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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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I easily found the Beggars’ Sect leader’s location by hinting at mild, violence-backed threats.
These beggar bastards ignored me and kept their mouths shut when I offered money, but they became obedient after seeing a little blood. As expected, in this Murim, violence is the only answer. Being nice only gets you ignored.
Honestly, I hate hitting beggars.
Still, it feels good that the situation was resolved peacefully without bloodshed. Am I too used to violence? This peaceful approach feels fresh and precious.
“Gasp! That’s!”
“The head, the head!”
“It’s the Hound Lord’s head!”
Carrying the head, the Beggars’ Sect members recoiled in horror.
Among them was a guy with crossed arms, trying to look tough. He looked like the leader.
“…Demon Slayer.”
Ohh, does he know me?
This makes things easier.
“Leader. Let me be blunt. I initially intended to make a peaceful transaction. However, this guy demanded an unreasonably high price for the information, and when I refused, he threatened to sell my information instead.”
“…”
“So I killed him immediately! He threatened my life, making him my sworn enemy! I could never live under the same sky as this bastard!”
I shouted with all my might, filled with anger, to intimidate them, and I could see the other members of the Beggars’ Sect flinching nervously.
The leader was trying to maintain his composure, but he seemed intimidated by my threats.
“But death doesn’t absolve him of responsibility!”
“What do you mean…?”
“Before I kill all you vermin, take responsibility for this situation, Leader!”
“W-What nonsense!”
It goes without saying that I killed someone due to this unfortunate incident, and in this Murim, having someone killed means paying a corresponding commission.
In other words, the beggar essentially stole my commission, so naturally, the leader, as his boss, should take responsibility.
“Nonsense! Did you just call this nonsense?!”
I immediately drew my Sky Thunder Sword, and Jaemison chuckled, sticking close behind me.
“Gasp!”
“H-Hey!”
The panicked beggars drew their weapons and pointed them at us. Of course, they still looked scared. There’s no need to fear those who are losing their nerve. The moment you show fear is the moment you lose. Just like how I’m predicting victory against these vermin right now.
“Because of your shitty management, I ended up killing someone unnecessarily! As the leader, you should take responsibility, you fucking bastard! Am I right or wrong?! Do you all want to die by my hand?!”
“Demon Slayer! Calm down!”
As I roared forcefully, he tried to stop me.
“How do you want me to take responsibility?!”
Finally, he’s talking some sense.
Fortunately, I have the nickname Demon Slayer, which has tilted the situation in my favor. Regardless of anything else, the name Demon Slayer evokes the image of a crazed killer.
And I can take advantage of that image by acting like a madman to gain the upper hand.
“It’s simple. Give me what I originally wanted to trade for. I want information on the Dark Earth Gang’s hideout. Leader, I’m being logical, just, righteous, and reasonable. Take responsibility for your subordinate playing with my life.”
The leader looked at me for a moment.
“Alright. I’ll give you the information on the Dark Earth Gang. So please… let’s not meet again like this. This time, it was our fault, but neither of us wants to die, right?”
What?
“You son of a bitch!”
“What…?”
“Don’t talk shit! This wouldn’t have happened if you had managed your subordinates properly!”
Tears welled up in my eyes from the injustice.
Killing that guy wasn’t a big deal, but the very fact that I killed someone makes me feel like I’m drifting further away from something important.
I’m already distraught because of that, and now these beggar bastards are giving me trouble!
“I killed someone because of you today! I’m holding back a lot right now, but you’re still pushing it! Do you want to die?!”
I activated the Azure Wing Heart Technique and, while crying, took a large step forward.
“H-Haaaaak!”
“Aaaack!”
Two beggars screamed and ran away.
The leader also stumbled backward and cursed.
“Those fucking bastards…!”
“Leader! Answer me! Whose fault is this?!”
“It’s entirely our fault! We were wrong in this matter, so I apologize, Demon Slayer!”
“Give me the information on the Dark Earth Gang!”
“Alright, alright!”
Only then was I able to stop crying.
After venting my boiling emotions, I felt like my reason was returning. Well, that doesn’t mean this was an emotional act.
In this Murim, there’s no such thing as a peaceful resolution once you’re involved in violence or murder. I killed a member of the Beggars’ Sect and made an enemy. But what if I had shown weakness here? I would have become their prey.
Instead, I had to be strong and instill fear to crush their resentment and turn the situation to my advantage.
“Leader! If any unfortunate incidents stemming from this occur because of the Beggars’ Sect, I will slaughter every single one of you! Understand?!”
“A-Alright! Hey, hurry up! Bring the Dark Earth Gang information!”
And so, we managed to acquire information on the Dark Earth Gang from the Beggars’ Sect in a very peaceful and humane manner.
“Phew!”
Damn it.
The repeated killings have pushed my mental state to the limit. But this is what I have to do to survive in this Murim.
When my life is on the line, I will show no mercy…!
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“Keke! That was truly an amazing performance, Kim Geun-hyeop! You truly are the madman I acknowledge! Hahaha!”
Jaemison laughed heartily, delighted.
“To act like you were going to kill someone and then suddenly burst into tears… Hahaha! And amidst all that, a sinister aura of a murder-crazed person overflowed! Even the great demonic leaders of the evil sects wouldn’t be able to feign madness like you!”
He praised me, deeply impressed by my overwhelming acting skills.
Hearing such praise makes me shy.
What kind of talk is this between friends?
“Hey. Was it really that amazing?”
“No doubt about it! Even the Blood Cult’s demonic beings wouldn’t have been that crazy!”
“Kuh huh!”
Ah!
“I should have become an actor!”
Well, I stood out from the moment I joined the historical drama set as an extra. If that wicked director hadn’t sabotaged the filming out of envy and jealousy, I could have become a star.
I have that much potential.
But this wasn’t acting.
Or was it? Is this what they call method acting?
Anyway, while chatting with Jaemison, we arrived near the location of the Dark Earth Gang’s hideout. From there, we kept our mouths shut and cautiously moved forward.
“It’s over there.”
A shabby warehouse-like building.
That’s the Earth Mole Gang’s hideout.
“Jaemison. The Beggars’ Sect information might be inaccurate, so we need to gather information ourselves here.”
“Yeah… I was thinking the same thing.”
“As expected, your mind works well.”
We hid ourselves and observed the warehouse.
I noticed men who looked like thugs entering and exiting the warehouse. But none of them were carrying anything like luggage.
It seemed like it was indeed a building where a group of bandits resided.
“They look like bandits, but we don’t know if they’re the Dark Earth Gang.”
“Don’t you recognize one of them?”
“I don’t see him.”
I definitely remember Oh Suman’s face.
If he’s there, it confirms that this is the Dark Earth Gang’s headquarters, but I don’t see him. Besides, based on my deduction, he likely got lynched by his organization after returning without his two older comrades.
Could he already be dead?
“Hey… Let’s tail that guy.”
“That guy?”
I saw one guy leaving the building and heading somewhere.
Just one person.
These guys don’t care about buddy systems?
Then he’s a good target.
“Let’s go.”
Jaemison and I stealthily followed him. Of course, we didn’t have any professional tracking skills; we just followed him from a distance.
As he entered a slightly secluded area.
“Now.”
“Ha!”
Jaemison and I rushed forward and tackled him from behind!
Crash!
It made a bit of a commotion, but we still didn’t know if this guy was an enemy or unrelated. We didn’t use weapons; we just body-slammed him and grabbed him.
“H-Huh! Who are you?!”
As he said that, just as Jaemison was about to reply, I covered his mouth.
“Black Snake Cult. You’re a pawn of the Black Snake Cult, aren’t you?”
Black Snake Cult was a name I just made up. I intentionally gave a false name to gauge his reaction.
“W-What! I’m from the Dark Earth Gang!”
Bingo.
“Hey. He says he’s from the Dark Earth Gang.”
“Kek… You intentionally gave a false name to extract information. As expected, your mind works well.”
“If you and I put our heads together, we could easily outsmart Lu Bu and Sima Yi.”
“What…? Aren’t they both idiots when it comes to…”
It’s just an expression.
“Um, heroes?”
“Unfortunately, the Black Snake Cult was a lie, and we were looking for the Dark Earth Gang. You’ve fallen into our trap.”
“What!”
“Let’s start with a beating. Jaemison, stomp him!”
Thump! Thump!
We beat the crap out of the Dark Earth Gang vermin.
“Aaaaagh!”
Relentlessly.
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Thanks Simzy!
low key that’s a genius strategy