Chapter 133: Assembly and Mission (4)
"Then we will conclude the assignments here! Let us take a moment to have a brief conversation with your players before we set out."
Oh Seok-jae gave us a bit of time after finishing the assignments for the other groups who, unlike ours, had not chosen their own player.
It was a sensible decision considering what lay ahead.
Regardless of whether the enemy was weak or strong, what the cadets were about to experience was real combat.
To face such a reality together, it was important to know at least a little bit about one another.
However…….
"Haha, nice to meet you all. I am Yu-yeon from the Cheonmyeong Guild."
It was just a bit irritating that the person I had to converse with was Yu-hyeon.
'The guild name is Cheonmyeong, and his name is Yu-yeon?'
How ridiculous.
At the very least, he should have put some effort into his fake identity.
Reverse Heaven became Cheonmyeong, and he only changed a single character in his name.
It was utterly absurd.
But…….
"I didn't expect to meet you again here."
I could not let my inner thoughts show.
Therefore, I offered a greeting with a natural smile.
Since Yu-hyeon's appearance was identical to how he looked at the party, it would have been more suspicious if I had pretended not to know him.
"I quite agree. To be honest, I did not know I would be assigned to Class A, so I failed to mention it beforehand."
"Haha, is that so?"
What a load of nonsense.
I could guarantee that he had known.
Given Yu-hyeon's track record so far, it was a given.
'Even if he looks like he acts on a whim, he is a guy who moves according to a plan.'
I had not thought this way from the start, as the character of Yu-hyeon was not depicted in the novel.
I simply thought he was a reckless person who excelled at appearing suddenly and surprising people.
However, after knowing him for quite some time and living with him for nearly a month, my perspective had changed.
He was a man who moved while setting the stage, even if he appeared reckless.
That was Yu-hyeon.
'Of course, that doesn't mean he isn't actually reckless.'
He just moved freely within the boundaries of his plans.
'He likely planned for everything: coming to Class A, us being in the same group, and him joining us.'
It was obvious.
Coming to Class A was likely handled with the "power of money" he always talked about, and our being grouped together was something he surely expected.
If people were being grouped with those they were close to, there was no way we wouldn't be together.
As for Yu-hyeon coming over to our side…….
'If Kim Su-hyeok hadn't stepped forward, I would have.'
Though I grumble in my words, I am not such a fool that I allow emotions to cloud my actions.
The fact that Yu-hyeon appeared here meant he had a plan, so why would I send him elsewhere?
If I were to give one more reason, there was also the anxiety of not knowing what might happen if I sent this guy somewhere else.
'That makes it even more annoying.'
How should I put it? I felt annoyed because it felt like all my thoughts had been read.
And by this guy, who was always smirking, of all people.
'Well, that isn't the important part.'
My feelings were not a key factor in this matter.
The important part was why he had orchestrated such a thing.
There was no way he had set this up just because he was bored, right?
'The obvious thought is that it is related to this villain mission…….'
However, my pondering could not continue for long.
"I assume everyone has had enough conversation, so we will set out now!"
This was because Oh Seok-jae announced our departure before I could continue my thoughts.
If there was one fortunate thing…….
"We will use a portal to move to a city near our destination, and then each group will move separately."
It was that we were not moving as a large group.
They were likely doing this because moving in a large crowd would catch the eyes of the villains.
'Thanks to that, I have time to talk to Yu-hyeon.'
I could just ask him what I was curious about while we were moving.
With that thought, I moved toward the portal along with my group members.
***
'I think I had that thought about thirty minutes ago…….'
I realized how naive that thought was as soon as the groups began to move separately.
"You really did train while staying with Yu-seong during the vacation, right?"
"Haha, that is correct."
"How was it?"
"How could it be? I was simply surprised that he followed along better than I expected."
Yu-hyeon answered Kim Su-hyeok's storm-like questions without losing his smile.
Thanks to that, there was no time for me to get a word in with him.
'The problem isn't just that.'
Thinking that, I glanced around.
I saw the others listening to their conversation with faces full of curiosity.
'Seriously, what is so interesting about that?'
I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to say a single word to him until we arrived.
Furthermore…….
'The fact that Im Seong-cheol is moving with us is also an issue.'
Ten players and three accompanying instructors.
Out of those three instructors, Im Seong-cheol just happened to be the one moving with us.
'Look at his eyes. His state of alertness is on another level.'
In this situation, even if a chance to talk arose, there was a high probability I wouldn't be able to speak freely.
With that level of alertness, there was no way Im Seong-cheol would fail to hear even a whisper.
He was also a player of incredible skill.
In short, it was a situation that only brought sighs.
'I have to figure out his purpose, but there's no way. No way at all.'
Unaware of my plight, Kim Su-hyeok and Yu-hyeon continued their lively conversation.
"By the way, I heard you are an S-Rank powerhouse. Is that true?"
"Hmm? Where did you hear that?"
"Ah, Guildmaster Cha Yu-na mentioned it before… I am sorry if that was rude."
"Haha, there is no need to call it rude. I see. Cha Yu-na did……."
Yu-hyeon seemed lost in thought for a moment, but he soon answered Kim Su-hyeok's question.
"It is true. I am quite strong, despite how I look."
"I knew it! Then is there a reason you are active as an A-Rank player?"
"Because my work involves dealing with people. For example, yes… there is Mr. Shin Yu-hwan."
Fortunately, he did not call Shin Yu-hwan "Blackie" this time.
Then again, given the identity he was currently displaying, how could he call him that?
"Are you aware that the Spear God's skills are not actually A-Rank either?"
"Yes! I heard that Player Shin Yu-hwan also hasn't promoted himself on purpose……."
"Hmm, it probably isn't on purpose. It is likely because he doesn't meet the promotion requirements."
"What? Player Shin Yu-hwan?"
"Because he has no interest in gate exploration."
He was right.
To be promoted to an S-Rank player, one also needs to clear gates.
It was just that the fact was not well known to the public.
For all that, Yu-hyeon seemed to be quite well-informed.
"Anyway, for that reason, the ranks of villain hunters are usually not that high."
"Ah… I didn't know that."
"Well, it is not a bad thing. It allows one to gain an advantage in combat against an enemy."
"Aha."
"It is not always good to show everything you have. Sometimes it is better to hide a dagger in your sleeve that no one knows about. It would be good for you to remember that."
Kim Su-hyeok nodded vigorously as if he would never forget.
I wondered what a villain was doing giving a sermon, but it was certainly advice that would be of great help.
'A finishing move is important.'
Why else would characters in martial arts novels hide a secret trump card instead of going all out from the start?
If you go all out and get blocked, your defeat is guaranteed from that moment on.
Capturing the opponent's opening as much as possible and exploiting that moment was a very important thing.
As if to prove my words, the eyes of the other students were also sparkling, and Im Seong-cheol was secretly nodding his head as well.
'…Phew. That isn't what matters right now.'
It was good that Kim Su-hyeok and the others heard helpful advice.
It was also good that Yu-hyeon blended more naturally into the group because of it, which would help in the coming battle.
However, my fundamental concern had not been resolved.
It was while I was continuing to fret.
"Ah, Cadet Yu-seong."
In the middle of various conversations, Yu-hyeon suddenly called out to me.
I replied naturally.
"Why are you calling me?"
"Because there is something you left behind last time. I brought it with me to return it in case we ran into each other."
"Something I left behind… you say?"
"Yes. Here, take it."
Yu-hyeon said that and handed me something.
Even as I received it, my expression could not help but be slightly reluctant.
Because…….
'I didn't leave anything behind.'
He was handing me something when I hadn't left anything.
This meant only one thing.
Yu-hyeon was sending me a signal regarding this current matter.
Therefore, I immediately checked the identity of the item I received.
[White Sea Conch Shell]
Grade: C-Rank
Category: Accessory
Information: Unlike common blue sea shells, this is a shell of a conch that grows in the white sea. If you listen closely to the shell, you can hear a mysterious sound.
Ability: You can store a desired voice in the conch shell for 12 hours. The stored sound does not spread and is heard only by the owner of the shell.
There is currently a stored voice. Would you like to play it?
'Is it an artifact like a voice recorder?'
It was likely a more sophisticated item than a simple recorder.
Since it said only the owner could hear it.
And currently, a voice was stored in this conch shell.
If so, there was only one action for me to take.
'I will listen.'
As if it read my will, the voice began to play immediately.
'Haha, Brother. You must have been surprised by my sudden appearance.'
It felt as though it were being transmitted directly into my head. It was a feeling similar to Cha Yu-na's Sound Transmission.
By the way, why is this jerk wasting time on useless words instead of getting straight to the point?
'First, you must have had many thoughts when I appeared. You were likely wondering why this guy showed up here and if there is something more to this villain mission.'
That is right.
So what exactly is going on?
'To give you only the main point first, the destination, the Abandoned Cathedral, is a hideout for the Reverse Heaven Sect.'
At those words, I unintentionally gasped.
Fortunately, I didn't make a sound, so it ended with Im Seong-cheol just glancing at me once…….
'Is this guy insane?'
However, my mind was not at peace.
There was no way I could be fine after hearing that we were heading toward the Reverse Heaven Sect.
'Ah, of course, their entire force isn't there, so you don't need to worry.'
Is this really something I shouldn't worry about? Huh?
'Even if I say this, Brother, you must be cursing me inwardly. You are likely asking if this is really something not to worry about. Haha.'
…Ignoring the useless chatter, I continued to listen intently to the voice.
'That part is fine. I have leaked information appropriately. I said our hideout had been discovered and that the Saintess and her party would likely come.'
'Well, I was also the one who leaked the information about the hideout.'
I knew he was a madman, but to this extent.
His level of madness was a perfect match for the Puppeteer.
'Anyway, there is a reason I have set this stage.'
'I told you at the Glory party, didn't I? I asked for your help in uncovering the traitor.'
'Wait a minute.'
For this story to come up now means…….
'I said the hideout was discovered because someone somehow knew our plans.'
'Actually, if I stop here, you would ask what kind of traitor I'm going to uncover with such a plan.'
…….
'So I have done quite a bit of preliminary work.'
'Since hearing your story during Glory's midterm exams, I have been secretly sabotaging the Reverse Heaven Sect's affairs at every turn. Roughly two hundred times?'
It was a story that left me speechless.
Not twenty, but two hundred times.
It was surprising that they had tried to pull off so many things since then, and it was equally surprising that he had managed to sabotage all of them.
'In this situation, they have no choice but to feel a sense of crisis. And a sense of crisis is what causes a person's mind to freeze.'
'If there truly is a traitor within the Reverse Heaven Sect, they would rather take action now. Since it would be better to deal with the problem here than to continue being sabotaged in the future.'
That could be true.
But this is…….
'Unfortunately, it isn't a perfect trap. If they act cautiously, they will bypass this incident as well.'
That was true.
The problem was that this was not a perfect operation.
Just as Yu-hyeon said, if they aimed for the next opportunity, this operation was practically useless.
However.
'There must be something to supplement this point.'
That is why he must have made such a plan.
And my expectation was exactly right.
'The half-moon shaped scar you told me about.'
'I released that information as well. The information that national villain hunters are pursuing the Reverse Heaven Sect based on that detail.'
…….
'Fatal information released in a desperate situation. I guarantee they will try to move with a probability close to a foregone conclusion.'
…It was a sound argument.
If you obtained information that there was a single way out in a situation of near-certain defeat in war, what would you do?
It was always one of two things.
Either your mind freezes and you move without even considering it might be a trap.
'Or you try to break through somehow, even while knowing full well it might be a trap.'
Ultimately, this was the point.
No matter what, the enemy had no choice but to move as desired.
The fact that national-level hunters, led by Shin Yu-hwan, were pursuing them meant certain annihilation.
Because Shin Yu-hwan was famous for never letting go once he bit an enemy.
'And in that situation, an opportunity to deal with Ha Eun-ha, the traitor's target, came along as well?'
They would have no choice but to move.
It would be the last opportunity given amidst their fated destruction.
If there was one problem here, it was whether the leaked information was thorough enough to shake the traitor…….
'It certainly will be.'
Didn't he say it was a plan he had been working on since the midterm exams?
He wouldn't have left a single flaw.
If that weren't the case, that guy's voice wouldn't sound so confident.
Therefore…….
'Then, I'll be counting on you. Brother?'
It meant that from now on, I had to engage in villain hunting in earnest.
Because the enemies I would face were not ordinary foes, but trash that would certainly cause harm if left alive.
It seemed that a situation had arrived where I needed to temper my firm resolve a few more times.
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