Chapter 10
Real Badass (4)
“Ugh… You coward. How dare you launch a surprise attack!? Can you even call yourself a guild leader!?”
The Gwangwol Guild’s leader Jung Woo-sik shouted while kneeling.
“The winner takes it all. What’s cowardly about that?”
“Shut up! A coward like you doesn’t deserve to be a guild leader!”
“This bastard’s getting cocky because I was being nice.”
As Kang Hyeon raised his hand to slap him, Jung Woo-sik squeezed his eyes shut.
“Don’t be scared, punk.”
The Gwangwol Guild members quickly declared surrender.
The difference in skill level was too obvious for them to resist.
Kang Hyeon, Ahn Yu-seong, and Yoon Na-rae were humans from a completely different world compared to them.
Even though the status window had disappeared, they were still ability users at the peak.
Most ability users filled the gap left by the disappeared system by using newly developed latest weapons and guns.
However, the general assessment was that their actual physical abilities had become weaker than 3 years ago as a consequence.
At this time, Kang Hyeon’s group, who engaged in close combat as if going against the times, was paradoxically advancing much faster than others.
No, they had actually become stronger than 3 years ago.
“Kang Hyeon! You’ll regret this. If you think you can take over this city just by killing me, you’re mistaken!”
Jung Woo-sik glared at Kang Hyeon as if trying to maintain his final dignity.
“I don’t know what you’ve been doing for 3 years, but times have changed. Do you think you can control people who have become much rougher than before!?”
“What?”
“Even if I die, our guild members will never submit. It’s the same with other guilds. In the end, war will break out and everyone will only end up hurt.”
As Jung Woo-sik’s words dragged on, Kang Hyeon’s expression frowned.
“You’re annoying me, so stop beating around the bush and get to the point.”
“Let’s make a peace treaty. If you let us go, I’ll lead the Gwangwol Guild and leave this city cleanly.”
“Oh?”
“Then this city will be entirely yours.”
When Kang Hyeon showed an interested expression, Jung Woo-sik became even more confident.
“You’d better think carefully. Don’t just look at what’s right in front of you, look far ahead. Whether you want a destroyed city or an intact one.”
Naturally, Jung Woosik had no intention of leaving quietly.
‘Just you wait, Kang Hyeon…’
The moment these restraints were removed and he became free, Jung Woo-sik planned to gather every explosive in the guild.
He would not only cause terrorism throughout the city but also completely destroy the Badass Guild’s core buildings without leaving a trace.
‘I’ll make you feel deep in your bones how the world has changed!’
Despite these inner thoughts, he maintained an outwardly firm and innocent expression.
“What will you do? A clean victory or a victory full of wounds. The choice is yours.”
Jung Woo-sik asked as if delivering an ultimatum.
“I’ll let you go.”
“Re-really!?”
“Why remain so attached to this world? Now become a free soul.”
“Huh…?”
“I’ll free your soul from your body.”
Kang Hyeon’s fist, filled with fierce magical power, was approaching.
***
Ippotranslation
***
Kang Hyeon and Badass Guild members quickly organized the city.
The Gwangwol and List Guild, whose head was cut off, were torn to pieces.
Seon Eun-hye, who became the new guild leader of the Peace Line Guild, gradually absorbed their forces.
Thanks to this, the Peace Line Guild grew larger than before.
Now in terms of size, it was large enough to surpass the Badass Guild.
“What are you planning to do now… Sir?”
Seon Eun-hye, who had become the owner of such a massive force, faced Kang Hyeon.
“There are still many who are causing trouble internally, right?”
“That’s right… sir…”
Seon Eun-hye spoke in a strange manner that was neither formal nor informal.
Seon Eun-hye, who had lost one eye and wore an eye patch, with wounds all over her body.
Overall, she could be described as looking like a tough female warrior.
It was quite amusing to see someone like her fall into cognitive dissonance and use such strange speech patterns.
Of course, that was from Kang Hyeon’s perspective.
“Hah! Getting cozy with Kang Hyeon and taking the guild leader position, you must be so pleased!”
At that moment, Do Woo-jae, who was the original guild leader of the Peace Line Guild, sneered.
“Shut up, Downer.”
“It’s Do Woo-jae!”
“I don’t care what your name is. If you interrupt the conversation again, you’ll get slapped each time.”
Kang Hyeon showed his palm.
“From now on, you only speak when I tell you to. Okay?”
Seeing Downer, no, Do Woo-jae press his lips tightly, Kang Hyeon judged he understood and turned back to Seon Eun-hye.
“Where were we?”
“Internal guild organization…”
“Right. Since the atmosphere is still unsettled, you focus all your efforts on firmly taking control of the Peace Line Guild for a while. If you need any help, just say so.”
“There’s one thing I’m curious about…”
“Speak.”
“Why are you being so nice to me… Sir…?”
Seon Eun-hye, who was about to speak informally, noticed the fierce expressions of the surrounding Badass Guild members and slightly raised her speech level.
“Can’t you stop that weird way of talking? If you’re trying to act cute, at least wash off all that grime first…”
“Who’s trying to act cute!”
Seon Eun-hye, who had shouted loudly, checked her surroundings again.
“I wasn’t… sir…”
“Sigh. Fine. Do as you please.”
Kang Hyeon shook his head and continued.
“My goal isn’t to be nice to you, but to use you.”
“Even a cornered rat will bite a person. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Not really…”
“I’m saying I’m going to gather all these unpredictable people and keep them in the palm of my hand.”
At first glance, it might seem easier to just kill all the remaining forces, but that’s not the case.
If that happened, they would hide even deeper in the shadows and would obviously sharpen their knives against the Badass Guild.
Moreover, killing thousands of people just because they’re members of other guilds?
That would make him nothing but a psychopath obsessed with slaughter.
That was far too removed from Kang Hyeon’s purpose.
“Once the guild’s internal stabilization is complete, next we’ll create proper rules to run the city. Nothing will work with the current haphazard approach.”
“But Guild Leader…”
At that moment, Han Jae-moon, who had been listening, interrupted.
“What?”
“As Do Woo-jae said, if our Badass Guild takes over the city, other forces won’t stay quiet. If we’re not careful, the warlords might unite and try to take this land… Anyway, if we don’t move carefully…”
“Stop. I understand what you’re saying, but it’s fine.”
“What? Do you have a plan…?”
“We’ll think about that when the time comes.”
Kang Hyeon looked at Han Jae-moon with a confident attitude.
“Yes…”
Han Jae-moon acknowledged his mistake.
Having not seen him for several years, he had momentarily forgotten.
This was how Kang Hyeon had always been.
“Excuse me, Guild Leader.”
That was when.
This time, Team Leader Han Si-hwan, who had served as acting guild leader, called out to Kang Hyeon.
“What?”
“Speaking of internal organization…”
Han Si-hwan scratched his head as if uncomfortable speaking.
“The guild’s atmosphere lately isn’t normal.”
“What do you mean?”
“The guild members who joined after you disappeared. Many of them are dissatisfied with the current situation.”
Currently, 90% of the Badass Guild members are those who joined after Kang Hyeon’s supposed death.
From their perspective, Kang Hyeon was like a heretic who appeared after 3 years, claimed the guild leader position, and suddenly denied the existing system.
It was impossible not to have complaints.
“Hmm”
“While everyone here follows you, the guild isn’t run by just the executives here. If we can’t win over the hearts of the general guild members, who make up the absolute majority, there could be problems later.”
“That’s true.”
Kang Hyeon also agreed with Han Si-hwan’s words.
“Don’t worry.”
“Do you have something in mind?”
“Tell all guild members to assemble this evening.”
“What?”
Han Si-hwan was surprised by the sudden assembly order.
“Executives or whatever, just gather everyone who belongs to the Badass Guild, without a single exception. Can you do that?”
“It’s possible except for those deployed to other regions… But what are you planning to do?”
“What do you mean what?”
Kang Hyeon grinned.
“I need to properly engrave in their minds what kind of person their real guild leader is.”
***
Ippotranslation
***
“What’s with this sudden full assembly?”
“Shit. I was planning to have a drink this evening.”
“Who does Kang Hyeon think he is? Where has he been all this time to suddenly act like a guild master?”
“Exactly! That’s what I’m saying!”
In front of the Badass Guild building.
Over 2,000 guild members had gathered on the street.
This included regular members, executives, office workers, and others handling miscellaneous tasks.
“How dare those bastards to the guild master…”
“Hold it. The guild master is coming.”
The founding members frowned at the sight, but they weren’t uncivilized enough to start a fight in this setting.
“Is everyone here!?”
From the elevated platform.
Kang Hyeon shouted loudly toward the guild members in front.
“I hear there are many dissatisfied people these days?”
The guild members murmured at Kang Hyeon’s words.
“What’s he trying to do?”
“Is he just going to step down from the guild master position?”
“Maybe…”
“Everyone quiet!”
The murmuring stopped at Kang Hyeon’s tremendous shout.
“I called you all to share some good news.”
“Anyone who has complaints about me being the guild master, raise your hand.”
An uncomfortable silence fell at Kang Hyeon’s words.
Everyone was watching each other.
‘You raise your hand!’
‘You were cursing earlier but now you’re quiet when confronted!?’
The guild members who were just cursing Kang Hyeon moments ago couldn’t easily raise their hands when the situation presented itself.
“Yes! I have complaints!”
But there are always brave ones anywhere.
“You disappear for over 3 years and suddenly demand recognition because you were the original guild master!? I can’t accept that!”
As someone broke the ice, others gained courage and raised their hands one after another.
“Right! Kang Hyeon is from way back when!?”
“Leave us be!”
“Don’t try to forcefully change the Badass Guild!”
After some time passed, it became harder to find those who hadn’t raised their hands.
Watching this, Kang Hyeon nodded.
“You might not know, but I’ve always said something since the early days.”
Kang Hyeon stretched while slowly rotating his shoulders.
“If you’ve got a problem, come at me.”
“What?”
“I’ll hand over the guild master position to anyone who can beat me.”
Everyone hesitated in confusion at Kang Hyeon’s bombshell declaration.
“W-what are you saying…”
“That’s nonsense!”
“What’s nonsense about it? Getting cold feet now?”
Kang Hyeon pointed at the guild member who had raised his hand first.
“You there. The one who raised his hand first saying you had complaints.”
“If you’ve got a problem, beat me and become guild master. You bastard! I’ll give it to you right away.”
“Huh…! Don’t think I can’t do it!?”
“Kids these days are all talk. The old ones would have already rushed at me. You cowards.”
“Fuck! Let’s get him!”
As the man rushed at Kang Hyeon, a huge brawl broke out.
“Aaaaah!”
“I never liked you from the start, you bastard!”
Lower-ranked guild members struck their superiors’ faces.
“We were too nice to you, how dare you try to climb up!?”
Guild executives threw punches at whatever they could see.
“Come on! Is that all the spirit you’ve got!? Huh!?”
Meanwhile, hundreds of guild members surrounded Kang Hyeon, but no one could easily approach him.
Over ten guild members had already fainted in front of Kang Hyeon.
“Don’t ever say you’re from Badass Guild anywhere from now on. There’s a limit to embarrassment.”
“Fuck! Kill him!”
“Waaah!”
Hundreds of fists and feet flew from all directions.
Taking all of it, Kang Hyeon smiled with satisfaction.
“Now it’s starting to feel like home.”
Finally, the Badass Guild he knew was coming back.
