episode_0086

The Countercurrent Praise Society and the Black Hand.

As the story progresses in Abyss City, two organizations that you will encounter periodically and are intertwined with quests here and there.

A pitch-black coin stolen by Rohan from the Elven Elder and Doberman. It is the group that issued the silver coins of Judah and is a consumable use.

It is no exaggeration to say that the entire underworld is run by these two groups with overwhelming military power.

The leaders of notorious criminal organizations? No matter how much they fly and crawl, there is no such thing as complete freedom.

If you dig deep, you’ll find that without exception, two groups are at stake.

Once a criminal organization has grown in name and size, an unstoppable giant emerges from the shadows.

Because it is a format where you are forced to be positioned in a lower organization.

There are characters who pledge their loyalty because they want something, and there are also characters who bow their heads in order to survive even though they didn’t want it.

But this is not a dominance based solely on fear and violence.

It is true that if you reject the offer from the person who came from the Countercurrent Praise Society or the Black Hand, you will be crushed into a piece of meat and return to the soil.

It’s not like you’re being exploited just because you belong below.

In most cases, they take an attitude of indifference towards lower-level organizations, and when they do use them, they definitely provide them with something that they can exploit.

Those harsh conditions.

Here is a man who has a psychological advantage over those with physical deficiencies or special desires.

His lab is a quiet place where human voices can be heard maybe once a year.

Today, coincidentally, was the day when the silence was broken.

“Hex.”

The familiar voice of a subordinate.

The skinny man who had been staring at the monster shell inside the test tube slowly shook his head.

On his face he wears glasses that match his cold expression, and he has pointed ears that prove his race, but his expression is blank. It is unreadable. It contains nothing.

“Report on the Testarossa bloodline.”

“···.”

A report delivered by a subordinate while kneeling.

A hand moves to receive it.

Hex’s skin, revealed under his clothes, changes from transparent to transparent as he moves, and then back again. Every now and then, his bones become visible and the flow of blood is captured.

In some positions, only the resulting movement of the muscles is captured.

Just from that, you can guess what’s underneath Hex’s clothes. You can see the insides, deeper than the hand, and even the organs.

“Hmm···.”

After receiving the report, Hex wiped his glasses and put them back on, then briefly checked the enclosed photos.

Hex, who had read the text and understood the situation, did not seem interested at all.

All I feel is boredom.

“I didn’t expect much since they were so stubborn. I didn’t expect them to die without even doing the bare minimum.”

“Just give me the command and I will start tracking Testarossa.”

Hex put down the report, blankly observing his subordinate’s loyalty.

Among the burned bodies, there was none that was presumed to be Testarossa, and the body was found to have died from a gunshot wound. After completing the murder and fleeing, he did not take any valuables.

The general situation is depicted. It was also one of the results that Hex had expected.

“Arthur, if you ran away to Tigrova, you are under the protection of Emperor Seolho. Once you go there, it is the same even if you escape and settle down in another country.”

“···.”

Hex is guessing what procedures will take place when Sion Testarossa visits Tigrova.

Retrieving the Testarossa bloodline that has not even blossomed? I would like to find it if possible, but it is not worth the effort and it does not seem worth it to provoke the monster known as Seolho Daeje.

‘If it is resolved like that, it will be a huge loss.’

Those scumbags who bragged about nurturing Testarossa as a weapon and exploiting Seolho Daeje’s weaknesses were half-sure that they would fail.

The weight is different when your own subordinate moves it directly.

It would require more reasonable gain to provoke the monster sitting on the Tigrova.

“Don’t be swayed by emotions. It’s inevitable that there will be a failure in diversified investment, and this is ridiculous to call it a failure. You know that, right?”

“Yes!”

Hex opened the test tube and continued checking it here and there with tweezers.

The subordinate waited for the action to end before opening his mouth.

“Hex. And this is separate news.”

“Report it.”

“The current first-year students at Orion Academy are planning to escape to a deserted island.”

The next report to appear is:

Hex, who had not shown any interest in the previous news, showed a little interest.

This face looks more fun.

“Is this a gesture of recognition of the Monolith anomaly? Indeed, it is an appropriate treatment.”

It is also clear why the Refreshing Praise Society, which is not satisfied with just running towards its goal, is interested in the academy that fosters new sprouts.

Former general of Samhwaguk, successor to Cheonwicheon Corporation, youngest daughter of Tigrova ruler, etc.

There are a lot of important people whose locations we need to keep track of.

“Um···.”

The value of the cadets at Orion Academy is different from Sion Testarossa, who has no power and no family to threaten.

That’s why I want it.

‘I can guess why they boldly announced to the outside that they were using an uninhabited island.’

It is virtually impossible to completely control this information. In that case, if you disclose it openly and draw the attention of the great people who are worried about their children, it can serve as an invisible chain for criminals.

In any case, it means that you will watch the shady side from the sunny side.

The Academy will do its best to build up its defenses, but this is something worth considering for the future.

“Okay. I guess I can talk to Omega about this part.”

The current problem does not require Hex himself to volunteer.

Another head leading the countercurrent praise meeting.

If Omega has a bad relationship with the former general of the Three Kingdoms, he may make a move by presenting conditions to himself even if it means suffering losses.

“Notify Omega that the skin is ready for transplant.”

“Yes!”

At Hex’s command, his subordinates disappeared like smoke.

*****

─And don’t forget to take the main road as much as possible. Don’t travel late at night trying to get there quickly. Find a place to stay when the sun goes down and go to bed early.

─ You treat me like a child.

‘This part is the best to listen to. It would be the best if only my voice was gone.’

Zion was listening to the recorded call over and over again while plugging his charger into the outlet.

I didn’t count how many times I heard it because it didn’t make sense.

I just kept listening.

Of course, there was another call from Rohan, who had just finished his studies at the academy.

Clara, who had safely returned to Academy City, also received a phone call.

Most recently, Rohan called Clara after work was over.

“···.”

Zion wanted to be there too. Wanted to talk in the same space.

I was curious about what kind of bookstore Rohan worked at. I wanted to see the historical store where I met Clara.

I felt a strange shiver as I remembered that I couldn’t do that now.

‘Why is it so cold? Is it because we entered Tigrova?’

Of course, the inside of the train is maintained at a constant temperature.

But when you look outside, the world is white with snow.

In the cold that came from the mind, Zion took out the Rohan outer garment that he had been carefully keeping and put it on.

After zipping it up, I sniffed around. The feeling of loneliness went away a little.

[The Sky Train will soon arrive at Tigrova. Passengers, please take your seats and fasten your seat belts.]

‘at las.’

It was a long-awaited broadcast.

Zion checked his seatbelt one last time and waited quietly. The ground seen through the window gradually got closer.

The train rattled and shook, its wheels stuck to the ground, and the announcement resumed, scattering snow.

[The place where the Sky Train landed is Tigrova’s Snow Tooth Valley. Thank you.]

Seeing the passengers getting up and packing their luggage, Zion also got up from his seat.

I walk along the ground following the rumbling rope. The cool, clear air filling my lungs feels good.

Click!

I took a picture of the station as proof of my arrival and uploaded it to the group before continuing on my way.

Push. Push. Push.

I head into the building, stepping on the accumulated snow.

A completely different architectural style from Academy City.

If you take your time, it can be quite enjoyable, but Zion, who had only lived in Tigrova for a short time, was just trying to find his way.

‘If you want to go to Baekho Palace in the capital, from here···.’

I had to take the train again, but the building was so big that I had no idea where to go.

Should I look for an information desk?

The floor was covered in melted snow that passengers had left behind on the soles of their shoes.

While walking, the water made a crunching sound.

Zion suddenly realized that there was no one in this large building.

“···.”

Click! He opens his bag and takes out his weapon without hesitation.

The assembly was over in an instant and a change came to the stillness.

Kkwaddeuddeuk───!!!

In an instant, ice grew before Zion’s eyes and formed a giant flower bud.

It naturally bloomed and poured out armored water creatures and pure white fox water creatures holding fans.

‘Those people···?!’

There are two faces that Zion was tired of seeing when he was investigating Tigrova.

Even people who are not Tigrova citizens would rarely know these people.

A man in the most ornate armor and a woman holding a fan approached Zion.

“I am Argen Blizzard, the captain of the White Tiger Palace guards.”

“This is Chief Executive Yoo Ho.”

“!!!”

Yuho carefully observes Zion, who is so surprised that he cannot speak, and then smiles gently.

He nodded in acceptance to the captain of the guard and bowed politely.

Step aside, a flower in full bloom made of ice. Ride there, making a path for Zion.

“I came to pick you up.”