‘Another purpose…’
What could it be?
In this situation, what could possibly entice the Heroes into a scheme?
“What do you think Dogun would do if he were you?”
“Me? Really?”
“Yeah, I’m just curious about what Dogun thinks, so you don’t have to feel pressured if you don’t want to answer.”
Even though I was genuinely interested in Dogun’s opinion, I didn’t want to put any pressure on him, so I worded it in a way that left room for him to opt out.
Even with that kind of license granted, Dogun still couldn’t stop thinking.
As a result, the seriousness and gravity settling on Dogun’s face felt oddly delightful.
It made sense; after all, it was someone else’s issue, yet there he was, contemplating it as if it were his own.
How could one not feel happy about that?
While I admired Dogun’s face, adorned with a blissful smile lost in thought, I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I pressed my lips against his cheek, making a kissing sound, jolting him out of his reverie.
Surprised by the sudden physical contact, Dogun flinched and twitched.
With wide eyes, he started to look my way.
“I thought you were being too serious about it.”
I met Dogun’s gaze directly and spoke.
“So… have you thought about it at all?”
My boldness seemed to leave him momentarily speechless.
After a brief moment of surprise, Dogun chuckled softly, sounding exasperated.
“If I think a little more, I might come up with quite a decent scenario, but guess who interrupted that?”
“Oh really? Then how about you tell me a scenario that’s just decent instead of a great one?”
As I said this, I eagerly hugged Dogun’s body in front of me, and he immediately flinched again before gently starting to run his fingers down my back.
Perhaps it was thanks to his gentle patting, but every time Dogun’s hand slid down my back, a warm and cozy sensation surged through me.
That feeling was like soaking in a hot bath on a chilly winter day—it couldn’t get any better.
After all, wrapped in Dogun’s embrace, I felt all the stress I had accumulated melting away.
So, to create even more closeness, I pressed my body even tighter against him.
Thanks to that, I couldn’t help but react to the soft sensation beginning to press against me.
In an instant, Dogun shivered, and something hard began to throb against my thigh.
Feeling it poking me, I whispered into Dogun’s ear, “Now, spill it.”
With a tiny sigh, Dogun began to speak.
“I thought hard about it, you know?”
“Yeah.”
“But no matter how I think about it, diverting personnel externally comes with too many risks. Sure, the return could be substantial, but…”
“You mean, it’s not worth the risks?”
“Exactly. Well… if I could successfully charm either the Senior, Yoonseo, or one of my sisters beforehand, I could understand trying that…”
I didn’t want to hear other people’s names.
“I get it. So?”
Before Dogun could finish his sentence, I interjected, as if to say I understood where he was headed.
“So I thought long and hard, and it turns out we don’t necessarily have to divert personnel externally.”
“Why not?”
“Because, y’know… taking over an already established organization is more advantageous than creating a new one, right?”
“That’s…”
It’s true, no matter how much the Association is currently shaken, the assets—both tangible and intangible—it has accumulated over the years are still there.
It wasn’t just about the people.
Talent?
Of course, that’s important.
It is undoubtedly significant, but if that were all that mattered, the Association wouldn’t be in this situation now.
For those deemed ‘talented’ to unleash their full capabilities, a supporting structure is essential.
And our Association, which has engaged in constant battles with Villains and Another Ones since its inception, has that structure more firmly in place than any other organization.
Not to mention?
Though recovery efforts are underway, the facilities that could nearly extract maximum efficiency from that structure were also perfectly in place at the Association.
So, even if someone managed to sweep away all the Association’s personnel to set up a similar organization, they wouldn’t be able to perform at the level the Association had shown.
Honestly, it was inevitable.
It was nearly impossible to completely replicate an organization like the Association.
‘Everyone keeps saying that the Association has deteriorated compared to the past, but…’
If we’re being honest, there’s hardly another organization that invests in reinvestment like the Association.
Would any other place be able to carry on a strategy that seems to disregard common economic sense?
‘And if we think further…’
Scouting Heroes to do something else is practically meaningless.
Sure, for a brief time, they might shine.
The individuals who survived the last attack were all exceptionally capable or seasoned enough to be labeled veterans.
So, if they manage to recruit them, they could shine momentarily, and if luck strikes, they might become a formidable opponent to the Association…
But let’s be real; how long would that last?
With a relatively small group, delivering such performance means they’d literally have to sacrifice people.
So, it would hardly last more than a few years.
‘While there’s a method to implement something akin to the Association’s qualification exams to recruit fresh blood…’
Thinking rationally, would candidates with the potential to pass qualification exams and earn the title of Hero really leave the Association?
Especially when the Association would generously compensate them?
Thus, even if a new organization were to launch and recruit through a similar qualification exam, those who got selected would likely possess relatively mediocre talent.
And this industry doesn’t allow for survival with lackluster abilities.
Even those truly talented enough to pass those notoriously hard qualification exams often end up dropping out before the end.
So, how could someone with less talent fare any better?
When such ‘accidents’ keep happening, it inevitably becomes hard for the organization to survive.
This is especially because people don’t want to see ‘justice’ lose.
The reason the Association emphasizes that those who just passed their qualification exams must never, under any circumstances, show signs of retreat or defeat is all for that reason.
When you consider all those points?
As Dogun said, it would be far more efficient to seize something that’s already established than to create another place like the Association.
The problem is… it’s still that method…
To begin with, it’s almost impossible through conventional means.
After all, to take over the Association, we need to first eject that lady currently sitting in the Chairman’s seat. However, the individuals in the board of directors, who make that decision, are all either planted by her or have ties to her.
Not all, but around two-thirds of them are.
So to oust this lady, at least seven of the twelve members with an agenda against her need to be swayed…
Given that eight of the twelve are already on her side, would that even be feasible?
“No, that’s not necessary.”
“Huh? Not necessary, you say?”
“Because, after all, they’re just people too, right?”
“True.”
“So if we create an atmosphere where votes are bound to lean one way…”
“We can oust her without the hassle of convincing or recruiting anyone?”
“Exactly.”