The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 79



Only Noblemtl

Episode 80

80. I have a favor to ask.

As Han Byung-goo’s anger subsided, someone knocked on the waiting room door.

dripping!

“Huh? It’s already this late… Mr. Chairman, I guess you came to pick us up because we were late. You should hurry and go to the conference room.”

The secretary of the association president opened the door, thinking that a staff member had come out to greet him and told him to attend the meeting. However, the face standing in front of the door was something he had never expected.

Two foreigners dressed in nice suits, not the Japanese staff who hosted the event.

One of them was blond, and the other, oddly enough, had white hair, but you could tell just by the aura they radiated that they were no ordinary people.

For a moment, the secretary and the surrounding security guards became tense. They were also hunters, so they could tell. The two men in front of them were dangerous.

“I didn’t come here to fight.”

At that moment, a voice like jade beads rolling on a tray was heard from behind the two men.

The two men stepped aside, and between them a slender silhouette with a robe pulled over her head could be seen.

‘Woman? Who is she?’

Secretary Ilsun was even more nervous than the two men before him. Although his face was not visible, his presence was more overwhelming than anyone else’s. It was so strong that even Han Byeong-gu was forced to back down.

“Everyone, get out.”

“But Mr. Chairman… … .”

“I know you. Come in and have a seat. It’s been a while, so I can’t talk while standing.”

Han Byung-goo gestured to his aides to urge them to leave. The secretaries and guards reluctantly left their seats.

As the door closed, the robed figure raised his hand and drew a strange shape in the air. Along his finger, the air became like a canvas, creating patterns of light.

Only after the completed shape had been inserted into the door did the woman take off the robe covering her face.

“It’s the magic of a quiet garden. No sound will escape.”

“It’s been a while, Ayla. I thought we’d never see each other again in this life.”

“Well, I thought I’d see you at least once, Mr. Han Byung-gu. At least at the funeral.”

“You still look like you have a cold. But would the Federation send you to a funeral? They’ll be too busy wrapping you up to protect you.”

“It still comes out like this now?”

“So, what brings you, noble elf, out of the forest?”

The woman called Ayla had surprisingly long ears. Her hair was an emerald color reminiscent of a refreshing summer forest, and her eyes were turquoise, like the high autumn sky.

A forest race that can only be seen in novels and tales.

It was an appearance that was as familiar to people as it was like he was not from this world.

“I came out because I had a good reason to, Mr. Han.”

A middle-aged blond man with a friendly smile on his face answered.

“What? Did you learn Korean as a new hobby, Alex?”

“The Federation has changed a lot while you were stuck in Korea. This is an item that contains interpretation skills.”

Alex tapped the tie pin.

“Did you make it? The technology to put skills into items? It’s really advanced. It’s admirable. However, I don’t like the fact that the Federation has a monopoly on such technology.”

“Isn’t that something a person who refused to return to the Federation should say?”

This time, a man with white hair stepped forward.

“What is this little thing?”

“What? Aesongi?!”

“Be quiet, Raven.”

“Tch!”

“A crow? You’ve got a strange name for a crow.”

“Even so, his skills are good.”

“Anyway, I have to go to the meeting, so tell me what you want quickly.”

“The afternoon meeting must have been cancelled, Mr. Han Byeong-gu.”

Han Byeong-gu noticed something strange in Ayla’s words.

“cancellation?”

“To be exact, it’s not a cancellation, but rather a change in schedule. We changed it to a social gathering. Representatives of each hunter group can talk comfortably. Of course, participation is voluntary.”

“Huh? So they let the powerful guys go and fight behind each other.”

“I originally hated that kind of place.”

“There’s a difference between me not going and being prevented from going.”

“I feel a little sorry about that.”

“There is no need for Lady Ayla to apologize. After all, China, Japan, Russia, etc. will not want to include Korea.”

“Alex! It’s because of you guys!?”

Han Byeong-gu suddenly got angry. It was because bad memories of the federation came to mind.

“During the Great War, my comrades stood at the forefront. They saved the world and died. But what was left? Exclusion? Weren’t you the one who completely isolated the Korean Hunters?”

“It was because the neighboring countries were frightened by the potential of Korean hunters.”

“It wasn’t the Federation that stood by and instigated it?”

The atmosphere became tense as if someone was going to throw a punch at any moment. As their eyes locked, Raven, who had been standing off to the side, also gained momentum and joined in.

Ayla intervened in the critical situation.

“Alex. Raven. Step back.”

“sorry.”

As her once soft voice became as cold as ice, Alex lowered her head and took a couple of steps back. Raven did the same.

“Han Byeong-gu, you. Today, this place, this federation meeting, is a place prepared to meet you.”

“What does that mean?”

“The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Glasgow, England. However, the federation deliberately changed it to Tokyo, which is close to Korea. They needed Gong’s help to enter Korea without attracting attention.”

“Damn! Why did they do another one in Japan, where we had a meeting two years ago? I thought the Japanese guys lobbied to host the meeting. If that’s the case, why didn’t they just host it in Korea?”

“I wanted to come earlier, but I used the meeting to avoid drawing attention. But if I were to hold it in Korea, wouldn’t it have been noisy in neighboring countries?”

“Huh! I have nothing to say since it’s a fact. But why do you want to come to Korea?”

When Ayla turned around, Alex handed Han Byeong-gu an envelope he was holding.

Han Byeong-gu opened the envelope and took out the documents inside. The English cover caught his eye first. Then, a Korean cover was attached.

“This is… … .”

“Isn’t that the report submitted to the association by the Korean guild Iron Will? I made this space because of the word ‘summoning’ in it.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s not written exactly and seems to have been left blank on purpose.”

“It’s common for guilds to omit information for profit. What’s the big deal?”

Han Byeong-gu spoke as if nothing had happened, but he felt uneasy.

‘I haven’t heard of Ayla coming out of the forest since the Great War. If she moved on her own, it means that she’s not doing well.’

Aila said, reading Han Byeong-gu’s mind.

“I’ve been out a few times since the Great War. The most recent place I went was the Brazilian Amazon.”

“Amazon?”

“The goblin godmother appeared there too.”

“A photo is attached to the back of the document.”

At Alex’s words, Han Byeong-gu handed over the paper.

When the printed page of the photo appeared, he paused. He stared at the photo without saying a word.

Flesh torn to shreds. Blackened, soaked blood.

If there hadn’t been weapons lying around, it would have been impossible to tell that the corpses in this gruesome sight were Hunters.

“These are things I only saw during the Great War.”

“A Brazilian A-class guild that tried to subjugate a goblin tribe that evolved in the Amazon. They were annihilated.”

“A-class to a goblin?”

“To be exact, it was because of the being summoned by the Goblin Godmother. If it hadn’t been captured in the footage that the Brazilian Guild filmed for their records, we wouldn’t have been able to figure out the whole story of the incident.”

Ayla added to Alex’s explanation.

“So what you’re saying is, you think the summons written here is related to the Goblin Matriarch in Bukpocheon?”

“Maybe.”

After thinking for a while, Han Byeong-gu opened his mouth.

“So what do you want?”

“The person who wrote this report. Please let me meet Kang Mu-hyeok.”

* * *

Joo Se Ah moved. Lee Jin Joo assisted her. Iron Will’s expedition force followed these two and attacked the orcs.

The Taegeuk Guild also joined in. They spread their wings to the left and right to surround the orcs, covering the small number of Iron Will Hunters.

The orcs, who were already overwhelmed by the humans charging at them head-on, were completely unable to respond to the Taegeuk Guild hunters who surrounded them.

Joo Seah smashed the head of the white-collared orc in one breath and opened the way straight to the Lord.

At this point, things unfolded as expected.

Gam Woo-young blocked the way.

Joo Se-ah handed over the lead to Lee Jin-joo and welcomed Gam Woo-young.

“Oh, really. I don’t want to fight with Sister Sea.”

“Huh? You speak so well with such an excited face?”

“Is training and actual combat the same thing? Please be gentle.”

Gam Woo-young smiled and pulled out the twin swords stuck in his back… … .

Phew!

“Ugh!”

“Oh! Did you block it well?”

Gam Woo-young let go of the hand holding the sword and blocked Joo Se-ah’s kick by crossing his arms in an X shape.

“No, isn’t it the rule not to hit someone while they’re transforming?”

“What kind of magical girl are you? You can transform.”

“I should take up a sword instead of a magic wand!”

Gam Woo-young leapt forward, swinging his arms wildly. Joo Se-ah switched to her left foot and delivered a front kick to his face.

Gam Woo-young twisted his body to avoid the attack, then lowered his stance as if doing a wrestling tackle and placed Joo Se-ah’s left thigh on his shoulder.

Joo Se Ah quickly jumped up, putting strength into her step. She twisted her body in an unstable position just before one foot was caught and landed a flying knee kick on Gam Woo Young’s temple.

puck!

“You blocked it again this time? You’ve really improved a lot, man. That kid was terrible at close combat.”

“It was average. My sister was just too reckless.”

Gam Woo-young rubbed his numb arms and took a step back.

Joo Seah didn’t rush in this time. She had noticed that her opponent was preparing a counter by aiming for the form.

“Anyway, it feels good. Why isn’t this coming in?”

“You’ve probably been with that guy for more than a thousand years. Your intentions are so obvious.”

Gam Woo-young quickly drew his sword as if he would not be disturbed any longer.

“Transformation complete.”

Before she knew it, a sword was drawn in Joo Se Ah’s hand.

“Huh? Sister, you’re holding a sword from the start?”

“I think your skills are improving.”

“No, it hasn’t increased at all. You can just start with your fists like you always did.”

“The Slayer’s swordsman is making a death sound. The smoke has increased a lot.”

“Miss, who the hell is that ghost? If you keep trying your best like that… … .”

For a moment, Gam Woo-young’s eyes lit up. A dreary voice, different from the playful one from a moment ago, flowed out of his mouth.

“It really makes me want to cut it.”

Joo Se Ah raised the corners of her lips and answered, seeing Gam Woo Young’s true colors for the first time in a long time.

“When you act so serious that it doesn’t suit you, I feel like punching you in the face.”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

He was smiling with his teeth showing, but to others he looked like he was looking at an enemy with a murderous expression.

“Since it has come to this, I’ll take away your chance to hear ‘big sister’s name’.”

“What a surprise.”

Wow!

A sound that could not come from the sword echoed through the gate.

* * *

Kang Moo-hyuk received an unexpected phone call in his office.

-You get it.

Instead of answering, Kang Moo-hyuk looked at the phone. It was one of the lines exclusively for the Guild Cooperation Office. Anyway, those government officials, tsk! He sighed and put the receiver to his ear.

“Are you disappointed that it’s not Jo Chung-hyun? Mr. Chairman.”

-Rather than being disappointed, I’m just sad that it went as expected.

“I don’t know what you expected, but I feel a little disappointed. I thought you would trust me with the work here.”

-As you get older, you tend to become impatient and can’t wait for anything. That’s why you look for things to do to pass the time.

Kang Moo-hyuk gritted his teeth.

You call playing with people’s lives a pastime?

‘Don’t you know that you too are nothing more than a target that must be defeated someday?’

Kang Mu-hyeok suppressed his anger and spoke calmly.

“Even if it’s a little late, it’s better to knock on the stepping stones. If you step on a broken stone, you’ll most likely fall into the water.”

-You dare give me advice?

“Please consider this as advice.”

-You’ve been through so much and you’re still alive. You’re very trustworthy. But I have doubts about whether you’ll be able to finish this job.

“It’s not easy to take the initiative from Guild Master Jusea. You have to be patient and take it slow.”

-You’re not giving me a definitive answer.

“No one can give a definitive answer in front of the guild leader. To the chairman, she is a daughter, but in this world, she is a hunter called a witch. And on top of that, she has the word ‘unyielding’ attached to her name. Those who do not bend must be appeased.”

-I know that kid’s stubbornness very well. What I’m talking about now is trust in you.

“Didn’t you say you believed it?”

-As far as ability goes.

Kang Moo-hyeok’s back was soaking wet. He had no way of knowing what was on the mind of this sly old man. If he had seen his face, he would have been able to read his expression, but it was difficult to know the intentions of the other person who was trembling just from his voice.

“There is something you wish for.”

-Is Jo Chung-hyun dead? If he’s alive, send him to me.

“… … .”

-You don’t like it?

Only then did Kang Mu-hyeok realize what Chairman Tae Jin-seong wanted.

‘Cho Chung-hyun doesn’t mean much to the chairman. He wants proof of loyalty. He wants me to submit.’

Or rebel.

Kang Moo-hyuk hated this kind of betrayal more than anyone else, as it would put the hunter’s life at risk.

Not being able to punish the sinner.

It was a demand that hit him hard.

‘From the beginning, the chairman didn’t care about what Jo Chung-hyun did, whether it was successful or not. He probably thought that if it failed, it would cause him trouble.’

However, he could not lie and say that Jo Choong-hyun was dead. The guild members already knew that he was alive. If there were too many mouths, no matter how careful you were with security, there would always be a leak somewhere. If there were no mouths to leak, the person who would find out even if it meant digging a hole was Chairman Tae Jin-seong.

‘It’s not time yet. If I quarrel with the Chairman, even the small opportunity I’ve gained will disappear. The Chairman is a man who lives as a ruler. He may not believe me, but I have to make sure that I’m under his influence.’

Kang Moo-hyuk decided to bow his head firmly.

-If you don’t like it, just tell me. I don’t intend to bring that guy here just to upset Janelle.

“No. You don’t like it? What kind of safety would you disobey? I just hesitated because I hated the guy who tried to kill me. I’m human, so I can’t help but get angry.”

-Yes. When a human’s life is threatened, there’s nothing they can do. I understand. Then, I’ll understand that you’re sending it.

After ending the call, Kang Mu-hyeok looked out the window for a moment.

I could see the waterway that had almost completely drained under the collapsed waterfall. I could also see the messy parking lot and the broken streetlight.

The gloomy atmosphere was even more evident because not even a single person was visible passing by.

He gathered his thoughts and contacted Pyo Beom-hee.

“Please bring Jo Chung-hyun.”

After a while, Pyo Beom-hee brought Jo Chung-hyun.

It was tied with a special rope made of material used against large monsters.

“The chairman told me to release you.”

At those words, Jo Chung-hyun, who had been bowing his head, raised his face. Although his appearance was swollen and unsightly, his face turned brighter.

“Kekekeke! I guess I’m good at changing lines.”

On the other hand, the expression on the face of Pyo Beom-hee, who was standing next to him, was crumpled.

“You’re letting this guy go?!”

“There’s nothing I can do.”

Even Pyo Beom-hee knew that it was not at the level where she could refuse the chairman’s words.

However, it was bitter to release the guy who tried to put the entire guild into the monster’s mouth.

“Call the chairman and say thank you.”

Kang Mu-hyeok ordered Pyo Beom-hee to untie the rope that bound Jo Chung-hyeon, and then out of the blue he made a phone call.

Jo Chung-hyun pressed the number with a winner’s smile.

-What?

“This is Cho Chung-hyun, Chairman. Thanks to you, Chairman, I was able to get out safely. Thank you.”

-The dog that lost the fight is talking nonsense. If it had been completely broken, it would have known shame and come running out.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Jo Chung-hyun bowed his head at the abstract shouting.

But the call had already been hung up.

He hung up the phone cautiously, looking embarrassed.

“Go to the chairman. I can’t provide transportation for you. Go on your own.”

“You’re sending it to me so easily?”

Although Pyo Beom-hee was furious, Kang Mu-hyeok firmly ordered Jo Chung-hyeon to be released.

“Go and see.”

When I personally opened the door to the office, Jo Chung-hyun went out, dumbfounded.

Kang Moo-hyeok looked down at Jo Chung-hyun as he left the building and spoke to Pyo Beom-hee, who was grumbling with discontent.

“Please call Hunter Jang Deuk-gu.”

Not long after Pyo Beom-hee left, Jang Deuk-gu entered the office.

“You found me, Captain?”

“Yes. I have a favor to ask.”