Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Of course, I still couldn't understand why Mun Do-hyuk had come to my side.

Frankly, I didn't trust him.

'Ilcheon Sword might have planted him as a distraction.'

It could be a high-level tactic to shake things up here using a double agent.

Or, in Mun Do-hyuk's case, would it be a triple agent?

'Either way....'

Since his decision made no sense to me, trusting him was out of the question.

As I've said before, I can't trust someone with a history of betrayal.

Perhaps aware of my suspicions, Mun Do-hyuk tried to steady his trembling hands and spoke.

"If you wish, I will accept a binding seal... Please, I beg you to accept me."

He was offering to have a restriction carved into his body—a promise not to be taken lightly.

'Even so, I still won't trust him.'

I can't rely on words alone.

And even if I could, I had no intention of trusting him.

However...

'What matters isn't his character.'

His nature, sincerity, or desperation.

All of that was irrelevant.

The only thing worth considering here was one thing:

'His value.'

Where, how, and in what way can I use him? Or is he even useful at all?

That was all that mattered.

And based on what I saw in Mun Do-hyuk:

'Not bad.'

He was a decent card to play. Right now, he was perfect as a disposable pawn.

'Hmm.'

What to do with him?

I mulled it over briefly. If this was indeed Ilcheon Sword's move...

'There are, at most, two ways to deal with it.'

It wasn't like I had no options, just a few suitable ones.

On the other hand, if Mun Do-hyuk really had betrayed Ilcheon Sword...

'He's not sharp enough to be a dagger.'

He couldn't deliver a decisive blow.

Besides, I already had plans in place, so there was no immediate need for him.

At best, I could use him for some minor sabotage.

'Hmm.'

So the real question wasn't whether he was a spy or not.

'Should I kill him or spare him?'

Should I get rid of him right here and now? That was what I was pondering.

Killing him wouldn't be an issue. There wouldn't be any traces, and his death wouldn't change anything significant.

Even considering potential variables, eliminating him seemed like the safer choice.

'So, should I kill him?'

Flinch—!

Mun Do-hyuk shivered as he looked at me. It seemed he had sensed a faint killing intent.

"L-Lord...."

Keeping him alive would serve no purpose other than to mess with Ilcheon Sword, so just disposing of him seemed like the better option.

"Hmm."

I deliberated before nodding to myself, having come to a conclusion.

Swish.

"Ah...!"

As I stood, Mun Do-hyuk gasped and scrambled backward. His reaction looked utterly pathetic.

I glanced at him with a look of disdain and asked,

"What are you doing?"

"P-please, spare me...."

"What are you talking about? Who said I'd kill you?"

"...W-what?"

"You wanted me to take you in, didn't you?"

"Ah! Th-then...!"

"Stop acting pathetic and get up. We're leaving."

For now, I would accept him. Though risky, it was worth it to mess with Ilcheon Sword.

It seemed manageable at this level.

And if anything went wrong...

'I'll just kill them all.'

After all, I already had the perfect solution in mind.

********************

I stepped outside.

Lanterns were already lighting up the entire base, and the warriors were taking turns preparing for the night watch.

As the leader, I wasn't required to stand guard, but I often took a walk around at night while training to check on things.

"Commander."

"Yeah. Good work."

Each member saluted hastily as I passed.

I wanted to tell them not to bother, but since there was a clear hierarchy, certain formalities needed to be maintained.

Otherwise, sometimes they'd start stepping out of line.

'And disciplining them every time is a hassle.'

Sure, I could just put them back in their place if they acted out, but the effort involved annoyed me.

As I made my rounds, checking on the warriors here and there...

"Uh, Commander...?"

"What is it?"

Mun Do-hyuk, following behind me, spoke in an uneasy voice.

"Where... where are we headed right now?"

He seemed nervous since I hadn't mentioned our destination.

I chuckled and responded.

"You want to know where we're going?"

"Yes."

"To find a place to bury you, obviously."

"...!!"

Mun Do-hyuk froze, his body trembling. Fear instantly filled his eyes.

Seeing that, I laughed again.

"I'm joking."

"Oh... haha... A-a joke, of course."

"Right now, we're heading to meet the Azure Dragon Division Commander."

"The Azure Dragon Commander...? Wait, what?"

Mun Do-hyuk's eyes widened in shock.

"What... what do you mean by that?"

"What else would I mean? Like I said, we're going to see Ilcheon Sword."

"...N-no..."

"Don't worry. I just have some questions to ask."

"T-then... why am I going with you...?"

If I had something to ask Ilcheon Sword, why was I taking him along? Mun Do-hyuk asked, confused.

"Well."

I answered nonchalantly.

"It's easier to ask questions about you if you're there."

"What...? What does that mean...!"

"Stop asking so many questions. Do you want me to shut you up by piercing your lips with a skewer? Neatly? Just follow me without making a fuss."

"..."

At my irritated tone, Mun Do-hyuk finally clamped his mouth shut.

Relieved by the newfound silence, I sighed.

But sensing his hesitation behind me, I added,

"Let me be clear. It's too late to back out now. If you're going to stick around, do it properly. If I catch you trying to play both sides, I won't let you off. Got it?"

"I... I understand...."

Mun Do-hyuk's face turned pale at the warning laced with killing intent.

And I meant it. If he gave me more reasons to doubt him, I'd get rid of him without hesitation.

After finishing my inspections, I asked one of the members,

"Where's the deputy commander?"

I wasn't referring to Tang So-yeol but the other one, who was nowhere to be seen.

The member, standing at attention, replied crisply.

"The deputy commander is currently at the western quarters."

"The western quarters? That's where the Azure Dragon Division is, isn't it? Why there?"

I hadn't heard any reports of them needing to go there.

Seeing my confusion, the member hesitated before explaining further.

"Well... there's been some trouble regarding intelligence gathering with the Azure Dragon Division...."

"Huh?"

Trouble? What kind of trouble?

"So, they went without reporting to me?"

"Yes, Commander. The deputy thought it best to go directly, as you were away...."

"Well, they should've made sure I knew as soon as I got back. Why am I only finding out about this now, after asking you? Isn't this way too late?"

First seen on MV4LEMP|YR.

"...M-my apologies."

"Apologies, my ass. Is this how you handle things?"

It wasn't just this guy; the others were the same. Damn, this was infuriating.

"...No excuses. I'm sorry."

"All right. Tell everyone, including yourself, to assemble in front of my quarters. If even one of you is missing, you're dead. Got it?"

"...Y-yes, Commander!"

The man, now pale, quickly answered my annoyed command.

Even if the unit was newly formed, the reporting system couldn't be this disorganized.

'I was trying to be lenient, but....'

Letting it slide had clearly gone too far.

'So they got called to the Azure Dragon Division? Perfect.'

Might as well grab them and get some answers.

Dragging Mun Do-hyuk along, I headed to the Azure Dragon Division's quarters.

As I arrived, I noticed the Azure Dragon Division members around me looked startled.

Though they quickly saluted, traces of dissatisfaction were visible on their faces.

It wasn't the first time, and I usually ignored it, but...

"You, over there."

This time, I had business to attend to, so I singled one of them out.

"...You mean me?"

The man looked unsure, as if he couldn't believe he was being addressed.

"Yes, you. Get over here."

"..."

His expression soured.

Already annoyed, seeing that face only made me angrier.

"Still sulking? Do I need to fix that face with my own hands?"

At my words, laced with restrained anger, the member swallowed nervously and forced his expression to soften.

"I'm here to see your commander. I also heard my deputy is here. Where are they?"

Hearing my question, the man's eyes narrowed slightly. He seemed to know something.

"...They're inside, speaking with our commander...."

"Got it."

"W-wait...!"

The man tried to stop me, but I was already stepping inside.

As I entered the Azure Dragon Division's quarters...

"...Such insolence."

"...Discipline is...."

"...To insult the commander...!"

I heard voices. From the sound of it, they were coming from the central room.

The tone wasn't exactly peaceful.

The speakers seemed to be...

'Our deputy, most likely.'

One of them was probably my deputy. But who was the other?

As I moved closer, the voices became clearer.

"To think you'd be so unreasonable. How do you plan to manage with such rigidity?"

The voice was mocking, one I hadn't heard before.

"And what does that have to do with flexibility...!"

The deputy raised their voice, seemingly upset.

"The Star Dragon Division is not subordinate to the Azure Dragon Division. You are here to assist us, so mind your words."

"Hah. Are you trying to lecture me? Me?"

Interesting.

As I listened, the conversation seemed to be ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) heading somewhere strange.

Intrigued, I quickened my pace.

"I'm not lecturing, just offering a rightful suggestion as a fellow deputy...."

"Ha! A fellow? Don't make me laugh. You dare to spout such nonsense?"

The scorn in his voice was palpable.

Hearing it, I moved even faster.

The scenery shifted.

"Back when you were in the Red Dragon Division, you were nothing. Now that you've got some authority, you think we're equals? What a delusion."

"Deputy Jin! That's a disgraceful remark. The title was granted by the Alliance itself."

"Titles may be the same, but we are not equals. Isn't that so? Different divisions cannot be equated."

My feet touched the ground, and I saw the large quarters ahead.

A group of people stood beneath it.

There was no need to search long for the voice's owner.

A man with an irritating expression stood in front of my flushed deputy.

It had to be him.

"To claim that a group of incompetents is on par with us is nothing short of an insult—"

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

At my call, the man turned around.

"Huh...?"

His eyes widened as he recognized my face.

Boom!

"Gah!"

The punch landed, and his jaw shattered instantly.