“Th-that can’t be true! Before assigning the task, I personally scouted this hillside… But due to the poor living conditions, I ended up using up the budget to gather supplies, and… I have prepared subpar items that do not meet your standards, Third Disciple. Please punish this old fool for my incompetence.”

The Third Overseer immediately prostrated himself on the ground. His calculation was that Kang-oh, being the subordinate of the Black Sky Lord, would likely not punish him if he went to such lengths.

“You admit your fault, do you?”

“……..!”

The Third Overseer gritted his teeth. He had reached this position by being perceptive. Although he had studied martial arts, his skills had not improved significantly, so his way of survival was through expertly aligning himself with powerful figures. Having always been astutely attuned to the moods of Ye Jin-rang, he quickly realized from months of observation that Ye Jin-rang despised the servant placed under his command.

Though Ye Jin-rang never expressed it openly, it was easy to discern that his hatred for Woo was deeper than an abyss. While Ye Jin-rang never physically intervened, it was clear that he harbored a desire for Woo to suffer.

Thus, the Third Overseer began to humiliate Woo in Ye Jin-rang’s presence. During his first attempt, he had been unsure of the extent and limits, so cold sweat drenched his back, but Ye Jin-rang did not stop him—a silent permission to proceed as he had. From then on, opportunities to catch the attention of the Black Sky Lord began to increase. Normally, the Black Sky Lord rarely left his quarters and would send orders through the First Overseer; however, he started summoning the Third Overseer on occasion.

Seeing this, the Third Overseer, loyally committed to authority, openly and viciously tormented Woo. He believed things were going well—at least, until this very moment.

“Just a moment ago, you asked to be punished, but now your expression is changing rapidly. Are you trying to insult me, the Third Disciple of Black Sky?”

It was absurd. The Third Overseer, who typically did not wield authority without reason, suddenly tightened the noose around him for no apparent reason. He wanted to run to the Black Sky Lord and report all this. However, the one who had abruptly followed behind Woo after Black Sky Lord had ordered him to be dismissed was none other than Kang-oh. Given the circumstances, running to the Black Sky Lord would not resolve this issue.

It was clear that the Third Overseer had taken an interest in Woo first, and the fact that this did not sit well with his lord must have led to the order to get rid of that lowly servant. If he went to the Black Sky Lord like this, he would not be protected but would instead be held accountable for how the situation had been handled. Ye Jin-rang’s affection for Kang-oh had always been unusually strong.

“It’s not… it’s not like that…”

The Third Overseer muttered to himself. “To spare that one’s life and now endure humiliation like this… I should’ve just killed him…”

For a brief moment, a flash of cold ruthlessness passed through the Third Overseer’s expression. However, the cruelty was not aimed at Ye Kang-oh who had been pressing against him, nor was it directed at Ye Jin-rang, who had overlooked the mistreatment of the servant. No, all of the malice was reserved for that wretched dog, Woo.

The Third Overseer, as one of the retainers under the Black Sky Clan, lived in a world entirely skewed towards the powerful. Therefore, he wasn’t even conscious of the error in his thoughts. The Black Sky Clan, though it didn’t make frequent appearances, would sometimes summon the Third Overseer through the First Overseer’s commands. The Third Overseer, always loyal to those in power, had been free to abuse Woo relentlessly. He thought he was doing well, right up until now.

“Just moments ago, you asked for punishment, yet now suddenly your expression shifts so easily. Were you trying to defame me, the esteemed Third Disciple of the Black Sky Clan?”

The accusation was absurd. Normally, the Third Disciple had never wielded his authority forcefully, so the sudden tightening of the noose around his neck made the Third Overseer appear strained.

All he wanted was to run to Ye Jin-rang to report this matter. However, it was Kang-oh who had followed right behind Woo, the very one whom the Black Sky Lord had ordered to be taken away. Judging by the circumstances, running to Ye Jin-rang wouldn’t solve anything. The truth was, the Third Overseer had been the one to take interest in Woo first, and it was his lord’s displeasure that had prompted the order to dispose of the lowly servant.

“It’s not… it’s not like that…” he quietly mumbled once again.

“Had I just killed him… instead of sparing his life, I wouldn’t have to endure this humiliation…”

During the day, a fleeting coldness passed through the Third Overseer. However, this cruelty wasn’t directed at Kang-oh, who was confronting him, nor at Ye Jin-rang of the Black Sky Clan, who had allowed the abuse of a servant. No, it was solely directed at that wretched dog, Woo.

The world of the Third Overseer, a servant of the Black Sky Lord, was tilted entirely in favor of the powerful. As such, he was completely unaware of the errors in his own thinking.

“If you believed that the cruelty in your hands, that pushed Master’s servant to the brink of death, would be covered by thirty years of loyalty, you were arrogant. You’ve already been rewarded handsomely with wealth and honor for your years of loyalty. Yet, you used your position to strike at those powerless before you. Your crime is grave.”

The Third Overseer ground his teeth in frustration. “So, what will you do with me?”

“We’ll see…” Instead of an immediate answer, Kang-oh, who had been toying with his short sword as if in preparation to threaten him, calmly returned it to its sheath.

Fearing his head could roll at any moment, or at the very least lose his tongue, the Third Overseer collapsed to the ground, terrified. Moments later, in a daze, he began to touch his neck, still uncertain of his fate. He shot furtive glances at Kang-oh’s emotionless face, but that expression provided no clue to the thoughts behind it.

“Did Master order you to do this?”

“That—there’s no way!” The Third Overseer frantically shook his head in denial. Yet, the momentary disruption in his composure caused his heart to sink.

Although he felt it was unfair that Kang-oh was pushing him so hard, he kept his mouth shut. After all, Ye Jin-rang held the real power in the Black Sky Clan, and the Third Overseer was one of his men. As long as he kept the secret and avoided Kang-oh’s swift retribution, he believed Ye Jin-rang would save him.

But the lingering sensation of injustice, coupled with the fear for his life, caused him to unwittingly react to Kang-oh’s probing words.

He must have known all along. Kang-oh hadn’t been waiting for an explanation but a reaction, something he could confirm as proof of what he already suspected.

The Third Overseer was left dumbfounded. By age alone, Kang-oh wasn’t even half as old as himself. Yet how could his mind be so deep?

“…So, it was as I thought.” Kang-oh muttered to himself while fiddling with the handle of his sword’s hilt.

There was someone else who truly should be held accountable for this matter. The fact that this person was none other than his master weighed heavily on Kang-oh’s mind. Why on earth…?

“P-please, do not say a word of this to Lord Black Sky! I beg you…” The Third Overseer pleaded. “I failed in my duties and will surely be punished if you tell him.”

“Did my master command you to push Woo to such extremes?”

“Th-that command was never given. Not a single time,” the Third Overseer stammered.

“……”

Even though the situation had already been laid bare, the Third Overseer’s continued denials only further agitated Kang-oh. His hand moved, as if ready to unsheathe his sword. The Third Overseer shrank back in fear, trembling as he hastily spoke.

“I-I’m telling the truth! All he did was express discontent about Woo being his servant. I merely assumed as much… and acted to punish him in place of Lord Black Sky.”

“What absurd words…” Kang-oh’s voice darkened as he replied sternly. “By your words, my master never gave any direct orders, therefore he bears no responsibility. Yet, here you are, acting on what you presume to be his thoughts.”

Kang-oh had long since sensed that Ye Jin-rang was turning a blind eye to the situation. He had merely chosen to ignore it. He simply didn’t want to feel disappointed in his master.

Ye Jin-rang had taken in Kang-oh, who had no ties to anyone, and raised him. He had given him a name and a family name, and though he told Kang-oh to call him ‘Master,’ Kang-oh understood it more as being accepted as family.

For someone like Kang-oh, who had no past or memories, Ye Jin-rang had showered him with affection, imparting ancient wisdom and knowledge. It was Ye Jin-rang who had made Kang-oh who he was today. To even think of doubting him, or feeling betrayed by him, was unbearable.

However, if his master and lifelong benefactor bore any fault, Kang-oh could not turn a blind eye to it.

“There is something you must do,” Kang-oh finally spoke, carefully concealing his deep sense of dejection.

“As you command,” the Third Overseer bowed deeply in submission.

---

Woo, who had been bustling about since the early morning, suddenly froze at the appearance of an unexpected figure. It was the Third Overseer. He hadn’t expected him to come to inspect so soon. There was still quite a lot of food left, after all.

Based on what Woo knew of the Third Overseer’s character, he expected him to show up only after several days when all that remained was rice mixed with sand. At that point, the man would likely toss him a sack of rotten potatoes, watching his hunger-stricken face clutching at his stomach.

“Th-Third Overseer, sir!”

Woo immediately threw down the branch he was holding and knelt before the Third Overseer. He had grown used to being beaten, but that didn’t mean he wanted to provoke a beating needlessly.

The Third Overseer was someone who would raise his hand for all sorts of reasons, so it was safest not to give him even the slightest excuse. Falling sick again in these mountains could be a big problem. The last thing Woo wanted was to receive medicine from Kang-oh, who was wandering around nearby.

“Ahem, ahem!” The Third Overseer cleared his throat. Woo, not daring to raise his head, waited patiently.

“Stand, stand up!”

“Excuse me? Uh… yes sir…”

Startled by the unexpected command, Woo hurriedly rose to his feet. Since he stood too quickly, he stumbled a bit, fearing the Third Overseer’s hand would immediately lash out. It was typical for him to be struck for even the slightest tardiness.

But no matter how long he waited, no slap across the face came. Maybe the overseer was planning to kick his shin instead?

“Ahem, ahem,” the Third Overseer kept clearing his throat, which was strange enough that Woo cautiously opened his eyes. Since Woo had always looked up from a crouched position, seeing the older man’s face at eye level felt oddly unfamiliar. Strangely, the Third Overseer seemed somewhat… embarrassed.

Woo, giving up on trying to read the Overseer’s expression, lowered his eyes again.

“I brought supplies.”

“Y-yes.”

“Make good use of them.”

“I…I will.”

The Third Overseer seemed to hesitate, as if he had more to say. Woo couldn’t understand why the man wasn’t kicking him, raising his hand, or what was causing his indecision. In fact, the notion of hesitation didn’t typically align with what Woo knew of the Third Overseer. He never hesitated when it came to handing out punishment, and Woo always complied without question.

“I-Is there anything that’s making you uncomfortable?”

“Sorry… what?”

Woo instinctively lifted his head slightly but quickly lowered it again.

“N-No, not at all. Thanks to the grace of the Black Sky Lord…”

“That’s enough. I don’t know what I’m doing trying to talk to you.”

The Third Overseer dismissed his own words with a wave of his hand and turned his back.

“I’m going now.”

“S-Safe trave—”

Before Woo could complete his bow, the Third Overseer added as if he had just remembered something.

“Take it slow with the woodwork. Be sure to get enough rest.”

“Pardon? W-what?”

“I’m leaving!”

With that final outburst, the Third Overseer stormed off. The problem was, he left behind a horse. Woo wanted to shout after him, ‘What about the horse?’ but by then the Overseer had already vanished, even using light-footed martial arts to speed away.