I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 221 : White Castle (4)

The attack on White Castle by the [Liberation Corps].

This event was more dangerous than the academy attack carried out by the [Sword of Belphegor] during the first semester.

Just how many Ma-in are currently imprisoned in that White Castle?

If several powerful Ma-in who once made names for themselves were to be released, the social chaos that would follow would unquestionably reach a level that couldn't be contained by the current quasi-wartime situation.

Even though the Ma-in imprisoned in White Castle were relatively less dangerous and aggressive.

Basically, there was no Ma-in who didn't feel murderous impulses.

Moreover, considering the anger and stress accumulated through long periods of isolation.

It wasn't difficult to imagine what kind of situation might unfold.

'The Liberation Corps' intentions might not be that, but the problem is that their leader, Do Sang-jun, is being controlled by Hwang Won-jae.'

As someone who knew the truth that the Liberation Corps organization itself was merely a large chess piece of Hwang Won-jae, I couldn't help but feel irritated.

'Real fucking trolls.'

No wonder Edge of Gate was a shitty game.

Just look at how serious events that make you wonder if you should quit playing happen as regularly as eating meals.

'Even though humans are clearly still superior in terms of combat power, nowadays it's hard to feel that way.'

Of course, there were still powerful cards remaining.

For instance, if martial law were declared assuming a wartime situation, it was clear that most of the current chaos could be suppressed.

However, martial law is literally a last resort.

Not only is it difficult to maintain for long, but I've experienced several times in previous rounds how greater chaos erupts during the process of dealing with the aftermath, leading to humanity cutting its own flesh in internal strife.

'Before this night is over, I need to clean up this situation by any means necessary.'

And I dare say.

Right now, I—we—had the power to do so.

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"Devastating."

By the time Su-hyeon's group arrived, a portion of White Castle's outer wall had already been half-destroyed, and a tragedy was unfolding with screams and shouts everywhere.

"It seems quite a few Ma-in have been released?"

Su-hyeon said after concentrating his Eye Power to examine the situation.

"What? Isn't that a big problem?"

Kwon Seung-yeon asked in surprise.

"Not necessarily. If only a few floors out of dozens have been opened, it should be manageable."

"......You know a lot of details."

"I had my own interest in it."

Su-hyeon brushed off Hwang Ji-su's comment as his gaze swept across the battlefield.

'There she is.'

The sight of the woman engaged in combat with 'Battle Maniac' Jang Su-il remained in Su-hyeon's memory.

'Captain Kang Ji-min of the 12th Unit, is it?'

Unlike the 11th Unit, which consisted of swordsmen, the 12th Unit was composed of members who handled other weapons such as spears, staffs, and axes.

'Limited to the chain sickle as a weapon, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she's the most skilled user in the world.'

"Look over there."

The cadets who followed Su-hyeon's pointing finger were shocked.

"Battle Maniac Jang Su-il!"

An unforgettable face.

"Why is an executive of the [Sword of Belphegor] here?"

Hwang Ji-su exclaimed.

"No way?"

"It seems they've joined forces with the other side."

"These guys are completely insane!"

"They're insane, that's why they pulled this off."

Su-hyeon said.

"Wait a moment. I'll go talk to them."

"What? Hold on!"

Su-hyeon used "Chukji" to land next to Kang Ji-min who was facing off against Jang Su-il.

"Captain Kang! Support has arrived!"

"What?"

Turning her head at the welcome news, she frowned when she saw Su-hyeon standing alone wearing a mask.

"What's this, you came alone? Who are you?"

"I am......."

Just as Su-hyeon was about to open his mouth.

"You bastard!"

Jang Su-il's eyes widened as he recognized who he was.

"Jeong Su-hyeon! Why are you here!"

"......Jeong Su-hyeon? I've heard that name."

"Yes. I'm Jeong Su-hyeon, currently doing an intern practicum with the 1st Unit, A Team."

"So it's that Jeong Su-hyeon!"

Kang Ji-min, realizing Su-hyeon's identity, asked rapid-fire questions.

"But how did you get here? Was today a dispatch day? Where are Sujin and Taesung?"

"Today isn't a dispatch day, and I came here without permission, bringing eight classmates with me."

"What? What do you mean?"

"......Cadet Nam Tae-hoon, my roommate and classmate, was a spy for the [Liberation Corps]. I had been watching him with suspicion, and just an hour ago, he opened a gate at the academy and disappeared. At the same time, I learned that this place was under attack."

Kang Ji-min was momentarily confused by Su-hyeon's rapid explanation.

"......Wait. You're saying you fully understood the situation and came here to provide support based on your own judgment?"

"That's right."

Kang Ji-min made a "what kind of person is this" expression behind her mask.

"As you might guess, this is a planned terrorist attack. And I believe their real target wasn't the academy but this place, White Castle."

"How's the situation at the academy? What's the intensity of the demonic beast wave?"

"The current strength of instructors, assistants, and cadets remaining at EFAC should be sufficient to handle it without much difficulty."

Su-hyeon's answers continued smoothly.

"If my thinking is correct, it appears some floors have fallen while 'Battle Maniac' Jang Su-il has been keeping you occupied, Captain Kang."

"......Yes. Currently, floors 3 or 4 have been compromised."

"I think our first priority should be to stop the [Liberation Corps]. What do you think?"

"I agree."

"We'll go."

"You do understand what your words mean, right?"

Kang Ji-min lowered her voice as she glanced at Jang Su-il, who had crossed his arms as if he would watch what happened.

"Even if you've gained some combat experience, it's problematic if you're relying just on that. If all of you end up dead, how am I supposed to deal with the aftermath?"

"That won't happen."

Su-hyeon said.

"Spear Devil Lim Se-jin, Goblin Sim Jae-gyeong. Even they couldn't defeat me."

"Huh."

"Moreover, all the other cadets who came with me—Seo Jun-seong, Hwang Ji-su, Lee Yu-jin, and others—are talents who will lead the Execution Force in the future. I believe we're not insufficient combat power."

"Kids these days are really bold."

Captain Kang Ji-min chuckled.

"But admirable and brave. To act like this in such a situation without fear of disciplinary action or anything else is truly not as easy as it sounds for someone with cadet status. Jeong Su-hyeon, you're an interesting one, just as I've heard."

"I'm just doing what needs to be done."

"I just hope this action of yours, bordering on recklessness, turns out to be a brave decision."

Kang Ji-min gave Su-hyeon a faint smile.

"While it's unfortunate that I have to borrow your hands in this situation. I'm asking for your help. Don't worry about unauthorized departure or anything; I'll cover the aftermath."

"Understood."

"Come back alive."

"Don't worry."

"Hehehe, are you done talking?"

Jang Su-il, who had been listening quietly, swayed as he turned his head from side to side.

"But you're a funny bastard. Who's letting you go?"

"I don't think I need your permission."

At Su-hyeon's answer, Jang Su-il split his mouth into a grin.

"Hehehe, arrogant bastard. As always, you're the best at running your mouth."

The very next moment.

Kwaaang!

A fist wind shot by Jang Su-il flew like a cannonball toward Su-hyeon.

Shwook.

A little earlier, Su-hyeon disappeared using Chukji.

"!?"

While Jang Su-il, who had lost track of Su-hyeon, hurriedly rolled his eyes searching for his position.

Su-hyeon returned to his comrades.

"The talk is finished. Let's go."

"Exactly where are we going?"

Kim Ho-su asked.

Su-hyeon pointed to the interior of White Castle, where screams and shouts were rampant, with a face that suggested the answer was obvious.

"There."

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"Stop them! Stop them somehow!"

"Get out of my way!"

Kwajik!

Do Sang-jun, who had sent flying a guard rushing at him with a three-section staff, weapon and all, shouted.

"Innocent ones! We've come to rescue you!"

"......What are these guys?"

"They came to rescue us?"

Ma-in who had been sitting with disinterested faces or showing interest in the noisy sounds heard earlier, pressed their foreheads against the reinforced glass to observe them.

"We are the Liberation Corps! We are humans who have family members like you, isolated here without crime! We came here today to help you escape!"

"Crazy."

"Isn't that guy a bit screwed in the head?"

"No, but they've made it this far, haven't they?"

"What are the Execution Force bastards doing?"

"......What would humans know."

The Ma-in prisoners showed different reactions according to their dispositions.

"The choice is yours! We will soon defeat all the guards on this floor and liberate you......"

"That's enough."

Su-hyeon's cold voice stopped Do Sang-jun's speech.

"!?"

"Who are you!"

"The Execution Force? Did Battle Maniac fall?"

The Liberation Corps combat personnel who had been subduing the guards quickly regained their defensive posture upon seeing Su-hyeon's group suddenly appearing behind them.

"Let's go according to the plan."

As Su-hyeon's words at the front fell.

Pazizizip!

Bundles of lightning poured out from Kim A-yun's hands.

Jeojeojeojeok!

Ice wolves and ice picks created by Hwang Ji-su followed.

Kwaagwagwang!

Seo Jun-seong's telekinesis gathered debris from the floor and shot them.

Peo-peo-peong!

Various elemental magics were fired from Choi Min-a's hands.

"Shit!"

"Aaaaargh!"

Close to ten people out of the dozens of combat personnel belonging to the [Liberation Corps] fell right away from this surprise and powerful attack.

"Now!"

"Ou!"

Five martial artists—Su-hyeon, Lee Yu-jin, Kwon Seung-yeon, Kang Geon-woo, and Kim Ho-su—rushed in to further disrupt the already chaotic formation.

"Kugh!"

"Aaargh!"

The sharp swords of Lee Yu-jin and Kim Ho-su, Kang Geon-woo's monstrous throws, Kwon Seung-yeon's weighted fists sent the combat personnel blocking the front flying away.

Seogeok!

Su-hyeon's Moonless Sword cut through the weapons of three people simultaneously, astonishing them.

"Fall back! These guys are not ordinary!"

Do Sang-jun shouted.

"Executives, forward!"

"Understood!"

About ten executives stepped forward, displaying an ominous pressure.

"Let's subdue them quickly! We don't have much time!"

"That's unfortunate."

Su-hyeon, who had retreated to avoid the counterattack, said while swinging his Moonless Sword as if stirring it.

"For us, the longer this drags on, the more we win."

"Strike!"

The flames and arrows pouring toward Su-hyeon stopped in mid-air.

"Telekinesis, is it!"

"Damn it, you take him on! He's a troublesome one!"

"Wait!"

Nam Woo-young, sensing something strange, shouted.

"Telekinesis, ice, lightning. Were-ape and swordsmen? The combination of those guys, doesn't it seem familiar somewhere?"

"Woo-young, what are you saying?"

Do Sang-jun asked.

"......Those guys seem to be cadets from the academy."

"What!?"

"Since they're your nephew's friends, you recognize them right away."

Su-hyeon said in an uncharacteristically sneering manner.

"How did you......"

"Well, how did I know?"

Bwoong!

The flying strike suddenly launched by Su-hyeon was parried by the beast claws that sprouted from Do Sang-jun's hand.

"That's not what's important right now."

Gugugugu.

Do Sang-jun's body, growing a mane, swelling, and covered with leather, transformed into the appearance of the king of beasts, a lion.

"What's important is that we cannot forgive anyone who interferes with us."

"Lion King Do Sang-jun."

Despite Su-hyeon's sudden utterance of his name, Do Sang-jun showed no particular agitation.

"Lion King. A forgotten name now."

Do Sang-jun, who had taken on a half-human, half-lion form, swept back his mane instead of hair with his claws and said.

"So you're Jeong Su-hyeon. I can see why Tae-hoon was so wary of you."

"Are you the one who sent Nam Tae-hoon?"

"Yes. I'm the leader. The source of all this."

Do Sang-jun spoke proudly, as if he had no intention of making excuses.

'He's a formidable opponent. It would be serious if I lose focus even for a moment.'

Su-hyeon thought.

A majestic mane and muscles all over his body.

Skin that even swords and spears couldn't penetrate.

Claws infused with aura cut and destroy anything.

'With the power that man possesses, he might not be below Sim Jae-gyeong, though perhaps below Lim Se-jin.'

"Are you thinking of facing me?"

"You think I can't?"

"Well. We'll have to see about that."

Jeop-jeop-jeop.

The two men walked three steps toward each other.

"I'll warn you just once."

Do Sang-jun revealed large, sharp fangs.

"Step aside. This is the path to my wife."

Su-hyeon countered with a question.

"If I step aside, just how many people will have to die?"