Ch.202Episode 39. The End of a Fateful Connection (3)

Bzzzz.

A vibration sounds.

Half-asleep, I open my eyes halfway and fumble around the drawer to find my phone. I grab it and answer without checking who’s calling.

“Hello?”

[Ms. Yujin, were you sleeping?]

A familiar voice comes through the phone. I try to recall who the voice belongs to with my eyes closed, then reflexively open them.

“…Forest?”

I sit up and look at the phone screen. The caller ID shows “Forest.” Additionally, the time reads 2 AM.

[Yes, that’s correct.]

“What’s the matter at this late hour?”

[The Evil Sky will move soon. Be prepared.]

“What…?”

It was too sudden. I found myself stupidly asking again.

[I told you before. I’d contact you when the Evil Sky moves. They will attack civilians at dawn today. Shouldn’t you respond before the eX potion spreads?]

“What are you suddenly talking about…?”

Perhaps it’s because I just woke up.

My brain isn’t functioning properly. I press my temple firmly. As pain shoots through my head, I regain some clarity.

[It’s exactly as I said.]

“I’ve been wondering, how do you know when the Evil Sky will move? You’re not involved with them, are you?”

[Of course not. If I were, why would I tell you about their attack timing?]

“Then how do you know the exact moment the Evil Sky moves?”

[It’s one of my abilities.]

“…If you had such an ability, why didn’t you tell the Association instead of just me? If you had told them, they would have handled it right away.”

[Because then you wouldn’t move.]

“What…?”

That was a meaningful statement.

What does reporting the Evil Sky’s movements to the Association have to do with me taking action?

Could it be that, as he said before, he really wants to see me fight against an executive?

“…”

There are many suspicious points, but he doesn’t seem to be lying. Can I trust him?

“…Forest, can you take responsibility for your words?”

[If you want, I’ll take responsibility. But this time, see it through to the end.]

When I asked seriously, he answered without hesitation.

“Don’t worry about that.”

[Good. I’ve given you the information, so I’ll leave the rest to you.]

“Don’t you have more detailed information? Like what time and which area they’ll attack?”

[…Be careful not to get blackmailed.]

“Pardon?”

[It happens all the time, doesn’t it? Villains blackmailing heroes. Be careful this time too.]

Forest hung up before I could respond, leaving behind only cryptic words.

“Be careful not to get blackmailed…?”

I looked at the phone screen. The brightly lit phone turned off before it could answer my question.

I sighed.

“What’s going on, Yujin?”

Yeon Muhee, who was sleeping beside me, rubs her eyes and sits up. She pulls the blanket to cover herself.

I don’t answer her questioning look, lost in thought.

I went through the possible ways the Evil Sky could blackmail me one by one. It didn’t take long to realize there weren’t many possibilities.

If I had any weaknesses, it would only be them. I glanced at Muhee.

But if they were at the Academy, their safety would be guaranteed. At least here, there’s Principal Yoon Kyungbin and Ha Yuri who could come anytime.

Then the remaining possibility is…

Their families…

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I couldn’t stay in bed. I got up and quickly put on clothes.

Not a suit, but comfortable athletic wear.

“Yujin…?”

“Muhee.”

“Yes?”

“Listen carefully. Villains might attack soon.”

She flinched and started putting on her underwear scattered on the bed.

“W-where?”

“I don’t know for sure. It could be nationwide, it could be the Academy… it could be your home.”

At the mention of her home, Muhee’s expression hardened rapidly, and she asked anxiously.

“W-why our home…?”

It would be hard to call it a coincidence.

If the Evil Sky was targeting me, they would inevitably target that place. After the Anrak Church incident, the number of heroes guarding the Special Class families’ homes increased, but they couldn’t stop an executive.

Because their capabilities are S-class.

Then I should contact the heroes on guard duty to bring the families here.

Especially Muhee’s family, who lived far away, making immediate response difficult.

“I’ll contact the heroes to escort them to the Academy. Meanwhile, go wake up the others. Tell them to check on their families.”

“O-okay.”

After getting dressed, she quickly tied her hair in a ponytail. Muhee grabbed her sword that she always carried and left the room.

I dialed the number of the hero assigned to guard Muhee’s home. The dial tone stretched on.

As the endless ringing made my brow furrow, the noise suddenly cut off, and an eerie silence tickled my ear.

“Hello.”

[…]

“Hello?”

An ominous feeling began to grip my entire body. An inexplicable anxiety turned into chills, raising goosebumps all over.

“…Who are you?”

[…It’s quite moving to hear your voice after so long.]

I couldn’t help but gasp at the voice that finally came through. It was a voice I couldn’t forget no matter how hard I tried.

“Could it be… Moonlight?”

[It seems you’ve been keeping me in mind all this time, one way or another.]

A leisurely laugh comes through the phone. Meanwhile, my breathing became increasingly rapid. I considered hanging up and rushing to Taean immediately, but decided to think rationally for now.

“Moonlight… why are you answering the phone?”

[I just said I wanted to talk, but these guys attacked me first. I had no choice but to use violence too.]

He speaks glibly as if he’s innocent. I ignored his attitude and continued to press him.

“…Did you kill them?”

[I almost did. I don’t like how hero types always think they’re right and use violence as they please. Oh, but they will die if left like this.]

I hear thumping sounds through the phone. I managed to maintain my composure by controlling my breathing.

“…What about Muhee’s parents?”

[The sword-wielding girl is unconscious, and the old hag is holding her and screaming at me to get out. Screaming in this countryside won’t bring anyone, though.]

As he said, I could hear an elderly person shouting “get out” through the phone.

“You bastard…!”

My hand gripping the phone trembled with tension. I knew that applying just a bit more force would break it, but restraining myself wasn’t easy.

[Heroes are always late, aren’t they, Yujin?]

“Huff… You contacted me because you want something, right?”

[I’m glad you understand. Don’t worry. Unlike some others, I don’t intend to blackmail you.]

“What do you mean?”

[Finding that out is your job, isn’t it?]

Blackmail…

It’s exactly what Forest mentioned. This confirms the credibility of Forest’s words.

[Anyway, I only want one thing.]

“What is it?”

[Come here and fight me one-on-one.]

“…Feeling confident, are you?”

Fight me one-on-one?

Ridiculous. After the girls, the Evil Sky executives know this world best. I don’t think for a second that I would lose.

But I shouldn’t let my guard down. Given that he’s trying to lure me in, he might have set some kind of trap.

Perhaps all the executives are gathered there.

[I’ll wait 30 minutes. I think that’s enough time for you to get here. If you don’t come by then, they all die.]

“I thought you weren’t blackmailing me?”

[Heh heh. That’s true. But if I don’t do this, you’ll ignore me, right? Or you might ask for help elsewhere. That would be troublesome. Don’t worry, I’ll let them go alive if you just meet my demand.]

“Fine. I’ll be there in 30 minutes.”

I hung up and clenched my fist.

Again, this time too…

The image of Muhee lying unconscious still lingers. I didn’t want to see anyone get hurt like that again.

“Right. Let’s end this, villains.”

I rushed out of the room.

As I left, I contacted the heroes guarding each family, asking them to bring everyone to the Academy.

I also contacted the Association President to prepare heroes for immediate response.

Just before leaving the Academy, I called Jung Iyeon and told her to prevent the Special Class from leaving the Academy.

She seemed to have many questions, but sensing the urgency in my voice, she immediately understood and agreed.

I left the Academy, warmed up a bit, and then opened my lightning power fully as I faced toward Taean.

Let’s run at full power for once.