Life carried on as usual.

The passage of time ensured that all the uproar over Kim Myeong-Chan’s situation and Choi Yeon-Ha’s “scandal” would eventually die down and become another footnote in history.

Then again, that was how life operated. It had a habit of crushing things in its relentless forward march.

MK rapidly regained its stability. Despite suffering the most, it also suffered the least from this ordeal, which sounded rather contradictory. However...

—It’s okay, sir. It’s not like we had plenty of things to do, anyway.

What a sad tale this was, but what Lee Hyeon-Ju said over the phone about MK was undeniably true.

A freeze on banking transactions for a week would usually spell doom for most companies or corporations. But MK was not an ordinary company, as it barely had any business dealings, to begin with. Which meant it had basically no expenditure or payments to worry about!

Even a shell company might see more business activities than MK at this point!

Lee Hyeon-Su summarized this... crisis rather succinctly.

“I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry at this news, sir.”

Kang Jin-Ho eagerly agreed with this assessment.

At least there was something to be thankful for: the freeze in banking transactions coincided with the pay day, and as a result, none of the MK employees got paid on time. However, the employees didn’t raise a fuss over this major inconvenience.

Even Hwang Min-Su was left speechless by this incident.

Then again, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise. The employees of MK weren’t exactly hurting for cash, after all. Besides, they were originally martial artists hailing from the Martial Assembly. They firmly believed that in case of an emergency, the Assembly would step in and make things right with them.

This couldn’t strictly be described as them showing their loyalty toward Kang Jin-Ho. Still, it was something to be grateful about, nonetheless.

Kang Jin-Ho’s surroundings normalized rather quickly, as well.

His father resumed the operation of his beloved cafe. Kang Yu-Hwan kept the cafe going during the early days of his son’s incarceration as a way to stay strong and focused. However, as the days wore on, he couldn’t do it anymore and shuttered the place up, at least temporarily.

According to Baek Hyeon-Jeong, it sounded like Kang Yu-Hwan even took up smoking again, something he hadn’t done in over a decade.

Kang Jin-Ho told himself to look after his father’s health from now on, too.

This event certainly gave him a lot of food for thought. For one, he learned to appreciate the preciousness of the people in his life. And it also told him to be more grateful toward those who believed in him and supported him.

Most of all, though...

“How disappointingly incompetent you two are...”

The cheeks of both Lee Hyeon-Su and Wiggins twitched subtly when Kang Jin-Ho said that.

Sluuuurp...

Currently, in the Assembly HQ’s conference room...

Kang Jin-Ho stared at the two men in obvious disappointment while busy slurping on a cup of Iced Americano.

“...”

“...”

Unsurprisingly, Lee Hyeon-Su and Wiggins looked like a couple of men wrongly accused of something they hadn’t done. But Kang Jin-Ho was in no mood to humor them this time.

“My lord... The matter this time proved to be beyond our capabilities. We swear to you, we did our best, but it simply was not enough.”

“Mister Wiggins is right, sir. The government controlled the judiciary to do whatever the heck it wanted, so what were we supposed to do?”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked his head to the side. “Then what about me?”

“...”

“Oh...”

Why, oh why! Why did the one resolving this situation have to be Kang Jin-Ho, of all people?

Kang Jin-Ho stared at the two men with a less-than-impressed expression on his face. “I’m beginning to wonder why I’m even paying you your wages right now.”

Lee Hyeon-Su glanced away while mumbling softly. “But it’s peanuts...”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked his brow. “Peanuts?”

“...My apologies, sir. Instead of peanuts, let’s say it's dragon's nuts.”

Lee Hyeon-Su sighed deeply. He knew they should have taken care of this somehow, but now...

This situation had created the issue of trust now.

Before this event, Lee Hyeon-Su and Wiggins ably took care of whatever Kang Jin-Ho had asked of them. But now, that trust had been broken. And it would continue to affect everything they do well into the future.

Hang on. Rather than trust, this is more like the issue of capabilities, isn’t it?

Maybe that was an even bigger problem to deal with.

Lee Hyeon-Su didn’t mind getting branded as an untrustworthy individual. But being seen as an incompetent fool? Now there was something he could never accept, never mind endure!

People always said Lee Hyeon-Su was incredibly capable, even if his personality was absolutely rubbish. After hearing that for so long, though, it had become an unlikely source of pride for Lee Hyeon-Su.

So, if he got branded as incompetent now, the only thing he could be proud of would be his rubbish personality!

Obviously, he couldn’t let that happen.

Lee Hyeon-Su urgently spoke. “Although we didn’t pull through properly this time, I swear to you, it will be a one time thing, sir!”

That was when an unfamiliar voice suddenly registered in Lee Hyeon-Su’s hearing.

“Well, I wonder about that.”

Wasn’t that Chinese?

A figure of a person lazily rose up from the shadow behind Kang Jin-Ho.

A... kid?

But, that couldn’t be right. This person had a baby-ish face, but he was definitely not a youngster. Rather than immature... How should Lee Hyeon-Su explain this feeling?

This inexplicable aura of duplicitousness wafted off this individual. Merely looking at him displeased Lee Hyeon-Su to no end.

The man grinned brightly. “Although I didn’t catch everything you said in Korean, it sounded as if you’d prove your competence somehow... Unfortunately, needing several opportunities to prove your skills merely proves how incompetent you are.”

Lee Hyeon-Su’s cheeks twitched as he glared at that smiling mug. Since this unknown man appeared behind Kang Jin-Ho, he couldn’t be an enemy, but who...

“...?! Hang on a minute! It’s you!”

Lee Hyeon-Su shot up to his feet. He finally remembered that face. Wasn’t he the bastard who dared to flip the jeep he and Kang Jin-Ho were traveling in during their adventure in China?

“Why are you here?!”

“I’m sorry? What did you say?”

“Stop pretending like you don’t understand me, you bastard!”

The grinning man, the Blood Demon, stood confidently behind Kang Jin-Ho. “Did I say something wrong by stating that an incompetent person is incompetent?”

“What? Why you...!”

“I don’t need to do something as pathetic as that, though,” said the Blood Demon arrogantly. “Proving themselves to others is undoubtedly important, of course.”

Before Lee Hyeon-Su could say something, Kang Jin-Ho extended his hand in front of the Blood Demon, then opened his palm.

“Here it is, my liege.”

The Blood Demon politely placed a plastic cup filled with Iced Americano on Kang Jin-Ho’s hand.

“Hmm...” Kang Jin-Ho nodded in satisfaction. “Any thoughts on changing your job as a quick delivery driver?”

“I’m prepared to do anything as long as you require me to do so, my liege. Just give me your order.”

A vein bulged in Lee Hyeon-Su’s forehead.

What the hell is up with that ass kisser? The way he’s addressing the Assembly Master is totally different from when he’s talking to me!

For a moment there, he thought he could see a tail wagging playfully behind the Blood Demon’s butt!

“A-Assembly Master, this bastard... Isn’t he the one who attacked us?”

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “Yeah. Like you.”

“...”

Yep, that did happen. Lee Hyeon-Su tried to attack Kang Jin-Ho way back when.

“S-sir, that and this aren’t the same, you know? Did you forget that this piece of sh*t fired anti-tank missiles at you? He’s an insane motherfuc...”

“Right. And you set up a bunch of explosives to bury me alive under a tunnel.”

Wiggins, who had been silently listening, stared at Lee Hyeon-Su in sheer dismay. “Really? You did that?”

“...”

Why was Kang Jin-Ho bringing up that old story now?

Just how long ago was that, anyway? Besides, Lee Hyeon-Su had already turned over a new leaf since then!

Wiggins looked at Kang Jin-Ho in utter shock. “My lord? You actually let this fool live after that?”

Kang Jin-Ho weightily nodded. “Yeah, about that. I’m also starting to question it myself. Why did I even bother to let this guy live? Maybe I was blinded by a phantom or something... The more I think about it, the more annoying it’s getting, too.”

“Hah, hahaha...” Lee Hyeon-Su awkwardly chuckled. “Sir, you seem to have become more, uh, humorous after a spell in prison.”

“I was stuck in solitary confinement, though?”

“Maybe you were talking to yourself?” Lee Hyeon-Su replied with a cramped expression. Besides, that wasn’t important right now. “Anyways, sir! Why is this bastard here in this office?”

Kang Jin-Ho shrugged casually. “Isn’t it obvious? He’s going to join our team. And his new position is that of an elder.”

Lee Hyeon-Su’s jaw fell. “An elder? Someone as young as that is an elder?”

“Mm,” Kang Jin-Ho nodded without too much concern.

Lee Hyeon-Su frowned deeply. “B-but, sir. If someone like him becomes an elder... N-no, before that. I’m totally against this bastard joining the Assembly, but if he really, really has to join us, you mustn’t give him an elder position. That’s too high up in the hierarchy.”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “What? Why is that a problem?”

“What do you mean why, sir? The position of the elder is simply too important for someone like him. Of course, being young shouldn’t prevent you from reaching important positions, but it still means the Assembly members must bow to someone who hasn’t proven himself yet. For one, I’m not pleased by this arrangement.”

“Huh? Why?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head even more.

“Hah...” Lee Hyeon-Su sighed. Maybe this was a conflict of different values? “Sir, just imagining myself bowing to this kid and repeatedly addressing him as an elder is giving me the...”

“No, that’s not what I’m asking about. I want to know why you’re bowing your head here. Why do you think an elder is higher in the hierarchy than you?”

“I’m sorry?”

Lee Hyeon-Su blinked his eyes in stupefaction. What did he mean by why? Because it was an elder, of course. Because it was a higher-ranked position than...

That was when Lee Hyeon-Su realized something. With his eyes widening, he cautiously asked Kang Jin-Ho in a trembling voice. “S-sir. If you don’t mind me asking... Which position in the Assembly do you think is equivalent to the cult’s elder?”

“Oh, that? Something like a team leader?”

“...”

“Or a team manager?”

Lee Hyeon-Su’s jaw fell. So, this was what Kang Jin-Ho was talking about? He finally understood where... Nope, he didn’t understand at all!

“B-but, sir. The Demon Cult’s elder should at least be the same rank as a director in the Assembly...”

“A director?” Kang Jin-Ho cocked his head to the side. “What did they do to deserve that kind of rank?”

“...”

“All they had done was cling to a near-dead Demon Cult and act like unbearable boomers toward the other cult members. You want me to treat them like directors just because of their age?”

Lee Hyeon-Su grinned gently away. He finally figured out why Kang Jin-Ho had forbidden the Demon Cult elders from attending the directors’ meetings until now.

He was under the impression that Kang Jin-Ho did so to draw a clear line separating the Martial Assembly and the Demon Cult, but no. Then again, if that had been the reason, Chang Min shouldn’t have been allowed to attend the meeting, either.

Lee Hyeon-Su wasn’t quite sure if this was an exceedingly logical way of looking at things or Kang Jin-Ho simply being weird again.

“S-sir, they still have experience from... running the cult...”

“That’s meaningless,” said Kang Jin-Ho, then glanced at the Blood Demon. “That goes for you, too. I made you an elder in consideration of the Blood Cult members, but you better not think this position will get you preferential treatment.”

“I never wished for such a thing, my liege. I didn’t come here to receive your preferential treatment but to serve you to the best of my abilities. Besides, I can always earn better positions through my abilities alone.”

The Blood Demon shifted his somewhat crooked gaze to Lee Hyeon-Su next.

“Unlike a certain someone, of course.”

“What the hell?! You punk!”

The Blood Demon ignored Lee Hyeon-Su’s yell and leisurely scanned the conference room’s interior.

“The Martial Assembly is truly a wonderful place, my liege. Truly wonderful. In this place, even the weak are allowed to mingle with the strong. In the place I previously worked for, someone as weak as him wouldn’t have lasted two days before his head got chopped off.”

Lee Hyeon-Su shot back. “If only you were Korean! I would have ripped you apart a long time ago. You better thank the heavens for the Assembly Master choosing to take you in!”

“Oho, is that right?” The Blood Demon sneered, the crimson light glowing in his eyes. “Are you prepared to take responsi...”

Grab!

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly grabbed the Blood Demon’s head and shoved it down to the floor.

BAAAAANG!

At that shockingly loud noise, not only Wiggins but even Lee Hyeon-Su flinched nastily. As for the Blood Demon, he didn’t budge an inch from the floor, despite his head digging into the surface.

Kang Jin-Ho tutted. “It seems you still don’t get it. That man you’re arguing with? He’s your superior.”

“I understand, my liege. However, please forgive me. It’s just that I still haven’t figured out how courteous I’m supposed to be toward my superiors in this organization.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled. “Fine. Get up.”

The Blood Demon immediately stood up while grinning brightly.

“...”

Was Kang Jin-Ho the weird one for slamming someone’s head into the floor without any warning? Or was the Blood Demon the weird one for standing up with a smile even after receiving that level of impact?

Lee Hyeon-Su decided not to think too deeply about it.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su. “In any case... The Blood Demon will start working with us from today. Get to know each other as soon as possible.”

Lee Hyeon-Su grimaced. “But sir? With that bastard?”

The Blood Demon rubbed his chin. “Mm... Since it’s your order, I shall obey, but it won’t be easy, my liege. He’s a rather undesirable superior, so...”

When the two men began growling at each other again, Kang Jin-Ho helplessly shook his head before picking up the coffee cup again.

“You two sort it out yourselves.”

Sluuurp...

The Iced Americano got sucked into Kang Jin-Ho’s mouth again.

Wiggins silently watched all these things unfold before coming to a conclusion. That was when a sagely smile bloomed on his face.

It seems another weirdo has joined us, then?

Although it’d be nice to have just one normal person among their ranks to share a normal-sounding conversation with... Wiggins knew all too well that such a dream would never come true.