Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Vanguard Showdown
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As we finished the meal with Choi Yeoreum sitting in, I added one last comment to her.
"You probably already know this, but right now isn't the time for internal power struggles."
Choi Yeoreum sipped her slightly cooled tea and shrugged at my words.
"Oh? I think this is the most crucial moment. Even in go, the opening moves are key, you know?"
She meant that if we didn't prepare now, we'd get pushed out in the real internal scramble for gains later.
I got what she was saying, but...
I glanced at Choi Yeoreum for a moment before replying.
"I'm the type who puts out the fire in front of me first before worrying about anything else."
A lot of folks who obsess over the distant future end up ignoring the threats right under their noses.
We'd covered pretty much everything worth sharing, and the meeting was about to start. No point showing up late when we knew the schedule.
"We'll head out now."
After exchanging goodbyes with Choi Yeoreum, we made our way to the conference room.
"Choi Yeoreum the hunter isn't someone you can really trust."
That was Han Sang-ah's curt assessment.
"Never planned to. But her principles are pretty straightforward, aren't they?"
If it benefits her, she doesn't care who it hurts. People with such simple rules of action are rare.
Jeong O-hoon nodded in agreement with me.
"Even if she's a snake, it doesn't matter if she has no reason to bite us. As long as biting us doesn't benefit her, no need to worry."
"People with rigid convictions are often harder to deal with."
You just can't predict them. We entered the conference room and took our assigned seats.
As we settled in and got ready for the meeting, a shadow fell over my face. I looked up.
"Something you need?"
A burly man loomed over me. His body was packed tight with steel-hard muscles. Not just a mountain—he felt like a mountain forged from iron.
And he was strong. Probably stronger than Choi Yeoreum. He extended a hand.
"Jang Tae-seok."
Big rock. Fitting name. Jeong O-hoon, sitting beside me, looked mildly surprised.
"That's number two."
So, a Wonder Club hunter. I clasped Jang Tae-seok's outstretched hand.
"Nice to meet you. Yoo Chan-seok."
The moment I did, pressure flooded his grip. Crushing force. He clearly wanted to pulverize my hand.
"Tell me. Are you strong?"
I smiled back.
"It's a bit embarrassing to answer that positively myself."
"Then I'll decide for myself."
The vise tightened further. I just stared at Jang Tae-seok without a word, took a deep breath, and matched his grip with my own strength.
"If you're curious, skip the damn handshake and come outside with me. I'll answer your question. And you'll die there."
Way more irritating than Choi Yeoreum. No reason, just strolls up, asks if I'm strong, then cranks the pressure like he owns the place.
These are the types you can't predict where they'll swing next.
Cracking sounds echoed from our locked hands. Everyone in the room had their eyes glued to us. They looked like they wanted to intervene but lacked the guts.
"Hey, hey."
In the midst of it, Choi Yeoreum sidled up and placed a hand on Jang Tae-seok's shoulder.
"How about we call it there? Meatball."
Jang Tae-seok didn't respond, still pouring on the force. And it kept building.
"Hey, someone's talking to you. At least pretend to listen."
Her expression turned fierce in an instant, and crimson flares erupted and vanished repeatedly behind her back. The room's temperature shot up.
"What, a fight? Mind if I join?"
Whir-click. Whir-click. The sound came from behind. I turned to see a young guy grinning at us, flipping a balisong knife on his hand.
I let out a small sigh.
"Hunter Jang Tae-seok. You should stop. The mood's going straight to hell because of you."
Jang Tae-seok replied.
"Why should I care about..."
His whole body spun in a flash. True to his number-two rank, he recovered his stance mid-flip.
"Go sit down. I can play with you anytime, but subjugating Gonsalok has to happen now. Use your eyes to figure out what's important, you muscle-headed brat."
Jang Tae-seok glanced at me briefly before answering.
"You said anytime. I'll hold you to that."
"Fine, now scram."
There'd been a brief clash, but Jang Tae-seok obediently returned to his seat. I gave him a sour look and clicked my tongue softly.
"Aw, man. Now I gotta go back too. You just whetted my appetite."
The guy who'd been flipping his balisong while watching us also headed to his seat. The nameplate read: Mugunghwa 1st Team Leader, Kim Chae-hyun.
So that's the famous Mugunghwa 1st Team Leader, Kim Chae-hyun. Man, being in a room full of these heavy hitters really drives home the vibe.
"What, everyone's here early?"
Finally, Zanabi's Lee Se-eun and Kang Hoon arrived.
"Let's get started, then."
A map appeared on the screen, and Colonel Woo Il-seop began briefing the operation. We already knew the details. Of course, Choi Yeoreum knew them too, thanks to the info we'd shared.
"The key is the main path and the two sub paths supporting it. Who takes each route is crucial."
That's the crux. Naturally, the main path is the priority. Being the priority means leading the charge in this Gonsalok subjugation.
Of course, leading means handling the toughest jobs, but no one in this room hasn't overcome hardship.
Eyes darted around busily. You could almost hear the gears turning in everyone's heads.
"Headhunter takes the main path."
In the staring contest, I broke the ice decisively. I'll do it.
"Hold on, who said so?"
My trigger pull unleashed the others. My words acted like a starting gun.
The hunters in the room quickly voiced their pitches.
"I know Headhunter's cleared a few grade-1 erosion cores. But he lacks experience commanding large-scale hunter ops."
That was Seong Si-hoon's point. As Taebaek's rep with the most hunters, he was highlighting his edge in mass operations.
"What about Wonder Club? To smoothly command subordinates, you need overwhelming personal power."
"Agreed."
Wonder Club's Choi Yeoreum and Jang Tae-seok had the highest rankings on Hope's List among those present. They leveraged that for their claim on the main path.
"Hunters don't follow raw strength alone. The leader needs respect from peers to control the team effectively."
Zanabi was playing up their positive image.
"This op is government-led. Mugunghwa's contracted with the government for years."
I didn't know much about Mugunghwa. Turns out they'd held long-term government contracts. Kim Chae-hyun was emphasizing that.
That's something I need to watch. Long government ties mean they know all the ongoing projects—and they're cozy with the brass.
A hunter company tight with the government probably doesn't like me much. As I eyed Kim Chae-hyun warily, the debate grew heated.
"Oh, and just so we're clear, Headhunter volunteering for main path isn't about hogging glory. It's responsibility."
"Responsibility? What responsibility?"
I replied to Choi Yeoreum in a sorry tone.
"Gonsalok is gunning for Korea because of us."
"...Explain."
Seong Si-hoon, who'd been frowning, shifted his gaze. I gave a quick rundown.
"So, the core you subjugated in Samhyeol-dong had a lord-vassal link to Gonsalok. And Gonsalok's moving because of your wipeout there. That about right?"
I nodded at Seong Si-hoon's summary.
"Yes, exactly."
Lee Se-eun rubbed her eyes with thumb and forefinger, looking puzzled why I'd bring this up now.
"Chan-seok."
"Hold up, I'm still talking, Lee Se-eun."
Seong Si-hoon held her back and eyed me.
"So all this mess is Headhunter's fault."
"Well, it stemmed from clearing that erosion core."
Kim Chae-hyun immediately grumbled.
"You think that's an excuse?"
"No way. And I'm not making excuses. It's not like I committed a capital crime."
"You put Korea in danger. Can't exactly strut around guilt-free."
With the mood souring, Choi Yeoreum chimed in softly. Softer than she would've before.
"That's why we're fixing it. We need to show our faces to the Undying Legion up front. Otherwise, they'll keep marching on Korea without knowing we're here."
The room went dead silent, like someone had farted.
"So, you'll lead the main path?"
"Yes. Fastest advance lets them know we're here. Then the Undying Legion halts on Korea and redirects to Nanning."
They're heading to Korea to catch and crush us. Korea's secondary; we're priority one. Spot us here, and Korea takes a backseat.
"No need to overthink. If Gonsalok wants those guys, just grab 'em and hand 'em over!"
Jang Tae-seok shot up yelling. His bulging muscles evoked a Roland gorilla.
Didn't expect him to say it outright. My bad—I figured no one was that dumb.
No choice now.
"What? Grab who and hand over how? Did a barbell smash your forehead mid-bench?"
I hardened my face and surged my mana. Han Sang-ah and Jeong O-hoon's expressions turned murderous too.
No one's laughing off "hand you over" with "Haha, sure, I'll cuff myself!"
A razor-sharp silence descended—different from before.
"Calm down. We're supposed to be uniting here, not drawing blades. What's this about?"
"Agreed. Jang Tae-seok, that proposal's not even worth considering. Please, think before you speak."
Seong Si-hoon and Choi Yeoreum simultaneously shot down Jang Tae-seok.