Chapter 91

The main camp of Palshion didn't take long to collapse.

Although I had guessed it when I came to steal the trade center's encryption key, the number of those who can handle magic among these terrorists is small.

There are even fewer who can skillfully handle magic and are burning with fighting spirit, like the knight Renock just knocked down and passed.

The organization was originally formed by gathering vagrants and wanderers from outside the city.

In this world, where individual power can surpass that of a group, it's more effective to have a small, highly specialized team rather than a large, loosely organized group.

This was practically proven when they successfully infiltrated the main camp of the terrorist organization by gathering only freelancers who could handle magic.

The corridor split and then converged into a long area.

Renock stopped in his tracks, sensing the rapid approach of a dozen people from the other side.

Thud thud thud thud!!

Soon, a series of people turned the corner and revealed themselves.

Freelancers, each wielding various weapons and firearms, were on guard.

Among them, Chan's face was visible, but there was no sign of Hina. Is she still wandering the corridors?

"Ba, Battalion...!!"

"Indeed, you're still alive!"

The freelancers' faces brightened upon recognizing Renock.

Quickly checking the numbers, it was evident that nearly half of them had fallen behind in that short time.

It seems that, as Renock had encountered, there were many who guarded each corridor, doped with drugs like the knight.

Chan said with a dark expression.

"Many of them attacked us with almost suicidal charges, cutting us down. Given the battlefield, few managed to evade them."

"......"

The resistance was more intense than expected.

Although their expressions weren't good, no one had lost their fighting spirit.

They understood that in such a major operation, there would inevitably be casualties.

Chan, who had composed himself, raised his voice to boost the morale of the group.

"From the looks of it, this area is probably a midpoint in the inner structure of Palshion's main camp. If we go a little further, we'll find our target."

The other freelancers also adjusted their weapons.

"....Right. We just need to confirm the faces of Jauwen Odis and Craig. If Chaeisha can support us with that firepower...."

"Unfortunately, that won't happen."

As these words came from behind, a blinding light flashed.

Bang!!

The heads of two freelancers standing behind Chan exploded like watermelons without any reaction.

Trampling the corpses that had fallen to the ground, spilling their brains, a young man with sharp eyes revealed himself.

Jauwen Odis stood there.

Upon recognizing him, the freelancers quickly backed away in shock.

"Jauwen Odis!!"

"The terrorist himself is here!!"

All kinds of weapons and gun barrels were aimed at him, but he only smirked.

Without any other reaction, he simply stared at them.

"Useless pests that don't contribute to the plan."

He spat out a curse with a grin.

"Do you even know how much money I've lost because of you?"

".....You're insane. You're committing terrorism against the city, and this is what you say?"

Chan's words were sharp, but Jauwen didn't even flinch, snorting in derision.

"You talk a good game, but you're just thugs who'll do anything for money."

"What?"

"Frankly, what's the difference between you and us? It's just a matter of whether you choose your business location inside or outside the Balkan. The important thing is money. With money, you'll do anything. That's our nature."

".......No."

Chan shook his head and slowly drew two curved swords from his waist.

"Even if we need money, we don't engage in human trafficking or organ harvesting."

"Can you say the same to the gang members or scavengers over there?"

"Those criminals and us....!!"

One of the freelancers standing beside him stepped forward angrily, but Chan quickly grabbed his shoulder and pushed him back.

"That's none of my business. The point is different. You're trying to waste time, aren't you?"

Renock nodded inwardly, realizing Chan had immediately grasped Jauwen's intention.

His argument was exaggerated and forced, naturally leading to a rebuttal.

There might be plenty of scum like Jauwen in the 40th district of Balkan, but the freelancers gathered here were distinctly different.

Chan quickly realized that Jauwen Odis's intention was to waste time by provoking an argument.

"........."

"I won't play along with your game...!!"

Swish!

Chan immediately channeled his magic and charged at Jauwen.

His actions showed that no words were necessary to confront him.

The important thing wasn't winning a verbal argument with Jauwen Odis or killing him, but passing through the wide corridor he subtly blocked and confirming Craig's presence!

"Let's go!!"

"Kill that terrorist!!"

Caught off guard by Chan's sudden charge, the other freelancers quickly regained their senses and started running down the corridor behind Jauwen.

Jauwen's lips twisted strangely, realizing things had gone awry.

"You know, I really don't like dealing with smart kids."

Snap!!

As Jauwen flicked his long, pale fingers, something gleaming shot out from his sleeve.

Renock, recognizing it as a finely crafted gem that was scattering brilliant light in mid-air, channeled his magic and shouted.

"Get out of the way!!"

Flash!!

Boom!!!

The gem, which had been glowing around Jauwen's body, exploded, and the magic that had been suppressed inside it burst out, transforming into colorful blades that slashed in all directions.

Swish!!

"Ahhh!!"

"My, my arm!!"

Those who managed to avoid the moment he drew the gem succeeded in dodging, but those who missed the movement were mercilessly punished.

Freelancers, clutching their wounds and bleeding, stumbled backward.

"Don't retreat!! You'll die!!"

Chan shouted, twisting his body, but it was too late.

Jauwen, with a wicked smile, dashed forward like a flash, quickly grabbing two by the collars and slamming them to the ground.

Crack!!

The eyes of the two freelancers, whose skulls had shattered, rolled back.

As Jauwen tore out their throats, blood gushed from the ragged wounds.

Jauwen, with his blood-soaked hands, deflected a blade that came from behind with bare hands.

Swish!!

A smooth movement that elicited a gasp.

It was proof that he was not only a powerful mage who used gem-based spells but also a skilled martial artist who could perfectly control his body.

As Jauwen's left hand, holding a gem from his waist, glowed blue.

Boom!!

A giant fist, swollen to dozens of times its size, swept through the area, striking the freelancers.

"Aaaah!!"

"Shit!!"

'This is beyond our control.....'

Although it was briefed that Jauwen Odis uses spells through gems, the allies' response was quite slow.

It wasn't because the freelancers had attacked Jauwen carelessly.

There were no foolish teammates who would let their guard down against the leader of a notorious terrorist organization.

It was simply that Jauwen's speed in activating his spells was too fast and natural, making it difficult for the freelancers to react.

His ability to seamlessly activate spells as he moved his hands revealed that he was not only a powerful mage but also had considerable skill in martial arts.

"I figured it out while watching the battle with Dalon."

Jauwen, who had quickly turned the tide, looked directly at Renock, who was standing at the back.

"I don't need the others. If I can tie you down here.... this operation is as good as a success."