The Art of the Threat
“So, Governor, the reason I came here is…” Tae-hyun began, carefully testing the waters as he watched the Governor’s reaction.
He had already built a decent rapport with the Governor by bonding over their shared disdain for ‘incompetent subordinates.’ After all, people usually bond much faster over shared hatreds than shared interests! Combined with his Speech and Count title bonuses, Tae-hyun had successfully breached the fortress of friendship that other players had spent months trying to crack without success.
“I heard a massive event is being held at the arena?”
“Indeed.”
“I came to participate.”
“A Count participating in such a spectacle? You truly have no shame, do you?”
“What’s wrong with being a Count? The more money and power you have, the better.”
“Money is one thing, but do you really need power in this city? In your own territory, you are practically a king.”
“…”
Tae-hyun winced, his sore spot inadvertently poked. He had a fief and a noble title, yes… but there was absolutely nothing in that territory.
“Ha, haha… Well, anyway. I’m just interested in the rewards. I heard they’re exceptionally good?”
“I am sorry, but as the Governor, I must conduct my duties fairly. I cannot grant any underhanded favors.”
You’re a literal demon, what do you mean ‘fairly’…?
Knowing the Governor’s true identity, Tae-hyun found his righteous declaration utterly hilarious.
He must have a very specific reason for pushing this arena event forward… Ah, whatever. I just need to grab my items and go.
Keeping a pleasant smile plastered on his face, Tae-hyun continued to persuade the Governor.
“No, I’m not asking for an underhanded favor. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.”
“…?”
“Those barbaric, brainless… well, let’s just say highly unpleasant adventurers out there are currently tearing each other apart behind the scenes just to get an advantage in the arena.”
The Governor nodded. There was no way he didn’t know about it.
“Because of that, I’m worried they might pull some underhanded, dirty tricks when the arena match-ups are decided.”
Even if they couldn’t cheat inside the arena itself, they could easily rig things during the registration phase. Multiple members of the same guild could register simultaneously to openly team up, or they could coordinate their registration times to target and gatekeep specific rivals.
If a large group colluded, a solo player would have a hard time stopping them. And how do you stop such collusion? Power, of course, was the answer!
“Hmm… I see. Treating a noble like yourself on the same level as those filthy adventurers would indeed be improper. What is it you desire?”
“Well… I’m not asking for anything unfair. Since those other bastards will all be fighting together, I just want you to keep them as far apart from me as possible. And since we’ll still have to deal with a lot of them, please put my subordinate and me in the same bracket.”
“I can easily arrange that much.”
The Governor nodded readily. Tae-hyun let out a silent sigh of relief. With this, the risk of being unable to show his full strength due to some unexpected variable in the arena was completely eliminated!
—Master, you must take this seriously. A demon sitting in the Governor’s seat! If left alone, the entire Espa Kingdom will fall into grave danger…
Yong-yong chattered away non-stop as they walked out of the Governor’s estate.
Come to think of it, he hated vampires too.
As a divine beast, Yong-yong was naturally highly sensitive to corrupt existences.
“Hey! You there!”
“…?”
Someone called out to Cain, who was minding his own business walking down the street. Cain and Tae-hyun weren’t walking together at the moment. Just in case, they had kept some distance between themselves while moving. Thus, to the eyes of other players, Cain, who had exited the Governor’s estate last, appeared to have come out alone.
“Didn’t you just come out of the Governor’s building?”
“What if I did?” Cain asked, his voice dripping with apathy and annoyance.
He had already suffered more than enough stress inside that building thanks to Tae-hyun.
—Just let some easy target cross my path!
It might have sounded petty, but Cain was dead serious.
“How did you get inside the Governor’s building?”
“I talked my way in. Why? You got a problem with that?”
“What? You cheeky bastard… Do you have any idea who I am?”
“Do you have any idea who I am?”
“Who the hell are you?”
“I am C—”
“C?”
“…C-destined for greatness! Someday!”
Cain barely bit back his own name. If he blabbed here, the fallout from Tae-hyun would be too much to handle! Of course, the other player just stared at Cain as if he were an absolute idiot.
“What is wrong with this guy? Hey, follow me for a second.”
“Who are you to tell me to follow you?”
“You don’t recognize this guild emblem? Are you new here? Do you have any idea how big we are in this city…?”
The player proudly pointed to the guild emblem engraved on his armor.
“What guild is it?”
“It’s Guild.”
“What? Guild?”
“Don't space it weirdly, you bastard! Say it properly!”
“It’s your fault for giving it such a weird name! And what’s with that obscene guild name anyway? I’ve never even heard of a guild called Guild!”
“Y-You bastard… How dare you mock our guild name?!”
The player’s face flushed red with anger at Cain’s response. At that moment, Tae-hyun sent Cain a whisper.
—Hey. Just follow him quietly.
—?
—He said he’s taking you somewhere. Just follow him quietly.
—Why? I can easily beat him!
—I know that, you idiot. But we’re on the main street and there are too many eyes. Follow him, and then beat him up where no one can see.
—…