Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: The Mayor and Loyalty
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Life's success or failure is determined by what?
Wealth? Honor? Power? No. Those are just the process.
True success depends on how comfortably you can slack off at the end, doing absolutely nothing and just living it up.
In that sense, I had failed.
The article on the monitor in front of me.
[Seoul City: Deputy Mayor Kim Jinsu Suspended for One Month on Abuse of Authority Charges]
Just as there's no such thing as a perfect crime in the world, there's no such thing as a perfect vacation.
That's what I thought until just a moment ago.
Suspended for one month.
One month. 30 days. 720 hours. 43,200 minutes. 2,592,000 seconds.
That dreamlike stretch of time where he could do absolutely nothing had fallen into the hands of that bastard Kim Jinsu.
How? By abusing his authority. By sowing chaos in city administration.
At the very destination I had aimed for, that bastard Kim Jinsu was waving triumphantly.
"I'm jealous..."
My voice trembled pathetically.
"So jealous... I'm dying of jealousy...!"
Envy.
Jealousy.
Resentment.
That position should have been mine.
A happy ending where I faced the citizens' scorn, my approval ratings hit rock bottom, and I was finally impeached in glorious fashion.
I, Lee Garam, should have been the protagonist of that scenario.
But that punk Kim Jinsu had snatched it away.
He climbed the ladder of elderly welfare that I had painstakingly built and flew off to paradise first.
This sense of deprivation. It felt like having perfectly grilled pork belly snatched away right in front of me.
Maybe he had planned this from the start.
Deliberately picking fights with me, forcing that absurd elderly welfare competition.
Was Kim Jinsu a genius? Calculating everything and deliberately provoking a suspension!!
Then what about me? Was I just an ordinary mortal not even worthy of touching his toes?
"Ugh...!"
A groan escaped me before I knew it.
Damn it...! Why are there so many geniuses in this world!!!
"Heavens! Why did you take me, Lee Garam, and then send Kim Jinsu as well!!!"
It was then.
BAM!
With a thunderous crash, the mayor's office door flew open. I should be used to it by now, but my heart still dropped.
"Mayor! We're here!"
The booming voice belonged to Sim Mugang, president of the Swordmaster Fraternity.
Behind him poured in Nagi Tae, the Iron Sword Ghost, Bae Mansik, the Gale Blade Wanderer, and a stream of fraternity elders.
"E-Elders. What brings you here..."
I reflexively stood, forcing a smile.
They began dumping their bundles onto my desk.
Heavy glass bottles filled with dark red liquid. A root vegetable as thick as a man's arm, reeking of earthy soil.
Bags stuffed with unidentified herbs.
What was this? A witch's alchemy kit?
"This is rubus wine I brewed myself. It's great for men. Hard to put into words. Feels awkward to say outright."
"This wild ginseng from Cheonjonsan Mountain, I dug it up myself at dawn while absorbing the spiritual energy of Gyeyang Mountain!"
"Here's some deer antler tonic and Ten Treasure Great Tonic Decoction to boost your vitality, Mr. Mayor!"
Regardless of my opinion, my premium mahogany desk instantly turned into a rural market stall.
Fine dust floated up, and an unidentified musty smell polluted the office's luxurious air.
"Haha, such precious gifts... Thank you, elders."
I desperately pulled up the corners of my mouth.
Later, I'd have Jin Yeonhwa throw it all out. Or mix it into Nero's feed.
Then, Vice President Nagi Tae cleared his throat and stepped forward.
"Did those Seoul bastards think we'd blink for a few bucks? In your dreams!"
Thud!
Secretary General Bae Mansik slammed his cane-sword on the floor and took over.
"Loyalty matters, loyalty! Thanks to you, Mayor, I even got this fine cane-sword. How could I betray you?!"
President Sim Mugang kneaded my shoulder like dough and bellowed heartily.
"We're with you to the end! Neo Incheon! Mayor Lee Garam is our man!"
"We're Neo Incheon!"
"Woooaaah!"
The elders roared in unison.
Aaah.
I met their fervent gazes, acting the moved mayor lost for words.
"Elders... truly... thank you so much. What did I ever do to deserve..."
But inside, it was different.
Why! Why this pointless overflowing loyalty!
'Thankful my ass! Please just leave! Loyalty? Does loyalty put food on the table? They give 1.5 million won a month just for showing up in Seoul! They even buy omakase and waive taxi fees! Why not go! Why stay! Go already!'
Please just go!
Why stay and churn my guts!
But these weren't ordinary old folks.
Right. They didn't need money.
Each had businesses, real estate, pensions—a cushy retirement.
Seoul's 1.5 million won monthly offer was pocket change to them.
What truly mattered was a world that recognized and respected them.
"Come on, Mayor! Take this too!"
Secretary General Bae Mansik pulled a scroll from his bosom. An ornate silk-embellished one.
[Honorary Swordmaster Commission]
[We hereby appoint you as an honorary member of the Neo Incheon branch of the Republic of Korea Swordmaster Fraternity.]
"...Pardon? I-I don't know the first thing about swordsmanship..."
As I flailed in panic, President Sim Mugang laughed heartily.
"What does that matter! A true swordsman fights not with the blade, but with the heart!"
Vice President Nagi Tae nodded deeply in agreement.
"Exactly. The pinnacle of the sword is the Heart Sword. Once you reach the realm of wielding the blade with your mind, nothing in the world can stand against you."
Secretary General Bae Mansik seized my hand, forcing the scroll into it. His eyes gleamed like a monk who had attained enlightenment.
"You're already wielding that heart sword to steadfastly protect our Neo Incheon! Slicing corrupt corporations, repelling villains threatening the city! That's the Heart Sword, what else!"
Heart Sword? Sword of the heart?
What bizarre logic was this.
Wielding a sword with the mind—something straight out of a wuxia manual, said so seriously.
"No, elders, really, I..."
"Come on, Mayor! Look here! Group photo time!"
A city hall staffer appeared out of nowhere with a camera, adjusting the angle.
The elders positioned me in the center, flanking both sides.
The unwanted honorary commission clutched firmly in my hand.
Click-
The flash popped.
I wore the world's most aggrieved, hollow smile.
In the photo, I was smiling, but my soul had run off to Andromeda.
Photo done, the elders exited the office in a whirlwind, just as they entered, satisfied.
"You're one of us now, Mayor!"
"See you often!"
"Call anytime you need help!"
The Swordmaster Fraternity came like a storm and left like a storm.
Empty mayor's office.
Strange honorary swordmaster certificate in hand.
Mountain of mystery health foods on the desk.
I slumped into my chair.
"Ha... haha... hahaha..."
All energy drained from my body.
Then, a light patter on the desk.
It was Nero.
Meow.
"Come to comfort me?"
No. Just begging for food.
Meow.
The cat pawed at the medicine and bags on the desk.
I silently tore open a bag of sweets and set it before Nero.
Sniff sniff. Crunch crunch. Nom nom.
Nero sniffed, then devoured the sweets happily.
*
Today's destination: 'Little Tokyo: Ninja Town'.
My ambitious pro-Japan scandal project, the grand remnants of my self-destruction plan.
It should have been the holy site to ignite the final blaze on my impeachment train, symbolizing national treason.
But now?
It had become Neo Incheon's new landmark theme park, bursting with weekend tourists.
Damn it.
Stepping out of the taxi, I was hit with a wall of people.
A massive torii gate overwhelming the entrance from the start. And atop it, huge letters that made me doubt my eyes.
of endure. of ninja.
Flanking the character were ominous black clouds, the crest of the Kurokumo Clan.
Meow.
Nero mewed shortly at my feet. A 'hurry up and go in' nudge.
I sighed deeply and stepped forward.
"Neo Daimyo has graced us with his presence!"
"Infinite honor upon our domain with your visit!"
"We lowly ones behold the lord's visage!"
With booming cries, every Kurokumo clansman at the entrance dropped to the ground in unison.
Dogeza.
Not one or two, but dozens lined along the path, prostrating toward me.
"We pay homage to the divine beast Nero as well!"
"Auspicious energy shall overflow wherever the divine beast treads!"
Nyaang.
That arrogant cat.
Seeing dozens bow before it, Nero perked its tail, strutting smugly among the ninjas.
"No, hey, everyone stand up! People are watching!"
My shout echoed emptily into the void.
They didn't budge. If anything, they trembled more reverently at my voice.
What grotesque, horrifying spectacle was this.
Daimyo. Lord.
Yes. Somehow, I had become the lord of these bizarre ninjas.
Would've preferred Shogun. Sounds tougher. No, not the point now.
Tourists around whipped out smartphones, snapping away like it was entertainment.
'#NinjaTown #MayorInspection #NeoDaimyo #NeroSoCute'
SNS hashtags already vivid in my mind.
I gave up. Pretend it wasn't happening.
Swallowing tears, I trudged to the park center under their 'escort' that wasn't an escort.
'Shadow Stealth Experience Hall', 'Shuriken Throwing Classroom', 'Ninja Escape Room: Honnoji Incident'.
Since when did assassination arts become wholesome entertainment?
The Shuriken Throwing Hall of Fame even featured a giggling elementary kid as 'Hokage of the Month'.
Handing deadly weapons to children. Highly improper educationally. As mayor, I express deep concern.
"Hm."
A sweet, nutty aroma tickled my nose, turning my head.
'Insim-dang Ninja Town Special Branch'.
And a sign: 'Today's Recommendation: Special Ninja Dangho'.
Damn, that bakery chain expanded here too.
A familiar figure bustled inside.
Kurokumo Tsubaki.
The clan poison master, now in quality control at Insim-dang.
She was checking the color and aroma of freshly made dangho.
That instant, she looked up.
Our eyes met.
"Eek!"
Tsubaki screamed. Like she'd seen a ghost.
Her body stiffened, face drained white.
Next moment
Poof!
Smoke bomb burst, thick smoke enveloping her.
When it cleared, she was gone.
"......"
What? Why flee in terror?
Am I that scary?
Bitterly, I resumed walking.
Far off, in the bamboo grove at the park's rear, a familiar silhouette.
Kurokumo Genji.
Clan elder, legendary assassin of 547 souls.
He sat in the pavilion before the grove, eyes closed in meditation.
As I approached, he sensed me like a ghost and opened his eyes. Quietly rose, bowing deeply to me.
"I see the lord."
"Elder Genji. Stay comfortable."
"No. How could I neglect propriety toward my lord."
As expected. He hadn't gone to Seoul either.
Brutus Project failure, Kim Jinsu's suspension, Swordmaster Fraternity's pointless loyalty.
And this loyal ninja before me.
Everything mocked my plans.
Irritation boiled from within.
I blurted curtly without thinking.
"No, why didn't you go to Seoul, Mr. Genji? They offered money."
Genji's face hardened.
His eyes quivered.
"Ah..."
He gazed skyward, sighing.
"The lord deems me useless no longer!"
No, wait. That's not it.
"Then what use is further life for this Genji! Here I offer this life to ease my lord's worries!"
Shring-
Genji drew his blade from his waist. The cold edge gleamed sinisterly in the afternoon sun.
Here we go again.
"No no no no! Not that! I was joking! Joke!"
I rushed madly, grabbing his arm.
"I need you! Desperately! Please sheathe that sword!"
My desperate cry halted him.
He stared a moment, then his face bloomed with joy.
"Ah...! Such mercy from the lord!!"
Genji bowed deeply again, overcome with emotion.
"As expected, none but the lord is worthy of my service! Use this life as you will! Till death! Nay, even in death, eternally yours!"
Kim Jinsu thought.
Victory always belongs to the realm of reason.
Since becoming Seoul's deputy mayor, every decision of his was based on cold numbers and clear data.
Uncertain elements like emotion, intuition, or mood were thoroughly excluded from his process.
The welfare competition with Neo Incheon's Mayor Lee Garam.
A showdown between the nation's capital and a mere metropolis. The weight classes were worlds apart.
Before Seoul's overwhelming finances, Neo Incheon's resistance was mere flailing.
At first, everything went according to his calculations.
[Neo Incheon Declares 1 Million Won Monthly Elderly Happiness Allowance!]
[Elderly Transport Free! Magnet Pet Support for 3 Months!]
[Neo Incheon Replaces All Senior Center Massage Chairs with Latest Models!]
'Just 1 million won? Daring to compete with Seoul on that?'
Kim Jinsu countered immediately.
[Seoul City: 1.5 Million Won Monthly Happiness Allowance! 500k More Than Neo Incheon!]
[Deputy Mayor Kim Jinsu: "Best Treatment Promised to Seoul's Elders"]
Chicken game. Bleeding competition.
The side with superior capital wins, naturally.
[Mayor Lee Garam: "No Sparing City Budget for Elders' Comfortable Retirement!"]
['City Where Elders Are Happy' Declaration... Fiscal Health Concerns Spread]
[Experts: "Classic Populist Politics' End... No Future for Neo Incheon"]
Days later, Lee Garam desperately shouting at a press conference aired.
[Neo Incheon Can Do Free Too! Omakase... High-End Korean Buffet Provided!]
Watching, Kim Jinsu was convinced.
'Lee Garam. That young punk mayor. Completely lost his reason.'
Reckless spending would lead to fiscal ruin.
Now just fold his arms and watch them crumble.
[Seoul City Issues Premium Welfare Cards for Elders! Mileage on Public Transport!]
[Deputy Mayor Kim Jinsu: "Elders Are Seoul's Future. Invest Without Stint."]
He dangled baits twice, thrice larger than Lee Garam's.
The more Lee Garam raged and overreached in jealousy, the closer his victory.
Thus, Kim Jinsu successfully poached Neo Incheon's elders.
"Lee Garam was nothing special after all."
He was certain of victory. Game over.
Whatever Lee Garam's initial plan, he could do nothing now.
So he believed.
Victory by calculation.
It had to be.
It should have been...
"Damn... damn...!"
Kim Jinsu slumped on the sofa, rubbing his dry face.
Before him tumbled an official document.
[Disciplinary Notice: Abuse of Authority, 1-Month Suspension]
He retraced where it went wrong.
Clarity came with a new report on his desk.
In-depth analysis of Neo Incheon elders who migrated to Seoul.
[Property Tax Payment History: None]
[Comprehensive Real Estate Tax: None]
[Income Quintile: Bottom 20% or Less]
[Main Assets: None]
[Medical Expenses: Top 5%]
The elders he stole weren't tax-paying rich folk.
Pure welfare consumers.
Meanwhile, those remaining in Neo Incheon?
Swordmaster Fraternity. Landlords, stock tycoons, retired tycoons.
The prime tax-paying wealthy stuck by Lee Garam.
Then the knockout blow landed.
[Breaking: Neo Incheon Halts Special Elderly Welfare Policies, Redirects Budget to Youth Future]
The article continued. Reason: fiscal deterioration. Simple and clear.
Couldn't handle the money poured out so far. Hands up.
Fair enough. As expected.
But the next line struck his nape.
[...Mayor Lee Garam: 'I believe Seoul City will care for our elders better,' 'Supports elders' happy Seoul life'...]
All puzzle pieces clicked.
"No way... from the beginning...?"
His lips quivered.
Lee Garam's face surfaced. That off-kilter smile. Vacant eyes.
The young mayor hadn't lost reason.
He planned it all from the start.
To 'legally' dump the fiscal burden elderly onto Seoul.
Deliberately escalating welfare war, luring him to bite, then offloading all baggage and slipping away.
"Ah... aaaah..."
How such a horrific scheme!
Chills raced over Kim Jinsu. Terrifying.
Lee Garam, his meticulous stratagems, overwhelming talent—frightening.
Genius. Lee Garam was a true genius.
A political mastermind of odd tactics.
Shaking the board with strategies beyond common sense.
What followed was predictable.
Seoul citizens' fury erupted.
"Why feed Incheon elders with our taxes!"
"Explain the abuse of authority and administrative chaos!"
"Deputy Mayor Kim Jinsu, take responsibility for your unilateral actions!"
The city council swiftly formed an abuse probe committee.
And today, his one-month suspension was handed down.
The worst stain on his political career, an irrecoverable mortal wound.
All in Lee Garam's palm.
Kim Jinsu blankly surveyed his office. Premium wood-paneled walls, glittering Seoul nightscape beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Until recently victor's spoils, now a loser's cage.
Then.
Bzzz-
Smartphone vibrated on the table.
No caller ID.
Kim Jinsu swallowed dryly, pressing call. Maybe the Seoul Mayor?
Trembling hand hit accept.
[Hello? Deputy Mayor Kim Jinsu! It's me, Lee Garam!]
The voice from the receiver was disgustingly cheerful.
"......What is it."
Kim Jinsu barely squeezed out words.
He had lost everything. Honor, approval, political life.
Here to mock?
[Wow, Deputy Mayor! How'd you pull it off? One-month suspension! I'm genuinely envious!]
Kim Jinsu bit his lip.
His style? Not content with salt in wounds, he twists the knife.
[Tell me how! Please! How... how do you get suspended?]
"......What?"
Kim Jinsu doubted his ears.
[No matter what I do, my ratings won't drop! They keep rising, driving me mad! How'd you tank yours to the bottom? What's the secret? Huh? Share the know-how!]
"You...... demon...!!"
That moment, the thread of reason in his mind snapped.
Beyond mockery. Insult surpassing humiliation.
The cruelest, most vicious teabagging one human could inflict on another.
"Leeee...... Lee Garaaaam!!! Keuk!!"
Kim Jinsu's body shook violently. Blood pressure soared, vision red.
Lee Garam.
That man wasn't a genius. A monster.
Insight piercing all, stratagems overturning boards, merciless cruelty to humiliate foes.
[Deputy Mayor? What's wrong? You listening? Hello? Cheapskate. Just share the trick!!]