The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 70



Only Noblemtl

Episode 71

71. It won’t be very pleasant.

Even though he had formulated a plan, prepared the hunters, and even sent an expeditionary force to attack the gate in case something unexpected occurred, Kang Moo-hyuk still felt that it was not enough.

‘If it were a normal raid, I would have planned it out thoroughly and taken my time. But the current situation is so tight that I have to improvise to deal with everything. But I can’t just sit back and do nothing.’

He had to find other ways to increase his odds of winning even a little.

“I’m sorry that we couldn’t even meet in person and that our first meeting had to be over the phone. President Han Byeong-gu.”

-Why did someone so busy contact you, Director Kang Mu-hyeok?

Kang Mu-hyeok felt annoyed when the other person kept acting suspicious even though he knew it.

‘You must have seen the guild app.’

What should I do in this urgent situation? I couldn’t feel at ease with someone who should know enough about the harm caused by monsters coming out like this.

He recalled Han Byeong-gu’s history.

‘A first-generation hunter. One of the few survivors of the Great War. Current president of the Hunter Association. Although he has no real power, his disciples exert influence in various areas of the Hunter world. That is the power of this old man.’

When he was on Titan, Kang Moo-hyuk had no reason to meet him in person.

Han Byeong-gu was a big shot who could only be dealt with by a top-tier guild’s vice-guild master. Or else, a hunter with top-tier skills.

Joo Se-ah was a typical case where she made a name for herself based on her skills alone.

It was hard to meet a hunter if he was not qualified, so it was impossible for a non-hunter to have a conversation with Han Byeong-gu. If it weren’t for the cooperation of the Guild Cooperation Office, it would have been difficult to even talk to him.

‘A person with that much influence hates the short-term system? This is really difficult. It will be difficult to work together in the future.’

Kang Moo-hyuk knew that Han Byung-goo was skeptical about the position of team leader.

Every time I met with the guild leaders, I would openly say that it was absurd for a commoner who had never hunted to command a hunter, so it was impossible for Kang Mu-hyeok, who always kept his ears open for industry news, not to hear about it.

Since we were a generation that had experienced the harm firsthand during the early days of the gate era, such prejudice was somewhat valid.

But it was not the role of the older generation to be held back by the past and influence the future.

Kang Moo-hyuk was at a loss as to how to appease Han Byung-goo, but then he came to a conclusion.

‘This guy doesn’t change. Don’t try to persuade or ask him for favors. An old tiger only moves when it’s hungry. You have to throw it food. So, the food this guy wants is… . . ‘

Monster extermination.

Most hunters who lived through the Great War era tended to shudder at the thought of monsters.

This was the part that Kang Mu-hyeok had to attack.

-If you’ve started talking, shouldn’t you finish it? The guild cooperation office connected me, so I postponed the meeting and accepted, but why aren’t you saying anything? Time is slow for a young man, but time is fast for this old man. Will I be able to hear it before I die?

“I’m also someone who values ​​time… so I did some math.”

-What? Time is life? Huh? My goodness, everyone pretends to be busy. So what’s the calculation?

“I’m saying this because I’m worried this call might be a waste of time.”

-Huh? Heh heh, look at this guy. He’s acting so arrogantly just because he’s wearing a hat from a small guild.

“Chairman, a thousand orcs are currently moving south. Our guild has no intention of sending these orcs down to Nampocheon. But if you keep picking a fight with the hunters who are risking their lives to protect the citizens, isn’t it natural that you won’t feel the need to talk to them anymore?”

-… … .

“You must know this well, since you lived through the Great War. The war against monsters is a battle against time.”

-… … .

“Can I continue this call?”

-… … I’m sorry. Please continue.

“I need your help.”

-We’re already gathering them. But it’s such a sudden situation that it’ll take time. We can send an emergency standby force, but it’s only a handful compared to the Orc army. We’ll be very late.

“I don’t need much. How about the president of the association coming first since it’s urgent? I need experience in the Great War.”

-Huh! Really, you’re trying to take advantage of even an old man? None of the Hunters would say that to me. Is it because I’m not a Hunter that I lack common sense?

“I’ll tell you again, we don’t have time. Are you coming or not?

-Hey! You look exactly like your guild leader. Unfortunately, I can’t go there right now. Oh no! Now that I think about it, I guess the guild cooperation office must have told you when they called. I’m in Japan right now on business with the World Hunters’ Federation.

‘They say that every passing day is a market day. Why does it have to be now?’

Kang Moo-hyuk felt troubled. At the same time, he saw the limitations of the Hunter Association. The system that had been suppressing the industry for too long was no longer functioning properly. If it could not provide strength when it was really needed, what good was the Association?

Kang Moo-hyuk calmed down. One plan had fallen through, and all he had to do was quickly give up and prepare for the next plan.

“First, please ask for help from the guilds where the president can exert influence. Please provide support as quickly as possible.”

-It’s embarrassing to say it myself, but kids these days don’t listen to me. They don’t try to get hurt.

“Association President.”

-What now?

“If you get screwed over here, isn’t that the end? If you don’t plan on retiring and becoming an old man in the back room, then don’t get screwed over anymore. Okay.”

-What? This guy! Hey, hey… … .

Kang Moo-hyuk hung up the phone without listening to the rest of the story. Then he washed his face dry and swallowed.

“Ugh, I messed it up.”

The last rude remark was deliberate.

An old hunter with nothing left but his past glory, stubbornness, and pride.

If you stimulate a hunter like that, something will come out.

‘If it doesn’t come out, there’s nothing we can do. But that doesn’t mean we can just believe in it and wait.’

Kang Moo-hyuk called the guild cooperation office for another arrangement.

“Director Cha Gil-ju. This is Kang Mu-hyeok. I have something urgent to ask of you.”

* * *

“Oh, this guy is just as angry as I am. How dare you gently scratch my pride. Are you trying to make me spit out anything?”

Han Byeong-gu, who had been thinking and worrying with his mouth shut, let out a deep sigh.

“I don’t like him, but I can’t just leave those orcs alone. I don’t want to see that guy Joo-Se-A mess around later. I can’t help it. I have no choice but to empty this old man’s pocket money.”

He made a phone call. After a few dry rings, someone on the other end picked up the phone.

“Eulji-ya. I think you need to put in some effort.”

* * *

“Team Leader Yeom Soo-hyung. I know that your hunter qualification has been revoked.”

“Again?”

“I’m sorry for constantly calling you out to the scene.”

“Why do you keep doing things you feel sorry about?”

“Under the provisions of the temporary permit for non-profit activities and emergency situations, I hereby formally request your return to the field.”

“What if you don’t like it?”

“This time, you have to do it even if you don’t like it.”

Yeom Soo-hyung opened his eyes slightly and snorted briefly.

“I had no choice but to allow it when I was a Goblin Rider. If this continues, it will be difficult. This Orc tribe cannot fight with the same ease as before. An accident could easily happen. Do you still want me to fight?”

“yes.”

“What if I quit after that? Are you still going to tell me to do it? I think the terms of the initial contract didn’t say I would be a hunter.”

“Then, there’s nothing I can do. I have no choice but to let you go after this is over.”

Yeom Soo-hyung shook his head as he faced Kang Mu-hyeok, who did not budge even when told that the talent he had worked so hard to bring in was leaving.

It’s only been four years since I vowed to myself that I would never be a hunter again.

‘Why do I keep getting sent to the battlefield?’

I knew Kang Moo-hyuk’s temperament well. He would not compromise when it came to killing monsters. If Bukpocheon was breached, then Nampocheon would be next. Since it was a matter of citizens’ lives, Kang Moo-hyuk’s obsession was even more ignited.

Yeom Soo-hyung also knew that Kang Mu-hyeok was right, but he doubted whether he could fight a fierce battle in his condition.

One thousand evolved orcs.

It was an opponent that you couldn’t afford to be complacent about, like when you were dealing with a Goblin Rider who was two or three points behind.

Moreover, it was a scale he had never experienced before, even while on active duty. It meant that even for a seasoned Yeom Soo-hyung, he had to give it his all.

It was a huge burden to have to fight a hopeless battle without being sure whether I had overcome my past trauma.

‘I have to use my traits. Can I really control that power? If I make a mistake, I could become more dangerous than the orcs. It was like that before… . I’m not sure now. There’s no way that Captain Kang wouldn’t know that, right?’

Kang Mu-hyeok, who noticed Yeom Soo-hyung’s worries, spoke first.

“Team Leader Pyo will go with us. He will act as a brake in case of an emergency.”

“I failed before. I’m not the type of guy who would listen to just any brakes.”

“This time, it’s going to be a serious break. Team Leader Pyo promised.”

Yeom Soo-hyung let out a long sigh and spat on the floor.

“Damn. You said all I had to do was be a porter.”

“I’m sorry for forcing you to hunt like this.”

“I don’t know if I’m really sorry. Tsk! Where’s my equipment? It must be somewhere in the Titan warehouse. If I want to use that power, I’ll have trouble without it.”

“I took it out just in case when I took over Warehouse C. Team Leader An Ji-il must have taken it out.”

“You’re being brave. Even if you’re not an orc, I guess you were planning to completely restore it someday.”

“I didn’t know that day would come so soon.”

“Just give it a try. After that… I don’t know what will happen.”

Kang Mu-hyeok nodded as if he understood.

“That should be enough. I’ll deploy eight parties. As the siege leader, you take the northern path. While we deal with the main Orc force, you can block the detachment at the narrow path.”

“40 people plus Leopard Hee… But 200 orc troops are still a burden. The kids’ skills aren’t that great.”

“That’s why I’m asking you, Team Leader Yeom, even if it means doing something difficult. No matter how much I calculate it, if it’s not Team Leader Yeom, the answer won’t come out.”

“You threatened me and then let me go? Well, it’s kind of clever.”

Yeom Soo-hyung frowned with a smiling face. Given the circumstances, he accepted them for now.

Then, a thought suddenly occurred to me and I asked casually.

“But, Leopard Hui’s promise. Can you believe that?”

“………………sure.”

“Hey, you’re replying so late.”

“I just remembered something I had to do. Well, I’m busy so I’ll take my leave now.”

“Hey, Manager Kang! Hey, Kang Mu-hyuk!”

* * *

“Captain!”

“Hunter Kyung Soo Hyuk. I have to go out now. Is it urgent?”

Kyung Soo-hyuk spoke to Jin-ju Lee, who was putting on her gear and getting ready to leave, as if he was pressuring her.

“Why am I not on Team A? I’m not bragging, but I’m confident that I’m in the top ten of the new hunters we’ve recruited.”

Lee Jin-ju slung her backpack over her shoulder and gestured toward the lake.

“Is it burdensome to fight a thousand orcs?”

“It’s not that I’m afraid of orcs. It’s a matter of pride.”

“Aha? That’s it?”

Jinju Lee clapped her hands cheerfully, but then became serious.

“I know. Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk is good. In addition, Hunter Baek Seong-bin is also good, and Hunter Seo Dae-chi is also worthy of being on Team A.”

“What you mean… is it because of the two of you fighting? Are you saying that you stopped me because of their fight?”

“You were the party leader of the party with those two, right? Why should I use someone who can’t control his party members? If we go to Cheorwon, it could be just as dangerous as here. I can’t afford to take care of unruly party members and act as a nanny. Can Hunter Kyung Soo-hyuk control those two?”

Kyung Soo-hyuk was speechless. He had no confidence.

Even though Seodichi was a little purely, it was a problem called ‘Billan is a strange twin -no -mous cub’, and people have turned into a berries if they meet monsters for impulse disorders.

‘How do you deal with those guys?’

Kyung Soo-hyuk spoke loudly because he felt wronged.

“That, that… . Then we should exclude those two. Why me… .”

Lee Jin-ju checked the gate clock on her backpack and put her backpack on the floor for a moment, saying she would give her some time.

“You had quite a few troubles in your previous guild, right? You couldn’t stand it, you’d get in trouble, and you’d refuse orders.”

“That was an unfair order… … !”

“Learn another way. Don’t headbutt like you’re getting angry.”

“… … .”

“I learned it that way too. I showed it to people who said it wasn’t possible because I was a woman or because my characteristics were ambiguous.”

Kyung Soo-hyuk felt like crawling into a hole. He was so hot that he was worried his face might turn red.

‘Oh, I’m sorry. Isn’t this just throwing a tantrum like a child?’

Jinju Lee nodded at Kyungsoohyuk’s expression and put her backpack back on and started moving.

“Oh, and. You were assigned to the 2nd attack team, right? Dealing with the special forces. You’ll be appointed as the party leader there. Seo Dae-chi and Baek Seong-bin. Treat them well. Oh no, I’m late. Good hunting. See you later.”

After Jinjoo Lee left the room naked, Kyungsoo Hyuk thought about her words for a long time.

Then I suddenly came to my senses, realizing the last words she had left behind.

“Did you put those two in again?”

A torrent of curses poured out of Kyung Soo-hyuk’s mouth.

* * *

Twenty land and sea trucks arrived at Sanjeong Lake.

Each truck, with a payload of 2.5 tons, was fully loaded with soldiers and cargo.

Kang Mu-hyeok personally welcomed them and boarded the first car. He then loaded some more items with An Ji-il and guided the car west to where Jang Deuk-gu was.

“What is all this?”

“It’s a landmine.”

“Is it a mine?”

“I asked for cooperation from the Guild Cooperation Office and received approval from the Ministry of National Defense. Since the collapse of North Korea, we are always prepared in areas near danger zones in case of an emergency. I heard there are many in the Pocheon military base area, so I received them.”

Jang Deok-gu responded with a dumbfounded expression.

“Chief, gunpowder weapons won’t work in the special zone because of the mana that spreads in the air. It’s better to bury it in the ground, but there’s a very high chance that it won’t explode. It would be better to plant it behind the barbed wire fence in Nampocheon just in case.”

“It’s common sense that it won’t work here. And now, when will we cover that wide area?”

“But why… … ?”

“The guild leader said that orcs use their sense of smell to find mines.”

Most of the hunters around him, including Jang Deuk-gu, did not understand what Kang Mu-hyeok meant.

Kang Moo-hyuk did not hesitate and immediately unveiled the operation.

“We are too few in number compared to the orcs. We need to restrict their movements to avoid being surrounded. We will plant mines in this area. They have experienced how dangerous mines can be, so they will not move rashly once they smell them.”

The hunters all opened their eyes wide in surprise.

Is it because I’m a normal person? This is definitely not something a hunter would think of.

‘But it’s definitely worth a try.’

Jang Deuk-gu was inwardly impressed. He had thought it was great before, but it was only because of his qualifications as a guild manager.

I looked at Kang Mu-hyeok’s raid history, but it was all just on paper.

The goblin tribe raid was also considered a success due to the well-planned board.

I thought it was really ironic that he, who couldn’t run in the field, was devising tactics to catch monsters.

Of course, it is true that he was not very trustworthy in hunting, regardless of his abilities.

‘I admit it. You’re amazing, Kang Mu-hyeok. Regardless of the success or failure of this operation, it’s not something an ordinary person can do to plan the whole thing and find alternatives to fill in the missing parts. But… … .’

Jang Deuk-gu, who understood Kang Mu-hyeok’s plan, found a loophole like a veteran hunter.

“Let’s say the orcs smelled something. But if that many of them come here, there’s a chance that someone will accidentally step on one. Or they might just ignore it. If the mine doesn’t go off then they’ll get counterattacked.”

“I guess so. If it doesn’t explode, you’ll feel cheated. That’s why you’ll need this.”

Kang Moo-hyuk reached out to Ahn Ji-il.

He opened the case An Ji-il had handed him and took out something that looked like a car cigarette lighter.

“This is the one used to blow up mana stone mines in the past. It’s a device that attaches a pyrotechnic stone and explodes remotely or at the right time. In short, it’s a mana stone time bomb. This is also used to destroy waterfalls. What if we plant this in a few places and blow up a few orcs early on? Then we can see the power of the mines.”

“… … .”

“I can’t guarantee the success or failure of the operation. But from the perspective of the orcs who are affected, it won’t be a very pleasant experience.”