Chapter 602
Whipping someone can be an effective way to impose your will, but at the same time, it can also provoke hostility. In that sense, Team Leader Choi was someone who knew exactly how to wield the whip.
“Executive Hong.”
At Team Leader Choi’s call, now naturally seated at the head of the table, one of the younger executives responded with a tense expression.
“Y-Yes.”
“I’ve heard plenty of rumors about you, Executive Hong. They say you’re remarkably capable.”
“N-No, I’ve just been lucky—”
“Rising to an executive position in Ares Guild isn’t something luck can achieve. Especially at your age. Don’t you think so?”
Though Team Leader Choi’s tone was soft, the unease on Executive Hong’s face was impossible to hide. And there was always a reason why Choi would single out just one person among dozens of executives.
“Having grown up overseas, it was difficult to adapt at first. But since it was still a place where people lived, I gradually made friends.”
Even though he had been exiled, he was still a royal heir. Choi Minwoo had lived a life far removed from that of an ordinary citizen like me, and his network was beyond imagination.
“Every now and then, some of those friends send me updates. I heard some rather interesting things about you, Executive Hong.”
“…Is that so.”
“Yes. Plenty of praise, in fact. About you—and the others as well.”
Every time Team Leader Choi’s calm gaze shifted, the executives he looked at flinched as though scalded. No one who wasn’t a fool would take those words at face value.
‘Still water eventually turns foul.’
Ares Guild was one of the largest organizations in the world. An executive position here granted unimaginable wealth and honor. Among all these executives, how many could claim to be truly clean? The reason they hadn’t been summoned by the prosecutors yet wasn’t because they were innocent—but because they were just dirty enough to still pass.
The ones drenched in sewage and waste had already gathered in detention.
“Are you feeling unwell? You’re sweating quite a bit.”
At Team Leader Choi’s question, Executive Hong wiped his forehead.
“N-No, it’s just a little warm in here.”
“Must be an issue with the temperature regulation magic. We should get that fixed quickly.”
Though the conference room was kept at a perfect temperature through magic, half the executives were sweating as if they were inside a sauna. It was because they’d all seen the whip Team Leader Choi had hidden up his sleeve. Rather than brandishing it outright, he subtly revealed it—pressuring them without force.
But there are always exceptions.
“This is intolerable.”
A middle-aged man with sharp, irritable eyes spoke up. With sparse white facial hair and thick knuckles, he tapped the round table as he continued.
“Are you trying to threaten us?”
“You must be the Asia branch director, Mr. Kim.”
At the blunt accusation, Team Leader Choi rubbed his chin and replied calmly.
“Is that how you feel?”
“What if it is?”
“Then I won’t deny it. Because it’s true.”
“What?”
“I said—it’s true. I’m threatening you. And I intend to make Ares Guild mine.”
Team Leader Choi added gently.
“Of course, with everyone’s consent. Through entirely legal means.”
“So a lizard wants to swallow a dinosaur.”
Branch Director Kim glanced between Team Leader Choi and me before letting out a chuckle.
“Youngsters these days are so clueless. Do you really think Ares Guild is that easy to take over?”
I nodded, intrigued.
‘Hmm. A little bit?’
At a loss for words, he fell silent before speaking again.
“Just because the HQ collapsed doesn’t mean you can treat the entire Ares Guild like a joke. No matter how strong you are, do you really think you can take us all on?”
It wasn’t a completely wrong point. Ares Guild had branches all over the world, and HQ was only a part of its power. Even I couldn’t take on every branch alone.
But…
“So what?”
At my question, a hint of confusion crossed Branch Director Kim’s face.
“…What?”
“What, punk.”
“Punk?!”
“You son of a bitch—!”
“Huh?”
That face said it all—What the hell is this guy doing?
As I raised my fist, he instinctively pushed his chair back.
“W-What is happening right now…?”
“What do you think? I’m about to beat you down.”
“You’re using force? Here? Now?”
“Should I use intelligence instead? Not like I have much to spare.”
“That’s illegal—”
“Was it legal when Seok Go-jun got his neck snapped ten days ago?”
“Ugh…!”
“We’ll figure something out. I’ve already sent a few people packing, so one more won’t make a difference, right?”
At my comment, Team Leader Choi smacked his lips.
“This one’s a bit trickier. We might actually get in trouble.”
“The climate’s good lately, but not even I could avoid jail for this, right?”
“True. But considering the public image and support for Jin Taekyung right now, we might be able to reduce it to a few years.”
“Oh right. What if I was drunk?”
“A genius idea. That would slash it down significantly.”
“Actually, I’ve been stressed lately. I might be mentally unstable.”
“In that case, a suspended sentence is possible.”
What a wonderful country. Claim to be mentally weak and drunk, and they throw in bonus sentencing reductions.
But as we chatted so cheerfully, someone else’s face was turning pale.
“Y-You crazy bastards…”
“Thought you knew. Didn’t realize I was a madman?”
“Watch yourself. We’re trying to settle this peacefully—why ruin it?”
Of course, that’s just what I’m saying.
But what matters is how my words and actions feel to the other party. To them, I’m the lunatic who demolished Ares HQ and killed without blinking. Even jokes sound like serious threats right now.
‘When the whip doesn’t work, you bring a f’cking bigger one.’
The moment even the lone dissenter clamped his mouth shut, Vice Guild Master Park Daewon, who had quietly been observing, finally spoke.
“I understand your intentions clearly. Especially regarding Team Leader Choi Minwoo’s return to Ares Guild… As Vice Guild Master, I support it.”
“V-Vice Guild Master…”
“Is there a problem?”
“Well… it’s just…”
Voices of confusion trickled out in response to his sudden declaration. But the tide had already turned. Team Leader Choi now threw them the carrot he’d prepared.
“If the rest of you agree with Vice Guild Master Park, Ares Guild will stabilize quickly. All the vacant positions caused by this incident will soon be filled.”
“…Are you saying—”
“Regardless of what’s happened up to now, I have no intention of denying your capabilities. Once the situation calms down, expect bold personnel shifts.”
The rabbits’ ears perked up at the sound of the carrot. If the leadership changed, the existing executives would be in danger. But if that danger was replaced with the promise of promotions, it became a whole different story.
‘No reason to refuse.’
Moreover, Team Leader Choi had no disqualifications. On the contrary, he was more than qualified. That’s why he could speak with both calm and confidence.
“I will forget everything until now. I’ll swiftly restore order within the guild, recover our tarnished reputation, and use this moment as a stepping stone to grow even greater.”
Now, no one voiced objections.
Not just because of the carrot offered to them—but because they knew of Team Leader Choi’s capabilities. In less than six months, he had raised Peace Guild to prominence.
While my presence had played a crucial role, Peace Guild wouldn’t exist in its current form without Team Leader Choi’s talent for judging people, his leadership, and his political finesse.
On top of that…
‘He’s also Cheon Taemin’s only bloodline.’
Though monarchies had long since vanished from this country, Cheon Taemin’s name was sacred. The savior of humanity—his bloodline alone held noble power.
Not even the richest conglomerate or the most enduring monarchy could stand above Team Leader Choi.
And within Ares Guild, such a title held immeasurable sway.
“…Huh.”
Low murmurs echoed throughout the conference room. They knew the truth—Lee Jeong-ryong and Seok Go-jun were usurpers. The one with undeniable legitimacy and ability was Team Leader Choi.
‘Screech.’
Breaking the silence, the sound of chairs scraped against the floor as more than ten executives stood up.
Those who had already sided with him ten days ago acted without hesitation, as if they had been waiting for this moment, and bowed respectfully to Team Leader Choi.
The tide had already turned. With both whip and carrot revealed, it was time to choose. Even those with trembling eyes began rising from their seats one by one.
In the midst of the echoing sound of chairs, I cast a sound transmission to the last two holdouts.
—Hey, you sons of bitches. You really gonna keep sitting?
The moment it reached them, the two—Executive Baek and Branch Director Kim—flinched like they’d been electrocuted and stood up on shaky legs to bow.
Now, only one person remained seated.
‘Vice Guild Master Park Daewon.’
Under our gaze, he finally stood slowly and spoke in a hoarse voice.
“Did you know I’ll be retiring soon?”
Team Leader Choi nodded quietly, and Park Daewon murmured,
“Then this will be my final task.”
“If you wish, we can make arrangements for you to stay longer.”
“No. I’m sorry for not doing more until now… And thank you. For coming back.”
He was the one who had been in Ares Guild the longest—meaning he had also ignored Team Leader Choi the longest.
With a complicated expression filled with mixed emotions, Park Daewon gave a deep, formal bow to Team Leader Choi.
And with those words, he declared,
“I will convene the official board meeting, young master.”
A glimmer appeared in Team Leader Choi’s eyes.
Surrounded by thirty ‘loyal’ retainers, he was already no different from a Guild Master.