I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 258 : Sweep Away (2)

The funeral to honor the victims of the tragedy at the hospital was held on a conspicuously grand scale.

It was both a display of the Execution Force's current power and a warning not to dare act recklessly.

Since Instructor Lee Ho-seung's funeral was also held on this day.

Among the numerous Execution Force members and bereaved families, I, Yu-jin, and the Sword God were also in attendance.

'They will absolutely not target us directly.'

I thought as I watched Son Ji-gwang, the 2nd Unit Captain, reading the eulogy.

'Thanks to Operation Caligo completely shattering their alliance.'

If not for that, they would have directly attacked this place with a "let's see what happens" attitude, or carried out simultaneous terrorist attacks on major facilities.

But not anymore.

The [Sword of Belphegor], with its momentum greatly dampened and having lost its allies, had no choice but to hide in the darkness and wage guerrilla warfare as before.

In other words.

This was a time when we could focus solely on mourning.

"......."

I closed my eyes and pictured Instructor Lee Ho-seung's face in my mind.

He was a figure who had become my guidance instructor in many iterations.

Always free-spirited and laid-back.

'But inside, he had aspirations as strong as anyone else's.'

Despite possessing qualities that could have allowed him to surpass his elder brother, Sword Warrior Lee Cheong-myeong.

He had to withdraw from the front lines after suffering a major injury before fully blossoming his talent.

'He wasn't particularly affectionate, nor an exemplary master in every aspect.'

Because I thought that way.

I never even considered that he would throw himself in harm's way to save me.

'My life was saved by this person.'

And one more.

Thanks to the time Yu-jin bought for me.

"......."

Come to think of it, I still haven't properly thanked Yu-jin.

'Should I formally express my gratitude after finishing this revenge?'

Mourning, gratitude, vow of revenge.

With all those emotions, I finished my silent bow and quietly left the venue.

'Now it begins.'

Thinking about all the iterations so far.

The frequency of Cheong-myeong's ultimate corruption was roughly 15 times out of 100.

And among those 15 times, the cases where Cheong-myeong survived for a long time and became an executive of the [Sword of Belphegor] were about 12.

'Each time, without fail, Cheong-myeong attempted to attack his father.'

Even if the process differed.

The purpose would remain unchanged.

'And one more thing.'

Hwang Won-jae's strategy had clearly shifted to a bold blitzkrieg to reverse the unfavorable situation.

'He means to pay back the losses. Crazy bastard.'

Madman's strategy, gambling move.

If we didn't know about it, we'd be caught off guard like in the hospital tragedy.

But knowing about it, we just had to wait calmly and return a high return to them.

'Therefore, first I will match your speed.'

Because I now had sufficient power.

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Hwang Won-jae, watching the funeral through the Vampire Queen's familiar from inside the Catacomb, said.

"He's completely aged, the Sword God."

"His son became a Ma-in and his disciple died, so it's understandable. Now he's completely become an old man in the back room."

Song Yeonhui sighed.

"That old man Son Ji-gwang too. Growing old is such a sad thing."

"Hehehehe."

'Rusty Sword' Ha Jin-su and 'Sword Warrior' Lee Cheong-myeong, who were watching, stretched their mouths into grins.

'Cheong-myeong has completely finished his transformation into a Ma-in.'

Hwang Won-jae chuckled.

"What would you like to do?"

"You're asking the obvious."

Ha Jin-su said.

"We should kill him. Isn't that right, elder brother?"

"Please."

Lee Cheong-myeong said.

"Let me do it with my own hands."

"Great!"

Ha Jin-su burst into laughter.

The son whom Sword God Lee Un-hak raised with all his heart and soul.

Look at this ridiculous situation where that very son became corrupted and is now targeting his father's life.

'Not much different from our family. Isn't that right, brother?'

Chairman Hwang Yong-jae.

Hwang Won-jae smiled as he recalled the face of his brother, whom he wanted to kill the most.

'Just wait. You're next.'

"If the Sword God's condition is that bad, the Execution Force will probably assign him guards. They can't tolerate losing the Sword God as well."

Hwang Won-jae said.

"After your rampage at the hospital, we must assume their complacency is gone."

"So what do we do?"

"I'm thinking of adding one more sure card to you two and ending this quickly."

Hwang Won-jae's gaze turned toward 'Battle Maniac' Jang Su-il.

"Jang Su-il. You go with them."

"Sure thing."

Jang Su-il grinned.

"Isn't this a bit too extravagant just to kill one old man?"

Ha Jin-su snickered.

"With this much force, we could easily kill not just our master but even Divine Spear."

"Divine Spear? What's that?"

Jang Su-il clicked his tongue.

"We could even handle Ju Taeyang himself, no problem."

"Don't be too hasty."

Hwang Won-jae waved his hand.

"They'll all die by our hands anyway."

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The limousine carrying Sword God Lee Un-hak was driving along the national highway.

"Nice car."

Ha Jin-su, watching from atop a mountain peak, said.

"Shall we start now? It's conveniently deserted too."

Jang Su-il said while swinging his right arm around.

"Let's do it. Only two escort vehicles are with him."

"It might mean he's more vigorous than we thought."

Lee Cheong-myeong said.

"Just because he's mentally affected doesn't mean all the strength he's built up over the years has disappeared."

"Well, maybe, maybe not."

Ha Jin-su tilted his head to the side.

"So what? Even with his prime strength, could he handle the three of us?"

"Bullshit. No way."

Jang Su-il frowned.

"Then I'll go first."

Ha Jin-su said, drawing his rusty sword.

"Follow slowly from behind."

Crash!

The limousine carrying the Sword God suddenly had its side kicked in, hitting the guardrail and coming to a stop.

"What the!"

"An attack!"

Execution Force members jumped out of the escort vehicles front and back.

"It's Rusty Sword!"

"If you know, then get lost!"

Clang!

Ha Jin-su's sword, swung toward an Execution Force member, was blocked in mid-air.

"Hey now!"

Lee Un-hak.

The old man who had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship had somehow blocked his sword.

"Ha Jin-su."

Lee Un-hak, who had somehow escaped the car without a scratch, said.

"I knew you would target me."

"Hah! Is that so?"

Clang!

Ha Jin-su's sword strike was blocked in mid-air before it could be properly swung.

"Tch!"

"Still as vile as ever. Did you think I had weakened?"

Lee Un-hak asked with an expressionless face.

"Or did you delude yourself into thinking you've become strong enough to deal with me?"

"Both!"

Clang Clang Clang!

Ha Jin-su unleashed fierce sword strikes at the Sword God.

But.

"Damn it!"

The Sword God easily read through his attacks, cut them off, and sharply counterattacked.

Whoosh!

Ha Jin-su, who barely avoided the sword by lowering his body, clicked his tongue.

"Damn!"

Even though he was old, the Sword God was still the Sword God.

In terms of swordsmanship, he still far surpassed Ha Jin-su.

Moreover.

Whoosh!

Ha Jin-su felt his skin crawl when he saw the rippling air left in the wake of Lee Un-hak's sword.

This was Lee Un-hak's sword, said to cut even space itself.

'It gives me the creeps.'

Still a monstrous power, Ha Jin-su shouted.

"An old man with not many days left to live is still going strong!"

That was certainly unexpected.

But it was no problem.

"Father, it's been a while."

"Sword God! Today is your death anniversary!"

Sword Warrior Lee Cheong-myeong and Battle Maniac Jang Su-il.

The two Ma-in appeared behind the Sword God.

"......Cheong-myeong."

The Sword God's expression twisted in grief.

As many as two S-rank and one S-minus rank.

It was equivalent to having three Captain-level fighters gathered.

In other words, it was enough power to easily toy with a small to medium-sized country.

"Have you gathered like this just to kill this old man?"

"What, feeling tearful and scared to face such a fate in your old age?"

Jang Su-il sneered.

"No."

Lee Un-hak shook his head.

"I'm merely surprised."

"About what?"

"That that child's words have come true exactly."

Lee Un-hak answered.

"It's surprising, joyful, and sorrowful."

"......!?"

At that moment.

The expressions of the three Ma-in distorted as they sensed a presence walking up behind them.

"Jeong Su-hyeon?"

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Su-hyeon was following Lee Un-hak's limousine from a distance on a motorcycle with Yu-jin on his back.

Crash!

"Su-hyeon!"

"Yes."

Seeing the limousine attacked by Ha Jin-su, Su-hyeon increased his speed.

"Hold tight."

"Okay."

Vroom!

'It's going according to plan.'

Su-hyeon thought.

'They've sent Jang Su-il over there.'

On this side, there was the Sword God, an S-rank Awakened.

And there was Lee Yu-jin, the gifted child of the Lee sword family, who had far surpassed the growth rates of her grandfather and uncle with her unparalleled talent and growth.

'But due to her young age, she's still at A-rank.'

S-rank, A-rank, and himself.

If judged by the standards of a few days ago, it would have been a power gap that would have led to defeat before long.

"Just right."

But not now.

"Sorry, but you'll have to handle Cheong-myeong for a while."

"Okay."

"Three minutes is all I need. If the Sword God can handle Battle Maniac, and you can buy three minutes against Cheong-myeong."

Su-hyeon said.

"In that time, I'll kill Ha Jin-su and join you."

"......Got it."

"If you can make him talk a bit to stall, you can buy more than a minute."

"Su-hyeon."

Yu-jin said.

"Don't worry."

"......Right."

Su-hyeon, sensing Yu-jin's determination, nodded.

"Let's go."

And so, now.

"Jeong Su-hyeon!"

Ha Jin-su shouted upon seeing Su-hyeon walking up behind them.

"What confidence do you have, you who were almost dead not long ago!"

"On the contrary, this is perfect. This time I'll kill you for sure."

Lee Cheong-myeong also said.

"I already know well that there are no Captains coming to help you this time."

"I suppose so."

Su-hyeon replied.

"Only rat bastards like you would have the courage to stick your heads out if that were the case, and I knew that."

"Huh."

"Thank you. For moving according to expectations."

"Are you saying you planned this operation?"

"Something like that."

"Bullshit. Who the hell are you?"

"Do I need to tell you that too?"

Su-hyeon calmly asked back.

"Look at this bastard."

"Sir, please handle Battle Maniac."

"I will do so."

"Oh?"

Battle Maniac twitched his eyebrows.

"If you do that, I'd be grateful."

"Haha."

Lee Cheong-myeong let out a hollow laugh as he saw Yu-jin standing opposite him.

"Father, what are you doing? Are you going to have your granddaughter killed by her uncle's hands?"

"Don't call me father with that mouth."

Lee Un-hak coldly replied to Lee Cheong-myeong, who had completely fallen into corruption and was no longer the son he knew.

"Is that so? Fine, whatever."

Lee Cheong-myeong shrugged as if it didn't matter at all.

"Ha Jin-su."

Su-hyeon said.

"I'll deal with you."

"You seem to have gained some strength in the past few days, whatever you did."

Ha Jin-su slowly walked toward Su-hyeon.

"You're being too arrogant."

"Just come at me."

Screech!

Su-hyeon, activating his Eye Power, slowly drew his Moonless Sword.

"Hup!"

The first attack was a two-hit combo of a thrust followed by an upward slash.

Clang! Clang Clang!

Su-hyeon blocked the two-hit combo without even moving from his spot.

'Slow. I can see everything, and the sword path is obvious.'

Until just recently, this was a sword he had to face by desperately using all his skills.

But now it didn't even give Su-hyeon any sense of crisis.

"You bastard!"

Sensing something off, Ha Jin-su drove Su-hyeon harder with even stronger force.

But.

Su-hyeon was easily resolving Ha Jin-su's sword strikes, effortlessly receiving and deflecting them.

This continued for about twenty exchanges.

"Is this all you've got."

"What?"

Whack!

"Kuhak!"

Su-hyeon, who had sent Ha Jin-su flying with a front kick to the solar plexus, walked forward.

One step, two steps. And then another step.

With each step Su-hyeon took, a painting was sprayed in the air using blood as the pigment.

"Arrrgh!"

Ha Jin-su, whose entire body was slashed in an instant, howled in pain.

"Your muscles are soft."

"You fucking bastard!"

Looking at Ha Jin-su, whose eyes had turned red with anger, Su-hyeon declared.

"All of you will die today."