Chapter 112

I lightly knocked on the door I was standing in front of and opened my mouth.

“Excuse me, would it be possible to meet Yanagiya Riki?”

“…What?”

“Please let her know I have something urgent to discuss. I’d appreciate it.”

“…Are you out of your mind? You think the Clan Master is someone you can just meet whenever you feel like it? You’re a prisoner, so sit the hell down and shut up, you brat!”

*Sigh, this idiot’s really losing it.*

I had decided to inform Yanagiya Riki of the truth, but the problem was actually meeting her.

I wasn’t here as a guest—I was dragged here, so it wasn’t like I could just ask to meet her and expect it to happen.

After thinking about how to phrase my request, I spoke up.

“Please, just let me meet her. It’s really important. I guarantee you’ll regret it later if you don’t relay my message to your Clan Master.”

“What did you say?”

The man stared at me for a moment, but seeing my calm expression, he finally spoke.

“…You better take responsibility for those words. If this is some bullshit, you’re dead.”

*Click—*

The door unlocked and opened.

“…Follow me.”

Following the man’s lead, we arrived at what looked like an office.

“Boss, I’ve brought Lee Yun-seong. He says he has something to tell you…”

– Let him in.

“Yes.”

*Thud—*

Entering the office, I saw Yanagiya Riki sitting with her legs crossed, smoking a cigarette.

“Phew… So? I clearly told you to stay put. What’s this about having something to say?”

*Ugh… Damn, that cigarette smell. She’s really smoking something strong.*

“Before we start, could you send the others away? I’d like to talk privately.”

She frowned at my words.

“…Look at this brat? ‘I’d like to talk privately’? Have you lost your mind? Just because I’m treating you nicely, you think you can act like this?”

“…This is truly important to you.”

“Important to me?”

“Yes.”

“…..If this turns out to be nothing, I won’t care even if you’re Yoon Yeon’s boyfriend.”

*Damn it, I already told you it’s not like that.*

“Hey, you, get out.”

“Ah, yes. Boss!”

Once the man left, it was finally just the two of us.

“So, what’s this important thing you wanted to say? If it’s about sending you back…”

I decided to cut straight to the point. Given Yanagiya Riki’s personality, a direct approach seemed best.

“Your subordinates are planning a coup.”

“What? What are you…”

“…..”

“…A coup? What are you talking about?”

She looked completely baffled, as if the idea of being the target of a coup had never crossed her mind.

“Literally, your subordinates are preparing a coup. They’re dissatisfied with you.”

After hearing my explanation, she froze for a moment, then her expression turned fierce as she suddenly closed the distance between us.

*Bam—!*

“Ugh…! Cough…!”

“What the hell are you talking about, you bastard…! Playing games with me…!”

“Wait…! Just wait!”

*This crazy woman…!*

She had me pinned against the wall, choking me. I couldn’t breathe, so I could only tap her arm weakly.

“You damn brat!”

Suddenly, she grabbed my hair and raised her hand.

*Slap—!*

“Ah!”

I hadn’t expected her to slap me before even hearing the whole story, so I was completely stunned.

*Damn it, damn it! I shouldn’t have come to warn her! This lunatic!*

“Hey, I told you to stay put, didn’t I? What’s with the nonsense?”

“Cough…! Just wait, it’s true, it’s really true!”

“You’re really pushing it…!”

As she raised her hand again, a curse reflexively slipped out of my mouth.

“You… you damn woman! It’s true, you crazy bitch!”

My curse made her pause, and I continued. I had come here to help her, and now I was getting beaten up. It was so unfair that I couldn’t hold back.

“Damn it! What kind of person just starts hitting someone who came to help without even hearing them out?! You crazy bitch!”

“W-what?”

“You lunatic…! At least hear the rest before you decide, damn it!”

Seeing how genuinely upset I was, she fell silent for a moment before speaking.

“…Fine. I’ll listen. Speak.”

“Phew… Before I explain, something might appear in front of us. Please don’t destroy it if it does.”

I finished speaking and ordered the Chimera to reveal itself.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a Chimera.”

“A Chimera?”

“Yes. It’s not for combat—it’s designed for information gathering. Just so you know, I’m putting everything on the line to help you here. Understand?”

“…Got it. So what does this have to do with anything?”

Yanagiya Riki looked puzzled, wondering what connection this Chimera had with her subordinates planning a coup.

*Well… you’ll find out soon.*

—

『Bro, so about that plan…』

『Hold on. The preparations are almost done, and we’ve recruited everyone we need. The only issue now is the timing…』

『……』

『From what I can see, it’s better to handle things before the Eternity and Myth Clans arrive.』

『Why do you think so, bro? Wouldn’t it be better to wait until they’ve come and gone before making our move…』

『If it were just the Eternity Clan, that would make sense. But Yoon Yeon and that woman are friends. Well… they’ve drifted apart, but you never know.』

『Ah… so the Myth Clan’s Master and Yanagiya Riki are friends?』

『Yeah. That’s why it’s better to deal with this before any variables pop up.』

『But… is this the right move? If we fail, Yanagiya Riki won’t let us off easy…』

『Hey, you brat. In these kinds of things, you can’t think about failure. You have to go in assuming success. Otherwise, you’ll spend your whole life licking that woman’s feet.』

『Ah, no…』

『Think about it. Right now, we’re the ones licking her feet, but if this succeeds, she’ll be the one licking ours. We can’t just let her off easy, right?』

『Hehe… You’re right, bro. Considering how much we’ve endured, she owes us payback.』

『Heh, exactly. If we get tired of her or she becomes useless, we can always sell her off. There are plenty of places to sell her—outlaws, or even here in the Eastern Alliance.』





『There must be a truckload of people wanting to buy, right? If Yanagiya Riki were to be sold at an auction… people would line up to buy her.』

Kwang!

‘Ah, crap! Scared me!’

Listening to the recording, she suddenly punched the wall, making my heart drop.

Glancing at her, her face was twisted like a vengeful spirit.

I hadn’t known Yanagiya Riki for long, but I’d never seen her make that expression before.

Unable to contain her anger, her aura was so intense that it was hard for me to breathe.

‘Shit, damn…’

“…Is this for sure?”

“Ah… yes, that’s right…”

“Ha… ahaha, ahahaha!”

‘Why, why is she like this?’

“Yeah, that’s what it means.”

“……”

“Well, I kinda get who it is. Thanks to you. At least I found out because of you.”

“Ah… is that so? Thank you.”

Honestly, I wasn’t in a good mood after getting slapped by this woman, but after seeing her just now, I didn’t have the courage to bring it up.

“Just speak casually.”

“…Huh?”

“You speak casually to Yoon Yeon, right? Do the same with me.”

“Uh… that’s…”

“Will you speak casually or die?”

“I’ll speak casually. No, I’ll speak casually.”

“Good, you can curse like before if you want. About slapping you… I’m sorry. I was too hasty, really sorry.”

She bowed her head, genuinely apologetic, so I quickly said it was fine.

“Ah, I’m fine… no, it’s fine.”

‘Damn, now that she told me to speak casually, my words are getting tangled.’

I don’t know why she wants me to speak casually, but from my perspective, formal speech was more comfortable. After all, I’m the weaker one, and she’s the top ranker.

“Anyway… sorry for cursing and slapping you. Or do you want to hit me back?”

“Ah, no… that’s a bit…”

‘Are you crazy? You want me to slap you? Do I look suicidal?’

I couldn’t tell if she was serious or joking.

“Anyway, I’m really sorry. I think I need to clean up this mess, so I’ll guide you to a better room. Stay there. If you need anything, just say so.”

“Got it. But… what should I call you…?”

“Riki, call me Riki.”

******

A storm of blood swept through the Kotozuke Clan. The reason was a large-scale purge.

Of course, from the moment I gave Yanagiya Riki the information, their coup success rate dropped to 0%.

In just four days, the executives and clan members who planned the coup were all purged.

The reason things progressed so quickly was because of me.

Yanagiya Riki’s ability to act was truly astonishing.

Even with my help, she used somewhat cruel methods, but she quickly identified and purged the traitors.

As a result, Yanagiya Riki’s position in the Kotozuke Clan became even more solid, and the remaining clan members felt fear towards her.

‘I didn’t expect her to kill even the families of the coup participants…’

Even though it’s a clan that operates in the shadows, Yanagiya Riki’s methods were so brutal that even I was shocked.

She made sure no further conspiracies would arise by thoroughly finding and brutally killing all those involved.

She even executed the families of the involved and sold them into slavery.

Of course, she didn’t tell me about the families of the involved, but just because she didn’t say it doesn’t mean I couldn’t find out.

‘…Yanagiya Riki’s attitude is strange.’

And recently, her attitude has been strange. She used to be harsh with me, but ever since she told me to speak casually, she’s been oddly kind.

In the Kotozuke Clan, I’m practically treated like a state guest.

‘In a way, it’s natural.’

I don’t know what would have happened to her in the first round, but in this second round, if I hadn’t helped her, she might have faced a tragic ending.

If I were in her shoes and someone helped me, I’d be really grateful too.

Yanagiya Riki seems to truly appreciate me for that.

‘Yoon Yeon’s words were a big help in making the decision.’

The debt is clear.

She was exactly as Yoon Yeon described. Cruel in revenge, but repaying kindness like the ocean.

‘Really… the world is unpredictable.’

It wasn’t long ago that I was attacked by outlaws and my life was in danger.

When I was dragged to the Eastern Alliance, I thought, ‘I’m screwed,’ but I never imagined things would turn out like this.

Lost in thought, I chuckled, and then there was a knock at the door.

Knock knock.

“…Yoon Seong, can I come in?”

It was Yanagiya Riki’s voice.

Technically, she’s the owner of this clan house. She could just walk in, but ever since that day, she’s always respected me like this.

“…Come in.”

Hearing my words, she entered the room.

“What were you doing? Are you doing okay?”

“Ah, thanks to you. Actually, the treatment is so good it’s a bit…”

“Get used to it. The Kotozuke Clan repays its benefactors well. Of course, I do too.”

“Haha…”

Honestly, this kind of treatment was burdensome.

If I hadn’t seen her harsh side, maybe it’d be different, but after seeing it all, her kindness now is hard to react to.

“Still, I’m glad you’re doing okay. I was worried you might be uncomfortable…”

“…By the way, what’s the matter?”

At my question, she hesitated for a while, avoiding eye contact, then spoke.

“Well… would you consider joining our clan?”

“Huh?”

What? What did you say?