97. I Hope You Fall from the Tree.
Thanks to Pyo Beom-hee and Yeom Soo-hyung's desperate efforts, Kozlov had escaped and holed up in his safehouse.
As Pyo Beom-hee had said, the two hunters from Korea seemed to be the real targets. Igor didn't pay much attention to his escape—in fact, he didn't even bother chasing him and wound up pulling back entirely.
There was the matter of avoiding a clash with Char Guild to consider, but Kozlov's affiliation with the Federation played a big role in calling off the pursuit as well.
The moment Kozlov entered the safehouse, he contacted the Federation. They patched him straight through to Alex, who then briefed Kang Moo-hyuk on the situation.
"The Tyrant... Just the worst-case scenario I was afraid of."
-Our local agents still haven't figured out why he's come all the way to Vladivostok.
"And that agent said I need to come to Russia?"
-Pyo Beom-hee requested it.
Kang Moo-hyuk pondered Pyo Beom-hee's true intentions.
To deal with an S-rank, you need an S-rank. Even if it's just deterrence without a fight, combat suppression is always useful. But calling me...?
She clearly hadn't expected the Federation to deploy an S-rank just to protect them on some minor external mission.
Whether she weighed all the angles or went with her gut, Team Leader Pyo's prediction won't be far off. No S-rank is gonna move for a low-priority Federation gig.
Releasing Kozlov fit the same logic.
Capturing just the two Korean hunters would make Iron Will the aggrieved party, but nabbing Kozlov too would turn it into Federation business.
Alex seemed to anticipate that too, given his reluctance to jump in.
In the end, it meant the guild would have to handle this directly.
Of course, the Federation bore some responsibility for the incident, so they wouldn't completely wash their hands of it.
That's the leverage I need to grab. Solve this cleanly, and I can milk it for favors forever.
Kang Moo-hyuk quickly sketched out a rough plan in his head.
"I'm heading to Russia. But the Federation needs to clear a few hurdles first."
-We'll do whatever we can.
"First off, our guild master needs to set foot on Russian soil. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service blacklisted her, so no visa."
-Since you mentioned it separately, you mean unofficial channels. We'll lean on the political side for a one-time temporary entry procedure.
"That'll take too long. And keeping it secret would be tough."
-Then what do you suggest?
"Ways to sneak into another country are pretty obvious."
-You can't mean...
"We'll smuggle in. Can you bribe the Vladivostok coastal guard? I'd like some grease for the radar bases too."
Alex immediately grasped Kang Moo-hyuk's meaning. "Greasing" meant bribes.
It was an old trick in Russia, but after monsters turned the world upside down, it had become standard negotiation in wide-open spaces where central government's reach fell short.
That's why the Russian government delegated local security to regional guilds—another reason they restricted guilds from expanding into cities to curb infighting.
"Not sure how far Char Guild's influence extends in Vladivostok, but with the Tyrant showing up, they're probably desperate. Wonder how badly they'll need a helping hand. Federation, please make quick contact on that front."
Before Alex could even collect his thoughts, Kang Moo-hyuk had specified the Char Guild channel. Alex sighed and had no choice but to comply.
In emergencies, hunters followed whoever took charge first when there were no clear orders.
Kang Moo-hyuk wasn't a hunter, but he'd stepped up with a plan in the crisis.
The sharp Alex knew it well. Impressed that Kang Moo-hyuk—who didn't know the Russian scene—had sized it up so fast, he stuck out his tongue.
-When do you depart?
"Conveniently, there's a flight to Vladivostok tomorrow afternoon. I'll take that. Guild master will wrap up urgent business first, then head out separately tomorrow night."
-Even using the nearest Korean port, the sea route's a long haul. Moving at night, you won't make Vladivostok before dawn no matter how fast.
"I've got that covered too. Details after it's set."
Kang Moo-hyuk hung up with Alex and called the Guild Cooperation Department.
"Iron Will's Kang Moo-hyuk here. A favor from Director Cha Gil-ju, please. Yes. Urgent."
The brief wait while the duty officer patched him through to Cha Gil-ju felt endless.
Strictly speaking, I should go to Cooperation in person... but...
Mr. Jo had recently warned of Yi Ga-jo hunters lurking around Nampocheon, so caution was key.
He had Go Eul-ji—best detection in the guild—guarding HQ, but with elites away, venturing out risked trouble.
At least we hit Yi Ga-jo tonight. Leaving that mess hanging while heading to Russia would've been awkward.
Soon, Cha Gil-ju's voice came through the receiver.
-You called me urgently, Commander? What's up?
"Director, I need a boat."
-A boat?
"Yes. A really fast one."
While Kang Moo-hyuk hustled through the night, Joo Se-ah sat in the darkened car, eyes closed in meditation.
Running mental simulations ahead of battle.
Her pre-raid ritual.
"Ten minutes out, Guild Master."
Lee Jin-joo spoke from the passenger seat, and Joo Se-ah slowly opened her eyes.
Even in the dark, they gleamed like moonlight reflecting off fresh snow—chillingly sharp.
"Grab the tools."
"T-tools?"
Lee Jin-joo chuckled awkwardly at the gangster lingo. Meanwhile, No Song-rin popped the trunk from the driver's seat.
"Our guild master's got fire. We finally get the full Witch show today?"
No Song-rin hopped out, buzzing with excitement, but Jang Deok-gu—stepping from the back—shot him a look.
"No reckless bullshit. Catch 'em all, no escapes."
"You telling me? We're just four. Rest goes to Slayer."
Before No Song-rin could retort, five black SUVs rolled into the alley.
"Speak of the devil. Buncha lowlifes, can't even call 'em gentlemen. Oh right, your old family stomping grounds, Guild Master?"
"Doesn't matter."
Joo Se-ah scanned the hunters piling out. Sixteen total. Familiar faces, but ones she'd barely interacted with. She knew maybe six names.
Strike team—outside the expedition core.
One stood out especially. He approached.
"Witch. Long time."
"We ever buddies? Since when you on first-name basis, Hunter Ha Hye-seong?"
"Why so stiff? We ain't family no more."
"Never smiled when I talked to you before either."
"Cocky much? I ain't the old me scrubbing your messes. You ain't the old you."
"Obviously. I'm a guild master now. Here to work? Basics first, Hunter Ha Hye-seong."
A hunter beside Ha Hye-seong snorted at Joo Se-ah.
"Ha? Hey, Guild Master Joo Se-ah. Feeling big-time lately, Slayer look small? Some C-grade guild punk..."
Ha Hye-seong silenced him with a gesture. The hunter grumbled but obeyed.
But Ha Hye-seong's eyes were on Jang Deok-gu behind Joo Se-ah.
Jang Deok-gu. Heard the name, first time seeing him... Face like he'd gut us for sneezing.
Ha Hye-seong had just saved his man's life.
"Sorry, Guild Master Joo Se-ah. Got too casual—old times got me nostalgic."
"Apology accepted. Business."
"Right."
Joo Se-ah eyed Ha Hye-seong anew, surprised.
Well, damn. Knows when to hold back, huh? Grown a bit?
Ha Hye-seong had been her nemesis back in Slayer days. Breathing annoyed each other. Constant snarls.
This restraint? Weird.
Nah. Probably chewed out by Seong Seon-je.
Ha Hye-seong, aggressive enough to bare teeth at Slayer's ace Joo Se-ah, feared one man: Seong Seon-je.
A warning from him would rein Ha Hye-seong in.
Gotta corner him sometime, show him who's boss. Tch! Team Leader Seong's soft in weird spots.
As Joo Se-ah guessed, Seong Seon-je had drilled it into Ha Hye-seong repeatedly.
Grumbling inwardly, he reached aside. The hunter who'd sniped earlier handed him a tablet.
Ha Hye-seong offered it to Joo Se-ah.
"Apartment blueprints where they're holed up. Old build. Reconstruction approved ages ago—most residents cleared out."
"No civvies. We can go wild."
Joo Se-ah checked assignments on the printout.
Perfectly matched to numbers and levels. No funny business.
Solid attack paths—Seong Seon-je's work, no doubt. Hated him or not, combat plans? Trustworthy.
Ha Hye-seong continued.
"Fun part: Demolition way overdue, but still standing."
"Why?"
"Dug in—construction firm majority-owned by Japanese corp. Yakuza frontman as CEO. Classic puppet setup. Means this is an Igajo 'guild-training' base. Bribed pols heavy for the gig. Probably loaded with traps from long use."
"Whatever. I won't care if I trip 'em. Watch your side. Don't beg for help after getting hurt."
"As if. Don't whine about bagging zero and embarrassing yourself."
They glared till guildmates called time.
Final well-wishes.
"Hope you fall back and bust your nose, Hunter Ha Hye-seong."
"I hope you fall from the tree, Guild Master Joo Se-ah."
Boom! Bang! Kraaang!
Ryu Shin's eyes snapped open at the explosions. He calmly checked the time.
3:11 a.m.
Perfect ambush hour. Caught off guard?
He'd figured one of his baits got hit. Guess he wasn't the only one baiting.
Seong Seon-je pulled back too quietly. Tch!
As he rose, the bedroom door burst open.
"Boss! Slayer hit us! Get out!"
"What's the panic? They attack, we hit back. This is our turf. Activate the array—no one gets through, not even Seong Seon-je."
"It ain't Seong Seon-je!"
"What?"
"It's Joo Se-ah!"
Crash!
This blast was close. Shouts and screams right outside.
"Joo Se-ah left Slayer, no?"
"Dunno why, but they're teamed up."
"Those backstabbing bastards! Fight to the death one minute, band together the next?!"
Ryu Shin's stoic mask cracked.
Joo Se-ah? Array's useless. Magic, skills—nothing sticks to her.
Human bomb. Just charge, boom.
Even full force, no guaranteed win. Mutual destruction might drag Slayer to hell, but not her.
Her toughness made A+ look like a joke—that's why Japan Guild Alliance failed to assassinate her.
"Delay 'em! Burn key docs! Trigger all traps! Buy time, block Joo Se-ah any way!"
"Yes sir!"
Subordinate gone, Ryu Shin geared up.
Solo escape? Wrong timing.
Bug out now, they'll tail. Lure deeper, hit hard, then bounce. Otherwise, can't show face at Alliance. Can't end my career like this.
Ryu Shin gripped his sword, resolute.
"Joo Se-ah... Crunch! Let's see how long you rampage. I'll watch till the end."