The Path of Ruin-Chapter 112: Two Different Paths

"…"

As he looked into Hakon's eyes, which were clearly waiting for his response, he wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to think. He had assumed they would leave him alone for a while to let him think things through, but…

...

'Oh.'

Actually, he was wrong.

Given that they now considered him Hakon's disciple, it wasn't really that surprising. There was nothing more natural than a master-disciple pair discussing something like this together. At least in the eyes of others.

"I suppose you could say I'm torn between two departments."

"Let me guess: the Imperial Intelligence Bureau and the Special Operations Unit?"

When Kael nodded, Hakon leaned back in his chair and widened his smile.

"Both are perfectly reasonable choices. If I were in your shoes, I'd be torn between the two as well."

"Well… which one would you have chosen in the end?"

As he asked the question, Hakon focused his eyes on the ceiling for a moment, as if deep in thought.

"I suppose the Special Operations Unit would have been my final choice. While the Imperial Intelligence Bureau might suit you perfectly, what you want is to rise as quickly as possible. To list your achievements in the best possible way and elevate your position even further."

"Hmm..."

He was... right.

Under normal circumstances, choosing a career that would allow him to succeed more easily—and one he would like—would have been the best option.

But that was the point. Circumstances were not normal… he had a huge goal, and for that reason, he needed to grow stronger and climb the steps leading to his goal as quickly as possible.

After a few seconds, he finally closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, he looked calmly at Hakon, who was gazing back at him with his usual smile.

"I've made my decis-"

But he paused before finishing his sentence, his mouth hanging open. As his eyebrows furrowed slightly, the thought that crossed his mind seemed to erase all other thoughts from his mind.

"Hakon…"

"Yes?"

"Which department are you in?"

If he hadn't misunderstood, everyone working under the Empire was categorized into a department, regardless of their position.

Perhaps those in high positions, like generals and marshals, might be exempt from this restriction because they had so many responsibilities—perhaps Hakon was exempt as well—but… ultimately, he must have worked under a department in the past.

He was curious.

"Oh, that's a good question."

Hakon widened his smile. But this was...

'Huh?'

Somewhat different from his usual sly grin?

"The name and function of some departments aren't publicly known, unlike most. The department I belong to is one of those. You could call it a generally secretive one. You can probably guess. Think about my Path, my primary abilities, and what I'm generally known for."

The first thought that crossed his mind was also the first word to escape his lips.

"So, something like an assassination group?"

Hakon nodded in confirmation, winking as he did so.

"Bingo. Technically, it's not exactly that, but it's one of the things my department specializes in. We usually don't tell just anyone, but I'll make an exception for you. The name of the department I belong to is the Shadow Recon Division."

'The Shadow Recon Division…'

It had a much darker vibe compared to the three departments he could join. And the reason why was clear.

"We handle the Empire's dirty work, eliminate what needs to be eliminated, and ensure what needs to be hidden stays hidden. We venture into the darkest corners and uncover things no one is supposed to know. You could say we're the Empire's invisible hands, eyes, and ears."

Kael stared straight at the man standing before him. A silence stretched between them for several seconds. Finally, it was Kael who broke the silence.

"This department… isn't it more suitable for me than the others, then? Both for my abilities and for achieving my goal."

No matter how much he thought about it, dealing with the Empire's dirty work was what would provide him with the fastest path to advancement. Besides, joining a department like this would give him an advantage in infiltrating the Empire that no one else could ever provide. Wasn't it the perfect department for someone expected to tear it apart from within?

The list of things he could count on was endless.

Yet… why hadn't he been given the chance to join this department?

"You're right, that's indeed the case."

As Kael narrowed his eyes, a single thought crossed his mind.

Could it be… that he hadn't been deemed good enough?

"The Shadow Recon Division… is quite selective when it comes to choosing its members, Kael. We don't just spot certain talents and decide they can join us. To join it, you need to be recommended by someone who's worked here for a certain period of time. Don't forget what I told you, this department handles the Empire's dirty work. We can't just trust anyone who comes along just because they're more talented than necessary."

"…"

Kael looked into Hakon's eyes without saying a word. It was as if what he meant was so obvious that there was no need for him to say anything.

But Hakon ignored it. With a smile still on his face, he tilted his head slightly to the side as if he hadn't understood what was going on.

So Kael… took a deep breath and wrinkled his forehead with his fingers.

"You… can't recommend me, then? Why are you being so cryptic? Is there something I'm missing…?"

"Well, of course I can. In fact, I was already thinking of doing so."

This time, Kael truly couldn't find a single thing to say. His brain was literally starting to fry.

Hakon, in response, narrowed his eyes, avoided eye contact, and focused on a specific spot on the table.

"Dealing with the Empire's dirty work… it can be far more disgusting, exhausting, and dangerous than you imagine, Kael. I didn't introduce you to my department right away, and I didn't write you a recommendation letter immediately. Because I wanted you to explore your other options first. In fact, I wanted you to figure it out on your own, through your own questioning, before I even mentioned it. In the end, I wanted you to make the right decision fully aware of all this. It's actually that simple."

"…?"

Kael couldn't help but feel his eyes twitch.

'Ha…?'

Had he misunderstood?

Or was this devil… actually worried about him?

'No, that's not it… They see me as a tool, after all. He just wanted to keep me away from a job he thought could shatter my mind or undermine my resolve… right? After all, if that happened, I wouldn't be much use to them…'

Yes, that must be it.

"Have no doubt about what I've said, Kael. If you join the Shadow Recon Division… eventually, you'll be given a mission that will make you question your entire life. You'll see the filth of the world that you've never seen before. Every month you spend as a member of it will remind you again just how rotten this world is."

"…"

"Yes, you'll rise through the ranks much faster than in other departments as long as you live. You'll learn more, grow stronger, and gain opportunities. But these won't come for free. That's why I've been waiting until now."

Well…

He was wrong.

His initial thoughts were spot-on.

'What the actual fuck…? Am I dreaming or something?'

This man, who seemed no different from the devil he'd heard about in stories…

"Well, ultimately, the final decision is yours. Make your choice without forgetting what I've said. Also… don't forget that I don't expect you to choose anything. Whatever you do, it will be something I'll truly respect as your choice. For the first time, maybe. Haha."

He had truly been worried about him.

"Will you choose the path that, though lengthy, is safer and easier, or the one that, even if it gets you to your destination faster, will turn your life into a living hell.... worse than it already is?"

Hakon said no more. He simply looked into his eyes in silence. Seconds ticked by.

Kael paused at this, then, as his eyes widened slightly, he remembered the situation he was in.

He had to make a choice. A choice that would drastically alter his future.

"…"

The Special Operations Unit offered him a relatively more comfortable future as long as he succeeded. As he succeeded in his missions, he would gain fame and glory, continuously elevate his status, and steadily bring himself closer to his goal over time.

The Shadow Recon Division, however, was an accelerated—yet, in Hakon's words, far worse—version of that. Since he would be operating from the shadows, he wouldn't gain as much fame and glory as with the first option, but he would climb the ranks much faster. He would learn things he should never have learned, know things he shouldn't have known. But these wouldn't be opportunities… rather, they would be burdens he'd have to carry.

Any sane person would choose the first option.

Both options would eventually lead him to his goal. What he really had to decide was whether he was willing to willingly subject himself to suffering just to be a little faster.

And… he was a sane person.

A department that would cause such things to come out of a man like Hakon's mouth would truly turn his future into hell. He was one hundred percent certain of this. He wanted to rise and grow stronger as quickly as possible, yes… but if he could do it in a less painful way, choosing that option would be the most sensible thing.

He lifted his head. He looked at Hakon, who was still staring at him.

The man's dark eyes were looking at him in a way he'd never seen before.

He swallowed. He opened his mouth but then closed it. He clenched his fist, closed his eyes.

He waited a few seconds. He thought, and kept thinking.

More seconds passed.

And then…

"I… have made my choice."

He'd made his decision.

"I'll be joining the Spec-"

But… before he could finish his sentence, he paused at the thought that suddenly crossed his mind. His expression was fixed, but his mouth remained open.

A sentence echoed in his mind; he had remembered something important just as he was about to voice his choice.

It was a sentence from a memory months ago.

"Congratulations, Kael."

The words he had heard in Laen's room at Greenveil, in that mercenary group… echoed in his mind.

"You too are now a rotten human of this rotten world."

He had heard those words because he had successfully killed those merchants who were completely innocent. It was almost like a reminder that his hands were stained.

"Ah…"

But that wasn't all.

He hadn't thought much about it at the time because it was his duty, but… he had slaughtered the group of the Second Princess's men without a moment's hesitation. He hadn't shown mercy to even a single one of them.

There must have been people among them who were simply trying to fulfill the mission they'd been given... people who didn't deserve to be killed. Not to mention, their mission was to expose a criminal…

Hadn't he said it himself, hadn't he realized it, back when he became a Follower of the Path of Ruin?

He was someone who would somehow bring destruction and ruin wherever he went. If there was any one truth that never changed in his life… that was it.

With all that said, for someone like him, whose hands were stained with the blood of the innocent… was choosing the 'easy' path really an option now…?

Did he… have the right to do that?

Should he show mercy to himself, when he hadn't shown mercy to a single person he'd encountered?

"…"

He swallowed hard. Even though there was nothing in his throat, he could barely manage this simple action.

Because… he knew.

The answer was no.

He had no right to such a thing.

"Shadow Recon Division…"

Finally, those words managed to escape his lips, even if only in a whisper.

"The department I'll join… will be the Shadow Recon Division."