When the Other Side Acts Like Trash

I stood behind Chairman Park, quietly observing my surroundings. Using Object Detection, I grasped the energy and emotions of the people present while familiarizing myself with the terrain.

'Doesn't look like there's a trap.'

It didn't seem like they had any hidden intentions. The people’s emotions were generally calm. There was a certain level of tension, but that was likely due to my own people.

"Hello. My name is Yeom Ah-hyun."

"I am Chairman Park. As you can see, I’m in no shape to stand."

While I scanned them for anything suspicious, Chairman Park, whom I’d put forward as a decoy, began his conversation with Yeom Ah-hyun.

'Did they bring all their Awakened?'

There were about 60 people gathered on the opposing side. Considering that all of them were Awakened, I could infer that the Namsan faction was a group as large as Samira.

'Their levels are a bit low, though.'

Yeom Ah-hyun was level 21, which was by no means a low level. However, considering the scale of the group she belonged to and her position, it did feel somewhat low.

'Is my standard too high?'

Kang Hyeseon and the Six Captains were the highest-level individuals within their own factions. The same went for me. There wasn't any written rule, but I believed it was the natural order for the strong to lead.

Looking at Yeom Ah-hyun’s appearance, she seemed far from strong. She looked to be in her early 40s and was extremely thin. Her voice had strength, but for some reason, I didn't think her skills were combat-oriented.

'The man next to her is level 25, and the man standing behind her is level 26.'

Furthermore, there were many people around her with higher levels than her own. Did they live in a different way than us? Or perhaps Yeom Ah-hyun was just a figurehead.

'Or maybe…'

There was something about her. A way to control those with higher levels than herself. I suddenly thought of Yuri-an, who was dead now. She, too, had led those with higher levels than her.

"Thank you for coming all this way. Seeing it in person, it really hits home just how impressive Samira is."

"Don't mention it… More importantly, what should we call your faction…?"

"We use the name Namsan Government. It’s embarrassing, but we are the administrative branch of the Republic of Korea…"

Chairman Park was stalling for time. It was as we had agreed. While he dragged out the conversation, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I picked out the high-level individuals. I was writing a death list.

'It’s a waste of resources, though.'

Perhaps Yeom Ah-hyun truly was respected by the people and led the group. Or maybe, like Yuri-an, she possessed a special skill. Whatever the method, there had to be a reason why high-level Awakened followed her—loyalty, the effect of a skill, or personal value judgment. These factors would be obstacles in the process of subjugating them and absorbing them into Samira. Even from a tactical standpoint, it was more rational for me to strike the high-level Awakened first.

"I am also grateful for the difficult decision you’ve made. Through this opportunity, I hope the Namsan Government and Samira can forge a solid relationship."

"Let’s wait and see on that front. We haven't finished the contract yet."

What was strange was Yeom Ah-hyun’s confident attitude. Her wariness was too thin. On the other hand, the people around her were watching my side, growing increasingly tense.

"Chairman Park. Please think of the people. We are all fellow citizens of the Republic of Korea."

"Republic of Korea, my foot…"

"Or shall we say, good neighbors? Ah, while we’re at it, it would be nice to sign a non-aggression pact. Helping each other out…"

Yeom Ah-hyun spoke with a smile, as if everything would work out perfectly. She was running far ahead on her own. Then, noticing Chairman Park’s expression, she stopped what she was saying and went back to pleasantries.

"Ah, I was too impatient. By the way, the journey here wasn't uncomfortable, was it?"

"Thanks to you, it was fine, but… it just so happens that this path was close to our side."

Chairman Park threw in a pointed remark.

"Gauging the surrounding situation isn't something only Samira does. I felt it while reading the posts on the Square… Samira has excellent people and equipment."

Yeom Ah-hyun retorted immediately, still with a smiling face. It seemed she was pointing out the sharp atmosphere on my side. I didn't understand how she could be so relaxed while knowing that.

"Please promise that you will use Samira’s capabilities in a good direction for the Namsan Government. I beg of you."

Yeom Ah-hyun bowed her head first. Her aura shifted. 'But she’s still just as confident.'

Anyway, while Yeom Ah-hyun and Chairman Park were talking, I quickly finished my simulation. I had finished identifying the key targets to strike. But then, Chairman Park suddenly said something different from our agreement.

"Ha… this is frustrating. You know what?"

"Yes?"

"People… no, there’s something men in particular can’t stand."

This was Chairman Park’s own improvisation.

"Anyone can make a mistake or do something wrong. But the attitude afterward is what matters more."

"Chairman Park? Why are you suddenly speaking informally…"

"If the other person’s attitude is trash, you just want to crush them somehow. If you want to live, change your mindset first. Right now, bowing your head is…"

I launched myself before he could finish his sentence.

I pushed the wheelchair hard and lunged forward. The first target was the man holding the umbrella next to Yeom Ah-hyun. I could see the man’s eyes widen at my sudden movement. But that was the extent of his reaction.

CRASH!!!

The force of the collision sent the man’s body flying. I pulled out the club I had been hiding and swung it with one hand.

SPLAT—

The man’s head exploded. A spray of blood erupted. At the same time, I grabbed Yeom Ah-hyun’s neck with my other hand.

CRACK.

I squeezed my hand, snapping her neck. I hadn't intended to kill her like this, but I changed my mind.

"Councilwoman!"

A few men reacted with unusual speed to my surprise attack. They were all the Awakened I had mentally marked.

"ATTACK!!!"

At the same time, I heard Jang Hoseop’s voice shouting at the top of his lungs.

SHIIIIIIING—

The rain falling from the sky turned into sharp needles and lashed out in every direction.

"AAAAAAARGH!!!"

I jumped into the middle of the enemy lines.

WHOOSH! THUD!

I picked off the high-level Awakened one by one. I also gave a quick tap to the ones who got in my way.

"F, f*ck. Counterattack!"

That was enough. Most of them were standing there like idiots before losing their lives to the club I swung. Even the high-level Awakened who had reacted with such speed were helpless. Because when they moved one step, I moved two or three.

I killed over ten Awakened in an instant. Then, all sorts of bizarre phenomena began to occur from all sides. The ground around me was gouged out. Long electric wires slithered toward me like snakes. The man standing next to me suddenly started flailing his hands as if he couldn't see in front of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him.

"Heh, heh, heh."

I twisted and flew, dodging every attack aimed at me. I focused my consciousness on magic resistance, making the skills pouring down on me disappear as if they never existed.

Sometimes—

"Gah?"

I used their own comrades as shields. Since I was in the middle of the enemy camp, I kicked whoever was nearby to block the opponent’s skills.

"Block! Block them! Get a grip, you bastards!"

Samira’s Awakened pushed forward. Yuna showcased overwhelming firepower, mowing down the Namsan Government’s Awakened. I briefly assessed the situation and was certain. This was already a battle we had won.

'Trajectory…'

Just then, Line Detection activated. A red line stretched from the rooftop of a three-story house a little distance away. A man there had thrown something. The trajectory starting from his hand drew a bizarre line that headed toward my head before dropping sharply.

'Level 28.'

The man’s level was high. It was the fastest long-range attack I had seen so far.

SWISH—

Even so, I easily dodged what the man had thrown. Because I could see the trajectory.

Tap, tap, DASH.

I lunged at him. I could see the man wearing an expression that said it was impossible. But soon, his expression was painted with shock. It was because I had concentrated my mana into my lower body and leaped straight toward him.

WHOOSH.

The sound of wind rushing past my ears. I reached him in an instant, holding Yeom Ah-hyun’s corpse in one hand.

CRASH—

The man couldn't dodge the club I swung. His head and chest were crushed as if they were being flattened. I hung the club on my waist and lifted the man’s grotesquely mangled corpse.

"Drop your weapons! I’ll spare you if you surrender."

Carrying a corpse in each hand, I climbed onto the rooftop railing and shouted loudly.

"DROP YOUR WEAPONS!!!"

I put strength into my gut and shouted again. My voice pierced through the sound of the rain and reached the people. As countless gazes looked up at me, I threw the man’s corpse down. Then, I held out Yeom Ah-hyun’s limp corpse forward.

"S, surrender! I’ll surrender!"

One man finished his calculations quickly and dropped his weapon. Then, he knelt on his own. That was the beginning. The brawl ended so easily it felt hollow.

"Who said you could!"

No, there was someone who hadn't given up yet.

'Level 24.'

His level was quite high. He was a very large man, and he was holding a knife to the neck of a disabled person in a wheelchair.

"You, come down. If you try anything funny, your leader dies."

I looked at him for a moment and said.

"Suit yourself."

The man he had taken hostage was Chairman Park.

One of the Namsan Government men had taken Chairman Park hostage. He firmly believed that Chairman Park was the leader of Samira.

"Suit yourself."

The man’s expression twisted at my answer. Those who were about to surrender watched the situation.

"Do I look like I’m joking right now?"

"No, you look sincere. But if you stab him, you die too."

I jumped down from the rooftop. I tossed Yeom Ah-hyun’s corpse I was holding to Hoseop.

"This f*cking bastard, grabbing an elder by the head?"

Chairman Park cursed at the man holding the knife to his neck. Ignoring the two of them, I walked toward the Namsan Government forces.

"I gave you a chance, but you couldn't take it."

I launched myself again. I swung my club at those who were hesitating. There were some who tried to flee, but they were all caught by Samira’s Awakened.

"Hey, you son of a b*tch! Your chairman is going to die!"

"Do whatever you want."

I didn't touch those who had completely lost their will to fight. I smashed the heads of those who were still watching the situation. Then, the man holding Chairman Park shouted as if to pump himself up and swung his knife.

"HRAAAAAAAH!"

CLANG—

A strange sound rang out, and the man’s shout turned into a scream.

"AAAAAAARGH."

The blade couldn't pierce Chairman Park’s neck, and because of that, the man’s hand was injured instead.

"You bastard, you’re really going to stab him?"

Chairman Park raised both hands. Then, he wrapped his arms around the man’s neck, pulled him in, and bit his ear off.

'He recovered everything.'

Chairman Park’s fundamental skill is Multi-Change Shell. His skin’s state changes according to external factors, but we just call it Invincible Body. His level 10 general skill is Impact Absorption and Dispersion, which evenly disperses external impacts throughout his body. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Chairman Park’s fundamental skill and his level 10 general skill have great synergy. Enough that I’ve kept him around despite him being a cripple. Of course, before I even considered the utility of his skills, he had completely surrendered to me and received forgiveness from Bom.

"Ptooey! Don't just watch, this guy… let go, you bastard!"

Chairman Park spat something out of his mouth and asked me for help. I swung my club and smashed the head of the man clinging to Chairman Park.

"Ha… did we really have to do this?"

Chairman Park grumbled, covered in the man’s blood. He wiped the blood off his face with his own hands.

"You asked for help."

"No… ugh. Never mind."

The reason Chairman Park could use his hands was because I had permitted his treatment. I had taken him to Yongsan Station with Kang Hyeseon and had him helped by healing-type Awakened. His lower body hadn't recovered. That was because I had been more careful to damage his lower body on the day I captured him. In fact, it was a miracle he could even use his hands. And I had permitted Chairman Park’s level-ups as well. We had even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cleared a few gates together.

"Hoseop."

"Yes."

"Let’s clean up."

My people tied up the surviving Namsan Government Awakened.

'A few of them won't do.'

I read the emotions of those who had surrendered using Object Detection. There were some who had surrendered despite harboring great hostility.

STAB—

I walked around and cut the breath of those people. That was when I stopped in front of a certain man.

"Why, why go this far? What did we do wrong…"

He asked, looking up at me while kneeling. He was acting out a terrified expression, but his dominant emotion was rage.

"I fought to protect myself and what is mine. That’s the end of it."

Did he not know that Yeom Ah-hyun had been scheming to find Samira’s location? It didn't matter anyway.

"Wait a minute. I can launch a stealth drone… Ugh."

I felt tempted by his skill, but I just swung my dagger. The battle was truly over.

Samira’s Awakened were in the middle of cleaning up the battlefield.

"Why did you do that earlier?"

In the meantime, I asked Chairman Park the reason for his impulsive behavior.

"That… I’m sorry. I suddenly thought I had to save that woman."

I had expected as much. Since there was the precedent of Yuri-an. I observed Chairman Park’s emotions, and he was truly sorry.

"Understood."

I ended the conversation without asking further. Chairman Park felt relieved.

"Boss. Preparations are done. What should we do with Yeom Ah-hyun’s corpse?"

We weren't just cleaning up the battlefield. Preparations to move were finished, and Jang Hoseop dragged over the stripped corpse of Yeom Ah-hyun and asked.

"Hang it on Chairman Park’s wheelchair. It would be good to hang the other corpses somewhere they can be seen clearly."

At my words, Mr. Jangsu replied immediately that it was possible. A few Awakened moved busily again.

"Lee Hyun-nim. It’s done."

"Oh… this is something."

The work finished quickly. Jang Hoseop muttered in a voice mixed with admiration and disgust, and the surviving Namsan Government Awakened bowed their heads in despair.

"Let’s go."

Putting one of the captured men in the lead, we headed toward the Namsan Government’s base. Park Yoon-sung informed me that he was getting closer to the inner pages of the diary that had disappeared while he was using Location Tracking.

"Aren't all the people going to run away?"

"That’s why you need to be ready to catch them."

"Ah, yes."

About 40 corpses came out of the Namsan Government side from this battle. We hung all those corpses on various boards and floated them in the air. Thus, the march of the stripped corpses began. At the very front was Yeom Ah-hyun’s corpse, fixed high behind Chairman Park’s wheelchair. That was how we arrived at the Namsan Government’s base.

"Oh, Mommy!"

"Don't look. You mustn't look! Come here."

The people from the Namsan Government side were out on the clear road to greet us. There were few Awakened, and almost all of them were ordinary people. They had set up several large tents and gathered underneath them, and a few children were holding bouquets made of wildflowers. It seemed they had gathered to welcome us.