Chapter 46: Sudden Quest (2)

The Yellow Toad Gang.

The name referred to a yellow toad. It was also the moniker of the gang’s leader, ‘Wi-hang’.

The gang members could be identified by tattoos of frogs or toads—it was hard to tell which—on their bodies.

They favored black vans with heavily tinted windows.

The van’s license plate number was 4885.

Even though it was practically a beginner’s Sudden Quest, it was a number frequently mentioned in the Abyss City Community as clickbait, so Rohan was able to recall it immediately.

Their main business was human trafficking and organ harvesting.

As a side hustle, they openly extorted protection money, cultivating a vaguely thuggish image to create confusion.

They steadily grew their influence in the shadows through their primary business, but they were recently driven out of their territory after losing a conflict with another organization.

The reason they came to Academy City Elysium instead of seeking revenge in their old territory?

He had heard the Peacekeepers of the Public Security Bureau were relentless and tenacious, but there were also many high-value targets here.

“They prey on the fact that Academy Cadets, with their nascent power, confidently walk alone in deserted places even at night, aiming to start their business anew in a bigger pond.”

“…”

“So? If there’s anything wrong, I’d appreciate a correction. Any thoughts you have are welcome too.”

“Cough…!“

“Wow, my memory is incredible. I can’t believe I remember such details.”

Rohan’s concise summary.

Even after being beaten down by Rohan, Wi-hang, the gang leader, couldn’t hide his fury.

Or perhaps, he couldn’t hide it.

“…A brat who knows so much yet lacks business ethics and runs amok in someone else’s territory?”

Wi-hang tried to move his mangled arm to lift his massive hammer again.

He attempted to get his heavy body back up.

“You’re saying the same thing as the first guy I met. How boring.”

Rohan finished speaking, pulled out the SMG he’d taken from a gang member, and

Brrrrrt──!!!

Without warning, he emptied a magazine into Wi-hang’s bulging belly.

“Lose some weight. The bullets can’t even penetrate properly.”

“Ugh…! Damn brat…”

Since the bullets weren’t imbued with Mana, normally they would only leave reddish scratches.

However, Rohan’s Weakness Inducement was active on Wi-hang.

The bullets, though not piercing completely, easily burrowed into the thick, Mana-protected belly.

Whether the bullets penetrated the fat and reached his internal organs was unclear. However, they definitely inflicted discomfort.

Thick veins bulged on Wi-hang’s bald head.

Here it comes.

There was a reason Wi-hang hadn’t lost his spirit despite the completely lopsided situation.

It wasn’t courage or iron will. He simply had a card left to play.

Click!

Rohan smoothly reloaded, holstered the gun at his waist, and drew the Machete, the second weapon he’d confiscated on his way here, from its leather sheath.

Regardless of its length, because it was shaped like a Sword, it fit perfectly in his hand. It had served him well in the fight against Wi-hang.

“Let’s finish this.”

As Rohan provocatively declared this and closed the distance, the corners of Wi-hang’s mouth, as he sat leaning against the wall, subtly rose.

Simultaneously,

“Kuuugh──!!!“

As Wi-hang prepared his Skill, his neck swelled up like a balloon, filled with Mana.

The form definitely resembled the gang’s name.

Seeing it in person, he really looks like a toad.

With this observation, Rohan quickly moved his feet.

He wasn’t trying to behead Wi-hang and finish him before he could do anything.

Rohan turned around, kicked open the door, and left the room without hesitation.

Even in the game, if you killed him like that, he’d explode and deal damage. His defense also goes up significantly.

A high-risk, high-reward Skill for its level.

Rohan also knew that while charging this Skill, it couldn’t be canceled, and the user couldn’t move.

“Guwaaagh!!!“

After Rohan left the room, acidic liquid made of Mana poured from Wi-hang’s mouth like a waterfall, completely melting the spot where Rohan had been standing and the room’s walls.

Judging by the range and force of the eruption, it wasn’t a Skill that could be blocked with makeshift defenses like a table or furniture.

“This guy’s appearance and Skills are both disgusting.”

“Gugh…“

As Rohan calmly returned to the room, brandishing his Sword,

Wi-hang, dripping the remaining acidic liquid from his mouth, stared at Rohan with fear in his eyes.

“What? Where did those eyes that were promising to pickle my guts go? Why are you like this?”

“…”

With his last resort having failed, the hostility and killing intent emanating from Wi-hang completely vanished.

Thwack! Thwack!

Even when Rohan provoked him by hitting his head with the flat of his blade, Wi-hang didn’t resist.

Instead, he lowered his gaze.

“I lost… What do you want?”

“Hmm?”

At Wi-hang’s deflated words, Rohan looked at him quizzically.

“Why did you attack this place? Are you after money? Or was there a previous owner of this territory?”

“Money? Ah, money is good. It’s essential for survival.”

“…I’ll pay a proper price for my life.”

“You’re saying you’ll pay me to let you live?”

At Rohan’s question, Wi-hang nodded, adding that he would offer a satisfying amount.

However, Rohan’s answer was firm.

He didn’t even consider it.

“No.”

“!?”

“I don’t want to taint things with that kind of crap from the start. It sets a bad precedent if I let you go like this.”

Would he be swayed by money from the very first step with Clara?

As Mana surged menacingly from Rohan’s body, Wi-hang’s voice grew louder.

“I’ll give you everything I own! If you just let me go, I’ll give you everything I have and even give up the merchandise!”

“Shh.”

Rohan, looking annoyed by the booming voice, urged him to be quiet, and Wi-hang obediently shut his mouth and waited.

“Pig. You have people tied up in the basement for organ harvesting, right? And the people locked up upstairs are waiting to be sold, aren’t they?”

“That…”

Rohan had already been to the basement with Clara.

Perhaps he judged their market value had dropped. He’d found a person tied up with lines drawn all over their body with a pen.

They didn’t wake up even when called, likely drugged, and medical tools with an obvious purpose were laid out nearby.

“That person, and the others in the rooms, must have begged you to spare them many times, right?”

“…”

A familiar refrain. Wi-hang realized what Rohan would say next.

Words he couldn’t refute.

“You never spared anyone either.”

“…”

“If I cut off your head and bring it to the Public Security Bureau, wouldn’t I get plenty of money? Or they’ll at least buy me a decent meal while I’m being questioned.”

“I-If you bring me in alive, the bounty is higher, I believe…!”

Was this his final struggle?

Rohan smiled amusedly and opened his mouth.

“Unfortunately, I have no intention of changing the story outline I’ve already drafted.”

“…What?”

“I tried to subdue the apparent leader, but the resistance was too fierce, so I had no choice. That’s the gist of the incident report I have in mind.”

“!”

Rohan hadn’t killed those he encountered on the way here, intending to do this from the start. He’d only beaten them enough to immobilize them.

Those who could serve as evidence were valuable resources since Clara hadn’t seen them.

It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped.

Clara had suggested leaving the rest to the Elysium Security Bureau, and Rohan had agreed, thinking it was a good idea.

However, when he mentioned that she might have to be questioned, she panicked and asked him to prevent that.

She was a girl who struggled to talk to strangers, so Rohan understood.

“Nothing more to say?”

“Wai─!”

“Sleep.”

Rohan’s hand moved, the machete swung cleanly, and Wi-hang’s words were cut short.

··

··

As Rohan descended the stairs, the girl was waiting.

Behind her was a pile of bodies.

“Oppa…!”

“Good work.”

Seeing Rohan, Clara spun the Balisong in her hand with dazzling speed before closing it and hiding it among her ribbons.

The pistol in her other hand was also gone.

Clara approached and carefully examined Rohan’s body.

Seeing the various wounds, her eyes welled up.

“A-Are you hurt badly!?”

“Nothing serious. Still, these marks are necessary for the Public Security Bureau’s report.”

“But…”

“Are you alright, Clara?”

Nod nod.

The girl nodded vigorously, her lips and eyes still brimming with tears.

“That’s good. You did well.”

Rohan approached the bodies Clara had created.

And he was impressed.

So that’s why I didn’t hear a single scream.

The bullets had all cleanly pierced their heads. The dagger had precisely struck vital points for instant kills.

It seemed Rohan would have to add wounds with his sword after calling the Public Security Bureau to erase Clara’s traces.

“If I had gone up there, Oppa wouldn’t have gotten hurt…”

“These aren’t real injuries. It ended well, didn’t it?”

“Mm-hmm…”

Indeed, if Clara had acted alone, it would have ended in an instant.

Wi-hang would likely have died without even realizing his life was ending.

“I need to gain experience and build my strength too.”

“It’s hard waiting like this…”

Rohan comforted Clara, telling her it was alright, then before calling the Peacekeepers, he urged her to return. He also forced some money into her hands, telling her to buy something delicious.

As she turned to leave with a nod, Clara looked back.

Making eye contact, she asked cautiously,

“Oppa… Did I do well today?”

“I realized something today. I can’t do this without you, Clara. This wouldn’t have ended with such minor injuries without you.”

As if trying to hide the smile blossoming on her face, the girl’s lips curved upwards.

She shyly took a step closer.

“Then pat my head…”

This girl needed affection, after all.

Rohan smiled and gently stroked Clara’s hair.

Other material rewards would be provided later.

As his hand left her head, Clara tugged at his sleeve.

Since she was looking down, Rohan couldn’t see her expression.

“C-Call me when you’re done…?”

After Rohan agreed, Clara, her face hidden, disappeared silently,

leaving Rohan standing in the empty space. He took out his phone.

“Yes, this is──.”

While adding marks to the bodies with his Blazing Blade-wreathed Sword, he finished reporting to the Public Security Bureau.

Then, Rohan pressed the call button again.

To report to his Instructor, Juyeon.