Chapter 95: The Lunatic Who Discovered His Friends Had Been Keeping His Guide Alive

Hae-jin’s presentation boiled down to a clean, ruthless blueprint.

<Legion’s Future Strategy>

1. Maximize Profits Hae-jin would pour every won of his personal fortune into Legion. Members kept their full battle earnings but committed to as many fights as possible.
2. Recruitment & Talent Development First, repair Hae-jin’s trashed public image (he’d handle the dirty work). Use media to inspire the next generation of anarchists. Once the image recovered, open public recruitment—anarchists only. Hire top experts for training and welfare.
3. Restructuring Appoint Sung Jin-woo vice-captain. Non-graduated members: take leave or early graduation—cut ties with headquarters fast. Split into Operations (non-awakeners) and Combat (awakeners). Operations followed standard corporate hierarchy; Combat organized into platoons and companies.
4. Core Tech & Security Catalog all monster data from battles. Example: exact physical damage thresholds on Lamia’s full-defense mode. Share nothing with headquarters.

More precise, interlocking plans followed—clean, professional, almost corporate.

Members exchanged glances, impressed. Too sensible for Hae-jin.

Jin-woo raised his hand.

“Captain, you nailed money, people, loyalty schemes, intel, tech—everything to fight headquarters. But… why do I feel like you left something out?”

Laughter rippled—everyone felt it.

Hae-jin smiled.

“Sharp as always. If we stopped here, we wouldn’t be true anarchists.”

He flipped the slide.

Members leaned forward.

“Money, people, intel—power, sure. But fighting irrational headquarters with only reason? Come on—what else do we need?”

1. Weakness Collection
   • Spy intel from the dragon.
   • Headquarters corruption files Hae-jin stole from home.
   • Dirt on opposition guild executives (blackmail-acquired).
   • Deploy as weapons when Legion’s influence peaks.

“Already showed the answer—why ask? Classic dirty weakness list. Very Hae-jin.”

The word “dirty” stung. Hae-jin’s smile vanished.

“Truth is…”

A heavy sigh filled the room.

“…Everything above is just to enable #5. You all know why #5 matters—it’s personal. I’m ashamed. Ready for blame. Curse me all you want.”

Jin-woo muttered soft bastard—but liked honest Hae-jin here.

Glanced around—mood surprisingly light.

Someone spoke first.

“Captain, our creed: the individual is humanity. Jung Lee Chae’s our only guide—headquarters stole him. We get him back any way necessary.”

“Right. How’s that personal? It’s Legion business.”

More voices joined.

Jin-woo thought Hae-jin’s gonna cry.

Glanced—no tears. Dry-eyed as ever.

“Heartless jerk.”

Muttered—Hae-jin heard, poked his side, turned away.

“Thanks… for treating it like your own fight.”

He bowed deeply. Members groaned “cringe,” “goosebumps,” filed out laughing.

Jin-woo’s grin stretched ear to ear.

Real anarchists…

Legion’s true history started now.

He gripped Hae-jin’s shoulder hard.

Six months as a civil servant.

Fake news dried up— Lee Chae lived on autopilot, groundhog days.

When suffocating, he called Jae-hyung for Hae-jin updates. Jae-hyung sent photos, reassurance.

Staring at the latest, he replayed the call.

“Hyung eats well now, working out again. So full of life. Hyung-soo-nim—stay strong too. We’ll meet when you’re healthy.”

Proper meals, exercise, school for early grad, day-and-night Legion work.

He’d found routine again.

But Lee Chae… No fix even if reunited— couldn’t eat, couldn’t live.

Worked and studied like mad to stop himself running to him.

No chance to beg. So unfair.

If headquarters pressure—he’d have clung to Hae-jin’s legs. But unchangeable rank, nonexistent regeneration—no way.

“Stop thinking.”

Headache stabbed like awls. Knew he should forget— eyes stayed glued to phone screen.

Tear fell, blurred photo. Wiped sleeve, whispered,

“Hyung.”

Hallucination answered.

“Yeah, honey? What? Chae-ya. You called?”

“If I hadn’t given you all my time…”

“Why?”

“Gave it all—now I don’t know what to do with mine. Forgot how to live. Feels like dying.”

“Give it to me. You’ll have fun. I want to see you smile.”

Days without Hae-jin—time endless. Most spent talking to phantom him.

“Liar… sob.”

Window breeze caressed cheek— grief summoned wind.

One year since disappearance.

Most Legion members on leave or early-graduated. All time poured into battles—capital exploded faster than planned. Early guild registration—masterstroke.

Battle earnings built wealth, hero stories shaped favorable media, monster data stockpiled (Lamia/variants focus). Multi-tasking solved goals quicker than expected.

Post-interview— Hae-jin headed to Yong-yong for Lamia intel. Stopped dead at voices inside.

“Hae-jin hyung no hurt. Voice bad—worry hyung-soo-nim health.”

“Right! Collateral careful. Miss collateral.”

Lee Chae.

Not direct voice—just trace. Heart plummeted.

Yesterday—headquarters spy located him. Sent agent. Photos + brief report arrived—stared all night, swallowing tears. Wanted to rush— held back with dangerous solo gate runs.

Life-threatening danger couldn’t erase him even momentarily. But didn’t go— without power, they’d take him again.

Must stay cold.

Mantra— turned handle.

Yong-yong froze; Jae-hyung whispered,

“Act normal—hang up.”

Jae-hyung:

“Hyung-soo-nim, gotta hunt now.”

Click.

Trembling, they clutched hands. Hae-jin stared emotionless—rage and betrayal rose, suppressed.

What crime do they have? They miss him too… reasons for secrecy.

Legion’s first/only guide—natural to miss. Time to ask help, not rage.

Throat blocked—wanted I know it’s hard, trust me, wait.

Jae-hyung spoke first.

“Hyung, sorry. Not hiding on purpose. Hyung-soo-nim’s struggling… thought someone should be there.”

“Ah, no. Originally Jae-hyung said don’t tell captain’s whining— I said must! Collateral too pitiful… wrong. But Jae-hyung innocent—all me!”

Jae-hyung clamped Yong-yong’s mouth. Disaster—spilled everything unasked.

“…You knew all along!”

Hae-jin trembled, forehead clutched. Jae-hyung hid Yong-yong behind.

“In case… he’s fragile…”

Hae-jin bitter laugh at frantic protection. Year apart—conscience? Annoying—but wrong time.

“Yoon Jae-hyung. Yong-yong. First—thank you.”

Unexpected—Jae-hyung eyes wide, Yong-yong gasped.

He looked at them.

“I know it’s hard, you miss him. But trust me—a little longer.”

Voice calm— inside screaming.

The lunatic had his army. War declared. Now— bring his guide home.

For good.

The end was coming— and this time, no one would take him away.