I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 267 : Draw Him Out (7)

Chairman Hwang Yong-jae had taken refuge somewhere in the Execution Force headquarters and was listening to real-time reports of the unfolding tragedy.

Beside him were Chief Secretary Kim and one staff member accompanying him.

His wife and second daughter Hwang Ji-ah were taking rest separately, greatly shocked by the sudden situation.

"Ji-su participated in the battle?"

"Yes."

At Chief Secretary Kim's words, Hwang Yong-jae tapped the table.

"It would be better not to tell Ji-ah and my wife about that."

"......I'll make sure everyone keeps quiet about it."

The young staff member answered instead.

"I'd appreciate that. Is the battle situation getting worse?"

"Yes, Chairman Hwang."

The young staff member bowed his head.

"How bad is 'not good'?"

"......The combat taking place on the perimeter shows the Execution Force's overwhelming advantage. But since most are humans, it's taking time to subdue them. The first floor has been occupied by the Ma-in side, and while 'Battle Maniac' Jang Su-il is climbing toward the top floor, Captain 'Reversal War General' Son Ji-gwang is chasing after him."

"......."

"In addition, several Ma-in have infiltrated the underground passage and are engaged in combat."

"......I see."

Chairman Hwang Yong-jae closed his eyes.

"Won-jae. So that place was the real target after all."

It was truly a miserable feeling.

Everything he had built was being destroyed by the brother he had trusted.

The company he had painstakingly raised.

The headquarters building he had put so much effort into.

"Chairman, please don't be too disheartened. The strength our group has built up won't disappear just because one building like that collapses, will it?"

Despite Chief Secretary Kim's words, Hwang Yong-jae's expression didn't improve.

"Yes. Buildings can be rebuilt, and damages can be repaired."

But above all else.

"I have no face to show my father."

Why had his father been so obsessed with growing the company and surviving?

Why had he subjected his sons to harsh discipline from a young age?

Why did he occasionally lock himself in a room, down several bottles of alcohol, and sob in fear?

Only after inheriting the chairman position did Hwang Yong-jae learn the truth.

The truth about the object hidden in the cabinet in the basement of the B&S Group headquarters.

The reason he had to hide that object with protection facilities strong enough to withstand even a nuclear war, adding a bit of exaggeration.

And the reason why Hwang Won-jae, the Ma-in leading the [Sword of Belphegor], was after the object hidden inside—all of it.

'You deceived me so well, and I was so easily deceived.'

Hwang Won-jae.

How deep was the darkness in his brother's heart?

It was a little sad, and utterly infuriating.

'If it weren't for you, I could have kept that secret hidden much longer.'

The situation his father had feared.

It felt like the end of the world was approaching the tip of his chin.

"Chairman Hwang. At the risk of being impolite, I'd like to ask."

The young staff member interrupted his thoughts with a question.

"Is it really there?"

"What do you mean?"

"......I heard what the Chief of Staff said."

"......."

"That the key to open [Nastrond] is sleeping in that cabinet."

"Did he say that?"

Chairman Hwang Yong-jae closed his eyes.

"Staff Member Jang."

"Yes, Chairman."

"I like the Execution Force."

"......Is that so?"

"Do you know why?"

"I don't."

"There are numerous units within the Execution Force, but there isn't much significant discord between them. They respect each other, and the chain of command from top to bottom works well."

Chairman Hwang Yong-jae continued.

"It's not simply a matter of strict military discipline. They seem to find that embarrassing. That's how much it's an organization united by pride. Pride and the cause of protecting humanity."

"......Thank you for your positive view."

"But of course, these aspects were formed through a previous transitional period. That's why my father, who watched over that transitional period before he passed away, disliked the Execution Force."

"That...... makes sense."

The staff member nodded.

"I've heard from the Chief of Staff that the Execution Force at that time was like an organization of vengeful spirits possessed by evil. He said it took a lot of effort to transform into its current form."

"That's why my father passed this secret only within the family, and wanted us to have the strength to protect that secret ourselves."

"I see."

"But while taking refuge with the help of the Execution Force like this, I think it seems ridiculous to honor my father's stubbornness any further."

"Chairman!"

Chief Secretary Kim looked at Hwang Yong-jae in surprise.

"Chief Secretary Kim. You don't know the exact story either, right?"

"......Yes. I'm sorry, but that's correct."

"No need to be sorry. I didn't tell you, so that's why."

Chairman Hwang Yong-jae chuckled.

"I'll tell you the truth. About what they're after."

And one more thing.

"About the pitiful synthetic beasts I created to protect that place."

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Bam Bam Bam Bam Bam!

Crash Crash Crash Crash!

Seo Jun-seong was grinding up Ma-in by manipulating steel balls, and striking them down with a giant's arm formed by extremely concentrated telekinesis, completely breaking the enemy's offensive.

"Wow, our Jun-seong. You seem to be getting better at both control and power as time goes by?"

Min Hae-na patted Seo Jun-seong's shoulder.

"......The same goes for you, noona."

"But why so glum? When you're doing all the work."

"I have a bad feeling."

"A feeling?"

Min Hae-na, who knew of Seo Jun-seong's developed sixth sense, wiggled her eyebrows.

"I have an ominous premonition. Like something very dangerous is happening somewhere......"

"You mean at the B&S Group?"

"That's right. The others will be there too."

"Hmm. But we......."

"If you're so worried, why don't you go check it out?"

"Captain Ahn!"

Ahn Byeong-jun, the Captain of the 4th Unit, came walking over leisurely.

"You guys were originally supposed to be under Captain Son's command anyway, right?"

"......That's true."

Seo Jun-seong had been assigned as an agent to use area-of-effect abilities that the 4th Unit lacked.

And Min Hae-na had also been designated as the agent who could best support Seo Jun-seong, and had been making significant contributions.

"Can we really join them?"

"Go ahead. By the looks of it, this side seems to be just bait. We're more than enough without you two."

"......Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Captain Ahn Byeong-jun laughed and said.

"In return, take me with you."

"......Excuse me?"

"'Battle Maniac' Jang Su-il. I want to smash that bastard's skull once and for all this time."

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Jo Seong-gwang and Park Woo-hyuk.

The two Ma-in, known as 'Lightning Flash' and 'Light Bear', were running through the underground passage, breaking through all kinds of protective facilities with their bodies.

Fwoosh!

Fire.

Boom!

Explosion.

Bam Bam Bam Bam!

Poison arrows and bullets flying in.

Were-bear Park Woo-hyuk's advance, breaking through the path while enduring numerous booby traps with his infinitely sturdy body, was not slowed by any interference.

But.

"Grrrrrr."

"Aaaaargh!"

"Damn it! What kind of thing are they raising down here?"

Jo Seong-gwang sighed at Park Woo-hyuk's shock.

"I agree."

Crackle!

Jo Seong-gwang, who had shot lightning to incinerate a four-headed monster, shared his impression.

"This is, how should I put it, not just a simple demonic beast."

"Then what is it?"

"A chimera."

Jo Seong-gwang's eyes grew cold.

"Don't they look like experimental subjects created by a mad scientist?"

"......!"

What was guarding the defense facilities prepared by Chairman Hwang Yong-jae over decades were numerous demonic beasts and synthetic beasts.

"Seems like they experimented equally on demonic beasts and Ma-in."

"For fuck's sake."

Park Woo-hyuk, who had once been human and had to be imprisoned in White Castle for a long time because he became a Ma-in, didn't hide his anger.

"Turns out he was a complete psycho?"

"I agree."

"Anyway, both brothers are fucked up. What kind of family is this?"

"......I agree with that too."

"Damn it, stay back!"

Park Woo-hyuk stepped forward and snorted.

"I'll handle everything."

Rumble.

Park Woo-hyuk's body grew larger, transforming into the shape of a gigantic grizzly bear.

Grizzly bear, one of the largest species among were-bears along with polar bears.

He was a beast equipped with insanely sturdy skeletal structure, tough skin, surprisingly large and hard claws, and agility that didn't match his size.

'He's a monster who destroys everything with his innate athletic ability and physical prowess, despite not properly learning martial arts.'

Jo Seong-gwang smirked, saying he too would decline to fight Park Woo-hyuk head-on.

"Roaaaaaar!"

When Park Woo-hyuk swung his front paws, powerful chimeras became nothing but chunks of meat rolling around.

"That's brutal."

Once he smelled blood and his eyes turned, his rampage was like a disaster.

"Take it easy. It's disgusting."

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"They've been rampaging quite noisily."

I was running through the underground passage, following the traces of chimeras destroyed by the Ma-in.

'There are many still alive and wriggling.'

They seemed to be rampaging indiscriminately without confirming their kills.

'A beast's front paw. At this size, it must be a bear, lion, or tiger.'

These were among the strongest species counted among lycanthropes.

'How tragic.'

Chimeras made from demonic beasts and Ma-in.

They were artificial beings created through experimentation.

'......He wouldn't have wanted this place to be discovered.'

They were all achievements of the [Laboratory] supported by Chairman Hwang Yong-jae.

It was a private research laboratory created with most of its investments from the B&S Group.

And such dark research was also being conducted in secret.

Yes.

Chimeras created through research belonging to that darkness were filled into this underground passage in secret, serving as guardians protecting the cabinet.

To prevent [Nastrond] from opening.

Honoring his father's wishes.

And one name.

I knew well the name of a healer-type Awakened secretly nurtured at that laboratory.

'Song Yu-ha.'

That kid was also an experimental subject and human who had their abilities modified at this laboratory.

'Hwang Yong-jae is not a good person.'

He was a chaotic being who didn't discriminate in his means to prevent the world's destruction.

But.

"It's also true that your and your father's efforts have contributed to protecting this world until now."

I had no intention of ineptly discussing good and evil in this situation.

'Anyway, Nastrond will open. But we need more time.'

The more time we had to prepare, the better.

So for now, I just had to block it with all my strength.

"There it is."

I spotted the figure of a giant were-bear slaughtering chimeras in the distance and used Chukji.

Whack!

"Kuhak!"

The were-bear was slammed into the wall by my attack, kicking his face from behind.

"Who are you!"

The Ma-in following him looked at me.

"......You broke through the Vampire Queen's defense? You're someone we can't let our guard down against."

He didn't seem to know my identity yet.

'That makes sense.'

The fact that I didn't remember seeing them either made the truth clear.

"Escapees from White Castle?"

"You catch on quick."

The Ma-in spat.

"Then all the more reason I can't let you live!"

Crackle!

I avoided the lightning shot from the Ma-in's hand with Chukji.

"You dodged this?"

Surprise settled on the Ma-in's face.

"That footwork. That build. Are you Jeong Su-hyeon?"

"......."

I didn't bother to answer.

"This is becoming quite troublesome."

"Jo Seong-gwang!"

At that moment, the were-bear who had been slammed into the wall approached from behind me.

"You go ahead first! I'll kill this guy in the meantime!"

"......Are you sure? If that's Jeong Su-hyeon, you absolutely shouldn't take him lightly. He took down Ha Jin-su......."

"That's why I'm telling you to go."

The were-bear cut off the words of the Ma-in called Jo Seong-gwang.

"What's important right now isn't defeating him, but opening the cabinet in time."

"......Understood."

Crack!

Jo Seong-gwang's body disappeared with electricity.

"Who's letting you go?"

Whoosh!

The Flying Strike I launched by drawing my Moonless Sword missed him by a hair's breadth.

'Damn, he's incredibly fast.'

"I told you I'm your opponent!"

I used Chukji once more, sensing the momentum from behind.

Boom!

I nodded as I saw the floor shatter.

"Anyway, this passage is one-way. If you're going to stall for time, I'll just finish you off and follow after him."

"Arrogant bastard. Try it if you can!"

Whoosh!

The were-bear swung his front paw without warning.

'A big movement.'

It was the trajectory of a typical telegraph punch.

'Not the movement of someone who's learned martial arts.'

If he was an opponent who fought relying on strength and ferocity, he was even less of a match for me.

Thud!

I blocked his wrist with one hand, stopping his attack.

"!?"

Then I executed a one-handed throw, slamming the were-bear, who was over 2 meters tall, into the floor.

Boom!

"Kuhk!"

The were-bear, who fell back-first, gasped for air.

"That's unfortunate. I was trying to make you land head-first."

"You little shit!"

My attack toward the were-bear, who immediately recovered from the damage and got up, was none other than a middle kick.

Whack!

I could feel the damage to his internal organs as the kick penetrated through thick skin, muscle, fat, and solid ribs.

"Kuk!"

That meant my physical abilities had risen to that level now.

"What a waste of size."

As I was about to kick him again, the were-bear flinched and lowered his guard, remembering the pain.

Tap!

I lowered my leg and dashed forward, planting a one-two combination into his face.

Whack!

The almost simultaneous impact sound spoke of my fist's speed.

"Urgh."

Seeing his prized fangs break, I finished the combination with an outside low kick.

Slash!

"Urgh!"

"You're weaker than you look."

Even a powerful lycanthrope that should easily be S-minus rank.

To the current me, he could only be a punching bag.

Thud!

I pierced the were-bear's solar plexus with a front kick as sharp as a spear.

"Huff, huff."

The were-bear's face, struggling to breathe, contorted with rage.

"I'll kill you!"

What he chose wasn't the same front paw swing but, surprisingly, a front kick.

'Are you returning the favor?'

It was a nimble move that didn't match his size, but.

'It's amateurish.'

Thud!

I deflected the kick by swinging my front hand, then immediately succeeded in a kick catch.

"!"

Then I dashed forward, stepping on a Mana Shield created in mid-air.

Whack!

I planted a precise and clean right straight into his face.

"Grrrr."

Thud!

The were-bear's massive body fell backward like a puppet with cut strings.

"......Is it over already?"

My voice carried disappointment as I asked.