#54 Become My Comrade
"You're a cautious one."
"Just being prudent."
"Hoh."
Cheoldu glanced at Major Lee Eun-young before chuckling at Kim Chun-bae.
"You know your limits well."
"If even half the rumors are true, caution is only natural."
Cheoldu tilted his head. This was the second person in Nova who clearly understood their place.
Come to think of it, weren't they called New Seoul's three strongest alongside Jang Ho-cheol? Jang always fled when this major appeared - another who knew his limits.
People called Jang cowardly, but Cheoldu saw a warrior. Just quick at reading situations. Charging impossible odds was suicide. Avoidance was wisdom.
'Much to learn.' Nova truly had strong individuals. The young barbarian nodded sagely.
"You're wise."
Kim kept his ears open in New Seoul. Having heard of Cheoldu's exploits, he'd assessed the situation - fighting meant death, hence negotiation.
Cheoldu remained humble. "I appreciate the compliment."
"Good. I'm a raider, not a killer. No need for bloodshed if you comply."
Kim's eyes gleamed. "Your mercy is appreciated."
"Hmm." Remarkable. The pride in his eyes was undeniable, yet suppressed. Impressive judgment based solely on rumors.
'A leader's quality.' Unsuitable for a warrior, but essential for a chieftain. Admirable.
"Shall we go together?"
"First, surrender your horses."
"Impossible." Kim dismounted, tapping his steed's neck. The horse vanished in light, absorbed into a circular tattoo on his forearm.
"Bound mounts disappear with their owners. Unstealable even through murder."
"Ho!" A loyal steed indeed! Cheoldu's eyes sparkled.
"My word! Can you take them to Earth too?" Lee Eun-young asked.
Kim stared coldly. "Information is for Cheoldu alone."
"..."
Lee bit her lip. Cheoldu watched the exchange with amusement.
"Work it out. I'll wait."
As Cheoldu stepped back, the bandits dismounted. Without transferable horses, they'd walk.
"Return," Kim told Lee. "We don't share intel with the government."
"..."
Her lips moved soundlessly, thoughts too tangled for speech.
"Sergeant Kim."
"Ex-sergeant."
"Just one answer."
"..."
Kim glanced at Cheoldu, who watched like a housewife engrossed in morning dramas.
"One question."
"That's enough!" Lee brightened like a child at a gacha machine.
"Why did you throw our match?"
Kim stiffened. She knew?
"We were evenly matched then. Victory would've gravely injured one of us. I chose defeat."
"But your honor—"
"Enough!" Kim's face darkened. "Even had I won, the commander wouldn't have approved the expedition. My loss was strategic."
"..."
"Now leave."
Kim turned to Cheoldu. "Shall we?"
Cheoldu grinned at their history. "Wait. I'm bringing someone."
"We won't share intel with the government. Choose: exclusive knowledge or eternal ignorance."
"Hahaha!" Cheoldu laughed heartily. "You're entertaining!"
He thumped his chest. "I'll find horses eventually. Whether sooner or later... Whether you live or die... That's my choice."
Kim assessed the odds. Cheoldu had soloed Jang Ho-cheol's mountain stronghold. Eyewitnesses confirmed he'd one-shot ranked lieutenants.
'At least half would die.' Ten against one - unwinnable.
"Heh, relax. Just bringing a friend."
"...Fine."
When Kim Jin-tae and Choi Joon-seop arrived, they gaped at the tense standoff.
"Jin-tae! We're getting horses."
"Huh? What happened?"
"It worked out."
"...?"
Classic Cheoldu.
He produced a request form from his belt. "Mission failed. Report it."
"...Seriously?"
Cheoldu scowled. "I've never been unserious."
The truth-teller handed over the document. "Move out!"
Kim noted Cheoldu's weak government ties as they departed, leaving Lee and Choi behind.
"What now, Major?"
"We report. We're outmatched."
They returned to New Seoul.
Cheoldu and Jin-tae walked comfortably alongside twenty bandits.
"Heh, a cavalry charge. Pity you missed it."
"With just two?"
"I'll form a cavalry unit."
"Good idea..."
Diverse troops were valuable. Currently just infantry and archers - horses would expand options.
"Chun-bae."
"...Yes?"
"You won't stop me giving horses to my men?"
"Just keep your word about the government."
Cheoldu suddenly asked, "Why'd you leave the military?"
"..."
"Don't make me beat it out of you."
"...You're impossible."
"Heh, slow on social cues."
Kim Jin-tae sighed. "He lacks social skills. Haha."
After initially thinking Cheoldu insane, Jin-tae now understood - he wasn't human, but barbarian.
"Tell us your story."
"...Different paths."
Cheoldu's eyes gleamed. Kim resigned himself to a long tale.
"Three years ago, I clashed with Brigadier General Park over the Cyclops expedition. My 1st Strike Force was New Seoul's strongest."
Kim advocated for the expedition; Park opposed, obsessing over cultural unity.
"If Nova's like a game, we must progress. Without strength, unity crumbles before external threats."
They wagered on a duel against then-Lieutenant Lee Eun-young. All New Seoul watched, eager to see their top rankers compete.
"Even had I won, Park wouldn't have approved it. So I threw the match and deserted with my men."
Thus the bandits were born.
"Hoh!" Cheoldu was fascinated. "Why not just win and leave?"
"..."
"You care for her."
"No need for harm."
Cheoldu laughed. Bandit Leader Kim Chun-bae - a man after his heart.
"How about becoming my comrade?”
