Chapter 264: The Terror Live (3)

I am a peaceful person.

Even when the parasites of society invited me to join forces in the underworld, or when a rude customer spat phlegm onto my dish right in front of me, I tried to handle it calmly.

“……”

I tried.

But when someone crosses the line, when someone is simply vile, I can’t tolerate it.

I want to follow the boss’s example and resolve things through words, but speaking the same language doesn’t mean we understand each other.

There are types who reject dialogue—usually the ones closest to crime.

Just a moment ago, too.

They were blocking the hallway to the ballroom, so I asked them to move. But when they drew their weapons, their answer was clear.

I thought about leaving a few alive for questioning, but I gave up on that. Killing is easier than forgiving. In a situation where anything could be happening in the ballroom, I had no time to waste.

So I killed them all.

I’m not sure how many there were.

I stopped counting after thirty.

My upper lip was trembling.

The metallic stench of blood was almost unbearable.

Only then did I slowly turn around.

The mix of blood, brains, and fat had turned the floor into a mess.

I looked at it and thought I feel absolutely nothing. And that’s what scares me.

Even if they were enemies, was it really okay to kill them so relentlessly? Saying I have a short temper and no time—isn’t that just an excuse? Am I just trying to justify myself, convince myself that I’m not someone driven by darkness or impulse?

With those thoughts, I turned my head again. The massive ballroom doors loomed in front of my eyes. Gasping and occasional screams could be heard.

‘Now that I think about it, Karon and Shail said they came to protect Abel.’

I trust their abilities. Even compared to other heroes at their level, they’re exceptional. They’ve likely prevented the worst.

“…I hope I don’t have to kill anyone else today.”

And I meant it. My hands were already soaked in blood. Even if it wasn’t how I truly felt, I wanted to believe it.

Creak.

I opened the door. And at that instant, all the terrorists turned to look at me in unison. Beneath their masks, pale faces were visible.

For a moment, a black shadow swept through my soul. Like a sudden storm, only a murderous impulse swirled in my mind.

My heart pounded. I felt like a fighting dog about to be unleashed. But the rage rising in my throat didn’t come out. All thanks to the butterfly-shaped bowtie choking my neck.

I smiled.

Thanks to not having taken off this tie, I was still human. At least, that’s what I like to believe.

“I’ll leave one alive.”

Since I was at it, I decided to show a little mercy.

“Just one.”

Enough not to be seen as a fool.

***

Only two terrorists remained. Both were among the most skilled in their organization.

“That’s enough.”

When they began to wrestle, baring their teeth at each other, Kang Geom-Ma cut them off.

“If you keep that up, I’ll kill you both. Drop your weapons now.”

They read the room and complied. In the next instant, as if rehearsed, they prostrated flat on the floor.

“Thank you for sparing us.”

No response came. Kang Geom-Ma dragged a fallen chair over, placed it before them, and sat down.

Looking down on them, he spoke.

“If your answers don’t match, one of you dies. Understood?”

In other words, he was going to cross-check their stories. The terrorists swallowed hard.

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

They turned to glare at each other murderously. Even their first response didn’t match.

Kang Geom-Ma sighed wearily. Behind him, Karon, Shail, Abel, and Ryozo had gathered.

He looked over his shoulder.

All had minor wounds, nothing serious.

A relief.

“Been a while. First time since you became one of the Seven Stars.”

“Right. Karon, Shail… I said I’d stop by Switzerland, but I kept putting it off.”

“Just remembering us is enough, don’t worry.”

Kang Geom-Ma gave a brief smile.

“I’m the one who should be grateful. If not for you two, the damage would’ve been much worse.”

After that brief greeting, he looked away. Courtesies could wait.

First, he had to deal with the two sharing the same fate.

“Take off those masks. They irritate me just by looking at them.”

“Yes, sir.”

They untied their masks. Their faces were shockingly ordinary. Nothing that said “terrorist.” The more normal, the better for infiltration.

“Name.”

““Ah, I’m…””

“On second thought, never mind. Why would I want the names of criminals? The one on the left is Prisoner 1, the one on the right, Prisoner 2. Don’t get confused. When I call, answer fast.”

““……””

“Answer.”

““Yes.””

Kang Geom-Ma reclined comfortably in his chair. The prisoners couldn’t breathe.

“What was the goal of infiltrating the academy?”

“We received orders from above.”

Prisoner 1 responded instantly.

“To take over the ballroom at the start of the dance.”

“And this ‘above’—was it the Villain Union? They were already destroyed by Auditore.”

“That’s true. But since their fall, we’ve had direct contact from the Demon Kingdom.”

“From whom?”

“That… we don’t know…”

“Then that’s it. If you don’t know who gave the order, you don’t know the real purpose of infiltrating the academy, do you?”

““…No.””

“Right. I doubt grunts like you were told everything.”

“We don’t know the details, but… the codename of the plan was ‘The Lion.’”

Prisoner 1 added hesitantly.

“The Lion, huh?”

Kang Geom-Ma stroked his chin, thoughtful, and asked again.

“Why take the ballroom?”

“Well…”

“To take hostages.”

Prisoner 1 hesitated. Prisoner 2, on the other hand, raised his hand.

“They thought Kang Geom-Ma was unstoppable by force. So the plan was to take students hostage. That was the mission of the squad in the ballroom.”

He said, rubbing his hands nervously. Kang Geom-Ma frowned.

“You say ‘hostages’ with some enthusiasm, Prisoner 2.”

“S-sorry!”

“No need to apologize. I’m not disappointed. I never had expectations of you to begin with.”

“……”

“Rehabilitation? Remorse? Don’t make me laugh. If people leaving prison reformed, it wouldn’t be news. Most reoffend within three years.”

Prisoner 2’s face twisted. Kang Geom-Ma continued indifferently.

“Then they say things like, ‘I couldn’t find a job,’ ‘society didn’t accept me,’ ‘I was denied a second chance.’ Lies. Excuses. You were trash from the start. Even when society extends a hand, you spit on it.”

“…I’ve committed an unforgivable sin.”

“See? And you still say crap like, ‘we just wanted hostages’? Aren’t you ashamed to gamble with the lives of underage students, you bastard?”

Kang Geom-Ma stood up. Then he leaned in, placing both hands on the prisoners’ shoulders.

“You know what I’m like, right?”

“We were told you’re very strict.”

Prisoner 2 answered cautiously.

“Strict? Please. You should’ve heard I’m insane.”

It was true. Prisoner 2 didn’t know how to reply. He could only listen to the younger man.

“Friends.”

Both turned pale. Kang Geom-Ma removed his hands from their shoulders and patted their necks.

“On the way here, I killed everyone who tried to stop me. I could’ve spared them, but I didn’t. Then I told myself they deserved it, to avoid guilt. Do I regret it? No. And that’s the problem.”

He said bitterly.

“Until now, I tried to deny I was crazy. But not anymore. I admit it. My hands don’t shake when I kill, not even criminals. I won’t change, but if I at least acknowledge the problem, I can be careful. That’s why I said I’d let one of you live. I don’t know if it was the right choice. Maybe I’m just poisoning society. But even if this choice is rotten, I still wanted to make it. What do you think?”

“If you spare me, I swear I’ll never do something like this again. I’ll try not to live in a way that would shame you, Sir Heavenly Sword.”

Prisoner 2 cried, his face twisted with remorse.

Kang Geom-Ma stared at him in silence, then turned to Prisoner 1.

“And you, what do you say?”

“……”

After a pause.

“…Honestly, I don’t think I can.”

His answer was different.

“I got here by stealing. I don’t know where to start changing. Sometimes I think it’s better to just die right here.”

Prisoner 2 silently rejoiced. What an idiot, turning down his chance.

“Two people hear the same thing and feel differently.”

Kang Geom-Ma smiled faintly and released Prisoner 1. But not Prisoner 2.

“S-Sir Heavenly Sword…?”

Ignoring his confusion, Kang Geom-Ma looked at Prisoner 1.

“What’s your name?”

“Lee Jae-yeon.”

And in that moment, Prisoner 2 convulsed. The killing intent running from the nape of his neck down froze his heart. He died instantly.

“Jae-yeon.”

Kang Geom-Ma stood.

“Yes, Sir Heavenly Sword.”

“Just because I spared you doesn’t mean society will. Bear your crimes like scars. And if someday your old organization finds you and kills you, consider it your punishment. Only by living as a sinner will you understand why your life was a mistake. That’s the duty this academy leaves you.”

Jae-yeon parted his lips, then bowed his head until it hit the ground.

“Please, allow me to serve you, Sir Heavenly Sword.”

“No, idiot. Criminals have a hard time finding work. And why would I look after an ugly guy like you? No way.”

“…What if I were a woman?”

“Still no. Don’t you get it, or are you stupid? Go. The more you talk, the more I regret letting you live.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jae-yeon left in a hurry. Just before leaving, he bowed deeply.

“My apologies to the companions of the Sir whom I injured.”

That was his farewell. Only then did Kang Geom-Ma look at the others.

Everyone stared at him, stunned. He scratched his brow awkwardly.

“Was it a mistake to let him live?”

Karon broke the silence. Then he burst into laughter.

“Not at all. On the contrary, I admire you even more, Sir Heavenly Sword.”

“It’s not that big a deal. Anyway, can everyone keep going?”

“If it’s for you, we’ll find strength where there is none.”

Shail nodded firmly.

“And hearing that has renewed our spirit.”

Kang Geom-Ma shrugged at their energy, then inhaled deeply. The blood-scented air cleared his lungs. He felt free.

Admitting one’s faults is the first step toward growth. So long as one only tries to hide them, there’s no progress. Civilization is born from human shame.

And then, Kang Geom-Ma said.

“We need to find Leon.”