episode_0183

At 7:40 AM, the MagnaVis command and control center, located in the heart of the Western Sector, was in unprecedented chaos. The aftermath of the large-scale attack they faced was beyond imagination.

“Base 12 has collapsed! They are requesting support!”

The operator’s voice urgently echoed, only to be quickly drowned out by another report.

“Research labs A-9 and A-14 have been ambushed. It appears to be the work of the same organization!”

As executives from each department became agitated, Julius Alberich assessed the situation without a change in expression. Inside his calm eyes, a storm was raging.

‘The attack spans the entire Western Sector. We don’t know their identity or their objective. Is it the Federation? Or another clan?’

Communication with headquarters had already been cut for several minutes. While frantic pleas for support and frustrated cries for rescue filled the air, another shocking development was heard.

“Drones have been deployed to the site. They’ll be broadcasting soon… My god, it has collapsed.”

As the report came in, gasps and exclamations, large and small, rippled through the control center. On the large screen in the center of the command and control room, the collapsed and burning headquarters building was visible. The massive glass skyscraper, which once resembled the beautiful crystal staffs of mages, was now a pile of blackened rubble.

The faces of the executives, already struggling to process the flood of incoming information, contorted in disbelief and terror.

“…Impossible! The headquarters has collapsed? W-we must send rescue teams immediately!”

As one executive managed to force out the words, a commander next to him retorted.

“Rescue teams? How can we send rescue teams when we can’t even dispatch support troops? Headquarters is important, but recapturing the airfield is the top priority! Most of our air force is there, isn’t it? Let’s dispatch transport planes immediately!”

“What are we going to send? There are countless helicopters and airships destroyed before they could even take off!”

“Then let’s send mechanized units! Our manufacturing facilities are at risk like this!”

“What? You idiot! Who are we going to send? Didn’t you see the scene earlier? Anti-tank missiles were flying right in the middle of the road! Vehicles with our group’s symbol are being attacked just for showing themselves!”

As one commander screamed, the man on the opposite side fell silent. This was because the vivid scene of armored vehicle convoys, moving in the recent drone footage, being ambushed by crude armed vehicles and turning into burning coffins, flashed vividly in his mind.

Julius, having finished his thoughts in the chaotic command center, rose from his seat.

“Silence.”

At Julius’s words, they fell silent. The words of the Chief Mission Operations Officer carried that much weight.

“First, confirm surviving personnel and strongholds, and as soon as contact is made, instruct them to recover critical assets as much as possible and withdraw. The withdrawal locations are coordinates according to emergency procedure EP-74.”

Julius’s resolute command echoed through the control room. He issued further instructions to the operators.

“Review all communication channels and maintain continuous contact with the outside. Utilize all drones and surveillance systems to thoroughly monitor the surrounding situation. What’s important are the lives of the staff. Tell them not to overdo it and to withdraw as much as possible!”

He examined one of the monitors on the wall and thought. In the current situation, where the fates of executives and key clan figures were unknown, it was impossible to protect all assets.

‘Their exact numbers and strength are unknown. Suppression is impossible right now. We must at least save our forces and plan for the future.’

It was humiliating, but unavoidable. Though armed with crude vehicles, the enemy was an organization whose forces were mostly presumed to be Awakened individuals.

However, MagnaVis is a powerful organization. Although the current losses are massive, if they utilize personnel and facilities in branches across the continent, they will have plenty of opportunities for revenge after regrouping.

“And, gather as many available personnel as possible. Send the personnel I specify to Polaris General Academy!”

So far, the enemy’s movements have focused on highly destructive sabotage of the clan’s main facilities. Communication with the academy had been cut for over an hour. It would be wise to assume it had been attacked.

‘Of all times, this had to happen when Kroshel was out in the field.’

“Where is the Archmage-nim currently?”

“They are at the project facility. Reports of an attack there have also come in, but it’s currently being suppressed.”

“Then it’s fine. If they are there, there won’t be a problem.”

He felt relieved. He believed at least one of the recently opened research facilities could be saved. Unless those terrorists brought some monster that could rival the Archmage of the Extremes.

Shortly after, a report came in via radio.

“-Currently en route! Arriving in 1 minute!”

“Understood, Kroshel. Don’t forget. Securing Dr. Sturges is the priority. Once you’ve secured the doctor, rendezvous with the incoming reinforcements and withdraw to the safe zone.”

Just as he was about to issue a few more instructions, a loud bang of an explosion reached Julius’s ears. The control room door burst open, and terrorists in black combat suits appeared. Everyone froze at the unexpected situation.

The terrorists looked around with a somewhat surprised and blank expression, muttering.

“Huh…? Where is this?”

The brief silence was shattered by an operator’s scream.

“Aaaaah!”

“Attack! Attack!”

“It’s them! Don’t retreat!”

The interior of the command and control center was suddenly filled with the sounds of gunfire and combat. The noise pierced Kroshel’s ears sharply, carried by the radio waves as he was aboard the helicopter.

“-Kroshel! You absolutely must secure the doctor! The plan cannot fail…”

Julius’s cry was cut off by crackling static. Kroshel, furious, threw down his headset.

“When are we arriving, anyway?”

“20 seconds left!”

Soon, the full view of Polaris Academy came into sight. Smoke was rising from the buildings. Just as he was about to prepare for descent, his eyes caught sight of the camouflage net covering the school roof being pulled back. The moment he saw the long cylindrical objects held by the soldiers in black combat suits, Kroshel shouted.

“Missiles!”

From the rooftops of the buildings, flying objects with white smoke trailing like tails flew towards the helicopter formation. The helicopters thrashed about, emitting bright countermeasures.

-Boom!

The moment the impact was felt, Kroshel hastily leaped out. The helicopters crashed to the ground one by one. Beams of light shot up from each rooftop, obliterating the helicopters that had managed to survive.

After landing on the ground using telekinesis, Kroshel surveyed his surroundings.

“Kaim! Are you alright? What about the others?”

“-Ugh… falling bare is not something I can do. I and some others survived, but the rest are messed up.”

He let out a short sigh at the report coming through the communicator.

‘Research lab A-13 was destroyed, and recently, the expedition team was annihilated, and Lera was arrested by the Federation. What are these guys? Could it really be the Obsidian Legion?’

-Rat-a-tat-tat!

Before he could even finish his thoughts, he instinctively threw himself to the ground. A torrent of bullets poured down on the spot where he had just been standing.

“Damn it…!”

He raised his head. Soldiers in black combat suits were rushing towards him.

**

「There he is! It’s the student council president! That pretty boy gigolo!」

「We’ll definitely kill you today!」

Our Violet company, in charge of the academy, felt a thrilling sensation. This was because the target, which we had been searching for endlessly, had come directly to us.

It was just past 7:40 AM. I had finished looting the academy’s valuable assets, data, and research facilities, and was ambushing around the academy building. This was to defeat the small MagnaVis relief forces arriving at the academy one by one.

Then, suddenly, a helicopter squadron flew in from the sky. Unfortunately, whether they hadn’t grasped the situation or simply lacked helicopters, they only sent four.

「Enemy! Fire!」

We fired anti-air guns with our prepared autocannons and portable anti-aircraft missiles. The helicopters tried to escape, emitting countermeasures, but unfortunately, our anti-aircraft missiles were laser-guided!

「Yahoo! We shot it down!」

Immediately after the last helicopter, fleeing in a hurry, was hit by autocannon fire and fell, the Violet company scattered to pursue the survivors. It was then that we saw a familiar, handsome face with ash-gray hair.

「Aargh! Engaged! Engaged! They survived! It’s Awakened personnel!」

「The general affairs guy is here too! Is this a set meal?」

「Good, that’s what makes the chase worthwhile!」

The Violet company rushed Kroshel and the MagnaVis strike team. They retaliated, unleashing magic and swinging swords at us.

“Ugh, urgh! He’s floating!”

Kroshel raised his left hand. Unit 1689, who had been charging at the front, was caught by telekinesis and struggled. As he clenched his fist with all his might, Unit 1689’s entire body crumpled like paper.

“Aaaaargh!”

「Unit 1689 is down! Watch out for telekinesis!」

We poured gunfire on him. Rifle bullets flying through the air stopped mid-flight, blocked by telekinesis. Some bullets and bolts that aimed for openings were deflected by Kroshel’s swinging sword.

“You damn rat! Get out of the way!”

「Regimental Command orders: Pin him down with suppressive fire, then take him out with a sniper!」

He charged to break through our encirclement. While the Violets suppressed him with gunfire, the heavy weapons team on the rooftop moved. A massive anti-materiel rifle spewed flames. The flying autocannon shell struck his body.

“…!”

Immediately after, a spherical blue shield enveloped his entire body. The autocannon shell bounced off. The heavy weapons Violet was horrified.

-Ping!

「Aargh! It bounced off!」

「Look at that, the necklace!」

Only then did I notice the necklace dangling around his neck. It was undoubtedly an artifact necklace excavated from the Vittorio Dungeon.

「This sniper shot consumed the necklace! Prepare again!」

While preparing for the next shot, screams erupted from a Violet squad that had moved to another location.

「Aaaargh! That general affairs guy! He won’t die!」

「What are you talking about?」

「We definitely killed him with a sniper shot! His head exploded!」

Immediately after those words, one side of the encirclement collapsed under a close-quarters charge, and the general affairs guy rushed towards the student council president. One against many became two against many.

“Wow, you’re safe? When are the reinforcements coming?”

“Approximately 10 minutes! We’ll hold out here as long as possible!”

The two of them held swords, aiming at us. Ten swords, one by one, burst out from Kroshel’s back.

「Telekinetic Sword Art!」

「Hey! Sniper team, give him another shot!」

No sooner had the words ended than the anti-materiel rifle fired twice. Ten swords crossed, defending against the incoming autocannon shells. Another shot created a large hole in the general affairs guy’s chest.

“Ugh!”

Immediately after, the guy’s chest, which had been blown wide open, regenerated. We now understood why Kaim hadn’t died.

「Gasp! He’s a super-regenerator!」

He just grinned as if nothing had happened. Of course, his unique ability was super-regeneration!

“Hey, how about you stop sniping?”

「There was a reason he survived being shot in the dungeon’s secret lab!」

Once they noticed the sniping, they charged forward, braving the bullets. The Violets retreated, firing their rifles, but it wasn’t enough.

“Kyaaah!”

A sword controlled by telekinesis pierced the heart of Unit 367, who was firing back with a gun. The two twin swords wielded by the general affairs guy sliced through Unit 915’s waist. They broke through our ranks and began to flee.

「These guys are trying to buy time! Chase them!」

「Heavy weapons team! Blow them away!」

While the Violets tried to encircle them again, the heavy weapons teams on the rooftops immediately pulled out new weapons, assembled them, and aimed at the academy boulevard.

“This is insane!”

The student council president waved his hand. The warhead of an incoming rocket twisted, and an anti-tank missile flew off in the wrong direction.

“Hug me!”

Unit 896 rushed forward, attempting to self-destruct. A horrified Kroshel swung his telekinesis.

“Damn it, self-destruct!”

“Exploded- Oh, not here!”

Just before the explosion, Unit 896 was pushed away by telekinesis and flew far. Shrapnel swept everywhere.

“Ugh!”

While they reeled from the explosion, Regimental Command discussed how to kill those two. After a ten-second marathon meeting, a conclusion was reached.

「Initiate close-quarters combat! Grab them!」

「Deploy tear gas! Deploy smoke grenades!」

The Violets put on their gas masks and rushed at them. A bonus was sticking a shot into their thighs.

“Hmm, tear gas…?”

They coughed a little, but it had no significant effect. Immediately, ten telekinetic swords flew right in front of their noses. The Violets fell like a farmer harvesting grain.

“Ugh! Grab them!”

As the Violets died, they clung tightly to the telekinetic swords.

“Huh…? What?”

I saw the confusion on Kroshel’s face. Of course, his telekinetic sword art was now sealed!

“Die!”

Violets, armed with a gun in one hand and a sword in the other, wearing Federation-issue exoskeletons, rushed forward. As we charged like arrows, they flinched and tried to retreat. But it was too late.

“Th-this is insane! Let go!”

“Damn it, Kaim!”

“Hehehe! Your opponents are us!”

While one group held the student council president, the general affairs guy was pinned down by us immediately after slicing down one or two Violets.

“Die!”

-Rat-a-tat-tat!

I riddled his head with bullets. There was only one sure way to suppress super-regeneration: killing him with overwhelming damage before he could regenerate!

“Cough! You idiots, you can’t kill me with that! Hahaha!”

The Violets fired their guns without pause, but Kaim regenerated as quickly as his head exploded, thrashing about. We made a decision.

「This won’t work. Pull him apart!」

The Violet group grabbed the struggling general affairs guy by his limbs. Now there was only one thing to do.

“Wh-what are you doing!”

We pulled him hard from all directions. The resisting guy’s face turned pale.

“H-hey? Let go of me? Hey! I said let go! No! Ugh, aaaaah!”

With a snap, his arms, legs, and head were all torn off. Immediately after his limbs were torn off, the Violets hastily hammered his body parts, like a novice chef pounding pork cutlet meat.

「Pulverize him!」

-Thump thump thump!

In an instant, the general affairs guy became a red mass of flesh. No regeneration occurred.

“You bastards…!”

The student council president unleashed telekinesis from his body as if exploding. As the encirclement broke, he telekinetically snatched our swords and swung them wildly. Unit 1296 barely dodged the sword by lying down.

-Slash!

“Ugh…”

Unit 1296, surprised, touched her face. Her gas mask had been cut, but fortunately, her face was fine. As I stood up, preparing for the next attack, his face was frozen.

“…Violet Dunhind Ruzilin? Could it be…”

Kroshel stared intently at me, muttering. Come to think of it, he knew my face.

“Ah, I see. So it was. The sudden appearance of armed forces, the enemies who attacked the research lab… I don’t understand everything, but your unique ability seems to have been more powerful than expected. Now I get it.”

「Oh, I’ve been found out.」

He glared at us and continued.

“But what exactly is your objective? Why are you pouring cold water on something that was going so well? You worm, is it because of that woman next to you? Are you doing this because of Irene Solstis, or someone else?”

I scoffed and replied.

“Puhahaha! I have nothing to say to trash who kills students. You’re just the Chairman’s lackey! I saw everything in that lab!”

“Ah… you mean that. What’s the problem with that?”

He gasped and retorted. I tilted my head, not understanding what he meant.

“They were clearly inferior beings, destined for the bottom of society anyway. Low-grade Awakened. And we just disposed of them because they were in the way. What’s wrong with that?”

“Even releasing monsters at the freshman welcoming ceremony to kill people?”

He tilted his head.

“You knew about that too?… Well, personally, I chose the welcoming ceremony because I wanted to thin them out a bit, but essentially, it was part of an observation experiment. Those who died were ultimately used for something valuable; they should be grateful. They wouldn’t have even crossed the threshold of this academy if we hadn’t accepted them. Do you pity flies on a trash heap?”

As he finished speaking, he slowly prepared to charge at me. He was pretending to answer our questions, buying time and gathering his strength. It was clear he was waiting for reinforcements.

After muttering for a while, he finally spoke with fury.

“…Yes, typical of inferiors, truly disgusting behavior. Violet, you bastard. You’ve messed with my comrades and ruined the academy. I don’t know who’s behind you, but you’ll regret this soon. The academy, the Chairman, MagnaVis, are not opponents to be trifled with. Don’t gloat over a brief victory. Do you think you can win? I’ll show you exactly what it means to dare to provoke one of the Four Great Clans. That arrogant Helios girl, that roommate bitch. And even your mother and family will see hell!”

I was slightly annoyed by his mention of my friends, but then I was bewildered by the last part.

“My mother?”

“Why, are you scared already? I’m talking about a woman named Eva Liston. What does it feel like to suffer because of a foolish daughter-”

Ah, he meant the ponytail girl. He still thought she was my mother.

“That would be exciting! Then I’ll cheer you on to kill my mom!”

I giggled and pulled out two long, slender human legs from my inventory. Then I tapped them together like cheer sticks.

“…?”

“Look! These are the vice student council president’s legs!”

In front of him, who looked at us in confusion, I chatted excitedly.

-Tap tap!

“See? These are the vice student council president’s legs. Lera doesn’t have legs anymore! No arms either! We cut them off in the Vittorio Dungeon. And she was captured by the Federation!”

As Unit 667 chattered, Unit 891 next to her chimed in.

“She can’t go to hotels anymore because she has no arms or legs! But did she really go with him? Gasp!”

At my question, his face crumpled.

“…Shut up!”

The moment the enraged guy was about to charge, I shouted.

“Alright, delaying tactic, huge success!”

“…?”

Only then did he turn his head. Armed trucks were surrounding him.

“Did you think only you were buying time? I was buying time too! Fire!”

A barrage of autocannon fire enveloped him. He hastily swung his sword and unleashed telekinesis, but an autocannon shell he failed to block pierced his body.

“Ugh!”

Seizing that moment, the Violets charged with swords. The moment a few sword strikes were exchanged with the injured man, the outcome was decided.

“Take this!”

“Slash!”

The Violets’ successive combined attacks, swords drew three lines through the air.

“Krrgh…”

His arms and legs were severed, and he tumbled to the ground. As the armed trucks and other Violets hastily collected their heavy weapons and withdrew, the remaining Violet smugly tapped the black box attached to her chest.

“You fool, thanks for the testimony! Now I’m going to broadcast this! Then your clan will be finished, won’t it?”

Kroshel, from the ground, glared at me with an expression full of hatred.

“…You idiot. Do you think reality is some third-rate writer’s drama? Do you think MagnaVis will be finished just by releasing some recordings…?”

“Who knows? For now, I’ll send you to your general affairs guy’s side!”

-Slash!

I decapitated him. Just then, a new group of helicopters appeared in the distance. I put the black box into my inventory and gave orders to Regimental Command.

「Alright, then blow it up!」

The prepared explosives detonated one by one. The buildings of Polaris Academy, already doused with gasoline and incendiary agents, were engulfed in flames one by one. As all the buildings were engulfed in flames, I stood next to the student council president’s corpse, cheering and spreading my arms wide.

“Long live the Ariel Group!”

-Boom!

The explosives and fuel installed in the underground research facility ignited. A colossal explosion that shook the heavens and earth erupted. Watching from a distance, I was awestruck.

“Wow…”

A massive mushroom cloud soared into the sky.

At 7:50 AM on a chilly late November morning, Polaris General Academy, proud of its long history, collapsed in an explosion.

**

At 8:00 AM, news helicopters circled near the school where the mushroom cloud had risen, filming. The mushroom cloud gradually dissipated, but the explosion hideously exposed the underground research facility that had been deep beneath.

All online and offline media, which had been discussing the terror attacks across the Western Sector, turned their attention towards the academy. This was because the impact was so massive and visually striking.

“V-Violet. What on earth have you done?”

While Irene muttered, LNN News was discussing the incident.

“-Is there any further information specifically regarding this incident?”

“-None yet. Neither the Federation nor the Inspectorate has issued a statement. Some speculate it might be the work of the infamous anti-clan organization, the Obsidian Legion…”

The news anchor, who had been conducting a Q&A with the field reporter, paused with a surprised expression, staring straight ahead—specifically, at the camera placed in front of him. The man, who had been equivocating as if about to say something, nodded slightly, then suddenly uttered something unexpected.

-…Ah, viewers. Please do not be alarmed. The person who has claimed responsibility for this incident has… directly stormed the broadcasting station. They are about to make a statement. Please listen.

Behind the anchor, armed masked figures in black combat suits appeared. The masked person who appeared to be their representative stepped forward.

“Isn’t that Violet?”

Kalia muttered with a bewildered expression. Daphne looked at the people around her and the masked figure on the screen. It was their usual combat suit.

“I think it is. What on earth is Violet thinking? The broadcasting station…”

While her friends were startled by her sudden appearance, Violet took the microphone and began to speak.

-Greetings, Rustrum and the continent, and all viewers worldwide who may be watching online.

As the hijacked broadcasting station aired the terrorist’s declaration in real-time, declaration broadcasts also began on various online streaming sites.

-First, I would like to apologize to the Federation and all citizens of the Academy City for occupying the broadcasting station and committing illegal acts of aggression.

Indeed, as Violet spoke, the attention of the entire world focused on the statement.

-As many of you watching this broadcast may have already guessed, we are the ones who caused the serial attacks in the Western Sector.

“Senior! Look at this. These people…”

“Aren’t they just attention-seekers?”

The attention of ordinary office workers, laborers, students, and young Awakened individuals at Awakened academies turned to the broadcast.

-We will not deny the evil deeds we have committed. However, we ask for your understanding. We initiated this revolution to oppose the wicked deeds of the nefarious MagnaVis Group.

“What? Hey, look at this! They’re terrorists.”

“They attacked the Four Great Clans? They must be crazy…”

From the headquarters of the Four Great Clans in the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Sectors, the eyes of the Federation Council and military, who had been observing the incident, focused on every word of the terrorist.

“Is it those Federation guys?”

“The Obsidian Legion? Or other secret societies?”

“Chairman-nim, it must be a self-orchestrated plot by those mages!”

“…Let’s just observe for now.”

Across the sea, somewhere in the archipelago, the Obsidian Legion’s headquarters ceased all discussions and observed the incident.

“…Find out who they are. They are not the ones we know; this is an unexpected variable.”

“Yes, Captain..”

Somewhere in the central district of Academy City, Seijis’s eyes, located at the Inspectorate, trembled greatly.

-However, I hope you understand. There was no other way.

“No way, no. It can’t be… What is this?”

The world’s gaze, condensed with immense weight, turned towards Violet. Suppressing the trembling in her chest from that weight, the girl slowly recited the prepared script. A modulated, cold mechanical voice echoed every word.

-Before I show you their evil deeds and the evidence, first, I will introduce who we are.

The first words of a revolutionary declaration, destined to remain in Trist’s modern history and shake the world, began.

-We are the Ariel Group.