Chapter 592. In Battle (2)
“Fools who can't do anything with their own strength mistakenly think my master's achievements are theirs. Idiot kings do not sink their nations, but treacherous dogs of retainers do, Knight Wiggins. If fools like that young man, who do not understand their positions, gain enough influence... It's bound to destabilize the organization.”
Wiggins neither agreed nor disagreed with Vator's argument. Of course, he also didn't have plans to defend Lee Hyeon-Su from criticisms, either. “Sir Vator... That young man hasn't reached that stage yet.”
“That is why he's still alive,” said Vator, his expression stiff. “However, I can see the buds blooming already. As such, I decided to warn him ahead of time. And now, he will probably stop having untoward thoughts.”
Wiggins studied Vator with a great deal of interest.
'This man is surprisingly thoughtful, isn't he?'
Not only that, but his loyalty toward Kang Jin-Ho seemed absolute, too. Bringing someone like Vator to his side should be considered a stroke of heavenly fortune for Kang Jin-Ho. Except... How should Wiggins describe this?
Wiggins casually leaned back against his couch. “Regardless... I'm having difficulty understanding this situation. To think there was a faction within the organization wishing to oppose Mister Jin-Ho! Resisting him should be impossible with such low strength of South Korean martial artists, so I'm rather puzzled by this development.”
Vator tutted loudly. “It is possible. Because they do not know.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It is possible because their levels are so pathetic. A foot soldier with military training and knowledge would never think of destroying a tank with a rifle. However, a random redneck with zero knowledge of how fearsome tanks can be would think he can do it.”
“Hmm... Do you think South Korean martial artists are simply not strong enough to accurately gauge Mister Jin-Ho's strength?”
“Most likely.”
If that was the case, this event made more sense to Wiggins. Even so...
“Even if that's true, shouldn't they feel instinctive fear toward Mister Jin-Ho?” Wiggins curiously asked.
Vator narrowed his eyes in contemplation. “Someone must've incited them from behind the scene.”
“Are you implying that Mister Jin-Ho has deliberately let them be?”
Vator slowly shook his head. “My master is a perfect existence as a martial artist. However, he still exhibits a fatal flaw as the head of an organization.”
“A... fatal flaw, is it?”
“Yes. He's too soft on his own people.”
“Hmm…” Wiggins nodded while agreeing with that assessment. He didn't need to look far to see the proof, after all. Kang Jin-Ho placed far-too-much trust in people he saw as his allies, and the shining example of that was how he treated Wiggins and Vator.
Maybe it was a trait of a wise, benevolent king. However... Idiocy wasn't the sole reason countless monarchs in the history books failed to be benevolent and kind leaders.
Humans tended to grow arrogant the more trusted they were. If they were allowed to sit, humans would soon start whining about wanting to lie down instead. That was human nature.
Using force and coercion to manipulate humans was several times 'easier' than ruling over them through faith and trust.
“Of course, I would dare not say treating allies well is wrong. No, such a trait should be commended. Not many are benevolent enough to do so, after all. No, my master's problem is how he decides someone is his ally. His criteria seem nebulous at best.”
“Mm...” Wiggins rubbed his chin in deliberation.
“You are not much different, Knight Wiggins,” Vator suddenly shot a sharp glare in Wiggins' direction.
“Please call me Mister Wiggins, Sir Vator,” said Wiggins.
“Your title doesn't really matter. Even if you don't want to be called a knight anymore, your background will still remain the same, anyway. Now, answer me. Do you serve my master in earnest?”
The vibe coming from Vator was unsettling. However, Wiggins was very different from Lee Hyeon-Su and didn't even get flustered by this incredible pressure. He simply shrugged his shoulders as if this question was a bit troubling to answer.
“If I'm being honest, I'm not familiar with how the East's master-servant relationship works.”
“Hmph. Even though the concept of a master-servant relationship did not originate from the East?”
“Of course. I won't deny that. Even then, that concept has evolved into something akin to a contract on our side of the globe. So, I'm a contractor in that sense. I help the Martial Assembly and Mister Jin-Ho and get compensated for it. However, it'll be troublesome for me if you expect absolute loyalty to the point of sacrificing my life.”
“Very well...!” Vator growled menacingly. “If that is the contract my master formed with you, I shall respect his decision. However, do remember this. The moment you choose betrayal, you will have to deal with my fists.”
“Don't worry. That will never happen.”
“Hmph.” Vator spun on his heels and exited the room.
'That was nothing to laugh about...'
Wiggins sighed softly. Vator's forceful aura was suffocating enough for even Wiggins to take a step back. He never had any allusions to besting Vator in a contest of strength.
However, Wiggins had faced and even opposed countless many powerful individuals over the years thanks to the quirks of his former job. So, he figured Vator's aura wouldn't be enough to push him back, but...
“Hah. I thought I was going to die just now...”
Vator's fame was not for nothing, then. Even Wiggins, who had experienced all sorts of trials and tribulations in his life, found it hard to deal with Vator's aura.
'It seems my lord has acquired one of the best cards available in this deck.'
What the Martial Assembly lacked until now was someone like Vator. As this organization was created by and for the martial artists, it required the unwavering dignity of the ones standing on the top of the hierarchy to keep existing.
Of course, that didn't mean Wiggins thought Kang Jin-Ho lacked enough charisma. He could even say Kang Jin-Ho simply overflowed with it! But the problem with that was... Most of Kang Jin-Ho's charisma was directed at another matter unrelated to the Assembly.
One of the things Wiggins found somewhat weird was how Kang Jin-Ho, Bang Jin-Hun and Lee Hyeon-Su all possessed the right to voice their opinions in crucial meetings.
When nicely put, this was democracy at its finest. When objectively analyzed, though... This situation was not much different to a corporation's chairman debating heatedly with a new employee every time there was a company-wide conference.
A hierarchy certainly existed in the Martial Assembly... But it wasn't being adhered to.
A chairman willing to listen to a new recruit's opinions and the chairman and the newbie holding equal voting rights were two starkly different propositions. If the 'perfect' democracy was always right, why would anyone want to elect a head of state? Wouldn't that be pointless?
But now, Vator was stepping up to fix this situation.
'Well, hopefully, he won't go as far as the Red Guards...'
As long as Vator was around, people who acted casually around Kang Jin-Ho until now would have to be a bit more cautious. And the result of this change could be a net positive for everyone, at least in Wiggins' opinion.
“Well, then... Shall I deal with what's asked of me first?” Wiggins turned his head and stared outside the window. The sun was setting over the horizon. “Time to earn my keep, then...?”
Wiggins might not be as visceral with his expressions as Vator, but even he was still burning in the flames of powerful motivation.
Many people in this place had been underestimating Wiggins' powers. What an unfortunate thing this was, but his fame as a knight of the Round Table meant little in the East.
If this was Europe, Wiggins would've been showered with awe and respect by now. However, when he objectively analyzed the treatment he received so far, it seemed people here perceived him as a weird uncle who's 'supposed to be famous in the West or something'.
Wiggins slowly smacked his lips.
'Even if that's true, I didn't think I'd be underestimated to this extent...'
Of course, one didn't become a knight of the Round Table through their martial prowess alone, so Wiggins did think the impact of his title wouldn't be as pronounced in this part of the world. However, the level of disinterest he received was still well beyond his expectations.
It wasn't as if Wiggins wanted to be treated like someone super-important. Even so, shouldn't he do something about the way people perceived him? Especially when he was seen as a weird foreigner uncle who joined the Martial Assembly for some strange reason!
Since so many younger-generation martial artists had signed up for his curriculum, perhaps now was a good time to prove his worth to everyone.
“Although... What a shame that I don't have a suitable opponent this time around.”
Wiggins got up and leisurely strolled outside the room.
***
The darkness had finally fallen.
Kang Jin-Ho silently stared at the Martial Assembly HQ's grounds bathed in the darkness of the night from the rooftop.
What an odd feeling this was. Once upon a time, the Assembly was nothing more than a place where strangers lived. But now? Looking at it gave him a feeling of stability for some reason.
When did the Martial Assembly start holding this special meaning to Kang Jin-Ho? He couldn't tell.
“Mister Jin-Ho, the preparations are finished.”
Kang Jin-Ho glanced back at that voice coming from behind him. The story with that voice's owner was also largely the same, now wasn't it?
'Even though we started off on the wrong foot...'
Lee Hyeon-Su tried to kill Kang Jin-Ho. The ordeal of being buried alive with Choi Yeon-Ha under the collapsing tunnel was still vivid in Kang Jin-Ho's head even to this day. And that incident was the handiwork of Lee Hyeon-Su, wasn't it? Even so, Kang Jin-Ho could sense Lee Hyeon-Su's undying faith in him these days.
Considering all these points, maybe it was no surprise that Kang Jin-Ho found adapting to the modern era such a challenge. So many things changed in the proverbial blink of an eye, so how was he supposed to keep up?
Yesterday's enemies became today's comrades. Meanwhile, he was about to eliminate a group of people he thought of as his comrades. With his own hands, no less. With situations like this constantly happening around him, how was Kang Jin-Ho supposed to draw the line?
Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes and stared at Lee Hyeon-Su.
Lee Hyeon-Su was looking down, his expression stiff. The ample hints of respect gushing out of his pose forced Kang Jin-Ho to tilt his head slightly.
Was this... nervousness? No, it didn't seem that way.
“Did something happen?” Kang Jin-Ho curiously asked.
“...I was reprimanded earlier.”
“Reprimanded?”
“It was something necessary. Please don't mind it.”
Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. He wasn't sure what this was all about, but Lee Hyeon-Su said it was necessary. In that case, it must be.
“Okay. Then, let's get started.”
“We need to sort out four places,” said Lee Hyeon-Su.
“Mm...”
“Firstly, the location where the elders have gathered. Then, Lee Jung-Geol's official residence. Also, the rebel forces within the Assembly, and finally...” Lee Hyeon-Su whispered the details into Kang Jin-Ho's ear.
“That's more than I thought,” Kang Jin-Ho muttered while nodding slowly.
“Yes, sir. Considering our forces, needing to clean up so many places at once is not ideal. However, the removal of malignant tumors necessitates the removal of benign tumors as well. This event was bound to happen, anyway.”
“Right, that's true,” Kang Jin-Ho replied with a voice devoid of emotion.
Lee Hyeon-Su's head faltered even lower after realizing that. Kang Jin-Ho... was always like this, wasn't he?
Most of the time, Kang Jin-Ho seemed a little too dull for his own good. However, whenever he perceived a need to step forward, he'd become colder and crueler than anyone Lee Hyeon-Su knew. This chasm between the two personas sent a chill of dread down Lee Hyeon-Su's spine.
'Sir Vator is right.'
Maybe, Lee Hyeon-Su was subconsciously trying to exploit Kang Jin-Ho's so-called dull side. Even though all Lee Hyeon-Su could do was shiver pitifully whenever Kang Jin-Ho revealed his true self, didn't he try to lecture this fearsome returner while the latter was in his peaceful mode some time ago?
Lee Hyeon-Su reflected on his mistake.
'Never forget, Lee Hyeon-Su!'
Exploiting another's goodwill was the worst thing he could do.
Lee Hyeon-Su raised his head and stared at Kang Jin-Ho. “Mister Jin-Ho?”
“Mm?”
“Once this event is over, please make up your mind.”
Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean by that?”
“If you are thinking of standing at the top, please do not hesitate. I... and everyone else will risk our lives to assist you.”
An unreadable smile suddenly formed on Kang Jin-Ho's lips. It was cruel... Yet also captivating for some reason!
“Spewing something idiot again, huh?” Kang Jin-Ho growled like a predator. With his switch well and truly flipped, Kang Jin-Ho's slightly bloodshot eyes glared straight at Lee Hyeon-Su. “I'm not the one hesitating. You all are. And it's not me who needs to stand at the top... It's you lot. Clench your teeth, pull up your socks, and do your best to follow me. Until you can reach where I am.”
A smile quickly bloomed on Lee Hyeon-Su's lips next.
'Yes, this is it!'
Here it is, the true Kang Jin-Ho!
It felt like all the complicated thoughts swirling around in Lee Hyeon-Su's head were cleared out in an instant.
Indeed, there was no need to overthink anything. He only needed to charge ahead according to Kang Jin-Ho's wishes. The path ahead would always open up as long as Lee Hyeon-Su ran forward while looking at Kang Jin-Ho's broad back.
“Very well, sir. Let's begin.”
Kang Jin-Ho didn't say anything and walked ahead, then jumped off the rooftop. After witnessing that scene, Lee Hyeon-Su also didn't linger around and headed toward the rooftop exit while taking out his phone.
And so, it was time to begin.
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