Chapter 82: All sorts of things are running rampant (2)
“Did you find them already?”
Seo Hyeon-yul first thought, ‘How?’.
He had just heard that story from Ye Ju-hyeon and thought it would take some time.
“I was keeping an eye on everyone who didn’t directly participate in the mole incident but got involved once.”
Oh Hae-ryeon looked at the bastards as if she had expected it.
They might have gotten away back then, but it was different now.
“They probably thought they were lucky to get away back then, lucky they weren’t kicked out. And at the same time, they resented Mr. Hyeon-yul, right? It’s obvious they thought a mudfish crawled in and stirred up muddy water.”
Oh Hae-ryeon felt annoyed even as she spoke.
How could they leak internal information to the outside?
“Do you remember the cult incident we finished recently?”
Oh Hae-ryeon, taking a deep breath, turned her head towards Seo Hyeon-yul.
“I remember.”
“They are White Sparrows who infiltrated that mission.”
“Is that so?”
Seo Hyeon-yul only then looked at the three individuals.
He remembered their faces, but it felt awkward to interact with them.
“They repaid kindness with betrayal, didn’t they?”
Oh Hae-ryeon briefly put strength into her fingers.
Seo Hyeon-yul sensed their condition.
If he hadn't known, what kind of things would they have done while under the villain's control?
Who would want that?
“Team Leader.”
“Yes.”
“A moment ago, I met Team Leader Ye Ju-hyeon and talked with her.”
“Team Leader Ju-hyeon said she wanted to explain it to Mr. Hyeon-yul herself.”
“I am on my way back after confirming one fact with Team Leader Ye Ju-hyeon.”
Seo Hyeon-yul did not take his eyes off the three individuals.
He kept looking.
They showed fear towards Oh Hae-ryeon and contempt towards him.
The strength and weakness were very clear.
“The former Black Eagles who formed a group are villains. If so, what should I call these three who gave them my information?”
Oh Hae-ryeon was satisfied with the attack, which was in the nature of a question.
“They would be called moles.”
“Then please handle them according to the punishment given last time.”
“Wait a moment! Moles?!”
“That’s right. We just told them because they asked out of previous acquaintance……”
“I didn’t tell you to speak.”
Oh Hae-ryeon lightly told them to shut up.
“A notice came down saying not to provoke the newbie. You were the ones who didn’t see it.”
She slowly approached the bastards.
“Remember well that if you are kicked out as a mole, you could die immediately if you utter a single word about what happened here. You remember signing before joining here, right?”
Knock, knock.
A knocking sound was heard.
“Go now. They will be waiting for you.”
“This is unfair!”
A White Sparrow opened his mouth and glared at Seo Hyeon-yul at the same time.
“…Unfair?”
Oh Hae-ryeon doubted her ears.
“We just informed them of the truth. He is a villain, isn’t he! I don’t understand why you are shielding a former villain like this!”
“You leaked internal information to the outside and now you say you don’t know. You have quite the nerve.”
Oh Hae-ryeon was dumbfounded.
She was even annoyed just explaining it.
“Team Leader. I have been here for 6 years. I am someone who considered assisting the Black Eagle as my livelihood……”
“Get out immediately.”
Oh Hae-ryeon did not listen further.
There was nothing to say to a bastard who didn’t even know how big the price of speaking lightly was.
“…Ha. I’ve been here for 6 years, and yet you advocate for a former villain?”
The White Sparrow let out a short breath and looked at Oh Hae-ryeon.
His eyes themselves had changed.
“You’ve been here for 6 years, and yet you can’t distinguish between what you should say and what you shouldn’t? Then isn’t it right that you get kicked out?”
As Oh Hae-ryeon provoked him, the White Sparrow couldn’t hold back anymore.
Black Eagles weren’t the only ones with abilities.
As Seo Hyeon-yul was about to step in, Oh Hae-ryeon held out her palm, telling him to stay put.
“Are you going to challenge me?”
“Even if I have to go……”
Before the bastard could finish speaking, Oh Hae-ryeon lightly smiled and extended her fist.
Her fist broke the White Sparrow's raised arm and hit him directly in the face.
Kwaaaang!
Seeing him deeply embedded in the wall, the other White Sparrow who had also moved flinched.
He turned his head to look at his colleague and gasped, startled.
“You too?”
Oh Hae-ryeon beckoned with her finger.
She was only holding back for the sake of being a team leader, but if they challenged her like this, she could accept it gladly.
“Me, me…?”
Just as he seemed to be moving his feet, Oh Hae-ryeon appeared in front of the bewildered White Sparrow and raised her knee.
Ppak!
As soon as his face was hit, the White Sparrow soared upwards, piercing the ceiling.
Seeing him dangling, Seo Hyeon-yul gazed intently at Oh Hae-ryeon.
‘I didn’t feel any power?’
Was speed and power something she was born with?
“It’s doping. It’s an Alchemist’s privilege.”
Oh Hae-ryeon smiled, looking at Seo Hyeon-yul.
Seo Hyeon-yul nodded, finally understanding, but then tilted his head slightly.
“But are there no side effects?”
“It’s fine because I made it specifically for myself.”
“Ah……”
“First, I’ll clean this up and then continue our conversation.”
Oh Hae-ryeon walked to the door and opened it.
People came in and looked around.
They calmly apprehended the one remaining person and then pulled out the two stuck in the wall and ceiling.
“We will restore the rest.”
“Please do.”
Oh Hae-ryeon also seemed used to this.
They waited briefly while they removed them and restored the wall and ceiling.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all. Then.”
The people bowed their heads in response to Oh Hae-ryeon’s greeting and went outside.
“They are the managers who handle internal maintenance. You won’t see them often, so just know that such people exist.”
Oh Hae-ryeon spoke and then pointed at the desk.
As Seo Hyeon-yul sat down, Oh Hae-ryeon slowly sat in her chair and looked at him.
“Honestly, as soon as I knew about Mr. Hyeon-yul’s physical condition, I did think about whether I should try making medicine. I actually have a pharmacist license too. It’s all thanks to my ability, though. Were you perhaps disappointed that I didn’t bring this up?”
“No. I haven’t even thought about that.”
From the beginning, Seo Hyeon-yul hadn't considered the possibility that someone other than Lee Jeong-min could treat him.
“There are things I’m not ready for yet, and I’ll consult with Teacher Lee Jeong-min for more details.”
“Understood.”
After replying, Seo Hyeon-yul paused for a beat, then was about to open his mouth.
“Do you want to investigate this matter?”
Oh Hae-ryeon’s question suddenly came up.
“Naturally, I do. The fact that they have formed a group is concerning.”
“How do you want to proceed, Mr. Hyeon-yul?”
“There must be a reason why they have grouped together. I want to find out what’s behind it.”
“First, after things are sorted out, I’ll list it as a mission.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s a lot we need to figure out, isn’t there?”
Some things had been resolved, but many things were still unknown.
Who was making the discarded drug that turns non-awakened people into awakened ones?
Why had the former Black Eagles formed a group?
“Yes. There are many things.”
“Let’s take it slow, Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
“…I want to do that too.”
Seo Hyeon-yul spoke hesitantly.
How much slower should he go?
“Anyway, about today’s mission……”
Wiiiiiing.
Both of their smartwatches simultaneously rang.
It was an emergency.
“What is it?”
Oh Hae-ryeon answered immediately.
<White Sparrows who were monitoring the area near S-District 23 witnessed a villain administering medicine to someone at the scene.>
“Medicine?”
<As a result of confirming the medicine, it was judged to be a recently acquired drug. We are currently pursuing them, and the relevant villains are fleeing. We require backup.>
Fleeing.
The moment he heard those words, Seo Hyeon-yul did not hesitate.
“I will go, Team Leader.”
Oh Hae-ryeon slightly bit her lip.
It was the reply she expected, but she couldn’t help but hesitate.
“It’s a drug incident. Furthermore, I only need to pursue them.”
It wasn’t a big incident.
It was an incident based on the most basic framework: pursuit.
“You must come back immediately after catching them. I won’t allow any further pursuit beyond that.”
Oh Hae-ryeon made him promise, just in case.
“Understood.”
At Seo Hyeon-yul’s answer, given without hesitation, Oh Hae-ryeon replied while suppressing her doubts.
“I will send you shortly.”
<Thank you.>
Seo Hyeon-yul bowed his head and went outside.
‘Will he be okay?’
Oh Hae-ryeon had given permission, but she still hesitated.
Since it was a mission to chase the fleeing villains in real-time, and the Black Eagles also didn't know where they were heading, the rendezvous point had to be decided spontaneously.
The place they arrived at seemed like nothing more than an old park.
Other White Sparrows were waiting for him in that place where people wouldn’t come.
Before facing them, Seo Hyeon-yul administered a sedative to himself first.
His stomach still churned.
“Take this.”
A White Sparrow handed him a thick cellphone-like device.
Just by their voices and expressions, he could feel that the situation was urgent.
Everyone had unstable eyes.
“The villains’ location will be transmitted in real-time. You can use this button like a walkie-talkie. We will keep contacting you from our side. Are there any questions?”
“No. Thank you.”
Seo Hyeon-yul bowed his head and ran forward.
What he had to do was simple.
Apprehend the fleeing villains.
Seo Hyeon-yul’s legs gradually started gaining speed.
His movement, sliding forward as if on the ground, was like skateboarding.
Many things were visible in Seo Hyeon-yul’s sight.
He could see everything, but trying to see everything made his head ache.
There was only one thing Seo Hyeon-yul wanted to see.
The countless living beings moving in this moment.
As darkness fell, the movements of all living beings came into his sight.
From small grasshoppers to mice, birds, and various other animals, extending to people going about their daily lives.
Seo Hyeon-yul felt his breath tighten and regulated it again.
He designated the living beings moving at a rapid pace.
‘…I see them.’
Seo Hyeon-yul saw people moving at a similar tempo.
There were at least 10 visible right now.
Before his breath tightened, he focused his sight on the closest one.
‘Let’s catch him.’
Seo Hyeon-yul clenched his fist and raised it.
The darkness rippled like a wave and transformed into a hand shape.
As if biting the neck of prey, Seo Hyeon-yul grabbed the bastard’s nape.
He then moved his head straight towards the wall.
Ppak!
A sound like something breaking was heard, but there was only one thing Seo Hyeon-yul cared about.
Whether he was unconscious.
Even after seeing blood dripping from the head, when the bastard remained conscious, Seo Hyeon-yul slightly raised his foot.
“When you wake up, you must tell us everything you know well. This is a warning.”
He quietly informed him and then stomped on his face without hesitation.
Ppakak!
‘One.’
Just as Seo Hyeon-yul seemed to be walking forward, he melted into the darkness.
Again, darkness surged.
‘Let’s leave only two who can talk.’
Wouldn't that be enough?
Seo Hyeon-yul let out a ragged breath and appeared from the shadow of a bastard running between the tops of buildings, grabbing his leg.
“…!”
His leg was suddenly grabbed, causing his steps to tangle, and just as he was about to fall, his body lifted up.
But Seo Hyeon-yul didn’t just watch.
He kicked him directly in the back.
Unable to withstand the force that pushed him, he fell and scraped his face.
Bewildered eyes exchanged glances.
They didn’t know what was happening.
At that moment, darkness so strong it seemed to erase the surrounding light surged in.
“When you wake up, you must tell us everything you know well. This is a warning.”
He uttered a blunt voice and kicked his face with his foot.
Ppak.
His face completely turned to the other side, and his body went limp.
After confirming he was unconscious, Seo Hyeon-yul took out the walkie-talkie, which looked like a cellphone, that he had received a little while ago.
“Yes. What is it?”
<Location has changed. Please confirm.>
“Understood.”
The information they provided was unnecessary.
He threw it into the darkness and took out his dagger.
Whirrr.
After spinning it a few times in the air, he gripped the dagger.
He had left two bastards who could talk, so now it was hunting time.
Seo Hyeon-yul leaped forward as if diving and fell below the building.
The moment he touched the ground, he burrowed into the darkness.
As countless places were swapped, Seo Hyeon-yul reached out his hand.
He grabbed the nape and immediately slammed him into the nearby wall.
Kwaang!
As the villain’s eyes momentarily glazed over, Seo Hyeon-yul pulled his hair.
“The drug, did you buy it? Is it yours?”
“You, who……”
Seo Hyeon-yul stabbed him in the back.
“Aaaaargh!”
“That drug that temporarily turns non-awakened people into awakened ones, who gave it to you?”
“…I, I just received orders… cough.”
Seo Hyeon-yul’s dagger ruthlessly pierced the bastard’s neck.
If he didn’t have information, he wasn’t needed.
The night was still long.
The moment Seo Hyeon-yul grabbed the nape of the tenth villain, sharp blades shot out from his body.
Thud.
But the force was blocked by his gloves.
“Looks like you finally came to the right place.”
Seo Hyeon-yul lowered his hands and caught his breath.
Just like before, he didn’t understand why they deliberately aimed for secluded alleys.
Wouldn’t a crowded place be better?
The bastard turned around, startled.
“Please wait a moment.”
Before the bastard could say anything, Seo Hyeon-yul pulled something out of the darkness and threw it.
One.
Two.
Three.
The number gradually increased, totaling seven.
The more the bastard looked at what it was, the more his expression contorted.
Even the blood vessels in his eyes bulged.
“You… You bastard!”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone treat their subordinates as humans. Those bastards must have liked working under a boss like this.”
Seo Hyeon-yul scoffed.
It wasn’t really because he was angry for his subordinates.
His pride must have been hurt.
“…You, are you a Black Eagle?”
The villain, who had seemed ready to do something any moment, suddenly stopped when he saw the Black Eagle emblem.
His eyes were full of suspicion.
“I’m not curious why you specifically did this in the middle of the night.”
Seo Hyeon-yul said curtly.
Anyway, all that was in their minds was trying to take over the Empire somehow, by any means necessary.
“It’s not often I see a Black Eagle acting like such a complete lunatic.”
A change occurred in the villain’s expression.
Seo Hyeon-yul found it hard to read what it was.
Because he didn't know, he ignored the expression and asked for the information he wanted.
“The drug, did you buy it? Or is it yours?”
“Why? Want one too? Want me to give you some?”
The villain scoffed.
Seo Hyeon-yul didn’t know why he was so arrogant.
“I know because I’ve taken it myself.”
“Hahaha! This guy is truly something else. Why did you come? To apprehend me? Should I put my hands up?”
The villain pretended to put his hands up and snickered.
Seo Hyeon-yul calmly looked at him and asked.
“It appears you were testing the drug that turns non-awakened people into awakened ones on ordinary people. Did you buy it? Or did you make it?”
“There are tons of other drugs too. Need any? Want me to give you some?”
“What kind do you have?”
“All sorts.”
At that, Seo Hyeon-yul briefly took out his cellphone.
There was a list full of drugs he needed to find.
He strode towards the villain, but the bastard didn’t step back or show fear.
“Is it among these?”
“…What are you? Why are you so professional?”
“Is it there?”
“It was.”
“It was? Is it not there now?”
“I had it taken from me recently.”
Taken from him.
Upon hearing that, Seo Hyeon-yul could only think of one group.
Lee Seung-yoo, whom he had set up as a figurehead boss.
Could that be something he did?
“By the suddenly appearing force of the Poison King?”
“Yeah. Those bastards. They took our workshop.”
The villain rummaged through his pocket and put a liquid cigarette in his mouth.
“So how much do you need? …Ha. All sorts of crazy shit is happening, so I’m seriously surprised.”
“Give me everything you have.”
“Next time, just come yourself. I’ll remember your face. Why are you pretending to be a Black Eagle and acting crazy? Even if you didn’t do that, the first customer always gets a discount.”
‘…Ah.’
Seo Hyeon-yul finally understood why the bastard was acting like that.
“It seems quite a few people approach pretending to be Black Eagles.”
He asked quietly, hiding his claws.
He waited eagerly for him to reveal anything.