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Instructor Yoo Soo-gap and Assistant Instructor Im Soo-ryeon thoroughly searched the administrative office, but there were no survivors.

“Except for the victims and the symbols drawn on the wall, everything is too clean. So clean it’s chilling.”

“It seems they didn’t even have a chance to escape. Most were killed in one strike on the spot. At least an A-Class. And a very skilled one at that.”

From Instructor Yoo Soo-gap’s mouth came words that could pinpoint the culprit’s combat ability.

A very skilled A-Class.

Around me, the only ones who could receive such an evaluation would be Jo Se-hee and Lee Ha-yoon.

If the minimum is around their level… then what’s the maximum? Whatever it is, I just hope it’s not on par with Jeong Ha-yul.

An apostle being in the upper ranks of S-Class? Does that mean the cult leader might be stronger than the Queen of England?

That’s way too unbalanced.

“But is this from a sword? It feels a bit off for a sword.”

“Looking at the cuts and wounds on the body, it’s definitely a blade… The problem is, it’s a type I’ve never seen before. The thickness, length of the blade. Everything is abnormal.”

“Either a custom-made weapon by an individual or a crime committed using an ability.”

“That’s all the clues we have. We can’t even tell if they’re right-handed or left-handed. The direction of the wounds is all over the place, possibly intentionally to avoid identification. At least five different types of weapons. But it seems like the culprit is one person. Not sure, just a hunch.”

“I know a few villains who deal in swords. I’ll look into it.”

“Alright, don’t push yourself. I’ll also ask around through my connections.”

The two instructors, investigating the blood-soaked crime scene, showed sharp, detective-like skills.

Their effort not to disturb the scene was a bonus.

So that’s what veterans look like.

After all, just having strength doesn’t make you a great hero.

They could extract a lot of information just by looking at the wounds on the body.

“…Gyeoul, when did you get here? I told you to stay in the hallway.”

“It’s okay, I’ve seen a lot of this following my sister around.”

“…What on earth has the Demon King been doing with her younger sibling? Seeing dismembered, mutilated corpses often?”

“Ah, precisely, it was more like complex fractures from Demon King Punches, skull depressions from Demon King flicks, monster dismemberment, monster organ ruptures. Nothing as brutal as this.”

“That still sounds pretty brutal…”

…

I feel like I’ve met the most normal person in this world.

The so-called Awakened Ones all act like they’re missing a screw.

And I, living in this crazy world, feel like I’ve lost a screw too.

Even ordinary people like Yoo Eun-chae and Baek Kang-woo wander around places filled with corpses and monster remains without ever vomiting…

An Awakened One who covers a child’s eyes, worried about PTSD, saying, “A child shouldn’t see this!”

Im Soo-ryeon… was the two-eyed in the land of the one-eyed.

“But… seeing the Reverse Paradox and Jealousy used there, it seems to signify the Seven Deadly Sins. Could it be related to the Satan Church?”

The two didn’t seem interested in occult elements, not connecting the Reverse Paradox and Jealousy to the Satan Church.

They seemed to think of it merely as the culprit’s symbol.

At this point, it seemed necessary to drop a hint, so I brought it up with an innocent look.

“Yeah… now that I think about it, I remember hearing that those who worship Satan invert the pentagram.”

“Didn’t the Golden Dawn, the predecessor of the Clock Tower, completely eradicate the Satan Church?”

“Evil doesn’t disappear just because it’s punished; new evil just fills its place.”

They still seemed unaware of the Satan Church.

Is information about the Satan Church being controlled?

Hanging out with S-Class sisters and the Association President, they treat me like some NPC, so I hear even confidential parts, making it hard to distinguish what’s revealed and what’s hidden.

If these two don’t know… it seems the Satan Church was that kind of ambiguous information.

A middle-aged man who laughs foolishly every time we meet.

Who ruined his child’s upbringing and might have some perverse tendencies himself.

I also heard Kim Bong-du found out about the Satan Church while fighting the 12 Apostles.

‘How far has the information control gone? I thought at least the academy instructors would know.’

Given the situation, I briefly explained the Satan Church.

That the 12 Apostles were also apostles of the Satan Church.

Yoo Soo-gap seemed to be thinking something.

Im Soo-ryeon… had a strange expression.

“Even Gyeoul knows this information… and I didn’t…”

She seemed disheartened to be outdone in information by a 14-year-old kid.

“But… with the academy in this state, where is Bong-du and what is he doing?”

“The President is coming late today, said he has something to discuss with the guild and the academy.”

“…Bong-du left his post? So the culprit knew the President’s schedule, which even I didn’t know.”

Yoo Soo-gap showed his sharp side again.

Could it be that there’s an insider involved, like with the 12 Apostles?

Just how deep are these guys rooted?

“The Master just isn’t interested, but the academy staff should all know.”

Hmm, maybe it’s just good timing?

The President is away, and the monsters are running wild.

Even a villain who might be stronger than me or Hayan is roaming around.

If I act out now, it’s the perfect time to get stabbed and die.

“I’ll head back to the classroom for now.”

“No, we’ll make a broadcast, so go to the shelter.”

“Then I’ll take Hayan and our teacher to the shelter, and pick up any students I see on the way.”

“Alright. Be careful.”

“Yes, instructors, you be careful too.”

The situation is strangely unfolding.

I thought it was just an abnormal incident, but the Satan Church is involved.

Then could the monster outbreak also be the work of the Satan Church?

‘Is that too much of a leap?’

If they were capable of that, they wouldn’t have stayed quiet until now.

If we delay, someone else might die or get hurt.

Once we gather at the shelter, we can get protection from other instructors, so it’s best to follow Instructor Yoo Soo-gap’s advice.

Just then, a pleasant voice came through the academy’s internal speakers.

It was Im Soo-ryeon, who had been fiddling with the broadcast equipment in the administrative office, making an announcement.

[Ah, ah. Mic test. Hey, stay still! Why did you add echo?]

[…I thought it would make the sound louder. Sorry.]

[Attention, everyone. A monster outbreak has occurred. We don’t know the details. All students and staff inside the academy, please head to the shelter immediately. Students within the top 10 rankings, please take care of the other students… Instructors, please deal with any monsters you see and head to the shelter. Uh… what else?]

[…Just tell them to evacuate.]

[You heard it, everyone? Evacuate… now.]

Listening to Im Soo-ryeon’s voice, I headed straight to my classroom.

“Gyeoul, how’s the situation outside?”

“Um… the monsters are being held back, but there’s a landmine hidden somewhere. Did you hear the broadcast? Let’s head to the shelter first.”

If only Hayan were here, but with Ttukttaki listening, there’s no need to say the situation is heading in a bad direction.

“Ev-everything’s okay, right, guys?”

“Don’t worry, once we get to the shelter, the instructors will protect us.”

“Right? I heard the academy is safe in any situation, seems it’s not just talk. What a relief.”

Hmm, it’s not exactly safe in any situation.

Just during the 12 Apostles incident, the shelter was breached once.

Even now, if the Apostle of Jealousy decides to come in, who knows what will happen.

Her combat ability is still unknown.

Just as I was about to take Choi Ye-na to the shelter.

“Kyaaaah!”

A female student’s scream came from the classroom below.

“Wh-what! Wh-what’s that sound?”

Ttukttaki seemed to have malfunctioned again from the scream.

Patting the trembling Ttukttaki, I relayed the message to Hayan.

“If it’s a villain, I’ll buy time, so run to the shelter. Find Instructor Yoo Soo-gap or Instructor Hong Eun-jeong who teaches super abilities. They’re the strongest in the academy as far as I know.”

Instructor Hong Eun-jeong, who handles super abilities, and Instructor Yoo Soo-gap, who teaches Villain Capture Techniques.

There are other instructors I haven’t seen, but they’re probably the strongest after President Kim Bong-du.

Explaining how to act in case of an emergency, Hayan’s expression darkened.

“A villain? There’s a villain?”

“I’ll explain later. If it’s a monster, it’s fine, but if it’s a villain, run away no matter what.”

“…What about you?”

“I’m faster than you. I’ll handle them and run away.”

“…Alright.”

Hayan will take care of the malfunctioning Ttukttaki.

If necessary, she’ll carry him around using magic.

After dividing roles with Hayan, I headed downstairs.

‘Damn… my hands are shaking. If it’s an apostle on Jeong Ha-yul’s level, can I hold out even for a moment?’

Praying it’s just a monster or a minion of an apostle, I headed towards the source of the scream.

“Ke, keuk… Pl-please, save me…”

“You shouldn’t have thrown away my note. I was going to spare you because your jealousy was cute.”

“…Wh-what note?”

Mr. D, whom I met during patrol, was being held by a woman in leather clothes.

The more revealing the outfit, the prettier the face, the stronger they are—that’s the rule…

She must be the apostle, right?

Should I pretend not to see and run, or risk my life to save him? While I was pondering.

I made eye contact with the woman holding Mr. D.

“Hi?”

“…Hello? If you don’t mind, may I ask your name?”

“You’re asking for a name in this situation? You’re not normal either, huh? Call me Jealousy.”

“Um… Ms. Jealousy, are you perhaps an apostle of the Satan Church?”

The woman’s eyes sparkled.

“You know about us?”

Yep, I’m screwed.

“Hayan, run.”

 

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