Operation Code: Jester’s Play
The bell tinkled softly as the door swung open, and two men stepped inside. One of them paused, casting a wistful glance around the room.
The interior was immaculate. Large windows lined the walls, and polished tables were neatly arranged beneath them, showcasing a pristine design.
Yet, something was amiss. Despite the restaurant’s impressive appearance, it was eerily empty, devoid of any patrons.
The larger man, who had been scanning the surroundings, turned to the man who had stopped at the entrance.
“Boss, it seems they haven’t arrived yet.”
“Well, they might be running a bit late.”
“Does that make any sense? This is the mercenary zone. They summoned us here, and now they’re not even—”
“Welcome.”
Just then, as the larger man was about to lose his temper, a gentle voice floated in from the kitchen. A woman emerged, her steps as graceful as her voice. She was as beautiful as a delicate flower, exuding elegance, yet her presence was commanding enough to draw the men’s attention.
When the man at the entrance and the woman locked eyes, they both fell silent, as if they were old acquaintances.
“Hello… there.”
The woman bowed politely, though her voice betrayed a hint of hesitation.
The man quickly regained his composure and stepped forward with a casual greeting.
“Yes, it’s been a while, User Im Hanna. It’s been ages since I last visited Love House. Or is it Love Tavern now?”
“Yes, we changed the name after some renovations… Taejin… or should I say, Lord Soo?”
“I’d appreciate that. I’m officially the lord of a clan now.”
“Yes… Lord Soo.”
A fleeting look of disappointment crossed Hanna’s face, and Lord Soo, Park Taejin, didn’t miss it. Memories from the past surfaced, but he maintained a detached demeanor as he spoke.
“I didn’t expect to meet you here. I heard you were with the Mercenary Clan… Are you working at Love Tavern now?”
“Just… yes. Can I get you something? Like what you used to have?”
“No, thank you. I’m not here to eat; it’s business. But it seems your contact hasn’t arrived yet?”
“Yes, yes. Let me show you to a table in the meantime.”
Hanna turned away, her shoulders slightly slumped, and led them to a table. Taejin followed, feeling a small sense of satisfaction.
“They said they’d be here soon. Please wait a moment.”
But as soon as Hanna left, Taejin’s satisfaction faded, replaced by curiosity. The larger man seemed to share his sentiment, pushing his chair back as he spoke.
“Boss, why do you think the Mercenary Clan wants to meet us?”
“Who knows? We’ll find out soon enough.”
“I’m suspicious. Those guys who’ve been cozying up to Hyuk lately…”
“Baekdusan, just a heads-up, watch your words around the Mercenaries.”
Taejin’s eyes narrowed sharply as he warned. Baekdusan nodded hastily, clamping his large hand over his mouth. The sight was so mismatched with his size that Taejin couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Let’s just wait quietly.”
The bell tinkled again as the door opened.
Taejin’s gaze was anything but gentle as he looked ahead. A man with a pleasant demeanor sat across from him, smiling broadly. His features were neat, not the kind to provoke immediate dislike, yet Taejin frowned without hesitation.
The reason for his open displeasure was simple. It wasn’t because someone dared to summon the leader of the alliance, nor because the man was from the Mercenary Clan. It was the fact that he was being toyed with by Shin Hyuk that irked him.
But the real reason for Taejin’s frown lay on the table. A small recording crystal and a thick stack of documents. The crystal had already played its recording, its glow faded, and the documents were scattered.
Yes, the men gathered around the table were from the Koran Alliance and the Mercenary Clan. Soo Clan Lord Park Taejin, Serengeti Clan Lord Baekdusan, and Mercenary Clan member Jo Seungwoo. The three were engaged in a tense conversation, momentarily paused by the items on the table.
A heavy silence hung in the air. It was Baekdusan who broke it, his face flushed with anger as he slammed the table, shattering the quiet with a loud bang.
“Damn it! What kind of nonsense is this?”
“Oh my, that was quite a surprise. You must be very strong. Hahaha.”
“Hahaha? Is this funny to you? Are you proud of planting spies?”
“Oh, that’s a misunderstanding, as I mentioned.”
“Misunderstanding? You little—”
“Baekdusan.”
Just as Baekdusan was about to unleash a torrent of curses, Taejin swiftly intervened. Baekdusan clamped his mouth shut, though his grinding teeth betrayed his lingering anger. Meanwhile, Jo Seungwoo maintained his calm demeanor, observing the two men.
Taejin was equally frustrated, but he forced himself to remain composed. Losing his temper wouldn’t help. After a deep breath, he spoke in a measured tone.
“So, why did you show us these?”
“Well… as the leader of the alliance, we wanted to know your thoughts on this incident…”
“Let’s skip the pleasantries. What does the Mercenary Clan want?”
”…Oh? That’s an unexpected reaction. From what I saw in the recording…”
Jo Seungwoo trailed off with a sly smile. But everyone present could guess the implication. The two men’s faces hardened, confirming their suspicions.
Taejin placed his hand on the table, clenching his fist as he glared at Jo Seungwoo.
“User Jo Seungwoo, don’t be mistaken.”
”…”
“I admit the competition has been fierce, but the alliance is a family. We are users united under one banner. I think I know what you’re implying, but it would be wise to hold your tongue.”
”…Haha. Is that so? I apologize. I must have misunderstood the alliance. I’m truly sorry.”
Jo Seungwoo apologized immediately. Taejin exhaled slowly, releasing his glare. He reached for his teacup, his throat dry.
“Ah. I apologize as well. I tend to speak harshly when I’m angry. Anyway, let’s hear the Mercenary Clan’s demands.”
“Rather than demands… it’s more of a request. We don’t have anything specific to ask for.”
“What? Nothing to ask for?”
“Yes. We’ve already submitted a crystal with the same content to the Central Management Bureau. We have no intention of covering up this incident.”
Thunk!
A dull thud echoed as Taejin’s teacup slipped from his grasp. He stared at Jo Seungwoo, his mind racing. He had assumed the Mercenaries would use this incident to make demands.
But instead, they had already reported it to the authorities.
So why?
“Are you joking? Then why did you call me here?”
“Lord Soo, your voice is too loud.”
“How can I not raise my voice?”
“Ha. I don’t understand, I really don’t. Why are you so angry?”
Taejin opened his mouth to retort but fell silent as he met Jo Seungwoo’s gaze. The man’s expression had shifted, his hands clasped under his chin, eyes cold and calculating. It was as if he were a different person.
“Joking. Does this seem like a joke to you?”
”…….”
“Lord Soo, there’s a limit to shamelessness. We, the Mercenaries, trusted the alliance. We even shared our hard-earned achievements to foster a good relationship. So, when we learned of this through an anonymous tip, how do you think we felt? How do you think the Mercenary Lord felt?”
“Um…”
“Lord Soo, don’t raise your voice recklessly. It’s the Mercenaries who should be angry, not the alliance.”
“I’m not denying Hyuk’s wrongdoing… but why did you call me here?”
Whether it’s true or not, who did it remains unknown. With numerous enemies of the alliance, Taejin had no way of knowing.
However, Park Tae-jin was a sharp thinker. He quickly grasped the situation and organized his thoughts. Once the report was submitted to the central management, there was no turning back. It was too late to smooth things over with sweet talk; now, his priority was to step aside from the impending storm. The wolves from the East wouldn’t just sit idly by.
With this in mind, Park Tae-jin subtly shifted the focus to Shin-hyuk, diverting attention. Observing this, Jo Seung-woo couldn’t help but smile secretly, though he maintained a cold exterior.
Jo Seung-woo spoke up.
”…Tsk. I’m not trying to provoke you, so let’s not get heated. The reason I wanted to meet with you, the clan lord, is to discuss future relations with the alliance.”
“Future relations?”
“Exactly. Our clan lord is a very pragmatic person. While he can’t forgive Shin-hyuk for this absurd stunt, he understands that others… well, they had no choice. Besides, the central management has also requested that we keep things within reasonable bounds.”
“The central management? Really? Why would they…?”
“Yes. I don’t know the full details myself, but they said you’d understand if I mentioned Lee Hyo-eul and the Iron Mountain.”
“Lee Hyo-eul…? Iron Mountain…? Ah!”
Initially, Park Tae-jin’s expression was indifferent. Without holding the reins, any news was bound to make him uneasy.
But the mention of Lee Hyo-eul and Iron Mountain made his eyes widen. He finally understood why the central management had intervened. It was as if a lifeline had been thrown into his bleak situation.
“That’s a relief. It seems you understand. Anyway, the mercenaries’ request is simple. As I mentioned earlier, we can’t just let this incident slide. However, we’ll focus on the Southern Lord who orchestrated this plan and turn a blind eye to the others.”
“Hmm. I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s not like we’re completely uninvolved. The entire alliance can’t escape criticism.”
“You’ll have to bear that much. Put yourself in our shoes. If the alliance faced such a situation, would you just sit back?”
”…”
“Of course, this incident will strain relations, but we recognize the alliance’s strength. Our clan lord is well aware of that. Just apologize this once and help us deal with the Southern Lord. Or simply stand aside. If you do that, the mercenaries will forget this ever happened. We also hope to maintain good relations with the alliance in the future.”
”…Phew.”
Park Tae-jin let out a deep sigh and slowly rubbed his forehead.
Given that the central management was already aware, the situation wasn’t entirely dire. It wasn’t the best outcome, but it was a decent alternative.
In a way, this could be seen as an opportunity for Park Tae-jin. If this incident blew up, the fate of the Halo case was uncertain, but he could certainly oust Shin-hyuk, the current second-in-command of the alliance, without dirtying his hands. This was a significant advantage.
Yet, having confidently declared the alliance as family earlier, he hesitated to agree so readily now.
After much deliberation, he finally spoke, choosing his words carefully.
“Well, I understand what you’re saying, but… I think I need to discuss this with the mercenary lord.”
“There’s no need for that. You might find it presumptuous, but the clan lord is extremely busy with various matters. He’s entrusted this entirely to me, so I have full authority. You can give your answer here and now. Yes or no.”
Baek Doo-san’s eyebrows twitched violently. The audacity of speaking so arrogantly to someone like a brother was infuriating. But he held his tongue, knowing how much he respected Park Tae-jin.
Time passed. Park Tae-jin closed his eyes gently, then let out another deep sigh and nodded slightly. Internally, he was indifferent to the outcome, but he needed to show that he had no choice.
Seeing this, Jo Seung-woo smiled subtly. He ran a hand through his hair and spoke.
“Thank you. I apologize for my earlier rudeness. I was just so angry when I first heard the news…”
“It’s fine. I was just considering things from your perspective. We also regret this incident deeply. The real apology should come from…”
“Oh, no. I understand the situation. As you said, the fault lies entirely with the Southern Lord. And given the alliance’s pride and generosity… I’m sure our clan lord will be satisfied. As promised, we’ll ensure the alliance, excluding the Southern Lord, suffers minimal damage.”
“Hmm? Well… thank you for saying that and understanding. I also hope for a positive relationship with the mercenaries after this incident.”
The icy atmosphere quickly warmed. Though he had reluctantly accepted the situation, Park Tae-jin, who had always seen Shin-hyuk as his greatest rival, found some satisfaction. Jo Seung-woo, having achieved his goal, felt the same.
Jo Seung-woo then gathered the crystal ball and documents towards himself.
“Shall we wrap up our discussion?”
He ran a hand through his hair again.
After concluding their conversation, Park Tae-jin and Baek Doo-san left the Love Tavern. Jo Seung-woo had praised the chef and suggested they stay for a meal, but Park Tae-jin declined outright, even in front of the chef, Im Han-na.
Recalling Im Han-na’s subtle disappointment, Park Tae-jin felt an inexplicable satisfaction, though he also chuckled bitterly. He realized he was being petty, feeling pleased over someone who had once rejected his confession.
Baek Doo-san, however, seemed to interpret the bitter smile differently. As they walked, he spoke cautiously.
“Hyung, don’t blame yourself too much. It was an unavoidable situation.”
”…Yeah, I know.”
“And honestly, I’m a bit relieved. If we just stay put, that annoying guy will get crushed. Sure, we’ll face some criticism, but…”
“Baek Doo-san. I told you to watch your words.”
“When you called the alliance family, I was moved too.”
“Doosan, let’s just keep quiet. There’s nothing we can do now. It was out of our hands. This is a notification, a one-sided notification. They’re going to do as they please, and that’s why I couldn’t do anything.”
Baek Doo-san fell silent. He wasn’t the sharpest, but he understood Park Tae-jin’s point.
Still, seeing his brother’s lingering dissatisfaction, he changed the subject.
“Alright, alright. I’ll keep my mouth shut. By the way… how was it? It’s been a while since you saw her.”
“Huh? Who did I see after a long time?”
Park Tae-jin feigned ignorance, prompting Baek Doo-san to nudge him playfully.
“Oh, come on. Don’t pretend. Im Han-na, the flower of Monica… what was it? Anyway, that big-breasted cow. She seemed interested in you.”
“Interested? She’s a rare class user from the mercenaries. But it’s strange. Why is a rare class working there?”
“I have no idea. But if I were her, I’d be kicking myself. If she’d accepted your confession back then, she’d be the woman of the alliance’s top man now…”
“Enough. What’s the point of bringing up first loves now? And she’s a fortress. Countless users have tried, but she’s never budged. Even if we had something, it would’ve been a platonic love. Anyway, I have no regrets or lingering feelings.”
Despite his words, Park Tae-jin felt a twinge of interest in Baek Doo-san’s comments. He thought of Im Han-na’s beautiful face, her gentle voice, and her ample figure. Given her reputation as the impenetrable flower of Monica, he couldn’t help but feel a desire to conquer her. It was an unavoidable urge that any man might have.
Baek Doo-san chattered on, suggesting he try again, boasting that he’d have his way with her if he were in Park Tae-jin’s shoes. Park Tae-jin played along, heading towards the warp gate. Despite his earlier warning to keep quiet, their demeanor was far from that of men who had just discussed serious matters.
But were they aware? That the woman Park Tae-jin called a fortress was currently undressing, reporting the success of her plan. That she was in the arms of another man, mocking Park Tae-jin’s behavior from earlier, her breath heavy with desire.
Unaware of these truths, the two men stood side by side at the warp gate, stepping into the portal with seemingly light hearts.
Haha, I’ve read all your comments. A couple of you mentioned that the story feels like it’s dragging a bit. I understand, but I assure you, the last chapter and this one weren’t included without purpose. In fact, they contain crucial elements that directly tie into the upcoming revelations. That’s why I had to pay extra attention to every line of dialogue. Despite my efforts, there was an error, and I made the first round of corrections around 6 AM on the 26th. (You can find the detailed corrections in the previous chapter’s notes.) The content you’re looking forward to will start appearing in the next chapter. :)
To answer one reader’s question, the woman who died in the last chapter isn’t directly connected to Park Hwan-hee. She’s not part of the alliance either. She’s on Park Hwan-hee’s side, but more as a supportive character. Additional details about her will be revealed as the story progresses. Thank you for your patience and understanding. (__)