Among those present, as it happened, was Min Hwiseong, who was acquainted with all of us.
“…This is the head of the Iron Fortress Kwon clan, Ganseong, Kwon Haeil. He’s the man who effectively has national defense in the palm of his hand. His family holds all sorts of key posts in that field, you see. Both in this country and in Academy City.”
“Enough with the flattery. I don’t particularly like it.”
“…”
Under Min Hwiseong’s lead.
We exchanged brief greetings.
And then.
“But how did the clan heads end up accompanying Lord Tugwi?”
I asked out of curiosity.
At that, Yong Suhwan, Min Hwiseong, and Kwon Haeil answered in turn.
“I was looking around Academy City when I happened to sense Tugwi’s presence. So I challenged him to a fight at once. Then Griffin and Ganseong came and interfered with us… and somehow I ended up following them here.”
“I heard an explosion and went to see what it was, only to find Tugwi and Muzon fighting. I was watching with interest when Ganseong butted in midway, of all things. Afterward, I heard the situation from Tugwi, and I followed him to lend what little strength I could. And Muzon, don’t misunderstand and think I was the one who interrupted the fight. If you want to complain, complain to Ganseong.”
“Then if you were smashing up the surrounding roads and obstructing people’s passage, shouldn’t you have stopped fighting at once? Tugwi, Muzon, I’ve said this before, but if you’re going to fight, please go into a Gate and do it there. In there, I won’t interfere whether you destroy buildings, kill someone, or beat each other senseless.”
“Ah, yes… So that’s what happened…”
At the sight of clan heads who inspired no sense of dignity whatsoever.
I responded with a somewhat sour expression.
Meanwhile, Kang Hanbyeol and Seo Jeongjin were separately catching up with each other.
“Did you steal a lot? Anything good?”
“There’s a lot in this world worth stealing. I’ll show you my vault later. There should be a few weapons even you’ll covet, Master. Hehehe.”
“Is that so. Hehehe…”
“…”
It was certainly a conversation that suited Kang Hanbyeol and Seo Jeongjin’s personalities, but…
If someone overheard them, they’d think they were thieves.
I glanced sideways at the two of them snickering with sinister expressions and sighed inwardly.
‘Are the only normal people here me and the head of the Iron Fortress Kwon clan?’
Min Hwiseong, unlike his refined personality, seemed a little odd somewhere too.
Just then, noticing my gaze, he opened his mouth in a friendly tone.
“By the way, I heard you even left your family to marry Bunny. Your resolve must have been firm. I suppose I have no right to interfere with that. So I’ll only say this. Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Ah… Thank you, Clan Head.”
“Still… it is a shame. I wanted to bring you, Noemyo, into the family as Arin’s partner, and Bunny as Jiwan’s partner, making you both members of the Magic Min clan… Of course, it’s not as if there’s no chance left… since I could offer Arin as your second partner.”
“…I’m grateful you think so highly of me, but Haneul alone is more than enough for me.”
“You never know with time. Your eyes may wander to another woman… However, as the head of the Magic Min clan, for the honor of the family, I cannot send Arin as a second partner. For the sake of Arin’s magic as well. Unless, perhaps, that child truly wishes it.”
“Haha…”
Clearly showing his regret.
Min Hwiseong smacked his lips.
Afraid I might carelessly give him any room to push further, I had no choice but to keep my words to a minimum.
All I could do was laugh awkwardly.
Meanwhile, Yong Suhwan, Kwon Haeil, and Seo Jeongjin, who had been listening to the conversation, also spoke up.
“To think you would leave your family in order to be joined with the woman you love—you are truly a man among men! Splendid!”
“No doubt Beast King must be greatly heartbroken. Tsk. If one is a member of a family, one ought to fulfill one’s duty to that family…”
“You defied Do Yeik’s will… And on top of that, you beat Hanbyeol. You really are an amusing fellow.”
They said his was a distinguished family that had produced soldiers for generations even before the Great Cataclysm.
The head of the Iron Fortress Kwon clan, Kwon Haeil, seemed to be quite rigid and conservative.
I revised my evaluation of him.
‘So he wasn’t normal either. He’s not taking my and Haneul’s side…’
A short while later, the food was served.
And we got to the main point.
* * *
According to what was mentioned in the game.
While the eyes of the world were fixed on the Future Festival, and while the hunters were focused on guarding the members of the Contribution Association.
The Villain Alliance, with Mo Hwidam, the Moonshadow Sword of the Demon Society’s Six Demons, and Song Yejun, the Child Skin, at the forefront, would raid Seo Jeongjin’s vault in Hunter Bank.
‘Because Lord Tugwi’s vault stores the weapons he’s taken from villains until now.’
Among them were quite a few weapons belonging to infamous villains affiliated with the Villain Alliance.
There was even a spear called the Red Ghost Rakshasa, which Fallen Heaven was said to have wielded in the all-out war some thirty years ago.
That was why.
Those bastards had raided Seo Jeongjin’s vault with the intention of using those weapons to strengthen their forces.
And furthermore, to draw in villains who bore grudges against Seo Jeongjin but had yet to join the alliance.
The result.
‘The Villain Alliance’s plan succeeds, and they become an even more threatening enemy.’
And this incident becomes the trigger.
Kang Hanbyeol comes to regard Fallen Heaven and the Villain Alliance as his sworn enemies.
「Kang Hanbyeol」
—Those bastards… They dared… They dared rob my vault? Just wait. Do they think I’ll let this slide? I absolutely, absolutely won’t let it go. Wash your necks and wait for me…
「Yu Gaeul」
—Senior, I’m sorry to pour cold water on this, but strictly speaking, isn’t that vault not yours yet? It should be Lord Tugwi’s vault…
「Kang Hanbyeol」
—Shut up. Since I’m supposed to inherit it, it’s my vault. Whose else would it be? It’s mine.
「Yu Gaeul」
—Ah, yeees…
In terms of the game’s story.
It could also be called the event where Kang Hanbyeol becomes hostile to the Villain Alliance and resolves to defeat Fallen Heaven.
In any case.
‘In the game, it was an event that was only mentioned in passing and was guaranteed to happen, but in this world, it can be stopped. If we can stop them… and if we’re lucky enough to take down Moonshadow Sword and Child Skin as well…’
We should be able to weaken the villains we would face as enemies quite often starting next year during clan practical training.
Most of all.
‘It should lower the difficulty of clearing the final episode, which will happen on the last day of next year.’
That was why I had asked Kang Hanbyeol to arrange this meeting.
The Villain Alliance planned to take advantage of today to launch a surprise attack on Hunter Bank.
Their goal was Seo Jeongjin’s vault, and the weapons stored there.
Among them, there was a high possibility that Moonshadow Sword and Child Skin, known as two of the Six Demons, would be present.
I briefly explained again what I had told them beforehand.
Naturally.
“Ha, they’re going to rob my trophies? Those bastards must have their guts hanging out of their bellies. They must have a death wish, really…”
“Who said they could take what’s mine? This pisses me off… Are they insane? Master, let’s kill them all.”
“Good. We’ll kill those bastards and pick up some new trophies while we’re at it. But what do you mean, yours? It’s my vault. I said I’d pass it down to you someday, not that I’d give it to you now.”
“What? Since I’m going to receive it someday, of course it’s mine. What are you talking about?”
“It’s mine. Don’t touch what’s mine.”
“It’s mine, okay? Master, you should take your hands off it already.”
“…”
Seo Jeongjin and Kang Hanbyeol, who had been silently listening.
The two of them crumpled their faces and revealed their displeasure.
Then they started picking a fight with each other.
Neither I nor the others stepped in, deciding to just let it pass.
It was then that Min Hwiseong opened his mouth.
“Then does that mean targeting the Contribution Association badges is no different from a diversionary tactic…”
“Clan Head, you knew about that too?”
“I am also a member of the Contribution Association. As are Muzon and Ganseong. That’s why I recently received a message from the head of the Yu clan warning me to be careful of an attack. Well, I doubt there are lunatics mad enough to attack us… As a result, we were instead helping guard members who are not publicly known.”
“Ah… I suppose that makes sense.”
“But a raid on Hunter Bank… If it’s Fallen Heaven, he might indeed take advantage of this timing to pull something like that. It isn’t a story I can simply dismiss. It has credibility. However…”
Trailing off midway.
Min Hwiseong sharpened his gaze.
He continued.
“How do you know this? Information even the Hidden Shadow Yu clan failed to grasp.”
“…”
Min Hwiseong looked at me and asked in an interrogating tone.
It was only natural for him to suspect me.
The same was true of the others.
“…”
Kwon Haeil, Yong Suhwan, Seo Jeongjin, and even Kang Hanbyeol.
The gazes of all four were gathering on me.
But since I had expected this anyway.
“From the Chairwoman.”
Shrugging my shoulders.
I answered calmly, without the slightest hint of fluster.
At that, Min Hwiseong showed interest.
“With this matter concerning the Contribution Association too… It seems the Star Witch has obtained an excellent intelligence agent. Then what is your relationship with the Star Witch? Are you a messenger, like that chief secretary of hers?”
“…Yes, you can think of me as a messenger.”
What relationship?
We’re in a cooperative relationship.
And I’m the intelligence agent.
I answered only in my heart and glossed over it roughly.
“The Chairwoman asked me. She said those bastards were plotting something like this, so she wanted me to secretly contact Lord Tugwi and request his cooperation.”
“It seems the Star Witch has a plan. What kind of cooperation?”
Min Hwiseong asked.
I turned my head away from him and looked at Seo Jeongjin.
Then I stated the purpose.
“She said we should try stabbing them in the back together.”
“…”
At that proposal.
Seo Jeongjin pulled up the corners of his mouth.
He answered.
“Sounds good. Tell me about it. Whether it’s your idea or Hyeeul’s.”
…Ah.
Did he catch on?
Well, whatever.
I’ll pretend not to know.
I decided to play dumb.
* * *
Without deviating from the game’s progression.
On this day, the Villain Alliance took advantage of the opportunity and raided Hunter Bank.
“S-Someone, hurry and contact SWORD…!”
“Mo-Moonshadow Sword is here too! And Child Skin!”
“Damn it, two of the Six Demons…”
“That old monster bastard is the same as ever… He hasn’t aged at all.”
The hunters stationed at Hunter Bank resisted with all their might.
Even so.
In both individual ability and numbers, they were no match for them.
The Villain Alliance overwhelmed them.
“Don’t be shaken by Child Skin’s appearance! He may look like that, but he’s a monster who’s lived for decades!”
“I would prefer that you not call me by that epithet. It’s not as though I remain in this body because I enjoy it.”
Child Skin, Song Yejun, wore a large conical hat on his head.
He cast an indifferent glance at the hunter pointing a finger at him, then struck the floor with his staff.
At that moment.
Whoosh!
Flames surged up.
The hunter, engulfed by the flames just like that, screamed and died.
“Why do they insist on hastening their own deaths…”
“…”
At the situation that had unfolded in an instant.
The hunters were seized by fear.
Their morale plummeted.
In the end, they had no choice but to be subdued by the Villain Alliance.
“Is it over? How dull.”
“They had customers to protect, and they had grown soft in peace. They never could have imagined we would attack this branch, the foremost one in Academy City. During the Future Festival, no less.”
“So we caught them completely off guard.”
“Yes. More importantly… we have no time, so let’s move quickly. Hunters will come pouring in soon. Is that the branch manager?”
“Yes. He had hidden himself quite deep inside.”
“It’s fortunate you found him.”
Moonshadow Sword, Mo Hwidam, approached.
Soon, Song Yejun confirmed the identity of the branch manager slung over his shoulder and nodded.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Song Yejun. We are looking for Tugwi’s vault. As the branch manager, you must know where it is, yes? If you simply cooperate with us, I guarantee on my name that no harm will come to your life. I also promise that we will not touch any other vaults whatsoever.”
Meeting the branch manager’s gaze.
Song Yejun spoke politely.
The branch manager snorted.
“A bank lives and dies by trust. Do you truly think I would give customer information and customer assets to villains like you? Moreover, Tugwi is my close friend. Even if you put a blade to my throat, I will never speak.”
“I see. That is unfortunate. I had hoped we could do this the easy way. I know your type well. As you say, even with a blade at your throat, you would not bend your will.”
But.
What if it is not your throat?
What if it is someone else’s?
Song Yejun sneered.
He pointed with his cane at a woman who happened to be bound nearby.
Realizing his intent, the woman trembled in fear.
“P-please spare me….”
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll kill that person. Do you think I’ll stop at one? Until you talk, I’ll tear them apart one by one.”
Song Yejun shrugged.
Glaring at the branch manager, he said,
“Now, will you still refuse to speak? Are you going to let a customer die to protect the bank’s credibility? What admirable credibility that would be. Or do I need to kill one as an example before you come to your senses?”
“…I’ll guide you. So, as you said earlier, guarantee not only my safety but everyone else’s as well.”
“I like how quickly you change your mind. Very well.”
When the branch manager obediently changed his attitude,
Song Yejun split his lips into a wide grin.
Ill-suited to his appearance, he let out an old man’s cackling chuckle.
“Lead the way.”
“Understood.”
The branch manager climbed down from Mo Hwidam’s shoulder.
Standing on the ground with a gloomy face, he had no choice but to show them the way.
Some time passed after that.
“Is this the place?”
“…Yes, it is.”
The Villain Alliance, led by Song Yejun and Mo Hwidam, finally arrived before Seo Jeongjin’s vault.
All of them were filled with elation.
“Open the door at once.”
Song Yejun commanded.
Unable to defy him, the branch manager had no choice but to open the vault.
And so.
“This is…!”
The Villain Alliance stepped into Seo Jeongjin’s vault, brimming with excitement.
However.
“…”
The inside of the vault was completely empty.
The Villain Alliance, having entered the vault, could not hide their bewilderment.
“What… What is the meaning of this? Did you deceive us?”
Suppressing the rage boiling up inside him with effort,
Song Yejun turned back to look at the branch manager, who had not come inside.
The branch manager was…
“What do you mean, what’s going on? As you can see, Lord Fighting Demon’s vault is somewhere else, not here.”
Just as Song Yejun had done moments ago, he was grinning at them with contempt.
At that very instant.
───!!
“…!”
The magic installed in the vault activated.
Before the villains could respond, they were forcibly transported by So Hyeyul’s magic.
“W-where is this….”
“…Huh? Wh-what the hell!?”
“…!”
And the moment they were transported to some unknown place,
bombardment came raining down from the sky.
────!!
A vast inferno, lightning, light, and all manner of physical force
swallowed them all at once.
* * *
Academy City District 7, Haemong-dong.
A coastal city where no one lived anymore, once the stage of an all-out war.
“Looks like it hit properly.”
“Yeah. It worked.”
Including Gang Hanbyeol and me,
everyone participating in this operation was looking with satisfaction at the brilliantly rising pillar.
The Villain Alliance that had raided Hunter Bank had instead been counterattacked by us and fallen into a trap.
However.
‘It’d be nice if this ended here, but there’s no way they’d go down that easily. What a shame. If the Chairwoman’s Star Lightroad had functioned properly, I could’ve expected something from it….’
It was still too early to rejoice over the operation’s success.
Sure enough.
Fwaaah!
“…”
The pillar of light began to scatter.
All of us raised our guard.
And then.
“Looks like someone must have spilled the beans. I thought I’d weeded them out properly… but I suppose not.”
“We nearly died for real. To think the plan had been exposed….”
“…”
Moon Shadow Sword, Mo Hwidam.
Childskin, Song Yejun.
The villains, led by those two who had transformed not into humans but demons, walked out from within the pillar of light.
At that moment,
“Strike them down! Killing is permitted depending on the situation!”
With no collateral damage to worry about,
we charged at the Villain Alliance without hesitation.
A fierce battle erupted.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss