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127
“…What?”
-Kidnapping?
-Brook Ver.2
-She’s a real devotee though.
-Feels like it’s going to go badly;
Jinuk was flustered.
The devotee looked dangerously unpredictable at a glance.
He couldn’t even begin to guess what might happen if they touched her wrong.
“You’re going to kidnap her? Are you serious?”
“Like you said, we can’t kill her. She could be used as a pretext for a real war.”
“Then kidnapping’s no good either. They’ll release all the monsters right away and try to kill us.”
“It’s fine. She’ll accept my proposal.”
“……?”
Leaving Jinuk behind with his puzzled expression, Hanbit stepped forward.
“Now, now, don’t get too excited. If you rush, they’ll go berserk and lose their minds.”
The scientist was examining the monsters in the iron cages with an affectionate voice.
And just as she moved to step toward the next cage—
Whoosh—!
Both her arms were seized and bound with a rope.
“Hmm. I don’t recall inviting a guest.”
[Holy Nation Scientist: Isis]
Even in this sudden situation, the scientist — Isis — remained calm.
Arms bound, she slowly turned her head and looked at Hanbit.
“…Oh?”
Confirming his face, Isis’s eyes changed rapidly.
Eyes going wide, she raised her voice.
“You! You’re the person who scattered that unusual cold!”
Isis recalled the sight that had unfolded before the city wall.
An overwhelming, fundamental cold that was neither magic nor anything else.
The sight of it freezing all her children was awe-inspiring enough to make her tremble.
-Her eyes are strange;
-True madness.
-I’ll let her off because she’s pretty.
-I support this.
[GlassesHater has donated 1,000 won.]
[Knock those glasses off.]
Isis leaning her face in with her arms tied.
Her frantic curiosity, at odds with her gentle appearance, was a core part of her identity.
“That’s me. So if you don’t want to die, stop the experiments right now.”
Hanbit drew his sword and warned her with the blade raised.
But Isis let out an excited voice in return.
“So you were using this sword when you used that power! Could it actually be a genuine elemental’s element being used? Or did you discover a method to produce a similar force?”
Paying no heed whatsoever to the blade, she poured out questions.
Watching her, Hanbit stepped back from Isis and used Elemental Manifestation.
Rustle—
A haunting cold beginning to bloom along the blade.
Having had little time to recover, the strength draining from his body was approaching its near limit.
“Ah……!”
Isis’s eyes went even wider at the sight of the cold.
“So it is a spirit, isn’t it? Right? It really is a spirit?”
Excited, she came rushing over with her arms still bound.
At the same moment, the cold vanished from the blade.
“Where… where did it go? Hey? It was just there!”
The danger of potentially being frozen held no importance to her.
Because Isis was precisely the kind of person who would lay down her life to satisfy her curiosity.
“What you just saw was power using the traces of Glacier, the Ice Elemental King.”
“…You just said elemental king? The elemental king from legends and mythology?”
“Yes. So if you want to see it again, stop the experiments right now.”
“That…….”
At the firm warning, she made a troubled expression.
Then she shook her head and said:
“I can’t stop the experiments. The children have already left my hands.”
“What? What kind of nonsense is that!”
Jinuk, watching the exchange, erupted in anger and cut in.
“You can’t stop something you started? Can’t you just smash all those test tubes!”
“That would cause Ifrit’s immediate destruction. Right now is the stabilization phase, preventing a runaway.”
“Stabilization? You expect me to believe that?”
“That’s neither here nor there, but…… could you please not interfere and ruin my experiments? More people dying doesn’t make for good results.”
Jinuk ground his teeth at the composed explanation.
His emotions were understandable, but there was no lie in those words.
Hanbit looked at the countless iron cages and said:
“What you’re saying is, leaving them like that is the better option?”
“If you want to minimize even one casualty, wouldn’t that be the case? Of course, that would only be possible if the spirit power you possess works its wonders.”
A monster wave that would have produced enormous casualties under normal progression.
But up through the second wave, Hanbit had not created a single casualty.
Having witnessed that sight, Isis could put a degree of possibility into words.
Even if she wouldn’t think it possible to hold them off completely.
‘……She’s a dangerous person in many ways.’
There was no intent of killing in Isis.
What had her interest at the moment simply happened to be monster enhancement research.
In that case — what would happen if the direction of that blindly reckless curiosity were redirected toward something else?
Like, for instance, the study of spirits that she had always dreamed of.
“Anyway! That power — can’t I take a closer look?”
Isis pointed at the sword again and made her request.
After a brief pause, Hanbit asked her:
“Then cooperate with us. We need information about the Holy Nation.”
“I’ll do anything!”
-?
-Just like that?
-Zero seconds of deliberation;
-Zero faith.
Isis making her decision without even a moment’s hesitation.
Hanbit had expected this reaction, but Jinuk had not.
“A Holy Nation devotee betrays this easily? Isn’t this a trap?”
“I’m an orphan taken in from an eastern war zone. I don’t deny the god, but it’s not more precious to me than my research. And on top of that, it’s an opportunity to study spirits! The Holy Nation never gives me that kind of opportunity! Though the monster enhancement research is also so fun and fulfilling…….”
Isis poured out her devotion to research at length.
In summary, the research she had always wanted was spirit power.
So seizing the opportunity was not strange — that was her argument.
“…What is this.”
Jinuk could not easily understand that mindset.
A conviction with a rather high barrier for an ordinary person.
“If you leave here, what about the experiment? Does it proceed the same?”
“As I said, it’s already left my hands. Watching the outcome is all that’s left for me to do. Besides, there’s also a child that isn’t in this location……”
Rumble rumble rumble—
Just then, vibrations suddenly rushed in, shaking the ground.
Jinuk immediately took a guarded stance and surveyed the surroundings.
“What is this?”
No new enemies were visible.
Only an inexplicable ominous feeling making the air feel heavy.
“Ah, it seems the waking preparations are beginning.”
“Waking preparations?”
“There are some children who had been sleeping in a specially separate space. Would you know of the mountain giant?”
“……!”
Jinuk’s eyes went wide at the familiar monster name.
The mountain giant — commonly called a Yeti.
Treated as near-boss class, it was among the strongest monsters in the Ifrit area.
If that creature were to run amok in an enhanced state, he didn’t want to imagine the outcome.
“Let’s go back. We need more preparation.”
Hanbit grabbed Isis’s rope again.
At that moment, an alert appeared before him with a message.
Ding—
[Main Quest #9 has been completed.]
[You have received 200,000 gold.]
[4 stat points are awarded.]
[Your experience points have increased by 80,000.]
[Your level has risen by 1.]
[1 stat point is awarded.]
[Progress increases.]
[Main Quest #10: Kidnapping]
Through an agreement, Holy Nation scientist Isis has been taken.
Return to Ifrit with her and have a conversation.
Objective: Obtain the necessary information through interrogation.
Reward: 100,000 gold, 50,000 experience points, 2 stat points
*Current Progress: 77%
The settled situation and objective were straightforward.
Having confirmed the contents, Hanbit looked at Jinuk, whose face had grown darker.
“Your decision will be needed as well.”
“…My decision?”
He made a puzzled expression at the bluntly thrown question.
Hanbit pushed Isis, who kept trying to examine the sword, away and said:
“Choose. Whether to save the city’s future, or continue obeying your sister.”
***
“This woman is a Holy Nation devotee?”
Inside the Ifrit City Hall reception room.
Pirnen, looking at the woman seated across from her, let out a baffled sound.
“She leans more toward scientist than devotee. I’ll keep her in my custody, and I’ve already sent a separate notice to Vice-Captain Leon. Do you now understand the gravity of the monster wave?”
“Leon… you’ve even notified the Royal Capital?”
Along with an irritated voice, Pirnen’s brow furrowed.
The anxiety of unsettling stories about the city leaking to the outside.
No matter how beautiful a city, if it is dangerous, people naturally hesitate to visit.
“Leon will share information to a minimum. The rumor won’t spread to citizens. Of course, my own view is that we should call in support from all other cities.”
“A hasty worry. If forces are concentrated here, gaps will form elsewhere. It is most desirable for us to resolve problems with our own strength.”
Briefly closing and opening her eyes, she looked at the woman seated across from her.
In an utterly restless state, she was shifting in her seat and trying to look around.
“Did you really send those monsters to Ifrit?”
“That’s right. The first and second waves were the children who hadn’t met the standard being sent out. But by the way, is that decoration over there made with genuine magic stones? It feels like the purity is unnecessarily high…….”
-She can’t sit still. Lol.
-Cute.
-She’s the enemy;
-Anyone who opposes Isis is my enemy.
-Aiku’s already gone and……
Isis couldn’t stop her curiosity from darting everywhere.
Pirnen, watching her with an expression of exasperation, continued.
“When is the next monster wave coming?”
“Tomorrow. Once the mountain giant wakes, the assault will begin.”
“I’ve heard the experiment can’t be stopped, but that you’re willing to cooperate. What method is there for dealing with the wave?”
“Hmm.”
At this question, even Isis groaned in deliberation.
Then she raised a finger and pointed at Hanbit.
“Overwhelming force… so someone like this person being important? Of course, it would be difficult to hold them off completely. More importantly, can I eat these?”
Her finger moved to the cookies on the table.
Without even waiting for an answer, she casually took one and began eating.
“Phew.”
Pirnen pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a sigh.
She turned her gaze to Jinuk seated to her right.
“You — gather the adventurers and soldiers and prepare for the next wave. Feel free to make use of the city’s resources.”
“…Sister, might you reconsider once more?”
“What do you mean by that?”
At the hesitant question, Pirnen’s voice cooled down.
Jinuk, whose eyes had been wavering, straightened his posture and said:
“Ifrit’s adventurers and soldiers alone cannot stop the final wave. Even if we manage to hold it, enormous casualties will follow.”
“How many times must this be said? That is why you hold that position. Will you continue to show me a disappointing performance?”
“I am well aware of my shortcomings. That is precisely why — please grant permission to call for reinforcements from other cities.”
“Ha.”
At her half-brother’s refusal to comply as usual, Pirnen let out a hollow laugh.
She shook her head firmly and said:
“I will not permit it. Deal with it using only our own strength.”
“…Even if adventurers, soldiers, and citizens die?”
“That too is a responsibility. Protecting the city’s value over some degree of sacrifice…….”
“Sister!”
In that instant, Jinuk raised his voice and shot to his feet.
Pirnen’s expression went baffled at the insolent behavior.
“You…… just raised your voice at me?”
“Yes! I have thoroughly followed your every word until now! Foolishly, because I believed that was the right thing to do!”
-Actually going in head-first.
-Jinuk doing this?
-Awakening;
-He’s finally grown up.
-He’s had enough.
-Pirnen the Calamity, OUT!
Jinuk’s words pouring out like a burst dam.
It was also a self-reproach directed at himself.
“But what is this now! Even a child could see this is clearly a dangerous situation, and you are turning a blind eye to it for the sake of economic control! Just to maintain a family’s position!”
“Just now…… what did you say?”
“I am asking you to please fulfill your responsibilities! I who obeyed you am also a pathetic fool, but starting now I will make it right!”
Whoosh—
Having said that, Jinuk turned and walked out of the reception room.
Pirnen, watching that sight in a daze, clenched her fist and shot to her feet.
“How dare you, knowing your place! Have you forgotten the grace of being saved from living a garbage life! The filthy blood of a bastard——”
“Oh!”
At the moment she was pouring out poison-filled accusations, the rope binding Isis came loose.
The scientist, regaining her freedom, began unleashing the curiosity she had been suppressing.
“I’ve been wondering — is this also made with magic stones? Not a material suited for a ring, is it?”
“What…… get away from me!”
Isis darting over with her hands reaching out.
Pirnen, as though looking at something repulsive, shrank back and retreated.
Hanbit, having let go of the rope, was calmly chewing a cookie as though none of this concerned him.
“Oh? Is that a magical device that controls light? That’s a fine technique!”
“Wait……! That’s expensive!”
Isis quickly shifted her attention and moved toward the lamp on the wall.
Pirnen desperately followed and grabbed her sleeve, but the incident had already occurred.
Crash—!
“Oh.”
The light magical device Isis had touched fell to the floor and shattered.
Watching the wreckage, she scratched her head and said:
“Hehe, it broke — what shall I do?”
“Do you know what that thing cost……!”
-Lol.
-Insane counter. Lol.
-Ultimate match-up;
-Release Isis on the map. That’ll solve it.
Pirnen trembled and vented her fury, but the person who had caused the incident was a Holy Nation devotee.
And what could be claimed from that seemingly unhinged woman at that.
“Get out…… now.”
“Huh? I haven’t seen nearly enough……”
“Get out!”
With that sharp shout, Isis was expelled from the reception room.
Hanbit, who had followed naturally, grabbed her as she tried to go back in and came outside.
Jinuk was waiting at the city hall entrance.
“Are you alright?”
“…I’m fine. I’ve made up my mind to protect the city.”
His expression showed no trace of regret.
Having arrived at the decision after long deliberation, he wouldn’t waver.
Hanbit looked toward the northern wall and gave a nod.
“Same here. So let’s prepare properly.”
