Johan's Point of View
"Your boss has fallen," I said simply, looking at Jaehe Han's men.
A heavy silence settled among them.
Seems like they're thinking about whether they should really surrender or not.
That's the problem with centralizing power: if the leader falls, everything else collapses too.
That's why I need a competent second-in-command, but one who's neither too ambitious nor greedy.
I need to distribute tasks and control of my future organization without losing my influence in the process.
"If you don't want to surrender, I'm your man for a fight. But honestly, I'd like to avoid too much bloodshed today," I added sincerely.
After this little speech, they began to surrender one by one, slowly.
"You were awesome, I see potential in you," I said, patting Jihyeon Lee's head.
Her body trembled slightly at the sudden contact, but she ended up relaxing.
This girl is too stressed... You should take some of my blessing, haha.
Wait a minute!! Why does that phrase sound weird?
I ended up tucking this thought away in a corner of my mind to think about later.
I "ordered" Jaehe Han's men to clean up the mess caused by our fight, then waited a good ten minutes for Jaehe Han to wake up.
"Shit, my head hurts," he groaned, opening his eyes, sitting in the chair next to me.
I had put him there to help him recover quickly.
No, I didn't sit on him and his unconscious men like I did with Seok Kang.
I admit his words about my power slightly traumatized me.
"Finally awake," I told him before taking a juice that one of his men had brought me.
I wasn't afraid that the guys from East Gangbuk would poison me.
After all, they're just high school students... and I can heal myself.
So, these kinds of things don't worry me too much right now.
"If you're here, then..." mumbled Jaehe Han, still a bit dazed.
He probably just realized this wasn't a nightmare... but reality.
"Yes, you lost," I replied simply.
"I see... Can you tell me your name again?" he asked, curious.
"I'm Johan Seong, but people know me better as God Dog." Barely had I finished my introduction when I saw fear painted on their faces.
"That's why I lost like that," he stated, lighting a cigarette.
"I'll be direct with you. You have potential, and I'd like you and your guys to join my new crew," I said frankly.
I liked the quality of his men. Not ultra-powerful, but better than those of Seok Kang, and especially disciplined.
And Jaehe Han himself had good potential. I would rank him at the same level as Jing Jang, with a real sense of strategy.
"You're strong, I'll give you that. But according to the info I have on you, you don't really have the profile of a leader," he said, looking me in the eyes.
He lost and got beaten up, but he remains honest... I like this lucidity.
Better to die than to follow an incompetent leader.
One is a quick death, the other a future humiliating death.
"Why should I follow you, who failed to manage your former crew?"
He continues to defend his point of view.
"I've made mistakes, like everyone else. And I regret them today," I said, looking at the others in the room.
Of course, it wasn't me, but the original Johan!
But that's not the issue here, and I'm not going to start a debate about the food chain to justify the original Johan's opinion on his past actions.
"That's why I want to start over. I want to reconquer Gangbuk. And this time, make Seoul bend. So... who wants to try the adventure with me?" My voice was calm at first, but enthusiasm rose as I spoke.
"Me, I want to be in!" shouted a random guy. The others followed shortly after.
The group effect is really something fascinating in psychology.
"So, Jaehe Han? Do you want to follow me and play in the big leagues?" I asked the seated smoker.
He stared at me for a moment before showing a self-deprecating smile.
It seems he quickly made a decision.
"Okay. I don't know why, but I like you. But I want to be your number 2," he said, standing up and extending his hand.
"That position is already reserved for Hanju Gu, but if he refuses tomorrow, it's yours," I replied, shaking his hand.
"Works for me. Guys, bring the drinks and the girls! Tonight, we celebrate our future!" declared Jaehe Han, smiling.
This guy really knows how to win his boss's favor... I hope these girls aren't minors.
Now that I think about it, why should I care about the law? If Rudeus did it, why not me?
That's how dangerous ideas germinated under the effect of Jaehe's alcohol... and yes, I disabled my power to enjoy the intoxication.
After all, I could always reactivate it in case of danger.
...
"I finally did it," I whispered, walking alone at night.
I unified all of southern Gangbuk without causing resentment.
The crew leaders follow me of their own free will. All I have left to do is clarify the monthly payments and improve their lifestyle.
Tomorrow's going to be a busy day... but I'm strangely looking forward to it.
"I'm home," I said, arriving at the apartment.
Woof woof.
Dog barks.
"I hope you've been good," I whispered, petting them.
Looks like they love it.
It seems my blessing works on animals too... It must consider them as "people."
Vegans would have loved that.
I wonder if plants are also considered "people" by my power.
I should stay in a garden long enough to observe the evolution of plants.
But well, that would be a waste of time.
In the end, I spent the night playing with the dogs and taking care of Johan's mother when she woke up because of the noise.
...
"Have you heard about the new guy?" asked a high school student to another.
"No, what did he do?" replied the other, intrigued.
"He supposedly beat Hanju and took control of the school," explained the first one.
"What?! He did that as soon as he arrived?" the student was amazed.
These are the kinds of conversations I've been hearing regularly since this morning in the hallways.
It seems that Hanju's minions want to look good by spreading my exploits.
They're clever.
That's already a good start.
While I was thinking about useless stuff, I saw a familiar face.
A face I hated for a long time while reading Questism.
"Hey, are you Kim Suhyeon?" I asked the high school student with an ordinary physique and a face that literally screamed "hit me."
"Uh... yes," he replied in a trembling voice.
(Image)
He was visibly panicking.
"Relax, I just want to get to know you. I'm Johan Seong." In truth, I just wanted to confirm his identity.
I don't plan on changing his destiny for now, even if I hate him as a protagonist.
I'm not cruel enough to deprive him of his system.
And if he faces me once he has it, I'll destroy him, that's all.
I'm literally a mini-Deadpool Lookism version now. I regenerate and can heal from almost anything.
I don't know if it works in case of decapitation, and I don't want to check.
"Oh, sorry... I'm just not used to strangers talking to me," replied Suhyeon, unable to hold my gaze.
Now that I've confirmed his identity, I'd like to leave right away... but it would be weird to take off just after introducing myself.
Shit.
I'll say something random and leave.
"Who's your friend?" I asked, pointing to the slightly chubby guy next to him.
"That's Gukja Yang, a friend," introduced Suhyeon.
I notice that he was also nervous.
"Nice to meet you. You look like you have talent for fighting," I said sincerely.
Even if my memories of Questism aren't as precise as those of Lookism, I remember Gukja.
A distant cousin of Gun Park or simply a member of the Yamazaki clan who strayed far from his roots for unknown reasons.
I'm sure his mother knows something about this.
This guy could become useful with good training.
I remember a heated debate with one of my few friends about Daniel and Gun.
He said that ultra instinct in Lookism was a matter of talent.
I said it was a matter of genetics.
Finally, I was right!!
There have been plenty of talented monsters in Lookism.
If it was just a matter of talent, Gun and Daniel wouldn't be the only ones to have achieved it at the time.
That's why the little Yamazaki in front of me intrigues me.
He has the potential to reach this state without a system.
But I don't want to interfere too much in Suhyeon's life.
"Are you serious?" asked Gukja, surprised.
"Of course. Why would I lie?" I replied, turning to leave.
"If you really want to change your life... find me. Little Yakuza."
"Yakuza?" repeated Gukja behind me, confused.
...
The day continued normally until the end of classes.
"We need to talk," Hanju suddenly declared.
These words immediately caught the attention of others.
I already had a reputation as a nerd, and despite rumors about my victory against Hanju, few really believed it.
Hanju's words served as official confirmation.
"I hope you've accepted my offer," I replied, standing up to follow him.
We walked to the boys' restroom.
"Yes. I've decided to accept, but I'd like to know more about your crew," he asked seriously.
"I was actually planning to discuss this with Jaehe Han and Seok Kang today. You should come with me. You're my number 2 now," I replied calmly.
"You've already managed to recruit them?" asked Hanju, somewhat skeptical.
"Yes, they're already on our side," I replied frankly, leaving the restroom with him.