Chapter 14
Chapter 14
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Black-Haired Beast (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, no matter how quick on the uptake Han Geon-ju was, there was no way he could've known the guild he'd joined was Night Rat. The only clue given was the name on the contract, so in a way, it was only natural.
Kwon Sa-yoon's name wasn't exactly widely known in the world.
When going out, he wore a ring that disrupted facial recognition to hide his appearance, and for external activities, he pushed forward executives like Jong-sik to conceal his presence. As a result, the identity of Night Rat's leader was shrouded in mystery, known only to guilds connected to Night Rat. Even the easiest-to-find name remained hidden, so reporters who slapped "solo" on every article about his exploits didn't even know his face or name.
So how could his pretty boy know Kwon Sa-yoon was Night Rat's leader?
If he knew, he wouldn't act so smug. Geon-ju's wide-eyed shock proved it.
Meeting those flustered eyes, Sa-yoon smiled in satisfaction.
For a Night Rat member, anything less than this reaction would've been disappointing. People needed the right amount of composure—too much calm was no fun.
Teasing a twenty-two-year-old felt childish, but a win was a win. People got more immature with age and losing their minds, so this was proof he was steadily growing.
The flaw was growing off-kilter, but no one here could call him out on it.
Sa-yoon, having sorted the situation, patted Jong-sik's shoulder as he stood there like a wooden post.
"Let's go, Jong-sik."
"...You're taking that guy too?"
"Gotta do the initiation."
"For real?"
"Sounds fun, right?"
"I'm against it."
"When have I ever not done it just because you opposed?"
Jong-sik grimaced at the light scolding. Sa-yoon gripped the shoulder of his gutsless subordinate—big as he was—and glanced back at Geon-ju following them.
"Be honest, you're curious too."
"About the newbie's skills?"
"Yeah."
His status window suggested solid skills, but Sa-yoon wondered if they'd hold up against people.
Night Rat dealt more with people than monsters due to guild traits. They hit trades and auctions whenever possible, took assassination contracts, and ambushed gate entrances for drop item steals. Intimidation and threats were passive skills; torture and murder came when needed.
So far, the screw-loose recruits hadn't needed separate training, but Geon-ju was different. What could a first-week rookie Awakener, who looked like he'd lived normally, do?
This clueless phase was perfect to test innate sense and instincts. Sa-yoon chuckled, and Jong-sik sighed in resignation.
"Still, it might be dangerous, so wouldn't it be better to train him moderately first?"
"That's why it'll be thrilling."
"...I always think this, but your tastes, hyungnim."
"What. And I told you—he's important. Can't train a guy like that like the others, mouse-hunting style."
Sa-yoon had one way to train guild members: break and beat.
Having never properly taught anyone, he'd settled on doing to them what the system did to him.
Beat them to near-death, revive with potions, then beat again to enforce discipline. That was the secret to Night Rat's rapid growth, but he couldn't do that to Geon-ju. Priority wasn't his training—it was maintaining a smooth relationship.
Even if needed for S-rank growth, he couldn't touch him easily; if beating was required, it had to be through someone else's hands.
But with no time now, bringing another guild member to the villa was tough. Nor could he tell Jong-sik to rough him up. Considering that, dragging his pretty boy to Yongho Guild was force majeure.
"......"
The timing was shitty.
He'd paid hefty karma to suppress 80% of trivial skill notifications, yet this ambiguous one popped up. His eyes narrowed at the window. Every time, it felt like gods were peering into his head via the system.
"...So, where are we going?"
Geon-ju, who'd meekly followed, asked. Sa-yoon took sunglasses from Jong-sik and perched them on his nose over his big round ones.
"Dunno, to meet a senile old man?"
"Senile old man?"
"Yeah. There's this guy drunk on imaginary glory he never had."
Sa-yoon smirked, picturing Chun-bok's face flushing with rage. Wonder what he'd squeeze out under 'insolence'. Lost in happy thoughts, he noticed Jong-sik trembling.
"Don't smile like that. You're not some fox spirit—pale face, red lips, blue eyes... Gasp!"
Jong-sik was great, except that mouth spouting useless crap now and then.
Sa-yoon pressed a hidden wrist dagger into his side. Even with the flat, no wound possible, Jong-sik froze in fear. Silence returned as the chatterer shut up. Sa-yoon turned to Geon-ju.
"To Yongho Guild."
"Yongho Guild?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Well..."
"...?"
Sa-yoon squinted, scanning Geon-ju up and down. The dagger in his hand spun in the air.
"Why would a crime guild go anywhere? To cause chaos, obviously."
And commit some crimes along the way.
Sa-yoon sheathed the caught dagger at his waist. Jong-sik shook his head like he couldn't stop it, while Geon-ju eyed Sa-yoon with an indescribable look.
Amid the two men's silence, only Sa-yoon was enjoying it.
"......"
"Why the constant eye-rolling?"
"Ah..."
Clatter, clatter. In the car, Geon-ju's eyes darted nonstop. Sa-yoon, watching openly, spoke up. Caught off-guard, the man recovered with a casual denial. Awkward as hell.
Seemed scared at first glance, so Sa-yoon pulled out the contract from his pocket.
"Scared 'cause I said we're committing crimes?"
"...Who knows."
"Tough luck. Can't undo the contract even if you're scared."
Forgot to mention: minimum three months with Night Rat before quitting.
A sly smile curled Sa-yoon's lips—something others might call underhanded. Geon-ju let out a hollow sigh.
"First time hearing that."
"Obviously. I just told you."
"Shouldn't you mention stuff like this before signing?"
"What, hate sticking around three months?"
"......"
"Sturdy legs? Wanna run to Yongho Guild?"
"You said six months was fine too."
As Sa-yoon moved like he'd fling the door open, Geon-ju backed down. Beating a twenty-two-year-old rookie felt good; laughing, Jong-sik raised a hand from the rearview.
"Hey, hyungnim. I'm here too."
"So?"
"Feels like you two are chatting alone. Thought you forgot me."
Jong-sik eyed Sa-yoon hopefully. Sa-yoon smirked at his clingy subordinate and lifted his crossed leg.
Bang!
A loud thud shook the whole car, not just the front seat. Jong-sik gripped the wheel in panic as the vehicle jolted. Good thing it was early morning on empty roads.
"Hyungnim!"
"Jong-sik."
"...Yes?"
"Just drive."
"......"
"Got a problem?"
Sa-yoon tilted his head. Jong-sik mumbled about being treated worse than the newbie under the deceptively gentle tone. If you're gonna whine, do it where it's not heard—voicing it clearly caused issues.
Getting cockier lately.
Too busy and lax on discipline, he'd climbed higher. Jong-sik, who'd served longest and knew boundaries, got passes before—but with a newbie, things changed.
Clear headwaters make clear streams, right?
He'd been meddling more in guild affairs lately; at this rate, Jong-sik might push him out and claim leader.
Bang!
Worried Geon-ju might learn bad habits, Sa-yoon kicked the seat again for insolence. Sensitive Jong-sik yelped. His hand slipped, blaring the horn, turning Geon-ju's head. He stared, speechless, at violent Sa-yoon and scolded Jong-sik.
"Hyungnim! I'm driving!"
"Then drive properly."
"I am! Wanna die?"
"Oh?"
Jong-sik needed one more hit to snap out of it. As Sa-yoon raised his foot, he felt eyes and turned.
Geon-ju stared, face stiff. Realizing they looked too ragtag and brutal, Sa-yoon swallowed his anger, lowered his foot to his knee.
Short silence. Sa-yoon eyed sullen Jong-sik and spoke.
"He does good work, despite appearances."
Late effort to salvage executive image after all the nagging. Geon-ju nodded, utterly unconvinced.