Ch.129The Thing I Cannot Give Up – 5

Fortunately, the place where The Elder had appeared wasn’t too far away.

I took a taxi and got off nearby to find police officers evacuating citizens.

I almost got caught up in the evacuation line, but at times like this, fame comes in handy.

“I’m Seojin Baek, you know?!” I said, and the police officers quickly cleared a path for me.

They probably thought I was in the area and came to provide support.

I feel like people might criticize the police later for not doing their job properly when this incident becomes public.

Hmm. Since I was once a public servant too, I’ll let it slide with an open mind.

After all, I’m the one trying to get in, so it would be unfair to blame them.

But what’s this? …Kill anyone who approaches?

As I approached the wall surrounded by dark shadows, those words caught my eye.

They appeared like writhing snakes when I made my presence known.

There’s only one person who controls shadows—The Elder, Sujin Hyun, whom I’ve met several times.

That woman is the type who always keeps her word.

She probably took measures to prevent external support from coming in.

If she senses anyone trying to break in, she’ll use the shadows.

And she’ll mercilessly slaughter the citizens trapped inside, just as she said.

‘This could be a reckless move.’

That thought suddenly crossed my mind.

And just like that, my intense fighting spirit from moments ago completely deflated.

What if people who could have survived die because of me?

If someone loses their life because of me, even by the slimmest chance.

Could I ever be free from that guilt? That’s what worried me.

I looked up at the shadow barrier.

Sujin Hyun is in there. And Rina Lee is in there too.

But something’s strange. Sujin Hyun and Rina Lee don’t have any particular connection.

As far as I know, Sujin Hyun clearly seemed to avoid Rina Lee.

Whether due to compatibility issues, or because she was someone to avoid for revenge.

In fact, there was another Elder targeting Rina Lee.

‘Hyuk Kwak. Spear Wraith.’

Sujin Hyun is a woman with clear objectives. And her objective is revenge.

There’s absolutely no reason for someone like her to suddenly attack Rina Lee alone.

What does this mean? It means someone other than Sujin Hyun is leading this fight.

And that person is almost certainly Hyuk Kwak. I’m sure of it.

‘Two Elders and one S-class. Normally, the S-class would be in extreme danger.’

Fortunately, it’s not just any S-class in there.

The person inside is a woman whom even villains fear, calling her The Yellow Madwoman.

Other superpower users agree with that assessment a hundred times over.

…Wait, is that really fortunate? Is it really okay just because it’s Rina Lee?

‘Hyuk Kwak and Sujin Hyun aren’t fools, and there’s no guarantee they came alone.’

Rina Lee can handle one Elder with a smile.

Both Elders know this too. So they must have a hidden card up their sleeve.

What if Rina Lee fails to notice that card?

What if, by some slim chance, Rina Lee is defeated and loses her life?

When my thoughts reached that point, all hesitation vanished.

I need to go in. I need to go in and help Rina Lee defeat the Elders.

They are enemies, and Rina Lee is an ally. They are beings that need to be eliminated, and Rina Lee is someone we need.

Even though she’s called The Yellow Madwoman, it’s important that she doesn’t cross the line.

‘Then there’s one remaining problem. How do I get past these shadows?’

This damn black barrier is blocking the way.

Yes, blocking. I’m being gatekept again.

Does this make any sense? I’m The Silver Gatekeeper, and something is blocking me?

This isn’t right. This has crossed the line, and crossed it hard.

I’m the one who blocks. I’m the one who acts as the gatekeeper. I won’t be blocked again.

I’ll break through and block them instead.

Whatever you’re trying to do, try getting past me if you can.

You might say being a gatekeeper loses its meaning outside the Academy?

When I’m being gatekept right now, should I just let it slide?

Absolutely not. I’ll definitely get through and block them in return.

– The Third Eye is activated.

◎ The Silver Gatekeeper

: Characteristic activation conditions have been met.

: Characteristic is currently active.

See? Even the gatekeeper characteristic can’t tolerate this.

Suddenly, a strange feeling came over me as I took in the shadow barrier before my eyes.

The black mass moving slowly, as if alive and on guard.

Some might find these ominous things unfamiliar, but not me.

I’ve seen them several times before. I’ve even met their master in person.

I remember Sujin Hyun’s movements and the energy that flowed from her.

With all the strange things I’ve done so far, wouldn’t this be possible too?

I’ve mimicked Minseong Kang’s swordsmanship and Hyuk Kwak’s spear techniques, so couldn’t I do this as well?

I reached out my hand. Though I thought it might be pushing it too far,

My body was already moving instinctively. My hand was already extended; I couldn’t pull it back.

Swish swish swish—

…Oh. This actually works.

*

“That’s how I got in.”

Yes, that’s my story of how I got here. Ta-da!

“You’re crazy, oppa.”

Rina Lee tilts her head slightly after hearing my words.

“Ah, when I say ‘crazy,’ I don’t mean mentally crazy, but crazy as in impressive, so don’t misunderstand.”

That’s TMI. I understand well enough without detailed explanations, so don’t worry.

Besides, shouldn’t you be more concerned about your own situation?

From what I can see, your left arm seems completely damaged to the point where you can’t move it at all.

And you’ve got other minor injuries with some bleeding too…

“Three might be too much, but you can handle two, right?”

So take on two! You Yellow Madwoman!

“Huh? What?! Aren’t you the prince who came to save a damsel in distress? Seojin oppa, are you telling me to handle two of them? My arm isn’t even moving!”

Yes. I know you’re lying. Don’t pretend to be pitiful. I’m not falling for it.

Even with her left arm out of commission and various injuries, Rina is still Rina.

I guarantee that even in this state, she could fight well against three Elders.

And even for me, two would be too much. Do you want to see someone die?

“I’m being generous, Ms. Rina.”

“What?”

“From what I can see, those two men seem to have some business with you, Rina.”

After I said “just saying,” Rina bursts into laughter.

Then, agreeing that I’m right, she suddenly charges at the Russian man.

“Kuhup!”

“You Mole bastard. You stabbed me good because I beat you up a bit in Russia? You’re fucking dead today.”

Rina roughly drags the Russian Elder to one part of the city.

Immediately, Hyuk Kwak grips his spear and begins to chase after her.

To help his fellow Elder? I doubt it. No way.

From what I can see, he seems to be waiting for an opportunity to strike while his comrade is getting beaten.

No wonder the number of Elders drastically decreased during the Great Cataclysm.

A collection of madmen with absolutely zero sense of cooperation.

I heard they even started a civil war among themselves—they’re truly something else.

‘Anyway, I’m relieved. Shit, I was really nervous.’

I was worried that Hyuk Kwak might pretend to be crazy and say, “I don’t like Rina either, but I like you even less!” and come charging at me.

If that had happened, I’d have to worry about my own life rather than Rina’s.

After making such a cool entrance, I almost shriveled up and had to say, “Help me, Yellow Madwoman!”

“Hey.”

Turning my head slightly, I see Sujin Hyun glaring at me.

Judging by the dark red blood at the corner of her mouth, she seems to have taken quite a beating from Rina Lee.

…Still, it looks worse compared to Hyuk Kwak or the Russian Elder.

Did Rina focus on beating up Sujin Hyun?

“Are you insane?”

“I’m not exactly in my right mind, that’s why I’m here.”

“Who do you think you are, coming all the way here? If I had made one wrong move, I could have killed all the humans left here. Didn’t you worry about that at all? With that mindset, you’d qualify as an Elder.”

“I was confident I could get in without being detected. And I was right in the end.”

Sujin Hyun narrows her eyes fiercely.

“What the hell? How did you get through the shadows I placed…”

“I don’t know either. I don’t know what my limits are anymore. If there’s one thing, just one thing I’m certain about…”

I draw my sword. The battle that’s about to unfold will certainly not be easy.

“Being blocked from moving forward. I’ve experienced that way too much. I absolutely, definitely hate being blocked.”

“…I don’t understand what you’re suddenly talking about, but.”

Swish swish swish—

Dark shadows gather around Sujin Hyun, swirling like mist.

They look like black fog, or perhaps dark tentacles.

One thing is certain: if I get hit properly even once, I’m done for.

“You rejected all the offers I made when we met before. Now you’re drawing your sword in front of me. This means you have no intention of changing your decision or having regrets. Is that right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Fine, then. It’s a shame. Because you were the person that man was looking for so desperately, I’ve been holding back.”

My skin tingles. My muscles tense up tightly. My heart pounds violently.

The killing intent emanating from that woman—no, that monster—standing before me is that enormous and vicious.

“When you meet that man today, tell him this: I’ll kill everyone who made you like this.”

As soon as Sujin Hyun finished speaking, shadows flew toward me.

Witnessing this sight, I instinctively raised my sword diagonally and slashed.

Kwajik!—

Shit. This is a shadow? It feels like I’m cutting through a massive log.

There was none of the comfort I felt when crossing the barrier earlier.

These shadows flying toward me were all clearly filled with murderous intent.

Even a slight graze would bring terrible pain. I was certain of that.

I stepped back once, then once more.

This isn’t something I can withstand in place. It’s a ruthless attack different from Hyuk Kwak’s.

If Hyuk Kwak’s method was to find a momentary gap and exploit it,

Sujin Hyun’s priority was to sweep away all the shadows coming at once.

‘So, please help me out here, Chairman!’

I twisted my sword path. And I summoned the wind I had been diligently preparing.

Extremely calm, yet the power contained within is anything but calm.

I will imbue this sword path with the noble way used by the hero of the previous generation.