Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Two years ago...That's a year after the fall of the [Red Lotus] guild.
When they asked Seo Dawon to join, it was still a secretive organization...Various theories crossed my mind. Perhaps HaHae had grown so big such that they could no longer hide its existence? Or, perhaps, they grew bold and revealed themselves after the death of their rival?
Moreover, if what Kim Sangyoon said was true-if Bae Jaemin was supporting Ahn Joosung and was protected by Chairman Ahn-then the HaHae guild already had clutched a heavy purse. The Shin Shin Group was one of the top five conglomerates in Korea.
Even when I didn't fully know the enemy's true identity, I had never thought that revenge would be easy. But, as the reality of the situation was slowly uncovered, a hopeless feeling emerged within me.
Honestly, fulfilling the goal was already a long way off...Now a conglomerate was also implicated in this conspiracy?
However, Seo Dawon did not outwardly react and simply asked him another question. "Then, why aren't you lining up to fawn over Bae Jaemin?"
Kim Sangyoon bit his lips at Seo Dawon's blunt question.
Judging from his distorted expression, there was more to the story.
"Actually, I tried to work underneath him...."
"Yeah?"
"And I got rejected....."
"Bae Jaemin turned you down himself?"
''Yeah...."
"Did you say something wrong?"
"It's nothing like that. When I said I wanted to join HaHae...He told me that he didn't think I was a good fit for the guild...." Kim Sangyoon clenched his fist.
Seo Dawon looked down at him and smiled. "I think you know why he said that, don't you?" He provoked.
Kim Sangyoon did not deny the accusation. After a brief moment of silence, he spoke with a trembling voice, "...It's because of Ahn Joosung. Our classes overlap. That's why he hates me."
"He hates you just because he's also a Warrior?"
"It's a bit embarrassing to say this, but...He can't stand anyone who's a better Warrior than he is. He despises those that take attention away from him."
It seems he was a bit ashamed to toot his own horn while being completely overpowered by Seo Dawon. However, judging by his gritted teeth, it seems like he wasn't spouting nonsense.
Should I say that I felt within him a wave of anger unique to those that have suffered at the hands of many fools?
Seo Dawon cut his rambling short and asked another question. "But you've been in touch with Ahn Joosung during the <Tower of Command> raid, haven't you?"
That's right. I think Kim Sangyoon was angry that Ahn Joosung didn't inform him of something and betrayed him.
"...Ahn Joosung may hate me, but I'm not in the position to readily show my mutual hatred." Kim Sangyoon answered, calmly. "He promised to inform us before he defeated the final boss, so we could join the battle and split the rewards."
"....."
"But...I guess he had no intention of honoring his promise. I guess I was a fool to believe him."
To reiterate...
Kim Sangyoon knew that Ahn Joosung didn't like him, but he endured the abuse to mooch from his status...In the end, he ended up with nothing but water while Ahn Joosung took the entire feast at the <Tower of Command> raid.
Coincidentally, I, who was in his party, suddenly made large amounts of money selling Barnasiums and exchanged business cards with Bae Jaemin, who was well known as Ahn Joosung's partner...Wow. Even I would think the whole situation looked fishy.
When Sangyoon's story finished, Seo Dawon roughly grabbed at his hair and lifted him. Kim Sangyoon trembled with fear and closed his eyes, trying not to look at his assailant.
Laughing at his pitiful appearance, Seo Dawon said, "I thought I would gouge out your eyes if you looked at me...how quick-witted of you."
"Please....."
"Do you want to live?"
Kim Sangyoon nodded like crazy, even though his hair was locked in Seo Dawon's grasp. The desperation in his face turned my stomach, and I found it hard to continue to observe any more of this one-sided interrogation.
However, Seo Dawon's eyes became colder as Kim Sangyoon acted more servile. "You know...what you said was damn funny."
"......What?"
"If you're telling the truth, then you should have threatened Ahn Joosung, your betrayer, or Bae Jaemin, his direct supporter. Why would you try to beat our cute Lee-kyung-ie, hmm? After drinking, too."
Hearing him call me cute, I thought Seo Dawon was joking. Surprisingly, though, his expression was devoid of all amusement. I could feel the bloodthirst rolling off of him, chilling my spine.
"What I found most disgusting is that, after drinking, you made the conscious decision to visit Choi Lee-kyung's house. Why did you come here? You wanted to beat him into a bloody rice cake, didn't you?" 1
"N-no. I just wanted to talk...."
"I see people these days call holding someone up by their collar, 'talking'"
-Slap!
Seo Dawon struck Kim Sangyoon across his cheek.
The blow was intense enough to turn his entire head. Even after being slapped, Kim Sangyoon did not open his eyes. Seo Dawon warned him, "Don't talk nonsense to me. After being left with nothing so many times by Bae Jaemin and Ahn Joosung, you went to drink out of frustration. There's no way you could have vented your frustrations onto them-you would have been crushed. While you were out, someone must have spread the rumor about Bae Jaemin and Lee-kyung exchanging business cards. They probably also talked about the Barnasiums there as well."
"....."
"So you're here to sate your anger-you're here because you got provoked...Well, tell me if I'm right. You're here to soothe your bruised pride. Don't you think so?"
"...."
"Why can't you stand Bae Jaemin or Ahn Juseong picking on you? After all, you're here to pick on someone weaker than you. Bastard, you're the same as them."
For a moment, I thought Seo Dawon's words were too heavy-handed-too harsh...Complex emotions welled up inside of me. The uncomfortable shame of weakness...a feeling of relief...One after the other the two blended in my conflicted heart.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry......" Kim Sangyoon began to beg with both his hands clasped together.
Seo Dawon let him go, laughing, "Where are you directing that apology?"
Sangyoon opened his eyes very carefully, quickly turned his back on Seo Dawon, and crawled to me on his knees. "I'm so sorry! So Sorry!"
I wasn't happy that he looked so broken; I wasn't sure I could forgive him and send him back in this state. I hesitated, unable to do this or that.
Behind Kim Sangyoon's back, Seo Dawon gestured with his hands, as if he could perceive my concerns. He started moving his fingers as if he typing into the air.
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Seo Dawon: I think this guy might come in handy.
Seo Dawon: Let's make a living servant, kek
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As expected, he was sending a message through the system.
Contrary to what he wrote, however, Seo Dawon insisted on killing Kim Sangyoon with a vicious tone.
"Lee-kyung-ah, what should we do? Should I kill him?"
"Wuuu..." Kim Sangyoon whimpered.
"I recommend quickly killing him, to divert any future troubles."
"I-I have a trusty mouth! Lee-kyung-nim! Please...." 2"
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Seo Dawon: Reverse psychology, lolol
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I looked between Kim Sangyoon's frightened expression, Seo Dawon's expectant, grinning face, and the system message that anticipated far too much from me.
He probably wanted me to play the good cop to his threatening bad cop, saving Kim Sangyoon's life with kindness...
I shook my head and spoke in an awkward tone, "Let's. see. No. matter. how. much. wrong. he's. done. killing. someone. is. way. too. overboard...."
"L-Lee-kyung-nim....!"
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Seo Dawon: Idiot, lolololololol
Seo Dawon: What's with your acting?
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I've never done anything like this before, so I sounded as if I was reading off some script.
Seo Dawon hadn't even given me an advance warning-I got frustrated at his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "Shut up!" I said.
Fortunately, Kim Sangyoon was far too scared to notice our suspicious behavior. He clung to my feet, "I-If you'd just spare me, I'll do anything. Lee-kyung-nim, please.....!"
TL: That feel when MC is horrible at improv.