Chapter 60
“Reporting in.”
Nigel bowed his head, kneeling on one knee, and Randgar Bayel acknowledged his words with a slight nod instead of a verbal reply.
Despite his gaze fixed on the floor, Nigel seemed to sense Randgar’s subtle movement and began to speak.
“First, regarding the Undead. We have secured sacrifices capable of summoning an Undead comparable to the Green-Flamed Knight we lost last time.”
“Who are they?”
“…They are individuals who were under my command.”
“…Continue.”
The statement was dangerous no matter how one looked at it, but Randgar asked no further questions.
“The potion has also been completed. We are now capable of mass production.”
“I heard the side effects were severe.”
Randgar recalled the first-year student, Kane Hover, whom he had personally witnessed not long ago. A student who couldn’t handle the surging power and ultimately lost control. Randgar knew very well that Kane’s rampage was caused by overdosing on the potion they had been developing.
“Mana overload will not occur unless it is excessively consumed. As for minor symptoms, they are not expected to pose significant issues in combat.”
“Hmm.”
Randgar was already somewhat aware of the “minor symptoms” Nigel referred to. These included heightened aggression and an inability to control emotions—symptoms arising inevitably from awakening latent power.
“So, preparations are complete. What about the summoning of the Undead?”
“I will have it fully ready by the execution date without issue.”
“Very well. I’ll leave that to you.”
Randgar wanted to verify everything with his own eyes, but he decided to give Nigel another chance and refrained from intervening further. Besides, there were other matters demanding his attention.
From the start of the year, there had been various issues, but the most critical task was progressing smoothly so far. The day their organization would reveal itself to the world, marking the beginning of a true revolution.
“I wonder if the other branches are preparing well.”
Randgar briefly thought about whether the operations under the First and Second Elders were proceeding without problems.
They were likely doing fine, especially the Second Elder, who had been so smug during the last meeting.
“What should we do about the potions being distributed to the students?”
“Hmm. Keep supplying them for now. Cutting off the supply suddenly could lead to unforeseen issues.”
“Understood.”
Randgar was well aware of how addictive their potion’s effects were.
While the potion itself was not chemically addictive, it was hard to give up the omnipotent feeling it provided, especially for young, developing students.
“I’ll remain quiet until the execution date.”
“Good. Make sure to keep the recruits under strict control.”
“Yes, sir.”
With the sound of rushing wind, Nigel disappeared, leaving Randgar staring at the spot he had vacated. A faint sense of unease lingered.
“Is it because there have been so many complications lately?”
Even though Nigel’s report suggested everything was proceeding smoothly, Randgar couldn’t shake his apprehension.
“Hmm.”
The ominous feeling clung to him, refusing to dissipate.
***
“That girl?”
“Yeah, the one with the purple hair.”
“…You’re not planning anything weird with a student, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then is this about romance or something?”
“I said no.”
Beneath her hood, hiding her signature silver hair, Erica’s tone was playful, filled with mischief.
was exactly why Ryu Yeong had hesitated to ask for her help in the first place.
“If you follow her around, you’ll likely find someone suspicious. There’s a good chance she’s receiving candy or something similar.”
“Candy?”
“Yes. It may look like candy, but it’s probably a type of drug.”
“A drug?”
“Yes. My guess is that it temporarily enhances physical abilities.”
“Interesting.”
While Ryu and Erica were talking, Cynthia Surplus moved further away. Soon, she would likely vanish into the crowd.
“Aren’t you going to follow her?”
“What? Starting now?”
“Of course. You never know when or where she might meet someone.”
“Still, this is a bit sudden. I was looking forward to exploring the city a bit.”
“…Weren’t you just lazing around during your break anyway?”
“Come on. Wandering around alone and hanging out with you are two different things. If I’m with you, I won’t have to spend a dime, will I?”
“…This is a serious matter, you know.”
After two days of following Cynthia without success, Ryu had finally decided to use his network.
Erica, fresh off a major assignment, was a natural choice.
Specialized in tailing and tracking, Erica could easily keep an eye on an academy student.
“Yawn. I thought you called me out to have some fun.”
“Next time. Just follow her closely for now. Since nothing happened the past two days, something’s bound to happen soon.”
“Fine, but make sure to reward me properly later, okay?”
Erica made a coin-gesture with her fingers, shaking them teasingly. While Ryu had every intention of rewarding her, her smug attitude made him feel less inclined to do so.
“…Depending on how you do?”
“You know I’m a top-tier asset, right, Commander?”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Now go already, or you’ll lose her.”
“Already planted a tracker. She’s walking 234 meters ahead.”
“…Impressive.”
I had no idea when she managed to plant a tracker, but it was reassuring. That was Erica for you.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, alright?”
“What are you going to do now?”
“I’ve got my own leads to follow. If things go well on my end, you won’t even need to tail Cynthia anymore.”
“Hmm, fine. Then get to work.”
Erica nodded, waved her hand, and started walking in the direction Cynthia had gone. Despite her nonchalant attitude, I knew Erica would take her task of monitoring Cynthia seriously.
“That takes care of Cynthia’s side.”
I watched Erica disappear into the crowd before turning my gaze away. There was no way I was going to leave everything about Cynthia to Erica and just sit idle.
“This is infuriating.”
The more I thought about it, the more enraged I became.
If my suspicion was correct, the “candy” Cynthia consumed was likely the same type of substance as the potion Kane Hover had taken.
It wasn’t the kind of thing you could legally sell—an unnatural concoction made with unethical ingredients.
Distributing something like that to students, especially ones I knew, was crossing the line.
Sure, I wasn’t exactly a beacon of righteousness, but this was too much.
If I’d remained ignorant, maybe it wouldn’t bother me as much.
But I knew, and I couldn’t let it slide—especially now that I had a convenient excuse in the form of a side quest.
An organization capable of manufacturing and distributing such drugs within Crescent Academy couldn’t be small.
That meant I could likely find leads by investigating the underworld.
“Just wait until I find you.”
It was convenient that the weekend had just begun. This weekend was shaping up to be busy.
***
Crescent, the capital of the Crescent Empire.
For years, the city’s underworld had been dominated by a fierce rivalry between two organizations: the Black Crows and the Ten Arms.
These two groups, which had emerged around the same time, had grown at similar rates, establishing a competitive dynamic.
Recently, the Black Crows had lost a significant contract and several of their fighters, leading many to believe the competition was over.
But the Black Crows had proven surprisingly resilient.
Their survival could be attributed to one reason—their leader, Toby, was still standing.
In truth, the strength of these organizations didn’t lie in their money or numbers.
The true backbone of both groups was the power of their respective leaders: Toby of the Black Crows and Beroli of the Ten Arms.
Both were renowned for their combat prowess, said to rival the Imperial Knights’ commanders. It was no exaggeration to say their personal strength held their organizations together.
Rumor had it that if these two ever clashed, it would throw the entire capital into chaos.
“So, you both don’t know?”
“Yes.”
“We don’t.”
Despite their fearsome reputations, Toby and Beroli were currently kneeling side by side, their heads bowed.
“You really don’t know?”
Flinch—
The man sitting before them in a black mask raised his hand, and the two instinctively tensed.
“Y-yes! We really don’t know. Even if someone were making the drug, distributing it inside the academy is…”
“R-right! We don’t even have facilities for that sort of production!”
Their responses were filled with desperation. Both were visibly terrified, and for good reason.
The man in the black mask sat leisurely before them. Toby and Beroli knew all too well who he was.
Unlike their local operations confined to a single city, he hailed from an internationally infamous organization: the Black Shadow Corps.
Anyone in this line of work would recognize the Black Shadow Corps. The overwhelming aura they felt the first time they encountered this masked man had left no room for resistance.
“So that’s how it is… Hmm.”
“I swear, I don’t know anything! If anyone was involved, it must’ve been this idiot, Beroli!”
“What the hell are you saying?! If anyone did it, it was you, Toby!”
“Quiet.”
“…”
At the masked man’s words, both Toby and Beroli immediately fell silent.
“Then gather some intel for me.”
“Pardon?”
“What kind of information do you need, sir?”
“Kane Hover.”
The name caused both men to focus intently.
They were familiar with the Hover family, a reputable house.
“Find out everything about him. There’s someone behind him supplying those drugs. It’s absurd that you don’t know. I’m disappointed. You’re supposed to keep track of everything happening in this business.”
“…”
Neither Toby nor Beroli could refute the masked man’s criticism.
“Find out who’s making the drugs and who’s distributing them. I’ll be back in three days.”
“T-three days?!”
“Why? Is that a problem?”
“N-no, sir!”
The immense pressure radiating from the masked man left them no choice but to agree.
Both resolved to uncover something—anything—before the deadline.
—
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