Ch. 220 - Why Is It Fiery?

Fisher frowned at the mention of the Ithaca Guild.

"Well, you compared us to Call My Name, a prestigious LA guild. That's fine. But comparing us to those scumbags from Ithaca is downright insulting."

"Quite an intense reaction. Well, I've heard the stories. Ithaca operates in a precarious grey area, teetering between illegal and fraudulent activities. There's also the fact that Ithaca has tension with Gunpowder due to a clash of interests."

"That's because they get away without being caught. In reality, they primarily engage in illegal business. Even if they make you an offer, it's best to stay away."

"Is that a warning?"

"It's sincere advice. The smell of your surroundings will eventually become yours."

"If LA's biggest guild, Gunpowder, is saying that, then Ithaca does really seem like a trashy guild... which makes me even more curious."

"About what?"

"No matter how well a guild involved in illegal business avoids the law, there must be limits to what they can get away with. Why, then, does the Hunter Crime Bureau let them operate unchecked?"

Fisher couldn't answer. It wasn't that he didn't know--- in fact, he knew all too well. 

Political-business collusion. Bureaucratic-business collusion. 

Because the dirty underbelly of the hunter industry was something everyone was aware of. That wasn't to say that Fisher was embarrassed in overexposing the LA hunter community's darker side to outsiders. He hesitated to answer because he suspected Kang Mu-hyuk's intentions in bringing up Ithaca.

'He brought up Ithaca on purpose. Call My Name was just a decoy.'

The question was, why Ithaca?

'Does he think bringing up Ithaca will give him an advantage in this deal since they're on bad terms with Gunpowder?'

Fisher thought quickly and concluded: No.

'We've already expressed our willingness to pay the full price for Rider Wolf. He doesn't need to negotiate leverage in the first place.'

LA is home to some of the best guilds in the United States, and such a large LA guild had just lowered their pride and come for a deal. Negotiating with a smile was all he needed to do to secure a big profit. So why try to provoke anger?

While Fisher mulled over these thoughts, Kang Mu-hyuk pressed on.

"This negotiation over Rider Wolf is simply about who can give me what I want."

Fisher wasn't shaken by the remark which brought them back to the original topic. That's because he had an idea of what Kang Mu-hyuk might be after.

'He mentioned Ithaca and then suddenly pivoted to the negotiation. Do those guys have something he wants?'

A situation with only guesses and no answers. Fisher decided to probe further.

"What exactly do you want?"

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it yet."

"You came to America without even thinking about what you want? I don't believe that for a second. Let's say you're telling the truth--- do you think the Guild you're negotiating with in San Diego can give you what you're after? If you don't mind, may I ask which guild it is?"

"I don't know. Would they be happy about that? Honestly, I doubt they'd be happy about me telling someone before any official announcements. But, of course, it's not like we've decided to uphold the deal with them no matter what."

Although Kang Mu-hyuk acted nonchalant, Fisher read between the lines.

'So he's open to dealing with anyone who meets his conditions.'

Not mentioning the terms suggested they were difficult to disclose. Fisher thought that perhaps finding out those terms was part of the deal.

"Alright. Next time, I'll bring something more satisfying. Oh, by the way, here's the offer we intended to present today. Please take a look."

Fisher pulled a folded envelope from his jacket, placed it on the table, and left the room. When Kang Mu-hyuk didn't open the envelope, No Songrin grew curious and asked, keeping a watchful eye on him.

"Aren't you going to open it?"

"There's no need. We'll decide the price ourselves anyway."

"Then, can I take a look? I'm curious about the figure."

With Kang Mu-hyuk's nod, No Songrin unfolded the envelope and examined the simple, one-page purchase proposal.

"One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand... Whoa, is this for real? All this money for just one wolf?"

Jang Deuk-goo, standing nearby, snatched the proposal from him whose tongue was practically out. He glanced at it, smiling bitterly.

"At this rate, there's no point in insisting on domestic shipments."

"No matter how high the offer is, we can't handle US's demand right now. The Rider Wolf business can only continue if we meet the domestic supply targets."

"In the end, it's just bait for the Federation test, huh?"

"Think of it as a business trip to secure future customers, not as bait."

No Songrin, frustrated by the exchange, muttered, "What the hell? What's the point of making such a big deal out of this if you don't plan to sell Rider Wolf? How are you going to handle the fallout.."

"That's the Federation's responsibility--- it's their test. I made sure to include that in the conditions during negotiations."

No Songrin tried to recall the negotiations with the Federation but couldn't remember Kang Mu-hyuk explicitly mentioning such terms.

"Am I mistaken? Unless my ears are deceiving me, I don't recall the Federation agreeing to take responsibility."

"Remember when they assured me of my safety?"

"No way..."

"Even if something goes wrong, they've agreed to send me back to Korea safely."

"You call that a plan...?" 

No Songrin was so shocked he was speechless.

The test conditions cleverly included a clause guaranteeing his safety. But to his understanding, it was a condition in unavoidable circumstances. Yet.t Kang Mu-hyuk was using that as a shield to commit fraud against powerful forces across LA, Las Vegas, San Diego, and the rest of California--- a state with a population of 40 million and nearly double the area of the Korean Peninsula.

Although his guts to go against such a powerful state was commendable, causing trouble was an entirely different issue.

"I understand your concerns, Hunter No Songrin, but you don't need to worry. The Federation's support is simply our last resort. We'll be fine if we just stick to the plan."

No Songrin shook his head, muttering something unexpected.

"Did you know about the three big lies in the Korean hunter community?"

"Does something like that really exist?"

"The story of Slayer's downfall, the story of Ju Se-ah's death, and lastly, Kang Muhyuk's 'Don't worry's.'"

"This is the first I've heard of it."

"Of course. These only circulate within our guild. Please take note--- every time you tell us not to worry, you then do something so outrageous my heart races. I'm afraid it'll stop altogether. Even the guild members joke that we won't even die by our own will."

"Have I ever dragged the guild into deadly battles?"

"I'm just saying that's how unconventional your style is."

Kang Mu-hyuk reflected briefly on his eventful year as the Guild Leader.

North Pocheon migration, goblin tribe raid, orc war, Russian Oopoomangbawoo incident, Sinuiju battle, Tumen River defence, northeastern suppression campaign, Demonic Realm War...

These were just the publicized events. Other classified operations, such as the battle against an S-rank and the dismantling of the White Tiger Guild, were never disclosed.

"It's true, we've done way too much. No wonder they fear they might die at an early age. But even hunters need a work-life balance, so I guess we need to try to avoid overworking, right?"

"Why does your response feel off the point?"

"I'll make note of it---increased vacation time, better welfare."

"That's not the point... haaa... Forget it. Do whatever you want. I'll handle the fallout."

Smiling, Kang Mu-hyuk reassured No Songrin who sighed and gave up explaining, "I'm just kidding. I was just messing with you. I understand your concerns, but you really don't need to worry. At least in the West, no major guild would get angry over a minor, straightforward request."

"What does that mean? Why do we not have to worry in the West?"

"The North American monster ranches are concentrated in the East, as is the supply. Unlike Korea's tier-based guild allocations, 90% of their shipments go to the East due to the circumstances. That means Western guilds can't even dream of monster mounts. Even though the gate appearance frequency is actually 1.4 times higher than in the East."

No Songrin hit his forehead. 

"So we have the upper hand? Because we might be able to supply those mounts?"

"We'll start shipping mounts later this year. It's a better option for Western guilds to rely on us rather than relying on uncertain shipments from the East, even if we can't provide them with the goods right away due to domestic supply. Especially for Western guilds aiming to move up and those near Gunpowder's level. For them, the Rider Wolf will be crucial."

Reflecting on this, No Songrin thought, 'As expected, worrying about the Guild Leader was the most pointless thing I could do. Did he have a plan all along?'

Just as his expression softened, as if convinced, Kang Mu-hyuk was already on another plan. 

'I'm overdoing it a little with Thomas Lee, but I don't think I need to explain that. Whatever the goal is, I just need to stir things up with the Ithaca Guild.'

A clue in treating mana addiction and showcasing the potential of the hunter after he is freed from that condition.

These are two reasons why he forcibly dragged the Ithaca Guild into this. Of course, simply using Gunpowder to make the Ithaca Guild conscious was useless. But they were an essential piece on the chessboard. So, he laid the groundwork for future plans to fit them in.

He thought about how the plan was risky and would have many variables. But he would have no choice but to improvise. 

At that moment, Kang Mu-hyuk met Jang Deuk-goo's eyes. Though he seemed to have a lot to say, Jang Deuk-goo said nothing. He was a man of deep thought, but because he was reserved, he rarely got involved in anything. This time, he didn't seem to have any intention of deviating too far from his original mission of supporting Kang Mu-hyuk. 

Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was about to send a look of gratitude his way--

Ding dong!

The doorbell rang.

"Is another guild here to see you now?"

No Songrin opened the door without thinking. And there...

"Kid? What are you doing here?"

Go Eulji stood in the door.

"What about the concert?"

"It's tomorrow. Is the guild leader here?"

"Yeah. Come in---wait, who's that?"

A man peeked out from behind the door.

"I'm Thomas Lee. I've come to see Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk."

"Why is a hunter here to see the Guild Leader?"

"He said the guild leader came to America looking for him."

Since Go Eul-ji spoke without understanding the context, No Songrin asked, saying he didn't get it.

"What are you talking about?"

"I heard from Go Eul-ji. It seems I have the same illness as Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk," Thomas explained on her behalf.

No Songrin's expression changed instantly. His demeanour turned sharp, and he raised the karambit knife running down his left wrist, aiming for Thomas' Adam's apple.

"Hey, is this guy crazy? Why is he trying to stab me when he just saw me?".

"Kid, what are you thinking, going around talking about the Guild Leader's illness so carelessly?" 

"Ahjussi No, try talking to this guy! See if you don't get caught up in his leading questions. He's got a crafty tongue. He even got all my personal information from me on our way here."

Go Eulji glared at Thomas as if she were treated unfairly. She was signalling him to come up with an excuse. However, Thomas, oblivious to the tension, interpreted the situation in his own way.

"You attacked me as soon as you saw me as well. Is that perhaps the Iron Will Guild's way of saying hello?"

"No, that was different. And don't forget, I'm on your side now."

"I don't know why we need sides, but it's hard to make comparisons when I don't know the full situation. So, what's the situation?" Thomas asked, turning to No Songrin. He kept his face expressionless and replied kindly.

"The Guild Leader's illness is top secret. Of course, I'm suspicious of anyone who mentions it so freely on a first meeting."

"So, it's okay to point a knife at someone when you first meet them?"

"You can find out the reason later. The rule here is 'report after the preemptive strike.' If you have an issue with it, climb higher in rank than me. Isn't that how it works in the US as well?"

"I can't argue with that. For a Hunter, rank is law," Thomas admitted without hesitation, disarming himself.

Meanwhile, Go Eul-ji was saddled with the task of carrying items and weapons intended exclusively for mages.

"Haa, I came all the way here for my oppas' concert. Why am I stuck with this burden?"

"It's not that heavy. It's mage-specific gear, so it's made of lightweight materials."

"I meant you. Not the luggage."

"Oh, me? So that was a metaphor. I'm not very fluent in Korean, so I realized it late. Sorry about that."

Even when she was sarcastic, Thomas made sense of it and then understood it. That was a talent in itself. Go Eulji entered the room, once again confirming that she and Thomas were completely out of sync.

Thomas followed her in, the knife to his back. As he stepped into the living room, he immediately recognized who Kang Mu-hyuk was. The air of someone strangely similar to himself. When Thomas looked in the mirror each day, he saw the same empty eyes staring back at him. But there was one striking difference.

'Why is it fiery?'

An unidentified, smouldering desire boiled deep within Kang Mu-hyuk's seemingly hollow gaze. Suddenly, Thomas grew curious. More about him than about his own illness. What lay behind those eyes, Thomas wondered.

"It's not the timing I expected to meet you, but I got to see you now. Nice to meet you. I'm Kang Mu-hyuk."

Comments