Diving into the Tiger's Maw

A dinner invitation, huh.

I tilted my head as I looked at Mayor Averb.

"What about the family waiting for you at home?"

"Ah, well... My wife and kids eat early. Our schedules don't line up. I'll introduce you to Dickferji's finest restaurant. Look forward to it, haha."

"……."

It was a strangely flimsy excuse.

And an oddly perilous atmosphere.

Sensing it, Hierniorn—who'd been soaring overhead—swooped down and perched on my shoulder.

Professor Kuger subtly stepped in front of me, blocking the way.

I stared at the mayor's twitching eyes and repeated the most suspicious part.

"Where's the security captain?"

"Pardon?"

"He went off to talk with you earlier, didn't he? And now I don't see any security around."

"I ordered the security team to clock out..."

"You sent the security team home in this situation? Mayor, are you serious?"

"No, I mean... that is..."

This time, he stammered, swallowing dryly over and over.

The phoenix guardian spirit bristled its crest, radiating fury.

Hierniorn insisted on manifesting right then to protect me, since my safety was at stake.

Professor Kuger was ramping up her aura, ready to cleave the mayor in two.

But I held back from rash action.

According to Obri's intel, the mayor was just a typical sycophant.

'And there were plenty of other chances to attack me. As mayor, he had freer access to city hall than anyone. So why now, of all times?'

Plus that suspicious flow of mana.

No matter how I looked at it, it wasn't something the mayor could control.

It was constricting his upper body fiercely, boiling over like a bomb.

So that's how it was.

As I watched silently, Mayor Averb wiped sweat from his drenched forehead nonstop.

There wasn't a hint of Red Ghost about him anywhere.

Various possibilities flashed through my mind, but the most likely was this:

'He's being blackmailed.'

That's when I spotted Professor Kuger's longsword sliding silently from its sheath.

One wrong move, and the mayor's head could roll.

I stepped in quickly.

"Yes, sounds good. We have to eat dinner anyway. Dining with you won't be bad, Mayor."

"Th-thank you!"

"Kirian?"

"I'm looking forward to Dickferji's best restaurant. See you later."

Was he smiling or crying?

Mayor Averb turned away with an utterly bizarre expression.

Professor Kuger shot me a look demanding an explanation.

I spoke quietly.

"For now, gather Professor Rapens and the trainees. I'll explain then."

The academy members assembled in the dim heart of the forest.

It could be called the worst imaginable scenario.

"Professor Rapens, it looks like Red Ghosts are embedded throughout city hall. Especially the security team."

"Red Ghosts in Dickferji city hall...?"

"Yes."

I recalled the security captain's words.

He'd claimed to know Red Ghosts better than anyone.

If his team—or he himself—was a Red Ghost...

'No wonder he boasted like that. He had no choice, if only to lower our guard.'

How had they fooled even the Transcendent Eye and hidden their identities?

There could be any number lurking.

We were effectively trapped in this city.

We could force our way out, but casualties were unpredictable.

"What happens to us now?"

"Shouldn't we call for backup from the main family right away?"

"They might attack before that!"

"……."

The kids murmured anxiously.

A deep shadow fell over Professor Rapens's frozen face.

It looked a bit like self-reproach.

He probably thought ignoring me and calling for reinforcements would have been better.

"Tch!"

Professor Kuger's brow was furrowed tight.

Then she whirled on me with blazing eyes.

"I don't get it!"

"Pardon?"

"Then why didn't we grab the mayor earlier and interrogate him? We should've checked if he was a Red Ghost! Why let him go? And what was that sudden dinner nonsense?"

I gave a wry smile.

Poi ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Averb's abrupt dinner proposal had been both a hint and a trap.

"Professor, if we'd attacked the mayor then, we'd have been hit back instantly."

"What do you mean?"

"I sensed unstable mana flowing through his body—like a suicide trap primed to go off."

"……!"

"It would've started with Detonation or Ignition. Then a massive explosive flame via Expansion."

Silence fell.

I pressed on.

"Maybe the mayor and others are hostages. To strike us immediately if we act rashly."

"So that was bait they tossed out?"

"That's my take. Or maybe they're just toying with us for fun."

"……!"

Like sinking fangs into prey only after playing with it first.

A classic vampire tactic.

I turned to Professor Rapens's grim face.

"We need the simplest, fastest approach, Professor."

"What is it? Speak."

"Jump into the tiger's maw first—and stab its palate."

"Jump in first? Strike preemptively before they attack?"

"Yes. That's best."

Professor Rapens's eyes calmed.

He seemed to like the idea.

But he didn't accept right away.

"This isn't a battlefield, and you're not soldiers. We should consider the risks."

"A blade is the sturdiest shield, no matter the situation or place. The Holy Hero said that."

"What if a trainee gets hurt?"

"It'll hurt."

"Pardon...?"

"Born with Kirchheis blood, they can't live like greenhouse flowers. They know that much."

I turned to the group.

The kids nodded, eyes steady despite faint tremors.

Their gazes sharpened instantly.

And it was a chance to test the New Infinite Tool Sword.

"So as part of jumping into the tiger's maw, you'll have dinner with the mayor? That's the plan?"

"Yes."

I nodded at Professor Kuger's question and laid out the details.

The professors' conclusion:

"A very dangerous plan, Kirian. As professors, we're hesitant."

"Agreed. Speaking as one myself."

But—

"Regrettably, your plan looks best right now. Libiel, Mihaden, Lorang—do you agree?"

"It could be a chance for real combat experience. Rafar, Nazel! Show the seniors your strength!"

Sparks flew from the professors' eyes.

The trainees responded in kind.

"Yes! We agree!"

"We'll show you, Professor ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Kuger."

I smirked.

One thing I liked: the unyielding spirit flowing in Ulfric's bloodline.

Obri appeared from somewhere and sidled up beside me.

"Let's go. I'll be your escort. I'll fight as your last bastion."

Is that necessary...?

I had the Hundred Spirit Orb, so no need.

But her resolve was so firm, I couldn't refuse.

Extra safeguards weren't bad.

"Sure. If you insist."

Obri and I donned cloaks emblazoned with the ornate silver phoenix emblem and headed into Dickferji's streets.

Advertising our direct Kirchheis lineage.

The original designer muttered something absurd.

The Hundred Spirit Orb from Leonir.

Hierniorn was curious about the artifact sealing vengeful souls.

Just wants a show, huh.

I clicked my tongue inwardly at the nonsense and kept walking.

Obri stuck close behind.

Her demeanor went beyond serious—almost solemn.

"Senior, your face is too fierce. You look ready for war already."

"What expression should I make then?"

"Something casual, like sightseeing."

"I don't know how to do that..."

"Just glance around casually."

"Noted."

The rest of the academy members were scattered in position.

Whatever happened, they'd respond to Red Ghost movements.

'The professors are veterans; they'll lead the trainees well.'

We entered a crowded street.

Recognizing our cloaks, intense stares poured from all sides.

"Hey, look. Kirchheis folks."

"Yeah? Just two wandering around? No attendants?"

"Probably branch family. Heard? Kirchheis sent their worst academy faction on patrol."

"Ah..."

They whispered thinking we couldn't hear.

But a mage's sharpened senses post-Mana Heart awakening were sharper than expected.

I pretended not to hear and walked on; Obri muttered behind me.

"Surprisingly unfazed. Like you're used to this."

"Perks of direct lineage, I guess."

"I see."

We bantered idly as we went.

Dickferji, prosperous from trade, had plenty to see.

Twin-headed carriages and mana cars raced on well-paved roads.

Streetlamps and neon signs from low-grade magic crystals flickered on, defying the sunset.

"……."

Peace unimaginable 500 years ago.

But tension built with every step.

My senses sharpened clearer.

Danger signals closing in from all sides.

"Kirian."

Obri spoke softly.

Her mana surged, ready to werewolf-shift any second.

She felt it too.

"They're forming an encirclement. Might hit us openly here."

"Yeah, possible."

We'd planned contingencies for scenarios like this.

The professors were primed to act anytime.

But unexpectedly, the Red Ghosts held back.

Even when the tense mayor appeared.

"Oh, you've arrived! Young Master Kirian! This is Dickferji's finest, 'The Count's Parlor'..."

"Mayor Averb."

"...Yes?"

I cut him off; he turned with a dazed look.

Red Ghosts encircled us nearby, stock-still.

Jumping into the tiger's maw didn't mean shoving our heads in blindly.

Now it was time to aim our blades at its palate.

"Not here. I saw 'Whistle and Table' on the way. Let's go there."

"S-suddenly? That's third-rate, young master. This is Dickferji's best..." Guhk!

Mayor Averb choked mid-sentence, gasping.

Because I'd deployed a new spell.

He clutched his chest like a heart attack victim, staring at me wide-eyed.

From sensing the chilling mana surge.

I'd stalled the mana bomb.

But it wouldn't last long.

I turned and jerked my chin.

"Let's go. I want somewhere quiet, not noisy."

That's when I sensed the vampire girl.

A Red Ghost ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with the Vampire Choker approaching.

'What're they planning?'