The Second Coming of Gluttony - Chapter 105

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 105. The Village Chief’s Gift (2)

Ha-O Win!
Though the moment didn’t permit him to speak aloud, the name—and what it implied—was something Seol Jihoo couldn’t simply let pass.
‘A similar situation?’
From what he’d gathered, this team called Umitsubame appeared to be a subsidiary—a subordinate faction under an organization called Gyeongdanryeon.
And Kazuki seemed to be enduring collective ostracism for defying orders, while Ha-O Win was in much the same position…?
“They’re still in the throes of internal conflict?”
Jang Maldong made no effort to hide his displeasure.
The implication was clear: they knew strife of any kind would tear at the organization’s foundations, yet they were asking for cooperation anyway?
It could be interpreted as an invitation to wade into a mudslinging match, depending on how one chose to see it.
But Kazuki shook his head.
“No, sir. It flared up dramatically once, but has since settled considerably. There are power struggles woven through it, certainly, but I’d call it more of a rite of passage than an outright conflict.”
His sharp eyes grew slightly moist.
Kazuki continued.
“It’s common knowledge that individuals within an organization often use Paradise Activities as a stepping stone for advancement. The Triad is the most prominent example of this.”
“Right. They’ve always been the type to encourage activist principles.”
“Yes. Rather than bringing Earth’s hierarchies into Paradise as-is, they employed a method of dismantling certain class barriers. It didn’t extend to the upper echelons, of course, but at the time it was revolutionary.”
“True enough. It wasn’t a bad approach. In fact, it became the very catalyst that allowed them to establish themselves as a major power in Paradise.”
The difficult terms passing between them left Cho Hong yawning widely—she seemed utterly bored—while Hugo, his expression vacant, appeared to have no thoughts at all.
Because he had none.
“But once the faction stabilized, internal problems began surfacing, and ultimately the hierarchy collapsed entirely.”
“That’s always how it goes with massive organizations. And in the Triad’s case, it was the fallout of stoking excessive competition. Dismantling class distinctions in the name of innovation became poison in the end. Rumors from Earth itself say they’ve assassinated one another…”
Seol Jihoo listened to their exchange with full attention.
Though much was left unsaid and he couldn’t grasp every detail, Jang Maldong’s earlier words—’cultivate an eye for reading circumstances’—stayed with him.
There’s a saying: knowledge is power. Even if one’s own martial strength is formidable, a foolish mind invites exploitation.
With plans to form his own team someday, Seol Jihoo sensed that understanding conversations like this was essential—otherwise he’d be swept along by events and consumed by them.
Not that Ha-O Win being the subject didn’t pique his interest either.
“The Triad’s leadership knew of this problem long ago, but it seems they failed to manage the conflict. The prolonged internal strain forced them to surrender their initiative to Sicily quite shamefully.”
“And Ha-O Win emerged as their emergency countermeasure in response. That’s what you’re saying.”
“Correct.”
“If the Triad’s former disposition still held, he’d be treated as a parachute appointment.”
Kazuki nodded slowly.
“Things have improved considerably, though. After taking a serious blow from Sicily, calls for self-reflection grew louder, and the Triad naturally wishes to reclaim their former glory. If Ha-O Win demonstrates genuine capability here, reunification wouldn’t be entirely out of reach.”
“Hmm… an intriguing man. So he’s proving himself at this banquet, is he?”
“Which is why I called it a rite of passage.”
“This Ha-O Win you speak of—what’s your assessment?”
Kazuki’s expression turned uncertain.
“I’m still not entirely sure. But he seemed cheerful—more so than appearances would suggest.”
Seol Jihoo, nodding silently at Kazuki’s evaluation, let out a quiet chuckle.
A few more exchanges followed after that.
After deliberating in silence for some time, Jang Maldong finally spoke.
“As you know, it’s because of the position we’re in. I’ll give you time to think, at least a little.”
“Of course. There’s still plenty of time.”
“Still, you’ll need to give me an answer by today or tomorrow at the latest. And another thing—”
Jang Maldong watched Kazuki rise from the sofa with a faint smile.
“Looks like you’re thinking about striking out on your own soon.”
Kazuki fell silent for a moment, then let out a short sigh.
“It’s just… I didn’t think I could manage alone. Since the opportunity has come, I should seize it, shouldn’t I?”
“True. Ryeonju’s no pushover.”
“I believe they’ve already done enough for me.”
With that, Kazuki bowed respectfully.

After Ayase Kazuki departed, the Carpe Diem Office grew somewhat restless over the question of whether to attend the banquet.
“We have to go! This only comes around once every two years. I’m definitely going.”
Hugo raised his voice in insistence that they absolutely should,
“Not really… we’re already in deep as it is. Let’s just quietly keep recruiting for the Archer position.”
Cho Hong, feigning reluctance, began teasing Hugo.
“Damn it. You climbed the ranks, didn’t you?”
“That’s rich coming from you. Look, I get that you’re in a hurry, but do you really think you can make it all the way to Stage 3?”
Cho Hong and Hugo bickered back and forth.
Jang Maldong, who had been watching them with a look of contempt, turned away with a grimace, irritation plain on his face.
Then he caught sight of a young man lost in deep thought and fixed his gaze on him.
‘Come to think of it…’
Cho Hong seemed keen on positioning Seol Jihoo as the leader.
Originally, Jang Maldong had planned to make the newly recruited archer the leader, but there was no reason Seol Jihoo couldn’t do it either.
An established stone already in its place was better than a rolling one in many ways.
So, by way of testing the waters, Jang Maldong ventured a question.
“What’s your take on this?”
“…Sorry? Ah. I’m not really sure yet….”
Seol Jihoo was startled by the sudden question and shook his head.
“It’s fine. Go ahead and share your thoughts.”
Jang Maldong pressed him, and after a moment of consideration, Seol Jihoo spoke quietly.
“From Carpe Diem’s perspective, I think participating would be a good move.”
“Exactly!”
Thinking he had an ally, Hugo let out a whoop. Jang Maldong wielded his stick indiscriminately, silencing both of them, then settled onto the sofa and caught his breath.
“Give me your reasoning.”
“As you surely know, Carpe Diem’s stock has likely taken a considerable hit.”
“Stock?”
“Yes. We’ve lost the symbol of the team.”
“Well, true enough. But by your logic, wouldn’t infusing new blood into the team be the urgent priority?”
“Blood type matters. Carpe Diem isn’t Type O. I’d say we’re more like RH negative.”
The fresh analogy caught Jang Maldong’s interest.
“The real question is whether an archer as talented as Dylan would actually want to join such a demanding team. That’s the issue.”
“So you’re saying Carpe Diem is currently not an appealing team to join?”
“I wouldn’t go that far. But there’s certainly some hesitation.”
“In other words, you need to dispel that doubt.”
Seol Jihoo nodded earnestly.
“Yes. I’ve heard the Banquet is a special event that draws attention from across all of Paradise. I think this could be a good opportunity to prove ourselves.”
If they could deliver results, it would create a synergistic effect with you returning, even if temporarily, and Cho Hong’s promotion to a higher rank, allowing them to expect a recovery in the team’s standing, Seol Jihoo concluded.
“Of course, that’s just my personal view. I’m only speaking from our team’s perspective.”
Watching the young man smile awkwardly, Jang Maldong stroked his chin.
‘Hmm….’
The irritation melted away in an instant, replaced by a sense of relief.
He’d been frustrated by Cho Hong and Hugo, but suddenly he felt reassured.
‘That Dylan. He does have an eye for people.’
Going forward, he wouldn’t need to worry about leadership qualities when scouting for an archer.
“Cho Hong.”
Jang Maldong bared his teeth in a grin.
“Go to Umitsubame.”

***

Carpe Diem’s decision regarding the Banquet had been made.
The answer was yes.
Jang Maldong, who had conveyed the acceptance of the three-way collaboration, threw himself into preparations that very day. Though six weeks still remained, idleness was not a word in his vocabulary.
“The Banquet can be thought of as a kind of Ancient Legacy.”
Seol Jihoo raised a question at Jang Maldong’s explanation.
“I’d assumed it was something like a dungeon or ruins.”
“Both answers are right and wrong.”
Jang Maldong continued slowly.
“Some say it’s a stage created by a god worshipped in an ancient empire as a test of some kind. Others claim it’s a plaything made by a Grand Mage on a whim, or even a lair left behind by an extinct dragon as a dummy.”
“Mysterious indeed.”
“That’s what some call it. If you’re really curious, ask Ian. He enjoys those sorts of things, so he’ll know the details well enough. In any case, what we do know for certain is….”
Jang Maldong stopped twirling his stick and gripped it firmly.
“Every two years, a gateway connected to an unknown location materializes across all of Paradise.”
“That’s all?”
“There’s also the fact that it’s divided into a total of three stages, but since the contents change every year, explaining it would be pointless.”
Seol Jihoo swallowed hard. He’d thought it would be simple enough—go somewhere, defeat a few monsters, collect a reward. But the scale of this thing far exceeded anything he’d imagined.
He couldn’t fathom why everyone was so enthusiastic about this precarious festival. It was, quite literally, incomprehensible.
“To be honest—”
Just then, the tip of the staff pointed toward him.
“You’re nowhere near ready to participate in a banquet at your current level.”
“…I suspected as much.”
“Looking at the participation distribution, Level 4 makes up the bulk, but that just means every big name across the realm has crawled out of the woodwork. Speaking plainly, you won’t be able to clear even Stage 1 on your own.”
Seol Jihoo didn’t bristle outwardly, but his mouth turned bitter despite himself.
“However, if you move as part of a team, it’s not impossible.”
The young man, who’d been fretting over the possibility of being barred from entry, suddenly brightened.
“Does that mean I can participate?”
“Yes. But I’m attaching two conditions.”
“Conditions…?”
“First, I’m reassigning your role in this team to archer.”
The sudden pronouncement left Seol Jihoo nonplussed.
“That doesn’t make sense. I can’t even shoot a bow.”
“You can’t shoot a bow, but you have that, don’t you?”
At the mention of the Mana Spear Throw, Seol Jihoo’s expression darkened. Jang Maldong pressed on undeterred.
“Second, you exit at Stage 2 without fail. Not that you could proceed to Stage 3 even if you wanted to—”
Jang Maldong, who’d been speaking matter-of-factly, stopped short upon seeing Seol Jihoo’s loss for words.
He exhaled quietly.
“In the first place, a Level 2 participating in a banquet makes no sense whatsoever.”
“I’m Level 3.”
When Seol Jihoo spoke softly, Jang Maldong blinked. Cho Hong and Hugo, who’d been lingering nearby, also halted their steps.
Yet they weren’t greatly surprised, knowing he’d participated in the rescue operation.
“Is that so?”
“I can show you.”
“Hmm. The pace is genuinely extraordinary… but it still doesn’t change anything.”
Seol Jihoo opened his eyes wide. Jang Maldong snorted derisively.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“But—”
“Do you think a banquet is some simple jaunt?”
For the first time, irritation crept into Jang Maldong’s voice. Cho Hong and Hugo, sensing danger, hastily sent warning signals.
“You think this is some ordinary expedition where you mob together and bash monsters? Dylan and Kazuki both participated twice, and neither of them has even set foot on Stage 3!”
“Sir.”
“I’m not finished. Listen carefully. I’m not asking you to seal your class. If the vanguard breaks, you’re free to step up as a warrior. But fundamentally, you’re an archer.”
“……”
“In case you misunderstand, I’m not treating you as deadweight. I’m not dragging you along against all logic. I’d have left you behind if that were the case.”
Taking the silence for assent, Jang Maldong cleared his throat.
“If you want to participate in the banquet, there’s no position for you but this one. If you dedicate yourself to Mana Spear Throw training in the remaining time, it should be helpful enough. Besides, I hear you have that Festina Earring as well…”
Right as Cho Hong and Hugo began to relax.
“I don’t want to.”
The bomb detonated without warning.
“?”
Jang Maldong blinked, momentarily doubting his own ears. Cho Hong and Hugo, stricken with alarm, waved their hands frantically, but Seol Jihoo wasn’t looking at them.
“You don’t want to go?”
“I want to go. But—”
“But what?”
“What you’re saying is I should just throw Mana Spears while hiding behind the team’s protection. Hurling them while I’m running away, if it comes to that.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
Jang Maldong’s face showed genuine bewilderment.
“You think a spearman only wields a spear? Spear throwing is an authentic technique of spear mastery!”
“……”
“Why is he suddenly like this? You brat! The banquet itself has too many unpredictable variables for me to recklessly rotate you into different roles!”
“Even so, I refuse. I’m not an archer.”
Seol Jihoo would not yield. Jang Maldong, apparently not expecting open defiance, felt indignation seize him—his wrinkled face flushed with anger, every hair standing on end.
“This—!”
As Jang Maldong gripped his wooden staff tightly, Cho Hong leaped back nimbly. Yet Seol Jihoo, for his part, wore a somewhat angry expression of his own.
He met the old man’s furious gaze directly and spoke with clarity.
“Let me participate as a warrior.”
“This infuriating bastard!”
The moment Jang Maldong was about to explode,
“I don’t want to run away anymore.”
Seol Jihoo met the old man’s gaze with a measured intensity.
“In Aden Gorge. Inside the laboratory, outside it, when we broke through the encirclement. I’ve always just run.”
Jang Maldong fell silent, his hand trembling around the staff, his mouth working soundlessly.
“You—”
Looking back on it, it was true. Seol Jihoo’s entire existence in Paradise had been one endless flight.
Every time he’d faced something dire, he’d done nothing but flee. He’d run for his life, pursued by those who hunted him.
And now he was supposed to run again? Hide and throw Mana Spears from the shadows?
“I don’t want to do that anymore.”
Above all, the memory of falling into the Forest of Negation still burned vividly in his mind.
Pierced through the thigh, he had begged and begged. Pleaded for help, for his life to be spared.
Back then—
“Sir.”
How pitiful he’d been,
“I was.”
How utterly desperate.
He never wanted to taste that helplessness again.
“I’m not training to run away.”
Jang Maldong’s eyebrows, raised to their highest, twitched violently.
“I want to stand and fight once—just once—as a warrior, with my head held high.”
The youth bowed deeply, and Jang Maldong stared at him unflinching.
“Please… reconsider.”
Such earnest, fervent pleading made Jang Maldong draw breath to his absolute limit.
His weathered eyes blazed with fierce light.
“You… insolent whelp… lacking the ability yet greedy for more…!”
His voice came out rough and harsh, the anger barely contained.
A minute stretched like an hour,
“…Hah!”
The chair scraped back harshly with a grinding sound.
Seol Jihoo, braced for a beating, jerked his head up in alarm.
“You presumptuous fool! I thought about it and told you plainly. What? You’re not training to run away? You want to stand and fight as a warrior?”
Jang Maldong gnashed his teeth, fury blazing in his eyes.
“Fine. A dimwit who can’t take a hint needs to learn through his body instead.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“Good. If that’s what you want, I can hardly refuse. If you can keep up with my training, I’ll reconsider.”
His voice rumbled like a prowling beast, fierce as a blast furnace, before he struck the ground hard with his staff.
“Hugo!”
The sudden roar made Hugo, who’d been quietly slipping toward the exit, flinch.
“Pack your things immediately!”
“Pack? W-why pack now?”
“We’re heading to Big Stone Rock Mountain! Gather everything and come down!”
Hugo gasped in shock.
“I’ll need to tell Kazuki we’ll be gone for a week.”
Jang Maldong strode forward, then abruptly stopped.
“Let me be clear—this is what you wanted. You brought this on yourself.”
He glanced back at Seol Jihoo with a warning look.
“The moment you start crying or whining, I’m throwing you out. If you can’t handle the training, you’re excommunicated. And even if you manage it, if you fall short of my expectations, you’re barred from the Banquet. Understood?”
Just the intensity of his glare made Seol Jihoo feel himself shrink involuntarily.
It was as if a searing wall of heat had swept over him.
Yet Seol Jihoo did not flinch.
“Yes, sir!”
Instead, he answered firmly.
“…Damn you. We’ll see if you’re as good at doing as you are at talking.”
Jang Maldong snorted sharply and strode toward the door.

***

That very day, Jang Maldong packed his things and hired a carriage.
Of course, Seol Jihoo wasn’t going alone—Hugo, who’d been resisting the whole time, was dragged along with him.
Cho Hong initially balked at taking over as acting leader while the office was unstaffed, but the moment she heard “Then you’re coming to Big Stone Rock Mountain too,” she accepted without further complaint.
What was supposed to be three people ended up swelling by two more in the end.
Two outsiders who’d learned of the situation expressed their desire to join in and train together.
Jang Maldong seemed reluctant, but for reasons of his own, he didn’t refuse them.
He set a condition: in exchange for coaching them, they would assist with Seol Jihoo’s training. Both readily agreed.
And so the five of them boarded a carriage bound for Big Stone Rock Mountain.
“Hyah!”
As the driver cracked the whip with force, four yoked beasts surged past the city gates.
Clip-clop, clip-clop!
The carriage rattled across the plain, hoofbeats striking a brisk rhythm.
Inside, all was silent as a tomb.
Jang Maldong sat with arms crossed and eyes closed, as though tamping down something that burned within him, while Seol Jihoo quietly stoked the flames of his resolve.
The other two said nothing either.
Only—
“Oooooh….”
Hugo’s mournful wail wound through the sound of the wind, stretching on and on.

(To be continued in the next installment)

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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