#036. The Spot Where the Lights Went Out (1)
—
It was a sudden and profound realization.
*”The reason I can’t get stronger is because of my environment.”*
The kids at the hotel didn’t try hard to change their reality.
Most of them simply went along with the flow of the days given to them.
Living with them offered no opportunity for positive influence.
*“……”*
If he stayed here, he would never grow stronger, no matter how much time passed.
The decision and action came swiftly.
Kedric packed only a simple bag and left the hotel in the middle of the night.
And he never returned.
The harsh life on the streets began anew, but he tried hard not to let his resolve waver.
He deliberately roamed areas with many other gangs, provoking fights. If his opponents didn’t react, he started the trouble himself.
Every day was a series of fights.
*”Why does this guy always come around to pick fights?”*
*”Exactly. He’s terrible at fighting too.”*
But no matter how many near-death beatings he endured, his skills hardly improved.
As time passed and the seasons changed, his body and mind bore only more scars.
It would have been a lie to say he never missed the comforts of hotel life.
*”If I went back now, wouldn’t the kids welcome me with bright smiles?”*
He considered it but shook his head.
He couldn’t swallow his pride.
Instead of returning, Kedric chose another path—hating the hotel kids.
To tell himself he was different.
That he wasn’t content with reality but was living a life of his own making.
Only then could he justify his aimless wandering.
*”I’m not like you.”*
These repeated thoughts stirred emotions, which eventually twisted into blind hatred.
*”When I saw you, I wanted to kill you. It felt like I was looking at my past self.”*
Perhaps because he had somewhat expected this story, Philip wasn’t as shocked as Kedric thought he might be.
He was surprised, but not overly so.
After a brief pause, Philip asked another question.
*”I knew you were picking fights and losing them often—rumors traveled. But there came a point when they stopped. Why was that?”*
*”……”*
*”Instead, I started hearing new rumors. That you defeated Taylor with incredible strength and became the leader of the Eastside gang. What happened?”*
Kedric’s gaze became hazy as Philip spoke. He seemed to be recalling a moment from his past.
*”My efforts finally paid off. Every day, I trained and picked fights relentlessly.”*
He explained that a man had approached him while he was lying in an alley.
*”I still can’t forget that fateful moment. That man…”*
*”Did he happen to give you this?”*
Ray interrupted, holding up a ring.
Kedric’s eyes widened in shock.
*”M-My ring! I thought it was lost!”*
Kedric sprang to his feet, his face flushed with astonishment.
*”Th-that’s mine. That’s my ring.”*
He stammered, staring at the ring in Ray’s hand, desperate to reclaim it but hesitant to confront him directly. After all, it was Ray.
*”Technically, it’s not yours. It’s something you received from the man who approached you.”*
*”H-how do you…?”* Kedric clamped his hand over his mouth in panic.
Seeing his reaction, Ray became more certain of his suspicions.
*”The man must be a executive of Murcred, the one who comes to the hideout every week.”*
*”……”*
*”And the reason you became the leader of the gang must have something to do with this ring.”*
*”How much… how much do you know?”*
*”Not everything. I’m still piecing it together.”*
Ray fixed his eyes on Kedric.
*”What did the man say when he gave you the ring?”*
Ray wasn’t asking out of simple curiosity. The man who visited the hideout also periodically checked the number of members.
He would likely come again in the next few days.
Understanding as much as possible was crucial for preparation.
*”Abandoning the gang would be inefficient.”*
This was a hard-earned leadership position.
And that man might possess magical items even better than the ring.
Defeating him could grant access to all the treasures in the underground chamber, including the red gem.
Both proper equipment and information were sorely needed at this stage.
*”It’s best to talk now. I hate wasting time.”*
*”F-fine.”*
Kedric took a deep breath and began recounting the story of his first meeting with the man.
*”That day, I had lost another fight. I was lying in an alley filled with dirty water, leaning against a wall with my face swollen.”*
*”……”*
*”That’s when he found me. I still remember his first words.”*
*”What did he say?”*
*”He told me I looked like I was filled with rage, like a powder keg ready to explode. He wasn’t wrong—I hated and resented everything around me back then.”*
The man and Kedrick exchanged questions and answers.
“What has made you so angry?”
“Myself. I can’t stand how much I hate myself.”
The man then asked for his story, and Kedrick, overwhelmed with emotion, confessed everything without holding back.
From his yearning for strength.
To wandering the streets after leaving the hotel.
“No matter how much I try, it’s useless. I was born weak in the first place.”
“Oh, come on now. That’s not true.”
The man, letting out an enigmatic chuckle, examined Kedrick’s body before gripping his wrist firmly. After a few seconds, he let go.
“Now, move your arm.”
“…?”
Following the man’s instructions, Kedrick moved his arm and was startled.
“How… How is this possible…?”
“You had a nasty condition that was preventing your muscles from functioning properly. I’ve cured you, so now it’s fine.”
Strength surged through Kedrick’s body like never before. He grabbed the bottom of a nearby large trash can and lifted it with ease.
“…!”
One side of the trash can lifted effortlessly. Normally, he couldn’t lift it even with proper posture and all his might.
It felt like a dream.
So much so that Kedrick couldn’t help but nod in agreement at everything the man said next, as if entranced.
“Never take this off your finger. This ring prevents the disease from returning.”
“Gather a group of 66 strong, healthy individuals. If you succeed, I’ll reward you even more generously.”
There was no reason to refuse.
Becoming the leader of a gang and commanding subordinates had been a dream of his for a long time.
—
—
Ray was deep in thought.
‘The sequence of events isn’t all that different from what I expected.’
The man must have cast an enhancement spell on Kedrick while examining his body.
The red mana in the ring likely reacted to Kedrick’s anger, sustaining the magic.
‘He claimed the ring suppresses the disease.’
That’s probably a lie.
When Ray had tried wearing the ring himself, he didn’t experience any special effects. Moreover, he’d never heard of a disease that limits muscle strength.
‘He lied to make sure Kedrick always wore the ring.’
As a result, Kedrick developed mana poisoning, leading to emotional instability, while the ring’s functions grew stronger.
Then there was the word “sacrifice” in the letter found in the basement.
Ray had a vague sense of the man’s intentions now.
“First of all, your newfound strength isn’t because the disease was cured.”
“What?”
Ray drew a small amount of red mana into his hand.
Though he had never cast enhancement magic on someone else before, he felt confident he wouldn’t fail.
Ray’s palm faced Kedrick.
“What are you doing—?”
*Woong—*
The red mana swirled and seeped into Kedrick’s body.
“How does that feel?”
“How… How did you do that? I’m not even wearing the ring. Why do I feel so strong?”
Kedrick was shocked.
The first time he’d experienced such sudden strength was when he met the man.
“It’s magic. I just cast a spell on you.”
“Magic…?”
Ray ignited a flame in his hand and briefly explained the basics of magic.
“There’s something called mana in this world. You can use it to ignite fire or enhance strength.”
As he spoke, the red mana flowing through Kedrick gradually faded and disappeared entirely.
Kedrick felt the strength leave his body and looked despondent.
“This… This is ridiculous. Magic… There’s no way such a thing could exist….”
At first, he denied reality, but eventually, Kedrick accepted the situation.
“So you’re saying my efforts weren’t what paid off. No matter how much I trained my body, this level of strength was my limit. It was all just magic. Then what do I do…? You’ll beat me too… and I’ll go back to how I was….”
“You don’t need to go back.”
Kedrick lifted his head.
“What?”
“There’s no need to go back to how you were. From now on, follow my instructions closely. If you do, I’ll give you something much better than the ring.”
—
—
—
“Thank you. Really, thank you.”
Kedrick bowed deeply to Ray before leaving the office.
*Creak—click.*
Philip turned to Ray and asked, “Are you really planning to appoint Kedrick as your vice-captain and let him continue managing the gang?”
“Yeah. I don’t intend to spend much time on the gang myself. I’ll step in for major issues, but not much more than that.”
In exchange for absolute obedience, Ray offered Kedrick a deal.
“You’ll teach me combat techniques? The kind you used in your duel?”
“Yes. If you use the techniques well, you can overcome differences in strength and size—things like footwork or joint locks.”
Recalling the duel, Kedrick nodded enthusiastically.
*Nod. Nod. Nod. Nod. Nod.*
“Stop nodding.”
“Oh, sorry.”
There was no reason to refuse. On the contrary, Kedrick thought his story was over and that Ray’s offer was an act of mercy.
“You said you wouldn’t spend much time on the gang, and that you’d leave once your business here was done.”
Philip nodded before adding, “Thanks for looking out for my friend. Also, I think it was a great decision to persuade Kedrick with rewards rather than overpower him.”
Ray tilted his head, confused.
He had simply offered to teach Kedrick combat techniques for his own convenience—to ensure Kedrick could handle any disturbances within the gang.
‘He’s already physically well-trained, so he has the basics down.
The only thing missing is combat sense.
That’s all I need to address.’
Kedrick’s efforts hadn’t been in vain after all.
Though Ray’s true motives weren’t evident, Philip’s praise piqued his curiosity.
“A good decision? In what way?”
“Relying solely on force to secure loyalty has its limits.”
Seeing Ray’s confused expression, Philip elaborated.
“Using strength to intimidate isn’t a bad method. It gets immediate results by instilling fear.”
“…….”
“But it’s not the best method. It can lead to resentment and eventual retaliation.”
This idea clashed directly with Ray’s philosophy. He believed in using fear alone to subdue enemies unless there was a compelling reason not to.
‘Retaliation? I can’t recall ever experiencing that.
If it happened, it must mean I didn’t instill enough fear.’
“I think relying on fear is best. When people are terrified, they won’t dare harbor other thoughts.”
Ray shared his opinion.
“Hmm… You’re not entirely wrong, but it doesn’t always work. And fear alone won’t earn you genuine loyalty from your subordinates.”
“Then what should I use?”
“Appropriate rewards. Like when you offered to teach Kedrick how to fight. It’s a carrot-and-stick approach.”
Though Ray wasn’t entirely convinced, he couldn’t dismiss Philip’s insight. After all, Philip had a knack for handling people.
Ray mulled over Philip’s words for a long, long time.
As he watched Philip nervously stash some magazines under his bed and lock them in a safe.
