Chapter 103
Chapter 103
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: 102 - Life of an Insect
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Two days was short.
The span of 48 hours was a mere fleeting moment, too brief to bring about significant change.
Yet for those carrying uncertain tomorrows and scraping by from one moment to the next, even two days stretched into an eternity. It was more than enough time for homeless refugees to band together in search of shelter.
—How long are we going to live day by day, trampled underfoot like this? It's time we seize our rights with our own hands!
Amid the fervor, agitators fanned the flames.
—A reliable source says even the center can't stop us today! This is our chance!
At best, it was the life of insects.
The flutter of a mayfly's wings matched the lightness of its ephemeral existence.
With gangs stirring the pot under Camilla's orders, whispers of faint hope from rumors, and unverified claims that they could enter the center unopposed layering on top of that certainty.
Plus the confidence that swelled from seeing so many others in the same plight gathered together.
Even the most timid individual could forget their fears by dissolving into the crowd and losing themselves in it. Even if it meant abandoning all judgment.
Whether the "reliable source" the gangs mentioned was truly trustworthy hardly mattered to the refugees.
They just needed something to vent their pent-up rage, a sliver of hope that they might improve their lot—enough to wager their worthless lives on it.
—We're heading to the center!
—Woooaaah!
And so, hundreds of refugees merged into one. The insects formed a swarm.
"R-Ronel, Captain! This is bad! The refugees...!"
A young hero who still hadn't shed his boyish look burst through the office door, shouting. Ronel gazed at him impassively as he drained the last of his coffee from the cup.
"Is that so? Sounds like trouble."
It was trouble, sure, but hardly surprising. Everyone there knew refugees had been gathering for days already.
Thanks to that, the office only shot Ronel occasional dirty looks now and then, but nothing more chaotic.
"You block us from doing anything when we could've, and now it's 'trouble'? Some people have all the luck."
"Our Daniel here's great and all, but he sure knows how to hit below the belt sometimes. Doesn't even get my good intentions."
"Yeah, whatever."
Ronel rose from his seat, ignoring Daniel's rebellious glare and brushing past him. She'd been thrown off by his open defiance at first, but now she was used to it—she just parried neatly and moved on.
"Captain Ronel, what's the plan?"
"It's as expected. At least five hundred, maybe more. Too many for us to handle alone."
The heroes questioned Ronel. A hint of resentment laced their words toward her for letting things escalate this far.
"......Ronel."
"What."
"What are you gonna do? Didn't you say reinforcements from the center were coming?"
"Oh, that. They're running late, apparently."
"What...!?"
"Hey now."
Ronel held up her open palm to quiet the bristling Han U-sol.
"I said they're late, not that they're not coming. Now, everyone, listen up."
Clap. Ronel clapped her hands lightly. The heroes' disciplined gazes snapped to her.
"We're heading to the center starting now."
"What...? Ronel, what do you mean?"
"...Suddenly going to the center?"
Han U-sol blurted it out, and Reisi stared back in confusion too. The other heroes looked at Ronel with the same bewildered expressions.
"Oh, did I explain it poorly? I don't mean we're going all the way into the center. We're going to the entrance area first and waiting for the refugees to arrive. Their destination is the center anyway."
"...And linking up with the center's reinforcements there?"
"Exactly. It's impossible for us alone to subdue that many without incident. We go to the entrance, meet the center's reinforcements, and then take down the approaching refugees together. Okay? Simple, right?"
"What about K District?"
"They couldn't care less about K District right now. All they see is the center."
"Hmm..."
Han U-sol felt a twinge of unease at the idea of luring people intent on rioting in the center even closer to it.
If they'd taken proper measures when they first detected the refugees' movements, things wouldn't have reached this point. He eyed Ronel suspiciously.
Was this her plan all along, or was she just improvising now? He couldn't tell.
"........."
Either way, this was the best option now. Han U-sol held his tongue.
"Everyone got it? Alright then, orders. Let's move out~"
Ronel issued the command in a light tone, and the heroes of K District headed for the center.
"Colton says he's not attending today's meeting."
"......Suspicious."
Aselrica muttered in response to her subordinate.
It was a gathering between the Association Chair and the city mayor. Politically crucial, yet he was skipping it? That wasn't like him.
Moreover, others usually friendly with Colton were all planning to sit it out too.
"...What about Colton's private guards?"
"No major movements, but they're armed and waiting for something."
"Details."
"About sixty are positioned near the center entrance on standby, and the rest are holed up at Colton's mansion. Both groups have an off vibe, though."
"......Haa."
Aselrica sighed deeply without realizing it. Her hoped-for hunch that it was just paranoia was starting to feel all too real.
"And on another note... the refugees are rising up and heading to the center too."
"The refugees? What's Han U-sol doing?"
"For some reason... they're heading to the center ahead of the refugees."
"......What?"
Aselrica pondered briefly before sinking into thought.
On this key day of the mayor and chair's meeting, Colton's shady movements lined up perfectly.
Refugees rising up right on cue and marching to the center. And inexplicably, Han U-sol and K District's heroes were heading there too.
She couldn't pinpoint exactly what was happening, but something was definitely afoot—and it was going to blow up.
Her deliberation didn't last long. Aselrica stood, donning her coat.
"Prepare. We're going to the center too."
She let out a heavy, worried sigh. Today of all days, she craved the cigarette she'd quit.
"Call in everyone on standby."
The road ended, and the center's entrance came into view. Behind the solemn checkpoint stood towering buildings, sharp even from afar. Proof the center was close.
Stepping out of the vehicle, Han U-sol eyed the figures in black uniforms standing before the checkpoint.
For a moment, he wondered if they were checkpoint guards, but seeing Ronel approach them, he quickly realized they were the "reinforcements" from the center.
"You've arrived."
The apparent leader stepped forward and bowed ninety degrees to Ronel. Polite, but no mention of the delay.
Reinforcements meant for K District that ran late, forcing them here—an apology was in order. Yet the man greeted Ronel casually, as if the rendezvous had always been here.
"Yes. Looking forward to working with you."
Ronel nodded curtly back. As if by prior agreement, neither exchanged further words.
Han U-sol felt a flicker of doubt watching them, but scanned the uniformed men.
Roughly sixty, maybe. Counting them mentally, he suddenly spotted something and widened his eyes.
'...Those are the weapons I made.'
Revolvers he'd crafted to fight magic beasts. Each man had one holstered at their waist.
Han U-sol realized they were private guards of Association executives. He'd known some of his weapons had leaked to them after the disciplinary action.
"........."
Even mass-produced, they weren't for pointing at people. Especially not powerless civilians like refugees.
Sensing something off, Han U-sol turned to Ronel.
"...Ronel, this."
"Senior, don't make such a serious face."
Ronel grinned playfully.
"Forgot I'm with the Association? Me getting backup from an executive's guards isn't that weird."
It wasn't wrong.
Their weapons just nagged at him.
"Don't worry about their armament. It's standard issue for magic beast encounters."
"Correct. These are solely for magic beasts. No shooting at refugees."
Ronel spoke with firm assurance, echoed by the leader.
"...Right."
Han U-sol nodded reluctantly.
"Alright then. Let's form up. Gotta subdue the refugees when they arrive."
Following Ronel's oddly upbeat order, the heroes began forming ranks. Heroes in front in a line, guards encircling from behind.
"Good. That'll do for formation... Oh, here they come."
As the heroes took position, a distant crowd approaching caught their eye. The refugees.
"Now, as captain, here's my order."
Clap!
Ronel crossed her palms with a heavy clap—unlike the light one back at the office. Her smiling face turned expressionless as she faced the heroes.
"When the refugees arrive, step aside."
She tossed it out casually, like the most obvious instruction.
Every hero, Han U-sol included, froze at her words.
Thinking he'd misheard, Han U-sol asked blankly,
".........What?"
"Was that unclear? I mean, clear the path neatly so they can enter the center."
"What the......"
Han U-sol doubted his ears. The other heroes did too, exchanging baffled looks despite her elaboration.
Just her joking around again? He opened his mouth to chide her.
"Ronel, cut the jokes. This isn't the time..."
"Not a joke."
The refugees drew nearer. Faint silhouettes sharpened into noisy, surging masses.
"Those guys..."
Han U-sol's eyes widened again at their sight.
Because
the refugees were gripping the revolvers he'd made.
Not all, but a significant number clutched them.
Feeling something was definitively wrong, Han U-sol whirled on Ronel.
"......Ronel! What the hell...!!"
Click.
With his shout, muzzles swung up.
Precisely at Han U-sol's head—his temple.
The one aiming was Ronel, who'd been right behind him moments ago.
"W-Wait! What is this...!"
"See? Told you she's crazy!"
Click.
Click.
Reisi reacted instantly, dodging, while Daniel reflexively spat curses—both now had guns trained on them too. Muzzles drawn from the guards who'd encircled the heroes.
All sixty-odd guards drew their revolvers on the heroes. The heroes froze, eyes darting in panic, unable to move.
Kirrik.
Ronel thumbed back the revolver's hammer. A signal she could blow a hole in Han U-sol's head any second.
"........."
Han U-sol fell silent. The revolver pressed coldly to his temple, primed to erupt at any moment.
Aiming steadily, Ronel nodded expressionlessly at him and commanded,
"Step aside. Unless you want a hole in your head."