Chapter 141

The Association’s underground detention center. A dark, gloomy space.

“Hyung. What are we going to do? It looks like that bastard Byeon Soo-hyeon really ratted us out.”

The vice-leader of Fit the Awakening bit his nails.

“Forget the reward money, we’re going to rot in prison.”

“Just wait, you punk. Shit. Does he think he’s the only one with connections? Hey. Agent.”

As if he had someone to rely on, Park Chang-wook called for the guard, breathing heavily.

“Let me make one phone call.”

“What?”

“Locking people up without a warrant, that’s illegal, you know.”

“Illegal? You want me to show you what’s really illegal?”

“That’s why I’m asking for just one phone call. It’s not a difficult request.”

The agent who had arrested Park Chang-wook scoffed.

“Why. You going to beg someone to save you? Who?”

“Do I have to tell you that, too? Anyway, Agent. You might really regret it if you keep us locked up like this.”

The agent handed over his cell phone as if to say, “Go on, try me.”

Park Chang-wook, looking confident, began to dial a few numbers.

Samhwan Mecadus.

It was an Awakener equipment manufacturing company that had started as a small business with a capital of 300 million won and had now grown into a major corporation ranked within the top 300 in the country.

Chairman Yoon Seok-won of Samhwan Mecadus answered the phone with a look of annoyance.

“Arrested where? Park Chang-wook? …Alright. Hang up for now.”

“Who was that?”

When the secretary next to him asked, the chairman shook his head in irritation.

“Someone. An old business contact. Fit the Awakening, they’re called.”

“A business contact? Fit the Awakening? I’ve never heard of them.”

“He’s a friend my son used to hang out with.”

“Ah. If he hung out with Joong-hyuk, he must be a bad sort. So?”

“He got caught by the Association and asked me to save him just this once.”

The secretary snorted.

“What a funny guy. Does he have a claim on you or something?”

“I owed him a favor from a long time ago. He once saved Joong-hyuk when he was about to die in a Dungeon.”

“Ah. A long time ago? So, Chairman. Are you going to help him? Do you really have to?”

“They say a person should never forget a kindness. Well, I owe him a debt. I figured this would be a good opportunity to clear it. I’ll just think of it as going for a walk for the first time in a while.”

“And while you’re out on that walk, we can finally register with the Association.”

At the secretary’s words, the chairman cleared his throat.

“Hey. Joining the Association is fine and all. But don’t we need to raise our rank? If we don’t want to be treated like nobodies once we get in.”

“We’re about to be left in the dust because of this obsession with rank. There’s already a line of companies trying to join the Association, when are we going to have time to worry about rank? Who is this ‘rank’ you’re talking about, Chairman?”

The chairman cleared his throat.

“Someone like Im Han-na would be… nice.”

“Goodness. Chairman, are you going senile? Im Han-na isn’t some neighborhood dog. She’s way too big of a shot. We’re not at the level of Ilseong or Daehu.”

“Then what about Kim Soo-gyeom, Choi Soo-jung, or Lee Won-sik? The ones who were originally with Ilseong.”

“Chairman, you’re saying something dangerous. They’re even more impossible. In terms of clout, they’re practically royalty.”

“Hey! We’re not a company that can be pushed around either!”

“Yes, yes. But the people you mentioned are a no-go.”

The chairman shot up from his seat.

“Follow me, you punk.”

“Where to?”

“I’ll just have to show them this time. Just how amazing our company, the one you look down on, really is.”

And on the way, I’ll get that scoundrel released. The chairman stormed outside, fuming.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Chairman Yoon. I was wondering when you’d arrive.”

A Rank-2 agent from the Association greeted the chairman.

His shoulders straightened with pride. He even gestured with his chin at his secretary as if to say, “See this?”

“It’s nothing much, I just came because we’re thinking of joining the Association soon.”

“I will escort you. This way, please.”

So it was true that the Association was actively recruiting companies.

The atmosphere was good. Incredibly amicable. In exchange for a portion of their shares, the Association was offering what seemed like an excessive amount of perks.

“You’re even guaranteeing management rights?”

The secretary’s eyes widened. Although he’d have to discuss the details with the legal team, no matter how he looked at it, this was a bit…

They were being shown a lot of favor.

“The Chairman of the International Association has given special consideration to domestic companies.”

At the mention of the Chairman of the International Association, his shoulders instinctively tensed.

He might be called Chairman just like Choi Gi-woong, but they were in different leagues.

The timing was right. Yoon Seok-won opened his mouth as if the thought had just occurred to him.

“Ah, speaking of which, there’s a favor I’d like to ask.”

“Yes, please say anything.”

The agent acted as if he would pluck the moon from the sky for him.

“It’s nothing big, but could you release one person for me? I heard he’s being held in the detention center.”

“A person?”

“His name is Park Chang-wook, from Fit the Awakening. I heard he’s just a petty criminal.”

“…One moment. I will check.”

The Rank-2 agent stood up, saying he would be right back.

Yoon Seok-won shrugged at his secretary as if to say, “See?”

“This is our company, you punk.”

“Yes, it’s truly amazing.”

With perfect timing, the conference room door opened.

But something was strange. The agent’s expression had turned extremely grave.

“Chairman. The matter concerning Mr. Park Chang-wook… will be a bit difficult.”

“…Difficult? Why?”

“Do I have to tell you the reason?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m asking if I need to disclose Association business to you.”

The amicable atmosphere from just a moment ago vanished without a trace. A cold chill filled the air.

In that instant, Yoon Seok-won realized his mistake.

He knew with a businessman’s intuition.

This involves someone high up.

Someone very high up.

‘Surely it’s not Choi Gi-woong.’

A shiver ran down his spine. It was unlikely, but the thought that he would be in deep trouble if he poked the wrong hornet’s nest came first.

“Well, if it can’t be helped.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Then, that will be all.”

The negotiation concluded with a rather business-like tone.

Outside the Association building, Yoon Seok-won’s legs were trembling.

“Whoa, shit. Did you see that? Why did the mood suddenly change like that?”

“You said you were going to repay your debt. What are you going to do now?”

“What do you mean, what am I going to do, you punk? I have to back out. Did you see that guy’s face earlier?”

“It was murderous.”

“That crazy bastard. He must have gotten himself into some serious trouble. The way I see it, that guy will never see the sun again.”

“Don’t tell me it’s really related to Choi Gi-woong…”

“Hey!”

Yoon Seok-won hastily looked around.

“Why would you say something so scary?”

“It was just a joke. We’re in the car.”

“Still, you punk. Be careful. We’re Association people now, too.”

“You were just complaining about how annoying it was.”

The secretary said, clicking his tongue. The chairman, in the meantime, took out his cell phone. He irritably pressed a few numbers.

“Don’t ever contact me again.”

Click. He hung up.

After that, no one ever saw Park Chang-wook again.

“I heard you’re new. Let’s get along.”

Seeing Byeon Soo-hyeon moving with a limp, a few agents struck up a conversation.

After Byeon Soo-hyeon gave an awkward smile in response and left, the remaining agent licked his lips.

Another agent who had been watching shook his head and approached.

“You should probably avoid talking to that guy, Byeon Soo-hyeon.”

“I can’t even talk to him?”

“Pick and choose who you talk to.”

“Ah. Is it because he’s on Team Leader Kim Soo-gyeom’s team? Even if Kim Soo-gyeom is an A-Rank. Is he royalty or something? We can’t even talk to him? Why do you look like that?”

“That person, he’s not on Team Leader Kim Soo-gyeom’s team.”

“Then.”

“The one above.”

“The one above? Ms. Im Han-na? Even if it’s Ms. Im Han-na.”

“The one above her.”

“The one above her, who? Head of Department Kim?”

“The one above him.”

“…What are you talking about? Stop joking. You mean he’s directly under the Chairwoman?”

“…The one above her.”

“What?”

The agent wore a bewildered expression.

A hand landed on his shoulder.

“That’s why you don’t mess with that person.”

The agent nodded before he even realized it.

“I’m really curious. So why did the, uh, Chairman pick that person? Is there something special about him?”

“Don’t be curious. It’s not for lowly people like us to be curious about.”

The agent who had spoken shrugged and shared one piece of information he knew.

“He sleeps.”

“What?”

“They say he just sleeps all day. That’s what makes it even weirder. Anyway, don’t be curious. It’s the higher-ups’ business.”

Jin Cheon-geuk opened his eyes. It felt like waking from a long dream.

“Byeon Soo-hyeon?”

A strange name popped out of his mouth.

Then he shook his head.

This was not the time for other thoughts. He looked at the sword placed right beside his bed.

A sigh escaped him automatically.

Wasn’t today the day the Cult Leader would inspect his Mind Sword?

And in front of all the elder-level members, no less.

If he made a mistake, or showed even the slightest opening, those viper-like bastards would immediately tear into him.

It was then, as his frustrating thoughts continued.

“Young Cult Leader. Have you awoken?”

“Yes. I am coming out.”

Jin Cheon-geuk rose from his bed.

It was strange. His body felt light.

What is this?

When he went out to the outer quarters, an attendant was waiting.

The boy tilted his head.

“You seem to be in a good mood today.”

“Do I?”

“You were anxious all the way until you fell asleep yesterday, so I was worried, but I suppose it was for nothing.”

“That is a relief.”

“Yes. Please do not worry too much. Even if you make a small mistake today, the Young Cult Leader will not…”

“Stop with the nonsense and lead the way.”

“Yes.”

With the attendant in front, Jin Cheon-geuk walked forward. The strange feeling he’d had since a while ago continued.

It felt as if the anxiety that had plagued him until yesterday had vanished.

His body was as light as a feather. He felt that if he were to hold a sword right now, he could execute the Mind Sword perfectly.

That feeling continued until he arrived at the Training Arena.

The place was already filled with people.

Every one of them had the eyes of a viper. They were the ones aiming for his position.

Today, if he failed to prove his Mind Sword, they would spew their venom and charge at him.

“Jiyubongyo, Cheonyubongyo, Cheonsemanse, Mayushingyo.”

He snapped out of his thoughts.

The Cult Leader had appeared on the Training Arena.

The Cult Leader, with his long hair fluttering, was looking at him.

An eerie feeling crept up on him.

‘He’s similar to Choi Gi-woong. Wait. Who is Choi Gi-woong?’

It was amidst the memories that flickered through his mind. This was not the time for such thoughts.

“What is there to see that so many of you have come?”

“It is the day the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader bestow their teachings, so how could we not come?”

One of the vipers ran his mouth.

There was no way the Cult Leader didn’t know. After looking at Jin Cheon-geuk for a moment, the Cult Leader nodded.

“You may begin.”

The sparring match began. His opponent was the Cult Leader.

Expectant gazes poured toward the Young Cult Leader.

They were the ones who, after the match, would look for even a single flaw to nitpick and subtly express their disappointment.

Jin Cheon-geuk’s heart stirred. He wanted to prove himself.

In that moment, a few scenes flashed through his mind.

It was the scene where Byeon Soo-hyeon had gained enlightenment.

Jin Cheon-geuk’s footsteps instinctively followed Choi Gi-woong’s shadow.

It started from then.

Whoosh- Whoosh-

Horizontal slashes and vertical slashes. A series of thrusts flew toward the Cult Leader.

“……!”

A flawless, impeccable form. The murmuring that had been present until a moment ago died down in an instant.

Clang-!

At some point, Jin Cheon-geuk’s wooden sword was sent flying to the edge of the Training Arena.

The Cult Leader, who had struck the wooden sword away, nodded.

“Elders, what are your thoughts?”

“I-It is truly the revival of the Divine Cult!”

A satisfied smile hung on the Cult Leader’s lips.

“The time has come for you to learn Chilyanggong.”

“Th-Thank you! Cult Leader!”

Waaaaaaaaah-!

Cheers filled the Training Arena.

The Young Cult Leader, Jin Cheon-geuk, was filled with two kinds of joy at the same time.

The feeling of being acknowledged by the Heavenly Demon came first, and the feeling of being able to tell Choi Gi-woong came right after.

“Choi Gi-woong?”

Who is that?

Fwoosh!

Byeon Soo-hyeon woke from his dream. He hurriedly asked an agent outside.

“Excuse me, can I see Chairman Choi right now?”