Their swords did not discriminate between ally and enemy. Given the current somewhat relaxed combat situation and their unconscious vigilance against Muam, they had managed to avoid injury this time, but one had to wonder if they could have accurately dodged Muam's swords had this been a battle against Titan.
A sword that attacks without distinction between friend and foe is no different from a blind sword. If Muam's combat style does not change, it would be impossible to entrust our backs to them in a battle against Titan.
“No matter how strong individuals are, the crucial point is that this battle required cooperation, and Titan cannot be faced alone. However, it seems Muam guild members perform better when fighting alone than together.”
I wanted to ask why they volunteered for the Titan extermination if they were not going to cooperate, but I held back out of minimal courtesy.
At times like this, I envy people like Ruth or Taeju.
How nice it would be to just say what's on my mind without thinking about tomorrow, like those who live recklessly.
As life goes on, there are times when even they seem enviable. Muttering internally that I might end up with gastritis living like this, I checked Muam's reaction. Knowing them, I expected them to start yelling immediately out of anger, but their silence was somewhat surprising.
Whether they have common sense or a conscience.
If they are aware that their way of fighting is wrong, that would be a relief.
Silently observing the three with faces holding back anger, I shifted my gaze to Bandal. Somehow, I ended up giving advice even to my senior, causing a slight itch on my skin.
It was awkward, but it was better to say what needed to be said in a timely manner.
“It seems like you are aware of the mistakes made in this battle, but does Muam not practice cooperative combat normally?”
“We do cooperate to some extent…”
“If you knew how to, this situation should not have occurred. Do you see the wound on his face? It’s not because of an Irregular, but because of your guild members' sword energy. Are we supposed to be on guard against Muam members in addition to Irregulars during battle?”
Showing them Hamin's jaw and wound made them fall silent. Sihyun took a few more seconds to impress Hamin's injury upon them before letting go of the boy. Perhaps gripping a bit too hard out of anger, Hamin rubbed the area on his jaw and cheek where my hand had been.
I'll have to apologize later.
It would have been troublesome if there were any handprints.
“I would consider it a mistake if it happened once, but all of us were affected. At this point, it’s hard not to think it was intentional, but I'm not sure what we did to deserve being attacked during battle.”
“It wasn’t intentional.”
“If it wasn’t intentional, then it means there’s a lack of skill on your part.”
Bandal, startled, accepted the corrected statement as if it made sense. Thinking they’d apologize soon after so much had been said, Muam guild members were merely nudging Bandal in the waist with their elbows. Sihyun didn’t hide his incredulous feeling and tilted his head.
“After all that’s been said, you’re not going to apologize?”
Do they see me as some kind of saint?
Even if I've been restraining myself from making harsh comments out of respect for mutual courtesy and cooperation, I'm getting the urge to let it all go.
Especially as Hamin is eagerly signaling me to take him on, Haru looks ready to draw his sword at a word, and Seowoo’s smile seems twisted with dissatisfaction.
I've been trying hard to keep these guys in check for the sake of Muam and Redem's face, but they're about to make me lose my grip.
If we don’t back down now, I'm ready to let everything go and let it be. That's the look I gave the Muam guild members when one of them finally spoke.
“…We admit we were reckless in our attacks, blinded by the immediate foes. We are sorry.”
“……”
“But it wasn’t intentional. Please understand that. It’s just that… our combat style is a bit like that.”
Bandal slowly started speaking. Listening to his dragging apology, filled with pauses as if lost in thought, Sihyun forcefully suppressed his rising irritation.
Strictly speaking, the most reckless one wasn't Bandal but the other guild members.
The cooperative guild arrived, not greeted warmly but met with hostility, and they acted violently in combat. Bandal’s rudeness was minor compared to theirs, yet he was the only one from Muam to speak up. Not their spokesperson or leader.
It seemed as if he was being used because he appeared to be the youngest among them, which made my gaze sharpen.
The others, not apologizing, just watched as if wondering why, stirring or sighing in apparent displeasure. Deciding it was
futile to expect an apology, Sihyun sighed and turned to leave when suddenly,
“…We acknowledge the mistake. We’ve caused trouble. Sorry.”
An unexpected apology emerged, causing the remaining two to frown. The one who apologized first seemed to hold a higher position, as the two glanced at him before hesitantly starting to speak.
“Well, it wasn’t intentional.”
“…Sorry.”
While not the most graciously polite or perfect apology, it was still an apology. As if they had read my mind with uncanny timing and admitted their wrong, I glanced back at the Class A kids.
Asking them what to do with my eyes, they returned a look that said, ‘After all you’ve done, why ask us now?’ Embarrassed, Sihyun turned back towards the Muam side and began,
“…If it wasn’t intentional, then that’s enough. We didn’t want to sour relations by demanding apologies.”
“So, now…”
“However, under these circumstances, it seems impractical to continue combat in the rifts. Let’s not go out for support today and instead sync up in the training room. We don’t want to end up killing someone in battle, do we?”
If we keep miscoordinating like this in real combat, our kids will end up getting more hurt. Hamin, unable to hold back, might explode with a 'let's see who kills who' attitude, and I would have a hard time stopping him.
Therefore, syncing in the training room beforehand and getting a feel for real combat there seemed safer and more efficient. My softly made suggestion caused one of the Muam guild members to frown.
“Not go out for support today?”
“Yes.”
“The guild leader probably has already cleared the rifts.”
“That’s why I’m suggesting this. Let each guild handle persuading their guild leader.”
“……”
“We’ll persuade Mirgun’s guild leader, so please persuade Muam’s guild leader. It’s simple, right?”
Simple, my foot.
Their sharp eyes seemed to say as much, but I pretended not to notice. Just letting their casual apology slide would not do Redem's pride any good.
As I smiled lightly, suggesting they also experience some hardship, Hamin murmured beside me that I seemed to have a worse personality than him. I pinched his forearm lightly to shut up the boy making nonsense.
“Shall we head back then?”
“Are you really going to persuade him?”
“What, you think I said it just for fun? If Muam members truly meant their apologies, I hope you’ll put some effort into persuading. Please.”
“……”
“A tip: start by suggesting a week, then negotiate down to 5 days, 3 days. It’ll be easier that way.”
After casually making the suggestion, Sihyun caught the astonished expressions of the Muam guild members and smirked slightly. Seeing their bewildered faces, I finally felt a sense of relief.
Having finished our business, we were about to head back to our vehicles when Bandal suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“What’s wrong?”
“…The atmosphere seems a bit lighter now. How about we do some introductions before we go?”
“Introductions?”
At his suggestion, I turned around. Indeed, the atmosphere among the Muam guild members seemed softer than before. More accurately, they seemed deflated at the prospect of having to persuade Kwon Taeju, but the improvement in the atmosphere was undeniable.
Is this an opportunity?
It was the perfect timing to quickly exchange names and leave without further conflict or rivalry. After some consideration, I stepped towards them and extended my hand first.
“I’m Kang Sihyun from Redem. I’m 18. Let’s talk more comfortably once we get to know each other better.”
Assuming Bandal was the youngest among them, it was a given that we were younger than the Muam people. But I didn’t want to grant age any power at the beginning, so I firmly set the tone as Bandal and the Muam members watched my extended hand.
How troublesome.
“…You don’t have to shake it if you don’t want to.”
It wasn’t this hard even when I first met Hamin. Thinking my courtesy only extended so far, I glanced at Bandal, about to retract my hand when belatedly, a hand from the opposite side reached out.
“I’m Cha Inhyuk from Muam. I’m 32, and… well, sorry for the trouble.”
Thirty-two?
Hearing the age of the person shaking my hand, Sihyun’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Muam’s future seemed bleak.
Of course, thirty-two is still young. By age alone, one is just starting out in society, and there’s a saying that men never really grow up until they die, so it was understandable to be somewhat immature.
But I was surrounded by people who were mature beyond their years.
Starting with the leader of Redem, who was only twenty-one, it was
unbelievable to see someone older acting this way, even if it was the norm.
After all, standards are relative.
Suppressing the shock I was about to express, Sihyun clasped his hand and barely managed a nod. Then, the most respected person among them, who often spoke in front of Kwon Taeju, began,
“I’m Gong Yeonju. I’m twenty-one and leading Team A of the support unit in Muam. Muam values the strong, so we rely more on the skills we see with our own eyes rather than reputations. Hence, we couldn’t be overly friendly, and I hope you understand. It might sound like an excuse, but…”
“Yes."
"...But now, we acknowledge you.”
“It’s not about us needing Muam’s recognition but let’s skip that for now. Looking forward to working with you.”
It was hard to only speak kindly when representing, so I lightly scratched at their pride with my greeting, causing the man with the ponytail to follow suit. His hairstyle reminded me instantly of Jaei.
“I’m Cha Jinhyuk. I’m twenty, and that guy over there is my brother.”
He pointed at Cha Inhyuk. It was surprising how differently attractive they were despite being brothers, but I nodded and accepted their greetings. Then, Hamin, Seowoo, and Haru also shook hands with them, wrapping up the introductions.
Certainly, knowing their names seemed to reduce the hostility.
After the name-calling that took days to resolve, Sihyun straightened his back and inhaled deeply. The sight of Muam people trying to break the awkward atmosphere with small talk and our kids making reluctant faces to accommodate them made me shake my head.
Did we manage to wrap this up somehow?
Really, it’s not easy.
It felt like taking care of grown children.
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