Interrogation, Rumors, and the Mundo Brothers' Rebirth
Nachal Bang Organization #5. Galbi Jong's interrogation had begun. He skillfully gathered information, with Jae Mi-son assisting. Having Jae Mi-son help was like strapping wings to a tiger—the work went smoothly. It was truly impressive. Jae Mi-son was already familiar with the local geography, so he understood roughly everything the Il Do-mun thugs said. From that, we pinpointed the locations of their businesses. Dragging the terrified Il Do-mun bastards around, we mapped out their operations.
As we did, low-level merchants glanced our way and muttered among themselves.
"Hey, isn't that...?"
"Il Do-mun guys, right?"
"But they look like hell."
"Why are they being dragged around?"
Even low-level merchants couldn't survive without sharp instincts. Soon, some caught on to the situation.
"Ah! Il Do-mun's done for!"
Bingo.
"Jae Mi-son. Galbi Jong. Spread some rumors about us while we're at it."
"Kuk kuk, good idea."
"Got it!"
Galbi Jong bellowed like an orator.
"Il Do-mun has been taken over by our Nachal Bang!"
"Now say we've restored the righteous spirit of the orthodox factions."
"Orthodox factions? Oh, got it."
Can't leave that out.
"Our orthodox Nachal Bang has driven out the evil black path scum and restored the righteous spirit of the orthodox world, so merchants, rest easy now!"
Our Nachal Bang is an orthodox Murim faction...!
"Orthodox...?"
"Nachal Bang?"
"So Nachal Bang, being orthodox, took down Il Do-mun?"
"Doesn't change much..."
We eavesdropped on the merchants' chatter and kept spreading rumors about us.
"Il Do-mun is finished! Now it's the era of the orthodox Nachal Bang!"
This should do it. The impression that new guys smashed Il Do-mun and took their place would be firmly planted. Plus, with the orthodox rumors, word would spread.
With that, our rough survey of the businesses around the area was complete.
After the rough business survey wrapped up, we held a meeting.
"Galbi Jong. From now on, we'll run this protection racket the orthodox way."
"The orthodox way, you say?"
"Yeah. Our Nachal Bang isn't some black path or evil faction outfit. We'll act boldly as an orthodox group."
"How exactly?"
Black path racketeering was just extortion, but orthodox protection fees meant real protection.
"We won't squeeze them dry. We'll only take legitimate protection fees. Merchants who pay us get thorough protection. Those who don't? Whatever happens to them, we ignore completely."
That was my policy.
"Hm... It's definitely different from the black path style of shaking them down anytime and causing chaos when they don't pay. But will we turn a profit like that?"
"Profits might dip a bit, but it'll be stable. Plus, it's orthodox. Builds trust."
"Understood."
"We'll contract for fixed amounts on set days. Profits will drop some, sure, but let's build fame acting as an orthodox faction."
"We'll push it through."
Lots to organize ahead. Subjugate or purge Il Do-mun remnants, promote our orthodox Nachal Bang to recruit vagabond warriors. Use them to sign protection contracts with low-level merchants, collect fees, and set up training curricula for our gang members. Sounds tough on paper, but I'm a modern Earth guy. Administrative work like this is my specialty. With my military experience, I can handle it.
"Wow, that's incredible... Taking down Il Do-mun in less than a day. I'm shocked."
"Heh heh heh, Dan-du. Now I laugh just looking at your face."
"What?"
"Used to make me cry, but now it's hilarious."
"I-is that so...?"
Dan-du flinched at my random remark, sensing unease. But he had nothing to worry about now. He was our honorary member.
"Your Il Do-mun intel was spot-on. Made it easy to crush them."
"Good to hear. So you won't antagonize our Beggar Clan now, right?"
"Of course! We're business partners now!"
"Ahh!"
His face finally relaxed in relief. Must've been tough lately. Thanks to my fake persona, the Screaming Nachal, he'd suffered. Now he could shake off that past.
Sure, we met over some unpleasantness, but time to look forward.
"Let's do well from here on."
I extended my hand.
"Yeah..."
Dan-du shook it.
"Then handle the promotion for me."
"Promotion?"
"Nachal Bang crushed Il Do-mun. We're orthodox, hate black path scum. Spread word we're recruiting righteous affiliates to sweep them out. Beggars are pros at rumors."
"Spreading rumors is doable, but..."
He looked reluctant, but no way he could refuse now.
"That's all. Next, info on Jaguei-pa and Jangsa-bang."
"Got it. Heard they're in chaos too. Since Il Do-mun got wiped in one go."
According to Dan-du, those two black path groups were rattled. No precise details, just headcounts and HQ locations. Numbers probably shifted anyway. With Nachal Bang declaring black path extinction after smashing Il Do-mun, cowards fled. Or the two might ally. Either way, no issue. Crush them like Il Do-mun.
Nachal Bang headquarters. I sat in a chair in the courtyard. Before me knelt guys with heads bowed. I asked Galbi Jong, standing beside me.
"These are the remnants. Il Do-mun's done. They say they'll convert."
"I see."
I eyed the kneeling trash. Even charitably, they looked like irredeemable bandits. Black path types with no other way to eat.
"You lot. You said you're ditching Il Do-mun to join Nachal Bang."
"Y-yes!"
"Why?"
"We saw Great Hero Screaming Nachal's prowess and had our eyes opened! Better to serve you than that Il Do-mun leader Chu-sam!"
"Exactly!"
"We only joined Il Do-mun out of necessity...!"
The terrified bastards trembled as they answered. Guess I scared 'em good.
"You four are the only ones staying?"
"Yes!"
Il Do-mun had more survivors that day. Didn't kill 'em all. No jail, couldn't hold 'em, so let go. Rest fled, these four stayed.
Anyway, needed manpower now. Useless black path trash, but useful somehow. They knew the area. Couldn't do much alone, so accept and watch. If scheming, purge. If not, use 'em.
"Geun-hyeop. What'll you do?"
Jae Mi-son asked.
"Accept them."
I decided clearly.
"We'll take you in."
"Thank you, Great Hero!"
"You're black path trash... but Buddha said people can change. From now on, strive for orthodox Murim."
"We'll work hard!"
Four heads slammed the ground.
But names... whatever. Names don't matter.
"Good. You're reborn. Shed your black path trash shell like an eggshell. Reborn as orthodox Murim sprouts craving justice and heroism."
"Ahh...!"
"So I'm basically your parent. Gave you new life."
"Huh?"
"Thus, I'll name you anew."
"..."
They looked baffled. But I couldn't hold back.
I'm basically co-leader of Nachal Bang now. Like wearing the armband. Got power. And with power, couldn't resist.
"Four of you. Line up by strength or seniority. Oldest bro first."
"Uh, uh... Got it."
They lined up.
"Good. First one. Your name's now Mun Do-il."
"Pardon?"
Mun Do! Naming time! Been itching since hearing Il Do-mun's disciples. These fuckers are Mundo now.
"Mun Do is the surname. Yours is Il. You're I. You're Sam. You're Sa. Got it?"
"Uh...?"
"Eh...?"
"My name's Mun Do-sam...?"
Mun Do-il. Mun Do-i. Mun Do-sam. Mun Do-sa. Perfect naming sense.
"Good. Names set. But I don't trust you yet. To show loyalty... fix your speech. When answering me, say Mun Do! Understood! like that. Got it?"
Silence.
"What...?"
"Pardon?"
Mundo pretended not to get it.
"Hurry!!!! Do as I say!!!"
"Heeek!"
"Quick! Heard me or not!!!!"
I revved up and yelled like a maniac. They snapped to, trembling.
"Mun Do! Understood!"
"M-Mun Do! Understood!"
"Mun Do! Got it, no! Mun Do! Understood!"
And so, Nachal Bang gained four Mundo disciples. Congratulations, congratulations.
"Kuh...!"
Fuck. Hilarious though. Saying Mun Do for real... Damn, gonna burst laughing. So hard holding it.
Suppressing laughter, I ordered the Mundo.
"Alright, Mundo. Clean the courtyard first."
"M-Mun Do! Understood!"
"No, not that! For this, it's Mun Do! Will clean!"
"Oh, ri— Ah! Mun Do! Will clean!"
"Perfect!"
Absolutely flawless!