Life or Death
As soon as I finished speaking, no one was shedding tears anymore. But there were still plenty who looked skeptical about my words.
"We can survive... in a situation like this?"
"The spirits' curse can't be escaped..."
Some idiots were still blaming the spirits. I scoffed.
"Look straight. Do you really think what's happening right now is some real spirit curse?"
No matter how clear the evidence, humans believe what they want to believe. In times like this, you have to make them reflect on their own thoughts.
"A killing intent that's obviously a heavenly net. Intentional kidnappings. Survivors who came back brainwashed."
"......"
"And you call all that a spirit's curse? What, are spirits some kind of primordial heavenly lord now?!"
"Th-then... who? Who the hell is attacking us?"
When a clear question came, that was my cue.
"Does that even matter?"
"Wh-what?"
"Is figuring out who's trying to kill us and why the most important thing right now?"
What really mattered.
"......If that's not important."
"Someone's trying to kill us, and we're dying just like they want. Isn't that what matters?!"
What to focus on right now.
"We can find out who they are and why after we survive. But if we die here? What then?"
"......"
"What you should be thinking about now is how to survive."
And what to think, what to do.
"We can investigate who the enemy is and get revenge after we live. Getting beat up then swarming back for payback in a herd—that's your specialty, isn't it?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Got it? Then stop lying there like idiots and figure out how to survive. You're supposed to be elite disciples from prestigious sects, aren't you?!"
The faces of those who'd been staring blankly in despair flushed red.
"Look at the Tae-eul Gate disciples—third-rate scrubs—and see if any of them are crying. And you call yourselves true first-rate sect disciples?"
When someone you looked down on pulls off something amazing, humans don't acknowledge them—they just decide it wasn't that impressive.
"Come to think of it, Tae-eul Gate... they've been fighting non-stop..."
"That Jin Sowoon guy's a freak anyway, so fine..."
"......Even the gold-silver-bronze brothers and Hong Saryeon aren't that high-level."
And soon enough, they convince themselves they could do it too. Why couldn't they if those guys did it? It probably wasn't that hard.
A truly vile, low-class way of thinking—but in this situation, you use even that. To survive.
Because right now, survival was the top priority.
"Th-then what do we do?"
What to do? I shot back.
"Why ask me?"
"......Huh?"
"You have to find your own way to survive."
"What the—crazy bastard..."
I cut him off and looked ahead. I'd drawn enough attention; time for the main point.
"I'm forming a unit to escape this place."
"So what's your plan for th—"
"But! Only with those who want to join."
"......"
Their glares turned icy again. I'd stirred up bad memories for people already betrayed.
"Representative Jin! You gonna abandon us too?!"
"Don't you have a representative's responsibility...!"
"If you're escaping without us, we'll make sure to stop you."
Damn bastards—earlier they said I wasn't their representative. Humans are all the same.
Lowly warriors or Murim Alliance executives, same shitty mindset.
"I said it already. Only with those who want to."
"......"
"Anyone who wants in, I'll take—no exceptions. Even the injured."
"What bullshit is that? Who here wants to stay and die...?"
I cut that off easily too.
"But there's a condition."
"At a time like this...?"
"Strict hierarchy."
"......!"
"......!"
The simmering discontent exploded.
"You wanna play commander now?!"
"In this crisis, you wanna talk that crap...!"
They were right; it wasn't the time to demand my rights. No reason to either.
"Strict hierarchy. Under my orders, no sects, no families, no affiliations matter. You'll move solely as squad members under the captains I appoint. That's my one condition."
"But if everyone joins, doesn't that make it meaningless?"
"It does. In a life-or-death situation, I don't wanna see you splitting into Jeongdohoe or Baekdohoe factions and causing chaos."
"......"
"So choose. Join me? Or die on your own like the hotshots you are... no, join?"
I added a warning for those who take promises lightly.
"Once you agree, my orders are absolute. Refuse for any reason, and I'll execute you on the spot. Don't choose lightly."
With that, I walked off. Tons to prepare, starting now.
"This your plan?"
Cheol Sunjik, who'd been staring like I was crazy, blocked my path.
"Gonna unite and overcome together or some shit?"
"Playing war games now? Why seek unity you never had before?"
I sidestepped him naturally. No time to waste on this guy.
Cheol Sunjik hesitated, then followed.
"So what's your real plan?"
"Wanna hear? You joining me?"
"......"
"If not, go plan with the Twelve Bongseong how to escape."
"......What scale are you organizing? At least tell me th—"
"With who's left, it's barely a dan. Or wanna name it a gak for morale?"
He stopped dead.
"......You said now's not the time for war games, Representative Jin."
"Right. So decide firm and come. Got a ton to prep—"
"I'll do it."
"What?"
"The Twelve Bongseong follow you, Representative Jin."
I stopped too.
"You can decide that?"
Cheol Sunjik looked incredulous. Huh, yeah, he could.
"Fine. You're Three Captain."
"......First to join, and I'm Three?"
Acting like it was obvious he'd be a captain. What a prick.
"One Captain's with me up front. If you want th—"
"No. I like the number three anyway."
"......Go tell them, pack the tents, gather at center."
Guy's brain works infuriatingly fast.
Hong Saryeon, who'd watched it all with worry, asked.
"What if they really go off alone? Leaving the injured..."
"Don't worry. They won't."
"How can you be sure?"
I looked across. Amid the chaos, one spot shone bright.
"Academy's two strongest in one unit. What're they gonna do, fight each other?"
"......Ilgak wants to join?"
"Our One Captain."
"Shaolin's Jeongdohoe leader-level...! He won't abandon Jeongdohoe..."
Even if he said yes, I wouldn't let it happen. Why force a choice? Because even now, they clump by faction.
So Ilgak had to be my unit's captain. No mental and physical pillar, no unity.
Especially guys who'd been bawling they'd die moments ago.
"One Captain!"
I called Ilgak, surrounded and suffering by Jeongdohoe.
"Talk unit organization!"
Jeongdohoe glared. Like that'd do shit.
"One Captain, no time!"
"......"
"Ilgak! What're you saying? Shaolin goes with us, obviously!"
"One Captain!!!"
Just being rep team wouldn't make him ditch Shaolin. They meant too much to each other.
"Ah, nothing's decided. We need to discuss thoro—"
"Ilgak! Abandoning us?"
Ilgak shook off the grabbing Jeongdohoe and approached.
"Jin donju, what're you thinking? You knew Jeongdohoe would rebel."
"So, no to One Captain?"
"......Too many Shaolin disciples and lay sect members here. Can't ignore their opinions."
"Hm... I see."
Ilgak's eyes shook uneasily.
"Wh-what're you scheming?"
Acting like I'm a con artist.
"Scheming what?"
p>"You know it's not easy to follow your solo decisions. Jeongdohoe's principle is always 'mutual consultation'."
I knew. But no time for fancy procedures.
"......At least tell me the scheme."
"No, you said you'd move with Jeongdohoe. Nothing I can do. I'll handle mine."
"Jin donju!!!"
"By the way. What about the injured, stragglers?"
Ilgak's eyes widened.
"Gongjeong and Mudang abandoned them... Gonna take everyone? Akga, Jegalga?"
"......"
"You know Jeongdohoe loyalty. But in crisis, won't wanna leave 'em? When life's at stake?"
"We won't—"
"That."
I stared straight into his honest eyes.
"Can you guarantee 'mutual consultation' saves everyone?"
Ilgak's face hardened. He knew human nature too.
"Absolute orders—for me alone?"
No, for others, to save all. Resolve.
"In this unpredictable forest, with untested people, what can you do?"
I'm scared too. Absolute orders mean responsibility.
"And those chasing selfish gain—will they sacrifice even a bit for others?"
"......"
"Some won't get my call for volunteers, even injured. But me."
My foulest past-life memory wasn't being meat shield.
It was after abandonment, lost with no path. Desperate to crawl out, but nowhere to go.
"I want those thrashing to survive to at least flail."
Give clinging hope to fierce survival instinct.
That's my revenge on those who ditched me.
So I won't give up. Even if gravely injured, useless in combat.
If they trust me absolutely, I'll make them flail somehow.
I turned without delay. No rush for answer.
But.
"......I'll do it."
Ilgak answered quick. I turned back.
His eyes sparkled brighter than ever.
"Good. One Captain. Bring joiners to center. No need for malcontents."
"......Really okay with injured?"
"Strict hierarchy! If they follow, anyone."
"Surely... not as sacrificial lambs?"
What does this baldhead think I am?
"......How's a monk thinking such evil?"
"A, Amitabha. I'll go speak."
Ilgak returned to Jeongdohoe; questions poured, small uproar started.
Probably protesting him joining me suddenly.
I turned away. No more Jeongdohoe worries, move forward.
Seeing Ilgak join? Academy stragglers approached one by one.
"Representative! Can we join?"
"Of course. Wirip-gun. You're Five Squad member."
"Y-you know my name?"
Perfect memory, duh.
I patted his shoulder.
"Sure. Follow your captain when assigned."
"Y-yes."
Left stunned new member, kept walking.
"T-take me too. Left arm still works..."
"Serwolmun's Yeo Jumyeong. Your real skill's flying blades anyway. Seven Squad member."
"How do you...?"
Yeo Jumyeong trailed off in shock.
"What? Wrong? That's what your academy record says."
"......You memorized all that?"
"Problem?"
"N-no, just... impressive."
"Pack up, find your captain. Call me Danju from now."
Yeo Jumyeong grinned through daze.
"Understood!"
Yeah, crude smile beats grim frown. At least joking keeps spirit unbroken.
I glanced at those now beside me.
"You joining too?"
Jungnam faction's Du Sogwang and close senior brothers.
Saw Ilgak move, figured join quick?
"But condition. We've trained together since Jungnam..."
No need to hear—kicked his shin.
"What the—!"
Yangsu glared murderously, supporting fallen Du Sogwang.
I met his eyes, smacked his head.
"Deaf? Need another hole in your ear?! Strict hierarchy, you fucks!"
"......"
"Scram. Don't need types like you. Survive on your own, hotshots."
"Daring to do this to Jungnam...!"
Du Sogwang stood quick, stopped brothers.
"No! We'll follow as you said."
"You?"
"Y-yes, Danju-nim."
That's right.
"Du Sogwang, Seven Squad member. Yangsu, Eight Squad. Jang Gwangbo to Three Squad. Gwak Susan, Four Captain."
"Gwak Susan's our maknae..."
"The fuck? Speak up, didn't hear."
"N-no."
Yangsu looked down. Taking bloody rookies to fight Demonic Cult? Stomach already burning.
Anyway, persuasion done. Live or die here— their choice now.