Of course, I still couldn't understand why Mun Dohyeok had come to my side.
Honestly, I couldn't trust him either.
‘It could be that Ilcheonggeom employed some needless scheme.’
It might be a high-level ploy to use a spy on their side to shake us up.
Meaning, a double agent.
Or, considering Mun Dohyeok's position, a triple agent...?
‘Anyway...’
As much as Mun Dohyeok's choice was incomprehensible, trusting him was out of the question.
As I said earlier, I simply couldn't trust a guy with such a long history of betrayal.
Perhaps sensing my suspicion, Mun Dohyeok hid his trembling hands and spoke to me.
"If you wish it, I will accept a restriction seal... P-Please, take me in."
He was offering to carve a restriction into his own body. That wasn't something one could just say lightly.
‘Even if he says that, I still won't trust him.’
I couldn't trust him based on words alone.
Even if that weren't the case, I had no intention of trusting this bastard.
However.
‘What I need to focus on isn't this bastard's humanity.’
Mun Dohyeok's nature, his earnestness, or his desperation.
Those were out of the question from the start.
The only thing I needed to see in him here was one thing.
‘His value.’
Where, how, and in what manner could he be used. And whether he was of any use at all.
That single point was all I needed to consider, and the way I viewed Mun Dohyeok was—
‘Not bad.’
He was a decent card. One might say now was the perfect time to use him as a throwaway piece.
‘Hmm.’
What should I do with him.
I pondered it briefly. If this was Ilcheonggeom's scheme...
‘The ways to counter it... are two at most.’
Not nonexistent, so a manageable level.
Then, conversely, if Mun Dohyeok had genuinely betrayed Ilcheonggeom...
‘It's a bit vague to use him as a dagger.’
A decisive strike would be impossible.
Besides, I already had preparations in place, so it wasn't necessary at this point. If I had to force a use for him, I could use him to annoy Ilcheonggeom a little.
‘Ummm.’
So I agonized over it. Not whether this bastard was a spy or not.
‘Should I kill him or let him live.’
Whether to eliminate him right before my eyes or not. That was what I was debating.
Killing him right now wouldn't be a problem. He wouldn't leave a trace, and nothing would change if he died.
Even considering the variables, simply disposing of him was the right call.
‘Then should I kill him?’
Flinch-!
Mun Dohyeok looked at me and trembled. It seemed he had sensed my faint killing intent.
"C-Chief..."
Keeping him alive was only useful for irritating Ilcheonggeom, so honestly, disposing of him would be more beneficial...
"Hmm."
I deliberated, then nodded. I had reached a conclusion.
Swoosh.
"Gasp...!"
As I stood up, Mun Dohyeok jumped in fright and scrambled backward.
He looked incredibly pathetic. So, with a look of dismay, I asked him.
"What are you doing?"
"T-That is... P-Please, just spare my life..."
"What are you talking about? Who said anything about killing you?"
"...P-Pardon?"
"You asked me to accept you, didn't you?"
"Gasp! T-Then...!"
"Stop making a fool of yourself and get up. We're heading out now."
Solely to screw over Ilcheonggeom, there was definitely some risk involved, but I would accept him for now. I figured this much was fine.
If worst comes to worst.
‘I can just kill them all.’
Because I had a definitive solution.
********************
I stepped outside.
Lanterns were already illuminating the entire branch. The martial artists were preparing for the night watch in shifts.
As the Branch Master, I didn't need to stand a night watch, but since I trained during the night, I tended to make rounds occasionally.
"Loyalty."
"Yeah. Keep up the good work."
Every time I passed by, the members who spotted me hastily snapped to attention.
I wanted to tell them not to bother, but with a strict hierarchy in place, this much discipline had to be maintained.
Otherwise, they'd occasionally try to step out of line.
‘And beating them down one by one when that happens is annoying.’
I could just stomp on them if they stepped out of line, but making the effort to do so was a hassle.
As I was making my way around the branch, checking on the members here and there—
"E-Excuse me... Branch Master."
"What."
Mun Dohyeok, who was following behind me, asked in an anxious voice.
"Where... exactly are we going right now?"
It seemed he was unsettled because I was moving without stating our destination.
I let out a smirk and replied.
"You're asking where we're going right now?"
"Yes."
"Where else? I'm looking for a place to bury you."
"...!!"
Mun Dohyeok flinched violently and stopped in his tracks. Fear instantly filled his eyes.
Seeing that, I let out another smirk and said,
"I'm joking."
"Ah...! Haha... A j-joke, I see."
"Yeah, I'm actually on my way to meet the Blue Dragon Branch Master."
"Ah, the Blue Dragon Branch Master... Wait, what?"
At the following words, Mun Dohyeok's eyes widened.
"What... what do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean? Exactly what I said. I'm going to see Ilcheonggeom."
"...N-No."
"Don't worry. I just have a few things to ask him."
"Then... why am I coming along...?"
If he was going to ask Ilcheonggeom something, why was he bringing him along? Mun Dohyeok asked, clearly unable to comprehend.
"Well, that's because..."
I answered his question nonchalantly.
"It's just more convenient to bring you along since I have some things to ask about you."
"Pardon...? What do you mean...!"
"Ah, stop interrogating me. Do you want me to pierce your lips with a skewer so you can't talk? Nice and clean? I just have a use for you, so shut up and follow me."
"..."
Only when I spat those words out in annoyance did Mun Dohyeok finally close his mouth.
Once he finally quieted down, I let out a sigh.
Sensing him still hesitating along the way, I turned back and added,
"I'm telling you now, it's too late to run away. If you're going to stick with me, do it properly. If it looks like you're weighing your options, I'll be the first to take you out. You got it?"
"Y-Yes, sir..."
At the warning laced with killing intent, Mun Dohyeok's face turned pale.
I meant it. If he acted up and annoyed me again, I would kill him and dispose of the body.
After finishing my rounds, I asked one of the members near the end.
"Where is the Vice Branch Master?"
It wasn't Dang Soyeol, but the other one was nowhere to be seen.
The member I asked answered with a rigid posture.
"The Vice Branch Master is currently in the western quarters."
"The west? If it's the west..."
I checked the location and tilted my head in confusion.
"That's where the Blue Dragon Division is. Why is he there?"
I hadn't heard any report that he had business there?
Seeing my confusion, the member continued with a subtle expression on his face.
"Well... He said there was an issue with the Blue Dragon Division regarding intelligence gathering..."
"Hmm?"
What was this now? An issue?
"So, he got called over without even reporting it to me?"
"Yes, sir. The Vice Branch Master said that since you were out, he would go handle it directly first..."
"Then, he should have at least left a message so I'd be informed the moment I returned. Why am I only finding out by asking you? It's too late. Don't you think?"
"...I-I apologize."
"Fuck your apologies. Is this how you're going to do your jobs?"
It wasn't just this bastard; the others were the same. Ah, this was pissing me off.
"...No, sir. I apologize."
"You... No. Gather all members, including yourself, in front of my quarters. If even one person is missing, you're dead. Got it?"
"...L-Loyalty...!"
When I snapped at him, the pale-faced member hastily answered.
Even if this unit was formed only recently, the reporting system couldn't be this much of a mess.
‘I was going to let things slide a bit, but...’
It was difficult to just overlook when they were disregarding things to this extent.
‘He got called to the Blue Dragon Division, you say? Perfect.’
Since I was heading there, I might as well grab him and hear what he has to say.
I immediately dragged Mun Dohyeok along and headed for the Blue Dragon Division's quarters.
As I appeared, the Blue Dragon Division members nearby looked startled. Though they immediately snapped to attention upon seeing me, a faint hint of dissatisfaction lingered on their faces.
This wasn't a new occurrence, and I usually ignored it since I didn't care about that level of resentment, but...
"You there."
This time, I had business to attend to as well, so I pointed at one of them and called him over.
"...Are you referring to me?"
The guy I pointed at asked back, his eyes asking if it could really be him.
"Yes, I mean you. Come here."
"..."
He had a reluctant expression on his face.
I was already annoyed, and seeing that face just pissed me off more.
"Going to fix that expression? Or do I have to fix it for you with my fists?"
I spat those words out, barely holding back my anger, and the member swallowed dryly, desperately trying to fix his expression.
"I came to see the Blue Dragon Branch Master. I heard our Vice Branch Master is also here. Where is he?"
The member's eyes narrowed slightly at my words.
It was a tone that suggested he knew something.
"...He is currently inside, speaking with our Vice Branch Mas—"
"Got it."
"Uh, w-wait a...!"
The guy hastily tried to stop me, but I was already stepping through the door.
As I stepped into the Blue Dragon Division's quarters—
-How... could.
-...Discipline is...
-How dare... you insult the Branch Master...
Voices reached my ears. Was it coming from the center of the quarters?
Judging by the tone, it didn't sound like a peaceful conversation.
The ones speaking were...
‘Sounded like our Vice Branch Master.’
One of them seemed to be our Vice Branch Master. If so, who was the other?
I closed the distance to find out, and the voices gradually became clearer.
-I never thought you'd be so unreasonable. What are you going to do with absolutely no flexibility?
The sarcastic tone belonged to a voice I was hearing for the first time.
-...What does this have to do with flexibility...!
As if angered by those words, the Vice Branch Master raised his voice.
-The Seongryong Division is not a subordinate unit of the Blue Dragon Division. The Blue Dragon Division is clearly here as support, so watch your words.
-Ha. Are you trying to teach me a lesson right now? Me?
Look at this.
Listening to the conversation, it seemed like things were going in a weird direction.
How interesting. I pricked up my ears and quickened my pace.
-I'm not trying to teach you, but as a fellow Vice Branch Master, I'm rightfully suggesting...
-Hahaha. Fellow...? That's absurd. Listen here. How can you spout such nonsense?
His voice was dripping with sheer incredulity.
Hearing that, I picked up my speed.
My field of vision shifted.
-You were nothing back when you were in the Red Dragon Division, but now that you've gotten a little authority, you think we're on the same level? There's a limit to delusions.
-Vice Branch Master Jin...! What kind of nonsense is that? Our titles are officially recognized by the Alliance.
-Having the same title doesn't mean we're on the same level. Isn't that right? How can you claim to be my equal when our generations are entirely different?
As my toes touched the ground, the first thing that came into view was a massive hall.
Beneath it, I could see several figures standing.
Who was the owner of that voice? I didn't need to look far.
Before the red-faced Vice Branch Master stood a bastard with an insufferable expression on his face.
It was definitely that guy.
"Claiming that this place is the same as a gathering of half-baked fools is an insult to us..."
"Hey."
"Hmm?"
The bastard turned around at the call.
"Uh...?"
The bastard's eyes widened as he recognized my face.
Smash-!
"Gack!"
His jawbone was shattered by the following punch.