Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 011
Chapter Title: Moonlit Path
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Moonlit Path.
That was the name for the extremist terrorist group that had recently begun stirring up trouble.
Their goal was to dismantle Dun City's Magic Tower, which branded all mages outside its control as heretics. Ultimately, they aimed to reveal the secret spells monopolized by the Tower to the world.
At first glance, their ideology seemed like a grievance any heretical mage might harbor.
But the problem lay in their methods.
They targeted not only the Magic Tower but also the city council that supported it and even the Luther Family, which had recognized the Tower's rights. Under the guise of "enlightening" them, they resorted to violence without hesitation.
As a result, Dun City Hall had designated them as a highly dangerous Class-1 terrorist organization.
"And lately, we've received intel that Moonlit Path operatives are sneaking into the 8th Special District amid the chaos on the border."
"Are they planning to use the 8th Special District as a new base?"
Joseph raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued.
"As expected—one piece of info, and you connect the dots. Exactly. Our department suspects Moonlit Path is setting up a new base here in the 8th."
The 8th Special District was a city physically close to City Hall but beyond the effective reach of its administrative control.
On top of that, its labyrinthine structure was vast and complex—a perfect fit for the name "Dungeon City."
From their perspective, it was a strategic stronghold.
"If Moonlit Path establishes a stable foothold in this city, it'll be a major headache."
Moreover, the 8th already hosted a significant number of heretical mages operating independently.
"If even they get recruited by Moonlit Path... this won't stay confined to the 8th Special District."
What Dun City feared most was the terrorists expanding their influence any further.
"So, what's my assignment?"
Joseph pulled a photo from the file folder and placed it on the desk.
It showed a middle-aged man in a hood, snapped covertly.
"We got word that a Moonlit Path executive is set to meet with the Bruno Family—local power players—at an abandoned factory in Luten Road."
It seemed they were allying with the mafia to secure a base in the 8th.
"This executive's name is Ron Dito. Your mission is straightforward: raid the abandoned factory on Luten Road and capture the terrorist in this photo."
Joseph tapped the picture as he continued.
"Don't get the wrong idea, though. You're not going alone. Special Forces agents will be with you on this op."
"So, I just help them nab the executive, and we're done?"
"Precisely."
"No other penal unit members?"
"This operation is meant to be covert, so no other inmates will be involved."
Indeed, recklessly deploying the penal unit could tip off the Moonlit Path executive, who might flee beforehand.
This was a special ambush, not a suppression raid.
Joseph asked,
"What do you say? Up for it?"
"What kind of mage is Ron Dito?"
"From what we've gathered, he's highly skilled with lightning magic."
"Oh."
Kyle's eyes lit up at that.
If things go well, I might learn lightning magic too.
Joseph smirked at the reaction.
Typical Magic Tower type. Lights up at the mention of spells.
He went on,
"Lightning mages are rare, so he's no pushover... but he won't be a match for you."
"Hmm..."
What's with this rock-solid trust?
Were his last two missions that impressive?
Kyle felt a twinge of pressure but nodded anyway.
There was no reason to refuse.
"Alright. I'm in."
Joseph's lips curved into a grin.
"The reward will be worth it. Look forward to that."
"When do we deploy?"
He tapped the folder.
"Day after tomorrow, pre-dawn."
And so time passed, bringing the day of the operation.
The abandoned factory on Luten Road in the 13th District.
In the chilly night air, amid the eerie gloom, a blond man stared at the monitors in the temporary command center, wrinkling his nose.
"You sure we can trust this?"
"We've been burned before."
"I mean, come on. Is it really smart to bring an amateur penal unit grunt on a spec ops mission?"
He was none other than William Madison, commander of the Delta Team Special Forces.
Joseph—his old colleague—replied with firm conviction.
"Trust me. No one's more suited for this than that inmate. By the end of tonight, you'll be thanking me."
"What's so special about this guy?"
"Let's just say there's no one better at smashing heretical mages."
"Huh..."
What the hell does that even mean?
William shook his head.
A monitoring officer swiveled in his chair to report.
"Captain, Alpha and Delta Teams are in position."
"Tell them to seal off the factory perimeter and back up the entry team if the suspect tries to flee."
"Roger."
"Incoming from the entry team!"
[Rabbit to Turtle. Linked up with Carrot at the rendezvous point.]
William clicked his tongue and grabbed the radio.
"Copy that, Rabbit. As of now, execution authority over Carrot is transferred to you."
[Acknowledged.]
"That's the guy?"
"Yeah, definitely."
As I quietly checked my gear at the staging area, dissatisfied voices came from behind me.
Turning around, I saw two figures in black tactical gear—a man and a woman.
The man had a massive shield strapped to his back; the woman had daggers dangling from her belt.
Seeing her face, I flinched.
"Ack."
It wasn't for no reason.
The black bob-cut suited her stunning beauty perfectly.
Apparently displeased by my reaction, she scowled.
"What? What's with that look?"
"No, haha. Nothing. Nope."
Truth be told, ever since that curse mage incident, I'd developed a slight aversion to beautiful women.
Beauties showing up just felt ominous.
Like bad omens at the scene.
Think about it—the blast epicenter at that factory was right by that swordswoman beauty.
Everyone around her except me ended up as skeletons.
Ignoring her suspicious glare, the man approached and offered a handshake.
"I'm Alex. That's Luna. You're 43471, right?"
"Yes. Prisoner number 43471, Kyle Cl..."
"Before we go in, here's what you need to remember."
"..."
My self-introduction brushed off, I could only smack my lips.
Penal unit treatment—par for the course.
"One: No sudden moves. Two: Obey our orders no matter what. Three: Follow those rules absolutely. Got it?"
"You know what happens if you don't, right?"
Luna chimed in from the side, cracking her knuckles.
"Your execution rights are with us now. Don't wanna die? Behave."
I followed as they strode past me.
"Just you two?"
"Oh, right—I forgot one."
Alex turned back to me.
"Four: No questions."
"Just shut up and follow."
"Aw, come on, that's too harsh."
Luna looked incredulous.
"Why would we get chummy with some lowly inmate?"
"Fair point."
"Then shut it and keep up."
Tsk.
The pricklier she got, the more she reminded me of that swordswoman.
"Officer Luna?"
"Didn't you hear me say shut up?"
"It's just... on a night like this, maybe a little caution?"
"Huh?"
"You know, the whole 'beautiful women bring disaster' saying?"
"..."
Suddenly, silence and stares.
Oh no, bad word choice.
But her response was unexpected.
"So, you're saying I'm the beauty?"
"...?"
She took it that way?
She flipped her hair with a coy expression.
"Hmph. At least you know beauty when you see it. Always causing trouble."
I blinked in disbelief.
...She's not all there either, huh?
"Focus, both of you!"
Alex lowered his stance and grabbed his radio.
"Rabbit to Turtle. Entering the factory now."
[Copy, Rabbit. Good luck.]
He glanced at me.
"Keep up or get left behind."
"Huh?"
They shot forward like arrows.
I hurriedly activated Baal's Minor Curse.
Die, revive—strength and agility surged.
I kept cursing myself, catching up to their rear.
"Ho."
Alex gave me an appraising glance.
Luna snorted.
"Not bad. You run pretty well—no implants either."
"I've got a sturdy body."
She frowned.
"What's that got to do with this...?"
Crap, macro response slip.
We pressed against the factory wall.
Dead silence around us.
Alex and Luna exchanged looks. He vaulted the fence with a whoosh, scaling the wall with a thud.
Peering through a broken third-floor window, he signaled all clear. Luna nodded.
"Follow."
Climbing the wall cracks after her, I slipped through the open third-floor window into the factory.
"Shh."
He held up a finger—and sure enough, voices drifted from below.
"...Bruno Family."
Looking down from the railing, I saw about a dozen men in gray longcoats gathered.
Facing them was the hooded man—Ron Dito from the photo.
"Target confirmed."
They exchanged glances. Luna, in a high-vis hood, drew daggers from her belt.
"...They haven't arrived yet?"
"They're running a bit late."
"Don't forget why we're dealing with Moonlit Path."
As the mafia and Ron Dito talked intently—
"Now!"
Luna launched at Alex's command, hurling her daggers.
They whistled through the air, curving like living things to pierce the mafia's throats one by one.
"Gahk!"
"Kek?!"
"What the—!"
A startled mafia exec fumbled for his gun, but too late.
Alex's shield smashed into him—crunch! His head pulverized.
Landing stylishly on the corpse, Alex faced Ron Dito.
"Ron Dito. You're under arrest for terrorism complicity and negligence. I recommend coming quietly."
"P-Police?!"
As the shocked Ron Dito moved to cast—
"Too slow."
Alex, already inside his guard, slammed his shield into the man's solar plexus.
Thwack!
"Guhk?!"
And that was it.
The scene subdued all too easily.
Arriving late, I scratched my head at the finished job.
Was I even needed...?
"What."
Luna, holstering after mopping up stragglers, placed a hand on her hip.
"This was too easy, right?"
But the moment she said it, chills ran down my spine for some reason.
Alex responded to my instinct.
"...No."
"Huh?"
"This guy..."
Grabbing the hood's collar, he turned to us with panicked eyes.
"It's not Ron Dito up close...!"
"?!"
That's when it happened.
A massive roar and blinding flash engulfed Luna beside me.
KABOOOOOM-!!!
"Wha...!"
It happened in an instant.
The acrid air stung. I turned to the devastated spot.
"......"
The factory floor obliterated, flames raging.
At the end, charred remains—hers, unmistakably.
I slapped my forehead.
...Told her to be careful!