Chapter 34

A fierce battle of nerves is taking place between two countries that use this mountain range as their border.

The two nations have different religions and races, and they have historically been in constant conflict, and recently, they have once again sparked a small-scale local war.

Until now, there has been no intervention at the level of the Organization regarding this matter, but this time it’s different.

For some reason, the international order has changed, and the policies of the great powers backing these two countries have also changed.

As a result, the Organization predicted that this local war would not be a regular border dispute but rather a large-scale full-frontal conflict.

That said, the Organization is not stepping in with some lofty sense of moral superiority claiming “War is bad, peace is good.”

We were dispatched because after calculating all possibilities, benefits, and losses, it was determined that intervening would be profitable.

Although the Organization is a supranational entity, it does not act as an absolutely neutral arbitrator.

On the contrary, it uses unprecedented weapons known as Heroes to manipulate international affairs.

In that sense, the reason we’re climbing this mountain right now has nothing to do with the kind of justice and common sense guardianship people typically associate with Heroes.

So instead of exchanging cool lines with serious faces like the Heroes in various media, we climbed the mountain while making trivial small talk.

“Hey, Professor Hyun, are you really going to be a professor at the Academy?”

“Of course.”

“Why would you do that?”

“I don’t have the aptitude to be a Hero, nor do I suit the role of Sikrito. Rather than living on a tightrope waiting for death, I’d rather retire early and live comfortably.”

“Hmph, someone with a personality like yours is better suited to being a scholar than a Hero.”

At that, Seo Ji-a, who was walking beside us, chimed in.

“Didn’t Sun-hyun have the nickname ‘Gray Mold’ at the Academy? For being gloomy and always lurking in corners. On top of that, you’re only studying defensive techniques, so you’re totally…”

“A gear head, I guess.”

Having said that himself, Han Tae-woo giggled and slapped my shoulder.

“Anyway, when are you going to show us that Mental Barrier of yours?”

“Not anytime soon. It’ll take a few more years before I can even attempt it.”

“What the hell? Isn’t managing mental techniques supposed to be easy? Anyway… retire quickly and secure a position at the Academy. Min-ha should at least have an associate professor around when they enter.”

“An associate professor? To become one, I’d need to retire at B-Rank or above, so please send me some good missions. Either way, I need to be able to teach Min-ha, right?”

“Ji-a. Heard that? Record this so this guy doesn’t back out later, using his Bodycam.”

With a laugh, Seo Ji-a turned around and directed her Bodycam straight at me.

“C-Rank Hero Professor Hyun, call sign Gray Steel. Swear to make Han Tae-woo and Seo Ji-a’s daughter Han Min-ha an S-Rank Hero.”

“What’s with this oath nonsense…”

“Swear it.”

While walking leisurely, Seo Ji-a smiled broadly and spoke.

“Make Han Min-ha an S-Rank Hero.”

Since we all knew it was all in jest, I eventually laughed, looked her straight in the face, and swore.

“I swear. I’ll make Han Min-ha an S-Rank Hero.”

“Good. It’s definitely recorded.”

She turned around again, tapped her Bodycam located at the chest level, and continued walking.

“You’d better prepare a lot of money in advance. Private tutoring is expensive, you know.”

“Won’t what you saved last time cover it?”

“That already paid for the time you saved me by putting up a defensive barrier just in time the time before last.”

“Putting up a defensive barrier is a Supporter’s job anyway. Expecting payment for doing what’s expected of you seems a bit off, doesn’t it?”

“So helping your teammates survive is not a duty but a favor?”

While bickering back and forth, we kept climbing towards the mountain ridge.

“We’re almost there. Camouflage.”

Han Tae-woo instructed as we reached the ridge’s peak.

The surface of our suits rippled, changing color to blend with the surrounding snow.

Once fully camouflaged, we slowly moved forward, hiding behind a rock and peering out from behind it.

We could see something protruding between the ravines below.

“Is that it?”

Seo Ji-a pulled out a monocular, placing it over one eye to examine it more closely.

“The warhead definitely looks similar.”

“So it must be. What else would this missile launch site be?”

Listening to Seo Ji-a and my exchange, Han Tae-woo spoke.

“Then let’s move in. You, Sun-hyun, will support from here. Ji-a and I will sweep in and clear it out.”

“Understood. Make sure no one is left alive.”

“I know, man. I said that before we left, didn’t I?”

“Go with care.”

Seo Ji-a and Han Tae-woo simultaneously enveloped themselves in Aura and shot into the sky like bullets.

Their aftereffects shook the snow falling around me as I got up, wrapped myself in a Defensive Barrier, and moved forward.

Two beams of light, one purple and the other dark red, ascended vertically into the air, sharply turning towards the ground.

Anti-aircraft fire began amidst curses and cries from all around the ravine towards the Heroes.

The entire ravine was filled with flashes and gunfire.

I monitored the trajectories of the bullets while appropriately deploying Defensive Barriers.

I deflected relatively small-caliber rounds with the sheer force of the Aura, while the anti-aircraft artillery, blocked by my Defensive Barrier, exploded uselessly.

Among the two rapidly descending beams, Velvet Butcher Seo Ji-a, the red beam, abruptly stopped in mid-air and fired off indiscriminate killing beams in all directions.

The blood-red killing beams didn’t travel in straight lines but instead traced elegant curves, moving like sentient beings towards the enemies scattered throughout the ravine.

Terrifying screams erupted from various spots, and right below me, a soldier hit by a killing beam was obliterated.

They’re completely helpless.

Meanwhile, Han Tae-woo, trailing a long streak of purple Aura, plummeted into the ravine and pierced through the missile launch pad.

A tremendous explosion shook the entire ravine.

I hovered slightly into the air to avoid the vibrations, checking the situation below.

A massive plume of flame rose from where the missile launch pad had been, and Seo Ji-a was leisurely flying by its side.

There was no sign of any response from the surrounding area, suggesting that all had been annihilated.

This was the first objective.

That tremendous explosion and flame would undoubtedly be clearly identifiable elsewhere, so we had to move swiftly to the next location.

“Everything alright?”

“Everything’s clear.”

Seo Ji-a flew over beside me, and we admired the massive plume of smoke together.

Soon, Han Tae-woo emerged through the dark cloud.

“Huh. Freefalling always gives a nice rush.”

“Then let’s head to the next location.”

Just as we were about to turn, something was noticed between the rocks over there.

It was a soldier, bloodied and aiming a recoilless rifle at us.

Seemingly, they had managed to survive and were trying to hit us with a last strike.

The moment the soldier pulled the trigger, I created a circular Defensive Barrier centered around them.

The high-explosive shell fired from the gun immediately collided with the Defensive Barrier and detonated.

The insides of the circular Defensive Barrier were instantly engulfed in the explosion, and the soldier inside didn’t even have a chance to scream before being obliterated.

“Damn… You use some pretty strange methods, huh.”

Han Tae-woo whistled upon seeing this.

“Let’s go.”

While speaking, I glanced at the steep peak across from us, where the explosion’s aftershocks were triggering an avalanche.

“Alright. The next location is TP3. We’ve got clear satellite imagery, so we’ll go straight in without landing.”

“Understood.”

“Judging by the armament level here, we probably don’t need the Defensive Barrier. Let’s all switch to offense. Let’s get this done quickly and head back.”

“Understood!” “Affirmative!”

We all simultaneously ascended, flying towards the TP3 location.

As we flew over the absurdly vast mountain range visible below us, Han Tae-woo made a radio transmission.

“Man, they’re crazy. Planning to fight this far up here.”

“But once you secure a position, it’s hard for an average force to dislodge you, right?”

Seo Ji-a flew between us and communicated through the radio.

“We’ll arrive at TP3 in three minutes. Everyone, stay focused.”

“Ji-a and I will go in first, and Sun-hyun, you follow in and clean up what we miss.”

“Understood.”

We pierced through the strong winds and clouds, flying even faster towards our target location.

“The clouds are obstructing our view. Lower altitude. We’re descending.”

As we quickly descended, the terrain slowly came into view.

“Hey! Look at that down there!”

Surprised, Seo Ji-a pointed downwards.

The TP3 we were targeting was right beneath us.

However, it had already been ravaged by someone.

Everywhere were countless fallen bodies.

The strange thing was that while the people were down, the facilities and equipment around them were completely intact, standing without a scratch.

“What the hell? Why is it like this?”

“Could there be another team on a conflicting mission besides us?”

“Hmm… I don’t know.”

“Could it be unauthorized Heroes, Sensei?”

“I don’t think so. They’re not rich enough to hire them… What the hell is going on here?”

“Let’s… check it out?”

“Let’s do that. Maintain the formation. Sun-hyun, you take the rear.”

“Affirmative.”

After quickly exchanging opinions, we gradually descended.

With about fifty meters in front of me being occupied by the Han couple, and me covering the rear, we approached the scene.

Suddenly, Han Tae-woo sent out an urgent radio transmission.

“Professor Hyun! Defensive Barrier! Advanced level quickly!!!”

Turning back from guarding the rear, I saw something indescribable—a bizarrely colored cloud-like mass rapidly approaching us.

Realizing the situation, I quickly placed a protective shield around the couple.

“What the hell is this?!”

“Professor Hyun! Keep the Defensive Barrier while retreating! Don’t come closer!”

Just as I was about to cover myself with the shield, a terrible burning sensation was felt in my throat and nose.

“Ah…!?”

What is this…? Toxic gas?!

Creating a Defensive Barrier right now would be no different from entering a sealed gas chamber…

I have to get out of here first…!

But the toxic gas was too potent, and before I could do anything, my consciousness rapidly clouded over.

“The Defensive Barrier is weakening! Cough! Su-hyun! What are you doing?!”

“It seems he’s been hit! Hold on! Something’s coming from the front!”

“I’ll block it… Cough cough! Su-hyun, help me!”

In the darkened vision, I saw Han Tae-woo lunging through the toxic gas.

“Hey, you bastard! Snap out of it!”

At that moment, terrifying flashes suddenly blinked several times inside the cloud behind him.

“Sensei…! Cough! Ji-a…! Ji-a! Go to her… I’ll manage on my own… Cough!”

Han Tae-woo, turning his head and seeing the successive flashes, muttered a curse.

“Damn…”

“If you’re going to drop out here, you won’t die… Hurry… Go!”

“Hey, Professor Hyun.”

Han Tae-woo looked straight into my eyes with a solemn expression.

“If we both die, please take care of Min-ha.”

“Don’t be ridiculous and… Do what… Ji-a first… Tell your kid that even if they lose a dad, they must have their mom…”

“Damn nonsense.”

Still smiling faintly in that situation, Han Tae-woo released me and shot into the cloud towards Seo Ji-a.

In my fading consciousness, I marshaled my last bit of strength and placed an advanced protective barrier over Han Tae-woo.

And then I plummeted helplessly to the ground.

That was the end.

When I came to, I was lying face down on the ground.

Trying to get up in a hurry, I was nearly knocked unconscious again from the massive pain in my left shoulder.

On feeling it, it seemed the fall had completely shattered the bone.

“Ugh…?! Sensei!? Seo Ji-a!”

Looking up, I saw the ominous cloud still hanging high above, with the flashes no longer visible.

And…

“No…”

Han Tae-woo and Seo Ji-a were falling towards the ground, transformed into purple and dark red comets.

“No… No…!!!”

Their Auras flickered a few times before completely disappearing, then they fell into the distance between faraway mountain peaks.

Trying to run towards them, I lost my balance and fell.

“Shit… Shit…”

I dragged myself forward on the ground, muttering nonstop.

It’s all on me… It’s all because of me…

…Because I failed to maintain the Defensive Barrier…

It’s all my fault!

Regret and anger overwhelmed me, making it hard to keep my sanity.

The back of my head ached, and an unbearable headache as if my skull was splitting overwhelmed me, making it impossible to see clearly.

I… It’s because I killed them… I killed them…!

At that moment, a wall of an immense intensity emerged, confining my spirit.