chapter 31
31 – Foot Wipes
It was a dark place.
A place full of moisture.
Drips dripping down the ceiling.
The floor was full of unidentified moss and gave off a disgusting scent unique to filth.
I can see bones made of iron everywhere.
Finally, dirty sewer water was running fast, making a wild noise.
A place that anyone can say is an underground canal.
There stood a man wearing a robe.
A test tube full of green liquid wriggles in front of him.
Is there a living creature inside?
The coffin moved violently, and he muttered in a low voice as he looked at it.
“Yes, about that part… I’m sorry. It fell short of expectations.”
The man bowed his head and showed no face.
He bowed his head in infinite politeness, like a child scolded by his parents.
“Yes, half failure, half success. This will alert them and make them aware of our danger. Of course, they will cover up the incident and keep quiet, but the hyenas, who have already smelled the rotten meat, will inform the outside world of this news. You’re right. Those hiding in each area and branch will come to us.”
The man seemed to be talking, but there was no one to accept his words.
It was a very natural attitude to say that he was talking to himself.
It was then.
A distortion of space occurred behind the man, and a being wearing a full body suit appeared.
The material that sticks to the body showed the graceful curves of the body, and it was natural to know that it was a woman.
“I report it. Bishop.”
“Don’t you see that you are currently receiving calls?”
“Sorry. Because it’s an urgent business… “
“I can’t. What is it?”
The woman handed over a pile of black and white photos and documents from her arms.
A wing pattern symbolizing ‘Prunel’ was engraved on her tightly tied rope.
“We have identified the person who interfered with this raid.”
“…… “
“My name is Siwoo Choi, and I am 17 years old. Admission class B, martial arts type, especially sword. This is a divinity that appeared in Prunel this time.”
“… I don’t think our level has dropped enough to raise the name Divinity against a barely young cadet.”
“I’m sorry for daring to ask back. However, he is the one who defeated the S-E1 that was deployed this time alone. I’m sure the bishop knows too. How much did he sacrifice to make it… “
“I know. The souls of people that have been collected over the years. An object miraculously created by giving the lives of a total of 5,000 people. Even if we try the same thing again, it will be impossible to recreate that kind of monster again.”
“… That’s why I think we need to proceed with the assassination of divinity.”
“Assassination… You mean?”
“He is too dangerous. If you leave it as it is, it will undoubtedly hinder your future progress. If you just leave it to me, even right away-“
-The man cut off the woman by raising his hand.
After a brief pause, he continued quietly.
“It is unnecessary.”
“… We cannot leave those who see sprouts.”
“‘Prunel’ is already like a stinging beehive. Also, it doesn’t just end there. The association moved directly. No matter how corrupt the place is and full of idiots who gouge out their eyes at their arrogance, they are the strongest group in the country. Attack again those who receive protection and attention there? Do you think this is a possibility?”
“That’s why I myself!-“
“- No. I will say it again.”
The man turned slowly.
In the robe, cold eyes pierced the woman.
“God does not want you to do that.”
“… !”
“Therefore, please do not exert yourself in useless samurai and get on with what was originally planned. Development of the object is proceeding smoothly, so you should be able to use it soon.”
“… Are you talking about the plan for Saint Yurika?”
“Yes.”
“I told you then, but I can’t understand it at all. Why do we have to keep the goddamn goddess’s footshine alive and not kill it?”
“… Because taking the life of a saintess is meaningless. Because the goddess will incubate a new seed again like a cockroach. So you must keep her alive, not kill her. Isn’t that what development is for?”
The woman tightly suppressed the desire to ask questions.
There were many things she wanted to investigate right away.
It’s a variable in the plan, or it’s a point that I’m not too soft.
But she swallowed it all.
Considering the position and status of this man in front of him, he had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.
“… All right. In addition, I ask that you bring my sisters.”
“Are you going to take three people to catch a snoring b*tch?”
“This is a foot wipe that contains the power of a goddess, not anyone else. If there are any mistakes-“
“-Ah, I see. Do as you please.”
The woman clenched her teeth.
She shuddered at the arrogance of the man in front of her.
But she said nothing.
As long as he was his superior and archbishop, there was nothing special for him.
The world of demons is a world of strict weak meat.
On this floor where everything is decided by rank, just because he was stronger than himself was enough to follow orders.
The man raises his hand.
At the signal to leave her seat, the woman silently finished the ceremony and disappeared on the spot.
“…… “
The man finally looked at the picture in his hand.
A boy with unbelievable strength despite his youthful appearance.
He was frighteningly strong even now, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg when compared to where he’ll eventually reach.
That’s why I was looking forward to it.
How many things could he cut out if the blade he was aiming for was used for their own sake?
I wonder how many people I can kill who are spoiled by the vanity of being a hero.
“… After all, you are not a person to be in such a place.”
At his murmur, the green coffin radiated light.
The man who had been listening silently showed a look of bewilderment for the first time.
“… I don’t think it’s too early to use it yet. Aren’t they none other than those who share the same blood as the Great One?”
At the man’s words, the green coffin emitted red light as if in anger.
Realizing that he had made a mistake, he hurriedly lowered his head.
“Sorry. Please forgive the rudeness…. All right. As your worthy servant, I will follow your orders. I am grateful for the blessings bestowed on me.”
After his words, the man took out a palm-sized magic stone from his chest.
A word that only he could recognize was engraved on the magic stone that gave off the smell of danger at a glance.
“6Th place in Yukma Yeokcheon… “
After the man’s murmur, all the lights went out.
In this way, the deep darkness came once again to the underground aqueduct.
* * *
Meanwhile, dozens of men and women were sitting on the upper floors of the Prunel.
Should I say that he was frozen or nervous?
No one opened their mouth and only a quiet silence was maintained.
This is the president’s office, which I had introduced once, and all the instructors were gathered in one place, except for Yoon Ji-ye, who was on vacation.
“… What a headache.”
The old man sitting in the center opened his mouth.
President Chen Wei-guang.
He showed a haggard face as if he was under a lot of stress over this incident.
He let out a deep moan as he tore at the hair that he didn’t have yet.
“President. Haven’t you been treated for hair loss recently? Then what are you going to do if you tear it all apart?”
“That’s right. I heard that a considerable amount of money was broken… “
“Even in a society where so many awakened people exist, hair loss is a truly frightening disease that cannot be cured.”
“I mean. I’m also worried that I’ll become a person who lacks a handful after waking up lately.”
Vessels stood out on Chen Weiguang’s forehead.
I was naturally excited to see these young laborers talking nonsense at a time when they should be serious.
“Everybody be quiet! Isn’t that what’s important!”
He said, ‘This is why young guys… ‘ And pulled his beard down instead of his hair.
The reason why everyone gathers and rots their head.
No big deal.
As I said earlier, it was to discuss the aftermath of the monster attack.
It was also to tell the result of the probation.
“Total, how many did you say?”
“Yes. Record report. The number of wounded is 51.”
“… How many deaths?”
At the last question, the instructor’s face darkened.
“… Class C limited to 12 people.”
“Kuhmm… “
Chun Weiguang let out a deep moan.
It is because I felt regret and sadness about the loss of a young man with a bright future without even blooming.
While he mourned inwardly, the instructors who were seated had a conversation.
There was a lot of talk here and there, but the conclusion was that it was fortunate no matter what.
“Let’s hear it, it is said that Hani Song Joon-ho did a great job. As expected, he is the one who inherits the blood of Song Je-ga.”
“It was only possible because an Iron Kingdom cadet risked his life to stop it… As expected, I have to personally commend you for this performance… “
“Miss Ohana also… “
On the outside, it was a compliment.
But everyone here knew.
The fact that there is a separate person who made the biggest contribution to this incident, and that he deliberately did not mention it.
Chun Weiguang sighed inwardly, trying to hold back his uncomfortable expression.
‘How did you become like this? I don’t think Awoken society has ever been this rotten… ‘
It is clear that this incident has damaged Prunel’s reputation.
The name of a prestigious academy is just ridiculous because it couldn’t prevent a monster like that.
However, this is simply ‘wrong. I will do my best to fix it.’ It was not something that would end.
The loss of Prunel’s image is a problem of the domestic association, and furthermore, it has led to the problem of the ‘Hero League’, which has the strongest power and influence among all the awakened groups around the world.
Heroes are those who value status and justification the most.
They always had to shine and not be flawed.
If you give even a little bit of an excuse, the villains will come in through the gap.
That didn’t work.
This society had already been badly damaged by the ‘War of Remnants of Fire’ decades ago.
It’s just that they’ve barely managed to get things right and look peaceful on the outside.
That’s why Chen Weiguang knew it well.
The fact that if there is even the slightest opportunity, a huge fire will occur, just like lighting a fire on dry firewood.
And the association was not unaware of this either.
That’s why the dispatched inspector handed over a proposal that was practically a notification.
‘The cadets who were there should show off their performance… Finally, advertise that the hero, Erina, has done everything.’
Simply put, it was the sound of making a hero to turn the public opinion of criticism.
The scale of the damage was actually small. Concealing that.
Most of the children in Class B had outstanding talents and backgrounds, so it was an ideal title.
However, there was a problem in this process.
This is Siwoo Choi.
It was precisely his identity.
An orphan with nothing.
That being said, it’s not something that’s sponsored by a great family.
It was the association’s perception that he was just a kid with good skills without a back stomach.
For that reason, he was considered unworthy of propaganda, and he was not treated properly even when he risked his life.
This is also the reason why most of the people gathered now intentionally hide his name and turn around.
Because you don’t know what kind of disadvantage you will face if you talk carelessly.
‘How pitiful… ‘
What does it mean to be a president?
What is a legend?
I couldn’t properly protect the value of the cadet who risked his life…
‘I want to turn everything upside down.’
If you do, you won’t even be able to protect the remaining children.
It was at that time that Chen Weiguang was immersed in dark thoughts.
A powerful voice came to my ears.
“President. The time has come. How about disbanding today?”
“Well, has it already happened? Thank you. Strong Castle Instructor.”
Chun Weiguang looked at him for a moment.
Unexpectedly, Kang Han-seong did not show any ups and downs in his emotions.
It was too quiet for arguing about Siwoo Choi’s injustice during the class assignment.
‘Am I giving up… ‘
You probably don’t know that it’s corrupted to the point where it’s useless to examine it.
It seems that he eventually became an adult who had to compromise with reality.
“I want everyone to keep quiet about this incident. We must not confuse the remaining children. Do you understand?”
The meeting ended with everyone nodding their heads.
* * *
It seemed like they were scattered like that.
Sitting down and drinking coffee, Chen Yuguang heard a knock in his ear.
“Come in.”
“Excuse me.”
A sensual beauty with flowing red hair slowly walked in.
She was none other than Instructor Jegalin.
“I came here because you called me separately. President.”
“Thank you. It wasn’t really something to talk about at the meeting.”
Chun Weiguang went straight to the point as soon as Zhugelin sat down.
As she listened to the story in silence, she opened her first words as if she were trying to rhyme.
“So… Are you saying there is a traitor?”
“Yes. No doubt. This case. No matter how much you think about it, it’s not possible in the first place if someone doesn’t help.”
“… In association… “
“It seems that there is a possibility itself, but it seems to be hushed up. If this is real, they won’t be able to cover it up any longer. I think you know very well. That they are now paying all their attention to the threat of the ‘real villains’ outside the area.”
“… Can you take that meaning when you tell me this story?”
Zhuge Lin sent her eyes to Chen Yuguang, full of strange longing.
“That’s right. I called you here because I wanted you to investigate. In my heart, I want to move myself, but the location is also the location, and after examining the abilities I have, it doesn’t fit.”
“… Obviously, the President is only good at breaking or crushing things.”
“… The horse seems to have a bone. Is it my imagination?”
“It is not an illusion. Do you remember The president destroyed all the things I made difficult-“
“- Keuheum. Anyway, I think that your unique ability is more suitable for this kind of investigation than anyone else. That’s why I called them separately.”
The conversation continued, and Jegalin finally nodded his head at the continued persuasion.
“Okay. I will take care of this myself.”
“Thank you. Now, you will receive a nameplate with my name on it. If you have this, you will be able to enjoy the privilege of acting president. If there’s one that’s intrusive, I’ll throw it in the trash.”
“… Could I possibly get rid of the president?”
“Do you want to be fired?”
“Just kidding.”
Jegalin fiddled with the nameplate.
She was well aware.
It’s an item handed over casually, but the value it has is enormous.
So, she wondered.
Just in case… Because there is a possibility
“… Excuse me, but don’t you think I’m the culprit?”
At Zhuge Lin’s words, Chen Yuguang burst into laughter as if asking what she was talking about.
He laughed out loud, wiping away tears and shaking his head.
“At least I believe it won’t be the older sister who unleashes her spell in the place where her younger brother goes. And if you don’t trust her old pupil, you’re not qualified to be her teacher.”
“… It is like that too.”
“The story came out, but he was a very unique kid. How are you? I think you said you were in the second year.”
“… He’s been trading on the black market lately. Fortunately, I am a child who protects my body, so there will be no problems, but as an older sister, I have a lot of worries.”
“That must be very difficult.”
“I’ll tell you more about the current situation while I’m talking about it.”
“… Hmm?”
“Listen. President. No, Instructor. Recently, you suddenly came to ask me to open a dungeon for free, right? And she met a very handsome man… How surprised I was when he said that he had never seen a male of that size in his life and that he would fall into bed and take a sample-“
“-Hey, Instructor Jegalin. I’m not friends with you What to say in front of the president… “
“Can I even file a claim for damage compensation for the item I broke at that time? Obviously billions… -“
“-Let’s talk freely. Listen carefully to me.”
Jegalin burst into laughter as he watched him change his Udyr-class stance.
‘You haven’t changed since then.’
He taught me since he was a cadet.
That’s what he asked for himself.
A lot at the same time… Hmm… It’s seriously strange, but it’s the academy where the one and only younger brother attends.
If there is darkness over there, she will try to protect it at all costs.
‘… First… ‘
I think I will have to visit my parents’ house after a long time.