*
Boom-!
As soon as Mok-yeon's words left his mouth, movement was felt from one side.
"What do you mean...!"
"Strategist Mok-! What are you saying-!!"
Two figures. Precisely, the Gold Dragon Commander and the Iron Dragon Commander kicked off their desks and rose to their feet.
Their expressions were overflowing with intense hostility.
"You're not drafting from within, but bringing people from the outside?"
"That goes against the Alliance's rules...! How could you do such a thing-!!"
A firm meaning, as if they would absolutely never tolerate it, could be seen.
Or perhaps, it was because they couldn't trust it.
"What in the world is the meaning of this-!"
A heavily muscular man.
Dong Cheon, the Twin Ring Swordsman, Commander of the Gold Dragon Squad, let out a roar.
His emotions were clearly visible on his face.
However.
"Strategist Mok-!"
"Gold Dragon Commander."
"...!"
When Mok-yeon looked at him and called out lowly, the Twin Ring Swordsman, who had been continuously shouting, clamped his mouth shut not long after.
'Oh.'
At that sight, my eyes widened slightly.
Mok-yeon was clearly an ordinary person without a single ounce of inner energy. And the Twin Ring Swordsman had reached the Transformation Realm.
Even though he was a martial artist who must have reached quite a high level, to see him shut his mouth immediately as if subdued by the old man's call.
While wondering if that was even a possible scene.
'His presence is no joke.'
The presence Mok-yeon momentarily exuded made me think it was entirely possible.
A mere frail and skinny. Also, a sickly old man's body.
It could probably be shattered into pieces with just a light flick.
It should be a matchup completely devoid of any reason to fear.
"Please calm down. The same goes for you, Iron Dragon Commander."
The presence Mok-yeon exuded completely prevented such thoughts from forming.
I know nothing about that old man.
I only know he is a great person based on the battle records and history I've heard.
Even though I haven't properly grasped who Mok-yeon is, even I could feel that the old man was extraordinary.
What about those who have watched him from the side even a little?
"...Kuh..."
In fact, not only the Gold Dragon Commander who had been furious just a moment ago, but the Iron Dragon Commander as well, was sitting back down while biting his lips.
'Impressive.'
How could he make them act like that?
Cheon Yu-rang of my past life was like that too.
Was it just one or two renowned demonic artists who dropped dead at his words?
However, Cheon Yu-rang had the Heavenly Demon backing him, so the demonic artists listened to him even if forced.
They must have known too.
That following Cheon Yu-rang's words meant a high chance of winning.
There were even guys who bet their lives on just that. And Mok-yeon would probably be no different.
Of course.
'If you don't have power, you can't accomplish anything.'
To me, it was a somewhat incomprehensible concept.
If you call that a sort of power, then it is power.
'In the end. You need substantial power.'
No matter how smart and outstanding a brain you have.
Before power great enough to ignore it, it is ultimately meaningless.
My conclusion was always that.
The atmosphere calmed down for a moment at Mok-yeon's words, but that was merely holding it in; nothing was resolved.
"However... Strategist Mok. Your words just now are an absurdity no matter how you look at it."
"That is right. Even if you are the Strategist, those words are hard to accept."
Reactions declaring they absolutely could not accept it.
It couldn't be helped.
'Bringing them in through a direct test, it must be hard to accept.'
The Alliance's Sword Squads number eight.
Though some have crumbled now and the count isn't maintained, even if the number of Sword Squads is eight, not everyone belongs to them.
Only the elite of the elite could enter the official Sword Squads.
Other martial artists had to join the Alliance and build up their skills and standing to enter a Sword Squad.
In such a situation, the Commander suddenly drags some young kid from the outside and sets him up.
And brings the members from the outside too?
"Isn't this too much of a special favor?"
To them, it was an absurdity.
And in reality, it actually was.
"Yes. That is correct. It is a special favor."
It was indeed a special favor.
"...Strategist...?"
At the confident declaration, everyone wore dumbfounded expressions. Only Mok-yeon and I had nonchalant faces.
"The talk regarding the Holy Dragon Squad is indeed a special favor."
"Are you saying you admit to this...?"
"There is no need to admit it; it is a given. Iron Dragon Commander. It was necessary in the process of bringing the Holy King into the Alliance as a Commander."
"How could that-!"
"That is the Alliance's will."
"...!"
The Murim Alliance's will.
The Iron Dragon Commander's face crumpled upon hearing those words.
"That was the Alliance Lord's will, and it is an issue confirmed through a meeting of the internal Elders."
"But..."
"I will ask. Then, is there any manpower left to pull from other Sword Squads to form the Holy Dragon Squad?"
"..."
No answer was heard from anyone.
The implication of those words was asking if there was anyone who could spare personnel from their own Sword Squad to put into the Holy Dragon Squad.
"To be more precise... I am asking if there are any Commanders who can draft and send personnel of Rank Four or above."
"R-Rank Four?!"
The Gold Dragon Commander hastily cried out.
Rank Four (四級). It is a rank received upon joining the Murim Alliance.
The lower the number, the higher the value. Commander level was One. Vice Commander level was designated from Three to Two.
Therefore, Four meant the elite of the elite.
It meant they had to far surpass the Absolute Peak at the bare minimum.
"Telling us to send Rank Four personnel elsewhere is an absurd notion."
"Yes. I know it's an absurd notion. That is why I said the Holy Dragon Squad would be formed by organizing external personnel."
"Would it not be better to send those who are still unaffiliated and form it with them?"
"Iron Dragon Commander. Have you forgotten the reason the Holy Dragon Squad was created?"
An exclusive task force for the Demonic Path.
Since they had declared a cleanup disguised as a war, no matter how much of a show it was, they couldn't fill the Holy Dragon Squad with only half-wits.
Rank Four members were at the Absolute Peak. And such people were a precious fighting force, of which there were few even within the Sword Squads.
Yet, send them to me?
'They wouldn't want to part with them because they're too precious.'
No one would send them unless forced.
Ah. Just for your information. Saying I would bring them from the outside was my condition.
Among the conditions Mok-yeon spoke of to bring me in, it was one of the few I added.
'If I take the position of Commander, you must let me select the Sword Squad members myself.'
That was what I wanted.
I could accept the condition that having everyone be selected through a test was unacceptable, and that some Alliance personnel would be inserted.
Given this, their opposition was a natural course of action.
'Those guys aren't calculating the Alliance's traditions? History? Things like that.'
I will organize the Sword Squad to my liking, so don't mess with me.
This was the intent behind it.
And if that happens.
'The size of my Sword Squad might grow considerably.'
I don't know how it will turn out, but it's proof that a small Sword Squad will absolutely not be born.
Because they anticipated that, they were opposing it so passionately...
'If they're already like this from this, how are they going to endure it?'
If this mere amount causes that reaction, how will they withstand the next topic?
Thinking so, I was quietly watching the situation when.
"This part is already a confirmed and passed issue. I will not listen to any further talk about it."
"Strategist...!"
"One more thing."
An attitude of not listening at all no matter how much the Commanders rebel. Seeing that, a feeling of doubt crossed my mind.
'Is it okay to go that far?'
Even if Mok-yeon's position is quite high, being so brazen like this might be a bit dangerous.
Just as such a concern suddenly crossed my mind.
"Excluding the Azure Dragon Squad, one of the currently maintained Sword Squads will assist the Holy Dragon Squad and carry out its missions."
Mok-yeon added as an afterword.
At that moment, the heat in the room vanished.
Everyone had to stiffen their bodies as if frozen solid.
The once heated atmosphere cooled the room down as if a chill had swept in.
Did I hear that wrong?
Everyone was just harboring doubts.
"...Strategist."
In that gap, the Twin Ring Swordsman spat out words with a rigidly stiff expression.
"That is... What do you mean by that right now?"
A heaviness incomparable to before.
A voice full of anger and trembling.
The Twin Ring Swordsman was barely continuing his words looking like he could explode at any moment.
"Are you telling us to go under the Holy Dragon Squad right now?"
"Not under, but assisting-."
"Isn't that the same thing!"
Bang-!
Letting out a roar, he slammed the desk hard.
Crash-! The desk, shattered by the force, broke apart. The Twin Ring Swordsman began to glare at Mok-yeon with blazing eyes.
The Twin Ring Swordsman was right about this.
Assisting sounded nice, but it meant being subordinates to the Holy Dragon Squad.
Hence, it was astonishing.
'Has that old man gone mad...?'
How could he say this so openly? I thought he would beat around the bush a bit more. Mok-yeon just blurted it out to the Commanders.
Assisting the Holy Dragon Squad.
This was also a part I added to the conditions.
A Commander of the Alliance originally receives several command rights upon ascending to the Commander position.
Naturally, their own Sword Squad is included.
The most representative one would be...
'The authority to mobilize the branch.'
There was also transferring the command rights of a branch in a specific region.
The Branch Head managed the branch. However, if a Commander of the Alliance gave an order, they had to carry it out.
There were several others besides that, but nothing particularly more important.
If I were to become a Commander, I asked for the power to move an entire squad.
The result was naturally a rejection.
They must have judged they couldn't withstand the backlash from the other Commanders.
I thought they would.
However, I also did not accept the rejection.
I said I wouldn't go if they didn't accept this.
Mok-yeon said he would try to clean it up under the name of "assisting" rather than command rights.
But.
'You say it that openly?'
This is just different in words; as the saying goes, isn't it telling them to enter as subordinates?
"I can understand some ignorant fool coming as a Commander. I can understand receiving special favors. But, how could you treat us like this-!"
Some ignorant fool.
Hearing that, I let out a hollow laugh.
'As expected.'
It seemed they really didn't like that I came after all.
The Twin Ring Swordsman seemed unable to contain his anger and was continuously grinding his teeth.
The Iron Dragon Commander also had an expression as if he would kick the door open and leave right now.
'How is he going to clean this up?'
How will Mok-yeon come out?
If he handles even this, he truly is an outstanding figure.
So, out of curiosity, I looked at him.
'Hm?'
As I turned my gaze, Mok-yeon was looking at me too.
Why is he looking at me when the Twin Ring Swordsman and the Silver Wolf Swordsman are showing such reactions?
What intention could he possibly have to look at me?
As I quietly stared into Mok-yeon's eyes.
'Uh.'
No way.
A thought flashed through my mind. Just as I wondered if this was related to that.
Tap...! Tap. Tap.
Mok-yeon lightly tapped the desk three times.
"Hah."
Seeing that, I concluded my thoughts were correct.
'That old man?'
If my thoughts were correct, probably everything from the earlier dispute with Ilcheonggeom up to this very moment was that old man's plan.
To find the connection, the third condition I had proposed would be the reason.
"...Haha."
Realizing that, laughter kept flowing out.
"...?"
As I laughed out loud, the surrounding gazes were drawn to this side.
I tried not to laugh. But this was unavoidable.
"Wow. Truly amazing."
"...What?"
At my reaction, the Twin Ring Swordsman scowled deeply.
"...What's so funny?"
"No, it is funny."
Smiling, I slightly raised my body. If it were up to me, I wouldn't do this because being on the receiving end was irritating, but.
It seemed fine to play along a little here.
After standing up, I spoke to the Twin Ring Swordsman in front of me.
"When bastards who are truly worthless are so busy guarding their own rice bowls... How could I not laugh?"
"...What did you say?"
"What are you saying right now-!"
"You should be grateful to even be attached as assistants. You don't know your place."
Creak.
Pushing the desk in front of me aside, I looked at the Twin Ring Swordsman and the Silver Wolf Swordsman, as well as the other Commanders.
"You seem to be thinking of it strangely. It's not that you are coming under me."
I tilted my head and looked ahead.
"I am taking in you useless lot. Why don't you know that?"
Kuuwoong-!!
As soon as the words left my mouth, fighting spirit surged.
It was from the Twin Ring Swordsman right in front of me.
"You little bastard."
Along with the harsh curse, his fighting spirit began to deepen.
"Are you running wild as if the world is yours because we treat you well? Watch your words."
"My point exactly."
Step.
Ignoring his fighting spirit, I walked forward.
I didn't set the pace very fast.
"Is it because you've always been pampered as Commanders? You don't know how the world works."
"This brat is really...!"
Smack-!
"...!!"
The Twin Ring Swordsman, who had moved his hand to draw his sword, widened his eyes.
His hand failed to reach the hilt and was bounced back.
Because I had swung my arm and struck it away.
"Don't delude yourself. Originally, I wouldn't have accepted even if someone like you kneeled and begged."
Shring-!
At that sight, the Silver Wolf Swordsman next to him drew his sword.
Seeing that, I walked a little further.
My position was the center of the room.
There was a desk a little way ahead, but I didn't care about such things.
After going to the center like that, those who were burning with hostility as they looked at me.
"It seems you have a lot of complaints about a guy like me becoming a Commander."
Looking at them, I curled my finger and opened my mouth.
"Come up one by one. I'll make sure you have no complaints."
I said so with a bright smile.
And immediately.
Kugugugeuk.
Killing intent surged from all directions.