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

It took a moment for her thoughts to restart before she could finally speak.

"What are you going to do about Sinuiju again?"

"I said we're going to take it over. We'll occupy this place."

"If that was possible, wouldn't someone have done it already?"

"It's not about possibility but necessity. Until now, no one thought it necessary to risk taking over Sinuiju."

"And now it's necessary?"

"What I'm about to do isn't just out of necessity; it's something that must be done."

"I don't understand a word you're saying. Is it necessary or not?"

"If I had to choose one, it's the former. But now isn't the time to argue about that."

"What kind of cryptic talk is this? If we're not discussing that, what are we discussing?"

"Survival. We need to find a way for this village to survive first."

"Worry about your own life!" Mr. Cho yelled, but Kang Mu-hyuk calmly checked his own body and dismissed it lightly.

"Yes. Well, it seems I still have some time."

Mr. Cho was about to retort again, but Hunters who had heard the commotion belatedly rushed up the stairs. She quickly transformed into Hyun Junggeon.

"Dongsu, is everything alright?"

"It's fine. Nothing's wrong, so go back downstairs."

"Yes. Oh, and I brought what you requested. What should I do with it?"

"Oh! You got it in no time, huh?"

"It's an order from you, after all. Hehe."

"Bring it here."

The item he brought up to the attic a bit later was a staff. Hwang Dongsu inspected the staff, smiled in satisfaction, and respectfully handed it to Kang Mu-hyuk with both hands.

"It's made from ebony wood grown in the Demonic Realm. It's hard, tough, and resistant to moisture."

"Thank you. I was having trouble standing."

"Guild Leader Kang, what's with just a thank you? This is 'Demonic Realm's Ebony'! It's expensive. Wow, looking at the grain, it looks at least 10 years old. Must've been hard to find. How did you get it?"

Mr. Cho exclaimed in admiration while appraising the staff instead of Kang Mu-hyuk. Rising from the bed, Kang Mu-hyuk took the staff from Mr. Cho, who looked at it regretfully, and leaned on it.

"Ugh..."

With great effort, he managed to stand and took a few steps before nodding in approval.

"It's nice."

"That's it? You're using 'the Demonic Realm's Ebony'?"

"Mr. Cho."

"What?"

"Coming here means you entered through the middle of the Chinese Hunters' camp, right?"

"Of course. I didn't fly in."

"Did you observe their movements? Any unusual activity?"

"Unusual? Hmm..."

Mr. Cho recalled the route he had infiltrated.

"There were a lot of people awake for the early hour, so I heard a lot of stuff. But honestly, I couldn't understand a word they were saying."

"Many Hunters were awake?"

"Yeah. They weren't up all night, just up early, I guess? They were sharpening weapons and stuff. The kids were pretty diligent."

Kang Mu-hyuk turned to Hwang Dongsu.

"You said it was Cheon Deok-soo who ordered Hyun Junggeon and my assassination, right?"

"Yes. The Falling Blossoms Guild instructed Deok-soo's gang to capture us dead or alive by noon tomorrow."

"That means after giving orders to their spies in the prison village, they were preparing separately..."

"If he doesn't bring you to them, they might be planning to barge in. To catch you themselves."

Mr. Cho's suggestion made Kang Mu-hyuk shake his head.

"Yeon Jung-moon won't sit still. According to Hwang Dongsu, the Hunters in the prison village are quite skilled. Although the Chinese Hunters outnumber them, these are seasoned fighters who've hunted in the Demonic Realm with limited equipment. They have considerable experience fighting non-affiliated Hunters from China and Russia. Moreover, the prison village is their home ground. Even if they win, the cost would be significant."

"There's no need for them to come in here in the first place. They've cut off communications and completely surrounded the area after all. Rather than shedding blood, giving us more time would be a better choice for them."

Hwang Dongsu added. Right after he finished speaking, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"Guild Leader, don't tell me..."

"Yes. It looks like they have other plans."

"What other plans?"

Mr. Cho frowned. She understood the hidden meaning there as well. Hunters don't sharpen their blades for no reason. They would have checked their weapons before heading out to the field, but if they're doing it again without having fought? And if almost every Hunter is checking their weapons?

It means a big battle is imminent.

"Mr. Cho, I need you to go outside the village again."

"Go outside?"

"Observe the enemy's movements."

Mr. Cho swallowed hard at Kang Mu-hyuk's firm tone, which had already declared the Chinese Hunters as enemies.

"This job wasn't worth four times the pay. I should have asked 8 times."

"I'll give you something better than 8 times your fee."

When Kang Mu-hyuk handed over a tie pin, Mr. Cho drew a question mark over his head.

"What's this?"

"It's an interpretation artifact."

"Gasp!"

"It allows you to understand and speak with the Chinese Hunters."

"Even speak?"

"Sufficient as payment, right?"

"Oh, Guild Leader. Of course, it is. This is worth more than just 8 times the pay. Haha!"

"In return for the change, you can do me a small favor later."

"Well, gladly. Giving me such a precious item, of course... Wait, why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

"With your skills, Mr. Cho, it should be no problem."

"I've been tricked more than a few times."

"But you've never failed, right?"

"Well, that's true... But this feeling of being tricked is just a feeling, right?"

"Please scout and report back. As soon as possible."

"Okay. Got it. Since you've given me this, I'll do it."

Just as Mr. Cho was about to leave the attic, someone peeked in from the stairs.

"Who's that now?"

"Gilyoung, what brings you here?"

Hwang Dongsu asked gruffly.

Kim Gilyoung stood there, not quite entering the attic, looking hesitant. He was afraid of Hwang Dongsu, thanks to the exaggerated rumors behind his nickname, the mangnani(TN: Ruffian// Executioner).

"What is it?"

Noticing that the boy had something to say, Kang Mu-hyuk asked again. Kim Gilyoung, who was halfway up the stairs, stepped up and opened his mouth.

"Um, there's a kid in town named Cheol-i. He said he has something to tell Mr. Hyun."

"That's strange. Cheol-i is the son of Patrol Squad Leader Park Jungnam. He has no reason to seek out Hyun Junggeon so early in the morning."

Hwang Dongsu whispered information about the boy named Cheol. Before Kang Mu-hyuk could ask, Kim Gilyoung continued, "But after hearing him, I thought I should tell you too, Mr. Kang."

"Me?"

"Yes. A man named No Song-rin was talking about you and Mr. Hyun."

"Huh? Why is his name coming up here?"

Mr. Cho, disguised as Hyun Junggeon, spoke in a peculiar tone, making Kim Gilyoung's eyes widen. Though Kim Gilyoung found the altered Hyun Junggeon's appearance strange, he couldn't dwell on it as Kang Mu-hyuk addressed him.

"Ha? Was Hunter No Song-rin with the patrol squad? Should I consider myself lucky or consider him unlucky...? Gilyoung, could you tell me more about what you heard?"

Kim Gilyoung relayed the story he heard from Park Cheol-i.

"Got it. Thanks. Could you go downstairs for a bit while we talk?"

"Yes."

After listening to the whole story, Kang Mu-hyuk sent Kim Gilyoung away. Once the boy left, Hwang Dongsu, who had been silently listening, spoke up, "Guild Leader, how skilled is this No Song-rin?"

"He's on par with you, Hunter Hwang. Rank is one thing, but he's fought in tough environments, making him a formidable Hunter."

"Then this is strange. This place isn't fit to hold a high-level Hunter."

"I agree. He's not someone who would be captured quietly. If he's staying put, there must be another reason. I thought he might have returned to North Pocheon because communication was cut off, but it seems we've caught a lucky break."

"We should keep his affiliation with your side hidden for now. If the worst happens and he's taken hostage, we'll be at a disadvantage."

"No need to worry about that. We just need to make sure he doesn't become a hostage."

"Pardon?"

"Mr. Cho. I need to ask another favor. On your way out, secretly get Hunter No Song-rin out. There's a skilled patrol member heading here to keep an eye on you, so you can use that opening."

"Secretly? How am I supposed to sneak him out? Everyone's already awake. Even if I manage to sneak him out, they'll notice he's gone in no time."

"I told you, there won't be anyone skilled enough to stop you. You still have that item, right?"

"That item?"

"Put them to sleep. You don't need to put everyone to sleep, just the ones inside and outside the patrol building. Even if they find out, delay that as much as possible."

"Ugh! Do you know how much the materials for that cost..."

"More than the interpretation artifact? I know the production cost."

"Guild Leader Kang, seriously... Haa~ you'd probably survive even if you were dropped into the Demonic Zone."

As Mr. Cho chuckled in frustration, Kang Mu-hyuk added, "Oh, I almost forgot. One more thing."

"Really squeezing out every last bit, huh? What is it?"

"The communication is cut off here. We need you to activate the base station repeater so we can contact the outside."

"Contact them? To make a call?"

"Yes. If my assumption is correct, we need to prepare accordingly. I asked around earlier and marked it on the map... Where is it?"

As Kang Mu-hyuk looked for the map he had been studying earlier, Mr. Cho waved his hand dismissively.

"You want to make a call? Then there's no need for that."

"No need?"

"Eul-ji mentioned something... What was it? Oh right, a satellite phone. Guild Leader Ju said to contact you immediately. It works even in the Demonic Zone, right? I'll bring it to you on my way out."

"Haha... This is a real stroke of luck."

Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo arrived at Ui Judaek's house precisely at 7 o'clock. Hwang Dongsu's subordinates, who had been blocking the entrance, made way for them.

Yeon Jung-moon scanned them.

'Their eyes are unusually determined. This isn't just about forming a new organization. Something must have happened.'

Cheon Deok-soo, noticing Yeon Jung-moon's contemplative state, said, "Let's go in."

Unlike the firmly planted pillars, the patched-up planks forming the house's foundation let the wind seep through, and the smell of food wafted outside.

Yeon Jung-moon and Cheon Deok-soo paused without opening the door. Their subordinates didn't understand why they were just standing there but sensed the heavy atmosphere and awkwardly retreated.

At that moment, the door quietly opened, and Hwang Dongsu peeked out.

"Why aren't you coming in? Are you too ashamed to face Byungju?"

"Why would you bring up old matters?"

"Hwang Dongsu, you're no saint yourself. What's got you causing such a commotion in Kim Byungju's house?"

Cheon Deok-soo, glaring, tried to provoke him, but Hwang Dongsu didn't take the bait.

"I didn't invite you to fight today. Let's eat first, then talk."

No Song-rin, who had been leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open. The previously bustling surroundings had gone eerily quiet.

"What's going on? Why is it so silent?"

He looked toward the iron door. Wisps of steam-like smoke were seeping in through the cracks.

It was clear that the smoke wasn't from a fire, nor was it fog.

No Song-rin immediately surrounded his airway with mana and cautiously swirled the mist with his hand that was imbued with mana.

"Ugh, this feels grossly sticky. Anesthetic? Sleep-inducing? I've seen a monster use something like this before."

"Angler Hippo."

"Right, that one! ...Who are you?!"

"Aren't you quick to react? Tch tch."

A strange face appeared through the small window of the iron door.

"Who the hell are you? Why are you getting on my nerves already? Did Hyun Junggeon send you?"

"I am Hyun Junggeon."

"Huh? That punk. He did a good job. I wasn't expecting much."

"Guild Leader Kang sent me."

"Kang Mu-hyuk? He's here?"

Creak, the door opened.

"Come out."

"Okay."

"Here, take this."

"What's this?"

"Medicine. Go to this location, and you'll find Guild Leader Kang."

"What the hell are these scribbles? How am I supposed to find this place...?"

"I'm busy. Gotta go."

"Hey!"

Before No Song-rin could grab him, Mr. Cho, disguised as Hyun Junggeon, vanished without a trace.

Watching the space where the figure had just been, No Song-rin muttered in disbelief.

"As expected of someone who worked with Guild Leader Kang. Rude ass rascal. I'll have to rein him in later."

H-h-h-h-h-h!

"What's with the sudden shivering? Not like you're peeing yourself."

Seeing Hyun Junggeon shivering, Go Eul-ji looked at him with suspicion, prompting him to quickly explain.

"Just felt a sudden chill."

"Hunters don't catch colds. Yet you say you're feeling cold?"

"I know, right. But I can't point it out. What's with this ominous and filthy feeling I'm having?"