Chapter 248: The Tiger Trap

Episode 248

The next day,

an unprecedented scene unfolded in the Master’s office at the Korean Clan headquarters.

“How many times do I have to tell you?!”

Yoo Jun-ho was shouting at Yong Hangil, their voices echoing through the room.

He glared at Yong Hangil, his face filled with frustration.

“Unsealing Allobon isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity!”

“I said no!”

Yong Hangil shouted back, refusing to back down.

“I’ve warned you countless times! We can’t release Allobon until the Korean Clan is facing imminent destruction!

And the Korean Clan is still strong! Our influence in the Center Zone has actually increased after the three alliances were annihilated!”

“What does that matter?! The alliance is falling apart!”

Yoo Jun-ho raised his voice in exasperation.

“The allied clans we worked so hard to persuade are all trying to join other alliances with ‘Allobon’ ability users!”

The Eclat Alliance’s swift annihilation of three alliances yesterday had sent shockwaves through the remaining Center Zone clans.

They had hastily united and built a defensive line across the center, dividing the north and south.

The existing alliances were no longer relevant, but the Korean Clan, which had been the leader of one of the alliances, still valued their allies.

“Don’t you understand that our influence will dwindle if our allied clans scatter and join other alliances?!”

It was all about influence in the Center Zone.

Yoo Jun-ho had been working tirelessly to become the leader of the Center Zone, taking advantage of the chaos caused by the anti-government rebellion.

But now, Yong Hangil’s stubbornness was threatening to undo all his efforts.

“Why are you doing this, Master? It’s become common practice to reveal secretly trained agents! Don’t you realize that no one would criticize us for revealing Allobon now?!”

*Bang!*

“Do you think I don’t know that?!”

Yong Hangil slammed his hand on the desk and stood up, shouting.

“Do you think I’m afraid of what the other clans might think?!”

“Then why are you doing this?”

“They’re incomplete! Allobon isn’t 100% complete yet!!”

He shouted, his veins bulging in his neck.

“Countless researchers have been working on perfecting Allobon, to prevent another incident like five years ago. To make them completely obedient to their superiors!

But they failed! Do you understand what that means?!”

“…It means that another incident like the ‘Martyrs’ attacking the Birmingham Clan could happen…?”

“Yes!! That’s right!! What if Allobon suddenly turns on the Korean Clan members?! Will you take responsibility for the consequences?!”

He continued shouting at Yoo Jun-ho, who remained silent.

“You’ve never seen what happened five years ago. When those bastards go berserk, it’s a living hell!

I don’t even want to think about uniting the Allobon subjects from different alliances, and you’re suggesting that we unseal them?! Don’t be ridiculous!!”

He glared at Yoo Jun-ho with his fierce eyes and warned him,

“I’m telling you again, we can’t unseal Allobon until the Korean Clan is facing imminent destruction!!

Over my dead body!!”

“…Understood.”

“…What?”

He flinched, but fortunately, the situation he had been worried about didn’t happen.

Yoo Jun-ho bowed his head respectfully.

“I apologize. I didn’t understand your intentions…”

“It’s fine. As long as you understand now. You can leave.”

He sat back down and dismissed him.

But Yoo Jun-ho didn’t leave immediately.

“There’s one more thing I need to report.”

He took out a subspace pocket and placed a large capsule on Yong Hangil’s desk.

“…What’s this?”

“It’s a trap device designed to capture Kim Jinsung. I call it the ‘Absorption Trap’.”

“Kim Jinsung?”

“Yes. It’s equipped with the Korean Clan’s most advanced technology. But I can’t guarantee that it’ll work.”

“Hmm… What kind of functions does it have? I assume it has magic circles embedded in it.”

“It’s better if you see it for yourself…”

His voice lowered.

“…Take a look.”

*Bang!*

The capsule exploded, and Mana engulfed Yong Hangil.

“……!!”

He was startled and tried to channel his Mana.

But his Mana was blocked, as if by a thin barrier.

‘Don’t tell me…!’

He looked at Yoo Jun-ho with disbelief.

He was channeling his Mana, a smirk on his face.

It was clear that he had used his ability to block Yong Hangil’s Mana activation.

‘Damn it!’

He channeled his Mana with all his might.

The barrier shattered, and he was able to use his Mana again.

But it was too late.

The trap device had already been activated.

▶ You are trapped inside a magic circle.

▶ Only 30% of your current physical stats are available.

▶ The magic circle is absorbing your Mana.

▶ All ‘Summoning’ abilities are restricted.

‘……!’

His eyes widened in shock, seeing the notification windows.

His gaze was fixed on the last line.

“I’m sorry for lying to you, Master.”

A familiar voice came from ahead, and a figure appeared.

Yoo Jun-ho was looking at him with a cold, emotionless expression.

“This device is called the ‘Tiger Trap’. It’s a trap designed to capture you, Master, who’s known as the ‘White Tiger’.”

“W-what…?!”

“It’s the perfect device for you, who specializes in ‘Necromancy’. Necromancy is also a summoning ability that uses souls.”

Mana swirled around Yoo Jun-ho’s body as he approached him.

It was a phenomenon that only occurred when someone channeled their Mana to the limit.

“I didn’t want to do this, Master. But I had no choice, for the future of the clan, and for my own future.”

“You bastard!!”

Yong Hangil shouted, his eyes bloodshot.

But Yoo Jun-ho remained calm and took a fighting stance.

“You don’t need to give a last will and testament. I’ve already forged one for you.

Goodbye, Master.”

He charged towards Yong Hangil, his eyes cold.

* * *

Meanwhile,

a man was running up the stairs of the headquarters at incredible speed.

It was Team Leader Hong, Hong Yeon-seok.

‘I can’t believe this is happening!’

He gritted his teeth as he ran.

His destination was the Master’s office on the top floor.

‘I had a bad feeling about this trap, so I set up a secret notification…!’

He had hoped that his premonition was wrong.

He didn’t think he could handle the consequences if it came true.

But his premonition had come true.

The trap device had been activated in the Master’s office.

‘Please be alive…!’

He prayed as he ran.

He finally reached the door to the Master’s office.

*Bang!*

He kicked the door open for the first time in his life.

He saw the inside of the office, and

“Ah…!”

He despaired.

The office was in ruins, all the furniture destroyed.

Yoo Jun-ho was standing in the center, looking at him.

And lying at his feet…

“Master!!”

He screamed, seeing Yong Hangil’s lifeless body.

He trembled, his face pale.

“As expected, Team Leader Hong is quick-witted.”

Yoo Jun-ho said with a smile.

He looked at his chilling smile and tried to speak,

“Why did you…?”

But Yoo Jun-ho cut him off.

“There’s only one reason. For the future of the Korean Clan.

Everyone is revealing their ‘Allobon’ ability users. We can’t be the only ones stuck in the past.”

“But even so…!”

“You know, don’t you?”

He cut him off again, his voice low.

“That Master would never unseal Allobon as long as he was alive.

And what good would it be to unseal them when we’re on the verge of destruction? We might not even be able to defeat Kim Jinsung even if they’re in perfect condition.

You agreed with me on that, didn’t you?”

He couldn’t answer. He was right.

He had actually been more in favor of using Allobon than Yong Hangil.

“Just keep your mouth shut, Team Leader Hong.”

He continued, gathering Mana in his hand.

“If you keep this secret, the Korean Clan can become the leader of the Center Zone without any repercussions.”

He aimed a red Mana sphere at the ceiling and finished his sentence.

“I look forward to working with you, Vice Master Hong Yeon-seok.”

*Boooom!*

An explosion erupted, and the entire office was destroyed.

* * *

There was a group of people who learned about this shocking news faster than anyone else…

“Yoo Jun-ho killed Yong Hangil?”

“Yes.”

Park Do-joon nodded at Kim Jinsung’s shocked question.

“The main cause seems to be conflict over Allobon. And the fact that Yoo Jun-ho couldn’t become the leader as long as Yong Hangil was alive also played a role.”

“…So the Korean Clan will unseal Allobon now.”

“Most likely.”

As they were talking, Hong Hyeonjin, who had been listening, said,

“We’ve lost our most valuable informant in the Korean Clan.”

“No, we still have one.”

Park Do-joon shook his head and replied.

“He might even be more valuable than Yong Hangil.”

“Who is it?”

She asked curiously.

—

(To be continued in the next episode)