◈ Episode 187

A week ago.

The agents of the Cellbrox Lab were going about their daily lives as usual. While some of the operational teams dispatched outside were having a hard time, the inside of the lab was quite peaceful.

Of course, they didn't just play around. Training is training, but it also requires effort to maintain the facility. Just like Kim I-hyeon and Asterike had come out to get odds and ends before.

That day, the exploration team had quite an unusual composition.

"Mr. Turkam, you really didn't have to come with me…."

"Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

"No way. I'm sorry for bothering you while you're just resting."

"Hey, what a difficult task. Let's say you're out for a walk."

Turkam took the wheel and Leila got into the passenger seat.

The two of them were a rare combination. Even when Turkam first entered the rap scene, Leila was a major figure in the rap scene. At least in his opinion, there was a huge gap between the two.

Even after becoming a regular agent, his thoughts had not changed much. Even for Turkam, who grumbled habitually, there was someone he always treated with courtesy, and that person was Leila.

There's no great story behind it.

'Because he is someone worth emulating, regardless of age.'

He has inner strength. He is a typical example of being soft on the outside but strong on the inside. He also has a weak side on the outside, so it is hard to leave him alone.

"I don't have anything to do anyway. I think I'll stay for a couple more days and then go."

"I see. You've been here quite a while this time."

"I heard that you should take it easy."

"Rest is important. Are you going back to Cilicia?"

"Yes. I have something to give to the team leader."

He tasted a sour taste in his mouth as he thought about the recently completed prototype.

"I'm sure the team leader would like it… Honestly, I'm not sure."

"I'm not happy about it either. It seems like it would be very risky."

"Is it still that dangerous?"

"Yes. No matter how much you improve it, it's something that can't be guaranteed to be safe."

Without saying a word, everyone let out a sigh.

"It seems that that gentleman also has a lot of bad luck."

Kim Lee-hyun is a strong person both on the outside and inside. He prepares thoroughly for the future. However, all sorts of crises come at any time, so there are often times when he has no choice but to throw himself into it.

This time, the thing that was conveyed was also 'insurance' in the same context.

'If it's bad luck, this side is also not bad.'

Turkam glanced at the back seat without a trace. There was a woman leaning against the backrest, her eyes closed. It was Nephritsis, once known as the Saintess of Shamalsina.

Despite the brutal torture, Nephritus did not die. However, she lost many things. First, her homeland was destroyed, and second, her eyes and her natural gift of foresight were impaired.

I heard that his eyes were fine, but when he opened his eyes, he saw images of the present and the future indiscriminately overlapping. It seemed that the burden was so severe that he fainted in less than 3 seconds.

It's like becoming virtually blind.

"Miss Nepritis. How are you feeling?"

"Not bad. The breeze is refreshing."

As Turkam said, the current exploration was more like a walk.

To soothe the spirit of Nephritus, who is suffering from the aftereffects.

It was a bit too far to go, so they stopped at a nearby, suitable location. While Leila led Nephritis and leisurely walked around, Turkam kept a close watch on the surroundings. In case a monster appeared.

But the problem came in a different form than expected.

"…Unidentified vehicle? Which direction?"

An urgent report reached the radio that Leila was carrying. From then on, things became urgent. As Kushan and the elite agents ran from the lab, an uninvited guest arrived.

They emerged one by one from eight military vehicles. Black uniforms with multiple pouches, full-cover tactical helmets with attached goggles and masks. A consistent outfit.

The man in the lead looked around at the figures in the rap.

"I didn't know you'd come out to pick me up. I don't know what to do with myself."

He slowly took off his helmet. His gaze was fixed on one spot.

"You look exactly like the picture. You haven't aged a bit."

The man's eyes were focused squarely on Kushan. Even with just a few words, Kushan could tell several things. Where they belonged and what their purpose was in the lab.

Above all, what will happen to rap in the future?

"I am Walter Bayer, Second Executor of the Shiran Empire. I am sorry that you were somewhat taken aback by my unexpected visit, but unfortunately, we had no reason to personally consider your circumstances."

"What does that mean? Why in Shiran…."

"Let me be blunt."

Walter pulled his gun from his holster.

"CellLogics Labs has been identified as the mastermind behind the bioterrorism attack that occurred on December 31, 2044. Naturally, this is a serious crime that violates numerous international laws as a crime against humanity."

Following him, about 40 people simultaneously got into battle formation.

"Originally, we should have made a formal request to the Shalem government to have the new soldiers handed over, but Shalem has already been destroyed. In the current situation, there is no country more suitable to put you on trial than our home country."

"...."

"You know why, Imperial Chief Researcher Heinz Milarc."

Kushan closed his eyes tightly.

Scenes from the past came back to me through my darkened vision. Although I am currently the director of the CellbroLogics Lab, I wasn't like that from the beginning. It was just an inherited position.

In the past, he had enemies in the Shiran Empire.

"I recommend that you surrender obediently."

With the sword in front of his neck, Kushan came to a belated realization. He learned why the Emperor had acted so strangely during the meeting and tried to pressure Legion.

'Did you think you could control rap at any time?'

What is the current situation on the continent?

The Legion has fallen and all groups are busy dealing with the parasites. On the other hand, Shiran is protecting its national power with a quick response as if it had foreseen the catastrophe.

In other words, the power balance has collapsed. If we just get rid of the thorn in our side, the CellbroLogics Lab, it will become even more lopsided. The more other countries become devastated, the more Shiran becomes 'relatively' powerful.

If we end the disaster after consolidating our current position.

The Millennium Empire will once again be able to enjoy another brilliant millennium.

It was at a time when Kushan was unable to utter a word.

"It's frustrating. Why am I listening to all that nagging?"

Elite agent Rosetta steps forward.

"You guys. Aren't there a few of you who are a little short on causing trouble?"

Rosetta was openly expressing her hostility. She wasn't the only one. The reason Shiran's enforcer could come out so recklessly was because there were no other people's eyes here.

It was the same from rap's point of view.

"There's no one here but us. We can claim that no such filthy, rude delegation has ever come. Who cares if Shiran protests or not? It looks no different than it is now."

"It certainly doesn't seem right. If they use force, we have no choice but to respond."

"That's right. We've heard of allegations of rapping, but there is a proper procedure."

Ghost and Leila also joined in.

The agents raised their weapons and the enforcers exchanged glances.

A situation where the fuse seems to be burning at any moment. Kushan stands at a crossroads. If he, who has the power to decide, were to give just one word, this place would be soaked in blood.

It was a heavy decision, but it didn't take long to decide.

"...Let me accompany you."

"Cow, sir?"

"There is only one condition."

Kushan glared at Walter with sharp eyes.

"It's just me. Do not approach this place until the disposition of me is decided."

"I can't give you a definitive answer on that, though."

"Then are you going to die here?"

"…음."

A strange pressure weighed on Walter's shoulders. He knew that his opponent had taken a step back. There were no orders to annihilate them or drag them all away, so he nodded in the end.

"Okay, I'll accept it."

At Walter's signal, the executioners lowered their weapons. Only then did Kushan let out a sigh of relief. He then approached Leila before following Walter.

"Sir! What are you thinking? This is ridiculous. Why should we…."

"Leila, listen carefully."

He held Leila's shoulder tightly. She was like a daughter to him, even though we didn't share a single drop of blood. He felt sorry for her pale face, but he didn't have time to comfort her.

"There's no guarantee they'll keep their promise. Now that Shiran has his eyes set on this place, it's become dangerous."

"Then there is no reason to follow you anymore."

"No, Shiran is big and strong. The Executors are not easy to defeat, and they only have a small portion of Shiran's power. But not us. We cannot afford to lose power."

Even in a desperate situation, there is one thing. There is a corner to believe in.

"Go see Hyun. Explain the situation and get help. Hyun won't turn away from you."

While I thought it was shameless, I also had a gut feeling.

If he knew Hyun, he might have predicted this.

And finally, he left a word.

"...Don't push yourself too hard."

With a bitter smile, Kushan walked away.

* * *

"I understand the context."

After Leila finished explaining, Kim Yi-hyun looked around the group. Not all of the lab members had come to Cilicia. In addition to the professors, there were a few people who were close to Kim Yi-hyun.

"What happened to the researchers and other agents?"

"I sent it to Bastet. Shiran's influence is weak there."

"Well done."

Kim Yi-hyeon nodded at the professor's answer. If Shiran becomes the enemy, there is no other place as safe as Bastet. As the saying goes, Shiran's influence is virtually non-existent, and the distance is extremely far to begin with.

'What's meant to happen, will happen.'

The same thing happened in the game.

An episode where the main facilities of the lab are locked for a while once you enter. Normally, you would split up and take refuge in Ishrad and Flaoria, but they are unlocked again as temporary facilities are built in each place.

'But the flow is much better.'

Unlike in the game, the current Lab has absolute allies. Dustborn is one such unit, and Ainoa is another. There is a research lab in Bastitera that was used by the Legion, so it may be possible to reuse it.

"The question is how to rescue Kushan."

"…Are you helping me?"

"Didn't you come here to ask for help?"

The tone of voice seemed to suggest that he was saying something obvious. Leila felt a tightness in her throat. The professor's, Turkam's, and Westcreek's faces brightened noticeably.

It might be an act of hostility towards Shiran. Dustborn would be taking unnecessary risks. But I couldn't help but be touched that he accepted it so calmly.

Of course, Kim Lee-hyun also had his own reasons.

'What about me? Rap and I are like a community of shared destiny.'

If the rap fails, the continent will also fail. If left alone, it will work itself out, but if it continues as it was originally planned, it will be quite a headache. There is a better solution.

A much simpler, less frustrating way, even if it's drastic.

"It took you a while to get here. We need to move quickly."

Since the situation was anticipated, the conclusion was easily reached.

"I'm sorry, but I'm the one who planned the operation."

"Is there anything sharp?"

"What I always do."

I guess I'll have to become a terrorist again.