Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Conditions
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Everyone gave up in the face of the impossible mission.
And so, the only applicant was Si-woo.
Just one person remained.
The City Mayor was disappointed by the meager result, but the Knight Commander did not let go of her hope until the very end.
She hoped, she waited, and she prayed.
It seemed she firmly believed that the Faceless One would not turn their back on them.
And then, 24 hours passed.
“Eric. Where the hell is that bastard hiding?”
An infuriated Kei stormed through the city with Weibi.
His eyes burning with rage, he searched frantically for Lee Si-woo.
He couldn't forgive Lee Si-woo for breaking their firm promise, revealing his abilities to the world, and deceiving them.
But Lee Si-woo was as elusive as a rat, and even after a full day, he was nowhere to be seen.
Weibi, cautiously watching the furious Kei, carefully spoke up.
“He's probably waiting for Si-woo to return alive. You know that bastard is friends with the wanderer, Master. He's likely planning to use that connection to get into the Knights once Si-woo returns, then pressure us.”
“Tsk, what a ridiculous fantasy. How could anyone survive for twenty-four hours out there with all those White Giants? He was probably dead within the first hour, let alone twenty-four.”
“His scheme failed, so he must be grasping at straws.”
“Hmph, pathetic bastard. Anyway, if I catch him this time, I'll tie him up and lock him away somewhere. So only we can use him.”
Nodding along to Kei's words, Weibi sighed faintly and spoke.
“We can deal with Eric that way, but... Master. Honestly, I'm at a loss for what to do next. We can't even leave the city, let alone the chapter, and the situation is getting worse by the day... *Huu*, to be blunt, I feel like a walking corpse.”
“Things are bad, I'll admit, but don't be so negative. The Knights are holding them off pretty well, aren't they?”
“I don't think that's the case. This morning, the Knights sent a notice to the clubs, demanding personnel.”
“A demand? Not a request?”
“Yes. They were ready to kick us out of the city if we didn't comply. It seems... the city's defense isn't going as smoothly as we thought...”
*Tring.*
As he was speaking, Weibi checked a text on his smartphone, and his expression hardened.
“Wait a moment, Master. It says... Si-woo is back.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? Back? You mean... he survived?”
“...Yes. The 24-hour mission. It says he completed it and returned.”
So stunned he could only stand there with his mouth agape, Kei gritted his teeth to compose himself.
“Dammit... This is insane. Let's go. First... let's head to the Knights and figure out what the hell is going on.”
* * *
Having survived the 24-hour mission, Si-woo sought out the other Lee Si-woo before meeting the Knight Commander or the City Mayor.
Si-woo met with Lee Si-woo, who was with Il-hae in a shabby motel. After a serious, quiet conversation, Si-woo nodded and left for the city hall.
At the city hall, an agitated City Mayor and a slightly flushed Knight Commander were waiting.
The Knight Commander asked Si-woo.
“How did you survive?”
“I have a rather advanced stealth ability, which I used to survive.”
“A stealth ability? You mean you can move without the White Giants detecting your presence?”
“Yes.”
The Knight Commander's eyes sparkled with interest as she said.
“How long can you maintain that stealth? And does it work on anyone other than yourself?”
“If I put my mind to it, I can keep it up for days, not just twenty-four hours. But it only applies to me.”
In other words, only he could escape the White Giants' sight, and the Knight Commander's face fell with disappointment.
“Only you can use it... That's a shame. Still...”
In that moment, several strategies for using Si-woo to take on the Gigants flashed through the Knight Commander's mind.
They all had their pros and cons, but one thing was certain: a trump card for facing the Gigants had finally appeared.
As if sensing the Knight Commander's excitement, Si-woo spoke calmly.
“I have conditions.”
At Si-woo's sudden remark, the Knight Commander tilted her head and asked.
“Conditions? What conditions?”
“If you want me to join the Knights, you must also accept three people I recommend as knights.”
Si-woo's demand quickly turned the Knight Commander's excitement to displeasure. She scowled and snapped.
“Hah, what is this nonsense? Are you... trying to make a deal with me?”
“Yes. It's a deal.”
Finding Si-woo's attitude outrageous, the City Mayor stepped forward.
“Lee Si-woo. Do you not realize what a great honor it is to join the Knights?”
“I do. It's a great honor and a privilege. If this were an age of peace, that is.”
The City Mayor frowned and retorted.
“Are you saying you'd throw away the opportunity to serve the Faceless One?”
Si-woo disliked how people brought up the Faceless One to persuade him whenever something happened.
They were undoubtedly good and faithful people, but at the same time, their excessive blindness was sometimes repulsive.
Like fanatics.
“Well. If the price the Faceless One demands for my service is my life... I wonder if that's truly an opportunity.”
The City Mayor tried to say more, but the Knight Commander raised a hand to stop him.
“The blessing of the Faceless One is not for just anyone. Only the worthy may receive it.”
“I can't speak for one of them, but two are certainly qualified.”
“Do they possess special abilities like you?”
“You already know one of them. He has a healing ability that can cure any injury or disease. The other is small, but more agile than a wildcat and braver than a wolf... I suppose.”
For a brief moment, the dazed question *Was she brave?* crossed his mind, but Si-woo paid it no heed.
Looking back on his past memories, he didn't think Luktator would fail to pull her weight.
Besides, Lee Si-woo had mentioned that something amazing would happen once she obtained mana.
“Well, I don't know much about the last one, but since Eric, the healer, vouched for her identity and capabilities, she must be at least competent.”
In Si-woo's mind, Plenitas seemed useless aside from her uncanny ability to find delicious food, but he didn't bother adding such unnecessary comments.
At the same time, Si-woo recalled what Lee Si-woo had told him.
-The reason they gave you an impossible mission is that the situation is so desperate they can't overcome it without someone of your caliber. So, be shameless. Demand not only what I asked for, but everything you think you need. They... will have no choice but to listen.
Si-woo smiled faintly and said.
“If you think my demands are too shameless, feel free to say so. I can just give up on joining and leave this place alone. Hmm, then I wouldn't have to risk my life, so that might not be so bad...”
The Knight Commander cut Si-woo off firmly.
“I accept.”
The City Mayor, unable to believe the Knight Commander was tolerating Si-woo's insolence, spoke to her quietly.
“Commander. He's a subversive element. Nothing good will come from accepting him.”
The Knight Commander replied with a bitter smile.
“What choice do I have? This young man is the only miracle I've found.”
Just as Lee Si-woo had predicted, the Knight Commander was about to accept all of his unreasonable conditions. Seizing the opportunity, Si-woo said.
“There's one more condition.”
Unable to tolerate Si-woo's arrogance any longer, the City Mayor shot to his feet.
“Lee Si-woo. Aren't you taking this too far?”
Si-woo twisted the corner of his mouth.
It was a cynical smile, reminiscent of the Lee Si-woo from the future.
“Who was it that told you, Mr. Mayor, who were helpless against the White Giants, that silver bullets were effective? Who shared the vaccine formula? Don't forget, Mr. Mayor. Even if I hadn't passed the Knights' mission, I have every right to make a few demands like these.”
Struck to the core, the City Mayor flinched and mumbled in a faint voice.
“...I admit that... but you're in front of the Commander. Lee Si-woo. Surely you know who is supporting and protecting this city right now.”
“I do. That's why I completed an unreasonably dangerous mission and returned.”
As if to say there was no time for idle chatter, the Knight Commander asked in a flat voice.
“Tell me everything you need. Whatever the condition... no, no matter how unreasonable the demand, if I can grant it, I will.”
“The Arang Club.”
“Hmm?”
“The master of the Arang Club is targeting my friend, Eric the healer. I want you to take care of them.”
The ominous nuance in the words "take care of them" made the City Mayor squeeze his eyes shut, while the Knight Commander asked nonchalantly.
“Take care of them... How do you want it done? Banishment? Expulsion? Or perhaps elimination? I'll do as you wish.”
Lee Si-woo had asked him to have them all eliminated, but Si-woo couldn't be that ruthless.
“Just isolate them so they can't harm my companion until this is all over.”
“Very well.”
The Knight Commander accepted Si-woo's proposal, and with that, the fate of the Arang Club was sealed.
* * *
The members of the Arang Club, along with their executives Kei and Weibi, were suddenly ambushed by the Knights and stripped of all their suits and weapons.
Naturally, they resisted with all their might, but it was a meaningless struggle against the overwhelming power of the Knights.
As he was being dragged away by the Knights, Kei spotted Lee Si-woo staring blankly at him from nearby and screamed.
“Hey, you son of a bitch! You think this is the end for me? Not a chance! I'll get out of here! I swear I'll get out and rip your damn throat out! You hear me?!”
Watching Kei glare and spew venom at him, Lee Si-woo turned to Si-woo and said.
“I told you to ask them to eliminate them.”
“Handle your own future troubles by getting your own hands dirty, hyung. Don't push your unpleasant business onto me.”
Finding the point valid, Lee Si-woo shrugged and replied.
“Well, you've got a point. Fine, I'll take care of it myself.”
Why was it?
That Lee Si-woo's words, "I'll take care of it myself," sounded so ominous.
Si-woo bit his lower lip slightly and said.
“They'll be imprisoned. And they won't get out until this whole disaster is over. Shouldn't that be enough?”
“You're right, it's enough. So stop worrying about it. I'll stop paying attention to them from now on, too.”
Despite his words, the chilling gaze from within the ridiculous frog-bear helmet remained fixed on the Arang Club like glue.
Sensing their end, Si-woo opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out.
Because there were others looking for Lee Si-woo before Si-woo could speak.
“Eric, Luktator, Plenitas. Come to the city hall. As per Lee Si-woo's request, you will all be granted the blessing of the Faceless One.”
At the City Mayor's clearly displeased words, Lee Si-woo familiarly patted Si-woo's shoulder and stepped forward.
‘Am I finally getting mana? Hmm, I hope the Faceless One's mana is the same as Barathrum's energy, just as I suspect... That's the only way I'll be able to find a way to use Barathrum here.’