‘Albino, huh. I didn’t expect to hear this story here.’

After settling the matter with Etbum, Luca lay down on his bed, organizing his thoughts.

In ‘I Became the Savior of the Academy’, various villains appear.

And most of them are villains related to the Demonz.

However, among a select few—important characters, sometimes there were those not at all related to the Demonz.

One of them is the crime organization called Albino.

As the name suggests, all of its executives have snow-white skin, hair, and red eyes.

But that’s not because of true albinism.

Their physical transformation was caused by an ancient weapon called ‘White Noise’.

To be specific, it is a special bio-weapon among the ancient weapons called the ‘Great Soul’.

The synchronizer of that weapon is Albino’s boss, ‘Ravinia Way’.

‘A villain born of pure human malice, without any influence from the Demonz.’

Luca had a subtle expression on his face.

‘Getting involved with those bastards is a bit uncomfortable.’

There were various reasons why.

First of all, Albino’s power is enormous.

‘At the time of the original story, even the Empire’s ducal families couldn’t easily touch them.’

He didn’t know exactly how powerful they were at this point, but judging from Etbum’s reaction, they didn’t seem to be a small organization.

The strength of Albino lay in their tight unity, brought forth by White Noise.

Because of this, they were not a group that could collapse easily at any given time.

‘Even now, they must not be an easy opponent.’

The ancient weapon, White Noise, possessed several powers, the most representative being ‘Infection’ and ‘Subjugation’.

Some portion of the virus-like White Noise would enter the target and enslave them.

Using this, the group’s boss ‘Ravinia Way’ continually increased the number of loyal subordinates.

‘Power aside, the boss herself is just too nasty.’

Although Luca had vowed to save villains, that only applied to those who hadn’t yet committed any crimes.

Ravinia Way, who had already committed countless atrocities, was hard to save.

‘I understand she had a somewhat tragic life, and that she was infected by White Noise… But she’s done too much to be forgiven.’

Even just looking at Etbum’s reaction, it was clear.

Their brutal method of execution—making enemies immortal so that they couldn’t die no matter how much they wanted to, suffering forever.

Their tyranny over countless people through fear had long crossed the line.

‘Besides, White Noise is the power that the protagonist acquires from the very first round, so it’s a dangerous thing to touch.’

Any ancient weapon could potentially change fate, but the ‘Great Soul’ known as White Noise was especially unique.

If he were to steal it from the protagonist, he couldn’t even imagine how the future would change.

‘Although, it already feels like a lot has changed.’

That’s how Luca thought, fiddling with his phone.

Because of this, several peaceful futures must have already changed.

The Demonz’ claws stretched into the Academy had been removed, and Herote’s personality hadn’t changed, so even the major events of the future might have shifted somewhat.

‘The internal Academy story should stay similar… but who knows how much the world outside has changed.’

Luca shook his head, then looked at his phone again.

‘… Now that I think about it, there’s something.’

Pondering how to deal with the changes outside, he suddenly realized there was a way to get information right away.

Luca opened the search app immediately.

[Information Search]

― If you search for content above your clearance level, your credit will be consumed but you will obtain no information.

― One search credit allows up to three search attempts.

― Information searched is saved automatically.

*Currently available search credits: Tier 5 Information Search Credit, tier 8 Information Search Credit

Finally, an opportunity to use information search.

Luca licked his slightly dry lips and searched for ‘Albino’.

[Albino Search Results]

― Albino: Lexical definition

― Albino: Crime syndicate in the southern region of the Hernan Empire

(If searched with a low-level credit, some info will be restricted.)

‘So it’s like this.’

He was tempted to click on the dictionary meaning, but he suppressed the urge, not wanting to waste a valuable search credit.

‘But when they say low-level, do they mean Tier 5? Or does Tier 8 also count?’

It was a bit ambiguous.

It would be a waste if info was also restricted at Tier 8.

‘Shouldn’t they at least tell you which info is limited depending on the credit used?’

As Luca grumbled inwardly, the search result suddenly refreshed.

[Albino Search Results]

― Albino: Lexical definition

― Albino: Crime syndicate in the southern region of the Hernan Empire

(If searched with a low-level credit, some info will be restricted.)

*Number of restricted info when using Tier 5 credit: 5

*Number of restricted info when using Tier 8 credit: 5

‘……?’

A real-time updating app.

Luca grimaced and scrutinized his phone.

‘Are they watching?’

Otherwise, he couldn’t understand the timing of the update.

Luca clicked his tongue.

‘Same as when the connection was cut last time, this phone must have some secret… though I have no way of figuring it out.’

At least, Eltima seemed to know something.

‘I’ll have to ask next time I see her.’

Thinking that, Luca focused again on his phone.

‘If Tier 5 and Tier 8 both restrict the same number of info, then it makes sense to just use Tier 5.’

Fortunately, with no difference in information revealed, he only had to use Tier 5.

‘If even Tier 8 can’t access it… then it’s probably info about the Great Soul.’

It seemed to require Tier 9 Information Search Credit or higher to access information about the Great Soul.

‘I’m curious as to what Tier 8 can reveal, though.’

With that in mind, Luca searched for information about the crime syndicate, Albino.

[Tier 5 Information Search Credit used.]

[Crime Organization – Albino]

Overview: Crime syndicate based in the southern region of the Hernan Empire.

Traits: All executives exhibit pure white skin, hair, and red irises.

Objective: The group’s boss ‘Ravinia Way’ is (restricted info).

(restricted info)

(restricted info)

Members:

Leader – Ravinia Way

Executives – Tron Way, Vasco Way, …, Okota Way

General members – Baroda, Vino, …, Cave

Organization Headquarters: Lubak Territory, Hephville Territory, …, (restricted info)

Sub-organizations: Sewer Union, Venom Guild, …, (restricted info)

…

…

…

‘That’s proper, isn’t it?’

Far more detailed than he expected.

There was much more information than Luca himself knew.

‘Just as I guessed, anything about the Great Soul is restricted.’

Judging by where the restricted info blocks were, he could roughly guess.

It was only the info on White Noise—the Great Soul—that was censored.

‘Ravinia Way’s objective is to get revenge on the humans who massacred her family using White Noise, and below must be things like military strength or similar stuff. The headquarters and other restricted info must be the locations of White Noise.’

Luca’s eyes sparkled as he read his phone.

‘This is a decent haul.’

Obtaining this much information about Albino, one of the strongest future factions, in a single click, was a massive gain.

‘This is good info—whether to use or to sell.’

There were plenty of powers aiming for Albino, and being able to sell information to them was valuable in itself.

‘But if the protagonist ends up with none of the core Great Souls in storage, that might become a problem later…’

Then again, that sounded like selling away the future a little.

‘It’s fine. If it gets dangerous, I’ll avoid it. If it looks doable, I’ll take it.’

Just knowing about their power would make it easier to avoid risks.

Finding meaning in that, Luca decided to sleep.

“Hey… Luca.”

“Still awake, are you?”

At that moment, Ottbo, who was beside him, spoke up.

At Luca’s indifferent response, Ottbo pouted.

“You woke me up, you know.”

“You’re not wrong.”

Luca had indeed woken him up, so he didn’t have much to say.

Luca gave a soft chuckle, and Ottbo turned to face him.

“You told that person earlier to call you boss, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“Then, are you going to make some kind of organization as well?”

Luca looked puzzled at Ottbo’s sudden question.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, the word boss just sounds kind of cool.”

“Huh.”

At this age, kids do like things like that.

Luca chuckled and replied.

“It was just because being called Young Master or Master felt awkward.”

“Really? That’s a bit disappointing.”

“Then why don’t you make one yourself—an organization, I mean.”

At Luca’s words, Ottbo put on a slightly awkward face.

“I… don’t think I’d really fit in with that sort of thing.”

“But you never know until you try.”

“You’re here, aren’t you? Who would suit being the boss more than you? You totally felt like some villain organization’s executive earlier.”

Ottbo’s eyes were shining with admiration.

Luca, too, turned to face Ottbo as he lay down.

“You played your part pretty well in that act, you know.”

“Well, I was told to.”

Ottbo grinned sheepishly at the praise.

Then, with a hum and a groan, he said:

“But, don’t you think creating a real organization could be great? Either way, we can’t really be family heads.”

“I plan to beat my brother, but I have no desire to inherit the Traverse House for sure.”

“Then, don’t you think we should at least have somewhere to belong? We can’t exactly go serve under Milia, can we?”

At the mention of Milia, Luca frowned.

“I’d hate that, even if I died.”

“Haha, I figured you would.”

“Hm… well… when you put it that way, I suppose it’s not such a bad idea.”

Eyes fluttering for a moment, Luca mused:

“Making my own organization, huh.”

* * *

Thump! Thump! Thump!

“……”

Etbum was silently digging into the earth.

Once the hole reached a certain depth, he buried the corpses of his comrades in it.

“Phew. Usually, Meck handled this sort of thing.”

Wiping away his sweat, Etbum muttered, then lay down on the ground.

Ruined with dirt, it didn’t matter if his clothes got dirty anymore.

“The sky’s beautiful……”

Etbum gazed blankly at the radiant night sky.

—I won’t let you escape through death. Atone with life.

“Atonement, huh.”

He wasn’t of such an amiable character as to be reformed just because of an incident like this.

But the fact was, Luca’s words had struck his heart.

“What is that person’s true nature, really…?”

Etbum closed his eyes, Luca’s image flickering in his mind.

A figure crafted as if by an artisan’s lifelong dedication.

But with a cruelty not befitting that appearance.

And, again, a detached manner of speaking that hardly matched that cruelty.

He was, in every way, a mystery.

“At the very least… at the very least, the leader of some secret organization.”

Complex emotions surfaced on Etbum’s face.

Fear, or was it awe? Or perhaps adoration?

He felt a powerful attraction to Luca.

“That person is certain to do great things. Soon, a huge wave will sweep across the continent.”

The fake geas forced upon him was already the last thing on his mind.

“Following him is the only way to survive in the days ahead… No, it’s not just survival—a more distinguished life awaits than this wretched existence!”

A fierce longing rose in his eyes.

“All for the boss…!”

A new organization was forming in a place Luca had never expected.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

It’s like the Pintel incident all over again…

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep