Chapter 229: Solemnise Defense Agency (2)
I had already expected that opening my eyes wouldn’t bring a pleasant sight. Considering everything I had done, there was no way I’d be treated like a proper guest.
Still.
“…Isn’t this a bit much?”
I was just a fragile C-rank.
Both of my arms were tightly bound behind my back. Judging by the pressure, they had wrapped some kind of thick leather straps around them multiple times. On top of that, my hands were covered with mitten-like restraints, sealing them completely.
In other words, I couldn’t even move a single finger.
At least my legs weren’t tied together. Instead of chains, long leather straps connected them to the bed. A similar strap looped around my neck, making me feel like a psychiatric patient on suicide watch. Even the bed was covered in soft padding to prevent injuries.
Well, I had tried to die right in front of Sigma, so it wasn’t entirely inaccurate.
All of my items had been confiscated, and I had been changed into plain clothes. The only thing left was my earring. Maybe because it primarily increased magic and had a barrier skill.
“Don’t you think this is too much, A-rank over there? Restraining a helpless C-rank who doesn’t even have an attack skill—seriously?”
I spoke to the A-rank standing guard, but there was no response.
Maybe they were worried I’d access my inventory, but this was excessive. Did they not have inventory-sealing bracelets in this world?
I tried putting some strength into my arms, but they didn’t budge. Were these items? Or maybe dungeon materials—ah, right. There were no dungeons here. So they had to be monster remains. Either way, for something that wasn’t metal, they were ridiculously sturdy.
At least I wasn’t dumped on the floor but placed on a bed. I sat up, but in this state, escaping was impossible.
‘I can’t even play dead. Should I just behave for now?’
The disk was installed, so couldn’t they just let me go? I needed to see my brother. Even criminals were allowed family visitations.
At that moment, the door opened, and a familiar face entered.
The A-ranks straightened up and saluted like soldiers. Well, this was the city’s defense agency, so technically, it was the military. It just didn’t suit the Seong Hyunjae I knew.
…Actually, him sitting at the top as some kind of military dictator did seem fitting.
“An SS-rank like you couldn’t handle a single C-rank, so you had to tie me up like this? You’re more timid than I expected.”
Sigma walked toward me.
He really did look exactly like him. But was he really someone else?
Since I was already captured, I used Terrifying Chick Class Teacher on him just to check.
[Skill cannot be used on this target!]
A system message popped up.
I felt a wave of disappointment. I had been holding on to a tiny sliver of hope, but this really wasn’t him.
Damn it, Seong Hyunjae, where the hell are you? Did you even make it here properly? Knowing him, he probably overreacted and got flung somewhere weird.
It’d be hilarious if he showed up now. If he came face-to-face with someone who looked just like him, had the same skills and weapons, even he—who constantly complained about boredom—would be thrilled.
Honestly, I wanted to introduce them to each other.
“What are you sulking about now?”
“…Huh?”
“You expected something from me and got disappointed. Just like when we first met.”
His words made my chest tighten.
Had I been too obvious comparing him to Seong Hyunjae?
“Oh, that… It’s just that you’re not quite what I heard. I thought you’d be much kinder, gentler, and more generous—a great man who would pity a poor little C-rank and set me free.”
“All that without even knowing my name?”
“…It’s not like that’s your real name anyway, Sigma.”
“Seong Hyunjae.”
…I flinched instinctively.
He smirked and looked down at me.
“My face isn’t generic enough to be mistaken for someone else.”
“Wow, someone’s full of himself. There’s a saying that everyone has at least three lookalikes in the world. The Seong Hyunjae I know isn’t exactly a saint, but at least he doesn’t go around kicking random people for no reason. So yeah, you’re different. I just had a brief moment of confusion—so drop it already.”
“So your conclusion is to keep your mouth shut. Are you and that Seong Hyunjae close? Friends?”
“There’s no reason for me to answer that. Why are you so nosy about my personal relationships? Who I hang out with has nothing to do with you.”
The A-ranks glanced at me, clearly taken aback. Their expressions said it all—What does a C-rank think he’s doing, talking like that?
If Sigma got pissed and chopped my head off, I’d actually be grateful. But he didn’t seem the type to react that way.
“I do appreciate people who know how to keep their mouths shut.”
Slash.
The leather restraints were cut cleanly.
I barely even saw him move.
Then, the strap connecting my neck to the bed was yanked roughly.
“You’re treating me like a damn dog—urk!”
This was humiliating.
It wasn’t my first time being treated like this, but lately, I had been surrounded by people who liked me. This contrast made it feel even more unfair.
The door opened, and I was dragged out into the hallway.
The corridor was wide, with a high ceiling. Surveillance cameras were installed at regular intervals. There didn’t seem to be any other security measures. Given that they stationed A-ranks as guards, this place must have been crawling with high-rank hunters, so they probably didn’t need more security.
“At least tell me where we’re going. This is the city defense agency, right?”
“It is.”
“Then at least give me a tour. Judging by the atmosphere, I’ll be stuck here for a while—maybe even longer. I should at least know my surroundings.”
Sigma stopped walking and turned to look at me.
“Like this?”
“It’s not like you’re going to untie me anyway.”
Was there an armory or something around here? Sure, valuable items were probably stored in inventories, but you never knew. Even Han Yuhyun had a safe at the Haeyeon Guild’s residence.
I walked forward to the extent the leash allowed and turned around. I gestured with my chin, silently asking what he was waiting for. Sigma, who had momentarily paused, resumed walking.
“Aren’t there any restricted areas? I’d like to know how the security systems work.”
“That’s an awfully transparent question.”
“You’ve tied me up this much—what are you afraid of? If there’s a lot of treasure, I might even behave and spill some information. I’m actually very materialistic.
Hello~ Is there an armory nearby?”
The A-rank standing by the elevator stiffened upon seeing us. He glanced back and forth between me and Sigma, looking unsure of what to say.
“Well…”
“Would you mind pressing the button for me? As you can see, I’m a bit tied up here.”
Still dazed, the A-rank pressed the button.
The elevator wasn’t much different from the ones back home. Important facilities were usually located underground. I considered asking again but just lifted my foot and pressed the lowest basement floor button.
The elevator rapidly descended.
Reminder: Do not press buttons with your foot unless you’re in an extreme situation like mine.
When the doors opened, two armed A-ranks stood guard. A thick glass door blocked the corridor beyond them.
“Hello, excuse me. Would you mind opening the door?”
I stood in front of the glass door and spoke. The A-ranks hesitated and glanced at Sigma.
“Open it.”
With just that one short command, the door unlocked immediately.
So he was basically an SS-rank security pass.
Nice.
I walked down the corridor. I had no idea where we were, but whenever I reached a fork, I picked the direction with heavier security.
Sigma, my living access pass, followed silently. Whenever we encountered another locked area, I simply gestured at him, and like magic, the path opened. SS-rank privileges were amazing.
The final door was guarded by an S-rank.
Where the hell was this place?
I glanced at Sigma. Once again, the door opened effortlessly.
“…May I ask what exactly you’re doing?”
Unlike the hesitant A-ranks, the S-rank directly voiced his question.
Sigma replied casually.
“Taking a walk.”
“That’s too much. I’m not a dog, you know?”
“Shall we go back, then?”
“Woof.”
We weren’t going back after coming all this way.
It had only been a few days since I got called a puppy by an actual monster, and now I was getting treated like one by a guy who looked exactly like my kid?
What a life.
Grumbling, I stepped inside.
We passed through three layers of doors before arriving in a vast chamber filled with shimmering blue light.
A mana hole.
As soon as I saw the overflowing radiance in the deep pit, something clicked in my mind.
The Third Source, the Deepest Spring.
In Diarma’s memories, there had been something closely related to mana holes.
Was this world part of the Third Source?
Not the Fifth Source—our world?
…Not that it really mattered.
This place was just a dungeon-generated reality anyway.
Strange machinery surrounded the mana hole. Several people were managing the equipment, greeting Sigma while eyeing me with suspicion.
“Is there a directory here? Maybe a map? Also, when’s lunch? It is lunch, right? I don’t have a watch.”
“There’s still some time before lunch.”
Sigma walked toward one of the rooms surrounding the mana hole.
Inside, the floor was engraved with something that looked like a magic circle. In the center, a surgical table was set up—designed to restrain a person.
I instinctively stepped back.
Hey, wait a minute.
“What are you planning—”
“Prepare the engraving procedure.”
Sigma pressed a button on the wall.
A B-rank Awakened entered soon after.
Despite being only B-rank, his mana capacity was huge.
Engraving?
“…I thought you would’ve done it while I was unconscious.”
“It’s impossible if the target isn’t conscious. When someone is unconscious, their mana flow slows almost to a halt, making it difficult to link the engraving. That’s also why people don’t accidentally activate skills in their sleep.”
The B-rank explained kindly.
I see.
So this world had done a lot of research on Awakened abilities.
Another B-rank entered, pushing a cart.
There were syringes and what looked like IV drips on it.
“Please release the restraints.”
At the B-rank’s request, the straps binding my arms were removed.
Both my arms and hands were free.
The moment I could move my hands, I used a flash grenade.
“Ah!”
“Ugh!”
A blinding light exploded in the room.
The two B-ranks staggered.
I knew I couldn’t get far with just a flash grenade, so instead of running, I pulled out a dagger.
I wasn’t exactly thrilled about stabbing myself, which was why I had tried to die by a monster’s hands earlier. Even if I wasn’t truly dying, the thought of it felt unpleasant.
But before I could do anything—
Clack.
My wrist was seized.
A split second later, my arm was twisted back painfully.
The dagger slipped from my grasp and clattered to the floor.
“That hurts! Do SS-ranks have immunity to flash grenades too?!”
I had expected at least a momentary hesitation.
Sigma pinned me down on the surgical table and yanked the necklace off my neck.
“Your curse resistance is S-rank or higher too? That was an A-rank inventory-sealing necklace, but it’s useless.”
…So they had stuck an inventory-sealing item on me.
One of the B-ranks forced me to lie face down on the surgical table and restrained me again, while the other picked up the syringe I had dropped and replaced it with a new one.
“This is a painkiller. It’ll sting a little.”
The B-rank grabbed my arm and injected the drug.
Even if it was a painkiller—
“Wait, I have poison resistance—ahhh!”
A scream burst out of me.
It felt like someone was gripping my spinal column and ripping it out. The pain was so intense that tears welled up in my eyes.
“The painkiller should kick in right away…”
“I have poison resistance! Poison resistance! S-rank!”
I yelled, and the B-rank hesitated in confusion.
Sigma, who had been standing back and observing, finally spoke.
“Continue.”
“But the pain will be severe.”
“That’s the fault of the one who didn’t suppress their resistance skill.”
Fault—You bastard.
Something cold pressed against the back of my neck, and once again, my spine burned with unbearable pain.
“I can’t control it! I can’t—!”
My skill rank was too high, my stats were too low, and it wasn’t even my natural attribute.
I physically couldn’t control it.
I screamed, my words turning into curses by the end.
“Sigma, I don’t think a full connection is safe. With C-rank stats, he won’t be able to endure without stronger painkillers and mana neutralizers.”
“Is that so, C-rank?”
That bastard lifted my head by my hair, forcing me to look at him.
What the hell did he expect me to do?
Even now, with my stats suppressed to S-rank, I wasn’t sure if I could turn off my resistance skill.
And even if I could, I’d rather die from the pain than do that.
There were probably all sorts of drugs here—why the hell would I voluntarily lower my poison resistance?
They definitely had truth serums too.
If they realized I could revive after dying, I’d be completely screwed.
“Don’t bother coming to my funeral. I don’t want to see your face there either.”
Sigma smirked.
Then he turned to the B-rank.
“Options?”
“If you want to engrave him while keeping his poison resistance at S-rank, we’ll need Medsang’s help.”
“Put in a cooperation request.”
So Medsang was in charge of high-ranking healers and support-type Awakened.
The moment I was released from the surgical table, my legs gave out, and I collapsed.
I reached up to touch the back of my neck, but since the procedure had been interrupted, I didn’t feel anything yet.
“…Is this really necessary? Whether it’s for protection or mana control or whatever?”
“If you don’t have the mana hole engraving, your mana recharge efficiency drops significantly. The recharge speed alone differs by more than tenfold.”
That wasn’t the only reason, obviously.
But Sigma and the B-ranks didn’t offer any further explanation.
Apparently, it would take a few days for Medsang’s assistance to arrive.
“Don’t tell me I’m going to stay tied up the whole time. Do you not have an S-rank inventory-sealing item? Or how about a contract? Something like, ‘If he uses his inventory, his curse resistance skill rank drops by one level.’ You must have S-rank curse contracts, right?”
I was basically begging them to let me live like a human.
Surprisingly, Sigma agreed without much resistance.
Of course, they first tested whether my curse resistance was really S-rank, then slapped an inventory-sealing item on my neck. It also had a built-in tracking function.
I regained the use of my arms and legs, but surveillance remained.
After lunch, I was led to a room, where an A-rank guard followed me inside and stared without blinking.
‘I could use my stealth skill to fool an A-rank’s eyes, but…’
The moment I activated a skill, they’d track my location and come after me.
Besides, I still had that damn leash around my neck.
If I disappeared, they’d just yank the leash, and I’d be dragged back instantly.
At least the leash was longer now, so I could move around the room freely.
The room contained a bed, a desk, a table, and a TV. It even had an attached bathroom.
Would they follow me there too?
“Well, I’ll be in your care for a while~.”
I greeted the A-rank, but they only continued watching me silently.
Boring.
I sprawled out on the bed, staring at the A-rank for a moment before turning on the TV.
Time passed slowly, and I ate a filling dinner.
Even after the guards switched shifts, their expressions eventually turned bored.
After all, I was a C-rank with no weapons and a sealed inventory.
Escaping against an A-rank was practically impossible.
And since they knew that, even the most disciplined guards would inevitably lower their guard.
Plus, there were security cameras watching.
If anything suspicious happened, reinforcements would arrive immediately.
‘I really am screwed, huh.’
I finished my dessert, dusting the crumbs off my fingers.
At least there was only one security camera, meaning there was a blind spot.
I naturally shifted my body, rolling over to face the wall.
I pulled the blanket up to my shoulders.
Only the sound of the TV filled the room.
Yeah, I couldn’t escape barehanded.
But what if I wasn’t barehanded?
‘Point shop.’
[◐▼◐∥Welcome to the Point Shop!∥◑△◑]
A window visible only to me appeared.
The shop was packed with all sorts of equipment, items, and consumables I had never even heard of before.
And my current points—
[2,210,566P]
I silently thanked that damn Sigma for the absurdly high contribution points.
I was going to spend two million points just to screw him over properly—
…No, that’d be a waste.
I’d start with 500,000 points as a base, and if necessary, go up to a million.
One way or another, I was getting out of here.