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

[MBG Newsdesk] Korean Gate Industry, Is It at a New Turning Point?

The industry was abuzz with the evening news.

Those who made a living as Hunters began to watch Iron Will closely.

The Tier-ed Guilds, in particular, paid attention.

Rider Wolf.

Although in Korea it was whimsically referred to as 'Rider Wolf,' its value was not something to be scoffed at.

Even abroad, there was great interest in the wolf species as mounts.

It wasn't long after the Tier-ed Guilds contacted Iron Will that they were approached by Japan and China.

Not only that, but it also caught the attention of the leading Hunter nations in North America and Europe.

This was because Rider Wolf was the first combat-type tamed monster a Hunter could handle.

Previously, the tamed monster most suitable for combat was the 'Dragon Horse' originating from the United States. The Dragon Horse, being closer in form to a horse rather than a monster, was more akin to a war horse.

In contrast, Rider Wolf had value as a mount but was also a species that could fight on its own. It could even fight independently without a rider.

If the business succeeded, the Iron Will Guild had the potential to leap from a latecomer to the breeding business to one of the leading groups.

"In the current situation, there's no use in talking to foreign guilds. Being holed up in North Pocheon is a blessing in disguise. There are only a few lines connected to the Guild Cooperation Division, so we won't be bothered by phone calls for a while."

"That's convenient. So when will Guild Leader Kang return?"

"I still have work to do in Seoul."

"You should take it easy. You're not a Hunter. Even though you've recovered from a serious illness, overworking like this could harm your health."

"Hunters rest after a hunt, but desks don't have days off. Guild Master, you rest up for the next hunt. Things will get busy."

"What are you planning now..."

"I'll head back as soon as I finish up. The meeting time is approaching, so I'll hang up now."

Kang Mu-hyuk ended the call without answering Ju Se-ah's question. The female attendant who had escorted him opened an old-fashioned sliding door, lined with traditional Korean paper.

Inside the room, a bespectacled middle-aged man rose from his seat.

As Kang Mu-hyuk entered, the man extended his hand with a smile.

"I'm Lim Baekgyu of Hanshin Financial Group."

"I'm Kang Mu-hyuk of Iron Will Guild. Thank you for agreeing to this sudden meeting despite your busy schedule, Director."

"After seeing such news, how could I refuse when you asked to meet?"

Lim Baekgyu offered him a seat.

Before Kang Mu-hyuk even began to discuss the matter at hand, the dishes that Lim Baekgyu had pre-ordered arrived. Kang Mu-hyuk had thought it would be a light meal with some accompanying drinks, but it turned out to be a culinary course that even gourmets would appreciate.

Engrossed in dividing his time for various tasks, Kang Mu-hyuk frequently stole glances at his wristwatch and secretly sighed as he picked up his spoon.

He didn't particularly enjoy the process of socializing over a meal, filled with this and that kind of chatter. But Lim Baekgyu was his opposite, enjoying the food and chatting animatedly for a long time. Sensing his companion's preference, Kang Mu-hyuk appropriately adjusted his pace.

Only after a few rounds of alcohol, which he didn't particularly enjoy, did Lim Baekgyu finally get to the point.

"By the way, I'm curious about the reason you asked to meet me."

"When a guild seeks a bank, the reason is obvious. It's money."

"Considering you contacted me directly, it seems you need quite a substantial amount."

"There are many expenses, from building a wolf breeding facility to reconstructing the North Pocheon guild headquarters."

"So you contacted me only after breaking the news?"

"If the guild's value increases, the loan limit naturally goes up."

"Indeed. Especially when it's the first of its kind in Korea and one of the few mounted monster breeding facilities in the world. You've come to the right place. From our standpoint, we welcome you. In these times, there's no investment as efficient as a guild. Our group was just looking for new investment opportunities."

"That's why I sought you out, Director. I heard that you are in charge of finding investment opportunities and that the total amount of the business is substantial."

"Excellent. This is good timing. You've come to the right place."

Lim Baekgyu lifted his glass as if to toast in celebration, and then gulped down the strong Andong soju in one go, his eyes taking on a different light.

"But what I'm curious is, couldn't the parent company of Iron Will provide sufficient support for those achievements? I'm talking about Taesung."

"We can't keep burdening the parent company forever. As much as a guild is a money-eating hippo, financial independence is essential in the long run."

"Or perhaps you need funds that aren't influenced by the parent company?"

Lim Baekgyu had the seasoned wisdom that matched his graying hair, worn like the passage of time itself. It was why Kang Mu-hyuk had sought him out.

He was cautious, insightful, and discreet about his professional life. Industry reputation also acknowledged his persistence, having clawed his way up from a humble background.

According to the financial director of Titan Guild, Kang Mu-hyuk's former workplace, he was meticulous but efficient, and a good person to work with.

He seemed aware, to some extent, of the uncomfortable relationship between Taesung Group and Iron Will, sharp as spicy ginger.

"It seems that the relationship between Guild Master Ju Se-ah and Chairman Tae Jin-sung isn't as good as the rumors suggest."

"It's business. Personal feelings have nothing to do with it."

Kang Mu-hyuk firmly drew the line.

Though not widely known, the relationship between Ju Se-ah and Chairman Tae Jin-sung was a whispered rumor among the upper echelons of society, so it wasn't surprising that Lim Baekgyu knew about it.

But having that relationship known as a source of conflict was a different issue.

Lim Baekgyu understood Kang Mu-hyuk's point and returned to the main topic.

"So, what is the size of the loan you're looking for?"

"I need to refinance 300 billion won in debt, and require an additional 500 billion won."

"It's not a small amount, but it's not too much either. It's within the expected range."

"There may be a need for more, depending on the situation."

"Hmm... That exceeds my expectations. Considering the scale of the Iron Will Guild and the level of the Hunters affiliated with it, there are limits if we only look at profitability without collateral, even if the breeding farm succeeds. If we just proceed, it will have to be called gambling."

Kang Mu-hyuk took a USB drive out of his pocket and placed it on the table. He then picked up a ceramic liquor bottle and filled Lim Baekgyu's glass.

"This data should help with the loan approval. There are estimates for additional business revenue besides the breeding farm business, and the guild's projected earnings. By the way, news about the MOU negotiations with the Slayer Guild will be out tomorrow."

"The Slayer Guild?"

"Yes. We have already agreed in principle, and are working out the details."

Lim Baekgyu put down the glass he was about to drink from in astonishment. It was shocking enough for him, a heavy drinker, to momentarily refuse the alcohol.

'Thinking about the relationship between the Slayer Guild and Guild Master, this is almost miraculous. I heard that he was no ordinary man when he took over as Guild Leader, but... How did he persuade them? Anyway, if he has drawn up the plan to this extent, it would be harder to refuse the loan.'

Lim Baekgyu marveled at the thoroughness of his opponent and took the USB drive.

"I'll check what I can do and get back to you."

...

The item post-processing specialist company 'Hanseong Enterprises' was just an ordinary small-to-medium-sized business without a single patented technology, but the work never ceased for some reason.

The factory ran well, there was no overtime. Employees were paid fairly, and the welfare benefits were quite good for a small business.

There was no fuss over delivery deadlines, and no management harping about insufficient sales.

While some found the striking difference between their company and other inferior competitors strange, it wasn't a big problem. Regular pay and early departure times made everything okay.

The employees loved the company, and it was even selected by the government as a business promoting labor-management harmony.

At least on the surface, there was nothing wrong with it; it could even be called a very excellent small-to-medium-sized business.

But there was a shadow over this otherwise average and good company.

It was that Hanseong Enterprises was a satellite guild managed by the Slayer Guild.

"It's surprising how well this place runs. The management doesn't even care."

A man, visiting Hanseong Enterprises with a Japanese buyer's qualification, said to Executive Kim Myung-jun. His fluent Korean appearance suggested that he was either a Korean expatriate in Japan or a Korean working there.

"They just pick the right people and leave them to it, and it runs on its own."

"You come to work diligently. Are you preparing for retirement?"

"I do work hard. It's a cover anyway. People should be devoted to their main job. You, Chae Dae-su, you were the one singing about wanting early retirement. You're the one who needs to prepare for retirement."

"The higher-ups have to let me go. Since it's come up, let's talk about that main job we haven't discussed in a while."

Chae Dae-su, who had been leaning against the sofa in a disheveled posture, straightened his back. The off-kilter salesman had vanished, and he had transformed into a vigorous appearance as if he had just returned from the battlefield.

Kim Myung-jun spoke with a slight tension.

"So. Why have you come?"

"The Iron Will Guild."

"A guild? It's the first time you've put the guild first, not Ju Se-ah. Is it because of the wolves?"

"I thought Ju Se-ah would be the only problem, but another thorn in our side has appeared. The higher-ups are uneasy."

"We can't control something like a wolf variable."

"That doesn't mean we can just leave it be. The elders do not wish for the revitalization of Korea's Hunter scene."

"That's not my responsibility. My orders were to prevent Ju Se-ah from growing. The command was to kill her influence as a Hunter, as assassination is hard. Thanks to that, I allied with the Slayer Guild, which had no future. I think I'm doing fairly well so far."

Kim Myung-jun shrugged lightly in protest, but Chae Dae-su shook his head.

"You have to understand the real intent of the order. Ju Se-ah is a potential S-rank, isn't she? She may have already ranked up. Regardless, the cutting of Korea's S-rank after the Great War is because we don't want Korea to become a Hunter powerhouse again. But the Rider Wolf crosses the line. Given time, it could shake Asian, even the world market. Inevitably attracting global attention and much interaction. We could rise to prominence again."

"You're utterly merciless, regardless of nationality. Yet, you have some blood from this side."

"I'm Japanese, though."

"Using a Korean name?"

"It makes it easier to operate. And what use is nationality in today's world? Especially to a Hunter."

Kim Myung-jun nodded. Indeed, the era of questioning a Hunter's nationality had ended with the Great War. Since then, it flowed with money and power.

Even in Asia, where national sentiment was stronger than in the West, it was still swayed by greater wealth and power.

'Well, I'm taking money from that side, so I have no room to talk. But then again, isn't Japan full of pride in its homeland? Calling a Hunter who changed nationality a traitor while saying that? It's a funny irony.'

Without changing his expression, Kim Myung-jun sneered, and Chae Dae-su spoke as if scolding.

"Now, you must use your experience from Ujungdo. How will you do it? By shaking things up using the Slayer Guild? Or the Taesung Group?"

"That's been overused and has become stale. Besides, Slayer isn't Ju Se-ah's enemy for the time being."

"Not an enemy? What do you mean?"

"It will be in tomorrow's news, but we'll be joining hands with Iron Will because of the Rider Wolf incident."

"Hmm... The thing I feared is starting to happen. The alliance between Slayer and Ju Se-ah is dangerous. Whatever the case, it seems you need to handle the situation quickly. Do you have any ideas? If you need support, feel free to request it."

In Chae Dae-su's worried voice, Kim Myung-jun opened his mouth with a smile.

"His name is Kang Mu-hyuk. There's a new leader in the Iron Will Guild. That friend. His former workplace was Titan."

"Titan, you say?"

"You have a connection, right? You'll need to step in from that side."

"A connection with Titan is useless when it comes to Hunters."

"What about Hunters? We're not going to dance with swords against Ju Se-ah. Try contacting Titan's Vice Guild Master."

"The Vice Guild Master... You mean Ma Taesu? As far as I know, he's not an easily manageable person."

"Ma Taesu is greedy. I'm going to touch upon that. Let's see what he can do."