Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Don't Worry, We're Just Ordinary Bandits
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Only Doraemon can resolve this situation right now.
“Guhhh…”
I gazed at Dokgo Yeong, who no longer even resembled a human, and thought to myself.
It’s completely over now. Honestly, it was impressive he’d lasted this long.
If he truly is human…, he’ll be dead any moment now.
His underlings seemed to sense it too, as they all stopped their beatings and backed away.
Then Jeok Yeom stepped forward.
It looked like he intended to deliver the finale.
Jeok Yeom looked down at Dokgo Yeong, who was already crushed beyond recognition, and asked,
“Do you want to live?”
“Uh…”
A nod.
“Ha, what a ridiculous bastard.”
I couldn’t help but be impressed.
To nod his head even in this state. Dokgo Yeong’s obsession with life was truly something everyone should learn from.
Not that I’m saying they should.
Anyway, seeing Dokgo Yeong nod, Jeok Yeom seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking.
“If you apologize to all of us whom you’ve harmed, I’ll forgive you.”
“……”
Was this a trick?
Even if they stopped everything right now and tried to treat him, there’s no saving him.
Jeok Yeom surely knew that, yet he spoke to Dokgo Yeong with a serious expression.
And what was even funnier…
“Uh uh…”
Dokgo Yeong craned his neck around, as if counting how many people were there.
“Wow…”
At this point, he’d probably thrive even in hell.
Finally, after scanning the surroundings, Dokgo Yeong forced out sounds from his busted, broken mouth.
“S-Sorry… A-Apologies…”
“……”
“E-Everyone… s-sorry…”
Dokgo Yeong didn’t just apologize to Jeok Yeom—he twisted his body toward the others and bowed his head with great effort.
Jeok Yeom glared at him for a moment before speaking.
“I accept your apology.”
“Th-Then…”
“But don’t you have others to apologize to besides us?”
“…Huh?”
As Dokgo Yeong made a dumbstruck face, Jeok Yeom fetched his axe and continued.
“Our families and villagers you killed! And all the other innocents you murdered—!!! …If you truly seek forgiveness, shouldn’t you get it from them too?”
“…Ahh.”
Asking forgiveness from the dead. Even the half-dead Dokgo Yeong understood what that meant.
Shing-.
Jeok Yeom’s bloodstained giant axe rose high.
“You’ll never be forgiven to the end. Unlike those innocents you killed, you’ll rot in hell forever.”
“…Uwaaah.”
“Farewell.”
With those words, Jeok Yeom swung the axe down.
And just like that…
Splat-!
…He decapitated Dokgo Yeong.
The second son of the Dokgo family, who had lived his life in luxury…, and spent it indulging his vile murderous urges, met his end in a form unworthy of a human.
“……”
“……”
Everyone watched in silence…
Thud.
…Then Jeok Yeom approached me.
And…
Plop.
…He dropped to his knees and prostrated himself before me, just like the day he’d sworn his loyalty.
“…Thank you, Boss. Thanks to your grace, I’ve avenged myself safely.”
“…What did I even do?”
I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. I hadn’t done anything.
I’d only said a word to Jeok Yeom when he hesitated before Dokgo Yeong. I had no hand in his death—Jeok Yeom was the one who took his head.
I looked down at Jeok Yeom prostrated before me. When he raised his head, his face looked much more at ease.
“You look… relieved now.”
“…Yes. I suppose so.”
With the burden that had weighed on his movements gone, I figured his martial arts would shine even brighter now.
We’d gained something, but the losses were too great.
I surveyed the blood-soaked surroundings and sighed before speaking.
“Hey, now that it’s all over, clean up the bodies of the dead guys. And hold their funerals tomorrow.”
“…Yes.”
His voice turned somber at the mention of the dead.
“When gathering the bodies, take care of the merchants’ too. Clean up the road—it’s a mess. Oh, and move the wounded ones for treatment.”
“What about the Murim Alliance warriors’ bodies?”
“Just toss ’em in the bushes. Free meal for the wildcats.”
After giving those rough orders, I went to help gather my fallen men’s bodies.
“Whew…”
Stabbed in the throat, eyes still wide open in death.
I don’t know his name. Still…, he looks familiar.
I stared at him for a moment, then pulled out some silver and stuffed it roughly into his inner pocket.
Back in the day, I couldn’t understand giving money to the dead. Why waste it on someone who can’t use it?
But now, I think I get it.
Because you couldn’t do anything for them while they were alive. The guilt is so heavy, you can’t just stand there.
So you do this instead.
I felt that sentiment deep in my bones as I tucked silver into the others’ clothes too.
That’s when it happened.
“Boss, what about those guys?”
“Hm?”
One of my men pointed to a spot where several Murim Alliance warriors were still pinned down, knives at their throats.
They must’ve been the ones who surrendered when Dokgo Yeong was subdued.
“You haven’t killed them yet? Want me to do it?”
I drew my sword and approached, and I could see the Alliance guys freak out. And then…
Grab.
A hand stopped me.
Without even turning, I knew whose familiar touch it was, and said,
“What now?”
“…They’re disarmed prisoners already. No need to kill them, right?”
“Did my men have any crimes?”
I turned to Yoo So-myung, who was bowing her head in shame, and continued.
“Look…, my men weren’t exactly saints either. Still, I was trying to make ’em act like decent folk—paving roads, guiding travelers—and the Alliance just slaughtered them wholesale? You saw us. Were we doing anything that deserved death?”
“No, not at all. From what I saw, you weren’t guilty of anything worth subjugating. But still…”
I was ready to ignore her if she started with some emotional plea for mercy. But…
“…If we kill all of them, we lose any grounds to negotiate with the Murim Alliance. You planning to wipe them out and go to war?”
Surprisingly, what came from her mouth was pragmatic.
“If we send them back alive to the Murim Alliance, I’ll make sure they pay for their crimes properly. And…I’ll testify to everything. Dokgo Yeong’s atrocities, and that you’re innocent—all of it.”
“……”
She might be from a prestigious family, but Yoo So-myung was just a later-generation disciple. Her testimony wouldn’t carry much weight. Even so…, better than nothing.
So I had to think it over.
I’d told Jeok Yeom bandits don’t think about consequences, but leaders have to, to plan for the future.
After agonizing…
“Hey, tie those bastards up and lock ’em somewhere for now.”
“Yes.”
Secure hostages first.
“…Thank you.”
“……”
I ignored Yoo So-myung’s thanks and continued putting silver into the other bodies.
**
The next day, everything was cleaned up, and a simple funeral was held.
Jeok Yeom, who was in the best shape, oversaw it, while Boss Muyeon just showed his face and left.
Dongryong, covered in severe wounds, did the same.
He could move, but he shouldn’t overdo it. Dongryong watched his men’s procession to the end before departing.
Truth be told, these dead men were all absorbed under the Bandit King’s banner when Dongryong built his fame, so his heart felt even heavier.
‘Still, the Boss must be hurting more than me.’
Repelling Yongsa Troops and holding funerals didn’t end things.
Yesterday’s foes were just a fraction of the Murim Alliance’s forces. If they decided to exterminate the bandits, resistance would be futile.
‘The Boss is probably racking his brain over solutions right now.’
It’d be tough, but Dongryong believed in his Boss.
He might seem carefree, but the Boss was smart. He knew a ton and had a sharp mind.
With his unbreakable will too, he’d surely resolve this.
‘If there’s anything I can do to help, I will.’
With that thought, Dongryong headed to the Boss’s quarters at the heart of the stronghold.
“Boss.”
Creak-.
Opening the door, the first thing Dongryong saw was the Boss’s back, facing the wall and muttering something.
‘Has he come up with some brilliant scheme?’
What could he be muttering so intently he didn’t notice someone enter?
Curious, Dongryong approached, and soon heard the words.
“…Buddha. With this rain, please let me be born in a fantasy world next life.”
“…Boss.”
The Boss was praying in some incomprehensible tongue.
Sometimes the Boss lost his grip like this and spouted nonsense.
Dongryong sighed and grabbed his shoulders. Only then did the Boss turn.
“Oh, Dongryong. You’re here. I was praying. Next life, let’s be elves under the World Tree…”
“…Boss! Get a grip—! We need countermeasures now!”
Dongryong shook his shoulders, and Muyeon stared blankly into space.
“…Shit, I got nothing. What do we do? No ideas… What if the Murim Alliance attacks? Can’t run… We’re fucked…”
“Still, you gotta think of something quick. Or just charge in!”
“Way…, way… Ah, right, the answer’s nukes. Fire a nuke at Murim Alliance HQ. Then we survive…”
“What the hell are you even saying…? Speak so I can understand…”
Dongryong, who’d served Muyeon longest, knew he’d be out of it for a while in this state, so he gave up and let go of his shoulders.
Thud.
Released, Muyeon flopped to the floor like a wilted kite. Even as he hit the ground, the nonsense continued.
“Doraemon…, help me… Save me with your four-dimensional pocket…”
“Boss…, snap out of it…! What’s Doraemon…? Someone who can help us…? If so, let’s go meet them…!”
“Can’t meet Doraemon… But forever in our hearts…, Ah.”
Then Muyeon shot up, as if struck by sudden inspiration.
“No Doraemon, but…I’ve got the budget version right here. Yeah, fuck lying here waiting to die—better do something.”
Now his eyes gleamed with returning sharpness.
“Dongryong, I’m heading down the mountain.”
“…Where to all of a sudden?”
“Gonna meet Doraemon.”
“…No, what even is that? Seriously.”
Dongryong pressed, but Muyeon, eyes gleaming with greed, gave no answer to the end.