Against the Clock: The Team Leader’s Pursuit of Glory

Jang Deuk-goo, No Songrin, and Go Eul-ji.

Three people with absolutely opposite personalities made up Kang Mu-hyuk's LA team. When Kang Mu-hyuk nominated them, Ju Se-ah only said one thing:

"I don't think that's a good idea."

It made sense, as the combination of Jang Deuk-goo and No Songrin was inherently unstable.

Jang Deuk-goo, from the Hunter Investigation Agency, was known as the villain of villains. After retiring, he became a bounty hunter under contract and played a major role in filling the deepest cells of Ujungdo Prison.

On the other hand, No Songrin was a criminal from Ujungdo.

In his case, the suspect was a hunter, not an ordinary person, and the victim gave a reason for the crime. This allowed for some leniency, but it was judged that the suspect used excessive violence as a high-ranking hunter, which led to his imprisonment in Ujungdo.

Though he paid the price, No Songrin's background starkly contrasted with Jang Deuk-goo's, and their relationship was strained long before Kang Mu-hyuk joined the team. It was to the point where it was a relief that they were being indifferent to each other recently.

Finally, there was Go Eul-ji.

No Songrin hated it when kids made noise. He couldn't stand when they messed around, got in her way, or refused to listen. 

If you were to mix these traits with others she disliked, you'd end up with Go Eul-ji, who had all the qualities No Songrin found unbearable.

Plus, Jang Deuk-goo avoided Go Eul-ji. More specifically, he avoided her because she reminded him of Ju Se-ah.

When he heard that Go Eul-ji had become Ju Se-ah's assistant, he said:

"Guild Master, you'll realize it when you have to deal with a disciple just like you."

He clapped his hands and received a glare from Ju Se-ah. This comment meant that Jang Deuk-goo had difficulty teaching Ju Se-ah. He kept his distance from Go Eul-ji as memories of the past resurfaced.

With these three hunters on the same team, it'd be a miracle if no accidents occurred, let alone any synergy. The biggest concern, however, was who was handling the team: Kang Mu-hyuk.

He had a knack for making things work exquisitely. The problem was that, while everything could fit together, it could all fall apart the moment he let go.

Ju Se-ah had a bad feeling about Kang Mu-hyuk going to LA and had strongly advised him against it until just before he left. When she couldn't stop him from going, she urged him once more:

"You can't get into trouble in America. The HCF (Hunter Crime Force) guys are like knives. If you get involved with them, you'll definitely get kicked out. It's best not to get involved in the first place."

All she could do was pray.

Please, let Kang Mu-hyuk be able to control these three until the end of the trip.

***

Kang Mu-hyuk decided to meet Ayla at the World Hunters Federation LA branch.

The LA branch was a 63-storey building with a large site that had two dedicated helipads at the top. Just the size of the branch building---not even the headquarters---was enough to show the power the federation holds. 

Jang Deuk-goo muttered as he looked at the floor number displayed on the elevator:

"I didn't know America had a Building 63 like Korea."

"Building 63? Is there something like that in Korea? This is the first time I've heard of it."

"There's something you don't know about, Guild Leader?"

"Hunter No Songrin, do you know about the Building 63?"

"No. I'm not sure... It's the first time I've heard of it."

Kang Mu-hyuk and No Songrin looked back at Jang Deuk-goo.

"It's called the Building 63. There used to be a 63-story building in Yeouido. It was after the Great War when I was ten years old. At that time, you weren't even born yet, right, Guild Leader?"

"When you turned ten, it was 1944, right? That's the year I was born."

"I think that was when I had just fled to Korea. Probably around the time when I was living in Sinuiju."

Jang Deuk-goo mentioned his memories of a time when Kang Mu-hyuk and No Songrin were kids and didn't have developed memories.

"So you don't know about the Building 63. Anyway, back then, a monster folded the building in half, causing it to collapse. After that, the city of Seoul decided it was an eyesore and demolished the remaining half, eventually building the current Building 88 ."

"Ah, the Building 88 ?"

When Kang Mu-hyuk was born, Seoul was in a time when countless events could change its landmarks in an instant. The ten years following the Great War were chaotic, even Seoul, the capital, couldn't escape the upheaval.

'Now that I think about it, it's only been 30 years since we regained our current stability. Which means it's only been about 20 years since we had the Hunter System. Even then, it's a system that's been constantly adjusted, so it has many loopholes. It was strengthened during the Minor War, but it's hard to say it's been fully proven.'

Could it be that South Korea's reputation as a top-tier monster security country is just empty words to boast?

Kang Mu-hyuk had doubts about the system's sustainability since it hadn't yet been tested to the point of collapse. It was natural for him to think this way. From the Sinuiju incident earlier this year to the collapse of the Tumen Riverfront, the defensive battle in the Northeast region, and the Demonic Realm War, nothing was without risk. If each of these events had occurred on its own, they would certainly have been remembered as the biggest incidents of the year. And then, in the end, a new continent-level mission emerged. 

The three-headed evil dragon, Zmei Gorynych. Having wiped out Khabarovsk and now lying dormant in its place, making it a Dragon Lair, this dragon had become the greatest threat to monster security in the Republic of Korea.

'Due to the nature of the dragon race, their active period is short and their hibernation period is long. However, the damage they cause each time they awaken is unimaginable. It hasn't been asleep for long, so there's still time. But will we be able to stop it if it wakes up and heads south toward Korea?'

He wasn't confident.

The four Northeast Asian countries were probably hoping that the dragon would target a different country. Kang Mu-hyuk didn't have a clear solution either. The most effective method would be for neighbouring countries to join forces. Unfortunately, this wouldn't be easy due to the strained and tangled international relations, even with a powerful monster right in front of them

-Ding. This is the 47th floor.

Kang Mu-hyuk shook off his concerns and got off the elevator.

A guide was waiting in the hallway.

"It's been a while, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk."

Kang Mu-hyuk shook hands with the man who greeted him with a bright smile.

"Mr. Wilkinson, how have you been?"

"Just call me Alex. You can drop the formalities between us."

"Thank you for your kind words, but I think that might be a little difficult. If we become too close, it might complicate negotiations."

"How much do you plan on taking from us this time? Was 'Poison Well' not enough?"

"Wasn't that a loan? We have to return it someday."

"It's a semi-permanent long-term rental. And even if it's a rental, borrowing a unique item isn't easy."

"That's why I came all the way here to America. Since you compensated for the blunder in Russian with the Poison Well, we don't owe each other anything anymore."

"You still have the same habit of poking at my wounds with a smile. It may be presumptuous, but may I give you a piece of advice?"

Alex spoke cautiously, fearing that it might come off as rude to Kang Mu-hyuk. Despite the clear difference in status between the American and Korean hunter worlds, it wasn't pleasant to have to accept criticism in a place where you're there as a guild representative.

But Kang Mu-hyuk nodded without showing any sign of displeasure.

"Yes, advice is always welcome."

"Ayla and I are used to how you speak, Guild Leader Kang, but there are many people here related to the Federation. Even the branch manager is a top-tier hunter within the Federation. He has strong loyalty to the Federation, so being a bit more careful with your words will help avoid unnecessary conflicts."

"Understood. I don't use aggressive language or behaviour unless we're in a particularly hostile relationship, so don't worry."

Alex sighed in relief at how easily Kang Mu-hyuk accepted his advice, then flinched. He didn't have many opportunities to meet with him, but he had met Kang Mu-hyuk a few times. As a party of interest, Kang Mu-hyuk was second only to Seong Seonjae of Slayer. So there was no way Alex could miss the meaning hidden in Kang Mu-hyuk's words.

"Aren't you saying that if we start being hostile, we don't know what could happen?"

"So, Mr. Wilkinson, you need to adjust accordingly."

No Songrin, watching from behind as Kang Mu-hyuk smiled and Alex cried, thought to himself:

'As expected, the guild leader's smooth-talking works in America too. I already feel bad for the guys he's about to deal with.'

Alex guided them into a small meeting room. Though it was small, it was spacious enough to fit twenty people. At first glance, the meeting room seemed ordinary, but it was a place that required significant effort. It provided near-perfect defence against external attacks and espionage, with soundproofing, external shielding, mana skill blocking, attack alarms, and anti-sniper shields. That's why, when talking about the safest and most secretive place in the American hunter industry, the Federation's meeting room is always mentioned first.

'At the same time, are you a money-eating hippopotamus? Amazingly, each branch has something even the big American guilds can't think of, except for the main room. Even if we robbed the White Tiger Guild's safe, it would be too much luxury to have a room like this, considering the maintenance costs.'

Kang Mu-hyuk entered the meeting room with this common knowledge in mind.

"Welcome to LA, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk."

As Kang Mu-hyuk entered, Ayla, who had been waiting, greeted him warmly.

Kang Mu-hyuk nodded slightly in response.

"Thank you for inviting me."

"It seemed like you weren't happy about taking the test. But now that we invited you, I feel a little sorry."

"It's like the CSAT in Korea."

"CSAT?"

"Like the Korean SAT."

"Oh, like the college entrance exam?"

"Yes. Even if you don't feel like it, it's a test you ought to take if you're aiming for college."

"So you came to America for a purpose?"

"I reviewed the contract again. The benefits offered by the Federation are too valuable to let go. In particular, it's difficult to match the US when it comes to monster farm operation knowledge. We've been raising the Rider Wolf diligently, but the shipment amounts offered by the Federation are nearly double what we're able to produce. I need help to meet the target."

Ayla wrinkled her nose and looked into Kang Mu-hyuk's eyes.

In her world, elf eyes were considered jewels that could reveal the truth. This superstition came from a folk tale saying that if you stare into an elf's eyes, you can't lie.

It wasn't completely wrong, so Ayla playfully looked at Kang Mu-hyuk. But Kang Mu-hyuk remained unfazed. For Ayla, this was both a shame yet she found it amusing.

"Even if you stare like that, you won't get anything more out of me."

"Well, I think there's more to it, but I won't go into too much detail. Anyway, the important thing is that you came to take the test."

"Well then, shall we talk about the test?"

***

"What kind of test is this in the middle of the night? Guild Leader, do you have any idea?"

As No Songrin had said, the test was difficult.

The issue wasn't the difficulty of the test, but that the criteria to pass were vague.

Neither the grading method nor the success/failure was clearly explained.

'Expand my influence in the LA Hunter community? That's such a vague question. But I do have a guess though.'

Kang Mu-hyuk didn't know, but the test Ayla suggested was a task given when the Federation evaluated commanders. The starting amount was one million dollars. It was prohibited to use personal funds or mobilize outside resources that could exert influence. Instead, increasing the amount through negotiations or business dealings was allowed.

"Did they give you money to signal that you should make money? What kind of money can you even make in just one month? And what's with the million dollars? A million? What can I do with that chump change? I'll go to the Blacksmith Shop right now, make a custom-made weapon, and spend it all."

No Songrin expressed dissatisfaction, even though it wasn't a test meant for him. He instinctively realized that the more difficult Kang Mu-hyuk's task was, the more he would suffer.

"Still, it's fortunate that they didn't stop me from using other people. I guess they're being considerate since I'm not a hunter."

"That's true. I don't like the fact that they're making a fuss over letting you use three people. If they're going to do it, they should mobilize at least a hundred people."

"What are you going to do with a hundred people? They didn't stop you from hiring locals, but it's obvious what kinda hunter a million dollars would get us. If you were in my place, Hunter No Songrin, what would you do to expand your influence?"

"Well... um, a guild war?"

"I'm not asking you to fight over territory, I'm asking you to expand your influence. Besides, like most countries, guild wars are illegal. Of course, there are ways to circumvent through them, but inciting conflicts that harm your own group is prohibited by international law."

"We can't fight. We can't gamble. So what do you want me to say?"

"I don't think there's a set answer. The influence the Federation mentioned doesn't seem directly related to what you do. I think we need to focus on what exactly you're capable of doing."

Jang Deuk-goo, who had remained silent up until now in response to No Songrin's complaints, spoke up. Kang Mu-hyuk agreed with his opinion.

"I agree with you. If you focus on expanding your influence, it's too vague. I think the key to this test is to find and solve the problems on your own."

"Have you thought of anything?"

"I don't have a plan yet, but I have a rough idea in mind."@@novelbin@@

"As expected! There's no way Guild Leader Kang would come all the way to the US without a plan. So, what should we start with?"

When No Songrin asked, clapping his hands, Kang Mu-hyuk responded.

"We need to gather information first."

"How?"

"Do you two like gambling?"