Academy’s Genius Swordmaster - Chapter 104
[ 104. Baeksuje (4) ]
#104
“…why are you here?”
It was a face I hadn’t seen in a long time. Poacher Balus. A motive for Ronan’s punitive unit, and a member of Carribolo, one of the leading poaching organizations on the continent.
In the past, Ronan tricked him into thinking that he was a warlock and that Sheeta was the messenger of the devil, and made a fake contract. Balus, fooled, became a spy who regularly reported information about Caribolo.
That was the last memory of Balus. The pieces floating around in my head came together in an instant. A festival where poachers and rare phantasmagoric species gather in one place. Understanding the situation, Ronan raised his eyes.
“이 개새끼. Did you decide to become a poacher again?”
“It’s not like that. Please…”
“Explain. Simple and clear.”
“Ugh!”
Ronan loosened his grip on his hair. Balus staggered to his feet like a newborn calf. After taking a few deep breaths, he opened his mouth.
“…This time, a big operation is underway in Caribolo. The goal is to steal rare fantasy species including doppelgangers before the White House Festival opens. I was also put in as an operational personnel.”
“No wonder. An organization at the level of Caribol would have a lot of money, so why crawl all the way to Phileon and say this shit?”
“It is a symbolic operation. Recently, the status of the organization is not making sense.”
Balus’ explanation continued. Since its inception, the poaching organization Caribolo has been experiencing unprecedented difficulties. It was because several branches within the Imperial Territory were destroyed one after another, and the strength of the Imperial Poaching Enforcement Unit was doubled. Ronan, who was pondering the situation, nodded.
‘The future has changed.’
Originally, it was an organization that would survive until the end of the world. It seemed that the snowball that started with Balus’ spying activities was steadily rolling.
“Money and other fantasy species are just supplements. The important thing is to break through Phileon’s security and steal the only doppelganger in the world itself. The purpose of the organization is to spread awareness across the continent that Caribolo’s noose is alive and well.”
“Well, it’s something you wouldn’t even dream of if it weren’t for your organization.”
Ronan nodded slowly. Touching the Phileon Academy would not have dared even come up with the idea unless it was the continent’s leading poaching organization. Suddenly, a question crossed my mind.
“Wait a minute, weren’t you a jerk until you met me? You said you were involved in such an important operation?”
“It’s… embarrassing, but it’s been acknowledged.”
“admit?”
“yes. I worked hard not to be discovered as a spy… but the superiors seem to have liked it.”
Balus scratched his cheek as if he was embarrassed. In short, it was said that he worked hard in the organization to work as a spy, and that was why he was promoted repeatedly.
“So it became possible to steal more and more quality information. It is no exaggeration to say that all documents of the Ulcanto branch go through me.”
“It’s ridiculous.”
Ronan chuckled. I didn’t know that a bully who talked about poaching in his previous life would have such a talent. Balus, who stood out in document work and espionage, came to be put into operation to steal the doppelganger.
“I sneaked in beforehand, gathered information, and copied the key. It was not difficult because Varen always carried it in his arms. I did it anyway.”
Balus’s mission was to disguise himself as a student and collect information about the unemployed and his doppelganger. It was 15 days ago that he infiltrated Phileon. It coincided exactly with the day the Lakota disappeared. Ronan asked.
“Come to think of it, where did the original Lakota go? Did you kill him?”
“We kidnapped them and brought them with us. I’m still healthy, so don’t worry about that.”
Balus let them know that he didn’t kill the Lakota to take hostages. to the place where he is confined. Ronan let out a sigh of relief. Whatever the reason, if he hadn’t died, he could have been rescued.
“So why did you release your doppelganger? What do you mean there is no time?”
“We released it to prevent human casualties. I didn’t know that everyone, including Baren, would stand guard on the spot. If I hadn’t released the doppelganger at that time, another member of the organization present would have activated the Explosion Scroll and took the doppelganger away.”
“Nimi, there was another poacher pup in that place?”
“yes. That’s why I said I didn’t have time.”
Balus said there were poachers who infiltrated Phileon besides himself. Seeing that Phileon’s security was breached, it seemed like a well-prepared operation. Ronan, who spat on the floor, spat out a curse.
“I’m fed up. There is no quiet day at this school.”
“I have no face. That… said Ronan-sama.”
dump. Suddenly, Balus knelt on the floor. Ronan frowned at the sudden action.
“What are you doing now?”
“I know this is a shameless and out of the blue request. Please stop Caribolo.”
“It would be like that even if I didn’t tell you… but suddenly?”
“Since meeting you, I have learned how terrible poaching is. If the doppelgänger gets into the hands of the organization first, the stalemate that has been subdued will spread like wildfire again.”
A sobbing voice flowed from Balus’ mouth. He truly hated Caribolo’s actions. It seemed that he had seen quite a few terrible things while doing spying activities. Ronan, who had been watching the scene, answered in a nonchalant way.
“There must be another reason besides that.”
“I want to come out of the organization. help.”
“yes. It’s good to be honest.”
Ronan giggled. Balus had reached a point where he could never get out of it on his own. If the operation was successful, he would continue to spend hellish days, and if the operation failed and he returned home alone, there was a high possibility that he would be held accountable and punished.
‘Even though I ate a lot.’
In the first place, I had no intention of killing my old motive. In addition, Balus performed far beyond expectations while planted in Caribolo. Since he also has the original body ability, it was the right decision to take it out before it goes wrong. Having made a decision, Ronan nodded.
“Once you know, wake up…um?”
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. Suddenly, I felt a presence from behind. I couldn’t hear it, but I could feel it. Ronan smiled and muttered as if talking to himself.
“I guess we’ve been away for too long.”
“yes?”
“Ever since I was at the small banquet hall, it was strange. It kept looking twisted. Seeing how you hide your presence, it’s quite useful.”
“What is that…uhh?!”
Suddenly, Balus’ eyes widened. He shouted, pointing behind Ronan.
“Back behind!”
“I know.”
Ronan drew his sword and turned around at the same time. Awesome! Blood sprayed along the smooth sword path. The hand holding the dagger fell to the floor.
“Huh!”
Ronan, who had turned completely, straightened his grip on the knife. A man in full body armor was holding the severed wrist.
It was the janitor who glanced at Ronan at the small banquet hall. Blood was gushing out from the neatly cut surface. Bloodshot eyes flashed through the slits of the helmet.
“Babalus… you traitor!”
“Hee-ik…!”
“It was you too. You fucking poacher.”
For an instant, Ronan’s arm disappeared from sight. An invisible sword shot was fired at the janitor. Awesome! A red line appeared on the armored left arm and on both ankles. Chew! Blood fountains gushed through the cracks in the severed armor. The janitor, whose tendons in all his limbs had been severed, sat down screaming.
“Ahhh!!”
“If you’re going to cry, cry inside.”
Ronan grabbed the janitor’s arm and threw it within range of the Silent Magic. The janitor, tipped over like a frog, screamed again. The building was the size of a loud noise, but the sound barrier made of mana prevented the commotion from happening.
“Isn’t it nice to be able to scream all you want? It’s annoying, so let’s finish it quickly.”
“Gagging!”
puck! Ronan, who had been kicked down by the water level, climbed onto his chest. Then, grabbing the glowing janitor’s neck, he pushed the tip of his sword into the gap between his helmet. The janitor, who struggled, calmed down in an instant.
“Huh uh uh…whose eyes don’t work! please…!”
“okay. You won’t be able to walk alone anymore, so how sad it is if you can’t see all the way in front of you.”
The black knife point was pointed at his eyes. It was close enough to pierce a hole in the cornea if he struggled even a little. clang clang. Ronan, who knocked on the janitor’s helmet, continued.
“Blow it all out. How many and where are they?”
****
About ten minutes had passed since then. Ronan returned to the small banquet hall, leaving Balus behind. It was his job to erase the bloodstains and hide the janitor who had become an asshole.
‘I must hurry.’
The small banquet hall was empty, as if everyone had left to find their doppelganger. Only Adeshan remained, waiting for Ronan, opening and closing the box containing the doppelganger. Sensing the presence, she waved a warm welcome.
“Hey, Ronan. Who did you go with?”
“I’m flushing in the toilet. It will probably take a long time.”
“Yes? toilet…?”
“Senior, look at me for a second.”
Ronan closed the banquet hall and dragged Adeshan to a corner. He relayed exactly what he had heard to the poacher disguised as Balus and the janitor. As the conversation progressed, Adeshan’s eyes widened.
“U.S. poachers?! To Phileon now?”
“yes. It’s not a big deal, it’s a problem we can solve by ourselves. Do you have paper and a pencil?”
“There is, but… where are you going to use it?”
Ronan didn’t answer. After receiving a notebook and a pencil from Adeshan, he tore out five sheets of paper from the notebook and scribbled different contents on each. It was information about the current situation and where the poachers were operating. Ronan, who put down the pencil, continued.
“This should be enough…senpai, can you control birds now?”
“bird?”
“yes. Please call only seven. With smart guys.”
The words were incomprehensible, but the expression on his face was serious. Adeshan opened the window and leaned out. The clear, cool night air drifted across the campus illuminated by the full moon.
It wasn’t long after I looked around that I saw crows dozing on the roofs of buildings. She stretched out her long fingers and opened her mouth.
“Come on.”
The mana of the shadow spread forward. Crows awoke from sleep and flew up with a whistle.
Within seconds, seven crows entered the small banquet hall. The eyes of the crows lined up in front of Adeshan were stained gray. Ronan whistled in admiration.
“It has grown a lot. It seems like yesterday that I played with mice.”
“It’s thanks to you. What can I do now?”
“Tie this around your leg. Can you give orders where to go?”
Adeshan nodded. Ronan and she tied the prepared notes to the crow’s ankles one by one.
“great. I’ll tell you who will receive it. First, Varen and Nabi Rose. And…”
Ronan called out the names of the seven people who were to deliver the note. Adeshan’s eyes widened. she asked in a bewildered voice.
“The poachers of Ca Caribolo? All of them must be talented, will it be okay?”
“I have to catch that much, so I can use it later. Aarondale is a problem, but…”
Ronan wrung his lips. There were a total of eight poachers currently infiltrating Phileon. Judging from Balus’ explanation, the rest seemed to be at a level that they could deal with somehow, but there was just one guy that bothered them.
“What can I do? That bastard should hope to run into Instructor Butterfly Rose or Varen.”
“Certainly… I don’t think he’s an opponent we’re up against. Why did the fighters of Balkar act like poachers…”
“I can’t do anything in front of money.”
Again, what Balus said flashed through my mind. He warned of the Caribolo executives who were instigating this plan.
Aarondale, one of the Three Giants. He was a fighter who reached the stage of Aura awakening, having a record of slaughtering a werewolf tribe with his bare hands. said Ronan.
“Let’s go at once. I don’t have time.”
“huh.”
Ronan and Adeshan left the small banquet hall. At the same time, seven crows flew out of the window. There were about five hours left before the sun rose. Their goal was to find the doppelganger and exorcise the poachers before the Baeksu Festival took place.
“Finding my doppelganger is my top priority. Did you find out anything?”
“I did find a unique mana in the small banquet hall. It’s sparsely disconnected, but…”
Adeshan said he found a doppelganger’s mana. Ronan clenched his fists and called for joy. It was like finding the criminal’s footprints.
“That way. Climbed up and down the tree here.”
“I found one too. Judging by the broken paving stone, it must have transformed into something bigger.”
Ronan and Adeshan pursued the doppelganger with their senses extended to the maximum. The empty campus was reminiscent of a hwangchon where all residents had left. Only the footsteps of the two people pounded on the deserted street.
“Damn where did you go?”
Ronan, who was walking along the trail, muttered annoyedly. After walking almost across the grounds, the doppelganger did not appear.
After walking for another twenty minutes, the two stopped at the same time. The trail of the doppelganger was cut off in front of the forest to the northwest of the site.
“They’re all different…let’s go in quickly, senior.”
“Yes. have to go in okay.”
Adeshan’s complexion was pale. Her gaze stayed in the dark forest. Come to think of it, it seemed that he was afraid of the dark, just like before. Ronan, who had been looking at her quietly, held out his hand.
“Would you like to hold my hand?”
“Cow hands?”
“Honestly, it is scary. There are a lot of guys like that among the shaggy boys, so just catch them.”
“…huh.”
Adeshan hesitated and took Ronan’s hand. His hands, unsuitable for his age, were clumsy and covered in calluses. The hot warmth came over the fabric created by hard work. She was trying to say something with her ears dyed red.
-thud.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard from behind. It was a deep, resonant voice that was completely different from that of a human.
The two turned their heads in the direction of the sound. Power went into the hands that held each other. A huge lizard was standing there drooling.
-Kurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
.
Only the distance between the head and the ground was more than 5m. Each of the red, elegant scales was the size of an adult’s palm. The head with a pair of long and thick horns was not much different from that of a dragon. Ronan, who saw the monstrous appearance, laughed. dragon without wings. It was Drake.
“Does it seem right?”
“…huh.”
“Because no one would fall in love with something like that… It must be Omega.”
There was no real Drake. Apart from Manticore, Drake was not the kind of monster anyone could raise or handle. After catching his breath, Ronan put his hand on the hilt.
“On a fake subject.”
Drake just looked at Ronan quietly and didn’t show any reaction. It was the moment he was about to pull the hilt of his sword. All of a sudden, Drake’s whole body started bubbling like bubbles. Startled, Adeshan backed away.
“Kyaaak!”
“okay. See you soon.”
The boiling Drake was slowly transforming into a human form. Ronan slowly pulled on the hilt.
‘…calm down.’
He desperately suppressed his emotions. I didn’t have the confidence to go over without cutting Ahayute who suddenly appeared. Even if you know that its essence is a doppelganger. Chew! The doppelganger that had finally finished transforming landed on the floor.
“…hmm?”
It was not Ahayute who appeared. A rather large man stood there, expressionless. Ronan’s eyes met the man’s, and he froze. Adeshan’s eyes widened.
“…Ronan?”
Although the man’s face had matured somewhat, it resembled Ronan’s. However, there was a significant difference from the current Ronan. That was the case with his height, which reached 190cm when he had grown up, and the imperial military uniform he was wearing. A trembling voice escaped Adeshan’s lips.
“Why… are you like that?”
I couldn’t bear to look straight. Even the word mansinchang was insufficient. Dark red blood flowed from the part where the uniform was torn and the flesh was exposed. The sword in his hand was horribly shattered.
But the most terrifying thing was the black lumps attached to the body. Seven dark lumps were eating away at the man’s body like mold. The man who was moaning in pain glared at Ronan and said.
– I couldn’t keep anything.
“You are…”
Ronan, who had been standing in a daze, took a slow step. At that moment, the man turned his back and started running away. The man, who ran at incredible speed, disappeared into the black forest in an instant.
“Damn it stop!”
“Ro Ronan!”
Ronan, who came to his senses belatedly, ran into the forest. After a moment of hesitation, Adeshan followed him with her eyes tightly closed.
Shoot – A strong night wind was blowing through the forest’s hair. Three footsteps echoed beneath the beckoning branches.