I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

Chapter 297: Gold Rush (1)

Shortly after, near a mountain lodge in the forest.

“Allow me to introduce them. Since the two of you have been given the names Gold and Gray, you should be called by codenames as well. You can call me Taejo, and please refer to the others by their aliases.”

Taejo, who had brought us along with two A-rank agents to a secluded mountain lodge, introduced the two agents to us.

“It’s better if they introduce themselves directly, right?”

“Yes! I am Han Jeong-woo, the team leader of the Anti-Terrorism Special Unit, Team A of the National Intelligence Service’s Ability Management Division, codenamed ‘Giparang’.”

“I am Ryoo Ijin, the team leader of Team B in the same division, codenamed ‘Ssangeo-goong’.”

The two A-rank agents greeted us with respectful postures.

Since Taejo showed us respect, it was natural for his subordinates to follow suit.

[Those people seem very interested in us, just like before.]

Even if that wasn’t the case, an unknown S-rank entity always sparked interest.

What kind of abilities did they have?

Was there an S-rank that was unknown to this country?

Were they really Korean?

Even without reading their minds, I could see all the speculations running through their heads.

[But it seems like you are also quite intrigued by them. Do you know them?]

[I knew there was such a team, but I didn’t know the people.]

[Wow, so we’re learning new information this time?]

[Yes.]

It was quite new to hear their aliases and names, which didn’t appear in the original work and hadn’t been confirmed by the Secret Society.

‘I knew the team existed, but I didn’t know their appearance, names, or codenames.’

Since the National Intelligence Service’s black agents were closely guarded to prevent information leaks, even the Secret Society found it difficult to obtain information about them.

I knew such people existed, but I couldn’t pinpoint their abilities, appearance, or names.

‘I should inform Brewer later. Although contact with National Intelligence Service agents is difficult, this information might be useful in the future.’

Who would have thought I’d gain such information here?

Coming all the way to Sinuiju was worth it.

“Nice to meet you. We would also like to reveal our true selves, but—”

“No, it’s fine! You two are on a more important mission than us. There’s no need for you to reveal anything to us.”

Giparang waved his hand with a vehement refusal.

“But it’s the National Intelligence Service.”

“Normally, we would need to know, but since you were sent by Gwang Ik Gong, it would be rude for us to demand such information.”

Despite his words, there was a faint glimmer in his eyes, hoping we might reveal something.

Of course, there was no need to reveal anything when he was explicitly stating otherwise.

“There will be a time when you’ll find out. When that time comes, just think, ‘Ah, that’s who that person was.’”

“I’ll keep the information confidential to ensure nothing leaks.”

“That’s good.”

Anyway, they’d definitely find out soon.

“Taejo. What should we do?”

“You two should wait here at the lodge. Feel free to use any resources available here. Also, there’s a detonation device to bury the underground mine within this lodge.”

Taejo pointed to a spot under the three-seater sofa inside the lodge.

“It’s a bit difficult to show you now, but if you check later with magic power, you should be able to locate the detonation device. If something goes wrong, please use the detonation device to collapse the mine.”

“Even if there are people inside?”

“Yes. We will escape on our own.”

What the heck.

“The explosion won’t be an ordinary one.”

“It’s not a magical explosion, so it’s fine.”

“What if the mountain collapses?”

“We will create a hole to escape through the sky.”

I didn’t know the size of the mine, but the amount of explosives required to intentionally collapse a mine must be enormous.

Even amidst such an explosion, without asking or questioning, they wanted us to collapse the mine.

‘Why does this feel so unfamiliar?’

Seeing Taejo with black hair instead of the usual blond bratty kid gives a strange feeling.

When we talked about patriotism on the train, I thought he was just different in appearance but the same inside. But now, seeing his serious demeanor for national loyalty, it’s quite unfamiliar.

“If an explosion occurs, you two should immediately go to the container and head to Kaesong with the support agents. Although it might be inconvenient, a freight train ready to depart for Kaesong is waiting at Sinuiju Station.”

“If the mission succeeds, can we take a special train back as we did on the way here?”

“Yes, of course.”

At Yumir’s question, Taejo nodded with a bright smile.

If things went wrong, it would be a freight train. If the mission succeeded, we could return comfortably as we came.

“Then follow me. I’ll introduce you to the mine we need to protect.”

Taejo and the two A-rank agents stepped outside the lodge.

“I will transfer access to the lodge to you. Mr. Gray, please bring your Taeguk Watch here.”

“This is Mr. Hyeon-cheol’s Taeguk Watch, is that okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine. We can handle it later.”

Taejo extended his hand, and I matched my Taeguk Watch with his.

“By the way, it suits you well. Mr. Gray, you definitely look more comfortable in that role rather than being respectful.”

“Although I wear a mask, there’s no reason to hide my skills.”

“……! Indeed. I understand. The access has been shared. Now, when you enter the lodge, just present the Taeguk Watch in front, and it will open. As for Ms. Gold…”

“I’ll stay close to my brother, so no need to worry.”

They left nothing to chance, even down to the smallest consideration.

‘Is it a split personality?’

Maybe Taejo had a split personality, with the bratty Taejo and the Black Taejo.

In everyday life, the bratty side roamed freely, but at a certain keyword, the consciousness of the patriotic Black Taejo put the brat to sleep and took over.

It’s possible.

It’s not a joke; many ability users actually had split personalities.

“Please follow me this way.”

While I was pondering Taejo’s personality, he ran ahead towards the mountain.

Although he moved faster than an average person’s sprint, no one fell behind, and we quickly reached the mountain base.

“When descending, follow this path. This iron gate will also open if Mr. Gray presents his Taeguk Watch to the sensor.”

A metal gate was visible inside a crevice, just big enough for one person to pass through.

Taejo placed his Taeguk Watch on the sensor attached to the gate, and soon the gate split open and disappeared into the rock crevice.

[Brother, this was made with ability, right?]

[It looks like a rock on the outside, but it’s all metal. It seems to be Taejo’s work.]

[When did he come up to Sinuiju to create such a facility?]

[It’s probably been a while.]

After the fall of North Korea, when refugees tried to break through the DMZ, it’s likely that Taejo and other ability users went north and created these devices.

[Unlike Baridegi, who was an academy student, Taejo didn’t enter the academy and stayed in Busan.]

[So he actually came up to Sinuiju, explored resources, and built these facilities?]

[His ability is metal manipulation. Instead of bringing equipment piece by piece, creating such facilities on-site with available metal is faster and more efficient.]

The path down to the mine was a pitch-black cave.

Without the long iron rail handles extending sideways, we would have stumbled even with the Taeguk Watch’s flashlight illuminating our way.

“The condition is like this because it’s far from Seoul. Over there in Gangwon-do, people can come and go like it’s a coal mine….”

Taejo muttered as he continued walking, seemingly embarrassed by the unstable facilities.

“It must have been tough. Developing abilities alone is already busy enough.”

“……..”

A faint chuckle escaped Taejo.

Even without detailed words, Taejo would understand what I meant by this much.

The time others spent developing their abilities, this man had to use that precious time for the nation.

During the period when he should have been learning public education or ability training at the academy, Taejo was probably called wherever there was a need for metal and had to use his abilities.

Although using abilities can also be considered ability training, considering Taejo’s frequently used skills, it’s likely that repetitive simple tasks occurred.

His main skill being steel manipulation—

“Stop.”

I quickly called out to Taejo, who was about to move forward, and tapped my Taeguk Watch.

“It seems there are already people inside. Are they the agents who were deployed first?”

“…No.”

Click.

“There shouldn’t be anyone inside.”

“In that case, they must be uninvited guests.”

“Yes.”

As soon as the flashlight was turned off, Taejo lowered his voice even further.

“You two should head back to the lodge….”

“There seem to be two S-ranks. Why don’t we go in together?”

“…….”

Taejo’s eyes flickered momentarily at Yoomir’s suggestion.

“Then, Giparang. Sangeo-goong. Both of you, switch to combat mode as soon as we enter.”

Click.

As soon as Taejo touched the back of his neck, a black iron powder-like substance covered his head.

‘Oh.’

Flash.

In the darkness, Taejo, wearing a helmet like a black tiger, leapt forward in an instant.

[Brother. That….]

[Yes.]

For a moment, I saw it.

The black iron powder crawling up like ants from below his neck.

[It’s a bit excessive for just hiding his identity.]

Taejo’s helmet.

[If he goes in like that….]

He looked like a rider.

No matter if it was the National Intelligence Service—actually, because it’s the National Intelligence Service in this world and an ability user.

‘If they give up their theme, they are not ability users.’

Living for style and dying for style.

Because he was a man.