Namgung Mir (3): The Dragon's Curse and a Scandalous Proposal
Choi Siwoo took a sip of his tea and calmly pondered the woman before him. Even as Namgung Ryun continued to let out groans of pain, she provided precise, logical explanations.
'It must feel like her entire body is burning up...'
Choi Siwoo, who had heard everything in his previous life, knew just how vicious and malignant the 'curse' Namgung Ryun was enduring. That explained the constant stench of strong liquor and cigarettes on her body. That explained why she always wanted to be held close, at every opportunity. It was all to alleviate the pain, even if just a little.
'...And yet, she never resorted to drugs, even on the brink of death.'
It was probably because of Yurika. For Namgung Ryun, who harbored an intense disgust toward her, using drugs would have been unacceptable. Ironically, though the two women hated each other, that very hatred allowed them to understand one another better than anyone else. That must have been why Namgung Ryun entrusted her will to Yurika.
"So, to sum it up, the number two—the vice president—is eyeing the top spot, right?"
"Exactly. Jeon Dam-bi... She joined a few years ago."
Namgung Ryun, having received another injection, finally looked a bit relieved. The scars spreading across her face began to fade, if only slightly.
"Just a few years, and she's climbed that high?"
"...She posts insane results. She's strong, sure, but her resourcefulness is on another level. It's like she knows exactly where every demon spawn will pop up. And crucially..."
"Crucially?"
"...I have no idea how she did it, but she pulled most of the board members and major shareholders to her side."
"And her support base?"
"...Around 50%."
Choi Siwoo's eyebrow arched. Her position was even worse than he'd anticipated.
"At that rate... she's basically the puppet master already, isn't she?"
Namgung Ryun turned her face away, as if ashamed.
"...Only within the board. The heroes actually working in the field follow me. It's a razor-thin balance."
"...So if they found out about the guild leader's current condition..."
"...Nine times out of ten, they'd nitpick everything to drag me down. They've already caught the scent. Makes sense—I haven't shown up for meetings or operations these past few days."
"Hard to believe this is how they treat the hero who stopped an SS-rank gate outbreak."
A bitter smile tugged at Namgung Ryun's lips, but she showed no regrets.
"...If I hadn't stepped in, the casualties would've been irreversible."
"...Couldn't you have asked another guild for help?"
"You know as well as I do—most of the top ten guilds are just merchant cartels, not hero groups. They'd probably want things to fall apart. That's how they jack up their prices. And if they fail to hold it, they can always flee overseas."
"......"
"Cheonwi and Gunrim are the only ones with a shred of decency, but even they're starting to prioritize profits as they grow."
Namgung Ryun cleared her throat and clapped lightly to change the subject.
"Enough about us rotten adults. Not something to burden a 17-year-old with."
"Understood. My proposed terms are exactly as written in the email."
At that, Namgung Ryun shot him a suspicious look. It was far too outrageous for a 17-year-old to demand.
"...You're serious about that?"
"Dead serious."
"...Full support from Namgung Mir for future endeavors—I can accept that. But the second condition? I can't wrap my head around it sober."
Namgung Ryun tapped the floor with her finger.
"Association overhaul... Specifically, joining the purge of most of the higher-ups. You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
"You know exactly what that means, right?"
"I do. It's asking you to back a coup on par with a regime change."
"......"
Namgung Ryun let out a disbelieving "Ha..." Meanwhile, Choi Siwoo silently took another sip of tea.
"Choi Siwoo? This is insane. You're telling us to go out and get ourselves killed—"
"—Guild Leader. That's enough. No need to test me."
"...What?"
Interrupting her, Choi Siwoo fixed her with a gaze that said he knew everything. Her shoulders twitched ever so slightly.
"You've been preparing for this for a long time."
"...What are you—"
"You're not the only one who knows the truth."
"...!"
As Namgung Ryun froze, he drove the nail home.
"Lukma Yeokcheon."
"...!!!!"
Clang.
The teacup slipped from her hand and rolled across the floor. Ryu Chae-hwa, attending them, jumped in surprise and glanced between the two.
"You..."
"The public thinks Association Chairman Yoo Gwang-geon is the leader. But he's a puppet. Anyone deep in the internals knows that much."
Choi Siwoo lifted the teapot and refilled Namgung Ryun's empty cup.
"The real power lies with a Japanese-Korean mixed-blood man named Ichimaru Ken. That's one of the secrets."
"......"
"And the bigger truth? Behind him—or rather, at the root of the entire Association—is Lukma Yeokcheon rank 4, the 'Reaper of the Other Shore Flower.'"
"......"
An ominous tension filled the air. Not just Ryu Chae-hwa—Kang Him-chan and Ye Dong-tak began preparing for any contingency.
After a long silence, Namgung Ryun clicked her tongue lightly at Choi Siwoo, who sipped his tea leisurely.
"Not spelling it all out... Means you know what I've prepared too, right?"
"Yes. You've been working tirelessly, day and night—"
"—Why."
"...Pardon?"
Interrupting again, Namgung Ryun waved her hands in utter confusion.
"Why shove your head into a beast's jaws? Someone like you could claim a top seat regardless of bloodline."
"Doesn't that apply to you too, Guild Leader?"
"......"
She merely smiled faintly.
"My goal is world peace."
"...You're not serious."
"Half-serious. Either way, we share the same thoughts and aims. So... will you give me your answer?"
"......"
Namgung Ryun pondered long and hard. Wincing at the pain from the dragon-shaped scars, she finally nodded as if decided.
"Fine. Deal. Save me, and Namgung Mir will support you unconditionally."
"...! Guild Leader! That's—"
"—Ryu Chae-hwa. I know what you mean. It's too much, even as is. But... this guy's no ordinary punk."
Namgung Ryun glanced up slyly at Choi Siwoo and clicked her tongue softly.
"A kid wheeling and dealing like some old fox... You really 17? How many sly weasels you got in there?"
"Thanks for the compliment."
"...Whatever. So, what's the plan?"
Picking up the syringe from the floor, Namgung Ryun shook her head as if it wouldn't cut it.
"Impressive creation... but it only alleviates symptoms. Not a cure."
"One thing to confirm first."
Choi Siwoo drained the last sip and set down his cup.
"The scars on your face—from the Sa-ryong Pafnir, right?"
"...Yeah. Gate boss was that massive black dragon."
"And that dragon's lingering inside you now."
"...Right."
Namgung Ryun brushed the throbbing scars.
"It's the Dragon's Curse, only afflicting great dragons. Body's dead, but the soul's lodged in, tormenting me endlessly."
"Then it's simple."
"What...?"
"I'll enter your Mental Image Realm."
Everyone around stared in shock.
"You can... do that?"
"Yeah, I have that kind of power."
"...But..."
"It's fine. Once I'm in, I can handle it. Just need your cooperation. And this ties into extra compensation in the contract."
"...Cooperation? Compensation?"
"Call it acclimation... We'll need time together."
"Hm...?"
Steadying his breath, Choi Siwoo pulled the
Relic
from his pocket and dropped the bombshell.
"Guild Leader. Sleep with me tonight."
* * *
"......"
Namgung Ryun gaped blankly, her mind reeling.
Di-did I just hear that right? 'S-sleep... together?'
After drifting into outer space for a full ten seconds, Ryu Chae-hwa's scream snapped her back.
"Di-di-dirty!!!"
"...Pardon?"
Ryu Chae-hwa glared at Choi Siwoo, her face a mix of fury and tears, as if asking how he could even suggest it.
"H-how... Even if the guild leader's a stunning beauty, hitting on her for a one-night stand right off the bat? Unbelievable. I misjudged you!"
"...Excuse me?"
Kang Him-chan and Ye Dong-tak gave thumbs-up behind the flustered Choi Siwoo.
"Whoa, kid. Making me rethink you."
"A bold offer, born of knowing your own looks and worth... Impressive."
"Wait! There's a misunderstanding here..."
Choi Siwoo turned to Namgung Ryun, baffled by their reactions.
"You know that's not what I meant, right?"
"......"
"...? Guild Leader?"
Her face flushed like a ripe persimmon, Namgung Ryun averted her gaze. Her darting eyes betrayed her fluster.
"Ki-kids these days are bold. N-never thought you'd demand my body as payment from a sick woman..."
"......"
Namgung Ryun subtly shrugged off her suit jacket. Fanning herself as if hot, she still couldn't meet his eyes.
"A straight-ball first confession like that... D-do I really have that much appeal? Kinda embarrassing. B-but, first meeting and straight to that? Well, if that's all you want... no choice, I guess..."
"Dirty, dirty, dirty!!!"
Choi Siwoo pressed his temple as the group devolved into primitive chaos.
Master. This is Master's fault.
'...Yeah.'
Choi Siwoo silently accepted the price of his hasty words. It took a full thirty minutes of explanations to finally calm things down.