Against the Clock: The Team Leader’s Pursuit of Glory Chapter 147 - This is uncomfortable even for a professional

"Guild Master, do you think I'm pathetic?"

"What are you talking about out of the blue?"

"Well, soone said my jokes aren't funny."

"I can't argue with that."

"Hmm, I don't know about other stuff, but it seems you share the sa sense of humor."

"What are you talking about?"

"Never mind, just talking to myself."

"Regardless of what others say, it's true your jokes aren't funny, Guild Leader Kang. I don't see why you keep making them."

"In business, a light joke can diffuse tension. It's a useful skill."

"The problem is your jokes are like a blizzard, that freezes everyone. Unless you're aiming to give us frostbite, maybe tone it down."

"..."

"So, what's going on?"

"I had a showdown with the Chairman yesterday. He might still try to stab us in the back when he gets the chance, but we'll just have to stay alert."

"Not that. Did you get the injection?"

"Oh, yes. My father ca by this morning. After the injection, I feel much better. No side effects, and my vitals are back to normal."

"I'm jealous."

"Of what?"

"Your father. He's working to cure incurable diseases."

"I respect him for that too. It's amazing to dedicate yourself to one field for so long without seeking wealth or fa."

"Not that. I an, curing his own son's disease... Jeez, sotis I think you're oblivious, Guild Leader Kang. Can't you read the room?"

"I'm quite quick at reading the room. You're just comparing our father-son relationship to yours with your father...."

"My god. Look at you talking. You really don't know how to read the room."

"..."

Today, Kang Mu-hyuk found himself at a loss for words more than usual.

Ju Se-ah, having made a successful jab at Kang Mu-hyuk, moved on to business with a satisfied expression.

"So, what's next?"

"We're going to stop the backdoor listing through Taesung Machinery."

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

Kang Mu-hyuk t with Oh Jungsu, a director from Hanju Group.

Oh Jungsu, claiming to be a fan of Kang Mu-hyuk, had been assisting the Iron Will Guild in various ways.

'Of course, it's not for free. He's helping because he wants sothing.'

Hanju Group aid to learn the inner workings of Iron Will, which operated under the guild leader's system. They also wanted to strengthen Iron Will's position so that when Hanju Group officially entered the guild business, they could minimize resistance to the guild leader's system. With so luck, they might even get their hands on Iron Will.

'What's most needed is a guild that can be managed by non-Hunters.'

Such non-Hunters would need to feel like part of the family to feel secure. For a conglorate always wary of Hunters' power, a family-run guild was an irresistible idea. Thus, Kang Mu-hyuk's guild leader system erged as a viable alternative.

"Work is piling up, so let's get to the point."

"You're as direct as ever. Well, that's part of your charm, Guild Leader. Go ahead."

"The shares of Taesung Machinery that Hanju Group purchased. You'll need to sell them back."

"Sell them back? What about the backdoor listing?"

"The backdoor listing is off. A new issue has co up with the chairman."

"I don't know what the issue is, but Chairman Taesung won't back down easily."

"In my past position, I navigated the chronic risks linked to large guild shareholders. I chose to pursue a backdoor listing, assessing that Taesung's owner risk was more severe. With that issue now resolved, we must alter our plan."

"This isn't welco news for us."

"Fortunately, there's been no change in the stock price since the acquisition of Taesung Machinery shares. If you release them slowly, according to market conditions, you won't incur any losses. I'm telling you this to prevent unnecessary losses."

Oh Jungsu folded his arms and let out a short groan, looking troubled. He rubbed his temples and spoke after so hesitation.

"The shares were purchased under a borrowed na, so getting rid of them isn't difficult. But making that decision isn't within my authority. I need to get approval as well...."

"So, you're saying it's hard to back out without any profit."

"I'm not sure what decision will be made at the top, but it's likely. Honestly, our chairman saw significant rit in gaining a stake in Iron Will, which is why he accepted your proposal. Asking him to give that up won't go over easily."

"I've heard that Chairman Oh of Hanju is no less formidable than Chairman Tae Jinsung."

"Haha! Since he's my father, agreeing to that is kind of, you know. But he certainly isn't an easy person."

"Simply because soone isn't easy to deal with doesn't an you must opt for the tough road. I can think of a variety of responses you might get."

Oh Jungsu smiled, but his eyes were somber. Knowing how cold and calculating his father was, he worried about the repercussions.

"This might be the last ti we laugh together."

"Don't be overly confident. Everywhere is much the sa; there are no eternal adversaries or companions. One day you might laugh, the next you might cry, or the opposite. Always keep an open mind."

"Thank you for the advice."

"Well then, I've said what I ca to say. The decision is up to the Hanju Group. I'll get going then."

Kang Mu-hyuk still couldn't return to Sinuiju. He had a mountain of tasks ahead of him. First, he had to deal with Lee Sookyoung, the only witness to the events in the Demonic Realm. He returned to North Pocheon and t with Lee Sookyoung.

"You have two options. One is to stay with our guild and have your safety guaranteed. You can remain here until things settle down."

"And the other option?"

"Join our guild. You'll receive a salary appropriate to your rank and bonuses based on your hunting results. You'll also get a South Korean resident registration card and a Hunter license."

"The second option is clearly better. What are the conditions?"

"You'll need to return to the Demonic Realm. We need you to gather information on the Gate you found there."

"Hmm..."

"Of course, we won't send you alone. One of our top Hunters will accompany you."

"Who would that be?"

"Soone you know."

"Soone I know?"

"Yes, a person you saw in Sinuiju."

"I ca since you called . This place is pretty well set up. Might even be better than Titan. Wow, the Guild Leader's office is definitely nicer."

Hyun Junggeon admired North pocheon, having seen the harsh environnts of special operation zones filled with monsters. The Hunter Village was quite intriguing to him.

"A village right in the middle of where monsters roam? Interesting."

"Looks fun, doesn't it? What do you think of our guild?"

"Why ask such an obvious question? I can see right through your intentions."

"What do you an?"

"This is an invitation to join, isn't it?"

"You're impressive indeed, seeing right through ."

"Don't flatter . Co on and show your true colors already. It's flustering to see soone who doesn't like working with act like this."

Instead of answering, Kang Mu-hyuk picked up a remote control from the conference table in his office. He operated it, and a projector displayed an image on the white wall.

"It's a map of the Demonic Realm."

Hyun Junggeon looked at the map without a word. It wasn't a detailed map of the new terrain but an old map showing the forr cities and landmarks.

"The Gate discovered by Hunter Lee Sookyoung is estimated to be here, between the old cities of Changchun and Jilin."

"I knew it. You want to use ."

"It's about 320 kiloters from the frontline base in the Demonic Realm along the Tun River line to this location. Currently, you're the only one who can discreetly and safely cover this distance."

"This is far from fun. It's just a hassle."

Hyun Junggeon frowned, hesitant to outright reject the task.

Sensing his reluctance, Kang Mu-hyuk continued, "Hunter Hyun Junggeon, you ntioned that sothing serious was happening in Sinuiju. You must've noticed the connection between those chasing Hunter Lee Sookyoung, the Chinese guilds in Sinuiju, and the Demonic Realm, right? And that's why you called ."

"Well, kind of? But I'm not sure what it is."

"I do."

"You do?!"

Hyun Junggeon jumped up from his seat. It felt like just yesterday they were struggling together in Sinuiju, and now Kang Mu-hyuk already knew about the situation in the Demonic Realm. He knew Kang Mu-hyuk was capable, but this was beyond his expectations.

"I got the information from a Russian friend. Have you heard about the 'Blagoveshchensk' incident?"

"I was part of the strategy team when you led it, rember? I had to know the details of major incidents. I studied a lot of history back then---it was a headache."

"Then you know what kind of incident it was."

"Isn't that the one where the Chinese blew up a Gate near the Russian border in the Demonic Realm?"

"Do you rember the resource deposits in that Gte?"

"I don't know the exact amount, but wasn't it around 60 to 70 trillion won?"

"In today's terms, it was close to 100 trillion won in raw materials alone."

As Kang Mu-hyuk recounted the history of world Hunters, a realization struck Hyun Junggeon.

"Don't tell another 'gold mine' has appeared?"

"Yes. A resource-rich Gate has been discovered. In fact, there are five of them."

Five Gates.

Using the Blagoveshchensk Gate as a reference, the total value exceeded 500 trillion won. Considering the value of processed Gate resources, the potential worth was astronomical.

"Sinuiju was just a distraction."

"The issue isn't just the Gate explosion. Resources can always regenerate, but we can't predict what might happen in the 24 hours following the explosion."

"Because the Gate will remain open, you an? Gate bosses can erge at any ti."

"Depending on the situation, a monster of Red grade or higher could appear."

"I heard during the Blagoveshchensk incident, the nearby Russian border was destroyed. Even one of those monsters would be a nightmare."

"The boss is a problem, but the biggest concern is the mass migration of monsters. Monsters displaced by those erging from the Gate could start a domino effect. They might swarm into Korea. It could lead to war."

Hyun Junggeon sighed. This wasn't optional. Despite his reckless lifestyle and years as an assassin hunting other Hunters, he didn't want to see innocent people die.

'Is this because I worked with Kang Mu-hyuk? He's affected without realizing it. Damn it.'

Kang Mu-hyuk didn't push or persuade further, simply waiting for Hyun Junggeon's decision.

Finally, Hyun Junggeon spoke.

"Why now? Why choose ? Why not form a team once Sinuiju stabilizes?"

"Having lost Sinuiju, we don't know what the Chinese guilds might do next. We need information to prepare. It's hard to pull forces away now, and to avoid being detected, we need a small, elite team. Surviving in the Demonic Realm isn't easy either. I know you received survival training during your ti as an assassin with Titan. There's no better candidate than you, Hunter Hyun Junggeon."

Hyun Junggeon raised his hands in surrender.

"I don't know the Demonic Realm's geography well. Even for , wandering unknown places is risky. It'll take ti."

"Hunter Lee Sookyoung will be your guide."

"What? Can't you use soone from the prison village instead?"

"Why? Because you did sothing wrong to her?"

"By now, she probably knows I used her as bait to et you."

"She knows. I told her."

"And you still want to go with her?"

"She's the only one who knows the exact location of the Gate."

"Is she okay with this?"

"She is. We promised her ample compensation. She's a professional, and so are you, Hunter Hyun Junggeon."

"This is uncomfortable even for a professional."

"If your conscience bothers you that much, do your best to ensure Hunter Lee Sookyoung returns safely."

Thus, Hyun Junggeon's exploration of the Demonic Realm was decided.