Chapter 33
Chapter 33
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 033
Chapter Title: Succubus Incident (7)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ryu Tae-hyun's cooperation secured, that very night.
Before heading to pick up his belongings from the Security Force dorms, I took a moment to swing back to the safehouse.
I figured I'd grab the gear Min Chae-ryeong had given me last time—and while I was at it, check in on Chae So-yeon and Ji Ye-won.
"Ahn Su-hooooo!!!"
The moment I stepped into the safehouse, Chae So-yeon came barreling toward me. Her face was a complicated mix of delight and frustration.
"Welcome back! You must be exhausted! Want some food first? Or a bath? Or..."
"Or? What?"
"Or... maybe you've come to switch shifts with this poor, pitiful So-yeon...?"
"No, I've got to head right back out."
"Tch..."
Chae So-yeon slumped her head, her face falling into a pout.
"Stuck cooped up in here all the time... it's driving me crazy. I wanna go outside... go for a drive... play some games... go home..."
I half-dragged her limp, whining form inside. Ji Ye-won was buried in the couch in the living room, the TV droning in the background.
"Oh, hey."
"Yes. Have you eaten?"
"We finished ages ago. Why, haven't eaten yet? I can heat up leftovers real quick."
"No, that's fine. I have to head out right away."
"Why? Working overtime at this hour?"
"Well—"
I started to explain the operation naturally, then clamped my mouth shut.
It required secrecy... but telling Ji Ye-won wouldn't leak the details. She was locked down here under "protection," her personal comms thoroughly restricted.
Still, the op's content was sensitive to her. Specifically, the intel it was based on.
Ryu Tae-hyun got the Talisman from Kim Min-ah two weeks ago, Friday night... before Ji Ye-won lost contact with her.
That didn't prove Kim Min-ah was alive. It just meant some of her movements before Dawn Corps captured her were public.
Even so, it might trigger a reaction from Ji Ye-won. Gauging her state, I watched her closely.
She looked fine on the surface. Way better than a few days ago, when her mental state had been half-collapsed.
...
Still, talking about Kim Min-ah was premature.
"...Night guard duty. Here to grab the gear I left behind."
"Got it. Tough gig. Unlike some shut-in."
"Hey! I'm doing my best here too!"
"All you do is occasional cleaning and laundry. What 'best'?"
"You done talking?!"
Leaving the bickering pair behind, I went to gather my gear. Telling Ji Ye-won about this... I'd consult Min Chae-ryeong first and decide later.
As long as I don't say anything, she won't know about it.
Something nagged at me briefly, but it was probably nothing. Grabbing my gear, I left the safehouse promptly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ryu Tae-hyun, Jo Yu-ri, and I headed to his place. After a brief explanation to his family, we packed essentials and returned straight to the Academy.
Dark backroads. Jo Yu-ri's SUV cut across the empty elevated highway.
Despite her timid personality, Jo Yu-ri was a surprisingly solid driver. I'd been nervous at first, but now I trusted her fully, relaxing into the ride.
"R-Right now, about now...!"
But her aversion to men remained unchanged. Trapped in this enclosed space with two guys, her voice trembled more than usual.
"About now. The police and T-Tae-ho. Tae-ho...!"
"Police and Senior Tae-ho raiding a Dawn Corps hideout?"
Jo Yu-ri nodded. Yeah, the op timing was about right.
Three hideouts from Ji Ye-won. Four from the captured sniper. Total seven; Min Chae-ryeong passed four to the police. The rest for private use.
They'd raid one per night starting tonight—to draw out the culprit and other Dawn Corps.
This op was huge plot-wise. Direct strikes on Dawn Corps hideouts happened mid-novel. Around chapter 150, nearly a year later timeline-wise.
Another deviation, but I was used to it now. The story had veered far from canon despite me. Original knowledge was just reference; from here, improvise per incident.
-Vroooooom.
A roar shook my ears.
Glancing back, a black van with high beams closed in fast.
Some asshole driver, I thought—
"...Enemies."
Ryu Tae-hyun spoke, and more identical black vans surged from behind the first, swarming us instantly.
Three-lane one-way elevated highway. Vans boxed us in—sides, and before we knew it, front too. Surrounded, Jo Yu-ri and I sensed trouble.
Side doors slid open; men in head-to-toe black emerged, gripping dark guns.
Suspicious black vehicles, road encirclement, armed men.
We're fucked!
The thought hit as muzzles flashed all around.
-Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat!!!
Dozens, hundreds of rounds slammed the chassis. Sharp cracks and heavy thuds; white cracks spiderwebbed every window.
But no bullet penetrated. Ducking low, I glanced at the driver's seat. Jo Yu-ri hunched over the wheel, yelling.
"Th-This! This is b-bulletproof glass, so it's f-fine... Kyaa?!"
-KABOOOM!!!
An unprecedented shock hit.
⚙ SYSTEM ALERT ⚙ Warning. Warning. Left armor damage: 47%. Left armor damage: 47%. That SF-like voice echoed inside. Looking left, a mechanical battering ram protruded from the open van door.
Oh.
An image flashed: vehicle surround, bullet hail, battering ram.
This is exactly like Nick Fury's ambush in Win○ Soldiers...
Then the second strike rocked us.
-KABOOOM!!!
⚙ SYSTEM ALERT ⚙ Warning. Warning. Left armor damage: 68%. Left armor damage: 68%. Eyeing the visibly crumpled left side, I yelled at Jo Yu-ri.
"Senior! Dawn Corps ambush! Contact the team leader!"
"I-I've been trying! But no signal!"
"No way—open highway like this?!"
My phone showed no bars. Signal jammer crossed my mind.
-KABOOOOOM!!!
⚙ SYSTEM ALERT ⚙ Warning. Warning. Left armor damage: 89%. Left armor damage: 89%. Drive system damaged. Vehicle speed reduced. "Kyaaaaah!"
"Senior! This thing got flight mode or anything?!"
"A-a car with f-flight? No way...!"
"Damn it!"
Bulletproof everything, even vehicle AI—worth a shot. But no flight.
89% damage. Next hit breaches the door.
Ryu Tae-hyun clenched his fist, stepping up.
"Agents, staying put means the door gives and we get riddled. Better open up and fight!"
"N-No! You're the protectee!"
"Can't just sit!"
He looked ready to burst out. I grabbed his shoulder hard.
"...Step back."
-Shwoooo.
Talisman activated; blue light rippled over my black leather gloves. Ryu Tae-hyun's eyes widened.
"You—that's—"
I focused, ignoring his realization.
Ryu Tae-hyun could fight on a moving car. But not me or Jo Yu-ri. He can't protect us while fighting—bullet hail the second door opens.
Plus, unknown enemy forces. Who knows what superpowered freaks in those vans.
Fighting encircled is what they want. Break out first—fight or flee.
"Senior! What's under this highway? Residential? Roads?!"
"No! Ecological park!"
"Perfect!"
Power to my right hand. Black smoke compressed around it.
Outside: battering ram rumbling, poised to strike.
"P-Perfect? What? Su-ho, what are you—"
"We'll fly out!"
"F-Fly? No flight mode—"
She realized, staring in shock.
"N-No way... right?"
-KABOOOOOM!!!!
Strike hit; left door flew off.
Now!
Aimed black smoke at the road below the black van—full blast.
-THBOOOOM!!!
Our SUV rocketed into the night sky.
"Kyaa, kyaaaaah!!!"
Blast propelled us airborne. Through the shattered door, smoke-shrouded highway. Height: 30m up, 50m to ground.
Momentum faded; SUV wobbled mid-air.
"W-We're falling!!"
Jo Yu-ri's scream. Approaching ground. Glowing Talisman. Swirling black smoke.
Just before impact, second smoke burst from my hand.
-THWHOOOSH!!
Fall halted dead. Smoke thrust countered descent.
Angled diagonally, SUV skimmed down, crashing with a roar.
-SKREEEEECH!!!!
Sparks flew from scraping side. Momentum flipped it sideways.
"Wh-Whoa!"
My body flung left through the gap—Ryu Tae-hyun yanked me into his arms.
-Thud! Thud! Boom! Boom...
After rolls, it stopped.
"Hah... hah..."
Jo Yu-ri dazed against airbag. Me groaning in Ryu Tae-hyun's grip.
Only he unscathed. Protagonist, I thought. He scanned outside.
"Can't drive. Let's get out and fight."
"No, we run. No need to fight."
"...If they let us."
"Huh?"
Down here? They'd have to.
Then shadows—dozen-plus—leapt from the highway.
"Shit."
Right, all superhumans.
Forgot, gauging by me—C+ could survive 20m drop with minor injury. Twisted ankle at worst.
20m no obstacle for them.
Out of the wrecked SUV, fifteen men and women closed in.
Running tough.
I drew Antares dagger from waist, activated undersuit exomuscle.
-Vrrrrrm.
Suit gripped muscles snugly. Ryu Tae-hyun and Jo Yu-ri flanked me.
"Academy Security involved, huh?"
Voice echoed from empty air.
Red mist swirled from all sides, forming a figure. A beautiful, bewitching woman emerged.
"Meet again? Ryu Tae-hyun, right? Owe you from last time."
"Owe? Didn't you mean got your ass kicked?"
Ryu Tae-hyun retorted, lowering into stance, fists forward. He whispered.
"The one who ambushed me in the park yesterday. Powers: body transformation, mist form, mental attacks, regeneration. Tricky foe."
"So she's..."
The succubus culprit. Matched Ryu Tae-hyun's description.
But human. Superpower mimicking succubus?
Body transform, mist, mind attack, regen... all annoying as hell.
But Ryu Tae-hyun seemed to have a counter.
"Ryu Tae-hyun. Can you handle her?"
"She fled after losing once. I'll end it quick."
He shed his hood. Muscles gleamed under moonlight, battle-hardened.
"Oof. Scary."
She shook her head mockingly.
"But too bad—I'm not your opponent today."
Meaningful smile—
-KABOOOM!!
Massive thud on ground.
Dust settled: hulking middle-aged man. Black tank top exposed tattooed arms thicker than Ryu Tae-hyun's torso.
"Uncle Seong-hak. That leftmost kid—he's the one. Handle it?"
"Leave it to me."
Deep rumble. Seong-hak eyed Ryu Tae-hyun, smirked.
"Heh heh. Heard hype from Park Ji-hyun, but you're just a scrawny anchovy punk."
"...What?"
"Still, decent for anchovy. One-soup anchovy, maybe?"
Childish taunt. No way he'd bite—I glanced; he smirked.
"Don't worry. That crap doesn't faze me."
"Good—"
"But that tattoo pig won't leave me be."
Tattoo pig: Seong-hak.
"I'll clean him fast. Won't take long."
Calm words, but eyes blazed. Taunt landed.
"Wait, then who handles the succubus—"
"You, Agent Ahn?"
He pointed at my right hand. Curious, he shrugged.
"That ring inside the glove—same Talisman as mine?"
"How'd you—"
I swallowed. He noticed my wariness, shrugged again.
"Yeah? Felt similar energy to mine. My senses are sharp."
What nonsense.
Too sharp. Even I couldn't sense dormant Talisman mana. Not even equipped fully.
Incomprehensible, but shook it off. This guy's the protagonist—does impossible daily. Sharp senses? Normal.
"Anyway. Attacks infused with that ring's power hit even in mist. Don't know why, but it worked."
Explained his edge over mist-user.
But enemies aren't just her.
She seemed exec/leader, but fourteen more besides her and Seong-hak. Open area—they'd swarm.
"M-Mooks! I-I'll h-handle... th-them!"
Stuttered shout, avoiding eye contact.
But Team 2 agent handpicked by Min Chae-ryeong. If confident, she had something.
"Fourteen? Alone?"
"Y-Yes!"
"...Got it. Handle them."
Matchups set.
Ryu Tae-hyun VS Seong-hak
Me VS Succubus woman
Jo Yu-ri VS 14 minions.
Can we win? Brief doubt, shaken off.
Not 'can.' Must.
Enemies approached slowly; Ryu Tae-hyun blocked front.
His broad back felt reassuring.
Yeah, with the protagonist, it'll work.
Optimistic. But grounded.
Min Chae-ryeong's gear, Yeo In-hyuk's buffs, Breath of the Morningstar.
I wasn't that pathetic E-Rank anymore. Short-term, could overwhelm specials/agents. Solid fighter.
...Fuck.
Still trembled pre-fight. Body upgraded, mind still modern peacenik.
Ryu Tae-hyun glanced, whispered.
"Don't sweat it. I got you."
Fists clashed—
"Beat a 1st-year topper. These chumps? Piece of cake."
Then he charged the foes.