The Three Musketeers Sortie
The Three Musketeers Sortie
Since we couldn't just charge in blind this time, I gathered everyone except the First Generation.
All eyes turned to me.
Angelica's glare was especially sharp.
"Haaah... haah..."
She kept her eyes on Ha Hui-ryeong, who was still impaled on me.
-Squelch.
"Ahem... So, did you enjoy the card game?"
After a short, dry cough, I discreetly sat Ha Hui-ryeong down next to me.
Ha Hui-ryeong, semen still leaking from her crotch, breath coming in feverish gasps, was noticeably more subdued than before.
"It was fun? Lots of people, so it was pretty easy."
I'd been looking at Angelica when I asked, but it was Jeong Ji-min who answered.
Smiling like an idiot, Jeong Ji-min gave her honest opinion.
It seemed like she genuinely enjoyed herself.
Even if she wasn't First Generation material.
"Glad to hear it. But Angelica, you joining in like that... that's unexpected."
"I joined partly to get to know some faces. Judging by how awkward everyone was around me, it wasn't particularly meaningful for socializing. Still, more importantly..."
Angelica glanced sharply at Lim Da-hye, who was huddled in a corner sobbing bitterly.
"It seems you got some useful intel?"
"Yeah. I did. We're going underground."
"Underground, huh..."
She looked unconvinced.
I understood why.
I hadn't properly explained to her why we were trying to go underground.
"Why? The likelihood of mutant entities down there is high. Especially field boss-level, powerful ones. Knowing that, why?"
"Simple. Hui-ryeong needs to find her mother."
"You mean that ajumma?"
If she called her 'ajumma,' they must at least be acquainted.
That would make this conversation quicker.
"Honestly, if a stable life was the goal, I wouldn't have been running all over the place like this. Could've just set up base in that Gangdong-gu department store."
"Hm... So helping Shin Yoo-hwa was just a bonus, then?"
"Something like that."
If our paths to Gangnam hadn't overlapped, I wouldn't have chosen to help Shin Yoo-hwa.
The top priority was tracking down that ajumma, so Shin Yoo-hwa was just a side branch.
"So your obsession with Gangnam was because the ajumma went to Gangnam. I see. Now it all makes sense."
"Right. We busted our asses doing every kind of dog-and-pony show to get there because we were told she went to Gangnam, only to find out Gangnam had completely collapsed and everyone scattered."
"The situation took an unexpected turn. But you've finally found a clue. You learned from that woman that the survivors of Gangnam fled into the underground here."
I nodded instead of answering.
To be precise, Ha Hui-ryeong was the one who interrogated that woman, but the quality of info from the bulletin board and from her was about the same, so there was no point in denying it.
"But... taking this vehicle underground is impossible, isn't it?"
Kang Ha-rin cautiously raised a hand and spoke.
A good question.
"That's exactly the point. That's why I called all of you together."
I snapped my fingers before continuing.
"Like Ha-rin said, we can't bring a vehicle this big underground. Some of us will inevitably have to stay on the surface."
"So personnel distribution becomes the issue."
Kim Ha-yoon's one-liner hit the nail on the head.
Angelica rubbed her chin, deep in thought.
About a minute later, she opened her mouth.
"I'm against this. Not only do we not know what dangers lurk down there, but now you're splitting our forces in two? No matter how I think about it, this isn't wise."
"I think the same. But what can we do? We don't have a choice. Got to pick the lesser evil."
If we retreat here, we'd have to cross the bridge again and go all the way to Seongdong-gu.
The risks were about the same.
And if we got all the way to Seongdong-gu and hit a dead end, wouldn't we have to come back to Seocho-gu anyway?
So it made sense to search this place nearby first, and if it turned up nothing, then head toward Seongdong-gu.
"The risk is bigger, but this route is the cleanest."
"Hoo... Fine. If that is your decision, then I shall simply follow."
She didn't seem thrilled, but I got the feeling she was letting it slide because it was me.
Alright, that settled Angelica.
"Uh... so, do you already have something in mind for the teams?"
Jeong Ji-min asked.
Her eyes kept darting around restlessly, as if something was worrying her.
What on earth was she so worried about?
Was she afraid I'd drag her along when she can't even throw a punch?
"For now, it'll be me, Ha Hui-ryeong, and Kim Ha-yoon."
"You and the two unnis? Then I'll be staying here, right?"
"Looks like it."
"Woohoo!"
Thwack!
Right as Jeong Ji-min let out a cheer, Kim Ha-yoon slammed her elbow into her side as if to scold her.
Jeong Ji-min, who'd been celebrating with her arms up, took the full hit and sank to the floor with a single duck-like death cry, "Kwaeak!"
"Read the room."
"Ughhh... S-Sorry."
Watching that scene, I let out a dry laugh.
It was ridiculous seeing her get chewed out by a kid three years younger than her.
Especially since Ha-yoon was the shortest one, so it felt like watching a little sister scold the older one.
"I'll be staying as well, then. May I know why?"
"We need someone to protect this place. And in that sense, you're the most suitable."
I'd debated between Kim Ha-yoon and Angelica, both of whom can attack and defend, over who would be better to leave behind.
But I soon decided that Angelica was better for defensive purposes.
Sure, Ha-yoon had gained more experience than before, but she still wasn't proficient in close combat.
She could easily gain the upper hand in mid- to long-range fights, but she was helpless against a foe with the breakthrough power of someone like Ha Hui-ryeong.
So she wasn't suited for staying behind alone to guard the camper.
In comparison, Angelica specialized in close-to-mid-range combat.
Within roughly five meters of her own position, as far as her eyes could see, she was practically invincible.
So in this case, she was the most appropriate choice.
She was perfectly capable of defending the camper alone and destroying any enemies.
"That is true. However, the thought of being separated from you doesn't sit well with me at all."
"I'll make it up to you when I get back."
"I hope you'll keep that promise, then. No matter how much I've said that charity alone is enough for me, that doesn't mean I wish to be neglected."
Having said that, Angelica gave a bitter smile.
Ha... this makes me feel weak-hearted too.
But I couldn't just retract the plan because of that.
Personal feelings shouldn't ruin a mission.
That was why Angelica wasn't being stubborn about it either.
Though it wasn't in her nature to be like that in the first place.
"So, we just continue to wait in the vehicle, then?"
"Yep. Ration your food for at least a week. I can't say for sure when we'll be back."
At those words, Kang Ha-rin nodded, saying she understood.
She'd been subtly showing a more proactive attitude since that day.
As if she'd decided not to skirt around the edges anymore, she stopped ignoring me when I talked to her and answered enthusiastically.
A very welcome change.
"If anything happens, contact me immediately through the bulletin board."
"Yes. I will."
Kang Ha-rin gave a smile so beautiful it gently lifted the corners of her lips.
She approached me and wrapped me in a tight hug.
And then.
"Don't get hurt, and come back safely."
She whispered softly into my ear.
This one, casually making a move on me like this.
But it didn't feel bad at all.
Because it meant the psychological distance between us had shrunk that much.
"Oppa, don't die! You never know when a stray arrow might take you out, so watch yourself awake or asleep! Even a stone bridge should be tapped before you cross! Got it? You got it, right?"
"Can you please stop saying such ominous things?"
Smack.
After that, Jeong Ji-min gave me a light kiss on the cheek.
"Since Ha Hui-ryeong, that bitch, will be with you, I'm not greatly worried, but do not overexert yourself."
"Got it."
Angelica just held my hand tightly for a moment, then let go.
Like a mother worrying for her child.
"Let's head out soon."
"Yeah. Hey, Hui-ryeong. Snap out of it and get up."
"Argh, damn... It's because of you! I'm this worn out because of you, and that's all you have to say?"
And so, the three musketeers departed for the underground.
*
Leaving the camper van behind, we headed for a subway entrance.
Near it, to be exact.
We hid behind the wreckage of a half-destroyed vehicle nearby and observed the situation.
The reason being.
"Brother, come this way. I shall guide you."
"Then I shall be in your care, Sister."
Just as we were on our way, three figures, a man and two women, emerged from the entrance.
They were strangely dressed in pure white uniforms, and even their faces were hidden behind masks etched with peculiar symbols.
It was a highly suspicious getup.
So we all halted our steps at once and swiftly hid ourselves.
"I heard a rumor they were a pseudo-cult, but this looks even worse, don't you think?"
"They are definitely strange. The design isn't something you see every day."
Ha Hui-ryeong and Kim Ha-yoon muttered in mosquito-sized voices.
I agreed with both of them.
Their appearance and overall vibe were distinctly different from the other survivors we'd seen so far.
Calling each other 'Sister' and 'Brother' was certainly similar to religious fanatics, but the clothes they wore looked like priestly robes from a fantasy world.
They weren't what a priest or nun would realistically wear.
Their gait and mannerisms also felt somewhat antique, tinged with an undeniable grace.
"It's like they came from somewhere else entirely, huh?"
"Right. So, what's the plan? Ignore them? Or take them out?"
Ha Hui-ryeong's question.
I pondered it for a moment.
Go in ignoring them, or subdue them and extract more information.
If you asked which was better, the answer was obviously the latter.
"Let's wait for an opening and crush them. But leave at least one alive. Not all of them."
"Kek. Yeah, that's the way to go about it."
"I'll take the right side."
"Then I'll take the center. That guy looks the strongest."
In that case, the woman on the left was mine.
I held up three fingers.
And slowly folded them down one by one.
Three... two... one...!
The moment all the fingers were folded, we each moved into action.
All at once, we burst from behind the vehicle where we were hiding and sprinted straight for our targets.
"Kyahahahahat!!!"
Crackle!
Bursting into laughter, she scattered bolts of Thunder.
Ha Hui-ryeong, spearheading the charge, accelerated at an insane speed, not caring about anything in her way.
-Fwoosh.
Following that came the icicles Kim Ha-yoon had created.
Countless hunks of ice, shaped like sharp cold weapons, levitated in the air, forming an escort around Ha Hui-ryeong.
"W-What in the...! Sister! Hurry, defend...!"
"Y-Yes...!"
The priest who spotted this was startled into a panic and shouted urgently.
At his cry, the woman beside him pulled a small bell from her sleeve.
-Chime.
A sound.
A clear ring resonated.
At the same time, a golden ripple shimmered around them.
It was similar to Kang Ha-rin's barrier ability.
Patapatapatak!
The ice surged in fiercely.
The cold frost, pelting down like rain on the golden ripple, sent disturbances rippling across its surface.
"You think that'll be enough?!"
Dashing forward while scattering lightning, Ha Hui-ryeong bellowed and swung her bat.
Crunch. The blow, charged with a blue electrical strike, smashed the golden ripple in an instant.
"Brother!"
"Worry not. I will handle this!"
Shouting this, the man in the center stepped forward.
"Confess. Lay your sins bare for all to see. And there shall be the light of dawn."
Then, as if chanting an incantation, he spouted incomprehensible words.
It was absurd, but astonishingly, a golden light gathered in his hand soon after, eventually forming a massive greatsword.
"Diiie!"
-Shrieeeek!
Ha Hui-ryeong and the man swung what they held at the same time.
Having spun her body in a full circle in mid-air, she brought down a fearsome strike, but the man calmly deflected it diagonally with a sideward sweep.
"Oh, you blocked that?"
"You... are a witch. That look in your eyes, endlessly thirsting for blood. It is nothing short of madness."
"Yeah? You nailed it! I'm gonna finish you off and flay those bitches over there! Until they beg me to just kill them!"
The exchange continued.
Ha Hui-ryeong and the man were locked in a breathtaking duel worthy of martial arts masters.
Of course, I wasn't just standing there watching.
"Brother, I'll help you!"
"Where do you think you're going."
You're dealing with me.
I stretched a hand toward the woman on the left, the one who'd taken out the rosary.
And just as Angelica had advised, I pictured the command in my head.
'Get over here!'
It activated much more easily this time.
An invisible hand snatched the woman up and sent her hurtling toward me, as if she'd been hooked.
"Kyaa, kyaaaaaaah!!"
"Sister!?"
"You got time to look away, huh? You're gonna get yourself killed doing that, buddy?"
"Guuuuhk!"
The man started in shock and immediately swiveled toward the woman, but Ha Hui-ryeong wasn't about to let that slide.
She pressed her assault even harder, locking him down definitively so he couldn't pull any stunts.
I tossed her a quick wink, then turned my outstretched hand downward.
Like I'd learned last time, I scraped her against the ground, but modulated the force so she wouldn't be completely ground to dust.
"Hek, urk, kyaak...!!"
Then the woman, drawn in by 'Iron Will,' tumbled across the dirt floor in a daze.
Tossed around like a ping-pong ball several times, her arm twisted backward in the process, and her ankle wrenched completely out of its socket.
"Give me a hug!"
I spread my arms wide.
Smiling wider than ever, I pulled the woman who'd come flying into my arms into a tight embrace.
"S-Sister! I-I will save... guh...!"
Just as the bell-wielding woman was about to ring her chime again.
"...."
That's when Kim Ha-yoon, who'd been silent, shot out a shard of ice.
The chunk of ice, gliding through the sky like a fish, violated the woman like a carrier's interceptor missile.
Slick.
She couldn't even put up a proper resistance.
"Grrk... hack..."
Her throat slashed on the first hit, she collapsed to her knees, clamping both hands over the wound.
After that, two more ice blades sliced through her hands, and the rest completely severed her ankles and head.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
So the man's shock was considerable.
"How... How could you do something so cruel...! Their journey was not meant to end here! It was not supposed to! They had finally reached the Sanctuary, how can you be so merciless...!"
"What the hell are you babbling on about since earlier!"
-Clang! Crack! Thud!
Ha Hui-ryeong finished things off, too.
After fiercely hammering his greatsword with her bat, she seized the moment his attention was diverted and stabbed a hastily created Lightning Spear into the bastard's side.
"Ah, aah..."
"You wanna end up like that too, is that it? If so, you should've just said so! Damn, cult bastard fuckers are always so long-winded!"
Her lips curling into a smirk, she quickly put some distance between them.
And what followed was.
"Die, you scrub."
-Rrrrumble, KABOOOOOM!
A bluish thunderbolt erupted like an explosion.
The Lightning Spear, which had pierced through his skin and reached his internal organs, discharged its electric current inside him completely.
A truly dizzying sight.
Without even a proper death rattle, the man lay on his back, scorched black, his breathing stopped.
I approached Ha Hui-ryeong with the subdued woman pinned against my side.
"What the hell, you killed him? Since when do you do that?"
"It was an accident. Failed to control my output."
"What?"
"What are you staring at? You think I'm always perfectly in control? Even I screw up sometimes."
After that retort, Ha Hui-ryeong turned her head away with a huff.
Maybe because I'd just rammed into her without warning, she was especially prickly today.
"So you were just taking it out on him then?"
"I said no!"
"Pfft, alright, alright."
That's when it happened.
Kim Ha-yoon tugged on the sleeve of my shirt as I was laughing.
"Um, what are we going to do now? Do we wait until she wakes up?"
Her eyes darted to the woman I had tucked under my side.
I considered it for a moment, then shook my head.
"No. I've got a better idea."
Matching uniforms and face-concealing masks.
Conveniently, there was a set for each of us to take.
Plus, despite the intense fight, they showed hardly any damage, which meant the material was good.
Wouldn't this be enough for a solid disguise?
If this was the standard uniform for these cult lunatics, a pretty funny picture was starting to form in my head.
"Do you guys know what a stealth infiltration action is?"