Refusal and the Blue Pine Sword
“I’ll pass.”
Song Jae-ha’s relaxed expression hardened at the firm refusal, delivered without a hint of hesitation.
“...Are you seriously saying that right now?”
“Yes. One hundred percent sincere, not a single lie.”
Song Jae-ha’s handsome features crumpled again at the soft, leisurely voice.
“...Do you not grasp the gravity of this? If so, I’m truly disappointed. Unless you want everything to go up in flames...”
“Oh my. Do you think I’m some idiot who doesn’t know the situation? If anything, wouldn’t I, as the one directly involved, know more than a mere ‘hunting dog’ like you?”
Song Jae-ha glared silently at the woman across from him—Jeong Soo-ah—who smiled radiantly.
A feral aura erupted briefly at the blatant “hunting dog” jab.
“Oh? Threatening me with force just because things aren’t going your way? I thought you were a gentleman, but you’re no better than a thug.”
“...You clearly never learned to watch your words. Fitting for underworld trash.”
“Oh dear. Who was it that dove headfirst into that filthy mud pit? Oh, right—the mutt already covered in shit?”
As Jeong Soo-ah spoke leisurely, boom!—the table between them exploded.
Song Jae-ha shot to his feet, glaring down at her with a chilling intensity.
Na Yeon-seong, waiting on the side, moved to intervene, but Jeong Soo-ah casually raised a hand to stop him.
“You’re the real thug here. Words didn’t work, so now it’s intimidation? And against a fragile lady like me, no less.”
“Courtesy is reserved for those who deserve it. With that in mind, Ms. Lisa, don’t provoke me further. Even I have my limits.”
“Oh? I see. My apologies.”
Song Jae-ha’s brow furrowed again at her ready apology—it rang utterly insincere, fueling his anger more.
Her sly smile only made it worse.
After glaring at her for a moment, he sighed and sat back down.
Jeong Soo-ah opened her mouth, still beaming.
“So, what about this broken table? It wasn’t cheap...”
“...Send the bill later.”
“Oh, thank you. Such a gentleman after all.”
“......”
Song Jae-ha silently rubbed his furrowed brow.
The conversation’s momentum had fully shifted to her.
She looked young, but no room for complacency.
A true queen of the underworld.
“...Back to the point. Why refuse? You’re smart enough to know China or Japan won’t spare the Black Market, regardless of who wins.”
“Yes, I know. This grace period is all we have left.”
“Then you know allying with us is the most realistic choice. We can even preserve your current position.”
“Of course the title stays. But all real power gets stripped away.”
“Stubbornly clinging on when it’ll vanish anyway? At least save your seat...”
“Enough. I know what you’re getting at, Hunter Song Jae-ha, but my answer’s the same.”
—I’ll refuse, over and over.
Perhaps sensing the iron will beneath her gentle tone, Song Jae-ha let out an involuntary groan.
No matter how he pressed, she wouldn’t budge.
Does she have something to rely on?
Unless she was a fool—which she wasn’t—this defiance meant a reliable backer.
One more trustworthy than me or the Association.
Who in Korea could back her like that?
Not even major guilds; at least one of the Big Five, busy with expeditions.
Or overseas?
Song Jae-ha eyed her subtly, but her beaming smile revealed nothing.
The queen of the underworld indeed.
In the end, he raised the white flag.
“...Ms. Lisa, I understand your stance. Hope you don’t regret it later.”
“Oh? People who say that usually do.”
“...True enough. Anyway, contact me if you change your mind—even after everything ends.”
Song Jae-ha stood matter-of-factly.
Jeong Soo-ah nodded slightly, watching with faint surprise.
“Thanks for the kindness. A true gentleman.”
“...Hope we meet again.”
He bowed lightly and left her office.
Jeong Soo-ah turned her gaze from his retreating back.
“How was it?”
Her quiet murmur wasn’t for Na Yeon-seong on the side.
A man emerged silently from behind her—Nix.
“Quite a bit of new intel.”
“Whew... Thought we were done for mid-convo. Lucky the Chairman’s backing us. Alone, I’d have pissed myself.”
Nix chuckled at her whining lament.
“Good work.”
“Oh? You noticed? Then a hug as reward wouldn’t hurt...”
“Shall we summarize the new info?”
Nix deftly ignored her flirtation, steering the topic.
Pouting at him, Jeong Soo-ah sighed and spoke.
“Sigh... The Association’s internal politics are messier than expected.”
“Hm. Thought the current president had it locked down.”
“He deliberately shared power to avoid being a dictator. Though that’s why it’s in this state now.”
Nix nodded silently at her casual shrug.
“Bigger issue is their intel capabilities—better than I thought.”
“Yeah. Didn’t expect them to uncover my identity. Our defenses slipped amid all the chaos, but still... Once this blows over, time to clean house.”
Nix asked as she frowned slightly.
“So the all-out clash is imminent?”
“How much did they bribe to keep the Association and police out for a whole day? Could’ve invested that and multiplied it.”
Nix spoke to her tongue-clicking.
“Time’s short. Ready by then?”
“Tight, but no issue. Black Market’s primed to move the second we reclaim it. Your side’s the worry... You good?”
“No problems here. Just need to tell Toda to bail before it starts.”
“Toda... The fanatic?”
“...Yeah.”
Nix nodded once; Jeong Soo-ah narrowed her eyes.
“How strong a suggestion turns a person into that? And last time, it wasn’t just him.”
“...Wasn’t intentional.”
“Good thing, then. Almost happened to me... Hmm, or would that be fun? Kinda kinky...”
Nix quietly rubbed his brow at her sly grin.
He really wanted to crack open her skull sometimes.
“Anyway, timeline’s set. You focus on securing their vacated businesses post-fight—no need to engage big.”
“Just you and sis handling it?”
“They laid out the board; time to play.”
Nix nodded with a faint smile; Jeong Soo-ah followed suit.
The end of this long saga was near.
“Speaking of, sis was coming, right? She’s late by her speed...”
“...Lost?”
“...I’ll check. Uncle Yeon-seong!”
Jeong Soo-ah’s office grew bustling.
Exiting the Black Market after meeting Jeong Soo-ah, Song Jae-ha’s gaze locked onto something.
“Whoa...”
“Insane...”
Several guild members with him gawked in awe.
A dazzlingly beautiful woman approached lightly.
An absolute beauty that drew the eye inevitably.
Even her casual pink tracksuit seemed like a fairy’s wing robe.
As his guildmates stared dumbstruck, Song Jae-ha alone focused elsewhere.
A sword dangling loosely at her waist.
Overlooked amid her beauty, it looked plain at a glance—but one peek stole his attention.
It was all too familiar.
“...Excuse me.”
He blocked the woman’s leisurely path.
Her clear blue eyes turned to him.
“What business do you have with this lady?”
Her voice was cold, emotionless—yet so sweet that guildmates behind him sighed unwittingly.
“...Sorry for blocking suddenly. Mind if I ask something?”
“Hm? Speak.”
She scanned him top to bottom, then nodded indifferently.
“...That sword. May I take a look?”
“Ho?”
Surprised by his interest in the sword, not her?
She let out an odd exclamation, then drew it casually—as if unskilled.
It matched his memory perfectly.
A sigh escaped him.
“Cheongsong Sword...”
Originally his father’s. Then his uncle’s. Meant to be his eventually.
Gone forever with his missing uncle’s body—or so he thought.
Now here before him.
“...Cheongsong Sword. Where did you get it?”
Unable to contain surging emotions, Song Jae-ha unleashed his ferocity.
The mood screamed he’d attack depending on her answer.
Yet she didn’t flinch at the SA-rank hunter’s menace.
“Ho? You know this sword?”
“...Answer my question first. Where’d it come from?”
Shing—urging her again, he half-drew his own blade.
Her brow twitched faintly.
“Hm. No idea what you’re thinking, but this lady received it as a gift too.”
“...I see.”
Her flat tone dulled his edge slightly.
Still radiating pressure, he pressed on.
“...Forgive the rudeness again. Sell it to me? I’ll pay generously.”
“Hm... No idea the story, but it’s a gift—can’t return it. Sorry.”
“...Ten times the price. No, more.”
She exclaimed again at his direct gaze.
“Very precious, huh?”
“...Yes. Incredibly so.”
“Hm... Then you should’ve guarded it better. As I said, can’t give it back. End of discussion.”
She turned away indifferently, same tone as before.
As she passed, he flared again.
“...You’re not going anywhere.”
“Hm. What’s this? Threatening this lady?”
“Means it’s that precious. Apologies, but... return the sword? Name your price—I’ll pay anything.”
Polite words, but half-drawn blade and heavy pressure made it pure threat.
Yet she neither cowered nor faltered—seemed to enjoy it, even.
“Now this is interesting. You started it, so this lady can’t just stand by. Want to take it by force? Go ahead.”
She faced him squarely.
Her piercing blue eyes fixed on him as intense aura erupted.
Song Jae-ha’s blazing eyes wavered.
“...No way? SS?”
“Best of the trash I’ve met. Hope you’re not just a pretty face.”
As she stepped forward with a low voice—
Before Song Jae-ha could think, instinct swung his sword—but a man appeared between them.