The most important thing (1)
“I would like to formally suggest that you leave the expedition.”
This was the moment when my plans were completed.
At those words, Jung Yura and the rest of the Black Swan members looked confused. Choi Young-ki had spoken so suddenly that they did not know how to react.
I resisted the urge to smile. Didn’t Jung Yura know I was the best when it came to political tactics? And she tried to best me in my own game.
The atmosphere had suddenly taken on a dangerously quiet turn.
“Are you kidding me?”
“…”
Did he think Choi Young-ki would joke about something like this?
Jung Yura, who had silently been gazing at Young-ki to confirm her worst suspicions, grew mad and began to speak as well.
“This is ridiculous.”
“No. This is a reasonable judgment from the standpoint of someone leading this expedition.”
“Huh.”
“I can see what your intentions are, Jung Yura. I also know what you have contributed so far. I also know that you were more dedicated than anyone else for this expedition. However, it seems too difficult for the entire group to work together with you anymore.”
“How could you have come to this decision?!”
“It was an unavoidable choice. I thought it unreasonable to proceed with the expedition in this atmosphere. I don’t know what Yura-san thinks of the Blue party, but what you’re showing is quite illogical and harsh.”
“I’ve only spoken for the sake of the expedition. I don’t hold any grudges against Blue!”
I wanted to point out how she had treated me, but Jung Yura looked so angry at this point that I decided it was best to stay quiet. Her expression revealed that she was hurling every curse word she could think of towards Choi Young-ki.
For Choi Young-ki’s sake, I opened my mouth.
“That’s okay, Choi Young-ki. You don’t have to do this.”
“No, Mr. Kiyoung. This would be better. Party members who stir up trouble will one day lead us to major accidents. No, I’m sure something will happen if they continue to stay.”
“Are you saying that I’m the one causing the commotion?”
“Yes. I will not tell you exactly how. There will be something for you to find out and remember.”
“That’s…”
“Miss Yura’s actions have already exceeded our level of understanding. You have been here for a long time and should respect my decision. Even if you feel that your actions are reasonable, the others here have begun to feel uncomfortable because of you. I advise you to think this through.”
“How ridiculous! Who do you think you are?”
It seemed that Jung Yura was still ignoring where she stood in this group. The fact that she decided to employ political tactics to take me down was now laughable.
This woman was incompetent. I could say that for sure now. Regardless of hunting skills or specs, she was not suitable to be a leader, even more so when one considered her narrow mindset.
Currently, Jung Yura was looking at both Young-ki and me with an expression full of hatred.
However, we both had ample reason not to be afraid. Our protector came in the name of the Legendary Red Queen Cha Hee-ra.
“Now it makes sense, Mr. Choi Young-ki.”
“It’s hard to understand what you mean.”
“I’ve been trying to be fair since the start, and yet you keep trying to put me down. Was this your plan from the beginning?”
‘Whoa, now she’s going down this route?’
“Did you get anything from the Mercenary Queen? Is this why you’re acting this way? From the beginning, did you intend to sabotage the Black Swans? How ridiculous. You’re pretending to be a good leader while babying Lee Kiyoung secretly. You know Cha Hee-ra would have done the same.”
“Yura, aren’t you being harsh? Cha Hee-ra has nothing to do with this.”
“Shut up, you bastard.”
“Don’t be so upset… You’re saying things without thinking of them properly.”
I gave the impression of wanting to exit this unpleasant scenario as soon as possible. However, in truth, I was rubbing salt to her wounds through my pitiful expressions to stir the group some more, but it seemed that Jung Yura had had enough.
“Hah. This whole thing is rigged. The Mercenary Queen must have bribed you with an item, and then let you wreak havoc in this expedition. Do you think that guild expeditions are a joke? If so, I should have joined the Blue Guild or the Red Mercenaries instead.”
“Yura.”
The more Jung Yura talked, the more she was destroying her image. I could feel Jung Hayan shifting uncomfortably, as Cha Hee-ra’s name had been mentioned so many times.
I knew this was now ample time to shut my mouth. Everyone already felt embarrassed enough with Yura’s antics. Choi Young-ki appeared to be trying to hold back his anger.
“Unnie, please…”
“Stop, unnie!”
“Let me go, they’re being crazy bitches! I don’t know how great the Red Mercenary is, but if our guild finds out about this, do you think they’ll let this pass? Blue and Red are repressing our guild! This is unfair! I want to formally protest!”
Bang!
Jung Yura’s expression shifted into one of shock, relapsing into silence as Choi Young-ki slammed his fist into the stone wall right next to her. Pure anger was on his quivering face.
Come to think of it…
‘Did Yura really just say that Young-ki was only powerful because of Cha Hee-ra?’
I knew how much Choi Young-ki revered Cha Hee-ra, so hearing Yura criticize her probably wasn’t the best choice of action to take.
Jung Yura had probably felt so excited that she’d ended up taking her words too far. I’d thought she was a formidable opponent, but it turned out she was just stupid. It wasn’t just Choi Young-ki but also the rest of the Red Mercenary members who were trying to rein in their anger at this point.
If I were in Yura’s shoes, I’d be shaking right about now. Choi Young-ki had begun to exhibit malicious intentions, which were now pouring towards Jung Yura.
However, as soon as Kim Hyunsung reached out to Young-ki in an attempt to calm him down, the man snapped out of it.
“Oh… Thank you…”
I could understand Young-ki’s anger, for the person he had revered so much had just been so blatantly insulted. However, I still wanted to praise him for not finishing her off right then and there.
If it weren’t for Park Deokgu’s blundering from the start, I would have never thought of bringing Young-ki to our side. The fact that the man could control himself even though he seemed so angry was evidence that he was a competent person.
Jung Yura was both confused and scared upon feeling the intense pressure from Young-ki’s anger and had begun to rethink her words. Considering her stats, she might be able to resist this energy, but it was clear that the difference between their powers was substantial.
‘It’s good that she’s aware.’
If she dared to say anything further, I knew Young-ki would end up exploding.
“Are you finished talking?” He asked her quietly.
“That…”
“I want you to leave right now.”
“Forgive me, I’ve spoken out of turn. I just felt too pumped too-“
“I told you to leave right now. I don’t want to hear anything anymore. As I mentioned earlier, you will get your share separately.”
“But…”
Bang! Young-ki had slammed his fist once more.
“I-I understand.”
‘Finally.’
Though scary, I also found this situation extremely pleasing. I couldn’t help but smile, making sure that no one would be able to see it.
“I want you to leave the dungeon right now, Miss Yura. I also think it would be beneficial for the Magic Guild.”
Even the party leaders from behind me had begun to team up with Young-ki, the winning side.
I had to admire the Red Mercenary leader. He didn’t just know how to throw stones at the tormented; he also knew how to burn her at the stakes. This was a fitting description considering how much of a witch Yura had been acting this entire time.
Now Jung Yura had started to regret her actions. Her breathing had become shallow, her body had begun trembling, and tears had started to fall out of her eyes.
‘Ah…’
There was a long silence. Eventually, after a few more moments, Jung Yura began to walk away, taking the path that we had already cleared.
However, when she passed by me, she shot me a look filled with pure hatred and malice, going so far as to bump into me roughly with her shoulder. It took everything in me not to stumble backward.
‘Gosh…’
Of course, I didn’t feel scared at all.
Assessing her personality, I knew I could easily beat her with just wits. However, I also knew that I shouldn’t make a person’s hatred so lightly, especially when someone had a higher stat range than I did.
At the same time that I knew this, I also knew that there was a high chance I wouldn’t even see her anymore after this. People like Yura did not fall because of their lack of stats; they fell because of their stupidity. One wrong move could get you killed in this world, but it seemed like she did not know that yet.
It was a wrong move on her part to try to battle me through political tactics. She had been utterly defeated.
‘I hope she learns not to mess with the wrong people.’
After watching her go, followed by her lackeys, Choi Young-ki turned to the rest of the group.
“So, let’s go.”
“Y-Yes.”
“We apologize for any inconvenience or discomfort I must have caused you.”
“No, no, we completely understand.”
The group responded to him immediately, feeling Young-ki’s authority now more than ever.
‘And you thought you could defeat me, bitch.’
I was sorry, it seems I was a little more capable than Jung Yura thought.