Chapter 29 – Rule 13: The Leader Does Not Get Ambushed by Villains (4)

 

Rubber-hose cryptanalysis.

 

It is a powerful and professional technique used to extract passwords from a security manager by kidnapping, beating, or torturing them to get the password. It’s an established, albeit brutal, concept.

 

Through the activities of the Disciplinary Committee, I had effectively demonstrated the usefulness of rubber-hose cryptanalysis by beating up villains.

 

Kim Dalbi was no exception. If she refused to talk, I would have to resort to force to make her reveal her secrets.

 

Of course, considering using such thoughts against a powerhouse near the 7th tier was akin to David saying he would use violence against Goliath from the Bible. Yes, it was a laughable situation.

 

So, just as David brought down Goliath with a slingshot, the weaker party had no choice but to exploit the opponent’s vulnerabilities.

 

Now was the moment Dalbi was off guard.

 

Swoosh!

 

The expandable baton, charged with electricity, shot toward Dalbi’s neck, tearing through the air. The moment felt as if it moved in slow motion.

 

‘I don’t know what secret you’re hiding.’

 

I thought.

 

Even after giving me such a big hint, did she think I’d just stand there clueless?’

 

Even though she claimed to have such a secret, Dalbi had always shown lingering affection towards me.

 

She didn’t pride herself on her achievements.

 

So it was obvious.

 

The current situation of Dalbi was a result of something that happened beyond her control.

 

‘Even if I don’t know exactly why you said you liked my purity, I think I get a sense of it.’

 

A vague silhouette of the truth seemed to appear.

 

There was someone even Dalbi couldn’t handle.

 

That person drove Dalbi to this point.

 

In the days she was with me.

 

And even now.

 

‘So what?’

 

I’m not a mind reader, nor do I have the ability to read people’s thoughts.

 

No matter what burdens Dalbi was bearing, if she didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t know.

 

Even if revealing the secret resulted in me suffering and Dalbi feeling guilty, if she didn’t tell me, she would ultimately stand as my enemy.

 

Thus, I had only one choice.

 

To capture Dalbi and interrogate her.

 

She said I would die if I heard the secret?

 

I won’t die.

 

Instead, I would overcome whatever threat might come my way.

 

That’s why I became the Disciplinary Committee Leader of this Academy City.

 

Crack!!!

 

Crack!!!

 

The black expandable baton sliced through the moment and thoughts, reaching the enemy and generating two thunderous sounds.

 

It was the sound of powerful electric shockwaves striking Dalbi in succession.

 

If it had been an ordinary villain, it would have ended here.

 

“……”

 

Soon, the result I had internally anticipated was right before me.

 

As the electric current subsided, I saw Dalbi gripping the black expandable baton with her hand enveloped in flames.

 

My attempt to catch her off guard was thus futilely blocked.

 

Dalbi quickly enhanced her body with magic, enveloping her hand in dense fire magic.

 

I let out a hollow laugh.

 

‘Well…, I guess this is to be expected.’

 

Dalbi had always been an insurmountable challenge, like Goliath.

 

If she had taken this down so easily, I would have been disappointed.

 

Even if I continued attacking with the Lightning Rod, it was obvious what the outcome would be. It would just be a show.

 

In that case.

 

“…Just tell me, you idiot.”

 

It was better to speak plainly.

 

Dalbi looked bewildered by the sudden outburst.

 

“If you don’t tell me, I won’t know anything. Doing all sorts of ambiguous things without seeking any help until the situation worsens, acting like some pitiful heroine.”

 

There was a bit of emotion in my voice.

 

I couldn’t help it.

 

It was frustrating.

 

Either stay away completely or stay with me completely.

 

Seeing her act ambiguously, as if saying, “I won’t give you the answer you want…,” left me helpless.

 

“I’m sorry. I have to go now….”

 

“I.”

 

Now might be a good time to show a bit of sincerity.

 

I felt like I’d regret it later, feeling cringy and asking why I said such things, but I thought I’d regret it even more if I didn’t say it now.

 

So, I finally let out my honest feelings.

 

“I missed you. Truly.”

 

Dalbi flinched, her hair rising as if charged with static electricity. She looked shocked.

 

Her eyes trembled like candles flickering in the wind.

 

“So just tell me. I don’t want to go through this without knowing anything. Anyway, I won’t die.”

 

Using game knowledge or whatever, I would survive. If I were thinking of doing things half-heartedly, I wouldn’t have become the Disciplinary Committee Leader in the first place.

 

“To say something so embarrassing with a straight face?”

 

Dalbi stammered, avoiding my gaze. She hadn’t expected the words “I missed you” to come out of my mouth.

 

I suppressed my emotions and kept my mouth shut.

 

Dalbi hesitated for a moment.

 

Then, with resolute eyes, she looked at my face. Maybe she finally decided to speak properly.

 

Dark clouds that sounded like thunder slowly filled the sky. Light rain began to fall.

 

“…I know it’s shameless, but can I ask one favor?”

 

Dalbi’s voice was absorbed by the raindrops. I nodded.

 

“Let’s just run away together….”

 

At that moment.

 

Thunderclouds began pouring heavy rain. Simultaneously, a heavy magical presence enveloped my skin, and Dalbi’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

Suddenly, a storm hit.

 

If someone said all of this was caused by someone’s magic, no one would believe it.

 

“…We don’t have time to talk.”

 

Whoosh!

 

“Ugh!”

 

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Dalbi pushed me away with the baton and quickly retreated.

 

“Take care, Woo….”

 

Just as Dalbi was about to say goodbye.

 

*Crack!!*

 

A fierce roar resonated, blue lightning cut through the air.

 

A bolt of lightning struck behind Dalbi.

 

Where the lightning struck, a woman stood.