The corridor was silent as Dong walked toward the 10th room. The air itself felt heavy. Maids and workers pressed themselves against the walls, clearing the path in fear. No one dared to speak. Their eyes followed him, but their lips remained sealed.
Dong's steps were steady—calm, confident, and unhurried. Each one echoed like a warning.
At the 10th room, where the new head butler, Sung, was finalizing his documents of authority, Dong pushed open the door.
Inside, Sung sat with a quill in hand, signing papers that confirmed his rise. The moment he saw Dong, his hand froze. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Ma… Master Dong!" Sung stammered, standing so quickly that his chair nearly toppled over. "Do you… need any help? Whatever you want, I will do it. Just say the word!"
Dong stepped forward, his gaze calm but heavy as a storm about to break. "Don't become so nervous, Sung. Sit. I only need a little help."
Sung swallowed hard, his fingers trembling as he lowered himself back into the chair. "Y-yes, Master… tell me what you need."
Sung's legs trembled as he lowered himself carefully into the chair, trying to appear composed. "Y-yes, Master… tell me what you require."
Dong leaned back slightly, his eyes dark and unreadable. "I have an order for you."
Sung's heart raced. "Please, Master Dong, tell me. I will give it my full 100%—nothing less."
Dong's gaze sharpened. "I want the Knight of Forest—the Dead General Knight. One of the SSS-ranked monsters. But I want him at only 10% of his power. You will weaken him halfway. The rest, I will manage."
Sung's jaw dropped. "Sir… that is… nearly impossible! You will need at least 15 million Gold Coins. Plus… three SSS-rank hunters and four SS-rank hunters to even injure him."
Dong's lips curved faintly. "Do not worry. I will show you a loophole in the Golden Sword Continent's money transfer system. That is all you need for now."
Sung's eyes narrowed in concern. "Sir… that is illegal. The council laws clearly state that any loophole discovered must be reported immediately."
Dong's voice cut through the tension like steel. "Sung, listen carefully. If corruption never existed, the world would not have grown to what it is today. Cleverness, cunning, and sometimes bending rules are what move nations forward. Corrupt people exist, yes, but they shape the world in ways the blind laws never understand. If you truly want to rise, you must see the system as it is, not as you wish it to be."
Sung swallowed hard, his hands tightening around the armrest. "Yes, Master. I will obey your orders… and I will follow your instructions carefully. Please… teach me this loophole."
Dong's expression softened just a fraction, but his eyes remained sharp. "Do you know how the King and council collect taxes from the bank?"
Sung shook his head quickly.
"There are two loopholes during the nightly transfer of money," Dong explained. "First, you can replace a portion of the cash with your own funds. While it is in transit, the replacement will appear legitimate, and fake notes can temporarily fill the gap. Second, the main kingdom storage—the warehouse behind the mansion—you can hire mercenaries to 'borrow' the funds. Some of your own money must be invested, yes, to make the theft believable, but the rest can be manipulated. Timing, precision, and discretion—these are the real tools of power, not brute force."
Sung's mouth fell open, his mind racing. "Young master… you are… a genius! So… intelligent! I… I will follow every order. Tonight… at 1 AM, I will meet you at the warehouse behind the mansion. I will prepare everything exactly as you say."
Dong nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good boy. That is how the world works, Sung. Never forget this—power is never given. It is taken, bent, and shaped by those willing to see and act where others close their eyes."
Sung bowed deeply, awe and fear battling in his chest. "Yes, young master. I will not fail you."
Dong turned and left the 10th room, each step echoing authority. He walked back to his chamber, allowing himself a rare moment to sit, relax, and reflect. The palace was alive with whispers, fear, and respect all at once. The pieces were moving.
Tonight, plans would begin. Movements hidden in shadows would start, and a silent storm was already forming. And as Dong leaned back, looking at the dim light creeping through his window, he allowed himself one thought:
The world bends to those who understand it… and I am only beginning to learn its rules.
Dong leaned back in his chair, letting the faint sunlight of the afternoon fall across his face. He stretched his fingers and let out a soft sigh. "I know all of this because of what happened in my previous life," he murmured to himself. His eyes darkened as memories flickered across his mind like shadows.
"In that life, the head butler Lio used this exact method to steal money from the Golden Sword Continent. He thought it would go unnoticed, hidden beneath the guise of loyalty and service. But cunning alone is not enough. Even the cleverest schemes can crumble if the wrong eyes are watching. In my previous life, it was the First Prince who uncovered him, gathering every proof, every trace of deceit, and exposed him before the council. Lio paid dearly for his arrogance and lack of foresight."
Dong's lips curved into a faint, almost bitter smile. "That is why I chose not to reveal this secret in today's council meeting. Knowledge without timing is useless. Power grows in silence, and patience decides who will rise and who will fall."
The clock struck one. The mansion was silent, the kind of silence that only the deepest of nights carried. Dong stepped out of his room without making a sound, his black clothes blending into the darkness of the corridor. His steps were light but confident as he made his way through the dimly lit halls. Every door he passed seemed to watch him, every shadow whispered of what he was about to do.
At the far end of the estate, the warehouse loomed—a massive stone structure, faintly glowing with magical lanterns. As Dong approached, he could hear the low growl of chains being dragged and the muffled grunts of hunters.
Sung appeared from the side entrance, his face pale under the lantern light. "Young master, all preparations are complete," he said, bowing deeply. "The hunters have already restrained the Knight of the Forest. The beast is gravely injured, bound by enchanted chains."
Dong gave him a curt nod. "Good. I don't have much time, so let's make this quick."
Inside, the scene was tense. A massive figure—once the feared Knight of the Forest—was chained to reinforced pillars. His emerald armor was cracked, his breath ragged, yet his presence still carried a dangerous weight. Around him, hunters stood, their weapons drawn, sweat running down their faces despite the cold night air.
"Hunters!" Dong's voice cut through the heavy air. "You've done your job. You'll get your payment. Now leave. Your part is over—I will handle the rest."
The hunters exchanged uneasy glances. One muttered under his breath, "This brat… acting like he owns the place. But for money, even pride bends."
One by one, they exited, the clinking of their boots fading into the night until only Dong, Sung, and the monster remained.
"Young master," Sung said nervously, "are you sure? You might get injured. I know you defeated the former head butler Lio, but this… this is still dangerous."
Dong's lips curled into a faint smile as he closed the warehouse door behind them. "Don't worry."
His gaze shifted to the bound creature. "Knight of the Forest," he said quietly, his hand tightening around the hilt of his blade, "tonight is your last night."
With a sharp movement, Dong slashed, leaving a shallow cut across the beast's chest. The monster roared, its voice shaking the entire warehouse. The pressure it emitted made the air feel heavier, but Dong didn't falter.
He lunged again, this time throwing his blade like a dart. The Knight twisted, avoiding a fatal blow, but the blade still embedded deep into his abdomen. Black-green blood oozed from the wound as the creature's fury intensified.
"Impressive… for one so weak," the monster hissed, its voice like grinding bark. Then, with a surge of energy, it activated its final skill—Spikes of the Forest.
From the ground, massive thorned spikes erupted like jagged spears, tearing through the floor with deadly speed. Dong moved swiftly, his body weaving between the deadly protrusions, each step calculated, each breath measured. But one spike came too close, grazing across his face and leaving a shallow cut near his eye.
"I didn't expect this from you," Dong muttered, wincing as blood trickled down his cheek. "You're only at ten percent of your true power, and yet you still managed to hurt me."
The monster gave a wicked, fading smile.
"Not for long." Dong drew his second blade, gathering his strength. With a swift, powerful throw, the blade sliced through the air, striking the Knight's neck with precision. The creature let out one final, gurgling roar before collapsing to the ground, the chains rattling one last time before falling silent.
Dong exhaled heavily, exhaustion finally catching up with him. Sweat dampened his forehead, and his muscles ached from the rapid dodges. "He was only at ten percent, and yet… what a fight," he murmured. "Good."
He raised his hand, activating his unique skill—Void Devouring. A thick, black venom-like substance spread over the monster's body, consuming it bit by bit until all that remained was a faint, glowing residue.
From the devoured corpse, rewards began to materialize: a strange leaf pulsing with green light, a few potent healing and boosting potions, and a new skill etched itself into his mind—Lion's Fear.
Lion's Fear: Upon activation, releases a terrifying pressure that can overwhelm the target's mind, causing unconsciousness or, in rare cases, instant death.
Dong's body also changed—his physique strengthened, his endurance enhanced by 40%.
He picked up the Knight of Forest's Leaf, turning it over in his fingers. "A good healing item… might come in handy."
With a satisfied smirk, he opened the warehouse door.
Sung rushed in, wide-eyed. "Young master! The monster—it's dead?"
Dong wiped the sweat from his brow, the cut near his eye already being cleaned by Sung. "Bandage it," Dong said simply.
As Sung carefully wrapped the wound, he whispered, "Sir… you are no longer weak. I truly believe in your strength now."
Dong straightened, adjusting his clothes. "The deal is done. You got the monster; I got the loopholes. We're even."
Sung bowed deeply. "I hope to work with you again in the future."
"If I need you," Dong replied with a faint smile, "I'll call."
By the time Dong returned to his room, the sky was already hinting at dawn—it was 3 a.m. He removed his bloodstained clothes, only to pause before the mirror.
His once lean frame now bore defined six-pack abs and a sharp, powerful physique.
"Well," he chuckled, touching his abdomen, "that's an unexpected bonus."
Exhaustion finally overtook him. He collapsed onto his bed, a faint smile lingering on his lips as sleep claimed him.
Narator says Corruption is not always completely bad. It is a part of how this world works. The world does not always move forward with only honesty; sometimes hidden deals and secret actions make things move faster. Dong understood this very well. Corruption becomes truly bad only when it creates chaos for no reason. But when used with a purpose, it can open paths and make change happen. Just like a forest grows stronger by turning old and rotten things into new life, the world also grows using these hidden deals. For Dong, corruption was not only about doing wrong—it was a tool, and smart people knew how to use it while others only called it evil.