The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 30



Only Noblemtl

Episode 30

30. Intimidation is my nature.

Noh Song-rin didn’t understand the current situation.

Check the faces of the people sitting in the seats of the car you are riding in.

The driver was Jang Deuk-gu, in the passenger seat was Kang Mu-hyeok. In the back seat with them, Joo Se-ah was looking ahead with her arms crossed.

I could tell just from her expression that she was upset.

‘How did it end up like this?’

Noh Song-rin recalled what had happened just an hour ago.

He went up to the 17th floor after hearing that Kang Mu-hyeok had arrived at work while checking on the strategy team.

“Nice to meet you, Director Kang. I am Noh Song-rin.”

“Ah, that… Ujungdo. I heard about it. You’re the representative of that place.”

“I hope you don’t have too many prejudices against me because I’m from the Ujung area. I’m a reasonable person who’s always ready to talk.”

“Okay. That’s reasonable.”

“Could you spare me a moment?”

“Uh. What should I do? I have to go somewhere right now.”

“This is an important story for the future of the guild.”

“Ah, Mirae. If you don’t mind, how about we talk in the car on the way there? It’s a great place to talk about that.”

At this time, Noh Song-rin thought that the car, isolated from the outside world, would be a good place to have secret conversations.

So I gladly accepted and got in the car.

Oops!

‘I thought the road would be a field trip to Pocheon.’

It was an uncomfortable position that Gang Mu-hyeok was not going to alone, but with Gil-ma and his right-hand man.

“After all, all the core members of the guild are here. It’s a good opportunity to have a candid conversation about the guild. They’re people who are really hard to get together with.”

“Haha… I, I see.”

Noh Song-rin turned her head from the passenger seat and forced a smile with a stern face at Kang Mu-hyeok, who was speaking to her.

When I saw Koraksoni smiling and pretending to be considerate, I felt like punching him in the face.

Joo Se-ah was also annoyed at seeing Noh Song-rin.

‘Why is this person here?’

In over a year of being on Gilma, we only met face to face twice.

It wasn’t because he was from Woojungdo, but because he was a person who was more interested in other things than the role of a hunter.

‘There’s no way that Director Kang wouldn’t know that their relationship is uncomfortable.’

But I thought there must have been a purpose behind putting her in the same car as me. I thought she had to sit next to me instead of in the passenger seat.

‘Anyway, I said it was sinister.’

Kang Mu-hyeok also gave a warning before getting into the car.

“Just keep your eyes focused.”

I don’t know why, but I did as I was told. That was the contract.

“The weather is nice. It’s a perfect place to talk about the future of the guild. I have a feeling that we’ll have good results today.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

* * *

Nampocheon was shrunken to a size slightly less than 50% of the entire Pocheon area of ​​the past.

The population also decreased from over 150,000 to less than 50,000.

Citizens with means moved to other local governments, but those with most of their wealth tied up in land here could not escape the threat of monsters.

In the past, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and livestock all supported the local economy, but now most industries except agriculture and livestock are struggling.

We were able to survive thanks to government subsidies, but we couldn’t leave without considering the consequences because the support would be cut off the moment we moved.

“Business is tough, and it’s hard to find a job. Young people are constantly moving out. The lives of older Pocheon citizens are becoming increasingly difficult. In the meantime, the news that Taesung Guild is making Bukpocheon its hometown is giving great hope to the struggling Pocheon citizens. As the mayor, I would like to express my sincere gratitude. I ask for your continued support.”

“We will be indebted to you in many ways in the future. Please take good care of us.”

City officials were busy taking pictures of Joo Se-ah and the Pocheon mayor shaking hands.

It was a surprise visit that was not announced to the press.

A formal MOU on Pocheon’s defense and development will be held separately, but it was clear that today’s meeting would be of help to the citizens of Pocheon.

“I didn’t prepare a separate place for you because you said you would tour all over Pocheon… Are you sure you’ll be okay without a guide?”

“You may enter a dangerous place. We can always get out if something goes wrong, but we can’t put others at risk if something goes wrong.”

The mayor nodded as Kang Mu-hyeok answered.

He had a crush on Kang Mu-hyeok.

The position of Pocheon local government head, which even the political world is reluctant to take.

Problems would arise as the days went by without anything to gain.

If you handle it well, it’s fortunate, and if you make even a slight mistake, it doesn’t end with just getting cursed at.

The least humiliation was getting hit with a raw egg, so it was a place that would be difficult for anyone other than a native of Pocheon to handle.

How could one not feel good about Kang Mu-hyeok, who set out to make such a place his home?

“Then, after looking around Pocheon City, I will arrange a time for us to exchange opinions frankly, Mayor.”

“We will always be waiting. We will not spare any support we can give to the Taesung Guild.”

Kang Mu-hyeok left the market behind and moved only with the Taeseong Guild members.

In front of the city hall, a considerable number of citizens gathered as the rumor spread.

They unfurled banners and pickets as Kang Mu-hyeok and his party walked out.

“What is that embarrassing phrase?”

Joo Se-ah looked out the car window at the citizens who had come out to greet her.

Most of them were elderly or middle-aged, but there were also students wearing school uniforms.

The phrases that made Joo Se-ah blush as she glared at them were mostly on the picket signs held by these young people.

“It’s a good start. It’s important for a local guild to have ties with the local people. If they’re popular, it’s convenient in many ways for swaying public opinion.”

“I don’t want to do business with those naive kids, Manager Kang.”

“It’s not about exploiting purity, it’s about meeting their expectations. Even if the difference is just a piece of paper, if we can show results, our purity will no longer be questioned.”

Noh Song-rin, who was listening to the conversation between Gilma and the captain, was quite shocked.

‘Why is the atmosphere like this? Are these two really here to save Pocheon? Or are they just acting in front of me?’

The revival of the leader system, the relocation of the guild, and the Bukpocheon hometown.

I thought there was some kind of conspiracy behind the guild’s reckless changes. At the very least, I saw it as a preparatory step toward the reorganization or collapse of the Taesung Guild’s internal forces.

But when I saw it in person, their actions somehow felt sincere.

Are there any guilds that currently have this type of policy in place?

Everyone was just accustomed to the idea of ​​attacking the gates, and intoxicated by the cheers of the people, they were just protecting the country from monsters.

The byproducts collected in the process are converted into money and fame.

Hunters were the highest power class of this era.

As long as the gates were there, this system would become more and more solid as time went on.

But these two treat such trends as if they are nothing special.

Without considering the profit and loss.

It was an admirable move in many ways.

‘I don’t intend to agree with that. I just need to eat well and live well. Sacrifice? Duty? Responsibility? Those are old, worn-out words. They’re far removed from the hunter mindset these days.’

* * *

The border dividing Pocheon into the north and south was centered around Yeongpyeongcheon, which flows into the Hantangang River, and Geumjusan Mountain between Ildong-myeon and Yeongjung-myeon.

Although some of the special zone was located inside the border fence, it was an area with low mana, so monsters rarely spawned there.

Thanks to this, I was able to draw a boundary line using terrain features and focus only on the monsters that occasionally came down to the south.

Kang Mu-hyeok and his party passed through Manse Bridge, the starting point and entrance of the border, and entered the special activity area.

Because it was possible to travel by car on the road, we were able to check deep into Yeongjung-myeon.

Completely empty streets, empty shops and houses, and a middle school schoolyard full of grass caught my eye.

Occasionally, low-level monsters would appear, but they would only make a fuss and run away if Joo Sea opened the window and let out some force.

The group parked their car at Yeongjung Bridge, the boundary point where dangerous monsters began to appear.

In front of the bridge, a special agricultural products exhibition hall was seen collapsing.

In fact, I wanted to go down there and check it out myself since it was going to be a forward base when the guild was relocated.

Taking advantage of this moment, Noh Song-rin approached Kang Mu-hyeok and spoke to him secretly.

“Director Kang, do you have any intention of talking to me?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m the type of person who can’t pay attention to other things when I’m working. I guess you want to talk to me alone without the guild leader?”

‘I knew it, but I was still nervous.’

Contrary to her feelings, Noh Song-rin nodded with a faint smile.

“I’d like to speak with Hunter Noh Song-rin separately for a moment.”

When Kang Mu-hyeok told Joo Se-ah that he would vacate his seat, Noh Song-rin was terrified.

‘That’s too blatant!’

Contrary to expectations that she would interfere or follow, Joo Se Ah didn’t seem to care much, only waving her hand and making a gesture to take a step.

Kang Mu-hyeok and Noh Song-rin moved to the center of Yeongjung Bridge.

“They won’t be able to hear me anymore. Let’s have a constructive conversation now.”

“That’s what I was hoping for. What I wanted to say to you, Captain, was to ask you to reconsider the guild relocation.”

“That’s difficult. It’s already been announced in the press, and as you saw earlier, we’re in talks with Pocheon City Hall. The relocation plan has already been drawn up. We’ve also reported it to the group headquarters and received approval.”

When Noh Song-rin realized that all the things she had expected had been resolved, her face hardened.

‘Is it no longer possible to just let it go with words?’

At this point, he had to exert his influence within his guild to put pressure on them.

“You probably know that Mr. Kang Mu-hyeok is the leader of the Taesung Guild.”

At Noh Song-rin’s remark, where the title of captain was gone, Kang Mu-hyeok stared at him as if he had expected it to happen.

“I am the leader of the three major factions that you call the Raid Line. With just one word from me, one-third of the guild’s power will be blown away. There are already defectors coming out of the guild one after another because of the news that they are leaving Seoul. What will happen if I agree with that opinion?”

“It will become a guild with only a signboard.”

“You talk like you’re talking about someone else.”

“Wouldn’t it be okay if Hunter Nosongrin and the hunters who follow you just remained in the guild?”

“Isn’t this not a very good situation to be expressing one’s wishes?”

“It’s not a wish. It’s just an order.”

“command?”

Noh Song-rin’s eyebrows twitched at the sudden cold glare from Kang Mu-hyeok.

‘How presumptuous. For a common person.’

Kang Mu-hyeok said, looking up at the sky as if recalling a memory.

“You know about the Hunter Byeon Jeong-cheol incident a while ago? I was a bit busy with that. I looked into the factions within the guild that originated from Ujungdo.”

“Are you busy with the background check?”

Noh Song-rin’s shoulders shook. It was a threat to show the other person his overflowing murderous intent.

Kang Moo-hyuk spoke calmly, paying no attention to the threat.

“As you know, I’m from Titan, so I have a lot of great connections. Among them, there are investigators who, once they get hooked, they dig deep into things relentlessly.”

“So. What. Did. You. Dig. In?”

“Slayer Guild.”

“!!”

“There was one of your executives who was from Woojungdo. That was confirmed by Joo Se-ah Gilma.”

Noh Song-rin responded with a calm expression.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say. There must be more than one person from Ujungdo. What the leader is saying is that I’ve been mingling with someone from Ujungdo. What’s the point of me? I even joined Taesung Guild before Gilma. I guess he’s trying to use the ill-fated relationship between Gilma and Slayer to get something out of me. Judging by the fact that he’s trying to catch an innocent person based on such a low-level assumption, I don’t think the leader will be able to last long in this position.”

“I don’t intend to present detailed evidence. And don’t ask me how I know. That’s my weapon. But is evidence really that important in this world? People disappear overnight just from suspicion. Don’t you know that better than anyone else? Noh Song-rin Hunter.”

At that moment, a word flashed through Noh Song-rin’s head.

Murderous pest.

The corpse is silent.

Kang Mu-hyeok, who felt the mana stirring throughout Noh Song-rin’s body, spoke up.

“Even if I die, it won’t make a big difference. The guild leader and Hunter Jang Deuk-gu know that too.”

Then, Kang Mu-hyeok waved his hand toward the other side of the bridge. Noh Song-rin turned her back, following his gaze. At that moment, Joo Se-ah was waving her hand in response at the entrance of the bridge.

She waved her hand expressionlessly as if she was annoyed, but that made it even scarier.

‘Oh no. It’s a trap.’

Both Joo Se Ah and Jang Deuk Gu were stronger hunters than Noh Song Rin. If either of them attacked, there was no way to defeat them.

Besides, Bukpocheon is a place where there are few people, if not none at all.

It was like inside a gate, so to speak.

It was a good place to dispose of a body, since you wouldn’t know if someone died and you could make up excuses for why they died. It was the perfect place to dump a body, since you wouldn’t even find a trace of it if it became monster food.

As soon as he thought about it, Noh Song-rin felt his spine tingle.

‘Was it your intention to get rid of me from the moment you came here?’

Kang Mu-hyeok turned his back to Noh Song-rin and leaned against the bridge railing, looking down at the Yeongpyeongcheon stream.

“There’s no need to go as far as Guild Leader Ju Se-ah. If you kill me, Hunter Jang Deuk-gu will have a reason to kill Hunter No Song-rin, right? Of course, that’s only the conclusion we’ll come to when our talks break down.”

“What do you want?”

“You have three choices.”

“three?”

“First, follow me to Bukpocheon and help Guild Leader Ju Se-ah. Second, just quit cleanly.”

“Whether it’s helping or quitting, the Slayer Guild will brand you a traitor and punish you for it.”

“You admit it. That you have a relationship with the Slayer.”

“If there is a relationship, then yes. If there is.”

“Well, assuming you have a relationship with the Slayer, I recommend you choose the last third one.”

“What is it, the third time?”

“I suggest you become a double spy.”

“S, spy?”

Noh Song-rin looked at the back of Kang Mu-hyeok’s head in confusion.

Kang Mu-hyuk, who felt his hot gaze, continued speaking.

“Listen carefully to what the Slayer Guild has to say and bring that information to me. Then report to the Slayers that they are pretending to help the Taesung Guild while waiting for an opportunity. If you are good at tug-of-war, you will be able to get through to either side safely. I will also play along appropriately.”

“And then what if I hit the back of your head?”

“We decided to move the Bukpocheon Guild Headquarters to a resort near Sanjeong Lake. It’s very deep in the mountains. It’s a dangerous place where hunters can die at any time.”

“Didn’t you say you would do it verbally?”

“Aren’t you talking about it now?”

Gulp.

The dry saliva rolled down my face.

‘Damn, I’m caught in a crossfire.’

No matter which of the three options was chosen, Noh Song-rin’s life was held as collateral by others.

Whether the creditor is Joo Se-ah, the Slayer Guild, or Kang Mu-hyeok.

They had their own necks in their hands.

‘I never thought he’d do something like this when he’s not even a hunter. He’s not someone to be taken lightly.’

Noh Song-rin quickly rolled her head.

As Kang Mu-hyeok said, it was a situation where the presence or absence of evidence did not matter.

In the end, what matters to hunters is strength!

Might is justice, law is power, and authority is authority.

Noh Song-rin decided to bow her head and wait for later.

“The third… I will accept it.”

“Thank goodness we were able to fill all the car seats on the way back.”

Noh Song-rin became more convinced by Kang Mu-hyeok’s words.

This guy really tried to kill himself if he got caught.

“You’re more sinister than you look. Your skills are very good, Captain.”

“I’m not very resourceful.”

“sure?”

“It’s just intimidation in my nature.”