Two Gods || Jaywon

General J

Jungwon had asked for Jay to become his escort, but the answer from the Temple was taking its sweet time.

Because of it, they could only meet on the rare occasions the soldiers had to go to the Temple for blessings.

So, in the meantime, Jay was continuing his training within the Imperial Army.

Since the Empress had allowed him among her ranks, he had been quick to prove his superiority over his peers. His physical abilities were inhuman and his ease at understanding human nature was a significant advantage for strategy.

But because of the curse that would make him repulsive to his surroundings, his progression in ranks was impaired. His lieutenants hated him and his comrads, despite admiring his abilities, kept trying to sabotage him.

Jay didn't really care, and he could have kept not caring, if the temple hadn't refused Jungwon's request of making him his escort for the excuse of him being too low in rank, supposedly betraying his incompetence.

In an effort to climb up the rank, he then started working even harder, trying to be as amiable as he could.

It took him months to finally exit his position as lowest ranked soldier, and double the amount of time to become Corporal.

From there, he stagnated.

After such failures, Jay still wasn't allowed as Jungwon's escort. So, impatience oblige, he remembered his own words towards the Empress and decided to make use of his privilege.

*

*Cough* "I can't promote you without any reason!" cried Sergeant Atom, red marks on his neck.

That day, before training, Jay had come to meet him to have a little chat. The Sergeant had snickered and ignored him, until Jay came to grab him by the neck.

"You cannot do that!" he had shouted.

"Yes I can," had immediately replied Jay. "I kept it as my little secret, but I'm actually the Empress' protégé. Oh, you may not believe me, but what would your doubts bring you if I kill you right now?"

"...What do you want?"

"I want to be General."

The Sergeant had complained, saying he couldn't do it. So, Jay had tightened his grip, but his victim continued to refuse, giving more and more excuses.

Jay let go.

"Make me a sergeant then. Tell your superiors to let me climb the ranks in order. I'll help you."
He took a step towards the Sergeant who jumped.
"Just give me what I want, and I'll take care of whoever complains."

The Sergeant had stared at Jay with blood injected eyes for a minute, too afraid to move or talk, and ended up nodding, before the rest of the group arrived.

Jay spent the rest of his day with a satisfied smile on his face.

It took a few days before the Sergeant finally acted, but Jay stayed patient. He knew the man went to the Empress to complain, and he knew she made him understand his situation nicely. Now, he wouldn't have to wait too long.

Thanks to the Sergeant's efforts, murmurs started to arise concerning Jay. Instead of mockeries, petty comments and critics, it became whispers of fear, shivers and even respect.

Just like that, after only a couple of weeks, Jay became Sergeant, and soon after, he became Lieutenant.

He still had to persuade a few people along the way, but his plan was going smoothly.

As he wished, he became General.

When it happened, he stayed up all night, thinking about how he would tell the news to Jungwon.

But when the next day came, he decided he would keep it a secret a little while longer.

He wouldn't ask the Temple again. Instead, he would make a mockery of these sufficient priests and leave them no choice.