The Thirty-First Assignment — Different Positions, Different Perspectives ⑦
"You seem rather full of yourself."
Even though he hadn't gotten the answer he wanted, Gangnim didn't lose his smile. If anything, he looked at Simyeong as though this were all rather entertaining. The condescension soured Simyeong's mood at once. If he'd known it would go like this, he would have brought a weapon!
"I've got every reason to be. I'm the one who's been with Yeoni all this time—not you."
"I never lied to him. You did. I'd call that even."
Gangnim needled at the sore spot as if to provoke him, and the fact that Simyeong couldn't deny it only made it worse. His clenched fists trembled. He crushed down the urge to ram those fists straight into Gangnim's mouth, and answered in a tone of resignation.
"Think whatever you like. Either way, we'll know once the results come in."
"I like a man who doesn't mince words. It'd be even better if you told me what kind of shape he's in. How about showing a little more generosity? We're fellow Grim Reapers—no need to be so stingy."
"If Changmo were here, he'd have cussed you out already. You damn traitor."
The curse only circled in his head. He had his dignity as a Team Leader; he didn't want to behave without class just because the other party was an enemy. Changmo would have let loose without a second thought. He regretted not bringing Changmo along.
No—more precisely, he was about to regret it.
Wait. If I'd brought Changmo, he'd have been disguised as Yuhwa.
Simyeong shuddered. The moment he imagined a man disguised as a woman, any regret he'd been about to feel vanished completely.
"That's the face of a man who's just had a rude thought."
"I just pictured something I'd rather not. Anyway, I've no intention of spilling anything for your benefit. If you're curious, ask Yeoni yourself."
In the end, Simyeong said nothing. Let the thirsty man dig his own well. That was what he told his juniors, and he wasn't about to make an exception for an enemy. Gangnim clicked his tongue at his fussy junior's obstinacy, and muttered as if lamenting the state of the world.
"The juniors these days really are something else. It's gone beyond mere disrespect toward a senior of my standing—they've got no heart at all. If you've got a conscience, maybe reflect on that a little?"
"You abandoned your duty as a senior first, and now you expect loyalty from a junior? If you've got nothing more to say, I'm leaving. No reason to waste any more time."
Simyeong stretched out a hand and formed a door. Staying here any longer was less efficient than heading back and filing his report. As he made to leave without another word, Gangnim hurriedly raised a hand to stop him.
"Wait. Just a moment."
"Didn't I say we were done? Count yourself lucky I'm not trying to arrest you."
"Whether you even could arrest me is another matter entirely—but I haven't said what I came to say. Stay a little longer. It'll only be a few words."
Simyeong wanted nothing more than to walk out. He owed a traitor no courtesy of listening. But Gangnim's eyes were so earnest that, without meaning to, he stopped in his tracks. Gangnim seized the opening.
"The kid told you, didn't he? Why I oppose all of you."
"..."
"The higher-ups probably waved it off as nothing. But you've realized by now, haven't you? That this isn't something you can just let slide. Go to Senior Heukchi, to the Ten Kings, to the Bodhisattva—and get a confirmation."
Gangnim closed the distance in an instant, so fast Simyeong couldn't even brace himself. He came right up to Simyeong's face and stuck out a finger. Like teasing a child, he tapped him on the forehead with it.
His expression was calm, heavy, and settled.
"You—!"
There was a limit to how much a man could take. Enraged, Simyeong swung his fist hard. But Gangnim had already stepped back long before it landed. Having delivered that one serious line, he recovered his leisure. The way he even waved goodbye was infuriating.
"That's all for today. If you want to see me again, come find me yourself. The thirsty man digs the well—you know how it goes."
It was a cheerfully delivered counterpunch to Simyeong's earlier coldness. Simyeong glared at the back of Gangnim's head hard enough to etch wrinkles into his face. Then and now, this was a Grim Reaper who did exactly as he pleased. And yet, on some level, he had no choice but to acknowledge it.
"You left, so why are you still the same? Damn it."
That the man strolling away so unhurriedly was, without a doubt, the senior he had respected seventy years ago.
The moment he returned, Simyeong requested a meeting with Heukchi. Heukchi hesitated, unsure how to respond. Today was the day the Directors held their regular conference. He carefully tried to talk his subordinate around.
"Does it have to be right now? Today's meeting will have the Directors, of course—and the Ten Kings will be attending as well."
"Then that's even better. This is a matter I need to raise with the Ten Kings as well. I'll attend the meeting myself."
"Is it that urgent?"
The regular conference was a gathering that only Directors and Judges of that rank and above could attend. Simyeong, a mere Team Leader, had no qualification to participate. Heukchi knew Simyeong was well aware of that... so why this sudden stubbornness, he couldn't begin to guess.
"Yes. It's an urgent matter."
Whether Heukchi liked it or not, Simyeong stubbornly insisted on attending. It was a different breed of obstinacy from his usual steadfastness. What on earth was this about? Heukchi found it maddening, but at the same time, he wanted to hear what Simyeong had to say. He sighed and gave his answer.
"The Ten Kings will have something to say about this. You can do the explaining yourself."
"I'm prepared for that. This is important enough that I ask for your understanding. If it were an ordinary matter, I wouldn't dare make such a request."
"Stubbornness of that degree tells me enough. Very well. Everyone will assemble in an hour. Have what you intend to say in order by then."
Heukchi waved him out. Simyeong offered a courteous bow and quietly stepped outside. His measured footsteps seemed to display his resolve. Heukchi propped his chin in his hand and sank into thought.
An hour from now is what I'm worried about.
How he was going to handle the Ten Kings' displeasure was already a mountain of worry.
One hour later.
"What are you waiting for? Get on with it."
His worries proved unfounded.
Heukchi was thrown off by how unperturbed the Ten Kings were—far calmer than he'd expected. It was a complete contrast to the other Directors whispering among themselves at the sight of Simyeong. Their composure was so still it almost looked as if they had anticipated his attendance. Heukchi fumbled as he began reading from the documents he'd prepared.
"Ah—yes. Understood. I now commence this year's first regular conference. The agenda is..."
Meanwhile, Simyeong sat in the lowest seat and remained still. Even with the impossibly high-ranking Ten Kings and Directors present, he was not cowed. Only his hand was busy, taking notes of his thoughts. The paper that had been snow-white when he brought it in was, before long, stained nearly black with ink.
Hmm.
The meeting proceeded as it always did, flowing like water. Countless agenda items came and went, and countless words were exchanged. Voices climbed and plunged like a roller coaster. There were important matters and idle chatter alike.
In that flood of information, Simyeong alone was quiet.
About an hour passed. Most of the agenda was complete.
"With that, discussion of the final agenda item is finished. And remaining is..."
At last, Simyeong's turn arrived.
"Grim Reaper Simyeong here will explain."
Heukchi turned the floor over to him. Naturally, the gazes directed his way grew stronger. Curiosity, displeasure... all manner of emotions pricked at his face. Simyeong paid them no mind and stepped up to the dais. He bowed his head in greeting.
"I am Grim Reaper Lee Simyeong, Team Leader of the Underworld Post Office. I am aware I am not qualified to attend this conference, but I have an urgent matter to raise with the Ten Kings and the Directors, and so I have entered. I ask your forgiveness for the discourtesy."
What's gotten into him all of a sudden?
I haven't the faintest. He ought to know this isn't his place.
Honestly. Just because he's with the Post Office, does he think he can throw his weight around?
Most of the Directors sent unkind looks his way. Puzzled reactions were the generous ones; a good number harbored real resentment that he had walked in against the rules. The conference hall grew noisy with whispering.
BANG!
"Will you all not be silent?"
The sound of a desk being struck quieted them. The King of the Five Paths of Rebirth withdrew the fist he had slammed down, and the King of the First River beside him cleared his throat to reset the atmosphere. Simyeong, too, flinched at the two kings' imposing presence.
"He would not have come without sufficient reason. Do not act rashly—listen to what he has to say. How can those who head entire departments be so frivolous?"
Finally, King Yeomra rebuked the Directors. His icy voice bored into every ear and made them tremble. The power the Ten Kings wielded was, as expected, immense. Once the murmuring had barely subsided, Simyeong bowed his head to them once more. The King of the Five Paths of Rebirth grumbled at him.
"Talk instead of bowing. I've a rough idea what this is about, anyway."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Perhaps this was why they were the Ten Kings. From that unperturbed attitude, Simyeong guessed they might already know the inner story. That didn't mean he could skip the explanation. He steadied his trembling voice and began.
In a certain sense, it had been taboo.
A story that had been hushed up for seventy years was, at last, about to come out in the open.
"Your Majesties, and Directors. You will have heard of the unfortunate incident that recently occurred at our Post Office. The reason I have presumed to attend this conference, discourtesy and all, is to resolve a question that arose in the process of handling that incident."
"..."
"Today, upon meeting Yeoni, I heard something. I have confirmed that the traitor Gangnim divulged to that child the inner circumstances of seventy years ago."
The moment Gangnim's name was spoken, the assembly stirred again. This time, even the Ten Kings could not hide their agitation. He was a being who had defied the Bodhisattva, after all. Simyeong waited for the commotion to settle, then continued.
"You all know well why Gangnim and his followers rebelled against the Post Office. They were wary of the policy the Underworld Post Office established—of accepting commissions regardless of whether a sin was involved. They claimed it could break the rules of the Underworld."
Simyeong looked left and right. It was an uncomfortable subject, and everyone wore expressions full of discontent. Simyeong himself felt no more at ease. But he had to speak.
To give Yeoni an honest answer.
For the safety of the Post Office and the Underworld.
"At the time of the Post Office's founding, Your Majesties said there would be no problem. But I... I have come to think this is not something that should be so easily dismissed. Is this not, from the outset, a matter that should never have been treated that way?"
The Directors' eyes went wide. The implication buried in those words was exceedingly insolent. It meant he did not trust the Ten Kings. They looked on in shock, glancing at the three kings. A few even made as if to answer in the Ten Kings' stead.
But the King of the First River raised a hand and stopped them.
"That will do. All of you, be still."
The Ten Kings, himself included, did not look angry in the slightest. At most, the King of the Five Paths of Rebirth gave a twitch of his lips. All three were acknowledging Simyeong's objection. Each of them offered a remark.
"I figured this question would come up someday. Didn't expect anyone to charge at it head-on, though. Aigoo—tsk, tsk! Looks like he's picked it up from that living-world brat."
"He's the sort of talent who'll be a Director as the years go by. Hardly just a young fellow, I should think."
"Let us leave the idle talk there. This is a child who found the courage to ask. We ought to clear it up cleanly before the doubts take deeper root."
The situation was unfolding in a strangely unexpected way. Simyeong, who had even prepared himself for a reprimand, was dumbfounded by the unexpectedly gentle atmosphere. Was he truly standing before the Ten Kings? He pinched his cheek, but all that came through was a sharp sting. This was, without a doubt, reality.
"It's reality, so don't go injuring yourself. That surprising, was it?"
"Uh, well... yes. I was quite surprised."
"A Team Leader looking that dazed. We're the ones who hid it—us and those Director fellows. You don't need to stand there so stiff."
Having finished speaking, the King of the Five Paths of Rebirth pulled a long pipe from his sleeve. The King of the First River and King Yeomra shot him looks, but it was no use. He lit the pipe and said,
"It's such a grave subject, I figure we ought to talk it over with a smoke. Bear with me, all of you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Below Director rank, you'll be the first to hear this. Are you prepared?"
He meant, could Simyeong handle it? Simyeong didn't answer at once, hesitating. But only for a moment. The reply that followed was, true to him, crisp and precise.
"I receive your will. Please speak."