“Luke…”
Moved by the words filled with affection, Iberis tightly grasped Lucas’s hand. As if waiting for this moment, a gentle warmth seeped between his fingers and interlaced them.
“You mustn’t get hurt.”
“Hmm, I’ll try my best.”
Iberis answered in an uncertain tone. Even for him, subduing Livio without a scratch was impossible.
“Shouldn’t you at least say you will, even if it’s just empty words?”
Lucas frowned, seemingly displeased with the unsatisfactory answer.
“But then I’d be lying to you.”
“Hmm.”
Lucas made a small nasal sound, unsure whether to thank Iberis for his honesty or tell him not to boldly predict getting injured. Then he gently pulled their interlocked hands towards himself.
“Don’t overdo it. You don’t have to do everything alone… If it seems too much, you need to request backup immediately. Understood?”
Lucas kissed each of Iberis’s finger joints, earnestly imploring. Today’s operation was simple. While Iberis confronted Livio, all Espers and guides would swiftly subdue his subordinates under Brenda and Lucas’s command respectively.
The problem was that the enemy’s strength was not to be underestimated. Led by the S-class Esper Livio, there were four A-class, seven B-class, three C-class, and two guides capable of long-range shooting despite their somewhat inferior combat abilities.
Although they numbered only seventeen including Livio, they were all veterans with an average of 20 years of active service, making them very difficult to deal with. As much as he hated to admit it, their skills were real. Just look at how they had evaded the pursuit team for three days, slipping away like loaches.
Not only that, Livio’s group had injured dozens of police and soldiers who had pursued them. While they had succeeded in capturing or killing six of them in the process, the losses incurred were enormous. Several times more people were injured than the six they had caught.
Especially yesterday afternoon, Major Kyle Jonas of the N-1 unit was severely injured by Livio’s surprise attack and taken to the hospital. Several of his unit members also died.
Because of this, the N-0 unit was handling almost all of this operation. Although the Investigation Bureau, anti-terror unit, and uninjured N-1 unit members had joined, the core was the N-0 unit members.
Lucas bit his lip, suppressing the rising anxiety. He wanted to fight alongside Iberis, but it was dangerous to rashly intervene in a battle between high-ranking Espers.
Because he could be more of a hindrance than help, he decided to focus on the task given to him. However, he was prepared to act without hesitation if Iberis found himself in a dangerous situation or if an opportunity to assist him arose.
“I understand.”
Iberis squeezed their joined hands as if to say not to worry too much. Then he stood on his tiptoes slightly and kissed Lucas’s glossy lips.
*Smooch*
Their flesh lightly collided, and gazes filled with deep affection intertwined in the air. Soon, without anyone taking the lead, their lips overlapped.
“Mmm.”
As their tongues rubbed and breaths mingled, heat suddenly surged. Iberis exchanged an intimate breath with Lucas, accepting the warm mana pouring like sunlight with his whole body.
“Hah, haah…”
Only when their body temperatures became similar did their lips part. Iberis gazed with hazy eyes at the transparent string that formed and then disappeared with a pop. Then he pressed his lips again to the moistened flesh. Unlike before, it was a brief contact.
“…Let’s go.”
Iberis, having contained his desire, took a slow step back. In contrast to his cheeks flushed with heat, his eyes were as sharp as ever, as if he had never been excited.
“It’s time for our revenge.”
* * *
*Gulp*
Johann swallowed dryly as he confirmed through the scope the soldiers surrounding the complex. A tedious standoff had continued for two hours already. But he couldn’t relax. The experience he had accumulated roaming battlefields for years told him. That combat was imminent.
…Would it have been better to just get arrested?
Johann suppressed a sigh as he felt the approach of the final battle on which his fate hung. It’s laughable to think this way now, but as the situation had deteriorated to the worst, he kept regretting his choice back then. While keeping his eyes on the front, he recalled the events of two weeks ago.
‘I just received a call from the vice commander. It seems we won’t be able to avoid a special investigation given the current atmosphere.’
That day, Livio had gathered all the guild executives with military backgrounds without exception. And he urged them to join him.
‘If we’re caught this time, not just me, but all of you will rot in prison for life.’
Everyone’s expressions darkened at the negative prophecy. It was a natural reaction, as Livio’s guilt being recognized meant that they, who had lived as his arms and legs, would also be punished.
‘So I’m prepared to die and intend to confront the military. I want you to join me in this.’
‘What? What do you mean…’
Johann was shaken by the unexpected proposal. The others were the same.
‘Are you saying you’ll become a villain?’
‘If necessary. No, it will probably come to that. If we succeed in escaping, we’ll have to rely on the black market.’
Livio spoke calmly. The black market was a term referring to areas ruled by villain organizations that even national governments and the Defense Force hesitated to interfere with.
Since each black market was comparable in size to an entire city, most ability users who committed crimes hid there. He tried to persuade the executives, saying he planned to seek a comeback by going to the black market.
“If you’re found guilty, all the assets you’ve built up will be confiscated. It won’t just be the end of your lives. Your families’ lives will become miserable too.”
Family. When that word came up, most people’s expressions changed. Even villains cherish their blood relations, so Livio deliberately targeted this point.
“If you pledge your loyalty to me until the end, I’ll ensure your families’ lives won’t be affected even if things go wrong.”
“How?”
“I’ll launder their identities and move them to a safe place so they won’t be chased by the Defense Force. I’ll also give them enough money to use freely so they won’t face any inconveniences. Enough to live comfortably for decades.”
“If you do that, I’ll follow you, Guild Master.”
“Good. The same goes for those without families. I have several proxy accounts and secret vaults. I’ll divide half of them among you.”
This swayed the hearts of the remaining people. It was understandable, as they had gained enormous wealth in return for their loyalty to Livio. Those who had indulged in luxury and pleasure for decades were unlikely to endure harsh prison life.
Above all, those gathered were fundamentally soldiers. The guild members, with their more aggressive temperaments than most, one by one accepted Livio’s proposal.
Afterward, the executives followed Livio’s instructions to prepare for war. They stocked up on necessary items like weapons and medical supplies and ran several simulations for various scenarios. They also devised diverse escape routes to effectively respond to variables.
Thus, three days ago, they refused the execution of the warrant and escaped as planned. It would have been good if they had left the N-district right away, but things went awry when the Defense Force declared a state of emergency faster than expected. Unable to shake off the continued pursuit, they ended up here.
This morning, when Livio ordered them to prepare to face the enemy, Johann instinctively knew that everything would be decided by this battle.
Success meant defeating the unit led by Iberis Hyun here, escaping the N-district, and entering the black market. Failure meant dying or being captured.
“…!”
Johann, lost in gloomy thoughts, startled at the sight of a young man in the lens. He narrowed his eyes and increased the scope’s magnification. Then he saw someone walking alone towards them, leaving hundreds of soldiers behind.
Iberis Hyun.
Johann’s shoulders tensed as he realized the identity of the opponent. Biting his lower lip, he quickly zoomed in. Soon, a face that looked younger than its mid-twenties age appeared as if right in front of him.
Mysterious eyes like layers of snowflakes, a nose with sharp yet soft lines, clear and clean skin without a single blemish, rosy lips that were the only color on the fair face…
Johann was momentarily captivated by the beautiful and unique appearance that seemed to stand at the boundary between boy and man.
Just then, Iberis, who had been walking leisurely as if out for a stroll, suddenly stopped. Then he turned his head exactly in Johann’s direction.
“Gasp!”
The moment his eyes met the piercingly cold gray eyes through the scope, Johann felt a chill run down his spine. Instinctively sensing danger, he unconsciously pulled the trigger.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
