Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 150

Cruel stood at the station, waiting for the train, casting sidelong glances at his odd companions.

Yan, Damian, and himself—a truly bizarre trio, and mismatched at that.

Seizing the moment while Damian was away, he whispered to Yan.

“Why did that guy even come along?”

“Because he’s the only one who knows the location,” Yan replied.

Cruel thumped his chest in frustration.

“Well, then just tell us the location! Why endure such an awkward journey together?”

The reason for Cruel’s exasperation was simple.

‘To think I have to stick with that terrifying man even after leaving the training grounds?’

If asked who he feared the most, it would undoubtedly be Damian—once it would have been Yan, but after facing trials and tribulations together, fear had long since turned into camaraderie.

Yan, noticing Cruel’s overt discomfort, couldn’t help but smirk bitterly.

‘I never intended to bring Uncle Damian along either.’

But what can you do when he refuses to leave?

Yet, there was no need to spill all the details, so Yan brushed it off casually.

Afterward, Yan explained to Cruel where they were headed.

Of course, he mixed in lies, dressing it up as a special mission.

Ten minutes passed in this manner.

And then Damian, who had stepped away for a moment, returned.

“Did you wait long?”

“Not at all!”

Cruel responded with a voice brimming with discipline.

Damian twisted his lips, looking at Cruel.

“Even so, your ears seemed terribly itchy, didn’t they?”

Cruel’s face went pale as a ghost.

He tried to laugh it off, shaking his head vehemently.

“No, no way, haha.”

* * *

At the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army, a clandestine chamber adorned in crimson hues housed a single round table around which eight figures were seated. These were the core members of the rebellion: the second-in-command Chief of Staff and the seven Legion Commanders.

Chief of Staff, Werner. First Legion Commander, Craig. Second Legion Commander, Owen Valdi. Third Legion Commander, Aisha von Liepenhagen. Fourth Legion Commander, Castro Chang. Fifth Legion Commander, Vulcan. Sixth Legion Commander, Gilliam Waterford. Seventh Legion Commander, Erectus.

Each was a leader of their own faction or a chieftain of their tribe.

Castro, with a look of discomfort, broke the silence, “Why have we been summoned, Chief of Staff? You know better than anyone how busy the Fourth Legion is right now.”

Werner glanced at Castro and replied indifferently, “A high-ranking official has recommended their successor. We are here to discuss this matter.”

It was Vulcan, the chieftain of the orc tribe, who responded, “Is such a discussion really necessary among us?”

“The identity of the high-ranking official is the issue,” Werner said.

“Identity?”

“It’s Damian.”

At the mention of Damian, a hush fell over the secret room. The former right-hand man of the supreme commander had never shown his face in the Revolutionary Army since the new leader took power.

Owen was the first to speak up, “What’s the problem with it being Damian? Are you saying he doesn’t even have the right to recommend a successor?”

“Hey, old man, shut your mouth. Do you not know that because of that Damian, two of my beloved apprentices are dead?” Erectus growled at Owen.

A tense atmosphere enveloped the room as Erectus glared at Owen, who simply scoffed and let the tension slide off him, “Rubbish. Since when did you care so much about your underlings? Don’t bring that foul energy here!”

“Haha, amusing, isn’t it? Shall we have a brawl for old times’ sake, old man?” Owen taunted.

The other Legion Commanders watched with interest rather than intervening as the confrontation between Owen and Erectus reached its peak.

Erectus unsheathed his gleaming energy sword, radiating murderous intent, while Owen readied his hand cannon in response.

Just then, Werner spoke up, “I won’t stop you here, but you will be responsible for the consequences.”

With a “Tsk,” and a warning to Owen, “Just you wait, old man. One day I’ll be the one to cut that wrinkled throat of yours,” the two retracted their weapons.

Gilliam, who had remained expressionless until now, asked, “Why hasn’t the supreme commander arrived yet? Isn’t their decision ultimately the most important?”

“We’ve received word that they will arrive soon,” Werner replied, checking for further questions before retaking his seat.

Silence ensued until…

Creak.

Someone entered the secret room, causing the Legion Commanders to focus their attention. The newcomer greeted them with a grin, “Ah, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

It was the entrance of Damian Caballan.

Yan, following behind Damian, quickly scanned the faces in the room. ‘There are some faces I don’t recognize.’

Most were familiar – Erectus and Owen aside. There was the princess of a fallen kingdom, a vengeful orc, a knight from a ruined noble house, and even a power broker from the kingdom’s alliance.

But among them, there were two he had never seen before. According to what Damian had explained on the way, ‘So everyone but the Chief of Staff and the First Legion Commander is known?’

These two were formidable figures whom Yan had failed to track in his previous life.

As Yan squinted to get a better look, a shout erupted from within the room, “That bastard…!”

Yan turned towards the source of the outcry to find Erectus pointing at him, eyes wide with fury.

Yan frowned slightly, ‘Oh no.’

Could it be that Erectus knew he was the one who had harmed his apprentices?

And Yan’s worst fears were confirmed as Erectus stood up, bellowing, “That guy is the murderer of my apprentices! How dare you bring him in! I’m absolutely opposed!”

* * *

As moments slipped by, Yan and Damian entered the secret chamber. Two chairs were prepared, but as Werner, introduced as the Chief of Staff, commanded them to stand, only Damian took a seat. Yan stood resolutely behind Damian, casting a wary glance towards the source of a murderous aura.

There stood Erectus, fists clenched, eyes blazing with a lethal intent towards him.

‘How troublesome.’

Thanks to Werner’s mediation, Erectus’s rage was kept at bay, but given a chance, he would surely attempt Yan’s life.

Shaking his head, Yan tuned into the conversation unfolding around the round table.

Werner, chin propped on his hand, was grilling Damian with questions.

“Damian, you’re aware… the successor you’ve brought is the most promising figure in the current empire.”

“So?”

“It means even the slightest slip could expose our organization. Surely you’re not ignorant of this, and now, I’d like to hear your side.”

Damian chuckled, tilting his head back arrogantly.

“Why would it be a problem to install the empire’s most outstanding prospect as my successor?”

“Damian.”

Werner called his name softly, prompting Damian to continue with a snort.

“Who do you think maintains the closest ties with the empire’s key figures?”

He lifted the sleeve of Yan, who stood beside him.

“This man here. Not satisfied with being a mere duke, he’s someone who could meet with the crown prince in private at any moment. Don’t you grasp what that means?”

“You’re suggesting a change in the quality of information. But isn’t your Special Task Force sufficient for that?”

Damian shook his head.

“Unfortunately, it’s going to be difficult for a while. No, not just for a while, but for years. Nobles who aren’t fond of me are eager to take me down.”

Werner nodded slightly, then scrutinized Yan from head to toe before turning back to Damian.

“I understand what you’re saying. But you do know what’s most important, right?”

“Of course. Since I recommended the successor, I’ll bear the responsibility if anything happens.”

“Good to know you’re aware.”

Werner surveyed the legion commanders seated around and sought their opinions.

“So, what do you all think? A candidate with connections reaching the crown prince and the duke, and among the empire’s prospects, one with the highest martial prowess. Those in favor of Damian’s recommendation, raise your hand.”

At his query, the commanders began to stir.

Yan’s gaze swiftly swept over them.

‘Four in favor…’

Four had raised their hands, including Werner, Owen Valdi, and Aisha von Liepenhagen.

And lastly…

“Not going to turn your eyes? Should I pick that for you?”

Unexpectedly, even Erectus, who Yan had assumed would never agree, subtly raised his hand.

Yan pondered.

With four out of eight in favor, it was an even split.

‘What happens now? And why has he changed his stance when he seemed so adamantly opposed before…’

Looking at the assembly, it seemed the ‘supreme commander’ had yet to arrive.

Would the decision be postponed until they reconvened?

As Yan mulled over this, a telepathic message from Damian reached him.

-Be alert. The situation is precarious. It might get dangerous from here on out.

Dangerous? What could…

Just then…

Creak!

The door through which Yan and Damian had entered swung open, and a man strode in.

“It’s quite rare to see opinions so evenly divided.”

His voice was devoid of emotion, as if made of metal.

Yan’s gaze shifted towards him.

Hair as red as blood, an aura so intense it was almost overwhelming.

And then…

The unmistakable hostility emanating from several of the legion commanders.

Yan swallowed hard.

‘That man must be the current leader of the Revolutionary Army.’

The presumed supreme commander, the man with crimson hair, passed by Yan as if he were invisible, then took his place at the table, propping his feet up.

“So, does my vote decide this matter?”

Werner nodded readily.

“Yes.”

“Hmm, it’s a bit of a dilemma. But before that, I have a question.”

The crimson-haired man, the supreme commander, looked towards Erectus, who had suddenly gone quiet, and smirked.

“You were whining about losing your beloved apprentices, so why did you vote in favor?”

Erectus met the supreme commander’s gaze without flinching, a sneer on his lips, though the grinding of his teeth betrayed his inner fury.

“It’s my prerogative. You know how fickle I can be.”

The supreme commander laughed once at Erectus’s demeanor, then turned to Yan.

“Yan, was it?”

“…Yes.”

Yan braced himself for tension.

But the supreme commander’s decision was surprisingly straightforward.

“Would you be willing to take just one test? If you pass first, I’ll also support your induction.”

His words caused everyone but Werner to frown.

Yan accepted, though he was yet unaware of what the test entailed.

“Yes, I understand.”

After all, retreating now might mean never getting another chance.

The supreme commander watched Yan with an inscrutable smile.