Chapter 53: Kasmask (3)

"W-What! Cough!"

Karmak's single punch made Surde's neck twist 180 degrees. It was a display of astonishing strength.

Crack— The sound of bones breaking was chilling. Surde, wearing only pants, collapsed on the ground.

"Ah, hah…"

On the large bed, a half-naked woman was trembling, covering herself up to her neck with the blanket. It was obvious she wasn't his wife.

I picked up Surde's coat hanging nearby and covered the woman with it.

"Hic."

Startled by my gesture, the woman breathed heavily, tense and terrified.

I lightly patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry, this is just justified revenge. You won't die. Not today, not ever."

Perhaps because of my young voice, her trembling lessened a bit.

For the first time, I felt the advantage of being young.

"Once we leave, get dressed and go home."

The woman slowly nodded a beat later.

There was no need to be cruel.

The woman who survived would spread the fear and mercy of Kasmask throughout Raspal.

I nodded to indicate we should leave.

Kasmask, who had caught the bloodied Louiko, went to find Surde first.

Despite it being midnight, most of Rodri's gang had shown up.

Some were drunk, but it seemed everyone except those too drunk to stand had come.

No one dared to argue with Kasmask's opinion.

'No, that's not true.'

Kasmask's older brother did express concern but immediately agreed when Kasmask told him not to worry.

It was quite amusing that the bar owner avoided my gaze while Kasmask was speaking.

It wasn't a difficult task. There weren't many guarding the base at this hour.

Only five of us, including Kasmask and his brother, went inside, while the others waited outside.

Outside the building, Surde's right-hand man lay sprawled out, unconscious.

He had been knocked out immediately after being slapped by Kasmask.

"You let him live, but why?"

"We can't take over all the territories even if we eliminate all three organizations. We need a puppet in place."

If a member of Rodri's gang took over another organization's leadership, they'd be dead within three days.

To exercise control, a trusted right-hand man is ideal.

That person would have to endure the internal resistance for Kasmask.

Kasmask only needs to manage one right-hand man.

'And the second-in-command might use their influence.'

Or they might have a bad reputation within the organization, as they would have to take the blame for the leader.

In many ways, a right-hand man is better.

After Kasmask's control is firmly established, he can replace them with members of Rodri's gang.

If it goes well, he can keep them.

When I explained halfway, Kasmask seemed to understand my intention but listened until the end.

"Indeed. You're different."

It seemed he was talking about my work in the intelligence agency at a young age.

"Hafim, Reganya. Take this guy to the bar and follow us immediately."

"Yes. Where are we going?"

"Veron."

I answered. Kasmask tilted his head.

"Isn't Muik closer?"

"Veron is more cunning and shrewd. It's better to deal with the troublesome ones first."

I wanted to go to Veron from the start, but I held back to maintain Kasmask's authority.

It would have been impossible to rally the gang and declare, "We'll take over half of Raspal tonight!" and then go to Surde.

Kasmask agreed with me.

"Right. Come to Veron. If we're not there, go to Muik."

There were no difficulties afterward. Veron and Muik met the same fate as Surde.

There were many people at Veron and Muik's bases, but they fell quickly in front of Kasmask.

Veron's resistance was fierce, but under Kasmask's bull-like charge, I didn't stop for a moment.

I found it a bit ridiculous.

'What, he wanted help?'

That wasn't it.

He wanted to show me his capabilities since he owed me.

We took over three organizations that controlled half of Raspal in one night.

Why hadn't he done this sooner? My help was involved, but the process itself was too easy.

Now, he just needs to manage the right-hand men.

Even if other organizations control the other half, they won't act rashly.

The organizations in Raspal are more balanced than I thought.

If A targets B, C will target A. With everything settled in one night, they can't act.

'Did I make a mistake?'

I thought my advice might have been overstepping.

Kasmask, who I knew had no family, might have lost them in the gang wars and fled to the Western Islands.

He might have awakened and become the ruler of the Western Islands.

I couldn't be sure, but I decided not to interfere further.

It might hinder his growth.

"Pour."

Kasmask, back at the bar, spoke briefly and sat down, drinking from the bottle.

Seawater splashed over the three right-hand men lying on the floor.

"Ugh!"

The unconscious men struggled to regain consciousness. As right-hand men, they checked their surroundings first.

Kasmask tapped the chair leg with the bottle.

"Did you all sleep well?"

Despite his gentle tone, a barrage of angry curses flew.

"What the hell did you do…!"

"You bastard!"

"I think if you realized the meaning of being here together, you'd stay quiet."

Kasmask winked at me as he said this. It was something I had said.

I barely suppressed a laugh.

The right-hand men fell silent. Kasmask had raised his momentum after speaking to me.

The threat and hostility were palpable even to me.

"Surde, Veron, and Muik are all dead."

Uncomfortable sighs and coughs filled the air. Kasmask leaned forward slightly to look at them.

"I don't plan to kill you. Join me."

"What do you take us for…!"

"I'll give you the leadership positions of the organizations you were in."

Silence fell. How many truly loyal members are there in criminal organizations?

They were all in large organizations, and the right-hand men weren't related to the leaders.

Instead of cursing, they suppressed their anger and looked at each other.

The shifting pupils made it seem like their minds were racing.

"Nothing has changed. Your organizations remain the same. You'll just manage them in place of Surde, Veron, and Muik, under me."

Kasmask took another drink. Half the bottle was already gone.

"Make your decision and answer. This war was started by you. Don't try to justify it; I might just kill you."

* * *

As expected, the right-hand men joined Kasmask. The possibility of rebellion was low.

They had seen Kasmask in action. They wouldn't dare.

'And they'll be busy suppressing internal resistance.'

Even if they pretended to surrender, would their subordinates believe them?

The way they hastily left their positions showed their fear.

To avoid being stabbed by their own gang, they needed to take control before morning.

They would bring their close allies and deal with any obstacles.

"Rodri has taken over half of Raspal!"

"Great Kasmask!"

"May the Mother of the Sea be with us!"

Noisy voices came from outside the door. Rodri's gang was celebrating despite the late hour.

Kasmask and I were in the room.

I was a bit tired from drinking and the early hour.

Since we arrived in Raspal today, I needed some rest. Kasmask, noticing my face, asked,

"You look tired."

"I sleep a lot."

Kasmask chuckled. His eyes clearly said, "You're still young."

I had seen that look many times during missions.

"I have a condition."

"Oh… I'm sorry."

Kasmask genuinely apologized with wide eyes. I waved it off.

He smiled, relieved.

"How about it? Are you satisfied?"

"Yeah, it was quite impressive."

"I unintentionally made you tired. I apologize again."

"It's fine. We had to attack at night. It was the right decision."

Kasmask silently offered me a drink. I clinked glasses with him.

"By the way, why me? I was trying to hide my strength. Most didn't know except my brother."

"Presence."

I took a sip.

"You weren't originally on my list. Veron and the northern guys were. But they didn't appeal to me. They were trash."

Kasmask nodded in agreement.

"But I overheard a conversation about Rodri at the inn where I was staying."

Tun would have been shocked if he were here, but he wasn't. Hmm, maybe I should add something.

"And I remembered meeting a man from the West. He said I reminded him of Kasmask Rodri."

"Wait, was it a bearded man, around 50?"

"No. Why?"

"I thought he might be my teacher."

Did he have a teacher? I had never heard of it. But even with talent, there are limits to growing alone.

"Anyway, I came to check you out. I confirmed your strength at first glance."

"You have good eyes."

"I do. You were also lucky."

Kasmask looked at me curiously.

"If I didn't know you, you might have been killed."

"Me?"

"Intelligence agencies shouldn't be underestimated. You might not know who's attacking you until the last moment."

"…"

Kasmask nodded in silence, considering various possibilities.

Then he shook his head.

"No, you're wrong. Even if I wanted to kill you, I would have changed my mind when I saw you."

I was caught off guard. If I didn't know Kasmask, would I really have done that?

"You're not wrong. But it would have been better if you used your head more."

"It's fine. You're just too smart."

I just smiled.

"So, what about the business deal?"

"It's simple. We provide what you need, and you give us information."

"Information?"

Kasmask tilted his head.

"You must be quite far from the West."

His question was sharper than I expected. I maintained my composure.

"All the information you have. The situation in Raspal, and beyond, to Rohalak and the West. With your larger organization, you'll gather more information."

"Alright, friend. That's good. What do you need? We can make money now."

"More money is never bad."

His reaction wasn't entirely satisfied. Understandable.

"And people and information. Things you can't easily get."

I refilled my glass.

"There are many groups in the West. Their information, and information from outside the West. Or we can connect you with nobles in places you want."

His eyes lit up.

"Places you want?"

"Exactly. Good smuggling locations, even outside the West. You'll have access to better goods."

"Not bad."

"Not bad. We can even provide military supplies."

Kasmask's mouth opened slightly, clearly surprised.

"But you need to firmly control Raspal. It's an equal exchange."

"Don't worry about that."

Kasmask looked me in the eye.

"Where are you from? You won't tell me, right?"

Principally, revealing my affiliation is impossible. Even long-term allies might guess, but it's usually resolved if not essential. But with Kasmask, it's fine.

"No. We're friends. I can tell you."

"Friends… Yes, friends."

Kasmask laughed heartily.

He was genuinely pleased that I accepted his friendship.

"Haisen."

Tun would have been shocked if he were here. I smiled at the thought.

I didn't tell him not to tell others.

Kasmask isn't that kind of person. He simply tilted his head.

"Haisen? You're from quite far. Your accent isn't from the South."

"Training."

"…You must have suffered."

His unexpected words pierced my heart. I rarely felt empathy here.

It was true; it was hard, even if it was for my survival.

I often wanted to give up. The uncertain future was distant, and the harsh reality was close.

Of course, I didn't, or I wouldn't be here.

Kasmask waited for my silence and offered a drink.

"Let's have a drink, friend."

"Sure."

I smiled in response.