The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 54



Only Noblemtl

Episode 55

55. So who are you?

Kim Myung-jun kicked the desk. The desk flew into the air and fell on Joo Se-ah, blocking her vision.

Joo Se Ah didn’t care and just extended her fist. A kick came from the other side, breaking the desk.

The noise, which was hard to believe was the clash of fists and feet, was uncomfortable to the ears. Kang Moo-hyuk frowned and took a few steps back.

Meanwhile, Kim Myung-jun took a step back and pulled out his belt. At first glance, it was an extraordinary leather. The soft green color flashed in the fluorescent light.

Kang Moo-hyuk warned after finding out the material of the belt.

“These are crocodile scales!”

“I know, too!”

Joo Se Ah took out her gloves and put them on with a shout. Kim Myung Jun swung his belt like a whip. The belt that had been loose stood up straight and then bent like a sword.

The green color that had been wrapped around the blade had disappeared and it was now glowing red as if the iron had been heated.

As he swung his X-shaped sword into the air, sparks flew across the floor and ceiling, and the sword melted along its path. The sword, which even felt the heat of a furnace, was aimed at Ju Se Ah.

Kang Moo-hyuk noticed that it was a skill that changed mana into heat energy. Skills related to fire were threatening to the opponent, whether it was a monster or a hunter.

Jusea also figured out the principle of the skill and responded by creating a wall of mana around her body. This alone was enough for Jusea, who had the elemental resistance trait.

“Even the best in the world, Joo Se Ah, does this seem a bit dangerous?”

“Your clothes are worn out. These are newly tailored uniforms. Do you know how much an armor coat costs?”

“… … Are you ignoring me now?”

“I guess I’ll have to watch it a bit more. It’s not scary for now.”

Kim Myung-jun’s face distorted at Joo Se-ah’s indifferent reaction.

The pressure of meeting Joo Se Ah in person, whom I only knew through rumors and data, was immense. My feet were still cold from our first encounter.

Kim Myung-jun hid the pain that was faintly lingering on the top of his foot. He thought he knew why everyone was saying, “Ju Se-ah, Ju Se-ah.”

“Haha, that’s ridiculous. You’re going to fight me with only defensive armor and no weapon? You’re overconfident.”

“Everyone said that before they got hit. The funny thing is, they didn’t know it was them.”

As Joo Se Ah approached him, waving both hands, Kim Myung Jun moved, showing off his spirit.

“Hey!”

“uh?”

Clang!

Kim Myeong-jun, who seemed ready to rush in at any moment, threw himself at the window.

Joo Se Ah made a bewildered face.

“Tch! Kim Saege.”

Joo Seah opened the shattered and tattered blinds and looked out the window.

It was on the third floor, but it was a height that was no problem for an A-rank hunter. As Kim Myung-jun landed on the floor, the guards that had been loitering around gathered around him.

“Guild Leader, if you want to organize it easily, you have to catch it here.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve never missed a single prey I’ve shot.”

Joo Se-ah jumped down after Kim Myeong-jun.

Kim Myeong-jun gave orders to his personal guard without looking back.

“Stop that bitch. Stop her for as long as you can.”

The guards immediately recognized that their opponent was Joo Se-ah, but they followed the order without fear.

Kim Myung-jun went to a nearby parked car and opened the trunk. Although it wasn’t a full set for the gate, he took out his favorite weapon and a reddish-brown armor coat.

“You’re not going to rush in just because of the numbers, are you?”

Joo Sea muttered in disbelief as she dove into the gap between the attacking hunters.

As he extended his fist, he recalled what Kang Mu-hyeok had warned him to do.

‘Take it easy so they don’t die. This isn’t the gate. No matter how bad the guys are, it’ll be annoying if you kill them for no reason.’

Kang Moo-hyuk looked down at Joo Se-ah, who was swatting away hunters with various weapons rushing through the broken window, and thought about it.

‘I can’t completely eliminate Kim Myung-jun here. There will be evidence left somewhere other than the gate. I will become hostile to the Slayer Guild, which is doing well. Whatever the reason, it will be awkward for them to know that I was aware of Hansung Enterprise.’

On the other hand, Kim Myeong-jun will also not be able to report Joo Se-ah’s misdeeds to the Slayer Guild.

In that case, he would have to explain the cause of this fight, and he would be caught holding another rope besides the Slayer Guild. And it was a rope connected to the Japanese Hunter community. It was clear that the Slayer would start a fight and chase after Kim Myung-jun.

After fiddling around with the calculator, Kang Mu-hyeok boldly came out.

As evidence, Kim Myeong-jun called the hunter and activated the barrier he had installed at Hansung Enterprise. A pale yellow curtain spread from the wall into the air.

It was a barrier that Kang Mu-hyeok also knew about. It had the effect of preventing noise and light from leaking outside. It was also clear that Kim Myung-jun did not want this commotion to be known.

‘I suspected and poked at the unusual relationship with the Union and the suggestion made to the Slayer Guild, but it seems that Kim Myung-jun was actually in collusion with the Japanese Hunter community. Seeing someone who puts his own safety first react so extremely, I guess he knows it’s dangerous.’

It was effective to prepare Joo Se Ah in case she chose the murderous extermination.

While Kang Mu-hyeok was organizing his thoughts, Kim Myeong-jun approached Joo Se-ah.

“Director Jeong!”

With his shout, a shadow that had been hiding in the darkness jumped out and attacked Ju Se Ah.

It was an unexpected surprise attack, but Joo Se Ah dodged it easily.

“The author… . So he was related to this place.”

Kang Moo-hyuk recognized the shadow that had appeared as Chairman Tae Jin-seong’s security chief. He was not embarrassed because he had been suspicious since he met Kim Myung-jun at the Chairman’s villa.

Joo Se Ah lightly shook her hand. She relaxed as if the engine had finally started.

“Two A-ranks? You should have brought more.”

Only after Ju Se Ah stopped did the guards catch their breath and hesitate. However, most of them were already incapacitated. It was thanks to Ju Se Ah’s mercy that they were still alive.

Kim Myeong-jun stood next to Director Jeong with a defeated expression.

“Even the surprise attack I prepared for didn’t work. You’re a monster.”

“Why didn’t you just run away? I’m the one in trouble. The other person is Joo Se-ah.”

“I didn’t know that woman would come either. So I gave up running away. Damn it, who would treat their own horse like that?”

Kim Myung-jun glared at the third floor of the main building as if he was being wronged. Kang Mu-hyeok. Who would have thought he had such little common sense? What kind of a person in the world would go to such a shabby place just because of the words of his subordinate?

Gilma’s buttocks were heavy, weighing a thousand pounds. It was common for him to not move unless he was in a suitable position, even if he had a rash.

Of course, small and medium guilds have to run around until their soles sweat, but no one saw Iron Will or Joo Sea as insignificant guilds.

Such common prejudices clouded Kim Myeong-jun’s judgment.

‘Or maybe you didn’t let us down from the start? That’s why you put all your effort into it from the beginning… . Damn it! This doesn’t make any sense.’

The security that led from Slayer to Hansung Enterprise to Union was solid. Even the great Slayer didn’t know about it. But there was no way to know how the secret had leaked out.

Even if Joo Se Ah was a former Slayer, it was the same. Unless you were a top executive, you couldn’t fully understand the internal affairs of the guild.

I had heard rumors about it, but I knew that he had not been given any authority beyond that of a young ace hunter.

‘Whatever the reason, I thought that Joo Se Ah had to step forward to sort things out. Kang Moo Hyuk.’

When he thought of Kang Mu-hyeok, a way to overcome this crisis came to Kim Myeong-jun’s mind.

“Hey, over there. Grab that guy sticking his face out on the third floor. I’ll use him as a hostage.”

He gave an order to the hunter who was standing at the very back with his message skill. The hunter nodded and slowly retreated.

Joo Se-ah sensed the vibe, but stood still. Kim Myung-jun prepared to attack with Director Jeong in order to buy time, but was puzzled when the other party did not respond.

But soon, we could see why Joo Se Ah was indifferent to the hunter who was going to Kang Mu Hyuk.

“Ugh!”

A familiar man appeared on the first floor of the building with a scream. In his hand, the hunter sent in by Kim Myung-jun was dragged out by the scruff of his neck.

“Oh! I forgot about Jang Deuk-gu.”

Kang Moo-hyeok said that he was keeping Noh Song-rin on standby just in case, but Joo Se-ah was still worried about that, so she brought Jang Deuk-gu with her. Jang Deuk-gu was the only person who was tight-lipped, had outstanding skills, and was trustworthy.

As for Kang Moo-hyeok, he welcomed the addition of Jang Deuk-gu because he did not have to discard the card of Noh Song-rin as a double spy.

“Wherever the needle goes, the thread follows.”

All tricks were blocked. Kim Myung-jun and Director Jeong exchanged glances. In the gap, Joo Se-ah rushed in. The two who had lost their leader ran towards each other. The hunters who had surrounded her also fell behind her.

Joo Se Ah avoided Kim Myung Jun’s longsword, grabbed his collar, and kicked Director Jeong in the stomach. The hunters who were aiming from behind swung Kim Myung Jun and knocked him down.

Kim Myung-jun didn’t stay still. His sword cut Joo Se-ah’s forearm, but the mana barrier simply evaporated like vapor. The strong repulsion force deflected the sword. The dagger that Director Jeong aimed for the blind spot didn’t even make contact.

The guards hit Joo Se Ah as if they were hitting a rock, but with each hit they ended up getting hurt themselves.

There was a mix of loud noises and screams, but they could not get over the wall of Hansung Enterprise.

After the storm raged, only Joo Se Ah was left standing unscathed.

Kim Myung-jun slumped down, spitting up blood. Director Jeong was huddled in a corner, gasping for breath. Neither of them were in danger of dying, but they had internal injuries that would require them to recuperate for a while.

“How ridiculous. You got beaten up and your mana is flowing back out. Gulp, gulp! Is this why you were so wary of Joo Se Ah?”

Kim Myung-jun muttered to himself blankly, more out of mental shock than pain. Joo Se-ah looked down at him and said.

“I think I’m ready to talk now.”

Joo Se Ah looked back. Kang Moo Hyuk had come down when the situation was sorted out. Jang Deok Gu was standing by his side just in case. Kim Myung Jun, who was waiting for an opening in case he let his guard down, also gave up in that guarded posture.

“Thank you for your hard work, Director. Managing Director Kim Myung-jun. The story we talked about earlier. There’s still a bit left. Would you like to hear more?”

Kaak, phew!

Kim Myeong-jun spit out the bloody phlegm boiling in his throat and raised both hands.

“I understand for sure. I know that force alone won’t do anything… Surrender. I’ll listen to what you have to say.”

* * *

“The notification should have gone out by now.”

At the end of the sentence, the smartphone rang.

Kang Moo-hyuk checked the caller on the LCD.

“You can’t be a nobleman.”

“I guess you’re in a hurry.”

Joo Seah checked the name on the screen with interest, as if it was a little strange.

[Matthew Soo Bugilma]

Kang Mu-hyeok answered the phone after a brief pause.

“This is Kang Mu-hyeok.”

-Are you feeling a little more comfortable?

“I’m glad I was able to live up to your expectations. Please call me right away.”

-I don’t know what kind of magic he used. Yes, I admit it. Chief Kang’s skills. He tricked the person who was going to kill him into aiming at my neck instead. It’s worse than when I first started.

“This is something we’ve done a lot in the past. I think Madam Bugil would know better.”

A heavy breathing sound of suppressed anger was heard for a moment, and then a voice was heard.

-Okay. I will withdraw the transfer contract as you requested.

“Withdrawal? I said, take them all. We don’t need them either. Instead, just take Do Kyung Hoon.”

-Do Kyung Hoon? Huh! Even though he’s an A-rank, can you just throw him away so easily? It’ll be a big blow to Iron Will.

“You definitely have to cut off the buds that need to be cut.”

-You’ve become more decisive since becoming the captain.

“It must have become stronger. This is also something I learned from Lady Bugil.”

-… … Let’s do that. Then, withdraw your support for Union Gilma.

“And one more thing.”

-You have more requests?

“The later the repayment, the more interest is added.”

-Just listen first.

“We will exchange the deposit for the hunters taken from our guild for hunters from the Titan side.”

-What?!

Even without seeing his face, I could tell what Matthew’s expression was like. It must have been distorted.

Comparing the Hunter abilities of Iron Will and Titan, it was an absurd deal. Even with the same rank, there was a big difference in the level of Hunters. That was why Hunter evaluations were not just based on rank. The difference in combat power was even more evident in the individual tactical evaluation. That part was usually divided into differences in talent.

Kang Moo-hyuk added before Matthew could object loudly.

“It’s not a one-on-one exchange. It just takes one person.”

-That sounds like a worse suggestion. You’re not going to catch a weirdo. You’re going to pick a good guy. At least a party leader, right?

“You’re quick-witted. Fortunately, it’s not the party leader. I’m planning on bringing you from the expedition.”

-Party hall or something!

Matthew burst into anger. He was barely able to calm down his boiling anger when he made the call. But what? Taking a party leader-level hunter with him?

After screaming loudly, my head became cold as if some of the heat had left my stuffy chest.

He checked a few things in silence and then opened his mouth again.

-Isn’t that a losing proposition for me? No matter how much I want the position of Gilma, it’s not enough to weaken the guild’s power. Let’s pretend it never happened. If we wait, another opportunity will come.

“There must be something you want. For example, the Union supporting Madam Bugil again.”

-!!

“That should be roughly balanced.”

I heard a sound of someone sucking in air.

After a short pause, Matthew said:

-What about Gilma? Aren’t you on a special relationship?

“I have kept my promise as much as I could, and I have repaid your debt with sufficient results during my time on Titan. Now, I must work as the leader of Iron Will.”

-Can you keep that promise?

“Hold a shareholders’ meeting as soon as the transfer is completed.”

At this moment, Matthew had to admit one thing about Kang Mu-hyeok.

The belief that promises are always kept.

Even during the Titan era, even if we suffered some losses, we kept our promises. Even at the time, we didn’t know that trust would become the foundation of Titan, but now that we look back, it’s clear how much trust Kang Moo-hyuk’s words gave us.

Matthew thought that it would not be bad to accept it. In fact, it would be good. However, he couldn’t just give it away. If he just took away the expedition hunter, public opinion would hit rock bottom. He had to set a condition.

-As you know, party leaders and expedition members cannot transfer without their consent.

“If you don’t like it, I don’t intend to force it out of you. I’ll get your consent first.”

-Okay. I’ll allow it on the condition that the other party agrees. You’ll take care of the transfer fee, right? If you’re an expedition hunter, the current penalty for the remaining scum is not enough.

“Of course. I’ll make sure to give you the exact amount, down to the last penny.”

-So who are you?

“This is Lee Jin-joo Hunter.”