135. Before the Storm
A small candlestick illuminated a vacant building in Valtadren. A woman lay in captivity in the shadows; not even the moonlight could reach. Her name was Ariena Barbardi, one of the last eighteen hunters and the world’s best psychic. However, she was so devastated that her dignity was now a shadow of what it had been. She was covered with scars that would’ve killed most high-level awakeners. If it weren’t for the slight rising and falling of her chest, no one would even think she was alive.
Several people entered the empty house, and their appearance made it seem they had just returned from a battle. Originally, they would be busy taking care of their exhaustion, but the large crowd gathered to see the SS-class hunter, one of the few in the world.
“Wow, it’s Ariena Barbardi.”
“I didn’t expect to see her in person. Should I say that I’m thrilled?”
“Are we sure she’s alive?”
The atmosphere in the hall was a strange mix of excitement and anger. The line of people circulated as if they were looking at a tourist attraction. At that time, Seo Si-hee arrived with a troubled expression.
“If everyone has seen her, please leave.”
“Eh? Do you want us to go? Can’t we watch the interrogation?”
“You can’t.”
She added to the many eyes that demanded an explanation.
“No matter how weak she is, this woman is the strongest psychic. I don’t know if it’s uncomfortable to hear, but those who aren’t on that level won’t be able to maintain their sanity here.”
“Do you mean that we can’t endure it even if we’re S-class?”
“I don’t know. You may or may not be capable. What I mean is… I want to prepare for any unexpected accidents.”
“Oh… yes. If that’s the case, I see.”
The people left despite their clear disappointment until only three people left in the hall except for Ariena. Ko Byeong-gap, Seo Si-hee, and Dorma.
Seo Si-hee slowly calmed herself and looked down at the restrained Ariena. Her eyes were still filled with anger. Ko Byeong-gap looked at Seo Si-hee’s trembling fists.
“Do you want to hit her?”
Seo Si-hee didn’t respond. She reacted only after Ko Byeong-gap called her name.
“Yes? What did you say?”
“I asked if you want to hit her.”
“Yes.”
Seo Si-hee calmly admitted. It was a natural reaction because Ariena turned the nearly successful assassination of Go Geon-ryong into a mess and took away her three beloved subordinates.
“But it’s hard to kill her because of that anger.”
“If you take me for a fool, quit. I don’t have a hobby of being swayed by emotion and doing things the wrong way.”
“That’s a relief.”
Ko Byeong-gap shrugged and turned to Dorma.
“Dorma, wake her up.”
“Okay.”
Dorma recovered the magic cast on Ariena. Meanwhile, Seo Si-hee distorted the space around Ariena.
“What are you doing?”
“Restraining her.”
“Is that necessary? Her arms and legs are broken. She’s even tied up with a belt.”
“Our opponent is SS-class. She’s not a fighting type, but it’s not bad to be careful.”
“That’s true.”
The distorted space completely bound Ariena’s hands and feet. Even if her limbs were strong, it would prove difficult to escape. Soon after, Ariena woke. She groaned for a few minutes with a half-asleep expression on her face before her eyes turned their way. Next, she looked down at her body.
“Oh my god…”
They thought she would scream, but Ariena’s reaction was unexpectedly calm. She became aware of her situation very quickly and soon gave up. However, when she saw Ko Byeong-gap standing to her left, she automatically shrunk away. In Ariena’s eyes, Ko Byeong-gap, Landriol, and the black Devil overlapped.
She shifted her gaze again to Seo Si-hee standing on the right and said:
“Hey, ma’am. Nice to see you again”.
“…”
“You won’t even answer? Well, okay. I wanted to tell you something. Oh, that’s right. The little kid who ran away with you died.”
Her tone was playful. On the other hand, Seo Si-hee’s face turned pale, but Ariena didn’t stop.
“I killed that kid. My, what a little thing. I’m telling you because I thought you’d be curious!”
Ariena uttered a terrible scream as the space restraining her was compressed when Seo Si-hee clenched her fist. Ko Byeong-gap hurriedly calmed her down.
“What are you doing? You can’t kill her!”
“I won’t kill her. She won’t die so easily.”
Seo Si-hee loosened her grip. Ariena drooped, pieces of bone popping out between her twisted flesh. Ariena trembled and laughed with a glint of madness in her eyes.
“Oh, my… more, more, worse… oh… it hurts. Hey, auntie!”
“She’s going to die!”
“I’m controlling myself.”
Seo Si-hee replied in a cold voice, but she wasn’t calm. She wasn’t even looking at him. Ko Byeong-gap shook his head and spoke to Dorma.
“Dorma, go get Varmond.”
“Yes.”
Dorma nodded and disappeared in a puff of black fog. Seo Si-hee continued coldly.
“You want to provoke me to kill you in anger, but that won’t happen.”
“It… that’s… it’s annoying. Oh, it hurts. It hurts… I hate it. Hahaha.”
When Dorma arrived with Varmond, Ariena was already in shambles. Pushing aside his astonishment, Varmond treated Ariena. She woke back up with a shudder, but since she was healed, she was ready to be hurt again.
Seo Si-hee briefly quit her torture due to Ko Byeong-gap’s disapproval. Ko Byeong-gap stepped forward to take charge, but Ariena wouldn’t make eye contact with him.
“We’re tired, so let’s get straight to the point. Tell us all the plans you’re working on from start to finish.”
Ariena laughed.
“Why should I? Ugh… I’m going to die anyway.”
“If you cooperate, the process will be easier.”
“Oh, my. Will she be watching this?”
Ko Byeong-gap glanced at Seo Si-hee. Meanwhile, Ariena continued shamelessly.
“The premise is wrong, you idiots. I don’t want to die. Negotiating in return for my life—”
“Don’t be mistaken. This isn’t a negotiation.”
Ariena rolled her eyes and bit her lips.
“You’re going to die anyway, and that’s a fact. Have you never thought that maybe your life might slip away when you killed people?”
“I’ve never thought about it before. What idiot lives thinking about dying?”
“You’ve lived a comfortable life in this world. Make a good choice. Do you want to keep your loyalty and die in pain, or will you expose everything and go cleanly?”
“Hak!”
Ariena spat on Ko Byeong-gap. Of course, he avoided it, but she followed it up with sarcasm.
“I saw what kind of person you are, so listen carefully! I, Ariena Barbardi, am not a weak little kid! Do whatever you want, you monkeys!”
“Is that so?”
Ko Byeong-gap turned around.
“Varmond.”
“Tell me.”
“Don’t let that girl die.”
“Don’t let her die. Yes, I will follow what I’m told.”
As Ko Byeong-gap moved away, fear grew plain on Ariena’s face.
“Hey, where are you going? Where are you going?”
“I’ll leave it up to you after this.”
“Okay, go ahead.”
“Hey! Where are you going? You stay here, too! Argh! Argh!”
Ko Byeong-gap left the building. Her spine-chilling scream followed him.
***
Ariena Barbardi was the world’s strongest mind controller. In other words, it meant that her mental strength was at its peak. Ko Byeong-gap had to seriously think about whether to praise Ariena, who was tortured for two full nights and declared surrender on the third day, or Seo Si-hee, who made her raise a white flag in just three days.
In the end, he decided to praise his subordinates.
“Varmond, you did a great job. Go in and rest.”
“Yes.”
Varmond, who had grown slimmer, stomped away. In the corner, Ariena, who was ten times more emaciated than Varmond, stared blankly at the floor.
“Is she still alive?”
“She’s alive.”
Ko Byeong-gap stepped in front of Ariena and squatted down. Her unfocused eyes moved slowly toward him.
“…Promise.”
Her voice was hoarse, like scraping metal.
“Promise?”
“Promise me you’ll kill me comfortably.”
“I promise. Didn’t I tell you last time?”
“You must do that. Definitely. If you break your promise… I…”
Ko Byeong-gap saw despair and fear in her eyes, and even irritation and anger. He sighed and turned to Seo Si-hee.
“Why don’t you go and rest too?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“This is not a recommendation… it’s a request.”
Seo Si-hee stared at them for a few seconds, then nodded and left. As soon as she disappeared, Ariena said in a hushed voice.
“Thank you, but I need some water—”
“Stop. What are your plans, and tell me everything about how they are progressing.”
“Yes, yes.”
Ariena began to speak softly. Dorma, who came with Ko Byeong-gap, used magic to record her words to avoid forgetting details. It was a long story. However, Ariena poured out everything.
Her story, which began around noon, ended only at night after the sun went down. Ko Byeong-gap grew tired. However, instead of going to bed once finished, he closed his eyes and organized the content of what he heard.
‘It’s a low-motivation scale.’
The facts that Ko Byeong-gap knew were as follows:
First, the head of Six-rays Bridge was Go Geon-ryong, and their final purpose was to form a heavenly realm on Earth. Second, the current monster wave was part of their plan and would later sacrifice humans from China, India, and the United States to form that heavenly realm. Third, under the command of the Six-rays Bridge, they built the guild called Illumination to slaughter unbelievers and ordinary people according to the orders of their superiors.
By combining that with information that Ariena had released, the gaps were filled.
First, the specific identity of Go Geon-ryong.
-As that old hag has already told you, the archbishop has a connection with God. I don’t know why he was chosen. Anyway, the archbishop knows what others don’t and can do what others can’t.
Madmut, the God of Ashvilam, was asleep inside Go Geon-ryong. As a result, he could create many miracles. He started the monster wave in Africa first, then Argentina and Russia. In addition, the blue pillars were also created by Go Geon-ryong.
As the incarnation of Madmut, Go Geon-ryong could command his armed forces – the Holy Army – that came out of the blue pillars. The Holy Army’s purpose was to defend the blue pillars, first and foremost.
-That’s right. As you said, there are a total of six pillars. There are currently only three, but the rest will rise soon. The locations are Australia, Canada, and France. As far as I know, yes. When there are six pillars, the work will begin.
-What is that?
-The souls of the American, Chinese, and Indian people will be taken. Those souls will be used to make up the heavenly realm. And right here, the Korean Peninsula will be made into the ark that will take us up to heaven.
135. Before the Storm
A small candlestick illuminated a vacant building in Valtadren. A woman lay in captivity in the shadows; not even the moonlight could reach. Her name was Ariena Barbardi, one of the last eighteen hunters and the world’s best psychic. However, she was so devastated that her dignity was now a shadow of what it had been. She was covered with scars that would’ve killed most high-level awakeners. If it weren’t for the slight rising and falling of her chest, no one would even think she was alive.
Several people entered the empty house, and their appearance made it seem they had just returned from a battle. Originally, they would be busy taking care of their exhaustion, but the large crowd gathered to see the SS-class hunter, one of the few in the world.
“Wow, it’s Ariena Barbardi.”
“I didn’t expect to see her in person. Should I say that I’m thrilled?”
“Are we sure she’s alive?”
The atmosphere in the hall was a strange mix of excitement and anger. The line of people circulated as if they were looking at a tourist attraction. At that time, Seo Si-hee arrived with a troubled expression.
“If everyone has seen her, please leave.”
“Eh? Do you want us to go? Can’t we watch the interrogation?”
“You can’t.”
She added to the many eyes that demanded an explanation.
“No matter how weak she is, this woman is the strongest psychic. I don’t know if it’s uncomfortable to hear, but those who aren’t on that level won’t be able to maintain their sanity here.”
“Do you mean that we can’t endure it even if we’re S-class?”
“I don’t know. You may or may not be capable. What I mean is… I want to prepare for any unexpected accidents.”
“Oh… yes. If that’s the case, I see.”
The people left despite their clear disappointment until only three people left in the hall except for Ariena. Ko Byeong-gap, Seo Si-hee, and Dorma.
Seo Si-hee slowly calmed herself and looked down at the restrained Ariena. Her eyes were still filled with anger. Ko Byeong-gap looked at Seo Si-hee’s trembling fists.
“Do you want to hit her?”
Seo Si-hee didn’t respond. She reacted only after Ko Byeong-gap called her name.
“Yes? What did you say?”
“I asked if you want to hit her.”
“Yes.”
Seo Si-hee calmly admitted. It was a natural reaction because Ariena turned the nearly successful assassination of Go Geon-ryong into a mess and took away her three beloved subordinates.
“But it’s hard to kill her because of that anger.”
“If you take me for a fool, quit. I don’t have a hobby of being swayed by emotion and doing things the wrong way.”
“That’s a relief.”
Ko Byeong-gap shrugged and turned to Dorma.
“Dorma, wake her up.”
“Okay.”
Dorma recovered the magic cast on Ariena. Meanwhile, Seo Si-hee distorted the space around Ariena.
“What are you doing?”
“Restraining her.”
“Is that necessary? Her arms and legs are broken. She’s even tied up with a belt.”
“Our opponent is SS-class. She’s not a fighting type, but it’s not bad to be careful.”
“That’s true.”
The distorted space completely bound Ariena’s hands and feet. Even if her limbs were strong, it would prove difficult to escape. Soon after, Ariena woke. She groaned for a few minutes with a half-asleep expression on her face before her eyes turned their way. Next, she looked down at her body.
“Oh my god…”
They thought she would scream, but Ariena’s reaction was unexpectedly calm. She became aware of her situation very quickly and soon gave up. However, when she saw Ko Byeong-gap standing to her left, she automatically shrunk away. In Ariena’s eyes, Ko Byeong-gap, Landriol, and the black Devil overlapped.
She shifted her gaze again to Seo Si-hee standing on the right and said:
“Hey, ma’am. Nice to see you again”.
“…”
“You won’t even answer? Well, okay. I wanted to tell you something. Oh, that’s right. The little kid who ran away with you died.”
Her tone was playful. On the other hand, Seo Si-hee’s face turned pale, but Ariena didn’t stop.
“I killed that kid. My, what a little thing. I’m telling you because I thought you’d be curious!”
Ariena uttered a terrible scream as the space restraining her was compressed when Seo Si-hee clenched her fist. Ko Byeong-gap hurriedly calmed her down.
“What are you doing? You can’t kill her!”
“I won’t kill her. She won’t die so easily.”
Seo Si-hee loosened her grip. Ariena drooped, pieces of bone popping out between her twisted flesh. Ariena trembled and laughed with a glint of madness in her eyes.
“Oh, my… more, more, worse… oh… it hurts. Hey, auntie!”
“She’s going to die!”
“I’m controlling myself.”
Seo Si-hee replied in a cold voice, but she wasn’t calm. She wasn’t even looking at him. Ko Byeong-gap shook his head and spoke to Dorma.
“Dorma, go get Varmond.”
“Yes.”
Dorma nodded and disappeared in a puff of black fog. Seo Si-hee continued coldly.
“You want to provoke me to kill you in anger, but that won’t happen.”
“It… that’s… it’s annoying. Oh, it hurts. It hurts… I hate it. Hahaha.”
When Dorma arrived with Varmond, Ariena was already in shambles. Pushing aside his astonishment, Varmond treated Ariena. She woke back up with a shudder, but since she was healed, she was ready to be hurt again.
Seo Si-hee briefly quit her torture due to Ko Byeong-gap’s disapproval. Ko Byeong-gap stepped forward to take charge, but Ariena wouldn’t make eye contact with him.
“We’re tired, so let’s get straight to the point. Tell us all the plans you’re working on from start to finish.”
Ariena laughed.
“Why should I? Ugh… I’m going to die anyway.”
“If you cooperate, the process will be easier.”
“Oh, my. Will she be watching this?”
Ko Byeong-gap glanced at Seo Si-hee. Meanwhile, Ariena continued shamelessly.
“The premise is wrong, you idiots. I don’t want to die. Negotiating in return for my life—”
“Don’t be mistaken. This isn’t a negotiation.”
Ariena rolled her eyes and bit her lips.
“You’re going to die anyway, and that’s a fact. Have you never thought that maybe your life might slip away when you killed people?”
“I’ve never thought about it before. What idiot lives thinking about dying?”
“You’ve lived a comfortable life in this world. Make a good choice. Do you want to keep your loyalty and die in pain, or will you expose everything and go cleanly?”
“Hak!”
Ariena spat on Ko Byeong-gap. Of course, he avoided it, but she followed it up with sarcasm.
“I saw what kind of person you are, so listen carefully! I, Ariena Barbardi, am not a weak little kid! Do whatever you want, you monkeys!”
“Is that so?”
Ko Byeong-gap turned around.
“Varmond.”
“Tell me.”
“Don’t let that girl die.”
“Don’t let her die. Yes, I will follow what I’m told.”
As Ko Byeong-gap moved away, fear grew plain on Ariena’s face.
“Hey, where are you going? Where are you going?”
“I’ll leave it up to you after this.”
“Okay, go ahead.”
“Hey! Where are you going? You stay here, too! Argh! Argh!”
Ko Byeong-gap left the building. Her spine-chilling scream followed him.
***
Ariena Barbardi was the world’s strongest mind controller. In other words, it meant that her mental strength was at its peak. Ko Byeong-gap had to seriously think about whether to praise Ariena, who was tortured for two full nights and declared surrender on the third day, or Seo Si-hee, who made her raise a white flag in just three days.
In the end, he decided to praise his subordinates.
“Varmond, you did a great job. Go in and rest.”
“Yes.”
Varmond, who had grown slimmer, stomped away. In the corner, Ariena, who was ten times more emaciated than Varmond, stared blankly at the floor.
“Is she still alive?”
“She’s alive.”
Ko Byeong-gap stepped in front of Ariena and squatted down. Her unfocused eyes moved slowly toward him.
“…Promise.”
Her voice was hoarse, like scraping metal.
“Promise?”
“Promise me you’ll kill me comfortably.”
“I promise. Didn’t I tell you last time?”
“You must do that. Definitely. If you break your promise… I…”
Ko Byeong-gap saw despair and fear in her eyes, and even irritation and anger. He sighed and turned to Seo Si-hee.
“Why don’t you go and rest too?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“This is not a recommendation… it’s a request.”
Seo Si-hee stared at them for a few seconds, then nodded and left. As soon as she disappeared, Ariena said in a hushed voice.
“Thank you, but I need some water—”
“Stop. What are your plans, and tell me everything about how they are progressing.”
“Yes, yes.”
Ariena began to speak softly. Dorma, who came with Ko Byeong-gap, used magic to record her words to avoid forgetting details. It was a long story. However, Ariena poured out everything.
Her story, which began around noon, ended only at night after the sun went down. Ko Byeong-gap grew tired. However, instead of going to bed once finished, he closed his eyes and organized the content of what he heard.
‘It’s a low-motivation scale.’
The facts that Ko Byeong-gap knew were as follows:
First, the head of Six-rays Bridge was Go Geon-ryong, and their final purpose was to form a heavenly realm on Earth. Second, the current monster wave was part of their plan and would later sacrifice humans from China, India, and the United States to form that heavenly realm. Third, under the command of the Six-rays Bridge, they built the guild called Illumination to slaughter unbelievers and ordinary people according to the orders of their superiors.
By combining that with information that Ariena had released, the gaps were filled.
First, the specific identity of Go Geon-ryong.
-As that old hag has already told you, the archbishop has a connection with God. I don’t know why he was chosen. Anyway, the archbishop knows what others don’t and can do what others can’t.
Madmut, the God of Ashvilam, was asleep inside Go Geon-ryong. As a result, he could create many miracles. He started the monster wave in Africa first, then Argentina and Russia. In addition, the blue pillars were also created by Go Geon-ryong.
As the incarnation of Madmut, Go Geon-ryong could command his armed forces – the Holy Army – that came out of the blue pillars. The Holy Army’s purpose was to defend the blue pillars, first and foremost.
-That’s right. As you said, there are a total of six pillars. There are currently only three, but the rest will rise soon. The locations are Australia, Canada, and France. As far as I know, yes. When there are six pillars, the work will begin.
-What is that?
-The souls of the American, Chinese, and Indian people will be taken. Those souls will be used to make up the heavenly realm. And right here, the Korean Peninsula will be made into the ark that will take us up to heaven.
