Chapter 184

A harsh wind struck the window of the principal's office.

The window made a crude sound as if to announce the urgency of the situation.

Baek Dojun looked at the window once and then continued his words.

"So, you will not have the leisure to hesitate."

His words were directed at Kim Shinwoo, the owner of the principal's office.

Kim Shinwoo had been deep in thought for a while, and he only opened his mouth slowly despite Baek Dojun’s urging.

"Did the Director-General truly make such a choice?"

"Yes, he would have done even more if necessary. It is a bit malicious to frame the hero and the bloodline of the Sword Saint for the crime of contacting a Demonic Being, though."

Baek Dojun had visited Hero Prep to convey this truth after having already grasped Baek Dojin’s movements.

Furthermore, he had come to secure the safety of Do Minyeong, the central figure in this matter.

"The reason they want to topple me is likely because of that child."

"Investigation cadet Do Minyeong, most likely."

"What happens if I refuse?"

"He must be certain that you will not refuse, but he will come up with an even more plausible excuse. For example, saying that the only blood relative of the Sword Saint and the Sword Emperor actually possesses the power of a witch... something like that."

"..."

Silence flowed for a moment.

It was a hopeless situation for Kim Shinwoo.

However, Baek Dojun had a solution for it.

"Come with me to Suwon. I want you to become the Director-General of the Bureau in Seoul."

"Nothing changes just because I sit in that seat."

"There is also no suitable person to sit in that seat."

"That is a misguided judgment. I..."

Kim Shinwoo stood up from his seat, and with his back to the window, he lifted his shirt.

Then, a black scar was revealed.

"...That is."

"It is a wound I received in the Labyrinth. As you can see, it has already passed the limit."

"Is it impossible to recover with a potion?"

"There is no way even if I use every possible means."

Baek Dojun approached Kim Shinwoo without hesitation and touched his abdomen.

His ability was the nullification of superpowers.

However, perhaps because the power of the wound was too strong, he could not create any change in the scar.

If even Baek Dojun’s ability was powerless, the anti-magic potion made with Hong Eunsek would be no different.

"That's enough."

Kim Shinwoo gently pushed Baek Dojun away.

Baek Dojun spoke as if he were arguing, his face contorted.

"Are you saying you will play into their schemes just because you are facing death?"

"My purpose is the well-being of that child. It is not about the magic tool. ...It was about the magic tool, but it isn't anymore. I am ready to sacrifice everything for that child, just like my friends did."

"But what they want is cadet Do Minyeong."

"Isn't that what you want too?"

"?"

"Special Affairs Division Chief Baek Dojun, do you truly believe that Ji Seokhyeon will return?"

"He is the only human I can trust."

"Well, it's the same for me. At least if I were to entrust that child to someone, it would only be that fellow. However."

"However?"

"I do not trust you. No, I did not trust you from the beginning. Neither I nor Ji Seokhyeon are anything more than pieces used for the fight between you brothers. No matter how right your actions are, you will harm that child if things go even slightly wrong. That is the kind of person you are."

"That is a premature assumption."

"Even if it isn't, if that situation arrives, you will judge more coldly than anyone else. Because you are Baek Dojin’s younger brother. Am I wrong?"

Baek Dojun let out a short, hollow laugh.

His head was denying it, but his heart could not deny the man’s words.

"Realistically, that friend’s mission is reckless. To be cold-blooded, I, as the person in charge, should have stopped him until the end."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I believed in him. I still believe in him. You seem to have misunderstood one thing; my belief in that friend is no less than yours. Even if he cannot deal with the magic tool, I believe he will come up with another plan."

"What is the reason for that belief?"

"Well, I am sorry, but I cannot explain it. You just know if you talk to him. That he is a being with something that even I cannot handle."

"..."

Kim Shinwoo affirmed his words with silence.

He also recognized that Ji Seokhyeon was extraordinary.

"Setting everything else aside, your death will be a great pain for cadet Do Minyeong. That is, an improper death."

"I am not going there to die. I am going to finish my calling."

"That's what I said."

"Is it not that I am making it so that my death can be the most valuable?"

"That is also death."

"What do you want from me?"

"I want you to come with me to Suwon and fight."

"Just how much longer do you think I can live?"

"...How long is it?"

"Looking at this state, it would be ten days at most."

"..."

"It seems there has been a setback in your plan?"

Baek Dojun nodded.

"I finally understand what you mean. So you are saying you will stall for as long as possible. That you will protect cadet Do Minyeong in some way until that fellow Ji Seokhyeon returns. ...I truly cannot stop you."

"That child is a direct descendant of the Sword Saint. As long as that fact is etched in the minds of the citizens, those fellows cannot touch her recklessly. To touch her, they would have to topple me first. Like by framing me for a crime as you said earlier."

"You know how harsh the penalty for crimes related to Demonic Beings is."

"For me, this life is more of a pain."

"...I do not know what that means, but I will consider it as you being that desperate."

"That's enough."

According to Baek Dojin’s intention, if Kim Shinwoo’s reputation falls, he can no longer protect Do Minyeong.

However, if he follows Baek Dojun to Suwon, he may not be able to protect his reputation, but he will be able to protect Do Minyeong a bit more safely.

Of course, only under the condition that he is not terminally ill.

With his death imminent, there was no reason for him to follow Baek Dojun to Suwon.

It was obvious his breath would stop before his reputation fell.

"I will leave that child to you. I will stay behind and stall for as much time as possible. The fact that that child headed to Suwon, and that she is with you, must not be known."

"I know what you mean. You are saying I should have you be threatened. But... I think I finally understand what kind of person you are. A person who is stubbornly persistent to a fault..."

"In this field, there is no greater compliment than that."

"In the investigation field where I am, it is not a good thing to hear."

"That's your problem."

"Well, I shall pray that your decision leads to a proper result. By the way, is this the last time we meet?"

"It should be."

Baek Dojun stole a glance at the time.

"Is cadet Do Minyeong in the dormitory?"

"I already told someone to bring her. I am not without any information network."

At that moment, a presence was felt outside the principal's office.

Soon, the person who appeared was the shooting instructor, Yun Jeongseop.

He was likely the person Kim Shinwoo had asked to bring Do Minyeong, but for some reason, he had a troubled face.

Kim Shinwoo noticed this and asked first.

"Did something happen?"

Then, Yun Jeongseop replied urgently.

"Cadet Do Minyeong is nowhere to be found."

***

The boundary between the inner city and the outskirts of Seoul.

Do Minyeong and the Hero Prep Student Council President, Yu Hyeonjeong, were passing through a grim neighborhood where one would certainly expect a Dispel branch to be located if they looked around.

To be precise, Do Minyeong was moving while following Yu Hyeonjeong.

It was already dark, and because the location was closer to the outskirts than the inner city, a somewhat gloomy atmosphere even flowed.

"Um, President? How much further are we going? For you to say you have something to show me, we have come too far from the 4th Scholastic District..."

Do Minyeong asked, unable to hide her inner anxiety.

Yu Hyeonjeong only turned back to her after reaching a quiet alley.

"We are almost there, cadet Do Minyeong."

"Is that so? But... what are you going to show me in the outskirts? I heard there are many incidents in the outskirts lately because of the Psychic Mafia..."

"Incidents... Yes. Perhaps today’s event can also be called an incident."

"Pardon...?"

Meaningless words.

Simultaneously, Yu Hyeonjeong’s expression hardened.

"Everything is for him."

"So, what exactly do you mean by that?"

"It does not matter... even if you resent me."

"What?"

At that moment, Yu Hyeonjeong raised a handgun and aimed it at Do Minyeong.

Do Minyeong instinctively tried to widen the distance, but translucent mana unfolded around her, blocking her movement.

It was clearly Yu Hyeonjeong’s ability, a shield.

A troublesome ability that could block physical access if the caster desired.

Do Minyeong glared at Yu Hyeonjeong with her hand on the hilt of her sword.

"What on earth are you doing?"

"Forgive me..."

"President!"

"I am sorry..."

Yu Hyeonjeong repeated the same words.

Do Minyeong threw her gaze outside the alley, but as expected, there were no people.

It meant this location was a place calculated from the beginning.

"When you say it's for him, who are you talking about?"

"I cannot say that. I will not harm you, so do not be afraid. You will just lose consciousness for a moment and then wake up. That's all..."

Yu Hyeonjeong moved her finger to the trigger.

But at that moment, the shield received an impact from the outside.

THUD!

The shield vanished powerlessly with just a single impact.

What had struck the shield was a magic bullet fired from somewhere.

"If you move even a little, I will kill you."

A voice spoke bloodcurdling words.

However, it was a very familiar tone.

As expected, Cha Yeri jumped down from the rooftop of the building forming the alley.

The MA6 she held was fired once more in mid-air, accurately hitting Yu Hyeonjeong’s gun and knocking it to the ground.

"Gasp!"

By the time Yu Hyeonjeong confirmed the location of the dropped gun and shifted her gaze back to Do Minyeong, Cha Yeri had already aimed the muzzle at her brow.

It was a reaction speed that was impossible to keep up with.

Cha Yeri spoke fiercely.

"Any excuse for what the situation is would be a luxury, right? After all, you are moving while following Lee Eunho."

"...Wh-what do you mean by that?"

Just then, another person appeared from the opposite side of the alley.

This time, it was Choi Suhyuk, leaning his shoulder against the alley wall with his arms crossed.

As soon as Yu Hyeonjeong discovered Choi Suhyuk, she narrowed her eyes irritably.

"You...!"

"I should have told you clearly, shouldn't I? To stop doing useless things."

"Why are you interfering with me! It has nothing to do with you!"

"I am sorry, but I received a request. He told me that a truly absurd situation might occur."

Cha Yeri cut in.

"Enough. Now, surrender quietly. Unlike this foolishly kind direct descendant here, I have no guilt even if I put bullets into your limbs."

"...No."

"What?"

"If things go wrong like this, my family will all die..."

Yu Hyeonjeong shouted.

"So please! Just let me go like this! This is for everyone’s sake! If you make him angry, it will become irreversible!"

"Bullshit."

Cha Yeri spat out a curse and pulled the trigger toward Yu Hyeonjeong’s thigh.

But in that split second, light erupted in the alley along with tremendous speed.

A lightning strike that one would have instinctively closed their eyes to avoid.

Then, an all too familiar voice flowed out.

"It seems... some bothersome fellows have interfered."

When the light subsided, a face as familiar as the voice was revealed.

It was Lee Eunho, wearing the clothes of the Phantom Thief.

Before anyone knew it, his ability had instantly flowed electricity around, and soon everyone fell into a state of paralysis.

Only then did he turn to Yu Hyeonjeong and speak.

"Good work. I will kill you last, as promised."