We had passed Wangsimni Station and were approaching Seongdong District Office when I saw my underlings running toward me, making their throat-rending cries. My three hundred underlings had found Kim Hyeong-Jun and me, and dashed across the road to reach us. Kim Hyeong-Jun looked at my underlings and then looked at me.

‘Seems like you’ve gotten stronger since the last time I saw you, ahjussi.’

‘What makes you say that?’

‘Your underlings are really fast. Don’t tell me you’ve become stronger than me! Haha.’

‘It’s not the time for jokes.’

‘Geez ahjussi, how many ‘baits’ did you take care of in Haengdang-dong?’

He chuckled and flashed me a smirk. It seemed as though he held some deep-seated jealousy that I’d gotten stronger without doing much work. I half-ignored his joke and tried to recall the last place I’d seen Mr. Kwak. When we finally entered Majang-dong, I glanced over at Kim Hyeong-Jun.

‘Tell me if you see any red creatures.’

‘Ahjussi, let’s just get one thing clear.’

‘...?’

‘We’re in enemy territory. Don’t report back. Just fight them. That’s the best kind of report we need.’

Kim Hyeong-Jun’s red eyes glowed brighter. He was getting himself into the zone. I steeled myself and then nodded once.

He was right. This wasn’t the time for reconnaissance, and we couldn’t afford to wait around to...