73. I Am a Bandit
Hongnim Chae's corpses didn't yield much of value when I rummaged through them. Instead—though it was a stretch to call it a consolation prize—I decided to extract information from one of the survivors who'd been hiding.
"Ugh... what happened to me?"
The guy who'd taken a body slam from Pingping groaned as he woke up. I pressed the tip of my blade against the back of his neck, and he swallowed hard.
"...W-who are you!"
"You'll find out if you talk."
"Jang Guk won't let this slide!"
I smirked.
"Oh yeah? I think he's lying pretty still out there on the road."
"...!"
His body twitched for a split second.
"You'd better just answer my questions."
"Damn it. No other choice, huh... What do you want?"
"Your name?"
"In Jun."
"Tell me everything you know about Palrim Chae. And give me a quick summary about yourself."
"...I'm a third-rate scout for Hongnim Chae, and Jang Guk is an action squad leader. Above him is the action captain, then the squad leader, then Bucha-ju and the Chaeju. That enough?"
"What about Cheongnim Chae?"
"That's..."
He spilled everything he knew in a rush: the organizational structure, locations, relationships with the other Palrim Chae strongholds. The more I heard, the stronger the odd sense of familiarity mixed with dissonance that washed over me.
"Pretty organized for bandits."
"Heh heh. Yeah. Now that you've seen our blood, you won't ever sleep soundly again."
"Is that right? Then sleep tight for me too."
"W-wait...!"
Slash!
His head flew through the air. Always gotta say one unnecessary thing.
I tilted his body carefully to avoid getting blood on me as I stripped off his clothes and mask, then untied and pocketed the red sash. Third-rate scout, was it? Jang Guk, the action squad leader, held a higher rank, but someone like that would probably be recognized by too many people. The scouts and action squad grunts all looked the same without the masks—low ranks meant no real distinction. Bandit groups were organized, sure, but it was all brute force and patchwork anyway.
Rip, rip.
I tore In Jun's clothes in a few places for effect, shoved his corpse aside, and moved on. Heading to the spot In Jun had mentioned, sure enough, there was the veil separating the stage from the outside world. I touched it and passed through without issue. Was killing a bandit at the pass the entry condition?
I glanced around, and that familiar feeling hit again. This place... I knew it.
Underground Floor 30. You have entered 'Bandit Hideout'.
Shareholders of the 17th Branch are showing interest.
"As I thought."
This was none other than the 17th Branch's Underground Floor 30 stage. No wonder In Jun's info had felt off from the start. Underground stages weren't always entirely separate worlds per floor—sometimes they were the same world divided into stages. I'd vaguely suspected as much during the clash with the 18th Branch before... In my previous life, the 17th Branch had only focused on clearing floors, so this kind of info was beyond us.
You have taken the lead.
'Silent Steps' privilege activated.
Leader privilege too? That was new. Silent Steps, huh. I tested it by stomping around. No sound. If I listened really closely, there was the faintest footfall, but it was drowned out by the rustle of dirt.
"Nice."
An unexpected bonus. I recalled my past life's memories. The department that cleared this 'Bandit Hideout' in my first life was HR—Seon Ga-hee as director, blasting spells like water after conquering this stage, I think. Meaning there was something useful for sorcerers as a reward. Can't just walk past a fish market with a cat around, right? With the leader privilege in hand, I decided to infiltrate.
A few minutes past the veil, and I started sensing presences.
"Didn't the action squad leave a while ago?"
"Let 'em go. Probably off raiding some village."
"Yeah, guess so. All three squads went out today anyway."
I crept carefully into Hongnim Chae territory, staying out of sight. Thanks to Silent Steps, I could move fast without worry. I spotted a cluster of rickety shacks the bandits had thrown together. Guards at the entrance, naturally, so I tied on the silver sash from my waist and slipped inside cautiously.
"Huh? Must've been seeing things."
I passed the head-tilting guard and hid behind a large rock. Three squads out, right? The one with Jang Guk that I wiped out must've been one of them. The base felt unexpectedly quiet because of it.
Then—
Thud, thud.
Two sets of footsteps from around the corner. Couldn't just stay put. Dressed as In Jun, I approached the masked one. His sash marked him as a first-rate scout. I clutched my knee like I'd fled in a panic, panting.
"Huff, huff. E-emergency!"
"Don't make a fuss. What happened?"
"Came to report our squad got wiped out."
"What? Wiped out? Which squad?"
"Jang Guk's action squad under Action Captain Jang-sang."
In Jun might've lied, but if it blew up, I could escape alone no problem.
"Your name?"
"In Jun."
"Let me check."
He pulled a roster from his pocket and scanned it.
"Jang Guk squad, In Jun. Third-rate scout."
"Yes."
"The culprit? Why'd Jang Guk's squad die?"
"We... picked a fight with some passing Murim expert."
"Tch. Tough luck. Happens sometimes when you're living by the blade."
"Yeah. Picked the wrong fight by a mile."
"Fine. I'll report it. Follow me. I'm first-rate scout Yun Do-hong."
Of all people, another scout. Or maybe it was perfect—scouts all wore masks.
"Yes."
"Come on. Gotta report to the squad leader."
"Got it."
Following Yun Do-hong led to the Scout Hall, home of the Jeongchal-danjang.
"Squad Leader. First-rate scout Yun Do-hong here."
"What is it?"
"This third-rate scout In Jun says Jang Guk's action squad got wiped out. Culprit was some Murim expert."
"Hmph. Jang Guk was always skimming tribute. Knew he'd get his someday. Jang-sang'll throw a fit when he gets back, though."
Neither Yun Do-hong nor the leader seemed too hung up on dead underlings. Bandits through and through. Jang-sang Jang Guk's brother? Not my concern.
"No squad now, so assign him other duties."
The leader eyed Yun Do-hong and me alternately, pondering, then spoke.
"Earthquake Bombs were due anyway. Take them from Jarin Chae."
He tossed a bundle of silver.
"You know where to deliver?"
"Yes, Squad Leader."
Yun Do-hong nodded and led me off.
"Follow me. To Jarin Chae."
Suddenly playing bandit errand boy. What a ridiculous twist.
This was pure honey. I fought back a grin. The shareholders were starting to watch me.
I casually asked Yun Do-hong about the Earthquake Bombs. Produced by Jarin Chae of Palrim Chae, they shook the earth on explosion—hence the name. Bandits' martial arts were lackluster, so they used bombs, poison, cannons, curses—whatever they could get.
"And Hongnim Chae mainly trades food and livestock."
"Slaves?"
"That's basic."
"Hm."
As a third-rate newbie, my ignorance didn't raise flags. Good call disguising as In Jun over Jang Guk—easier to ask around.
Then an enraged roar echoed from somewhere.
"Arrrgh! Guk-ah! Guk-ahhhh!"
Yun Do-hong clicked his tongue.
"Jang-sang's back."
Following his gaze, I saw a burly man clutching Jang Guk's corpse. But what caught my eye were the five or six people lined up behind Jang-sang's group—each shackled at the neck or limbs.
"How do you capture slaves?"
"Jang-sang's action squad handles that. We find spots off the officials' radar, they move in."
Yun Do-hong added I'd promote fast if I found good slave sources.
"Where do the slaves work? Never seen any."
"...Mind your own business and do your job."
He dodged for some reason.
"...?"
I tilted my head but dropped it—pushing might arouse suspicion.
Soon, pits appeared along the mountain path, remnants of scorched plants here and there. Slash-and-burn farming? Then a sharp gunpowder scent hit.
"Bomb testing ground."
"The craters are huge. At least ten feet wide."
"Earthquake Bomb power."
"Impressive."
This must be Jarin Chae territory. Soon, a bandit crew spotted us and approached, purple sashes on their arms. Their leader spoke sharply.
"What do you want?"
"Hongnim Chae. Here for Earthquake Bombs."
"Payment?"
Straight to cash—must happen often.
"Here. Count it."
The Jarin bandit checked the silver pouch, then yelled back.
"Bring a hundred bundles of Earthquake Bombs!"
"Yes!"
Two guys soon wheeled over carts.
"Fifty bundles each. Take 'em."
Yun Do-hong checked the sacks and nodded.
"Head back. In Jun."
"Yes."
The Earthquake Bombs fit perfectly in my hand. Stronger than modern grenades but unstable.
"Don't touch the fuse end or it might blow. Be careful."
"Got it."
Sending grunts on errands with this stuff like it was nothing. Bandit fodder were just expendable.
Rattle, rattle.
Pulling the cart, I pondered. In my previous life, when I heard about 'Bandit Hideout', there was no Palrim Chae. Only Cheongnim Chae existed. That dissonance from In Jun's info? This was it. The facts pointed clear: Soon, massive conflict among Palrim Chae, leaving only Cheongnim Chae.
Why?
Back at Hongnim Chae's Scout Hall, Yun Do-hong and I got baffling orders.
"Brought the Earthquake Bombs, Squad Leader."
"Bury them near the outhouse hill."
"Huh? Not the warehouse?"
"Do as you're told and quit yapping!"
"S-sorry."
We ended up digging pits by the outhouse at dawn, when everyone slept. Divided into small batches too. I asked Yun Do-hong why, but he just said he didn't know—follow orders.
"You take that side. I'll dig over here."
"Yes."
Once we were a good distance apart, I inspected the pit walls. Spotted something stuck in the dirt.
"A talisman?"
Bandits might dismiss it, but I instantly saw the spiritual energy.
-Yanghwa-bu. For igniting fire.
Zhuque responded to my mutter. Fire talismans by bomb pits? How convenient.
"Someone's planning to blow Hongnim Chae sky-high."
-The suspects are narrowing, Master.
"Yeah."
The Jeongchal-danjang who ordered us to bury them here. And for handling talismans, one name came to mind: Cheongnim Chae's Chaeju, O Ju-won. I recalled the briefing—his bizarre curses. High chance he was a sorcerer. Why would a sorcerer play bandit? HR cleared this stage in my first life, Seon Ga-hee unleashing spells post-clear. Something sorcerer-useful as reward. Couldn't miss this shot.
"You done there?"
"Y-yes! Almost!"
Thud! Thud!
I dug while my eyes gleamed. Time to head to Cheongnim Chae. A plan using Silent Steps privilege had clicked.