Dating Scandal #5: "Deputy Commander!"
"Deputy Commander!"
Deputy commander? As soon as Gong Son-tan arrived, the Meng Hu Dai members—who'd been trembling in shock at the news of Okhwa Geom's scandalous romance—snapped to attention and bowed deeply.
So that's what that guy really is.
"Where is she? Where's Okhwa Geom?!"
"O-over there...!"
"Ooooh!"
Gong Son-tan spotted us and his eyes lit up in awe, like he was greeting a massive celebrity. He gaped wide-mouthed, completely smitten.
That creepy expression made me want to smash his face in on impulse.
But right now, Serin had her arm linked through mine.
"And who's that guy next to her—ack?!"
"Pleased to meet you, Deputy Commander Gong Son-tan."
"Wh-what the hell?! What is the meaning of this?!"
I greeted him, and confusion flooded his eyes. Some Meng Hu Dai members whispered that I was none other than Okhwa Geom's lover.
And at that exact moment—
"What did you saaaaaay?!"
Gong Son-tan lost it.
"Geun-hyeop...? What's going on?"
"Remember when I mentioned Meng Hu Dai came by last time? I ran into this guy and we got acquainted."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. He took an interest in my Thunderbolt Sword, so we chatted a bit. Who knew he was the deputy commander... Did you know?"
"I've seen his face once before, but I don't know him well."
Serin only had a vague idea of Meng Hu Dai's lineup; she didn't know the details of their backgrounds.
Anyway.
"Wh-what the hell?! What the fuuuuuck?!"
Gong Son-tan started freaking out. Tears streamed down his face one moment, then flames shot from his eyes the next—a full-blown meltdown.
This guy's seriously unhinged, isn't he?
"Hey, Serin? You really don't know him?"
"I-I truly don't. But I have my suspicions."
Serin replied, looking a bit flustered.
"It seems my popularity is simply too overwhelming... He can't accept that I've taken a lover. Even so, this level of reaction? Unbelievable."
Figured as much.
"This is absurd! Okhwa Geom having a lover?! Impossible! Graaaaaah!"
"Ah, aaaaaah!"
"Uwaaaaaah!"
Gong Son-tan's freakout spread like wildfire. A bunch of Meng Hu Dai members shook violently, howling in agony.
For real? The idol power of a Murim beauty is this strong? No, more than that—these are Murim Alliance combat troops acting like this...?
"I can't accept it!!!"
Serin finally stepped in, unable to stand it.
"What is the meaning of this disgrace? Meng Hu Dai. Who the hell do you think you are to say you 'can't accept' this? How dare you speak so rudely?"
"Kuh...!"
Her sharp rebuke made the convulsing members freeze. But.
"You!"
Gong Son-tan wasn't convinced. He pointed at me, radiating hostility.
"How dare you deceive me!"
"What? What the fuck are you talking about? Deceive you? What bullshit is this?"
"Pretending not to know while you're Okhwa Geom's lover! You must've been laughing at me inside, you vile, ugly bastard!"
"What kinda crap is that?!"
Is this fucker insane?!
Shing!
In that instant, Gong Son-tan drew his sword.
"Draw yours! We'll settle this with blades!"
This psycho asshole! I knew he was shady from the first sight!
"Haha! This coward won't even draw! Okhwa Geom! Is this pathetic worm really your lover?! Ditch that trash and come to me!"
"...!"
Serin's face twisted as she opened her mouth to retort.
Shing!
I drew my Thunderbolt Sword.
"How dare you insult my Serin. You'll pay the price, Gong Son-tan."
"Your Serin?!"
She's Serin, duh.
"Who the hell do you think you are, calling Okhwa Geom by name so casually?! Fine! Let's duel! If I win, release Okhwa Geom quietly and fuck off, you sleazy prick!"
"What kinda bullshit is that?!"
I couldn't take it anymore!
Whoosh!
The moment I surged my inner energy—
Swish.
Serin glided forward, sword already drawn.
And then—
Clang!
Her blade flashed once, and Gong Son-tan's sword shattered in two.
It happened so fast no one could react. They only gawked after the blade pieces hit the ground.
"Right now."
Serin said, unable to hide her fury.
"What the hell do you think you're doing...? Meng Hu Dai."
"Hup."
"Not content with insulting my lover, you even tried to attack? Meng Hu Dai deputy commander. Do you even grasp what you've done?"
"..."
"Hah. Can't even speak? Pathetic. So this is the level of the Murim Alliance's Meng Hu Dai. Noted."
Her piercing gaze swept the crowd. Who knew Serin could make that face? Even I felt chills from her aggressive glare.
"Apologize for the insult immediately. If not, I'll take this as an irreconcilable grudge."
"That's—!"
Mention of a grudge snapped the Meng Hu Dai members to their senses, sweat pouring down their faces.
These dogshit bastards. Freaking out like that, and you think a sorry will cut it? No way.
"Those who insulted me and my lover! You'll pay! But since Serin is giving you one last chance, I'll hold off—for now! I'm talking about you, Gong Son-tan! Kneel right now!"
"Wha...!"
My roar twisted his face.
That was when.
"Commander!"
The Meng Hu Dai leader arrived.
"What the hell happened?"
A sinister-looking man. But clearly stronger than Gong Son-tan.
So this is the Meng Hu Dai commander.
Quick-witted Serin filled me in right away.
"He's Geuk-hyeon of the Hwasan Sect. The Meng Hu Dai commander."
"Hwasan Sect, huh."
Famous for their swordsmanship.
"How strong?"
"No idea. Never crossed blades."
Maybe on Serin's level?
"I asked what happened. Deputy commander."
"It's...! That guy! Look at him!"
"Hmm?"
This bastard still hadn't come to his senses, pointing at me.
"He's toying with Okhwa Geom! So I...!"
"Please. Shut your damn mouth. Meng Hu Dai commander. How do you even manage your subordinates? Having a lunatic like this! There's a limit to insults!"
Serin stepped in front of me, shouting.
"..."
The commander glanced around, then spoke.
"It seems... we've committed a grave discourtesy. I apologize."
"Commander!"
"Commander!"
Members still out of it raised a fuss.
"Think a sorry fixes it? They insulted me and my lover for no reason. Even tried to attack. You'll pay for this."
"..."
Serin's words turned the commander's face beet red. He glared murderously at his men.
"We'll formally apologize for this incident."
"Commander! Why won't you listen?! That bastard—right now!"
"We need to contain the situation first. Go. Everyone. Seize the deputy commander."
"Y-yes!"
"Let go!"
At the order, they grabbed Gong Son-tan and dragged him away.
And just like that, Meng Hu Dai vanished. Total clusterfuck, then poof.
"Really... this sours my mood terribly, Geun-hyeop. Let's go back."
Serin grabbed my hand and led me away.
Yeah, I was pissed too. Sure, Okhwa Geom was a Murim beauty title, but it was just a nickname. No reason for Namgung Serin the person to be controlled.
I followed, holding her hand.
"Serin."
I said as we walked.
"Thanks. Seriously. Stepping up for me like that. I'm so grateful, Serin."
"...Of course. Are you grateful? The fiery Serin from moments ago had calmed down.
"Your matters are mine. If I don't step up now, what kind of wife would I be? A proper wife supports her husband always."
"Serin...!"
Too touching!
"Also, it's for you... but for me too... Ngh, Geun-hyeop. We're outside. Restrain yourself here..."
I pulled her into a tight embrace, and she instantly melted. Hard to believe this was the swordswoman who'd crushed Meng Hu Dai's spirit.
"Ahem. We'll resolve this properly. We have the justification, so no issues."
"Damn right!"
Some mess happened, but we can fix it. We had the moral high ground, and with Serin's Namgung family backing, it'd be fine against Meng Hu Dai.
Still, I couldn't forgive that Gong Son-tan bastard... Just you wait, you dogshit prick.
Meng Hu Dai commander Geuk-hyeon returned to their temporary base and said coldly.
"What happened? Tell me everything, no holding back."
"Commander, it was...!"
Gong Son-tan blabbered, but this guy was never trustworthy. Internal power struggles and circumstances forced him into deputy, but he was too impulsive and stupid.
I thought someone like him could be controlled quietly, but my judgment was off.
He obeyed orders, but that impulsive, selfish personality harmed the organization. Every whine made my gut churn.
"So! What happened?! You! Answer!"
"Yes!"
I finally heard it from another member.
'In short, Gong Son-tan being a moron caused this shit.'
Everything was our fault from start to finish. Realizing that burned my face.
Meng Hu Dai was clearly in the wrong and got chewed out for it.
Even so.
'Okhwa Geom.'
Doing it like that. Publicly. Blatantly humiliating us and tarnishing Meng Hu Dai's honor and face? That's an insult.
In front of all my men... Giving me that dressing-down. Doesn't give a damn about my honor? No, this concerns the entire righteous Murim beyond the Alliance. This damn bitch doesn't know the gravity and runs wild. Puffed up as Murim beauty, head full of flowers? Kill that fucking whore. If Meng Hu Dai's honor falls, how will people see the Alliance? Can't even think that far? Pretty face only good for whoring.'
Geuk-hyeon felt towering hatred.