Ch. 228 - It Was Hard to Simply Let Go Now.

Hamilton was furious, but he didn't show it.

"Guild Leader Kang, I heard you were Korea's first civilian guild leader. You're in your 30s now---reaching such a level at that age must have taken an insane schedule even for someone who doesn't take breaks. Is that why you just don't know when to stop?"

His once-gentlemanly expression twisted into something fierce, and even his tone became sharp.

.

"I used to work in the CIA, out in the field. Just think about why a former intelligence agent like me is now sitting at a desk in the White House?"

"I don't know, to keep your temper in check, maybe?"

Kang Muhyuk retorted with a cold voice.

"Hah, that's an interesting take. You know, none of those who ran their mouths in front of me managed to live to their years. Since that was during my previous job, let's drop that talk. Here's the real question---do you really think Hunters only deal with other Hunters?"

A Hunter fights another Hunter. Anyone in this world would know that much. That meant Hamilton must have been hinting at something deeper. Kang Mu-hyuk didn't hesitate to reply.

"The system. Rather than fighting with Hunters, I'd say it controls them."

"You seem to know your stuff."

"That's what I do every day."

"Well, yeah. An ordinary person would need at least that much foresight to handle powerful Hunters."

"What's your point then?"

"I've watched plenty of nations crumble during my time in the CIA. And I'm not the only one---Hunters have seen it too. No matter how powerful they are, they know that if the order collapses, they won't have a place to rest. Ironically, Hunters are both the destroyers and the protectors of order. In other words, they're the ones who can manipulate a country's system. Which is why, if you approach those guys with a bureaucratic mindset, you won't last long. That's why my predecessors all died young. That's why I'm in this coffin called the Hunter Policy Bureau."

"I still don't get it. I'm sure you're not giving your funeral invitation in advance."

"Invitation to when someone has died... oh, please. I just wanted to explain to you in detail that I'm not a guy who's gonna easily listen to you. After all, there are always those who just don't get things if you talk to them politely."

"Oh? You should've led with that. This is a threat then. If I don't comply, I'll end up in the hospital. But since you're from the White House, you won't just put a bullet in my head---you'll be more... sophisticated. You're talking about sanctions, aren't you?"

"Do you seriously think I came here just to persuade you? I flashed my White House credentials, but I'm not here as a representative of the U.S. government today. How about that? Do you get what I'm saying now?"

Only then did Kang Mu-hyuk see who the shadows behind Hamilton were leading to.

"So you're here as a representative. For the cattle ranchers in the East."

"Lobbyists don't just exist. They do a lot of work behind the scenes before even rumours hit the political world. Today, I'm not here as an official of the White House but as a mediator."

Hamilton's expression and tone shifted in an instant, as though he put on a mask. Kang Mu-hyuk changed gears as calmly as his opponent, who freely switched between dual personalities.

"Mr. Hamilton, I'm just a civilian running a small guild on the outskirts of Hunter World. My only bargaining chip is the wolves. I'm not someone who forces his way through."

"Come on, you're no ordinary civilian. There's also the S-rank."

"Guild Master Ju Se-ah reached S-rank because she's just that good, not because of me."

"I wasn't talking about Hunter Ju Se-ah. I meant Shimwol."

"Shim... who?"

"You know---the Chinese Sunset Guild's S-rank."

"Ah... that Shimwol?"

"The fact that a so-called 'ordinary' man thought about taking down an S-rank and even made it happen--that's not something just anyone can do."

"That's a misunderstanding."

Kang Muhyuk turned a blind eye to what he insinuated. He didn't leave any evidence. In the end, it was just a guess.

'Or is it really just a guess?'

Now that Ju Se-ah had reached S-rank, it was only natural that the United States---the world's dominator in Hunter affairs---would investigate the forces surrounding her. During that process, they might have uncovered traces of the operation against Shimwol.

'Since it involved working with the Tyrant, maybe the intel leaked from Russia...'

Of course, even that would be speculation. But it was still better than wandering in the dark. Hence, Kang Muhyuk decided to roll with it.

"Hunter Shimwol was a Chinese hero. He died a glorious death fighting the dragon."

"That was the official narrative, sure. When I saw the announcement, I was curious---how exactly did you 'handle' the Yellow Dragon Guild?"

"I'll say it again. I'm just some insignificant guild leader. S-ranks aren't common to come by, and they operate far beyond my control."

"I can only imagine what kind of know-how comes at a high price. But let's save that topic for another time. We've spent too long on introductions. Let's get to the real issue---refrain from letting Rider Wolf expand into the West."

"So you're just taking away the livelihoods of small and mid-sized guilds? Americans really do play dirty. But fine. I suppose you don't want the Federation getting involved. I'll step back. How do you want to go with it? Want me to put it in writing?"

"Are you sure about that? The guy who doesn't like leaving evidence? No thanks. That's fine. This business runs on trust. We just have to trust each other and keep working together."

"Well, yeah. I guess there's no need for a written agreement. If someone provokes the temper of the White House, they wouldn't be able to handle the consequences anyway."

"Well, I suppose our conversation went well. I'll trust you and take my leave."

Just as Hamilton was about to stand up, Kang Mu-hyuk raised a hand to stop him.

"It would be a shame if you left so soon. Why not consider setting up a new game?"

"A new game?"

"I heard you sometimes work as a lobbyist. The more clients you have, the better, right?"

"Ha?"

"The two guilds in the East, plus Dragon Horse. The World Hunters Federation, plus Rider Wolf. Wouldn't it be reasonable for you to discreetly back one of the Western guilds as well?"

"It's been a while since I had this much fun."

He sat back down, feeling that these negotiations were far from over.

* * *

"The cave is deeper than what I expected."

Powell nodded at Grant's observation.

"Longer too."

The tunnel twisted and turned in ways that made it difficult to tell direction. They had walked quite a distance, far enough to be sure they had left Skid Row behind.

"No way a few dozen of those creatures could dig a hole this massive. This isn't something that happened overnight."

"Could they be ants? A new species that uses poison?"

"Doesn't seem like ants. They've burrowed this deep under the city, yet the ground is stable. Look at the walls---whatever this material is, it's hardened, almost like cement."

"I'll have to add these traits when running the database."

"Maybe it's an undocumented species. If possible, I'd like to capture at least one. At the very least, we need to see what it looks like."

Concern flashed across the hunters' faces. It wasn't just the possibility of encountering an unknown species---it was the sheer potential number of swarm monsters they might face.

No matter how skilled a hunter was, unless they were S-rank, they couldn't handle human-wave tactics. And if they were to get cornered in this narrow cave...

'Just thinking about it is terrifying.'

Grant pressed forward, unable to express his unease. He knew his stubborn superior wouldn't listen to his suggestion to retreat if he were the one to make it. Saying so would only make him look weak. Besides, after marching in with motivational slogans for his subordinates, calling for a retreat now would be embarrassing.

"Shh."

Powell, leading the group, put a finger to his lips.

The hunter in the middle of the line caught on and immediately deactivated the light spell.

Darkness swallowed the cave. The hunters' eyes adjusted as they activated their night vision. Soon the hunters could distinguish objects with the green light.

At the far end of the cave, something crawled, rustling. It was difficult to tell what it was just by its shape. The hunters crouched low, focusing their eyes.

'Wings?'

Though faint, there was no mistaking it---those were wings attached to its back.

'Burrowing creatures with wings? Wait... some ant-type monsters do have wings. Could they really be ants?'

On a closer look---the creature had something with its tail. From afar, it looked like a cocoon.

'That must be his prey. So they really are ants?'

Powell quietly used his messaging skill.

"Doesn't it look like an ant?"

"Yeah, it does."

"But it seems to be a new, poisonous species. Let's catch it and bring it back. Secure the specimen."

Grant immediately relayed Powell's orders. A hunter with stealth skill crept toward the creature cautiously, followed closely by another hunter with speed skill. The moment the stealth hunter struck, the high-speed hunter lunged in support. A perfectly timed two-pronged attack.

Screeches and roars erupted through the cave, echoing off the hardened walls of the cave.

The battle was over almost as soon as it began. Then---two ear-piercing screams echoed.

"What? What are those two so shocked about? Turn on the light."

Powell stepped closer, eager to inspect their flaccid prey. Soon, they cast the lighting skill. Powell took one look and let out a groan.

"It's not an ant."

Lying before them was a winged creature, twice the size of a human. Its body was dark brown, with antennae sprouting from its head and sharp, saw-like teeth protruding from its snout. The segmented body---head, thorax, abdomen---was unmistakably an insectoid.

'And there's even a needle at the end of its tail.'

Powell recognized the monster instantly. Even with all his experience, he had never encountered one in person. No one had encountered it---not in North America, at the very least.

Reports of this monster had surfaced multiple times across Europe and Asia, but no country had suffered as much as Africa. The damage had been so catastrophic that even the U.S. government had classified the creature as a dangerous species, sharing intelligence about it as a precaution.

"Damn it. This... This isn't something we can just ignore."

Their mission had started at an illegal brewery, making it difficult to report the discovery to the authorities. But the real problem wasn't the brewery itself---it was the businesses that relied on it. If they exposed the circumstances of this find carelessly, it could shake up the entire guild.

Bzzzz!

The faint sound of wings flapping sounded, leaving no time to think.

"Those idiots!"

Powell cursed and slammed the monster's head into the ground. The buzzing in his ears stopped immediately.

"You should've made sure it was dead, you idiots!"

"S-Sorry, sorry!"

"I got confused because it wasn't an ant..."

Grant took a step toward Powell, who had raised his hand as if ready to punch.

"That's not the problem right now. These things are sensitive to sound. That one just sent a signal to the others, which means soon---"

He never got to finish. From deep within the tunnel came the sound of countless flapping wings.

"We're pulling back! Grant, take the lead! I'll cover the rear!"

* * *

"BTA! BTA! BTA!"

The concert was heating up. As the show progressed from the middle to the final stages, the atmosphere had grown electrifying, beyond anything words could describe. The music and cheers were so loud they could be heard even outside the stadium. Inside, both fans and performers were passionately enjoying the moment. During a brief talk with the artist, Go 

Eul-ji turned to Kim Nari, clutching her head, dizzy with excitement.

"Nari... I'm so happy I could die today."

"No way. I already bought tickets for tomorrow's show. If you're going to die, at least wait until after that."

"Oh, right! That would be such a waste!"

The brief talk session on stage came to an end, and the next song was announced.

-The next song is from this album. 'For You!'

A soft piano intro began, and one by one, the members took their turns singing in their soft voices. They sang passionately, and the fans responded by singing along. The energy in the concert hall, which had momentarily cooled, surged back to life as the next song kicked in. The group danced on stage to the exciting dance song. The crowd erupted in cheers, their screams cutting through the space.

"Whooo!"

"BTA!"

"Gyaaaah!"

But amid the chaotic excitement, Go Eul-ji suddenly felt a strange unease.

'Why do I like something's wrong?'

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