TENSURA: But It's Murim?

Ch 12 - 1 Year of power rising

It had been a year.

The Hao clan had finally established branches across the globe. Naturally, not all places welcomed them with open arms; Dwargon, Sarion, and El Dorado were among the unwelcoming territories. Other regions, like the demon lord territories such as Jistav's underground domain, Guy Crimson's Ice Continent, and Damargania, also showed little chances for the Hao clan to set up branches.

Generally, only human-ruled territories greeted the Hao clan warmly—but even that welcome was lukewarm at best. After all, who would willingly invite such a controversial organization into their country? Larger nations, however, understood the true purpose behind the Hao clan's expansion.

Opinions varied widely: some utilized the clan's services, while others remained wary, mindful of the shadows that even the most powerful nations cast. For instance, the female dwarf who is currently tied up in front of me now. 

Her skin was tan, her hair blonde, and her ears long like an elf's. Yet, unmistakably, she was a dwarf. Normally masked to obscure most of her face, this time a gag stifled her, with her hair tightly braided.

"HMMPH-!" The gag in her mouth turned her words into unintelligible, muffled sounds. She struggled against the ropes binding her hands and feet to what felt like a chair. Before her, an ornate wooden table stood in stark contrast to its sterile surroundings, her confiscated weapons meticulously arranged across its surface.

The room was dimly lit, shrouded in an eerie gloom. Suddenly, a magic-powered light bulb flickered to life above her, casting a harsh, bright spotlight. The scene resembled something straight out of a detective film, with shadows dancing ominously around her.

I sat across from her, wearing a calm, unassuming smile. It wasn't a grin or a smirk, but the kind of smile you'd find in every family photo album—neither expressing evil nor joy.

"Please let her speak," I commanded, my voice cutting through the tension. The two muscular men beside me moved promptly, removing the cloth that had silenced her and blinded her eyes.

"P-uah-!" She gasped, drawing in a sharp breath.

"Hey there~ It's been a while since we had an unexpected visitor, usually you need a reservation before you come into this pavilion..." I exclaimed, my tone light. She was flabbergasted, her eyes taking time to adjust to the sudden brightness after the darkness. Her mind raced, her thoughts a chaotic blur that made reading them difficult, but I could still gauge what she was thinking from her reactions.

"Why is a kid like me here?-- Is that what you're thinking now?" I asked, matching her thoughts. She flinched, though subtly, trying to maintain control over her emotions. She was well aware that any facial response could be used against her employer.

As for me? My tone remained calm and polite as if I were speaking to a client. I was careful not to give away my identity as the head of the Hao clan. I wore an expensive suit and round, high-end glasses, my posture deliberately unassuming. I looked like nothing more than a skinny, scrawny young man posing as a negotiator, rather than a powerful clan leader.

"Let me introduce myself, my name is Luca, Luca Ashford. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

She stared at me confusedly, firstly... interrogations done by professionals would at least be done with a room with an anti-magic area runes all over the wall. Yet this place, the more she looks at it the more that it doesn't seem like an interrogation room.

All kinds of furnishing were spread across the room. There's even a small kitchen in the corner of the room, also the high bar table that has one unfinished glass of alcohol sat silently. Even the chair she's sitting on isn't