Academy’s Genius Swordsman

＜ 104. Baeksuje (4) ＞

#104

“…why are you here?”

It was a face I hadn’t seen in a long time. Poacher Valus. The motive of Ronan’s punitive force and one of the leading poaching organizations in the continent, Caribolo.

In the past, Ronan tricked him into making a fake contract by tricking him into thinking he was a warlock and Sita a herald of the devil. Fooled and deceived, Valus became a regular reporter of information about the Caribolo.

That was my last memory of Balus. The pieces that were floating in my head for a moment were put together. A festival where poachers and rare fantasy species gather together. Recognizing the situation, Ronan raised his eyes.

“이 개새끼. Did you decide to become a poacher again after saving your life?”

“Well, it’s not like that. please···.”

“Explain. Simple and clear.”

“Ugh!”

Ronan released his strength from the hand that was holding his hair. Valus staggered to his feet like a newborn calf. He took a few deep breaths and opened his mouth.

“…this time, we are carrying out a big operation in Caribolo. The goal is to take over the doppelganger and other rare phantom species before the white water festival is held. I was also put into operation as a personnel.”

“It’s not unusual. An organization of the size of a caribolo would have a lot of money, so why did they crawl up to Phileon and drop this shit?”

“It is an operation with symbolic meaning. Recently, the status of the organization is not a word.”

Balus continued his explanation. The poaching organization Caribolo has faced unprecedented difficulties since its inception. This was due to the fact that several branches within the Imperial Territory were annihilated one after another, and the power of the Imperial Poaching Control Team was doubled. Ronan, who had been contemplating the situation, nodded.

‘The future has changed.’

In its original form, it was an organization that would survive until the end of the world. The snowball that started with Valus’ spying activity seemed to be rolling steadily.

“Money and other phantom species are just appendices. The important thing is to break through the security of the Phileon and take over the only two doppelgangers in the world. The purpose of the organization is to inform the entire continent that the caribolo’s noose is still alive.”

“Actually, it’s something that you can’t even dream of unless it’s your organization.”

Ronan nodded slowly. To touch the Phileon Academy, unless it was the best poaching organization on the continent, it would have been impossible to even think of it. Suddenly, a question crossed my mind.

“Wait, weren’t you a jerk until you met me? Were you involved in such an important operation?”

“It’s embarrassing…but it’s been recognized.”

“admit?”

“yes. I worked hard not to be found out that I was a spy, but it seems that the upper part saw it well.”

Balus scratched his cheek as if he was indifferent. In short, he worked hard for the organization to become a spy, but it was said that he stood out and was promoted repeatedly.

“So we were able to steal more and more high-quality information. It is no exaggeration to say that all documents from the Ulcanto branch go through me.”

“It’s ridiculous.”

Ronan chuckled. I didn’t know that in a previous life, the poaching story or the chattering chirp had such a talent. Balus, who excelled in document work and reconnaissance, was sent to this doppelganger takeover operation.

“We infiltrated ahead of time, gathered information and copied the key. It wasn’t difficult because Baren always carried it with him. Anyway, I did it.”

Balus’ mission was to disguise himself as a student and scrape information about the White Beast and the Doppelganger. He infiltrated Phileon about a week ago. It coincided with the exact day Lakota disappeared. Ronan asked.

“By the way, where did Lakota originally go? Did you kill me?”

“We have kidnapped him and brought him back. He’s still healthy, so don’t worry about that.”

Balus informed him that he didn’t kill Lakota for the sake of the hostage. to the place where he is imprisoned. Ronan sighed in relief. Whatever the reason, if he hadn’t died, he could have been saved.

“So why did you release the doppelganger? What do you mean there is no time?”

“It was released to prevent any casualties. I didn’t know that everyone, including Baren, would stand guard on the spot. If I hadn’t released the doppelganger then, another gang member would have activated the Explosion Scroll and took the doppelganger.”

“Nimi, there was another poacher cub there?”

“yes. That’s why I said I didn’t have time.”

Balus said that there were poachers who infiltrated Phileon besides himself. Seeing that Phileon’s security was breached, it seemed like a well-prepared operation. Ronan, who had spit on the floor, spit out cursing.

“I’m bored. This bastard’s school never gets quiet.”

“There is no shame. He… you said it was Ronan-sama.”

dump. Suddenly, Balus knelt on the floor. Ronan frowned at the sudden action.

“What are you doing now?”

“I know this is a frivolous and absurd request. Stop Caribolo.”

“Even if I don’t tell you, it is, but… all of a sudden?”

“Since I met you, I have come to realize how terrible poaching is. If the doppelganger gets into the hands of the organization first, the viciousness that has been extinguished will spread like wildfire again.”

A sob voice came out of Valus’s mouth. He truly hated Caribolo’s actions. He seemed to have seen a lot of terrible things during his espionage activities. Ronan, who was watching the scene, answered sarcastically.

“There must be one more reason besides that.”

“I want to get out of the organization. Help.”

“right. It’s good to be honest.”

Ronan giggled. Balus had reached a point where he could never step out on his own. If the operation succeeds, you will continue to spend hellish days, and if the operation fails and you return home alone, there is a high possibility of being held responsible and punished.

‘I did eat a lot.’

In the first place, I had no intention of killing an old comrade. In addition, Valus far exceeded expectations while planted in Caribolo. He also has the original ability, so it was the right decision to take it out before he was wrong. Ronan made a decision and nodded.

“Once you know, wake up… um?”

Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. Suddenly, I could feel the popularity behind me. I couldn’t hear it, but I could feel it. Ronan chuckled and muttered to himself.

“I think we have been away for too long.”

“yes?”

“It has been strange since I was in the small banquet hall earlier. It kept twitching. It’s pretty useful to see them hiding their presence.”

“What is that… uh?!”

Suddenly, Balus’ eyes widened. He shouted, pointing to Ronan’s back.

“Behind, behind!”

“I know.”

Ronan pulled out his sword and turned around at the same time. Scratch! Blood bouncing along the smooth sword path. The hand holding the dagger fell to the floor.

“Heh heh!”

Ronan turned completely around and grabbed the sword. A man in full body armor was holding his severed wrist.

It was the janitor who glanced at Ronan in the small banquet hall. Blood was gushing out from the clean cut. Blood-red eyes gleamed through the thin gap in the helmet.

“Bah, Valus…you traitor bastard!”

“Heyyy…!”

“It was you too. You fucking poacher bastard.”

For a moment, Ronan’s arm disappeared from view. An invisible sword strike was fired towards the water level. Scratch! Red lines appeared on his left arm and both ankles covered in armor. 👌👌👌👌👌 Blood gushed out through the cracks in the severed armor. The janitor, who had all the tendons in his limbs cut, screamed and collapsed.

“Ahhhh!!”

“If you cry, cry inside me.”

Ronan grabbed the janitor’s arm and threw it within the range of the Silent Magic. The water level, which fell down like a frog, screamed again. Although the building was the size of a loud noise, a soundproof wall made of mana prevented the commotion.

“Is it okay if I can scream as much as I want? It’s annoying, so let’s finish it quickly.”

“Gagging!”

puck! Ronan, who had kicked the water level and laid him down, climbed onto his chest. Then, grabbing the glowing janitor’s neck, he pushed the tip of the sword into the gap in the helmet. The water level, which had been struggling, quickly calmed down.

“Uhhh, no eyes! please···!”

“okay. Now, I can’t even walk alone, but how sad it would be if I couldn’t see.”

The black sword was pointed at his eyes. It was so close that a hole in the cornea would puncture if it struggled even a little. thump. Ronan, who knocked on the janitor’s helmet, continued.

“Blow it all out. How many and where are they?”

****

About ten minutes have passed since then. Ronan returned to the small banquet hall, leaving Valus behind. It was his job to erase the bloodstains and hide the bastard janitor.

‘I must hurry.’

The small banquet hall was empty as everyone had left to find the doppelganger. Only Adeshan remained, waiting for Ronan, opening and closing the chest containing the doppelganger. Feeling the presence, she waved her hand warmly.

“Oh, here you go, Ronan. Who did you go with?”

“I am flushing out of the toilet. It will probably take a long time.”

“Yes? toilet···?”

“Senior, look at me for a second.”

Ronan, who closed the door of the small banquet hall, dragged Adeshan to the corner. He relayed the story he had heard to Balus and the poacher disguised as a janitor. As the conversation progressed, Adeshan’s eyes widened.

“Hey, a poacher?! Are you in Phileon now?”

“yes. It’s not a big deal, it’s a problem we can solve on our own. Do you have paper and pencil?”

“There is, but where are you going to use it?”

Ronan didn’t answer. Having received a notebook and a pencil from Adeshan, he tore five sheets of paper from the notebook and jotted down different contents. It was information about the current situation and the locations where poachers are active. Ronan put down the pencil and continued.

“I think this should be enough… Senior, can you control birds now?”

“bird?”

“yes. Please call only seven. Smart guys.”

It sounded unfamiliar, but the expression on his face was serious. Adeshan opened the window and pushed out his upper body. The clear, cool night air was drifting over the campus illuminated by the full moon.

Not long after looking around, I saw crows sleeping on the roof of the building. She stretched out her long fingers and opened her mouth.

“Come on.”

The mana of the shadow spread forward. The crows woke up and flew away with a fan.

Within seconds, seven crows entered the small banquet hall. The eyes of the crows lined up in front of Adeshan were dyed gray. Ronan whistled in admiration.

“It has grown a lot. It feels like yesterday I was playing with a mouse.”

“It’s your virtue. What can I do now?”

“Tie this to your leg, please. Can you give me orders to go somewhere?”

Adeshan nodded. Ronan and she tied the prepared notes one by one to the crow’s ankle.

“like. I’ll tell you who will get it. First, Baren and Nabirose. and···”

Ronan called the seven people to deliver the note to. Adeshan’s eyes widened. she asked in a confused voice.

“Kar, the poachers of Caribolo? They must all be talented, right?”

“You have to catch that amount to use it later. Aarondale is the problem, but…”

Ronan licked his lips. Currently, there were eight poachers infiltrating Phileon. Judging from Valus’ explanation, the rest seemed to be at a level that he could somehow deal with, but there was only one person he liked.

“Well, what can I do? I hope that bastard will run into Instructor Nabirose or Baren.”

“Certainly… we don’t think it’s a good match for us. Why would a fighter of Balkar act like a poacher…”

“I can’t do anything in front of money.”

Once again, what Balus had said crossed his mind. He warned the Caribolo executives behind the plan.

Aarondale, one of the three beasts. With a record of slaughtering the Werewolf tribe with his bare hands, he was a fighter who reached the level of Auror awakening. Ronan said.

“Let’s go first. I don’t have time.”

“yes.”

Ronan and Adeshan left the small banquet hall. At the same time, seven crows flew out the window. There were about five hours left until the sun came up. Their goal was to find the doppelganger and expel the poachers before the white water festival was held.

“Finding the doppelganger is the top priority. Did you find out anything?”

“I found unique mana in the small banquet hall. It is intermittently broken, but…”

Adeshan said he had found the mana of a doppelganger. Ronan clenched his fists and called for delight. It was like finding the criminal’s footprints.

“It’s over there. I went up and down the tree here.”

“I found one too. Judging by the broken paving stones, it must have turned into something big.”

Ronan and Adeshan pursued the doppelganger with their senses fully extended. The empty campus was reminiscent of a hwangchon where all the residents had left. Only the sound of their footsteps knocked on the empty street.

“Damn, where did you go?”

Ronan, who was walking along the trail, murmured angrily. The doppelganger did not appear, even after walking almost across the site.

Two people who had been walking for another 20 minutes stopped at the same time. Traces of the doppelganger were cut off in front of the forest northwest of the site.

“I’m doing it in a variety of ways, but let’s get into it, senior.”

“Yes. have to go in okay.”

Adeshan’s complexion was pale. Her gaze remained in the dark forest. Come to think of it, he seemed to be afraid of the dark, just like before. Ronan, who looked at her quietly, held out his hand.

“Would you like to hold my hand?”

“Cow, hand?”

“Honestly, it’s scary. There are a lot of guys like that, so just grab them.”

“···yes.”

Adeshan hesitated and took Ronan’s hand. His old, clunky hands were covered with calluses. A warm warmth was transmitted through the fabric created by hard work. It was the car she was trying to say with her ears dyed bright red.

-thud.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard from behind. It was a heavy, resonant voice that was completely different from that of a human.

The two turned their heads in the direction of the sound. Strength entered the hand that held it. A huge lizard stood there, dripping with saliva.

– Crumple…

“her.”

Only the distance between the head and the ground seemed to exceed 5m. Each of the red and graceful scales was the size of an adult’s palm. A head with a pair of long, thick horns sprouted out of it, not much different from that of a dragon. Seeing the monstrous figure, Ronan smirked. wingless dragon. It was Drake.

“Is that right?”

“···yes.”

“I don’t think anyone will fall in love with something like that… Omega.”

There was no real Drake Illy. Even with the Manticore, Drake wasn’t the kind of monster that anyone could raise or handle. Ronan took a deep breath and placed his hand on the hilt.

“On a fake subject.”

Drake just looked at Ronan quietly and didn’t respond. It was the moment he was about to pull the hilt. Suddenly, Drake’s whole body began to bubble like bubbles. Adeshan, startled, stepped back and backed away.

“Damn!”

“okay. Let’s see your face soon.”

The boiling Drake was slowly transforming into a human form. Ronan slowly pulled the hilt.

‘···calm down.’

He desperately suppressed his emotions. He didn’t have the confidence to pass without cutting the sudden appearance of Ahayute. Even if you know that its essence is a doppelganger. 👌👌👌👌👌 Finally, the transformed doppelganger landed on the floor.

“···Well?”

It was not Ahayute who appeared. A handsome man stood expressionless. Ronan, who made eye contact with the man, froze. Adeshan’s eyes widened.

“…Ronan?”

The man’s face had matured somewhat, but he looked exactly like Ronan. However, there was a significant difference from the current Ronan. This was the case when he grew up and reached 190 cm in height, and that was the case with the Imperial Army uniform he was wearing. A trembling voice escaped Adeshan’s lips.

“Why are you like that?”

I couldn’t look straight ahead. Even the word “manshinchang” was insufficient. Dark red blood was dripping from the area where his military uniform was torn and his flesh was exposed. The black sword held in his hand was horribly shattered.

But the most terrifying thing was the black lumps all over the body. Seven black lumps were mothing all over the man’s body like mold. The man who was moaning in pain looked at Ronan and said.

– I couldn’t keep anything.

“you···.”

Ronan, who had been standing blankly, took a step forward. At that moment, the man turned his back and started running away. The man, who ran at an incredible speed, disappeared into the Black Forest in an instant.

“Damn it, stop!”

“Lo, Ronan!”

Ronan woke up late and ran into the forest. After a moment’s hesitation, Adeshan followed him with her eyes tightly closed.

aa- A strong night wind swept through the forest’s head. The sound of three footsteps echoed under the beckoning branches.