75 - Missions, Intelligence (6) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

The boy opened his eyes after the sun had fully set that day. "Ugh..." A groan tainted with pain. At that, Mok Ri-Won swiftly lifted his head and said with a bright face, "Have you awakened?" His tone was filled with warmth. Despite feeling as if his whole body was sore, the boy lifted his eyelids to look at Mok Ri-Won and was taken aback. 'Woah...' Even amidst the mental fog caused by fatigue and pain, Mok Ri-Won's appearance was strikingly noticeable. The boy was certain that he had never imagined a person could be this beautiful. "Are you hurt anywhere? Ah, I suppose everywhere must hurt. I am sorry. More importantly, are you feeling a bit lucid? Here, would you like some water?" As Mok Ri-Won frantically looked around, it took a moment for the boy to recall the events that had transpired. The encounter with the demon the previous night. And how he had been dragged away and imprisoned. Including the words spat out after a relentless beating. -There are half-brothers known for their notoriety in the vicinity lately. Seek them out. Beg them to save you, and if they agree to help, lead them here. The moment he remembered the demon's blood-red eyes, the boy's breath hitched. -I'll spare your mother if you lure them over the back wall of the estate. 'Mother!' The boy jolted up in shock. However, he couldn't manage it properly. Crack! The sudden movement screamed of his fractured ribs. "Ahk...!" "St-stay calm! You must not move so abruptly!" Mok Ri-Won was startled, quickly laying the boy down again. Gasping for breath, the boy looked down, scared. That's when Mok Ri-Won spoke. "Right, in all the rush, I haven't had the chance to ask. What is your name?" Mok Ri-Won's voice was gentle. This made the boy flinch and then, in a quivering voice, he replied. "...Seon-Woo." "Seon-Woo. Seon-Woo, you say! What a beautiful name. So, can you talk alright?" "Yes..." Seon-Woo rolled his eyes around, spewing confusion. It wasn't for any other reason than, 'Is this person one of the half-brothers?' Because Mok Ri-Won was too kind. It was strange. According to the rumors, the half-brothers were said to be cruel villains who never showed sympathy to anyone. The man's demeanor now seemed far too benevolent. Supposed to be despicable people deserving death, the thought of exchanging them for his mother now made him feel guilty. 'Such a person...' Was he to be handed over to that demon? Seon-Woo's face turned pale. However, unaware of his inner turmoil, Mok Ri-Won was merely shocked by his pallor and said, "Why, what's the matter? Are you in pain somewhere? Wait here. I will quickly bring the lady..." "No, not at all!" Seon-Woo hastily grabbed Mok Ri-Won. His mind was racing, yet at this moment, he steeled his resolve. '...No. I have to save my mother. No matter who these people are!' Only he could save his mother. The demon clearly stated that if he led these people over the back wall of the estate, his mother would be released. Seon-Woo revisited the event of the previous night once more. The pinky finger the demon had extended was undoubtedly his mother's. Seon-Woo's hands trembled. He was in no state to entertain any other thoughts. "...Please, help me." To Seon-Woo, his mother's life was more precious than that of strangers. Seon-Woo's heart wavered upon seeing Mok Ri-Won still patiently waiting for an answer, but he gathered himself and spoke. "...I come from the So Clan." "So Clan?" Jegal San answered Mok Ri-Won's question. Having collected rumors from around the area over the past five days, he was aware of the estate Seon-Woo was referring to. "It's the largest estate in this city. I heard that they had a new son-in-law join them a month ago." At the mention of "son-in-law," Seon-Woo flinched. Dang Hwa-Seo noticed his reaction and asked closely. "Boy, was it because of the son-in-law you mentioned that you were beaten so badly?" "Yes, yes..." Seon-Woo shrank back and nodded. Then, as he had prepared earlier, he began to weave his tale. "That son-in-law... he threatened and imprisoned my mother! I tried to save her, but I was caught by him..." Tears welled up in Seon-Woo's eyes. It wasn't an act. Thinking of his mother who was actually imprisoned, Seon-Woo felt a deep sadness. At that, Mok Ri-Won sighed with a look of pity. "You must have been through a lot." "Please, help me! Save my mother! I know where the secret passage leading to the mansion is..." Just as he was about to continue, Dang Hwa-Seo intervened. With a movement swift enough to leave an afterimage, his hand tapped several of Seon-Woo's acupoints, and Seon-Woo fell into a deep sleep. Turning his head in surprise, Mok Ri-Won heard Dang Hwa-Seo declare, "He is lying." His tone was one of certainty. * Meanwhile, in the So Clan's main house. Inside a room smeared with blood, a man lay on his back, lazily staring at the ceiling. His appearance was fitting for the word "disheveled." It was unclear how long he had been submerged in this sea of blood, as dried, dark red blood clung to his entire body, producing a foul stench with each breath he took. Moreover, surrounding the man were bodies, and what he was casually chewing on were human fingers. Cannibalism. The man was currently engaging in that act. "...Lord Yomma." In the meantime, a figure dressed in black sneaked attire smoothly rose like a shadow and appeared. The laid-back man, Yomma (Yomma) Oh Gang-Ak, rolled his eyes to look at his subordinate. The subordinate bowed and spoke, "It seems the young one has safely entered the estate." "Is that so." "But..." "Hmm?" "Is it really alright? If that boy speaks the truth and solicits support from the alliance..." Oh Gang-Ak chuckled. "Chun, do you know why I personally beat that little one and sent him there?" "Please enlighten me." "It's because he's cowardly. And because he's selfish." "That means...?" "Cowards can't make rational decisions. Selfish people put others on a scale. That kid was just like that. Hiding in an outhouse to save his own skin, begging for his life when beaten, and readily agreeing to exchange another for his mother's release." Oh Gang-Ak spit out the finger he was chewing, spraying a trail of blood as it hit the ceiling. "He's perfect. Plus, he's short-sighted. That kid will undoubtedly get caught lying." The masked man known as Chun flinched, looking at Oh Gang-Ak with a face filled with shock. "That's dangerous, isn't it? If the alliance hears of this and sends support..." "Wouldn't that be interesting?" Oh Gang-Ak's smile deepened, as if he was confronting an entertaining situation. "We become spectators." "Spectators? What do you mean..." "How those hypocrites crying about righteousness will respond. That's what we'll watch." Oh Gang-Ak brushed off the scabs of blood on his face. "See, those hypocrites will face two choices." As he cleared the blood, Oh Gang-Ak's face revealed a deep, gruesome scar, as if someone had scraped it with a finger. "One is to come here tonight. The kid may be a deceitful brat for trying to trick them, but his mother being captive is true. According to their proclaimed righteousness, they shouldn't hesitate to save a civilian in danger." "And the other choice is..." "To call for support from the alliance and wait. But that would take days. Meanwhile, the kid's mother will die. I'll see to that." Chun pressed his lips together, looking at Oh Gang-Ak. The sight of Oh Gang-Ak humming cheerfully and enjoying himself made Chun feel uneasy. Yet, Oh Gang-Ak continued, "They're all the same. Dominating through force while dressing it up nicely. I'm too curious to see how long they can maintain that facade. Whether they'll continue crying about righteousness when the knife is to their own throat, or if they'll only invoke righteousness when it suits them." "And the risk?" "If it comes to it, we fight. What's there to worry about, huh?" Oh Gang-Ak looked at Chun, madness apparent in his eyes. What followed was grotesque. He lay sprawled on the floor, flailing his limbs and shouting exaggeratedly. "Cheonmaaa~ Guunriiim~ Manmaaaa~ Ahngbooook~." Then, with a 'thud,' he ceased moving. At that moment, Oh Gang-Ak wore an expression devoid of any emotion. "So, all you need to do is tear those guys apart while yelling like that? All for the grand Little Leader." This was an act of blasphemy. It showed neither loyalty to the cult nor respect for the future leader who would take command—a deed that rightly deserved severe punishment. Yet, Chun could not point this out. "I will follow your command." The reason was that he knew too much about this man. He understood how much Oh Gang-Ak detested the current Little Leader. Yomma Oh Gang-Ak. He was the man who had occupied that position until the appearance of the current Little Leader.