◈ Episode 206

Kim Yi-hyeon and Asterike quickly left the place.

Even after the emperor died, the commotion continued. Far from calming down, it seemed to be getting more intense. Kim I-hyeon frowned at the crowd surrounding the armored vehicle.

"There really is no such thing as a pack of dogs."

To some, this might sound like excessive sarcasm, but it was an honest sentiment. Running at each other while dislocating shoulders and breaking jaws, falling down and clawing at tires… .

Who would think that they are an honorable special force protecting the palace?

But there were definitely some aspects of the special forces that were convenient because they were inhumane.

On their own!

Bullets rained down on the crowd that had surged forward.

"There, under the tire! Get out of the way!"

"We need to open up the gap a bit more! Just until Mr. Hyun arrives…!"

"It looks like the rear is about to be pushed back. Please provide support!"

If the opponents were knights armed with patriotism and a sense of mission, things would have been much more difficult. There would have been hesitation not only in Lab but also in the hands of the Dustborne agents.

'How many noblemen are that old-fashioned in the palace today?'

To begin with, there aren't many knights living in the palace. Loyal subjects who are full of patriotism and a sense of duty. They are sharp swords, but they are also a source of anxiety for the emperor who has many secrets.

On the other hand, the special forces trained through experiments and drugs do not question the actions of their lord. In other words, the Emperor's Palace is mainly staffed with 'tools' rather than 'humans'.

It is a condition that makes it inevitable for the trigger to be relatively light.

"Oh, you're here now! Are you two hurt?"

"We're fine. What about this side?"

"There are no stragglers yet, but it's still a bit precarious."

Chelsea greeted the two who had finished their work and joined her. Her pink hair, which had been neatly styled, had become a mess again. Aside from her, the faces of the agents as a whole were all tired.

'The tea plates fell here and there.'

The limit was near. If Hoguk-gyeong had held me back just a little more, then a catastrophe might have occurred. I realized once again how harsh Polaris was.

There isn't much time left though.

"As previously stated, the intended purpose has been cleared."

Kim Lee-hyun spoke into the walkie-talkie.

"There's nothing to do now. Let's go back."

As soon as the order was given, the vehicle was covered in mucus. All noises, such as the sound of hands hitting the metal plates and the sound of guns aiming at the car, suddenly faded away.

Kim Yi-hyeon looked back one last time.

"...."

The magnificent imperial palace was in ruins here and there. Smoke was leaking out of the gaping holes in the walls. Special forces agents were lying around, their limbs broken while blocking each other's path, and their heads pierced by bullets.

A night that will remain a nightmare for a long time in the Empire.

Suddenly, Kim Yi-hyeon realized that his position had changed.

'I didn't know I could do something like this.'

It's different from when I was trembling in the speeder. Depending on the conditions, I can now compete with 6-star agents, I have gained infinite trust from agents, and I have gained influence that can move various groups.

Rather than a sense of accomplishment, I feel a sense of responsibility.

'I somehow got here.'

The end of the thorny path is near.

* * *

The process of returning was very smooth. We just ran through the darkness without any disturbance. During that time, silence fell on the operation team.

A different kind of silence than when they first set off. Only the occasional groans or sighs of the wounded could be heard. Despite the success of a large-scale operation, there was no one who was genuinely happy.

It is belatedly questioning the legitimacy of the operation.

Kim Lee-hyun didn't really say much to them.

After a while, the operation team arrived safely in Bastitera.

As I saw the familiar scenery before my eyes, my tension naturally eased.

'Should I call this luck?'

Several conditions were intertwined to make the plan work. Cellbrox Lab's antipathy toward Shiran. An environment where equipment could be procured without Shiran's knowledge. Maximilian's presence to take care of the aftermath.

The fit was perfect. And most importantly,

"I'm really grateful for this. Thanks to you, everything went as planned."

Altair's help was effective. If I hadn't borrowed her power, I wouldn't have even dreamed of terrorizing the palace. I would have had to take a much more complicated and roundabout approach.

'It's a second-best option, but I planned it out in advance.'

For example, revealing Shiran's secret and criticizing him internationally. This is the method the professor chose in the game. Maximilian's existence served as a plausible excuse.

To be honest, the results weren't very good.

"I'm glad it helped."

Altair grimaced slightly. A dark spot spread across the clavicle that was barely visible. It was a punishment for using the sanctuary she had previously mentioned for personal gain.

It is a punishment imposed on all of Vidia, not just Altair. Altair covered the spot with his hand, perhaps sensing Kim Ihyeon's gaze.

"It's a temporary phenomenon, so don't worry about it."

"Really? Will it be erased automatically over time?"

"To put it simply, yes, the Lord we serve is generous. If we repent after about 50 years, he will surely forgive us generously."

Can you say that it is temporary?

"By the way, Mr. Hyun, you do some really outrageous things."

"I don't think so."

"Are you talking about breaking into the palace and assassinating the Emperor of the Millennium Empire?"

It wasn't my intention to grab the book. Vidia doesn't really get involved in the secular world. In other words, she doesn't have much interest in it.

Altair was simply curious.

The reason why Hyun threw such a radical move.

The answer was simple.

"This is the cheapest one."

The path with the least bloodshed. What happens to Shiran is in Maximilian's hands, but at least the rap is intact. The other countries have not suffered any additional damage since the catastrophe.

Perhaps the Emperor, who had stirred up more bloodshed on the continent than the Legion, could have been eliminated early. A less capable and more humane monarch would sit on the throne.

It may not have been correct.

But it was definitely a step forward.

The message before my eyes supported it.

[Agent 'Kim Lee-Hyeon's' rank increases.]

[Agent Record Update]

[Agent Name: Kim Lee-Hyeon]

[Rating: ★★★★★★]

'It's faster than I thought… I wonder if it'll work.'

The conflict between Shiran and Rap, which took up more than half of the second half, ended in a rather violent manner. This caused numerous episodes to fall apart. Considering the merits, it was an inevitable result.

'Days like this do come.'

It used to be so far away. When I actually reached 6 stars, I wasn't as thrilled as I thought. I had to worry about the problems I had to deal with in the future rather than about myself.

However, it didn't end there.

[A new talent blossoms.]

[Talent 'Drifter' item is mixed into the upper talent.]

[Now Loading....]

'What is this?'

While I was panicking, the loading ended on its own.

[chimera]

[Description: A life form synthesized with foreign substances that do not correspond to Polaris. It is immune to mutations caused by the external environment, and has the authority to interfere with the 'crack' terrain.]

※ In addition, the 'Shedding' trait, which can be used only once, is granted permanently. If this trait is used, the agent's mutation rate will be lowered to 0% and this talent will be lost.

'Chimera.'

Immunity to external contamination and the ability to interfere with cracks. Up to this point, it is the same as the 'L-004' talent that Leila possesses. However, 'Shedding' is a trait that has never been seen in the game.

There were times when I felt the will of something, but this time it was especially blatant. As if it was urging me to somehow prevent the end. As if it was urging me to show a different ending than the game.

Kim Lee-hyun clicked his tongue in disapproval.

"I'll take care of it, kid."

He turned away from the message. The agents were busy cleaning up the operation. They were carrying the injured on stretchers, checking equipment, and reporting something to each team leader.

It was a car that was looking around like that.

"Hyun, you've worked hard."

The professor approached, as if he had been waiting for me to return.

"Can I hear the results?"

professor.

She was the 'character' who would be the key to the final episode.

* * *

News of the Shiran Palace terror attack spread throughout the continent in an instant.

In some ways, it was a bigger issue than the Great Disaster. Unlike before, it was completely human-caused, and there were even groundless rumors going around that the emperor had been involved and died.

"What do you think? Could it be that he really is dead?"

"If he hasn't shown up yet, then that's highly likely. Didn't Prince Maximilian collect the body in the first place? He said he's even preparing a state funeral, so it can't be a lie."

Irene shuddered at Anima's answer.

"That kid is crazier than I imagined."

"That's why I told you. I didn't know it would turn out like this…."

Albatross was also listening to Shiran's recent activities. Even without relying on spies, news came to him on its own. Maximilian's movements were that grand.

Prince Maximilian designated the Legion as the culprit, and by declaring war on terrorism, he directed the public's anger and fear against the terrorists.

Terrorists are not intangible phantoms. Since the Great Disaster, pseudo-religions have also mushroomed. Even without looking for the remnants of the Legion, this is an era in which groups with impure ideas are abundant.

It was a sprout that had to be plucked out anyway.

The more Maximilian swings his sword, the stronger his position will become. Even though it may seem like a bomb before it explodes, Shiran will gradually become more stable thanks to Maximilian.

Shiran's country, that is.

"It seems like we will soon have another meeting."

"I guess so? Well, Shiran is Shiran after all…."

Irene looked down at the photo on the table, her chin resting on her hand. It was a photo taken from far away using the zoom function. No matter how many times she checked it, she still frowned.

"What on earth is this?"

The photo was packed with Parasite eggs. The branches stretched out in all directions, resembling a nest. There was a large hole in the center of the nest.

A hole in the air.

There was no other way to express it.

"Oh my. I don't know why these incidents keep happening one after another."

"For me, it all started with you, Captain."

"...I'm sorry! You've been acting so well lately."

"Please remain quiet, not just now, but in the future as well."

Unable to give a definitive answer, Irene just smiled awkwardly.

"What do you plan to do if the talks are held?"

"Wouldn't it be better to attend formally this time?"

"What that means is…."

"You have to keep your promises."

There are two main agenda items expected for the summit.

First, a group that harbors resentment toward Cellbrox Lab will try to point out Lab as a terrorist in the palace. Someone who notices the 'hole' like an albatross will spread the news and devise a countermeasure.

'The latter might also have some kind of connection with rap.'

Rap is deeply connected to disaster. There are many who are suspicious of them because of the many technologies they possess. If Rap shares information about 'holes', they may be attacked.

"First, let's wait for the right time."

It's a time when Kim Lee-hyun also needs allies.

It's a good time to stand in line.