Chapter 328 – Part 2 – Choi Seong-min’s Choice

Choi Seong-min had been agonizing over it.

Which rope to grab between Yang Baek-du and Song Chi-hyeon.

After much deliberation, he was finally able to make his choice.

‘My choice is… Song Chi-hyeon.’

He decided to grab onto the rope called Song Chi-hyeon.

‘Yang Baek-du wouldn’t be a bad choice either. He could become groundwork for targeting Kwak Min-cheol later.’

However, Yang Baek-du was essentially no different from a rotten rope.

‘It looks like a good choice on the surface, but it’s not.’

It would be a huge mistake to think that Yang Baek-du would have favorable feelings just because he helped kill Song Chi-hyeon.

‘Rather, he might try to eliminate me, calling me a traitor who betrayed a Great Hero. There’s nothing more distasteful than keeping a traitor by your side.’

Or he might coldly kill him simply for being Song Chi-hyeon’s direct subordinate.

He might kill him for the purpose of destroying evidence.

‘I don’t know exactly what kind of personality Yang Baek-du has.’

He had grasped the personalities of all 8 Heroes, but hadn’t investigated Yang Baek-du’s personality.

Therefore, he couldn’t guess what reaction he would show when helped.

‘Choosing Yang Baek-du itself would be an adventure.’

On the other hand, Song Chi-hyeon was a safe rope that had been well-prepared in advance.

‘There’s no need to take an adventure when there’s a safe path available.’

It would be more useful to utilize Song Chi-hyeon, who trusted him like a rock, rather than the unknowable figure of Yang Baek-du.

‘Moreover, no matter how low-ranking, the position of Great Hero cannot be ignored.’

Song Chi-hyeon was also superior in extracting benefits.

‘Most importantly, to obtain his trait, I need to kill him directly with my own hands.’

He couldn’t let Yang Baek-du kill him, so Choi Seong-min decided to help Song Chi-hyeon to the end.

Of course, Song Chi-hyeon wasn’t weak enough to need anyone’s help, but Choi Seong-min knew.

‘He’ll definitely need my help. Song Chi-hyeon won’t be able to beat Yang Baek-du.’

Before possession, Choi Seong-min had learned about Yang Baek-du’s existence while investigating Kwak Min-cheol.

‘I didn’t specifically investigate Yang Baek-du at that time, but I could see what his trait was.’

Yang Baek-du’s trait was an S-rank trait called Assassination Target.

‘It’s a fraudulent trait that ignores all damage except from the target he designates.’

In other words, it’s a trait that forces a one-on-one fight regardless of how many opponents there are.

‘Song Chi-hyeon probably plans to attack Yang Baek-du together with his subordinates, but that would be completely useless. He becomes invincible to all damage except from the designated target.’

In other words, if Yang Baek-du activated his trait targeting Song Chi-hyeon, it would be no different from fighting one-on-one.

This would create the situation Song Chi-hyeon most wanted to avoid.

‘Moreover, there’s an effect that increases damage to the designated target by 20%.’

In a one-on-one situation, it would be difficult for Song Chi-hyeon to win by force.

‘If Yang Baek-du knows about Song Chi-hyeon’s trait, it would be a very disadvantageous fight for Song Chi-hyeon.’

At best he could threaten with hostages, but Yang Baek-du wouldn’t be dragged around forever.

‘Yang Baek-du would know too. That if he complies with all demands, both the hostages and himself would die.’

Therefore, there would definitely come a time when he would activate his trait and counterattack, and then the flow would shift to Yang Baek-du.

‘Song Chi-hyeon will have no choice but to need my help.’

No matter how much he dug traps, took hostages, and attacked in groups, if Yang Baek-du’s trait activated, the situation would reverse.

Choi Seong-min brought Yang Jo-young for this reason.

To take him hostage and threaten Yang Baek-du if Song Chi-hyeon was losing.

‘Even if the threat doesn’t work, that’s fine. As long as I can buy time somehow, that’s enough.’

The duration of Yang Baek-du’s trait was 10 minutes.

If he failed to assassinate the designated target within 10 minutes?

Yang Baek-du would receive a penalty of 50% stat reduction for several days.

That was the kind of trait it was.

The trait called Assassination Target.

‘If Song Chi-hyeon can just endure until the trait ends, the flow can be reversed.’

But if Song Chi-hyeon died before that?

‘I can just switch to Yang Baek-du’s side.’

For Choi Seong-min, he just needed to watch the situation and side with the winner.

Bringing Yang Jo-young was insurance for any unforeseen circumstances.

“Lead the way, Choi Seong-min.”

“Yes.”

Choi Seong-min, who had arrived at the restaurant, entered with Yang Jo-young.

With curiosity about who would win.

Clang- Clang-

‘I can hear the sound of swords clashing.’

It seemed Song Chi-hyeon was holding out better than expected.

‘In this case, I have no choice but to side with Song Chi-hyeon.’

Having made his decision, Choi Seong-min organized his thoughts.

Mind control was essential before facing the Great Hero.

“Jo-young!”

Yang Baek-du spotted Yang Jo-young.

On the other hand, Yang Jo-young was looking at his brothers’ heads.

“Kugh, hy-hyungs…”

Yang Jo-young, who had been trembling, showed killing intent toward Song Chi-hyeon.

“Song Chi-hyeon, you bastard, I’ll kill you.”

Before that, armed Choi Seong-min pressed a dagger to Yang Jo-young’s throat.

“If you move any further, I’ll cut your throat.”

“You, you bastard…”

Yang Jo-young trembled with a sense of betrayal, but this was what he had brought him for from the beginning.

“If you don’t want to see your son die, put down your weapon obediently.”

Choi Seong-min, who was threatening Yang Baek-du, glanced at Song Chi-hyeon.

Song Chi-hyeon was looking at him with a bright smile.

* * *

‘Kuk kuk kuk, keu heh heh!’

Honestly, until just a moment ago, Song Chi-hyeon had been thinking of giving up.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t see any way to beat Yang Baek-du.

‘I thought I was going to die like this.’

His subordinates’ attacks were useless, and he couldn’t win one-on-one either…

Honestly speaking, it was a situation that could only be seen as desperate.

But then an unexpected savior appeared.

A savior named Choi Seong-min.

‘Choi Seong-min, this guy. I was wondering what he was doing suddenly appearing, but to think he had such a wonderful idea!’

He didn’t know why he brought Yang Jo-young instead of killing him.

What was important was that the situation had become favorable for Song Chi-hyeon.

‘Look at that bastard Yang Baek-du’s expression. He’s panicking now that I said I’d kill his son.’

Yang Baek-du was obediently putting down his weapon at Choi Seong-min’s threat.

With a deeply bewildered expression.

‘So it was true that he cherishes the bastard more.’

Certainly his reaction was different from the other hostages.

The current Yang Baek-du was nothing more than a frightened father.

‘How did he think to bring Yang Jo-young? He really only does things that please me.’

Song Chi-hyeon wanted to hug Choi Seong-min and even give him a kiss right away.

‘I’ll have to praise him to my heart’s content once we kill them and the situation is settled.’

Not just praise?

He would give him a grand reward.

Of course, this was only if the situation ended well…

“Kuk kuk, well well. My direct subordinate brought a new hostage?”

“…”

“You said Yang Jo-young wasn’t someone who could be easily taken? But what to do? It looks like he might meet his brothers in heaven if he’s not careful?”

Song Chi-hyeon mocked Yang Baek-du, who had a troubled expression.

“I told you, didn’t I? That my subordinate has never disappointed me even once.”

“Kugh, you bastard…”

When Yang Baek-du moved as if to start another round, Choi Seong-min warned.

“Don’t move. If you attack the Great Hero, I’ll kill your son immediately.”

“If I surrender, will you spare my son? You’re going to kill him either way!”

“Then do as you please. You’ll see your son’s head fall right away.”

“…”

Whether the warning worked, Yang Baek-du could no longer move.

He knew in his head that counterattacking was the best strategy, but his body wouldn’t follow.

Perhaps hope that there might be another way held him back.

“Heh heh, you can’t move a muscle now that your only son is captured.”

“Father! Don’t worry about me and attack that guy!”

Yang Jo-young, who had given up his life, shouted for him to counterattack, but Yang Baek-du didn’t move.

He just put down his sword and obediently complied with the kidnapper’s demands.

“Father! What are you doing!”

“Kuk kuk, it’s useless. Do you think your father can move? His only son might die if he’s not careful? And it’s the son he cherished most.”

“Cherished? Me?”

Yang Jo-young couldn’t understand.

Hadn’t he hated him for being illegitimate?

He turned his gaze to meet his father’s eyes.

Yang Jo-young was flustered by his father’s deep gaze, unlike usual.

It was the first time he’d seen such a look.

‘Is this really the father who looked at me like trash?’

Now it was clearly the gaze of a father who loved his child.

“Jo-young. I’m sorry for all this time.”

“F-Father?”

“I’ll live the rest of my life in atonement.”

Yang Baek-du, who had made up his mind, moved despite the warning.

It was a desperate counterattack prepared for his son’s death.

‘Tch, so you’re finally going to come out like this?’

Seeing Yang Baek-du rushing at him, Song Chi-hyeon raised his sword.

He tried to respond immediately, but Yang Baek-du stopped moving midway for some reason.

It was because a message about his trait ending appeared before his eyes.

[The duration of the Assassination Target trait has ended.]

[Failed to assassinate the designated target.]

[As a penalty, all stats will be reduced by 50% for 120 hours.]

“Ah.”

Yang Baek-du’s face contorted with despair.

“Kuk, keu hahaha!”

Song Chi-hyeon, who read his thoughts and grasped the situation, burst into laughter.

“A penalty that reduces stats by half? What kind of trait does that? Kuk kuk kuk!”

He couldn’t read the details since Yang Baek-du wasn’t thinking about them, but this much was certain.

The flow had shifted to him.

Clang-!

Yang Baek-du reflexively blocked Song Chi-hyeon’s attack.

“Kuk kuk, what? Did your stats really drop by 50%? Your strength is completely different from before?”

“Kugh…”

Yang Baek-du’s sword, which hadn’t been pushed back by strength before, was trembling.

He was barely managing to block.

Clang- Clang- Clang-!

As Song Chi-hyeon’s fierce attack unfolded, Yang Baek-du was frantically busy just blocking.

He seemed to be blocking to some extent, but only briefly.

Slice- Thud-!

His arm was cut off.

He couldn’t dodge in time due to reduced reflexes.

“Father!!!”

Yang Jo-young shouted and wanted to support his father immediately, but.

“If you move, you’ll die.”

Because Choi Seong-min’s dagger was pressed right against his throat, he couldn’t do anything.

“Hahaha, this is too easy? Is this really Yang Baek-du who was pressuring me just moments ago?”

“Keu ugh…”

Song Chi-hyeon laughed pleasantly while looking at Yang Baek-du dripping blood.

The match was already decided.

There was no need to join forces with his subordinates.

He could kill him alone.

‘It’s only because the penalty was applied, otherwise I would have been in danger.’

He didn’t know why the penalty was applied.

All he knew was that it was applied because the duration ended.

‘I did well to drag out the time.’

Especially Choi Seong-min’s contribution was great.

Thanks to bringing Yang Jo-young, Yang Baek-du had hesitated until now.

‘But can that guy carry out my order?’

Song Chi-hyeon glanced at Choi Seong-min.

He was still holding a dagger to Yang Jo-young’s throat, but that was all.

He didn’t seem to really intend to kill him.

‘Since it’s his first murder, it must be difficult.’

But he had no intention of keeping a subordinate who hesitated at his orders.

‘I need to test whether it’s just a threat or if he can really kill. If he passes this test, I’ll give Choi Seong-min unlimited support.’

That’s why he hoped he would pass.

“Choi Seong-min. Kill Yang Jo-young.”

The order was given.

Honestly, he didn’t expect much.

He thought he would hesitate since it was his first murder.

But.

Slice-

Choi Seong-min cut Yang Jo-young’s throat without hesitation.

Without a moment’s wavering.

“Kuk, keu reuk…”

Yang Jo-young, clutching his throat, eventually fell to the floor.

A pool of blood formed around his neck area and his movement stopped.

“Jo, Jo-young!”

When Yang Baek-du screamed and tried to rush forward, Song Chi-hyeon swung his sword.

Slice- Thud.

Yang Baek-du, with his remaining arm also cut off, collapsed to the floor.

Choi Seong-min looked at him with cold eyes.

Clap- Clap- Clap-

Song Chi-hyeon suddenly applauded.

He was impressed by the action that exceeded expectations.

“Excellent, Choi Seong-min. You really never disappoint me even once. Yes.”

Song Chi-hyeon knew what Choi Seong-min was thinking when he killed Yang Jo-young.

It was solely because of the Great Hero’s order.

‘Good skills, good head, and absolute obedience to my words.’

He couldn’t help but be the subordinate Song Chi-hyeon desired most.

“I’m really lucky. To have met a subordinate like you.”

“You’re too kind.”

Choi Seong-min’s gaze turned to Yang Baek-du, who was groaning.

“Do you want to kill him?”

“Pardon?”

Choi Seong-min was startled, thinking his inner thoughts had been discovered.

“You keep staring at Yang Baek-du.”

“Ah, no.”

He said no, but Song Chi-hyeon knew.

That Choi Seong-min was harboring killing intent while looking at Yang Baek-du.

‘To think of my enemy as his own enemy. Where could there be a more excellent subordinate than this?’

A gentle smile spread across Song Chi-hyeon’s lips.

“Opportunities to kill executives don’t come easily.”

So saying, Song Chi-hyeon gave an order.

“Choi Seong-min, kill Yang Baek-du with your own hands.”