“I won’t tell you to kill him, but at least chop off a limb or two.”0

Cork’s casual tone, as if it were some simple task, left his subordinate mercenaries dumbfounded.0

“Sir, are you high? We’re not talking about just anyone’s limbs here—you’re asking us to take out the Solver’s limbs.”0

“Why should we risk our lives trying to cripple Keter? Your victory is already a sure thing without doing anything.”0

The mercenaries’ arguments were logical and sound. But Cork wasn’t looking for logic or validation. What he wanted was blind obedience.0

“Idiots. Have you ever seen Keter start something without a reason? That guy’s definitely up to something. And whatever it is, it’s aimed at getting in my way. If he’s scheming, why the hell should I sit idly by?”0

“But didn’t you promise you wouldn’t take action?”0

“Why would you believe a crazy bastard like him? Why assume he’ll keep his word? For all we know, he might’ve been telling the truth just to set us up for this moment!”0

“Well...”0

The mercenaries fell silent. Cork’s reasoning sounded plausible, but it was just a stretch. Still, openly pointing that out would only invite accusations of disloyalty.0

Then, Cork began evoking a sense of unease within the mercenaries.0

“Listen closely. Do you know what will happen if that guy becomes the branch manager? You and I are as good as dead. Even if Keter spares you, I won’t.”0

The mercenaries flinched.0

Their relationship with Cork wasn’t built on loyalty or camaraderie. It was purely transactional, based on power and mutual leverage. But they could not back out now. They knew too many of Cork’s secrets, and they had already invested too much time and money into his plans.0

“Even so, going against Keter...”0

The mercenaries...0