Chapter 325

Chapter 325. Trap (2)

After a few months of respite, the attacks resumed, and the enemy chose the sea, specifically the South China Sea.

Unknowingly, that fact had kept nagging at me.

Why, of all places, there? What was the reason?

Even after numerous attempts to solve the riddle, no answer emerged.

“Let’s assume the first attack made it hard to identify any specific objectives due to the system’s interference.”

However, the second one was clearly a strategic attack aimed at Earth’s key points.

Then why did this third one lack a clear reason?

“As for anything particularly noteworthy in the vicinity…”

The existence of a spirit stone mine in the Philippines came to mind.

“The security there is excessively stringent and even lethal.”

Just to be safe, the moment I was informed, I ordered immediate reinforcement of the troops.

Thus, there shouldn’t be any significant issues with the spirit stone mine.

“So, what is it then? Why must it be the South China Sea?”

The lack of any reason despite repeatedly mulling it over meant my anxiety didn’t lessen but rather persisted.

“Just because I don’t understand doesn’t mean I can just sit idly by. I need to stay vigilant.”

I had continuously paid attention to ensure the twins’ appearances and personal information were not widely disseminated.

As a result, only a few people truly recognized my family’s faces.

Mainly acquaintances or those working in associations and government agencies.

I didn’t want the twins to suffer unwanted attention or risk facing unknown attacks because of me.

Hence, it wasn’t enough to hide the personal information thoroughly; I also stationed bodyguards along the twins’ routes.

This was an issue I insisted must be handled with utmost caution, so much so that I emphasized it excessively.

Then, unexpectedly, Yeonwoo brought up a question I hadn’t anticipated at all.

“Oh… then what about our training?”

My eyebrows twitched immediately.

Even from Yeonwoo’s question, there were words that jabbed at my nerves.

Before the end of Yeonwoo’s sentence, Jinwoo reacted strangely.

He was visibly flustered and glanced at me hesitantly.

I had a gut feeling that this was not something I could just feign ignorance about.

So, instead of beating around the bush, I asked directly.

“What training? What do you need training for?”

Realizing his mistake, Yeonwoo clammed up with an “Ah.”

Meanwhile, Jinwoo started speaking to downplay the situation.

“Uh, it’s just us, I mean, friends, yeah, classmates, practicing evacuation drills for unforeseen situations. That’s what we’re talking about.”

But I wasn’t one to be fooled by such weak attempts.

Had that been true, Jinwoo wouldn’t have been so nervous, constantly gauging my reaction.

The twins were up to something they knew I would likely disapprove of if discovered.

They had been hiding it, fearing the repercussions if I found out.

“Should I directly check with your classmates?”

If it turned out you were lying, it would only escalate the issue.

Under the pressure, Jinwoo’s eyes began to show signs of unease.

Yet, he didn’t go so far as to confess everything.

Perhaps he was trying hard not to let me find out.

“No big deal.”

There’s still someone else here who might speak up.

“Kang Yeonwoo.”

Using a stiff tone and even addressing him by full name, Yeonwoo’s shoulders shook violently.

If anything, Jinwoo was the sensitive and delicate one between the twins.

That didn’t mean Yeonwoo was entirely impervious to my feedback.

“Uh, umm…”

As expected, Yeonwoo finally opened his mouth shortly after.

“Actually… after midterms, we’re learning some basic dagger techniques and martial arts…”

“Hey!”

Jinwoo hurriedly covered Yeonwoo’s mouth, but not before I heard all there was to hear.

I felt a headache coming on and massaged my forehead.

Who knew when they started doing such things?

Was it because I was too busy and negligent, or did they take advantage of the moments I was preoccupied?

“Raising kids is never as you intend, they say. This is exactly that.”

I hadn’t expected them to dodge their studies for such reckless endeavors.

Understanding the sequence of events, I now saw why Jinwoo had been so watchful of my reaction, trying to keep it a secret.

Because once I found out, they’d have to quit everything.

Not just Jinwoo, but Yeonwoo surely knew that too.

And I was actually planning to make them stop.

“Learning those skills won’t increase your chances against a monster. Inadequate knowledge and experience are worse than none at all.”

It would give them nothing but reckless courage.

“Leave behind any notions of directly fighting monsters. Just hang on with the defensive artifacts I gave you until you get rescued. That’s your best chance.”

Asserting my stance firmly, unwilling to accept any rebuttal, Jinwoo hastily countered.

“B-but we might become players! It’s not even our choice, so preparing in advance—”

“That won’t happen.”

But I cut him off,

“… What?”

“I’ve arranged it so that you won’t be selected as players. So, save your energy instead of worrying about pointless training or whatever.”

“Why would you do that…!”

At that instant, Jinwoo interrupted my words with a shout.

However, instead of letting his flared-up emotions take over, he began breathing deeply.

Soon, his voice, calmer and a notch lower than before, continued.

“I don’t know how you did it, but that shouldn’t be. We’re not little kids you always have to babysit.”

Yet as his sentences grew longer, his emotion seemed to surge again.

“We can think and make decisions on our own! So why, why do you unilaterally decide and inform us without even asking for our opinion…!”

“Enough.”

While his protest was reasonably valid from a straightforward logical standpoint, because the twins were indeed separate individuals from me.

‘I’m aware of at least that basic fact.’

In a wartime situation like now, I had no intention of respecting the twins’ personalities and free will according to those apparent principles.

Thus, I maintained a frosty expression, clasped Jinwoo’s shoulders, and,

Startled, I pulled him close enough to see my face clearly, warning him,

“As long as I’m alive and breathing, you will never become players or go off to war.”

There are no exceptions or compromises in this matter.

Even if I’m perceived as a villain for what I’m doing and garner resentment from the twins, I would not retreat.

“So end this debate here. Don’t make me bring up the same issue again, understand me?”

Jinwoo mouthed silently several times in frustration, but he didn’t directly express dissent or say he couldn’t accept it.

Yeonwoo, who had been watching anxiously, glanced between me and Jinwoo, then cautiously interjected.

“Let’s just do as Orabang says…”

Finally, Jinwoo pursed his lips and lowered his head.

“Answer.”

Still dissatisfied, I pressured for an answer, and,

Jinwoo, with defeat in his voice, admitted,

“Okay…”

The struggle with the twins ended, and just then, someone appeared outside my office.

“Guildmaster, the briefing is ready.”

“I’m coming now.”

Releasing Jinwoo’s shoulders, I took a deep breath.

“I’m not disregarding you, nor considering you unequal.”

But precisely because I’ve experienced war myself, I’m sure.

“It’s better not to get involved in this mess in the first place.”

After ruffling the twins’ hair gently, I added,

“Now go on back. Stay safe for the time being.”

“You better be super careful yourself, yeah?”

“Sure, I promise.”

After giving me a firm hug, Yeonwoo led the disheartened Jinwoo out.

Only then did I head toward the meeting room, where the briefing had concluded.

During that brief walk down the corridor, my mind was a noisy mess.

With the enemy regrouped and on the move once more, we had to fend off another invasion.

It weighed heavily on me, even if unknowingly.

“The defensive position is too disadvantageous.”

We couldn’t continue enduring these unilateral attacks endlessly.

“I must rise in status quickly.”

Dealing with Carklein first would prevent us from being desperate to protect what should be safeguarded.

I briskly checked once more on the status that remained stagnant while still on the move.

* * *

Standing on the railing of a large warship, I stared at the ocean that looked as dark as ink.

By the time I had arrived at the site where the holes had opened, the battle had already turned disadvantageous.

Because of interference from a nemesis-rank presence, we couldn’t close the newly opened holes on time, causing monsters to spill out.

Naval battles are inherently disadvantageous unless you possess water-attribute mana.

“The amount of mana to control water isn’t limitless, either.”

Under such conditions, when a force equivalent to that in a ground battle crossed over?

“It’s impossible to respond appropriately.”

As a result, we were in a more disadvantageous position, and within hours of awaiting reinforcements, additional nemesis-rank figures were spotted.

Combining the existing and newly emerged enemy, a total of four nemesis-ranks didn’t engage with the players.

Instead, they hid in the deep sea.

“Clearly stalling for time.”

For what purpose, though?

With a lack of information, the scope of my thoughts felt restricted and oppressive.

“I should hand over the corpses to Finelpenia’s apostle once the hunt concludes.”

These ones likely crossed over after erasing any records, but it’d be better to examine them rather than dispose of them outright.

Since the frontline was already pushed back, I couldn’t help but wish for a legion commander to appear, too.

“They’d certainly know more than the nemesis rank.”

Feeling suffocated, I exhaled deeply, aware of players scattered around sneaking glances my way.

All of them were from the Platinum rank, including members from the Palao guild, taiwan, the Philippines, and China.

They were on standby, ready to join the hunt for the nemesis rank alongside me.

“Ah, don’t be too impatient. The news will come.”

As I sighed again, Yang Taeho, who leaned against the rail nearby, remarked.

Just as I was about to respond, a message window refreshed.

「The pathogen is detected.」

「The pathogen is purified.」

Immediately after, a familiar yet subtly foreign voice sounded nearby.

“Hey, K.”

Glancing in the direction of the voice, I saw a woman bedecked with black, wart-like bumps on the left side of her face.

Despite having seen her only once, and quite a while ago, I recalled her name swiftly.

“… Yun Jihye.”

I wasn’t particularly surprised by my encounter with her.

I had already checked beforehand that she was responsible for the attacked vessel.

“Oh, you remember me?”

Perhaps hearing my slight mutter, a bright smile cracked across Yun Jihye’s face.

Instead of responding verbally, I observed the shrinking black bumps every time purification continued.

The prior pathogens didn’t reveal any particular outward appearances.

Yet everyone who got infected in this assault bore these black growths.

While mages from the Palao guild accompanying us were examining the phenomenon,

there wasn’t much to suggest they’d uncover anything significant.

This condition solely manifested among players.

After a moment, diverting my gaze from Yun Jihye, I spoke up again.

Damn System