Chapter 249: Bloody War (3)

Aerial hijacking. Four syllables, but it’s not a Korean idiom or a Chinese phrase—just plain English.

Anyway.

It’s the term used to describe the act of hijacking a plane. For someone like me, who only got on one for the first time a few months ago, it sounded like something out of a different world.

[There was no other way, Mr. Kang. If we wanted to get there in under five hours, we couldn’t use conventional methods.]

The reason we managed to get from Korea to Hawaii in 4 hours and 57 minutes was that our brilliant AI, Vixbig, hijacked none other than Changseong’s plane.

I couldn’t explain the details even if I tried. Just imagine we filmed a movie starring Tom Cruise, and that’s pretty much it.

The difference is that he at least uses stunt doubles. I did it bare. Almost got indigestion from that ridiculously expensive hanwoo beef.

Today I experienced some truly absurd things. I became an aerial terrorist, watched the plane’s wheels vanish with my own eyes—all thanks to Vixbig.

[So? What do you think of my efficiency?]

Vixbig asked proudly, and I was just about to send a message to Ryozo. Something like, “I think Vixbig has a bug. If we leave it like this, it’ll become an AI that threatens humanity,” and other cheerful musings.

Just before I sent it, Vixbig, almost sobbing, said.

[Why!? What did I do wrong!? I did it all for you, Mr. Geom-Ma!]

This is what makes AI so problematic. It only wants to solve things with logic and reason. They say AI is replacing humans in many fields, but it’s still got a long way to go.

“Well, I admit the intention was good. I’ll let it slide this time.”

[Thank you! Thank you so much! Sniff, sniff.]

Even if it’s a bit unhinged, I can’t deny it was useful. And for that alone, I decided to be generous and let it go.

Though honestly, the main reason is that I’ll need its help in this operation against the commander.

‘I’m human. But that makes me seem more calculating than an AI.’

And I’m not a hypocrite. Oh, by the way, that actually is a Korean idiom, ‘철면피한.’ Literally means “iron-faced,” or shameless.

It was one of two idioms my first master used to describe me.

The other was ‘불광불급.’ Literally, “If you don’t go mad, you won’t achieve anything.” But he interpreted it a bit differently.

— “It’s supposed to mean achieving something through passion, but in your case, it just means you’re insane. Remember, you’re not right in the head. In fact, you’re the craziest among the crazies. A bit of morality and common sense doesn’t make you normal. If it weren’t for me, you’d be a social outcast. Damn it, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. I turned a beast into a person—and for free!”

And no matter how I look at it, I still don’t get it. How can he call me an outcast when I completed three full years of military service?

“All I did was slap a couple of troublesome customers.”

My code of conduct has always been simple if you treat me with respect, I’ll treat you like a king. If you treat me like a dog, I’ll beat you like one in midsummer.

Bottling things up only makes you sick. I’d rather give the illness than receive it.

Yeah, I admit I’ve got a temper. And yeah, that’s led to me being reassigned multiple times. An open secret.

Maybe that’s why some thugs tried to recruit me. With how skilled I am with a sashimi knife, I probably looked like a promising prospect.

But hey. If that old master saw what I’m doing in this world now, he’d surely change his tune.

1. An AI that hijacks planes Vixbig.

2. Changseong, the Association’s deputy director, laughing it off like it’s nothing—even after his plane got hijacked.

3. Victor Poison, his direct superior, who wears a penguin costume.

4. Meain Poison, who pulverized Kojima without hesitation.

5. And me, Kang Geom-Ma.

Just listing them is dizzying. And I swear, at least I try to resolve things with words. I only draw the sashimi knife when reason fails.

Compared to number 4, wouldn’t you say I’m quite sensible?

‘But now that I think about it, there aren’t many sane people among either the adults or the youth.’

They say parents are mirrors of their children, and seeing all this, I’m starting to think the “M” in Miracle Blessing doesn’t stand for “Miracle,” but for “Mad.” And that’s a pretty reasonable suspicion.

“……”

Now that I’ve said it out loud, it sounds way too accurate.

***

“Salute to the Heavenly Sword and Vice President Changseong!”

Everyone, except for the Swordmaster, snapped to attention in unison.

I scratched my forehead. Why is everyone standing? There are plenty of chairs. Couldn’t they sit down?

‘Did they have a fight?’

From afar, I had already noticed raised voices. Had I known, I would’ve walked in later.

‘What a shame.’

Watching arguments is the next best thing after watching fires. And when it’s higher-ups throwing punches? Even better.

Suddenly, a scene from the 9 o’clock news came to mind. A domed building suddenly turned into a boxing ring. Middle-aged men in suits, sweating it out in a duel. In those moments, the badges on their chests lost all shine.

The owners of those badges displayed their own martial arts. A fist to the face, a kick to the shin brought one to their knees. Viewed on its own, the building was an excellent martial training hall.

The warriors of the rivers and lakes practiced chivalry under a domed roof. Their words carried the certainty of righteousness, and their actions were guided by a sense of representing the people.

They didn’t hesitate to make fools of themselves if it was for justice. That was the righteous path of the martial world.

And this wasn’t any different.

Despite a Corps Commander attacking at dawn, everyone here was more focused on fighting amongst themselves.

True knights, abandoning the common good in the name of camaraderie. So exemplary it made my heart skip a beat.

‘To think I almost witnessed that ridiculous scene live.’

Apparently, I was the one who ruined it. Damn. A sigh escaped me involuntarily.

A bureaucrat interrupting a meeting of warriors.

I had now become an unwelcome guest.

“……”

A cold silence took over the tent. The atmosphere was thick with tension, frozen in place. Everyone still held their salute, hand just above the eyebrow.

I glanced back. Changseong, still standing, gave me a simple smile. So I spoke on behalf of both of us.

“At ease.”

“Yes, sir!”

The crowd parted, creating a path for me. At the end of it was the main chair, as if to say that was my rightful seat.

I walked slowly and sat down. Only then did the others begin to take their seats one after another. I rested an elbow on the armrest and asked lazily,

“So? What sparked this lovely harmony? Care to share the show?”

Everyone instantly paled. I was joking, but—

“The Japanese hero squad expressed a desire to remain in the rear for this operation. It caused a bit of friction.”

One of the Association’s senior staff confessed the truth. To put it kindly, a confession. In other words, gossip.

Of course, the accused side didn’t stay silent. A young uniformed officer responded immediately.

“That’s a misrepresentation. We didn’t say we wanted the rear without reason, Heavenly Sword.”

According to her nameplate, she was Yoshinari Remi. Her shoulder band clearly showed three stars.

Remi straightened and looked me in the eye. Then, with a firm tone and martial cadence, she spoke.

“While I can’t completely deny the intervention of higher authorities… our army’s First Battalion consists primarily of archers under Lord Absolute’s direct command. Assigning long-range troops to the rear is basic tactical principle.”

The Association official furrowed his brow sharply.

“So the Association, being mostly melee, should just go up front as cannon fodder—is that what you’re saying?”

“How can you twist it like that? I’m saying, for reasons of efficiency and logic, it’s appropriate.”

“Wars are won with the body, not the brain.”

“And when you don’t use your brain, more bodies die. That’s war.”

“Are you playing with words, General Remi?”

“I would never dare. I spoke up because it felt like our troops were being belittled.”

The dispute flared again. The Swordmaster rubbed his eyelids in resignation. Changseong, arms crossed, watched me with faint anticipation. Director Sung looked at me nervously.

In the end, it was on me to bring order. Though it wasn’t just because of the pressure—I already had plans, and resolving this was necessary to move forward.

Bang!

I drew my sashimi blade and stabbed it between them like lightning. The blade quivered in the center of the table.

“……”

Both of them fell silent instantly, eyes darting between me and the sashimi. A bucket of cold water in a boiling room.

I pointed at the blade with my chin and asked,

“Who’s the highest-ranking authority here by protocol?”

General Remi swallowed.

“The Heavenly Sword and Vice President Changseong, members of the Seven Stars.”

“And you must know that in times of war, a superior’s word becomes law.”

Remi’s eyes widened.

As if wondering how a seventeen-year-old knew that. Of course I do. I didn’t do three years of military service for nothing.

“From now on, what I say will be law. If you disagree, don’t speak. Just pull the sashimi from the table. You can use it to stab me or to kill yourself—your call.”

“……”

“But I warn you, your decision will also affect your subordinates. If you die, your squad will automatically be reassigned to the enemy’s side. If you stab me, I’ll consider it rebellion, and after this, your entire battalion will face a hero tribunal.”

Both stayed quiet, listening closely.

“In war, it’s the leaders’ poor judgment that kills or burdens their troops.”

The atmosphere settled after a moment. I turned to General Remi.

“I accept your proposal. If your squad is primarily long-range, it makes no sense to place them in the front line.”

“……!”

Remi’s eyes widened in surprise at my response.

“However, all heavy weapons, tanks, and close-combat heroes will be assigned to the Association. Also, after the operation, Japan will receive the smallest share of the reward. Any objections?”

“No.”

She responded without hesitation. I then turned to the Association official.

“Then the Association will receive a greater share.”

The man nodded, still slightly dazed.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And the participating Association heroes should receive internal rewards accordingly.”

I looked to Changseong. He met my gaze and smiled broadly.

“As Vice President, I promise immediate promotion by one rank to all participants. If they do well, maybe even more.”

That’s what I like about Changseong—always direct.

“Perfect.”

I looked back at the two. They were staring at me, mouths agape.

They’d catch flies like that. I retrieved the sashimi from the table and said,

“For now, let’s eat. After all that arguing, you must be hungry. And since we’re staying the night here, go brush your teeth.”

Everyone stood up at once. The insignias and medals on their chests clinked loudly.