Chapter 785: Control Your Strength.

“Come up one by one.”

Right after I said that.

When I first said that.

Honestly, I thought a gale would blow.

Wouldn’t they explode like unleashed energy and rush at me right away? That’s what I expected.

“Kkuhk.”

“That guy is truly-!”

Surprisingly, the Great Leaders weren’t rushing easily and were just getting angry.

It was clear they wanted to swing their swords at me right away.

The killing intent and energy being emitted right now were all directed at me, yet…

…they weren’t actually rushing me directly.

‘This is unexpected.’

Seeing that, I swallowed a bit of surprise inwardly.

Those guys, more than I thought….

‘They were guys whose heads actually worked.’

They were fellows who knew how to think.

Even after I provoked them like that, they weren’t rushing in recklessly, were they?

Normally, it wouldn’t be enough even if a sword fight broke out immediately.

Still, the reason they were hesitating like that was none other than…

‘They couldn’t quite figure things out.’

Even if martial artists were nothing but ignorant brutes. Beyond instinct, they have eyes and ears.

They must have seen things. Heard things.

They must know something too.

Perhaps they were recalling…

‘The things I’ve done.’

Dealing with White-grade monsters, executing those who attacked.

That’s not what I mean.

What’s important here is…

‘The incident where I beat up the Sword King.’

The time I messed up the Sword King at the Martial Arts Festival.

They must have heard about that.

If they had brains, they would have tried to figure me out from the moment I announced I was coming as a Great Leader.

So, those guys must be frantically racking their brains even now.

‘Whether this fight would actually benefit them.’

When they charged in without enduring the humiliation.

Whether they would actually suffer any damage.

They were weighing that countless times.

‘Still, a Great Leader is a Great Leader, I guess.’

If they were other hot-headed guys, they would have charged in headfirst rather than assessing the opponent’s strength or situation.

However, their social standing made even those kinds of guys think.

But.

‘I can see all their thinking.’

Twin Crescent Swords quickly darted his eyes around, assessing every inch of my body.

My attack was just parried with a short strike. Coupled with the Sword King incident, it seems he’s genuinely contemplating my skills.

‘I am curious, though.’

How do I appear in his eyes?

My energy sense and firepower have increased compared to just a few days ago. But.

‘My cultivation level hasn’t increased, so maybe he can grasp it roughly.’

Since there’s no change in terms of cultivation level.

It seems there wouldn’t be much difference.

As if to prove this, Twin Crescent Swords’s hesitation grew deeper.

Seeing that, I let out a chuckle.

I see.

That guy.

‘He can’t see.’

What I’m like. What my cultivation level is. Whether he can fight me.

It seemed he couldn’t see at all.

Observing this, I glanced sideways.

Eunranggeom, who was also holding his drawn sword.

He was also looking at me, but… the direction of his gaze was slightly different.

Instead of looking at me, he seemed to be observing Mookyeon.

Twin Crescent Swords was busy assessing my cultivation level.

While Eunranggeom was busy observing Mookyeon’s reaction.

Seeing that, I asked.

“What are you doing?”

“…!”

As soon as I spoke, the two flinched.

“Aren’t you coming? If not, I’ll look quite ridiculous.”

I scratched my cheek and looked at Twin Crescent Swords.

“I went to the trouble of inviting you. If the opponent chickens out and doesn’t attack…. What does that make me?”

“Hmph-!”

As I scratched again, Twin Crescent Swords reacted as if provoked.

But.

“…Kkeuk.”

This time too, he didn’t charge all the way.

‘Hmm.’

He’s holding back.

What should I do?

This isn’t enough yet.

Should I unleash some energy to pressure them? Ah, that would be a bit of a shame.

‘If it gets to that point, things get complicated behind the scenes.’

Since I have things to utilize on my end too, fighting for real, separate from the pressure, would be difficult.

Especially.

‘If they get too intimidated, that won’t work either.’

It would be problematic if the Great Leaders were excessively broken.

This means I have to beat them moderately too….

‘Hmm.’

How should I do that?

I pondered for a moment, but…

‘…I have no idea?’

No conclusion came to mind.

What else could I do?

‘Well, I’d have to have experience beating people moderately to know.’

My life wasn’t exactly kind enough to allow for the concept of ‘moderately’.

Besides, reaching this point makes calling it ‘moderate’ rather ambiguous.

Right, so.

“Is it too much for you alone?”

Let’s just go for it.

“Then, come at me all at once. You fucking weaklings.”

“!”

Kuwung-!

A shockwave erupted, followed by flashes of light.

Perhaps losing their patience at my transgression, Twin Crescent Swords and Eunranggeom simultaneously drew their swords.

The three flashes of light shot towards me in an instant.

Just as I was about to move my shoulder seeing that.

Keugeugeugeuk–!! Chaeng-!!

“…Kkuh!?”

“Hut.”

In an instant, another flash of light pierced through, blocking their swords.

The closing distance stopped before reaching me.

Another person stood before the two.

Cheongryong Great Leader, Ilcheonggeom.

He blocked their swords and stood in front of them.

Twin Crescent Swords and Eunranggeom scowled at Ilcheonggeom’s actions.

“Cheongryong Great Leader?”

“What is the meaning of this…!”

Their reaction was as if asking why he was blocking them.

In response, Ilcheonggeom, slowly retracting his sword, answered.

“Calm yourselves.”

“Calm? What do you mean, calm?”

“You heard everything that guy just said to us, didn’t you? And yet you tell us to calm down. Is that even something to say….”

“If it’s not something to say?”

Seureung-!

Ilcheonggeom gripped his sword and looked at Twin Crescent Swords.

Simultaneously, a murderous aura erupted from Ilcheonggeom’s feet and enveloped him.

“…Kkeu…!?”

At the sudden aura, Twin Crescent Swords’s eyes widened, and his body trembled slightly.

It was a much rougher and stronger energy than expected.

“So, you mean to see blood here?”

Ilcheonggeom’s eyes turned sharp.

“Geumryong Great Leader. Have you forgotten whose presence you are in?”

Whose presence.

He probably meant Mookyeon.

“…But Cheongryong Great Leader….”

“There are no exceptions. Mook Strategist-nim is clearly seated here as the Alliance Leader’s proxy. This action is no different from disrespecting the Alliance Leader.”

“Kkeudeuk.”

At Ilcheonggeom’s words, Twin Crescent Swords gritted his teeth.

“How can you tell me to stay still after being insulted like this-!”

He spat out the words, unable to hold back, but they didn’t finish.

Seureureung.

Jureureuk.

Blood trickled from Twin Crescent Swords’s neck.

Ilcheonggeom’s beloved sword was touching his neck.

While the sword moved, Twin Crescent Swords couldn’t even dare to react.

A tense situation.

In that moment, Ilcheonggeom spoke softly.

“Any action beyond this is treason.”

“…”

Eyes filled with sincerity.

It was a look that promised to slice him up if he said even one more word.

Those eyes grazed Eunranggeom and then turned towards me.

“Eunranggeom, it’s the same for you. And Star King. This applies to you too.”

Ilcheonggeom growled, crushing the atmosphere.

“Even if you haven’t become a Great Leader yet, if your position is confirmed, you are also a member of the Alliance. How about we stop unnecessary conflict here? Or do you truly wish to see blood?”

He implied he would step in and stop it himself.

Ilcheonggeom showing such intent.

Watching him calmly, I thought.

‘Is this enough?’

I thought this much would suffice.

So, I raised my hand slightly and spoke to him.

“Yes. That is a most righteous statement, so if you seniors decide to stop, I shall stop here as well.”

Saying it as if brushing himself off, I let out a bit of energy from my body.

The released energy seeped into my skin, forcing cold sweat to break out, and I wiped the slight sweat on my forehead with the back of my hand as if brushing it away.

An intentional act.

I could see Ilcheonggeom taking notice.

“…Star King says that. What do you two Great Leaders think?”

“…”

“…”

Ilcheonggeom directly intervening to block them.

No matter how I looked at it, they weren’t satisfied, and although the conversation hadn’t progressed, it wasn’t a situation to push further.

The two knew that too, so despite grinding their teeth, they had only one answer.

“…Alright.”

There was no other option but to back down.

The Great Leaders, understanding this, took a step back.

Only then could I speak to the person in front of me.

“It seems the situation is over.”

“…”

Someone who heard me subtly rose.

If Ilcheonggeom had blocked Twin Crescent Swords and Eunranggeom, the one in front of me was none other than Myunggung.

He too had appeared just before things blew up and stood before me.

The difference was.

‘Ilcheonggeom was there to block.’

Myunggung was closer to a stance of protecting me, perhaps.

For some reason, that was the feeling.

“Should I say thank you?”

So I asked Myunggung,

“…No. My intentions weren’t much different from Ilcheonggeom’s.”

Myunggung clarified, saying he wasn’t trying to protect me but to stop things.

I looked at Myunggung and nodded.

While the idea that he tried to protect me was subtle, what was more important was…

‘He’s fast. Incredibly fast.’

Myunggung’s skill was beyond imagination.

At the very moment things erupted.

Myunggung was slightly slower than Ilcheonggeom’s movement.

Yet, Myunggung arrived here first.

The distance should have been greater for me, meaning he started later than Ilcheonggeom but arrived earlier.

‘Hmm.’

What could it be?

I felt a sense of unease for some reason.

Just as I was trying to examine Myunggung more closely, wondering what this feeling was…

“…It seems we have to end the meeting here.”

A voice came from Mookyeon’s direction.

He was getting up with a face clearly showing discomfort.

“Mook Strategist-nim.”

Ilcheonggeom approached him with apparent concern, but Mookyeon said, “I am truly sorry for bringing up the topic too hastily. It was my mistake…. Therefore, I will try to visit again after organizing my thoughts a bit more. I apologize.”

Mookyeon covered his mouth as if overwhelmed by the conversation and walked away.

No one in the room moved to stop the old man.

As he left showing such discomfort, bewilderment appeared on the faces of the others.

Ah, of course.

‘What a sly old geezer.’

To me, it was nothing but laughable acting.

It was Mookyeon who created this situation.

And who made the situation so awkward.

He also intended to use me to pressure the Great Leaders.

And as a result, he was steering things towards the conditions I mentioned.

It was all that old geezer’s scheme.

‘Ha.’

I had thought it wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t expect him to be such a slippery character.

Narrowing my eyes, I stared at the door Mookyeon had exited.

Is he daring me?

‘Fine. Let’s see about that.’

No matter what he saw or how far he planned, I have no intention of backing down.

I turned my head and looked back.

Twin Crescent Swords, still simmering with anger, and Eunranggeom, looking slightly dazed after Mookyeon left.

I glanced at the strong idiots, then shifted my gaze to Ilcheonggeom.

Ilcheonggeom was looking at me.

I met his gaze without flinching, and after holding eye contact for a moment, I gave a slight smile.

“The outcome isn’t great, but it seems the conversation is over. So, I’ll be going first. That’s alright, isn’t it?”

“…”

“I heard I have to come again tomorrow…. So, I’ll see you tomorrow, seniors.”

I gave a slight bow and turned my gaze away.

I expected some reaction to follow, but I decided not to pay it any mind.

‘The bait has already been cast.’

Whether the prey takes it is out of my hands now.

Now, I just have to wait for it to bite eventually.

Kkiiiik-!

However.

‘Anyway,’

I thought one thing as I opened the door.

‘It probably won’t take long.’

Because from my perspective, it seemed like the bait was taken long ago.

---

“…Damn it-!”

Kwahng-!

Ureureuk-!

The room that had been neatly organized.

The study within collapsed, turning the place into a mess.

Jjaeng-!

Everything inside was breaking; whether it was a teacup or a table, it fell apart with the slightest touch, and became a wreck.

Kwaang-!!

Someone was throwing things around the room, whatever they could grab.

He rampaged for a long time, unable to stop his anger.

Only when there was nothing left to grab did he barely manage to stop his rampage,

“Damn it… damn it.”

Ppudeudeuk-!

A rough sound came from his clenched fist.

Soon after, blood trickled out.

“What should I do about that son of a bitch?”

A malicious face flashed through the man’s mind.

The face of that brat who had toyed with them, filled with mockery.

-You fucking weaklings.

Kwahng-! Kwajik-!

Unable to hold back, his punch pierced the wall, causing cracks to spread like ‘jjeojeok’.

The man couldn’t endure his emotions, which he usually controlled well.

How could this happen?

“How dare…!”

Not only did some clueless brat suddenly appear, but he was suddenly appointed a Great Leader and offered to create a sword squad using external personnel.

The Alliance’s strategist handled it, and the Alliance Leader approved?

What’s more.

‘A unit dedicated to the Unorthodox Factions?’

The cleansing of Unorthodox Faction members that would happen from now on.

A unit that would lead that charge.

That kind of thing…

‘Is obviously what I should be doing…!’

It was a mission that should have been given to me, and no one else.

I had lived my life devoted to the Alliance.

How many trials did I endure to reach this position?

It was I who endured all those hardships to rise.

‘And yet, they just handed it over to some brat like that.’

Padeudeudeuk-!!

Teeth grinding incessantly.

The man tried to suppress his rage with a horribly contorted face, but it wasn’t easy at all.

That damned brat was a problem, but there were other issues too.

It wasn’t just him.

The Alliance’s symbol, secretly revived by the Alliance Leader.

That too was currently fueling the man’s anger.

“…The Sword Master and the Divine Dragon Great Leader went as the Alliance Leader’s escort?”

Geomseon, who had an engagement today.

He apparently moved with Geomje and the Divine Dragon Great Leader before leaving for his engagement.

Geomje was the Alliance Leader’s escort.

The man acknowledged that too.

After all, Geomje had been the Alliance’s guardian for many years.

I can accept that much. But.

‘What the hell is the Divine Dragon Great Leader doing there?’

Why is the Divine Dragon Great Leader suddenly tagging along?

As an escort?

I was the one who had been the Alliance Leader’s dedicated sword squad and escort until now.

To suddenly entrust that role to someone called the Divine Dragon Great Leader?

‘Does this mean they’re excluding me?’

No matter how I looked at it, it was full of incomprehensible events.

Not only was the new regiment given a symbolic mission, but the newly appeared Divine Dragon Great Leader also stole my duties.

And furthermore,

‘Why am I not the Divine Dragon Great Leader?’

How could I not have been assigned the Divine Dragon unit?

All of this felt like an attempt to push the man out.

Nothing pleased him.

Despite everything he had done for the Martial Alliance, he felt completely disregarded.

The person called the Divine Dragon Great Leader.

And that damned brat who had disrespected him.

He disliked them all.

That’s why.

“So….”

The man spoke and looked behind him.

Beyond the messy room, someone was kneeling halfway.

“You should speak properly.”

The man, contorted like a demon.

Ilcheonggeom looked murderously at the kneeling figure.

“Bilyong Great Leader.”

He asked, looking at Bilyong Great Leader, Geom Beomdong.

“Is what you said true?”

“…It is true.”

As if sincere, Beomdong cautiously raised his head and looked at Ilcheonggeom.

“Star King. That whelp is currently suffering from severe internal injuries.”

At Beomdong’s words.

“…”

Ilcheonggeom’s eyes began to shine.