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The traitorous Hwarang, Chun Sami, is said to meet with a high-ranking member of the Villain Alliance at an abandoned building tomorrow night at 10 PM.

I don’t know why a high-ranking member would meet with a small-time criminal like that.

‘Well, it’s a win for me.’

If it were just Chun Sami, it would’ve been boring. I’d have taken him down faster than I did with Manager Kim.

But a high-ranking member of the Villain Alliance is involved?

‘At least it’ll be a proper fight.’

Let’s catch a high-ranking member of an evil organization for once.

When I stepped outside, there were a few more big guys lying around that I hadn’t seen before.

“…Did they get caught by Manager Kim while trying to escape?”

“Yes, I subdued the thugs who tried to run.”

“I was worried you’d get beaten by thugs, but you’re stronger than I thought.”

“How low do you think of me…?”

Well… a one-second knockout is forever a one-second knockout.

“Let’s call the Gyeongju police to wrap things up and get out of here.”

“Yes, I’ve already contacted them. They should be on their way.”

As Manager Kim said, not long after, the sound of sirens blared loudly.

“I’ve always wondered… if the police announce their arrival so loudly, wouldn’t the criminals just run away? Why do they do that?”

“It’s a preventive measure. Criminals who run can be chased, but victims can’t be undone. It’s like saying, ‘Hear the siren and run.’”

“Hmm, I see.”

Manager Kim seems to rely more on brains than brawn.

He knows everything.

Anyway, we handed the case over to the Bald Detective and Glasses Detective from the station and went home.

“So, you’ve found Chun Sami’s whereabouts?”

“Not exactly… but we’ve figured out the time and place of the meeting tomorrow.”

“Good job. We’ll be able to catch Chun Sami tomorrow.”

Grandfather Kim Seo-hyun nodded with a satisfied smile.

After drinking some pu-erh tea, I returned to the annex.

But… when I got back to my room, something felt off.

No, not just off—very off.

How could such an easy case have been delayed until now?

I’m sure even the police could’ve wrapped it up in no time, let alone a hero.

“Isn’t this strange?”

“What? Are you imagining things again?”

“No, it’s not imagination….”

She says everything I think is just imagination.

“This case feels fishy….”

“Really? I don’t see it. What’s so fishy?”

She tilted her head, genuinely confused.

“It’s weird that a B-Class Awakened turned villain only committed this one crime. Even if he’s a small-time criminal, he was a Hwarang, and a traitor at that. It’s also strange that Grandfather, a senior Hwarang, is so relaxed about it.”

“Now that you mention it, it does seem a bit odd….”

Hayan nodded, slowly agreeing with me.

“And most of all, it’s strange that no one stepped up to deal with something that could’ve been solved by taking down one dealer.”

It only took thirty minutes to find the illegal arcade.

Sure, Manager Kim found it, but it wouldn’t have been much different if I had done it.

In fact, it might’ve been faster—just grab any thug and beat the information out of them.

But… the connection to the illegal arcade came from the police.

I didn’t uncover it myself.

So what were the police doing?

From the looks of it, they did investigate… but maybe I’m overthinking the timing.

“It feels like there’s some conspiracy….”

“Even if there is… won’t it all be over once we catch Chun Sami tomorrow?”

“That’s true.”

“Just catch Chun Sami and ask him. Don’t overthink it.”

Yeah, maybe I’m being too sensitive.

***

The place where the high-ranking member and Chun Sami are supposed to meet.

We arrived at a secluded spot on Magic Stone Mountain in Gyeongju.

We left the frail Manager Kim at home.

Just in case he gets hurt.

“There, the meeting spot for the Villain Alliance’s high-ranking member and Chun Sami.”

“An abandoned building in the mountains? Perfect for criminals to meet.”

Right on cue, Chun Sami walked out of the building.

“…When are they coming?”

Jeong Gyeoul and Lee Ha-yoon, who had already focused their magic power on their ears, didn’t miss Chun Sami’s muttering.

“Looks like the high-ranking member hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Villains are tasteless without being late.”

Leaving the anxious Chun Sami alone, I heightened all my senses and focused on any presence.

If they came in our direction, we’d have to either fight or hide.

“Someone’s coming.”

“It’s a woman.”

The high-ranking member from the Alliance who came to meet Chun Sami was a young woman.

“Mr. Chun Sami?”

“Ah, yes, I’m Chun Sami.”

“You’re being tracked by two heroes, right?”

“Yes… that’s correct. The reason I called is different, but I could use a little help….”

The high-ranking member scoffed in disbelief.

“If you’re so tied up by just two people that you need to ask for help, then we don’t need you in our Alliance.”

“It’s not just two! It’s Jeong Gyeoul and Lee Ha-yoon!”

“Yes, I know. An A-Class and an S-Class. But if you’re so tied up by a couple of kids playing detective, it just shows how incompetent you are, doesn’t it?”

“…So, no support?”

“Just give up and turn yourself in now. Seriously, wasting my time with someone like you….”

The moment Chun Sami realized there would be no further support, his expression changed.

His shoulders, which had been hunched, straightened, and the pathetic 18-year-old villain wannabe was gone, replaced by the dignified figure of a Hwarang.

“But… I heard a strange rumor.”

“Hah, a mere thug like you… Fine, since you’re here, I’ll listen. What’s this strange rumor?”

“Your Alliance… is connected to the Satan Church, right?”

“…What?”

The conversation between Chun Sami and the high-ranking member was quite intriguing.

Jeong Gyeoul nodded, confirming her suspicions.

Lee Ha-yoon’s eyes widened in shock.

‘See! I told you there’s some conspiracy.’

‘Gyeoul was right! The Satan Church?!’

Now the problem lies with the President who sent us here, the Association that allowed it, and the other Hwarangs, including Kim Seo-hyun.

I hope they’re not involved, but given the situation, it’s hard not to be suspicious.

It seemed like Chun Sami was undercover, but I couldn’t understand why they sent us all the way here to catch him.

And what we’re seeing now could be an act between the high-ranking member and Chun Sami.

If that’s the case, the villains might be waiting nearby, ready to jump out at a signal.

For now, Jeong Gyeoul and Lee Ha-yoon decided to keep watching.

“How did you know that?”

“How did I know? I came to catch you, so of course I know!”

“What, what?”

Boom.

The shocking development I half-expected was unfolding.

‘Chun Sami really was undercover.’

As soon as Chun Sami shouted, the bushes started rustling.

‘…I didn’t expect this.’

People who had been perfectly hidden, waiting in ambush, jumped out.

Among them was the person Manager Kim called Scorpion.

Which means… everyone who just jumped out is likely a Hwarang.

“…What the hell is this?”

“Should we go out too?”

“Let’s keep watching for now. Honestly, I’m not sure if we can trust the Hwarangs.”

From what we’re seeing, undercover Chun Sami is capturing the high-ranking villain, and the Hwarangs are helping.

So… I’m not sure exactly how, but it seems like we’re being used as a way to lure out the high-ranking member.

‘Shouldn’t they have told us about this beforehand?’

Another possibility is that Chun Sami really is a traitor, and Scorpion is also a traitor. The Hwarangs who came with them have formed a new independent force.

Whether that force is good or bad, no one knows.

The situation is getting messy.

Jeong Gyeoul started rubbing her temples.

“Are you okay?”

“No… I’m not okay. My head is killing me.”

Whether Jeong Gyeoul was in pain or not, the situation was moving rapidly.

“I recommend you surrender.”

“…Chun Sami, you’ll regret this.”

“I don’t want to hear that cliché line.”

The high-ranking member, spouting typical villain lines, reached into her chest.

“What are you doing? Get your hand out of there!”

Chun Sami and Scorpion rushed to stop her, but it was too late.

Bang—

The high-ranking member shot a signal flare into the sky.

Jeong Gyeoul’s expression twisted as she stared at it blankly.

“That’s a signal flare, calling for backup.”

“…But can the villains really beat the Hwarangs?”

There were about thirty or forty Hwarangs present.

At least that many villains would need to show up… but it’s questionable if there are even that many in Gyeongju.

“Die!”

The high-ranking member, who had shot the flare, charged at Chun Sami.

Not expecting an attack instead of defense or escape, Chun Sami’s face was filled with dismay.

“Chun Sami!”

Scorpion shouted urgently and sped up, but it was too late.

Splat—

Chun Sami’s left arm was severed, spraying a fountain of blood.

“Argh!”

“All Hwarangs! Subdue the villain!”

The high-ranking member was showing incredible skill against the Hwarangs.

Dodging or deflecting blades coming from all directions, she even managed to strike back at the Hwarangs.

“You’re too strong!”

“Instructor!”

Scorpion quickly brought Chun Sami’s severed arm to his side and stopped the bleeding, then stepped forward.

Manager Kim wasn’t lying—Scorpion’s presence immediately changed the situation.

“Ugh… you cowardly bastards!”

“What do you expect from a villain, you idiot.”

Unlike before, the high-ranking member was struggling against just Scorpion.

Her clothes were torn, and blood started appearing all over her body.

With each clash of swords, more blood was spilled, and the high-ranking member was getting exhausted.

Then.

Whoosh—

A whistle sounded from somewhere, and the high-ranking member’s face lit up.

“Annoying…”

“Hey, pretty lady, how about I save you for ten million won?”

 

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