TTLLMRS 10

Episode 10

10. A Person Difficult to Work With

At a single decisive word, Mataesu immediately lifted his head.

“Anyway, you’ve got some nerve. Sit first.”

A look that showed he had nothing to lose.

With his quick change of stance, Kang Mu-hyuk abandoned the reason he had originally intended to meet.

‘Bugi-ma doesn’t act like a pushover. He backed down too easily. I thought maybe I could negotiate over Mataesik’s case, but judging by his expression, that’s out of the question.’

Just because he was pushed by the guild master didn’t mean he was someone to underestimate. After all, if Mataesik hadn’t caused so many incidents, he might have eventually taken over the Titan Guild.

Luckily, Kang Mu-hyuk and the expedition leader kept the balance so things didn’t go too far. Given the guild master’s temperament, it would have been tough to check Mataesu.

“So, you’re resigning? How’s your body?”

“Considering I almost died, I’m able to move around.”

“Well, I can’t say anything, since our youngest got hurt because of us. And taking a break because of aftereffects… I have no excuse.”

Mataesu seemed unaware of mana addiction. The guild master had apparently put a minimum safety measure on Mataesu’s actions after Kang Mu-hyuk disappeared, downplaying it as just the aftereffects of Mataesik’s assault.

‘He left room for me to return anytime.’

Kang Mu-hyuk read the guild master’s intent and responded accordingly.

“The one saying they have no excuse was about to ask for leniency for a criminal the moment they saw him.”

“A criminal… The person who almost died is still bold.”

“…”

“Well, that’s probably why you kept the team leader position despite not being a hunter. I must admit, I strongly opposed Kang Team Leader becoming the strategy team leader back then.”

“I know.”

“Having a non-hunter lead? Even if they’re good at desk work, which was well known, I worried if hunters would listen to a non-hunter leader.”

“I had the same concern. I understand.”

“But later I saw the atmosphere was different. Projects, missions, and management tasks you handled before becoming team leader… You had quite a few hunters loyal to you by then.”

At that point, Kang Mu-hyuk bit his lip tightly.

On the surface, it sounded like praise, but behind it was an unspoken fierce struggle.

He was the one who suffered losses.

Most of the hunters he recruited were no longer in Titan. One by one, they left, and Mataesu’s people took their place.

Yet Kang Mu-hyuk didn’t collapse. Even Mataesu’s faction came to acknowledge his abilities.

After that, Mataesu stopped openly opposing him, but neither did he try to elevate him or bring him into his faction.

Kang Mu-hyuk realized Bugi-ma found him uncomfortable.

“If things had been resolved more amicably, we could have worked in better harmony. That part I regret.”

“Hmmm~ No. We would have had a hard time working on the same side anyway.”

Mataesu waved his hand emphatically in denial.

“If you thought I was part of the guild master’s line… well, that’s another matter. Let’s call it a misunderstanding for now.”

“I don’t misunderstand that. Guild master’s line? At first, I thought so. But the more I watched, I realized—you tend to partner with anyone who hunts monsters. If me becoming guild master interfered with hunting, you could have struck me anytime. Didn’t you actually hit a guild master once? Lucky for you, our guild master is kind. If it were me, I would’ve taken his head off immediately.”

“So it’s lucky you’re not the guild master.”

“Again, talking without brakes. That’s why I couldn’t work with the guild master alongside you.”

Mataesu lightly pointed at him, raising his voice.

Kang Mu-hyuk nodded in agreement. Mataesu looked a little startled that he accepted it so easily.

“Not bothered at all, huh?”

“As you said, I only need to hunt monsters. It’s tough being disliked by a superior, but if that superior hunts monsters well, I don’t care. At least, Bugi-ma is still a Hunter, even if the monsters call him a bastard, right?”

“Huh? So you’re clever enough to insult me indirectly?”

“It’s a compliment.”

“Better call it a joke. Our guild allows it, but elsewhere you’d get roasted instantly.”

Kang Mu-hyuk noticed a subtle hint in his tone, like he was mentioning other guilds as a warning.

‘Mention other places?’

Though it seemed like a resignation, some executives were told it was a leave of absence. The guild master’s nuance implied Kang Mu-hyuk would return after recuperation.

But Mataesu seemed determined not to allow it. He revealed intentions that were almost like a threat.

‘It’s not just a feeling. My instincts rarely fail. Something’s fishy.’

The reason was obvious—the initial reason he lowered his head. It was likely related to Mataesik’s treatment.

Seeing it come full circle, Kang Mu-hyuk could sense just how sly Mataesu was.

‘Even as the youngest, it’s strange he clings this much. Does he have some unusual sense of family loyalty?’

Kang Mu-hyuk tried probing Mataesu’s intentions gently.

“But even if I step in, can I get Mataesik out? His crimes are clear, the witnesses too.”

“Finally, getting to the point. That’s why I like Kang Team Leader. To be honest, fully extracting him is hard. But we can reduce the sentence significantly if you and the witness help.”

“You want to change it into a simple dispute between hunters? I’ll say I got hurt in the mix. Since the other hunter’s rank is higher, we can treat it as mutual fault. I’ll take compensation, and probation ends it.”

“See? Easy.”

“But you know the witness is Hunter Jusea?”

“A tough opponent. I tried contacting her, but she firmly drew the line. So I hope you can speak to her. Every creditor chases the debtor eventually.”

“Will she listen to me? I’ve barely met her. If anything, I owe her more.”

“Consider this as the replacement.”

Mataesu took a file from the table by the sofa and handed it over.

Kang Mu-hyuk raised an eyebrow. Inside were histories of hunters from various guilds.

Flipping through a few pages, he immediately noticed their common traits.

“They’re all hunters nearing the end of their contracts. Over ten years of experience. Most have led at least a senior party.”

“Taeseong Guild has solid corporate backing, but its foundation is weak. Even the ace of aces in hunting would struggle as guild master. You know it’s different running a guild than hunting well.”

“So these are Bugi-ma candidates. With this experience, they’ll help run the guild.”

“Exactly. I’ll recommend them and arrange interviews. Winning them over will be up to you. Hard to refuse.”

Kang Mu-hyuk immediately understood Taeseong Guild’s situation.

‘Everyone wants the Bugi-ma position, even in small guilds. Even if Taeseong is considered weak in the industry, being backed by a corporation with Jusea makes it different. Offering Bugi-ma as bait… they must be struggling to recruit. Did something happen when the Slayer Guild contract ended?’

He closed the file, resolved.

“I’ll do it.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, try to convince me.”

“What?”

“I’ll handle negotiating with Hunter Jusea, but you need to convince me why I should do it.”

“You understood everything already? Think about when I return to the guild. Do you think I’d be lying down like this then?”

“There’s a saying in the industry: it’s different when entering and exiting a gate. Friendly hunters can become enemies afterward. Would I still have a place later, not being part of Bugi-ma’s line?”

Through the meeting, Kang Mu-hyuk could read Mataesu’s evaluation and gaze toward him.

The conclusion:

‘A person difficult to work with.’

Even if he miraculously recovered, he wouldn’t return to the guild.

Trying to advise or influence the guild master even briefly could trigger immediate retaliation.

‘I know this person. He’s 100%. Recently, he’s more perceptive. He won’t leave me alone. For now, Mataesik is the issue, so he’ll let it slide. Once that’s resolved, he’ll show his true colors. Better prepare some safeguards.’

Mataesu shrugged and asked:

“How? Money will solve it?”

“Compensation, of course.”

“Then, what do you want?”

“Just a written promise.”

“A promise?”

“That you won’t interfere in matters involving me. Also, regarding Mataesik, no physical or mental harm.”

“That’s tricky. Want me to tie my own feet later?”

“I’ll give one concession too.”

“What kind?”

“I’ll never return to Titan Guild.”

“!!”

—

Kang Mu-hyuk wiped his ink-stained thumb and left Bugi-ma’s office.

Mataesu’s face showed satisfaction as he saw him out.

‘The guild master probably wanted to keep me as a last resort or to check Bugi-ma, but circumstances force it this way. He can’t protect me forever.’

Even if protected, Bugi-ma would see it as a threat. Kang Mu-hyuk would be perceived as a blade that could return anytime.

If Mataesu wanted him gone, he could act at any moment.

Kang Mu-hyuk planned to notarize the promise with a lawyer, set to release if he died from anything other than illness.

‘At least it keeps a rein on a Bugi-ma of Titan’s scale. Even if the letter seems minor, it’s a big advantage.’

Because Kang Mu-hyuk declared he wouldn’t return to the guild, a non-hunter could do nothing outside. Even someone who reached strategy team leader couldn’t work for another guild. Hunters dropping in would get no respect; a regular member would last even less.

Running a new guild without a strong base and backing was nearly impossible.

Mataesu probably assumed Kang Mu-hyuk would never settle in another guild because he wasn’t a hunter.

Kang Mu-hyuk then headed to the guild master’s office.

A familiar figure got off the elevator and walked straight toward him.

“Kang Team Leader.”

“Party Leader Jang Ihyeon. Looks like you’ve recovered from your injuries.”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“Good to hear.”

“How’s your body?”

“I’m managing. Haha.”

After a brief greeting, Jang Ihyeon straightened and bowed formally, a soldier’s precision lingering even after becoming a hunter.

“I should have greeted you properly earlier. Thank you sincerely for rescuing our party so quickly.”