Chapter 98.1

Chapter 98 – Rule 30: The Disciplinary Committee Leader Doesn’t Lose (7)

“It seems he’s not someone who would die so easily after all.”

Central Tower.

Son Ye-seo of the Spartoi spoke.

Head Principal Lee Doo-hee gazed out the window in the direction of the Zero Zone, holding her breath.

From such a high vantage point, she could observe what was happening far away in the Zero Zone. Even if her eyesight wasn’t great, the zoom function on the window made it possible.

The barrier of Heavenly Banquet Offering had been shattered, and the Zero Zone was utterly devastated.

The hands resting on the armrests of the wheelchair trembled. Even the Head Principal couldn’t help but be shocked.

She had been certain that she could seize Kim Dalbi, now a perfect weapon, and gain control over the Space Domination ability. She had thought no variables were worth considering.

Who would have imagined that Ahn Woo-jin would reach the 7th Tier, rendering everything pointless?

There had never been a case in human history where someone ascended from the 4th Tier to the 7th Tier in just a few months. Not even Goliath.

Something that was deemed impossible had occurred, beyond all expectations.

“I see….”

The Head Principal finally realized.

“I underestimated that boy.”

“I’m not sure that’s the right expression. You even used the ultimate Magic Technique of the Glutton—your trump card.”

“No, I should have considered the possibility that the Magic Technique wouldn’t work. Bringing in Kim Dalbi was overambitious; it was a fatal misstep. Ahn Woo-jin isn’t someone you can defeat based on historical precedents or knowledge. I made a completely wrong judgment….”

Murderous intent gleamed in the Head Principal’s eyes.

“That boy is a monster. I should have responded to him as I would to Goliath….”

The Head Principal slowly blinked.

“In some ways, that boy is even more dangerous than Goliath.”

“A monster growing at that speed must be crushed as quickly as possible… is that it?”

“That’s part of it. While Goliath’s actions are unpredictable, that boy harbors a strong grudge against everything that has happened so far. He must already know I’m the one behind it all. It’s obvious what happens when someone with power is consumed by rage.”

“So, what will you do?”

Ye-seo asked with a smiling face.

“I will declare martial law.”

The Head Principal had decided that Ahn Woo-jin was the worst enemy.

“Spread false accusations of corruption and coup plans against Ahn Woo-jin and disseminate them to the public. Then, concentrate all forces. In two days, we will execute ‘Darts.’”

Darts.

A game where you throw numerous darts to hit the bullseye.

The forces moving beneath Neo Seoul’s surface, the Spartoi’s power.

And Neo Seoul itself would target Ahn Woo-jin.

It was an aggressive measure with high risk for the Head Principal, but there was no other option against Ahn Woo-jin now.

“I see… the final measure. Understood.”

Ye-seo replied with a broad smile.

* * *

Time passed, the dust settled, and silence descended.

What was once the Zero Zone had become a complete ruin, resembling a battlefield.

With Hong Kyu buried alive and killed, the barrier of Heavenly Banquet Offering was lifted, and darkness engulfed the city.

The only intact areas were the ground where I stood and the abandoned hospital.

These two sections remained unscathed because they had each caused new fractures above, preventing the debris from crashing down.

I stared at the place where Hong Kyu and Hong Bin had fallen.

Although it was the first time I had killed someone, I felt surprisingly calm.

Perhaps it was because I believed they deserved to die, or because of the anger that had filled my heart, or due to my self-justification that there was no other choice, or maybe because my emotions had dried up after ascending to the 7th Tier—or perhaps it was all of those reasons.

I wasn’t entirely sure.

But right now… I was shockingly numb.

‘Has my magic power depleted again…?’

Even though my Tier had risen and I had gained magic power, it was merely replenishing what was already stored. It wasn’t a generous amount.

Despite that, the fact that I could exert this much power made it hard to grasp just what level I had reached.

‘Seems like I still can’t summon Geumyang.’

With my magic power drained, I wouldn’t be able to see Geumyang for a while. How long that “while” would be, I didn’t know. Although my magic recovery speed should have improved now that I was at the 7th Tier, it was uncertain when my magic depletion would resolve.

‘More importantly….’

I moved my steps forward, treading over the debris until I reached the abandoned hospital, where I carried Kim Dalbi on my back. She was still sound asleep.

Even after all the chaos, she hadn’t woken up. It seemed her body had reached its limit.

‘If it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to defeat them while still at the 6th Tier.’

It was no surprise Dalbi was this exhausted. The fact that the 6th Tier saved me from the Glutton’s Banquet was already proof she had pushed herself to her limits.

Though different from my situation, Goliath, who had also been targeted by the Heavenly Banquet Offering in the original story, struggled to overcome that Magic Technique.

He really is extraordinary.

I couldn’t move an inch.

Anyway, after that, Goliath ended up exhausted from overexertion. That was during the latter part of the original story, when the player had grown stronger.

Thanks to that, the protagonist Lee Taesung was able to defeat Goliath.

‘That’s not going to happen now.’

Since Heavenly Banquet Offering had been used up targeting me, there would be no instance of Goliath growing tired anymore. In other words, I would have to fight Goliath at his full strength.

The difficulty was now far beyond what it had been in the original.

But perhaps I should be somewhat thankful.

The rapid pace of my growth could still be seen as a glimmer of hope.

Maybe, eventually, I’ll be able to fight him somehow.

Step by step, I walked through the desolate Zero Zone.

All the buildings had been shattered beyond recognition, and the wind blew freely across my skin, unimpeded by any obstacles.

As I continued walking—

**Hwaaaaah!!**

“!”

Suddenly, a heavy magic power wrapped around my entire body. Looking up, I saw a large, muscular man come into view.

He was wearing a confident smile, showing off his massive teeth.

His long blonde hair shone under the faint moonlight. He had appeared so abruptly that I almost mistook him for an illusion, but on closer inspection, he was undeniably real.

“Goliath…?”

Goliath.

The last of the Six Sins and the strongest in Neo Seoul.
A man more liberated than anyone else in this city.

Yet, despite his sudden appearance, I wasn’t surprised. He had come when I first awakened my Unique Ability, so there was no reason for this moment at the 7th Tier to be any different.

Goliath approached, stepping over the building debris with his massive feet, grinning ominously, baring his beast-like teeth.

As the distance between us closed, his imposing figure filled my view. An overwhelming presence.

I had no energy left to fight. If Goliath attacked, I’d be defenseless.

However, as expected, Goliath didn’t seem to be here for a fight.

“Ahn Woo-jin.”

A deep voice.

It was as if I could hear a beast growling between Goliath’s teeth. He looked down at me and spoke.

“You’ve awakened again. Impressive…!”

There was a lively tone in Goliath’s voice.

Unbelievable….

“You felt the magic and came… just to say that? Do you think we’re close enough to exchange congratulations?”

“You’re not unaware that I’ve been watching you, are you?”

“Yeah… thanks.”

I sighed in resignation, adjusting Dalbi on my back as I passed by Goliath.

After taking a few steps, Goliath, without turning to face me, asked,

“What are you fighting for?”

I stopped and turned back toward Goliath.

“What are you striving for?”

I wasn’t sure if it was some edgy, philosophical question, but sensing this might be an opportunity to gauge Goliath’s intentions, I faced him.

“Just… freedom. The kind where I can live happily with the people I care about.”

That’s why I’m fighting so hard.

“You can pursue freedom as you please, even in this city. But for people like me, it’s different.”

“Freedom

…!”

Goliath met my gaze with a smile.