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Chapter 7
Scrape. Scrape.
Beneath the dim glow of a single lamp, a middle-aged man carefully carved a piece of bone.
Despite his thick, calloused fingers, every movement of the knife was unbelievably delicate. As the blade traced the surface, what had once been smooth gradually transformed into lifelike dragon scales.
The man’s square jaw was firm, and his sharp eyes radiated unwavering focus.
After spending a long time perfecting the sculpture, he suddenly paused to admire it.
Crunch!
Without warning, he crushed the finished piece in his hand.
Bone dust scattered through the air as he spoke.
“How did it go?”
Kneeling respectfully before him, a young man in his mid-twenties answered.
“Because of Seung-jin’s mistake, public opinion has turned against us. Most people believe Songgwang Guild should be held responsible.”
The young man’s name was Chae Mu-hyeon, widely known as the youngest brother of Baekgwon Chae Mu-sik.
Mu-sik asked calmly,
“And Seung-jin?”
“His fractures can be healed, but I’ve heard he’s suffering nightmares every night. He keeps calling out Jung Hyun-soo’s name.”
“Use an Elixir.”
An Elixir was the greatest healing item in existence—so valuable that even one of the Ten Great Guilds possessed only a handful.
Ordering one to be used without hesitation…
Perhaps he really was still a father.
“Yes.”
After a brief silence, Chae Mu-sik asked again,
“What do you think should happen next?”
Mu-hyeon answered without hesitation.
“As long as there is no clear criminal charge, we must not drag Songgwang’s name through the mud by putting him before the media. It would be better to transfer him to the South American or African branch and present him as someone taking responsibility by fighting on the front lines.”
“Not bad.”
“Send him to the Amazon.”
Africa and South America had already been impoverished before Gates appeared.
Now they had become living hells.
Unable to clear Gates or climb the Tower, entire regions had fallen into ruin.
In truth, this wasn’t merely a demotion.
It was practically a death sentence.
Yet Mu-hyeon’s expression never changed.
“He was born the eldest son and received every opportunity until the very end. Since he failed… now he must bear the consequences.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“No one else is here.”
“Call me Father.”
“…Yes, Father.”
Ironically, Mu-hyeon was actually Mu-sik’s first biological son.
However, while fighting to become Guild Master, Mu-sik had hidden that fact completely.
With the previous Guild Master’s assistance, he instead entered a political marriage with another Ten Great Guild, ultimately building today’s Songgwang Guild.
Mu-sik continued.
“What should we do about Garam?”
He constantly questioned his successors.
For Mu-hyeon—who had spent his life treated as nothing more than an illegitimate child—every question represented an opportunity.
To inherit the guild required qualification.
Vision.
Judgment.
Strength.
And now…
Chae Seung-jin had completely lost his father’s trust.
To the ruler of Songgwang Guild, an eldest son broken both physically and mentally had already become worthless.
For Mu-hyeon…
His brother’s downfall was simply his own opportunity.
He answered carefully.
“Garam’s strength cannot be underestimated. We will eventually have to swallow them whole, but since they’ve already gained the moral high ground, pushing aggressively now would only backfire.”
“The time to consume Garam is already being arranged.”
“But not now.”
“Naturally.”
“If this becomes an official dispute, it will only create unnecessary complications. The other Great Guilds will take advantage of it.”
Mu-sik studied the son trying to seize this chance.
“I’ve heard that rookies from five of the Ten Great Guilds are about to enter the Tower for the first time.”
“You intend to participate?”
“If you permit it.”
Mu-sik suddenly called his name.
“Mu-hyeon.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Do you know why I carve sculptures every day?”
Mu-hyeon remained silent.
Without warning…
Mu-sik’s chest swelled.
Rip!
His clothing burst apart.
Across his torso stretched a massive scar that had never fully healed.
“I do it so I never forget.”
“That Black Dragon.”
“The monster that nearly destroyed Songgwang… and killed your grandfather.”
“Never forget these words.”
Songgwang never forgets its vengeance.
Mu-hyeon simply lowered his head.
* * *
After Chae Gwang-seop left, Jung Hyun-soo was taken straight into the Guild Master’s office.
He wasn’t even allowed to sit down.
“Explain.”
“I simply realized they intended to use me to destroy Garam, so I played along until I had a chance to strike back.”
Jung Cheol looked quietly at his son.
He’s changed.
There was no doubt anymore.
“…The words that come from a person’s mouth reflect who they truly are.”
“…I’m sorry.”
It had become a habit.
Living as one of the world’s most wanted criminals…
Surviving in a ruined world where killing meant survival…
His speech had naturally grown rough.
Even after trying to filter himself, harsh words escaped unconsciously.
His father had criticized his language.
Yet beneath those coarse words lay a level of calculation his old self had never possessed.
“The report says you broke both his arms and legs and even damaged his spine.”
“You went far beyond what was necessary.”
Hyun-soo answered immediately.
“Of course I did.”
“He threatened Hyun-ah.”
“He blackmailed her.”
“He insulted Garam.”
“Was I supposed to tolerate that?”
Jung Cheol sighed.
“I can’t believe this.”
“Since when did you start thinking like that?”
Standing nearby, Jung Hyun-ah felt goosebumps.
Her brother…
Protecting her?
That alone sounded unbelievable.
Receiving a warning glance from her father, she wisely kept quiet.
Jung Cheol continued.
“I know you’ve suddenly become much stronger.”
“But even so, this situation could have been resolved without taking it that far.”
“What problem?”
“When someone draws a blade, you crush them completely.”
“Otherwise they’ll come back later.”
That answer perfectly reflected the worldview of the man once known as the Black King.
Jung Cheol shook his head.
“If you had already secured the original recording, there was no need to cripple not only Chae Seung-jin but every one of his followers.”
“I’m not asking you to become a saint.”
“But there was no need to go that far.”
Hyun-soo disagreed internally.
He had survived in a world where mercy simply invited death.
Still…
He didn’t argue.
His father wasn’t entirely wrong.
As Guild Master, Jung Cheol had responsibilities beyond personal revenge.
He simply nodded.
“This time everything worked out.”
“But next time…”
“If it’s a matter concerning the guild, consult me first.”
“At the very least, the Guild Master should know.”
“…Understood.”
Surprisingly…
Hyun-soo accepted without resistance.
He knew his father was right.
Jung Cheol asked again.
“What do you think happens now?”
“What do you mean?”
“The consequences of what you’ve done.”
Hyun-soo clicked his tongue.
“Honestly?”
“This won’t become a major guild-level conflict.”
“They’ll call it Seung-jin’s personal mistake.”
“We’ll receive an apology.”
“Then we’ll negotiate compensation.”
“Priority rights for Gates.”
“A few profitable Gates.”
“Some money.”
“And that’s the end of it.”
Jung Cheol looked at him.
“You believe that’s truly the end?”
“…Officially, yes.”
“But people’s greed and resentment are different from official business.”
“Songgwang won’t forget.”
“They’ve now confirmed Garam is a target.”
It was an astonishingly accurate assessment.
The son who had once shut himself inside his room…
Complained about his lack of talent…
Envied his sister…
And wasted his days obsessing over a girl…
Had become someone capable of calmly analyzing political reality.
Jung Cheol finally nodded.
“I understand.”
“That’s enough.”
“You may leave.”
“Hyun-ah, you too.”
“Yes.”
As the siblings turned to leave, Jung Cheol spoke one last time.
“Continue protecting your sister.”
“E-Eh?!”
Hyun-ah nearly screamed.
Hyun-soo merely shrugged.
“She should still learn to protect herself.”
“Train harder.”
“Don’t let someone like Chae Seung-jin intimidate you again.”
“What did you just say?!”
“You want to fight?!”
Night quietly settled over the guild.
* * *
Walking back toward the mansion, Hyun-ah stared at her brother’s back.
“…Thanks.”
Hyun-soo stopped and looked over his shoulder.
“For what?”
“You still helped me.”
“I only cleaned up the mess I created.”
“But how?”
“You barely explained anything.”
“I was curious.”
“There wasn’t much to it.”
“I simply retrieved the original recording from his villa and gave it to the press.”
“…How is that ‘not much’?”
Being acknowledged as having reached the Seventh Star of Hwancheon True Qi was one thing.
Breaking into Songgwang’s territory…
Recovering evidence…
Winning a media war against one of the Ten Great Guilds…
That was something entirely different.
Hyun-soo smiled faintly.
“Journalists live on money and exclusive stories.”
“Songgwang isn’t the only Great Guild.”
“Garam is one too.”
“They attacked first.”
“Our PR department will simply feed the reporters.”
“That’s all.”
“…Wow.”
“You sound like someone from Strategic Planning.”
“You should study those things too.”
“What?”
“If you’re going to be the successor…”
“You need to learn management.”
Hyun-ah froze.
For as long as she could remember…
Her brother had resented her.
Wasn’t becoming Garam’s successor the very thing he had always wanted?
“…Me?”
“Yeah.”
“You.”
“Once practical training at the Cradle ends, focus on management classes.”
“And train.”
“Master the Five King’s Martial Arts.”
“This will be the last time another Great Guild looks down on you.”
With that, Hyun-soo casually turned and walked away.
“…Did he hit his head or something?”
As she watched him disappear, the image of him effortlessly crushing Chae Seung-jin and his followers replayed in her mind.
He hadn’t simply become stronger.
He had saved Garam.
Completely reversed Songgwang’s scheme.
And even forced them into making concessions.
Instead of returning to her room…
Jung Hyun-ah headed straight for her private training hall.
As she arrived, another training room—one that had never been lit after sunset before—suddenly illuminated.
It was Jung Hyun-soo’s personal training room.
A competitive fire ignited inside her.
“I won’t lose either.”
She walked to the squat rack…
And quietly began loading weight onto the empty barbell.
