novelraw Chapter 148 : Blood Plaza (1)
Chapter 148 : Blood Plaza (1)
The massacre at Gwanghwamun Square, which would later be called 'Blood Plaza'.
This incident was impossible to prevent without casualties because Hwang Won-jae had planned it so meticulously.
'Besides, as a mere cadet, I have neither the authority nor the justification to step in.'
Su-hyeon thought.
Completely thwarting their intentions was originally an unreasonable task.
But there was one thing: he had to prevent the worst-case scenario with his own hands.
'Being a cadet is really troublesome at times like this.'
Even while knowing the full story and conclusion of the impending incident.
He could only appear at the scene 'under the pretense of coincidence' and intervene using only his personal strength.
Slurp.
"This tastes good."
That was why Su-hyeon was drinking a café latte at Bliss Bottle, a newly opened café near Gwanghwamun Square.
'I almost ended up waiting too long.'
Barely securing a window seat, Su-hyeon drank his coffee while looking at the protesters.
People's gazes were drawn to him wearing a mask, with a violin case containing the Moonless Sword placed on the floor, but that wasn't important right now.
"Wow, look at that person. Is he an actor?"
"His body is insane."
"I can tell he's handsome even without seeing his lower face."
"He could be a magic user."
"No way. In my experience, someone with that physique, that fashion, that face shape, and those eyes can't possibly be ugly."
"......"
'Well, this face is handsome.'
Su-hyeon smiled slightly, thinking that this level of looks was hard to imagine for himself when he was Kim Seongyun.
'But what good is that? It's not like I'm going to make a living off my face anyway.'
He tuned out the surrounding whispers and took another sip of coffee.
"I'm lowering my mask now!"
"Holy shit, he's incredibly handsome."
"I think his lower face is even more handsome?"
"Do statues drink coffee these days?"
"......"
Su-hyeon thought those people at that table were being a bit excessive.
"Hmm."
But even such discomfort disappeared the moment he savored the aroma of the coffee.
'Overwhelming. This quality of coffee is something I could only taste before being possessed into the world of Edge of Gate.'
-(photo)
-Drinking coffee right now
-Glad I came
Su-hyeon sent a photo to Lee Yu-jin to show off.
'If this counts as an alibi, then so be it.'
-(Cute dog Con elegantly drinking coffee)
-Lucky you
-Let's go together next time!
-Excluding Ji-su
"Heh."
Su-hyeon laughed at Yu-jin's reply.
'Those two really are inevitable rivals.'
Su-hyeon had no idea that it was all because of him.
'Originally, I should be visiting Yu-jin tomorrow.'
The visit would have to be postponed due to the upcoming incident.
'20 minutes left?'
Checking the time, Su-hyeon organized his thoughts once more.
'The situation is very unfavorable.'
Saving his own life in that chaos wouldn't be difficult.
But achieving his objective amidst those powerful figures was a completely different matter.
'Currently, the available forces at the scene have been reduced to a very dangerous level.'
Due to the increasingly turbulent political situation, Execution Force personnel were being deployed everywhere.
In addition to the forces mobilized to raid the branch of [Sword of Belphegor], the most notorious Ma-in organization.
Plus the aerial assault from the Centaur Marauding Band that had moved south from the continent.
With all these incidents overlapping, the forces stationed in Seoul, which had almost always been safe from external enemies, were inevitably greatly reduced.
Moreover, even the Instructor corps of EFAC, the elite who raise future pillars and function as the most reliable standing army themselves, had largely vacated their posts in the form of vacations and special deployments.
'Striking the weakest point at the most inconvenient timing. That's the basics of tactics.'
The one unfortunate yet fortunate aspect was the fact that this place was in the center of Seoul, the capital.
'That means many people are gathered here, and among them are powerful individuals nearby who can lend a hand even in sudden situations.'
And Su-hyeon knew two people who were both acquainted with him and could become reliable forces.
Seo Jun-seong and Min Hae-na.
The fact that these two would be dining in this vicinity at this time today was an unchanging truth.
'If things go wrong, those two could get seriously injured and lose all their dreams and hopes.'
But with Su-hyeon present, the story changes.
'Seo Jun-seong and Min Hae-na would make excellent forces.'
No matter how clever Hwang Won-jae's scheme might be.
'You will not get everything you want.'
Only 15 minutes remained.
Su-hyeon's senses were sharply awakening for the upcoming battle.
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Seo Jun-seong and Min Hae-na.
The two were childhood friends who had known each other since they were young, even before their senior-junior relationship.
"Mmm, this omelet is really delicious."
Jun-seong sighed as he watched Hae-na eating an omelet with a bright face.
"You could just eat with your friends."
To Jun-seong, who had often been swept up in Hae-na's pace since childhood, she was a troublesome noona in many ways.
"My, such hurtful words again."
Hae-na giggled.
"So? What did you want to talk about?"
"As expected, our Jun-seong has such quick wit."
Hae-na nodded.
"It's obviously about Jeong Su-hyeon."
"Your perception is something else. Is it because you're a psychokinesis user?"
"You're making it so obvious everywhere you go, so what's the point."
Jun-seong sighed.
"So? What is it about Jeong Su-hyeon that's affecting you, noona? This isn't like you at all."
"First of all, he's handsome. His face is perfectly my type. That's very important, you know?"
"Well, that's true."
"Oh my, I guess you understand because you live as a handsome person too."
"Let's not."
Jun-seong shrugged as if it was nonsense.
"There's no way you'd genuinely like someone just for their face."
"Hehe."
Hae-na's eyes, which had been smiling slickly and innocently, lowered slightly.
"That's right. But Su-hyeon is overflowing with charm, both as a cadet and as a person, isn't he? I actually lost to him in a fight too."
"About that."
Jun-seong asked.
"Weren't you being careless then? If you had done your best, it seems like Jeong Su-hyeon still couldn't have won."
"Who knows? I don't think I was being careless."
Hae-na answered.
"Rather, I think I saw Su-hyeon's skills accurately. The problem was that Su-hyeon had an ace up his sleeve, which exceeded my expectations."
He's a remarkable kid, she said with a gentle smile.
"Mmm mmm. Remarkable indeed. No wonder he has competitors."
"......Hmm."
"So? What about you, Jun-seong?"
"What about me?"
"How are things going with Yu-jin? Any progress?"
"! What progress?"
Hae-na chuckled at the rare sight of Jun-seong being flustered.
"You've been found out for a while, so it's better not to pretend."
"Ahem. I don't know where you heard such a rumor, but......"
Jun-seong, who was trying to act oblivious while bringing a glass of water to his mouth, froze in mid-action.
"......?"
Hae-na tilted her head.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Hae-na-noona."
"I'm listening."
"......I can sense very strong magical energy coming from somewhere nearby."
"......Suddenly?"
"Suddenly."
That was all the conversation they needed.
"If it's your sense, Jun-seong, it can't be wrong."
"If you focus your mind, noona, you'll feel it too."
The two rose from their seats simultaneously, quickly paid the bill, and went outside.
And.
Their faces immediately hardened.
"Good Lord."
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Seoul is a CCTV paradise, now as it was before.
Moreover, with armed police diligently patrolling the city, the Execution Force always ready to deploy, and numerous hunters who could become powerful forces in emergencies.
The brilliant nightscape that shone even in the Gate Era was essentially an iron fortress and a den of warriors to the eyes of Ma-in.
However.
No matter how many CCTVs there were or how good the public safety was.
It was impossible to randomly suspect and inspect a man walking alone on the street in ordinary attire.
"I've arrived."
A man who had climbed to the rooftop of a deserted high-rise building raised the corners of his mouth as he looked down at Gwanghwamun Square spread out below.
"I'll begin now."
[Permitted.]
After hearing Hwang Won-jae's telepathy, he swept his arms widely to create a circle in the air.
"Hahahahaha! I thought I was going to die of boredom!"
"Ah shit, I was eating snacks."
"Time to work now."
"Kuhahahaha! I was just wanting to oil my blade with blood!"
"Heheheh, you must leave some for us too."
Battle Maniac, Summoner, Mercury Demon, Rusty Sword.......
The executives who had gained notoriety for their terrible power and cruelty, along with regular combat personnel with formidable fighting power.
Disasters filled with massive violence and murderous intent walked out of the portal.
"Heheheh, lucky bastards. After barely clinging to their tough lives as hunters, they should have just lived quietly crouched down."
'Battle Maniac' Jang Su-il showed his yellowed teeth as he laughed.
"Calm down, even if they became Ma-in, they're just F-ranks who would at best be used as cannon fodder."
'Mercury Demon' Song Eun-bi laughed.
Characteristic: Mercury Transformation.
It was the ability to freely extract and transform mercury, a deadly substance that causes massive damage to the nervous system when absorbed into the body, and exists in liquid state even at room temperature.
Slosh, slosh.
The mercury that flowed like a waterfall from her fingertips began to vaporize into gas.
"First, as a greeting, shall we start with a gas attack?"
"Heheheh, then I'll go down directly to say hello."
As Jang Su-il jumped from the 50-story building and fell to the ground, the boy shook his head.
"He always likes to show off."
"Then let's go too."
"Okay."
[Sword of Belphegor], beginning the assault on the protesters.
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"Kyaaaaaaah!"
"Ma-in!"
"Run away!"
"This can't be happening, how did Ma-in come here!"
"What is the Execution Force doing!"
"Mom!"
As the Ma-in who suddenly appeared in the middle of Gwanghwamun Square attacked the protesters and citizens, people scattered in all directions, pushing and stepping on each other in panic.
"What the hell is this?"
"It's a real situation!"
"Keep filming!"
"We're all going to die at this rate!"
"We can't escape anyway! Anchor, get ready now!"
"Y-yes!"
[This is a real situation! Ma-in have invaded the protest site at Gwanghwamun Square! Indiscriminate slaughter...!]
Peace was shattered in an instant.
The symbol of peace and the grand space of human prosperity was now beginning to be stained with blood.
-Weeeeeeeeeeee!
The sharp siren sound echoing throughout the city, the commotion on the roads, and the Execution Force and armed police immediately beginning their deployment.
"Evacuate the citizens first!"
"The protesters are tangled up!"
"The armed police are in danger too! Guns don't work on them!"
"Damn it, demonic beasts have been released!"
"Hey, you bastards! What are you doing! Is this your first operation?"
"You know this! This isn't a spontaneous crime but terrorism! They're all high-ranking Ma-in!"
"We're all fucked, we know that, so just move!"
In the midst of chaos that was on a different dimension from previous incidents.
"It's begun."
Su-hyeon appeared.
[A quest has been generated!]
[Main Quest: Blood Plaza]
[The purpose of 'Sword of Belphegor' is to massacre the protesters while everyone watches, to lower trust in the Execution Force and cause social chaos.]
[Save as many protesters and citizens as possible and hold out until reinforcements arrive.]
Su-hyeon looked at the square, already drenched in blood.
Armed police, some protesters, citizens.......
Many people were lying on the ground with severed limbs or blood flowing from their heads.
'Damn it.'
If those protesters were massacred, the resulting social chaos would be immense.
'If that happens, it would create the optimal situation for achieving "that", which is their next goal.'
That's why the Ma-in were absolutely not attacking the reporters.
'Clever bastards.'
Su-hyeon thought.
'I guess everyone needs to witness this.'
It was impossible to block that right now.
'So what's needed more than anything is the heroic sacrifice of the Execution Force and armed police, who would throw away even their own lives to save the lives of the civilian protesters.'
Su-hyeon's eyes spotted Min Hae-na and Seo Jun-seong running from a distance.
"Seo Jun-seong! Min Hae-na-sunbae!"
"Jeong Su-hyeon!"
"Su-hyeon!"
Surprise and relief appeared on both their faces.
"You're all here. Thank goodness."
"Really."
"No need for other words now, right?"
Su-hyeon said.
"As you know, now is the time to protect the citizens however we can."
"I know."
Jun-seong answered firmly.
"Our lives are meant for times like this."
Hae-na smiled.
"So? Do you have a plan?"
To her question, Su-hyeon answered with an incredibly confident voice.
"I do."