Chapter 40
Translator - Zofu
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Mikazuki Ayaka comes into view.
I watched her fight from a distance.
"She fights better than I expected."
I admired how she refused to surrender even when pushed to the defensive. The technique she used to subdue a full-grown man with a woman's body was truly impressive. But no matter how strong, she couldn't hold out long against these numbers.
She moved quickly and precisely, but her opponents were no pushovers either. Their movements systematically cornered Ayaka and her subordinates.
Even in the midst of fierce combat, she maintained her composure, but her allies were falling one by one.
The situation was clearly turning against her.
"I suppose it's time for me to make my entrance."
I leaped in and positioned myself among the fighting.
The men who had been attacking Ayaka drew their swords and rushed at me. I lightly dodged, grabbed an arm, and tossed the man over my shoulder.
The dropped sword fell naturally into my hand, and I threw it without hesitation into the man's shoulder.
"Who are you?!"
One of them shouted, but instead of answering, I punched him in the face and knocked him down.
Ayaka finally seemed to notice me, turning her gaze toward me. Her eyes held deep suspicion.
"Not planning to help?"
I asked with a relaxed smile.
"Who are you?"
Ayaka asked sharply. Unexpectedly, her Korean was fluent.
"I'll explain that later."
The enemies were now focused on me. Some still faced Ayaka, but most of their attention was on me.
I grabbed the arm of a man charging at me, twisted his shoulder, and after taking his weapon, threw it back at him as if returning it.
Having seized control of the fight's flow, I approached Ayaka while taking down enemies one by one. And in that process, I observed her.
Mikazuki Ayaka maintained her dignity even while fighting.
Her long black hair remained undisturbed during combat, and her lithe figure moved as naturally as flowing water.
Her sharp, gleaming eyes watched her surroundings vigilantly, and within them lay an unbreakable strength. Her jade-like skin was stained with her enemies' blood.
"I was surprised you fight so well. That's why I like you even more."
I said leisurely, smiling.
"I asked who you are!"
Ayaka still hadn't let down her guard.
"Is my identity really what's important right now? Don't you need my help to resolve this situation?"
She hesitated for a moment, but after assessing the situation, she made a quick decision.
She had no choice but to cooperate with me. Confirming her decision, I quickly dealt with the remaining enemies.
After I subdued about five of them, the remaining enemies began to panic.
After dispatching the enemies one by one, I watched the rest flee. The fight ended just like that.
Ayaka caught her breath for a moment, then approached me. Her eyes were still full of suspicion and curiosity.
"Who are you? Why did you help us?"
After thinking briefly, I smiled lightly.
"My name is Geum Tae-yang. You're Mikazuki Ayaka, right?"
She looked at me in surprise.
"How does the master of the Cheongseong faction know my name?"
I shrugged and answered.
"Because I've taken an interest in you."
Ayaka pressed her lips tightly together. She asked no more questions.
What mattered to her at this moment was not who I was, but how to escape this situation.
"Fine. Whatever you want, I don't care. I admit I need your help right now. But when this is over, we'll have to untangle whatever's between us."
She spoke in a firm voice.
I smirked at her words.
"Let's do that. But first, getting out of here is the priority, right? You know as well as I do that this isn't over yet."
I said, looking around. Those who remained would be watching us from somewhere. There was no guarantee they wouldn't target us again.
Ayaka nodded.
"Understood. I'll move as you say."
I offered her my hand.
"Take it. It must be hard to move."
She hesitated briefly, then took my hand.
The moment Ayaka took my hand, I felt her cold fingertips.
I could sense that she had also reached her physical limits in this fight.
"Let's get out of here now."
I said to her.
We began to leave the battlefield together. Her subordinates followed, and while most were injured, none had died.
I took the driver's seat of the vehicle she had brought. After confirming she was aboard, I started the engine.
"Where are you planning to go?"
Ayaka asked. Her unwavering attitude even in this difficult situation was impressive.
"To a safe place."
I answered briefly. Since I had already prepared a place to take her safely, no further explanation was necessary.
"A safe place... Is there such a thing in Korea?"
Ayaka asked sharply. I already guessed what she meant by 'safe.'
I smiled.
"Don't be so pessimistic."
She let my answer slide lightly and looked ahead.
"Why did you help me?"
Ayaka suddenly asked.
I hid my purpose and answered her.
"Because I need you."
She narrowed her eyes at my answer.
"Need me?"
"Yes, I need you to face the Yamaguro clan."
She didn't easily accept my words even after hearing them. Of course, that was natural. We hadn't built trust between us yet.
"Fine, I'll trust you for now. But the moment I feel betrayed, I'll deal with you myself."
"That won't happen. I have no reason to betray you."
After hearing my words, she turned her head forward again.
We arrived at our destination. We got out of the vehicle and went inside.
Several of her subordinates stood guard outside, and inside they constantly kept watch on me.
"I'll rest for a bit."
"Don't worry, rest."
She entered the room. And her subordinates blocked the door.
I found a suitable spot and sat down. I was organizing my plans for the future in my head.
But at that moment, a man about 170cm tall approached me.
A Japanese man glared at me with sharp eyes and muttered in Japanese.
"You bastard! How dare you grab Ayaka-sama's hand without permission, when even I have never touched it!"
His tone was agitated, and his eyes were filled with rage.
"What are you muttering about? Speak properly."
Even after hearing my words, he maintained his sharp gaze.
Because I saved Ayaka's life, he couldn't act rashly and only glared.
Soon after, the surroundings grew noisy. I turned my head to see Park Wan-yong and Choi Il-soo appearing with organization members.
They got out of the car and immediately came to me. Park Wan-yong approached first, surveying me with eyes trying to assess the situation.
"Chairman, are you unharmed?"
Park Wan-yong asked urgently.
"I'm fine."
I nodded and answered.
And Choi Il-soo, who came along, narrowed his eyes at the man standing next to me, Ayaka's subordinate.
"Who is this bastard? What's he doing, hitting on our Chairman?"
I shrugged and answered.
"He's Ayaka's subordinate. Judging by how he's glaring at me, he seems to have a problem. Probably worried I'll touch his master, Ayaka."
I laughed jokingly.
Choi Il-soo looked at Kazuma and shook his head.
"Oh, poor bastard. Another one's going to die."
He sighed and looked at Kazuma pitifully.
At that moment, Park Wan-yong looked at me and asked carefully.
"What should we do, Chairman? Just give the order and we'll handle it immediately."
"I expect the Yamaguro clan to make a move. Seeing how they've been running wild in Korea, it's time to teach them a lesson."
"Yes, Chairman. Just give the command and we'll prepare."
Park Wan-yong answered that he would prepare, and Choi Il-soo, still looking at Kazuma, chuckled and said.
"But will that bastard survive until the end? I bet his face will get real interesting the moment that woman becomes the Chairman's woman."
"Surviving depends on how he conducts himself."
I said with a smirk as I looked at the bastard who kept glaring at me.
Just then, the door opened and Ayaka came out. Fatigue was evident on her face, but she seemed to immediately try to assess the situation as she regained her composure.
"You're up?"
I said, looking at Ayaka.
Ayaka held her head with her hand and looked at me.
She still seemed half-asleep.
"Who are they?"
"They're my subordinates. They'll guard this place."
Ayaka looked at me for a moment, then slowly got up.
Her movements still looked tired, but she seemed relieved just to be out of combat.
Her sharp eyes surveyed each of my subordinates one by one.
"Your subordinates..."
Ayaka muttered quietly. Her voice still held suspicion.
I nodded.
"Yes. You'll need allies now. You know that."
Ayaka closed her lips and fell into thought for a moment. Her eyes seemed to try to see right through me, as if to determine whether I was really trustworthy. But eventually, she nodded.
"As you say. It seems I need your help right now."
She answered resolutely.