Against the Clock: The Team Leader’s Pursuit of Glory

Son Joongbeom left his office and headed toward the situation room, with Eum Youngjin walking beside him.  

As they hurried into the elevator.  

“They invite us to meet, then announce Ju Se-ah’s rank up? This is complete bullshit. It’s a declaration of war!”  

Son Joongbeom, who had been preparing to meet Kang Mu-hyuk after receiving Eum Youngjin’s report, realized the gravity of the situation the moment he saw Ju Se-ah’s press conference.  

Like all White Tiger Guild leaders before him, his finely tuned survival instincts were on high alert.  

“They planned on putting an end to this from the start.”

He should have seen the signs earlier—when Kang Mu-hyuk began associating with Sung Seonjae  

‘I assumed Kang Mu-hyuk was working with Sung Seonjae because of Ju Se-ah, but it turns out they were in on it because Sung Seonjae acknowledged him.’

Sung Seonjae was infamous for being selective about his collaborations. To earn his cooperation, one had to have substantial ability. Without his approval, you were either used or ignored entirely.  

“What’s critical now is whether Ju Se-ah has truly become an S-rank,” Eum Youngjin said, his voice trembling with unspoken anxiety.  n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Son Joongbeom, in contrast, remained calm.  

“I doubt he’d joke about something like that during a nationally broadcast speech. Ju Se-ah was already a strong candidate for S-rank. It was only a matter of timing.”  

“Just because someone’s a candidate doesn’t mean they’ll make it to S-rank,” Eum countered.  

Son Joongbeom shook his head firmly, dismissing the doubts.  

“Maybe she already achieved S-rank but kept it hidden until now.”  

“Why would anyone hide that? There are so many benefits to being an S-rank…”  

“There are just as many drawbacks. An S-rank attracts threats from the Japanese Hunter community and pressure from domestic Tier guilds. Without strong guild support, managing those issues isn’t easy. Keeping it a secret might have been the better choice.”  

While they were talking, the elevator doors opened at their floor, and a cacophony of noise greeted them.  

Operators were making frantic phone calls to call back Hunters from their dispatches, while communications staff worked to check the surrounding defense systems. The situation room was alive with activity, resembling a bustling marketplace.  

The operator team leader in charge of the room made brief eye contact with Son Joongbeom, nodding slightly in acknowledgment before continuing with their tasks.  

Son Joongbeom didn’t take issue with the casual attitude. In Tier Guilds, the operation of the situation room was fluid, adapting to the needs of the moment. While A-class guilds were also large organizations, they rarely enforced such strict protocols in this area.  

For example, in the Titan Guild, most core departments—including the situation room—were under the control of Vice Guild Master Ma Taesu. 

Only Tier Guilds truly understood the importance of maintaining independence in critical areas like the strategy team and situation room. Even the Guild Master wouldn’t interfere arbitrarily.  

After finishing their instructions to the team, the operator team leader approached Son Joongbeom.  

“What’s the status of our defenses?”  

“I’ve upgraded them to Level 1 immediately. I also contacted the Gate under raid.”  

“I suppose they won’t be able to reach it in time.”  

“Would they really attack right away? I don’t like the idea of fighting in the city. Even if he’s crazy, doing something that could provoke the investigation department would be risky.”  

“He’s not your average crazy guy. Didn’t you see him drive out the Chinese satellite guild in Sinuiju? And the Yellow Dragon Guild guys, who are famous for never backing down, got played too. He could do anything and it still wouldn’t be too strange for him.”  

Son Joongbeom had never met Kang Mu-hyuk, but he was confident that his opponent wouldn’t hesitate to attack. On the other hand, Eum Youngjin, who had clashed with Kang Mu-hyuk several times, wasn’t convinced by Son Joongbeom’s argument. He had a different take on the situation.  

‘Wouldn’t Ju Se-ah’s S-rank announcement actually make things safer for us? If they attack us right after reaching S-rank, it’ll provoke other Tier guilds. Besides, starting a guild war in Seoul would paint us all as dangerous. It’s a losing proposition for Kang Mu-hyuk too. There’s no way he doesn’t know that.’

Eum Youngjin didn’t share his thoughts with Son Joongbeom, as he was interrupted by a call from the lobby while sorting out his thoughts.  

“Guild Master, Iron Will’s leader, Kang Mu-hyuk, has arrived. He says he’ll wait in the lobby café. What should we do?”  

“Who did he come with?” Son Joongbeom asked.  

The operator relayed the question to the lobby. A moment later, he turned back, looking momentarily surprised before answering, “He came alone.”  

***

The White Tiger Guild’s headquarters was located in Bongrae-dong, housed in a 50-story building on the main street, with Seoul Station in the front and Namdaemun in the back. The building was a landmark of Namdaemun, constructed with special metal from Mt. Gate. It was designed to withstand even severe impacts.  

In one corner of the building’s lobby was a café, where Kang Mu-hyuk sat, quietly looking out the window with a cup of coffee in front of him. To be precise, he had ordered coffee but hadn’t even taken a sip.  

A voice interrupted his quiet moment, “Our guild coffee is quite good. It’s free for visitors. Why not try some cake while you’re here?”  

Kang Mu-hyuk looked around where there was nobody. There was no one around as if it was planned. He didn’t immediately turn his head. Instead, he moved his eyes slightly to glance at the speaker.  

A middle-aged man with a friendly expression, a slightly short but stocky build, stood beside him.  

“Please, take a seat, Guild Master Son Joongbeom,” Kang Mu-hyuk said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.  

Despite being the guest, Kang Mu-hyuk’s tone and demeanor made it seem as though their roles were reversed.  

Son Joongbeom immediately noticed his opponent’s composure. Without hesitation, he sat down across from Kang Mu-hyuk.  

‘Is he fearless? Or just that confident?’

Made sense. Having an S-rank as a backdrop was enough to make anyone feel proud.

For a moment, Son Joongbeom and Kang Mu-hyuk locked eyes, neither breaking the silence. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Son Joongbeom spoke first.

“This situation is deeply concerning, Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk.”

“What exactly are you talking about?” 

“When did we fight again? Oh, right, I apologize for the commotion in front of North Pocheon last time, including the trouble caused by Hunter Park Beomil. Hunters are hard to control, you know? But let’s set those misunderstandings aside. As far as I know, there’s no grudge between Iron Will and our guild.”

“If there are no favors owed, Guild Master, then what are you worried about?”

“Just because you don’t see the blade doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It’s pointed at us right now. Let’s put it away while we still have the chance. Wouldn’t it be better to be friendly than hostile?”

“I came here alone to show my friendliness,.”

“Announcing the S-rank like that right before our meeting feels more like an invitation to fight to me.”

“Like that? Like what?”

“Like a lump of cancer. Ha! What a joke.”

“It sounds like something pricked at you.”

Son Joongbeom felt the urge to smash Kang Mu-hyuk’s head. But he couldn’t act on it—not because of any lingering restraint he had in him, but because a wave of killing intent suddenly engulfed his entire body.

His eyes instinctively darted to where the subtle but unmistakable killing intent originated: outside the café’s glass window.  

Across the street, sitting casually on a bench, was none other than...

‘Ju Se-ah...’

The distance between them was significant. Kang Mu-hyuk was much closer to him—easily within striking range.  

Even if Ju Se-ah was an S-rank, the distance gave Son Joongbeom the advantage to kill Kang Mu-hyuk. But he didn’t take the risk. He knew that killing Kang Mu-hyuk would spell the end for both him and his guild.

A Guild Master killing a civilian executive from another guild?  

There could be no better justification for a full-blown war. As he considered the implications, a chill ran down Son Joongbeom’s spine.  

‘Is this guy provoking me by gambling his own life? He’s insane.’

Behind that provocation was Kang Mu-hyuk's calculation that Son Joongbeom would never make the worst choice. Understanding this, Son Joongbeom could only sit there, dumbfounded, staring blankly across the street at Ju Se-ah  

Kang Mu-hyuk finally broke the silence, knowing his opponent had finished assessing the situation.  

“I now have evidence of various corrupt activities within the White Tiger Guild. I also have proof that the guild colluded with the Yellow Dragon Guild to help Chinese forces take control of Sinuiju. And let’s not forget your involvement in the Demonic Realm incident—an attempt to plunge the Korean Peninsula into chaos.”  

“We can just fabricate evidence, can’t we? We’ll deny it, claim it’s all fake, and appeal to public opinion. We’ll frame it as a conspiracy by S-rank Hunters to push us out and take our place. And then, we flood the media with rumors—about everything from an inappropriate relationship between the Guild Master and the Guild Leader of Iron Will to the massacre in Sinuiju being carried out without government approval. The evidence is overwhelming.”

“Fabricated evidence, huh? You’ve certainly come prepared.”

“It’s about controversy, not truth. Want to bet on who wins?”

Kang Mu-hyuk groaned as though in pain at the counterattack but maintained his composure.  

“Controversies are indeed more important than truth. I agree. Truth is hard to uncover and painful to confront. Controversies, on the other hand, are easy and entertaining. People believe what they want to believe—because it’s fun. I’ll probably lose in that game.”

“So, doesn’t it make sense for us to find some common ground now?”

“That is, if we fight only with the truth.”

“What?” 

Without another word, Kang Mu-hyuk pulled his smartphone from his jacket pocket, placed it on the table, and dialed a number. 

The screen displayed an international call: country code ‘86’ and area code ‘10’—Beijing, China.

As soon as the call connected, Kang Mu-hyuk switched it to speakerphone.

“Mr. Guan, this is Kang Mu-hyuk. I’m here with White Tiger Guild’s leader, Son Joongbeom. Do you have anything to say to him?”  

A moment later, a voice came through in English: “Sorry, Mr. Son.”  

It was a brief statement, but Son Joongbeom recognized the voice immediately. His keen Hunter senses told him that the nasal tone belonged to none other than Guan Hong. His old partner had just severed their alliance.  

“Let’s have tea later, Mr. Guan,” Kang Mu-hyuk added mockingly before ending the call, not giving Son Joongbeom a chance to respond.  

“I think you understand the situation now. Let me tell you what’s about to happen to the White Tiger Guild.”

“...”

“The Yellow Dragon Guild will issue a public statement. It will declare that the White Tiger Guild hatched a plot to destabilize the peace of Northeast Asia and incited conflict among Chinese, Korean, and Russian Hunters.”

“What nonsense are you talking about...?”

“The Chinese Guild Alliance, including the Yellow Dragon Guild, will express their deepest condolences to the Hunters and civilians harmed in this incident. They’ll pledge to assist Guild Leader Ju Se-ah in thoroughly investigating and punishing all forces that threaten peace in the Northeast Asian Hunter community.”

“That’s absurd! Don’t you know the Chinese were the ones leading the war? We have evidence to prove it!”  

“I already told you—I’m not going to fight with the truth.”

At those words, Son Joongbeom felt his heart sink even before listening to the rest. 

Kang Mu-hyuk continued, “Chinese S-rank Hunter Shimwol—he died a heroic death fighting Zmei Gorynych.”

“But the Tyrant is the one who…”

“An S-rank, recognized as a national strategic weapon, sacrificing himself for peace in Northeast Asia. And the ones responsible for his death? The White Tiger Guild. Now, tell me, who will the public believe? Wanna bet on who wins?”