SWNOVELXO Chapter 23 - Short Fuse (2)
TL Note: Sorry guys for the lack of release, I’m busy irl. There are actually bunch of chapters but hadn’t had the time yet to edit them.
Chapter 23: Short Fuse (2)
Around noon the following day.
Seo Wan-pyeong was strolling through the grounds of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult with a gloomy expression. Sunlight fell across his gaunt face—pale from chronic insomnia, worsened by his paranoid delusions, and further drained by the nature of his martial arts, which leaned heavily on assassination. Seo Wan-pyeong winced, irritably raising a hand to shield his eyes from the intrusive rays. Yet…
‘What pleasant weather.’
Despite his grim exterior, his mood was uncharacteristically calm. The recent improvement in his mood was undoubtedly due to Il-mok’s influence. Whenever dark thoughts arose—whether guilt over failing his master’s tasks, self-blame for the Dark Shadow Pavilion’s troubles, or spiraling doubts—Seo Wan-pyeong sought out his youngest brother.
The boy was extraordinary. He would come up with solutions that Seo Wan-pyeong couldn’t easily think of, or repeatedly remind him that he had misinterpreted his Master’s words. Recently, Seo Wan-pyeong had even started to entertain the positive thought that perhaps their Master didn’t hate him.
He had sometimes thought himself a fool for receiving help from a disciple so much younger than himself, but…
“What are you saying, Senior Brother?! I’ve witnessed your revered sword skills firsthand, and you’ve even granted me the honor of sparring with you! Compared to the grace you’ve shown me, this is nothing!”
After hearing those words from his youngest brother yesterday, even such thoughts had completely vanished.
And so, today too, Seo Wan-pyeong was heading to Windrock Palace, where his youngest junior brother was staying. Not driven by distress this time, but by a willingness to spar and share his swordsmanship.
As he was strolling through the cult’s grounds, Seo Wan-pyeong’s eyes caught sight of a familiar man.
“Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Wi Jin-hak, who had been pacing back and forth in the same spot like an anxious puppy, burst into a booming laugh at Seo Wan-pyeong’s greeting.
“Hahaha! It’s been a while since we’ve met like this in broad daylight, Third Brother.”
His paranoia reared its ugly head and automatically translated his Eldest Brother’s words as, ‘What’s a gloomy guy like you, who only lurks in the shadows, doing out in broad daylight?’ But he shook his head, dismissing the suspicion. It could just be his paranoia.
‘I should ask the youngest brother about this.’
With that thought, Seo Wan-pyeong asked his fellow disciple, “Is something troubling you, Elder Brother?”
“There’s a small problem with the Red Dragon Corps (赤龍團), and I’m pondering how to handle it. Hahaha.”
Seo Wan-pyeong nodded at Wi Jin-hak’s answer, saying, “I see.”
Just as Seo Wan-pyeong belonged to the Dark Shadow Pavilion and handled the cult’s affairs, his Eldest Senior Brother Wi Jin-hak was part of the Red Dragon Corps, a military unit. The difference was that while Seo Wan-pyeong was a mid-level official in the Dark Shadow Pavilion, Wi Jin-hak was the leader of the Red Dragon Corps.
“Honestly. Leading the troops and crushing the skulls of those non-believer bastards is easy, but this situation is a bit complicated, so I’m scratching my head over it.”
An idea struck Seo Wan-pyeong as he watched his fellow disciple bursted into another bout of hearty laughter.
“Then, would you like to come with me?”
“Join you? Where to?”
“I don’t know the specifics of your trouble, but there’s someone who might offer wise counsel.”
“Oh ho! Now that sounds interesting!”
Without even asking who, Wi Jin-hak laughed like a fool and followed his junior.
***
Just like any other day, I was spending time with Seon-ah and Jin Hayeon when—
Clunk.
The doors of Windrock Palace swung open, revealing two unexpected guests. Recognizing them, I quickly clasped my hands in formal greeting.
“Greetings to Eldest Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother.”
However, while I offered my greeting to them, one part of my mind raced.
‘I can understand the paranoid senior brother coming every day now, but what brings the ticking bomb one here?’
As if reading my thoughts, the ever-paranoid Third Brother graciously clarified.
“Good to see you, youngest. Actually, I met the Eldest Senior Brother on the way here, and hearing he had a concern, we came together.”
“I see that’s what happened.”
While I responded reflexively, inwardly I was dumbfounded.
‘Why bring a ticking time bomb to me for advice?’
Eldest Senior Brother Wi Jin-hak was notorious for his volatile temper due to practicing the Raging Demon Sword Art. While rumors suggested he was nearing Transcendence, the crucial point was that he wasn’t there yet. In other words, one wrong phrase could detonate him.
But unaware of my inner thoughts, the paranoid senior brother suddenly said to the ticking time bomb,
“Eldest Senior Brother, as you’ve probably already heard, our youngest here is quite brilliant for his age. Perhaps he might be able to solve your problem, so why don’t you explain it to him?”
“Hahaha! Now that you mention it, the Master did praise his wit! Well then, I’ll explain.”
With those words, Eldest Senior Brother Wi Jin-hak began to share his concerns without even asking for my opinion.
“Recently, the vice-leader of our Red Dragon Corps was recognized for his achievements and promoted to become the leader of the Black Tiger Corps. The problem is, instead of bringing in a vice-leader from elsewhere, the Master told me to choose one myself. From among the current squad leaders of the Red Dragon Corps.”
Hearing this, it certainly did seem like a troublesome issue.
‘Having to promote just one out of many, huh. That’s problematic in many ways.’
As if the decision were truly agonizing, Wi Jin-hak continued, “They each have their strengths and weaknesses, and since we’ve been together for so long, it’s even more difficult. All the current squad leaders have been with the Red Dragon Corps since I first joined as vice-leader. One has good skills but is too slippery, another is…”
Counting off on his fingers, he rattled off information about each squad leader in great detail. Finally finishing his explanation, he asked, “Given this situation, what do you think would be best, youngest?”
I furrowed my brow, feigning deep thought.
Misinterpreting my silence, Seo Wan-pyeong encouraged me, “Just be honest. Even though Eldest Senior Brother looks a bit intimidating, he’s a great guy who listens to what people have to say.”
“!!!”
I couldn’t help but flinch at the Third Senior Brother’s fanning of the flames.
Did he just insult the living bomb just now?!
To my relief, Eldest Senior Brother simply bellowed out a laugh. “Ahahaha! Many find my appearance frightening!”
‘Phew. Looks like he doesn’t mind comments about his appearance much.’
But I wasn’t out of the woods yet, so I opened my mouth as cautiously as possible.
“I’ve thought hard about it, but honestly, I’m not sure either.”
In truth, I’d decided this the moment they arrived.
‘Helping out here will only get me saddled with more work. No thanks.’
Whether it’s here or in modern-day Korea, it’s the same. Do a good job and you’ll saddled with more work so I chose to feign ignorance instead.
Between Master’s demands and Third Brother’s clinginess, I refused to volunteer for another headache.
The only risk was triggering Eldest Senior Brother’s rage, but to my surprise, it was Third Brother who frowned bitterly—not the ticking time bomb.
‘Why are you looking disappointed?’
Eldest Senior Brother, who had just poured out his problem to me, wasn’t angry at all; he just wore his usual dopey grin.
“Hahaha! So even my youngest brother found this to be a difficult problem, I see.”
And for some odd reason, the previously disappointed Third Senior Brother even started to apologize on my behalf.
“Ahem. I’m sorry, eldest senior.”
“Hahaha! What’s to forgive? Blame this fool for bringing such a headache!”
As Eldest Senior Brother laughed boisterously, he turned his head to survey the surroundings and his eyes met with Seon-ah’s.
“Oh ho! If it isn’t the little miss from the Hyeokryeon family! I’ve heard you’ve been visiting our youngest brother quite often lately.”
“I’m not little,” Seon-ah replied with an uncharacteristically pouty tone.
“Ahahaha! It seems the little miss is upset because this stupid senior brother has stolen away her playtime with the youngest! Hahaha! What a cute little lady.”
Whether it was because her true feelings were read, or because she was still upset that the eldest senior kept taking up time, Seon-ah mumbled with her lips pursed in a whining manner.
“The Lord Wi is a dummy.”
The moment Seon-ah blurted out those words…
“Ahahahaha!”
A strange, inexplicable sensation came over me. Elder Senior Brother’s laughter boomed like an idiot as usual, but I felt a chill run down my spine.
Then, Third Brother’s urgent voice transmission pierced my ear.
―Oh no! RUN. NOW!
“???”
As I looked at the third senior with an expression of incomprehension, another voice transmission flew in.
―There is a reason why the Eldest Senior Brother hasn’t reached the Transcendent stage yet! While he is no longer as volatile as his early days, he cannot tolerate being called stupid. It’s fine if he call himself stupid, but others must NEVER call him stupid!
“…”
What the fuck is this?
It’s okay for him to call himself stupid, but if someone else says it, he loses his mind? Fucking nutjob.
‘That’s right. This place was a den of lunatics.’
Even as I was processing this important fact…
“Ahahahaha! Did you just call me an idiot?”
Eldest Senior Brother’s harsh laughter was getting louder and louder, and at the same time, violent energy waves began to erupt outwards from him.
And they were directed towards Seon-a, who had provoked him.
Of course, Seon-a was the precious daughter of the Hyeokryeon family, a prestigious clan even within the demonic sect. Even for the eldest senior, harming Seon-a could cause problems. But if he were the type to consider such things before acting, he wouldn’t have had an anger management issue in the first place.
As his maddened laughter grew louder, a gale of crimson and violent energy erupted from Eldest Senior Brother’s body and lashed out at Seon-ah.
Third Brother and Jin Hayeon flared their own energies, bracing themselves to stop Eldest Senior Brother’s rampage.
“Young Miss!!”
A guard from the Hyeokryeon family, who had been waiting beyond the walls of Windrock Palace, came running.
“I’VE GOT IT! THE SOLUTION!!”
I blurted out whatever came to mind first, trying to calm the situation.
The moment those words flew out of my mouth, Eldest Brother’s manic gaze turned to me. The energy flared from his body still rampaging wildly. My chest tightened and my heart felt constricted, even the mere process of breathing became painful. I squeezed out what little inner energy I had and raised my voice.
“Promoting the third squad leader to the second-in-command is the best course of action!”
“Why?”
As if his personality had suddenly changed, the Eldest Brother asked briefly, his eyes already half-crazed.
Why?
It was simple.
“You said he’s the most meticulous with his work, so he can handle tasks in your place when you’re absent or busy!”
In other words, he was the most suitable person to dump work on. After all, isn’t it natural that when you choose the most capable person as your subordinate, it makes things easier for those above?
‘Just like that damn team leader!!’
It was a solution that popped into my head because I was reminded of that team leader from when I was Seo Ji-hoon, the guy who pawned work off on me and ducked out even as I was dying.
Of course, if the third squad leader were competent in all areas, there would have been no need for the Eldest Brother to worry in the first place.
“You mentioned his martial skills are the weakest among the squad leaders, but that doesn’t matter! After all, you, as commander, can more than cover that with your strength. Therefore, the second-in-command should be chosen to complement your weaknesses.”
The Eldest Senior Brother who had been eerily listening to my argument in a manner uncharacteristic of a mad demon cackled eerily as soon as I finished speaking.
“KHAHAHAHA!!!”
Like a madman, no, true to being a madman, threw his head back and roared with laughter. Then, eerily lowering his head, he stared at me with eyes full of madness.
Sneer.
“So, you’re saying… since I’m dumb, I should promote the smart third squad leader to become second-in-command.”
With those words, the ground beneath his feet exploded, and the living bomb charged at me while swinging a greatsword wreathed in swirling red energy.