Chapter 938. Gen (17)
The atmosphere of the city was changing so rapidly that I could feel it.
Everyone realized that something big was going on.
Gen’s expression was also telling me that the situation was turning for the worse.
The city was sealed by a huge semi-transparent veil.
The guards and the adventurers in the city were moving based on the orders that they had received. Reinforcements were flooding in through the warp gate, and every single exit was locked. The civilians in the city were pretty flustered, which was quite realistic.
‘Commander Jin is doing a good job.’
The mood was important in situations like this.
'Look. He's determined not to let even a single ant leave the city.'
The peaceful city instantly became similar to a battlefield, and it seemed like a stage was made.
“This way.”
“Martial law has been declared in the city! We ask that you follow the army’s instructions!” a soldier announced
‘He even declared martial law?’
“W-What’s going on?” a civilian asked.
“Are you allowed to do this? If you do this—”
“Please follow our instructions!” a soldier interrupted.
“Do you know who I am?!” the civilian shouted.
'There’s always someone who asks stupid questions, but they’ll soon end up getting suppressed.'
“Shut up and follow our instructions, you fool,” said a large-framed soldier.
The uncooperative civilian immediately went quiet.
The civilians were moving and being questioned without knowing what was going on. I was sure the soldiers were asking them if they had seen Gen or not. If they had, then the soldiers would ask when they saw Gen and where.
“Can you tell us what’s going on?” a civilian asked.
“I’m sorry, but it’s top secret,” a soldier replied.
“...”
“If you cooperate, you’ll be able to return to your homes soon,” the soldier informed.
“Hey! How are things over there?” a soldier asked.
“The commander has taken over operational control. He said he's on his way to the site...” a soldier responded.
“Damn it... we should handle this quickly. What is the partner guild doing? Come over here! Control the civilians and make sure not a single person gets out of here!” a soldier commanded.
Everyone was busy, and it was all because they were worried about Commander Jin’s reaction. It seemed that Commander Jin had truly become a symbolic figure of the Republic. A few years ago, people were pointing fingers at him, calling him "Demon Summoner," but he became a great hero in just a few years.
‘He really needs to treat me well.’
'The Hero of Shadows... his title alone sends a shiver down anyone's spine.'
Obviously, his fame wasn’t limited to the Republic. The Sacred Democratic Country—no, the entire continent knew of his existence, so I was sure that Gen had heard of him as well.
They had never met, but the Republic was the Sacred Democratic Country’s enemy... so I was sure he was at least aware of the Republic's major figures.
As expected, Gen revealed a solemn face.
His solemn face was telling me that I was right.
‘He’s probably thinking that Commander Jin can't be an easy opponent.’
“I think the commander of the Republic is coming here, Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” Gen said.
“Ah... when you say the commander...” I paused.
“It won’t be easy,” Gen said.
“W-Will we be okay?” I asked.
“...”
Gen couldn’t answer with confidence.
“...”
“Let’s move,” Gen suggested.
We didn’t have many choices.
It was almost impossible to escape discreetly or wait until security had loosened up.
The security was so tight, as they had made an extreme move of sealing the entire city.
It was pretty effective.
If the city's manager were an idiot, there'd be openings, but the Commander of the Republic wouldn’t have an opening like that. He was thorough, so it was impossible to escape the well-woven spider web without making a single noise.
Our only option was...
‘To brute-force our way out...’
We could show ourselves, and weak spots would certainly appear in this intricate spider web. Security was tight, but not everyone was perfect. His underlings or even the Blue Guild members could end up doing something that would reveal a gap for us to exploit.
The city guards and clans throughout the city were part of his operation, but there were bound to be variables to this perfect system of his, as the parts that make up the system were just humans.
Gen seemed to have reached the same conclusion as me. He carried me with one hand and started running away. The people around us turned their attention to us, and that was when Gen spread his wings and flew at a low altitude across the city.
‘Why is he so fast?’
He was slower than Kim Hyun-Sung, but he was fast.
'Can Jin Cheong even stop him?’
Our Commander Jin was weak when it came to something like this. He was even defeated by the tactical Kim Hyun-Sung, and the same thing could happen this time as well.
“Shit! After them!” a soldier shouted.
“We found our target! Target found!” another soldier shouted.
“Move!”
Everyone reacted immediately. Perhaps it was for the safety of the hostage, but they didn't use any offensive-type spells against Gen.
However, a deluge of binding spells swept toward Gen.
Masked rangers chased after us, and there were also moths blocking Gen’s path.
Of course, they were too weak to stop Gen here.
“Gah! Ack!”
“Request reinforcements! Reinforcements! Capture them somehow!” a soldier shouted.
“We’re moving. The target is still on the move!” they exclaimed.
They weren’t out to kill us; they simply wanted to suppress us.
“Mr. Lee Ki-Young, are you okay?” Gen asked.
“Y-Yes, I’m fine, Mr. Gen. Are you hurt anywhere?” I asked.
Gen covered my face with a blanket.
A cacophony of explosions pierced my ears, and I could imagine just what kind of battle was happening right now. I was sure they were chasing us like dozens of wild dogs hunting one prey.
Their stamina and mentality were getting exhausted at breakneck speeds. They couldn't afford to injure me, after all, which was definitely mentally draining.
It seemed like we were doing a good job at escaping, but that wasn’t really the case.
‘I think we’re getting cornered.’
They were forcing us to move to a certain area.
To make things worse, this fool had yet to realize that he had fallen for their trap.
“Whoo... whoo...”
“Mr. Gen!” I shouted.
“It’s fine, Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” Gen said.
An arrow had grazed his arm.
He changed directions, and I would have done the same if it hadn't been for my Telescope. Yes, I would have suggested this route. His decision wasn’t so bad, but it was actually disadvantageous to us.
They were probably waiting for us at the end of this path.
‘It’s nice to appear at the last and decisive moment.’
Once we were cornered, I felt like Gen would raise one arm and reveal an annoying smile, saying, "This is the end," or "Did you think you could escape from my trap?"
I could already imagine Gen revealing a smile filled with despair before saying, "Let the game begin."
‘Ah, I should have asked him to bring those fools from earlier. They need to eat more knuckle sandwiches.’
Especially the one who had left a bruise on my face.
‘At this point, I’m sure they’re in a desperate situation as well.’
— That... beggar was the sub guild master? I-I’m sure you've misunderstood it. That’s... It can’t be. I-I’m sure you’re mistaken. You mean the Honorary Cardinal of the Democratic Country was that crazy jerk?"
— Are you sure you explained the situation correctly?
— I think I made a mistake...
— ...
— It must've been a call for help, and I misunderstood us. He made contact with us three times, and they were all desperate calls for help...
I wasn’t familiar with this script, but anyone could tell that what I had done was a call for help. It was a call for help to get away from this criminal’s dirty hands and to no longer suffer horrible things as this criminal's captive.
I had dragged my weak body to ask the Blue Guild for help, but the new guild members ignored it and even misunderstood it.
I was certain that everyone would find it hard to imagine just how hopeless... I had to have felt at the time. They had even insulted me by calling me a beggar, and they even punched me.
I was sure they were aware of my identity at the time.
— What do we do?
— ...
— ...
— Regardless of the incident... how are we going to handle... his rage?
‘He said, "his rage." That’s such an old expression. I guess Commander Jin has been too strict these days. He should have been a bit kinder on them.’
— The guild master won’t forgive us.
“...”
“...”
'Guild Master? What about Commander Jin?'
I activated my Telescope and saw Commander Jin.
— I didn’t know either. Damn it! Why me?! Damn it!
'Who is Cheongie hyung talking to?'
— You crazy bastard! Damn it! I’m taking my hands off of this one. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with you guys. You’re just fools who rush in by relying only on your strength and nothing else!
— How dare you... You’re nothing but beasts who don't recognize my kindness in taking care of you! How dare you! Say something like that? The thief[1] mentioned in that old saying are fools like you! You dirty and disgusting fool. I’m incompetent? Me?
'Oh, did you guys fight? Did Hyun-Sung say something?'
BOOM!
I felt weightless, and I felt like I was flying somewhere.
I could feel the flow of mana around me, so I spoke, “A-Are you okay?”
“...”
“Mr. Gen?” I called out.
“Mr. Ki-Young.”
I heard a different voice. I looked up and saw a familiar face. It had been a while since I saw that face.
“Hyun-Sung?” I asked.
I saw his handsome and angry face.
I had no idea what exactly was going on, so I just decided to cry first as if I was hurt.
“Gen... I mean... M-Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I mumbled.
'I’ll just cry for now.'
1. Proverb: Save a thief from the gallows, and he'll become your enemy ☜