I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 313 : Climbing the Tower (1)

"Jeong Su-hyeon has won. He seems to have grown stronger than before."

The first-ranked Great Overlord, Eligoss, who had been watching the entire battle through a large crystal sphere, muttered quietly.

"With this, there are only two Great Overlords left."

Himself, ranked first.

And, oddly enough, the tenth-ranked Great Overlord Levenna.

"If I leave her alone, she'll naturally be devoured by Jeong Su-hyeon's forces."

Should such valuable military strength be left like that?

There was no reason to do so.

Of course, he hadn't intervened until now.

In principle, having a higher rank didn't grant the authority to command those of lower rank.

Moreover, each of them was essentially a warlord with massive forces.

Therefore, until now, there had been neither grounds to issue a summons nor anyone who would comply.

But now that even Glishalabolas had been defeated, the tenth-ranked Great Overlord Levenna, unable to overcome her fear, had come to him for help.

Thus, Eligoss planned to have her come to the Celestial Tower and fight against Su-hyeon alongside Belphegor's forces.

That meant, in other words,

That the African continent, which had been under her control, would be liberated, and humanity would finally be completely free from the oppression of the Great Overlords.

"A remarkable achievement, Jeong Su-hyeon."

Eligoss muttered.

But if Su-hyeon were to fail, it would be remembered as a very brief peace.

Conversely, if he were to win, it would be a monumental event marking humanity's liberation from demons.

In the end, this was a winner-takes-all battle where the victor would gain everything.

"My mission is to test whether you are worthy to reach Lord Belphegor."

The test conditions were simple.

If Su-hyeon killed him and passed, he would pass.

If he couldn't, he would pay the price of failure with death.

Eligoss had been entrusted by Belphegor with the authority to conduct this test, the authority to command his lord's forces.

"My king."

The beautiful demon was envisioning the faces of Su-hyeon and Belphegor, the two Transcendents, in the darkness.

"I will administer an appropriate trial for him on your behalf."

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The night before deployment.

Su-hyeon was spending the last night with his friends, including Lee Yu-jin and Hwang Ji-su.

"Everyone knows, but this is the final battle. If we win, we gain everything; if we lose, we lose everything."

A last supper with moderate alcohol.

To forget anxiety and fear, the special operations members would lay out their memories and hardships, laughing and chattering, then casually toss out rather serious remarks.

"So anyway, if we lose here, there's no point in running away since we'll just get caught and killed. If we're going to die, better to die there."

Nam Tae-hoon snickered.

"That won't happen."

Seo Jun-seong shook his head.

"Because we're going to win."

"Well, I'm just saying that's the mindset I'll have."

"Why do you always have to jinx things with those unlucky words."

Kwon Seung-yeon poked Nam Tae-hoon in the side.

"In any case, if there's one thing that's clear."

Hong In-hyeon solemnly fixed his expression.

"You, we, have done everything we possibly could. If we lose, it won't be because our efforts were lacking."

"Right."

Hwang Ji-su agreed.

"In the end, we'll have to leave it to fate."

"That's true. And what we can do..."

Min Hae-na placed her hand firmly on Su-hyeon's shoulder.

"Is to send our Special Operations Captain to where the enemy leader is without getting a drop of water on his hands."

"...Please take care of things, everyone."

Su-hyeon cleared his throat and said.

"Even if you get hurt, I'll heal you, so don't worry too much!"

Song Yu-ha laughed mischievously.

"Then it would be good if we don't have to see Yu-ha tomorrow."

"Hey, that's too harsh!"

"L-let's all stay alive and meet again."

Kim A-yun's face crumpled.

"A-yun's going to cry again!"

"Our Deputy Captain still has many tears, it's a problem."

"...But."

Kim A-yun sniffled.

A girl born with a naturally tender heart, but forced to toughen up due to the fate of being born with strong power in this era of war.

"But I'm still thankful."

She felt grateful for the fact that, after going through those trial-filled times, she could help Su-hyeon, who was as good as her benefactor.

"...Now it's our turn to help you. Su-hyeon, I hope you can give it your all one last time."

"Thank you."

When Su-hyeon chuckled, Kim A-yun's face turned red.

"Yes."

All the special operations members gathered here now knew Su-hyeon's secret.

"But Kim Seong-yun? Somehow it doesn't suit you."

Kwon Seung-yeon put her hand on the back of her neck and leaned against the backrest.

"Right. Jeong Su-hyeon is Jeong Su-hyeon."

"Seong-yun. It has a somewhat gentle image, doesn't it?"

"Right? It has that feeling."

"...Oh, then if Su-hyeon has a son later, can he name him Seong-yun?"

"That would be fun too!"

Laughter erupted at someone's words.

"For that to happen, everyone needs to return alive!"

"Hmm. Then I should have him call me uncle. I should teach him something like dagger techniques."

"Oh, then I'll teach him judo."

Nam Tae-hoon and Kang Geon-woo got excited.

"..."

For some reason, several women and Seo Jun-seong, who was watching their reactions, kept their mouths shut.

"Huh? Come to think of it."

And Nam Tae-hoon, who had lost his usual awareness due to intoxication, casually asked.

"Then who's the mother?"

"...!"

The air suddenly turned cold.

"Tae-hoon."

Lee Yu-jin said in a cold voice without even turning to look at Nam Tae-hoon.

"Uh, huh?"

"Please keep your mouth shut."

"Um... sorry."

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"What are you thinking about?"

Facing the cold night wind.

'Divine Spear' Commander Gong I-an was looking down at the Human Fortress, which was transforming into a massive city, from the highest point.

"Chief Heo. Chief Kim is here too."

Heo Sung-gyeom and Kim Cheol-han were standing with their personal glasses and alcohol.

"We're here too, you know?"

"Captain Jo. And Captain Seol as well."

Jo Sujin and Seol Ji-yun.

The two captains leading the 1st and 3rd Units were each holding a can of beer.

'Being able to drink beer from a can in a world like this. Thinking about it, it's quite remarkable.'

It was only possible at the [Human Fortress].

"We're here too."

Jin Seong-geun and Oh Chang-seong, the two commanders of the 10th Unit.

"Did everyone make an appointment to gather here today?"

5th Unit Captain Baek Seungyun.

"This is getting scary."

And even Were-Ratel Go Seongjin.

The sight of captain-level officers who had grown up in the Execution Force all gathering on the rooftop was quite a spectacle.

"Well, well."

Commander Gong I-an gave a hollow laugh.

"It seems everyone's mind is rather troubled."

"Well, it's only natural, if it's natural."

Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom nodded.

"Let's all just enjoy the scenery."

"Yes!"

Whiooo.

In the late night where no sound could be heard except for the wind.

The battle-hardened warriors leaning against the building's railing were silently savoring the stillness.

"It's quiet, isn't it?"

"Yes."

But the Execution Force members facing the final battle, their families, and the residents waiting in fear or anticipation for tomorrow's fate.

And the foreign Awakened who had joined from overseas.

None of them would be sleeping easily during this long night.

"...This rooftop is quite good for organizing one's thoughts alone."

Captain Jin Seong-geun said.

"I agree. Now, this is the only place in the world where you can see such a sky view."

Kim Cheol-han received those words, and.

"Actually, I don't like it here much."

Captain Baek Seungyun muttered in a sigh-mixed voice.

"It reminds me of the comrades who died protecting this place."

"..."

Everyone's mouths shut like clams, and.

"Isn't that exactly why you came here?"

Captain Jin Seong-geun bluntly asked.

"Looking down from here, you can feel that their sacrifice wasn't in vain."

"As you say."

Baek Seungyun agreed to those words, feeling a bitter taste.

"And I came to strengthen my final resolve so that this fortress can remain like this tomorrow and the day after."

"I think we all share that feeling."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"All 300 of us."

The number of people participating in this battle wasn't that many considering the total number of the Execution Force.

At least A-rank or higher.

It was a Suicide Squad formed by members and hunters with power equivalent to at least squad leaders, and Awakened from overseas.

"By the way, no one from the special operations side came?"

"They were having a good time among themselves."

Kim Cheol-han answered Seol Ji-yun's question.

"You're their former homeroom instructor, why didn't you join them?"

"It would be tactless for me to join."

Kim Cheol-han shrugged.

"There's quite a generational gap, you know."

"True."

"...They're young, even childish."

"Yes. But they're doing really well. Without them, we would all have died before the Special Operations Captain returned."

"I'm grateful... and it's sad."

The captains each added a few words.

"If possible, I'd like them all to survive."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"That's right. We've lived longer lives and enjoyed much honor and pleasure. As much as it was hard."

Gong I-an nodded heavily.

"Yes. But those kids couldn't. Not even twenty years old, they ran around trying to prevent the world's destruction, and even after it was destroyed, they just struggled to survive somehow."

"That's right. That's what's sad."

Jin Seong-geun said bluntly.

"If someone has to die, it's only right that those of us who have lived longer die first. That's what I think."

"..."

There was no response, but.

Everyone gathered here would share that sentiment.

The captains truly thought so.

"Hmph, that's a bit unfair?"

Amidst all this, only Jo Sujin grumbled.

"The age difference isn't that big for me? I'm young blood too."

"...Honestly, you're not young blood. Have some conscience."

Swoosh!

Oh Chang-seong, the Deputy Captain, muttered quietly and almost got his nose grazed by a kick that cut through the air.

"It's a joke, a joke!"

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The morning of the decisive battle dawned.

After a hearty final meal, the 300-member Suicide Squad kicked off from the [Human Fortress] and soared into the sky.

"Return safely!"

"We'll be waiting!"

"Thank you!"

Not one person looked back.

Seo Jun-seong, Hong In-hyeon, and Jo Sujin.

Besides them, Awakened with telekinesis or wind-type characteristics supported each other's abilities to make the flight of 300 people possible.

"Jun-seong, are you okay?"

Kwon Seung-yeon asked.

"I can manage."

"That's amazing. It feels like I've become a bird."

Though they appeared relaxed, the speed was hundreds of kilometers per hour.

But thanks to Seo Jun-seong's telekinesis avoiding wind resistance, no one was experiencing the fierce air pressure.

'Is this what it feels like to ride in a transparent glass airplane?'

Su-hyeon thought.

"Those who need to rest, rest."

Seo Jun-seong told his friends.

"When it's time to arrive, you'll have no choice but to wake up, even if you don't want to."

Two hours, or three hours.

It was around noon, when the sun would be at its highest point, but due to thick, dark clouds, it was impossible to gauge the time without a watch.

"There it is!"

The Suicide Squad spotted a floating castle flying over the sea.

"...What is that."

"Isn't that just a continent?"

An island on the endless sea.

It was an enormous landmass that far exceeded the area of an ordinary city.

"The scale of the floating castle is... on a different dimension."

But what was even more overwhelming was.

The sight of that wide area of the floating castle being developed like a single city within walls, and above it rose a tall and massive tower reminiscent of the Tower of Babel.

"My goodness..."

"To think there's such a tower."

Sighs leaked out from here and there.

"Enough!"

Gong I-an's booming voice suppressed their wavering.

"Everyone, strengthen your resolve! Either we all die or we all live. Those are the only two choices given to us!"

"Understood!"

A battle where everything was at stake was about to begin.