Chapter 96

〈 Chapter 95 〉 Section 4. The Dignity of S-Class (2)

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At that moment, on the outskirts of Samcheok, Gangwon Province.

Rat-tat-tat-tat!

The gunfire did not cease.

Several cars had already been reduced to wrecks by the concentrated gunfire, and red traces mixed with the sticky engine oil were flowing out.

"Is, is everything okay?"

"Yes, of course. We are safe."

"No, I mean my granddaughter!"

Desmond pointed in the direction the missing car had driven off.

It was no longer in sight, and all that could be seen were skid marks and the hoodlums of the Hwalbin Party chasing after it.

"Yes, she is safer than you, Mr. Chairman. The agent beside her is a specialist."

"Who is it?"

"It's a Goblin."

"......"

At Gonggi's words, Desmond's eyes widened for a moment, then he placed his hand on his chest and let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Phew...."

"Does the name Goblin put your mind at ease?"

"I'll sue you if you're lying. No, there's no such thing as a Goblin, right?"

"Early this morning, we caught one who came to Samcheok for fun. Even though it wasn't a mission, I had to ask for its help. Do you know how many times I had to wake up?"

Gonggi grinned as he fired back at the barricade made of cars.

"Still, as a special service to the Chairman, I won't charge for the Goblin's employment."

"Th-thank you...."

"But, we can't be responsible for anything else."

"Anything else...?"

"Yes. As always, when a Goblin is with a female esper... you know what happens, right?"

"...Oh!"

Chairman Desmond covered his mouth with his hand.

"Surely the Goblin isn't trying to seduce our granddaughter?!"

"On the contrary. If it doesn't transform, it's fine, but if it transforms to save someone, it will surely fall in love."

"...Oh!"

At Gonggi's matter-of-fact statement, Chairman Desmond swept his hand across his chest and clenched his fist over his heart.

"If I had known it was a Goblin...!"

"Why? You didn't send her with the Goblin?"

"No. I should have at least gotten a signature."

"...I see."

Gonggi chuckled at the old man's innocent gaze.

Does this old man know?

That while the Goblin will save his granddaughter, it also intends to eliminate the genetic material she possesses from the founder.

"But... is it okay to stay here like this? I mean, us."

"We? Hmm... I think a problem solver will be here soon."

"Problem solver?"

"Yes. There he is."

Gonggi pointed to the southern sky.

"Handling such matters is a hero's job, after all."

Vroom-vroom-vroom-vroom!

A figure in a suit resembling a red imperial dragon robe landed in the middle of the road, cutting across the early morning sky.

The gunfire began to subside, and the Hwalbin Party members started to look at each other nervously, as if an unexpected presence had emerged.

"Ah, Armored Taejo?!"

"These bastards."

Landing in a perfect hero's pose, Armored Taejo quickly stood up and cracked his neck from side to side.

"Did you dare to kill people with guns in this country?"

"Sh-shoot! Aim for the eyes or vital points!"

Confused, the Hwalbin Party members aimed their guns at Armored Taejo and fired a barrage of bullets.

However, the bullets fell to the ground before they could reach Armored Taejo.

"That, that's...!"

"Damn! Is there no esper here?! Bullets can't stop that thing!"

"The very idea of stopping an S-Class is laughable. And...."

As Armored Taejo extended his hand forward, the bullets and casings on the ground began to gather and form a massive shape.

"Who the hell dumps bullets and casings all over the road like this? Hey, you guys, get ready to collect every single casing until not one is left in this area."

"Wh-what?!"

"Put down your guns! Get off your bikes! He's going to take all of this with him!!"

Clank, clank.

"I'm arresting you all for the crimes of reckless driving, violation of the firearms law, assault on a foreigner, and, oh, also...."

"Murder."

Clang!

"I'm arresting you all for the crimes you've committed."

The steel dragon opened its mouth and charged at the Hwalbin Party members.

* * *

The car is speeding along the outskirts of Gangneung, heading for Yangyang.

Thanks to our maximum speed, all those who were chasing us from Samcheok have been left behind.

If there's anyone capable of chasing us, they would have to block our path from another direction, not by following the road.

"Hey, hey. Are you mad because I told you to join our company? Huh?"

"I'm not angry. It's just an absurd suggestion."

Telling a player from Europa who has already completed military service to join the commercial department.

"Juliana Feiglin. How old are you this year?"

"Seventeen. Why?"

"I see. I thought as much."

As a professional dealing with adults, I have to be patient, again and again, when facing such individuals.

I'm not entirely mature myself, but there's nothing more dangerous than an immature person with power and a deep fascination for it.

'Maybe it's because I've seen the CEO.'

Despite being the same age as Juliana this year, the CEO is not only mentally mature but also runs the colossal company, Kyeolsa, far better than any CEO.

Comparing the CEO to this woman, I can't help but laugh.

"Hey. Even if it's Oktober Travel...!"

I slammed on the brakes again.

This time, Juliana didn't smash her face into the passenger seat, as she was prepared.

"You did that on purpose...!"

"Unbuckle your seatbelt. We're getting out of the car."

I immediately unbuckled my seatbelt and unlocked the car door.

In front of us, a Hwalbin Party member on a motorcycle was aiming a cylindrical object at us from one shoulder.

"That, that's...!"

"It's an anti-tank rocket."

I turned the steering wheel to the right and opened the car door.

"Grab your carrier and run outside. As an esper, you should be able to get out safely, right?"

"Ah, really...!"

Soon, Juliana unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the door herself, and ran out.

'It wasn't in her arms but in the carrier.'

I thought she might have hidden it in her body, but fortunately, she's not that bad.

Screech!

As the car tilted slightly to the right, I extended my left hand toward the open door, holding up only my index and middle fingers.

Go ahead, shoot.

Click-click.

The moment I gave the signal, the thug fired the anti-tank rocket.

A large projectile flew with a puff of white smoke, and I sharply swerved the car to the side.

Bang!

The car tilted and rolled over, and the anti-tank rocket hit the roof.

Boom!!

A powerful explosion occurred, crushing the car, and I quickly surrounded my body with a strong mana shield before the explosion.

Boom.

The car exploded in a chain reaction.

I emerged from the smoke, unharmed, and brushed off the black smoke caused by the gunpowder and oil, then moved forward.

[Don't you think that's a bit too strong a weapon to use on a national highway?]

"You...?"

The thug who fired the rocket, wearing a ghost mask, trembled as he saw me emerge unscathed from the explosion.

"How did you survive that...!"

[If you're an esper, protecting yourself from modern firearms is a basic requirement.]

I had used about 8% of my mana to create a strong shield, but thanks to this 8%, I gained a definite effect.

"Grgh...!"

The decrease in morale.

The drop in fighting spirit.

Who wouldn't feel fear upon seeing someone emerge unscathed from an anti-tank rocket explosion?

[Are you the Young Noble?]

"......"

[You're the one who sent the threatening video to Juliana Feiglin, aren't you?]

I extended my right hand and pulled out another mask.

[Even if I can tolerate the threats, you must pay for firing a rocket.]

"Transform."

I pressed the newly created mask onto the dolphin mask, quickly converting the mana covering my face.

[Villain, Young Noble.]

I flicked the belt made of mana with my hand and completed the transformation at the speed of light.

[Do you have any last words before your execution?]

"Gr...! Goblin...!"

I lightly clapped my fists together and transformed the Goblin batons into a knuckle-like form around my hands.

"Wh-what kind of power is that?! I've never heard of a Goblin using red flames!"

[I'm just a bit heated up from the explosion.]

In fact, I had transformed into a state where I could best utilize Gonggi's mana.

[STRIKE!]

[Before protecting the VIP, I'll take care of you first.]

I pointed toward the sea, indicating Juliana to hide safely.

[If you don't want to die, hide somewhere safe. At least there's no one around here who can kill you.]

"Ah...!"

Juliana nodded vigorously at me and climbed over the guardrail.

"I won't let you escape!"

The Young Noble ran toward me and leaped high.

With an incredible jumping ability, he tried to leap over me, but I jumped up from the spot and punched him in the chest.

Whoosh!!

"Kyaah!"

Red flames exploded, striking the thug's chest.

I landed lightly on both feet and shook my hand, while the Young Noble, despite his initial speed, fell backward.

"K-kh...!"

[Where are you looking?]

I wiggled my fingers at him, just as I did before getting out of the car.

[Your opponent is me.]

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