Chapter 98: Baek So-yoon’s Sense

“Who are the people next to you…? I don’t recognize them.”

“They’re from the Magic Studies Research Institute. We were talking about something, and they ended up running away with us.”

With that, Lee Hyun-seung glanced around.

In the supply room, there were not only Jeong Eun-seo and F-Class students but also a significant number of other academy students. It seemed like Jeong Eun-seo had brought as many as she could from her line.

Lee Hyun-seung asked Jeong Eun-seo a question.

“How did you bring so many people here without getting caught?”

“The instructors used detection-avoidance spells and various distortion magic to help us.”

Swish

As Jeong Eun-seo spoke, a few mages who had been invisible stepped forward. When their faces were revealed, they turned out to be the instructors from Broad Academy.

Among them was the familiar A-Class instructor Jeong Yu-jin, as well as Son Sae-bom, the instructor currently in charge of the F-Class that Lee Hyun-seung belonged to.

Son Sae-bom walked up to Lee Hyun-seung with a relieved expression.

“Hyun-seung, you’re safe… I heard it all. You told Eun-seo to evacuate the people, right? Thanks to your quick actions, most of the students were able to escape safely. I really appreciate it.”

Originally, this task should have been handled by the instructors, but Lee Hyun-seung and Jeong Eun-seo shared the

responsibility. Expressing gratitude could come later. For now, what needed to be confirmed was how much of the

force was present here.

“Is everyone here? Where are the other instructors?”

Son Sae-bom shook her head and replied.

“We’re here to guide and protect the students, but some instructors and the principal are still looking for the students we haven’t found yet. We want to help, but if the terrorists make it here, the students could be in danger, so we’ve left the minimum number of instructors here.”

Lee Hyun-seung nodded. The supply room was located in a secluded area, so even if they hid here, it would be

difficult for their position to be discovered. In fact, since the instructors were constantly casting detection-avoidance

magic, it would be hard for anyone to find them using magic or artifacts. However, the real issue was if they were

discovered.

If they were found hiding here, they would have to fight in a supply room with no way out. If the enemy launched

wide-area magic attacks, most would be in danger. However, if the instructors were there, the situation could

change. If the instructors could properly act as shields in front, it would actually be more effective to fight in an open

space than in a cramped one. The instructors wouldn’t need to guard every angle and could just focus on fighting the

terrorists charging in.

Whoosh

Lee Hyun-seung looked around again.

“Jeong Eun-seo, where is Han Seong-gil?”

It was strange how quiet it was; Han Seong-gil was nowhere to be seen.

“I… I don’t know. He hasn’t been seen since this morning…”

“Dammit….”

Given Han Seong-gil’s personality, he wouldn’t have run away when meeting Hilleon’s people. He was the type to

charge forward, crazy enough to act without any plan, likely getting surrounded and eventually wearing himself out.

If he was unlucky, he could even be killed before his berserker traits kicked in.

Whoosh

Lee Hyun-seung turned his head and started heading outside. Just then, Jeong Eun-seo asked from behind.

“H-Hyun-seung, where are you going? It’s dangerous. You can’t go out there. The principal and other instructors are searching for students outside, so please stay calm and wait here…”

Lee Hyun-seung shook his head and answered.

“How did all these people make it here without being caught?”

“The instructors helped by using detection avoidance magic and various distortion spells to block any tracking.”

• Srrrk

As Jeong Eun-seo spoke, some wizards who had been invisible appeared. Among them were familiar faces, including A-class instructor Jeong Yoo-jin and Son Sae-bom, the instructor of the F-class that Im Hyun-seung was part of.

Son Sae-bom approached Hyun-seung with a relieved expression.

“Hyun-seung, you’re safe… I heard everything. You told Eun-seo to evacuate the students, right? Thanks to your quick actions, most of the students were able to escape safely. I really appreciate it.”

Originally, it was supposed to be the instructors’ job, but Hyun-seung and Eun-seo had split the responsibility. Receiving gratitude could wait. The important thing now was to assess their current forces.

“Is everyone here? Where are the other instructors?”

Son Sae-bom shook her head and answered.

“We’re here to guide and protect the students, but some instructors and the principal are still looking for students

who haven’t made it here yet. We wish we could help, but if the terrorists come here, it could be dangerous for the

students, so only the minimum number of instructors remain here.”

Hyun-seung nodded. Since the supply room was in a remote area, it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to discover their

location. In fact, the instructors were constantly using detection distortion magic, so even if someone tried to find

them using magic or artifacts, it would be tough. The problem arose if they were discovered.

If their hiding place was found, they’d have to fight in the supply room, which was surrounded on all sides. In that

case, they could be in serious danger if the enemy used area-of-effect magic. However, if the instructors were there,

things would be different. If the instructors could act as shields in the front, it would actually be more efficient than

fighting in an open area. The instructors wouldn’t need to worry about securing the surroundings and could just

focus on fighting the intruders coming from the open space.

• Whoosh

Hyun-seung looked around again.

“Eun-seo, where’s Han Seong-gil?”

It was strange that he was nowhere to be seen.

“I… I don’t know. He hasn’t been around since this morning…”

“Damn it….”

Given Han Seong-gil’s personality, it was unlikely that he’d just run away if he encountered one of the terrorists.

He’d probably rush forward, doing something reckless and foolish. If that happened, he’d be surrounded, and even if

his berserker traits kicked in, he’d eventually tire out and collapse. If he was unlucky, he could die before his berserk

traits even activated.

• Whoosh

Hyun-seung turned and headed for the exit. Eun-seo called after him.

“Hyun-seung, where are you going? It’s dangerous. You can’t go out now. The principal and the other instructors are still looking for the students outside. It’s better to stay here and wait…”

Hyun-seung shook his head as he responded.

“Eun-seo, you know his personality. I have to find him quickly. We can’t just wait here.”

How much effort had Hyun-seung put into trying to recruit Han Seong-gil to his side? They had fought like madmen

in class annihilation battles, and after many conversations, Han Seong-gil had finally become a valuable asset. His

berserker traits held endless potential. Losing him now, at this point, would be an unthinkable loss. Even aside from

that…

• I… did everything… don’t take him…

The image of Shin Jun-ho, whose body was covered in blood, fighting in his place during the class annihilation battle kept flashing in his mind.

“He may be crazy, but when he’s on our side, there’s no one more reliable.”

Even though his mind might be unstable, Han Seong-gil was someone Hyun-seung could trust to watch his back in a fight. Losing someone like him now would be a huge blow.

As Hyun-seung started to walk toward the exit, Eun-seo followed him.

“If you’re going, I’m coming with you.”

“Why? It’s safer inside. I can go alone; I know a few places where he might be. It won’t take long, so you should stay here.”

Jeong Eun-seo shook her head.

“I’m going with you.”

Then she spoke quietly.

“Because I’m worried…”

Hyun-seung didn’t seem to catch her last words, responding in a calm tone.

“We don’t have time. If we’re going, we need to move quickly.”

He turned to the instructors in the supply room.

“Instructors, please stay here and protect the students. We’ll be back quickly.”

The instructors tried to stop him, but he was determined and headed outside, into the Brod Academy, where the remnants of Healeon’s group were stirring.

The high-rise building. The cold wind howled above.

• Whoooooooosh!

On top of a building where she could see the whole Brod Academy, Baek So-yun, the First Elder of the Artemis Guild, tilted her head.

• Chi-chi-chi!

She felt an unusual flow of mana coming from the Brod Academy.

• Thud!

Baek So-yun headed toward the Brod Academy. As she got closer, she noticed a defensive barrier blocking access from the outside.

“What’s this?”

• Swoosh

She raised her hand toward the barrier, and as she did—

• Crackle!

A powerful spark shot up, knocking her hand back.

• Hissssss

Thick smoke rose from her hand.

Baek So-yun smiled mischievously at the sight and muttered under her breath.

“Someone’s playing a cute little game, huh?”

With that, she began to channel her mana.