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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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“Aaack!”
“Uuurgh!”
Not only Dandu, but the other beggar sect members also ran away like their souls were escaping. Dandu mumbled something while watching them, but was there any chance those fleeing bastards would return?
“Dandu!!! Don’t run away!!! You’re the one who turned me into the Screaming Demonl!!! Aren’t you!!!”
“Aaaack! That! Please save me!”
I threatened him, acting as much as possible like the crazy murderous lunatic known as the Screaming Demon, the Great Devil. Then, that bastard Dandu completely turned pale, trembling and begging for his life.
The sight was so funny I almost burst out laughing, but I had to keep up the act until the very end. The act to completely overwhelm this cowardly bastard.
Shwing!
I drew my Sky Thunder Sword and raised it high.
“Tell me the truth quickly!!!”
“I did it! I did it, I tell you! Please spare my life!”
“Is that so.”
I immediately sheathed my sword.
“Huh…?”
“Don’t change someone else’s nickname without permission. It’s offensive.”
When I wiped my tears and spoke calmly, Dandu looked bewildered. Taking advantage of that opening, I suddenly asked about Galbijong.
“Anyway, I want to know some information about the recently infiltrated warrior.”
“Ah, aah… That guy, you say.”
“Did he tell you about me?”
“Th, that’s right.”
So it was this bastard.
Well, I asked him this and that about Galbijong in that manner, and it was more useful than I thought. As expected of beggar sect members, they know this kind of low-level information well.
“Good. Dandu. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on, but if you keep causing unpleasant incidents, I might cry. Understand?”
“Ah, I understand.”
“Behave yourself from now on. Cooperate with me. And don’t leak information about me carelessly. Got it? Answer me!”
“Uuack! I understand!”
Good answer.
I plan to gather the Heretical path groups in this area. For that, the beggar sect’s cooperation is essential.
Now that I’ve broken his spirit, he’ll answer my questions well from now on. No, wait. Should I try using the beggar sect as my subordinates? The beggar sect and Dandu are nothing more than the leader of a gang of thugs extorting beggars.
If I form a faction and pressure him, he’ll quickly surrender.
“You answered well! Now answer me again! Where is Galbijong right now!”
“He, He! He said he’s staying at an inn! I’ll recall the exact location, just give me a little…!”
In the end, Dandu couldn’t withstand my pressure-cooker interview and answered all my questions. I heard that Galbijong is staying at a place called Bae Yeon Inn, so I think I should head there now.
I immediately moved in that direction.
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“Ooh, Screaming Demon!!! You’ve come!”
Galbijong, with his ever-clear eyes, greeted me.
“Yes… Galbijong. I’ve come. I’ve given your proposal some serious thought.”
“Really!”
At my words, his eyes changed into big, clear eyes like those of 90s cartoon characters. That burdensome sparkling gaze… How on earth is this guy in the evil sect?
With eyes like that, he should be in the most righteous and sensitive sect among all Jeongpa.
No, no, wait. Quite the opposite. There’s no way a guy with such crazy eyes could join a place like the Jeongpa. The only place suitable for this kind of guy is a space full of fierce and violent people.
“Galbijong. You said you’re creating a faction here for the mission.”
“That’s right!”
“That means… if you create a faction, it becomes a faction under your Heretical path Sect?”
“For now, yes.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“What…?”
That can’t be. I need to cut ties with the Heretical path Sect.
“Galbijong. The proposal to build power here is intriguing. I like it. Wiping out all the disobedient ones and becoming their leader. It’s a good proposal. Hehehe.”
I continued speaking while laughing like the cruelest Devil possible.
“You seem to have a plan.”
“Yes. But I don’t like that Heretical path Sect.”
“…”
Galbijong closed his mouth as if nervous. His eyes were still clear.
“We are the ones creating and running the faction. The Heretical path Sect hasn’t done anything in this process. So why should we hand over the profits to them?”
“That’s because…”
“I found out you came here alone, Galbijong. In other words, the Heretical path Sect hasn’t provided you with any support. Correct?”
“Uh, uh?”
At my words, Galbijong tilted his head as if puzzled.
“Come to think of it, that’s right. I just received the mission; I haven’t received any support whatsoever. My travel expense request was rejected… So I spent quite a bit of my own money getting here.”
No, really? They didn’t give you anything when sending you on a business trip? It’s surprising, but this is probably the average for the evil sect. Technically, you could say that lending the name of the Heretical path Sect is considered a travel expense, but it’s really worth shit, so we can ignore it.
“They didn’t give you anything. Khehehe, that’s truly ridiculous. It seems certain that the Black Finance Clan bastards haven’t done a thing.”
“…”
“I have no intention of handing anything over to those guys. Galbijong. Make your choice. Will you side with the Heretical path Sect and oppose me, or will you ignore the Heretical Sect and quietly create our own faction?”
“Are you saying…that I should leave the Heretical path Sect?”
A look of wariness appeared in Galbijong’s clear eyes.
“That’s not what I’m saying. It’s just that handing over the profits to the Heretical path Sect, which has no stake in this, doesn’t make sense. It’s so sad, it brings tears to my eyes.”
“…”
Galbijong fell into thought. Then he looked at me.
“Ha, haha!”
“Hahahaha! I see! As expected, my eyes weren’t mistaken, Screaming Demonl!”
What’s he talking about?
“Anyway, since it’ll be difficult for the Heretical path Sect to extend their reach here, I’m saying we should create the faction first, build our power, and monopolize the profits!”
I quietly nodded.
“Even if the Heretical path Sect demands tribute, we’ll ignore them! It’ll be difficult for them to come all the way here, and since we’ll already be established here, we’ll have the absolute advantage!”
“Exactly.”
“Now that I think about it, there was no need to be fixated on the Heretical path Sect! You truly are a wise warrior! Khahaha!”
I wasn’t sure what this guy realized, but he certainly seemed happy.
“Screaming Demon!!!, I have a fairly large ambition. I took on this mission to prove my abilities and establish a stepping stone to climb even higher.”
He’s a man with ambition.
“But if things go well here, it seems like I won’t need the Heretical path Sect or anything. They’re more of a hindrance. If this succeeds, I will cut ties with the Heretical Market Sect. They didn’t do anything, yet they want to take all the benefits. It’s preposterous.”
A very positive statement. Perhaps his clear eyes also reflect his clear judgment? Of course, I don’t know if he’s being sincere. But one thing’s for sure: he’s revealed his stance to me.
“Good. Then I will join forces with you, Galbijong.”
“Thank you!”
Clap!
Galbijong extended his hand, and I shook it.
“My name is Kim Geun-hyeop… Keep that in mind, Galbijong.”
“Call me comfortably! I’ll do the same!”
“Hehehe, alright.”
He’s easygoing and sociable. Based on my observations of Galbijong so far, he has ambition, drive, and a certain level of judgment. Plus, he has a good personality, so he seems like a decent comrade.
Of course, since I’ve only met him a few times, I can’t completely trust him. However, one’s true nature is difficult to hide. Especially for a low-ranking Sapa warrior. Perhaps this behavior is an act. But that’s too unrealistic an assumption. A guy with this level of acting skill is a low-ranking Sapa? And he’s using that acting skill to deceive someone like Screaming Demon? Nonsense.
Besides, this guy has a bizarre side. Like when he offered me flowers and proposed an alliance. That’s not something that can be covered up by acting. That was his true intention. If I build a trusting relationship with him, he might become a close friend like Jaemison.
“Then let’s form the faction now! Let’s decide on a name. What are your thoughts?”
“Nachalbang.”
“Nachalbang!”
“I think Nachalbang would be a good name for our faction. Normally, I’d include your nickname too, but… you haven’t revealed it.”
“That’s true. Alright! Our faction’s name is Nachalbang!”
With this, the faction was formed.
“Then, Kim Geun-hyeop! It’s time you introduce me to the Anhui Twin Killers!”
“What?”
What the hell, who are the Anhui Twin Killers? They’re not the Anhui Twin Killers, they’re the Anhui Twin warriors! Why do the nicknames keep changing? Is it that beggar gang bastard Dandu again? Screaming Demon, Anhui Twin Killers… he’s really something.
“It’s the Anhui Twin warriors… Do you know anything about him?”
“I’ve looked into that as well. I heard he’s a vicious assassin who uses unique hidden weapons. I heard he enjoys piercing people’s bodies for no particular reason. A truly admirable warrior.”
Galbijong spouted nonsense while his eyes sparkled. This guy seems to have a decent personality, but judging by the way he talks, he’s definitely not normal. Building a trusting relationship with this guy seems a bit difficult.
“Even the lowliest Heretical-clad thugs know about him. If we join forces with someone like him, we can crush our enemies’ morale.”
I’ve decided. I’ll introduce him to Jaemison as well.
“Alright. I’ll introduce you.”
“Ooh…!”
Why is this guy’s reaction to being impressed so good? He could make a living just doing this.
“Before that, there are two others.”
“What? Who are they?”
“Show yourselves.”
Swoosh.
The masters who were hiding emerged. They were wearing camouflage clothing, but rumors about them were already widespread in the marketplace. It’ll eventually get out, so there’s no problem revealing them now.
“Who are these female warriors?”
“You must have heard the rumors, right? The rumors that I love flowers.”
“What are you…”
“The Flower of the Martial World, the Jade Flower Sword and Calamitous Fire Hibiscus. They are my beloveds.”
“What…!”
Galbijong’s jaw dropped. Serin and Ha-yeong simply nodded their heads in greeting as they looked at Galbijong.
“…Really?”
“You’ll find out if you just ask around a little.”
“…”
Drip, drip.
Sweat began to trickle down his forehead. Well, it’s understandable that he’d be nervous after seeing masters like them.
“Let’s work well together, Galbijong. They will be a great help in establishing our faction.”
“Understood… I look forward to working with you.”
Galbijong bowed his head in greeting, and we immediately went to find Jaemison. With Jaemison, we’ll be five, the start of our crew. This is reassuring. Four out of the five core members are my close friends and lovers. This way, Galbijong won’t be able to plot anything. I’ll coordinate with Galbijong, but ultimately, Nachalbang will move according to my will.
Anyway, Although a bit late, I need to introduce my beloveds to my close friend Jaemison. I didn’t expect to introduce them like this, but good is good. He will also be a key member of Nachalbang, so let’s introduce them on this occasion.
“Jaemison!”
“Aah… Hmm?”
Jaemison, who was trudging down, stopped and looked at me.
“Let’s talk!”
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