<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 95>
Lee Ik-seon slid hastily down the mountain.
“d*mn! d*mn!!”
I’m sorry. I truly am.
But I had no choice.
I wanted to live. I had to survive.
The hatred he felt towards himself for abandoning his team and escaping alone clashed with the relief of having survived, and tears streamed down his face.
“Huhuhu…”
Lee Ik-seon belonged to the Agent group known as P.S.H.
As a Major Agent, it was no surprise that Lee Ik-seon was a graduate of the Academy, commonly referred to as a “Saint Goal.”
Perhaps because of this, through a lucky promotion, he ascended to the position of Deputy Team Leader at a young age.
But as they say, greed knows no bounds.
He grew envious.
Just one more step, and he could become the team leader.
Though P.S.H. couldn’t compare to Optimum, it was still a Major Agent group. Being team leader at P.S.H. meant being respected wherever he went.
Thus, he began pondering how he could become team leader, when fate intervened with a national support request.
This is it! If I succeed with this, I can make it!
Without hesitation, Lee Ik-seon was the first to volunteer.
Had the heavens been moved by his enthusiasm? The team leader suddenly fell ill, and Lee Ik-seon was appointed temporary team leader to lead the investigation team.
At the time, he was overwhelmed with emotion.
Around this feeling of triumph, Lee Ik-seon learned the investigation operation involved the world-class villain group ‘Celutis.’
But, blinded by excitement, he lightly disregarded this fact—or rather, it excited him further.
The harder the trial, the sweeter the reward. If he successfully handled the confrontation with Celutis, he’d not only become team leader but might even be recruited by Optimum…
Thus driven, Lee Ik-seon embarked on the mission with more passion than anyone else.
Everything went smoothly.
The investigation team he led managed to capture a staggering six Archangels.
In addition to this, they cleared gates and obtained valuable artifacts which Lee Ik-seon generously distributed to strengthen bonds with his teammates.
Indeed, everything seemed to be unfolding perfectly.
It felt like the dream that seemed so far-fetched was becoming a reality.
They say in life, three chances come your way.
Lee Ik-seon firmly believed this was his chance.
So without a second thought, he enthusiastically volunteered.
“Let me get straight to the point. We have intelligence that Celutis is concentrating their forces in South Hamgyeong Province. In light of this, our investigation team will select personnel to conduct a search in that area.”
“Do any of you have thoughts on this? As a reference, compensation will be provided generously.”
Even though agents are officially licensed by the state but ultimately tied to their respective agencies, their voluntary nature is a necessity rather than an obligation, hence the need for persuasion in such a situation.
And to their surprise, a considerable number of people volunteered their hands.
This was largely because their earlier missions had gone so smoothly.
‘Those Archangels weren’t much of a challenge,’ thought the team, prioritizing the rewards these dangerous missions offered. Naturally, Lee Ik-seon was one of them.
Thus, Lee Ik-seon set out confidently toward South Hamgyeong Province.
However, the reality awaiting him was far from what he anticipated.
“Ice? But it’s not freezing magic, and yet, ice?”
“Halt! Everyone stop!”
Until this point, every Archangel they’d encountered had been relatively straightforward. But the Archangel in front of them was different—a creature that had grown by consuming plenty of “humans.” Moreover, it had been empowered by the Chandler family’s “Ice Shift.”
Adding to this, Celutis deployed their elite assassin group, the ‘Salvation Choir.’
In an instant, they turned this confrontation into an infernal nightmare.
“Huhuhu!”
Desperately, he ran.
Despite his injured leg and arm screaming with pain, Lee Ik-seon’s will to survive numbed the anguish.
However, while he could endure the pain, the continuous decline in his physical capabilities was another matter. The freezing magic of Ice Shift began to spread through his wounds, progressively solidifying Lee Ik-seon’s legs.
Finally, with a thud, he stumbled over a rock and fell.
In the distance, the sound of approaching footsteps grew closer.
The glowing wings cutting through the darkness belonged to the Archangel.
“Please…”
Move. Move!
As Lee Ik-seon frantically tried to command his legs to move, the Ice Shift’s strengthening magic only accelerated their freezing due to its proximity to its master.
The approaching Archangel looked down, fixing its sights on the trembling Lee Ik-seon.
And with an almost benevolent smile, it said,
“I shall dine well.”
As it bent down toward him…
“k*ll.”
A crimson thorn descended upon the Archangel’s head.
Piercing through Ice Shift’s instantaneously formed ice barrier, it hit its mark precisely at the crown.
Psshht!!
The Dragonian landed, its helmet casting aside, revealing Jin Yu-ri’s deep, crimson hair swaying in the wind.
“It went right through.”
Prepared for the next ‘Dragon’s Word,’ it was unnecessary.
The Archangel’s body disintegrated into the air, leaving behind a magic gem. Collecting the gem, Jin Yu-ri turned to shake the unconscious man lying nearby.
“Hey! Wake up!”
He fainted.
Tsk, Jin Yu-ri clicked her tongue.
To black out in the middle of a fight? That’s practically asking for d*ath.
Being around Park Ki-hyuk too much, Jin Yu-ri found this incomprehensible.
Still, even if it was pitiful, it had to be done.
Jin Yu-ri picked up her radio.
“Um, hey, do you read? This is Jin Yu-ri. We have an injured person here. Please retrieve him quickly.”
After a brief radio exchange to cover the situation, she was about to ascend into the air, when someone waited for her from above.
The thief herself, Rosaria.
“Why’d you follow me?”
“You know why. Teach me the proprietary magic.”
“Why should I?”
“Because you conned me.”
“Excuse me? You conned me first, you thief.”
“You’re the thieves. You stole my Victor design.”
Good grief, not only did she twist things to her advantage, but she also blamed others?
Jin Yu-ri smirked and said,
“Hey, you.”
Erasing her usual playful grin,
“Do I look funny to you?”
The mana surrounding her vibrated noticeably.
Always cheerful and light-hearted, this was only true when she was in front of Park Ki-hyuk.
In reality, Jin Yu-ri was a scion of the ‘Dragon-blooded.’
Dragons were proud and disdainful.
With power matching their height, they were arrogant and mighty beings. That was what dragons were.
Jin Yu-ri pointed her finger at Rosaria’s chest.
“Listen.”
Thump.
“Keep your distance from us.”
Thump.
“Or else leave.”
Each tap of her finger was a serious warning.
“Ki-hyuk and I don’t have time for your nonsense.”
It was sincere.
Unquestionably, the killing intent emanating from Jin Yu-ri was genuine.
One more provocation and she wouldn’t remain passive.
She genuinely intended to take action.
But then,
“I don’t have time either, but teach me already.”
Rosaria clearly didn’t back down either.
If Jin Yu-ri was ‘Jinlong’, then this was Rosaria Villaind Washington.
Not just from America, but a representative from the illustrious ‘Washington’ family of the Americas.
“If you really must know about proprietary magic…”
As she hovered, rings of mana sprouted on each side of Rosaria, and out of these rings emerged a massive mechanical arm.
“Is that a threat or what? You, a thief, even accuse me of threatening you?”
“Threat? Intimidate? Blackmail? Wrong words. You started it.”
“Are you asking for it? Do you feel confident?”
“I want to ask you. Can you beat me?”
The tension between the two women sparked.
“I admit it. You’ve never appealed to me.”
Behind Jin Yu-ri’s suit, crimson mana wings unfolded.
“Same here. I don’t like you either.”
Victor’s hand enveloped Rosaria protectively.
At the touch of a hair-trigger situation,
The clashing mana waves from both women spread out in auroras.
However, the fight between the two was not to be.
“Did you sense the distress signal?”
A woman arrived, riding her sword.
It was Park Min-ji.
“Hey, what are you two doing?”
*
I’m exhausted.
Looks like I must have beaten them pretty soundly. For the first time in a while, my muscles have done their work, satisfied and fully stretched.
Well, even in this condition, if there’s another battle, I’ll be pumped up again. But honestly, I want a break, too.
After flying back to base camp, I first took a shower.
Though I could use a cleaning spell, I prefer the warmth of water whenever possible.
After a refreshing shower, a familiar face appeared from afar.
Did I see wrong? Why are sister and Jin Yu-ri together?
“Sir, this was a misunderstanding! She started it…”
“Why are you calling me ‘sir’?”
“It’s, uh… I’m Ki-hyuk’s girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend? You? I haven’t heard anything about that.”
“Oh, not yet, but it’s going to happen. For sure.”
Sir? Girlfriend? That liar is making things up while I’m away.
As I stared blankly, confused, sister called me.
“I don’t know what’s going on. Park Ki-hyuk, come here and explain this.”
“Ki-hyuk, you say? Oh! Ki-hyuk!”
“She’s claiming to be dating you. Is it true?”
“No, we’re not dating. What’s there to date… Jin Yu-ri, let’s talk later.”
Jin Yu-ri grimaced, muttering, “I was wrong.”
When I asked sister what transpired, she shook her head, explaining how they “didn’t pick the right time or place to argue.”
Her expression wasn’t pleased.
So I found myself, uncomfortably wedged between the sheepish Jin Yu-ri and the cold Park Min-ji, as we entered the command control room.
The meeting in the command control room was in full swing.
“…now is not the time to debate this! We need to seal off the area and somehow investigate the inside situation.”
“Excuse me! Conducting such a search right now when we’re seeing the victims, can you even say that?”
“I regret the circumstances deeply. However, think about it. The investigation team was carefully chosen members. They were beaten so completely. What happens if we unleash such forces into the city…? Allow me to ask, can you afford the responsibility?”
“Ugh, no. It’s not right to demand one-sided sacrifices from our superhumans.”
“It won’t take long. The army is about to deploy. Support will arrive in three days, no later than five.”
“Three days? Are you joking? Two days are tough, and you’re asking us to hold out for three? That support might not even arrive when it’s supposed to?”
“Moreover, I have something to say. From what I’ve heard, the army’s movements are hindered by the ‘Triad.’ How will they provide support then?”
“That… we’ll find a way.”
“Nevertheless, our priority should be safety, shouldn’t it?”
“M, that’s correct.”
To sum up the current meeting:
A tense tug-of-war between government officials trying to somehow seal off Celutis and the agents insisting that it is unfeasible.
“Just over the mountains, you’ll reach Gangwon province. That’s where people live.”
“What’s more, Archangels don’t eat humans. One slip-up could lead to horrifying results. We have to seal off this area as soon as possible. We’ll offer rewards, whatever it takes.”
“Rewards! As we’ve said, rewards aren’t the issue. This just isn’t feasible. There’s no way we can stop it.”
“It’s unclear what forces Celutis has, so how and where can we block them? Tell me! You can’t, can you? Our agents won’t move an inch unless the safety of our superhumans is guaranteed.”
The reality of this is complex because both sides have their reasons.
From the government’s side, they must ensure civilian safety by keeping investigative teams pinned in place, especially since they’re public servants whose jobs are to protect the citizens.
On the other hand, the existence of agents is tied to the benefits and safety of their superhumans, with them providing support while charging fees.
In short, agents prioritize the safety of their superhumans.
Though protecting civilians is important, it can’t involve sacrificing lives.
With both parties fundamentally at odds, the chance of this meeting being resolved easily is non-existent.
With that in mind, I leaned back into my chair, expecting a long session when…
“Hmm?”
What’s this feeling?
Unconsciously, due to some strange sensation, my head turned.
Looking to my side, I noticed sister had similarly turned her head.
And in the moment our eyes landed on the control room door,
“Excuse me!”
The tent’s entrance was boldly flung open, and the man standing in the doorway was…
“Dad?”
“Father?”
Yes.
It’s our dad,
Park Geon.
“The current time is 20:21. Using the authority of a Guardian, I declare an ‘Emergency Disaster Situation.’ Everyone, prepare for combat mode. Ah, and just in case, refusal is allowed. Yes, it’s allowed. So…”
Dad unsheathed his sword and plunged it into the floor.
“Anyone who wishes to refuse, please raise your hand.”
I had never seen the ‘Tiger’s Smile’ displayed on a human face before.
Then,
“Lastly, I’ll be the one leading. I’ll go in first and withdraw last. Any objections?”
