Forced Encampment (2)
In survival comics or movies, it was a common trope for people in the same dire straits to turn on each other. When cornered, human morality crumbled all too easily. They acted out the dark desires they'd only harbored in their hearts until then. Not knowing when or where death might strike, they began venting the extreme stress of mere survival through violence.
"Damn it?"
A rough curse slipped from Yeong-sik's lips. He glanced around, eyeing the men encircling him. They were all armed with weapons looted from the orcs they'd hunted.
Too many of them.
If he used the weapon in his right arm, killing one would be a breeze. It had turned those orcs into pulp with a single hit—what chance did an ordinary human have? But the problem came after. Once he fired off that near-one-shot weapon, he'd have nothing left to deal with the rest.
"So, what do you say? Tempting, right? Personally, I don't think it's a bad deal."
Nam Gi-tae chuckled sleazily as he asked. In truth, he had no intention of letting Yeong-sik live. The moment he'd seen him, he'd sized up the situation in a flash and prepared for a fight. A guy that sharp was too dangerous to handle. Taking on someone quick-witted and perceptive as a subordinate was a double-edged sword, and Nam Gi-tae wasn't in a position desperate enough to risk it.
Well, maybe if my crew grows bigger later.
For now, it was just these ten or so, but his ambitions didn't stop here. This world was practically paradise for him. No societal norms, a place where human desires could run utterly wild. He planned to climb higher here and lord over everyone.
Yeong-sik ignored him, searching for an escape route. But surrounded by over ten men, there was none. And it wasn't just him—he had to get three people out, including Kim Gil-su and Seo A-ra.
Impossible.
His mind raced. A sudden breakout? No way. Fighting that many at once? He wasn't confident. Only one option left.
"Fine. I'll accept your offer. But on one condition."
"Oh?"
"Yeong-sik! What the hell are you saying?!"
Nam Gi-tae looked at him with intrigued amusement. He hadn't expected Yeong-sik to flip so cleanly. At best, he'd figured desperation would kick in only when death loomed.
The shock of Yeong-sik's apparent betrayal wasn't limited to Nam Gi-tae. Kim Gil-su grabbed his shoulder in panic, yelling, while Seo A-ra bit her lip hard, her face twisted with deep betrayal.
"What's that condition?"
Nam Gi-tae licked his lips as he asked. Yeong-sik continued.
"Take me alone into your crew. Including this dumb old man would just be a hassle."
"Y-Yeong-sik..."
"Hahaha! What the—? You're more my type than I thought!"
Nam Gi-tae burst into satisfied laughter. He liked Yeong-sik's ruthlessly decisive selfishness.
Yeong-sik lowered his weapon and slowly approached Nam Gi-tae.
"Over there?"
"Hold up."
Nam Gi-tae raised a hand and shook his head. His sharp gaze fixed on Yeong-sik as he continued.
"I need some proof I can trust you, right? So..."
Nam Gi-tae's eyes shifted to Kim Gil-su. A vile smirk curled his lips.
"Kill that bastard yourself."
"Sure."
Yeong-sik nodded without a hint of hesitation. That response shocked Nam Gi-tae even more. He stared at him, baffled.
What the hell's this guy?
No matter how decisive, agreeing instantly without a second's pause? Unthinkable.
Nam Gi-tae alternated glances between the trembling Kim Gil-su and Yeong-sik's icy expression, grinning.
Guess he had a grudge against the old man after all.
As he'd guessed, those two had probably been sharing the tasty prey that was Seo A-ra.
Splitting delicious food sparked fights even between blood brothers—what about total strangers?
"Hahaha! You... you're the real deal."
Nam Gi-tae, who'd initially planned to kill Yeong-sik, hesitated. This guy had talents beyond what he'd expected: quick mind, ruthless, decisive. As a subordinate, he could be a huge asset once the crew grew.
Maybe keep an eye on him a bit longer?
Nam Gi-tae eyed him thoughtfully. Yeong-sik picked up a sword from the ground and turned to Kim Gil-su. His face was frozen cold as ice.
"You?"
Kim Gil-su stared at him in despair. Then Seo A-ra stepped forward from behind.
"Wait. Your goal's me anyway, right? Let Gil-su go."
She spoke to Nam Gi-tae with an expression as cold as Yeong-sik's. He glanced at Yeong-sik.
"Hmm. What do you think? Yeong-sik, was it? Your call?"
He asked, barely suppressing a grin of delight at the situation.
Yeong-sik replied in a low voice.
"Doesn't matter to me. I'm serving you now."
"Haha, don't dodge. Should we spare the old fart or not?"
Yeong-sik fell silent. He looked at Kim Gil-su, who was trembling and staring back at him. Despite the raw betrayal, his eyes held a pathetic glimmer of pity.
"...Feels like I'm burdening your conscience."
Kim Gil-su managed a bitter smile through his shakes.
He figured Yeong-sik would feel guilty inside, no matter what. But Yeong-sik replied coldly.
"Let's kill him. Honestly, that old guy's fake goody-two-shoes act pisses me off."
"You bastard! What the hell are you saying to him?!"
Seo A-ra flushed with rage, screaming. Kim Gil-su was so kind it made her question if such people still existed in 21st-century Korea. From what she'd heard, he'd even helped Yeong-sik when he first woke up amnesiac.
She couldn't fathom how someone could turn this cruel.
In the end, you're just like the rest...!
She glared at Yeong-sik, biting her lip fiercely. Over two weeks with him, she'd thought Yeong-sik and Kim Gil-su were different. Not like the others, drooling over her looks or spewing jealous curses. But he was the same—no, worse, more vicious.
"Hahaha! Fine, we'll go with your call!"
Nam Gi-tae roared with laughter, clutching his belly.
He turned to Kim Gil-su and spoke lowly.
"Kill him."
"Yes."
Yeong-sik nodded emotionlessly. Nam Gi-tae watched, eyes gleaming.
Too dangerous.
He quickly scrapped the idea of recruiting him. Way too risky. Show even a hint of weakness, and this guy would devour him from below and steal his throne. Better to crush such buds early.
Once the old man's dead, off with his head.
Nam Gi-tae gripped his sword tighter. Yeong-sik advanced slowly on Kim Gil-su, sword in hand.
"Get lost, you piece of shit!"
Seo A-ra screamed at Yeong-sik in uncharacteristic fury and charged him bare-handed.
Yeong-sik punched her stomach coldly.
-Thud!
"Kyaa!"
Seo A-ra tumbled across the ground. Yeong-sik didn't spare her a glance, raising his sword.
Nam Gi-tae watched Yeong-sik's back with interest.
"...Yeong-sik."
Kim Gil-su looked at him with a wretchedly twisted face. Thick despair settled in his heart. He bowed his head bitterly.
He was always like this. Couldn't help but aid others. No matter how tough his own situation, he never stopped helping. He believed living kindly, richly in heart, was life's greatest value.
What he got in return? Mountains of debt from scams, gazes full of scorn and ridicule.
Loser. Sucker.
Mocked endlessly by those he'd tried to help. Yet he never changed his mind—that kindness was the human way. Even if it cost him everything. Even if mocked to the end.
Kim Gil-su closed his eyes. Two weeks in this world. Laughably, he'd found it enjoyable. For the first time in his ridicule-filled life, it felt like a sanctuary.
Tears welled as he shut his eyes. Yeong-sik swung the sword at his neck.
Nam Gi-tae chuckled, turning toward his real prize, Seo A-ra. He could hardly wait for the pleasure ahead.
And then.
Yeong-sik dropped the sword mid-swing toward Kim Gil-su. His body spun half around toward Nam Gi-tae.
He clenched his right fist tight, aiming it. Flames roared from his right arm like a jet engine's exhaust.