I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 54

“Are you really planning to do this?”

“I am.”

At Valentina’s question, Si woo answered firmly.

“But didn’t the principal refuse to allow it? What if acting on our own only makes things worse?”

She had a point.

But he couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

“Valentina, like I said from the start, you don’t have to help me. You’re right; this is reckless. Even if everything goes smoothly, we’ll likely face expulsion.”

Yeonhwa, looking dissatisfied, interjected.

“If you’re scared, why don’t you just go back? You aren’t even that close with her, so why tag along? Is it because you’re that into Kim Si woo?”

Valentina didn’t hold back either, retorting sharply.

“What nonsense! I owe Hana a debt, and I’m trying to repay it! And what about you? Are you feeling guilty now after tormenting her so much?”

“Shut up! When did I ever torment her?”

“Anyone could see exactly what it looked like!”

As their argument escalated, Si woo intervened to stop them.

“Enough. We don’t have time for this. We need to go and help Hana as soon as possible.”

“But how?”

“…”

That was the biggest issue.

Rescuing Hana from both the academy and the demons was easier said than done. There was no concrete plan, nor did they know where Hana was exactly.

Yeonhwa urged them impatiently.

“Doesn’t matter. Let’s just get moving. We know she left the academy last night, so sitting here isn’t going to change anything.”

“That’s too rash. Do you even know where she went? For all we know, she could’ve taken a boat to another country.”

“Then what do you suggest? Should we just stand around here and play detective?”

Valentina paused, lost in thought, before turning to Si woo.

“Si woo, you said that Han Si-hyun joined the search team, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“That means the team likely consists mostly of academy personnel.”

Then, with a confident tone, she declared, “Then I know what we can do. Follow me.”

The three of them headed to the second broadcasting room.

“There’s no one inside.”

Using his vision ability, Si woo checked beyond the door.

The main broadcasting room always had staff on duty for announcements and class bells, but the second room, mainly used as a recording studio, was usually empty unless there was a special event like the principal’s address or graduation ceremony.

“Are you really going to break it?”

“Yes, and quietly.”

“Got it.”

Si woo summoned a blade of light and sliced down the door’s lock. The door swung open smoothly.

Inside, there was a green chroma key backdrop and various recording and broadcasting equipment.

“So, what’s the plan here?”

Yeonhwa asked gruffly, to which Valentina responded confidently.

“We’re going to find out where Hana is.”

“Is that even possible?”

“Have you already forgotten my ability? Just watch.”

Valentina stepped up to the communications equipment, and sparks crackled around her.

Valentina’s ability, electric manipulation, may not have the raw power of Yeonhwa’s flames, but in terms of versatility, it was among the most formidable in the academy.

As soon as she touched the device, the screen flickered wildly.

Static filled the room.

“There… it’s coming through!”

“Shh.”

Various communications within the academy played through the speakers: student chatter, teacher calls, administrative messages.

And finally…

They caught the transmission they were searching for.

“This is the pursuit team. The target is fleeing leftward from the city. The sniper is engaged in battle with an Apostle. Over.”

“Copy. Sending additional forces in the target’s direction. Over.”

They now knew the city Hana was in, but instead of relief, a sense of despair washed over them.

“…It’s too far.”

They had traveled by car overnight, covering a considerable distance.

By the time they reached the city, everything would likely be over.

The mood darkened. No one needed to say it aloud; the situation was dire.

Then, the transmission continued.

“Lance of the Holy One is ready for deployment. Preparing teleportation in sector D-72. Over.”

“Copy. Arriving by 11:20 AM with Lance escort. Over.”

Lance of the Holy One?

They didn’t know what it was, but they couldn’t ignore the term that followed.

If they missed this chance, there would be no other opportunity.

“Where is sector D-72?”

“Hang on, I’ll check!”

Valentina quickly ran to a computer and hacked into the system, bringing up a hidden map of the academy she’d never seen before.

“…I had no idea there was a facility like this underground.”

It looked like something out of a school ghost story.

But that wasn’t the priority right now.

After identifying D-72’s location and route, the three of them left the broadcasting room and hurried off. With only ten minutes left until 11:20, they had to move quickly.

Barely making it in time, they managed to arrive.

Several close calls later, they succeeded in sneaking in by relying on Si woo’s vision ability.

As they caught their breath, they took in their surroundings.

Why would the academy need such an extensive underground facility?

Armed soldiers guarded the area, their faces obscured by gas mask-like masks.

It was as if they were in a military base.

The three hid behind a wall and whispered among themselves.

“We got here, but now what?”

“We need to get on that teleportation platform.”

“And how do you plan on doing that? They’re not just going to let us go.”

“Quiet. Someone’s coming.”

Footsteps echoed down the hall.

Using his vision ability, Si woo observed beyond the wall and relayed what he saw.

“The soldiers are entering. There’s about twenty of them, and in the center… there’s a girl.”

“A girl?”

What was this?

It seemed like a strange combination.

In fact, the soldiers surrounded the girl protectively, as if escorting her.

For a moment, he thought she had made eye contact with him, but it must’ve been a trick of the light.

He could hear voices from inside.

“Good work getting here.”

“No problem. When does teleportation start?”

“Five minutes should be enough.”

“Impressive. Moving over twenty people at once.”

“It’s nothing. Take a rest with your men until then.”

“Thank you.”

Several soldiers exited for a break, some removing their masks to smoke.

Seeing this, Yeonhwa smirked.

“I’ve got a decent plan. How about it?”

Valentina looked at the three fallen soldiers, unable to hide her unease.

“…Are we really okay with this?”

“It’s fine. We didn’t kill them.”

“We had no choice. The real question is if we’ll get caught.”

Luckily, the uniforms were rigid enough to disguise their figures, minimizing the chance they’d be recognized as female.

“This is so uncomfortable.”

“It’s squeezing me…”

“Just bear with it a little longer.”

With their masks on, they blended in well enough. As long as they kept quiet, they should be able to slip in among the soldiers.

“Everyone, gather up! We’re moving out!”

At the leader’s command, the scattered soldiers regrouped.

Seeing the area for the first time, the two girls were taken aback.

A massive machine stood before them.

It vaguely resembled a gate, with intricate, unfamiliar symbols carved into the floor and ceiling.

“Everyone, step onto the platform.”

The soldiers stepped onto the machine, and the three of them followed as naturally as possible.

Then…

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get on!”

A girl with violet hair and an enigmatic aura stepped onto the platform at the leader’s command.

Si woo ended up standing right next to her, avoiding eye contact as best as he could.

Then, the girl glanced at Si woo and spoke quietly.

“Who are you?”

“……”

Fortunately, her voice was soft enough that only a few heard her.

Before anyone could grow suspicious, the machine powered on.

“Initializing transport.”

A scientist in a white lab coat announced, and the machine emitted a bright light.

When the light faded, the 20 soldiers and the girl who had been on the machine had vanished from D-72.

***

“Target has been hit. Over.”

“Target fled into the gate. Over.”

“Lance of the Holy One is being teleported. Over.”

“A-rank gate. The Archangel’s Sanctuary is now sealed. Operation Cross has begun. Over.”

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