I Possessed a Broken Academy Instructor - Chapter 68



Chapter 68

– Kiiiiiing.

– Krrrurrrk.

With the creature’s low wail, its eyes glowed a deep crimson beyond the darkened space.

The flickering pupils in the shadows were a sight so cliché it could have been plucked from a tale, yet it was precisely this familiarity that made it all the more terrifying.

“…Huh.”

With a sigh, I loosened the button of my shirt that constricted around my neck.

One button had popped off, unable to withstand the strain, but in a life-or-death situation, what did a single button matter?

Disgust and irritation churned within me.

Yet, I could not afford to focus entirely on the creatures.

I could not let Jimmy Silver slip away unscathed.

…Or so I thought.

“Quick, aren’t they?”

In the brief moment my gaze strayed toward the creature, Jimmy Silver had already fled faster than anyone else.

Who was calling whom a cat or a rat, anyway?

‘They called it a Titan.’

I jotted down Titans on my list of loathed races, then shifted my attention back to Baek Hwi-young.

Whether he had lost interest in Jimmy Silver or deemed the creature before him more pressing, he charged at it without a moment’s hesitation.

“…Better a dog than a wild beast.”

At least a dog could be controlled, but Baek Hwi-young was like a feral dog.

And wild dogs are often carriers of rabies.

So, could that not be a sign of rabies?

‘About thirty of them, perhaps.’

Yet, he had no intention of remaining idle.

If they were to break free, it was all too clear that not only lives would be at stake, but our future plans would also suffer considerable setbacks.

From the moment Jimmy Silver escaped, they must have sensed our movements, which meant we were now in a race against time.

‘The problem is that they’re Phons.’

Though they were mass-produced, I knew better than anyone the capabilities of these named creatures.

After the war with the creatures escalated, we found ourselves at the mercy of squads wielding reinforced exoskeletons and anti-monster weaponry, but at least for now, I needed to be a skilled dual gear to face them head-on.

– Kyaaa!

– Crack, crackle!

In that moment, Baek Hwi-young and the creatures collided in a chaotic tangle.

Baek Hwi-young leaped off a spear stand, twisting his body mid-air to evade an incoming strike.

Then, with a swift motion, he drove the spearhead into the nape of a nearby creature, and as he pulled it out, he shoved his hand into the wound, a display of combat that bordered on artistry.

‘…It’s different.’

Having just witnessed the battle with Jimmy Silver, I could be certain.

Baek Hwi-young, he is a specialist in slaying creatures.

In contrast, humans are not.

Indeed, his methods and stance appeared almost awkward, as if they were foreign to him.

‘Does he have a specialty?’

Perhaps, even as Baek Hwi-young spiraled into madness, his body was instinctively rejecting it.

After all, he had repeatedly returned to this moment, enduring countless betrayals and treacheries, all with the stubborn resolve to save humanity, no matter the cost.

Lost in a reverie of thoughts, Jin Crow shook his head lightly and shifted his gaze toward the creatures entangled with Baek Hwi-young.

‘Their aggression is diminished.’

Soon, he could identify another anomaly.

Alongside their strangely sluggish movements, there was a notable lack of their usual ferocity.

The reason for this was not hard to deduce.

He glanced at the people trembling in fear within the cages around him, correcting a misconception he had held.

…Disgust and revulsion surged within him.

Why were those beings, despite being superhumans, unable to escape the cages?

At first, he had assumed it was due to surveillance and fear, but now he realized they were not superhumans at all.

“…Were they prey?”

What held value for the creatures was, indeed, other creatures.

Thus, no matter the circumstances, wouldn’t they need to enhance the ‘quality’ of their prey?

Moreover, it is known that any creature’s aggression diminishes when its belly is full.

Therefore, all those on the fifth underground level were not superhumans, but merely fodder to be fed to the creatures.

“Ugh.”

The sudden wave of fatigue and irritation was unbearable without a cigarette to ease it.

Yet, that irritation was not confined solely to the enemy.

– Kyaaah!

With a howl, Baek Hwi-young slays another creature.

In the truest sense, without any superfluous motion, as if born solely to kill the creature.

I gaze at the trajectory of his perilous acrobatic combat.

He is already teetering on the edge of ecstasy.

To have already dispatched two out of thirty creatures is nothing short of miraculous.

…And only a minute has passed.

How to put it.

I ponder if this state resembles what I felt on my way to the Atla Colony, but it is somewhat different.

The malice and intent are entirely his own.

A so-called extreme choice and focus, perhaps.

He likely heard the earlier mention of a five-point penalty.

Yet, it was not information he deemed necessary at the moment, merely filtered out.

‘But I cannot leave it as is.’

The sounds of others descending, which rang out earlier, are drawing closer.

Facing thirty creatures with just the two of them.

It might be possible.

No, if he himself were to engage with the last remaining pentacle, he could almost certainly eliminate them.

The problem lies in the fact that soon there will be many eyes watching.

‘It would not be wise for Baek Hwi-young’s power to be revealed now.’

It is not merely for Baek Hwi-young’s sake; for his own sake, the risks outweigh the benefits.

In truth, wasn’t that what Baek Hwi-young was most wary of?

Whether he is a reincarnator or not is of little consequence.

The issue is that this galaxy is vast, and the population has swelled overwhelmingly, leading to a proliferation of all manner of scoundrels, and among them, the majority think of two things when they see a talent.

To recruit or to eliminate.

And since Baek Hwi-young will not fall under the command of those who act for their own gain and purpose, he is naturally at risk of being eliminated.

In fact, I can hardly recall how many assassination attempts he faced in the original story.

‘There are CCTV cameras. Standing out more would be dangerous for both parties.’

Where is this place?

The Free Planet Alliance.

A sanctuary for the black market and the dark web.

To put it bluntly, there was no guarantee that the CCTV footage capturing the current state of this factory wouldn’t be plundered by a diver in the dark web.

From noble mtl dot com

Up until now, it could be brushed off as mere excitement from a cadet high on a stimulant, but the moment those creatures were truly exterminated, there would be no way to smooth it over.

“Damn this world.”

So advanced was it that one had to gauge malice while keeping all possibilities open.

He spat out the cigarette he had been chewing, shifted gears, and soon leaped as if to lightly tap the earth.

Boom!

The ground where he stood trembled with dust, and he pierced through the swiftly passing darkness to confront Baek Hwi-young, who was just about to gouge out a creature’s eye.

“……!”

In Baek Hwi-young’s eyes, he could clearly see himself reflected.

After a moment of hesitation, he blinked, thinking he had come to help, but it was a pity that Jin Crow was not here to lend aid.

Crack!

He seized Baek Hwi-young by the collar with a rough grip.

Just then, he deflected the creature’s attack aimed at the back of Hwi-young’s head with the tip of his drawn blade, pulling him close enough for their noses to nearly touch, locking eyes to engrave the moment in his mind, he spoke with deliberate emphasis.

“It’s not reckless; at this point, it’s downright foolish, Cadet Baek Hwi-young.”

……If you die, I die too.

He chewed on that thought, then without hesitation, hurled Baek Hwi-young toward the entrance.

The added bonus of knocking him out with a blow to the back of his head was just a perk.

Next, he tossed Beatus, who had been lying down and relatively free from the creature’s gaze, toward the emergency exit at the end of the corridor, just as Pamiu and Miel arrived.

“C-Captain!”

“……What are you two doing here?”

“W-Well, um. Hic! Hic!”

“……I apologize, Captain.”

It seemed those two at least knew they had erred.

He tried to ignore the dull ache in his head, as if he had been struck with a bat, and swept aside the bangs obscuring his vision before speaking.

“Take them and inform Tita Zenolua. They’ll be stalling, so tell them to free the superhumans and join us.”

Even if his identity was already exposed, there was no choice but to do what could be done.

“……Captain, but.”

Miel, too preoccupied with the injured Baek Hwi-young and Beatus to muster much energy, noticed Pamiu, who, for some reason, looked a bit pale, observing the situation with her characteristic calmness in her blue eyes.

She must have sensed that the creatures lurking in the darkness were not mere mass-produced models.

Yet, the answer Jin Crow could provide was succinct.

“Don’t overstep your bounds, cadet. Shut up and listen to me.”

Oh, this isn’t right.

It seemed the side effects were beginning to take hold.

Without a moment to correct his harsh words, he shouted while dodging the creature’s thrusting spear aimed at him.

“Move!”

“Understood—”

Just as the flustered Miel was about to respond, the rational Pamiyu nodded, ready to say something.

Kugugugugugugugung!

“Uh? Uh-oh!”

“C-Captain!”

The ceiling, unable to withstand the chaos of battle and the heavy movements of the creatures, collapsed. Before they could react, a massive wall of concrete and rebar formed between Jin Crow and the cadets.

“Is everyone alright?”

“The building is collapsing! We need to get out!”

In the distance, shouts from people above echoed chaotically through the gaping hole in the ceiling. As the shockwave separated them from the creatures, those escaping from the cage brushed past, glancing nervously.

Yet, Pamiyu and Miel stood frozen, unable to utter a word, their eyes fixed on the debris that had fallen upon Jin Crow, leaving Beatus and Baek Hwi-young behind.

“…Captain.”

“Jin Crow, Captain.”

They had no way of knowing what emotions lay within that whispered repetition.

*

The place where Dokgoran and Hino Kanae were trapped was, how should I put it…

A rather large container, designed to preserve the value of its contents, much like the creatures themselves.

It had a bed and even a bathroom—one might call it a sort of studio apartment.

It even boasted an air conditioner.

Of course, the problem was that this was the entirety of their welfare.

Though several had been confined within that room, one by one they had been dragged out over the days, leaving only Dokgoran and Hino Kanae behind.

“…I’m hungry.”

“It feels like something’s happened, Ran.”

“Is that so…”

Dokgoran replied gruffly from the bed.

It could have easily been taken as a sign of displeasure, but Hino Kanae sensed that it stemmed from frustration, helplessness, and wounded pride, so she chose not to press further.

Is it not understandable to be sensitive?

They are, after all, the elite of the United Synthesis of Humanity.

Yet, not only have they been subdued by those fundamentally baseless terrorists, but they are also on the verge of being sold off—how could their pride not be wounded?

“I’m hungry…”

Moreover, the hunger was no mere complaint.

Whether it was a precaution against the superhumans or an attempt to keep them from using their strength in uncertain situations, the meal that was supposed to come once a day had yet to arrive.

‘…I am indeed hungry.’

Because of this, even Hino Kanae found herself sympathizing with Dokgo Ran’s grievances.

—KRaaahhh!

Suddenly, the creature’s roar echoed from below, and it was impossible not to feel a stir of anxiety.

Especially as several vibrations shook the ground and the sound of part of the building collapsing reached their ears, the worst possible scenarios flashed through their minds.

“…It seems the creature has escaped.”

“D-Do you think Instructor Jin Crow has come to catch us?”

“What on earth… I’d rather that be the case.”

Hino Kanae spoke as if in disbelief for a moment, but soon let out a chuckle, hugging her knees and murmuring.

“Unlucky, not worth the trouble, reeking of smoke and alcohol, sensitive, yet if you save us, it’ll just end with a demerit.”

“…You’ve got a lot built up, huh?”

As the two engaged in a conversation about something improbable, several more vibrations echoed, and the lights inside went out.

In that moment of confusion.

Thud, thud.

From outside the container, footsteps approached from down the corridor.

They exchanged glances, saying nothing, and soon stepped aside to gaze at the container’s door.

Thud.

And finally, as the unknown figure’s steps halted before the container and the door swung open.

“Ran!”

“aaaH!”

Dokgo Ran lunged forward, baring her sharp fangs at the man’s neck, while Hino Kanae pivoted on one leg, launching a kick.

“Phew.”

However, in that instant, the man let out a short sigh, blocking the kick, while Dokgo Ran’s teeth sank into the leather sleeve of his coat.

“…You really are a handful, you troublesome kids.”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

In that moment, both could do nothing but doubt their eyes and ears.

What finally came into view, adjusted to the darkness, was undeniably the pale and cold face of Jin Crow.