Chapter 233

Chapter 233

Zeon approached the window.

“Has the rumor that I’ve been captured already reached your ears?”

“We’re the Numbers, after all.”

“All information comes to us first.”

The twin sisters responded with proud expressions.

Zeon looked at Old Go.

“So the mayor knows I’ve been captured as well?”

“He knows everything.”

“Is there any chance he’s thinking of getting me out?”

“Not even the mayor can freely release someone who annihilated NSSC Team 2.”

“But I didn’t do it.”

“We know. If it had been you, it would’ve been handled much more efficiently. But there’s a process that has to be followed.”

“I figured as much.”

Zeon wasn’t disappointed by Old Go’s response.

He had already expected it.

Old Go spoke with a serious expression.

“They’re quite crafty. They stole the top-grade Mana Stone without leaving a single trace.”

“Did the mayor assign you the retrieval mission?”

“Heh heh! It’s about time they let an old man rest, but the mayor doesn’t seem to have any such intentions. He’s determined to work me to the bone.”

“You’re too capable for them to let you go.”

“I am somewhat capable. But for my capabilities to shine, I need information. Do you know anything?”

“There are a few people who see me as a thorn in their side. It’s possible that one of them, or several of them together, orchestrated this.”

“Johan and Lee Ji-ryeong, huh? They’re both big shots.”

Old Go scratched his cheek with his finger.

He was slightly troubled.

Both Johan, the ruler of Dongdaemun, and Lee Ji-ryeong, who had rapidly expanded his influence recently, were formidable opponents.

The slums have their own rules.

Like Shinchon or Dongdaemun, they’re divided into various districts, each with its own ruler. The rulers of each district are like kings.

A misstep could stir up the entire slums as if poking a beehive.

For this reason, even Neo Seoul generally avoids interfering in slum affairs unless absolutely necessary.

It’s not out of fear, but rather because it’s a hassle.

The same was true for Old Go.

Both Johan and Lee Ji-ryeong were forces to be reckoned with.

Dealing with just one of them would be burdensome enough. If both were involved in this situation, even Old Go would find it difficult to handle.

The twin sisters spoke in awe.

“Wow! Zeon’s made enemies with people like that? That’s amazing.”

“Zeon must be a big shot too, to be tangled up with such big shots.”

“Is that so?”

“He’s the only Sand Mage on Earth. Of course, he’s a big shot.”

“That’s true!”

The twin sisters kept chattering nonstop, making Zeon’s ears ache.

Old Go clicked his tongue.

“You’ll have to forgive them. There aren’t many people they feel comfortable enough with to act this relaxed.”

“It’s fine.”

“So, Johan and Lee Ji-ryeong, huh? It’s been a while since I’ve encountered such burdensome opponents. I’ll have to be careful.”

“Can they be held accountable?”

“Held accountable? Ah! For killing NSSC Team 2? That won’t be easy. It’ll be a relief just to recover the top-grade Mana Stone.”

“Aren’t you part of the Numbers?”

“Heh heh! The Numbers aren’t all-powerful. And the mayor prefers not to get too involved, just enough to keep the situation from completely unraveling. He tolerates a certain level of competition and conflict as long as it doesn’t disrupt his plans too much.”

“That’s impressive.”

“He’s an impressive man. That’s how he was able to build Neo Seoul into what it is today. He’s not concerned with the petty squabbles happening within Neo Seoul. Of course, if someone crosses the line, he’ll step in. Fortunately, it seems no one’s crossed that line just yet.”

There was a hint of fear in Old Go’s voice when he mentioned Jin Geumho.

Even Old Go, a member of the Numbers, feared Jin Geumho.

It wasn’t just about power.

Jin Geumho’s fearsome nature had nothing to do with his rank or awakening abilities.

Even to Old Go, who had worked under him for a long time, Jin Geumho never revealed his true intentions.

He was clearly planning something big, but he never showed the full picture to his subordinates.

The only one who knew the whole plan was Jin Geumho himself.

The rest were merely parts moving to fulfill his vision.

“Damn bastards! Die!”

“Chaaa!”

Ethan’s men fought with all their might, attacking the paladins.

Their fierce offensive pushed the paladins back.

“Guh!”

“Lord!”

A few of the leading paladins fell, spraying blood. But the paladins behind them stepped over their fallen comrades without hesitation.

What mattered to them was spreading the Lord’s teachings in Shinchon and carrying out Johan’s orders.

The death of their comrades didn’t faze them in the slightest.

The paladins were more cold-hearted and ruthless killing machines than any machine.

As the paladins’ fierce offensive continued, the Awakeneds inside the tavern were gradually driven into a corner.

Even the escape routes were blocked by the paladins, leaving no way out.

“Damn it! Is this the end?”

Despair settled on Ethan’s face.

No matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t find a way out.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before he was captured.

It was obvious what would happen to him if he was caught by Dongdaemun.

He would be subjected to horrific torture and then brutally killed.

“Aaargh!”

“Please, spare me! Ugh!”

“Mom!”

Even at that moment, his subordinates were being cut down, screaming.

The paladins were merciless.

They slaughtered the Awakeneds in the tavern with the same brutality as hunting animals.

Already, two-thirds of the Awakeneds had fallen to the paladins. The remaining ones were in a precarious state as well.

At this rate, they would all be dead within a minute.

‘What should I do? Will they accept my surrender? No, that’s impossible.’

In the end, Ethan had only one option left: to fight to the death.

A metal sphere slipped out of Ethan’s pocket.

He used his psychokinesis skill to move the metal sphere.

The sphere floated in the air and shot toward the paladins at a terrifying speed.

Clang clang clang!

The metallic sound echoed as the paladins’ bodies shook. But they weren’t seriously injured.

The heavy armor they wore provided perfect protection.

Ethan had become the ruler of Shinchon because Zeon had his back, not because he was strong.

With his abilities, he couldn’t pierce the paladins’ armor no matter how hard he tried.

“There he is.”

“Capture him.”

The paladins glared at Ethan and approached him.

Once Ethan was subdued, the fight would be over.

There was no need to even glance at the other Awakeneds.

The paladins reached Ethan’s side in no time.

At that moment, the expression on Ethan’s face was one of despair.

He saw no way out.

‘Damn it! Am I going to die like this?’

Just as he was thinking of death, suddenly, a translucent hand shot out from behind and grabbed the back of Ethan’s neck.

“What the?”

At that moment, Ethan felt a dizzying sensation as if his entire body was floating.

His feeling wasn’t a delusion.

Ethan was actually floating in the air.

He had turned translucent.

Swoosh!

Ethan, now ghost-like, disappeared into the wall.

“What the?”

“What happened? Where did he go?”

The paladins were stunned and froze in place.

“Was that a stealth skill?”

“Damn it! Find him quickly.”

After a moment, they regained their senses and searched the area, but Ethan was nowhere to be found.

Just like that, Ethan had vanished without a trace, and the paladins were left like dogs chasing a chicken that had flown the coop.

———-