The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 98



Only Noblemtl

Episode 99

99. Who suggested it?

Although he has changed his course a bit recently, Noh Song-rin was basically a double spy.

Of course, it was something that Kang Mu-hyeok forced me to do under duress, but it was unexpectedly fun.

It wasn’t just fun, but he also had talent. It was still scary to deal with Kim Myung-jun, but it wasn’t to the point where he felt intimidated while acting. Even he found that part amazing.

‘If this continues, is it natural that I’m on Kang Moo-hyuk’s side? Seriously, this is embarrassing.’

Noh Song-rin thought she was chosen for this trip to Russia as a ‘good girl’, but Kang Mu-hyeok thought differently.

‘Hunter Jang Deuk-gu is the most cruel person in front of his enemies, but he is not suitable for a mission like this where he must use all means, regardless of whether it is illegal or expedient. After all, there is no one as talented as Hunter Noh Song-rin to commit evil deeds.’

Kang Moo-hyeok needed someone who could do the tough work for him in this case. Noh Song-rin was the perfect person who would do anything to deal with fellow hunters.

“I guess that guy is Kozlov.”

A face matching the photo of the local guide that Alex had sent us in advance was waiting at the arrival hall.

“Mr. Yuri Kozlov?”

“You must be Director Kang Mu-hyeok. This person is… … .”

“I’m Noh Song-rin.”

“Nice to meet you. Would you like to talk while we move? I have prepared a vehicle for you.”

As soon as Kozlov shook hands with the two men, he hurried on his way.

“The eyes of the Tyran Guild are still everywhere. The Tyrant also seems to be staying somewhere in Vladivostok.”

“Where did you get that information?”

“We are connected with the Tsar’s Guild. No one in this city has better information than them.”

“But you were taken by surprise? Without any warning.”

“I have nothing to say about that part. However, if the opponent is a tyrant, then I can understand. No matter what he says, he is still S-rank. His guild is also one of the top tier guilds in Moscow, so it is not completely incomprehensible that he did not notice this surprise attack.”

“They say that in Vladivostok, even God doesn’t know what the Tsar’s Guild doesn’t know. It’s surprising.”

“The Tsar Guild is not God. They are human and are bound to make mistakes.”

Kozlov could not raise his head even though it was not his fault. And yet he made excuses on behalf of the Tsar’s Guild.

‘You say you can’t help it, but you’re protecting the Tsar’s Guild. Is it because you’re a coordinator and don’t want to cause any trouble, or is it because you’re Russian-born and are being cautious?’

Although Kozlov was a member of the Federation, he was mostly a local contact in Russia. He couldn’t help but be sensitive to the power struggles of the Russian guilds.

Kang Moo-hyuk asked questions after considering his circumstances.

“I wasn’t specifically trying to criticize you for not noticing the Tyrant’s surprise attack in advance. What’s important now is where the Tyrant is. Do you have a specific place where he might be hiding?”

“Unfortunately, we haven’t figured it out yet. The Tsar Guild’s information team is also working at full speed, but there is so much confusing information that it’s difficult to sort through it.”

“Well, I guess we should start from where that information comes from.”

“Information team? What are you going to start there…?”

When Kozlov asked, Kang Moo-hyuk responded as if it was nothing.

“The one who sold information about Team Leader Brine to Igor Dudnik. To do any work, you have to find the spy first.”

“!!”

A cold sweat ran down Kozlov’s spine.

The guild and the federation had already suspected that there was a spy there, but they couldn’t do anything about it because Igor had already set foot in Vladivostok.

The presence of the tyrant was so strong that it caused even the best guild in Vladivostok to panic.

But in the midst of all this, an outsider comes forward and says he wants to catch the spy?

Which guild would allow that?

If you get caught, it’s a problem. You lose face, and it’s like advertising that you’re a bean curd guild.

In Russia, full of macho men, guild members were like brothers. If a traitor were to sell out a brother, being caught by an outsider would be an insult greater than kneeling.

‘I heard from the higher-ups that I should be alert when I meet Kang Mu-hyeok, but… This seems like it’ll be more difficult than I expected.’

* * *

Anton Ivanov, the Master of the Tsar’s Guild, looked at the stranger who had asked for a private meeting with him incredulously.

I had arranged a place for Kozlov, a liaison officer for the World Hunters’ Federation, whom I was familiar with, but I was not satisfied with every word he said.

If I hadn’t been sitting on the sofa far away from the table in the middle, I might have cracked my head in anger.

‘Does this guy have ten lives? Doesn’t he sound like a suicidal person, speaking as if he’s not even a hunter?’

Seeing that he has a title like captain, which is unheard of in Russia, it makes you wonder if the way Korea and Russia view hunters is very different.

When you think about the fact that the Hunters are a bunch of bastards who transcend nationality, age, and gender, it seems like things will go the way they did.

In short, the behavior of the Koreans we are seeing now is beyond the limits of either country.

“So what you’re saying is let’s catch the spy first. You want to catch him yourself? And within an hour?”

“I’m not sure. I’m just trying to rule out a few lines that seem most likely. If they work, I’ll take them. If they don’t, I’ll leave them.”

“Hey, Dmitry. Am I an idiot or is he speaking an alien language? I have no idea what he’s talking about.”

Anton shrugged his shoulders and flirted with Bugilma Dmitri. Then he straightened up and said:

“Hey, Director Kang Moo-hyuk. Let me make a premise first. We don’t hate Koreans that much. Rather, we see them as good business partners. Much better than those untrustworthy Japanese guys. First, I ask for your understanding so that there is no misunderstanding.”

“… … .”

“And to tell you what I really think… Hey, Korean. Where the hell are you coming from? Don’t you see anything because you’re backed by the Federation? If you don’t want to get a hole in your head, then get out.”

Noh Song-rin, who was standing next to Kang Mu-hyeok, felt the outside of his pocket. He felt the curved blade of a karambit.

‘If I keep chasing after Captain Kang, I’ll die of a heart attack first.’

The Tsar Guild was a local city guild in Russia, and compared to Korean guilds, it was somewhere between Tier and A-class. In terms of mobilization power of hunters, even Korean Tier guilds had to give it a try.

Why are you going to the extent of trying to die by touching a taboo that shouldn’t be touched in such a guild?

Kang Moo-hyuk opened his mouth, enduring the murderous intent that had become familiar to him after being threatened so many times.

“The Russian Guild accepts its members as family and brothers?”

“Do you really think that’s why I left the spy alone?”

“It’s the same in Korea. We call our guild members family. It means we live together and eat together.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? You want me to save my family? Are you trying to gain sympathy now?”

“That’s not it… … .”

Kang Moo-hyuk leaned his upper body toward Anton, who was sitting across from him, as if he had something important to say.

Anton pricked up his ears, curious to hear what she was going to say.

“I’m also struggling to save my family.”

“!!”

“Please understand it in that way.”

Kang Mu-hyeok finished politely and leaned back against the sofa, straightening his back again.

“This little shit!”

“Ahhh, Anton Gilma! Hold on, hold on! If you kill Captain Kang, things will get worse!”

“Let go, Kozlov! He’s threatening me right now! How dare he toy with me when he’s not even a hunter?!”

“Calm down, Gilma! There’s still the Upumangbau thing. If you act this way, Vladivostok will be blown away.”

Anton finally calmed down thanks to Kozlov and Dmitry’s persuasion.

Noh Song-rin, who instinctively held the karambit knife in her hand, sighed and whispered in Kang Mu-hyeok’s ear.

“Are you crazy, Captain?”

“This is fine. As you said, as long as Wufumangbau is here, they won’t be able to harm us.”

“You’re saying that now… … .”

Noh Song-rin tried to say something to Kang Mu-hyeok, who was negotiating like a stranger at the end of the world, but gave up.

Even though it may seem precarious on the surface, he always took charge of the situation and succeeded, so there was nothing to say.

Kang Moo-hyuk said one more thing to Anton, who was taking deep breaths to calm his excitement.

“So, you’re using the kidnapping of our members to do this. Please stop doing that.”

“What are you talking about out of the blue?”

“The Tsar’s Guild didn’t know that a tyrant was coming to Vladivostok? And they didn’t even notice that he was going to attack our members? And on top of that, they don’t even know where he’s hiding. Are you expecting me to believe that?”

“Huh! You think S-rank is some kind of rank earned from a card game? Even we can’t do it.”

“That’s right. The Tyrant is an S-rank. He’s not the kind of rank that can hide away. His personality is also far from being one of hiding.”

“What’s so dirty about Igor’s temper?”

“Now admit it.”

“What on earth are we going to do now… … .”

“The spies who leaked our information to the tyrant. The Tsar’s Guild. Aren’t they you?!”

Silence fell among the people.

Kozlov, belatedly shocked, glared at Anton and shouted:

“What are you talking about, Anton Gilma? Is what Captain Kang Moo-hyuk said true?”

“Hahahaha!”

Anton burst into laughter. Kozlov frowned. Kang Moo-hyuk couldn’t help but lose his serious expression. As the atmosphere grew cold, Anton waved his hand and said.

“Oh, sorry, sorry. How can we not laugh when you make such a ridiculous accusation? Hey, Captain Kang. Why are we leaking information to Igor, who is targeting us? Even a novel has to make sense. This is just too sloppy. Where are we going to beg for food like that?”

Kang Mu-hyeok said, spreading out his index finger.

“First, inform the Tyrant that you have found a way to resolve the Upumangbau. Second, induce the Tyrant to attack the members of Ironwill.”

“Hey, the premise is wrong. Let’s say we make a hundred concessions and induce them to attack. But we have to deal with Upumangbaou. Ironwill Hunters might die during the attack. Who would make such an uncertain plan?”

Anton cut off Kang Moo-hyuk. Kang Moo-hyuk answered his question without paying attention.

“Uncertain? No. The tyrant doesn’t necessarily need to kill our members. Rather, it could cause problems if he kills them. After all, the tyrant is bound by the Russian government. Killing them and seeing them off is only possible in an anarchic state. It would be a natural choice to kill them and negotiate. Can we continue?”

Anton couldn’t stop Kang Mu-hyeok from continuing to speak.

“Third. This is where it gets important. Third, use the media and community in Vladivostok to spread the word about the tyrant’s atrocities. Blame him as a shameless author who hijacked the solution of Upumangbau in order to take over the city. The people, who are extremely dissatisfied with the Upumangbau incident, will denounce the Russian Federation government. Prevent the central government from protecting the tyrant and get them to leave Vladivostok.”

“Wow! This is truly a novel!”

“Before coming to Vladivostok.”

“… … .”

“I have a favor to ask of the Federation. Let me use their best intelligence gathering asset. Clairvoyance, I think?”

“clairvoyance!”

Kozlov covered his mouth in shock. Anton, who was bothered by the sight, asked.

“Clairvoyance? Do you know?”

“I don’t know exactly what Celestial Vision is because my security level is low. However, I know that it is the Federation’s greatest intelligence asset. And to allow them to use it… It seems like the Federation really values ​​Director Kang Mu-hyeok.”

“What on earth is clairvoyance?”

“I’ve heard that information that you decide to find out is an intelligence asset that you’ll definitely find out if the conditions are right.”

“I gave the Federation two keywords.”

As soon as Anton finished explaining, Kang Mu-hyeok intervened.

“Vladivostok and Igor Dudnik. I asked you to find out where he was hiding. Maybe he’s found him by now. It will soon be revealed where he is and why the Tsar’s Guild can’t find him. Shall we talk again then?”

Anton suddenly ruffled his hair.

“Damn it! Trimitri, that’s why I said I wouldn’t do this!”

“Gi, Gilma… … .”

“Yeah, I figured out the information. Now that we’re on the subject, how on earth did you know that?”

“There’s something more curious than that.”

“Anything you’re curious about? I don’t know what it is, but I’m more curious!”

Anton shouted, but Kang Mu-hyeok kept his mouth shut. Anton didn’t hold out long and declared surrender.

“What are you curious about? Tell me.”

“This plan. Who proposed it?”

* * *

Ayla asked Alex about her unanswered questions.

“Alex. Did Kang Mu-hyeok really ask to use clairvoyance? There’s no way the Round Table would allow that.”

“To be exact, he didn’t ask to use clairvoyance. He didn’t even know clairvoyance existed.”

“But how can you have clairvoyance… … .”

“He just asked me for some help.”

“Help?”

“One of them was to find out what the best intelligence asset in the Federation was. How it worked, how powerful it was, whether our agents in Russia knew about its existence, etc. They wanted information.”

“Just some information?”

“Yes. Since everyone in the alliance knows about Cheonryan at least once or twice, I thought it wouldn’t be a difficult request as long as you don’t tell me your real identity.”

“What are you going to do with that?”

“Well, I didn’t hear it exactly. From what I heard, it sounded like a threat? A negotiation? Something like that… Anyway, he said it was one of the materials he was going to use.”

“Material? What are you going to use it for?”

“I don’t know about anything else, but it seems that Captain Kang Mu-hyeok was suspicious of the Tsar Guild from the beginning.”