Securing Informants and Domestic Discipline
I've been racking my brain hard these past few days.
How can I resolve this situation smoothly?
The simplest and quickest way would be for me or Snow to step in and wipe them all out ourselves, but that's not a wise choice.
If the two of us got involved, things would inevitably get noisy, and I have no desire to stir up unnecessary chaos.
It might be necessary depending on the circumstances, but I don't want to alert unrelated civilians about this mess.
I want to handle it as quietly as possible.
That's why I've been pondering so intensely these past few days.
And before devising any plan, I realized there was something absolutely essential.
Information gathering.
We know nothing about them.
No proper plan could be made without understanding the enemy.
Of course, Lisa—Jeong Soo-ah—has gathered and is still collecting various bits of intel her way, but it's not enough.
She's limited to fragmented pieces.
While reliability and accuracy matter, the sheer volume of information is just as crucial.
So, we'll gather our own intel our way.
'The question now is how to do it...'
Fortunately, there's a good method I can use right away.
The Japanese hunters I mind-controlled long ago.
After reuniting with Jeong Soo-ah, I thought they were useless, but they might have some value after all.
I idly stroked To Soon-i while thinking that.
I'd much rather shower affection on Suli, but unfortunately, she was glued to her smartphone in Snow's arms alongside Rue, completely engrossed.
She'd gotten so used to it in just a few days.
So instead, I reluctantly petted To Soon-i. Suli's fluffy paws were great, but To Soon-i's squishy softness had its own appeal.
Like kneading soft marshmallows?
It was oddly addictive.
Feels good.
"Purr-purr~!"
Suli had waddled over to my feet before I knew it.
Her plump paw attack after so long was pure healing.
My sweet Suli. Jealous because Daddy was only paying attention to To Soon-i?
Alright, I'll shower you with love too...
What? It's not that?
You're happy to be petted, but you want me to let go of To Soon-i first?
No, I'm not tormenting her or anything...
[Hic-sob~ Master...]
...I got a bit too focused.
I quickly released To Soon-i, who seemed half out of it.
Suli immediately approached her at my feet.
"Purr-purr!"
[Snap to it!]
[Hic-sob~ Lady...]
To Soon-i would need some time to recover.
It wasn't intentional, but sorry.
I just got carried away because it felt so good...
Anyway, leaving To Soon-i in her disheveled state, I stood up.
As planned, I was heading out to gather information.
Snow asked if she should come along, but I declined this time.
No need for both of us to go for mere intel gathering.
Besides, dragging Snow away from her smartphone addiction felt cruel.
I'll handle this quietly on my own.
I slipped out of the house silently.
The back alley housing the Black Market.
Free from Jeong Soo-ah's control, it still felt chaotic.
If anything, more so than last time.
Maybe because of the commotion I caused before?
Doesn't matter.
Finding my target Japanese hunters wasn't hard.
Wandering stealthily through the alleys, I spotted them not far off.
"Master~!"
I hurriedly stopped the guy who bowed deeply upon spotting me.
I'm stealthed, but he's not.
I confirmed him, groveling obsequiously, and the three hunters standing blankly behind him like mannequins.
Good, they're fine.
Unlike him, who retained his ego through strong suggestion, the other three had their personalities fully broken—mere obedient puppets.
I worried there might be trouble, but they'd managed somehow.
"Hm... Toda, was it?"
"Yes! Toda Shuiichi, Master!"
I nodded slowly at the guy introducing himself as Toda Shuiichi.
I hadn't planned to remember his name, but given the situation, he might prove useful often, so I committed it to memory.
Now that I'd bothered learning it, I hoped he wouldn't get scrapped too soon.
Work for me long-term if possible.
Afterward, I got various updates on the Yamamoto expedition from Toda.
Toda was C-rank.
Not low overall, but compared to the Yamamoto team that came here, hardly elite.
Mid-tier—not bottom rung, but not higher either.
From what he said, even in the expedition, C-ranks were expendable, sacrificed as needed.
So, the info he knew wasn't particularly useful.
Mostly repeats of what Jeong Soo-ah told me, and even then, she knew some details better.
Is this the limit for someone like Toda?
To get solid intel, I need higher ranks.
Or have Toda climb the ranks through effort.
The latter seems near impossible.
I thought he'd be useful, but...
Still, his info wasn't worthless.
As an insider, he knew things Jeong Soo-ah didn't.
Worth remembering his name.
Not critically important, but not bad.
Having another intel route has value.
I trust Jeong Soo-ah's info, but more sources are always better.
In that sense, Toda—keep working hard.
"Yes! Master! This Toda Shuiichi will lay down his life for you!"
I stopped him from bowing again.
No need to draw eyes.
Loyalty's fine, but fanaticism like this is a bit much.
Tone it down.
I parted ways after assigning Toda intel gathering and some tasks.
I didn't forget to exchange contacts for regular check-ins.
Good thing I got a smartphone from Jeong Soo-ah beforehand.
Proves useful in many ways.
I'll thank her later...
Though seeing Snow obsessed lately makes the gift feel regrettable.
She's been more into the phone than me these days?
Feels lonely.
Well, first smartphones are addictive like that...
Still, as her husband, it stings a bit.
[Now even the smartphone's beating you? Total side dish status! You i─diot!]
I ignored the snarky voice from the left in my mind, as always.
We're one, so you're sidelined too...
Right?
[Hun─gry─...]
Yeah, what else would you care about besides food...
[...Suli too.]
...Right, of course.
Thanks for the consistency.
To think these are my partners.
How did my life—no, snake life—get so tangled?
I wanted a Chinese intel route too, but unfortunately, no dice.
Maybe from the prior ambush, their overall levels had risen.
Even split into groups, their vigilance was tight—spotting anomalies instantly.
Each group had a B-rank, with multiple A-ranks nearby.
Unlike last time, they were properly prepared.
Better than Yamamoto's crew.
Against an expedition with two SA-ranks, such caution is standard.
Public opinion rates Zhang Wei below the Yamamoto twins.
But their subordinates' demeanor suggests otherwise.
I haven't seen Zhang Wei, but he seems underrated.
Anyway, their solid defenses meant no easy intel pawn here.
I could force it, but it'd be noisy, more loss than gain.
Since I'd prioritize Yamamoto over Zhang Wei anyway, time's on my side.
Take it slow on Zhang Wei intel.
With my casual stroll-slash-intel run done, I headed home.
Suli and Rue greeted me at the door.
Fine for To Soon-i, but where's Snow and my sister?
Suli, Rue. Where are Auntie and Mommy?
"Purr-purr!"
"Shh~ Rueee~"
They explained eagerly.
Thinking they'd just stepped out briefly, I was wrong—they were inside.
Carrying Suli and Rue into the living room, I saw two women sprawled haphazardly on the sofa.
My one and only sister and wife, naturally.
"Oh, bro's back? Got food? Don't tell me empty-handed."
"You've returned? Surely not empty-handed. This lady trusts your taste."
I clamped my mouth shut at their words, not even turning to look.
Sister's one thing, but Snow like this...
Wearing my sister's pink tracksuit instead of her usual attire, sprawled out—words failed me.
How did my elegant, dignified Snow fall this far?
My gaze naturally turned to the culprit: my sister.
All her fault.
The sister in my memories was calmer, more demure...
But now...
"So, bro, really empty-handed? Quit joking and grab what you hid outside. I'm starving!"
So much to say, but it stuck in my throat.
Becoming a snake gained me more than I lost...
But it feels like I lost something precious.
After glaring down my yelling sister into submission, I quietly approached Snow.
She'd sensed something off midway, set aside her ever-present smartphone late, and grabbed the kids—but no forgiveness now.
I'd let her enjoy it since she looked happy, but enough.
As head of the family, time for a lecture.
Don't run, Snow.
Just as much as you usually give me.
Suli, Rue—go play over there for a bit.
Daddy needs to talk with Mommy.
Won't take long.
No, no, not fighting.
Just need a little 'conversation'.
By the way, where's To Soon-i?
Haven't seen her...
Ah, still recovering?
Tell her I'm really sorry.
Wasn't on purpose.
Afterward, I lectured Snow thoroughly.
Enjoying's fine, but Suli and the kids are watching.
At least set an example.
I expounded for nearly an hour until Snow surrendered.
Nodding dignifiedly at her apology for short-sightedness.
Glad she gets it.
Usually on the receiving end, being the lecturer thrilled me a bit—secret.
Now, just my sister left...
She surrendered pre-emptively, having watched Snow's lecture up close.
Couldn't even start with her begging forgiveness.
Quick-witted? Perceptive?
I'd planned to reteach respect for her brother.
A shame.