Victory of Technology, Defeat of Humanity
In a teachers-only facility not far from Park Myeong-gwan, a meeting was underway on the fourth floor of Parkmogwan to fine-tune the details of the upcoming major event.
"Invitations have been sent to all expected VIP guests."
"The press has been handled by Mr. Jeong from External PR."
"Good. All that's left is seating arrangements."
All that's left is seating.
As Kim Eul-nyeo, standing in for the absent chairman, spoke those simple words, the teachers who had been vigorously debating fell silent.
The vice-chairwoman made it sound straightforward, but assigning seats to the VIPs was no easy task. The relationships between clans, corporations, associations, and the specialized academies from various countries were incredibly tangled.
Just as VIP seating at a fashion show runway meticulously reflected industry power dynamics, the guest seating for the senior-junior showcase—where Argo students displayed their talents—required thorough deliberation.
Especially this year, with the top entrants from last year and this year, both famed domestically and internationally for representing in the duel, the number of expected guests would exceed twice the usual.
"All four are big shots, which makes it a real headache."
The second-year grade director muttered, and the teachers nodded in unison.
Among the 42nd class, hailed as the strongest generation ever, the previous year's top male and female entrants boasted the finest skills. Matching them were this year's top first-years, contracted to Confucius and Wonhyo.
As Argo teachers, feigning disinterest would be harder, but right now, it was just a source of overtime.
"Speaking of which, where's Mr. Jang?"
Someone sought out the first-year Class A homeroom teacher, hoping to dump the work on him.
"Huh, now that you mention it..."
Jeong Da-un and the other first-year teachers visibly panicked, scanning the room, but their target was nowhere in sight.
Jang Han-nam, the notorious family man who called his wife every lunch, had never been late during work hours.
What the hell happened? Is he still at Park Myeong-gwan?
The second-year grade director peered out the window—and let out a dumbstruck yelp.
-KIIIIING!!!
A wail spread in all directions as massive vines began enveloping the entire Park Myeong-gwan building.
-DRRRRUMBLE...
The intense vibrations rattled the windows. The vines, exuding corrupted ancestor power, had already swallowed the building like a dome stadium.
"What the fuck!"
A veteran teacher bellowed upon grasping the situation. A sudden erosion space emergence.
Teachers activated Spirit Descent and leaped out the windows, but by the time they arrived, the erosion space was complete.
"Ah~ As expected, an erosion space. You can see it now, but the isolation mechanism is pretty damn unique. Real tricky. Like I told ya before, there ain't many ways to bust through that wall."
It was just as he said.
"Director...!"
-Flash!
Baek Je-in activated Spirit Lord Transformation, firing thousands of surgical threads to probe the exterior, but no gaps for entry appeared.
Other teachers unleashed their transformations too, pouring firepower, but the hemispherical vine wall didn't budge.
"Everyone left inside is students..."
Jeong Da-un growled, clenching his fist.
The second-years, except non-combat majors, had vacated for practical training. Most trapped were brand-new first-years.
"The only option left..."
Jeong Da-un gritted his teeth and gripped his necklace—a contingency item he always carried.
Stop that. You gonna risk your life just to punch through a blocked path?
"But the kids—"
Wait. They're not that weak, are they?
At Jeong Do-jeon's words, Jeong Da-un slowly released his grip on the necklace.
"I have no intention of shirking my duty as a teacher, but let's wait for now."
Could the students create a variable in this desperate situation? As he pondered, two faces flashed in his mind: the tanned blond delinquent and the bespectacled awkward girl. His two disciples, wielding special transformation abilities.
"Sounds ridiculous, but maybe one or two will actually find a way."
* * *
Meanwhile, as the gathered teachers at Park Myeong-gwan debated breaching the erosion space, figures watched from a rooftop a kilometer away.
Three men from the infiltrator crime syndicate Bastards, who had dealt with Yeom Jin-gwan.
"We figured as much, but terrorism against Argo?"
"Either idiots throwing their lives away or with solid backing."
"Or pawns discarded by their backers."
They exchanged views calmly on the writhing vines and teachers.
But soon: "Doesn't matter what that spider-mask freak was thinking."
"We just need our pay."
Bitter smiles spread, but full-face helmets couldn't hide the rising anger in their voices.
"For Argo freshmen to rob our vault."
The leader clenched and unclenched his gloved hand, then vaulted the railing.
"Enough chit-chat. Time to reclaim our money and Reverse Ethics Armament."
As he leaped, the others followed. Matte black metallic wings sprouted from their backs, enabling glide.
No matter who or where, they'd make those who screwed Bastards pay—resolve gleamed behind their visors.
* * *
Kim Yun-ju's voice blasted from every speaker in the structure.
"Senior Yun-ju?"
The three beside me looked up in surprise at the ceiling speakers.
"Figured it out when the lights came on, but electrics seem fine."
Even distorted by erosion, the structure had merely warped. No phone signal, but internal backups like generators and broadcasts remained.
Meaning Kim Yun-ju, who hacked every surveillance camera in Park Myeong-gwan, could map this freakish interior.
The situation is chaotic, but we can't escape like this.
As of now, Map-making Club room designated HQ.
Classes, move per HQ guidance led by class reps. Focus on exterminating wraiths inside.
Students' reactions varied: fired up or terrified.
But—
1st Year E Class: Three low-grade wraiths approaching from 3 o'clock behind door!
C Class: Wraith descending from ceiling!
B Class: Hold position. Four wraiths from corner in 4 seconds!
All remaining 2nd Year non-combat majors: Follow guidance. Watch for gravity shifts—don't trip.
After linking with D Class, Mingrin Dao leads Taoist talismans production. Erect barrier at generator to block wraiths.
Wraiths move under Yeom Jin-gwan's command, but numerical superiority and piecemeal strikes will wipe them.
Follow broadcasts precisely—you'll survive!
Whether students obeyed or not, Yun-ju's voice gave paths and tasks—accurate ones.
-KIIEEK!
"One down here too!"
"Scatter! Three on one!"
"Numbers win!"
Victory cheers echoed everywhere. A class together could handle three or four low-grades easy.
Yeom Jin-gwan wouldn't sit idle, though.
"Easier than thought?"
"Staying put's riskier."
"I'm in!"
Hesitant ones joined as more followed broadcasts.
Plan so far perfect. To block group action, Yeom Jin-gwan must focus on wraiths—low-grades dying dilutes erosion density.
No spare thought for shifting anchor points.
Now—time for me and the 'detachment' to move.
"Let's head out."
I addressed the three new Map-making Club recruits hesitating over speaker orders.
"Senior just said A Class climb rear wall..."
Mun Hee-jeong timidly pointed at departing classmates, but I shook my head.
"Not senior. Fake."
"Wait, Kim Taeyang—what?"
"Sounds just like her?"
Shin Sua and U Hyo-chung looked baffled.
Hehe. Am I the only one who noticed?
Gemma, sharp-eared, seemed smug.
No need to hide anymore.
"Actually, that voice—"
-Ding!
Before finishing, a translucent map appeared in my vision corner.
"What? This hazy thing..."
Shin Sua flailed at thin air, forgetting her lenses; Mun Hee-jeong and U Hyo-chung similarly confused.
"Yun-ju senior's Spirit Lord Transformation: Grand Unified Map. She explained earlier."
"I-I remember that much!"
Quiet down, no time.
Our cute new recruits move separately.
Private link means Yeom Jin-gwan can't hear—safe to anchor point undetected.
"Hic!"
"Eek!"
Shin Sua and Mun Hee-jeong straightened spines, shuddering at the brain-piercing voice.
U Hyo-chung clapped, grinning upon understanding.
"Diversion!"
[Correct.]
If she planned this far... you're—
Gemma admired, but no time to gloat.
-RUMBLE...
The massive rock walls caging the structure groaned.
"Weird, spirit power..."
Change hit instantly: spirit power leaked from bodies as light particles.
"Completed erosion spaces drain humans' spirit power. Hurry."
Endurance maybe 15 minutes. Tight, but doable.
"Guide us."
Red dot in vision. We dashed shortest route to anchor marker.
* * *
In the warped underground auditorium, Yeom Jin-gwan watched the statue gigantize.
Drained spirit power from hundreds of Shangju fueled the Reverse Ethics Armament made from a cursed mole beast soul.
Swelling ceaselessly, the statue clawed the floor with sharp forepaws.
-KABOOM!!!
As hyped by upper echelons, its performance was stellar. No lethality, but it pierced Park Myeong-gwan's concrete and academy deck below.
Maintain erosion, reach goal in 15 minutes.
So he thought—until the heretic flag granting wraith control relayed agonized wails.
-KIIIIING!
"Someone's directing the students...?!"
Yeom Jin-gwan linked senses with wraiths.
C Class! Five wraiths ambushing stairs—retreat!
E Class! Form squad, flank hidden wraiths' rear! Aid C!
Hundreds of low-grades fell helplessly; directions from broadcast speakers.
"Childish ploy..."
All orders reached him via wraiths; voice handled one class at a time.
"Monitoring via cameras, huh."
Monitor commands have limits. Exploit gaps, reposition wraiths simultaneously—they can't react.
Yeom Jin-gwan closed eyes, directing wraiths.
Unlike foe, he multitasked orders. Flush ambushes, flank C Class to cut waist. Split E, crush divided forces piecemeal.
Precise via wraith senses—faster gap exploitation, sure victory.
"Hm?"
Should've been.
-KIIII!!!
Wraiths following orders attacked by mystery students.
"Predicting our moves...?"
Panicking, he delved wraith links for intel.
"..."
One fact: speakers blared varied orders.
Optimal ambushes to nearby students, simultaneously.
Yeom Jin-gwan neared truth:
"Not human...?!"
He assumed chess-like single moves. Thus, RTS overwhelm.
But initial slowness was feint. Speakers machine-gunned complex orders beyond his processing—wider view, faster.
"Even mid-grades at anchor... erosion density..."
-KIIIIING!!!
No respite. Flag sensed attack on one hidden anchor of three.
"Hid it well... how?!"
Chaos atop chaos. Someone dissected the tangled space; Yeom Jin-gwan couldn't hide dismay.
Not human—spot on, unwittingly. Student directions by AI synthesizing Kim Yun-ju's voice; she guided detachment including me to anchors.
* * *
Here.
-Creak!
Kim Yun-ju's guide led to a door hidden beyond third-floor-down wall.
Smashed wall with U Hyo-chung's aid, slid open—revealing massive 4m wraith guarding vine roots.
Tough foe. No time to hesitate.
"One at a time...!"
-Flash!
Spirit Lord Transformation. Black shotgun overlaid staff.