old timer."
A middle-aged man caught Yoshimura's words.
A white-robed figure with gray-streaked long hair tied back approached slowly.
Yoshimura greeted him with sarcasm.
"The elder himself coming out. Don't know where to put myself, Kishin."
"You got word from Han-san, right? Yes, I sent it."
Yoshimura frowned. A confession right away.
"Not even hiding it."
"Why hide from Japan's hunter duke? Better to seek understanding and advice."
"From you? Long life indeed. Never thought I'd be honored by an S-rank."
Yoshimura chuckled in disbelief.
Kishin pressed on undeterred.
"Even indulgence has limits. With Joo Se-ah spreading her wings, I couldn't stand by."
"Too fixated on an A+ hunter. One rank below you, but that wall's vast."
"Joo Se-ah has S-rank potential. The moment she reaches it, she's our disaster. We must obstruct her."
Kishin spoke calmly, but resolve shone through.
Yoshimura realized nothing would sway him. He'd expected as much before coming—Han Byung-gu's warning prompted a visit to temper things. But those fanatic eyes confirmed it was futile.
"So who're you killing? Joo Se-ah again, at this point?"
"She's beyond me unless I go personally. Can't sneak into the peninsula dodging Korean government eyes."
"Then who?"
Kishin smiled thinly.
"When the general's strong, target the horse first. That's the way of war."
"An assassination squad from Japan?"
"They'll deny it publicly. Call it unofficial infiltration."
"Meaning, whatever happens unofficially on Korean soil is fair game."
"A declaration they'll do anything."
Han Byung-gu ground his teeth.
Kang Moo-hyuk probed for more intel.
"Any idea on the target?"
"Several possibilities. Guild Master Joo Se-ah, some guild. Maybe even my granddaughter. You've noticed—her future's bright."
"Go Eul-ji won't face assassins here."
"Good she's run off then. I'll handle my end. Protect my granddaughter till then."
"We'll move on multiple fronts."
"Best stay put."
"They're targeting our guild. We don't sit idle."
"Do as you will. Guild master and leader, both stubborn as mules. Hanging up."
Call ended, Kang Moo-hyuk looked up to four hunters: Joo Se-ah, Jang Deok-gu, Lee Jin-joo, No Song-rin.
Iron Will's top forces, briefed and on standby.
"Now we've got an out even if we strike the Iga clan."
"Leaking to the old man wasn't to stir the Association?"
"One option. Key was settling this and drawing a line against follow-ups. With Han Byung-gu checking Japan, no overt squads incoming."
"Let 'em come."
Joo Se-ah flashed a faint smile, teeth glinting—chilling from certain angles.
"Not everyone's guild master strong. Someone could get hurt. Cumulative damage is bad, but Japan stealing our time is worse."
"End it decisively here. Join Slayer, hunt the Iga or whatever clan?"
Lee Jin-joo stepped forward, flushed with excitement.
She disliked hunter infighting, but Japanese? Different story. Korean hunters had scores to settle.
Kang Moo-hyuk shook his head.
"Slayer won't team with us—they're not that desperate. Orc crisis already paints us as justice guardians. Add 'saved Korea from Japanese demons,' and Slayer's pride stings."
"Who'll know we caught assassins?"
"Separate issue, Expedition Leader. Can't ignore other tiers."
"Other tiers?"
"They're not charging like Slayer from caution, but eyes and ears always open. Many eyes mean many mouths—rumors spread. Top guilds and power brokers are rumor-sensitive. Ears perked. That builds image."
Joo Se-ah answered Lee Jin-joo's question.
She'd experienced tier guilds firsthand. Honorable facades, but shrewd profit-calculators.
Slayer at least claimed to protect Korean hunters; others tiptoed around Japan.
"Right. Rumors become reputation, reputation power. Slayer's top not just from strength or money."
Lee Jin-joo mulled Kang Moo-hyuk's addition. Each word, action—a lesson in true leadership.
Joo Se-ah turned to him.
"What do we do?"
Kang Moo-hyuk picked up his phone.
"Make Slayer miss first."
Seong Seon-je's smartphone buzzed just before alighting.
He ignored it for the mission, but the timing nagged. The caller ID more so.
'Guild Cooperation Office?'
He answered.
"Hello. Seong Seon-je."
"Kang Moo-hyuk."
Seong Seon-je's face twisted.
"Killer timing. Not coincidence. Knew and called?"
"Heard you're hunting the Iga clan."
"How? Security was tight."
"They're after me. Had to track Iga. Overlapped with Slayer."
Seong Seon-je's eyes widened in surprise, then understanding—why target Kang Moo-hyuk.
"See now? Danger follows Guild Master Joo Se-ah. Japanese can't hit her direct, so sides now. We'll handle this, but watch your back, Leader."
"Fine. Better than Slayer."
"Better than us? Haha, true—hard to assassinate hunkered in North Pocheon."
"Meaning not chasing bad intel."
"Bad intel?"
"Think Iga's really there?"
Seong Seon-je pulled the phone away. Dim factory ruins outside—abandoned industrial site on Seoul's edge, perfect hideout amid stalled development.
He pressed it back.
"We got duped?"
"Not duped—Iga's that thorough."
Seong Seon-je couldn't affirm or deny. Instinct screamed wrong upon hearing Kang, but as Slayer's brain, he couldn't retreat on a C-rank leader's word.
Now it was pride. Even a trap needed checking.
'Damn, one word from Kang Moo-hyuk turns me into the guy who has to taste shit from bean paste.'
Bitter smile.
"You have real intel?"
"Want it? I'll share."
Seong Seon-je's face hardened.
"Look, Leader Kang. Motives too obvious. Free lunch bites back. Didn't Titan teach you?"
"Guild Master Lee Cheol-jung loves grilled meat, yeah."
"Really? Too far for jokes."
"So, do you not need it?"
Seong Seon-je scratched his forehead, pondered, then spoke.
"Ten minutes. Talk then."
"Yes. Waiting."