Episode 10 – There is no time to be bored. (2)
10. There is no time to be bored. (2)
Inside a commercial building in Elaim.
An old chair that squeaks and makes noise, and smoke rises and licks the ceiling.
And only the weak light of a small lamp illuminated the damp basement.
Flames flickered periodically around the lips of those sitting around the table.
“······It is said that he committed suicide because of that.”
After the man with her short-cut hair finished reporting, the rest of the staff became speechless and dumbfounded.
“······.”
“······.”
“······.”
For a while, the length of the beginning of the year quickly decreased.
The muscular man muttered as he took out a new pack of tobacco.
“I don’t understand.”
These were words that represented the feelings of everyone present.
“······Is this a betrayal?”
At the woman’s words, the man immediately shook his head.
Who commits betrayal like that?
This is a plan that has been carefully prepared over a long period of time.
His identity was never revealed, and he was not a half-baked agent who would be subjected to appeasement measures or mental violations.
I couldn’t even think of what Creek would gain through betrayal.
The way it failed was also very strange.
You came out with a music player instead of a bomb?
This means that someone planned it in advance.
If it wasn’t Creek’s betrayal, it was the other side’s problem.
If you look at it objectively, two possibilities came to mind.
Information leaked from the upper line where the plan was carried out, or problems with field agents.
The former had a slim probability.
Honestly, if the information had flowed to the Empire, they would have been caught in advance.
There is no reason to go to the trouble of turning a bomb into a music player.
There was no sign of the Imperial Intelligence Department moving near the Academy.
Then…
“Whoa.”
The man exhaled his smoke forcefully, like a sigh.
It was his group that delivered the mana bomb to Creek.
In the Reconnaissance Bureau, it was obvious that rather than looking for traitors among high-ranking officials, they would start to suspect those at the lowest level.
Isn’t it more likely that the wrong item was handed over, whether by mistake or on purpose?
I think I would have thought that way even if I were in their shoes.
“······.”
The man whose thoughts reached that point wiped the corners of his mouth in confusion.
For ruining a plan of this magnitude, I was in danger of being severely disciplined, or worse, being suspected of being a traitor.
A picture was naturally drawn of the hardships one would experience if one were to be caught incorrectly here.
As an agent there, I knew better than anyone else how vicious the Reconnaissance Bureau’s torture was.
There are limits to delaying or manipulating reports to superiors.
How many witnesses were there?
Even reporters have seen the whole story, so it will be on the front page of tomorrow morning’s newspaper.
“······Captain, what should I do?”
The members who saw the man’s face getting more serious looked at him with worried eyes.
Time was running out.
It had to be shown through actions or performance.
A sure proof that they are not traitors…
– Captain.
At that time, the sound of an agent outside came into the man’s ears.
– What’s going on?
– Billy Kanetel has now entered the first floor.
What?
The man jumped up from his seat.
It was like a rope that came down at a moment of desperation.
Billy Kanetel.
The eldest son of Baron Kanetel, the valedictorian of this freshman class.
As he was a man in charge of El Prime Academy, he naturally knew information about him.
‘This is a God-given opportunity!’
The man felt a shiver as if an electric current was running down his spine.
At such an odd timing, without even realizing it, he found a god he had never believed in.
‘Process it.’
If you are the top freshman, the higher-ups will probably recognize you.
As far as he knew, Billy Kanetel was a mid- to low-expert level, but that wasn’t a problem at all.
Not only did he and the members next to him reach the level of experts.
He was confident that he could cook even a small dish for which he had no practical experience.
The combat skills of the agents dispatched deep into the empire should not be underestimated.
* · * *
As evening time approached, the number of pedestrians on the street increased.
Billy heads to the clothing store.
He was well aware that his appearance would attract a lot of attention wherever he went.
But people’s useless gaze and interest only felt tiring.
For this reason, Billy deliberately avoided the crowds and headed to a shopping center in a deserted alley.
Tingle!
“Welcome-huh!?”
When the female waitress who was welcoming us saw Billy’s face, her eyes lit up.
Because it was a familiar thing.
He only slightly bowed his head and began to select items in silence.
“Is there something you are looking for…?”
The employee slowly approached him.
“I will find it.”
When Billy responded with a blunt tone, the employee smiled sheepishly and walked away.
“······.”
Billy’s gaze rested on the female employee for a moment and then fell.
Walking posture, breathing, muscles visible under clothes, etc.
Because she seemed like a fairly skilled warrior.
I deliberately moved my body like an ordinary girl, but I couldn’t fool Billy’s keen eye.
‘A person with such skill runs a clothing store?’
Billy pretended to pick out her clothes and looked around, spreading his energy.
I didn’t have a good feeling.
And his bad feelings were rarely wrong.
However.
He was not given time to understand the situation.
Drur!
Billy turned his gaze at the sudden noise.
The wall near the counter, which seemed bare, was wide open like a lie.
Rumble!
A basement connected by a narrow staircase visible behind an open door.
Three men and one woman jumped out from inside like dogs.
At first glance, they were unusually talented people.
Billy threw the clothes she was holding and turned to run away.
Srumbling- Clang!
Before I knew it, the employee who was near the entrance was pulling down the shutter that completely blocked the wall.
Only her face had cold eyes instead of the bright smile of a waitress.
An atmosphere that clearly means that they will destroy you.
‘It was a bad idea to run away.’
Chaeng!
Billy quickly drew his sword and took a stance.
“Why are you targeting me?”
The attackers’ eyes were slightly shaken by the low voice and sunken eyes.
It was hard to believe that he was 18 years old, as he maintained his composure without showing any signs of embarrassment.
“······.”
“······.”
“······.”
It’s not a kid.
The raiders raised their awareness even further and quietly formed a siege network.
“······.”
When it seemed like no one would answer no matter what he said, Billy just quietly raised his sword.
Spot!
Daggers were lifted one by one in the hands of the attackers.
Soon, they held the daggers in a similar posture in reverse.
A sharp killing blow fell on Billy in the center.
‘Oh my.’
Billy felt a deep sense of defeat.
The inside of the store was not very big.
In narrow rooms, it was much more advantageous to use a short dagger.
Her own long sword was difficult to use with the furniture placed here and there.
Even the opponents are all people who have overcome the expert level.
If there were one or two, there might be a chance of winning, but five?
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It was clear that it was wrong to go out in peace.
Ask for help?
I felt that the entire wall of the store was lightly lined with mana to block noise.
It is already a deserted alley, so it would be difficult to notice from the outside with all the noise.
It was a bad situation in many ways.
Billy stood with her back to the wall as much as possible to avoid being surrounded on all sides.
Parts!
Blue sword energy formed on the attackers’ daggers.
Howling!
Billy also pulled out his sword energy accordingly.
His sword was darker and sharper than his enemies.
A tense tension flowed through the air.
“······.”
“······.”
“······.”
An imminent moment.
When anyone makes even the slightest move, the battle begins immediately.
aaang-!!!
The entrance, blocked by an iron shutter, exploded with a tremendous explosion.
All the people inside lost their balance and fell due to the unexpected shock.
The employee closest to the door flew straight, hit his head on the wall, and fainted.
Beepeee-
A sharp tinnitus rang through my depleted eardrums.
“Ugh, ugh…”
“Off…”
“What is this…!”
They were sprawled on the floor, clutching their shaking heads and looking ahead.
The entrance has been ripped open as if a giant had come and ripped it open.
Amidst the acrid dust and debris, four silhouettes appeared.
Soon, the dust gradually settled and their appearance was revealed.
“Are you out of your mind!?!? “What if something like that is thrown in the middle of the city!!!”
A blonde girl screaming loudly while lost in thought.
“Of course! Leon, you were right!”
A man as large as an animal, with a warlike fighting spirit.
“Leon, do you like it?”
A girl with dark purple hair pulling out a dagger from her waist with a chic smile.
Click!
When she waved her hand briefly, her dagger instantly turned into a long spear.
Finally.
“Hey~!”
A wide smile, two beautiful eyes with a shimmering red glow.
The black-haired boy licked his lips once for a long time, as if he had seen delicious food.
The attackers who met his crazy eyes flinched involuntarily.
Roar!
Leon cheerfully pulled out his sword with an excited gesture.
“There’s no time to be bored!”