Nachal Bang Organization #1
"Aaaagh!"
"Eeeek!"
Not just Dan-du, but all the other Open Faction thugs bolted like their souls had fled their bodies.
Dan-du muttered something while watching them go, but fat chance those cowards would come back.
"Dan-du!!! Don't run!!! You're the one who turned me into the Screaming Nachal!!!"
"Aaaah! That—that! Spare me!"
I bellowed at him, putting on my best psycho killer demon act—the infamous Absolute Cry Nachal, mad slayer extraordinaire.
The bastard went completely pale, trembling like a leaf as he begged for his life.
It was so damn funny I nearly burst out laughing, but I had to keep up the performance to the end. Crush this coward completely.
Shing!
I whipped out my Thunderclap Sword and raised it high.
"Spit out the truth—now!!!"
"I did it! I did it, okay?! Please, spare me!"
"Is that so."
I sheathed the sword right away.
"Huh...?"
"Don't go changing other people's nicknames on a whim. Pisses me off."
I wiped away a fake tear and spoke calmly. Dan-du just stared, dumbfounded.
Seizing the moment, I hit him with a sneak question about Galbi Jong.
"Anyway. I want info on the recent Sapa warrior who's come into town."
"Ah, aaah... that guy."
"You ratted me out to him?"
"Y-yeah."
Figures it was this prick. I grilled him on everything about Galbi Jong, and damn, the info was surprisingly useful. Open Faction scum always know the dirt on the streets.
"Good. Dan-du. We'll be seeing a lot of each other, so don't keep stirring up bullshit, or I might just cry. Got it?"
"Y-yeah, got it."
"Watch your step from now on. Cooperate with me. And don't go blabbing about me. Clear? Answer!"
"Gaaah! Crystal clear!"
Nice response. I plan to rally all the local Black Dao riffraff. For that, Open Faction cooperation is essential. With his spirit broken like this, he'll spill everything I ask next time.
Or hell, maybe make the whole Open Faction my underlings? Dan-du and his crew are just low-level thugs shaking down beggars anyway. Pressure 'em with my own faction, and they'll fold quick.
"Good answer! Now say it again! Where's Galbi Jong right now?!"
"H-he's! Staying at some guesthouse! Give me a sec to remember the exact spot...!"
In the end, Dan-du cracked under my intense "interview" and answered every question.
Turns out Galbi Jong was holed up at the Bae Yeon Guesthouse. Time to head there.
* * *
"Oho, Screaming Nachal! You've come!"
Galbi Jong greeted me with those same sparkling, innocent eyes.
"Yeah... Galbi Jong. I'm here. I've mulled over your proposal."
"For real?!"
His eyes ballooned like some '90s cartoon hero's—pure, gleaming orbs. That unsettling sparkle... how the hell does this guy even do Sapa work? With eyes like that, he'd fit right in some upright Orthodox sect, all justice and sensitivity.
Nah, screw that—it's the opposite. No Orthodox place would take a psycho with peepers like these. He belongs in a den of savage, brutal bastards.
"Galbi Jong. You said you'd form a faction here for your mission."
"That's right!"
"Meaning... if we form one, it'll be under your Heuk Jeon Mun branch?"
"For starters, yeah."
"Ridiculous."
"What...?"
No way in hell. Gotta cut ties with Heuk Jeon Mun.
"Galbi Jong. Your pitch to build power here intrigues me. I like it. Sweeping away the disobedient and becoming top dog? Solid offer. Heh heh heh."
I grinned like the cruelest demon and continued.
"Looks like you've got the right idea."
"Yeah. But Heuk Jeon Mun rubs me the wrong way."
"..."
Galbi Jong shut his mouth, tense. His eyes stayed crystal clear.
"We're the ones forming the faction, doing the work. Heuk Jeon Mun's done jack shit. So why hand them the profits?"
"Well..."
"From what I hear, you came here solo. No support from Heuk Jeon Mun at all. Right?"
"Uh, uhhh?"
Galbi Jong clutched his head, puzzled by my words.
"Now that you mention it, yeah. Just got the mission, no backup whatsoever. Even my travel expense request got shot down... Had to shell out my own cash to get here."
No shit? Send a guy on a business trip with zero support? Shocking, but that's Sapa standard.
Technically, they lent the Heuk Jeon Mun name as "expenses," but that's worthless crap, so whatever.
"Nothing at all, huh. Heh heh, hilarious. Heuk Jeon Mun really did fuck-all, confirmed."
"..."
"No way I'm handing shit to those losers. Galbi Jong. Choose: side with Heuk Jeon Mun against me, or ditch 'em and build our own faction."
"You mean... leave Heuk Jeon Mun?"
Wariness flickered in his pure eyes.
"Not saying that. Just that giving profits to a Heuk Jeon Mun with zero stake is illogical. Makes me wanna cry."
"..."
Galbi Jong pondered, then looked at me.
"Ha, haha!"
He laughed.
"Hahaha! Right! My eyes didn't deceive me, Screaming Nachal!"
What the hell?
"Heuk Jeon Mun can't reach this far anyway, so we build first, grow our power, monopolize the turf!"
I nodded silently.
"Even if they demand tribute later, ignore 'em! They can't get here easy, and we've already staked our claim—total advantage!"
"Exactly."
"No need to cling to Heuk Jeon Mun at all! You're a wise rogue! Kahahaha!"
Dunno what clicked for him, but he looked thrilled.
"Screaming Nachal. I've got big ambitions. Took this mission to prove myself and climb higher."
Guy's got drive.
"If we succeed here, who needs Heuk Jeon Mun? They'd just get in the way. Once this works, I'll cut ties. Leeches who do nothing but suck the marrow? Absurd."
Very positive. Those clear eyes must mean sharp judgment too.
Of course, hard to say if he's sincere. But he showed his stance to me.
"Good. Then I'll join hands with you, Galbi Jong."
"Thanks!"
Slap!
He stuck out his hand; I grabbed and shook it.
"My name's Kim Geun-hyeop... Remember that, Galbi Jong."
"Call me casual! I'll do the same!"
"Heh heh, sure."
Bold and sociable. From watching him, he's ambitious, driven, discerning, and likable. Solid ally material.
Can't fully trust him yet—we've barely met. But personality's hard to fake, especially for a low-rank Sapa grunt.
Might be an act, but nah—too unrealistic. A guy with that acting skill stuck at the bottom? Using it to fool a Screaming Nachal? Bullshit.
Plus, he's got that weird side—like offering me flowers to recruit. Can't fake that. It's genuine.
Build trust, and he could be a buddy like Jae Mi-son.
"Then let's form the faction now! Thoughts on a name?"
"Nachal Bang."
"Nachal Bang!"
"Sounds perfect for our group. Could mix in your nickname, but... you haven't shared it."
"Fair point. Got it! Our faction's Nachal Bang!"
Faction formed.
"Alright, Kim Geun-hyeop! Time to introduce the Anhui Twin Killers!"
"What?"
The fuck? Not Twin Killers—Anhui Twin Heroes! Why do my nicknames keep twisting? That Open Faction Dan-du again? Screaming Nachal to Anhui Twin Killers—what next?
"Anhui Twin Heroes... You know 'em?"
"Checked 'em out. Vicious assassins with poison hidden weapons. Loves punching holes in people for no reason. Respectable rogue."
Galbi Jong blabbered nonsense, eyes sparkling. Seems decent at first, but his mouth proves he's off.
Building trust with this nut might be tricky.
"Even the bottom Black Dao knows 'em. Teaming with killers like that? Crushes enemy morale."
Decided. Introduce Jae Mi-son too.
"Yeah. I'll introduce you."
"Ooo...!"
Why's his excited reaction so damn perfect? Could make a living off this alone.
"First, two more."
"What? Who?!"
"Show yourselves."
Swish.
Experts emerged from the shadows. Disguised in plain clothes, but rumors were already flying in the markets. No point hiding now.
"Those ladies?"
"Heard the rumors? I like flowers."
"What does that...?"
"Murim's Four Beauties: Jade Flower Sword and Plunder Fire Lotus. My lovers."
"Wha...!"
Galbi Jong's jaw dropped.
Namgung Serin and Wi Ha-young gave him slight nods.
"...For real?"
"Little digging, and you'd know."
"..."
Drip drip.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. Natural to tense up around masters.
"Let's get along. Galbi Jong. They'll be huge for setting up our faction."
"Got it... Pleased to meet you."
He bowed. We headed straight for Jae Mi-son.
With him, that's five—our crew's core.
Safe setup. Four of five are my buddies and wives. Galbi Jong can't scheme shit.
We'll coordinate, but Nachal Bang moves to my tune.
Anyway, bit late, but gotta introduce my lovers to buddy Jae Mi-son. Didn't plan it this way, but good's good.
He'll be core too—perfect chance.
"Jae Mi-son!"
"Ahh... Hm?"
Jae Mi-son paused mid-stumble down the street and looked my way.
"Let's talk!"