“C-could you be talking about...?!”
Lee Hyeon-Su powerfully shuddered. Kang Jin-Ho could have meant only one thing just then.
“But, sir! Isn’t that...!”
Wasn’t that utterly crazy? Something only a madman would do?!
‘Gimme a freaking break!’
The problem here was that this crazy idea didn't sound so insane to Lee Hyeon-Su's ears, even though it absolutely should've been. After spending too much time with Kang Jin-Ho, even Lee Hyeon-Su became numb and began thinking of crazy ideas like this as nothing unusual.
“Master!”
Much to Lee Hyeon-Su’s relief, Vator stepped in his stead.
“That’s an incredible idea! And you are taking me along with you, right?”
No, Lee Hyeon-Su was wrong. That hulking giant was just as insane as Kang Jin-Ho!
When Lee Hyeon-Su thought about it some more, not a single person in this room could be called sane.
“What you speak of is reckless as it can get, my liege,” said Wiggins. It seemed it was his turn to voice his opinion. “However... I must agree that this idea is a workable response to our current situation. As long as we have several safeguards in place... Yes, it’s an option worth considering.”
“...!” Lee Hyeon-Su clamped his slack jaw. Even that English gent was no different!
“Assembly Master, no! That’s too dangerous!” Lee Hyeon-Ju cried out.
Now, that was a relief. The fact that someone else in this room still retained her sanity intact consoled Lee Hyeon-Su to no end. And that person being Lee Hyeon-Ju was like the icing on the cake.
Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “Dangerous, you say?”
“Yes, sir. It’s too dangerous. Please reconsider.”
“Stop right there,” said Kang Jin-Ho. He then drew a line mid-air in front of him with his hand. “I get that discussing your thoughts with everyone is a good thing. However, before you can do that, you need to be aware of your position first.”
Lee Hyeon-Ju faltered. “I was merely...”
“It’s still too early for you to chime in.”
Lee Hyeon-Ju silently bit her lip, knowing Kang Jin-Ho had a point.
This was a meeting of the Martial Assembly’s core members. Neither of Lee Hyeon-Ju’s rank or influence within the Assembly was good enough to let her have a voice here.
One could even say Kang Jin-Ho was being considerate toward her by willing to listen to her advice.
Lee Hyeon-Su felt bad for Lee Hyeon-Ju having to clamp her mouth shut, but there wasn't a lot he could do for her. Kang Jin-Ho was right, after all.
Everyone having a voice sounded like an ideal they should all strive for, but allowing something like that would mean Kang Jin-Ho would be forced to sit here for hours and listen to everyone’s opinion.
With over ten thousand people calling the Martial Assembly their home, listening to one opinion from each member would require well over 24 hours. That was why the chain of command and ranks were important in an organization like this.
Besides, Lee Hyeon-Ju hadn't earned the qualification to voice her opinion on matters outside her expertise. That was something she had to prove to everyone and seize it herself. No one could give it to her on a silver platter.
“What the hell is going on here?!” Bang Jin-Hun finally butted in, his expression distorted in anger.
‘Huh? An unexpected support?’
Lee Hyeon-Su grew a little hopeful just then. He didn’t know Bang Jin-Hun had it in him to...
“Why are you not speaking in Korean?! Am I a joke to you people?! Why are you having fun without me?! I wanna know what’s going on, too!”
...Of course Lee Hyeon-Su was wrong, again.
He groaned loudly, then explained to the still-irate Bang Jin-Hun. “The Assembly Master is thinking of attacking that cruise ship before it reaches the Korean shore.”
“...Eh?” Bang Jin-Hun’s eyes grew as large as a pair of saucers. “O-okay, so! The Assembly Master wants us to go all ‘naval warfare’ on their asses?”
“Well, yes. Something like that.”
“What the... Isn’t that, like... Uh...?” Bang Jin-Hun’s expression alternated several times. He seemed dismayed, flabbergasted, confused, and even tilted his head, but then... A look of excitement eventually bloomed on his face. “Hah. Now that’s an awesome idea!”
“...”
This situation forced Lee Hyeon-Su to earnestly consider his options.
“Assembly Master, sir!” Lee Hyeon-Su suddenly cut Kang Jin-Ho off. “I don't have all the details of what your past was like. However, please remember this, sir. Your stake in the demon cult back then pales in comparison to what you contribute to the Martial Assembly now.”
“...”
“If it was up to me, I’d have tied you up and locked you in your office. To make sure you’re not going anywhere.”
“Urgh...” Kang Jin-Ho grunted while leaning against his couch.
He’d have no problem letting such advice enter one ear and go out the other... But Lee Hyeon-Su was the person saying it this time. And his words meant something to Kang Jin-Ho.
He knew Lee Hyeon-Su only offered suggestions and advice meant to assist. In that case, how could Kang Jin-Ho ignore this advice in good conscience?
“However...!” Vator raised his voice belatedly after listening to the translations of the conversation. “An organization will rot from within if its core member does nothing. The Assembly could evolve and improve rapidly because my master got personally involved, not standing back and watching from a distance.”
Lee Hyeon-Su agreed with that assertion. Until now, Kang Jin-Ho always stepped up first in every crisis. But he never patronized others with everything he had done. Of course, that probably wasn’t intentional, but...
In Lee Hyeon-Su's opinion, Kang Jin-Ho was probably too impatient to stand back and leisurely wait. And that was why the latter always pounced at the next available opportunity.
Whatever the case might be, the fact of the matter didn’t change. Since Kang Jin-Ho personally took the lead, the people under him had no choice but to get up and roll up their sleeves as well.
The Martial Assembly had experienced countless transformations up until now.
One transformation didn’t mean everything about the organization changed, though. One change would lead to another, and with enough time, things changed in the past would need to change again.
Some things within the Assembly couldn't be changed for over a decade, yet such things were being flipped on their heads again and again in the brief span of one month. That was the current state of the Martial Assembly. And Kang Jin-Ho was at the center of all these unbelievable, extreme transformations.
What if Kang Jin-Ho decided to save his skin and shrink back now? Then, the Assembly could settle down and change into something more stable. But that would rob the organization of its forward momentum.
This was the dilemma mercilessly tormenting Lee Hyeon-Su every day.
“It's time for me to make my decision,” said Kang Jin-Ho. And he remained as concise as ever. “I will step up this time as well. However, it'll be my last time.”
Lee Hyeon-Su gasped out loudly. “B-but, sir!”
“I’m not letting my emotions make my decisions,” Kang Jin-Ho firmly put his foot down. “I didn’t make this decision because I want to fight. No, I believe this is the most logical decision.”
Lee Hyeon-Su clamped his mouth shut. Whether Kang Jin-Ho was being honest here or not, he had no choice but to follow. However...
“May I ask what your basis is, my lord?” Wiggins asked curiously, seemingly not agreeing with Kang Jin-Ho's perspective. “Since you've made your call as the Assembly Master, we shall abide by it. However, I have to say, calling this decision logical doesn't sit right with me, just a little. I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds by requesting you to reveal your reasoning behind your decision.”
Lee Hyeon-Su thought that was a rather roundabout way to demand an explanation. However, Kang Jin-Ho didn’t seem to mind.
“The basis of your opposition is simply because it can get dangerous for me. Isn't that right?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“There you go. That's my reason.”
“...I don’t follow?”
The corners of Kang Jin-Ho’s lips curled up. “You see, I’ve been thinking about this, and...”
Kang Jin-Ho leisurely crossed his legs while leaning against the couch, then mouthed a fresh cigarette. He lit it up and took his time savoring the unhealthy smoke before releasing it back into the air. Bluish gray smoke wafted and scattered in the conference room's atmosphere.
“...And I don't see how things will get dangerous for me.”
Everyone’s undivided attention landed on Kang Jin-Ho.
“Whether it's one or ten thousand... It doesn't matter to me. I only need to fight, that's all. Also... Right. Their actions are getting on my nerves a bit, too.”
“Sir?”
“They are invading us, right...?”
Kang Jin-Ho puffed on the cigarette a couple of times before stubbing it on the ashtray. The burning tip of the cigarette got crushed flat.
“Well, I'm not a particularly patriotic person. Even so, the idea of the Japanese warriors stepping foot in this country for an invasion is getting on my nerves. I'm not generous enough to turn a blind eye, you see?”
Lee Hyeon-Su nervously gulped his saliva after noticing all the bone-chilling cold air settling around Kang Jin-Ho.
“So, get ready. I’m personally handling it.”
With that, the final decision had been made.