Chapter 1247. Blue Guild’s Youth Center (16)

Ha Yeon-Soo looked like a tired office worker dreaming of a break from her monotonous work. The kids were standing frozen and dazed behind her, and their reactions weren't really unexpected. Even the trio, who declared that they were ready to die at any moment, were struggling to keep their composure in this unfamiliar chaos.

‘Well... it really is understandable.’

Even with their special training, the kids couldn't possibly show the same composure as seasoned adventurers on the front lines. After all, they had been enjoying a peaceful life so far.

Of course, some kids stood out. Kim Myung-Won, who had the Blue Guild’s DNA, was a great example of it. He took charge of the kids who instinctively shrank back when they were supposed to react immediately.

Kim Myung-Won made the smartest call anyone could make here.

“Run!” he shouted.

The kids came back to their senses, and they made a mad dash toward the exit.

“

Kyaaaah!

”

“What! What the...! Is this real? Is this really—we're in the Blue Guild’s International Academy! H-how could this be...”

“They're terrorists! Run!”

“M-Mr. Jin Young. We have to run.”

“Mr. Jin Young! I’ve got you covered!”

Even in this extreme situation, the trio maintained their loyalty, and they deserved to be acknowledged for that. However, it felt like they were hiding behind me.

Anyway, the terrorists seemed surprisingly relaxed at the unfolding situation. Even though their targets were fleeing, they seemed unbothered. It was the perfect example of the first rule of every villain—they had to be arrogant and smug.

“Yeah, our little rabbits! Run all you want.

Hahahahaha!

” Ha Yeon-Soo laughed.

“Letting your guard down too much isn’t good. That’s a bad habit of yours,” the tall man said.

“What? Don’t tell me... you’re criticizing my actions? You truly don't know your place,” Ha Yeon-Soo said.

“I simply said what needed to be said. Don’t forget our objective,” said the tall man.

“I’m the one in charge of this operation. You’d do well to remember that, you annoying bastard...” Ha Yeon-Soo reminded him.

The second absurd rule of villains—remain devoted but sow enough discord between one's allies. A tall, skinny man and Ha Yeon-Soo were baring their teeth at each other.

“If you don’t want to die, I suggest you remain quiet, beanpole,” Ha Yeon-Soo threatened the tall man.

“

Keke.

Kill me... if you can,” said the beanpole, provoking her.

Even swinging their swords at each other in the middle of all this made them look exactly like villains doomed to fail. It was obvious that they were trying to buy time for the kids to escape, but honestly, it wasn’t a bad move. Most of all...

“Y-You guys are...” Professor Traore mumbled.

“...”

“It’s finally time!

Hahaha!

It’s finally here,” Professor Traore exclaimed, welcoming his comrades. “It’s finally time! Finally! It’s time for me to spread my wings!”

‘You’ve been caught out.’

I had my doubts, but...

‘He’s the real deal.’

The thought that there could be some kind of truth, like some trick out of a mystery novel, had turned out to be nothing more than wishful thinking.

The guy who looked like he had a grudge against the world clearly had some kind of connection with the hexagram villains.

While Ha Yeon-Soo and the beanpole were still exchanging moves, a man with one leg stared at Professor Traore. The man was leaning on a long sword as if it were a crutch, and a glance was enough for anyone to recognize his disturbing presence as a seasoned villain.

“Are you an accomplice?” asked the one-legged man.

“

Huh?

Yes! Wh-Where are you from?” Professor Traore asked.

“That’s none of your business,” the one-legged man answered.

“I-I’ve been waiting for you,” said Professor Traore.

“

Tsk

. What a ridiculous thing to say. I heard there’s something you wanted to tell us...” asked the one-legged man.

“What? I-I said that?” asked the one-legged man.

“Then! Are you saying you have nothing to tell us?!” shouted the one-legged man.

“O-Of course I do. I do,” Professor Traore stuttered.

I was pulled away by the trio before I could watch any longer. Still, I kept watching through the Telescope. The one-legged man’s intimidating questions had Professor Traore trembling and confessing everything so far.

Despite hoping I’d catch something major, it was clear that he wasn’t playing a major role after all.

‘Was he just a rat?’

While I believed there were some things that had yet to be uncovered, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the results, as they differed from my expectations.

"Where are... the other accomplices?"

"They’re all waiting for the right time."

The fortunate part was that I confirmed the existence of other accomplices. Naturally, I thought this operation was probably larger than I originally thought.

‘What the hell is with these bastards?’

When tasked with managing a large forest, it was impractical to inspect each individual tree. As someone responsible for overseeing the continent, I had to admit that it wasn’t easy to pay attention to every single detail, but just because it was difficult didn't mean that I had stopped paying attention to little details.

Overseeing the entire continent directly was impossible, but the program managing the continent wasn’t

that

flawed. However, a significant breach had actually appeared. It wasn't just an ordinary security breach, as pests had infiltrated the Blue Guild’s domain.

I had been out and away for quite a while, but this situation was still completely unexpected for me. I couldn’t shake the thought that these pests weren’t just in the Blue Guild’s domain, but also in Lindel, the Vatican, the Democratic Country, and the Republic.

They weren’t random heretics who appeared out of nowhere. They were an organized, clandestine group, and they were good enough to dodge the Continental Protection Management Committee.

They had roots throughout society, and those roots were already starting to take hold.

‘Since when?’

This wasn’t something that could be achieved in just a year or two.

Exerting influence in such a short time required a direct top-down intervention. Similar to how Benigoa would send down divine beings, saints, or holy figures.

Intentionally corrupting humans, sending cursed objects, or directly influencing the continent were ways to exert influence. Basically, it felt like those enigmatic bastards were working against us behind the scenes.

Considering that they were carrying that unmistakable hexagram, my fears were far from baseless.

“Slava, are you in contact with the Republic students inside the youth center?” Victor asked.

“I can’t get in touch with any of them, Victor Galia. I think they intentionally closed the communication channel,” Slava answered.

“I think... this terrorist attack was intentional, Mr. Jin Young,” Victor said.

“I don’t know what they’re after, though...” I mumbled.

“That woman with the hexagram on her forehead was laughing like a madwoman while screaming about something fresh. Surely, the students must be the target. Plus... I hope I’m wrong... but Professor Traore seemed to be working with the terrorists as well," said Killer Touch Xiaolan. She clearly had a grasp of the situation.

"This is the worst-case scenario... but there’s a high chance that Professor Traore isn’t their only accomplice,” I said.

“That’s...”

The loyal Slava nodded at my words and said, “Now that I think about it... their movements seem too organized. As much as I hate to admit it, isn’t this inside the grounds of the continent’s top guild, the Blue Guild?

"The fact that none of the guild members have come here yet... means that there’s a barrier around this youth center...”

“Maybe... the Blue Guild is experiencing the same thing,” I commented.

“Waiting for outside help right now is a foolish move, and I doubt those guys from the Democratic Country will bother saving us. It doesn’t seem like they caused this, but... they could be using this opportunity to try to get rid of us,” Slava added.

‘No, that’s not it. Why are you thinking that all of a sudden? You guys aren’t the enemy.’

“I don’t know if it’s possible, but we have to fight for ourselves,” Slava said firmly.

Just then, we ran into the kids who ran ahead of us.

I thought Kim Myung-Won, Aryl, and Felis Hanest, along with all the students, would scatter here and there, but they seemed to have realized that it was safer to stick together.

Tension filled the air.

Felis eyed the Republic kids with suspicion, while the trio suspected Felis.

The one who broke the tension was Kim Myung-Won.

“There you are! Rina! Jin Young!” shouted Kim Myung-Won.

I naturally reached out to Miss Kim Mi-Young, and before I knew it, the group reunited.

Xiaolan turned toward me to ask for my opinion. “Do you think it’s best to move together, Mr. Jin Young?”

“I think that’s a good idea,” I answered.

‘There could be other accomplices.’

It was easier to gather everyone in one place, especially when unknown enemies are closing in. Just as we got through the narrow hallways, I spotted two figures waiting for the kids.

‘Those guys... are not hired mercenaries.’

“Who are they...”

“They’re graduate students dispatched from the Magic Tower! Damn it! Even they are working with the terrorists...” I said.

Graduate students were actually expected to become corrupted, but these guys had truly lost their way.

‘This is really ridiculous.’

However, they couldn't use spells to threaten the kids, as the twins suddenly charged in and took one of them down in an instant. The graduate students couldn't react to the attackers, who were moving so fast that it was impossible to track them with the naked eye.

Thankfully, it looked like the kids hadn't seen the horrific sight, but they were aware that one of the graduate students had been killed.

‘Wait, why would you kill them? No matter how urgent it is...’

Fortunately, one of them was still alive, but he had already lost his mind, so I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed about what secrets he could have spilled from his mouth.

The twins muttered, “Who the hell said you could act however you please?”

The lone survivor's face was ghostly pale as he rambled incoherently. "I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just...”

“Go to the... training room. Someone's there to assign your mission to you. Tell the others that the day has come and order them to assemble,” the twin ordered.

“Y-Yes! Understood. I understand!” he shouted.

The panicking graduate student left.

The twins started whispering to each other.

“Why did you kill him?”

“We let one live. That should be enough.”

“I’m sure Ji-Hye unni will scold us. She told us not to kill anymore. And the information—”

“No, I’m sure she’ll say we did a good job. He deserved to die, and we let the other one live,” the other twin interrupted.

Of course, the kids took the situation a lot more seriously.

“N-No way.”

“Th-They killed one of their allies...”

“Who the hell...”

“Who the hell are you guys?!”

They were having serious conversations.

“We’re... the Moon Breakers,” a twin introduced themselves.

“The Moon... Breaker,” the other twin said.

Given how things were going, I considered just walking away from it all, but I still needed to buy more time within the academy.

Giving up just because of some ridiculous setbacks didn’t sit well with me. Moreover, I saw the twins nod and rush at the children, so I had no choice but to reach out.

It felt clumsy, but I stepped forward like Commander Jin once did. I braced myself and launched a clean punch.

“This guy... He’s no rookieee!”

The twins were blasted away while shouting dramatically.

It wasn’t exactly the right moment to be thinking this way, but honestly...

‘I-I look so cool.’

I was sure I felt this way because I got younger.

“Come at me, you reckless fools,” I said.