Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Ark Shandy Rendezvous (6)
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"Then let's begin."
The room that had been used as a study in the mansion had been converted into a conference room. Amid the bookshelves packed full of volumes, a lone whiteboard stood out starkly.
All the AOD members had gathered in one place, excluding the busy Cheryl and Goat, who was doing hard labor in prison. In other words, every member living together under one roof was present.
I stood in front of the whiteboard like a teacher. The rest of the members dragged over chairs and sat down.
There were no desks or laptops—it was a makeshift setup—but there was no need for anything elaborate.
The second AOD meeting had begun.
Before diving into the first agenda item, Han Cheong-ah smoothly raised her hand.
"So, why the sudden meeting? You drag us all here and..."
"Good question."
The reason I'd abruptly prepared this meeting.
I wrote 'Zero One' in huge letters on the whiteboard with a sharp tap-tap.
"A little while ago, I got a personal message from Zero One."
"Z-Zero One!?"
Mimir jumped in surprise. Her eyes went wide like a cat with its fur standing on end.
"H-How...?"
"He reached out through the chat."
💬 CHAT LOG 💬 Zero1 [Admin]: I didn't expect such a quick reply. XD. Dracula: Well, you're the site admin. It'd be a hassle if I got read and ignored while online and ended up with some penalty... Anyway, it's only natural to reply promptly. :). Zero1 [Admin]: I didn't mean to pressure you—must be my position. I'll be more careful next time. Dracula: No need to go that far. So, what's up? Zero1 [Admin]: Who are you? You're definitely not the Baek Do-hyun I know. Zero1 [Admin]: The society has countless oddities, but I have at least a grasp on fragments of info and tendencies for all of them. Dracula: What are you getting at? Zero1 [Admin]: My eyes pierce through a person's heart and abilities. I can tell if they're beneficial to me, a threat, or neither. Zero1 [Admin]: By my eyes, the oddity Baek Do-hyun was insignificant. A fool who couldn't grasp the big picture, living only for daily pleasures. Zero1 [Admin]: For such a creature to betray the society now and obstruct our plans at every turn? It feels off. Zero1 [Admin]: Plus, you're far too proactive and skilled in those videos for someone just following orders. Zero1 [Admin]: Who the hell are you? Dracula: Even if you ask, I can only say I'm Baek Do-hyun... Zero1 [Admin]: Understood. Then not a question—a proposal. Zero1 [Admin]: No interest in rejoining the society? Dracula: Whoa, can I? Yes, signing up right now! Zero1 [Admin]: Hahaha, you're fun—unlike the old Baek Do-hyun. Zero1 [Admin]: Shall we meet in the Republic of Korea in a fortnight? Take your time to think. Dracula: And if I don't go? Zero1 [Admin]: Who knows. Might just nuke Academy City. XD. I wrote AOD below the word Zero One, drew a long arrow downward, and added the note 'Caught.' next to it.
"Zero One knows about us now. Everything that's happened in Academy City—our involvement in all of it."
I recalled that first text exchange with Zero One in the bathroom a while back.
This incident had completely drawn Zero One's attention.
In a way, it was inevitable. One of the society's key powerhouses, Shin, was dead, and their carefully prepared artificial rift had failed spectacularly.
No matter how busy Zero One was with other matters, he couldn't ignore it.
As the society's leader, he'd have to take this seriously.
Of course, I hadn't expected him to approach me directly like this.
I scratched my cheek.
It was a threat from Zero One—joke or not. I had no choice but to buy at least a fortnight, so I'd replied that I'd think it over.
I shared the whole story with the members gathered in the conference room.
"Don't go, no matter what."
Lee Gyeo-ul said.
"It's a good chance to take out Zero One, but charging into the tiger's den to catch one? Bad call."
"I-I agree. A m-mage is invincible in their own workshop where they can freely wield their magic. And Zero One's a p-powerful grand mage to boot..."
Mimir chimed in with her opinion.
I didn't know much about magic, but her words, forged from years as a witch, rang true.
But.
"I've already decided on this. I'm going, no question."
"What...?"
"Y-You're too reckless!"
"The real agenda I wanted to discuss at this meeting is what we do after I meet Zero One. The society will start moving in earnest then. We need to prepare now."
"Baek Do-hyun, meeting Zero One doesn't give us any big advantages. Why risk it?"
Lee Gyeo-ul narrowed her eyes.
I admitted it was headstrong. But I wasn't suggesting this out of mere bravado or curiosity.
I had the True Ancestor's five senses. They could pierce through countless layers of an object's information—surely useful in conversing with Zero One.
I knew the details of the society's "Humanity Reduction Scenario" from the original story. It was divided into three main paths.
With "Queen's Descent" thwarted, facing Zero One directly was necessary to gauge their next moves.
My senses could probe and uncover his true intentions.
And I wasn't going in unprepared.
"I'll go to Korea with Yubyeol-ha. Allies who'll help me are arriving there soon too. No need to worry."
Yubyeol-ha, arms crossed, turned her gaze toward me.
With her and the allies, escaping unscathed should be feasible.
No matter that the Republic of Korea was Zero One's territory—catching a mouse fleeing from house to woods wouldn't be easy.
"I'll go too."
Han Cheong-ah shot her hand up.
"No, you won't. You can't even fight."
"Cheong-ah, no. You promised your sister no dangerous stuff."
Lee Gyeo-ul's and my voices overlapped.
Han Cheong-ah pouted sullenly.
"Speaking of which, I had something to say about Han Cheong-ah. Mimir, Winter sis—while Yubyeol-ha and I are in Korea, could you handle her training?"
"Training..."
"Have Cheong-ah fight...?"
Lee Gyeo-ul and Mimir looked reluctant. I knew what worried them.
Unlike us, Han Cheong-ah was a complete civilian. She thrust herself into danger out of sheer will, but she feared blood and corpses, hated fighting—a normal person.
Her tough front around us was mostly bravado.
An eccentric high school girl, common anywhere.
"Not forcing her to fight. But with the society targeting her, shouldn't she have a way to defend herself?"
"..."
Lee Gyeo-ul fell silent.
After the battle with Shin, she knew better than anyone she wasn't invincible.
No matter when or where, gaps would form—we were human, after all.
What we needed now was preparation for those gaps.
"She has to learn to control the Queen's power herself somehow. And I believe Han Cheong-ah can do it."
I spoke to her with a voice full of conviction.