In the Name of God - Chapter 65.1
The leader of the Black Tail investigation team, who received the handshake request, shook hands with a dazed expression.
They had heard the news that an investigation team would be dispatched from Horizon as well, but for the Vice Clan Leader himself to personally step up was something no one participating in the Black Tail investigation team had expected at all.
For the Vice Clan Leader of a massive clan like Horizon, their schedule would be packed without a moment to catch a breath.
Looking just at Black Tail right now, the Vice Clan Leader was so much busier than the Clan Leader, Woo Hye-ran, that there hadn’t even been a chance to see a hair on their head yet. This didn’t mean the Clan Leader was idle; rather, it meant the Vice Clan Leader was the one who acted as the hands and feet of the entire clan, personally running around busy with practical affairs and the field.
In that sense, it was quite surprising that the Vice Clan Leader of a large clan had intervened in this mission, which was nothing more than a simple investigation.
I was surprised as well.
‘To think he would make contact legitimately in this way.’
Does that bear-like guy have no distinction between public and private matters?
Of course, I also had intentions of ignoring the distinction and using Seong Do-wan like a joker card someday, so I didn’t really have room to talk.
Seong Do-wan, after shaking hands with our team leader, silently cast his gaze toward me. I intentionally pretended not to see his gaze and lightly exchanged greetings with the members of the Horizon investigation team.
After finishing the introductions to some extent, it was decided to divide the members of each investigation team into groups of four.
The total number of personnel from the two investigation teams was eight each.
Two people were to be placed in each direction—North, South, East, and West—but each group had to include at least one person capable of mana detection. Because the transparent barriers forming the Holy Lands were imbued with strong mana, it was essential to detect this during the investigation.
Detecting mana doesn’t actually require grandiose skills. It was enough to have enough sensitivity to freely manipulate the mana within one’s body. That was also the reason I was able to join the investigation team along with my partner, Lee Sunho.
“Then the pair of Seong Do-yoon and Lee Sunho in Team 4 can move together as they are. Please head North.”
The leader of the Black Tail investigation team spoke while glancing at me and Lee Sunho.
In clans, people usually move as a pair when carrying out missions. This is not only for combat synergy but also to guarantee each other’s survival in unexpected situations.
It was a system unnecessary for big shots like Seong Do-wan, who could crush a whole dungeon alone and come back out, but that was the basic principle used worldwide.
“Yes, understood.”
When I answered obediently and lifted my gaze, I locked eyes with the investigation team leader. For some reason, he was looking at me and Lee Sunho with curious eyes.
In our investigation team, only the leader and his partner were first-stringers. The other four were second-stringers, and just like those I met in the Disaster Zone, their gazes toward me and Lee Sunho weren’t very kind. On the other hand, a strange interest toward us could be seen from the two first-stringers, just like now.
‘Is it that fascinating for a third-string rookie to be assigned to an investigation team?’
Whatever.
It’s better than sending gazes burning with hostility like the second-stringers.
“Is the personnel assignment finished?”
Seong Do-wan approached the other investigation team members and asked. Our leader obediently informed him how and in which direction the personnel were assigned.
“Then we will go like this….”
Subsequently, Seong Do-wan also began assigning the personnel divided into pairs.
And….
‘I had a feeling this might happen.’
Seong Do-wan’s pair boldly approached me.
‘This is… if a stranger saw this, wouldn’t it look like harassment?’
In words, it was an arrangement to protect the frailest members of Black Tail and facilitate a smooth investigation, but no one believed those words at face value.
Rather, there were more gazes wondering if the intention was to hinder the investigation and seize the initiative by overawing the rookie investigators. I would have thought the same if it hadn’t been Seong Do-wan.
“Will you be okay, rookie? Should we just swap with our side?”
The investigation team leader, who approached closely, whispered. I was grateful for his consideration, but since I recognized Seong Do-wan’s true intention, I told him it was fine. The leader moved back, but he still wore an unconvinced expression.
Soon, we scattered in four directions and set off for the Holy Land investigation.
It was not long after we set off toward the boundary of the Holy Land that Seong Do-wan opened his mouth.
“From here, we’ll take a taxi.”
Everyone looked at Seong Do-wan at the sudden remark.
To more closely examine and detect the dome-shaped Holy Land surrounding the city, all the other groups had agreed to head toward the boundaries on foot. They were all combat-type Awakeners, so walking to each boundary was no trouble at all.
Except for one person.
Me.
‘But well, for me, I could just order Lee Sunho around if necessary.’
This was something already agreed upon with Lee Sunho. He was the type of guy who would volunteer to carry me in his arms even if I said no, so I didn’t intend to be stubborn and refuse. …Though the embarrassment would be mine to bear.
However, almost as soon as Seong Do-wan—who hadn’t said a word until now—suggested taking a taxi, he was already hailing one down.
He gestured with his chin toward the taxi in front of him to the man who had participated as his partner.
“It’ll be fine if the people skilled in mana detection split up and ride. You go first with that Awakener over there.”
“Huh? Yes…”
The man couldn’t even offer a rebuttal and climbed into the taxi hesitantly.
During that time, Lee Sunho, who was singled out by Seong Do-wan, did not move a single step away and stayed by my side. Seong Do-wan’s gaze looking at him was quite cold.
Like people who had already engaged in a battle of nerves once at the promotion exam site, a strange tension flickered between the two of them.
Thinking the taxi driver and the man who got in first might feel awkward for no reason, I lightly patted Lee Sunho’s shoulder.
“Go ahead. I’ll follow right behind.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be okay? It’s not like we’re going to fight.”
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