This Time, I Wasn't Late
The Special Intelligence Agency agent dispatched to the academy this time, D.
He was the man who had been forcibly chased away by Licata after interrogating the terrorists Karl had captured recently.
“Can we really entrust this matter to Karl Adelheit?”
“He’s just a civilian. It wouldn’t be wise to involve him in anything beyond that.”
He was a recipient of the Imperial Medal of Honor. There was no way they would doubt his abilities.
Instead, because he had received that medal, it seemed better not to sacrifice him.
He himself didn’t want to be called a ‘Sergeant’ but a ‘Student’.
But the upper echelons had already decided to send him to cooperate with the extermination unit commander from the Heigens faction who had pointed out Karl.
Furthermore, the War Ministry had declared that no one was more reliable than him.
Moreover, the Imperial Family had already issued an order to receive his help since Karl was at the academy.
It was strange. No matter how many medals he had, was this the case?
The reason for the medal had been a massive rescue of our troops, hadn’t it? Because of his courageous action.
The D agent, feeling something was off, investigated within his reach.
Karl Adelheit. What kind of person was he, and what kind of time had he spent?
Why did everyone trust this person named Karl?
The conclusion was that it was plausible.
“No way. Even after the unit received multiple ‘annihilated’ judgments, he survived to the end?”
Karl was a founding member of the unit he belonged to. And he had been on the front lines for three years straight.
From scouting the Luzens side to the highest elites, he had faced all kinds of enemies.
And even in extreme situations where soldiers from the lowest to the regiment commander died, he survived to the end.
Even when founding members died or were injured and vacancies appeared and new recruits came in.
Even when those new recruits were swept away and replacement soldiers hurriedly filled the positions.
Karl Adelheit had firmly held his position. He continued fighting.
Was he an outstanding commander? No. Or a genius staff officer? No.
Then, was he a brave assault leader or a fireman assigned to urgent places? No, that didn’t fit either.
He had never taken on a specific position for a special mission.
Karl was just a survivor. A veteran soldier who had experienced dozens of large and small battles.
That was why he knew more about the Luzens than anyone else. About the ‘Gganf’ he spoke of.
More than high-ranking War Ministry staff, more than any agent from the Special Intelligence Agency.
And ‘knowing well’ didn’t stop at mere conceptual understanding.
How to make it more painful. How to make them move freely.
And in what way to fight so that they could feel extreme fear and despair.
“Guhaak!”
“Kuk! Kueok!”
Do not interfere at all. Just check if there are any fleeing ones or something.
Or check if there are any other reserves besides these, accurately.
The request D agent conveyed to Karl was all of that.
Thanks to him, he could see from afar how Karl handled the Gganf.
He understood why Karl said that fish bread and hotteok were enough as weapons.
To think such an effective and reliable combat method.
Of course, there were agents in the Special Intelligence Agency with such skills.
They received training. They must deliver maximum lethality with minimum force.
But Karl was not affiliated with the Special Intelligence Agency. He was just an ordinary soldier.
After basic training, he was immediately sent to the front lines and had to fight continuously.
There, he learned and gained everything: all combat methods and all skilled movements.
With this level, he would be much stronger in close combat than me.
He targeted the vital points with deadly precision. If you pointed out a weakness, he bit it off and ripped it out.
He never let go of a single weak point. He clung to it until the end and inflicted fatal damage.
He said he didn’t want to see blood because it was festival day, but he really didn’t see blood.
He targeted the breathing apparatus to instantly seize control of the opponent’s body and ravage it.
The state was already filled with extreme excitement and tension from combat.
Blood surged violently, heart pounding roughly, breathing quickened.
With just one breath targeting, perfect suppression was possible.
Next was ruthless thorough joint destruction.
All Gganf caught in Karl’s grip had their limbs completely shattered.
No healthy parts left. They all had to roll around for the rest of their lives.
Extremely simplified movements. Pursuing simplicity while possessing power. Is this really the appearance a common soldier can show?
Suddenly, a woman from the interrogation room a moment ago came to mind.
Licata Adelheit. Actually, the D agent himself knew nothing about her.
Just a normal noble daughter. The peculiar thing was that she cherished her younger brother very much, so he thought.
But soon, upon meeting a high-level Special Intelligence Agency official, he learned her identity.
“You almost died just now. Don’t ever talk to that woman like that again.”
“Details are classified, I can’t tell you. But… yeah. Let’s say it’s one of the sharpest blades the Imperial Family has. With you, that would be enough.”
Hearing that, he could immediately infer her identity.
Special Operations Execution Department. The highest military agency under the Imperial Family. Specialists in all fields.
Even saying ‘sharpest’ meant the best among them.
He couldn’t find out more due to information restrictions, but that was enough.
Of course, Licata wouldn’t have taught her brother Karl.
But the talent she had could appear sufficiently in him.
Looking at it this way, it was obvious that the Luzens guys were being massacred right now.
“Guhruek!―”
“Aak!”
If dozens stuck at once, maybe, but the number was less than ten.
In such a situation, there was no possibility of victory against them from the start.
From the start, Karl wouldn’t have allowed a situation where numbers overwhelmed him.
Even though elves have strong affection for their kin, this was beyond that.
Instinct took over. The desire to live, to run, the craving for survival overflowed.
“Plan B! Plan B!”
At least the three elves with intact limbs scattered in different directions.
The Special Intelligence Agency agents watching this suppressed them two by two.
At that moment, something unexpected happened.
Boom!―
“Kuk!”
“Kuhak! Kak!”
A light popping sound was heard, and two agents jumped and coughed.
It was clear they were in extreme pain. Even though they were trained, that black smoke was something no human could endure.
“Kuk?!”
Even D agent himself unconsciously flinched and backed away from the smoke.
It was a substance that instantly numbed sight and smell. He had never heard of this.
Damn Gganf guys. What the hell did they make!
“Damn! Missed!”
“Reserve unit, what are you doing! Capture!”
The two who tried to escape were successfully captured, but one was missed.
The reserve unit was hurriedly deployed, but elves’ agility surpasses humans’.
Meanwhile, one escaped elf entered a visible booth.
Was it fate or was it predetermined? Unfortunately, it was the place where the four and Selena were.
*
“Sigh…”
Selena sat on the chair with a tired face. More people than expected came.
She was worried because there were too many prepared materials, but it turned out there were not enough.
The four guys standing there earnestly taking photos and pressing were saying, “Hey, this might be lacking?” “Wasn’t there any left?” “What if it’s lacking?” “I don’t know. Karl, help me…” etc.
“Did Karl know this would happen…?”
Around the time Selena was tilting her head curiously because of the better-than-expected popularity.
Suddenly, from behind, shouts and screams were heard, and suddenly a strange man jumped out like lightning from behind the tent.
Crash! Boom!―
“Kyaak?!”
Selena, startled, tried to back away, but from behind, the sound of ‘Capture!’ was clear.
Looking at it this way, that man has weird ears. One is normal, the other is elongated. And with the capture order, he was so startled he hurriedly tried to run.
Seeing that, Selena instinctively grabbed the leg of the unidentified man.
“H, hey! Let go!”
The pursued one hurriedly pulled out a dagger from his pocket and swung it at Selena.
“Aak!”
The clothes tore, skin was cut, blood flowed. Because of that, Selena let go of him.
Having removed the intruder, at the moment of trying to run to the opposite side where the capture order was heard.
The front of the booth was suddenly lifted! and the rescue soldier chasing him revealed himself.
“…”
Karl’s gaze passed through the elf holding the dagger, to Selena bleeding.
At that moment, rationality faded, and the instinct that had been saving him took control of the body.
Crack―
The elf’s face was smashed as is. When he fell backward, Karl climbed on top.
Boom!― Thud!―
He swung his fist without stopping. Blood splattered everywhere, even if teeth and flesh scattered.
Even as the elf’s screams subsided and his body went limp, he didn’t stop.
The people he had known until now were hit by the elf’s sword. Bleeding. In pain.
He had to kill. Kill, so he could save. He couldn’t let him live. Otherwise, someone else would die.
“…Karl…”
I can’t just save myself. I can’t just live. I don’t want to.
Damn me, do I have to cry holding someone’s hand in a dream again?
I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. How long do I have to shout alone in emptiness?
“Karl!!”
Karl’s fist in the air stopped abruptly at the cry mixed with sobs.
One elf crushed under him. The Special Intelligence Agency agents trying to stop him.
The murmuring voices from all around. The four blocking the front of the booth.
And Selena sitting next to him holding his blood-stained hand.
“Karl! Stop now…”
“Are you okay?”
Karl himself was in the most terrifying state, but in his eyes asking that, there was a faint fear.
“Are you okay? You… are you alive?”
“I’m fine! Since I’m fine, stop now. Stop!”
Only then did Karl slowly lower his fist.
It was fortunate. This time, I wasn’t late.