I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 239 : Caligo (4)

"Will the Commander not personally participate this time as well?"

Captain Gong I-an of the 1st Unit asked with a hint of disappointment in his voice as he reviewed the report.

"That's correct."

The Deputy Commander, who was constantly aging from Senior Squad Leader Jo Sujin's tantrums, was submitting his report in a calm atmosphere for the first time in a while.

"That's unfortunate."

Captain Gong I-an sighed lightly.

"It would have been nice to stand side by side with him."

Even for Gong I-an, who had reached the pinnacle of all martial artists, Ju Taeyang was an object of reverence.

"Hmm. Is the Sword God coming too?"

"Yes. Though unfortunately on a different battlefield."

"It's regrettable that I won't be able to witness his sword."

For him, a seeker of the way, this operation was not only a battle for humanity's survival but also a training ground to advance to a higher realm of martial arts.

"But I can rest assured about the battlefield where he will personally appear."

"Indeed."

The Sword God Lee Un-hak had been assigned to the Illegal Entry Route Raid Team, which was meant to draw the enemy's attention.

Among them, he would participate in the South Coast direction, where the fiercest battle was expected, along with the 15th Unit's Captain.

"Of course, notable hunters will also be deployed to the East and West Coast directions alongside Captain-level officers."

"Good."

Operation Caligo.

It was a large-scale operation with even S-rank hunters being extensively mobilized.

'Not only does it have a weighty name, but it's also exquisite how they composed the forces primarily from the Execution Force for the Sword of Belphegor raid team, which requires close and tactical person-to-person execution abilities. As expected, it's difficult to find flaws in Chief of Staff Heo's judgment.'

Captain Gong I-an nodded and said.

"So, in the end, we just need to do our part well, right?"

"Yes. The responsibility on your shoulders is tremendous."

He smiled slightly at the Deputy Commander's joke.

"That's exactly what I hope for. The more harsh the battle, the more strongly humans are tempered."

As a martial artist and seeker, it wasn't something he feared in the slightest.

"By the way, this time I'll be commanding Sujin, Taesung, and even the rumored promising talent. I have high expectations."

"You're referring to Jeong Su-hyeon."

The Deputy Commander clicked his tongue as the topic of Su-hyeon came up.

"That guy...... is truly exceptional."

"That's quite high praise coming from you."

"He's been acknowledged by Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom. Personally, he reminds me of Sujin's rookie days."

"Wow, that's impressive."

"Some people say he reminds them of Captain Gong."

"Hahaha. That's excessive. No, I mean for me, not for this Su-hyeon fellow."

Gong I-an laughed heartily.

"I don't think I was rampaging like that at his age?"

"I believe you were, quite sufficiently."

"I wonder. So this friend caught the 'Spear Devil'? And took down the 'Lion King'."

"Yes. It's quite remarkable."

"No, truly. For me to be able to take down a powerful figure like the Lion King was...... at least when I was in my mid-twenties."

'Come on. That's also impressive.'

The Deputy Commander muttered internally.

"But it seems like it's the first time we've conducted an operation on such a large scale recently."

"That's absolutely right."

The Deputy Commander said.

"The number of awakened ones with teleport and subspace-related abilities mobilized for this operation alone could fill a truck. All of them are scheduled to systematically place operatives at the planned ambush sites and advance routes."

"As it should be. This operation's life depends on secrecy and speed."

Captain Gong I-an muttered as he looked at the operation map.

"'Asura' Seong Ji-cheol. They say he put Captain Son in great difficulty."

"That's correct."

"Even I might not be able to guarantee victory against him at his current state."

"......That's hard for me to imagine."

"Haha, I'm just a human with two arms and two legs too. Compared to me, doesn't he have six arms?"

"Those six arms with six weapons would struggle against your one spear, Captain Gong. Isn't that the ultimate realm of martial arts?"

"You're really flattering me."

But his competitive spirit made Gong I-an's eyes gleam as if he didn't dislike it.

"However, now that he and I will meet on the same battlefield, one of the two stars must fall to the ground."

This was by no means arrogance.

It was simply the dignified composure of a powerful figure who rightfully possessed such qualifications.

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Before being deployed for the operation, Lee Yu-jin had time for a final call with the Sword God.

[Be careful.]

The Sword God's voice was filled with a grandfather's inevitable worry.

[That place will be the most dangerous and intense battlefield. If you let your guard down because the situation seems favorable or your forces are superior, it could become irreversible.]

"Yes. I've steeled my resolve firmly."

[Good, that's how it should be.]

"Grandfather, I heard you're heading to the South Coast."

[Yes, even for a diversion, there needs to be someone with enough weight, don't you think? The 15th Unit's Captain will also be there, so don't worry too much.]

"Yes, I understand."

[By the way, I heard Cheong-myeong is also participating in that operation?]

"......Yes."

[You might encounter Ha Jin-su, that prodigal son, again.]

"If that happens."

Lee Yu-jin said.

"Uncle's sword will finally cut this stubborn ill-fated relationship."

[That should be the case, but his obsession and madness are not ordinary. I'm worried about what might happen.]

"I believe in Uncle."

[Hoho, as you should. Cheong-myeong has never lost to that fellow.]

"......I also feel a bit regretful."

[What do you mean?]

"If possible, I'd like to teach that man a lesson myself."

[Haha. It might be too much now, but it could happen soon.]

The Sword God was pleased with his granddaughter's competitive spirit.

[Don't be too impatient. This old man believes that our granddaughter will someday surpass him.]

"......"

Why was it?

Her former self would have felt suffocated by her grandfather's excessive expectations.

But now, that was no longer the case.

"I'll work hard."

[Hoho. Yes, I'm proud of you.]

The Sword God was well aware of who was responsible for this change in his granddaughter.

'Jeong Su-hyeon, this guy. If you make our granddaughter cry, I won't let you off easily.'

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Buyeo City.

Once the capital of an ancient kingdom, and after a long period of turmoil due to the rampant activities of demonic beasts and Ma-in, it was now almost an abandoned city.

Except for a few local hub cities that maintained population density and facilities, among such small cities, places with an atmosphere like a slum were not uncommon.

Moreover, there were no important facilities or powerful Ma-in organizations nearby.

And it wasn't so suspiciously remote either.

"It's quite a suitable place for holding an evil banquet."

Vampire Queen Song Yeonhui smiled elegantly as she flipped her hair.

An abandoned hotel on the outskirts of Buyeo City.

The place, which had once been so dreary that it seemed like spirits with many stories would lure in travelers and devour them at any moment, was now neatly arranged and ready to welcome guests.

"Your skills are indeed impressive. To have transformed that place like this in just one day."

'Battle Maniac' Jang Su-il, who was looking around out of boredom, admired.

"Hmm, well. It lacks elegance, but it's acceptable for now."

The Queen, who had mobilized her subordinates to complete the aristocratic interior, smiled arrogantly.

"So now we're all set to welcome our distinguished guests."

"Hmm, the lineup is quite impressive."

The leaders of the most vicious and aggressive violent organizations.

The cult leader who had cultivated non-negligible power.

Terrorists united under the ideology of human extinction.

And the leaders of Ma-in organizations that still boasted a significant presence.

Each one was a name that would put the Execution Force on edge, and it was just one day before they would gather in one place.

"Let's finish up after lunch. We have plenty of time anyway."

"Good. Can I have some whiskey?"

"As long as it's not something specially set aside, it's fine."

"Great!"

At this moment.

There was no tension or fear left in them.

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One hour before the start of the grandiosely named "Evil Banquet."

The big shots who had received direct invitations began to arrive at the hotel one after another.

"Welcome."

"This way, please."

Vampires with pale skin and aristocratic, beautiful appearances guided them one by one.

Watching this in real-time through pre-installed cameras, Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom tapped the table with his fingertips.

"These mole-like bastards. They've gathered well."

It was the best catch among the best catches.

And a netful of them.

'It's so heavy I'm worried the net might tear.'

Heo Sung-gyeom's gaze turned to the operation map.

'It's fine. We have sufficient forces to deal with them.'

Even within the units mobilized to directly raid the Sword of Belphegor, roles were largely divided into three categories.

First, the Encirclement and Annihilation Team, which would directly storm the hotel and subdue the Ma-in.

Second, the Surprise Attack Team, which would simultaneously raid the subordinates waiting nearby.

Lastly, the Ambush Team, which would ambush reinforcements coming urgently from outside at chokepoints, cut them off, and establish a defensive line.

Among them, the strongest forces were naturally deployed to the Encirclement and Annihilation Team.

Led by the 'Divine Spear' Gong I-an, it included not only four Captains including "War God" Son Ji-gwang, 'Sword Breaker' Ahn Byeong-jun, and 'Sword Warrior' Lee Cheong-myeong.

But it was also backed by mid-level strongmen like Senior Squad Leader Jo Sujin, Instructor Kang Jun-man, Deputy Squad Leader Kim Taesung, and numerous elite members.

Even among the cadets, it was the very definition of an elite force, mobilizing the strongest of the next generation, from Jeong Su-hyeon to Min Hae-na, Seo Jun-seong, and Lee Yu-jin.

The Surprise Attack Team also mobilized 'Sky Knight' Ma Seunggeon, 'Grim Reaper' Captain Kang Ji-min, and numerous hunters, as well as the elites from each unit including Instructor Kim Cheol-han, and cadets like Hong In-hyeon and Kang Geon-woo.

Finally, the Ambush Team would carry out surprise attacks and defense with forces including the 3rd Unit Captain 'Flame Emperor' Seol Ji-yun, the 10th Unit Captain 'Fist King' Jin Seong-geun, Instructor Seok Hong-jae, and Cadet Hwang Ji-su.

This was a deployment that heavily emphasized the Encirclement and Annihilation Team, and the reason was simple.

"If they lose their heads, they will inevitably collapse."

The primary objective of this operation was to eliminate the core forces through a lightning-fast surprise attack.

'Sword of Belphegor. This time, I'll cut off your arms and legs.'

How long had they waited?

Finally, the camera broadcasting from 50km away began showing the Ma-in in the banquet hall.

'That's the Vampire Queen.'

Heo Sung-gyeom's eyebrows twitched as he saw a masked man standing next to her.

"......Who is that?"

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"It's good to see you all."

As Hwang Won-jae, wearing a mask and voice modulator, stepped into the center as if escorted by the Vampire Queen and Asura, the Ma-in murmured and expressed their doubts.

"Who are you?"

"This must be the first time you're seeing me in person."

Hwang Won-jae looked around the crowd and said.

"I am the one who leads the Sword of Belphegor under the orders of 'Him.'"

"......Are you saying you're the leader?"

"Didn't I just say? Our true master is only 'Him,' and I am merely his proxy."

"......"

Vampire Queen Song Yeonhui, Asura Seong Ji-cheol, Battle Maniac Jang Su-il.

Who on earth was this unidentified man who claimed to be above them?

Receiving the questioning gazes of the audience, Hwang Won-jae asked.

"Do you want to know who I am?"

"I think we have the right to demand that much credit."

A Ma-in in a suit said.

"We gathered here to join under you because we trust you. Of course......"

"Wait. What do you mean by 'join under'? Wasn't this an alliance? I agreed to make you the leader, but I have no intention of becoming subordinate."

Immediately, an objection was raised from the opposite side.

"Indeed. We should decide on that point first."

Hwang Won-jae nodded, saying it was a reasonable point.

'Good.'

The Chief of Staff, who was listening to the conversation through the Caligo phone carried by a spy infiltrated inside, finally sent a radio message to Gong I-an.

"Commander Gong I-an."

[Yes. I'm standing by.]

"Begin now."