Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: 38. Something Writhing in the Depths (6)
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Sillard Leo.
Head of the Lair Disciplinary Office. And at the same time, the leader of the most stringent investigative agency in this massive academy city.
Unlike the heads of supply offices who just sit around playing with numbers, he was different. Even during the Great War, he had already become a world ranker in his thirties.
His body had ballooned from a giant's blood transfusion. A colossal height of 3 meters. Even Yoo Ji-tae, who was quite tall, looked like David standing before Goliath.
The regressor recalled the previous timeline. Sillard Leo was a key figure in the upcoming second Great War. In an era where romance had faded, he was one of the few true soldiers fighting for humanity. He was someone who absolutely should have survived.
Of course, Yoo Ji-tae couldn't care less about that.
"I'm Sillard Leo, Head of the Disciplinary Office. For charges including assault, battery, intimidation, destruction of property, and a dozen other counts besides. I am here to arrest Yoo Ji-tae's guardian as of this moment."
"……."
"You have the right to remain silent or request a lawyer. Any objections?"
Blue mana rippled from the massive shield on his left arm.
Yoo Ji-tae nodded nonchalantly. No matter how you sliced it, he had done wrong, and he was indeed the one to be arrested.
"No objections."
"Then I ask for your cooperation in the arrest."
He pulled out a set of restraining chains—an artifact—from his bosom. But as Yoo Ji-tae stood there quietly, the giant paused and spoke.
"That said, you don't need to worry too much. From what I've seen of the situation, your reasons for anger are understandable. Cooperate with the investigation, and a significant portion of the charges can be mitigated……."
"Hold on. I haven't heard something yet."
Yoo Ji-tae cut him off.
"Pardon?"
"One last question before we go."
Yoo Ji-tae walked past him toward Kang Moon-gu.
He still hadn't gotten confirmation on who was pulling the strings.
Thud—
But a massive foot shot out, blocking Yoo Ji-tae's path. Sillard's leg had appeared out of nowhere. The regressor had to stop dead in his tracks.
"Apologies, but no."
"What?"
"No further approach allowed."
"……."
"Please understand. The Disciplinary Office is also investigating the protective collar incident and has applied for a warrant under my name from the Academic Affairs Bureau."
Let the police handle it; civilians stay out.
Yoo Ji-tae placed a hand on the back of his neck and rubbed his stiff muscles.
"No approach. Just a question."
"That's not permitted either."
"Why not."
"We'll discuss it at the office. Let's go."
"Then this won't work either."
The giant's sunken eye sockets twitched.
Though he had retired after seriously starting to hunt demons, Yoo Ji-tae had once been a cop at the Lair Local Police Station.
Investigations had strict protocols. Even the Lair Disciplinary Office wasn't exempt. But nowhere in those protocols did it say you had to block someone from even asking a question. Especially not when victim and perpetrator weren't clear-cut. Isolating them was one thing.
So Sillard was just being difficult.
Maybe trying to seize the initiative.
"You have to come. I'm taking you in."
His follow-up confirmed it.
Thud.
The giant's massive foot took a step forward.
A crushing pressure poured out, bearing down on Yoo Ji-tae. He recognized him as a powerhouse but suppressing powerhouses was his specialty.
"Last warning. Cooperate with the investigation."
"I'm trying to, but you're the one interfering."
"It's just isolation protocol. How is that interference?"
As the mood shifted, Sillard growled.
"You can't play hardball like that. Not when you're the head of the Disciplinary Office. No shame for failing to prevent a near-decapitation of a cadet? Now you wanna poke around and pick up scraps?"
How could anyone predict a crime without being omniscient? But the cop didn't bother defending himself.
"…From now on, I'll just do my job."
The shield on the ground lifted.
"Last warning. Come quietly."
He extended his hand into the air, and blue flames erupted. As they subsided, a massive blue hammer materialized.
It was a level 3 artifact. Tubal-Cain's Judgment.
And the shield he'd been holding was an even higher level 4 artifact, Fragment of the Barrier.
From a distant ancient era, before dragons even existed. A shard of the 'Far North Barrier' that once divided the otherworld continent into south and north.
An unbreakable shield.
"……."
A gloomy killing intent flowed out.
"How dare you!"
Sensing it, an advanced subspace erupted from Sillard's body, engulfing the world.
Within the dazzling blue world of shattering azure light.
The Disciplinary Head charged at Yoo Ji-tae.
"Evil one—!"
The massive roar shook the subspace.
His colossal frame vibrated the dimension like hundreds of buffaloes stampeding straight at Yoo Ji-tae.
Mana fragments gathered on the hammer. Blue light exploded like a falling meteor. Unprecedented force rained down on Yoo Ji-tae.
Boom!!
Blocked!
Momentum repelled
Something blocked it. The momentum bounced back. Blue mana swirled in a vortex, radiating outward and pushing the world away. The subspace rippled and shook. Sparks flew skyward.
The next moment, Sillard doubted his own eyes.
The hammer had snagged on something in mid-air, unable to advance.
The regressor lightly pushed the sword forward. The giant was repelled hammer and all.
He lowered his stance and closed in on Sillard. A thrust. Impossible to track with the eye, an invisible weapon—yet Sillard instinctively thrust out the center of his shield to block it.
Kagagagak—!
A massive impact tore through the shield.
One clash. But Sillard was greatly startled.
A thrust. Just a thrust—how was it this heavy?
Yoo Ji-tae closed in again, swinging 'something' in a wide arc. Thung— He thought he'd blocked it, but 'something' dug into the shield. His body flew back like it was launched, crashing dozens of meters away into the subspace floor.
This wouldn't end with a moderate suppression.
Azure Sea (A+)
Assimilation with space
A skill merging with space. The giant's flesh enveloped in blue light.
Not enough. Sillard activated every protective blessing and skill.
Aura of Peace (A)
Endless stamina surges. All physical efficiencies explode upward.
Sillard layered on more than a dozen B-rank or higher skills and blessings.
A myriad of radiances poured from Sillard's body.
From now on, even alone, he'd surpass an entire superhuman battalion.
"……!"
That was when it happened.
Fully battle-ready, Sillard froze in confusion.
He groaned.
What the…
Execution Field Declaration (AA+) was his strongest authority. Within the declared domain, it let him suppress even those stronger than himself—one of the world's rare powers.
Yet the power absorbed from the target was absurdly massive, beyond comprehension.
How is this possible…
Before being Lair's Disciplinary Head, he had been the former chairman of the borderless Superhuman Association (OWB). He'd stopped wars in many conflict zones and subdued countless rankers.
With Execution Field Declaration (AA+), he typically absorbed 30% of the target's base power on average—up to 40% at most.
That was the regulated figure only he could see in his status window.
Shield raised, Sillard glanced at the window.
<Power Absorbed in Domain: 833%>
What the hell was this…?
The next moment, the cop turned to the criminal walking toward him.
No words. No expression. No gestures. A weapon gripped in hand. He approached. Avian's Chains strained to block him, the subspace world enveloping him taut like it might snap—but he ignored it all and kept walking.
The man before him unleashed killing intent surging from his shoulder and swung once.
Formless Sword (SS) ― Form 2Ring Chain Form
Once shattered the demon king's front gate. Shattered the fully molted possession body of Abyss 7th Legion Lord Lakshata.
That domineering killing intent vibrated like a chainsaw and poured forth.
This is dangerous—
I have to block it properly…!
He raised his shield, channeling all absorbed power to repel him. Mana like a mountain-pushing gale burst from Fragment of the Barrier. But suddenly, a hand shot in and grabbed his nape. The man's arm appeared. What monstrous strength— the giant's neck nearly snapped.
"……."
The next moment, the man's invisible 'weapon' touched the shield.
A colossal shock engulfed his entire body, enough to black out his mind.
Simultaneously, the entire subspace world shattered into fragments of light.
Sillard was ejected from the subspace, shield and all. He smashed through the Academic Affairs Office wall, crashed down, and slammed into the street.
A thunderous boom like the heavens splitting erupted. Shockwaves rippled in concentric circles. Every window in nearby buildings and vehicles shattered.
At the same time, Hate Ling—the floating island protected by dozens of defensive spells—dropped about 15 cm in altitude.
At the center of it all lay a crater thirty meters wide.
'…….'
He'd blocked it, but it didn't feel like a block. His organs were crushed from the impact.
"……."
Today, the sky felt higher and farther than usual.
That was the last scene Sillard Leo remembered.
"……."
After finishing procedures. On the way to the dungeon.
At the Portal Management Bureau. Over a hundred cadets and dozens of guardians buzzed noisily.
Yeoreum glanced outside with an irritated expression. She checked her watch. About four minutes left until dungeon entry, but for some reason, Yoo Ji-tae hadn't shown.
Yeoreum asked Mikhailov.
"Any contact from my guardian? He was on the phone with someone earlier."
Mikhailov's complexion was poor. He shook his head.
"Why. He not coming?"
"Focus on the raid for now."
"What the hell… Why isn't he here?"
— Entering the staging area in 3 minutes. Cadets, perform final gear checks.
The announcement played. Cadets stood. Yeoreum hid her discomfort and rose too. Teams ahead entered the portal, and Yeoreum in the back row kept glancing at the entrance.
Her distraction spread to the team. For some reason, they felt scattered too.
Unable to stand it, Sophia spoke up.
"Probably busy with work. Your guardian."
"……."
"Don't worry too much."
"……."
"…You even listening? You're making us all antsy. We'll see after."
"Ah, shut your damn mouth."
"Crazy bitch. I worry and you bitch……."
That was when Yoo Ji-tae popped out from the entrance.
Still, Yeoreum didn't drop her pissed expression.
"What? Why now. Shoulda come next year."
"Sorry. At least I'm not late."
"You are late. Fucking hell."
His clothes were different from before. Mikhailov looked puzzled, but whatever.
Yoo Ji-tae approached the team and handed out small chocolates. One each. "What is this……." Yeoreum grumbled.
"You all worked hard prepping. Do well in there."
"…Doesn't suit you."
Their turn came. Sophia glanced at Yeoreum. She sighed deeply. Then, turning with a much calmer face, she stepped toward the portal.
"Ji-tae. How'd you…?"
Mikhailov, left standing alone, frowned. But Yoo Ji-tae just shook his head vaguely. Then vanished from his spot without answering.
Exiting the Portal Management Bureau, Yoo Ji-tae made a call somewhere.
"Yeah, it's me."
— ……!
"No, no. It's my voice. Cut the nonsense. I need some urgent help."
— ……?
"Yeah. That time has come now. Come as soon as possible. Before it gets messy."