Ch. 219 - I Didn't Make Time To Listen To You Complimenting Me
Against the Clock: The Team Leader’s Pursuit of GloryThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Oort Cloud--
Among North American hunters, it was simply known as OC. The term "Oort Cloud" originally referred to a hypothetical group of celestial bodies made of dust and ice, surrounding the outermost part of the solar system like a shell.
Known to be the origin of a long-period comet that revolves around the Sun once, the comet has an orbital period of more than 200 years, making it much quicker than standard short-period comets.
The organization's name, OC, carried an aura of mystery. Several speculations existed regarding the name of the group which was something straight out of a science textbook. Some said the founder was an astronomer, while others believed it was the brainchild of an astronomy enthusiast. Though the exact origin of the name remained unclear, its meaning was profound.
The group was formed through the combined efforts of freelance hunters, who were members of regular attack squads, commonly called clans, and raiding parties
by freelance hunters
"Freelance hunters are like the dust and ice of the Oort Cloud---seemingly insignificant. But even if they're ice and dust, sometimes something pops out of them. Like the comets that emerge from the Oort Cloud. It can cause a huge impact when they crash into something. The founder wanted OC to be a place where such talent could shine. He believed freelancers weren't useless or inferior."
James Woolbert, the Los Angeles branch manager of OC, was giving a lecture on the O.C.'s founding principles to two new attack squad captains.
The office was small, nearly cramped with the three large hunters inside, yet the atmosphere was far more serious than any guild meeting. James sat at the empty desk, looking down at the two hunters seated in worn-out but sturdy chairs.
"There are only two things you need to remember. First, hunt hard and grow according to OC's ideals to become the best hunters. Second, now that you're in O.C. don't do the embarrassing things you used to do as freelancers."
One of the hunters, chewing gum nonchalantly, smirked. "What embarrassing thing is there for us to do?"
Without warning, James grabbed the hunter's cheeks in one hand. The hunter, caught off guard, squirmed in protest as he had no chance to evade. Since James's grip was unyielding, his words couldn't be heard properly.
The Hunter, who felt humiliated, could no longer hold back and was about to gather his strength in retaliation when Woolbert warned him by pointing to the wall behind him. His voice had murderous intent to it.
"Do you see that?"
On the wall hung a framed picture. It was the logo of the Oort Cloud---a dark blue circle encircled by a circular band, with the letters "OC" in the middle.
"That's the OC symbol. Down here, you don't chew gum, and you don't smoke. Show some manners. And anyone who doesn't know what manners are, I'll gladly show you what embarrassing things there are. Understood?"
The hunter nodded, his strength melting away. The other hunter, who had been standing next to him, suddenly met with Woolbert's murderous gaze. He swallowed hard and quickly nodded as well.
"If you understand, spit it out."
As soon as he released the first hunter, he immediately spat the gum into his own hand in a hurry.
'For a moment, I underestimated him because he seemed so gentlemanly. But this guy's the famous fanatic of O.C. after all!'
Though only for a moment, he felt James's overwhelming strength.
A+ and A ranks. It wasn't a mere difference in ranks. The vast differences in combat power, depend on skills, traits, and equipment ranks. The hunter who spit out the gum realized he couldn't defeat James, even if he reached A+ rank.
"What are you standing around for? Get out there and hunt. Don't slack off just because you were freelancers. Hunt hard!"
The two hunters quickly exited at his orders to leave, leaving James alone. Turning to the OC logo, he bowed his head and muttered a prayer.
"Today, I guided some lost young souls. I pray they don't cause trouble and grow into S-rank hunters. May they earn plenty and pay their membership fees on time..."
"Branch Manager!"
"I told you not to disturb me while I'm praying, Billy!"
James snapped as the door burst open. Billy Johnberg, a confidant of James, and the only one whom he tolerated if he were to interrupt his prayers.
But that didn't mean he would act rashly. He only did so when it was urgent and important. Knowing that, Woolbert did not scold him any more and ended his prayer.
"What is it, Billy? Why are you so impatient?"
"We got a message from Las Vegas."
"What about it? Let me guess---someone got drunk, gambled away their money, and caused a scene? They didn't burn down a casino, did they?"
"That doesn't happen anymore after you crushed the Roadkill Clan when they caused trouble that one time."
"Then what is it?"
"Have you heard of the Rider Wolf?"
"I've seen the name in the news. They're breeding them somewhere in the East, right?"
"Yes, in South Korea."
"Yeah. That place. What about it?"
"The person in charge of the guild that manages the Rider Wolf business is in Las Vegas."
Billy expected a look of surprise from James on the news yet, Woolbert's response was lukewarm.
"Aren't you surprised?"
"Should I be? Maybe he's on vacation."
"It's not a vacation."
"Then what? Is he here to sell the wolves?"
"Yes. The guild in San Diego contacted me. They said they're selling in the U.S., which is why the San Diego branch is so busy. They're negotiating to see if we can get it too for OC."
"What? San Diego?!"
Woolbert finally reacted, clenching his fists in frustration.
"Why San Diego? Not New York, not Miami... I'd even prefer San Francisco. No, wait---those guys wouldn't work either."
Billy could understand Woolbert's overreaction.
The heads of the Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco branches were locked in fierce competition for the role of general manager in charge of California.
Woolbert's indignation grew.
"Las Vegas is right under our nose. Why are they getting involved?!"
"If you think about it, Las Vegas is in Nevada. The Carson City branch manager technically has priority..."
"What does that Carson City bumpkin know? He can barely manage himself! Why do you think we're working so hard to manage freelancers in Las Vegas?"
"That's true. But if Carson City starts staking claims, it could become a problem. There's also a rumour that the branch manager there is looking for a chance to transfer to a more prominent city."
"They're all scrambling, ignoring jurisdiction just to get a higher position. Anyway, you didn't just come here to tell me about the wolf, did you? Have you gathered the personal information of the person in charge? Or at least the hotel where they're staying?"
"That was a bit...."
"What? You haven't?"
"I found out the basics---their name and affiliation---but I couldn't track down their exact location. There's a skilled hunter guarding him. I heard that anyone who tried to follow them was disarmed and knocked out. Of course, even guys from the San Diego team ended up in the same situation."
Woolbert's face twisted in disbelief.
'They took such preemptive action just for following them? Without even checking who they are? Responding this aggressively means the case is just that sensitive. It must be a major deal.'
The LA branch O.C. agents Woolbert had sent to Las Vegas were some of his best---hunters handpicked for their skills and experience. So much so they were used as frontline reconnaissance units during raids. Some were even A-rank hunters. But the fact that they'd been subdued suggested their opponents were far superior---likely A+ rank.
"Where exactly did we lose them in Las Vegas?"
"Why are you asking that? Are you planning to go there yourself?"
"If I leave this to the guys, the bread that was baking will burn. I have to step in and finish this quickly. The California State Master is retiring soon. If I miss this chance, there's no telling when I'll get another."
"I'll find out right away."
"I'll find it myself. I'm leaving now. Have the team stand by and call in all the passwords."
***
The O.C.'s LA branch was bustling with activity. Kang Mu-hyuk had returned to Los Angeles, and waiting for him was an unexpected encounter.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kailan Fisher, General Manager of Gunpowder."
He was an official from one of LA's largest guilds.
"We cut off all trails. You're more capable than I thought seeing you managed to find us this quick."
"The route from Las Vegas to LA is predictable, after all."
"Did you assume I'd be based in LA?"
"There's talk that you're working with the San Diego Guild. Las Vegas is a place San Diego people tend to avoid for various reasons--- too many freelance hunters and criminals. Meeting in LA would be the better choice."
"That's some good judgment."
"I hope coming here directly wasn't too rude of me. I trust it was the right decision to make."
Kang Mu-hyuk led Fisher to his room-- specially prepared for private conversations. Its condition was top-tier and it was even equipped with a facility to prevent anyone from spying using their skills.
Jang Deuk-goo and No Songrin, who had entered first, confirmed the room was secure. Only then did Kang Mu-hyuk offer Fisher a seat.
"Well, I assume there's a good reason you sought me out. What is it?"
"I've done some research on you, Director Kang Mu-hyuk. You seem to be exceptionally talented."
"I didn't make time for you just so I could listen to compliments. This room wasn't cheap to prepare. If you're looking to make this meeting worthwhile, you'd better have a solid proposal."
"As you might have guessed--- it's regarding the Rider Wolf. Sell it to us. We'll offer you a fair price, likely better than what San Diego is offering."
Kang Mu-hyuk's expression remained cold. Outwardly, he seemed dissatisfied, but it was a calculated act. Internally, he was analyzing the situation.
'I deliberately brought up San Diego in LA and Las Vegas earlier. The rivalry between them appears to be more intense than what I heard from Aila.'
Before coming to the U.S., Kang Mu-hyuk had gathered intel about the LA Hunter community from Aila, meticulously planning his approach. Fisher's swift response was unexpected and showed how much of a hurry he was in. So, Kang Mu-hyuk decided to increase the pressure on his opponent a little.
"You're asking me to close a deal before even I've met with my business partner. No matter how unethical the hunter world is, you want me to ignore industry norms entirely. I don't like the sound of that at all."
"Where there's no ethics, there's bound to be more money. Depending on the amount of money in one's hands, industry norms change too. I assure you, there are only a few guilds in the U.S. that can give you what the Rider Wolf is truly worth. And at least in LA, Gunpowder is likely the only one."
Kang Mu-hyuk chuckled deliberately.
"Aren't there multiple places in LA similar to Gunpowder? Like Call My Name or Ithaca."