First Day in Piros
The sole airport in the entire Piros Autonomous Region. The incident had unfolded right near its runway.
“...So, to confirm, you jumped from a crashing plane with a parachute and ran all the way here?”
-Nod.
The administrative staffer gaped at the man with leaves plastered to his cheek and the girl dangling limply in his arms. The whole headquarters had gone into full alert mode after hearing that a plane carrying Noble Academy support staff—a professor, no less—had gone down. Yet here they were, standing around as if nothing had happened. It only made the staffer feel foolish by comparison.
The man scratched his head and spoke up.
“Birds around here are vicious. A light aircraft, and it still went after us. Four wings on that thing, too.”
“...Coronatiu birds. Highly territorial avian monsters. It must've seen your plane as an intruder in its domain and attacked.”
“Tough luck.”
The staffer bowed deeply toward Seongjin, who shrugged it off so casually.
“We're terribly sorry for the inconvenience. With the big operation looming, we've been short-staffed and made this grave error. We'll ensure proper compensation for the—”
“Nah, no need. I actually had a blast. Skydive right on arrival? Awesome.”
“...Pardon?”
The staffer stared wide-eyed at Seongjin. Now that he thought about it, the man's complexion was far too serene for someone who'd bailed from a plummeting plane and sprinted here. No— he looked downright excited, like he was on a field trip. Hard to believe he'd been dancing on the edge of life and death just moments ago.
Figures a Noble Academy professor isn't your average superhuman, the staffer mused inwardly as he led them along.
“...Right, understood. We've got the situation sorted, so if you'll follow me this way.”
They exited the airport, and the staffer opened the door to a parked Jeep.
Seongjin casually shoved the unconscious Alice into the back seat like luggage, then slid in beside her. The trunk was loaded with gear prepped at A City Airport.
-Vroom.
The Jeep roared to life with a guttural engine growl and tore down the road. Seongjin gazed out the window at the Piros Autonomous Region unfolding before him.
Felt it from the plane, but... this is straight-up Hawaii.
He'd vacationed there once, and it was a dead ringer: clear skies, palm trees everywhere, lush green mountains peeking between buildings. The volcanic zones matched up too—plenty of similarities. Felt like a resort getaway. First impressions weren't half bad.
The vehicle soon entered the city proper. Seongjin scanned it all like a radar sweep.
The staffer caught him in the rearview mirror, wiped cold sweat from his brow, and ventured cautiously, “Professor, sir... is your companion alright? She's awfully pale. Shouldn't we head to a hospital first...?”
“She's fine. Just got so thrilled she blacked out for a bit. She'll wake up soon.”
“...Thrilled enough to pass out?”
Seongjin poked Alice's ashen—nay, bluish—face impassively. She'd managed to deploy the parachute, at least. Pure terror had knocked her out after that. Technically a fail, but given her usual demeanor, it wasn't a total wash for her first field training exercise. She'd at least gotten the chute open and deployed.
...Though it had looked for a split second like her soul was vacating her body. Seongjin averted his gaze, pretending not to notice.
The Jeep barreled along unimpeded until it finally pulled up to the Piros Administrative Bureau headquarters. The sleek building clashed with the surrounding lush greenery, resembling a stark fortress more than anything. Expansive annexes stretched out on either side.
As Seongjin peered out at the HQ, Alice shuddered in the back seat beside him and slowly cracked her eyes open.
“...Is this... the afterlife?”
“Nah, Admin Bureau HQ. We're here—get out.”
“Ohhh... sweet embrace of death...”
Seongjin hauled the delirious Alice from the vehicle.
“We've arrived. This way to the waiting lounge, please.”
They followed the staffer inside. Seongjin scanned the surroundings with a blank expression, while Alice clung to his shirttail like a lifeline, her legs still wobbly as she trailed behind.
After grabbing numbers at reception, filling out forms, and jumping through procedural hoops, they were ushered into a room.
“Please wait here until further instructions. You're free to roam the facilities, but orientation kicks off in the auditorium in three hours.”
The waiting lounge was spacious and spotless, complete with bookshelves, a coffee machine, massage chairs, and even a private restroom.
Seongjin sank into a sofa and pulled out the guidebook he'd been reading earlier. From his pre-trip research, the Administrative Bureau represented the entire Piros Autonomous Region—practically a government unto itself. The director held authority equivalent to a president.
Their agenda: demon beast extermination. They'd rallied support from across the nation and planned sweeping operations as soon as personnel assembled. Target zone: the Kargas volcanic region.
He explained it all to Alice, who promptly curled into a ball in the corner of the sofa and sniffled.
Terrified at the prospect of frontline deployment in just days.
“Alice Cadet. Wanna come with?”
“...Sniff.”
A moment later.
“Nom nom nom.”
Tteokbokki from the cafeteria did the trick. Food was the ultimate mood-lifter, apparently.
Cheered up, Alice tagged along as they toured the grounds.
“What? Goddess Church folks?”
“Whoa, first time seeing them in person.”
Priests in white robes marched in formation. Nearby, staff hauled massive crates. The parking lot had several vehicles sporting small crosses. The Papal Court had sent reinforcements too, it seemed. They meant business.
Back in the lounge, the earlier staffer reappeared.
“Professor Han Seongjin, Cadet Alice Hayes. This way, please. Time for orientation.”
They followed to a massive door. The auditorium entrance.
Stepping inside, Seongjin narrowed his eyes.
“......”
“......”
“......”
The seats were already packed with a sea of people, their auras clashing in a palpable pressure cooker. Outfits ran the gamut: suited Hero Association members, high-tech-geared hunters, clustered Goddess Church priests, Eastern-style garb that didn't quite fit, even short-statured dwarves. Perimeter walls lined with uniformed soldiers—likely regular defense forces.
Anyone'd think we're gearing up for war. Well... it is war against demon beasts.
Heroes, hunters, the Papal Court, other races. A lineup flashy enough to topple a nation. Seongjin let out a dry chuckle.
They claimed seats in a corner. Alice, spooked, glued herself right to his side the moment she sat.
“Eek, look at their eyes. It's like we're the monsters...”
“Obviously. Everyone here's an elite from top outfits.”
Seongjin surveyed the room with keen interest. Impressive bunch overall, with a few standouts who piqued his curiosity.
Might challenge a couple to spars later.
He killed time mulling that over. After about ten minutes of tense silence, a middle-aged man in uniform strode onto the stage. Shoulder insignia marked him as high-ranking.
“Ahem. Attention, everyone.”
All eyes snapped to the podium. The murmurs died instantly.
The man swept the room with a sharp gaze before speaking.
“I am Alex Bankcroft, director of the Piros Autonomous Region Administrative Bureau. My deepest respects to all who've rushed here amid your busy schedules.”
The director himself? Came out personally?
A position tantamount to president in the region. Bigger production than expected for mere demon beast cleanup.
Bankcroft activated a massive screen beside the podium, displaying a map of the Kargas volcanic zone. Red blinks highlighted specific sectors—the ones razed a decade ago.
“As you're aware, the Kargas volcanic region has hit critical mass. Demon beast numbers have surged dozens-fold and keep climbing. We believe a persistent rift generator is at play.”
The mood grew heavier with each word. Some faces twisted with old grudges against the beasts.
“Our sole objective: eliminate the rift generator and purge every demon beast in the process. A high-rank demon beast is the prime suspect.”
High-rank demon beast.
A faint twitch tugged at Seongjin's lips—an instinctive curb on his glee. Its core would let Iris build that detector.
“You'll form teams to methodically clear the zone. Detailed ops as follows...”
The briefing dragged on at length, ending only as the bright sky darkened. Wrapping up, Bankcroft clapped once—crack!—and scanned the room.
“Operations commence tomorrow at 10 a.m. Enjoy the provided lodgings and banquet tonight.”
He bowed and vanished backstage. A waiting staffer stepped forward.
“Alright! Before dismissal, team assignments. Check your tickets for letters—same letter groups together!”
Team formation. Arguably the make-or-break for the op. Even elites could flop with bad teammates; good ones skyrocketed potential.
I glanced around. Heroes, hunters, other races... this motley crew would grind gears. Hence the Bureau's random assignments.
Prefer solo, but can't be helped for now.
Especially with clingy Alice—her only lifeline here was me.
“B-Team here!”
“A's! Any A's?”
“D-Team, over here!”
Voices called out everywhere. Alice clutched my arm, face crumpling.
“P-Professor... we're Z-Team, right? You won't leave me, will you?”
“As if. Z-Team here.”
She relaxed only after I flashed the ticket. Wound pretty tight.
Seongjin scanned the groups forming up. Teams solidifying fast.
“Han Seongjin? Z-Team? Over here, sir. Z-Team has special assignments.”
“Special? Huh, interesting.”
Trailing the staffer to a corner, several others already waited. Sharp stares prickled immediately.
Seongjin narrowed his eyes into a grin.
Team ops after so long. Let's see what we've got.