20 – Rule 11. The Chief of Discipline Eradicates Villain Groups (3)
“I’ve joined in. The rest is up to you.”
An Woojin walked towards Lee Jisu and Jang Hamun, speaking in a low voice.
It was an order given through a wireless earpiece.
“Sigh.”
Lee Jisu sighed and stood up.
She looked at An Woojin with both hands in her pockets.
“I heard that the 4th tier is strong, but… in the end, it’s still the 4th tier. It’s inevitable to rely heavily on elemental magic.”
Jisoo said.
“It’s a shame, but you don’t have a good compatibility with us. Lightning magic is meaningless in front of us.”
“hehehehe!”
Jang Hamun, the giant man, pulled out a clump of his own hair and put it in his mouth, making a slurping sound like eating noodles.
Hamun swallowed the hair.
At that moment.
Zzzt!
A translucent magnetic field composed of magic quickly unfolded around Hamun.
Innate ability ‘Magnetokinesis’.
Magic type 1, ‘Field deployment’.
Crackle…. The turquoise current flowing through the black trident dispersed in an instant.
Even the wireless earphones in Woojin’s right ear became useless.
One after another, the trident and the spike mace trembled, trying to be attracted to Hamun. It was because of magnetism.
Woojin had already anticipated this situation.
He naturally immobilized his two weapons with telekinesis.
He just purposely induced the magnetic field by sending lightning magic into the black trident.
The strength of the magnetism that Hamun generates varies greatly depending on the distance between himself and the metal material.
Fortunately, Woojin was quite far away from Hamun.
He had no worries about his two weapons being taken away while immobilized.
“It’s the ability to turn hair into a magnetic field…! In front of me, lightning magic is useless…!”
Hamun chuckled softly.
Eating hair is the activation condition for the innate ability, magnetokinesis.
He wouldn’t last long.
Deploying such a strong magnetic field requires a considerable amount of magic power.
Even without game knowledge, it was a fact that could be easily understood.
“Don’t mess with this function, just levitate it in the air.”
Jisoo took out her smartphone and let go of it in her hand.
The smartphone floated gently in midair, and Jisoo positioned her face in front of the phone camera.
“Do you see it? Good. This is Anomia’s special broadcast~.”
Jisoo greeted the smartphone camera, waving her hand abruptly.
A feigned smile spread across her face.
“?”
What’s going on?
Woojin looked at Jisoo with skepticism.
It was a scene he had never seen in the game.
Jisoo pointed at Woojin with her thumb.
“Now, in front of us, Anseong High School’s Student Council Leader is here. From now on, I plan to ruthlessly defeat this guy. Huh? Manipulation, you say!? Do you think this looks manipulated, you idiot? Open your eyes wide and watch. We’re about to start the fight.”
“What are you doing?”
“Can’t you tell? It’s a broadcast.”
Jisoo replied bluntly and grinned.
“Youtube live broadcast. This broadcast will be evidence that we took you down. Then our notoriety will rise, right?”
Notoriety has the power to captivate people.
Anomia is a villainous group that rejects formality.
Getting rid of notoriety to achieve their ideology is their goal.
The more notoriety they shake off, the more villain aspirants they can absorb, and the more sponsors and trading partners they can attract.
In other words, the ‘Anseong High School Student Council Leader An Woojin’ suppression event would be a high-quality nutrient that would rapidly fuel Anomia’s growth.
Even Anomia’s leader had approved of this intention beforehand.
“Why are there so many fanatics….”
Woojin chuckled softly, thinking of Sindorim Swordmaster.
“Student Council Leader, shall we die honorably for us?”
Jisoo raised her right arm with a big smile.
Zzzing. Drones that had been targeting Woojin made mechanical noises.
The air became heavy.
“…Fire.”
Jisoo commanded, lowering her arm.
Soon.
Tadadadada!!
Drone forces simultaneously shot magic bullets at Woojin.
The beginning of the battle.
Thunk! Woojin swiftly slammed the ground and surrounded Bakminhyuk. Then, he hid behind a pillar.
Drone gunfire relentlessly targeted the pillar.
Several drones that got too close became helpless chunks of scrap metal, pierced by the dagger Woojin threw.
Anomia’s special dagger.
A weapon collected from enemies Woojin incapacitated on his way up.
“His precision is incredible.”
In Jisoo’s eyes, Woojin displayed an astonishing level of skill.
It wasn’t a technique easily achieved by enhancing the body with magic.
It required a considerable amount of practice.
But who is this squad leader… Jisoo couldn’t help but wonder.
“Uh, agh….”
Meanwhile, behind the pillar.
Seogi Bakminhyuk trembled in fear.
He was not cut out for combat.
“Can you move?”
“Yes? Y-yes…! I secretly restored my legs while those guys were off guard…!”
However, Minhyuk had a natural talent in a particular field.
He was a congenital healing magician, gifted with healing magic through healing mana.
So, he could cast healing spells on himself or others.
“That’s good enough.”
Woojin nodded.
While mana storms still raged, Minhyuk asked,
“But, Captain, what now? Neutralizing lightning mana is so disadvantageous in terms of compatibility…!”
“We’ll win anyway.”
Woojin asserted.
“Yes? How…?”
Minhyuk knew that Woojin was strong.
However, Woojin’s confident attitude of assured victory against two 5th-tier opponents with a disadvantageous compatibility was hard to comprehend.
Clang.
It was the moment when the drone forces were reloading their magical bullets.
“Run.”
Woojin’s command.
Woojin and Minhyuk moved away from the pillar and started running towards the emergency stairs.
“Trying to escape the magnetic field?”
Jisoo chuckled.
After the initial deployment, Hamun’s magnetic field remained fixed in position and range. It was easily understandable information for those with keen perception.
Seeing them willingly increasing the distance, it seemed they had recognized the limitations of such a magnetic field.
There wasn’t really a ‘limit’ to speak of.
After Hamun narrowed the distance with them, he just needed to deploy the magnetic field again.
The problem was the significant magical power consumption required to deploy the magnetic field.
It couldn’t be casually overused.
“Let’s stop the drone shots.”
Jisoo said, tapping Hamun’s arm.
Continuing the drone shots would prevent Hamun from getting close to the enemies.
So, Jisoo decided to take a different approach.
“Try tossing those scrap pieces.”
Jisoo instructed, chin up.
“Got it…!”
Due to the dagger thrown by Woojin, four malfunctioning drones floated in the air following Hamun’s gesture.
It was because the powerful magnetic field was manipulated according to his will.
“Ha-ah.”
Nonchalantly.
Jisoo licked each of the drones that floated in the air.
As a result, the saliva on the drones rapidly changed color to black, spreading like a virus and flowing into the machine’s interior.
Jisoo ran flame magic over the saliva-stained part with his finger. Sizzle! Flames erupted.
“Throw them.”
“Whoosh!”
Hamun swung his arm, sending the four drones stained with Jisoo’s saliva flying. It was the power of the magnetic field.
Swish!
The drone swooped towards Woojin and Minhyuk at an incredible speed, cutting through the air. Its accuracy was lacking, but Jisoo didn’t care much.
Whoosh! Woojin swiftly leapt, enclosing Minhyuk and hiding their bodies behind a structure. In that moment, all four drones exploded simultaneously.
Kwaaang!!
A powerful shockwave engulfed everything, leaving no place to escape.
The force was incomparable to something like a magic grenade. If hit directly, even Woojin, whose body was strengthened to the maximum with magic, would have suffered severe burns.
The ability to turn saliva into explosives.
Unique ability, “Fireball Tongue.”
Magical formula type 1, “Explosive Liquid.”
The power of the explosion depends on the concentration of magic that Jisoo has condensed in her saliva and the explosive materials mixed in.
Generally, magic cannot be contained in saliva, but thanks to Jisoo’s unique ability, it was possible.
With Jisoo’s current ability, the limit was still drones of similar size as the explosive material.
The flaw in the ability was the inability to create and store explosives separately. The magic imbued in the saliva would disperse after one minute. Therefore, the production of explosives had to be done on the spot.
Whirrr!
Tadadang!
The fireball covered the surroundings, and the metal fragments of the drones flew out at bullet-like speeds, violently hitting the structure.
Thanks to hiding behind the structure, Woojin and Minhyuk were able to escape unharmed from the explosion.
“Tsk.”
Jisoo clicked her tongue.
Some discomfort could be felt.
“Does he have excellent reflexes? No, it’s more like… It feels as if he knows about our abilities.”
Even though it was their first fight, Woojin was skillfully handling the situation.
As if he had fought against Jisoo and Hamoon multiple times in this place.
“Did our information leak?”
The probability was high.
Since Woojin had already understood and thwarted Anomia’s plans.
It didn’t really matter.
Jisoo decided to provoke him.
“Hey, hey, isn’t it embarrassing for the leader to just keep running away like a coward? We should fight back, you amateur! That’s the only way we’ll have some fun!”
Jisoo laughed and repeated the events from earlier.
Kwaaang!
Two new drones flew and caused a powerful explosion where Woojin and Minhyuk were.
Before that, they hid behind a different structure to avoid the shock of the explosion.
Tzutzut… Soon, the magnetic field gradually faded.
It was a phenomenon that appeared before disappearing.
“Kkh, huh…!”
The bald man, Hamun, rushed toward Woojin and Minhyuk hiding behind the structure. He yanked out a bundle of hair again and drank it down like noodles.
Tzutzut! The existing one disappeared, and a new magnetic field unfolded once again.
No matter how much Woojin and Minhyuk tried to escape, it was impossible to avoid the magnetic field if Hamun approached and ate their hair.
“If I take away your weapons, I’ll be…!”
Hamun’s goal was to narrow the distance with Woojin and then pull his weapon towards him with a strong force.
Even if Woojin tried hard not to have his equipment taken away, if the weapon was pulled by a strong force, he would be dragged along with it.
After that, they could settle the fight in close combat.
Then.
Shooaaah!!
Due to successive explosions, flames erupted, and eventually, the sprinkler started spraying water forcefully.
It was where Woojin and Minhyuk were. They became like wet rats.
The water didn’t reach the place with an index.
“….”
Water gradually accumulated on the floor.
If lightning magic occurred as it was, it could be dangerous, but since Hamun’s magnetic field spread all around, there was no need to worry about that as long as he didn’t let his guard down.
“Hmm?”
Hamun was surprised.
In the end, the wet Woojin emerged from the structure holding the black three-section staff and the wall rod.
He faced the approaching Hamun.
“Kkh!”
Laughter spread across Hamun’s lips.
In the end, did he choose a full-on confrontation?
Of course.
There was no other way.
Seogi had fulfilled his role as a decoy. He was now just an insignificant individual. As Seogi headed towards the emergency staircase, Hamun turned off his attention towards him.
Only An Woo Jin.
The thought of being able to fight against the leader of Asung High School ignited Hamun’s enthusiasm.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, Jisoo felt a sense of unease.
From behind, she faintly sensed an unnatural sound, almost like a hallucination.
She turned around but all she could see was a solid wall. Maybe it was just her imagination.
“!?”
Suddenly, Hamun’s eyes widened.
“This sound…!?”
Hamun quickly stopped his footsteps on the floor sprinkled with water by the sprinkler.
There was a sound coming from beyond the wall.
Hamun, whose senses were more sensitive than Jisoo’s, immediately recognized the source of the sound.
The sound became clearer little by little.
It was a sharp piercing sound.
“Jisoo!!”
“Huh?”
Hamun swiftly turned around and rushed towards Jisoo with full speed.
As he embraced Jisoo, who was lost in confusion, and turned his back.
Kwaaang!!
A large arrow, wrapped in wind magic, shattered Gray Star’s wall and pierced into its interior.
Immediately after, the arrow exploded.
A few minutes earlier.
She had decided to follow the instructions of the head of the accounting department of Asung High School.
Her mission was to provide support fire.
Based on Woo Jin’s game knowledge, she had accurately informed the positions that needed to be attacked.
“As ordered.”
On top of the hill.
She firmly fixed the end of the giant bow to the ground.
From Noble mtl dot com
She loaded an arrow larger than the usual ones onto the bow. It boasted a length close to that of a longbow.
After stepping on the platform in the middle of the bow, stretching her legs and pulling the bowstring with both hands, Doha’s body extended as gracefully as a cat.
Her body was reinforced with magic, so there was no strain on the tension.
When Doha activated her unique ability, a strange pattern was engraved in her eyes.
Unique ability, “Devil of Laplace.”
Magic Formula Type 1, “Precise Equation.”
The effect was to automatically perceive and calculate the position and movement of everything in sight, like a computer.
It was difficult to discern on a micro level, but the conditions for successful support fire were more than sufficient.
Thanks to the passive effect of her unique ability, “Enhanced Vision,” everything in her sight became clear.
Even distant buildings were clearly visible.
Using her unique ability would result in severe dry eyes for a day, and she would become a fool, but helping the deputy director immediately was the top priority.
Whoosh!
Doha’s wind magic enveloped the arrow, causing its color to brighten.
The arrow was a kind of explosive similar to a magic grenade and was the asset of the vanguard.
Doha aimed at the high-rise building on the outskirts of the academy city.
After calmly breathing, holding her breath, and restraining her body’s movements to the maximum.
Doha read the countless falling raindrops, the movement of the dark clouds, wind direction, speed, and even the intense dance of the surrounding leaves.
“……”
··· The perfect moment had arrived.
Doha released the bowstring.
Phwoosh!!!
Wind magic spread like a gale.
The arrow Doha shot pierced the rain, drawing the trajectory she desired in a straight line across the sky.
The wind magic wrapped around the arrow expelled the rain and added propulsion.
Glowing with a silvery light, it resembled a meteor.
The arrow spread its parabolic path, reaching the upper part of the Gray Star building.
Kwaaang!!
It destroyed the wall, reached Jisoo and Hamun, and finally exploded.
“Ugh!”
The unexpected explosion sent Jisoo and Hamun flying in opposite directions.
Tsu-jut…! Hamun’s magic control faltered, and the magnetic field collapsed. Drones swept up in the explosion malfunctioned, crashing down.
Jisoo and Hamun rolled on the floor, composing themselves. The impact, no more potent than a magical grenade, did little harm to the fifth-rank idols.
However, one was enough.
“!”
Thud.
Jisoo shuddered as she landed on the ground.
The area of impact.
Above their heads, the sprinklers continued to shower water vigorously, and the floor was flooded.
Jisoo shouted, “Hey! Quickly, use your abilities…!”
Too late.
Zap!
“Kuaaah!!”
“Uwaaah!!”
A turquoise wave of lightning, mingled with impurities in the water, surged violently, engulfing Jisoo and Hamun.
Woojin wielded a three-section staff charged with lightning magic, slamming it into the ground, releasing a shockwave.
Jisoo and Hamun trembled, evading the scalding heat.
For a moment, they nearly lost consciousness.
Their brains felt scorched, and their ears rang, but somehow, they endured.
The opportunity for a counterattack still existed.
Deploying a magnetic field now could overwhelm Woojin.
But Woojin didn’t miss the chance given.
Crack!
Woojin poured magic into his agility and slammed the ground. His movements accelerated instantly.
Jisoo glared at Woojin, charging toward her with bloodshot eyes.
She had to dodge.
But her body wouldn’t listen.
At that speed, there was no escaping.
Boom!
The black truncheon pierced Hamun’s mouth, while the wall stick pressed against Jisoo’s throat.
“Oof…!”
“Guh…!”
Kwoong!
Without hesitation, Woojin knocked them both down and looked down at them.
In his eyes, as cold as frost, shone a bluish-green light.
Amidst the suffocating prayer, Jisoo felt a strong sense of fear.
There was no trace of mercy on Woojin’s solemn face.
Yet, Jisoo pleaded.
“Save us…”
Zap!
“Kyaaah!!!!”
“Woooahhh!!!”
The lightning power surged fiercely from the two sticks, electrocuting and jolting the two individuals without mercy. It was a ruthless strike.
Piercing screams tore through the air.
Eventually, Woojin ceased spreading his power.
“……”
Jisoo and Hamun lost consciousness.
They were lying there, tears and mucus and saliva streaming down their distorted faces, their bodies convulsing.
“Pitiful fools.”
Woojin picked up the fallen smartphone from the ground after rising from his seat, holding the two sticks in his hands.
It was Jisoo’s smartphone.
The broadcast was still ongoing.
On the smartphone screen, Woojin’s wet face appeared in real-time. Perhaps due to the rumors spreading on the internet, the number of viewers had reached about 40,000.
The viewers were all surprised to see Woojin.
The real-time chat went wild.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”
“Is this for real?”
“Is that the boss???”
“Wow, it was actually true, daaamn!”
[Ah, did Anomia get exposed? Did we lose?]
[Are you okay??]
[What the heck happened?]
[Is this for real? What’s going on?]
[OMG, did the 4th rank beat both the 5th and 6th ranks??]
[Wow….]
Many chats were rapidly flooding in.
It was becoming difficult to read each one individually.
However.
It was evident that roughly half of the people were taking the situation seriously, while the other half was not.
‘It’s chaos….’
Woojin silently ended the broadcast.
Instead of chatting as thoughts popped into his head, it would be much more rational to discuss with Ohbaekseo, plan, and announce later.
─ Director!?
Suddenly, Hayesong’s lively voice echoed from Woojin’s earphones.
The reason the earphones started working normally again.
─ Wow, it’s connected now! Director, are you alive? Please respond if you’re dead!
“The situation is over.”
─ Fortunately, you’re still alive! hehehe. Actually, I checked just now because the broadcast was off…! I’m glad you’re alive! I was a little worried.
“Are you on your way?”
─ Yes, I’m gathering the Vanguard and heading your way! Please wait a bit! Loyalty!
Hayesong’s mission was to gather the Vanguard and deploy them shortly after Woojin and Secretary Park Minhyuk joined.
Woojin approached the devastated outer wall, facing the wind, and looked outside.
Four multipurpose transport vehicles of the Vanguard were rushing in the direction of the Gray Star.
─ The situation here is also under control.
Immediately, a dignified voice followed.
It was the voice of Deputy Director Ohbaekseo.
Her mission was to subdue AQ, the strongest force of Anomia, and the organization’s leader.
If that was also concluded, Anomia was practically on the verge of collapse.
─ Director.
“Uh.”
– …I’ll go see it.
The sound of a breath was a meaningful word from Smiin.
“?”
What’s this?
It’s not even “I’ll join you,” but “I’ll go see it.”
Even though it must have meant the same thing, that one word in the document seemed to contain a lot of emotions.
It was like worry, relief, and affection…
Well, interpreting it as affection might be an exaggeration.
Woojin pondered his thoughts.
“……”
He took a deep breath.
Just dealing with the situation at hand seemed like it would keep him up all night.