◈ Episode 033

Leila and her group sat side by side on the sofa and looked around the office. It wasn't exactly a fancy space, but that didn't mean they could take Dustborne lightly.

They also knew the situation in Cilicia quite well. No matter how tolerant the city was to immigrants, Kim I-Hyeon had built up this position from scratch in just two or three months.

It definitely couldn't have been easy.

"Oh, thank you."

Let's put some drinks and food on the table. Leila responded. She held the steaming cup of coffee in her small hand and blew on it. It was so cute to see it, like a small animal.

Kim Yi-hyeon, who had been watching for a while, opened his mouth. There was something that had been bothering him since a while ago.

"I wonder if it's too late to ask, Professor?"

Leila's face darkened.

"The professor didn't come. He was in need of rest for a while, but other problems came up… We forced him to do it."

"Yeah. You're having a hard time."

Leila asked after reading Kim Yi-Hyeon's expression.

"Do you feel sorry?"

"Huh? That's true. Is it weird?"

"Rather than being strange… I thought Mr. Hyun was shy around the professor. He rarely talked to the professor before."

Kim Yi-hyeon nodded his head, saying that might have been the case.

Certainly, the professor had mixed feelings at the time. Funnily enough, he also felt like his position as a 'player' had been taken away.

'Not so now though.'

Rather, I came to think that it was fortunate that I did not become a professor. When I think about it, the existence of a professor is very trustworthy.

'If you leave it alone, it will take care of itself.'

Assuming that the professor can play his role as a character in the story without any problem? The professor is a monster more than any agent.

'Are you saying that you can clear every stage in one go if you don't have a defeat event?'

The professor, who is the device of the scenario, survives until the end and leads numerous battles to victory. If he loses, the story cannot progress.

If you think about it realistically, he was a great general among great generals. He was a much more reliable being than a thousand troops.

'I may have distorted the plot, which may have had some effect on the professor. But at least it is clear that the professor's commanding ability is excellent.'

This is a part that is mentioned in the work whenever it is forgotten. That is why Kim Yi-Hyeon was very interested in the professor.

Before, honestly, it was below expectations… but since you must have been confused, it was hard to be strict. Now, I think you're starting to come to your senses.

'But what can I do if he doesn't come?'

I can only look forward to our next meeting. I suspect it won't be long before we meet again.

"It was a bit like that back then. What would I have said to someone who didn't even know who he was and couldn't even walk on his own two feet? I think you guys were comfortable with me not showing any interest in the professor."

"I can't deny it."

Leila laughed awkwardly, saying, "Ahaha." Kim Yi-hyun also chuckled and changed the subject.

"Let me tell you my story first."

And then he started explaining.

What happened after I parted ways with Leila and her group. The events that occurred in Cilicia and the circumstances leading up to now.

There was no reason to hide or cover it up. The only group that Kim Lee-hyun could trust in Polaris was CellbroLogics Lab.

Above all, they are helpful. It is better to maintain a good relationship like now.

"―So I went around to see if there were any guys investigating Asterike. That's how I met you. This is the end."

"I see."

Leila put down her cup and looked lost in thought.

Mafia, Outlaws, Legion. There was so much information. The experiences Kim Yi-hyun went through were far more eventful than she had expected.

Among them, Legion. The executive of the Legion that collided this time was probably 'Snowfield'.

'From Shadow to Snowfield… … .'

No matter how I thought about it, Kim Yi-hyeon seemed to have some kind of connection with the Legion. It was too coincidental to dismiss it as a coincidence. Leila stared at Kim Yi-hyeon with searching eyes.

"Chelsea, I'm sorry for making you hang out with me."

"Please pay me a good amount of overtime pay."

"Okay, I get it. Do you want to get off work?"

"No. Please excuse me here again today."

"When are you coming home?"

"Those motherfuckers, they even painted the door! How many other games have they won because of my picks?"

"By then, just move to a safe place. You have money saved up, right?"

"Once you get a big win, you have to think about it."

"It looks like even the existing house will fly away."

There was nothing to be read from the way he chatted casually with his colleagues. Leila could only tell one thing.

Kim Yi-Hyeon is not in league with Legion. Whether it was an accidental act or intentional, he was someone who caused great damage to Legion.

The Cellbrox Lab and its policies are the same. Leila exchanged glances with her colleagues and then explained the situation.

"We also fought against the Legion in Flaoria. And just recently, we received a call from the Director and came here."

"Communication?"

"The Legion's activities were confirmed in Cilicia and successfully suppressed. The 'knight', believed to be Snowfield, a senior member of the Legion, has died. It appears that a certain ability user played a key role in this..."

After hearing that, Kim Yi-hyeon was able to fully understand the situation.

'Was there a Kushan ear on this side too?'

In the game, Director Kushan of the Research Institute quickly receives news that Cilicia has been taken over by the Legion. There is no way he would not have heard about this incident.

The reunion with Leila and her friends was no great coincidence.

There must have been a coincidence in our encounter today. Even if it hadn't been today, they would have reached Kim Lee-hyun sooner or later.

Because there is a point of contact called Asterice.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you."

"네?"

"Are you saying you came to recruit Asterike?"

Kim Yi-hyeon's face turned pale. Leila immediately waved her hand and denied it.

"Please don't misunderstand. Of course, the reason we came to Cilicia was to see him in person… but we have no intention of forcing anyone into it. Especially not if it's someone like Mr. Hyun's colleague."

"I don't think you guys would just go out like that. I'm just saying this out of concern."

While the conversation was going on.

"Now, there's something that's a little bothersome."

"What?"

"You said Asterike, right? As you said, we've been looking for that ability user. But that's only the beginning."

The ghost pointed out in a firm tone.

"We have never been to a match with Asterique, and we only just learned that they are players in the league. We have no connection with the suspicious spectators you mentioned."

"Yeah. It's only been three days since I arrived. The city is so complicated and confusing."

"I know that."

The audience that Roscoe had told us about was of various ages, from 20s to 50s. It didn't fit with Leila's group in the first place. There has been no progress in the investigation yet.

'I hope it's not a big deal.'

Kim Yi-hyeon felt an ominous premonition. He looked at the three people sitting across from him in turn and opened his mouth.

"If you're not planning on taking Asterike with you, what are you planning to do in Cilicia?"

"That's right. Actually, I wanted to hear more about the battle with Legion… Since Mr. Hyun was there, I guess I almost achieved my goal."

"Originally, I was planning to search for the remnants of the Legion. However, it seems like the environment will be difficult for us to move around comfortably."

"Yes. If possible, I will establish contact with the Cilicia Council and return to Lab."

Kim Lee-hyun nodded.

"I can build a bridge with Congress."

"Are you Mr. Hyun? Is that true?"

"But it's difficult to do it bare-faced."

The corners of his mouth went up in a smirk.

"You need to help us with our work."

We have some capable workers.

* * *

the next day.

Before a full-scale investigation could begin, Congressional staffer Kabak arrived with unexpected news.

"I have a new request for you all."

Before explaining, Kabak sent data to the terminals of the Dustborn members. Upon checking, it turned out to be a file containing the personal information of several citizens.

The range of occupations was diverse.

Ordinary workers, former bounty hunters, and mercenaries for military companies. Even former League players.

Characters who don't seem to have anything in common. Among them, Kim Lee-hyun took notice of the league's players.

'Blueback. I've heard it a lot somewhere.'

Kim Yi-hyun's eyes turned to Chelsea. As expected, Chelsea's expression, which had been calm, was distorted like an evil spirit. The gaze that was glaring at the terminal was as if it was going to kill a person.

It was none other than Blueback, a no-show player who had sucked Chelsea's credit. When he thought about it, Kim Hyun-ah had a bad feeling.

The premonition came true.

"What I just sent you is a list of missing persons."

"...You bring all kinds of troublesome things."

"I think it's embarrassing. But I hope you don't take offense, because it means the council is satisfied with your work."

"Kabek, who deftly accepted it, added.

"And it can't be helped. In the first place, we've entrusted you with cases that the police find difficult to solve."

"If it's a disappearance, wouldn't it be worth stepping forward?"

"If the incidents continue, the police will be deployed. I expect the disappearances themselves will temporarily stop."

But the truth will not be revealed, said Kabak as if he had seen the future.

"The security forces are too conspicuous. They are well known, so their name alone serves as a deterrent, but they are not suited to covert action."

It wasn't much different from the story he had heard before. Convinced, Kim Yi-hyeon rested his elbow on the armrest and rested his chin on it.

"I guess they've finally decided on an incident."

"Cilicia is a city where people don't disappear easily. In order to live, you have to use the infrastructure, and every time you do, a record is left. If so many people go missing in such a short period of time, it's bound to be noticed."

"What do the missing people have in common?"

"It's not certain yet. Please take it with a grain of salt, as this is only a prediction."

Cavec continued, his eyes narrowed.

"Except for two unidentified individuals, all were confirmed to have some sort of spell power."

"...Oh my."

Kim Yi-hyeon frowned and made a bitter sound. It seemed that there were some bastards who had their eyes on Asterike.

* * *

"I understand what you're saying, but is this correct?"

"Instead of talking, shake the baton one more time."

"What the fuck...."

Pablo waved his cheering stick with a look of despair on his face. A red light resembling Asterike's spell emitted from within the transparent stick.

It was the only Asterique product that didn't have a sponsor yet. Even this was something that Rosco had to work hard to get done by requesting it from a certain company. Leila was waving it around with a bright smile.

The stadium of the second division where Astérique plays. Today, I sat in the crowded seats. The reason was that the official seats were conspicuous.

"Ghost. How are you looking around?"

- Found them. One young man and one woman. Two middle-aged men. All four match the information I had heard before.

The Ghost is somewhere in the stadium, watching the audience, trying to find the 'suspicious audience member' that Roscoe mentioned.

―Your friend has a keen eye for detail.

"What are you talking about?"

― It means that it's fortunate that you found out before it was too late.

A deep voice came through the communicator.

- That's right. They are 'No Face'.

Kim Lee-hyun frowned without realizing it.

'Why are those kids here again?'

That wasn't a name that would come out at this point.