Viktor and his team were dismissed from their duty for that day. After they reached their rations, they quickly went to the academy for a quick class.
They were also waiting for the new hybrid rules to be declared.
Viktor saw the latest text on his phone and mumbled, 'Why isn't he picking up his phone?'.
The number he was dialling was of the veteran soldier that he kidnapped a few weeks ago for hybrid training. According to his plan, he was supposed to be the core leader of the new disciplinary committee. He was trained under Adonis and also he was appointed to various hybrid missions in a short amount of time.
'But why on earth isn't he picking up his calls-_-?'
Viktor then looked at the big screen of the academy cafeteria and saw Adonis giving out a speech. He suddenly became the centre of the whole nation's attention so he was the main topic of every talk show and live news.
'He's enjoying it. Now it's just a matter of time before I also become a part of their gossip.'
Suddenly, a person came and said, "Hey, isn't that your brother? Come to think of it, you're also on the same level as Adonis. How did I never realise that? Do you perhaps use some kind of magic to hide that face?"
Viktor then said, "No. I just happened to escape everyone's attention. My brother is quite the opposite."
"I see. Anyway, I'm Li Seng, a sophomore in the magic department. I'm the leader of team J-11. It's nice to meet you, neighbour."
"Ah. I'm the leader of J-12. Nice to meet you too. Take a seat, I'll buy you lunch today."
"How can I possibly ask a freshman to buy lunch? I just wanted to talk with you because you seem very strong. I like to make friends with strong people."
Viktor smiled and then said, "Then, please let me at least buy you a glass of beer after the classes are over."
"Oh my, you know how to drink… that's settled then. Let's meet up in the x store next to the academy. They sell very good fried chicken."
"I'm a regular customer of that shop."
"Hahahaha. Is that so… Here's my phone number. I guess we'll see each other this evening, right?"
"Yes. See you there."
"6:30, don't be late."
"Yes."
As soon as Li Seng left, the smile on Viktor's face disappeared. He was happy to gain a friend but he wasn't satisfied with the future that was waiting. He never had any intention of making him a good friend. He was plotting to knock him out with the magic he's so proud of and dump him in the river.
He wasn't happy because he got a good zone to hunt while his guarding zone was at the corner of the city. It was basically a backward city of Seoul, a slum area.
'Hah. What am I going to do with these kids…'
He sighed and then ate his lunch in disappointment. The other members of his team were doing nothing but staring at him and swallowing their food like hogs.
"What are you guys doing?" Viktor asked the healer, Min Ah, who was also busy swallowing his food. "Hum? I was surprised that the Li family prodigy is inviting you for a drink. Being rich is certainly wholesome. Can I tag along?"
"I don't have the time to do so. But if you insist, you can come over to my house for a drink. My brother makes the best cocktail."
His eyes become glossy like a small puppy in excitement. "What about today?"
"Yes. You can come. It's a boys' party after all. No girls allowed." Viktor winked at the female members of his team and again said, "My brother doesn't like girls to come over. Sorry girls."
'Actually, it's me who doesn't like to deal with drunk girls. My ex-girlfriend used to be a heavy drinker and there are countless days when I had to clean the puke off the floor and bed sheet. My shirts weren't an exception. Those dark days-_-.'
Welis didn't say anything for a moment and then asked, "Where is Rae? Is he also joining the party?"
Rae popped out of nowhere behind Viktor and said, "I nearly thought that you guys have forgotten about my existence. Hey Viktor. Hey… why didn't you call me for the whole day-_-."
He stared at his face and again asked, "Do you even know where I'm assigned to? Zone A!! Fu**kng Zone A!! It's near the damn border!! I had to stare right at the face of those damn North Korean border guards the whole night with my knives!! Can you even feel what I felt back there!! Haa!!"
Viktor pushed his face away from him and said, "Shut up, it's not like you can't deal with it. Quit being so dramatic."
"You're so cruel!!"
'Heh… I'm just surrounded by snakes with hidden fangs. Rae, I know what you did last night. We might have a pact that we can share our feelings, but you have no idea that I can fake everything. It's a skill that I'm born with.'
You can pretend all you want but at the end of the time, you'll have to choose me over Elesis. Because that shithead doesn't even have the strength to fight his clones. His 'Tomie' shit has gone too far that it's out of control.'
He took the last bite of his cream bun and stood up. "Rae, be careful." He smiled politely and tapped on his shoulder before he walked towards the exit.
Rae was too terrified by his warning that for a second, he forgot that he existed. Not just him, but the whole cafeteria suddenly became super quiet because of the unknown presence for a second.
Everyone was confused because of that but only both of them felt the sharp and extreme killing intent from Viktor. Welis then quickly stood up after Viktor left the area and slapped Rae hard. "You idiot!! Do you even know what you're doing! Are you trying to get all of us killed? Do you think you can escape his surveillance?"
"I..I.."
"Shut up!! If you ever do something wrong, I'll kill you and offer your head to him along with your fragment."
Welis then threw her hair tie on his face and rushed out of the cafeteria.
…
The classes were over.
Viktor walked out of the academy and saw Adonis standing in front of the gate with a mask on. "You're finally wearing a mask. What brings you here at this hour? Aren't you supposed to be at work now?"
Adonis closed the door and started the engine of his car. "After your hellish tests, office work has become easier like alphabets. I can finish hours of work in just 20 minutes."
"I wish my classes were as quicker as your 20 minutes. You look cheerful today. Not to mention, you found good food today."
Viktor looked at the smirk of Adonis through the looking glass. "Master, you should try some."
"I'm afraid that the odd practice of enjoying bizarre food will make me a cannibal. I'd rather enjoy my life being a 'pica' eater who eats soul emotions and bricks."
"That sounds dry." Adonis laughed a little and again said, "Don't eat brick, master. It's bad for your health-_-."
"Don't worry. I'm not a kid anymore who used to love eating inedible substances."
The car stopped in front of his house and both of them got out. The first thing Viktor saw after coming out of the car was the face of Ifrit. He didn't look like he successfully captured the culprit. So he was waiting for Viktor to come home and ask for more information.
"About time you're back. I need to ask you something."
"Let's go inside first. I'm so tired."
Ifrit nodded his head and went inside with them. Viktor then changed into his pyjamas and quickly went inside his blanket after closing all the curtains.
Both of them came inside his room. Viktor poked his head out of the blanket and asked, "So, what do you want to ask?"
Ifrit stood next to his bed and then asked, "About that person who's frequently opening the door to the underworld. Who is he?"
Adonis cast a sound barrier around them so that the information doesn't leak out.
"It's the guardian of greed, Midas. He's receiving help from a girl who's born with a demonic soul. I suppose one of her ancestors was a devil and her body happened to awaken the hidden gene just like Adonis. Her whole existence is like a bridge between two worlds and Midas is using it as he likes. This is as much as I can tell you. The rest is in your hands. I'll stay put as long as I wish to because it doesn't matter even if the world is on fire. And her soul is a great food. So I saved it as the grand prize. Let's see who achieves it. It's a game that you and Adonis will be playing. I'm expecting great things from both of you."
Viktor grinned at them, his eyes sparked silver as the full moon.
'I should at least let them do something for the sake of my sleep. I'll just cast a time acceleration spell and sleep for 10 days. Because Min Ah will be coming to 'sleep over' and drink at 8 so I won't have any time to rest after that.'
He quickly went inside his blanket and said, "Make sure not to get killed. Midas is a cheeky bastard who knows various tricks. Don't fall for that. Now excuse me. I'm going to sleep."
"Understood." Adonis bowed and dragged Ifrit out of the room.