LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 86
Inside the conference room, bustling with the establishment of the second operation to suppress the Adverse Heaven Church.
Amidst the gathering of the key members of the expeditionary force, the deputy leader of Team 2 from the Wind God Guild, Na Seong-woon, began the briefing.
He was a close aide to Park Eun-ho, who had inadvertently taken on a major role after discovering books related to the Adverse Heaven Church in the workshop of the doll maker, Werter.
“We received a reply from the Might Guild in the United States. Guild Leader Adam and Chief Team Leader Heo Tae-jin will be participating directly.”
“Hmm. Both are in the tank position, right?”
“Yes. We were short on frontline members, so it’s a relief. It’s tough to fill the ranks with only verified individuals.”
Where the Adverse Heaven Church’s spies might be hiding was anyone’s guess.
Thus, the preparations for the operation were conducted secretly, above all else.
Even the most famous and powerful heroes had to go through thorough verification to participate in the expeditionary force, and that included the great hero’s companion and archmage, Pan Hae-yul.
With Pan Hae-yul’s involvement, the strength of the expeditionary force soared vertically.
In a group fight, the possibilities of what an archmage could do were truly limitless.
“That’s the end of the changes. Is there anyone with objections?”
No one raised any objections regarding personnel.
Everyone participating in the expeditionary force was equipped with a strong sense of mission and skill.
However, issues regarding interpersonal relationships surfaced.
From one side of the table, a voice emerged. It was the B-rank hero Jawi-ryong, overseeing the supplies for the expeditionary force.
“I think everyone seems fine individually. However, I notice a few individuals who are known to have bad relations.”
Around the table, many nodded in agreement.
“Starting with the Chief Team Leader Heo Tae-jin from the Mighty Guild. I understand that he and Park Eun-ho, the leader of the Wind God Guild here, have a deep grudge against each other. In operations like this, unity is paramount, so I am concerned. Especially since Team Leader Park Eun-ho is in charge of the expeditionary force.”
Jawi-ryong turned to look at Park Eun-ho, who was sitting quietly.
It was a question with a basis. Park Eun-ho calmly responded.
“The tales from our fiery days have been exaggerated. There’s no lingering grudge between us. If there were, personal feelings wouldn’t interfere with official duties.”
“I may have overreacted. I apologize.”
“Not at all. It was a matter that needed to be addressed at least once. I’m simply grateful that you brought it up first.”
The warm exchange eased the atmosphere around them.
Only Pan Hae-yul, who knew all about Park Eun-ho’s school days, smiled softly.
He looked composed now, but back then, Park Eun-ho was rather… exuberantly spirited.
“Each day was truly entertaining.”
Of course, it was true that there were no lingering grudges between them.
While they fought frequently, it arose from a spirit of competition rather than negative feelings.
“I’ve also obtained a promise from the others that they would put personal matters aside for the time being. So there’s no need for concern on that front.”
In fact, even without formal promises, in such situations, no one would bring up personal feelings.
Everyone was anticipating a battle against a massive threat, and the gaze of high-ranking heroes surrounded them.
However, certainty is always better than uncertainty.
Once Park Eun-ho finished speaking, the briefing resumed.
“Now, I’ll brief you on the operational details. If you have any opinions or suggestions, feel free to speak up. First…”
From then on, everything proceeded smoothly.
Since everyone in the conference room was seasoned veterans, the meeting concluded without a hitch.
After the meeting, Park Eun-ho sat back in his office chair and reviewed the completed roster once more.
A list composed only of elites, with no one feeling dissatisfied.
Yet, Park Eun-ho felt something was lacking.
The name of Kim Il-sin, whom he wanted most in the expeditionary force, was nowhere to be seen.
“Is that guy still not here?”
He had said he would decide and contact him as soon as possible, but a week had passed since then without any news.
Of course, he had no intention of berating Kim Il-sin for declining the expedition’s invitation.
It simply disappointed Park Eun-ho.
He believed that with Kim Il-sin’s presence, they could surely succeed in the operation.
“…I should contact him once.”
Though he hesitated, fearing it might come off as pressuring, he felt he couldn’t afford to delay any longer.
Knock, knock.
Just as Park Eun-ho pulled out his phone, he heard a knock at the door.
“Park Eun-ho, it’s Pan Hae-yul. May I come in?”
“Oh, please do.”
Park Eun-ho welcomed Pan Hae-yul, feeling both puzzled and nostalgic to meet someone he had admired in his school days.
Seated according to Park Eun-ho’s invitation, Pan Hae-yul smiled warmly.
“You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you. That’s impressive.”
“I’m still lacking in many ways.”
“That’s true for everyone.”
“You seem much calmer now. Just yesterday, you broke into the principal’s office demanding to lift your suspension, didn’t you?”
“That, well…”
“Seeing you like this is both admirable and a bit disappointing. Where else would I hear ‘doddering old man’ if not from you, Park Eun-ho?”
“…I apologize for that at the time.”
After a pleasant greeting (from Pan Hae-yul’s perspective), a flushed Park Eun-ho cautiously asked.
“May I ask why you came to see me directly?”
“Don’t you think it’s just to meet my long-time disciple?”
“Given your busy schedule, I doubt it.”
“…That’s true. I hope retirement comes soon.”
Pan Hae-yul, who had sighed softly, got to the point.
“I noticed that Kim Il-sin isn’t on the roster. He could be a significant help for the operation. Have you sent him an invitation?”
“No, I sent the participation request to Kim Il-sin first. The reason he’s not on there is that I haven’t received a response yet.”
“He hasn’t declined, then?”
“Yes. A week ago, he promised to decide quickly and contact me, but for some reason, I still haven’t heard back and was about to reach out.”
After hearing Park Eun-ho’s account, Pan Hae-yul fell deep in thought.
With a contemplative expression, he cautiously asked.
“When was the last time you were unable to contact him?”
“One week ago.”
“……Huh.”
Pan Hae-yul exhaled a worried breath. Park Eun-ho felt a sense of foreboding from his expression.
“…What’s the matter?”
Before answering the question, Pan Hae-yul flicked his finger.
Click.
Then, with a sound echoing from the door locking, high-density mana enveloped the two of them.
He created a barrier that cut off external interference.
It was a reminder of the significance of the answer that would follow.
“Kim Il-sin has not attended class since a week ago. There haven’t been any absence reports from him either.”
“…….”
“Also, Hazuki, who is close to him, has been absent for a week without notice, and personally checking, I found that Hanarin’s shop hasn’t been open since last week.”
A tangible sense of unease pressed down on Park Eun-ho.
If the person before him were anyone other than Pan Hae-yul, he would have erupted with rage.
“…There must be some urgent matter that has come up, right?”
“I hope so, but…”
Park Eun-ho tried to think as positively as possible, yet returned with negative hints.
“This is a trace found at Hanarin’s shop door.”
Pan Hae-yul placed a small flask on the table.
Inside the flask swirled a dark substance, harried as if it were thrashing about.
“…What is this?”
“I’ve analyzed it to the best of my ability, but all I could determine is that it shares properties with mana and has traces of spatial magic left behind.”
The gravity of the situation deepened in Park Eun-ho’s mind.
Finding such an unknown substance at a place frequently visited by Kim Il-sin was exceedingly ominous.
The sole group that might use a substance unknown even to someone as knowledgeable as an alchemist and mage like Pan Hae-yul could only be one.
“…Do you think he fell victim to the Adverse Heaven Church?”
Pan Hae-yul nodded.
There was a reason for creating yet another barrier in this thoroughly secured place.
The fact that a hero who had taken down three bishops was ambushed and disappeared without a whisper would surely cause a significant uproar.
“Hmm.”
But something felt off.
Upon envisioning the worst-case scenario, suddenly, Park Eun-ho’s insides went eerily calm.
“It would be best to wait and see for now.”
“…Do you have an inkling of what might be happening?”
Such a shift in his demeanor puzzled even Pan Hae-yul.
“No.”
“Then?”
“Just… it’s a hunch. I don’t get the feeling that he’s in trouble.”
Instincts and feelings. These were terms that Pan Hae-yul had detested in his younger days.
He had always held that an archmage should see only the truth found in deductions.
However, that perspective began to shift after meeting Baekho-san.
Instincts are a culmination of experiences accrued over a lifetime.
The intuition of a seasoned warrior often carries stronger persuasion than mere reasoning.
Especially when it concerns someone’s life.
After all, he himself had been saved countless times thanks to Baekho-san’s intuition.
“Really, he has grown tremendously.”
Pan Hae-yul sensed that Park Eun-ho’s growth was imminent.
Furthermore, he decided to trust his instincts.
“In that case, I’ll continue the investigation.”
“Yes. I appreciate it.”
“Alright. Now shall we welcome our guests?”
“Yes.”
It was a seemingly nonsensical question, but Park Eun-ho understood its meaning.
He too had sensed the presence of intruders who had entered the room during their conversation.
Thud!
As Pan Hae-yul waved his hand, a man dressed like a thief sprang out from the open space and fell to the floor.
“Ugh…!”
The tightly bound intruder thrashed violently.
“To say he was sent by the Adverse Heaven Church… his pupils are black.”
“Yes. No magic was detected.”
“Given he’s come this far, his stealth capabilities must be considerable….”
Park Eun-ho leaned closer to examine the intruder.
“Ugh! Ugh!!”
Just then, the intruder suddenly turned 90 degrees and thrust a letter in his waist high.
Park Eun-ho immediately understood his intention. There was a letter inside his pocket.
After pulling out the letter and inspecting it, Park Eun-ho’s eyes widened.
The sender’s name was none other than Kim Il-sin.
“This is a letter from Kim Il-sin.”
“……!”
Though he wanted nothing more than to tear open the envelope and read the letter immediately, there was something he needed to do first.
“Uh, ahem. You could have at least contacted me.”
“At least you weren’t hurt, right?”
The tears of the intruder, Kim Tae-sang, showed no sign of stopping.