This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 179

“This is quite something…”

I had anticipated some level of effectiveness, but I never imagined it would be this good.

Well, considering the person almost thinks of the Association as an extension of themselves, maybe this reaction is to be expected.

Could it be that Dogun anticipated even this?

What if he suggested drawing in retired heroes with this kind of reaction in mind?

It’s possible, I guess.

Or maybe not.

What’s certain is that the initiative in this situation is firmly in our hands now.

I’ve only pretended to make contact so far, but if we genuinely commit, splitting the Association in half would be easier than eating a bowl of cold rice, and he surely wouldn’t be unaware of that.

“This is quite something…”

As the situation unfolded, I felt an incredibly strange sensation.

It was as if I’d stepped into the shoes of a villain straight out of a novel or drama.

I was starting to feel like one of those people taking advantage of the crisis the organization was facing.

Having never experienced anything like this before, my feelings were a jumble, but I tried my best not to get swept away by it.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to dwell on that peculiar feeling for long.

No matter how I thought about it, the Association Chairman must have felt there was no immediate way to counter this, because he raised both hands and initiated negotiations first.

“You’ve come all this way and are doing this, so you must want something… Speak up.”

Initiating negotiations from a position of strength made it easier to secure the conditions I desired.

Of course, just because we had the upper hand didn’t mean I could completely steamroll them; I still had to make some concessions.

And that concession was—

“Two people.”

The number of personnel to assign next to Dogun.

“Two people?”

Given the amount I had secured, I thought I was being rather generous, but maybe from their standpoint, the number wasn’t very satisfying.

The Association Chairman’s eyebrows twitched as if to say, “Is that all?”

That said, I had no intention of increasing the number now.

“Honestly, two is sufficient, right? One for protection and another to reap the benefits.”

“Hmm.”

“There has to be someone with talent you might want to utilize down the line, right?”

It couldn’t be helped; there was certainly someone.

I’d heard rumors about it.

Supposedly, since childhood, they had received special care from the Association Chairman… they even call her a princess?

Of course, that wasn’t in a positive light.

She was known for having an awful temper, so it was probably a nickname given for that reason.

After all, she’s just a kid acting out without understanding much.

Nevertheless… if the Association Chairman is that notorious, her talent must be “real.”

No, if it was simply that level of talent, the Chairman wouldn’t allow her subordinates to be stressed out over it to this extent; she must have some extraordinary talent.

Yet the only ones aware of it were those in the know… perhaps because the penalties for using her talent were tremendous.

That’s likely the case.

It’s common in this industry.

Having immense talent but not being able to physically handle it when the time comes.

From what I gather, every time she uses her talent, it puts an enormous burden on the Talent Organ… if that’s the case, Dogun’s ability would certainly be of help.

It’s likely the reason why the Association Chairman is lingering over this.

“…Alright, let’s do that.”

And in the end, the Association Chairman’s answer after so much deliberation was a ‘Yes’.

Even though the initiative was in our hands, to get a straightforward answer like this without any standard negotiation attempts was quite something.

At this point, I could hardly contain my curiosity.

What kind of talent does that girl with the nickname “princess” have that the Association Chairman, of all people, would pay such special attention to her?

“What, does she have the power to foresee the future or something?”

Such talent has never been reported, and honestly, I doubt it ever will… but isn’t there an Another that can speak?

Thinking that way, it doesn’t seem too outlandish that there would be one person in the world who has awakened such a talent.

And just at that moment, I thought of something.

“Just.”

Was the Chairman really planning to conclude the negotiation smoothly just like that?

I began to wonder when she, as if waiting for the opportunity, added another condition.

“If you allow the personnel we send to live in the same space as that child.”

What does that mean?

I kept quiet to listen at first, but as I did, the absurdity of it all was overwhelming.

The Association is asking to have their dispatched people live together with Dogun?

“…You’re not suggesting you’d make them cohabit or something, are you?”

That was an incredulous statement, and I couldn’t help but ask.

And of course, as I expected, an expression of “Why are you even asking that?” appeared on her face.

“No, that isn’t…”

It felt like an accident that would come to a screeching halt with a loud beep.

“Why? Isn’t it common for protective details to live in the same space?”

The problem is… that what they’re suggesting is actually quite on the nose.

Indeed, that’s how it generally works in a world overflowing with villains possessing bizarre talents; protective details usually stay in the same place as those they protect.

However, that only applies easily when both the protector and the protected are women… but Dogun is a man.

A very active and vibrant young man at that, living with two women, no less.

It wouldn’t be surprising if some kind of incident were to occur as a result.

Of course, considering Dogun’s personality, the chances are low, but instincts can’t always be controlled.

In that instant, a flash of memory passed through my mind, but I decided to ignore it for now.

What’s important right now isn’t that.

What’s important is to grasp the Chairman’s intentions.

What could it be?

What exactly is she aiming for, trying to stuff two women next to Dogun?

Could it be… that she intends to use some kind of beauty strategy, taking advantage of the fact that he’s in his prime?

If that’s the case, the ones positioned under the pretense of protection would surely be the dominant players.

No way the infamous temperamental “princess” would adjust to appease a man’s whims.

“In that case…”

Pretending to think for a moment, I nodded as if I had no choice.

“Instead.”

“Instead?”

“If you allow us to choose the heroes sent over from our side, then we can agree to that.”

“…So you do have someone in mind?”

As if that’s likely.

Regardless of whom I choose, it’s obvious they’d end up as the Chairman’s pawn.

If I picked someone active, it’s bound to turn out that way.

But what if it’s someone not active?

Someone who isn’t active yet, meaning the Chairman’s influence wouldn’t fully extend there?

“That’s not possible.”

I shrugged lightly at the Chairman’s comment, pretending nonchalance—it was all a buildup to bring out that card.

“However… coincidentally, today happens to be the qualification exam day, right?”

“…That’s true.”

“So, how about one of the people who pass the exam?”

Had my subtle suggestion not appealed to them?

“You’re not picking anyone from the active roster?”

That question shot at me right away.

And truth be told, I was half-expecting it.

“Come on, even so, that’s a bit…”

What if they apply pressure, wielding that so-called principle?

“If you want to provide close protection, you need to be together 24/7, right? But everyone is pretty busy, aren’t they?”

I threw back my own argument.

Mentioning the current status of the Association was all part of my strategy.

“Considering they’ve decided to take a break for the time being, it would be awkward to ask them to do this.”

“Still, a rookie who just passed their exam is likely to be quite clumsy, right?”

“Of course, that’s natural. However, that clumsiness is just right for now.”

Attention is focused on this side as is.

If one more active member joins in, it would open the floodgates for unnecessary distractions.

But a rookie just passing the qualifications? That’s a different story.

They wouldn’t have the name value to draw unnecessary attention.

Sure, bringing in a rookie might create blind spots, as the Chairman pointed out…

“However, at least at the level of a top or second place finisher should be… useful, right?”