Chapter 5

Igorovich Station is a small, tranquil rural stop situated in a humble village, playing a role no more significant than the Krasilov-Drovian border checkpoint.

Consequently, the passengers disembarking at this station are limited to village residents and logistics distributors – no one else.

“There’s something suspicious about them.”

Three men in one corner of the station appear to be rather dubious.

Firstly, a man in the waiting room corner is seen glancing at the clock and newspaper.

At first glance, it seems like he’s checking the train schedule, but in reality, he’s already seen off three trains.

Next, a man with crossed arms, seemingly dozing off.

Although he appears to be passing time as usual, he subtly opens his eyes whenever someone heads to the restroom or the newspaper stand.

Lastly, a man selling dried vegetables in the waiting room corner.

It’s almost comical. He hasn’t sold any vegetables to anyone in the waiting room – who would even buy vegetables at such a remote rural station in the first place?

Crucially, as a peasant himself, Ivan knew the condition of those vegetables. They weren’t dried for preservation but left unattended for too long, causing them to wither.

Beneath the newspaper, Ivan moved his hand, gripping a gun. It’s 9 o’clock, and the train carrying Princess Ecdysis is about to arrive.

Perhaps it’s worth investigating.

He stood up slowly, folded the newspaper, and headed for the trash can. In the process, he discreetly pressed the gun’s muzzle against the dozing man’s neck.

“!!”

“Stay quiet.”

Shocked, the man attempted to reach for his chest but froze at the cold touch of the gun’s muzzle.

Okay. Confirmed he has a pistol there.

Judging by his instantaneous reaction, he’s trained.

“W-What the hell are you doing there?”

“Stop!”

The other two in the waiting room shouted simultaneously, jumping to their feet.

This was absurd. The gun Ivan pointed at him was concealed by the newspaper, making it appear from the outside as if he had just placed his hand on the man’s neck.

In other words, the three of them were colluding.

But just to be certain.

He mentioned not needing support himself, but maybe Elizaveta is sending agents.

“Where do your loyalties lie?”This chapter made its debut appearance via N0v3lB1n.

“What, what?”

If this person is indeed an agent of Elizaveta and loyal to the Krasilov royal family, there is no way he could have interrupted this sentence.

This is not only the Cleanup Unit but also one of the first questions posed by national intelligence officers.

It’s like frontline soldiers saying, ‘Halt! If you move, we will shoot!’ Even if it’s a lie, it’s the initial and perhaps the ultimate question that must be answered at all costs.

It’s the first and probably the last question you have to answer, even if you have to lie.

So, this guy acted for money, a mere mercenary.

-Bang!

A bullet flew from the muzzle, instantly severing the man’s cervical spine.

The man in Ivan’s grasp crumbled without a single response.

“Shit!!”

“Shoot! Shoot that guy!!”

The vegetable seller and the man reading the newspaper hastily stood up, drawing guns from their chests.

This indicates several things.

Firstly, they’re in cahoots.

Secondly, they are amateurish.

Ivan rose and swung the axe, striking the man’s head.

With a thud, the man’s body collapsed.

He pressed the receiver, listening to the direction of the magic line.

Not far.

Ivan wiped the axe blade on the man’s coat and fastened it to his waist.

It’s 9:03. If the train operates normally, it’ll arrive at this station by 10:00.

In fifty minutes, the train terror will occur.

“So.”

“Plenty of time.”

Ivan chuckled as he organized the bodies. It took just five minutes to erase the bloodstains and signs of combat.

Erasing traces was one of the most critical aspects of the Cleanup Unit’s training.

****

There was a reason for Ivan’s relaxed demeanor.

According to the formula of the academy story, train terror never harms the ‘protagonist and main characters.’

When the train is attacked, the protagonist safely escapes with someone’s help and arrives at the academy unharmed.

Ivan never intended to prevent the train terror from the beginning.

“This is a tutorial.”

Ivan was running through the forest. Occasionally, as the signal weakened, he pressed the button to confirm the reception direction.

“A tutorial is a step to help the player adapt to the game.”

So, they employed such sloppy thieves to attack the ‘Children of the Hero Party.’ It’s a design to get accustomed to combat from the lower-level segments.

Initially, Ivan pondered who among the Hero Party would be the ‘protagonist.’

He soon deduced the correct answer.

All of them.

Everyone is a protagonist. Each member of the Children of the Hero Party is a protagonist.

When playing the game and creating the first character, you’re given ‘archetype’ characters. These are characters with unique storylines in the world. Crucially, they have ‘entirely different attributes or professions.’

– Isabelle, the Warrior’s Daughter. Dual occupation: Mage and Warrior.

– Oscar, the Knight’s Son. Knight.

– Elphira, the Sorceress’s Daughter. Sorceress.

– Ecdysis, the Berserker’s Daughter. Presumably dual occupation: Bard and Berserker.

– Lucia, the Apprentice of the Rogue. Rogue or Assassin.

If the player chooses one of these during character selection, they’ll have to resolve the ‘Train Terror’ as their tutorial.

Thus, Ivan changed his thinking.

‘If all characters’ tutorials revolve around Train Terror, then one can anticipate the terrorist group beforehand.’

If you repeat the same thing six times, it’s sure to leave a trace.

Ivan sprinted through the undergrowth, pressing the receiver once more.

This time, he felt the magic line emanating from a very close location.

“Tutorials are left to the protagonist, and I’ll eliminate the variables.”

He won’t prevent the Train Terror. Anyway, the Train Terror is a ‘constant.’ If stopped in advance, it might lead to issues in a different way.

So, it’s better to identify the group behind the Train Terror instead.

Then, at the academy, track down and eliminate any traces of that group.

Avoid direct confrontation, conduct espionage from the rear, and eradicate the threats. That’s the method of the Cleanup Unit.

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