TRPM 104

chapter 104

Strictly speaking, Kim Baekrang wasn’t actually a druid-type ability user.

Although his nickname was “Druid,” that was only because of his ability to transform into a white wolf.

Still, he could perform actions similar to those of a typical druid.

“Kim Baekrang surrendered the moment he saw Sarang, who was by my side when I first met my doll—that is, the Artist.”

Kim Baekrang, confronted with the extraordinary being known as Fenrir, had surrendered. Similarly, he must have used the same method to dominate weaker animals and force them to obey his commands.

“His betrayal was also something I could have predicted.”

When I first met him, all I did was take Sarang with me to make him submit and nullify the abilities of his subordinate officers. I did nothing more.

The fear from that first meeting would fade over time, and since he hadn’t gained anything from me, he wouldn’t feel loyalty… so it was natural to expect him to think otherwise later. I didn’t anticipate that he’d commit an act approaching terrorism and betray me in such a manner.

“After all, Kim Baekrang wasn’t exactly a straightforward person.”

Why did I personally intervene to make him submit in the first place? It was because his guild, White Wolf, had sent spies into the Ironblood Guild.

Moreover, the White Wolf Guild was involved in a variety of criminal activities. As the leader of such a guild, it was hard to see Kim Baekrang as an upright person.

“Anyway…”

Since he had turned his back on me, he would have to pay the price. And since he was responsible for this recent act of terrorism, turning him over to the police wouldn’t be a bad idea. And…

“……”
“(…Why me…?)”

I looked at Alex.

It was the perfect battlefield for a debut performance for a magician commanding a dragon. A dragon—especially a Fafnir—had enough presence to dominate scattered animals attacking people.

Of course, I wasn’t going to just stand by.

“It’s a bit disappointing that the opponents are only animals and not monsters…”

Still, it was a chance to experience the power of the Harmony Divine Sword, a weapon issued solely to me by the system.

I could try it later if not now, but why wait?

“Let’s move out. Yeon Mirae, act alongside Alex.”
“Yes.”

Although numerous animals were attacking people, fortunately, casualties were not as high as they could have been.

Early in the incident, many zookeepers and owners of large pets were killed or injured. However, after that, the swift response of awakened individuals prevented casualties from increasing.

“No, casualties were still low relative to the scale of the incident—but the fact that such a large-scale attack occurred at all, and that anyone was hurt, is a problem.”

Thanks to the presence of the Artist, crime in Seoul had nearly disappeared in recent times. After the Artist began cooperating with the police, organized crime had become nearly impossible to find.

“The Artist probably tracks all criminals’ locations through the Awakened System.”

Yet, even in the world’s safest city, a large-scale incident had occurred.

“Chief!”

Sensing the seriousness of the situation, a police officer ran up to the police chief, who had come to the scene.

“What is it? If it’s not urgent, you should stay put and use the radio.”
“Well…”

The officer, the head of the Artist Special Investigation Team, produced a piece of paper from his pocket and presented it to the chief.

“…This is from the Artist.”

He spoke only to the chief, not to the other officers nearby. Upon hearing this, the chief’s expression hardened.

“Are you certain?”
“Yes. It was sent using the same method we usually communicate with them. Normally, it’s sent at night, but this time it was sent during the day…”
“Then this incident must be urgent.”

The chief took the paper, examined its contents, and burned it afterward. Then he called a few members of the SOU—the Republic of Korea Special Operations Unit.

“We need to go somewhere with just a few elite operatives. Command here remains under the Seoul Police Chief.”
“Are you going yourself?”

The chief nodded in response.

“The suspect is an Aura Master, a mage of tremendous power. Capturing someone like that requires me to act personally.”

The information from the Artist was about the culprit behind this incident: Kim Baekrang.

“And we don’t even know where he is right now.”
“There’s a place I have in mind.”

The Artist hadn’t included Kim Baekrang’s current location, only that he would likely be cautious of the Artist.

“So…”

“Kim Baekrang will probably try to move somewhere beyond the Artist’s reach.”

He would attempt to escape Seoul… or even Korea. Perhaps this attack was intended to divert the Artist’s attention before he safely fled abroad.

“But given the scale of this incident, leaving the country normally would be difficult.”

Thus, Kim Baekrang would attempt illegal departure. Even as a criminal, few countries would allow someone as powerful as him—a master of aura and high-level mage—to enter legally.

“However, there aren’t many ports that could facilitate illegal departure.”

So the plan was to intercept him at such a port.

“Understood. We’ll proceed carefully.”
“Haha! I may be older, but I’m not so weak that rookies like you need to worry!”

With that, the chief departed with the SOU members.

‘Since the chief is acting personally, catching the culprit is just a matter of time…’

The remaining problem was subduing the rampaging animals. The issue was that they continued attacking until restrained, not caring about their own safety.

The Awakened Association had set up facilities like school gyms and auditoriums to contain the subdued animals.

“Ugh… even these poor creatures…”
“It makes my heart ache.”

Large pets were being neutralized by awakened individuals using firearms or tranquilizer guns, but smaller animals were caged. Even in cages, they attempted to bite or ram at humans. Seeing broken teeth or bleeding bodies disturbed the association staff.

“Good thing we didn’t let their owners in.”
“Even we’re troubled just watching… imagine if their owners saw this…”

It might have been better to tranquilize even the small animals.

Then:

“Here?”
“Yes. We can start from here.”

A young girl followed a middle-aged man into a facility where the small pets were contained.

“Wait. This is temporary, but unauthorized entry is prohibited.”
“I understand. I’m Ji Hyung-man, guildmaster of the Ironblood Guild, here to resolve this situation.”

He showed his identification and spoke to the girl, Lee Ha-eun.

“Could you ask Sarang to calm the animals here?”
“Yes!”

Lee Ha-eun summoned Sarang. But this time, Sarang appeared not in the usual dog form but in Fenrir’s true form.

“Whoa?!”
“Dangerous…!”

The association staff recoiled. A giant wolf appearing amid rampaging animals naturally caused panic.

“It’s fine. This is a familiar summoned creature.”

Ji Hyung-man reassured the staff, while Lee Ha-eun addressed Sarang.

“Sarang! Please!”
“Woof!”

Fenrir-form Sarang barked lightly at Lee Ha-eun and looked at the small animals. Then…

“Auuuuu!”

He howled.

“…!”
“…!”
“…!”

Instantly, the animals calmed. Those who had obeyed Kim Baekrang now submitted to Sarang. The order to remain calm overrode the command to attack humans.

“Perfect.”

Ji Hyung-man, seeing the animals calm, said to Lee Ha-eun:

“Hehe… where next?”

Lee Ha-eun, briefly pleased by the praise, remembered there were still many more places to visit. Ji Hyung-man led her to the next location. Subduing all the remaining animals would take a long time.

‘Of course, Sarang isn’t the only one in Seoul capable of such feats.’

Blades of light rained from the sky.

The light blades pierced through the bodies of animals trying to attack the police.

“What is…?”
“Look!”

The police and protected civilians looked up. A figure recognizable to any Korean floated in the sky.

“It’s the Artist!”

A living legend due to numerous past exploits, the unknown awakened individual known as the Artist. Light emanated from his sword, forming blades that accurately struck the animals.

“…Even so, killing them all seems a bit…”

Not everyone approved. The animals weren’t at fault; they were manipulated.

“…No!”

A police officer examined an animal hit by the Artist’s blade and shouted:

“There’s no injury! In fact… even wounds caused while breaking through shields seem healed!”

Though it appeared the Artist was killing animals, in reality, his attack caused no harm and simultaneously subdued and healed them.

Thud!
“Ugh?!”

Some blades aimed at civilians under police protection. Everyone panicked, but…

“Huh… they’re fine?”
“No, actually…”

It became clear that the humans hit were already injured, and instead of worsening, their injuries were healed.

“…How is this even an aura user?”

Someone muttered, and everyone agreed.