The First Step of Conquest

"Why did I save you?" Jeok-un murmured.

Instead of answering right away, he locked eyes with Hae-yeon.

In her gaze, he could clearly detect a faint sliver of fear.

I suppose it makes sense. She hasn't gone through all those trials and tribulations this time.

Before his regression, Hae-yeon's eyes had always been fierce and unwavering.

That was because she had already weathered countless storms—hardships that made the ordeal with Ya-ju look like child's play—by the time she met him.

But not now.

She had yet to be tempered by the harsh realities of the world, nor had she ever crossed the line between life and death.

Yet, Jeok-un did not mind.

We have plenty of time. I can guide her step-by-step.

As Jeok-un lost himself in thought, Hae-yeon cautiously continued.

"...The Hall Leader of the Black Hall told me. He said you personally covered the entire cost of my treatment."

That was the very first thing Jeok-un had done after disposing of Ya-ju.

He had paid for her medical expenses using the wealth he plundered from Ya-ju's estate.

Because he had spared no expense, demanding only the finest medicinal herbs, the bill had been so astronomical that even the physicians of the Black Hall were left gaping.

Still, it was worth every penny. The medicine was so potent it practically acted as an elixir.

Not only did she make a full recovery, but her internal energy had also surged exponentially afterward.

Jeok-un had already heard the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠news, and Hae-yeon was undoubtedly aware of it too.

After all, it was her own body.

"...May I ask why you did all this for someone you've never even met before?"

That was the reason she had sought him out.

From her perspective, the situation was utterly baffling.

She had received the grace of having her life saved by a stranger, had her lifelong enemy dealt with on her behalf, and had even been gifted what was essentially a priceless elixir.

"Is that what you wish to know?"

At Jeok-un's question, Hae-yeon nodded, her face slightly tense.

Seeing her look so naive almost made him chuckle.

He wondered what thoughts were swirling inside that clever little head of hers.

With an easy, relaxed expression, Jeok-un spoke.

"Why don't you tell me? What do you think the reason is?"

"...!"

Hae-yeon held his gaze for a moment.

Then, slowly, she opened her mouth.

"At first, I thought your goal was simply to eliminate Ya-ju from the beginning... and that you merely used me as a catalyst to draw him out. But..."

"But?"

Hae-yeon hesitated for a moment before speaking with slight reservation.

"...On second thought, it seems like it might be for an entirely different reason."

"What makes you think so?"

"The investment is far too great. If I were merely a catalyst, the cost of the medicine and the elixir you used on me makes no sense. There is no way I possess that kind of value..."

"Hold on,"

Jeok-un interrupted, cutting her off.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Let's get one thing straight first."

"...I am listening."

Hae-yeon assumed a serious posture.

Watching her, Jeok-un's expression turned solemn.

It was time to unleash the silver-tongued eloquence that had moved countless subordinates to tears of gratitude in his past life.

"It is true that I used you as a pretext to eliminate Ya-ju. But that was a minor reason. The real reason is entirely different."

"...Pardon?"

As Hae-yeon blinked in confusion, Jeok-un spoke in a low, resonant voice.

"Value is determined by the buyer."

"...!"

"And I have deemed you to be incredibly valuable."

Jeok-un paused for dramatic effect.

"Valuable enough that I deemed it worthwhile to make enemies of Ya-ju, the three squads of the Outer Heavens, and ultimately, even the Vice Lord himself."

"...!"

Hae-yeon's already large eyes widened even further.

She must be deeply moved.

Jeok-un delivered the finishing blow.

"That is the extent of the utility and value I see in you."

Damn, that was smooth.

No wonder my subordinates always fell for it.

Jeok-un leaned back in his chair with a relaxed air and asked,

"Well? Does that answer your question?"

He was brimming with confidence, but—

"...What kind of nonsense is that?"

Hae-yeon was looking at him as if he were the most bizarre creature she had ever laid eyes on.

...Ah, right.

She was always incredibly sharp and pragmatic.

"Ugh, she didn't fall for it."

Jeok-un scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"...Of course I wouldn't. I'm not an idiot. We've barely met, so how could you possibly evaluate my value like that?"

"I thought it sounded quite grand..."

"That's not grand; it's just bluffing. Pure bluffing."

Hae-yeon stated flatly. Then, realizing she might have overstepped, she quickly added in a softer tone,

"...Ah, I apologize. You are my savior, and my words were far too harsh..."

"Pfft, it's fine. I'm used to it."

"Pardon?"

What is he used to?

Though Hae-yeon was left wondering, Jeok-un had no intention of explaining and naturally shifted the topic.

"In any case, it's the truth that I hold you in high regard."

"But how...?"

Hae-yeon pressed again. Knowing her personality, he had expected her to persist, so he delivered his prepared answer.

"Did you think only the Intelligence Unit was clever? I may have cast it aside, but I am still a Jegal by blood."

Jeok-un tapped his temple.

"It means I'm a genius not just in martial arts, but in intellect as well."

"..."

"And game recognizes game. The moment I saw you, I knew you were nearly as brilliant as I am."

He spoke with utter confidence, but Hae-yeon remained unmoved.

Instead, she retorted immediately, as if she had just heard something utterly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠absurd.

"I know you are powerful, but as for your intellect..."

"Uh-huh, that's enough cheek out of you."

She was starting to sound exactly like the Hae-yeon he knew.

As Jeok-un let out an involuntary chuckle at the striking resemblance, Hae-yeon bit her lip.

"I'm sorry... My mouth always runs ahead of me..."

Then, straightening her posture, she spoke clearly and firmly.

"...Well, I am not someone who can live with a debt. Since you have saved my life three times over, I will risk my life for you three times in return, no matter what you command."

She was still green, but her absolute sincerity shone through.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

In the end, Jeok-un couldn't help but smile.

Unable to tolerate debts, sharp-tongued yet deeply caring, and fiercely loyal.

Before his regression, Hae-yeon had died for him.

During the great invasion of the Demonic Cult, the terror they wrought was not solely due to the absolute power of the Heavenly Demon.

It was not his doing alone.

Prior to their invasion, the Demonic Cult had meticulously analyzed the state of the martial arts world.

They avoided their enemies' strengths and ruthlessly targeted their weaknesses.

This happened just before the invasion, back when Jeok-un had forced the Black Hegemony Castle to its knees, spreading the dread name of the Black Heaven Overlord Army across the land, and was on the verge of piercing the heart of the Murim Alliance.

The greatest contributor to the war, which came to be known as the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War, was undoubtedly Hae-yeon.

As the Bloody Empress, Hae-yeon had aided Jeok-un's unification of the martial world with her divine calculations and brilliant strategies. Her name was feared and respected by all.

Naturally, the Demonic Cult targeted her.

Just before the unification was complete, five elders of the Demonic Cult launched a surprise attack on Jeok-un.

Their true goal was to draw Jeok-un away, knowing that targeting him would leave his strategist, the Bloody Empress, vulnerable.

Indeed, while Jeok-un was occupied holding off the five elders, the Cult executed their trap.

Sacrificing countless lives, the Demonic Cult unleashed their most heinous formation.

The Blood Soul Annihilation Formation.

A horrific barrier that rapidly shrank, erasing every living soul trapped within its confines.

Though the formation was aimed at the Bloody Empress, Jeok-un had leaped in to save her, only to end up trapped alongside her.

"...Leader?"

Hae-yeon's voice snapped Jeok-un out of his reverie.

He quickly composed his turbulent emotions.

The same tragedy will not repeat itself.

With that thought, Jeok-un asked,

"By the way, once you've paid back those three lives..."

"Yes?"

"Do you plan to leave the White Night Squad and return to the Strategist Division?"

"If you would allow it, yes, that is what I wish."

"Why?"

"Pardon...?"

What did he mean, why?

She had joined Sadocheon to be part of the Strategist Division in the first place.

It was only natural that she wanted to return to her original post.

However, Jeok-un looked at her intently and continued.

"A strategist ultimately needs a lord to serve."

"...!"

"Well, whichever master you choose is your decision and your freedom."

Jeok-un grinned.

"But I intend to conquer the world in the future."

"...!"

"Wouldn't it be far more exciting to follow me than to clean up after that old man, Dok-go Cheon?"

"!!"

Hae-yeon was rendered utterly speechless.

And understandably so.

Jeok-un's declaration had completely shattered any expectations she might have had.

Step.

Suddenly, Jeok-un rose from his seat.

"Now, let me show you the first step toward conquering the world."

"...What?"

"I shall claim the first of your three lives right now."

"...!"

"There is a place we must go together."

Jeok-un had Hae-yeon throw on a black robe before they slipped out of the manor together.

On their way out, Hae-yeon had asked, "Aren't you supposed to be under house arrest... Is this really alright?"

"Such restrictions only bind the weak. I am not weak, so it is perfectly fine," he had replied nonchalantly, leading the way.

He spouted the nonsense with a straight face.

Hae-yeon followed him without having the slightest clue where they were headed.

I really can't figure this man out...

The more she stared at Jeok-un's back, the more tangled her thoughts became.

Ever since she was born, she had possessed an uncanny ability to read people.

It didn't mean she had good eyesight.

She could see into their hearts.

She could easily discern their emotions and, on a deeper level, their hidden intentions.

Perhaps this was a gift inherited from her mother, who had been the most renowned shaman in their village.

From her childhood to adulthood, Hae-yeon had met many people. While some were genuinely good, she had encountered far more who harbored dark, insidious motives.

Those who acted kind were mere hypocrites wearing masks, and then there were those who were openly malicious. It was no wonder she had grown to distrust humanity.

Viewing the world through a cynical and prickly lens had at least shielded her from getting hurt.

But the man walking ahead of her was different.

Jeok-un, was it?

There was something unique about him.

No matter how closely she studied his words and eyes, she could see nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

It was like a canvas painted over with countless layers of color, leaving only a deep, impenetrable black.

Yet, it was different from the ominous, repulsive blackness she had sensed from Ya-ju.

Though she couldn't peer into his mind, she could feel an unyielding solidity.

For some reason, his presence felt comforting.

Perhaps that was why she had behaved the way she did.

Why she had cut him off, bickered, and joked around during their very first meeting as if they ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠were old, intimate friends.

She might have simply been swept up in the atmosphere he created.

He's like Uncle Hwang...

Was he, too, harboring some deep secret?

Hae-yeon took a half-step to the side, stealing a glance at Jeok-un's face.

Despite moving as swiftly as the wind, he hadn't shed a single drop of sweat, nor was his breathing even slightly disturbed.

He said it earlier...

The words he had spoken suddenly echoed in her mind.

—Valuable enough that I deemed it worthwhile to make enemies of Ya-ju, the three squads of the Outer Heavens, and ultimately, even the Vice Lord himself.

—That is the extent of the utility and value I see in you.

Truth be told, her heart had fluttered at those words.

It wasn't out of romantic affection.

It was because, for the very first time in her life, someone had truly recognized her worth.

A statement that acknowledged her for who she was had undeniably stirred something deep within her.

Yet, the phrase that refused to leave her head was a different one.

—Just watch. I intend to conquer the world.

...Conquering the world.

Was such a grand ambition truly possible?

It was an absurd notion, of course.

But why didn't I call it nonsense back then?

Just as Hae-yeon was sorting through her feelings—

Step.

"We're here."

"!"

Jeok-un came to a sudden halt.

They stood deep within a dense, overgrown forest.

Before them was a cave that looked like a mere shelter where wild beasts might hide from the rain.

No, it wasn't just a cave.

There were clear traces of human touch scattered all around.

Where is this?

Hae-yeon finally realized what the place was.

An abandoned mine.

A desolate, eerie abandoned mine loomed right before their eyes.