Noh Song-rin couldn't make sense of his current predicant.
He looked around the interior of the vehicle he was riding in.
The driver was Jang Deuk-goo, the one beside the driver was Kang Mu-hyuk, and sitting next to him in the backseat was Ju Se-ah, arms crossed, glaring ahead.
Her expression alone made it clear that she was unhappy.
'How did it co to this?'
Noh Song-rin recalled the events of just an hour ago.
He had been inspecting the Strategy and Tactics Team when he heard Kang Mu-hyuk had arrived for work, so he went up to the 17th floor.
"Pleasure to et you, Guild Leader Kang. I'm Noh Song-rin."
"Oh, right... You're from Ujungdo, right? I've heard you're the representative there."
"I hope you won't be too prejudiced just because I'm from Ujungdo. I am a reasonable person, ready to converse at any ti."
"Sounds good. Being reasonable."
"Could you spare a mont to talk privately?"
"Uh. What to do? I have to go sowhere right now."
"It's an important conversation about the future of the guild."
"Oh, the future. Would it be okay if we discuss it in the car on the way? It's a great setting for such conversations."
At that mont, Noh Song-rin had thought the isolation of a car ride would be suitable for confidential discussions.
So, he gladly accepted and got into the car.
Ah, shoot!
'Who would have thought the destination was a site visit to Pocheon.'
And not only was Kang Mu-hyuk going, but also the Guild Master and her right-hand man, making it an uncomfortable gathering.
"Since all the key mbers of the guild are here, it's a good opportunity to discuss guild matters openly. It's hard to gather such people."
"Ha ha... I, I see."
Noh Song-rin turned his head to the front passenger seat and offered a forced smile with a hardened face to Kang Mu-hyuk.
Seeing him smile and talk as if he were being considerate made Noh Song-rin want to punch him.
Ju Se-ah, watching Noh Song-rin, was equally annoyed.
'Why did this guy have to tag along?'
During her over a year-long tenure as the Guild Master, she had only had direct encounters with him twice.
It wasn't so much because he was from Ujungdo, but because he was more interested in anything but the role of the Hunter.
'As if Guild Leader Kang wouldn't know about our awkward relationship.'
But he had brought him along anyway. Making him sit not in the front passenger's seat but next to her, she thought there must be a reason.
'This guy is up to no good.'
Kang Mu-hyuk had given her a hint before getting into the car.
"Just give him a hard stare."
She didn't know what for, but she complied. That was part of the deal, after all.
"It's nice weather. A perfect place to discuss the future of the guild. Sohow, I feel like we will make good progress today."
"..."
"..."
---
North Pocheon had shrunk to just under 50% of the old Pocheon area.
The population too had reduced from over 150,000 to less than 50,000.
Those with financial freedom had relocated to other regions, but those whose assets were primarily tied to this land could not escape the threat of monsters.
Previously, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and livestock farming had collectively supported the local economy. However, currently, most industries, with the exception of agriculture and livestock farming, couldn't avoid their downturn.
They had barely stayed afloat thanks to governnt subsidies, but the mont they relocated, the support would cease, preventing them from leaving recklessly.
"Doing business is tough, and jobs are hard to find. Young people are constantly moving out. The lives of the older citizens of Pocheon are gradually getting tougher. In the midst of all this, the news of the Taesung Guild choosing North Pocheon as its base has given great hope to the struggling citizens of Pocheon. As the mayor, I want to express my deep gratitude and look forward to working closely together."
"We'll be depending on you in many ways. We're the ones asking for your favor."
The city hall officials busily moved around to capture the mont of Ju Se-ah and the Mayor of Pocheon shaking hands in a photograph.
It had been an unannounced visit, kept away from the dia.
The official MOU concerning the defense and developnt of Pocheon would have its own occasion, but at least today's eting was undoubtedly encouraging for the citizens of Pocheon.
"We didn't arrange a special place since you said you wanted to look around Pocheon... Are you sure you're okay without a guide?"
"There could be dangerous places. We can escape anyti if sothing goes wrong, but we can't risk putting others in danger in case of any problems."
At Kang Mu-hyuk's response, the mayor nodded his head.
He had a good impression of Kang Mu-hyuk.
The role of the local governnt head of Pocheon, a position even the political circle was hesitant about.
Problems would constantly arise every day without any gains.
If handled well, it was fortunate, but any mistake would lead to more than just criticism.
The least severe consequence would be facing the public's wrath, a task that would have been challenging for anyone other than him, a Pocheon native.
How could he not have a favorable impression of Kang Mu-hyuk, who stepped forward to make Pocheon his base?
"In that case, after taking a good look around Pocheon, we'll arrange a eting where we can exchange various opinions openly, Mayor."
"We'll be waiting at any ti. We won't hold back in supporting the Taesung Guild."
Kang Mu-hyuk left the mayor behind and moved only with the Taesung Guild mbers.
In front of the city hall, a significant number of citizens had gathered, unbeknownst to when the rumor had spread.
They unfolded banners and pickets on the path where Kang Mu-hyuk's party would exit.
Taesung Guild, we sincerely welco your affiliation with North Pocheon.
Ju Se-ah, the milky white Hunter, please beco the goddess of Pocheon.
Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk, Pocheon supports you.
"What's this? Those embarrassing lines?"
Ju Se-ah examined the citizens who had co out to greet them.
Most of them were old or middle-aged, but among them were also students in school uniforms.
The signs that made Ju Se-ah blush and call cheesy were mostly held by these young people.
"We're off to a good start. For a local guild, bonding with the locals is important. If you're popular, it's generally more convenient to sway public opinion in various ways."
"Cashing in on such innocent kids isn't really what I'm interested in, Guild Leader Kang."
"It's not about exploiting their innocence, but about eting their expectations. The difference may be as thin as a sheet of paper, but as long as we show results, our sincerity won't be doubted."
Listening to the conversation between the Guild Master and the Guild Leader, Noh Song-rin was considerably shocked.
'Why do they sound like this? Did these two really co here to save Pocheon? Or are they just putting on a show in front of ?'
The resurrection of the Guild Leader system, the relocation of the guild, and the North Pocheon headquarters; he had thought that the guild's changes, which had been rushing non-stop, hid so sort of plot. At least, he saw it as a preliminary operation for the rearrangent or collapse of internal forces within the Taesung Guild.
However, witnessing it firsthand, their actions sohow felt sincere.
Was there any guild at that ti that established such a policy?
All they cared about was getting lost in their own desires to conquer the Gates, intoxicated by the cheers of the public, rely protecting the country from monsters.
What they were left with was money and honor.
Hunters were the pinnacle of power in this era.
As long as Gates existed, this structure was destined to beco more solid over ti.
But these two seed to discard such trends as nothing significant.
They did not consider the profit and loss.
In many ways, it was a praiseworthy move.
'But that doesn't an I'll go along with it. All I need to do is to feed myself well and live a good life. Sacrifice? Duty? Responsibility? Such nonsense is outdated. It's far from the mindset of modern Hunters.'
---
The boundary dividing Pocheon into north and south was divided around Yeongpyeongcheon (stream), which flowed into the Hantangang River, and Geumjusan Mountain between Ildong-myeon and Yeongjung-myeon.
Although part of the Special Activities Zone was included within the boundary fence, it was an area with a faint mana, so monsters rarely appeared.
Thanks to that, they were able to draw a boundary line using geographical features and concentrate on the monsters occasionally coming down to the south.
Kang Mu-hyuk's group passed the Manse Bridge, which was the starting point and entrance of that boundary as they entered the Special Activities Zone.
As they were able to travel by vehicle using the roads, they were able to check deep into Yeongjung-myeon.
Completely empty streets, vacant shops, and houses ca into view, along with the overgrown schoolyard of a middle school.
Occasionally, low-ranking monsters showed themselves, but they were nothing more than fodder that would flee in panic even at the re exertion of Ju Se-ah's aura through an open window.
The group parked their car at the Yeongjung Bridge, a boundary point where dangerous monsters began to appear.
A dilapidated agricultural special product promotion exhibition hall was visible in front of the bridge.
In fact, they planned to use it as an outpost when relocating the guild and wanted to check it out firsthand.
Noh Song-rin, seizing this mont, approached Kang Mu-hyuk and subtly started a conversation.
"Guild Leader Kang, do you have any intentions of having a conversation with ?"
"Ah, I apologize. I tend to not pay attention to other things when I'm working. You want to have a one-on-one discussion without the Guild Master, I presu?"
'He knows and he's playing dumb.'
Contrary to his inner turmoil, Noh Song-rin managed to muster a faint smile and nodded.
"I will have a private conversation with Hunter Noh Song-rin for a mont," Kang Mu-hyuk announced.
Noh Song-rin was taken aback by his frankness.
'So blatant!'
Instead of interfering or following as he had expected, Ju Se-ah rely waved her hand in a gesture of seeing off, showing little concern.
Kang Mu-hyuk moved with Noh Song-rin to the center of the Yeongjung Bridge.
"We're far enough away now that we won't be overheard. Shall we engage in so constructive conversation?"
"That's what I was hoping for. I want to request that you reconsider the guild relocation."
"That will be difficult. It's already been announced to the press, and as you've seen, discussions are underway with the Pochen City Hall. We've even laid out the relocation plan and gotten approval from the group's head office."
Upon realizing that all the obstacles he had hoped might deter them were already taken care of, Noh Song-rin's face hardened.
'Can't I just brush it off with words?'
At this point, he had to exert his influence within the guild and put so pressure on them.
"You must know this since you've beco the leader of Taesung Guild,"
Kang Mu-hyuk fixed him with an intense stare as Noh Song-rin dropped the honorifics.
"I'm the head of the so-called Assault Team faction, one of the three major factions. At my say-so, a third of the guild's power could evaporate. Deserters are already appearing within the guild due to the news of the move out of Seoul. What do you think will happen if I agree with them?"
"The guild will beco nothing but a signboard."
"You say it as if it's soone else's problem."
"If Hunter Noh Song-rin and the Hunters who follow you just stay in the guild, wouldn't that solve the problem?"
"It's not exactly a good situation to be voicing hopeful thoughts, is it?"
"It's not a hopeful thought. It's a command."
"A command?"
Taken aback by the cold look in Kang Mu-hyuk's eyes, Noh Song-rin's eyebrows twitched.
'Impertinent, for a non-Hunter.'
Kang Mu-hyuk squinted as if recalling sothing.
"You know about the incident with Hunter Byun Jeong-cheol, right? That kept quite busy. I had to investigate the high-ranking factions within the guild."
"Were you busy doing a background check?"
Noh Song-rin's shoulder twitched, a threat designed to display his overflowing vitality.
Ignoring the threat, Kang Mu-hyuk continued calmly, "As you may know, I'm from Titan, so I have so excellent connections. Among them is a persistent investigator who can be quite doggy once they latch onto sothing."
"And so, what did you dig up?"
"The Slayer Guild."
"!!"
"There's a high-ranking officer from Ujungdo in there. That's a fact confird by Ju Se-ah."
Maintaining a composed expression, Noh Song-rin responded.
"What are you trying to say? There's more than one or two people from the inner city. The way you talk, it's as if I've been colluding with those inner city folks. Why would I? I even joined the Taesung Guild before the current Guild Master. Do you intend to link to the bad blood between the Guild Master and the Slayer? Seeing you trying to pin bla on an innocent person with such baseless conjectures, I doubt you'll last long as the leader."
"I don't intend to provide any substantial evidence. Don't ask how I know either. It's my weapon. But since when is evidence that important in this field? This is a place where people can disappear overnight based on re suspicions, isn't it? Who knows this better than you? Hunter Noh. Song. Rin."
A word montarily flitted through Noh Song-rin's mind.
Murder.
Dead bodies tell no tales.
Sensing the surge of mana from Noh Song-rin, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly spoke.
" dying won't change much. The Guild Master and Hunter Jang Deuk-goo are already aware."
With that, Kang Mu-hyuk waved his hand towards the other side of the bridge. Following his gaze, Noh Song-rin turned around. At the entrance of the bridge, Ju Se-ah was raising her hand in response.
She waved back with a disinterested look, which made it all the more terrifying.
'Damn it. It's a trap.'
Both Ju Se-ah and Jang Deuk-goo were stronger Hunters than Noh Song-rin. He would stand no chance if either of them attacked.
Moreover, North Pocheon was a place with virtually no people.
It was almost like inside a gate.
People could die without anyone noticing, and the cause of death could easily be excused. If one were to beco monster food, even traces of them would be impossible to find. It was a perfect place to dispose of a body.
As this thought crossed his mind, Noh Song-rin felt his stomach churn.
'Were they planning to get rid of from the beginning?'
Kang Mu-hyuk leaned against the bridge railing with his back turned to Noh Song-rin, and gazed down at the water of Yeongpyeong Stream as he spoke.
"There's no need to go as far as Guild Master Ju Se-ah. If you kill , it'll be justification for Hunter Jang Deuk-goo to kill Hunter Noh Song-rin. Of course, that's the worst-case scenario if our conversation fails."
"What do you want?"
"You have three choices."
"Three?"
"First, obediently follow to North Pocheon and assist Guild Master Ju Se-ah. Second, simply quit cleanly."
"Whether I assist or quit, either way, I'll be branded a traitor by the Slayer's Guild and be punished."
"So you admit it. That you have a relationship with the Slayer."
"If I have a relationship, then yes. That's a big if."
"Well, let's assu you do have a relationship with the Slayer. I recomnd you choose the third option."
"And what's the third?"
"I propose you beco a double agent."
"A, a spy?"
Noh Song-rin looked back at Kang Mu-hyuk in disbelief.
Feeling Noh Song-rin's intense gaze on him, Kang Mu-hyuk continued speaking.
"Listen well to the Slayer's Guild and bring the information to . Pretend to help the Taesung Guild and report to the Slayers that you're biding your ti. If you balance it well, you should be able to safely cross either side. I'll adjust the timing as needed."
"What if I stab you in the back?"
"We've decided to move the headquarters of the Guild to North Pocheon to a resort near Sanjeong Lake. It's deep in the mountains. A dangerous place where a Hunter could die at any ti."
"You said you wouldn't make threats?"
"Is that what I'm doing right now?"
Swallow.
His saliva involuntarily slid down his throat.
'Damn, I've been cornered.'
Whichever of the three choices he made, Noh Song-rin's life was effectively held hostage by others.
Whether it was Ju Se-ah, the Slayer's Guild, or Kang Mu-hyuk.
His life was in their hands.
'Who would've thought he'd plot like this without being a Hunter. He's not to be underestimated.'
Noh Song-rin quickly put his mind to work.
Just as Kang Mu-hyuk had said, the presence or absence of evidence didn't matter.
What was important to Hunters was power!
Power was justice, law, and authority.
Noh Song-rin decided to bow his head for now and hope for a better future.
"I'll... accept the third choice."
"I'm glad. It's nice to fill all the seats in the car on the way back."
At Kang Mu-hyuk's words, Noh Song-rin beca even more convinced.
He really would have killed him if he resisted.
"You're more sinister than you look. Your leadership skills are quite impressive."
"I don't have good leadership skills."
"Then?"
"I just have a knack for threats."
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