Chapter 70. Punishment of the Traitor.
Chapter 70. Punishment of the Traitor.
I said nothing, merely watching as the others talked among themselves.
"Chief of Staff, how in the world...? Have you uncovered anything more?"
"Mr. President, according to our investigation... it appears the motive for the murder was to steal the prize from the competition."
The ones who discovered the scene were, tragically, his parents. They had been away from home, drinking at a friend's house, and when they returned this morning, they found their son's body, already cold.
"Huh. So they killed the victim while he was drunk and made off with the sword?"
"Yes, Mr. President... Examination of the body confirms a single, precise stab wound directly to the heart..."
"Huh... How could this happen... And the culprit?"
"We believe he killed the victim during the night, stole the sword, and fled. When questioned, the guards on watch stated he told them he was stepping out for a bit of fresh air."
The guards on watch had done nothing wrong. The culprit was skilled enough to pierce the heart of the 1st-ranked fighter with precision, even if the victim was drunk. The guards likely knew he was a powerful Awakened and let him pass without the slightest suspicion.
"The guards on watch are not at fault. Make that abundantly clear."
Seeming to share my thoughts, the President emphasized that point.
"And the victim's parents... what's their condition...?"
"We've had psychiatrists see them. They're receiving treatment and rest."
"How could... for parents to witness such a horrific sight... Killed not in battle, but by a comrade..."
The President rubbed his dry face and let out one sigh after another. I found hypocrites repulsive, but the breed I loathed above all others was traitors. The depth of my hatred for them was legendary across every continent of Titan.
It was so famous that even Terion knew of it. And when Terion asked if I was alright, the others all turned to look at us.
"I'll step out for a moment."
I quietly excused myself to go meet the victim's parents.
"Terion-nim, what's the matter?"
"I am... a little worried."
"If it's because Sihu-ssi is angry, then of course we all..."
"It's more than that. Do you know what the 'Disaster' detests most of all?"
"I've heard he despises hypocrites."
"The breed he hates even more than that, are those who 'betray'... If that man is caught, he will likely suffer torments far more terrible than death."
"..."
"I see my words aren't quite landing. To give you an idea, it was famous across the entire continent: if you ever consider betraying the 'Disaster,' you'd better be prepared to abandon the idea of dying with any dignity."
A major crime normally led to execution... but they were told to abandon the idea of dying? Just how extreme was it...?
Just then, the door opened and someone came in from outside.
"Sihu-ssi, how are those two faring...?"
"They were utterly distraught... All they could do was beg me. To make sure I catch the one who killed their child."
"We should have the soldiers track his trail immediately..."
"That won't be necessary. He can't escape from me."
I said this as I stepped outside, the others falling in behind me. Once in the courtyard, I produced a small golden jar.
"Come forth. Witch of the Black Altar. Paura."
Black smoke billowed from the jar, coalescing into a robed, vaguely human-shaped something. Where a head should have been beneath the hood was nothing—only an absolute, pitch-black emptiness.
"Do not look at her face."
Paura, the ancient witch whom even the Great Deities could not handle—they had barely managed to seal her away.
"Catch that bastard."
The witch did not ask who. She did not protest. She simply heard my command, turned, and flew off into the distance.
As the witch departed, the others finally let out the breath they had been holding and asked me what that thing was.
"That was a sealed ancient witch, Paura. Once a target is designated for a witch, nothing can escape. Not even a deity."
"Oppa, just looking at her was terrifying... It felt like my soul was being drained...?"
"I'm right beside you. You'll be fine."
We waited perhaps twenty minutes. Then, from afar, the witch came flying through the air, gripping the bastard by both shoulders. He was unconscious, but not in any ordinary sense of the word.
"Return his soul to him. I promise you shall have your due when this is finished."
The witch shoved the soul back into his body and retreated into the jar.
"I am so furious right now I don't trust myself to decide what to do with him. Interrogate him as you see fit, and call for me when you're done."
The interrogation did not take long. Already paralyzed with terror, he spilled every detail of his crime. I received a separate report from the Chief of Staff.
The reason he killed his comrade was that he coveted the sword. He thought that after killing him, since he was an Awakened himself, he could snatch a good weapon and survive just fine on the run outside. And with the outside crawling with zombies, he figured they would never find him if he hid somewhere.
"Assemble everyone in the group in the clearing."
"You can't mean to punish him in front of everyone...?"
"Yes. Betrayal is a grave matter that can crack a group apart from within. I will make it known to all—what happens when you betray."
The people, gathered so suddenly, began to murmur amongst themselves, wondering what was happening. I grabbed the bastard by the scruff of his neck—his Achilles tendons already severed to prevent escape—and dragged him up onto the platform. The murmuring grew louder, as people still did not know about the incident.
"Quiet, everyone."
At my words, the crowd fell silent.
"This man is a traitor to the group."
I recited his crimes in detail. How he coveted a weapon, killed a comrade, and was caught fleeing. Upon hearing the full truth of the matter, the crowd erupted in fury, shouting for his punishment.
"Quiet."
My cold tone instantly silenced their cries.
"His limb muscles will be severed, and he will be strung up at the entrance. And when he dies, even his soul shall be collected."
The crowd shuddered, rubbing their arms, perhaps recalling the undead they had seen before.
"If anyone wishes to leave the group, you need only say so plainly. You will be given a small amount of food and a weapon. However... if an incident like this occurs..."
— CRASH!!!
A noise rang out that one would never attribute to mere flesh striking flesh. I slammed my fist into his mouth, shattering every tooth and breaking his jaw.
"...I will make you wish you were dead. And as you all well know, death will not be the end. Remember that."
I gestured to the special mission agents behind me. Their faces grim, they approached and used their military combat knives to carve out every muscle in his limbs, then clamped his eyes open with clips. He would not even be able to close his eyes.
Then we hung him from a long, thick-hewn log and erected it at the entrance. I retrieved the jar once more.
"Paura, when this wretch dies, collect his soul on your own accord. And do whatever you please with it. I give you my permission."
Though her face was invisible, she circled him, stroking his cheeks. The crowd watched the spectacle and shivered with fresh terror.
After the traitor's sentencing was complete, the people's expressions turned oddly relieved. As long as they did not betray the group, he would protect them—and even if something happened to them, he would exact certain vengeance.
I offered my deepest condolences to the victim's family, compensating them as best we could with food, alcohol, and other supplies. We also showed them the traitor's state. I knew this would not heal the hearts of parents who had lost a child, but I hoped it might offer even a sliver of consolation.
A while later, Chairman Lee Hyeon-cheol arrived with his people, arms laden with gifts. It was, surprisingly, a fairly large quantity of cigarettes and alcohol.
"I'm grateful, but... haven't you brought far too much?"
"Hoho, it's quite alright. This isn't someone else's share; I brought all of my own stock."
"Hm..."
"Through my martial arts training, I decided to quit smoking and, except for special occasions, cut back on drinking as well."
"That's good. The impurities that build up during training are harmful."
This time, however, it seemed only Chairman Lee's immediate family had come, with no other entourage.
"You've come without any aides or executives this time, I see."
"Yes. They keep pestering me with requests to ask you for things, so we decided to come alone."
That figured... It would not be easy to kick people out over mere complaints and grumbling. Besides, I had told him to just leave it alone before.
"Still, be careful. When pushed into a corner, a human being is capable of anything."
"Yes, I will keep that in mind. So, will you help us with training again today?"
I needed to limber up a bit myself, so I summoned the top-ranked fighters to one spot—last time it was the top 10, but now that one was dead, it was the top 9.
"All nine of you, plus Chairman Lee, and all of our executives—come at me at once."
I set down my sword, snapped a nearby tree branch, and held it in my hand. Yet, as if still afraid, they hesitated to attack me.
"Anyone who so much as grazes my body will receive a very fine gift."
At the word 'gift,' their eyes lit up, and they all charged me at once.
Of course, they could not even touch me. I deflected their attacks casually, parrying and riposting with ease. Before long, about ten minutes had passed, and they were all sprawled on the ground, gasping for air from exhaustion.
"That was the most fun I've had in a while."
'Sihu... was that just because you were bored...?'
'Boss... haah...'
'Oppa... you're a total villain...'
I gave them feedback on their weak points and what they needed to fix, and we spent the day in our usual routine, sharing a meal. The operation to expand the safe zone was proceeding smoothly, with only a few minor injuries and no casualties whatsoever.
In our Nest, I maintained my weapons, checked on the crops, livestock, and aquaculture, managed the people, ate meals, and spent my nights sharing love with the ones I cherished as the days passed by.
Then one day, the powder keg finally seemed ready to blow. An urgent radio transmission crackled in from the research complex.