Chapter 79

Chapter 78. You can give direct orders (1)

There are three options.

If you pass this stage, the likelihood of the captain's affection turning into trust is high.

If that happens, the option of 'leading the squads and performing missions,' which was previously 'impossible,' will become available.

‘I don’t know what the mission entails yet…’

Still, there’s one thing I can be certain of.

If the process was difficult, the reward would be greater.

So, I had to give a good answer to this question and succeed somehow.

▶ Can’t I like you? I might like you!

▷ Hey, forget it. Bring me some drinks!

▷ (´▽`)ﾉ (Possible)

The first one was completely incomprehensible.

‘Although I’ve never been in a relationship with a woman before…’

As far as I know, sudden confessions are the most primitive method.

Moreover, Seohui is her superior.

Forcing someone’s feelings is something that lecherous men, like the ones I met during my mission, do.

But even so.

▶ Hey, forget it. Bring me some drinks!

Why should I bring drinks?

I couldn’t grasp what would happen if I brought drinks.

She wouldn’t bring them herself.

After erasing the two clearly bad options.

▶ (´▽`)ﾉ (Possible)

‘Damn it.’

This one appeared last.

The option that had previously dropped my affection to the worst level.

I remember hearing that it was about ‘perverted tastes,’ but why would such an option appear in this situation?

3… 2…

Time is running out.

Seohui had to make a decision.

‘Damn it. I don’t know! I have no choice!’

This was the conclusion I reached after much deliberation.

<You have chosen ‘(´▽`)ﾉ’.>

“...”

A moment of silence.

The captain’s face, which had been paused, soon changed.

“Sigh… Really. That taste of yours just won’t change.”

With a look of disappointment.

“...I’m sorry.”

Seohui quickly apologized.

Even though apologizing wouldn’t undo what had already been said, there was no other choice.

The third option, which was incomprehensible, was a mystery.

But the first two options were just too bad. That was why Seohui chose the third one.

“Still, I can tell one thing. You’re not the type to use underhanded schemes. Simple people can’t think that way.”

“...?”

Is this a compliment? Or a criticism?

Seohui, who had been tense, looked up at her.

“Instead, I’d like to hear more about the commander’s plans. What kind of preparations have you made?”

“What…?”

“Right now, the future of the Yin Ying Squad and the command team is clear. If you’re here, it means you must have some kind of preparation. Someone you can trust, or information about someone you can recruit. Something like that.”

“...”

A helper? Recruitment?

The captain’s implication was that if Seohui had decided to escape this hell, he must have made some significant preparations before joining the command team.

However, Seohui couldn’t say anything to her words.

He had jumped into this hell with nothing but a single choice, after all.

Where would he find a friendly helper?

* * *

Creak! Bang!

His entrance was enough to capture everyone’s attention.

Not only did he kick open the door despite knowing Goma was inside, but his voice also echoed loudly.

“Seohui is injured? How badly and where?”

The first impression of the person who entered the room was that of a monster.

He was over seven feet tall, with a massive build.

However, his attire was very casual, like the rags commonly worn by beggars, and his face looked as if he hadn’t washed for days, appearing quite unkempt.

If he hadn’t worn a silk robe, it would have been hard to believe he was an elder of the main sect.

‘Huh? Yin Wuji?’

Seohui saw a familiar face behind the old man.

The handsome man he had met during his mission.

For some reason, this guy, who was the first disciple of Elder Baekhon, seemed to have been brought along.

“Why has Elder Baekhon come here?”

Goma asked about the reason.

Elder Baekhon, who had been looking around, turned to Goma and seemed quite flustered, with his emotions clearly visible on his face.

After all, why would a famous elder of the main sect come to the Yin Ying Squad, and specifically to this place?

“A, Goma. I was looking for someone, so I’ll greet you later…”

Elder Baekhon turned his head, and only then did he notice Seohui lying on the bed.

“Are you Seohui?”

“Eh? Yes, I am…”

“Is that so?”

Elder Baekhon’s expression suddenly brightened, and he walked over, taking Seohui’s hands in his.

“Haha. I’m sorry for being so late. I received great help from your efforts with my wayward disciple, and I didn’t even get to thank you in person. I was quite busy at the time, so I hope you understand.”

“It’s, it’s fine. Just coming to greet me is enough…”

“Ah, don’t get up. Let me see.”

Chin.

Perhaps due to his hasty nature, he didn’t even listen to Seohui’s words before checking his pulse.

He pressed a few points on Seohui’s head, body, and meridians, then nodded.

“You have some external injuries, but with proper rest, you’ll be fine.”

“Yes, I was lucky.”

“Good, good.”

Seohui felt a bit awkward with such excessive hospitality.

Goma was present in this room.

If the elder showed such favor only to Seohui without acknowledging Goma, it could cause problems for Seohui.

‘I can’t read his expression.’

Glancing at Goma, he seemed neither pleased nor displeased.

Just a blank face.

Perhaps, as someone who had been trained in countless political maneuvers, he was trying not to show his emotions.

“A, I was a bit distracted. Goma, please forgive my rudeness.”

Elder Baekhon turned to Goma and bowed.

“I’m fine. Elder Baekhon. Rather, what brings you here?”

Swish.

Goma fanned himself and smiled brightly, his face seemingly free of any ulterior motives.

“A, well, you see…”

Elder Baekhon scratched his head. Then, he laughed heartily and continued.

“Some time ago, I received help from Seohui regarding my wayward disciple.”

“Really? What kind of help?”

“It’s a bit… personal, so I can’t go into detail. It’s a bit embarrassing for me. Anyway, thanks to Seohui, I found my disciple, whom I almost lost forever. I’m also grateful to Goma.”

“Don’t mention it. If it was an elder’s matter, I would have helped without hesitation. It’s a pleasure to know that my subordinate could be of help.”

“Haha! Not just a subordinate? You really have an excellent subordinate. I’m just realizing now why Lord Tianma chose you as his disciple.”

“...Ah?!”

Goma’s face brightened at those words.

Shiver.

His hand, holding the fan, trembled slightly.

He was trying hard not to show his emotions, but he was clearly moved.

Seohui could understand Goma’s feelings a bit.

‘Hmm… Praise from an elder.’

Elder Baekhon was a significant figure among the elders of the demonic sect, known for his determination and integrity.

While the elders had shown favor or interest to Lord Tianma’s other disciples, they had never done so for Goma.

Goma must have been very envious of that.

Now, suddenly, one of the most significant elders, Elder Baekhon, had appeared in the Yin Ying Squad and was praising his subordinate.

This implied a lot.

“Goma, I hear you’ve been having quite a difficult time lately?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“If you ever need help, just let me know. I’ll come immediately if I can be of assistance.”

“...What do you mean?”

“Take it at face value.”

“...!”

Goma’s eyes widened.

It was a shocking development.

Elder Baekhon was known as a neutral party, never revealing his stance in any situation.

For him to support Goma unconditionally was significant.

It meant that for the first time, a high-ranking elder was aligning with Goma.

‘This…’

And it wasn’t just significant for Goma; it was also meaningful for Seohui.

The captain’s gaze, which had been different from before, now seemed to have changed.

‘Is this what it was?’

[Affection has reached the trust level.]

[Unless a special situation occurs, affection will not decrease.]

[You can now give direct orders to the captain.]

‘Finally!’

Seohui was elated.

He had finally filled the affection of all the squad leaders.

And the messages appearing.

[All command team squad leaders have reached the trust level.]

[From now on, you can schedule the activities of Yaolin, Jeoksong, Yongjin, and the captain.]

[Starting from this moment, ‘Accept Goma’s mission’ is unlocked. If you choose this, the schedule will disappear, and the main story will begin.]

[Their abilities and lives are now solely in your hands.]

A flood of information and references.

There were many things to check back at his quarters.