The Price of a Drink
"I was just like you when I killed for the first time," Im Ji said.
Bukjin felt the weight of truth in those words. Im Ji spoke with a profound, unwavering sincerity that made it impossible to doubt him. Moreover, Bukjin had the distinct impression that a man like Im Ji was simply incapable of lying.
"What happened after that?" Bukjin asked. "As time passed, how did you overcome the feeling in your heart?"
"I didn't overcome it," Im Ji replied flatly. "And so, I simply continued to kill."
Bukjin’s expression faltered. He had expected Im Ji—the genius among geniuses of the Im family, a man who had overwhelmed countless talents across the Pungeo Province—to offer some profound philosophical insight or a clear, enlightened answer.
Bukjin lowered his head, sinking into deep thought. Upon reflection, the man’s words held a certain grim logic.
He’s right. An Inner Demon isn't like a martial art with a fixed form; there’s no manual with a step-by-step solution. If you can crawl out of that darkness, you do. If you can’t, you have no choice but to keep trying until you do. If one murder isn't enough to make you numb to it, then perhaps continuing to kill is a method in its own right.
Strangely, Bukjin felt the suffocating weight that had been pressing down on his chest begin to lift.
Im Ji spoke again. "Those people you killed—did they deserve to die?"
Bukjin nodded. Ju Seong and his ilk had committed unspeakable atrocities against the Fire Rose Adventurers. The cultists of the Cave of Ten Thousand Poisons within the city were monsters who used living humans as experimental fodder. The gamblers in the Tusu Garden were cruel wretches who treated human lives as mere entertainment. And the vicious adventurers in Bukhwang Mountain were scum who had robbed and murdered countless innocents. They all deserved death.
"Are you perhaps worrying about whether their parents or families are grieving for them now that they are gone?" Im Ji asked.
Bukjin nodded once more. That single question pierced straight to the core of his unease.
"They committed those evil acts knowing full well that the consequences would one day find them," Im Ji said. "Yet, they never once thought of their parents or families enough to stop their wickedness. In the end, it was they who did not cherish their own kin. So why are you the one agonizing over such villains?"
Bukjin nodded, the logic finally clicking into place. "You're right."
He felt the knot in his heart loosen significantly. Im Ji continued.
"Do you have any idea how many people are grateful to you for killing them? By your actions, you have saved the lives of countless others who would have surely died at their hands. This is the responsibility and the effect of the sword. Do you understand?"
Bukjin nodded. The **Inner Demon** that had been clouding his mind was ninety percent gone. He understood the principle Im Ji was explaining. Many people hear countless lessons and moral truths throughout their lives but fail to live by them. However, hearing these same words from Im Ji’s mouth gave them an undeniable persuasive power.
It wasn't because Im Ji was trying to comfort him. Rather, he was preaching his own ideology—a conviction forged by his own hands and feet, a path he had walked and felt personally. Every word he spoke carried the heavy resonance of experience.
"Waiter, bring the wine."
Bukjin felt much lighter. A spread of drinks was quickly laid out on the table. Bukjin poured two cups. He respectfully offered one to Im Ji and held the other himself.
"General Im, allow me to offer you a drink."
Im Ji replied calmly, "I have not touched a drop of alcohol since I joined the military."
Even though his offer was rejected, Bukjin didn't look awkward at all. Instead, he grinned as if he were genuinely enjoying himself.
"Excellent. If I'm the only one drinking, I'll save quite a bit on the bill."
Bukjin downed three cups in rapid succession. His mood improved instantly. The alcohol in this world was made by fermenting fruit, giving it a pleasant sweetness. It wasn't overly strong, going down smooth and leaving a warm, comfortable buzz in its wake.
Back on Earth, Bukjin had never been much of a drinker. But since arriving in this world, he had slowly begun to appreciate the pleasant sensation alcohol provided, gradually discovering the nuances of its taste.
As the slight intoxication took hold, Bukjin felt even better and downed another three cups. Throughout it all, Im Ji watched him in silence. His expression remained grave and serene.
Unable to help himself, Bukjin finally broke the silence with a question.
"General Im, I assume you didn't come looking for me because of those baseless rumors floating around about me and Lady Im Jin?"
"They weren't rumors," Im Ji said.
"Pardon?"
"I asked my sister about her relationship with you. She said she truly likes you."
"Well, about that..." Bukjin downed another three cups. "In that case, could you do me a favor and ask her one thing on my behalf?"
"What would you have me ask?"
"Ask her exactly what it is about me that she likes. Once I know, I'll make sure to fix it," Bukjin said.
Finally, a small ripple of emotion broke across Im Ji’s machine-like face.
"Is my sister not beautiful?"
Bukjin took another sip and replied, "She is beautiful."
"Is her background not to your liking?"
"It's excellent."
"Is her talent the problem, then?"
"It's a hundred times better than mine."
"Then why do you push her away so adamantly?" Im Ji asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity.
Bukjin answered without hesitation, "Because I already have about ten women in my heart."
"..."
A long silence followed before Im Ji finally spoke again.
"To be honest, I came to see what kind of man could capture Jin-ah's heart so completely. But I also came to see if the son of the War God, the man who once shook the North Sea and Aurora Empires, had truly turned his life around to become someone remarkable."
"Then I suppose you're disappointed," Bukjin replied.
Im Ji shook his head. "Not at all. You are far more impressive than the stories suggested. You are a talent beyond my imagination."
A flicker of doubt crossed Im Ji’s eyes for a brief moment. He hesitated, then let out a sigh before continuing.
"As a soldier, I don't usually trust my intuition. But this time is different. I don't know where this strange sensation comes from, but the moment I saw you, a voice spoke in my heart. It keeps telling me that you are destined to be the sixth peerless genius—the next monster to be born in Pungeo Province."
"Is that why you were watching me from a distance first?" Bukjin asked. "Did your evaluation change after observing me, leading you to meet me in person?"
Im Ji nodded. "Yes. I felt the thick scent of blood and killing intent radiating from you. In that moment, a certain place perfectly suited for you came to mind, and I felt the urge to test something."
"What do you want to test?"
"I want to see if I can persuade you to join our group."
"Our group?" Bukjin looked puzzled. "Are you talking about the Imperial Army?"
"I am. My return to Pungeo Province to visit my family was merely a side trip. My primary reason for being here is conscription."
"Conscription?" Bukjin looked taken aback. "Are you talking about soldiers for the northern front?"
"Yes."
"Are you telling me to become a soldier?" Bukjin pointed at himself.
"I am."
Bukjin let out a short, incredulous laugh. He lowered his head, downed three more cups in a row, and let out a long sigh. Then, with a serious face, he asked a counter-question.
"Do you really think a delicate, frail boy like me—a notorious scoundrel with a reputation for being out of his mind—can actually go to the front lines and fight in a war?"
"Why not?" Im Ji countered, his expression just as serious as Bukjin’s.
The playful glint in Bukjin’s eyes vanished, replaced by a cold intensity.
"To be honest, it was only today that I began to respect the Empire even a little bit. But I will never go to the front lines to fight and kill. Because..."
Bukjin’s tone became even more solemn. He spoke each word clearly and with absolute conviction.
"I am terrified of dying."
"To speak of your fear of death with such pride and resolve... I suppose that could be considered an ambition in its own right."
There wasn't a trace of contempt in Im Ji’s shining eyes. If anything, there was a hint of admiration.
"If you fear death, that is all the more reason you must head to the front."
"Is it because seeing so much death will make me numb to it, so I won't fear it anymore?" Bukjin asked.
Im Ji shook his head. He rose slowly from his seat and began to head toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back to look at Bukjin.
Bukjin fell into deep thought at those words. Im Ji turned to leave. But then, Bukjin suddenly called out.
"Wait a moment."
Im Ji stopped in his tracks, not even bothering to turn around. "Have you changed your mind?"
Bukjin flashed a friendly, charming smile. "Oh, no, it's not that. It's just... I've been a bit short on cash lately. General Im, you come from a famous family with a massive business empire, don't you? Could you... maybe settle the tab on your way out? Oh, right! I also placed a large takeout order to bring back to the academy. It would be wonderful if you could cover that as well!"
The corner of Im Ji’s mouth twitched.
"You truly do live up to your title as the greatest scoundrel of Unmong City."
Im Ji turned and walked away without another word. Bukjin hurriedly shouted after him, his voice laced with tension.
"W-wait, what does that mean? Be clear! Are you paying or not?!"
Im Ji’s footsteps only grew faster.