I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 220 : White Castle (3)

"Damn it all!"

Kang Ji-min, Captain of the 12th Unit.

She had been carrying out the mission of guarding White Castle, a top priority national facility, for three months when she hurriedly got up at the alarm signaling enemy intrusion and grabbed her chain sickle.

'I knew I had a bad feeling about this.'

She had been tossing and turning, unable to sleep due to her ominous and unsettled mood.

"Impudent bastards. How dare they attack this place?"

"Captain Kang!"

As her Deputy Commander burst in without knocking, Kang Ji-min shouted without time to scold him.

"Get the troops ready immediately! We move out in 3 minutes!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"What about the security mode?"

"It's operating normally! But they say it won't hold long against the enemy's strong attack!"

"Of course not! Would the bastards who thought to attack this place be insignificant ones?"

While speaking, Captain Kang Ji-min, who had already changed into her combat uniform, pressed the emergency button placed by her bed.

"If we hold out a little longer, Captain-level reinforcements will arrive."

Kang Ji-min smiled grimly.

"Make some rooms available. We'll need to send in some new inmates today."

"Understood!"

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"Reinforcement request from White Castle! Immediate support needed!"

The Execution Force headquarters was noisy with the shouting of staff members who had forgotten sleep.

"Damn it, it's going to be a long night."

The operations staff officer drained a cup of cold coffee even as he compiled reports coming in real-time.

"The Chief of Staff?"

"He's on his way, having woken up immediately!"

"Hurry, we need to finish taking basic measures before he arrives!"

"Yes, sir!"

Though they were simply executing pre-prepared protocols, their hearts pounded with tension.

"A united front of the [Liberation Corps] and [Sword of Belphegor]? And on top of that, a sudden demonic beast wave has occurred at EFAC."

He had a strong feeling.

'Sword of Belphegor. It must be their doing.'

He had heard that the organization had a mad scientist who developed technology to artificially open gates.

Since they had never actually used it before, he had thought there must be some limitation or that the rumors were exaggerated, but.......

'Crazy lunatics.'

Even for an operations staff officer who prided himself on being a cultured elite, it was difficult to restrain the curses rising up.

[Sword of Belphegor].

The most threatening Ma-in organization at present.

The Execution Force was maintaining the highest level of vigilance against them.

While working to understand their organizational structure, efforts were being made to identify their subsidiary groups.

But credit had to be given where it was due.

'In a situation like this, our response will always be half a step behind.'

With other organizations, they could gather intelligence on them and neutralize them through prevention and executive suppression activities.

But somehow, specifically regarding the [Sword of Belphegor], they couldn't even find their headquarters, let alone discover who their real leader was.

'They rule the jungle that is the underworld, hiding in the darkness like guerrillas lying in wait.'

But the turning point had finally arrived.

During the operation to eradicate [Night Goblin].

The operation of having the 4th Unit's Captain Ahn Byeong-jun on standby and deploying him immediately had worked, allowing them to eradicate the enemy, and this experience had brought about a change in their approach.

'Of course, without that cadet, Jeong Su-hyeon, even that wouldn't have been a complete eradication.'

Conversely, without Ahn Byeong-jun, they couldn't have achieved victory against them even with Jeong Su-hyeon.

Therefore, while the Chief of Staff and Commander secretly conducted operations to eradicate the [Sword of Belphegor].

They had also taken special measures to have one of the total 16 Captains on emergency standby each day in order to respond to their terrorist activities.

'A stroke of luck in our misfortune.'

Coincidentally, today's standby was the 2nd Unit's Captain Son Ji-gwang.

He was a legendary hero with one of the top combat powers within the Execution Force.

'Just hold out until Captain Son arrives.'

If they could just avoid being breached until then, they could somehow manage the situation.

'The problem depends on how thorough the enemy's preparation was.'

He closed his hands together and silently recited the name of the god he believed in.

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"Everyone put on your masks!"

"Cadets who haven't brought them, return to your dorms immediately and get your masks!"

"Wait for instructions from the instructors!"

The instructors and assistants were at the front line, shooting down sporadically emerging demonic beasts.

"......It doesn't seem to be a particularly threatening demonic beast wave at present."

Instructor Kim Cheol-han, waiting as a reserve outside the first line of defense, said.

"Yes. It seems there's no need for cadets to step in either."

Instructor Jang Jin-won breathed a sigh of relief.

"......Should we consider this fortunate?"

"Hmm? Is there any reason it wouldn't be fortunate?"

"......Actually."

Kim Cheol-han lowered his voice and whispered to Jang Jin-won.

"White Castle is under attack, they say."

"......! Is that true?"

"Yes. I heard we might need to send support there first. I think it might be a diversionary operation. It's a method the [Sword of Belphegor] likes to use."

"......Huh."

Jang Jin-won's expression became heavy.

"They're truly tiresome bastards. Don't they ever get tired?"

"I agree."

Kim Cheol-han sighed.

"Anyway, we should make sure this information doesn't reach the cadets' ears."

"Of course. There's no need to cause unnecessary confusion."

"But you know."

Instructor Jang Jin-won, realizing something strange, tilted his head.

"Somehow I don't see many Class 1 kids."

"......?"

At the moment Kim Cheol-han realized the oddity.

"At this rate, we can handle the demonic beast wave without our intervention."

Su-hyeon, who had separately gathered eight cadets, said.

"......Is it really Nam Tae-hoon, that bastard, who opened the gate?"

"Unfortunately, it's true. I confirmed it myself."

Su-hyeon nodded at Hwang Ji-su's question.

"Why on earth would Tae-hoon......"

Lee Yu-jin muttered with an incredulous face.

"We'll talk details later. Right now, we're in a time-critical situation."

At Su-hyeon's urging, Seo Jun-seong pointed out.

"You know, right? Going to White Castle like this on our own is a clear violation of regulations."

"That's not what's important right now. If we stand on regulations and something irreversible happens, it'll be too late."

Kwon Seung-yeon immediately countered.

"......No, Seo Jun-seong is right. It's clearly my side that's being unreasonable right now."

Su-hyeon shook his head.

"Nevertheless, knowing that White Castle is in danger, I can't just stand by."

Hwang Ji-su, Lee Yu-jin, Seo Jun-seong, Kim A-yun, Kwon Seung-yeon, Kang Geon-woo, Kim Ho-su, and Choi Min-a.

With the exception of Hong In-hyeon and Nam Tae-hoon, they represented arguably the strongest forces in Class 1. Su-hyeon looked at them with a grave face and said.

"Because I failed to stop Nam Tae-hoon even though I suspected him. Then at least I should use my own hands to prevent innocent citizens' blood from flowing."

"......There's no need to blame yourself for all that. Don't be stupid."

Hwang Ji-su clicked her tongue.

"We didn't even think to be suspicious."

"Ji-su is right."

Kwon Seung-yeon stepped forward.

"I don't know what happened, or why Tae-hoon did such a thing. But more important than that is the fact that if we step in now, we can save countless lives."

"......Hey, I didn't particularly oppose it either, you know?"

Seo Jun-seong sighed and said.

"I know what you're worried about, Jun-seong."

Kwon Seung-yeon patted Seo Jun-seong's shoulder.

"But if White Castle falls and all those Ma-in attack citizens, just how terrible a tragedy would occur? I think now is the time to focus only on that."

"I'm sorry for being unreasonable without a proper explanation."

Su-hyeon said.

"But now is the time for action to precede explanation and understanding."

And above all, Su-hyeon continued.

"I thought you would trust me."

"......If we go there."

Choi Min-a, who had been thinking with her lips tightly pressed, asked Su-hyeon.

"Will we be able to meet Nam Tae-hoon too?"

"......Probably."

"I'm going."

Anger rose in Choi Min-a's expression.

"I can never forgive him."

"......I'm going too. I can't let Su-hyeon go alone."

Lee Yu-jin also stepped forward.

"I'm going too."

"Me too."

"You weren't thinking of leaving just me behind, were you?"

Hwang Ji-su, Kwon Seung-yeon, and Kim Ho-su raised their hands in order.

When Kim A-yun and Kang Geon-woo silently nodded, Seo Jun-seong finally let out the sigh he had been holding and raised a white flag.

"I have a lot to say, but I don't think you'd act like this without good reason."

"Thank you."

"Enough. Let's talk about the rest as we go."

Whoosh.

Seo Jun-seong's telekinesis lifted everyone into the air.

"The exact location?"

"I know."

At Su-hyeon's words, Seo Jun-seong showed a faint smile for the first time.

"That's good."

Bwoong!

Nine cadets flew up into the night sky.

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The attackers' plan was simple.

First, the elite forces of the [Liberation Corps] would attack and occupy the central control room, then free the prisoners on each floor in order.

Second, during that time, combat personnel from the [Sword of Belphegor], led by 'Battle Maniac' Jang Su-il, would hold off the Execution Force members and buy time.

"Damn it!"

Captain Kang Ji-min, who clicked her tongue at the monstrous sturdiness of Battle Maniac Jang Su-il, who blocked her chain sickle with just his forearm muscles, retrieved her sickle with a wrist snap.

"Disgustingly sturdy! What the hell is your body made of?"

"Hahaha! That actually hurt a bit!"

Jang Su-il burst into laughter.

"But not as good as Ma Seunggeon! Is it because you're from a lower unit? Fighting him was quite enjoyable!"

"This bastard's been toying with me from the start."

Captain Kang Ji-min, with a vein bulging on her forehead, turned around and shouted.

"Is support still not here?"

"No, ma'am! Not yet!"

'Damn it.'

The battle situation was not good.

Reports that the guards protecting the central control room were dying helplessly while she was tied down by Jang Su-il made her anxious.

She had managed to forcibly create a gap and successfully insert two teams in succession.

But it was obvious that such a meager force could not hold back the advance of the [Liberation Corps].

'Crazy bastards. You claim to want to rescue family members unjustly imprisoned, yet you join hands with the [Sword of Belphegor]?'

Who doesn't have their stories in this crazy era?

"I can't tolerate bastards who try to drive stakes into others' hearts just because the nail in their own heart hurts."

"Hehehe, quite heartless, aren't you?"

Kwaaang!

Jang Su-il, who had sent a fist wind that burst an Execution Force member's head like a watermelon, sneered.

"But isn't your talk a bit too big? You can't even protect one of your subordinates."

"You son of a bitch!"

Kang Ji-min gritted her teeth at the sight of Jang Su-il showing composure even while facing her.

"Where is the support! Damn it!"

"You seem to have someone you're counting on, whoever may come."

Jang Su-il shrugged.

"But I'm not particularly scared."

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White Castle was located in the border region between Chungcheongnam-do and Gyeonggi-do.

It was a place that took well over two hours by car from the Gangneung area where EFAC was located.

Even with Seo Jun-seong flying at maximum speed, it was taking more than 30 minutes.

"Damn, Nam Tae-hoon that bastard was a spy from the beginning!"

Kwon Seung-yeon burst out in anger.

To her, Nam Tae-hoon was the male cadet she was closest to after Su-hyeon.

"I've heard of this place called the [Liberation Corps]. I heard its leader was quite a powerful figure even in my father's generation."

Seo Jun-seong, who still had mana to spare even while flying nine cadets, said.

"I didn't hear the full story from my father, but he spoke in quite a sympathetic tone."

"......To be honest, I can understand that feeling to some extent."

Lee Yu-jin said.

"But the method is wrong. That's undeniable."

"Right! That bastard opened the gate with the mindset that he doesn't care if we all die!"

Kwon Seung-yeon exclaimed indignantly.

"Anyway, up ahead will be a truly hellishly fierce battle."

Hwang Ji-su said with an uncharacteristically tense face.

"As Ji-su said, they have persisted for such a long time, and they're an organization that even planted a spy in EFAC without anyone knowing. Moreover, they've gone as far as attacking White Castle with its top-level defense system. Honestly, I can't even imagine how powerful such an organization might be."

Kim Ho-su said, fiddling with his rapier.

"We should be tense, but there's no need to be too scared!"

Kwon Seung-yeon encouraged her friends.

"Now that we're together, we're better than one or two average units!"

"That's true."

Su-hyeon agreed.

"Plus, we know each other's abilities and tactics well. If we can properly draw out our strength."

After pausing briefly and looking at each of his comrades' faces, Su-hyeon assured them.

"Whoever the enemy is, there's no need to fear."