Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 174

The Jews, the communists, the socialists fell one after another, and when it was his turn, the grim reality that he, who had always remained silent, became the ‘target’. No one raised their voice then. To others, he was no different from the people before him, and there was no more power to resist.

Kang San’s thought was this.

A moderate compromise could mean missing the optimal time to resist the government.

“In this Outbreak incident, I cannot understand the government’s response. Even though there have been controversies such as excessively protecting those in power, they should have made wise judgments in the face of a national disaster that could put the country at risk. Yet, in their decision to delay reinforcements in order to exclude ‘me’, I thought this country was going completely wrong. I’m not asking you to agree with me. Even if you outwardly reject me, I will definitely repay your kindness. However…”

This meeting…

Kang San also had an intention.

If he had simply wanted to express his gratitude, he wouldn’t have called the two of them at the same time.

“If you agree with my thoughts on silence, please lend your strength to what I will do in the future.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

The top floor of Cheonsang.

A meeting was called.

This time, not only Cheonsang’s Master, but also executives including Jeong Hye-mi’s father, Jeong Man-seop, and the parties involved in the incident, Jeong Hye-mi and her eldest son, Jeong Chan-hyeok, were present. Virtually all of Cheonsang gathered in one place.

The agenda proposed by Jeong Hye-mi.

Jeong Chan-hyeok raised his voice.

“…This is too dangerous. A new guild? The intention is good. If we form a force and build the power to resist the government, we can break free from the constraints we’ve endured so far. The problem is, we’re dealing with the state, aren’t we? It’s as foolish as jumping into a blazing fire pit.”

After losing the project competition…

Jeong Chan-hyeok was eager to recruit Kang San.

However, as the stock price rose rapidly, there was no way for him to create even a needle-hole-like connection.

And now…

He was in a new situation.

Aside from personal feelings, he truly believed this was a very dangerous decision.

Several executives nodded.

“I agree.”

“President Jang Beom-seok is a prominent figure who has achieved three consecutive terms. Considering the military power and influence he possesses, I don’t think there’s any need to incur his hatred. Look at the ‘Lee Han-seong’ incident in the past. When we tried to recruit Korea’s greatest hero, the President broke the hero’s will in front of everyone.”

A negative atmosphere prevailed.

They had to refuse.

Reinforcements were the limit, and they couldn’t agree any further.

Jeong Hye-mi spoke.

“No. It’s different then and now.”

Attention was focused.

According to the executives’ evaluation, the person leading Cheonsang recently was Team Leader Jeong Hye-mi.

“At that time, Lee Han-seong was regarded as a hero, but he was disbanded before he could form a proper force. Kang San is different. Just looking at this reinforcement incident, even though he knew how threatening the government was, he showed that numerous organizations, including Cheonsang, Daeyang, Flare, and even the Japanese government, were on his side. Kang San is practically already leading a force, and we need to focus on intangible value. To be honest, haven’t there been a lot of frustrating things? Even the person we tried so hard to recruit, the government declared they would take him to the ‘Guardians’, and there was nothing we could do. I’ll ask you all. If the government wants all of Cheonsang, are you willing to hand it over?”

It was the same logic as Kang San’s.

She mentioned the danger of silence.

The arrow that might someday return to Cheonsang.

“Master-nim. From the moment we dispatched reinforcements, we already crossed the line. If retaliation might come someday, let’s cross the line properly.”

The atmosphere became tense.

They discussed for a long time.

After the two opinions clashed fiercely, Cheonsang’s Master finally made a conclusion.

“I agree with Team Leader Jeong Hye-mi’s opinion. Kang San is a variable that has never been allowed in Korea, and if we want to get out of the government’s fence, now is the right time. However, let’s not reveal it outwardly for now, but let’s steadily prepare for the future.”

“Understood.”

“We will do so.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Jeong Hye-mi’s face brightened.

The Master’s decision.

It was the moment Cheonsang’s course was decided.

And the tiresome competition between Jeong Hye-mi and Jeong Chan-hyeok also came to an end with this.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

A few days later.

Following Cheonsang, Kang San received contact from Daeyang and Flare that they would cooperate.

Flare expressed their intention first without even arranging a meeting, and for now, they decided not to reveal their relationship publicly. There was no need to voluntarily show their weapons when they hadn’t even built up their forces yet. Even though it was a truth that would be revealed someday, delaying it as much as possible was advantageous for Kang San.

And Kang San met with reporter Kim Min-yeong.

The main point was this.

“So, you want to recruit potential members by announcing the creation of the guild through our broadcast?”

“That’s correct.”

“Okay.”

“…It’s an issue that requires sufficient discussion. You could be attacked just for being a channel of communication.”

Kim Min-yeong chuckled.

The media company she belonged to had already been under heavy attack from the Korean government.

“Ever since I aired the broadcast on my own, we’ve already been pushed to the edge of a cliff. The funny thing is, even the CEO, who claims to be a true journalist, is not backing down. I think it’s rather a good opportunity. Let’s take advantage of Kang San-nim and benefit ourselves. If the guild that Kang San-nim creates builds a strong force, even the government won’t be able to move recklessly.”

“It might not be as big of a deal as you think.”

“No. I believe in the intangible value of Kang San-nim’s name.”

It was the same as Jeong Hye-mi.

People who had observed Kang San for a long time.

They believed in Kang San.

What he had built up layer by layer with his name was not something that would collapse just because he faced a powerful enemy.

They immediately started the broadcast.

In the live broadcast, Kang San awkwardly looked at the camera.

“Viewers, I am Kang San. This is the first time I’ve personally addressed you like this since the large-scale interview. The reason I’m in front of the camera today is because, after experiencing this S-rank Outbreak, I’ve judged that Korea is a more dangerous country than I thought. If I had failed in the initial response… I can’t even imagine how many people would have died. Since the Dark Lord becomes stronger depending on the number of undead it commands, not thousands or tens of thousands, but even more people might have died. So, I’ve decided to create a new group to protect myself.”

It was a prepared script.

He calmly and clearly conveyed his intentions.

“The name of the new group, the new guild, is Guardian. If you are interested in our guild and wish to join, please send your intentions to reporter Kim Min-yeong’s email address. We would be grateful.”

It was intentional.

The meaning of Guardian, protector.

He named it Guardian even though he knew it.

Like that…

“We look forward to your valuable contact.”

The broadcast ended.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Kang San immediately met with Jo Han-byeol’s group.

He had already expressed his intention to create a guild before the broadcast, and explained the future risks to his younger colleagues.

It might not be a smooth path.

Instead of boasting with the fame of a hero, the Guardian Guild was likely to be ostracized.

Nevertheless…

“It doesn’t matter.”

“We only need you, hyeong.”

“The government is really going too far. Why are they threatening and causing a fuss?”

There was not a moment of hesitation.

Yeon Woo-bin, in particular, delivered positive news.

“My father saw your broadcast, hyeong, and said he would actively help with the treatment and rehabilitation of the Guardian Guild.”

“…That’s very grateful.”

He was thankful.

He felt a lump in his throat.

The government’s blade was aimed at Kang San, and Kang San had to struggle to survive unless he accepted their offer. Come to think of it, from other people’s perspective, it was just someone else’s business. If they remained silent, the blazing fire wouldn’t reach them, but they showed no hesitation in their decision-making process.

The creation of a new guild.

It was a gamble.

Even if Kang San’s reputation had risen as much as he himself recognized, there might not be that many people who would agree with him in the end. Then it would only end up provoking the government for nothing. Knowing that, the younger colleagues who were the first to express their intention to join the guild didn’t make their decision based on any calculations.

Just because it was Kang San.

Because it was Kang San, who had overcome countless crises from a year ago until now, they didn’t bother with complicated considerations.

Kang San spoke.

“The reason I created the guild is not because I have some grand ambition. It’s just so that we can be safe, so that we can protect ourselves from the outside. I’m creating it for that purpose. Even if I can’t build the kind of force I want, I won’t forget your choice and the choice of those who agreed with me.”

It was a resolution.

When the government’s blade was aimed at others…

Just like their choice to help him despite the risks, Kang San was also willing to step forward.

The Jeong Mun-cheol incident was enough once.

It was necessary to show that having Kang San as an enemy was not as easy as they thought.

Now he needed time.

People who wanted to join the guild.

He had to receive applications and filter out the necessary ones from among them.

Of course, there might not be as many applicants as he thought.

That’s when it happened.

Kang San excused himself and answered a call from Kim Min-yeong.

“Yes, reporter-nim.”

『Kang San-nim. It’s a big deal!』

“What happened?”

It was strange.

Unlike the message that said it was urgent, Kim Min-yeong’s voice was full of excitement.

『My inbox is exploding with emails from applicants who want to join the guild!』