Chapter 663: Probability of Winning (5)
‘You’re confident about that, aren’t you?’
There was a sense of betrayal in her face, but I wasn’t guilty. Considering what she did with the Holy Sword stock, Lee Jihye didn’t deserve to make that kind of face.
I didn’t expect to have a chance to turn the tables so quickly, but seeing her confusion made me smile.
Lee Jihye also seemed less upset after remembering the incident. First of all, she was calmly breathing in, and it might’ve not been what she wanted, but since it had already happened, she would try to solve it nonetheless.
First of all, she had to reduce the high cut line.
“15 percent is too much. 10 percent.”
“15 percent.”
“On many assumptions, up to 10 percent is the limit, my queen. I shouldn’t even say 10 percent. I think it would be better to agree on just 10 percent. I’m sure you’d prefer reliable figures than meaningless bluffing.”
“15 percent.”
“I can go 12 percent.”
“I made it clear that it’s 15 percent. You can do it if you put your mind to it. If that doesn’t work, you’re not doing enough.”
“But there may be unexpected assure you that we don’t have accurate data yet…”
“15 percent. I’ve already made up my mind about it. You take care of the rest. Do you understand? Don’t think too hard. That’s the lowest I can go. Even if it’s not guaranteed, everyone knows that Lee Jihye of the Black Swan is a talented person. I’m confident you can guarantee me that. Am I judging you too highly?”
“…”
“If so, you can go back now. You can leave like a rat.”
Cha Hee-ra seemed to have already made up her mind, judging from her provocation using a rather aggressive remark.
I felt like I threw it on a little high, but I also thought Lee Jihye could do it.
Basically, Lee Jihye was competent and preferred to make minimal losses if she was forced to make a loss. She believed in data and was meticulous. She had a good ability to draw large pictures, and she was strong at drawing them in detail.
Perhaps if we concentrated on multiple aspects, we’d make it to 15 percent, albeit barely.
The problem was that she had to be frantically divided, and she’d be worried that everything could collapse at once… No wonder Lee Jihye’s expression was crumpled— she was in a state of separation.
Furthermore, if one said something that touched another’s pride…
‘They’d be upset, too.’
“Once you accept it, you’ll pay the price if there’s even a 1% error in it, whether it’s human or material. Do you understand?”
“…”
“Your answer.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good. It feels like the contract’s been signed, and in such a neat and tidy way, no less. Well, there’s nothing to organize, and I feel like I’m finally done with this right now. Very good. I like it. That’s how it should be.”
‘You look happy.’
“Tell all the executives out there to come back in.”
Cha Hee-ra opened her mouth with a satisfied voice. It wasn’t long before a large group of men came into the room in turn. Regardless of gender, their huge bodies were a little unrealistic.
I’d always seen their faces, but when they gathered in one place, it was even more overwhelming. Even for those who worked in the command, physical training was a requirement for them.
Some of the wizards I picked were also visible, but I couldn’t find any traces of their previous appearance.
They were wizards with a promising future, but they had also become promising in an entirely different direction. My physics colleague, wizard Bark Sergey was there as well.
The people who came inside didn’t make a single noise. I was just quietly waiting for what Cha Heera would say… Cho Young-ki and everyone else was the same.
It was then that the Mercenary Queen opened her mouth.
“From this moment on, you will serve this woman here, not me, for the time being. You’ve heard of her name, haven’t you? I’m sure they know your face. Introduce yourself.”
“My name is Lee Jihye. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”
‘You must have been very shocked.’
“You guys should introduce yourselves, too, right?”
It certainly wasn’t a general sight. They might’ve understood that the story had ended up concluding in such a way that subordinated them to Jihye.
Looking at it again, Cha Hee-ra seemed very happy.
‘That’s understandable.’
She indeed had both political and martial arts skills, but it was also undeniable that she had more competent abilities other than that.
Furthermore, if one were in a situation where they’d have to cut off the chain they tied to themselves, the fact that they’d have to lead the Red Mercenary would feel like a burden in itself.
Wouldn’t it have been expected that there would be a situation where their characteristics would be inevitably exercised?
Perhaps she was secretly hoping for a situation like that.
They couldn’t do anything but fight, and they were just full of muscles. Because of this, she understood that she was essential in future battles.
To be honest, I didn’t know if the Red Mercenary and Lee Jihye would get along, but I couldn’t deny that she had the best brain.
“I would like to say hello again, Blue Vice Guild Master. My name is Choi Young-Ki.”
“I’m Park Jong-Chul. I look forward to your kind cooperation, Chairman.”
“Yang Hana, please take good care of me, sir.”
The large people bowed their heads and greeted me. Lee Jihye, who was treated as the Black Swan representative, was also unfamiliar with such excessive reactions.
However, she fixed her expression and slowly looked at Cha Hee-ra.
‘Oh, she’s pissed off.’
“I’ve got your back, Queen Mercenary.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
“Instead, there’s one thing I want to do for sure…”
“Tell me.”
“I’ll try to make it exactly 15 percent as promised. There won’t be more or less. In return, I’ll take command of the Red Mercenary for the time being.”
“We’ve already agreed to that.”
“I told you I’d take full command. From this point on, the words of Lee Jihye, the Guild Master’s representative, will be above the Red Mercenary Cha Heera.”
“…”
“…”
“You hear me, right? Do what she says. From this point on, her words come before mine.”
“Can I try it out? I’m trying to make sure, so please don’t feel too bad.”
“Of course.”
“Mr. Young-Ki?”
“…”
“Attack Cha Hee-ra.”
‘Jihye. Sh*t, come on. Are you out of your mind?’
Choi Young-Ki was already coming at Cha Heera with a sword in hand as soon as such thoughts passed through my head.
To be honest, I didn’t think Choi Young-Ki would really draw his weapon.
Although Cha Hee-ra was certain that she wouldn’t get hurt by his attack, wasn’t Cha Hee-ra a God that the Red Mercenary wouldn’t dare look at?
‘What’s wrong with them? Why are they filming weird movies like this? We’re not that kind of genre. It’s not a noir edition.’
Of course, Cha Hee-ra didn’t respond.
She put her hands up, grabbed the sword, and threw it away.
Bang!
Choi Young-Ki didn’t let go of the sword and immediately fell into the wall with a loud noise, causing him to faint. I didn’t know anything else, but I could see that Choi Young-Ki didn’t force the sword to be released. I was sure he chose to faint.
I was embarrassed by the sudden change of atmosphere.
I thought for a moment about handling it, but I decided to fall into Hee-ra’s arms quietly and pour her a drink. I felt like I should do that for the time being.
She didn’t seem very excited. Rather, she looked interested. Her expression was similar to when she first saw me.
Looking at that, I realized why Lee Jihye acted like that.
‘It looked like she was playing with her.’
I’d never been excited for a similar reason. Perhaps she was annoyed that Hee-ra wanted that edition.
Although she treated me as a control freak, Lee Jihye was also a formidable control freak, and she hated to move as someone asked her to.
Cha Hee-ra seemed to ignore her all the time, so she wanted to give her a shot. Of course, the biggest reason for throwing such a bunch of sh*t was because…
“It’s fun.”
Maybe it was because she was sure Cha Hee-ra wouldn’t get too upset. Rather, she looked happy.
That was how Cha Hee-ra acted. If someone sincerely climbed up to her, she would press on until they had become blood dung, but if they kept on the right line, she would feel delighted.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mercenary Queen.”
“But I was a little offended. The only reason you’re still standing is that you’re a guest here.”
“Of course, I understand that I did something wrong. Don’t be so angry. I simply had to be certain that I indeed got a higher command. I apologize for interrupting you, but I have something to discuss with the executives… As you know, we don’t have much time left. You can take your time and talk to Oppa now.”
“…”
“Then, goodbye.”
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“How much money did you accept to work for Park Yeon-joo?”
“I hate scout offers.”
“…”
“And Oppa, I’ll borrow Kim Mi-young, the team leader.”
“N…”
Bang!
I heard the door closing.
‘No, sh*t… Don’t take Kim Mi-young.’
Regrettably, I couldn’t speak out my thoughts. I thought that it was simply an act of small revenge for what transpired in the room.
It felt like she was saying that she couldn’t be broken. Hence, it seemed that Lee Jihye had sincerely decided to confront the matter head-on. She must’ve thought that the presence of the deputy was essential to command the Red Mercenary and to taking care of everything else that was originally given to her.
‘But Kim Mi-young can’t be the team leader… It would be way too hard for me without her.’
I heard Cha Hee-ra’s voice while I thought that I couldn’t give up Kim Mi-young no matter what.
“She is greedier than I thought. Park Yeon-joo wouldn’t have taken her in for no reason. If I knew it would be this bad, I would have brought her here earlier…”
“Jihye Noona?”
“I now know why you trust her so much. I honestly thought the rumor was exaggerated, but it doesn’t look like it. Above all, she looks amazingly similar to you…”
“We don’t look that much alike.”
“Well, it’s funny that you’re interested in someone you don’t like. Anyway, let’s talk a little more constructive.”
“Well, was there anything else you wanted to do?”
“Of course, I’ve decided to join the Continental Protection and Management Committee, so I’m going to start talking about it because it’s the destiny of my community. Well, it’s nothing. I’m just going to recommend someone.”
“Who?”
“Didn’t you say there are four angels to deal with, and the Blue Guild Master and I are all you’ve got against them?”
“That’s right.”
“Haven’t you decided on the two empty spots yet?”
“I have nobody else but you and Kim Hyunsung. I don’t have any other person left as a candidate.”
“No, I’m sure there one more that’s close to you.”
“Hayan is different…”
“No, not her. There’s one more. A useful person.”
I couldn’t figure out who Cha Hee-ra was talking about.
No matter how much I raked my memories, I could only think of Raphael lying down like a half-dead body.
She might’ve been talking about him since she knew about Raphael’s condition.
The words that came after a brief silence still kept the mystery unsolved. I expected a little, but in the end, I had to shake my head at Cha Hee-ra’s remarks.
* * *
“…”
“…”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Well, Mr. Ki-mo. I’m hungry all of a sudden, so let’s have a meal. I can usually stand hunger, but I can’t stand it right now.”