Chapter 1422

< Chapter 1422 > 1422. The Savior of the Academy

“Team! Are you seriously joking with me right now? I didn’t pay you an arm and a leg to hire you just to hear this kind of nonsense!”

Clara shouted, her voice trembling with rage. The space around her rippled in response to her emotions, reacting to the fury bubbling within.

The man called Team stumbled backward, unable to withstand her intensity.

“C-C-Carla! Please calm down and hear me out!”

Clara raised a hand to her forehead, gripping it tightly.

“…I’m calm. Let’s hear what you have to say… slowly. But let me make one thing crystal clear: You’re the broker who took a $3 million advance from me a month ago. And back then, you were all big talk about how you’d convince Hanson Hemingford to leave me alone.”

Team pulled a pristine white handkerchief from his suit pocket and wiped his hands—though he ignored the sweat dripping down his face, which seemed more like a nervous tic than anything else.

“Yes, yes. That’s correct. The $3 million advance and the $20 million fee are still fresh in my mind. It was only a month ago, after all.”

“And now you’re telling me it can’t be done? Is this some kind of joke?”

“It’s not that it ‘can’t’ be done, nor is it a complete failure. Perhaps we could call it… half-successful. Though I know it won’t sit well with you, Clara. Of course, it’s not entirely my fault, but I’ll take responsibility by reducing the fee to $5 million.”

“…You’re quite different from the confident man I met a month ago. Back then, you were so sure of yourself.”

“There are many powerful figures in America who dislike the Hemingford family. Sometimes they band together to keep the Hemingfords in check, since even the Hemingfords can’t completely control everything in the U.S. I devised a plan to use these forces to make Hanson Hemingford give up on you.”

“Yes, it was a solid plan—one I approved of. So why isn’t it working now? What exactly is going on here if this isn’t some sick joke?”

“…I assumed Hanson Hemingford would abandon you because no family wants to suffer massive losses over just one woman. I sat at the negotiation table with him, and everything was proceeding smoothly until…”

Team sighed deeply, the handkerchief in his hand crumpling further.

“…until I realized Hanson Hemingford was absolutely insane. He had no intention of giving up on you. Not only did he endure the potential damage to his family’s reputation, but he also counter-recruited the people I’d lined up against him. Those he couldn’t recruit… disappeared.”

“…Disappeared?”

Clara’s eyebrows furrowed. Disappeared. A polite term for those whose bodies have yet to be found.

“At least there’s some good news: the U.S. government and the Hero Association stepped in to restrain the Hemingford family. Otherwise, Hanson might’ve gone even crazier.”

“…Restraint? To what extent? Does it actually mean anything?”

“It does. The Hemingford family’s businesses are expected to take a hit of at least $200 million. Even for the Hemingfords, $200 million isn’t pocket change.”

“I understand your plan failed. But…”


I still don’t get it. Why do I have to go back to America and meet Hemingford?”

“Hamson Hemingford gave me a clear answer. He said he wants to calmly talk with you and gradually develop the relationship. He regrets what happened in the past and wishes to personally apologize to you.”

“Hah, hahaha.”

Clara let out a laugh. It was a laugh born from exasperation. Despite her curved lips suggesting amusement, her blue eyes were burning with anger.

“Tim. You really believe that bastard’s words?”

“Hemmingford suffered great losses…”

“To the Hemingford family, those losses mean nothing. And I don’t want any conversation with that son of a bitch. I don’t even want to hear his voice or see him. Are you serious? Him wanting to apologize and build a relationship? That’s bullshit. Does that guy even seem like someone who would do that? What I want is for that bastard to completely leave me alone!”

Clara’s voice grew intense, and Tim straightened out the crumpled handkerchief to wipe his hands.

“…Do you not understand why Hamson Hemingford is so fixated on you? It’s because you defied him, Clara. If you had just obeyed him… he would’ve forgotten about you sooner. And you could’ve lived comfortably, enjoying immense wealth without any worries.”

“…Tim. Do you really think I was born to be that bastard’s plaything?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right.”

Tim seemed to have given up, adopting an indifferent demeanor.

Clara felt uneasy about him and took a small step backward.

“Tim. The contract is over. Since you violated it first, there will be no payment for you. Don’t ever show your face in front of me again.”

“…50 million dollars.”

“…?”

“That’s the money Hamson Hemingford promised me. Just for bringing you back to America.”

“You piece of trash…!”

“Yes, I’m trash. But what can I do when the money is too good? Of course, it’s not risk-free for me either. If I fail… I’ll die. Honestly, I’d love to give you half of the reward—just 25 million dollars—and bring you back to America, but you wouldn’t sell yourself for such a measly amount, would you?”

His unusual attitude made Clara frown as she pulled out a stick tied to her waist. On closer inspection, it wasn’t just a stick—it was a flute.

I narrowed my eyes and waited for the right moment.

‘That Tim guy clearly prepared something. I’ll step in when Clara is in danger.’

Using Heavenly Eye, I scanned the surroundings carefully to look for hidden enemies—but there was no one. Still, I didn’t relax and kept watching Tim closely.

“So, I’ve decided to use that 25 million dollars to capture you. Fortunately, there’s a group in Japan willing to help me.”

“…You hired villains?”

“Yes, sharp as always.”

Clara immediately placed the flute to her lips. But before she could play, Tim’s handkerchief gleamed. He threw it to the ground, where it formed a pentagram shape and then exploded.

BOOOOM!

The light from the explosion faded, revealing eight people. All of them carried katanas. Among them stood a man in a navy yukata, stroking his goatee while looking at Clara.

“This woman?”

Tim nodded promptly.

“Yes. Clara Fairchild. A student at Korea’s Maruhan Academy and a famous singer. Mr. Yayo, as we discussed earlier, we mustn’t inflict serious injuries on her.”

“Hmm, I know. It’s disappointing not to have some fun, but since I’ve been paid, I guess I have to do it. Alright, boys, surround her!”

“Mr. Yayo, we’ll restrain her.”

“Such a woman doesn’t even require Mr. Yayo’s intervention.”

“We were told not to harm this woman. I’ll handle it. You guys just make sure she doesn’t escape.”

Yayo…


A figure drew a katana from their waist and stepped forward.

My eyes widened in surprise.

“Yayo.”

“So, you’re a high-ranking member of the Magus Organization like Hattori. I didn’t expect to see you here. Actually, I had some questions for you – this is convenient.”

Without hesitation, Clara blew her flute. The refreshing sound of the flute flowed with the wind. It was likely the kind of sound that would disturb the listener’s mind. However, none of us here were affected by it. While I possess absolute spirit and am unaffected, as for them…

Clara took her lips off the flute and glared at Yayo.

“Why are you still fine?”

“I heard about your sound-based abilities, so naturally, I prepared against it.”

Yayo replied nonchalantly.

Looking at his samurai-like appearance, one might think he really is a samurai, but no, that’s fake. Yayo isn’t a samurai; he’s a magician. Right now, he’s nullifying Clara’s ability with some sort of magic.

“Stop making things difficult and give up already. We’ll treat you fairly.”

“…”

Clara put the flute back into her mouth with a determined expression.

“You’re troublesome.”

Yayo raised his katana while approaching Clara.

‘It’s now!’

Summoning my cloak through reverse summoning, I charged toward Yayo. Everyone’s attention turned to me due to the sudden appearance. Their surprised expressions thrilled me, especially Clara’s gaze.

“Makina, summon Stormbreaker!”

Stormbreaker appeared in a grand form, shattered, and became my armor, while Makina, obeying my will, entered an ethereal state and merged with the armor. The armor’s shape changed instantly. Its color turned red, the helmet transformed into something demonic, and the armor fit snugly on my body, giving it a futuristic combat suit feel. If we talk about performance, it’s not entirely wrong.

“Jet Engine.”

-Jet Engine Activated!

The back part opened, and flames shot out from the jet engine, increasing the propulsion power. Clenching my fists, I rushed—no, flew—at Yayo.

KWAANG!

My fist collided with Yayo’s barrier. He frowned.

“You look familiar… Ah, yes, you’re that Korean villain, right? Your name was Red Light, wasn’t it? Why are you here?”

“That’s what I want to ask. Why is a high-ranking member of the Magus Organization here? Are you attacking Arashi Academy again?”

“You’ll see soon enough. Our target isn’t Arashi Academy—it’s that woman. You’d better step aside, or we won’t pretend we didn’t see you.”

“Ho ho. You’ve seen my face, haven’t you? Do you know why I showed it to you?”

“To kill me, us, right? But it’s you who will die.”

KEEEEEEEENG!

Before I could break his barrier, the katana he was holding let out a howl. Tiny magical circles were densely engraved on its blade.

-Warning! Warning! That thing’s dangerous! How many spells did they carve into that sword?!

“I already knew without you telling me. Jumping upward.”

I dodged the swing of his sword and flew into the sky. His sword skills were terrible; it seemed like he hadn’t trained in swordsmanship. Still, his insistence on using a sword looked quite amusing.

Ting Ting!

Something flew toward me and bounced off my armor. It was a shuriken. The lackeys surrounding Clara threw daggers and knives at me.

-You bugs! Throwing those weapons at me?! Eugene! Have them attack these guys! I can’t just take this lying down!

“Alright, permission granted.”

A large amount of mana surged into the armor.

Subsequently, small openings appeared all over the armor, revealing gun barrels.

-Destruction Beam!

Dozens of red laser beams were fired at all enemies except Clara. Only Yayo managed to block the beams with his barrier. The Broker team was wiped out.

“…Hey, what if we kill them all?”

-What are you talking about? Killing them is the original plan.

“There were things I wanted to ask them.”

-There’s still one left over there!

I clicked my tongue and clenched my fist.

Chak! A blade extended from the gauntlet.