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

-The World Hunters Federation announced at an official press conference that it'd step in to mediate due to rising concerns over potential conflicts between the four Far Eastern countries bordering the Demonic Realm. As a result, Russia, Korea, and Japan—excluding China—agreed to participate, and a meeting with the relevant parties would soon be arranged...

Initially, China refused to allow the Federation to interfere, insisting it was a matter of their territory. However, they eventually had no choice but to join the negotiations. This was because China was a signatory of the 'Joint Response Plan for Gated Terrain,' an agreement ratified by 127 countries at the UN after the Minor War.

China had no grounds to outright reject the mediation. Even if they insisted their claims were correct, the fact remained that the Demonic Realm was a lawless zone. If the other three nations teamed up in a region where China had limited influence, it would be a major problem for them. 

Who knew what could happen in the Demonic Realm? 

Despite their population and their large number of Hunters, it'd be tough for China to handle a combined force of Korea, Russia, and Japan. So, they had to take the seat offered by the Federation. The negotiations were set up in Sinuiju, with Cha Gil-joo, the Director of the Guild Cooperation Agency, representing Korea. 

Officials from all four countries and the Federation gathered, and the world turned its eyes to Sinuiju.

“Negotiations in Sinuiju… So it’s now official that Sinuiju is Korean territory."

Sung Seonjae winked at Kang Mu-hyuk as they watched the news.

“That’s just a side effect. The real scheme is something else.” 

Sung Seonjae pondered his words, trying to figure out what the scheme was. He waited for a while as if being graded and said, “China might be trying to attract global attention to restrict impulsive actions. And by involving Japan, which isn’t even directly linked to the Demonic Realm, it looks like you’re also targeting Japan."

“Yes, Japan was part of the plan. But the main target is still China."

“Can you explain the scheme?”

Sung Seonjae asked curiously. Kang Mu-hyuk took a pause before answering, “Japan has been interfering with Korea to keep an eye on past rivals. They see it as a way to eliminate the future threat of S-rank Hunters, but it doesn’t provide immediate benefits. Japan’s involvement in this defense was likely due to information leaked from China."

“This must be about Ju Se-ah Guild Master’s rank information. Since she fought against the Yellow Dragon Guild, they would know that Guild Master Ju has become S-rank."

“Yes, China’s plan was to leak this information to Japan, hoping to provoke them into keeping us in check. Judging by Japan’s cautious reaction, the exact details weren’t leaked—just hints that she was close to reaching S-rank."

“What does that have to do with these negotiations?”

“As you pointed out, Japan is far from the Demonic Realm and has no direct stake. By involving them, we give them a justification to engage under the guise of cooperation between the Hunter communities of both nations."

Sung Seonjae slapped his knee. 

“Aha! You’re solving two problems at once—pushing the Ju Se-ah Guild Master issue to the back seat and turning them into an ally."

“Exactly. I’m confident they won't get in the way. In fact they’ll sincerely help with the raid. Considering the benefits they’ll gain from entering the Demonic Realm, it’s an unexpected advantage for us."

 “To have a stake in the Demonic Realm, Japan needs to prove itself through achievements. That means they have to be active in raids, right?”

“Plus, if Russia sides with us and the Federation applies pressure on China by enforcing the UN declaration, even China, known for bullying in the international Hunter community, will struggle to act unreasonably."

“But what if they insist on opposing us?” 

“We have to lead them into checkmate." 

“How?” 

“It’s simple. Just say this…” 

***

“Alright then, the Chinese side, you raid the Gate boss." 

Liu Hongchai, head of the Hunter Management Bureau under China’s Ministry of Security, couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Did you just suggest that we raid the boss, Director Cha?”

“You don't wanna do this. You don't wanna do that. You claim the Demonic Realm as your territory, but you aren’t taking responsibility for it. According to international agreements, passing a country’s monster threat onto another nation is illegal. The monsters pushed out by the Gate boss lurking in the Demonic Realm have broken through the Tumen River defense line, causing over 200,000 civilian casualties. If Representative Liu’s claims are true, then the Demonic Realm is Chinese territory, and this is a clear act of aggression. It’s illegal. China must eliminate the threat immediately." 

The interpreters were busy translating the statement, and Liu Hongchai, who listened until the end, was left speechless.

'That was Tang and Yellow Dragon Guild's scheme for China to extend its influence in the Demonic Realm. I can’t accept this proposal.'

This was meant to be a way to get rid of the masterminds of the Chinese plot to strike Russia and South Korea.

Opening the Gate and hunting the boss would lead to even worse consequences.

‘If we avoid the raid, it’s like admitting that it’s not our territory. If this drags on, we’ll have to change tactics or face consequences.’ 

Desperate, Liu Hongchai prepared to argue and leave.

Just then, Norio Sasaki, the president of the Japan Guild Association Alliance, intervened.

“Director Cha, it seems China isn’t willing to organize a raid. Since we don’t know when the Gate boss will head south, wouldn’t it be better for Japanese and Korean Hunters to combine forces instead? China clearly can’t manage the Demonic Realm alone, so we should step up."

Japan’s stance had been coordinated with Cha Gil-joo beforehand, aiming to prevent China from leveraging its usual stubbornness on the international stage.

Yevgeny Prigogine, head of Russia's Federal Gate Security Service, added, “Russia also has elite Hunters on standby, ready to assist. We’ve found additional Gates near the border with the Demonic Realm, and we’d like to propose that the Far Eastern countries cooperate to close these Gates together.”

He went even further, suggesting expanding cooperation throughout the Demonic Realm region.

At this point, Liu Hongchai was cornered. He couldn’t leave the negotiating table without facing dire consequences.

The world was watching China, hoping for cooperation among the three countries, and the responsibility now rested on his shoulders. If things went wrong, that responsibility would come in the form of a purge. Even if the party spared him, the Yellow Dragon Guild would not be as forgiving, leaving him stuck in a dilemma.

He was at a dead end where he could neither accept nor reject the offer. His only option was to stall for time.

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?! Do you think I don’t see you all conspiring and threatening each other right now? Fine. If this is how you want to play, we will formally file a lawsuit at the ICJ (International Court of Justice). Since you all love the UN so much, let’s meet there." 

The other three countries understood China’s intentions even before the interpretation was finished. The ICJ had long been ineffective in dealing with Hunter and Gate-related issues. Bringing in a powerless organization was just a tactic to buy time.

Noticing Liu Hongchai’s stalling tactic, Cha Gil-joo spoke in a calm, gentle tone, quite different from his earlier pressure tactics, “Everyone seems a bit too heated. Shall we take a break?” 

***

Sung Seonjae was genuinely impressed when he realized what Kang Mu-hyuk was planning.

'The true aim of the Federation’s mediation wasn’t just to facilitate talks but to block Japan’s interference and apply pressure on China.'

With this single move, China’s options were severely limited.

'They can either put on the brakes or press harder on the accelerator.'

Of course, China was more likely to accelerate than slow down. They took great pride in calling themselves a great nation, and that attitude hadn’t changed, even in the Gate era. When forced to choose between justification and profit, China would pick profit. But when the choice was between profit and honor, they would always choose honor.

“They’ll probably push things forward. They aren’t the type to back down, even if it means dying sooner." Kang Mu-hyuk said confidently. It was then that Sung Seonjae understood another layer of Kang Mu-hyuk’s plan.

“You want China to cause trouble."

“Yes. Russia and South Korea will respond under the pretext of countering China’s aggressive moves."

“What about Japan?” 

“They could cause problems later. We need to finish everything before crossing the sea, ensuring they can’t claim any stake in the Demonic Realm."

Kang Mu-hyuk’s plan essentially meant going to war in the Demonic Realm, using Hunters. 

The justification would come from the Korea-Russia alliance, but it would be the Hunters who would shed blood. If they won, the rewards would be immense. But if they lost, who would bear the consequences?

No matter how skilled Kang Mu-hyuk was, he wasn’t someone who could speak for the nation. Even the president wouldn’t casually mention the possibility of war. It was shocking to hear a Guild Leader talk about risking the country’s fate and potentially overturning the existing order in the Demonic Realm.

Sung Seonjae mentally calculated the risks.

'Has he been planning this since the formation of the Unified Force? If that's the case, I’ve been completely fooled. I wanted to advance into the Demonic Realm, but not by going to war. This is a gamble. Even if it succeeds, I might not get the outcome I want.''

During the Sinuiju incident, Chinese Hunters were dealt with, but that was limited to retaliating against stateless Chinese Hunters who had illegally occupied Korean territory. However, the war Kang Mu-hyuk was now proposing was an entirely different situation.

Sung Seonjae could not align himself with Kang Mu-hyuk's plan.

“I must have misjudged you, Guild Leader Kang. I didn’t think you would take such a risky gamble. I’m sorry, but if you intend to go to war with the Chinese guilds, the Unified Force and its associated guilds will not participate. I will make sure of that. Let me be very clear.”

Sung Seonjae, who had been Kang Mu-hyuk's closest collaborator, suddenly declared that he was stepping away.

Yet, Kang Mu-hyuk remained unfazed, even after hearing such a resolute statement from one of Korea’s most influential figures.

“I understand your position, Team Leader Sung. Your reaction is exactly what I anticipated. I knew this would be your response, which is why I brought it up.”

“You mean you revealed your plan even though you knew I wouldn’t support it? Why would you do that?”

“Because I don’t want Korean Hunters to shed any blood.”

“Are you saying there won’t be a war?”

“No, there will be a war. But only one person needs to die.”

***

Guan Hong bowed deeply, pressing his hands together in front of his chest.

“Welcome, Shimwol-nim.”

It was a rare gesture of respect, one reserved for only the highest-ranking members of the guild. However, Shimwol was not a member of the Yellow Dragon Guild.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Guan," said a graceful, elegant woman with her hair styled in a long braid.

The coat of armor she wore bore the emblem of the Sundown Guild, the rival to the Yellow Dragon Guild, embroidered on her left chest.

“How’s Bi Wen Jun? Isn't he sick all the time after getting beaten up by the newbie?”

Guan Hong understood who Shimwol-nim was referring to and responded, “Ju Se-ah has only recently become an S-rank, but her defensive abilities are regarded as some of the best in the world. Bi Wen Jun didn't fare well against her. It’s no disgrace that he suffered a serious blow from someone like her, especially when a double-cross was involved.”

“Huh! A newbie is still a newbie. It’s going to be tough for you. Make sure you handle this without making your master look bad.”

Guan Hong simply bowed his head, remaining silent. Seeing no further response, Shimwol-nim lost interest and shifted the conversation back to business.

“So, what do you need me to do?”

“Nothing has been finalized yet. For now, your role is to fill Bi Wen Jun’s vacant spot.”

“You’re underestimating me. Even someone at the top can’t order me around as he wishes. If you were just gonna act like a damn rock, why should an S-rank come here?” Shimwol-nim replied, applying subtle pressure.

Sweating, Guan Hong finally managed to speak, “We need to be ready because we don’t know how Russia might respond.”

Shimwol-nim, satisfied with Guan Hong’s discomfort, released the pressure she was putting on him and asked, “What about South Korea?”

“With Ju Se-ah gone, there's no immediate threat from them." 

“I heard there’s a Korean Tier Guild in Sinuiju?”

“Our guild is also concentrating its power in Dandong to keep an eye on them." 

“And what about Ju Se-ah?” 

“What…?” 

“She’s injured, right? Now is the perfect time for you to, you know." Shimwol-nim said, sliding her thumb across her throat in a cutting gesture.

“Let’s get rid of her.”