Chapter 113 : The Alliance Marches In

The coalition began moving toward the center of Frame. At the absolute front, Yong-yong, Seung-hyun, and the high-ranking melee Espers took their positions, followed by the long-range attackers. In the middle of the formation sat Jae-hyung for scouting, Kang-wook for hallucination discernment, and Seo-geon, Legion’s S-rank hallucination specialist.

Concentrating on the surrounding energy, the three specialists suddenly stopped and exchanged signals. Jae-hyung spoke first.

“You all felt that, right?”

“Considering it’s a level of power I’ve never felt before, it seems the Cyclops has made its personal appearance.”

“We should find the Representative first and merge teams. If they encounter the Cyclops while it’s just the two of them, no one’s life can be guaranteed.”

The Cyclops had sent the Lamia originally to disperse their forces. Jae-hyung’s logic was sound. The three worked desperately to find Hae-jin’s traces within the gate saturated with the Cyclops’ energy. Jae-hyung handled the comms.

“Hyung, can you hear me? We’re on our way. You don’t seem far.”

—Shit! Why do these things keep coming no matter how many I sweep away?

“Is it a Beast-type?”

—Given how disgusting they are, I’d say yes.

“The Lamia is dead; where are they even coming from?”

Yong-yong, who had been listening, suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.

“They are split bodies! I knew the Lamia died too easily! The Cyclops split them in advance to use as subordinates!”

Jae-hyung relayed this to Hae-jin.

—So that’s how it is. Anyway, hurry up and group up.

“Understood!”

Thump, thump, thump. The sound of footsteps echoed from all directions. Lee Chae thought they had encountered another monster, but the voices echoing from the distance were familiar.

“Dambo! Da-dambo! Leader!”

Relieved to hear Yong-yong’s voice, Lee Chae spoke to Hae-jin, who was still holding him tight.

“The others are here. Let me go now.”

“No. I used too much power; I need guiding.”

“Even so, you can’t fight while holding me forever.”

“Why not? I’ve fought perfectly fine while holding you until now…”

Lee Chae was speechless. There had been several dangerous moments, but Hae-jin truly had fought exceptionally well even while carrying him.

“Our comrades are here. I want to help by Jae-hyung’s side like before. I want to be useful in battle as a proud Director of Legion. Don’t you get it? It’ll look ridiculous if I’m the only one being carried around like this.”

“A bit of humor is good in a serious battle.”

“Ah, seriously! Just… stop!”

Only after Lee Chae resorted to swearing did Hae-jin finally set him down. The coalition team arrived moments later.

“Da-dambo!”

Yong-yong burst out of the formation and hugged Lee Chae.

“I was so scared I’d lose Dambo again.”

“It’s okay. I was with the Leader. I wasn’t in any danger.”

Lee Chae smiled and patted Yong-yong’s back. Usually, one would need to exchange codes to check for imposters, but Yong-yong’s behavior was so quintessentially ‘dragon’ that it didn’t feel necessary. After acting like a spoiled child for a moment, Yong-yong spoke proudly.

“Dambo! My uncle is here.”

What? Lee Chae looked around for the person Yong-yong was referring to and locked eyes with Hae-jin. Hae-jin was already glaring at Yong-yong with fire in his eyes.

Lee Chae struggled to peel Yong-yong off him and checked Hae-jin’s mood. Just as Hae-jin narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, Ji Seung-hyun, who had been watching the three, stepped in.

“The affection a dragon shows a Guide is not that of a mate. It is the gratitude shown toward a nurturer. I hope you don’t take it too personally.”

Hae-jin’s eyebrow twitched. He was indeed annoyed by Yong-yong, but he found it even more unpleasant that a stranger had read his mind. And what was that about a nurturer?

“And who are you to speak so boldly?”

Hae-jin remained on guard. While forming coalitions during major battles was common, it was suspicious for strangers to walk into a suicidal hallucination gate of their own accord.

Ji Seung-hyun, seemingly used to such treatment, calmly elaborated.

“I said ‘affection for a nurturer,’ I didn’t say the Guide is the nurturer. To a dragon, ‘nurturer’ isn’t a title just for those who birthed and raised them, but for any living being that has shown them grace. It’s similar to the concept of Mother Nature.”

The man offered an explanation before even identifying himself, appearing well-acquainted with the typical obsessions of Espers. Hae-jin didn’t drop his guard.

“I asked who you are.”

“Ah…”

At Hae-jin’s cold tone, Lee Chae also looked at Ji Seung-hyun curiously before scanning the surroundings. It was strange seeing Espers in different uniforms mixed in with Legion. Hae-jin was doing the same. Jin-woo finally stepped forward to explain how this alliance came to be.

It was shocking enough that Yong-yong’s uncle was the Vice Representative of Hasard and had brought his members, but the news that Lee Kang-wook was transferring to Legion was even more stunning.

Hae-jin stared at Lee Kang-wook with a dissatisfied face, while Lee Chae looked at Ji Seung-hyun in wonder. He had heard dragons were extinct except for Yong-yong; to think family was this close.

While Lee Chae was overwhelmed by the crowd, Hae-jin’s mind turned cold. It wasn’t because of jealousy, but because they were in a hallucination where things could change at any moment.

“It’s a bit awkward to doubt our own side, but we can’t just let it slide. While we’re introducing ourselves, we need to share codes. Legion members will verify our side, and I’ll ask the coalition to verify theirs.”

Following Hae-jin’s lead, everyone verified their identities. Lee Chae watched Hae-jin with shining eyes. He knew Hae-jin had matured, but seeing him manage details in the heat of battle made Lee Chae even more impressed.

Lee Chae whispered, “Hyung, you’re the best,” into Hae-jin’s ear before going to Yong-yong’s side.

“Yong-yong-ah…”

“Hmm? What is it, Dambo?”

“Congratulations on meeting your uncle!”

“Thank you. It’s all because Dambo saved me.”

As Yong-yong and Lee Chae shared a tender moment, Jae-hyung reacted sharply.

“Are we just going to keep wasting time when danger could strike at any second?”

Jin-woo agreed. “He’s right. Cha Hae-jin, what’s the plan? Are we going after the Cyclops, or heading back the way we came?”

After a moment of thought, Hae-jin stepped forward.

“That isn’t for us to decide. Our goal is simple. Whether we successfully hunt the Cyclops or not, we are getting out of this gate safely without a single casualty.”

Hae-jin’s plan was essentially to head toward the exit. If they met the Cyclops on the way, they’d fight; if not, they wouldn’t go out of their way to find it.

“As you know, the Cyclops is the boss that leads the Humanoids—the most advanced of all monsters. It’s strong and won’t die easily. The wisest method is to avoid it if possible, reinforce our power, and face it later.”

Then, Lee Kang-wook spoke up.

“The path has already changed. The moment we entered, the building’s structure turned into a maze. It’s impossible to leave the way we came.”

“Yes, I know,” Hae-jin replied. “In fact, it’s more accurate to say that once we’re in here, a battle with the Cyclops is unavoidable. The hallucination it created won’t vanish easily.”

The Espers who had hoped for a bloodless escape groaned.

“Well, we’re already here. Let’s just go.”

“Yeah, it’s not like we didn’t know this might happen…”

Hae-jin bowed respectfully to the determined group. Whether they were here out of duty, revenge, or the massive bounty on the Cyclops’ head, he was grateful to those who risked their lives.

“Thank you. I will take the lead in the most dangerous spots.”

Hae-jin took the front, and Lee Chae took his place beside Jae-hyung. The coalition moved as one. Despite being surrounded by people, Lee Chae’s heart hammered against his ribs—he had seen too many battlefields recently. He subconsciously traced the area of his mark, trying to soothe his anxiety.

While fighting alongside Hae-jin, Lee Chae had realized just how fragile he was. In a gate created by the Cyclops, a single mistake could mean death.

“Guide Jung Lee Chae, are you scared?”

Kang-wook, who was discerning reality from hallucination next to Jae-hyung, struck up a conversation. When Lee Chae first heard a Bureau Guide had entered, he had been suspicious, but the news of his transfer had naturally lowered his guard. He still wondered why the man made such a choice.

“No, I’m not exactly scar— AAAH!”

Mid-sentence, a massive CRACK-BOOM! shook the very foundations of the earth beneath them.