Chapter 109: The Beginning
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 109: The Beginning
The words were few, but their impact lingered.
[Not a slave… Yes. We are not slaves…]
The troll’s voice seemed to have changed slightly. It wasn't that he had been steeped in defeatism from the start, but Orbo's voice, as if tempering himself, certainly sounded different to me.
[Thank you, Blood Dagger. Yes… we are Green Skins…]
[...................]
[I will return this ring to your clan member, Blood Dagger.]
[There's no need for that. It would be best if you held onto the ring until we arrive, Orbo.]
[No, it's fine. It's not polite to keep holding onto someone else's property. To be honest, this human has been glaring at me like she wants to kill me, so it's quite awkward to keep wearing the ring. I will wait quietly for the right time.]
He was even cracking a slight joke now. After he finished saying he would wait for the right time, he must have passed the ring to Baek Ahyeon, as her voice came through again in a hurry.
[M-My Savior. My Savior… A-Are you listening?]
[I am, my devotee.]
Baek Ahyeon was searching for me like a puppy with separation anxiety, so I had no choice but to speak quickly. She must have been incredibly anxious just from being separated from the ring, as her voice was on the verge of tears.
[It was a short time, but you've been through a lot.]
[Y-Yes!]
[We will commence the operation after you make contact with Yoon Jungsoo.]
[Yes. Everything according to the Savior's will…]
And so, the brief contact ended. The period Baek Ahyeon would have Orbo was three days. I figured Yoon Jungsoo would contact her again within those three days. During that time, all the Blood Dagger Clan and the Black Spear Clan could do was wait.
We reviewed the plan once more and continued to grasp the city's situation and state of affairs through Baek Ahyeon and Lee Wanyong.
This was the largest battle since the Blood Dagger Clan's founding. A battle against an entire city. It was surely the same for Black Spear's clan. Everyone had slightly flushed, excited faces.
But for now, we had to be patient. We had to endure and hold back a little longer. Soon enough, there would be more than enough fighting to go around. I smiled faintly without realizing it, and my clan members, perhaps sensing from my expression that things had gone well, began to shout. Gark and Hark were the first to raise their flags and roar. Next came Mev and Ragia, Hakajin and Jung Hayeon, and then the Goblin Three Sisters, all shouting in turn.
“For Blood Dagger!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
They were cheering for me, but their voices were filled with the raw excitement of battle.
*
Yoon Jungsoo was once again looking at Min Chulgi with a fond gaze. It was because Baek Ahyeon, the West's Saint, who hadn't left her room for two whole days, had finally emerged and decided to speak with him.
“It's half a success, isn't it, Master? Just as I thought, putting him in without any drugs was effective. The fact that she holed herself up in that room for two whole days is really something, isn't it?”
“Tsk… Yes. You're right. It seems the title 'West's Saint' isn't entirely wrong. Except her sainthood seems to be of a more… carnal nature. Hehe…”
“Master, you must remember not to show any sign of that in front of the Saintess.”
“You fool. As if I'd make a mistake like that. Heh… The Black Thorn is finally about to soar.”
Just as Min Chulgi had said, sending the troll into the Saintess's room without any drugs to suppress its nature seemed to have been effective. This was because the Saintess, who had initially remained completely silent, had finally spoken up after another day passed, saying she wanted to contact the Black Thorn. She had undoubtedly fallen head over heels for the troll.
For Yoon Jungsoo, it was a situation where he couldn't help but be pleased. Bringing the Saintess and her followers into the guild meant a massive increase in power. Thanks to some nameless troll slave, he had gained a powerful ally.
“Isn't it almost time for the appointment? You should get ready. It seems she'll be coming to the guild hall directly. I heard she's bringing a few followers… I've also prepared a spread of the finest foods.”
“Yes, yes. Well done, Chulgi. You've really been lifting my spirits lately. Hehe.”
He had always trusted the man, but now Yoon Jungsoo found himself thinking that if this matter concluded well, it wouldn't be a bad idea to groom him as the next successor to lead the guild. The corners of his mouth lifted in a pleased smile once more.
Dressed in rather luxurious clothes, Yoon Jungsoo waited anxiously for the Saintess. When he finally heard she had arrived, a wide grin spread across his face. He didn't think for a moment that they were in the weaker position in this deal, but since his counterpart was none other than the Saintess, he figured it wouldn't hurt to go out and greet her. Yoon Jungsoo quickened his pace.
Escorted by Min Chulgi, the West's Saint, Baek Ahyeon, looked quite different from her usual plain appearance. She was wearing makeup and even a dress, which made him feel certain that the Saintess also wanted to make a good impression on him.
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
“Not at all. On the contrary, I should be thanking you for the invitation.”
Her graceful bow was so elegant that it was hard to believe she was the same woman who had spent two days tumbling with a troll. At the sight, Yoon Jungsoo unknowingly swallowed hard.
He had always thought she was cute, but today there was a strange sensuality about her.
“Ahem… ahem… Well then, let's head inside and have a meal first.”
“Yes.”
As a man who had closed many major deals, Yoon Jungsoo naturally didn't let it show, but he couldn't help his gaze from wandering. They arrived at a large dining hall. The only people in the room were himself, Min Chulgi, the Saintess, and her two followers.
Security was paramount, so they had prevented any unnecessary personnel from entering. Figuring the two followers were likely the Saintess's most trusted devotees, Yoon Jungsoo smiled slyly and spoke first.
“What did you think of the small city of Somorah?”
“Ah, it was certainly nice. Not a bad feeling… No, in fact, it made me want to stay for a while. Everyone needs a place like this.”
A very positive response. The fact that she was being this agreeable, even before he had laid out any conditions, meant that this deal was likely to proceed very smoothly.
‘Tsk… She's really fallen for him, hard.’
He had expected as much when he heard she wasn't leaving her room, but it was clear she truly liked this city.
“I'm curious if your followers are also enjoying themselves.”
“Yes. While there are those who are praying and aiding the poor as they always do, there are also many followers who are resting their weary bodies here.”
“Then the ones next to you are also…”
“Yes. They are resting, just like me. I imagine many others are enjoying their rest throughout the city right now.”
What Yoon Jungsoo had meant was a subtle, roundabout way of asking if the followers next to her were of the same persuasion. Baek Ahyeon, as if sensing his meaning, had answered his question. He couldn't help but notice that this woman was quite clever, managing to lead a double life without getting caught. However, the one who was getting impatient was not Yoon Jungsoo, but Baek Ahyeon. As he deliberately slowed the pace of the conversation, she opened her mouth with an anxious expression, just as he'd expected.
“Ahem… I'll get straight to the point. If I were to accept the Black Thorn Guild's proposal, would you be able to hand that troll over to me?”
Such a heavy-handed, direct pitch right from the start was almost laughable. She was clearly not accustomed to negotiations. Yoon Jungsoo continued, following up on Baek Ahyeon's words.
“Tsk… That might be a bit difficult.”
The Saintess's face crumpled mercilessly. But Yoon Jungsoo continued speaking leisurely.
“You see, that troll is a rather important asset to our ‘business.’ I don't think it would be a problem to lend him to you for two or three days a week… but any more than that would be difficult for us.”
“.....................”
“However, it might be possible after some time has passed. I assume you have a rough idea of what our business entails.”
“Yes.”
“The truth is, we are currently in possession of that troll's ‘child.’ Lineage is extremely important to monsters. It's common sense that superior offspring are born from superior parents. If the son we have now grows into a proper adult, then the troll we have now…”
Finishing his sentence, Yoon Jungsoo slyly watched Baek Ahyeon. She was nodding to herself. His words sounded plausible, but they were, in fact, a trap. In other words, it was no different from saying he intended to keep the Saintess and her followers in the city until the child they were raising grew into a proper adult.
Of course, the Saintess would also receive additional profits from this, but it was an undeniable fact that the city itself would gain an enormous advantage. His expression was grave, but inwardly, Yoon Jungsoo wanted to laugh out loud.
“I was wondering if you happen to handle other monsters as well.”
“Of course. They're only goblins, orcs, and trolls, but many of them are quite dangerous.”
“That sounds exciting. If it's not too much trouble, would it be all right if I took a look around?”
“Hmm…”
“You don't have to worry about secrecy. I've already more or less made my decision… and you hold my leash, after all.”
She was likely referring to her own peculiar tastes. Only then did Yoon Jungsoo realize that Baek Ahyeon had already made up her mind before she even came here. But he couldn't let it show.
“Haha… A client's secrets must always be protected. That is our creed, and the secret to how we've stayed in this business for so long. You needn't worry about any secrets getting out. However, as you said, Saintess, we may soon become one family, so I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to take a look around. If you see any you like, I'll arrange for you to borrow them right away.”
“I look forward to it. Thank you.”
“Haha.”
And so, even before they had eaten, Yoon Jungsoo left with Baek Ahyeon. It was to take her to the underground level, a place whose existence was unknown even to the low-level members. As she had said, it was obvious that he held the Saintess's leash. The deeper he took this woman into the darkness, the greater her weakness would become.
If the fact that she had entered the ‘underground’ he operated ever became known, her reputation would be finished. The Saintess was merely curious, but to Yoon Jungsoo, this little tour was crucial material for creating an accomplice.
After descending for a long time through a complex path within the guild, they finally arrived.
“We're here. You can look forward to it.”
“Yes.”
It was just as he was about to open the final door.
“KABOOM!!!!!!”
“KABOOM!!!!!!!!!”
A sound like a bomb detonating, a deafening roar that shook the ears. It wasn't coming from inside the guild hall.