The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 86



Only Noblemtl

Episode 87

87. I like the noodles, too.

‘Secrecy is a natural measure for the Federation, since it involves an unknown entity. However, linking the wolf breeding business with a famous American ranch means that it can attract the protection of the guild and the attention of American politics. If the Federation arranges this, it will be a kind of declaration of support. This is tantamount to guaranteeing safety.’

Alex thought Kang Mu-hyuk was a formidable person.

If Ironwill wanted to sign an MOU with a North American ranch on its own, it could have gone to the US and done business there at any time. Rider Wolf is such an attractive product.

‘Of course, it would be difficult to get good conditions.’

Good stuff doesn’t always sell for its price.

In the Hunter world, South Korea’s status as a weakling had long since fallen. If a country with neither influence nor power had asked for help, it was obvious that the North American guilds would naturally rush in to extract as much as possible.

Because he was concerned about these things, Kang Moo-hyuk probably didn’t even think about going abroad.

‘But if it’s through the Federation, at least equal rights can be guaranteed. But what’s strange here is that Mr. Kang is evaluating the influence of the Federation. At least on the surface, the Federation is a non-profit organization.’

When his thoughts reached that point, Alex was able to realize his mistake. Looking back on his actions up to now, Kang Moo-hyuk’s judgment may have been natural. It was because he had many loopholes.

Even though it was a remote area of ​​the Hunter World, moving the head of a country’s Hunter Association or taking action to prepare for a global threat from an unknown entity was not something a simple non-profit organization could do.

It was useless for the federation to claim that it was a powerless organization when it was fabricating events in Africa that left tens or even millions of people dead without anyone noticing.

“Look. I told you, right? I told you he’s a total thief.”

Han Byeong-gu laughed and patted Alex’s shoulder, who was looking embarrassed.

“You look so happy, Mr. Han.”

“No way. It breaks my heart to see your wrinkled forehead after such a long time.”

Alex shook his head at Han Byung-goo’s nagging, then met Ayla’s eyes.

“Is Mr. Kang Mu-hyeok’s proposal difficult for the Federation to accept, Alex?”

This one word from Ayla blew away Alex’s worries about how to lead the negotiation.

‘Ugh~ You knew it, but you did it on purpose.’

Although Ayla was an elf who was indifferent to human transactions, she was not so ignorant of the world that she could not understand the current situation. It was just that her priorities were different.

For her, eliminating the threat to this world was more important than the honor of the alliance or any slight damage. That’s why she had just deliberately shown Kang Moo-hyuk a weak point. The negotiation itself was disadvantageous to the alliance.

The reason for the existence of the Federation is to stabilize the world from the Gate, but it is not that they are not interested in the power and wealth that they will gain in the process. Rather, it feels like their role of managing the world in the dark is accelerating these days.

It was impossible for such an organization to measure Kang Moo-hyuk by the same standards as Ayla.

Alex looked back and forth between Ayla and Kang Mu-hyeok for a while, then sighed deeply.

“Mr. Kang really has a knack for making people uncomfortable. To cut to the chase, your proposal is something the Federation can easily handle.”

“Is it possible to leave a document?”

“It won’t be a big problem.”

Kang Moo-hyuk was able to roughly guess their position in the federation from this brief conversation.

‘You make difficult decisions easily. The reason I hesitated for a moment was not because it was an offer beyond my authority. Rather, seeing you watch the elf Ayla’s expression, I can see that the position of the Ain race is considerable in the alliance.’

Alex held out his hand.

“Okay, then. I think this matter is more or less settled. Could you please write up a contract right away?”

“I heard Lady Ayla guarantees it. We can proceed with the documents step by step.”

Kang Moo-hyuk grabbed his hand. Neither of them were people who spoke with two mouths. Han Byung-goo thought that this ridiculous deal had been made.

‘The Federation is giving in? The sun rises in the west. Kang Mu-hyeok… It’s amazing that he’s able to gain support from the North American Hunter community in a place like this. If the Federation makes up their mind, there’s no way they’ll fall. This will also cause a significant tectonic shift in the Korean Hunter community.’

When negotiations seemed to have come to an end, Ayla stepped forward.

“That day. What happened when you caught the Goblin Godmother?”

“I saw black mana. It gave off a very ominous aura.”

“That’s ridiculous!”

Raven, who had been silent after being subdued by Joo Sea, shouted.

“You can see mana? With your eyes? This is a total fraud, Alex. You came all this way for nothing.”

“Calm down, Raven.”

Alex asked Raven, who had been biting her with a hand gesture.

“Mr. Kang. Did you see Mana?”

“yes.”

“That’s impossible.”

“I don’t think that just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean others can’t see it either.”

“That’s not it, but here, humans, Earthlings, it’s impossible.”

“So does that mean non-human races are possible here, Lady Ayla?”

Kang Moo-hyuk turned his arrows of questioning towards Ayla.

“I couldn’t see it until I came to this world.”

“So it became possible after coming over.”

“Yes. I don’t know why though.”

“Then, the green mana I’m seeing hovering around Lady Ayla right now isn’t an illusion.”

“!!”

Ayla’s eyes widened. Alex asked her silence.

“Miss Ayla, is what Mr. Kang said true?”

Ayla simply nodded in agreement. No one in the alliance opened their mouths. They simply stared at Kang Mu-hyeok.

Only after the aftertaste of shock had subsided did Ayla open her mouth.

“It doesn’t seem to be a lie. I’m surprised that people here can see mana. May I ask how you were able to see it? Is it innate?”

“From here on out, things need to be kept confidential.”

“As promised, the secret will be kept.”

“I am addicted to mana.”

“Mana addiction?”

Kang Moo-hyuk took a deep breath and continued speaking.

“And I had a conversation with this unknown entity you mentioned.”

“!!”

* * *

“Oh my, it’s hard to even see each other’s faces. It seems like we’ve grown apart a lot lately.”

Noh Song-rin looked at Kim Myeong-jun, who was sitting in the pavilion of the annex of a high-class Korean restaurant, without saying anything. As he stood there quietly, Kim Myeong-jun knocked on the table full of food in front of him.

“Come and sit down. Would you like a drink?”

Nosongrin took off his shoes and climbed up onto the pavilion. His teeth chattered. His body was trembling.

It was a chilly, almost cold day, but the hunters didn’t feel that cold. Even so, they felt the cold because of their fear of Kim Myung-jun.

‘It’s not because he’s an A-rank. He’s one level higher than me, but it’s not like I’ve experienced such an unfavorable fight once or twice.’

Then why are you afraid of Kim Myung-jun?

The crimes he committed, the remnants of the time when he reigned in fear in the depths of Ujungdo, and the strong heart that allowed him to negotiate with the Slayer Guild.

It was nothing.

Kim Myung-jun simply overwhelmed all the villains in Ujungdo with his intimidation.

On the outside, he appears calm, relaxed, and kind, but in reality, he is a monster that eats anything.

In particular, it was easier for him to devour human lives for his own gain than for the female sergeant.

That kind of mindset was no different from that of other villains, but when it came to being the most vicious and secretive, there weren’t many who were as vicious as Kim Myung-jun.

When Noh Song-rin sat down, Kim Myeong-jun picked up the bottle of alcohol and poured it into her glass. Even though Noh Song-rin did not accept the glass, he ignored it and continued talking.

“I haven’t heard from you in a while. Of course, it’s because you went to Bukpocheon. But if you came out like this, shouldn’t you tell me that you came out? You’re not harboring other intentions, are you?”

“Kang Mu-hyeok. That guy. He’s not someone to be taken lightly. You have to be careful.”

“I know that well. I had a room with it a while ago.”

“Have you ever met?”

Kim Myeong-jun put down the bottle of alcohol and looked at Noh Song-rin’s expression.

‘Are you really not aware of it? Or are you pretending not to know even though you do know?’

The same face as usual. No Song-rin still did not make eye contact, looking a little scared.

“I don’t know.”

“yes?”

“I always feel this way, but you have such a nice face. Well, that’s why I chose you.”

Noh Song-rin clenched her teeth and barely managed to speak.

“I can’t stay long. I have to finish my next schedule.”

“You’re very passionate about guild work.”

“Recently, Do Kyung Hoon and Jo Choong Hyun flew to Kang Moo Hyuk. Yes, two of the three Tae Sung lines have broken up, so I will be next. I shouldn’t give them a chance to cause trouble. If I’m late for the schedule, I’ll only be suspected of something.”

“Let’s say that’s true.”

“What do you want?”

“Give me Kang Mu-hyeok’s contact information. He’s stuck in Bukpocheon, so how can I contact him? If I try to contact the guild cooperation center, I’ll get in trouble because of the guys Slayer has stuck there. It’ll be difficult if he gets caught by Seong Seon-je.”

When Kim Myeong-jun handed over his smartphone, Noh Song-rin immediately dialed the number and handed it over.

“This is the direct number for Director Kang Mu-hyeok. He will not be in his office right now.”

“Where did you go?”

“I’m not really sure since I’m not the type of person to reveal my schedule.”

“You don’t know anything. Be useful. That way, I can use you for something worthwhile.”

“They don’t trust me, and trying to be friendly with them only makes them suspicious.”

“Well, you’re not the type of person I’d want to date. Hehe.”

Kim Myeong-jun saved the number and shook his glass. Noh Song-rin also raised her glass and toasted in the air.

The two of them took a sip of their drinks at the same time and stood up. Noh Song-rin left first. Kim Myeong-jun sat back down and poured himself another drink.

“I like the noodles better. I can’t tell what’s inside.”

* * *

Aila, who returned to the Hunter Association, recalled her meeting with Kang Mu-hyeok during the day.

‘Mana addiction… … .’

According to information from the Federation, it was known to be an incurable disease.

Because it was a disease that only a very small number of people experienced, no research had been conducted, and none of those who contracted it survived.

Kang Moo-hyuk revealed that he had found a way to manage this mana addiction, albeit to a limited extent, and that he was able to see mana afterward, whether as an aftereffect or side effect of the disease.

“If what Mr. Kang said is true, he cannot be considered a mere witness. It is a tremendous thing to have had a conversation with an unknown being.”

“Isn’t that guy lying?”

Raven objected to Alex’s words, but Alex disagreed with him.

“There is no way someone who has never seen mana could explain the mana particles surrounding Lady Ayla.”

“The part about talking to that being didn’t seem like a lie either.”

Aila confirmed Kang Mu-hyeok’s words.

Her species was able to sense the emotions of living creatures. Not in the sense of being quick-witted, but rather in the sense of actually accepting and reading the emotions of others.

It was safe to say that there was hardly anyone on Earth who could fool her.

“Alex. How should we respond at the federation level in this situation?”

“A contract that has already been secured is a promise, so it must be kept. There are also ways to strengthen future cooperation by adding a few phrases.”

“Join the league?”

“that…….”

“Why? Is it difficult because I’m not a hunter?”

“The screening process for membership is rigorous. There are only one or two new members per year. Non-hunters will also be included in the screening process.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to work in the future if you join? If you become a human asset of the federation, we can protect you openly.”

“That’s true, but… Mr. Han would probably hate it.”

“Oh? I didn’t think about Han Byung-gu. He really hates the federation.”

“Besides, I don’t have the confidence to persuade the elders.”

“Oh, I didn’t even consider their stubbornness. It wasn’t like that during the Great War. They’ve been through the years, and these days they’ve become really stubborn. So, isn’t there a way? I want to get them to join.”

The previous discussion was irrelevant. What mattered was the last words that came out of Ayla’s mouth.

“There is no other way. We have no choice but to undergo the Federation’s review.”

“The evaluation is a bit harsh on Kang Mu-hyeok… … .”

“But in Mr. Kang’s case, since he is not a hunter, the evaluation should not be conducted in the form of hunting monsters.”

“Then what?”

“You have to give them a problem and let them solve it.”

“Isn’t that how you select a commander? It’s not easy at all.”

“This is the only way for the Federation to judge those who are not hunters. Even this can only be used if the elders are convinced.”

“So you’re saying that persuasion is my job?”

“yes.”

Ayla chewed her lips. It was a habit she had when she was worried.

She said, gathering her thoughts.

“There’s nothing we can do. Please contact the Federation. We’re calling a round table for the first time in a long time.”