◈ Episode 055

Time passed and it was dusk. Even though it was supposed to be a busy time, the inside of Labesque was extremely quiet.

All that could be heard was the sound of someone chewing on a sandwich. At the table in the center of the store, across from Kim I-hyeon.

'You eat well.'

The table was piled high with plates. Mithril ate everything greedily, from meat to seafood to even grass.

Kim Yi-Hyeon's fork had already stopped, but he didn't care. After finishing the last plate, Mithril put the utensil down.

"Mmm, mmm. The taste is still the same."

"I guess it suits your taste."

"How can this bland taste be so addictive? Is it some kind of drug?"

"Haha. No way."

There was no opportunity to add medicine. The legion soldiers watched the cooking process from start to finish in the kitchen. Even after the food was finished, they were thorough enough to feed it to their subordinates first.

You say that even though you know everything.

"Hmm. I think they are worthy authors."

Mithril wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"Merchant, so..."

"My name is Hyun."

"Ah, that was the name. I forgot."

Although he never specifically stated it, he showed that he knew about it. Kim Yi-hyeon thought that he probably wouldn't have forgotten in the first place.

"This restaurant is a den of subversive elements. It wouldn't be surprising if an unexpected accident happened while I was visiting. Poison that wasn't even brought into the kitchen was discovered in the food."

"Father, a subversive element?"

"Are you being sarcastic? I already knew that you came here for some reason other than eating."

It was obvious. They even followed him. Judging from the recent story about capturing an informant, Mithril must have been wary of outsiders.

'Did I act too rashly?'

But Kim Yi-hyeon had no other choice. He couldn't waste time hiding for a year or two, trying to let his guard down.

Then Mithril suddenly spoke.

"Do you know Legion?"

An abrupt statement. Kim Yi-hyeon pretended to recall his memories and thought about how to respond. Soon, he blurted out a negative statement in a natural manner.

"...This is the first time I've heard of it."

"I've heard rumors about Flaoria, but not about Legion?"

"Yes. I only heard about it as a simple case of the rioters being suppressed by force…."

Mithril folded her arms in silence. Unlike before, this was an acceptable answer.

Because the Legion failed, both in Cilicia and in Flaoria.

The operation, which had cost money and time, had not achieved any results. The name of the Legion was still unknown on the continent.

"Okay, fine."

He stared at Kim Lee-Hyeon again.

Eyes that pretend to be cowardly but watch the other person's every move. A somewhat tense posture that allows for response to a surprise attack...

Not bad. At least it was better than the fat pigs in Atlanta.

"Let's cut to the chase. We believe you are agents of a certain nation. No, maybe not even a nation."

He mentioned 'them' while paying attention to the reaction.

"I think it was the CellbroLogics Lab. There is such a group. I heard they are also involved in the disturbance in Flaoria. What do you think?"

"Well, I'm sorry. I only heard about it, so I'm not very familiar with the situation. Why, isn't it too far away to know the details?"

It was an expected answer. Mithril was briefly conflicted. He also had the means of capturing Kim I-Hyeon and interrogating him using drugs and violence.

But I didn't feel like it. It would have been a valid action for the 'Legion', whose work was always interrupted... but it had no merit for Mithril.

"Yeah, I guess it doesn't matter where you come from."

He said with a hearty smile.

"Come under me."

"...예?"

"I don't know how you're being paid, but I'll ask anyway. Three of you infiltrating a strange land with no idea what the conditions are like… Are you being paid a decent salary by your employer for sending you on such a dangerous mission?"

The person who said it laughed, as if it was absurd.

"No way. For the sake of the country, for the sake of the organization. Taking personal sacrifice for granted, and throwing in a little bit of money to show off."

Kim Yi-hyeon listened without interfering. The sense of discomfort he had from the beginning was growing stronger and taking shape.

"We are different!"

bang!

A large palm slammed on the table. The piled plates, cups, and other items fell down and shattered miserably.

"You'll be much freer. If you prove your worth, I'll give you money, women, and other satisfying rights. You'll be a free person, not a cog in some group's wheel."

He speaks passionately, spitting out saliva. His gaze is completely sunken, unlike his passionate attitude. He looks as if he is ready to bite his prey at any moment.

It was a time when I had to show some kind of reaction. If I were being honest, I would tell him to go eat some shit... but the situation wasn't conducive to just going out like that.

'It would be a problem if a battle breaks out.'

To be honest, the odds of winning are slim. No matter how strong West Creek is, they are still opponents. They can't defeat the Legion executives on their own.

If there's an agent who can do that, it's Asterike right now. However, Asterike has many weaknesses, and she wasn't brought in in the first place.

As it stands now, Mithril cannot be removed. However, it is a pity to back down like this. It is time to step forward, even if it is somewhat dangerous.

"Is that… the ideology of the Legion?"

Their eyes exchanged for a moment. Then Mithril's expression changed blatantly. Her eyes were furrowed, as if she was displeased.

"We are definitely using the name of the Legion here. We are also reporting appropriately."

"...."

"But I really get annoyed by those loser kids. Don't executives just wander around and get beaten up? Don't those bastards shamelessly steal other people's work and squander their missions…?"

He speaks dissatisfiedly and then clicks his tongue.

"There's nothing but pure garbage. How can an organization run properly when the top is a piece of shit?"

Kim Yi-hyeon felt a sense of freshness. Hearing it from others, especially from the Legion officials, there was no such thing as a group of incompetent people.

"I'm planning to go independent, after I establish a base in Atlanta."

Kim Yi-hyeon, who heard Mithril's declaration, felt as if his mind had been pierced. All the questions he had been wondering since hearing the news about Atlanta were resolved.

'I thought it was somehow not like the Legion.'

A change I had never imagined. But now I think it is entirely possible.

Mithril. Originally, he was supposed to be the main character in the invasion of Cilicia, but his position was taken by Snowfield. As a result, not only did the mission fail, but Snowfield himself died.

The Legion has only failed so far. It was due to the intervention of Kim Lee-Hyun, who knew the scenario like a charm.

'But how could this guy know the inside story?'

As he said himself, Mithril must have felt like trash. It wouldn't have been unnatural for him to be dissatisfied with the Legion.

It's a bit sudden, but I realized it again. There have already been too many changes for things to continue as planned.

'This is, this is… … .'

It was a golden windfall.

If he hadn't controlled his expression, he would have burst out laughing for a moment. Kim Yi-hyeon opened his mouth, trying to suppress his agitation.

"Why are you telling me that?"

"Because we need talent."

Mithril glanced behind me. Some of the soldiers were twitching their ears or yawning.

It's full of trash.

Even if you don't expect a perfectly disciplined army, this is a problem that goes beyond military discipline. They are mentally unstable and have very little ability.

This is far from enough. There is no need for the leader of the legion to step forward. It was obvious that if the 'Godmother' right below him made a move, they would be easily swept away.

"I'm supplementing my personnel here, but it's hard to find a guy I like. There are plenty of cannon fodder, but no good guys, good guys."

Mithril, who had spoken up to that point, stood up from his seat. He pointed his index finger alternately at Kim Ihyeon and West Creek.

"You two seem pretty useful. Your colleague who asks questions about this and that at the bar… I'll take him on too. I'm not forcing you, but think about it seriously."

Kim Yi-hyeon was inwardly dumbfounded. It was ridiculous to say that it wasn't forced. Even though they didn't commit indiscriminate slaughter like the Legion, there was no way they would neglect a foreign spy.

"And this is just a bonus."

Mithril, who was about to leave, spoke as if she had forgotten.

"There will be a public execution in four days. The subversive elements we caught this time… and some interesting friends. Like the president's young son."

The corners of his mouth went up in a smirk.

"Think carefully. It's for both of us."

* * *

...I'm tired.

When I got back to the hotel, I was suddenly overcome by fatigue. Another problem was that even the room was not comfortable.

'This is my first time doing something like this, and I'm really tired.'

A series of psychological warfare where each party wears a mask, gauges how much the other party knows about them, and extracts information without making a mistake.

The physical and mental exhaustion was severe. Turkam, who I was worried about, returned safely, but my worries still continued.

"I heard that he was originally extremely popular. He had an almost unrivaled position from the time he became an adult."

Turkam brought back a lot of information, the most important of which was undoubtedly the execution of the president's son, Ismail.

"I heard he was imprisoned two weeks ago. They're making excuses like colluding with a criminal organization, but what's the point? I guess they want to get rid of him because he's a thorn in their side."

He learned a great deal about the atrocities committed by the Legion during the day. No one taught him outright for fear of punishment, but he could understand the nuances to some extent.

To put it comprehensively, it is a puppet government.

The real power of the country is controlled by the Legion, so nothing in the country is running properly. The Legion periodically sets an example by executing 'rioters' and collects a huge amount of money.

"We have to do something, Team Leader."

Turkam actively expressed his opinion. Kim I-hyeon tilted his head as he received the intense gaze.

'Was I originally this kind of person with a strong sense of justice?'

It was an unexpected side. Or maybe he thought that since neither Kim I-hyeon nor West Creek had much to say, he should say something.

But not everything in the world revolves around motivation alone.

"Have you thought of a way?"

It was a question from Westcreek.

"If it's a public execution, then of course the security will be tight. On the other hand, how about this side? Even if we can make use of the spells of the current, we can still have a decent number of people, but there is an absolute shortage of people."

"Then, if we find the location where they are being held and sneak them out in advance…."

"Do you think that's realistically possible?"

Turkam couldn't refute and kept his mouth shut.

"Atlanta seems to be beyond our ability to handle. At least in my opinion, it is. Wouldn't it be better to step back at this point?"

It was a perfectly normal conclusion. Return to the lab with the information you have and wait for Kushan's decision. Even Turkam, who had been burning with enthusiasm, slumped down as if he had no choice.

But Kim Lee-Hyeon's answer was different.

"No. There are people I need to save."

Ismail. No matter how bad he is, he must be saved.

Originally, he was supposed to be an agent of the Lab after Atlanta was destroyed by a disaster. He doesn't appear in the main episode, but... it's a shame to let him die like this.

More than anything, the aftertaste is unpleasant.

Since I'm here, I might as well stir it up a bit.

"...Can you tell me the plan?"

"I haven't finished it yet."

"yes?"

Kim Yi-hyeon didn't answer. Instead, he buried himself in the back of the chair. The condition of the furniture was better than he had expected, so his eyes began to close on their own.

"You'll find out soon. Maybe tomorrow?"

There are people who have fire at their feet.

* * *

The next morning.

After eating breakfast, I ordered a drink. While I was waiting leisurely, all kinds of eyes were on me.

It's a blatant yet subtle gaze. I wonder how many of them are genuine guests.

'Maybe there won't be any.'

Since I arrived in Atlanta, I've always felt like I'm under surveillance. I've gotten used to it, but I can't help but feel suffocated.

"Thank you for waiting so long."

After a while, the hotelier brought a tray of drinks. As the glasses were placed one by one on the table, Westcreek looked at the hotelier with calm eyes.

Soon he spoke quietly.

"See you again."

The other person didn't say anything even though I suddenly pretended to know him. He just smiled silently. Kim Yi-hyun looked at the glass under his chin and the hotelier.

'… … I knew you'd come. I didn't recognize you.'

I guess you could say it was a true story. Even though I was on guard, I didn't notice the disguise.

It wasn't me. It was one of the members of Al Qamar's organization that I saw in the hideout. It was the man who hurriedly entered the room and told me about the Legion's visit.

The atmosphere was completely different from then. He blended in with the hotel atmosphere without any sense of awkwardness.

"Turkam. Put that down."

"Oh, yes? Do you want to change it?"

"Just put it down."

Turkam, who had not yet grasped the situation, reluctantly put down his glass. It was better not to put it to his lips. In Al Qamar, Kim I-Hyeon was a potential enemy who could be persuaded by the Legion.

At the same time, it is also the only lifeline.

They also don't want Ismail to be executed, because he is the only hope that Atlanta can return to normal.

"Thank you."

Kim Lee-hyun handed over a note he had prepared in advance along with a tip. There wasn't anything particularly impressive written on the note.

A declaration of intent to raid the execution grounds.

I just left a brief message.

'You think of the plan.'

You guys are the ones in a hurry.