Chapter 13. Crimson Fang (2)
Episode 13. Red Awl (2)
Even as Louis Dykken explained the operation at the Inspection Bureau, informants' reports kept pouring in.
Wired communications went back and forth.
Messenger pigeons flew to and fro.
As expected, the reports confirmed that all members of the Red Awl were gathering tonight to flee Seyren.
I mulled over the informant's report. Something felt off.
If the Hashman brothers were dead and it had been reported in the papers, they should be fleeing for their lives. Why deliberately gather in one place?
Though the Inspection Bureau might be rigid, they weren't fools who couldn't distinguish right from wrong.
The Red Awl's crimes had crossed the line long ago, and evidence was overflowing.
Naturally, the Bureau would dispatch knight-level agents...
'What's with this confidence...'
To strengthen their organization?
To recover illegally amassed funds?
There could be many reasons, but gathering at this time was practically handing us the chance to wipe them out in one sweep.
'Maybe there's a reason they can't just disappear immediately.'
Then Louis spoke.
"Then. We move. Maintain stealth and check your hand signals and terminals."
An agent distributed small, button-like devices to everyone. These compact terminals would dictate the operation based on their vibration patterns.
"I'll announce the subjugation teams."
Teams were organized into five-person squads.
Louis Dykken and four agents formed Team 1.
Following them, knights Bwindol and Bill each led four agents as Teams 2 and 3.
I was assigned to Team 1.
"This operation isn't about capturing the Red Awl. Only a few will be taken alive—the rest are to be executed on sight. This is a direct order from the Director, so take note."
The Inspection Bureau wasn't typically an organization that mindlessly eradicated criminal groups. They usually arrested suspects and handed them over for trial—some might even call them frustratingly by-the-book.
But this time, the Bureau Director himself had issued a kill order. Truly unprecedented.
It spoke volumes about the severity of the Red Awl's crimes.
'Well, they've confirmed at least 20 abducted territory citizens.'
The actual number was likely higher. Even now, there were probably captives at one of their hideouts.
"A fierce battle awaits, and lives may be at risk."
A pre-operation speech.
A reminder of the dangers.
But...
Was it just me?
It felt like he was speaking directly to me.
"This is my final warning. If anyone feels unprepared for this danger or has overstated their usual abilities, step forward now. No one's life is guaranteed tonight."
No doubt about it. That bastard's looking straight at me.
Instead of answering, I pushed up my horn-rimmed glasses with my middle finger. That should suffice as a reply, right?
After a brief stare, Louis declared:
"Then, we commence the Red Awl subjugation operation now."
The agents moved swiftly and silently.
Some took taxis, others rode carriages, and a few drove personal vehicles.
It wasn't that the Bureau lacked official transport, but using those would be like announcing, "The Inspection Bureau is coming for you," so no one did.
Vroom—
I drove my personal car too.
Night in the North.
The outskirts of the capital, Seyren.
We arrived at the Isra District.
Even on this cold night, many factories remained operational. When full winter hit the North, keeping factories running became difficult, so during summer, they operated around the clock.
Most ran on 8-hour shifts in three rotations, but the more demanding factories used 12-hour shifts in two rotations.
Blending naturally into the worker crowds, we agents infiltrated the industrial zone.
The operation plan was as follows:
Team 2 would first head to the abandoned factory where boss Jefren was located. Under Knight Bwindol's command, they'd swiftly neutralize the guards and surround the factory for surveillance.
Teams 1 and 3 would raid the hideouts of Red Awl's mid-level officers, reduce their forces, and quickly search the premises to rescue any surviving hostages.
Assuming objective 2 was complete, all squads would converge on the Red Awl's main stronghold.
Wipe out all members, including boss Jefren.
However, Jefren was to be captured alive if possible.
Passing the busy factories, abandoned ones began appearing sporadically.
From here, we moved slowly, scanning our surroundings as we searched for the designated factory. Along the way, we spotted workers sneaking drinks in secluded spots, couples sharing intimate moments, and others attending to various needs.
When encountering people, I acted like someone urgently tending to business, as did the other agents.
As we neared the first target location, I leaped onto a rooftop. Louis Dykken was already there—who knew when he'd arrived?
He seemed startled to see me. His flickering eyes clearly asked: How did you get here so fast?
Just as I raised my glasses with my middle finger again, the other agents joined us on the roof.
A vein pulsed on Louis's forehead, but he calmly raised his hand and signaled:
『Neutralize the perimeter guards first.
Two at the front.
One at the back.
One at the emergency exit.』
『Sion Carsen will wait outside for backup.』
What's this?
Planning to handle everything themselves?
Though displeased, I didn't intervene. This was a confirmed hideout where abducted territory citizens were being held.
'Nothing's more dangerous than a poorly coordinated assault.'
The agents nodded and began leaping between rooftops. True to their apprentice knight or higher skills, their footsteps were nearly silent.
The four agents assigned to each entrance exchanged nods before dropping down silently behind the guards.
Thud.
Daggers plunged into the guards' backs while handkerchiefs muffled their mouths.
The blades twisted into hearts, and blood gushed forth.
"...!"
The guards couldn't even scream. Blood flowed from their pierced flesh until their last breath.
Agents dragged the corpses into dark alleys, then scouted the interior—personnel, positions, hostages. Then they stormed the factory.
Their movements were flawless.
After observing from outside, I descended to examine the bodies.
Searching their pockets just in case, I only found half-used cigarettes and crumpled tissues reeking of something foul. 'What did they wipe with these?' briefly crossed my mind.
Inside, sounds of intense battle erupted.
Bang! Rat-tat-tat! Crash! Slash!
Then—I sensed someone approaching. Reinforcements? I calmly tracked the newcomer.
During urban operations, two things demand utmost caution:
Bystanders getting caught in the crossfire.
Operational leaks.
But these footsteps weren't civilian. No—at some point, they'd erased all presence.
'Red Awl.'
Likely someone who left before Team 2 surrounded the main hideout. As they neared the factory, they suddenly stopped.
Sniff. Sniff.
They'd caught the blood scent.
I sensed hesitation—check it out or retreat? They seemed torn.
Then, as if remembering something, they moved forward again. Perhaps lacking the courage to return empty-handed, they chose to investigate.
Just as they reached the factory—
Thwack!
A chop to the neck.
They collapsed unconscious.
'Should take at least one alive.'
I bound their limbs with rope and stuffed their mouth with tissues—the same ones from earlier corpses.
Waiting briefly for backup, regular agents (non-knights) soon arrived. After instructing them to secure the perimeter, I entered the factory.
First things that caught my eye—severed heads and corpses littering the floor, blood pooling everywhere.
The metallic stench assaulted my nose. Agents searched the area with detached professionalism.
'As expected.'
No matter how formidable the Red Awl's escape or combat skills were...
They stood no chance against knights—the "Swords of Humanity" who normally wouldn't bother with mere humans.
Louis Dykken approached, visibly irritated.
"I told you to wait outside."
Without looking at him, I walked toward documents scattered near what appeared to be an officer's body.
"Someone came to check this place. I handled them, handed them to backup, then came in."
Louis's brow furrowed. Someone might come, sure. But you dealt with them? This quietly? His expression screamed disbelief.
"What happens if someone they sent doesn't return?"
They'd grow suspicious.
Meaning we were on a timer.
"Assuming they're quick, it's about 30 minutes from here to the main hideout. We need to hurry. Especially if there are hostages. Right?"
"...Would your investigation change anything?"
"Who knows? I'll try [Mana Detection] first."
[Mana Detection].
Essentially, spreading mana to survey the surroundings.
Not just anyone could do it—it required exceptional mana sensitivity and pure mana.
"What nonsense are you—"
"What if it's not nonsense?"
"Bullshit."
"Hey. Louis Dykken."
"..."
"You always judge people solely by what you see. But is that really right?"
His face twisted as if I'd asked something absurd. If not by what's visible, then by what? That's what his expression said.
'Well. Can't blame him.'
I was the same. Never realizing I was beloved by Flame World mana, thinking the world had abandoned me.
So I resented the world. Never tried looking deeper, never sought the truth.
Just imprisoned myself in my own hell.
Same with relationships—with Father, with Guseto, with Roman. Judging solely by appearances led me straight to ruin.
"No matter how closely you look, you can't see every move a person makes. So you ask. You listen."
"..."
"Confused? I get it. But no matter how bothersome, exhausting, or burdensome—you must make that effort."
Louis looked at me like I'd lost my mind. Undeterred, I continued:
"What if the Lord assigned me special mentors who taught me unique magic along with special artifacts?"
"..."
No rebuttal. After all, I was still a Karsen—no guarantee that wasn't true.
"If you're not sure, then shut up and watch. Don't jump to conclusions and interfere."
Louis seemed at a loss for words, lips twitching but taking no further action.
Ignoring him, I placed my hand on the floor and began spreading mana pulses.
Honestly, before regression, I was terrible at [Mana Detection]—barely good enough to find mechanical devices.
Precise detection required pure mana, but my core and holy wheel were supposedly tainted.
But now—
Thump. Thump.
My heart pulsed, circulating the purest mana accumulated through the Flame Dragon Bloodline. It spread through the impurity-filled abandoned factory before returning.
The factory's structure became vividly clear.
'Incredible.'
So this was the detail pure mana could reveal.
I saw it.
The passage to the basement.
And.
How to open it.
"There. Move the wall-mounted alarm clock to beneath the fifth left light. A cord will drop from the adjacent light—pull it to open the basement entrance."
By now, other agents were listening intently. They looked to Louis for confirmation.
After Louis nodded, an agent followed my instructions.
Moving the clock made a cord drop as predicted. Pulling it—
Clunk.
A section of floor rose.
Everyone was stunned.
Louis stared at me, unable to hide his shock.
Right on cue, I pushed up my glasses with my middle finger.