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

Kim Su-jeong was having a peculiar experience.

‘What's going on? Why is it like this? Something's different.’

A brave new world, perhaps?

Her field of vision had broadened in a way she had never experienced before. Something was fundamentally altering her hunting style. Though there was no significant change in her approach, she felt different.

What surprised her more was how this new way felt even more comfortable than before.

‘The person who just barks orders from behind is leading, but somehow, the battle feels easier. I mean, these are the same orcs that gave me so much trouble just a while ago,’ she thought.

Perhaps because her thoughts had drifted, her focus on the marked orc loosened.

Seizing the opportunity, the orc swung its axe, aiming to separate Kim Su-jeong from Yoo Seong-ju.

"Hunter Kim Su-jeong! To your left! Turn counter-clockwise! Hunter Yoo Seong-ju! Turn right and meet up!"

Just when she faltered, an opportune command struck her ears.

At the sound of Kang Mu-hyuk's voice, Kim Su-jeong instinctively responded.

Following his directions, the broken connection between her and Yoo Seong-ju was miraculously restored.

Any fool could understand that the intent of the orders was to keep them from being separated.

‘Is this the famed Iron Will Guild Leader?’

She had been skeptical at first. But since his face had appeared on TV and in the media multiple times, she quickly recognized that the man issuing the orders was Kang Mu-hyuk.

‘He's not even a Hunter... Being a Guild Leader isn't for just anyone, huh?’

There was something captivating about the other man's voice. His judgement was precise. He had analyzed the combat style of a hunter he had never seen before and issued orders that effectively blocked the orc's movements.

As Kim Su-jeong regained her composure, the orcs resumed their frantic attempts to stop the two hunters.

‘Kim Su-jeong is a bit clumsy with a shield. She has a tendency to obscure her vision when blocking incoming attacks. Although they're a two-tanker party, she probably mainly played as a damage dealer. However, she's quick and has a good sense. If she masters the multi-tanker strategy, she'd make a solid force,’ he thought.

On the other hand, Yoo Seong-ju was what one could call a pure tanker. His defense was firm, and his counterattacks were precise. If he could gain tactical flexibility, he would show considerable growth.

"The issue is that neither of them can land a decisive blow."

Both lacked attacking power. Had these been ordinary orcs, the battle would have been over by now.

They showed no special skills. There had been several decisive chances, but they were all wasted.

It was now clear why they were freelancers.

"Who are those people?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice caught Kang Mu-hyuk's attention. He turned to see who it was.

"Team Leader Lee Jin-joo…"

"Ah, our Guild Leader. Long time no see, even brought a gun, huh? Sorry for being late."

Sorry?

Kang Mu-hyuk noticed the beads of sweat on Lee Jin-joo’s forehead. Even while speaking, she took careful breaths, steadying her shoulder movements.

For someone of Lee Jin-joo's caliber to show such signs of strain despite not having engaged in intense combat was unusual.

Hunter Lee Jin-Joo was assigned to a location that was quite far away. Even if she arrived, other hunters should have been there first. She probably ran all out to get there.

If Lee Jin-Joo, a magic swordsman, had sprinted with all her might, using magic as well, she would have arrived much faster than those traveling by car. Naturally, such exertion would have drained both her mana and stamina. Still, the fact that she could afford to do so spoke volumes about her confidence and awareness of her role as an expedition team leader.

It was always the one at the front who could afford to appear untroubled despite difficulties. Kang Mu-hyuk inwardly nodded, realizing that Lee Jin-Joo, who had just become a novice expedition team leader, was aware of this fact.

Pretending to be unaware, he responded, "It's Hunter Kim Su-jeong and Hunter Yoo Seong-ju. You remember them, right? They bought us time during the last kindergarten attack."

"Ah, those freelancers? Whatever the case, they've bought us some valuable time again."

"I think we're fated to be connected to them. They're not half bad, skill-wise. They're young talents who could use a bit more polishing."

"Fate is only fate if you live to tell about it. They seem to be struggling a bit. I'll finish this off."

Lee Jin-Joo stepped forward and unsheathed her sword.

Just looking at the blade, so sharp it seemed it could cut your gaze, was enough to make your teeth ache. Her eyes, dark as obsidian, began to blaze.

Azure Flames.

Blue fire momentarily flared in her eyes before subsiding.

Then, her sword burst into purple flames.

The moment the tip of her superheated sword pointed to the sky, Lee Jin-Joo launched herself off the ground.

In an instant, she wedged himself between two orcs. Her sword danced gracefully, weaving blue will-o'-the-wisps in broad daylight. The orcs were cleaved apart, their bodies engulfed in flames.

The sword returned to its original color.

Lee Jin-Joo sheathed her sword and turned around.

"You both did well. I owe you my life," said Kang Mu-hyuk.

Kim Su-jeong and Yoo Seong-ju couldn't conceal their astonishment upon seeing Lee Jin-Joo.

Despite their best efforts, the orcs they couldn't subdue were defeated in an instant.

Mouths agape, they were approached by Kang Mu-hyuk.

"I know it was unexpected when I gave the order. Thank you for your cooperation. I'm Kang Mu-hyuk, the Guild Leader of the Iron Will Guild."

Both shook Kang Mu-hyuk's extended hand, exchanging hurried greetings.

Looking at their bewildered faces, Kang Mu-hyuk threw out an unexpected proposal.

"This might not be the best place to discuss it, but how would you like to join our guild?"

"What?"

"I heard you're freelancers. I'm formally extending an invitation."

"Whaaat?!"

…

Kim Su-jeong and Yoo Seong-ju were standing at a distance, casting sidelong glances at Kang Mu-hyuk.

"What do you think he's doing, Seong-ju?"

"What do you mean, what is he doing? He's inspecting the orc corpses."

"Why?"

"It's natural for a hunter to look at the monsters they killed... wait, he's not a hunter, is he?"

Yoo Seong-ju corrected his own misconception. Then Kim Su-jeong's question began to loom large in his mind as well.

"Why would someone who's not even a Hunter pay so much attention to the corpses?"

"Exactly, that's what I'm saying."

As they spoke, Kang Mu-hyuk was closely examining the corpses, sharing opinions with Lee Jin-joo who was beside him.

Kim Su-jeong watched him silently for a while before abruptly speaking.

"Why do you think they really asked us to join? Out of gratitude?"

"You heard it too. They were impressed."

"But what exactly impressed them feels a bit ambiguous, doesn't it?"

"True... Being impressed by one's ability to summon monsters is a bit questionable."

It was unclear whether they were joking or simply inept at expressing themselves, but even taking that into account, Kang Mu-hyuk's assessment had its inexplicable aspects.

It was as absurd as saying one should become a gangster because they look like they'd excel at causing accidents.

"Ugh! Why is he suddenly sticking his nose in an orc's foot?"

"Maybe the rest of it got burned?"

"He doesn't happen to have a fetish for the smell of orc feet, does he?"

"..."

"Why are you looking at me like that? I mean, think about it. The offer to join is absurd to begin with. Who knows, maybe something's a bit off with the guy."

"Off, but his orders were quite appropriate, weren't they? His capabilities were admirable."

"Many geniuses are also madmen. Maybe because he's not sane, he got a strategy and tactics team leader position in an A-class guild. Think about it, which guild would entrust that position to someone who's not even a Hunter?"

As Kim Su-jeong added her rational doubts, the very person who had given her cause to doubt was observing the foot of an orc more closely.

"This filth on the foot. It smells like sewage."

"Orcs inherently have a terrible smell, Guild Leader."

"No, no. Team Leader Lee Jin-joo, try smelling it up close. It's different from the usual monster stench."

"I'll pass. I'm already sick of the monster odors just from the gates. Also, you're the Guild Leader, so maybe you should get up now."

"Wait a moment. This smells like—Yes, sewer!"

"What?"

Kang Mu-hyuk abruptly stood up and ran toward the main gate. Lee Jin-joo followed him, bewildered.

He looked around before checking the CCTV above the guardhouse. Then, after spotting another CCTV camera mounted on a utility pole across from a traffic light, he took out his smartphone and made a call.

"Team Leader Gong, tell the city hall to secure the CCTV footage from the entrance and the parking lot. Notify the police to get cooperation on footage from the road in front of the main gate too. Ah, yes. Since we're looking for the time when the orcs appeared, it shouldn't take long."

By this point, even Lee Jin-joo could no longer contain her curiosity.

"What's going on?"

"I think I've figured out why the orcs weren't found despite the deployment of hunters and police. They've likely been moving through the sewers. That's why no one detected them."

"Moving through the sewers... Ah! They hid there?"

"There were no reports of orcs despite them reaching the city hall through all these open areas. They appeared out of nowhere. They must have been using the sewers, which is why they went undetected."

"Are the sewers in our country really that big? Big enough for orcs to roam around?"

"We'll have to find out."

Kang Mu-hyuk went to the City Safety Bureau of Pocheon City Hall. Despite the chaos caused by the orc intrusion, he was able to locate the person in charge of sewage systems, thanks to the guidance of a public official.

"Orcs, you say? Hmm… It's probably possible. Not all, but we have replaced a significant portion of the pipes with diameters ranging from 1,000mm to 1,500mm about five years ago. We had to upgrade the sewage system because of frequent flooding in the city. Particularly, the sewage tunnels connected to the stormwater pump stations are wide enough to walk through."

"Stormwater pump stations?!"

Upon hearing the sewage official’s words, Kang Mu-hyuk's suspicion turned into certainty.

"Is there a map to check where these large-diameter sewer pipes are installed? Also, any information on the sewage tunnels?"

"Normally, I'd need approval from my supervisor to release such information, but he's not at his desk right now…"

"It's urgent."

"Is this related to the orcs?"

"There are still some that haven't been caught. This will help in capturing them."

Kang Mu-hyuk thought about the orcs who had escaped from the parking lot and the one adorned with feathers.

Especially the feather-adorned orc—he estimated it to be of the rank of a commander-of-ten, by orcish warrior standards. Having undergone evolution, it was deemed more dangerous than a small group of orcs.

"I'll send you the files via email. Treating it as urgent should suffice."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the official responded without delay.

Regardless of the ethics of a situation, the world of public service was difficult to navigate without managerial approval. But when it came to monsters, quick collaboration was the best way to resolve issues.

Kang Mu-hyuk shared his email address and expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you for your cooperation."

"No, I should be the one asking for a favor. Please, do ensure you get rid of all those orc scum."

Kang Mu-hyuk returned to the Council building with Lee Jin-joo. As soon as they entered the command center on the fifth floor, Gong Du-ri arrived with a tablet to report.

"I’ve checked the footage you sent. Look here. Next to the water level room outside the sidewalk. Can you see? A manhole opens under the flagpole, and then the orcs come out."

"Incredible. Those orcs are really cunning."

Even Lee Jin-joo, who had experienced all sorts of battles, found it remarkable. She had fought evolved orc tribes before, but never in an urban setting.

She had never imagined that the orcs would utilize the city’s infrastructure to hide.

Moreover, their cunning exceeded that of any orcs she had hunted before.

"Team Leader Gong, I'm going to send a file now. Put it up on the screen."

Gong Du-ri displayed a map of the sewage system on the screen.

Centered around Pocheon City Hall, the neatly arranged sewage system extended throughout the city.

"Mark the location of the guild parking lot and the hospital."

"Yes?"

"Wow! Does the sewer end perfectly connected to them?"

The location of the sewer lines aligned eerily well with the site of the incident, drawing a sigh of admiration from Lee Jin-joo.

Although there were breaks in the sewer lines due to the distance from the city center, portions were connected via streams.

"Fortunately, there aren’t many places in the sewer system where an orc could hide."

"I’ll form a party immediately. If we enter each entrance simultaneously, we should be able to corner them."

"Some hunters will likely complain about going into the sewers. Make sure to keep their morale high so that it doesn’t affect the operation."

"Going into the sewers might be dirty, but it’s still better than being inside a gate. Inside those, you often can't brush your teeth for more than a month. Consider this pre-training."

Lee Jin-joo quickly devised a plan of action and took the lead into the sewers, map in hand.

It didn't take long for the hunters, considered elite members of the Iron Will Guild, to find and eliminate a couple of orcs presumed to have fled from the parking lot.

However, the feather-adorned orc remained elusive.

Upon receiving the report of the unsuccessful search, Kang Mu-hyuk muttered to himself, his face suddenly showing realization.

"So that's why the orcs staged a diversion. It was to help that one escape."

With the help of the military and police, Kang Mu-hyuk scoured the areas near the wire fences.

The next day, just as he suspected, freshly dug earth was discovered near the fence. It was like the tunnels dug when the orcs had infiltrated South Pocheon.

Surveying the scene, Kang Mu-hyuk looked toward the north.

He had a hunch about where this particular orc had gone.

"North... Cheolwon, perhaps?"

Somehow, he felt that this incident was just the beginning.

…

At the very moment Kang Mu-hyuk lost track of the last orc, Ju Se-ah was witnessing an unbelievable spectacle in Cheolwon.

"What is this!"

Against the backdrop of the vast reservoir stood a massive gate.

"Why is there a gate here? And why..."

Why was it wide open?!

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