Rescue Team Organization

The leaked message spread like wildfire, turning the Magic Tower Alliance and the provisional Superintendency Management Committee upside down in just one day.

"So…."

I rubbed my forehead as I listened to Park Pyeong-su, the new Alliance Chairman of the Magic Tower Alliance.

"All the tower lords and the entire 1st Army are gathering for a meeting, and they're even broadcasting it, is that what you're saying?"

Park Pyeong-su, on the other end of the phone, replied with a bitter tone.

The Mage Association had collapsed, and with the hastily formed Superintendency Management Committee, a bunch of incompetents had slipped in.

"Tch, such critical info leaking— isn't that a huge problem?"

"I'm one of those MZ kids you're talking to."

"……."

'Isn't MZ just a vague term for young people...?'

I straightened up in confusion.

"So you want me to come right now?"

"From retirement back to active duty…."

I glanced at Lee Haryeong, lounging on the sofa in her super casual clothes. She licked the crumbs off her fingers from munching snacks and pointed at herself.

"Me too, for a while?"

"Yes, it seems so…."

Lee Haryeong nodded without complaint.

"Got it. I'll get ready."

After talking with her Abyss juniors, she seemed a bit sharper, clearly worried about their lives.

"We'll head out right away."

The massive Magic Tower in Seongbuk-gu. Unlike the Tower of Iolde, Cheonsung Tower was not just huge—it loomed like a majestic skyscraper.

"Does Cheonsung Tower have that much money?"

Lee Haryeong looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"You didn't know? Half of Seoul belongs to Cheonsung Tower—that saying didn't come from nowhere."

"……."

That much, huh…. The world is vast, and the rich are plentiful.

Sitting in the car, I gazed out the window at the plaza in front of Cheonsung Tower, packed with crowds.

"Lots of reporters."

"Well…. Obvious, isn't it."

Lee Haryeong sighed deeply, leaning back in her seat.

"With the 1st Army mages dropping like flies, failing to rescue them could shake the nation."

"Hm…."

"They might've leaked it on purpose."

"……?"

Lee Haryeong smirked and patted my head.

"Times like these call for heroes. Word of the 1st Army missing will spread fast anyway. The mages flocking for rescue will become the new heroes."

"Use new heroes to quell public anxiety?"

"Something like that."

Hearing Lee Haryeong's words, it did make sense.

"After this, the entire 2nd Army's gathering to organize the rescue team."

"Yeah, to show their faces and fill the 1st Army gap somehow."

"……."

"Ha, talk about a farce. Even if they gather, no conclusion, and no rescue team will go."

Korea, having lost its 1st Army, wouldn't dispatch the remaining 1st and 2nd Armies on a rescue mission. But under the guise of a rescue team, they'd parade the 2nd Army in the media to replace the 1st Army's spots—that seemed to be Lee Haryeong's take.

Her eyes sharpened, perhaps thinking of her 1st Army juniors.

"What hope even is…."

"Hope is better when it exists."

"……."

Lee Haryeong, staring out the window, turned to look at me.

"If it becomes the will to face the future. Then it's not a farce—it's desperate effort."

"…Little one."

I pressed down on Lee Haryeong's head, now at my height.

"Don't worry about the juniors. I'll bring them back."

"??"

Lee Haryeong blinked blankly for a moment, then bristled.

"Hey! Little one! You just used casual speech on me, didn't you?!"

Without answering, I quickly opened the car door and got out.

As I stepped out, my long black coat reached my ankles.

"Mm, a coat in May might be pushing it."

As I walked toward Cheonsung Tower, flashes exploded, and people swarmed.

"Are you participating in this rescue operation?!"

"Statement from Yu Eunha, Tower Lord of Iolde and 2nd Army triad!"

"Rumor has it you're the top hero who stopped Code Black!"

"Did you notice Code Black first?"

"What's the rescue success rate for the 1st Army?"

The entrance buzzed with noisy voices. Pushing through the reporters, I reached Cheonsung Tower's doors.

"Do you think rescue is possible?! They say the parties involved were told to abandon it!"

Someone's shout pierced my ears, so I turned.

Declaring I'd rescue them on my own here would put the Alliance and government in a bind. But I'd only used 30% of my stockpiled ether.

'Months of preparation— we haven't even started yet.'

I turned to the reporters and said,

"All preparations are complete. I'm not going to rescue—I'm going to counterattack."

The noisy crowd in front of the tower fell silent at the unexpected words.

Alliance Chairman Park Pyeong-su rubbed his wrinkled forehead.

Having passed Cheonsung Tower's lordship to Daniel on Lee Haryeong's recommendation, he'd risen to the Alliance chair.

'Such a complicated position.'

Already looking aged beyond his years, the last hour had added a decade more.

This was supposed to be a ceremonial meeting. Not for rescue, but a publicity stunt to announce participants. A stage for a new 1st Army, not saving the old one.

At least until moments ago.

"Haa…."

Park Pyeong-su picked up his phone amid the chaos before him.

The water was spilled. Thanks to Tower Lord Yu Eunha, the rescue plan was now mandatory.

Aware of this, other tower lords unleashed fury at Iolde Tower.

"Don't you get it? This was a show! Looks like Yu Eunha doesn't grasp the ecosystem yet…."

"No! What was Advisor Lee Haryeong doing there?!"

"What else! Got that seat by offering ether business rights!"

Some tower lords raged, others stayed silent. Towers with missing 1st Army mages even defended Yu Eunha.

"Her heart's in the right place, at least."

"You saying we should abandon the 1st Army? This is our chance!"

"Who doesn't know that! The issue is how to rescue them!"

Hence the chaos.

Finally, Park Pyeong-su banged the gavel.

Bang bang—

"Quiet."

All tower lords fell silent.

"Let's hear Tower Lord Yu Eunha's opinion first."

Come to think of it, Yu Eunha hadn't spoken yet.

She met my eyes, nodded once, and finally spoke.

"As I said, the plan is perfectly prepared. Firepower, ether— we have more than enough."

She paused, then continued.

"The only question is whether we'll go all out or not."

The room erupted again.

"What perfect plan?!"

"Firepower? In a country with barely three 7th-level mages left?"

Tower Lord Yu Eunha just smiled faintly.

"Then, firepower it is. Overwhelming enough to raze about 36 floors."

All the tower lords stared at her in stunned silence.