The Sacrificial Warning
The truth that Brave's guild master and Ju Shin's CFO had already reached an agreement regarding the unfortunate incident that would unfold here in the relic today.
"To Mars, led by Kwon Joo-chan, I'm... well, not the main dish. More like a dessert. But you? I figure you're the main course, cooked up by those master chefs Im Cheong-ha and Gu Mi-yeong, with Kwon Joo-chan as the waiter keeping an eye on it."
Kim Jun smiled.
There was no hard evidence.
But given the circumstances... it was all too plausible.
"Th-then what you're saying is... my own Jeong family... abandoned me?"
"I don't know the ins and outs of how Brave operates internally. Or how the families view each other. All I meant was... to explain Kwon Joo-chan's actions, that story feels like the most convincing one."
Kim Jun pulled out a bottle of water and took a sip.
Then tossed it to Jeong Myeong-ho.
He barely caught it with his left hand and moistened his parched throat. He arrived at the conclusion that Kim Jun's judgment was spot on.
Why had guild master Im Cheong-ha joined hands with Gu Mi-yeong?
Why was he the target?
That's when something clicked in his mind.
Jeong Myeong-ho looked at Kim Jun and said,
"I overheard something recently. A conversation between my grandfather and father—I caught it by chance. It was about marrying me off—well, my younger sister Jeong Yeon-su—to Lee Hwan for the alliance and prosperity of the Jeong and Lee families. From the vibe, it seemed the Lee family was on board too."
"Hm."
Kim Jun scratched his chin with his finger, lost in thought.
Jeong Myeong-ho was dying to know what truth Kim Jun would pull from that story.
A moment later, Kim Jun spoke up.
"Sounds like a warning."
"A warning?"
"Opposition to that marriage."
"Explain in detail."
Kim Jun brought up how, after the greatest raider Yoo Wan-seop left the guild, Lee Hwan had skyrocketed to prominence.
He pointed out how talk was rampant that Lee Hwan, whose popularity had shot to the heavens, should become Brave's next guild master.
"They might've said it offhand, but to the current guild master, that'd be pretty uncomfortable to hear, right?"
"Of course."
Jeong Myeong-ho replied.
"And if Jeong Yeon-su, another genius from the Jeong family, marries Lee Hwan... he'd have both the skills and the backing."
"Ah!"
"Gu Mi-yeong and Im Cheong-ha joined forces to trip up Lee Hwan, who's hailed as the top raider. Sounds harsh, but by targeting someone from the Jeong family who wouldn't rock the boat if they vanished—someone whose absence wouldn't threaten the family's operations or survival... they're showing that marriage will never happen."
Jeong Myeong-ho found himself laughing despite himself.
It was so crystal clear... his mind cleared up. If he weren't the one in the crosshairs, he'd be roaring with laughter and praising Kim Jun.
His face twisted more and more.
In short, because of that stellar Lee Hwan, they were killing off a nobody like him as a warning.
He'd struggled since childhood to survive this long.
He'd poured everything into getting stronger, and he'd built enough pride in his power. His Water Creation was now a renowned skill, acknowledged by all.
Was that all he was to Im Cheong-ha? Just a tool to warn Lee Hwan?
That he amounted to so little.
The fact that Kwon Joo-chan wanted him dead hurt less than the reason and motive behind it. If they'd targeted him for his own sake, it wouldn't feel this pathetic.
Jeong Myeong-ho looked at Kim Jun.
He was truly grateful.
If this guy hadn't told him, he'd have died here in the relic without even knowing why, rotting away clueless.
If he died in a dungeon, his mother would grieve. His father would sigh. But they wouldn't risk the whole family over one son.
It'd be different for his younger sister, the one meant to shine for the family going forward.
The Jeong family would grit their teeth even knowing the truth. Until they built enough power to pay it back someday.
Jeong Myeong-ho didn't thank Kim Jun outright.
It was genuine, but saying it aloud felt like it'd cheapen it. Keeping it in his heart made it feel eternally real—a conviction unique to him.
That's when Kim Jun said,
"Fuck, that sucks."
Jeong Myeong-ho couldn't believe his ears.
"That's exactly the vibe, right? Don't hold back. If you're pissed, let it out."
At Kim Jun's words, Jeong Myeong-ho felt a tingle at the back of his skull.
"Uwaaaaaah!"
Jeong Myeong-ho unleashed a torrent of curses until his throat burned.
He hurled every insult he knew at Im Cheong-ha, who he'd bowed his head to just seeing his face. He ripped into Lee Hwan, who arrogantly booked entire floors of the raid center, chewing him out until it felt good.
Ju Shin got no mercy either.
He dumped on the Jeong family folks... especially his sister, railing about how great they all thought they were.
It felt... so damn relieving.
His body even felt lighter somehow.
Kim Jun was watching him.
"Someday, I'm gonna be association president."
The out-of-left-field declaration cracked Jeong Myeong-ho up. If his arms and legs didn't hurt so much, he'd be rolling on the ground.
Kim Jun scratched the back of his head.
"You're joking, right? Tell me you are."
Jeong Myeong-ho asked.
"Nope. Min-jeong—I mean, Yoo Min-jeong—is gonna be Ju Shin's master. And Pink Team's main tanker Choi Muhyun will lead Cheonhondan."
"What?"
"Just hit me—what if you became Brave's master? Sticking it to guys like Lee Hwan. That'd be hilarious."
"......"
Jeong Myeong-ho was speechless.
He glared at Kim Jun. This kind of pep talk... wasn't helping. Absurd fantasies only brought a momentary laugh.
Wait, what? Why does his face look so damn serious?
It wasn't fabricated or exaggerated.
"...For real?"
"Yeah."
"You're insane."
"Heard that a lot."
Kim Jun grinned.
Jeong Myeong-ho shook his head.
What an absurd guy. Sometimes he uncovers massive truths from a few facts alone, and other times he spouts nonsense even a kid wouldn't buy.
The weird part? Those words pulled at him.
Brave's guild master.
Just thinking about it... felt good.
Jeong Myeong-ho glanced at Kim Jun.
Could he really climb all the way to association president?
Truth be told, going from team leader to association president... might be easier than a carrier becoming a raider.
Jeong Myeong-ho had no intention of buying into that ridiculous dream, but with a "just in case" mindset—like taking out insurance—he spoke up.
"Fine. Brave's guild master? I'll take that one."
"Deal."
Kim Jun slipped the White Spear into his leather pouch and stood. The mischievous vibe from moments ago was gone.
He approached Jeong Myeong-ho like a warrior cutting through harsh reality.
"Time to move."
Facing the agony about to crash down on him, Jeong Myeong-ho nodded with effort.
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