The Little Prince in the Ossuary

00030 - The Little Prince in the Ossuary

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"How about I put it this way? I can't trust my own people."

"Are you saying you're incompetent? I don't think that's the case."

"Please stop overestimating me. The 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 has just been formed. Even the people who were originally here only acknowledged me today. More people are expected to join, but how can we guarantee that no one will deviate?"

"..."

"You said the 「Triad」 regulations are strict, right? From what I know, there's also a clause like this: 'Those who regret or lament after initiation must repay with death.'... A lot of people would die. This could be abused to establish the organization's hierarchy."

The conversation was not going as expected, and Ai-ling's calm demeanor was beginning to falter. The perpetual smile she wore had faded significantly.

"It's the leader's duty to severely punish those who don't follow the regulations. Mr. Han would naturally have to do that. A severe punishment is essential to correct the organization's rules."

"There's bound to be unavoidable sacrifices for the greater good. But killing someone just because they complained... that's not my way. Even if I can't trust someone right now, that's alright. As long as they don't become an enemy, I'll lead them as best as I can. In time, trust will be built. Not that fake trust created by scaring them with random killings, but genuine faith in the community."

"Fake trust... Are you insulting our association?"

「Survival Sense」 reacted. A red warning from augmented reality. The threat level was low. It wasn't an immediate danger of violence but suggested a vague hostility that could materialize someday. Well, that makes sense. No matter how pretty her face is, she's a woman belonging to a criminal organization.

The color of the warning faded, a sign that she was managing herself. She must still be thinking about persuading me.

"America doesn't care about saving refugees. If they genuinely thought of us as humans, this very conversation wouldn't be necessary. There would be law, order, and hope in this camp."

She took a breath and continued.

"Are you proud of the reputation and status you've gained? You're nothing more than livestock. It's merely a matter of bad breed. How long do you think you can be under the protection of a caretaker with just that? If they find a better breed, you'll be discarded."

She's trying hard to intimidate the boy. Gyeo-ul listened quietly.

"We live in a time when numbers equate to strength, and only unity can ensure survival. Join the strongest organization. The people who will remember this help in hard times for a lifetime are waiting for you. If you don't help, they'll remember that for a lifetime too. We can become as ruthless as we want to those who aren't one of us."

She demanded.

"Make your decision now."

The pressure was formidable. Her momentum was strong, but the guards aggravated by the conversation were even stronger. They glared at the boy with sharp eyes. The linkage of "Fighting Spirit,"

「Survival Sense」, 「Insight」.

Threat level assessment. They were quite skilled. Gyeo-ul, armed, had nothing to fear.

The boy spoke softly.

"In truth, I prefer an alliance over subjugation."

"Such a weak bond as that won't be of any help to either of us. We would lose the leadership of the 「Black Society」, and you wouldn't gain the power of a superpower. Above all, an alliance is a relationship formed between equal forces, isn't it? What we need isn't the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」, full of the old, women, and orphans. We only need you because the gap in ranks doesn't match."

"What if I work hard enough to make up for that?"

"You're not being humble. There's a limit to one person's ability."

"Is that so? Then go back."

Gyeo-ul ended the conversation without any regrets. Ai-ling had an expression as if she had been hit hard.

"Wh... what did you say?"

"You were incredibly rude. In summary, this is what you said, 'Surrender first. Depending on how it goes, I'll treat you as family.' When I said I couldn't give my trust because there was nothing to substantiate that promise, you threatened me. You said, 'If you keep remaining just a Korean, you'll eventually get trampled on.'"

"I was just stating the truth!"

"Then that makes it worse. It means you're unconsciously looking down on us."

The beauty bit her lip. Her expression was distressed. The murderous intent felt from the big shoulders climbed a steep curve. They seemed ready to escalate into violence at any moment, but Ai-ling's shushing gesture calmed them down. The original residents of the tent looked extremely anxious.

Among them, two people stood out. Park Jin-seok and Lee Yura.

Jin-seok quietly gathered people around him. People with expectations of combat effectiveness.

Yura, trembling, sat on a knife placed under her bottom. It showed admirable courage.

"I have one more thing to say."

Gyeo-ul opened his mouth, counting on one finger.

"I have the ability to ensure that I won't be discarded by the caretakers. As long as I'm here, no one will be able to look down on the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」. If you're about to call me arrogant, surpass me first. Or kill me."

Who can surpass a player with the Talent Advantage in full?

"You really are confident."

"I was merely stating the truth."

Exactly what Ai-ling said earlier. Receiving it back, airing was at a loss for words. She pressed her fists together on her lap, sighing. A moment later, another sigh, then a series more at intervals. Her body jerked a few times as if about to stand up and leave, but she never did.

From lips that moved hesitantly came a barely audible sound.

"You'll need a lot of external help. Information..."

It's pathetic. It was within expectations.

"Thanks to your visit, I'm less worried about that. The other groups of the 「Black Society」 are aware of your visit, aren't they? In exchange for not cooperating with the 「Triad」, wouldn't they offer information?"

"Heh..."

She kept her mouth shut for a long time. The waiting stifled the air. However, to the onlookers, the silence was suffocating. He thought of giving them a reassuring smile but decided against it. Winning the respect of the alliance members was beneficial but could unnecessarily provoke the woman before him.

"If so, here's my final proposal."

There was a tremor in Ai-ling's voice.

"If you need any guarantees for the promise, how about me?"

Though he shouldn't, Gyeo-ul let out a wry smile. It wasn't a sneer. It was because viewer quests were seriously flooding in. Every visible quest started with sex and begged to end with sex. The number of unread messages exploded.

Haaa, this is...

However, to a proposer unaware of the circumstances, that was enough to feel humiliated. Before she could explode, Gyeo-ul apologized first.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to laugh. But there is something strange."

"What is it?"

"Why would you go that far?"

There's no answer.

"Is the leadership of the 「Black Society」 that important? It's all about replacing the representative among the same ethnicity. Even if another organization becomes the leader, can't you just plan for later?"

Still no answer.

"Or is there a reason you can't plan for later?"

"You're being quite unpleasant. Please stop asking questions to which you already know the answers."

At last, her retort came, and Gyeo-ul nodded.

"Seems you've done some irreparable acts? Even though you claim to be brothers and sisters within the 「Black Society」."

To the extent where she can't afford not to worry about retaliation.

"I told you to stop."

"Oh, no need for such a face. Us Koreans do the same. All desperate to kill and take everything from each other, despite being of the same ethnicity. Probably much worse than what you Chinese folks do, for sure."

He said plainly.

"Someone once said. What a person needs the most is what another person has in abundance. Instead of risking going out... it's probably easier to take from others. I understand. The best targets for trickery and extortion are always the same ethnicity. It seems you've had your share, but I have no desire to associate with such."

Saying that he wouldn't accept a woman like her even if given freely is perhaps the greatest insult to a woman. Instinctively, she spat out a retort without thinking.

"I was against it."

"Not denying it, are you?"

Once her composure is broken, she kept falling into his trap.

Now Ai-ling stared at Gyeo-ul with venom in her eyes. They were a bit teary. Her slender shoulders trembled slightly.

Despite that, Gyeo-ul remained unshaken. He had learned and gained plenty to be satisfied. Additionally, he was content with the number of stars earned through this conversation.

"I'll leave now."

Finally, the executive of the 「Triad」 stood up. Paused, then glared at the boy.

"You'll regret this."

"Is that just something you tried on a whim, or is it a declaration of war from the 「Triad」s' representative?"

The system is impartial. Given her abilities, it's not that she's an incompetent woman, so she'd have a certain level of 「Insight」 and 「Survival Sense」. These skills respond to the emotions and thoughts of a player. And if judged by technical skill level, the boy's combat ability was immensely superior. Of course, the perceived level of threat would have been extraordinarily high.

Indeed, she flinched, her frail body shrinking back. She probably read his intention not to leave any future troubles, but to finish her off first and then prepare countermeasures against the 「Triad」. She stammered.

"It... it was just a suggestion."

She chose to endure the humiliation and live. Eventually, tears she had tried to hold back fell drop by drop.

"You truly have a nasty personality. Was that needless questioning really necessary?"

If it was unnecessary, so be it. After all, who's to say she wouldn't lie? Yet the boy didn't have a penchant for mocking others. Hence, he explained himself.

"Sorry if it seemed that way. It was a warning."

"A warning?"

"We gain nothing from fighting. If we do end up fighting, I won't just sit back and take it. I was just warning you, hoping there'd be no miscommunication if you were to get carried away by emotions... there's no ill feeling at all. Why would I tease someone when I have no idea what the future holds?"

"..."

"Don't misunderstand. I still think an alliance is ideal. If you ever change your mind, feel free to come back. I'll be waiting."

Is time not passing? Because Ai-ling wasn't moving?

It was a great sigh that moved her once more. Her gaze had softened considerably.

"It feels somewhat unfair."

"There's no need to feel that way. We were both impolite, so let's consider it even without holding grudges, shall we?"

The beauty's face was a mix of all kinds of emotions at once. The last was a wry smile. Without even using the system's aid, the perceptive boy realized that was her genuine face.

How strange it would be if laughter indeed grew on the bottom when one cried then smiled? Of course, it was just a thought. Speaking it would be a matter of ultimate tactlessness and sexual harassment.

Ai-ling's weak voice.

"You're truly a master of speech."

"So it seems."

His light affirmation left Ai-ling speechless once more.

"How am I supposed to respond?"

"Smile. When life is gray, at least smile."

Only one woman followed the advice and smiled. Five men remained steadfast with stern expressions on their faces.

"Take care."

"Yes, stay healthy. Just as you said, I hope to meet again under pleasant circumstances."

Upon seeing them off and returning inside, people crowded around. Curious about the course of the conversation. Though bothersome, an explanation could augment the prestige of being a leader.

There was no need for that.

"It was amazing."

"You speak Chinese too?"

"Though speaking is difficult, I can understand it. It's nothing compared to the little leader."

Deputy Min Wan-gi proved to be an extraordinary talent. While he certainly intended to earn Gyeo-ul's favor, most of his praises seemed genuine.

"I never imagined you'd be so adept at negotiation. Your eloquence is remarkable. You pinpointed the opponent's strengths and weaknesses perfectly. There were quite a few nerve-wracking moments. Calming them down at the end was commendable. Flipping the atmosphere at will and maintaining control of the conversation, it was like watching a skilled negotiator at work. It seems you're gifted with this talent."

"You flatter me."

Those unfamiliar with the situation were only becoming more curious as the conversation grew heated. It seemed like something extraordinary had occurred, yet they knew not what. Inevitably, their gazes turned sympathetic.

Gyeo-ul requested Min Wan-gi.

"Since you listened, could you explain it to the others on my behalf?"

"Understood."

Gyeo-ul's insight, seeing him fit as a court academician, was spot on. Not merely reporting the facts, but he also intentionally uplifted the spirits of his listeners.

Goebbels?

Amid this, Jang Yun-cheol hesitantly approached.

"Is something the matter?"

The hesitant one spoke.

"I can speak Japanese."

"... Pardon?"

"I mean... I can speak it too."

"..."

While others raised voices of amazement around Min Wan-gi, only between Yun-cheol and Gyeo-ul sat an odd tranquility. Realizing belatedly he might regret it, Jang Yun-cheol's face turned red.

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. I look forward to it."

Evidently, it wasn't comforting. He withdrew, looking dejected. Unexpectedly, he seemed to have a klutzy side.

----------------= Author's Note ----------------=

1. A reminder: This novel releases 3-5 times a week.

2. I was planning to return on Wednesday after last week's marathon postings...