I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 189 : Recovery Unit (2)

"You came well."

Hwang Won-jae said.

"There's something you need to do."

"......"

Kwak Hyeok-jung's emotionless gaze turned to Hwang Won-jae as if telling him to speak.

"There's a need to mobilize the recovery unit."

"!"

Recovery Unit.

Just as the Execution Force moves when a Ma-in appears to isolate them in White Castle.

It was an armed organization operated to recover Ma-in one step ahead of them, to incorporate them as their comrades.

"If it requires my force, it must be quite a big shot."

"You see it exactly."

Hwang Won-jae nodded.

"His strength and the uniqueness of his ability are both good. If we can save him and make him our comrade, he could quickly secure an executive position."

"Then 'He' would be satisfied as well."

The instilled loyalty was dominating Kwak Hyeok-jung's madness, and.

"Of course."

Hwang Won-jae, the culprit, answered calmly.

"Naturally, the Execution Force will be after him too. They can't not know that his demonic nature index is rising."

"Hmm."

Kwak Hyeok-jung asked.

"But what's the basis for him achieving Ma-in transformation specifically during this period?"

"Of course, there is considerable plausibility."

Hwang Won-jae said.

"He's practically no different from a vegetative state right now."

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Bae Woohyun.

He had been a veteran hunter ranked at estimated grade A for several years.

His innate strength and characteristic were a blessing to him.

Since his rookie days, he had met good seniors who guided him.

He worked in a humane, pleasant guild for a long time and never got seriously injured.

His wealth was not just sufficient, but always overflowing.

The money an A-grade hunter could handle far exceeded the imagination of ordinary people.

He ate whatever he wanted and bought whatever he wanted.

He had no children but had built a family, was always a son his parents were proud of, and a brother respected by his sibling.

This was not a bad life by any measure.

Wouldn't you agree?

"Huhehe."

Bae Woohyun snickered.

But when had it started?

Was it from his immature youth when he exceeded his quota because he wanted to add options to his car, and ended up swallowing demonic beast blood?

Was it from when he, who could recognize faces but not people, married that woman despite his parents' objections?

Was the problem his days in his 30s when, after fighting with his self-centered, vain, stubborn wife, he'd have to vent his anger by killing demonic beasts because rage would rise to the tip of his head?

By the time he couldn't bear it anymore and presented divorce papers, and she threw a fit asking what he was doing, then cried and clung to him, and finally brought an expensive lawyer from somewhere to extract as much property as possible, which almost made him hit her, around his 40s.

He had already realized that his life had gone wrong for quite some time.

It became increasingly difficult to control his rising aggression and anger day by day.

But it was already too late to turn back by his own will, and.

To be honest, he didn't even want to.

So he used the guild's power to end the divorce lawsuit by giving only minimal alimony.

And at a drinking party, when a junior honestly said that the senior was a bit harsh too, he became furious and beat him half to death.

"Damn bastard. Without even knowing. What? I'm harsh? Fucking bastard."

Bae Woohyun muttered.

When the guildmaster said he was really acting strange lately and suggested getting his demonic nature index checked again, he got angry and stormed out of the place.

But.

When he accepted the test results saying his demonic nature index was high and he needed to be prescribed suppressants again.

The man had no choice but to realize what kind of face the downfall approaching him had, whether he liked it or not.

"Hehehe."

Increased anger and impulses, weakened patience.

Strangely strengthening power despite not training.

All signs were warning of his Ma-in transformation, and.

His unusually sensitized perception of presence often made him feel the presence of Execution Force members watching him.

"Damn, what a damn life."

Crash!

Bae Woohyun, who threw the liquor that wouldn't get him drunk no matter how much he drank on the floor, lay down on his messy bed.

His head hurt.

He wanted to sleep.

...But when he woke up again.

It felt like the self he had known until now would no longer exist.

No, originally.

Hadn't the "I" that I knew already disappeared a long time ago?

The fact that it was already too late to turn back.

Who would know better than oneself?

'...I don't know anymore. Whatever happens, happens.'

His consciousness sank into the abyss.

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"Bae Woohyun's Ma-in transformation is just a matter of time."

Heo Namyoung.

Under the leadership of this powerful Ma-in who led the recovery unit, the operation was being planned.

"......"

Kwak Hyeok-jung, who would have to handle the force in case of emergency, was just silently maintaining his position.

'With his original personality, he would have been giving orders left and right, and then some.'

'He's completely changed in personality.'

'Look at those eyes. It's like he'll suddenly flay my skin off with complete indifference.'

'Let's not look him in the eye.'

Even Ma-in who had gone through thick and thin could only cower like mice meeting a cat in front of Kwak Hyeok-jung's presence.

"The good news is that the humans' security force is in a precarious state, so they don't have enough manpower to manage high-risk hunters like him as meticulously as before."

"Hmm."

"I've confirmed that the number of Execution Force members observing him has been reduced by half."

This was a natural progression, if natural.

"Therefore, we can move proactively first, which means tactically, we've already secured a very advantageous position."

"Hmm."

"After we move, they will hurriedly pull out reserves and rush over, but our given mission is much easier. Isn't it just a matter of recovering Bae Woohyun and escaping? There aren't even forces guarding him."

"Your words are correct."

Kwak Hyeok-jung said.

Heo Namyoung.

Before his Ma-in transformation, he had worked in a hunter guild in the form of a PMC, and his perspective indeed had aspects different from other Ma-in.

"Then there's no need for further delay. Let's move right away."

"Understood."

"They're moving! The recovery unit of the 'Sword of Belphegor' is entering Siheung City! The expected target is Hunter Bae Woohyun!"

"Great!"

The Chief of Staff slammed the desk with joy at the news of the bait being bitten properly.

"These bastards. They've really fallen for it?"

"Yes!"

"Contact the 3rd Unit right now! It's none other than the 'Sword of Belphegor'!"

Sword of Belphegor.

The true shadow power practically controlling the Ma-in society and the underworld from behind.

Known executives include 'Vampire Queen' Seong Yeonhui, 'Battle Maniac' Jang Suil, 'Little Evil Demon' Noh Hajun, 'Rusty Sword' Ha Jinsu, 'Executioner' Kwak Hyeok-jung, and many others.

'Agui, Asura, such guys are also very dangerous. Though veiled.'

The news of them joining was still confidential.

How surprised even he had been when he found out that fact?

'Moreover, we still haven't identified the true shadow power's identity. That guy who became the leader of the organization, surpassing Seong Yeonhui. That guy is our real enemy.'

The Chief of Staff clenched his fist.

"Order two squads to be sent! In case of emergency, order the deployment of reserves from other units as well!"

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

Two squads from the 3rd Unit would be more than enough firepower to capture one recovery unit mobilized for such an operation.

'You've been caught really well, you bastards.'

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"Everyone, attention! The deployment order has finally been issued!"

"We've been waiting!"

The squad members all responded in unison to Squad Leader Park's shout.

"This time, we're dealing with none other than the 'Sword of Belphegor's' recovery unit! Never let your guard down!"

"Yes!"

'...Those guys again.'

Hwang Ji-su clenched her fist at the tiresome name.

"Rookie! You know your mission well, right?"

"Of course."

Hwang Ji-su answered with a determined face.

"No one will look after you! This isn't the academy! I'll be watching how deeply you understand that fact!"

The Squad Leader, who stressed this once more, turned his back.

"Let's go!"

"Damn! Another one got hit!"

"Aaaaargh!"

B Squad and D Squad of the 3rd Unit, who had deployed gallantly.

The squad members of the two squads were having difficulties due to the unexpected situation.

"Damn it! Fall back! Don't rush in recklessly!"

The squad members retreated at Squad Leader Park's shout.

"How's Squad Leader Choi? Is he okay?"

"There's no danger to his life, but it's difficult for him to continue combat right now!"

"Damn it."

Squad Leader Park clicked his tongue at D Squad's senior member's answer.

'This is beyond what two squads can handle.'

The operation to lure them in with bait had been successful.

The problem was.

They didn't expect that the recovery unit would send along the 'Executioner', of all people.

D Squad's Squad Leader Choi couldn't even last 30 seconds against Kwak Hyeok-jung.

'Unbelievable. Squad Leader Choi isn't someone who would fall so helplessly.'

Generally, typical Squad Leader-level individuals are distributed in the B+ or, if strong, A- grades.

But when it comes to Squad Leaders of the 3rd Unit, which is the most excellent elite unit after the 1st and 2nd Units and gathers only the best among awakened ones with area-of-effect abilities.

They were at minimum A- grade, and many had broken through to the A grade realm if strong.

'Squad Leader Choi is a powerful individual who has reached the entrance of A grade. No matter how powerful a Ma-in the Executioner is...'

Kwaaaaaaaa!

When Kwak Hyeok-jung blew the Death Whistle, the eerie ghost-wailing sound wave attack vibrated the brains of squad members with weak spirits through their eardrums.

"Damn it! It's hard to use power because of that damn skeleton head!"

"Snipe him so he can't blow it!"

Flare!

However, even the squad members' attacks couldn't shine much light in front of the sulfur fire barrier that blocked all attacks.

"Be careful."

Kwak Hyeok-jung said in a flat voice.

"This fire doesn't go out easily."

"...!"

"Not until I burn all your sinful flesh."

"Don't let it touch you directly! You can't even extinguish it!"

"Yes!"

"I feel omnipotence."

Kwak Hyeok-jung smiled as he looked at the retreating squad members.

"This too is the power bestowed upon me by 'Him'."

It was quite enjoyable to see members of a higher-ranked unit struggling helplessly against him.

'Kwak Hyeok-jung. Was he that strong...!'

Squad Leader Park broke out in a cold sweat.

'I heard he was on par with Instructor Kim Cheol-han before. But he seems much stronger than then?'

Accurately gauging the enemy's capabilities is an essential virtue of a commander.

Therefore, he instinctively realized that to face the enemy before him, it would be difficult without at least a Senior Squad Leader or unit commander-level individual coming.

"Aren't they coming? Then I'll go."

Flare!

"Tch!"

Just as Squad Leader Park was preparing to counter the sulfur fire flying in, breaking his thoughts.

Hissss!

The ice wall and ice dragon created by Hwang Ji-su melted away, creating enormous steam.

'Crazy, how is it so hot?'

Hwang Ji-su was astonished.

'It didn't feel like this when I saw it before.'

It felt like the output of the ability itself had changed, and.

Compared to when he fought Instructor Kim Cheol-han, it seemed somehow much more dangerous.

It wasn't just her who felt that way.

"Quickly request reinforcements! The situation could worsen further if we're not careful!"

Squad Leader Park turned around and gave instructions to the communication officer.

But right at that moment.

"No need for that!"

Everyone's gaze turned upward at the voice heard from above.

"Senior Squad Leader Jo!"

"Jeong Su-hyeon?!"

Squad Leader Park and Hwang Ji-su shouted in surprise.

"Yo, I heard a big fish appeared!"

Jo Sujin, who descended riding the wind, grinned.

"Let's catch it together."

"So it's Jo Sujin. I can vividly see your disgusting face even outside your mask."

Kwak Hyeok-jung's intense killing intent was directed at Jo Sujin.

"Bullshit. I'm not at a level to have my face evaluated by a kid like you, am I? Look in a mirror, you bastard."

"Yes, yes! Senior Squad Leader's beauty is the best in the world!"

"Flattery won't get you anything, you bastards."

Jo Sujin, who chuckled, asked Squad Leader Park.

"So. Was the 'recovery' successful?"

"Not yet."

"That's good then."

Flare!

The slashing attack Jo Sujin launched cut through Kwak Hyeok-jung's sulfur fire.

Hisss!

Jo Sujin, who looked down at the sulfur fire melting even the ground, turned to Su-hyeon and Kim Taesung and said.

"Rookie, Taesung! Prepare to charge!"

"Yes!"

"Understood."

Hwang Ji-su's face became incredulous as she saw Su-hyeon standing next to Jo Sujin as if it were natural.

'What is he doing there?'

"Hwang Ji-su."

Su-hyeon, who turned to look at her, said.

"Can I ask for your cover?"

"Hmph."

Hwang Ji-su smiled, not displeased, at Su-hyeon's request specifically addressing her.

"You're not my commander."

"Girl, what does that matter in this situation!"

Jo Sujin said, raising wind at her feet.

"Just move sensibly on your own! Let's go!"

"Yes!"

The three kicked off the ground and rushed toward Kwak Hyeok-jung.