Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 057
Chapter Title: Black Mirror's Gathering
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Black Mirror, a truly colossal organization.
The true seeds of evil rooted in this society, the ones who could be called villains.
"You fucking bastards."
No matter how secretly they hid, their true nature had yet to be fully grasped.
But then.
A smirk crept across his face.
Finally, they had caught hold of something that could be called their essence.
It was all because of Black Mirror's insatiable desires that they couldn't hide.
"Bury yourselves underground and choke on carbon dioxide, you scum."
Those who reigned as kings of the shadows weren't content with that—they had started venturing into the light.
'Black Gate.'
Back when it was called Korea's crisis, they had revealed themselves, offering a hand in assistance.
'Gate Break.'
Even during the worldwide Gate Break, they had shown up and lent their strength.
Fine words, sure.
"You think you can step into the light?"
In the process, they clearly intended to make their name known above ground and expand their shadowy businesses into the legitimate world.
And then.
"Because of these fucking assholes..."
That's why their misdeeds had leaked into the light, causing Go Yohan unnecessary harm.
Go Yohan, her younger brother who had always been peculiar since childhood, but he was no one who could wipe out an entire guild.
"Why don't you calm down a bit?"
"Dayeona... think of him as your little brother."
"Let's kill them."
Go Minji and Kim Dayeon locked eyes and smiled.
Anyway, they had finally gotten somewhat close to Black Mirror's true nature.
A few who had appeared under the Black Mirror name during the Black Gate and Gate Break incidents.
Thanks to relentlessly tracking them down and investigating everything.
'Go Yohan.'
Go Minji thought of her brother, who was probably still suffering somewhere.
'Just wait a little longer. Your big sis will take care of everything.'
Even if her abilities as a Player couldn't compare to Go Yohan's, this was what she had to do as family, as his older sister.
"...Minji."
Kim Dayeon looked at Go Minji with a hardened expression.
In the hastily set up command center, reports were coming in one after another.
"They've started moving."
The key Black Mirror figures that the investigation team had been tailing began to move.
"...One or two days? Let's watch a bit longer."
Up until now, they had all moved separately, making it hard to approach carelessly.
An organization of this scale could vanish back into the darkness in an instant if mishandled, leaving no evidence behind.
So they waited.
"If they split up again, it'll be hard to swoop in."
Nod.
Kim Dayeon nodded at Go Minji's words.
Even though Go Minji seemed to charge ahead recklessly when it came to Go Yohan, she was more rational and thorough than anyone.
It was the same reason she had volunteered to study abroad in America at a young age, sensing the solid growth potential in the American Player scene there.
And why she had earned the nickname Berserker and risen to the upper ranks.
"...We can't afford any mistakes."
That was also why Kim Dayeon had asked Go Minji for support.
Go Minji was thorough, cool-headed, and highly capable.
As long as it didn't turn into combat, she was colder than anyone.
It was then.
"......"
Kim Dayeon's expression, as she received the report, began to change by the second.
"...Just tail them carefully. Don't get spotted."
After issuing the order to the investigation team.
Tremble.
Her fingertips shook as she looked at Go Minji.
"They've started moving...!"
The same words as before, but different.
"All the ones we've got eyes on!"
This time was different.
"Let's move too."
Go Minji was already on her feet, grabbing her gear.
*
*
*
Exactly like that.
Those cockroach-like things living in the shadows would gather all at once for a meeting every now and then.
Probably to solidify their hierarchy and strengthen their unity.
'Fucking idiots.'
Just like a cult, as if receiving blessings from their leader.
Pledging loyalty before their head and receiving scraps like they were divine grace.
Go Minji and Kim Dayeon thought this Black Mirror movement was one such gathering.
They had never crossed paths before, despite being tailed, and now they were moving for the first time.
"Support?"
"Not yet."
Go Minji said from inside the moving vehicle, in response to Kim Dayeon.
"We can't be sure there are no moles in the Association. Same for other guilds."
"No way."
"You want to risk losing this hard-earned chance on that 'no way'?"
"......"
"Call in support after we've fully surrounded them. If needed..."
Go Minji said.
"To Sanctum as well."
At the very least, the Sanctum she was born into was trustworthy.
Even if not all the guild members below, she could definitely trust her father the guild master, her eldest brother the vice-master, and her mother.
"...Thanks."
Kim Dayeon said.
This was exactly why she had no choice but to acknowledge Go Minji.
And rely on her.
"For what?"
"For helping."
The help from Go Minji, who wasn't even part of the Association—it was nothing but grateful.
"It's the land where Sanctum has taken root. The land where my family lives."
Before they knew it, Go Minji's eyes had darkened.
"I can't stand by while these tumor-like bastards strut around. I'm the one who should thank you for the heads-up."
They chuckled at the embarrassing words, then got out of the arrived vehicle.
"That building?"
As the waiting Association investigation Players approached, Kim Dayeon asked.
"Yes. It's the Blade Guild building."
"Blade?"
It was the name of a mid-tier guild.
"You crazy bastards, are they planning a sacrifice?"
Were they gathering beforehand to smear blood on a blade or something?
Otherwise, there was no reason for those presumed Black Mirror elites to gather in one place.
"Blade?"
"No special issues. However..."
The investigation team said.
"We've confirmed some kind of deal with the Chinese side."
"Some kind of deal?"
"...We suspect it's a type of drug, but we haven't pinned down the details."
"Ha."
In the end, Blade was just another pile of trash.
"What the hell is the Association even doing?"
"...The pressure from the Chinese side is too intense. If the Association moves openly, they cry foul about Player oppression and such."
"...Anyway, sounds like it's not just a sacrificial offering."
Perhaps the absorption of a new organization, or paying the price for operating underground without Black Mirror's permission.
"Then no need to rush in."
Go Minji said.
If they were people Blade needed to protect, they'd storm in immediately, but if they were disposable scum, they could afford a closer look.
One investigation Player risking their life for this was worth more than all that trash.
"Surround them. Do it without being detected—activate barrier items simultaneously without them noticing."
Before they knew it, Go Minji was commanding the scene.
"Once the surround is complete and just before barrier activation, call for support..."
But no one thought it strange.
"I'll go in first. Follow once I breach the entry. Perfect. We can nab solid evidence too."
Go Minji had already proven her skills that everyone acknowledged.
'Go Yohan. Wait. Your big sis will clear your name and drag you out.'
It was then, as the surround was complete.
"Barrier activate."
Woooong!
The barrier spread out.
Boom!
Go Minji slammed her massive greatsword into the ground and advanced toward the building.
*
*
*
She tensed every muscle in her body and heightened her senses.
At the same time, she released her mana, wrapping it around her greatsword and body, expanding her aura perception even further.
Before entering the building, Go Minji was already in full combat readiness.
And then.
Kwang!
She didn't go through the entrance—she smashed through the outer wall.
"Th..."
A foul stench of blood assaulted her nose.
"You fucking bastards."
Corpses were strewn about in a gruesome mess.
What she sought were the living.
And Black Mirror.
"......!"
The moment her aura sense finally caught someone she believed to be a Black Mirror member.
Crunch!
Go Minji didn't hesitate, shattering the ground and launching forward.
"Association Investigation Team! Drop your weapons and surrender! If you don't drop them..."
Screeech!
The massive greatsword swung with the speed of a rapier.
Kill first and ask questions later?
No.
'Leave as many alive as possible.'
Unless combat was unavoidable, Black Mirror would be taken alive to face the Association or the courts.
The more mouths and evidence, the faster Go Yohan would be cleared.
It was then.
Halt.
Go Minji's greatsword stopped right before someone's throat.
".......?"
Her eyes wavered in confusion.
"Association Chief Investigator Kim Dayeon! Black Mirror, drop your weapons and surrender immediately! All who resist will be..."
Kim Dayeon and the investigation team members who followed stopped as well.
They couldn't comprehend the scene before them.
Those presumed to be Black Mirror members, lined up.
"What the...
hell are you doing?"
They had raised both hands, signaling no intent to resist.
"We surrender."
The mana emanating from them seemed to declare they wouldn't fight back.
"What kind of bullshit is this?"
Go Minji, not buying it, kept her greatsword aimed as she spoke.
"As I said. We'll surrender if necessary."
"If necessary...?"
"Sanctum's Go Minji, it's been a while. Greetings."
Someone emerged from behind them.
As if time had frozen, no one could move in this sudden situation.
"...Who?"
Go Minji's eyes widened suddenly upon seeing the man who appeared.
"...Uncle Kang In?"
He had changed so much she hadn't recognized him at first, but he was definitely Kang In, once famous as a ranker.
He had also worked as a mercenary for Sanctum.
-Meet him. This is Kang In.
She remembered Lee Jae-kyung introducing him to her as a child.
"Uncle, why...?"
"I'm currently taking the role of Black Mirror's leader."
"What the hell...
are you talking about? Why you?!"
"I'll explain. But first..."
At Kang In's gesture, all of Black Mirror withdrew.
The investigation team flinched, but they had sealed their own mana—they couldn't fight even if they wanted to.
"Would you come with us for a moment?"
"......"
"Minji!"
"There's someone waiting for you."
And then.
"That person is the one you've been looking for, Go Minji."
It made no sense.
But Go Minji made her decision without delay.
"...Dayeona, cancel the support."
"Minji!"
"The uncle I knew wasn't trash. And more than that..."
The real reason Go Minji decided to follow Kang In.
It was.
'His legs?'
Kang In was supposed to have lost both legs and retired.
She remembered Lee Jae-kyung and others fussing about sponsoring him, Sanctum supporting him.
But now, Kang In stood on two perfectly healthy legs, not even prosthetics.
Thud! Thud!
That sparked a mad wave of unease in Go Minji.
"I'll go with you."
"We'll escort you."
Kang In, who had called himself Black Mirror's leader, along with those who seemed like executives, treated Go Minji with utmost courtesy.