I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 263 : Draw Him Out (3)

Hwang Ji-su was feeling an immense sense of betrayal.

'Uncle...... was the [Sword of Belphegor]?'

Moreover, he was the actual second-in-command leading that organization?

'......He was a Ma-in?'

There wasn't a single thing that wasn't shocking.

There wasn't a single thing that didn't make her furious.

"Crazy bastard."

Just how many people had been killed by that [Sword of Belphegor]?

Just in this academy alone, two instructors and many teaching assistants had lost their precious lives to them.

Hadn't she been struggling with a sense of mission to make them pay for their crimes and bring peace by defeating them?

And now her own uncle.

To think that her father's brother was the villain behind all this?

"......."

It was truly the first time in her life that she thought it wouldn't be strange if everyone blamed her.

Moreover, it was a matter so serious that she would have done the same if she were in their position.

Worry, shock, consolation, subtle resentment, suspicion.

The expressions of friends who ate with her, the gazes of cadets from different classes and years with whom she hadn't even exchanged names.

The shock was too great to show her usual confident demeanor in front of them.

'......He always felt off to me since I was young.'

Her developed sixth sense was the driving force that allowed her to accurately recognize people who had good intentions toward her and those who didn't, honest people and those who seemed to be hiding something.

To her, Hwang Won-jae was a person she disliked just as much as her father, Hwang Yong-jae.

'Since both father and uncle were like that.'

Hwang Ji-su had vaguely thought that all people in this family, people in wealthy families, were just like that.

'I had hoped that Ji-ah at least wouldn't become like those people.'

Fortunately, her sister was still someone who followed and respected her, showing only her genuine self.

'But I was worried that she resembles father's personality much more than I do.'

Nevertheless.

She thought that if she guided her well, she would become a much better person than their parents.

'......Yes. Ji-ah.'

Although Hwang Ji-su couldn't feel attached to this family at all, her sister was the exception.

'Ji-ah must be very shocked too. Above all, Ji-ah's life will be in danger at this rate.'

Now that his identity had been fully exposed.

There was no guarantee that there wouldn't be attempts to kill or take Hwang Yong-jae and Hwang Ji-ah, his two blood relatives, as hostages.

'I must protect Ji-ah.'

And one more thing.

'......How annoying.'

Father.

The father who acted as if the world was under his feet, yet couldn't even discern his own brother's identity.

The father who resented his own father, yet treated and handled his children in exactly the same way.

The father who shaped the current Hwang Ji-su through her resistance and determination not to be like him.

Irritation, resentment, anger toward such a father.

And worry made Hwang Ji-su's heart complicated.

'......Mother too.'

Sometimes the couple was so hateful and detestable together.

But Hwang Ji-su wasn't dull enough not to know that the emotion they harbored for her was affection.

'Though the way they express it is really annoying.'

The heart of parents who want their growing children to follow their wishes, when it meets extremely powerful status and wealth, tends to flow in this direction.

Now, Hwang Ji-su could understand that to some extent.

"I have to go after all."

"Ji-su."

Kwon Seung-yeon, who had been watching Hwang Ji-su with concern, approached her.

"Will you be okay?"

"Of course."

Hwang Ji-su nodded.

"......Thanks for worrying. I'll be going now."

"Shall I go with you?"

"It's okay."

Hwang Ji-su declined her friend's offer.

"I'll go alone."

The person Hwang Ji-su sought was her homeroom instructor, Kim Cheol-han.

"I thought you would come."

Kim Cheol-han offered her a seat.

"Sit down first."

Hwang Ji-su, seated in the chair, said.

"As a party involved in the family, I cannot just sit still like this."

"Of course, I understand."

Kim Cheol-han nodded heavily.

"I've already obtained permission."

"!"

Hwang Ji-su's eyes widened at the quick handling of the matter.

"Do you have any plans in mind?"

"......Not specifically. I was thinking of lending a hand in protecting my family first."

"That would be good too. But there's an even better option."

"What is it?"

"Go to the Execution Force headquarters and join Jeong Su-hyeon. He's organizing a special task force."

"!!"

Hwang Ji-su, even more surprised, asked.

"A special task force?"

"Yes. I hear that he has grown even more significantly after receiving special guidance from Commander Ju. It was all his achievement to kill 'Rusty Sword' Ha Jin-su and defeat former Captain 'Sword Warrior' Lee Cheong-myeong."

"......Yes. I've heard that."

Hwang Ji-su was now feeling a sense of remoteness toward Su-hyeon, who had become so strong that she could no longer even keep up with him, let alone catch up.

"They say he's deeply involved in this operation. It seems the Chief of Staff is also pleased with him."

Kim Cheol-han gave a bitter smile as if in agreement with Hwang Ji-su, who was giving a hollow laugh at how slightly ridiculous it all was.

"Cadets like Min Hae-na, Seo Jun-seong, Kwon Seung-yeon, and Choi Min-a will participate in tomorrow's operation as part of their units."

Kim Cheol-han rose from his seat.

"The final list requested by the Execution Force consists of four names."

"Four names?"

"Yes. Including Jeong Su-hyeon, who will lead the special task force, and Lee Yu-jin, who is already at the headquarters with him, that makes six."

"Who are the other three?"

"Hong In-hyeon, Kim A-yun, and Kang Geon-woo."

"......Indeed."

"You will lead those three. Prepare to depart from here in an hour."

"Understood."

When Hwang Ji-su bowed her head and then raised it again.

The firm resolve on her face completely washed away Kim Cheol-han's worries.

'She'll do well. That's a good expression.'

"As an instructor, I have only one order to give. Don't die. That's all."

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

The day after the shocking revelation turned the country upside down.

Hwang Won-jae revealed his position for the first time.

[I will hold a press conference at the corporate building at 5 PM today. There, I will clarify all suspicions.]

"What is this bastard up to?"

"It must be a diversionary tactic, right?"

Heo Sung-gyeom agreed with Su-hyeon's words.

"I think so too. Then what is he really aiming for?"

"Hmm."

Su-hyeon answered while rubbing his chin.

"I think we need to consider what assets of B&S Group would tempt him."

"What does Su-hyeon think that is?"

Ju Taeyang asked.

"B&S Group has companies specialized in security and protection. Their CCTVs are installed in various major facilities, including the academy. And those servers are at the headquarters."

"Indeed."

Heo Sung-gyeom nodded.

"That data would certainly be coveted by them."

"Yes."

'Moreover, Chairman Hwang Yong-jae was already privately diverting and viewing it.'

It was obvious if you thought about it.

Chairman Hwang Yong-jae was not particularly a good person.

'Rather, he's closer to a cold-blooded businessman without blood or tears.'

Su-hyeon thought that Hwang Ji-su didn't dislike him for no reason.

'But if you ask if he's an evil person like Hwang Won-jae, that's absolutely not the case.'

Therefore.

"First, we need to properly protect the headquarters building. I think it's right to prepare the best defensive posture."

"I agree."

Ju Taeyang said.

"What should we do about Chairman Hwang Yong-jae's whereabouts?"

"I think it's best to set up a decoy and evacuate him elsewhere."

Ju Taeyang nodded at Heo Sung-gyeom's words.

"That seems best. The location?"

"Why not bring him here? To where the Commander is."

Heo Sung-gyeom chuckled at Su-hyeon's words.

"The safest place in the world."

"Of course, he is given several more options. For instance, he might try to convene a board meeting......"

"Now that it's clear he leads the [Sword of Belphegor]."

Ju Taeyang said.

"He might actually create an impression that his goal is B&S Group, and then carry out terrorism in a completely unexpected place."

"That also seems like a fully possible scenario."

"It's certainly a problem."

Heo Sung-gyeom frowned.

"We've played a strong hand first, but he's buying time without showing his intentions. In this case, we'll inevitably flow into a defensive posture."

"But if he uses the press conference as bait to stage an incident, then he would be proving his own charges."

Su-hyeon said.

"Yes. That's clearly a gain."

However, Heo Sung-gyeom continued.

"But it's also true that we don't have definitive material evidence. If he guides the flow through a long-term public opinion battle and frames it well, it could be a tough fight."

"Even if he drags it out that way."

Ju Taeyang interjected into the conversation.

"He won't be able to behave as he did before his identity was revealed. He's not one who wouldn't know that."

"That's right."

Heo Sung-gyeom said.

"In the end, it seems the best we can do now is mainly two things. First, mobilize all available forces to strengthen the defense of the most important facilities. Second, prepare a reserve force that can be deployed to any incident site at any time."

"I agree."

"Then that's good."

Heo Sung-gyeom rose from his seat and spread out the tactical map.

"We don't have much time. Let's draw the deployment plan first."

"Good."

"I'll call the staff."

"From now on, I'll leave it to Chief of Staff Heo. Su-hyeon, help out if there's anything you can contribute."

"Leave it to me."

"Understood."

Ju Taeyang, who was about to leave, stopped at the doorknob.

"What about Kim Inbeom?"

"He's already in action too."

"I like his straightforwardness."

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

Kim Inbeom's actions, taking advantage of the chaos, shook the underworld.

"We're under attack!"

"You bastards! Is this betrayal?"

"Betrayal? We were never on your side from the beginning!"

Organization members under Kim Inbeom's orders had attacked several branches of the [Sword of Belphegor], turning them into wastelands.

"Hey, hey, make sure you film it properly."

"Yes sir!"

"Okay. Good composition and ominous color tone."

Along with the photos of the devastated branches, the message Kim Inbeom delivered to each organization in the underworld was simple.

"How long are you going to be dragged along by those bastards? Anyone who wants to join our side, contact us as soon as possible."

"Are you really writing it like that?"

"You idiot, that's just the gist of it. Just add some appropriate, you know, plausible words."

"Yes sir."

"This guy just doesn't improve his work skills, I swear."

Kim Inbeom grumbled, then looked at the ruined building with a refreshing smile.

'Once you ride a tiger, there's no turning back. I have to go all the way.'

Isn't it good for both sides?

They can control the darkness that inevitably exists to some extent, which is good for them.

And he can grow his power thanks to it, which is good for him.

'Besides, those bastards were quite arrogant.'

He still felt enraged at how they had used his people as shields and fled as soon as they were surrounded by the Execution Force.

'Bastards without any sense of humanity or business ethics.'

"Boss. Boss?"

"Huh, what?"

"Shouldn't we add one more thing?"

"What?"

"Organizations that bring information about the movements of the [Sword of Belphegor] will be promised definite rewards and preferential treatment. We will be in an equal contractual relationship. Something like that."

"Oh, right. I almost forgot that."

Kim Inbeom, saying he nearly got scolded by Chief of Staff Heo, patted his subordinate's shoulder.

"You did well, you bastard?"

"You just said I have no work skills."

"Yeah, that's exactly your problem, you bastard."

"Yes, yes."

Smack!

Kim Inbeom, who had slapped the back of his subordinate's head crisply, yawned.

"I'm going to rest a bit. Call me when the cleanup is done or if any good news comes in."

"Can't you show some leadership and set an example as a leader?"

"Nah, you do that."

The useful information he had been waiting for arrived just 20 minutes later.

"Boss!"

"Damn, you scared me!"

Kim Inbeom, who had been enjoying a nap with an eye mask in the back seat of the car, woke up with a start.

"What is it?"

"The organizations under the Vampire Queen are gathering troops and weapons!"

"Oh?"

"And several Ma-in organizations are moving simultaneously!"

"Awesome. Where to?"

"They're heading to Seoul, they say."

"Okay."

Kim Inbeom, saying he scored a big one, lifted his phone.

"I should let them know right away."

"Boss, aren't you being too diligent?"

"Listen, it's better for people like us when they kill each other."

"Well, that's true."

"You bastard, don't talk about things you don't understand."

Kim Inbeom, who sent a text message while even humming a tune, smiled with satisfaction.

"This means our era is coming, you know."